To the Detracter.

WHere others love, and praise my Verses; still
Thy long-black-Thumb-nail marks 'em out for ill
A fellon take it, or some Whit-flaw come
For to unslate, or to untile that thumb!
But cry thee Mercy: Exercise thy nailes
To scratch or claw, so that thy tongue not railes:
Some numbers prurient are, and some of these
Are wanton with their itch; scratch, and 'twill please.