The works of Alexander Pennecuik of New-Hall, M.D.; containing the description of Tweeddale, and miscellaneous poems. A new edition, with copious notes, forming a complete history of the county to the present time. To which are prefixed, memoirs of Dr Pennecuik, and a map of the shire of Peebles, or Tweeddale |
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ADDRESS TO HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE, UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND, THE --- DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1714. |
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 | The works of Alexander Pennecuik |  |
ADDRESS TO HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE, UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND, THE --- DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1714.
Thrice glorious Sir, our Sovereign Lord and King,Thy presence doth glad news to Britain bring;
At which, great monarch of our seas and isles,
England triumphs, and Caledonia smiles,
Ireland for joy her harp doth string anew,
And all rejoice, except a popish crew,
Who dare not stir to run their former race,
For fear that Hydra meet our Hercules.
Welcome then, mighty prince, for to inherit
What's yours by law, and much more yours by merit.
Your valiant predecessors did right soon
Crush idol-worship, and the pride of Rome,
Caus'd all their superstitious rites begone,
And brought us out from sinful Babylon,
Who brag their bloody Church to be the best,
And bolt the door of Heaven from all the rest.
Your generous Germans, Sir, now mourn and cry,
For that sad day on which great Anne did die;
Their fainting hearts cannot revived be,
Most gracious Prince, since they took leave of thee.
No land or country in the whole creation,
Have more of candour than your noble nation;
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As makes all Europe with his praises ring:
Nor is the Stuart's blood extinct in thee,
But circles in thy veins both frank and free.
The Thames, the Rhine, the Wesel, and the Forth,
With all the currents from the south to north,
Now sweetly glide, in concord all agree,
To pay the tribute due, great King, to thee.
Lewis le Grand doth now peace offerings bring,
No more French poets him immortal sing.
We fear no threat'nings from the Gallic shore,
Dunkirk and Mardyke now must be no more.
Get Calvin but with Luther reconcil'd,
And faith, great Sir, ye fairly win the field:
And if you add more lustre to your glory,
For God's sake reconcile the Whig and Torry.
Illustrious Sir, if you perform this thing,
Call it the master-piece of George's reign;
The Devil of mammon causeth all dissention,
And court preferments kindleth much contention.
Preserve the good, throw by the naughty seed,
And then, by George, the dragons kill'd indeed.
Then, generous Sir, give us forth your opinion,
Where lies our profit by the late made Union,
Since all our gilt goes up to London town,
And ne'er a farthing we see coming down.
Now, if in kindness, Sir, you will but deign,
To visit Scotland with your noble train,
It cannot be express'd by human arts,
What joy it would impart to Scotish hearts:
But if for reasons that cannot be done,
Send us, dread Sir, the Prince, your royal son;
And then with him we beg you will restore
Our Privy Council, as we had before,
Made up of faithful, wise, and honest men,
Who will our laws and properties maintain.
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Keep them in bounds, or else we cannot last.
Lessen our taxes, lest they do create
Hardship and grudge, especially the malt.
Then cause the English give us full content
Of what we want of the equivalent.
Next, for our fishing we thy aid implore,
To bring us wealth where we had none before.
More might be said, but read our old address
From Lintoun, which is new come from the press;
Which if you listen to upon the granting,
Our faithful service, Sir, shall ne'er be wanting:
Though warlike William, Sir, we must confess,
Had not the time to mind our first address,
Yet we expect some kinder looks from you,
Brave, generous George, our valiant Prince, adieu.
| The works of Alexander Pennecuik | |