ON MR JOHN FLETCHER'S PLAYS.

Fletcher! to thee we do not only owe All these good plays, but those of others too; Thy wit repeated does support the stage, Credits the last, and entertains this age. No worthies, form'd by any Muse but thine, Could purchase robes to make themselves so fine.

What brave commander is not proud to see Thy brave Melantius in his gallantry? Our greatest ladies love to see their scorn Outdone by thine, in what themselves have worn; 10 Th' impatient widow, ere the year be done, Sees thy Aspasia weeping in her gown.

I never yet the tragic strain essay'd, Deterr'd by that inimitable Maid;[1] And when I venture at the comic style, Thy Scornful Lady seems to mock my toil.

Thus has thy Muse at once improved and marr'd Our sport in plays, by rend'ring it too hard! So when a sort of lusty shepherds throw The bar by turns, and none the rest outgo 20 So far, but that the best are measuring casts, Their emulation and their pastime lasts; But if some brawny yeoman of the guard Step in, and toss the axletree a yard, Or more, beyond the furthest mark, the rest Despairing stand; their sport is at the best.

[1] 'Inimitable Maid': the Maid's Tragedy, the joint production of Beaumont and Fletcher.