Robert Pollok, A.M.! this work of yours

Is meant, I do not doubt, extremely well,

And the design I deem most laudable,

But since I find the book laid on my table,

I shall presume (with the fair owner's leave)

To note a single slight deficiency:

I mean, in short (since it is called a poem),

That in the course of ten successive books

If something in the shape of poetry

Were to be met with, we should like it better;