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Poem
September 26, 1823
American Watchman And Delaware Advertiser
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
Humorous verse about two neighboring lawyers, Elias and Joe, who refuse to lend each other a legal book and a bellows but invite the other to use them in their offices as a witty comeback.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Portland Gazette.
THE RETORT COURTEOUS.
Two neighb'ring lawyers, clever fellows,
One lack'd a book, and one a bellows.
Their names, perhaps you'd like to know ;
Elias one--the other Joe.
Joe sent a message to Elias,
For Espannasse's Nisi Prius:
This answer back Elias sent;
His office books he never lent ;
But Joe might call, if that would do
And in his office read it through.
It chanc'd, Elias on the morrow,
To Joe, his bellows sent to borrow,
"My bellows, tell my worthy friend,
Says Joe, is what I never lend,
But he may call, if he's inclin'd to,
And blow all day, if he's a mind to."
THE RETORT COURTEOUS.
Two neighb'ring lawyers, clever fellows,
One lack'd a book, and one a bellows.
Their names, perhaps you'd like to know ;
Elias one--the other Joe.
Joe sent a message to Elias,
For Espannasse's Nisi Prius:
This answer back Elias sent;
His office books he never lent ;
But Joe might call, if that would do
And in his office read it through.
It chanc'd, Elias on the morrow,
To Joe, his bellows sent to borrow,
"My bellows, tell my worthy friend,
Says Joe, is what I never lend,
But he may call, if he's inclin'd to,
And blow all day, if he's a mind to."
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Lawyers
Retort
Bellows
Book
Satire
Courteous
Poem Details
Title
The Retort Courteous.
Subject
Retort Between Two Lawyers
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Two Neighb'ring Lawyers, Clever Fellows,
One Lack'd A Book, And One A Bellows.
His Office Books He Never Lent ;
But Joe Might Call, If That Would Do
And Blow All Day, If He's A Mind To.