The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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The Prospect of Plenty:
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 | The works of Allan Ramsay |  |
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The Prospect of Plenty:
A POEM ON THE North-Sea Fishery,
Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Royal Burrows of Scotland.
------ Βαιω δε ωονω μεγα κερδος οπηδει.
—Opian. Halieutic. Lib. III.
—Opian. Halieutic. Lib. III.
Thalia
anes again in blythsome Lays,
In Lays immortal chant the North-Sea's Praise.
Tent how the Caledonians lang supine,
Begin, mair wise, to open baith their Een;
And as they ought, t'imploy that Store which Heav'n
In sic Abundance to their Hands has given.
Sae heedless Heir, born to a Lairdship wide,
That yields mair Plenty than he kens to guide;
Not well acquainted with his ain good Luck,
Lets ilka sneaking Fellow take a Pluck;
Till at the Lang-run, wi' a Heart right sair,
He sees the Bites grow bein, as he grows bare:
Then wak'ning, looks about with glegger Glour,
And learns to thrive, wha ne'er thought on't before.
In Lays immortal chant the North-Sea's Praise.
Tent how the Caledonians lang supine,
Begin, mair wise, to open baith their Een;
And as they ought, t'imploy that Store which Heav'n
In sic Abundance to their Hands has given.
Sae heedless Heir, born to a Lairdship wide,
That yields mair Plenty than he kens to guide;
Not well acquainted with his ain good Luck,
Lets ilka sneaking Fellow take a Pluck;
Till at the Lang-run, wi' a Heart right sair,
He sees the Bites grow bein, as he grows bare:
Then wak'ning, looks about with glegger Glour,
And learns to thrive, wha ne'er thought on't before.
Nae Nation in the Warld can parallel
The plenteous Product of this happy Isle:
But Past'ral Heights, and sweet prolifick Plains,
That can at Will command the saftest Strains.
Stand yont; for Amphitrite claims our Sang,
Wha round fair Thule drives her finny Thrang,
O'er Shaws of Coral, and the Pearly Sands,
To Scotia's smoothest Lochs and Christal Strands.
There keeps the Tyrant Pike his awfu' Court,
Here Trouts and Salmond in clear Channels sport.
Wae to that Hand, that dares by Day or Night
Defile the Stream where sporting Fries delight.
But Herrings, lovely Fish, like best to play
In rowan Ocean, or the open Bay:
In Crouds amazing thro the Waves they shine,
Millions on Millions form ilk equal Line:
Nor dares th'imperial Whale, unless by Stealth,
Attack their firm united Common-wealth.
But artfu' Nets, and Fishers' wylie Skill,
Can bring the scaly Nations to their Will.
When these retire to Caverns of the Deep,
Or in their oozy Beds thro' Winter sleep,
Then shall the tempting Bait, and stented String,
Beguile the Cod, the Sea-Cat, Tusk, and Ling.
Thus may our Fishery thro' a' the Year
Be still imploy'd, t'increase the publick Gear.
The plenteous Product of this happy Isle:
159
That can at Will command the saftest Strains.
Stand yont; for Amphitrite claims our Sang,
Wha round fair Thule drives her finny Thrang,
O'er Shaws of Coral, and the Pearly Sands,
To Scotia's smoothest Lochs and Christal Strands.
There keeps the Tyrant Pike his awfu' Court,
Here Trouts and Salmond in clear Channels sport.
Wae to that Hand, that dares by Day or Night
Defile the Stream where sporting Fries delight.
But Herrings, lovely Fish, like best to play
In rowan Ocean, or the open Bay:
In Crouds amazing thro the Waves they shine,
Millions on Millions form ilk equal Line:
Nor dares th'imperial Whale, unless by Stealth,
Attack their firm united Common-wealth.
But artfu' Nets, and Fishers' wylie Skill,
Can bring the scaly Nations to their Will.
When these retire to Caverns of the Deep,
Or in their oozy Beds thro' Winter sleep,
Then shall the tempting Bait, and stented String,
Beguile the Cod, the Sea-Cat, Tusk, and Ling.
Thus may our Fishery thro' a' the Year
Be still imploy'd, t'increase the publick Gear.
Delytfou' Labour, where the Industrious gains
Profit surmounting ten Times a' his Pains.
Nae Pleasure like Success; then Lads stand be,
Ye'll find it endless in the Northern-Sea.
O'er lang with empty Brag we have been vain
Of toom Dominion on the plenteous Main,
While others ran away with a' the Gain.
Thus proud Iberia
vaunts of sov'reign Sway
O'er Countries rich, frae Rise to Set of Day;
She grasps the Shadow, but the Substance tines,
While a' the rest of Europe milk her Mines.
Profit surmounting ten Times a' his Pains.
Nae Pleasure like Success; then Lads stand be,
Ye'll find it endless in the Northern-Sea.
O'er lang with empty Brag we have been vain
Of toom Dominion on the plenteous Main,
While others ran away with a' the Gain.
160
O'er Countries rich, frae Rise to Set of Day;
She grasps the Shadow, but the Substance tines,
While a' the rest of Europe milk her Mines.
But dawns the Day sets Britain on her Feet,
Lang look'd for's come at last, and welcome be't:
For numerous Fleets shall hem Æbudan Rocks,
Commanding Seas, with Rowth to raise our Stocks.
Nor can this be a toom Chimera found,
The Fabrick's bigget on the surest Ground.
Sma is our need to toil on foreign Shores,
When we have baith the Indies at our Doors.
Yet, for Diversion, laden Vessels may
To far aff Nations cut the liquid Way;
And fraught frae ilka Port what's nice or braw,
While for their Trifles we maintain them a'.
Goths, Vandals, Gauls, Hesperians, and the Moors,
Shall a' be treated frae our happy Shores:
The rantin Germans, Russians, and the Poles,
Shall feast with Pleasure on our gusty Sholes:
For which deep in their Treasures we shall dive:
Thus, by fair Trading, North-Sea Stock shall thrive.
Lang look'd for's come at last, and welcome be't:
For numerous Fleets shall hem Æbudan Rocks,
Commanding Seas, with Rowth to raise our Stocks.
Nor can this be a toom Chimera found,
The Fabrick's bigget on the surest Ground.
Sma is our need to toil on foreign Shores,
When we have baith the Indies at our Doors.
Yet, for Diversion, laden Vessels may
To far aff Nations cut the liquid Way;
And fraught frae ilka Port what's nice or braw,
While for their Trifles we maintain them a'.
Goths, Vandals, Gauls, Hesperians, and the Moors,
Shall a' be treated frae our happy Shores:
The rantin Germans, Russians, and the Poles,
Shall feast with Pleasure on our gusty Sholes:
For which deep in their Treasures we shall dive:
Thus, by fair Trading, North-Sea Stock shall thrive.
Sae far the bonny Prospect gave delight,
The warm Ideas gart the Muse take Flight:
When straight a Grumbletonian appears,
Peghing fou sair beneath a Lade of Fears:
“Wow! That's braw News, quoth he, to make Fools fain,
“But gin ye be nae Warluck, How d'ye ken?
“Does Tam the Rhimer spae oughtlins of this?
“Or do ye prophesy just as ye wish?
“Will Projects thrive in this abandon'd Place?
“Unsonsy we had ne'er sae meikle Grace.
“I fear, I fear, your towring Aim fa' short,
“Alake we winn o'er far frae King and Court?
“The Southerns will with Pith your Project bauk,
“They'll never thole this great Design to tak.
The warm Ideas gart the Muse take Flight:
When straight a Grumbletonian appears,
Peghing fou sair beneath a Lade of Fears:
“Wow! That's braw News, quoth he, to make Fools fain,
“But gin ye be nae Warluck, How d'ye ken?
“Does Tam the Rhimer spae oughtlins of this?
“Or do ye prophesy just as ye wish?
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“Unsonsy we had ne'er sae meikle Grace.
“I fear, I fear, your towring Aim fa' short,
“Alake we winn o'er far frae King and Court?
“The Southerns will with Pith your Project bauk,
“They'll never thole this great Design to tak.
Thus do the Dubious ever countermine,
With Party wrangle, ilka fair Design.
How can a Saul that has the Use of Thought,
Be to sic little creeping Fancies brought?
Will Britain's King or Parliament gainstand
The universal Profit of the Land?
Now when nae sep'rate Interest eags to Strife,
The antient Nations join'd like Man and Wife,
Maun study closs for Peace and Thriving's sake,
Aff a' the wissen'd Leaves of Spite to shake:
Let's weave and fish to ane anither's Hands,
And never mind wha serves or wha commands;
But baith alike consult the Common Weal,
Happy that Moment Friendship makes us leal
To Truth and Right,—Then springs a shining Day,
Shall Clouds of sma' Mistakes drive fast away.
Mistakes and private Int'rest hence be gane,
Mind what ye did on dire Pharsalia's Plain,
Where doughty Romans were by Romans slain.
With Party wrangle, ilka fair Design.
How can a Saul that has the Use of Thought,
Be to sic little creeping Fancies brought?
Will Britain's King or Parliament gainstand
The universal Profit of the Land?
Now when nae sep'rate Interest eags to Strife,
The antient Nations join'd like Man and Wife,
Maun study closs for Peace and Thriving's sake,
Aff a' the wissen'd Leaves of Spite to shake:
Let's weave and fish to ane anither's Hands,
And never mind wha serves or wha commands;
But baith alike consult the Common Weal,
Happy that Moment Friendship makes us leal
To Truth and Right,—Then springs a shining Day,
Shall Clouds of sma' Mistakes drive fast away.
Mistakes and private Int'rest hence be gane,
Mind what ye did on dire Pharsalia's Plain,
Where doughty Romans were by Romans slain.
A meaner phantom neist, with meikle Dread,
Attacks with senseless Fears the weaker Head.
“The Dutch, say they, will strive your Plot to stap,
“They'll toom their Banks before you reap their Crap:
“Lang have they ply'd that Trade like bisy Bees,
“And suck'd the Profit of the Pictland Seas,
“Thence Riches fish'd mair by themselves confest,
“Than e'er they made by India's East and West.
Attacks with senseless Fears the weaker Head.
“The Dutch, say they, will strive your Plot to stap,
“They'll toom their Banks before you reap their Crap:
“Lang have they ply'd that Trade like bisy Bees,
“And suck'd the Profit of the Pictland Seas,
“Thence Riches fish'd mair by themselves confest,
“Than e'er they made by India's East and West.
O mighty fine, and greatly was it spoke!
Maun bauld Britannia bear Batavia's Yoke?
May she not open her ain Pantry-door,
For fear the paughty State shou'd gi'e a Roar?
Dare she nane of her Herrings sel or prive,
Afore she say, Dear Matkie wi' ye'r leave?
Curse on the Wight wha tholes a Thought sae tame,
He merits not the manly Briton's Name.
Grant they're good Allies, yet it's hardly wise,
To buy their Friendship at sae high a Price.
But frae that Airth we needna fear great Skaith,
These People, right auldfaran, will be laith
To thwart a Nation, wha with Ease can draw
Up ilka Sluce they have, and drown them a'.
Maun bauld Britannia bear Batavia's Yoke?
162
For fear the paughty State shou'd gi'e a Roar?
Dare she nane of her Herrings sel or prive,
Afore she say, Dear Matkie wi' ye'r leave?
Curse on the Wight wha tholes a Thought sae tame,
He merits not the manly Briton's Name.
Grant they're good Allies, yet it's hardly wise,
To buy their Friendship at sae high a Price.
But frae that Airth we needna fear great Skaith,
These People, right auldfaran, will be laith
To thwart a Nation, wha with Ease can draw
Up ilka Sluce they have, and drown them a'.
Ah slothfu' Pride! a Kingdom's greatest Curse,
How dowf looks Gentry with an empty Purse?
How worthless is a poor and haughty Drone,
Wha thowless stands a lazy Looker on?
While active Sauls a stagnant Life despise,
Still ravish'd with new Pleasures as they rise.
O'er lang, in Troth, have we By-standers been,
And loot Fowk lick the White out of our Een:
Nor can we wyt them, since they had our Vote;
But now they'se get the Wistle of their Groat.
How dowf looks Gentry with an empty Purse?
How worthless is a poor and haughty Drone,
Wha thowless stands a lazy Looker on?
While active Sauls a stagnant Life despise,
Still ravish'd with new Pleasures as they rise.
O'er lang, in Troth, have we By-standers been,
And loot Fowk lick the White out of our Een:
Nor can we wyt them, since they had our Vote;
But now they'se get the Wistle of their Groat.
Here did the Muse intend a while to rest,
Till hame o'er spitefu' Din her Lugs opprest;
Anither Sett of the envyfou Kind
(With narrow Notions horridly confin'd)
Wag their boss Noddles; syne with silly Spite
Land ilka worthy Project in a Bite.
They force with aukward Girn their Ridicule,
And ca' ilka ane concern'd a simple Fool,
Excepting some, wha a' the leave will nick,
And gie them nought but bare Whop-shafts to lick.
Till hame o'er spitefu' Din her Lugs opprest;
Anither Sett of the envyfou Kind
(With narrow Notions horridly confin'd)
Wag their boss Noddles; syne with silly Spite
Land ilka worthy Project in a Bite.
They force with aukward Girn their Ridicule,
And ca' ilka ane concern'd a simple Fool,
Excepting some, wha a' the leave will nick,
And gie them nought but bare Whop-shafts to lick.
163
Malicious Envy! Root of a' Debates,
The Plague of Government and Bane of States;
The Nurse of positive destructive Strife,
Fair Friendship's Fae, which sowrs the Sweets of Life;
Promoter of Sedition and base Fead,
Still overjoy'd to see a Nation bleed.
Stap, stap, my Lass , forgetna where ye'r gawn,
If ye rin on, Heav'n kens where ye may land;
Turn to your Fishers Sang, and let Fowk ken
The North-Sea Skippers are leal-hearted Men,
Vers'd in the critick Seasons of the Year,
When to ilk Bay the Fishing-Bush should steer;
There to hawl up with Joy the plenteous Fry,
Which on the Decks in shining Heaps shall ly;
Till carefou Hands, even while they've vital Heat,
Shall be employ'd to save their Juices sweet:
Strick Tent they'll tak to stow them wi' strang Brine,
In Barrels tight, that shall nae Liquor tine;
Then in the foreign Markets we shall stand
With upright Front, and the first Sale demand.
This, this our faithfou Trustees have in View,
And honourably will the Task Pursue:
Nor are they bigging Castles in a Cloud,
Their Ships already into Action scud.
The Plague of Government and Bane of States;
The Nurse of positive destructive Strife,
Fair Friendship's Fae, which sowrs the Sweets of Life;
Promoter of Sedition and base Fead,
Still overjoy'd to see a Nation bleed.
Stap, stap, my Lass , forgetna where ye'r gawn,
If ye rin on, Heav'n kens where ye may land;
Turn to your Fishers Sang, and let Fowk ken
The North-Sea Skippers are leal-hearted Men,
Vers'd in the critick Seasons of the Year,
When to ilk Bay the Fishing-Bush should steer;
There to hawl up with Joy the plenteous Fry,
Which on the Decks in shining Heaps shall ly;
Till carefou Hands, even while they've vital Heat,
Shall be employ'd to save their Juices sweet:
Strick Tent they'll tak to stow them wi' strang Brine,
In Barrels tight, that shall nae Liquor tine;
Then in the foreign Markets we shall stand
With upright Front, and the first Sale demand.
This, this our faithfou Trustees have in View,
And honourably will the Task Pursue:
Nor are they bigging Castles in a Cloud,
Their Ships already into Action scud.
Now, dear ill-naturd Billies, say nae mair,
But leave the Matter to their prudent Care:
They're Men of Candor, and right well they wate
That Truth and Honesty hads lang the Gate:
Shouder to Shouder let's stand firm and stout,
And there's nae Fear but well soon make it out;
We've Reason, Law, and Nature on our Side,
And have nae Bars, but Party, Slowth, and Pride.
But leave the Matter to their prudent Care:
They're Men of Candor, and right well they wate
That Truth and Honesty hads lang the Gate:
164
And there's nae Fear but well soon make it out;
We've Reason, Law, and Nature on our Side,
And have nae Bars, but Party, Slowth, and Pride.
When a's in Order, as it soon will be,
And Fleets of Bushes fill the Northern-Sea,
What hopefou' Images with Joy arise,
In Order rang'd before the Muse's Eyes?
A Wood of Masts,—well mann'd,—, their jovial Din,
Like eydent Bees gawn out and coming in.
Here haff a Nation, healthfou, wise, and stark,
With Spirits only tint for want of Wark,
Shall now find Place their Genius to exert,
While in the common Good they act their Part.
These, fit for Servitude, shall bear a Hand,
And these find Government form'd for Command.
Besides, this as a Nursery shall breed
Stout skill'd Marines, when Britains Navies need.
Pleas'd with their Labour, when their Task is done,
They'll leave green Thetis to embrace the Sun:
Then freshest Fish shall on the Brander Bleez,
And lend the bisy Browster-wife a Heez:
While healthfou Hearts shall own their honest Flame,
With reaming Quaff, and whomelt to her Name,
Whase active Motion to his Heart did reach,
As she the Cods was turning on the Beech.
Curs'd Poortith, Love, and Hymen's deadly Fae,
(Thar gars young Fowk in Prime cry aft, Oh hey,
And single live, till Age and Runkles shaw
Their canker'd Spirit's good for nought at a';)
Now flit your Camp, far frae our Confines scour,
Our Lads and Lasses soon shall slight your Power;
For Rowth shall cherish Love, and Love shall bring
Mae Men t'improve the Soil and serve the King.
Thus universal Plenty shall produce
Strength to the State, and Arts for Joy and Use.
And Fleets of Bushes fill the Northern-Sea,
What hopefou' Images with Joy arise,
In Order rang'd before the Muse's Eyes?
A Wood of Masts,—well mann'd,—, their jovial Din,
Like eydent Bees gawn out and coming in.
Here haff a Nation, healthfou, wise, and stark,
With Spirits only tint for want of Wark,
Shall now find Place their Genius to exert,
While in the common Good they act their Part.
These, fit for Servitude, shall bear a Hand,
And these find Government form'd for Command.
Besides, this as a Nursery shall breed
Stout skill'd Marines, when Britains Navies need.
Pleas'd with their Labour, when their Task is done,
They'll leave green Thetis to embrace the Sun:
Then freshest Fish shall on the Brander Bleez,
And lend the bisy Browster-wife a Heez:
While healthfou Hearts shall own their honest Flame,
With reaming Quaff, and whomelt to her Name,
Whase active Motion to his Heart did reach,
As she the Cods was turning on the Beech.
Curs'd Poortith, Love, and Hymen's deadly Fae,
(Thar gars young Fowk in Prime cry aft, Oh hey,
And single live, till Age and Runkles shaw
Their canker'd Spirit's good for nought at a';)
Now flit your Camp, far frae our Confines scour,
Our Lads and Lasses soon shall slight your Power;
165
Mae Men t'improve the Soil and serve the King.
Thus universal Plenty shall produce
Strength to the State, and Arts for Joy and Use.
O plenty, thou Delyt of great and sma,
Thou nervous Sinnow of baith War and Law:
The Statesman's Drift, Spur to the Artist's Skill,
Nor does the very Flamens like thee ill;
The shabby Poet hate thee! That's a Lye,
Or else they are nae of a Mind wi' me.
Thou nervous Sinnow of baith War and Law:
The Statesman's Drift, Spur to the Artist's Skill,
Nor does the very Flamens like thee ill;
The shabby Poet hate thee! That's a Lye,
Or else they are nae of a Mind wi' me.
Plenty shall cultivate ilk Scawp and Moor,
Now Lee and bare, because the Landlord's poor.
On scroggy Braes shall Akes and Ashes grow,
And bonny Gardens clead the brecken How.
Does others backward dam the raging Main,
Raising on barren Sands a flowry Plain?
By us then shou'd the Thought o't be endur'd,
To let braid Tracts of Land ly unmanur'd?
Uncultivate nae mair they shall appear,
But shine with a' the Beauties of the Year;
Which start with Ease frae the obedient Soil,
And ten Times o'er reward a little Toil.
Now Lee and bare, because the Landlord's poor.
On scroggy Braes shall Akes and Ashes grow,
And bonny Gardens clead the brecken How.
Does others backward dam the raging Main,
Raising on barren Sands a flowry Plain?
By us then shou'd the Thought o't be endur'd,
To let braid Tracts of Land ly unmanur'd?
Uncultivate nae mair they shall appear,
But shine with a' the Beauties of the Year;
Which start with Ease frae the obedient Soil,
And ten Times o'er reward a little Toil.
Alang wild Shores, where tumbling Billows break,
Plenisht with nought but Shells and Tangle-Wreck,
Braw Towns shall rise, with Steeples mony a ane,
And Houses bigget a' with Estler Stane:
Where Schools polite shall lib'ral Arts display,
And make auld barb'rous Darkness fly away.
Plenisht with nought but Shells and Tangle-Wreck,
Braw Towns shall rise, with Steeples mony a ane,
And Houses bigget a' with Estler Stane:
Where Schools polite shall lib'ral Arts display,
And make auld barb'rous Darkness fly away.
166
Now
Nereus rising frae his watry Bed,
The Pearly Drops hap down his lyart Head;
Oceanus with Pleasure hears him sing,
Tritons and Nereids form a jovial Ring;
And dancing on the deep, Attention draw,
While a' the Winds in Love, but sighing, blaw.
The Sea-born Prophet sang in sweetest Strain,
“Britons be blyth, fair Queen of Isles be fain;
“A richer People never saw the Sun:
“Gang tightly throw what fairly you've begun;
“Spread a' your Sails and Streamers in the Wind,
“For ilka Power in Sea and Air's your Friend;
“Great Neptune's unexhausted Bank has Store
“Of endless Wealth, will gar yours a' run o'er.”
He sang sae loud, round Rocks the Echoes flew,
'Tis true, he said; they are return'd, 'tis true.
The Pearly Drops hap down his lyart Head;
Oceanus with Pleasure hears him sing,
Tritons and Nereids form a jovial Ring;
And dancing on the deep, Attention draw,
While a' the Winds in Love, but sighing, blaw.
The Sea-born Prophet sang in sweetest Strain,
“Britons be blyth, fair Queen of Isles be fain;
“A richer People never saw the Sun:
“Gang tightly throw what fairly you've begun;
“Spread a' your Sails and Streamers in the Wind,
“For ilka Power in Sea and Air's your Friend;
“Great Neptune's unexhausted Bank has Store
“Of endless Wealth, will gar yours a' run o'er.”
He sang sae loud, round Rocks the Echoes flew,
'Tis true, he said; they are return'd, 'tis true.
September 1720.
There are Acts of Parliament, which severely prohibite steeping of Lint, or any other Way defiling these clear Rivers where Salmond abound.
Thomas Learmond, alias the Rhimer, liv'd in the Reign of Alexander III. King of Scots, and is held in great Esteem by the Vulgar for his dark Predictions.
| The works of Allan Ramsay | |