Others have no ear for verse, nor choice
of words, nor distinction of thoughts, but mingle farthings with
their gold to make up the sum. Here is a field of satire opened to
me, but since the Revolution I have wholly renounced that talent.
For who would give physic to the great, when he is uncalled, to do
his patient no good and endanger himself for his prescription?
Neither am I ignorant but I may justly be condemned for many of
these faults of which I have too liberally arraigned others:
"Cynthius aurem
Vellit, et admonuit."
It is enough for me if the government will let me pass unquestioned.
In the meantime I am obliged in gratitude to return my thanks to
many of them, who have not only distinguished me from others of the
same party by a particular exception of grace, but without
considering the man have been bountiful to the poet, have encouraged
Virgil to speak such English as I could teach him, and rewarded his
interpreter for the pains he has taken in bringing him over into
Britain by defraying the charges of his voyage.
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