TO A WRITER OF PANEGYRIC

Be advised by a friend, who advises but rarely,

Be cautious of praising‘ till praise is earned fairly:

There was a sage Ancient this truth did bequeath,

“That merit is only determined by death.”

Panegyric I'm sorry to see you engage in —

Old Nero, at first, was a Titus, or Trajan:

The Indians of Siam bow down to a Log,

And Egypt is said to have worshipped a Dog.

If you will be throwing your jewels to swine,

No wonder they rend you — whenever they dine —

Pray, leave it to puppies to cry up their worth,

And to dunces, to honour the day of their birth.

Whoever the road to preferment would find,

With the eyes of a Dutchman must look at mankind;

From the basest of motives, cry cowards are brave,

And laugh in his sleeve — when he flatters a knave.