 | Poems on several subjects |  |
iii
TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES HALYBURTON of Pitcur, Esq; Member of Parliament of Orkney and Shetland, and Colonel of the Third Regiment of Foot-Guards, &c.
v
The late Lord Gray, and mony mae
Lang syne did tent my rustic pipe;
My pipe was green, but new cut frae
An ill-grown reed, and was nae ripe.
Lang syne did tent my rustic pipe;
My pipe was green, but new cut frae
An ill-grown reed, and was nae ripe.
The Earl of Morton neist enquir'd,
What I could carol, sing, or play?
His Lordship what I sung admir'd,
And rais'd what I could never lay.
What I could carol, sing, or play?
His Lordship what I sung admir'd,
And rais'd what I could never lay.
And syne, without a' lett or had,
I strutting came to public view;
My cap'ring fancy maist gane mad,
That's anes again reviv'd by You.
I strutting came to public view;
My cap'ring fancy maist gane mad,
That's anes again reviv'd by You.
Sure, pride's the gyte of ignorance;
For fools are easily puff'd up;
But when sic leads me out to dance,
E'en let my fancy take its scope.
For fools are easily puff'd up;
But when sic leads me out to dance,
E'en let my fancy take its scope.
Fair fa' your heart, who cur'd my spleen,
When I was dwining, like to die:
I dowie sat, and aft did mane,
But now I'll-sing right merrilie.
When I was dwining, like to die:
I dowie sat, and aft did mane,
But now I'll-sing right merrilie.
And when I sing, I'll ay hae mind
O' You, and ever wish Your heal;
And when I drink, be't ale or wine,
You for my tost sall never fail.
O' You, and ever wish Your heal;
And when I drink, be't ale or wine,
You for my tost sall never fail.
vii
Thou puny soul, think'st thou that we
Regard ought that's perform'd by thee?
Thou and thy Rural Muse may go
To vulgar sots, that nothing know,
But to converse with sheep and cattle,
And unto them your nonsense prattle.
Regard ought that's perform'd by thee?
Thou and thy Rural Muse may go
To vulgar sots, that nothing know,
But to converse with sheep and cattle,
And unto them your nonsense prattle.
All are oblig'd to honour, love, and prize
Great public spirits, by a thousand ties:
The city, country, and each family
Are bless'd while under such authority:
Like planet stars, they spread their influence
On all around their place of residence.
Great public spirits, by a thousand ties:
The city, country, and each family
Are bless'd while under such authority:
Like planet stars, they spread their influence
On all around their place of residence.
All public spirits public blessings are;
And it is only their peculiar care
Their nation's welfare always to advance,
And help all that are low in circumstance;
Ev'n as 'tis said, Atlas the earth upbears,
So they support all those within their spheres.
And it is only their peculiar care
Their nation's welfare always to advance,
And help all that are low in circumstance;
Ev'n as 'tis said, Atlas the earth upbears,
So they support all those within their spheres.
viii
Collace, Aug. 24. 1753. ALEX. NICOL.
| Poems on several subjects | |