ill my Critics say to this? When they are ever so little
touch'd, they wou'd drive from the Republick of Letters all the
Satirical Poets, as so many disturbers of the Peace of the Nation. But
what will they say of _Virgil_; the wise, the discreet _Virgil_? who
in an Eclog where he has nothing to do with Satire, has made in one
Line two Poets for ever ridiculous.

_Qui_ Bavium _non odit, amet tua carmina_ Moevi.

Let them not say that _Bavius_ and _Moevius_ in this place are
_suppos'd names_, since it would be too plainly to give the Lye to the
learned _Servius_, who positively declares the contrary. In a word,
what would my Censors do with _Catullus_, _Martial_, and all the Poets
of Antiquity, who have made no more scruple in this matter than
_Virgil_? What would they think of _Voiture_ who had the conscience to
laugh at the expence of the renowned _Neuf Germain_, tho' equally to
be admir'd for the Antiquity of his Beard, and the Novelty of his
Poetry? Will they banish from _Parnassus_, him, and all the ancient
Poets, to establish the reputation of Fools and Coxcombs? If so, I
shall be very easy in my banishment, and have the pleasure of very
good company. Without Raillery, wou'd these Gentlemen really be more
wise than _Scipio_ and _Lelius_, more delicate than _Augustus_, or more
cruel than _Nero_? But they who are so angry at the Critics, how comes
it that they are so merciful to bad Authors? I see what it is that
troubles them; they have no mind to be undeceiv'd. It vexes them to
have seriously admir'd those Works, which my Satires have expos'd to
universal Contempt; and to see themselves condemn'd, to forget in
their old Age, those Verses which they got by heart in their Youth, as
Master-pieces of Wit. Truly I am sorry for 'em, but where's the help?
Can they expect, that to comply with their particular Taste, we
should renounce common Sense? applaud indifferently all the
Impertinencies which a Coxcomb shall think fit to throw upon paper?
and instead of condemning bad Poets (as they did in certain Countries)
to lick out their Writings with their own Tongue, shall Books become
for the future inviolable Sanctuaries, where all Blockheads shall be
made free Denizens, not to be touch'd without Profanation? I could say
much more on this subject; but as I have already treated it in my
ninth Satire, I shall thither refer the Reader.

_FINIS._

_BOOKS printed for_ LAWTON GILLIVER _at_ HOMER'S HEAD,
_against St.