The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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On false Greatness
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 | The works of Allan Ramsay |  |
On false Greatness
1
Stand aff ye giddy, gawky, thrang,to what-e'er classes ye belang,
frae Cottars up to King's
if you'r of Truth & Justice scant
and Social lore, & honour want,
ye are but worthless Things.
2
Tho to ten Thousand Acres bornall wavend with Crops of golden corn,
and slaves to bow before ye
if you are selfish, proud, and sour,
of humour fickle, dull, & dour
nane will in heart care for ye.
3
wha can help laughing in their faces!that are maist fausly call'd their Graces,
wha're reverse of the Title,
heap honours upon honour's top,
it ne'er will make the matter up,
if that the Saul be litle.
4
full blest are they wha claim their birthfrae great forbears of valued worth
and imitate their merit
they'll still engage the world's esteem
wha muddy not the flowing stream
with an Ignoble Spirit.
Penk August 29th 1755 A LXXI R
| The works of Allan Ramsay | |