Classic Poem

Newspapers hail! the grateful lay
To you so justly due I pay;
Your praise it suits me to proclaim,
Who owe to you my little fame.
Within four pages narrow bound
How much of use and pleasure's found?
Though widely diff'rent tastes may be,
To praise you all alike agree.
Do traders wish to buy or sell?
Of both advertisements will tell.
In you the man of learning looks,
To see what there is new of books:
And men of pleasure too are told
Where'er amusement's to be sold,
And wisely change for mirth their gold.
From your authentic information
We learn the posture of the nation:
Hence politicians form conjectures,
Here find the subject of their lectures.
And ladies are informed by you,
Whatever marriages are new;
And, with the long delay much vext,
Think when their turn shall come the next.
Merc'ry, 'tis said, was sent below,
To tell of gods what men should know:
So we, who in the town resort,
Are told by you what's done at court;
And they, who live in country down,
Are told in turn what's done in town.
So wide your plan, you don't refuse
'T' admit the salies of the muse:
And, when there's scarcity of matter,
Or nothing to amuse us better,
An humble poet, such as I,
A corner sometimes may supply.