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

Now Reverend S[i]r, after your wandering,
your Theiving, whooring, and your squandring
you may rejoyce, that you at last
on Scotland happylie are cast
where wildnes oft starts to extream
and men of lungs may somthing seem
amongst old women of both sexes,
who admire what Reason's light perplexes
tho' mostly folk of every Rank
deem you a mumping Montebank
yet Self-Sufficiency and noise
new nonsence and a canting voice
oft pass for grace & Doctrine true
amongst the giddy-headed crew.

Here you succesfully erected
your stage and was by priests protected.
there acted oft, nor playd in vain
the fable of your Georgian Scene . . .
unless their souls they strive to save
by giving you—all that they have.

Hail Englangs bold St. George the Second!
who hast the Infernall Dragon weaken'd!
roar on loud Champion, neer knock under
till you have fell'd him flat's a flounder.

But may we ask by whose permission,
by what Authority or Comission,
by what Law Custom or example,
or who imposd a task so ample
on you to act and use a diction
like Apostolick Jurisdiction
who but your self did e'er assume
who but your self did eer presume

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to hack about & ape these Leaders
who were the first great Gospell Spreaders
Paul & Peter both we knew,
but start-up Whitefield who art thou
Doubtles you'll not accept a post less
than that of thirteenth of th'apostles
of Methodists Generall Reciever
which some translate a grand Deciever
In common wealths where'er you haunted
a beggar snack as ever canted
All Hail, thou devilish deep Divine
whose Theologicall Engine
has got the start of Archimedes
All Hail, thou devilish deep Divine
offered, if given a proper Station
he'd move the Earth & its foundation
the place you've found, & we have seen,
eclipt a Tent upon the Green
in which your lucky stance you take
and make th'Inferiour world to shake
that some part therof with much speed
you have cleverly turnd Arse o'er head.

O Sovran Seer who by pretended
mission, with zeal officious blended
which rather looks like a possession
then aught of Sacred Inspiration
Thou'st by thy vague licentious claver
thy bauling bullocking behaviour
most subtily thy self intruded
on the mean croud & them deluded
At the loud roar of sound's expence
unaided by perswasive sence
yet their long ears have been much kitled
even while their simple souls you bittled
that they durst think nought good or holy
but what was said by Whitefield soley,
their Squinting Guide—to Mamon true
honest as a stockjobing Jew

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fit qualitys for such a Jugler
a practised Simon Magus smugler.

For certain George this self conceit
of yours that blows you up this rate
must spring from an opinion vile
you have of this part of the Isle
We oun we have a share of fools
that on occasion may prove Tools
to villains who with fair pretences
can cast the glamour o'er their Sences
and artfully can throw in faggots
to kindle up their fanatick maggots
these set aside the greater part
are worthy and of true desert
Just Temperate learned Brave & wise
whose touring Geniouses can rise
sublime to all thats great & bright
beyond the reach of thy weak sight.