English poem
In easy Dialogue is FLETCHER's Praise
by William Congreve (1670–1729)
In easy Dialogue is FLETCHER's Praise: He mov'd the Soul, but had not Power to raise. Great JOHNSON did by Strength of Judgment please, Yet doubling FLETCHER's Force, he wants his Ease: In diff'ring Talents, Both adorn'd their Age; One for the Study, t'other for the Stage. But Both to CONGREVE justly shall submit, ONE match'd in Judgment, BOTH o'er-match'd in Wit. In Him, All Beauties of this Age we see; ETHEREGE's Courtship, SOUTHERN's Purity; The Satire, Wit, and Strength, of manly WYCHERLEY.