Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

LINES "IN PRAISE OF BLACKWOOD." 215
XXXI.
There are some utter idiots, and I know it,
These most the merest balderdash attract would
These, Burns of Paisley prize above the Poet,
And Baldwin's John above the James of Blackwood.
XXXII.
There is no arguing with folks like these
Even from a martyr's patience it subtract would,
To think within our gracious King's four seas
Men can exist blind to the worth of Blackwood.
XXXIII.
"When wits revile him — 'tis mere fudge—no less :
Even Jeffrey, were he fairly on the rack, would
Make a clean breast, I doubt not, and confess
He has in private a penchant for Blackwood.
XXXIV.
A man like him, (who doubts ?) it hugely tickle,
To hear the slang of his own low Whig pack would,
He knows that he himself has been a Pickle,
And must excuse the Eandom Shots of Blackwood.
XXXV.
I think of manhood if he had a particle
He instantly his nonsense all retract would,
And set about a clever leading article.
To be inserted (if approved) by Blackwood.
XXXVI.
Envy they say's a rotten tooth—that tooth
From Jeffrey's jaw, with joy, myself extract would,
Then like the Eagle he'd renew his youth,
Breathing the " EUangowan air " of Blackwood.
XXXVII.
Yet if he did so, one cannot deny
That Leslie grunt like some demoniac would
That's probably the reason Frank's so shy
To quit the old Eeview and write for Blackwood.
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