Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LINES OCCASIONED BY RIVINGTON'S NEW TITUAL TYPES ..., by PHILIP FRENEAU


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LINES OCCASIONED BY RIVINGTON'S NEW TITUAL TYPES ..., by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Well - now (said the devil) it looks something better!
Last Line: Of him and his arms I'll be the engraver.
Subject(s): American Revolution; Newspapers; Rivington, James (1724-1803); Journalism; Journalists


WELL -- now (said the devil) it looks something better!
Your title is struck on a charming new Letter:
Last night in the dark, as I gave it a squint,
I saw my dear partner had taken the hint.

I ever surmised (though 'twas doubted by some)
That the old types were shadows of substance to come:
But if the NEW LETTER is pregnant with charms
It grieves me to think of those cursed King's Arms.
The Dieu et mon droit (his God and his right)
Is so dim, that I hardly know what is meant by't
The paws of the Lion can scarcely be seen,
And the Unicorn's guts are most shamefully lean!
The Crown is so worn of your master the despot,
That I hardly know which 'tis (a crown or a pisspot) --
When I rub up my day-lights, and look very sharp
I just can distinguish the Irishman's harp;
Another device appears rather silly,
Alas! it is only the shade of the LILLY!
For the honour of George, and the fame of our nation
Pray, give his escutcheons a rectification --
Or I know what I know (and I'm a queer shaver)
Of HIM and his Arms I'll be the engraver.





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