London drollery, or, The wits academy being a select collection of the newest songs, lampoons, and airs alamode : with several other most ingenious peices [sic] of railery, never before published / by W.H.

His Answer to Madam E. C. Ʋpon her Curious Art in Cutting Figures in Paper; and other her Artificial Curiosities.

I'Ve often read that Art a Hand-maid was Unto Dame-Nature, and not without Cause: But now I see the contrary: for in you I find the Proverb can no more be true: For you in Art excel Dame Nature so, That one would think your very Flowers do grow: So well they're cut, by your ingenious hand, VVhen Curiosoes see 'em, they're at a stand; And plainly say, That so it cannot be, By any thing that's humane, but some Deitie. Nay, Painters do confess 'tis done so well, They thought 'em natural, onely for the smell. For Men, Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Trees, Plants, and Flowers, Are so well cut by that same hand of yours,

That all do stand amaz'd, and plainly say, You in this Art do bear the Bell away. 'Tis rare to see a Female Herald; yet you, When of your Curiosities I took a view, I saw some Coats of Arms so exactly done, The Painters Pencils with Scissars Y'ave out-gone. And painted Paper is the onely Thing, With the Clipping Tool, You to life do bring To th' Eye those things which seem inanimate. I wish destroying Time may no period set Unto those Eyes and Hands of Yours, which do Imploy themselves to your content, and ours too. I'll say no more but this, and do despise All flatterie, That had I a thousand Eies, On Your Mysterious Art I would them fix, So long as I am call'd

W. Hicks.