University of Virginia Library

[To a Gentleman in Ireland]

[_]

[c. 1726]

Safely oer the Hibernian Strand
your Blyth Epistle came to hand
But my Proud Muse was at a stand
when first We Red it
when she tween dock & Pos[t]script fand
Nae man to Dad it
what Father's he that thinks't a shame
to let his Yellings bear his name
far less shoud Poets Sons of fame
Desert their Lays
when none of mankind have a Claim
to sae much Praise

197

and Better Loost and Sae ye think
wha at my fauts sae kindly wink
and Ruse me my Rimes in Clever Clink
[_]

(The fragment ends here)