The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] :: :: University of Virginia Library

Peter nobly acknowledgeth Error, suspecteth an interfering Devil, and supplicateth his Reader.—He boasteth, wittily parodieth, and most learnedly quoteth a Latin Poet—He showeth much Affection for Kings, illustrating it by a beautiful Simile—Peter again waxeth witty—Resolution declared for Rhime in consequence of Encouragement from our two Universities—Peter wickedly accused of King-roasting; refuteth the malevolent Charge by a most apt Illustration—Peter criticiseth the Blunders of the Stars—Peter replieth to the Charges brought against him by the World—He displayeth great Bible Knowledge, and maketh a shrewd Observation on King David, Uriah, and the Sheep, such as no Commentator ever made before—Peter challengeth Courtiers to equal his Intrepidity, and proveth his Superiority of Courage by giving a delectable Tale of Dumplings—Peter answereth the Unbelief of a vociferous World—Declareth totis viribus love for Kings—Peter peepeth into Futurity, and telleth the Fortune of the Prince of Wales

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—He descanteth on the high Province of ancient Poets, and displayeth classical Erudition—Peter holdeth Conference with a Quaker—Peter, as usual, turneth rank Egotist—He telleth strange News relating to Majesty and Pepper Arden—Peter apologiseth for Impudence by a Tale of a French King—Peter, imitating Ovid, who was transported for his impudent Ballads, talketh to his Ode—Suggesteth a royal Answer to Ode and Odefactors—Happily selecteth a story of King Canute, illustrating the Danger of stopping the Mouths of Poets with Halters, &c. instead of Meat—Peter concludeth with a wise Observation.

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Reader, I solemnly protest
I thought that I had work'd up all my rhime
What stupid demon hath my brain possess'd?
I prithee pardon me this time:

Afford thy patience through more ode;
'Tis not a vast extent of road:
Together let us gallop then along:
Most nimbly shall old Pegasus, my hack, stir,
To drop the image—prithee hear more song
Some ‘more last words of Mr. Baxter.’

A wondrous fav'rite with the tuneful throng,
Sublimely great are Peter's pow'rs of song:
His nerve of satire, too, so very tough,
Strong without weakness, without softness rough.

What Horace said of streams in easy lay
The marv'ling world of Peter's tongue may say;
His tongue, so copious in a flux of metre,
‘Labitur et labetur!’