[George Simmers]

Does TC mean "a cross between Lord Finchley and William Dunbar"?

[John Whitworth]

No. I fear T.C. is a bit hazy about William Dunbar, which is (I suppose) not a crime. The man who wrote about Lord Finchley, as you and I know, was Hilaire Belloc.

Lord Finchley tried to mend the electric light
Himself. It struck him dead and serve him right!
It is the business of the wealthy man
To give employment to the artisan.

[George Simmers]

But didn't your poem refer to Dunbar's "Lament for the Makers"?



I THAT in heill was and gladness
Am trublit now with great sickness
And feblit with infirmitie:--
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

[John Whitworth]

Indeed it did, George. Indeed it did. But then I know about Dunbar, as you do. Did you know that the vast majority of the makars Dunbar mentions are known to posterity ONLY through his poem. That certainly goes to show, though to show what I'm not quite sure.

[Jayne Osborn]

I fear T.C. is a bit hazy about William Dunbar

In that case I'm hazy about him too, like Tessa, because you two guys, John and George - two of my closest poetry pals - have me wondering what you're talking about. Maybe I've just had too much wine... it's 8pm on Saturday evening, after all...

I DO know that Belloc wrote about Lord Finchley but 'Makers/makars' (sic) ...??

[John Whitworth]

I forgive you, Jayne. Wiliam Dunbar is Scotland's second poet. He flourished in the Court of King James the Fourth, a better man than that dreadful Henry Seventh, but dead on Flodden field. James, not Dunbar.
Dunbar's masterpiece is his 'Lament for the Makars (when he was seik)'. I'm sure you can look it up. The Scots isn't difficult. Or perhaps it is.

Makars are poets.

[Jayne Osborn]

Dunbar's masterpiece is his 'Lament for the Makars (when he was seik)'. I'm sure you can look it up. The Scots isn't difficult. Or perhaps it is.

Makars are poets.

Thanks for enlightening me, John. I've never heard the term 'makars' for poets. Some of the Scots is a bit tricky, such as:

I see that makaris amang the lave
Playis here their padyanis, syne gois to grave;

I know you have a Scottish connection and maybe you like this poem but 'masterpiece' isn't the word I'd use for it. I'm not a fan of Burns either; I guess it's because I struggle with the dialect that it has little appeal for me, sorry.