The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY ON THE Publication of his Poems. |
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 | The works of Allan Ramsay |  |
xxviii
TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY ON THE Publication of his Poems.
Dear
Allan, who that hears your Strains,
Can grudge that you should wear the Bays,
When 'tis so long since Scotia's Plains
Could boast of such melodious Lays?
Can grudge that you should wear the Bays,
When 'tis so long since Scotia's Plains
Could boast of such melodious Lays?
What tho the Criticks, snarling Curs!
Cry out, Your Pegasus wants Reins;
Bid them provide themselves of Spurs;
Such Riders need not fear their Brains.
Cry out, Your Pegasus wants Reins;
Bid them provide themselves of Spurs;
Such Riders need not fear their Brains.
A Muse that's healthy, fair and sound,
With noble Ardor fearless hastes
O'er Hill and Dale; but Carpet-Ground
Was ay for tender footed Beasts.
With noble Ardor fearless hastes
O'er Hill and Dale; but Carpet-Ground
Was ay for tender footed Beasts.
E'en let the fustian Coxcombs chuse
Their Carpet-Ground; but the green Field
Was held a Walk for Virgil's Muse,
And Virgil was an unco' Chield!
Their Carpet-Ground; but the green Field
Was held a Walk for Virgil's Muse,
And Virgil was an unco' Chield!
xxix
Your Muse, upon her native Stock
Subsisting, raises thence a Name;
While they are forc'd to pick the Lock
Of other Bards, and pilfer Fame.
Subsisting, raises thence a Name;
While they are forc'd to pick the Lock
Of other Bards, and pilfer Fame.
Oft when I read your joyous Lines,
So full of pleasant Jests and Wit,
So blyth and gay the Humor shines,
It gives me many a merry Fit.
So full of pleasant Jests and Wit,
So blyth and gay the Humor shines,
It gives me many a merry Fit.
Then when I hear of Maggy's Charms,
And Roger tholing sair Disdain,
The bonny Lass my Bosom warms,
And mickle I bemoan the Swain.
And Roger tholing sair Disdain,
The bonny Lass my Bosom warms,
And mickle I bemoan the Swain.
For who can hear the Lad complain,
And not participate and feel
His artless undissembled Pain,
Unless he has a Heart of Steel.
And not participate and feel
His artless undissembled Pain,
Unless he has a Heart of Steel.
But
Patie's Wiles and cunning Arts
Appease th'imaginary Grief,
Declare him well a Clown of Parts,
And bring the wretched Wight Relief.
Appease th'imaginary Grief,
Declare him well a Clown of Parts,
And bring the wretched Wight Relief.
More might be said; but in a Friend
Encomiums seem but dull and flat,
The Wise approve, but Fools commend,
A Pope's Authority for that.
Encomiums seem but dull and flat,
The Wise approve, but Fools commend,
A Pope's Authority for that.
Else
certes 'twere in me unmeet,
To grudge the Muse's utmost Force,
Or spare in such a Cause my Feet,
To clinch at least in Praise of yours.
To grudge the Muse's utmost Force,
Or spare in such a Cause my Feet,
To clinch at least in Praise of yours.
Ja. Arbuckle.
| The works of Allan Ramsay | |