[2]

should give a more natural and reasonable Entertainment than what can be met with in the elaborate Trifles of that Nation.

[This]

alarm'd the Poetasters and Fidlers of the Town, who were used to deal in a more ordinary Kind of Ware; and therefore laid down an establish'd Rule, which is receiv'd as such to this

Day

[3]

,

That nothing is capable of being well set to Musick, that is not Nonsense.

[This]

Maxim was no sooner receiv'd, but we immediately fell to translating the Italian Operas; and as there was no great Danger of hurting the Sense of those extraordinary Pieces, our Authors would often make Words of their own