Patrons, indeed! When scarce a sail
Is whiskt from England by the gale,
But bears on board some authors, shipt
For foreign shores, all well equipt
With proper book-making machinery
To sketch the morals, manners, scenery
Of all such lands as they shall see,
Or not see, as the case may be: –…
We authors now more prosperous elves,
Have learned to patronize ourselves;
And since all-potent Puffing ’s made
The life of song, the soul of trade,
More frugal of our praises grown,
We puff no merits but our own. …
He’s off—the puffers carry it hollow–
The critics, if they please, may follow.
Ere they’ve laid down their first positions,
He’s fairly blown thro’ six editions! (1828?)