Arts & Sciences
On Christ-Church Play at Woodstock
From Poems, ed. O. Gilchrist (1807)
If wee, at Woodstock, have not pleased those,
Whose clamorous judgments lye in urging noes,
And, for the want of whifflers, have destroy’d
Th’ applause, which wee with vizards hadd enjoy’d,
Wee are not sorry; for such witts as these
Libell our windowes oft’ner then our playes;
Or, if their patience be moov’d, whose lipps
Deserve the knowledge of the proctorships,
Or judge by houses, as their howses goe,
Not caring if their cause be good or noe;
Nor by desert or fortune can be drawne
To credit us, for feare they loose their pawne;
Wee are not greatly sorry; but if any,
Free from the yoake of the ingaged many,
That dare speake truth even when their head stands by,
Or when the seniors spoone is in the pye;
Nor to commend the worthy will forbeare,
Though he of Cambridge, or of Christ-church were,
And not of his owne colledge; and will shame
To wrong the person, for his howse, or name;
If any such be greiv’d, then downe proud spirit;
If not, know, number never conquer’d merit.
Cite this poem
MLA
Corbet, Richard. “On Christ-Church Play at Woodstock.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/corbet/16/.
Chicago
Corbet, Richard. “On Christ-Church Play at Woodstock.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/corbet/16/.
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