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The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]
Ramsay, Allan (1686-1758)

collapse sectionI. 
VOL. I.—(Poems: 1721)
  
[epigraph]
  
[dedication]
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COMMENDATORY POEMS.
  
TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY ON HIS Poetical Works.
  
TO THE AUTHOR.
  
TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY.
  
TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY ON THE Publication of his Poems.
  
THE Morning Interview.
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ELEGY ON MAGGY JOHNSTON , who died Anno 1711.
  
Epitaph.
  
ELEGY ON JOHN COWPER Kirk-Treasurer's Man , ANNO 1714.
  
ELEGY ON Lucky Wood in the Canongate, May 1717.
  
Lucky Spence's last Advice.
  
TARTANA,
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SCOTS SONGS.
  
The happy Lover's Reflections.
  
The Lass of Peattie's Mill.
  
DELIA.
  
The Yellow-hair'd Laddie.
  
NANNYO.
  
BONNY JEAN.
  
The Kind Reception.
  
The PENITENT.
  
LOVE'S CURE.
  
ODE.
  
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray.
  
The Young LAIRD and Edinburgh KATY.
  
KATY'S ANSWER.
  
EDINBURGH'S ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.
  
Written beneath the Historical Print of the wonderful Preservation of Mr. David Bruce, and others his School-fellows,
  
CHRIST'S KIRK ON THE GREEN,
  
THE SCRIBLERS LASH'D.
  
CONTENT.
  
RICHY and SANDY ,
  
An Explanation of Richy and Sandy, by Josiah Burchet, Esq;
  
TO Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY, ON HIS Richy and Sandy. By Mr. BURCHET
  
To JOSIAH BURCHET, Esq
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FAMILIAR EPISTLES BETWEEN Lieutenant William Hamilton and Allan Ramsay.
 I. 
EPISTLE I. Gilbertfield June 26th, 1719.
 I. 
ANSWER I. Edinburgh, July 10th, 1719.
 II. 
EPISTLE II. Gilbertfield, July 24th, 1719.
 II. 
ANSWER II. Edinburgh, August 4th, 1719.
 III. 
EPISTLE III. Gilbertfield August 24th, 1719.
 III. 
ANSWER III. Edinburgh, September 2d, 1719.
  
AN EPISTLE To Lieutenant Hamilton
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PATIE and ROGER:
  
[dedication]
  
[The nipping Frosts and driving Sna]
  
Patie and Roger.
  
EDINBURGH'S SALUTATION
  
WEALTH, or the WOODY.
  
The Prospect of Plenty:
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SCOTS SONGS.
  
Spoken to Mrs. N.
  
MARY SCOT.
  
O'er BOGIE.
  
O'er the Moor to MAGGY.
  
I'll never leave Thee.
  
Polwart on the Green.
  
JOHN HAY'S Bonny Lassie.
  
Genty Tibby and Sonsy Nelly.
  
Up in the Air.
  
THE RISE and FALL OF STOCKS, 1720.
  
PATIE and PEGIE:
  
PROLOGUE. Spoke by one of the young Gentlemen, who, for their Improvement and Diversion, acted The Orphan, and Cheats of Scapin, the last Night of the year 1719.
  
The Life and Acts of, or An ELEGY on PATIE BIRNIE
  
CUPID thrown into the South-Sea.
  
THE SATYR'S COMICK PROJECT For recovering A young Bankrupt Stock-jobber.
  
TO THE MUSICK CLUB.
  
Wine and Musick, an ODE.
  
ON The Great Eclipse OF THE SUN,
  
The Gentleman's Qualifications, as debated by some of the Fellows of the Easy Club , April 1715.
  
On WIT.
  
ON FRIENDSHIP.
  
KEITHA:
  
To the Right Honourable, The Town-Council of EDINBURGH , THE ADDRESS of Allan Ramsay .
  
Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot, gain'd by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig, Bart.
  
Inscription engraven on the Piece of Plate, which was a Punch-Bowl and Ladle, given by the Captains of the Train'd-Bands of Edinburgh, and gain'd by Captain Ch. Crockat's Swallow.
  
TO THE Whin-Bush Club , THE BILL Of ALLAN RAMSAY.
  
AN EPISTLE TO Mr. JAMES ARBUCKLE of Belfast , A. M.
  
To the Right Honourable, WILLIAM Earl of Dalhousie .
  
Horace to Virgil, on his taking a Voyage to Athens.
  
An ODE to Mr. F---.
  
To the Ph--- an ODE.
  
To Mr. William Aikman.
  
Spoken to three young Ladies, who would have me to determine which of them was the bonniest.
  
TO Sir William Bennet Of Grubbet, Bart.
  
An EPISTLE to a Friend at Florence, in his Way to Rome.
  
The beautiful Rose Tree enclosed.
  
To R--- H--- B---, an ODE.
  
Clyde's Welcome TO HIS PRINCE.
  
On the most Honourable The Marquess of BOWMONT's Cutting off his Hair.
  
TO SOME YOUNG LADIES
  
To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by him.
  
Colin and Grisy parting.
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Spoken to two young Ladies who asked if I could say any thing on them: One excell'd in a beautiful Complection, the other in fine Eyes.
  
To the first.
  
The Mill, Mill,—O.
  
The Poet's Wish:
  
THE CONCLUSION.
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VOL. II.—(Poems: 1728)
  
[dedication]
  
TO THE CRITICK
  
The Ram and Buck
  
EPIGRAM On Receiving a Present of an Orange from Mrs. G. L. now Countess of Aboyne.
  
HEALTH:
  
Robert, Richy, and Sandy;
  
To Mr. Pope.
  
EPISTLE To the Honourable DUNCAN FORBES, Lord Advocate.
  
The Clock and Dial.
  
AN ODE To the Memory of Lady Margaret Anstruther.
  
ELEGY On the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie,
  
AN ODE Sacred to the Memory of the Right Honourable ANNE Lady Gairlies.
  
THE Lovely Lass and the Mirror.
  
JUPITER's Lottery.
  
The Miser and Minos.
  
The Ape and the Leopard.
  
The Ass and Brock.
  
The Fox and Rat.
  
The Caterpillar and the Ant.
  
The twa Cats and the Cheese.
  
The Chamaeleon.
  
The twa Lizards.
  
Mercury in Quest of Peace.
  
The Spring and the Syke.
  
The Daft Bargain.
  
The twa Cut-Purses.
  
EPISTLE TO Robert Yarde of Devonshire, Esquire.
  
THE LAST SPEECH OF A Wretched Miser.
  
Tit for Tat.
  
EPISTLE From Mr. William Starrat
  
To Mr. William Starrat, on receiving the above Epistle.
  
Bonny Christy.
  
The bonny Scot
  
Love Inviting Reason.
  
The Bob of Dunblane.
  
Throw the Wood Laddie.
  
Ann thou were my ain Thing.
  
There's my Thumb I'll ne'er beguile Thee.
  
The Highland Laddie.
  
The Coalier's bonny Lassie.
  
To L. L. in Mourning.
  
AN ODE, With a Pastoral Recitative on the Marriage of the Right Honourable, James Earl of Wemyss and Mrs. Janet Charteris.
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On seeing the ARCHERS diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers, &c.
  
His Demand.
  
Th Answer.
  
Wrote on Lady Somervile's Book of Scots Sangs.
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THE NUPTIALS,
  
[section]
  
EPITHALAMIUM.
  
ODE On the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule.
  
ODE On the Birth of the Most Honourable Marquis of Dumlanrig .
  
EPISTLE To Mr. JOHN GAY, Author of the Shepherd's Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems.
  
ODE To the Right Honourable Grace Countess of Aboyn,
  
EPIGRAM.
  
On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh.
  
To Josiah Burchet Esq;
  
The General Mistake:
  
The Phœnix and the Owl.
  
To the Honourable Sir John Clerk of Pennycuik Baronet, one of the Barons of Exchequer, on the Death of his most accomplished Son John Clerk Esq; who died the 20th Year of his Age.
  
On receiving a Letter to be present at the Burial of Mr. Robert Alexander of Blackhouse.
  
The Fair Assembly:
  
On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl, July 6th, 1724.
  
On the Royal Company of Archers, marching under the Command of his Grace Duke of Hamilton, in their proper Habits, to shoot for the Arrow at Musselburgh, August 4, 1724.
  
To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford, Lord Peircy, President, and the rest of the Honourable Members of the Society of British Antiquarians.
  
On the Marquis of Annandale's conveying me a Present of Guineas in my Snuff-mill, after he had taken all the Snuff.
  
The Monk and the Miller's Wife.
  
Advice to Mr.---on his Marriage.
  
To Mrs. M. M. on her Painting.
  
The LURE:
  
An Anacreontique on Love.
  
On Mr. Drummond's being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs;
  
The Address of the MUSE,
  
On his Grace the Duke of Hamilton's shooting an Arrow through the Neck of an Eel.
  
Betty and Kate;
  
To Mr. David Malloch, On his Departure from Scotland.
  
To CALISTA:
  
INSCRIPTION on the Tomb-stone of Mr. Alexander Wardlaw, late Chamberlain to the Right Honourable Earl of Wigton, erected by his Son Mr. John Wardlaw in the Church of Biggar.
  
AN ODE Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton .
  
ODE To the Memory of Sir ISAAC NEWTON;
  
To William Somerville of Warwickshire Esq;
  
AN EPISTLE From Mr. Somervile.
  
Answer to the above Epistle From William Somervile Esq; of Warwickshire.
  
REASONS for not answering the Hackney Scribblers, my obscure Enemies.
  
To Mr. DONALD MACEWEN Jeweller at St. Petersburg.
  
To the same [Mr. Donald Macewen], on receiving a Present from him of a Seal, Homer's Head finely cut in Crystal, and set in Gold.
  
A Ballad on bonny Kate.
  
To Dr. J. C. who got the foregoing to give to the young Lady.
  
PROLOGUE, before the acting of Aurenzebe and the Drummer, by the young Gentlemen of the Grammar School of Haddington, August 1727, spoke by Mr. Charles Cockburn, Son to Colonel Cockburn.
  
EPILOGUE, after the acting of the Drummer, spoke by Mr. Maurice Cockburn, another Son of Colonel Cockburn's.
  
PROLOGUE spoke by Mr. Anthony Aston, the first Nigh[t] the[y] acted in Winter 1726.
  
A CHARACTER.
  
ODE To Alexander Murray of Brughton, Esq;
  
ODE To the Memory of Mrs. Forbes, Lady Newhall.
  
On a Slate's falling from a House on Mris. M. M---k's Breast.
  
To my kind and worthy Friends in Ireland, who on a Report of my Death, made and published several Elegies Lyrick and Pastoral, very much to my Honour.
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THE GENTLE SHEPHERD,
  
To the Countess of Eglintoun, with the following Pastoral.
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THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.
collapse sectionI. 
ACT I.
 I. 
SCENE I.
 II. 
SCENE II.
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ACT II.
 I. 
SCENE I.
 II. 
SCENE II.
 III. 
SCENE III.
 IV. 
SCENE IV.
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ACT III.
 I. 
SCENE I.
 II. 
SCENE II.
 III. 
SCENE III.
 IV. 
SCENE IV.
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ACT IV.
 I. 
SCENE I.
 II. 
SCENE II.
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ACT V.
 I. 
SCENE I.
 II. 
SCENE II.
 III. 
SCENE III.
  
To Mrs. A. C.
  
To Mrs. E. C.
  
To CALISTA:
  
A SONG.
  
Lass with a Lump of Land.
  
Vertue and Wit.
  
SONG.
  
SONG.
  
The Widow.
  
The STEP-DAUGHTER's Relief.
  
The Soger Laddie.
collapse sectionIII. 
VOL. III.—(Poems: Miscellaneous and Uncollected)
collapse sectionI. 
PART I. Poems published during Ramsay's Lifetime.
  
TO MR. LAW. [1720]
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A Tale of Three Bonnets: 1722
 I. 
Canto I.
 II. 
CANTO II.
 III. 
CANTO III
 IV. 
CANTO IV.
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From Fables and Tales [1722]
  
Bag-pipes no Musick:
  
Grubstreet nae Satyre.
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From The British Journal: March 9, 1723
  
Translation of the Aeneid, X, 693–6.
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From The Tea-Table Miscellany [1724–29]
  
DEDICATION
  
A Scots Cantata
  
The TOAST.
  
A South-Sea Sang.
  
Hap me with thy Petticoat.
  
Fy gar rub her o'er wi' Strae.
  
THE CORDIAL
  
ALLAN-WATER:
  
To L. M. M.
  
This is not mine ain House.
  
My Dady forbad, my Minny forbad.
  
[O steer her up, and had her gawn]
  
Clout the Caldron.
  
The Malt-Man.
  
Bonny BESSY.
  
The Quadruple Alliance.
  
The Complaint
  
The young Lass contra auld Man.
  
SONG
  
Sleepy Body, drowsy Body.
  
SONG
  
The Highland Lassie.
  
The Auld Man's Best Argument.
  
SONG
  
On the Marriage of the R. H. L. G--- and L. K--- C---.
  
Jenny Nettles.
  
For the Sake of Some-body.
  
THE GENEROUS GENTLEMAN.
  
The Cock Laird
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SONGS INSERTED IN THE GENTLE SHEPHERD [1725–34]
 I. 
SANG I. The wawking of the Faulds
 II. 
SANG II. Fy gar rub her o'er with Strae
 III. 
SANG III. Polwart on the Green.
 IV. 
SANG IV. O dear Mother, what shall I do?
 V. 
SANG V. How can I be sad on my Wedding-Day.
 VI. 
SANG VI. Nansy's to the Green Wood gane.
 VII. 
SANG VII. Cald Kale in Aberdeen
 VIII. 
SANG VIII. Mucking of Geordy's Byer.
 X. 
SANG X. Winter was cauld, and my Cleathing was thin.
 XII. 
SANG XII. Happy Clown
 XIII. 
SANG XIII. Leith-Wynd.
 XIV. 
SANG XIV. O'er Bogie.
 XV. 
SANG XV. Wat ye wha I met Yestreen.
 XVI. 
SANG XVI. Kirk wad let me be.
 XVII. 
SANG XVII. Woes my heart that we shou'd sunder.
 XVIII. 
SANG XVIII. Tweed-side.
 XIX. 
SANG XIX. Bush aboon Traquair.
 XX. 
SANG XX. Bony gray ey'd Morn.
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From The Tea-Table Miscellany [1729]
  
On our Ladies being dressed in SCOTS Manufactory at a publick Assembly.
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From The Evergreen [1724]
  
THE VISION
  
THE Eagle and Robin Red-breist
  
POSTSCRIPT
  
AN ODE Sacred to the MEMORY Of Her Grace ANNE Dutchess of HAMILTON .
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From Poems in English and Latin on the Archers and Royal Company of Archers [1726]
  
The POET'S Thanks to the ARCHERS, on being admitted into their Royal Company.
  
The ARCHERS March.
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From The Caledonian Mercury: July 12, 1726.
  
A POEM ON THE ROYAL COMPANY OF ARCHERS
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From Poems [1729]
  
The Callan and the Pig
  
The Man with the twa Wives.
  
Fable of the Condemn'd Ass.
  
The Gods of Egypt
  
The Spectacles
  
The Fox turn'd Preacher
  
The Bee and the Fly
  
The Horse's Complaint
  
The Parrat
  
The Eclipse
  
ANE EPISTLE to A. R.
  
ANSWER [To the foregoing Epistle]
  
To Mr ALLAN RAMSAY, upon his publishing his second Volume of POEMS
  
To William Somervile, of Warwick-shire Esq
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From The Echo, or Edinburgh Weekly Journal: 29th January, 1729
  
EPILOGUE Spoken After Acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd in January 1729
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From The Scarborough Miscellany: 1732.
  
Verses by the celebrated ALLAN RAMSAY, to his Son.
  
ADDRESS of Thanks from the Society of Rakes. [1735]
  
EPISTLE to the Reverend Philosarchus Minister of the Kirk of Scotland, occasioned by his late Essay, proving the Lawfulness of FORNICATION.
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From The Caledonian Mercury, August 2, 1736
  
LEITH RACES
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From The Caledonian Mercury, November 8, 1736
  
PROLOGUE for the Opening of the New Theatre in Carrubber's Close, 8 Nov., 1736
  
To the Honourable DUNCAN FORBES of Culloden, Lord President of the SESSION,
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From The Scots Magazine, October, 1741
  
AN EPISTLE To James Oswald
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PART II. Poems in manuscript or posthumously published.
collapse section1. 
(1) Poems for which dates can be assigned.
  
To the Most Happy Members of the Easy Club, 1712
  
On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself
  
A Rebuke to Antony Uneasy
  
THE LAMENTATION
  
To the Right Honourable George, Lord Ramsay
  
THE HAPPY MAN
  
[To Mr. Jo. Kerr of King's College, Aberdeen]
  
ON THE MARRIAGE OF URBAN AND BELLA. JULY 10th, 1721.
  
To His Grace John Duke Of Roxburgh,
  
TO THE MEMORY OF MARY, DUCHESS DOWAGER OF BEAUFORT AND COUNTESS DOWAGER OF DUNDONALD
  
MACARONIC
  
SILVIA TO A--- R---
  
ANSWER Octr 1722
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The Pleasures of Improv[e]ments in Agriculture
  
[Dedication]
  
[section]
  
[To the Duke of Queensberry]
  
A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery on her coming first to Scotland June 1723
  
[To the Duchess of Queensberry]
  
[Another Poem to the Duchess of Queensberry]
  
On the B[ritish] P[arliament's] design of Taking The Bounty off the Victual exported. Decemr 1724
  
Magy Dickson
  
[A Dedication for the Evergreen]
  
SOME FEW OF THE CONTENTS [of The Evergreen]
  
[FRAGMENT OF AN EPISTLE]
  
Allan Ramsay Bard to the Royall Company July 13 1724
  
[The Men of Totness Town]
  
[A Poem to Mr. Drummond]
  
[A Jacobite Poem]
  
Again the Royal Band in fair array
  
[To the Royal Company of Archers]
  
[A Marching Song]
  
[To a Gentleman in Ireland]
  
To my unknown Corospondent in Irland
  
On the Ever Green's being gathered out of this Manuscript By Allan Ramsay who had the Loan of it from the Honourable Mr William Carmichaell Advocat Brother german to the Earl of Hynford
  
MOLLY MOG
  
ANSWER [TO LADY SOMERVILLE'S POEM]
  
[To William Somerville]
  
THE MILLER AND HIS MAN:
  
THE CLEVER OFFCOME
  
[A Prologue for Julius Caesar]
  
[A Prologue to The Gentle Shepherd]
  
[An Epilogue for a Schoolplay]
  
Richy & Edi
  
THE ADDRESS
  
[An Elegy in Memory of William Aikman]
  
[A Second Elegy on William Aikman]
  
[In Memory of a Youth]
  
[Reversal of Situation]
  
[A Prologue to Macbeth]
  
KATE AND SUSAN,
  
TO THE Rt HONble SUSANA, COUNTESS OF EGLINTOUN.
  
To Dr Robinson when at Edinburgh July 30th 1734
  
[AN ELEGY ON THE COUNTESS OF MORAY]
  
[In Praise of Caroline]
  
To the Countes of Eglingtoun with the bass-relief Bustos of the 12 Cesars
  
Dalkieths Welcome to Her prince
  
Epistle to John Wardlaw
  
UPON THE RIGHT REV(EREN)D RALPH ERSKIN
  
MR. EBENEZER ERSKINS PROTEST
  
[On Church Patronage]
  
THE MARROW BALLAD
  
TO MR. JAMES HOME
  
EPISTLE TO MR. H. S. AT LONDON NOVr 1738
  
ON GEORGE WHITEFIELD THE STROLLING PREACHER
  
To Dr Cunninghame
  
RESIGNATION
  
'TIS WELL THATS NOT WARSE
  
[A POEM OF CIVIC REJOICING]
  
[TO LADY DICK]
  
TO L[ADY] D[ICK]
  
TO DOCTOR BOSWELL With the Two Vols. of my Poems.
  
[EPITAPH ON ROBERT MYLNE]
  
AN EPISTLE WROTE FROM MAVISBANK MARCH 1748 TO A FRIEND IN EDR.
  
To the Lairds of Annandale Conjunctly & Severaly A. R. not Greeting, wishes them all a good Bridle-Hand
  
[To George Clerk of Drumcrieff)
  
[THE EXCOMMUNICATION OF RALPH ERSKINE]
  
VERSES ADDRESST TO THE MAVIS WELL WHICH FLOWS IN THE GARDENS OF MAVIS BANK
  
TO Sir ALEXander DICK OF PRESTONFIELD, BARONET, WITH MR. RAMSAY'S POEMS IN THIS AND SECOND VOLUME
  
AN EPISTLE TO JAMES CLERK, ESQ. OF PENNYCUIK
collapse section2. 
(2) Poems for which dates have not been established.
  
Spoke to a Chapin Stowp
  
The Ingenious and Entertaining Interlocutory of The Reverend Presbytry of Inverness
  
[A PRAYER]
  
A Note of a Papist's Preaching
  
[A Reply to Critics]
  
[Defiance of a Critic]
  
[Ane Epitaph]
  
[An Epigram]
  
On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun
  
[To a Painter]
  
[Leap Year]
  
[Epigram]
  
The Hand preferd to the Hat a Epigrame
  
[Old Age]
  
[Unrepentant]
  
[Cards and Politics]
  
To a Gentlman who would have me always to write Epigrams
  
[The Dying Parishioner]
  
[Friendship]
  
THE DISTRESS AND COMPLAINT OF MUSTAPHA FOR LOSS OF HIS FUR
  
THE TYKES TOOLY
  
THE BROAD HINT CUNNINGLY ANSWERD
  
BABBAND AND TITTYPOW
  
AN ELEGY ON MR. SAMUEL CLERK RUNNING STATIONER
  
On Flavia's Fan
  
[CHLOE AND DAMON]
  
[A Compliment]
  
Banks of Forth
  
To A fa[i]r Quaker in [the] Dumps
  
[A Morning Song]
  
[A Forsaken Lover]
  
[Fragment]
  
[A Medley]
  
[In Praise of Scottish Ladies]
  
[An Evening Frolic]
  
THE VIRTUES OF SCOBIE WELLS
  
[TO THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE]
  
[TO SIR WILLIAM BENNET OF MARLEFIELD]
  
Spoken to Aeolus, in the House of Marlefield, on the Night of a violent Wind.
  
[TO SAUNDERS WOOD]
  
[The Function of Satiric Poetry]
  
[A Fragment of an Epistle]
  
[With a Gift of Books]
  
[To the Lovely Lechmere]
  
[To Chloe]
  
[A Poem in Honour of the Return of the Sons of Sir William Bennet of Marlefield]
  
A PASTORAL EPITHALIUM
  
[A Dialogue]
  
[On the Death of his daughter, Christy]
  
[Fragment]
  
ON THE MARRIAGE OF Mr BULL PREACHER AND Mrs MARY ------
  
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
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment]
  
[ON JOHN NORIE]
  
[Contentment]
  
THE SMUGLERS
  
[Fragment]
  
[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode IV, lines 15–20]
  
[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode V]
  
[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode VI]
  
Ode 7th
  
[To a Noble Lord]
  
On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O. like her self fair & serene
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment]
  
[Crambo]
collapse sectionIV. 
VOL. IV.—(Poems not hitherto collected: Poems attributed to Ramsay)
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POEMS NOT HITHERTO COLLECTED
  
To Dr John Theophilus Desaguliers, on presenting him with my book.
  
A Dedication to The Fables
  
On The Dutches of Marlbrugh's offer of five hundred pounds to the poet that would make the best Elegy on the Duke.
  
Annother Epigram or Epitaph on the above Subject [The Dutches of Marlbrugh's offer of five hundred pounds to the poet that would make the best Elegy on the Duke].
  
Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh.
  
On the Royal Company of Scottish Archers.
  
On the Royal Company of Scottish Archers.
  
The Roundell to her Health
  
Fable of the Lost Calf
  
Epigram
  
Another Epigram
  
Another Epigram
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Songs from The Devil of a Duke or Trappolin's Vagaries (1733).
 1. 
Song 1.
 2. 
Song 2. What should a Lassie do with an old man.
 3. 
Song 3. Willy was a wanton wag.
 4. 
Song 4. The Lads of Dunse.
 5. 
Song 5.
 6. 
Song 6. O'r Boggy.
 7. 
Song 7. Colin's Complaint.
 8. 
Song 8. What tho' they call me a Country Lass.
 9. 
Song 9. My Deary, if thou die.
 10. 
Song 10. John Anderson my Jo.
 11. 
Song 11. My Dady forbad.
 12. 
Song 12. Hap me with thy Petticoat.
 13. 
Song 13. Yellow hair'd Laddie.
 14. 
Song 14. Nansy to the Greenwood gane.
 15. 
Song 15.
  
The merry meeting on The Moor
  
On false Greatness
  
An Exchange of Epistles
  
Bogi-Dow a Sang to the Tune of Jeny Beguild the wobster.
  
[Verses] To the tune of Over the hills and far away.
  
On Priests not marrying.
  
On the Clergy's minding themsells mair than their flock.
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment]
  
[Fragment of a Song]
  
[Fragment of a Song]
  
[Fragment]
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POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO RAMSAY
  
Lines writ on seeing Boys act the Tragedy of Cato in the Taylors' Hall, March 16, 1742.
  
The Thimble
  
On the foregoing by ---
  
To the Memory of Alexr Strachan sometime School master in Pennycuik who died aged 80 years 1733.
  
Hardyknute,

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Songs from The Devil of a Duke or Trappolin's Vagaries (1733).

Song 1.

[I have a soft spirit & do what I dou]

I have a soft spirit & do what I dou
Dear Trapolin will have the guiding o't
While he talks & he smiles my hearts in a low
and now ther is no longer hiding o't
he hugs me & Jugs me and calls me his sweet
he ralles & Raves while he falls at my feet
by his constant adress his love seems complete
yet still I'm afraid of the abiding o't

Song 2. What should a Lassie do with an old man.

Flametta
O shoud Wanton fancy move you
Shoud you prove a naughty man
I shall think you never lov'd me
I shall hate you if I can

Trap.
Shoud your charming Beauty move me
'twoud but prove that I'm a man
you shoud believe I better lovd you
try, then hate me if you can

265

Song 3. Willy was a wanton wag.

Would you be the man in fashion
and prove wealthy safe & wise
indulge yourself in every passion
virtue learning fame despise
be rapacious bold & florid
Gold alone is the great prize
that takes from vices all that're horid
and makes us pass for good & wise
This clears a reputation tarnish'd
and it never yet was found
that the Gallows eer was garnished
with a hundred thousand pound

Song 4. The Lads of Dunse.

Complying denying
now free & now coy
Alluring & curing
Loves pain with it(s) Joy
with frowns or with smiles that kindle a fire
is a Lass that each Temper & age must admire
her Eye darts its glances
our heart feels its Ray
her power advances
as ours ebbs away
from charms so strong ther's none can retreat
for do what she will she is every way sweet

Song 5.

[A buxom young daughter]

A buxom young daughter
makes many mouths water
and the fops all around her will spark it
they say 'tis a Treasure
but gives us no pleasure
Untill they are Brought to fair market
while our cash is in chest
we are never at rest
for Robes are every where loose Sir
our Girls & our purses
are nothing but curses
'till they both are put out to good use Sir
266

Song 6. O'r Boggy.

The dog his Bit will often Quit
a Bulle to eschewe
The cock his corn will leave in Barn
annother cock in view
one man will eat annothers meat
and no contention seen
for all agree 'tis good to be
tho' hungry in a whole skin
But should each spy his mistress by
one contradict his suit
he Quits al fears & by the Ears
they fall together to't
Such Hinderers shocks mend Dogs & Cocks
and makes the gentle froward
He who wont fight for Mistress bright
in something worse than coward

Song 7. Colin's Complaint.

As the Bark when it parts from the shore
has scarce any distance between
yet at last by the Billows 'tis bore
where, alas! no more land's to be seen
So from virtue when once we remove
we attempt to return, but in vain
by the current of vice we are drove
'till we founder at length in the main.

Song 8. What tho' they call me a Country Lass.

Now that I'm Duke I'll strut right high
come courtiers flatter fawn & ly
what are the greatest more than I
but a stand by clear the way
and since so kindly is my fate
With this new face I'll put on state
and some shall fall as I grow great
I pant to see the day
267

Song 9. My Deary, if thou die.

Pure as the new falen snow apears
the spotles virgins name
unsullyd white her bosom bears
as fair her form & frame
but when she's soild her luster greets
the admiring Eye no more
she sinks to mud defiles the streets
and swells the common shore.

Song 10. John Anderson my Jo.

A statesman should employ his art
to increase his master's wealth
and study to rejoyce his heart
with pleasures cround with health
nor should he pillage from the croun
t'enrich himself or Heirs
or raise himself by pulling down
old brave descended peers
he ought to gain royall reward
for such as well deserve
and ever have a stayd regard
neer to let Merit starve.

Song 11. My Dady forbad.

such hang dogs of state
they swell up so great
by pimping by flattery & lying
that the crafty vile Rooks
make a blind of their Dukes
while their favours they are selling & Buying
but wee'll let them know
wee'll not be led so
as we please we will smile or wee'll frown Boy
we Tuscany's Duke
on no man will look
with any ones Eyes but our own Boy.
268

Song 12. Hap me with thy Petticoat.

Loves the young Heroe victory
and pamperd priests young nuns
do good men joy in clemency
and Willings in their punns
do poets take delight in praise
The Beau in Laces clean
so lov'd I and will all my Days
Poor banishd Trapolin.

Song 13. Yellow hair'd Laddie.

Some charm with their Descent and some with their face
Some inchant with a Manner & some with a Grace
Some only wish Riches to engage them for Life
while others value nothing but wit in a wife
But in my dear choice all excellencys shine
and point her out sprung from a source thats divine
Tho ane Enemie captive I viewed your desert
which darted a conquest on my yielding heart
and now without Blushing I own you my choice
since a Brother consenting gives cause to rejoyce
and since my heart vanquished no longer is mine
accept on and cherisht as I will do thine.

Song 14. Nansy to the Greenwood gane.

Now all's restored to rights again
and falshood is discarded
Let sounding Joys ring oer the plain
and virtue be rewarded
when cross events in life appear
that wrap in clouds their meaning
they give us pain but when they clear
they then are entertaining
since I'm no more a Duke can be
farewell to all thats stately
Come Flammie then let thee & me
strive to live kind & quietly
if we enjoy content & love
and tho our rents be scanty
our real joys may rise above
the petts of pride & plenty
269

Song 15.

[would ye be a man of fame]

would ye be a man of fame
and rise to courtly station
then be a pimp the noble name
will aid your elevation
soldiers may fight & Gamblers bite
and poets write their sence out
But pimps with ease their patrons can please
and best can make the pence out
Then fa a dri didle
Still at our devotion
if from our Grace youd hope a place
by pimping comes promotion
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