Great mens Defects are oft supply'd
By Verse, hence Crimes derive their Pride:
Thus Caesar's Garlands did his Baldness hide.
But no more blame falls to our share,
Than to those Chamber-maids, whose care
But washes Faces that before were fair.
If Truth should never be exprest
But by those who can do it best;
She might go naked still, or thinly drest.
At Coronations 'twere a thing
Most strange, if only great Bells ring;
Or none but Courtiers cry'd, God save the King.
From low Stops highest Notes are rais'd;
By poor mens pray'rs none are disgrac'd:
Caesar did boast when in a Cottage prais'd.
All Wit is here by Grief out-done;
And Brains dissolv'd, to Tears do run;
Yet Tears distill'd thus may prove Helicon.
Let never any Poets more,
The help of other Streams implore;
Here is sufficient to increase their store.
May they amend what I have done;
By my Defects their helps are shown:
Thus Hones set Edges, tho themselves have none.