To these young tyrants, by themselves misplaced,

Combined usurpers on the throne of taste;

To these, when authors bend in humble awe,

And hail their voice as truth, their word as law—

While these are censors, ’twould be sin to spare;

While such are critics, why should I forbear?

But yet, so near all modern worthies run,

’Tis doubtful whom to seek or whom to shun;

Nor know we when to spare or where to strike,

Our bards and censors are so much alike.