Fierce champion Fortitude, that knows no fears
Of hisses, blows, or want, or loss of ears:
Calm Temperance, whose blessings those partake,
Who hunger and who thirst for scribbling sake:
Prudence, whose glass presents th' approaching jail:
Poetic Justice, with her lifted scale,
Where, in nice balance, truth with gold she weighs,
And solid pudding against empty praise.

In this passage from Alexander Pope's "The Dunciad," the poet humorously depicts the virtues that support the reign of Dulness, a stand-in for the mediocre literary figures he criticizes. Each virtue ironically reflects qualities that perpetuate dullness. Fortitude embodies fearlessness in the face of criticism, suggesting that bad poets persist regardless of public scorn. Temperance blesses those obsessed with writing, even when such efforts are futile. Prudence presents the consequences of poor writing choices, hinting at legal repercussions or reputational ruin. Poetic Justice, however, offers a satirical balance, weighing truth against material gains and tangible rewards against hollow accolades. This mock-epic invocation comments on the superficiality and monetary motivations within the literary world, underlining Pope's disdain for those who prioritize profit over genuine artistic merit.