AUTHOR.
SATIRE is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover
everybody\'s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind
reception it meets with in the world, and that so very few are offended
with it. But, if it should happen otherwise, the danger is not great; and
I have learned from long experience never to apprehend mischief from
those understandings I have been able to provoke: for anger and fury,
though they add strength to the sinews of the body, yet are found to relax
those of the mind, and to render all its efforts feeble and impotent.
There is a brain that will endure but one scumming; let the owner
gather it with discretion, and manage his little stock with husbandry; but,
of all things, let him beware of bringing it under the lash of his betters,
because that will make it all bubble up into impertinence, and he will
find no new supply. Wit without knowledge being a sort of cream,
which gathers in a night to the top, and by a skilful hand may be soon
whipped into froth; but once scummed away, what appears underneath
will be fit for nothing but to be thrown to the hogs.