Classic Poem

To my frend Sir William Davenant upon his Opera called the Seege of Roads

Could Chaucer Die and Spencer be forgott
Whilst Will's alive: delineates a Plot
Of fresher witt, and of a newer straine
Than ever flowd from Shakespears lofty brayn
Beaumonts and Fletchers, or my owld frend Ben
Sweating produc't; to dignefy his pen,
Adorn the Stage, and make the Busken tread
In a Majestike Posture o're the Dead
And wher the Comick scene did love advance
Ther with the sock to propagate a Dance
Thy new invention therfore clayms more prayse
For it out vies th'Out Landish Operas
Shunning the Common Roads or beaten way
Of longe Disputes which Academicks sway
It brings on Roads it self and thence preferrs
Th'attchivements of the brave Knights Templers
In honer of the Cross, and to maintain
That Ile, and t'shrink the half moon into wayne
And the least Light of all: whilst Sultan swells
Concluding Jealouzy a payne of Hels
So reconcil'd to Roxolana. He
Sets by Hyanthe, and Alfonso's free
Thus heer whilst New found Art thou dost express
All Theaters and stages else goe less.