Punnung—after Cowley Poem by John Kenyon

TO AQUILIUS.
Pun and Wit do both surprise;
Yea, but with a difference.
Offspring foolish—offspring wise—
This—of sound; and that—of sense.
Easy pun, like plaister mould,
E'en when best, may scarce assure a
Fragile fame; while Wit doth hold
Bravely on, piëtra dura.
Yet when Pun to Wit allied,
Close to Wit doth take his station,
Why, his presence we'll abide
For the sake of his Relation.

Or when thou thro' every fytte
Dear Aquilius! hast been running;
Wisdom—poetry—and wit,
Then dost drop to sheerest Punning.
Tho' with sound he ill agree;
Tho' with sense sad war he wage;
Still we'll greet him for his glee;
And love him for his parentage.