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Though to be popular—experience shows— One should write sensuous verse or fulsome prose.

As in times past, 'tis needful now and then To lash the follies of one's fellow men; But he who does so with sarcastic force, Is deemed presumptuous, impudent or coarse, Ay, he is deemed audacious who begins To satirise men's follies and their sins; One, who his powers of language doth degrade When he speaks plain, and calls a spade a spade.

Now, though not gifted with prophetic sight I know what things are foolish, wrong and right, And in sarcastic metre I can write, The evil doers of our days to smite; Of men and manners can express my views, And in harsh rhymes give unjust men their dues. Alas! how few in manly virtues shine, How many, folly and deceit combine; Alike the profligate, the knave and fool, Provoke one's wrath or scathing ridicule: In these sensational and heartless times There is occasion for hard-hitting rhymes;