While the jack, trout, or barbel effects its escape
Thro' the gut or silk line being rotten.
Therefore, let the steel point be set truly and round,
That the finest of strokes may be even and sound,
Flowing glibly where fancy would lead 'em.
But alas! for the needle that fetters the hand,
And forbids even sketches of Liberty's land
To be drawn with the requisite freedom!
Oh! the botches I've seen by a tool of the sort,
Rather hitching than etching, and making, in short,