The dull Burlesque appear'd with impudence, And pleas'd by Novelty, in Spite of Sence. All, except trivial points, grew out of date; Parnassus spoke the Cant of Belingsgate: Boundless and Mad, disorder'd Rhyme was seen: Disguis'd Apollo chang'd to Harlequin. This Plague, which first in Country Towns began, Cities and Kingdoms quickly over-ran; The dullest Scriblers some Admirers found, And the Mock-Tempest was a while renown'd: But this low stuff the Town at last despis'd, And scorn'd the Folly that they once had pris'd; Distinguish'd Dull, from Natural and Plain, And left the Villages to Fleckno's Reign. Let not so mean a Stile your Muse debase; But learn from Butler the Buffooning grace:
