a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1595) sig. L2v The cause why it [sc. Poesie] is not esteemed in Englande, is the fault of Poet-apes, not Poets.
1629 W. Singleton in J. Ford sig. A3v Poet-Apes may feare To vent their weaknesse, mend, or quite forbeare.
1720 J. Swift (1721) 31 A Multitude of Poetasters, Poetito's, Parcel-Poets, Poet-Apes, and Philo-Poets.