LETTER TO CROMWELL by ALEXANDER POPE

Aprill ye 25. 170'.
Sir,
This Letter greets you from the Shades;
(Not those which thin, unbody'd Shadows fill,
That glide along th' Elysian Glades,
Or skim the flow'ry Meads of Asphodill:)
But those, in which a Learned Author said,
Strong Drink was drunk, and Gambolls play'd,
And two substantial Meals a day were made.
The Business of it is t' express,
From me and from my Holiness,
To you and to your Gentleness,
How much I wish you Health and Happiness;
And much good News, and little Spleen as may be;
A hearty Stomach, and sound Lady;
And ev'ry Day a double Dose of Coffee,
To make you look as sage as any Sophy.

If Wit or Critick blame the tender Swain,
Who stil'd the gentle Damsels in his Strain
The Nymphs of Drury, not of Drury-Lane;
Be this his Answer, and most just Excuse --
'Far be it, Sirs, from my more civil Muse,
Those Loving Ladies rudely to traduce.
Allyes and Lanes are Terms too vile and base,
And give Idea's of a narrow Pass;
But the well-worn Paths of the Nymphs of Drury
Are large and wide; Tydcomb and I assure ye.'

To Baker first my Service, pray;
To Tydcomb eke,
And Mr. Cheek;
Last to yourself my best Respects I pay,
And so remain, for ever and for ay,
Sir,
Yr Affectionate, humble Servt:
A. Pope.

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