"But Settle, and the Rest, that writ for Pence, / Whose whole Estate's an ounce, or two of Brains"
— Oldham, John (1653-1683)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Jo. Hindmarsh [etc.]
Date
1684
Metaphor
"But Settle, and the Rest, that writ for Pence, / Whose whole Estate's an ounce, or two of Brains"
Metaphor in Context
Here trading Scriblers for their Maintainance,
And Livelihood trust to a Lott'ry chance:
But who his Parts would in the Service spend,
Where all his hopes on Vulgar Breath depend?
Where every Sot, for paying half a Crown,
Has the Prerogative to cry him down?
Sidley indeed may be content with Fame,
Nor care should an ill-judging Audience damn:
But Settle, and the Rest, that writ for Pence,
Whose whole Estate's an ounce, or two of Brains,
Should a thin House on the third day appear,
Must starve, or live in Tatters all the year.
And what can we expect that's brave and great,
From a poor needy Wretch, that writes to eat?
Who the success of the next Play must wait
For Lodging, Food, and Cloaths, and whose chief care
Is how to spunge for the next Meal, and where?
And Livelihood trust to a Lott'ry chance:
But who his Parts would in the Service spend,
Where all his hopes on Vulgar Breath depend?
Where every Sot, for paying half a Crown,
Has the Prerogative to cry him down?
Sidley indeed may be content with Fame,
Nor care should an ill-judging Audience damn:
But Settle, and the Rest, that writ for Pence,
Whose whole Estate's an ounce, or two of Brains,
Should a thin House on the third day appear,
Must starve, or live in Tatters all the year.
And what can we expect that's brave and great,
From a poor needy Wretch, that writes to eat?
Who the success of the next Play must wait
For Lodging, Food, and Cloaths, and whose chief care
Is how to spunge for the next Meal, and where?
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
08/23/2005
