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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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EDINBURGH'S SALUTATION
  
  
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149

EDINBURGH'S SALUTATION

To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of CARNARVON.
Welcome, my Lord, Heav'n be your Guide,
And furder your Intention,
To what e'er Place you sail or ride,
To brighten your Invention.
The Book of Mankind lang and wide
Is well worth your Attention:
Wherefore please some Time here abide,
And measure the Dimension
Of Minds right stout.
O that ilk worthy British Peer
Wad follow your Example,
My auld Gray-Head I yet wad rear,
And spread my Skirts mair ample.
Shou'd London poutch up a' the Gear?
She might spare me a Sample:
In Trouth his Highness shou'd live here;
For without Oyl our Lamp will
Gang blinkan out.

150

Lang syne, my Lord, I had a Court,
And Nobles fill'd my Cawsy;
But since I have been Fortune's Sport,
I look nae haff sae gawsy.
Yet here brave Gentlemen resort,
And mony a handsome Lassy:
Now that you're lodg'd within my Port,
Fow well I wat they'll a' say,
Welcome, my Lord.
For you my best Chear I'll produce,
I'll no make muckle vaunting;
But routh for Pleasure and for Use,
Whatever you be wanting,
You's have at Will to chap and chuse;
For few Things am I scant in;
The Wale of well-set Ruby Juice,
When you like to be rantin,
I can afford.
Than I, nor Paris, nor Madrid,
Nor Rome, I trow's mair able
To busk you up a better Bed,
Or trim a tighter Table.
My Sons are honourably bred,
To Truth and Friendship stable:
What my detracting Faes have said,
You'll find a feigned Fable,
At the first Sight.

151

May Classic Lear and Letters Belle,
And Travelling conspire,
Ilk unjust Notion to repell,
And God-like Thoughts inspire;
That in ilk Action wise and snell
You may shaw Manly Fire:
Sae the fair Picture of himsell,
Will give his Grace your Sire
Immense Delight.
 

Eldest Son to his Grace the Duke of Chandois, who in May 1720 was at Edinburgh in his Tour through Scotland.

Edinburgh too justly complains that the North of Britain is so remote from the Court, and so rarely enjoys the Influence of British Stars of the first Magnitude.

The most choice of fine clear Claret.

These who from a malicious low Prejudice (only the Scum indeed of our Neighbours) have falsly reproached us with being rude, unhospitable and false.