Original sentence: " The publication date follows the political fall and resignation of Sir Robert Walpole, George II's first minister, in February 1742 raising the possibility the rhyme has a satirical subtext ("Robin" is a pet name for Robert)
Edited sentence: " The publication date too closely follows the spectacular political fall and resignation of Sir Robert Walpole, George II's first minister, in February 1742 for it not to be assumed to have a satirical subtext."Robin" is a pet name for Robert, needless to say.All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,.When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.but Robin's death does not figure in any Robin Hood material, and there is a sense of barely controlled malice in the final verse: