Learn then what morals critics ought to show, 560 For 'tis but half a judge's task, to know. 'Tis not enough, taste, judgment, learning, join; In all you speak, let truth and candour shine, That not alone what to your sense is due All may allow, but seek your friendship too. 565 Be silent always when you doubt your sense; And speak, though sure, with seeming diffidence:[237] Some positive, persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so; But you with pleasure own your errors past, 570 And make each day a critique on the last. 'Tis not enough your counsel still be true; Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do; Men must be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown proposed as things forgot. 575 Without good-breeding truth is disapproved; That only makes superior sense beloved. Be niggards of advice on no pretence: For the worst avarice is that of sense. With mean complaisance ne'er betray your trust, 580 Nor be so civil as to prove unjust.[238] Fear not the anger of the wise to raise; Those best can bear reproof, who merit praise. 'Twere well might critics still this freedom take, But Appius reddens[239] at each word you speak, 585 And stares, tremendous, with a threat'ning eye, Like some fierce tyrant in old tapestry.[240] Fear most to tax an Honourable fool, Whose right it is, uncensured, to be dull; Such, without wit, are poets when they please, 590 As without learning they can take degrees.[241] Leave dang'rous truths to unsuccessful satires, And flattery to fulsome dedicators, Whom, when they praise, the world believes no more, Than when they promise to give scribbling o'er. 595 'Tis best sometimes your censure to restrain, And charitably let the dull be vain:[242] Your silence there is better than your spite, For who can rail so long as they can write?[243] Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep, 600 And lashed so long, like tops, are lashed asleep.[244] False steps but help them to renew the race, As, after stumbling, jades will mend their pace. What crowds of these, impenitently bold, In sounds and jingling syllables grown old, 605 Still run on poets in a raging vein, Ev'n to the dregs and squeezing of the brain, Strain out the last dull droppings[245] of their sense, And rhyme with all the rage of impotence. Such shameless bards we have; and yet, 'tis true, 610 There are as mad, abandoned critics too. The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head,[246] With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always list'ning to himself appears. 615 All books he reads, and all he reads assails, From Dryden's Fables down to Durfey's Tales. With him most authors steal their works, or buy; Garth did not write his own Dispensary.[247] Name a new play, and he's the poet's friend, 620 Nay, showed his faults--but when would poets mend? No place so sacred from such fops is barred,[248] Nor is Paul's church[249] more safe than Paul's churchyard:[250] Nay, fly to altars; there they'll talk you dead; For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.[251] 625 Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks, } It still looks home, and short excursions makes;[252] } But rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks, } And never shocked, and never turned aside, Bursts out, resistless, with a thund'ring tide. 630 But where's the man, who counsel can bestow, Still pleased to teach, and yet not proud to know? Unbiassed, or by favour, or by spite; Not dully prepossessed, nor blindly right; Though learn'd, well-bred; and though well-bred, sincere; Modestly bold, and humanly[253] severe; 636 Who to a friend his faults can freely show, And gladly praise the merit of a foe? Blest with a taste exact, yet unconfined; A knowledge both of books and human kind; 640 Gen'rous converse; a soul exempt from pride; And love to praise,[254] with reason on his side? Such once were critics; such the happy few, Athens and Rome in better ages knew.[255] The mighty Stagyrite first left the shore, 645 Spread all his sails, and durst the deeps explore;[256] He steered securely, and discovered far,[257] Led by the light of the Mæonian star.[258] Poets, a race long unconfined, and free, Still fond and proud of savage liberty, 650 Received his laws;[259] and stood convinced 'twas fit, Who conquered nature, should preside o'er wit.[260] Horace still charms with graceful negligence,[261] And without method talks us into sense; Will, like a friend, familiarly convey 655 The truest notions in the easiest way. He, who supreme in judgment, as in wit, Might boldly censure, as he boldly writ, Yet judged with coolness,[262] though he sung with fire; His precepts teach but what his works inspire.