And mingle Attic art with Shakespeare’s fire.”
“Ah, what, fond boy, dost thou presume to claim?”
The Muse replied, “mistaken suppliant, know,
To light in Shakespeare’s breast the dazzling flame
Exhausted all Parnassus could bestow.
True, art remains; and if from his bright page
Thy mimic power one vivid beam can seize,
Proceed; and in that best of tasks engage,
Which tends at once to profit, and to please.”
Caractacus, 1759.