The poem is concerned with the state of contemporary literature, but also mourns the death of the poet Richard Willes in about 1579 . It was suggested by William Warburton in the 18th century that the lines from Shakespeare's " A Midsummer Night's Dream " on the nine Muses mourning " the death / of Learning, first deceas'd in beggary " refer to this poem.
42.
" The present representative of this once powerful dynasty ( Svargadeo or Lord of Heaven, as he pleased to call himself ) now resides in Jorhat in noisy pomp and tawdry splendor; his resources limited to that of a zamindar; his numerous nobility reduced to beggary or to exist upon bribery and corruption; and his kingly court ( for he still maintains his regnal dignity ) more resembling the parade of a company of strolling players than anything imposing or sovereign " .
43.
Mawhood then sent a letter to Colonel Hand, warning him that if the militia did not put down their arms, he would " attack the militia wearing arms, burn their houses, and reduce them, their unfortunate wives, and their children to beggary and distress . " Hand eloquently rejected the threat, writing that " [ y ] our threat to burn and destroy, induces me to imagine that I am reading the orders of a barbarous Attila, and not of a gentleman, brave, generous, and polished ."
