The Dean of Faculty by Robert Burns
Bob defeats the talented Hal in the contest for Faculty Dean. The speaker sarcastically congratulates the majority, accusing them of choosing a man whose incapacity leaves him indebted to their favour.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Satirical Poetry, Ballad · 424 words
First lines
A New Ballad / Tune-"The Dragon of Wantley."
Dire was the hate at old Harlaw, / That Scot to Scot did carry; / And dire the discord Langside saw / For beauteous, hapless Mary: / But Scot to Scot ne'er met so hot, / Or were more in fury seen, Sir, / Than 'twixt Hal and Bob for the famous job, / Who should be the Faculty's Dean, Sir.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dean of Faculty is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Satirical Poetry, Ballad
- Length: 424 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dean of Faculty by Robert Burns
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Satirical Poetry — Ironic congratulations and comparisons with biblical figures ridicule Bob and the Faculty's preference for incapacity over talent.
- Ballad — The source specifies a tune and recounts Hal and Bob's contest in rhymed, eight-line stanzas.
Tags
faculty elections · patronage · merit · incompetence · satire