When Merit from the Public Eye withdraws, Then most it gains, when most it shuns, Applause; And by relinquishing its rightful claim, Raises a lasting monument to Fame. How few, like thee, would thus forego the Praise, That Envy, blushing, must allow thy Lays; How few, whose Modesty would leave the Age, To come, in doubt if Pope's or Gay's the Page: But of their own Deserts the Heralds prove; So strong is Pride, so powerful is Self love. Hence learn, Ill-nature, (tho' th' Example's rare) That Modesty may be a Poet's Share.
