'Twas I proclaim'd to all the town her charms,And tempted cullies to her venal arms;I made their way, I show'd them where to come,And there is hardly now a rake in RomeBut knows her rates, and thanks my babbling muse:Her house is now as common as the stews;For this I'm to the muse oblig'd, and moreFor all the mischiefs envy has in store.This comes of gallantry, while some employTheir talents on the fate of Thebes and Troy,While others Caesar's godlike acts rehearse,Corinna is the subject of my verse.Oh, that I ne'er had known the art to please,But written without genius and success.Why did the town so readily believeMy verse, and why to songs such credit give ?Sure poetry s the same it ever was,And poets ne'er for oracles did pass.Why is such stress upon my writings laid?Why such regard to what by me is said ?