Classic Poem

Right humbly, fair Cuz! in these presents, is shown,
By your kinsman most loving , tho' poor and unknown ,
That, since all your delight is in bounding and prancing ,
I have wings , at my back , that might help your advancing
Therefore, pray, tell your owner , who loves to aspire ,
He must cherish our stud , if he means to ride higher :
'Tis the gift of our breed , and the task of our calling ,
Both, to bear men aloft , and to keep 'em, from falling:
All the plates , which his bounty , bestows, on you racers ,
But encourage good Runners , which ne'er make good C HASERS .
Not my lord , nor his groom , nor the rat-catcher's mare ,
Can forsake the dull earth , and get foremost, in air ;
But were Pegasus spurr'd, by crown-plates , to move faster ,
He wou'd rise, from this world, and win next , for his master:
You'll forgive me this scrawl, tho' it comes the wrong way , —
But S — R R — — T'S too busy, to mind, what I say,
And, tho' oft, he spares money , to buy an ass traces ,
Won't subscribe a gold plate , for the Helicon races .