The Dean Of Faculty
1796
TheDeanOfFaculty
ANewBallad
Tune—「TheDragonofWantley.」
DirewasthehateatoldHarlaw,
ThatScottoScotdidcarry;
AnddirethediscordLangsidesaw
Forbeauteous,haplessMary:
ButScottoScotne'ermetsohot,
Orweremoreinfuryseen,Sir,
Than'twixtHalandBobforthefamousjob,
WhoshouldbetheFaculty'sDean,Sir.
ThisHalforgenius,witandlore,
Amongthefirstwasnumber'd;
ButpiousBob,'midlearning'sstore,
Commandmentthetenthremember'd:
YetsimpleBobthevictorygot,
Andwanhisheart'sdesire,
Whichshewsthatheavencanboilthepot,
Tho'thedevilpissinthefire.
SquireHal,besides,hadinthiscase
Pretensionsratherbrassy;
Fortalents,todeserveaplace,
Arequalificationssaucy.
SotheirworshipsoftheFaculty,
Quitesickofmerit'srudeness,
Choseonewhoshouldoweitall,d'yesee,
Totheirgratisgraceandgoodness.
AsonceonPisgahpurg'dwasthesight
OfasonofCircumcision,
Somaybe,onthisPisgahheight,
Bob'spurblindmentalvision—
Nay,Bobby'smouthmaybeopenedyet,
Tillforeloquenceyouhailhim,
Andswearthathehastheangelmet
ThatmettheassofBalaam.
Inyourhereticsinsmayyouliveanddie,
YehereticEight-and-Tairty!
Butaccept,yesublimeMajority,
Mycongratulationshearty.
Withyourhonours,aswithacertainking,
Inyourservantsthisisstriking,
Themoreincapacitytheybring,
Themorethey'retoyourliking.