After a life in dull expectance pass'd?
The wretch at summing up his mispent days,
Found nothing left, but poverty, and praise:
Of all his gains by Verse he could not save
Enough to purchase Flannel, and a grave:
Reduc'd to want, he in due time fell sick,
Was fain to die, and be interr'd on Tick:
And well might bless the Feaver that was sent,
To rid him hence, and his worse fate prevent.
Thus you see though we have had some comparable to Homer for Heroick Poesie, and to Euripides for Tragedy, yet have they died disregarded, and nothing left of them, but that only once there were such Men and Writings in being.