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

When Lewis the grand monarque rung
whose doughty deeds french poets sung
when he with shining sword and fire
o'er Europe strave to have Empire
then to win Hearts and be Commanders
french Beaux dance'd a' the gate to Flanders
tho ane of Ten came scarcely back
of his atchevments bauld to crack
in Honour's Bed they got their lair
and never dream'd of Lasses mair

Ane dafter that had a young Wife
which he had newlie tane for life
went with the lave to win renown
with hazard of a broken Crown
sair sighd his Spouse and like a Spout
frae her kind Blinkers tears gusht out;
Roars out, Oh! this will break my Heart!
but Honour call[s] and they maun part
and streight he leavs his sighing Dame
to fen the best she could at hame
And she, wise woman, was not slaw
some comfort, for herself, to draw
From such as like'd better to wield,
Love's darts, than Mars's bloody shield,

To make our Tale as brief's we can,
He joyn'd the camp and playd the man,
and raxing at imortall fame
he in the Gazet stuck his name,
thus stoutly standing brunt of fight,
he by his prince was made a Knight,

Now when the winter winds grew bauld,
and Heroes doughtna fight for cauld,
they to their garisons retire
to rest, & lay in winter fire,

211

then to his Hame the Knight withdrew
with victor's wreaths upon his Brow,
but aft, midst Laurells, sprouting Horn
may bravest wariors' fronts adorn,
when wives forsaken likes blyth meetings
better than sunkan sighs & greetings.
the case S[i]r Bertram found his Spouse in
was Ranting Dancing & Carowsing
with twa three gilpys young & souple
nae slaves to superstitious scruple
Hence Jealousie, that gnawing Evil,
that's oft in marriage most uncivell,
streight cram'd our Heroes head with care
to ken if Dearest playd him fair,
but how proceed to find the Truth?
well thought—“I'll learn't frae her ain mouth
“next friday she's to be confest,
“I'll be in haly muslin drest
“in this disguise by canny jugling
“I may pump out her secret smug'ling
pleasd with the thought, at Time, & place
clad like a father full of Grace
He met his wife in silent Room
where with austere and awfull gloom
“Said, Daughter, as you'd scape the fangs
“of Deils and purgotary's pangs
“hide not from me your least polution
“as you expect true absolution
he said—his bonny wife begins
and lays in light her lesser sins
then penetently next proceeds
to tell her mair Lacivious deeds.
“Ah! cryd she, tho a new beginer
“Alas! I've been a sinfu' sinner
“even with a Captain, Knight, and priest,
“These have layn heavy on my Breast,
She had gane on—had not her Dearest,
roard out upon his faithless fairest,

212

a vile ratrime of nasty names,
for playing at sic graceless games.
“what with a priest, vile wretch, s[ai]d he,
“pray, what do you take me to be?
My husband, answerd she right stout,
(who by his fury found him out)
“Ah, Lovie,! cryd the paukie Gipsie,
“Could ye think me sae dull or tipsy
“Sae arrant, & unkind a fool,
“As not to ken you throw a Cowl,
“you're jealous Deary without Reason,
“nor has my Love commited Treason,
“you are the Captain, Knight, & priest,
“whom I confest about in Jest,
“two Titles valour won to thee,
“a priest now you appear to be,
“most Reverend Father, now resolve,
“either to punish, or absolve,
“your tender, kind, & faithfull wife,
“who loves you better than her life,

Here wit & aprehension quick,
provd notable, at such a nick,
in transports all his joys danc'd,
believing't truth what she advancd,
he by the bite sae well was buckled,
he never thought himself a cuckold.