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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PETER MANY's OBLIGATION, GIVEN IN TO KING JAMES VI.
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 | The works of Alexander Pennecuik |  |
PETER MANY's OBLIGATION, GIVEN IN TO KING JAMES VI.
FROM AN OLD MANUSCRIPT.
Thou gracious King, baith true and kindTo poor and rich of ilk degree,
To every virtue well inclin'd,
But chiefly given to charity.
By this complaint, which here you see,
Your Majesty may understand,
My wife's come post with poverty,
And newly lighted in this land.
She flytes so fast, since she came hither,
That I would wish her dead or dumb,
Yet if we had some gear together,
I would not care for that a crumb.
Ilk nobleman has height us some,
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That is the cause which gars me come
To get your happy handsel here.
I grant I had your help before,
Which did me good in great distress,
But now, O King, I would have more,
Because I have great business.
What misters me for to express,
My present poverty or wrack,
Even, Sir, gar give us more or less,
Some portion to begin our pack.
Your Highness is right welcome here,
To all your honest Scots ye ken,
But to myself you are most dear,
And reckoned amongst your men;
For I have served you now and then,
With hearty prayers ev'n and morrow,
Now, if your Highness likes to lend,
I would have siller for to borrow.
As for the sum it shall be certain
To be well paid, though I be poor,
When London loups o'er to Dumbarton,
And Caithness comes to Kirremuir.
When Holland is without a whore,
And not a papist into Spain,
That day but doubt, I make you sure,
Your siller shall be paid again:
When hounds and hares do well agree,
When tailors in their trade grow leel,
When Lomond Hills loup in the sea,
When limmers love the common weal:
When pearls are spun with rock and reel,
And tradesmen travel for no gain,
And lordships sald but writ or seal,
Your siller shall be paid again.
When Lothian lives but malt or meal,
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When websters have no will to steal,
And wretches have good will to spend;
When foxes fear for to offend
A goose, a lamb, or yet a hen,
Then, either gif you come or send,
Your siller shall be paid again.
When French and Spaniards well agree,
When English write the truth of Scots,
When Paris does to Madrid flee,
And Amsterdam to Dublin trots:
When diamond rings are sold for groats,
The Ethiopian's no more black,
And armies fight but sword and shots,
Expect your money to a plack.
Your Highness may perceive, indeed,
What help I would have at your hands,
Ye ken that it is meikle need,
That gars me bind me to such bands.
Would ye have penalties or pawnds?
Your worthy will shall be obey'd,
Take fair St Giles' just as it stands,
For surety till your sum be paid.
Will ye not that security,
I cannot help you worth a pin,
Except ye send down to Dundee,
Within the bounds where I have been,
And take in pledge my mortar stane;
I made it first when I was married,
Sir, it will take a cart its lane,
But all the lave is easy carried.
For in good sooth I am as bare,
As I have been these many years,
The warld is now become so sair,
There's nothing had for fools nor friars;
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If I have siller for to send them,
That gars me fyle my face with tears,
Cauld be their cast that e'er I kend them.
| The works of Alexander Pennecuik | |