What statesman, what hero, what king,
Whose name through the Island is spread,
Will you chuse, O my Clio, to sing,
Of all the great living or dead?

Go, my muse, from this place to Japan
In search of a topic for rhyme:
The great E — of B — h is the man,
Who deserves to employ your whole time.

But, howe'er, as the subject is nice,
And perhaps you're unfurnish'd with matter;
May it please you to take my advice,
That you may'nt be suspected to flatter.

When you touch on his l — — — p's high birth,
Speak Latin, as if you were tipsy:
Say, we all are the sons of the earth,
Et genus non fecimus ipsi.

Proclaim him as rich as a Jew;
Yet attempt not to reckon his bounties.
You may say, he is married; that's true:
Yet speak not a word of his c — — ss.

Leave a blank here and there in each page,
To enrol the fair deeds of his youth!
When you mention the acts of his age,
Leave a blank for his honour and truth!

Say, he made a great m — — h change hands:
He spake — — and the minister fell.
Say, he made a great statesman of S — ds;
(Oh that he had taught him to spell!)

'Then enlarge on his cunning and wit:
Say, how he harangu'd at the Fountain:
Say, how the old patriots were bit,
And a mouse was produc'd by a mountain.

Then say, how he mark'd the new year,
By encreasing our taxes, and stocks:
Then say, how he chang'd to a p — r,
Fit companions for E — — — be and F — x.