In serious jest, and jesting seriousness, br I strive to scourge polluting beastliness; br I invocate no Delian deity, br No sacred offspring of Mnemosyne; br I pray in aid of no Castalian Muse, br No nymph, no female angel, to infuse br A sprightly wit to raise my flagging wings, br And teach me tune these harsh discordant strings. br I crave no sirens of our halcyon times, br To grace the accents of my rough-hew'd rhymes; br But grim Reproof, stern Hate of Villainy, br Inspire and guide a Satire's poesy. br Fair Detestation of foul odious sin, br In which our swinish times lie wallowing, br Be thou my conduct and my Genius, br My wits-inciting sweet-breath'd Zephyrus.