But laissez aller—Knights and Dames I sing,
Such as the times may furnish. ’Tis a flight
Which seems at first to need no lofty wing,
Plumed by Longinus or the Stagyrite:
The difficulty lies in colouring
(Keeping the due proportions still in sight)
With Nature manners which are artificial,
And rend’ring general that which is especial.