So far am I from reproaching _Waller_ with putting too much Wit in his Poems; that on the contrary, I have found too little, though he continually aims at it. They say that Dancing Masters never make a handsome Bow, because they take too much Pains. I think _Waller_ is often in this Case; his best Verses are studied; one finds he quite tires himself to find that which presents itself so naturally to _Rochester_, _Congreve_, and to so many more, who with all the Ease in the World, write these Bagatelles better than _Waller_ did with Labour. I know it signifies very little to the Affairs of the World, whether _Waller_ was or was not a great Genius; whether he only made a few pretty Things, or that all his Verses may stand for Models. But we who love the Arts, carry an attentive Eye on that which to the rest of the World is a Matter of mere Indifference. Good Taste is for us in Literature, what it is for Women in Dress; and provided we don't make our Opinions an Affair of Party, I think we may boldly say, that there are few excellent Things in _Waller_, and that _Cowley_ might be easily reduced to a few Pages. It is not that we would deprive them of their Reputation; 'tis only to inquire strictly what brought them that Reputation which is so much respected; and what are the true Beauties which made their Faults be overlooked. It must be known what ought to be followed in their Works, and what avoided; this is the true Fruit of a deep Study in the Belles Lettres; it is this that _Horace_ did, when he examined _Lucilius_ critically. _Horace_ got Enemies by it, but he enlightened his Enemies themselves. This Desire of shining, and to say in a new Manner what others have said before, is the Foundation of new Expressions, as well as of far-fetched Thoughts. He that cannot shine by a Thought will distinguish himself by a Word. This is their Reason for substituting Placid for Peaceful, Joyous for Joyful, Meandring for Winding; and a hundred more Affectations of the same kind. If they were to go on at this Rate, the Language of _Shakespear, Milton, Dryden, Addison_ and _Pope_, would soon become quite superannuated. And why avoid an Expression in use, to introduce one which says precisely the same Thing? A new Word is never pardonable, but when it is absolutely necessary, intelligible and sonorous; they are forc'd to make them in Physics: A new Discovery, or a new Machine demands a new Word. But do they make new Discoveries in the human Heart? Is there any other Greatness than that of _Shakespear_ and _Milton_? Are there any other Passions than those that have been handled by _Otway_ and _Dryden_? Is there any other Evangelic Moral than that of Dr. _Tillotson_? Those who accuse the _English_ Language of not being copious enough, do, in Truth, find a Sterility, but 'tis in themselves. _Rem Verba Sequuntur_.