This is the literary lower empire,
Where the praetorian bands take up the matter;—
A “dreadful trade,” like his who “gathers samphire,”
The insolent soldiery to soothe and flatter,
With the same feelings as you’d coax a vampire.
Now, were I once at home, and in good satire,
I’d try conclusions with those Janizaries,
And show them what an intellectual war is.