Page:A Nineteenth Century Satire.djvu/16

4

And if they rave, will make them rave yet louder. Indeed, I doubt not it will be my fate To rouse some blockhead's unrelenting hate, And to be charged with scribbling impudence, With lack of charity, good taste, and sense; Though men of truth, of virtue, and good sense. At such plain dealing will not take offence; And whether the results be loss or gain To me, I trust I shall not write in vain, For 'tis to serve one purpose, but my aim Is not for popularity or fame; All such ambition best becomes the men Who ply the hireling's sycophantic pen, And sundry others, who will doubtless say, They disapprove of my contemptuous way Of making known my thoughts, yet who will find, I have the courage to express my mind. On whatsoever things I hear and see. With which one's common sense must disagree: Let critics also their resentment show, I crave no mercy, and I fear no foe; To have my fling at them I may think fit, Here or elsewhere, with a sarcastic hit.