A plea of dotage may all quarels quayle:
Theyr olde licence[1733] theyr writings to expounde,
Doth quit them cleare from faults by Momus founde.
31.
This freedom old ought[1734] not to be debard
From any wight that speaketh ought, or writeth:
The author’s meaning should of right be heard,
He knoweth best to what end he enditeth:
Wordes somtime beare more then the heart behiteth:
Admit therefore the author’s exposition,