What wouldest thou? why rolls thy wayward ire? What means that rage of thine dirty and dire? Ah, savage boy, such fury foul forbear, Nor let thy wrath those tragic buttocks tear. Apollo, all indignant, groans and sighs; The Muses flee, and hide them from thine eyes. Thus dost thou seek to sit the sacred steed? Thus to become a horseman fam'd indeed! In such adornment shall he brightly shine? His firm flank lash'd by this base whip of thine? His mouth to this loose bit shall he deliver? O'er his poor mane this filthy fillet quiver? In golden triumph thus shalt thou proceed, So rank a lord bestriding such a steed? Yet foaming with dire rage he does not stand, Nor with hot hoof go thundering o'er the land. Our horse's patience is a wond'rous sight! O, say, what horse before endur'd such wight? Old Pegasus, despising mortal sway, Bellerophon's strong hand disdain'd to obey: And yet with no such rage swells this our horse; Quiet he stands, and holds his wonted course. Nay, though he bore such shame from thee that day, Again he bore thee--in a better way! Then to thy shoulders fitly pass'd the blush, Which to thy countenance refus'd to rush. His mother furious raves and wildly splutters A thousand spites, and of the law-courts mutters. Peace, woman! or the law-courts thou wilt awe; Thou dost not leave its own voice to the Law. O fractious eddies of the brandish'd tongue, Such words as in no law-court ever rung. Thy very lawyers from thy thunders hide: Lo, they forget to speak, as stupefied. Thus, thus, foul boy, thy fouled horse's hide By wrangling law-court's tedious strife is plied. While Justice, summon'd to a cause so vile, Views the rank strife obscene with scornful smile. Whatever judge such nasty action tries, See that he blow his nose well, I advise. But why wouldst thou, cruel, tyrannic boy, With thy insulting weight that horse annoy? That sacred steed, will it, then, from thee flee?-- 'Twill not turn tail, but lend its back to thee! R. WI. AD LIBRUM SUPER HAC RE AB IPSO LUDI MAGISTRO EDITUM, QUI DICITUR 'PRISCIANUS VERBERANS ET VAPULANS.'