G., "Extempore Epigram on reading Mr. Colman's new Comedy, intitled The Spleen, which had been severely and illiberally criticized" Morning Chronicle (14 May 1776).
Most authors envy a successful brother, And "wits are fierce game-cocks to one another." Thus said I to myself last night, Whilst I perus'd each hum'rous scene; COLMAN, as long as thus you write, Instead of curing, you'll increase their SPLEEN!
ANOTHER. Wit, Humour, Character, and well wrought scene!— Can these the envious critic's rage allay? Ah, COLMAN, no; they only raise more Spleen Than twenty suburb Spaws can wash away. And is there then, alas! no method left, Of such fell critics to escape the fury?— Yes, — copy them, — subsist by lies and theft, Be dull, and under writer, and I'll insure ye.
