Safe in themselves, the once-loved works remain;
No readers now invade their still retreat,
None try to steal them from their parent-seat;
Like ancient beauties, they may now discard
Chains, bolts, and locks, and lie without a guard.
Our patient fathers trifling themes laid by,
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And roll'd o'er labour'd works th' attentive eye;
Page after page, the much-enduring men
Explored the deeps and shallows of the pen;