Classic Poem

Parlous is your case, my friend!
Books like these to dream of printing!
Would you win or wealth or honour,
You must today, fawn, and bend.

I had wished you one who cowers,
Not who speaks before the people
Thus of holy priests and parsons,
Principalities and powers!

To destruction you're consigned!
Long and strong the arm of princes,
Long the tongues of priests and parsons,
Long the public ear, you'll find.