Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VERSES TO BE PREFIXED BEFORE BERNARD LINTOT'S NEW MISCELLANY, by ALEXANDER POPE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VERSES TO BE PREFIXED BEFORE BERNARD LINTOT'S NEW MISCELLANY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some colinaeus praise, some bleau
Last Line: For some folks read, but all folks sh --.
Subject(s): Bleau, Willem Janszoon (1571-1638); Books; Elzevier, Louis (1540-1617); Manutius, Aldus (1450-1515); Plantin, Christophe (1514-1589); Printing And Printers; Reading; Manuzio, Aldo; Mannucci, Aldo


Some Colinaeus praise, some Bleau,
Others account 'em but so so;
Some Plantin to the rest prefer,
And some esteem Old-Elzevir;
Others with Aldus would besot us;
I, for my part, admire Lintottus. --
His Character's beyond Compare,
Like his own Person, large and fair.
They print their Names in Letters small,
But LINTOT stands in Capital:
Author and he, with equal Grace,
Appear, and stare you in the Face:
Stephens prints Heathen Greek, 'tis said,
Which some can't construe, some can't read:
But all that comes from Lintot's Hand
Ev'n Ra -- son might understand.
Oft in an Aldus, or a Plantin,
A Page is blotted, or Leaf wanting:
Of Lintot's Books this can't be said,
All fair, and not so much as read.
Their Copy cost 'em not a Penny
To Homer, Virgil, or to any;
They ne'er gave Sixpence for two Lines,
To them, their Heirs, or their Assigns:
But Lintot is at vast Expence,
And pays prodigious dear for -- Sense.
Their Books are useful but to few,
A Scholar, or a Wit or two:
Lintot's for gen'ral Use are fit;
For some Folks read, but all Folks sh --.





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