Our ancient Verse, (as homely as the Times) Was rude, unmeasur'd, only Tagg'd with Rhimes: Number and Cadence, that have Since been Shown, To those unpolish'd Writers were unknown. Fairfax was He, who, in that Darker Age, By his just Rules restrain'd Poetic Rage; Spencer did next in Pastorals excel, And taught the Noble Art of Writing well: To stricter Rules the Stanza did restrain, And found for Poetry a richer Veine.
