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

still friend we seldom hear thy voice
unless when thou art very Toom
and then thou makest a Clinking Noise
thats hard allowd from Room to Room
how opisite art thou & we
we litle say when Boss within
but soon as tightly chargd with Thee
we coud ding Gossips with our Din

when eer we Please we gar the[e] spew
and Laughing think it curious game
but if the jest we aft renew
thoul gar us do the very same
yet art thou freind to every wight
wha moderatly thy aid Imploys
thou makes the havy saul grow light
and makes the Brighter aft rejoyce

with thee a Kindred I Pretend
we Baith took rise out of a mine
I strive the warld by mirth to mend
as tha attemps by Bringing wine

The Ingenious and Entertaining Interlocutory of The Reverend Presbytry of Inverness

The Presbytry considering well,
and Presbytrys should well consider,
that taking formal proofs and leal
may put the Members in a Swither

278

Their Judgments jumble and perplex
whilst what's advanced 'gainst each approver
hinc inde might the Brethren vex
and Some few pious frauds discover

Protract the Time, our Time that ought
To be on wives and Glybs bestow'd
cause people Swear each Secret thought
such swearing Should not be alow'd

Hence did resolve, wisely and fairly!
that taking of a view compounded
Of proces by the bulk thus Squairly
in order to have Sentance grounded

and giving Judgment therupon
they will have as unbias'd regard
to Willy Schaw and Polson John
and Heritor of a kail-yeard

and to the dross of christian people
who in the primitive old way
enjoy the most beneath the Steeple
and for the Blessing nothing pay

as to the Magestrates each one
who with their power make Such a pother
or Heritors who throw the Bone
that makes us worry one annother

Thus to both sides we'll have regard
impartialy and wherfore not
but spite of Council Lord or Laird
our Man must have the casting vote

279

[A PRAYER]

Father and friend of Humane race
thou greatest first and best
Fountain of light of life and grace,
Supremely good and blest

Whose hand unseen conducts us still
Unseen moves all below
Whose power and goodness most we feel
Whose nature least we know

Each year moneth Day may they begin
& rule their course by thee
Whose voice their courses taught to run
and bade all nature be.

Thee teach me through thy ways to trace
in thy works to explore
in nature to See nature's cause
and that first Cause adore

Save me from vanity and vice
teach me thyself to know
point out the path to real bliss
and guide me where I go

Bestow the clear well judging head
on me and heart humane
That let no prejudice mislead
in this no passion reign.

280

Inspire my Breath from envy free
with Social warmth to glow
to Joy when others blest I see
and to grieve at their woe.

Teach me to drop the friendly tear
to heave the gentle groan
that I may ne'er shut heart or ear
against the injurd's moan.

let not my love in narrow bound
be to a sect confind
but Strech its wide embrace arround
all creators and mankind

O send contentment health and peace
ought els if Thou ordain
may I with chearfulness embrace
and never vex in vain

blest, may I thankfully receive
distressd thy hand adore
rejoyce in what thou art pleasd to give
nor envy who hath more

Riches thou knowest if best or not
be that to thee resign'd
let ease and virtue be my lot
and bless me with a friend

281

Then grant when life's short scene is o'er
in peace I may ly down
conscious of innocence secure
I'll dare the life to come

my prayer, when fit thou hear'st, allow
not fit, unheard may't be
My will to thine still let it bow
and own thy wise decree

Great Soul of all this mighty frame
may loud thy praise resound
let all Creation sing the same
the universe arround.

A Note of a Papist's Preaching

A pious parson, flesh & Blood
Thus to his hearers did Begin
Belive't Beloved for your go[o]d
Adultrie is a Mortall sin

Id rather ilka month said he
with ten young virgings lay my flame
than anes in Ten years verylie
to midle with a maried Dame

282

[A Reply to Critics]

My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace
gave London Grubs the spleen
and that they might bedirt its face
the[y] fell to wark bedeen

But only Tague & Rook coud do't
These metled Satyr made!
The first cryd C---t, his nibour Brute
and that was a' they said

But Snarling Brute and Baudy C---t
maun Learn with Sence to rise
eer they Reek up my Wings to pluk
Laigh Scoundrels I dispise

[Defiance of a Critic]

Thou envious Thing without a name
spur Gaw'd with mean malicious Spite
secure my Honour and my fame
I scorn all trash that thou canst write

Translation be the Pedandts task
it is beneith me to Translate
but in fair Rays I like to Bask
and shining paterns Imitate

Thus I somtimes sic masters view
and with delight their Beautys see
and can up hill the steps pursue
faster than thou crawls after me

283

To deviat from ones naturle way
I oun 'tis very rarely seen
thy naturale is Like ane ass to Bray
and swear out Rhimes that naithing mean

Let Horace sleep!—he near coud tire
Touch not his ashes! he has none
he's all oer Brightness, Life & fire
too dazaling for a drivling dron

I'll Rouze the Prophet who forsaw
far back in the Agustan days
that I should sing oer Dale & Law
his notes in Calidonian Lays

Thus waken me ye Bards to come
but thou my hiden enymie
be sleep and heavy ness thy Doom
be Buryd in Obscurity

be cursd with Spleen to gar the[e] Gloom
frae this to All Eternity
wha Impudently darest presume
to name thy Nonsence poetry

[Ane Epitaph]

[Here Lys ane author wha had made]

Here Lys ane author wha had made
a muckle volume by his Theyving
And thought to Live whan he was Dead
But chancd to Die while he was Living

284

[An Epigram]

[no Labour is too great for pope]

no Labour is too great for pope
and what coud Puzled Priors muse
none but ane empty snarling fop
Like Thee will to their fame refuse

On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun

Here honest Sandy Mitchell's earded,
wha was ane enemie to drouth
And's Master's friends with care regarded
and kindly usd to weet their mouth

He hated ilka thing was sour
In conversation or in wine
and did whate'er lay in his power
to make men's sauls & noses shine

If fowk according as they live
be after death—as doctors think
we have good reason to believe
he's not where wights want mirth & drink

[To a Painter]

Painter to the[e] the Gods are kind
before them gratefull bow & ask
their influence to thy hand & mind
to finish fair thy daring Task

285

Bold thy atempt with light & shade
to Imitate the amrous shine
of Beauty Ravishingly Bright
[and] make all dazling & Divine

Thy Maitins said, the steady hand
and all the Justice of thine Eye
let the fair Linaments demand
till Judges can no errour spy

Then shall thy fame get such a heave
that doun again it neer can fall
if striking liknes thou dost give
to Beautyous Walace Ker & Hall

[Leap Year]

A Loyalist with Blyth design
his measures strave to lay
to have his Spouse bear him a Son
the twenty nynt of may

but sae it was he quite forgot
that it was a Leap year
which by a day just Baukd his plot
which had fawn out perqueir

and quite Reverse tho neer it Rung
which furnisht freinds with Laughter
in stead of giving Charles a Son
George honourd with a Dauchter

286

[Epigram]

[Jock upo' Land had Sons eleven]

Jock upo' Land had Sons eleven
and Bony Daughters nine
The Lads were brawny tall & even
the Lasses cheeks did shine

John (says my Lord) what gars your weans
thrive better than our Elves
Replys the Clown we're at the pains
to get our Bairns our Selves

The Hand preferd to the Hat a Epigrame

Ae Day a Bonny Lass and Braw
gat on the open street a fa'
The Wind Blew up her sark like milk
far higher than her Hose of silk
To ilka ane her conquering Spade
like a spred Eagle was displayd
Mean time came by a sighing Brither
wha tenting this Mark of his Mither
as it had been to say the Grace o't
he laid his hat upo' the face o't
Crys out the Lady Lying flat
Kind sir ye may tak aff ye'r Hat
Ye'r Loof is Braid enough for That

287

[Old Age]

When I was a Lusty young fellow
My sword it was tipit wi steel
Baith Magy and my Lady
They Likeit my metle fou weell

But now I'm grown auld & I'm faild
and donna do as I was wont
The Lasses in our Toun End
Crys Jony yer weaponis grown Blunt

[Unrepentant]

But what need Either Jock or I
care for the Parish Taunting
since a we did was but to Try
the Thing that we were wanting

[Cards and Politics]

a knave of trump when catch ye—play
baith ace and faces dings;
then paughty sma cards, wha but they
can cut the craigs of kings?

Britain was like a pack of cards
when Oliver was trump;
the rif-raf cowd king lords and lairds
and head gave place to rump

288

To a Gentlman who would have me always to write Epigrams

That's your advice I Thank you for't
but My Muse better bred is
for, Tho ye Like a Thing that's short
sae disna a' the Ladys

[The Dying Parishioner]

a Drinker sair on his Death Bed Lying
sent pressin[g] for the Parish Preist
to come (&) comfort him when dying
and help to Ease his troubled Breast

the man of God came in great haste
with Pious mind & heart right wae
to help his now departing Ghaist
as far as words & prayers might gae

a while he sat awaiting when
he'd bid him Pray or give advice
but mickle was the monk mistane
for Colvin's lust was some mair nice

these had nae hand in his device
for thus besought he the Divine
Good Sr for Peity Love or Price
procure me some Burgundyan wine

he Kend the Priest did often dine
with a good Lord that was na sweir
to sloken drouth[y] sauls in pyn
with Burgundy or Claret Clear

289

This was his Reason hale in sending
for the Right Revrend Mr Troter
wha left him with sma hopes of mending
a Saul in sic Dry Clay a Cotter

but help the Levit loot him ly
nane to assist him now was found
Till a Samaritan came by
and Pourd french Bawm in to his wound

Blyth Colvin saw the Glas gae round
Just at the closing of his Lease
in Burgundy his pains was Drownd
& syn he flited aff with peace

[Friendship]

Sir while I ly within your Arm
I'm safe well pleasd and kindly warm
having my servant at a Call
my Thoughts rise high my soul grows Tal[l]
nor do I ever fear to die
while thus I in your bosom Ly
if ther I ever chance to spew
the same on me you may renew
thus we by mutual Love shall Bind
our selves in one and plesure find
till by the stern comand of death
we shall be forcd to yield our Breath

290

THE DISTRESS AND COMPLAINT OF MUSTAPHA FOR LOSS OF HIS FUR

A Dogrell

'Twas now the merry moneth of May
the Gowans spangling ilka Brae,
when Dogs grew as debauchd as man,
and after mapin Bitches ran,
then for their Doxies fight pell-mell
when an ill-timed mischance befell,
to Mustapha, a dog of merit,
of pauky Laits, and courtly Spirit,
Supperiour to continouall snarling,
was still sagacious in his quareling,
a very wise and cunning Coward,
bauld among Curs, to Mastives toward,
Well clad he was, o'er Rigg & flank,
with a broun curllie fur and rank,
whilk baith his sides and hipps did deck,
as braw, as a young Lady's neck,
his hinging eyebrows shade his een,
sae thick they scarcely coud be seen,
which made him look as grave & staunch
as some great Dons who fill the Bench,
This foresaid Dog, thus warmly clad,
a favourite by his master fed,
now in the shining Summer days,
had his full share of skiping flaes,
that, in voracious flocks, did nip him,
which prompt the Coachman to clip him,
to ease him of that waukrife levee,
that throw his hide suckt out his gravie,
which had th'efect—but then, alace!
it twin'd him of his portlie grace,
stript of his Ministeriall fur,
the Spaniel seem'd a sneaking Cur,

291

with nothing of that noble air,
and gracefullness, of his long Hair,
while streight, to every head of Block,
thus cowd, he grew a laughing stock,

On which he ran, as fast as able,
to see if nighbours in the Stable,
Sorrell, Blackie, Nab, & Balsan,
would treat [him] in a kinder fashion,
but Ah! these Catle didna ken him,
and not ae friendly snowk wad len him,
but took him for some snarling whelp,
that was stown in to bite & yelp,
and when he seyd to fleech, & lick them,
they heez'd up their hind hooves to kick him,
vext to the heart, ne'er fawn a swoond,
three times he yould, and thrice gade round,
syne doun with faulded feet, he lay
in a bye Hole, upon the Strae,
and with his Heart all in his Hose,
he lifted up his bluberan nose,
and to cauld waws, of sweating stane,
he gowling loud, thus made his mane,

“Alake! how pittyfull I look,
“thus lying naked in a nook,
“misken'd, and slighted by the scorns
“of ilka Beast wears hooves, & horns,
“wha at me neither flung, nor Butted,
“while I in Curlie glorys struted,
“then my least smile wad heezd ilk hope
“and made them blyth to lick my dowp,
“ther was no Dog in all the Citty
“was mair esteemd, or thought so witty,
“while high in favour with my Lord
“by Courtiers all I was ador'd,
“Black be that Day, and never fair,
“on which from me they cut the Hair,
“be warned by my unlucky fate,
“ye skipers of the kitle state,

292

“and eek ye Rullers who appear
“hoold up in Honours, for a year,
“mentain that Solemn look & air
“which make the litle vulgar stare,
“and to your Husk pay homage due
“when all within it wad not do,
“as frequently Experience shaws
“men clad in majesteriall Braws,
“seem Pows of pithy penetration,
“hewn out to grace sae great a Station
“but soon as stript, and laid aside,
“their sinking value lays their pride,

“Oh! soon grow forth ye curls of mine,
“Oh! soon again in ringlets shine,
“Outo'er my Skin, frae Snout to Tail,
“that I these happy days may hail,
“when these regards I can make sure,
“neer given to powerless, & the poor,

This said he stuck his nostirls deep
between his hips & fell asleep.

THE TYKES TOOLY

Of all the Rangers of the Moor
fair Juno was the greatest whore,
none froister scowered the Knows and Bogs,
She was a Toast among the Dogs,
but, ah! what dire mischeifs are spred!
from ills, by Love and Beauty bred,
Empires distroy'd, and private Jars,
Assasinations, bloody wars,
thus fierce were Toolys 'mongst the Tykes
for Juno, when she took the sykes,

293

even blood-relation pled no grace
'mongst the Love-bitten barking race,
The father in the madest Ire
'gainst the Son's throple did conspire,
and uncle curst thought it no sin
to rive his yowling nevoy's skin,
for Juno's Love, the panting croud
Shew'd all their fangs, & gowld aloud,
Ringwood, Ranger, Tray, & Towser,
Ventured their heart's blood to espouse her,
The rageing Pack, all in a fury
Gowl, snarl, & bite, & tear, & worry,
'till many a Dog with gaping wound,
and horrid yelling, bitt the ground,
and meikle blood, and dirt, was shed,
before the Amorous plea was redd.

Like them the Humane race appears
who go togither by the Ears,
and think it an Heroick play
to murder thousands in a day,
and when the Bloody race is run
by either side ther's nothing won,
Our Tale, this Morall fairly teaches
Mankind act oft like Dogs & Bitches.

THE BROAD HINT CUNNINGLY ANSWERD

In ripened years, when Blood flows cool,
then mankind cease to play the fool,
grow very cautious, grave, & wise.
and prodigall of good advice,
the courses that themselves run throw,
they hardly to their Bairns allow.

294

Patricius for his merits known
which none who knew him would disown,
was now arriv'd to that same age
which can oppose love's fiercest rage,
tho in his youth, some would debate it,
he took a Rugg when he could get it,
He had a son, a hearty youth,
who lov'd to smack a pretty mouth,
the lad was lively, brisk, & keen,
not much to ceremony gi'en,
who thought, when nature was inviting,
one should not take too long entreating,
nor cavil much about her Laws
when one could show a good because,

Some maiden auld of envious nature,
or chaplain, sour malicious creature,
officiously had told the Laird
that his son John had no regard,
to Laws cannonicall or civell
but amongst Lasses playd the Devil,
Thought fornication was no sin,
and whored about throw' thick & thin,
unterified at claps & poxes,
Repenting-stools or the Kirk-Boxies.

One evening as the son & father
by a warm Ingle sat togither
where tired with Rambles of the Day
upon the hearth lay favourite Tray
to whom thus spoke by way of squint
the squire that son might take the hint:

Ye silly cur, what is't bewitches
you thus to galop after Bitches
the live-lang day oer Riggs & Bogs
fighting with all the wicked Dogs
wasting your strength for litle thanks
and getting riven spauls & shanks?”

John understood his father's drift
when luckylie to lend a lift

295

a little whelp of humour gay
woud fain have had some game with Tray
he pauted at his hinging luggs
and somtimes at his tail he druggs
which sport the auld & sullen Tike
by snaps & girns seem'd to dislike

John to the auld dog spoke, thus slee
get out ye cankerd curr cryd he,
your Eild & Sourness gar ye snarl
and with the wanton whelpie quarell
you have forgot—(your manners tell)
that you was anes a whelp your Sell.

BABBAND AND TITTYPOW

A Persian Tale Imitated from the Original of Yas Marnalla, Pleasant to Siuvatio, Governour of the Three Spicy Valeys.

How lady after she grew sickly
Without a testment drapt aff quickly,
To nae sma tinsel of stepdoughter
When twa grave pows came in and hought her
I sing the tale to toun and landart,
And verity shall be the standart.
Nor need I the lang-nebit diction
That's aften used to varnish fiction.
Thus far, as porter or Swiss sentrey
Preface well bred stands in the entrey.

Then wauk in, gentles, we are just showing
The honest stepmother a going.
Baband the dervise, her relation,
Bestows what's calld for in his station;

296

Of which he gies a rantan rug
Of thae things grown amaist a drug—
Whyt een, heh heys, and greetin grunzie,
And sic wares as cost little cunzie.
E'en while she had the use of breath
And his right not secured by death,
In part of payment the sweet singer
Steals twa gowd rings frae aft her finger.

In the mean time snack Tittypow
Is doing a' that e'er she dow
To see that ilk thing be in order
When Madam's on the mortall border.
This she performs wi' meikle care
Till the rich relict is nae mair.

What joy it gies dependant's heart
When wealthy friend daigns to depart!
Now there's nae cheeks blabed wi' tears
But blythness throu' forced glooms appears.
Soon's Atropos had used her gooly,
A' hands to wark about the spooly.

“Deal honest,” quoth stepdoughter heires[s],
“Ye's get a skair and that right fair is.”
“Young miss, ye'r servant,” quoth Mess Jon,
“There is nae testment; pray, stand yon.
Lear to be civil in your carriage.
Ye're nae bairn of the second marriage,
Nor did ae drap of her blood ever
Glow in your cheek or warm your liver.
But wee ar her ain nearest of kin
And think it nowther shame nor sin
To nick ye fine and upo' sight to
Sease ilky thing she claimed a right to.
Tis mair, indeed, than I expected,
But since the latter-will's neglected,
Come, lass, gie's in a glass of claret—
A hale fou bottle, let's nae spare it.
I plainly see that ane had twice
Better be canny than be wise.”

297

He took his penfou very dously,
Then fell a plundering unco crously,
But quarrel shor'd to happen niest
Tween Tittypow and canny priest
Till he was forced to condescend
That Titt should have her dividend.
“Then this be yours and that be mine;
All's fair, an ther's nane els comes in.”
Nought in the house escaped their cloutches,
With very meal they cramn'd their poutches.

What in our youthhood we recive
We natruly bear to the grave;
Tho set a beggar o'er a leal flock,
His mind will hanker to a meal poke.

A butter lump, in May well sauted,
Their gabs baith watterd to be at it.
The holy man linkt out a lingle
And hav'd it soon wi' little pingle,
Then slap dash nievs in nuckle deep
Ilk ane their parts peremptor keep.

Speets and racks, pots, pans, and caudrons,
The lady's messen and poor baudrans,
Bowies, lugies, spoons, and dishes,
And things wherin fouk s---s and p---s
Are a' laid hands on by the truffer.
The cocks and hens, poor fowls, maun suffer;
Alak, yer kind auld lady's cavie
Frae hungrey maws nae mair will save ye.

Now whiles a tiptaes, whiles on hunkers,
They scrambled throu presses and bunkers.
'Mang mony things the garesome harlot
Fand a gay miekle deug of scarlet
And cryd she'd keep it a' thegither
For under-mutches to her mither.

To these fair miss had sma regard
And without scruple coud have spared,
But when she saw ilk sneaking divel
Sae cursed greedy and uncivil

298

To take the jewels and the rings,
The watch, and sindrey castly things
That had pertaind to her ain mither,
Gi'en to her stepdame by her father,
Her heart b[e]ing fou—as well it might—
She asked them as her proper right.
Reply'd ane o' the duddy kin,
“Whisht, Mestres, gie's less o' yer din.
It setts you well, indeed, to speer
Gin wee'll twin wi' sic wally gear
To beet your vanity and pride.
They'll look as well hung at my side.”
“Ay, sister,” said the cussion dadder,
“Really, sic things make wenches madder.
They shouldna hae diamonds and watches
That deal in fardingales and patches.
I coudna answer to my conscience
If I consented to her vain sense.”
Neist when they had this point decided,
The siller plate maun be divided;
Which they perform'd with equal scales
And left fair miss to bite her nails.
Wow, but they coud bauth laigh and clean,
Frae gowd and siller to a preen.
Bootless she strave her case to mend—
She's ay snigg'd off at the wob end.
Beds, bousters, blankets, sheets, and codds,
Courtains, hingings, twilts, and rods,
Table linnen, body cleathing—
In short, the greedy rooks left naithing.
They gutted servant lass's bed,
And thus grave Babband to her said:
“Ye maun gae hame and spin wi' me
Or els ye's ne'er be pay'd your fee.
But for sae lang, mind what I tell,
Young miss may lair to sair hersell.”
The very sheets they sought away
Off bed where this young lady lay;

299

Wi' much difficulty and skill
Only in this she gain'd her will,
And that indeed was nae sma ferly
When ilka thing's consider'd nerly,
For the sweet creature to her sorrow
Oblidg'd was a' things else to borrow.
They left na the worth of a snishing
But stoury floor and bare partition.
A mop was like to saw dissention
And jumble up a great contention,
But after meikle wark and cangle
(Deel speed the liars, threep and brangle!)
Auld cleave-a-hair wi' solemn face
He spake and said: “Here lys the case.
My wife, ye ken, lives far frae Reeky;
Then Tittypow I woud beseek ye,
Since ye live here upo' the spot
Gie her the map, and nae mair o't.”
“I'll hae,” quo Titt then, “spite the nose ye,
The lady's breeks that keept her cossie.”
“I beg your pardon,” quo Mess John,
“Upon your a---e they's ne'er gae on.
They for my spouse will do fow fine
And stap her gab frae seeking mine,
Wha aftentimes has wat her cheeks
Because I wadna yeild the breeks.”
“I'll draw them aff again,” quo Titt,
“Gin e'er her buttocks in them sit.
Then had your chafts, make nae mair stir,
I loo to be as warm as her.”
Now ye maun ken after auld Madam
Was boughted wi' the bairns of Adam,
They sent express for further augment
Of former stock to glean ilk fragment;
Moolings of plumbcake, short bread, bisket
Gart soup-up clean into a basket,
And wine left or in glass or stoups,
Wi' a' remaining candle dowps

300

That douminies loos dowps may a' say
Was well observ'd by servant lassie.
Well, embassy was trew transacted,
And crumbs and dribles up were paked,
After transferd with carefou care
Into hands of dividing pair.

What qwam of conscience it coud be
Possest them, mair's than kend by me—
But back, O generous, they sent
The bitts and dribs, rare complement.
But dire mischance! There is a sort
Of greedy gleds hing at the port,
Wha for the sake of king and land
Grip a' the goods are counterband
And pro and con ne'er stand to argue.
These made a seasure of the cargo,
Syne after claught to his skair
And swaloud this sma bill of fare.

Frae a that has been sung or said
Some application should be made.
First, for improvement let me tell ye
In a ye do forgetna selly
And never slight a gowden offer
[To]gather gear into your coffer.
[Think] but a freet these auld wifes tales
[Of] justice wi her kittle scales,
For ane that's rich can eith exhoner
His making free [w]ith her and honnour.
If you wi' brass can theek your front
And pit a good grave face upon't,
Ye may scelp throw baith thick and thin,
Do ought and ne'er be charged wi sin.

A second lesson's worth your hearing
Tho ne'er a barrell better herring;
That is, men may have great preten[ses]
To sanctity, yet want the sens[es]
Of real virtue and good man[ners]
If they of lucre can be gainer[s].

301

This I have scottished frae a scroll
Of a gush oriental drol
Frae virteous vien to—Awband
On ilky Tittypow and Babband.

AN ELEGY ON MR. SAMUEL CLERK RUNNING STATIONER

Ye curious Readers now may Cark,
And greet frae aff your Cheeks the Bark,
Since doolfu Death, that greedy Shark,
Has cut the thread
Of Life, and sent poor Samuel Clerk,
Doun to the Dead.

Wha now alace! when its in Season,
Will publish Span-new Rhime and Reason,
Mix't now and then with blads of Treason,
Folks are sae fleed—
There's few will venture Craig and Weason,
Since Samuel's Dead.

He was of a well-kend Vocation,
A Stationer without a Station;
Wha travell'd much to serve the Nation
Wi' Essays to read,
Against or for the' Administration,
But now he's Dead—

Just as the Pamphlet brought in Siller
He was ilk Party's pithy Pillar;
Nor did he value an ill-willer,
Yet bare nae feud,
To ony Man but Andrew Miller,
Whom he wish'd Dead.

302

When he was young his Parents kind,
Him for the Clergy Craft design'd
Amang the Brethren to have shin'd,
But his wise Head—
To Arts mair usefou was inclined,
But now he's Dead.

His Saul sublimer could na bear,
The Sturt, the Struggle, strife, and Steer,
Hair-cleaving, grano-salis weir,
About the Creed;
And calling ane annither Liar,
But now he's Dead.

Wharfor as said is he withdrew,
Frae that ill-hair'd contentious Crew,
Of the auld usance or the new,
Wha ne'er agreed;
In ought but the rich living view,
But now he's Dead.

In Claiths he was nor fine nor gaudy,
In Actions humble as a Cadie,
In Eloquence he spake braid Baudy,
With open mouth;
His greatest plague frae a gaw'n Laddie,
Was deadly Drouth.

Delicious Drams were his Delight,
Which every Morning set him right,
Nine to his forenoon upon Sight
He well could Skreed;
Besides a pint of Tipon-tight,
But now he's Dead.

303

Aft did his Landlady and He,
About the premises agree,
With pledge ye Samuel, and here's t'ye,
Which clear'd the Head;
And warm'd the Wame better than Tea,
And yet he's Dead.

What else he acted with this Lady,
The Muse say'th not, tho some are ready,
To swear he try'd to be a Dady,
But came nae speed;
He being not o'er stout or steady,
For sic a Deed.

Ye laughan Lads wha like good Liquors,
And in Platoons bend round the Bickers,
And with Deray drive down the Nickers
Your Sport suspend;
Sink your sad snouts like Seggs or wickers,
For Samuel's end.

Of all within the Walls of Reeky,
This should allarm the[e] maist, O Veeky,
Wha'rt posting the same road to Cleeky,
Wha in a Clink
Will up in Girdy's Cellar steek ye,
Withouten Drink.

Alake for him my Heart is wae,
For he was ne'er a Poet's Fae,
But did whatever in him lay,
Our Warks to spread—
For which his Fame shall last for ay,
Tho' he be Dead.

304

On Flavia's Fan

Thrice happy Fan whose Spreading Mount
Awakes the inactive Air
and forms the momentary gale
to cool the panting fair

If litle Engine such thy Art
that Art O let me prove
pour all the Tempest on my Soul
and cool the Flames of Love

Retract, mistaken fool! thy wish
nor urge the fond desire
what you recieve from Flavia's hands
but Serves to Fan the fire

So the poor fever parched Wretch
to the cool Fountain flys
Neglects Machaon's wise Advice
and draws & drinks—& Dies

[CHLOE AND DAMON]

Chloe, an amorous youth desired
Ane hieroglyphick she possest.
Long she denyd what he requird,
And prind it faster to her breast
Till some kind power on Damon's side
(That kens when words from thoughts are wide)
Pearch'd on the Bossom of the belle,
Staw out the prin, and doun it fell.
It fell a prize to Damon's share,
Who joyfull heard the lovely maid
Bid him his purchase keep with care;
Which he with chearfullness obeyd.

305

For why? The auspicious embleme bare
A heart wher 1 and 10 stood fair,
Which we read thus: tis 10 to 1
But he her real [heart

[_]

The word is actually depicted by a heart-shaped figure.

] may gain.

[A Compliment]

anes Cupid took a wandring fit
which frighted Venus out o'er wit
she sought him Lang and gart the Cryar
proclaim wha eer Brought her the strayer
on her Ceolestial lips shoud feast
cryd Colin here he's in my Breast
come pay or Bid Bennetta kiss me
Syn better than ye'r word ye'll Bless me

Banks of Forth

[1]

Say Chloe by what secret art
a glowing flame you do impart
throw ev'ry Breast, when tis well known
snow is not colder than your own
it gives the admiring world surprise
to see that Love who from these Eyes
wounds others with unerring Dart
Should prove a Stranger to your Heart

306

2

Throw varrious climates I have rov'd
and varrious Beautys seen unmov'd
my Heart preservd for you Alone
I lookd I lov'd & was undone
but ah so pleasing was the pain
fondly I hugg'd the fatal chain
nor would I tho I might be free
but live a captive still to thee

To A fa[i]r Quaker in [the] Dumps

A Song/Tune/Blest as the Imortall

[1]

Clear up My Marg'ret let nae care
cast Clouds upon a face sae fair
Examine by thy light within
and be convincd it is a Sin
to Rob the warld of a these Charms
which evry wondring gazer warms
wha Ravishd canna think the[e] Less
than Angell in a Quaker's dress

2

Thy Een that glance with sic a fire
as might a Druid daisd inspire
with warmest wishes werna made
sae soon beneath a Gloom to fade
Thy Mouth and Breasts where charms contend
which Best shall Please a Trembling friend
Shoud ken nae grief nor pout nor pant
or ought to favour a Complaint

307

3

O Margret Like the Friends above
wha have nae ither wealth but Love
dispise the dross dug frae the Hills
(with which the wretch his coffer fills)
and with a Love as pure as mine
within my arms with joy recline
recline thy Cheek upon my Heart
and bid farewell to Evry Smart

4

I'll be to Thee if thou prove True
refreshing as the morning Dew
Thou Like the Sun shall gar me rise
and a' the thoughts of Earth dispise
Thus Hov'ring oer the shaking Grove
a while the Pearly Liquids move
Till Beams with fuller ardures flame
and dew & Rays become the Same

[A Morning Song]

Coridon arise my Coridon
for Titan shineth Clear
who's ther that calls on Corridon
or who est that I hear
Philida thy true Love Calleth Thee
Arise then arise then! arise
Come feed thy flocks with me
Philida my true Love is it Thee?

308

I come then, I come then, I come
to feed my flocks with thee
Philida, render my Philida
that heart which cupids wiles
has ravisht from thy Coridon
with thy sweet Looks & smiles
Coridon thy true Love claims't of thee
or change then or change then
and give they heart to me
Coridon my shepherd I yeild to [thee]
be true then be truen then
and I'll give my heart to thee

[A Forsaken Lover]

Like Lightnings glent she glided by
but Ah the killing Dart
She sent frae her Inchanting eye
flew whizing throw my Heart
as thunder struck I stood right blate
while with a conquering air
she left me in their haples state
wha love ane unkend fair

O Bony Lass maun I return
back to Northumbrias plain
with bleeding heart my loss to mourn
neer to see the[e] again
Ah killing thought! ye guards aboon
or give her to my arms
or with some brighter beauty soon
relieve me frae her charms

309

[Fragment]

[my friend be thankfu for the Grace]

my friend be thankfu for the Grace
of 'scaping what aft cleeks in
The Cannongates a Kitle place
for Lovers to get Breeks in

[A Medley]

1

She's the only one of all her Sex
Thats Ignorant of her own Defects

2

Her sprightly wit & Beauty Charm
if Coquetry coud do no harm

3

The Drawers Tremble when he swears
Like him when a Drawn Sword appears

4

His Cloathes sae Richly trimnd with Lace
Engadge the Eye more than his face

5

Till he's engagd he'll love to range
But get him fixd he'll scorn to Change

6

the Glegest een coud never see
his acctions give his Tongue the Lie

310

7

His manly mind thinks naithing weaker
than win a mistres and forsake her

8

she['s] often Jealous of her Lover
which serves her Envy for a cover

9

he Courts ilk fair & dresses fine
but Love is Least of his design

10

if Thou wants weal[t]h he'll neer be true
for Intrest's his sum total View

11

he strives his mistress heart to gain
not for her oun sake but his ain

12

she's fair and Chast, heavens! baith togither
all thanks to Nature, and her Mither

13

his Wisdom Dignifies his Choice
and makes his Mistress' heart Rejoyce

14

he Thinks nane wise—O sympathy!
unless they're as great fools as he

15

her wit tends mair how to improve
her foly than her Sence or Love

311

16

her faults are few and these not ill
but ah her charmes are fewer still

17

no slander can give her ofence
being happy in her Inocence

18

Ther's allways ane speaks of Her well
and that Beloved friend's her sell

19

he's in a Bady house a Bully
while to some Raged drab a Cully

20

her Lovely tell [tale] Eyes discover
what her dear Tongue denys her Lover

21

by evry one she'll be alowed
a Charmer if she werna proud

22

she the Lest minds and Least admires
her sweets which evry bosom fires

23

his mind with Equal motion bears
the shine of Hope and dusk of fears

24

without the Sun a Dial's vain
Sae is this Nymph without a Swain

312

25

A Smile a Look, a grasp, or Kiss
of this dear Maid gives sweetest Bliss

26

her Graces unaffected Raise
our Admiration, Love, & praise

27

Her Heavnly Beauty will Submit
to naithing but her Lively wit

29

no pain or Labour he'll Refuse
to serve the fair his soul pursues

30

He Loves the muses and his care
in numbers saft to sing the fair

31

he greatest dangers can dispise
when fame [and] Cellia are the prize

32

Bachus and Love this youth command
But Bachus gets the upper hand

33

when Drunk he's Bauld as ony Bair
But fresh [and] tame as ony hare

34

She's chast that never yet perplext her
but nane e'er offerd that ee'n vexd her

313

35

her Lips wear a virmilion Glow
her accents all like musick flow

36

not Dress but she her Dress adorns
and evry Borrowed Luster scorns

37

her Limbs, Breast, face all of a pice
Like hers wha Raisd the Troops of Greece

38

her Eyes can gar mae Men knack under
than Jove can do with a' his Thunder

39

nae Litle ends his Loves can stain
he Scorns the sordid views of gain

[In Praise of Scottish Ladies]

O Climate happy sweet & Rare
Blest with Lovely constant Fair
whose Beautyous forms in Shapes & faces
their smiles their tuneful tongues & Graces

314

the Nations of the Earth excell a'
from China West to Portabella
from Lapland coast where witches Dance
to capes of Horn & Bon Esprance
mongst whom like the first orb of Light
the Lovely Hartford Glances Bright
whose numerous beautys as the Spring
Invite the muses all to sing
Charlot & Susan charming Twain
Pride and Boast of Glota's Plain
Sisters each with seraphick. . . .

[_]

(The rest obliterated by damp)

[An Evening Frolic]

when Daylight's [ane] short while seen
and gees are good to eat
To Dance away a winter een
and Laugh at wind and weet
a Gay wheen Lads and Lasess bein
ly in a ha' did meet
to shaw their metled shankies Clean
and witty Guilded feet

Three fidlers and a Bummin Base
were planted in a Nook
wha lilted up with miekle Grace
Corelli be the Book
they look like Lairds with siller Lace
their white Camrick Rufles shook
with fidles tuned and in their place
how nobly did they Look

315

THE VIRTUES OF SCOBIE WELLS

(A FINE SPRING NEAR THE HOUSE OF PENNYCUIK)

Hail Scobie, halesom limpid spring
whose virtues bid the Muses Sing,
Whose num'rous virtues claim regard
frae Cottar, Tennant, & the Laird,

When the intestine glows conspire
to set our crazy Hulks in fire,
Then Temp'rance and thy Cauller streams
best Slokens out the rising flames,

From Thee the laigh laborious Hind
can cheaply his refreshment find,
His Bannocks eats with halesome glee
and blythly synds it o'er with Thee,

And laughs at cares that gar the Rich
to ilka nook of the dadle fitch,
Thrice happy man thou can sleep Sound
when Luxury the Graceless wound,

Luxurious men your Draughts refine
by blending Scobie with your Wine,
And quench your Ruin's hell fire flame
with rowth of its Balsamick stream,
Then Safely & without a glunch
You may bend Bumpers of your Punch.

[TO THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE]

Hail to the chief of Ramsay's name!
On this propitious day,
On which you to the world came
Let all you clan be gay.
Ther's not a Ramsay the day will disgrace
With a sour look the joys of his face.

316

From such a race, my lord, ye spring
The fountain hides its head,
Ere analls wer or bards coud sing
[Or] barbrous swains coud read;
Yet by tradition and as history old
We learn the line was loyall, great, and bold.

Cease everything that may molest
Or interupt our mirth,
Now since this day is duble blest
With Clementina's birth.
O hapy day, in which to us was gi'en
The great Dalhousie and great James's queen!

Glyd smoothly Esk by his old tower
And tell it to the sea
How glad we are this very hower
Beside the Edgewell tree.
Old Ocean pleased, he'll raise his oozy head
And tell the tale up Tagus to Madrid.

What in your past ancestors shone
Center, great sir, in you;
Nor shoud I ad surpast by none
I give you but your due.
Long may you live till you gladly see
As large as ere it was, the Edgewell tree.

Long may you live, live till you see your hiers

[_]

(The fragment ends here)

[TO SIR WILLIAM BENNET OF MARLEFIELD]

from Publick Jars & Party Squable
that vex the Great and Please the Rable
Sir you've retird with as much Grace
and equal honour from your Place

317

as when in fields you drove the sword
or gave you[r] Councell at the Board
when you for Brittain dard her faes
or for her Intrest sums coud raise
still true to Justice faith & Right
your Character shines ever Bright
But why dear Sir may we complain
must Marlefield you thus strict retain
and all your smiles & witt engross
while friends deserted feel the Loss
my muse half Petted droops the wing
and snarls when Idiots bid her Sing
when merit faintly is regarded
and worth Like yours sae ill rewarded
But now the Muse wad fain Express
her wishes and with Blyth adress
in name of many to Beseek ye
not to desert for ay auld Reeky
wher a' your hearty friends desire
to se you[r] chearfullness Inspire
That Point wherin you never fail
when smiles Invite the witty Tale
Come then & with kind Pleasure trace
glad welcome in each friendly face
who wearyd with Politick din
and common jangle of out & in
wad be content to drap these Mobers
of faithfullness and friendship Robers

Spoken to Aeolus, in the House of Marlefield, on the Night of a violent Wind.

Why on this bow'r, bluff-cheeked god,
Sacred to Phoebus, and th'abode
Of Bennet, his much-dauted son,
Say, wherefore makes thou all this din,

318

In dead of night? Heh! like a kow,
To fuff at winnocks and cry Wow!—
I have it now,—Juno has seen
The fair Bennetas tread the green,
And them for bairns of Venus' guest,
Sae sends thee to disturb their rest.
Pray wauk your body, if you please,
Gae gowl and tooly on the seas;
Thou wants the pith to do them harm;
Within we're safe, and snug, and warm,
Kindly refresh'd with healthfu' sleep,
While to my cod my pow I keep,
Canty and cosiely I lye,
And baith thy bursten cheeks defy.

Sir William Bennet, who lived at Marlefield.

[TO SAUNDERS WOOD]

I read your Letter Saunders Wood,
And the main meaning understood,
Which is that ye like well the Air,
Of Pindus and nine Lasses fair;
On that Green edge with them to Sing
And quaff at the Pierrian Spring.
The worthy ardor I approve,
And Sauls of sic a Byass Love;
Without whilk turn I've aften thought,
The tuneless mind is good for nought,
But howking in Earth's guts for Cash,
Or throw' vile Party Dubbs to plash;
To craw upon a dirty Midding,
By doing a' there Leaders' bidding,
Be't ne'er sae scandlous or dull nonsense,
Without regard to Law or Conscience.
But these wha tend th'harmonious Nine,
Have in them something mair Divine
Whilk beets a brave, and generous flame,
That Lows up to Immortal Fame,

319

Which by them justly is prefer'd,
To a' the Gowd grows in the Eard—
And makes them ever true and liel,
To God, the King, and Common-Weal,
Then mount my Lad and be na fley'd,
Upon our Pinnion'd Nag to ride;
For tho he be mair fleet and skeigh,
Than ony rins on Sands of Leith,
And haes gi'en mony a Chiel a Coup,
That durst between his Shoulders Loup,
Wha war na of the native Band,
And held na right the Bridle-Hand;
Yet if the Muses kindly own ye,
He's canny as a pacing Powny—
Thus far to hearten you I've sung,
But as a critick had my Tongue,
Till you and I sall fairly meet—
Then I sall shaw in Plan or feet,
Of your Essay, what I observ'd in't,
Till then, incog. your humble Servant;

A.R.

[The Function of Satiric Poetry]

yours dated the Last Hagmynae
to me This Harvest only came
then that you've had driegh answer frae
your servant, yet he's not to blame

I'd neer deserve haff a' the Rusing
that you in sic smooth verse bestow
did I prove sweer or thraf refusing,
while kindly thus ye Strake my pow

320

But ah till I am realy dead
your Manuscripts, my dear delight
can ne'er through toun & Landwart spread
in fairest print to do them right

for snarlers here wha fully ken
my failings & my weakest side
wad tell me to my teeth I'm vain
blawn like a Blather fou of pride

that I'm deficent in descerning
and when I'm banterd do not know it
when Gentlemen of sprit & Learning
to shaw their wit can Blaw a poet

wherfore Sir when ye write again
O Say nae mair about My sell
praises make pride & pride makes pain
Lord keep us a'! pride Biggot Hell

The Har'st of fools are unco rank
Satyrick shearer[s] very Scarce
The world will cun ye Mekler thank
if you the publick good Pursue

Cut doun sned aff, pou frae the root,
These weeds of every vic[i]ous kind
that choak the growth of that fair fruit
that shoud adorn the humane mind

Tell Airtrus he should glow with shame
when he is chosen a siting Member
for Bribe to drop the patriots Name
and neer the Common well remembers

Ther Lumpus stalks a paughty dunce
that wad have poor wise chiels adore him
The Golden Calf forsooth will Glunsh
unless we a' fa down before him

321

Niest clap yon monkey up in Chains
that has been traveling for Improvment
who to his heels has sunk his brains
and glorys in a fauty movment

Tell Courtiers that a Lye a Sin is
and to the man of merit pleading
false smiles worse than ane honest Grin is
and promises forgot ill breeding

Teach clergymen that of Genius Clever
neer to support Piestick Asses
advice and pulpit janer[e]rs never
t'exceed their o'er lang half hour Glasses

Rouze Lethagaws frae out his dreaming
the man can think but is sae Lazy
he hums and drums about ay seeming
to greater Gowks as he wer crazy

Pray check the gloomin dinsome Brager
Tell a' the quaking men of Gotham
no be fiied when sic sall swager
they'r a' but coward at the Bottom

The misers if wor[t]hles worms & vile
Lick them to death you will be civil
to ilk ane worthy wha will smile
to see the moths huyed to the Devil

But gently touch the Ladys fauties
to me they a' seem sma & rare
to me I own the Bony Dawtys
can have nae faut if they are fair

322

[A Fragment of an Epistle]

[The ugly only are the spitefu]

The ugly only are the spitefu
and with this spite themsels they gaw
nor satyr need, and the delytfu
nae line o't to their Skair can fa
These ar a hint of Thousands mae
I give well wordy of their Licks
Lets thrash them till theyre black & blay
nor count their Love worth fidlesticks
The Love & notice of the few
whose spirits rise aboon the rest
all men shoud court if its their due
and for the favour gratefull bow
Sir as your Allan does to you
whose muse such kindness has exprest

[With a Gift of Books]

Madam please to accept this small
yet blyth diverting gift
that's ever ready on a call
to set our dumps a drift

for every thing ther is a Time
says the wise Preacheing King
wha sang the Best, then its no crime,
but duty, aft to sing

Mirth firms our health & gives a shine
to Beauty wit [and] sence
& gainst each care makes us repine
an easy sure Defence

323

Then madam these colections use
which I have culld with care
I'm still delighted when my muse
finds favour with the fair

[To the Lovely Lechmere]

who's yon fair Stranger with a mien
so gracefull Beautyful & sweet
whose Looks bespeak a soul serene
where all inviting Merits Meet?

'Tis Lovely Lechmere the delight
of all that worth & virtue Love
whose wit makes every one Polite
wherever she's Inclind to move

But see tho clear as Light she shines
She quick as lighting glides away
Edina sighs and sad repines
She can't engage her Longer Stay

How can she while throw Rural groves
or wandring by the limpid springs
our fair Assemblys tell ther Loves
Or form the Dance in rural Rings

O may we see her ance again
when frosty winter Blasts the field
and Scotian Beautys leave the Plain
and seek the city's Lower Bield

324

Then might we hope such as her sell
might here detain her many a day
such only have the charming spell
to make ilk moneth shine like a May

we own the Thames & Severns air
blows safter than on Tweed & forth
which af[t] forbids Agusta's fair
to make their visits so far north

but Lovely Lichmore has our thanks
and prases since She dard to try
and view the Plenty crowns their Banks
to give the vulgar herd the Lie

next thanks Dear Robinson to you
who think and can your Thoughts express
and since ye like to prop what's true
Bear to the Beauty this Address

promote her ilk Indulgent thought
in favour of the Pictland Plain
that to our joy she may be brought
anes mair to our Hope Park again

Sae may you Shine in Brittains House
Sae may your House with Grandure rise
May such as Lichmore be your spouse
whose sweets can soften Nuptial Tyes

you've seen a Sample of our art
in Building; Laying out our Ground
and how kind nature does her part
to make all usefull things abound

325

for wheat & wine fish flesh & foul
from ilk green Hieght & yealow field
from the fresh Lake or wavy Brine
weell not to many Nations yild

Then Like the faithful that were sent
to Cannan with a Lying crew
who hated like the Lave to Sclent
be Carliles Daughter Sir & you

[To Chloe]

To E'nburgh's reeky Towers Confind
while oer the flowry plains
the Jovial Lads & Lasses Kind
Sing Joys or sigh their pains
what notes would Cloe expect or crave
from one to Business a Slave
with a fa La La la

Happy the youth who in his Bloom
has a things at his will
whose purse, when pleasure makes it toom
his Riggs again can fill
This Lad with Ease may Dance or Sing

[_]

(The fragment ends here)

[A Poem in Honour of the Return of the Sons of Sir William Bennet of Marlefield]

since heavens so kind Brave Sir to Bless your Eyes
with these dear Pledges of your youthfull Love
Indulge your smiles while from their shining Skys
the Guardian Powers a mind like theirs approve
with arms expanded wide your Joys declare
and to your hear[t] Imbrace the welcome pair

326

who can express the sweet Paternal Glow
that warms the Breast of such a Generous Sire
O coud my Thought in happy Numbe[r]s flow
I have a Theme may all that Gay Inspyre
ye Sisters Sing a welcome to the pair
who merit Love from all thats good & fair

Behold these youth[s] your Hope their Mothers joys
their Kindreds Pleasure Numberous freinds delyte
after Long Absence Now the Late dear Boys
Mounting to men Return to Bless your Sight
Rejoyce brave Bennet banish evry care
Let all [arround Sing welcome to the Pair]

Your first from Brittains Court the most polite
wher grande[u]r in a proper Light is placd
from Nursereys of Larning, comes Complete
with old & Modren Education Gracd
Rejoyce ye hapy Parents in your Heir
Let all [arround Sing welcome to the Pair]

Your Second Hope, bold youth! who durst explore
in such green years the oriental climes
Cut Boundless Deeps to Antipodian shores.
attempt fit for a God in earlyer Times!
Rejoyce ye Parents in a son so Rare
Let all arround Sing welcome to the Pair

now Marlefield adorn thy fragrant Scenes
with evry Balmy Beauty of the year
deckd like the Queen of all the Nighburing plains
Like the first Paradice all gay apear
go Bath in silver Dew & Scent the air
with all your verdures welcome home the pair

327

Now Crown a Bowl with the most Generous Wine
Let none tast the Libation with a Gloom
be gratefull first to all the Powers Divine
who safely brought the Longd for Brother[s] home
Then Blythly round the Chearfull Bumpers share
in healths & hearty welcome to the pair

A PASTORAL EPITHALIUM

Strephon
Ho, Coridon, come on this mossy bank,
Lean down and press primroses fresh and rank.
I'm glad to see thee fraught with blest content.
Thou lookst as thou some pleasing thought wouldst vent;
Say, lovely friend, and give a reason why
Ther's so much gladness dancing in thine eye.

Coridon
Yes, my dear Strephon, it's not without reason
That I'm so blyth when ther's good occasion.
Do not you know Menalcus, the brave swain
That feeds his flocks on the adjacent plain?
This day of shepherds none more happy is,
For he's attained unto his long'd for bliss,
A long'd for bliss which oft did rack his mind.
But now the god of love, not always blind,
Has unto his best wishes proven kind
And granted him a bride as bright as day,
Who will with pleasure all his cares allay.

328

Strephon
O sweet surprise! I know the happy youth—
But who is she that will with softness soothe
His easy cares and with her pleasing charms
Clasp our dear friend within her snowy arms?

Coridon
With snow for whyteness they may well compare,
And all her frame so delicate and rare.
Her form all casten is in beauty's molds.
Thousands of lambs are lodg'd within her folds.
It's fair Melossa, who are fields did grace
With modest air and with a charming face.

Strephon
I've seen the fair Melossa—happy he,
If with her comely form her soul aggree!
Such a fair lodging surely was design'd
To harbor nothing but a virtuous mind.

Coridon
It was her bright virtue which did most commend
Her to the love of our discerning friend—
Thrice happy he, who hath the right to all
In this wise nymph, which we can virtue call.

Strephon
Well he deserves her, and the gods are just
To put so fair a jewell in his trust,

329

Who knows to manage well what he intends.
His solid fancy flys with nimble wings
Through various tracts and to him knowledge brings—
Knowledge, which teacheth us with a sweet voice
What's bad, to shun; and what is good, to choice.

Coridon
Come, shepherd, rouse thee. This is not a day
To loyter in; tune up thy pipe and play,
And I will sing untill the rocks rebound
And th'echo thirds us in our joyfull sound.
The murmuring rivulet will be the bass
While she o're little cattarchs runs her race,
And the mild zephyr with his gentle breeze
Will give a soft sound soughing through the trees,
And on their tops or in the open sky
Will sour and sing the little feathered fry.
And let it be the subject of our theme
To blaze Menalcus' and Melossa's fame.

Strephon
May the great Pan preserve their breeding flocks
Of kine and sheep and goats that climb the rocks,
Let no wolf enter on their verdant spot,
And keep them free of all sickness and rot.
Jove grant them plenty of[f]spring to survive,
That on these plains their names may ever live
And by such generous worth bear up their fame
That ages after may still bless their name.

330

[A Dialogue]

[George]
Here Dick according to our paction Take
Ten pices yesternight I wond two hundred
Three twelve moneths that thou has been in my service
Reciving 5 per cent of all my Gains
praythee use make of all this money

Dick
and what but your purse bearer have I been
you know that by our Bargin I obliged
my self when eer you chancd to run agroun
to furnish you with twenty yellow Boys
now calculate how often this has hapned

G[e]orge
phew! that can never Balance the account
thourt Certainly Grown Rich & Hoards thy Treasure

D[ick]
Rich! no no Sir there's very small appearance
This way for you or me to have that fate
wherfore as Long as these ten yelow Boys
are safe in my possesion I Design
to drop you for a master for perhaps
before the morrow they are no more mine

331

[On the Death of his daughter, Christy]

farewell sweet Inocence—ah while I think
on thy Least Lovelyness my Spirits sink
fain would I banish from my melting mind
each thought of thee and wish my soul less kind
but still in spite of all my stuborn art
the Torture of Reflection Pains my heart
faint grows my fortitude do what I will
I hear & see the Beautyous Pratler still
Ah must I never never smiling see
again the little flaterer at my knee
with words half form'd delytfull to my Ears
which shined with witty thought Beyond her years
alace no more must these deserted arms
enfold my tender Bloom of Budding Charms
heart Rending thought—the Darling spirits fled
and the fair faitures fades in Deaths cold Bed
that Lovely mouth which oft I prest to mine
these twinkling Eyes that matchd the Brilants shine
now cease to smile, the sparkling stars are set
while death too early claims the Humane debt
flow freely Tears and ease my akeing soul
my Greifs too strong for Reason to controul
assist me hopes of ane Imortal Life
and endles Bliss unmixed with pain or Strife
Thither my Christy spotless heavenly flame
To(o) good for this vile world Returns from whence it came

[Fragment]

[To Harts and Hares Nature gave heels]

[1]

To Harts and Hares Nature gave heels
Horns to the Bull to Eagles wings
ffishes she armd with sins & scales
With his stout fang the Lyon dings

332

2

With wisdom and a Brawny Arm
man claims to bear the Sovraign Sway
to keep the Tender fair from harm
what Sheild what arms have they?

3

A gift surmounting all the rest
altho it weaker seems than ony
yet is befar strongest & best
wha can resist or wrang what's Bony

ON THE MARRIAGE OF Mr BULL PREACHER AND Mrs MARY ------

As o'er the Seas, the God that Lap a'
The Bony Lasses, bore Europa
In form a Bull he did her carry
Sae Mr Bul o'er the Queens ferry
Transported his red headed Mary
The Bul of Bulls great Jove was fired
with Lust & streight to consumate retired
but tho a God was quickly tired
when he had done he Bravely Scorns
to be confined and draps his Horns
casts aff his Cloven Cutes & Syne
forsakes poor Miss & turns Divine

Our Christian Bull tret his with honour
with Rings and Rites & fleeching won her
woo'd Closs & keen made her his wife
and swore to be her Stot for life
and ran his nodle in a noose
nane less divine than Jove can loose

333

and tho his horns are scarcly sprouted
that they may Lenthen is not doubted

O Mary gently guide thy Bull
Tho his Divinity grow dull
and like Europa safe to sail
hald by his horns & steer his Tail

The Last Speech just before he hangd himself of Caleb Bailey who was Blawn Blind Breaking doun with Gun Pouder some curious Remains of Celtik Antiquity at Abery to mend a Park dike

Hard fate of mortalls sic as I
Whase cloudy souls in darkness Ly
untill the outer shots deny
their usual aid
Then with Remorse we clearly spy
how we have strayed

my Souls agast my Spirits sink
I quake I start I faint & shrink
whilest I veue from the Infernal Brink
my dreadfull doom
I hate to Live yet dare not think
on Hells dark Gloom

for what the wise have fond Regard
thousands of wasting years had spard
These monuments wise men Regard
while proven Truths their cares reward
I like a Clown
to clout the dike arround my Yard
een Blew them doun

ah would I neer had known that Land
wher now no more these Pillars stand

334

broke doun by my illfated hand
Cursd be the day
------
------

To late I wish amaidst my Pains
That I had never seen these Plains
wher stood the Beautifull remains
of antient Time
Which I demolished ugly the stains
atend my Crime

Tis done, & Peace has fled my Mind
for now alace I'm doubly Blind
to Latewith horrour ah I find
my self a wight
unfit to mix the Humane kind
or Live in Light

while Salsbury's old colums stand
while Hartford and his searching Band
shall spread their fame oer evry Land
For antique skill
ah me the deeds of my Base hand
will chaff them still

for which they'll justly curse my dust
while Poets of Satyrick Gust
Shall make my mem'ry Stink & Rust
in Iambicks Keen
Since what I've done might give a B(urst)
Of Praise the Spleen

Now life grows hatefull without hope
all comforts gone and I must grope
about if I can find a Rope
it will seem civel
when I t'oblige the world thus drop
doun to the Divell.

335

[Fragment]

[You only You have the Ascendant gain'd]

You only You have the Ascendant gain'd
oer all my Joys and Hiden I've mentaind
A civel war between myself and me
between base custom and true love to Thee
false force of fashion poor unworthy Cause
which binds our Bashfull Sex down to its Laws
the hated bondage I Shake off and must
or vent my Love or blended be with dust

Then hast thee Sovraign of my Pulse and breath
And give me joy & Life or Scorn and Death
Ah yet I Blush Attackd on either Side
between my Inate Modesty and pride
I've said enoug [sic] few words in Love are best
when first we meet my Looks shall speak the rest

[Fragment]

[Like twa fell flesher Tikes inurd to Quarrell]

Like twa fell flesher Tikes inurd to Quarrell
with horid din about a bane they snarle
Straight rise their bristly furs red glow their Een
up curl their snouts & all their teeth are seen
enragd they make th'attack with Widend Jaws
and tear each other with sharp tusks & claws
Thus but oer aften trifles Raises Strife
which never ends but with some foolish Life

Like as the hungry Gled with hasty fleight
doups doun & puts the powtrie in a fright
while some illfated wandring bird must fa
with ruefull cheeps in his dead griping Claw
oer late it then its last portyoul may sing
that left the safegard of kind Japoks wing

336

Like a robd fox that sees the Eagle rise
and bear his yet Blind Cub up towards the Skys
Lang may he Gove and bootles youl & yelp
while to his nest Jove's Bird conveys the whelp
To his mid Region fort the Prey he brings
whilk Lowrie ne'er can Rescew without wings

So have I seen a craft[y] cat oft Play

[_]

(MS breaks off here)

[Fragment]

[Should Angells from the Heveans descend]

Should Angells from the Heveans descend
and say one Partys Right
Their oposite would Still contend
and shut their Eyes on Light

Reason debard ill nature Rife
self views & cant uncivil
Completes a wight for factious Strife
makes him a wasp, in Social Life
and agent for the Devil

[ON JOHN NORIE]

of judgment Just & fancy Clear
Industrious tho not avaricious
no Slave to groundles Hopes or fear
Chearfull yet hating to be vicious

from envy free tho praisd not vain
Ne'er Acting without Honours warant
kind generous equal & Humane
As Husband Master friend & parent

337

So modest as scarce to be known
by glaring Proud concieted Asses
whose little Spirits often frown
on such as their Less worth surpasses

Ye'll own such a deserving Man
that in these out lines stands befor ye
and trouth the Picture I have drawn
is very like my friend ------

[_]

whose Real Modesty will not let me name him. (R.)

[Contentment]

Tho fortune Lour
tis in your Power
if heaven grant Bawmy health
t'enjoy ilk hour
a saul unsour
Contents nae Bairn of wealth

it is the mind
that unconfined
with Passions mean & vile
that's never Pynd
while thoughts Refind
Can Gloomy cares Beguile

How far frae hame
my friend seeks fame
and yet I canna wyte ye
t'imploy your fire
and still aspire
by virtues that delyt ye

338

Then Donald may
be even as Gay
on Russia's distant shore
as on the Tay
wher Usquebae
he us'd to drink before

but howsoeer
hast gather gear
and syne Pack up your Bagadge
and here at hame
come strute your wame
with good fat Beef & cabadge

THE SMUGLERS

A Satyr

The Muse attempts Inflam'd with honest Zeal
to Lash destruction from the Common Weal
With horrour we the frightfull scene pursue
While perjurd wights & Bankrupts Crowd our view
Who pushd by private ends regard no Tyes
and all the Laws of God & Men despise
While Robd of Peace and Rackd with endless care
the Smugler grasps at Wealth by Means unfair
the honest Merchants with contentment find
ane Easy flow of Trade with Peace of mind
serene they from the Ship unloads their Store
nor dread the Hawk-eyd Waiters on the shore
who ever to the Running gang appear
their evil Genius shocking them with fear
when hid by night they trace Remotest Roads
and sweating Toil to hide their Lawles Loads
if Noding Birds should rustle on the spray
they sweat & tremble while their hearts give way

339

to evry aprehension Guilt sugests
to frighted fancys & disturbed Breasts
not without Reason oftentimes for they
whom theyr obligd to trust their Trust betray
Thus the young Rakes wha dread thier Parents frown
and strives to keep their nightly trips unknown
he's given up to him who makes his fob
pay handsomely for the unlawfull job
Besides a custumary fine that's due
Deciv'd by her wh'alone the secret knew

[Fragment]

[While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold]

While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold
that's to the Bonyest Godess Buckled
was Pointing these mischivous darts
that Peirces young unguarded hearts
his Bony wife in hinny dipt them
her son as aft with wormwood tipt them
mein time to get a cast of craft
either of hard ware, or of saft
came in the furious God that Rules
when feilds are Clad with feighting fools
and when the weirs are oer gaes sculkan
to adorn the brows of Cheils like Vulcan
the mighty Mars with scorning moves
his Weighty Lance & Leugh at Love's
what Pudding Prick What Shures [?] qouth he
are these ye make sae Light sae wee
but soone the slee Unsonsy Brat
said theirs ane weightier—feel but that
I'll lay if you speak truth & plain
you'll own it Heavyer than your ain
mars took it but nae sooner took it
than that he fund he had mistook it

340

to se her Brawny spark beguild
in hope to gain be't Venus smild
but frae the Bottom of his Liver
he sight and ound the dangerous Quiver
was heavey—and that he'd back receive it
quoth Cupid keep it since ye have it

[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode IV, lines 15–20]

Imaidiatly we'll a take flight
into the darker shades of Night
as storys gang wi' Ghaists to Roam
in Gloomin pluto's gowsty Dome
Bid fair good day to pleasures syn
of Bonny Lasses and Red wine
Then deem ilk litle care a crime
dare waste an hour of precious Time
and since our Life's sae unko short
enjoy't a'—ye've nae mair for't.

[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode V]

What young Raw Muisted Beau Bred at his Glass
now wilt thou on a Rose's Bed Carress
wha niest to thy white Breasts wilt thow intice
with hair unsnooded and without thy Stays
O Bonny Lass wi' thy Sweet Landart Air
how will thy fikle humour gie him care
when e'er thou takes the fling strings, like the wind
that Jaws the Ocean—thou'lt disturb his Mind
when thou looks smirky kind & claps his cheek
to poor friends then he'l hardly look or speak

341

the Coof belivest-na but Right soon he'll find
thee Light as Cork & wavring as the Wind
on that slid place where I 'maist brake my Bains
to be a warning I Set up twa Stains
that nane may venture there as I hae done
unless wi' frosted Nails he Clink his Shoon

[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode VI]

TO HIS GRACE JOHN DUKE OF ARGYLE

Harmonious Pope wha made th'Inspired Greek
in British phrase his winsome Iliad speak
shoud Son'rous sing what Bairns unborn shall Read
O Great Argyle ilk martial doughty deed
of thine in a' thy Conduct and Carreer
in Closet Schems & Rieking fields of wier
Campbells Brave Chief we mensfowly decline
to sing the Heroes of King ffergus' line
Corbredus Gald in feght unkend to tire
or Caractatus shogan Rome's Empire
A blateness shoars me sair that I wad tine
my sell and spill a subject sae divine
if I should mint aboon my sphere to flee
and sing the Glorys of Cround heads & Thee.
Wha can descrive the pusiant God of War
in's adamantine Coat & Brasen Car
drawn by fierce Lyons throu Ten thousand ffaes
garing their heart strings crack wher e'er he gaes
wha can at Bannockburn Bauld Bruce display
or Thee at Mallplackae forcing thy Way

342

Enough for me to draw a Countrey dance
and how Blyth Gossips drink the young wifes hans
with Ourlies Clean how Tam & me fou feat
wad Rin an wrestle Round the Rucks wi' Kate

Ode 7th

[1]

Some cry up Paris for good wine
Madrid brags her Potosie mine
and up wi't Rome for ferlies fine

2

Vianas an Emperial Seat
The Hogans keep their 'Dams right Neat
Aboon them a' London's maist great

3

But Arthurs Seat where Echos ring
and round those wawks fit for a King
wher glides the Clear Saint Anton's spring

4

Clyds Gow'ny Howms & Watter faws
the Louthian rigs & Leader Haughs
and Ed'nburghs high and hewn stain Waws

5

Delyt me mair than Spartas towers
or yet Larissa Bonny Bowers
or Tempes Greens Chequer'd wi' flowers

6

The suthren Blasts will cease to thud
grow mild & Brush away ilk Cloud
and let the sun Beams warm the Bud

343

7

Then if at hame Courting the fair
or in Rugh plains wher Cannons rair
O—Drink—and drive aff Care.

[To a Noble Lord]

My Lrd

When furious winds storm on the Mountain brow
oft fall the pines & stately cedars bow
the skillfull forester then tends the grove
to watch & prop the Plants belovd by Jove
when Raging Tempest threats with evry Sweep
to sink the hardy vessell in the Deep
The Pilot then with steady Eye & hand
Exerts his Skill to bring his charge to Land
Thus you My Lord (acquainted with each source
from whence the strongest Passions have their course
and by true Judment & a strenght of mind
Know when they should be Loosd & when confind)
Like a wise fforester take care to save
the Noblest Plant the Caledonians have
When such a Schok attempts his Bloom to Blight
as makes a Nation bend beneath its weight
O from the Sea of Greif & sinking Roar
of dire Reflection steer him to the shore
wher Resignation yields to soveraign fate
while Reason is Chief Minister of State
So may the Best of Blessings chear your soul
May long your days in circling pleasures rol
To him to you your countrey owes & pays
The justest Tribute of their Love & praise
Who as their Kindest Stars amongst them shine
When other Cheifs their Influence decline

[_]

The poem ends with two partly deleted lines:—

“May neer again the foreign Clyms Invite
Our Hamiltoun our Johnstoun from Their Plain.”

344

On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O. like her self fair & serene

Sept. 24th.

Hail to this fair Propitius Day
on which was Lovely M--- Born
Let Nature all that's Sweet display
and joy the Circling hours adorn

Still are the Roaring winds that Raise
Tempest and Terrour on the main
Bright are the Blythsome Beams that Blaze
and Scater Sweets oer evry plain

While Nature thus in Jovial Mood
Appears well pleasd with M--- Birth
Let Bachus warm our Ravisht Blood
and Love and Transport Raise our Mirth

Descend ye Graces from above
Come Venus with thy Smiling Gang
of Youth & Sport and Joy & Love
and animate the Chearfull Thrang

Who now with Sparkling Cups Resolve
to celebrate her Birth and fame
Whose witt and sweetness can desolve
and set the flintyest heart on flame

[Fragment]

[Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno]

Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno
Martis nonarum tertius usque pavor
Non sic fata Jubent nec nunquam fata Jubebunt
Ut foret illa dies Chara Suprema tibi

345

Now all ye Powers who Generous Love defend
who give Integrity ane happy End
O crown with pleasure all my souls desire
and Emma's breast with all thats kind inspire
for me who only health & being wish
enjoy in her so much of your own Bliss

I write no more Love whispers in mine Ear
Thy Emma's bright atractions shine so clear
Rivals may rise—this rouzes all my Mind
I come my fair, Lovd welcome may I find

[Fragment]

[But Thousands wheeld unheeded there for me]

But Thousands wheeld unheeded there for me
Love all my thoughts, & Eyes still turn'd on thee
Th'Italian chanting tunefull on the Stage
The Mimicks Lashing folys of the Age
for me Imployd but Idly all their care
when my delight in chief thy self was there

Ah tell me fairest can thy Heart incline
to Love and match a flame so pure as mine
does the Extatick Glow & Cloud by turns,
which the true Lover's Spirit damps & burns,
Checquer thy minutes?—happy wert for me
wouldst thou say yes my Henry tis for thee

The fondest Matron from the Hostile plain
her only Son reported to've been slain
recieving home in perfect bloom of Health
a Sculcking Bankrupt raisd to princely wealth
higher than theirs my Bliss would rise divine
were thy Love fixd on me & equald mine

346

Wealth, Shining blaze of Titles, & renown,
of wearers & supporters of a Crown
Stars, Coronets Gold Keys or whytend Rods
which mount th'Ambitious up to demi Gods
in vulgar view—Look litle all in mine
compared to one consenting smile of thine

Shoud fate sweep of the whole of Humane kind
we but exeem'd, in Emma's form & mind
I'd think of Bliss I had the fullest store
bow gratefull to the Heavens & ask no more

[Fragment]

[She Gecks as ane wad do her ill]

She Gecks as ane wad do her ill
when she Glaiks paughty in her Braws
then let the filly fling he(r) fill
for fint a Crum o' thee she faws

Nere dunt again within my Breast
Nor let her Scorn thy courage spill
Ne'er gie a sob abiet she preast
Best mends een let her tak her will

[Crambo]

he hates to be tyed doun for life
wild Rover! to a single wife
his hungry visage plainly shows
he to [his] wife prefers his Brose

347

last word Left out its sencles prose
then pray you sir turn out your Toes
and blaw that buble aff your nose
Syne prym it with a snishing dose
will please you better than a Rose
Button your Breeks ty up your hose
in play of Cramby we wrote those
and now we think it time to Close