But, five years previous to abandoning the timidity which saw danger in the stage dealing with a Stuart drama, a total change came over the governing powers in London. George IV. and Alderman Curtis had appeared in Edinburgh, in Highland garb, in 1822, and this led to an act of grace in 1824. The king’s visit to Scotland, however, did arouse a slumbering Jacobite bard, who gave vent to his rough humour in a satire, copies of which reached London in the king’s absence, and the flavour of which may be gathered from the following extracts:—
Sawney, naw the King’s come,
Sawney, naw the King’s come,
Down an’ kiss his gracious—hand,
Sawney, naw the King’s come.
In Holyrood House lodge him snug,
An’ blarnyfy his royal lug (ear)
Wi’ stuff wud gar a Frenchman ugg (make sick),
Sawney, &c.
Tell him he is great an’ gude,