Classic Poem

Behold the foe of Grub Street's lettered fools,
The Richard Crookback of the kings of rhyme,
Forging his couplets of heroic chime,
And beating all his masters at their rules;
With what an arsenal of shining tools
He wrought to shape his fanciful sublime,
Flouting each proud Maecenas of the time,
And shoving all the dunces from their stools.

And you'd deny him greatness? Would to-day
Your acrobatic bards could fill his place!
He lacked variety? But who can sway
More forceful measures in a narrow place?
Yield him, O Fame, brightest three-leaved bay.
Mind, manners, men, the Horace of his race!