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

Art by the Gods imployed,
By which Heroes enjoyed,
By which Heroes enjoyed
The Wreaths of Victory.
The Deity of Parnassus,
The God of soft Caresses,
Diana and her Lasses
Delight in Archery.

III

See, see yon Bow extended!
'Tis Jove himself that bends it.
'Tis Jove himself that bends it,
O'er Clouds on high it glows.
All Nations, Turks and Parthians ,
The Tartars and the Scythians
The Arabs, Moors and Indians ,
With Bravery draw their Bows.

IV

Our own true Records tell us,
That none cou'd e'er excell us,
That none cou'd e'er excell us,
In martial Archery.
With Shafts our Sires engaging,
Oppos'd the Romans Raging,
Defeat the fierce Norwegian ,
And spared few Danes to flee.

103

V

Witness the Largs and Loncartie ,
Dunkeld and Aberlemno ,
Dunkeld and Aberlemno ,
Rosline and Bannockburn .
The Chiviots , . . . all the Border,
Where Bowmen in brave Order,
Told Enemies, if furder
They mov'd, they'd ne'er return.

VI

Sound, sound the Musick, sound it,
Let Hills and Dales rebound it,
Let Hills and Dales rebound it,
In Praise of Archery.
Us'd as a Game it pleases,
The Mind to Joy it raises,
And throws off all Diseases
Of lazy Luxury.

104

VII

Now, now our Care beguiling,
When all the Year looks smiling,
When all the Year looks smiling
With healthful Harmony.
The Sun in Glory glowing,
With Morning Dew bestowing
Sweet Fragrance, Life and Growing
To Flowers and every Tree.

VIII

'Tis now the Archers royal,
An hearty Band and loyal,
An hearty Band and loyal,
That in just Thoughts agree,
Appear in ancient Bravery,
Despising all base Knavery,
Which tends to bring in Slavery
Souls worthy to live free.

IX

Sound, sound the Musick, sound it,
Fill up the Glass and round wi't,
Fill up the Glass and round wi't:
Health and Prosperity
To our Great CHIEF and Officers,
To our President and Counsellors;
To all who, like their brave Forbears,
Delight in Archery.

Largs, where the Norwegians, headed by their valiant King Haco, were in Anno 1263, totally defeat by Alexander III King of Scots; the heroick Alexander, Great-Steward of Scotland, commanded the right Wing.

Loncartie, near Perth, where King Kenneth III obtained the Victory over the Danes, which was principally owing to the Valour and Resolution of the first brave Hay, and his two Sons.

Dunkel, here, and in Kyle, and on the Banks of Tay, our great King Corbredus Galdus in three Battles overthrew 30000 Romans in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian.

Aberlemny, four Miles from Brechin, where King Malcolm II obtained a glorious Victory over the united Armies of Danes, Norwegians and Cumbrians, &c commanded by Sueno King of Denmark, and his warlike Son Prince Canute.

Rosline, within five Miles South of Edinburgh, where 10000 Scots, led by Sir John Cumin and Sir Simon Frazer, defeat in three Battles in one Day 30000 of their Enemies, Anno 1303.

The Battles of Bannockburn and Chiviot, &c are so well known, that they require no Notes.