THEY speak most truly who do say
We have no writing-folk to-day
Like those whose names, in days gone by,
Upon the scroll of fame stood high.
And when I think of Smollett’ s tales,
Of waspish Pope’ s ill-natured rails,
Of Fielding dull, of Sterne too free,
Of Swift’ s uncurbed indecency,
Of Dr. Johnson’ s bludgeon-wit,
I must confess I’ m glad of it!