TALBOYS.
Spare Byron, who is a Poet—and castigate some popular Versifier.
NORTH.
I will not spare Byron—and just because he is a Poet. For popular Versifiers, they may pipe at their pleasure, but aloof from our Tents—chirp anywhere but in this Encampment; and if there be a Gowdspink or Yellow-hammer among them, let us incline our ear kindly to his chattering or his yammering, "low doun in the broom," or high up on his apple-tree, in outfield or orchard, and pray that never naughty schoolboy may harry his nest.
SEWARD.
Would Sir Walter's Poetry stand such critical examination?
NORTH.
All—or nearly so—directly dealing with War—Fighting in all its branches. Indeed, with any kind of Action he seldom fails—in Reflection, often—and, strange to say, almost as often in description of Nature, though there in his happier hours he excels.
SEWARD.
I was always expecting, during that discussion about the Clitumnus, that you would have brought in Virgil.