In a way it was impossible to separate the two subjects, and the public demanded some discussion of the man when his poetry was reviewed.

But Scott's verdict on the importance of the poems as such was unaffected by his disapproval of the author's point of view.

He praised _Don Juan_ no less heartily than _Childe Harold_.
His criticism of _Don Juan_ is, however, to be gathered only from short and incidental remarks, as he never reviewed the poem.

A satire written by R.P.Gillies is commemorated thus in Scott's _Journal_: "This poem goes to the tune of _Don Juan_, but it is the champagne after it has stood two days with the cork drawn."[294] He called Byron "as various in composition as Shakspeare himself"; and added, "this will be admitted by all who are acquainted with his _Don Juan_....

Neither _Childe Harold_, nor any of the most beautiful of Byron's earlier tales, contain more exquisite morsels of poetry than are to be found scattered through the cantos of _Don Juan_."[295] The defence of _Cain_ which Scott wrote in accepting the dedication of that poem to himself is well known.[296] He calls it a "very grand and tremendous drama," and continues, "Byron has certainly matched Milton on his own ground.