The triumph of wit, or, Ingenuity display'd in its perfection. Being the newest and most useful academy, in three parts. Part I. Containing variety of excellent poems, pastorals, satyrs, dialogues, epigrams, anagrams, acrosticks, choice letters with their answers, ... and exactest collection of choice songs. Part II. Containing the whole art and mystery of love in all its nicest intreagues and curious particulars, ... with the description & anatomy of perfect beauty. Part III. Containing the mystery and art of wheedling and canting, with the original and present management thereof, and the ends to which it serves and is employed. Illustrated with poems, songs and various intreagues in the canting language, with the explanation, &c. To which is added, Instructions for dancing with musical notes.

About this Item

Title
The triumph of wit, or, Ingenuity display'd in its perfection. Being the newest and most useful academy, in three parts. Part I. Containing variety of excellent poems, pastorals, satyrs, dialogues, epigrams, anagrams, acrosticks, choice letters with their answers, ... and exactest collection of choice songs. Part II. Containing the whole art and mystery of love in all its nicest intreagues and curious particulars, ... with the description & anatomy of perfect beauty. Part III. Containing the mystery and art of wheedling and canting, with the original and present management thereof, and the ends to which it serves and is employed. Illustrated with poems, songs and various intreagues in the canting language, with the explanation, &c. To which is added, Instructions for dancing with musical notes.
Author
J. S. (John Shirley), fl. 1680-1702.
Publication
[n.p.] :: Printed for Nicholas Bodington at the Golden Ball in Duck-lane,
1688.
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Subject terms
Epigrams, English -- 17th century.
Anagrams -- Early works to 1800.
English wit and humor -- Early works to 1800.
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A60018.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The triumph of wit, or, Ingenuity display'd in its perfection. Being the newest and most useful academy, in three parts. Part I. Containing variety of excellent poems, pastorals, satyrs, dialogues, epigrams, anagrams, acrosticks, choice letters with their answers, ... and exactest collection of choice songs. Part II. Containing the whole art and mystery of love in all its nicest intreagues and curious particulars, ... with the description & anatomy of perfect beauty. Part III. Containing the mystery and art of wheedling and canting, with the original and present management thereof, and the ends to which it serves and is employed. Illustrated with poems, songs and various intreagues in the canting language, with the explanation, &c. To which is added, Instructions for dancing with musical notes." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A60018.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2024.

Pages

Page [unnumbered]

G. E. To his worthy Friend Mr. J. S. upon the perusal of his new Book, Entituled, The Triumph of Wit, &c.

DEar Friend, I read your Book and find in it, No common Suff, but th' Quintessence of Wit; No trivial Things to fill an empty Page, But such as must (if ought) will please the Age: Nature and Art conspir'd to guide your Pen As if they'd make well-writing live again, By giving to each Line force, fire and Sence To move, compell and charm with Eloquence. Each pleas'd my Ear and rais'd my wonder too, How in so short a time you this cou'd do; How in a Time when other Labours prest Your Teeming Fancy; gave your Muse no rest, Your Brain the World with this Minerva blest: When many puzled till Old Age at last But Embrio Brats into the World have cast; Yet proud of the dull indigest Load, Each swells and thinks himself a Demi-god; Hoping by such a Trifle, that his name Shall e'er stand fair i'th' Records of loud Fame: When you more Books than Weeks compose the year By far have wrought, yet unconcern'd appear: All unaffected stand and rather choose, Than boast of it, the praise of all to loose; Whilst others claim (as Virgils once) your Muse.

Page [unnumbered]

So still go on that you like him may rise, Humility, when mounting highest, flies, And Phoenix like can soonest reach the Skies. Nor need the coyest Virgins fear to Read These Nectar Lines that from your Pen proceed. No obsceen Words take place to raise a Blush, And make the Roses o'er the Lillies flush; But softest strains of Mirth and modest Love Enammel all this fragrant tempting Grove, Where dwells th' Eternal Spring of charming Wit; Such as can ne'er offend but must delight, And raise a silent Transport in the mind, Make young Men Constant and young Maidens kind, That Love may his large Empire larger find.

Sir, I am your affectionate and devoted Friend and Servant, G. E.

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