When only merit felt the breath of praise.
When Heav'n-born muses taught the tuneful lay,
The brave to honour and the good display,
Virtue's fair form, tho' hid in rags, to sing,
And loath the baneful court and sinful king.
But now (sad change!) no more the poet's theme
Tastes thy chaste waters, Hippocrenè's stream.
His breast no more the sacred sisters urge, [fol. 408.]
Of truth the patrons and of vice the scourge.