Written in the Title-page of a Volume of Mr Jephson’s Tragedies

Poetic Spirits, bend your ardent gaze
On this rich effluence of dramatic rays!
Than those alone less eminently bright,
That dart from Shakespear’s orb their solar light.
Fastidious Spleen, and canker’d Envy fly,
Nor thou! O mole-eyed Prejudice, be nigh!
Then, nervous Jephson, shall thy muse obtain
Applause, that opes the gate of Glory’s fane.