A potent quack, long versed in human ills,
Who first insults the victim whom he kills;
Whose murderous hand a drowsy Bench protect,
And whose most tender mercy is neglect.”[6]
We see the influence of Pope in the versification; but of personal experience in the subject.
True, Crabbe detested his profession, and thus apostrophises medical books as—
“Ye frigid tribe, on whom I wasted long
The tedious hours, and ne’er indulged in song;
Ye first seducers of my easy heart,