The following LINES were addressed to the late Dr. WOLCOT, olim PETER PINDAR, Esq. a wretched Scribbler having assumed his poetical designation:—
WOLCOT, art thou so dead to fame, Content that thy poetic name, So long in high renown, A dull lampooner shall purloin, And pass base metal for thy coin, In hopes to cheat the town?
'Tis said, old Bard, that thou art blind, But that thy visual pow'r of mind Still clear and bright appears; That still thy Muse, as strong and gay, With satire, humour, wit, can play, As in thy earlier years.
'Tis said, besides, far better praise, The subject of her former lays She long has ceas'd to sing; And, while a different course she steers, She mourns the suff'rings, and reveres The virtues of her King.
If so — arise, and dash to shame Th' Usurper of thy Theban name, By all with scorn decry'd; His daring impudence expose, And, changing into friends thy foes, Come forth in loyal pride.