The works of Allan Ramsay :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Ram, the Father of a Flock,
Wha'd mony Winters stood the Shock
Of Northern Winds and driving Snaw,
Leading his Family in a Raw,
Throw Wreaths that clad the laigher Field,
And drave them frae the lowner Bield,
To crop contented frozen Fare,
With Honesty on Hills blown bare.
This Ram of upright hardy Spirit,
Was really a horn'd Head of Merit.
Unlike him was a neighbouring Goat,
A mean Saul'd, cheating, thieving Sot;
That tho' possest of Rocks the Prime,
Crown'd with fresh Herbs and rowth of Thime,
Yet Slave to pilfering; his Delight
Was to break Gardens ilka Night,
And round him steal, and aft destroy
Even Things he never could enjoy:
The Pleasure of a dirty Mind
That is sae viciously inclin'd.

Upon a Borrowing-day, when Sleet
Made Twinters, and Hog-wedders bleet,
And quake with Cauld: Behind a Ruck
Met honest Toop and snaking Buck,
Frae Chin to Tail clad with thick Hair,
He bad Defiance to thin Air;
But trusty Toop his Fleece had riven,
When he amang the Birns was driven:
Half naked the brave Leader stood,
His Look compos'd, unmov'd his Mood.

When thus the Goat (that had tint a'
His Credit baith with great and sma',
Shunn'd by them as a Pest, wad fain
New Friendship with this Worthy gain.)
Ram, say, shall I give you a Part
Of mine, I'll do't with all my Heart,
'Tis yet a lang cauld Month to Beltan,
And ye've a very raggit Kelt on;
Accept, I pray, what I can spare,
To clout your Doublet with my Hair.

No, says the Ram, tho' my Coat's torn,
Yet ken, thou Worthless, that I scorn,
To be oblig'd at any Price
To sic as you, whose Friendship's Vice;
I'd have less Favour frae the best,
Clad in a hatefu' hairy Vest
Bestow'd by thee, than as I now
Stand but ill drest in native Woo.
Boons frae the Generous make ane smile,
Frae Miscreants make Receivers vile.