viii EPISTLE, &c. 



And, O, if ought thy Poet can pretend 

 Beyond his fav'rite wifh to call thee Friend,. 

 Be it that here his tuneful toil has dreft 

 The Mufe of FRESNOY in a modern veft ; 

 And, with what fldll his Fancy could beftow. 

 Taught the clofe folds to take an eafier flow $ 

 Be it, that here thy partial finite approv'd 

 The Pains he lavifh'd on the Art he lov'd, 



OCT. 10, 1782. 



W, M A S O N. 



PREFACE 



