The Rhode Island Republican

POETRY.

For the Rhode-Island Republican.

TO ROGER BRAMBLE.

SIR, 'pon my word! I think you much to blame,
In bringing Rodrick Pipeweed, to our view-
The story makes us smile—but then the shame,
Of writing such a ditty, falls on you-
'Tis not a mark of wisdom you'll allow,
To be severe-
On one, who does as well as he knows how,
From year to year-
If nature gives to one, a head
Dull and as heavy as a lump of lead-
Or if she forms a poor Tom Fool.
Who cannot be improved by any school-
Because he is not witty
Shall we fall rashly on him? no, 'tis mean.
Instead of calling it our spleen
He should excite our pity!
To satirize a man for lack of common sense,
Is folly the extreme-
'Tis not at him we aim—but Him who doth dispense
What suits His Will Supreme.
Therefore, if Rodrick could not tell,
"Who wrote great Shakespeare's plays!"
'Twas right for him to ask, and well
As things go now-a-days
Besides, a long time since, those plays were wrote,
He might have learnt the author once,
And probably forgot-
By cramming other learning in his sconce!!
I have no more to say at present,
Your humble servant,
TIM PLEASANT