And Heaven had wanted one immortal song.—Absalom and Achitophel.
Pope adopts similar language in addressing his friend Dr. Arbuthnot:—
Friend of my life! which did not you prolong,
The world had wanted many an idle song.
For truth has such a face and such a mien,
As to be loved needs only to be seen.—Dryden.
Vice is a monster of such hideous mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen.—Pope.
Great wits to madness nearly are allied.—Dryden: Abs. and Achit.