Charles Churchill

With curious art the brain, too finely wrought,
Preys on herself, and is destroyed by thought.

With curious art the brain, too finely wrought,
Preys on herself, and is destroyed by thought.

Who shall dispute what the Reviewers say?
Their word's sufficient; and to ask a reason,
In such read more

Who shall dispute what the Reviewers say?
Their word's sufficient; and to ask a reason,
In such a state as theirs, is downright treason.

Friends I have made, whom Envy must commend,
But not one foe whom I would wish a friend.

Friends I have made, whom Envy must commend,
But not one foe whom I would wish a friend.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led, they damn those authors whom they never read.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led, they damn those authors whom they never read.

The oak, when living, monarch of the wood;
The English oak, which, dead, commands the flood.

The oak, when living, monarch of the wood;
The English oak, which, dead, commands the flood.