Poems on several choice and various subjects occasionally composed by an eminent author ; collected and published by Sergeant-Major P.F.

Vpon Dr. Davies British-Grammar.

'TWas a rough Task, believe it, thus to tame A wild and Wealthy Language, and to frame Grammatic toiles to curb her, so that she Now speaks by Rules, and sings by Prosodie: Such is the strength of Art rough things to shape, And of rude Commons rich Inclosures make. Doubtless much Oyl and Labour went to couch Into Methodic Rules the rugged Dutch: The Rabbies pass my reach, but judge I can Something of Clenard and Quintilian; And for those Modern Dames I find they three Are onely lops cut from the Latian Tree; And easie 'twas to square them into parts, The Tree it self so blossoming with Arts. I have been shewn for Irish and Bascuence, Imperfect Rules couch'd in an Accidence: But I find none of these can take the start Of Davies, or that prove more Men of Art, Who in exacter Method and clear way, The Idioms of a Language do display. This is the Toung the Birds sung in of old, And Druyds their dark Knowledg did unsold:

Merlin in this his Prophecies did vent, Which through the world of fame bear such extent. This spoak that Son of Mars, that Britain bold Who first 'mongst Christian-Worthies is inroll'd: This Brennus, who, to his desire and glut, This Mistress of the world did prostitut. This Arviragus and King Catarac Sole free, when all the world was on Romes rack. This Lucius who on Angels wings did soar To Rome, and would wear Diadem no more. With thousand Hero's more, which shold I tell, This New-year scarce wold serve me: So fare well▪