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The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]

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[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.”