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To A Person Who Wrote Ill, And Spake Worse, Against Me

By Matthew Prior

Topics: classic

Lie Philo untouch'd, on my peaceable shelf, Nor take it amiss that so little I heed thee; I've no envy to thee, and some love to myself: Then why should I answer since first I must read thee? Drunk with Helicon's waters, and double-brew'd bub, Be a linguist, a poet, a critic, a wag; To the solid delight of thy well-judging club, To the damage alone of thy bookseller Brag. Pursue me with satire; what harm is there in't? But from all viva voce reflection forbear; There can be no danger from what thou shalt print, There may be a little from what thou may'st swear.

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"Lie Philo untouch'd, on my peaceable shelf,..."

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Author:Matthew Prior

"Lie Philo untouch'd, on my peaceable shelf,..." by Matthew Prior

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Matthew Prior

About Matthew Prior

Matthew Prior (1664–1721) was an English poet and diplomat. His poem "Alma: or, The Progress of the Mind" and his epitaph "Nobles and heralds, by your leave" are witty Augustan verse.

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