Poems on several occasions written by Charles Cotton ...

Id. Lib. 8. Ep. 3.

Ad Musam.

IT was enough five, six, seven Books to fill, Yea and too much; why, Muse, dost scrible still? Cease, and be modest. Fame no farther grace Can add; My Book's worn out in every place. When raz'd Messalla's Monumentals must Lye with Licinus's lo••ty Tomb in dust I shall be read, and Travellors that come Transport my Verses to their Father's home. Thus I had once resolv'd (Her Clothes, and Head Besmear'd with Ointment) when Thalia said, Canst thou, Ungratefull, thus renounce thy Rhime▪ Tell me; how would'st thou spend thy Vacant time▪ To Tragick buskins would'st thy Sock transfer, And in Heroick Verse sing bloudy War? That tyrannous Pedants with awfull voice May terrify Old Men, Virgins, and Boys:

Let rigid Antiquaries such things write, Who by a blinking Lamp consume the Night, With Roman air touch up thy Poems Dress, That th' Age may read its manners, and confess: T••ou'lt find thou may'st with trifling Subjects play, ••••til their Trumpets to thy Reed give way.