Page:The Rosciad - Churchill (1761, 2nd edition).djvu/31

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THE ROSCIAD.
27
Gray-bearded vet'rans, who, with partial tongue,Extol the times when they themselves were young;Who, having lost all relish for the stage, 605See not their own defects, but lash the age,Receiv'd, with joyful murmurs of applause,Their darling chief, and lin'd his fav'rite cause.
Far be it from the candid Muse to treadInsulting o'er the ashes of the dead. 610But just to living merit, she maintains,And dares the test, whilst Garrick's Genius reigns;Ancients, in vain, endeavour to excel,Happily prais'd if they could act as well.
But, though Prescription's force we disallow, 615Nor to Antiquity submissive bow;Though we deny imaginary grace,Founded on accidents of time and place;Yet real worth of ev'ry growth shall bear,Due praise, nor dare we, Q—n, forget thee there. 620
His words bore sterling weight, nervous and strong,In manly tides of sense they roll'd along.Happy in art, he chiefly had pretenceTo keep up Numbers, yet not forfeit Sense,

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