author ftand much upon the fame terms as Ben does with his father in the comedy *: What thof' he be my father? I an't bound 'prentice to 'en. There were many reafons why the imitator tranfpofed feveral verfes of Ovid, and has divided the whole into fourteen Parts rather than keep it in three books. These may be too tedious to be recited; but, among the rest, some were, that matters of the same subject might lie more compact; that too large a heap of precepts together might appear too burthenfome; and therefore (if fmall matters may allude to greater) as Virgil in his Georgicks, fo here most of the parts end with fome remarkable fable, which carries with it fome moral: yet if any perfons please to take the fix first parts as the first book, and divide the eight laft, they may make three books of them again. There have by chance fome twenty lines crept into the Poem out of The Remedy of Love, which (as inanimate things are generally the most wayward and provoking) fince they would stay have been suffered to ftand there. But as for the Love here mentioned, it being all prudent, honourable, and virtuous, there is no need of any remedy to be prescribed for it but the speedy obtaining of what it defires. Should the imitator's Ryle feem not to be sufficiently restrained, should he * Congreve's Love for Love. not have afforded pains for review or correction, let ît be confidered that perhaps even in that he defired to imitate his author, and would not peruse them, left as fome of Ovid's works were, fo thefe might be committed to the flames: but he leaves that for the reader to do, if he pleafes, when he has bought them. PART I WHOEVER knows not what it is to love, Let him but read these verses and improve. 5 ΙΟ Chiron with pleasing harp Achilles tam'd, And his rough manners with foft mufick fram'd: 'Tho' he'd in council ftorm, in battle rage, He bore a fecret reverence for age. Chiron's command with flrict obedience ties I'S 20 Nor will I raise my fame by hidden art; In what I teach found reason fhall have part: But moves in virtue's path when well employ'd. The tyranny and plagues of vulgar love. 25 39 May infant Chastity, grave matrons' pride, Protect this Work! fo guard it, that no rhyme 35 40 No happiness is found but what is fought. And they who hope for fish must search the deep: Must search where virtue may that flame infpire. 50 55 From India fome, others from neighb'ring France, By prudence only there you guefs at years. 60 65 Sometimes you 'll fee these beauties feck the fhade By lofty trees in royal gardens made; Or at St. James's, where a noble care appear; Or Kensington, fweet air and bleft retreat ༡༠ * George Prince of Denmark, confort to the Queen, greatly admired thefe fine gardens.-They were purchased by Kirg William from Lord Chancellor Finch, were enlarged by Queen Mary, and improved by Queen Anne, who was fo pleased with the place that the frequently fupped during the fummer in the Greenhouse. Queen Caroline extended the gardens to their prefent fize, three miles and a half in compass. |