Edited text: [Blake's apology for his Catalogue]
Having given great offence by writing in Prose, I'll write in Verse as soft as Bartolloze. Some blush at what others can see no crime in, But nobody sees any harm in Rhyming.
Dryden, in Rhyme, cries "Milton only plann'd." Every Fool shook his bells throughout the land. Tom Cooke cut Hogarth down with his clean graving. Thousands of Connoisseurs with joy ran raving. Thus, Hayley on his Toilette seeing the sope, Cries, "Homer is very much improv'd by Pope." Some say I've given great Provision to my foes, And that now I lead my false friends by the nose. Flaxman and Stothard, smelling a sweet savour Cry, "Blakified drawing spoils painter and Engraver," While I, looking up to my Umbrella, Resolv'd to be a very contrary fellow, Cry, looking quite from Skumference to Center, "No one can finish so high as the original Inventor." Thus poor Schiavonetti died of the Cromek A thing that's tied around the Examiner's neck. This is my sweet apology to my friends, That I may put them in mind of their latter Ends.
The original text: Having given great offence by writing in Prose Ill write in Verse as Soft as Bartolloze Some blush at what others can see no crime in But nobody sees any harm in Rhyming Dryden in Rhyme cries Milton only plannd Every Fool shook his bells throughout the land Tom Cooke cut Hogarth down with his clean graving Thousands of Connoisseurs with joy ran raving Thus Hayley on his Toilette seeing the Sope Cries Homer is very much improvd by Pope Some say Ive given great Provision to my foes And that now I lead my false friends by the nose Flaxman & Stothard smelling a sweet savour Cry Blakified drawing spoils painter & Engraver While I looking up to my Umbrella Resolvd to be a very contrary fellow Cry looking quite from Skumference to Center No one can finish so high as the original Inventor Thus Poor Schiavonetti died of the Cromek A thing thats tied around the Examiners neck This is my sweet apology to my friends That I may put them in mind of their latter Ends