Classic Poem

 What multitudes would have been staring,
To see these Folks set out their Airing,
Had but the How and When been known
To half the Idlers of the Town!
The Houses' tops, each Church and Steeple,
Stuck round with eyes, had swarm'd with people:
But quite conceal'd from public view,
Incog, their Highnesses withdrew,
An ambient cloud their persons coated,
And silent through the air they floated.

 Upborn to regions far more clear,
Beyond this murky Atmosphere,
Their Forms all chang'd, each seem'd to shine
Replete with Majesty divine.
Cutting across th' etherial Blue,
Their cloud assum'd a silv'ry hue,
Unfurl'd its wavy folds, and show'd
The Opal Car on which they rode:
Central appear'd the D ELPHIC God ,
Twin'd round his brows the Laurels nod,
Bright in immortal youth he glow'd,
Adown his neck his ringlets flow'd,
And whilst his eye shot forth his mind,
Upon his Lyre his hand reclin'd.
Each M USE in various robes array'd,
The emblem of her Rule display'd;
Graceful around sat all the Band,
Nor Fiction's pow'r, nor Sculpture's hand,
E'er lovelier pictur'd Beauty's Queen,
Than these fair Virgins now were seen.
Light mov'd the gallant Troop along,
Not without Converse, Wit, and Song,
And with their Frolic much delighted,
Safe on P ARNASSUS ' Top alighted.—

 C ELESTIAL M AIDS ! as 'tis from Y OU
I'm taught my Errors past to rue,
As you've this fiery Trial sent
To make me a true Penitent;
Since your C ONFEDERATES , as appears,
Have shook my House about my ears,
Nor yet, to solace my disaster,
Left me one inch—of sticking Plaister,
Since you by L AW have drain'd my purse,
And brought me back from Prose to Verse ,
Give, in return, your Inspiration,
To turn the balance 'gainst V EXATION ;
Let my Good-humour still remain,
To prove her shafts were shot in vain;
By Y OU enabled thus, I still
May write,—to pay— my Lawyer's Bill .