Plea for the Historian

Forbear to deem the Chronicler unwise,
Ungentle, or untouched by seemly ruth,
Who, gathering up all that Time’s envious tooth
Has spared of sound and grave realities,
Firmly rejects those dazzling flatteries,
Dear as they are to unsuspecting Youth,
That might have drawn down Clio from the skies
Her rights to claim, and vindicate the truth.
Her faithful Servants while she walked with men
Were they who, not unmindful of her Sire
All-ruling Jove, whate’er their theme might be
Revered her Mother, sage Mnemosyne,
And, at the Muse’s will, invoked the lyre
To animate, but not mislead, the pen.