The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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The works of Allan Ramsay | ||
ANE EPISTLE to A. R.
On the Poverty of the Poets
Dear
Allan
, with your Leave, allow me,
To ask you but one Question civil,
Why thou'rt a Poet, pray thee, shew me,
And not as poor as any Devil?
To ask you but one Question civil,
Why thou'rt a Poet, pray thee, shew me,
And not as poor as any Devil?
I own your Verses make me gay;
But as right Poet still I doubt ye,
For we hear tell benorth the Tay,
That nothing looks like want, about ye.
But as right Poet still I doubt ye,
For we hear tell benorth the Tay,
That nothing looks like want, about ye.
In Answer then, attempt Sollution,
Why Poverty torments your Gang?
And by what Fortitude and Caution
Thou guards thee from its meager Fang.
Why Poverty torments your Gang?
And by what Fortitude and Caution
Thou guards thee from its meager Fang.
Yours, &c W. L.
The works of Allan Ramsay | ||