English poem
On the Forbiddance of GAY's Second Part of the Beggar's Opera, and the Damnation of CIBBER's Love in a Riddle
by Anonymous
Two accidents the weekly bills have miss'd, One poet muzzled up, the other hiss'd. Both from the stage and tow'ring hopes cast down, One by the court, the other by the town. The one as much despis'd as t'other fear'd; Philautus damn'd by trial, Gay unheard. Philautus with Corinthian air had drawn Corinthian courage in primaeval dawn: With his Corinthian lords he kept the field;— It cost a second day to make him yield. None but a rude Corinthian bold and rough Could talk of courtiers' heads being made of stuff. Philautus, thou art safe; thy Tinker's stroke May grate the ear, but never can provoke: But he is justly dreaded, who can fit The Spartan virtue to the Athenian wit.