While tardy justice slumbers o’er her sword.

Th’ indignant Muse, severely taught to feel,

Shrinks from a theme she blushes to reveal.

Too oft example, armed with poisons fell,

Pollutes the shrine where mercy loves to dwell:

Thus Rodmond, trained by this unhallowed crew,

The sacred social passions never knew.

Unskilled to argue, in dispute yet loud,

Bold without caution, without honours proud;

In art unschooled, each veteran rule he prized,