Classic Poem

In the Elysian Fields, they say,
As Virgil croft in Homer 's Way,
Young Shade , quoth Homer , why so proud?
You might, methinks, at least, have bow'd,
Since from my Labours you have stole
Full half your Book , or near the whole.

Warm, little Horace , passing by,
Made Homer this severe Reply.
We own, Friend Virgil wisely drew,
From your great Beauties not a few;
But whence you thiev'd , we cannot know,
Who writ so many Years ago.

Anacreon , and Sappho mute
Listen'd, to hear, these three dispute,
And, finding good, old Homer press'd,
Made up, with Pindar , to the rest.

Horace , quoth they, give back our own,
And let this awful Shade alone!
If what you've borrow'd , we shou'd take ,
Think, what a naked Bard you'd make:
There's little new ; young Asses bray
Like old . They smil'd and slid away.