Note 334 — QUARRELS OF AUTHORS; (continued 3)
Reading edition
“The Scotch Dove” seems never to have recovered from this metamorphosis, but ever after, among the newsmen, was known to be only a Widgeon. His character is not very high in “The Great Assizes.”
“The innocent Scotch Dove did then advance, Full sober in his wit and countenance: And, though his book contain’d not mickle scence, Yet his endictment shew’d no great offence. Great wits to perils great, themselves expose Oft-times; but the Scotch Dove was none of those. In many words he little matter drest, And did laconick brevity detest. But while his readers did expect some Newes, They found a Sermon—”
The Scotch Dove desires to meet the classical Aulicus in the duel of the pen:—
——————“to turn me loose, A Scottish Dove against a Roman Goose.”
“The Scotch Dove” is condemned “to cross the seas, or to repasse the Tweede.” They all envy him his “easy mulet,” but he wofully exclaims at the hard sentence,
“For if they knew that home as well as he, They’d rather die than there imprison’d be!”