PROTECTIONIST! ( if you exist )
Whose sympathies I can n't enlist,
Be sparing of your curses!
Ah, do n't abuse my Fiscal VIEWS,
But, out of pity for the Muse,
Look only at my VERSES!
FREE TRADER, too, I beg of you,
Whatever else you think or do,
My lack of skill excuse. Ah!
No doubt my VERSE could not be worse,
And weak the rhymes that I rehearse;
But, then, how sound my VIEWS are!
( Thus may I strengthen — or convert,
And no one's feelings need be hurt! )