Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/461

Rh Proscribed not only in the world polite,

But even too nasty for a City Knight!

Peace to Swift's faults! his wit hath made them pass,

Unmatched by all, save matchless Hudibras!

Whose author is perhaps the first we meet,

Who from our couplet lopped two final feet;

Nor less in merit than the longer line,

This measure moves a favourite of the Nine.

Though at first view eight feet may seem in vain

Formed, save in Ode, to bear a serious strain,

Yet Scott has shown our wondering isle of late

This measure shrinks not from a theme of weight,

And, varied skilfully, surpasses far

Heroic rhyme, but most in Love and War,

Whose fluctuations, tender or sublime,

Are curbed too much by long-recurring rhyme.

But many a skilful judge abhors to see,

What few admire—irregularity.

This some vouchsafe to pardon; but 'tis hard

When such a word contents a British Bard.

And must the Bard his glowing thoughts confine,

Lest Censure hover o'er some faulty line?