Virg monologue (Act 4) — The Poetaster

These pills can but restore him for a time, Not cure him quite of such a malady, Caught by so many surfeits, which have fill'd His blood and brain thus full of crudities: 'Tis necessary therefore he observe A strict and wholesome diet. Look you take Each morning of old Cato's principles A good draught next your heart; that walk upon, Till it be well digested: then come home, And taste a piece of Terence, suck his phrase Instead of liquorice; and, at any hand, Shun Plautus and old Ennius: they are meats Too harsh for a weak stomach. Use to read (But not without a tutor) the best Greeks, As Orpheus, Musaeus, Pindarus, Hesiod, Callimachus, and Theocrite, High Homer; but beware of Lycophron, He is too dark and dangerous a dish. You must not hunt for wild outlandish terms, To stuff out a peculiar dialect; But let your matter run before your words. And if at any time you chance to meet Some Gallo-Belgic phrase; you shall not straight. Rack your poor verse to give it entertainment, But let it pass; and do not think yourself Much damnified, if you do leave it out, When nor your understanding, nor the sense Could well receive it. This fair abstinence, In time, will render you more sound and clear: And this have I prescribed to you, in place Of a strict sentence; which till he perform, Attire him in that robe. And henceforth learn To bear yourself more humbly; not to swell, Or breathe your insolent and idle spite On him whose laughter can your worst affright.