There haughty dunces, whose unlearnèd pen 30

Could ne’er spell grammar, would be reading men.

Such build their poems the Lucretian way;

So many huddled atoms make a play;

And if they hit in order by some chance,

They call that nature which is ignorance. 35

To such a fame let mere town-wits aspire,

And their gay nonsense their own cits admire.

Our poet, could he find forgiveness here,

Would wish it rather than a plaudit there.