Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/414



YE lords and commons, men of wit And pleasure about town, Read this, ere you translate one bit Of books of high renown.

Beware of Latin authors all! Nor think your verses sterling, Though with a golden pen you scrawl, And scribble in a berlin:

For not the desk with silver nails, Nor bureau of expense, Nor standish well japann'd, avails To writing of good sense.

Hear how a ghost in dead of night, With saucer eyes of fire, In woful wise did sore affright A wit and courtly 'squire. Rare