The Authorship of “Apollo's Edict”

Abstract

“Apollo's Edict” has long been cited as a typical example of Swift's attitude towards poetic cant and outworn cliché. Set down as coming from Apollo himself, the poem illustrates a number of empty conventions and extravagant similes and forbids their use by any who would be of the true school of the god; and to aid his would-be followers in their poetic efforts, Apollo has appointed Swift as his Vicegerent on earth.