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EPIGRAM: ON POET-APE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Poor poet-ape, that would be thought our chief
Last Line: From locks of wool, or shreds from the whole piece!
Variant Title(s): On Poet-ape
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Poor Poet-Ape, that would be thought our chief,
Whose works are e'en the frippery of wit,
From brocage is become so bold a thief,
As we, the robbed, leave rage, and pity it.
At first he made low shifts, would pick and glean,
Buy the reversion of old plays; now grown
To a little wealth, and credit in the scene,
He takes up all, makes each man's wit his own.
And, told of this, he slights it. Tut, such crimes
The sluggish gaping auditor devours;
He marks not whose 'twas first: and after-times
May judge it to be his, as well as ours.
Fool, as if half-eyes will not know a fleece
From locks of wool, or shreds from the whole piece!







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