8
News, first meant for state physicians,
Deeply skilled in courtly drugs;
Now, when a’ are politicians,
Just to set folks by the lugs.
Maggie’s club, wha could get nae light
On some things that should be clear,
Found ere lang the fault, and ae night
Clubbed, and got the Gazetteer❋
Twice a-week to Maggie's cot-house,
Swift by post the papers fled ;
Thoughts spring up, like plants in hothouse.
Every time the news are read.
❋❋❋
See them now in grave convention.
To mak a’ things “square and even;"
Or at least wi’ firm intention
To drink six nights out o’ the seven.
’Mid this sitting up and drinking,
Gathering a’ the news that fell,
Will, wha wasna yet past thinking,
Had some battles wi’ himsel’.
On ae hand, drink’s deadly poison
Bore ilk firm resolve awa’;
On the ither, Jean’s condition
Have his very heart in twa.
Weel he saw her smothered sorrow,
Weel he saw her bleaching cheek;
Marked the smile she s'rave to borrow,
When pair thing, she couidna speak!
❋Tho Edinburgh Gazetteer, a violent opposition paper; 1793-4.
