Poems of Allan Ramsay 9781474456814

Table of contents :
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
General Editor’s Preface
Biography of Allan Ramsay
VOL II
Introduction to Poems
Text
Poems 1721
Poems 1728
Notes
Poems 1721
Poems 1728
Index of First Lines
Front Matter 2
VOL III
Abbreviations
Uncollected Poems
Dubia
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index of First Lines

Citation preview

THE EDINBURGH EDITION OF THE COLLECTED WORKS OF ALLAN RAMSAY POEMS 1721 & 1728

The Edinburgh Edition of the Collected Works of Allan Ramsay

General Editor Murray Pittock Available The Gentle Shepherd (Vol. I) Steve Newman and David McGuinness (eds.) The Poems of Allan Ramsay (Vols. II & III) Rhona Brown (ed.) Forthcoming The Tea-Table Miscellany (Vol. IV) Murray Pittock and Brianna E. Robertson-Kirkland The Prose of Allan Ramsay (Vol. V) Rhona Brown and Craig Lamont (eds.) The Ever Green (Vol. VI) Murray Pittock and James J. Caudle (eds.)

THE EDINBURGH EDITION of

THE COLLECTED WORKS of ALLAN RAMSAY General Editor Murray Pittock

POEMS 1721 & 1728 Edited by Rhona Brown

Edinburgh University Press is one of the leading university presses in the UK. We publish academic books and journals in our selected subject areas across the humanities and social sciences, combining cutting-edge scholarship with high editorial and production values to produce academic works of lasting importance. For more information visit our website: edinburghuniversitypress.com © editorial matter and organisation Murray Pittock and Rhona Brown, 2023 © Ramsay biography Rhona Brown, 2023 © the text in this edition Edinburgh University Press, 2023 Edinburgh University Press Ltd The Tun – Holyrood Road, 12(2f) Jackson’s Entry, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ Typeset in Constantia by Craig Lamont printed and bound in Great Britain. A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978 1 4744 5680 7 (hardback) ISBN 978 1 4744 5681 4 (webready PDF) ISBN 978 1 4744 5682 1 (epub) The right of Rhona Brown to be identified as the editor of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 (SI No. 2498).

CONTENTS

VOL II Acknowledgements i Abbreviations iii General Editor’s Preface v Biography of Allan Ramsay xvii Introduction to Poems 1 Text Poems 1721 33 Poems 1728 227 Notes Poems 1721 433 Poems 1728 545 Index of First Lines 753 VOL III Abbreviations i Uncollected Poems 1 Dubia 212 Notes 219 Glossary 401 Bibliography 425 Index of First Lines 441

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My grateful thanks are due to the editorial team for the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project, The Collected Works of Allan Ramsay. I owe a debt of gratitude to the edition’s General Editor and Principal Investigator, Murray Pittock, for his advice, support, motivation and friendship throughout the process. My thanks are also due to James Caudle, David McGuinness and Steve Newman, who were always willing to discuss the knotty textual and bibliographical challenges of editing Ramsay’s work. I am particularly grateful to the project’s Research Associates: to Craig Lamont, without whose meticulous textual research this edition would not have been possible, and to Brianna Robertson-Kirkland, whose knowledge of eighteenthcentury musical resources matches her efficiency and professionalism. Beyond the Ramsay team, I am grateful to my colleagues in the Centre for Robert Burns Studies in Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow: Carol Baraniuk, Gerard Carruthers, Nigel Leask, Pauline Mackay, Kirsteen McCue and Ronnie Young. I also acknowledge the generosity of Helen Smailes, Patrick Scott, Jeremy Smith and Bill Zachs, and all who have provided assistance along the way. My thanks are also due to staff at the repositories where Ramsay’s manuscripts are held: I am particularly grateful to colleagues at the National Library of Scotland, especially Ralph McLean and Robert Betteridge. At the National Records of Scotland, I am grateful to Alison Lindsay, the Head of Historical and Legal Search Rooms, and to Sir Robert Clerk, who granted us permission to work with his collections there. At Edinburgh University Press, Michelle Houston provided invaluable advice and encouragement. My final thanks go to my family and friends, especially Jim, Janice, Eileen and Jacqueline, who have supported me with good humour and endless patience.

Rhona Brown University of Glasgow

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ABBREVIATIONS BL

British Library

DOST Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue DSL

Dictionaries of the Scots Language

EUL Edinburgh University Library GS HoP MS

Allan Ramsay, The Gentle Shepherd (1725) The History of Parliament: British Political, Social and Local History manuscript

MSS manuscripts NLS NRS

National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh

OED Oxford English Dictionary ODNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography SND STS

Scottish National Dictionary The Works of Allan Ramsay, 6 vols., ed. Burns Martin, John W. Oliver, Alexander M. Kinghorn, and Alexander Law. Edinburgh: Scottish Text Society, 1944-74.

TTM Allan Ramsay, The Tea-Table Miscellany, 3 vols. (1723, 1726, 1727)

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GENERAL EDITOR’S PREFACE

The Collected Works of Allan Ramsay is an international project which brings the works of this foundationally important poet, dramatist, song collector, theatre owner, cultural leader in art and music, and innovative cultural entrepreneur in many spheres from language to libraries, into print as a whole for the first time. There has only ever been one previous edition of Ramsay’s work, produced for the Scottish Text Society (STS) in six volumes. Volumes I (1944) and II (1953) were edited by Burns Martin and John Walter Oliver; Volume III (1961), IV (1970), V (1972) and VI (1974) were all edited by Alexander Kinghorn and Alexander Law. The STS edition thus lacked a consistent editorial team; it also lacks consistency in editorial policy and teamwork: for example, Martin and Oliver ‘never met’ and both died in the 1950s (STS VI: vii). As has long been recognized, the STS edition lacks the fidelity and scrutiny appropriate to a textual edition. The Index for English Literary Manuscripts entry on Ramsay, published in 1992, notes the serious limitations and inadequacy of STS as a scholarly text in uncompromising terms: ‘…deeply flawed as a scholarly edition. It is badly organised; its transcription of MSS…is unacceptably inaccurate; its contents pages, titling, indexes and apparatus are variously inadequate, inconsistent and error-ridden’ (IELM II: 3, 172). Moreover, the STS edition is extremely rare (even the British Library lacks two volumes) and large areas of Ramsay’s oeuvre (including the critically important Ever Green and Tea-Table Miscellany) were simply not included in it at all, despite its claim to incorporate his ‘entire writings’ (STS VI: vii). On the other hand, some work transparently not by Ramsay, such as The Journal of the Easy Club, was included, despite the original MS of the Journal not being available. Other than this edition, the only Ramsay in print was a 1985 anthology based on STS done for Scottish Academic Press, which has been unavailable for many years. Ramsay has undoubtedly been short-changed by British literary history, suffering from the triple disadvantage of being a patriotically Scottish literary figure, a perceived avatar of Burns and - perhaps most seriously - a fox rather than a hedgehog: someone good at many things, not known above all for one, and thus a source of the mixture v

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of egalitarianism and jealousy which leads human beings to be reluctant to countenance giving anyone credit in multiple spheres. Yet this is undoubtedly what Ramsay deserves. I have long been interested in his multiple talents: initially appointed as the Research Associate on Ramsay by the Index of English Literary Manuscripts in 1988, I subsequently wrote on him at length in various publications, including The Invention of Scotland (1991, 2014, 2016); Poetry and Jacobite Politics in Eighteenth-Century Britain and Ireland (1994, 2006); Scottish and Irish Romanticism (2008, 2011) and Enlightenment in a Smart City (2019) as well as contributing his biography to the Oxford DNB. In 2015, the Royal Society of Edinburgh awarded me a two year grant on Allan Ramsay and the Enlightenment in Edinburgh, which gave rise to initial website resources including an interactive map of central Edinburgh, a tourist trail and the development of the annual Allan Ramsay Festival in Ramsay Country in the Scottish Borders.1 In 2017, the Arts and Humanities Research Council made a £1M award to support a collected Ramsay edition in five volumes, under contract with Edinburgh University Press. The team include myself as general editor and co-editor of The Tea-Table Miscellany and The Ever Green; Rhona Brown (Glasgow) as editor of Poems and co-editor of Prose; David McGuinness (Glasgow) as co-editor of The Gentle Shepherd and Tea-Table Miscellany; Steve Newman (Temple) as co-editor of The Gentle Shepherd; Craig Lamont (Glasgow) as Research Associate and co-editor of Prose; Brianna Robertson-Kirkland (Glasgow/Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) as Research Associate in Music and co-editor of The Tea-Table Miscellany; and James J. Caudle (Glasgow), the former Associate Editor of the Yale Boswell, as Research Associate and co-editor of The Ever Green. Daniel Szechi (University of Manchester) is also part of the core edition team, and there is also a Knowledge Exchange team, consisting of Lucinda Lax and Helen Smailes (National Gallery of Scotland (NGS)), Jennifer Melville (National Trust for Scotland (NTS)) and Ralph McLean (National Library of Scotland (NLS)). The NGS have incorporated images of Ramsay’s work as well as paintings by his son (Allan Ramsay (1713–84)) into the layout of the ‘Edinburgh’s Enlightenment 1680-1750’ website at the University of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/research/ researchcentresandnetworks/robertburnsstudies/edinburghenlightenment/ introductionguide.

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new Scottish Gallery and associated collections; the NLS held an exhibition on Ramsay in 20202 and the NTS have redeveloped Gladstone’s Land, only about 200m from Ramsay’s Gusepye House on the Castlehill and his shop on the Lawnmarket. Gladstone’s Land was a building Ramsay knew well. In addition, Rosemary Brown, the landlady of the Allan Ramsay Hotel in Carlops, has hosted the Allan Ramsay Festival, supported by Pub is the Hub UK, Stewart’s Brewery, Cockburn’s of Leith, John Kennedy of Newhall, who has embedded a ‘Gentle Shepherd’ theme in his Newhall wedding venue, and Sir Robert and Lady Clerk of Penicuik. The Ramsay Edition also supported the installation of a Historic Environment Scotland plaque, unveiled in 2016 by Christine Graham MSP, to mark the Hotel’s central position role in Ramsay Country. The legend – supplied by the General Editor – reads ‘Allan Ramsay/ 1684–1758/ Founding Father of Scottish Romanticism/ & Modern Scottish Poetry /Author of the Pastoral Drama/The Gentle Shepherd/Set Near This Place’. A short biography of Ramsay by Dr Rhona Brown precedes each volume of this edition. Within the life outlined there, Ramsay’s achievements were such as to rehabilitate Scots as a poetic language and to make the tradition which succeeded him possible. What was the nature of that achievement? First, his range as a poet is remarkable. His conception of Scots as ‘Doric’ and his championing - particularly in The Gentle Shepherd - of Scotland as a real location for pastoral, a pastoral nation which was substantive and not imaginary, derived from a powerful reinterpretation of the ‘Doric lay’ of Lycidas and its ‘Sicilian Muse’ (Theocritus) as not an imaginary zone for classical rhetoric but one reflective of the language and society of a modern country, Scotland, and one whose pastoral operetta is specifically located within a relatively small area of rural Lothian farmland. In 1713, Basil Kennet had compared Scots song to Theocritus in his Idylls of Theocritus and this was a connexion which Ramsay pursued. In this context, Ramsay pioneered the use of the term ‘Doric’ to describe Scots, in so doing claiming the relation of Scots to English as that of two variants, rather than presenting Scots as a variation from the National Library of Scotland: NLS website: https://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/ treasures/allan-ramsay. 2

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standard. ‘Doric’ pastoral and ‘Attic’ urbanity were two linguistic approaches to reality, and both deserved their place. In The Ever Green (1724), Ramsay appealed for a return to Scottish tradition which he exemplified in the collecting, editing and composing of work in Middle Scots that followed, and which served to curate if not create a tradition of poetry in Scots reaching back centuries. Like the Attic, the Doric too was not merely a mode of expression, but was art and part of a literary tradition. Ramsay’s friend Sir John Clerk of Penicuik had claimed that ‘Middle Scots was “genuine Saxon” in its purest form’ and The Ever Green was Ramsay’s exemplification of that position through the demonstration and creation of a literary tradition. Just as Scots had – as Ramsay had argued in the Preface to his 1721 Poems – a greater range in vocabulary than English, it was also possessed of a discrete history and grammatical integrity as a language expressive of a national culture, one he pronounced defiantly to be still ‘Ever Green’. Ramsay followed Thomas Ruddiman (1674–1757), the protégé of his friend Archibald Pitcairne, in producing a glossary for his Scots, one which on occasion bowdlerized the meaning of the earthier Doric for a polite audience (Duncan 1965, 170-71; Pittock 2019, 167). Ramsay thus reached a wider audience in Scots, something that had barely been done before. Building on the controversy between Pope and Ambrose Philips as to the extent that pastoral should represent what Wordsworth was to call ‘the real language of men’, in the 1800 Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Ramsay found a route to ground this language in the vernacular (using for example some 1500 Scots words) and simultaneously render it polite by the use of conventional high cultural genres, English-Scots rhyme words to guide the reader and a glossary of Scots, presented on occasion in bowdlerized form. In so doing he blended Addison’s aesthetic commitment to ‘a taste for polite writing’ (Spectator, 7 May 1711) with the English author’s ‘delight in hearing the songs and fables that...are most in vogue among the common people’ (Spectator, 21 May 1711). In promoting Poems (published in two volumes in quarto in 1721 and 1728), Ramsay acquired a stupendous and (until now) unexamined list of subscribers for work in Scots to a British audience. The current author and Daniel Szechi are currently working on an article on the prosopography of the subscription list. The Preface to Ramsay’s 1721 Poems explicitly states the naturalness of Scots to both Ramsay as an individual and to the wider viii

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community (‘That I have exprest my Thought in my native Dialect, was not only my Inclination, but the Desire of my best and wisest Friends’) and the supremacy of Scots over English, ‘our Tongue by far the completest’). The social status of Ramsay’s subscription list no doubt helped to bolster the appeal to ‘Friends’ to imply that this was a judgement of no cosy coterie, but of the best judges. Yet while some of the poems are fully Scots, others are hardly so and yet others are barely Scots at all in their language. The duodecimo Tea-Table Miscellany which followed from 1723 might hint in its format at the air of the autochthonous and informal, but this was misleading: for the ‘Scots Sangs’ of its tradition were extensively culled from the London prints and stage, and very few of them were Scots in the later volumes in particular. Yet at the same time, Ramsay presented Scots song for the first time as having a history, a suitable subject for future Museums and Relics, and the expression of a genuine tradition. Ever since Ramsay wrote, it has been assumed that Scottish song is possessed of such a tradition. Originally apprenticed as a wigmaker (and a speedily successful one, judging by the 1711-12 stent roll assessments), Ramsay went on to be a dealer and auctioneer in coins, books, pictures, medals, watches, clocks, rugs, jewels, silver plate and arms.3 A member of the Music Club by 1720, Ramsay supplied it with sheet music, thus expanding his commercial base. Through his contacts there and its successor Musical Society, Ramsay found a way to situate his ‘native’ song collection within the increasingly mixed and hybridized repertoire of Scots song. The Musical Society (1728) included several subscribers to Ramsay’s Poems, and ordered music from Ramsay’s shop. Within the new European market for music, Ramsay was collecting and republishing the acceptably cosmopolitan under the guise of its being an access point to the native and autochthonous, and Scottish literature has benefited from his intervention here ever since, even though a chimera called ‘the folk tradition’ has long stood in for the realities of early modern print transmission from multiple sources. The Caledonian Mercury, 25 November 1736 announcing the 20 January 1737 Auction of valuable Books and other articles as well as Ramsay’s Scots Proverbs, ‘just published’ (the normal date of publication for these is given as 1737, which may suggest that their release was held back until the date of the auction).

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In 1725, Ramsay created the first effective subscription library in the British Isles, probably based on an innovative reinterpretation of the booksellers’ practice of renting out expensive and slow moving stock: one of the few surviving bookseller’s day books from the era shows Ramsay renting out such stock in 1715 (Pittock 2019, 240-41). When his library opened, for the price of 10s a year Ramsay also opened reading to whole new markets, not least women, and this drew the wrath of some, such as Robert Wodrow (1679–1734), the Covenanter apologist whose phrase ‘the Killing Times’ became widely accepted as a description of the conflict between religious zealots and the state under the later Stuarts. In 1729 Ramsay co-founded the Academy of St Luke, the first art school in Scotland, with the goal of furthering his son’s career and perhaps also that of arresting the declining number of painters in Scotland since the Union. In 1736–7, he attempted to found a permanent theatre for Edinburgh at Carrubber’s Close, building on his work leading the City’s ‘Company of Comedians’ in 1732. It was a location for what may have been another Ramsay innovation in the shape of the development of season tickets and ‘early bird’ booking discounts. These sought to mitigate the risk that audiences would stay away from a play on its first night(s) to see what the reaction of others was, and thus inadvertently collapse the production. The city authorities - in general more the friends of Wodrow’s religious outlook than Ramsay’s moderate and Enlightened Presbyterianism - suppressed the theatre through a more zealous application of the 1737 Licensing Act than that practised in some English cities. Finally closed in 1739, Ramsay’s theatre was subsequently converted into a chapel. Ramsay was concerned by the cost of his failed theatrical experiment, as well he might be, having spent a considerable amount of money in the 1730s to build the Guse Pye, his house on Castlehill which now forms the core of Ramsay Garden. His house and shop in the Lawnmarket, bought for £570 in 1725, was for a number of years ‘the rendezvous for the wits of the city’, forming one of the early core locales of the Enlightenment, together with taverns like Don’s and Balfour’s (Bushnell 1957, 16, 40; Pittock 2019, 87 and passim). Ramsay’s achievements were commemorated in his own lifetime. In 1741, the Allan Ramsay Library in Leadhills was founded by the local miners and senior staff in the lead mine and from the town including James Stirling FRS, the formidable mathematician who since 1734 had managed the Scots Mining Company, his Jacobitism x

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disqualifying him from more elite pursuits. There were at least two plans to commemorate Ramsay in Edinburgh with a monument in Canongate Kirkyard or via a statue ‘for the roof of the Ragged School in Ramsay Lane’, but these came to nothing (Andrew 2016, 65). The poet was however commemorated on the Scott Monument and the Usher Hall, and most prominently by Sir John Steell’s 1865 statue on Princes Street, Edinburgh, itself based on the 1729 sketch of the poet by his son (Scotsman, 24 November 1855). The statue itself stands directly in front of Ramsay Garden, the development designed by Sir Patrick Geddes (1854–1932) round Ramsay’s house at Ramsay Lodge during 1890–93 in tribute to his predecessor as Enlightenment polymath. Used as a residence of the University of Edinburgh, in the Ramsay Lodge area the house rules were to be drawn up by the students themselves. The painter John Duncan (1866–1945) provided murals for the interior and later became the main illustrator for Geddes’ journal The Evergreen (1895–97), which was itself a tribute to Allan Ramsay’s volume of the same name, which had helped to create a national tradition for form and vocabulary in Scots writing. The new edition sets out to foreground the work of the poet as never before, while its accompanying monograph, Enlightenment in a Smart City (2019), explores Ramsay’s work as a cultural entrepreneur and its effect on the Scottish Enlightenment. But there has of course also been a considerable scholarly response to Ramsay since his death in 1758, some of which is captured in the Bibliography and Reception sections of the project website; Rhona Brown’s ‘Allan Ramsay and Robert Fergusson’ (Oxford Bibliographies Online, 2012) is currently the best available general bibliography, though a good deal of new research on Ramsay has come into print in recent years, including special editions of the Scottish Literary Review (10: 1, 2018) and Studies in Scottish Literature (46: 2, 2020). Ramsay’s writing went through numerous editions, not least the Tea-Table Miscellany and The Gentle Shepherd, which appeared with illustrations by David Allan in 1788. In 1799, Joseph Ritson proposed an edition of Ramsay’s works as ‘the untutored child of nature & of genius’, an interesting persistence of the Miltonic characterization of Shakespeare from L’Allegro, which Henry Mackenzie had recently applied to Burns (Bronson 1938, I: 232). In the late 1840s the prolific Victorian editor, Alexander Grosart, considered producing an edition of Ramsay, which was never completed. A Selected Ramsay was produced by J. Logie Robertson in 1887, and a xi

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short and inaccurate biography by Oliphant Smeaton in 1896 in the Famous Scots series. Ramsay was frequently aligned with Burns as a founding father of Scottish poetry: at the Newcastle Burns Centenary celebrations in 1859 for example, a whole exhibition room was given over to Fergusson, Ramsay and Burns. The full Textual Policy of the edition is available on our website.4 With regard to the Poems (1721 and 1728, incorporating earlier collections), Ever Green (1724) and the Tea-table Miscellany (TTM, 1723, 1726, 1730, 1737), each major collection of Ramsay’s will appear separately as first issued, with miscellaneous printed poems or songs not included in collections of poems or those which appeared in print separately appearing in the edition following on from the main print collections. This Uncollected section will be listed by the date of appearance where possible, and miscellaneous MS poems which did not appear in print in Ramsay’s lifetime under his name and are not in his hand will normally appear in Dubia. Where - as in the case of Poems and the Miscellany - there are multiple volumes to accommodate, chronological and volume integrity will be preserved where these were present in the original publication of history. The recreation of the experience of the volume as it initially appeared will be paramount, which will involve the reproduction of the 1725 Gentle Shepherd text in the Poems of 1728, although major textual issues and annotation and above all its musical notes will in large part be reserved to the Gentle Shepherd volume (which will include both the 1725 and 1729 texts) to reduce duplication. Notes on Ramsay’s poems and songs follow a first collection basis: the Note will normally be most detailed in the volume in which the text first appeared. In the case of material in the edition which did not appear under Ramsay’s name in print in Ramsay’s lifetime (for example letters or newly identified contributions to periodicals), the original MS or periodical publication text will be the copytext. In all these cases the text will be edited completely afresh, and there will be no dependence on previous printings. If there is more than one surviving MS, then the chronologically prior MS will be used with collated variants from the other MS recorded in the Notes. Collations note redactions and University of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/research/ researchcentresandnetworks/robertburnsstudies/edinburghenlightenment/ theeditorialteam.

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cancellations as well as substantive and accidental changes. In cases where two or more MSS exist and neither/none can be shown to be chronologically prior, both or all will normally be printed. Obituaries, Elegies and Poems on Ramsay may appear in the Reception area of the website, except where Ramsay answers or initiates an exchange himself or where such poems are included in his texts, in which case they may be incorporated into the edition. In terms of collation, the following will be collated and will appear as a unified entry in the Notes, where textual variants (including accidentals) will precede Notes on the text or issues to be glossed or interpreted: • • •

All MS variants in Ramsay’s hand including accidentals Published variants prior to the first collected edition authorized by Ramsay or likely to have been so authorized as above In the case of Christ’s Kirk and other poetry where Ramsay used e.g. the Bannatyne MS but which were not in the first instance by Ramsay, a summary of major textual changes undertaken by Ramsay.

The ‘1720’ Poems, which exists in several inconsistent copies, some of which include material dated later than 1720, will be discarded. The evidence that these were pirated gatherings of previously (and sometimes subsequently!) printed material is too strong, both in terms of the inconsistency of surviving copies with each other, and the sheer unlikelihood that Ramsay would have authorized an edition of his poems without subscription months before he unveiled one with a pan British subscription list drawn from the highest ranks of society. When there is more than one impression of the first edition, where possible the text printed for Ramsay to sell in his shop should have precedence: in determining this case, his relationship with both the engraver Richard Cooper (1701–64) and the printer and grammarian Thomas Ruddiman (1674–1757) is understood as central. Substantive changes in subsequent published editions which Ramsay was clearly engaged in in Ramsay’s lifetime will be recorded in the Notes as will marginalia by his son and Shenstone (this only applies in the case of the Gentle Shepherd) and himself, together with variant MS readings if applicable. A modern print glossary will also be provided in each volume, based on Ramsay’s Glossary where possible, with definitions from Jamieson’s Dictionary or (in the event xiii

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of no Jamieson’s entry) the Dictionary of the Scots Language for comparison. Where there are extensive musicological notes there will be a separate Music bibliography which utilizes musicological bibliographical conventions. With regard to music, detailed consideration will be given to sources of tunes from before the first appearance of the copytext; other sources no later than 1758 may appear in the Notes by way of providing supporting context when they shed light on the earlier history of the tune, or when no sources prior to the publication of the copytext are extant. Small variances between readings will be described in the critical commentary, and significantly diverse readings, whether in musical style or content, will be presented in full. What follows will do for Allan Ramsay what has never been done, which is to take him seriously as an editor and literary innovator as well as an author: and it will help him reclaim the central place in the development of the literature of Scotland which is his due. This edition will provide both a comprehensive and a new Ramsay: innovative, experimental, dynamic and central to the intellectual life of Edinburgh and Scotland. It will also offer a comprehensive archaeology of the origins of his music and verse which will render his Scottishness a visibly relational artifact, strongly embedded in English and metropolitan song and the language of politeness, while in return exposing that very audience to hundreds of Scots words and many double entendres of language and reference with their roots in Scots. Ramsay will be displayed as the man who brought a new dimension of cosmopolitan engagement to Scottish writing and song under the guise of defending its native traditions, and in doing so, strengthened them and gave them a place in the British imaginary. The Collected Edition of the Works of Allan Ramsay will present the artfulness of the collector, editor, author and cultural entrepreneur as never before. Murray Pittock University of Glasgow

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Allan Ramsay, 1684–1758. Poet (1729) by Allan Ramsay the younger (1713–84) National Galleries of Scotland

ALLAN RAMSAY (c. 1684–1758)

Poet, playwright, song-collector, antiquarian, editor, bookseller and early Enlightenment entrepreneur Allan Ramsay was born on 15 October, probably in 1684, at Leadhills, Lanarkshire, to John Ramsay (c.1660–1685) and Alice Bower (d.1700). When his father, a superintendent of the lead mines on the Hope family estate, died in Ramsay’s infancy, his mother married local bonnet laird Andrew Crichton. Ramsay was probably educated at the parish school of Crawfordmuir until the time of his mother’s death, when he was in his mid-teens. In early 1701, Ramsay moved to Edinburgh to undertake an apprenticeship in wig-making. He received back his indentures from his employer around 1709, opened his own periwig business, and was appointed a burgess of the city on 19 July 1710. Ramsay’s move to Edinburgh developed his intense interest in the literature of Scotland, both past and present, and Jacobite satirist, Latinist and physician Archibald Pitcairne (1652–1713) was a significant early influence. The style of The Assembly and Babel, Pitcairne’s satires on the Presbyterian church, would help Ramsay hone his own poetic voice even if he did not share Pitcairne’s anti-Presbyterian sentiment. Furthermore, Pitcairne’s protégé, the printer and classical scholar Thomas Ruddiman (1674–1757), would become Ramsay’s chief publisher. James Watson’s Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Scots Poems, both Ancient and Modern (1706, 1709, 1711) was an influential favourite, which introduced Ramsay to enduring Scottish literary forms, metres and styles, as well as the ways in which the Scottish canon could be anthologised. Contained within Watson’s Collection is William Hamilton of Gilbertfield’s (1665?–1751) ‘The Dying Words of Bonny Heck, A Famous Grey-Hound in the Shire of Fife’. This text, with its mock-tragic comedy and Standard Habbie verse form – named after Robert Sempill of Beltrees’s (1595?–1663?) poem ‘The Life and Death of Habbie Simson, the Piper of Kilbarchan’ – helped Ramsay to crystallise his own literary style and Scots vernacular poetic mode. His early publication, the ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, which borrows tone and form from Sempill and Hamilton, was probably written in 1711. Around this time too, Ramsay plunged himself into the cultural and literary life of Edinburgh. He was a founding member of xvii

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the city’s Easy Club, which was established in May 1712 and modelled on the London Spectator Club formed by contemporary poets Joseph Addison (1672–1719) and Richard Steele (1672–1729). Early eighteenth-century Edinburgh was awash with gentleman’s clubs, and the Easy Club was part of the city’s convivial scene. Its members were principally young men keen to develop their credentials as ‘gentlemen’, and the Club provided an ‘easy’ and sympathetic space in which to share and discuss literary compositions. One of Ramsay’s earliest published works, ‘A Poem to the Memory of the Famous Archibald Pitcairn’, was printed by the Club probably in late 1713, following Pitcairne’s death on 20 October and around the time when Ramsay was elected as the Club’s Praeses, or President. Pitcairne’s death may also have prompted an Easy Club decision to adjust their convention of referring to themselves and each other by pseudonyms when in attendance at the Club. Following Pitcairne’s death, and at the time when Ramsay was about to take the chair, members ‘unanimously resolv’d in warm expressions by each that none of this club shall have English but Scots patrons’. Ramsay’s club pseudonym therefore changed from Isaac Bickerstaff – after Steele’s fictitious editor of The Tatler – to Gavin Douglas (c.1474–1522), Bishop of Dunkeld, poet and translator, known for his Eneados, a Scots translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, which had been republished in an influential edition by Thomas Ruddiman in 1710. Ramsay was appointed Easy Club Poet Laureate in early 1715, and the society was dissolved in the same year. The Easy Club has been associated with Jacobitism and anti-Unionism, both of which are seen clearly in Ramsay’s ‘Poem to Pitcairne’, which portrays ‘those who their Country Sold’ in 1707 floating in ‘a Pool of Boyling Gold’ in the afterlife. Perhaps due to the increasing danger associated with professing Jacobite convictions, Ramsay never republished the poem in his lifetime, and it was not rediscovered until 1979. In the same year as the Easy Club’s foundation, in December 1712, Ramsay married Christian Ross (d.1743), the daughter of writer (solicitor) Robert Ross and Elizabeth Archibald. Ramsay and Ross had many children, but only four survived into adulthood: three daughters, Janet, Catherine and Anne, who were bequeathed their father’s shop, and eldest son Allan Ramsay junior (1713–84), a prominent portrait painter who became official painter to George III in 1760. Throughout the 1710s, Ramsay continued to establish his literary reputation by releasing individual poems in broadside and chapxviii

Biography of Allan Ramsay

book formats. He published his Christ’s Kirk on the Green, which features an edited transcription of the original text in the Bannatyne Manuscript as well as stanzas of his own composition, for the first time in 1718. In the same year, he issued a collection of Scots Songs. By the end of the decade, Ramsay had abandoned wig-making and entered business as a bookseller and dealer in prints at Edinburgh. A ‘gather-up’ edition of Ramsay’s work to date was published in Edinburgh in 1720. However, recent research has cast doubt on whether Ramsay authorised this publication: in 1719, he made a complaint to the Edinburgh Town Council that his works were being pirated and, at the time of the ‘gather-up’s’ publication, he was preparing a subscribers’ edition of his Poems, which would be released in 1721. Given Ramsay’s entrepreneurial instincts, it is unlikely that he would have authorised the release of a poor-quality volume which had the potential to hurt the sales of his subscribers’ edition, about to be published in prestigious format by the influential Ruddiman. The subscribers’ edition of Ramsay’s Poems was a success, earning its author 400 guineas. In the early 1720s, Ramsay published a collection of Fables and Tales (1722), which features Scots translations of the fables of La Motte and La Fontaine and, in the same year, an anonymous dramatic poem entitled A Tale of Three Bonnets, which satirises those Scots who had taken Scotland into Union with England in 1707. His The Fair Assembly (1723) defends a local dancing assembly which had been targeted and denounced by Presbyterian commentators as profane and licentious. In 1723, Ramsay published the first volume of his The Tea-Table Miscellany: A Collection of Scots Songs (1723, 1726, 1727, 1737), an anthology of both contemporary and older songs in Scots and traditional ballads in which Ramsay worked as collector, editor and lyricist. An edition of his poem Health was published in 1724, alongside poems in tribute to the Royal Company of Archers, of which he had become a member that summer. In the same year, Ramsay enlarged on the success of his Christ’s Kirk on the Green, which had gone through at least five editions – some of which were authorised and some unauthorised – by publishing The Ever Green: being a Collection of Scots Poems, Wrote by the Ingenious before 1600. Ramsay treats the Bannatyne texts in the same way as he had approached the songs for The Tea-Table Miscellany: he regularly adapted the older texts he collected, adjusting them for his early-Enlightenment audience, and added work of his own: in The Ever Green, ‘The Vision’, which was probably written xix

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by Ramsay, is presented in a faux-medieval style. Ramsay’s interest in drama was evident from an early stage, in his composition of masques, dramatic dialogues and, later, prologues and epilogues for the theatre. In 1725, he published an early version of his pastoral play, The Gentle Shepherd, which took his fame to new heights with its instant popularity. Based on earlier pastoral poems Patie and Roger (1720) and Jenny and Meggy (1723), The Gentle Shepherd sets the pastoral drama in the countryside outside Edinburgh, puts Scots vernacular in the characters’ mouths, and explores Jacobite themes of exile and return through the character of Sir William Worthy. Throughout the 1720s, Ramsay developed The Gentle Shepherd by incorporating songs into the drama, first by referring readers to specific songs in The Tea-Table Miscellany, and finally printing the songs alongside the play’s dialogue in the edition of 1734. By this time, The Gentle Shepherd was a fully-developed ballad opera in the style of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera (1728). It enjoyed enormous success, being performed hundreds of times throughout Britain in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In 1728, Ramsay released a second subscription volume of Poems which reveals the extent and prestige of his patronage networks at this time. As with Poems (1721), Ramsay’s subscribers included numerous prominent aristocrats, merchants and literary figures, such as Alexander Pope (1688–1744) and William Somerville (1675–1742). It is likely that Ramsay formed a friendship with poet and playwright John Gay (1685–1732) through their shared patronage by the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry: Ramsay was introduced to Gay’s work by the Duchess, and the two poets almost certainly met and conducted an epistolary relationship. Ramsay cemented his position as editor and gatekeeper of Scottish culture in the ensuing decade, issuing an additional anthology of fables in 1730, and A Collection of Scots Proverbs in 1737. At this point, and with his literary fame assured, Ramsay developed significant cultural initiatives alongside his editing, writing and bookselling. In around 1725, Ramsay moved his shop to the Luckenbooths, a prime position in central Edinburgh, where he opened the first circulating library in Britain. In the late 1720s, he published the anonymous Defence of Dramatic Entertainments, a prose piece which defends the theatre and actors in the context of virulent Presbyterian hostility to drama, before establishing his own theatre in Edinburgh’s xx

Biography of Allan Ramsay

Carrubber’s Close, which opened in November 1736. Ramsay staged numerous plays and pioneered the use of the season ticket, before a government statute was passed in 1737 which banned the staging of plays outside London except when the king was in residence. Ramsay battled to preserve his theatre, but was forced to close its doors in 1739. A decade earlier, Ramsay was one of the founders, perhaps with the assistance of his artist friend John Smibert (1688–1751), of the Academy of St Luke, an art academy for local painters including his own son, Allan, which was functional until the mid-1730s. By now, Ramsay had reduced his bookselling duties and turned his attention to the construction of a villa on Edinburgh’s Castle Hill, known colloquially as the ‘Goose Pie’ due to its octagonal shape, thereafter sharing the house with his wife Christian and son Allan. At the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, Ramsay, now widowed, left the city and stayed away for the duration of the action, probably lodging with his friend and patron Sir John Clerk of Penicuik; his house was nevertheless used as a base by the Jacobite army in his absence. Indeed, a portrait of Charles Edward Stuart, painted in Edinburgh by Ramsay’s son Allan Ramsay junior in late 1745, has recently been rediscovered and acquired by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Ramsay finally retired in 1755 at around the age of seventy-one, when his health had begun to decline. He died on 7 January 1758, and is buried in Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Kirkyard. In 1759, Ramsay’s name was inscribed on the obelisk built by Sir James Clerk on the Penicuik estate around 1756. In 1846, Ramsay’s image was included in the Scott Monument on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, and his own statue, on the corner of Princes Street Gardens and The Mound, was unveiled in 1865.

Rhona Brown University of Glasgow

xxi

INTRODUCTION

Allan Ramsay (1684–1758) was a true cultural polymath. As a poet, bookseller, librarian, editor, antiquarian, song-collector, songwriter, playwright and theatre-owner, he was central to Scotland’s literary scene in the early eighteenth century. His co-founding in 1729 of the Academy of St. Luke, the earliest art school in Scotland, demonstrates Ramsay as a sponsor of the visual arts and of Scottish painters.1 From the beginnings of his poetic career in the 1710s and through his myriad cultural enterprises, he was able to carve a place for himself at the heart of Scottish literary society, in a position of genuine and lasting influence. The ballad opera version of his pastoral play, The Gentle Shepherd (1729), brought him enduring success and fame, while The Tea-Table Miscellany (1723, 1726, 1727, 1737) and The Ever Green: being a Collection of Scots Poems, Wrote by the Ingenious before 1600 (1724) established Ramsay as a gate-keeper and preserver of older Scottish literary and song culture. His Edinburgh bookshop was a buzzing cultural hub. His opening of Britain’s first circulating library, probably in 1725, and his establishment of a theatre in the city’s Carrubber’s Close, reveal him as a cultural innovator. Ramsay’s modernising impulse was, however, simultaneously concerned with preserving and, indeed, continuing the use of the forms, metres and themes of Scotland’s literary past, as well as celebrating, defending and refurbishing the Scots language. In all of this, his own poetry, and his self-consciously curated persona as a Scots poet and original genius, are of fundamental significance. Ramsay’s earliest known poetical productions are associated with his time as a founding member of Edinburgh’s Easy Club, a pro-Jacobite men’s sociable society established in May 1712. This association, although short-lived – it was dissolved around 1715, at the time of the first Jacobite rising and as the risk of repercussions for pro-Jacobite groups increased – nevertheless set the groundwork for Ramsay’s future career. In the club’s ‘easy’ and accepting atmosphere, Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay Junior (1713-84), was a prominent portrait painter who in 1761 was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary to George III. Ramsay Junior received training at the Academy of St. Luke. 1

1

Poems

Ramsay could try his early compositions on a friendly and sympathetic audience and test the literary water. The Easy Club was responsible for publishing two early texts: the ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, thought to be Ramsay’s first composition and probably printed for the first time in 1712, and ‘A Poem To the Memory of the Famous Archibald Pitcairn, M.D.’, published in late 1713 or early 1714. These Easy Club productions provide underpinning for concerns which would occupy Ramsay until his death: the use of the Scots language in literary texts, the continuation of long-standing Scottish literary forms, such as the ‘Standard Habbie’ stanza originated by Robert Sempill of Beltrees (1595?-1663?), nuanced neoclassicism, good-natured yet pointed satire, cautious sympathy for the Jacobite cause and the celebration of the ordinary, everyday life of Scotland. From this base, Ramsay began producing pamphlets, including The Morning Interview (1716), the elegies on Maggy Johnston, Lucky Wood and John Cowper (1718), ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’ (1718), The Scriblers Lash’d (1718), Tartana: Or, the Plaid (1718) and Content (1719), as well as multiple editions of the early sixteenth-century Scots poem Christ’s Kirk on the Green, printed with two additional cantos of Ramsay’s composition, from 1718. In 1719, he published the first of three editions of his collection of Scots Songs, which were later incorporated into Poems (1721), and began to see his work printed in London. This new-found British fame was not, however, without controversy. In the latter years of the 1710s Ramsay was publishing feverishly: 1718 and 1719 saw around twelve publications each, while in 1720, some thirty-three editions bore Ramsay’s name. On Ramsay’s own evidence, not all publications of his work were authorised at this point in his career. In the summer of 1719, Ramsay complained to Edinburgh’s Town Council that his poems were the subject of piracy, and later gave further details in ‘To the Right Honourable, The Town-Council of Edinburgh, The Address of Allan Ramsay’, which was printed in Poems (1721). Council minutes for 26 August 1719 confirm that Ramsay was ‘prejudged by some Printers Ballad Cryers and Others by Printing and Causing to be Printed Poems of his Composure without his notice or allowance upon False and Uncorrect Coppies’, and that ‘the Ballad Cryers refuse to Vend and Publish his papers unless he gives them at Rates below what really they can be printed for’. In support of the poet, the Councillors ruled that none of Ramsay’s works could be printed ‘without his License’ and set the ballad hawkers’ profit at one 2

Introduction

third of the selling price. If they failed to comply, they would be fined £20 Scots,2 the unauthorised papers would be confiscated, and their right to sell papers forfeited.3 For context, a burgh Procurator Fiscal in the early eighteenth century received a salary of £10 Scots per annum,4 while William Smellie earned three shillings per week when he joined the printing firm of Hamilton and Balfour in 1754.5 When Ramsay’s chief publisher, Thomas Ruddiman, printed a piece implying the Jacobite activity of James Murray, second Duke of Atholl (1690-1764) in the 2 September 1745 issue of his Caledonian Mercury, he was ‘tried, convicted, fined £5 and 48 hours’ imprisonment… and in addition had to publish an apology for the paragraph as “false, scandalous, and injurious”’.6 The weight of the £20 fine is evidence of the Town Council’s support for Ramsay as he launched his poetic career. Based on the account provided by the poet in ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’, Ramsay’s editors have traditionally seen his complaint to the Town Council as referring to only one poem: ‘Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral on the Death of Joseph Addison’, first published in 1719.7 However, this conclusion takes its sole cue from Ramsay’s poetic representation of the case and does not fully consider the contextual evidence at hand. It is certainly true that ‘Richy and Sandy’ was published in several unauthorised forms: it was first pirated by Edinburgh publisher Margaret ‘Lucky’ Reid, who produced ‘a stream of last

2 Adam Fox reads the fine as ‘seventy pounds’ in The Press and the People: Cheap Print and Society in Scotland, 1500-1785 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020), p.202; in our reading, the MS states ‘Twenty pounds’.

3

Town Council Records, Edinburgh City Archives, SL1/1/47, 26 August 1719, pp.43-44. 4 John Finlay, Legal Practice in Eighteenth-Century Scotland (Leiden: Brill, 2015), p.331. 5

Warren McDougall, ‘Developing a Marketplace for Books: Edinburgh’ in Stephen S. Brown and Warren McDougall (eds), The Edinburgh History of the Book in Scotland, Volume 2: Enlightenment and Expansion (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2012), p.130. 6 W.J. Couper, The Edinburgh Periodical Press, 2 Vols (Stirling: Eneas Mackay, 1908), Vol. II, p.45. 7 See Alexander M. Kinghorn and Alexander Law (eds), The Works of Allan Ramsay, Vol. VI (Edinburgh: Blackwood for the Scottish Text Society, 1974), p.38 (thereafter ‘STS’). 3

Poems

dying speeches, ballads [and] chapbooks’,8 in an imprint which has not survived. Reid’s ‘uncorrect’ copy then provided the text for three English piracies: the poem was included in Eloisa and Abelard. Written by Mr. Pope (1720) and printed on its own in Richy and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison. By Allan Ramsey [sic] (1720), both of which were published in London by Alexander Pope’s erstwhile printer, Bernard Lintot (1675-1736). A further edition, printed by John Collyer in Nottingham in 1720, was also published without authority. Although ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’ singles out Reid for particular censure, the Town Council Minute’s reference to multiple ‘Printers Ballad Cryers and Others’ and ‘Poems of his Composure’ indicates that Ramsay’s complaint was much greater in scope than simply the case of ‘Richy and Sandy’ alone. The Town Council’s ruling could only apply to the chapmen and paper hawkers of Edinburgh, not elsewhere – its instruction is to ‘all Printers and Paper Cryers within this Citie or Suburbs’ – and Ramsay was, at the time of his complaint in mid-1719, unaware of the forthcoming unauthorised English editions of ‘Richy and Sandy’, which would be published in the following year. These details demonstrate that ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’ cannot be taken as unambiguous evidence of the facts of Ramsay’s complaint to the Town Council: given that the poem refers to Lintot’s unauthorised printings of ‘Richy and Sandy’ of 1720, it was clearly written after the fact, when his victory over Reid and others was established. When ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’ is treated as a literary reimagining of his complaint, there is no evidence to suggest that it was limited to the piracy of one text: in fact, as shown, the Town Council Minute emphasises Ramsay’s concerns about the piracy of ‘Poems of his Composure’. It can be concluded, therefore, that Ramsay’s mid-1719 complaint was in response to a context of uninhibited literary piracy in early eighteenth-century Edinburgh, and that he was making prompt and determined efforts to control his intellectual property, maximise his profits and define his own oeuvre.9 In this context, the publication of an edition of Ramsay’s 8

‘Margaret “Lucky” Reid’, in the Scottish Book Trade Index: https://data.cerl. org/sbti/006237. 9 John Feather’s Publishing, Piracy and Politics: An Historical Study of Copyright in Britain (New York, NY: Mansell, 1994) gives a full-length study of literary piracy. 4

Introduction

poems in 1720 requires re-evaluation. This edition, entitled Poems. By Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, 1720), is traditionally referred to by Ramsay scholars including Burns Martin,10 Alexander Kinghorn and Alexander Law11 as the ‘gather-up’ edition, due to its extremely variable presentation, composition and contents. It has been accepted by previous editors and biographers, without supporting evidence, as having been authorised by Ramsay. Despite the fact that Andrew Gibson regards the ‘gather-up’ edition as marking ‘a striking new departure on the part of Ramsay’, which should set off editorial alarm bells, it is nevertheless presented without further discussion or justification as ‘the first octavo edition of Ramsay’s collected poems’.12 The editors of the Scottish Text Society edition speculate that ‘individual copies consisted of a collection of the poems that Ramsay had to hand’,13 while Gibson surmises that Ramsay decided to print an octavo edition at a point when stock copies of some of the editions of the detached pieces had been sold out, whereby reprints of those editions were rendered necessary, in order to enable him to use copies thereof in forming a portion of the projected octavo edition. The editions then reprinted were paged so as to make the pagination of the octavo edition consecutive.14

These suppositions, presented as editorial and textual conclusions, do not now stand up to scrutiny. As the unofficial title given by the editors of the Scottish Text Society edition suggests, the edition of c.1720 is made up of individual printings of individual poems, resembling a ‘gathering’ of separate pamphlets and poem texts bound together in one edition, where original title pages are sometimes left intact.15 There are, however, intractable textual and presentational problems Burns Martin, Bibliography of Allan Ramsay (Glasgow: Jackson, Wylie, & Co., 1931), pp.30-34. 11 STS VI, p.4. 12 Andrew Gibson, New Light on Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh: Brown, 1927), p.140. 13 STS VI, p.4. 14 Gibson, New Light on Allan Ramsay, p.142. 15 See also Craig Lamont, ‘Stewart and Meikle’s The Poetical Miscellany (1800): A Problematic Glasgow “Edition” of Robert Burns’ in Burns Chronicle 130:1 (2021), pp.59-70. 10

5

Poems

with this edition, making it an astonishingly unstable text which is highly unlikely to have been authorised by Ramsay. While it retains some title pages of individual poems and pamphlets, the ‘gather-up’ edition offers next to no textual apparatus, save a glossary which replicates that of Poems (1721). Its title page states that it was published in 1720: Gibson argues that it ‘was published about August, 1720, because our copy of it includes Wealth, or the Woody, which is dated June, 1720, and does not include The Prospect of Plenty, which was not produced before September or October, 1720’.16 While Gibson’s rationale for dating his own copy is sound, certain copies of the ‘gather-up’ edition do in fact contain The Prospect of Plenty, which was first published in late 1720: indeed, the pamphlets bound in some copies of the edition are dated 1721 and even 1722.17 The very presence of post-1720 texts in an edition purporting to have been published in that year is evidence of its lack of authenticity. Furthermore, beyond the issue of dating, copies of the ‘gather-up’ edition vary, and, as explained in further detail below under ‘The Text’, several distinct versions with differing contents have been identified so far, not all of which are available for consultation. The extreme variability of the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 makes it an unstable source for collation purposes. More serious than its volatility is, however, the lack of evidence to suggest that it is a legitimate, authorised edition. As outlined above, Ramsay was moved to complain to Edinburgh’s Town Council in mid-1719 – at exactly the point at which the ‘gather-up’ edition was in preparation – regarding the piracy of ‘Poems of his Composure’. By now, he had been publishing with prestigious Edinburgh printer Thomas Ruddiman (1674–1757) for around a year: Ramsay’s earliest extant publication with Ruddiman is a broadside printing of Christ’s Kirk On The Green, In Two Cantos, dated to 1718. Even at this early stage, a Ruddiman printing constitutes the gold standard of authority in Ramsay’s bibliography. In the case of Christ’s Kirk on the Green, Ramsay’s first edition of the text was based on a transcription of the poem as printed in James Watson’s Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Scots Poems (1706, 1709, 1711), with the addition of a canto by Ramsay: Gibson, New Light, p.143. ‘The Morning Interview’s’ title page dates it to 1721 in the fullest extant ‘gather-up’ edition (the National Library of Scotland’s copy, shelf-marked Glen 106), while Christ’s Kirk on the Green is here dated 1722. 16 17

6

Introduction

this text was published by William Adams Junior in 1718. Analysis of the print copies of Christ’s Kirk on the Green reveals that Ramsay gained access to the original text of the poem through consultation of the sixteenth-century collection of older Scots poetry known as the Bannatyne Manuscript later in 1718, subsequent to the publication of his first edition. After transcribing the Bannatyne Manuscript, Ramsay rejected Watson’s version and updated his text to reflect more faithfully the original: for this new, corrected edition benefiting from Ramsay’s direct access to a near-contemporary transcription, Ramsay selected Ruddiman as his printer. Ruddiman would also go on to print Ramsay’s core outputs, including The Tea-Table Miscellany, The Ever Green, Poems (1721) and Poems (1728). The ‘gather-up’ edition lacks this publishing gold standard but, more seriously, it lacks any concrete connection to either Ruddiman or Ramsay. In fact, while the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 incorporates some of the poems printed in Ramsay’s forthcoming subscriber’s edition, Poems (1721), there is nothing, save the texts, to connect these two publications. The ‘gather-up’ edition is haphazardly organised, with no internal logic as to the ordering of its texts, whereas Poems (1721) groups poems and songs based on their original publication – see, for example, the two collections of Scots Songs printed in the edition of 1721 – or their theme, such as the group of poems focusing on the South Sea Bubble and its aftermath. The ‘gather-up’ edition features print ornaments which differ in all cases from those of Poems (1721), and none of the ornaments of the c.1720 edition are recognisable as Ruddiman’s; they also differ in some cases from those of extant pamphlet publications. The two editions have different presentation styles for page numbers and catch words, and while the 1721 edition features smoothly printed and accurate running headers, these are absent from the ‘gather-up’ edition. The edition of c.1720 features eccentric italicisation, especially in its printing of the elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper and Lucky Wood, which is not found elsewhere in authorised printings of these texts. Most importantly, the ‘gather-up’ editions avoid incorporating any known Ruddiman editions and use entirely different print stock. All primary evidence suggests that neither Ruddiman nor Ramsay had any hand in the preparation or distribution of the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720. Its timing also underlines its inauthenticity. In 1720, Ramsay was preparing his first subscriber’s edition, which would be published 7

Proposals for Printing by Subscription, The Poetical Works of Allan Ramsay (1720) [signed]. NLS MS.582 (615)

Introduction

in late 1721.18 This edition, produced by Ruddiman, has an ornate frontispiece adorned with an engraving of Ramsay’s head after John Smibert (1688-1751), a considered and decorative title page, dedication, preface, detailed glossary and explanatory annotations, making it the first clearly authorised collected edition of Ramsay’s works until that point. Indeed, his Proposals for Printing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Allan Ramsay is dated 10 August 1720, and reprinted in the Caledonian Mercury for 11 August, around the time that Gibson’s particular copy of the ‘gather-up’ edition was published.19 In his Proposals, Ramsay states that subscriptions could be taken ‘by Thomas Jauncy at the Angel without Temple-Bar, London, and by the Author at the Mercury opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, Edinburgh’, and promises that his subscriber’s edition would contain ‘all that hath hitherto appeared, together with an Addition of a great Number of Poems, Serious and Comick, that have not yet been published’, as well as ‘Notes at the Bottom of the Page by the Author, for Explanation of the Scotticisms, with a complete Glossary giving English for every Scots Word contained in the Volume.’ Ramsay’s plan was for a professionally produced Collected Works printed via the established model of publishing by subscription; it was realised just over a year later with the publication of Poems (1721). Having taken the care to publish his Proposals and determine places at which subscriptions could be taken in both Edinburgh and London, it is highly unlikely that Ramsay would authorise an additional edition of his works which had the potential to jeopardise support for Poems (1721). It would have been imprudent for any poet who depended on the patronage of the gentry via subscription to undermine their sponsorship by simultaneously printing and selling an inferior edition of the texts for which they were paying. As Ramsay states in the advertisement for Poems (1721) printed alongside The Rise and Fall of Stocks (Edinburgh, 1721), he printed ‘only about one hundred more’ copies ‘than what he is at this time already sure to dispose of’, in order to avoid According to an advertisement for Poems (1721) in the first edition of The Rise and Fall of Stocks (London, 1721) dated 25 March 1721, Ramsay ‘Desires to be excused for delaying the Printing three or four months longer than first intended’, indicating that the subscriber’s edition was published in the latter half of the year, and certainly not before July. 19 The only extant copy of Ramsay’s Proposals for Printing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh, 1720), is held by the National Library of Scotland, MS.582 (615); see also Caledonian Mercury, 11 August 1720. 18

Poems

‘being unmannerly and ungrateful to his honourable Subscribers, by over-printing, and selling cheaper to others who do not subscribe’.20 Indeed, the subscription list for Poems (1721) provides evidence of the powerful political, cultural and literary networks within which Ramsay moved: it includes the names of thirteen Dukes, seven Marquises, twenty-three Earls, two Viscounts, twenty-five Lords, six Ladies and three Countesses, as well as those of prominent Scottish portrait painter William Aikman (1682-1731) and poets Alexander Pope (16881744), Richard Savage (c.1697-1743) and Richard Steele (bap.1672-1729). In this context, there is no evidence to suggest that Ramsay agreed to the publication of the much rougher, less professional ‘gather-up’ edition in advance of and in close proximity to the sleek and ornate Poems (1721): doing so had the potential to harm sales of his forthcoming edition, as well as running the risk of losing prestigious subscribers, on whose financial support Poems (1721) depended. Indeed, it was due to the success of Poems (1721) that Ramsay was able to leave his previous employment as a wigmaker to enter the bookselling trade: according to Murray Pittock, the edition ‘realised 400 guineas for its author’.21 This considerable income is comparable to the 500 guineas earned by John Dryden (1631-1700) for his Works of Virgil (1697),22 equating to over £64,000 in the twenty-first century.23 It is for these reasons, which are explained in further detail under ‘The Text’ below, that the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 is not regarded as an authorised textual source here. The subscriber’s edition of Poems (1721) also stands in sharp contrast to the edition of c.1720 due to the emphatic presence of Ramsay’s own authorial voice in the Dedication and Preface, both of which are absent from the ‘gather-up’ edition. In an approach Advertisement for Poems (1721) in The Rise and Fall of Stocks, 1720. An Epistle To the Right Honourable My Lord Ramsay, Now in Paris (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, and sold by T. Jauncy at the Angel, without Temple-bar, London. MDCCXXI). 21 Murray G.H. Pittock, ‘Ramsay, Allan’ in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004) [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/23072]. 22 J.A. Downie, ‘Paying for Poetry at the Turn of the Eighteenth Century, with Particular Reference to Dryden, Pope, and Defoe’ in Digital Defoe: Studies in Defoe and His Contemporaries 6:1 (fall 2014), p.4. 23 See https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/ukcompare/. I am grateful to Dr Clark McGinn for his guidance in calculating equivalent monetary values. 20

10

Introduction

that would become characteristic – the first volume of The Tea-Table Miscellany is, for example, addressed to ‘ilka lovely British lass’ – Ramsay dedicates Poems (1721) to his female readers. His dedication ‘To the most Beautiful, The Scots Ladies’, offers them ‘innocent Diversion’ and a way in which ‘to invite those engaging Smiles which heighten your other Beauties’. ‘The Scots Ladies’ are, according to Ramsay, ‘the Mark I chiefly aim’d at’: as he proclaims, his poetic work is ‘less owing to my natural Genius, than to the Inspiration of your Charms’. The ideas contained within the Dedication become keystones of Ramsay’s literary career: while unashamedly professing his own ‘natural Genius’, he will continue to pay special attention to the female members of his audience and to invite the ‘Smiles’ of his readers. The separate Preface to Poems (1721), printed here, sees Ramsay declaiming his literary and linguistic manifesto. He begins by stating that he will ‘never quarrel with any Man whose Temper is the reverse of mine’, precisely because ‘Every Man is born with his particular Bent’: Ramsay’s ‘is obvious, which since I knew, I never inclined to curb’. After stating that he regards poetry as ‘the most elevated, delightful and generous Study in the World’, Ramsay sets himself alongside classical poets Homer, Anacreon and Horace, as well as Edmund Waller (1606-87), in ‘justly claim[ing] the Preeminence’. At this point, Ramsay acknowledges that he has ‘Enemies; yes, I have been honoured with three or four Satyrs’. This was certainly the case: around 1720, Ramsay was the subject of a handful of published satires which ridiculed his early works and perceptions of his vanity. ‘A Satyr Upon Allan Ramsay, Occasioned upon a Report of his Translating Horace’ (c.1720)24 condemns Ramsay’s ‘D—d brazen face’ (l.1), criticising him on the basis that ‘Thou wilt insist and play the Fool, / And plague us with thy Impudence’ (ll.15-16). Advising Ramsay that he is ‘only fit, / For Wigs, and not for verse by G—d’ (l.12), the anonymous satirist advises him to ‘Touch not the Ashes laid to rest; / Let Horace sleep, his Labours spare’ (ll.19-20). A second poem, probably contemporary to ‘A Satyr’, is entitled ‘An Habbyac on the Death of Allan Ramsay’:25 the author mimics the Standard Habbie format of Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ in response to Ramsay’s imagined death. Here, the poet is dismissed as an ‘old Gouk’ or fool (l.30) at A copy is held in the National Library of Scotland, Mf.G.0819 (21). The NLS holds a photocopy of the Signet Library’s copy of ‘An Habbyac’ (6.107). 24 25

11

Poems

whose death Edinburgh ‘Sall hardly Cow’r’ (l.22). A third piece, entitled ‘Allan Ramsay Metamorphosed to a Hather-Bloter Poet’,26 is likely to be the work of William Forbes of Disblair (1661-1740), known for The True Scots Genius, Reviving (1704) and A Pil for Pork-Eaters, or, A Scots Lancet for an English Swelling (1705).27 This text, which takes the form of a Ramsay-esque pastoral dialogue between Ægon and Melibiæ, disdainfully describes Ramsay as ‘Prince of Poets’ (l.9) and ends with a warning: ‘If you praise his Deeds, / Provide a Block unto his high flown Wiggs’ (ll.109-10). Each of these satires comes from a place of condescension and social snobbery: all three refer to Ramsay’s trade as a wigmaker, imploring him to know his place and not assume that he is fit for the work of a poet. If Ramsay was at all bothered by these literary attacks, it is not visible in his Preface to Poems (1721). In fact, he states here that the satires written against him are ‘such wretched Stuff, that several of my Friends would alledge upon me that I had wrote and published them my self… to make the World believe I had no Foes but Fools’. From the work of these ‘Fools’, Ramsay now moves to those who ridicule his use of the Scots language, stating that the ‘Pedants’ who ‘confine Learning to the critical Understanding of the dead Languages, while they are ignorant of the Beauties of their Mother Tongue, do not view me with a friendly Eye’. In response, Ramsay states ‘without Blushing’ that, although he has but little Latin, he can ‘feast’ on the ‘beautiful Thoughts’ of Horace when ‘dress’d in British’. Given Ramsay’s avowed support for Scots language poetry, this use of ‘British’ is, according to Pittock, ‘part of his claim for structural parity for Scottish and English writing’.28 He is unapologetic about his alleged ‘Vanity’, which he regards as ‘a very essential Qualification of a Poet’, and summarises the advice of his Friends as follows: They are pleased with what I have done; and add, David, Homer and Virgil, say they, were more ignorant of the Scots and English Tongue, than you are of Hebrew, Greek and Latin: Pursue your own natural Manner, and be an Original.

A copy is held at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. See William Walker, The Bards of Bon-Accord, 1375-1860 (Aberdeen: Edmond & Spark, 1887), p.643, and William Donaldson, ‘The Poetry of William Forbes of Disblair (1661-1740)’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 45:2 (2019), pp.121-37. 28 Murray Pittock, ‘Allan Ramsay and the Decolonisation of Genre’ in Review of English Studies 58:235 (2007), p.334. 26 27

12

Introduction

While acknowledging in the Dedication that his ‘natural Genius’ is enhanced by the approving smiles of his female readers, Ramsay is unashamed in his self-representation as ‘an Original’ in the Preface. In this short and audacious statement, he places himself alongside Biblical psalmist King David and the classical literary ‘masters’ in defence of his use of the Scots language. In fact, Scots is central to his ‘originality’ and ‘natural genius’ in this construction. Demonstrating supreme literary and linguistic confidence, Ramsay sums up his mode of protection against satirists, critics and ‘enemies’ with a couplet of verse: ‘Thus shielded by the Brave and Fair, / My Foes may envy, but despair’. His female readers ‘shield’ him from criticism, as do the ‘brave’, who discard needlessly inflexible literary convention in their appreciation of Ramsay’s modes of poetry. Ramsay’s Preface-meets-manifesto continues with a justification for his use of the Scots language which, he argues, ‘was not only Inclination, but the Desire of my best and wisest Friends’. In fact, ‘good Imagery, just Similies, and all Manner of ingenious Thoughts, in a well laid Design, disposed into Numbers, is Poetry. — Then good Poetry may be in any Language’. Ramsay continues his celebration of the Scots language by quoting from George Sewell’s introduction to the London edition of Ramsay’s Patie and Roger (1720). Far from bemoaning the obscurity and impenetrability of ‘Scotticisms, which perhaps may offend some over-nice Ear’, English author and physician Sewell ‘bewail[s] my own little Knowledge’ of Scots, ‘since I meet with so many Words and Phrases so expressive of the Ideas they are intended to represent’. And while the anonymous ‘A Satyr Upon Allan Ramsay’ pleaded with the poet to leave Horace at rest, Ramsay states that, ‘I have only snatched at his Thought and Method in gross, and dress’d them up in Scots’. ‘This,’ he states, ‘is all I think needful in Defence of my Book’. With the subscribers’ edition of Poems (1721) in the hands of its readers and Ramsay’s literary confidence at its height as a result, he continued to publish individual poems in Edinburgh and London, as well as a collection of Fables and Tales, which was first printed in 1722 and gradually enlarged through three editions. These texts, eventually incorporated into his second collected works, Poems (1728), see Ramsay translate the work of French fabulists Antoine Houdar de la Motte (1672-1731) and Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95) into the Scots language. The first volume of his Tea-Table Miscellany appeared in 13

Poems

1723, and The Ever Green in 1724. In the same year, Ramsay’s Health was printed for the first time, as well as an Irish edition of his works, entitled Miscellaneous Works Of That Celebrated Scotch Poet, Allan Ramsay (Dublin, 1724). Ramsay was appointed an honorary member and Bard of the Royal Company of Archers in 1724, giving him access to ‘representatives of some of the most famous families’29 of the contemporary Scottish aristocracy; it also gave rise to a number of poems for the Archers, published individually, in Poems in English and Latin, on the Archers, and the Royal-Company of Archers (1726) and in his Poems (1728). By now, Ramsay had long enjoyed the patronage of, among others, John Forbes of Newhall (1683-1735), Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second baronet (1676-1755) and Sir William Bennet, second baronet (d.1729), often staying at their country estates at Newhall, Mavisbank, Penicuik and Marlefield. Ramsay’s Gentle Shepherd is regarded as having been set in the countryside surrounding Newhall, while the Penicuik House estate features a memorial to Ramsay erected by Clerk’s son James (c.1710-82), shortly after the poet’s death, in 1759. The Newhall grounds contain a sundial in Ramsay’s memory, constructed in 1810, while Newhall House holds a painting by Alexander Carse (c.17701843) which depicts Ramsay’s friend, painter William Aikman, drawing the audience at a reading of Ramsay’s The Gentle Shepherd. While Ramsay developed The Gentle Shepherd from pastoral play into ballad opera format and continued issuing new volumes of The Tea-Table Miscellany, he published the second edition of his collected works, Poems (1728): this working method, in which he advances multiple projects simultaneously, is characteristic. By this point, Ramsay’s printed corpus is more stable, and he now appears to be in complete control of his literary property. While Poems (1721) was preceded by numerous pamphlet publications of individual poems and groups of poems, much more of the text for Poems (1728) is in comparison preserved in manuscript or previously unpublished, and Ramsay’s evolving approach to his own oeuvre is reflected in our detailed lists of textual variants between manuscript and print sources. Ramsay was now also publishing prose works, albeit anonymously, including his Some Few Hints In Defence of Dramatic Entertainments (1727), in which he argues for the positive effects of theatre performance and paves the way for his own venue, which would open in late 29

STS VI, p.71. 14

Introduction

1736. He was still at this point in the habit of issuing substantial poems in pamphlet form – Content and The Scriblers Lash’d both appear in standalone editions in 1728 – but with Poems (1728), Ramsay was operating as an established, confident, national poet. This second collected works resembles Poems (1721) in that it is also published by Ruddiman, and possesses an extensive and prestigious list of subscribers, vast annotation and a newly expanded glossary of the Scots language terms used in the text. Reflecting Ramsay’s growing fame, the subscribers for Poems (1728) include the engraver Richard Cooper (1701-64), who had engraved the music for Alexander Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of Scots Songs (c.1725), John Leslie, master of the Grammar School at Haddington whose students would perform The Gentle Shepherd in 1729, playwright, poet and sometime Ramsay collaborator Joseph Mitchell (c.1684-1738), Alexander Pope, Richard Steele and Ramsay’s literary correspondent, the English poet William Somervile (1675-1742). Ramsay’s aristocratic subscribers have also increased by 1728, with prominent figures such as James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton (1703-43), Charles Maitland, sixth Earl of Lauderdale (c.1688-1744) and Simon Fraser, eleventh Lord Lovat (c.1667-1747) featuring in the subscription list. By 1728, too, Ramsay has developed relationships with several female aristocrats: he would dedicate The Gentle Shepherd to his subscriber and literary patron Susanna Montgomerie, Countess of Eglinton (1690-1780), while ‘The Fair Assembly’, printed in Poems (1728), praises Edinburgh’s aristocratic ladies, including subscriber Margaret Maule, Countess of Panmure, for their management of the city’s Assembly, a weekly dancing club for the Scottish gentry. In a departure from the approach of Poems (1721), Ramsay offers no Preface to the 1728 edition, perhaps reflecting his previous success and assured position as a Scots poet. Instead, he prints a Dedication to the ‘Most Noble, Right Honourable, and generous Patrons’ who make up his subscription list, thanking them with ‘inexpressible Joy’ for their role in raising for him ‘a Stock of Fame amongst the Rank of native Poets’. While humbly appreciative of their ‘Godlike Benevolence’, Ramsay nonetheless points to ‘all the Strength of my Genius’ in the works contained in Poems (1728). While Poems (1721) was buoyed by the support and laughter of the ‘Brave and Fair’, Ramsay now states that he has ‘taken Care to evite every Thought tending either to Debauchery or Irreligion, while I endeavour to be serviceable to 15

Poems

Morality’. Having said this, he echoes the Preface of 1721 by offering no apology for his ‘Vanity (as they often nickname the ardent Emotions towards what is praise-worthy)’, modifying a couplet from Charles Codrington’s ‘Verses Addressed to the Author of “The Dispensary”’ in reference to his own poetry: ‘They have no Faults, or no Faults can I spy; / They’re beautiful, or sometimes blind am I.’ While stating that he welcomes ‘judicious Criticism’, Ramsay nonetheless claims a place in ‘Posterity’ for his ‘one or two good pickt Volumes’. Poems (1728) offers a clear reflection of Ramsay’s networks at this point in his career. As well as elegies for various prominent figures of the Scottish nobility, including Lady Margaret Anstruther, James, Lord Carnegie and Anne, Lady Gairlies, Ramsay incorporates the texts from his previous publication, Fables and Tales, inserts a new collection of songs set to Scottish melodies, commemorates the death of Sir Isaac Newton through London’s Royal Society and prints the first version of The Gentle Shepherd alongside theatrical prologues. This edition sees Ramsay cement his reputation as Scotland’s foremost poet, song-collector and now, playwright. It sees him engaging – through literary action – in contemporary debates about antiquarianism, the value of the theatre and the meaning of ‘improvement’ in early Enlightenment Scotland. Following Poems (1728), Ramsay was still deeply occupied in writing poetry, alongside continuing work on The Tea-Table Miscellany and The Gentle Shepherd. He issued a second, expanded edition of Poems (1728) in 1729, and republished his fables and tales in a Collection of Thirty Fables (1730). A two-volume London edition of his works was published in 1731, while key poems, including Tartana: Or, the Plaid were reprinted in pamphlets. In the 1730s and 1740s, Ramsay printed several poems in the periodical press, including ‘Leith Races’ in the Caledonian Mercury for 2 August 1736 and the ‘Epistle to James Oswald’ in the Scots Magazine for October 1741. His work was also increasingly anthologised in miscellanies, including in The Scarborough Miscellany (1732), Calliope or English Harmony (1739) and The Caledonian Miscellany (1740). In this period, too, Ramsay issued A Collection of Scots Proverbs (1737), which saw him preserve and curate Scotland’s aphoristic history. By now, Ramsay’s influence stretched across numerous areas of Scottish culture: older and contemporary poetry, literary forms, songs and tunes, the theatre and even the day-to-day adages of Scotland, past and present. 16

Introduction

The 1730s show Ramsay extending his interest in the theatre. He produced a new edition of Robert Drury’s play, The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries, in 1733, adding sixteen new songs, of which twelve are known to be by Ramsay, before opening his own theatre in 1736. The 1740s and 1750s saw Ramsay publish numerous reprints of established works, including The Gentle Shepherd, A Collection of Scots Proverbs and The Tea-Table Miscellany, but in private he was writing as much poetry as ever. These uncollected and sometimes unpublished poems, numbering around two hundred pieces, appeared in various places: in manuscript, correspondence, pamphlets, the periodical press and published collections. Ramsay died on 7 January 1758, and literary tributes began appearing in newspapers and magazines as soon as the news was known. ‘Cleanthes’ prints ‘To the Memory of Mr Allan Ramsay’ in the Scots Magazine for January 1758, where Ramsay’s work is described as a place ‘where mirth and wit conspire / To raise the laugh, warm’d by the Muse’s fire: / Where innocence, where artless nature shines, / And simple elegance adorns the lines.’30 The London Evening Post for 2-4 February 1758 features an anonymous ‘Elegy on the Death of Allan Ramsay’, where the poet is described as ‘The Swain that sang sae sweet’, who ‘is now nae mair!’31 Not only is Ramsay remembered through verse in the public pages of the periodical press very shortly after his death, but those tributes utilise the older Scottish forms and metres he had preserved in his own work. Just as Ramsay continues with and breathes new life into the forms he inherited from Scots poets such as Sempill and his friend and correspondent, William Hamilton of Gilbertfield (c.1665-1751), so too do his poetic admirers. In the coming decades, Scots language poet Robert Fergusson (1750-74) would maintain Ramsay’s literary approach, as would Robert Burns (1759-96), whose linguistic manifesto, poetry, song-collecting and song-writing are profoundly influenced by Ramsay’s example. Core Themes and Forms Ramsay’s Scots language pastorals were particularly popular from the earliest point of his career, with pastoral dialogue ‘Richy and Sandy’, written on the death of Joseph Addison in 1719, providing his earliest, albeit unauthorised, publications in London, and ‘Patie and Roger’, 30 31

The Scots Magazine (January 1758), Vol. 20, pp.20-21. The London Evening Post, 2-4 February 1758, Vol. 4719. 17

Poems

printed in Poems (1721), forming the basis of the commercially successful ballad opera, The Gentle Shepherd. Poems (1721) also sees Ramsay utilise the comic elegy form inherited from Sempill and Hamilton to new effect in ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, ‘Elegy on John Cowper’, ‘Elegy on Lucky Wood’ and ‘An Elegy on Patie Birnie’: this example would be developed further by his Scots literary successors, Fergusson and Burns, to such an extent that their Standard Habbie verse form would, by the late eighteenth century, become known as the Burns stanza. Similarly, Poems (1721) reveals Ramsay as a significant literary antiquarian: with Christ’s Kirk on the Green, he demonstrates editorial care for older Scots poetry by updating his published text after consultation of its source in the Bannatyne Manuscript, and inserting himself into the enduring Christis Kirk literary tradition by adding two original cantos to this key text of the early modern Scottish canon. The first edition of Ramsay’s poems sees him satirise hack writers and those who would criticise women for their modes of dress in ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’ and tackle the complex issues of sex work in ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. In Poems (1721), Ramsay is particularly engaged with important political and economic matters of the day, including the prelude to and aftermath of the pricking of the South Sea Bubble, in ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ and ‘Cupid Thrown into the South-Sea’, as well as making suggestions for the harnessing of Scotland’s particular modes of wealth in The Prospect of Plenty, a poem arguing for the establishment of a North Sea fishery. In Poems (1721), Ramsay establishes himself further as a collector and editor of Scottish song, writing new lyrics for traditional Scottish melodies and preserving tunes both ancient and contemporary. Here, too, Ramsay sets the foundations for his persona as ‘the Scottish Horace’32 by printing Scots translations of Horace’s works and utilising the laughing but insistent mockery of Horatian satire. Poems (1728) continues many of these foundational concerns, with Ramsay moving into the role of fabulist with his Scots translations of the French fables of La Motte and La Fontaine and fully inhabiting his position as official Bard for the Royal Company of Archers. While Poems (1721) saw him enter an epistolary relationship with his fellow Scots poet William Hamilton of Gilbertfield, Poems (1728) sees him exchange verses with English poet William Somervile and Robert Heron, Scotland Delineated or, a geographical description of every shire in Scotland (Edinburgh: Neil, 1799), p.365.

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demonstrate his friendship with English playwright and poet John Gay (1685-1732). He continues in Poems (1728) with his defence of women’s liberty and choice in ‘The Fair Assembly’, praising the aristocratic directresses of Edinburgh’s Assembly for their civilising influence on the city’s youth. Ramsay’s position as ‘a favourite of many of the great Scottish families’33 is on display in Poems (1728), with numerous pieces addressed to his noble patrons, including George, Lord Ramsay, Lady Jean Maule, Grace, Countess of Aboyne and Lady Margaret Forbes of Newhall. He also demonstrates a relationship with a network of expatriate Scots, including painter William Aikman and playwright Joseph Mitchel, who had settled in London, and Donald MacEwen, who was working as a jeweller in St. Petersburg and was one of many – often Jacobite – Scots who emigrated to Russia in the eighteenth century. Ramsay’s uncollected and unpublished works equal the number of poems published in his editions of 1721 and 1728. Among his major uncollected works is A Tale of Three Bonnets, a satire on the Union of 1707 published anonymously in 1722, several translations of Horace’s Odes, ‘Babband and Tittypow’, a satire on unthinking greed for wealth, and ‘The Pleasures of Improvements in Agriculture’, which commemorates the efforts of the Society for Improving in Agriculture in cultivating Edinburgh’s landscapes. This group of uncollected and unpublished works sees Ramsay engage with contemporary church debates and disputes, including the Marrow Controversy and the roles of ministers Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine in the disruption of the Church of Scotland and the foundation of the Associate Presbytery. Throughout his corpus of around four hundred poems, core concerns, forms, motivations and themes emerge. Despite his increasingly visible literary relationship with the nobility, Ramsay’s approach to poetry is essentially democratic. A female innkeeper, ‘facetious’ fiddler and dying brothel madam are just as worthy of elegiac literary memorial as the privileged members of the gentry. On the evidence of his poems, Ramsay is an extraordinarily clubbable poet, commemorating his involvement with the Easy Club, the Whin-Bush Club, the Phiz Club and the Royal Company of Archers, and anticipating Edinburgh’s place as a centre of sociability during the Enlightenment period and beyond.34 His literary engagement with politics is often presented Pittock, ‘Ramsay, Allan’ in ODNB. See also Murray Pittock and Craig Lamont, ‘Edinburgh’s Enlightenment, 1680-1750’: https://gla.ac.uk/edinburghenlightenment 33

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through his satirical works, but he is equally content to sketch out a strategy for Scotland’s future in poems such as The Prospect of Plenty. Hypocrisy in all its forms is a satirical target, as is excess: in his Scots Horatian persona, Ramsay argues for the middle way in all things, while extolling ‘Content’ and the need to seize the day. In his song-writing, he takes on the role of cultural antiquary, preserving and refurbishing tunes in a manner which would be influential on later song collectors including William Thomson, James Oswald, David Herd, James Johnson and George Thomson. His writing for the theatre – including the Gentle Shepherd, Prologues, Epilogues and songs for existing plays – demonstrates his belief in the positive effects of drama in the face of contemporary religious opposition: although his Carrubber’s Close theatre was short-lived, its establishment reveals Ramsay’s support for drama as a literary form, and for Edinburgh as a cultural centre to rival London. All of these aspects of Ramsay’s work are united by his belief in the power of the Scots language as an expressive literary mode: emphasising his bilingualism in the Preface to Poems (1721), Ramsay praises the ‘liquid and sonorous’ pronunciation of Scots, arguing that it is ‘much fuller’ than English. In fact, even if some of his poetry resembles that ‘which we commonly reckon English poetry’, Ramsay states that all of his work is in the Scots language: ‘tho the words be pure English, the Idiom or Phraseology is still Scots’. This attitude is reflected in the extensive glossaries produced for the editions of 1721 and 1728, which are significant documents in the development of the Scots language dictionaries of pioneers such as lexicographer John Jamieson (17591838).35 Major Manuscript Collections The major collections of Ramsay’s manuscript material are held in five main repositories. The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, houses an extensive set of autograph material, including manuscript copies of poems and songs: the most significant collection here is MS 2233. The British Library’s Egerton manuscript collection holds drafts of Ramsay’s poems from the mid-1720s onwards, providing valuable information on the evolution of his texts: here, Egerton See Susan Rennie, Jamieson’s Dictionary of Scots: The Story of the First Historical Dictionary of the Scots Language (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), pp.26-27. 35

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Introduction

2023 is substantial. The National Records of Scotland is home to the collection of Ramsay’s patron and friend, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, in which manuscript copies of Ramsay’s poems and correspondence are held (Clerk of Penicuik Papers). The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, holds draft and fair copy autograph manuscripts of Ramsay’s poetry and prose: HM 97 and HM 211 are here noteworthy. Edinburgh University’s Laing Collection possesses holograph manuscripts alongside paperwork associated with Ramsay’s Easy Club: here, fair copies of Ramsay’s early poems, including the ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, are found in the hand of Easy Club secretary, John Fergus. The Text Poems: 1721 and 1728 As outlined above, the authorised editions of 1721 and 1728, published in Edinburgh by Thomas Ruddiman, are the major poetry collections published in Ramsay’s lifetime. It can be inferred, in fact, that Ramsay saw these two editions combined as his Collected Works: Poems (1728) is subtitled ‘Volume II’, and it is presented in Ramsay’s Dedication as a continuation of Poems (1721). Although many individual poems in these editions had been printed beforehand in pamphlets, and despite the fact that the publication histories of Ramsay’s poems are unusually complex, it is rare for Ramsay to amend texts after their publication in either edition of Poems. This is, perhaps, understandable: the editions of 1721 and 1728 feature dedications and, in the case of Poems (1721), an extensive Preface-cum-literary and linguistic manifesto, subscription lists, extensive explanatory annotation and detailed glossaries. If individual texts were somewhat unstable before they were collected in these volumes, they remained largely static after they were repackaged and collected here. It is for these reasons that the editions of 1721 and 1728 are treated here as landmarks, providing our copy-text for the two hundred texts printed therein. Accompanying the copy-texts of 1721 and 1728 in the present edition is extensive explanatory and contextual annotation, as well as comprehensive lists of variants between the copy-text, extant manuscript sources and previous authorised printings of individual poems: here, MS and print variants are presented by source, with the copytext in square brackets to allow comparison. In the case of the songs printed in these editions, textual variants are accompanied by a history of the tune to which the song is set, with previous manuscript and 21

Poems

print sources for the melody listed up until and including the publication of Alexander Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of Scots Songs (1725-26?). When a song is first printed in a previous edition – for example, Ramsay reprints a number of songs from his Tea-Table Miscellany in Poems (1728) – the full textual and musical note accompanies its first publication. As explained above, several of Ramsay’s works were printed without his license. In the case of poems printed in pamphlets before 1721 and 1728, judgements on their authority are made here based on whether Ramsay has a demonstrable connection to the publication, as well as on evidential details such as title pages and the quality of the print and text. The case of the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 is still more complex. It has been established that Ramsay complained of literary piracy of his works in mid-1719. While Ramsay’s editors have presumed without evidence that the complaint related to ‘Richy and Sandy’ alone, it is highly probable that it referred to several unauthorised texts, and that the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 was one of the publications to which Ramsay objected. Although the ‘gather-up’ edition purports on its title page to be ‘printed for the Author’, it is an unreliable and sloppily produced text, which is essentially a bound volume of individual poems and pamphlets with little textual apparatus, especially when compared to Poems (1721). The ‘gather-up’ edition is unstable on a number of additional fronts. Firstly, although it purports to have been printed in 1720, its dating is not secure, not least because, as detailed above, some pamphlets bound in some copies of the edition are dated to 1721 and even 1722. Moreover, copies of the ‘gather-up’ edition vary, and at least eight different versions with varying contents have been identified so far. Analysis of various copies of the ‘gather-up’ edition suggest that it was added to over time. Burns Martin, who accepts the ‘gather-up’ as Ramsay’s work, states that: At first, the poet-publisher made no pretence at continuous pagination, beyond p.84, but with the later issues he made increasing, and often grotesque, efforts to give the work the appearance of unity. Two other points should be noted: firstly, Ramsay’s practice of extending the volume as he wrote new poems, and secondly, his practice of retaining the title-pages of the pamphlets incorporated into the collected edition.36 36

Martin, Bibliography, p.30. 22

Introduction

Of the seven editions analysed by Martin, all contain ‘The Morning Interview’, ‘Tartana’, ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’, ‘The Scriblers Lash’d and ‘Content’ with title pages, but the textual sources for these individual poems differ. The British Library’s copy, for example, features the 1721 editions of ‘The Morning Interview’ and ‘Tartana’, alongside the fifth edition of ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ (1722), the third edition of ‘The Scribler’s Lash’d’ (1721), the third edition of ‘Content’ (1721), with ‘The Prospect of Plenty’ and ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’, dated 1721. A copy held by the National Library of Scotland (Glen 124) is composed of the 1720 edition of ‘The Morning Interview’, ‘Tartana’ (1720) with its dedication, the 1720 edition of ‘Christ’s Kirk’, the second edition of ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’ (1720), the second edition of ‘Content’ and ‘The Prospect of Plenty’, but no ‘Rise and Fall of Stocks’. The copy once owned by Gibson diverges further: this contains ‘The Morning Interview’ (1720), ‘Tartana’ with its dedication, ‘Christ’s Kirk’ of 1720, the second edition of ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’ (1720) and the second edition of ‘Content’ (1719) but does not feature ‘The Prospect of Plenty’ or ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’.37 Since Martin’s bibliographical work of 1931, further copies of the ‘gather-up’ edition have come to light: these are no less unstable. For example, an additional copy held by the National Library of Scotland (Glen 106) appears to be the fullest, and perhaps latest, extant ‘gather-up’ edition. In comparison to the copies described above, it contains the 1721 edition of ‘The Morning Interview’, ‘Tartana’ (1721), the fifth edition of ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ (1722), the third edition of ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’ (1721) and the third edition of ‘Content’ (1721), as well as ‘The Prospect of Plenty’ and ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ (1721). All ‘gather-up’ editions are dated ‘1720’. As argued above, the incorporation of this range of post-1720 material is evidence of the edition’s inauthenticity. Previous Ramsay scholars and editors, including Gibson and the editors of the Scottish Text Society volumes of Ramsay’s works, accept without question, discussion or concrete evidence the ‘gather-up’ edition as having been authorised by Ramsay, and it is included as a source text in the Scottish Text Society edition’s lists of variants. They do so by selecting a ‘representative’ gather-up edition (the National Library of Scotland’s copy, Glen 124). However, as the above Martin’s full analysis of the ‘gather-up’ edition is found in Bibliography, pp.30-34.

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analysis demonstrates, there is no such thing as a representative copy of the ‘gather-up’ edition. Selecting a copy for collation purposes is therefore arbitrary, giving only variants found against that unique copy, rather than with the edition as a whole. Related to these considerations is the question of authority. Given that in 1720 Ramsay was preparing the subscriber’s edition of Poems (1721) and publishing his printing proposals for that text, it is highly unlikely that he would allow the messy, complicated and, in Martin’s words, ‘grotesque’, ‘gather-up’ edition to obstruct the progress – and sales – of Poems (1721). Ramsay was a shrewd businessman: as his complaint to the Town Council illustrates, he was willing to take legal action against any printers who would jeopardise his earnings and tarnish his textual record. In fact, there is no evidence that Ramsay ever acted in a way that would endanger his own earnings: for instance, when he first printed The Gentle Shepherd as a ballad opera in 1729, Ramsay did not publish the additional songs in that edition, instead directing readers to their texts in his Tea-Table Miscellany, thereby maximising his book sales and his income. In the case of Poems (1721), the ‘gather-up’ had the potential to affect Ramsay’s relationship with his prestigious subscribers, appearing, as it did, while Ramsay was gathering subscriptions for his upcoming collected works. Moreover, in his Dedication to Poems (1728), Ramsay refers to ‘My First Volume, printed seven Years ago’: with this evidence, the poet regarded Poems (1721) as his first authorised edition. The textual and bibliographical realities of the ‘gather-up’ edition render it unstable and volatile, making the selection of a ‘representative’ copy misleading, but this is not the chief reason for excluding it from the list of textual sources here. Far more significant than its textual instability is the lack of documentary evidence linking Ramsay to that edition, and the contextual evidence which suggests that it was printed without his authority. The ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 is not, therefore, regarded as an authorised textual source, and does not feature in our lists of textual variants against the copy-text of Poems (1721). Paratextual material – including subscription lists, dedications, prefaces, Ramsay’s own annotations and glossaries – are presented within the copy-text for Poems (1721) and (1728). Ramsay often gives extensive explanatory footnotes to his texts; these have been preserved in the copy-text as footnotes, while editorial annotations are given in end notes. Where the two subscriber’s editions of Poems incorporate 24

Introduction

a previous publication, such as Scots Songs (1718) in Poems (1721) and Fables and Tales (1723) in Poems (1728), the previous edition’s preface and dedication are given in the end notes. Variants are recorded between the copy-text, extant manuscript drafts and fair copies, as well as previous, authorised publications; again, these are given within end notes for each text. Poems (1721) features an extensive glossary of the Scots language terms used by Ramsay, with many illustrative proverbs within the definitions; Ramsay then expands that glossary for Poems (1728), adding new Scots terms and, in the process, cutting the proverbs from the entries for 1721. In order to preserve all of Ramsay’s definitions, the glossary for Poems (1728), which is the fullest, is the core copy-text for the glossary here, with Ramsay’s longer definitions from 1721 preserved in square brackets. Although Ramsay’s glossaries are very full, they are not entirely comprehensive: they do not include all Scots words used in Poems of 1721 and 1728, and do not cover the texts which were uncollected and unpublished in his lifetime. Where a new definition is added to Ramsay’s existing glossary retrospectively, John Jamieson’s Etymological Dictionary of the Scots Language, first printed in 1808, is the preferred source. Where Jamieson lacks a particular definition, it is taken from the Scottish National Dictionary, which incorporates the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue. Any additions to Ramsay’s glossaries are indicated by their source in brackets. Poems (1728) reprints the 1725 edition of The Gentle Shepherd. Given the centrality of this text to Ramsay’s literary career, and its complex progression from a pastoral dialogue poem through to a play and, finally, a commercially successful ballad opera, it is printed in a separate edition in Edinburgh’s University Press’s Collected Works of Allan Ramsay. Although manuscripts for The Gentle Shepherd survive, they were not prepared for Poems (1728): the text is therefore presented here as it was printed in 1728, accompanied by explanatory annotations. A full account of the play’s evolution is given in Steve Newman and David McGuinness (eds), The Gentle Shepherd (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2022): readers are also directed to this edition for a full textual and musical history of the play, as well as a detailed account of its various manuscript sources.

25

Poems

Uncollected and Unpublished Poems Ramsay’s uncollected and unpublished works are roughly equal in number to those published in his subscribers’ editions. This third section of Ramsay’s poetic works therefore encompasses all known poetic texts which were not printed in Poems (1721) or Poems (1728) and uncollected elsewhere. Poems of Ramsay’s composure which were collected in The Ever Green are not included here; these texts will be printed in the forthcoming Edinburgh University Press edition of The Ever Green. The sources for these uncollected and unpublished texts are diverse. Several are taken from the enlarged, second edition of Ramsay’s Poems (1728), printed in 1729, while others had their first publications in the periodical press, in standalone pamphlets or as part of poetry and song collections. Most of the texts in this section are, however, only extant in manuscript, and were never published in Ramsay’s lifetime. The copy-text here is derived from these multifarious sources. When a poem is published while Ramsay was alive, its first printing is taken as copy-text, and variants between the printed text and any surviving manuscript sources are given in the notes. Texts which are published but uncollected are, therefore, treated in the same way as the copy-text for Poems (1721) and Poems (1728). When a text is not published in Ramsay’s lifetime, the copytext is based on its manuscript source and posthumous printings are noted. In constructing copy-text from Ramsay’s manuscripts, certain challenges must be met. When more than one manuscript source exists for one poem, fair copies are preferred for copy-text here; otherwise, the fullest version or, if it can be discerned, the latest manuscript text provides the copy-text. The copy-text is constructed from diplomatic transcriptions of autograph manuscripts. While Ramsay does prepare fair copies of his poems and some of his manuscript drafts are clean, others – especially those contained in the British Library’s Egerton 2023 manuscript collection – are often in messy draft form with numerous cancellations, variants, marginalia and numbered reordering of stanzas. In order to make these manuscript texts readable, cancellations, additions, variants and marginalia are included in the end notes, and any deviation in presentation from the manuscript source in copytext is indicated there. Ramsay’s spelling in his manuscripts is inconsistent and eccentric, and he rarely includes punctuation in his drafts, pointing to the fact that his printer and publisher, Thomas Ruddiman, 26

Introduction

was likely to have had a strong hand in the preparation and presentation of Ramsay’s poems for the press. Ramsay’s spelling has not been altered here among his unpublished works, except in cases where a misspelling alters the sense and suggests a different word: in these cases, editorial interventions are indicated by square brackets. Likewise, punctuation has not been added retrospectively, for two reasons: firstly, the copy-text for his unpublished works is intended here to be as close to Ramsay’s manuscript text as possible via renderings of diplomatic transcription; secondly, the addition of punctuation would merely represent twenty-first century textual presentation standards, which differ from those of the early eighteenth century. There are further quirks in Ramsay’s manuscript texts. Significant among these is his regular presentation of ‘f’ and ‘u’ as ‘ff’ and ‘ŭ’ in manuscript drafts. These presentational idiosyncrasies were corrected in published versions of the text by Ruddiman, and they are not included in copy-text here. Ramsay’s use of them is, however, preserved in the end notes. Ramsay’s ‘ff’, which stands at times for ‘f’ and at others for ‘F’, is inconsistent and not easily explicable. His use of ‘ŭ’ may stem from his work on the Bannatyne Manuscript, from which Ramsay sourced the text for Canto I of his version of Christ’s Kirk on the Green, as well as texts for his collection of older Scots poetry, The Ever Green. Throughout the Bannatyne Manuscript, the breve symbol is often used above the letter ‘a’. Thanks to analysis of variants between the manuscript and print versions of ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’, it is now possible to pin-point Ramsay’s first consultation of the Bannatyne Manuscript to 1718: his use of the ‘ŭ’ increases after this point, perhaps signifying that Ramsay associated its use with older Scots language and made attempts to replicate the antiquated modes of presentation he had seen in the Bannatyne collection. These readings of ‘ff’ and ‘ŭ’ in Ramsay’s manuscripts are necessarily speculative, given that Ramsay’s utilisation of them is multi-functional and unpredictable. Significantly, these presentational marks never played any role in contemporary print versions of Ramsay’s texts but are a definite feature of his outputs in manuscript. It is for these reasons that they are recorded in the notes rather than in the copy-text here.38 Cancellations, where they are legible, are indicated in the See also Craig Lamont, ‘The Ramsay “ŭ”: minims, stress marks, and the unknown’, Research Paper prepared for the Edinburgh edition of Allan Ramsay, 2018. 38

27

Poems

notes with the text struck through, while additions take their place in the copy-text. Where Ramsay has revisited the ordering of stanzas and indicated their new order via numbering, the copy-text presents the revised order, and Ramsay’s editorial process is described in the end notes. Ramsay’s manuscript drafts are often accompanied by marginalia and doodles: the British Library’s manuscript copy of ‘Health’ (Egerton 2023, ff.28-33), for example, has a list of cooking terms and their definitions, such as ‘Fricassy—fryd in the Stove’, ‘Casarole a stew pan’ and ‘Salmongundin—Hotch potch of serv for meals stood a mingle-mangle’. Some of these terms are used in ‘Health’, but others are not: all marginalia of this sort are, however, preserved in our notes. The same editorial approach is taken in order to capture Ramsay’s habitual doodling on his manuscripts: these drawings are replicated in the notes for the poem at which they appear, and their positioning on the manuscript is indicated. Not all of Ramsay’s unpublished texts have titles. In the volumes of Ramsay’s work printed by the Scottish Text Society, the editors added their own titles, based on the content or form of the poem. While some of these titles are serviceable, the sometimes fragmentary nature of Ramsay’s manuscript poems gives rise to numerous texts entitled ‘[Fragment of a Song]’ or ‘[Epigram]’ in the Scottish Text Society edition, making it difficult to distinguish between texts. Titles given by Ramsay are preserved here; otherwise, no title is given. All poems can be found via the ‘Index of First Lines’, in which titles provided by Ramsay are given in brackets. While some manuscript poems can be dated – either because Ramsay has dated the text himself, or external sources provide evidence of the poem’s date of composition – others cannot. Where dating of individual texts is possible, uncollected and unpublished poems are presented in chronological order. Poems which cannot be dated are ordered according to their form, theme or subject matter. Evidence which has since come to light allows the dating of some texts which were not given dates in the Scottish Text Society edition. Following the collection of Ramsay’s uncollected and unpublished poems is a small group of eight texts headed ‘Dubia’. These poems have been associated with Ramsay in various ways, but there is as yet no definitive evidence of his authorship. These texts often come with shreds of provenance, such as a contemporary transcription claiming Ramsay’s authorship, but when no other witness has been 28

Introduction

located and no additional corroborating evidence has been found, they have not been accepted unequivocally as Ramsay’s. Two cases of ‘dubia’ are songs – ‘Banks of Forth’ and a fragment of a song beginning, ‘I had a Rock & a wee Pickle Tow’ – which are in manuscript in Ramsay’s hand, but have been found in other sources, suggesting that Ramsay transcribed them for his records. Given that these transcriptions are not entirely faithful to the contemporary printed texts, they are included as ‘dubia’ here because, while they are not entirely of Ramsay’s composition, they may be regarded as his adaptations of existing songs. The present text offers the first comprehensive and consistent edition of Ramsay’s poems. It makes full use of all extant manuscript and print sources to provide detailed information on Ramsay’s complex publishing history, giving detailed lists of variants between holograph manuscripts and authorised print editions, as well as thorough contextual annotation and extensive paratexual apparatus. The edition incorporates around ninety manuscripts not recorded or mislocated in the twentieth-century Scottish Text Society edition, as well as poems and printed editions which have since come to light. It features a wide-ranging glossary based on Ramsay’s glossaries for his editions of 1721 and 1728, which demonstrates Ramsay’s underresearched contribution to the development of Scots lexicography. It is hoped that the new archival and textual research undertaken for Poems will transform the critical reception of Allan Ramsay in the twenty-first century, providing stable texts for further research and analysis, as well as enhancing our knowledge of his early eighteenthcentury historical, political, religious and literary contexts. The textual archaeology undertaken for this edition shows Ramsay to be vibrant and consistent poet who innovates while he preserves and carefully maintains the Scots language, its forms and literary traditions. It shows him to be an extraordinarily productive and connected author, who essentially sets the agenda for what was to come in eighteenthcentury Scottish literature. Here, we see Ramsay at the centre of Scottish cultural life for a fifty-year period: in his promotion of a ‘distinctive national voice’,39 Ramsay is a crucial catalyst for the development of Scottish poetry.

39

Pittock, ‘Allan Ramsay and the Decolonisation of Genre’, p.316. 29

POEMS (1721)

Title-page of Poems 1721 Reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Scotland Shelfmark H.29.a.20

To the most Beautiful, T H E

SCOTS LADIES.

Fair Patronesses,

your innocent Diversion, and to invite those engaging Smiles FOR which heighten your other Beauties, the most part of my Poems

were wrote, having had the Pleasure to be sometimes approv’d by you, which was the Mark I chiefly aim’d at. Allow me then to lay the following Collection at your Feet; accept of it as a grateful Return of every Thought happily express’d by me, they being less owing to my natural Genius, than to the Inspiration of your Charms. I shall hope to be excus’d, when I drop the common Form, and enter not into a Detail of your Qualities, altho the fairest Field for Panegyrick, but too extensive for a Dedication, and many of them the Subjects which embellish the whole Book. With Difficulty I curb my self, and decline so delightful a Theme: The ravishing Images crowd upon me ; but I’ll reserve them for Numbers. Prose is too low, and looks affected, when dress’d in the Ornaments of Panegyrick. Dear Ladies, pardon my Escapes, and honour me always with your indulgent Protection, and allow me ever to be, May it please your Ladyships, Your most humble, Most obedient, And most faithful Edinb. 14. July

Servant, 1721.



Allan Ramsay.

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T H E

P R E F A C E. some of the least of my Diversions to see one Part of the World laughing T atIS the other, yet all seem fully satisfied with their own Opinions and Abil-

ities; but I shall never quarrel with any Man whose Temper is the reverse of mine, and enters not into the Taste of the same Pleasures. ’Tis as ridiculous for one to be disobliged at another’s different Way of Thinking, as it is to challenge him for having a Nose not of a Shape with his. Every Man is born with a particular Bent, which will discover itself in Spite of all Opposition. Mine is obvious, which since I knew, I never inclined to curb; but rather encouraged my self in the Pursuit, tho many Difficulties lay in my Way. Whether Poetry be the most elevated, delightful and generous Study in the World, is more than I dare affirm; but I think so. Yet I am afraid, when the following Miscellany is examined, I shall not be found to deserve the eminent Character that belongs to the Epick Master,1 whose Fire and Flegm is equally blended. — But Anacreon,2 Horace3 and Waller4 were Poets, and had Souls warmed with true Poetick Flame, altho their Patience fell short of those who could bestow a Number of Tears on the finishing one Heroick Poem, and justly claim the Preeminence. If I know any Faults in my own Productions, I am not fool enough to blaze them: Perhaps they may be overlook’d by the Indulgence of my best Friends, for whom I write. — ’Tis not to be doubted that I have Enemies; yes, I have been honoured with three or four Satyrs,5 but such wretched Stuff, that several of my Friends would alledge upon me that I had wrote and published them my self (none of the worst Politicks I own) to make the World believe I had no Foes but Fools. Such Pendants as confine Learning to the critical Understanding of the dead Languages, while they are ignorant of the Beauties of their Mother Tongue, do not view me with a friendly Eye: but I’m even with them, when I tell them to their Faces, without Blushing, that I understand Horace but faintly Homer: author of the Odyssey and the Iliad, foundational epic poems in ancient Greek literature. 2 Anacreon (c.582-c.485 BC): lyric poet in ancient Greece. 3 Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 BC), known as Horace, the foremost Roman poet of the Augustan era, known for his Odes, Satires and Epistles. 4 Edmund Waller (1606-87), English politician and poet. 5 Ramsay was the subject of a handful of anonymously published satires prior to the publication of Poems (1721), including ‘A Satyr upon Allan Ramsay, occasioned upon a Report of his Translating Horace’ (c.1720, NLS RB.I.106), ‘An Habbyac on the Death of Allan Ramsay’, ‘Allan Ramsay Metamorphosed to a Hather-Bloter Poet’ (Mitchell Library, Glasgow) and ‘A Block for Allan Ramsay’s Wigs, or, the Famous Poet, fall’n in a Sleep’ (c.1720, NLS, Ry.III.a.10 (115)). 1

34

Preface in the Original, and yet can feast on his beautiful Thoughts dress’d in British; — and do not see any great Occasion for every Man’s being made capable to translate the Classicks, when they are so elegantly done to his Hand. Nor do I value tho Doctor Bentley6 heard this: And perhaps it had been no worse for the great Lyrick, that this same Doctor had understood the Latin Tongue as little as I. — If this Paragraph chance to raise a Nest of Wasps, let them read the next to blunt their Stings. My chearful Friends will pardon (a very essential Qualification of a Poet) my Vanity, when in self Defence I inform the Ignorant, that many of the finest Spirits, and of the highest Quality and Distinction, eminent for Literature, and Knowledge of Mankind, from an Affability which ever accompanies great Minds, tell me, “They are pleased with what I have done; and add, That my small Knowledge of the dead or Foreign Languages is nothing to my Disadvantage. King David,7 Homer and Virgil,8 say they, were more ignorant of the Scots and English Tongue, than you are of Hebrew, Greek and Latin: Pursue your own natural Manner, and be an original.” One may very easily imagine that I hear this with Abundance of secret Satisfaction and Joy; the Ladies too are on my side, they grace my Song with the Sweetness of their Voices, conn over my Pastoral, and smile at my innocent merry Tale. Thus shielded by the Brave and Fair, My Foes may envy, but despair. That I have exprest my Thought in my native Dialect, was not only Inclination, but the Desire of my best and wisest Friends; and most reasonable, since good Imagery, just Similies, and all Manner of ingenious Thoughts, in a well laid Design, disposed into Numbers, is Poetry.—Then good Poetry may be in any Language.— But some Nations speak rough, and their Words are confounded with a Multitude of hard Consonants, which makes the Numbers unharmonious. Besides, their Language is scanty; which makes a disagreeable Repetition of the same Words. — These are no Defects in our’s, the Pronunciation is liquid and sonorous, and much fuller than the English, of which we are Masters, by being taught in our Schools, and daily reading is; which being added to all our own native Words, of eminent Significancy, makes our Tongue by far the completest: For Instance, I can say, an empty House, a toom Barrel, a boss Head, and a hollow Heart. — Many such Examples might be given, but let this one suffice. I cannot here omit a Paragraph or two of a Preface, wrote by the Richard Bentley (1662-1742), English classical scholar and critic credited as the founder of Hellenism and historical philology. 7 David (c.1035-970 BC): second king of the United Kingdom of Israel according to Biblical tradition, renowned for his musicianship and psalms. 8 Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BC), generally referred to as Virgil, ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period, known for his epic poem, Aeneid, as well as his Georgics and Eclogues. 6

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Poems learned Dr. Sewel, to a London Edition of one of my Pastorals,9 after he has said some Things very handsomely in my Favour. — In behalf of our Language he expresses himself thus, The following Poem, if I am not mistaken (for I set up for no Critic) is a true and just Pastoral, abounding with those Beauties, which are either requir’d, or are to be found in the best esteem’d Pastorals. The Scotticisms, which perhaps may offend some over-nice Ear, give new Life and Grace to the Poetry, and become their Place as well as the Doric Dialect of Theocritus,10 so much admired by the best Judges. When I mention that Tongue, I bewail my own little Knowledge of it, since I meet with so many Words and Phrases so expressive of the Ideas they are intended to represent. A small Acquaintance with that Language, and our old English Poets, will convince any Man, that we spend too much Time in looking abroad for trifling Delicacies, when we may be treated at home with a more substantial, as well as a more elegant Entertainment. There are some of the following, which we commonly reckon English Poetry, such as the Morning Interview, Content, &c. but all their Difference from the others is only in the Orthography of some Words, such as from for frae, bold for bauld, and some few Names of things; and in those, tho the words be pure English, the Idiom or Phraseology is still Scots. Throughout the whole, I have only copied from Nature, and with all Precaution have studied, as far as it came within the Ken of my Observation and Memory, not to repeat what has been already said by others, tho it be next to impossible sometimes to stand clear of them, especially in the little Love-Plots of a Song. — There are towards the End of this Miscellany, five or six Imitations of Horace, which any acquainted with that Author will presently observe. — I have only snatched at his Thought and Method in gross, and dress’d them up in Scots, without confining my self to no more or no less; so that these are only to be reckoned a following of his Manner. This is all I think needful in Defence of my Book, and to keep it in Countenance with a Preface.

Ramsay refers to the London edition of his poem Patie and Roger (1720), which features a lengthy preface by George Sewell (bap. 1687-1726), physician and author. Ramsay’s quotation is taken from Sewell’s preface. See also ‘Patie and Roger’. 10 Theocritus (c.300-260 BC) is credited with creating pastoral poetry in ancient Greek. 9

36

On Mr. Ramsay's Poetical Works TO

Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY ON HIS

Poetical Works. Hail Nothern Bard ! thou Fav’rite of the Nine, Bright, or as Horace did, or Virgil shine. In ev’ry Part of what thou’st done we find How they, and great Apollo too, have joyn’d To furnish thee with an uncommon Skill, 5 And with Poetick Fire thy Bosom fill. Thy Morning Interview throughout is fraught With tuneful Numbers and Majestick Thought: And Celia, who her Lover’s Suit disdain’d, Is by all-powerful Gold at length obtain’d.

10

When Winter’s hoary Aspect makes the Plains Unpleasant to the Nymphs, and jovial Swains; Sweetly thou dos’t thy rural Couples call To Pleasures known within Edina’s Wall. When, Allan, thou, for Reasons thou know’st best, Doom’d busy Cowper to eternal Rest: What Mortal could thine El’gy on him read, And not have sworn he was defunct indeed? Yet, that he might not lose accustom’d Dues, You rous’d him from the Grave to open Pews; Such Magick, worthy Allan, hath thy Muse.

} Th’experienc’d Bawd, in aptest Strains thou’st made Early instruct her Pupils in their Trade; Left when their Faces wrinkled are with Age, They should not Cullies as when young engage. But on our Sex why art thou so severe, To wish for Pleasure we may pay so dear: Suppose that thou had’st after cheerful Juice, Met with a strolling Harlot wondrous spruce, And been by her prevail’d with to resort Where Claret might be drunk, or, if not, Port; Suppose, I say, that this thou granted had, And Freedom took with the enticing Jade; Would’st thou not hope some Artist might be found To cure, if ought you ail’d the smarting Wound? When of the Caledonian Garb you sing, (Which from Tartana’s distant Clime you bring,) With how much Force you recommend the Plaid, To ev’ry jolly Swain, and lovely Maid. 37

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Poems But if, as Fame reports, some of those Wights, Who canton’d are among the rugged Heights No Breeks put on, should’st thou not them advise, (Excuse me, Ramsay, if I am too nice) To take, as fitting ’tis, some speedy Care That what should hidden be appears not bare; Lest Damsels, yet unknowing, should by Chance, Their nimble Ogle t’wards the Object glance? If this thou dost, we, who the South Possess, May teach our Females how they ought to dress; But chiefly let them understand, ’tis meet They should their Legs hide more, if not their Feet, Too much by Help of Whale-bone now display’d, Ev’n from the Dutches to the Kitchen-maid; But with more Reason, those who give Distaste, When on their uncouth Limbs our Eyes we cast. Thy other Sonnets in each Stanza shew, What, when of Love you think, thy Muse can do. So movingly thou’st made the am’rous Swain, Wish on the Moor his Lass to meet again, That I, methinks, find an unusual Pain. Not hast thou, chearful Bard, exprest less Skill, When the brisk Lass you sang of Peattie’s-mill, Or Sussie, whom the Lad with yellow Hair Thou’st made in soft and pleasing Notes prefer To Nymphs less handsome, and constant, gay and fair.

} } In lovely Strains kind Nancy you address, And make fond Willie his coy Jean possess: Which done, thou’st blest the Lad in Nellie’s Arms, Who long had absent been ’midst dire Alarms. And artfully you’ve plac’d within the Grove, Jammie to hear his Mistress own her Love. A gentle Care you’ve found for Strephon’s Breast, By scornful Betty long depriv’d of Rest. And when the blissful Pairs you thus have crown’d, You’d have the Glass go merrily around To shake off Care, and render Sleep more sound.

}

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Who e’er shall see, or hath already seen, Those bonny Lines call’d Christ’s-kirk on the Green, Must own that thou hast, to thy lasting Praise, Deserv’d as well as Royal James the Bays. 80 ’Mong other Things you’ve painted to the Life, A Sot unactive lying by his Wife, Which oft ’twixt wedded Folks makes wofull Strife.

} When ’gainst the scribbling Knaves your Pen you drew, 38

On Mr. Ramsay's Poetical Works How didst thou lash the vile presumptuous Crew! Not much fam’d Butler, who had gone before, E’er ridicul’d his Knight, or Ralpho more; So well thou’s done it, equal Smart they feel, As if thou’d pierc’d their Hearts with killing Steel.

85

They thus subdu’d, you in pathetick Rhyme, A Subject undertook that’s more sublime, By noble Thoughts, and Words discreetly join’d, Thou’st taught me how I may Contentment find. And when to Addie’s Fame you touch’d the Lyre, Thou sang’st like one of the Seraphick Choir. So smoothly flow thy nat’ral rural Strains, So sweetly too, you’ve made the mournful Swains His Death lament, what mortal can forbear, Shedding like us upon his Tomb a Tear.

90

Go on, fam’d Bard, thou Wonder of our Days, And crown thy Head with never-fading Bays. While grateful Britons do thy Lines revere, And value, as they ought, their Virgil here.

95

100

J. Burchet. TO THE

A U T H O R. As once I view’d a rural Scene, With Summer’s Sweets profusely wild; Such Pleasure sooth’d my giddy Sense, I ravish’d stood, while Nature smil’d. Straight I resolv’d and chose a Field, Where all the Spring I might transfer; There stood the Trees in equal Rows, Here Flora’s Pride in one Parterre. The Task was done, the Sweets were fled, Each Plant had lost its sprightly Air, As if they grudg’d to be confin’d, Or to their Will not matched were. The narrow Scene displeas’d my Mind, Which daily still more homely grew: At length I fled the loathed Sight, And hy’d me to the Fields anew. Here Nature wanton’d in her Prime; 39

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Poems My Fancy rang’d the boundless Waste. Each different Sight pleas’d with Surprise, I welcom’d back the Pleasures past. Thus some who feel Apollo’s Rage, Would teach their Muse her Dress and Time, Till hamper’d so with Rules of Art, They smother quite the vital Fame. They daily chime the same dull Tone, Their Muse no daring Sallies grace, But stifly held with Bit and Curb, Keeps heavy Trot, tho equal Pace. But who takes Nature for his Rule, Shall by her gen’rous Bounty shine; His easy Muse revells at Will, And strikes new Wonders every Line.

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Keep then, my Friend, your native Guide, Never distrust her plenteous Store, Ne’er less propitious will she prove 35 Than now; but, if she can, still more. C. T. TO

Mr. Allan Ramsay. Too blindly partial to my native Tongue, Fond of the Smoothness of our English Song; At first thy Numbers did uncouth appear, And shock’d th’ affected Niceness of the Ear. Thro’ Prejudice’s Eye each Page I see; Tho all were Beauties, none were so to me. Yet sham’d at last, whilst all thy Genius own, To have that Genius hid from me alone; Resolv’d to find, for Praise or Censure, cause, Whether to join with all, or all oppose; Careful I read thee o’er and o’er again: At length the useful Search requites my Pain; My false Distaste to instant Pleasure’s turn’d, As much I envy as before I scorn’d: And thus the Error of my Pride to clear, I sign my honest Recantation here. C. Beckingham.

40

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To Mr. Ramsay on his Poems TO Mr. A L L A N R A M S A Y ON THE Publication of his Poems. Dear Allan, who that hears your Strains, Can grudge that you should wear the Bays, When ’tis so long since Scotia’s Plains Could boast of such melodious Lays? What tho the Criticks, snarling Curs! 5 Cry out, Your Pegasus wants Reins; Bid them provide themselves of Spurs; Such Riders need not fear their Brains. A Muse that’s healthy, fair and sound, With noble Ardor fearless hastes 10 O’er Hill and Dale; but Carpet-Ground Was ay for tender footed Beasts. E’en let the fustian Coxcombs chuse Their Carpet-Ground; but the green Field Was held a Walk for Virgil’s Muse, 15 And Virgil was an unco’ Chield! Your Muse, upon her native Stock Subsisting, raises thence a Name; While they are forc’d to pick the Lock Of other Bards, and pilfer Fame.

20

Oft when I read your joyous Lines, So full of pleasant Jests and Wit, So blyth and gay the Humor shines, It gives me many a merry Fit. Then when I hear of Maggy’s Charms, 25 And Roger tholing fair Disdain, The bonny Lass my Bosom warms, And mickle I bemoan the Swain. For who can hear the Lad complain, And not participate and feel His artless undissembled Pain, Unless he has a Heart of Steel. But Patie’s Wiles and cunning Arts Appease th’ imaginary Grief, Declare him well a Clown of Parts, And bring the wretched Wight Relief. 41

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Poems More might be said; but in a Friend Encomiums seem dull and flat, The Wise approve, but Fools commend, A Pope’s Authority for that. 40 Else certes ’twere in me unmet, To grudge the Muse’s utmost Force, Or spare in such a Cause my Feet, To clinch at least in Praise of yours. Ja. Arbuckle.

42

AN

Alphabetical List Of such of the Subscribers Names as have come to Hand.

A

William Baillie Esq; Governor of Guida. Robert Baillie, M.D. John Baillie of Edinburgh, Mert. John Baird Esq; of Newbyth Jun. Alexander Baird, Esq; Captain Arthur Balfour. James Balfour of Pilrig. Mr. James Barclay of Balmakeuan, Advocate. Captain John Bennet, of the Royal Regiment of blew Guards. William Bennet, Esq; of Grubbet, Junior. Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet. Henry Bethune of Edinb. Jeweller. Mr. Alexander Birnie, Advocate. Mr. Alexander Blackwood of Edinburgh Merchant. Mr. Walter Boswell. Alexander Brodie of that Ilk. Mr. William Brown Writer. Mr. James Brownhill. Alexander Bruce of Kenneth. Mr. David Bruce. Thomas Brugh of Leith Merchant. Arch. Buchanan of Drumikil. Francis Buchanan of Arnpryor. Mr. John Buchanan Writer. James Budge of Tostengal. Josiah Burchet, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty. Gilbert Burnet, Esq; one of the Commissioners of Excise.

Duke of Argyle and Greenwich. Marquis of Annandale. Sir John Anstruther of that Ilk, Bar. Lady Margaret Anstruther. Captain James Abercromby. James Adam of Vogrie. Mr. William Aikman of Cairnie. Mr. Robert Alexander of Blackhouse, one of the principal Clerks of Session. Mr. John Alves, Advocate. Mr. David Anderson, Writer. Mr. Patrick Anderson, Writer. Mr. John Anderson. Jean Anderson Lady Logy-Wishart. Colonel Philip Anstruther. Mrs. Elizabeth Arthur. John Arbuthnot, M.D. Lond. John Arbuthnot of Bolton, Mert. James Arbuckle of Belfast, A.M.

B

Marquis of Bowmont, eldest Son to the Duke of Roxburgh. Earl of Broadalbin. Earl of Bute. Lord Blantire. Lord Binning, eldest Son to the Earl of Hadington. Sir William Bennet of Grubbet, Bar. Sir William Baird of Newbyth, Bar. Sir Robert Baird of Sauchtonhall, Bar. Sir Thomas Brand Knight, Usher of the Green Rod, and daily Waiter to his Majesty. The Right Honourable George Baillie of Jerviswood, one of the Commissioners of the Treasury. Mr. James Baillie Writer to the Sig.



C

Duke of Chandois. Marquis of Carnarvon, eldest Son to the Duke of Chandois. Earl of Crawford. Earl of Cassils. Earl of Caithness. 43

Poems William Cockburn, Esq; Andrew Cockburn of London, Mert. Thomas Cornwall of Bonhard. Mr. Jo. Crawfurd of Jordanhill, Adv. Mr. John Corse Writer. David Crawfurd of Allantoun. Robert Crawfurd, Esq; William Crawfurd, Esq; Charles Crockat of Edinb. Mert. Patrick Crisp, Esq; Comptroller of the Excise. George Cuming of Edinb. Mert. Mrs. Anna Cuningham. Mrs. Margaret Cuningham. Henry Cuningam of Buchquhan. John Cuningham of Pitairthy.

Earl of Carnwath. Lord Cranstoun. Lord Colvill. Lord Carnegie. Colonel Charles Cathcart, eldest Son to the Lord Cathcart. Sir William Calderwood of Polton, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Sir Ja. Campbel of Ardkinlas, Bar. Sir Dun. Campbel of Lochnel, Bar. Sir James Carmichael of Bonnington, Bar. Sir William Cuningham of Capringtoun, Bar. Sir James Cuningham of Milncraig, Bar. for four Books. The Right Honourable John Campbel, Esq; Lord Provost of Edinb. Mr. James Callender Advocate. Donald Cameron of Loch-iol. Colonel Campbel of the Royal Regiment of the Scots Dragoons. Colonel Campbel of Finab. Jo. Campbel of Skipnish, Archbald Campbel of Rudel. James Campbel of Stonefield. Robert Campbel of Stockholm, Merchant. Colin Campbel, Esq; Charles Campbel, Esq; Mr. Archbald Campbel Writer to the Signet. Mr. Daniel Campbel Writer. William Carmichael of Edin. Mer. James Carnegie of Finhaven. Mr. William Castillaw. CaptainWalter Cheisly. Alexander Cleghorn of Edinb. Mert. The Honourable John Clerk, Esq; one of the Barons of the Exchequer. John Clerk, Esq; Son to Baron Clerk. John Clerk, M.D. Hugh Clerk of Edinb. Mert. Tho. Cocheran of Kilmaronach, Esq; Mr. Charles Cockburn, Adv. one of the Commissioners of Excise.



D

Duke of Douglas. Earl of Dalhousie. Lord Deskford, eldest Son to the Earl of Findlater. Lord John Drummond. Sir David Dalrymple of Hales, Bar. Sir John Dalrymple of Cowsland, Bar. Sir Robert Dalrymple of Castletoun. The Honourable George Dalrymple Esq; one of the Barons of Exch. Ja. Dalrymple of Hales, Junior. Mr. Hew Dalrymple, Advocate. Mr. Hugh Dalrymple, Advocate. William Dale, Esq; Mr. George Davidson Writer. John Don of Attenburn. Captain Thomas Don. William Don of Edinburgh Mert. Lodwick Donaldson Writer in Edin. James Donaldson of Edin. Mert. Richard Dowdeswell Esq; Secretary to the Board of Excise. William Douglas Junior of Glenbervie. Colonel William Douglas. Patrick Douglas of Edin. Merchant. David Drummond of Cultmalindie, Mr. George Drummond of Edin44

An Alphabetical List of Subscribers Advocate. John Forbes of Culloden for two Books. Mr. Duncan Forbes, Advocate, for four Books. Mr. John Forbes of Newhall Adv. Mr. Will. Forbes Writer to the Sig. Will. Fullerton of that Ilk. Tho. Fullerton of Galroe. John Fullerton Esq;

burgh Merchant. Mr. William Drummond of AbbotsGrange. Alex. Drummond of Edin. Mert. The Right Honourable Robert Dundas of Arnistoun Junior, Lord Advocate. James Dundas of Brestmill. Robert Dundas of Edin. Merchant.

E



Earl of Eglinton. Lord Elphinston. The Honourable Patrick Master of Elibank. The Honourable Mr. James Erskine of Grange, one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice. The Honourable David Erskine of Dun, one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice. The Honourable Mr. James Elphinston of Cowpar, one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice. Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, Bar. for two Books. Sir John Erskine of Alva. Mr. John Edgar Advocate. Captain William Erskine. Mr. Charles Erskine, Brother to the Earl of Buchan, Advocate. Mr. David Erskine. Charles Eyre, Esq; Solicitor of the Customs of Scotland.

G

Duke of Gordon. Marquis of Graham, eldest Son to the D. of Montrose. Viscount of Garnock. Lord Garlies, eldest Son to the Earl of Galloway. The Honourable Master of Gray. Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, Bar. Sir Edward Gibson Bar. Sir William Gordon of Invergordon, Bar. Alex: Gibson of Paintland. Mr. Thomas Gibson Junior. William Gilmour of Craigmillar, Junior. Charles Gilmour Esq; Robert Glass of Bourdeaux, Mert. James Glen Esq; Bernham Good, Esq; Alexander Gordon of Ardoch. Adam Gordon of Dalpholly. Mr. George Gordon of Nethermuir Junior, Advocate. Mr. Thomas Gordon. Thomas Gordon Esq; Charles Gordon of Edinburgh, Merchant. Mr. James Graham Advocate, and Judge Admiral. Mungo Græme of Gorthy. David Graham of Orchel. James Grame of Bucklivie Junior. —— Graham of Colairn. Colonel William Grant. Mr. Archibald Grant, Advocate. Mr. John Grant Writer.

F

Lord Forrester. Sir Alexander Forbes of Foveran, Bar. Nicholas Fenwick Esq; Mayor of Newcastle. Mr. John Fergus of Edinburgh Merchant. Mr. James Fergusson of Pitfour Advocate. Alexander Ferrer of Dundee Mert. Mr. Tho. Finlay Writer to the Sig. Mr. Andrew Fletcher of Salton Jun. 45

Poems Mr. John Hog Collector of the Cess of Edinburgh. —— Hume of Kames. John Hume Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh. William Hutton of Leith Mert. I

Mr. James Gregory Professor of Mathematicks at Edinburgh. Mr. Charles Gregory Professor of Mathematicks at St. Andrews.

H

Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. Earl of Hadingtoun. Earl of Hoptoun. Lord Hope, eldest Son to the Earl of Hoptoun. Lord James Hay, Brother to the Marquis of Twedale. The Hon. Captain John Hamilton, eldest Son to the Lord Belhaven. Sir Andrew Hume of Kimmerghame, one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice. Sir James Hall of Dunglass, Bar. Sir Ja. Hamilton of Rosehall, Bar. Mungo Haldane of Gleneagles. Patrick Haldane Esq; Mr. Andrew Haliburton Writer to the Signet. George Haliburton of Edin. Mert. Mr. Basil Hamilton. Mrs. Margaret Hamilton. John Hamilton of Pancaitland Junior. Alex. Hamilton of Dechmont. Mr. Arch. Hamilton of Dalziel, Adv. Mr. Archibald Hamilton. Lieutenant William Hamilton. Robert Hamilton of Edin. Mert. Hugh Hawthorn of Edin. Mert. Robert Hay of Naughton. Mrs. Helen Hay. John Hay of Hops. Magnus Henderson of Gardie. James Hepburn Riccard of Keith Junior. Robert Hepburn of Beanstoun. John Hepburn of Humby. Patrick Hepburn of Smeaton. Mr. Rob. Hepburn Writ. to the Sig. Henry Hepburn Chirurgeon. Robert Heriot of Ramornie. Aaron Hill Esq; for six Books.

Earl of Ilay. Lord William Johnstoun Son to the late Marq. of Annandale. Sir John Inglis of Cramond, Bart. William Jamison of Leith Mert. Mr. James Johnstoun of Westerhall Junior, Advocate. Robert Johnstoun of Kelton. Mr. George Irvine of Newton Writer to the Signet.

K

Earl of Kintore. Earl of Kinnoul. Lord Kinaird. Lord John Ker, Son to the late Marquess of Lothian. The Honourable Colonel Ker, Brother to the D. of Roxburgh. Sir Francis Kinloch of Gilmertoun, Bar. Sir William Ker of Greenhead, Bar. Mr. William Keir. Robert Keith of Craig Jun. Mr. Alexander Keith Writer. The Hon. Thomas Kennedy one of the Barons of the Exchequer. And. Kennedy Esq; Conservator of the Scots Privileges at Campvere. William Kennedy Esq; Mr. Geo. Kennedy Writer to the Sig. John Ker of Frogton. Mr. Colin Kirk Writer to the Signet.

L

Marquis of Lothian. Earl of Lauderdale. Earl of Leven. Lord Lovat. 46

An Alphabetical List of Subscribers principal Clerks of the Session. Alex. Mackey of Palgowan. Mr. Alexander M’millan Writer. John M’naughton of that Ilk. Alexander Maitland of Edinb. Mert. William Martin of Harwood. Captain John Medden. Mr. Alexander Menzies of Culterallers, Advocate. John Miller of Glenlee. Robert Mitchel of Fountainbrigs. William Mitchel of Leith, Mert. Mr. Joseph Mitchel for 3 Books. Colonel Monro of Fowlis. Colonel Montgomery. James Monteith of Auldcathy Junior. Mr. Robert Menteath. Mr. David Morison Writer. Robert Moor of Blairstoun, Provost of Air. —— Murray of Abercarnie. Alex. Murray of Broughton. Alex. Murray of Stanhope Jun. James Murray of Scotscraig. John Murray of Cavens. Patrick Murray of Cherrytrees. Richard Murray of Mugdrum.

Lord Lesly, eldest Son to the Earl of Rothes. Mr. William Lindsay Brother to the Earl of Crawfurd. Mr. Charles Lesly, Son to the Earl of Rothes. Sir James Lockhart of Carstairs. John Laing of Edinburgh Mert. John Lindsay of St. Andrews Mert. for 7 Books. Patrick Lindsay of Edin. Mert. Robert Lindsay of Edin. Mert. William Livingstoun present Conveener of the Crafts of Edin. Mr. George Livingstoun one of the Clerks of the Session. Mr. Lockhart of Carnwath Jun. George Lockhart of Douglas, Mert. Mr. Lumsdane Writer to the Signet. Mr. William Lumsdane Writer.

M

Duke of Montrose. Earl of Murray. Earl of March. Lady Mary Macdonel. Sir James Mackenzie of Roystoun, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Sir William Maxwell of Calderwood Bar. Sir Robert Montgomery of Skelmorlie, Bar. Sir Rob. Menzies of that Ilk, Bar. Sir Alex. Maxwell of Monreith, Bar. John Maitland Esq; Brother to the Earl of Lauderdale. Archbald M’Aulay of Ardincaple. Archbald M’Aulay of Edin. Mert. Mrs. Barbara Macdougal. Walter Macfarlane of that Ilk. Mr. John Macfarlane Writer to the Signet. Andrew Macfarlane of Gullich. Alexander Macgill Architect. Mr. John Macgovan Writer to the Signet. Patrick Mackay of Cyderhall. Alexander Mackenzie, one of the



N

Lord Napier. The Honourable John Master of Nairn. Sir Richard Newton of that Ilk, Bar. Sir David Nairn. Sir James Nasmith of Posso, Bar. John Nairn of Segiden. James Nasmith of Earlshall. James Newlands of Edinb. Merchant. James Nimmo of Edinburgh Merchant. William Nisbet of Dirletoun. William Nisbet of Dirletoun, Jun. Alexander Nisbet Esq; Mrs. Nisbet. John Nisbet Chirurgeon. James Norie Painter. 47

Poems

O

Lord Rae. Lord Rollo. Lord Ramsay, eldest Son to the Earl of Dalhousie. Lady Anna Ramsay. The Honourable Master of Ross. Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain, Bar. Sir James Ramsay of Bamf, Bart. Mr. Andrew Ramsay Secretary to the late famous Arch-Bp. and Duke of Cambray. Gilbert Ramsay Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh. Mungo Renny of Edinburgh Mert. William Richie of Edinburgh Mert. Richard Ridley Esq; for 2 Books. Samuel Rith Esq; for 2 Books. Major Robertson of the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons. Thomas Robertson of Downyhills. Robert Robertson of Aberdeen Mert. Captain Patrick Ronalds. The Honourable Charles Ross of Balnagowan. Colonel Alexander Ross. Hugh Ross of Kilravock. David Ross Esq; one of the Commissioners of Excise. David Ross Junior of Shandwick. Thomas Ruddiman, A.M. Mr. John Russel of Bradshaw.

Viscount of Oxenford. Mr. George Ogilvy Son to the Earl of Findlater. Mr. John Ouchterlony of Flemingtoun. John Ouchterlony of Guynd, Jun. Mr. John Ogilvy of Balbegno, Advocate. Captain James Ogilvy. Captain James Ogilvy of the Scots Fusileers. Mr. William Ogilvy. Anthony Osburn, Esq;

P

Earl of Portmore. Countess of Panmure. Lady Polwarth. Sir Robert Pringle of Stitchel, Bar. Sir Walter Pringle of Newhall, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. John Paterson of Prestonhall. Mr. James Paterson of Kirkton, Advocate. John Philips, Esq; Auditor of the Exchequer. Mr. James Pollock Writer. Mr. Alexander Pope. Brigadeer Preston. George Preston of Edinburgh Merchant. Robert Pringle of Clifton, Jun. Mrs. Christian Pringle. Mr. Thomas Pringle Writer to the Signet.



Earl of Strathmore. Lord Salton. Lord Somervail. Sir George Sinclair of Kinaird, Bar. Sir Rob. Sinclair of Longformacus, Bar. Sir William Scot of Thirlstane, Bar. Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees, Bar. Sir Richard Steele for two Books. Mr. Richard Savage. Walter Scot of Harden. Hercules Scot of Brothertoun. Mr. Hercules Scot Writer to the

Q

Duke of Queensberry and Dover.

S

R

Duke of Roxburgh. Countess of Roxburgh. Earl of Rothes. Earl of Roseberry. 48

An Alphabetical List of Subscribers Sir William Weir of Blackwood, Bar. Sir John Wedderburn. Andrew Wauchop of Niddrey Marishal. Andrew Wauchop of Edmistoun. George Waddel A.M. John Walker of Edinburgh Mert. —— Wardlaw of Abden. Mr. Hugh Warrander. Robert Watson of Murehouse. Mr. Alexander Wedderburn Advocate, one of the Commissioners of Excise. Mrs. Wedderburn. Mr. Peter Wedderburn Advocate. Daniel Weir of Stonebyers. Robert Welsted. Mr. West. —— White Esq; John Whiteford. Robert Wightman Merchant, and present Dean of Gild of Edinburgh. William Wightman Ship-master. Archibald Wightman of Edin. Mert. Abraham Wightman of Edin. Mert. Cornet William Wilkinson. Alexander Wilson of Edin. Mert. John Wilson Professor of the Mathematics. Mr. Robert Wood Secretary to the D. of Roxburgh.

Signet. Thomas Sharp of Blanse. Alexander Sharp of Edin. Mert. William Sinclair of Rosline. Patrick Sinclair of Brims. George Skreen of that Ilk. Major George Skeen his Lady. Lieutenant George Skeen of the Royal Scots Fusileers. John Smibert Painter. Mr. James Smith of Whitehill. Mr. George Smollet of Inglestoun Adv. Captain William Spence. Mr. John Steil. Robert Steil Esq; Luke Stockell Bookseller of London for six Books. George Strachan Bookseller of London, for six Books. Major James Stewart of Torence Jun. Mrs. Anna Stewart. Mr. Archbald Stewart. Mr. Henry Stewart-Barclay of Colernie, Advocate. William Stewart of Hartwood. James Stewart Attorney of the Court of Exchequer. Mr. Robert Stewart Professor of Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Robert Stewart of Aberdeen Merchant. Francis Sutherland of Force. James Sym his Majesties Sclater. Alexander Symmer Bookseller of Edin.



Captain Robert Urquhart of Burdsyards. Alexander Urquhart of Newhall.

T



Marquis of Twedale. Alexander Tait Esq; Jonathan Taylor of London. Mr. Archibald Tod Writer.

U

Y

George Yeaman of Dundee Mert. Mungo Yorstan of Edinburgh Goldsmith. David Young of Auldbar. John Young Esq; Robert Young of the Water of Leith. George Young Chirurgeon.

W

Earl of Wigtoun. Countess of Wemyss. 49

Poems THE

Morning Interview. Such killing Looks, so thick the Arrows fly, That ’tis unsafe to be a Stander by: Poets approaching to describe the Fight, Are by their Wounds instructed how to write. Waller, 130. WHEN silent Show’rs refresh the pregnant Soil, And tender Sallats eat with Tuscan Oil, Harmonious Musick gladdens ev’ry Grove, While bleating Lambkins from their Parents rove, And o’er the Plain the anxious Mothers stray, 5 Calling their tender Care with hoarser Bae. Now cheerful Zephyr from the Western Skies With easy Flight o’er painted Meadows flies, To kiss his Flora with a gentle Air, Who yields to his Embrace, and looks more fair. 10 When from Debauch with sp’rituous Juice opprest The Sons of Bacchus stagger Home to Rest, With tatted Wigs, foul Shoes, and uncock’d Hats, And all bedaub’d with Snuff their loose Cravats. The Sun began to sip the morning Dew, 15 As Damon from his restless Pillow flew. Him late from Celia’s Cheek a Patch did wound, A Patch high seated on the blushing Round. His painful Thoughts all Night forbid him Rest, And he employ’d that Night as one opprest; Musing Revenge, and how to countermine The strongest Force, and ev’ry deep Design Of Patches, Fans, of Necklaces and Rings, Ev’n Musick’s Pow’r, when Celia plays or sings. Fatigu’d with running Errands all the Day, Happy in want of Thought his Valet lay, Recruiting Strength with Sleep. — His Master calls, He starts with lock’d up Eyes, and beats the Walls. A second Thunder rouses up the Sot, He yawns and murmurs Curses through his Throat: Stockings awry, and Breeches-knees unlac’d And Buttons do mistake their Holes for Haste. His Master raves,— cries, Roger, make Dispatch, Time flies apace. He frown’d, and lookt his Watch: Haste, do my Wig, ty’t with the careless Knots, And run to Civet’s, let him fill my Box. Go to my Laundress, see what makes her stay, 50

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The Morning Interview And call a Coach and Barber in your Way. Thus Orders justle Orders in a Throng: Roger with laden Mem’ry trots along. His Errands done; with Brushes next he must Renew his Toil amidst perfuming Dust; The yielding Comb he leads with artful Care, Through crook’d Meanders of the flaxen Hair: E’er this perform’d he’s almost chok’d to Death, The Air is thicken’d, and he pants for Breath. The Trav’ler thus in the Numidian Plains, A Conflict with the driving Sands sustains. Two Hours are past, and Damon is equipt, Pensive he stalks, and meditates the Fight: Arm’d Cap-a-pee, in Dress a killing Beau, Thrice view’d his Glass, and thrice resolv’d to go, Flusht full of Hope to overcome his Foe. His early Pray’rs were all to Paphos sent, That Jove’s sea-daughter would give her Consent: Cry’d, Send thy little Son unto my Aid. Then took his Hat, tript out, and no more said.

}

What lofty Thoughts do sometimes push a Man Beyond the Verge of his own native Span! Keep low thy Thoughts, frail Clay, nor boast thy Pow’r; Fate will be Fate: And since there’s nothing sure, Vex not thy self too much, but catch th’auspicious Hour.

} The tow’ring Lark had thrice his Mattins sung, And thrice were Bells for pious Service rung. In Plaids wrapt up, Prudes throng the sacred Dome, And leave the spacious Petticoat at Home: While softest Dreams seal’d up fair Celia’s Eyes, She dreams of Damon, and forgets to rise. A sportive Sylph contrives the subtile Snare, Sylphs know the charming Baits which catch the Fair; She shews him handsome, brawny, rich and young, With Snuff-box, Cane, and Sword-knot finely hung, Well skill’d in Airs of Dangle, Toss and Rap, Those Graces which the tender Hearts entrap. Where Aulus oft makes Law for Justice pass, And CHARLES’s Statue stands in lasting Brass, Amidst a lofty Square which strikes the Sight, With spacious Fabricks of stupendous Hight; Whose sublime Roofs in Clouds advance so high, They seem the Watch-tow’rs of the nether Sky; Where once Alas! where once the Three Estates Of Scotland’s Parliament held free Debates: 51

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Poems Here Celia dwelt, and here did Damon move, Press’d by his rigid Fate, and raging Love. 85 To her Apartment straight the daring Swain Approach’d, and softly knock’d, nor knock’d in vain. The Nymph new wak’d starts from the lazy Down, And rolls her gentle Limbs in Morning-Gown: But half awake, she judges it must be Frankalia come to take her Morning Tea; 90 Cries, Welcome, Cousin. But she soon began To change her Visage, when she saw a Man: Her unfixt Eyes with various Turnings range, And pale Surprise to modest Red exchange: Doubtful ’twixt Modesty and Love she stands, 95 Then ask’d the bold Impertinent’s Demands. Her Strokes are doubled, and the Youth now found His Pains increase, and open ev’ry Wound. Who can describe the Charms of loose Attire? Who can resist the Flames with which they fire? 100 Ah, barbarous Maid! he cries, sure native Charms Are too too much: Why then such Store of Arms? Madam, I come, prompt by th’uneasy Pains, Caus’d by a Wound from you, and want Revenge; A borrow’d Pow’r was posted on a Charm: 105 A Patch, damn’d Patch! Can Patches work such Harm? He said; then threw a Bomb, lay hid within Love’s Mortar-piece, the Dimple of his Chin: It miss’d for once, she lifted up her Head, And blush’d a Smile, that almost stuck him dead, 110 Then cunningly retir’d, but he pursu’d Near to the Toilet, where the War renew’d. Thus the great Fabius often gain’d the Day O’er Hannibal, by frequent giving Way: So warlike Bruce and Wallace sometimes deign’d 115 To seem defeat, yet certain Conquest gain’d. Thus was he led in midst of Celia’s Room, Speechless he stood, and waited for his Doom: Words were but vain, he scarce could use his Breath, As round he view’d the Implements of Death. Her dreadful Arms in careless Heaps were laid In gay Disorder round her tumbled Bed: He often to the soft Retreat would stare, Still wishing he might give the Battel there. Stunn’d with the Thought, his wand’ring Looks did stray To where lac’d Shoes and her silk Stockings lay, And Garters which are never seen by Day. His daz’ld Eyes almost deserted Light; No Man before had ever got the Sight,

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125

The Morning Interview A Lady’s Garters, Earth! their very Name, Tho yet unseen, sets all the Soul on Flame. The Royal Ned knew well their mighty Charms,1 Else he’d ne’er hoop’d one round the English Arms. Let barb’rous Honours crown the Sword and Lance, Thou next their King does British Knights advance, O Garter! Honi soit qui mal y pense.

}

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135

O who can all these hidden Turns relate, That do attend on a rash Lover’s Fate! In deep Distress the Youth turn’d up his Eyes, As if to ask Assistance from the Skies. 140 The Petticoat was hanging on a Pin, Which the unlucky Swain star’d up within: His curious Eyes too daringly did rove, Around this oval conick Vault of Love: Himself alone can tell the Pain he found, 145 While his wild Sight survey’d forbidden Ground. He view’d the ten-fold Fence, and gave a Grone, His trembling Limbs bespoke his Courage gone: Stupid and pale he stood, like Statue dumb, The amber Snuff dropt from his careless Thumb. 150 Be silent here, my Muse, and shun a Plea May rise betwixt old Bickerstaff and me; For none may touch a Petticoat but he.

} Damon thus foil’d, breath’d with a dying Tone, Assist ye Powers of Love, else I am gone. The ardent Pray’r soon reach’d the Cyprian Grove, Heard and accepted by the Queen of Love. Fate was propitious too, her Son was by, Who ’midst his dread Artillery did ly Of Flanders Lace, and Straps of curious Dy. On India Muslin Shades the God did loll, His Head reclin’d upon a tinsy Roll.

} The Mother Goddess thus her Son bespoke, “Thou must, my Boy, assume the Shape of Shock, “And leap to Celia’s Lap; whence thou may slip “Thy Paw up to her Breast, and reach her Lip: “Strike deep thy Charms, thy pow’rful Art display, “To make young Damon Conqueror to Day. “Thou need not blush to change thy Shape, since Jove “Try’d most of brutal Forms to gain his Love; “Who that he might his loud Saturnia gull, “For fair Europa’s Sake inform’d a Bull.

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170

132. The Royal Ned ] Edward III. King of England who established the most honourable Order of the Garter.

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Poems She spoke — Not quicker does the Lamp of Day Dart on the Mountain Tops a gilded Ray, Swifter than Lightning flies before the Clap, 175 From Cyprus Isle he reach’d Celia’s Lap: Now fawns, now wags his Tail, and licks her Arm; She hugs him to her Breast, nor dreads the Harm. So in Ascanius Shape, the God unseen Of old deceiv’d the Carthaginian Queen. 180 So now the subtile Pow’r his Time espies, And threw two barbed Darts in Celia’s Eyes: Many were broke before he cou’d succeed; But that of Gold flew whizzing though her Head: These were his last Reserve. — When others fail, 185 Then the refulgent Metal must prevail. Pleasure produc’d by Money now appears, Coaches and Six run rattling in her Ears. O Liv’ry Men! Attendants! Houshold-plate! Court-posts and Visits! pompous Air and State! 190 How can your Splendor easy Access find, And gently captivate the fair one’s Mind? Success attends, Cupid has plaid his Part, And sunk the pow’rful Venom to her Heart. She cou’d no more, she’s catched in the Snare, 195 Sighing she fainted in her easy Chair. No more the sanguine Streams in Blushes glow, But to support the Heart all inward flow, Leaving the Cheek as cold and white as Snow. Thus Celia fell, or rather thus did rise: 200 Thus Damon made, or else was made a Prize; For both were Conquerors, and both did yield, First she, now he, is Master of the Field.

}

Now he resumes fresh Life, abandons Fear, Jumps to his Limbs, and does more gay appear. Not gaming Heir when his rich Parent dies, Not Zealot reading Hackney’s Party-lies, Not soft Fifeteen on her Feet-washing Night, Not Poet when his Muse sublimes her Flight, Not an old Maid for some young Beauty’s Fall, Not the long tending Stibler at his Call,2 Not husband-man in Drought when Rain descends, Not Miss when Limberham his Purse extends,3 E’er knew such Raptures as this joyful Swain, When yielding, dying Celia calm’d his Pain. The rapid Joys now in such Torrents roul, That scarce his Organs can retain his Soul. 211. Stibler ] A Probationer. 213. Limberham ] A kind Keeper.

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The Morning Interview Victor he’s gen’rous, courts the Fair’s Esteem, And takes a Bason fill’d with limpid Stream, Then from his Fingers form’d an artful Rain, Which rouz’d the dormant Spirits of her Brain, And made the purple Channels flow again. She lives, he sings; she smiles, and looks more tame: Now Peace and Friendship is the only Theme.

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The Muse owns freely here she does not know If Language pass’d between the Belle and Beau, Or if in Courtship such use Words or no.4 But sure it is there was a Parley beat, And mutual Love finisht the proud Debate. Then to complete the Peace and seal the Bliss, He for a Diamond Ring receiv’d a Kiss Of her soft Hand.— Next the aspiring Youth, With eager Transports press’d her glowing Mouth. So by Degrees the Eagles teach their Young To mount on high and stare upon the Sun.

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A sumptuous Entertainment crowns the War, And all rich Requisites are brought from far. The Table boasts its being from Japan, Th’ingenious Work of some great Artisan. China, where Potters coarsest Mould refine, That Rays through the transparent Vessels shine; The costly Plates and Dishes are from thence, And Amazonia must her Sweets dispence;5 To her warm Banks our Vessels cut the Main, For the sweet Product of her luscious Cane. Here Scotia does not costly Tribute bring, Only some Kettles full of Todian Spring.6 Where Indus and the double Ganges flow, On odorif’rous Plains the Leaves do grow, Chief of the Treat, a Plant the Boast of Fame. Sometimes call’d Green, Bohea’s its greater Name.

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O happiest of Herbs! Who would not be Pythagoriz’d into the Forms of thee, And with high Transports act the Part of Tea? Kisses on thee the haughty Belles bestow, 255 While in thy Steams their coral Lips do glow; Thy Vertues and thy Flavour they commend, While Men, even Beaux, with parched Lips attend.

}

227. Use Words ] It being alledged that the Eloquence of this Specie lies in the Elegance of Dress. 243. Amazonia ] A famous River in South America, where we have our Sugar. 247. Todian Spring ] Tod’s-Well, which supplies the City with Water.

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Poems

E P I L O G U E. THE Curtain’s drawn: Now gen’rous Reader say, Have ye not read worse Numbers in a Play? 260 Sure here is Plot, Place, Character and Time, All smoothly wrought in good firm British Rhime. I own ’tis but a Sample of my Lays, Which asks the Civil Sanction of your Praise. Bestow’t with Freedom, let your Praise be ample, 265 And I my self will show you good Example. Keep up your Face, altho dull Criticks squint, And cry, with empty Nod, There’s Nothing in’t: They only mean there’s Nothing they can use; Because they find most where there’s most Refuse. 270

ELEGY ON

MAGGY JOHNSTON, who died Anno 1711.7 Auld Reeky mourn in Sable Hue,8 Let Fouth of Tears dreep like May Dew, To braw Tippony bid Adieu,9 Which we with Greed Bended as fast as she cou’d brew, 5 But ah! she’s dead. To tell the Truth now Maggy dang,10 Of Customers she had a Bang; For Lairds and Souters a’ did gang To drink bedeen, 10 The Barn and Yard was aft sae thrang, We took the Green.

Maggy Johnston liv’d about a Mile Southward of Edinburgh, kept a little Farm, and had a particular Art of brewing a small Sort of Ale agreeable to the Taste, very white, clear and intoxicating, which made People who lov’d to have a good Pennyworth for their Money be her frequent Customers. And many others of every Station, sometimes for Diversion, thought it no Affront to be seen in her Barn or Yard. 1. Auld Reeky ] A Name the Country People give Edinburgh from the Cloud of Smoke or Reek that is always impending over it. 3. To braw Tippony ] She sold the Scots Pint, which is near two Quarts English, for Two-pence. 7. Maggy dang ] He dings, or dang, is a phrase which means to excel or get the better.

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Elegy on Maggy Johnston And there by Dizens we lay down, Syne sweetly ca’d the Healths arown, To bonny Lasses black or brown, 15 As we loo’d best; In Bumpers we dull Cares did drown, And took our Rest. When in our Poutch we fand some Clinks, And took a Turn o’er Bruntsfield-Links,11 20 Aften in Maggy’s at Hy-jinks,12 We guzl’d Scuds, Till we cou’d scarce wi hale out Drinks Cast aff our Duds. We drank and drew, and fill’d again 25 O wow but we were blyth and fain! When only had their Count mistain, I it was nice. To hear us a’ cry, Pike ye’r Bain13 And spell ye’r Dice. 30 Fou closs we us’d to drink and rant, Until we did baith glowre and gaunt, And pish and spew, and yesk and maunt, Right swash I true; Then of auld Stories we did cant 35 Whan we were fou.

20. Bruntsfield-Links ] Fields between Edinburgh and Maggy’s, where the Citizens commonly play at the Gowff. 21. Hy-jinks ] A drunken Game, or new Project to drink and be rich; this, The Quaff or Cup is fill’d to the Brim, then one of the Company takes a Pair of Dice, and after crying Hy-jinks, he throws them out: The Number he casts up points out the Person must drink, he who threw, beginning at himself Number One, and so round till the Number of the Person agree with that of the Dice, (which may fall upon himself if the Number be within Twelve;) then he sets the Dice to him, or bids him take them: He on whom they fall is obliged to drink, or pay a small Forfeiture in Money; then throws, and so on: But if he forget to cry Hy-jinks he pays a Forfeiture into the Bank. Now he on whom it falls to drink, if there be any Thing in Bank worth drawing, gets it all if he drinks. Then with a great Deal of Caution he empties his Cup, sweeps up the Money, and orders the Cup to be fill’d again, and then throws; for if he err in the Articles, he loses the Privilege of drawing the Money. The articles are, (1) Drink, (2) Draw, (3) Fill, (4) Cry Hy-jinks, (5) Count just, (6) Chuse your doublet Man, viz. when two equal Numbers of the Dice is thrown, the Person whom you chuse must pay a Double of the common Forfeiture, and so must you when the Dice is in hand. A rare Project this, and no Bubble I can assure you; for a covetous Fellow may save Money, and get himself as drunk as he can desire in less than an Hour’s Time. 29. Pike ye’r Bain ] Is a Cant Phrase, when one leaves a little in the Cup, he is advised to pike his Bone, i. e. Drink it clean out.

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Poems Whan we were weary’d at the Gowff, Then Maggy Johnston’s was our Howff; Now a’ our Gamesters may sit dowff, Wi’ Hearts like Lead, 40 Death wi’ his Rung rax’d her a Yowff,14 And sae she died. Maun we be forc’d thy Skill to tine? For which we will right fair repine; Or hast thou left to Bairns of thine 45 The pauky Knack Of brewing Ale amaist like Wine? That gar’d us crack. Sae brawly did a Pease-scon Toast Biz i’ the Queff, and flie the Frost;15 50 There we gat fou wi’ little Cost, And muckle Speed, Now wae worth Death, our Sport’s a’ lost, Since Maggy’s dead. Ae Simmer Night I was sae fou,16 55 Amang the Riggs I geed to spew; Syne down on a green Bawk, I trow I took a Nap. And soucht a’ Night Balillilow, As sound’s a Tap. 60 And whan the Dawn begoud to glow, I hirsl’d up my dizzy Pow, Frae ’mang the Corn like Wirricow, Wi’ Bains sae fair, And ken’d nae mair than if a Ew 65 How I came there. Some said it was the Pith of Broom That she stow’d in her Masking-loom, Which in our Heads rais’d sic a Foom, Or some wild Seed, 70 Which aft the Chaping Stoup did toom, But fill’d our Head. 41. Rax’d her a Youff ] Reach’d her a Blow. 50. Flie the Frost ] Or fright the Frost or Coldness out of it. 55. Ae Simmer Night, &c. ] The two following Stanzas are a true Narrative. On that slid Place where I ’maist brake my Bains, To be a Warning I set up twa Stains, That nane may venture there as I have done, Unless wi’ frosted Nails he clink his Shoon.

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Elegy on Maggy Johnston But now since ’tis sae that we must Not in the best Ale put our Trust, But whan we’re auld return to Dust, 75 Without Remead, Why shou’d we tak it in Disgust That Maggy’s dead. Of wardly Comforts she was rife, And liv’d a lang and hearty Life, 80 Right free of Care, or Toil, or Strife, Till she was stale, And ken’d to be a kanny Wife At brewing Ale. Then farewell Maggy douce and fell, 85 Of Brewers a’ thou boor the Bell; Let a’ thy Gossies yelp and yell, And without Feed, Guess whether ye’re in Heaven or Hell, They’re sure ye’re dead. 90

e p i t a p h. O Rare Maggy Johnston.

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ELEGY on JOHN COWPER Kirk-Treasurer’s Man, ANNO 1714.17 I Wairn ye a’ to greet and drone, John Cowper’s dead, Ohon! Ohon! To fill his Post, alake there’s none, That with sic Speed Cou’d sa’r Sculdudry out like John,18 5 But now he’s dead. He was right nacky in his Way, And eyedent baith be Night and Day, He wi’ the Lads his Part cou’d play, When right sair fleed, 10 He gart them good Bill-siller pay,19 But now he’s dead. Of Whore-hunting he gat his Fill, And made be’t mony Pint and Gill: Of his braw Post he thought nae Ill, 15 Nor did nae need, Now they may mak a Kirk and Mill O’t, since he’s dead. Altho he was nae Man of Weir, ’Tis necessary for the Illustration of this Elegy to Strangers to let them a little into the History of the Kirk-Treasurer and his Man; The Treasurer is chosen every Year, a Citizen respected for Riches and Honesty; he is vested with an absolute Power to seise and imprison the Girls that are too impatient to have on their green Gown before it be hem’d; them he strictly examines, but no Liberty to be granted till a fair Account be given of these Persons they have obliged. It must be so; A List is frequently given sometimes of a Dozen or thereby of married or unmarried unfair Traders whom they secretly assisted in running their Goods, these his Lordship makes pay to some purpose according to their Ability, for the Use of the Poor: If the Lads be obstreperous, the Kirk-Sessions, and worst of all, the Stool of Repentance is threatned, a Punishment which few of any Spirit can bear. The Treasurer being changed every Year, never comes to be perfectly acquainted with the Affair; but their general Servant continuing for a long Time, is more expert at discovering such Persons, and the Places of their Resort, which makes him capable to do himself and Customers both a good or an ill Turn. John Cowper maintain’d this Post with Activity and good Success for several Years. 5. Sa’r Sculdudry ] In Allusion to a scent Dog, Sa’r from Savour or Smell, Sculdudry a Name commonly given to whoring. 11. Bill-siller ] Bull-silver. She saw the Cow well serv’d, and took a Groat. Gay.

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Elegy on John Cowper Yet mony a ane, wi quaking Fear, 20 Durst scarce afore his Face appear, But hide their Head; The wylie Carle he gather’d Gear, And yet he’s dead. Ay now to some Part far awa, 25 Alas he’s gane and left it a’! May be to some sad Whilliwhaw O’ fremit Blood,20 ’Tis an ill Wind that dis na blaw Some Body good. 30 Fy upon Death, he was to blame To whirle poor John to his lang Hame: But tho his Arse be cauld, yet Fame, Wi’ Tout of Trumpet, Shall tell how Cowper’s awfou Name 35 Cou’d flie a Strumpet. He kend the Bawds and Louns fou well, And where they us’d to rant and reel, He paukily on them cou’d steal, And spoil their Sport; 40 Aft did they wish the muckle De’ll Might tak him for’t. But ne’er a ane of them he spar’d, E’en tho there was a drunken Laird To draw his Sword, and make a Faird21 45 In their Defence, John quietly put them in the Guard To learn mair Sense. There maun they ly till sober grown, The Lad neist Day his Fault maun own; 50 And to keep a’ Things hush and low’n, He minds the Poor,22 Syne after a’ his Ready’s flown, He damns the Whore. And she, poor Jade, withoutten Din, Is sent to Leith-Wynd Fit to spin,23

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27. Whilliwha of fremit Blood ] Whilliwha is a kind of an insinuating deceitful Fellow, Fremit Blood, not a Kin, because he had then no legitimate Heirs of his own Body. 45. Make a Faird ] A Bustle like a Bully. 52. He minds the Poor ] Pays hush Money to the Treasurer. 56. Leith-Wynd Fit ] The House of Correction at the Foot of Leith-Wynd, such as Bridewell in London.

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Poems With heavy Heart and Cleathing thin, And hungry Wame, And ilky Month a well paid Skin, To make her tame. 60 But now they may scoure up and down, And safely gang their Wakes arown, Spreading the Clap throw a’ the Town, But Fear or Dread; For that great Kow to Bawd and Lown, 65 John Cowper’s dead. Shame saw ye’r Chandler Chasts, O Death,24 For stapping of John Cowper’s Breath; The Loss of him is publick Skaith; I dare well say, 70 To quat the Grip he was right laith This mony a Day. POSTSCRIPT. Of umquhile John to lie or bann, Shaws but ill Will, and looks right shan, But some tell odd Tales of the Man, 75 For Fifty Head Can gi’e their Aith they’ve seen him gawn25 Since he was dead. Keek but up throw the Stinking Stile,26 On Sunday Morning a wee While, 80 At the Kirk Door out frae an Isle, It will appear; But tak a good Tent ye dinna file Ye’r Breeks for Fear. For well we wat it is his Ghaist, 85 Wow, wad some Fouk that can do’t best27 Speak till’t, and hear what is confest; ’Tis a good Deed To send a wand’ring Saul to rest Amang the Dead. 90 67. Chandler Chasts ] Lean or meagre Cheeked, when the Bones appear like the Sides or Corners of a Candlestick, which in Scots we call a Chandler. 77. Seen him gawn ] The common People when they tell their Tales of Ghosts appearing, they say, he has been seen gawn or stalking. 79. Stinking stile ] Opposite to this Place is the Door of the Church which he attends, being a Beadle. 86. Wow, wad some Fouk that can do’t best ] ’Tis another vulgar Notion, that a Ghost will not be laid to rest till some Priest speaks to it, and get Account what disturbs it.

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Elegy on Lucky Wood

ELEGY

on Lucky WOOD in the Canongate, May 1717.28 O Cannigate! poor elritch Hole, What Loss, what Crosses does thou thole! London and Death gars thee look drole,29 And hing thy Head; Wow, but thou has e’en a cauld Coal 5 To blaw indeed. Hear me ye Hills, and every Glen, Ilk Craig, ilk Cleugh, and hollow Den, And Echo shrill, that a’ may ken The waefou Thud, 10 Be rackless Death, wha came unsenn30 To Lucky Wood. She’s dead o’er true, she’s dead and gane, Left us and Willie Burd alane;31 To bleer and greet, to sob and mane, 15 And rug our Hair, Because we’ll ne’r see her again For evermair. She gae’d as fait as a new Prin, And kept her Housie snod and been; 20 Her Peuther glanc’d upo’ your Een Like Siller Plate; She was a donsie Wife and clean, Without Debate. It did ane good to see her Stools, Her Boord, Fire-side, and facing Tools;32 Rax, Chandlers, Tangs, and Fire-Schools, Basket wi’ Bread.

25

Lucky Wood kept an Ale-house in the Canongate, was much respected for Hospitality, Honesty, and the Neatness both of her Person and House. 3. London and Death ] The Place of her Residence being the greatest Sufferer, by the Loss of our Members of Parliament, which London now enjoys, many of them having their Houses there, being the Suburb of Edinburgh nearest the King’s Palace; this with the Death of Lucky Wood are sufficient to make the Place ruinous. 11. Came unsenn ] or unsent for; There’s nothing extraordinary in this, it being his common Custom, except in some few Instances of late since the falling of the Bubbles. 14. Willie ] Her Husband William Wood. 26. Facing Tools ] Stoups [or Pots] and Cups, so call’d from the Facers. See l.29.

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Poems Poor Facers now may chew Pea-hools,33 Since Lucky’s dead. 30 She ne’er gae in Lawin fause,34 Not Stoups a Froath aboon the Hause, Nor kept dow’d Tip within her Waw’s, But reaming Swats; She never ran sour Jute, because 35 It gee’s the Batts. She had the Gate sae well to please, With gratis Beef, dry Fish, or Cheese; Which kept our Purses ay at Ease, And Health in Tift, 40 And lent her fresh Nine Gallon Trees A hearty Lift. She ga’e us aft hail Legs o’ Lamb, And did nae hain her Mutton Ham; Than ay at Yule, when e’er we came, 45 A bra’ Goose Pye, And was na that good Belly Baum? Nane dare deny. The Writer Lads fow well may mind her, Furthy was she, her Luck design’d her 50 Their common Mither, sure nane kinder Ever brake Bread; She has na left her Make behind her, But now she’s dead. To the sma’ Hours we aft sat still, 55 Nick’d round our Toasts and Snishing Mill; Good Cakes we wanted ne’r at Will, The best of Bread, Which aften cost us mony a Gill To Aikenhead.35 60 Cou’d our saut Tears like Clyde down rin,

29. Poor Facers ] The Facers were a Club of fair Drinkers who inclined rather to spend a Shilling on Ale than Twopence for Meat; they had their Name from a Rule they observed of obliging themselves to throw all they left in the Cup in their own Faces: Wherefore to save their Face and Cloaths, they prudently suck’d the Liquor clean out. 31. She ne’er gae in, &c. ] All this Verse is a fine Picture of an honest Ale-seller; A Rarity. 60. To Aikenhead’s ] The Nether-bow Porter, to whom Lucky’s Customers were often obliged for opening the Port for them, when they staid out ’till the small Hours after Midnight.

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Elegy on Lucky Wood And had we Cheeks like Corra’s Lin,36 That a’ the Warld might hear the Din Rair frae ilk Head; She was the Wale of a’ her Kin, 65 But now she’s dead. O Lucky Wood, ’tis hard to bear The Loss; but Oh! we maun forbear: Yet sall thy Memory be dear While blooms a Tree, 70 And after Ages Bairns will spear ’Bout Thee and Me. e p i t a p h. Beneath this Sod Lies Lucky Wood, Whom a’ Men might put Faith in; Wha was na sweer, While she winn’d here, To cramm our Wames for naithing.

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Lucky Spence’s last Advice.37 Three Times the Carline grain’d and rifted, Then frae the Cod her Pow she lifted, In bawdy Policy well gifted, When she now faun, That Death na langer wad be shifted. 5 She thus began. My loving Lasses, I maun leave ye, But dinna wi’ ye’r Greeting grieve me, Nor wi’ your Draunts and Droning deave me, But bring’s a Gill; 10 For Faith, my Bairns, ye may believe me, ’Tis ’gainst my Will. O black Ey’d Bess and mim Mou’d Meg,38 O’er good to work or yet to beg; 62. Like Corra’s Lin ] A very high Precipice nigh Lanerk, over which the River of Clyde falls making a great Noise, which is heard some Miles off. Lucky Spence, a famous Bawd who flourished for several Years about the Beginning of the Eighteenth Century; she had her Lodgings near Holyrood-house; she made many a benefit Night to herself, by putting a Trade in the Hands of young Lasses that had a little Pertness, strong Passions, Abundance of Laziness, and no Fore-thought. 13. Mim Mou’d ] Expresses an affected Modesty, by a preciseness about the Mouth.

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Poems Lay Sunkots up for a sair Leg, 15 For whan ye fail, Ye’r Face will not be worth a Feg, Nor yet ye’r Tail. Whan e’er ye meet a Fool that’s fow, That ye’re a Maiden gar him trow, 20 Seem nice, but stick to him like Glew, And whan set down, Drive at the Jango till he spew, Syn he’ll sleep soun. Whan he’s asleep, then dive and catch 25 His ready Cash, his Rings or Watch; And gin he likes to light his Match39 At your Spunk-box, Ne’er stand to let the fumbling Wretch E’en take the Pox. 30 Cleek a’ ye can be Hook or Crook, Ryp ilky Poutch frae Nook to Nook; Be sure to truff his Pocket-book, Saxty Pounds Scots Is nae deaf Nits: In little Bouk 3540 Lie great Bank-Notes. To get a Mends of whinging Fools,41 That’s frighted for Repenting-Stools, Wha often, whan their Metal cools, Turn sweer to pay, 40 Gar the Kirk-Boxie hale the Dools42 Anither Day. But dawt Red Coats, and let them scoup, Free for the Fou of cutty Stoup;43 To gee them up, ye need na hope 45 E’er to do well: 27. Light his Match, &c. ] I could give a large Annotation on this Sentence, but do not incline to explain every thing, lest I disoblige future Criticks, by leaving nothing for them to do. 35. Is nae deaf Nits ] or empty Nuts; This is a negative manner of saying a thing is substantial. 37. To get a Mends ] To be revenged; of whindging Fools, Fellows who wear the wrong side of their Faces outmost, Pretenders to Sanctity, who love to be smugling in a Corner. 40. Gar the Kirk-Boxie hale the Dools ] Delate them to the Kirk-Treasurer. Hale the Dools is a Phrase used at Foot-ball, where the Party that gains the Goal or Dool is said to hail it or win the Game, and so draws the Stake. 44. Cutty Stoup ] Little Pot, i.e. a Gill of Brandy.

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Lucky Spence's last Advice They’ll rive ye’r Brats and kick your Doup, And play the Deel. There’s ae sair Cross attends the Craft, That curst Correction-house, where aft 50 Vild Hangy’s Taz ye’r Riggings saft44 Makes black and blae, Enough to pit a Body daft; But what’ll ye say.45 Nane gathers Gear withoutten Care, 55 Ilk Pleasure has of Pain a Skare; Suppose then they should tirle ye bare, And gar ye fike, E’en learn to thole; ’tis very fair Ye’re Nibour like. 60 Forby, my Looves, count upo’ Losses, Ye’r Milk-white Teeth and Cheeks like Roses, Whan Jet-black Hair and Brigs of Noses, Faw down wi’ Dads; To keep your Hearts up ’neath sic Crosses, 65 Set up for Bawds. Wi’ well crish’d Loofs I hae been canty, When e’er the Lads wad fain ha’e faun t’ ye; To try the auld Game Taunty Raunty, Like Coosers keen, 70 They took Advice of me your Aunty, If ye were clean. Then up I took my Siller Ca’ And whistl’d benn whiles ane, whiles twa;46 Roun’d in his Lug, That there was a47 75 75 Poor Country Kate, As halesome as the Well of Spaw, But unka blate. Sae whan e’er Company came in, And were upo’ a merry Pin, 80 I slade away wi’ little Din, And muckle Mense, 51. Hangy’s Taz ] If they perform not the Task assign’d them, they are whipt by the Hangman. 54. But what’ll ye say ] The Emphasis of this Phrase, like many others, cannot be understood but by a Native. 74. And whistled ben ] But and Ben signify the different Ends or Rooms of a House; to gang But and Ben is to go from one End of the House to the other. 75. Roun’d in his Lug ] Whisper’d in his Ear.

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Poems Lest Conscience Judge, it was a’ ane48 To Lucky Spence. My Bennison come on good Doers, 85 Who spend their Cash on Bawds and Whores; May they ne’er want the Wale of Cures For a sair Snout: Foul fa’ the Quacks wha that Fire smoors,49 And puts nae out. 90 My Malison light ilka Day On them that drink, and dinna pay, But tak a Snack and rin away; May’t be their Hap Never to want a Gonorrhœa, 95 Or rotten Clap. Lass gi’e us in anither Gill, A Mutchken, Jo, let’s tak our Fill; Let Death syne registrate his Bill Whan I want Sense, 100 I’ll slip away with better Will, Quo’ Lucky Spence.

T A R T A N A, or the

P L A I D. Ye Caledonian Beauties, who have long Been both the Muse, and Subject of my Song, Assist your Bard, who in harmonious Lays Designs the Glory of your Plaid to raise: How my fond Breast with blazing Ardour glows, When e’er my Song on you just Praise bestows.

5

Phœbus, and his imaginary Nine With me have lost the Title of Divine; To no such Shadows will I Homage pay, These to my real Muses shall give Way: 10 My muses, who on smooth meand’ring Tweed, 83. Let Conscience Judge ] It was her usual Way of vindicating herself to tell ye, When Company came to her House, could she be so uncivil as to turn them out? If they did any bad thing, said she, between GOD and their Conscience be’t. 88. Fire smoors ] Such Quacks as bind up the external Symptoms of the Pox, and drive it inward to the strong Holds, whence it is not so easily expelled.

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Tartana, or the Plaid Stray through the Groves, or grace the Clover Mead; Or these who bathe themselves where haughty Clyde Does roaring o’er his lofty Cat’racts ride; Or you who on the Banks of gentle Tay 15 Drain from the Flowers the early Dews of May, To varnish on your Cheek the Crimson Dy, Or make the White the falling Snow outvy: And you who on Edina’s Streets display Millions of matchless Beauties every Day; 20 Inspir’d by you, what Poet can desire To warm his Genius at a brighter Fire? I sing the Plaid, and sing with all my Skill, Mount then O Fancy, Standard to my Will; Be strong each Thought, run soft each happy Line, That Gracefulness and Harmony may shine, Adapted to the beautiful Design. Great is the Subject, vast th’ exalted Theme, And shall stand fair in endless Rolls of Fame.

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25

The Plaid’s Antiquity comes first in View, Precedence to Antiquity is due: Antiquity contains a certain Spell, To make ev’n Things of little Worth excell; To smallest Subjects gives a glaring Dash, Protecting high born Idiots from the Lash: Much more ’tis valu’d, when with Merit plac’d, It graces Merit, and by Merit’s grac’d.

30

35

O first of Garbs! Garment of happy Fate! So long employ’d of such an antique Date; Look back some Thousand Years, till Records fail, 40 And lose themselves in some Romantick Tale, We’ll find our Godlike Fathers nobly scorn’d, To be with any other Dress adorn’d; Before base foreign Fashions interwove, Which ’gainst their Int’rest and their Brav’ry strove. 45 ’Twas they could boast their Freedom with proud Rome, And arm’d in Steel despise the Senate’s Doom; Whilst o’er the Globe their Eagle they display’d, And conquer’d Nations prostrate Homage paid, They only, they unconquer’d stood their Ground, 50 And to the mighty Empire fixt the Bound. Our native Prince who then supply’d the Throne, In Plaid array’d magnificently shone: Nor seem’d his Purple, or his Ermine less, Tho cover’d by the Caledonian Dress. 55 In this at Court the Thanes were gayly clad, With this the Shepherds and the Hinds were glad, In this the Warrior wrapt his brawny Arms, 69

Poems With this our beauteous Mothers vail’d their Charms; When ev’ry Youth, and every lovely Maid Deem’d it a Deshabille to want their Plaid.

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O Heav’ns! How chang’d? How little look their Race? When foreign Chains with foreign Modes take Place; When East and Western-Indies must combine To deck the Fop, and make the Gewgaw shine. Thus while the Grecian Troops in Persia lay, And learn’d the Habit to be soft and gay, By Luxury enerv’d, they lost the Day.

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} I ask’d Varell, what Soldiers he thought best? And thus he answer’d to my plain Request; “Were I to lead Battalions out to War, “And hop’d to triumph in the Victor’s Car, “To gain the loud Applause of worthy Fame, “And Columns rais’d to eternize my Name, “I’d choose, had I my Choice, that hardy Race “Who fearless can look Terrors in the Face; “Who midst the Snows the best of Limbs can fold “In Tartan Plaids, and smile at chilling Cold: “No useless Trash should pain my Soldier’s Back, “Nor Canvas Tents make loaden Axles crack; “No rattling Silks I’d to my Standards bind, “But bright Tartana’s waving in the Wind: “The Plaid alone should all my Ensigns be, “This army from such Banners would not flie. “These, these were they, who naked taught the Way “To fight with Art, and boldly gain the Day. Ev’n great Gustavus stood himself amaz’d, While at their wond’rous Skill and Force he gaz’d. With such brave Troops one might o’er Europe run, Make out what Richlieu fram’d, and Lewis had begun.

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Degenerate men! Now Ladies please to sit,

That I the Plaid in all its Airs may hit, } With all the Powers of Softness mixt with Wit. While scorching Titan tawns the Shepherd’s Brow, And whistling Hinds sweat lagging at the Plow: The piercing Beams Brucina can defy, Not Sun-burnt she’s, nor dazl’d is her Eye. Ugly’s the Mask, the Fan’s a trifling Toy To still at Church some Girl or restless Boy. Fixt to one Spot’s the Pine and Myrtle Shades, But on each Motion wait th’ Umbrellian Plaids, Repelling Dust when Winds disturb the Air, And give a Check to every ill bred Stare. 70

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Tartana, or the Plaid Light as the Pinions of the airy Fry, Of Larks and Linnets who traverse the Sky, Is the Tartana spun so very fine, Its Weight can never make the Fair repine, By raising Ferments in her glowing Blood, Which cannot be escap’d within the Hood: Nor does it move beyond its proper Sphere, But let’s the Gown in all its Shapes appear; Nor is the Straightness of her Waist deny’d To be by every ravisht Eye survey’d. For this the Hoop may stand at largest Bend, It comes not nigh, nor can its Weight offend. The Hood and Mantle make the tender faint; I’m pain’d to see them moving like a Tent. By Heather Jenny in her Blanket drest, The Hood and Mantle fully are exprest; Which round her Neck with Rags is firmly bound, While Heather Besoms loud she screams around. Was Goody Strode so great a Pattern, say? Are ye to follow when such lead the Way? But know each Fair who shall this Sur-tout use, You’re no more Scots, and cease to be my Muse.

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The smoothest Labours of the Persian Loom Lin’d in the Plaid, set off the Beauty’s Bloom; Faint is the Gloss, nor come the Colours nigh, Tho white as Milk, or dipt in Scarlet Dy. The Lily pluckt by fair Pringella grieves, 130 Whose whiter Hand outshines its snowy Leaves: No wonder then white silks in our Esteem, Match’d with her fairer Face, they sully’d seem. If shining Red Campbella’s Cheeks adorn, Our Fancies straight conceive the blushing Morn; Beneath whose Dawn the Sun of Beauty lies, Nor need we Light but from Campbella’s Eyes. If lin’d with Green Stuarta’s Plaid we view, Or thine Ramseia edg’d around with Blue; One shews the Spring when Nature is most kind, The other Heav’n, whose Spangles lift the Mind.

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A Garden Plot enrich’d with chosen Flowers, In Sun Beams basking after vernal Showers, Where lovely Pinks in sweet Confusion rise, And Amaranths and Eglintines surprise; 145 Hedg’d round with fragrant Brier and Jessamine, The rosie Thorn and variegated Green; These give not half that Pleasure to the View, 71

Poems As when, Fergusia, Mortals gaze on you: You raise our Wonder, and our Love engage, Which makes us curse, and yet admire the Hedge; The Silk and Tartan Hedge, which does conspire With you to kindle Love’s soft spreading Fire. How many Charms can every fair one boast! How oft’s our Fancy in the Plenty lost! These more remote, these we admire the most. What’s too familiar often we despise, But Rarity makes still the Value rise.

} If Sol himself shou’d shine through all the Day, We cloy, and lose the Pleasure of his Ray: But if behind some marly Cloud he steal, Nor for sometime his radiant Head reveal, With brighter Charms his Absence he repays, And every Sun Beam seems a double Blaze. So when the Fair their dazling Lustres shroud, And disappoint us with a Tartan Cloud, How fondly do we peep with wishful Eye, Transported when one lovely Charm we spy? Oft to our Cost, ah me! we often find The Power of Love strikes deep, tho he be blind; Perch’d on a Lip, a Cheek, a Chin, or Smile, Hits with surprise, and throws young Hearts in Jail. From when the Cock proclaims the rising Day, And Milk-maids sing around sweet Curds and Whey; Till gray-ey’d Twilight, Harbinger of Night, Pursues o’er Silver Mountains sinking Light,50 I can unwearied from my Casements view The Plaid, with something still about it new. How are we pleas’d, when with a handsome Air We see Hepburna walk with easy Care? One Arm half circles round her slender Waist, The other like an Ivory Pillar plac’d, To hold her Plaid around her modest Face, Which saves her Blushes with the gayest Grace: If in white Kids her taper Fingers move, Or unconfin’d jet thro’ the sable Glove. With what a pretty action Keitha holds Her Plaid, and varies oft its airy Folds; How does the naked Space the Spirits move, Between the rufl’d Lawn and envious Glove? We by the Sample, tho no more be seen, Imagine all that’s fair within the Skreen. 176. Silver Mountains ] Ochel Hills.

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Tartana, or the Plaid Thus Belles in Plaids vail and display their Charms, The Love-sick Youth thus bright Humea warms, And with her graceful Meen her Rivals all alarms.

} The Plaid itself gives Pleasure to the Sight, To see how all its Setts imbibe the Light; Forming some Way, which even to me lies hid, White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Green, and Red. Let Newton’s Royal Club through Prisms stare, To view Celestial Dyes with curious Care, I’ll please my self, nor shall my Sight ask Aid Of Cristal Gimcracks to survey the Plaid. How decent is the Plaid, when in the Pew, It hides th’ inchanting Fair from Ogler’s View. The mind’s oft crowded with ill tim’d Desires, When Nymphs unvail’d approach the sacred Quires. Even Senators who guard the Common-weal, Their Minds may rove;— Are Mortals made of Steel? The finisht Beaux stand up in all their Airs, And search out Beauties more than mind their Prayers. The wainscot Forty Six’s are perplext To be eclips’d, Spite makes them drop the Text. The younger gaze at each fine Thing they see; The Orator himself is scarcely free. Ye then who wou’d your Piety express, To sacred Domes ne’er come in naked Dress. The Power of Modesty shall still prevail; Then Scotian Virgins use your native Vail. Thus far young Cosmel read; then star’d and curst, And askt me very gravely how I durst Advance such Praises for a Thing despis’d? He smiling, swore and I had been ill advis’d. To you, said I, perhaps this may seem true, And Numbers vast, nor Fools may side with you: As many shall my Sentiments approve; Tell me what’s not the Butt of Scorn and Love? Were Mankind all agreed to think one Way, What wou’d Divines and Poets have to say? No Ensigns wou’d on Martial Fields be spread, And Corpus Juris never wou’d be read: We’d need no Councils, Parliaments, nor Kings, Ev’n Wit and Learning wou’d turn silly Things. You miss my Meaning still, I’m much afraid, I would not have them always wear the Plaid. Old Salem’s Royal Sage, of Wits the Prime, Said, For each Thing there was a proper Time. 73

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Poems Night’s but Aurora’s Plaid, that ta’en away, We lose the Pleasure of returning Day; Ev’n through the Gloom, when view’d in sparkling Skies, 240 Orbs scarcely seen, yet gratify our Eyes: So through Hamilla’s op’ned Plaid, we may Behold her heavenly Face, and heaving milky Way. Spanish Reserve, joind with a Gallick Air, If manag’d well, becomes the Scotian Fair. 245 Now you say well, said he; but when’s the Time That they may drop the Plaid without a Crime? Then I, Lest, O fair Nymphs, ye should our Patience tire, And starch Reserve extinguish gen’rous Fire; Since Heaven your soft victorious Charms design’d To form a Smoothness on the rougher Mind: When from the bold and noble Toils of War, The rural Cares, or Labours of the Bar; From these hard Studies which are learn’d and grave, And some from dang’rous Riding o’er the Wave: The Caledonian manly Youth resort To their Edina, Love’s great Mart and Port, And crowd her Theatres with all that Grace Which is peculiar to the Scotian Race; At Consort, Ball, or some Fair’s Marriage-Day, O then with Freedom all that’s sweet display. When Beauty’s to be judg’d without a Vail, And not its Powers met out as by Retail, But Wholesale, all at once, to fill the Mind With Sentiments gay, soft, and frankly kind; Throw by the Plaid, and like the Lamp of Day, When there’s no Cloud to intercept his Ray. So shine Maxella, nor their Censure fear, Who, Slaves to Vapours, dare not so appear. On Ida’s Height, when to the Royal Swain, To know who should the Prize of Beauty gain, Jove sent his two fair Daughters and his Wife, That he might be the Judge to end the Strife: Hermes was Guide, they found him by a Tree, And thus they spake with Air divinely free, Say, Paris, which is fairest of us three. To Jove’s high Queen, and the Celestial Maids, E’re he wou’d pass his Sentence, cry’d, No Plaids. Quickly the Goddesses obey’d his Call, In simple Nature’s Dress he view’d them all, Then to Cyth’rea gave the Golden Ball.

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Great Criticks hail! our Dread, whose Love or Hate 74

Tartana, or the Plaid Can with a Frown, or Smile, give Verse its Fate; Attend, while o’er this Field my Fancy roams, I’ve somewhat more to say, and here it comes. When Virtue was a Crime, in Tancred’s Reign, There was a noble Youth who wou’d not deign To own for Sovereign one a Slave to Cice, Or blot his Conscience at the highest Price; For which his Death’s devis’d with hellish Art, To tear from his warm Breast his beating Heart. Fame told the tragick News to all the Fair, Whose num’rous Sighs and Groans bound through the Air: All mourn his Fate, Tears trickle from each Eye, Till his kind Sister threw the Woman by; She in his Stead a gen’rous Off’ring staid, And he, the Tyrant baulk’d, hid in her Plaid. So when Æneas with Achilles strove,51 The Goddess Mother hasted from above, Well seen in Fate, prompt by maternal Love, Wrapt him in Mist, and warded off the Blow That was design’d him by his valiant Foe.

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I of the Plaid could tell a hundred Tales, Then hear another, since that Strain prevails. The Tale no Records tell, it is so old, 305 It happned in the easy Age of Gold, When am’rous Jove Chief of th’ Olympian Gods, Pall’d with Saturnia, came to our Abodes, A Beauty-hunting; for in these soft Days, Nor Gods, nor Men delighted in a Chace 310 That would destroy, not propagate their Race. Beneath a Fir-Tree in Glentanar’s Groves,52 Where, e’er gay Fabricks rose, Swains sung their Loves, Iris lay sleeping in the open Air, A bright Tartana vail’d the lovely Fair; 315 The wounded God beheld her matchless Charms, With earnest Eyes, and grasp’d her in his Arms. Soon he made known to her, with gaining Skill, His Dignity, and Import of his Will. Speak thy Desire, the Divine Monarch said. 320 Make me a Goddess, cry’d the Scotian Maid, Nor let hard Fate bereave me of my Plaid. Be thou the Hand-maid to my mighty Queen, Said Jove, and to the World be often seen With the celestial Bow, and thus appear 325 Clad with these radiant Colours as thy Wear.

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298. Homer. 312. Glentanar’s Groves ] A large Wood in the North of Scotland.

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Poems Now say my Muse, e’re thou forsake the Field, What Profit does the Plaid to Scotia yield, Justly that claims our Love, Esteem and Boast, Which is produc’d within our native Coast. On our own Mountains grows the Golden Fleece, Richer than that which Jason brought to Greece: A beneficial branch of Albion’s Trade, And the first Parent of the Tartan Plaid. Our fair ingenious Ladies Hands prepare The equal Threeds, and give the Dyes with Care: Thousands of Artists sullen Hours decoy On rattling Looms, and view their Webs with Joy.

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May she be curst to starve in Frogland Fens, To wear a Fala ragg’d at both the Ends,53 340 Groan still beneath an antiquated Suit, And die a Maid at fifty five to boot; May she turn quaggy Fat, or crooked Dwarff, Be ridicul’d while primm’d up in her Scarff; May Spleen and Spite still keep her on the Fret, 345 And live till she outlive her Beauty’s Date; May all this fall, and more than I have said, Upon the Wench who disregards the Plaid. But with the Sun let ev’ry Joy arise, And from soft Slumbers lift her happy Eyes; May blooming Youth be fixt upon her Face, Till she has seen her fourth descending Race; Blest with a Mate with whom she can agree, And never want the finest of Bohea: May ne’er the Miser’s Fears make her afraid, Who joins with me, with me admires the Plaid. Let bright Tartana’s henceforth ever shine, And Caledonian Goddesses enshrine.

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Fair Judges to your Censure I submit, If you allow this Poem to have Wit, 360 I’ll look with Scorn upon these musty Fools, Who only move by old worm-eaten Rules. But with th’ ingenious if my Labours take, I wish them ten Times better for their Sake; Who shall esteem this vain are in the wrong, 365 I’ll prove the Moral is prodigious strong: I hate to trifle, Men should act like Men, And for their Country only draw their Sword and Pen.

340. Fala ] A little square Cloath wore by the Dutch Women.

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Scots Songs

SCOTS S O N G S. The happy Lover’s Reflections. The last Time I came o’er the Moor, I left my Love behind me; Ye Pow’rs! What pain do I endure, When soft Idea’s mind me: Soon as the ruddy Morn display’d 5 The beaming Day ensuing, I met betimes my lovely Maid, In fit Retreats for wooing. Beneath the cooling Shade we lay, Gazing and chastly sporting; 10 We kiss’d and promis’d Time away, ’Till Night spread her black Curtain. I pitied all beneath the Skies, Ev’n Kings, when she was nigh me; In Raptures I beheld her Eyes, 15 Which could but ill deny me. Shou’d I be call’d where Cannons rore, Where mortal Steel may wound me, Or cast upon some foreign Shore, Where Dangers may surround me; Yet hopes again to see my Love, To feast on glowing Kisses, Shall make my Cares at Distance move, In Prospect of such Blisses.

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In all my Soul there’s not one Place 25 To let a Rival enter; Since she excells in ev’ry Grace, In her my Love shall center. Sooner the Seas shall cease to flow, Their Waves the Alps shall cover, 30 On Greenland Ice shall Roses grow, Before I cease to love her. The next Time I go o’er the Moor She shall a Lover find me, And that my Faith is firm and pure, Tho I left her behind me: Then Hymen’s sacred Bonds shall chain My Heart to her fair Bosom, There, while my Being does remain, My Love more fresh shall blossom. 77

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Poems The Lass of Peattie’s Mill. The Lass of Peattie’s Mill, So bonny, blyth and gay, In spite of all my Skill, She stole my Heart away. When tedding of the Hay 5 Bare-headed on the Green, Love ’midst her Locks did play, And wanton’d in her Een. Her Arms white, round and smooth, Breasts rising in their Dawn, 10 To Age it wou’d give Youth, To press ’em with his Hand. Thro’ all my Spirits ran An Extasy of Bliss, When I such Sweetness fand 15 Wrapt in a balmy Kiss. Without the Help of Art, Like Flowers which grace the Wild, She did her Sweets impart, When e’er she spoke or smil’d. 20 Her Looks they were so mild, Free from affected Pride, She me to Love beguil’d; I wish’d her for my Bride. O had I all that Wealth 25 Hopeton’s high Mountains fill,54 Insur’d long Life and Health, And Pleasure at my Will; I’d promise and fulfill, That none but bonny She, 30 The Lass of Peattie’s Mill Shou’d share the same wi’ me.

D E L I A.

To the Tune of Green Sleeves. Ye watchful Guardians of the Fair, Who skiff on Wings of ambient Air, Of my dear Delia take a Care, And represent her Lover With all the Gayety of Youth, 5 26. Hopeton’s High Mountains ] Thirty three Miles South west of Edinburgh, where the Right Honourable the Earl of Hopeton’s Mines of Gold and Lead are.

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Scots Songs With Honour, Justice, Love and Truth, Till I return, her Passions sooth For me, in Whispers move her. Be careful, no base sordid Slave, With Soul sunk in a golden Grave, Who knows no Virtue but to save, With glaring Gold bewitch her. Tell her for me she was design’d, For me who know how to be kind, And have more Plenty in my Mind, Than one who’s ten Times richer.

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Let all the World turn upside down, And Fools run an eternal Round, In Quest of what can ne’er be found, To please their vain Ambition. 20 Let little Minds great Charms espy In Shadows which at Distance ly, Whose hop’d for Pleasure when come nigh, Prove nothing in Fruition. But cast into a Mold Divine, 25 Fair Delia does with Lustre shine, Her virtuous Soul’s an ample Mine, Which yeilds a constant Treasure Let Poets in sublimest Lays, Imploy their Skill her Fame to raise; 30 Let Sons of Musick pass whole Days, With well tun’d Reeds to please her. The Yellow-hair’d Laddie. In April when Primroses paint the sweet Plain, And Summer approaching rejoiceth the Swain, The Yellow-hair’d Laddie would oftentimes go To Wilds and deep Glens where the Hawthorn-trees grow. There under the Shade of an old sacred Thorn, With Freedom he sung his Loves, Ev’ning and Morn; He sang with so soft and inchanting a Sound, That Silvans and Fairies unseen danc’d around. The Shepherd thus sung, Tho young Maya be fair, Her Beauty is dash’d with a scornful proud Air; But Susie was handsome, and sweetly could sing, Her Breath like the Breezes perfum’d in the Spring. That Madie in all the gay Bloom of her Youth, 79

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Poems Like the Moon was unconstant, and never spoke Truth; But Susie was faithful, good humour’d and free, And fair as the Goddess who sprung from the Sea. That Mamma’s fine Daughter, with all her great Dowr, Was aukwardly airy, and frequently sowr: Then sighing, he wished, would Parents agree, The witty sweet Susie his Mistress might be.

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N A N N Y O. While some for Pleasure pawn their Health, ’Twixt Lais and the Bagnio,55 I’ll save my self, and without Stealth, Kiss and caress my Nanny—O. She bids more fair t’ ingage a Jove, 5 That Leda did or Danae—O; 56 Were I to paint the Queen of Love, None else shou’d fit but Nanny—O. How joyfully my Spirits rise, When dancing she moves finely—O, 10 I guess what Heav’n is by her Eyes, Which sparkle so divinely O. Attend my Vow, ye Gods, while I Breath in the blest Britannio, None’s Happiness I shall envy, 15 As long’s ye grant me Nanny—O. CHORUS. My bonny, bonny Nanny—O, My loving charming Nanny—O, I care not tho the World do know How dearly I love Nanny—O.

B O N N Y J E A N. Love’s Goddess in a Myrtle Grove Said, Cupid, bend thy Bow with Speed, Nor let the Shaft at Random rove, For Jeanie’s haughty Heart must bleed. The smiling Boy, with divine Art, 5 From Paphos shot an Arrow keen, Which flew unerring to the Heart, 2. Lais ] A famous Corinthian Courtizan. 6. Leda and Danae ] Two Beauties to whom Jove made Love; to one in the Figure of a Swan, to the other in a Golden Shower.

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Scots Songs And kill’d the Pride of bonny Jean. No more the Nymph with haughty Air Refuses Willie’s kind Address; 10 Her yielding Blushes shew no Care, But too much Fondness to suppress. No more the Youth is sullen now, But looks the gayest on the Green, Whilst every Day he spies some new 15 Surprising Charms in bonny Jean. A Thousand Transports crowd his Breast, He moves as light as fleeting Wind, His former Sorrows seem a Jest, Now when his Jeanie is turn’d kind: 20 Riches he looks on with Disdain, The glorious Fields of War look mean, The cheerful Hound and Horn give Pain, If absent from his bonny Jean. The Day he spends in am’rous Gaze, 25 Which even in Summer shorten’d seems: When sunk in Downs with glad Amaze, He wonders at her in his Dreams. All Charms disclos’d, she looks more bright Than Troy’s fair Prize, the Spartan Queen: 30 With breaking Day he lifts his Sight, And pants to be with bonny Jean.

The Kind Reception.

To the Tune of Auld lang syne. Should auld Acquaintance be forgot, Tho they return with Scars? These are the noble Heroe’s Lot, Obtain’d in glorious Wars: Welcome my Varo to my Breast, 5 Thy Arms about me twine, And make me once again as blest, As I was lang syne. Methinks around us on each Bough, A Thousand Cupids play, 10 Whilst thro’ the Groves I walk with you, Each Object makes me gay. Since your Return the Sun and Moon With brighter Beams do shine, Streams murmur soft Notes while they run, 15 As they did lang syne. 81

Poems

Despise the Court and Din of State, Let that to their Share fall; Who can esteem such Slav’ry great, While bounded like a Ball? But sunk in Love, upon my Arms Let your brave Head recline, We’ll please our selves with mutual Charms, As we did lang syne.

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O’er Moor and Dale with your gay Friend 25 You may pursue the Chace; And after a blyth Bottle end All Cares in my Embrace: And in a vacant rainy Day You shall be wholly mine; 30 We’ll make the Hours run smooth away, And laugh at lang syne. The Heroe pleas’d with the sweet Air, And Signs of gen’rous Love, Which had been utter’d by the Fair, 35 Bow’d to the Pow’rs above: Next Day with Consent and glad Haste Th’ approach’d the sacred Shrine, Where the good Priest the Couple blest, And put them out of Pine. 40

The PENITENT.

To the Tune of the Lass of Livingston. Pain’d with her slighting Jamie’s Love, Bell dropt a Tear, — Bell dropt a Tear, The Gods descended from above, Well pleas’d to hear, — Well pleas’d to hear. They heard the Praises of the Youth 5 From her own Tongue, — From her own Tongue, Who now converted was to Truth, And thus she sung, — And thus she sung, Blest Days when our ingen’ous Sex, More frank and kind, — More frank and kind, Did not their lov’d Adorers vex, But spoke their Mind, — But spoke their Mind. Repenting now she promis’d fair, Wou’d he return, — Wou’d he return, She ne’er again wou’d give him Care, Or Cause to mourn, — Or Cause to morn. 82

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Scots Songs Why lov’d I the deserving Swain, Yet still thought Shame, — Yet still thought Shame, When he my yielding Heart did gain, To own my Flame, — To own my Flame? Why took I Pleasure to torment, And seem too coy, — And seem too coy? Which makes me now, alas! lament My slighted Joy, — My slighted Joy. Ye Fair, while Beauty’s in its Spring, Own your Desire, — Own your Desire; While Love’s young Power with his soft Wing Fans up the Fire, — Fans up the Fire. O do not with a silly Pride; Or low Design, — Or low Design, Refuse to be a happy Bride, But answer plain, — But answer plain.

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Thus the fair Mourner wail’d her Crime, With flowing Eyes, — With flowing Eyes; Glad Jamie heard her all the Time, 35 With sweet Surprise, — With sweet Surprise, Some God had led him to the Grove, His Mind unchang’d, — His Mind unchang’d, Flew to her Arms, and cry’d, My Love, I am reveng’d, — I am reveng’d! 40



LOVE’s CURE.

To the Tune of Peggy I must love thee.

As from a Rock past all Relief, The Shipwreckt Colin spying His native Home, o’ercome with Grief, Half sunk in Waves and dying; With the next Morning Sun he spies A Ship, which gives unhop’d Surprise, New Life springs up, he lifts his Eyes With Joy, and waits her Motion.

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So when by her whom long I lov’d, I scorn’d was and deserted, 10 Low with Despair my Spirits mov’d, To be for ever parted: Thus droopt I, till diviner Grace I found in Peggy’s Mind and Face; Ingratitude appear’d then base, 15 But Virtue more engaging. Then now since happily I’ve hit, I’ll have no more delaying, 83

Poems Let Beauty yield to manly Wit, We lose our selves in staying; I’ll haste dull Courtship to a Close, Since Marriage can my Fears oppose, Why should he happy Minutes lose, Since Peggy I must love thee?

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Men may be foolish, if they please, 25 And deem’t a Lover’s Duty, To sign, and sacrifice their Ease, Doating on a proud Beauty: Such was my Case for many a Year, Still Hope succeeding to my Fear, 30 False Betty’s Charms now disappear, Since Peggy’s far outshine them.



O D E.

Hence every Thing that can Disturb the Quiet of Man; Be blyth my Soul, In a full Bowl Drown thy Care, 5 And repair The vital Stream: Since Life’s a Dream, Let Wine abound, And Healths go round, 10 We’ll sleep more sound; And let the dull unthinking Mob pursue Each endless Wish, and still their Toil renew. Bessy Bell and Mary Gray. O Bessy Bell and Mary Gray They are twa bonny Lasses, They bigg’d a Bower on yon Burn-brae, And theek’d it o’er wi’ Rashes. Fair Bessy Bell I loo’d yestreen, 5 And thought I ne’er cou’d alter; But Mary Gray’s twa pawky Een, They gar my Fancy falter. Now Bessy’s Hair’s like a Lint Tap, She smiles like a May Morning, 10 When Phœbus starts frae Thetis’ Lap, The Hills with Rays adorning: White is her Neck, saft is her Hand, 84

Scots Songs Her Waste and Feet’s fow genty, With ilka Grace she can command, 15 Her Lips, O wow! they’re dainty. And Mary’s Locks are like the Craw, Her Eye like Diamonds glances; She’s ay sae clean, red-up and braw, She kills when e’er she dances: 20 Blyth as a Kid, with Wit at Will, She blooming tight and tall is; And guides her Airs sae gracefou still, O Jove! she’s like thy Pallas. Dear Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, 25 Ye unco’ sair oppress us, Our Fancies jee between you twae, Ye are sic bonny Lasses: Wae’s me, for baith I canna get, To ane by Law we’re stented; 30 Then I’ll draw Cuts and take my Fate, And be with ane contented. The Young LAIRD and Edinburgh KATY. Now wat ye wha I met Yestreen Coming down the Street, my Jo, My Mistress in her Tartan Screen, Fou bonny, braw and sweet, my Jo. My Dear, quoth I, Thanks to the Night That never wisht a Lover ill; Since ye’re out of your Mither’s Sight, Let’s take a Wauk up to the Hill. O Katy wiltu gang wi’ me, And leave the dinsom Town a while, The Blossom’s sprouting frae the Tree, And a’ the Summer’s gawn to smile; The Mavis, Nightingale and Lark, The bleeting Lambs and whistling Hynd, In ilka Dale, Green, Shaw and Park, Will nourish Health and glad ye’r Mind. Soon as the clear Goodman of Day Does bend his Morning Draught of Dew, We’ll gae to some Burn-side and play, And gather Flowers to busk ye’r Brow. We’ll pou the Daizies on the Green, The lucken Gowans frae the Bog; Between Hands now and then we’ll lean, 85

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Poems And sport upo’ the Velvet Fog. There’s up into a pleasant Glen, 25 A wee Piece frae my Father’s Tower, A canny, saft and flowry Den, Which circling Birks has form’d a Bower: When e’er the Sun grows high and warm, We’ll to the cauller Shade remove, 30 There will I lock thee in mine Arm, And love and kiss, and kiss and love. KATY’s ANSWER. My Mither’s ay glowran o’er me, Tho she did the same before me, I canna get Leave To look to my Loove, Or else she’ll be like to devour me.

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Right fain wad I take ye’r Offer, Sweet Sir, but I’ll tine my Tocher, Then Sandy ye’ll fret, And wyt ye’r poor Kate, When e’er ye keek in your toom Coffer.

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For tho my Father has Plenty Of Siller and Plenishing dainty, Yet he’s unco sweer To twin wi’ his Gear; And sae we had need to be tenty.

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Tutor my Parents wi’ Caution, Be wylie in ilka Motion; Brag well o’ ye’r Land, And there’s my leal Hand, Win them, I’ll be at your Devotion.

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Edinburgh's Address to the Country

EDINBURGH’s Address to the

C O U N T R Y. November 1718.

From me Edina, to the Brave and Fair, Health, Joy and Love, and Banishment of Care: Forasmuch as bare Fields and gurly Skies Make rural Scenes ungrateful to the Eyes; When Hyperborean Blasts confound the Plain, Driving, by Turns, light Snow and heavy Rain; Ye Swains and Nymphs, forsake the withered Grove, That no damp Colds may nip the Buds of Love; Since Winds and Tempests o’er the Mountains ride, Haste here where Choice of Pleasures do reside; Come to my Tow’rs, and leave th’ unpleasant Scene, My cheerful Bosom shall your Warmth sustain, Screen’d in my Walls, you may bleak Winter shun, And, for a while, forget the distant Sun: My blazing Fires, bright Lamps, and sparkling Wine, As Summer Sun shall warm, like him shall shine. My witty Clubs of Mind that move at large, With every Glass can some great Thought discharge; When from my Senate, and the Toils of Law, T’unbend the Mind from Bus’ness you withdraw, With such gay Friends to laugh some Hours away, My Winter Even shall ding the Summer’s Day. My Schools of Law produce a manly Train Of fluent Orators, who Right maintain, Practis’d t’express themselves a graceful Way, An Eloquence shines forth in all they say. Some Raphael, Ruben, or Vandike admire, Whose Bosoms glow with such a Godlike Fire. Of my own Race I have, who shall ere long, Challenge a Place amongst the immortal Throng. Others in smoothest Numbers are profuse, And can in Mantuan Dactyl’s lead the Muse: And others can with Musick make you gay, With sweetest Sounds Correlli’s Art display, While they arround in softest Measures sing, Or beat melodious Solo’s from the String. What Pleasure can exceed to know what’s great, The Hinge of War, and winding Draughts of State? 87

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Poems These and a Thousand Things th’aspiring Youth May learn, with Pleasure, from the Sages Mouth; 40 While they full fraughted Judgements do unload, Relating to Affairs Home and Abroad. The generous Soul is fir’d with noble Flame, To emulate victorious Eugene’s Fame, Who with fresh Glories decks th’ Imperial Throne, 45 Making the haughty Ott’man Empire grone. He’ll learn when warlike Sweden and the Czar, The Danes and Prussians shall demit the War; T’observe what mighty Turns of Fate may spring From this new War rais’d by Iberia’s King. 50 Long ere the Morn from Eastern Seas arise, To sweep Night-shades from off the vaulted Skies, Oft Love or Law in Dream your Mind may toss, And push the sluggish Scenes to their Posts; The Hautboy’s distant Notes shall then oppose Your phantom Cares, and lull you to Repose. To Visit and take Tea, the well-dress’d Fair May pass the Crowd unruffled in her Chair; No Dust or Mire her shining Foot shall stain, Or on the horizontal Hoop give Pain. For Beaux and Belles no City can compare, Nor shew a Galaxy so made, so fair; The Ears are charm’d, and ravish’d are the Eyes, When at the Consort my fair Stars arise. What Poets of fictitious Beauties sing, Shall in bright Order fill the dazling Ring: From Venus, Pallas, and the Spouse of Jove, They’d gain the Prize, judg’d by the God of Love: Their Sun-burnt Features wou’d look dull, and fade, Compar’d with my sweet White and blushing Red. The Character of Beauties so Divine, The Muse for Want of Words cannot define. The panting Soul beholds with awful Love, Impress’d on Clay th’ Angelick Forms above, Whose softest Smiles can pow’rfully impart Raptures sublime, in dumb Show, to the Heart. The Strength of all these Charms, if ye defy, My Court of Justice shall make you comply. Welcome, my Session, thou my Bosom warms, Thrice three Times welcome to thy Mother’s Arms: Thy Father long, rude Man! has left my Bed, Thou’rt now my Guard, and Support of my Trade; My Heart yearns after thee with strong Desire, Thou dearest Image of thy ancient Sire: Should proud Augusta take thee from me too, 88

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Edinburgh's Address to the Country So great a Loss would make Edina bow; I’d sink beneath a Weight I cou’d not bear, And in a Heap of Rubbish disappear. Vain are such Fears; I’ll rear my Head in State, My bodding Heart foretells a glorious Fate: 90 New stately Structures on new Streets shall rise, And new-built Churches tow’ring to the Skies. From utmost Thule to the Dover Rock, Britain’s best Blood in Crowds to me shall flock; A num’rous Fleet shall be my Fortha’s Pride, 95 While they in her calm Roads at Anchor ride: These from each Coast shall bring what’s Great and Rare, To animate the Brave, and please the Fair.

Written beneath the Historical Print of the wonderful Preservation of Mr. David Bruce, and others his School-fellows, St. Andrews, August 19. 1710. Six Times the Day with Light and Hope arose, As oft the Night her Terrors did oppose, While toss’d on roring Waves the tender Crew Had nought but Death and Horror in their View: Pale Famine, Seas, bleak Cold at equal Strife, Conspiring all against their Bloom of Life: Whilst like the Lamp’s last Flame, their trembling Souls Are on the Wing to leave their mortal Goals; And Death before them stands with frightful Stare, Their Spirits spent, and sunk down to despair. Behold th’ indulgent providential Eye, With watchful Rays descending from on high; Angels come posting down the Divine Beam To save the Helpless in their last Extreme: Unseen the heav’nly Guard about them stock, Some rule the Winds, some lead them up with Rock, While other Two attend the dying Pair, To waft their young white Souls thro’ Fields of Air.

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Poems

CHRIST’s KIRK ON THE

G R E E N,

In Three CANTO’s. Κονσιδερ ίτ ύαριλι ρίδ άφτνήρ θάν ένις, ύίλ άτ έν βλίνκ σλί ωόετρι νότ τέν ίς. Г. Δυγλας. CANTO I..57 Was ne’er in Scotland heard or seen Sic Dancing and Deray; Nowther at Fakland on the Green,58 Nor Peebles at the Play,59 As was of Woers, as I ween, At Christ’s Kirk on a Day;60 There came our Kitties washen clean, In new Kirtles of Gray, Fou gay that Day.

5

To dance these Damesels them dight,61 Thir Lasses light of Laits,62 10 Their Gloves were of the Raffel right, Their Shoon were of the Straits, Their Kirtles were of Lincome light,63 Well prest with mony Plaits, They were so nice when Men them nicht, 15 They squeel’d like ony Gaits This Edition of the first Canto is taken from an old Manuscript Collection of Scots Poems written 150 years ago, where it is found that James, the first of that Name, King of Scots, was the Author; thought to be wrote while that brave and learned Prince was unfortunately kept Prisoner in England by Henry VI. about the Year 1412, Ballenden in his Translation of H. Boece’s History, gives the Character of him, He was weil lernit to fecht with the Swerd, to iust, to turnay, to worsyl, to syng and dance, was an expert Medicinar, richt crafty in playing baith of Lute and Harp, and sindry othir Instumentis of Musik. He was expert in Gramer, Oratry, and Poetry, and maid sae flowand and sententious Versis, apperit weil he was ane natural and borne Poete, lib. 16. cap. 16. 3. Fakland ] In the Shire of Fife, where our Kings for some Time had their Residence. 4. Peebles at the Play ] Peebles one of our Royal Burroughs where the Gentlemen of the Shire frequently meet for the Diversion of Horse-Races and the like. 6. Christ’s Kirk ] The Place where our Wedding held is either at Lesly (the Church there bearing that Name) or a Place so named a little distant from Windsor where our King was the Time of his Confinement. 9. Them dight ] Made themselves ready. 10. Light of Laits ] Light or wanton in their Manners. 13. Lincome Light ] Stuff made at Lincoln.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green Fou loud that Day. Of all these Maidens mild as Mead, Was nane sae jimp as Gilly, As ony Rose her Rude was red, Her Lire was like the Lilly: 20 Fou yellow, yellow was her Head, But she of Love was silly; Tho a’ her Kin had sworn her dead, She wald have but sweet Willy Alane that Day. She scorned Jack, and scraped at him, 25 And murgeon’d him with Mocks;64 He wad have loo’d, she wad na lat him, For a’ his yellow Locks. He cherisht her, she bade gae chat him,65 Counted him not twa Clocks;66 30 Sae shamefully his short Gown set him, His Legs were like twa Rocks,67 Or Rungs that Day. Tam Lutter was their Minstrel meet,68 Good Lord how he cou’d lance, He play’d sae shill, and sang sae sweet, While Tousie took a Trance; Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet,69 And counterfeited France: He us’d himself as Man discreet, And up the Morice Dance He took that Day. Then Steen came steppand in with Stends, Nae Rink might him arrest:70 Plaitfoot did bob with mony Bends, For Mause he made Request; He lap till he lay on his Lends,

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26. Murgeon’d him ] Ridicul’d him, by a ludicrous manner of aping his Gate or Actions. 29. Go chat him ] She bid him go hang himself. 30. Twa Clocks ] Reckoned him not worth a Couple of Beetles. 32. Twa Rocks ] Two Distaffs. This Description of Gilly’s Love to Willy, and her despising Jack, notwithstanding his Affection to her, is drawn with an admirable comick Delicacy. 33. Minstrel meet ] A Musician fit for them. 37. Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet, and counterfeited France ] He forgot to play the good old Scots Tunes like Auld Lightfoot and imitated the French, like our modern Minstrels, that dare play nought but Italiano’s, for fear they spoil their Fiddles. 42. Nae Rink might him arrest ] The swiftest Course could not stop him.

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Poems But risand was sae prest, While that he hostit at baith Ends, For honour of the Feast, And danc’d that Day. Syne Robin Roy began to revel, And Dawny to him rugged: 50 Let be, quoth Jack, and cau’d him Jevel, And by the Tail him tugged; The Kensie cleekit to a Cavel, But Lord as they twa lugged; They parted manly on a Navel: 55 Men say that Hair was rugged Between them twa. Ane bent a Bow, sic Sturt did steer him, Great Skaith was’t to have scar’d him; He chesit a Flane as did affear him,71 Th’ other said, Dirdum, Dardum:72 60 Throw baith the Cheeks he thought to sheer him, Or throw the Arse have char’d him; B’ ane Akerbraid it came na neer him, I canna tell what marr’d him Sae wide that Day. With that a Friend of his cry’d, Fy, And up an Arrow drew, He forged it sae furiously, The Bow in Flinders flew: Sae was the Will of God, trow I, For had the Tree been true, Men said, wha kend his Archery, That he had slain anew, Belyve that Day.

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A yap young Man that stood him neist, Loos’d aff a Shot with Ire, He etled the Bairn in at the Breast,73 75 The Bolt flew o’er the Bire:74 Ane cry’d, Fy, he has slain a Priest, A Mile beyond a Mire; Then Bow and Bag frae him he kiest, And fled as fierce as Fire 80 59. He chesit a Flane ] He chose an Arrow. 60. Dirdum, Dardum ] A slighting manner of speaking. When one makes a Boast of some Action which we think meanly of, we readily say, A Dirdum of that. 75. He etled the Bairn ] He design’d his Arrow at the Lad’s Breast. 76. The Bolt flew o’er the Bire ] He expresses his missing him, by a Metaphor of a Thunder-bolt flying over the Bire or Cow-house.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green Frae Flint that Day. Ane hasty Hensure, called Hary, Wha was ane Archer, hynd Fit up a Tackle withoutten tarry,75 That Torment fae him tynd.76 I watna whither’s Hand cou’d vary, Or the Man was his Friend; For he escap’d throw’ Mighty of Mary, As ane that nae ill mean’d, But Good that Day.

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Then Laurie like a Lion lap, And soon a Flane can fedder;77 90 He hecht to pierce him at the Pap, Thereon to wed a Wedder:78 He hit him on the Wame a Wap, It bufft like ony Blader; But saw his Fortune was and Hap, 95 His Doublet made of Leather Sav’d him that Day. The Buff sae boisterously abaist him, He to the Earth dusht down; The tither Man for dead there left him, And fled out of the Town. The Wives came furth, and up they rest him, And fand Life in the Lown; Then with three Routs on’s Arse they rais’d him, And cur’d him out of Sown, Frae Hand that Day. With Forks and Flails they lent great Slaps, And flang together like Frigs; With Bougers of Barns they best blew Caps,79 While they of Bairns made Brigs. The Rierd raise rudely with the Raps, When Rungs were laid on Riggs; The Wives came furth wi’ Crys and Claps, See where my Liking liggs80 Fou low this Day!

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They girned and let Gird with Grains, 83. Hynd fit up a Tackle, &c. ] Immediately made ready his shooting Tackle. 84. That Torment sae him tynd ] His Vexation made him angry. 90. A Flane can fedder ] Feathered an Arrow. 92. Wed a Wedder ] He wagered a Wedder he would pierce him at the Pap. 107. Bougers ] Rafters. 112. My Liking liggs ] My Sweet-heart lies on the Ground.

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Poems Ilk Gossip other griev’d: Some strake with Stings, some gather’d Stains, Some fled and ill mischiev’d. The Minstrel wan within twa Wains,81 That Day he wisely priev’d; For he came hame wi’ unbruis’d Bains, Where Fighters were mischiev’d Fou ill that Day.

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Heich Hutchon with a Hisil Rice, To red can throw them rummil; He maw’d them down like ony Mice, He was na Baity Bummil:82 Tho he was wight, he was na wise, 125 With sic Jangleurs to jummil; For frae his Thumb they dang a Slice, 83 While he cry’d, Barlafumil, I’m slain this Day. When that he saw his Blood sae red, To flee might nae Man let him; He ween’d it had been for auld Feed, He thought and bade have at him; He gart his Feet defend his Head, The far fairer it set him, While he was past out of all Plead, He soud been swift that gat him, Throw Speed that Day. The Town Souter in Grief was bowden,84 His Wife hang at his Waist, His Body was with Blood a browden,85 He grain’d like ony Ghaist; Her glittering Hair that was so gowden, So hard in Love him lac’d, That for her Sake he was not yowden,86 While he a Mile was chac’d, And mair that Day. The Miller was of manly Make, To meet him was nae Mows;

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117. Wan within two Wains ] Got between two Wains or Wagons, and hid himself. 124. Baity Bummil ] Or petty Fumbler; An actionless Fellow. 128. Barlafumil ] Cry’d, Barley, or, A Parleyfumil, I’m fallen. 137. In Grief was Bowden ] Was furnisht with Abundance of Grief. One who has enough of any Thing, we say, He is well bodin. 139) Blood a browden ] All besmear’d with Blood. But browden more commonly means forward or fond. 143 Not yowden ] Not tired.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green There durst nae tensome there him take, Sae noyted he their Pows: The Bushment heal about him brake, And bickered him wi’ Bows; 150 Syne traitorously behind his Back, They hew’d him on the Howes,87 Behind that Day. Twa that were Headsmen of the Herd, On ither ran like Rams, They follow’d, seeming right unfear’d, 155 Beat on with Barrow-Trams: But where their Gabs they were ungear’d, They gat upon the Gams; While bloody barkn’d was their Beards, As they had worried Lams, 160 Maist like that Day. The Wives keist up a hideous Yell, When all these Yonkiers yoked; As fierce as Flags of Fire-flaughts fell, Frieks to the Fields they flocked:88 The Carles with Clubs did others quell 165 On Breasts, while Blood out boaked;89 Sae rudly rang the common Bell, That a’ the Steeple rocked For Dread that Day. By this Tam Taylor was in’s Gear, When that he heard the Bell, He said he should make all a steer, When he came there himsel: He gaed to fight in sic a Fear, While to the Ground he fell; A Wife that hat him on the Ear, With a great Knocking-mell, Fell’d him that Day.

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When they had bierd like baited Bulls, And Brain-wood brynt in Bails;90 They were as meek as any Mules; 91 That mangit are with Mails; 180 For Faintness thae forfoughten Fools 152 They hew’d him on the Hows ] Threw him on his Back by striking him on his Hows, i.e. Houghs. 164. Frieks ] Young Fellows. 166. Out boaked ] Gush’d out. 178. And Brain-wood ] Being distracted, or Brain-sick. 180. Mangit are with Mails ] Wearied and gall’d with their Loading.

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Poems Fell down like flaughter’d Fails;92 Fresh Men came in, and hal’d the Dools,93 And dang them down in Dails,94 Bedeen that Day. When a’ was done, Dick with an Aix, 185 Came furth to fell a Fiddir,95 Quoth he, Where are yon hangit Smaiks, That wad have slain my Brither? His Wife bad him gae hame Gib Glaicks, And sae did Meg his Mither; 190 He turn’d and gave them baith their Paiks, For he durst ding nae ither, But them that Day.

CHRIST’s KIRK ON THE

G R E E N. CANTO II.96 But there had been mair Blood and Skaith, Sair Harship and great Spulie, And mony a ane had gotten his Death By this unsonsie Tooly: But that the bauld Good-wife of Braith 5 Arm’d wi’ a great Kail Gully, Came bellyflaught, and loot an Aith,97 She’d gar them a’ be hooly98 Fou fast that Day. 182. Flaughter’d Fails ] Turf that the Country People flea for covering their Houses. 183. Hal’d the Dools. See Lucky Spence, Line 41. 184. Down in the Dails, bedeen ] In Heaps a great Deal of them. Bedeen, Speedily. 186. Came furth to fell a Fidder ] Cut down a Fidder, or Load of Wood. The King having painted the rustic Squabble with an uncommon Spirit, in a most ludicrous Manner, in a Stanza of Verse the most difficult to keep the Sense complete, as he has done, without being forced to bring in Words for Crambo’s sake, where they return so frequently: Ambitious to imitate so great an Original, I put a Stop to the War; called a Congress, and made them sign a Peace, that the World might have their Picture in the more agreeable Hours of Drinking, Dancing and Singing. The following Canto’s were wrote, one in 1715, the other in 1718, about 300 Years after the first. Let no worthy Poet despair of Immortality; good sense will be always the same in spite of the Revolution of Words. 7. Came bellyflaught ] Came in great Haste, as it were flying full upon them with their Arms spread, as a Falcon with expanded Wings comes soussing upon her Prey. 8. Be hooly fou fast ] Desist immediately.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green Blyth to win aff sae wi’ hale Banes, Tho mony had clowr’d Pows;99 10 And dragl’d sae ’mang Muck and Stanes, They look’d like Wirry-kows: Quoth some, who ’maist had tint their Aynds, Let’s see how a’ Bowls rows: And quat this Brulziement at anes, 15 Yon Gully is ane Mows, Forsooth this Day. Quoth Hutchon, I am well content,100 I think we may do war; Till this Time Toumond I’se indent Our Claiths of Dirt will sa’r: Wi’ Nevels I’m amaist fawn faint, My Chafts are dung a char; Then took his Bonnet to the Bent, And daddit aff the Glar, Fou clean that Day.

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Tam Taylor, wha in Time of Battle101 25 Lay as gin some had fell’d him; Gat up now wi’ an unco’ Rattle, As nane there durst a quell’d him: Bauld Bess flew till him wi’ a Brattle, And spite of his Teeth held him 30 Closs by the Craig, and with her fatal Knife shored she would geld him, For Peace that Day. Syne a’ wi’ ae Consent shook Hands, As they stood in a Ring; Some red their Hair, some set their Bands, Some did their Sark Tails wring: Then for a Hap to shaw their Brands, They did there Minstrel bring, Where clever Houghs like Willi-wands, At ilka blythsome Spring. Lap high that Day.

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Claud Peky was na very blate, He stood nae lang a dreigh; For by the Wame he gripped Kate, 14. Let’s see how a’ Bowls rows ] A Bowling-green Phrase, commonly used when People would examine any Affair that’s a little ravel’d. 17. Quoth Hutchon ] Vide Canto I. Line 121. He’s brave, and the first Man for a honourable peace. 25. Tam Taylor ] Vide Canto I. Line 169. He’s a Coward, but would appear valiant when he finds the rest in Peace.

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Poems And gar’d her gi’e a Skreigh: Had aff, quoth she, ye filthy Slate, Ye stink o’ Leeks, O figh ! Let gae my Hands, I say, be quait; And wow gin she was skeigh, And mim that Day.

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Now settl’d Gossies sat, and keen Did for fresh Bickers birle; 102 50 While the young Swankies on the Green Took round a merry Tirle: Meg Wallet wi’ her pinky Een, Gart Lawrie’s Heart-strings dirle, And Fouk wad threep, that she did green 55 For what wad gar her skirle And skreigh some Day. The manly Miller, haff and haff,103 Came out to shaw good Will, Flang by his Mittens and his Staff, Cry’d, Gi’e me Paty’s-Mill ; 60 He lap Bawk-hight, and cry’d, Had aff,104 They rus’d him that had Skill; He wad do’t better, quoth a Cawf, Had he another Gill Of Usquebae. Furth started neist a pensy Blade, 65 And out a Maiden took, They said that he was Falkland bred,105 And danced by the Book; A souple Taylor to his Trade, And when their Hands he shook, 70 Ga’e them what he got frae his Dad, Videlicet the Yuke, To claw that Day. Whan a’ cry’d out he did sae weel, He Meg and Bess did call up; The Lasses bab’d about the Reel, 75 Gar’d a’ their Hurdies wallop, And swat like Pownies when they speel Up Braes, or when they gallop, 50. Did for fresh Bickers birle ] Contributed for fresh Bottles. 57. Haff and haff ] Half fuddled. 61. He lap Bawk-hight ] So high as his Head could strike the Loft, or Joining of the Couples. 67. Falkland bred ] Been a Journey-man to the King’s Taylor, and had seen Court-dancing.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green But a thrawn Knublock hit his Heel, And Wives had him to haul up, Haff fell’d that Day.

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But mony a pauky Look and Tale Gaed round whan Glowming hous’d them,106 The Ostler Wife brought ben good Ale, And bade the Lasses rouze them; Up wi’ them lads, and I’se be Bail They’ll loo ye an ye touze them: Quoth Gawssie, this will never fail Wi’ them that this Gate woes them, On sic a Day.

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Syne Stools and Furms were drawn aside, And up raise Willy Dadle, 90 A short Hought Man, but fou o’ Pride, He said the Fidler play’d ill; Let’s ha’e the Pipes, quoth he, beside; Quoth a’, That is nae said ill; He fits the Floor syne wi’ the Bride 95 To Cuttymun and Treeladle,107 Thick, thick that Day. In the mean Time in came the Laird, And by some Right did claim, To kiss and dance wi’ Masie Aird, A dink and dortie Dame: 100 But O poor Mause was aft her Guard, For back gate frae her Wame, Beckin she loot a fearfu’ Raird, That gart her think great Shame, And blush that Day. Auld Steen led out Maggie Forsyth, 105 He was her ain Good-brither; And ilka ane was unco’ blyth, To see auld Fouk sae clever. Quoth Jock, wi’ laughing like to rive, What think ye o’ my Mither? 110 Were my Dad dead, let me ne’er thrive But she wa’d get anither Goodman this Day. Tom Lutter had a muckle Dish, And betwisht ilka Tune, 82. Glowming hous’d them ] Twilight brought them into the House. 96. Cuttymun, &c. ] A Tune that goes very quick.

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Poems He laid his Lugs in’t like a Fish, And suckt till it was done; His Bags were liquor’d to his Wish, His Face was like a Moon: 108 But he cou’d get nae Place to pish In, but his ain twa Shoon, For Thrang that Day.

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The Latter-gae of haly Rhime,109 Sat up at the Boord-head, And a’ he said was thought a Crime To contradict indeed: For in Clark-Lear he was right prime, 125 And cou’d baith write and read, 110 And drank sae firm till ne’er a Styme He cou’d keek on a Bead, 111 Or Book that Day. When he was strute, twa sturdy Chiels, Be’s Oxter and be’s Coller, Held up frae cowping o’ the Creels112 The liquid Logick Scholar. When he came hame his Wife did reel, And rampage in her Choler, With that he brake the Spining-wheel, That cost a good Rix-dollar, And mair some say.

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Near Bed-time now ilk weary Wight Was gaunting for his Rest; For some were like to tyne their Sight, Wi’ Sleep and Drinking strest. 140 But ithers that were Stomach-tight, Cry’d out, It was nae best To leave a Supper that was dight, To Brownies, or a Ghaist,113 118. His Face was like a Moon ] Round, full and shining. When one is staring full of Drink, he’s said to have a Face like a full Moon. 121. The Latter-gae of holy Rhime ] The Reader or Church Precenter, who lets go, i.e. Gives out the Tune to be sung by the rest of the Congregation. 126. Baith write and read ] A Rarity in those Days. 128. Keek on a Bead ] Pray after the Roman Catholick Manner, which was the Religion then in Fashion. 131. Frae cowping of the Creels ] From turning topsy turvy. 144. To Brownies ] Many whimsical Stories are handed down to us by old Women of these Brownies: They tell us they were a Kind of good drudging Spirits, who appeared in Shape of rough Men, would have lyen familiarly by the Fire all Night, threshen in the Barn, brought a Midwife at a Time, and done many such kind Offices. But none of them has been seen in Scotland since the Reformation, as saith wise John Brown.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green To eat or Day. On whomelt Tubs lay twa lang Dails, 145 On them stood mony a Goan, Some fill’d wi’ Brachan, some wi’ Kail, And Milk het frae the Loan. Of Daintiths they had Routh and Wale, Of which they were right fon; 150 But nathing wad gae down but Ale Wi’ drunken Donald Don The Smith that Day. Twa Times aught Bannocks in a Heap, And twa good Junts of Beef, Wi’ hind and fore Spaul of a Sheep, 155 Drew Whistles frae ilk Sheath: Wi’ Gravie a their Beards did dreep, They kempit with their Teeth; A Kebbuck syn that ’maist cou’d creep Its lane pat on the Sheaf,114 160 In Stous that Day. The Bride was now laid in her Bed, Her left Leg Ho was flung;115 And Geordie Gib was fidgen glad, Because it hit Jean Gun: She was his Jo, and aft had said, 165 Fy, Geordie, had your Tongue, Ye’s ne’er get me to be your Bride: But chang’d her Mind when bung, That very Day. Tehee, quoth Touzie, when she saw116 The Cathel coming ben, 170 It pypin het gae’d round them a’, The Bride she made a Fen, To sit in Wylicoat sae braw, Upon her nether En; Her Lad like ony Cock did craw, 175 That meets a Clockin Hen,117 And blyth were they. 159. A Kebuck syne that ’maist cou’d creep its lane pat on the Sheaf ] A Cheese full of crawling Mites crown’d the Feast. 162. Her left Leg Ho was flung ] The Practice of throwing the Bridegroom or the Bride’s Stocking when they are going to Bed, is well known: The Person who it lights on is to be next married of the Company. 169. Tehee ] An Interjection of Laughter. 176. Clokin Hen ] A hatching Hen.

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Poems The Souter, Miller, Smith and Dick, Lawrie and Hutchon bauld, Carles that keep nae very strict Be Hours, tho they were auld; 180 Nor cou’d they e’er leave aff that Trick, But whare good Ale was sald, They drank a’ Night, e’en tho auld Nick Shou’d tempt their Wives to scald Them for’t neist Day. Was ne’er in Scotland heard or seen 185 Sic Banqueting and Drinkin, Sic Revelling and Battles keen, Sic Dancing, and sic Jinkin, And unko Wark that fell at E’en, When Lasses were haff winkin, 190 They lost their Feet and baith their Een, And Maidenheads gae’d linkin Aff a’ that Day.

CHRIST’s KIRK ON THE

G R E E N. CANTO III.118 Now frae East Nook of Fife the Daw’n119 Speel’d Westlines up the Lit, Carles wha heard the Cock had craw’n, Begoud to rax and rift: And greedy Wives wi’ girning Thrawn, 5 Cry’d, Lasses up to Thrift; Dogs barked, and the Lads frae Hand Bang’d to their Breeks like Drift, Be Break of Day. But some wha had been fow Yestreen, Curious to know how my Bridal Folks would look next Day after the Marriage, I attempted this third Canto, which opens with a Description of the Morning. Then the Friends come and present their Gifts to the new married Couple. A View is taken of one Girl (Kirsh) who had come fairly off, and of Mause who had stumbled with the Laird. Next a new Scene of Drinking if represented, and the young Good-man is creel’d. Then the Character of the Smith’s Ill-natured Shrew is drawn, which leads in the Description of riding the Stang. Next Magy Murdy has an exemplary Character of a good wise Wife. Deep drinking and bloodless Quarrels makes an end of an old Tale. 1. East Nook of Fife ] Where Day must break upon my Company; if, as I have observed, the Scene is at Lesly Church.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green Sic as the Latter-gae, 10 Air up had nae will to be seen, Grudgin their Groat to pay.120 But what aft fristed’s no forgeen, When Fouk has nought to say; Yet sweer were they to rake their Een,121 15 Sic dizzy Heads had they, And het that Day. Be that Time it was fair foor Days, 122 As fou’s the House cou’d pang, To see the young Fouk or they raise, Gossips came in ding dang, And wi’ a Soss aboon the Claiths,123 Ilk ane their Gifts down flang: Twall Toop Horn-spoons down Maggy lays, Baith muckle mow’d and lang, For Kale or Whey.

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Her Aunt a Pair of Tangs fush in, 25 Right bauld she spake and spruce, Gin your Goodman shall make a Din, And gabble like a Goose, Shorin whan fou to skelp ye’re Skin, Thir Tangs may be of Use; 30 Lay them enlang his Pow or Shin, Wha wins syn may make Roose, Between you twa. Auld Bessie in her red Coat braw, Came wi’ her ain Oe Nanny, An odd like Wife, they said that saw, 35 A moupin runckled Granny, She fley’d the Kimmers ane and a’, Word gae’d she was na kanny; 124 Nor wad they let Lucky awa, Till she was burnt wi’ Branny, 40 Like mony mae. Steen fresh and fastin ’mang the rest Came in to get his Morning, 12. Their Groat to pay ] Payment of the drunken Groat is very peremptorily demanded by the common People next Morning; but if they frankly confess the Debt due, they are passed for Two-pence. 15. Rake their Een ] Rub open their Eyes. 17. Fair foor Days ] Broad Day Light. 21. Aboon the Claiths ] They commonly throw their Gifts of Houshold Furniture above the Bed-cloaths where the young Folks are lying. 38. Word gae she was na kanny ] It was reported she was a Witch.

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Poems Speer’d gin the Bride had tane the Test,125 And how she loo’d her Corning? She laugh as she had fun a Nest, 45 Said, Let a be ye’r Scorning. Quoth Roger, Fegs I’ve done my best, To ge’er a Charge of Horning, 126 As well’s I may. Kind Kirsh was there, a kanty Lass, Black-ey’d, black-hair’d, and bonny; 50 Right well red up and jimp she was, And Wooers had fow mony: I wat na how it came to pass, She cutled in wi’ Jonnie, And tumbling wi’ him on the Grass, 55 Dung a’ her Cockernonny A jee that Day. But Mause begrutten was and bleer’d, Look’d thowless, dowf and sleepy; Auld Maggy kend the Wyt, and sneer’d, Caw’d her a poor daft Heepy: It’s a wise Wife that kens her Weird, What tho ye mount the Creepy;127 There a good Lesson may be lear’d, And what the war will ye be To stand a Day.

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Or Bairns can read, they first maun spell, 65 I learn’d this frae my Mammy, And coost a Legen-girth my sell,128 Lang or I married Tammie: I’se warrand ye have a’ heard tell, Of bonny Andrew Lammy, 70 Stifly in love wi’ me he fell, As soon as e’er he saw me: That was a Day. Hait Drink, frush butter’d Caiks and Cheese, That held their Hearts aboon, Wi’ Clashes mingled aft wi’ Lies, Drave aff the hale Forenoon: But after Dinner an ye please, To weary not o’re soon,

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43. Had tane the Test ] I do not mean an Oath of that Name we all have heard of. 48. Charge of Horning ] Is a Writ charging to make Payment, declaring the Debitor a Rebel. N.B. It may be left in the Lock-hole, if the Doors be shut. 62. Mount the Creepy ] The Stool of Repentance. 67. Coost a Legen-girth ] Like a Tub that loses one of its Bottom Hoops.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green We down to E’ning Edge wi’ Ease Shall loup, and see what’s done I’ the Doup o’ the Day.

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Now what the Friends wad fain been at, They that were right true blue; Was e’en to get their Wysons wat, And fill young Roger fou:129 But the bauld Billy took his Maut, 85 And was right stiff to bow; He fairly ga’e them Tit for Tat, And scour’d aff Healths anew, Clean out that Day. A Creel bout fow of muckle Stains130 They clinked on his Back, 90 To try the Pith o’s Rigg and Reins, They gart him cadge this Pack. Now as a Sign he had tane Pains, His young Wife was na slack, To rin and ease his Shoulder Bains, 95 And sneg’d the Raips fow snack, We’er Knife that Day. Syne the blyth Carles, Tooth and Nail, Fell keenly to the Wark; To ease the Gantrees of the Ale, And try wha was maist stark; 100 ’Till Boord and Floor, and a’ did sail, Wi’ spilt Ale i’ the Dark; Gart Jock’s Fit slide, he like a Fail, Play’d dad, and dang the Bark Aff’s Shins that Day. The Souter, Miller, Smith and Dick,131 105 Et cet’ra, closs sat cockin, Till wasted was baith Cash and Tick, Sae ill were they to slocken; Gane out to pish in Gutters thick, Some fell, and some gae’d rockin, 110 Sawny hang sneering on his Stick, To see bauld Hutchon bockin Rainbows that Day. 84. Fill young Roger fou ] ’Tis a Custom for the Friends to endeavour the next Day after the Wedding to make the new married Man as drunk as possible. 89. A Creel, &c. ] For Merryment, a Creel or Basket is bound, full of Stones, upon his Back; and if he has acted a manly Part, his young Wife with all imaginable Speed cuts the Cords, and relieves him from the Burthen. If she does not, he’s rallied for a Fumbler. 105. The Souter, &c. ] Vide Canto II. Line 177.

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Poems The Smith’s Wife her black Deary sought, And fand him Skin and Birn: 132 Quoth she, This Day’s Wark’s be dear bought, 115 He ban’d, and gae a Girn; Ca’d her a Jade, and said she mucht Gae hame and scum her Kirn; Whisht Ladren, for gin ye say ought Mair, I’se wind ye a Pirn133 120 To reel some Day. Ye’ll wind a Pirn! Ye silly Snool, Wae-worth ye’r drunken Saul, Quoth she, and lap out o’er a Stool, And claught him be the Spaul: He shook her, and sware muckle Dool 125 Ye’s thole for this, ye Scaul; I’se rive frae aff ye’r Hips the Hool, And learn ye to be baul On sic a Day. Your Tippanizing, scant o’ Grace, Quoth she, gars me gang duddy; Our Nibour Pate sin Break o’ Day’s Been thumpin at his Studdy, An it be true that some Fowk says, Ye’ll girn yet in a Woody; Syne wi’ her Nails she rave his Face, Made a’ his black Baird bloody, Wi’ Scarts that Day.

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A Gilpy that had seen the Faught, I wat he was nae lang, Till he had gather’d seven or aught Wild Hempies stout and strang; 140 They frae a Barn a Kaber raught, Ane mounted wi’ a Bang, Betwisht twa’s Shouders, and sat straught Upon’t, and rade the Stang134 On her that Day. 114. Skin and Birn ] The Marks of a Sheep; The Burn on the Nose, and the Tar on the Skin. i.e. She was sure it was him, with all the Marks of her drunken husband about him. 120. Wind ye a Pirn ] Is a threatning Expression, when one designs to contrive some malicious thing to vex you. 144. Rade the Stang on her ] The Riding of the Stang on a Woman that hath beat her Husband, is as I have described it, by one’s riding upon a Sting, or a long Piece of Wood, carried by two others on their Shoulders, where, like a Herauld, he proclaims the Woman’s Name, and the Manner of her unnatural Action.

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Christ's Kirk on the Green The Wives and Gytlings a’ span’d out O’er Middings, and o’er Dykes, Wi’ mony an unco Skirl and Shout, Like Bumbees frae their Bykes; Thro thick and thin they scour’d about, Plashin thro Dubs and Sykes, And sic a Reird ran thro the Rout, Gart a’ the hale Town Tykes Yamph loud that Day. But d’ye see fou better bred Was mens-fou Maggy Murdy, She her Man like a Lammy led Hame, wi’ a well wail’d Wordy: Fast frae the Company he fled, As he had tane the Sturdy;135 She fleech’d him fairly to his Bed, Wi’ ca’ing him her Burdy, Kindly that Day.

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But Lawrie he took out his Nap Upon a Mow of Pease, And Robin spew’d in’s ain Wife’s Lap; He said it ga’e him Ease. Hutchon wi’ a three lugged Cap, 165 His Head bizzin wi’ Bees, Hit Geordy a mislushios Rap, And brake the Brig o’s Neese Right sair that Day. Syne ilka Thing gae’d Arse o’er Head, Chanlers, Boord, Stools and Stowps, 170 Flew thro’ the House wi’ muckle speed, And there was little Hopes, But there had been some ill done Deed, They gat sic thrawart Cowps; But a’ the Skaith that chanc’d indeed, 175 Was only on their Dowps, Wi’ Faws that Day. Sae whiles they toolied, whiles they drank, Till a’ their Sense was smor’d; And in their Maws there was nae Mank, Upon the Furms some snor’d: Ithers frae aff the Bunkers sank, Wi’ Een like Collops scor’d: Some ram’d their Noddles wi’ a Clank,

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Poems E’en like a thick scull’d Lord, On Posts that Day. The young Good-man to Bed did clim, 185 His Dear the Door did lock in; Crap down beyont him, and the Rim O’ ’er Wame he clapt his Dock on: She fand her Lad was not in Trim, And be this same good Token, 190 That ilka Member, Lith and Limb, Was souple like a Doken, ’Bout him that Day.136

Notwithstanding all this my publick spirited Pains, I am well assured there are a few heavy Heads, who will bring down the Thick of their Cheeks to the Sides of their Mouths, and richly Stupid, alledge there’s some Things in it have a Meaning. Well, I own it; and think it handsomer in a few Lines to say Something, than talk a great Deal, and mean Nothing. Pray, is there any Thing vicious or unbecoming, in saying, Mens Liths and Limbs are souple when intoxicated? Does it not show, that excessive Drinking enervates and unhinges a Man’s Constitution, and makes him uncapable of performing divine or natural Duties. There is the Moral. And believe me, I could raise many useful Notes from every Character, which the Ingenious will presently find out.

Great Wits sometimes may gloriously offend, And rise to Faults true Criticks dare not mend; From vulgar Bounds with brave Disorder part, And snatch a Grace beyond the reach of Art. POPE.

Thus have I pursued these Comical Characters, having Gentlemens Health and Pleasure, and the good manners of the Vulgar in View: The main Design of Comedy being to represent the Follies and Mistakes of low Life in a just Light, making them appear as ridiculous as they really are, that each who is a Spectator, may evite his being the Object of Laughter. Any Body that has a mind to look sour upon it, may use their Freedom. Not laugh, Beasts, Fishes, Fowls, nor Reptiles can; That’s a peculiar Happiness of Man: When govern’d with a prudent chearful Grace, ’Tis one of the first Beauties of the Face.

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The Scriblers Lash'd

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SCRIBLERS L A S H ’ D.

You write Pindaricks! and be d—nd, Write Epigrams for Cutlers; None with thy Nonsense will be sham’d But Chamber-maids and Butlers. In t’ other World expect dry blows, No Tears shall wipe thy Stains out: Horace shall pluck thee by the Nose, And Pindar beat thy Brains out. T. Brown to T. D’urfy.

That I thus prostitute my Muse On Theme so low, may gain Excuse; When following Motives shall be thought on, Which has this dogrel Fury brought on. I’m call’d in Honour to protect 5 The Fair when tret with Disrespect: Besides, a Zeal transports my Soul, Which no Constraint can e’er controul; In Service of the Government, To draw my Pen, and Satyr vent, 10 Against vile Mungrels of Parnassus, Who through Impunity oppress us. ’Tis to correct this scribbling Crew, Who, as in former Reigns, so now Torment the World, and load our Time 15 With Jargon cloath’d in wretched Rhime, Disgrace of Numbers! Earth! I hate them! And as they merit, so I’ll treat them. And first, these ill bred Things I lash, That heated Authors of the Trash, 20 In publick spread with little Wit, Much Malice, rude and bootless Spite, Against the Sex, who have no Arms To shield them from insulting Harms, Except the Light’ning of their Eye, 25 Which none but such blind Dolts defy. Ungen’rous War ! t’ attack the Fair: But Ladies fear not, ye’re the Care Of every Wit of true Descent, 109

Poems At once their Song and Ornament: 30 They’ll ne’er neglect the lovely Crowd: But spite of all the Multitude Of scribbling Fops, assert your Cause, And execute Apollo’s Laws: Apollo, who the Bard inspires 35 With softest Thoughts and divine Fires; Than whom on all the Earth there’s no Man More complaisant to a fine Woman. Such Veneration mixt with Love, Points out a Poet from above: 40 But Zanny’s void of Sense and Merit, Love, Fire, or Fancy, Wit or Spirit: Weak, frantick, clownish, and chagreen, Pretending, prompt by zealous Spleen, T’ affront your Head-dress, or your Bone-fence, 45 Make Printers Presses groan with Nonsense. But while Sol’s Offspring lives, as soon Shall they pull down his Sister Moon. They with low incoherent Stuff, Dark Sense, or none, Lines lame and rough; 50 Without a Thought, Air or Address, All the whole Logerhead confess. From clouded Notions in the Brain, They scrible in a cloudy Strain: Desire of Verse they reckon Wit, 55 And rhime without one Grain of it. Then hurry forth in publick Town Their Scrawls, lest they should be unknown. Rather than want a Fame, they choose The Plague of an infamous Muse. 60 Unthinking, thus the Sots aspire, And raise their own Reproach the high’r: By meddling with the Modes and Fashions Of Women of politest Nations. Perhaps by this they’d have it told us, 65 That in their Spirit something bold is, To challenge those who have the Skill, By Charms to save, and Frowns to kill. If not Ambition, then ’tis Spite, Which makes the puny Insects write. 70 Like old and mouldy Maids turn’d sour, When distant Charms have lost their Pow’r, Fly out in loud Transports of Passion, When ought that’s new comes first in Fashion; ’Till by Degrees it creeps right snodly 75 On Hips and Head-dress of the g—y . Thus they to please the sighing Sisters, 110

The Scriblers Lash'd Who often beet them in their Misters,137 With their malicious Breath set sail, And write these silly Things they rail. 80 Pimps! Such as you can ne’er extend A Flight of Wit, which may amend Our Morals; that’s a Plot too nice For you to laugh Folks out of Vice. Sighing, Oh hey! Ye cry, Alace! 85 This Fardingale’s a great Disgrace! And all indeed, because an Ancle, Or Foot is seen, might Monarchs mancle; And makes the Wise, with Face upright, Look up, and bless Heav’n for their Sight. 90 In your Opinion nothing matches, O horrid Sin! the Crime of Patches! ’Tis false, ye Clowns; I’ll make’t appear, The glorious Sun does Patches wear: Yea, run thro’ all the Frame of Nature, You’ll find a Patch for ev’ry Creature: Even you your selves, ye blackned Wretches, To Heliconians are the Patches.

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But grant that Ladies Modes were Ills To be reform’d; your creeping Skills, 100 Ye Rhimers, never would succeed, Who write what the polite ne’er read. To cure an Error of the Fair, Demands the nicest prudent Care; Wit utter’d in a pleasing Strain, 105 A Point so delicate may gain: But that’s a Task as far above Your shallow Reach, as I’m from Jove. No more then let the World be vexed With Baggage empty and perplexed: 110 But learn to speak with due Respect Of Peggie’s Breasts and Ivory Neck. Such purblind Eyes as yours ’tis true, Shou’d ne’er such divine Beauties view. If Nellie’s Hoop be twice as wide, 115 As her two pretty Limbs can stride; What then? Will any Man of Sense Take Umbrage, or the least Offence, At what even the most modest may Expose to Phebus’ brightest Ray? 120 Does not the handsome of our City, The Pious, Chaste, the Kind and Witty, 78. Beet them in their Misters ] Oblige them upon Occasion.

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Poems Who can afford it, great and small, Regard well shapen Fardingale? And will you, Mag-pyes, make a Noise? 125 You grumble at the Lady’s Choice? Pray leav’t to them, and Mothers wise, Who watch their Conduct, Mein and Guise, To shape their Weeds as fits their Ease; And place their patches as they please. 130 This shou’d be granted without grudging, Since we all know they’re best at judging, What from Making demands Devotion, In Gesture, Garb, free Airs, and Motion. But you! Unworthy of my Pen! 135 Unworthy to be class’d with Men! Haste to Caffar, ye clumsy Sots, And there make Love to Hottentots. Another Sett with Ballads waste Our Paper, and debauch our Taste 140 With endless ’larms on the Street, Where Crowds of circling Rabble meet. The Vulgar judge of Poetry, By what these Hawkers sing and cry: Yea, some who claim to Wit amiss, 145 Cannot distinguish That from This. Hence Poets are accounted now In Scotland a mean empty Crew; Whose Heads are craz’d, who spend their Time In that poor wretched Trade of Rhime. 150 Yet all the learn’d discerning Part Of Mankind own the heav’nly Art Is as much distant from such Trash, As lay’d Dutch Coin from Sterling Cash. Others in lofty Nonsense write; Incomprehensible’s their Flight; Such magick Pow’r is in their Pen, They can bestow on worthless Men More Virtue, Merit and Renown, Than ever they cou’d call their own. They write with arbitrary Power, And Pity ’tis they shou’d fall lower; Or stoop to Truth, or yet to meddle With common Sense, for Crambo didle.

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But none of all the rhiming Herd 165 Are more encourag’d and rever’d By heavy Souls to their’s ally’d, Than such who tell who lately dy’d. No sooner is the Spirit flown, 112

The Scriblers Lash'd From its Clay Cage, to Lands unknown, Than some rash Hackney gets his Name, And thro’ the Town laments the same: An honest Burgess cannot dy, But they must weep in Elegy; Even when the virtuous Soul is soaring Thro’ middle Air, he hears it roaring. These Ills, and many more Abuses, Which plague Mankind, and vex the Muses, On Pain of Poverty shall cease, And all the Fair shall live in Peace: And every one shall die contented, Happy when not by them lamented. For great Apollo in his Name, Has ord’red me thus to proclaim:

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“Forasmuch as grov’ling Crew, 185 “With narrow Mind, and brazen Brow, “Wou’d fain to Poets Title mount, “And with vile Maggots rub Affront “On an old Virtuoso Nation, “Where our lov’d Nine maintain their Station: 190 “We order strick, that all refrain “To write, who Learning want, and Brain; “Pedants, with Hebrew Roots o’ergrown, “Learn’d in each Language but their own. “Each spiritless half starving Sinner, 195 “Who knows not how to get his Dinner: “Dealers in small Ware, Clinks, Whim Whams, “Acrosticks, Puns, and Anagrams; “And all who their Productions grudge, “To be canvast by skilful Judge, 200 “Who can find out indulgent Trip, “Whilst ’tis in harmless Manuscript. “But to all them who disobey, “And jog on still in their own Way; “Be’t kend to all Men that our Will is, “Since all they write so wretched ill is; “They must dispatch their shallow Ghosts, “To Pluto’s Jakes, and take their Posts; “There to attend, ’till Dis shall deign “To use their Works; the Use is plain. Now know, ye Scoundrels, if ye stand To humph and ha at this Command, The Furies have prepar’d a Halter, To hang, or drive ye helter skelter, 113

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Poems Through Bogs and Moors, like Rats and Mice, Pursu’d with Hunger, Rags and Lice, If e’er ye dare again to croak, And God of Harmony provoke. Wherefore pursue some Craft for Bread, Where Hands may better serve than Head; Nor ever hope in Verse to shine, Or share in Homer’s Fate or –—.

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CONTENT a

P O E M. Content is Wealth, the Riches of the Mind; And happy he who can that Treasure find: But the base Miser starves amidst his Store, Broods on his Gold, and gripping still for more, Sits sadly pining, and believes he’s poor. Dryden.

} Virtue was taught in Verse, and Athens’ Glory rose. Prior. When genial beams wade thro’ the dewy Morn, And from the Clod invite the sprouting Corn; When chequer’d Green, wing’d Musik, new blown Scents, Conspir’d to soothe the Mind, and please each Sense: Then down a shady Haugh I took my Way, Delighted with each Flower and budding Spray; Musing on all that Hurry, Pain and Strife, Which flow from the phantastick Ills of Life. Enlarg’d from such Distresses of the Mind, Due Gratitude to Heav’n my Thoughts refin’d, And made me in the laughing Sage’s Way,138 As a mere Farce the murm’ring World survey; Finding imagin’d Maladies abound, Tenfold for one, which gives a real Wound. Godlike is he whom no false Fears annoy, Who lives content, and grasps the present Joy; Whose Mind is not with wild Convulsions rent Of Pride, and Avarice, and Discontent: Whose well train’d Passions, with a pious Aw, 11. Laughing Sage ] Democritus.

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Content Are all subordinate to Reason’s Law: 20 Then smooth Content arises like the Day, And makes each rugged Phantom fly away. To lowest Men she gives a lib’ral Share Of solid Bliss, she mitigates our Care, Enlarging Joys, administrating Health; 25 The rich Man’s Pleasure, and the poor Man’s wealth; A Train of Comforts on her Nod attend, And to her Sway Profits and Honours bend. Hail blest Content! who art by Heav’n design’d Parent of Health and Chearfulness of Mind; Serene Content shall animate my Song, And make the immortal Numbers smooth and strong. Silenus, thou whose hoary Beard and Head Experience speak, and Youth’s Attention plead; Retail thy gather’d Knowledge, and disclose What State of Life enjoys the most Repose. Thus I addrest: —And thus the ancient Bard; — First, to no State of Life fix thy Regard. All Mortals may be happy, if they please, Not rack’d with Pain, nor lingering Disease. Midas the Wretch, wrapt in his patched Rags, With empty Paunch, sits brooding o’er his Bags; Meager his Look, his Mind in constant Fright, If Winds but move his Windows in the Night; If Dogs should bark, or but a Mouse make Din, He sweats and starts, and thinks the Thief’s got in: His Sleep forsakes him ’till the Dawn appears, Which every Thing but such a Caitiff chears; It gives him Pain to buy a Farthing-Light, He jums at Home in Darkness all the Night. What makes him manage with such cautious Pain? ’Twould break a Sum; a Farthing spent so vain! If e’er he’s pleased, ’tis when some needful Man Gives Ten per Cent with an insuring Pawn, Tho he’s provided in as much would serve Whole Nestor’s Years, he ever fears to starve. Tell him of Alms, alas! he’d rather chuse Damnation and the promis’d Bliss refuse. — And is there such a Wretch beneath the Sun — ? Yes, he return’d, Thousands instead of one, To whom Content is utterly unknown.— Are all the rich Men such? — He answer’d, No; Marcus hath Wealth, and can his Wealth bestow Upon himself, his Friends, and on the Poor, Enjoys enough, and wishes for no more.

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Poems Reverse of these, is he who braves the Skie, Cursing his Maker when he throws the Die: Gods, Devils, Furies, Hell, Heaven, Blood and Wounds, Promiscuous fly in Bursts of tainted Sounds: He to Perdition doth his Soul bequeath, Yet inly trembles when he thinks of Death. Except at Game, he ne’er employs his Thought Till hiss’d and pointed at, — not worth a Groat. The desp’rate Remnant of a large Estate Goes at one Throw, and points his gloomy Fate; He finds his Folly now, but finds too late. Ill brooks my fondling Master to be poor, Bred up to nought but Bottle, Game, and Whore. How pitiful he looks without his Rent! They who fly Vertue, ever fly Content,

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Now I beheld the Sage look’d less severe, Whilst Pity join’d his old Satyrick Lear. The weakly Mind, said he, is quickly torn, Men are not Gods, some Frailties must be born: Heaven’s bounteous Hand all in their Turn abuse, The happiest Men at Times their Fate refuse, Befool themselves, — and trump up an Excuse.

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Is Lucius but a Subaltern of Foot? His Equal Gallus is a Coronet. Sterilla shuns a Gossiping, and why? The teeming Mother fills her with Envy. The pregnant Matron’s Grief as much prevails, Some of the Children always something ails: One Boy is sick, t’other has broke his Head, And Nurse is blam’d when little Miss is dead.

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A Dutchess on a Velvet Couch reclin’d, Blabs her fair Cheeks till she is almost blind; Poor Phili’s Death the briny Pearls demands, Who ceases now to snarl and lick her Hands. With Penetration carve out Kingdoms Fates, } Look sour, drink Coffee, shrug, and read Gazettes: The Politicians, who in learn’d Debates,

Deep sunk in Craft of State their Souls are lost, And all their Hopes depend upon the Post: Each Mail that’s due they curse the contrair Wind, ’Tis strange if this Way Men Contentment find. Tho old, their Humors I am yet to learn, Who vex themselves in what they’ve no Concern. Ninny the glaring Fop, who always runs 116

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Content In Tradesmen’s Books, which makes the careful Duns Often e’er Ten to break his slumb’ring Rest: Whilst with their craving Clamours he’s opprest, He frames Excuses ’till his Cranny akes, Then thinks he justly damns the cursed Snakes. The disappointed Dun with as much Ire, Both threats and curses till his Breast’s on Fire: Then home he goes, and pours it on his House, His Servants suffer oft, and oft his Spouse. Some groan thro’ Life amidst a Heap of Cares, To load with too much Wealth their lazy Heirs: The lazy Heir turns all to Ridicule, And all his Life proclaims his Father Fool. He toils in spending. — Leaves a Threed-bare Son, To scrape anew, as had his Grandsire done. How is the fair Myrtilla’s Bosom fir’d, If Leda’s sable Locks are more admir’d; While Leda does her secret Sighs discharge, Because her Mouth’s a Straw-breadth, ah! too large. Thus sung the Sire, and left me to evite The scorching Beams in some cool green Retreat; Where gentle Slumber seiz’d my weary’d Brain, And mimick Fancy op’d the following Scene.

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Methought I stood upon a rising Ground, A splendid Landskip open’d all around, Rocks, Rivers, Meadows, Gardens, Parks and Woods, 135 And Domes, which hid their Turrets in the Clouds; To me approach’d a Nymph divinely fair, Celestial Virtue shone through all her Air: A Nymph for Grace, her Wisdom more renown’d Adorn’d each Grace, and both true Valour crown’d. 140 Around her heav’nly Smiles a Helmet blaz’d, And graceful as she mov’d, a Spear she gently rais’d. My Sight at first the Lustre scarce could bear, Her dazling Glories shone so strong and clear: A Majesty sublime, with all that’s sweet, 145 Did Adoration claim, and Love invite. I felt her Wisdom’s Charm my Thoughts inspire, Her dauntless Courage set my Soul on Fire. The Maid, when thus I knew, I soon addrest, My present wishful Thoughts the Theme suggest: 150 “Of all th’ etherial Powers thou noblest Maid, “To humane Weakness lend’st the readiest Aid: “To where Content and her blest Train reside, “Immortal Pallas, deign to be my Guide, With my Request well pleas’d, our Course we bent, 155 117

Poems To find the Habitation of Content. Thro’ fierce Bellona’s Tents we first advanc’d, Where Cannons bounc’d, and nervous Horses pranc’d: Here Vi & Armis sat with dreadful Aw And daring Front, to prop each Nation’s Law: Attending Squadrons on her Motions wait, Array’d in Deaths, and fearless of their Fate. Here Chiftain Souls glow’d with as great a Fire, As his who made the World but one Empire. Even in low Ranks brave Spirits might be found, Who wanted nought of Monarchs but a Crown. But ah! Ambition stood a Foe to Peace, Shaking the Empty Fob and ragged Fleece; Which were more hideous to these Sons of War, Than Brimstone, Smoak, and Storms of Bullets are. Here, said my Guide, Content is rarely found, Where Blood and noisy Jars beset the Ground.

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Trade’s wealthy Ware-house next fell in our Way, Where in great Bales Part of each Nation lay, The Spanish Citron, and Hesperia’s Oil, 175 Persia’s soft Product, and the Chinese Toil; Warm Borneo’s Spices, Arab’s scented Gum, The Polish Amber, and the Saxon Mum, The Orient Pearl, Holland’s Lace and Toys, And Tinsie Work, which the fair Nun imploys. 180 From India Ivory, and the clouded Cane, And Coacheneal from Straits of Magellan. The Scandinavian Rosin, Hemp and Tar, The Lapland Furs, and Russia’s Caviare, The Gallick Punchion charg’d with Ruby Juice, 185 Which makes the Hearts of Gods and Men rejoice. Britannia here pours from her plenteous Horn, Her shining Mirrors, Clock-work, Cloaths and Corn. Here Cent per Cents sat poring o’er their Books, While many shew’d the Bankrupts in their Looks, 190 Who by Mismanagement their Stock had spent, Curs’d these hard Times, and blam’d the Government. The Missive Letter, and peremptor Bill, Forbade them rest, and call’d forth all their Skill, Uncertain Credit bore the Sceptre here, 195 And her prime Ministers were Hope and Fear. The surly Chufs demanded what we sought, Content, said I, may she with Gold be bought? Content! said one, then star’d and bit his Thumb, And leering ask’d, if I was worth a Plum.139 200 200. Worth a Plum ] 10000 Lib.

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Content Love’s fragrant Fields, where mildest western Gales, Loaden with Sweets, perfume the Hills and Dales; Where longing Lovers haunt the Streams and Glades, And cooling Groves, whose Verdure never fades; Thither with Joy and hasty Steps we strode, There sure I thought our long’d for Bliss abode. Whom first we met on that enchanted Plain, Was a tall Yellow-hair’d young pensive Swain; Him I addrest, — “O Youth, what heavenly Power “Commands and graces yon Elysian Bower? “Sure ’tis Content, else much I am deceiv’d. The Shepherd sigh’d, and told me that I rav’d. Rare she appears, unless on some fine Day She grace a Nuptial, but soon hasts away: If her you seek, soon hence you must remove, Her Presence is precarious in Love. Thro’ these and other Shrines we wander’d long, Which merit no Description in my Song: ’Till at the last, methought we cast our Eye Upon an antique Temple, square and high, Its Area wide, its Spire did pierce the Sky; On adamantine Dorick Pillars rear’d, Strong Gothick Work the massy Pile appear’d: Nothing seem’d little, all was great design’d, Which pleas’d the Eye at once, and fill’d the Mind. Whilst Wonder did my curious Thoughts engage, To us approach’d a studious rev’rend Sage: Both Aw and Kindness his grave Aspect bore, Which spoke him rich with Wisdom’s finest Store. He ask’d our Errand there, — “Straight, I reply’d, “Content; in these high Towers does she reside? Not far from hence, said he, her Palace stands, Ours she regards, as we do her Demands, Philosophy sustains her peaceful Sway, And in Return she feasts us every Day. Then straight an antient Telescope he brought, By Socrates and Epictetus wrought, Improved since, made easier to the Sight, Lengthen’d the Tube, the Glasses ground more bright: Through this he shew’d a Hill, whose lofty Brow Enjoy’d the Sun, while Vapours all below, In pitchy Clouds, encircled it around, Where Phantoms of most horrid Forms abound; The ugly Brood of lazy Spleen and Fear, Frightful in Shape, most monstrous appear. Then thus my Guide, —— Your Way lies through yon Gloom, be not agast, Come briskly on, you’ll jest them when they’re past: Mere empty Spectres, harmless as the Air,

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Poems Which merit not your Notice, less your Care. Encourag’d with her Word, I thus addrest My noble Guide, and grateful Joy exprest. “O sacred Wisdom! Thine’s the Source of Light, “Without thy Blaze the World would grope in Night. “Of Woe and Bliss thou only art the Test, “Falshood and Truth before thee stand confest: “Thou mak’st a double Life: One Nature gave, “But without thine, what is it Mortals have? “A breathing Motion grazing to the Grave.

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Now through the Damps methought we boldly went, Smiling at all the Grins of Discontent: Tho oft pull’d back, the rising Ground we gain’d, Whilst inward Joy my weary’d Limbs sustain’d. Arriv’d the Height, whose Top was large and plain, And what appear’d soon recompens’d my Pain, Nature’s whole Beauty deck’d the enamell’d Scene.

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Amidst the Glade the sacred Palace stood, The Architecture not so fine as good; Nor scrimp, nor gousty, regular and plain, Plain were the Columns which the Roof sustain: 270 An easy Greatness in the whole was found, Where all that Nature wanted did abound. But here no Beds are screen’d with rich Brocade, Nor Fewel-Logs in Silver Grates are laid: No broken China Bowls disturb the Joy 275 Of waiting Handmaid, or the running Boy; Nor in the Cupboard Heaps of Plate are rang’d, To be with each splenetick Fashion chang’d. A weather-beaten Sentry watch’d the Gate, Of Temper cross, and practis’d in Debate: 280 Till once acquaint with him, no Entry here, Tho brave as Cæsar, or as Helen fair: To Strangers fierce, but with Familiars tame, And Touchstone Disappointment was his Name. This fair Inscription shone above the Gate, Fear none but him whose Will directs thy Fate. With Smile austere he lifted up his Head, Pointed the Characters and bid us read. We did, and stood resolv’d. The Gates at last Op’d of their own Accord, and in we past. Each Day a Herauld, by the Queen’s Command, Was order’d on a Mount to take his Stand, And thence to all the Earth this Offer make, “Who are inclin’d her Favours to partake, 120

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Rais’d on a Throne within the outer Gate, The Goddess sat, her Vot’ries round her wait: The beautiful Divinity disclos’d Sweetness sublime, which roughest Cares compos’d: 300 Her looks sedate, yet joyful and serene, Not rich her Dress, but suitable and clean: Unfurrow’d was her Brow, her Cheeks were smooth, Tho old as Time, enjoy’d immortal Youth; And all her Accents so harmonious flow’d, 305 That ev’ry listning Ear with Pleasure glow’d. An Olive Garland on her Head she wore, And her right Hand a Cornucopia bore. Cross Touchstone fill’d a Bench without the Door, To try the Sterling of each humane Ore: 310 Grim Judge he was, and them away he sent, Unfit t’approach the Shrine of calm Content. To him a hoary Dotard load with Bags: Unweildy Load! to one who hardly drags His Being. — More than Seventy Years, said he, I’ve sought this Court, ’till now unfound by me: Now let me rest. — “Yes, if ye want no more; “But e’er the Sun has made his annual Tour, “Know, grov’ling Wretch, thy Wealth’s without thy Pow’r. The Thoughts of Death, and ceasing from his Gain, Brought on the old Man’s Head so sharp a Pain, Which dim’d his optick Nerves, and with the Light He lost the Palace, and crawl’d back to Night.

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Poor gripping Thing, how useless is thy Breath, While nothing’s so much long’d for as thy Death? How meanly hast thou spent thy Lease of Years? A Slave to Poverty, to Toils and Fears; And all to vie with some black rugged Hill, Whose rich Contents Millions of Chests can fill. As round the greedy Rock clings to the Mine, And hinders it in open Day to shine, Till Diggers hew it from the Spar’s Embrace, Making it circle, stampt with Cæsar’s Face; So dost thou hoard, and from thy Prince purloin His useful Image, and thy Country Coin, Till gaping Heirs have free’d th’imprison’d Slave, When to their Comfort thou hast fill’d a Grave. The next who with a janty Air approach’d, Was a gay Youth, who thither had been coach’d: Sleek were his Flanders Mares, his Liv’ries fine, 121

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Poems With glittering Gold his Furniture did shine. Sure such methought may enter when they please, Who have all these Appearances of Ease. Strutting he march’d, nor any Leave he crav’d, Attemp’t to pass, but found himself deceiv’d: Old Touchstone gave him on the Breast a Box, Which op’d the Sluces of a latent Pox, Then bid his Equipage in haste depart. The Youth look’d at them with a fainting Heart; He found he could not walk, and bid them stay, Swore three cramp Oaths, mounted and wheel’d away. The Pow’r express’d herself thus with a Smile, “These changing Shadows are not worth our while; “With smallest Trifles oft their Peace is torn, “If here at Night, they rarely wait the Morn. Another Beau as fine, but more vivace, Whose Airs sat round him with an easy Grace, And well bred Motion, came up to the Gate, I lov’d him much, and trembl’d for his Fate. The Sentry broke his clouded Cane, —He smil’d, Got fairly in, and all our Fears beguil’d. The Cane was soon renew’d which had been broke, And thus the Vertue to the Circle spoke, “Each Thing magnificent or gay we grant, “To them who’re capable to bear their Want.

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Two handsome Toasts came next, them well I knew, Their lovely Make the Court’s Observance drew; Three waiting Maids attended in the Rear, Each loaden with as much as she could bear: One mov’d beneath a Load of Silks and Lace, 370 Another bore the Offsets of the Face; But the most bulky Burden of the Three, Was hers who bore the Utensils of Bohee. My Mind indulgent in their Favour pled, Hoping no Opposition would be made: 375 So mannerly, so smooth, so mild their Eye, Enough almost to give Content Envy. But soon I found my Error, the bold Judge, Who acted as if prompted by some Grudge, Them thus saluted with a hollow Tone, 380 “You’re none of my Acquaintance, get you gone; “What Loads of Trump’ry these?— Ha, where’s my Cross? “I’ll try if these be solid Ware or boss, The China felt the Fury of his Blow, And lost a Being, or for Use or Show; 385 For Use or Show no more’s each Plate or Cup, But all in Shreds upon the Threshold drop. 122

Content Now every Charm which deck’d their Face before, Give Place to Rage, and Beauty is no more. The brinny Stream their rosy Cheeks besmear’d, Whilst they in Clouds of Vapours disappear’d. A rustick Hynd, attir’d in home-spun Gray, With forked Locks, and Shoes bedaub’d with Clay; Palms shod with Horn, his Front fresh, brown and broad, With Legs and Shoulders fitted for a Load; He ’midst ten bawling Children laugh’d and sung, While Consort Hobnails on the Pavement rung: Up to the Porter unconcern’d he came, Forcing along his Offspring and their Dame. Cross Touchstone strove to stop him, but the Clown At Handy-cuffs him match’d, and threw him down; And spite of him into the Palace went, Where he was kindly welcom’d by Content.

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Two Busbian Philosophs put in their Claims, Gamaliel and Critis were their Names; 405 But soon’s they had our British Homer seen, With Face unruffl’d waiting on the Queen, Envious Hate their surly Bosoms fir’d, Their Colour chang’d, they from the Porch retir’d: Backward they went, reflecting with much Rage 410 On the bad Taste and Humor of the Age, Which pay’d so much Respect to nat’ral Parts, While they were starving Graduates of Arts. The Goddess fell a laughing at the Fools, And sent them packing to their Grammar Schools; 415 Or in some Garret elevate to dwell, There with Sisyphian Toil to teach young Beaus to spell. Now all this while a Gale of Eastern Wind, And cloudy Skies opprest the humane Mind; The Wind set West, back’d with the radiant Beams, Which warm’d the Air, and danc’d upon the Streams, Exhal’d the Spleens, and sooth’d a World of Souls, Who crowded now the Avenue in Shoals. Numbers in black, of Widowers, Relicts, Heirs, Of new wed Lovers many handsome Pairs; Men landed from Abroad, from Camps and Seas; Others got through some dangerous Disease: A Train of Belles adorn’d with something new, And even of ancient Prudes there were a few, Who were refresh’d with Scandal and with Tea, Which for a Space set them from Vapours free. Here from their Cups the lower Species flockt, And Knaves with Bribes and cheating Methods stockt. 123

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Poems The Pow’r survey’d the Troop, and gave command They should no longer in the Entry stand, But be convey’d into Chimera’s Tower, There to attend her Pleasure for an Hour. Soon as they entred, Apprehension shook The Fabrick: Fear was fixt on every Look, Old Age and Poverty, Disease, Disgrace, With horrid Grin, star’d full in every Face, Which made them, trembling at their unknown Fate, Issue in Haste out by the postern Gate. None waited out their Hour but only two, Who had been wedded Fifteen Years ago. The Man had learn’d the World, and fixt his Mind; His Spouse was chearful, beautiful and kind: She neither fear’d the Shock, nor Phantoms Stare: She thought her Husband wise, and knew that he was there. Now while the Court was sitting, my fair Guide Into a fine Elysium me convey’d; I saw, or thought I saw the spacious Fields Adorn’d with all prolifick Nature yields, Profusely rich, with her most valu’d Store: But as m’enchanted Fancy wander’d o’er The happy plain, new Beauties seem’d to rise, The Fields were fled, and all was painted Skies. Pleas’d for a while, I wish’d the former Scene; Straight all return’d and eas’d me of my Pain. Again the flow’ry Meadows disappear, And Hills and Groves their stately Summits rear; These sink again, and rapid Rivers flow, Next from the Rivers Cities seem to grow. Sometime the fleeting Scene I had forgot, In busie Thought intranc’d, with Pain I sought To know the hidden Charm, straight all was fled And boundless Heav’ns o’er boundless Ocean spread; Impatient I obtest my noble Guide, Reveal this wond’rous Secret, she reply’d.

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We carried on what greatly we design’d, When all these humane Follies you resign’d, Ambition, Lux’ry, and a cov’tous Mind: Yet think not true Content can thus be bought, There’s wanting still a Train of virtuous Thought.

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When me your Leader prudently you chose, And listning to my Counsel, didst refuse Fantastick Joys, your Soul was thus prepar’d For true Content; and thus I do reward

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Content Your gen’rous Toil. Observe this wondrous Clime; Of Nature’s Blessings here are hid the Prime: But wise and virtuous Thought in constant Course, Must draw these Beauties from their hidden Source; The smallest Intermissions will transform The pleasant Scene, and spoil each perfect Charm. ’Tis ugly Vice will rob you of Content, And to your View all hellish Woes present. Nor grudge the Care in Vertue you employ, Your present Toil will prove your future Joy. Then smil’d she heav’nly sweet, and parting said, Hold fast your virtuous Mind, of nothing be afraid. A while the charming Voice so fill’d my Ears, I grieve the divine Form no more appears. Then to confirm my yet unsteady Mind, Under a lonely Shadow I reclin’d, To try the Virtues of the Clime I sought: Then straight call’d up a Train of hideous Thought, Famine, and Blood, and Pestilence appear, Wild Shrieks and loud Laments disturb mine Ear; New Woes and Horrors did my Sight alarm. Envy and Hate compos’d the wretched Charm. Soon as I saw, I dropt the hateful View, And thus I sought past Pleasures to renew. To heav’nly Love my Thoughts I next compose, Then quick as thought the following Sighs disclose: Streams, Meadows, Grotto’s, Groves, Birds carrolling, Calmness, and temp’rate Warmth, and endless Spring; A perfect Transcript of these upper Bowers, The Habitation of th’ immortal Powers.

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Back to the Palace ravished I went, Resolved to reside with blest Content, 510 Where all my special Friends methought I met, In Order ’mongst the best of Mankind set: My Soul with too much Pleasure overcharg’d, The captiv’d Senses to their Post enlarg’d: Lifting mine Eyes I view’d declining Day, 515 Sprang from the Green, and homeward bent my Way, Reflecting on that Hurry, Pain and Strife Which flow from false and real Ills of Life.

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RICHY and SANDY, a

PASTORAL

On the Death of JOSEPH ADDISON, Esq; RICHY.140 What gars thee look sae dowf, dear Sandy, say? Chear up dull Fallow, take thy Reed and play, My Apron Deary, —or some wanton Tune: Be merry Lad, and keep thy Heart aboon. SANDY. Na, na, it winna do! Leave me to mane, This aught Days twice o’er tell’d I’ll whistle nane. RICHY. Wow Man, that’s unco’ said, —Is that ye’r Jo Has ta’en the Strunt? —Or has some Bogle-bo Glowrin frae ’mang auld Waws gi’en te a Fleg? Or has some dawted Wedder broke his Leg?

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An Explanation of Richy and Sandy, by Josiah Burchet Esq; RICHY. What makes thee look so sad? dear Sandy say. Rouse up dull Fellow, take thy Reed and play A merry Jig, or try some other Art, To raise thy Spirits, and cheer up thy Heart. SANDY. No, no, it will not do! Leave me to moan, Till twice eight Days are past I’ll whistle none.

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RICHY. That’s strange indeed! Has Jenny made the sad? Or, tell me, hath some horrid Spectre, Lad, (Glaring from Ruins old, in silent Night) Surpriz’d, and put thee in a panic Fright? 10 Or ails that Wedder ought, thy Favourite?

} Richy and Sandy ] Sir Richard Steel and Mr. Alexander Pope.

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Richy and Sandy SANDY. Naithing like that, sic Troubles eith were born, What’s Bogles, —Wedders, — or what’s Mausy’s Scorn? Our loss is meikle mair, and past Remeed, Edie, that play’d and sang sae sweet, is dead. RICHY. Dead, say’st thou; Oh! Had up my Heart O Pan! Ye Gods! What Laids ye lay on feckless Man! Alake therefore, I canna wyt ye’r Wae, I’ll bear ye Company for Year and Day. A better Lad ne’er lean’d out o’er a Kent, Or hounded Coly o’er the mossy Bent: Blyth at the Bought how aft ha’ we three been, Heartsome on Hills, and gay upon the Green. SANDY. That’s true indeed! But now thae Days are gane, And with him a’ that’s pleasant on the Plain. A Summer Day I never thought it lang To hear him make a Roundel or a Sang. How sweet he sung where Vines and Myrtles grow,141

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E X PL A N AT I O N. SANDY. Such Troubles might with much more Ease be born: What’s Goblins, Wedders, or what’s Woman’s Scorn? Our Loss is greater far; for Addy’s dead, Addy, who sang so sweetly on the Mead. RICHY. Dead is he, say’st thou? Guard my Heart, oh Pan! What Burthens, Gods, ye lay on feeble Man! Alack I cannot blame thee for thy Grief; Nor hope I, more than thou, to find Relief. A better Lad ne’er lean’d on Shepherd’s Crook, Nor after Game halloo’d his Dog to look. How glad where Ews give Milk have we three been, Merry on Hills, and gay upon the Green! SANDY. That’s true indeed; but now, alas! in vain We seek for Pleasure on the rural Plain: I never thought a Summer’s Day too long To hear his Couplets, or his tuneful Song. How sweet he sang where Vines and Myrtles grow, 27. How sweet ] His Poetick Epistle from Italy to the Earl Halifax.

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Poems Of wimpling Waters which in Latium flow. Titry the Mantuan Herd wha lang sinsyne Best sung on aeten Reed the Lover’s Pine, 30 Had he been to the fore now in our Days, Wi’ Edie he had frankly dealt his Bays. As lang’s the Warld shall Amaryllis ken, His Rosamond shall eccho thro’ the Glen;142 While on the Burn Banks the yellow Gowan grows, 35 Or wand’ring Lambs rin bleeting after Ews, His Fame shall last: last shall his Sang of Weirs,143 While British Bairns brag of their bauld Forebears. We’ll mickle miss his blyth and witty Jest At Spaining Time, or at our Lambmass Feast. 40 O, Richy, but ’tis hard that Death ay reaves Away the best Fowck, and the ill ane leaves. Hing down ye’r Head ye Hills, greet out ye’r Springs. Upon ye’r Edge na mair the Shepherd sings. RICHY. Than he had ay a good Advice to gi’e, And kend my Thoughts amaist as well as me; Had I been thowless, vext, or oughtlins sow’r,

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E X PL A N AT I O N. And winding Streams which in old Latium flow! 30 Titry, the Mantuan Herd, who long ago Sang best on Oaten Reed the Lover’s Woe, Did he, fam’d Bard, but live in these our Days, He would with Addy freely share his Bays. As long as Shepherds Amaryllis hear, So long his Rosamond shall please the Ear. 35 While spangled Daisie near the Riv’let grows, And tender Lambs seek after bleating Ews, His Fame shall last. Last shall his Song of Wars, While British Youngsters boast of Ancestors. Much shall we miss his merry witty Jests, 40 At weaning Times, and at our Lambmass Feasts. Oh Richy! Richy! Death hath been unkind To take the Good, and leave the Ill behind. Bow down your Heads ye Hills, weep dry your Springs, For on their Banks no more the Shepherd sings. 45 RICHY. Then he had always good Advice to give, And could my Thoughts, like as my self, conceive. When I’ve been drooping, vex’d, or in the Spleen, 34. Rosamond ] An Opera wrote by him. 37. Sang of Weirs ] His Campaign; An heroick Poem.

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Richy and Sandy He wad have made me blyth in haff an Hour. Had Rosie ta’en the Dorts, —or had the Tod Worry’d my Lamb, —or were my Feet ill shod, Kindly he’d laugh when sae he saw me dwine, And tauk of Happiness like a Divine. Of ilka Thing he had an unco’ Skill, He kend be Moon Light how Tides ebb and fill. He kend, what kend he no? E’en to a Hair He’d tell o’er Night gin neist Day wad be fair. Blind John, ye mind, wha sang in kittle Phrase,144 How the ill Sp’rit did the first Mischief raise; Mony a Time beneath the auld birk-tree, What’s bonny in that Sang he loot me see. The Lasses aft flang down their Rakes and Pales, And held their Tongues, O strange! to hear his Tales. SANDY. Sound be his Sleep, and saft his Wak’ning be, He’s in a better Case than thee or me; He was o’er good for us; the Gods hae ta’en Their ain but back, —he was a borrow’d Len. Let us be good, gin Virtue be our Drift,

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E X PL A N AT I O N. In one half Hour with him I’ve merry been. 50 Had Jenny froward been, or Raynard bold Worry’d my Lamb, or were my Shoes grown old; Kindly he’d smile, when he observ’d me grieve, And by his Talk divine my Breast relieve. Addy did all Things to Perfection know; Saw by the Moon how Tides would ebb or flow. 55 He knew, what knew he not? E’en to a Hair He’d tell o’er Night if next Day would be fair. The fam’d blind Bard sang in mysterious Phrase How envious Satan did first Mischief raise; But oft beneath the well-spread Birchen-Tree 60 The Beauties of that Song he made me see. The Lasses oft flung down their Rakes and Pales, And held their Tongues, Oh strange! to hear his Tales. SANDY. Sound be his Sleep, and soft his Waking be; More happy is he far than thee or me: Too good he was for us; the Gods but lent Him here below, when hither he was sent. Let us be good, if Virtue be our Aim,

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Poems Then may we yet forgether ’boon the Lift. But see the Sheep are wising to the Cleugh; Thomas has loos’d his Ousen frae the Pleugh; Maggy by this has bewk the Supper-Scones, And nuckle Kye stand rowting on the Loans: Come, Richy, let us truse and hame o’er bend, And make the best of what we canna mend.145

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E X PL A N AT I O N. Then we may meet above the Skies again. But see how tow’rds the Glade the Fatlings go; Thomas hath ta’en the Oxen from the Plough; Joan hath prepar’d the Supper ’gainst we come, And late calf’d Cows stand lowing near their Home: Then let’s have done, and to our Rest repair, And what we cannot help, with Patience bear.

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To Mr. Allan Ramsay TO

Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY, ON HIS

Richy and Sandy. By Mr. Burchet. WEll fare thee, Allan, who in Mother Tongue, So sweetly hath of breathless Addy sung. His endless Fame thy nat’ral Genius fir’d, And thou hast written as if he inspir’d. Richy and Sandy, who do him survive, 5 Long as thy rural Stanza’s last, shall live. The grateful Swains thou’st made, in tuneful Verse, Mourn sadly o’er their late — lost Patron’s Hearse. Nor would the Mantuan Bard, if living, blame Thy pious Zeal, or think thou’st hurt his Fame, 10 Since Addison’s inimitable Lays Give him an equal Title to the Bays. When he of Armies sang, in lofty Strains, It seem’d as if he in the hostile Plains Had present been. His Pen hath to the Life: 15 Trac’d ev’ry Action in the sanguine Strife. In Council now sedate the Chief appears, Then loudly thunders in Bavarian Ears; And still pursuing the destructive Theme, He pushes them into the rapid Stream. 20 Thus beaten out of Blenheim’s neighb’ring Fields, The Gallic Gen’ral to the Victor yields, Who, as Britannia’s Virgil hath observ’d, From threatn’d Fate all Europe then preserv’d. Nor dost thou, Ramsay, sightless Milton wrong, By ought contain’d in thy melodious Song; For none but Addy could his Thoughts sublime So well unriddle, or his mystick Rhime. And when he deign’d to let his Fancy rove Where Sun-burnt Shepherds to the Nymphs make Love, No one e’er told in softer Notes the Tales Of rural Pleasures in the spangled Vales. So much, Oh Allan! I thy Lines revere, Such Veneration to his Mem’ry bear, That I no longer could my Thanks refrain For what thou’st sung of the lamented Swain.

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To JOSIAH BURCHET Esq; Thirsting for Fame, at the Pierian Spring The Poet takes a Waught, then seys to sing Nature, and with the tentiest View to hit Her bonny Side with bauldest Turns of Wit. Streams slide in Verse, in Verse the Mountains rise, When Earth turns toom he rummages the Skies, Mounts up beyond them, paints the Fields of Rest, Doups down to visit ilka laigh-land Ghaist. I hartsome Labour! Wordy Time and Pains, That, frae the Best, Esteem and Friendship gains. Be that my Luck, and let the greedy Bike Stock-job the Warld among them as they like. In blyth braid Scots allow me, Sir, to shaw My Gratitude, but Fleetching or a Flaw.146 May Rowth o’ Pleasures light upon ye lang, Till to the blest Elysian Bowers ye gang; Wha’ve clapt my Head sae brawly for my Sang. When honour’d Burchet and his Maiks are pleas’d With my Corn-pipe, up to the Starns I’m heez’d; Whence far I glowr to the Fag-end of Time, And view the Warld delighted wi’ my Rhime. That when the Pride of sprush new Words are laid, I like the Classick Authors shall be read. Stand yont proud Czar, I wadna niffer Fame With thee, for a’ thy Furrs and paughty Name.

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If sic great Ferlies, Sir, my Muse can do,

As spin a three-plait Praise where it is due, } Frae me there’s nane deserves it mair than you. Frae me! Frae ilky ane; for sure a Breast Sae gen’rous is of a’ that’s Good possest. Till I can serve ye mair, I’ll wish ye weell, And aft in sparkling Claret drink your Heel: Minding the Mem’ry of the Great and Good Sweet Addison, the Wale of humane Blood, Wha sell, (as Horace anes said to his Billy) Nulli flebilior quam tibi Virgili. SIR, Your’s, &c. Al. Ramsay.

15. But fleetching ] But is frequently used for without, i. e. without flat’ring.

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Familiar Epistles

Familiar Epistles between Lieutenant William Hamilton and Allan Ramsay.

E P I S T L E I.

Gilbertfield June 26th, 1719. O Fam’d and celebrated Allan! Renowned Ramsay, canty Callan, There’s nowther Highlandman or Lawlan, In Poetrie, But may as soon ding down Tamtallan147 As match wi’ thee. For ten Times ten, and that’s a hunder, 5 I ha’e been made to gaze and wonder, When frae Parnassus thou didst thunder, Wi’ Wit and Skill, Wherefore I’ll soberly knock under, And quat my Quill. Of Poetry the hail Quintessence Thou has suck’d up, left nae Excrescence To petty Poets, or sic Messens, Tho round thy Stool, They may pick Crumbs, and lear some Lessons At Ramsay’s School. Tho Ben and Dryden of Renown148 Were yet alive in London Town, Like Kings contending for a Crown; ’Twad be a Pingle, Whilk o’ you three wad gar Words sound And best to gingle. Transform’d may I be to a Rat, Wer’t in my Pow’r but I’d create Thee upo’ sight the Laureat149 Of this our Age, Since thou may’st fairly claim to that

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4. Tamtallan ] An old Fortification upon the Firth of Forth in East Lothian. 13. Tho Ben. ] Tho celebrated Ben Johnston. 19. The Laureat ] Scots Ramsay press’d hard, and sturdily vaunted, He’d fight for the Laurel before he would want it; But risit Apollo, and cry’d, Peace there old Stile, Your Wit is obscure to one half of the Isle. B. Sess. of Poets.

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Poems As thy just Wage. Let modern Poets bear the Blame Gin they respect not Ramsay’s Name, Wha soon can gar them greet for Shame, To their great Loss; And send them a’ right sneaking hame Be Weeping-Cross. Wha bourds wi’ thee had need be warry, And lear wi’ Skill thy Thrust to parry, When thou consults thy Dictionary Of ancient Words, Which come from thy Poetick Quarry, As sharp as Swords.

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Now tho I should baith reel and rottle, And be as light as Aristotle, 30 At Ed’nurgh we sall ha’e a Bottle Of reaming Claret, Gin that my haff-pay Siller Shottle150 Can safely spare it. At Crambo then we’ll rack our Brain, Drown ilk dull Care and aiking Pain, Whilk aften does our Spirits drain Of true Content; Wow, Wow! but we’s be wonder fain, When thus acquaint.

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Wi’ Wine we’ll gargarize our Craig, Then enter in a lasting League, Free of Ill Aspect or Intrigue, And gin you please it, Like Princes when met at the Hague, 40 We’ll solemnize it. Accept of this and look upon it With Favour, tho poor I have done it Sae I conclude and end my Sonnet, Who am most fully, While I do wear a Hat or Bonnet, Yours—wanton Willy.

32. Haff Pay ] He held his Commission honourable in my Lord Hyndford’s Regiment. And may the Stars wha shine aboon With Honour notice real Merit, Be to my Friend auspicious soon, And cherish ay sae fine a Spirit.

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Familiar Epistles P O S T S C R I P T. 45 By this my Postscript I incline To let you ken my hail Design Of sic a lang imperfect Line, Lyes in this Sentence, To cultivate my dull Ingine By your Acquaintance. Your answer therefore I expect, And to your Friend you may direct, 50 At Gilbertfield do not neglect151 When ye have Leisure, Which I’ll embrace with great Respect And perfect Pleasure.

A N S W E R I.

Edinburgh, July 10th, 1719. Sonse fa me, witty, wanton Willy, Gin blyth I was na as a Filly; Not a fow Pint, nor short Hought Gilly, Or Wine that’s better, Cou’d please sae meikle, my dear Billy, As thy kind Letter, Before a Lord and eik a Knight, In Gossy Don’s be Candle Light, There first I saw’t, and ca’d it right, And the maist feck Wha’s seen’t sinsyne, they ca’d as tight As that on Heck. Ha, heh! thought I, I canna say But I may cock my Nose the Day, When Hamilton the bauld and gay Lends me a Heezy, In Verse that slides sae smooth away, Well tell’d and easy.

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Sae roos’d by ane of well kend Mettle, Nae sma did my Ambition pettle My canker’d Criticks it will nettle, 15 And e’en sae be’t: This Month I’m sure I winna settle, Sae proud I’m wi’t. 51. Gilbertfield ] Nigh Glasgow.

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Poems When I begoud first to cun Verse, And cou’d your Ardry Whins rehearse,152 Where Bonny Heck ran fast and fierce, It warm’d my Breast; Then Emulation did me pierce, 20 Whilk since ne’er ceast. May I be licket wi’ a Bittle, Gin of your Numbers I think little; Ye’re never rugget, shan, nor kittle, But blyth and gabby, And hit the Spirit to a Title, Of Standart Habby.153 Ye’ll quat your Quill! That were ill-willy, 25 Ye’s sing some mair yet, nill ye will ye, O’er meikle Haining wad but spill ye, And gar ye sour, Then up and war them a’ yet, Willy, ’Tis in your Power. To knit up Dollers in a Clout, And then to eard them round about, Syne to tell up, they downa lout To lift the Gear; The Malison lights on that Rout, Is plain and clear.

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The Chiels of London, Cam, and Ox, Ha’e rais’d up great Poetick Stocks Of Rapes, of Buckets, Sarks and Locks, 35 While we neglect To shaw their betters. This provokes Me to reflect On the Iear’d Days of Gawn Dunkell,154 Our Country then a Tale cou’d tell, Europe had nane mair snack and snell At Verse or Prose; Our Kings were Poets too themsell,155 40 Bauld and Jocose. To Ed’nburgh, Sir, when e’er ye come, 18. Ardry Whins ] The last Words of Bonny Heck, of which he was Author. 24. Standart Habby ] The Elegy on Habby Simpson Piper of Kilbarchan, a finish’d Piece of its Kind. 36. Gawn Dunkell ] Gawn Douglass Brother to the Earl of Angus Bishop of Dunkell, who besides several original Poems, hath left a most exact Translation of Virgil’s Æneis. 40. Our Kings ] James the First and Fifth.

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Familiar Epistles I’ll wait upon ye, there’s my Thumb, Were’t frae the Gill-bells to the Drum,156 And take a Bout, And faith I hope we’ll no sit dumb, Nor yet cast out.

E P I S T L E II.

Gilbertfield, July 24th, 1719. Dear Ramsay, When I receiv’d thy kind Epistle, It made me dance, and sing, and whistle; O sic a Fyke, and sic a Fistle I had about it! That e’er was Knight of the Scots Thistle,157 Sae fain, I doubted. The bonny Lines therein thou sent me, 5 How to the Nines they did content me; Tho’, Sir, sae high to compliment me, Ye might defer’d, For had ye but haff well a kent me, Some less wad ser’d. With joyfou Heart beyond Expression, They’re safely now in my Possession: 10 O gin I were a Winter-Session Near by thy Lodging, I’d closs attend thy new Profession, Without e’er budging. In even down earnest, there’s but few To vie with Ramsay dare avow, In Verse, for to gi’e thee thy due, 15 And without fleetching, Thou’s better at that Trade, I trow, Than some’s at preaching.158 43. Frae the Gill-Bells ] From Half an Hour before Twelve at Noon, when the Musick Bells begin to play, frequently called the Gill-Bells, from Peoples taking a wheting Dram at that Time. To the Drum, Ten a Clock at Night, when the Drum goes round to warn sober Folks to call for a Bill. 4. Knight of the Scots Thistle ] The antient and most noble Order of Knighthood, erected by King Achaius. The ordinary English worn by the Knights of the Order, was a green Ribband, to which was appended a Thistle of Gold crown’d with an imperial Crown, within a circle of Gold, with this Motto, Nemo me impune lacesset. 16. Than some’s at Preaching ] This Compliment is intirely free of the fulsome Hyperbole.

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Poems For my Part, till I’m better leart, To troke with thee I’d best forbear’t; For an’ the Fouk of Edn’burgh hear’t, They’ll ca’ me daft, I’m unco’ irie and Dirt-feart 20 I make wrang Waft. Thy Verses nice as ever nicket, Made me as canty as a Cricket; I ergh to reply, lest I stick it, Syne like a Coof I look, or ane whose Poutch is picket As bare’s my Loof. Heh winsom! How thy saft sweet Stile, And bonny auld Words gar me smile; Thou’s travel’d sure mony a Mile Wi’ Charge and Cost, To learn them thus keep Rank and File, And ken their Post.

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For I maun tell thee, honest Allie, I use the Freedom so to call thee, 30 I think them a’ sae bra and walie, And in sic Order, I wad nae care to be thy Vallie, Or thy Recorder. Has thou with Rosycrucians wandert? 159 Or thro’ some doncie Desart danert? That with thy Magick, Town and Landart, 35 For ought I see, Maun a’ come truckle to thy Standart Of Poetrie. Do not mistake me, dearest Heart, As if I charg’d thee with black Art; ’Tis thy good Genius still alart, That does inspire Thee with ilk Thing that’s quick and smart, To thy Desire.

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E’en mony a bonny knacky Tale, Bra to set o’er a Pint of Ale: For Fifty Guineas I’ll find Bail, Against a Bodle, That I wad quat ilk Day a Mail, 33. Rosycrucians ] A People deeply learn’d in the occult Sciences, who convers’d with aerial Beings. Gentlemanny Kind of Necromancers, or so.

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Familiar Epistles For sic a Nodle. 45 And on Condition I were as gabby, As either thee, or honest Habby, That I lin’d a’ thy Claes wi’ Tabby, Or Velvet Plush, And then thou’d be sae far frae shabby, Thou’d look right sprush. What tho young empty airy Sparks May have their critical Remarks 50 On thir my blyth diverting Warks; ’Tis sma Presumption To say they’re but unlearned Clarks, And want the Gumption. Let Coxcomb Criticks get a Tether To ty up a’ their lang loose Lether; If they and I chance to forgether, 55 The tane may rue it, For an’ they winna had their Blether, They’s get a Flewet. To learn them for to peep and pry In secret Drolls ’twixt thee and I; Pray dip thy Pen in Wrath, and cry, And ca’ them Skellums, I’m sure thou needs set little by 60 To bide their Bellums. Wi’ Writing I’m so bleirt and doited, That when I raise, in Troth I stoited; I thought I shou’d turn capernoited, For wi’ a Gird, Upon my Bum I fairly cloited On the cald Eard. Which did oblige a little Dumple 65 Upon my Doup, close by my Rumple: But had ye seen how I did trumple, Ye’d split your Side, Wi’ mony a long and weary Wimple, Like Trough of Clyde.

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Poems

A N S W E R II.

Edinburgh, August 4th, 1719. Dear Hamilton ye’ll turn me Dyver, My Muse sae bonny ye descrive her, Ye blaw her sae, I’m fear’d ye rive her, For wi’ a Whid, Gin ony higher up ye drive her, She’ll rin red-wood.160 Said I, — “Whisht, quoth the vougy Jade, “William’s a wise judicious Lad, “Has Havins mair than e’er ye had, “Ill bred Bog-staker;161 “But me ye ne’er sae crouse had craw’d, “Ye poor Scull-thacker.

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“It sets you well indeed to gadge! “E’er I t’ Appollo did ye cadge,162 10 “And got ye on his Honour’s Badge, “Ungratefou Beast, “A Glasgow Capon and a Fadge163 “Ye thought a Feast. “Swith to Castalius’ Fountain-Brink, “Dad down a Grouf, and take a Drink,164 “Syne whisk out Paper, Pen and Ink, 15 And do my Bidding; “Be thankfou, else I’se gar ye stink Yet on a Midding. My Mistress dear, your Servant humble, Said I, I shou’d be laith to drumble Your Passions, or e’er gar ye grumble, ’Tis ne’er be me Shall scandalize, or say ye bummil 20 Ye’r Poetrie. 4. Rin Red-wood ] Run distracted. 7. Illbred Bogstaker, but me, &c. ] The Muse not unreasonably angry, puts me here in Mind of the Favours she has done, by bringing me from stalking over Bogs or wild Marishes, to lift my Head a little Brisker among the polite World, which could never been acquired by the low Movements of a Mechanick. Scul-thacker, i. e. Thatcher of Sculs. 9. It sets ye well indeed to gadge ] Ironically she says, It becomes me mighty well to talk haughtily and affront my Benefactoress, by alledging so meanly that it were possible to praise her out of her Solidity. 12. A Glasgow Capon, &c. A Herring. A Fadge. A course kind of leaven’d Bread, used by the common People. 14. Dad down a Grouf ] Fall flat on your Belly.

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Familiar Epistles Frae what I’ve tell’d, my Friend may learn How sadly I ha’e been forfairn, I’d better been a yont Side Kairn- 165 amount, I trow; I’ve kiss’d the Taz like a good Bairn, 166 Now, Sir to you. Heal be your Heart, gay couthy Carle, 25 Lang may ye help to toom a Barrel; Be thy Crown ay unclowr’d in Quarrel, When thou inclines To knoit thrawn gabbed Sumphs that snarl At our frank Lines. Ilk good Chiel says, Ye’re well worth Gowd, And Blythness on ye’s well bestow’d, 30 ’Mang witty Scots ye’r Name’s be row’d, Ne’er Fame to tine; The crooked Clinkers shall be cow’d,167 But ye shall shine. Set out the burnt Side of your Shin,168 For Pride in Poets is nae Sin, Glory’s the Prize for which they rin, 35 And Fame’s their Jo; And wha blaws best the Horn shall win: And wharefore no? Quisquis vocabit nos Vain-glorious, Shaw scanter Skill, than malos mores, Multi & magni Men before us Did stamp and swagger. Probatum est, exemplum Horace, 40 Was a bauld Bragger. Then let the Doofarts fash’d wi’ Spleen, Cast up the wrang Side of their Een, Pegh, fry and girn wi’ Spite and Teen, And fa a flyting, Laugh, for the lively Lads will screen Us frae Back-biting. If that the Gypsies dinna spung us, 45 23. Karn-amount ] A noted Hill in the North of Scotland. 24. I’ve kiss’d the Taz ] Kiss’d the Rod. Own’d my Fault like a good Child. 32. The crooked Clinkers, &c. ] The scribbling Rhimers, with their lame Versification. Shall be cow’d, i.e. shorn off. 33. Set out the burnt Side of your Skin ] As if one would say, Walk stately with your Toes out. An Expression used when we wou’d bid a Person (merrily) look brisk.

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Poems And foreign Whiskers ha’e na dung us; Gin I can snifter thro’ Mundungus, Wi’ Boots and Belt on, I hope to see you at St. Mungo’s169 Atween and Beltan.

E P I S T L E III.

Gilbertfield, August 24th, 1719. Accept my third and last Essay Of rural Rhyme, I humbly pray, Bright Ramsay, and altho it may

Seem doilt and donsie, Yet thrice of all Things, I heard say, Was ay thought sonsie, Wherefore I scarce cou’d sleep or slumber, 5 Till I made up that happy Number, The Pleasure counterpois’d the Cumber, In ev’ry Part, And snoov’t away like three Hand Omber, 170 Sixpence a Cart. Of thy last Poem, bearing Date August the Fourth, I grant Receipt; 10 It was sae bra, gart me look blate, ’Maist tyne my Senses, And look just like poor Country Kate171 In Lucky Spence’s. I shaw’d it to our Parish Priest, Wha was as blyth as gi’m a Feast; He says, Thou may had up thy Creest, And craw fu’ crouse, The Poets a’ to thee’s but Jest, Not worth a Souce.

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Thy blyth and cheerfu’ merry Muse, Of Compliments is sae profuse; For my good Haivens dis me roose Sae very finely It were ill Breeding to refuse 20 To thank her kindly. 48. St. Mungo’s ] The high Church of Glasgow. 8. Snoov’t away ] Whirl’d smoothly around. Snooving always expresses the Action of a Top or Spindle, &c. 12. Country Kate ] Vide Lucky Spence Elegy, Line 51.

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Familiar Epistles What tho sometimes in angry Mood, When she-puts on her Barlick-hood, Her Dialect seem rough and rude; Let’s ne’er be flee’t, But take our Bit when it is good, And Buffet wi’t. For gin we ettle anes to taunt her, And dinna cawmly thole her Banter, She’ll take the Flings; Verse may grow scanter, 172 Syne wi’ great Shame We’ll rue the Day that we do want her, Then wha’s to blame?

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But let us still her Kindness culzie, And wi’ her never breed a Toulzie, 30 For we’ll bring aff but little Spulzie In sic a Barter; And she’ll be fair to gar us fulzie, And cry for Quarter. Sae little worth’s my rhyming Ware, My Pack I scarce dare apen mair, Till I take better wi’ the Lair, 35 My Pen’s sae blunted; 173 And a’ for Fear I file the Fair, And be affronted. The dull Draff-drink makes me sae dowff, 174 A’ I can do’s but bark and yowff; Yet set me in a Claret Howff, Wi’ Fowk that’s chancy, My Muse may len me then a Gowff To clear my Fancy.

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Then Bacchus like I’d bawl and bluster, And a’ the Muses ’bout me muster; Sae merrily I’d squeeze the Cluster, And drink the Grape, ’Twad gi my Verse a brighter Lustre, And better Shape. The Pow’rs aboon be still auspicious To thy Achievements maist delicious, Thy Poems sweet and nae Way vicious,

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27. She’ll take the Flings ] Turn sullen, restive, and kick. 36. For Fear I file the Fair ] This Phrase is used when one attempts to do what’s handsome, and is affronted by not doing it right,— not a reasonable Fear in him. 37. Dull Draff-drink ] Heavy Malt Liquor.

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Poems But blyth and kanny; To see, I’m anxious and ambitious, Thy Miscellany. A’ Blessings, Ramsay, on thee row,175 Lang may thou live, and thrive, and dow, 50 Until thou claw an auld Man’s Pow; And thro’ thy Creed, Be keeped frae the Wirricow After thou’s dead.

A N S W E R III.

Edinburgh, September 2d, 1719. My Trusty Trojan, Thy last Oration orthodox, Thy innocent auldfarren Jokes, And sonsie Saw of Three provokes Me anes again, Tod Lowrie like, to loose my Pocks,176 And pump my Brain. By a’ your Letters I ha’e red, 5 I eithly scan the Man well bred, And Soger that where Honour led, Has ventur’d bauld; Wha now to Youngsters leaves the Yed177 To ’tend his Fald. That Bang’ster Billy Cæsar July, Wha at Pharsalia wan the Tooly, 10 Had better sped, had he mair hooly Scamper’d thro’ Life, And ’midst his Glories sheath’d his Gooly, And kiss’d his Wife. Had he like you, as well he cou’d, 178 Upon Burn Banks the Muses woo’d, Retir’d betimes frae ’mang the Crowd, Wha’d been aboon him? The Senate’s Durks, and Faction loud, Had ne’er undone him.

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49. A Blessings, &c. ] All this Verse is a succinct Cluster of kind Wishes, elegantly expres’d, with a friendly Spirit, to which I take the Liberty to add Amen. 4. Tod Lowrie like ] Like Rynard the Fox, to betake my self to some more of my Wiles. 8. Leaves the Yed to tend his Fald ] Leaves the Martial Contention, and retires to a Country Life. 13. As well he cou’d ] ’Tis well known he could write as well as fight.

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Familiar Epistles Yet sometimes leave the Riggs and Bog, Your Howms, and Braes, and shady Scrag, And helm-a-lee the Claret cog, To clear your Wit: Be blyth, and let the Warld e’en shog, 20 As it thinks fit. Ne’er fash about your neist Year’s State, Nor with superior Powers debate, Nor Cantrapes cast to ken your Fate; There’s Ills anew To cram our Days, which soon grow late; Let’s live just now. When Northern Blasts the Ocean snurl, 25 And gars the Heights and Hows look gurl, Then left about the Bumper whirl, And toom the Horn,179 Grip fast the Hours which hasty hurl, The Morn’s the Morn. Thus to Leuconoe sang sweet Flaccus,180 Wha nane e’er thought a Gillygacus: 30 And why should we let Whimsies bawk us, When Joy’s in Season, And thole sae aft the Spleen to whauk us Out of our Reason? Tho I were Laird of Tenscore Acres, Nodding to Jouks of Hallenshakers, 181 Yet crush’d wi’ Humdrums, which the Weaker’s 35 Contentment ruines, I’d rather roost wi’ Causey-Rakers, And sup cauld Sowens. I think, my Friend, an Fowk can get A Doll of rost Beef pypin het, And wi’ red Wine their Wyson wet, And Cleathing clean, And be nae sick, or drown’d in Debt, They’re no to mean. I red this Verse to my ain Kimmer,

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27. Toom the Horn ] ’Tis frequent in the Country to drink Beer out of Horn Cups, made in Shape of Water Glass. 29. Thus to Leuconoe ] Vide Book I. ii. Ode of Horace. 34. Hallenshakers ] A Hallen is a Fence (built of Stone, Turf, or a moveable Flake of Heather) at the Sides of the Door in Country Places, to defend them from the Wind. The trembling Attendant about a forgetfull great Man’s Gate or Levee, is all express’d in the Term Hallenshaker.

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Poems Wha kens I like a Leg of Gimmer, Or sic and sic good Belly Timmer;

Quoth she, and leugh, “Sicker of thae Winter and Simmer, “Ye’re well enough. My hearty Goss, there is nae Help, 45 But Hand to Nive we twa maun skelp Up Rhine and Thames, and o’er the Alppines and Pyrenians, The chearfou Carles do sae yelp To ha’e ’s their Minions.

Thy raffan rural Rhyme sae rare, Sic wordy, wanton, hand-wail’d Ware, 50 Sae gash and gay, gars Fowk gae gare182 To ha’e them by them; Tho gaffin they wi’ Sides sae sair,183 Cry, “Wae gae by him! Fair fa that Sodger did invent To ease the Poets Toil wi’ Print: Now, William, wi’ maun to the Bent, And pouss our Fortune, And crack wi’ Lads wha’re well content Wi’ this our Sporting.

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Gin ony sour-mou’d girning Bucky Ca’ me conceity keckling Chucky, That we like Nags whase Necks are yucky, Ha’e us’d our Teeth; I’ll answer fine, — Gae kiss ye’r Lucky184 60 She dwells i’ Leith. I ne’er wi’ lang Tales fash my Head, But when I speak, I speak indeed: Wha ca’s me droll, but ony Feed, I’ll own I am sae, And while my Champers can chew Bread, Yours—Allan Ramsay. 51. Gars Fowk gae gare ] Make People very earnest. 52. Wi’ Sides sae fair, Cry, “Wae gae by him! ’Tis usual for many, after a full Laugh, to complain of sore Sides, and to bestow a kindly Curse on the Author of the Jest. But the Folks of more tender Consciences have turned their Expletives to friendly Wishes, such as this; or, Sonse fa’ ye, and the like. 60. Gae kiss ye’r Lucky, &c. ] Is a cant Phrase, from what Rise I know not; but ’tis made use of when one thinks it not worth while to give a direct Answer, or think themselves foolishly accused.

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An Epistle to Lieutenant Hamilton an

EPISTLE

To Lieutenant Hamilton On the receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of Loch-Fine Herrings from him. Your Herrings, Sir, came hale and feer,185 In healsome Brine a’ soumin, Fu’ fat they are and gusty Gear, As e’er I laid my Thumb on: Bra sappy Fish 5 As an cou’d wish To clap on Fadge or Scon; They relish fine Good Claret Wine, That gars our Cares stand yon. 10 Right mony Gabs wi’ them shall gang About Auld Reeky’s Ingle, When kedgy Carles think nae lang, Where Stoups and Trunchers gingle; Then my Friend leal, 15 We toss ye’r Heal, And with bald Brag advance, What’s hoorded in Lochs Broom and Fine186 Might ding the Stocks of France. 20 A jelly Sum to carry on A Fishery’s design’d,187 Twa Million good of Sterling Pounds, By Men of Money’s sign’d. Had ye but seen 25 How unco’ keen And thrang they were about it, That we are bald, Right rich and aldFarran ye ne’r wad doubted. 30 Now, now I hope we’ll ding the Dutch, As fine as a round Robin, Gin Greediness to grow soon rich 1. Hale and seer ] Whole, without the least Fault or Want. 19. Broom and Fine ] Two Lochs on the Western Seas, where Plenty of Herrings are tane. 19. A Fishery ] The Royal Fishery; Success to which is the Wish and Hope of every good Man.

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Poems Invites not to Stock-jobbing: That poor boss Shade 35 Of sinking Trade, And Weather-Glass Politick, Which heaves and sets, As Publick gets A Heezy, or a wee Kick. 40 Fy, fy! But yet I hope ’tis daft To fear that Trick come hither, Na, we’re aboon that dirty Craft Of biting an anither. The Subject rich 45 Will gi’ a Hitch T’ increase the publick Gear, When on our Seas, Like bisy Bees, Ten thousand Fishers steer. 50 Could we catch the united Shoals That crowd the Western Ocean, The India’s wad prove hungry Holes, Compare’d to this our Goshen: Then let’s to wark 55 With Net and Bark, Them fish and faithfu’ cure up; Gin sae we join, We’ll cleek in Coin Frae a’ the Ports of Europe. 60 Thanks t’ye Captain for this Swatch Of our Store, and your Favour; Gin I be spar’d, your Love to match Shall still be my Endeavour. Next unto you, 65 My Service due Please gi’e to Matthew Cumin,188 Wha with fair Heart Has play’d his Part, And sent them true and trim in. 70

67. M. C. ] Merchant in Glasgow, and one of the late Magistrates of that City.

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Patie and Roger

PATIE and ROGER: A

P A S T O R A L Inscrib’d to JOSIAH BURCHET, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty. The nipping Frosts and driving Sna Are o’er the Hills and far awa; Bauld Boreas sleeps, the Zephyres blaw, And ilka Thing Sae dainty, youthfou, gay and bra’ Invites to sing. Then let’s begin by creek of Day, Kind Muse skiff to the Bent away, To try anes mair the Landart Lay, With a’ thy Speed, Since Burchet awns that thou can play Upon the Reed.

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Anes, anes again beneath some Tree Exert thy Skill and nat’ral Glee, 10 To him wha has sae courteously,189 To weaker Sight, Set these rude Sonnets sung by me In truest Light. In truest Light may a’ that’s fine In his fair Character still shine, Sma’ need he has of Sangs like mine, 15 To beet his Name; For frae the North to Southern Line, Wide gangs his Fame. His Fame, which ever shall abide, While Hist’ries tell of Tyrants Pride, Wha vainly strave upon the Tide T’ invade these Lands, Where Briton’s Royal Fleet doth ride, Which still commands.

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These doughty Actions frae his Pen,190 Our Age, and these to come, shall ken, 11. To weaker Sight, set these, &c. ] Having done me the Honour of turning some of my pastoral Poems into English justly and elegantly. 21. Frae his Pen ] His valuable naval History.

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Poems How stubborn Navies did contend Upon the Waves, How free-born Britons faught like Men, Their Faes like Slaves. Sae far inscribing, Sir, to you, 25 This Country Sang my Fancy flew, Keen your just Merit to pursue; But ah! I fear, In giving Praises that are due, I grate your Ear. Yet tent a Poet’s zealous Pray’r; May Powers aboon with kindly Care, Grant you a lang and muckle Skair Of a’ that’s Good; Till unto langest Life and mair You’ve healthfu’ stood. May never Care your Blessings sowr, And may the Muses ilka Hour Improve your Mind, and Haunt your Bower: I’m but a Callan: Yet may I please you; while I’m your Devoted Allan.

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Patie and Roger. Beneath the South-side of a Craigy Bield, Where a clear Spring did healsome Water yield, Twa youthfou Shepherds on the Gowans lay, Tenting their Flocks ae bonny Morn of May: Poor Roger gran’d till hollow Echoes rang,191 5 While merry Patie humm’d himsel a Sang:192 Then turning to his Friend in blythsome Mood, Quoth he, How does this Sunshine chear my Blood? How heartsome is’t to see the rising Plants? To hear the Birds chirm o’er their Morning Rants? 10 How tosie is’t to snuff the cauller Air, And a’ the Sweets it bears, when void of Care? What ails thee, Roger, then? What gars thee grane? Tell me the Cause of thy ill season’d Pain. R O G E R. I’m born, O Patie, to a thrawart Fate! 15 I’m born to strive with Hardships dire and great; 5. Poor Roger ] Yet the richest Shepherd in his Stores, but disconsolate, whom 6. Merry Patie ] A cheerful Shepherd of less Wealth endeavours to comfort.

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Patie and Roger Tempests may cease to jaw the rowan Flood, Corbies and Tods to grein for Lambkins Blood: But I opprest with never ending Grief, Maun ay despair of lighting on Relief.

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P A T I E. The Bees shall loath the Flower and quite the Hive, The Saughs on boggy Ground shall cease to thrive, E’er scornfou Queans, or Loss of warldly Gear, Shall spill my Rest, or ever force a Tear. R O G E R. Sae might I say, but it’s nae easy done By ane wha’s Saul is sadly out o’ Tune: You have sae saft a Voice and slid a Tongue, You are the Darling of baith auld and young. If I but ettle at a Sang, or speak, They dit their Lugs, syn up their Leglens cleek, And jeer me hameward frae the Loan or Bught, While I’m confus’d with mony a vexing Thought: Yet I am tall, and as well shap’d as thee, Nor mair unlikely to a Lasse’s Eye: For ilka Sheep ye have I’ll number ten, And should, as ane might think, come farrer ben. P A T I E. But ablins, Nibour, ye have not a Heart, Nor downa eithly wi’ your Cunzie part: If that be true, what signifies your Gear? And mind that’s scrimpit never wants some Care.

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R O G E R. My Byar tumbled, Nine braw Nowt were smoor’d, Three Elf-shot were, yet I these Ills endur’d.193 In Winter last my Cares were very sma, Tho Scores of Wedders perish’d in the Sna. P A T I E. Were your bien Rooms as thinly stock’d as mine, Less you wad loss, and less you wad repine: He wha has just enough can soundly sleep, The O’ercome only fashes Fowk to keep.

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R O G E R. May Plenty flow upon thee for a Cross, 42. Elf-shot ] Bewitch’d, shot by Fairies, Country People tell odd Tales of this Distemper amongst Cows. When Elf-shot, the Cow falls down suddenly dead, no part of the Skin is pierced, but often a little triangular flat Stone is found near the Beast, as they report, which is call’d the Elf’s Arrow.

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Poems That thou may’st thole the Pangs of frequent Loss; O may’st thou dote on some fair paughty Wench, Wha ne’er will lout thy lowan Drouth to quench, Till, birss’d beneath the Burden, thou cry Dool, And awn that ane may fret that is nae Fool. P A T I E. Sax good fat Lambs, I sald them ilka Cloot At the West-Port, and bought a winsome Flute,194 Of Plumb-tree made, with Iv’ry Virles round, A dainty Whistle wi’ a pleasant Sound; I’ll be mair canty wi’t, and ne’er cry Dool, Than you with a your Gear, ye dowie Fool.

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R O G E R. Na, Patie, na, I’m nae sic churlish Beast, Some ither Things ly heavier at my Breast; I dream’d a dreery Dream this hinder Night, That gars my Flesh a’ creep yet wi’ the Fright.195 P A T I E. Now to your Friend how silly’s this Pretence, To ane wha you and a’ your Secrets kens: Daft are your Dreams, as daftly wad ye hide Your well-seen Love, and dorty Jenny’s Pride. Take Courage, Roger, me your Sorrows tell, And safely think nane kens them but your sell. R O G E R. O Patie, ye have ghest indeed o’er true, And there is naething I’ll keep up frae you;196 Me dorty Jenny looks upon asquint, To speak but till her I dare hardly mint; In ilka Place she jeers me air and late, And gars me look bumbas’d and unco blate, But Yesterday I met her yont a Know, She fled as frae a Shellycoat or Kow;197 She Bauldy loo’s, Bauldy that drives the Car, But gecks at me, and says I smell o’ Tar.

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P A T I E. But Bauldy loo’s nae her right well I wat, 56. West-Port ] The Sheep Market Place of Edinburgh. 64. Flesh a’ creep ] A Phrase which expresses Shuddering. 72. Keep up ] Hide or retain. 78. Shellycoat ] One of those frightful Spectres the ignorant People are terrified at, and tell us strange Stories of; that they are clothed with a Coat of Shells, which make a horrid rattling, that they’ll be sure to destroy one, if he gets not a running Water between him and it; it dares not meddle with a Woman with Child, &c.

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Patie and Roger He sighs for Neps; — Sae that may stand for that. R O G E R. I wish I cou’d na loo her, — but in vain, I still maun dote and thole her proud Disdain. My Bauty is a Cur I dearly like, Till he youl’d fair, she strake the poor dumb Tyke: If I had fill’d a Nook within her Breast, She wad ha’e shawn mair Kindness to my Beast. When I begin to tune my Stock and Horn,198 With a’ her Face she shaws a cauldrife Scorn: Last Time I play’d, ye never saw sic Spite, O’er Bogie was the Spring, and her Delyte, Yet tauntingly she at her Nibour speer’d Gin she cou’d tell what Tune I play’d, and sneer’d. Flocks wander where ye like, I dinna care; I’ll break my Reed, and never whistle mair. P A T I E. E’en do sae, Roger, wha can help Misluck, Saebeins she be sic a thrawn-gabet Chuck; Yonder’s a Craig, since ye have tint a’ Hope, Gae till’t ye’r ways, and take the Lover’s Loup.

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R O G E R. I need na make sic Speed my Blood to spill, I’ll warrand Death come soon enough a will. P A T I E. Daft Gowk! Leave aff that silly whindging Way, Seem careless, there’s my Hand ye’ll win the Day. Last Morning I was unco airly out, 105 Upon a Dyke I lean’d and glowr’d about; I saw my Meg come linkan o’er the Lee, I saw my Meg, but Maggie saw na me: For yet the Sun was wading throw the Mist, And she was closs upon me e’er she wist. 110 Her Coats were kiltit, and did sweetly shaw Her straight bare Legs, which whiter were than Snaw: Her Cokernony snooded up fou sleek, Her haffet Locks hung waving on her Cheek: Her Cheek sae ruddy! and her Een sae clear! 115 And O! her Mouth’s like ony hinny Pear. Neat, neat she was in Bustine Wastecoat clean, As she came skiffing o’er the dewy Green: Blythsome I cry’d, My bonny Meg come here, I fairly wherefore ye’er sae soon a steer:199 120 89. Stock and Horn ] A Reed or Whistle, with a Horn fix’d to it by the smaller End. 120. Soon a Steer ] Soon stirring, or up.

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Poems But now I guess ye’er gawn to gather Dew. She scour’d awa, and said what’s that to you? Then fare ye well, Meg Dorts, and e’en’s ye like, I careless cry’d, and lap in o’er the Dyke. I trow, when that she saw, within a crack With a right thieveles Errand she came back; Miscau’d me first, — then bade me hound my Dog To weer up three waff Ews were on the Bog. I leugh, and sae did she, then wi’ great Haste I clasp’d my Arms about her Neck and Waste; About her yielding Waste, and took a fouth Of sweetest Kisses frae her glowan Mouth: While hard and fast I held her in my Grips, My very Saul came louping to my Lips. Sair, sair she flete wi’ me ’tween ilka Smak, But well I kend she mean’d na as she spak. Dear Roger, when your Jo puts on her Gloom, Do ye sae too, and never fash your Thumb:200 Seem to forsake her, soon she’ll change her Mood; Gae woo anither, and she’ll gang clean wood. R O G E R. Kind Patie, now fair faw your honest Heart, Ye’r ay sae kedgie, and ha’e sick an Art To hearten ane: — For now as clean’s a Leek201 Ye’ve cherisht me since ye began to speak: Sae for your Pains I’ll make you a Propine, My Mither, honest Wife, has made it fine; A Tartan Plaid, spun of good hauslock Woo,202 Scarlet and green the Sets, the Borders Blue, With Spraings like Gou’d and Siller, cross’d wi’ black, I never had it yet upon my Back. Well are ye wordy o’t, wha ha’e sae kind Redd up my ravel’d Doubts, and clear’d my Mind.203 P A T I E. Well, hadd ye there, — and since ye’ve frankly made A Present to me of your bra new Plaid, My Flute’s be yours, and she too that’s sae nice, Shall come a Will, if you’ll take my Advice.204

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138. Never fash your Thumb ] Be not the least vex’d, be easy. 143. Clean’s a Leek ] Perfectly claver and right. 147. Hauslock Woo ] A fine Wool which is pull’d off the Necks of Sheep Before the Knife be put in, this being so much gain’d without spoiling the Sale of the Skin, is gather’d for such an Use. 152. Red up ] Is a Metaphorical Phrase from the putting in Order, or winding up Yarn that has been ravel’d. 156. Come a Will ] Come willingly, of her own Accord, without Constraint.

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Patie and Roger R O G E R. As ye advise, I’ll promise to observ’t, But ye maun keep the Flute, ye best deserv’t; Now take it out, and gi’es a bonny Spring, For I’m in tift to hear you play or sing. P A T I E. But first we’ll take a Turn up to the Hight, And see gin a’ our Flocks be feeding right: Be that Time Bannocks and a Shave of Cheese Will make a Breakfast that a Laird might please; Might please our Laird, gin he were but sae wise To season Meat wi’ Health instead of Spice: When we ha’e ta’en the Grace-Drink at this Well,205 I’ll whistle fine, and sing t’ye like my sell.

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EDINBURGH’s SALUTATION To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of CARNARVON.206 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 5 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, 10 My auld Gray-Head I yet wad rear, And spread my Skirts mair ample.

167. The Grace Drink ] The King’s Health, begun first bv the religious Margaret Queen of Scots, known by the Name of St. Margaret. The Piety of her Design was to oblige the Courtiers not to rise from Table till the Thanksgiving Grace was said, well judging, that tho some Folks have little Regard for Religion, yet they will be mannerly to their Prince. Marquess of Carnarvon ] Eldest Son to his Grace the Duke of Chandois, who in May 1720 was at Edinburgh in his Tour through Scotland.

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Poems Shou’d London poutch up a’ the Gear?207 She might spare me a Sample: In trouth his Highness shou’d live here; For without Oyl our Lamp will Gang blinkan out. 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.

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For you my best Chear I’ll produce, 25 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; 30 The Wale of well-set Ruby Juice,208 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, 35 Or trim a tighter Table. My Sons are honourably bred, To Truth and Friendship stable: What my detracting Faes have said,209 You’ll find a feigned Fable, 40 At the first Sight. 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 45 You may shaw Manly Fire: 13. Shou’d London ] 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. 31. The Wale of well-set, &c. ] The most choice of fine clear Claret. 38. What my detracting Faes ] These who from a malicious low Prejudice (only the Scum indeed of our Neighbours) have falsly reproached us with being rude, unhospitable and false.

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Edinburgh's Salutation Sae the fair Picture of himsell, Will give his Grace your Sire Immense Delight.

WEALTH, or the WOODY. A Poem on the

S O U T H - S E A. Wrote June 1720.

Illi robur & aes triplex Circus pectus erat, qui fragilem truci Commisit pelago ratem Primus, —— Hor. Daring and unco’ stout he was, With Heart hool’d in three Sloughs of Brass, Wha ventur’d first upon the Sea With Hempen Branks, and Horse of Tree.

Thalia, ever welcome to this Isle,210 Descend, and glad the Nation with a Smile; See frae yon Bank where South-Sea ebbs and flows, How Sand-blind Chance Woodies and Wealth bestows: Aided by thee, I’ll sail the wondrous Deep, And throw the crowded Alleys cautious creep. Not easy Task to plough the swelling Wave, Or in Stock-jobbing Press my Guts to save: But naething can our wilder Passions tame, Wha rax for Riches or immortal Fame.

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Long had the Grumblers us’d this murm’ring Sound, Poor Britain in her Publick Debt is drown’d! At fifty Millions late we started a’, And wow we wonder’d how the Debt wad fa’; But sonsy Sauls wha first contriv’d the Way, 15 With Project deep our Charges to defray; O’er and aboon it Heaps of Treasure brings, That Fouk be guess become as rich as Kings. Lang Heads they were that first laid down the Plan, Into the which the Round anes headlang ran, 20 Till overstockt, they quat the Sea, and fain wa’d been at Land.211

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1. Thalia ever welcome ] Thalia the chearful Muse that delights to imitate the Actions of Mankind, and produces the laughing Comedy. — That Kind of Poetry ever acceptable to Britons. 21. Fain wad be at Land ] Land, in the Time of this Golden two or three Months, was sold at 45, or 50 Years Purchase.

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Poems Thus when braid Flakes of Snaw have clade the Green, Aften I have young sportive Gilpies seen, The waxing Ba’ with meikle Pleasure row, Till past their Pith, it did unwieldy grow. 25 ’Tis strange to think what Changes may appear Within the narrow Circle of a Year. How can ae Project, if it be well laid, Supply the simple Want of trifling Trade!212 Saxty lang Years a Man may rack his Brain, 30 Hunt after Gear baith Night and Day wi’ Pain, And die at last in Debt, instead of Gain. But O South-Sea! What mortal Mind can run Throw a’ the Miracles that thou hast done? Not scrimply thou thy sell to bounds confines, 35 But like the Sun or ilka Party shines. To Poor and Rich, the Fools as well as Wise, With Hand impartial stretches out the Prize. Like Nilus swelling frae his unkend Head,213 Frae Bank to Brae o’erflows ilk Rig and Mead, 40 Instilling lib’ral Store of genial Sap, Whence Sun-burn’d Gypsies reap a plenteous Crap: Thus flows our Sea, but with this Diff’rence wide, But anes a Year their River heaves his Tide; Ours aft ilk Day, t’enrich the Common Weal, 45 Bangs o’er its Banks, and dings Ægyptian Nile.

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Ye Rich and Wise, we own Success your due, But your Reverse their Luck with Wonder view.214 How without Thought these dawted Petts of Fate Have jobb’d themselves into sae high a State, By pure Instinct sae leal the Mark have hit, Without the Use of either Fear or Wit.215 And ithers wha last Years their Garrets kept, Where Duns in Vision fash’d them while they slept; Wha only durst in Twilight or the Dark, Steal to a common Cook’s with haff a Mark,

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29. Trifling Trade ] All Manner of Traffick and Mechanicks was at that Time despised. Subscriptions and Transters were the only Commodities. 39. Like Nilus ] A River which crosses a great Part of Africa; the Spring-head thereof unknown till of late. In the Month of June it swells and overflows Egypt. When it rises too high, the Innundation is dangerous, and threatens a Famine. In this River are the monstrous amphibious Animals named Crocodiles, of the same Specie with the late Alligators of the South-Sea, which make a Prey of, and devour all humane Creatures they can lay hold on. 48. Your Reverse ] Poor Fools. 52. Of either Fear or Wit ] One was reckoned a timorous thinking Fool who took Advice of his Reason in the grand Affair.

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Wealth or the Woody A’ their hale Stock. — Now by a kanny Gale, In the o’erflowing Ocean spread their Sail, While they in gilded Galleys cut the Tide, Look down on Fisher Boats wi’ meikle Pride.216 60 Mean time the Thinkers wha are out of Play,217 For their ain Comfort kenna what to say; That the Foundation’s loose fain wa’d they shaw, And think na but the Fabrick soon will fa’. That’s a’ but Sham, — for inwardly they fry, 65 Vext that their Fingers were na in the Pye. Faint-hearted Wights, wha dully stood afar, Tholling your Reason great Attempts to mar; While the brave Dauntless, of sic Fetters free, Jumpt headlong glorious in the golden Sea:218 70 Where now like Gods they rule each wealthy Jaw, While you may thump your Pows against the Wa’. On Summers E’en the Welkin cawm and fair, When little Midges frisk in lazy Air, Have ye not seen thro’ ither how they reel, And Time about how up and down they wheel? Thus Eddies of Stock-jobbers drive about; Upmost to Day, the Morn their Pipe’s put out. With pensive Face, when e’er the Market’s hy, Minutius crys, Ah! what a Gowk was I. Some Friend of his, wha wisely seems to ken219 Events of Causes mair than ither Men, Push for your Interest yet, Nae Fear, he crys, For South-Sea will to twice ten hunder rise. Waes me for him that sells paternal Land, And buys when Shares the highest Sums demand: He ne’er shall taste the Sweets of rising Stock, Which faws neist Day: Nae Help for’t, he is broke.

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60. Look down on Fisher Boats ] Despis’d the virtuous Design of propagating and carrying on a Fishery, which can never fail to be a real Benefit to Britain. 61. The Thinkers ] Many of just Thinking at that Time were vex’d to see themselves trudging on Foot, when some others of very indifferent Capacities were setting up gilded Equipages; and notwithstanding of all the Doubts they formed against it, yet fretted because they were not so lucky as to have some Shares. 70. Jump headlong ] Threw off all the Fetters of Reason, and plung’d gloriously into Confusion. 81. Wha wisely ] With Grave Faces many at that Time pretended they could demonstrate this hop’d for Rise of South-Sea.

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Poems Dear Sea, be tenty how thou flows at Shams Of Hogland Gad’rens in their Foggy Drams,220 90 Lest in their muddy Boggs thou chance to sink, Where thou may’st stagnate, syne of Course maun stink. This I forsee, (and Time shall prove I’m right; For he’s nae Poet wants the second Sight,) When Autumn’s Stores are ruck’d up in the Yard, And Sleet and Snaw dreeps down cauld Winter’s Beard; When bleak November Winds make Forrests bare, And with splenetick Vapours fill the Air: Then, then in Gardens, Parks, or silent Glen, When Trees bear naething else, they’ll carry Men, Wha shall like paughty Romans greatly swing Aboon Earth’s Disappointments in a String. Sae ends the towring Saul that downa see A Man move in a higher Sphere than he. Happy that Man wha has thrawn up a Main, Which makes some Hundred thousands a’ his ain, And comes to anchor on sae firm a Rock, Britannia’s Credit, and the South-Sea Stock. Ilk blythsome Pleasure waits upon his Nod, And his Dependants eye him like a God. Closs may he bend Champain frae E’en to Morn, And look on Cells of Tippony with Scorn. Thrice lucky Pimps, or smug-fac’d wanton Fair, That can in a’ his Wealth and Pleasure skair. Like Jove he sits, like Jove, high Heavens Goodman, While the inferiour Gods about him stand, Till he permits with condescending Grace, That ilka ane in Order take their Place. Thus with attentive Look mensfow they sit, Till he speak first, and shaw some shining Wit; Syne circling wheels the flattering Gaffaw, As well they may, he gars their Beards wag a’.221 Imperial Gowd, What is’t thou canna grant? Possest of thee, What is’t a Man needs want? Commanding Coin, there’s nathing hard to thee, I canna guess how rich Fowk come to die.

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Unhappy Wretch, link’d to the threed-bare Nine, The dazling Equipage can ne’er be thine: 90. Hogland Gad’rens ] The Dutch, whom a learned Author of a late Essay has endeavoured to prove to be descended after a strange Manner from the Gaderens; which Essay Lewis the XIV. was mightily pleas’d with, and bounteously rewarded the Author. 122. Their Beards wag a’ ] Feasts them at his own proper Cost; hence the Proverb, ’Tis fair in Ha’, where Beards wag a’.

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Wealth or the Woody Destin’d to toil thro’ Labyrinths of Verse, Dar’st speak of great Stock-jobbing as a Farce. Poor thoughtless Mortal, vain of airy Dreams, Thy flying Horse, and bright Apollo’s Beams, And Helicon’s wersh Well thou ca’s Divine, Are nathing like a Mistress, Coach and Wine.

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Wad some good Patron (whase superior Skill 135 Can make the South-Sea ebb and dlow at Will,) Put in a Stock for me, I own it fair, In Epick Strain I’d pay him to a Hair; Immortalize him, and what e’er he loves, In flowing Numbers I shall sing, Approves; 140 If not, Fox like, I’ll thraw my Gab, and gloom, And ca’ your Hundred Thousand a sour Plum.

The Prospect of Plenty: A

P O E M On the

North=Sea fishery, Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Royal Burrows of Scotland. — βαιώ δε ωόνω μέγα κερδός όπηδέι 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.

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Nae Nation in the Warld can parallel 15 The plenteous Product of this happy Isle: But Past’ral Heights, and sweet prolifick Plains, 161

Poems That can at Will command the saftest Strains. Stand yont; for Amphitrite claims our Sang,222 Wha round fair Thule drives her finny Thrang,223 20 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 Night224 25 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: 30 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, 35 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. 40 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 Sway225 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.

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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,226 Commanding Seas, with Rowth to raise our Stocks. Nor can this be a toom Chimera found, The Fabrick’s bigget on the surest Ground.

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19. Amphitrit ] The Wife of Neptune. 20. Thule ] The Nothern Isles of Scotland are allow’d by all to be the Thule of the Antients. 25. Wae to that Hand, &c. ] There are Acts of Parliament, which severely prohibite steeping of Lint, or any other Way defiling these clear Rivers where Salmond abound. 48. Iberia ] Spain. 54. Æbudan Rocks ] The Lews, and other Western Islands.

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The Prospect of Plenty 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.

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Sae far the bonny Prospect gave delight, 70 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? 75 “Does Tam the Rhimer spae oughtlins of this?227 “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, 80 “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.

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76. Tam the Rhimer ] 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.

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Poems A meaner phantom neist, with meikle Dread, Attacks with senseless Fears the weaker Head. 105 “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. 110 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’. 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:228 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. Maclicious Envy! Root of a’ Debates,

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132. And loot Fowk lick, &c. ] This Phrase is always applied when People with Pretence of Friendship, do you an ill Turn, as one licking a Mote out of your Eye makes it Bloodshot.

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The Prospect of Plenty 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. 150 Stap, stap, my Lass, forgetna where ye’r gawn,229 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,230 Vers’d in the critick Seasons of the Year, 155 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, 231 Shall be employ’d to save their Juices sweet: 160 Strick Tent they’ll tak to stow them wi’ strang Brine,232 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, 165 And honourably will the Task Pursue: Nor are they bigging Castles in a Cloud, Their Ships already into Action scud.233 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:234 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. 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,

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151. Lass ] The Muse 154. North-Sea Skippers ] The Managers. 159. Vital Heat ] ’Tis a vast Advantage to cure them immediately after they are taken. 161. Strang Brine ] Foreign Salt. 168. Into Action Scud ] Several large Ships are already imploy’d, and took in their Salt and Barrels a Month ago. 172. Hads lang the Gate ] Holds long its Head, longest keeps the high Way or Gate.

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Poems Shall now find Place their Genius to exert, 185 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. 190 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, 195 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.235 Curs’d Poortith, Love, and Hymen’s deadly Fae, (That gars young Fowk in Prime cry aft, Oh hey, 200 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 205 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;236 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,237 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.

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Alang wild Shores, where tumbling Billows break, 158. The Beech ] The Beech is a Number of big Stones, where they dry the Cod and Ling. 72. Flamens ] Priests. 179. The raging Main ] The Dutch have gain’d a great Deal from the Sea.

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The Prospect of Plenty 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. 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.

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September 1720.

SCOTS SONGS Spoken to Mrs. N. A Poem wrote without a Thought, By Notes may to a Song be brought, Tho Wit be scarce, low the Design, And Numbers lame in ev’ry Line: But when fair Christy this shall sing 5 In Consort with the trembling String, O then the Poet’s often prais’d, For Charms so sweet a Voice hath rais’d.

MARY SCOT. Happy’s the Love which meets Return, When in soft Flames Souls equal burn; But Words are wanting to discover Torments of a hopeless Lover. Ye Registers of Heav’n relate, 5 If looking o’er the Rolls of Fate, 167

Poems Did you there see mark’d for my Marrow Mary Scot the Flower of Yarrow. Ah no! Her Form’s too heavenly fair, Her Love the Gods above must share, 10 While Mortals with Despair explore her, And at Distance due adore her. O lovely Maid! my Doubts beguile, Revive and bless me with a Smile; Alace! if not, you’ll soon debar a 15 Sighing Swain the Banks of Yarrow. Be hush ye Fears, I’ll not despair, My Mary’s tender as she’s fair; Then I’ll go tell her all mine Anguish; She is too good to let me languish; With Success crown’d I’ll not envy The Folks who dwell above the Sky, When Mary Scot’s become my Marrow, We’ll make a Paradice on Yarrow.

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O’er B O G I E. I will awa’ wi’ my Love, I will awa’ wi’ her, Tho a’ my Kin had sworn and said, I’ll o’er Bogie wi’ her. If I can get but her Consent, 5 I dinna care a Strae, Tho ilka ane be discontent, Awa’ wi’ her I’ll gae. I will awa’, &c. For now she’s Mistress of my Heart, And wordy of my Hand, 10 And well I wat we shanna part, For Siller or for Land. Let Rakes delyte to swear and drink, And Beaus admire fine Lace, But my chief Pleasure is to blink 15 On Betty’s bonny Face. I will awa’, &c. There a’ the Beauties do combine Of Colour, Treats and Air, The Saul that sparkles in her Een Makes her a Jewel rare: Her flowing Wit gives shining Life To a’ her other Charms, 168

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Scots Songs How blest I’ll be when she’s my Wife, And lockt up in my Arms. I will awa’, &c. There blythly will I rant and sing, 25 While o’er her Sweets I range, I’ll cry, Your humble Servant King, Shamefa’ them that wa’d change A Kiss of Betty and a Smile, Abeet ye wa’d lay down 30 The Right ye ha’e to Britain’s Isle, And offer me ye’r Crown. I will awa’, &c.

O’er the Moor to MAGGY. And I’ll o’er the Moor to Maggy, Her Wit and Sweetness call me, Then to my Fair I’ll show my Mind, Whatever may befal me. If she love Mirth, I’ll learn to sing, 5 Or likes the Nine to follow, I’ll lay my Lugs in Pindus’ Spring, And invocate Apollo. If she admire a martial Mind, I’ll sheath my Limbs in Armour; 10 If to the softer Dance inclin’d, With gayest Airs I’ll charm her; If she love Grandeur, Day and Night I’ll plot my Nations Glory, Find Favour in my Prince’s Sight, 15 And shine in future Story. Beauty can Wonders work with Ease, Where Wit is corresponding, And bravest Men know best to please, With Complaisance abounding. My bonny Maggy’s Love can turn Me to what Shape she pleases, If in her Breast that Flame shall burn Which in my Bosom bleezes.

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I’ll never leave Thee. JONNY. Tho’ for seven Years and mair Honour shou’d reave me, To Fields where Cannons rair, thou need na grieve thee; For deep in my Spirit thy Sweets are indented, And love shall preserve ay what Love has imprinted. Leave thee, leave thee, I’ll never leave thee, Gang the World as it will, Dearest believe me.

NELLY. O Jonny I’m jealous, when e’er ye discover My Sentiments yielding, ye’ll turn a loose Rover; And nought i’ the Warld wa’d vex my Heart sairer, If you prove unconstant, and fancy ane fairer. Grieve me, grieve me, Oh It wad grieve me! A’ the lang Night and Day, if you deceive me. JONNY. My Nelly let never sic Fancies oppress ye, For while my Blood’s warm I’ll kindly caress ye, Your blooming saft Beauties first beeted Love’s Fire, Your Virtue and Wit make it ay flame the hyer: Leave thee, leave thee, I’ll never leave thee, Gang the Warld as it will, Dearest believe me. NELLY. Then Jonny I frankly this Minute allow ye To think me your Mistress, for Love gars me trow ye, And gin ye prove fa’se, to ye’r sel be it said then, Ye’ll win but sma’ Honour to wrang a kind Maiden. Reave me, reave me, Heav’ns! it wad reave me, Of my Rest Night and Day, if ye deceive me. JONNY. Bid Iceshogles hammer red Gauds on the Study, And fair Simmer Mornings nae mair appear ruddy; Bid Britons think ae Gate, and when they obey ye, But never till that Time, believe I’ll betray ye: Leave thee, leave thee, I’ll never leave thee; The Starns shall gang withershins e’er I deceive thee.

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Polwart on the Green. At Polwart on the Green If you’ll meet me the Morn, Where Lasses do conveen To dance about the Thorn; A kindly Welcome you shall meet 5 Frae her wha likes to view A Lover and a Lad complete, The Lad and Lover you. Let dorty Dames say Na, As lang as e’er they please, 10 Seem caulder than the Sna’, While inwardly they bleeze; But I will frankly shaw my Mind, And yield my Heart to thee; Be ever to the Captive kind, 15 That langs na to be free. At Polwart on the Green, Among the new mawn Hay, With Sangs and Dancing keen We’ll pass the heartsome Day, 20 At Night if Beds be o’er thrang laid, And thou be twin’d of thine, Thou shalt be welcome, my dear Lad, To take a Part of mine.

JOHN HAY’s Bonny Lassie. By smooth winding Tay a Swain was reclining, Aft cry’d he, Oh hey! Maun I still live pining My sell thus away, and darna discover To my bonny Hay that I am her Lover. Nae mair it will hide, the Flame waxes stranger, If she’s not my Bride, my Days are nae langer; Then I’ll take a Heart, and try at a Venture, May be e’er we part my Vows may content her.

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She’s fresh as the Spring, and sweet as Aurora, When Birds mount and sing bidding Day a Good-morrow. 10 The Sward of the Mead enamel’d with Daisies, Look wither’d and dead when twin’d of her Graces. But if she appear where Verdures invite her, The Fountains run clear, and Flowers smell the Sweeter, 171

Poems ’Tis Heav’n to be by, when her Wit is a flowing, 15 Her Smiles and bright Eye set my Spirits a glowing. The mair that I gaze, the deeper I’m wounded, Struck dumb with Amaze, my Mind is confounded; I’m all in a Fire, dear Maid, to caress ye, For a’ my Desire is Hay’s bonny Lassie.

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Genty Tibby and sonsy Nelly. To the Tune of Tibby Fowler in the Glen. TIBBY has a Store of Charms, Her genty Shape our Fancy warms, How starkly can her sma’ white Arms Fetter the Lad wha looks but at her; Frae Ancle to her slender Waste, 5 These Sweets conceal’d invite to dawt her, Her rosie Cheek and rising Breast, Gar ane’s Mouth gush bowt fou’ o’ Water. Nelly’s gawsy, saft and gay, Fresh as the lucken Flowers in May, 10 Ilk ane that sees her cries Ah hey! She’s bonny, O I wonder at her! The Dimples of her Chin and Cheek, And Limbs sae plump invite to dawt her, Her Lips sae sweet, and Skin sae sleek, 15 Gar mony Mouths beside mine water. Now strike my Finger in a Bore, My Wyson with the Maiden shore, Gin I can tell whilk I am for When these twa Stars appear thegether. 20 O Love! Why dost thou gi’e thy Fires Sae large? while we’re oblig’d to nither Our spacious Sauls immense Desires, And ay be in a hankerin Swither. Tibby’s Shape and Airs are fine, 25 And Nelly’s Beauties are divine; But since they canna baith be mine, Ye Gods give Ear to my Petition, Provide a good Lad for the tane, But let it be with this Provision, 30 I get the other to my lane, In Prospect plano and Fruition.

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Up in the Air. Now the Sun’s gane out o’ Sight, Beet the Ingle, and snuff the Light: In Glens the Fairies skip and dance, And Witches wallop o’er to France, Up in the Air 5 On my bonny grey Mare. And I see her yet, and I see her yet, Up in, &c. The Wild’s drifting Hail and Sna’ O’er frozen Hags like a Foot Ba’, 10 Nae Starns keek throw the Azure Slit, ’Tis cauld and mirk as ony Pit, The Man i’ the Moon Is carowsing aboon, D’ye see, d’ye see, d’ye see him yet. 15 The Man, &c. Take your Glass to clear your Een, ’Tis the Elixir hales the Spleen, Baith Wit and Mirth it will inspire, And gently puffs the Lover’s Fire, 20 Up in the Air, It drives away Care, Ha’e wi’ ye, ha’e wi’ ye, and ha’e wi’ ye Lads yet, Up in, &c. Steek the Doors, keep out the Frost, Come Willy gi’es about ye’r Tost, Til’t Lads, and lilt it out, And let us ha’e a blythsom Bowt, Up wi’t there, there, Dinna cheat, but drink fair, Huzza, Huzza, and Huzza Lads yet, Up wi’t, &c.

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R I S E and F A L L OF

S T O C K S,

1 7 2 0. An Epistle to the Right Honourable my Lord Ramsay, now in Paris. Your Pettifoggers damn their Souls! To share with Knaves in cheating Fools, And Merchants vent’ring on the Main Slight Pirates, Rocks, and Horns for Gain. Hudibras.

My Lord, Withoutten Preface or Preamble, My Fancy being on the Ramble; Transported with an honest Passion, Viewing our poor bambouzl’d Nation, Biting her Nails, her Knuckles wringing, Her Cheek sae blae, her Lip sae hinging; Grief and Vexation’s like to kill her, For tyning baith her Tick and Siller. Allow me then to make a Comment On this Affair of greatest Moment Which has fa’n out, my Lord, since ye Left Lothian and the Edge-well Tree:238 And, with your Leave, I needna stickle To say we’re in a sorry Pickle, Since Poortith o’er ilk Head does hover Frae John a Groat’s House, South to Dover.239 Sair have we pelted been with Stocks, Casting our Credit at the Cocks. Lang guilty of the highest Treason Against the Government of Reason; We madly at our ain Expences, Stock-job’d away our Cash and Senses.

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As little Bairns frae Winnocks hy Drap down Saip Bells to waiting Fry, Wha run and wrestle for the Prize, 25 With Face erect and watchfou’ Eyes; 12. Edge-well Tree ] An Oak Tree which grows on the Side of a fine Spring, nigh the Castle of Dalhousie, very much observed by the Country People, who give out, that before any of the Family died, a Branch fell from the Edge-well Tree. The old Tree some few Years ago fell altogether, but another sprung from the same Root, which is now tall and flourishing, and lang be’t sae. 16. John a Groat’s House ] The Northmost House in Scotland.

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The Rise and Fall of Stocks The Lad wha gleggest waits upon it, Receives the Bubble on his Bonnet, Views with Delight the shining Beau-thing, Which in a Twinkling bursts to Nothing. Sae Britain brought on a’ her Troubles, By running daftly after Bubles.

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Impos’d on by langnebit Juglers, Stock-Jobbers, Brokers, cheating Smuglers, Wha set their Gowden Girns sae wylie, 35 Tho ne’er sae cautious they’d beguile ye. The covetous Infatuation Was smittle out o’er a’ the Nation, Clergy and Lawyers and Physicians, Mechanicks, Merchants, and Musicians; 40 Baith Sexes of a’ Sorts and Sizes Drap’d ilk Design and jobb’d for Prizes. Frae Noblemen to Livery Varlets, Frae topping Toasts to Hackney Harlots. Poetick Dealers were but scarce, 45 Less browden still on Cash than Verse; Only ae Bard to Coach did mount,240 By singing Praise to Sir John Blount; But since his mighty Patron fell, He looks just like Jock Blunt himsel.241 50 Some Lords and Lairds sell’d Riggs and Castles, And play’d them aff with tricky Rascals, Wha now with Routh of Riches vapour, While their late Honours live on Paper. But ah! the Difference ’twixt good Land, And a poor Bankrupt Bubble’s Band.

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Thus Europeans Indians rifle, And give them for their Gowd some Trifle; As Deugs of Velvet, Chips of Christal, A Facon’s Bell, or Baubie Whistle. 60 Merchants and Bankers Heads gade wrang, They thought to Millions they might spang; Despis’d the virtuous Road to Gain, And look’d on little Bills with Pain: The well win Thousands of some Years, In ae big Bargain disappears. ’Tis fair to bide, but wha can help it, Instead of Coach, on Foot they skelp it.

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47. Only ae Bard, &c. ] Vide Dick Franklin’s Epistle. 50. He looks just like Jock Blunt ] This is commonly said of a person who is out of Countenance at a Disapointment.

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Poems The Ten per Cents wha durstna venture, But lent great Sums upon Indenture, 70 To Billies wha as frankly war’d it, As they out of their Guts had spar’d it, When craving Money they have lent, They’re answer’d, Item, A’ is spent. The Miser hears him with a Gloom, 75 Girns like a Brock and bites his Thumb, Syne shores to grip him by the Wyson, And keep him a’ his Days in Prison. Sae may ye do, replies the Debter, But that can never mend the Matter: 80 As soon can I mount Charle-wain, As pay ye back your Gear again. Poor Mouldy rins quite by himsel,242 And bans like ane broke loose frae Hell. It lulls a wee my Mullygrubs, 85 To think upon these bitten Scrubs, When naething saves their vital Low, But the Expences of a Tow. Thus Children oft with carefu’ Hands, In Summer dam up little Strands, 90 Collect the Drizel to a Pool, In which their glowing Limbs they cool; Till by comes some ill-deedy Gift,243 Wha in the Bulwark makes a Rift, And with ae Strake in Ruins lays, 95 The Work of Use, Art, Care and Days. Even Handy-crafts-men too turn’d saucy, And maun be Coaching’t thro’ the Causy; Syne stroot fou paughty in the Alley, Transferring Thousands with some Valley: 100 Grow rich in Fancy, treat their Whore, Nor mind they were, or shall be poor. Like little Joves they treat the Fair, With Gowd frae Banks built in the Air; For which their Danaes lift the Lap,244 105 And compliment them with a Clap, Which by aft jobbing grows a Pox, Till Brigs of Noses fa’ with Stocks. Here Coachmen, Grooms, or Pasment Trotter, Glitter’d a while, then turn’d to Snoter:

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83. By himself ] Mad, out of his Wits. 94. Ill deedy Gift ] A Rogish Boy, who is seldom without doing a bad Action. 105. Danaes ] Danae the Daughter of Acrisius King of Argos, to whom Jupiter descended in a Shower of Gold.

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The Rise and Fall of Stocks Like a shot Starn, that thro’ the Air Skyts East or West with unko Glare, But found neist Day on Hillock Side, Nae better seems nor Paddock Ride. Some Reverend Brethren left their Flocks, And sank their Stipends in the Stocks; But tining baith, like Æsop’s Colly, O’er late they now lament their Folly.

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For three warm Months, May, June, and July, There was odd scrambling for the Spulzy; 120 And mony a ane, till he grew tyr’d, Gather’d what Gear his Heart desir’d. We thought that Dealer’s Stock an ill ane, That was not wordy haf a Million. O had this Golden Age but lasted, 125 And no sae soon been broke and blasted, There is a Person well I ken245 Might wi’ the best gane right far ben; His Project better had succeeded, And far less Labour had he needed: 130 But ’tis a Daffin to debate, And aurgle-bargain with our Fate. Well, had this Gowden Age but lasted, And not so soon been broke and blasted, O wow, my Lord, these had been Days 135 Which might have claim’d your Poet’s Lays; But soon alake! the mighty Dagon Was seen to fa’ without a Rag on. In Harvest was a dreadfu’ Thunder, Which gart a’ Britain glowr and wonder; 140 The phizzing Bowt came with a Blatter, And dry’d our great Sea to a Gutter. But mony Fowk with Wonder speir, What can become of a’ the Gear? For a’ the Country is repining, 145 And ilka ane complains of tining. Plain Answer I had best let be, And tell ye just a Similie. Like Belzie when he nicks a Witch, Wha sells her Saul she may be rich; He finding this the Bait to damn her, Casts o’er her Een his cheating Glamour: She signs and seals, and he affords

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127. A Person, &c. ] Meaning my self, with Regard to my printing this Volume by Subscription.

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Poems Her Heaps of visionary Hoords; But when she comes to count the Cunzie, ’Tis a’ Sklate-stanes instead of Money.

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Thus we’ve been trick’d with braw Projectors, And faithfu’ managing Directors, Wha for our Cash, the Saul of Trade, Bonny Propines of Paper made; 160 On footing clean, drawn unco’ fair, Had they not vanisht into Air. When South-Sea Tyde was at a Hight, My Fancy took a daring Flight,246 Thalia, lovely Muse, inspired 165 My Breast, and me with Fore-sight fired; Rapt into future Months, I sa’ The rich Aerial Babel fa’. ’Yond Seas I saw the Upstarts drifting, Leaving their Coaches for the lifting. 170 These Houses fit for Wights gane mad, I saw cramm’d fou as they cou’d had; While little Sauls sunk with Despair, Implor’d cauld Death to end their Care. But now a sweeter Scene I view, 175 Time has, and Time shall prove I’m true; For fair Astrea a moves frae Heav’n, And shortly shall make a’ Odds Ev’n. The honest Man shall be regarded, And Villains as they ought rewarded. 180 The setting Moon and rosie Dawn Bespeak a shining Day at Hand; A glorious Sun shall soon arise, To brighten up Britannia’s Skies. Our King and Senate shall engage 185 To drive the Vultures off the Stage: Trade then shall flourish, and ilk Art, A lively Vigour shall impart To Credit languishing and famisht, And Lombard-street shall be replenish. 190 Got safe ashore after this Blast, Britons shall smile at Follies past. God grant your Lordship Joy and Health, Lang Days and Rowth of real Wealth; Safe to the Land of Cakes Heav’n send ye, And frae cross Accidents defend ye. Edinb. March 25. 1721. 164. My Fancy, &c. ] Wealth or the Woody, wrote in the Month June last.

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Patie and Pegie

PATIE and PEGIE: A

S A N G. PATIE. By the delicious Warmness of thy Mouth, And rowing Eye, which smiling tells the Truth, I guess, my Lassie, that, as well as I You’re made for Love, and why should ye deny. PEGIE. But ken ye, Lad, gin we confess o’er soon, Ye think us cheap, and syne the Wooing’s done: The Maiden that o’er quickly tines her Power, Like unripe Fruit, will taste but hard and sowr. PATIE. But when they hing o’er lang upon the Tree, Their Sweetness they may tine, and sae may ye: Red Cheeked you completely ripe appear, And I have thol’d, and woo’d a lang haff Year.

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PEGIE. Then dinna pou me; gently thus I fa’ Into my Patie’s Arms for good and a’: But stint your Wishes to this frank Embrace, 15 And mint nae farrer till we’ve got the Grace. PATIE. O charming Armfou! Hence ye Cares away, I’ll kiss my Treasure a’ the live lang Day; A’ Night I’ll dream my Kisses o’er again, Till that Day come, that ye’ll be a’ my ain.

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CHORUS. Sun gallop down the Westlin Skyes, Gang soon to Bed, and quickly rise; O lash ye’r Steeds, post Time away, And haste about our Bridel-Day; And if ye’r weary’d, honest Light, 25 Sleep gin ye like a Week that Night.

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P R O L O G U E. 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. Braw Lads, and bonny Lasses, welcome here, – But wha’s to entertain ye, – never speer. – Quietness is best. – Tho we be leal and true, Good Sense and Wit’s mair than we dare avow. – Some Body says to some Fowk, We’re to blame, That ’tis a Scandal and black-burning Shame To thole young Callands thus to grow sae snack, And lear – O mighty Crimes! – to speak and act. – Stage-Plays, quoth Dunce, are unco’ Things indeed! He said, – he gloom’d, – and shook his thick boss Head. They’re Papery, Papery! – cry’d his Nibour neist, Contriv’d at Rome by some malignant Priest, To witch away Fowks Minds frae doing well, As faith Rab Ker, M‘Millan and M‘Neil.247

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But let them tauk. – In Spite of ilk Cadaver, 15 We’ll cherish Wit, and scorn their Fead or Favour; We’ll strive to bring in active Eloquence, Tho for a while upon our Fame’s Expence. – I’m wrang. – Our Fame will mount with metled Carles, And for the rest, we’ll be aboon their Snarls. – 20 Knock down the Fools, wha dare with empty Rage Spit in the Face of Virtue and the Stage. ’Cause Hereticks in Pulpits thump and rair, Must naithing orthodox b’expected there; Because a Rump cut off a Royal Head, 25 Must not anither Parli’ment succeed. Thus tho the Drama’s aft debauch’d and rude, Must we, for some are bad, refuse the good: Answer me that, – if there be ony Log, That’s come to keek upon us here incog, 30 Anes, – Twice, Thrice. – But now I think on’t, stay, Iv’e something else to do, and must away. – This Prologue was design’d for Use and Sport, The Chiel that made it, let him answer for’t.

14. Rab Ker ] One who put the canting Phrases of M‘Millan and M‘Neil (two nonconforming Hill Preachers) into wretched Rhime.

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An Elegy on Patie Birnie

The Life and Acts of,

OR, An ELEGY on PATIE BIRNIE,

The Famous Fidler of Kinghorn; Who gart Lieges gawff and girn ay, Aft till the Cock proclaim’d the Morn: Tho baith his * Weeds and Mirth were pirny,248 He roos’d these Things were langest worn, The brown Ale Barrel was his Kirn ay, And faithfully he toom’d his Horn. And then besides his valliant Acts, At Bridals he wan mony Placks. Hab. Simpson. IN Sonnet slee the Man I sing, His rare Engine in Rhyme shall ring, Wha slaid the Stick out o’er the String With sic an Art; Wha sang sae sweetly to the Spring, 5 And rais’d the Heart. Kinghorn may rue the ruefou Day That lighted Patie to his Clay, Wha gart the hearty Billies stay And spend their Cash, 10 To see his Snowt, to hear him play, And gab sae gash. When Strangers landed, wow sae thrang249 Fuffin and peghing he wa’d gang And crave their Pardon that sae lang 15 He’d been a coming; Syne his Bread-winner out he’d bang, And fa’ to Bumming. Your Honour’s Father dead and gane,250 *Weeds and Mirth were pirny ] When a Piece of Stuff is wrought unequally, Part coarse and Part fine, of Yarn of different Colours, we call it pirny, from the Pirn, or little hollow Reed which holds the Yarn in the Shuttle. 13. When Strangers landed ] It was his Custom to watch when Strangers went into a publick House, and attend them, pretending they had sent for him, and that he could not get away sooner from other Company. 19. Your Honour’s Father ] It was his first Compliment to one (tho he had never perhaps seen him, nor any of his Predecessors) That well he kend his Honour’s Father, and been merry with him, and an excellent Good-fellow he was.

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Poems For him he first wa’d make his Mane, 20 But soon his Face cou’d make ye fain251 When he did sough, O wiltu, wiltu do’t again!252 And gran’d and leugh. This Sang he made frae his ain Head,253 25 And eke The auld Man’s Mare She’s dead, Tho Peets and Tures and a’s to lead, O fy upon her! A bonny auld Thing this indeed, An’t like ye’r Honour. 30 After ilk Tune he took a Sowp, And bann’d wi’ Birr the corky Cowp,254 That to the Papists Country scowp, To lear Ha ha’s, Frae Chiels that sing Hap, Stap and Lowp, 35 Wantin the B—s. That beardless Capons are na Men, We by their fozie Springs might ken; But ours he said cou’d Vigiour len’ To Men o’ Weir, 40 And gar them stout to Battle sten’ Withoutten Fear. How first he practis’d, ye shall hear, The Harn-pan of an umquhile Mare, He strung, and strak Sounds saft and clear, 45 Out o’ the Pow, Which fir’d his Saul, and gart his Ear With Gladness glow. Sae some auld-gabet Poets tell, Jove’s nimble Son and Leckie snell 50 Made the first Fiddle of a * Shell,255 On which Apollo, 21. Soon his Face wad make ye fain ] Shewing a very particular Comicalness in his Looks and Gestures, laughing and groaning at the same time, he plays, sings, and breaks in with some quire Tale twice or thrice e’er he get through the Tune. His Beard is no small Addition to the Diversion. 23. O Wiltu ] The Name of a Tune he play’d on all Occasions. 25. This Sang be made ] He boasted of being Poet as well as Musician. 32. Band wi’ Birr the corky Cowp, &c. ] Curs’d strongly the light headed Fellows who run to Italy to learn soft Musick. * Tuque Testudo, resonare septem Callida nervis. HORACE.

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An Elegy on Patie Birnie With meikle Pleasure play’d himsel Baith Jig and Solo. O Jonny Stocks what comes o’ thee,256 55 I’m sure thou’lt break thy Heart and die; Thy Birnie gane, thou’lt never be Nor blyth nor able To shake thy short Houghs merrily Upon a Table. 60 How pleasant was’t to see thee didle, And dance sae finely to his Fiddle, With Nose forgainst a Lass’s Midle, And briskly brag, With cutty Steps to ding their Striddle, 65 And gar them fag. He catch’d a crishy Webster Loun At runkling o’ his Deary’s Gown, And wi’ a Rung came o’er his Crown, For being there; 70 But starker Thrums got Patie down, And knoost him sair. Wae worth the Dog, he maist had fell’d him, Revengfu’ Pate aft green’d to geld him, He aw’d a Mends, and that he tell’d him, 75 And bann’d to do’t, He took the Tid, and fairly sell’d him For a Recruit. Pate was a Carle of canny Sense, And wanted ne’er a right bein Spence,257 80 And laid up Dollars in Defence ’Gainst Eild and Gout, Well judging Gear in future Tense Cou’d stand for Wit. Yet prudent Fowk may take the Pet; Anes thrawart Porter wadna let258 Him in while Latter-meat was het, He gaw’d fou sair,

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55. Jonny Stocks ] A man of low Stature, but very broad, a loving Friend of his, who used to dance to his Musick. 80. Bein Spence ] Good Store of Provision, the Spence being a little Apartment for Meal, Flesh, &c. 86. Anes thrawart Porter, &c.] This happened in the Duke of Rothess’s Time; His Grace was giving an Entertainment, and Patrick being deny’d Entry by the Servants, he either from a cunning View of the lucky Consequence, or in a Passion, did what’s described.

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Poems Flang in his Fiddle o’er the Yet, Whilk ne’er did mair. 90 But Profit may arise frae Loss, Sae Pate gat Comfort by his Cross: Soon as he wan within the Closs, He dously drew in Mair Gear frae ilka gentle Goss 95 Than bought a new ane. When lying bedfast sick and sair, To Parish Priest he promis’d fair, He ne’er wad drink fou ony mair: But hale and tight, 100 He prov’d the Auld-man to a Hair, Strute ilka Night. The hally Dad with Care essays To wile him frae his wanton Ways, And tell’d him of his Promise twice: 105 Pate answer’d cliver, “Wha tents what People raving says “When in a Fever. At Bothwell-Brig he gade to fight,259 But being wise as he was wight, 110 He thought it shaw’d a Saul but slight, Dauftly to stand, And let Gun-powder wrang his Sight, Or Fidle-Hand. Right pawkily he left the Plain, 115 Nor o’er his Shoulder look’d again, But scour’d o’er Moss and Moor amain, To Rieky straight, And tald how mony Whigs were slain Before they faught. 120 Sae I’ve lamented Patie’s End; But least your Grief o’er far extend, Come dight your Cheeks, ye’r Brows unbend, And lift ye’r Head, For to a’ Britain be it kend 125 He is not dead. January 25. 1721. 109. Bothwell-Brig ] Upon Clyde, where the famous Battle was fought, Anno 1679, for the Determination of some kittle Points. But I dare not assert that it was Religion carried my Heroe to the Field.

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Cupid thrown into the South-Sea

CUPID thrown into the South-Sea. Myrtilla, as like Venus’ sell As e’er an Egg was like anither, Anes Cupid met upon the Mall, And took her for his bonny Mither. He wing’d his Way up to her Breast; She started, he cry’d, Mam ’tis me; The Beauty, in o’er rash a Jest, Flang the Arch-Gytling in South-Sea. Frae thence he raise wi’ guilded wings, His Bow and Shafts to Gowd were chang’d; Deel’s i’ the Sea, quoth he, it dings; Syne back to Mall and Park he rang’d. Breathing Mischief, the God look’d gurly, With Transfers a’ his Darts were feather’d; He made a horrid hurly burly, Where Beaus and Belles were thickest gather’d. He tentily Myrtilla sought, And in the thrang Change-Alley got her; He drew his Bow, and quick as Thought With a braw new Subscription shot her.

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SATYR’s

COMICK PROJECT For recovering A young Bankrupt Stock-jobber. A

S O N G.260

On the Shore of a low ebbing Sea, A sighing young Jobber was seen Staring wishfully at an old Tree Which grew on the neighbouring Green. There’s a Tree that can finish the Strife 5 And Disorder that warrs in my Breast, What need one be pain’d with his Life, When a Halter can purchase him rest?

From the Beginning of the 20th Line, sing to the Tune of Colin’s Complaint.

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Poems Sometimes he would stamp and look wild, Then roar out a terrible Curse 10 On Bubbles that had him beguil’d, And left ne’er a Doit in his Purse. A Satyr that wander’d along, With a Laugh to his Raving reply’d; The Savage maliciously sung, 15 And jock’d while the Stockjobber cry’d. To Mountains and Rocks he complain’d, His Cravat was bath’d with his Tears; The Satyr drew near like a Friend, And bid him abandon his Fears. 20 Said he, Have ye been at the Sea,261 And met with a contrary Wind, That you rail at fair Fortune so free, Don’t blame the poor Goddess she’s blind, Come hold up thy Head foolish Wight, 25 I’ll teach thee the Loss to retrieve; Observe me this Project aright, And think not of hanging, but live. Hecatissa conceited and old, Affects in her Airs to seem young, 30 Her Joynture yields Plenty of Gold, And Plenty of Nonsense her Tongue. Lay Siege to her for a short Space, Ne’er mind that she’s wrinkl’d or grey; Extoll her for Beauty and Grace, 35 And doubt not of gaining the Day. In Wedlock ye fairly may join, And when of her Wealth you are sure, Make free with the old Woman’s Coin, And purchase a sprightly young W—. 40

From the 21st Line, where the Satyr beings to speak to the tune of The Kirk was let me be.

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To the Musick Club TO THE

MUSICK CLUB. E’er on old Shinar’s Plain the Fortress rose, Rear’d by those Giants who durst Heav’n oppose; An universal Language Mankind us’d, ’Till daring Crimes brought Accents more confus’d; Discord and Jar for Punishment were hurl’d On Hearts and Tongues of the rebellious World. The primar Speech with Notes harmonious clear, Transposing Thought, gave Pleasure to the Ear: Then Musick in its full Perfection shin’d, When Man to Man melodious spoke his Mind.

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As when a richly fraughted Fleet is lost In rolling Deeps, far from the ebbing Coast, Down many Fathoms of the liquid Mass, The Artist dives in Ark of Oak, or Brass, Snatches some Ingots of Peruvian Ore, 15 And with his Prize rejoycing makes the Shore. Oft this Attempt is made, and much they find; They swell in Wealth, tho much is left behind. Amphion’s Sons, with Minds elate and bright, Thus plunge th’ unbounded Ocean of Delight, And daily gain new Stores of pleasing Sounds To glad the Earth, fixing to Spleen its Bounds; While vocal Tubes and consort Strings engage To speak the Dialect of the Golden Age. Then you whose Symphony of Souls proclaim Your Kin to Heaven, add to your Country’s Fame, And shew that Musick may have as good Fate In Albion’s Glens, as Umbria’s green Retreat; And with Correlli’s soft Italian Song Mix Cowdon Knows, and Winter Nights are long. Nor should the Martial Pibrough be despis’d, Own’d and refin’d by you, these shall the more be priz’d. Each ravisht Ear extolls your Heavenly Art, Which sooths our Care, and elevates the Heart, Whilst hoarser Sounds the martial Ardures move, And liquid Notes invite to Shades and Love. Hail safe Restorer of distemper’d Minds, That with Delight the raging Passion binds; Extatick Concord only banisht Hell, Most perfect where the perfect Beings dwell. Long may our Youth attend thy charming Rites, Long may they relish thy transporting Sweets. 187

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Wine and Musick, an O D E. SYMON. O Colin how dull is’t to be, When a Soul is sinking wi’ Pain, To one who is pained like me: My Life’s grown a Load, And my Faculties nod, 5 While I sigh for cold Jeanie in vain; By Beauty and Scorn I’m slain: The Wound it is mortal and deep, My Pulses beat low in each Vein, And threaten eternal Sleep. 10 COLIN. Come here are the best Cures for thy Wounds, O Boy, the cordial Bowl! With soft harmonious Sounds, Wounds, these can cure all Wounds, With soft harmonious Sounds, And pull off the cordial Bowl: O Symon, sink thy Care, and tune up thy drooping Soul; Above, the Gods bienly bouze, When round they meet in a Ring; They cast away Care, and carouse Their Nectar, while they sing. Then drink and chearfully sing, These make the Blood circle fine; Strike up the Musick, The safest Physick, Compounded with sparkling Wine.

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ON

The Great Eclipse of the

S U N, The 22d April, nine a Clock of the Morning, wrote a Month before it hapned, March 1715.262 Now do I press among the learned Throng, To tell a great Eclipse in little Song. N.B. The Order of Time in placing some of my Manuscript Poems, with Regard to them formerly printed, is not observed in some few of the following, but their Dates shall be given.

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On the great Eclipse of the Sun At me not Scheme, not Demonstration ask, That is our Gregory’s, or fam’d Hally’s Task:263 ’Tis they who are conversant with each Star, Who know how Planets Planets Rays debar. This to pretend my Muse is not so bold, She only echoes what she has been told.

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Our rolling Globe will scarce have made the Sun264 Seem half way up Olympus to have run, 10 When Night’s pale Queen in her oft changed Way, Will intercept in direct Line his Way, And make black Night usurp the Throne of Day. The curious will attend that Hour with Care, And wish no Clouds may hover in the Air, 15 To dark the Medium, and obstruct from Sight The gradual Motion and Decay of Light, Whilst thoughtless Fools will view the Water Pale, To see which of the Planets will prevail: For then they think the Sun and Moon make War, 20 Thus Nurses Tales oftimes the Judgment mar.

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When this strange Darkness overshades the Plains, ’Twill give an odd Surprise t’ unwarned Swains, Plain honest Hinds, who do not know the Cause, Nor know of Orbs, their Motions or their Laws, 25 Will from the half plough’d Furrows homeward bend, In dire Confusion, judging that the End Of Time approacheth; thus possest with Fear, They’ll think the general Conflagration near. The Traveler benighted on the Road 30 Will turn devout, and supplicate his God. Cocks with their careful Mates and younger Fry, As if’t were Evening, to their Roosts will fly. The horned Cattle will forget to feed, And come home lowing from the grassie Mead. 35 Each Bird of Day will to his Nest repair, And leave to Bats and Owls the dusky Air. The Lark and little Robin’s softer Lay Will not be heard till the Return of Day. Now this will be great Part of Europe’s Case, 40 While Phebe’s as a Mask on Phœbus’ Face. The unlearn’d Clowns, who don’t our Æra know, From this dark Friday will their Ages show; As I have often heard old Country Men Talk of dark Munday, and their Ages then. 45 4. Our Gregory’s ] Mr. Gregory Professor of Mathematicks in Edinburgh. Famed Hally Fellow of the Royal Society, London. 9. Rolling Globe ] According to the Capernicon System.

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Poems Not long shall last this strange uncommon Gloom When Light dispels the Ploughman’s Fear of Doom; With merry Heart he’ll lift his ravish’d Sight Up to the Heavens, and welcome back the Light. How just’s the Motions of these whirling Spheres! Which ne’er can err while Time is met by Years. How vast is little Man’s capacious Soul! That knows how Orbs throw Weilds of Æther roll. How great’s the Power of that Omnifick Hand! Who gave them Motion by his wise Command, That they should not while Time had Being stand.

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The Gentleman’s Qualifications, as debated by some of the Fellows of the Easy Club, April 1715.265

From different Ways of Thinking comes Debate, This we despise, and That we over-rate, Just as the Fancy takes, we love or hate. Hence Whig and Tory live in endless Jarr, And most of Families in Civil War: 5 Hence ’mongst the easiest Men beneath the Skies, Even in their easy Dome, Debates arise: As late they did with Strength of Judgment scan These Qualities that form a Gentleman. First Tippermaloch pled with Spanish Grace 10 That Gentry only sprung from antient Race, Whose Names in old Records of Time were fix’d, In whose rich Veins some royal Blood was mixt. I being a Poet sprung from a Douglass’ Loin, In this proud Thought did with the Doctor join; 15 With this Addition, if they could speak Sense, Ambitious I, ah! had no more Pretence. Buchanan, with stiff Argument and bold, Pled Gentry took its Birth from powerful Gold. Him Hector Boece join’d, they argued strong, 20 Said they, to Wealth that Title must belong; If Men are rich, they’re gentle, and if not You’ll own their Birth and Sense are soon forgot. Pray say, said they, How much respectful Grace

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Easy Club ] A juvenile Society, of which I am a Fellow, from the general Antipathy we all seem’d to have at the ill Humor and Contradictions which arise from Trifles, especially those which constitute Whig and Tory, without having the grand Reason for it; this engaged us to take a Pleasure in the Sound of an Easy Club. The Club, by one of our special Laws, must not exceed Twelve, and any Gentleman at his Admission was to take the Name of some Scots Author, or one eminent for something extraordinary, for obscuring his real Name in the Register of our Lubrications, such as are nam’d in this Debate, Tippermaloch, Buchanan, Hector Boece, &c.

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The Gentleman's Qualifications Demands an old red Coat and mangled Face? Or one, if he could like an Angel preach, If he to no rich Benefice can reach? Ev’n Progeny of Dukes are at a Stand How to make out bare Gentry without Land. But still the Doctor would not quit the Field, But that rich Upstarts should to Birth-right yeild; He grew more stiff, nor would the Plea let go, Said he was right, and swore it should be so. But happy we, who have such wholsome Laws, Which without Pleading can decide a Cause. To this good Law Recourse we had at last, That throws off Wrath, and makes our Friendship fast; In which the Legislators laid the Plot, To end all Controversy by a Vote. Yet that we more good Humor might display, We frankly turn’d the Vote another Way, As in each Thing we common Topicks shun, So the great Prize, nor Birth nor Riches won. The Vote was carried thus, That easy he Who should three Years a social Fellow be, And to our Easy Club give no Offence, After Triennial Tryal, should commence A Gentleman, which gives as just a Claim To that great Title, as the Blast of Fame Can give to them who trade in humane Gore, Or those who heap up Hoords of coined Ore; Since in our social Friendship nought’s design’d But what may raise and brighten up the Mind; We aiming closs to walk by Virtue’s Rules, To find true Honour’s self, and leave her Shade to Fools.

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On W I T. My easy Friends, since ye think fit This Night to lucubrate on Wit; And since ye judge that I compose266 My Thoughts in Rhime better than Prose, I’ll give my Judgment in a Sang, And here it comes be’t right or wrang. But first of a’ I’ll tell a Tale. That with my Case runs paralel.

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Poems There was a manting Lad in Fife, Wha cou’d na for his very Life 10 Speak without stammering very lang, Yet never manted when he sang. His Father’s Kiln he anes saw burning, Which gart the Lad run Breathless mourning; Hameward with cliver Strides he lap, 15 To tell his Dady his Mishap. At Distance e’er he reach’d the Door, He stood and rais’d a hideous Roar. His Father when he heard his Voice, Stept out and said, Why a’ this Noise? 20 The Calland gap’d and glowr’d about, But no ae Word could he lug out. His Dad cry’d, kening his Defect, Sing, sing, or I shall break your Neck. Then soon he gratifi’d his Sire, 25 And sang aloud, Your Kiln’s a Fire. Now ye’ll allow there’s Wit in that, To tell a Tale sae very pat. Bright Wit appears in mony a Shape, Which some invent and others ape. Some shaw their Wit in wearing Claiths, And some in coining of new Aiths; There’s crambo Wit in making Rhime, And dancing Wit in beating Time: There’s metl’d Wit in Story-telling, In writing Grammar, and right spelling: Wit shines in Knowledge of Politicks, And wow! what Wit’s amang the Criticks. So far my Mates excuse me while I play In Strains ironick with that heavenly Ray, Rays which the humane Intelects refine, And makes the Man with brillant Lustre shine, Marking him sprung from Origine divine. Yet may a well rig’d Ship be full of Flaws, So may loose Wits regard no sacred Laws: That Ship the Waves will soon to Pieces shake, So ’midst his Vices sinks the witty Rake. But when on First-rate-virtues Wit attends, It both itself and Virtue recommends, And challenges Respect where e’er its Blaze extends.

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On Friendship ON

F R I E N D S H I P. The Earth-born Clod who hugs his Idol Pelf, His only Friends are Mammon and himself: The drunken Sots, who want the Art to think, Still cease from Friendship when they cease from Drink. The empty Fop, who scarce for Man will pass, 5 Ne’er sees a Friend but when he views his Glass. Friendship first springs from Sympathy of Mind, Which to complete the Virtues all combine, And only found ’mongst Men who can espy, The Merits of his Friend without Envy. 10 Thus all pretending Friendship’s but a Dream, Whose Base is not reciprocal Esteem.

K E I T H A: A

P A S T O R A L, Lamenting the Death of the Right Honourable

MARY Countess of Wigtoun.

RINGAN. O’er ilka Thing a gen’ral Sadness hings! The Burds wi’ Melancholy droop their Wings; My Sheep and Kye neglect to moup their Food, And seem to think as in a dumpish Mood. Hark how the Winds souch mournfu’ throu’ the Broom, The very Lift puts on a heavy Gloom: My Neibour Colin too, he bears a Part, His Face speaks out the Sairness of his Heart; Tell, tell me Colin, for my bodding Thought, A Bang of Fears into my Breast has brought,

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COLIN. Where hast thou been thou Simpleton, wha speers The Cause of a’ our Sorrow and our Tears? Wha unconcern’d can hear the common Skaith The Warld receives by lovely Keitha’s Death? The bonniest Sample of what’s good and kind; Fair was her Make, and heav’nly was her Mind. But now this sweetest Flower of a’ our Plain, Leaves us to sigh, tho a’ our Sighs are vain; For never mair she’ll grace the heartsome Green, Ay heartsome when she deign’d there to be seen.

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COLIN. Ah! wha cou’d tell the Beauties of her Face, Her Mouth that never op’d but wi’ a Grace; 40 Her Een which did with heav’nly Sparkles low, Her modest Cheek flush’d with a rosie Glow, Her fair brent Brow, smooth as the unrunkled Deep, When a’ the Winds are in their Caves asleep: Her Presence like a Simmer’s Morning Ray, 45 Lighten’d our Hearts, and gart ilk Place look gay. Now twin’d of Life, these Charms look cauld and blae, And what before gave Joy, now makes us wae. Her Goodness shin’d in ilka pious Deed, — A Subject, Ringan, for a lofty Reed! 50 A Shepherd’s Sang maun sic high Thoughts decline, Lest rustick Notes should darken what’s divine. Youth, Beauty, Graces, a’ that’s good and fair Lament, for lovely Keitha is nae mair. RINGAN. How tenderly she smooth’d our Master’s Mind, When round his manly Waist her Arms she twin’d, And look’d a Thousand saft Things to his Heart, While native Sweetness sought nae Help frae Art. To him her Merit still appear’d mair bright, As yielding she own’d his superior Right. Baith fast and sound he slept within her Arms,

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32. Worthy that noble Race ] She was Daughter to the late Earl Marishal, the third of that honourable Rank of Nobility.

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Keitha: A Pastoral Gay were his Dreams, the Influence of her Charms. Soon as the Morning dawn’d he’d draw the Screen, And watch the op’ning of her fairer Een; Whence sweetest Rays gusht out in sic a Thrang, 65 Beyond Expression in my rural Sang. COLIN. O Clementina! sprouting fair Remains Of her, wha was the Glory of our Plains. Dear Innocence with Infant Darkness blest, Which hides the Happiness that thou hast mist. May a’ thy Mither’s Sweets thy Portion be, And a’ thy Mither’s Graces shine in thee.

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RINGAN. She loot us ne’er gae hungry to the Hill, And a’ she gae, she geed it wi’ good Will; Fow mony, mony a ane will mind that Day 75 On which frae us she’s tane sae soon away, Baith Hynds and Herds, wha’s Cheeks bespake nae Scant, And throu’ the Howms could whistle, sing and rant, Will miss her sair, till happily they find Anither in her Place sae good and kind. 80 The Lasses wha did at her Graces mint, Ha’e by her Death their bonniest Pattern tint. O ilka ane who did her Bounty skair, Lament, for gen’rous Keitha is nae mair. COLIN. O Ringan, Ringan! Things gang sae uneven, 85 I canna well take up the Will of Heav’n. Our Crosses teughly last us mony a Year, But unco soon our Blessings disappear. RINGAN. I’ll tell thee Colin my last Sunday’s Note, I tented well Mess Thamas ilka Jot. The Powers aboon are cautious as they’re just, And dinna like to gi’e o’er meikle Trust To this unconstant Earth, with what’s divine, Lest in laigh Damps they should their Lustre tine. Sae let’s leave aff our Murmuring and Tears, And never value Life by Length of Years. But as we can in Goodness it employ, Syne wha dies first, first gains eternal Joy. Come, Colin, dight your Cheeks and banish Care, Our Lady’s happy, tho with us nae mair.

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Poems To the Right Honourable,

The Town-Council of EDINBURGH, THE

ADDRESS of Allan Ramsay. Your Poet humbly means and shaws, That contrair to just Rights and Laws I’ve suffer’d muckle Wrang By Lucky Reid, and Ballad Singers,268 Wha thum’d with their coarse dirty Fingers Sweet Edie’s Funeral-Sang. They spoil’d my Sense and staw my Cash, My Muses Pride murgully’d, And printing it like their vile Trash, The honest Lieges whilly’d. Thus undone, to London269 It gade to my Disgrace, Sae pimpin and limpin In Rags wi’ bluther’d Face. Yet Gleg-eyed Friends throw the Disguise Receiv’d it as a dainty Prize For a’ it was sae hav’ren, Gart Lintot take it to his Press, And clead it in a braw new Dress, Syne took it to the Tavern. But tho it was made clean and braw, Sae sair it had been knoited, It blather’d Buff before them a’,270 And aftentimes turn’d doited. It griev’d me and reav’d me Of kindly Sleep and Rest, By Carlings and Gorlings To be sae sair opprest. Wherefore to You ne’er kend to guide ill, But wisely had the good Town’s Bridle, My Case I plainly tell, And, as your ain, plead I may have271

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4. Lucky Reid ] A Printers Relict, who with the Hawkers Re-printed my Pastoral on Mr. Addison, without my Knowledge on ugly Paper, full of Errors. 11. To London ] One of their incorrect Copies was re-printed at London by Bernard Lintot in Folio first, before he printed it a second Time from a correct Copy of my own, with the honourable Mr. Burchet’s English Version of it. 23. Blether’d Buff ] Spoke Nonsense, from Words being wanting, and many wrong spell’d and changed, such as, gras for gars, Praise for Phrase, &c. 32. As your ain ] A free Citizen.

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Address to the Council of Edinburgh Your Words of Weight, when now I crave272 To guide my Gear my sell. Then clean and fair the Type shall be, 35 The Paper like the Snaw, Nor shall our Town think Shame wi’ me, When we gang far awa. What’s wanted if granted Beneath your honour’d Wing. 40 Baith hantily and cantily Your Supplicant shall sing. Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot, gain’d by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig, Bart. After the gaining Edinburgh’s Prize The Day before with running thrice, Me Milncraig’s Rock most fairly won, When thrice again the Course he run: Now for Diversion ’tis my Share To run three Heats, and please the Fair.

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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. Charge me with the Nants and limpid Spring, Let sowr and sweet be mixt, Bend round a Health syne to the King, To Edinburgh’s Captains next, Wha form’d me in sae blyth a Shape, And gave me lasting Honours, Take up my Ladle fill and lape, And say, Fairfa’ the Donors.

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33. Your Word of Weight ] To interpose their just Authority in my Favour, and grant me an Act to ward off these little Pirates, which I gratefully acknowledge Receipt of.

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Poems TO THE

Whin=Bush Club,

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THE

B I L L Of ALLAN RAMSAY. Of Crawfurd-Moor, born in Leadhill,274 Where Min’ral Springs Glengoner fill,275 Which joins sweet flowing Clyde, Between auld Crawfurd-Lindsay’s Towers, And where Deneetne rapid pours 5 His Stream thro’ Glotta’s Tide; Native of Clydesdale’s upper Ward, Bred Fifteen Summers there, Tho, to my Loss I’m no a Laird By Birth, my Title’s fair 10 To bend wi’ ye and spend wi’ ye An Evening, and guffaw, If Merit and Spirit Be found without a Flaw. Since dously ye do nought at Random, 15 Then take my Bill to Avisandum; And if there’s nae Objection, I’ll deem’t my Honour and be glad To come beneath your Whin-Bush Shade, And claim to its Protection. 20 If frae the Caverns of a Head That’s boss, a Storm should blaw, Etling wi’ Spite to rive my Reed, And give my Muse a Fa’, When poring and soaring 25 O’er Heleconian Heights, She traces these Places Where Cynthius delights.

Whin-Bush ] This Club consists of Clydesdale-Shire Gentlemen, who frequently meet at a diverting Hour, and keep up a good Understanding amongst themselves over a friendly Botle. And from a charitable Principle, easily collect into their Treasurer’s Box a small Fond [sic], which has many a time relieved the Distress of indigent Persons of that Shire. 1. Lead hill ] In the Parish of Crawfurd-Moor, famous for the Lead and Gold Mines belonging to the Earl of Hoptoun. 2. Glengoner ] The Name of a small River, which takes its Rise from the Lead-hills, and enters Clyde between the Castle of Crawfurd and the Mouth of Deneetne, another of the Branches of Clyde.

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An Epistle to Mr. Arbuckle AN

EPISTLE TO Mr. James Arbuckle of Belfast, AM. Edinburgh, January 1719.

As Errant Knight with Sword and Pistol, Bestrides his Steed with mighty Fistle; Then stands some Time in jumbled Swither To ride in this Road or that ither; At last spurs on, and disna care for A how, a what Way, or a wherefore. Or like extemporary Quaker, Wasting his Lungs, t’ enlighten weaker Lanthorns of Clay, where Light is wanting, With formless Phrase, and formal Canting; While Jacob Behmen’s Salt does season,276 And saves his Thought frae corrupt Reason, Gowling aloud with Motions queerest, Yerking these Words out which ly nearest.

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Thus I (no longer to illustrate 15 With Similies, lest I should frustrate Design Laconick of a Letter, With Heap of Language and no Matter,) Bang’d up my blyth auld-fashion’d Whistle, To sowf ye o’er a short Epistle, 20 Without Rule, Compasses, or Charcoal, Or serious Study in a dark Hole. Three Times I ga’e the Muse a Rug, Then bate my Nails and claw’d my Lug; Still heavy, at the last my Nose 25 I prim’d with an inspiring Dose,277 Then did Ideas dance, (dear safe us!) As they’d been daft. — Here ends the Preface. Good Mr. James Arbuckle, Sir, (That’s Merchant’s Stile, as clean as Fir) Ye’re welcome back to Caledonie,278 Lang Life and thriving light upon ye, Harvest, Winter, Spring and Summer, And ay keep up your heartsome Humor,

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11. Jacob Behmen ] A Quaker, who wrote Volumes of unintelligibile enthusiastick Bombast. 26. Inspiring Dose ] Vide Mr. Arbuckle’s Poem on Snuff. 31. Welcome back ] Having been in his Native Ireland visiting his Friends.

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Poems That ye may thro’ your lucky Task go, Of brushing up our Sister Glasgow; Where Lads are dextrous at improving, And docile Lasses fair and loving: But never tent these Fellows Girning, Wha wear their Faces ay in Mourning, And frae pure Dullness are malicious, Terming ilk Turn that’s witty, vicious.

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Now, Jamie, in neist Place, Secundo, To give you what’s your Due in mundo; That is to say in hame o’er Phrases, 45 To tell ye, Men of Mettle praises Ilk Verse of yours when they can light on’t, And trouth I think they’re in the right on’t; For there’s ay something sae auldfarran, Sae slid, sae unconstrain’d and darrin, 50 In ilka Sample we have seen yet, That little better e’er has been yet. Sae much for that. — My Friend Arbuckle, I ne’er afore roos’d ane sae muckle. Fause Flat’ry nane but Fools will tickle, 55 That gars me hate it like auld Nicol: But when ane’s of his Merit conscious, He’s in the wrang, when prais’d, that glunshes. Thirdly, Not tether’d to Connection, But rattling by inspir’d Direction, 60 When ever Fame, with Voice like Thunder, Sets up a Chield a Warld’s Wonder, Either for slashing Fowk to dead, Or having Wind-mills in his Head, Or Poet, or an airy Beau, 65 Or ony twa Leg’d Rary-show, They wha have never seen’t are bissy To speer what like a Carlie is he. Imprimis then, for Tallness I Am five Foot and four Inches high: 70 A Black-a-vic’d snod dapper Fallow, Nor lean, nor overlaid wi’ Tallow. With Phiz of a Morocco Cut, Resembling a late Man of Wit, Auld-gabbet Spec, wha was sae Cunning279 75 To be a Dummie ten Years running. Then for the Fabrick of my Mind, 75. Auld-gabbet Spec ] The Spectator, who gives us a fictitious Description of his short Face and Taciturnity, that he had been esteem’d a dumb Man for ten Years.

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An Epistle to Mr. Arbuckle ’Tis mair to Mirth than Grief inclin’d. I rather choose to laugh at Folly, Than show Dislike by Melancholy; Well judging a sowr heavy Face Is not the truest Mark of Grace.

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I hate a Drunkard or a Glutton, Yet am nae Fae to Wine and Mutton. Great Tables ne’er engag’d my Wishes, 85 When crowded with o’er mony Dishes, A healthfu’ Stomach sharply set Prefers a Back-sey pipin het. I never cou’d imagin’t vicious Of a fair Fame to be ambitious: 90 Proud to be thought a comick Poet, And let a Judge of Numbers know it, I court Occasion thus to show it.

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Second of thirdly, — pray take heed, Ye’s get a short Swatch of my Creed. 95 To follow Method negatively Ye ken takes Place of positively. Well then, I’m nowther Whig nor Tory, Nor Credit give to Purgatory. Transub, Loretta-house, and mae Tricks, 100 As Prayers to Saints, Katties and Patricks; Nor Asgilite, nor Bess Clarksonian,280 Nor Mountaineer, nor Mugletonian;281 Nor can believe, ant’s nae great Ferly, In Cotmoor Fowk, and Andrew Harley.282 105 Neist Anti-Tolland, Blunt and Wh—, Know positively I’m a Christian, Believing Truths and thinking free, Wishing thrawn Parties wad agree.

103. Nor Asgilite ] Mr. Asgil a late Member of Parliament advanced (whether in Jest or Earnest I know not) some very whimsical Opinions, particularly, That People need not die if they pleas’d, but be translated alive to Heaven like Enoch and Elijah. Clerksonian, Bessy Clarkson a Lanerk-Shire Woman. Vide the History of her Life and Principles. 104. Mountaineer ] Our wild Folks, who always prefer a Hill-side to a Church under any civil Authority. Mugletonian, A kind of Quakers, so called from on Mugleton. See Leslie’s Snake in the Grass. 105. Cotmoor Fowk ] A Family or two who had a particular Religion of their own, valued themselves on using vain Repetitions in Prayers of 6 or 7 Hours long; were pleased with Ministers of no kind. Andrew Harley a dull Fellow of no Education was Head of the Party.

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Poems 110 Say, wad ye ken my gate of Fending, My Income, Management, and Spending? Born to nae Lairdship, mair’s the Pity! Yet Denison of this fair City. I make what honest Shift I can, And in my ain House am Good-man, 115 Which stands on Edinburgh’s Street the Sun-side, I theek the out, and line the Inside Of mony a douse and witty Pash, And baith Ways gather in the Cash; Thus heartily I graze and beau it, 120 And keep a Wife ay great wi’ Poet. Contented I have sic a Skair, As does my Business to a Hair, And fain wa’d prove to ilka Scot That Poortith’s no the Poet’s Lot. 125 Fourthly and lastly baith together, Pray let us ken when ye come hither; There’s mony a canty Carle and me Wa’d be much comforted to see ye. But if your outward be Refractory, 130 Send us your inward Manufactory. That when we’re kedgy o’er our Claret, We correspond may with your Spirit. Accept of my kind Wishes, with The same to Dons Buttler and Smith; 135 Health Wit and Joy, Sauls large and free, Be a’ your Fates, — sae God be wi’ ye.

To the Right Honourable,

WILLIAM

Earl of Dalhousie. Mæcenas atavis edite Regibus, Horace. Dalhousie of an auld Descent, My Chief, my Stoup and Ornament, For Entertainment a wee while, Accept this Sonnet with a Smile; Setting great Horace in my View, 5 He to Mecenas, I to you: But that my Muse may sing with Ease, I’ll keep or drap him as I please.

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To the Earl of Dalhousie How differently are Fowk inclin’d, There’s hardly twa of the same Mind; 10 Some like to study, some to play, Some on the Links to win the Day, And gar the Courser rin like wood, A’ drapin down with Sweat and Blood: The Winner syne assumes a Look 15 Might gain a Monarch or a Duke. Neist view the Man with pauky Face Has mounted to a fashous Place, Inclin’d by an o’er-ruling Fate, He’s pleas’d with his uneasy State: 20 Glowr’d at a while, he gangs fou braw, Till frae his kittle Post he fa’. The Lothian Farmer he likes best To be of good faugh Riggs possest, And fen upon a frugal Stock, 25 Where his Forbeers had us’d the Yoke: Nor is he fond to leave his Wark, And venture in a rotten Bark, Syne unto far aff Countries steer On tumbling Waves to gather Gear. 30 The Merchant wreck’d upon the Main Swears he’ll ne’er venture on’t again; That he had rather live on Cakes, And shyrest Swats, with Landart Maiks, As rin the Risk by Storms to have, 35 When he is dead, a living Grave. But Seas turn smooth, and he grows fain, And fairly takes his Word again: Tho he shou’d to the Bottom sink, Of Poverty he downa think. 40 Some like to laugh their Time away, To dance while Pipes or Fidles play, And have nae Sense of ony Want As lang as they can drink and rant. The rat’ling Drum and Trumpet’s Tout 45 Delight young Swankies that are stout: What his kind frighted Mother ugs, Is Musick to the Soger’s Lugs. The Hunter with his Hounds and Hawks Bangs up afore his Wife awakes; 50 Nor speers gin she has ought to say, But scowrs o’er Highs and Hows a’ Day, Throw Moss and Moor, nor does he care 203

Poems Whither the Day be foul or fair, If he his trusty Hounds can chear 55 To hunt the Tod or drive the Deer. May I be happy in my Lays, And won a lasting Wreath of Bays, Is a’ my Wish; well pleas’d to sing Beneath a Tree, or by a Spring, 60 While Lads and Lasses on the Mead Attend my Caledonian Reed, And with the sweetest Notes rehearse My Thoughts, and roose me for my Verse. If you, my Lord, class me amang Those who have sung baith saft and strang, Of smiling Love or doughty Deed, To Starns sublime I’ll lift my Head.

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Horace to Virgil, on his taking a Voyage to Athens. Sic te diva potens Cypri, — O Cyprian Goddess twinkle clear, And Helen’s Brithers ay appear; Ye Stars wha shed a lucky Light, Auspicious ay keep in a Sight; King Eol grant a tydie Tirl, 5 But boast the Blast that rudely whirl; Dear Ship be canny with your Care, At Athens land my Virgil fair, Syne soon and safe, baith Lith and Spaul, Bring hame the tae haff o’ my Saul. 10 Daring and unco stout he was, With Heart hool’d in three Sloughs of Brass, Wha ventur’d first on the rough Sea, With hempen Branks and Horse of Tree: Wha on the weak Machine durst ride 15 Throu’ Tempests, and a rairing Tide; Nor clinty Craigs, nor Hurrycane, That drives the Adriatick Main, And gars the Ocean gowl and quake, Cou’d e’er a Soul sae sturdy make. 20 The Man wha cou’d sic Rubs win o’er, Without a Wink at Death might glowr, Wha unconcern’d can take his Sleep Amang the Monsters of the Deep. 204

Horace to Virgil Jove vainly twin’d the Sea and Eard, 25 Since Mariners are not afraid. With Laws of Nature to dispence, And impiously treat Providence. Audacious Men at nought will stand When vicious Passions have command. 30 Prometheus ventur’d up and staw A lowan Coal frae Heav’ns high Ha’; Unsonsy Thift, which Feavers brought In Bikes, which Fowk like Sybous hought: Then Death erst slaw began to ling, 35 And fast as Haps to dart his Sting. Neist Dedalus must contradict Nature forsooth, and Feathers stick Upon his Back, syne upward streek, And in at Jove’s high Winnocks keek, 40 While Hercules, wi’s Timber Mell, Plays rap upo’ the Yates of Hell. What is’t Man winna ettle at? E’en wi’ the Gods he’ll bell the Cat: Tho Jove be very Laith to kill, They winna let his Bowt ly still.

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An ODE to Mr. F----. Solvitur acris hiems —— Horace. Now Gowans sprout and Lavrocks sing, And welcome West Winds warm the Spring, O’er Hill and Dale they saftly blaw, And drive the Winter’s Cauld awa. The Ships lang gyzen’d at the Peer Now spread their Sails and smoothly steer, The Nags and Nowt hate wissen’d Strae, And frisking to the Fields they gae, Nor Hynds wi’ Elson and hemp Lingle, Sit solling Shoon out o’er the Ingle. Now bonny Haughs their Verdure boast, That late were clade wi’ Snaw and Frost, With her gay Train the Paphian Queen By Moon-light dances on the Green, She leads while Nymphs and Graces sing, And trip around the Fairy Ring. Mean Time poor Vulcan hard at Thrift, Gets mony a sair and heavy Lift, Whilst rinnen down, his haff-blind Lads 205

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Poems Blaw up their Fire, and thump the Gads.

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Now leave your Fitsted on the Dew, And busk ye’r sell in Habit new. Be gratefu’ to the guiding Powers, And blythly spend your easy Hours. O kanny F—! tutor Time, 25 And live as lang’s ye’r in your Prime; That ill bred Death has nae Regard To King or Cottar, or a Laird, As soon a Castle he’ll attack, As Waus of Divots roof’s wi’ Thack. 30 Immediately we’ll a’ take Flight Unto the mirk Realms of Night, As Stories gang, with Gaists to roam, In gloumie Pluto’s gousty Dome; Bid fair Good-day to Pleasure syne 35 Of bonny Lasses and red Wine. Then deem ilk little Care a Crime, Dares waste an Hour of precious Time; And since our Life’s sae unko short, Enjoy it a’, ye’ve nae mair for’t.

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To the Ph---- an ODE. Vides ut alta stet nive candidum Soracte.— Horace. Look up to Pentland’s towring Taps, Buried beneath great Wreaths of Snaw, O’er ilka Cleugh, ilk Scar and Slap, As high as ony Roman Wa’. Driving their Baws frae Whins or Tee, 5 There’s no ae Gowfer to be seen, Nor dousser Fowk wysing a Jee The Byass Bouls on Tamson’s Green. Then fling on Coals, and ripe the Ribs, And beek the House baith Butt and Ben, 10 That Mutchken Stoup it hads but Dribs, Then let’s get in the tappit Hen. Good Claret best keeps out the Cauld, And drives away the Winter soon, It makes a Man baith gash and bauld, And heaves his Saul beyond the Moon. 206

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To the Ph---- an Ode Leave to the Gods your ilka Care, If that they think us worth their While, They can a Rowth of Blessings spare, Which will our fashious Fears beguile. 20 For what they have a Mind to do, That will they do, should we gang wood, If they command the Storms to blaw, Then upo’ sight the Hailstains thud. But soon as e’er they cry, Bequiet, 25 The blatt’ring Winds dare nae mair move, But cour into their Caves, and wait The high Command of supreme Jove. Let neist Day come as it thinks fit, The present Minute’s only ours, 30 On Pleasure let’s imploy our Wit, And laugh at Fortune’s feckless Power. Be sure ye dinna quat the Grip Of ilka Joy when ye are young, Before auld Age your Vitals nip, 35 And lay ye twafald o’er a Rung. Sweet Youth’s a blyth and heartsome Time, Then Lads and Lasses while it’s May, Gae pou the Gowan in its Prime, Before it wither and decay. 40 Watch the saft Minutes of Delyte, When Jenny speaks beneath her Breath, And kisses, laying a the Wyte On you if she kepp ony Skaith. Haith ye’re ill bred, she’ll smiling say, Ye’ll worry me ye greedy Rook; Syne frae your Arms she’ll rin away, And hide her sell in some dark Nook:

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Her Laugh will lead you to the Place Where lies the Happiness ye want, 50 And plainly tells you to your Face, Nineteen Nay-says are haff a Grant. Now to her heaving Bosom cling, And sweetly toolie for a Kiss, Frae her fair Finger whop a Ring, 55 As Taiken of a future Bliss. 207

Poems These Bennisons, I’m very sure, Are of the Gods indulgent Grant; Then surly Carles, whisht, forbear To plague us with your whining Cant. 60

To Mr. William Aikman. ’Tis granted, Sir, Pains may be spar’d Your Merit to set forth, When there’s sae few wha claim Regard, That disna ken your Worth. Yet Poets give immortal Fame 5 To Mortals that excel, Which if neglected they’re to blame; But you’ve done that your sell. While frae Originals of yours Fair Copies shall be tane, 10 And fix’d on Brass to busk our Bow’rs, Your Mem’ry shall remain. To your ain Deeds the maist deny’d, Or of a Taste o’er fine, Maybe ye’re, but o’er right, afraid 15 To sink in Verse like mine. The last can ne’er the Reason prove, Else wherefore with good Will Do ye my nat’ral Lays approve, And help me up the Hill?

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By your Assistance unconstrain’d To Courts I can repair, And by your Art my Way I’ve gain’d To Closets of the Fair. Had I a Muse like lofty Pope, 25 For touring Numbers fit, Then I the ingenious Mind might hope In truest Light to hit. But comick Tale and Sonnet slee Are coosten for my Share, And if in these I bear the Gree, I’ll think it very fair.

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Spoken to three young Ladies Spoken to three young Ladies, who would have me determine which of them was the bonniest. Me anes three Beauties did surround, And ilka Beauty gave a Wound, Whilst they with smiling Eye, Said, Allan, which think ye maist fair? Gi’e Judgement frankly, never spare. Hard is the Task said I: But added, seeing them sae free, Ladies ye maun say mair to me, And my Demand right fair is; First, like the gay Celestial Three, Shaw a’ your Charms, and then ha’e wi’ ye, Faith I shall be your Paris.

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TO

S William Bennet ir

Of Grubbet, Bart.

While now in Discord giddy Changes reel, And some are rack’d about on Fortunes Wheel, You with undaunted Stalk, and Brow serene, May trace your Groves, and press the dewy Green; No guilty Twangs your manly Joys to wound, Or horrid Dreams to make your Sleep unsound. To such as you, who can mean Care despise, Nature’s all beautiful ’twixt Earth and Skies. Not hurried with the Thirst of unjust Gain, You can delight your self on Hill or Plain, Observing when those tender Sprouts appear, Which crowd with fragrant Sweets the youthful Year. Your lovely Scenes of Marlefield abound With as much Choise as is in Britain found: Here fairest Plants from Nature’s Bosom start From Soil prolifick, serv’d with curious Art: Here oft the heedful Gazer is beguil’d, And wanders through an artificial Wild, While native flowry Green, and christal Strands, Appear the Labours of ingenious Hands. Most happy he who can those Sweets enjoy With Taste refin’d, which does not easy cloy. Not so Plebeian Souls, whom sporting Fate Thrusts into Life upon a large Estate, While Spleen their weak Imagination sowrs, They’re at a Loss how to imploy their Hours: 209

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Poems The sweetest Plants which fairest Gardens show, Are lost to them, for them unheeded grow. Such purblind Eyes ne’er view the son’rous Page, Where shines the Raptures of poetick Rage, Nor through the Microscope can take Delight, T’ observe the Tusks and Bristles of a Mite; Nor by the lengthen’d Tub[e] learn to descry These shining Worlds which roll around the Sky. Bid such read Hist’ry to improve their Skill, Polite Excuse! Their Memories are ill. Moll’s Maps may in their Dining-rooms make show, But their Contents they’re not oblig’d to know; And gen’rous Friendship’s out of Sight too fine, They think it only means a Glass of Wine. But he whose chearful Mind hath higher Flown, And adds learn’d Thoughts of others to his own, Has seen the World, and read the Volume Man, And can the Springs and Ends of Actions scan, Has fronted Deaths in Service of his King, And drunken deep of the Castalian Spring; This Man can live, — and happiest Life’s his due, Can be a Friend, — a Virtue known to few; Yet all such Virtues strongly shine in You.

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} An EPISTLE to a Friend at Florence, in his Way to Rome. Your steady Impulse foreign Climes to view, To study Nature, and what Art can shew, I now approve, while my warm Fancy walks O’er Italy, and with your Genius talks, We trace with glowing Breast and peiercing Look The curious Galery of th’ illustrious Duke, Where all those Masters of the Arts divine, With Pencils, Pens, and Chizels greatly Shine, Immortalizing the Augustan Age, On Medals, Canvas, Stone, or writen Page. Profiles and Busts Originals express, And antique Scrols, old e’er we knew the Press. For’s Love to Science, and each virtuous Scot, May Days unnumber’d be great Cosmus’ Lot. The sweet Hesperian Fields you’ll next explore, ’Twixt Arnus’ Banks and Tiber’s fertile Shore. Now, now I wish my Organs could keep Pace, With my fond Muse and you these Plains to trace, We’d enter Rome with an uncommon Taste, 210

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Epistle to a Friend at Florence And feed our Minds on every famous Waste; Amphitheaters, Columns, Royal Tombs, Triumphal Arches, Ruines of vast Domes, Old aerial Aqueducts, and strong pav’d Roads, Which seem to’ve been not wrought by Men but Gods.

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These view’d, we’d then survey with outmost Care 25 What modern Rome produces fine or rare, Where Buildings rise with all the Strength of Art, Proclaiming their great Architect’s Desert, Which Citron Shades surround and Jessamin, And all the Soul of Raphael shines within: 30 Then we’d regale our Ears with sounding Notes, Which warble tuneful thro’ the beardless Throats, Join’d with the vib’rating harmonious Strings, And breathing Tubes, while-the soft Eunoch sings. Of all those Dainties take a hearty Meal; 35 But let your Resolution still prevail, Return before your Pleasure grow a Toil, To longing Friends, and your own native Soil: Preserve your Health, your Virtue still improve, Hence you’ll invite Protection from above. 40

The beautiful Rose Tree enclosed. With Awe and Pleasure we behold thy Sweets, Thy lovely Roses have their pointed Guards, Yet tho the Gath’rer Opposition meets, The fragrant Purchase all his Pain rewards. But hedg’d about and watch’d with warry Eyes, 5 O Plant superior, beautiful and fair, We view thee like yon Stars which gem the Skies, But equally to gain we must despair. Ah! wert thou growing on some secret Plain, And found by me, how ravisht would I meet All thy transporting Charms to ease my Pain, And feast my raptur’d Soul on all that’s sweet. Thus sung poor Symon: Symon was in love, His too aspiring Passion made him smart; The Rose Tree was a Mistress far above The Shepherd’s Hope, which broke his tender Heart.

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To R--- H--- B---, an ODE. Nullam Vare sacra vite prius severis arborem, Circa mite solum Tiburis & mænia Catili.

Hor.

O B----, cou’d these Fields of thine Bear as in Gaul the juice Vine, How sweet the bonny Grape wou’d shine On Wau’s where now, Your Apricocks and Peaches fine 5 Their Branches bow. Since humane Life is but a Blink, Why should we its short Joys sink; He disna live that canna link The Glass about, 10 When warm’d with Wine, like Men we think, And grow mair stout. The cauldrife Carlies clog’d wi’ Care, Wha gathering Gear gang hyt and gare, If ramn’d we red, they rant and rair 15 Like mirthfu’ Men, It soothly shaws them they can spare, A rowth to spend. What Soger when with Wine he’s bung Did e’er complain he had been dung, 20 Or of his Toil, or empty Spung, Na, o’er his Glass, Nought but braw Deeds imploy his Tongue, Or some sweet Lass. Yet Trouth, ’tis proper we should stint 25 Our sells to a fresh mod’rate Pint, Why should we (the blyth Blessing) mint To waist or spill, Since, aften, when our Reason’s tint We may do ill. 30 Let’s set these Hair-brain’d Fowk in View, That when they’re stupid, mad and fow Do brutal Deeds, which aft they rue For a’ their Days, Which frequently prove very few 35 To such as these. Then let us grip our Bliss mair sicker, And tape our Heal, and sprightly Liquor, 212

To R--- H--- B--- an Ode Which sober tane makes Wit the quicker, And Sense mair keen, 40 While graver Heads that’s muckle thicker Grane wi’ the Spleen. May ne’er sic wicked Fumes arise In me shall break a’ sacred Ties, And gar me like a Fool despise 45 With Stifness rude, What ever my best Friends advise Tho ne’er so good. ’Tis best then to evite the Sin Of bending till our Sauls gae blin, Lest like our Glass our Breasts grow thin, And let Fowk peep, At ilka secret hid within That we should keep.

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Clyde’s Welcome to his

P R I N C E. WHat chearful Sounds from ev’ry Side I hear, How beauteous on their Banks my Nymphs appear, Got throw these massy Mountains at my Source, O’er Rocks stupendous of my upper Course,283 To these fair Plains where I more smoothly move, 5 Throw verdant Vales to meet Evana’s Love.284 Yonder she comes beneath Dodona’s Shade, How blyth she looks! how sweet and gaylie clade; Her flowry Bounds bears all the Pride of May, While round her soft Meanders Shepherd’s play. 10 Hail lovely Naid to my Bosom large, Amidst my Stores commit thy chrystal Charge, And speak these Joys all thy Deportment shews, That to old Ocean I may have good News. With solemn Voice, thus spoke Majestick Clyde, 15 In softer Notes lov’d Evan thus reply’d. Great Glotta, long have I had Cause to mourn, While my forsaken Stream gusht from my Urn. 4. Rocks stupendous ] The River falls over several high Precipices, such as Corrah’s Lin, Stane-Byre Lin, &c. 6. Evana ] The small River Evan which joins Clyde near Hamilton.

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Poems Since my late Lord his Nation’s just Delight, Greatly lamented sunk in endless Night. His hopeful Stem our chief Desire and Boast, Expos’d to Danger on some foreign Coast, Lonely for Years, I’ve murmur’d on my Way, When dark I wept, and sight in shining Day. The Sire return’d, just Reasons for thy Pains, So long to wind through solitary Plains: Thy Loss was mine, I sympathiz’d with thee, Since one our Griefs, then share thy Joys with me. Then hear me, liquid Chiftain of the Dale, Hush all your Cat’racts, till I tell my Tale, Then rise and rore, and kiss your bord’ring Flowers, And sound our Joys around yon lordly Towers; Yon lordly Towers, which happy now contain, Our brave and youthful Prince return’d again.

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Welcome, in loudest Raptures cry’d the Flood, 35 His Welcome echo’d from each Hill and Wood; Enough Evana, long may they contain The noble Youth safely return’d again. From the green Mountain where I lift my Head,285 With my twin Brothers Annan and the Tweed, 40 To those high Arches where, as Culdees sing,286 The pious Mungo fish’d the Trout and Ring. My fairest Nymphs shall on my Margin play, And make ev’n all the Year one holy Day. The Sylvan Powers and Watches of each Hight, 45 Where Fleecy Flocks and climbing Goats delight, Shall from their Groves and rocky Mountains roam, To join with us, and sing his Welcome home. With lofty Notes we’ll sound his high Descent, His dawning Merits and heroick Bent. 50 These early Rays which stedfastly Shall shine, And add new Glories to his ancient Line. A Line ay loyal, and fir’d with generous Zeal The bravest Patrons of the Common-weal.

39. Green Mountain ] From the same Hill the Rivers Clyde, Tweed and Annan have their Rise, yet run to three different Seas, viz. the Northern Ocean, the German Ocean, and the Irish Sea. 41. High Arches ] The Bridge of Glasgow, where as its reported, St. Mungo the Patron of that City, drew up a Fish that brought him a Ring, which had been dropt; which Miracle Glasgow retains the Memory of in their Arms.

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Clyde's Welcome to his Prince From him who plung’d his Sword (so Muses sing)287 55 Deep in his Breast, who durst defame our King. We’ll sing the Fire, which in his Bosom glows To warm his Friends, and scorch his daring Foes; Endow’d with all these sweet, yet manly Charms, As fits him for the Fields of Love, or Arms. 60 Fixt in an high and independant State, Above to act, what’s little to be great. Guard him, first Power, whose Hand directs the Sun, And teaches me throw Caverns dark to run, Long may he on his own fair Plains reside, And Slight my Rival Thames, and love his Clyde.

65

On the most Honourable

The Marquess of BOWMONT’s Cutting off his Hair.

Shall Berenice’s Tresses mount the Skies, And by the Muse to shining Fame arise, Bellinda’s Lock invite the smoothest Lays Of him whose Merit Claims the British Bays, And not, dear Bowmont, beautiful and young, 5 The graceful Ringlets of thy Head be sung! How many tender Hearts thine Eyes hath pain’d! How many sighing Nymphs thy Locks have chain’d! The God of Love beheld him with Envy, And on Cyth’rea’s Lap began to cry, 10 All drench’d in Tears, O Mother help your Son! Else by a mortal Rival I’m undone; With happy Charms he incroaches on my Sway, His Beauty disconcerts the Plots I lay. When I’ve made Cloe her humble Slave admire, 15 Straight he appears and kindles new Desire; She sighs for him, and all my Art beguiles, 55. So Muses sing ] Vide the ingenious Mr. Patrick Gordon’s Account of this Illustrious Family in his Poem on the valiant Atchievements of our great King Robert, sirnamed the Bruce. beginning at this Stanza, the Prophet speaks to our Monarch. Now in thy Time, quoth he, there shall arrive A worthy Knight, that from his native Land Shall fly, because he bravely shall deprive, In glorious Fight, a Knight that shall withstand Thy Praises due, while he doth thee descrive. Yea even, this Knight, shall with victorious Hand Come here, whose Name his Seed shall eternize, And still thy virt’ous Line shall sympathize.

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Poems Whilst he, like me, commands and careless smiles. Ah me! These sable Circles of his Hair, Which wave around his Beauties red and fair, I cannot bear! Adonis would seem dim, With all his flaxen Locks, if plac’d by him. Venus reply’d, No more, my dearest Boy, Shall those inchanting Curls thy Peace destroy; For ever sep’rate they shall cease to grow, Or round his Cheek, or on his Shoulders flow; I’ll use my Slight, and make them quickly feel Their Honour’s lost by the invading Steel: I’ll turn my self in Shape of Mode and Health, And gain upon his youthful Mind by Stealth: Three Times the Sun shall not have rouz’d the Morn, E’er he consent these from him shall be shorn.

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The Promise she perform’d, but Labour vain, And still shall prove, while his bright Eyes remain; And of Revenge blind Cupid must despair, 35 As long’s the lovely Sex are grac’d with Hair; They’ll yield the conquering Glories of their Heads, To form around his Beauty easy Shades; And in Return, Thalia spaes and sings, His lop’d off Locks shall sparkle in their Rings. 40

TO SOME

Y O U N G L A D I E S Who had been displeas’d at a Gentleman’s too imprudently asserting, That to be condemn’d to perpetual Virginity was the greatest Punishment could be inflicted on any of their Sex. Whether condemn’d to a Virgin State By the superiour Powers, Would to your Sex prove cruel Fate, I’m sure it would to ours. From you the numerous Nations spring, Your Breasts our Beings save, Your Beauties make the youthful sing, And sooth the old and grave. Alas! How soon would every Wight Despise both Wit and Arms, To primitive old Chaos Night 216

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To some young Ladies We’d sink without your Charms. No more our Breath would be our Care, Were Love from us exil’d, Sent back to Heaven with all the Fair, This World would turn a Wild.

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Regardless of these sacred Tyes, Wife, Husband, Father, Son, All Government we would despise, And like wild Tygers run. 20 Then, Ladies, pardon the Mistake, And with th’ accus’d agree, I beg it for each Lover’s sake, Low bended on my Knee. And frankly with what has been said 25 By the audacious Youth, Might be your Thought, but I’m afraid It will not prove a Truth. For often, ah! you make us groan By your too cold Disdain, Then quarrel with us when we moan And rave amidst our Pain.

30

To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by him. But Jealousie, dear Jos, which aft gives Pain To scrimpit Sauls, I own my sell right vain To see a native trusty Friend of mine, Sae brawly ’mang our bleezing Billies shine. Yes, wherefore no, shaw them the frozen North 5 Can towring Minds with heav’nly Heat bring forth; Minds that can mount with an uncommon Wing, And frae black heath’ry headed Mountains sing, As fast as he that Haughs Hesperian trades, Or leans beneath the Aromatick Shades. 10 Bred to the Love of Lit’rature and Arms, Still something great a Scottish Bosom warms: Tho nurs’d on Ice, and educate in Snaw, Honour and Liberty eags him to draw A Hero’s Sword, or an heroick Quill, 15 The monst’rous Faes of Right and Wit to kill. 217

Poems Well may ye further in your leal Design, To thwart the Gowks, and gar the Brethren tine The wrang Opinion which they lang have had, That a’ which mounts the Stage — is surely bad. Stupidly dull! But Fools ay Fools will be, And nane’s sae blind as them that winna see. Where’s Vice and Virtue set in juster Light? Where can a glancing Genius mine mair bright? Where can we humane Life review mair plain, Than in the happy Plot and curious Scene?

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If in themsells sic fair Designs were ill,

We ne’er had priev’d the sweet drammatick Skill } Of Congrave, Adison, Steel, Rowe, and Hill; Hill, wha the highest Road to Fame doth chuse, And has some upper Seraph for his Muse: It maun be sae, else how could he display With so just Strengh the great tremendous Day. Sic Patterns, Joseph, always keep in View.

Ne’er fash if ye can please the thinking Few, } Then spite of Malice Worth shall have its due.

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Colin and Grisy parting. A SONG, to the Tune of Woes my Heart that we shou’d sunder. With broken Words and downcast Eyes, Poor Colin spoke his Passion tender, And parting with his Grisy, cries, Ah! Woes my Heart that we should sunder. To others I am cold as Snow, 5 But kindle with thine Eyes like Tinder; From thee with Pain I’m forc’d to go, It breaks my Heart that we should sunder. Chain’d to thy Charms I cannot range, No Beauty new my Love shall hinder, Nor Time nor Place shall ever change My Vows, tho we’re oblig’d to sunder.

10

The Image of thy graceful Air, And Beauties which invite our Wonder, Thy lively Wit and Prudence rare 15 Shall still be present tho we sunder. Dear Nymph believe thy Swain in this, 218

Colin and Grisy parting You’l ne’er engage a Heart that’s kinder, Then seal a Promise with a Kiss, Always to love me tho we sunder. 20 Ye Gods take Care of my dear Lass, That as I leave her I may find her, When that blest Time shall come to pass We’ll meet again and never sunder.

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. Upon your Cheek sits blooming Youth. To the other. Heaven sparkles in your Eye. To both. There’s something sweet about each Mouth, Dear Ladies let me try.

The Mill, Mill, — O. A

S O N G.

Beneath a green Shade I fand a fair Maid Was sleeping sound and still — O, A’ lowan wi’ Love my Fancy did rove, Around her with good Will — O; Her Bosom I press’d, but sunk in her Rest 5 She stirdna my Joy to spill — O: While kindly she slept close to her I crept, And kiss’d, and kiss’d her my fill — O. Oblig’d by Command in Flanders to land, T’employ my Courage and Skill — O; 10 Frae ’er quietly I staw, hois’d Sails and awa, For Wind blew fair on the Bill — O. Twa Years brought me hame, where loud fraising Fame Tald me with a Voice right shill — O, My Lass like a Fool had mounted the Stool,288 15 15. The Stool ] viz Of Repentance.

219

Poems Nor kend wha’d done ’er the Ill — O. Mair fond of her Charms, with my Son in her Arms, I ferlying speer’d how she fell — O, Wi’ the Tear in her Eye, quoth she, let me die, Sweet Sir, gin I can tell — O. 20 Love gae the Command, I took her by th’ Hand, And bade her a’ Fears expell — O, And nae mair look wan, for I was the Man Wha had done her the Deed my sell — O. My bonny sweet Lass on the gowany Grass, 25 Beneath the Shilling-hill — O.289 If I did Offence I’se make ye Amends Before I leave Peggy’s-Mill — O. O the Mill, Mill — O, and the Kill, Kill — O, And the Cogging of the Wheel — O; 30 The Sack and the Sive, a’ thae ye maun leave, And round with a Soger reel — O.

The Poet’s Wish: An ODE. Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem Vates? —— Hor. Frae great Apollo, Poet say, What is thy Wish, what wadst thou hae, When thou bows at his Shrine? Not Karss o’ Gowrie’s fertile Field,290 Nor a’ the Flocks the Grampians yield, 5 That are baith sleek and fine: Not costly Things brought frae afar, As Ivory, Pearl and Gems; Nor those fair Straths that water’d are With Tay and Tweed’s smooth Streams, 10 Which gentily and daintily Eat down the flowry Braes, As greatly and quietly They wimple to the Seas. Whaever by his kanny Fate Is Master of a good Estate, That can ilk Thing afford, Let him enjoy’t withoutten Care,

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26. Shilling-hill ] Where they winnow the Chaff from the Corns. 4. Karss of Gowrie ] A large and fertile Plain on the Tay, in the Shire of Perth.

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The Poet's Wish And with the Wale of curious Fare Cover his ample Board. Much dawted by the Gods is he, Wha to the Indian Plain, Successfu’ ploughs the wally Sea, And safe returns again, With Riches that hitches Him high aboon the rest Of sma’ Fowk, and a’ Fowk That are wi’ Poortith prest.

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For me I can be well content To eat my Bannock on the Bent, 30 And kitchen’t wi’ fresh Air; Of Lang-kail I can make a Feast, And cantily had up my Crest, And laugh at Dishes rare. Nought frae Apollo I demand, 35 But throw a lengthen’d Life My outer Fabrick firm may stand, And Saul clear without Strife. May he then but gie then Those Blessings for my Skair, 40 I’ll fairly and squairly Quite a’ and seek nae mair. The Response of the Oracle. To keep thy Saul frae puny Strife, And heeze thee out of vulgar Life, We in a morning Dream 45 Whisper’d our Will concerning thee, To Marlus stretch’d beneath a Tree, Hard by a pop’ling Stream, He full of me shall point the Way, Where thou a STAR shalt see, 50 The Influence of whose bright Ray, Shall wing thy Muse to flee. Mair speer na, and fear na, But set thy Mind to rest, Aspire ay still high’r ay, 55 And always hope the best.

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Poems THE

C O N C L U S I O N.

After the Manner of Horace, ad librum suum.

Dear vent’rous Book, e’en take thy Will, And scowp around the Warld thy fill: Wow! Ye’re newfangle to be seen, In guilded Turky clade, and clean. Daft giddy Thing! to dare thy Fate, 5 And spang o’er Dikes that scar the blate: But mind when anes ye’re to the Bent, (Altho in vain) ye may repent. Alake, I’m flied thou aften meet, A Gang that will thee sourly treat, 10 And ca’ thee dull for a’ thy Pains, When Damps distress their drouzie Brains. I dinna doubt whilst thou art new, Thoul’t Favour find frae not a few, But when thou’rt rufl’d and forfairn, 15 Sair thumb’d by ilka Coof or Bairn; Then, then by Age ye may grow wise, And ken things common gies nae Price. I’d fret, wae’s me! to see the lye Beneath the Bottom of a Pye, 20 Or cow’d out Page by Page to wrap Up Snuff, or Sweeties in a Shap. Away sic Fears, gae spread my Fame, And fix me an immortal Name; Ages to come shall thee revive, 25 And gar thee with new Honours live. The future Criticks I forsee Shall have their Notes on Notes on thee: The Wits unborn shall Beauties find That never enter’d in my Mind. 30 Now when thou tells how I was bred, But hough enough to a mean Trade;291 To ballance that, pray let them ken My Saul to higher Pitch cou’d sten. And when ye shaw I’m scarce of Gear, 35 Gar a’ my Virtues shine mair clear. Tell, I the best and fairest please, A little Man that loo’s my Ease, And never thole these Passions lang That rudely mint to do me wrang. 40

32. Hough enough ] Very indifferently.

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Conclusion Gin ony want to ken my Age, See Anno Dom. on Title Page; This Year when Springs by Care and Skill, The spacious leaden Conduits fill,292 And first flow’d up the Castle-hill. 45 When South-Sea Projects cease to thrive, And only North-Sea seems alive, Tell them your Author’s Thirty five.

} }

44. The Spacious, &c. ] The new Lead Pipes for conveying Water to Edinburgh, of 4 ¼ Inches Diameter within, and 6/10 of an Inch in thickness; all cast in a Mould invented by the ingenious Mr. Harding of London.

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POEMS (1728)

Title-page of Poems 1728 Reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Scotland Shelfmark H.29.a.21

D E D I C AT I O N To the PATRONS who subscribed for the First and this Volume. TO

Mr. Alexander Blackwood Merchant, Mr. James Bogle Writer, Charles Bridgeman, Esq; Mr. Brodie of Lethem, Mr. William Brown Writer, Mr. James Brownhill Architect, Mr. David Bruce Merchant, William Buchanan of Drumskill, Jun. Francis Buchanan of Arnprior, Josiah Burchet, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty, Gilbert Burnet, Esq; one of the Commissioners of Excise.

His Grace Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, His Grace Duke of Athole, The Most Hon. Marquis of Annandale, The R. H. Earl of Aboyn, The R. H. the Countess of Aboyn, Sir John Anstruther of that Ilk, Bt. Mr. William Adam, Architect, Colonel Philip Anstruther, William Aikman of Carnie, Robert Aiton, Esq; Mr. John Alves Advocate, Mr. James Anderson Writer to the Signet, Mr. David Anderson Writer, John Arbuthnot, M. D. London, Mr. John Arbuthnot of Boston, Merchant.

C

B The Most Hon. Marquis of Bowmont. The R. H. Earl of Berkley. The R. H. Lord Belhavon, The R. H. Lord Binning, The Hon. Alexander Brodie of that Ilk, Lord Lyon King at Arms, The Hon. Mris. Brodie, The Hon. Lady Bruce, Sir William Bennet of Grubbet, Bt. Sir William Baird of Newbyth, Bt. Sir William Baillie of Lamington, Bt. The Hon. George Baillie of Jerviswood, Mr. James Baillie Writer to the Signet, John Baird Esq; of Newbyth, Jun, James Balfour of Pilrig, Mr. Alexander Bayne Advocate, Mr. Thomas Belshes Writer, William Bennet Esq; of Grubbet, Jun. Mr. Henry Bethune Jeweller,

His Grace Duke of Chandois, The Most Hon. Marquis of Clydesdale, The Most Hon. Marquis of Carnarvon, The R. H. Earl of Crawford, The R. H. Earl of Cassils, The R. H. Earl of Caithness, The R. H. Earl of Carnwath, The R. H. Lord Crichton, The R. H. Colonel Charles Master of Cathcart, The Hon. Sir William Calderwood Lord Polton, The Hon. Sir John Clerk of Pennycuik, Baron of the Exchequer, Sir James Campbell of Arkindlas, Bt. Sir James Campbell of Aberuchil, Bt. Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell, Bt. Sir James Cuningham of Milncraig, Bt. Colonel Campbell of the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, John Campbell Esq; late Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Cameron of Lochiol, Captain Campbell of Skipnish, Mr. Campbell of Calder,

227

Poems John Campbell Esq; one of the Hon. Commissioners of the Board of Customs, James Campbell of Stonefield, Archibald Campbell of Ruddel, Ronald Campbell of Balerno, Mr. Robert Campbell of Stockholm, Mr. Daniel Campbell Writer, Mr. George Campbell Professor of Mathematicks, Edinburgh, Mr. Roderick Chalmers Ross-Herald, and Herald-Painter, Mr. William Cheselden Surgeon to St. Thomas’s Hospital, F.R.S. James Clerk, Esq; of Pennycuik, Jun. John Clerk, M. D., Edinburgh, Captain Hugh Clerk, John Cockburn of Orniston, Jun. Mr. William Clerk, M.T. Mr. Andrew Cochran, William Cockburn, Esq; Mr. Richard Cooper Painter, Mr. John Corse Writer, David Crawford of Allenton, Robert Crawford, Esq; William Crawford, Esq; Mr. Charles Crokat Merchant, Henry Cuningham of Balquhan. D His Grace Duke of Devonshire, The Most Hon. Marquis of Drumlanrig, The R. H. Earl of Dalhousie, The R. H. Earl of Dundonald, The R. H. Lord Deskford, The Hon. Hew Dalrymple Lord Drummore, The Hon. George Dalrymple Baron of the Exchequer, Sir James Dalrymple of Hales, Bt. Sir John Dalrymple of Cowsland, Bt. Sir George Dunbar of Mochram, Bt. Sir Robert Dalrymple of Castleton, Bt. William Dalmahoy of Revelrig, Mr. Hugh Dalrymple Advocate, Jo. Theo. Desaguliers, L.L.D. William Dale, Esq;

William Dixon of the Middle Temple, Esq; John Don of Attenburn, Captain Thomas Don, Mr. James Donaldson Treasurer of Edinburgh, Richard Dowdswell, Esq; Secretary of the Board of Excise, William Douglas of Glenbervy, Jun. Colonel William Douglas, Joseph Douglas of Edrington, Mr. David Drummond Advocate. George Drummond, Esq; one of the Hon. Commissioners of the Customs, William Drummond of Abbotsgrange, Mr. Alexander Drummond Collector of the Customs at Greenock, Alexander Duncan of Lundie, The Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston, John Dundas of Manor, James Dundas of Castlecary, William Duff of Braco, Mris. Duff Lady Braco. E The R. H. Earl of Eglinton, The R. H. Countess of Eglinton, The R. H. Lord Elphinston, The R. H. Lord Erskine, The Hon. Patrick Master of Elibank, The Hon. James Erskine Lord Grange, The Hon. David Erskine Lord Dun, The Hon. James Elphinston Lord Cowpar, The Hon. Sir Gilbert Elliot Lord Minto, Mr. Charles Erskine Advocate. F The Hon. Andrew Fletcher Lord Milton, The Hon. Duncan Forbes Lord Advocate, Sir Alexander Forbes of Foveran, Brian Fairfax, Esq; one of the Hon.

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Dedication Commissioners of the Customs, Mr. William Fall of Dunbar Merchant, Nicolas Fenwick, Esq; late Mayor of Newcastle, Mr. John Fergus, Mr. James Ferguson of Pitfour, Alexander Ferriar Provost of Dundee, Mr. Hugh Fleming Writer to the Signet, John Forbes of Culloden, Mr. John Forbes of Newhall, Mr. William Forbes Writer to the Signet, Captain James Forrester, William Fullarton of that Ilk, John Fullarton, Esq; G His Grace Duke of Gordon, The Most Hon. Marquis of Graham, The R. H. Earl of Glencairn, The R. H. Earl of Galloway, The R. H. Viscount of Garnock, The R. H. Lord Gray, The R. H. Lord Garlies, Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonston, Bt. Sir William Gordon of Invergordon, Bt. Sir Archibald Grant of Monimusk, Bt. The Hon. Thomas Gordon Admiral, and Knight of the Order of St. Alexander in Russia, Alexander Gibson of Pentland, Mr. Thomas Gibson, one of the principal Clerks of Session, James Gibbs, Esq; James Glen of Longcroft, Bernham Good, Esq; Lewis Gordon of Temple, Mr. Thomas Gordon Advocate, Thomas Gordon, Esq; Charles Gordon Merchant. Mr. James Graham, Judge Admiral. Mungo Græme of Gorthie, Mr. Graham of Colairn, Colonel William Grant,

Captain George Grant, Mr. Charles Gregory Professor of Mathematicks at St. Andrews. Walter Grosert, Esq; H His Grace Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, Her Grace the Dutchess of Hamilton, The R. H. Earl of Hartford, L. Piercy, The R. H. Earl of Haddington, The R. H. Earl of Hopeton, The R. H. Lord Hope, The Hon. Mr. Basil Hamilton, The Hon. Sir Andrew Home Lord Kimmergham, Sir James Hall of Dunglass, Sir Alexander Hope of Carse, Mungo Haldane of Gleneagles, Alexander Hamilton of Dechmont, Mr. Archibald Hamilton of Dalziel, Mr. Robert Hamilton Merchant, Mr. Hay of Drumelzier, John Hay of Newhall, Robert Hay of Naughten, John Hay of Hops, Andrew Hay of Mugdrum, Magnus Henderson of Gardie, James Hepburn Rickard of Keith, Robert Hepburn of Beanston, John Hepburn of Humbie, Lady Herbertshire, Robert Heriot of Ramornie, John Hill, Esq; one of the Hon. Commissioners of the Customs, John Hog of Cambo, Henry Home of Kames, Jun. Mr. James Home Writer to the Signet, Mr. John Home Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh, Mr. Hope of Rankeilour, Robert Hucks, Esq; I The R. H. Earl of Islay, The Hon. Sir John Jennings Admiral, Sir Henry Innes of that Ilk, Bt. Sir John Inglis of Cramond, Bt.

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Poems Sir James Johnston of Westerhall, Mr. William Jaffrey Merchant, Mr. William Jamison Merchant of Leith, Mr. George Irvine of Newton, Mr. James Justice of Crichton, Jun. one of the principal Clerks of Session, K The R. H. Earl of Kinoul, The R. H. Countess of Kinoul, The R. H. the Earl of Kilmarnock, The R. H. the Count. of Kilmarnock, The R. H. Earl of Kintore, The Hon. Thomas Kennedy Baron of the Exchequer, Sir William Ker of Greenhead, Bt. Sir Tho. Kilpatrick of Closeburn, Bt. Sir Francis Kinloch of Gilmerton, Bt. Robert Keith of Craig, Mr. William Keir, Mr. George Kennedy Writer to the Signet, Joh Ker of Frogton. L The R. H. Earl of Lauderdale, The R. H. Lord Lovat, The R. H. Lady Euphemia Lockhart, The Hon. Matthew Lant, Esq; Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Sir James Lockhart of Carstairs, Bt. Sir Alex. Lauder of Fountainhall, Bt. Mr. John Leslie Master of the Grammar School of Haddington, Mr. Patrick Lindsay Dean of Guild of Edinburgh, George Lockhart of Carnwath, Jun. Mris. Lockhart Lady Carnwath, Mr. George Lockhart Merchant, Mr. Tho. Longman Bookseller, Lond. Mr. Lumisden of Innergelly, Mr. John Lumisden Writer to the Signet, Mr. William Lumisden Writer, John Lundin of that Ilk.

M His Grace Duke of Montrose, The R. H. Countess of Murray, The R. H. Earl of March, The R. H. Earl of Marchmont, The R. H. Lord George Murray, The R. H. Lady Euphemia Murray, The R. H. Lady Mary Montgomery, The R. H. Lady Betty Montgomery, The R. H. Lady Mary Macdonald, The R. H. Lady Betty Macdonal, The Hon. Sir James Mackenzie Lord Royston, The Hon. Archibald Macaulay Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Maxwell of Calderwood, Sir Patrick Hepburn-Murray of Blackcastle, Bt. Mr. Donald Maceuen Jeweller to the Czar of Moscovy, Mris. Barb. Macdougal of Mackerston, Walter Macfarlane of that Ilk, Mr. John Macfarlane Writer to the Signet, Alexander Macgill Architect, Mr. Jo. Macgowan Writer to the Signet, Patrick Mackay of Cyderhall, Alexander Mackey of Palgowan, Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, one of the principal Clerks of the Session, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie Advocate, Roderick Macleod of Cadboll, Mr. Alexander Maitland Merchant, Mr. William Martin of Harwood, Mr. Alex. Menzies of Coulterallers, The Hon. Edm. Miller, Esq; Baron of the Exchequer, Mr. Ro. Mitchel of Fountainbrighs, Mr. Will. Mitchel of Leith, Merchant, Mr. Joseph Mitchel, Colonel Monro of Fowlis, Colonel Montgomery, Mr. David Morison, Writer, Mr. Hugh Mosman, B.B. The Hon. Alex. Murray of Brughton, Mr. Murray of Abercarny, Mr. Murray of Stenhope, Jun. 230

Dedication Mris. Murray, Mr. John Murray, one of the principal Clerks of Session, George Muirhead of Whitecastle, Dr. Musgrave. N The R. H. Lord Napier, The R. H. Lord Nairn, Sir David Nairn, Sir James Nasmith of Posso, Bt. John Nairn of Segiden, James Nasmith of Earlshall, Mr. James Nimmo Cashier of the Board of Excise, William Nisbet of Dirleton, Mris. Nisbet Lady Dirleton, Alexander Nisbet, Esq; Mr. James Norie Painter. O The R. H. Earl of Oxford, The R. H. Countess of Oxford, The R. H. Viscount of Oxenford, Mr. George Ogilvie Advocate, Mr. John Ogilvie of Balbegno, Capt. James Ogilvie of the Fuzileers, Anthony Osburn, Esq; Mr. John Osburn Bookseller, Lond. Mr. Philip Overton Printseller, Lond. P The R. H. Earl of Pembroke, The R. H. Countess of Panmure, The R. H. Viscount of Primrose, The Hon. Sir Walter Pringle Lord Newhall, Sir Robert Pringle of Stichel, Bt. Sir Arch. Primrose of Dunipace, Bt. John Paterson of Prestonhall, Mr. James Paterson of Kirkton, Mr. Alexander Pope, Brigadier Preston, Mr. Tho. Pringle Writer to the Signet.

Q His Grace Duke of Queensberry and Dover, Her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry, R His Grace Duke of Roxburgh, The R. H. Countess of Roxburgh, The R. H. Earl of Rothes, The R. H. Earl of Rutherglen, The R. H. Lord Rae, The R. H. Lord Ramsay, The R. H. Lady Ramsay, The R. H. Lady Anne Ramsay, Sir Alex. Ramsay of Balmain, Bt. Mr. Gilbert Ramsay Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh, Mr. William Richie Merchant, Richard Redley, Esq; of Newcastle, Samuel Rith, Esq; Thomas Robertson of Downihills, Mr. Robert Robertson Merchant, The Hon. General Charles Ross of Balnagowan, Hugh Ross of Kilravock, David Ross of Inverchasley, William Ross of Shandwick, Thomas Ruddiman, A. M. Mr. John Russel of Bradshaw. S The R. H. Earl of Stair, The R. H. Countess of Stair, The R. H. Earl of Selkirk, The R. H. Earl of Strathmore, The R. H. Countess of Southesk, The R. H. Lord Somervile, The R. H. Lady Somervile, Sir George Sinclair of Kinnaird, Bt. Sir John Sinclair of Longformacus, Sir Henry Sterling, Bt. Sir Richard Steel, Mr. Mark Sandilands Merchant, Hercules Scott of Brotherton, Thomas Sharp of Blanse, Mr. Alexander Sharp Merchant, William Sinclair of Rosline, Patrick Sinclair of Brims, 231

Poems George Skeen of that Ilk, Major Skeen’s Lady, Lieutenant George Skeen, Mris. Sleigh, Mr. John Smibert Painter, Mr. James Smith of Whitehill, Mr. George Smollet of Ingliston, Will. Somervile, Esq; of Warwickshire, Captain William Spence, John Stark, Esq; Provost of Glasgow, Mr. John Steil, Robert Steil Esq; Captain William Steven, Major James Stewart of Torence, Mr. Archibald Stewart Writer, Mr. Hen. Stewart-Barclay of Colerny, Mr. William Stewart of Hartwood, Mr. Ja. Stewart Attorney of Exchequer, Mr. Robert Stewart Professor of Philosophy, Edin. Mr. Ro. Stewart Merchant of Aberd. Henry Strachy, Esq; John Swinton of that Ilk, Mr. Alexander Symmer Bookseller. T The Most Hon. Marq. of Tweedale, Mr. Alexander Tait Merchant, William Thomas, Esq;

W The R. H. Earl of Wigton, The R. H. Countess of Wigton, The R. H. the Earl of Wemyss, The R. H. Countess of Wemyss, Mr. Wauchop of Niddry, Marischal; Andrew Wauchop of Edmonston, George Warrender of Bruntsfield, Mr. John Wardlaw Chamberlain to the Earl of Wigton, John Watt of Rosehill, Jun. Mr. Alexander Wedderburn Commissioner of the Excise, Mris. Wedderburn, Mr. Patrick Wedderburn Advocate, Robert Welstead, Esq; Mr. West, Captain John Whiteford, Allan Whiteford Dep. Receiver-Gen. of his Majesty’s Land-Rents, &c. Mr. Robert Wightman Merchant, Mr. William Wightman Shore-master of Leith, Mr. Archibald Wightman Merchant, Coronet William Wilkinson, John Wodrow, M. D. Glasgow, Mr. Robert Wood Secretary to the Duke of Roxburgh, Captain Urquhart of Burdsyards, Y Robert Yarde of Devonshire, Esq; Mr. Yeaman of Dundee, John Young of Leny, George Young Chirurgeon, Edin.

Most Noble, Right Honourable, and generous Patrons,

I Can never cast my Eye on the preceeding LIST without inexpressible Joy and

a grateful Resentment, when I see Numbers of the most eminent Distinction and conspicuous Merit, with a Godlike Benevolence, condescending to support one to whom their own indulgent Approbations have raised a Stock of Fame amongst the Rank of native Poets : Tho’ my Imagination were less warm than it really is, such Encouragement might rouze me to employ all the Strength of my Genius to endeavour after a suitable measure of Desert. Since whatever is vicious can give no solid Pleasure, I have taken Care to evite every Thought tending either to Debauchery or Irreligion, while I endeavour to 232

Dedication be serviceable to Morality, even in those Verses of the merriest Turn ; so that the most grave and modest, in reading, shall neither be shock’d or affronted. While thus a Poet aims at the useful and pleasant, he may hope for Approbation from the Best, and never be afraid of Detraction or Poverty (the too frequent Attendants on Stipendless Preachers) if he can gain so many noble and worthy Supporters, as have made my inferior Life happy, by their generous Beneficence never to be hid or forgot. Let the Spleenatick censure as they please, and attempt by Detraction to clip the Wings of my Vanity (as they often nickname the ardent Emotions towards what is praise-worthy) yet I shall ever think it rude in me to make You an Offering, with a Multitude of Excuses, for its Unworthiness ; no, but as a certain Poet says of his Mistriss, so I of my Poems, They have no Faults, or I no Faults can spy ; They’re beautiful, or sometimes blind am I.1 I have examined them over and over with Care, and have struck out every Thing that I thought a Blemish ; since nothing is so capable to ruffle my Tranquillity, as Your finding any Production of my Muse imperfect or deformed. However I shall be always pleas’d with a judicious Criticism, and hoard it up against the Time (perhaps about twenty Years hence, if GOD pleases) when a severer Judgment shall get the better of a rambling Fancy ; against which Time, as it is proposed by an eminent Patron, I am to leave Posterity one or two good pickt Volumes, perhaps out of four or five. My First Volume, printed seven Years ago, now honoured to be in Your Libraries, with this, shall I hope (when I have join’d the Society of Spirits) in this Edition be acceptable to the Curious in succeeding Ages; The more so, since that instead of printing some Thousands, I have only thrown off so many in this Size as allenerly are destined for Your Service. May the cheerful Reflections of Goodness, fix’d Health to a happy old Age, with the delightful Satisfaction of Your reasonable Wishes, be ever Your’s, is the hearty and sincere Prayer of, Brave and Fair PATRONS, Your most humble, Edin. May most obliged, and 1728. devoted Servant, ALLAN RAMSAY.

1. These lines are modified from Chr. Codrington’s ‘Verses addressed to the Author of “The Dispensary”’. The Dispensary: A Poem; in Six Canto’s by Sir Samuel Garth (1661-1719) was published in 1709.

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C R I T I C K. Stand, Critick, and before ye read, Say, are ye free of Party-fead, Or of a Saul sae scrimp and rude, To envy every thing that’s Good? And if I shou’d (perhaps by Chance) 5 Something that’s new and smart advance, Resolve ye not with scornful Snuff, To say ’tis a’ confounded Stuff; If that’s the Case, Sir, spare your Spite, For, faith, ’tis not for you I write: 10 Gae gie your Censure higher Scope, And Congreve criticise or Pope, Young’s Satires, or Swift’s merry Smile, These, these are Writers worth your While. On me your Talents wad be lost, 15 And tho’ you gain a simple Boast; I want a Reader wha deals fair, And not ae real Fault will spare; Yet with good Humour will allow Me Praise, when e’er ’tis justly due: 20 Blest be sic Readers, — but the rest That are with Spleen and Spite opprest; May Bards arise to gar them divine, To Death with Lays the maist divine, For sma’s the Skaith they’ll get by mine. 25

}

How many, and of various Natures, Are on this Globe the Crowds of Creatures; In Mexiconian Forests fly, Thousands that never wing’d our Sky: ’Mangst them there’s ane of Feathers fair, 30 That in the Musick bears nae Skair, Only an imitating Ranter, For whilk he bears the Name of Taunter; Soon as the Sun springs frae the East, Upon the Branch he cocks his Crest, 35 Attentive, when frae Bough and Spray The tunefu’ Throats salute the Day: The Brainless Beau attacks them a’, No ane escapes him great or sma’; Frae some he takes the Tone and Manner, 40 Frae this a Bass, frae that a Tenor, Turns Love’s saft Plaint to a dull Bustle, And sprightly airs to a vile Whistle; Still labouring thus to counterfeit, He shaws the Poorness of his Wit. 45 234

To the Critick Anes, when with Echoe loud the Taunter Tret with Contempt ilk native Chanter, Ane of them says, We own ’tis true, Few Praises to our Sangs are due, But pray, Sir, let’s have ane frae you.

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The Ram and Buck. A Ram, the Father of a Flock, Wha’d mony Winters stood the Shock Of Northern Winds and driving Snaw, Leading his Family in a Raw, Throw Wreaths that clad the laigher Field, 5 And drave them frae the lowner Bield, To crop contented frozen Fare, With Honesty on Hills blown bare. This Ram of upright hardy Spirit, Was really a horn’d Head of Merit. 10 Unlike him was a neighbouring Goat, A mean Saul’d, cheating, thieving Sot; That tho’ possest of Rocks the Prime, Crown’d with fresh Herbs and rowth of Thime, Yet Slave to pilfering; his Delight 15 Was to break Gardens ilka Night, And round him Steal, and aft destroy Even Things he never could enjoy: The Pleasure of a dirty Mind That is sae viciously inclin’d. 20 Upon a Borrowing-day, when Sleet Made Twinters, and Hog-wedders bleet, And quake with Cauld: Behind a Ruck Met honest Toop and snaking Buck, Frae Chin to Tail clad with thick Hair, 25 He bad Defiance to thin Air; But trusty Toop his Fleece had riven, When he amang the Birns was driven Half naked the brave Leader stood, His Look compos’d, unmov’d his Mood. 30 When thus the Goat (that had tint a’ His Credit baith with great and sma’, Shunn’d by them as a Pest, wad fain New Friendship with this Worthy gain.) Ram, say, shall I give you a Part 35 Of mine, I’ll do’t with all my Heart, ’Tis yet a lang cauld Month to Beltan, And ye’ve a very raggit Kelt on; Accept, I pray, what I can spare, To clout your Doublet with my Hair. 40 235

Poems No, says the Ram, tho’ my Coat’s torn, Yet ken, thou Worthless, that I scorn, To be oblig’d at any Price To sic as you, whose Friendship’s Vice; I’d have less Favour frae the best, Clad in a hatefu’ hairy Vest Bestow’d by thee, than as I now Stand but ill drest in native Woo. Boons frae the Generous make ane smile, Frae Miscreants make Receivers vile.

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On receiving a Present of an Orange from Mris. G. L. now Countess of Aboyne. Now, Priam’s Son, thou may’st be mute, For I can blythly boast with thee; Thou to the Fairest gave the Fruit, The Fairest gave the Fruit to me.

H E A L T H; A

P O E M.

inscrib’d to The Right Honourable the Earl of STAIR. Be’t mine the Honour, once again to hear, And see the best of Men for me appear, I’ll proudly chant: Be dumb, ye vulgar Throng, Stair bids me sing, to him these Lays belong; If he approves, who can condemn my Song?

} Of Health I sing; O Health my Portion be, And to old Age I’ll sing if bless’d by thee. Blessing Divine! Heaven’s fairest Gift to Man! Soul of his Joys! and Lengthner of his Span! His Span of Life preserv’d with panting Breath, Without thy Presence proves a ling’ring Death.

The Victor Kings may cause wide Nations bow, And Half a Globe with conqu’ring Force subdue; Bind Princes to their Axletrees, and make The wondr’ing Mob of staring Mortals quake: Erect triumphal Arches, and obtain The loud Huzza from Thousands in their Train: But if her Sweetness balmy Health denies, 236

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Health: A Poem Without Delight Pillars or Eneids rise. Cosmellius may on Silky Twilts repose, And have a num’rous Change of finest Cloaths; Box’d in his Chair, he may be born to dine On Ortelons, and sip Tokay Wine. His Liver, if an Inflammation seize, Or wasting Lungs shall make him cough and wheeze; No more he smiles, nor can his richest Toys, Or Looking-glass, restore his wonted Joys: The rich Brocade becomes a toilsome Weight, The brilliant Gem offends his weakly Sight; Perfumes grow nauseous then, nor can he bear Loud tuneful Notes, that us’d to charm his Ear. To please his Taste the Cook attempts in vain, When now each former Pleasure gives him Pain.

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Nor flowing Bowls, loud Laugh or Midnight Freik, Nor smutty Tale, delight the roving Rake; 35 When Health forsakes him, all Diversions tire; There’s nothing pleases, nothing can inspire A blythsome Smile; he shuns the Shine of Light, And broken Slumbers make a weary Night. If silent Sleep attempts to bring him Ease, 40 His watching Fancy feels the whole Disease: He dreams a Mountain lies upon his Breast, Or that he flies the Fury of some Beast; Sees, at vast Distance, gushing from the Rocks, The cooling Stream, — while burning Thirst provokes 45 Him, fainting, to climb up the craggy Edge, And drag his Limbs through many a thorny Hedge; Hangs o’er a Precipice, or sinks in Waves: And all the while he sweats, turns, starts and raves. How mad’s that Man, push’d by his Passions wild, Who’s of his greatest Happiness beguil’d; Who seems, whate’er he says, by Actions low, To court Disease, our Pleasure’s greatest Foe? From Paris, deeply skill’d in nice Ragoos, In Oleos, Salmongundies and Hogoes, Montanus sends for Cooks, that his large Board May all invented Luxury afford: Health’s never minded, while the Appetite Devours the spicy Death with much Delight. Mean time King Arthur’s sav’ry knighted Loyn Appears a Clown, and’s not allow’d to join The marinated Smelt, and Sturgeon Joles, Soup-Vermecell, souc’d Turbet, Cray and Soals, Fowls a la daube, and Omelet of Eggs, 237

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Poems The smother’d Coney, and bak’d Padocks Legs, Pullets a Bisk, and Orangedo Pye, The larded Peacock, and the Tarts de Moy, The Collard Veal, and Pike in Cassorole, Pigs a la Braise, the Tansy and Brusole; With many a hundred costly mingled Dish, Wherein the Moiety of Flesh or Fish Is wholly lost, and vitiate as the Taste Of them who eat the dangerous Repast; Until the feeble Stomach’s over-cram’d, The Fibres weaken’d, and the Blood enflam’d. What aking Heads, what Spleen, and drowsy Eyes, From undigested Crudities arise? But when Montano’s Paunch is over cloy’d, The Bagnio, or Emetic Wine’s employ’d. These he imagines Methods the most sure, After a Surfeit, to complete a Cure: But never dreams how much the Balm of Life Is wasted by this forc’d unnat’ral Strife. Thus Peuther Vessel must by scouring wear, While Plate more free from Dross continues clear. Long unconsum’d the Oak can bear the Beams, Or lie for Ages firm beneath the Streams: But when alternately the Rain and Rays, Now dash, then dry the Plank, it soon decays. Luxurious Man! altho’ thou’rt blest with Wealth, Why shouldst thou use it to destroy thy Health? Copy Mellantius, if you’d learn the Art, To feast your Friends, and keep their Souls alart, One good substantial British Dish or two, Which sweetly in their natural Juices flow, Only appear. And here no Danger’s found, To tempt the Appetite beyond its Bound; And you may eat, or not, as you incline; And, as you please, drink Water, Beer or Wine. Here Hunger’s safe, and gratefully appeas’d, The Spleen’s forbid, and all the Spirits rais’d, And Guests arise regal’d, refresh’d and pleas’d.

} Grumaldo views, from rais’d Parters around, A thousand Acres of fat furrow’d Ground, And all his own; — but these no Pleasure yield, While Spleen hangs as a Fog o’er every Field: The lovely Landskip clad with gilded Corn, The Banks and Meads which Flowers and Groves adorn, No Relish have; his envious sullen Mind, Still on the Fret, complains his Fate’s unkind: Something he wants which always flies his Reach, Which makes him groan beneath his spreading Beach. 238

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Health: A Poem When all of Nature, silent, seem to shun Their Cares, and nod till the returning Sun; His envious Thoughts forbid refreshing Sleep, And on the Rack his hopeless Wishes keep: Fatigu’d and drumbly from the Down he flies, With skinny Cheek, pale Lips and blood-run Eyes. Thus toil’d with lab’ring Thoughts he looks agast, And tasteless loaths the nourishing Repast. Meager Disease an easy Passage finds, Where Joy’s debarr’d, in such corroded Minds. Such take no care the Springs of Life to save, Neglect their Health, and quickly fill a Grave.

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Unlike gay Myrtle, who with cheerful Air, 125 Less envious, tho’ less rich, no Slave to Care, Thinks what he has enough, and scorns to fret, While he sees Thousands less oblig’d to Fate, And oftner from his Station casts his Eye On those below him, than on them more high: 130 Thus Envy finds no Access to his Breast, To sowr his gen’rous Joys, or break his Rest. He studies to do Actions just and kind, Which with the best Reflections chear the Mind: Which is the first Preservative of Health, 135 To be preferr’d to Grandeur, Pride and Wealth. Let all who would pretend to common Sense, ’Gainst Pride and Envy still be on Defence. Who love their Health, nor would their Joys controul, Let them ne’er nurse such Furies in their Soul. 140 Nor wait on strolling Phimos to the Stews, Phimos who by his livid Colour shews Him load with vile Diseases, which are fixt Upon his Bones, and with his Vitals mixt. Does that Man wear the Image of his God, 145 Who drives to Death on such an ugly Road? Behold him clad, like any bright Bridegroom, In richest Labours of the British Loom; Embroider’d o’er with Gold, whilst Lace or Lawn Waves down his Breast, and Rusles o’er his Hand, 150 Set off with Art, which vilely he employs In Sinks of Death, for low dear purchas’d Joys He grasps the blasted Shadow of the Fair, Whose sickly Look, vile Breath, and falling Hair, The flag’d Embrace, and mercenary Squeeze, 155 The twangs of Guilt, and terrors of Disease, Might warn him to beware, if wild Desire Had not set all his thoughtless Soul in Fire. O poor mistaken Youth! to drain thy Purse, To gain the most malignant humane Curse! 160 239

Poems Think on thy Flannel, and Mercurial Dose, And future Pains, to save thy Nerve and Nose. Think, heedless Wight, how thy infected Veins May plague thee many a Day with loathsome Pains, When the French Foe his woeful Way has made, And all within has dire Detachments laid; There long may lurk, and, with Destruction keen, Do horrid Havock e’er the Symptom’s seen. But learn to dread the poisonous Disease, When Heaviness and Spleen thy Spirits seise; When feeble Limbs to serve thee will decline, And languid Eyes no more with Sparkles shine; The Roses from thy Cheek will blasted fade, And leave a dull Complexion like the Lead: Then, then expect the terrible Attack Upon thy Head, thy Conduit, Nose and Back; Pains through thy Shoulders, Arms, and Throat and Shins, Will threaten Death, and damp thee with thy Sins. How frightful is the Loss, and the Disgrace, When it destroys the Beauties of the Face! When the arch’d Nose in rotten Ruin lyes, And all the Venom flames around the Eyes; When th’ Uvula has got it’s mortal Wound, And Tongue and Lips form Words without a Sound; When Hair drops off, and Bones corrupt and bare, Through ulcerated Tags of Muscles stare. But vain we sing Instruction to his Ear, Who’s no more Slave to Reason than to Fear; Hurried by Passion, and o’ercome with Wine, He rushes headlong on his vile Design: The nauseous Bolus, and the bitter Pill, A Month of spitting, and the Surgeon’s Bill, Are now forgot, whilst he: — But here ’tis best To let the Curtain drop, and hide the rest Of the coarse Scene, too shocking for the Sight Of modest Eyes and Ears, that take Delight To hear with Pleasure Urban’s Praises sung, Urban the kind, the prudent, gay and young, Who moves a Man, and wears a rosie Smile, That can the fairest of a Heart beguile: A virtuous Love delights him with it’s Grace, Which soon he’ll find in Myra’s lov’d Embrace, Enjoying Health, with all it’s lovely Train Of Joys, free from Remorse, or Shame or Pain. But Talpo sighs with matrimonial Cares, His Cheeks wear Wrinkles, Silver grow his Hairs; Before old Age, his Health decays apace, And very rarely Smiles clear up his Face. 240

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Health: A Poem Talpo’s a Fool, there’s hardly Help for that, He scarcely knows himself what he’d be at: He’s avaritious to the last Degree, And thinks his Wife and Children makes too free With his dear Idol; this creates his Pain, And breeds Convulsions in his narrow Brain. He always startled at approaching Fate, And often jealous of his vertuous Mate; Is ever anxious, shuns his Friends, to save: Thus soon he’ll fret himself into a Grave; There let him rot, — worthless the Muse’s Lays, Who never read one Poem in his Days. I sing to Marlus, Marlus who regards The well mean’d Verse, and generously rewards The Poet’s Care; observe now, if you can, Ought in his Carriage, does not speak the Man: To him his many a Winter wedded Wife Appears the greatest Solace of his Life. He views his Offspring with indulgent Love, Who his superior Conduct all approve. Smooth glide his Hours, at Fifty he’s less old, Than some who have not half the Number told. The chearing Glass he with right Friends can share, But shuns the deep Debauch with cautious Care. His Sleeps are sound, he sees the Morning rise, And lifts his Face with Pleasure to the Skies; And quaffs the Health that’s born on Zephyr’s Wings, Or gushes from the Rock in Limpid Springs. From fragrant Plains he gains the chearing Smell, While ruddy Beams all distant Dumps repell. The whole of Nature, to a Mind thus turn’d, Enjoying Health, with Sweetness seems adorn’d. To him the whistling Ploughman’s artless Tune, The bleeting Flocks, the Oxens hollow Crune, The warbling Notes of the small chirping Throng, Delight him more than the Italian Song. To him the cheapest Dish of rural Fare, And Water cool in place of Wine more rare, Shall prove a Feast. On Straw he’ll find more Ease Than on the Down, even with the least Disease. Whoever’s tempted to transgress the Line, By Moderation fix’d to enlivening Wine; View Macro wasted long before his Time, Whose Head, bow’d down, proclaims his liquid Crime. The Purple Dye, with Ruby Pimples mixt, As Witnesses upon his Face are fixt. A constant Fever wastes his Strength away, And Limbs enervate gradually decay. 241

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Poems The Gout and Palsy follow in the Rear, And make his Being burthensome to bear. His squeamish Stomach loaths the savory Sey, And nought but Liquids now can find their Way To animate his Strength, which daily flies, Till the young Drunkard’s past all Hope, and dies. To practise what we preach, O Goddess-born! Assist thy Slave, lest Bacchanalians scorn Thy Inspiration, if the tempting Grape Shall form the hollow Eye, and Idiot Gape.

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But let no wretched Misers, who repine, And wish there were not such a Juice as Wine, Imagine here that we are so profane To think that Heaven gave plenteous Vines in vain. 270 No; since there’s Plenty, Cups may sparkling flow, And we may drink till our rais’d Spirits glow. They will befriend our Health, while chearful Rounds Incline to Mirth, and keep their proper Bounds. Fools should not drink, I own, who still wish more, 275 And know not when ’tis proper to give o’er. Dear Britons, let no Morning Drinks deceive Your Appetites, which else at Noon would crave Such proper Aliments, as can support At Even your hearty Bottle, Health and Sport. 280 Next view we Sloth (too oft the Child of Wealth) A seeming Friend, but real Foe to Health. Lethargus loll’s his lazy Hours away, His Eyes are drowsy, and his Lips are blae; His soft enfeebl’d Hands supinely hing, And shaking Knees unus’d, together cling: Close by the Fire his Easy-Chair stands, In which all Day he snotters, nods and yawns. Sometimes he’ll drone at Piquet, hoping Gain, But you must deal his Cards, that’s too much Pain. He speaks but seldom, puffs at every Pause, Words being a Labour to his Tongue and Jaws. Nor must his Friends discourse above their Breath, For the least Noise stounds through his Ears like Death. He causes stop each Cranny in his Room, And heaps on Cloaths, to save him from the Rheum: Free Air he dreads as his most dangerous Foe, And trembles at the Sight of Ice or Snow. The Warming-Pan each Night glows o’er his Sheets, Then he beneath a Load of Blankets sweats; The which (instead of shutting) ope’s the Door, And let’s in Cold at each dilated Pore. Thus does the Sluggard Health and Vigour waste, 242

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Health: A Poem With heavy Indolence; till at the last, Sciatick, Jaundice, Dropsie, or the Stone, Alternate makes the lazy Lubard grone.

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But active Hilaris much rather loves, With eager Stride to trace the Wilds and Groves; To start the Covy, or the bounding Roe, Or work destructive Reynard’s Overthrow: 310 The Race delights him, Horses are his Care, And a stout ambling Pad his easiest Chair. Sometimes to firm his Nerves he’ll plunge the Deep, And with expanded Arms the Billows sweep: Then on the Links, or in the Estler Walls, 315 He drives the Gowff, or strikes the Tennis Balls. From Ice with Pleasure he can brush the Snow, And run rejoycing with his Curling Throw; Or send the whizzing Arrow from the String, A manly Game†, which by it self I sing.1 320 Thus chearfully he’ll walk, ride, dance or game, Nor mind the Northern Blast, or Southern Flame. East Winds may blow, and sullen Fogs may fall, But his hale Constitution’s Proof to all. He knows no Change of Weather by a Corn, 325 Nor minds the black, the blew or ruddy Morn. Here let no Youth extravagantly given, Who values neither Gold, nor Health, nor Heaven, Think that our Song encourages the Crime Of setting deep, or wasting too much Time On furious Game; which makes the Passions boil, And the fair Mean of Health a weakning Toil, By Violence excessive, or the Pain Which ruin’d Losers ever must sustain.

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Our Hilaris despises Wealth so won; 335 Nor does he love to be himself undone, But from his Sport, can with a Smile retire, And warm his Genius at Apollo’s Fire; Find useful Learning in the inspired Strains, And bless the generous Poet for his Pains. 340 Thus he by Lit’rature and Exercise, Improves his Soul, and wards off each Disease. Health’s op’ner Foes, we’ve taken Care to show, Which Diseases in full Torrents flow: But when these Ills intrude, do what we will, Then hope for Health from Clark’s approven Skill; To such well seen in Nature’s darker Laws, † A Poem on seeing the Archers playing at the Rovers.

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Poems That for Disorders can assign a Cause: Who know the Virtues of salubrious Plants, And what each different Constitution wants, Apply for Health. — But shun the vagrant Quack, Who gulls the Crowd with Andrew’s comick Clack; Or him that charges Gazettes with his Bills, His Anadoyns, Elixirs, Tinctures, Pills, Who rarely ever cures, but often kills. Nor trust thy Life to the old Woman’s Charms, Who binds with knotted Tape thy Legs or Arms, Which they pretend will purple Fevers cool; And thus impose on some believing Fool. When Agues shake, or Fevers raise a Flame, Let your Physician be a Man of Fame; Of well known Learning, and in good Respect, For Prudence, Honour, and a Mind erect: Nor scrimply save from what’s to Merit due; He saves your whole Estate who succours you.

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Be grateful, Britons, for your temp’rate Beams, Your fertile Plains, green Hills, and silver Streams, O’erclad with Corns, with Groves, and many a Mead; Where rise green Heights, where Herds in Millions feed: Here useful Plenty mitigates our Care, And Health with freshest Sweets embalms the Air. Upon those Shores, where Months of circling Rays Glance feebly on the Snow, and frozen Bays; Where, wrapt in Fur, the starving Lapland Brood Scarce keep the Cold from curdling of their Blood: Here meager Want, in all its pinching Forms, Combines with lengthned Night and bleakest Storms, To combate joyful Health and calm Repose, Which from an equal Warmth and Plenty flows.

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Yet rather, O great Ruler of the Day, 380 Bear me to Weygate, or to Hudson’s Bay, Than scorch me on these dry and blasted Plains, Where Rays direct inflame the boiling Veins Of gloomy Negroes, who’re oblig’d to breathe A thickned Air, with pestilential Death, 385 Where range out o’er th’ unhospitable Wastes, The Hunger edg’d, and fierce devouring Beasts; Where Serpents crawl, which sure Destruction bring, Or in the envenom’d Tooth or forked Sting; Where fleeting Sands ne’er yield to industrious Toil 390 The golden Sheave, or Plants for Wine and Oil: Health must be here a Stranger, where the Rage Of fev’rish Beams forbid a lengthen’d Age. Ye Dutch, enjoy your Dams, your Bulwarks boast, 244

Health: A Poem And war with Neptune for a sandy Coast, 395 Whilst frighted by these deep tumultuous Powers, You scarce dare sleep in your subaqueous Bowers: Raise high your Beds, and shun your croaking Frogs, And battle with Tobacco Smoak your Fogs; Soak on your Stoves, with Spirits charge your Veins, 400 To ward off Agues and Rheumatick Pains. Let the proud Spaniard strut on naked Hills, And vainly trace the Plain for Christal Rills, Starve on a Sallet, or a Garlick Head, Pray for his daily Roots, not daily Bread; Be sowr, and jealous of his Friend and Wife, Till Want and Spleen cut short his Threed of Life. Whilst we on our auspicious Island find What e’er can please the Sense, or chear the Mind. Blest Queen of Isles! with a devout Regard, Allow me to kneel down and kiss thy Sward, Thy Flow’ry Sward, and offer Heaven a Vow, Which Gratitude and Love to thee makes due: If e’er I from thy Healthful Limits stray, Or by a Wish, or Word, a Thought betray, Against thy Int’rest, or thy fair Renown; May never Daphne furnish me a Crown, Nor may the first-rate Judges of our Isle, Or read or on my blythsome Numbers smile. Thalia here, sweet as the Light, retir’d, Commanding me to sing what she’d inspir’d, And never mind the glooming Criticks Bray; The Song was her’s, — she spoke, — and I obey.

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Robert, Richy, and Sandy; A

PASTORAL On the Death of

MATTHEW PRIOR Esq; Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable Person design’d by the Old Shepherd †2 Robert the good, by a’ the Swains rever’d, Wise are his Words, like Siller is his Beard: Near saxty shining Simmers he has seen, Tenting his Hirsle on the Moor-land Green: Unshaken yet with mony a Winter’s Wind, Stout are his Limbs, and youthfu’ is his Mind. But now he droops, ane wad be wae to see Him sae cast down; ye wadna trow ’tis he. By break of Day he seeks the dowy Glen, That he may Scowth to a’ his Mourning len: Nane but the clinty Craigs and scrogy Briers Were Witnesses of a’ his Granes and Tears; Howder’d wi’ Hills a Crystal Burnie ran, Where twa young Shepherds fand the good auld Man: Kind Richy Spec, a Friend to a’ distrest, And Sandy wha of Shepherds sings the best; With friendly Looks they speer’d wherefore he mourn’d, He rais’d his Head, and sighing thus return’d. ROBERT. O Matt! poor Matt! – My Lads, e’en take a Skair Of a’ my Grief; – Sweet singing Matt’s nae mair. Ah Heavens ! did e’er this lyart Head of mine Think to have seen the cauldrife Mools on thine! RICHY. My Heart misga’e me, when I came this Way, His Dog its lane sat yowling on a Brae; I cry’d, Isk-isk, — poor Ringwood, – sairy Man; He wag’d his Tail, cour’d near, and lick’d my Hand: I clap’d his Head, which eas’d a wee his Pain; But soon’s I gade away, he youl’d again. Poor kindly Beast. Ah Sirs! how Sic should be Mair tender-hearted mony a time than we! SANDY. Last Ouk I dream’d my Tupe that bears the Bell, And paths the Snaw, out o’er a high Craig fell, † Robert late Earl of Oxford.

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A Pastoral on the Death of M. Prior And brak his Leg. — I started frae my Bed, Awak’d, and leugh. — Ah! now my Dream it’s red. How dreigh’s our Cares, our Joys how soon away, Like Sun-blinks on a cloudy Winter’s Day! Flow fast, ye Tears, ye have free Leave for me; Dear sweet-tongu’d Matt, Thousands shall greet for thee. ROBERT. Thanks to my Friends, for ilka briny Tear Ye shed for him; he to us a’ was dear: Sandy, I’m eas’d to see thee look sae wan; Richy, thy Sighs bespeak the kindly Man. RICHY. But twice the Simmer’s Sun has thaw’d the Snaw, Since frae our Heights * Eddie was tane awa’: 3 Fast Matt has follow’d. — Of sic twa bereft, To smooth our Sauls, alake! wha have we left! Waes me! o’er short a Tack of sic is given, But wha may contradict the Will of Heaven? Yet mony a Year he liv’d to hear the Dale Sing o’er his Sangs, and tell his merry Tale. Last Year I had a stately tall Ash-tree, Braid were its Branches, a sweet Shade to me; I thought it might have flowrish’d on the Brae, (Tho’ past its Prime) yet twenty Years or sae: But ae rough Night the blat’ring Winds blew snell, Torn frae its Roots, adown it souchan fell; Twin’d of its Nourishment, it lifeless lay, Mixing its wither’d Leaves amang the Clay. Sae flowrish’d Matt: But where’s the Tongue can tell How fair he grew? how much lamented fell?

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SANDY. How snackly cou’d he gi’e a Fool Reproof, E’en wi’ a canty Tale he’d tell aff loof? How did he Warning to the Dosen’d sing, By auld Purganty, and the Dutchman’s Ring? And Lucky’s Siller Ladle shaws how aft 65 Our greatest Wishes are but vain and daft. The wad-be Wits, he bade them a’ but pap Their crazy Heads into Tam Tinman’s Shap; There they wad see a Squirrel wi’ his Bells Ay wrestling up, yet rising like themsells. 70 Thousands of Things he wittily cou’d say, With Fancy strang, and Saul as clear as Day; Smart were his Tales: But where’s the Tongue can tell How blyth he was? how much lamented fell? * Secretary Addison, whose Obsequies are sung in a Scots Pastoral.

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RICHY. And when he had a mind to be mair grave, 105 A Minister nae better cou’d behave; Far out of Sight of sic he aften flew, When he of haly Wonders took a View. Well cou’d he praise the Power that made us a’, And bids us in Return but tent his Law; 110 Wha guides us when we’re waking or asleep, With thousand times mair Care than we our Sheep. While he of Pleasure, Power and Wisdom sang, My Heart lap high, my Lugs wi’ Pleasure rang: These to repeat, braid-spoken I wad spill, 115 * Lewis XIV. King of France. † Boileau, whose Ode on the taking Namure by the French 1692 he burlesqu’d, on its being retaken by the British 1695.

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A Pastoral on the Death of M. Prior Altho’ I should employ my utmost Skill. He tower’d aboon: But ah! what Tongue can tell How high he flew? how much lamented fell? ROBERT. My Bennison, dear Lads, light on ye baith, Wha ha’e sae true a Feeling of our Skaith: O Sandy, draw his Likeness in smooth Verse, As well ye can; — then Shepherds shall rehearse His Merit, while the Sun mets out the Day, While Ews shall bleet, and little Lambkins mae. I’ve been a Fauter, now three Days are past, While I for Grief have hardly broke my fast: Come to my Shiel, there let’s forget our Care, I dinna want a Rowth of Country-fare, Sic as it is, ye’re welcome to a Skair. Besides, my Lads, I have a Browst of Tip, As good as ever wuish a Shepherd’s Lip; We’ll tak a Scour o’t to put aff our Pain, For a’ our Tears and Sighs are but in vain: Come, help me up; — yon sooty Cloud shores Rain.

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} To Mr. Pope. Three times I’ve read your Iliad o’er: The first time pleas’d me well; New Beauties unobserv’d before, Next pleas’d me better still. Again I try’d to find a Flaw, Examin’d ilka Line; The third time pleas’d me best of a’, The Labour seem’d divine. Henceforward I’ll not tempt my Fate, On dazling Rays to stare, Lest I should tine dear Self-conceit, And read and write nae mair.

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EPISTLE

To the Honourable

DUNCAN FORBES, Lord Advocate.

Shut in a Closet six Foot square, No fash’d with meikle Wealth or Care, I pass the live lang Day; Yet some ambitious Thoughts I have, Which will attend me to my Grave, 5 Sic busked Baits they lay. These keep my Fancy on the Wing Something that’s blyth and snack to sing, And smooth the runkled Brow: Thus Care I happily beguile, 10 Hoping a Plaudit and a Smile, Frae best of Men, like You. You, wha in kittle Casts of State, When Property demands Debate, Can right what is dung wrang; 15 Yet blythly can, when ye think fit, Enjoy your Friend, and judge the Wit And Slidness of a Sang. How mony, your Reverse, unblest, Whase Minds gae wandring through a Mist, 20 Proud as the Thief in Hell, Pretend, forsooth, they’re gentle Fowk, ’Cause Chance gi’es them of Gear the Yowk, And better Cheils the Shell? I’ve seen a We’an aft vex it sell, 25 And greet, because it was not tall: Heez’d on a Board, O than! Rejoicing in the artfu’ Height, How smirky look’d the little Wight! And thought it sell a Man. 30 Sic Bairns are some blawn up a wee With Splendor, Wealth and Quality, Upon these Stilts grown vain; They o’er the Pows of poor Fowk stride, And neither are to had nor bide, 35 Thinking this Height their ain. Now shou’d ane speer at sic a Puff, What gars thee look sae big and bluff? 250

Epistle to the Honourable Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate Is’t an attending Menzie? Or fifty Dishes on your Table? 40 Or fifty Horses in your Stable? Or Heaps of glancing Cunzie? Are these the things thou ca’s thy sell? Come, vain gigantick Shadow, tell, If thou sayest, Yes — I’ll shaw 45 Thy Picture. — Mean’s thy silly Mind, Thy Wit’s a croil, thy Judgment blind, And Love worth nought ava. Accept our Praise, ye nobly born, Whom Heaven takes Pleasure to adorn 50 With ilka manly Gift; In Courts or Camps to serve your Nation, Warm’d with that generous Emulation Which your Forbears did lift. In Duty, with Delight, to You 55 Th’ inferior World justly bow, While You’re the maist deny’d; Yet shall Your Worth be ever priz’d, When struting Nathings are despis’d With a’ their stinkan Pride. 60 This to set aff as I am able, I’ll frae a Frenchman thigg a Fable, And busk it in a Plaid: And tho’ it be a Bairn of *6Motte’s, When I have taught it to speak Scots, 65 I am its second Dad. “Twa Books, near Neighbours in a Shop, “The tane a guilded Turky Fop, “The tither’s Face was weather-beaten, “And Caf-skin Jacket sair worm-eaten. 70 “The Corky, proud of his braw Suit, “Curl’d up his Nose, and thus cry’d out, “Ah! place me on some fresher Binks, “Figh! how this mouldy Creature stinks! “How can a gentle Book like me 75 “Endure sic scoundrel Company? “What may Fowk say to see me cling “Sae close to this auld ugly thing; “But that I’m of a simple Spirit, “And disregard my proper Merit? 80 * Mons. la Motte, who has written lately a curious Collection of Fables, from which the following is imitated.

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“For a’ your meritorious Skin, } “I doubt if you be worth within.

“For as auld fashion’d as I look, “May be I am the better Book. 85 “O Heavens! I canna thole the Clash “Of this impertinent auld Hash; “I wanna stay ae Moment langer. “My Lord, please to command your Anger; “Pray only let me tell you that — 90 “What wad this Insolent be at! “Rot out your Tongue — Pray, Master Symmer, “Remove me frae this dinsome Rhimer: “If you regard your Reputation, “And us of a distinguish’d Station, 95 “Hence frae this Beast let me be hurried, “For with his Stour and Stink I’m worried. “Scarce had he shook his paughty Crap, “When in a Customer did pap; “He up douse Stanza lifts, and ey’s him, 100 “Turns o’er his Leaves, admires, and buys him: “This Book, said he, is good and scarce, “The Saul of Sense in sweetest Verse. “But reading Title of gilt cleathing, “Cries, Gods! wha buys this bonny naithing? 105 “Nought duller e’er was put in Print: “Wow! What a deal of Turky’s tint!” Now, Sir, t’apply what we’ve invented, You are the Buyer represented: And, may your Servant hope 110 My Lays shall merit your Regard, I’ll thank the Gods for my Reward, And smile at ilka Fop.

The Clock and Dial. Ae day a Clock wad brag a Dial, And put his Qualities to trial; Spake to him thus, – My Neibour, pray, Can’st tell me what’s the time of Day? The Dial said, “I dinna ken.” — 5 Alake! what stand ye there for then? — “I wait here till the Sun shines bright, “For nought I ken but by his Light.” Wait on, quoth Clock, I scorn his Help, Baith Night and Day my lane I skelp; 10 252

The Clock and Dial Wind up my Weights but anes a-week, Without him I can gang and speak: Nor like an useless Sumph I stand, But constantly wheel round my Hand: Hark, hark, I strike just now the Hour; And I am right, Ane, — Twa, — Three, — Four. While thus the Clock was boasting loud, The bleezing Sun brak throw a Cloud; The Dial, faithfu’ to his Guide, Spake Truth, and laid the Thumper’s Pride: “Ye see, said he, I’ve dung you fair, “’Tis four Hours and three Quarters mair. “My Friend, he added, count again, “And learn a wee to be less vain: “Ne’er brag of constant clavering Cant, “And that you Answers never want; “For you’re not ay to be believ’d: “Wha trust to you may be deceiv’d. “Be counsell’d to behave like me; “For when I dinna clearly see, “I always own I dinna ken; “And that’s the way of wisest Men.”

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AN

ODE

To the Memory of

Lady Margaret Anstruther. All in her Bloom the graceful Fair, LUCINDA, leaves this mortal Round; Her Loss a thousand Mourners share, And Beauty feels the cruel Wound. Now Grief and Tears o’er all our Joys prevail, 5 Viewing her Rosy Cheeks all cold and pale. Thus some fair Star distinguish’d bright, Which decks the Heavens, and guides the Main; When Clouds obscure its glorious Light, It leaves the gloomy World in Pain. 10 So sudden Death has vail’d LUCINDA’s Eyes, And left us lost in Darkness and Surprize. Nor Sweetness, Beauty, Youth nor Wealth, Nor Blood, tho’ nobly high it springs; Nor Virtue’s self can purchase Health, 15 When Death severe his Summons brings: Else might the fair LUCINDA, young and gay, 253

Poems Have blest the World with a much longer Stay. But say, sweet Shade, was it thy Choice To leave this low unconstant Globe; 20 Tyr’d with its vain, its jangling Noise, Thou wisely dropt thy humane Robe: Or tell us, Guardian Angels, tell us true, Did ye not claim her hence as one of you? Yes, well we know it is your Way, When here below such Beings shine, To grudge us even our earthly Clay, Which form’d like her becomes divine. Such you demand, and free from Cares and Fears, Unmindful of our fruitless Sighs and Tears.

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Yet daign, ye Friends to humane Kind, The lonely Consort to attend; O sooth the Anguish of his Mind, And let his killing Sorrows end. Tell him, his Sighs and Mourning to asswage, 35 Each Day she dwelt with him was worth an Age. Ye lovely Virgins who excell, Ye Fair to whom such Strains belong, In melting Notes her Beauties tell, And weep her Virtues in a Song: 40 See that ye place her Merit in true Light; For singing her’s, your own will shine more bright. Let East and West, and South and North, Aloud the mournful Musick hear, How Beauty’s fallen beyond the Forth; 45 Let Britain’s Genius Cypress Wear. Yet Britain’s happy, who such Beauty yields, As forc’d from her’s, will grace Elysium’s Fields.

ELEGY

On the Right Honourable

James Lord Carnegie,

Who died the 7th January 1722, the Eighth Year of his Age. As Poets feign, and Painters draw, Love and the Paphian Bride; Sae we the fair SOUTHESKA SAW, CARNEGIE by her Side. Now sever’d frae his Sweets by Death, 5 254

Elegy on James Lord Carnegie Her Grief wha can express? What Muse can tell the waefu’ Skaith, Or Mother’s deep Distress! Sae Roses wither in their Buds, Kill’d by an Eastlen Blast, 10 And sweetest Dawns in May with Clouds And Storms are soon o’ercast. Ah checquer’d Life! Ae Day gives Joy, The niest our Hearts maun bleed: Heaven caus’d a Seraph turn a Boy, 15 Now gars us trow he’s dead. Wha can reflect on’s ilka Grace, The Sweetness of his Tongue, His manly Looks, his lovely Face, And Judgment ripe sae young;

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And yet forbear to make a doubt, As did the Royal Swain, When he with Grief of Heart cry’d out, That Man was made in vain? Mortals the Ways of Providence 25 But very scrimply scan; The changing Scene eludes the Sense And Reasonings of Man. How mony Thousands ilka Year, Of hopefu’ Children, crave 30 Our Love and Care, then disappear, To glut a gaping Grave. What is this Grave? A Wardrobe poor, Which hads our rotting Duds; Th’ immortal Mind, serene and pure, 35 Is cleath’d aboon the Clouds. Then cease to grieve, dejected Fair, You had him but in trust; He was your beauteous Son, your Heir, Yet still ae haff was Dust.

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The other to its native Skies Now wings its happy Way; With glorious Speed and Joy he flys, There blessfully to stray. CARNEGIE then but changes Clay, 45 255

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O D E

Sacred to the Memory of the Right Honourable

ANNE Lady Gairlies. How vain are our Attempts to know? How poor, alas! is Reason’s Skill? We blindly wander here below, Yet fondly search Heaven’s secret Will. Each Day we see the Young, the Great, the Small, 5 The Good, the Bad, without Distinction, fall. Yet such as have the Rest out-shin’d, We should be faulty to neglect; Each Grace of beauteous GARLIA’s Mind Deserves the Muse’s high Respect. 10 But how shall she such Worth and Goodness paint? A loving Daughter, virtuous Wife and Saint? Some Seraph who in endless Day With Themes sublime employ the Lyre, Dart in my Breast a shining Ray, 15 And all my Soul with her inspire; Else sing your selves so fair a Frame and Mind, As now supplies a Place among your Kind. As we the glorious Sun admire, Whose Beams make ev’ry Joy arise; 20 Yet dare not view the dazling Fire, Without much hazarding our Eyes: So did her Beauties ev’ry Heart allure, While her bright Virtues kill’d each Thought impure. She breath’d more Sweetness than the East, While ev’ry Sentence was divine; Her Smiles could calm each jarring Breast; Her Soul was a Celestial Mine, Where all the precious Veins of Virtue lay; Too vast a Treasure long to lodge in Clay. 256

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An Ode to the Memory of Anne Lady Gairlies Tho’ sprung from an *7heroick Race, Which from the World Respect does claim; Yet wanted she no borrowed Grace, Her own demands immortal Fame: Worthy as those who shun the vulgar Roads, 35 Start from the Crowd, and rise amongst the Gods. Such Pains as weaker Minds possess, Could in her Breast no Access find; But lowly Meekness did confess A steady and superior Mind. 40 Unmov’d she bore these Honours due the Great, Nor could have been depress’d with a more humble Fate. As to the Fields the Huntsman hies, With joyful Shouts he wakes the Morn; While Nature smiles, serene the Skies, 45 Swift fly his Hounds, shrill blows his Horn: When suddenly the thund’ring Cloud pours Rain, Defaces Day, and drives him from the Plain. Thus young BRIGANTIUS circling Arms Grasp’d all that’s lovely to his Heart, 50 Rejoyc’d o’er his dear ANNA’s Charms; But not expecting soon to part: When rigid Fate, for Reasons known above, Snatch’d from his Breast the Object of his Love. Ah GARLIES! once the happiest Man, Than e’er before BRIGANTINE Chief, Now sever’d from your lovely ANNE, ’Tis hard indeed to stem your Grief: Yet mind what you might often from her hear, What Heaven designs, submissive we should bear.

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Oh! ne’er forget that tender Care, Those Heaven-born Thoughts she did employ, To point those Ways how you may share Above with her immortal Joy. Such a bright Pattern of what’s Good and Great, 65 Even Angels need not blush to imitate.

* She was Daughter of the Earl Marischal of Scotland.

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Lovely Lass and the Mirror. A Nymph, with ilka Beauty grac’d, Ae Morning by her Toilet plac’d, Where the leal-hearted Looking-glass With Truths addrest the lovely Lass; — To do ye Justice, heavenly Fair, 5 Amaist in Charms ye may compare With Venus sell. — But mind amaist: For tho’ you’re happily possest Of ilka Grace which claims Respect, Yet I see Faults ye should correct; 10 I own they only Trifles are; Yet of Importance to the Fair. What signifies that Patch o’er braid, With which your rosie Cheek’s o’erlaid? Your natural Beauties you beguile, 15 By that too much affected Smile: Saften that Look, — move ay with Ease, And you can never fail to please. Those kind advices she approv’d, And mair her Monitor she lov’d; Till in came Visitants a Threave: To entertain them, she maun leave Her Looking-glass. — They fleetching praise Her Looks, — her Dress, — and a’ she says, Be’t right or wrang; she’s hale compleat, And fails in naithing fair or sweet. Sae much was said, the bonny Lass Forgat her faithfu’ Looking-glass.

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CLARINDA, this dear Beauty’s You, The Mirror is, Ane good and wise, 30 Wha, by his Counsels just, can shew How Nobles may to Greatness rise. God bless the Wark: — If you’re opprest By Parasites with fause Design, Then will sic faithfu’ Mirrors best 35 These Underplotters countermine.

JUPITER’s Lottery. Anes JOVE, by ae great Act of Grace, Wad gratify his humane Race, And order’d Hermes, in his Name, With Tout of Trumpet to proclaim 258

Jupiter's Lottery A Royal Lott’ry frae the Skies, 5 Where ilka Ticket was a Prize. Nor was there Need for Ten per Cent, To pay Advance for Money lent: Nor Brokers nor Stockjobbers here Were thol’d to cheat Fowk of their Gear. 10 The first-rate Benefits were, Health, Pleasures, Honours, Empire and Wealth; But happy he to whom wad fa’ Wisdom, the highest Prize of a’: Hopes of attaining Things the best, 15 Made up the maist feck of the rest. Now ilka Ticket sald with Ease, At Altars for a Sacrifice; JOVE a’ receiv’d, Ky, Gates and Ews, Moor-cocks, Lambs, Dows or Bawby-rows; 20 Nor wad debar e’en a poor Droll, Wha nought cou’d gi’e but his Parol. Sae kind was he no to exclude Poor Wights for want of Wealth or Blood; Even whiles the Gods, as Record tells, 25 Bought several Tickets for themsells. When Fou and Lots put in the Wheel, Aft were they turn’d, to mix them well; Blind Chance to draw JOVE order’d syne, That nane with Reason might repine: 30 He drew, and Mercury was Clark, The Number, Prize and Name to mark. Now Hope, by Millions fast came forth, But seldom Prizes of mair Worth, Sic as Dominion, wealth and State, 35 True Friends, and Lovers fortunate. Wisdom, at last, the greatest Prize, Comes up: — Aloud Clark Hermes crys, – Number Ten thousand, — Come, let’s see The person blest. — Quoth Pallas, ME. — 40 Then a’ the Gods for Blythness sang, Throw Heaven glad Acclamations rang; While Mankind grumbling laid the wyte On them, and ca’d the hale a Byte. Yes! cry’d ilk ane, with sobing Heart, 45 Kind JOVE has play’d a Parent’s Part Wha did this Prize to Pallas send, While we’re sneg’d off at the Wob End. Soon to their Clamours JOVE took tent, To punish which, to wark he went, He straight with Follies fill’d the Wheel, In Wisdom’s Place they did as well; For ilka ane wha Folly drew, 259

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The Miser and Minos. Short syne there was a wretched Miser, With pinching had scrap’d up a Treasure; Yet frae his Hoords he doughtna take As much wou’d buy a Mutton-stake, Or take a Glass to comfort Nature; But scrimply fed on Crumbs and Water: In short, he famish’d ’midst his Plenty; Which made surviving Kindred canty, Wha scarcely for him pat on Black, And only in his Loof a Plack, Which even they grudg’d: Sic is the Way Of them wha fa’ upon the Prey; They’ll scarce row up the Wretch’s Feet, Sae scrimp they make his Winding-sheet, Tho’ he shou’d leave a vast Estate, And Heaps of Gowd like Arthur’s Seat.

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Well, down the starving Ghaist did sink, Till it fell on the Stygian Brink; Where auld Van Charon stood and raught His wither’d Loof out for his Fraught; 20 But them that wanted wherewitha’, He dang them back to stand and blaw. The Miser lang being us’d to save, Fand this, and wadna Passage crave, But shaw’d the Ferry-man a Knack, 25 Jumpt in, — swam o’er, — and hain’d his Plack. Charon might damn, and sink and rore; But a’ in vain, — he gain’d the Shore, — Arriv’d: — The three pow’d Dog of Hell Gowl’d terrible a treeple Yell; 30 Which rouz’d the snaky Sisters three, Wha furious on this Wight did flie, Wha’d play’d the Smugler on their Coast, By which Pluto his Dues had lost: Then brought him for this Trick sae hainous 35 Afore the Bench of Justice Minos. The Case was new, and very kittle, Which puzzl’d a’ the Court na little; Thought after Thought with unco’ Speed Flew round within the Judge’s Head, To find what Punishment was due 260

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The Miser and Minos For sic a daring Crime and new. Shou’d he the Plague of Tantal feel, Or stented be on Ixion’s Wheel, Or stung wi’ bauld Prometheus’ Pain, 45 Or help Sysiph to row his Stane, Or sent amang the wicked Rout To fill the Tub that ay rins out? No, no, continues Minos, no, Weak are our Punishments below, 50 For sic a Crime; — he maun be hurl’d Straight back again into the World. I sentence him to see and hear, What Use his Friends make of his Gear.

The Ape and the Leopard. The Ape and Leopard, Beasts for Show, The first a Wit, the last a Beau; To make a Penny at a Fair, Advertis’d a’ their Parts sae rare. The tane gae out with meikle Wind, His Beauty ’boon the brutal Kind; Said he, I’m kend baith far and near, Even Kings are pleas’d when I appear: And when I yield my vital Puff, Queens of my Skin will make a Muff; My Fur sae delicate and fine, With various Spots does sleekly shine. —

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Now Lads and Lasses fast did rin To see the Beast with bonny Skin: His Keeper shaw’d him round about; 15 They saw him soon, and soon came out. But Master Monky with an Air Hapt out, and thus harangu’d the Fair; Come, Gentlemen, and Ladies bonny, I’ll give ye Pastime for your Money: I can perform, to raise your wonder, Of pawky Tricks mae than a hunder. My Cousin Spottie, true he’s braw, He has a curious Suit to shaw, And nathing mair. — But frae my Mind Ye shall blyth Satisfaction find. Sometimes I’ll act a Cheil that’s dull, Look thoughtfu’, grave, and wag my Scull; Then mimick a light-headed Rake, When on a Tow my Houghs I shake: Sometime, like modern Monks, I’ll seem 261

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Poems To make a Speech, and nathing mean. But come away, ye needna speer What ye’re to pay; I’se no be dear: And if ye grudge for want of Sport, I’ll give it back t’ ye at the Port. The Ape succeeded, in Fowk went, — Stay’d long, — and came out well content. Sae much will Wit and Spirit please, Beyond our Shape, and brawest Claiths. How mony, ah! of our fine Gallants Are only Leopard in their Talents!

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The Ass and Brock. Upon a time a solemn Ass Was dand’ring throw a narrow Pass, Where he forgether’d with a Brock, Wha him saluted frae a Rock; Speer’d how he did, — how Markets gade, — 5 What’s a’ ye’r News, — and how is Trade, — How does Jock Stot and Lucky Yad, Tam Tup, and Bucky honest Lad? Reply’d the Ass, and made a Heel, E’en a’ the better that ye’r weel. 10 But Jackanapes and snarling Fitty Are grown sae wicked, (some ca’s’t witty) That we wha solid are and grave, Nae Peace on our ain Howms can have; While we are bisy gathering Gear, 15 Upon a Brae they’ll sit and sneer. If ane shou’d chance to breathe behin’, Or ha’e some Slaver at his Chin, Or ’gainst a Tree shou’d rub his Arse; That’s Subject for a winsome Farce: 20 There draw they me, as void of thinking, And you, my Dear, famous for stinking; And the bauld birsy Bair your Frien’, A Glutton dirty to the Een, By laughing Dogs and Apes abus’d, 25 Wha is’t can thole to be sae us’d! Dear me! heh wow ! — and say ye sae, — Return’d the Brock, — I’m unko wae To see this Flood of Wit break in, O scour about, and ca’t a Sin; Stout are your Lungs, your Voice is loud; And ought will pass upon the Crowd. The Ass thought this Advice was right, 262

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The Ass and Brock And bang’d away with a’ his Might; Stood on a Know amang the Cattle, 35 And furiously ’gainst Wit did rattle: Pour’d out a Deluge of dull Phrases, While Dogs and Apes leugh, and made Faces. Thus a’ the angry Ass held forth, Serv’d only to augment their Mirth. 40

The Fox and Rat. The Lyon and the Tyger lang maintain’d A bloody Weir; – at last the Lyon gain’d. The Royal Victor strak the Earth with Aw, And the four-footed World obey’d his Law: Frae ilka Species Deputies were sent, 5 To pay their Homage due, and compliment Their Sovereign Liege, wha’d gart the Rebels cour, And own his Royal Right, and Princely Power. After Dispute, the moniest Votes agree, That Reynard should address his Majesty, 10 Ulysses like, in Name of a’ the Lave; Wha thus went on, — “O Prince, allow thy Slave “To roose thy brave Atchievments and Renown; “Nane but thy daring Front shou’d wear the Crown, “Wha art like Jove, whase Thunderbowt can make 15 “The Heavens be hush, and a’ the Earth to shake; “Whase very Gloom, if he but angry nods, “Commands a Peace, and flegs the inferior Gods. “Thus thou, great King, hast by thy conqu’ring Paw, “Gi’en Earth a Shog, and made thy Will a Law: 20 “Thee a’ the Animals with Fear adore, “And tremble if thou with Displeasure rore; “O’er a’ thou canst us eith thy Sceptre sway, “As Badrans can with cheeping Rottans play.” This Sentence vex’d the Envoy Rottan sair; 25 He threw his Gab, and girn’d; but durst nae mair. The Monarch pleas’d with Lowry, wha durst gloom? A Warrant’s order’d for a good round Sum, Which Dragon, Lord Chief Treasurer, must pay To sly-tongu’d Fleechy on a certain Day; 30 Which Secretary Ape in Form wrote down, Sign’d Lyon, and a wee beneath, Baboon. ’Tis given the Fox. — Now Bobtail tap o’ Kin, Made rich at anes, is nor to had nor bind; He dreams of nought, but Pleasure, Joy and Peace, 35 Now blest with Wealth, to purchase Hens and Geese. Yet in his Loof he hadna tell’d the Gowd, And yet the Rottan’s Breast with Anger glow’d; 263

Poems He vow’d Revenge, and watch’d it Night and Day, He took the Tid, when Lowry was away, 40 And throw a Hole into his Closet slips, There chews the Warrant a’ in little Nips. Thus what the Fox had for his Flatt’ry gotten, Ev’n frae a Lyon, was made nought by an offended Rottan.

The Caterpillar and the Ant. A Pensy Ant, right trig and clean, Came ae Day whiding o’er the Green; Where to advance her Pride, she saw A Caterpillar moving slaw: Good-e’en t’ye, Mistress Ant, said he, 5 How’s a’ at hame? I’m blyth to s’ye. — The sawcy Ant view’d him with Scorn, Nor wad Civilities return; But gecking up her Head, quoth she, Poor Animal, I pity thee, 10 Wha scarce can claim to be a Creature, But some Experiment of Nature, Whase silly Shape displeas’d her Eye, And thus unfinish’d was flung by. For me, I’m made with better Grace, 15 With active Limbs, and lively Face; And cleverly can move with Ease Frae Place to Place where e’er I please: Can foot a Minuet or Jig, And snoov’t like ony Whirly-gig; 20 Which gars my Jo aft grip my Hand. ’Till his Heart pitty-pattys, and – But laigh my Qualities I bring, To stand up clashing with a Thing, A creeping Thing, the like of thee, 25 Not worthy of a Farewell t’ye, The airy Ant syne turn’d awa, And left him with a proud Gaffa. The Caterpillar was struck dumb, And never answer’d her a Mum: 30 The humble Reptile fand some Pain Thus to be banter’d with Disdain. But tent neist time the Ant came by The Worm was grown a Butterfly; Transparent were his Wings and fair, 35 Which bare him flightering throw the Air: Upon a Flower he stapt his Flight, And thinking on his former Slight, Thus to the Ant himsell addrest, 264

The Caterpillar and the Ant Pray, Madam, will ye please to rest, 40 And notice what I now advise, Inferiors ne’er too much despise; For Fortune may gi’e sic a Turn, To raise aboon ye what ye scorn: For instance, now I spread my Wing 45 In Air, while you’re a creeping Thing.

The twa Cats and the Cheese. Twa Cats anes on a Cheese did light, To which baith had an equal Right; But Disputes, sic as aft arise, Fell out a sharing of the Prize. Fair Play, said ane, ye bite o’er thick, 5 Thae Teeth of your’s gang wonder quick: Let’s part it, else lang or the Moon Be chang’d, the Kebuck will be done. But what’s to do’t; — they’re Parties baith, And ane may do the other Skaith, 10 Sae with Consent away they trudge, And laid the Cheese before a Judge: A Monkey with a campsho Face, Clerk to a Justice of the Peace, A Judge he seem’d in Justice skill’d, 15 When he his Master’s Chair fill’d; Now Umpire chosen for Division, Baith sware to stand by his Decision. Demure he looks. — The Cheese he pales, — He prives it good, — Ca’s for the Scales; 20 His Knife whops throw’t, — in twa it fell; He puts ilk haff in either Shell: Said he, We’ll truly weigh the Case, And strictest Justice shall have Place; Then lifting up the Scales, he fand 25 The tane bang up, the other stand: Syne out he took the heaviest haff, And ate a Knoost o’t quickly aff, And try’d it syne; — it now prov’d light: Friend Cats, said he, we’ll do ye right. 30 Then to the ither haff he fell, And laid till’t teughly Tooth and Nail, Till weigh’d again it lightest prov’d. The Judge wha this sweet Process lov’d, Still weigh’d the Case, and still ate on, 35 ’Till Clients baith were weary grown, And tenting how the Matter went, Cry’d, Come, come, Sir, we’re baith content. Ye Fools, quoth he, and Justice too, 265

Poems Maun be content as well as you. Thus grumbled they, thus he went on, Till baith the Haves were near hand done: Poor Pousies now the Daffine saw Of gawn for Nignyes to the Law; And bill’d the Judge, that he wad please To give them the remaining Cheese: To which his Worship grave reply’d, The Dues of Court maun first be paid. Now Justice pleas’d: — What’s to the fore Will but right scrimply clear your Score; That’s our Decreet; — gae hame and sleep, And thank us ye’re win aff sae cheap.

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The Chamaeleon. Twa Travellers, as they were wa’king, ’Bout the Chamaeleon fell a ta’king, (Sic think it shaws them mettl’d Men, To say I’ve seen, and ought to ken;) Says ane, ’Tis a strange Beast indeed, 5 Four-footed, with a Fish’s Head; A little Bowk, with a lang Tail, And moves far slawer than a Snail; Of Colour like a Blawart blue; — Reply’d his Nibour, That’s no true; 10 For well I wat his Colour’s Green, If ane may true his ain twa Een; For I in Sun-shine saw him fair, When he was dining on the Air. — Excuse me, says the ither Blade, 15 I saw him better in the Shade, And he is Blue. — He’s Green I’m sure. — Ye lied. — And ye’re the Son of a Whore. — Frae Words there had been Cuff and Kick, Had not a Third come in the Nick, 20 Wha tenting them in this rough Mood, Cry’d, Gentlemen, what! are ye wood? What’s ye’r Quarrel, and’t may be speer’t? Truth, says the tane, Sir, ye shall hear’t: The Chamaeleon, I say, he’s Blue; 25 He threaps he’s Green. — Now, what say you? Ne’er fash ye’r sells about the Matter, Says the sagacious Arbitrator, He’s Black. — Sae nane of you are right, I view’d him well with Candle-light; 30 And have it in my Pocket here, Row’d in my Napkin hale and feer. Fy! said ae Cangler, What d’ye mean? 266

The Chamaeleon I’ll lay my Lugs on’t, that he’s Green. Said th’ither, were I gawn to Death, 35 I’d swear he’s Blue with my last Breath. He’s Black, the Judge maintain’d ay stout; And to convince them, whop’d him out: But to Surprise of ane and a’, The Animal was White as Snaw, 40 And thus reprov’d them, “Shallow Boys, “Away, away, make nae mair Noise; “Ye’re a’ three wrang, and a’ three right, “But learn to own your Nibours Sight “As good as yours. — Your Judgment speak, 45 “But never be sae daftly weak “T’imagine ithers will by Force “Submit their Sentiments to yours; “As things in various Lights ye see, “They’ll ilka ane resemble me.” 50

The twa Lizards. Beneath a Tree, ae shining Day, On a Burn-bank twa Lizards lay Beeking themsells now in the Beams, Then drinking of the cauller Streams. Waes me, says ane of them to th’ ither, 5 How mean and silly live we, Brither? Beneath the Moon is ought sae poor, Regarded less, or mair obscure! We breathe indeed, and that’s just a’; But forc’d by Destiny’s hard Law 10 On Earth like Worms to creep and sprawl; Curst Fate to ane that has a Saul! Forby, gin we may trow Report, In Nilus Giant Lizards sport, Ca’d Crocodiles: – Ah! had I been 15 Of sic a Size, upon the Green, Then might I had my Skair of Fame, Honour, Respect, and a great Name; And Man with gaping Jaws have shor’d, Syne like a Pa-god been ador’d. 20 Ah Friend! replies the ither Lizard, What makes thus grumbling in thy Gizzard? What Cause have ye to be uneasy? Cannot the Sweets of Freedom please ye? We free frae Trouble, Toil or Care, 25 Enjoy the Sun, the Earth and Air, The Crystal Spring, and Green-Wood Shaw, And beildy Holes, when Tempests blaw. 267

Poems Why shou’d we fret, look blae or wan, Tho’ we’re contemn’d by paughty Man? 30 If sae, let’s in Return be wise, And that proud Animal despise. O fy! returns th’ ambitious Beast, How weak a Fire now warms thy Breast? It breaks my Heart to live sae mean; I’d like t’attract the Gazer’s Een, And be admir’d. – What stately Horns The Deer’s majestick Brow adorn! He claims our Wonder and our Dread, Where e’er he heaves his haughty Head. What Envy a’ my Spirit fires, When he in clearest Pools admires His various Beauties with Delyte; I’m like to drown my sell with Spite. Thus he held forth, – when straight a Pack Of Hounds, and Hunters at their Back, Ran down a Deer before their Face, Breathless and wearied with the Chace. The Dogs upon the Victim seise, And Bougles found his Obsequies. But neither Men nor Dogs took tent Of our wee Lizards on the Bent, While hungry Bawty, Buff, and Tray, Devour’d the Paunches of the Prey.

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Soon as the bloody Deed was past, 55 The Lizard wise the Proud addrest, Dear Cousin, now pray let me hear How wad ye like to be a Deer? Ohon! quoth he, convinc’d and wae, Wha wad have thought it anes a Day! Well, be a private Life my Fate, I’ll never envy mair the Great: That we are little Fowk, that’s true; But sae’s our Cares and Dangers too.

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Mercury in Quest of Peace. The Gods coost out; as Story gaes, Some being Friends, some being Faes, To Men in a besieged City; Thus some frae Spite, and some frae Pity, Stood to their Point with canker’d Strictness, And leftna ither in Dogs Likeness. Juno ca’d Venus Whore and Bawd, 268

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Mercury in Quest of Peace Venus ca’d Juno scauldin Jad, E’en cripple Vulcan blew the Low, Apollo ran to bend his Bow, 10 Dis shook his Fork, Pallas her Shield, Neptune his Grape began to wield. What Plague, crys Jupiter, Heh hoy! Maun this Town prove anither Troy? What, will you ever be at odds, 15 Till Mankind think us foolish Gods? Hey! Mistris Peace, make haste, – appear. – But Madam was nae there to hear: Come, Hermes, wing thy Heels and Head, And find her out with a’ thy Speed: Trowth this is bonny Wark indeed.

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Hermes obeys, and staptna short, But flys directly to the Court; For sure, thought he, she will be found, On that fair complimenting Ground, 25 Where Praises and Embraces ran Like current Coin ’tween Man and Man. But soon, alake! he was beguil’d, And fand that Courtiers only smil’d, And with a formal Flat’ry treat ye, 30 That they mair sickerly might cheat ye: Peace was na there, nor e’er could dwell, Where hidden Envy makes a Hell. Niest to the Ha’, where Justice stands With Sword and Balance in her Hands, 35 He flew; – no that he thought to find her Between th’ Accuser and Defender; But sure he thought to find the Wench Amang the Fowk that fill the Bench; Sae muckle Gravity and Grace 40 Appear’d in ilka Judge’s Face: Even here he was deceiv’d again, For ilka Judge stack to his ain Interpretation of the Law, And vex’d themsells with Had and Draw. 45 Frae thence he flew straight to the Kirk: In this he prov’d as daft a Stirk, To look for Peace, where never three In ev’ry Point cou’d e’er agree; Ane his ain Gate explain’d a Text, 50 Quite contrair to his Neighbour next, And teughly toolied Day and Night, To gar Believers trow them right. 269

Poems Then sair he sigh’d, – where can she be? – Well, thought, – the University, 55 Science is ane these maun agree. There did he bend his Strides right clever, But is as far mistane as ever: For here Contention and ill Nature Had runkl’d ilka learned Feature; 60 Ae Party stood for ancient Rules, Anither ca’d the Ancient Fools; Here ane wad set his Shanks aspar, And roose the Man sang Troy War, Anither ca’s him Robin Kar. 65

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} Well, she’s no here; — away he flies To seek her amangst Families. Tout, what shou’d she do there I wonder? Dwells she with matrimonial Thunder, Where Mates, some greedy, some deep Drinkers, Contend with thriftless Mates or Jinkers? This say, ’tis Black; and that, wi’ Spite, Stifly maintains and threeps ’tis White.

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Weary’d at last, quoth he, Let’s see How Branches with their Stocks agree: 75 But here he fand still his Mistake; Some Parents cruel were, some weak; While Bairns ungratefu’ did behave, And wish’d their Parents in the Grave. Has Jove then sent me amang thir Fowk, 80 Cry’d Hermes, here to hunt the Gowk? Well, I have made a waly Round, To seek what is na to be found. Just on the Wing, – towards a Burn A wee Piece aff his Looks did turn; 85 There Mistris Peace he chanc’d to see, Sitting beneath a Willow Tree: And have I found ye at the last? He cry’d aloud, and held her fast. Here I reside, quoth she, and smil’d, 90 With an auld Hermite in this Wild. Well, Madam, said he, I perceive, That ane may lang your Presence crave, And miss ye still; — but this seems plain, To have ye, ane maun be alane. 95

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The Spring and the Syke

The Spring and the Syke. Fed by a living Spring, a Rill Flow’d easily adown a Hill; A thousand Flowers upon its Bank Flourish’d fu’ fair, and grew right rank: Near to its Course a Syke did ly, 5 Whilk was in Simmer after dry, And ne’er recover’d Life again, But after soaking Showers of Rain; Then wad he swell, look big and sprush, And o’er his Margine proudly gush. 10 Ae Day, after great Waughts of Weet, He with the Chrystal Current met, And ran him down with unco’ Din, Said he, How poorly does thou rin? See with what State I dash the Brae, 15 Whilst thou canst hardly make thy Way. The Spring, with a superior Air, Said, Sir, your Brag gives me nae Care; For soon’s ye want your foreign Aid, Your paughty Cracks will soon be laid. Frae my ain Head I have Supply; But you must borrow, else run dry.

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The Daft Bargain.

A Ta le.

At Market anes, I watna how, Twa Herds between them coft a Cow: Driving her hame, the needfu’ Hacky But Ceremony chanc’d to k—. Quoth Rab right ravingly to Raff, 5 Gin ye’ll eat that digested Draff Of Crummy, I shall quat my Part. — A Bargain be’t, with a’ my Heart. Raff soon reply’d, and lick’d his Thumb, To gorble’t up without a Gloom: 10 Syne till’t he fell, and seem’d right yap His Mealtith quickly up to gawp; Haff done, his Heart began to scunner, But lootna on till Rab strak under; Wha fearing Skair of Cow to tine, 15 At his daft Bargain did repine. Well, well, quoth Raff, tho’ ye was rash, I’ll scorn to wrang ye, senseless Hash; Come fa’ to Wark, as I ha’e done, 271

Poems And eat the ither haff as soon, 20 Ye’s save ye’r Part. — Content, quoth Rab. — And slerg’d the rest o’t in his Gab: Now what was tint, or what was won, Is eithly seen. — My Story’s done. — Yet frae this Tale confed’rate States may learn 25 To save their Cow, and yet no eat her Sharn.

The twa Cut-Purses.

A Ta le.

In Borrows-town there was a Fair, And mony a Landart Coof was there Baith Lads and Lasses busked brawly, To glowr at ilka Bonny-waly, And lay out ony ora Bodles 5 On sma’ Gimcracks that pleas’d their Nodles; Sic as a Jocktaleg, or Sheers, Confeckit Ginger, Plums or Pears. These gaping Gowks twa Rogues survey, And on their Cash this Plot they lay; The tane, less like a Knave than Fool, Unbidden clam the high Cockstool, And pat his Head and baith his Hands Throw Holes where the Ill-Doer stands. Now a’ the Crowd with Mouth and Een Cry’d out, What does the Idiot mean? They glowr’d and leugh, and gather’d thick, And never thought upon a Trick, Till he beneath had done his Job, By tooming Poutches of the Mob; Wha now possest of Rowth of Gear, Scour’d aff as lang’s the Cost was clear.

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But wow? the Ferly quickly chang’d, When throw their empty Fobs they rang’d; Some girn’d, and some look’d blae wi’ Grief, 25 While some cry’d ont, Fy had the Thief. But ne’er a Thief or Thief was there, Or cou’d be found in a’ the Fair. The Jip wha stood aboon them a’, His Innocence began to shaw; 30 Said he, my Friends, I’m very sorry To hear your melancholy Story; But sure whate’er your Tinsel be, Ye canna lay the Wyte on me. 272

Epistle to Mr. Yarde

EPISTLE to

Robert Yarde of Devonshire, Esquire. Frae Northern Mountains clad with Snaw, Where whistling Winds incessant blaw, In time now when the Curling-stane Slides murm’ring o’er the icy Plain, What sprightly Tale in Verse can Yarde 5 Expect frae a cauld Scottish Bard, With Brose and Bannocks poorly fed, In Hoden Gray right hashly cled, Skelping o’er frozen Hags with Pingle, Picking up Peets to beet his Ingle, 10 While Sleet that freezes as it fa’s, Theeks as with Glass the Divot Waws Of a laigh Hut, where sax thegither, Ly Heads and Thraws on Craps of Heather? Thus, Sir; of us the Story gaes, 15 By our mair dull and scornfu’ Faes: But let them tauk, and Gowks believe, While we laugh at them in our Sleeve; For we, nor barbarous nor rude, Ne’er want good Wine to warm our Blood, 20 Have Tables crown’d, – and hartsome Biels, And can in Cumin’s, Don’s or Steil’s, Be serv’d as plenteously and civil, As you in London at the Devil. You, Sir, your self wha came and saw, 25 Own’d that we wanted nought at a’, To make us as content a Nation, As any is in the Creation. This Point premis’d, my canty Muse Cocks up her Crest without Excuse, 30 And scorns to screen her natural Flaws, With If’s and But’s, and dull Because; She pukes her Pens, and aims a Flight Throu’ Regions of internal Light, Frae Fancy’s Field, these Truths to bring 35 That you shou’d hear, and she shou’d sing. Langsyne, when Love and Innocence Were humane Nature’s best Defence, E’er Party-jars made Lateth less, Then Poets shaw’d these evenly Roads, 40 273

Poems That lead to Dwellings of the Gods. In these dear Days, well ken’d to Fame, Divini Vates was their Name: It was, and is, and shall be ay, While they move in fair Vertue’s Way. 45 Tho’ rarely we to Stipends reach, Yet nane dare hinder us to preach. Believe me, Sir, the nearest Way To Happiness, is to be gay; For Spleen indulg’d will banish Rest 50 Far frae the Bosoms of the best; Thousands a-year’s no worth a Prin, When e’er this fashous Guest gets in: But a fair competent Estate Can keep a Man frae looking blate, 55 Sae eithly it lays to his Hand What his just Appetites demand. Wha has, and can enjoy, O wow! How smoothly may his Minutes flow? A Youth thus blest with manly Frame, 60 Enliven’d with a lively Flame, Will ne’er with sordid Pinch controul The Satisfaction of his Soul. Poor is that Mind, ay discontent, That canna use what God has lent; 65 But envious girns at a’ he sees, That are a Crown richer than he’s; Which gars him pitifully hane, And Hell’s Ase-middings rake for Gain; Yet never kens a blythsome Hour, 70 Is ever wanting, ever sowr. Yet ae Extreme shou’d never make A Man the gowden Mien forsake. It shaws as much a shallow Mind, And ane extravagantly blind, 75 If careless of his future Fate, He daftly waste a good Estate, And never thinks till Thoughts are vain, And can afford him nought but Pain. Thus will a Joiner’s Shavings bleez, 80 Their Low will for some Seconds please; But soon the glaring Leam is past, And cauldrife Darkness follows fast: While slaw the Fagots large expire, And warm us with a lasting Fire. 85 Then neither, as I ken ye will, With idle Fears your Pleasures spill, Nor with neglecting prudent Care, 274

Epistle to Mr. Yarde Do Skaith to your succeeding Heir. Thus steering cannily throw Life, 90 Your Joys shall lasting be and rife: Give a your Passions room to reel, As lang as Reason guides the Wheel. Desires, tho’ ardent, are nae Crime, When they harmoniously keep Time: 95 But when they spang o’er Reason’s Fence, We smart for’t at our ain Expence To recreate us we’re allow’d, But gaming deep boils up the Blood, And gars ane at Groomporters ban 100 The Being that made him a Man, When his fair Gardens, House and Lands, Are fa’n amongst the Sharpers Hands A chearfu’ Bottle sooths the Mind, Gars Carles grow canty, free and kind; 105 Defeats our Care, and hales our Strife, And brawly oyls the Wheels of Life: But when just Quantums we transgress, Our Blessing turns the quite Reverse. To love the bonny smiling Fair, 110 Nane can their Passions better ware; Yet Love is kittle and unruly, And shou’d move tentily and hooly: For if it get o’er meikle Head, ’Tis fair to gallop ane to dead: 115 O’er ilka Hedge it wildly bounds, And grazes on forbidden Grounds; Where constantly, like Furies, range, Poortith, Diseases, Death, Revenge: To toom anes Pouch to Dunty clever, 120 Or have wrang’d Husband prob ane’s Liver, Or void ane’s Saul out throw a Shanker; In faith ’twad any Mortal canker. Then wale a Virgin worthy you, Worthy your Love and nuptial Vow: 125 Syne frankly range o’er a’ her Charms, Drink deep of Joy within her Arms; Be still delighted with her Breast, And on her Love with Rapture feast. May she be blooming, saft and young, 130 With Graces melting from her Tongue; Prudent and yielding to retain Your Love, as well as you her ain. Thus with your Leave, Sir, I’ve made free 275

Poems To give Advice to ane can gi’e 135 As good again. — But as Mess John Said, when the Sand tald Time as done, “Ha’e Patience, my dear Friends a wee, “And take ae ither Glass frae me; “And if ye think there’s Doublets due, 140 “I shanna bauk the like frae you.” the last

S P E E C H of a

Wretched Miser. O Dool! and am I forc’d to die, And nae mair my dear Siller see, That glanc’d sae sweetly in my Eye! It breaks my Heart; My Gowd! my Bands! alackanie! 5 That we shou’d part. For you I labour’d Night and Day, For you I did my Friends betray, For you on stinking Caff I lay, And Blankets thin; 10 And for your Sake fed mony a Flea Upon my Skin. Like Tantalus I lang have stood Chin deep into a Siller Flood; Yet ne’er was able for my Blood, 15 But Pain and Strife, To ware ae Drap on Claiths or Food, To cherish Life. Or like the wissen’d beardless Wights, Wha herd the Wives of Eastern Knights, 20 Yet ne’er enjoy the saft Delights Of Lasses bony; Thus did I watch lang Days and Nights My lovely Money. Altho’ my Annualrents cou’d feed 25 Thrice forty Fowk that stood in Need, I grudg’d my sell my daily Bread: And if frae hame, My Pouch produc’d an Ingan Head, To please my Wame. 30 276

The last Speech of a wretched Miser To keep you cosie in a Hoord, This Hunger I with Ease endur’d; And never dought a Doit afford To ane of Skill, Wha for a Dollar might have cur’d 35 Me of this Ill. I never wore my Claiths with brushing, Nor wrung away my Sarks with washing; Nor ever sat in Taverns dashing Away my Coin, 40 To find out Wit or Mirth by clashing O’er dearthfu’ Wine. Abiet my Pow was bald and bare, I wore nae frizl’d Limmer’s Hair, Which takes of Flower to keep it fair 45 Frae reesting free, As meikle as wad dine and mair The like of me. Nor kept I Servants, Tales to tell, But toom’d my Coodies a’ my sell; 50 To hane in Candle I had a Spell Baith cheap and bright, A Fish-head, when it ’gins to smell, Gives curious Light. What Reason can I shaw, quo’ ye, 55 To save and starve, to cheat and lie, To live a Beggar, and to die Sae rich in Coin? That’s mair than can be gi’en by me, Tho’ Belzie join. 60 Some said my Looks were groff and sowr, Fretfu’, drumbly, dull and dowr: I own it was na in my Power, My Fears to ding; Wherefore I never cou’d endure 65 To laugh or sing. I ever hated bookish reading, And musical or dancing breeding, And what’s in either Face or Cleading, Of painted things; 70 I thought nae Pictures worth the heeding, Except the King’s. 277

Poems Now of a’ them the Eard e’er bure, I never Rhimers cou’d endure, They’re sic a sneering Pack, and poor, 75 I hate to ken ’em; For ’gainst us thrifty Sauls they’re sure To spit their Venom. But water Wives, the warst of a’, Without a Youk they gar ane claw, 80 When wickedly they bid us draw Our Siller Spungs, For this and that, to make them braw, And lay their Tongues. Some loo the Courts, some loo the Kirks, 85 Some loo to keep their Skins frae Lirks, Some loo to woo beneath the Birks Their Lemans bony; For me, I took them a’ for Stirks That loo’d na Money. 90 They ca’d me Slave to Usury, Squeez, cleave the Hair, and peel the Flee, Clek, flae the Flint, and Penury, And sauless Wretch; But that ne’er skaith’d or troubled me, 95 Gin I grew rich. On Profit a’ my Thoughts were bent, And mony Thousands have I lent, But sickerly I took good tent, That double Pawns, 100 With a Cudeigh, and ten per Cint Lay in my Hands. When Borrow’rs brak, the Pawns were Rug, Rings, Beads of Pearl, or Siller Jug, I sald them aff, ne’er fash’d my Lug 105 With Girns or Curses, The mair they whing’d, it gart me hug My swelling Purses. Sometimes I’d sigh, and ape a Saint, And with a lang Rat-rhime of Cant, 110 Wad make a Mane for them in want; But for ought mair, I never was the Fool to grant Them ony Skair. 278

The last Speech of a wretched Miser I thought ane freely might pronounce 115 That Chiel a very silly Dunce, That cou’d not Honestly renounce, With Ease and Joys, At ony time, to win an Ounce Of yellow Boys. 120 When young I some Remorse did feel, And liv’d in Terror of the Deel, His Furnace, Whips, and racking Wheel; But by Degrees, My Conscience grown as hard as Steel, 125 Gave me some Ease. But Fears of Want, and carking Care To save my Stock, — and Thirst for mair, By Night and Day opprest me sair, And turn’d my Head; 130 While Friends appear’d like Harpies Gare, That wish’d me dead. For fear of Thieves I aft lay waking The live lang Night till Day was breaking, Syne throu’ my Sleep, with Heart sair aking, 135 I’ve aften started, Thinking I heard my Windows cracking, When Elspa f——. O Gear! I held ye lang thegither; For you I starv’d my good auld Mither, 140 And to Virginia sald my Brither, And crush’d my Wife; But now I’m gawn I kenna whither, To leave my Life. My Life! my God! my Spirit earns, 145 Not on my Kindred, Wife or Bairns, Sic are but very laigh Concerns, Compar’d with thee! When now this mortal Rotle warns Me I maun die. 150 It to my Heart gaes like a Gun, To see my Kin and graceless Son, Like Rooks already are begun To thumb my Gear, And Cash that has not seen the Sun 155 This fifty Year. Oh, oh! that spendthrift Son of mine, 279

Poems Wha can on roasted Moorfowl dine, And like Dub-water skink the Wine, And dance and sing; 160 He’ll soon gar my dear Darlings dwine Down to nathing. To that same Place, where e’er I gang, O cou’d I bear my Wealth alang! Nae Heir shou’d e’er a Farthing fang, 165 That thus carouses, Tho’ they shou’d a’ on Woodies hang, For breaking Houses. Perdition! Sathan! is that you! I sink! — am dizzy! — Candle blue. 170 Wi’ that he never mair play’d pew, But with a Rair, Away his wretched Spirit flew, It maksna where.

Tit for Tat. Be-south our Channel, where ’tis common To be Priest-ridden, Man and Woman; A Father, anes in grave Procession, Went to receive a Wight’s Confession, Whase Sins, lang-gather’d, now began 5 To Burden sair his inner Man. But happy they that can with Ease Sling aff sic Laids when e’er they please. Lug out your Sins, and eke your Purses, And soon your kind spiritual Nurses 10 Will ease you of these heavy Turses.

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Cries Hodge, and sighs, Ah! Father Ghostly, I lang’d anes for some Jewels costly, And staw them frae a sneaking Miser, Wha was a wicked cheating Squeezer, 15 And much had me and other wrang’d, For which I aften wish’d him hang’d. The Father says, I own, my Son, To rob or pilfer is ill done; But I can eith forgive the Faut, 20 Since it is only Tit for Tat. The sighing Penitent gade furder, And own’d his anes designing Murder; That he had lent ane’s Guts a Skreed, 280

Tit for Tat Wha had gi’en him a broken Head. Replies the Priest, My Son, ’tis plain That’s only Tit for Tat again. But still the Sinner sighs and sobs, And cries, Ah! these are venial Jobs To the black Crime that yet behind Lyes like Auld Nick upon my Mind: I dare na name’t; I’d lure be strung Up by the Neck, or by the Tongue, As speak it out to you: Believe me, The Faut you never wad forgive me. The haly Man, with pious Care, Intreated, pray’d, and spake him fair, Conjur’d him, as he hop’d for Heaven, To tell his Crime, and be forgiven. Well then, says Hodge, if it maun be, Prepare to hear a Tale frae me, That when ’tis tald, I’m unko feard Ye’ll wish it never had been heard. Ah me! your Reverence’s Sister, Ten times I carnally have — kist her. All’s fair, returns the Reverend Brother, I’ve done the samen with your Mother Three times as aft; and sae for that We’re on a Level, Tit for Tat.

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E P I S T L E

From Mr. William Starrat

Teacher of Mathematicks at Straban in Ireland.

Ae windy Day last Owk, I’ll ne’er forget, I think I hear the Hailstanes rattling yet; On Crochan Buss my Hirdsell took the Lee, As ane wad wish, just a’ beneath my Ee: I in the Beild of yon auld Birk-tree Side, Poor cauldrife Coly whing’d aneath my Plaid, Right tozylie was set to ease my Stumps, Well hap’d with Bountith-hose and twa soll’d Pumps; Syne on my Four-hours Luntion chew’d my Cude, Sik Kilter pat me in a merry Mood: My Whistle frae my Blanket-nook I drew, And lilted owre thir twa three Lines to You. Blaw up my Heart-strings ye Pierian Quines, That ga’e the Grecian Bards their bony Rimes, And learn’d the Latin Lowns sic Springs to play, As gars the Warld gang dancing to this Day. 281

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Poems In vain I seek your Help; ’tis bootless Toil With sic dead Ase to muck a Moorland Soil, Give me the Muse that calls past Ages back, And shaws proud Southren Sangsters their Mistake, That frae their Thames can fetch the Laurel North, And big Parnassus on the Frith of Forth.

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Thy Breast alane this gladsome Guest does fill With Strains, that warm our Hearts like Cannel Gill, And learns thee in thy umquhile Gutcher’s Tongue, 25 The blithest Lilts that e’er my Lugs heard sung. RAMSAY! for ever live: For wha like you In deathless Sang sic Life-like Pictures drew? Not he wha whilome with his Harp cou’d ca’ The dancing Stanes to big the Theban Wa’; 30 Nor he (shamefa’s Fool Head) as Stories tell Could whistle back an auld dead Wife frae Hell; Nor e’en the loyal Brooker of Bell-Trees, Wha sang with hungry Wame his want of Fees; Not Haby’s Dron cou’d with thy Wind-pipe please, 35 When in his well kend Clink thou manes the Death Of Lucky Wood and Spence (a matchless Skaith To Canigate) sae gash thy Gab-trees gang, The Carlines live for ever in thy Sang.

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Or when the Country Bridal thou pursues, To red the Regal Tulzie sets thy Muse, Thy soothing Sangs bring canker’d Carles to Ease, Some lowps to Lutter’s Pipe, some birls Bawbies.

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But gin to graver Notes thou tunes thy Breath, And sings poor Sandy’s Grief for Edie’s Death, 45 Or Matthew’s Loss; the Lambs in Consort mae, And lanesome Ringwood youls upon the Brae. Good God! What tuneless Heart-strings wadna twang, When Love and Beauty animates thy Sang? Skies echoe back, when thou blaws up thy Reed, In Burchet’s Praise, for clapping of thy Head: And when thou bids the paughty Czar stand yon, The Wandought seems beneath thee on his Throne. Now, be my Saul, and I have nought behin, And weil I wat fause Swearing is a Sin, I’d rather have thy Pipe, and twa three Sheep, Than a’ the Gold the Monarchs Coffers keep. COLY, look out, the few we have’s gane wrang, This se’nteen Owks I have not play’d sae lang; Ha, Crummy, ha –– trowth I maun quat my Sang. But, Lad, neist Mirk we’ll to the Haining drive,

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Epistle from Mr. Starrat When in fresh Lizar they get Spleet and rive; The Royts will rest, and gin ye like my Play, I’ll whistle to thee all the live lang Day.

To Mr. William Starrat, on receiving the above Epistle. Frae fertile Fields, where nae curs’d Ethers creep, To stang the Herds that in Rash-busses sleep; Frae where Saint Patrick’s Blessing freed the Bogs Frae Taids, and Asks, and ugly creeping Frogs; Welcome to me’s the Sound of STARRAT’s Pipe, 5 Welcome, as Westlen Winds, or Berries ripe, When speeling up the Hill, the Dog-days Heat Gars a young thirsty Shepherd pant and sweat: Thus while I climb the Muses Mount with Care, Sic friendly Praises give refreshing Air. 10 O! may the Lasses loo thee for thy Pains, And may thou lang breathe healsome o’er the Plains: Lang mayst thou teach, with round and nooked Lines, Substantial Skill, that’s worth rich Siller Mines; To shaw how Wheels can gang with greatest Ease, 15 And what Kind Barks sails smoothest o’er the Seas; How Wind-mills shou’d be made, — and how they work The Thumper that tells Hours upon the Kirk: How Wedges rive the Aik: — How Pullieses Can lift on highest Roofs the greatest Trees; 20 Rug frae its Roots the Craig of Edinburgh Castle, As easily as I cou’d break my Whistle. — What Pleughs fits a wet Soil, and whilk the dry; And mony a thousand useful Things forby. I own ’tis cauld Encouragement to sing, When round ane’s Lugs the blatran Hailstanes ring; But feckfu’ Folk can front the bauldest Wind, And slonk thro’ Moors, and never fash their Mind. Aft have I wid throu’ Glens with chorking Feet, When neither Plaid nor Kelt cou’d fend the Weet; Yet blythly wald I bang out o’er the Brae, And stend o’er Burns as light as ony Rae, Hoping the Morn might prove a better Day. Then let’s to Lairds and Ladies leave the Spleen, While we can dance and whistle o’er the Green. Mankind’s Account of Good and Ill’s a Jest, Fancy’s the Rudder, and Content’s a Feast. Dear Friend of mine, ye but o’er meikle roose The lawly Mints of my poor moorland Muse, Wha looks but blate, when even’d to either twa,

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Poems That lull’d the Deel, or bigg’d the Theban Wa’; But trowth ’tis natural for us a’ to wink At our ain Fauts, and Praises frankly drink: Fair fa’ ye then, and may your Flocks grow rife, And may nae Elf twin Crummy of her Life. The Sun shines sweetly, a’ the Lift looks blue, O’er Glens hing hovering Clouds of rising Dew; Maggy, the bonniest Lass of a’ our Town, Brent is her Brow, her Hair a curly brown, I have a Tryst with her, and maun away, Then ye’ll excuse me till anither Day, When I’ve mair Time; for shortly I’m to sing Some dainty Sangs, that sall round Crochan ring.

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Bonny Christy. How sweetly smells the Simmer green? Sweet taste the Peach and Cherry; Painting and Order please our Een, And Claret makes us merry: But finest Colours, Fruits and Flowers, 5 And Wine, tho’ I be thirsty, Lose a’ their Charms and weaker Powers, Compar’d with those of Christy. When wand’ring o’er the flowry Park, No nat’ral Beauty wanting; 10 How lightsome is’t to hear the Lark, And Birds in Consort chanting? But if my Christy tunes her Voice, I’m rap’t in Admiration; My Thoughts with Extasies rejoice, 15 And drap the hale Creation. When e’er she smiles a kindly Glance, I take the happy Omen, And aften mint to make Advance, Hoping she’ll prove a Woman. 20 But dubious of my ain Desert, My Sentiments I smother, With secret Sighs I vex my Heart, For fear she love another. Thus sang blate Edie by a Burn, 25 His Christy did o’er-hear him; She doughtna let her Lover mourn, But e’er he wist drew near him. She spake her Favour with a Look, 284

Bonny Christy Which left nae Room to doubt her; 30 He wisely this white Minute took, And flang his Arms about her. My Christy! — witness bony Stream, Sic Joys frae Tears arising, I wish this may na be a Dream: O Love the maist surprising Time was too precious now for Tauk, This Point of a’ his Wishes; He wadna with set Speeches bauk, But wair’d it a’ on Kisses.

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The bonny Scot,

To the Tune of, The Boat-man. Ye Gales that gently wave the Sea, And please the canny Boat-man, Bear me frae hence, or bring to me My brave, my bonny Scot — Man. In haly Bands 5 We join’d our Hands; Yet may not this discover, While Parents rate A large Estate, Before a faithfu’ Lover. 10 But I loor chuse in Highland Glens To herd the Kid and Goat — Man, E’er I cou’d for sic little Ends Refuse my bonny Scot — Man. Wae worth the man 15 Wha first began The base ungenerous Fashion, Frae greedy Views Love’s Art to use, While Strangers to its Passion. 20 Frae foreign Fields, my lovely Youth, Haste to thy longing Lassie, Wha pants to press thy bawmy Mouth, And in her Bosom hawse thee. Love gi’es the Word, 25 Then haste on Board, Fair winds and tenty Boat-man, Waft o’er, waft o’er Frae yonder Shore My blyth, my bonny Scot — Man. 30 285

Poems

Love Inviting Reason. A SONG to the Tune of, I am asleep, do not waken me. When innocent Pastime our Pleasure did crown, Upon a green Meadow, or under a Tree, E’er Annie became a fine Lady in Town, How lovely and loving, and bony was she! Rouze up thy Reason, my beautifu’ Annie, 5 Let ne’er a new Whim ding thy Fancy a-jee, O! as thou art bonny, be faithfu’ and canny, And favour thy Jamie, wha doats upon thee. Does the Death of a Lintwhite give Annie the Spleen? Can tyning of Trifles be uneasy to thee? 10 Can Lap-dogs and Monkies draw Tears frae these Een, That look with Indifference on poor dying me? Rouze up thy Reason, my beautifu’ Annie, And dinna prefer a Paroquet to me; O! as thou art bonny, be prudent and canny, 15 And think on thy Jamie, wha doats upon thee. Ah! shou’d a new Gown, or a Flanders Lace Head, Or yet a wee Coatie, tho’ never sae fine, Gar thee grow forgetfu’, and let his Heart bleed, That anes had some Hope of purchasing thine? 20 Rouze up thy Reason, my beautifu’ Annie, And dinna prefer ye’r Fleegeries to me; O! as thou art bonny, be solid and canny, And tent a true Lover that dotes upon thee. Shall a Paris Edition of new fangle Sany, 25 Tho’ gilt o’er wi’ Laces and Fringes he be, By adoring himself, be admir’d by fair Annie, And aim at these Bennisons promis’d to me? Rouze up thy Reason, my beautifu’ Annie, And never prefer a light Dancer to me; 30 O! as thou art bonny, be constant and canny, Love only thy Jamie, wha doats upon thee. O! think, my dear Charmer, on ilka sweet Hour, That slade away saftly between thee and me, E’er Squirrels, or Beaus, or Fopery had Power, 35 To rival my Love, and impose upon thee. Rouze up thy Reason, my beautifu’ Annie, And let thy Desires be a’ center’d in me; O! as thou art bonny, be faithfu’ and canny, And love him wha’s langing to center in thee. 40

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The Bob of Dunblane

The Bob of Dunblane. Lassie, lend me your braw Hemp Heckle, And I’ll lend you my Thripling Kame; For Fainness, Deary, I’ll gar ye keckle, If ye’ll go dance the Bob of Dunblane. Haste ye, gang to the Ground of ye’r Trunkies, 5 Busk ye braw, and dinna think shame; Consider in Time, if leading of Monkies, Be better than dancing the Bob of Dunblane. Be frank, my Lassie, lest I grow fickle, And take my Word and Offer again; Syne ye may chance to repent it miekle, Ye did na accept the Bob of Dunblane. The Dinner, the Piper and Priest shall be ready, And I’m grown dowie with lying my lane; Away then leave baith Minny and Dady, And try with me the Bob of Dunblane.

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Throw the Wood Laddie. O Sandy, why leaves thou thy Nelly to mourn? Thy Presence cou’d ease me, When nathing can please me; Now dowie I sigh on the Bank of the Burn, Or throw the Wood, Laddie, until thou return.

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Tho’ Woods now are bonny, and Mornings are clear, While Lavrocks are singing, And Primroses springing; Yet nane of them pleases my Eye or my Ear, When throw the Wood, Laddie, ye dinna appear.

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That I am forsaken, some spare not to tell; I’m fash’d wi’ their Scorning, Baith Ev’ning and Morning: Their Jeering gaes aft to my Heart wi’ a Knell, When throw the Wood, Laddie, I wander my sell.

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Then stay, my dear Sandy, nae langer away; But quick as an Arrow, Hast here to thy Marrow, Wha’s living in Languor till that happy Day; When throw the Wood, Laddie, we’ll dance, sing, and play.

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Poems

Ann thou were my ain thing. Ann thou were my ain Thing, I would love thee, I would love thee; Ann thou were my ain Thing, How dearly would I love thee. Like Bees that suck the Morning Dew 5 Frae Flowers of sweetest Scent and Hew, Sae wad I dwell upo’ thy Mou, And gar the Gods envy me. Ann thou were, &c. Sae lang’s I had the Use of Light, I’d on thy Beauties feast my Sight, 10 Syne in saft Whispers through the Night, I’d tell how much I lo’d thee. Ann thou were, &c. How fair and ruddy is my Jean! She moves a Goddess o’er the Green: Were I a King, thou shou’d be Queen, 15 Nane but my sell aboon thee. Ann thou were, &c. I’d grasp thee to this Breast of mine, Whilst thou, like Ivy, or the Vine, Around my stronger Limbs shou’d twine, Form’d hardy to defend thee. Ann thou were, &c.

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Time’s on the Wing, and will not stay, In shining Youth let’s make our Hay, Since Love admits of no Delay, O! let nae Scorn undo thee. Ann thou were, &c. While Love does at his Altar stand, 25 Hae there’s my Heart, gi’e me thy Hand, And with ilk Smile thou shalt command The Will of him wha loes thee. Ann thou were, &c.

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There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile thee.

There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile thee. My sweetest May, let Love incline thee T’ accept a Heart which he designs thee, And as your constant Slave regard it, Syne for its Faithfulness reward it; ’Tis Proof a-shot to Birth or Money, 5 But yields to what is sweet and bonny: Receive it then with a Kiss and a Smily, There’s my Thumb it will ne’er beguile ye. How tempting sweet these Lips of thine are! Thy Bosom white, and legs sae fine are, 10 That when in Pools I see thee clean ’em, They carry away my Heart between ’em. I wish, and I wish, while it gaes duntin, O gin I had thee on a Mountain; Tho’ Kith and Kin and a’ shou’d revile thee, 15 There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile thee. Alane through flow’ry Hows I dander, Tenting my Flocks, lest they shou’d wander; Gin thou’ll gae alang, I’ll dawt thee gaylie, And gi’e my thumb I’ll ne’er beguile thee. O my dear Lassie, it is but Daffin To had thy Woer up ay niff naffin: That Na, na, na, I hate it most vilely; O say, Yes, and I’ll ne’er beguile thee.

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The Highland Laddie. The Lawland Lads think they are fine, But O they’re vain and idly gaudy! How much unlike that gracefu’ Mein, And manly Looks of my Highland Laddie? O my bonny, bonny Highland Laddie, 5 My handsome charming Highland Laddie: May Heaven still guard, and Love reward Our Lawland Lass and her Highland Laddie. If I were free at Will to chuse To be the wealthiest Lawland Lady, 10 I’d take young Donald without Trews, With Bonnet blew, and belted Plaidy. O my bonny, &c. The brawest Beau in Borrows-town, 289

Poems In a’ his Airs, with Art made ready, Compar’d to him, he’s but a Clown; 15 He’s finer far in’s Tartan Plaidy. O my bonny, &c. O’er benty Hill with him I’ll run, And leave my Lawland Kin and Dady; Frae Winter’s Cauld and Summer’s Sun, He’ll screen me with his Highland Plaidy. O my bonny, &c.

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A painted Room and silken Bed, May please a Lawland Laird and Lady; But I can kiss, and be as glad Behind a Bush in’s Highland Plaidy. O my bonny, &c. Few Compliments between us pass, 25 I ca’ him my dear Highland Laddie; And he ca’s me his Lawland Lass: Syne rows me in his Highland Plaidy O my bonny, &c. Nae greater Joy I’ll e’er pretend, Than that his Love prove true and steady, 30 Like mine to him; which ne’er shall end, While Heaven preserve my Highland Laddie. O my bonny, &c.

The Coalier’s bonny Lassie. The Coalier has a Daughter, And O she’s wonder bonny; A Laird he was that sought her, Rich baith in Lands and Money. The Tutors watch’d the Motion 5 Of this young honest Lover: But Love is like the Ocean; Wha can its Depth discover? He had the Art to please ye, And was by a’ respected; 10 His Airs sat round him easy, Genteel, but unaffected. The Coalier’s bonny Lassie Fair as the new blown Lilly, Ay sweet, and never saucy, 15 290

The Coalier's bonny Lassie Secur’d the Heart of Willy. He lov’d beyond Expression The Charms that were about her, And panted for Possession; His Life was dull without her. 20 After mature resolving, Close to his Breast he held her, In saftest Flames dissolving, He tenderly thus tell’d her; My bonny Coalier’s Daughter, 25 Let nathing discompose ye, ’Tis no your scanty Tocher Shall ever gar me lose ye; For I have Gear in Plenty, And Love says, ’tis my Duty 30 To ware what Heaven has lent me Upon your Wit and Beauty.

To L. L. in Mourning. To the Tune of, Where Helen lyes. Ah! why those Tears in Nelly’s Eyes? To hear thy tender Sighs and Cries, The Gods stand list’ning from the Skies. Pleas’d with thy Piety. To mourn the Dead, dear Nymph, forbear, 5 And of one dying take a Care, Who views thee as an Angel fair, Or some Divinity. O be less graceful or more kind, And cool this Fever of my Mind, 10 Caused by the Boy severe and blind, Wounded I sigh for thee; While hardly dare I hope to rise To such a Height, by Hymen’s Tyes, To lay me down where Helen lyes, 15 And with thy Charms be free. Then must I hide my Love and die, When such a sovereign Cure is by? No, she can love, and I’ll go try, Whate’er my Fate may be. Which soon I’ll read in her bright Eyes; With those dear Agents I’ll advise, They tell the Truth, when Tongues tell Lies, The least believ’d by me. 291

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With a Pastoral Recitative on the Marriage of the Right Honourable, James Earl of Wemys and Mrs. Janet Charteris. RECITATIVE. Last Morn young Rosalind, with laughing Een, Met with the singing Shepherd on the Green; Armyas height, wha us’d with tunefu’ Lay To please the Ear, when he began to play: Him with a Smile the blooming Lass addrest; Her chearfu’ Look her inward Joy confest.

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ROSALIND. Dear Shepherd, now exert your wonted Fire, I’ll tell you News that shall your Thoughts inspire. ARMYAS. Out wi’ them, bonny Lass, and if they’ll bear, But Ceremony you a Sang shall hear. 10 ROSALIND. They’ll bear, and do invite the blithest Strains, The beauteous CHARTERISSA of these Plains, Still to them dear, wha late made us sae wae, When we heard tell she was far aff to gae, And leave our heartsome Fields, her native Land, Now’s ta’en in time, and fixt by Hymen’s Band.

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ARMYAS. To whom? Speak fast; — I hope ye dinna jeer. ROASLIND. No, no, my Dear, ’tis true, as we stand here. The Thane of Fife, wha lately wi’ his Flane, And Vizy leel, made the Blyth Bowl his ain: 20 He, the Delight of baith the Sma’ and Great, Wha’s bright Beginning spae his sonsy Fate, Has gain’d her Heart; and now their mutual Flame Retains the Fair, and a’ her Wealth, at Hame. ARMYAS. Now Rosalind, may never Sorrow twine 25 Sae near your Heart, as Joy arise in mine. Come kiss me, Lassie, and you’s hear me sing A Bridal Sang that thro’ the Woods shall ring. 292

Ode on the Marriage of the E. of Wemys ROSALIND. Ye’r ay sae daft, come take it, and hae done; Let a’ the Lines be saft, and sweet the Tune.

Armyas Sings. Come, Shepherds, a’ your Whistles join, And shaw your blythest Faces; The Nymph that we were like to tine, At hame her Pleasure places. Lilt up your Notes baith loud and gay, Yer sweet as Philomella’s, And yearly solemnize the Day When this good Luck befell us,

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Hail to the Thane descended frae MACDUFF renown’d in Story, 40 Wha Albion, frae tyrannick Sway, Restor’d to ancient Glory: His early Blossoms loud proclaim, That frae this Stem he rises, Whase Merit gives him Right to Fame, 45 And to the highest Prizes. His lovely Countess sing, ye Swains, Nae Subject can be sweeter; The best of Blood flows in her Veins, Which makes ilk Grace compleater: Bright are the Beauties of her Mind, Which frae her Dawn of Reason, With a’ the Rays of Wit hath shin’d, Which Vertue still did season. Straight at the Plane her Features fair, And bonny to a Wonder; Were Jove rampaging in the Air, Her Smiles might stap his Thunder. Rejoice in her then, Happy Youth; Her innate Worth’s a Treasure; Her Sweetness a’ your Cares will sooth, And furnish endless Pleasure.

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Lang may ye live t’ enjoy her Charms, And lang lang may they blossom, Securely screen’d within your Arms, 65 And lodged in your Bosom. Thrice happy Parents, justly may Your Breasts with Joy be fired, When you the darling Pair survey, By a’ the Warld admired. 70 293

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On seeing the ARCHERS diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers, &c. At the Desire of Sir William Bennet. Neque semper arcum tendit Apollo. Apollo aft flings by his Bows, And plays the Broom of Cowden-knows; He sometimes drinks, —— His Demand. “The Rovers and the Buts you saw, “And him who gives Despotick Law; “In Numbers sing what you have seen “Both in the Garden and the Green, “And how with Wine they clos’d the Day 5 “In harmless Toasts, both blyth and gay: “This to remember be’t thy Care, “How they did Justice to the Fair.” The Answer. Sir, I with much Delight beheld The Royal Archers on the Field; 10 Their Garb, their Manner and their Game, Wakes in the Mind a martial Flame. To see them draw the bended Yew, Brings bygane Ages to our View, When burnish’d Swords and whizzing Flanes 15 Forbade the Norwegens and Danes, Romans and Saxons, to invade A Nation of nae Faes afraid; Whose Virtue and true Valour sav’d Them bravely from their being enslav’d: 20 esteeming’t greater not to be, Than lose their darling Liberty. How much unlike! — But mum for that, Some Beaus may snarl if we should prat. When Av’rice, Luxury and Ease, 25 A Tea-fac’d Generation please, Whase pithless Limbs in Silks o’erclad, Scarce bear the Lady-handed Lad Frae’s Looking-glass into the Chair, Which bears him to blaflum the Fair, 30 Wha by their Actions come to ken Sic are but in appearance Men. These ill cou’d bruik, without a Beild, To sleep in Boots upon the Field; 294

On seeing the Archers, &c. Yet rise as glorious as the Sun, 35 To end what greatly they begun. Nor cou’d it suit their Taste and Pride To eat an Ox boild in his Hide; Or quaff pure Element, ah me! Without Ream, Sugar and Bohee. 40 Hail noble Ghosts of each brave Sire! Whose Sauls glow’d with a God-like Fire! If you’re to Guardian Posts assign’d, And can with Greatness warm the Mind; Breathe manly Ardours in your Race, Communicate that martial Grace, By which through Ages you maintain’d The Caledonian Rights unstain’d; That when our Nation makes Demands, She may ne’er want brave Hearts and Hands.

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Here, Sir, I must your Pardon ask, If I have started from my Task; For when the Fancy takes a Flight, We seldom ken where it will light. But we return to view the Band, 55 Under the regular Command Of *8ane wha arbitrarily sways, And makes it Law whate’er he says: Him Honour and true Reason rule, Which makes Submission to his Will 60 Nae Slav’ry, but a just Delight, While he takes care to keep them right; Wha never lets a Cause depend Till the Pursuer’s Power’s at End; But, like a Minister of Fate, 65 He speaks, and there’s no more Debate: Best Government, were Subjects sure To find a Prince fit for sic Pow’r. But drop we Cases not desir’d, To paint the Archers, now retir’d 70 From healthfu’ Sport, to chearfu’ Wine, Strength to recruit, and Wit refine; Where innocent and blythsome Tale Permits nae Sourness to prevail: Here, Sir, you never fail to please, 75 Wha can in Phrase adapt with Ease, Draw to the Life a’ kind of Fowks, Proud Shaups, dull Coofs, and gabbling Gowks, * Mr. David Drummond President of the Council.

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Poems Gielaingers, and each greedy Wight, You place them in their proper Light; 80 And when true Merit comes in view, You fully pay them what’s their due. While circling wheels the hearty Glass, Well flavour’d with some lovely Lass, Or with the bonny fruitfu’ Dame, 85 Wha brightens in the nuptial Flame. My Lord, your Toast, the Præses crys: To Lady Charlotte, he replys. Now, Sir, let’s hear your Beauty bright: To Lady Jean, returns the Knight. 90 To Hamilton a Health gaes round, And one to Eglinton is crown’d. How sweet they taste! — Now, Sir, you say: Then drink to her that’s far away, The lov’d Southesk. Neist, Sir, you name: 95 I give you Basil’s handsome Dame. Is’t come to me? — then toast the Fair That’s fawn, O Cockburn, to thy Skair. How hearty went these Healths about! Bow blythly were they waughted out! 100 To a’ the Stately, Fair and Young, Frae Haddington and Hoptoun sprung, To Lithgow’s Daughter in her Bloom, To dear Mackay, and comely Home, To Creightons every way divine, 105 To Haldane straight as any Pine. O how delicious was the Glass Which was perfum’d with lovely Bess! And sae these Rounds were flowing gi’en, To Sisters Nisbet, Nell and Jean. 110 To sweet Montgomery shining fair, To Priestfield Twins, delightfu’ Pair. To Katies Four of beauteous Fame, Stuart and Cochran Lady claim, Third Hamilton, Fourth Ardress Name. 115 To Peggies Pentland, Bang and Bell, To Minto’s Mate, and lively Nell: To Gordons ravishingly sweet, To Maule in whom the Graces meet, To Hepburn wha has Charms in store, 120 To Pringle Harmony all o’er, To the polite Kinloch and Hay, To Wallace beautifu’ and gay, To Campbell, Skeen and Rutherfoord, To Maitland fair the much ador’d, 125 To Lockhart with the sparkling Een,

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On seeing the Archers, &c. To bonny Crawford ever green, To Stuarts mony a dazling Bairn, Of Invernytie and Denairn. To gracefu’ Sleigh, and Oliphant, 130 To Nasmith, Baird, Scot, Grier and Grant, To Clerk, Anstruther, Frank and Graham, To Deans agreeing with her Name. Where are we now —. Come, to the best In Christendom, and a’ the rest. 135 (Dear Nymphs unnam’d, lay not the Blame On us, or on your want of Fame, That in this List you do not stand; For Heads gave way: — But there’s my Hand, The neist time we have sic a Night, 140 We’ll not neglect to do ye Right.) Thus Beauties rare, and Virgins fine, With blooming Belles enliven’d our Wind, Till a’ our Noses ’gan to shine.

} Then down we look’d upon the Great, 145 Who’re plagu’d with guiding of the State, And pity’d each flegmatick Wight, Whose creeping Sauls ken nae Delight, But keep themsells ay on the Gloom, Startled with Fears of what’s to come. 150 Poor Passions! sure by Fate design’d The Mark of an inferior Mind. To Heaven a filial Fear we awe, But Fears nane else a Man shou’d shaw. Lads, cock your Bonnets, bend your Bows, 155 And, or in earnest, or in mows, Be still successful, ever glad, In Mars’s or in Venus’ Bed; Sae Bards aloud shall chant your Praise, And Ladies shall your Spirits raise. 160 Thus, Sir, I’ve sung what you requir’d, As Mars and Venus have inspir’d. While they inspire, and you approve, I’ll sing brave Deeds, and safter Love; Till great Apollo say well done, 165 And own me for his native Son.

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Wrote on Lady Somervile’s Book of Scots Sangs. Gae, canty Book, and win a Name; Nae Lyricks e’er shall ding thee: Hope large Esteem, and lasting Fame, If SOMERVILLA sing thee. If she thy sinless Faults forgive, 5 Which her sweet Voice can cover, Thou shalt in spite of Criticks live Still grateful to each Lover. THE

N U P T I A L S,

A MASQUE *9on the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, &c.

Calliope, playing upon a Violencello, sings,

Joy to the Bridegroom, Prince of Clyde, Lang may his Bliss and Greatness blossom; * An unknown ingenious Friend did me the Honour of the following Introduction to the London Edition of this Masque; and being a Poet, my Vanity will be pardoned for incerting of it here. “The present Poem being a Revival of a good old Form of Poetry, in high Repute with us, it may not be amiss to say something of a Diversion once so agreeable, and so long interrupted, or disused. The Original of Masques seems to be an Imitation of the Interludes of the Ancients, presented on Occasion of some Ceremony performed in a great and noble Family. The Actors in this kind of Half-Dramatic Poetry have formerly been even Kings, Princes, and the first Personages of the Kingdom; and in private Families, the noblest and nearest Branches. The Machinery was of the greatest Magnificence; very shewy, costly, and not uncommonly contrived by the ablest Architects, as well as the best Poets. Thus we see in Ben. Johnson the Name of Inigo Jones, and the same in Carew; whether as the Modeller only, or as Poet in Conjunction with them, seems to be doubtful, there being nothing of our English Virtuvius left (that I know of) that places him in the Class of Writers. These Shews we trace backwards as far as Henry VIII. from thence to Q. Elizabeth, and her Successor K. James, who was both a great Encourager and Admirer of them. The last Masque, and the best ever written, was that of Milton, presented at Ludlow Castle, in the Praise of which no Words can be too many: And I remember to have heard the late excellent Mr. Addison agree with me in that Opinion. Coronations, Princely Nuptials, Public Feasts, the Entertainment of foreign Quality, were the usual Occasions of this Performance, and the best Poet of the Age was courted to be the Author. Mr. Ramsay has made a noble and successful Attempt to revive this kind of Poesy, on a late celebrated Account. And tho’ he is often to be admired in all his Writings, yet, I think, never more than in his present Composition. A particular Friend gave it a Second Edition in England, which, I fancy, the Public will agree that it deserved.”

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The Nuptials Joy to his virtuous charming Bride, Who gains this Day his Grace’s Bosom. Appear, great Genius of his Line, And bear a Part in the Rejoicing; Behold your Ward, by Powers Divine, Join’d with a Mate of their ain choosing. Forsake a while the Cyprian Scene, Fair Queen of Smiles and saft Embraces, And hither come, with a’ your Train Of Beauties, Loves, and Sports, and Graces.

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Come, Hymen, bless their Nuptial Vow, And them with mutual Joys inspire. Descend, Minerva, for ’tis you 15 With Virtue beets the haly Fire. At the Close of this Song, enters the Genius of the Family, clad in a Scarlet Robe, with a Duke’s Coronet on his Head, a Shield on his left Arm, with the proper Bearing of Hamilton.

GENIUS. Fair Mistris of harmonious Sounds, we hear Thy Invitation gratefu’ to the Ear; Of a’ the Gods, who from the Olympian Height Bow down their Heads, and in thy Notes delight, Jove keeps this Day in his Imperial Dome, And I to lead th’ invited Guests am come.

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Enter Venus, attended by three Graces, with Minerva and Hymen, all in their proper Dresses.

CALLIOPE. Welcome, ye bright Divinities, that guard The Brave and Fair, and faithfu’ Love reward; All hail, immortal Progeny of Jove, 25 Who plant, preserve and proper sacred Love. GENIUS. Be still auspicious to th’ united Pair, And let their purest Pleasures be your Care; Your Stores of genial Blessings here employ, To crown th’ Illustrious Youth and Fair-ane’s Joy.

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VENUS. I’ll breathe eternal Sweets in ev’ry Air; HE shall look always Great, SHE ever Fair; Kind Rays shall mix the Sparkles of his Eye, Round her the Loves in smiling Crowds shall fly, And bear frae ilka Glance, on douny Wings,

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Poems Into his ravish’d Heart the saftest Things: And soon as Hymen has perform’d his Rites, I’ll show’r on them my hale Idalian Sweets They shall posses, In each Caress, 40 Delights shall tire The Muses Sire, In highest Numbers to express. HYMEN. I’ll busk their Bow’r, and lay them gently down, Syne langing Wish with Raptures crown; 45 The gloomy Nights shall ne’er unwelcome prove, That leads them to the silent Scenes of Love. The Sun at Morn shall dart his kindest Rays, To chear and animate each dear Embrace: Fond of the Fair, he falds her in her Arms; 50 She blushes secret, conscious of her Charms. Rejoice, brave Youth, In sic a Fouth Of Joys the Gods for thee provide; The rosy Dawn, 55 The flow’ry Lawn, That Spring has dress’d in a’ its Pride, Claim nae Regard When they’re compar’d With blooming Beauties of thy Bride. 60 MINERVA. Fairest of a’ the Goddesses, and thou That links the Lovers to be ever true, The Gods and Mortals awn your mighty Power, But ’tis not you can make their Sweets secure: That be my Task, to make a Friendship rise, Shall raise their Loves aboon the vulgar Size. Those near related to the brutal Kind, Ken nathing of the Wedlock of the Mind; ’Tis I can make a Life a hinny Moon, And mould a Love shall last like that aboon. A’ these sma’ Springs, whence cauld Reserve and Spleen Take their first Rise, and favour’d flow mair keen, I shall discover in a proper View, To keep their Joys unmix’d, and ever new. Nor Jealousy, not envious Mouth, Shall dare to blast their Love; But Widsom, Constancy and Truth, Shall ev’ry Bliss improve. GENIUS. Thrice happy Chief, sae much the Care 300

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The Nuptials Of a’ the Family of Jove, 80 A thousand Blessings wait the Fair, Who is found worthy of his Love. Lang may the fair Attractions of her Mind Make Her still lovelier, Him for ever kind. MINERVA. The Ancestors of mightiest Chiefs and Kings, Nae higher can derive that humane Springs; Yet frae the common Soil each wondrous Root, Aloft to Heaven their spreading Branches shoot: Bauld in my Aid, these triumph’d over Fate, Fam’d for unbounded Thought or stern Debate, Born high upon an undertaking Mind, Superior raise, and left the Crowd behind. GENIUS. Frae these descending, laurel’d with Renown, My Charge throw Ages draws his Lineage down. The Paths of sic Forbeers lang may He trace, And She be Mother to as fam’d a Race. When blew Diseases fill the drumly Air, And red het Bowts throw Flaughts of Lightning rair, Or madning Faction shakes the sanguine Sword, With watchfu’ Eye I’ll tent my darling Lord, And his lov’d Mate, — tho’ Furies shou’d break loose, Awake or sleeping, shall enjoy Repose.

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I. GRACE. While Gods keep Haly-day, and Mortals smile, Let Nature with Delights adorn the Isle: Be hush, bauld North, Favonius only blaw, 105 And cease, bleak Clouds, to shed or Weet or Snaw; Shine bright, thou radiant Ruler of the Year, And gar the Spring with earlier Pride appear. II. GRACE. Thy Month, great Queen of Goddesses, make gay, Which gains new Honours frae this Marriage Day. On Glotta’s Banks, ye healthfu’ Hynds, resort, And with the Landart Lasses blythly sport.

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III. GRACE. Wear your best Faces and your Sunday’s Weeds, And rouse the Dance with your maist tunefu’ Reeds; Let tunefu’ Voices join the rural Sound, 115 And wake responsive Echo all around.

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Poems I. GRACE. Sing your great Master, Scotia’s eldest Son, And the lov’d Angel that his Heart has won; Come, Sisters, let’s frae Arts hale Stores collect Whatever can her native Beauties deck, That in the Day she may eclipse the Light, And ding the Constellations of the Night. VENUS. Cease, busy Maids, your artfu’ Buskings raise, But small Addition to her genuine Rays; Tho’ ilka Plain and ilka Sea combine To make her with their richest Product shine, Her Lip, her Bosom, and her sparkling Een, Excel the Ruby, Pearl, and Diamond sheen: These lesser Ornaments, illustrious Bride, As Bars to safter Blessings, fling aside, Steal frae them sweetly to your Nuptial Bed, As frae its Body slides the sainted Shade; Frae loath’d Restraint to Liberty above, Where all is Harmony, and all is Love: Haste to these Blessings, — kiss the Night away, And make it ten times pleasanter than Day. HYMEN. The Whisper and Caress shall shorten Hours, While kindly as the Beams on dewy Flowers; Thy Sun, like him who the fresh Bevrage sips, Shall feast upon the Sweetness of thy Lips: My haly Hand maun chastly now unloose That Zone which a’ thy Virgin Charms enclose: That Zone shou’d be less gratefu’ to the Fair Than easy Bands of safter Wedlock are. That lang unbuckled grows a hatefu’ thing, The langer These are bound, they mair of Honour bring.

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MINERVA. Yes, happy Pair, what e’er the Gods inspire, Pursue, and gratify each just Desire: Enjoy your Passions, with full Transports mixt; But still observe the Bounds by Vertue fixt.

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Enter BACCHUS. What brings Minerva here this rantin Night? She’s good for nathing but to preach of fight: Is this a Time for either! — Swith away, Or learn like us to be a thought more gay. MINERVA. Peace, Theban Roarer, while the milder Powers

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The Nuptials Give Entertainment, there’s nae need of yours; The pure Reflection of our calmer Joys Has mair of Heaven than a’ thy flashy Noise. BACCHUS. Ye canna want it, Faith! You that appear Anes at a Bridal but in a twenty Year: A Ferly ’tis your Dortiship to see; But where was e’er a Wedding without me? Blew Een, remember, I’m baith Hap and Saul To Venus there, but me she’d starve o’ Caul. VENUS. We awn the Truth, — Minerva, cease to check Our jolly Brother with your Disrespect; He’s never absent as the Treats of Jove, And shou’d be present at this Feast of Love. GENIUS. Maist welcome Power, that chears the vital Streams, When Pallas guards thee frae thy wild Extremes; Thy rosy Visage at these solemn Rites, My generous Charge with open Smiling greets.

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BACCHUS. I’m nae great Dab at Speeches that maun clink, But there’s my Paw I shall fou tightly drink A hearty Health to thir same lovely Twa, 175 That are sae meikle dauted by you a’; Then with my Juice a reeming Bicquor crown, I’ll gi’e the Toast, and see it fairly round. Enter Ganymed, with a Flagon in one Hand, and a Glass in the other, — speaks.

To you, blyth Beings, the benign Director Of Gods and men, — to keep your Sauls in tift, — Has sent you here a Present of his Nectar, As good as e’er was browen aboon the Lift. BACCHUS. Ha, Gany! Come, my dainty Boy, Skink’t up, and let us prive; Without it Life wad be a Toy: Here, gi’e me’t in my Nive. [Takes the Glass.] Good Health to Hamilton, and his Lov’d Mate: — O Father Jove, we crave Thou’lt grant them a lang Tack of Bliss, And Rowth of bonny Bairns and brave. Pour on them, frae thy endless Store, A’ Bennisons that are divine, 303

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Poems With as good Will as I waught o’er This flowing Glass of heav’nly Wine.

[Drinks, and causes all the Company to drink round.]

Come, see’t about, and syne let’s all advance, Mortals and Gods be Pairs, and tak a Dance; Minerva mim, for a’ your Morals stoor, Ye shall with Billy Bacchus fit the Floor; Play up there, Lassie, some blyth Scottish Tune, Syne a’ be blyth, when Wine and Wit gae round.

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The Health about, Musick and Dancing begin. — The Dancing over before her Grace retires with the Ladies to be undress’d; Calliope sings the



EPITHALAMIUM. Bright is the Low of lawfu’ Love, Which shining Sauls impart; It to Perfection mounts above, And glows about the Heart. It is the Flame gives lasting Worth, 205 To Greatness, Beauty, Wealth and Birth, — On You, illustrious youthfu’ Pair, Who are high Heavens Delight and Care; The blessfu’ Beam darts warm and fair, And shall improve the rest 210 Of a’ these Gifts baith great and rare, Of which ye are possest.

BACCHUS, bear off your dinsome Gang, Hark, frae yon Howms the rural Thrang Invite you now away; 215 While ilka Hynd, And Maiden kind, Dance in a Ring, While Shepherds sing In Honour of the Day; 220 Gae drink and dance Till Morn advance, And set the twinkling Fires, While we prepare To lead the Fair 225 And Brave to their Desires. Gae, Loves and Graces, take your Place, Around the Nuptial Bed abide; Fair Venus heighten each Embrace, And smoothly make their Minutes slide. 230 Gae, Hymen, put the Couch in Case, 304

The Nuptials Minerva thither lead the Bride; Neist, all attend this youthfu’ Grace, And lay him sweetly by her Side.

O D E

On the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule. Hail to the brave apparent Chief, Boast of the RAMSAYS Clanish Name, Whose Ancestors stood the Relief Of SCOTLAND, Ages known to Fame. Hail to the lovely She, whose Charms, 5 Complete in Graces, meets His Love; Adorn’d with all that Greatness warms, And makes Him grateful bow to Jove. Both from a Line of Patriots rise, Chiefs of DALHOUSIE and PANMURE, 10 Whose loyal Fames shall Stains despise, While Ocean flows and Orbs endure. The RAMSAYS! Caledonia’s Prop; The MAULES! struck still her Foes with Dread: Now joyn’d; we, from the Union, hope 15 A Race of Heroes shall succeed. Let meaner Souls transgress the Rules That’s fix’d by Honour, Love and Truth, While little Views proclaim them Fools, Unworthy Beauty, Sense and Youth. 20 Whil’st You, blest Pair, belov’d by all The Powers above, and Best below, Shall have Delights attend Your Call, And lasting Pleasures on You flow. What Fate has fix’d, and Love has done, 25 The Guardians of Mankind approve: Well may they finish what’s begun, And from Your Joys all Cares remove. We wish’d — When straight a heavenly Voice Inspir’d, — we heard the Blew-ey’d Maid 30 Cry, Who dare quarrel with the Choice? The Choice is mine, be mine their Aid. 305

Poems Be thine their Aid, O wisest Power, And soon again we hope to see Their Plains return, splendid their Tower, 35 And blossom broad the Edge-well-Tree. Whilst He with manly Merits stor’d, Shall rise the Glory of His Clan; She for Celestial Sweets ador’d, Shall ever charm the gracefu’ Man. 40 Soon may their †10Royal Bird extend His sable Plume, and Lordships claim, Which to His valiant Sires pertain’d, E’er Earls in Albion were a Name. Ye Parents of the happy Pair, 45 With gen’rous Smiles consenting, own That they deserve Your kindest Care: Thus with the Gods their Pleasure crown. Haste, ev’ry Grace, each Love and Smile, From fragrant Cyprus spread the Wing; 50 To deck their Couch, exhaust your Isle Of all the Beauties of the Spring. On them attend with Homage due. In Him are Mars and Phœbus seen; And in the Noble Nymph you’ll view 55 The Sage Minerva, and your Queen.

O D E

On the Birth of the Most Honourable

Marquis of Dumlanrig.

Help me, some God, with sic a Muse As Pope and Granvile aft employ, That I may flowing Numbers chuse, To hail the welcome Princely Boy. But, bred up far frae shining Courts, 5 In Moorland Glens, where nought I see, But now and then some Landart Lass, What Sounds polite can flow frae me? Yet my blyth Lass, amang the lave, With honest Heart her Homage pays;

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† The Spread Eagle Sable, on a Field Argent, is the Arms of the Earl of Dalhousie.

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Ode on the Birth of the M. of Dumlanrig Tho’ no sae nice she can behave, Yet always as she thinks she says. Arise, ye Nymphs, on Nytha’s Plains, And gar the Craigs and Mountains ring; Rouse up the Sauls of a’ the Swains, 15 While you the lovely Infant sing. Keep Haly-day on ilka Howm, With Gowan Garlands gird your Brows; Out o’er the Dales in Dances roam, And shout around the jovial News. 20 By the good Bennison of Heaven, To free you frae the future Fright Of foreign Lords, a Babe is given, To guard your Int’rest and your Right. With Pleasure view your Prince, who late 25 Up to the state of Manhood run, Now, to complete his happy Fate, Sees his ain Image in a Son. A Son, for whom be this your Pray’r, Ilk Morning soon as Dawn appears, 30 GOD grant him an unmeasur’d Skair Of a’ that grac’d his great Forbeers: That his Great Sire may live to see, Frae his delightfu’ Infant spring, A wise and stalwart Progeny, 35 To sence their Country and their King. Still bless her Grace frae whom he sprung, With blythsome Heal her Strength renew, That throw lang Life she may be young, And bring forth Cautioners enow.

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Watch well, ye Tenants of the Air, Wha hover round our Heads unseen; Let dear DUMLANRIG be your Care, Or when he lifts or steeks his Een. Ye hardly Heroes, whase brave Pains 45 Defeated ay th’ invading Rout, Forsake a wee th’ Elisian Plains, View, smile and bless your lovely Sprout. Ye Fair, wha’ve kend the Joys of Love, And glow with chearfu’ Heal and Youth, 50 307

Poems Sic as of auld might nurse a Jove, Or lay the Breast t’ Alcide’s Mouth; The best and bonniest of ye a’ Take the sweet Babie in your Arms; May he nought frae your Bosoms draw, 55 But Nectar to nurse up his Charms. Harmoniously the Notes express, When singing you his Dumps debar, That Discord never may impress Upon his blooming Mind a Jar. 60 Sound a’ the Poet in his Ears, E’en while he’s hanging at the Breast: Thus moulded, when he comes to Years, With an exalted Gust he’ll feast On Lays immortal, which forbid 65 The Death of DOUGLAS’ doughty Name, Or in Oblivion let ly hid The HYDES their Beauty and their Fame.

E P I S T L E

To Mr. JOHN GAY, Author of the Shepherd’s Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems. Dear Lad, wha linkan o’er the Lee, Sang Blowzalind and Bowzybee, And, like the Lavrock, merrily Wak’d up the Morn, When thou didst tune, with heartsome Glee, 5 Thy Bog-reed-horn. To thee, frae Edge of Pentland Height, Where Fawns and Fairies take Delight, And revel a’ the live lang Night, O’er Glens and Braes, 10 A Bard that has the second Sight Thy Fortune spaes. Now, lend thy Lug, and tent me, GAY, Thy Fate appears like Flow’rs in May, 308

Epistle to Mr. Gay Fresh flowrishing, and lasting ay, 15 Firm as the Aik, Which envious Winds, when Criticks bray, Shall never shake. Come, shaw your Loof. — Ay, there’s the Line Fortells thy Verse shall ever shine, 20 Dawted whilst living by the Nine, And a’ the Best, And be, when past the mortal Line, Of Fame possest. Immortal Pope, and skilfu’ *11John 25 The learned Leach frae Callidon, With mony a witty Dame and Don, O’er lang to name, Are of your Roundels very fon, And sound your Fame. 30 And sae do I, wha roose but few, Which nae sma’ Favour is to you: For to my Friends I stand right true, With Shanks a spar; And my good Word (ne’er gi’en but due) 35 Gangs unko far. Here mettled Men my Muse mantain, And ilka Beauty is my Friend; Which keeps me canty, brisk and bein, Ilk wheeling Hour, 40 And a sworn Fae to hatefu’ Spleen, And a’ that’s sour. But bide ye Boy, the main’s to say, Clarinda bright as rising Day, Divinely Bonny, Great and Gay, 45 Of thinking even, Whase Words and Looks, and Smiles display Full Views of Heaven. To rumage Nature for what’s braw, Like Lillies, Roses, Gems and Snaw; 50 Compar’d with her’s, their Lustre fa’, And bauchly tell Her Beauties: She excels them a’, And’s like her sell. As fair as Form as e’er was blest, 55 * Dr. Arbuthnot.

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Poems To have an Angel for a Guest; Happy the Prince who is possest Of sic a Prize, Whose Vertues place her with the best Beneath the Skies. 60 O sonsy GAY! this heavenly born, Whom ev’ry Grace strives to adorn, Looks not upon thy Lays with Scorn; Then bend thy Knees, And bless the Day that ye was born 65 With Arts to please. She says, Thy Sonnet smoothly sings, Sae ye may craw and clap your Wings, And smile at Ether-capite Stings With careless Pride, 70 When sae much Wit and Beauty brings Strength to your Side. Lilt up your Pipes, and rise aboon Your Trivia and your Moorland Tune, And sing Clarinda late and soon, 75 In touring Strains, Till gratefu’ Gods cry out, Well done, And praise thy Pains. Exalt thy Voice, that all around, May echo back the lovely Sound, 80 Frae Dover Cliffs, with Samphire crown’d, To Thule’s Shore, Where Northward no more Britains found But Seas that rore. Thus sing, — whil’st I frae Arthur’s Height, 85 O’er Chiviot glowr with tyr’d Sight, And langing wish, like raving Wight, To be set down, Frae Coach and sax, baith trim and right, In London Town. 90 But lang I’ll gove and bleer my Ee, Before, alake! that Sight I see; Then, best Relief, I’ll strive to be Quiet and content, And streek my Limbs down easylie. 95 Upon the Bent. There sing the Gowans, Broom and Trees, The Crystal Burn and Westlin Breez, 310

Epistle to Mr. Gay The bleeting Flocks, and bisy Bees, And blythsome Swains, 100 Wha rant and dance, with kiltit Dees, O’er Mossy Plains. Farewell; — but, e’er we part, let’s pray, GOD save Clarinda Night and Day, And grant her a’ she’d wish to ha’e, 105 Withoutten End! – Nae mair at present I’ve to say, But am your Friend.

ODE

To the Right Honourable

Grace Countess of Aboyn, On her Marriage Day.

In Martial Fields the Heroe toils, And wades throw Blood to purchase Fame; O’er dreadful Waves, from distant Soils, The Merchant brings his Treasures hame. But Fame and Wealth no Joys bestow, 5 If plac’d alane they Cyphers stand; Tis to the Figure Love they owe The real Joys that they command. Blest He who Love and Beauty gains, Gains what contesting Kings might claim, 10 Might bring brave Armies to the Plains, And loudly swell the Blast of Fame. How happy then is young ABOYN! Of how much Heaven is he possest! How much the Care of Pow’rs divine, 15 Who lyes in lovely LOCKHART’s Breast! Gazing in Raptures on thy Charms, Thy sparkling Beauty, Shape and Youth, He grasps all Softness in his Arms, And sips the Nectar from thy Mouth.

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If sympathetick Likeness crave Indulgent Parents to be kind, Each Pow’r shall guard the Charm they gave, Venus thy Face, Pallas thy Mind. O Muse, we could, — but stay thy Flight; 311

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Poems The Field is sacred as ’tis sweet; Who dares to paint the ardent Night, When ravish’d Youth and Beauty meet? Here we must draw a Veil between, And shade those Joys too dazling clear, 30 By ev’ry Eye not to be seen, Not to be heard by ev’ry Ear. Still in her Smiles, ye Cupids, play; Still in her Eyes your Revels keep; Her Pleasure be your Care by Day, 35 And whisper Sweetness in her Sleep. Be banish’d, each ill natur’d Care, Base Offspring of fantastick Spleen; Of Access here you must despair, Her Breast for you is too serene.

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May Guardian Angels hover round Thy Head, and ward aff all Annoy; Be all thy Days with Raptures crown’d, And all thy Nights be blest with Joy.

E P I G R A M. Minerva wandring in a Myrtle Grove, Accosted thus the smiling Queen of Love, Revenge your self, you’ve Cause to be afraid, Your boasted Pow’r yields to a British Maid: She seems a Goddess, all her Graces shine; 5 Love leads her Beauty, which eclipses thine. Each Youth, I know (says Venus) thinks she’s me; Immediately she speaks, they think she’s thee: Good Pallas, thus you’re foil’d as well as I. Ha, ha! (crys Cupid) that’s my MALY SLEIGH. 10

On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh. When Time was young, and Innocence, With tender Love govern’d this Round, No mean Design to give Offence To Constancy and Truth was found; All free from Fraud, upon the flow’ry Sward, 5 Lovers carest with fond and chast Regard. 312

On the Marriage of the Lord Lyon King of Arms From easy Labours of the Day Each Pair to Leafy Bowers retir’d; Contentment kept them ever gay, While kind connubial Sweets conspir’d, 10 With smiling Quiet and balmy Health throu’ Life, To make the happy Husband and the Wife. Our modern Wits in Wisdom less, With Spirits weak, and wavering Minds, Void of Resolve, poorly confess 15 They cannot relish aught that binds. Let Libertines of Taste sae wond’rous nice, Despise to be confin’d in Paradise. While BRODIE with his beauteous SLEIGH, On purest Love can safely feast, 20 Quaff Raptures from her sparkling Eye, And judge of Heaven within her Breast: No dubious Cloud to gloom upon his Joy, Possessing of what’s Good can never cloy. Her Beauty might for ever warm, 25 Altho’ her Soul were less divine, The Brightness of her Mind could charm, Did less her graceful Beauties shine: But both united, with full Force inspire The warmest Wish, and the most lasting Fire. 30 In your accomplish’d Mate, young Thane, Without Reserve ye may rejoice; The Heavens your Happiness sustain, And all that think, admire your Choice. Around your Treasure circling Arms entwine, 35 Be all thy Pleasure her’s, and her’s be thine. Rejoice, dear MARY, in thy Youth, The first of his brave ancient Clan, Whose Soul delights in Love and Truth, And view’d in every Light a Man 40 To whom the Fates with liberal Hand have given Good Sense, true Honour, and a Temper even. When Love and Reason thus unite An equal Pair in sacred Ties, They gain the humane Bliss complete, 45 And Approbation from the Skies. Since You approve, kind Heaven, upon them pour The best of Blessings to their latest Hour.

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Poems To you who rule above the Sun, To you who fly in fluid Air, We leave to finish what’s begun, Still to reward and watch the Pair. Thus far the Muse, who did an Answer wait, And heard the Gods name Happiness their Fate.

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To Josiah Burchet Esq; On his being chosen Member of Parliament. MY BURCHET’s Name! well pleas’d, I saw Amang the chosen Leet, Wha are to give Britannia Law, And keep her Rights complete. O may the rest wha fill the House 5 Be of a Mind with thee, And British Liberty espouse; We glorious Days may see. The Name of Patriot is mair great Than Heaps of ill win Gear: 10 What boots an opulent Estate, Without a Conscience clear? While sneaking Sauls for Cash wad troke Their Country, GOD and King, With Pleasure we the Villain mock, 15 And hate the worthless thing. With a’ your Pith, the like of you, Superior to what’s mean, Shou’d gar the truckling Rogues look blew, And cow them laigh and clean. 20 Down with them, — down with a’ that dare Oppose the Nation’s Right; Sae may your Fame like a fair Star Throu’ future Times shine bright. Sae may kind Heaven propitious prove, And grant what e’er ye crave; And him a Corner in your Love, Wha is your humble Slave.

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The General Mistake

The General Mistake:

A Satyre.

Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable Lord Erskine. The finish’d Mind in all its Movements bright, Surveys the self-made Sumph in proper Light, Allows for native Weakness, but disdains Him who the Character with Labour gains: Permit me then, my Lord (since you arise 5 With a clear Saul aboon the common Size) To place the following Sketches in your View; The Warld will like me, if I’m roos’d by You. Is there a Fool, frae Senator to Swain? Take ilk ane’s Verdict for himsell, — there’s nane. 10 A thousand other Wants make thousands fret, But nane for want of Wisdom quarrels Fate. Alas! how gen’ral prove the great Mistake, When others throu’ their Neighbours Failings rake? Detraction then, by Spite, is born too far, 15 And represents Men warse than what they are. Come then, Impartial Satyre, fill the Stage With Fools of ilka Station, Sex and Age; Point out the Folly, hide the Person’s Name, Since Obduration follows publick Shame: 20 Silent Conviction calmly can reform, While open Scandal rages to a Storm. Proceed, but in the List, poor things forbear, Who only in the humane Form appear, Scarce animated with that heavenly Fire 25 Which makes the Soul with boundless Thoughts aspire; Such move our Pity, — Nature is to blame — ’Tis Fools, in some things wise, that Satyre claim: Such as Nugator, mark his solemn Mien, Stay’d are his Features, scarcely move his Een, 30 Which deep beneath his knoted Eye-brows sink, And he appears as ane wad guess to think; Even sae he does, and can exactly shaw How mony Beans make five, take three awa! Deep read in Latin Folio’s, four Inch thick, 35 He probs your crabit points into the quick; Delights in dubious things to give Advice, Admires your Judgement, if you think him wise: And stifly stands by what he anes thought right, Altho’ oppos’d with Reason’s clearest Light. 40 On him ilk Argument is thrown away, Speak what ye will, he tents not what you say: He hears himsell, and currently runs o’er 315

Poems All on the Subject he has said before; ’Till glad to ease his Jaws and tired Tongue, Th’ Opponent rests, — Nugator thinks him dung. Thou solemn Trifler, — ken thou art despis’d, Thy stiff Pretence to Wisdom, nathing priz’d By sic as can their Notions fause decline, When truth darts on them with convicting shine. How hateful’s dull Opinion! prop’d with Words, That nought to any ane of Sense affords, But tiresome Jargon. — Learn to laugh, at least, That Part of what thou says may pass for Jest.

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Now turn your Eye to smooth Chicander next, 55 In whom good Sense seems with good Humour mixt; But only seems: — For Envy, Malice, Guile, And sic base Vices, crowd behind his Smile. Nor can his Thoughts beyond mean Quirks extend, He thinks a Trick nae Crime that gains his End: 60 A Crime! No, ’tis his Brag; he names it Wit, And triumphs o’er a better Man he ’as bit. Think shame Chicander of your creeping Slights, True Wisdom in Sincerity delights; The sumphish Mob of Penetration shawl, 65 May gape and ferly at your cunning Saul, And make ye fancy that there is Desert In thus employing a’ your sneaking Art. But do not think that Men of clearer Sense Will e’er admit of sic a vile Pretence, 70 To that which dignifies the humane Mind, And acts in Honour with the bright and blind. Reverse of this fause Face, observe yon Youth, A strict plain Dealer, aft o’er stretching Truth; Severely sowr, he’s ready to reprove 75 The least wrang Step in those who have his Love: Yet what’s of Worth in them he over-rates; But much they’re to be pitied whom he hates. Here his Mistake, his weakest Side appears, When he a Character in Pieces tears; 80 He gives nae Quarter, nor to great or sma’, Even Beauty guards in vain; he lays at a’. This Humour, aften flowring o’er due Bounds, Too deeply mony a Reputation wounds; For which he’s hated by the suffering Crowd, 85 Who jointly ’gree to rail at him aloud, And as much shun his Sight and bitter Tongue, As they wad do a Wasp that had them stung. Censorious learn sometimes at Faults to wink, The wisest ever speak less than they think; 90 Tho’ thus superior Judgement you may vaunt, 316

The General Mistake Yet this proud Worm-wood show o’t, speaks at Want: A Want in which your Folly will be seen, Till you increase in Wit, and have less Spleen. Make Way there, — when a mortal God appears! Why do ye laugh? King Midas wore sic Ears — How wise he looks? Well, wad he never speak, People wad think him neither dull nor weak: But ah! he fancies, ’cause he’s chosen a Tool, That a furr’d Gown can free him frae the Fool; Straight he, with paughty Mien, and lordly Glooms, A vile affected Air, not his, assumes; Stawks stifly by, when better Men salute, Discovering less of Senator than Brute. Yet, is there e’er a wiser Man than he? Speer at himsell; and, if he will be free, He’ll tell you, Nane. — Will Judges tell a Lie?

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But let him pass, and with a Smile observe Yon tatter’d Shadow, amaist like to starve; And yet he strutes, proud of his vast Ingine, 110 He is an Author, writes exquisite fine: Sae fine, in Faith! that every vulgar Head Cannot conceive his Meaning while they read. He hates the World for this; — with bitter Rage He damns the stupid Dulness of the Age. 115 The Printer is unpaid. — Booksellers swear, Ten Copies will not sell in ten lang Year: And wad not that sair fret a learned Mind, To see those shou’d be Patrons prove sae blind, Not to approve of what cost meikle Pains, 120 Neglect of Bus’ness, Sleep, and waste of Brains? And a’ for nought, but to be vilely us’d, As Pages are whilk Buyers have refus’d. Ah! Fellow Lab’rers for the Press, take heed, And force nae Fame that Way, if ye wad speed: 125 Mankind must be (we have nae other) Judge, And if they are displeas’d, why should we grudge? If happily you gain them to your Side, Then bauldly mount your Pegasus, and ride: Value your sell only what they desire; 130 What does not take, commit it to the Fire. Next him a Penman with a bluffer Air, Stands ’tween this twa best Friends that lull his Care, Nam’d Money in baith Pouches — with three Lines Yclipt a Bill, he digs the Indian Mines, 135 Jobs, changes, lends, extorses, cheats and grips, And no ae Turn of gainfu’ Us’ry slips, Till he has won, by wise Pretence and snell, 317

Poems As meikle as may drive his Bairns to Hell, His ain lang Hame. — This Sucker thinks nane wise, But him who can to immense Riches rise: Lear, Honour, Vertue, and sic heavenly Beams, To him appear but idle airy Dreams Nor fit for Men of Business to mind, That are for great and golden Ends design’d. Send for him, Deel! — till then, good Men, take care To keep at Distance frae his Hook and Snare; He has nae Rewth, if Coin comes in the play, He’ll draw, indorse, and horn to Death his Prey.

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Not thus Macsomno pushes after Praise, 150 He treats, and is admir’d in all he says; Cash well bestow’d, which helps a Man to pass For wise in his ain thinking, that’s an Ass: Poor Skybalds, curs’d with less of Wealth than Wit, Blyth of a gratis Gaudeamus, sit 155 With Look attentive, ready all about, To give the Laugh when his dull Joke comes out; Accustom’d with his Conversation bright, They ken as by a Watch the time of Night, When he’s at sic a Point of sic a Tale, 160 Which to these Parasites grows never stale, Tho’ often tald. — Like Lethe’s Stream, his Wine Makes them forget! — that he again may shine. “Fy! Satyre hald thy Tongue, thou art too rude “To jeer a Character that seems sae good: 165 “This Man may beet the Poet bare and clung, “That rarely has a Shilling in his Spung.” Hang him! — there’s Patrons of good Sense enew To cherish and support the tuneful few, Whose Penetration’s never at a Loss 170 In right distinguishing of Gold frae Dross: Employ me freely, if thou’d Laurels wear, Experience may teach thee not to fear. But see anither gives mair Cause for Dread, He thraws his Gab, and aft he shakes his Head; 175 A Slave to Self-conceit, and a’ that’s sowr, T’ acknowledge Merit, is not in his Power: He reads, — but ne’er the Author’s Beauties minds, And has nae Pleasure where nae Faults he finds. Much hated Gowk, tho’ vers’d in kittle Rules, 180 To be a Wirry-kow to writing Fools, Thy sell the greatest, only learn’d in Words, Which naithing but the cauld and dry affords. Dar’st thou of a’ thy Betters slighting speak, That have na grutten sae meikle learning Greek: 185 Thy Depths well kend, and a’ thy silly Vaunts, 318

The General Mistake To ilka solid Thinker shaw thy Wants. Thus Cowards deave us with a thousand Lies Of dangerous Vict’ries they have won in Pleas. Sae shallow Upstarts strive with Care to hide 190 Their mean Descent (which inly gaws their Pride) By counting Kin, and making endless Faird, If that their Grany’s Uncle’s Oye’s a Laird. Scar-crows, Hen-hearted, and ye meanly born, Appear just what ye are, and dread nae Scorn; 195 Labour in Words, — keep hale your Skins: Why not? Do well, and nane your laigh Extract will quote, But to your Praise. — Walk aff, till we remark Yon little coxy Wight, that makes sic Wark With Tongue and Gate: How crously does he stand? 200 His Taes turn’d out, on his left Haunch his Hand; The right beats Time a hundred various Ways, And points the Pathos out in a’ he says. Wow! but he’s proud! When almaist out of Breath, At ony time he clatters a Man to Death, 205 Wha is oblig’d sometime t’ attend the Sot, To save the captiv’d Buttons of his Coat. Thou dinsome Jack-daw, ken ’tis a Disease This Palsy in thy Tongue that ne’er can please; Of a’ Mankind, thou art the maist mistane 210 To think this Way of the Name of Sage to gain. Now, lest I shou’d be thought too much like thee, I’ll give my Readers leave to breathe a wee; If they allow my Pictur’s like the Life, Mae shall be drawn; Originals are rife.

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The Phœnix and the Owl. Phoenix the first, th’ Arabian Lord, And Chief of all the feather’d Kind, A Hundred Ages had ador’d The Sun, with Sanctity of Mind. Yet, mortal, he maun yield to Fate, 5 He heard the Summons with a Smile, And unalarm’d, without Regret, He form’d himsell a Fun’ral Pile. A Howlet, Bird of mean Degree, Poor, dosen’d, lame, and doited auld, 10 Lay lurking in a neighb’ring Tree, Cursing the Sun loot him be cauld. 319

Poems Said Phœnix, Brother, why so griev’d, To ban the Being gives thee Breath? Learn to die better than thou’st liv’d; 15 Believe me, there’s nae Ill in Death. Believe ye that? the Owl reply’d; Preach as ye will, Death is an Ill: When young I ilka Pleasure try’d, But now I die against my Will. 20 For you, a Species by your sell, Near Eeldins with the Sun your God, Nae Ferly ’tis to hear you tell, Ye’re tired, and incline to nod. It shou’d be sae; for had I been 25 As lang upon the Warld as ye, Nae Tears shou’d e’er drap frae my Een, For Tinsel of my hollow Tree. And what, return’d the Arabian Sage, Have ye t’ observe ye have not seen? 30 Ae Day’s the Picture of an Age, ’Tis ay the same thing o’er again. Come, let us baith togither die: Bow to the Sun that gave thee Life; Repent thou frae his Beams did flee, 35 And end thy Poortith, Pain and Strife. Thou wha in Darkness took Delight, Frae Twangs of Guilt could’st ne’er be free: What won thou by thy shunning Light? — But Time flees on; — I haste to die.

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Ye’r Servant, Sir, reply’d the Owl, I likena in the Dark to lowp: The Byword ca’s that Cheil a Fool, That slips a Certainty for Hope. Then straight the zealous feather’d King 45 To ’s Aromatick Nest retir’d, Collected Sun-beams with his Wing, And in a spicy Flame expir’d. Mean time there blew a Westlin Gale, Which to the Howlet bore a Coal; 50 The Saint departed on his Pile, But the Blasphemer in his Hole. He died for ever, — fair and bright; 320

The Phœnix and the Owl The Phœnix frae his Ashes sprang. Thus wicked Men sink down to Night, While just Men join the glorious Thrang.

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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. If Tears can ever be a Duty found, ’Tis when the Deaths of dear Relations wound; Then you must weep, you have too just a Ground. A Son whom all the Good and Wise admir’d, Shining with ev’ry Grace to be desir’d; 5 Rais’d high your joyful Hopes, and then retir’d. Nature must yield, when such a weighty Load Rouzes the Passions, and makes Reason nod: But who may contradict the Will of GOD! By his Great Author, Man was sent below, 10 Some Things to learn, great Pains to undergo, To fit him for what further he’s to know. This End obtain’d, without regarding Time, He calls the Soul home to its native Clime, To Happiness and Knowledge more sublime.

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Thus some in Youth like Eagles mount the Steep, Which leads to Man, and fathom Learning’s Deep; Others thro’ Age with reptile Motion creep. Like lazy Streams which fill the Fenny Strand, In muddy Pools they long unactive stand, 20 Till spent in Vapour, or immers’d in Sand. But down its flinty Channel, without Stain, The Mountain Rill flows eagerly to gain, With a full Tide, its Origine the Main. Thus your lov’d Youth, whose bright aspiring Mind Could not to lazy Minutes be confin’d, Sail’d down the Stream of Life before the Wind. Perform’d the Task of Man, so well, so soon, He reach’d the Sea of Bliss before his Noon, And to his Memory lasting Laurels won. 321

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Poems When Life’s tempestuous Billows ceas’d to rore, And e’er his broken Vessel was no more, His Soul serenely view’d the heavenly Shore. Bravely resign’d, obeying Fate’s Command, He fix’d his Eyes on the immortal Land, 35 Where crowding Seraphs reach’d him out the Hand. SOUTHESKA’s smiling Cherub * first appear’d, 12 With GARLIES’ Consort †, who vast Pleasures shar’d, 13 Conducting him where Vertue finds Reward. Think in the World of Sp’rits, with how much Joy 40 His tender Mother would receive her Boy, Where Fate no more their Union can destroy. His good Grandsire, who lately went to Rest, How fondly would he grasp him to his Breast, And welcome him to Regions of the Blest!

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From us, ’tis true, his youthful Sweets are gone, Which may plead for our Weakness, when we moan; The Loss indeed is ours, he can have none. Thus Sailors with a crazy Vessel crost, Expecting every Minute to be lost, 50 With weeping Eyes behold a Sunny Coast. Where happy Land-men safely breathe the Air, Bask in the Sun, or to cool Shades repair, They longing sigh, and wish themselves were there. But who would after Death to Bliss lay Claim, 55 Must, like your Son, each vicious Passion tame, Fly from the Crowd, and at Perfection aim. Then grieve no more, nor vex your self in vain, To latest Age the Character maintain You now possess, you’ll find your Son again. 60

* James Lord Carnegie. † Lady Garlies. both his near Relations.

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On receiving a Letter to be present, &c.

On receiving a Letter to be present at the Burial of Mr. Robert Alexander of Blackhouse. Thou sable border’d Sheet be gone, Harbour to thee I must refuse; Sure thou canst Welcome find from none, Who carries such ungrateful News. Who can attend thy mournful Tale, 5 And ward his Soul from piercing Woe? In viewing thee, Grief must prevail, And Tears from gushing Eyes o’erflow From Eyes of all that knew the Man, And in his Friendship had a Share; 10 Who all the World’s Affections won, By Vertues that all natural were. His Merits dazle, while we view, His Goodness is a Theme so full, The Muse wants Strength to pay what’s due, 15 While Estimation prompts the Will. But she endeavours to make known To farest down Posterity, That good BLACKHOUSE was such a one As every one should wish to be. 20

The Fair Assembly: A Poem. Awake, Thalia, and defend, With chearfu’ carrolling, Thy bonny Care, — thy Wings extend, And bear me to your Spring; That Harmony full Force may lend To Reasons that I bring: — Now Caledonian Nymphs attend, For ’tis to you I sing. As lang as Minds maun Organs wear, Compos’d of Flesh and Blood, We ought to keep them hale and clear, * With Exercise and Food.14 Then, but Debate, it will appear * The Wise for Health on Exercise depend, God never made his Works for Man to mend. Dryd.

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Poems That Dancing must be good, It stagnant Humours set a steer, 15 And fines the purple Flood. Diseases, Heaviness and Spleen, And ill things mony mae, That gar the Lazy fret and grane, With Visage dull and blae. 20 ’Tis Dancing can do mair alane, Than Drugs frae far away, To ward aff these, make nightly Pain, And sowr the shining Day. Health is a Prize; — yet meikle mair 25 In Dancing we may find; It adds a Lustre to the Fair, And, when the Fates unkind Cloud with a blate and aukward Air A Genius right refin’d, 30 * The sprightly Art helps to repair15 This Blemish on the Mind. How mony do we daily see, ** Right scrimp of Wit and Sense,16 Wha gain their Aims aft easily 35 By well bred Confidence? Then what e’er helps to qualifie A rustick Negligence, Maun without doubt a Duty be, And shou’d give nae Offence. 40 Hell’s Doctrine’s dung, when equal Pairs Together join their Hands, And vow to sooth ilk other’s Cares, In haly Wedlock Bands: Sae when to dance the Maid prepares, 45 And flush’d with Sweetness stands, At her the wounded Lover stares, And yields to Heaven’s Commands. * Since nothing appears to me to give Children so much becoming Confidence and Behaviour, and so raise them to the Conversation of those above their Age, as Dancing; I think they should be taught to dance as soon as they are capable of learning it. For tho’ this consists only in outward Gracefulness of Motion; yet I know not how, it gives manly Thoughts and Carriage more than any thing. Lock. ** It is certain, that for want of a competent Knowledge in this Art of Dancing, which should have been learned when young, the Publick loses many a Man of exquisite Intellectuals and unbyass’d Probity, purely for Want of that so necessary Accomplishment, Assurance; while the pressing Knave or Fool shoulders him out, and gets the Prize. Mr. Weaver.

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The Fair Assembly The first Command * he soon obeys,17 While Love inspires ilk Notion; 50 His wishing Look his Heart displays, While his lov’d Mate’s in Motion: He views her with a blyth Amaze, And drinks with deep Devotion That happy Draught, that throu’ our Days 55 Is own’d a cordial Potion. The Cordial which conserves our Life, And makes it smooth and easy: Then, ilka Wanter, wale a Wife, E’er Eild and Humdrums seize ye, 60 Whase Charms can silence Dumps or Strife, And frae the Rake release ye, Attend th’ Assembly, where there’s Rife Of vertuous Maids to please ye. These modest Maids inspire the Muse, 65 In flowing Strains to shaw Their Beauties, which she likes to roose, And let the Envious blaw: That Task she canna well refuse, Wha sinle says them Na. — 70 To paint Bellinda first we chuse, With Breasts like driven Snaw. Like Lilly-banks see how they rise, With a fair Glen between, Where living Streams, blew as the Skies, Are branching upward seen, To warm her Mouth, where Rapture lyes, And Smiles, that banish Spleen, Wha strikes with Love and saft Surprise, Where e’er she turns her Een.

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SABELLA gracefully complete, Straight as the Mountain Pine, Like Pearl and Rubies set in Jet, Her lovely Features shine: In her the Gay and Solid meet, 85 And blended are sae fine, That when she moves her Lips or Feet, She seems some Power Divine. O Daphne! sweeter than the Dawn, When Rays glance on the Height, Diffusing Gladness o’er the Lawn, * Dixit eis Deus, Fœtificate, augescite & implete terram.

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Poems With Strakes of rising Light. The dewy Flowers when newly blawn, Come short of that Delight, Which thy far fresher Beauties can 95 Afford our joyfu’ Sight. How easy sits sweet Celia’s Dress, Her Gate how gently free; Her Steps, throu’out the Dance, express The justest Harmony: 100 And when she sings, all must confess, Wha’re blest to hear and see, They’d deem’t their greatest Happiness T’ enjoy her Company. And wha can ca’ his Heart his ain, 105 That hears Aminta speak? Against Love’s Arrows, Shields are vain, When he aims frae her Cheek; Her Cheek, where Roses free from Strain, In Glows of Youdith beek: 110 Unmingl’d Sweets her Lips retain; These Lips she ne’er shou’d steek, Unless when fervent Kisses close That Av’new of her Mind, Thro’ which true Wit in Torrents flows, 115 As speaks the Nymph design’d: The Brag and Toast of Wits and Beaus, And Wonder of Mankind; Whase Breast will prove a blest Repose To him with whom she’ll bind. 120 See with what Gayety, yet grave, Serena swims alang; She moves a Goddess ’mang the lave, Distinguish’d in the Thrang. Ye Sourocks, hafflines Fool, haf Knave, 125 Wha hate a Dance or Sang, To see this stately Maid behave, ’Twad gi’e your Hearts a Twang. Your Hearts! said I, trowth I’m to blame, I had amaist forgotten, 130 That ye to nae sic Organ claim; Or if ye do, ’tis rotten. A Saul with sic a throwless Flame, Is sure a silly Sot ane: Ye scandalize the humane Frame, 135 When in our Shape begotten. 326

The Fair Assembly These Lurdanes came just in my Light, As I was tenting Chloe, With jet black Een that sparkle bright, She’s all o’er form’d for Joy; 140 With Neck and Waist, and Limbs as tight As her’s wha drew the Boy, Frae feeding Flocks upon the Height, And fled with him to Troy. Now Myra dances; mark her Mien, 145 Sae disengag’d and gay, Mixt with that Innocence that’s seen In bonny Ew-bught May, Wha wins the Garland on the Green Upon some Bridal-Day; 150 Yet she has Graces for a Queen, And might a Scepter sway. What Lays, Calista, can commend The Beauties of thy Face! Whase Fancy can sae touring stend, 155 Thy Merits a’ to trace! Frae ’boon the Starns, some Bard, descend, And sing her ev’ry Grace, Whase wondrous Worth may recommend Her to a God’s Embrace. 160 A Seraph wad our Aikman paint, Or draw a lively Wit; The Features of a happy Saint, Say, art thou fond to hit? Or a Madona compliment, 165 With Lineaments maist fit? Fair Copies thou need’st never want, If bright Calista sit. MELLA the heaviest Heart can heez, And sowrest Thoughts expell, 170 Her Station grants her Rowth and Ease, Yet is the sprightly Belle As active as the eydent Bees, Wha rear the Waxen Cell; And, place her in what Light you please, 175 She still appears hersell. Beauties on Beauties come in view Sae thick, that I’m afraid I shall not pay to Ilk their Due, Till Phœbus lend mair Aid: 180 But this in gen’ral will had true, 327

Poems And may be safely said, There’s ay a Something shining new In Ilk delicious Maid. Sic as against th’ Assembly speak, 185 The rudest Sauls betray, When Matrons noble, wise and meek, Conduct the healthfu’ Play: Where they appear, nae Vice dare keek, But to what’s good gives way, 190 Like Night, soon as the Morning Creek Has usher’d in the Day. Dear Ed’nburgh, shaw thy Gratitude, And of sic Friends make sure, Wha strive to make our Minds less rude, And help our Wants to cure; Acting a gen’rous Part and good, In Bounty to the Poor: Sic Vertues, if right understood, Shou’d ev’ry Heart alure.

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On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl, July 6th, 1724. On which Day his Grace JAMES Duke of Hamilton was chosen their Captain General; and Mr. David Drummond their Præses won the Prize. Again the Year returns the Day, That’s delicate to Joy and Play, To Bonnets, Bows and Wine. Let all who wear a sullen Face, This Day meet with a due Disgrace, And in their Sowrness pine; Be shun’d as Serpents, that wad stang The Hand that gi’es them Food: Sic we debar frae lasting Sang, And all their grumbling Brood.

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While, to gain Sport and halesome Air, The blythsome Spirit draps dull Care, And starts frae Bus’ness free: Now to the Fields the Archers bend, With friendly Minds the Day to spend, 15 In manly Game and Glee; First striving wha shall win the Bowl, 328

On the Royal Company of Archers And then gar’t flow with Wine: Sic manly Sport refresh’d the Soul Of stalwart Men lang syne. E’er Parties thrawn, and Int’rest vile Debauch’d the Grandeur of our Isle, And made ev’n Brethren Faes: Syne Truth frae Friendship was exil’d, And fause the honest Hearts beguil’d, And led them in a Maze Of Politicks; — with cunning Craft, The Issachars of State, Frae haly Drums first dang us daft, Then drown’d us in Debate.

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Drap this unpleasing Thought, dear Muse; Come, view the Men thou likes to roose; To Bruntsfield Green let’s hy, And see the Royal Bowmen strive, Wha far the feather’d Arrows drive, 35 All soughing thro’ the Sky; Ilk ettling with his utmost Skill, With artfu’ Draught and stark, Extending Nerves with hearty Will, In hopes to his the Mark. 40 See HAMILTON, wha moves with Grace, Chief of the Caledonian Race Of Peers; to whom is due All Honours, and a’ fair Renown; Wha lays aside his Ducal Crown, Sometime to shade his Brow Beneath St. Andrew’s Bonnet blew, And joins to gain the Prize: Which shaws true Merit match’d by few, Great, affable and wise.

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This Day, with universal Voice, The Archers Him their Chiftain chose; Consenting Powers divine, They blest the Day with general Joy, By giving him a princely Boy, 55 To beautify his Line; Whose Birth-day, in immortal Sang Shall stand in fair Record, While bended Strings the Archers twang, And Beauty is ador’d. 60 Next DRUMMOND view, who gives their Law; It glads our Hearts to see him draw 329

Poems The Bow, and guide the Band; He, like the Saul of a’ the lave, Does with sic Honour still behave, 65 As merits to command. Blyth be his Hours, heal be his Heart, And lang may he preside: Lang the just Fame of his Desert Shall unborn Archers read. 70 How on this fair propitious Day, With Conquest leal he bore away The Bowl victoriously; With following Shafts in Number four, Success the like ne’er kend before, The Prize to dignify. Haste to the Garden then bedeen, The rose and Laurel pow, And plet a Wreath of white and green, To busk the Victor’s Brow.

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The Victor crown, who with his Bow, In Spring of Youth and am’rous Glow, Just fifty Years sinsyne, The Silver Arrow made his Prize, Yet ceases not in Fame to rise, 85 And with new Feats to shine. May every Archer strive to fill His Bonnet, and observe The Pattern he has set with Skill, And Praise like him deserve. 90

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. Apollo, Patron of the Lyre, And of the valiant Archers Bow, Me with sic Sentiments inspire, As may appear from thee they flow, When, by thy special Will, and high Command. I sing the Merits of the Royal Band. Now like themsells again the Archers raise The Bow, in brave Aray, and claim our Lays. Phœbus well pleas’d, shines from the blew Serene, Glents on the Stream, and guilds the checquer’d Green. The Winds ly hush in their remotest Caves, 330

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On the Royal Company of Archers And Forth with gentle Swell his Margin leaves. See to his Shore, the gathering Thousands roll, As if one gen’ral Sp’rit inform’d the whole. The bonniest Fair of a’ Great Britain’s Isle, From Chariots and the crowded Casements smile; Whilst Horse and Foot promiscuous form a Lane, Extending far along the destin’d Plain, Where, like Bellona’s Troops, or Guards of Love, The Archers in their proper Habits move.

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Their Guardian Saint, from yon ethereal Height, 15 Displays th’ auspicious Cross of blazing Light; While on his Care he chearfully looks down, The pointed Thistle wears his ruby Crown, And seems to threat, arm’d ready to engage, No Man unpunish’d shall provoke my Rage. 20 Well pleas’d the rampant Lyon smooths his Mane, And gambols gay upon his golden Plain. Likeas the Sun, when wintry Clouds are past, And fragrant Gales succeed the stormy Blast, Shines on the Earth, the Fields look fresh and gay; So seem the Archers on this joyful Day: Whilst with his graceful Mien, and Aspect kind, Their Leader raises every Follower’s Mind, Who love the Conduct of a Youth, whose Birth To nothing yields but his superior Worth; And happier is with his selected Train, Than Philip’s Son who strove a World to gain. That Prince whole Nations to Destruction drove, This Prince delights his Country to improve. A Monarch rais’d upon a Throne may nod, And pass amongst the Vulgar for a God; Whilst Men of Penetration justly blame Those who hang on their Ancestors for Fame; But own the Dignity of high Descent, When the Successor’s Spirit keeps the Bent, Which through revolving Ages grac’d the Line, With all those Qualities that brightest shine: The Archers Chiftain thus with active Mind, In all that’s worthy never falls behind. These noble Characters, from whom he sprung, In Hist’ry fam’d: Whom ancient Bards have sung. See, from his steady Hand, and aiming Eye, How straight in equal Lengths the Arrows fly: Both at one End close by the Mark they stand, Which points him worthy of his brave Command; That as they to his num’rous Merits bow, This Victory makes Homage fully due. 331

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Poems Sage Drummond next, the Chief, with Counsel grave, Becomes his Post, instructing all that’s brave: So Pallas seem’d, who Mentor’s Form put on, 55 To make a Heroe of Ulysses’ Son. Each Officer his Character maintains, While Love and Honour gratify their Pains. No View inferior brings them to the Field, To whom great Chiefs of Clans with Pleasure yield. No hidden Murmure swells the Archer’s Heart, While each with Gladness acts his proper Part. No factious Strife, nor Plots, the Bane of States, Give Birth to Jealousies or dire Debates: Nor less their Pleasure who Obedience pay, Good Order to preserve, as those who sway. O smiling Muse, full well thou knows the Fair; Admire the Courteous, and with Pleasure share Their Love with him that’s generous and brave, And can with manly Dignity behave; Then haste to warn thy tender Care with Speed, Lest by some Random-shaft their Hearts may bleed. Yon dangerous Youths both Mars and Venus arm, While with their double Darts they threat and charm; Those at their Side forbid invading Foes, With vain Attempt true Courage to oppose; While Shafts mair subtile, darted from their Eye, Thro’ softer Hearts with silent conquest fly.

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To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford, Lord Peircy, President, and the rest of the Honourable Members of the Society of British Antiquarians.

A Scots Ode. To HARTFORD and his learned Friends, Whase Fame for Science far extends, A Scottish Muse her Duty sends, From Pictish Towers: Health, Length of Days, and happy Ends, 5 Be ever yours. Your generous Cares make Light arise From things obscure to vulgar Eyes, Finding where hidden Knowledge lies, T’ improve the Mind; 10 And most delightfully surprise, With Thoughts refin’d. 332

Ode to the Society of British Antiquarians When you the broke Inscription read, Or amongst antique Ruins tread, And view Remains of Princes dead, 15 In Funeral Piles, Your Penetration seems decreed To bless these Isles, Where Romans form’d their Camps of old, Their Gods and Urns of curious Mold, 20 Their Medals struck of Brass or Gold, ’Tis you can show, And Truth of what’s in Story told, To you we owe. How beneficial is the Care, 25 That brightens up the Classick Lere! When you the Documents compare, With Authors old, You ravish, when we can so fair Your Light behold. 30 Without your Comments, each old Book By all the World would be forsook: For who of Thought wou’d deign to look, On doubtful Works, ’Till by your skilfull Hands they’re struck 35 With Sterling Marks? By this your Learning Men are fir’d With Love of Glory, and inspir’d Like ancient Heroes, who ne’er tir’d To win a Name; 40 And, by their God-like Acts, aspir’d T’ immortal Fame. Your useful Labours shall endure, True Merit shall your Fame secure, And will Posterity allure, 45 To search about For Truth, by Demonstration sure, Which leaves no Doubt. The Muse forsees brave HARTFORD’s Name Shall to all Writers be a Theme, 50 To last while Arts and Greatness claim Th’ Historian’s Skill, Or the chief Instrument of Fame, The Poet’s Quill. 333

Poems PEMBROKE’S a Name to Britain dear, 55 For Learning and brave Deeds of Wier; The Genius still continues clear In him whose Art, In your rare Fellowship can bear So great a Part. 60 Bards yet unborn shall tune their Lays, And Monuments harmonious raise To WINCHELSEA AND DEVON’S Praise, Whose high Desert, And Vertues bright, like genial Rays, 65 Can Life impart. Nor want we Caledonia’s Sage, Who read the painted Vellum Page, No Strangers to each antique Stage, And Druids Cells, 70 And sacred Ruins of each Age, On Plains and Fells. Amongst all those of the first Rate, Our learned * CLERK blest with the Fate18 Of thinking right, can best relate 75 These Beauties all, Which bear the Marks of ancient Date, Be-north the Wall. The Wall which Hadrian first begun, And bold Severus carried on, 80 From Rising to the Setting Sun, On Britain’s Coast, Our Ancestors fierce Arms to shun, Which gall’d them most. But now no need of Walls or Towers, 85 Ag’d Enmity no more endures, Brave Britain joins her warlike Powers, That always dare, To open and to shut the Doors Of Peace and War. 90 Advance, great Men, your wise Design, And prosper in the Task divine; Draw from Antiquity’s deep Mine, The precious Ore, And in the British Annals shine, 95 Till Time’s no more. * Sir John Clerk of Pennycuik, Baronet.

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On the Marquis of Annandale

On the Marquis of Annandale’s conveying me a Present of Guineas in my Snuff-mill, after he had taken all the Snuff. The Chief requir’d my Snishing-mill, And well it was bestow’d; The Patron, by the rarest Skill, Turn’d all the Snuff to Gowd. Gowd stampt with Royal Anna’s Face, 5 Piece after Piece came forth; The Pictures smil’d, gi’en with such Grace, By ane of so much Worth. Sure thus the patronizing Roman Made Horace spread the Wing; 10 Thus Dorset, by kind Deeds uncommon, Rais’d Prior up to sing. That there are Patrons yet for me, Here’s a convincing Proof, Since ANNANDALE gives Gowd as free, 15 As I can part with Snuff.

The Monk and the Miller’s Wife.



A Tale.

Now lend your Lugs, ye Benders fine, Wha ken the Benefit of Wine; And you wha laughing scud brown Ale, Leave Jinks a wee, and hear a Tale. An honest Miller wond in Fife, 5 That had a young and wanton Wife, Wha sometimes thol’d the Parish Priest To mak her Man a twa-horn’d Beast: He paid right mony Visits till her; And to keep in with Hab the Miller, 10 He endeavour’d aft to mak him happy, Where e’er he kend the Ale was nappy. Sic Condescension in a Pastor, Knit Halbert’s Love to him the faster; And by his Converse, troth ’tis true, 15 Hab learn’d to preach when he was fou. Thus all the three were wonder pleas’d, The Wife well serv’d, the Men well eas’d. This ground his Corns, and that did cherish 335

Poems Himsell with dining round the Parish. 20 Bess the Good-wife thought it nae Skaith, Since she was able to serve them baith. When equal is the Night and Day, And Ceres gives the Schools the Play, A Youth sprung frae a gentle Pater, 25 Bred at Saint Andro’s Alma Mater, Ae Day gawn hameward, it fell late, And him benighted by the Gate: To ly without, Pit-mirk did shore him; He coudna see his Thumb before him: 30 But, Clack, — clack, — clack, he heard a Mill, Whilk led him be the Lugs theretill. To tak the threed of Tale alang, This Mill to Halbert did belang. Not less this Note your Notice claims, 35 The Scholar’s Name was Master James. Now, smiling Muse, the Prelude past, Smoothly relate a Tale shall last As lang as Alps and Grampian Hills, As lang as Wind or Water-mills. 40 In enter’d James, Hab saw and kend him, And offer’d kindly to befriend him With sic good Chear as he cou’d make, Baith for his ain and Father’s Sake. The Scholar thought himsell right sped, 45 And gave him Thanks in Terms well bred. Quoth Hab, I canna leave my Mill As yet; — but step ye west the Kill A Bow-shot, and ye’ll find my Hame: Gae warm ye, and crack with our Dame, 50 Till I set aff the Mill; syne we Shall tak what Bessy has to gi’e. James, in Return, what’s handsome said, O’er lang to tell; and aff he gade. Out of the House some Light did shine, 55 Which led him till’t as with a Line: Arriv’d, he knock’d; for Doors were steekit; Straight throw a Window Bessy keekit, And cries, “Wha’s that gi’es Fowk a Fright “At sic untimous time of Night?” 60 James with good Humour, maist discreetly, Tald her his Circumstance completely. “I dinna ken ye, quoth the Wife, “And up and down the Thieves are rife: “Within my lane, I’m but a Woman; 65 “Sae I’ll unbar my Door to nae Man. 336

The Monk and the Miller's Wife “But since ’tis very like, my Dow, “That all ye’re telling may be true, “Hae there’s a Key, gang in your Way “At the neist Door, there’s braw Ait Strae; 70 “Streek down upon’t, my Lad, and learn, “They’re no ill lodg’d that get a Barn.” Thus after meikle Clitter-clatter, James fand he coudna mend the Matter; And since it might not better be, 75 With Resignation took the Key, Unlockt the Barn, — clam up the Mou, Where was an Opening near the Hou, Throw whilk he saw a Glent of Light, That gave Diversion to his Sight: 80 By this he quickly cou’d discern A thin Wa’ separate House and Barn, And throw this Rive was in the Wa’, All done within the House he saw: He saw (what ought not to be seen, 85 And scarce gave Credit to his Een) The Parish Priest of reverend Fame In active Courtship with the Dame. — To lengthen out Description here, Wou’d but offend the modest Ear, 90 And beet the lewder youthfu’ Flame, That we by Satyre strive to tame. Suppose the wicked Action o’er, And James continuing still to glower; Wha saw the Wife, as fast as able, 95 Spread a clean Servite on the Table, And syne, frae the Ha’ Ingle, bring ben A pyping het young roasted Hen, And twa good Bottles stout and clear, Ane of strong Ale, and ane of Beer. 100 But wicked Luck, just as the Priest Shot in his Fork in Chucky’s Breast, Th’ unwelcome Miller ga’e a Roar, Cry’d, Bessy, haste ye open the Door. — With that the haly Letcher fled, 105 And darn’d himsell behind a Bed; While Bessy huddl’d a’ things by, That nought the Cuckold might espy; Syne loot him in; — but out of tune, Speer’d why he left the Mill sae soon, 110 I come, said he, as Manners claims, To crack and wait on Master James, Whilk I shou’d do, tho’ ne’er sae bissy: I sent him here, Goodwife, where is he? “Ye sent him here! (quoth Bessy, grumbling;) 115 337

Poems “Kend I this James! A Chiel came rumbling: “But how was I assur’d, when dark, “That he had been nae thievish Spark, “Or some rude Wencher, gotten a Dose, “That a weak Wife cou’d ill oppose?” And what came of him? Speak nae langer, Crys Halbert in a Highland Anger. “I sent him to the Barn,” quoth she. Gae quickly bring him in, quoth he.

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JAMES was brought in; — the Wife was bawked; 125 The Priest stood close; — the Miller cracked: — Then ask’d his sunkan gloomy Spouse, What Supper had she in the House, That might be suitable to gi’e, Ane of their Lodger’s Qualitie? 130 Quoth she, “Ye may well ken, Goodman, “Your Feast comes frae the Pottage-Pan: “The Stov’d or Roasted we afford, “Are aft great Strangers on our Board.” Pottage, quoth Hab, ye senseless Tawpie! 135 Think ye this Youth’s a Gilly-gawpy; And that his gentle Stamock’s master To worry up a Pint of Plaister, Like our Mill Knaves that lift the Laiding, Whase Kytes can streek out like raw Plaiding. 140 Swith roast a Hen, or fry some Chickens, And send for Ale frae Maggy Pickens. “Hout I, quoth she, ye may well ken, “’Tis ill brought butt that’s no there ben; “When but last Owk, nae farder gane, 145 “The Laird got a’ to pay his Kain.” Then James, wha had as good a Guess Of what was in the House as Bess, With pawky Smile, this Plea to end, To please himsell, and ease his Friend, First open’d with a slee Oration His wond’rous Skill in Conjuration. Said he, “By this fell Art I’m able “To whop aff any great Man’s Table “What e’er I like, to make a Mail of, “Either in part, or yet the hail off; “And if ye please, I’ll shaw my Art. —” Crys Halbert, Faith with a’ my Heart! Bess sain’d herself, — cry’d, LORD be here! And near hand fell a swoon for Fear. James leugh, and bade her nothing dread, Syne to his Conjuring went with Speed; And first he draws a Circle round, 338

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The Monk and the Miller's Wife Then utters mony a magick Sound, Of Words part Latin, Greek and Dutch, 165 Enow to fright a very Witch: That done, he says, Now, now ’tis come, And in the Boal beside the Lum: Now set the Board; Goodwife, gae ben, Bring frae yon Boal a roasted Hen. 170 She wadna gang, but Haby ventur’d; And soon as he the Ambrie enter’d, It smell’d sae well, he short time sought it, And, wondring, ’tween his Hands he brought it. He view’d it round, and thrice he smell’d it, 175 Syne with a gentle Touch he felt it. Thus ilka Sense he did conveen, Lest Glamour had beguil’d his Een: They all, in a united Body, Declar’d it a fine fat How-towdy. 180 Nae mair about it, quoth the Miller, The Fowl looks well, and we’ll fa’ till her. Sae be’t, says James; and in a doup, They snapt her up baith Stoup and Roup. “Neist, O! crys Halbert, cou’d your Skill, “But help us to a Waught of Ale, “I’d be oblig’d t’ ye a’ my Life, “And offer to the Deel my Wife, “To see if he’ll discreeter make her, “But that I’m fleed he winna take her.” Said James, Ye offer very fair; The Bargain’s hadden, say nae mair. Then thrice he shook a Willow Wand, With kittle Words thrice gave Command; That done, with Look baith learn’d and grave, Said, Now ye’ll get what ye wad have; Twa Bottles of as nappy Liquor, As ever ream’d in Horn or Bicquor, Behind the Ark that hads your Meal, Ye’ll find twa standing corkit well. He said, and fast the Miller flew, And frae their Nest the Bottles drew; Then first the Scholar’s Health he toasted, Whase Art had gart him feed on roasted; His Father’s neist, — and a’ the rest Of his good Friends that wish’d him best, Which were o’er longsome at the time, On a short Tale to put in Rhime. Thus while the Miller and the Youth, Were blythly slock’ning of their Drowth, 339

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Poems Bess fretting scarcely held frae greeting, The Priest enclos’d stood vex’d and sweating. O wow! said Hab, if ane might speer, Dear Master James, wha brought out Chear? Sic Laits appear to us sae awfu’, 215 We hardly think your Learning lawfu’. “To bring your Doubts to a Conclusion, “Says James, ken I’m a Rosiecrucian, “Ane of the Set that never carries “On traffick with black Deels or Fairies: 220 “There’s mony a Sp’rit that’s no a Deel, “That constantly around us wheel. “There was a sage call’d Albumazor, “Whase Wit was gleg as ony Razor. “Frae this great Man we learn’d the Skill, 225 “To bring these Gentry to our Will; “And they appear when we’ve a mind, “In ony Shape of humane Kind: “Now, if you’ll drap your foolish Fear, “I’ll gar my Pacolet appear.” 230 HAB fidg’d and leugh, his Elbuck clew, Baith fear’d and fond a Sp’rit to view: At last his Courage wan the Day, He to the Scholar’s Will gave way. BESSY be this began to smell 235 A Rat, but kept her Mind to’r sell: She pray’d like Howdy in her Drink, But mean time tipt young James a Wink. James frae his Eye an Answer sent, Which made the Wife right well content. 240 Then turn’d to Hab, and this advis’d, “What e’er ye see, be nought surpriz’d; “But for your Saul move not your Tongue, “And ready stand with a great Rung; “Syne as the Sp’rit gangs marching out, 245 “Be sure to lend him a sound Rout. “I bidna this be way of Mocking; “For nought delytes him mair than Knocking.” HAB got a Kent, — stood by the Hallan; And straight the wild mischievous Callan, 250 Cries, “Radamanthus Husky Mingo, “Monk-horner, Hipock, Jinko, Jingo, “Appear in Likeness of a Priest, “No like a Deel in Shape of Beast, “With gaping Chafts to fleg us a’. 255 340

The Monk and the Miller's Wife “Wauk forth; the Door stands to the Wa’.” Then frae the Hole where he was pent, The Priest approach’d right well content, With silent Pace strade o’er the Floor, Till he was drawing near the Door; Then, to escape the Cudgel, ran; But was not miss’d by the Goodman, Wha lent him on the Neck a Lounder, That gart him o’er the Threshold founder. Darkness soon hid him frae their Sight; Ben flew the Miller in a Fright: I trow, quoth he, I laid well on; But wow he’s like our ain Mess John!

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Advice to Mr. ----- on his Marriage. All Joy to you and your Amelie, May ne’er your Purse nor Vigour fail ye; But have a Care how you employ Them baith; and tutor well your Joy. Frae me an auld Dab take Advice, 5 And hane them baith, if ye be wise; For Warld’s Wasters, like poor Cripples, Look blunt with Poverty and Ripples: There an auld Saw to ilk ane notum, Better to save at Braird than Bottom; 10 Which means, your Purse and Person use As canny Poets do their Muse; For Whip and Spurring never prove Effectual, or in Verse of Love. Sae far, my Friend, in merry Strain, 15 I’ve given a douse Advice and plain, And honestly discharg’d my Conscience In Lines (tho’ hamely) far frae Nonsense. Some other Chiel may daftly sing, That kens but little of the thing, 20 And blaw ye up with windy Fancies That he has thigit frae Romances, Of endless Raptures, constant Glee, That never was, or ne’er will be. Alake! poor Mortals are not Gods, 25 And therefore often fall at Odds; But little Quarrels now and than Are nae great Faults ’tween Wife and Man: These help right aften to improve His Understanding and her Love. 30 341

Poems Your Rib and you, ’bout Hours of drinking, May chance to differ in your thinking; But that’s just like a Shower in May, That gars the Sun-blink seem mair gay. If e’er she tak the Pet, or fret, 35 Be calm, and yet maintain your State; And smiling, ca’ her little Foolie, Syne with a Kiss evite a Toolie. This Method’s ever thought the braver, Than either Cuffs, or Clish-ma-claver. 40 It shaws a Spirit low and common, That with ill Nature treats a Woman: They’re of a Make sae nice and fair, They must be manag’d with some Care; Respect them, they’ll be kind and civil, 45 But disregarded, prove the Devil.

To Mrs. M. M. on her Painting. To paint his Venus, auld Apelles Wal’d a’ the bonny Maids of Greece: Thou needs nae mair, but paint thy sell, Lass, To ding the Painter and his Piece.

The LURE: A Tale. The Sun just o’er the Hills was peeping, The Hynds arising, Gentry sleeping, The Dogs were barking, Cocks were crawing, Night-drinking Sots counting their Lawing; Clean were the Roads, and clear the Day, 5 When forth a Falconer took his Way, Nane with him but his she Knight errant, That acts in Air the bloody Tyrant; While with quick Wing, fierce Beek and Claws, She breaks divine and humane Laws; 10 Ne’er pleas’d, but with the Hearts and Livers Of Peartricks, Teals, Moor-powts and Plivers; Yet is she much esteem’d and dandl’d, Clean lodg’d, well fed, and saftly hand’d. Reason for this need be nae Wonder, 15 Her Parasites share in the Plunder. Thus sneaking Rooks about a Court, That make Oppression but their Sport, Will praise a paughty bloody King, And hire mean Hackney-Poets to sing 20 His Glories; while the Deel be licket He e’er attempt but what he sticket. 342

The Lure So, Sir, as I was gawn to say, This Falconer had tane his Way 25 O’er Calder-moor; and gawn the Moss up, He there forgather’d with a Gossip: And wha was’t, trow ye, but the Deel, That had diguis’d himsell sae weel In humane Shape, sae snug and wylie; Jude took him for a Burrlie-baillie: 30 His cloven Cloots were hid with Shoon, A Bonnet coor’d his Horns aboon: Nor spar he Fire, or Brimstone rifted, Nor awesome glowr’d; but cawmly lifted His Een and Voice, and thus began, 35 Good Morning t’ye, honest Man, Ye’re early out: — How far gae ye This Gate? — I’m blyth of Company — What Fowl is that, may ane demand, That stands sae trigly on your Hand? 40 “Wow Man! quoth Juden, where won ye? “The like was never speer’d at me! “Man, ’tis a Hawk, and e’en as good “As ever flew, or wore a Good.” Friend, I’m a Stranger, quoth auld Symmie, 45 I hope ye’ll no be angry wi’ me; The Ignorant maun ay be speering Questions, till they come to a Clearing. Then tell me mair — What do ye wi’t? It’s good to sing? or good to eat? 50 “For neither, answer’s simple Juden; “But helps to bring my Lord his Food in: “But Fowls start up that I wad hae, “Straight frae my Hand I let her gae; “Her Hood tane aff, she is not langsome 55 “In taking Captives, which I ransome “With a Dow’s Wing, or Chicken’s Leg.” Trowth, quoth the Deel, that’s nice! I beg Ye’ll be sae kind, as let me see How this same Bird of yours can flee. 60 “T’ oblige ye, Friend, I wanna stand.” — Syne loos’d the Falcon frae his Hand. Unhooded, up she sprang with Birr, While baith stood staring after her. But how d’ye get her back? said Nick. 65 “For that, quoth Jude, I have a Trick. “Ye see this Lure, — it shall command “Her upon Sight down to my Hand.” Syne twirl’d it thrice, with whieu-whieu-whieu — And straight upon’t the Falcon flew. 70 As I’m a Sinner! crys the Deel, I like this Pastime wonder weel; 343

Poems And since ye’ve been sae kindly free, To let her at my Bidding flee, I’ll entertain ye in my Gate. — 75 Mean time it was the Will of Fate, A hooded Friar (ane of that Clan Ye have descriv’d by Father * Gawin,19 In Master-keys) came up; good Saul! Him Satan cleek’t up by the Spaul, 80 Whip’d aff his Hood, and without mair, Ga’e him a Toss up in the Air. High flew the Son of Saint Loyola, While startled Juden gave a Hola! Bumbaz’d with Wonder, still he stood, 85 The Ferly had ’maist crudled his Blood, To see a Monk mount like a Facon, He ’gan to doubt if he was wakin: Thrice did he rub his Een to clear; And having master’d part o’s Fear, 90 “His Presence be about us a’! “He cries, the like I never saw: “See, see! he like a Lavrock tours — “He’ll reek the Starns in twa ’r three Hours! “Is’t possible to bring him back?” 95 For that, quoth Nick, I have a Knack; To train my Birds, I want na Lures, Can manage them as ye do your’s: And there’s ane coming, hie gate, hither, Shall soon bring down the haly Brither. 100 This was a fresh young Landwart Lass, With Cheeks like Cherries, Een like Glass; Few Coats she wore, and they were kilted, And (John come kiss me now) she lilted. As she skift o’er the Benty Knows, 105 Gawn to the Bught to milk the Ews; Her in his Hand slee Belzie hint up, As eith as ye wad to a Pint-Stoup, Inverted, wav’d her round his Head: Whieu, — Whieu, — he whistled, and with Speed 110 Down, quick as shooting Starns, the Priest Came souse upon the Lass’s Breast. The Moral of this Tale shews plainly That carnal Minds attempt but vainly Aboon this laigher Warld to mount, 115 While Slaves to Satan. * The reverend Anthony Gawin, formerly a Spanish Roman Catholick Priest, now an Irish Protestant Minister, who hath lately wrote three Volumes on the Tricks and Whoredoms of the Priests and Nuns; which Book he names Master-keys to Popery.

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An Anacreontique on Love

An Anacreontique on Love. When a’ the Warld had clos’d their Een, Fatigu’d with Labour, Care and Din, And quietly ilka weary Wight Enjoy’d the Silence of the Night: Then Cupid, that ill-deedy Get, 5 With a’ his Pith rapt at my Yet. Surpriz’d, throw Sleep, I cry’d, Wha’s that? Quoth he, A poor young Wean a’ wet; Oh! haste ye apen, — fear nae Skaith, Else soon this Storm will be my Death. 10 With his Complaint my Saul grew wae, For as he said I thought it sae; I took a Light, and fast did rin To let the chittering Infant in: And he appear’d to be nae Kow, For a’ his Quiver, Wings and Bow. His bairnly Smiles and Looks gave Joy, He seem’d sae innocent a Boy: I led him ben but any Pingle, And beekt him brawly at my Ingle; Dighted his Face, his Handies thow’d, ’Till his young Cheeks, like Roses, glow’d. But soon as he grew warm and fain, Let’s try, quoth he, if that the Rain Has wrang’d ought of my sporting Gear, And if my Bow-string’s hale and fier. With that his Arch’ry Graith he put In order, and made me his Butt; Mov’d back apiece, — his Bow he drew; Fast throw my Breast his Arrow flew. That done, as if he’d found a Nest, He leugh, and with unsonsy Jest, Cry’d, Nibour, I’m right blyth in Mind, That in good Tift my Bow I find: Did not my Arrow flie right smart? Ye’ll find it sticking in your Heart.

On Mr. Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs;



An Epigram.

The Good are glad, when Merit meets Reward; And thus they share the Pleasure of another, While little Minds, who only self regard, Will sicken at the Success of a Brother. 345

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Poems Hence I am pleas’d to find my self right class’d, Even by this Mark, that’s worthy of observing; It gives me Joy, the Patent lately pass’d In Favour of dear DRUMMOND, most deserving.

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The Address of the MUSE, To the Right Honourable George Drummond Esq; Lord Provost; and Council of Edinburgh. My Lord, my Patron, good and kind, Whose every Act of generous Care The Patriot shews, and trusty Friend; While Favours by your Thoughts refin’d, Both Publick and the Private share. 5 To You the Muse her duteous Homage pays, While Edinburgh’s Interest animates her Lays. Nor will the Best some Hints refuse: The narrow Soul, that least brings forth, To an Advice the rarest bows; 10 Which the extensive Mind allows, Being conscious of its genuine Worth, Fears no Eclipse; nor with dark Pride declines, A Ray from Light, that far inferior shines. Our Reason and Advantage call 15 Us to preserve what we esteem; And each should contribute, tho’ small, Like Silver Rivulets that fall In one, and make a spreading Stream. So should a City all her Care unite, 20 T’ engage with Entertainments of Delight. Man for Society was made, His Search of Knowledge has no Bound; Through the vast Deep he loves to wade, But subjects ebb, and Spirits fade, 25 On Wilds and thinly peopl’d Ground. Then where the World, in Minature, employs Its various Arts, the Soul its Wish enjoys. Sometimes the social Mind may rove, And trace, with Contemplation high, The natural Beauties of the Grove, Pleas’d with the Turtle’s making Love, While Birds chant in a Summer Sky. But when cold Winter snows the naked Fields, The City then its changing Pleasure yields. 346

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Address to Provost Drummond, &c. Then you, to whom pertains the Care, And have the Power to act aright, Nor pains, nor prudent Judging spare, The Good Town’s Failings to repair, And give her Lovers more Delight. 40 Much you have done, both useful and polite; O never tire! till every Plan’s complete. Some may object, We Money want, Of every Project Soul and Nerve. ’Tis true; — but sure, the Parliament 45 Will ne’er refuse frankly to grant Such Funds as good Designs deserve. The thriving well of each of Britain’s Towns, Adds to her Wealth, and more her Grandeur crowns. Allow that fifteen thousand Pounds 50 Were yearly on Improvements spent; If Luxury produce the Funds, And well laid out, there are no Grounds For murmuring, or the least Complaint: Materials all within our native Coast, 55 The Poor’s employ’d, we gain, and nothing’s lost. Two hundreds, for five Pounds a day, Will work like Turkish Galey Slaves; And, e’er they sleep, they will repay Back all the Publick forth did lay, 60 For small Support that Nature craves. Thus kept at Work, few Twangs of Guilt they feel, And are not tempt’ by pinching Want to steal. Most wisely did our City move, When * HOPE, who judges well and nice,20 65 Was chosen fittest to improve, From rushy Tufts the pleasing Grove, From Bogs a rising Paradise. Since Earth’s Foundation, to our present Day, The beauteous Plain in Mud neglected lay. 70 Now, evenly planted, hedg’d and drain’d, Its Verdures please the Scene and Sight; And here the Fair may walk unpain’d, Her flowing Silks and Shows unstain’d, Round the green Circus of Delight: 75 Which shall by ripening Time still sweeter grow, And HOPE be fam’d while Scotsmen draw the Bow. * Mr. Hope of Rankeilour, who has beautifully planted, hedged and drained Straiton’s Meadow, which was formerly the Bottom of a Lake.

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Poems Ah! while I sing, the Northern Air, Throu’ Gore and Carnage gives Offence; Which should not, while a River fair, 80 Without our Walls flows by so near; Carriage from thence but small Expence: The useful Corporation too would find, By working there, more Health, and Ease of Mind. Then sweet our Nothern Flowers would blow, 85 And sweet our Nothern Alleys end: Sweet all the Nothern Springs would flow, Sweet Nothern Trees and Herbs would grow, And from the Lake a Field be gain’d: Where on the Springs green Margent by the Dawn, 90 Our Maids might wash, and blanch their Lace and Lawn. * Forbid a nasty Pack to place21 On Stalls unclean their Herbs and Roots, On the High-street a vile Disgrace, And tempting to our Infant-race, 95 To swallow Poison with their Fruits, Give them a Station, where less spoil’d and seen, The healthful Herbage may keep fresh and clean. Besides, they straiten much our Street, When those who drive the Hack and Dray, 100 In drunk and rude Confusion meet, We know not where to turn our Feet; Mortal our Hazard every Way. Too oft the Ag’d, the Deaf and little Fry, Hem’d in with Stalls, crush’d under Axles ly. 105 Clean Order yields a vast Delight, And Genius’s that brightest shine, Prefer the Pleasure of the Sight Justly, to theirs who Day and Night Sink Health and active Thought in Wine. 110 Happy the Man that’s clean in House and Weed, Tho’ Water be his Drink, and Oat’s his Bread. Kind Fate, on them whom I admire Bestow neat Rooms and Gardens fair, * With the more Freedom some Thoughts in these Stanza’s are advanced, because several Citizens of the best thinking, both in and out of the Magistracy, incline to, and have such Views, if they were not oppos’d by some of gross old-fashion’d Notions. Such will tell you, O! the Street of Edinburgh is the finest Garden of Scotland. And how can it otherwise be, considering how well ’tis dung’d every Night? But this Abuse we hope to see reform’d soon, when the Cart and Warning Bell shall leave the lazy Slatern without Excuse, after Ten at Night.

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Address to Provost Drummond, &c. Pictures that speak the Painter’s Fire, 115 And Learning which the Nine inspire, With Friends that all his Thoughts may share; A House in Edinburgh, when the sullen Storm Defaces Nature’s joyous fragrant Form. O! may we hope to see a Stage, 120 Fill’d with the best of such as can Smile down the Follies of the Age, Correct dull Pride and Party-rage, And cultivate the growing Man; And shew the Virgin every proper Grace, 125 That makes her Mind as comely as her Face. Nor will the most devout oppose, When with a strict judicious Care, The Scenes most vertuous shall be chose, That numerous are, forbidding those 130 That shock the Modest, Good and Fair. The best of things may often be abus’d; That argues not, when right, to be refus’d. Thus, what our Fathers wasting Blood, Of old from the South Britons won, 135 When Scotland reach’d to Humber’s Flood, We shall regain by Arts less rude, And bring the Best and Fairest down, From England’s Northern Counties, nigh as far Distant from Court, as we of Pictland are. 140 Thus far inspir’d with honest Zeal, These Thoughts are offer’d with Submission, By your own Bard, who ne’er shall fail The Interest of the Common-weal; While you indulge and grant Permission To your oblig’d, thus humbly to rehearse His honest and well-meaning Thoughts in Verse.

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On his Grace the Duke of Hamilton’s shooting an Arrow through the Neck of an Eel. As from a Bow a fatal Flane, Train’d by Apollo from the Main, In Water pierc’d an Eel; Sae may the Patriot’s Power and Art, Sic Fate to souple Rogues impart, 5 That drumble the Common-weal. Tho’ they, as ony Eels, are slid, 349

Poems And thro’ that’s vile can scud, A Bolt may reach them, tho’ deep hid, They sculk beneath their Mud.

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Betty and Kate;

A Pastoral Farewell to Mr. Aikman, when he went for London. BETTY. Dear Katie, Willy’s e’en away! Willy, of Herds the wale, To feed his Flock, and make his Hay Upon a distant Dale, Far to the Southward of this Height 5 Where now we dowie stray; Ay hartsome when he chear’d our Sight, And leugh with us a’ Day. KATE. O Willy can Dale Dainties please Thee mair than Moorland Ream; 10 Does Isis flow with sweeter Ease Than Fortha’s gentle Stream? Or takes thou rather mair Delyt In the Strae-hatted Maid, Than in the blooming red and whyt 15 Of her that wears the Plaid? BETTY. Na, Kate, for that we needna mourn, He is not gi’en to Change; But Sauls of sic a shining Turn, For Honour’s like to range: 20 Our Laird, and a’ the Gentry round, Who mauna be said nay, Sic Pleasure in his Art have found, They winna let him stay. Blyth I have stood frae Morn to Een, 25 To see how trye and weel He could delyt us on the Green With a piece Cawk and Keel, On a slid Stane, or smoother Slate, He can the Picture draw 30 Of you or me, or Sheep or Gair, The likest e’er ye saw. Lass thinkna Shame to ease your Mind, I see ye’re like to greet; 350

Betty and Kate: A Pastoral Let gae these Tears, ’tis justly kind, For Shepherd sae complete.

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KATE. Far, far! o’er far frae Spey and Clyde, Stands that great Town of Lud, To whilk our best Lads rin and ride; That’s like to put us wood: 40 For sindle times they e’er come back, Wha anes are heftit there. Sure Bess their Hills are no sae black, Nor yet their Howms sae bare. BETTY. Our Riggs are rich, and green our Heights, 45 And well our Cares reward; But yield, nae doubt, far less Delights, In Absence of our Laird. But we maun cawmly now submit, And our ill Luck lament, 50 And leave’t to his ain Sense and Wit To find his Heart’s Content. A thousand Gates he had to win The Love of auld and young, Did a’ he did with little Din; 55 And in nae Deed was dung. KATE. WILLIAM and MARY never fail’d To welcome with a Smile, And hearten us, when ought we ail’d, Without designing Guile. 60 Lang may she happily posses Wha’s in his Breast infeft, And may their bonny Bairns increase, And a’ with Rowth be left. O William win your Laurels fast, 65 And syne we’ll a’ be fain, Soon as your wandring Days are past, And you’re return’d again. BETTY. Revive her Joys by your Return, To whom you first gave Pain; 70 Judge how her Passions for you burn, By these you bear your ain. Sae may your Kirn with Fatness flow, And a’ your Ky be sleek; And may your Heart with Gladness glow, 75 In finding what ye seek. 351

Poems

To Mr. David Malloch,

On his Departure from Scotland. Since Fate, with Honour, bids thee leave Thy Country for a while, It is nae friendly Part to grieve, When Powers propitious smile. The Task assign’d thee’s great and good, 5 To cultivate two GRAHAMS, Wha from bauld Heroes draw their Blood Of brave immortal Names. Like Wax the dawning Genius takes Impressions, thrawin or even; 10 Then he wha fair the Molding makes, Does Journey-work for Heaven. The sowr weak Pedants spoil the Mind Of those beneath their Care, Who think Instruction is confin’d 15 To poor Grammatick Ware. But better kens my Friend, and can Far nobler Plans design, To lead the Boy up to a Man That’s fit in Courts to shine. 20 Frae Grampian Heights, some may object, Can you sic Knowledge bring? But those laigh Thinkers ne’er reflect, Some Sauls ken ilka thing With vaster Ease at the first Glance, 25 Than misty Minds that plod And thresh for Thought, but ne’er advance Their Stawk aboon their Clod. But he * that could in tender Strains22 Raise Margaret’s plaining Shade, 30 And paint Distress that chills the Veins, While William’s Crimes are red; Shaws to the World, cou’d they observe, A clear deserving Flame — Thus I can roose without Reserve, 35 When Truth supports my Theme. * William and Margaret, a Ballad in Imitation of the old Manner, wherein the Strength of Thought and Passion is more observed than a Rant of unmeaning Words.

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To Mr. David Malloch Gae, Lad, and win a Nation’s Love, By making those in trust, Like WALLACE’S † ACHATES prove,23 Wise, Generous, Brave and Just.

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Sae may his Grace, the illustrious Sire, With Joy paternal see Their rising Bleez of manly Fire, And pay his Thanks to thee.

To CALISTA: An EPIGRAM. Anes Wisdom, Majesty and Beauty, Contended to allure the Swain, Wha fain wad paid to ilk his Duty; But only ane the Prize could gain. Were Jove again to redd Debate 5 Between his Spouse and Daughters twa, And were it dear Calista’s Fate To bid amang them for the Ba’: When given to her, the Shepherd might Then with the single Apple serve a’; 10 Since she’s possest of a’ that’s bright In Juno, Venus, and Minerva.

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. Here lyes a Man, whose upright Heart With Vertue was profusely stor’d, Who acted well the honest Part Between the Tenants and their Lord. Between the Sands and flinty Rock 5 Thus steer’d he in the Golden Mean, While his blyth Countenance bespoke A Mind unruffl’d and serene. As to great BRUCE and FLEMINGS prov’d † The heroick Sir John Graham, the Glory of his Name and Nation, (and dearest Friend of the renowned Sir William Wallace) Ancestor of his Grace Duke of Montrose.

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Poems Faithful, so to the FLEMINGS Heir 10 WARDLAW behav’d, and was belov’d For’s Justice, Candor, Faith and Care. His Merit shall preserve his Fame To latest Ages, free from Rust, ’Till the Arch-Angel raise his Frame 15 To join his Soul amongst the Just.

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Sacred to the Memory of her Grace

Anne Dutchess of Hamilton.

Why sounds the Plain with sad Complaint? Why hides the Sun his Beams? Why sigh the Winds sae bleak and cauld? Why mourn the swelling Streams? Wail on, ye Heights; ye Glens, complain; 5 Sun, wear thy cloudy Veil: Sigh, Winds, frae frozen Caves of Snaw: Clyde, mourn the rueful Tale. She’s dead, the beauteous ANNA’s dead; All Nature wears a Gloom: 10 Alas! the comely budding Flower, Is faded in the Bloom. Clos’d in the weeping Marble Vault, Now cauld and blae she lies; Nae mair the Smiles adorn her Cheek, 15 Nae mair she lifts her Eyes. Too soon, O sweetest, fairest, best, Young Parent, lovely Mate, Thou leaves thy Lord and Infant Son, To weep thy early Fate. 20 But late thy chearfu’ Marriage-day, Gave Gladness all around; But late in thee, the youthful Chief A Heaven of Blessings found. His Bosom swells, for much he lov’d; Words fail to paint his Grief: 354

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Ode to the Memory of Anne Dutchess of Hamilton He starts in Dream, and grasps thy Shade, The Day brings nae Relief. The fair Illusion skims away, And Grief again returns; 30 Life’s Pleasures make a vain Attempt, Disconsolate he mourns. He mourns his Loss, a Nations Loss, It claims a Flood of Tears, When sic a lov’d illustrious Star 35 Sae quickly disappears. With Roses and the Lilly Buds, Ye Nymphs, her Grave adorn, And weeping tell, Thus sweet she was, Thus early from us torn. 40 To silent twilight Shades retire, Ye melancholy Swains, In melting Notes repete her Praise, In sighing vent your Pains. But haste, calm Reason, to our Aid, 45 And paining Thoughts subdue, By placing of the pious Fair In a mair pleasing View: Whose white immortal Mind now shines, And shall for ever bright, 50 Above th’ Insult of Death and Pain, By the first Spring of Light. There joins the high melodious Thrang, That strike eternal Strings: In Presence of Omnipotence, 55 She now a Seraph sings. Then cease, Great JAMES, thy flowing Tears, Nor rent thy Soul in vain: Frae Bowers of Bliss she’ll ne’er return To thy kind Arms again, 60 With Goodness still adorn thy Mind, True Greatness still improve; Be still a Patriot just and brave. And meet thy Saint above.

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O D E

To the Memory of Sir ISAAC NEWTON; Inscrib’d to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge. Great NEWTON’s dead, — full ripe his Fame; Cease, vulgar Grief, to cloud our Song: We thank the Author of our Frame, Who lent him to the Earth so long. The God-like Man now mounts the Sky, 5 Exploring all yon radiant Spheres; And with one View can more descry, Than here below in eighty Years: Tho’ none, with greater Strength of Soul, Could rise to more divine a Height, 10 Or range the Orbs from Pole to Pole, And more improve the humane Sight. Now with full Joy he can survey These Worlds, and ev’ry shining Blaze, That countless in the Milky Way, 15 Only thro’ Glasses shew their Rays. Thousands in thousand Arts excell’d, But often to one Part confin’d; While ev’ry Science stood reveal’d And clear to his capacious Mind.

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His Penetration, most profound, Launch’d far in that extended Sea, Where humane Minds can reach no Bound, And never div’d so deep as he. Sons of the East and Western World, 25 When on this Leading Star ye gaze, While Magnets guide the Sail unfurl’d, Pay to his Memory due Praise. Thro’ ev’ry Maze he was the Guide; While others crawl’d, he soar’d above: 30 Yet Modestly, unstain’d with Pride, Increas’d his Merit, and our Love. He shunn’d the Sophistry of Words, Which only hatch contentious Spite; His Learning turn’d on what affords 35 By Demonstration most Delight. 356

Ode to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton BRITAIN may honourable boast, And glory in her matchless Son, Whose Genius has invented most, And finish’d what the rest begun. 40 Ye Fellows of the Royal Class, Who honour’d him to be your Head, Erect in finest Stone and Brass Statues of the Illustrious Dead. Altho’ more lasting than them all, 45 Or ev’n the Poet’s highest Strain, His Works, as long as wheels this Ball, Shall his great Memory sustain. May from your Learned Band arise Newtons to shine thro’ future Times, 50 And bring down Knowledge from the Skies, To plant on wild Barbarian Climes. ’Till Nations, few Degrees from Brutes, Be brought into each proper Road, Which leads to Wisdom’s happiest Fruits, To know their Saviour and their God.

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To William Somervile of Warwickshire Esq; on reading several of his excellent Poems. Sir, I have read, and much admire Your Muse’s gay and easy Flow, Warm’d with that true Idalian Fire That gives the bright and cheerful Glow. I con’d each Line with joyous Care, 5 As I can such from Sun to Sun; And like the Glutton o’er his Fate Delicious, thought them too soon done. The witty Smile, Nature and Art, In all your Numbers so combine, 10 As to complete their just Desert, And grace them with uncommon Shine. Delighted we your Muse regard, When she like Pindar’s spreads her Wings; And Vertue being its own Reward, 15 Expresses by the Sister Springs. 357

Poems Emotions tender croud the Mind, When with the Royal Bard you go, To sigh in Notes divinely kind, The Mighty faln on Mount Gilbo. 20 Much surely was the Virgin’s Joy, Who with the Iliad had your Lays; For e’er, and since the Siege of Troy We all delight in Love and Praise. These Heaven-born Passions, such desire, 25 I never yet cou’d think a Crime; But first-rate Vertues which inspire The Soul to reach at the Sublime. But often Men mistake the Way, And pump for Fame by empty Boast, 30 Like your gilt Ass, who stood to bray, Till in a Flame his Tail he lost. Him th’ incurious Bencher hits, With his own Tale, so tight and clean, That while I read, Streams gush, by Fits 35 Of hearty Laughter, from my Een. Old Chaucer, Bard of vast Ingine, Fontain and Prior, who have sung Blyth Tales the best; had they heard thine On Lob, they’d own themselves out-done. 40 The Plot’s pursu’d with so much Glee, The two officious Dog and Priest, The ’Squire oppress’d, I own, for me, I never heard a better Jest. POPE well describ’d an Omber Game, 45 And King revenging Captive Queen; He merits; but had won more Fame, If Author of your Bowling-Green. You paint your Parties, play each Bowl, So natural, just, and with such Ease, 50 That while I read, upon my Soul! I wonder how I chance to please. Yet I have pleas’d, and please the best; And sure to me Laurels belong, Since British Fair, and ’mongst the best, 55 Somervile’s Consort likes my Song. 358

To William Somervile Esq; Ravish’d I heard th’ harmonious Fair Sing, like a Dweller of the Sky, My Verses with a Scotian Air; Then Saints were not so blest as I.

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In her the valu’d Charms unite; She really is what all would seem, Gracefully handsome, wise and sweet: ’Tis Merit to have her Esteem. Your noble Kinsman her lov’d Mate, 65 Whose Worth claims all the World Respect, Met in her Love a smiling Fate, Which has, and must have good Effect. You both from one great Lineage spring, Both from de Somervile, who came, 70 With William England’s conquering King, To win fair Plains, and lasting Fame. WHICHNOUR he left to’s eldest Son; That first-born Chief you represent: His second came to Caledon, 75 From whom our SOMER’LE take Descent. On Him and You may Fate bestow Sweet balmy Health and cheerful Fire, As long’s ye’d wish to live below, Still blest with all you wou’d desire.

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O Sir! oblige the World, and spread In Print * those and your other Lays;24 This (shall be better’d while they read) And after Ages sound your Praise. I cou’d enlarge — but if I shou’d 85 On what you’ve wrote, my Ode wou’d run Too great a length — Your Thoughts so croud, To note them all, I’d ne’er have done. Accept this Offering of a Muse, Who on her Pictland Hills ne’er tires; 90 Nor shou’d (when Worth invites) refuse To sing the Person she admires.

* Since the writing of this Ode, Mr. Somervile’s Poems are printed by Mr. Lintot in an 8vo Vol.

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From Mr. Somervile. Near fair Avona’s Silver Tide, Whose Waves in soft Meanders glide, I read, to the delighted Swains, Your jocund Songs, and rural Strains. Smooth as her Streams your Numbers flow, 5 Your Thoughts in vary’d Beauties show, Like Flow’rs that on her Borders grow. While I survey, with ravish’d Eyes, This * friendly Gift, my valu’d Prize,25 Where Sister Arts, with Charms divine, 10 In their full Bloom and Beauty shine, Alternately my Soul is blest. Now I behold my welcome Guest, That graceful, that engaging Air, So dear to all the Brave and Fair. 15 Nor has th’ ingenious Artist sown His outward Lineaments alone, But in th’ expressive Draught design’d, The nobler Beauties of his Mind; True Friendship, Love, Benevolence, 20 Unstudied Wit, and manly Sense. Then, as your Book, I wander o’er, And feast on the delicious Store, (Like the laborious busy Bee, Pleas’d with the sweet Variety) 25 With equal Wonder and Surprize, I see resembling Portraits rise. Brace Archers march in bright Array, In Troups the vulgar line the Way. Here the droll Figures slily sneer, 30 Or Coxcombs at full length appear. There Woods and Lawns, a rural Scene, And Swains that gambol on the Green. Your Pen can act the Pencil’s Part With greater Genius, Fire and Art. 35

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Believe me, Bard, no hunted Hind That pants against the Southern Wind, And seeks the Stream thro’ unknown Ways; No Matron in her teeming Days, E’er felt such Longings, such Desires, 40 As I to view those lofty Spires, Those Domes, where fair Edina shrouds * Lord Somervile was pleased to send me his own Picture, and Mr. Ramsay’s Works.

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An Epistle from Mr. Somervile Her tow’ring Head amid the Clouds. But oh! what Dangers interpose? Vales deep with Dirt, and Hills with Snows, 45 Proud Winter-Floods with rapid Force, Forbid the pleasing Intercourse. But sure we Bards whose purer Clay, Nature has mixt with less Allay, Might soon find out an easier Way. 50 Do not sage Matrons mount on high, And switch their Broom-sticks thro’ the Sky; Ride post o’er Hills, and Woods, and Seas, From Thule to th’ † Hesperides?26 And yet the Men of Gresham own 55 That this and stranger Feats are done, By a warm Fancy’s Power alone. This granted; Why can’t you and I Stretch forth our Wings, and cleave the Sky? Since our Poetick Brains, you know, 60 Than theirs must more intensely glow. Did not the Theban Swan take wing, Sublimely soar, and sweetly sing? And do not we of humbler Vein, Sometimes attempt a loftier Strain, 65 Mount sheer out of the Reader’s Sight, Obscurely lost in Clouds and Night?

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Then climb your Pegasus with Speed, I’ll meet thee on the Banks of Tweed: Not as our Fathers did of Yore, 70 To swell the Flood with Crimson Gore; Like the Cadmean murd’ring Brood, Each thirsting for his Brother’s Blood. For now all hostile Rage shall cease; Lull’d in the downy Arms of Peace, 75 Our honest Hands and Hearts shall join, O’er jovial Banquets, sparkling Wine. Let Peggy at thy Elbow wait, And I shall bring my bonny Kate. But hold — Oh! take a special Care, 80 T’ admit no prying Kirkman there; I dread the Penitential Chair. What a strange Figure shou’d I make, A poor abandon’d English Rake; A Squire well-born, and six Foot high, 85 Perch’d in that sacred Pillory? Let Spleen and Zeal be banish’d thence, And troublesome Impertinence, That tells his Story o’er again:

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† The Scilly Islands were so called by the Antients, as Mr. Camden observes.

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Poems Ill Manners and his saucy Train, 90 And Self conceit, and stiff-rumpt Pride, That grin at all the World beside; Foul Scandal, with a Load of Lies, Intrigues, Rencounters, Prodigies; Fame’s busy Hawker, light as Air, 95 That feeds on Frailties of the Fair: Envy, Hypocrisy, Deceit, Fierce Party-Rage, and warm Debate; And all the Hell-hounds that are Foes To Friendship, and the World’s Repose. 100 But Mirth instead, and dimpling Smiles, And Wit, that gloomy Care beguiles; And Joke, and Pun, and merry Tale, And Toasts, that round the Table sail: While Laughter, bursting thro’ the Crowd 105 In Vollies, tells our Joys aloud. Hark! the shrill Piper mounts on high, The Woods, the Streams, the Rocks reply, To this far-sounding Melody. Behold each lab’ring Squeeze prepare 110 Supplies of modulated Air. Observe Croudero’s active Bow, His Head still noddling to and fro, His Eyes, his Cheeks with Raptures glow. See, see the bashful Nymphs advance, 115 To lead the regulated Dance; Flying still, the Swains pursuing, Yet with backward Glances wooing. This, this shall be the joyous Scene; Nor wanton Elves that skim the Green 120 Shall be so blest, so blyth, so gay, Or less regard what Dotards say. My Rose shall then your Thistle greet, The Union shall be more compleat; And, in a Bottle and a Friend, 125 Each National Dispute shall end.

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Answer to the above Epistle

From William Somervile Esq; of Warwickshire. Sir, I had your’s, and own my Pleasure, On the Receipt, exceeded Measure. You write with so much Sp’rit and Glee, Sae smooth, sae strong, correct and free; That any He (by you allow’d 5 To have some Merit) may be proud. If that’s my Fault, bear you the Blame, 362

Answer to Mr. Somervile's Epistle Wha’ve lent me sic a Lift to Fame. Your ain tours high, and widens far, Bright glancing like a first-rate Star, 10 And all the World bestow due Praise On the Collection of your Lays; Where various Arts and Turns combine, Which even in Parts first Poets shine: Like Mat and Swift ye sing with Ease, 15 And can be Waller when you please. Continue, Sir, and shame the Crew That’s plagued with having nought to do, Who Fortune in a merry Mood Has overcharg’d with gentle Blood, 20 But has deny’d a Genius fit For Action of aspiring Wit; Such kenna how t’ employ their Time, And think Activity a Crime: Aught they to either do, or say, 25 Or walk, or write, or read, or pray! When Money, their Factotum’s able To furnish them a numerous Rabble, Who will, for daily Drink and Wages, Be Chair-men, Chaplains, Clerks and Pages: 30 Could they, like you, employ their Hours In planting these delightful Flowers, Which carpet the Poetick Fields, And lasting Funds of Pleasure yields; Nae mair they’d gaunt and gove away, 35 Or sleep or loiter out the Day, Or waste the Night damning their Sauls In deep Debauch, and bawdy Brawls: Whence Pox and Poverty proceed An early Eild, and Spirits dead. 40 Reverse of You; — and Him you Love, Whose brighter Spirit tours above The Mob of thoughtless Lords and Beaus, Who in ilka Actions shows True Friendship, Love, Benevolence, 45 Unstudy’d Wit, and manly Sense. Allow here what you’ve said your sell, Nought can b’ exprest so just and well: To Him and Her, worthy his Love, And every Blessing from above, 50 A Son is given, GOD save the Boy, For theirs and every Som’ril’s Joy. Ye Wardins round him take your Place, And raise him with each manly Grace; Make his Meridian Vertues shine; 55 To add fresh Lustres to his Line: And many may the Mother see 363

Poems Of such a lovely Progeny. Now, Sir, when Boreas nae mair thuds Hail, Snaw and Sleet, frae blacken’d Clouds; 60 While Caledonia’s Hills are green, And a’ her Straths delight the Een; While ilka Flower with Fragrance blows, And a’ the Year it’s Beauty shows; Before again the Winter lour, 65 What hinders then your Nothern Tour? Be sure of Welcome: Nor believe These wha an ill Report would give To Ed’nburgh and the Land of Cakes, That nought what’s necessary lacks. 70 Here Plenty’s Goddess frae her Horn Pours Fish and Cattle, Claith and Corn, In blyth Abundance; — and yet mair, Our Men are brave, our Ladies fair. Now will North Britain yield for Fouth 75 Of ilka thing, and Fellows couth, To any but her Sister South. —

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True, rugged Roads are cursed driegh, And Speats aft roar frae Mountains high: The Body tires; — poor tottering Clay, 80 And likes with Ease at hame to stay; While Sauls stride Warlds at ilka Stend, And can their widening Views extend. Mine sees you, while you chearfu’ roam On sweet Avona’s flow’ry Howm, 85 These recollecting, with full View, These Follies which Mankind pursue; While, conscious of superior Merit, You rise with a correcting Spirit; And, as an Agent of the Gods, 90 Lash them with sharp satyrick Roads: Labour divine! — Next, for a Change, O’er Hill and Dale I see you range, After the Fox or whidding Hare, Confirming Health in purest Air; 95 While Joy frae Heights and Dales resounds, Rais’d by the Hola, Horn and Hounds: Fatigu’d, yet pleas’d, the Chace out-run, I see the Friend, and setting Sun, Invite you to the temp’rate Bicquor, 100 Which makes the Blood and Wit flow quicker. The Clock strikes Twelve, to Rest you bound, To save your Health by sleeping sound. Thus with cool Head and healsome Breast You see new Day stream frae the East: 105 364

Answer to Mr. Somervile's Epistle Then all the Muses round you shine, Inspiring every Thought divine; Be long their Aid — Your Years and Blesses, Your Servant ALLAN RAMSAY wishes.

REASONS for not answering the Hackney Scriblers, my obscure Enemies. These to my blyth indulgent Friends; Dull Faes nought at my Hand deserve: To pump an Answer’s a’ their Ends; But not ae Line, if they shou’d starve. Wha e’er shall with a Midding fight, 5 Of Victory will be beguild; Dealers in Dirt will be to dight, Fa’ they aboon or ’neath, they’re fil’d. It helps my Character to heez, When I’m the Butt of creeping Tools; 10 The Warld, by their daft Medley, sees, That I’ve nae Enemies but Fools. But sae it has been, and will be, While real Poets rise to Fame, Sic poor Macflecknos will let flee 15 Their Venom, and still miss their Aim. Should ane like Young or Somer’le write, Some canker’d Coof can say ’tis wrang: On Pope sic Mungrels shaw’d their Spite; And shot at Addison their Stang. 20 But well dear Spec the feckless Asses To wiest Insects even’d and painted, Sic as by magnifying Glasses Are only kend when throu’ them tented. The blundering Fellows ne’er foryet, 25 About my T[r]ade to f— their Fancies, As if, forsooth, I wad look blate At what my Honour maist advances. Auld Homer sang for’s daily Bread; Surprising Shakspear fin’d the Wool; 30 Great Virgil Creels and Baskets made; And famous Ben employ’d the Trowel. 365

Poems Yet Dorset, Launsdown, Lauderdale, Bucks, Stirling, and the Son of Angus, Even Monarchs, and of Men the Wale, 35 Were proud to be inrow’d amang us. Then, Hackneys, write till ye gae wood, Drudge for the Hawkers Day and Night; Your Malice cannot move my Mood, And equally your Praise I slight.

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I’ve gotten mair of Fame than’s due, Which is secur’d amang the best; And shou’d I tent the like of you, A little Saul wad be confest. Nae Mastive minds a yamphing Cur; 45 A Craig defies a frothy Wave; Nor will a Lyon raise his Fur, Altho’ a Monkey misbehave. Nam satis est Equitem mihi plaudere.

To Mr. DONALD MACEWEN Jeweller at St. Petersburg. How far frae hame my Friend seeks Fame! And yet I canna wyte ye, T’ employ your Fire, and still aspire, By Vertues that delyte ye. Should Fortune lour, ’tis in your Power, 5 If Heaven grant bawmy Health, T’ enjoy ilk Hour a Saul unsowr; Content’s nae Bairn of Wealth. It is the Mind that’s not confin’d To Passions mean and vile, 10 That’s never pin’d, while Thoughts refin’d Can gloomy Cares beguile. Then Donald may be e’en as gay, On Russia’s distant Shore, As on the Tay, where Usquebae 15 He us’d to drink before. But howsoe’er, haste, gather Gear, And syne pack up your Treasure; Then to Auld Reekie come, and beek ye, And close your Days with Pleasure. 20 366

To Mr. Donald Macewen

To the same, on receiving a Present from him of a Seal, Homer’s Head finely cut in Crystal, and set in Gold. Thanks to my frank ingenious Friend; Your Present’s most gentile and kind, Baith rich and shining as your Mind; And that immortal laurell’d Pow, Upon the Gem sae well design’d 5 And execute, sets me on Low. The heavenly Fire inflames my Breast, Whilst I unweary’d am in quest Of Fame, and hope that Ages niest Will do their Highland Bard the Grace, 10 Upon their Seals to cut his Crest, And blithest Strakes of his short Face. Far less great Homer ever thought (When he, harmonious Beggar! sought His Bread throu’ Greece) he should be brought, Frae Russia’s Shore by Captain * Hugh,27 To Pictland Plains, sae finely wrought On precious Stone, and set by You.

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A Ballad on bonny Kate. Cease, Poets, your cunning devising Of Rhimes that low Beauties o’er-rate; They all, like the Stars at the rising Of Phœbus, must yield to fair KATE. We sing, and we think it our Duty 5 To admire the kind Blessings of Fate That has favour’d the Earth with such Beauty, As shines so divinely in KATE. In her Smiles, in her Features and Glances, The Graces shine forth in full State, 10 While the God of Love dangerously dances On the Neck and white Bosom of KATE. How straight, how well-turn’d, and gentile, are Her Limbs! and how graceful her Gait! Their Hearts made of Stone, or of Steel are,

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* Captain Hugh Eccles, Master of a fine Merchant Ship, which he lost in the unhappy Fire at St. Petersburg.

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Poems That are not Adorers of KATE. But ah! what a sad Palpatation Feels the Heart, and how simple and blate Must he look, almost dead with Vexation, Whose Love is fixt hopeless on KATE? 20 Had I all the Charms of Adonis, And Galleons freighted with Plate, As SOLOMON wise; I’d think none is So worthy of all, as dear KATE. Ah! had she for me the same Passion, 25 I’d tune the Lyre early and late; The Sage’s Song on his Circasian, Should yield to my Sonnets on KATE. His Pleasure each Moment shall blossom, Unfading, gets her for his Mate; 30 He’ll grasp every Bliss in his Bosom, That’s linked by Hymen to KATE. Pale Envy may raise up false Stories, And Hell may promp Malice and Hate; But nothing shall sully their Glories, 35 Who are shielded with Vertue like KATE. This Name, say ye, many a Lass has, And t’ apply it may raise a Debate; But sure he as dull as an Ass is, That cannot join COCHRAN to KATE. 40

To Dr. J. C. who got the fore going to give to the young Lady. Here, happy Doctor, take this Sonnet, Bear to the Fair the faithful Strains: Bow, make a Leg, and d’off your Bonnet; And get a Kiss, for ALLAN’s Pains. For such a ravishing Reward, 5 The Cloud Compeller’s self would try To imitate a British Bard, And bear his Ballads from the Sky.

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Prologue, before the Acting of Aurenzebe and the Drummer

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. Be hush, ye Crowd, who pressing round appear only to stare – we speak to those can hear The nervous Phrase, which raises Thoughts more hy, When added Action leads them thro’ the Eye. To paint fair Vertue, Humours and Mistakes, 5 Is what our School with Pleasure undertakes, Thro’ various Incidents of Life, led on By DRYDEN, and immortal ADDISON: Those study’d Men, and knew the various Springs That mov’d the Minds of Coachmen and of Kings. 10 Altho’ we’re young – allow no Thought so mean, That any here’s to act the Harlequin: We leave such dumb-show Mimickry to Fools, Beneath the Sp’rit of Caledonian Schools. Learning’s our Aim, and all our Care, to reach 15 At Elegance and Gracefulness of Speech, And the Address, from Bashfulness refin’d, Which hangs a Weight upon a worthy Mind. The Grammar’s good, but Pedantry brings down The gentle Dunce below the sprightly Clown. 20 Get seven score Verse of Ovid’s Trist by heart; To rattle o’er; else I shall make you smart, Cry snarling Dominies that little ken: Such may teach Parots, but our * LESLY Men.28

EPILOGUE, after the acting of the Drummer spoke by Mr. Maurice Cockburn, another Son of Colonel Cockburn’s. Our Plays are done – Now criticise, and spare not; And tho’ you are not fully pleas’d, we care not. We have a Reason on our Side – and this is, Your Treat has one good Property – ’tis gratis. We’ve pleas’d our selves; and if we have good Judges, We value not a Head where nothing lodges. The generous Men of Sense will kindly praise us, And, if we make a little Snapper, raise us: Such know th’ aspiring Soul at manly Dawn, * Mr. John Lesley, Master of the School, a Gentleman of true Learning; who, by his excellent method, most worthily fills his Place.

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Poems Abhors the sowr Rebuke, and carping Thrawin; 10 But rises, on the Hope of a great Name, Up all the rugged Roads that lead to Fame. Our Breasts already pant to gain Renown At Senates, Courts, by Arms or by the Gown; Or by Improvements of Paternal Fields, 15 Which never failing Joy and Plenty yeilds; Or by the deep Draughts of the Castalian Springs, To soar with Mantuan or Horatian Wings. Hey Boys! the Day’s our ain! the Ladies smile! Which over-recompenses all our Toil! 20 Delights of Mankind, tho’ in some small Parts We are deficient, yet our Wills and Hearts Are your’s; and, when more perfect, shall endeavour, By acting better, to secure your Favour: To Spinnets then retire, and play a few Tunes, 25 ’Till we get thro’ our Gregories and Newtons; And, some Years hence, we’ll tell another Tale; ’Till then, ye bonny blooming Buds, — Farewell.

PROLOGUE spoke by Mr. Anthony Aston, The first Nigh[t] the[y] acted in Winter 1726. Tis I, — dear Caledonians, blythsome TONY, That oft, last Winter, pleas’d the Brave and Bonny With Medley, merry Song, and comick Scene; Your Kindness then has brought me here again: After a Circuit round the Queen of Isles, To gain your Friendship and approving Smiles, Experience bids me hope; — tho’ South the Tweed The Dastards said, “He never will succeed: “What! such a Country look for any Good in! “That does not relish Plays, — nor Pork, — nor Pudding!” Thus great Columbus by an Idiot Crew Was ridicul’d, at first, for his just View; Yet his undaunted Spirit ne’er gave Ground, Till he a new and better World had found. So I — laugh on — the Simile is bold; But Faith ’tis just: For till this Body’s cold, Columbus like, I’ll push for Fame and Gold.

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A Character

A CHARACTER. Of Judgement just, and Fancy clear, Industrious, yet not avaritious; No Slave to groundless Hope and Fear, Chearful, yet hating to be vitious. From Envy free, tho’ prais’d not vain, 5 Ne’er acting without Honour’s Warrant; Still equal, generous and humane, As Husband, Master, Friend and Parent. So modest, as scarce to be known By glaring, proud conceited Asses, 10 Whose little Spirits aften frown On such as their less Worth surpasses. Ye’ll own he’s a deserving Man, That in these Out-lines stand before ye; And trowth the Picture I have drawn Is very like my Friend * . . . . . . . . 29

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ODE

To Alexander Murray of Brughton, Esq;

On his Marriage with Lady Euphemia, Daughter to the Right Honourable Earl of Galloway. ’Tis conquering Love alone can move The Best to all that’s great; It sweetly binds two equal Minds, And makes a happy State, When such as MURRAY, of a Temper even, 5 And honour’d Worth, receives a Mate from Heaven. Joy to you, Sir, and Joy to her, Whose softer Charms can sooth, With smiling Pow’r, a sullen Hour, And make your Life flow smooth. 10 Man’s but unfinish’d, ’till by Hymen’s Ties, His sweeter Half lock’d in his Bosom lyes.

* The Character, tho’ true, has something in it so great, that my too modest Friend will not allow me to set his Name to it. But this, and some few other Wants, shall be made out afterwards from my Register of Supplies.

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Poems The general Voice approve your Choice, Their Sentiments agree, With Fame allow’d, that she’s a good 15 Branch sprung from a right Tree. Long may the Graces of her Mind delight Your Soul, and long her Beauties bless your Sight. May the bright Guard, who Love reward, With Man recoyn’d again, 20 In Offspring fair make her their Care, In Hours of joyful Pain: And may my Patron healthful live to see, By her a brave and bonny Progeny. Let youthful Swains who ’tend your Plains, Touch the tun’d Reed, and sing, While Maids advance in sprightly Dance, All in the rural Ring; And with the Muse thank the immortal Powers, Placing with Joy EUPHEMIA’s Name with your’s.

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To the Memory of

Mrs. Forbes, Lady Newhall. Ah Life! thou short uncertain Blaze, Scarce worthy to be wish’d, or lov’d; When by strict Death, so many Ways, So soon the Sweetest are remov’d. In Prime of Life and lovely Glow, 5 The dear BRUCINA must submit; Nor could ward of the fatal Blow, With every Beauty, Grace and Wit. If outward Charms, and Temper sweet, The chearful Smile, and Thought sublime, 10 Could have preserv’d, she ne’er had met A Change, ’till Death had sunk with Time. Her Soul glanc’d with each heavenly Ray, Her Form with all these Beauties fair, For which young Brides and Mothers pray, 15 And wish for their Infant Care. Sowr Spleen or Anger, Passion rude, These Opposites to Peace and Heaven, Ne’er pal’d her Cheek, or fir’d her Blood; 372

Ode to the Memory of Lady Newhall Her Mind was ever calm and even.

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Come, fairest Nymphs, and gentle Swains, Give loose to Tears of tender Love; Strow fragrant Flowers on her Remains, While sighing round her Grave you move. In mournful Notes your Pain express, 25 While with Reflection you run o’er, How excellent, how good she was! She was! alas! but is no more! Yet piously correct your Moan, And raise religious Thoughts on hie, After her spotless Soul, that’s gone To Joys that ne’er can fade or die.

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On a Slate’s falling from a House on Mris. M. M-----k’s Breast. Was Venus angry, and in Spite, Allow’d that Stane to fa’, Imagining these Breasts so white Contain’d a Heart of Snaw? Was her wing’d Son sae cankert set 5 To wound her lovely Skin, Because his Arrows could not get A Passage farder in? No: She is to Love’s Goddess dear, Her smiling Boy’s Delight — 10 It was some Hag that doughtna bear Sic Charms to vex her Sight. Some silly sowr pretending Saint, In heart an Imp of Hell, Whase hale Religion lyes in Cant, 15 Her Vertue in wrang Zeal; She threw the Stane, and ettled Death: But watching Zylphs flew round, So guard dear MADIE from all Skaith, And quickly cur’d the Wound. 20

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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. Sighing Shepherds of Hiberna, Thank ye for your kind Concern a’, When a fause Report, beguiling, Prov’d a Draw-back on your smiling; Dight your Een, and cease your grieving, 5 ALLAN’s hale, and well, and living, Singing, laughing, sleeping soundly, Cowing Beef, and drinking roundly; Drinking roundly Rum and Claret, Ale and Usquae, Bumpers fair out, 10 Supernaculum but spilling, The least Diamond drawing, filling; Sowing Sonnets on the Lasses, Hounding Satyres at the Asses; Smiling at the surly Criticks, 15 And the Pack-horse of Politicks; Painting Meadows, Schaws and Mountains, Crooking Burns and flowing Fountains; Flowing Fountains, where ilk Gowan Grows about the Borders glowan, 20 Smelling sweetly, and inviting Poets Lays, and Lovers meeting; Meeting kind to niffer Kisses, Bargaining for better Blesses. Hills in dreary Dumps now lying, 25 And ye Zephyrs swiftly flying, And ye Rivers gently turning, And ye Philomellas mourning, And ye double sighing Echoes, Cease your Sobing, Tears, and Hey! ho’s! 30 Banish a’ your Care and Grieving, ALLAN’s hale, and well, and living, Early up on Morning’s shining, Ilka Fancy warm refining, Giving ilka Verse a Burnish 35 That maun Second Volume furnish, To bring in frae Lord and Lady Meikle Fame and Part of Ready; Splendid thing of constant Motion, Fish’d for in the Southern Ocean; 40 Prop of Gentry, Nerve of Battles, Prize for which the Gamester rattles; 374

To my Friends in Ireland Belzie’s Banes, deceitfu’, kittle, Risking a’ to gain a little. Pleasing Philip’s tunefu’ Tickle, 45 Philomel, and kind Arbuckle: Singers sweet, baith Lads and Lasses, Tuning Pipes on Hill Parnassus, ALLAN kindly to you wishes Lasting Life, and Rowth of Blesses; 50 And that he may, when ye surrender Sauls to Heaven, in Number tender Give a’ your Fames a happy Heezy, And gratefully immortalize ye.

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GENTLE SHEPHERD, A Pastoral Comedy;

inscrib’d to the Right Honourable,

SUSANNA Countess of Eglintoun. Madam, The Love of Approbation, and a Desire to please the best, have ever encouraged the Poets to finish their Designs with Chearfulness. But, conscious of their own Inability to oppose a Storm of Spleen and haughty ill Nature, it is generally an ingenious Custom amongst them to chuse some honourable Shade. Wherefore I beg Leave to put my Pastoral under your Ladyship’s Protection, if my Patroness says, the Shepherds speak as they ought, and that there are several natural Flowers that beautify the rural Wild; I shall have good Reason to think my self safe from the aukward Censure of some pretending Judges that condemn before Examination. I am sure of vast Numbers that will croud into your Ladyship’s Opinion, and think it their Honour to agree in their Sentiments with the Countess of Eglintoun, whose Penetration, superior Wit, and sound Judgment, shines with an uncommon Lustre, while accompanied with the diviner Charms of Goodness and Equality of Mind. If it were not for offending only your Ladyship, here, Madam, I might give the fullest Liberty to my Muse to delineate the finest of Women, by drawing your Ladyship’s Character, and be in no Hazard of being deemed a Flatterer; since Flattery lyes not in paying what’s due to Merit, but in Praises misplaced. Were I to begin with your Ladyship’s honourable Birth and Alliance, the Field’s ample, and presents us with numberless, great and good Patriots, that have dignified the Names of Kennedy and Montgomery: Be that the Care of the Herauld and Historian. ’Tis personal Merit, and the heavenly Sweetness of the Fair, that inspire the tuneful Lays. Here every Lesbia must be excepted, 375

Poems whose Tongues give Liberty to the Slaves, which their Eyes had made Captives. Such may be flatter’d; but your Ladyship justly claims our Admiration and profoundest Respect: For whilst you are possest of every outward Charm in the most perfect Degree, the never-fading Beauties of Wisdom and Piety, which adorn your Ladyship’s Mind, command Devotion. All this is very true, cries one of better Sense than good Nature: But what Occasion have you to tell us the Sun shines, when we have the Use of our Eyes, and feel his Influence? –— Very true; but I have the Liberty to use the Poet’s Privilege, which is, To speak what every body thinks. Indeed there might be some Strength in the Reflection, if the Idalian Registers were of as short Duration as Life: But the Bard, who fondly hopes Immortality, has a certain praise-worthy Pleasure, in communicating to Posterity the Fame of distinguished Characters. –— I write this last Sentence with a Hand that trembles between Hope and Fear: But if I shall prove so happy as to please your Ladyship in the following Attempt, then all my Doubts shall vanish like a Morning Vapour; I shall hope to be class’d with Tasso and Guarini, and sing with Ovid, If ’tis allowed to Poets to divine, One Half of round Eternity is mine. Madam, Your Ladyship’s most obedient, and most devoted Servant. Allan Ramsay.

To the Countess of Eglintoun, with the following Pastoral. Accept, o EGLINTOUN! the rural Lays, That, bound to thee, thy Poet humbly pays: The Muse, that oft has rais’d her tuneful Strains, A frequent Guest on Scotia’s blessful Plains, That oft has sung, her list’ning Youth to move, The Charms of Beauty, and the Force of Love, Once more resumes the still successful Lay, Delighted, thro’ the verdant Meads to stray. O! come, invok’d, and pleas’d, with her repair, To breathe the balmy Sweets of purer Air, In the cool Evening negligently laid, Or near the Stream, or in the rural Shade, Propitious hear, and, as thou hear’st, approve The Gentle Shepherd’s tender Tale of Love. Instructed from these Scenes, what glowing Fires Inflame the Breast that real Love inspires! The fair shall read of Ardors, Sighs and Tears, All that a Lover hopes, and all he fears. Hence too, what Passions in his Bosom rise! What dawning Gladness sparkles in his Eyes! When first the Fair One, pitious of his Fate, 376

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To the Countess of Eglintoun Kind of her Scorn, and vanquish’d of her Hate, With willing Mind, is bounteous to relent, And blushing beauteous smiles the kind Consent! Love’s Passion here in each Extreme is shown, 25 In Charlot’s Smile, or in Maria’s Frown. With Words like these, that fail’d not to engage, Love courted Beauty in a golden Age, Pure and untaught, such Nature first inspir’d, Ere yet the Fair affected Phrase desir’d. 30 His secret Thoughts were undisguis’d with Art, His Words ne’er knew to differ from his Heart, He speaks his Love so artless and sincere, As thy Eliza might be pleas’d to hear. Heaven only to the Rural State bestows 35 Conquest o’er Life, and Freedom from its Woes; Secure alike from Envy and from Care; Nor rais’d by Hope, nor yet depress’d by Fear: Nor Want’s lean Hand its Happiness constrains, Nor Riches torture with ill-gotten Gains. 40 No secret Guilt its stedfast Peace destroys, No wild Ambition interrupts its Joys. Blest still to spend the Hours that Heav’n has lent, In humble Goodness, and in calm Content. Serenely gentle, as the Thoughts that roll, 45 Sinless and pure, in fair Humeia’s Soul. But now the Rural State these Joys has lost; Even Swains no more that Innocence can boast. Love speaks no more what Beauty may believe, Prone to betray, and practis’d to deceive. 50 Now Happiness forsakes her blest Retreat, The peaceful Dwellings where she fix’d her Seat, The pleasing Fields she wont of old to grace, Companion to an upright sober Race; When on the sunny Hill, or verdant Plain, 55 Free and familiar with the Sons of Men, To crown the Pleasures of the blameless Feast, She uninvited came a welcome Guest: Ere yet an Age, grown rich in impious Arts, Brib’d from their Innocence incautious Hearts; 60 Then grudging Hate, and sinful Pride succeed, Cruel Revenge, and false unrighteous Deed; Then dowrless Beauty lost the Power to move; The Rust of Lucre stain’d the Gold of Love. Bounteous no more, and hospitably good, 65 The genial Hearth first blush’d with Strangers Blood: The Friend no more upon the Friend relies, And semblant Falshood puts on Truth’s Disguise. The peaceful Houshold fill’d with dire Alarms, The ravish’d Virgin mourns her slighted Charms; 70 The Voice of impious Mirth is heard around; 377

Poems In Guilt they feast, in Guilt the Bowl is crown’d: Unpunish’d Violence lords it o’er the Plains, And Happiness forsakes the guilty Swains. Oh Happiness! from human Search retir’d, 75 Where art thou to be found by all desir’d? Nun sober and devout! why art thou fled, To hide in Shades thy meek contented Head? Virgin of Aspect mild! ah why unkind, Fly’st thou displeas’d, the Commerce of Mankind? 80 O! teach our Steps to find the secret Cell, Where, with thy Sire Content, thou lov’st to dwell. Or say, dost thou a duteous Handmaid wait Familiar at the Chambers of the Great? Dost thou pursue the Voice of them that call 85 To noisy Revel, and to Midnight Ball? Or the full Banquet when we feast our Soul, Dost thou inspire the Mirth, or mix the Bowl? Or, with th’ industrious Planter, dost thou talk, Conversing freely in an Evening Walk? 90 Say, does the Miser e’er thy Face behold Watchful and studious of the treasured Gold? Seeks Knowledge, not in vain, thy much lov’d Pow’r, Still musing silent at the Morning Hour? May we thy Presence hope in War’s Alarms, 95 In Stair’s Wisdom, or in Erskine’s Charms. In vain our flatt’ring Hopes our Steps beguile, The flying Good eludes the Searcher’s Toil: In vain we seek the City or the Cell, Alone with Vertue knows the Pow’r to dwell. 100 Nor need Mankind despair these Joys to know, The Gift themselves may on themselves bestow. Soon, soon we might the precious Blessing boast; But many Passions must the Blessing cost; Infernal Malice, inly pining Hate, 105 And Envy, grieving at another’s State. Revenge no more must in our Hearts remain, Or burning Lust, or Avarice of Gain. When these are in the humane Bosom nurst, Can Peace reside in Dwellings so accurst? 110 Unlike, O EGLINTOUN! thy happy Breast, Calm and serene, enjoys the heavenly Guest; From the tumultuous Rule of Passions free’d, Pure in thy Thought, and spotless in thy Deed. In Vertues rich, in Goodness unconfin’d, 115 Thou shin’st a fair Example to thy Kind; Sincere and equal to thy Neighbour’s Name, How swift to praise, how guiltless to defame? Bold in thy Presence Bashfulness appears, And backward Merit loses all its Fears. 120 Supremely blest by Heav’n, Heav’n’s richest Grace, 378

To the Countess of Eglintoun Confest is thine, an early blooming Race. Whose pleasing Smiles shall guardian Wisdom arm, Divine Instruction! taught of thee to charm. What Transports shall they to thy Soul impart! 125 (The conscious Transports of a Parent’s Heart) When thou beholdst them of each Grace possest, And sighing Youths imploring to be blest; After thy Image form’d, with Charms like thine, Or in the Visit, or the Dance to shine. 130 Thrice happy! who succeed their Mother’s Praise, The lovely EGLINTOUNS of other Days, Mean while peruse the following tender Scenes, And listen to thy native Poet’s Strains. In ancient Garb the home-bred Muse appears, 135 The Garb our Muses wore in former Years; As in a Glass reflected, here behold How smiling Goodness look’d in Days of old. Nor blush to read where Beauty’s Praise is shown, Or vertuous Love, the Likeness of thy own; 140 While ’midst the various Gifts that gracious Heaven, To thee, in whom it is well pleas’d, has given, Let this, O EGLINTOUN! delight thee most, T’ enjoy that Innocence the World has lost. W. H.

The Persons. MEN. Sir William Worthy. Patie, The Gentle Shepherd in Love with Peggy. Roger, a rich young Shepherd in Love with Jenny. Symon, Glaud, } Two old Shepherds, Tenants to Sir William. Bauldy, a Hynd engaged with Neps. WOMEN. Peggy, Thought to be Glaud’s Niece. Jenny, Glaud’s only Daughter. Mause, an old Woman supposed to be a Witch. Elspa, Symon’s Wife. Madge, Glaud’s Sister. SCENE, a Shepherd’s Village and Fields some few Miles from Edinburgh. Time of Action, Within twenty Hours.

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GENTLE SHEPHERD.

ACT I. SCENE I. Beneath the South-side of a Craigy Beild, Where Crystal Springs the halesom Waters yield, Twa youthful Shepherds on the Gowans lay, Tenting their Flocks ae bonny Morn of May. Poor Roger granes till hollow Echoes ring; But blyther Patie likes to laugh and sing.



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PATIE and ROGER.

Pat. This sunny Morning, Roger, chears my Blood, And puts all Nature in a jovial Mood. How heartsome ’tis to see the rising Plants? To hear the Birds chirm o’er their pleasing Rants? How halesome ’tis to snuff the cauler Air, And all the Sweets it bears when void of Care? What ails thee, Roger, then? what gars thee grane? Tell me the Cause of thy ill season’d Pain. Rog. I’m born, O Patie! to a thrawart Fate; I’m born to strive with Hardships sad and great. Tempest may cease to jaw the rowan Flood, Corbies and Tods to grein for Lambkins Blood; But I, opprest with never ending Grief, Maun ay despair of lighting on Relief. Pat. The Bees shall loath the Flower, and quit the Hive, The Saughs on Boggie-Ground shall cease to thrive, Ere scornful Queans, or Loss of warldly Gear, Shall spill my Rest, or ever force a Tear. Rog. Sae might I say; but ’tis no easy done By ane whase Saul is sadly out of tune. You have sae saft a Voice, and slid a Tongue, You are the Darling of baith auld and young. If I but ettle at a Sang, or speak, They dit their Lugs, syne up their Leglens cleek; And jeer me hameward frae the Loan or Bught, While I’m confus’d with mony a vexing Thought: Yet I am tall, and as well built as thee, Nor mair unlikely to a Lass’s Eye. For ilka Sheep ye have, I’ll number ten, And should, as ane may think, come farer ben. Pat. But ablins, Nibour, ye have not a Heart, And downa eithly wi’ your Cunzie part. If that be true, what signifies your Gear? A Mind that’s scrimpit never wants some Care. Rog. My Byar tumbled, nine braw Nowt were smoor’d, 380

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The Gentle Shepherd Three Elf-shot were; yet I these Ills endur’d: In Winter last, my Cares were very sma’, Tho’ Scores of Wathers perish’d in the Snaw. Pat. Were your bein Rooms as thinly stock’d as mine, Less you wad lose, and less you wad repine. He that has just enough, can soundly sleep; The O’ercome only fashes Fowk to keep. Rog. May Plenty flow upon thee for a Cross, That thou may’st thole the Pangs of mony a Loss. O mayst thou doat on some fair paughty Wench, That ne’er will lout thy lowan Drouth to quench, ’Till bris’d beneath the Burden, thou cry Dool, And awn that ane may fret that is nae Fool. Pat. Sax good fat Lambs I sald them ilka Clute At the West-port, and bought a winsome Flute, Of Plumb-tree made, with Iv’ry Virles round, A dainty Whistle with a pleasant Sound: I’ll be mair canty wi’t, and ne’er cry Dool, Than you with all your Cash, ye dowie Fool. Rog. Na, Patie, na! I’m nae sic churlish Beast, Some other thing lyes heavier at my Breast: I dream’d a dreary Dream this hinder Night, That gars my Flesh a’ creep yet with the Fright. Pat. Now to a Friend how silly’s this Pretence, To ane wha you and a’ your Secrets kens: Daft are your Dreams, as daftly wad ye hide Your well seen Love, and dorty Jenny’s Pride. Take Courage, Roger; me your Sorrows tell, And safely think nane kens them but your sell. Rog. Indeed now, Patie, ye have guess’d o’er true, And there is nathing I’ll keep up frae you. Me dorty Jenny looks upon a-squint; To speak but till her I dare hardly mint: In ilka Place she jeers me air and late, And gars me look bumbaz’d, and unko blate: But yesterday I met her ’yont a Know, She fled as frae a Shelly-coated Kow. She Bauldy loes, Bauldy that drives the Car; But gecks at me, and says I smell of Tar. Pat. But Bauldy loes not her, right well I wat; He sighs for Neps — sae that may stand for that. Rog. I wish I cou’dna loe her — but in vain, I still maun doat, and thole her proud Disdain. My Bawty is a Cur I dearly like, Even while he fawn’d, she strak the poor dumb Tyke: If I had fill’d a Nook within her Breast, She wad have shawn mair Kindness to my Beast. When I begin to tune my Stock and Horn, With a’ her Face she shaws a caulrife Scorn. Last Night I play’d, ye never heard sic Spite 381

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Poems O’er Bogie was the Spring, and her Delyte; Yet tauntingly she at her Cousin speer’d, Gif she cou’d tell what Tune I play’d, and sneer’d. Flocks, wander where ye like, I dinna care, 95 I’ll break my Reed, and never whistle mair. Pat. E’en do sae, Roger, wha can help Misluck, Saebeins she be sic a thrawin-gabet Chuck? Yonder’s a Craig, since ye have tint all Hope, Gae till’t your ways, and take the Lover’s Lowp. 100 Rog. I needna mak sic Speed my Blood to spill, I’ll warrant Death come soon enough a Will. Pat. Daft Gowk! leave off that silly whindging Way; Seem careless, there’s my Hand ye’ll win the Day. Hear how I serv’d my Lass I love as well 105 As ye do Jenny, and with Heart as leel: Last Morning I was gay and early out, Upon a Dike I lean’d glowring about, I saw my Meg come linkan o’er the Lee; I saw my Meg, but Meggy saw na me: 110 For yet the Sun was wading thro’ the Mist, And she was closs upon me ere she wist; Her Coats were kiltit, and did sweetly shaw Her straight bare Legs that whiter were than Snaw; Her Cokernony snooded up fou sleek, 115 Her Haffet-Locks hang waving on her Cheek; Her Cheek sae ruddy, and her Een sae clear; And O! her Mouth’s like ony hinny Pear. Neat, neat she was, in Bustine Waste-coat clean, As she came skiffing o’er the dewy Green. 120 Blythsome, I cry’d, my bonny Meg, come here, I ferly wherefore ye’re sae soon asteer; But I can guess, ye’re gawn to gather Dew: She scour’d awa, and said, What’s that to you? Then fare ye well, Meg-Dorts, and e’en’s ye like, 125 I careless cry’d, and lap in o’er the Dike. I trow, when that she saw, within a Crack, She came with a right thievless Errand back; Misca’d me first, — then bade me hound my Dog To wear up three waff Ews stray’d on the Bog. 130 I leugh, and sae did she; then with great Haste I clasp’d my Arms about her Neck and Waste, About her yielding Waste, and took a Fouth Of sweetest Kisses frae her glowing Mouth. While hard and fast I held her in my Grips, 135 My very Saul cam lowping to my Lips. Sair, sair she flet wi’ me ’tween ilka Smack; But well I kent she meant nae as she spake. Dear Roger, when your Jo puts on her Gloom, Do ye sae too, and never fash your Thumb. 140 Seem to forsake her, soon she’ll change her Mood; 382

The Gentle Shepherd Gae woo anither, and she’ll gang clean wood. Rog. Kind Patie, now fair fa’ your honest Heart, Ye’re ay sae cadgy, and have sic an Art To hearten ane: For now as clean’s a Leek, 145 Ye’ve cherish’d me since ye began to speak. Sae for your Pains I’ll make you a Propine, My Mother (rest her Saul) she made it fine, A Tartan Plaid, spun of good Hawslock Woo, Scarlet and green the Sets, the Borders blew, 150 With Spraings like Gowd and Siller, cross’d with black; I never had it yet upon my Back. Well are ye wordy o’t, wha have sae kind Red up my revel’d Doubts, and clear’d my Mind. Pat. Well hald ye there; — and since ye’ve frankly made 155 A Present to me of your braw new Plaid, My Flute’s be your’s, and she too that’s sae nice Shall come a will, gif ye’ll tak my Advice. Rog. As ye advise, I’ll promise to observ’t; But ye maun keep the Flute, ye best deserv’t. 160 Now tak it out, and gie’s a bonny Spring; For I’m in tift to hear you play and sing. Pat. But first we’ll take a turn up to the Height, And see gif all our Flocks be feeding right. Be that time Bannocks, and a Shave of Cheese, 165 Will make a Breakfast that a Laird might please; Might please the daintiest Gabs, were they sae wise, To season Meat with Health instead of Spice. When we have tane the Grace-drink at this Well, I’ll whistle fine, and sing t’ye like my sell.30 170 Exeunt.

Act I. Scene II. A flowrie Howm between twa verdent Braes, Where Lasses use to wash and spread their Claiths, A trotting Burnie wimpling thro’ the Ground, Its Channel Peebles, shining, smooth and round; Here view twa barefoot Beauties clean and clear; First please your Eye, next gratify your Ear, While Jenny what she wishes discommends, And Meg with better Sense true Love defends.



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PEGGY and JENNY.

Jen. Come, Meg, let’s fa’ to wark upon this Green, The shining Day will bleech our Linen clean;

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N. B. This first Scene is the only Piece in this Volume that was printed in the first. Having carried the Pastoral the length of five Acts at the Desire of some Persons of Distinction, I was obliged to reprint this preluding Scene with the rest.

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Poems The Water’s clear, the Lift unclouded blew, Will make them like a Lilly wet with Dew. Peg. Go farer up the Burn to Habby’s How, Where a’ the Sweets of Spring and Summer grow; Between twa Birks, out o’er a little Lin 185 The Water fa’s, and makes a singand Din; A Pool breast-deep beneath, as clear as Glass, Kisses with easy Whirles the bordring Grass: We’ll end our Washing while the Morning’s cool, And when the Day grow’s het, we’ll to the Pool, 190 There wash our sells. — ’tis healthfou now in May, And sweetly cauler on sae warm a Day. Jen. Daft Lassie, when we’re naked, what’ll ye say, Gif our twa Herds come brattling down the Brae, And see us sae? That jeering Fallow Pate 195 Wad taunting say, Haith, Lasses, ye’re no blate. Peg. We’re far frae ony Road, and out of Sight; The Lads they’re feeding far beyont the Height: But tell me now, dear Jenny, (we’re our lane) What gars ye plague your Wooer with Disdain? 200 The Nibours a’ tent this as well as I, That Roger loes you, yet ye carna by. What ails ye at him? Trowth, between us twa, He’s wordy you the best Day e’er ye saw. Jen. I dinna like him, Peggy; there’s an End: 205 A Herd mair sheepish yet I never kend. He kaims his Hair indeed, and gaes right snug, With Ribbon-knots at his blew Bonnet-lug; Whilk pensily he wears a thought a-jee, And spreads his Garters dic’d beneath his Knee. 210 He falds his Owrlay down his Breast with Care; And few gang trigger to the Kirk or Fair. For a’ that, he can neither sing nor say, Except, How d’ye — or, There’s a bonny Day. Peg. Ye dash the Lad with constant slighting Pride; 215 Hatred for Love is unco sair to bide: But ye’ll repent ye, if his Love grow cauld. What like’s a dorty Maiden when she’s auld? Like dawted We’an that tarrows at its Meat, That for some feckless Whim will orp and greet. 220 The lave laugh at it, till the Dinner’s past, And syne the Fool thing is oblig’d to fast, Or scart anither’s Leavings at the last. Fy, Jenny, think, and dinna sit your Time. Jen. I never thought a single Life a Crime. 225 Peg. Nor I — but Love in Whispers lets us ken, That Men were made for us, and we for Men. Jen. If Roger is my Jo, he kens himsell; For sic a Tale I never heard him tell. He glowrs and sighs, and I can guess the Cause, 230 384

The Gentle Shepherd But wha’s oblig’d to spell his Hums and Haws? When e’er he likes to tell his Mind mair plain, I’se tell him frankly ne’er to do’t again. They’re Fools that Slavery like, and may be free: The Cheils may a’ knit up themsells for me. 235 Peg. Be doing your Ways; for me I have a mind To be as yielding as my Patie’s kind. Jen. Heh! Lass, How can ye loo that Rattle-scull, A very Deel that ay maun hae his Will? We’ll soon here tell what a poor fighting Life 240 You twa will lead, sae soon’s ye’re Man and Wife. Peg. I’ll rin the Risk, nor have I ony Fear, But rather think ilk langsome Day a Year, Till I with Pleasure mount my Bridal-bed, Where on my Patie’s Breast I’ll lean my Head. 245 There we may kiss as lang as Kissing’s good, And what we do, there’s nane dare call it rude. He’s get his Will: Why no? ’Tis good my Part To give him that; and he’ll give me his Heart. Jen. He may indeed, for ten or fifteen Days, 250 Mak meikle o’ye, with an unco Fraise; And daut ye baith afore Fowk and your lane: But soon as his Newfangleness is gane, He’ll look upon you as his Tether-stake, And think he’s tint his Freedom for your Sake. 255 Instead then of lang Days of sweet Delite, Ae Day be dumb, and a’ the neist he’ll flite: And may be, in his Barlickhoods ne’er stick To lend his loving Wife a loundering Lick. Peg. Sic course-spun Thoughts as thae want Pith to move 260 My settl’d Mind, I’m o’er far gane in Love. Patie to me is dearer than my Breath; But want of him I dread nae other Skaith. There’s nane of a’ the Herds that tread the Green Has sic a Smile, or sic twa glancing Een. 265 And then he speaks with sic a taking Art, His Words they thirle like Musick thro’ my Heart. How blythly can he sport, and gently rave, And jest at feckless Fears that fright the lave? Ilk Day that he’s alane upon the Hill, 270 He reads fell Books that teach him meikle Skill. He is — But what need I say that or this? I’d spend a Month to tell you what he is! In a’ he says or does, there’s sic a Gait, The rest seem Coofs compar’d with my dear Pate. 275 His better Sense will lang his Love secure: Ill Nature heffs in Sauls are weak and poor. Jen. Hey! bonny Lass of Branksome, or’t be lang, Your witty Pate will put you in a Sang. O! ’tis a pleasant thing to be a Bride; 280 385

Poems Syne whindging Getts about your Ingle-side, Yelping for this or that with fasheous Din, To mak them Brats then ye maun toil and spin. Ae We’an fa’s sick, ane scads its sell we Broe, Ane breaks his Shin, anither tynes his Shoe; The Deil gaes o’er John Wobster, Hame grows Hell, When Pate misca’s ye war than Tongue can tell. Peg. Yes, ’tis a hartsome thing to be a Wife, When round the Ingle-edge young Sprouts are rife. Gif I’m sae happy, I shall have Delight, To hear their little Plaints, and keep them right. Wow! Jenny, can there greater Pleasure be, Than see sic wee Tots toolying at your Knee; When a’ they ettle at — their greatest Wish, Is to be made of, and obtain a Kiss? Can there be Toil in tenting Day and Night, The like of them, when Love makes Care Delight? Jen. But Poortith, Peggy, is the warst of a’, Gif o’er your Heads ill Chance shou’d Beggary draw: But little Love, or canty Chear can come, Frae duddy Doublets, and a Pantry toom. Your Nowt may die — the Spate may bear away Frae aff the Howms your dainty Rucks of Hay. — The thick blawn Wreaths of Snaw, or blashy Thows, May smoor your Wathers, and may rot your Ews. A Dyvor buys your Butter, Woo and Cheese, But, or the Day of Payment, breaks and flees. With glooman Brow the Laird seeks in his Rent: ’Tis no to gi’e; your Merchant’s to the bent; His Honour mauna want, he poinds your Gear: Syne, driven frae House and Hald, where will ye steer? Dear Meg, be wise, and live a single Life; Troth ’tis nae Mows to be a marry’d Wife. Peg. May sic ill Luck befa’ that silly She, Wha has sic Fears; for that was never me. Let Fowk bode well, and strive to do their best; Nae mair’s requir’d, let Heaven make out the rest. I’ve heard my honest Uncle aften say, That Lads shou’d a’ for Wives that’s vertuous pray: For the maist thrifty Man could never get A well stor’d Room, unless his Wife wad let: Wherefore nocht shall be wanting on my Part, To gather Wealth to raise my Shepherd’s Heart. What e’er he wins, I’ll guide with canny Care, And win the Vogue, at Market, Tron, or Fair, For halesome, clean, cheap and sufficient Ware. A Flock of Lambs, Cheese, Butter, and some Woo, Shall first be sald, to pay the Laird his Due; Syne a’ behind’s our ain. — Thus, without Fear, With Love and Rowth we thro’ the Warld will steer:

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The Gentle Shepherd And when my Pate in Bairns and Gear grows rife, He’ll bless the Day he gat me for his Wife. Jen. But what if some young Giglit on the Green, With dimpled Cheeks, and twa bewitching Een, Should gar your Patie think his haff-worn Meg, 335 And her kend Kisses, hardly worth a Feg? Peg. Naw mair of that; — dear Jenny, to be free, There’s some Men constanter in Love than we: Nor is the Ferly great, when Nature kind Has blest them with Solidity of Mind. 340 They’ll reason calmly, and with Kindness smile, When our short Passions wad our Peace beguile. Sae whenso’er they slight their Maiks at hame, ’Tis ten to ane the Wives are maist to blame. Then I’ll employ with Pleasure a’ my Art 345 To keep him chearfu’, and secure his Heart. At Even, when he comes weary frae the Hill, I’ll have a’ Things made ready to his Will. In Winter, when he toils thro’ Wind and Rain, A bleezing Ingle, and a clean Hearth-stane. 350 And soon as he flings by his Plaid and Staff, The seething Pot’s be ready to tak aff. Clean Hagabag I’ll spread upon his Board, And serve him with the best we can afford. Good Humour and white Bigonets shall be 355 Guards to my Face, to keep his Love for me. Jen. A Dish of married Love right soon grows cauld, And dosens down to nane, as Fowk grow auld. Peg. But we’ll grow auld togither, and ne’er find The Loss of Youth, when Love grows on the Mind. 360 Bairns, and their Bairns, make sure a firmer Ty, Than ought in Love the like of us can spy. See yon twa Elms that grow up Side by Side, Suppose them, some Years syne, Bridegroom and Bride; Nearer and nearer ilka Year they’ve prest, 365 Till wide their spreading Branches are increast, And in their Mixture now are fully blest. This shields the other frae the Eastlin Blast, That in Return defends it frae the West. Sic as stand single, — a State sae lik’d by you! 370 Beneath ilk Storm, frae ev’ry Airth, maun bow. Jen. I’ve done, — I yield, dear Lassie, I maun yield, Your better Sense has fairly won the Field, With the Assistance of a little Fae Lyes darn’d within my Breast this mony a Day. 375 Peg. Alake! poor Prisoner! Jenny, that’s no fair, That ye’ll no let the wee thing tak the Air: Haste, let him out, we’ll tent as well’s we can, Gif he be Bauldy’s or poor Roger’s Man. Jen. Anither time’s as good, — for see the Sun 380

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Poems Is right far up, and we’re no yet begun To freath the Graith; — If canker’d Madge our Aunt Come up the Burn, she’ll gie’s a wicked Rant: But when we’ve done, I’ll tell ye a’ my Mind; For this seems true, — nae Lass can be unkind. Exeunt.

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End of the First ACT.

Act II. Scene I. A snug Thack-house, before the Door a Green; Hens on the Midding, Ducks in Dubs are seen. On this Side stands a Barn, on that a Byre; A Peat-stack joins, and forms a rural Square. The House is Glaud’s; — there you may see him lean, And to his Divot-Seat invite his Frien’.



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GLAUD and SYMON.

Glaud. Good-morrow, Nibour Symon, — come sit down, And gie’s your Cracks. — What’s a’ the News in Town? They tell me ye was in the ither Day, And sald your Crummock and her bassend Quey. 395 I’ll warrant ye’ve cost a Pund of Cut and Dry; Lug out your Box, and gie’s a Pipe to try. Sym. With a’ my Heart; — and tent me now, auld Boy, I’ve gather’d News will kittle your Mind with Joy. I cou’dna rest till I came o’er the Burn, 400 To tell ye things have taken sic a Turn, Will gar our vile Oppressors stend like Flaes, And skulk in Hidlings on the Hether Braes. Glaud. Fy, blaw! Ah Symie, ratling Chiels ne’er stand To cleck and spread the grossest Lies aff hand, 405 Whilk soon flies round like Will-fire far and near: But loose your Poke, be’t true or fause, let’s hear. Sym. Seeing’s believing, Glaud, and I have seen Hab, that abroad has with our Master been; Our brave good Master, wha right wisely fled, 410 And left a fair Estate, to save his Head: Because ye ken fou well he bravely chose To stand his Liege’s Friend with Great Montrose. Now Cromwell’s gane to Nick; and ane ca’d Monk Has plaid the Rumple a right slee Begunk, 415 Restor’d King CHARLES, and ilka thing’s in tune: And Habby says, We’ll see Sir William soon. Glaud. That makes me blyth indeed; — but dinna flaw; Tell o’er your News again! and swear till’t a’; And saw ye Hab! And what did Halbert say? 420 They have been e’en a dreary Time away. 388

The Gentle Shepherd Now GOD be thanked that our Laird’s come hame, And his Estate, say, can he eithly claim? Sym. They that hag-raid us till our Guts did grane, Like greedy Bairs, dare nae mair do’t again; 425 And good Sir William sall enjoy his ain. Glaud. And may he lang; for never did he stent Us in our thriving, with a racket Rent: Nor grumbl’d, if ane grew rich; or shor’d to raise Our Mailens, when we pat on Sunday’s Claiths. 430 Sym. Nor wad he lang, with senseless saucy Air, Allow our lyart Noddles to be bare. Put on your Bonnet, Symon; — Tak a Seat. — How’s all at hame? — How’s Elspa? How does Kate? How sells black Cattle? — What gie’s Woo this Year? — 435 And sic like kindly Questions wad he speer. Glaud. Then wad he gar his Butler bring bedeen The nappy Bottle ben, and Glasses clean, Whilk in our Breast rais’d sic a blythsome Flame, As gart me mony a time gae dancing hame. 440 My Heart’s e’en rais’d! Dear Nibour, will ye stay, And tak your Dinner here with me the Day? We’ll send for Elspith too — and upo’ sight, I’ll whistle Pate and Roger frae the Height: I’ll yoke my Sled, and send to the neist Town, 445 And bring a Draught of Ale baith stout and brown, And gar our Cottars a’, Man, Wife and We’an, Drink till they tine the Gate to stand their lane. Sym. I wad na bauk my Friend his blyth Design, Gif that it hadna first of a’ been mine: 450 For heer-yestreen I brew’d a Bow of Maut, Yestreen I slew twa Wathers prime and fat; A Firlet of good Cakes my Elspa beuk, And a large Ham hings reesting in the Nook: I saw my sell, or I came o’er the Loan, 455 Our meikle Pot that scads the Whey put on, A Mutton-bouk to boil: — And ane we’ll roast; And on the Haggies Elspa spares nae Cost; Sma’ are they shorn, and she can mix fu’ nice The gusty Ingans with a Curn of Spice: 460 Fat are the Puddings, — Heads and Feet well sung. And we’ve invited Nibours auld and young, To pass this Afternoon with Glee and Game, And drink our Master’s Health and Welcome-hame. Ye mauna then refuse to join the rest, 465 Since ye’re my nearest Friend that I like best. Bring wi’ye all your Family, and then, When e’er you please, I’ll rant wi’ you again. Glaud. Spoke like ye’r sell, Auld-birky, never fear But at your Banquet I shall first appear. 470 Faith we shall bend the Bicker, and look bauld,

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Poems Till we forget that we are fail’d or auld. Auld, said I! troth I’m younger be a Score, With your good News, than what I was before. I’ll dance or Een! Hey! Madge, come forth: D’ye hear?

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Enter MADGE.

Mad. The Man’s gane gyte! Dear Symon, welcome here. What wad ye, Glaud, with a’ this Haste and Din? Ye never let a Body sit to spin. Glaud. Spin! snuff — Gae break your Wheel, and burn your Tow, And set the meiklest Peat-stack in a Low. 480 Syne dance about the Bane-fire till ye die, Since now again we’ll soon Sir William see. Mad. Blyth News indeed! And wha was tald you o’t? Glaud. What’s that to you? — Gae get my Sunday’s Coat; Wale out the whitest of my bobbit Bands, 485 My white-skin Hose, and Mittons for my Hands; Then frae their Washing cry the Bairns in haste, And make your sells as trig, Head, Feet and Waist, As ye were a’ to get young Lads or E’en; For we’re gaun o’er to dine with Sym bedeen. 490 Sym. Do, honest Madge: — And, Glaud, I’ll o’er the gate, And see that a’ be done as I wad hae’t. Exeunt.

Act II. Scene II. The open Field. — A Cottage in a Glen, An auld Wife spinning at the sunny End. — At a small Distance, by a blasted Tree, With falded Arms, and haff rais’d Look, ye see

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BAULDY his lane. Baul. What’s this! — I canna bear’t! ’tis war than Hell, To be sae burnt with Love, yet darna tell! O Peggy, sweeter than the dawning Day, Sweeter than gowny Glens, or new mawn Hay; Blyther than Lambs that frisk out o’er the Knows, Straighter than ought that in the Forest grows: Her Een the clearest Blob of Dew outshines; The Lilly in her Breast its Beauty tines. Her Legs, her Arms, her Cheeks, her Mouth, her Een, Will be my dead, that will be shortly seen! For Pate loes her, — waes me! and she loes Pate; And I with Neps, by some unlucky Fate, Made a daft Vow: — O but ane be a Beast, That makes rash Aiths till he’s afore the Priest! 390

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The Gentle Shepherd I dare na speak my Mind, else a’ the three, But doubt, wad prove ilk ane my Enemy. ’Tis sair to thole; — I’ll try some Witchcraft Art, To break with ane, and win the other’s Heart. Here Mausy lives, a Witch, that for sma’ Price, Can cast her Cantraips, and give me Advice. She can o’ercast the Night, and cloud the Moon, And mak the Deils obedient to her Crune. At Midnight Hours, o’er the Kirk-yards she raves, And howks unchristen’d We’ans out of their Graves; Boils up their Livers in a Warlock’s Pow, Rins withershins about the Hemlock Low; And seven Times does her Prayers backwards pray, Till Plotcock comes with Lumps of Lapland Clay, Mixt with the Venom of black Taids and Snakes; Of this unsonsy Pictures aft she makes Of ony ane she hates — and gars expire With slaw and racking Pains afore a Fire; Stuck fu’ of Prins, the devilish Pictures melt, The Pain, by Fowk they represent, is felt. And yonder’s Mause: Ay, ay, she kens fu’ well, When ane like me comes rinning to the Deil. She and her Cat sit beeking in her Yard, To speak my Errand, faith amaist I’m fear’d: But I maun do’t, tho’ I should never thrive; They gallop fast that Deils and Lasses drive. Exit.

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Act II. Scene III. A Green Kail-yard, a little Fount, Where Water popilan springs; There sits a Wife with Wrinkle-Front, And yet she spins and sings.

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Mause sings. “Peggy, now the King’s come, “Peggy, now the King’s come, “Thou may dance, and I shall sing, “Peggy, since the King’s come. “Nae mair the Hawkies shalt thou milk, “But change thy Plaiding-Coat for Silk, “And be a Lady of that Ilk, “Now, Peggy, since the King’s come.

Enter Bauldy. Baul. How does auld honest Lucky of the Glen? 391

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Poems Ye look baith hale and fere at threescore ten. 550 Maus. E’en twining out a Threed with little Din, And beeking my cauld Limbs afore the Sun. What brings my Bairn this Gate sae air at Morn? Is there nae Muck to lead? — to thresh nae Corn? Baul. Enough of baith: — But something that requires 555 Your helping Hand, employs now all my Cares. Maus. My helping Hand, alake! what can I do, That underneath baith Eild and Poortith bow? Baul. Ay, but ye’re wise, and wiser far than we, Or maist Part of the Parish tells a Lie. 560 Maus. Of what kind Wisdom think ye I’m possest, That lifts my Character aboon the rest? Baul. The Word that gangs, how ye’re sae wise and fell, Ye’ll may be take it ill gif I shou’d tell. Maus. What Fowk says of me, Bauldy, let me hear; 565 Keep nathing up, ye nathing have to fear. Baul. Well, since ye bid me, I shall tell ye a’, That ilk ane talks about you, but a Flaw. When last the Wind made Glaud a roofless Barn; When last the Burn bore down my Mither’s Yarn; 570 When Brawny Elf-shot never mair came hame; When Tibby kirn’d, and there nae Butter came; When Bessy Freetock’s chuffy-cheeked We’an To a Fairy turn’d, and cou’d na stand its lane; When Watie wander’d ae Night thro’ the Shaw, 575 And tint himsell amaist amang the Snaw; When Mungo’s Mear stood still, and swat with Fright, When he brought East the Howdy under Night; When Bawsy shot to dead upon the Green, And Sara tint a Snood was nae mair seen: 580 You, Lucky, gat the Wyte of a’ fell out, And ilka ane here dreads you round about. And sae they may that mint to do ye Skaith: For me to wrang ye, I’ll be very laith; But when I neist make Grots, I’ll strive to please 585 You with a Firlot of them mixt with Pease. Maus. I thank ye, Lad; — now tell me your Demand, And, if I can, I’ll lend my helping Hand. Baul. Then, I like Peggy, — Neps is fond of me; — Peggy likes Pate; — and Patie’s bauld and slee, 590 And loes sweet Meg. — But Neps I downa see — Cou’d ye turn Patie’s Love to Neps, and than Peggy’s to me, — I’d be the happiest Man. Maus. I’ll try my Art to gar the Bowls row right; Sae gang your ways, and come again at Night: 595 ’Gainst that time I’ll some simple things prepare, Worth all your Pease and Grots; tak ye nae Care. Baul. Well, Mause, I’ll come, gif I the Road can find: But if ye raise the Deil he’ll raise the Wind;

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The Gentle Shepherd Syne Rain and Thunder may be, when ’tis late, Will make the Night sae rough, I’ll tine the Gate. We’re a’ to rant in Symie’s at a Feast, O! will ye come like Badrans, for a Jest; And there ye can our different Haviours spy: There’s nane shall ken o’t there but you and I. Maus. ’Tis like I may, — but let na on what’s past ’Tween you and me, else fear a kittle Cast. Baul. If I ought of your Secrets e’er advance, May ye ride on me ilka Night to France.

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Exit Bauldy. Mause her lane. Hard Luck, alake! when Poverty and Eild, 610 Weeds out of Fashion, and a lanely Beild, With a sma’ Cast of Wiles, should in a twitch, Gi’e ane the hatefu’ Name a wrinkled Witch. This Fool imagines, as do mony sic, That I’m a Wretch in Compact with Auld Nick; 615 Because by Education I was taught To speak and act aboon their common Thought. Their gross Mistake shall quickly now appear; Soon shall they ken what brought, what keeps me here; Nane kens but me, — and if the Morn were come, 620 I’ll tell them Tales will gar them a’ sing dumb. Exit.

Act II. Scene IV. Behind a Tree upon the Plain, PATE and his PEGGY meet; In Love, without a vicious Stain, The bony Lass and chearfu’ Swain Change Vows and Kisses sweet.



625

PATIE and PEGGY.

Peg. O Patie, let me gang, I mauna stay, We’re baith cry’d hame, and Jenny she’s away. Pat. I’m laith to part sae soon; now we’re alane, And Roger he’s awa with Jenny gane: 630 They’re as content, for ought I hear or see, To be alane themsells, I judge, as we. Here, where Primroses thickest paint the Green, Hard by this little Burnie let us lean. Hark how the Lavrocks chant aboon our Heads, 635 How saft the Westlin Winds sough thro’ the Reeds. Peg. The scented Meadows, — Birds, — and healthy Breeze, 393

Poems For ought I ken, may mair than Peggy please. Pat. Ye wrang me sair, to doubt my being kind; In speaking sae, ye ca’ me dull and blind. 640 Gif I could fancy ought’s sae sweet or fair As my dear Meg, or worthy of my Care. Thy Breath is sweeter than the sweetest Brier, Thy Cheek and Breast the finest Flowers appear. Thy Words excel the maist delightfu’ Notes, 645 That warble through the Merl or Mavis’ Throats. With thee I tent nae Flowers that busk the Field, Or ripest Berries that our Mountains yield. The sweetest Fruits that hing upon the Tree, Are far inferior to a Kiss of thee. 650 Peg. But Patrick, for some wicked End, may fleech, And Lambs should tremble when the Foxes preach. I dare na stay — ye Joker, let me gang, Anither Lass may gar ye change your Sang; Your Thoughts may flit, and I may thole the Wrang. 655 Pat. Sooner a Mother shall her Fondness drap, And wrang the Bairn sits smiling on her Lap; The Sun shall change, the Moon to change shall cease, The Gaits to clim, — the Sheep to yield the Fleece, Ere ought by me be either said or done, 660 Shall Skaith our Love; I swear by all aboon. Peg. Then keep your Aith:— But mony Lads will swear, And be mansworn to twa in haff a Year. Now I believe ye like me wonder well; But if a fairer Face your Heart shou’d steal, 665 Your Meg forsaken, bootless might relate, How she was dauted anes by faithless Pate. Pat. I’m sure I canna change, ye needna fear; Tho’ we’re but young, I’ve loo’d you mony a Year. I mind it well, when thou coud’st hardly gang, 670 Or lisp out Words, I choos’d ye frae the thrang Of a’ the Bairns, and led thee by the Hand, Aft to the Tansy-know, or Rashy-strand. Thou smiling by my Side, — I took Delite To pou the Rashes green, with Roots sae white, 675 Of which, as well as my young Fancy cou’d, For thee I plet the flowry Belt and Snood. Peg. When first thou gade with Shepherds to the Hill, And I to milk the Ews first try’d my Skill; To bear a Leglen was nae toil to me, 680 When at the Bught at E’en I met with thee. Pat. When Corns grew yellow, and the Hether-bells, Bloom’d bonny on the Moor and rising Fells, Nae Birns, or Briers, or Whins e’er troubled me, Gif I cou’d find blae Berries ripe for thee. 685 Peg. When thou didst wrestle, run, or putt the Stane, And wan the Day, my Heart was flightering fain:

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The Gentle Shepherd At all these Sports thou still gave Joy to me; For nane can wrestle, run, or putt with thee. Pat. Jenny sings saft the Broom of Cowden-knows, 690 And Rosie lilts the Milking of the Ews; There’s nane like Nansie, Jenny Nettles sings, At Turns in Maggy Lauder, Marion dings: But when my Peggy sings, with sweeter Skill, The Boat-man, or the Lass of Patie’s Mill; 695 It is a thousand Times mair sweet to me: Tho’ they sing well, they canna sing like thee. Peg. How eith can Lasses trow what they desire! And roos’d by them we love, blaws up that Fire: But wha loves best, let Time and Carriage try; 700 Be constant, and my Love shall Time defy. Be still as now, and a’ my Care shall be, How to contrive what pleasant is for thee. Pat. Wert thou a giglit Gawky like the lave, That little better than our Nowt behave; 705 At nought they’ll ferly; — senseless Tales believe; Be blyth for silly Heghts, for Trifles grieve: — Sic ne’er cou’d win my Heart, that kenna how, Either to keep a Prize, or yet prove true. But thou, in better Sense, without a Flaw, 710 As in thy Beauty far excells them a’, Continue kind; and a’ my care shall be, How to contrive what pleasing is for thee. Peg. Agreed; — but harken, yon’s auld Aunty’s Cry; I ken they’ll wonder what can make us stay. 715 Pat. And let them ferly. — Now, a kindly Kiss, Or fivescore good anes wad not be amiss; And syne we’ll sing the Sang with tunefu’ Glee, That I made up last Owk on you and me. Peg. Sing first, syne claim your Hire. —— —— 720 Pat. —— —— Well I agree. Patie sings. By the delicious Warmness of thy Mouth, And rowing Eyes that smiling tell the Truth, I guess, my Lassie, that as well as I, You’re made for Love; and why should ye deny?

725

Peggy sings. But ken ye, Lad, gif we confess o’er soon, Ye think us cheap, and syne the Woing’s done? The Maiden that o’er quickly tines her Power, Like unripe Fruit, will taste but hard and sowr. Patie sings. But gin they hing o’er lang upon the Tree, Their Sweetness they may tine; and sae may ye. 395

730

Poems Red cheeked you completely ripe appear; And I have thol’d and woo’d a lang haff year. Peggy singing, falls into Patie’s Arms. Then dinna pu’ me, gently thus I fa’ Into my Patie’s Arms, for good and a’. But stint your Wishes to this kind Embrace; And mint nae farther till we’ve got the Grace. Patie with his left Hand about her Waste. O Charming Armfu’, hence ye Cares away, I’ll kiss my Treasure a’ the live lang Day; All Night I’ll dream my Kisses o’er again, Till that Day come that ye’ll be a’ my ain.



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Sung by Both.

Sun, gallop down the Westlin Skies, Gang soon to bed, and quickly rise; O lash your Steeds, post Time away, And haste about our Bridal Day: And if ye’re wearied, honest Light, Sleep, gin ye like, a Week that Night.

745

End of the Second ACT. Act III. Scene I. Now turn your Eyes beyond yon spreading Lime, And tent a Man whase Beard seems bleech’d with Time; An Elwand fills his Hand, his Habit mean: Nae Doubt ye’ll think he has a Pedlar been. But whisht! it is the Knight in Masquerade, That comes hid in his Cloud to see his Lad. Observe how pleas’d the loyal Sufferer moves Thro’ his auld Av’news, anes delightfu’ Groves.

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Sir WILLIAM solus. The Gentleman thus hid in low Disguise, I’ll for a Space unknown delight mine Eyes, With a full View of every fertile Plain, Which once I lost, — which now are mine again. Yet ’midst my Joys, some Prospects Pain renew, Whilst I my once fair Seat in Ruins view. Yonder, ah me! it desolately stands, Without a Roof; the Gates faln from their Bands; The Casements all broke down; no Chimney left; The naked Walls of Tap’stry all bereft: My Stables and Pavilions, broken Walls! 396

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The Gentle Shepherd That with each rainy Blast decaying falls: My Gardens, once adorn’d the most compleat, With all that Nature, all that Art makes sweet; Where, round the figur’d Green, and Peeble Walks, 770 The dewy Flowrs hung nodding on their Stalks: But, overgrown with Nettles, Docks and Brier, No Jaccacinths or Eglintines appear. How do those ample Walls to Ruin yield, Where Peach and Nect’rine Branches found a Beild, 775 And bask’d in Rays, which early did produce Fruit fair to view, delightfu’ in the Use! All round in Gaps, the most in Rubbish ly, And from what stands the wither’d Branches fly. These soon shall be repair’d: — And now my Joy 780 Forbids all Grief, — when I’m to see my Boy, My only Prop, and Object of my Care, Since Heaven too soon call’d hame his Mother fair, Him, ere the Rays of Reason clear’d his Thought, I secretly to faithful Symon brought, 785 And charg’d him strictly to conceal his Birth, ’Till we should see what changing Times brought forth. Hid from himself, he starts up by the Dawn, And ranges careless o’er the Height and Lawn, After his fleecy Charge, serenly gay, 790 With other Shepherds whistling o’er the Day. Thrice happy Life! that’s from Ambition free; Remov’d from Crowns and Courts, how chearfully A quiet contented Mortal spends his Time In hearty Health, his Soul unstain’d with Crime. 795 Now tow’rds good Symon’s House I’ll bend my Way, And see what makes yon Gamboling to Day, All on the Green, in a fair wanton Ring, My youthful Tenants gayly dance and sing. Exit. Act III. Scene II. ’Tis Symon’s House, please to step in, And vissy’t round and round; There’s nought superfluous to give Pain, Or costly to be found. Yet all is clean: A clear Peat-Ingle Glances amidst the Floor; The Green-Horn Spoons, Beech-Luggies mingle, On Skelfs foregainst the Door. While the young Brood sport on the Green, The auld anes think it best, With the Brown Cow to clear their Een, Snuff, crack, and take their Rest. 397

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Poems SYMON, GLAUD, and ELSPA. Glaud. We anes were young our sells — I like to see The Bairns bob round with other merrilie. Troth, Symon, Patie’s grown a strapan Lad, And better Looks than his I never bade. Amang our Lads, he bears the Gree awa’, And tells his Tale the cleverest of them a’. Els. Poor Man! — he’s a great Comfort to us baith: GOD mak him good, and hide him ay frae Skaith. He is a Bairn, I’ll say’t, well worth our Care, That ga’e us ne’er Vexation late or Air. Glaud. I trow, Goodwife, if I be not mistane, He seems to be with Peggy’s Beauty tane, And troth, my Niece is a right dainty We’an, As ye well ken: A bonnier needna be, Nor better, — be’t she were nae Kin to me. Sym. Ha! Glaud, I doubt that ne’er will be a Match; My Patie’s wild, and will be ill to catch: And or he were, for Reasons I’ll no tell, I’d rather be mixt with the Mools my sell. Glaud. What Reason can ye have? There’s nane, I’m sure, Unless ye may cast up that she’s but poor: But gif the Lassie marry to my Mind, I’ll be to her as my ain Jenny kind. Fourscore of breeding Ews of my ain Birn, Five Ky that at ae Milking fills a Kirn, I’ll gi’e to Peggy that Day she’s a Bride; By and attour, if my good Luck abide, Ten Lambs at Spaining-Time, as lang’s I live, And twa Quey Cawfs I’ll yearly to them give. Els. Ye offer fair, kind Glaud; but dinna speer What may be is not fit ye yet should hear Sym. Or this Day eight days likely he shall learn, That our Denial disna slight his Bairn. Glaud. Well, nae mair o’t, — come, gie’s the other Bend; We’ll drink their Healths, whatever Way it end.

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Their Healths gae round.

Sym. But will ye tell me, Glaud, — by some ’tis said, Your Niece is but a Fundling that was laid Down at your Hallon-side, ae Morn in May, Right clean row’d up, and bedded on dry Hay. Glaud. That clatteran Madge, my Titty, tells sic Flaws, When e’er our Meg her cankart Humour gaws. Enter Jenny. Jen. O Father! there’s an auld Man on the Green, The fellest Fortune-teller e’er was seen:

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The Gentle Shepherd He tents our Loofs, and syne whops out a Book, Turns o’er the Leaves, and gie’s our Brows a Look; Syne tells the oddest Tales that e’er ye heard, His Head is gray, and lang and gray his Beard. Sym. Gae bring him in; we’ll hear what he can say: Nane shall gang hungry by my House to Day. Exit Jenny.

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But for his telling Fortunes, troth I fear, He kens nae mair of that than my gray Mare. Glaud. Spae-men! the Truth of a’ their Saws I doubt; For greater Liars never ran there out. Returns Jenny, bringing in Sir William; with them Patie. Sym. Ye’re welcome, honest Carle; — here take a Seat. S. Will. I give ye Thanks, Goodman; I’se no be blate.

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Glaud drinks.

Come t’ye Friend: — How far came ye the Day? S. Will. I pledge ye, Nibour; — E’en but little Way: Rousted with Eild, a wee Piece Gate seems lang; Twa Miles or three’s the maist that I dow gang. 870 Sym. Ye’re welcome here to stay all Night with me, And take sic Bed and Board as we can gi’ ye. S. Will. That’s kind unsought. – Well, gin ye have a Bairn That ye like well, and wad his Fortune learn, I shall employ the farthest of my Skill, 875 To spae it faithfully, be’t good or ill.

Symon pointing to Patie.

Only that Lad; — alake! I have nae mae, Either to make me joyful now, or wae. S. Will. Young Man, let’s see your Hand; — what gars ye sneer? Pat. Because your Skill’s but little worth I fear. S. Will. Ye cut before the Point. — But, Billy, bide, I’ll wager there’s a Mouse Mark on your Side. Els. Betooch-us-to! and well I wat that’s true: Awa, awa! the Deil’s o’er grit wi’ you. Four Inch aneath his Oxter is the Mark, Scarce ever seen since he first wore a Sark. S. Will. I’ll tell ye mair, if this young Lad be spar’d But a short while, he’ll be a braw rich Laird. Elsp. A Laird! — Hear ye, Goodman! What think ye now! Sym. I dinna ken: Strange auld Man! What art thou? Fair fa’ your Heart; ’tis good to bode of Wealth; Come turn the Timmer to Laird Patie’s Health. 399

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Poems

Paties’s Health gaes round.

Pat. A Laird of twa good Whistles, and a Kent, Twa Curs, my trusty Tenants, on the Bent, Is all my great Estate — and like to be: Sae, cunning Carle, ne’er break your Jokes on me. Sym. Whisht, Patie, — let the Man look o’er your Hand, Aftimes as broken a Ship has come to Land.

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Sir William looks a little at Patie’s Hand, then counterfeits falling into a Trance, while they endeavour to lay him right. Elsp. Preserve’s! the Man’s a Warlock, or possest With some nae good — or second Sight, at least: 900 Where is he now? ——— ——— ——— Glaud. ——— — He’s seeing a’ that’s done In ilka Place, beneath or yont the Moon. Elsp. These second sighted Fowk, his Peace be here! See things far aff, and things to come, as clear 905 As I can see my Thumb — Wow, can he tell (Speer at him, soon as he comes to himsell) How soon we’ll see Sir William? Whisht, he heaves, And speaks out broken Words like ane that raves. Sym. He’ll soon grow better; — Elspa, hast ye, gae 910 And fill him up a Tass of Usquebae. Sir William starts up, and speaks. A Knight that for a LYON fought, Against a herd of Bears, Was to lang Toil and Trouble brought, In which some Thousands shares. But now again the LYON rares, And Joy spreads o’er the Plain: The LYON has defeat the Bears, The Knight returns again. That Knight, in a few Days, shall bring A Shepherd frae the Fauld, And shall present him to his King, A Subject true and bauld. He Mr. Patrick shall be call’d: All you that hear me now, May well believe what I have tald; For it shall happen true. Sym. Friend, may your Spaeing happen soon and weel; But, Faith, I’m redd you’ve bargain’d with the Deil, To tell some Tales that Fowks wad secret keep: Or do you get them tald you in your Sleep? 400

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The Gentle Shepherd S. Will. Howe’er I get them, never fash your Beard; Nor come I to redd Fortunes for Reward: But I’ll lay Ten to ane with ony here, That all I prophesy shall soon appear. 935 Sym. You prophesying Fowks are odd kind Men! They’re here that ken, and here that disna ken, The wimpled Meaning of your unco Tale, Whilk soon will mak a Noise o’er Moor and Dale. Glaud. ’Tis nae sma’ Sport to hear how Sym believes, 940 And takes’t for Gospel what the Spae-man gives Of flawing Fortunes, whilk he evens to Pate: But what we wish, we trow at ony Rate. S. Will. Whisht, doubtfu’ Carle; for ere the Sun Has driven twice down to the Sea, 945 What I have said ye shall see done In part, or nae mair credit me. Glaud. Well, be’t sae, Friend, I shall say nathing mair; But I’ve twa sonsy Lasses young and fair, Plump ripe for Men: I wish ye cou’d forsee 950 Sic Fortunes for them might prove Joy to me. S. Will. Nae mair thro’ Secrets can I sift, Till Darkness black the Bent: I have but anes a day that Gift; Sae rest a while content. 955 Sym. Eslpa, cast on the Claith, fetch butt some Meat, And, of your best, gar this auld Stranger eat. S. Will. Delay a while your hospitable Care; I’d rather enjoy this Evening calm and fair, Around yon ruin’d Tower, to fetch a Walk 960 With you, kind Friend, to have some private Talk. Sym. Soon as you please I’ll answer your Desire: — And, Glaud, you’ll take your Pipe beside the Fire; We’ll but gae round the Place, and soon be back, Syne sup together, and tak our Pint, and Crack. 965 Glaud. I’ll out a while, and see the young anes play. My Heart’s still light, abeit my Locks be gray. Exeunt.

Act III. Scene III.

Jenny pretends an Errand hame, Young Roger draps the rest, To whisper out his melting Flame, 970 And thow his Lassie’s Breast. Behind a Bush, well hid frae sight, they meet: See Jenny’s laughing; Roger’s like to greet. Poor Shepherd! 401

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ROGER and JENNY.

Rog. Dear Jenny, I wad speak to ye, wad ye let; And yet I ergh, ye’re ay sae scornfu’ set. Jen. And what wad Roger say, if he could speak? Am I oblig’d to guess what ye’re to seek. Rog. Yes, ye may guess right eith for what I grein, Baith by my Service, Sighs, and langing Een. And I maun out wi’t, tho’ I risk your Scorn; Ye’re never frae my Thoughts baith Ev’n and Morn. Ah! cou’d I loo ye less, I’d happy be; But happier far, cou’d ye but fancy me. Jen. And wha kens, honest Lad, but that I may; Ye canna say that e’er I said ye nay. Rog. Alake! my frighted Heart begins to fail, When e’er I mint to tell ye out my Tale, For fear some tighter Lad, mair rich than I, Has win your Love, and near your Heart may ly. Jen. I loo my Father, Cousin Meg I love; But to this Day, nae Man my Mind could move: Except my Kin, ilk Lad’s alike to me; And frae ye all I best had keep me free. Rog. How lang, dear Jenny? — Sayna that again; What Pleasure can ye tak in giving Pain? I’m glad, however, that ye yet stand free: Wha kens but ye may rue, and pity me? Jen. Ye have Pity else, to see ye set On that whilk makes our Sweetness soon foryet. Wow! but we’re bonny, good, and every thing; How sweet we breathe, when e’er we kiss, or sing! But we’re nae sooner Fools to give Consent, Than we our Daffine and tint Power repent: When prison’d in four Waws, a Wife right tame, Altho’ the first, the greatest Drudge at Hame. Rog. That only happens, when for sake of Gear, Ane wales a Wife, as he wad buy a Mear; Or when dull Parents Bairns together bind Of different Tempers, that can ne’er prove kind. But Love, true downright Love, engages me, Tho’ thou should scorn, — still to delight in thee. Jen. What suggard’d Words frae Woers Lips can fa’! But girning Marriage comes and ends them a’. I’ve seen with shining Fair the Morning rise, And soon the sleety Clouds mirk a’ the Skies. I’ve seen the Silver Spring a while rin clear, And soon in Mossy Puddles disappear. The Bridegroom may rejoice, the Bride may smile; But soon Contentions a’ their Joys beguile. Rog. I’ve seen the Morning rise with fairest Light, The Day unclouded sink in calmest Night. 402

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The Gentle Shepherd I’ve seen the Spring rin wimpling thro’ the Plain, Increase and join the Ocean without Stain. The Bridegroom may be blyth, the Bride may smile; 1025 Rejoyce thro’ Life, and all your Fears beguile. Jen. Were I but sure you lang wou’d Love maintain, The fewest Words my easy Heart could gain: For I maun own, since now at last you’re free, Altho’ I jok’d, I lov’d your Company; 1030 And ever had a Warmness in my Breast, That made ye dearer to me than the rest. Rog. I’m happy now! o’er happy! had my Head! — This Gush of Pleasure’s like to be my Dead. Come to my Arms! or strike me! I’m all fir’d 1035 With wondring Love! let’s kiss till we be tir’d. Kiss, kiss! we’ll kiss the Sun and Starns away, And ferly at the quick Return of Day! O Jenny! let my Arms about thee twine, And briss thy bonny Breasts and Lips to mine. 1040 Jen. With equal Joy my easy Heart gi’es Way, To own thy well try’d Love has won the Day. Now by these warmest Kisses thou has tane, Swear thus to love me, when by Vows made ane. Rog. I swear by Fifty thousand yet to come, 1045 Or may the first ane strike me deaf and dumb, There shall not be a kindlier dawted Wife, If you agree with me to lead your Life. Jen. Well, I agree: — Neist, to my Parent gae, Get his Consent; — he’ll hardly say ye nay. 1050 Ye have what will commend ye to him well, Auld Fowks, like them, that wants na Milk and Meal. Rog. My Faulds contain twice fifteen Forrow Nowt, As mony Newcal in my Bayers rowt: Five Pack of Woo I can at Lammas sell, 1055 Shorn frae my bob-tail’d Bleeters on the Fell. Good twenty Pair of Blankets for our Bed, With meikle Care, my thrifty Mither made. Ilk Thing that makes a hartsome House and tight, Was still her Care, my Father’s great Delight. 1060 They left me all, which now gi’es Joy to me, Because I can give a’, my Dear, to thee: And had I fifty Times as meikle mair, Nane but my Jenny shou’d the samen skair. My Love and all is yours; now had them fast, 1065 And guide them as ye like to gar them last. Jen. I’ll do my best — But see wha comes this Way, Patie and Meg; — besides, I mauna stay: Let’s steal frae ither now, and meet the Morn; If we be seen, we’ll drie a deal of Scorn. 1070 Rog. To where the Saugh-trees shades the Mennin-pool, I’ll frae the Hill come down, when Day grows cool: 403

Poems Keep Triste, and meet me there; — there let us meet, To kiss, and tell our Love; — there’s nought sae sweet.

Act III. Scene IV.

This Scene presents the Knight and Sym 1075 Within a Galery of the Place, Where all looks ruinous and grim; Nor has the Baron shown his Face, But joking with his Shepherd leel, Aft speers the Gate he kens fu’ well. 1080

Sir WILLIAM and SYMON.

S. Will. To whom belongs this House so much decay’d? Sym. To ane that lost it, lending generous Aid, To bear the Head up, when rebellious Tail Against the Laws of Nature did prevail. Sir William Worthy is our Master’s Name, 1085 Whilk fills us all with Joy, now He’s come hame. (Sir William draps his masking Beard, Symon transported sees The welcome Knight, with fond Regard, And grasps him round the Knees) 1090 My Master! my dear Master! — do I breathe, To see him healthy, strong, and free frae Skaith; Return’d to chear his wishing Tenants Sight, To bless his Son, my Charge, the World’s Delight! S. Will. Rise, faithful Symon; in my Arms enjoy 1095 A Place, thy Due, kind Guardian of my Boy: I came to view thy Care in this Disguise, And am confirm’d thy Conduct has been wise; Since still the Secret thou’st securely seal’d, And ne’er to him his real Birth reveal’d. 1100 Sym. The due Obedience to your strict Command Was the first Lock; — neist, my ain Judgement fand Out Reasons plenty: Since, without Estate, A Youth, tho’ sprung frae Kings, looks baugh and blate. S. Will. And aften vain and idly spend their Time, 1105 ’Till grown unfit for Action, past their Prime, Hang on their Friends — which gie’s their Sauls a cast, That turns them downright Beggars at the last. Sym. Now well I wat, Sir, ye have spoken true; For there’s Laird Kytie’s Son, that’s loo’d by few: 1110 His Father steght his Fortune in his Wame, And left his Heir nought but a gentle Name. He gangs about sornan frae Place to Place, As scrimp of Manners, as of Sense and Grace; Oppressing all as Punishment of their Sin, 1115 That are within his tenth Degree of Kin: 404

The Gentle Shepherd Rins in ilk Trader’s Debt, wha’s sae unjust To his ain Fam’ly, as to give him trust. S. Will. Such useless Branches of a Common-wealth, Should be lopt off, to give a State mair Health. 1120 Unworthy bare Reflection. — Symon, run O’er all your Observations on my Son; A Parent’s Fondness easily finds Excuse: But do not with Indulgence Truth abuse. Sym. To speak his Praise, the langest Simmer Day 1125 Wad be o’er short, — cou’d I them right display. In Word and Deed he can sae well behave, That out of Sight he runs before the lave; And when there’s e’er a Quarrel or Contest, Patrick’s made Judge to tell whase Cause is best; 1130 And his Decreet stands good; — he’ll gar it stand: Wha dares to grumble, finds his correcting Hand; With a firm Look, and a commanding Way, He gars the proudest of our Herds obey. S. Will. Your Tale much pleases; — my good Friend, proceed: 1135 What Learning has he? Can he write and read? Sym. Baith wonder well; for, troth I didna spare To gi’e him at the School enough of Lair; And he delites in Books: — He reads and speaks, With Fowks that ken them, Latin Words and Greeks. 1140 S. Will. Where gets he Books to read? — and of what kind? Tho’ some give Light, some blindly lead the Blind. Sym. Whene’er he drives our Sheep to Edinburgh Port, He buys some Books of History, Sangs or Sport: Nor does he want of them a Rowth at Will, 1145 And carries ay a Poutchfu’ to the Hill. About ane Shakespear, and a famons [sic; famous] Ben, He aften speaks, and ca’s them best of Men. How sweetly Hawthrenden and Stirling sing, And ane ca’d Cowley, loyal to his King, 1150 He kens fu’ well, and gars their Verses ring. I sometimes thought that he made o’er great Frase, About fine Poems, Histories and Plays. When I reprov’d him anes, — a Book he brings, With this, quoth he, on Braes I crack with Kings. 1155 S. Will. He answer’d well; and much ye glad my Ear, When such Accounts I of my Shepherd hear. Reading such Books can raise a Peasant’s Mind Above a Lord’s that is not thus inclin’d. Sym. What ken we better, that sae sindle look, 1160 Except on rainy Sundays, on a Book; When we a Leaf or twa haff read haff spell, Till a’ the rest sleep round, as well’s our sell? S. Will. Well jested, Symon: — But one Question more I’ll only ask ye now, and then give o’er. 1165 The Youth’s arriv’d the Age when little Loves

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Poems Flighter around young Hearts like cooing Doves: Has nae young Lassie, with inviting Mien, And rosy Cheek, the Wonder of the Green, Engag’d his Look, and caught his youthfu’ Heart? 1170 Sym. I fear’d the warst, but kend the smallest Part, Till late I saw him twa three times mair sweet, With Glaud’s fair Neice [sic], than I thought right or meet: I had my Fears; but now have nought to fear, Since like your self your Son will soon appear. 1175 A Gentleman, enrich’d with all these Charms, May bless the fairest best born Lady’s Arms. S. Will. This Night must end his unambitious Fire, When higher Views shall greater Thoughts inspire. Go, Symon, bring him quickly here to me; 1180 None but your self shall our first Meeting see. Yonder’s my Horse and Servants nigh at hand, They come just at the Time I gave Command; Straight in my own Apparel I’ll go dress: Now ye the Secret may to all confess. 1185 Sym. With how much Joy I on this Errand flee! There’s nane can know, that is not downright me. Exit Symon.

Sir William solus.

When the Event of Hopes successfully appears, One happy Hour cancells the Toil of Years. A thousand Toils are lost in Lethe’s Stream, And Cares evanish like a Morning Dream; When wish’d for Pleasures rise like Morning Light, The Pain that’s past enhanses the Delight. These Joys I feel that Words can ill express, I ne’er had known without my late Distress. But from his rustick Business and Love, I must in haste my Patrick soon remove, To Courts and Camps that may his Soul improve. Like the rough Diamond, as it leaves the Mine, Only in little Breakings shews its Light, Till artfu’ Polishing has made it shine: Thus Education makes the Genius bright.

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End of the Third ACT.

Act IV. Scene I. The Scene describ’d in former Page, Glaud’s Onset. — Enter Mause and Madge. 406

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The Gentle Shepherd 1205 Maus. Our Laird’s come hame! and owns young Pate his Heir: That’s News indeed! ———— ———— Mad. ——— ——— As true as ye stand there. As they were dancing all in Symon’s Yard, Sir William, like a Warlock, with a Beard Five Nives in Length, and white as driven Snaw, 1210 Amang us came, cry’d, Had ye merry a’. We ferly’d meikle at his unco Look, While frae his Pouch he whirled forth a Book. As we stood round about him on the Green, He view’d us a’, but fix’d on Pate his Een; 1215 Then pawkyly pretended he cou’d spae, Yet for his Pains and Skill wad nathing ha’e. Maus. Then sure the Lasses, and ilk gaping Coof, Wad rin about him, and had out their Loof. Mad. As fast as Flaes skip to the Tate of Woo, 1220 Whilk slee Tod Lawrie hads without his Mow, When he to drown them, and his Hips to cool, In Summer Days slides backward in a Pool: In short he did, for Pate, braw things foretell, Without the Help of Conjuring or Spell. 1225 At last, when well diverted, he withdrew, Pow’d aff his Beard to Symon, Symon knew His welcome Master; — round his Knees he gat, Hang at his Coat, and syne for Blythness grat. Patrick was sent for; — happy Lad is he! 1230 Symon tald Elspa, Elspa tald it me. Ye’ll hear out a’ the secret Story soon; And troth ’tis e’en right odd when a’ is done, To think how Symon ne’er afore wad tell, Na, no sae meikle as to Pate himsell. 1235 Our Meg, poor thing, alake! has lost her Jo. Maus. It may be sae; wha kens? and may be no. To lift a Love that’s rooted, is great Pain: Even Kings has tane a Queen out of the Plain: And what has been before, may be again. 1240 Mad. Sic Nonsence! Love tak root, but Tocher-good, ’Tween a Herd’s Bairn, and ane of gentle Blood: Sic Fashions in King Bruce’s Days might be; But siccan Ferlies now we never see. Maus. Gif Pate forsakes her, Bauldy she may gain; 1245 Yonder he comes, and wow but he looks fain! Nae doubt he thinks that Peggy’s now his ain. Mad. He get her! slaverin Doof; It sets him weil To yoke a Plough where Patrick thought to till. Gif I were Meg, I’d let young Master see — 1250 Maus. Ye’d be as dorty in your Choice as he: And so wad I. But whisht, here Bauldy comes.

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Enter Bauldy singing.

Jenny said to Jocky, Gin ye winna tell, Ye shall be the Lad, I’ll be the Lass my sell; Ye’re a bonny Lad, and I’m a Lassie free; Ye’re welcomer to tak me than to let me be.

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I trow sae, — Lasses will come too at last, Tho’ for a while they maun their Snaw-ba’s cast. Maus. Well, Bauldy, how gaes a’? — — — Bauld. —— —— —— —— Faith unco right: 1260 I hope we’ll a’ sleep sound but ane this Night. Mad. And wha’s the unlucky ane, if we may ask? Baul. To find out that, is nae difficult Task; Poor bonny Peggy, wha maun think nae mair On Pate, turn’d Patrick, and Sir William’s Heir. 1265 Now, now, good Madge, and honest Mause, stand be, While Meg’s in dumps, put in a Word for me. I’ll be as kind as ever Pate could prove; Less wilful, and ay constant in my Love. Mad. As Neps can witness, and the Bushy Thorn, 1270 Where mony a Time to her your Heart was sworn; Fy! Bauldy, blush, and Vows of Love regard; What other Lass will trow a mansworn Herd? The Curse of Heaven hings ay aboon their Heads, That’s ever guilty of sic sinfu’ Deeds. 1275 I’ll ne’er advise my Niece sae gray a Gate; Nor will she be advis’d, fu’ well I wate. Bauld. Sae gray a Gate! Mansworn! and a’ the rest: Ye leed, auld Roudes — and, in Faith, had best Eat in your Words; else I shall gar ye stand 1280 With a het Face afore the haly Band. Mad. Ye’ll gar me stand! ye sheveling-gabit Brock; Speak that again, and, trembling, dread my Rock, And ten sharp Nails, that when my Hands are in, Can flyp the skin o’ye’r Cheeks out oe’r your Chin. 1285 Bauld. I tak ye Witness, Mause, ye heard her say, That I’m mansworn: — I winna let it gae. Mad. Ye’re witness to, he ca’d me bonny Names, And should be serv’d as his good Breeding claims. Ye filthy Dog! —— —— —— —— —— 1290 Flees to his Hair like a Fury. — A stout Battle. — Mause endeavours to redd them. Maus. Let gang your Grips, fy, Madge! howt, Bauldy, leen: I wadna wish this Tulzie had been seen; ’Tis sae daft like. ——— ——— ——— ——— Bauldy gets out of Madge’s Clutches with a bleeding Nose. Mad. ——— ——— ’Tis dafter like to thole 408

The Gentle Shepherd An Ether-cap, like him, to blaw the Coal: 1295 It sets him well, with vile unscrapit Tongue, To cast up whether I be auld or young; They’re aulder yet than I have married been, And or they died their Bairns Bairns have seen. Maus. That’s true; and Bauldy ye was far to blame, 1300 To ca’ Madge ought but her ain christen’d Name. Bauld. My Lugs, my Nose, and Nodle finds the same. Mad. Auld Roudes! Filthy Fallow; I shall auld ye. Mause. Howt no! — ye’ll e’en be Friends with honest Bauldy. Come, come, shake Hands; this maun nae farder gae: 1305 Ye maun forgi’e’m. I see the Lad looks wae. Bauld. In troth now, Mause, I have at Madge nae Spite; But she abusing first, was a’ the Wite Of what has happen’d: And should therefore crave My Pardon first, and shall Acquittance have. 1310 Mad. I crave your Pardon! Gallows-face, gae greet, And own your Faut to her that ye wad cheat, Gae, or be blasted in your Health and Gear, ’Till ye learn to perform, as well as swear. Vow, and lowp back! — Was e’er the like heard tell? 1315 Swith, tak him Deil; he’s o’er lang out of Hell.

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Bauldy running off.

His Presence be about us! Curst were he That were condemn’d for Life to live with thee. Exit Bauldy.

Madge laughing.

I think I have towzl’d his Harigalds a wee; He’ll no soon grein to tell his Love to me. He’s but a Rascal that wad mint to serve A Lassie sae, he does but ill deserve. Maus. Ye towin’d him tightly, — I commend ye for’t; His blooding Snout gae me nae little Sport: For this Forenoon he had that Scant of Grace, And Breeding baith, — to tell me to my Face, He hop’d I was a Witch, and wadna stand To lend him in this Case my helping Hand. Mad. A Witch! — How had ye Patience this to bear, And leave him Een to see, or Lugs to hear? Maus. Auld wither’d Hands, and feeble Joints like mine, Obliges Fowk Resentment to decline; Till aft ’tis seen, when Vigour fails, then we With Cunning can the Lake of Pith supplie. Thus I pat aff Revenge till it was dark, Syne bade him come, and we should gang to wark: I’m sure he’ll keep his Triste; and I came here 409

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Poems To seek your Help, that we the Fool may fear. Mad. And special Sport we’ll have, as I protest; Ye’ll be the Witch, and I shall play the Ghaist, 1340 A Linen Sheet wond round me like ane dead, I’ll cawk my Face, and grane, and shake my Head. We’ll fleg him sae, he’ll mint nae mair to gang A conjuring, to do a Lassie wrang. Maus. Then let us go; for see, ’tis hard on Night, 1345 The Westlin Cloud shines red with setting Light. Exeunt. Act IV. Scene II. When Birds begin to nod upon the Bough, And the Green Swaird grows damp with falling Dew, While good Sir William is to Rest retir’d, The Gentle Shepherd tenderly inspir’d, 1350 Walks throw the Broom, with Roger ever leel, To meet, to comfort Meg, and tak Farewell. Rog. Wow! but I’m cadgie, and my Heart lowps light. O, Mr. Patrick! ay your Thoughts were right: Sure Gentle Fowk are farther seen than we, That naithing ha’e to brag of Pedigree. My Jenny now, wha brake my Heart this Morn, Is perfect yielding, — sweet, — and nae mair Scorn. I spake my Mind — she heard — I spake again, She smil’d — I kiss’d — I woo’d, nor woo’d in vain. Pat. I’m glad to hear’t — But O my Change this Day Heaves up my Joy, and yet I’m sometimes wae. I’ve found a Father, gently kind as brave, And an Estate that lifts me ’boon the lave. With Looks all Kindness, Words that Love confest; He all the Father to my Soul exprest, While close he held me to his manly Breast. Such were the Eyes, he said, thus smil’d the Mouth Of thy lov’d Mother, Blessing of my Youth; Who set too soon! — And while he Praise bestow’d, Adown his graceful Cheek a Torrent flow’d. My new-born Joys, and this his tender Tale, Did, mingled thus, o’er a’ my Thoughts prevail: That speechless lang, my late kend Sire I view’d, While gushing Tears my panting Breast bedew’d. Unusual Transports made my Head turn round, Whilst I my self with rising Raptures found The happy Son of ane sae much renown’d. But he has heard! — too faithful Symon’s Fear Has brought my Love for Peggy to his Ear: Which he forbids. — Ah! this confounds my Peace,

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The Gentle Shepherd While thus to beat, my Heart must sooner cease. Rog. How to advise ye, troth I’m at a stand: But were’t my Case, ye’d clear it up aff hand. Pat. Duty, and haflen Reason plead his Cause: 1385 But what cares Love for Reason, Rules and Laws? Still in my Heart the Shepherdess excells, And Part of my new Happiness repells. Rog. Enjoy them baith. — Sir William will be won: Your Peggy’s bonny; — you’re his only Son. 1390 Pat. She’s mine by Vows, and stronger Ties of Love; And frae these Bands nae Change my Mind shall move. I’ll wed nane else; thro’ Life I will be true: But still Obedience is a Parent’s Due. Rog. Is not our Master and your sell to stay 1395 Amang us here? — or are ye gawn away To London Court, or ither far aff Parts, To leave your ain poor us with broken Hearts? Pat. To Edinburgh straight to-morrow we advance, To London neist, and afterwards to France, 1400 Where I must stay some Years, and learn — to dance, And twa three other Monky-tricks. — That done, I come hame struting in my red-heel’d Shoon. Then ’tis design’d, when I can well behave, That I maun be some petted Thing’s dull Slave, 1405 For some few Bags of Cash, that I wat weel I nae mair need nor Carts do a third Wheel But Peggy, dearer to me than my Breath, Sooner than hear sic News, shall hear my Death. Rog. They wha have just enough, can soundly sleep; 1410 The O’ercome only fashes Fowk to keep. — Good Mr. Patrick, tak your ain Tale Hame. Pat. What was my Morning Thought, at Night’s the same. The Poor and Rich but differ in the Name. Content’s the greatest Bliss we can procure 1415 Frae ’boon the Lift. — Without it Kings are poor. Rog. But an Estate like your’s yields braw Content, When we but pick it scantly on the Bent: Fine Claiths, saft Beds, sweet Houses, and red Wine, Good Chear, and witty Friends, whene’er ye dine; 1420 Obeysant Servants, Honour, Wealth and Ease: Wha’s no content with these, are ill to please. Pat. Sae Roger thinks, and thinks not far amiss; But mony a Cloud hings hovering o’er their Bliss. The Passions rule the Roast; — and, if they’re sowr, 1425 Like the lean Ky, they’ll soon the fat devour. The Spleen, tint Honour, and affronted Pride, Stang like the sharpest Goads in Gentry’s Side. The Gouts and Gravels, and the ill Disease, Are frequentest with Fowk o’erlaid with Ease; 1430 While o’er the Moor the Shepherd with less Care,

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Poems Enjoys his sober Wish, and halesome Air. Rog. Lord, Man! I wonder ay, and it delights My Heart, whene’er I hearken to your Flights. How gat ye a’ that Sense, I fain wad lear, That I may easier Disappointments bear. Pat. Frae Books, the Wale of Books, I gat some Skill; These best can teach what’s real good and ill. Ne’er grudge ilk Year to ware some Stanes of Cheese, To gain these silent Friends that ever please. Rog. I’ll do’t, and ye shall tell me which to buy: Faith I’se ha’e Books, tho’ I shou’d sell my Ky. But now let’s hear how you’re design’d to move, Between Sir William’s Will, and Peggy’s Love. Pat. Then here it lyes; — His Will maun be obey’d; My Vows I’ll keep, and she shall be my Bride: But I sometime this last Design maun hide. Keep you the Secret close, and leave me here; I sent for Peggy; yonder comes my Dear. Rog. Pleas’d that ye trust me with the Secret, I To wyle it frae me a’ the Deils defy. Exit Roger.

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Patie solus. With what a Struggle must I now impart My Father’s Will to her that hads my Heart! I ken she loves, and her saft Saul will sink, While it stands trembling on the hated Brink Of Disappointment. — Heaven! support my Fair, And let her Comfort claim your tender Care. Her eyes are red! ——— ——— ——— ———

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Enter Peggy. ——— ——— My Peggy, why in Tears? Smile as ye wont, allow nae Room for Fears: Tho’ I’m nae mair a Shepherd, yet I’m thine. Peg. I dare not think sae high: I now repine At the unhappy Chance, that made not me A gentle Match, or still a Herd kept thee. Wha can, withoutten Pain, see frae the Coast The Ship that bears his All like to be lost? Like to be carry’d, by some Rever’s Hand, Far frae his Wishes, to some distant Land? Pat. Ne’er quarrel Fate, whilst it with me remains, To raise thee up, or still attend these Plains. My Father has forbid our Loves, I own: But Love’s superior to a Parent’s Frown. I Falshood hate: Come, kiss thy Cares away; I ken to love, as well as to obey. 412

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The Gentle Shepherd 1475 Sir William’s generous; leave the Task to me, To make strict Duty and true Love agree. Peg. Speak on! — speak ever thus, and still my Grief; But short I dare to hope the fond Relief. New Thoughts a gentler Face will soon inspire, That with nice Air swims round in Silk Attire: 1480 Then I, poor me! — with Sighs may ban my Fate, When the young Laird’s nae mair my heartsome Pate; Nae mair again to hear sweet Tales exprest, By the blyth Shepherd that excell’d the rest: Nae mair be envy’d by the tattling Gang, 1485 When Patie kiss’d me, when I danc’d or sang: Nae mair, alake! we’ll on the Meadow play! And rin haf breathless round the Rucks of Hay; As aftimes I have fled from thee right fain, And fawn on purpose, that I might be tane. 1490 Nae mair around the Foggy-know I’ll creep, To watch and stare upon thee, while asleep. But hear my Vow — ’twill help to give me Ease; May sudden Death, or deadly sair Disease, And warst of Ills attend my wretched Life, 1495 If e’er to ane, but you, I be a Wife. Pat. Sure Heaven approves — and be assur’d of me, I’ll ne’er gang back of what I’ve sworn to thee: And Time, tho’ Time maun interpose a while, And I maun leave my Peggy and this Isle; 1500 Yet Time, nor Distance, nor the fairest Face, If there’s a fairer, e’er shall fill thy Place. I’d hate my rising Fortune, should it move The fair Foundation of our faithful Love. If at my Foot were Crowns and Scepters laid, 1505 To bribe my Soul frae thee, delightful Maid; For thee I’d soon leave these inferior Things To sic as have the Patience to be Kings. Wherefore that Tear? Believe, and calm thy Mind. Peg. I greet for Joy, to hear thy Words sae kind. 1510 When Hopes were sunk, and nought but mirk Despair Made me think Life was little worth my Care, My Heart was like to burst; but now I see Thy generous Thoughts will save thy Love for me. With Patience then I’ll wait each wheeling Year, 1515 Hope Time away, till thou with Joy appear; And all the while I’ll study gentler Charms, To make me fitter for my Traveller’s Arms: I’ll gain on Uncle Glaud, — he’s far frae Fool, And will not grudge to put me thro’ ilk School; 1520 Where I may Manners learn ——— ——— Pat. —— —— —— —— That’s wisely said, And what he wares that Way shall be well paid. Tho’ without a’ the little Helps of Art, 413

Poems Thy native Sweets might gain a Prince’s Heart: 1525 Yet now, lest in our Station, we offend, We must learn Modes, to Innocence unkend; Affect aftimes to like the thing we hate, And drap Serenity, to keep up State: Laugh, when we’re sad; speak, when we’ve nought to say; 1530 And, for the Fashion, when we’re blyth, seem wae: Pay Compliments to them we aft have scorn’d; Then scandalize them, when their Backs are turn’d. Peg. If this is Gentry, I had rather be What I am still — but I’ll be ought with thee. 1535 Pat. No, no, my Peggy, I but only jest With Gentry’s Apes; for still amangst the best, Good Manners give Integrity a Bleez, When native Virtues join the Arts to please. Peg. Since with nae hazard, and sae small Expence, 1540 My Lad frae Books can gather siccan Sense; Then why, ah! why should the tempestuous Sea, Endanger thy dear Life, and frighten me? Sir William’s cruel, that wad force his Son, For Watna-whats, sae great a Risk to run. 1545 Pat. There is nae doubt, but travelling does improve, Yet I would shun it for thy Sake, my Love. But soon as I’ve shook aff my Landwart Cast, In foreign Cities, hame to thee I’ll haste. Peg. With every setting Day, and rising Morn, 1550 I’ll kneel to Heaven, and ask thy safe Return. Under that Tree, and on the Suckler Brae, Where aft we wont, when Bairns, to run and play; And to the Hissel-shaw where first ye vow’d Ye wad be mine, and I as eithly trow’d, 1555 I’ll aften gang, and tell the Trees and Flowers, With Joy, that they’ll bear Witness I am yours. Pat. My Dear, allow me, frae thy Temples fair, A shining Ringlet of thy flowing Hair; Which, as a Sample of each lovely Charm, 1560 I’ll aften kiss, and wear about my Arm. Peg. Were’t in my Power with better Boons to please, I’d give the best I could with the same Ease; Nor wad I, if thy Luck had faln to me, Been in ae Jot less generous to thee. 1565 Pat. I doubt it not; but since we’ve little Time, To ware’t on Words, wad border on a Crime: Love’s safter Meaning better is exprest, When ’tis with Kisses on the Heart imprest. Exeunt.

End of the Fourth ACT. 414

The Gentle Shepherd ACT V. SCENE I. See how poor Bauldy stares like ane possest, And roars up Symon frae his kindly Rest. Bare leg’d, with Night-cap, and unbutton’d Coat, See, the auld Man comes forward to the Sot. Sym. What want ye, Bauldy, at this early Hour, While drowsy Sleep keeps a’ beneath its Pow’r? Far to the North, the scant approaching Light Stands equal ’twixt the Morning and the Night. What gars ye shake and glowr, and look sae wan? Your Teeth they chitter, Hair like Bristles stand. Baul. O len me soon some Water, Milk or Ale, My Head’s grown giddy, — Legs with shaking fail; I’ll ne’er dare venture forth at Night my lane: Alake! I’ll never be my sell again. I’ll ne’er o’erput it! Symon! O Symon! O! Symon gives him a Drink. Sym. What ails thee, Gowk! — to make sae loud ado? You’ve wak’d Sir William, he has left his Bed; He comes, I fear ill pleas’d: I hear his Tred. Enter Sir William. S. Will. How goes the Night? Does Day-light yet appear? Symon, you’re very timeously asteer. Sym. I’m sorry, Sir, that we’ve disturb’d your Rest: But some strange thing has Bauldy’s Sp’rit opprest; He’s seen some Witch, or wrestl’d with a Ghaist. Baul. O ay, — dear Sir, in Troth ’tis very true; And I am come to make my Plaint to you.

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Sir William smiling. I lang to hear’t. ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— 1595 Baul. ——— ——— Ah! Sir, the Witch ca’d Mause, That wins aboon the Mill amang the Haws, First promis’d that she’d help me with her Art, To gain a bonny thrawart Lassie’s Heart. As she had tristed, I met wi’er this Night; 1600 But may nae Friend of mine get sic a Fright! For the curs’d Hag, instead of doing me good, (The very Thought o’t’s like to freeze my Blood!) Rais’d up a Ghaist or Diel, I kenna whilk, Like a dead Corse, in Sheet as white as Milk, 1605 Black Hands it had, and Face as wan as Death. Upon me fast the Witch and it fell baith, 415

Poems And gat me down; while I like a great Fool, Was laboured as I wont to be at School. My Heart out of its Hool was like to lowp; 1610 I pithless grew with Fear, and had nae Hope, Till, with an elritch Laugh, they vanish’d quite: Syne I, haff dead with Anger, Fear and Spite, Crap up, and fled straight frae them, Sir, to you, Hoping your Help, to gi’e the Deil his Due. 1615 I’m sure my Heart will ne’er gi’e o’er to dunt, Till in a fat Tar-barrel Mause be burnt. S. Will. Well, Bauldy, whate’er’s just shall granted be; Let Mause be brought this Morning down to me. Baul. Thanks to your Honour; soon shall I obey: 1620 But first I’ll Roger raise, and twa three mae, To catch her fast, or she get Leave to squeel, And cast her Cantraips that bring up the Deil. Exit Bauldy. S. Will. Troth, Symon, Bauldy’s more afraid than hurt, The Witch and Ghaist have made themselves good Sport. What silly Notions crowd the clouded Mind, That is thro’ want of Education blind! Sym. But does your Honour think there’s nae sic Thing, As Witches raising Diels up thro’ a Ring? Syne playing Tricks, a thousand I cou’d tell, Cou’d never be contriv’d on this Side Hell. S. Will. Such as the Devil’s dancing in a Moor Amongst a few old Women craz’d and poor, Who are rejoic’d to see him frisk and lowp O’er Braes and Bogs, with Candles in his Dowp; Appearing sometimes like a black-horn’d Cow, Aftimes like Bawty, Badrans, or a Sow: Then with his Train thro’ airy Paths to glide, While they on Cats, or Clowns, or Broom-staffs ride; Or in the Egg-shell skim out o’er the Main, To drink their Leader’s Health in France or Spain: Then aft by Night, bumbaze Hare-hearted Fools, By tumbling down their Cup-board, Chairs and Stools. Whate’er’s in Spells, or if there Witches be, Such Whimsies seem the most absurd to me. Sym. ’Tis true enough, we ne’er heard that a Witch Had either meikle Sense, or yet was rich. But Mause, tho’ poor, is a sagacious Wife, And lives a quiet and very honest Life; That gars me think this Hobleshew that’s past Will land in naithing but a Joke at last. Sir Will. I’m sure it will: — But see increasing Light Commands the Imps of Darkness down to Night; Bid raise my Servants, and my Horse prepare, 416

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The Gentle Shepherd Whilst I walk out to take the Morning Air.

1655

Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE II. While Peggy laces up her Bosom fair, With a blew Snood Jenny binds up her Hair, Glaud by his Morning Ingle takes a Beek, The rising Sun shines motty thro’ the Reek, A Pipe his Mouth; the Lasses please his Een, And now and than his Joke maun interveen.

1660

Glaud. I Wish, my Bairns, it may keep fair till Night; Ye do not use sae soon to see the Light. Nae doubt now ye intend to mix the thrang, To take your Leave of Patrick or he gang. 1665 But do ye think that now when he’s a Laird, That he poor Landwart Lasses will regard? Jen. Tho’ he’s young Master now, I’m very sure He has mair Sense than slight auld Friends, tho’ poor: But yesterday he ga’e us mony a Tug, 1670 And kiss’d my Cousin there frae Lug to Lug. Glaud. Ay, ay, nae Doubt o’t, and he’ll do’t again; But be advis’d, his Company refrain: Before he, as a Shepherd, sought a Wife, With her to live a chast and frugal Life; 1675 But now grown gentle, soon he will forsake Sic godly Thoughts, and brag of being a Rake. Peg. A Rake! — What’s that? — Sure if it means ought ill, He’ll never be’t; else I have tint my Skill. Glaud. Daft Lassie, ye ken nought of the Affair, 1680 Ane young and good and gentle’s unco’ rare. A Rake’s a graceless Spark, that thinks nae Shame, To do what like of us thinks Sin to name: Sic are sae void of Shame, they’ll never stap To brag how aften they have had the Clap. 1685 They’ll tempt young Things, like you, with Youdith flush’d, Syne make ye a’ their Jest, when ye’re debauch’d. Be warry then, I say, and never gi’e Encouragement, or bourd with sic as he. Peg. Sir William’s vertuous, and of gentle Blood; 1690 And may not Patrick too, like him, be good? Glaud. That’s true, and mony Gentry mae than he, As they are wiser, better are than we; But thinner sawn: They’re sae puft up with Pride, There’s mony of them mocks ilk haly Guide, 1695 That shaws the Gate to Heaven. — I’ve heard my sell, Some of them laugh at Doomsday, Sin and Hell. Jen. Watch o’er us, Father! Heh! that’s very odd; 417

Poems Sure him that doubts a Doomsday, doubts a GOD. Glaud. Doubt! why, they neither doubt, nor judge, nor think, Nor hope, nor fear; but curse, debauch and drink: But I’m no saying this, as if I thought That Patrick to sic Gates will e’er be brought. Peg. The LORD forbid! Na, he kens better things: But here comes Aunt; her Face some Ferly brings.

1700

1705

Enter Madge. Haste, haste ye; we’re a’ sent for o’er the Gate, To hear, and help to redd some odd Debate ’Tween Mause and Bauldy, ’bout some Witchcraft Spell, At Symon’s House: The Knight sits Judge himsell. Glaud. Lend me my Staff; — Madge, lock the Outer-door, And bring the Lasses wi’ ye, I’ll step before.

1710

Exit Glaud. Mad. Poor Meg! -- Look, Jenny, was the like e’er seen, How bleer’d and red with greeting look her Een? This Day her brankan Wooer takes his Horse. To strute a gentle Spark at Edinburgh Cross; 1715 To change his Kent, cut frae the branchy Plain, For a nice Sword, and glancing headed Cane; To leave his Ram-horn Spoons, and kitted Whey, For gentler Tea, that smells like new won Hay; To leave the Green-swaird Dance, when we gae milk, 1720 To rustle amang the Beauties clad in Silk. But Meg, poor Meg! maun with the Shepherds stay, And tak what GOD will send, in Hodden-gray. Peg. Dear Aunt, what need ye fash us wi’ your Scorn? That’s no my Faut that I’m nae gentler born. 1725 Gif I the Daughter of some Laird had been, I ne’er had notic’d Patie on the Green: Now since he rises, why should I repine? If he’s made for another, he’ll ne’er be mine: And then, the like has been, if the Decree 1730 Designs him mine, I yet his Wife may be. Mad. A bonny Story, trowth! — But we delay: Prin up your Aprons baith, and come away. Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE III. Sir William fills the twa-arm’d Chair, While Symon, Roger, Glaud and Mause, 1735 Attend, and with loud Laughter hear Daft Bauldy bluntly plead his Cause: For now ’tis tell’d him that the Taz 418

The Gentle Shepherd Was handled by revengfu’ Madge, Because he brak good Breeding’s Laws, 1740 And with his Nonsense rais’d the Rage. S.Will. And was that all? Well, Bauldy, ye was serv’d No otherwise than what ye well deserv’d. Was it so small a Matter, to defame, And thus abuse an honest Woman’s Name? Besides your going about to have betray’d By Perjury an innocent young Maid. Baul. Sir, I confess my Faut thro’ a’ the Steps, And ne’er again shall be untrue to Neps. Maus. Thus far, Sir, he oblig’d me on the Score; I kend not that they thought me sic before. Baul. An’t like your Honour, I believ’d it well; But trowth I was e’en doilt to seek the Deil: Yet, with your Honour’s Leave, tho’ she’s nae Witch, She’s baith a slee and a revengefu’ —— And that my Some-place finds; — but I had best Had in my Tongue, for yonder comes the Ghaist, And the young bonny Witch, whase rosy Cheek, Sent me, without my Wit, the Deil to seek. Enter Madge, Peggy, and Jenny.

1745

1750

1755

Sir William, looking at Peggy.

Whose Daughter’s she that wears th’ Aurora Gown, 1760 With Face so fair, and Locks a lovely brown? How sparkling are her Eyes! What’s this! I find The Girl brings all my Sister to my Mind. Such were the Features once adorn’d a Face, Which Death too soon depriv’d of sweetest Grace. 1765 Is this your Daughter, Glaud? ——— ——— ——— Glaud. ——— ——— ——— Sir, she’s my Niece; — And yet she’s not: — But I should hald my Peace. S. Will. This is a Contradiction: What d’ ye mean? She is, and is not! pray thee, Glaud, explain. 1770 Glaud. Because I doubt, if I should make appear What I have kept a Secret thirteen Year. Maus. You may reveal what I can fully clear. S. Will. Speak soon; I’m all Impatience! —— —— Pat. —— —— —— —— —— —— —— So am I! 1775 For much I hope, and hardly yet know why. Glaud. Then, since my Master orders, I obey. This Bonny Fundling, ae clear Morn of May, Close by the Lee-side of my Door I found, All sweet and clean, and carefully hapt round, 1780 In Infant-weeds of rich and gentle Make. What cou’d they be, thought I, did thee forsake?

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Poems Wha, warse than Brutes, cou’d leave expos’d to Air Sae much of Innocence sae sweetly fair, Sae hopeless young? For she appear’d to me 1785 Only about twa Towmonds auld to be. I took her in my Arms, the Bairnie smil’d With sic a Look wad made a Savage mild. I hid the Story: She has past sincesyne As a poor Orphan, and a Niece of mine. 1790 Nor do I rue my Care about the We’an, For she’s well worth the Pains that I have tane. Ye see she’s bonny, I can swear she’s good, And am right sure she’s come of gentle Blood: Of whom I kenna. — Nathing ken I mair, 1795 Than what I to your Honour now declare. S.Will. This Tale seems strange! —— —— Pat. —— —— —— —— The Tale delights my Ear; S. Will. Command your Joys, young Man, till Truth appear. Maus. That be my Task. — Now, Sir, bid all be hush; 1800 Peggy may smile; — thou hast no Cause to blush. Long have I wish’d to see this happy Day, That I might safely to the Truth give way; That I may now Sir William Worthy name, The best and nearest Friend that she can claim: 1805 He saw’t at first, and with quick Eye did trace His Sister’s Beauty’s in her Daughter’s Face. S. Will. Old Woman, do not rave, — prove what you say; ’Tis dangerous in Affairs like this to play. Pat. What Reason, Sir, can an old Woman have 1810 To tell a Lie, when she’s sae near her Grave? But how, or why, it should be Truth, I grant, I every thing looks like a Reason want. Omnes. The Story’s odd! we wish we heard it out. S. Will. Mak haste, good Woman, and resolve each Doubt. 1815 Mause goes foreward, leading Peggy to Sir William. Maus. Sir, view me well: Has fifteen Years so plow’d A wrinkled Face that you have often view’d, That here I as an unknown Stranger stand, Who nurs’d her Mother that now holds my Hand? Yet stronger Proofs I’ll give, if you demand. 1820 S. Will. Ha! honest Nurse, where were my Eyes before! I know thy Faithfulness, and need no more; Yet, from the Lab’rinth to lead out my Mind, Say, to expose her who was so unkind? Sir William embraces Peggy, and makes her sit by him.

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Yes, surely thou’rt my Niece; Truth must prevail: But no more Words, till Mause relate her Tale. 420

1825

The Gentle Shepherd Pat. Good Nurse, go on; nae Musick’s haff sae fine, Or can give Pleasure like these Words of thine. Maus. Then, it was I that sav’d her Infant-life Her Death being threatened by an Uncle’s Wife. 1830 The Story’s lang; but I the Secret knew, How they pursu’d, with avaritious View; Her rich Estate, of which they’re now possest: All this to me a Confident confest. I heard with Horror, and with trembling Dread, 1835 They’d smoor the sakeless Orphan in her Bed! That very Night, when all were sunk in Rest, At Midnight hour, the Floor I saftly prest, And staw the sleeping Innocent away; With whom I travel’d some few Miles e’er Day: 1840 All Day I hid me, — when the Day was done, I kept my Journey, lighted by the Moon, Till Eastward Fifty Miles I reach’d these Plains, Where needful Plenty glads your chearful Swains; Afraid of being found out, I to secure 1845 My Charge, e’en laid her at this Shepherd’s Door, And took a neighbouring Cottage here, that I, Whate’er should happen to her, might be by. Here, honest Glaud himsell, and Symon may Remember well, how I that very Day 1850 Frae Roger’s Father took my little Crove. Glaud, with Tears of Joy happing down his Beard. I well remember’t. Lord reward your Love: Lang have I wish’d for this; for aft I thought, Sic Knowledge sometime should about be brought. Pat. ’Tis now a Crime to doubt, — my Joys are full, 1855 With due Obedience to my Parent’s Will. Sir, with paternal Love survey her Charms, And blame me not for rushing to her Arms. She’s mine by Vows; and would, tho’ still unknown, Have been my Wife, when I my Vows durst own. 1860 S. Will. My Niece, my Daughter, welcome to my Care, Sweet Image of thy Mother good and fair, Equal with Patrick: Now my greatest Aim Shall be, to aid your Joys, and well match’d Flame. My Boy, receive her from your Father’s Hand, 1865 With as good Will as either would demand. Patie and Peggy embrace, and kneel to Sir William. Pat. With as much Joy this Blessing I receive, As ane wad Life, that’s sinking in a Wave. Sir William raises them. 421

Poems I give you both my Blessing: May your Love Produce a happy Race, and still improve. 1870 Peg. My Wishes are compleat, — my Joys arise, While I’m haff dizy with the blest Surprise. And am I then a Match for my ain Lad, That for me so much generous Kindness had? Lang may Sir William bless these happy Plains, 1875 Happy while Heaven grant he on them remains. Pat. Be lang our Guardian, still our Master be; We’ll only crave what you shall please to gi’e: The Estate be your’s, my Peggy’s ane to me. Glaud. I hope your Honour now will take amends 1880 Of them that sought her Life for wicked Ends. S. Will. The base unnatural Villain soon shall know, That Eyes above watch the Affairs below. I’ll strip him soon of all to her pertains, And make him reimburse his ill got Gains. 1885 Peg. To me the Views of Wealth and an Estate, Seem light when put in Ballance with my Pate: For his Sake only, I’ll ay thankful bow For such a Kindness, best of Men, to you. Sym. What double Blythness wakens up this Day! 1890 I hope now, Sir, you’ll no soon haste away. Sall I unsadle your Horse, and gar prepare A Dinner for ye of hale Country Fare? See how much Joy unwrinkles every Brow; Our Looks hing on the twa, and doat on you: 1895 Even Bauldy the Bewitch’d has quite forgot Fell Madge’s Taz, and pawky Mause’s Plot. S. Will. Kindly old Man, remain with you this Day, I never from these Fields again will stray: Masons and Wrights shall soon my House repair, 1900 And bussy Gardners shall new Planting rear; My Father’s hearty Table you soon shall see Restor’d, and my best Friends rejoyce with me. Sym. That’s the best News I heard this twenty Year; New Day breaks up, rough Times begin to clear. 1905 Glaud. GOD save the King, and save Sir William lang, To enjoy their ain, and raise the Shepherds Sang. Rog. Wha winna dance? wha will refuse to sing? What Shepherd’s Whistle winna lilt the Spring? Baul. I’m Friends with Mause, — with very Madge I’m ’greed, 1910 Altho’ they skelpit me when woodly fleid: I’m now fu’ blyth, and frankly can forgive, To join and sing, Lang may Sir William live. Mad. Lang may he live: — and, Bauldy, learn to steek Your Gab a wee, and think before ye speak; 1915 And never ca’ her auld that wants a Man, Else ye may yet some Witches Fingers ban. This Day I’ll wi’ the youngest of ye rant,

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The Gentle Shepherd And brag for ay, that I was ca’d the Aunt Of our young Lady, — my dear bonny Bairn! 1920 Peg. No other Name I’ll ever for you learn. — And, my good Nurse, how shall I greatfu’ be, For a’ thy matchless Kindness done for me? Maus. The flowing Pleasures of this happy Day Does fully all I can require repay. 1925 S. Will. To faithful Symon, and, kind Glaud, to you, And to your Heirs I give in endless Feu, The Mailens ye possess, as justly due, For acting like kind Fathers to the Pair, Who have enough besides, and these can spare. 1930 Mause, in my House in Calmness close your Days, With nought to do, but sing your Maker’s Praise. Omnes. The LORD of Heaven return your Honour’s Love, Confirm your Joys, and a’ your Blessings roove.

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Patie, presenting Roger to Sir William.

Sir, here’s my trusty Friend, that always shar’d 1935 My Bosom-secrets, ere I was a Laird; Glaud’s Daughter Janet (Jenny, thinkna Shame) Rais’d, and maintains in him a Lover’s Flame: Lang was he dumb, at last he spake, and won, And hopes to be our honest Uncle’s Son: 1940 Be pleas’d to speak to Glaud for his Consent, That nane may wear a Face of Discontent. S. Will. My Son’s Demand is fair, — Glaud, let me crave, That trusty Roger may your Daughter have, With frank Consent; and while he does remain 1945 Upon these Fields, I make him Chamberlain. Glaud. You crowd your Bounties, Sir, what can we say, But that we’re Dyvours that can ne’er repay? Whate’er your Honour wills, I shall obey. Roger, my Daughter, with my Blessing, take, 1950 And still our Master’s Right your Business make. Please him, be faithful, and this auld gray Head Shall nod with Quietness down amang the Dead. Rog. I ne’er was good a speaking a’ my Days, Or ever loo’d to make o’er great a Fraise: 1955 But for my Master, Father and my Wife, I will employ the Cares of all my Life. S. Will. My Friends, I’m satisfied you’ll all behave, Each in his Station, as I’d wish or crave. Be ever vertuous, soon or late ye’ll find 1960 Reward, and Satisfaction to your Mind. The Maze of Life sometimes looks dark and wild; And oft when Hopes are highest, we’re beguil’d: Aft, when we stand on Brinks of dark Despair, Some happy Turn with Joy dispells our Care. 1965 Now all’s at Rights, who sings best let me hear.

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Poems Peg. When you demand, I readiest should obey: I’ll sing you ane, the newest that I ha’e. Sings to the Tune of Corn-riggs are bonny. My Patie is a Lover gay, His Mind is never muddy; 1970 His Breath is sweeter than new Hay, His Face is fair and ruddy: His Shape is handsome, middle Size; He’s comely in his Wauking: The shining of his Een surprise; 1975 ’Tis Heaven to hear him tawking. Last Night I met him on a Bawk, Where yellow Corn was growing, There mony a kindly Word he spake, That set my Heart a glowing. 1980 He kiss’d, and vow’d he wad be mine, And loo’d me best of ony, That gars me like to sing since syne, O Corn-Riggs are bonny. Let Lasses of a silly Mind 1985 Refuse what maist they’re wanting; Since we for yielding were design’d, We chastly should be granting. Then I’ll comply, and marry Pate, And syne my Cockernonny 1990 He’s free to touzel air or late, Where Corn-riggs are bonny. Exeunt omnes.

To Mrs. A. C. A Song. To the Tune of, All in the Downs. When Beauty blazes heavenly bright, The Muse can no more cease to sing, Than can the Lark, with rising Light, Her Notes neglect with drooping Wing. The Morning shines, harmonious Birds mount hy; 5 The dawning Beauty smiles, and Poets fly. Young ANNIE’s budding Graces claim The inspir’d Thought, and softest Lays; And kindle in the Breast a Flame, Which must be vented in her Praise. 10 Tell us, ye gentle Shepherds, have you seen E’er one so like an Angel tread the Green. Ye Youth, be watchful of your Hearts; 424

To Mrs. A.C. When she appears, take the Alarm: Love on her Beauty points his Darts, 15 And wings an Arrow from each Charm. Around her Eyes and Smiles the Graces sport, And to her snowy Neck and Breasts resort. But vain must every Caution prove; When such enchanting Sweetness shines, 20 The wounded Swain must yield to Love, And wonder, tho’ he hopeless pines. Such Flames the foppish Butterfly shou’d shun; The Eagle’s only fit to view the Sun. She’s as the opening Lilly fair, 25 Her lovely Features are compleat; Whilst Heaven indulgent makes her share With Angels all that’s wise and sweet. These Vertues, which divinely deck her Mind, Exalt each Beauty of th’ inferior Kind. 30 Whether she love the rural Scenes, Or sparkle in the airy Town, O! happy he her Favour gains, Unhappy! if she on him frown. The Muse unwilling quits the lovely Theme, Adieu she sings, and thrice repeats her Name.

35

To Mrs. E. C. A Song. To the Tune of Tweed-side. Now Phœbus advances on hy; No Footsteps of Winter are seen; The Birds carrol sweet in the Sky, And Lambkins dance Reels on the Green. Thro’ Groves, and by Rivulets clear, 5 We wander for Pleasure and Health, Where Buddings and Blossoms appear, Giving Prospects of Joy and Wealth. View every gay Scene all around, That are, and that promise to be; 10 Yet in them all nothing is found So perfect, Elisa, as thee. Thine Eyes the clear Fountains excell; Thy Locks they out-rival the Grove; When Zephyrs these pleasingly swell, 15 425

Poems Each Wave makes a Captive to Love. The Roses and Lillies combin’d, And Flowers of most delicate Hue, By thy Cheek and thy Breasts are out-shin’d, Their Tinctures are nothing so true.

20

What can we compare with thy Voice, And what with thy Humour so sweet? No Musick can bless with such Joys; Sure Angels are just so compleat, Fair Blossom of every Delight, 25 Whose Beauties then thousands out-shine, Thy Sweets shall be lastingly bright, Being mixt with so many divine. Ye Powers, who have given such Charms To Elisa, your Image below, 30 O! save her from all humane Harms, And make her Hours happily flow.

To CALISTA: A Song, To the Tune of, I wish my Love were in a Mire. She sung, — the Youth Attention gave, And Charms on Charms espies; Then all in Raptures falls a Slave, Both to her Voice and Eyes. So spoke and smil’d the Eastern Maid, 5 Like thine, seraphick were her Charms, That in Circassia’s Vineyards stray’d, And blest the wisest Monarch’s Arms. A thousand fair of high Desert Strave to enchant the amorous King, 10 But the Circassan gain’d his Heart, And taught the Royal Bard to sing. Calista thus our Sang inspires, And claims the smooth and highest Lays; But while each Charm our Bosom fires, 15 Words seem too few to sound her Praise. Her Mind, in ev’ry Grace compleat, To paint, surpasses humane Skill, Her Majesty, mixt with the sweet; 426

To Calista Let Seraphs sing her if they will. Whilst wondring, with a ravish’t Eye; We all that’s perfect in her view, Viewing a Sister of the Sky, To whom an Adoration’s due.

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A S O N G.

Tune of Lochaber no more. Farewell to Lochaber, and farewell, my Jean, Where heartsome with thee I’ve mony Day been, For Lochaber no more, Lochaber no more, We’ll may be return to Lochaber no more. These Tears that I shed, they are a’ for my Dear, 5 And no for the Dangers attending on Weir, Tho’ bore on rough Seas to a far bloody Shore, May be to return to Lochaber no more. Tho’ Hurrycanes rise, and rise ev’ry Wind, They’ll ne’er make a Tempest like that in my Mind: 10 Tho’ loudest of Thunder on louder Waves roar, That’s nathing like leaving my Love on the Shore. To leave thee behind me, my Heart is sair pain’d. By Ease that’s inglorious no Fame can be gain’d; And Beauty and Love’s the Reward of the Brave, 15 And I must deserve it before I can crave. Then Glory, my Jeany, maun plead my Excuse; Since Honour commands me, how can I refuse? Without it I ne’er can have Merit for thee, And without thy Favour I’d better not be. I gae then, my Lass, to win Honour and Fame; And if I should luck to come gloriously hame, I’ll bring a Heart to thee with Love running o’er, And then I’ll leave thee and Lochaber no more.

20

Lass with a Lump of Land. Gi’e me a Lass with a Lump of Land, And we for Life shall gang thegither; Tho’ daft or wise I’ll never demand, Or black or fair it maksna whether. I’m aff with Wit, and Beauty will fade, 5 And Blood alane is no worth a Shilling; But she that’s rich, her Market’s made, For ilka Charm about her is killing. Gi’e me a Lass with a Lump of Land, 427

Poems And in my Bosom I’ll hug my Treasure; 10 Gin I had anes her Gear in my Hand, Shou’d Love turn dowf, it will find Pleasure. Laugh on wha likes, but there’s my Hand, I hate with Poortith, tho’ bonny, to meddle; Unless they bring Cash, or a Lump of Land, 15 They’se never get me to dance to their Fiddle. There’s meikle good Love in Bands and Bags, And Siller and Gowd’s a sweet Complection; But Beauty, and Wit, and Vertue in Rags, Have tint the Art of gaining Affection. Love tips his Arrows with Woods and Parks, And Castles, and Riggs, and Moors, and Meadows; And nathing can catch our modern Sparks, But well tocher’d Lasses, or jointer’d Widows.

20

Vertue and Wit,

The Preservatives of Love and Beauty. To the Tune of Gillikranky. To Mrs. K. H. Confess thy Love, fair blushing Maid; For since thine Eye’s consenting, Thy safter Thoughts are a’ betray’d, And Nasays no worth tenting. Why aims thou to oppose thy Mind, 5 With Words thy Wish denying? Since Nature made thee to be kind, Reason allows complying. Nature and Reason’s joint Consent Make Love a sacred Blessing; 10 Then happily that Time is spent, That’s war’d on kind caressing. Come then, my Katie, to my Arms, I’ll be nae mair a Rover, But find out Heaven in a’ thy Charms, 15 And prove a faithful Lover. SHE. What you design by Nature’s Law, Is fleeting Inclination; That Willy-Wisp bewilds us a’, By its Infatuation. 20 When that gaes out, Caresses tire, And Love’s nae mair in season; Syne weakly we blaw up the Fire, 428

Vertue and Wit With all our boasted Reason. HE. The Beauties of inferior Cast 25 May start this just Reflection; But Charms like thine maun always last, Where Wit has the Protection. Vertue and Wit, like April Rays, Make Beauty rise the sweeter: 30 The langer then on thee I gaze, My Love will grow compleater.

S O N G. To the Tune of, I’ll gar ye be fain to follow me. HE. Adieu for a while, my native green Plains, My nearest Relations, and neighbouring Swains, Dear Nelly, frae these I’d start easily free, Were Minutes not Ages while absent frae thee. SHE. Then tell me the Reason thou does not obey 5 The Pleadings of Love, but thus hurries away: Alake! thou Deceiver, o’er plainly I see, A Lover sae roving will never mind me. HE. The Reason unhappy is owing to Fate, That gave me a Being without an Estate, 10 Which lays a Necessity now upon me, To purchase a Fortune for Pleasure to thee. SHE. Small Fortune may serve where Love has the Sway: Then, Johny, be counsel’d nae langer to stray; For while thou proves constant in Kindness to me, 15 Contented I’ll ay find a Treasure in thee. HE. O cease, my dear Charmer, else soon I’ll betray A Weakness unmanly, and quickly give way To Fondness which may prove a Ruin to thee, A Pain to us baith, and Dishonour to me. Bear Witness, ye Streams, and witness, ye Flowers; Bear witness, ye watchful invisible Powers, If ever my Heart be unfaithful to thee, May nathing propitious e’er smile upon me. 429

20

Poems

S O N G.

We’ll a’ to Kelso go. Ann I’ll awa’ to bonny Tweed-side, And see my Deary come throw, And he sall be mine Gif sae he incline; 5 For I hate to lead Apes below. While young and fair, I’ll make it my Care, To secure my sell in a Jo; I’m no sic a Fool, 10 To let my Blood cool, And syne gae lead Apes below. Few Words, bonny Lad, Will eithly perswade, Tho’ blushing, I daftly say no, 15 Gae on with your Strain, And doubt not to gain; For I hate to lead Apes below. Unty’d to a Man, Do whate’er we can, 20 We never can thrive or dow: Then I will do well, Do better wha will, And let them lead Apes below. Our Time is precious, 25 And Gods are gracious, That Beauties upon us bestow; ’Tis not to be thought We got them for nought, Or to be set up for Show. 30 ’Tis carry’d by Votes, Come kilt up your Coats, And let us to Edinburgh go, Where she that’s bonny May catch a Johny, 35 And never lead Apes below.

The Widow. The Widow can bake, and the Widow can brew, The Widow can shape, and the Widow can shew, 430

The Widow And mony braw Things the Widow can do; Then have at the Widow, my Laddie. With Courage attack her baith early and late, 5 To kiss her and clap her ye mauna be blate: Speak well, and do better; for that’s the best Gate To win a young Widow, my Laddie. The Widow she’s youthfu’, and never ae Hair The war of the wearing, and has a good Skair 10 Of every thing lovely; she’s witty and fair, And has a rich Jointure, my Laddie. What cou’d ye wish better your Pleasure to crown, Than a Widow, the bonniest Toast in the Town, With nothing, but draw in your Stool, and sit down, 15 And sport with the Widow, my Laddie. Then till her, and kill her with Courtesy dead, Tho’ stark Love and Kindness be all ye can plead; Be heartsome and airy, and hope to succeed With a bonny gay Widow, my Laddie. Strike Iron while ’tis het, if ye’d have it to wald, For Fortune ay favours the Active and Bauld, But ruines the Woer that’s thowless and cauld, Unfit for the Widow, my Laddie.

20

The STEP-DAUGHTER’s Relief.

To the Tune of, The Kirk wad let me be. I was anes a well tocher’d Lass My Mither left Dollars to me; But now I’m brought to a poor Pass, My Step-dame has gart them flee. My Father he’s aften frae hame, 5 And she plays the Deel with his Gear; She neither has Lateth nor Shame, And keeps the hale House in a steer. She’s barmy fac’d, thriftless and bauld, And gars me aft fret and repine; 10 While hungry, haff naked and cauld, I see her destroy what’s mine: But soon I might hope a Revenge, And soon of my Sorrows be free, My Poortith to Plenty was change, 15 If she were hung-up on a Tree. Quoth Ringan, wha lang time had loo’d This bonny Lass tenderly, I’ll tak thee, sweet May, in thy Snood, Gif thou wilt gae hame with me, 20 431

Poems ’Tis only your sell that I want; Your Kindness is better to me, Than a’ that your Step-mother, scant Of Grace, now has taken frae thee. I’m but a young Farmer, ’tis true, 25 And ye are the Sprout of a Laird; But I have Milk-cattle enow, And Rowth of good Rucks in my Yard. Ye sall have nothing to fash ye; Sax Servants sall jouk to thee: 30 Then kilt up thy Coats, my Lassie, And gae thy ways hame with me. The Maiden her Reason employ’d, Not thinking the Offer amiss, Consented: — While Ringan o’erjoy’d, 35 Receiv’d her with mony a Kiss. And now she sits blythly singan, And joking her drunken Step-dame, Delighted with her dear Ringan, That makes her Goodwife at hame. 40

The Soger Laddie. My Soger Laddie is over the Sea, And he will bring Gold and Money to me; And when he comes hame, he’ll make me a Lady: My Blessing gang with my Soger Laddie. My doughty Laddie is handsome and brave, 5 And can as a Soger and Lover behave: True to his Country, to Love he is steady; There’s few to compare with my Soger Laddie, Shield him, ye Angels, frae Death in Alarms, Return him with Lawrels to my langing Arms, 10 Syne frae all my Care ye’ll pleasantly free me, When back to my Wishes my Soger ye gi’e me. O soon may his Honours bloom fair on his Brow, As quickly they must, if he gets his Due; For in noble Actions his Courage is ready, 15 Which makes me delight in my Soger Laddie.

432

NOTES to Poems (1721) To Mr. Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works Text: Poems (1721). Title: The first four poems in the 1721 edition of Ramsay’s works are not by Ramsay but rather tributes in verse by admirers. This first encomium is by Josiah Burchett (1666?-1746), Secretary of the English Admiralty and author of A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Transactions at Sea (1720), the first history of the British Navy. Burchett was clerk to Samuel Pepys (16031703) and an elected Member of Parliament in 1705-13 and 1721-41. He wrote ‘To Mr. Allan Ramsay, on his Richy and Sandy’ alongside an ‘explanation’ of the poem, which appears in the 1719 and 1720 editions of ‘Richy and Sandy’ and is reproduced in the 1721 edition of Poems. Ramsay dedicated ‘Patie and Roger: A Pastoral’ to Burchett, as well as ‘To Josiah Burchet, Secretary of the Admiralty, with the First Scene of “The Gentle Shepherd”’ and ‘An Epistle to Josiah Burchet, on his Being Chosen Member of Parliament’. The STS editors state that Ramsay and Burchett quarrelled over the poet’s ‘On Receiving a Present of an Orange from Mrs G.L., now Countess of Aboyne’ (VI, p.210), after which Ramsay composed ‘A Reply to Critics’. In the MS copy of Ramsay’s ‘Health’, held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, ‘A Reply to Critics’ is transcribed with the following note: ‘To this Josiah Burchet most uncourteously sent an answer, “As Juno chaste, as Venus kind,/She may have been who gave the fruit:/But had she had Minerva’s mind,/She ne’er had gi’ent to sic a brute!”’ It is not entirely clear, however, that this epigram constituted serious criticism of Ramsay by Burchett; rather, it may be a traditional Scottish ‘flyting’ between friends; a correspondence of witty insult. 1. ‘the Nine’: Muses of Greek mythology: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia and Urania. 2. ‘Horace’: Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65BC-8BC), principal Roman poet in the time of Augustus and author of Satires, Epistles and Epodes; ‘Virgil’: Publius Vergilius Maro (70BC-19BC), Roman poet of the Augustan period and author of Eclogues, Georgics and the Aeneid. 4. ‘Apollo’: Olympian deity and patron god of music and poetry. 7. Ramsay’s ‘The Morning Interview’. 16. Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on John Cowper, Kirk-Treasurer’s Man’. 22. Ramsay’s ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. 37. Ramsay’s ‘Tartana, or, The Plaid’. 62. Ramsay’s ‘The Lass of Peattie’s Mill’. 80. ‘Royal James’: Burchet refers to Ramsay’s version of Christ’s Kirk on the Green and ascribes the original to an unspecified King James. The Bannatyne MS, in which Ramsay first saw the poem, attributes the poem to James I (1394-1437), whereas later scholars identify the author as James V (1512-42). Ramsay’s own misperception about the poem’s authorship and Burchet’s lack of specificity may imply contemporary confusion over attribution. See also notes to Ramsay’s ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’. 86. ‘Butler’: Samuel Butler (bap.1613-80), author of the satirical poem, Hudibras 433

Poems (1663-78). 86. ‘Ralpho’: Squire Ralpho of Butler’s Hudibras. 94. ‘Addie’: familiarisation of Joseph Addison (1672-1719), poet, playwright, essayist and co-editor, with Richard Steele, of The Spectator. To the Author Text: Poems (1721). 8. ‘Flora’: Roman goddess of flowering and fruiting plants, and a symbol of springtime and fertility; ‘parterre’: a level space in a garden reserved for flowering plants. ‘C. T.’: unidentified. Ramsay reprints ‘To the Author’ in the second edition of his Tartana, or the Plaid (1719). To Mr. Allan Ramsay Text: Poems (1721). Author: Charles Beckingham (1699-?1731), English poet and dramatist and author of Scipio Africanus (1718), a tragedy based on the story of classical Roman historian Livy. To Mr. Allan Ramsay on the Publication of his Poems Text: Poems (1721). Author: James Arbuckle (d.1742), poet and essayist, probably born in Belfast. Author of the mock-heroic Snuff (1719), An Epistle to Thomas, Earl of Haddington, on the death of Joseph Addison, Esq. (1719) and verses on the river Clyde entitled Glotta: A Poem (1721), he was also a contributor to the Edinburgh Miscellany of 1721 and columnist for the Dublin Journal. His writings for the latter paper were published as Hibernicus’s Letters (172527): this publication also contains early writings by the poet Thomas Parnell (1679-1718) and Enlightenment philosopher Francis Hutcheson (16941746). According to the STS editors, Arbuckle ‘took part in a production of Tamerlane in Glasgow, for which he incurred the wrath of the University authorities – who had been satirised in a Prologue and Epilogue’ (VI, p.209). Ramsay’s ‘An Epistle to Mr. James Arbuckle’ demonstrates their continuing relationship. 2. ‘Bays’: in ancient Greece, poets laureate were crowned with a bay laurel wreath. 6. ‘Pegasus’: winged stallion of Greek mythology associated with the Muses, having created Mount Helicon’s Hippocrene fountain. 25. Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’. 26. Ramsay’s ‘Patie and Roger’. 40. ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), English poet famed for satirical poems, such as Essay on Criticism (1711), Rape of the Lock (1712-14) and The Dunciad (1728-43); he also translated Homer’s Iliad (1715-20) and Odyssey (1726). 434

Notes to Poems 1721 The Morning Interview Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published as The Battel: Or, Morning-Interview. An Heroi-Comical Poem (Edinburgh, 1716), in a second edition as The Morning-Interview. An HeroiComical Poem (Edinburgh, 1719), and among other Ramsay poems in a text ‘Printed for the Author’, in Edinburgh in 1720. This latter publication misspells Ramsay’s forename as ‘Alan’ and features 40 pages of verse, including ‘Edinburgh’s Address to the Country’, ‘Written Beneath the Historical Print of Mr David Bruce’, ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, ‘Elegy on John Cowper’, ‘Elegy on Lucky Wood’ and ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. Another printing of the poem, published ‘for the Author’ in a pamphlet containing twenty-four pages of verse, was also released in 1720; this publication appears to be the same as the forty-page edition published in the same year, but without the Elegies and ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. The 24-page printing of 1720 is therefore not treated as a separate edition here. The first edition (1716) features the following Advertisement: This City, as Narrow as it is, is the Scene of many Adventures, which may be proper Subject for both Poet and Philosopher: But the Humour of undervaluing home=Manufactory, discourages Publications. I shall make no more Apology for my Poem, than a short Account of the Birth of it shall afford. — I have naturally an Itch of Rhiming, which I gratify, sometimes for my own Satisfaction, and the Diversion of a few Intimates. When I shew’d the first Sketch of the Following, to one of my Friends, who well deserves the Honour of Patron of most of ^my Performances, he was pleas’d to say, That there were some Strokes in it, which discovered more of a Poetic Genius, and of the Humour of Gallantry, than any Thing I had written; and encouraged me to carry the Design a little further. As I have a great respect for his Judgement, and as great a Share of Vanity and Conceit as any of my Contemporaries, I was easily persuaded, and, with his Help, rectified some Errors had escaped me in the first Draughts. He tells me of some Faults yet, which I am unwilling to confess, not knowing well how to mend them. However, if my Readers shall agree with him, and be so kind as to inform me in a civil Way, I shall do what I can, by the Help of their Criticism, to verify the Title of Corrected and Amended, in a Second Edition. The ‘Second Edition’ projected by Ramsay is the text published in 1719; his ‘Patron’ is probably John Forbes, son of Sir David Forbes of Newhall, thanks to a MS note on the BL’s copy of the 1716 edition which reads, ‘Jo. F----s’. Gibson concurs with the identification of Ramsay’s patron as Forbes; the STS editors suggest ‘John Fergus the secretary of the Easy Club’ (VI, p.23). Title: ‘The Morning-Interview’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘The Morning Interview’] Motto: Edmund Waller, ‘The Triple Combat’ (1690), ll.35-38. 2. ‘Oyl’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘Oil’] 3. ‘Harmonious Sounds now echo in each Grove’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘Harmonious Musick gladdens ev’ry Grove,’] 435

Poems 4. ‘Of bleating Lambs, who from their Parents rove,’ (1716, 1719), ‘Lambs who from their Parents rove;’ (1720) [not ‘While bleating Lambkins from their Parents rove,’] 5. ‘While o’er the Plain the anxious Dames do stray,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘And o’er the Plain the anxious Mothers stray,’] 6. ‘Bae:’ (1719) [not ‘Bae.’] 7. ‘Now cheerful Zypher from the Western Sky,’ (1716, 1719), ‘Now cheerful Zephyr from the Western Sky,’ (1720) [not ‘Now cheerful Zephyr from the Western Skies’] 8. ‘With easy Scud, o’er painted Fields does fly,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘With easy Flight o’er painted Meadows flies,’] 11. ‘When from Debauch, with sp’rituous Juice oppress’d,’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘When from Debauch with sp’rituous Juice opprest,’] 12. ‘Bacchus’: Roman god of fertility, farming and wine. 15. ‘Morning-Dew,’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘morning Dew,’] 42. ‘perfumed Dust:’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘perfuming Dust;’] 45. ‘Ere all’s perform’d he’s almost choak’d to Death,’ (1716, 1719), ‘performed’ (1720); [not ‘E’er this perform’d he’s almost chok’d to Death,’] 47. ‘So does the Traveller through Lybia’s Plain,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘The Trav’ler thus in the Numidian Plains,’] ‘Numidia’ (202-40 BC): ancient Berber kingdom in what is now Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Morocco. 55. ‘Jove’s sea-daughter’: Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, believed to have been born in the seafoam off the coast of Cytherea. 65. ‘In Plaids muff’d up, Prudes throng the sacred Dome,’ (1716, 1719), ‘Dome’ (1720) [not ‘In Plaids wrapt up, Prudes throng the sacred Dome,’] 69. ‘A sportive Sylph does lay’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘A sportive Sylph contrives’] 70. ‘Such’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘Sylphs’] 74. ‘do’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘the’] 75. ‘Aulus’: Aulus Gellius (c.125-180), Latin author and grammarian who served as a symbol of justice. 77. ‘Amidst a Square which does amaze the Sight,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘Amidst a lofty Square which strikes the Sight,’] 80. ‘Nether-Sky.’ (1716, 1719), ‘nether Sky:’ (1720) [not ‘nether Sky;’] 81. ‘Where once Alas’: Edinburgh’s Parliament Square, once the seat of the Scottish Parliament, and where a statue of Charles II stands, not in brass, but lead; ‘Three Estates’: orders of social hierarchy used in Europe from the medieval to the early modern period. 83. ‘tither did’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘and here did’] 104. ‘wants Revenge:’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘want Revenge;’] 114. ‘Fabius’: Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus (c.280-203BC), Roman statesman and general surnamed ‘Cuncator’, thanks to his strategy against Hannibal’s forces in the Second Punic War. 115. ‘Bruce’: Robert I (1274-1329): King of Scots from 1306 until 1329; ‘Wallace’: Sir William Wallace (1270-1305), Scottish knight; both led Scotland in the First War of Scottish Independence. 136. ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’: motto of the Order of the Garter, translated as 436

Notes to Poems 1721 ‘shamed be (the person) who thinks evil of it’. 144. ‘Oval Conick’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘oval conick’] 152. ‘Bickerstaff’: Isaac Bickerstaff, fictitious editor of and contributor to Richard Steele’s periodical, The Tatler; also Ramsay’s initial pseudonym as member of the Easy Club. 164. ‘Shock’: Belinda’s lapdog in Alexander Pope’s mock-heroic poem, The Rape of the Lock (1712-14). 172. ‘Europa’s Sake’: the classical myth that Europa was abducted by Zeus when he was disguised as a bull. 179. ‘Ascanius’: son of Aeneas and king of Alba Longa. 180. ‘Dally’d and ruin’d the Carthaginian Queen.’ (1716, 1719); ‘Dally’d,’ (1720) [not ‘Of old deceiv’d the Carthaginian Queen.’] ‘Carthaginian Queen’: Dido, founder of Carthage; in Virgil’s Aeneid she falls in love with Aeneas and commits suicide after he abandons her at Jupiter’s command. 184. ‘wheezing’ (1716) [not ‘whizzing’] 191. ‘How does your Splendor swell the Female’s Pride,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘How can your Splendor easy Access find,’] 192. ‘When o’er their Minds such Gawdry does preside?’ (1716, 1719), ‘preside!’ (1720) [not ‘And gently captivate the fair one’s Mind?’] 197. ‘The sanguine Streams, in Blushes no more glow,’ (1716, 1719) [not ‘No more the sanguine Streams in Blushes glow,’] 200. A stanza break is inserted in 1716, 1719 and 1720, which is not preserved in 1721. 207. ‘hackney’: hack writer. 208. ‘Foot-washing’: eighteenth-century Scottish ritual performed on the eve of a wedding, where the bride’s feet are washed in a tub of water by her female friends. The groom is thereafter made to sit in the tub, and his legs are smeared with soot and ashes. 213. ‘Limberham’: John Dryden’s play, Mr. Limberham; or, the Kind Keeper (1680). 226. ‘If words did pass’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘If Language pass’d’] 229. ‘did end’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘finisht’] 234. ‘So, by Degrees, the Eagle learns her Young’ (1716), ‘So, by Degrees, the Eagles teach their Young’ (1719; 1720) [not ‘So by Degrees the Eagles teach their Young’] 236. ‘Treat does crown the ended War,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘Entertainment crowns the War,’] 241. ‘That Light through the transparent Jar does shine,’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘That Rays through the transparent Vessels shine;’ 263. ‘English Rhime.’ (1716, 1719, 1720) [not ‘British Rhime.’] [271] ‘Adieu’ (1716); subsequent editions end at line 270. Elegy on Maggy Johnston, who died Anno 1711 Text: Poems (1721). MS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.10), non-autograph, in the hand of John Fergus. No holograph MS. 437

Poems ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston, who died Anno 1711’ is one of Ramsay’s earliest compositions and dates to the period of his Easy Club membership. The Club was founded on 12 May 1712, and ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ is referenced in the Easy Club Journal on 6 June, 1 July and 4 July 1712 (STS, V, 13-14). A holograph MS has not survived. According to IELM, two MS transcriptions of the poem were prepared: only one has been located, and there is evidence to suggest that only one existed. A non-holograph transcription of the poem features in the Sotheby’s Catalogue for 26 and 27 July 1907: ‘His 1st Performance Maggie Johnstoun’s Elegy, as enlarged and corrected by him, July 30, 1713, (sixteen 5 line verses on four-and-a-half pages)’ (Sotheby’s Catalogue, Vol. 1077, pp.51-52). The description of this lot suggests that it is the MS which is collected among Easy Club papers in EUL’s Laing Collection. IELM proposes that one other MS transcription of the poem was reportedly found in the appendix of the Easy Club Journal; however, thanks to the loss of the Journal, this MS has not been located. Similarities in the descriptions of the two reported MSS in IELM suggest that only one MS existed, and that it is the MS held in the Laing collection: in both cases, the transcription was made by Easy Club secretary ‘George Buchanan’ (John Fergus), both purport to be ‘corrected’ by the poet, and to constitute a second edition. The Laing MS has an additional stanza, placed at ll.13-18 and making a total of sixteen, which does not appear in printed versions of the poem, which are all fifteen stanzas long. Although its contents are probably reliable, the Easy Club Journal has been discounted as a legitimate MS source for Ramsay’s poems, thanks to its unreliable provenance: in Vol. IV of their edition, STS editors utilise a transcription of Gibson’s transcription of the now-lost original MS for their copy-text of the Journal, thus diluting its provenance and textual credibility. However, the MS held in EUL’s Laing collection, as prepared by Ramsay’s fellow Easy Club member ‘George Buchanan’, has a known connection to Ramsay, and is thus included in the collation of variants below as an early, non-holograph witness. Until recently, the earliest extant printing of the poem was thought to be Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood. By Allan Ramsay. Second Edition corrected and amended (Edinburgh, 1718); the implied first edition was regarded as having been lost. A broadside which may be the first edition has been located. It was always known that a ‘first’ edition of the elegy had been produced prior to 1718: the printing of Ramsay’s elegies published in that year advertises that The Morning Interview, Edinburgh’s Address to the Country, Christ’s Kirk on the Green and ‘the Three Elegies’ are ‘to be had at the Mercury’ (p.20) and, as outlined above, the Easy Club Journal refers to a printed copy in circulation as early as 1712. A single-sheet publication, discovered in Edinburgh’s Signet Library and entitled ‘An ELEGY On the very much Lamented Death of Maggie Johnston’, may be the first printing of the poem. In ‘The First Edition of Allan Ramsay’s Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ (Scottish Literary Review 11:2 (Winter 2019, pp.31-39), Adam Fox states that this version of the text, which is ‘printed on a half sheet’, ‘must have been the text referred to in the “Journal of the Easy Club” in the summer of 1712 and which prefigured the second edition transcribed into its appendix’ (p.33) by ‘George Buchanan’. Fox therefore dates this single-sheet publication to 1712. 438

Notes to Poems 1721 This text constitutes a prototype of the elegy as it appears in Poems (1721): it consists of eleven stanzas rather than the fifteen printed in 1721, made up five lines each rather than the six-line stanza form to which the poem finally evolved. ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ was printed for a third time in broadside in c.1719 alongside the elegies on John Cowper and Lucky Wood and ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. This edition lacks a title page. As with the 1718 printing, it varies in a number of ways from the 1721 copy-text; these variations are recorded below. Martin records a further printing, which he dates tentatively to 1720, and which also features the elegies on John Cowper and Lucky Wood and ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. Only Photostats of the title and end pages of this edition have survived, but these show that it bears the same pagination (pp.25-28) as the probably unauthorised 1720 ‘gather-up’ edition. The STS editors state that ‘this edition had been prepared in part for Poems, 1720’ (VI, p.3), but it is equally possible that the collector cut ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ out of the ‘gather-up’ publication. It is not regarded as a separate edition here. Title: ‘An ELEGY On the very much Lamented Death of Maggie Johnston.’ (1712), ‘Maggie Johnstons elegy | 2.d Edition Enlarged and Corrected | By ye Author — | July 30. 1713 —’ (MS) [not ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston, who died Anno 1711.’] 1-6. The first edition of the poem, printed in c.1712, features these lines in place of the six-line stanza as printed in Poems (1721): Auld Riekie mourn in Sable Hew, To Brave Tippony bid adiew, which we with Greed Drank out, as fast as she could Brew. but ah ! she’s Dead. 1. ‘Auld Reekie mourn in Sable Hew,’ (MS) [not ‘Auld Reeky mourn in Sable Hue,’] ‘Auld Reekie’: familiar term for Edinburgh, meaning ‘Old Smoky’. 2. ‘fowth’ (MS) [not ‘Fouth’] 3. ‘Tiponny’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Tippony’] 7-12. In place of the six-line stanza in Poems (1721), the first edition (1712) has: Some say, it was the Effects of Broom, (That in our Heads rais’d such a Foom) or some wild Seed, Which aft the Chapen Stoup did toom, but fill’d our head. A variation of ll.67-72 of the poem as it is published in 1721 appears at ll.7-12 in the MS, as follows: Some Say it was th’effects of broom which she stow’d in her Masking-loom, That in our heads rais’d such a foom Or some wild seed Which aft the Chappin Stoup did toom But fill’d our head 7. ‘To tell ye truth now Maggie dang,’ (MS) [not ‘To tell the Truth now Maggy dang,’] 13-18. The third stanza as printed in 1721 is preceded in the Laing MS by these 439

Poems unpublished lines: Frae what blae spite I cannot tell Others assert she had a spell To garr her Nappie liquor sell Wi currant speed But ah Now’s drain’d yt bowsing well Since she is dead In addition, ll.13-18 in Poems (1721) are replaced by the following stanza in (1712): Others assert, she had a Spell, To make her Humming Liquor sell with Currant speed. But ah! now’s drain’d that Bouzing Well, since she is dead. 13. ‘be dozens’ (MS) [not ‘by Dizens’] 14. ‘and sweetly ca’d ye healths abown’ (MS) [not ‘Syne sweetly ca’d the Healths arown,’] 16. ‘lik’d’ (MS) [not ‘loo’d] 17. ‘In bumpers we our care’ (MS) [not ‘In Bumpers we dull cares’] 19-24. The stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by the following in 1712: Then, must we lose the Knowledge fine? Or hast thou left to Heirs of thine the subtile way, Of brewing Ale as brisk as Wine, that made us gay? 20. ‘And took a waak in bruntsfield links’ (MS), ‘o’re’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘And took a Turn o’er Bruntsfield Links,’] 21. ‘Aften in Maggy’s at high jinks’ (MS), ‘Aften, in MAGGY’s, at Hy-jinks’ (1719) [not ‘Aften in Maggy’s at Hy-jinks,’] 22. ‘guzled’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘guzl’d] 23. ‘hail’ (MS) [not ‘hale’] 25-30. The stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by the following in 1712: When we ga’d o’re Burntsfield Links, Aften in Maggie’s at Hy Jinks, we guzzel’d Scuds, Till we cou’d scarce, wi’ hail Out_drinks, cast aff our Dudds. 25. ‘Then we cry’d we fill ye quaff again’ (MS) [not ‘We drank and drew, and fill’d again,’] 26. ‘And wow’ (MS) [not ‘O wow’] 27. ‘Whane… mistane’ (MS) [not ‘When… mistain,’] 29. ‘To hear us aw cry pike your bane’ (MS) [not ‘To hear us a’ cry, Pike ye’r Bain’] 30. ‘your’ (MS) [not ‘ye’r’] 31-36. The stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by these lines in 1712: And wow but we war blyth and fain’ Whan ony had their Count mistane, O ! it was Nice, 440

Notes to Poems 1721 To hear us all cry, Pike your Bane, and spell your Dice. 31. ‘In Maggie’s we us’d to drink and Rant’ (MS) [not ‘Fou closs we us’d to drink and rant,’] 34. ‘Full swash I trow’ (MS), ‘trew’ (1718), ‘trow’ (1719) [not ‘Right swash I true;’] 37-42. The stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by the following in 1712: In Maggie’s we us’d to Drink and Rant Untill we did baith Glow’r and gant, full swash I trow, Then of Auld Stories we did Cant, Whan we were fow. 37. ‘quhan we ware wearied at ye gowf’ (MS), ‘Gouff’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Whan we were weary’d at the Gowff,’] 38. ‘Maggie Johnstowns’ (MS), ‘Houff’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Maggy Johnston’s was our Houff.’] 39. ‘Now all our gamesters may sing douf’ (MS), ‘douff’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Now a’ our Gamesters may sit dowff,’] 41. ‘Youff’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Yowff’] 42. ‘die’d’ (1718) [not ‘died’] 43-48. This stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by the following in 1712: When we war weary’d at the Gouff, Then Maggy Johnston’s was our Houff, whare we did feed. Now all our Gamesters may sing Douff since she is Dead. 43. ‘Mawn we be forc’d the art to tyne’ (MS), ‘tine’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Maun we be forc’d thy Skill to tine?’] 44. ‘repine?’ (1719) [not ‘repine;’] 45. ‘heirs of thine’ (MS) [not ‘Bairns of thine’] 47. ‘ale as brisk as wyne’ (MS) [not Ale amaist like Wine?’] 48. ‘crack?’ (1719) [not ‘crack.’] 49-54. The stanza as printed in 1721 is replaced by the following in 1712: But now, Dear Maggie, sen we must When we are Breathless, turn to Dust, without remead. Why shou’d we take it in Disgust, that thou art Dead. 50. ‘biz in ye quaff and flee ye frost’ (MS) [not ‘Biz i’ the Queff, and flie the Frost;’] 53. ‘wae-worth’ (1718) [not ‘wae worth’] 55-60. This stanza is replaced by the following in 1712: Thou liv’d a lang and hearty Life, Right free of Care, or Toyl, or Strife, till thou wast stale; And kenn’d to be a Kanny Wife, for making Ale. 55. ‘summers night’ (MS) [not ‘Simmer Night’] 441

Poems 56. ‘Amang ye Rigs I ga’de to spew’ (MS), ‘gae’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Amang the Riggs I geed to spew;’] 57. ‘back’ (MS), ‘Bauk I trew.’ (1718), ‘Bawk I trow.’ (1719) [not ‘Bawk, I trow.’] 59. ‘sough’d aw night ba-lily-low’ (MS) [not ‘soucht a’ Night Balillilow,’] 61-66. This stanza is replaced by the following in 1712, where it is the final (eleventh) stanza: Than farewell Maggy Duce and Fell, Let all your Gossips yelp and yell, and without fead, Guess whether ye did ill or well, they’re sure you’r Dead. 61. ‘Then quhan ye day began to glow,’ (MS) [not ‘And whan the Dawn begoud to glow,’] 64. ‘frae mang ye corn yt high did grow’ (MS), ‘Wirry-Kow’ (1718), ‘Wirry-kow’ (1719) [not ‘Frae ’mang the Corn like Wirricow,’] 65. ‘I Kend na mare than if a yew’ (MS); ‘And ken’d nae mair, than if a Ew’ (1719) [not ‘And ken’d nae mair than if a Ew’] 67. ‘say it was th’effects’ (MS) [not ‘said it was the Pith’] (See Note to ll.7-12 above.) 68. ‘which’ (MS); ‘Masking Loom’ (1718) [not ‘That she stow’d in her Maskingloom’] (See Note to ll.7-12 above.) 69. ‘That’ (MS) [not ‘Which’] (See Note to ll.7-12) 71. ‘Chappin’ (MS) [not ‘Chaping’] (See Note to ll.7-12) 73. ‘its’ (MS), ‘it’s’ (1718) [not ‘’tis’] 78. ‘that she is dead’ (MS), ‘that Maggy’s dead?’ (1719) [not ‘that Maggy’s dead.’] 84. ‘for’ (MS) [not ‘At’] 86. ‘of brewers aw she bore the bell’ (MS) [not ‘Of Brewers a’ thou boor the Bell;’] 88. ‘fead’ (MS) [not ‘Feed,’] 89. ‘ye’r’ (1718) [not ‘ye’re’] Epitaph: ‘O ! Rare Maggy Johnston.’ (1712) [not ‘O Rare Maggy Johnston.’] Elegy on John Cowper Kirk-Treasurer’s Man, Anno 1714 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First publication in Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, And Lucky Wood (Edinburgh, 1718), which is described as the ‘Second Edition corrected and amended’. The ‘first’ edition has not been located. It was again published in a pamphlet dated tentatively to 1719 by Martin, alongside the elegies on Maggy Johnston and Lucky Wood, as well as ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’. The latter publication lacks a title page. The STS editors suggest that, although Cowper died in 1714, the postscript in the 1718 edition, which states that the poem was ‘Occasion’d by John’s being frequently seen by several People, who can declare the samen upon Oath, June 1717’, dates the poem to 1717. This may be the case, but it is equally possible that the poem was written in 1714 as a response to Cowper’s death, and the postscript added in 1717 at reports of his 442

Notes to Poems 1721 ghostly wanderings. 1. ‘a’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘a’’] 5. ‘Sculdudrey’ (1718) [not ‘Sculdudry’] 10. ‘flee’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘fleed’] 19. ‘Altho’’ (1718) [not ‘Altho’] 23. ‘Geer’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Gear’] 25. ‘But now’ (1718) [not ‘Ay now’] 26. ‘Alas! he’s gane and left it a’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Alas he’s gane and left it a’!’] 27. ‘Whilliwha’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Whilliwhaw’] 29. ‘It’s’ (1718) [not ‘’Tis’] 32. ‘John’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘poor John’] 37. ‘He ken’d the Bawds and Lowns fou weell,’ (1718) [not ‘He kend the Bawds and Louns fou well,’] 38. ‘reell’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘reel’] 39. ‘steall’ (1718) [not ‘steal’] 41. ‘Deell’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘De’ll’] 43. ‘ne’re’ (1718), ‘nee’r’ (1719) [not ‘ne’er’] 50. ‘niest’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘neist’] 51. ‘lown’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘low’n’] 55. ‘Jad’ (1718) [not ‘Jade’] 62. ‘Waks around,’ (1718), ‘Waks arown,’ (1719) [not ‘Wakes arown,’] 64. ‘Loun’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Lown’] 67. ‘Death!’ (1719) [not ‘Death,’] 71. ‘To die I’m sure he was right laith’ (1719) [not ‘To quat the Grip he was right laith’] 73. Before the postscript, 1718 has an additional note: ‘Occasion’d by John’s being frequently seen by several people, who can declare the samen upon Oath. June 1717.’ 77. ‘gee’ (1719) [not ‘gi’e] 79. ‘Styl’ (1718), ‘Style’ (1719) [not ‘Stile’] Elegy on Lucky Wood in the Canongate, May 1717 Text: Poems (1721). MS: EUL (JA 2035), fair copy corrected on fly-leaves [3-4] of a copy of James Watson’s Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Poems (1706). First publication in Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood (Edinburgh, 1718), the ‘Second Edition corrected and amended’. The first edition has not been traced. The poem was later printed in c.1718 in a single-sheet broadside: Martin considers this to be a piracy, given the extensive corruption of the text; we agree that it should not be treated as an authorised edition. The poem was subsequently published in Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood, Lucky Spence’s Last Advice, a pamphlet dated tentatively to 1719, which lacks a title page. Title: ‘ELEGY | ON | Lucky WOOD in the | Canongate. | May, 1717.’ (MS), ‘An Elegy on Lucky Wood’ (1718) [not ‘ELEGY on Lucky WOOD IN THE Canongate, May 1717’] 1. ‘Cannygate’ (MS), ‘Elritch’ (1718), ‘Cannigate’ (1719) [not ‘O Cannigate ! poor 443

Poems elritch’] ‘Cannigate’: Canongate, a district of Edinburgh which was, in Ramsay’s time, a semi-autonomous burgh with its own administration of bailies. 3. ‘London, & Death makes thee look droll’ (MS) [not ‘London and Death gars thee look drole’] 5. ‘e’ne a cald coal’ (MS), ‘e’ne’ (1718) [not ‘e’en a cauld Coal’] 9. ‘that aa way ken’ (MS), ‘that a may ken’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘that a’ may ken’] 10. ‘waefull’ (MS) [not ‘waefou’] 13. ‘ou’re’ (MS) [not ‘o’er’] 16. ‘rive’ (MS) [not ‘rugg’] 17. ‘we’le’ (MS) [not ‘we’ll’] 18. ‘our hearts are sair’ (MS) [not ‘For evermair.’] 21. ‘peuter’ (MS); ‘Pewther’ (1718) [not ‘Peuther’] 25. ‘gud’ (MS) [not ‘good’] 26. ‘Boord fire-side’ (MS, 1718, 1719) [not ‘Her Boord, Fire-side’] 31. ‘ne’re’ (1718) [not ‘ne’er’] 33. ‘Waus’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Waw’s,’] 45. ‘e’re’ (1719) [not ‘e’re’] 47. ‘Bawm’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Baum?’] 49. ‘fu’ (1719) [not ‘fow’] ‘writer’: eighteenth-century term for a legal clerk or solicitor. 53. ‘match’ (MS) [not ‘Make’] 56. ‘snishing mill’: snuff box. 57. ‘Not often cost us many a Gill’ (MS), ‘Which after cost us mony a Gill’ (1718), ‘ne’er’ (1719) [not ‘Good Cakes we wanted ne’er at Will,’] 60. ‘The best of Bread’ (MS, 1719) [not ‘To Aikenhead.’] 67. ‘its’ (MS), ‘it’s’ (1718) [not ‘’tis’] 71. ‘spier’ (MS) [not ‘spear’] 74. ‘lyes’ (MS) [not ‘Lies’] 76. ‘Who nae sweer,’ (MS) [not ‘Wha was na sweer,’] 77. ‘while she liv’d here’ (MS) [not ‘While she winn’d here,’] Lucky Spence’s Last Advice Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Three single sheet broadside versions of the poem have been traced, one of which lacks a title page; the other two are entitled ‘Lucky Spence’s last Advice’. We concur with Gibson, who states that the copy held by Queen’s University, Belfast, which is undated and made up of four pages, was printed by William Adams Junior, Ramsay’s printer before he began working with Thomas Ruddiman in 1718. This broadside is, therefore, tentatively dated 1718. Two additional, undated broadside copies are held by the NLS. The poem was subsequently printed in Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood, Lucky Spence’s Last Advice (c.1719). The poem has a sombre parallel in a probably contemporary but undated broadside, entitled ‘The Whores of Edinburgh’s Lament for Want of Luckie Spence’, which reads as follows: 444

Notes to Poems 1721 Twice Sixteen Years hath over past, Once sixteen more may prove our last, Our Tender Years in Lucky’s service spent, So pleasantly we can scarce Repent, But new she’s Dead, she shall for ever Groan, And her sad Fate shall be just cause to moan, How Tedious now our Lives are grown, The way to Death how hard and long, How Dark the Dungon, the Irons how strong, Which may our undaunted Souls keep down, Be Stoop’d O! Abby, hing thy drowping Head, For Spence thy be: Bankrupt now is Dead. May that Hour pass, and it’s hasty Flight, Be still Retarded by the Slugish Night. As then it was when Luckie did Depart, Then Dismal were we, saw no Joys, No cheerful shouts, but a Dismal Noise, Of Groans and Sighs when her parting Soul Tryed in vain her desteny to Controll, Oh! had it never been, nor had that Hour But Barr’d the Gate, and Dem’d the Fatal Dour, Oh! unhappy Gate, but more unhappy Hour, But stay my Muse her Fun’ral to survey, And all there Rits perform’d do display, Luckie’s best Friends who to her used to go, All as they went their joint Tears did bestow, There were of them who clam’d a share, By Luckies Friendship in the pious Care, Were all the Company they who alone. Knew and Judged each Sorrows by their own, For we still restless and mournful grew, And every Day our griefs renew.

5

10

15

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25

30

LUCKIE’S LAST WORDS Is this thy sight O! Death, is this the way? I must return to Dust there’s no Delay, Revoluing thy sharp Sentance past, 35 How soon have I Approacht my last, An End e’re thought on is on me come, Unawars reacht Natures farest home. Ah! now I to the Grave must go, No more of Life, nor of it’s pleasurs know. 40 The NLS broadsides are indicated by ‘b1’ and ‘b2’ in the list of variants. 2. ‘from’ (1718) [not ‘frae’] 3. ‘baudy’ (1719) [not ‘bawdy’] 13. ‘O Clapet Bess and Shanker Meg,’ (1718, b1), ‘O clappet Bess, and shanker Meg,’ (b2) [not ‘O black Ey’d Bess, and mim Mou’d Meg,’] 445

Poems Cf. Ramsay’s ‘The Marrow Ballad’, ll.9-10: ‘And there will be blinkan eyed Bessy/blyth Baby, and sweet lipet Megg’. 36. ‘lys… Bank-Notes.’ (1718), ‘Lies… Bank-notes.’ (1719) [not ‘Lie great BankNotes.’] 37. ‘whindging’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘whinging’] 38. ‘cutty stool’: used for public penance for sex outwith marriage in the eighteenth-century Church of Scotland; an offender would stand on the stool before the congregation. 39. ‘Mettal’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Metal’] 41. ‘Kirk-Boxes’ (b1) [not ‘Kirk-Boxie’] 43. ‘daut’ (1718, 1719, b1, b2) [not ‘dawt’] ‘Red Coats’: member of the British Army. 45. ‘houp’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘hope’] 59. ‘it’s’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘’tis’] 62. ‘Milkwhyt’ (1718), ‘Milkwhite’ (1719) [not ‘Milk-white’] 64. ‘faws’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Faw’] 66. ‘Bauds’ (1719) [not ‘Bawds’] 72. ‘was’ (1718) [not ‘were’] 73. ‘Caw’ (1718), ‘Ca’ (1719) [not ‘Ca’’] 84. ‘Luckie’ (1718) [not ‘Lucky’] 90. ‘na’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘nae’] 92. ‘dis na’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘dinna’] 93. ‘rins’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘rin’] 95. ‘want,’ (1718) [not ‘want’] 97. ‘gee’ (1718, b1, b2) [not ‘gi’e’] 102. ‘Luckie’ (1718) [not ‘Lucky’] Tartana, or the Plaid Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed as Tartana: Or, The Plaid (Edinburgh, 1718), bearing this dedication: To the Scots Ladies, Irresistible Charmers, Were I master of all that Eloquence, with which the flattering Tribe of Authors, frequently push their Encomiums, beyond the Verge of Truth, I might safely say every Fine Thing my Fancy could dictate to your Commendation, without being guilty of advancing ought, but what all the World knows to be true. Being well persuaded your real Merit puts you out of the Reach of Vanity: Allow me to express my Sentiments; That the Eastern and Western Worlds, and Nations remotest from Scotland, (where I hope this Poem will be read) may know, that by the Universal Consent of Mankind, you are acknowledged the fairest and handsomest, the most modest in a Virgin, and chastest in a Nuptial Life of any of your sex, from Pole to Pole. What a vast deal might be said of your Piety, Industry, and Good-Humour, your honourable Treatment of your Lovers, your kind yielding to the Superior Judgment of your Husbands; your Care in educating 446

Notes to Poems 1721 your Children, and all these ineffable Charms, wherewith you can sweeten the Rough and Masculine Temper of a Nation of Heroes! Best of your kind, As in the following, I have invock’d you, as my Proper Muses, so with all the Demonstrations of Respect, ’tis laid at your Feet by, Ladies, Your most Humble And devoted Servant, Allan Ramsay. The subsequent edition, published a year later and subtitled ‘The Second Edition’, is entitled Tartana: Or The Plaid (Edinburgh, 1719). In place of the dedication, this edition is prefaced by ‘To the Ingenious Author of Tartana or the Plaid’ by ‘C.T.’, which was republished as ‘To the Author’ in Poems (1721). Martin records a further printing of Tartana, tentatively dated to 1720, and entitled To the Most Beautiful Scots Ladies, This Poem on the Plaid, Is humbly dedicated By, May it please your Ladyships, Your devoted Servant. This entry poses a bibliographical problem: Martin records that he has not ‘seen it as a separate edition’, as its pagination matches that of early printings of the 1720 ‘gather-up’ edition (pp.[41]-64). Gibson places it as a reprint of the 1719 edition, ‘with a dedication, as above, instead of a title page… with the text changed throughout from English into “braid Scots” by the alteration of who into wha, long into lang, etcetera’ (Gibson, pp.138-39). It is the case that this text’s pagination agrees with that of the 1720 ‘gather-up’ edition, demonstrating its association with that unreliable text. However, not all copies agree: in the NLS’s Glen 106, for example, it is printed with a title page dating the text to 1721, and the text is not Scotticised. Noted in the present edition’s Introduction are the many variations within the ‘gather-up’ edition of 1720, which was probably unauthorised; the Scotticised text appears in only three editions that have survived. All are held by the NLS (Glen 124, RB.s.1065, and NG.1170.c.15(1)). The STS editors describe this ‘third’ edition as ‘a curiosity, for it is the 1719 version put into Scots’ (VI, 27): for example, ‘Our own bold Native Prince then fill’d the Throne’ becomes ‘Our ain bald native Prince then fill’d the Throne’ (l.52), while ‘With this our beauteous Mothers vail’d their Charms;/Each Quality, Age, Sex, each Youth, each Maid,/Deem’d it a Deshabille to want their Plaid’ is ‘translated’ as ‘With this our bony Mithers vai’d their Charms:/Ilk Quality, Age, Sex, ilk Youth, ilk Maid/Deem’d it a Deshabille to want their Plaid.’ (ll.59-61). They argue that this linguistic transformation adds ‘a particular national ardour’ (STS VI, 28) to Tartana, but there is little evidence to support this view. We agree with the STS editors that the Scotticised text lacks quality, but are less secure in attributing the ‘translation’ to Ramsay himself. They state that ‘Ramsay did not repeat this experiment of translating his own poems into Scots’ (VI, 28). This, with the edition’s careless printing and the lack of Ramsay’s usual facility in Scots, leads us to the conclusion that it was unauthorised; it is not, therefore, regarded as a separate edition here. Our position on this ‘third’ edition of Tartana casts further doubt on the theory that Ramsay was concretely involved in the production and sale of the ‘gather-up’ editions of 1720. 447

Poems 3. ‘Assist your Bard, who now in smoothest Lays’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Assist your Bard, who in harmonious Lays’] 5. ‘How my fond breast, with’ (1718) [not ‘How my fond Breast with’] 6. ‘bestows!’ (1718), ‘bestows?’ (1719) [not ‘bestows.’] 7. ‘Phoebus, and His imaginary Nine,’ (1718), ‘Phoebus and his imaginary Nine’ (1719) [not ‘Phœbus, and his imaginary Nine,’] ‘Phoebus’: sun-god of classical mythology also referred to as Apollo; ‘imaginary Nine’: the classical Muses who provide inspiration for poets, artists and musicians. 8. ‘Divine.’ (1718), ‘Divine,’ (1719) [not ‘Divine;’] 9. ‘Shadows,’ (1718) [not ‘Shadows’] 10. ‘Way;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Way:’] 11. ‘who,’ (1718) [not ‘who’] ‘Tweed’: Scottish river, runs through the Scottish Borders into northern England. 12. ‘Stray, thro’ the Haughs, or grace the Clover-Mead;’ (1718) [not ‘Stray through the Groves, or grace the Clover Mead;’] 13. ‘those’ (1718) [not ‘these’] ‘Clyde’: flows through Lanarkshire and Glasgow, and into the Firth of Clyde. 15. ‘Tay,’ (1719) [not ‘Tay’] ‘Tay’: Scotland’s longest river, runs through the Highlands and Perth. 17. ‘Dye,’ (1718) [not ‘Dy,’] 18. ‘Or make the White, the new faln Snows outvy:’ (1718), ‘Or make the White the new-faln Snows outvy:’ (1719) [not ‘Or make the White the falling Snow outvy:’] 20. ‘Day’ (1718) [not ‘Day;’] 22. ‘Fire.’ (1718) [not ‘Fire?’] 23. ‘The Plaid I sing, I’ll sing with all my Skill,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘I sing the Plaid, and sing with all my Skill,’] 31. ‘And Precedence to this is always due;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Precedence to Antiquity is due:’] 35. ‘High-born Ideots’ (1718) [not ‘high born Idiots’] 36. ‘valu’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘valu’d,’] 37. ‘It graces Merit, and’s by Merit grac’d.’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘It graces Merit, and by Merit’s grac’d.’] 39. ‘employ’d, of such’ (1718), ‘imployd of such’ (1719) [not ‘employ’d of such’] 41. ‘romantick’ (1718), ‘romantic’ (1719) [not ‘Romantick’] 42. ‘We’ll find how our Forefathers proudly scorn’d,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘We’ll find our Godlike Fathers nobly scorn’d’] 43. ‘To be with any other Weed adorn’d;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘To be with any other Dress adorn’d;’] 45. ‘Which ’gainst their Int’rest, and their Bravery strove,’ (1718), ‘Which ’gainst their Interest and their Brav’ry strove.’ (1719) [not ‘Which ’gainst their Int’rest and their Brav’ry strove.’] 47. ‘Steel,’ (1718) [not ‘Steel’] 49. ‘And conquer’d Nations to them Homage pay’d,’ (1718), ‘And conquer’d Nations to them Homage paid,’ (1719) [not ‘And conquer’d Nations prostrate Homage paid,’] 448

Notes to Poems 1721 50. ‘We only then unconquer’d, stood our Ground,’ (1718), ‘We only then unconquer’d stood our Ground,’ (1719) [not ‘They only, they unconquer’d stood their Ground,’] 52. ‘Our own bold native prince then fill’d the Throne,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Our native Prince who then supply’d the Throne,’] 53. ‘In’s Plaid array’d, magnificently shone;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘In Plaid array’d magnificently shone:’] 55. ‘Surmounted by the universal Dress,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Tho cover’d by the Caledonian Dress.’] 56. ‘In this the Thanes at Court made their Parade,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘In this at Court the Thanes were gayly clad,’] 57. ‘With this the Sheepherds, and the Hinds were clad;’ (1718), ‘With this the Shepherds and the Hinds were clade,’ (1719) [not ‘With this the Shepherds and the Hinds were glad,’] 60. ‘Each Quality, Age, Sex, each Youth, each Maid,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘When ev’ry Youth, and every lovely Maid’] 63. ‘Chains,’ (1718) [not ‘Chains’] 65. ‘To make th’ effeminate in their Gew-gaws shine.’ (1718), ‘To make th’ effeminate in their Gewgaws shine.’ (1719) [not ‘To deck the Fop, and make the Gewgaw shine.’] 67. ‘soft,’ (1718) [not ‘soft’] 68. ‘enerv’d,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘enerv’d’] 69. ‘I ask’d Varell, what Soldiers he thought best,’ (1718), ‘I ask’d Varell what Soldiers he thought best,’ (1719) [not ‘I asked Varell, what Soldiers he thought best?’] 72. ‘hope to triumph in the Victor’s Carr,’ (1718) [not ‘hop’d to triumph in the Victor’s Car,’] 74. ‘rais’d,’ (1718) [not ‘rais’d’] 77. ‘’midst’ (1718) [not ‘midst’] 79. ‘shou’d’ (1718) [not ‘should’] 81. ‘ratling’ (1718) [not ‘rattling’] 82. ‘Tartanas’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Tartana’s’] 83. ‘shou’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘should’] 84. ‘Banners wou’d not flie:’ (1718), ‘Banners would not fly:’ (1719) [not ‘banners would not flie.’] 87. ‘The conquering Gustavus stood amaz’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Ev’n great Gustavus stood himself amaz’d,’] ‘Gustavus’: Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), King of Sweden (1611-32), whose reign was characterised by uninterrupted warfare. 90. ‘Richlieu’: Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu (1585-1643), who played a prominent role for the French in the Thirty Years War; ‘Lewis’: Louis XIII (1601-43), King of France from 1610-43, during the Thirty Years War. 91. ‘Men!---’ (1718) [not ‘Men!’] 93. ‘Softness,’ (1718) [not ‘Softness’] 94. ‘Sheepherd’s’ (1718) [not ‘Shepherd’s] ‘Titan’: Helios, the Titan god of the sun in classical mythology. 98. ‘triffling’ (1718) [not ‘trifling’] 449

Poems 99. ‘Church, some Girl,’ (1718), ‘Girl,’ (1719) [not ‘Church some Girl’] 100. ‘Pine, and Myrtle Shades;’ (1718) [not ‘Pine and Myrtle Shades,’] 102. ‘Dust,’ (1718) [not ‘Dust’] 103. ‘ev’ry’ (1718) [not ‘every’ 105. ‘Larks and Linnets’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Larks, and Linnets,’] 109. ‘escaped in the Hood’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘escap’d within the Hood’] 111. ‘lets’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘let’s] 112. ‘Waste’ (1718) [not ‘Waist’] 113. ‘survey’d,’ (1718); ‘survey’d;’ (1719) [not ‘survey’d.’] 116. ‘Faint’ (1718) [not ‘faint’] 119. ‘exprest,’ (1719) [not ‘exprest;’] 121. ‘While she her Heather-Besoms screams around.’ (1718), ‘While she her Heather Besoms screams around.’ (1719) [not ‘While Heather Besoms loud she screams around.’] 122. ‘Pattern’ (1718) [not ‘Pattern,’] 124. ‘Fair,’ (1719) [not ‘Fair’] 129. ‘Tho… Dye.’ (1718) [not ‘Tho… Dy.’] 130. ‘Lillie’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Lily’] 131. ‘Out-done by Her White Hand, hangs all its Leaves.’ (1718), ‘Out-done by her white Hand, hands all its Leaves;’ (1719) [not ‘Whose whiter Hand outshines its snowy Leaves;’] 132. ‘So sink the unstain’d Silks in our Esteem,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘No wonder then white Silks in our Esteem,’ 135. ‘W’immediately conceive the blushing Morn,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Our Fancies straight conceive the blushing Morn;’] 136. ‘that Dawn’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘whose Dawn’] 137. ‘Light’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Light,’] 139. ‘Blew,’ (1718); ‘blue;’ (1719) [not ‘Blue;’] 141. ‘Heav’n’ (1718) [not ‘Heav’n,’] 142. ‘A Garden-Plot enrich’d’ (1718), ‘A Garden Plot, enrich’d’ (1719) [not ‘A Garden Plot enrich’d’] 143. ‘Basking in Sun Beams, after vernal Showers,’ (1718), ‘Basking in Sun Beams after vernal Showers’ (1719) [not ‘In Sun Beams basking after vernal Showers,’] 144. ‘Where Tulips, Pinks, Daisies, and Violets’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Where lovely Pinks in sweet Confusion rise,’] 145. ‘With Amaranths, in evenest Order set,’ (1718), ‘With Amaranths in evenest Order Set’ (1719) [not ‘And Amaranths and Eglintines surprise;’] 146. ‘sweetest’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘fragrant’] 148. ‘Give not so great a Pleasure to the View,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘These give not half that Pleasure to the View,’] 149. ‘when’ (1718) [not ‘when,’] 151. ‘Curse’ (1718) [not ‘curse’] 153. ‘With you, t’inflame’ (1718), ‘With you t’inflame’ (1719) [not ‘With you to kindle’] 154. ‘boast?’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘boast!’] 155. ‘And oft our Fancy’s in the Plenty lost;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘How oft’s our Fancy in the Plenty lost!’] 450

Notes to Poems 1721 156. ‘These more remote these we admire the most:’ (1718) [not ‘These more remote, these we admire the most.’] 157. ‘What’s too familiar to us we despise,’ (1718) [not ‘What’s too familiar often we despise,’] 159. ‘The chearing Sun, if shining all the Day,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘If Sol himself shou’d shine through all the Day,’] 160. ‘We’re cloy’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘We cloy’] 161. ‘But when the marly Cloud he hides’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘But if behind some marly Cloud he steal,’] 162. ‘His Beams sometime, then to the Azure glides;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Not for sometime his radiant Head reveal,’] 163. ‘With fuller Gust, his Absence he repays’ (1718), ‘With fuller Gust his Absence he repays’ (1719) [not ‘With brighter Charms his Absence he repays,’] 164. ‘When we are warm’d with his enliv’ning Blaze.’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘And every Sun Beam seems a double Blaze.’] 167. ‘peep,’ (1718) [not ‘peep’] 168. ‘transported,’ (1718) [not ‘transported’] 169. ‘Ah me! We often find’ (1718) [not ‘ah me! we often find’] 170. ‘tho’’ (1718) [not ‘tho’] 173. ‘Rising’ (1718) [not ‘rising’] 174. ‘around,’ (1718) [not ‘around’] 175. ‘Till grey ey’d Twilight Harbinger of Night’ (1718), ‘Till gray-ey’d Twilight, Harbinger of Night,’ (1719) [not ‘Till grey-ey’d Twilight, Harbinger of Night,’] 178. ‘Plaid’ (1718) [not ‘Plaid,’] 179. ‘pleas’d’ (1718) [not ‘pleas’d,’] The 1718 text introduces a stanza break here which is not replicated in later editions. 180. ‘Care;’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Care?’] 181. ‘Waste’ (1718) [not ‘Waist’] 185. ‘When’ (1718) [not ‘If’] 186. ‘jett thro’’ (1718), ‘jett thro’ (1719) [not ‘jet thro’’] 187. ‘Ketha’ (1719) [not ‘Keitha’] ‘Keitha’: Lady Mary Keith (c.1695-1721), second wife of John Fleming, sixth Earl of Wigtown (c.1674-1743/44). 188. ‘Folds?’ (1718) [not ‘Folds;’] 190. ‘ruffl’d’ (1718) [not ‘rufl’d’] 191. ‘tho’’ (1718) [not ‘tho’] 194. ‘Love sick… Humeia’ (1718) [not ‘Love-sick… Humea’] 195. ‘Mien’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Meen’] 197. ‘Light,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Light;’] 198. ‘Way’ (1718) [not ‘Way,’] 199. ‘White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Purpur, Green, and Red.’ (1718), ‘White, black, blew, yellow, purpure, green and red.’ (1719) [not ‘White, Black, Blew, Yellow, Purple, Green and Red.’] 200. ‘Newton’s Royal Club’: the Royal Society, British scientific institution founded in 1660. Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was one of the earliest Fellows of the Society, having been elected in 1672; he was its President at 451

Poems the time Tartana was published, serving from 1703 until 1727. 201. ‘celestial Dyes’ (1718), ‘Celestial Dies’ (1719) [not ‘Celestial Dyes’] 202. ‘Self’ (1718) [not ‘self’] 203. ‘Gimcracks,’ (1718) [not ‘Gimcracks’] 205. ‘View?’ (1718), ‘View,’ (1719) [not ‘View.’] 206. ‘crouded’ (1718) [not ‘crowded’] 208. ‘Common Weal’ (1718) [not ‘Common-weal’] 211. ‘And search out Beauties, more than mind their Pray’rs’ (1718) [not ‘And search out Beauties more than mind their Prayers’] 212. It has not been possible to trace the meaning of ‘wainscot Forty Six’s’. The STS editors state that the ‘puzzling’ term ‘may refer to the older ladies who acted as chaperones and sat with their backs to the walls looking at the dancers’ (VI, 29). This seems unlikely, however, as the stanza in which this reference appears is set in a church. 219. ‘O then Ye Scotian Virgins’ (1718) [not ‘Then Scotian Virgins’] 220. ‘read, then star’d, and curst’ (1718), ‘read, then star’d and curst’ (1719) [not ‘read; then star’d and curst’] 221. ‘ask’d’ (1718), ‘ask’ (1719) [not ‘askt’] 222. ‘Praises, for a thing despised,’ (1718), ‘Praises for a thing despised’ (1719) [not ‘Praises for a thing despised?’] 223. ‘He smiling swore’ (1718), ‘He, smiling, swore’ (1719) [not ‘He smiling, swore’] 224. ‘this may seem no Doubt true,’ (1718) [not ‘perhaps this may seem true,’] 225. ‘not Fools,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘nor Fools’] 226. ‘approve,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘approve;’] 228. ‘agre’d’ (1719) [not ‘agreed’] 229. ‘would’ (1718) [not ‘wou’d’] 230. ‘would on Martial Fields’ (1718), ‘wou’d on martial Fields’ (1719) [not ‘wou’d on Martial Fields’] 231. ‘Corpus Juris’: a body of law; a compendium of all laws. 232. ‘Parli’ments’ (1718) [not ‘Parliaments’] 233. ‘Wit, and Learning, wou’d’ (1718) [not ‘Wit and Learning wou’d’] 234. ‘affraid’ (1718), ‘afrai’d’ (1719) [not ‘afraid’] 237. ‘Says for each Thing, There is a proper Time’ (1718) [not ‘Said, For each Thing there was a Proper Time;’] ‘For each Thing…’: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’. 238. ‘Plaid; that ta’ne away’ (1718), ‘Plaid, that tane away’ (1719) [not ‘Plaid, that ta’en away’] 242. ‘Plaid’ (1719) [not ‘Plaid,’] 244. ‘join’d with a Gallic Air’ (1718), ‘join’d with a Gallick Air’ (1719) [not ‘joind with a Gallick Air’] 246. ‘said he, “But when’s the Time’ (1718), ‘said he, but when’s the Time’ (1719) [not ‘said he; But when’s the Time’] 247. ‘“That they may drop the Plaid without a Crime?”’ (1718) [not ‘That they may drop the Plaid without a Crime?’] 248. ‘Least O fair Nymphs’ (1718) [not ‘Lest, O fair Nymphs,’] 250. ‘Heav’n’ (1718) [not ‘Heaven’] 452

Notes to Poems 1721 251. ‘To form a Smoothness on Man’s rougher Mind’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘To form a Smoothness on the rougher Mind’] 254. ‘Studies,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Studies’] 255. ‘riding’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Riding’] 256. ‘resort,’ (1718) [not ‘resort’] 258. ‘croud’ (1718) [not ‘crowd’] 260. ‘Marriage Day’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Marriage-Day’] 263. ‘mete’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘met’] 265. ‘Sentiments,’ (1718) [not ‘Sentiments’] 269. ‘Who’ (1718) [not ‘Who,’] 273. ‘Daughters,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Daughters’] 275. ‘spoke,’ (1718), ‘spoke’ (1719) [not ‘spake’] 276. ‘Say Paris, Which is fairest of us Three?’ (1718), ‘“Say, PARIS, which is fairest of us three.’ (1719) [not ‘Say, Paris, which is fairest of us three.’] ‘Say, Paris’: the judgement of Paris of classical mythology, in which Paris, aided by Hermes and Zeus, judged the beauty of three goddesses: Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. 277. ‘celestial Maids’ (1718), ‘Cœlestial Maids’ (1719) [not ‘Celestial Maids’] 280. ‘And in plain Nature’s Dress’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘In simple Nature’s Dress’] 281. ‘Cytherea’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Cyth’rea’] ‘Cytherea’: the goddess judged most beautiful by Paris was Aphrodite, also known as Cytherea. 282. ‘Great Criticks, Hail! Our Dread’ (1718) [not ‘Great Criticks hail! our Dread’] 286. ‘Tancred’ (1075-1112): leader in the First Crusade and later Prince of Galilee and regent of Antioch. 288. ‘Soveraign’ (1719) [not ‘Sovereign’] 290. ‘Hellish’ (1718) [not ‘hellish’] 292. ‘Tragick’ (1718); ‘tragic (1719) [not ‘tragick’] 296. ‘stead a gen’rous Off’ring stay’d’ (1718), ‘Stead a gen’rous Off’ring stay’d’ (1719) [not ‘Stead a gen’rous Off’ring staid’] 298. ‘Aeneas’: hero of Virgil’s Aeneid, ‘Achilles’: protagonist of Homer’s Iliad; fighters on opposite sides in the Trojan War. 299. ‘His divine Mother’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘The Goddess Mother’] 302. ‘him,’ (1718) [not ‘him’] 304. ‘another’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘another,’] 308. ‘Saturn’: Roman god whose reign is depicted as a golden age. 309. ‘Beauty-Hunting’ (1718) [not ‘Beauty-hunting’] 310. ‘Men,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Men’] 311. ‘wou’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘would’] 312. ‘Fir Tree’ (1718) [not ‘Fir-Tree’] 316. ‘God,’ (1718) [not ‘God’] 318. ‘her’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘her,’] 321. ‘brave SCOTS Maid’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Scotian Maid’] 322. ‘Hard Fate’ (1718) [not ‘hard Fate’] 327. ‘Now say my Muse e’er thou forsak’st’ (1718) [not ‘Now say my Muse, e’er thou forsake’] 328. ‘yield?’ (1718), ‘yield;’ (1719) [not ‘yield,’] 453

Poems 329. ‘Love, Esteem, and Boast’ (1719) [not ‘Love, Esteem and Boast,’] 330. ‘Native Coast’ (1718), ‘native Coast:’ (1719) [not ‘native Coast.’] 331-32. ‘Golden Fleece’: Jason and the Argonauts sought and obtained the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology. 335. ‘Lady’s’ (1719) [not ‘Ladies’] 339. ‘Fenns’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Fens’] 339-40. The 1718 edition adds two lines between l.339 and l.340, which appear in no other version of Tartana: ‘I’m pleas’d to see Tartanas now take Place,/ Which late on Mountains only shew’d their Face.’ 342. ‘Fifty Five’ (1718) [not ‘fifty five’] 343. ‘Quaggy… Crooked Dwarf’ (1718) [not ‘quaggy… crooked Dwarff’] 344. ‘Scarf’ (1718) [not ‘Scarff’] 345. ‘Spleen, and Spite,’ (1718) [not ‘Spleen and Spite’] 346. ‘out-live’ (1718) [not ‘outlive’] 347. ‘light’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘fall’] 349. ‘Sun, let every’ (1718) [not ‘Sun let ev’ry’] 351. ‘Her Face’ (1718) [not ‘her face’] 352. ‘Till She has seen Her Fourth’ (1718) [not ‘Till she had seen her fourth’] 354. ‘Bohea’: black Chinese tea. 355. ‘Her’ (1718) [not ‘her’] 359-60. Between ll.359-60, the 1718 and 1719 editions add a sub-title: ‘EPILOGUE’. 361. ‘down on these musty Fools’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘upon these musty Fools’] 362. ‘worm eaten’ (1718), ‘Worm-eaten’ (1719) [not ‘worm-eaten’] 364. ‘Ten Times’ (1718) [not ‘ten Times’] 365. ‘Vain, are in the Wrong’ (1718) [not ‘vain are in the wrong’] 367. ‘triffle’ (1718) [not ‘trifle’] 368. ‘only, draw their Sword,’ (1718) [not ‘only draw their Sword’] After the final line (l.s368), the 1718 edition adds ‘FINIS.’ Scots Songs The happy Lover’s Reflections Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1718) and reprinted in the second edition of Scots Songs (1719). According to Martin, there was a further edition of Scots Songs printed in 1720, but he has ‘not seen this as a separate edition’, regarding it as part of the 1720 ‘gather-up’ publication. This argument may be called into question by the publishing history of Scots Songs, leading to agreement with Gibson that a separate, third edition was indeed printed in 1720 and has not survived. With each publication of Scots Songs, Ramsay added new songs. The first edition of 1718 prints seven songs: ‘The Happy Lover’s Reflections’, ‘The Lass of Peattie’s Mill’, ‘Delia’, ‘The Kind Reception’, ‘The Penitent’, ‘Love’s Cure’ and ‘Ode’. The second edition, published in 1719, adds ‘The Yellow-hair’d Laddie’, ‘Nanny O’ and ‘Bonny Jean’. The third edition, which adds ‘Bessy Bell and Mary Gray’, ‘The Young Laird and Edinburgh Katy’ 454

Notes to Poems 1721 and ‘Katy’s Answer’, thus completing the collection of songs as published in the subscribers’ ‘complete’ edition of 1721, has not been traced. Further, ‘The Happy Lover’s Reflections’ was reprinted in Ramsay’s TTM I. There are several possible sources for the tune dating back to c.1625, when a song entitled ‘Alace yat I came owr the moor and left my love behind me’ appears in the Skene MS (NLS, Gb-En.ms.adv.5.2.15, pp.55-56). It also appears in two Panmure MSS, the earliest in 1670 with the title ‘Last time I came over the Mure’ (NLS, GB-En.9454, fo. 3v-4r) and in the MS dated ?1670-1700 (NLS, Gn-En-9458, 51v) where it appears without a title. The song features, again without a title, in the Bowie MS (c.1695-c.1705; NLS Gb-En-21714, fol.21v) and as ‘The last time I came over the Moor’ in Blaikie’s 1692 MS (Dundee Central Library GB-Ducl, No. 43). More contemporary sources include its appearance in the Balcarres MS (1690-1700, pp.56-57) as ‘The last tyme I came over the moore by mr Beck’, and in the Gairdyn MS (c.1710-35; NLS GB-En Glen, fol.43v). Although he does not name it, Ramsay appears to be the first to put a song with this tune in print; after, or contemporary to the song’s publication in TTM, it is printed in Alexander Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of 71 Songs (Edinburgh: 1725-26?, pp.78-79). 2. ‘me.’ (1718), ‘me:’ (1719) [not ‘me;’] 4. ‘me,’ (1718), ‘me?’ (1719) [not ‘me:’] 6. ‘the’ (1718) [not ‘The’] 9. ‘lay’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘lay,’] 10. ‘gazing,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Gazing’] 11. ‘We kiss’d,’ (1718) [not ‘We kiss’d’] 12. ‘Curtain:’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Curtain.’] 14. ‘Kings when’ (1718) [not ‘Kings, when’] 16. ‘cou’d’ (1718) [not ‘could’] 17. ‘roar’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘rore’] 19. ‘Foreign’ (1718) [not ‘foreign’] 20. ‘me,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘me;’] 21. ‘hopes’ (1719) [not ‘Hopes’] 22. ‘Glowing’ (1718) [not ‘glowing’] 24. ‘Blesses’ (1718) [not ‘Blisses’] 26. ‘enter,’ (1718) [not ‘enter;’] 30. ‘their’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Their’] 31. ‘Greenland-Ice’ (1718) [not ‘Greenland Ice’] 32. ‘before’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Before’] 34. ‘she’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘She’] 36. ‘tho’’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Tho’] 37. ‘Sacred’ (1718) [not ‘sacred’] 39. ‘There’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘There,’] 40. ‘my’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘My’] The Lass of Peattie’s Mill Text: Poems (1721). No MS. 455

Poems Two MS transcriptions of this song were made: one by Elizabeth Cochrane, held at Harvard University Library (MS Eng.512, No. 64), and another by Elizabeth St. Clair, housed at Broughton House, Kircudbright (Mansfield MS). It was previously published in Ramsay’s Scots Songs of 1718, 1719 and the untraced third edition of 1720. It is also reprinted in Ramsay’s TTM I. The tune for ‘The Lass of Peattie’s Mill’ is first sourced in the mid-seventeenth century, in Robert Edward’s MS Commonplace Book (1630-65; NLS Gb-En 9450, fo. 46v). It first appears in print in 1687, as ‘The tune of young Jenny’ in the fifth edition of Henry Playford’s Apollo’s Banquet (London; no. 69, p.28), and afterwards in the Balcarres and Panmure (9458, 51v-r) MSS. It is reprinted in ?1725-26 with music as ‘The Lass of Peaty’s Mill’ in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (pp.80-81). 2. ‘So bonny Blyth and Gay,’ (1718) [not ‘So bonny, blyth and gay,’] 6. ‘Bareheaded’ (1718) [not ‘Bare-headed’] 15. ‘found’ (1718) [not ‘fand’] 16. ‘Balmy’ (1718) [not ‘balmy’] 23. ‘beguil’d,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘beguil’d;’] 26. ‘Hoptoun’s’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Hopeton’s’] 27. ‘long Life, and Health,’ (1718) [not ‘long Life and Health,’] 28. ‘Pleasures’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Pleasure’] 29. ‘fulfil’ (1718) [not ‘fulfill’] Delia. To the Tune of Green Sleeves Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1718), in a second edition of Scots Songs in 1719 and for a third time in an untraced third edition dated to 1720. It also appears in Ramsay’s TTM I. The tune to which it is set was and remains very wellknown, being first sourced in MS in the latter half of the sixteenth century in Holmes’s set of consort books (c.1585-1600; Cambridge University Library GB-Cu Ms.Dd.3.18, 8v-9) as ‘Green Sleeues’. In the eighteenth century, it is found in MS in James Thomson’s 1702 Music Book (NLS GB-En Ms 2833, fol. 18-19) and in print in John Walsh’s The Division Flute (London, 1706, pp.9-10). It also features in Margaret Sinkler’s 1710 collection (NLS 143 (i) MS 3296) and is reprinted in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26, pp.82-83). 7. ‘’Til’ (1718), ‘’Till’ (1719) [not ‘Till’] 9. ‘careful no’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘careful, no’] 10. ‘Golden’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘golden’] 13. ‘’er’ (1718) [not ‘her’] 15. ‘Riches’ (1718) [not ‘Plenty’] 16. ‘Ten’ (1718) [not ‘ten’] 27. ‘vertous’ (1718) [not ‘virtuous’] 28. ‘Constant’ (1718) [not ‘constant’] 31. ‘waste’ (1718) [not ‘pass’]

456

Notes to Poems 1721 The Yellow Hair’d Laddie Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in the second edition of Scots Songs (1719), and thereafter in a 1720 imprint of Scots Songs which has not been traced. The tune is very popular across the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries and is featured in Ramsay’s collection of songs for GS. It is first traced in a broadside entitled The Country-mans care in choosing a Wife to the tune of Yellow-Haired Laddy, printed for P. Brooksby in 1672-96. Thereafter, it features in several MS collections, including three versions arranged by John Beck in the Balcarres collection (c.1700, numbers 30, 130 and 201) as well as in Elizabeth Crockat’s collection of 1709 (rev. f94, f51v) and that of Gairdyn (1710-35, f.4). After its initial publication, it appears again in broadside as Bonny Helen, to the Tune of the Yellow Haird Ladie (?1701), thereafter featuring in A Celebration of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes for the Violin (Dublin, 1724, p.11) and Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1724, p.7 and p.52, flute version). It also appears in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26, pp.84-85). Title: ‘The Yellow-hair’d Ladie’ (1719) [not ‘The Yellow-hair’d Laddie’] 2. ‘rejoyceth’ (1719) [not ‘rejoiceth’] 3. ‘Ladie’ (1719) [not ‘Laddie’] 6. ‘Loves ev’ning’ (1719) [not ‘Loves, Ev’ning’] 11. ‘handsome’ (1719) [not ‘handsome,’] 14. ‘unconstant’ (1719) [not ‘unconstant,’] 18. ‘sour.’ (1719) [not ‘sowr:’] 19. ‘sighing’ (1719) [not ‘sighing,’] Nanny O Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in the second edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs (1719) and in a third, unlocated edition of Scots Songs, dated by Gibson to 1720. It was further reprinted in Ramsay’s TTM I. The tune is found in numerous eighteenth-century sources. Its earliest appearance is traced to the Balcarres MS (1690-1700, pp.114-15), and it appears in George Waterson’s MS collection of 1715 (NLS Acc.4292, fo.5), George Skene’s Fiddle Book of 1717-40 (NLS Adv. MS.5.2.21), 16v, and John Gairdyn’s MS, which was compiled between 1710-35 (NLS GB-En-Glen, fol. 16r and fol. 28v). Ramsay is first to bring the song to print in his second edition of Scots Songs (1719); it is reprinted in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26). 3. ‘self’ (1719) [not ‘self,’] 10. ‘finly’ (1719) [not ‘finely’] 12. ‘divinely---’ (1719) [not ‘divinely’] 13. ‘Vow ye’ (1719) [not ‘Vow, ye’] 15. ‘envy’ (1719) [not ‘Envy’]

457

Poems Bonny Jean Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in the second edition of Scots Songs (1719) and in an untraced third edition of Scots Songs which was published in 1720; also reprinted in TTM I. Its accompanying tune appears to have been popular in the first half of the eighteenth century. The tune’s earliest appearance is in James Guthrie’s MS collection of c.1650 (EUL GB-Eu, f.2). It is first printed in the second edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs (1719), and reprinted in John and William Neal’s A Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (Dublin, c.1724, p.3), Alex Urquhart and David Wright’s Aria di Camera (London, 1727, p.22), and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26, pp.88-89). 2. ‘Cupid’: Roman god of love. 6. ‘Paphos’: Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love; her Greek counterpart is Aphrodite, whose birthplace was thought to be Paphos, Cyprus. 9. ‘Nymph,’ (1719) [not ‘Nymph’] 10. ‘Address,’ (1719) [not ‘Address;’] 26. ‘seems,’ (1719) [not ‘seems:’] 29. ‘disclos’d’ (1719) [not ‘disclos’d,’] 30. ‘Queen,’ (1719) [not ‘Queen:’] ‘the Spartan Queen’: Helen of Troy, regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world. The Kind Reception. To the Tune of Auld Lang Syne Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in Scots Songs (1718) and reprinted in the second (1719) and third (1720) editions, the latter of which has not survived; also published in TTM I. The tune first appears in Playford’s Apollo’s Banquet (London, 1687, p.46, no.114) as ‘The Duke of Bucchleugh’s tune’ and is published in various places and formats in the early eighteenth century. It features in a 1701 Edinburgh broadside with similar lyrics to Ramsay’s as An Excellent and proper New Ballad, Entitled, OLD LONG SYNE (NLS GB-En Ry.III.a.10 [70]); Playford’s A Collection of Original Scots Tunes (London, 1701, no. 26, p.29); Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (London, 1725, no. 31); and Stuart’s Music for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (Edinburgh: 1726-27, pp.20-21). 2. ‘Scars,’ (1718) [not ‘Scars?’] 4. ‘Glorious’ (1718) [not ‘glorious’] 5. ‘Varo’: may be an allusive reference to Marcus Terentius Varro (116-27 BC), ancient Roman scholar and writer who commanded one of Pompey’s armies during Caesar’s civil war. 12. ‘gay;’ (1718) [not ‘gay.’] 14. ‘shine;’ (1718) [not ‘shine,’] 15. ‘Notes,’ (1718) [not ‘Notes’] 17. ‘Court,’ (1718) [not ‘Court’] 18. ‘fall’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘fall;’] 20. ‘Ball.’ (1718), ‘Bal ?’ (1719) [not ‘Ball ?’] 458

Notes to Poems 1721 23. ‘Selves’ (1718) [not ‘selves’] 25. ‘Moor,’ (1718) [not ‘Moor’] 26. ‘chace,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘chace;’] 28. ‘embrace,’ (1718) [not ‘embrace:’] 30. ‘mine,’ (1718) [not ‘mine;’] 36. ‘above;’ (1718) [not ‘above:’] 37. ‘Consent,’ (1718) [not ‘Consent’] 38. ‘Sacred’ (1718) [not ‘sacred’] 40. ‘pine’ (1718) [not ‘Pine’] The Penitent. To the Tune of the Lass of Livingston Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in the 1718 edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs; reprinted in the second edition of 1719 and the untraced third edition of 1720; also in TTM I. The tune is a popular one, appearing at first with a variation on the title of ‘Highland Lady’ from the late sixteenth century in MS collections including those of Panmure (?1670-1700, 9458, 47r-46v), Bowie (c.1695-c.1705, 8v-9r), Balcarres (1690-1700, no. 143) and Leyden (1690, fo.21r no. 31 and fo. 48r). It first appeared in print as ‘Cockle Shells’ in Playford’s Dancing Master 11 (1701, p.304). The earliest source with the title ‘Lass of Livingstone’ is Elizabeth Crockat’s MS collection of 1710 (fols. 28v-29r), and Ramsay is the first to use this tune title in print in his Scots Songs (1718). It later appears, also as ‘The lass of Livingston’ in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, no. 28), and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26, pp.102-3). In the 1721 copy-text, the first word of each line is capitalised; in 1718 and 1719, only the first word in every second line (i.e. ll.1, 3, 5, etc.) is capitalised. 12. ‘Mind;’ (1718) [not ‘Mind,’] 16. ‘cause… cause’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Cause… Cause’] 20. ‘Flame.’ (1718) [not ‘Flame?’] 22. ‘coy,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘coy?’] 23. ‘alas’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘alas!’] 27. ‘Power,’ (1718) [not ‘Power’] 28. ‘Fans up the Fire;— Fans up the Fire;’ (1718), ‘Fans up the Fire,— Fans up the Fire;’ (1719) [not ‘Fans up the Fire,— Fans up the Fire.’] 29. ‘Pride,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Pride;’] 39. ‘cry’d’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘cry’d,’] Love’s Cure. To the Tune of Peggy I must Love Thee Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in Ramsay’s Scots Songs of 1718, reprinted in the second edition of Scots Songs (1719), and a third edition of the collection, which has not survived. The tune has a long history in print, appearing first as ‘The Deel Assist the Plotting Whigs’ in Henry Purcell’s 180 Loyal Songs (London, 1685), and thereafter in Playford’s Apollo’s Banquet, 5th Edition (London, 1687, part 459

Poems 3, no. 5). Purcell again printed the tune, this time as ‘A New Scotch Tune’ in Musick’s Handmaid, Part II (London, 1689, p.16), as did D’Urfey, in his Choice Collection of New Songs and Ballads (London, 1699, p.163). It appears with a variety of titles in the MS collections of Leyden (c.1690, no. 20b), Blaikie (1692, no.23), Balcarres (1690-1700, f.145 and 204), Bowie (1695-c.1705, fos. 30v-31r), Crocket (1709, reversed fo. 19v), Sinkler (1710, no. 32) and Gairdyn (1710-35, fo. 7v). In the eighteenth century, the tune was printed in Walsh’s Compleat Country Dancing-Master (London, 1716, p.38), D’Urfey’s Wit and Mirth (London, 1719, pp.148-49), Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (London, 1725) and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (Edinburgh, ?1725-26, pp.104-5). 2. ‘shipwrackt’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘shipwreckt’] 5. ‘sun’ (1718) [not ‘Sun’] 8. ‘Joy’ (1718) [not ‘Joy,’] 13. ‘I’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘I,’] 14. ‘Mind,’ (1718) [not ‘Mind’] 19. ‘Manly’ (1718) [not ‘manly’] 24. ‘thee.’ (1718) [not ‘thee?’] 25. ‘foolish’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘foolish,’] 28. ‘Beauty;’ (1718) [not ‘Beauty:’] 30. ‘hope’ (1718) [not ‘Hope’] Ode Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in Scots Songs (1718) and reprinted in the second (1719) and untraced third (1720) editions of the collection. 2. ‘Man,’ (1718, 1719) [not ‘Man:’] 7. ‘Stream,’ (1718), ‘Stream;’ (1719) [not ‘Stream:’] Bessy Bell and Mary Gray Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in the untraced third edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs, thought by Gibson to have been published in 1720. The tune has a long history in both MS and print. The earliest printed version is found in Martin Parker’s Foure pence halfe penney Farthing (London, ?1629). It features in James Guthrie’s MS collection of c.1650 (EUL GB-Eu, f.v, p.300), the Balcarres collection (1690-1700, no. 147) and Patrick Cuming’s MS of 1723 (NLS GB-En 1667, p.28). Its first appearance in print in the eighteenth century is as ‘Bess-Bell’ in Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes, for the Violin (London, 1701, pp.8-9), and thereafter in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (London, 1725, no.2), J. Roberts’s A Collection of Old Ballads (1725, pp.243-44), and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26, pp.106-7). The tune is also used by Gay in The Beggar’s Opera (1728, air 9, p.49). Ramsay reprinted ‘Bessy Bell and Mary Gray’ in TTM I. 460

Notes to Poems 1721 Title: By its title, the song is associated with the story of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, daughters of Perthshire gentlemen who, according to ballad lore, built and inhabited a bower in the Lynedoch estate in the Perthshire countryside to avoid contracting plague. They evaded infection until a young man from Perth delivered food to them and passed on the disease, which killed them both. They were buried at Dronach-haugh near the River Almond. It is not certain, however, that Ramsay was familiar with this version of the story, given that his song makes no reference to plague, which in other forms of the song ‘cam’ frae the Burrow-toun/An’ slew them baith thegither’ (Child, 201). 11. ‘Phoebus’: Apollo as god of the sun; ‘Thetis’: goddess of the sea and leader of the Nereides. 24. ‘Jove’: Roman counterpart of Jupiter and the highest Roman deity; ‘Pallas’: an epithet of Athena, an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom and warfare. The Young Laird and Edinburgh Katy Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in the untraced third edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs, thought by Gibson to have been published in 1720; also in GS. The tune to which the song is set first appears in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (172526, p.122), and has a long afterlife in mid-century song collections. Katy’s Answer Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in the untraced third edition of Ramsay’s Scots Songs, thought by Gibson to have been published in 1720. ‘Katy’s Answer’ completes the first collection of thirteen Scots Songs published in Poems (1721); Ramsay reprints the song in TTM I. The tune to which it is set appears in various guises throughout the late seventeenth and early sixteenth centuries. It is featured in the MS collection of Blaikie (1692, no. 65), and thereafter in print as ‘Health to Betty’ in Playford’s English Dancing Master (London, 1651, p.21). In the early eighteenth century, the tune is printed as ‘A Health to Betty’ in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (London, 1725, p.25), and with Ramsay’s title and lyrics in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (?1725-26, pp.124-25). Edinburgh’s Address to the Country. November 1718 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in a pamphlet which, although undated, is likely to have been printed in 1718. 3. ‘Forasmuch as,’ (1718) [not ‘Forasmuch as’] 4. ‘Rural’ (1718) [not ‘rural’] 5. ‘Hyperborean’: member of a race thought by the ancient Greeks to live in 461

Poems the extreme north, beyond the north wind. 7. ‘Ye Swains and Nymphs forsake the wither’d’ (1718) [not ‘Ye Swains and Nymphs, forsake the withered’] 9. ‘Ere Winds and Tempests o’re’ (1718) [not ‘Since Winds and Tempests o’er’] 10. ‘Haste to,’ (1718) [not ‘Haste here’] 11. ‘Towers’ (1718) [not ‘Tow’rs’] 13. ‘you may from Winter run,’ (1718) [not ‘you may bleak Winter shun,’] 14. ‘Sun.’ (1718) [not ‘Sun:’] 18. ‘discharge.’ (1718) [not ‘discharge;’] 21. ‘Friends,’ (1718) [not ‘Friends’] After l.22, the 1718 edition has a blank space followed by the stand-alone couplet, ‘One on his Turn, with Strength of Skill, defines/That universal Use of Euclide’s Lines.’ A blank space follows, and the text picks up with a new stanza at l.23, which begins ‘My Schools of Law’. This couplet does not appear in Poems of 1721. 27. ‘Raphael’: Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483-1520); ‘Ruben’: Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640); ‘Vandike’: Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), artists. 28. ‘Bosom’ (1718) [not ‘Bosoms’] 30. ‘th’ingenious’ (1718) [not ‘the immortal’] 32. ‘Dactiles’ (1718) [not ‘Dactyl’s’] ‘Mantuan Dactyl’s’: a reference to Virgil’s poetry; Virgil was a citizen of Mantua; a ‘dactyl’ is a foot in poetic metre. 33. ‘Others’ (1718) [not ‘others’] 34. ‘Voice, Correlli’s’ (1718) [not ‘Sounds Correlli’s’] ‘Correlli’: Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Italian violinist and composer. 35. ‘around’ (1718) [not ‘arround’] 37. ‘Great’ (1718) [not ‘great’] 39. ‘These and a Thousand Things’ (1718) [not ‘These in my Coffee Shops’] 40. ‘Sage’s’ (1718) [not ‘Sages’] 41. ‘full-fraughted’ (1718) [not ‘full fraughted’] 44. ‘Victorious’ (1718) [not ‘victorious’] ‘Eugene’: Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy-Carignano (1663-1736), field marshal in the army of the Holy Roman Empire; Ramsay refers to his role in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). 45. ‘Throne;’ (1718) [not ‘Throne,’] 46. ‘groan.’ (1718) [not ‘grone.’] 48. ‘War.’ (1718) [not ‘War;’] 52. ‘Night Shades’ (1718) [not ‘Night-shades’] 53. ‘tost,’ (1718) [not ‘toss,’] 54. ‘Post;’ (1718) [not ‘Posts;’] 55. ‘Hautboy’: oboe. 56. ‘Phantom’ (1718) [not ‘phantom’] 62. ‘fair.’ (1718) [not ‘fair;’] 67. ‘Venus, Pallas, and the Spouse of Jove’: the Judgement of Paris, in which the three most beautiful goddesses – Aphrodite (here Venus), Athena (here Pallas) and Hera (here ‘Jove’s spouse’) – competed for a golden apple addressed ‘to the fairest’. Rubens and van Dyck, mentioned in l.27, made the Judgement of Paris the subject of paintings. 462

Notes to Poems 1721 72. ‘The Muse, for want of Words,’ (1718) [not ‘The Muse for Want of Words’] 74. ‘Clay,’ (1718) [not ‘Clay’] 75. ‘glancing Smiles can powerfully’ (1718) [not ‘softest Smiles can pow’rfully’] 76. ‘Show’ (1718) [not ‘Show,’] 80. ‘Bed;’ (1718) [not ‘Bed,’] 81. ‘Father,’ (1718) [not ‘Father’] 82. ‘Trade.’ (1718) [not ‘Trade;’] 84. ‘Sire;’ (1718) [not ‘Sire:’] 89. ‘State:’ (1718) [not ‘State,’] 90. ‘Fate.’ (1718) [not ‘Fate:’] 92. ‘new built Churches towering’ (1718) [not ‘new-built Churches tow’ring’] 93. ‘Thule’: the most northerly location in ancient Greek and Roman literature and cartography. Written beneath the Historical Print of the wonderful Preservation of Mr. David Bruce, and others his School-fellows, St. Andrews, August 19. 1710 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in a pamphlet entitled The Morning Interview. An Heroi-Comical Poem (Edinburgh, 1720). This edition misspells Ramsay’s name as ‘Alan’, and prints ‘Written beneath the Historical Print’ alongside ‘The Morning Interview’, ‘Edinburgh’s Address to the Country’, ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, ‘Elegy on John Cowper’, ‘Elegy on Lucky Wood’, ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’, ‘Tartana’, the collection of ‘Scots Songs’ and ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ (see also Notes to ‘The Morning Interview’). The poem concerns an early eighteenth-century print by George Vertue, after Pierre Berchet, entitled ‘David Bruce’, which is held by the National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG D31556). The print features the following account of the incident Ramsay describes: On the 19th of August 1710 This young Gentleman David Bruce aged 15 years with 6 other about the same Age in company [Dav.d Rankilour, Jo.n Wilson, James Martin, Ale.r Mitchel, James Thomson and James Watson] went out from the Harbour of St. Andrews in a Little boat, with a design to recreat themselves. But it happned in their return they Lost one of their Oars, & were driven into ye Ocean. Twas late before their Parents missed them & therefore not in their Power to afford them any Relief till morning, that they Dispatched some boats in quest of them, but all in vain Whereupon every body gave them for Lost. Mean time the boys were toss’d up and down, without being able by all their Endeavours to make any Shore, tho every day within sight of it. At Length by the good providence of GOD, the wind turning Easterly, after 6 days and 6 nights continued fasting and Labour, they got to Shore alive, under a steep rock commonly called Hern-heugh, 4 miles south of Aberdeen and 50 north of St. Andrews which two of them climb’d up by the direction of an old Fisherman who chanced to Be near the Place & making known their distress to an honest Country man, In.o Shepherd, he kindly Received them into his House hard by, 463

Poems notifying at the same time so extraordinary & moving an accident to the Magistrates of Aberdeen, who forthw.th dispatched their Dean of Guild with D.r Gregory a Physician and M.r Gordon a Surgeon to attend them By whose means under GOD all of them where [sic] preserved, excepting only the two youngest Jo.n Wilson & James Martin who died soon after they came ashore, and were honourably interr’d in Aberdeen by the care of the Magistrates. In thankfull Commemoration of this Wonderfull Event Robert Bruce Goldsmith in Edinburgh, Father to the above David caused this copper Plate to be Engraved. Soli Deo Gloria George Vertue FSA (1684-1756) was an English engraver and antiquary who was, from its foundation in 1717 until his death, official engraver to the Society of Antiquaries. 4. ‘View;’ (1720) [not ‘View:’] 10. ‘Despair.’ (1720) [not ‘despair.’] 11. ‘BEHOLD,’ (1720) [not ‘Behold’] 12. ‘high,’ (1720) [not ‘high;’] 13. ‘Beam’ (1720) [not ‘Beam,’] Christ’s Kirk on the Green, In Three Canto’s Text: Poems (1721). MS: BL (Egerton 2024, ff.6-11). Christ’s Kirk on the Green presents an extremely complicated set of bibliographical issues thanks, in part, to its intricate evolution. As a text whose first canto is borrowed from a sixteenth-century MS, it moves through initial editions to the present copy-text of the full poem, published in Poems (1721), which consists of the original text alongside two cantos penned by Ramsay. There is one MS source for Ramsay’s version; this consists only of Ramsay’s transcription of Canto I, the fruit of his consultation with the Bannatyne MS, a collection of Scots poems and songs compiled by George Bannatyne in 1568. No MS for Ramsay’s original work in Cantos 2 and 3 has survived. The Bannatyne MS is held in the NLS (Adv.MS.1.1.6); ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ appears at ff. 99-101a. At various points since the disputed date of its creation, the original poem was thought to have been the work of King James I or James V of Scotland. Bannatyne ascribes the poem to James I, but subsequent scholars credited James V. At different points in the eighteenth century, both James I and James V were identified as having written the poem; current scholarship rules out both monarchs as its author, thanks to the consensus that it was probably written around 1500 (see Alan H. MacLaine (ed.), The Christis Kirk Tradition: Scots Poems of Folk Festivity (1996), p.10). It is known that Ramsay consulted the Bannatyne MS with the permission of its then-owner, William Carmichael of Skirling (1671-1759), and that this work formed the basis of his later collection of older Scottish poems and songs, The Ever Green (1724). Ramsay’s study of and resulting version of Christ’s Kirk on the Green for Poems (1721) show him working as editor, antiquarian and poet simultaneously. 464

Notes to Poems 1721 Before Christ’s Kirk on the Green’s appearance in Poems (1721), it was printed at least five times in various formats: (1) Christ’s Kirk on the Green In Two Canto’s (Printed by William Adams Junior, 1718); (2) Christ’s Kirk on the Green In Two Canto’s and (3) Christ’s Kirk on the Green in Two Canto’s, both of which are broadside publications and dated tentatively by Martin to 1718; (4) Christ’s Kirk on the Green, In Three Canto’s, published as a pamphlet by Ruddiman in 1718; and (5) Christ’s Kirk on the Green, In Three Canto’s, published in pamphlet form by Ruddiman in 1720. Neither broadside publication (2, 3) has empirical connection to Ramsay: the NLS catalogue regards (2) as a pirated copy, while Gibson concurs that ‘Ramsay has nothing whatever to do with’ (3) (New Light, p.111). They are not, therefore, regarded as authorised texts, and do not feature in the list of variants below. Gibson believes that Ramsay ‘copied the first canto [as it appears in (1)] from Part I of Watson’s [Choice] Collection [of Comic and Serious Scots Poems (1706)]’ (New Light, p.109), in advance of seeing the Bannatyne MS. Evidence to support Gibson’s view is that the first canto, ascribed as per Watson’s Choice Collection to James V in (1), is later attributed to James I in Ramsay’s MS transcription and the two Ruddiman pamphlets (4, 5), thus following Bannatyne’s designation. Furthermore, Ramsay’s earliest publication of Christ’s Kirk (1) resembles Watson’s version more than his later editions, which are closer to the Bannatyne MS’s text: for example, in (1), he includes Stanza 16 which appears in Watson and not in Bannatyne; the ‘Watson stanza’ does not feature in (4) and (5). It can be concluded therefore that his first publication of the poem with Adams (1) follows Watson, and later Ruddiman editions (4, 5) are informed by Ramsay’s consultation of the Bannatyne MS and updated to follow more closely the text of 1568. This textual and MS evidence allows us to pinpoint the date of Ramsay’s first consultation of the Bannatyne MS to 1718. The collation below incorporates Ramsay’s MS transcription of the first canto, the two-canto edition of 1718 (1), and the two pamphlets issued by Ruddiman in 1718 (4) and 1720 (5) which both feature the three-canto version. The Bannatyne MS itself does not appear in the collation for two reasons: firstly, as the publishing history of Christ’s Kirk demonstrates, Ramsay has one strategy for the text in his Poems (1721) and another for its later appearance in The Ever Green. In the former, Ramsay adapts the poem’s form and language and adds two self-penned cantos; in the latter, he acts as an editor, reproducing the poem in a way that is more faithful to the text as he found it in Bannatyne. Therefore, the Bannatyne is more obviously a key MS source for The Ever Green than for Poems. (A full textual history of the poem in its Ever Green context is provided in the forthcoming edition of that collection in The Works of Allan Ramsay.) Secondly, Christ’s Kirk as it appears in Poems has two sources – Watson and Bannatyne – which inform only the first canto of the text; most of the poem is Ramsay’s own. Although Ramsay’s MS transcription is a faithful copy of the original poem’s form as he found it in the Bannatyne MS, it should be noted that in 465

Poems the printed versions of Christ’s Kirk discussed here, Ramsay altered the original stanza endings. The closing lines of Canto I, stanza 1, in the Bannatyne version read as follows: In new Kirtills of Gray, Full gay, At Chryst-Kirk of the Grene that Day. All printed versions discussed here finish the stanza in this way: In new Kirtles of Gray Fou gay that Day Ramsay reinstated the original stanza form for his later publication of Christ’s Kirk in The Ever Green, but his own version of the stanza became highly influential, as seen in Robert Fergusson’s utilisation of it in, among other poems, ‘Leith Races’ (1773), and Burns’s in, for example, ‘The Holy Fair’ (1786). Each of Ramsay’s editions of Christ’s Kirk features unique prefatory material. In the 1718 edition (1) printed by Adams, the following ‘letter’ appears at the head of the text: To Sir, If these following merry Images contribute to your Diversion, and if you own them to be just, I shall not trouble my self with defending every little Thing, the Chagreen may alledge, to the Detriment of what pleases both you and, Sir, Your Humble Servant, Allan Ramsay.’ This 1718 edition also features an ‘Advertisement’: I Own it to be Thirst after Glory that push’d my Muse on such a vast Performance of adding a Second Canto to this admirable Poem, which never own’d any other Author than a Scots Monarch: How I have acted my Part? if you’ll take my Word for it, excellently, and, I hope, the World will agree with me after Two or Three Readings. Consider it werly, rede oftner than anys, Wiel at ane Blenk sle Poetry not tane is. G. Douglas. Whereof I would intreat my gentle, &c. Readers to beware of rash Judgement, least mistaken Notions may make them speak disrespectfully of some beautiful Stanza, and be guilty of a Blunder, which once advanced, must be supported from a Principle of Pride, tho’ a Man be secretly convinced of his Error. The pamphlets published by Ruddiman in 1718 and 1720 print the following advertisement, which emphasises their improved ‘correctness’: This Edition of the first Canto, is copied from an old Manuscript Collection of Scots Poems wrot an hundred and fifty Years ago; where it is found to be done by King James I. Besides its being more correct, the VIIIth Stanza was not in print before; the last but one, of the late Edition, being none of the King’s, gives place to this. My second Part having stood its Ground, has engaged me to keep a little more Company with these comical Characters, having Gentlemens Health and Pleasure, and the good Manners of the Vulgar in View: The main Design of Comedy being to represent the Folies and Mistakes of low Life in a just Light, making them appear as Ridiculous as they really are; that each who is a Spectator, may evite his being the 466

Notes to Poems 1721 Object of Laughter. Notwithstanding all this my publick spirited Pains, I am well assured there are a few heavy Heads, who will bring down the Thick of their Cheeks to the Sides of their Mouths, and richly Stupid, alledge there’s somethings in it have a Meaning. Well! I own it; and think it handsomer in a few Lines to say Something, than talk a great Deal and mean Nothing: Pray, is there any Thing vicious or unbecoming, in saying, Mens Liths and Limbs are supple when intoxicated? Does it not shew, that worse than brutal excessive Drinking, enervates and unhindges a Man’s Constitution, and makes him uncapable of performing Divine, Moral, or natural Duties. There is the Moral; and believe me, I could raise many useful Notes from every Character, which the Ingenious will presently find out. Great Wits sometimes may gloriously offend, And rise to Faults, true Criticks dare not mend, From vulgar Bounds, with brave Disorder part; And snatch a Grace beyond the reach of Art. Pope. Further, when I speak of taking the Test, I seriosly protest I do not mean an Oath of that Name, we all have heard of –––– Likewise, I would intreat every News-Monger, not to offer to pump Politicks from this Poem: Wou’d any imagine, that the first Part which was wrote some hundred Years ago, was the Story of Sherief-Moor, because Rob Roy was named in’t; that my Bawld Bess was ******’ and the Letergae the *******. I like them who sometimes find out Wit the Author never mean’d; but such Ignoramus’s are intolerable. Any Body that has a mind to look sour upon it, may use their freedom. Not laugh, Beasts, Fishes, Fowls, nor Reptiles can, That’s a peculiar Happiness of Man: When govern’d with a prudent cheerful Grace, ’Tis one of the first Beauties of the Face. This advertisement, from ‘Notwithstanding’, to ‘of the Face’ is printed with some variations as a footnote to the text in Poems (1721), on the last page of Canto III (p.131 of that edition). Ramsay’s first quotation in the advertisement is from Pope’s Essay on Criticism (1711), Part I, ll.152-55; the second appears to have been self-penned. The structure of the poem varies across the publications discussed here. There are 24 stanzas in all printed versions of Canto I, and the ordering of stanzas is the same in (4), (5) and Poems (1721). There are differences in ordering between Poems (1721) and Ramsay’s MS transcription. Stanzas 13 (beginning ‘The Buff sae boisterously’) and 22 (beginning ‘By this Tam Taylor’) are not found in Ramsay’s transcription, which has only 22 numbered stanzas. Canto II is an addition by Ramsay which is not found in the Bannatyne MS. Its stanzas appear in the same order across all printed versions. Canto III is also by Ramsay; it too remains consistent across all printed versions. The copy-text follows Ruddiman’s line numbering system as it appears in Poems (1721), 467

Poems which treats the short line at the end of each stanza not as a separate line, but as an extension of the previous line. The two-canto 1718 edition printed by Adams is marked ‘1718a’ below; the 1718 Ruddiman pamphlet is ‘1718b’. Title: ‘Chrysts Kirk of The Grene (MS); [not ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’] Subtitle: ‘Canto First by King James the Fifth.’ (1718a); ‘Canto I. By King JAMES I.’ (1718b; 1720) [not ‘Canto I.’] 1. ‘nevir… nor sene’ (MS), ‘ne’er… nor seen’ (1718a), ‘nere… or seen’ (1718b) [not ‘ne’er… or seen.’] 2. ‘Sic Dansing and deray’ (MS), ‘such Dancing and Deray’ (1718a), ‘Sic dancing and deray;’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Sic Dancing and Deray;’] 3. ‘Nowthir at Falkland on the Grene’ (MS), ‘Neither at Faukland’ (1718a), ‘Nowther at Falkland’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Nowther at Fakland on the Green,’] 4. ‘nor Pebille’ (MS) [not ‘Nor Peebles’] 5. ‘as was of wowers as I wene’ (MS), ‘As was of Wooers as I ween.’ (1718a), ‘As was of Wooers, as I ween,’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘As was of Woers, as I ween.’] 6. ‘at Chrysts Kirk on a day’ (MS), ‘at Christ’s Kirk on a Day:’ (1718a), ‘At Christ’s-Kirk, on a Day:’ (1718b); ‘At Christ’s-Kirk on a Day:’ (1720) [not ‘At Christ’s Kirk on a Day;’] 7. ‘thair came our Kitties washen clene’ (MS), ‘For there came Katie’ (1718a) [not ‘There cam our Kitties washen clean,’] 8. ‘in new Kirtills of Gray,’ (MS), ‘with her new Gown of Gray’ (1718a) [not ‘In new Kirtles of Gray,’] ‘full’ (MS); ‘Full’ (1718a; all ‘bob-wheel’ refrain lines are italicised in previously printed pamphlets) [not ‘Fou’.] 9. ‘To Danse thir Damysells them Dicht’ (MS), ‘Damosels’ (1718a) [not ‘To dance these Damesels them dight,’] 10. ‘Thir Lasses licht of Laits’ (MS), ‘These Lasses light of Laits,’ (1718a) [not ‘Thir Lasses light of Laits,’] 11. ‘Thair Glovis war of the Raffell richt’ (MS), ‘Raffal’ (1718a) [not ‘Their Gloves were of the Raffel right,’] 12. ‘thair Shene war’ (MS), ‘their Shoes were’ (1718a) [not ‘Thair Shoon were’] 13. ‘Thair Kirtills war of Lincome Licht’ (MS), ‘Lincoln-light’ (1718a) [not ‘Their Kirtles were of Lincome light’] 14. ‘weil Prest’ (MS), ‘many Plaits;’ (1718a) [not ‘Well prest with mony Plaits,’] 15. ‘they war sae nyss when men them nicht’ (MS), ‘Men they neigh’d’ (1718a) [not ‘They were so nice when Men them nicht,’] 16. ‘Squeilt lyke ony Gaits’ (MS), ‘squell’d lik any Gaits’ (1718a) [not ‘squeel’d like ony Gaits’] ‘Full’ (1718a) [not ‘Fou’] 17. ‘Of all thir maidens myld as meid.’ (MS) [not ‘Of all these Maidens mild as Mead,’] 18. ‘Gillyie’ (MS), ‘was none so gimp as Gillie,’ (1718a), ‘jmp [sic]’ (1718b) [not ‘Was nane sae jimp as Gilly,’] 19. ‘Rude was reid’ (MS); ‘As any Rose’ (1718a) [not ‘As ony Rose her Rude was red,’] 20. ‘lyke the Lillie’ (MS), ‘Lillie’ (1718a) [not ‘Her Lire was like the Lilly,’] 21. ‘fow yellow yellow was her heid.’ (MS), ‘But yellow yello’ (1718a), ‘Fow 468

Notes to Poems 1721 Yellow, Yellow’ (1718b); ‘Fow yellow, yellow’ (1720) [not ‘Fou yellow, yellow was her Head,’] 22. ‘but she of Lufe sae silly’ (MS), ‘and she of Love so silly,’ (1718a) [not ‘But she of Love was silly;’] 24. ‘she wald haif but sweit willie’ (MS), ‘she would have none but Willie’ (1718a) [not ‘She wald have but sweet Willy’] ‘Allane, at Chts Kirk &c – that Day’ (MS), ‘Alone’ (1718a) [not ‘Alane that Day.’] 25. ‘Sche skornit Jack Jok and skrapit at him’ (MS), ‘She scorn’d Jack, and scripped at him,’ (1718a) [not ‘She scorned Jack, and scraped at him,’] 26. ‘murgont him with mokks’ (MS), ‘murgon’d him with Mocks’ (1718b) [not ‘murgeon’d him with Mocks’] 27. ‘he wald haif Luvit sche wald not lat him’ (MS), ‘He would have lov’d her, she would not let him’ (1718a) [not ‘He wad have loo’d, she wad na let him,’] 28. ‘for all his yellow Lokks’ (MS), ‘for all’ (1718a), ‘for a’ (1718b) [not ‘For a’ his yellow Locks’] 29. ‘bad gae Chat him’ (MS), ‘bade go chat him’ (1718a) [not ‘bade gae chat him’] 30. ‘Sche compt him not twa Clokks’ (MS), ‘she counted him not two Clocks:’ (1718a) [not ‘Counted him not twa Clocks;’] 31. ‘his schort Ja Goun sett him’ (MS), ‘So shamefully his short Jack set him’ (1718a) [not ‘Sae shamefully his short Gown sett him’] 32. ‘his limms wer lyk twa Rokks’ (MS), ‘two Rocks’ (1718a) [not ‘His Legs were like twa Rocks,’] ‘Sche said at &c. that Day.’ (MS) [not ‘Or Rungs that Day.’] 33. ‘Thome Lutar was thair menstrall meit’ (MS), ‘Tom Lutter’ (1718a) [not ‘Tam Lutter was their Minstrel meet,’] 34. ‘O Lord! As he could lanss’ (MS), ‘good Lord, how he could lance;’ (1718a), ‘Lance’ (1718b) [not ‘Good Lord how he cou’d lance,’] 35. ‘he Playt sae schil and sang sae sweit’ (MS), ‘so shril, and sang so sweet’ (1718a) [not ‘He play’d sae shill, and sang sae sweet,’] 37. ‘Auld Lichtfute ther he did forleit’ (MS), ‘Old Lightfoot there he could forleet’ (1718a) [not ‘Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet’] 38. ‘and counter fitted franss’ (MS), ‘counterfitted France,’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘And counterfeited France:’] 39. ‘usd himself as man discreit’ (MS), ‘held him like a Man discreet’ (1718a) [not ‘us’d himself as Man discreet,’] 40. ‘and up tuke moreis danss’ (MS), ‘and up the Morice Dance’ (1718a) [not ‘And up the Morice Dance’] ‘full Loud, at &c that Day’ (MS) [not ‘He took that Day.’] 41. ‘Then Stevin came Stepand in with Stends’ (MS), ‘Then Stephen came stepping in with stends,’ (1718a), ‘stepand’ (1718b) [not ‘Then Steen came steppand in with Stends,’] 42. ‘Nae rynk micht him Arreist’ (MS), ‘no rink’ (1718a) [not ‘Nae Rink might his arrest:’] 43. ‘Platfute he Bobbit up with bends’ (MS), ‘Splayfoot… many bends,’ (1718a) [not ‘Plaitfoot did bob with mony Bends,’] 44. ‘for Mald he maid requeist’ (MS), ‘for Masie he made request,’ (1718a), ‘request,’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘For Mause he made Request;’] 469

Poems 45. ‘He lap while while… lends,’ (1718a) [not ‘He lap till he lay on his Lends,’] 46. ‘but Rysand was sae Preist’ (MS), ‘and rising was so preast,’ (1718a) [not ‘But risand was sae prest,’] 47. ‘quhyle that he hoistit at baith ends’ (MS), ‘While he did hoast at both the Ends’ (1718a), ‘whostit’ (1718b) [not ‘While that he hostit at baith Ends,’] 48. ‘feist’ (MS); ‘Honour’ (1718a) [not ‘For honour of the Feast’] ‘and danst, at &c that Day’ (MS) [not ‘And danc’d that Day.’] 49. ‘Syne Robene Roy begoud to revell’ (MS), ‘Then Robin Roy’ (1718a) [not ‘Syne Robin Roy began to revel’] 50. ‘and Dawny to him druggist’ (MS), ‘and Tousie to him drugged;’ (1718a) [not ‘And Dawny to him rugged:’] 51. ‘Let be quoth Jack Jok & cawd him jevell’ (MS), ‘call’d him Jevel’ (1718a) [not ‘Let me, quote Jack, and cau’d him Jevel’] 52. ‘and be the Tail him tuggit’ (MS), ‘Tail him rugged,’ (1718a) [not ‘And by the Tail him tugged;’] 53. ‘cleikit to cavell’ (MS), ‘Then Kensie clicked to a Kevel,’ (1718a) [not ‘The Kensie cleekit to a Cavel,’] 54. ‘But Lord theim how they Luggit,’ (MS), ‘God wots as they two lugged’ (1718a) [not ‘But Lord as they twa lugged’] 55. ‘Thay Partit hir manly with a nevell’ (MS), ‘They parted there upon a Nevel,’ (1718a) [not ‘They parted manly on a Navel:’] 56. ‘I trow that hair was ruggit’ (MS) [not ‘Men say that Hair was rugged’] ‘betwixt them, at ch &c that day’ (MS) [not ‘Between them twa.’] 56-64. The stanza beginning ‘Ane bent a Bow’ and ending ‘that Day.’ does not appear in 1718a. 57. ‘coud steir him’ (MS) [not ‘did steer him,’] 58. ‘grit Skayth wesd to haif skard him’ (MS), ‘skaith’ (1718b) [not ‘Great Skaith was’t to have scar’d him’] 59. ‘affeir him’ (MS) [not ‘affear him’] 60. ‘the toder said dirdum dardum’ (MS), ‘Dirdum Dardum,’ (1718a) [not ‘Th’other said, Dirdum, Dardum:’] 61. ‘baith the Cheiks he thocht to cheir him’ (MS) [not ‘baith the Cheeks he thought to sheer him,’] 62. ‘erss haif Chard him’ (MS) [not ‘Arse have char’d him’] 63. ‘be ane akerbreid it came not near him’ (MS) [not ‘B’ane Akerbraid it came na neer him,’] 64. ‘I can not tell quhat mard him’ (MS) [not ‘I canna tell what marr’d him,’] ‘Thair at &c: – that Day’ (MS) [not ‘Sae wide that Day.’] 65. ‘freynd of his cryd fy’ (MS), ‘Friend of his cry’d fy,’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Friend of his cry’d, Fy,’] 66. ‘and up ane arrow’ (MS), ‘and forth an Arrow’ (1718a) [not ‘And up an Arrow’] 67. ‘he forgit sae furiously’ (MS), ‘He forged it so fiercefully,’ (1718a) [not ‘He forged it sae furiously,’] 68. ‘flenders’ (MS), ‘flinders’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Flinders’] 69. ‘Such was the Grace of God,’ (1718a) [not ‘Sae was the Will of God,’] 70. ‘Tre bene trew’ (MS), ‘Tree been true;’ (1718a) [not ‘Tree been true,’] 71. ‘that kend’ (MS), ‘who knew’ (1718a) [not ‘wha kend’] 470

Notes to Poems 1721 72. ‘he wald haif slain enow [cancelled]’ (MS), ‘slain a new’ (1720) [not ‘That he had slain anew,] 73-80. This stanza, beginning ‘A yap young Man’, appears in the MS transcription at l.89. 73. ‘A yaip yung man that stude him neist’ (MS), ‘niest’ (1718a) [not ‘A yap young Man that stood him neist,’] 74. ‘Lowds aft a Shot with yre’ (MS), ‘soon bent his Bow in ire,’ (1718a) [not ‘Loos’d aff a Shot with Ire,’] 75. ‘he Ettlat the bern in at the breist’ (MS), ‘And etled’ (1718a) [not ‘He etled the Bairn in at the Breast’] 76. ‘owre the byre’ (MS), ‘ov’r the Bire’ (1718a) [not ‘o’er the Bire’] 77. ‘And cry’d fy, he hath slain a Priest’ (1718a) [not ‘And cry’d, Fy, he has slain a Priest,’] 78. ‘a myle beyond a myre’ (MS), ‘a Mile beyond the Mire:’ (1718a) [not ‘A Mile beyond a Mire;’] 79. ‘Both Bow and Bagg from him’ (1718a) [not ‘Then Bow and Bag frae him’] 80. ‘ferse as fyre’ (MS), ‘fast as Fire’ (1718a) [not ‘fierce as Fire’] ‘at &c – that Day’ (MS), ‘From’ (1718a) [not ‘Frae Flint that Day.’] 81-88. This stanza, beginning ‘Ane hasty Hensure’, appears in the MS transcription at l.73, i.e. in place of the previous stanza. 81. ‘callit Hary’ (MS), ‘An hasty Kinsman called Hary,’ (1718a) [not ‘Ane hasty Hensure, called Hary’] 82. ‘quha was ane Archer hynd’ (MS), ‘that was an Archer keen,’ (1718a) [not ‘Wha was ane Archer, hynd’] 83. ‘Tytt up a taikle withouten Tary’ (MS), ‘Tyed up a Tackle’ (1718a); ‘withouten’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Fit up a Tackle withoutten tarry,’] 84. ‘torment’ (MS); ‘I trow the Man was teen:’ (1718a) [not ‘That Torment sae him tynd.’] 85. ‘I wate not quhidder his hand coud vary’ (MS), ‘I wot not whether his Hand did vary,’ (1718a) [not ‘I watna whither’s Hand cou’d vary,’] 86. ‘or the Man was his freynd’ (MS), ‘or his Foe was his Friend:’ (1718a) [not ‘Or the Man was his Friend;’] 87. ‘for he escapist throw michts’ (MS), ‘But he escap’d by the Mights’ (1718a) [not ‘For he escap’d throw’ mights’] 88. ‘as man that nae ill meind’ (MS), ‘as one that nothing mean’d’ (1718a) [not ‘As ane that nae ill mean’d’] ‘but gude, at Chts Kirk on the Grene that Day.’ (MS), ‘But good that Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘But Good that Day.’] 89. ‘Lowry lyk a Lyon lap’ (MS), ‘Lawrie like a Lion lap,’ (1718a), ‘Lawrie like a Lyon lap,’ (1718b); ‘Laurie like a Lyon lap,’ [not ‘Laurie like a Lion lap,’] 90. ‘and sone a flane can fedder’ (MS), ‘and soon a Flain could fedder:’ (1718a) [not ‘And soon a Flane can fedder;’] 91. ‘he hecht to pers him at the pap’ (MS), ‘He height to pierce him at the Pape,’ (1718a) [not ‘He hecht to pierce him at the Pap,’] 92. ‘theron’ (MS) [not ‘Thereon’] 93. ‘Wamb a wap’ (1718a) [not ‘Wame a Wap,’] 94. ‘it buft lyk ony Bledder’ (MS), ‘it buff’d like any Bladder,’ (1718a) [not ‘It bufft like ony Bladder;’] 471

Poems 95. ‘but Saw his fortune was & hap’ (MS), ‘He escaped so, such was his hap;’ (1718a) [not ‘But sae his Fortune was and Hap,’] 96. ‘made of ledder’ (MS), ‘his Doublet was of Leather’ (1718a) [not ‘His Doublet made of Leather’] ‘Saift him, at &c – that Day’ (MS), ‘Full fine that Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘Sav’d him that Day.’] 97-104. This stanza, beginning ‘The Buff sae boisterously’, does not appear in Ramsay’s MS transcription. 97. ‘so’ (1718a) [not ‘sae’] 98. ‘that he to th’Earth’ (1718a) [not ‘He to the Earth’] 99. ‘other’ (1718a) [not ‘tither’] 101. ‘forth’ (1718a) [not ‘furth’] 102. ‘found’ (1718a) [not ‘fand’] 103. ‘routs they raised him.’ (1718a), ‘raisd’ (1718b) [not ‘Routs on’s Arse they rais’d him,’] 104. ‘sown’ (1718a) [not ‘Sown’] ‘Fra’ (1718a) [not ‘Frae’] 105-12. The stanza beginning ‘With Forks and Flails’ appears later in 1718a, at l.145, and earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.97. 105. ‘thay lent grit slaps’ (MS), ‘they lent them Slaps,’ (1718a) [not ‘they lent great Slaps,’] 106. ‘and flang togidder lyk friggs’ (MS), ‘and flew together with Frigs:’ (1718a) [not ‘And flang together like Frigs;’] 107. ‘with Bowgars of Barns thay best blew Kapps’ (MS), ‘With Bougres of Barns they pierc’d blue Caps’ (1718a) [not ‘With Bougers of Barns they best blew Caps,’] 108. ‘quhyle thay of Berns maid Briggs’ (MS), ‘and of their Bairns made Briggs:’ (1718a) [not ‘While they of Bairns made Brigs.’] 109. ‘The Reird raise rudely with the sthe rapps’ (MS), ‘The Rare rose rudely with their Raps,’ (1718a) [not ‘The Rierd raise rudely with the Raps,’] 110. ‘quhen rungs war laid’ (MS), ‘then Rungs were laid’ (1718a) [not ‘When Rungs were laid’] 111. ‘the Wyfis came furth with Crys & Clapps’ (MS), ‘The Wives came forth with Cries and Claps,’ (1718a) [not ‘The Wives came furth wi’ Crys and Claps,’] 112. ‘Lo quhair my Lyking liggs’ (MS), ‘See where my Likeing ligs’ (1718a), ‘liking liggs’ (1718b) [not ‘See where my Liking liggs’] ‘quoth that, at &c. that Day’ (MS), ‘Full low this Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘Fou low this Day!’] 113-20. This stanza, beginning ‘They girned and let Gird’, appears later in 1718a, at l.137, and earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.105. 113. ‘Thay Girnit and lute gird with grains’ (MS), ‘They girn’d and glowred all at anes,’ (1718a) [not ‘They girned and let Gird with Grains,’] 114. ‘ilk Gossip uder Greivt’ (MS), ‘each Gossip other grieved:’ (1718a) [not ‘Ilk Gossip other griev’d:’] 115. ‘Sum Strak with Strings sum gaddert steins’ (MS), ‘Some striked Strings, some gathered Stanes,’ (1718a) [not ‘Some strake with Stings, some gather’d Stains,’] 472

Notes to Poems 1721 116. ‘Sum fled and ill mischevt’ (MS), ‘Some fled, and some relieved.’ (1718a) [not ‘Some fled and ill mischiev’d.’] 117. ‘the Menstrall wan within twa wains’ (MS), ‘The Minstrel used quiet Means,’ (1718a) [not ‘The Minstrel wan within twa Wains,’] 118. ‘that day full weil he preivt’ (MS), ‘prieved,’ (1718a) [not ‘That Day he wisely priev’d;’] 119. ‘with unbirst bains’ (MS), ‘with unbruis’d Banes,’ (1718a) [not ‘wi’ unbruis’d Bains,’] 120. ‘quhair fechtairs war mischeivt’ (MS), ‘mischieved’ (1718a) [not ‘Where Fighters were mischiev’d’] ‘for evir at &c — that Day’ (MS), ‘Full ill that Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘Fou ill that Day.’] 121-28. This stanza, beginning ‘Heich Hutchon with a Hisil Rice’, appears earlier in both 1718a and Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.113. 121. ‘Hissill Ryss’ (MS); ‘Then Hutchon with a Hazel Rice’ (1718a); ‘Hisill’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Heich Hutchon with a Hisil Rice,’] 122. ‘red can throw them rummill’ (MS), ‘red gan through them rummil’ (1718a) [not ‘red can throw them rummil’] 123. ‘muddillt them doun lyk ony Myss’ (MS), ‘muddl’d them down like any Mice’ (1718a) [not ‘maw’d them down like ony Mice’] 124. ‘nae baity bummill’ (MS), ‘no petty bummil,’ (1718a) [not ‘na Baity Bummil:’] 125. ‘Thocht he was wicht he was nocht wyss’ (MS), ‘Tho’… not wise,’ (1718a) [not ‘Tho he was wight, he was na wise,’] 126. ‘with sic Jangleurs to jummill’ (MS), ‘with such jutors to jummil:’ (1718a) [not ‘With sic Jangleurs to jummil;’] 127. ‘for frae his Thoume thay dang a Sklyss’ (MS), ‘For from his Thumb there flew a Slice’ (1718a) [not ‘For frae his Thumb they dang a Slice,’] 128. ‘quhyle he Cryd barla fummill’ (MS), ‘While he cry’d barlafummil,’ (1718a) [not ‘While he cry’d, Barlafumil,’] ‘I am [cancelled] slain, at &c – this day’ (MS) [not ‘I’m slain this Day.’] 129-36. This stanza, beginning ‘When that he saw his Blood’, appears earlier in both Ramsay’s MS transcription and 1718a, at l.121. 129. ‘Quhen that he saw his blude sae red’ (MS), ‘so red’ (1718a) [not ‘When that he saw his Blood sae red’] 130. ‘micht nae man’ (MS), ‘might no man’ (1718a) [not ‘might nae Man’] 131. ‘he weind it had bene for auld feid’ (MS), ‘He trow’d it had been for old feed;’ (1718a) [not ‘He ween’d it had been for auld Feed,’] 132. ‘he thocht ane cryd haif at him’ (MS) [not ‘He thought and bade have at him;’] 133. ‘gart his feit defend his heid’ (MS), ‘made his Feet defend his Head’ (1718a) [not ‘gart his Feet defend his Head’] 135. ‘quhyl he was past out of all pleid’ (MS), ‘While he was past out of their Dread:’ (1718a) [not ‘While he was past out of all Plead,’] 136. ‘thay sould bene Swift’ (MS), ‘they must be swift’ (1718a) [not ‘He foud been swift’] ‘Throw Speid at &c — that Day’ (MS), ‘Through Speed that Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘Throw Speed that Day.’] 473

Poems 137-44. This stanza, beginning ‘The Town Souter in Grief’, appears earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.129, and later in 1718a, at l.153. 137. ‘The town Soutar in Greif’ (MS), ‘The black Souter of Braith’ (1718a) [not ‘The Town Souter in Grief’] 138. ‘wyfe’ (MS) [not ‘Wife’] 139. ‘in blude all browden’ (MS), ‘in Black all browden,’ (1718a) [not ‘with Blood a browden,’] 140. ‘he graint lyk ony Gaist’ (MS), ‘he girned like a Ghaist,’ (1718a) [not ‘He grain’d like ony Ghaist;’] 141. ‘her Glitterend hair that was Sae Gowden’ (MS) [not ‘Her glittering Hair that was so gowden’] 142. ‘Sae hard in lufe him laist’ (MS), ‘her Love fast from him laist,’ (1718a) [not ‘So hard in Love him lac’d,’] 143. ‘That for her saik he was not yowden’ (MS), ‘That for his Sake she was unyawden’ (1718a) [not ‘That for her Sake he was not yowden,’] 144. ‘and mair, at &c — that day’ (MS) [not ‘And mair that Day.’] 145-52. This stanza, beginning ‘The Miller was of manly Make’, appears earlier in both Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.137, and in 1718a, at l.105. 145. ‘mak’ (MS) [not ‘Make’] 146. ‘it was no Mowes;’ (1718a) [not ‘was nae Mows;’] 147. ‘Ther durst not ten cum him to tak’ (MS), ‘There durst not Ten-some there him take’ (1718a) [not ‘There durst nae tensome there him take’] 148. ‘Sae noytet he thair Pows’ (MS), ‘so cowed he their Powes,’ (1718a) [not ‘Sae noyted he their Pows:’] 149. ‘the Buschment hale… brak’ (MS), ‘The Bushment whole… brake,’ (1718a) [not ‘The Bushment heal… brake,’] 150. ‘bikkert him with’ (MS), ‘bickered him with’ (1718a) [not ‘bickered him wi’’] 151. ‘Syne traytorly behind his bak’ (MS), ‘Then traitorously behind his Back’ (1718a) [not ‘Syne traitorously behind his Back,’] 152. ‘thay hewt him on the Hows’ (MS), ‘they hack’d him on the Howes’ (1718a), ‘hewt’ (1718b) [not ‘They hew’d him on the Howes,’] ‘behind at &c —— that Day’ (MS) [not ‘Behind that Day.’] 153-60. This stanza, beginning ‘Twa that were Headsmen of the Herd’, appears earlier in both Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.145, and in 1718a, at l.129. 153. ‘Twa that war herdmen of the herd’ (MS), ‘Two that were’ (1718a) [not ‘Twa that were Headsmen of the Herd’] 154. ‘on udder ran lyk Rams’ (MS), ‘They rusht on other like Rams;’ (1718a) [not ‘On ither rans like Rams,’] 155. ‘then followit seymen richt unaffeird’ (MS), ‘The other four which were unfear’d’ (1718a) [not ‘They follow’d, seeming right unfear’d,’] 156. ‘bet on with barrow-trams’ (MS), ‘Barrow Trams.’ (1718a) [not ‘Beat on with Barrow-Trams:’] 157. ‘but quhair thair Gobs they were ungeird’ (MS), ‘And where their Gobs were ungear’d’ (1718a) [not ‘But where their Gabs were ungear’d’] 158. ‘Gams,’ (1718a) [not ‘Gams;’] 159. ‘quhyl bludy berkit war thair Baird’ (MS), ‘While all that bloody was their Beards,’ (1718a) [not ‘While bloody barkn’d was their Beards,’] 474

Notes to Poems 1721 160. ‘as they had worriet Lamms’ (MS) [not ‘As they had worried Lambs,’] ‘maist lyk at &c — that Day’ (MS), ‘Most like that Day.’ (1718a) [not ‘Maist like that Day.’] 161-68. This stanza, beginning ‘The Wives keist up a hideous Yell’, appears earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.153, and later in 1718a, at l.169. 161. ‘wyves Keist up a hideous yell’ (MS), ‘Wives the gave up a hideous yell,’ (1718a) [not ‘Wives keist up a hideous Yell,’] 162. ‘quhen all thir yunkers yokkit’ (MS) [not ‘When all these Yonkiers yoked;’] 163. ‘Als ferss as ony fure flauchts fell’ (MS) [not ‘As fierce as Flags of Fireflaughts fell,’] 164. ‘freiks to the feilds thay flokit’ (MS) [not ‘Frieks to the Fields they flocked;’] 165. ‘uder’ (MS) [not ‘others’] 166. ‘quhyl blude at breists out bokit’ (MS), ‘On Breast while Blood outboaked,’ (1718a) [not ‘On Breasts, while Blood out boaked;’] 167. ‘So rudely rang’ (1718a) [not ‘Sae rudly rang’] 168. ‘all the Steipill Rokkit’ (MS), ‘all the Steeple rocked’ (1718a), ‘a the Steeple rocked’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’ the Steeple rocked’] ‘for reid at Cht Kirk on the Grene that day’ (MS) [not ‘For Dread that Day.’] 169-76. This stanza, beginning ‘By this Tam Taylor was in’s Gear’, does not appear in Ramsay’s MS transcription; it appears later in 1718a, at l.177. 169. ‘Tom Taylor was in his Gear,’ (1718a) [not Tam Taylor was in’s Gear,’] 170. ‘when he heard the common Bell,’ (1718a) [not ‘When that he heard the Bell,’] 171. ‘Stear’ (1718a) [not ‘steer,’] 172. ‘himsell,’ (1718a) [not ‘himself:’] 173. ‘He went to fight with such a Fear’ (1718a) [not ‘He gaed to fight in sic a Fear,’] 176. ‘knocking Mell,’ (1718a), ‘Knocking-Mell’ (1718b) [not ‘Knocking-mell,’] 177-84. This stanza, beginning ‘When they had bierd like baited Bulls’, appears earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.161. It also appears earlier in 1718a, at l.161. In its place in 1718a is the following stanza from Watson’s Choice Collection (I:7, see above): The Bridegroom brought a Pint of Ale, And bade the Piper drink it, Drink it quoth he, and it so Stale, ashrew me if I think it. The Bride her Maidens stood near by, and said it was not blinked, And Bartagesie the Bride so gay, upon him fast she winked Full soon that day. 177. ‘quhen thay had beirt lyk’ (MS), ‘When they had beir’d like’ (1718a) [not ‘When they had bierd like:’] 178. ‘And branewood brynt in bails’ (MS), ‘the Bone-fires burns like Bails,’ (1718a) [not ‘And Brain-wood brynt in Bails;’] 179. ‘Thay wer as Meik as ony mulis’ (MS), ‘And then they grew as meek as Mules’ (1718a) [not ‘They were as meek as any Mules;’] 475

Poems 180. ‘that mangit ar’ (MS), ‘That wearied are’ (1718a) [not ‘That mangit are’] 181. ‘for faintnes ther forfochtin fulis’ (MS), ‘For those forfoughten tyred Fools’ (1718a) [not ‘For Faintness thae forfoughten Fools’] 182. ‘doun like flawchtir fails’ (MS), ‘down like flaughtered Frails,’ (1718a) [not ‘down like flaughter’d Fails;’] 183. ‘freshmen came in and haild the dulis’ (MS), ‘Fresh Men came in and hail’d the Dools,’ (1718) [not ‘Fresh Men came in, and hal’d the Dools,’] ‘bedene at &c ——— that Day’ (MS) [not ‘Bedeen that Day.’] 185-92. This stanza, beginning ‘When a’ was done, Dick with an Aix’, appears earlier in Ramsay’s MS transcription, at l.169. 185. ‘Quhen all was done dik with ane aix’ (MS), ‘When all was done Dick with an Ax’ (1718a) [not ‘When a’ was done, Dick with an Aix,’] 186. ‘forth to fell a Fother,’ (1718a) [not ‘furth to fell a Fiddir,’] 187. ‘Quod he quhair are yon hangit Smaiks’ (MS), ‘Quoth he, where are you Whoreson Smaiks’ (1718a) [not ‘Quoth he, Where are yon hangit Smaiks,’] 188. ‘richt now wald slain my brudder’ (MS), ‘rightnow that hurt my Brother?’ (1718a) [not ‘That wad have slain my Brither?’] 189. ‘his wyfe’ (MS); ‘go hame, Gib Glaiks,’ (1718a) [not ‘His Wife bad him gae hame Gib Glaicks,’] 190. ‘and Sae did Meg his mudder’ (MS), ‘and so did Meg his Mother;’ (1718a) [not ‘And sae did Meg his Mither;’] 191. ‘gaif them baith thair paiks’ (MS), ‘gave them both their Paiks’ (1718a) [not ‘gave them baith their Paiks’] 192. ‘nane udder’ (MS), ‘no other.’ (1718a) [not ‘nae ither’] ‘for feir at chrts Kirk of the grene that Day.’ (MS) [not ‘But them that Day.’] Ramsay’s MS transcription ends: ‘finis Quod King James the first’ Canto II Subtitle: ‘Canto Second by Allan Ramsay.’ (1718a); ‘CANTO II. By Allan Ramsay.’ [not ‘Canto II.’] 2. ‘sair’ (1718a); ‘Haiship’ (1718b); ‘Spulie’ (1718a, 1718b); ‘Spulzie’ (1720) [not ‘Sair Harship and great Spulie,’]; henceforth every even-numbered line in 1718a begins in lower-case. 5. ‘bald’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Bauld’] 6. ‘wi a great Kale’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’ a great Kail’] 7. ‘Bellyflaught’ (1718a) [not ‘bellyflaught,’] 8. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘a’’] ‘Fou fast that Day.’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Fou fast that Day.’]; henceforth each bob-wheel refrain line in 1718a, 1718b and 1720 appears in italics, as in Canto I. 9. ‘wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’’] 10. ‘Tho’’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Tho’] 12. ‘wirry Kows:’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Wirry-kows:’] 13. ‘Quoth some who’ (1718a) [not ‘Quoth some, who’] 14. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’’] 15. ‘Brouillement’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Brulziement’] 16. ‘Mows’ (1718a) [not ‘Mows,’] 18. ‘war,’ (1718a) [not ‘war;’] 476

Notes to Poems 1721 19. ‘Ise’ (1718a) [not ‘I’se’] 21. ‘Wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Wi’’] 23. ‘Bonnet, to the Bent’ (1718a) [not ‘Bonnet to the Bent,’] 24. ‘dadded’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘daddit’] 25. ‘Tam Taylor wha’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Tam Taylor, wha’] 26. ‘him,’ (1718a) [not ‘him;’] 27. ‘wi an unky’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’ an unco’] 29. ‘Bald’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Bauld’] 32. ‘shoar’d she wou’d’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘shored she would’] 33. ‘a wi’ (1718a, 1718b), ‘a wi’’ (1720) [not ‘a’ wi’’] 35. ‘redd’ (1718a, 1718b); [not ‘red’] 37. ‘for a Happ upo’ the Sands’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘for a Hap to shaw their Brands,’] 38. ‘their’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘there’] 39. ‘Whare’ (1718a) [not ‘Where’] 40. ‘ilky’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘ilka’] 42. ‘na’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘nae’] 43. ‘For be’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘For by’] 44. ‘gee’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘gi’e’] 45. ‘Ye’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘ye’] 46. ‘O figh,’ (1718a) [not ‘O figh!’] 47. ‘be quait,’ (1718a) [not ‘be quait;’] 49. ‘Gossies, sat and keen,’ (1718b) [not ‘Gossies sat, and keen’] 50. ‘birle,’ (1718a) [not ‘birle;’] 53. ‘wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’’] 55. ‘Folk wad threep that she’ (1718a) [not ‘Fouk wad threep, that she’] 56. ‘Skirle’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘skirle’] 57. ‘Miller haff and haff’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Miller, haff and haff,’] 60. ‘Gee me Pattie’s Mill:’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Gi’e me Paty’s-Mill’] ‘The Lass of Peattie’s Mill’, Ramsay’s own song, published in Poems (1721). 61. ‘Bawk-high,’ (1718a) [not ‘Bawk-hight,’] 63. ‘Caf’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Cawf’] 65. ‘niest’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘neist’] 66. ‘took;’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘took,’] 67. ‘Faulkland’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Falkland’] 68. ‘Book:’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Book;’] 71. ‘Gae’ (1718a, 1718b); ‘Ded’ (1718b) [not ‘Ga’e… Dad,’] 72. ‘Videlicet, the Yuke’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Videlicet the Yuke’] 73. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’’] 75. ‘babb’d’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘bab’d’] 76. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘a’’] 79. ‘took’ (1718a) [not ‘hit’] 80. ‘hawl’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘haul’] 82. ‘Gae’d’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Gaed’] 84. ‘wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’’] 86. ‘They’l’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘They’ll’] 87. ‘Gawssie’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Gawssie’] ‘sick’ (1718a) [not ‘Sic’] 477

Poems 91. ‘fow’ (1718a, 1718b), ‘fu’’ (1720) [not ‘fou’] 93. ‘hae’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘ha’e’] 94. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’’] 95. ‘fitted the Floor syne wi the Bride’ (1718a), ‘fitted the Floor syn wi the bride’ (1718b); ‘fitted’ (1720) [not ‘He fits the Floor syne wi’ the Bride’] 99. ‘Kiss and Dance wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘kiss and dance wi’’] 100. ‘Dame.’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Dame:’] 102. ‘Back-gate’ (1718a), ‘back-gate’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘back gate’] 103. ‘Beckin, she loot a fearfou’ (1718a, 1718b), ‘Beckin, she loot a fearfu’’ (1720) [not ‘Beckin she loot a fearfu’’] ‘Blush that Day.’ (1718a, 1720) [not ‘blush that Day.’] 107. ‘ilky… unky’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘ilka… unco’] 108. ‘Folk’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Fouk’] 109. ‘wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wi’’] 110. ‘o’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘o’’] 112. ‘wad’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘wa’d’] 114. ‘betwixt ilky’ (1718a), ‘betwisht ilky’ (1718b) [not ‘betwisht ilka’] 115. ‘Lugs, in’t like’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Lugs in’t like’] 121. ‘Later-gae of Hally’ (1718a), ‘Letter-gae of hally’ (1718b), ‘Letter-gae of haly’ (1720) [not ‘Latter-gae of haly’] 122. ‘Boordhead’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Boord-head,’] 123. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’’] 125. ‘Clark Lear’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Clark-Lear’] 129. ‘Strute twa’ (1718a) [not ‘strute, twa’] 130. ‘Be his Oxter’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Be’s Oxter’] 132. ‘Schollar’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Scholar’] 133. ‘Reel’ (1718a), ‘Reel,’ (1718b) [not ‘reel,’] 134. ‘Rampaadge’ (1718a), ‘Rampadge’ (1718b) [not ‘rampage’] 135. ‘her spinning Wheel’ (1718a) [not ‘the Spining-wheel’] 136. ‘Rix Dollar’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Rix-dollar’] 138. ‘their Rest’ (1718a) [not ‘his Rest’] 140. ‘wi Sleep and Drinking’ (1718a), ‘Wi Sleep, and Drinking’ (1718b) [not ‘Wi’ sleep and Drinking’] 141. ‘others… Stomach tight’ (1718a), ‘Stomach tight’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘ithers… Stomach-tight’ 147. ‘wi Brachen, some wi’ (1718a, 1718b) [wi’ Brachan, some wi’’] 148. ‘heat’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘het’] 151. ‘naithing’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘nathing’] 152. ‘Wi’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Wi’’] 153. ‘Twice aught’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Twa Times aught’] 156. ‘Wi’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Wi’’] 158. ‘Wi’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Wi’’] 159. ‘syne’ (1718a) [not ‘syn’] 160. ‘Its lane, pat’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Its lane pat’] 167. ‘Bride,’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Bride:’] 169. ‘Tehee! quo’ Touzie,’ (1718a, 1718b), ‘Tehee ! quoth Touzie,’ (1720) [not ‘Tehee, quoth Touzie,’] 171. ‘ronnd them a’ (1718a), ‘round them a’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘round them a’’] 478

Notes to Poems 1721 172. ‘fen’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Fen’] 173. ‘Wyliecoat’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Wylicoat’] 174. ‘End’ (1718a) [not ‘En’] 180. ‘tho’’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘tho’] 181. ‘e’re’ (1718a) [not ‘e’er’] 183. ‘a’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’’] 184. ‘next’ (1718a) [not ‘neist’] 186. ‘Banquetting and Drinking’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Banqueting and Drinkin’’] 189. ‘e’ne’ (1718a), ‘E’n’ (1718b) [not ‘E’en’] Canto III Canto III does not appear in 1718a, which prints only Cantos I and II. ‘CANTO III. By Allan Ramsay.’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Canto III.’] 1. ‘o’ Fife the Dawn’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘of Fife the Daw’n’] 2. ‘Speeld’ (1718b) [not ‘Speel’d’] 3. ‘crawn’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘craw’n’] 4. ‘rift.’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘rift:’] 5. ‘wi girning thrawn,’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘wi’ girning Thrawn;’] 6. ‘Cryd Lasses’ (1718b) [not ‘Cry’d, Lasses’] 11. ‘Air up, had’ (1718b) [not ‘Air up had’] 14. ‘Fowk’ (1718b) [not ‘Fouk’] 16. ‘Sick’ (1718b) [not ‘Sic’] 18. ‘coud’ (1718b) [not ‘cou’d’] 19. ‘se’ (1718b) [not ‘see’] 20. ‘ding dang:’ (1718b) [not ‘ding dang’] 21. ‘wi’ (1718b) [not ‘wi’’]; all subsequent instances of ‘wi’ lack an apostrophe in 1718b, while it is retained in 1720 and the copy-text of 1721. 23. ‘Horn Spoons’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Horn-spoons’] 27. ‘Good-man’ (1718b) [not ‘Goodman’] 29. ‘to scalp yei’r Skin,’ (1718b) [not ‘to skelp ye’re Skin’] 30. ‘of Use’ (1718b) [not ‘of use;’] 34. ‘O Nanny,’ (1718b) [not ‘Oe Nanny,’] 36. ‘Moupin runckeld Granny,’ (1718b) [not ‘moupin runckled Granny,’] 37. ‘the Kimmers, an and a,’ (1718b) [not ‘the Kimmers ane and a’,’] 38. ‘Word gae’d, she was’ (1718b) [not ‘Word gae’d she was’] 44. ‘Corning.’ (1718b) [not ‘Corning?’] 45. ‘fand’ (1718b); ‘fund’ (1720) [not ‘fun’] 46. ‘Said let abe’ (1718b) [not ‘Said, Let a be’] 47. ‘Fegs, I’ve done’ (1718b) [not ‘Fegs I’ve done’] 49. ‘Cirsh’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Kirsh’] 53. ‘watna’ (1718b) [not ‘wat na’] 56. ‘Cocker-Nonny,’ (1718b) [not ‘Cockernonny’] 57. ‘begrutren’ (1718b) [not ‘begrutten’] 58. ‘thowles’ (1718b) [not ‘thowless’] 59. ‘Maggie’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Maggy’] 61. ‘Weird’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Weird,’] 67. ‘Legen-Girth’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Legen-girth’] 69. ‘Ise’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘I’se’] 479

Poems 72. ‘ere’ (1718b) [not ‘e’er’] 73. ‘Cakes’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Caiks’] 77. ‘ann ye please’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘an ye please’] 80. ‘Shall loup and’ (1718b) [not ‘Shall loup, and’] 81. ‘Doup i’the Day.’ (1718b) [not ‘Doup o’ the Day’] 82. ‘wer right true blew’ (1718b) [not ‘were right true blue’] 83. ‘e’ne’ (1718b) [not ‘e’en’] 86. ‘bou’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘bow’] 87. ‘gae’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘ga’e’] 95. ‘Shouder’ (1718b) [not ‘Shoulder’] 96. ‘Wi’er’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘We’re’] 97. ‘Carles Tooth’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Carles, Tooth’] 99. ‘Gantries’ (1718b) [not ‘Gantrees’] 106. ‘Etcet’ra’ (1718b) [not ‘Et cet’ra’] 112. ‘boakin’ (1718b) [not ‘bockin’] 115. ‘deir’ (1718b) [not ‘dear’] 116. ‘a Girn,’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘a Girn’] 118. ‘her Kirn,’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘her Kirn;’] 121. ‘snool,’ (1718b) [not ‘Snool,’] 122. ‘Saul!’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Saul,’] 123. ‘o’re’ (1718b) [not ‘o’er’] 124. ‘Spaul,’ (1718b); ‘Spaul;’ (1720) [not ‘Spaul:’] 126. ‘for this ye’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘for this, ye’] 131. ‘break o’ Day’as’ (1718b) [not ‘Break o’ Day’s’] 132. ‘Study’ (1718b) [not ‘Studdy’] 136. ‘a’ (1718b) [not ‘a’’] 138. ‘na’ (1718b) [not ‘nae’] 140. ‘Hempys’ (1718b) [not ‘Hempies’] 143. ‘Betweesh… straight’ (1718b) [not ‘Betwisht… straught’] 145. ‘a spang’d’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘a’ span’d’] 146. ‘o’re’ (1718b) [not ‘o’er]; the same variation stands for both uses of the word in this line. 147. ‘unko’ (1718b) [not ‘unco’] 148. ‘Bikes’ (1718b) [not ‘Bykes’] 151. ‘Rierd’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Reird’] 152. ‘Tyks’ (1718b) [not ‘Tykes’] 153. ‘d’ye se, fou’ (1718b) [not ‘d’ye see fou’] 155. ‘her Man, like a Lamy’ (1718b) [not ‘her Man like a Lammy’] 159. ‘fletch’d’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘fleech’d’] 162. ‘Peas’ (1718b) [not ‘Pease’] 164. ‘gae’ (1718b) [not ‘ga’e’] 167. ‘mislushis’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘mislushios’] 168. ‘Brigg o’s Nees’ (1718b) [not ‘Brig o’s Neese’] 169. ‘ilky’ (1718b) [not ‘ilka’] 181. ‘off the Bonkers’ (1718b) [not ‘aff the Bunkers’] 183. ‘Nodles’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘Noddles’] 184. ‘scul’d’ (1718b, 1720) [not ‘scull’d’] 185. ‘Good-Man’ (1718b) [not ‘Good-man’] 480

Notes to Poems 1721 187. ‘doun’ (1718b) [not ‘down’] 188. ‘O’er… clap’d’ (1718b); ‘clap’d’ (1720) [not ‘O’ ’er… clapt’] 189. ‘Prim’ (1718b) [not ‘Trim’] 191. ‘ilky’ (1718b) [not ‘ilka’] The Scriblers Lash’d Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed as The Scriblers Lash’d (Edinburgh, 1718); thereafter as The Scriblers Lash’d. By Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh, M.DCC.VIII) and The Scriblers Lash’d. By Allan Ramsay The Second Edition (Edinburgh, 1720). Because the first printing was anonymous and the 1720 edition was described as a second edition, Martin suspected the anonymous text was a piracy. As he states in his Bibliography, ‘I have considered… that Ramsay, not being certain of the reception that would be accorded for his poem, preferred to send it forth unclaimed… there is the possibility that the anonymous is an unauthorised edition… [However] the text of the anonymous edition is exceptionally good – praise that cannot usually be given to unauthorised editions’ (p.25). The STS editors state Ramsay published the anonymous poem ‘because he was uncertain about reactions to his satire’ (V, p.36). It is certainly the case that the four texts – notwithstanding the 1718 editions’ use of black letter for Apollo’s speech in ll.185-210, which is not followed in the 1720 edition or in Poems (1721) – are similar and largely correct, suggesting Ramsay’s hand in all four. Gibson had not seen the anonymous text, and comments only on the credited editions of 1718 and 1720; we concur with his view that the 1720 edition was printed by Ruddiman (p.129). Ramsay had, by 1720, printed Christ’s Kirk on the Green with Ruddiman; moreover, the texts of ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’ in the 1720 and 1721 editions are near-identical, and both dispense with previous editions’ use of black letter. The anonymous text is, therefore, concluded to be Ramsay’s, and is included in the collation below. In the list of variants, the anonymously published text of 1718 is ‘1718a’; the version credited to Ramsay which appeared in the same year is ‘1718b’. Epigraph: a quotation from the literary quarrel between poet and playwright Thomas D’Urfey (1653-1723) and Tom Brown (1663-1704). The poets are depicted in a mock-trial in ‘Sessions of the Poets, holden at the foot of Parnassus Hill, before Apollo, July the 9th, 1696’. 6. ‘treat’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘tret] 8. ‘Countroul’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘controul’] 11. ‘Parnassus’: Greek mountain regarded as sacred to Apollo and the Muses, and therefore a source of poetic inspiration. 14. ‘Who’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Who,’] 16. ‘Rhime’ (1720) [not ‘Rhime’] 20. ‘The hated Authors of that Trash’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘That hated Authors of the Trash’] 23. ‘Against the Sex who’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Against the Sex, who’] 25. ‘Eyes’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Eye’] 26. ‘defies’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘defy’] 481

Poems 28. ‘ye’r’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘ye’re’] 29. ‘WIT’ (1720) [not ‘Wit’] 31. ‘Croud’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Crowd’] 34. ‘Appolo’s’ (1718a, 1718b), ‘APOLLO’s’ (1720) [not ‘Apollo’s’] ‘Apollo’: classical god of, among other things, poetry, light, archery and music. 38. ‘Complaisant’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘complaisant’] 41. ‘Sense, or Merit’ (1718a, 1718b); ‘Sense or Merit’ (1720) [not ‘Sense and Merit’] ‘Zanny’: corruption of ‘zany’, a term for a buffoon in its original designation; in the eighteenth century it referred to a feeble or ludicrous imitator. In Dryden’s All for Love (1692), he refers to literary imitators thus: ‘They are for persecuting Horace and Virgil, in the persons of their Successors… Some of their little Zanies yet go farther; for they are Persecutors even of Horace himself.’ 45. ‘Head-Dress… Bone-fence’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Head-dress… Bone-fence’] 46. ‘Nonsense:’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Nonsense.’] 47. ‘Off-spring’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Offspring’] ‘Sol’: the sun personified. 54. ‘scribble’ (1720) [not ‘scrible’] 56. ‘And Rhime, without’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘And rhime without’] 58. ‘Scrauls’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Scrawls’] 62. ‘higher’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘high’r’] 69. ‘write;’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘write.’] 76. ‘On Hips, and Head-Dress, of the g——:’ (1718a, 1718b); ‘On Hips, and Head-dress of the g——!’ (1720) [not ‘On Hips and Head-dress of the g—y.’] 85. ‘Oh, hey!’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Oh hey!’] 86. ‘fardingale’: ‘farthingale’, a framework of hoops, usually of whalebone, worked into cloth, formerly used for extending the skirts of women’s dresses; a hooped petticoat. 91. ‘nought’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘nothing’] 92. ‘O! horrid Sin!’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘O horrid Sin!’] ‘Patch’: a small piece of black material, typically silk or velvet, cut into a decorative shape and worn on the face in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, either for adornment or to conceal a blemish. 98. ‘Heliconian’: Helicon, a mountain sacred to the Muses. 107. ‘Task,’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Task’] 112. ‘Ivroy’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Ivory’] 113. ‘pur-blind’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘purblind’] 120. ‘Phœbus’’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Phebus’’] ‘Phoebus’: Apollo as the god of the sun. 125. ‘Mag-pys’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Mag-pyes’] 126. ‘You ! grumble at the Lady’s Choice !’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘You grumble at the Lady’s Choice?’] 137. ‘Caffar’: probably an early version of ‘Kaffir’, a now extremely offensive term which refers to a member of any of the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa; in the eighteenth century, the term also applied to Southern Africa more generally. Ramsay uses ‘Caffar’ in reference to a place, rather than its people; the region of the Eastern Cape province which the Nguni Xhosa 482

Notes to Poems 1721 inhabit was formerly sometimes referred to as ‘Kaffraria’. 138. ‘Hottentots’: similarly offensive and derogatory term which, in the eighteenth century, referred to a person of inferior intellect or culture; an uncivilised or ignorant person. 139. ‘Ballads’ (1720) [not ‘Ballads’] 141. ‘’larums’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘’larms’] 144. ‘hawker’: a seller of broadsides and chapbooks who would ‘sing and cry’ songs and news on the street. 146. ‘that, from this’ (1718a, 1718b); ‘that from this’ (1720) [not ‘That from This’] 148. ‘Scotland, a mean’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Scotland a mean’] 151. ‘deserning’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘discerning’] 162. ‘pitty’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Pity’] 164. ‘common Sense. For Crambo’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘common Sense, for Crambo’] ‘Crambo’: a contemptuous term for poetry or rhyming. 166. ‘encourag’d, and’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘encourag’d and’] 167. ‘allay’d’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘ally’d’] 170. ‘Clay-Cage’ (1720) [not ‘Clay Cage’] 185-210. In 1718a and 1718b, this section is printed in black letter. This format is not replicated in 1720 or Poems (1721). 190. ‘lov’d Nine’: the Muses who, according to classical mythology, provide poetic inspiration. 191. ‘strict’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘strick’] 193. ‘o’er grown’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘o’ergrown’] 199. ‘grudges’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘grudge’] 200. ‘Judges’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Judge’] 208. ‘Jacks’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Jakes’] ‘Pluto’: Roman god of the underworld and the dead. 209. ‘Dis’: Dīs Pater, Roman god of the underworld; can also refer to a part of the underworld, such as the City of Dis in Dante’s Divine Comedy, which comprises lower hell. 213. ‘Furies’: female deities of vengeance in Greek mythology. 215. ‘Rates’ (1718a, 1718b, 1720) [not ‘Rats’] 222. ‘And share of’ (1718a, 1718b) [not ‘Or share in’] ‘Homer’: ancient Greek epic poet; author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Content. A Poem Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed as Content. A Poem. By Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh, 1719); followed by Content. A Poem. By Allan Ramsay. The Second Edition (Edinburgh, 1719); Content. A Poem. By Allan Ramsay. (London, M.DCC.XX.); and Content. A Poem. By Allan Ramsay. The Third Edition (Edinburgh, 1721). The STS editors state that the version printed in Edinburgh in 1721 ‘is confusingly described on its title-page as the third edition’ (VI, p.37), presumably because, despite being labelled the ‘third edition’, it was in fact the fourth to be issued. This 483

Poems discrepancy is explained by the fact that the London printing, published by Edmund Curll in 1720, is unlikely to have been authorised by Ramsay. Curll was known at this time for piracy and unscrupulous printing practices, and had a long-standing quarrel with Alexander Pope, whose works he published without the poet’s permission: Gibson agrees that Curll had the London edition ‘printed without the leave of Ramsay’ (New Light, p.125); the London edition has, therefore, been disregarded as having no connection with Ramsay. In the list of variants, the first edition is ‘1719a’; the second, printed in the same year, is 1719b. Epigraphs: the first is from John Dryden’s ‘The Wife of Bath, Her Tale’, ll.46670, printed in his Fables (1700). The second is from Matthew Prior’s ‘Prologue, Spoken at Court Before the Queen, on Her Majesty’s Birth Day’ (1704), l.44. Dryden’s text is not printed in 1719a, 1719b or 1721, and only appears in Poems; the line from Prior appears on the title page of all three editions. 3. ‘Greens’ (1719a) [not ‘Green’] 5. ‘Spray,’ (1719a) [not ‘Spray;’] 11. ‘SAGE’s’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Sage’s’] ‘laughing Sage’: Democritus, pre-Socratic Greek philosopher generally depicted in art as laughing. 14. ‘Tenfold, for One which’ (1719a, 1719b); ‘Tenfold for One which’ (1721) [not ‘Tenfold for one, which’] 16. ‘CONTENT’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721 and in all instances of the word in previously printed editions) [not ‘content’] 22. ‘flie’ (1719a), ‘flee’ (1719b, 1721) [not ‘fly’] 24. ‘Bless’ (1719a), ‘Bilss’ (1719b) [not ‘Bliss’] 30. ‘Parent of Health, and’ (1719b) [not ‘Parent of Health and’] 32. ‘th’immortal’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘the immortal’] 33. ‘SELENUS thou’ (1719a), ‘SILENUS thou’ (1719b), ‘SILENUS, thou’ (1721) [not ‘Silenus, thou’] N.B. in the 1721 Poems copy-text, proper nouns are italicised; in previously printed versions, they are provided in italicised capitals. ‘Silenus’: associated in Greek mythology with Dionysius, god of wine, having been his tutor. 37. ‘Thus I addrest, — and’ (1719a) [not ‘Thus I address: —And’] 38. ‘First to no state’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘First, to no State’] 39. ‘may be happy if they please’ (1719a) [not ‘may be happy, if they please’] 41. ‘Midas’: member of the house of Phygria who, after offering hospitality to a drunken Silenus (see l.33), was granted his wish that whatever he touched would turn to gold. 42. ‘o’re’ (1719a) [not ‘o’er’] 46. ‘Theif’s’ (1719a) [not ‘Thief’s’] 49. ‘Farthing Light’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Farthing-Light’] 53. ‘e’re’ (1719a) [not ‘e’er’] 54. ‘per Cent.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘per Cent’] 55. ‘Tho’’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Tho’] 56. ‘Nestor’: Nestor of Gerenia, wise king of Pylos depicted in Homer’s Odyssey. 57. ‘alace!’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘alas!’] 58. ‘Bless’ (1719a) [not ‘Bliss’] 484

Notes to Poems 1721 62. ‘he answer’d’ (1719a) [not ‘He answer’d’] 63. ‘MARCUS hath Wealth and’ (1719a) [not ‘Marcus hath Wealth, and’] 64. ‘Freinds’ (1719a) [not ‘Friends’] 66. ‘Sky’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Skie’] 67. ‘Dy’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Die’] 72. ‘ne’re imploys’ (1719a, 1719b), ‘ne’er imploys’ (1721) [not ‘ne’er employs’] 77. ‘fondl’d’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘fondling’] 79. ‘pitifull’ (1719b) [not ‘pitiful’] 80. ‘Virtue ever fly’ (1719a, 1719b), ‘Virtue, ever fly’ (1721) [not ‘Vertue, ever fly’] 85. ‘Heavens’ (1719a) [not ‘Heaven’s’] 105. ‘contrare’ (1719a, 1721) [not ‘contrair’] 111. ‘e’re… slumbring’ (1719a) [not ‘e’er… slumb’ring’] 123. ‘spenging,—’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘spending.—’] 154. ‘Pallas’: epithet for the Greek goddess Athena, associated with wisdom. 157. ‘Bellona’: Roman goddess of war, traditionally depicted wearing a military helmet. 159. ‘Vi et armis’ (1719a) [not ‘Vi & Armis’] ‘Vi & Armis’: translates from Latin as ‘by force and arms’. 160. ‘Nations’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Nation’s’] 168. ‘empty’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Empty’] 175. ‘Hesperia’: the Italian Peninsula in ancient Greek, and the Iberian Peninsula in ancient Rome. 176. ‘Product and’ (1719a) [not ‘Product, and’] ‘Persia’: eighteenth-century name for Iran. 182. ‘Cocheneal… Magelane’ (1719a) [not ‘Coacheneal… Magellan’] 188. ‘Mirrours’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Mirrors’] 189. ‘poreing’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘poring’] 193. ‘missive’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Missive’] ‘peremptor Bill’: court summons. 195. ‘Scepter’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Sceptre’] 199. ‘star’d, and bit’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘star’d and bit’] 200. ‘learing… Plumb.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘leering… Plum’] 208. ‘yellow-hair’d’ (1719a), ‘yellow hair’d’ (1719b, 1721) [not ‘Yellow-hair’d’] 210. ‘Elysium’: the state of the blessed after death in Greek mythology; also refers to a place or state of ideal happiness. 212. ‘rav’d;’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘rav’d.’] 214. ‘hastes’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘hasts’] 222. ‘Dorick’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Dorick’] 226. ‘ingage’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘engage’] 227. ‘reverend’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘rev’rend’] 230. ‘Straight I reply’d’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘“Straight, I reply’d’] 232. ‘Not far from hence said he her Palace’ (1719a) [not ‘Not far from hence, said he, her Palace’] 237. ‘Socrates’: Greek philosopher, credited as a founder of Western philosophy and the first moral philosopher; ‘Epictetus’: Greek Stoic philosopher. 240. ‘show’d’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘shew’d’] 245. ‘Shape more monstrous’ (1719a) [not ‘Shape, most monstrous’] 248. ‘they’r’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘they’re’] 485

Poems 252. ‘exprest,’ (1719a), ‘exprest;’ (1719b), ‘exprest:’ (1721) [not ‘exprest.’] 253. ‘O! sacred Wisdom,’ (1719a, 1719b) [not O sacred Wisdom !’] 261. ‘Discontent;’ (1719a) [not ‘Discontent:’] 263. ‘wearied’ (1719a), ‘weari’d’ (1719b) [not ‘weary’d’] 264. ‘Hight’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Height’] 274. ‘Fewel Logs’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Fewel-Logs’] 276. ‘Hand-maid’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Handmaid’] 282. ‘Tho’ brave as CESAR’ (1719a, 1719b), ‘Tho brave as CESAR’ (1721) [not ‘Tho brave as Cæsar’] ‘Caesar’: Julius Caesar, celebrated Roman statesman; ‘Helen’: of Troy, said to have been the most beautiful woman in the world and whose role in the Judgement of Paris resulted in the Trojan War. 284. ‘Touchstone’: Shakespeare’s Touchstone, Duke Frederick’s court jester in As You Like It. 286. This line is printed in black letter in all previous printed versions. 288. ‘Characters, and bid us read:’ (1719a), ‘Characters, and bid us read.’ (1719b, 1721) [not ‘Characters and bid us read.’] 290. ‘accord’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Accord’] 301. ‘Looks’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘looks’] 304. ‘injoy’d’ (1719a) [not ‘enjoy’d’] 308. ‘cornucopia’: horn of plenty, usually overflowing with flowers, fruit and corn. 317. ‘Yes, if you’ (1719a), ‘Yes, if you’ (1719b, 1721) [not ‘Yes, if ye’] 318-19. These lines appear without inverted commas in 1719a, and without quotation marks and in italics in 1719b and 1721. In Poems (1721), they are presented with inverted commas at the beginning of both lines. 318. ‘e’re’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘e’er’] 319. ‘Power’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Pow’r’] 327. ‘Fears,’ (1719a) [not ‘Fears;’] 332. ‘Imbrace’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Embrace’] 333. ‘CESAR’s’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Cæsar’s’] 340. ‘Liveries’ (1719a) [not ‘Liv’ries’] 345. ‘deceiv’d.’ (1719a) [not ‘deceiv’d:’] 348. ‘hast depart,’ (1719a), ‘hast depart.’ (1719b) [not ‘haste depart.’] 352. ‘herself thus, with a Smile’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘herself thus with a Smile’] 353. ‘while,’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘while;’] 360. ‘he’ (1719a) [not ‘He’] 365. ‘want’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Want’] 371. ‘Ofsets’ (1719a) [not ‘Offsets’] 373. ‘th’ Utensils’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘the Utensils’] ‘Bohee’: ‘bohea’, regarding the Wu-I hills, from which black tea was first brought to England; the term refers in the eighteenth century to the highest quality teas. 382. ‘Cross?’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Cross?’] 390. ‘briny’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘brinny’] 393. ‘Clay,’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Clay;’] 399. ‘Ofspring’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Offspring’] 401. ‘At handy-cuffs him match’d and threw him down;’ (1719a), ‘At 486

Notes to Poems 1721 Handy-cuffs him match’d and threw him down;’ (1719b) [not ‘At Handycuffs him match’d, and threw him down;’] 404. ‘Busbian’: a large bushy wig; a ‘bigwig’. 405. ‘Gamaliel’: Pharisee doctor of Jewish law (Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3), although here the name refers to one of Ramsay’s ‘Busbian Philosophs’. 409. ‘retir’d;’ (1719a), ‘retir’d,’ (1719b) [not ‘retir’d:’] 413. ‘Graduats’ (1719a) [not ‘Graduates’] 417. ‘teach dull Beaus to spell.’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘teach young Beaus to spell.’] ‘Sisyphian’: an endless, laborious and ineffective undertaking after Sisyphus who, according to Greek mythology, was punished by being forced to roll a large boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time he approached the summit. 419. ‘oppress’d’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘opprest’] 424. ‘Numbers in Black of Widowers’ (1719a, 1719b), ‘Numbers in black of Widowers’ (1721) [not ‘Numbers in black, of Widowers’] 426. ‘abroad’ (1719a) [not ‘Abroad’] 436. ‘Chimera’: fire-breathing monster of Greek mythology, with a lion’s head, goat’s body and serpent’s tail, killed by Bellerophon; can also refer to a creature of the imagination, or wild fancy. 446. ‘Mind:’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Mind;’] 448. ‘Phantoms’’ (1719a), ‘Phantom’s’ (1719b, 1721) [not ‘Phantoms’] 455. ‘m’inchanted’ (1719a, 1721), ‘m enchanted’ (1719b) [not ‘m’enchanted’] 467. ‘o’re’ (1719a) [not ‘o’er’] 469. ‘reply’d,’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘reply’d.’] 480. ‘Prime;’ (1719a) [not ‘Prime:’] 487. ‘Virtue you imploy’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Vertue you employ’] 490. ‘afrai’d’ (1719a, 1721) [not ‘afraid’] 492. ‘griev’d’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘grieve’] 494. ‘Shaddow’ (1719a) [not ‘Shadow’] 495. ‘sought.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘sought:’] 499. ‘alarm,’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘alarm.’] 504. ‘Sights’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘Sigh[t]s] 505. ‘carolling’ (1719a, 1719b, 1721) [not ‘carrolling’] 509-10. These lines, which form the beginning of the final stanza, are not printed in 1719b, in which the next line (l. 511, ‘Where all my special Friends…’) is joined with the stanza beginning ‘Soon as I saw…’. 512. ‘order’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Order’] Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral On the Death of Joseph Addison, Esq. Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed as Richy and Sandy. A Pastoral on the Death of Mr. Joseph Addison. By Allan Ramsay (1719?), which features only Ramsay’s text in four pages. A second edition, also tentatively dated to 1719 and with the same title, is a twelve-page pamphlet which features ‘Richy and Sandy’, Josiah Burchet’s ‘Explanation’ and ‘To Mr. Allan Ramsay’, as well as Ramsay’s reply. These 487

Poems editions were followed by three more, probably unauthorised, printings in England: Eloisa to Abelard. Written by Mr. Pope. The Second Edition, which was published by Bernard Lintot in London in 1720 and features ‘Richy and Sandy’, Burchet’s ‘Explanation’ and ‘To Mr. Allan Ramsay’; Richy and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq. By Allan Ramsey, also printed by Lintot in London in 1720; and A Pastoral Elegy on the Death of Mr Joseph Addison: in a Dialogue Between Sir Richard Steel, and Mr Alexander Pope. By Mr Alan Ramsey, published by John Collyer in Nottingham, probably in 1720. There is consensus among Ramsay’s editors that he did not authorise any of the three English publications. According to Gibson (p.126) and Martin (p.27), these illegal printings of ‘Richy and Sandy’ led Ramsay to complain to Edinburgh’s Town Council regarding piracy of his works. However, as outlined in the present edition’s Introduction and notes for ‘To the Right Honourable, The Town-Council of Edinburgh, The Address of Allan Ramsay’, Ramsay’s complaint predated the English editions of ‘Richy and Sandy’ and addressed the poet’s concerns about multiple unauthorised printings of his works. In ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’, Ramsay takes aim at Margaret ‘Lucky’ Reid, an Edinburgh printer who sold the first pirated edition of ‘Richy and Sandy’. Reid’s imprint has not been traced, although in ‘The Address of Allan Ramsay’, the poet takes specific issue with Lintot, the printer of the two London editions of 1720 on which the Nottingham edition by Collyer is also based. In his footnote to ‘The Address’, Ramsay states that ‘One of their uncorrect Copies was re-printed at London by Bernard Lintot in Folio first, before he printed it a second Time from a correct Copy of my own, with the honourable Mr. Burchet’s English Version of it.’ It is for these reasons that only the earliest two editions, probably printed in 1719, are included in the collation below, as the two texts likely to have been authorised by Ramsay; there is no such authorisation of Lintot’s and Collyer’s editions. In Poems (1721), Burchet’s explanation is printed in a running footnote to the main text, while the epistolary poems are printed separately. The STS editors state that both early editions are likely to belong to 1719 as Addison had died in that year. It is certainly possible that two printings – the first with only Ramsay’s poem, and the second with Burchet’s ‘Explanation’ – could have been released in the latter half of the year, after Addison’s death on 17 June. Although the English printings are concluded as being unauthorised, they demonstrate Ramsay’s growing fame south of the border at this relatively early stage in his career, and the fact that his work was – albeit without his permission – published at this time by two major London publishers: in this case, Bernard Lintot, and in the case of ‘Content’, Edmund Curll. In the list of variants, the edition featuring only ‘Richy and Sandy’ is ‘1719a’; the edition featuring the poem alongside Burchet’s ‘explanation’ and dedicatory poems is ‘1719b’. Title: ‘Richy’: Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729), Irish writer, playwright and politician, who co-founded The Spectator with the poem’s subject, Joseph Addison (1672-1719); ‘Sandy’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), contemporary English poet. ‘Richy and Sandy’ casts Steele and Pope as Scottish shepherds and reports their conversation on hearing the news of the death of English essayist, 488

Notes to Poems 1721 playwright, poet and politician Addison, who had died on 17 June 1719. The ‘Explanation of Richy and Sandy’, which is printed in the style of a simultaneous English translation alongside Ramsay’s text in Poems (1721), is by Josiah Burchet. Burchet (1666?-1746), politician and Secretary of the Admiralty in England, is author of ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works’, the first of the group of poems in praise of Ramsay and his work printed in Poems (1721). Ramsay dedicated ‘Patie and Roger: A Pastoral’ to Burchet. 3. ‘Tune’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Tune:’] ‘My Apron Deary’: a tune often associated with Ramsay, first printed in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725) and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?); Ramsay also uses the tune for his ‘SONG complaining of Absence’, published in TTM I. 11. ‘born!’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘born,’] 12. ‘Scorn’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Scorn?’] 14. ‘EDIE that play’d and sang sae sweet is dead.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Edie, that play’d, and sang sae sweet, is dead.’] 15. ‘DEAD sayst thou, Oh!’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Dead, say’st thou; Oh!’] ‘Pan’: god of flocks and herds in Greek mythology. 16. ‘Man,’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Man!’] 20. ‘Or hound a Coly… Bent;’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Or hounded Coly… Bent:’] 21. ‘ha’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘ha’’] 28. ‘And wimpling’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Of wimpling’] ‘Latium’: the Italian region in which Rome was founded, capital of the Roman Empire. 29. ‘Mantua’: Italian island settlement, famous as the home of Virgil. 32. ‘Wi EDIE’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘W’ Edie’] 37. ‘last,’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘last:’] 40. ‘Lambmass’: ‘Lammas’, a festival held in August to mark the annual wheat harvest. 41. ‘O Richy’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘O, Richy’] 42. ‘Fouck’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Fowck’] 54. ‘Tydes eb’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Tides ebb’] 55. ‘He kend, What kend he no?’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘He kend, what kend he no?’] 56. ‘O’er-night’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘o’er Night’] 59. ‘Birk-tree’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘birk-tree’] 62. ‘To hear’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘to hear’] 66. ‘borrow’d-len’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘borrow’d Len’] 71. ‘beuk the Supper Scones’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘bewk the Supper-Scones’] 72. ‘Ky stand rowting on the Lones;’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Kye stand rowting on the Loans:’] 73. ‘Come Richy let us’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Come, Richy, let us’] To Mr. Allan Ramsay, on his Richy and Sandy Text: Poems (1721). The poem’s author is Josiah Burchett, naval administrator and politician (c.1666-1746) who was, by 1721, an established associate of Ramsay. His ‘To Mr. 489

Poems Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works’ opens Ramsay’s edition of 1721, and with his ‘Explanation’ of ‘Richy and Sandy’, published alongside the poem in all printings following Ramsay’s first edition of 1719, he becomes a collaborator as well as correspondent. See also notes to ‘To Mr. Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works’. 2. ‘Addy’: Joseph Addison, mourned in ‘Richy and Sandy’. 9. ‘Mantuan Bard’: Virgil. ll.13-24. Burchet alludes to Addison’s ‘The Campaign, A Poem, to His Grace the Duke of Marlborough’ (1705), which commemorates John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough’s (1650-1722) pivotal role in the Battle of Marlborough. The battle, fought on 13 August 1704, was a significant moment in the War of the Spanish Succession, and ended in victory for the Grand Alliance. 25. ‘Milton’: John Milton (1608-74), author of Paradise Lost (1667). To Josiah Burchet, Esq. Text: Poems (1721). No MS. For the publication history of ‘To Josiah Burchet’, please see the note on ‘Richy and Sandy’. First printed in the second edition of ‘Richy and Sandy’, probably published in late 1719, which features Burchet’s ‘Explanation’, his ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay, on his Richy and Sandy’ and Ramsay’s ‘To Josiah Burchet’ alongside the main poem. 1. ‘Pierian Spring’: sacred to the Muses and a source of knowledge in Greek mythology located in present-day Macedonia; the subject of a celebrated couplet in Pope’s An Essay on Criticism (1711): ‘A little learning is a dang’rous thing;/Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.’ 6. ‘rumages’ (1719) [not ‘rummages’] 10. ‘That frae the Best Esteem’ (1719) [not ‘That, frae the Best, Esteem’] 12. ‘Divide the World’ (1719) [not ‘Stock-job the Warld’] 15. ‘Routh’ (1719) [not ‘Rowth’] 16. ‘Elysian’: the ancient Greek conception of the afterlife which was separate from Hades and populated by the righteous dead. 24. ‘Stand yon’t, proud Czar’ (1719) [not ‘Stand yont proud Czar’] 25. ‘a’ (1719) [not ‘a’’] 30. ‘a’ (1719) [not ‘a’’] 32. ‘Heal’ (1719) [not ‘Heel’] 34. ‘Blood;’ (1719) [not ‘Blood,’] 35. ‘Nulli flebilior quam tibi Virgili’: from Horace’s Odes, Book I, Ode 24, a poem in mourning for Quintilian. The original reads ‘multis ille bonis flebilis occidit,/nulli flebilior quam tibi, Vergili’, and is translated as, ‘By many a good man wept, Quintilius dies;/By none more than you, my Virgil, trulier wept:’. Signature: ‘A. Ramsay’ (1719) [not ‘Al. Ramsay’]

490

Notes to Poems 1721 Familiar Epistles Between Lieutenant William Hamilton and Allan Ramsay Text: Poems (1721). No MSS. First printed in a 24pp edition probably published in 1719. This was followed, according to Gibson, by another edition, the same but for one additional stanza, in 1719. A further edition, which Martin dates to the same year, includes another of Ramsay’s poems dedicated to Hamilton, entitled ‘An Epistle to W– H–, On The receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of Loch-fyne Herrings from him, 19th December 1719’, which is printed next in Poems (1721). Martin lists a fourth edition, which he dates to 1720. Gibson had seen the first two editions of 1719 (and lists them as separate editions in his bibliography), but not the third, which features Ramsay’s poem of thanks to Hamilton for his gift of herrings. Martin is ambivalent on the question of whether this third edition was genuinely separate from previous printings, because he was unable to ‘settle by the absence of a catch-word and the presence of a tail-piece on p.24’; similarly, the NLS catalogue leaves the question open, stating that their 28page edition of ‘Familiar Epistles’ is either an additional edition of the text, or simply a copy of the 1719 edition with the poem of thanks to Hamilton attached. This question – which cannot be resolved definitively with the evidence at hand – would influence the dating of the pamphlet. If it is an edition of ‘Familiar Epistles’ to which its owner tacked ‘An Epistle’, it may be of 1719; if the latter poem was published alongside the ‘Familiar Epistles’, it is unlikely to have been produced in 1719: Ramsay’s poem of thanks to Hamilton is dated 19 December, giving only twelve days for the edition to be printed and released. However, as Martin states, the edition lacks a ‘catch-word’ and ‘tail-piece’ between the poems; it is therefore likely that the 28-page printing belongs to 1719 and its owner attached the additional poem later. Gibson is the only Ramsay commentator to have seen the second edition of 1719, and it has not been traced; all editions subsequent to the first publication feature the extra stanza, at ll.5-8 in Ramsay’s ‘Answer I’. Martin’s fourth edition, dated to 1720, features the same pagination as the 1720 ‘gather-up’ edition; it is not here regarded as authoritative or, indeed, separate from that problematic edition. Hamilton, born in Kilwinning in Ayrshire, was a poet in the Scots vernacular. As Ramsay states in his poetic epistles to Hamilton, he was influential on Ramsay’s literary approach, with Hamilton’s ‘The Last Dying Words of Bonny Heck’, a tongue-in-cheek memorial poem on a champion greyhound about to be put down in the East Neuk of Fife, particularly authoritative. Hamilton’s poem, with Robert Sempill of Beltrees’s ‘The Life and Death of Habbie Simpson’, were significant influences on what has been called the ‘comic’ or ‘mock’ elegy tradition in Scotland, of which Ramsay’s elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper and Lucky Wood are examples; Fergusson, Burns and others also utilised the form and subject-matter suggested by Hamilton and Sempill. ‘Willie was a wanton wag’, a song which Hamilton assisted Ramsay in editing, appears in TTM II. Hamilton was noted for his abridged and modernised edition of Blind Hary’s Wallace which, as Gerard Carruthers states in the ODNB entry for the poet, was first published in 1722 and appeared in at least twenty-three editions by 1859. In the list of variants, 491

Poems the first edition is ‘1719a’; the edition featuring an extra stanza alongside Ramsay’s poem of thanks to Hamilton is ‘1719b’.The present copy-text follows Ruddiman’s line numbering system as it appears in Poems (1721), which treats the two short lines featured in each stanza not as separate lines, but as an extension of the previous line; he takes a similar approach with the final short line in Christ’s Kirk on the Green. Here, and elsewhere, Ruddiman numbers the lines as follows: Long line rhyming A = l.1 Long line rhyming A = l.2 Long line rhyming A = l.3 Short line B Long line rhyming A = l.4 Short line B ‘Epistle I’, from Hamilton to Ramsay 40 ‘the Hague’: permanent seat of the States of Holland and the States General of the Dutch Republic; in the twenty-first century it is the capital of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. 51 ‘Gilbertfield’: Hamilton’s estate near Cambuslang in Lanarkshire. ‘Answer I’, from Ramsay to Hamilton 2. ‘Filly’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Filly;’] 5-8. This stanza, beginning ‘Before a Lord and eik a Knight,’ and ending with ‘As that on Heck.’ does not appear in 1719a, but is printed in 1719b. 7. ‘ca’t’ (1719b) [not ‘ca’d’] 8. ‘ca’t’ (1719b) [not ‘ca’d’] 12. ‘sa’ (1719a) [not ‘sae’] 15. ‘be’t’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘be’t’] 17. ‘bonny Heck’ (1719a) [not ‘Bonny Heck’] 21. ‘Bitle’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Bittle’] 27. ‘miekle’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘meikle’] 28. ‘WILLIE’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Willy’] 31. ‘Syne to tell up they’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Syne to tell up, they’] 32. ‘Rout’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Rout,’] 34. ‘Hae’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Ha’e’] 35. ‘Buchets’ (1719a) [not ‘Buckets’] 36. ‘To shaw their betters; this provokes’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘To shaw their betters. This provokes’] 40. ‘themsel’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘themsell’] ‘jocose’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Jocose’] ‘Epistle II’, from Hamilton to Ramsay 33. ‘Rosycrucians’: Ramsay’s footnote is cryptic. Hamilton’s term refers to members of a spiritual movement formed in the early seventeenth century which announced the existence of an esoteric world order which had until then been hidden. 46. ‘The Life and Death of Habbie Simpson of Kilbarchan’ by Sempill; see above. 492

Notes to Poems 1721 ‘Answer II’, from Ramsay to Hamilton 1. ‘Diver’ (1719a) [not ‘Dyver’] 2. ‘discrive’ (1719a) [not ‘descrive’] 5-15. 1719a and 1719b do not use inverted commas to highlight these lines’ speech; in the 1721 copy-text, double inverted commas are used at the start of every line. 8. ‘Scull thacker’ (1719a); ‘Scull Thacker’ (1719b) [not ‘Scull-thacker’] 10. ‘Apollo’: key deity in classical Greece and Rome, alluded to here for his connection to poetry. 11. ‘Honours’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Honour’s’] 13. ‘CASTALIUS Fountain Brink’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Castalius’ Fountain-Brink’] ‘Castalia’: naiad-nymph of Greek mythology who inhabited the Castalian spring in Delphi, sacred to the Muses. 14. ‘grouf and’ (1719a, 1719b) [‘Grouf, and’] 16. ‘thankfow else’ (1719a) [not ‘thankfou, else’] 19. ‘It’s ne’er be me’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘’Tis ne’er be me’] 20. ‘scandalize or’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘scandalize, or’] ‘Poetry’ (1719a) [not ‘Poetrie’] 23. ‘-a-mount I trow’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘amount, I trow’] 28. ‘gabet’ (1719a); ‘gabbet’ (1719b) [not ‘gabbed’] 29. ‘says ye’re well’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘says, Ye’re wel’] 31. ‘tyne’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘tine’] 32. ‘Clinker’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Clinkers’] 36. ‘wharefore no.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘wharefore no?’] 37. ‘Vainglorious’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Vain-glorious’] ‘Quisquis vocabit nos’: ‘We call everyone’; the line reads ‘We call everyone Vain-glorious’. 38. ‘malos mores’: ‘bad manners’. 39. ‘multi & magni’: ‘many and great’. ‘stump’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘stamp’] 40. ‘Probatum est, exemplum Horace’: ‘It has been proven by the model of Horace’. 43. ‘fry, and girn wi’ (1719a); ‘fry, and girn wi’’ (1719b) [not ‘fry and girn wi’’] 44. ‘Backbiting’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Back-biting’] 46. ‘foraign Whiskers hana’ (1719a), ‘foraign Whiskers ha’ a’ (1719b) [not ‘foreign Whiskers ha’e na’] 48. ‘St. Mungos’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘St. Mungo’s’] ‘Epistle III’, from Hamilton to Ramsay 41. ‘Bacchus’: Roman name for Dionysius, god of the grape harvest and wine. ‘Answer III’ from Ramsay to Hamilton 3. ‘sonsy Saw of three, provokes’ (1719a), ‘sonsie Saw of Three, provokes’ (1719b) [not ‘sonsie saw of Three provokes’.] 4. ‘Tod Lowrie like to loose my Pokes’ (1719a), ‘Tod Lowrie like to loose my Pocks’ (1719b) [not ‘Tod Lowrie like, to loose my Pocks’] 5. ‘By a’ (1719a) [not ‘By a’’] 7. ‘Soger wha for Honour’s Bed’ (1719a), ‘Sodger wha for Honour’s Bed’ (1719b) 493

Poems [not ‘Soger that where Honour led’] 8. ‘tend’ (1719a) [not ‘’tend’] 9-16. ‘Pharsalia’: Roman epic poem by Lucan sometimes referred to as De Bello Civili. It commemorates the war between Julius Caesar and Roman Senate forces, led by Pompey the Great. As Ramsay states, Caesar was victorious. 11. ‘Had better sped’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Had better sped,’] 14. ‘woe’d’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘woo’d’] 16. ‘Durks’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Durks,’] 17. ‘Rigs’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Riggs’] 21. ‘niest’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘neist’] 22. ‘Debate’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘debate’] 23. ‘Cant-rapes’ (1719a) [not ‘Cantrapes’] 27. ‘Left’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘left’] 29. ‘Leuconoe’: Horace’s ode, often entitled ‘Carpe Diem’ (Book I, Ode 11), beginning, ‘Leuconoë, don’t ask, we never know, what fate the gods grant us’. 31. ‘bauk’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘bawk’] 32. ‘Reason.’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Reason?’] 33. ‘tenscore’ (1719a) [not ‘Tenscore’] 36. ‘Causey-rakers’ (1719a) [not ‘Causey-Rakers’] 37. ‘Fouk’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Fowk’] 38. ‘Doul’ (1719a) [not ‘Doll’] 44. ‘Ye’r’ (1719a) [not ‘Ye’re’] 45. ‘Goss’ (1719a) [not ‘Goss,’] 46. ‘scelp’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘skelp’] 47. ‘Up Rhine and Tames and o’er the Al- | pines’ (1719a); ‘Up Rhine and Tames, and o’er the Alp- | pines’ (1719b) [not ‘Up Rhine and Thames, and o’er the Alp- | pines’] 48. ‘ha’e us’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘ha’e ’s’] 50. ‘hand wal’d’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘hand-wail’d’] 51. ‘Fouk’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘Fowk’] 52. 1719a does not have inverted commas in the refrain; the copy-text has ‘“Wae gae by him!’ 53. ‘Soger’ (1719a) [not ‘Sodger’] 55. ‘Now WILLIAM wi’ maun’ (1719a) [not ‘Now, William, wi’ maun’] ‘pouse’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘pouss’] 57. ‘sow’r mou’d’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘sour mou’d’] 59. ‘That we like Nags, whase Necks’ (1719a, 1719b) [not ‘That we like Nags whase Necks’] 60. ‘I’ll answer fine — “Gae kiss ye’r Lucky’ (1719a), ‘I’ll answer fine, — “ Gae kiss ye’r lucky’ (1719b) [not ‘I’ll answer fine,— Gae kiss ye’r Lucky’] An Epistle To Lieutenant Hamilton On the receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of Loch-Fine Herrings from him Text: Poems (1721). No MS. According to Gibson’s tentative dating, the poem was first published in 1719. Despite not having seen this printing, Martin lists it, follows Gibson’s 494

Notes to Poems 1721 pagination and comes to the same conclusion that this text is identical to that of 1719 which is appended to the ‘Familiar Epistles’ between Ramsay and Hamilton. The edition seen by Gibson has not been traced. As noted in the annotation to ‘Familiar Epistles’, Ramsay’s dating of the present of herrings from Hamilton to 19 December 1719 means that ‘An Epistle’ was probably added to the 1719 edition of ‘Familiar Epistles’ by its owner at a later date, as Ramsay had little time to publish an edition in the few remaining days of 1719. Title: ‘AN | EPISTLE | TO | W------ H---------, | ON | The receiving the Compliment of a Barrel | of LOCH-FYNE Herrings from | him 19th December, 1719.’ (1719) [not ‘AN | EPISTLE | To Lieutenant Hamilton | On the receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of | Loch-Fine Herrings from him.’] 12. ‘Auld Reeky’: familiar name for Edinburgh. 14. ‘Truncher’s’ (1719) [not ‘Trunchers’] 19. ‘FYNE’ (1719) [not ‘Fine’] ‘Loch Broom’: sea loch in northwestern Ross and Cromarty, on the west coast of Scotland; ‘Fine’: Loch Fyne, sea loch off the Firth of Clyde known for its fishing and seafood. 23. ‘Twall hunder thousand Sterling Pound’ (1719) [not ‘Twa Million good of Sterling Pounds’] 24. ‘men’ (1719) [not ‘Men’] 31. ‘Now, Now’ (1719) [not ‘Now, now’] 34. ‘Stock jobbing’ (1719) [not ‘Stock-jobbing’] 37. ‘Weather Glass politick’ (1719) [not ‘Weather-Glass Politick’] 43. ‘Na we’re’ (1719) [not ‘Na, we’re’] 47. ‘Publick’ (1719) [not ‘publick’] 70. In 1719, l.70 (the final line of the poem) is followed by, ‘SIR, | Yours, &c. | A.R.’ This does not appear in Poems (1721). Patie and Roger: A Pastoral Inscrib’d to Josiah Burchet, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty Text: Poems (1721). No MS. ‘Patie and Roger: A Pastoral’ is a significant text in Ramsay’s career being, as the STS editors state, ‘the pastoral from which The Gentle Shepherd sprang’ (VI, p.39): indeed, the text is reproduced as GS’s opening scene. It is also the first of Ramsay’s poems to have a London edition which he is likely to have authorised. Two editions appeared prior to Poems (1721): the first was published in Edinburgh, on the evidence of its print ornaments by Ruddiman, probably in 1720. The second, entitled Patie and Roger: A Pastoral, ‘By Allan Ramsay, In the Scots Dialect. To which is added, An Imitation of the Scotch Pastoral: By Josiah Burchett Esq’ and featuring a preface by G. Sewell, was printed in London by ‘J. Pemberton, at the Buck against St Dunstan’s Church in Fleetstreet, and T. Jauncy at the Angel without Temple-Bar’ in 1720. Martin lists a third printing, dated also to 1720, which replicates the page numbers of the ‘gather-up’ edition of 1720, suggesting its inclusion in or detachment from that problematic text; it is not, therefore, treated as an authoritative edition here. 495

Poems The STS editors follow Gibson in their judgement that the London edition was published before the Edinburgh printing (VI, p.39), thanks to their belief that Ramsay sent ‘Patie and Roger’ to Burchett after receiving the latter’s admiring verse epistle, which is published in Poems (1721) and begins, ‘Hail Northern Bard!’ It is more likely, however, that the London edition was published after the anonymous Edinburgh printing, due to the fact that Ramsay is credited as its author in the London text: as per the example of ‘The Scriblers Lash’d’, it is probable that the anonymous text came first, and attribution followed. Moreover, the London edition takes advantage of Ramsay’s established connections with Burchett and Sewell to maximise his subscribers in the London marketplace: the 1721 edition of Poems had, by this point and as Sewell states, already been advertised. Finally, it is likely that the London edition was put together in response to Ramsay’s dedication of ‘Patie and Roger’ to Burchett in the Edinburgh edition of the poem rather than the other way round: it is therefore credible that Burchett’s ‘Imitation’ was written as a reply to Ramsay’s inscription. There are differences between the Edinburgh and London editions. Ruddiman’s Edinburgh edition contains only Ramsay’s work: his dedication of the poem to Burchett – which is also printed in Poems (1721) – and ‘Patie and Roger’ itself. Its title page lacks Ramsay’s name, although the dedication is signed ‘Devouted Allan’. The 1720 London edition features a lengthy preface by G. Sewell, ‘Patie and Roger’ minus Ramsay’s dedication to Burchett, and an additional poem written by Burchett, entitled ‘Roger and Patrick; An Imitation of Mr Allan Ramsay’s Pastoral in Scotch’. It is likely that Ramsay was involved, even indirectly, in this London edition, given that he dedicated ‘Patie and Roger’ to Burchett, thus initiating its preparation. The London edition features Ramsay’s poem on the recto page and Burchett’s on the verso, which makes it appear to be a simultaneous translation, à la Burchett’s ‘Explanation’ of ‘Richy and Sandy’; however, Burchett’s work is an imitation of Ramsay’s subject matter and style, rather than a translation of the poem from Scots to English. The ‘Preface’ to the London edition is written by George Sewell (bap. 1687-1726), a physician and author who took the degree of MD at Edinburgh University in 1725 after studying at the University of Leiden. After he closed his London medical practice, he became a bookseller’s hack. In 1719, he published the play, Tragedy of Sir Walter Raleigh, and latterly became associated with Addison, Prior, Pope and Phillips. He is described in Pope’s ‘Epistle to Arbuthnot’ as ‘Sanguine Sew—’. Sewell’s ‘Preface’ works principally as an incitement for London readers to subscribe to Ramsay’s Poems (1721): he states that Ramsay has ‘advertised that he designs speedily to publish all his Works by Subscription’ (p.iii) and argues that a view of ‘Patie and Roger’ ‘is reason to bespeak the favour of the Reader to the Scots Poet’s larger volume, as no doubt it will, when he finds in how many different ways he excells’ (p.iv). Rather than Sewell lamenting the poem’s ‘Scotticisms’ (p.v), ‘I bewail my own little Knowledge of it, since I meet with so many Words and Phrases so expressive of the Ideas they are intended to represent’ (p.vi). Sewell’s Preface is followed by ‘ROGER and PATRICK; In Imitation of Mr. Allan Ramsay’s PASTORAL in SCOTCH’, by Ramsay’s associate Josiah Burchett (see ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay 496

Notes to Poems 1721 on his Poetical Works’). Ramsay quotes two paragraphs of Sewell’s ‘Preface’, from ‘The following Poem’, to ‘a more elegant Entertainment’, in his Preface to Poems (1721). In the list of variants, the Edinburgh edition is ‘1720a’; the London edition is ‘1720b’. The copy-text for Ramsay’s ‘Dedication’ retains Ruddiman’s line numbering, already seen in ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ and ‘Familiar Epistles’, in that the short lines towards the end of the stanza are not given separate line numbers but are numbered as run-ons of the previous line. ‘Dedication’ 1. ‘Snaw’ (1720a) [not ‘Sna’] 3. ‘Zephyrs’ (1720a) [not ‘Zephyres’] ‘Boreas’: personification of the north wind in Greek mythology; ‘Zephyr’: god of the west wind. 4. ‘youthfu’, gay and braw’ (1720a) [not ‘youthfou, gay and bra’’] 5. ‘greek’ (1720a) [not ‘creek’] 7. ‘a’ (1720a) [not ‘a’’]; every following instance of ‘a’ in 1720a is replicated by ‘a’’ in the 1721 copy-text. 11. ‘court’ously’ (1720a) [not ‘courteously’] 15. ‘Sma’ (1720a) [not ‘Sma’’] 16. ‘Southren’ (1720a) [not ‘Southern’] 17-20. This stanza refers to Josiah Burchett’s role as Secretary of the Admiralty in England. 18. ‘Hist’rys’ (1720a) [not ‘Hist’ries’] 30. ‘aboon,’ (1720a) [not ‘aboon’] 31. ‘miekle’ (1720a) [not ‘muckle’] 32. ‘’Till’ (1720a) [not ‘Till’] ‘healthfou’ (1720a) [not ‘healthfu’’] 36. ‘Devouted’ (1720a) [not ‘Devoted’] ‘Patie and Roger’ 2. ‘halesome’ (1720a); ‘healsom’ (1720b) [not ‘healsome’] 5. ‘grane’d’ (1720b) [not ‘gran’d’]; ‘Echo’s’ (1720b) [not ‘Echoes’] 6. ‘himsell’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘himsel’] 7. ‘blythsom’ (1720a) [not ‘blythsome’] 8. ‘how’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘How’] 9. ‘hartsome’ (1720a), ‘heartsom’ (1720b) [not ‘heartsome’]; ‘Plants,’ (1720a) [not ‘Plants?’] 10. ‘Burds’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Birds’] 12. ‘And a the Sweets it bears when void of Care?’ (1720a), ‘And a’ the Sweets it bears! Thus void of Care’ (1720b) [not ‘And a’ the Sweets it bears, when void of Care?’] 13. ‘What ails thee, Roger, then what gars the grane?’ (1720a), ‘What ails thee, Roger, thus to sigh and grane,’ [not ‘What ails thee, Roger, then? What gars thee grane?’] 14. ‘this’ (1720a) [not ‘thy’] 15. ‘O, Patie, I’m born to unlucky Fate,’ (1720a), ‘O Patie, I’m born to a thrawart Fate;’ (1720b) [not ‘I’m born, O Patie, to a thrawart Fate!’] 497

Poems 17. ‘dash the fickle Flood’ (1720b) [not ‘jaw the rowan Flood’] 18. ‘The Fox and Wouff to green’ (1720b) [not ‘Corbies and Tods to grein’] 19. ‘But I born down with never-ending Grief’ (1720b) [not ‘But I opprest with never ending Grief’] 20. ‘dispair’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘despair’] 21. ‘quat the Hive’ (1720a), ‘quit their Hive’ (1720b) [not ‘quite the Hive’] 22. ‘boggie’ (1720a) [not ‘boggy’] 23. ‘Jiggs’ (1720a) [not ‘Queans’] 24. ‘Force’ (1720a) [not ‘force’] 25. ‘no easy’ (1720a) [not ‘nae easy’] 26. ‘Saul’s sae jingled out o’ Tune.’ (1720b) [not ‘Saul is sadly out o’ Tune:’] 29. ‘etle’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘ettle’] 30. ‘and cry a Corncrake squeak:’ (1720a) [not ‘syn up their Leglens cleek,’] 31-32. These lines, beginning ‘And jeer me’, and ending ‘Loan or Bught;’, do not appear in 1720b. 31. ‘Bought’ (1720a) [not ‘Bught’] 33. ‘Yet I am lusty, and as tall’ (1720b) [not ‘Yet I am tall, and as well shap’d’] 34. ‘Lass’s’ (1720b) [not ‘Lasse’s’] 35. ‘For ilky Sheep ye have, I can count ten,’ (1720b) [not ‘For ilka Sheep ye have I’ll number ten,’] 36. ‘And shou’d, as ane might think, come farrer ben’ (1720a), ‘And shaud, as ane might think, come as far Ben’ (1720b) [not ‘And should, as ane might think, come farrer ben’] 37. ‘ablines… hae’ (1720b) [not ‘ablins… have’] 39. ‘trew’ (1720b) [not ‘true’] 40. ‘A Mind… Care’ (1720a), ‘A Mind… Fear’ (1720b) [not ‘And mind… Care’] 41. ‘A Byre fell, nine of my Nowt were smoor’d’ (1720b) [not ‘My Byar tumbled, Nine braw Nowt were smoor’d’] 42. ‘Elfshot… these ills endur’d’ (1720a); ‘Elfshot… thes Ills endured’ (1720b) [not ‘Elf-shot… these Ills endur’d’] 43. ‘my Maneing was but sma’ (1720b) [not ‘my Cares were very sma’] 44. ‘Wathers… Snaw’ (1720a), ‘Weathers… Snaw’ (1720b) [not ‘Wedders… Sna’] 45. ‘Were your been Rooms’ (1720a), ‘Wer your Been-Rooms’ (1720b) [not ‘Were your bein Rooms’] 46. ‘would’ (1720b) [not ‘wad’] 48. ‘Fouk’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Fowk’] 50. ‘may thole the Pangs of mony a Loss’ (1720b) [not ‘may’st thole the Pangs of frequent Loss’] 51. ‘mayst’ (1720b) [not ‘may’st’] 52. ‘neer will stoop thy flaming Drouth to qwench’ (1720b) [not ‘ne’er will lout thy lowan Drouth to quench’] 53. ‘Till press’d beneath these Burthens thou cryst dool’ (1720b) [not ‘Till, birss’d beneath the Burden, thou cry Dool’] 54. ‘fret, altho’ nae Fooll’ (1720b) [not ‘fret that is nae Fool’] 55. ‘fatt Lambs I sald’ (1720b) [not ‘fat Lambs, I sald’] 56. ‘West-bow’ (1720a); ‘West-Bow’ (1720b) [not ‘West-Port’] 57. ‘Plumb-Tree’ (1720b) [not ‘Plumb-tree’] 58. ‘with a pleasant Sound;’ (1720a), ‘of a pleasant Sound.’ (1720b) [not ‘wi’ a 498

Notes to Poems 1721 pleasant Sound;’] 59. ‘dool’ (1720b) [not ‘Dool’] 60. ‘wi’ a’ your Gear, ye dowy’ (1720b) [not ‘with a your Gear, ye dowie’] 61. ‘Na, Patie, I am nae’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Na, Patie, na, I’m nae’] 62. ‘Things’ (1720b) [not ‘things’] 63. ‘Ill-bodding Dreams I had this hinder’ (1720b) [not ‘I dream’d a dreary Dream this hinder’] 64. ‘a creep yet wi’’ (1720a), ‘a’ creep yet with’ (1720b) [not ‘a’ creep yet wi’’] 65. ‘Now to a Friend’ (1720b) [not ‘Now to your Friend’] 66. ‘To ane that a’ your secret Story kens!’ (1720b) [not ‘To anew ha you and a’ your Secrets kens:’] 68. ‘and Dortydawny Pride’ (1720b) [not ‘and dorty Jenny’s Pride’] 71. ‘O, Patie, ye have guest indeed o’er true’ (1720a), ‘Oh Patie! ye have ghest indeed o’er-trew’ (1720b) [not ‘O Patie, ye have ghest indeed o’er true’] 72. ‘naithing I’ll keep up frae you;’ (1720a), ‘naithing I’le keep up frae yow.’ (1720b) [not ‘naething I’ll keep up frae you;’] 73. ‘Dortydawny’ (1720b) [not ‘dorty Jenny’] 74. ‘scarcely’ (1720b) [not ‘hardly’] 75. ‘ilky’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘ilka’] 76. ‘Which gars me look fou mony a time right blate’ (1720b) [not ‘And gars me look bumbas’d and unco blate’] 77. ‘But yesterday’ (1720a), ‘But twa days syn’ (1720b) [not ‘But Yesterday’] 78. ‘shellycotted Kow’ (1720b) [not ‘Shellycoat or Kow’] 79. ‘loos’ (1720b) [not ‘loo’s’] 80. ‘of Tar’ (1720b) [not ‘o’ Tar’] 81. ‘loos nae her, fouwell I wat’ (1720b) [not ‘loo’s her right well I wat’] 83. ‘I wish I could na loo her,— but in vain,’ (1720a), ‘I wish I couldnae loo her, but, in vain,’ (1720b) [not ‘I wish I cou’d na loo her,— but in vain,’] 84. ‘I still maun dote, and thole her cauld Disdain’ (1720b) [not ‘I still maun dote and thole her proud Disdain’] 85. ‘Bawty’ (1720b) [not ‘Bauty’] 86. ‘yowld’ (1720b) [not ‘youl’d’] 88. ‘hae… my Beast’ (1720a), ‘have… the Beast’ (1720b) [not ‘ha’e… my Beast’] 90. ‘she kyths her cruel Scorn’ (1720b) [not ‘shaws a cauldrife Scorn’] 92. ‘Spring, and her Delight’ (1720a), ‘Tune, and her Delite’ (1720b) [not ‘Spring, and her Delyte’] ‘O’er Bogie’: Ramsay’s own song of the same title, which was also published in Poems (1721). 95. ‘Sheep, wander’ (1720b) [not ‘Flocks wander’] 96. ‘I’ll break my Reed and’ (1720a), ‘I’le break my Reed, and’ (1720b) [not ‘I’ll break my Reed, and’] 98. ‘thrawngabet’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘thrawn-gabet’] 100. ‘Gae tilt, my Lad, and take the Lover’s Lowp’ (1720b) [not ‘Gae till’t ye’r ways, and take the Lover’s Loup’] 101. ‘needna’ (1720b) [not ‘need na’] 102. ‘I’se warrand I soon qwat the Grip a will’ (1720b) [not ‘I’ll warrand Death come soon enough a will’] 103. ‘off’ (1720b) [not ‘aff’] 499

Poems 104. ‘ther’s’ (1720b) [not ‘there’s] 106. ‘Leaning upon a Dike, glowran about,’ (1720b) [not ‘Upon a Dyke I lean’d and glowr’d about’] 109. ‘throu’’ (1720a) [not ‘throw’] 112. ‘A Wee-Pice of ilk Leg as whyt as Snaw’ (1720b) [not ‘Her straight bare Legs, which whiter were than Snaw’] 113-16. These lines appear in 1720a, but not in 1720b. 114. ‘hafet’ (1720a) [not ‘haffet’] 117. ‘Fou neat she was, in Bustine Wastcoat’ (1720b) [not ‘Neat, neat she was in Bustine Wastecoat’] 118. ‘sciffing’ (1720b) [not ‘skiffing’] 119. ‘Right blyth’ (1720b) [not ‘Blythsome’] 120. ‘I ferly wherefore ye’re sae soon a steer’ (1720a), ‘I ferly what makes you so soon steer’ (1720b) [not ‘I fairly wherefore ye’er sae soon a steer’] 121. ‘I guess ye’re’ (1720a), ‘I ghess, ye’r’ (1720b) [not ‘I guess ye’er’] 122. ‘She scour’d awa, and said, What’s that to you?’ (1720a), ‘She ran awa, and said, what’s that t’ you?’ (1720b) [not ‘She scour’d awa, and said what’s that to you?’] 123. ‘Meg-dorts, and e’ens’ (1720a), ‘Meg Dorts, and een’s’ (1720b) [not ‘Meg Dorts, and e’en’s’] 124. ‘Dike’ (1720b) [not ‘Dyke’] 125. ‘I trew when she saw that within a crack’ (1720b) [not ‘I trow, when that she saw, within a crack’] 126. ‘With a right thievless Errand she came back’ (1720a), ‘She came with a right theevless Errand back’ (1720b) [not ‘With a right thieveless Errand she came back’] 128. ‘were’ (1720b) [not ‘weer’] 129. ‘then wi’ great haste’ (1720a), ‘syn wi’ great hast’ (1720b) [not ‘then wi’ great Haste’] 130. ‘Waist’ (1720a) [not ‘Waste’] 131. ‘Waist’ (1720a) [not ‘Waste’] 132. ‘sonsy’ (1720b) [not ‘glowan’] 134. ‘lowping’ (1720b) [not ‘louping’] After l.134, the following lines, which do not feature in 1720a or Poems (1721), are printed in 1720b: ‘Ther did the Hale-ware of my Vigour climb,/And herit of warm Life each qwaking Limb’] 135. ‘And ay, she flet’ (1720b) [not ‘Sair, sair she flete’] 138. ‘ye’r’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘your’] 140. ‘annither, and she’ll gang redwood’ (1720b) [not ‘anither, and she’ll gang clean wood’] 141. ‘fairfa’ (1720b) [not ‘fair faw’] 142. ‘hae sick an’ (1720a), ‘have sic ane’ (1720b) [not ‘ha’e sick an’] 145. ‘Sae… I’ll make ye a Propine’ (1720a), ‘And… I’le make ye a Propine’ (1720b) [not ‘Sae… I’ll make you a Propine’] 147. ‘Woo’’ (1720b) [not ‘Woo’] 148. ‘Setts’ (1720b) [not ‘Sets’] 149. ‘Wi’ Spraigns, like Gow’d’ (1720b) [not ‘With Spraings like Gou’d’] 151. ‘have’ (1720b) [not ‘ha’e’] 500

Notes to Poems 1721 152. ‘chear’d’ (1720b) [not ‘clear’d’] 153. ‘had… you’ve’ (1720b) [not ‘hadd… ye’ve’] 154. ‘braw new’ (1720a), ‘brawnew’ (1720b) [not ‘bra new’] 155. ‘her to’ (1720b) [not ‘she too’] 156. ‘a’ will’ (1720b) [not ‘a Will’] 157. ‘As ye advise I’ll’ (1720a), ‘What ye advise, I’le’ (1720b) [not ‘As ye advise, I’ll’] 159. ‘gies a bonny Spring’ (1720a), ‘gies some bonny Spring’ (1720b) [not ‘gi’es a bonny Spring’] 161. ‘Content; but we’ll gang’ (1720b) [not ‘But first we’ll take a Turn’] 162. ‘view’ (1720b) [not ‘see’] 164. ‘may please’ (1720b) [not ‘might please’] 165. ‘if he wer’ (1720b) [not ‘gin he were’] 166. ‘with’ (1720b) [not ‘wi’’] 167. ‘we ha’e tane’ (1720a), ‘we have tane’ (1720b) [not ‘we ha’e ta’en’] Edinburgh’s Salutation To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of Carnarvon Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in a pamphlet entitled ‘Edinburgh’s Salutation To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of Carnarvon’. Although the pamphlet lacks a publication date, the text finishes with ‘A. Ramsay, Edin. 17 May 1720’; it is therefore dated to that year. Ruddiman makes some mistakes in numbering Ramsay’s footnotes in Poems (1721). They are corrected here, but the original text labels the footnote for l.13 as l.12, and the footnote for l.32 as l.39. Our copy-text follows Ruddiman’s line numbering, where the final short line of the stanza is not treated as a new line, but as a continuation of the previous. Title: ‘Lord Marquess of Carnarvon’: John Brydges (1703-27), son of James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos and Mary Lake. As Ramsay states, he was touring Scotland in 1720, and had been styled Marquess of Carnarvon since 1719. His Grand Tour of Europe took place between 1721 and 1723. Shortly before his early death of smallpox in 1727, he was a Whig Member of Parliament for Steyning in Sussex, England. 7. ‘Wherefore,’ (1720) [not ‘Wherefore’] 8. ‘Demention’ (1720) [not ‘Dimension’] 11. ‘Gray Head’ (1720) [not ‘Gray-Head’] 15. ‘trowth’ (1720) [not ‘trouth’] 17-18. ‘Lang syne… my Cawsy’: the Union of Crowns (1603) which removed Scotland’s royal court to London. Although not specifically referenced here, the more recent Union of Parliaments of 1707 removed Scotland’s Parliament to the new British capital. 23. ‘you’r’ (1720) [not ‘you’re’] 24. ‘Fou’ (1720) [not ‘Fow’] 25. ‘Cheer’ (1720) [not ‘Chear’] 27. ‘rowth’ (1720) [not ‘routh’] 28. ‘What ever’ (1720) [not ‘Whatever’] 501

Poems 34. ‘trew’s’ (1720) [not ‘trow’s’] 41. ‘Traveling’ (1720) [not ‘Travelling’] After the final line’s refrain at l.48, 1720 reads: ‘A. Ramsay. | Edin. 17. May, 1720.’ This signature and date is not printed in Poems (1721). Wealth, or the Woody. A Poem on the South-Sea. Wrote June 1720 Text: Poems (1721). MSS: NLS (MS 15973), featuring ll.103-42; Huntington Library (HM 1490), featuring ll.1-102, but lacking ll.39-46 and ll.73-92 (not recorded in the STS edition). A non-holograph transcription is in the NLS (Adv. MS 19.3.44, ff.58-60). Martin records five printings prior to Poems (1721), all of which were published in 1720. There is some debate about which came first, however Ramsay’s dating of the text in Poems (1721) to ‘June 1720’ and its topicality make it likely that all five were released in the summer of 1720. In the absence of concrete evidence, the STS editors state that the first edition appears to be that entitled A Poem on the South-Sea. By Mr. Alexander Ramsay (London, 1720), which features Ramsay’s text alongside ‘An Epistle to Anthony Hammond’, by George Sewell; it was followed, according to Martin, by two Edinburgh editions, also of 1720, although their title pages lack a place of printing and publication date. The first Edinburgh edition features ‘Wealth, or the Woody’ alongside ‘An Epistle to Anthony Hammond’; the second Edinburgh edition features these two poems plus ‘An Ode to Allan Ramsay, Occasioned by his POEM on the South-Sea: and attempted in his Style. By a Scots Gentleman’. This poem in imitation of Ramsay was written by playwright and poet Joseph Mitchell (c.1684-1738). The Edinburgh printings are followed by two more London editions of the poem: ‘Wealth, or the Woody: A Poem on the South-Sea’ (1720) and ‘Wealth: Or, The Woody. By Mr. Allan Ramsay’ (1720): both correct the mistake in Ramsay’s name carried by the first London printing. The third and final London edition is a re-issue of the previous printing. Other than the fact that it features a new title page, it is likely to be a simple reprint, rather than a new edition. This publication therefore does not feature in the list of variants below. The first two London editions contain Sewell’s ‘An Epistle to Anthony Hammond’, but only the second includes Mitchell’s ‘An Ode to Allan Ramsay’. The second edition’s pagination resets at Mitchell’s ‘Ode’, demonstrating that the text of ‘Wealth, or the Woody’ in the first two London editions is identical, save only for differences in their internal title pages, which bear variants of imprint and Ramsay’s forename. As these texts are indistinguishable, only the first London edition features in the list of variants below, alongside the first Edinburgh edition. The others are set aside as reprints and reissues. The poem refers to recent events regarding the South Sea Company, a British joint-stock company founded in 1711 to reduce the national debt, which was granted a monopoly to trade with islands in what they referred to as the ‘South Seas’ and South America. The STS editors state that Ramsay added ‘June 1720’ to his printing of the text for Poems (1721) for good reason, and that his dating gives the immediate context for ‘Wealth, or the Woody’: ‘that month marked the great rise in South Sea stock. The stock had stood 502

Notes to Poems 1721 at 128½ in January, 1720, but in July and August it had reached 1,000; then it dropped suddenly, till, at the end of the year, it was 124’ (VI, p.42). Sewell is an established Ramsay associate, having published a ‘Preface’ to the London edition of ‘Patie and Roger’ earlier in 1720, which Ramsay extracted and reused in his Preface to Poems (1721). Sewell’s poem, which features in all printings of ‘Wealth, or the Woody’ in London and Edinburgh, is addressed to Anthony Hammond (1668-1738), a politician and civil servant who from 1711 was deputy-paymaster for the British forces in Spain, where his conduct was criticised by the Duke of Argyle but defended by paymaster James Brydges. He published A modest apology occasion’d by the late unhappy turn of affairs with relation to publick credit in 1721. The author of ‘An Ode to Allan Ramsay’ is Edinburgh-born poet and playwright Joseph Mitchell who was, by 1719, enjoying literary fame in Scotland. He moved to London in 1720 and, among other poems and plays, produced The Highland Fair, or, Union of the Clans, a ballad opera which opened at Drury Lane in March 1731 and relied heavily on John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. The published version of the play (also 1731) includes fifty-one airs, many of which had been utilised earlier by Ramsay. In the list of variants, the first London edition is ‘1720a’; the first Edinburgh edition is ‘1720b’. Epigraph: the Latin epigraph is from Horace’s Odes 1: ‘There was both oak and a triple layer of bronze around the heart/of he who first launched a frail craft on the savage open sea’. The second epigraph is from Ramsay’s own ‘Horace to Virgil’, ll.11-14. The epigraph from Horace is not printed in the London editions. 1. ‘O Thalia’ (HM) [not ‘Thalia’] ‘Thalia’: one of the Muses of Greek mythology who presides over comedy and Theocritan idyllic poetry. 2. ‘Descend and’ (HM) [not ‘Descend, and’] 3. ‘Se how promiscus sand blind fortune flings’ (HM), ‘See frae yon Bank, where South-Sea ebbs and flows,’ (1720a) [not ‘See frae yon Bank where South-Sea ebbs and flows,’] 4. ‘Woodys & Wealth wi’ which hale Britton rings’ (HM) [not ‘How Sand-blind Chance Woodies and Wealth bestows:’] 5. ‘Aided by thee I’le sail the southern’ (HM), ‘Aided by thee I’ll sail the wondrous’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Aided by thee, I’ll sail the wondrous’] 6. ‘and or in the Crouded Alys Cautious creep’ (HM), ‘crouded’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘And throw the crowded Alleys cautious creep.’] 7. ‘Ventorious’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Not easy’] 8. ‘Stockjobing… Gutts’ (HM), ‘Stockjobbing’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Stockjobbing… Guts’] ‘stock-jobber’: member of the Stock Exchange who deals in stocks on his own account. 9. ‘Naithing’ (HM) [not ‘naething’] 10. ‘Wha Rax for at… imortall’ (HM) [not ‘Wha rax for… immortal’] 11. ‘Long had the shallow grumblers usd this sound’ (HM) [not ‘Long had the Grumblers us’d this murm’ring Sound’] 12. ‘Brittain… dround’ (HM) [not ‘Britain… drown’d !’] 14. ‘faw’ (HM) [not ‘fa’] 503

Poems 18. ‘beghes’ (HM) [not ‘fa’’] 19. ‘wer’(HM) [not ‘were’] 20. ‘vi’ lent headlang’ (HM) [not ‘headlang’] 21. ‘wa’d be’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘wa’d been’] 22. ‘flags flakes… clad… green’ (HM); ‘clad’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Flakes… clade… Green’] 24. ‘Baw’ (HM); ‘Row’ (1720b) [not ‘Ba’… row’] 25. ‘unwildy’ (HM) [not ‘unwieldy’] 27. ‘little’ (HM) [not ‘narrow’] 29. ‘Trade’ (HM) [not ‘Trade!’] 30. ‘Fifty… Crack’ (HM) [not ‘Saxty… rack’] 31. This line, beginning ‘Hunt after Gear’, does not appear in HM. 32. ‘Debt instead’ (HM, 1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Debt, instead’] 33. ‘O South-Sea’ (1720b) [not ‘O South-Sea!’] 34. ‘narrowly thy sell to Bounds’ (HM), ‘Bounds’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘scrimply thou thy sell to bounds’] 36. ‘ilky’ (HM), ‘But, like the Sun, on ilka’ (1720a) [not ‘But like the Sun on ilka’] 38. ‘furth’ (HM) [not ‘out’] 39-46. These lines, beginning ‘Like Nilus’, and ending ‘Ægyptian Nile’, do not appear in HM, although Ramsay has written ‘Nilus’ in the left-hand margin. 45. ‘Common-Weall’ (1720a), ‘Common Weall’ (1720b) [not ‘Common Weal’] 47. ‘success we own your due’ (HM) [not ‘we own Success your due’] 49. ‘thae’ (HM) [not ‘these’] 50. ‘themsells into sic vast Estates’ (HM), ‘themsells’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘themselves into sae high a State’] 52. ‘owther’ (HM) [not ‘either’] 53. ‘Then others… Year’ (HM), ‘Year’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘And ithers… Years’] 54. ‘sleept’ (HM) [not ‘slept’] 55. ‘who’ (HM) [not ‘Wha’] 56. ‘Cooks’ (HM, 1720b) [not ‘Cook’s’] 57. ‘canny’ (HM, 1720a, 1720b) [not ‘kanny’] 58. ‘In our Meridian Ocean’ (HM), ‘In th’’ (1720a) [not ‘In the o’erflowing Ocean’] 59. ‘While in Gilt Gondalas they Cutt’ (HM) [not ‘While they in gilded Galleys cut’] 60. ‘Louk doun… muckle’ (HM); ‘Fisher-Boats’ (1720a) [not ‘Look down on Fisher Boats wi’ meikle’] 61. ‘Mean while th’ unfortunate thinkers who’ (HM) [not ‘Mean time the Thinkers wha’] 64. ‘thinkna… faw’ (HM); ‘fa’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘think na… fa’’] 66. ‘he was na in the py’ (HM) [not ‘were na in the Pye’] 67. ‘Fainthearted’ (HM, 1720b) [not ‘Faint-hearted’] 68. ‘marr’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘mar’] 70. ‘Golden Sea’ (1720a), ‘Golden-Sea’ (1720b) [not ‘golden Sea’] 72. ‘knock thump… waw’ (HM); ‘Wa’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘thump… Wa’’] 73-92. These lines, beginning ‘On Summers E’en’, and ending ‘maun stink’, are not in HM, though Ramsay has written ‘On summers ev’n’ in the left-hand 504

Notes to Poems 1721 margin, alongside two cancelled lines, which have been struck through: ‘Cursing your judgement till the final Tow/of ilky dinling Megrum case your pow[?]’] 77. ‘Stockjobbers’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Stock-jobbers’] 79. ‘whene’er’ (1720a) [not ‘when e’er’] 80. ‘cries… was I!’ (1720a), ‘was I!’ (1720b) [not ‘crys… was I.’] 90. ‘froggy’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Froggy’] 91. ‘Bogs’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Boggs’] 93-94. The brackets which appear in all printed editions do not appear in HM. 93. ‘shaw I’m right’ (HM), ‘prove I’m Right’ (1720b) [not ‘prove I’m right’] 94. ‘second Sight)’ (1720a) [not ‘second Sight,)’] 95. ‘yeard’ (HM) [not ‘Yard’] 96. ‘Baird’ (HM) [not ‘Beard’] 97. ‘Forests’ (HM, 1720a) [not ‘Forrests’] 100. ‘naithing… they’l’ (HM), ‘naithing’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘naething… they’ll’] 103. ‘touring… se’ (NLS), ‘tow’ring’ (1720a) [not ‘towring’] 105. ‘That happy man’ (NLS); ‘a’ Main’ (1720b) [not ‘Happy that Man… a Main’] 106. ‘hunder’ (NLS) [not ‘Hundred’] 108. ‘Britannia’s Credit and’ (1720b) [not ‘Britannia’s Credit, and’] 109. ‘Ilk joyfu pleasure wait upo’’ (NLS) [not ‘Ilk blythsome Pleasure waits upon’] 110. ‘Dependents’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Dependants’] 111. ‘Close’ (NLS) [not ‘Closs’] 112. ‘upo lang Tavern Bills wi Scorn’ (NLS), ‘Scorn:’ (1720a) [not ‘on Cells of Tippony with Scorn’] 113. ‘Lucky pimps! Or smug faced’ (NLS), ‘smug fac’d’ (1720b) [not ‘lucky pimps, or smug-fac’d’] 114. ‘Pleasures’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Pleasure’] 115. ‘Heavns good man’ (NLS), ‘Heaven’s Goodman’ (1720a) [not ‘Heavens Goodman’] ‘Jove’: chief deity in pre-Christian Rome, and god of sky and thunder in Roman mythology. 117. ‘Till he permits, with’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Till he permits with’] 118. ‘that ilky’ (NLS) [not ‘That ilka’] 119. ‘sitt’ (NLS) [not ‘sit’] 120. ‘witt’ (NLS) [not ‘wit’] 121. ‘Then Circling wheells the flattering Guffa’ (NLS) [not ‘Syne circling wheels the flattering Guffaw’] 122. ‘As well they may, in faith their stent’s but sma’ (NLS), ‘As well they may; he gars’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘As well they may, he gars their Beards wag a’’] 124. ‘Posses’d of thee, what is’t’ (1720a), ‘Possest of thee, what is’t’ (1720b) [not ‘Possest of thee, What is’t’] 125. ‘Coyn… naithing’ (NLS) [not ‘Coin… nathing’] 126. ‘ghess hou… fouks’ (NLS), ‘Fouk’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘guess how… Fowk’] 127. ‘linkt’ (NLS) [not ‘link’d’] 129. ‘fated… throu’ (NLS), ‘thro’ (1720a) [not ‘Destin’d… thro’’] After l.129, there is a cancelled line in NLS, which is struck through: ‘with scare a Rag of Drawers on thine A—’ 505

Poems 130. ‘darest’ (NLS); ‘Stockjobbing as a Farce?’ (1720a); ‘Stockjobbing as a Farce:’ (1720b) [not ‘Stock-jobbing as a Farce.’] 132. ‘horse & great Appolo’s’ (NLS) [not ‘Horse, and bright Apollo’s’] ‘The flying Horse’: Pegasus, winged horse from Greek mythology. On the strike of Pegasus’s hoof against the earth, inspiring waters sprang, including the Hippocrene upon Mount Helicon, the home of the Muses. ‘Apollo’: major Olympian deity, often associated with poetry. 133. ‘spring thou Caws’ (NLS) [not ‘Well thou ca’s’] ‘Helicon’: mountain sacred to the Greek Muses; it is the home of the Hippocrene spring, thought to be a source of poetic inspiration. 134. ‘farfrae’ (NLS); ‘naithing… Mistress, Coach, and Wine.’ (1720a) [not ‘nathing… Mistress, Coach and Wine.’] 139. ‘I’le’ (NLS); ‘Gloom’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘I’ll… gloom’] 142. ‘And Caw your hunder Thousand a sour plumb’ (NLS) [not ‘And ca’ your Hundred Thousand a sour Plum’] ‘sour Plumb’: Aesop’s fable of the Fox and the Grapes, also adapted by La Fontaine as ‘Le Renard et les Raisins’. NLS signs off with ‘AR’; this signature does not appear in any printed editions of the text. The Prospect of Plenty: A Poem on the North-Sea Fishery, Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Royal Burrows of Scotland Text: Poems (1721). MS: Huntington (HM 1490), consisting of ll.1-160. Martin lists three editions of the poem published prior to Poems (1721). He states that the first edition of ‘The Prospect of Plenty’ was published in London, ‘by T. Jauncy, at the Angel without Temple-Bar. 1720’. However, Gibson’s claim that the poem’s first edition was published in Edinburgh earlier in 1720 is more credible for the following reasons: the London edition contains ‘An Explanation of the Scots Words used in this Poem’ and adds Ramsay’s footnotes, which suggests that it was, as Gibson proposes, a reprint of the Edinburgh edition which adds explanatory paratext for English readers. Martin lists a third edition, published in Edinburgh in 1720; however, its pagination matches that of the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 and is therefore not included in the list of variants below. The Edinburgh edition is entitled ‘To the Royal Burrows of Scotland, The following Poem Is humbly dedicated By Allan Ramsay’ and dated ‘18 October 1720’; the London edition is ‘The Prospect of Plenty: A Poem On The North-Sea Fishery’. Its similarity to the title used in Poems (1721) suggests that it was published after the Edinburgh edition; its additions are retained in Poems (1721). In the list of variants, the first Edinburgh edition is ‘1720a’; the London edition is ‘1720b’. Title: 1720a is entitled ‘To The Royal Burrows of Scotland, The following Poem Is humbly dedicated, By Allan Ramsay. Edinburgh, 18. October, 1720. ‘Royal burghs of Scotland’: towns founded by or granted royal charters, often designated by the Crown. Each burgh had its own charter of rights and political representation in the Scottish Parliament. A burgh could appoint bailies and had legislative powers in criminal and civil law. Although the rights of the 506

Notes to Poems 1721 royal burghs were preserved in the Treaty of Union of 1707, they were abolished in 1975, although many Scottish towns still utilise the designation. Epigraph: Oppian: Greco-Roman poet of the second century who composed the Halieutica, a five-book epic poem on fishing. The line quoted by Ramsay translates as: ‘Great gain attends on little toil.’ 1. ‘Again Thalia ^ anes again say in Blythsome lays’ (MS); ‘Blythsome Lays;’ (1720b) [not ‘blythsome Lays,’] ‘Thalia’: muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. She is also evoked at the beginning of ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, and this leads the STS editors to state that ‘The Prospect of Plenty’ is ‘a companion’ to the aforementioned poem (VI, p.43). 2. ‘as late the South now chant the North Sea’s praise’ (MS), ‘Priase’ (1720b) [not ‘In Lays immortal chant the North-Sea’s Praise’] 5. ‘Heaven’ (MS, 1720b) [not ‘Heav’n’] 7. ‘heedless Heir born’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘heedless Heir, born’] 10. ‘pluck’ (1720b) [not ‘Pluck’] 11. ‘Till at the lang rin Of his Estate wi’th’ (MS); ‘Langrun’ (1720a) [not ‘Till at the Lang-run, wi’’] 13. ‘then wakening gars him looks about wi’ gleger Glowr’ (MS) [not ‘Then wak’ning, looks about with glegger Glour’] 15. ‘paralile’ (MS) [not ‘parallel’] In the Huntington MS, Ramsay has a note in the margin reading ‘wrong rhyme’, in reference to the next line (l.16), which ends ‘Isle’. 19. ‘a wee for proteus for Amphitrite’ (MS) [not ‘for Amphitrite’] ‘Amphitrite’: wife of Poseidon in Greek mythology; in Roman mythology, Salacia was the wife of Neptune. As the goddess of calm seas, Amphitrite was evoked to ensure safe passage through stormy weather. 20. ‘Thule’: the most northerly location mentioned in Greek and Roman cartography. 21. ‘Corall’ (MS), ‘Corral’ (1720b) [not ‘Coral’] 22. ‘Chrystal’ (MS, 1720b) [not ‘Christal’] 23. ‘here keeps… awfou’ (MS) [not ‘There keeps… awfu’’] 26. ‘these dear sportfu’ Frys’ (MS), ‘Frys’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘sporting Fries’] 29. ‘thro’ the Waves they Shine’ (1720a) [not ‘tho the Waves they shine’] 31. ‘the imperial’ (1720a) [not ‘th’ imperial’] 33. ‘Artfou’ (MS); ‘Fishers’ (1720a) [not ‘artfu’… Fishers’’] 35-40. These lines, beginning ‘When these retire’, and ending in ‘publick Gear’, do not appear in the MS. 36. ‘thro’ (1720a) [not ‘thro’’] 38. ‘Sea Cat’ (1720a) [not ‘Sea-Cat’] 39. ‘throu’’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘thro’’] 41. ‘th’ industrious’ (MS) [not ‘the Industrious’] 43. ‘No pleasure’s’ (MS) [not ‘Nae Pleasure’] 45-51. These lines, beginning ‘O’er lang with empty brag’ and ending ‘milk her Mines’, are not in the Huntington MS. 52. ‘But Now dawns the day makes sets Brittains bless compleat on her feet’ (MS) [not ‘But dawns the Day sets Britain on her Feet’] 55. ‘Routh’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Rowth’] 507

Poems 58. ‘And wher’s the need’ (MS) [not ‘Sma is our need’] 59. ‘Indias’ (1720b) [not ‘Indies’] 60. ‘Yet for Diversion laden’ (1720a) [not ‘Yet, for Diversion, laden’] 61. ‘Countreys’ (MS) [not ‘Nations’] 63. ‘And while’ (MS) [not ‘While’] 64. ‘Mores’ (MS, 1720b) [not ‘Moors’] ‘Goths’: a Germanic people who, in the later sixth century, attained power over the Iberian Peninsula; ‘Vandals’: a Germanic people who established kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula; ‘Gauls’: a Celtic people; ‘Hesperians’: people of the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa; ‘Moors’: Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula. 68. ‘Treasure’ (MS) [not ‘Treasures’] 72. ‘grumbletonian’: member of the Country Party in English politics, who were accused by the Court Party of being motivated by thwarted personal ambition. 73. ‘Laid’ (MS) [not ‘Lade’] 75. ‘Warlock’ (MS, 1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Warluck’] 76. ‘dis’ (MS) [not ‘Does’] ‘Tam the Rhymer’: Sir Thomas of Erceldoune (fl. c.1220-1298), Scottish laird, poet and, according to reputation, prophet. He is the subject of the Scottish ballad, ‘Thomas the Rhymer’ (Child Ballad no. 37). 77. ‘prophecy’ (1720a) [not ‘prophesy’] 80. ‘touring’ (MS, 1720a) [not ‘towring’] 81. ‘Court!’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Court?’] 82. ‘Southlands Southrens’ (MS), ‘Southrens’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Southerns’] 83. ‘tak’’ (1720a) [not ‘tak.”’] 85. ‘wrangle ilka’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘wrangle, ilka’] 87. ‘fancys’ (MS) [not ‘Fancies’] 90. ‘egs’ (MS) [not ‘eags’] 92. ‘Close’ (MS) [not ‘closs’] 93. ‘leaves’ (MS) [not ‘Leaves’] Between ll.93-94, the Huntington MS has two lines which are subsequently cancelled: Cherish a publick spirit far above Ill natur’d faction and imbrace with love 94. ‘Let’s Spin weave’ (MS) [not ‘Let’s weave’] 96. ‘Common-weal’ (1720a) [not ‘Common Weal’] 98. ‘Right—’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Right,— ’] 99. ‘sma’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘sma’’] 101. ‘Pharsalia’: De Bello Civili, a Roman epic poem by Lucan which depicts the civil war between the Roman Senate and Julius Caesar. 102. ‘warlike Romans’ (MS) [not ‘doughty Romans’] 103. ‘niest’ (MS, 1720a, 1720b); ‘fear dread’ (MS) [not ‘neist… Dread’] 108. ‘Pictland’: Scotland; more specifically the area of northern and eastern Scotland inhabited by the Picts in and prior to the early medieval period. 109. ‘themsells’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘themselves’] 112. ‘yoak’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Yoke’] ‘Batavia’: capital of the Dutch East Indies. 508

Notes to Poems 1721 ll.115-16. In the Huntington MS, these lines are cancelled but still legible. 115. ‘sell’ (1720a, 1720b) ‘May she nane of her’ (MS) [not ‘Dare she nane of her Herrings sel or prive’] 116. ‘Holland’ (MS, 1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Matkie’] 117. ‘Saull that’ (MS) [not ‘Wight wha’] 118. ‘Britain’s’ (MS, 1720a) [not ‘Briton’s’] 119. ‘its scarcely’ (MS), ‘its hardly’ (1720a) [not ‘it’s hardly’] 121. ‘Art’ (MS) [not ‘Airth’] 125. ‘Nations’ (MS) [not ‘Kingdom’s’] 126. ‘Gentrey’ (MS) [not ‘Gentry’] 128. ‘Looker-on’ (1720b) [not ‘Looker on’] 130. ‘ravisht’ (MS), ‘ravish’t’ (1720a) [not ‘ravish’d’] 132. ‘whyt’ (MS), ‘Whyte’ (1720a) [not ‘White’] 136. ‘spitefou’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘spitefu’’] 137. Part of this line has been cancelled and is indecipherable in the MS. 139. ‘syn’ (MS, 1720a, 1720b); ‘toom Nodles’ (MS) [not ‘boss Noddles… syne’] 142. ‘ca… concerned’ (1720a) [not ‘ca’… concern’d’] 143. ‘lave’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘leave’] 144. ‘bare Whop-shafts to lick’: to kiss the rod, to admit defeat, to suffer humiliation or loss, to be cheated or outsmarted (SND). 148. ‘sours’ (MS) [not ‘sowrs’] 150. ‘Kingdom’ (MS) [not ‘Nation’] 152. ‘Heaven’ (MS) [not ‘Heav’n’] 154. ‘NORTH SEA… leal hearted’ (1720a) [not ‘North-Sea… leal-hearted’] 156. ‘shou’d’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘should’] 160. ‘imploy’d’ (1720b); ‘joyces’ (MS) [not ‘employ’d… Juices’] 169. ‘Billies say’ (1720a) [not ‘Billies, say’] 176. ‘Bars but Party, Slowth and Pride’ (1720a) [not ‘Bars, but Party, Slowth, and Pride’] 178. ‘NORTHERN SEA’ (1720a) [not ‘Northern-Sea’] 181. ‘man’d’ (1720a) [not ‘mann’d’] 183. ‘wise and’ (1720a) [not ‘wise, and’] 184. ‘Spirits, only’ (1720a) [not ‘Spirits only’] 186. ‘Common-good’ (1720a); ‘Common Good’ (1720b) [not ‘common Good’] 187. ‘These fit for Servitude shall’ (1720a) [not ‘These, fit for Servitude, shall’] 190. ‘Britain’s’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Britains’] 192. ‘Thetis’: sea goddess, leader of the Nereids and prophet. 193. ‘imbrace’ (1720a) [not ‘embrace’] 199. ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage, feasts and song. 200. ‘Fouk’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Fowk’] 205. ‘Routh’ (1720b) [not ‘Rowth’] 210. ‘Sinnon’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Sinnow’] 213. ‘Lie’ (1720a) [not ‘Lye’] 214. ‘na’ (1720a) [not ‘nae’] 216. ‘bair’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘bare’] 217. ‘Aiks’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Akes’] 228. ‘Tangle Wreck’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Tangle-Wreck’] 233. ‘Nereus’: sea god and father of the Nereids. 509

Poems 235. ‘Oceanus’: father of the river gods and Oceanids. 236. ‘Triton’: son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, and a Greek sea god; ‘Nereids’: sea nymphs of Greek mythology. 240. ‘Britains’ (1720a) [not ‘Britons’] 241. ‘Sun,’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘Sun:’] 245. ‘Neptune’: Roman god of waters and the sea, counterpart to the Greek Poseidon. 246. ‘o’er’ (1720a) [not ‘o’er.”’] 247. ‘Ecchoes’ (1720a) [not ‘Echoes’] 248. ‘’Tis’ (1720a, 1720b) [not ‘’tis’]

Scots Songs Spoken to Mrs. N. Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Martin lists two publications of Ramsay’s collection of Scots Songs where ‘Spoken to Mrs. N.’ was first printed. The first, dated 1720, is an Edinburgh publication. However, the pagination, ornamentation and catchwords of this text match exactly that of the Glen 106 ‘gather-up’ edition, and it is therefore not here regarded as an authoritative source. An additional Edinburgh edition which was sold in London is dated tentatively by Martin to 1720. Its title page reads: ‘Scots Songs, Viz. [Here the nine song titles are printed in two columns] Edinburgh: Printed for the Author at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd; and sold by T. Jauncy at the Angel, without Temple-Bar, London.’ This edition features an ‘Advertisement’ for Ramsay’s forthcoming Poems (1721): New Letter, fine Demi and Royal Paper, and all other Materials, being got ready, for printing a beautiful large Volume of the Author’s Poems; ’tis desir’d that all Gentlemen and Ladies (who from Abundance of good Humour incline to honour his List of Subscribers, who are to stand in the Front of the WORKS) would please to demand their Receipts from him in Edinburgh, or Thomas Jauncy at the Angel, without Temple-Bar, London. And if I raise my Hundreds, ten, I’ll shaw that BARDS like other Men May in this Warld make a Fen, Not fated a’ to starve in’t: Then Nymphs and Swains haste to my Leet, I’ll brisker look, and sing mair sweet, When you have set upon his Feet Your most devoted Servant, Allan Ramsay. Title: The STS editors state that ‘Mrs. N.’ ‘probably refers to Mrs Nisbet of Dirleton’ (VI, p.44). Sir John Nisbet, Lord Dirleton (1610-88), a judge and politician, died without male issue on 13 April 1688. He left his lands to his kinsman, William Nisbet (c.1666-1724), a subscriber to the Darien Company 510

Notes to Poems 1721 and Country party Member of Parliament. William Nisbet’s wife was the sister of William Bennet of Grubbet (d.1729), politician and patron of Ramsay and fellow Scottish poet James Thomson; according to Mary Jane Scott, ‘Thomson probably met Ramsay first at Sir William Bennet’s Marlefield House’ (Mary Jane Scott, James Thomson Anglo-Scot (University of Georgia Press, 1988), p.51; see also Melanie Buntin, ‘The Mutual Gaze: The Location(s) of Allan Ramsay and James Thomson within an Emerging Eighteenth-Century British Literature’ (University of Glasgow PhD thesis, 2015) and Rhona Brown and Melanie Buntin, ‘Family Resemblance: A Dialogue between Father and Son’ in Mungo Campbell and Anne Dulau (eds), Allan Ramsay: Portraits of the Enlightenment (Munich, 2013), pp.51-65). An alternative candidate for ‘Mrs. N.’ may be the wife of Ramsay’s friend, James Norie (1684-57), subject of ‘A Character’ in Ramsay’s Poems (1728), in which he is described as ‘A Husband, Master, Friend and Parent’ (l.8). Norie, alongside two of his sons, James and Robert, were decorative landscape painters, many of which featured in interior decorative schemes and on interior panelling. In 1729, he joined Ramsay as a founding member of the painting school known as the Academy of St Luke. No variants exist between the copy-text of Poems (1721) and Scots Songs (1720). Mary Scot Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in the Edinburgh edition of Scots Songs (1720), sold in London by Jauncy. The tune to which the song is set has several MS and print sources throughout the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including the collection of Henry Atkinson (1694, pp.19-20), where it is known as ‘Flower of Yarraw’; James Thomson’s Music Book (1702; NLS MS 2833, fol. 17), entitled ‘When the Cold… or The Banks of Yarrow’, and Agnes Hume’s vocal fiddle and keyboard book (NLS Adv. MS 5.2.17, pp.1-2), where it is headed ‘Mary Scott’. The tune first appears in print in Moore and Carr’s Comes Amoris Book 1 (1687), and thereafter in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, p.19) and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.72-73). In both printed sources, the tune is titled ‘Mary Scot’. Ramsay republished the song in TTM I. 1. ‘How sweet’s the Love’ (1720) [not ‘Happy’s the Love’] 8. ‘To MARY SCOT’ (1720) [not ‘Mary Scot’] ‘Yarrow’: an area in Selkirkshire, Scottish Borders, which corresponds with the valley of the Yarrow Water. 15. ‘Alace if not’ (1720) [not ‘Alace ! if not’] 20. ‘Sure she’s too good’ (1720) [not ‘She is too good’] O’er Bogie Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720). The earliest MS source for the tune is Elizabeth Crockat’s collection (1709, 47v). It is printed in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, Vol. 1, p.47), and in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s 511

Poems Collection (1725-26). Ramsay republished the song as part of the suite of songs incorporated into GS. One notable later publication of ‘O’er Bogie’ is by Ramsay’s associate, Joseph Mitchel, in his print of 1731 entitled ‘Air I The Highland Fair’ (GUL Sp. Coll. 1314). Title: ‘Bogie’: river in north-west Aberdeen, Scotland. 11. ‘shanna’’ (1720) [not ‘shanna’] O’er the Moor to Maggy Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First printed in Scots Songs (1720). The tune’s earliest source is the Leyden collection (1690), held at Newcastle University Library (fol. 11r, tune 9). It later appears twice in the Balcarres collection, at numbers 80 and 150, and thereafter in the collections of George Bowie (c.1695-1705, p.67), Margaret Sinkler (1710, no. 38, fol. 62r and fol. 14v 15r), and George Skene’s Fiddle Book (171740, f.2r). Its first print source is Young’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (London, 1720, p.2). It is printed subsequently by Patrick Cuming (Edinburgh, 1723, p.31), in John and William Neal’s A Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (Dublin, c.1724, p.12) and in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.130-31). 7. ‘Pindus’ (1720) [not ‘Pindus’’] ‘Pindus’: parent range of mountains in which Mount Parnassus, sacred to the Muses and a source of poetic inspiration, is found on mainland Greece. 8. ‘Apollo’: major Olympian deity and god of poetry. 14. ‘Nation’s’ (1720) [not ‘Nations’] 21. ‘MAGGIE’s’ (1720) [not ‘Maggy’s’] 24. ‘blazes’ (1720) [not ‘bleezes’] I’ll never leave Thee Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720), and reissued in TTM I. The tune was first printed in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.1089). 4. ‘Love’ (1720) [not ‘love’] 19. ‘Then JONNY, I frankly’ (1720) [not ‘Then Jonny I frankly’] 23. ‘wa’d’ (1720) [not ‘wad’] Polwart on the Green Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720); one of the songs added by Ramsay to GS as the play developed into ballad opera format. The tune is preserved in the Gairdyn music collection (1710, 1729, 1730, f.40r), and in Elizabeth Crockat’s MS (1709, f.55.v). It was reprinted in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, p.24 and p.55), as well as in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.6-7). The tune features in several eighteenth-century ballad operas. 512

Notes to Poems 1721 1. ‘Polwart’: Polwarth, a village in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. 4. ‘dance about the Thorn’: eighteenth-century wedding custom obliged the couple to dance around two ancient thorn trees on Polwarth village green. 12. ‘bleez’ (1720) [not ‘bleeze’] John Hay’s Bonny Lassie Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720) and republished in TTM I. The earliest source for the tune is a virginal book known as ‘The Companion to the Lady Margaret Wemyss’s MS’ (1660), held in the NLS (DEP 314, No. 24, no. 19, f.6.r). It was later published in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, no. 35) and in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.132-35). 1. Tay: the longest Scottish river, which originates on Ben Lui, flowing easterly through the Highlands, Strathtay and Perth to its mouth at the Firth of Tay, south of Dundee. 9. ‘Aurora’: goddess of dawn in Roman mythology. 19. ‘Goodmorrow’ (1720) [not ‘Good-morrow’] 19. ‘Fire dear maid to caress’ (1720) [not ‘Fire, dear maid, to caress’] 20. ‘a’ (1720) [not ‘a’’] Genty Tibby and Sonsy Nelly. To the Tune of Tibby Fowler in the Glen Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720), and reprinted in TTM I. Its tune features in the MS collection of George Bowie (c.1695-c.1705, f.30), Margaret Sinkler’s collection (1710, f.62.v) and George Skene’s MS music book (1715, f.4.v). The song first appears in print with music in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.144-45). 9. ‘gawsy fast’ (1720) [not ‘gawsy, fast’] 13. ‘dimples’ (1720) [not ‘Dimples’] 27. ‘can na’ (1720) [not ‘canna’] Up in the Air Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in Scots Songs (1720), and reissued in TTM I. Elsewhere, the tune appears only in Stuart’s Music for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, pp.146-47). No variants exist between the copy-text of Poems (1721) and Scots Songs (1720). The Rise and Fall of Stocks, 1720. An Epistle to the Right Honourable my Lord Ramsay, now in Paris Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Although Martin’s bibliography states that all further printings of ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ came after Poems (1721), it was in fact published in advance of that edition: this text, dated ‘25 March, 1721’, carries an advertisement with 513

Poems news on the delayed preparation of Poems (1721). The first printing is, therefore, ‘The Rise and Fall Of Stocks, 1720. An Epistle To the Right Honourable My Lord Ramsay, Now in Paris. To which is added The Satyr’s Comick Project for recovering a Bankrupt Stockjobber’ (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, and sold by T. Jauncy at the Angel, without Temple-bar, London. MDCCXXI.). The advertisement for Poems (1721) featured in this edition reads as follows: The Author’s Poetical Works, that are printing by Subscription in a large Volume, are now advancing with all Expedition, several Sheets being already done. That he may not be under any Temptation to being unmannerly and ungrateful to his honourable Subscribers, by over-printing, and selling cheaper to others who do not subscribe, there are only about one hundred more Copies casting off than what he is at this time already sure to dispose of: Wherefore any who pleases to do him the Honor of appearing in his List, are desired to do it soon. His Friends at London may pay in the first Moiety of Subscription-money to Tho. Jauncy Bookseller at Temple-bar. Desires to be excused for delaying the Printing three or four months longer than first intended. The evidence of this ‘advertisement’ places the publication of Poems (1721) in the latter half of the year, and certainly not before July. Like ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, this poem concerns the aftermath of the bursting of the ‘South Sea Bubble’ in 1720. While ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, written in June 1720, concerned the great rise in value of South Sea stock, the end of 1720 saw it drop violently. By September, the price of stock had fallen from £1000 to £150, causing numerous bankruptcies. After a recall of Parliament in December 1720, an investigation reporting in early 1721 exposed extensive fraud among South Sea Company managers as well as corruption in government. The piercing of the South Sea Bubble was accompanied by the collapse of the French Mississippi Company, known from 1719 as the Company of the Indies. Following the amplification of Louisiana’s wealth by Scottish economist, John Law (1671-1729), the Mississippi Company was subject to frenzied speculation in 1719. This trading bubble also burst towards the end of 1720. Ramsay addressed a poem ‘To Mr. Law’, printed in 1720. While Ramsay had already emphasised the ramifications of the South Sea Bubble in ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, it is likely, as the STS editors have argued (VI, p.45), that both disasters form the context for ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’. For more on Ramsay’s representation, see Steve Newman, ‘Second-sighted Scot: Allan Ramsay and the South Sea Bubble’ in Scottish Literary Review 4:1 (2012), pp.15-33. Epigraph: from Samuel Butler’s Hudibras (1663, 1664 and 1678), Part II, Canto I, ll.515-18. The first edition of the poem (1721) features an additional epigraph: ‘To the Mind’s Eye Things well appear/At Distance, thro’ an artfull Glass,/Bring but the flatt’ring Object near,/They’re all a senseless gloomy Mass.’ This is a misquotation of Matthew Prior’s ‘To the Honourable Charles Montague, Esq.’ (1692), ll.29-32, which reads as follows: ‘At distance through an artfull glass/To the mind’s eye things well appear;/They lose their forms and make a mass/Confused and black, if brought too near.’ Title: ‘Lord Ramsay’: George Ramsay, Lord Ramsay (d.1739), eldest son of 514

Notes to Poems 1721 William Ramsay, sixth Earl of Dalhousie and Jean Ross. Ramsay married Jean Maule, daughter of Harry Maule of Kelly and Lady Mary Fleming. 12. ‘Louthian’ (1721) [not ‘Lothian’] 14. ‘wer’re’ (1721) [not ‘we’re’] 21. ‘We madly,’ (1721) [not ‘We madly’] 32. ‘Bubbles’ (1721) [not ‘Bubles’] 42. ‘job’d for Prizes:’ (1721) [not ‘jobb’d for Prizes.’] 48. ‘John Blount’: Sir John Blunt (bap.1665-1733), financier and co-founder, with Lord Treasurer Robert Harley, of the South Sea Company. Following a House of Commons investigation in late 1720, Blunt was imprisoned on 23 January 1721. He published A True State of the South-Sea Scheme in 1722. 58. ‘Trifle,’ (1721) [not ‘Trifle;’] 65. ‘well won’ (1721) [not ‘well win’] 80. ‘Matter;’ (1721) [not ‘Matter:’] 83. ‘Mouldy’: Ramsay’s term for a miser, as in ‘Mouldy Moudiewart or The Last Speech of a Wretched Miser’ in Poems (1728). 85. ‘Mulligrubs’: sometimes ‘molligrant’, meaning a complaint or lamentation; see also Ramsay’s letter to Sir Alexander Dick, 12 October 1755. 89. ‘carefou’ (1721) [not ‘carefu’’] 100. ‘Valley.’ (1721) [not ‘Valley:’] 101. ‘Fancy treat’ (1721) [not ‘Fancy, treat’] 102. ‘were or shall’ (1721) [not ‘were, or shall’] 103. ‘Jove’: Jupiter, Roman god of the sky and king of gods. 104. ‘Air,’ (1721) [not ‘Air;’] 105. ‘Danaë’: mother of Perseus in Greek mythology. 109. ‘Pasment’: a strip of braiding, usually made with gold or silver wire or silk, used as decorative trimming in interior design and fashion. 117. ‘Aesop’s Colly’: many of Aesop’s fables feature dogs; this line may refer to ‘The Dog and Its Reflection’, in which a dog loses stolen meat through greed, and which is described in the Aberdeen Bestiary (folio 19r) thus: ‘If a dog swims across a river carrying a piece of meat or anything of that sort in its mouth, and sees its shadow, it opens its mouth and in hastening to seize the other piece of meat, it loses the one it was carrying.’ 119. ‘three warm months’: a reference to the rise in value of South Sea stock across the summer of 1720. 126. ‘blasted;’ (1721) [not ‘blasted,’] 137. ‘Dagon’: ancient Mesapotamian and Canaanite deity, featured in Milton’s Paradise Lost and Samson Agonistes. 139. ‘dreadfou’’ (1721) [not ‘dreadfu’’] 141. ‘fizzing’ (1721) [not ‘phizzing’] 152. ‘Glamour;’ (1721) [not ‘Glamour:’] 154. ‘Hoords.’ (1721) [not ‘Hoords;’] 158. ‘faithfou’ (1721) [not ‘faithfu’’] 160. ‘made,’ (1721) [not ‘made;’] 163-68. ‘When South-Sea Tyde… Babel fa’’: Ramsay’s earlier poem on the South Sea Bubble, ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, which foresaw the events of ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’. ‘Thalia’, Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry, was evoked at that poem’s opening. 515

Poems 166. ‘Foresight’ (1721) [not ‘Fore-sight’] 168. ‘Babel’: the Tower of Babel of Genesis 11:1-9, a Biblical explanation for why different peoples speak different languages. 173. ‘Sauls, sunk’ (1721) [not ‘Sauls sunk’] 177. ‘Astrea’: Greek goddess of justice and innocence. 182. ‘Hand,’ (1721) [not ‘Hand;’] 190. ‘Lombard-street’: the original location of the Royal Exchange, London. It was, in Ramsay’s time, the home of Lloyd’s Coffee House and the General Post Office and remains at the centre of commerce. 191. ‘blast’ (1721) [not ‘Blast’] 194. ‘Lang Days, and Rowth’ (1721) [not ‘Lang Days and Rowth’] After the final line, (1721) is signed ‘Allan Ramsay.’ Patie and Pegie: A Sang Text: Poems (1721). MSS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.9); NLS (MS 15972, pp.45-46), fair copy – both prepared for GS. Not previously printed. The song was in 1725 incorporated into GS, Act II, Scene 4. As both MSS were completed in preparation for GS and after the publication of Poems (1721), they are not part of our collation. For a full textual collation, see The Gentle Shepherd, ed. Steve Newman and David McGuinness (Edinburgh, 2022). Beyond GS, ‘Patie and Pegie: A Sang’ is featured in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?, p.150). 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 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. In Gibson’s bibliography, a previous publication of ‘Prologue’ is noted as having been ‘printed on both sides of a small sheet; and it is the first twopage edition that is known to us to have been issued by Ramsay’ (p.128). Martin states that, ‘I have not seen this as a separate edition… in any case it is found with this pagination in the earlier issue of Poems (1720)’. We concur with Gibson that the two-page edition, in the Houghton Library at Harvard University (GEN 15465.24.15), is a separate edition published prior to Poems (1721). With regard to Martin’s argument that the two-page edition was merely part of the ‘gather-up’ volume of c.1720, our copy of that edition (NLS Glen 106) shows variants from the two-page edition at pp.283-84, with an erroneous catch-word, demonstrating that the text has been re-set. Furthermore, the two ornaments at the foot of p.284 are different from those found in the earlier printing. These details support and strengthen our case that the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720 is unstable and its contents have dubious provenance. According to the STS editors, ‘In tone and attitude this Prologue is so like those that Ramsay wrote for the boys of the Haddington Grammar School when they acted Aurenzebe and The Gentle Shepherd, that we can 516

Notes to Poems 1721 safely assert that it was written for a school performance, possibly by the Haddington boys’ (VI, p.45). Little textual evidence exists for this claim, and it is unlikely that Ramsay was working with Haddington Boys’ School in 1719, six years before the first publication of GS and a decade before their performance of the ballad opera version of Ramsay’s drama in 1729. Ramsay’s main association was with Haddington teacher John Leslie, who was appointed at the end of 1719 and was the main promoter of theatre performance in the school; Haddington Boys’ School played The Cheats of Scapin in 1724, not 1719 (VI, p.214). According to the Edinburgh Evening Courant there was, however, a performance of The Orphan in Edinburgh in 1719 which featured a prologue by Ramsay’s associate, Joseph Mitchell, acted by the students of Edinburgh University. It is likely, therefore, that the production referenced in Ramsay’s ‘Prologue’ was that given by the University students. Title: ‘The Orphan’ and ‘Cheats of Scapin’ (1720) [in black letter, not (reverse) italics] The Orphan or The Unhappy Marriage: tragedy written by Thomas Otway (1652-85) in 1680, a popular piece for performance through to the nineteenth century. The Cheats of Scapin: also by Otway and first performed in 1677; it is based on Molière’s Fourberies de Scapin (1671). 2. ‘ye,’ (1720) [not ‘ye.’] 10. ‘said.’ (1720) [not ‘said,’]; ‘gloom’d’ (1720) [not ‘gloom’d,’] 11. ‘niest’ (1720) [not ‘neist’] 13. ‘awa Fouks’ (1720) [not ‘away Fowks’] 14. Ramsay’s footnote, erroneously numbered ‘l.16’ in Poems (1721), has been corrected here; it should read ‘14’. ‘Rab Ker’: Robert Ker of Gilmerton, author of The Serious Fears of Some Judgments Approaching upon Scotland Because God’s Laws not being duly executed as he requires in his Written Word (1717). 15. ‘spite’ (1720) [not ‘Spite’] 20. ‘Snarles’ (1720) [not ‘Snarls’] 28. ‘Must we’ (1720) [not ‘Must we,’] 31. ‘Anes.—Twice.—Thrice.’ (1720) [not ‘Anes,—Twice, Thrice.’] The Life and Acts of, or An Elegy on Patie Birnie Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in a broadside of 1721 (NLS, Ry.III.c.34, no. 47). Title: ‘Patie Birnie’: much of the biographical information that survives regarding Peter/Patrick ‘Patie’ Birnie (fl.1700) is sourced from this poem. Birnie was a well-regarded folk musician and fiddle player, thought to be one of the earliest composers of strathspeys. James Granger’s Biographical History (1769; rpt. 1806) states that ‘Patie Birnie resided at Kinghorn, on the sea coast, about nine miles north of Edinburgh, where he supported himself by his consummate impudence. Not by honest labour, but by intruding upon every person who came to the public house’ (p.483). Birnie was painted by Scottish painter and friend of Ramsay William Aikman (1682-1731) between 1715 and 1720. This portrait, held by the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (PG 3705), features 517

Poems an inscription which describes its subject as ‘The Facetious Peter Birnie | Fidler in Kinghorn.’ Far from being derogatory, the eighteenth-century definition of ‘facetious’ is ‘characterized by or given to pleasantry or joking’; ‘witty, humorous, amusing’. Numerous engravings were made after Aikman’s painting, giving an indication of Birnie’s contemporary fame. Epigraph: The first epigraph appears to have been authored by Ramsay; no other source for these lines has been found. The text is featured on some of the engravings prepared after Aikman’s portrait of Birnie, including ‘The Effigie of Patie Birnie, the Famous Fidler of Kinghorn’, which is held at the Lewis Walpole Library, Farmington, Connecticut (Portraits BP 610, no. 1). The second epigraph is from Robert Sempill of Beltrees’s (c.1595-1665) ‘The Life and Death of Habbie Simson, the Piper of Kilbarchan’ (1640), ll.51-52. 1. ‘Sonnet slee’: the poem’s ‘Standard Habbie’ metre, which Ramsay inherited from Sempill’s ‘Life and Death of Habbie Simson’. 2. ‘Ingine’ (1721) [not ‘Engine’] 7. ‘Kinghorn’: seaside town in Fife, Scotland. According to the STS editors, ‘Travellers from Edinburgh to the north crossed the Forth by ferry from Leith to Kinghorn’ (VI, p.46). 17. ‘Breadwinner’ (1721) [not ‘Bread-winner’] 26. ‘The Auld Man’s Mare’s Deid’: tune reputedly written by Birnie; Robert Burns later published a version of the song in James Johnson’s Scots Musical Museum (V, no. 485, p.500). 41. ‘sten’ (1721) [not ‘sten’’] 49-54. ‘Sae some… Jig and Solo’: refers to the myth of Apollo’s lyre in Greek mythology. Hermes, son of Zeus (here ‘Jove’), is generally credited with the invention of the lyre after making a stringed instrument from a tortoise shell, gut and reeds which he hoped would assist him in the theft of cattle from Apollo’s sacred herd. Apollo discovered Hermes’s plan but was pacified when Hermes gave him the lyre. Apollo thus became a master lyre player, and taught Orpheus to play. The footnote’s quotation – ‘Tuque Testudo, resonare septem/Callida nervis’ – is from Horace’s Odes, Book 3, Poem 11, ll.3-4, and translates as ‘Come, with thy seven sweet strings, my shell/Thy “diverse tones”’. 53. ‘Pleasure, play’d’ (1721) [not ‘Pleasure play’d’] 54. ‘Both’ (1721) [not ‘Baith’] 55-78. These lines are not printed in the broadside of 1721. 85. ‘Fouk’ (1721) [not ‘Fowk’] 89. ‘Fidle’ (1721) [not ‘Fiddle’] 105. ‘twice;’ (1721) [not ‘twice:’] 109. ‘Bothwell-Brig’: the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, fought between Presbyterian Covenanters and government troops, took place on 22 June 1679. 110. ‘Wise’ (1721) [not ‘wise’]; ‘Wight’ (1721) [not ‘wight’] 119. ‘Whigs’: British political party in opposition to the Tories from the late seventeenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. Date: the 1721 broadside has ‘24. January 1721.’ [not ‘January 25. 1721’]

518

Notes to Poems 1721 Cupid thrown into the South-Sea Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. With its emphasis on the South Sea Bubble and its aftermath, this poem sits alongside ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ and ‘The Satyr’s Comick Project’; see also the notes for these poems. 1. ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. 3. ‘Cupid’: Roman god of erotic love, desire and attraction, depicted as the son of Venus; ‘Mall’: Pall Mall, adjacent to St. James’s Park and Green Park in London. 18. ‘Change Alley’: Exchange Alley, City of London, which in the eighteenth century connected the Royal Exchange to the Post Office on Lombard Street; it was in the vicinity of prominent traders and coffee houses, including Lloyd’s. The alley was the site of the South Sea Bubble from 1720, as depicted in Edward Matthew Ward’s painting, ‘The South Sea Bubble, a Scene in ’Change Alley in 1720’ (1847), held by the Tate Britain, London (N00432). 20. ‘Subscription’: South Sea stock subscriptions. The Satyr’s Comick Project For recovering A young Bankrupt Stock-jobber Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published alongside ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ in a 1721 edition printed in Edinburgh and sold in London by Jauncy. Full bibliographic details of this publication and its dating can be found in the head note for ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’. ‘The Satyr’s Comick Project’ is, like ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ and ‘Cupid thrown into the South Sea’, one of Ramsay’s poetic musings on the repercussions of the South Sea Bubble. The tune to which part of the song is set, ‘If the Kirk wad let me be’, also features among the songs in Ramsay’s GS. The tune is first found in MS in James Guthrie’s ‘Sermons by Mr. James Guthrie, 1650-60’ (EUL, La.III.111), and thereafter in the Balcarres MS Lute Book (c.1700; NLS Acc.9769/Personal Papers 84/1/6) and Magdalen Cockburn’s ‘Music Book’, fol. 33v (violin tab) and fol.r.40 (EUL, Mus.M.1). It first appears in print as ‘The SCOTCH Wedding Between JOCKEY and JENNY’ in Thomas D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy (1719, pp.42-43), and as ‘If the Kirk wad let me be’ in Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26, pp.42-43). ‘Colin’s Complaint’, also known as ‘Can Love be Controul’d’ or ‘Grim King of the Ghosts’, is later collected in John Geohegan’s Compleat Tutor for the Pastoral or New Bagpipes (c.1745-46, p.27). Title: the title of the previous printing of ‘The Satyr’s Comick Project’ specifies that the song is set to the tune ‘If the Kirk wad let me be’. As Ramsay’s footnotes demonstrate, by the time it appeared in Poems (1721), the song was split into two sections/singers and set to two tunes: ll.1-20 are sung to ‘Colin’s Complaint’ and ll.21-40 to ‘The Kirk wad let me be’. ‘Stock-jobber’: member of the Stock Exchange who deals in stocks on his own 519

Poems account. Many stock-jobbers were made bankrupt following the pricking of the South Sea Bubble in 1720. 4. ‘Neighbouring Green;’ (1721) [not ‘neighbouring Green.’] 13. ‘Satyr’: part-human, part-bestial being of classical mythology associated with woodlands and believed to be semi-divine. 21-40. Quotation marks are utilised in the previous printing of the song to designate the Satyr’s speech, printed at the start of each line. 23. ‘Fortune’: classical goddess Fortuna was associated with luck and often depicted as blind or blindfolded. 29. ‘Hecatissa, conceited’ (1721) [not ‘Hecatissa conceited’] ‘Hecatissa’: features in Steele’s Spectator, no. 48, dated Wednesday 25 April 1711, and no. 52, dated Monday 30 April 1711. 32. ‘plenty’ (1721) [not ‘Plenty’] 34. ‘wrinkled’ (1721) [not ‘wrinkl’d’] 38. ‘ye’ (1721) [not ‘you’] To the Musick Club Text: Poems (1721). No MS. A non-holograph transcription is in NLS (Acc. 9546). Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: ‘Musick Club’: forerunner of the Musical Society of Edinburgh. According to Hugo Arnot’s History of Edinburgh (1776), ‘The Musical Society of Edinburgh, whose weekly concerts form one of the most elegant entertainments of that metropolis, was first instituted in the year 1728. Before that time, several gentlemen, performers on the harpsichord and violin, had formed a weekly club at the Cross-keys tavern (kept by one Steil, a great lover of musick and a good singer of Scots songs), where the common entertainments consisted in playing the concertos and sonatas of Corelli, then just published, and the overtures of Handel’ (p.279). No records have survived for the Musick Club but, as Arnot confirms, its members are thought to have met at the Cross Keys Tavern, kept by John Steill in the city’s Old Assembly Close. 1. ‘Shinar’: Biblical term for Mesopotamia. Babylon is in the lands of Shinar and is the location of the Tower of Babel. The story of the Tower of Babel, and the Biblical narrative explaining why different languages are spoken throughout the world to which Ramsay refers here, appears in Genesis 11:1-9. 19. ‘Amphion’: probably son of Zeus and Antiope who, with his twin brother Zethus, constructed the city walls of Thebes. After marrying Niobe, Amphion learned to play the lyre in Lydian mode, consequently adding three strings and expanding the possibilities of music. 28. ‘Albion’: alternative name for the British Isles; ‘Umbria’: region in central Italy. 29. ‘Correlli’: Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Italian violinist and composer. His compositions made considerable contributions to the concerto and sonata genres and helped establish the supremacy of the violin; he is credited with establishing the concerto grosso as a mode of composition. 30. ‘Cowdon Knows’: ‘Cowdenknowes’, a tune first printed in Playford’s The 520

Notes to Poems 1721 English Dancing Master (1651), and utilised by Ramsay in TTM. 31. ‘Pibrough’: ‘pìobaireachd’ or ‘pibroch’ is a style of Scottish musical composition for the bagpipe; given Ramsay’s context, it is likely that he refers to piping in general. Wine and Musick, an Ode Text: Poems (1721). No MS. First published in the second edition of Scots Songs (1720). For full details of this edition, see the head note to ‘Spoken to Mrs N.’. There is one previous source for the song, in the form of a print featuring ‘An excellent New SONG, CALL’D, The Praise of Women; OR, Wine, Women, and Musick’ (London: Printed and sold by Charles Barnet, c.1695-1700). The song also appears among the Pepys Ballads at Magdalen College, Oxford (5.220). 3. ‘like me,’ (1720) [not ‘like me:’] 6. ‘in vain,’ (1720) [not ‘in vain;’] 7. ‘I’m slain, I’m slain, I’m slain,’ (1720) [not ‘By Beauty and Scorn I’m slain:’] 11. ‘Come here’s’ (1720) [not ‘Come here are’] After l.11, (1720) prints an additional two lines which do not feature in the text as it is printed in Poems (1721): A Cure for all thy Wounds, The Bowl, the Bowl, the Bowl, 12. ‘Cordial Bowl’ (1720) [not ‘cordial Bowl,’] 14. ‘Wounds, Wounds, Wounds, These can cure all Wounds’ (1720) [not ‘Wounds, these can cure all Wounds’] 16. ‘Cordial Bowl:’ (1720) [not ‘cordial Bowl:’] 17. ‘Tune, tune, tune, O SYMON tune thy Soul.’ (1720) [not ‘O Symon, sink thy Care, and tune up thy drooping soul;’] 18. ‘Above’ (1720) [not ‘Above,’] 19. ‘Ring,’ (1720) [not ‘Ring;’] 22. ‘Then drink, drink, drink and sing’ (1720) [not ‘Then drink and cheerfully sing’] On the Great Eclipse of the Sun, The 22d April, nine a Clock of the Morning, wrote a Month before it hapned, March 1715 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Although he had not seen the broadside, Martin lists the poem’s first publication as part of a single sheet entitled A Scheme and Type of the Great and Terrible Eclipse of the Sun, On the 22d April, 1715 In a Letter from a Gentleman near Kelso to his Friend in Edinburgh (Edinburgh: Printed by James Watson, 1715). Ramsay’s contribution is entitled ‘On this Great Eclipse. A Poem by A.R.’ This publication is a single sheet, printed on one side: on the left-hand is a woodcut and forecast; on the right is the poem and imprint. According to Gibson, ‘The poem was allowed to be printed alongside the forecast under circumstances which are stated in the minutes of the Easy Club on April 521

Poems 15th, 1715’ (New Light, p.49), and the Easy Club Journal entry for 13 April 1715 records the poem as having been written by ‘Gavin Douglas’, Ramsay’s club pseudonym. The broadside printed is held by the NLS (Ry.1.1.1.134). Title: The total solar eclipse to which Ramsay refers happened, according to the contemporary calendar and as Ramsay states, on 22 April 1715; after Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the date was 3 May 1715. The eclipse is known as ‘Halley’s Eclipse’, thanks to astronomer Edmund Halley’s (1656-1742) forecast of it to near-perfect precision. See J.M. Pasachoff, ‘Halley and his maps of the Total Eclipses of 1715 and 1724’ in Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage 2:1 (1999, pp.39-54). 1. ‘amongst’ (1715) [not ‘among’] 2. ‘Little Song:’ (1715) [not ‘little Song.’] 3. ‘At me, nor Scheme, nor’ (1715) [not ‘At me not Scheme, nor’] 4. ‘our Wilson’s, or this Artist’s’ (1715) [not ‘our Gregory’s, or fam’d Hally’s’] ‘Gregory’: James Gregory (1638-75), Scottish astronomer and mathematician, who made a pioneering plan for the reflecting telescope later known as the Gregorian telescope; ‘Hally’: see headnote above. 5. ‘the Stars’ (1715) [not ‘each Star’] 6. ‘That know how Planets, Planets Rays debars’ (1715) [not ‘Who know how Planets Planets Rays debar’] 7. ‘bold;’ (1715) [not ‘bold,’] 9. ‘rowling’ (1715) [not ‘rolling’] ‘Rolling Globe’: a reference to Copernican heliocentrism, the astronomical model published by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) in 1543, which challenged the previous Ptolemaic geocentric model of the planets by placing the motionless sun at the centre of the universe and the planets in circular orbit around it. 10. ‘Olympus’ (1715) [not ‘O’ympus’] ‘Olympus’: Mount Olympus, home of the gods and goddesses in Greek mythology; also a reference to heaven. 11. ‘Unconstant Way’ (1715) [not ‘oft changed Way,’] 12. ‘Ray’ (1715) [not ‘Way’] 14. ‘Now curious Mortals will attend’ (1715) [not ‘The curious will attend that Hour’] 16. ‘Sight,’ (1715) [not ‘Sight’] 17. ‘Motion, and Decay of Light:’ (1715) [not ‘Motion and Decay of Light,’] 18. ‘Water-pail’ (1715) [not ‘Water Pale’] 20. ‘For then, they think, the… War;’ (1715) [not ‘For then they think the… War,’] 21. ‘do oft’ (1715) [not ‘oftimes’] 22. ‘But when this Darkness’ (1715) [not ‘When this strange Darkness’] 23. ‘Surprize’ (1715) [not ‘Surprise’]; ‘Swains:’ (1715) [not ‘Swains,’] 25. ‘know of Orbs, the Motions and the Laws’ (1715) [not ‘know of Orbs, their Motions or their Laws’] 26. ‘their half-plow’d’ (1715) [not ‘the half-plough’d’] 28. ‘approacheth. Thus’ (1715) [not approacheth; thus’] 30. ‘Traveller’ (1715) [not ‘Traveler’]; ‘Road,’ (1715) [not ‘Road’] 31. ‘devote’ (1715) [not ‘devout’] 522

Notes to Poems 1721 32-35. These lines are printed as ll.36-39 of (1715); ll.36-39 of the copy-text appear in (1715) on ll.32-35. 32. ‘Mates, and’ (1715) [not ‘Mates and’] 33. ‘Thinking it Ev’ning’ (1715) [not ‘As if’t were Evening’] 35. ‘grassy’ (1715) [not ‘grassie’] 36. ‘The little Birds will to their Nests’ (1715) [not ‘Each Bird of Day will to his Nest’] 38. ‘The Lark, and’ (1715) [not ‘The Lark and’]; ‘Lay,’ (1715) [not ‘Lay’] 40. ‘the most’ (1715) [not ‘great Part’] 41. ‘Whilst Phœbe’s’ (1715) [not ‘While Phebe’s’] ‘Phoebe’: alternative name for Artemis or Diana as a goddess of the moon; ‘Phoebus’: alternative title of Apollo, in personification of the sun. 42. ‘Th’ unlearned’ (1715) [not ‘The unlearn’d’] 43. ‘Dark Friday’ (1715) [not ‘dark Friday’]; ‘show.’ (1715) [not ‘show;’] ‘dark Friday’: the eclipse of 22 April 1715 fell on a Friday. 44. ‘Country-men’ (1715) [not ‘Country Men’] 45. ‘Dark Monday’ (1715) [not ‘dark Munday’] 46. ‘Gloom,’ (1715) [not ‘Gloom’] 47. ‘Plowman’s Fear of Doom:’ (1715) [not ‘Ploughman’s Fear of Doom;’] 48. ‘Sight,’ (1715) [not ‘Sight’] 50. ‘the rowling Spheres,’ (1715) [not ‘these whirling Spheres!’] 51. ‘will err so many Thousand Years?’ (1715) [not ‘can err while Time is met by Years.’] 52. ‘Soul,’ (1715) [not ‘Soul!’] 53. ‘Which knows how Orbs thro’ Azure wild do rowl?’ (1715) [not ‘That knows how Orbs throw Weilds of Æther roll.’] 54. ‘Omnific Hand,’ (1715) [not ‘Omnifick Hand!’] 56. ‘ne’er, till Time was finish’d, stand?’ (1715) [not ‘not while Time had Being stand.’] The Gentleman’s Qualifications, as debated by some of the Fellows of the Easy Club, April 1715 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. It is referred to in the Easy Club Journal as printed in the STS edition: according to the minute, the members debated the qualities of a gentleman on 16 March 1715, and on 11 May Ramsay and another member, ‘having behaved themselves 3 years honest fellows and good members of this Club’, were adjudged to be gentlemen (IV, p.12). The poem’s dating suggests it was written between the debate and Ramsay’s Easy Club ‘qualification’. 7. ‘Dome’: as the STS editors state, ‘The Journal of the Easy Club records discussions about acquiring a Dome (domus) for the Club’ (VI, p.48). 10. ‘Tipermaloch’: as Ramsay states in his footnote, Easy Club members went by pseudonyms while in attendance; the names listed in the poem are members’ Easy Club aliases. Many members went through a number of pseudonyms: Ramsay began as ‘Isaac Bickerstaff’ and ended as ‘Gavin 523

Poems Douglas’. ‘Tippermaloch’ refers to an unidentified member who had many previous Club aliases, including ‘Sir Thomas Heywood’, ‘Sir Thomas Killigrew’, ‘Robert Colinson’ and ‘Dr Archibald Pitcairn’. ‘Tipermaloch’ refers to Tippermalluch’s Receipts: Being a Collection of Many Useful and Easy Remedies for Most Distempers. Written by that worthy and ingenious gentleman John Moncrief of Tippermalloch: and now first publish’d for the use of all, but especially the poor (Edinburgh, 1712). Two of this Club member’s pseudonyms were united in a recent publication entitled The Poor Man’s Physician, or the Receipts of the Famous John Moncreif of Tippermalloch: Being a Choice Collection of Simple and Easy Remedies for Most Distempers… to which is added, the Method of Curing the Small Pox and Scurvy, by the Eminent Dr. Archibald Pitcairn (Edinburgh, 1716). The real Tippermalloch was John Moncrieff, fifth Baronet (c.1628-1714), physician. 14. ‘Douglass’ Loin’: Ramsay’s later Easy Club pseudonym was ‘Gavin Douglas’. Douglas (c.1476-1522) was Bishop of Dunkeld and one of the renowned Scottish ‘makars’ (poets) of the late medieval period. Among his literary works is The Palice of Honour, a long allegorical dream poem which was completed around 1501 and dedicated to King James IV of Scotland. He was known in the early eighteenth century for his Eneados, a Scots translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, which was published in an influential edition by Ramsay’s own publisher, Thomas Ruddiman, in 1710. 18. ‘Buchanan’: Easy Club pseudonym of John Fergus, the member who transcribed Ramsay’s poems for the Easy Club (see ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ and ‘On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself’). Fergus took his name from George Buchanan (1506-82), Scottish poet, historian and Latin scholar. 20. ‘Hector Boece’: unidentified, but the Journal of the Easy Club states that he was elected on 12 January 1715. Hector Boece, or Boethius (c.1465-1536): historian and first principal of King’s College, Aberdeen. 45-46. As noted above, Ramsay was proclaimed a gentleman by the Easy Club after three years, or the ‘Triennial Tryal’ in which he could ‘give no Offence’. On Wit Text: Poems (1721). MS: EUL (Laing.II.212). Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. It is a companion to ‘The Gentleman’s Qualifications’ and dates to Ramsay’s period of membership of the Easy Club. There is some debate in existing scholarship as to whether the Laing MS is in Ramsay’s hand. The STS editors state without question that the MS is a ‘holograph’ (VI, p.48); however, IELM records it as ‘possibly in the hand of Allan Ramsay the Younger’ (p.223). MS comparisons show that the fair copy of ‘On Wit’ is likely to be in an early hand of Ramsay Senior and was probably prepared by the poet for his fellow Easy Club members. The MS is dated ‘June 29 | Anno 4th’, to which another hand has added in pencil ‘i.e. 1715’: the Easy Club had been founded in 1712, and 1715 was its fourth year. As the STS editors note, the club ‘had celebrated the end of its third year of existence in May, 1715’ (VI, p.48); the MS is therefore dated to 29 June 1715. 524

Notes to Poems 1721 Title: ‘On Witt By Gawin Douglas p L E C’ (1715) [not ‘On WIT.’] 1. ‘My Easy freinds since ye think fitt’ (MS) [not ‘My easy Friends, since ye think fit’] 2. ‘this night to Lucabrat on wit’ (MS) [not ‘This Night to lucubrate on Wit;’] 3. ‘ane being ye Judge’ (MS) [not ‘And since ye judge’] 4. ‘thoughts’ (MS) [not ‘Thoughts’]; ‘verse’ (MS) [not ‘Rhime’]; ‘prose’ (MS) [not ‘Prose,’] 5. ‘I’le’ (MS) [not ‘I’ll’]; ‘Judgement’ (MS) [not ‘Judgment’] 6. ‘and here it is’ (MS) [not ‘And here it comes’] 7. ‘all’ (MS) [not ‘a’’]; ‘I’le’ (MS) [not ‘I’ll’] 8. ‘Which’ (MS) [not ‘That’]; ‘case’ (MS) [not ‘Case’]; ‘paralell’ (MS) [not ‘paralel’] 9. ‘Ther’ (MS) [not ‘There’]; ‘lad’ (MS) [not ‘Lad’] 10. ‘Who could not for his verey life’ (MS) [not ‘Wha cou’d na for his very Life’] 12. ‘sang’ (MS) [not ‘sang.’] 13. ‘his father’s kiln he anes saw Burning–’ (MS) [not ‘His Father’s Kiln he anes saw burning,’] 14. ‘which made the lad run Breathles murning’ (MS) [not ‘Which gart the Lad run Breathless mourning;’] 15. ‘home ward with clever strides he lap’ (MS) [not ‘Hameward with cliver Strides he lap,’] 16. ‘to tell his dady his mishap’ (MS) [not ‘To tell his Dady his Mishap.’] 17. ‘In hast before’ (MS); [not ‘At Distance e’er’]; ‘door’ (MS) [not ‘Door,’] 18. ‘he’ (MS) [not ‘He’]; ‘gave’ (MS) [not ‘rais’d’]; ‘roar’ (MS) [not ‘Roar.’] 19. ‘who when his father hear’d his voice’ (MS) [not ‘His father when he heard his Voice,’] 20. ‘why all this noise.’ (MS) [not ‘Why a’ this Noise?’] 21. ‘the calland Gape’d and Glowr’d about’ (MS) [not ‘The Calland gap’d and glowr’d about,’] 22. ‘but not one word could he lugg out’ (MS) [not ‘But no ae Word could he lug out:’] 23. ‘his Dad cry’d, knowing his defect’ (MS) [not ‘His Dad cry’d, kening his Defect,’] 24. ‘sing sing or I shall break ye’r neck’ (MS) [not ‘Sing, sing, or I shall break your Neck.’] 25. ‘then soon he Gratified his sire’ (MS) [not ‘Then soon he gratifi’d his Sire,’] 26. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘And’]; ‘aloud’ (MS) [not ‘aloud,’]; ‘ye’r’ (MS) [not ‘Your’]; ‘fire’ (MS) [not ‘Fire.’] 27. ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘witt’ (MS) [not ‘Wit’]; ‘that’ (MS) [not ‘that,’] 28. ‘to tell a tale so verey patt’ (MS) [not ‘To tell a Tale sae very pat.’ 29. ‘yea witt apears in many a shape’ (MS) [not ‘Bright Wit appears in mony a Shape,’] 30. ‘which some Invent and others ape’ (MS) [not ‘Which some invent and others ape.’] 31. ‘some show their witt in wearing cloaths’ (MS) [not ‘Some shaw their Wit in wearing Claiths,’] 32. ‘and some in coining of new oaths’ (MS) [not ‘And some in coining of new Aiths;’] 525

Poems 33. ‘ther’s cramby witt in making Rhime’ (MS) [not ‘There’s crambo Wit in making Rhime,’] 34. ‘and dancing witt in beating time’ (MS) [not ‘And dancing Wit in beating Time :’] 35. ‘Then ther is witt in story telling’ (MS) [not ‘There’s metl’d Wit in Storytelling,’] 36. ‘in writing Gramer and right spelling’ (MS) [not ‘In writing Grammar, and right spelling :’] 37. ‘witt shines in knowledge of politicks’ (MS) [not ‘Wit shines in Knowledge of Politicks,’] 38. ‘in Reotrick logick analiticks’ (MS) [not ‘And wow ! what Wit’s amang the Criticks.’] After l.38, the MS has an additional stanza: then ther is wit in courting fair ones But ther is none in Piking Bare bones whick makes me judge but more narating that Great wit’s in substantial eating if yow do add to fill up vacum a sprightly Glass of Tifitakum 39. ‘Now cease my muse & no more trifling play’ (MS) [not ‘So far my Mates excuse me while I play’] 40. ‘with that which bright virtue yt clear hevanly Ray’ (MS) [not ‘In Strains ironick with that heavenly Ray,’] 41. ‘which does the humane Intelect Refine’ (MS) [not ‘Rays which the humane Intelects refine,’] 42. ‘and makes the man with Brilant luster shine’ (MS) [not ‘And makes the Man with brilliant Lustre shine,’] 43. ‘and showes him sprung from origine divine.’ (MS) [not ‘Marking him sprung from Origine divine.’] 44. ‘yet may a well rigg’d ship be full of flaws’ (MS) [not ‘Yet may a well rig’d Ship be full of Flaws,’] 45. ‘so may a Loose witt Regard no sacred laws’ (MS) [not ‘So may loose Wits regard no sacred Laws:’] 46. ‘that ship the waves will soon to peices shake’ (MS) [not ‘That Ship the Waves will soon to Pieces shake,’] 47. ‘so midst his passions sinks the witty Rake’ (MS) [not ‘So ’midst his Vices sinks the witty Rake.’] 48. ‘But when on first rate vertues wit attends’ (MS) [not ‘But when on Firstrate-virtues Wit attends,’] 49. ‘It more itself and vertues Recomends’ (MS) [not ‘It both itself and Virtue recommends,’] 50. ‘And challenges respect where e’re its blaze extends’ (MS) [not ‘And challenges Respect where e’er its Blaze extends.’] On Friendship Text: Poems (1721). No MS. 526

Notes to Poems 1721 Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. 2. ‘Mammon’: inordinate desire for wealth or possessions, personified as a devil or demonic agent. Keitha: A Pastoral, Lamenting the Death of the Right Honourable Mary Countess of Wigtoun Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: ‘Keitha’: Mary Keith (c.1695-1721), second wife of John Fleming, sixth Earl of Wigtown (1673-1743/4) and daughter of William Keith, eighth Earl Marischal (c.1664-1729) and Lady Mary Drummond (1690-1729). Both the Fleming and Keith families were known Jacobites: William Keith was a Privy Councillor in 1701; as a Tory he opposed 1707’s Union of Parliaments and was made a Knight of the Thistle by the titular King James III in 1705. Keith was a Representative Scottish Peer from 1710 to 1712. ‘Keitha’s’ husband, John Fleming, was a Commissioner of Supply in 1695, 1696 and 1707. Like his father-in-law, Fleming was opposed to the 1707 Union and voted against all articles. Although he was a Jacobite, he was not involved in the 1715 Uprising, being imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle from 1715 to 1716 on suspicion of treason. Fleming was Chamberlain of Fife and Strathearn (1735-43/4) and Burgess of Edinburgh (1739-40). Mary Keith is also mentioned in Ramsay’s ‘Tartana’ (l.187). 30. ‘Flora’: Roman goddess of flowers; in poetry, the personification of nature’s power in producing flowers. 67. ‘Clementina’: Lady Clementina Fleming (1719-99), daughter of Keith and Fleming and heiress of Cumbernauld and Biggar, who would marry Charles Elphinstone, tenth Lord Elphinstone in 1735. At the time of Mary Keith’s death, Clementina was around two years old. To the Right Honourable, The Town-Council of Edinburgh, The Address of Allan Ramsay Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. It concerns Ramsay’s mid-1719 complaint to Edinburgh Town Council against printers who were producing and selling pirated copies of his poems. In response to Ramsay’s complaint, Town Council minutes state: 26 August, 1719. The Same Day, the Councill Upon ane Address from Allan Ramsay Representing that he was prejudged by some Printers Ballad Cryers and others by Printing and Causing to be Printed Poems of his Composure without his notice or allowance upon False and Uncorrect Coppies, As also that the Ballad Cryers refuse to Vend and Publish his papers unless he gives them at Rates below what really they can be printed for They Doe Therefore Discharge all Printers or Paper Cryers within this Citie or Suburbs to Print or Vend any Poems 527

Poems or Papers of his Composure without his License. And Ordains the said Paper Cryers to publish and Vend the said Allan Ramsay’s Papers he allowing them one third of the Selling Price as their Profite Under the penaltie of twenty pounds Scots money and Confiscation of the Paper so vended and Printed, Besides forfeiture of the Paper Cryers their Priviledge of Publishing or Vending papers anent all which shall be a warrant Ext. (Town Council Records, Edinburgh City Archives, SL1/1/47, 26 August 1719) On the evidence of ‘To… The Town-Council’, Ramsay’s editors have argued that his complaint regarded only his ‘Richy and Sandy’, which was written on the death of Joseph Addison and first published in Edinburgh, probably in 1719. Although the STS editors state that ‘[n]o trace has been found of either a pirated edition by Lucky Reid or of a London copy of it’ (VI, p.38), three unauthorised English editions have been found, including two by Bernard Lintot; as Ramsay states, Lintot’s text was based on an ‘uncorrect’ copy from Edinburgh. Lintot’s editions of the poem were published in Eloisa to Abelard. Written by Mr. Pope (1720) and Richy and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq. By Allan Ramsey (1720). Lintot’s editions probably provided the text for another unauthorised English edition printed by John Collyer in Nottingham, probably also in 1720 (see also notes to ‘Richy and Sandy’). Having said this, and with the evidence of the Town Council’s minutes, it is highly likely that Ramsay’s complaint went further than simply the unauthorised reproduction of his ‘Richy and Sandy’: in its mention of multiple ‘Ballad Cryers’ and ‘Poems of his Composure’, the complaint clearly refers to a number of pirated copies and unauthorised editions, including and in addition to ‘Richy and Sandy’; it is also possible that Ramsay’s complaint referred to the ‘gather-up’ edition of c.1720. Given that Ramsay was, in 1719, preparing to print a subscribers’ edition of his work, the eventual Poems (1721), it is unlikely that he would have authorised a rival edition, let alone one as variable as the ‘gather-up’ edition. 4. ‘Lucky Reid’: Margaret Reid, Edinburgh printer. According to the Scottish Book Trade Index, ‘On the death of her father, she seems to have taken over her father’s types and the printing-office of Andrew Symson who died about the same time. Until at least 1720 she produced from that address a stream of last dying speeches, ballads, chapbooks, etc. most of which have the address but neither name nor date.’ She operated from ‘Cowgate at the foot of the Horsewynd’ and was active from 1712 to 1730. As Ramsay states, Reid printed Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’ without authorisation. 6. ‘Sweet Edie’s Funeral-Sang’: Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’, written on the death of Addison. 18. ‘Lintot’: London printer and bookseller Bernard Lintot (1675-1736), who published two editions of Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’ without permission. Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot, gain’d by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig, Bart Text: Poems (1721). No MS. 528

Notes to Poems 1721 Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: James Cunynghame, second Baronet of Milncraig (c.1685-1747), Member of Parliament for Linlithgowshire from 1715 to 1722; ‘Gold Tea-pot’: the prize for the winner of the annual Leith Races, a horse race run on the sands near Edinburgh. A later version of the gold teapot, made by James Ker in 1738, is now held by the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Cunynghame’s horses were regular winners at Leith Races; see also ‘Leith Races’ (1736). 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 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: ‘Punch Bowl and Ladle’: one of three prizes given out to the winners of the annual Leith Races (see also ‘Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot’); ‘Train’d Bands’: according to Robert Chambers, the ‘silver punch-bowl and ladle, of £25 value, [was] given by the captains of the Trained bands of Edinburgh’ (Domestic Annals of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1861), p.454). In Hugo Arnot’s account, the trained bands were military corps ‘established A.D. 1626. At that time the town-council, upon a narrative of the foreign wars then subsisting… resolved, that the citizens should be mustered and divided into eight companies of 200 men each.’ (History of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, 1779), p.504). By the time Arnot was writing in the late 1770s, the trained bands had only a symbolic function and did not bear arms. The STS editors state that, ‘In 1716, Ramsay became a constable, and in 1718 a lieutenant, in the Train Bands of Edinburgh’ (VI, p.50). No evidence of Ramsay’s membership of the Trained Bands has been found: his name does not appear in the list of members in William Skinner’s The Society of the Trained Bands Edinburgh minute book (1889), but an ‘Allan Ramsay, stationer’ was, according to a nineteenth-century source, elected a High Constable of Edinburgh on 9 March 1737, ‘and on 11 March 1736, he was elected one of the annual committee… under the designation of “merchant”’ (James Marwick, Sketch of the History of the High Constables of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, 1865), p.165). ‘Charles Crockat’: recorded in the Scots Magazine’s list of ‘Preferments, Mortality-bill, Prices, &c’ for February 1744 as ‘Charles Crockat of Beanston, Esq; sometime one of the Bailies of Edinburgh’ (p.99). Beanston is at Haddington, twenty miles outside Edinburgh. Crockat became a member of the Trained Bands on 28 May 1718, where he was elected Commandant on 11 October 1723, first Baillie in 1721, Old Provost in 1732 and Old Baillie in 1735 (Skinner, p.129). 1. ‘Nants’: brandy produced in the Nantes region of France. To the Whin-Bush Club, The Bill of Allan Ramsay Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. 529

Poems A contemporary transcription in another hand is found in a copy of Ramsay’s The Battel (1716); two transcriptions by Allan Ramsay Junior are at EUL (Laing.II.212, f.41 and f.42). Title: aside from Ramsay’s footnote, not much is known about the Lanarkshire-based Whin-Bush Club and, according to Elaine C. Breslaw, Ramsay’s poem constitutes the earliest known reference to it (see Breslaw, ‘An Affirmation of Scottish Nationalism: The Eighteenth-Century Easy Club’ in CLA Journal, 33:3 (March 1990), pp.308-29; p.312). 1. ‘Crawfordmoor’: older, alternative name for Leadhills, village in the Lowther Hills, Lanarkshire, where Ramsay was born. Leadhills was discovered in the sixteenth century to be rich in gold and lead; Ramsay’s father, Robert, was an overseer of the mines, which were then in the hands of Sir James Hope, Lord Hopetoun (1614-61). 2. ‘Glengoner’: the source of Glengonnar Water, a tributary of the Clyde, is at Leadhills. 4. ‘Crawfurd-Lindsay’: alternative name for the area; also refers to Crawford Castle, which sits near Crawford, South Lanarkshire, on the banks of the Clyde. 5. ‘Deneetne’: probably Duneaton Water, which passes the village of Crawfordjohn in Lanarkshire and flows into the River Clyde at Abington. 6. ‘Glotta’: Glotta, or the Clyde, a 1721 poem by Ramsay’s friend James Arbuckle (1700-42?) and alternative name for the Clyde; see also ‘An Epistle to Mr James Arbuckle of Belfast, AM’. 16. ‘Avisandum’: in Scots law, to take a case for private consideration by a judge outside the court. 26. ‘Helicon’: mountain in Boeotia sacred to the muses and used in reference to poetic inspiration. 28. ‘Cynthius’: in Greek mythology, Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis on Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos; their appellations were Cynthius and Cynthia. ‘Apollo’: god of poetry, truth and prophecy, the Sun and light. An Epistle to Mr. James Arbuckle of Belfast, A.M. Edinburgh, January 1719 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: Arbuckle provided a poem in praise of Ramsay printed in the opening pages of Poems (1721); see ‘To Mr. Allan Ramsay on the Publication of his Poems’ for details of Arbuckle’s biography and relationship with Ramsay. 1. ‘Errant Knight’: knight of medieval romance, such as Cervantes’s Don Quixote, who wandered in search of opportunities for deeds of bravery or chivalry. 7. ‘Quaker’: member of the Religious Society of Friends, a religious movement founded by Christian preacher George Fox in 1648-50, distinguished by its emphasis on the personal and direct relationship of the individual with the divine; it was originally a derogatory term. 9. ‘Light’: Quakers believed that individuals can access the light of God within 530

Notes to Poems 1721 themselves; Quakerism’s founder Fox preached reliance on ‘inward light’. 11. ‘Jacob Behmen’: Jakob Böhme (1575-1624), German Lutheran theologian. His Die Morgenroete im Aufgang (1600), often known as Aurora and which circulated in MS, was considered to be heretical. Böhme’s other works include The Great Mystery and On the Election of Grace (both 1623); his thinking was influential on German Romanticism and idealism. 56. ‘auld Nicol’: variation of ‘auld Nick’, Scots for the devil. 73. ‘Morocco’: a type of fine, flexible leather used in bookbinding. 99. ‘Purgatory’: in Roman Catholic doctrine, a place where the souls of those who die in a state of grace undergo punishment due to forgiven sins and expiate their unforgiven venial sins. 100. ‘Transub’: transubstantiation, the conversion in the Eucharist of bread into the body and wine into the blood of Christ in Roman Catholic doctrine; ‘Loretta-house’: Santa Casa di Loreto, a place of Catholic pilgrimage in Loreto, Italy. Late medieval Christian tradition suggested that this was the house in which Mary was born, received the Annunciation, conceived Jesus and lived during his childhood. Its sixteenth-century inscription reads as follows: It is here that most holy Mary, Mother of God, was born; here that she was saluted by the Angel, here that the eternal Word of God was made Flesh. Angels conveyed this House from Palestine to the town Tersato in Illyria in the year of salvation 1291 in the pontificate of Nicholas IV. Three years later, in the beginning of the pontificate of Boniface VIII, it was carried again by the ministry of angels and placed in a wood… in the vicinity of Recanati, in the March of Ancona; where it having changed its station thrice in the course of a year, at length, by the will of God, it took up its permanent position on this spot three hundred years ago. 102. ‘Asgilite’: John Asgill (bap.1659-1738), author and Member of the English Parliament. The text which made Asgill infamous and to which Ramsay refers in his footnote is An Argument Proving, that… Man may be Translated (1700), where he argues that those who believe in translation need not die but may go directly to heaven. His argument was regularly satirised, and Daniel Defoe demonstrated his opposition to Asgill’s thesis in An Enquiry into the Case of Mr Asgill’s General Translation (1704). Asgill had a connection to Ireland, having stood as Member of Parliament for Enniscorthy. He was expelled from the Irish House of Commons in 1703, and from the British House of Commons for blasphemy in 1707. ‘Bess Clarkson’: subject of her pastor William Livingston’s The Conflict in Conscience of a Dear Christian: Named Bessie Clarksone in the Parish of Lanerk, which Shee Lay Under Three Yeare & Anhalf (1631). The Paisley Magazine for 1 March 1828 gives details of Clarkson from a MS biography of Livingstone by Wodrow: In a little time, about October 1662, a godly and serious woman, in Mr. Livingstone’s parish of Lanerk, fell under great and sore distress of the soul, after some rouzing and awakening sermon’s of Mr. Livingstone’s, by Satan’s fearful tentations, to being her to raze all foundation… Mr. Livingstone was very happy in dealing with 531

Poems troubled souls in the depths; and his dealing with this good woman, in this condition, is a good proof of this. (p.156) Clarkson’s story was popular in the late seventeenth century, being reprinted four times between 1664 and 1698. See also the entry for Clarkson in Ewan, Innes and Reynolds (eds), The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women (Edinburgh, 2006, p.79). 103. ‘Mountaineer’: alternative name for a Cameronian, a follower of the religious beliefs of Richard Cameron, Presbyterian and Covenanter, who renounced allegiance to Charles II in the Sanquhar Declaration (1680). ‘Muggletonian’: member of an anti-trinitarian sect founded in the mid-seventeenth century by Lodowicke Muggleton (1690-98) and John Reeve (160858), who regarded themselves as being the prophetic witnesses referred to in Revelation 11:3-6: ‘And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.’ Ramsay’s footnote refers to Charles Leslie’s (1650-1722) The Snake in the Grass: or, Satan Transform’d into an Angel of Light (1696), which purported to discover ‘the deep and unsuspected subtilty which is couched under the pretended simplicity of many of the principal leaders of those people call’d Quakers’. 106. ‘Tolland’: John Toland (1670-1722), Irish philosopher and author of numerous works on the philosophy of religion, including Christianity Not Mysterious (1696); ‘Blunt’: Charles Blount (1654-93), English Deist philosopher and author of Anima Mundi (1679) and Miracles, No Violations of the Laws of Nature (1683); ‘Whiston’: William Whiston (1667-1752), English historian, theologian and author of A New Theory of the Earth from its Original to the Consummation of All Things (1696). 117-19. ‘theek’: to thatch; ‘pash’: the head – referring to Ramsay’s dual trades of wig-making and bookselling. To the Right Honourable, William Earl of Dalhousie Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: William Ramsay (1660-1739), sixth Earl of Dalhousie and Chief of Clan Ramsay; he was father of George Ramsay, Lord Ramsay, the dedicatee of ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’. Epigraph: from Horace’s Ode I.1, to Maecenas. The original line, ‘Maecenas atavis edite regibus, o et praesidium et dulce decus meum’ translates as ‘Maecenas, descended from ancestral kings, o both my protection and sweet glory’. Gaius Cilnius Maecenas (c.70-8 BC): political advisor to Octavian and a patron of Horace and Virgil. 532

Notes to Poems 1721 23. ‘Lothian’: Scottish region incorporating Edinburgh and the neighbouring coast, including Haddington and Musselburgh. Dalhousie Castle, ancestral home of the Earldom, is located near Bonnyrigg in Midlothian. 65-68. These lines parallel the closing lines of Horace’s Ode I.1: ‘And if you enter me among all the lyric poets,/my head too will be raised to touch the stars.’ Horace to Virgil, on his taking a Voyage to Athens Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. It is a loose Scots translation of Horace’s Ode I.3, on Virgil’s journey to Greece. Epigraph: the first line of Horace’s Ode I.3, which translates as ‘May the goddess, queen of Cyprus, –’. 1. ‘Cyprian Goddess’: Aphrodite, Grecian Venus and goddess of love. 2. ‘Helen’: Helen of Troy, thought to be the most beautiful woman in the world; ‘Helen’s Brithers’: Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri. They were associated with horsemanship and were transformed into the constellation of Gemini. 5. ‘Eol’: Aeolus, ruler of the winds in Greek mythology. 18. ‘Adriatick’: Adriatic Sea, between the Italian and Balkan peninsulas. 31. ‘Prometheus’: stole fire from the classical gods and gave it to humanity; his name means ‘he who thinks in advance’. 37. ‘Dedalus’: Daedalus, ‘the cunning one’, built the Grecian labyrinth and constructed wings for himself and his son, Icarus. 41. ‘Hercules’: hero of classical mythology posthumously ranked among the gods. He is known for his phenomenal strength, having performed twelve ‘labours’ as commanded by Hera; ‘Timber Mell’, or Hercules’s club, commonly alluded to in literature. 44. ‘bell the Cat’: reference to a medieval fable mistakenly attributed to Aesop, which tells of a group of mice who, in an attempt to invalidate a cat’s threat, suggest tying a bell to its neck to warn them of its proximity. While all the mice support the plan, none is brave enough to execute it. Used idiomatically, ‘belling the cat’ refers to an attempt at an impossible task which nevertheless serves the common good. Archibald Douglas, fifth Earl of Angus (c.1449-1513) was nicknamed ‘Bell-the-Cat’, thanks to later accounts of his role in efforts to displace the favourites of James III. An Ode to Mr F— Text: Poems (1721). MS: NLS (MS 2233, f.38), consisting of ll.31-40. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The STS editors treat the NLS MS fragment as a separate poem, printing it in their Vol. III, which consists of unpublished works (III, p.340) and entitling it ‘[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode IV, lines 15-20]’. They also misplace the fragment, stating erroneously that it is found in the British Library’s Egerton 2023, f.27v. We concur 533

Poems with the IELM that the NLS MS is a draft of this poem, rather than a separate piece. The ode is a loose Scots translation of Horace’s Odes, I, 4. Title: John Forbes of Newhall (1683-1735), early patron of Ramsay also alluded to in ‘The Morning Interview’. Forbes’s mother was Catherine Clerk, sister of Sir John Clerk, first Baronet of Penicuik, whose son John was also a patron of Ramsay. His cousin, Duncan Forbes of Culloden, also forms part of Ramsay’s network. Newhall House is between Carlops and Penicuik, around fifteen miles outside Edinburgh. Forbes’s estate is said to be the setting of Ramsay’s Gentle Shepherd, and William Tytler of Woodhouselee (1711-92) describes Ramsay’s visits to Newhall in Alexander Campbell’s History of Poetry in Scotland (1798): While I passed my infancy at Newhall, near Pentland Hills, where the scenes of this pastoral poem are laid, the seat of Mr. Forbes, and the resort of many of the literati at that time, I well remember to have heard Ramsay recite, as his own production, different scenes of the Gentle Shepherd, particularly the two first, before it was printed. I believe my honourable friend Sir James Clerk of Pennycuik, where Ramsay frequently resided, and who I know is possessed of several original poems composed by him, can give the same testimony. (p.187) The estate retains many features associated with Ramsay: two carved stone plaques in Newhall Glen, known as the ‘Lonely Bield Plaques’, allude to scenes from GS; the Glen features landmarks including ‘Peggy’s Pool’, ‘Sandy’s Cave’, the ‘Washing Green’, ‘Craggy Bield’, ‘Glaud’s Yard’, the ‘Lonely Bield’ and ‘Mary’s Bower’; a sundial was erected in memory of Ramsay in 1810. Epigraph: opening line of Horace’s Ode I, 4, ‘Solvitur acris hiems grata vice veris et Favoni’; ‘Sharp winter loosened by the welcoming turn of spring’. 13. ‘Paphian Queen’: Aphrodite or Venus, goddess of love in classical mythology; ‘Paphos’: city in southwestern Cyprus, her birthplace. 17. ‘Vulcan’: Roman god of fire. 31. ‘Imaidiatly we’ll a’ (MS) [not ‘Immediately we’ll a’’] 32. ‘into the darker shades of night’ (MS) [not ‘Unto the mirk Realms of Night’] 33. ‘as storys gang wi Ghaists’ (MS) [not ‘As stories gang, with Gaists’] 34. ‘in Gloomin pluto’s empty ^gowsty^ Dome’ (MS) [not ‘In gloumie Pluto’s gousty Dome’] ‘Pluto’: classical god of the underworld and the dead. 35. ‘good day to pleasures syn’ (MS) [not ‘Good-day to Pleasure syne’] 36. ‘Red wine’ (MS) [not ‘red Wine’] 38. ‘dare’ (MS) [not ‘Dares’] 40. ‘enjoy’t A’-ye’v’ (MS) [not ‘Enjoy it a’, ye’ve’] To the Ph— an Ode Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Ramsay’s index identifies it as a song, set to ‘Rub her o’er wi’ Strae’. This tune, which Ramsay reused 534

Notes to Poems 1721 for GS, is in a number of MS sources in the early eighteenth century, including Elizabeth Crockat’s MS (1709, f.43v) and John Gairdyn’s music MS (1710, f.4.r). It is also found in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius I (1725, p.27; p.55) and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26, pp.148-49). The text is a loose translation into Scots of Horace’s Odes I, 9. Title: ‘the Ph—’: probably the Phiz Club, Edinburgh convivial club of which Ramsay’s associates Sir John Clerk of Penicuik and Duncan Forbes of Culloden were members. Epigraph: first line of Horace’s Odes, I.9, translated as ‘See how Soracte stands glistening with snowfall’. ‘Soracte’: Monte Soratte, mountain ridge in Rome, Italy. According to Virgil, Apollo is Soracte’s guardian god. 1. ‘Pentland’: the Pentland Hills form a range to the southwest of Edinburgh, which runs towards Biggar. 8. ‘Tamson’s Green’: according to Chambers’s Traditions of Edinburgh (1847), a bowling green was at the rear of Edinburgh’s excise office, ‘which the Commissioners of Excise let on lease to a person of the name of Thomson’ (p.238); this area became known as ‘Thomson’s Green’. 52. ‘Nineteen Nay-says are haff a Grant’: featured in James Kelly’s A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs (1721), where it is explained as being ‘Spoken to encourage those who have had a Denial from their Mistress to attack them again’ (p.268); also features in Ramsay’s own A Collection of Scots Proverbs (1737, p.51). To Mr. William Aikman Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: William Aikman of Cairnie (1682-1731), Scottish portrait painter. In the early eighteenth century, he travelled through Italy, Turkey and Greece, and returned to Scotland in 1711. On Aikman’s permanent move to London in 1722, Ramsay wrote ‘Betty and Kate; A Pastoral Farewell to Mr. Aikman, when he went for London’, published in Poems (1728). Aikman had connections to Ramsay’s patrons, the Clerks: his mother was Margaret Clerk (d. after 1729), daughter of John Clerk of Penicuik. According to the STS editors, Aikman was also related to Ramsay’s patron, Forbes of Newhall (VI, p.209). At his early death of tuberculosis, elegies were written for Aikman by significant contemporary poets, including Tobias Smollett, James Thomson and David Malloch (Mallet). 25. ‘lofty Pope’: English poet Alexander Pope, with whom Aikman would become acquainted when in London. Spoken to three young Ladies, who would have me to determine which of them was the bonniest Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The poem is mentioned in 535

Poems Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona (1893): “here are my three braw dauchters. A fair question to ye, Mr. Davie: which of the three is the best favoured? And I wager he will never have the impudence to propound honest Alan Ramsay’s answer!” (p.63) 9-12. The Judgement of Paris of classical mythology, in which Paris is asked by Zeus to judge which of the three goddesses, Hera, Athena or Aphrodite, would receive the golden apple for being the most beautiful. Paris asked the goddesses to remove their clothing so that he could judge their bodies, while each offered a bribe for the title. After her promise to deliver him Helen of Sparta, the world’s most beautiful woman, Paris awarded the apple to Aphrodite, thus setting in motion events that would lead to the Trojan War. To Sir William Bennet Of Grubbet, Bart Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: William Bennet, second Baronet of Grubbet (c.1666-1729) early patron of Ramsay and his fellow Scottish poet, James Thomson; Whig Member of the Scottish Parliament prior to the Union and remained as a representative for Scotland after 1707. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the new British Parliament and the Hanoverian succession. See Melanie Buntin, ‘The Mutual Gaze: The Location(s) of Allan Ramsay and James Thomson within an Emerging Eighteenth-Century British Literature’ (University of Glasgow PhD Thesis, 2015) and Hayton, Cruikshanks and Handley (eds), The History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1690-1715 (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2002). 13. ‘Marlefield’: Marlefield House, near Morebattle in Roxburghshire, built for Bennet in the reign of Queen Anne (1665-1714). As Ramsay states, Bennet’s estate was known for its garden and landscaping. 37. ‘Moll’s Maps’: Herman Moll (1654?-1732), eighteenth-century cartographer whose The World describ’d; or, a new and correct set of maps (1708-30) was the most important folio atlas of the period. Moll also had literary connections: he designed the map for the 1719 edition of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and his maps feature in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1726). 45. ‘in Service’: before entering politics, Bennet was an army captain who served at home and abroad. He accompanied William III when he arrived in Scotland from Holland in 1688, and his military career lasted until 1698. 46. ‘Castalia’: spring on Mount Parnassus sacred to the Muses; a source of poetic inspiration. An Epistle to a Friend at Florence, in his Way to Rome Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The ‘contents’ page of the NLS’s Glen 106 ‘gather-up’ edition refers to the poem as ‘To Mr. Smibert’. 536

Notes to Poems 1721 Despite the instability of that edition, it is highly likely that the poem is addressed to John Smibert (1688-1751), an Edinburgh portrait painter who went to Italy in 1719, remaining there for three years. The engraved portrait of Ramsay after Smibert by George Vertue features on the title page of Poems (1721). Smibert ran a London painting studio in the 1720s. In 1728, he accompanied George Berkeley (1685-1753), later Bishop of Cloyne, on his unsuccessful mission to establish a college in Bermuda. Thereafter, Smibert settled in Boston, where he remained until his death; Ramsay wrote to him there (10 May 1736, STS IV, p.205). According to Chalmers, Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay the painter, ‘was a scholar of Smibert’s’ (III, p.60). 6. ‘Galery of th’ illustrious Duke’: probably the art collection at the Palazzo Medici, owned by the House of Medici in Florence. 9. ‘Augustan Age’: the reign of Roman emperor Augustus (27BC-AD14). 14. ‘Cosmus’: probably Cosimo di Giovanni de’ Medici (1389-1464), Italian banker, politician and patron of the arts who governed Florence during the Italian Renaissance. 15. ‘Hesperian’: poetic term for land to the west, where the sun sets; the term was applied by the Greeks to Italy. In Greek mythology, the Hesperides were nymphs who guarded the Isles of the Blest Garden in which grew golden apples, at the earth’s western extremity. 16. ‘Arnus’: Arno, major river in Tuscany, Italy, which flows through Florence; ‘Tiber’: runs through Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. Both rivers enter the Tyrrhenian Sea. 30. ‘Raphael’: Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483-1520), also known as Raphael, renowned Italian Renaissance painter and architect. Renaissance commentator Giorgio Vasari (1511-74) divided Raphael’s career into three stages: the first in Umbria, the second in Florence, and the third in Rome. 34. ‘Eunoch’: a castrato, male singer castrated before puberty to retain a soprano or alto voice. Although the castrati had a long history, reportedly going back to the Byzantine Empire, they were in vogue in the 1720s and 1730s. The beautiful Rose Tree enclosed Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. To R— H— B—, an Ode Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The poem is a loose Scots translation of Horace’s Ode I.18, on wine. ‘R—H—B—’: unidentified. The STS editors venture that the poem’s title could refer to ‘Sir John Clerk, who, as a Baron of the Exchequer, was frequently addressed by Ramsay in his letters as “Right Honourable Baron”’ (VI, p.52). By this logic, ‘R—H—B—’ could refer to a number of the subscribers to Ramsay’s Poems (1721). In any case, the recipient was a landowner with whom Ramsay enjoyed an affectionate friendship. 537

Poems Epigraph: from the opening lines of Horace’s Ode I.18, ‘Cultivate no plant, my Varus, before the rows of sacred vines,/set in Tibur’s gentle soil, and by the walls Catilus founded’; ‘Varus’: Quintilius Varus, Horace’s critic and friend; ‘Catili’: Gaius Valerius Catullus (c.84-c.54BC), poet of the Roman Republic; he owned a villa in Tibur, also known as Tivoli, a town in Lazio, central Italy. 2. ‘Gaul’: poetic term for France. 15. ‘ramn’d we red’: the STS editors find this term ‘puzzling’ (VI, p.52); however, it probably refers to being stuffed or crammed with food or, in this case, drink. Clyde’s Welcome to his Prince Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Ramsay’s recipient is likely to be James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton and second Duke of Brandon (1703-43), who was styled Marquess of Clydesdale between 1703 and 1712. He graduated from Christ Church College, Oxford University, in 1719, before becoming Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers in 1724 and a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1726. Ramsay’s poem may commemorate his return to Scotland after his studies in England. According to the first Earl of Egmont’s diary for 1734, Hamilton’s political loyalties were increasingly irregular: The Duke of Hamilton has embarked with the Jacobite party, but having secretly offered to be with the Court if the King will make him a hereditary English Peer, the Jacobites, who have learned this, have renounced him, as a man unsettled, but all for his own interests. The King recalled him from Rome, where he was too busy with the Pretender’s party… yet at his return the King made him Lord of the Bedchamber, which place he slighted, though kept open a year for him. (Manuscripts of the Earl of Egmont, Vol. II, 1734-1738 (London, 1923), p.7) Hamilton developed the family estate at Chatelherault, Lanarkshire; the house was designed by William Adam (1689-1748), the leading Scottish architect of the period, and completed in 1734. The estate sits to the south of Hamilton, on the eastern banks of the River Clyde. 7. ‘Dodona’: Hellenic oracle, situated in Epirus, Greece. Homer describes Dodona as an oracle of Zeus, while Aristotle considered it to be the place of origin of the Hellenes. 11. ‘Naid’: water nymph of classical mythology. 17. ‘Glotta’: alternative name for the River Clyde, used in the title of a poem by Ramsay’s friend, James Arbuckle: Glotta, or the Clyde (1721). 40. ‘Annan’: Scottish river whose source is at Annanhead Hill, around six miles from the source of the Clyde; it flows through Moffat and Lockerbie in southwestern Scotland before reaching the sea at Annan, Dumfries and Galloway; ‘Tweed’: source close to those of Annan and Clyde, in the Lowther Hills; runs through Kelso into Northumberland and reaches the sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed. 538

Notes to Poems 1721 41. ‘Culdee’: member of an ancient Scoto-Irish religious order. The name appears to have been first given to solitary recluses; these were afterwards associated into communities of anchorites or hermits, and finally brought under canonical rule with the secular clergy, ‘until at length the name became almost synonymous with that of the secular canon’ (OED). 42. ‘Mungo’: Saint Mungo, sometimes known as Kentigern, founder and patron saint of Glasgow. Ramsay refers to Glasgow’s coat of arms, which features items related to Mungo’s story: the bird, the tree, the bell and the fish. 45. ‘sylvan’: a spirit of the woods in classical mythology; refers to creatures and associations of woodland. 55. Ramsay’s footnote refers to Patrick Gordon’s account of Robert the Bruce. The poet who published The Famous and Valiant Historie of the Renouned and Valiant Prince Robert Surnamed the Bruce (1615) is likely to be Patrick Gordon of Ruthven (fl.1606-49), a historian whose history of Britain’s civil wars was sympathetic to the marquess of Montrose. 66. ‘Thames’: flows through London; Ramsay refers to Hamilton’s education in England, first at Winchester College and then at Oxford University. On the most Honourable The Marquess of Bowmont’s Cutting off his Hair Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: ‘Marquess of Bowmont’: Robert Ker (c.1709-55), son of John Ker, first Duke of Roxburghe (c.1680-1741) and Lady Mary Finch (1677-1718); he would have been around ten years old at the time of Ramsay’s poem. His father was a prominent Scottish Whig politician in the early eighteenth century, and one of the founders of a new Scottish administration of Whigs in opposition known as the ‘new party’ and the ‘squadrone’, serving as secretary from 1704 to 1705. He was a supporter of the Union of 1707 and continued to play a role in the British parliament. Floors Castle, near Kelso in Roxburghshire, was built for him. Robert Ker succeeded his father as second Duke of Roxburghe. A letter of 1722 from Ramsay’s patron, William Bennet of Grubbet, to Robert Ker’s mother reads, ‘I send your ladyship Allan Ramsay’s essay on the cutting of my Lord Bowmont’s hair’ (STS, VI, p.52). 1. ‘Berenice’s Tresses’: Coma Berenices, a constellation in the northern sky. Translated from Latin, its title means ‘Berenice’s Hair’, in reference to Queen Berenice II Euegetis of Egypt, who gave her long hair as an offering in exchange for Ptolemy III’s safe return from the Third Syrian War. In the eighteenth century, the constellation was referred to as ‘Berenice’s Bush’, or ‘Berenice’s periwig’. 3. ‘Bellinda’s Lock’: Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock (1712; 1714; 1717), mock heroic poem on the loss of Belinda’s locks at the hands of one of her suitors, the Baron. Belinda’s shorn hair is also transformed into a constellation. 9. ‘God of Love’: Cupid, Roman god of love and son of Venus. In Greek mythology, Eros is the son of Aphrodite. 539

Poems 10. ‘Cytherean’: pertaining to Venus, Roman goddess of love, and the planet Venus. 21. ‘Adonis’: Venus’s lover in Roman mythology, son of Cinyras slain by a wild boar. 39. ‘Thalia’: the eighth Muse, who presided over comedy and pastoral poetry. There is also an asteroid with the same name, which was discovered in December 1852 by J.R. Hind. To Some Young Ladies Who had been displeas’d at a Gentleman’s too imprudently asserting, That to be condemn’d to perpetual Virginity was the greatest Punishment could be inflicted on any of their Sex Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by himb Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. Title: Joseph Mitchel (c.1684-1738), Edinburgh-born playwright and poet. He was a student at the University of Edinburgh but was barred from entering the ministry because the city’s presbytery ‘refus’d him their Testimony and License because he had read and recommended Dramatick Poetry’ (Mitchell, The Shoe-Heel (1727), p.15n). At the University, he became acquainted with fellow poets David Malloch (Mallet) and James Thomson. In the late 1710s, Mitchel was enjoying literary fame in Scotland, thanks to his Lugubres Cantus (1719), co-authored mainly by himself and John Callender. By 1720, Mitchell had settled in London. The first play known to have had his involvement is 1721’s The Fatal Extravagance, apparently written by Aaron Hill but presented in its first performance at Lincoln’s Inn Fields as Mitchel’s work. Throughout the 1720s and 1730s he continued to publish and seek patronage. His The Highland Fair, or, Union of the Clans (1731) is a ballad opera which probably found inspiration in Ramsay’s GS; the fifty-one airs it includes had already been published by Ramsay. He contributed two songs to Ramsay’s TTM. The STS editors state that the play referred to in Ramsay’s title ‘could have been The Fatal Extravagance’ (VI, p.52), however, the play was not performed at Lincoln’s Inn Fields until April 1721. It is not impossible, given our dating of the publication of Ramsay’s Poems (1721) to late in the year, that Ramsay wrote in response to that performance and included the poem at a late stage in the printing process. The poem may, however, refer to a play written by Mitchel which was performed in Edinburgh before he left for London in 1720. Mitchel is also mentioned in Ramsay’s ‘Wealth, or the Woody’, ‘Prologue Spoke by One of the Young Gentlemen’ and ‘O’er Bogie’. 9. ‘Hesperian’: the west; in ancient Greece, the term pertained to Italy, and in ancient Rome, to Spain. 540

Notes to Poems 1721 29. ‘Congrave’: William Congreve (1670-1729), English playwright and poet, whose first major success on the stage was The Way of the World (1700), performed at Lincoln’s Inn Fields; ‘Adison’: Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English writer and politician, commemorated by Ramsay in ‘Richy and Sandy’; ‘Steel’: Sir Richard Steele (c.1672-1729), Irish writer and politician. Addison and Steele founded the Tatler, while Steele established the Spectator; ‘Rowe’: Nicholas Rowe (1674-1718), English playwright and poet; ‘Hill’: Aaron Hill (1685-1750), English writer, entrepreneur and Mitchel’s associate in London, who presented his play, The Fatal Extravagance, to Mitchel in 1721. All were significant and influential British literary figures of the early eighteenth century. Colin and Grisy parting. A Song to the Tune of Woes my Heart that we shou’d sunder Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition, but Ramsay reused the song for GS. The tune features in two forms in the NLS’s Skene MS (?1615?35; MS 5.2.15, pp.94-95 and pp.96-97) and the Balcarres Lute Book of c.1700, also held in the NLS (Acc.9769/Personal Papers 84/1/6); it is first printed in Henry Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (1700; no. 33, p.14), and thereafter in Patrick Cuming’s Cuming’s Musical Manuscript (1723, p.39) and Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, p.9). It is also printed in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (c.1725-26, p.10). 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 Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The Mill, Mill, — O. A Song Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The tune is found in Elizabeth Crockat’s undated MS collection, held by Broughton House, Kircudbright (no. 28, f.24v-25r). Its earliest print source is John and William Neal’s A Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (Dublin, c.1724, p.7), and it is thereafter printed in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, no.20) and Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (c.1725-26, pp.154-55). The song also appears in Ramsay’s TTM I. 9. ‘Flanders’: Scottish military involvement in the Eighty Years’ War, or the Dutch War of Independence (1568-1648), an international colonial conflict in which the belligerents were the United Provinces, Spain, Portugal, France, England and Scotland. Scottish forces were commanded at first by 541

Poems James VI and I, and subsequently by Charles I Stuart. 15. ‘the Stool’: Stool of Repentance, raised stool used in eighteenth-century Scottish Presbyterian churches for public penance and humiliation, usually in punishment for adultery and fornication. The Poet’s Wish: An Ode Text: Poems (1721). MS: NLS (MS 150, f.44). Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The IELM records another autograph copy (RaA 235) with the alternative title of ‘Apollo and Thalia ane Eclogue’, which it states appears in the Sotheby’s auction catalogue for 2-3 November 1908 and was last recorded as being owned in 1962 by ‘Lord Rosebury’ (IELM, p.225); this MS has not been located (see also Eva Rosebery, ‘Unfamiliar Libraries VII: Barnbougle Castle’ in The Book Collector 11:1 (1962), pp.35-45). As the autograph fair copy held by the NLS states, it is a loose Scots translation of Horace’s Ode I.31, known in English as ‘A Prayer to Apollo’. Title: ‘The Poets Wish – Horace 1s Book 31 ode Imitated – By A. R. Ramsay’ (MS) [not ‘The Poet’s Wish: An ODE’] Epigraph: the first line of Horace’s Ode I.31, ‘What is the poet’s request to Apollo?’ 1. ‘Apollo poet’ (MS) [not ‘Apollo, Poet’] ‘Apollo’: a significant Olympian deity, often represented as the god of poetry. 3. ‘Bows’ (MS) [not ‘bows’] 4. ‘Carsagowries’ (MS) [not ‘Karss o’ Gowrie’s’] ‘Karss o’ Gowrie’: Carse of Gowrie, a stretch of land south of Gowrie in Perth and Kinross, possessed of rich agricultural land utilised for soft fruit crops. 5. ‘Grampians’: mountain range in the Scottish Highlands which incorporates some of Britain’s highest peaks, including Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui. 6. ‘prime’ (MS) [not ‘fine’] 7. ‘Costly things’ (MS) [not ‘costly Things’] 8. ‘Ivory Gowd and Gems’ (MS) [not ‘Ivory, Pearl and Gems’] 9. ‘these Green straths which watterd are’ (MS) [not ‘those fair Straths that water’d are’] 10. ‘Tay’: River Tay, originates on Ben Lui in the Grampians, before flowing through the Highlands and Perth until it reaches the sea at the Firth of Tay, near Dundee; ‘Tweed’: flows through the Borders of Scotland and England and enters the sea at Berwick-upon Tweed. 11. ‘Gentyly’ (MS) [not ‘gentily’] 12. ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘down’] 13. ‘yet Queitly’ (MS) [not ‘and quietly’] 14. ‘Wimple’ (MS) [not ‘wimple’] 15. ‘Canny’ (MS) [not ‘kanny’] 18. ‘withouten’ (MS) [not ‘withoutten’] 20. ‘Boord’ (MS) [not ‘Board’] 22. ‘far westlin Spain’ (MS) [not ‘the Indian Plain’] 23. ‘with success plows the great South Sea’ (MS) [not ‘Successfu’ ploughs the wally Sea’] 542

Notes to Poems 1721 24. ‘Comes hame safe’ (MS) [not ‘safe returns’] 28. ‘with poortith ’prest’ (MS) [not ‘wi’ Poortith prest’] 32. ‘Langkale’ (MS) [not ‘Lang-kail’] 33. ‘Cantyly’ (MS) [not ‘cantily’] 36. ‘through’ (MS) [not ‘throw’] 38. ‘mind unfash’d wi’ Strife’ (MS) [not ‘Saul clear without Strife’] 40. ‘Blessing’ (MS) [not ‘Blessings’] 41. ‘I’le fairly and [cancelled] Sqŭairly’ (MS) [not ‘I’ll fairly and squairly’] 42. ‘qwat’ (MS) [not ‘Quite a’’] 45. ‘Wee’ (MS) [not ‘We’] 46. ‘conscerning’ (MS) [not ‘concerning’] 47. ‘streek’d’ (MS) [not ‘stretch’d’] ‘Marlus’: Ramsay’s patron, William Bennet of Grubbet, who had an estate at Marlefield. 48. ‘Close by a gurgling Spring’ (MS) [not ‘Hard by a pop’ling Stream’] 50. ‘’Spy’ (MS) [not ‘see’] 51. ‘whase fair Ray’ (MS) [not ‘whose bright Ray’] 52. ‘heave thee to the Sky’ (MS) [not ‘wing thy Muse to flee’] 53. ‘spear na nor fearna’ (MS) [not ‘speer na, and fear na’] 55. ‘still higher ay aspire aye’ (MS) [not ‘aspire ay still high’r ay’] 56. ‘and ever’ (MS) [not ‘And always’] The Conclusion. After the Manner of Horace, ad librum suum Text: Poems (1721). No MS. Not previously printed in an authoritative edition. The STS editors state that the poem is a ‘free rendering of Horace, Epistles I, XX’ (VI, p.53). This may be the case, but, as they point out, the similarities between the two texts are limited to ll.31-48 of ‘The Conclusion’, which parallel Horace’s description of ‘finding favour with the greatest in the state’ and ‘details about his age’ (VI, p.53). Epigraph: ‘ad librum suum’, ‘in his book’; i.e., in Horace’s book. 4. ‘Turky’: leather used in bookbinding. 19-20. An allusion to Matthew Prior’s ‘True Statesmen’, which dates to the later years of Queen Anne’s reign (1665-1714): ‘And if the Dictor uninvited/ Afraid to fancy he was slighted/Comes in, his Labours he may spy/Fix’d to the bottom of a Pye’ (ll.21-24). 46. ‘South-Sea Projects’: another of Ramsay’s references to the pricking of the South Sea Bubble in 1720. See also ‘Wealth, or the Woody’.

543

NOTES to Poems (1728) To the Critick Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.70), ll.26-50 only. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Although the relevant page of the MS is water damaged and torn at the right-hand corner, most of the text is intact and legible. It is a Scots version of a fable by Antoine Houdar de la Motte (1672-1731), a French author whose Fables nouvelles was first published in Paris in 1719. La Motte’s ‘Fable Sixiesme: Le Mocqueur’ begins in similar mode to Ramsay’s poem: ‘Alte-là, Lecteur, & qui vive ?/Es-tu le partisan ou l’envieux du beau ?’ 12. ‘Congreve’: William Congreve (1670-1729), playwright and poet, known for his foundational contribution to the Restoration comedy of manners; ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), English poet of the early eighteenth century and author of, among others, The Rape of the Lock and The Dunciad. 13. ‘Young’: Edward Young (bap. 1683-1765): English poet, known for his early satires which, according to Herbert Croft, made him £3000 which compensated for financial losses after the pricking of the South Sea Bubble in 1720; ‘Swift’: Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): Irish writer, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and author of, among others, A Tale of a Tub (1706) and Gulliver’s Travels (1726). 27. ‘Glob’ (MS) [not ‘Globe’] 28. ‘in the Mexiconian wood their fly’ (MS) [not ‘In Mexiconian Forests fly’] 30. ‘which’ (MS) [not ‘them’] 31. ‘But in the musick bears no skare’ (MS) [not ‘That in the Musick bears nae Skair’] 32. ‘except as’ (MS) [not ‘Only an’] 33. ‘by which he has for name the Taunter’ (MS) [not ‘For whilk he bears the Name of Taunter’] ‘Taunter’: alternative name for the mockingbird, the ‘oiseau moqueur’ of La Motte’s fable. 34-35. These lines are swapped in the MS. 34. ‘soon as sun starts’ (MS) [not ‘Soon as the Sun springs’] 36. ‘from bough & spray’ (MS) [not ‘frae Bough and Spray’] 37. ‘his Rivals notes salute the day’ (MS) [not ‘The tunefu’ Throats salute the Day:’] 38. ‘The shining Beau attacks them all’ (MS) [not ‘The Brainless Beau attacks them a’,’] 39. ‘not one escape him great or smal’ (MS) [not ‘No ane escapes him great or sma’;’] 40. ‘from ane the he takes the tone & manner’ (MS) [not ‘Frae some he takes the Tone and Manner’] 41. ‘from… from’ (MS) [not ‘Frae… frae’] 43. Two cancelled, illegible lines appear after l.43 in the MS. 44. ‘Thus his attempts to counterfit’ (MS) [not ‘Still labouring thus to 545

Poems counterfeit’] 45. ‘Bewrays his want the [illegible] of his wit’ (MS) [not ‘He shaws the Poorness of his Wit.’] 46. ‘while thus with Echo rude the Taunter’ (MS) [not ‘Anes, when with Echoe loud the Taunter’] 47. ‘contemp’ (MS) [not ‘Contempt’] 48. ‘Sir, tis true’ (MS) [not ‘We own ’tis true’] 49. ‘but pray ye sir now’ (MS) [not ‘But pray, Sir’] The Ram and Buck Text: Poems (1728) MSS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.19v), consisting of ll.1-20; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.4747v), consisting of ll.21-50. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘The Ram & Goat’ (MS) [not ‘The Ram and Buck’] 1. ‘A Ram of merit’ (MS) [not ‘A Ram,’] 2. ‘who’d many’ (MS) [not ‘wha’d mony’] 5. ‘Throw weaths that Howderd every Glen that clad the ilk Laigher Ground field’ (MS) [not ‘Throw Wreaths that clad the laugher Field,’] 6. ‘Beild’ (MS) [not ‘Bield’] 8. ‘blawn’ (MS) [not ‘blown’] 10. ‘Realy’ (MS) [not ‘really’] 12. ‘theiving whooring’ (MS) [not ‘thieving’] 13. ‘who that tho’ (MS) [not ‘That tho’’] 14. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 15. ‘slaved’ (MS) [not ‘slave’] 16. ‘every’ (MS) [not ‘ilka’] 18. ‘cou’d’ (MS) [not ‘could’] 19. ‘such the desease of a vile mind’ (MS) [not ‘The Pleasure of a dirty Mind’] 20. ‘so’ (MS) [not ‘sae’] 21. ‘Borrowing Day while sleet’ (MS) [not ‘Borrowing-day, when Sleet’] 24. ‘meets met honest Ram & sneaking Buck’ (MS) [not ‘Met honest Toop and snaking Buck’] 26. ‘Buck’ (MS) [not ‘He’] 31. ‘who’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 32. ‘with baith with great & sma’ (MS) [not ‘baith with great and sma’,’] 33. ‘Shund’ (MS) [not ‘Shunn’d’] 35. ‘Ram say the word shall I lead give you a part’ (MS) [not ‘Ram, say, shall I give you a Part’] 36. ‘a’ (MS) [not ‘all’] 38. ‘& ye’ve but a very raged Kelt on’ (MS) [not ‘And ye’ve a very raggit Kelt on;’] 39. ‘Accept I pray wish ye ye and what I can spare neer spare’ (MS) [not ‘Accept, I pray, what I can spare’] 41. ‘says the Generous Ram’ (MS) [not ‘says the Ram’] 44. ‘such’ (MS) [not ‘sic’] 45. ‘I’d wad have tane favour less favour miekle mair with the Best’ (MS) [not ‘I’d 546

Notes to Poems 1728 have less Favour frae the best’] After l.45, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘to be new rugg’d out with his hair’. 46. ‘Than if I appeard cleathd in with hairy a vest’ (MS) [not ‘Clad in a hatefu’ hairy Vest’] 48. ‘clad with in’ (MS) [not ‘drest in’] 49. ‘from the worthy Generous makes’ (MS) [not ‘frae the Generous make’] 50. ‘from Base makes miscreants the make receivers’ (MS) [not ‘Frae Miscreants make Receivers’] Epigram On Receiving a Present of an Orange from Mrs. G. L. now Countess of Aboyne Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NRS (GD 18/4314), hereafter ‘NRO’; Bodleian (Douce R.304 (6)), on the flyleaf of Health, hereafter ‘Bod.’. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘G.L.’: Grace Lockhart (d.1738), daughter of politician Sir George Lockhart of Lee (?1673-1731), sometimes referred to as Lockhart of Carnwath, and Lady Euphemia Montgomery (?1678-1738). George Lockhart sat in the Scottish Parliament from 1702 to 1707 and in the House of Commons from 1708 to 1715. Although he was a member of the Commission of Union, he informed its business to his fellow Jacobites; the substance of these dealings is recorded in his ‘Lockhart Papers’ and Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, where Lockhart reveals the bribery of Scottish politicians prior to the Union of 1707. Grace Lockhart married John Gordon, third Earl of Aboyne (d.1732) in 1724 and was thereafter styled Countess of Aboyne. Her second marriage was to James Stuart, eighth Earl of Moray (1708-67), in 1734. Both Grace Lockhart and her husband were subscribers of Ramsay’s Poems (1728). 1. ‘Now Priams Son’ (Bod.) [not ‘Now, Priam’s Son,’] ‘Priam’: king of Troy during the Trojan War. The son of Priam is Paris who, in the so-called Judgement of Paris, was required to choose which of Hera, Athena and Aphrodite would receive the golden apple for being the most beautiful of the three. 2. ‘Brag’ (NRO, Bod.) [not ‘boast’] 3. ‘fruit’ (Bod.) [not ‘Fruit’] 4. ‘fairest’ (Bod.) [not ‘Fairest’]; ‘fruit’ (Bod.) [not ‘Fruit’] Health: A Poem. Inscrib’d to The Right Honourable the Earl of Stair Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, ff.16-18), hereafter ‘NLS’; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.28-33), hereafter ‘BL’. Both MSS are incomplete, and each features fragments of the poem as it was printed. The sequence of the lines varies greatly across the two MS sources, and each MS contains different parts of the poem, suggesting that the parts were once an earlier, full draft of ‘Health’ and subsequently separated. The lines which appear in each MS and their sequencing, as they correspond to the copy-text, is outlined here: 547

Poems BL Egerton 2023, ff.28-33v

NLS MS 2233, ff.16-18

ll.6-11

ll.54-67

ll.50-53

[Two new lines appear here]

ll.103-12

ll.68-102

ll.121-22

ll.283-308

ll.113-154

[Two new lines appear here]

ll.158-57 [inversion of lines as printed]

ll.325-26

ll.191-240

ll.323-24

[Repetition of ll.6-7]

ll.317-18

ll.241-48

ll.315-16

ll.343-52

ll.319-22

ll.356-65

ll.311-12

ll.323-24

ll.337-40

ll.249-54

ll.313-14

ll.259-62

ll.341-42

[Four unpublished lines appear here] l.305-6 ll.268-80 ll.372-93 ll.366-69 [Deleted lines appear here.] ll.370-71 ll.394-419 ll.12-27 ll.34-43 ll.47-49 ll.44-46 The poem was previously published as Health: A Poem (Edinburgh, 1724). This publication took three forms: it was issued in 22 pages featuring only ‘Health’; as a 48-page booklet featuring ‘Health’ alongside ‘On Seeing the Archers…’, ‘Mouldy Mowdiwart…’ and ‘The Poetick Sermon’; and as an 80-page text featuring, in addition to the poems listed above, ‘On Pride…’, ‘Fable of the Twa Books’, ‘Spoke to Aeolus one Night…’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers… July 6th, 1724’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers… August 4th, 1724’, 548

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘The Monk and the Miller’s Wife’, and ‘Advice to Mr. —’. The 1724 edition features an epigraph which is not retained in Poems (1728): Hail, blooming Goddess ! thou propitious Power, Whose Blessings, Mortals next to Life implore; Such Graces in your Heav’nly Eyes appear, That Cottages are Courts when you are there. Mankind, as you vouchsafe to smile or frown, Find Ease in Chains, or Anguish in a Crown. Garth Samuel Garth (1661-1719) was an English physician and poet; Ramsay’s quotation is from Garth’s The Dispensary: A Poem. In Six Cantos (1699), Canto VI. Title: ‘Earl of Stair’: John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair (1673-1747), Scottish diplomat and army officer. In the 1720s, Stair was in partial retirement from politics and living on his estates at Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire and Newliston, Linlithgowshire. In 1723, he was a founding member of the Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture. Later, Dalrymple would become involved in debates surrounding the Jacobite uprisings. Notwithstanding the fact that he attempted to secure sympathetic terms for the rebels after Culloden, his position was anti-Jacobite and, according to H.M. Stephens and William C. Lowe, Dalrymple was ‘one of the more visible of the generation of Scottish aristocrats that made the transition to service of the British state under the union’ (see ‘Dalrymple, John, second earl of Stair’, ODNB). Dalrymple was a subscriber of Ramsay’s Poems (1728). 6. ‘sing O health’ (BL) [not ‘sing; O HEALTH’]; ‘HEALTH, my’ (1724) [not ‘HEALTH my’] 7. ‘sing if Blesd’ (BL) [not ‘if bless’d’] 8. ‘Divine Heavens fairest gift to Man’ (BL) [not ‘Divine! Heaven’s fairest Gift to Man!’] 9. ‘Joys &’ (BL) [not ‘Joys! and’] 11. ‘Lingering’ (BL), ‘lingering’ (1724) [not ‘ling’ring’] 12. ‘The But Victor Kings may wake cause’ (BL) [not ‘The Victor Kings may cause’] 13. ‘conquering’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘conqu’ring’] 14. ‘ther axeltrees &’ (BL) [not ‘their Axletrees, and’] 15. ‘wondring… Mortalls Qake’ (BL) [not ‘wond’ring… Mortals quake’] 16. ‘Triumphall Arches and’ (BL) [not ‘triumphal Arches, and’] 17. ‘his’ (BL) [not ‘their’] 18. ‘presence’ (BL) [not ‘Sweetness’] 19. ‘Collumes’ (BL) [not ‘Pillars’] ‘Eneids’: Virgil’s Latin epic poem, the Aeneid, written between 29-19BC. 20. ‘softest dow silky twilts’ (BL) [not ‘Silky Twilts’] 21. ‘and lay a Revnew out on gayest Clothes’ (BL) [not ‘And have a num’rous Change of finest Cloaths’] 22. ‘Chair he’ (1724) [not ‘Chair, he’] 23. ‘falernian’ (BL) [not ‘Tokay’] ‘Ortelons’: the ortolan bunting, migratory bird native to southern and eastern Europe, Scandinavia and western central Asia, once regarded as a culinary delicacy; ‘Tokay Wine’: sweet wine made near Tokay, Hungary. Ramsay’s MS 549

Poems version (BL) refers to ‘Falernian wine’; this was made in Campania, Italy. 24. ‘Liver if’ (1724) [not ‘Liver, if’]; ‘ane’ (BL) [not ‘an’] 25. ‘him to cough & wheez’ (BL) [not ‘him cough and wheez’] 26. ‘smiles nor’ (BL) [not ‘smiles, nor’] 27. ‘Looking Glass’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Looking-glass’]; ‘Joyes’ (BL) [not ‘Joys’] 28-33. These lines, as printed in 1728 and 1724, do not feature in either MS source. 28. ‘Toilsome’ (1724) [not ‘toilsome’] 29. ‘brilant’ (1724) [not ‘brilliant’] 34. ‘loud Laugh, &’ (BL), ‘loud Laugh, or’ (1724) [not ‘loud Laugh or’] 35. ‘The or smutty Jest delight the finishd rake’ (BL) [not ‘Nor smutty Tale, delight the roving Rake’] 36. ‘soon’ (BL) [not ‘all’], ‘smiles forsake his cheek’ (BL) 37. ‘pleases nothing’ (BL) [not ‘pleases, nothing’] 38. ‘Smile,’ (1724) [not ‘Smile;’]; ‘Chearfull… tires of’ (BL) [not ‘blythsome… shuns the’] 40. ‘atemps’ (BL) [not ‘attempts’] 42. ‘lye’ (BL) [not ‘lies’] 43. ‘fly’s’ (BL) [not ‘flies’] 44. ‘sees at vast distance gushing’ (BL) [not ‘Sees, at vast Distance, gushing’] 45. ‘streams’ (BL) [not ‘stream’] 46. This line, as printed in Poems (1728), is deleted in (BL). 46. ‘Cragy’ (1724) [not ‘craggy’] 47. ‘throu’ (BL) [not ‘through’] 48. ‘oer’ (BL) [not ‘o’er’]; ‘precipice’ (BL) [not ‘Precipice,’]; ‘waves’ (BL), ‘Waves’ (1724) [not ‘Waves:’] 49. ‘sweats starts turns & raves’ (BL) [not ‘sweats, turns, starts and raves’] 50. ‘mads that Mortall’ (BL) [not ‘mad’s that Man,’]; ‘Pushd by Passions’ (BL) [not ‘push’d by his Passions wild’]; ‘by Mean passions’ (BL) 51. ‘Who is’ (BL) [not ‘Who’s’]; ‘happyness beguild’ (BL) [not ‘Happiness beguil’d’] 52. ‘what eer’ (BL) [not ‘whate’er’]; ‘Low’ (BL) [not ‘low’] 53. ‘Court’ (BL) [not ‘court’]; ‘deases’ (BL) [not ‘Disease,’]; ‘deadly’ (BL) [not ‘greatest’]; ‘Foe.’ (1724), ‘foe’ (BL) [not ‘Foe?’] At this point in (BL) and in the margins of succeeding lines, Ramsay has a list of cooking terms and his explanations of them, as follows: Fricassy—fryd in the Stove Brustle—stakes chapt Vermecelly—Italian dish stewd with —. In layers Jole—head Gils etc Casarole a stew pan Smelts—fish Loavs, egs, chickens, Beacon Gravy Ragou Marinated—sousd or pickled; vinegar, verjuice, limejuice salt pep. Cloves chibols Bay Leaf fryd with oil whyt wine yolks of Egs Salmongundin—Hotch potch of serv for meals stood a mingle-mangle Omelet of Egs in the Stove or a pancake of Bysk—a Rich sort of Broth Larded Ragous 550

Notes to Poems 1728 Hogou’s High sesoned a la Daube—sauce Smelts. 54. ‘paris’ (NLS) [not ‘Paris,’]; ‘spicd mixd ragoos’ (NLS) [not ‘nice Ragoos’] 55. ‘Salmongundies,’ (1724) [not ‘Salmondundies’]; ‘in hashes salmagundys fircaassys and Broos’ (NLS) [not ‘In Oleos, Salmongundies and Hogoes,’] ‘Olio’: Spanish or Portuguese spiced meat and vegetable stew, also stands for any dish containing a great variety of ingredients; ‘Salmagundi’: dish composed of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs and onions with oil and condiments; ‘Hogoe’: a highly flavoured or seasoned dish. 57. ‘Invented’ (NLS) [not ‘invented’]; ‘afford’ (1724) [not ‘afford:’] 58. ‘appitite’ (NLS) [not ‘Appetite’] 59. ‘Spicy season’d’ (NLS), ‘Spicy’ (1724) [not ‘spicy’]; ‘delight’ (NLS), ‘Delite’ (1724) [not ‘Delight’] 60. ‘Meantime While great’ (NLS), ‘Mean Time’ (1724) [not ‘Mean time’]; ‘smoking savory’ (NLS), ‘savory’ (1724) [not ‘sav’ry’]; ‘Knighted’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘knighted’] ‘King Arthur’: legendary British king thought to have lived in or before the sixth century, the subject of many literary works from the twelfth century onwards. 61. ‘apears a Cloun and not allowed ti Joyn’ (NLS) [not ‘Appears a Clown, and’s not allow’d to join’] 62. ‘fish smelt’ (NLS) [not ‘Smelt,’]; ‘joles Joles’ (NLS) [not ‘Joles’] 63. ‘Vermicell’ (NLS) [not ‘Vermecell,’]; ‘sousd’ (NLS), ‘sous’d’ (1724) [not ‘souc’d’]; ‘Crays & Soals & Cray fish Boild’ (NLS) [not ‘Turbet, Cray and Soals,’] 64. ‘Daube & Omelet of egs’ (NLS) [not ‘daube, and Omelet of Eggs’] ‘à la daube’: French term for stewed or braised meat. 65. ‘Rabat & stewd Baked Padock legs’ (NLS) [not ‘Coney, and bak’d Padocks Legs’] ‘coney’: a type of shellfish; however, the term also refers to a rabbit as prepared for food. Given that Ramsay’s NLS MS specifies ‘Rabat’ in place of the printed ‘Coney’, the latter definition is more likely. 66. ‘Dotrells, pansutrols, Orangedo pye’ (NLS) [not ‘Pullets a Bisk, and Orangedo Pye’] ‘pullet’: young domestic hen; ‘orangeado pie’: candied orange peel. 67. ‘the Marrow Pudings Larded [illegible] Turkey &’ (NLS) [not ‘The larded Peacock, and’] Two lines are in (NLS) here, which do not appear in printed versions of the poem: the scalloped Oister Hogoe, Olio, Mushrooms, Buterd rice Pulets a Bisk with the Westphalia slice ‘Tarts de Moy’: bone marrow tarts favoured at eighteenth-century royal tables. 68. ‘Pigs pettitoes & I— Pikes in Casorole’ (NLS) [not ‘The Collard Veal, and Pike in Cassorole’] 69. ‘Ducks’ (NLS) [not ‘Pigs’]; ‘Brusole,’ (1724) [not ‘Brusole;’] ‘à la braise’: French term referring to dishes which have been braised; ‘Tansy’: pudding or omelette flavoured with the juice of the tansy, a herbaceous plant with yellow flowers; ‘Brusole’: ragout of braised veal. 551

Poems 71. ‘Wherin the Moity’ (NLS) [not ‘Wherein the Moiety’] 72. ‘is wholy Lost and viceat as the tast’ (NLS) [not ‘Is wholly lost, and vitiate as the Taste’] 73. ‘them who gormandize the vile eat dangerous repast’ (NLS) [not ‘Of them who eat the dangerous Repast;’] 74. ‘untill’ (NLS) [not ‘Until’]; ‘Stamoch’s’ (NLS) [not ‘Stomach’s’]; ‘over Cramm’d’ (NLS) [not ‘over-cram’d,’] 75. ‘fibers’ (NLS) [not ‘Fibers’]; ‘weaknd’ (NLS), ‘weak’nd’ (1724) [not ‘weaken’d,’] 76. ‘Spleen (1724) [not ‘Spleen,’]; ‘heads what Spleen & drowsy eys’ (NLS) [not ‘Heads, what Spleen, and drowsy Eyes’] 77. ‘illdegested Cruditys’ (NLS) [not ‘undigested Crudities’] 78. ‘mantanas’ (NLS) [not ‘Montano’s’] 79. ‘Emetick’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Emetic’]; ‘employd’ (NLS), ‘imploy’d’ (1724) [not ‘employ’d’] ‘Bagnio’: bath or bathing house with vapour baths for sweating; ‘Emetic wine’: antimonial wine, a sherry containing tartar emetic, taken to induce vomiting. 80. ‘thess’ (NLS) [not ‘These’]; ‘Imagines’ (NLS) [not ‘imagines’] 81. ‘surfiet’ (NLS) [not ‘surfeit’]; ‘complet’ (NLS) [not ‘complete’] A cancelled half-line appears here in (NLS): ‘Nor is he wrong’. 82. ‘thinks’ (NLS) [not ‘dreams’] 83. ‘ŭnatural’ (NLS), ‘unnatural’ (1724) [not ‘unnat’ral’] 84. ‘Peuther’: pewter. 85. ‘Silver Plate less’ (NLS) [not ‘Plate more’]; ‘Continous’ (NLS) [not ‘continues’] 86. (NLS) has here a cancelled version of the line as it is printed, which reads ‘Long undecay’s the Oak can bear the Su[n]’. 87. ‘and ly’ (NLS), ‘Or lye’ (1724) [not ‘Or lie’] 88. ‘Alternatly’ (NLS), ‘alternatly’ (1724) [not ‘alternately’]; ‘rays’ (NLS) [not ‘Rays’] 89. ‘dash and dry the plank’ (NLS) [not ‘dash, then dry the Plank,’] 90. ‘Man’ (NLS) [not ‘Man!’]; ‘altho’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘altho’’] 91. ‘health’ (NLS), ‘Health.’ (1724) [not ‘Health?’] 92. ‘Observe Coppy Melantius’ (NLS) [not ‘Copy Mellantius’]; ‘Art’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Art,’] 93. ‘freinds yet’ (NLS) [not ‘Friends, and’] (NLS) has a cancelled line here: ‘Without the Grand Salat of Rock of Snow’] 95. ‘Joices’ (NLS) [not ‘Juices’] 96. ‘found’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘found,’] 97. ‘Apitiet’ (NLS) [not ‘Appetite’] 98. ‘eat or not as you Incline’ (NLS), ‘eat or not as you incline,’ (1724) [not ‘eat, or not, as you incline;’] 99. ‘And’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘And,’]; ‘during’ (NLS) [not ‘drink’] 100. ‘safe &’ (NLS), ‘safe and’ (1724) [not ‘safe, and’]; ‘appeasd’ (NLS) [not ‘appeas’d’] 101. ‘forbid &’ (NLS) [not ‘forbid, and’] (NLS) has a cancelled line here: ‘Chearfull Goblet crowns the healsome treat’] 102. ‘?refreshd Regald’ (NLS) [not ‘rega’d, refresh’d’] 552

Notes to Poems 1728 103. ‘Views’ (BL), ‘views’ (1724) [not ‘views,’]; ‘Par Teres’ (BL) [not ‘Parters’] 104. ‘Thousand’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘thousand’] 105. ‘oun’ (BL), ‘own,’ (1724) [not ‘own;’] At this point, (BL) differs from the copy-text as follows: And all his oun x Poor Myrtel with ano air More Beautyfull & gracefull gains the fair Less [illegible: ?curious] the Lass reach no Slave to care x but can no Pleasure yeild 106. ‘field’ (BL) [not ‘Field;’] 107. ‘Landskape’ BL) [not ‘Landskip’]; ‘Gilded’ (BL) [not ‘gilded’] 107. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘Rising Sweets’ (BL) [not ‘Flowers and Groves’] 109. ‘give’ (BL), ‘have’ (1724) [not ‘have;’] 110. ‘fret’ (BL) [not ‘Fret,’]; ‘unkind’ (BL), ‘unkind.’ (1724) [not ‘unkind:’] 111. ‘Somthing’ (BL) [not ‘Something’]; ‘this somthing flys’ (BL) [not ‘which always flies’] 112. ‘Groan’ (BL) [not ‘groan’] 113. ‘When Silent all of Nature silent seems with’ (BL), ‘When all of Nature silent’ (1724) [not ‘When all of Nature, silent’]; ‘seems’ (BL) [not ‘seem’] 114. ‘cares &’ (BL) [not ‘Cares, and’]; ‘Returning’ (BL) [not ‘returning’] 115. ‘Refreshing’ (BL) [not ‘refreshing’] 116. ‘keep.’ (1724) [not ‘keep:’]; ‘foolish’ (BL) [not ‘Hopeless’] 117. ‘flys’ (BL) [not ‘flies’] 118. ‘Cheek pale Lips &’ (BL), ‘Cheek, pale Lips, and’ (1724) [not ‘Cheek, pale Lips and’]; ‘Bloodshot’ (BL) [not ‘blood-run’] 119. ‘toild’ (BL) [not ‘This toil’d’]; ‘his restless watching’ (BL) [not ‘lab’ring Thoughts he’] 120. (BL) has in this line an illegible deleted word, which is revised to ‘nourishing’ in the copy-text. 121. ‘Deases’ (BL) [not ‘Disease’]; ‘ane easy’ (BL) [not ‘an easy’] 122. ‘debarr’d’ (1724) [not ‘debarr’d,’]; ‘wher joys debard by such Corroding Minds’ (BL) [not ‘Where Joy’d debarr’d, in such corroded Minds’] 123. ‘Such Take no care Lifes sweetest Balm to save’ (BL) [not ‘Such take no care the Springs of Life to save’] 124. ‘destroy their Health and drop doun to their Grave’ (BL) [not ‘Neglect their Health, and quickly fill a Grave’] 125. ‘Myr̄til’ (BL) [not ‘Myrtle’]; ‘Chearfull’ (BL) [not ‘chearful’] 126. ‘envious’ (BL) [not ‘envious,’]; ‘Care;’ (1724) [not ‘Care,’] 127. ‘because & sc dares not fret’ (BL) [not ‘and scorns to fret’] 128. ‘views’ (BL) [not ‘sees’] 129. ‘Thus and’ (BL) [not ‘And’]; ‘cast’ (BL) [not ‘casts’] 130. ‘below him than on those more high’ (BL) [not ‘below him, than on them more high:’] 131. ‘Mind Breast’ (BL) [not ‘Breast’] 132. ‘sour’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘sowr’]; ‘Generous Joys & curb’ (BL), ‘generous Joys or break’ (1724) [not ‘gen’rous Joys, or break’] 133. ‘studys’ (BL) [not ‘studies’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 134. ‘Mind.’ (1724) [not ‘Mind:’] 135. ‘the Chearfull Minds engages the surest[?] stay of Health to stay’ (BL) [not 553

Poems ‘Which is the first Preservative of Health’] 136. ‘prefer’d to Grandure’ (1724) [not ‘preferr’d to Grandeur’]; ‘More Precious than Court Grandurs Pride or Wealth Health’ (BL) [not ‘To be preferr’d to Grandeur, Pride and Wealth’] 137. ‘Let Mankind who pretend’ (BL) [not ‘Let all who would pretend’]; ‘Sence’ (BL) [not ‘Sense’] 138. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘Envy,’ (1724) [not ‘Envy’]; ‘defence’ (BL) [not ‘Defence’] 139. ‘Love’ (BL) [not ‘love’]; ‘Health’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Health,’]; ‘Controul’ (BL) [not ‘controul’] 140. ‘neer nurse such two Black furys’ (BL) [not ‘Let them ne’er nurse such Furies’] 141. ‘stroling Bubo’ (BL) [not ‘strolling Phimos’] 142. ‘Bubo’ (BL) [not ‘Phimos’]; ‘Yellow’ (BL) [not ‘livid’] 143. ‘Load’ (BL) [not ‘load’]; ‘Deases’ (BL) [not ‘Diseases,’] 144. ‘ūpon’ (BL) [not ‘Upon’]; ‘Bones’ (BL) [not ‘Bones,’] 146. ‘Hell Death’ (BL) [not ‘Death’]; ‘risky[?] dangerous’ (BL) [not ‘ugly’] 147. ‘Clad with in Richest’ (BL) [not ‘In richest’]; ‘Gold’ (BL) [not ‘Gold,’] 150. ‘waves doun his Breast ore Russles doun oer his hand’ (BL) [not ‘Waves down his Breast, and Rusles o’er his Hand’] 151. ‘imploys’ (1724) [not ‘employs’]; ‘his hand performd set off with art which vily he imploys’ (BL) [not ‘Set off with Art, while vilely he employs’] 152. ‘Death for Low Imagined dear purchasd’ (BL) [not ‘Death, for low dear purchas’d’] 153. ‘he Veiws his Blasted Shadow of the fair’ (BL) [not ‘He grasps the blasted Shadow of the fair’] 154. ‘look thin Grab &’ (BL) [not ‘Look, bile Breath, and’] 155-56. These lines as printed in the copy-text do not appear in (BL). 156. ‘Terrors’ (1724) [not ‘terrors’] 157. ‘beware if vile desire lawless fire’ (BL), ‘beware, if lawless Fire’ (1724) [not ‘beware, if wild Desire’] 158. ‘had not destroyd his thoughts with Lawless fire vile base disire’ (BL) [not ‘Had not set all his thoughtless Soul in Fire’] 159-90. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, do not appear in either (BL) or (NLS) MS sources. 162. ‘Pains’ (1724) [not ‘Pains,’] 168. ‘seen:’ (1724) [not ‘seen.’] 170. ‘seise.’ (1724) [not ‘seise;’] 172. ‘shine.’ (1724) [not ‘shine;’] 174. ‘Lead.’ (1724) [not ‘Lead:’] 176. ‘Back.’ (1724) [not ‘Back;’] 181. ‘lies’ (1724) [not ‘lyes’] 182. ‘Eyes.’ (1724) [not ‘Eyes;’] 183. ‘its’ (1724) [not ‘it’s’] 184. ‘Sound.’ (1724) [not ‘Sound;’] 186. ‘Stare’ (1724) [not ‘stare’] 188. ‘Fear.’ (1724) [not ‘Fear;’] 190. ‘Design.’ (1724) [not ‘Design:’] 554

Notes to Poems 1728 191. ‘Pil’ (1724) [not ‘Pill’]; ‘Bolus and the Bitter Pil’ (BL) [not ‘Bolus, and the bitter Pill’] 192. ‘Spiting’ (1724) [not ‘spitting’]; ‘Moneth of spiting & the Cheurgens’ (BL) [not ‘Month of spitting, and the Surgeon’s’] 193. ‘best,’ (1724) [not ‘best’] 194. ‘My Modest visiting Mŭse’ (BL); ‘Courtain drop & hide the Rest’ (BL) [not ‘let the Curtain drop, and hide the rest’] 195. ‘Of the vile coarse scene’ (BL) [not ‘Of the Coarse Scene,’] 196. ‘Eyes or ears’ (BL), ‘Eyes, and Ears’ (1724) [not ‘Eyes and Ears,’]; ‘who’ (BL) [not ‘that’] 197. ‘to hear [three deleted illegible words] with Joy Pleasure Urban’s praises sung’ (BL) [not ‘To hear with Pleasure Urban’s Praises sung,’] 198. ‘kind the Manly Prudent Gay & Young’ (BL) [not ‘kind, the prudent, gay and young’] 199. ‘Who Swims in Health Moves a Man and wears a Rosie smile’ (BL) [not ‘Who moves a Man, and wears a rosie Smile,’] 200. ‘Beguile’ (BL), ‘beguile.’ (1724) [not ‘beguile:’] 201. ‘Vertuous’ (BL) [not ‘virtuous’]; ‘its’ (1724) [not ‘it’s’]; ‘Charms Grace’ (BL) [not ‘Grace’] 202. ‘in his two Myra’s Lovd arms embrace’ (BL) [not ‘in Myra’s lov’d Embrace’] 203. ‘its’ (1724) [not ‘it’s’]; ‘Here Health Enjoying Health with all’ (BL) [not ‘enjoying Health, with all’] 204. ‘Shame,’ (1724) [not ‘Shame’]; ‘unclogd with sour of Joys free from Remorse & acking pain’ (BL) [not ‘Of Joys, free from Remorse, or Shame or Pain’] (BL) has an illegible, cancelled line here. 205. ‘But Numo Talpo’ (BL) [not ‘But Talpo’]; ‘care’ (BL), ‘Cares;’ (1724) [not ‘Cares,’] 206. ‘wrinkles’ (BL) [not ‘Wrinkles,’]; ‘Hairs,’ (1724) [not ‘Hairs;’] 207. ‘age’ (BL) [not ‘Age,’]; ‘decay’s’ (1724) [not ‘decays’] 209. ‘Numo’s Talpo’s’ (BL) [not ‘Talpo’s]; ‘ther’ (BL) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘that’ (1724) [not ‘that,’] 211. ‘Last degree’ (BL) [not ‘last Degree’] 212. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘make to’ (BL) [not ‘makes too’] 213. ‘Idol this creats’ (BL), ‘Idol, this creats’ (1724) [not ‘Idol; this creates’] 214. ‘Breeds’ (BL) [not ‘breeds’] 215. ‘He’s allways’ (BL) [not ‘He always’]’ ‘approaching fate’ (BL) [not ‘approaching Fate’] 216. ‘aftimes’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘often’]; ‘virtuous Mate’ (BL), ‘virtuous Mate,’ (1724) [not ‘vertuous Mate;’] 217. ‘save;’ (1724) [not ‘save:’]; ‘Shuns Chearful Company anxtious to save’ (BL) [not ‘Is ever anxious, shuns his Friends, to save’] 218. ‘Grave.’ (1724) [not ‘Grave;’] 219. ‘hast’ (BL), ‘rot,’ (1724) [not ‘rot, —’]; ‘Muses Lays’ (BL), ‘Muses lays,’ (1724) [not ‘Muse’s Lays,’] 220. ‘Read’ (BL) [not ‘read’] 221. ‘I sing to Numo Numo oft regards’ (BL) [not ‘I sing to Marlus, Marlus who regards’] ‘Marlus’: Ramsay’s patron, William Bennet of Grubbet, whose estate was at 555

Poems Marlefield. 222. ‘Verse and Chearfully Generously’ (BL) [not ‘Verse, and generously’] 223. ‘Poets Care —’ (BL), ‘Poets Care,’ (1724) [not ‘Poet’s Care;’]; ‘now’ (BL) [not ‘now,’] 224. ‘Cariage’ (BL) [not ‘Carriage,’]; ‘Man.’ (1724) [not ‘Man:’]; ‘a the’ (BL) [not ‘the’] 225. ‘weded’ (BL) [not ‘wedded’] 227. ‘Indulgent’ (BL) [not ‘indulgent’] 228. ‘sall approve’ (BL) [not ‘all approve’] 229. ‘slide’ (BL) [not ‘glide’]; ‘Sixty’ (BL) [not ‘Fifty’] 231. ‘Chearfull’ (BL) [not ‘chearing’] 232. ‘utmost’ (BL) [not ‘cautious’] 233. ‘sound’ (BL) [not ‘sound,’] 234. ‘Joy up to the skyes’ (BL) [not ‘Pleasure to the Skies’] 235. ‘and Quaffs the health in whispering Breathing from the west that’s Bore on Zyper’s Wings’ (BL) [not ‘And quaffs the Health that’s born on Zephyr’s Wings’] 236. ‘or dives to find it in the Chrystal springs’ (BL) [not ‘Or gushes from the Rock in Limpid Springs’] 237. ‘flowers’ (BL), ‘Plains,’ (1724) [not ‘Plains’] 238. ‘Rosie Beames’ (BL) [not ‘ruddy Beams’]; ‘dumps’ (BL) [not ‘Dumps’] 239. ‘Nature’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Nature,’]; ‘right’ (BL) [not ‘thus’] 240. ‘Health with pleasures seem’ (BL) [not ‘Health, with Sweetness seems’] At this point, (BL) repeats ll.6-7 as printed in the copy-text. 241. ‘To me the Whistling Ploughmans artless tune’ (BL) [not ‘To him the whistling Ploughman’s artless Tune’] 242. ‘Bleeting’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘bleeting’]; ‘Oxen’s’ (1724) [not ‘Oxens’]; ‘herds and the Black catles Crune’ (BL) [not ‘Flocks, the Oxens hollow Crune’] 243. ‘the very [illegible] of the Noisy natural notes of the small chirping Throng’ (BL) [not ‘The warbling Notes of the small chirping Throng’] 244. ‘Shall [illegible] my please me more my mind as than ane Italian softly as a Song’ (BL) [not ‘Delight him more than the Italian Song’] 245. ‘The Single Dish of Cheapest Countrey fare’ (BL) [not ‘To him the cheapest Dish of rural Fare’] 247. ‘Prove a feast’ (BL) [not ‘prove a Feast.’]; ‘And bring me softer Ease on Straw I’ll find more ease’ (BL) [not ‘On Straw he’ll find more Ease’] 248. ‘Than Those who croud their Beards to Moite on the Downs even with the Least Desease’ (BL) [not ‘Than on the Down, even with the least Disease’] 249. ‘When then art tempted to transgres the Line’ (BL) [not ‘Whoever’s tempted to transgress the Line’] 250. ‘Sparkling’ (BL) [not ‘enlivening’]; ‘Wine,’ (1724) [not ‘Wine;’] 251. ‘long long’ (BL) [not ‘long’] 252. ‘Head’ (1724) [not ‘Head,’]; ‘Whose [deleted line] face Bowd down proclaims his Liquid crime’ (BL) [not ‘Whose Head, bow’d down, proclaims his liquid Crime’] 253. ‘dye’ (BL) [not ‘Dye,’] 255-58. These lines as printed in the copy-text do not feature in either (BL) or (NLS). 259. ‘his sqweemish Stamoch Loaths the Savry Sey’ (BL) [not ‘His squeamish 556

Notes to Poems 1728 Stomach loaths the savour Sey’] 261. ‘they which dayly destroy flys’ (BL) [not ‘which daily flies’]; ‘flees’ (1724) [not ‘flies’] 262. ‘hope & dyes’ (BL) [not ‘Hope, and dies’] 263-66. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, do not feature in either (BL) or (NLS). (BL) has four additional lines at the foot of f.31, which do not appear in printed versions of ‘Health’: or the Vow that Qagmire of Maturer Age. whose endless droughth no Liquors could aswage by stranger Nature who drinking has a second nature won[?] cease to be a man is grown a tan 264. ‘Bacchanalian’: an individual given to drunken revelry, from Bacchus, god of wine in classical mythology. 267. ‘Narrow’ (BL) [not ‘wretched’]; ‘Misers’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Misers,’]; ‘Repine’ (BL) [not ‘repine’] 268. ‘ther wer not such a juyce’ (BL) [not ‘there were not such a Juice’]; ‘Wine.’ (1724) [not ‘Wine,’] 269. ‘prophane’ (BL) [not ‘profane’] 270. ‘gives’ (BL) [not ‘gave’] 271. ‘No’ (BL), ‘No,’ (1724) [not ‘No;’]; ‘ther’s Pleny Cups may justly flow’ (BL) [not ‘there’s Plenty, Cups may sparkling flow’] 272. ‘Raisd Spirits Glow’ (BL) [not ‘rais’d Spirits glow’] 273. ‘this’ (BL) [not ‘They;’]; ‘Health while Chearfull Rounds’ (BL) [not ‘Health, while cheerful Rounds’] 275. ‘drink I oun’ (BL) ‘not ‘drink, I own,’] 276. ‘its’ (BL) [not ‘’tis’] 277. ‘O Mortals’ (BL) [not ‘Dear Britons,’]; ‘drink decive’ (BL) [not ‘Drinks deceive’] 278. ‘Apetites,’ (1724) [not ‘Appetites’]; ‘your apttes which ells would kindly Crave’ (BL) [not ‘Your Appetites, which else at Noon would crave’] 279. ‘Ailments’ (1724) [not ‘Ailments,’]; ‘At noon such nurtituies as can suppord’ (BL) [not ‘Such proper Ailments, as can support’] 280. ‘Botle Health & Sport’ (BL) [not ‘Bottle, Health and Sport’] 281-82. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, do not feature in either (BL) or (NLS) MSS. 281. ‘Sloath,’ (1724) [not ‘Sloth’] 282. ‘Health,’ (1724) [not ‘Health.’] 283. ‘Lols’ (NLS), ‘lol’s’ (1724) [not ‘loll’s’]; ‘the’ (NLS) [not ‘his’] 284. ‘drowzy’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘drowsy’]; ‘& his lips’ (NLS) [not ‘and his Lips’]; ‘Blae’ (NLS) [not ‘blae’] 286. ‘knees unusd togither’ (NLS), ‘Knees, unus’d together’ (1724) [not ‘Knees unus’d, together’] 287. ‘fire his Easy Chair’ (NLS) [not ‘Fire his Easy-Chair’] 288. ‘Snothers Nods & Yawns’ (NLS) [not ‘snotters, nods and yawns’] 289. ‘Omber hoping’ (NLS) [not ‘Piquet, hoping’] 290. ‘Cards that’s to much’ (NLS) [not ‘Cards, that’s too much’] 291. ‘seldom’ (NLS) [not ‘seldom,’]; ‘e’vry’ (NLS) [not ‘every’] 292. ‘labour to his Tongue & jaws’ (NLS) [not ‘Labour to his Tongue and Jaws’] 557

Poems 293. ‘pronounce declame’ (NLS) [not ‘discourse’] 294. ‘throw’ (NLS) [not ‘through’] 295. ‘Crany’ (NLS) [not ‘Cranny’] 296. ‘Cloaths’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Cloaths,’]; ‘Rhume’ (NLS) [not ‘Rheum’] ‘Rheum’: mucous secretions believed to originate in the brain and to be capable of causing disease. 299. ‘The Warming pan each night Glows oer the sheets’ (NLS) [not ‘The Warming-Pan each Night glows o’er his Sheets’] 300. ‘on which beneath a Load he snores & sweats’ (NLS) [not ‘Then he beneath a Load of Blankets sweats;’] 301. ‘instead of shuting’ (NLS) [not ‘(instead of shutting)’] 302. ‘lets’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘let’s’]; ‘wide opend’ (NLS) [not ‘dilated’] 303. ‘Slugard’ (1724) [not ‘Sluggard’]; ‘Thus with stupid Indolence he wasts Thus The sluggard thus Thus does the sluggard health & vigour wast’ (BL) [not ‘Thus does the Sluggard Health and Vigour waste’] 304. ‘Indolence,’ (1724) [not ‘Indolence;’]; ‘with stupid Indolence till at the Last’ (NLS) [not ‘With heavy Indolence; till at the last’] 305. ‘Dropsie’ (1724) [not ‘Dropsie,’]; ‘But Gout & Guts the Astmah & the Stone’ (BL); ‘Siatick jaundice dropsie and the Stone’ (NLS) [not ‘Sciatick, Jaundice, Dropsie, or the Stone’] 306. ‘Lazy’ (NLS) [not ‘lazy’]; ‘groan’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘grone’]; ‘make him drag life with many a painfull Groan’ (BL) [not ‘Alternate makes the lazy Lubard grone’] 307. ‘But Hilaris the Healthy rather Loves’ (NLS) [not ‘But active Hilaris much rather loves’] (NLS) has the following lines here, which do not feature in printed texts: Be ever Vigrous Gasendus quite ane other Spirit Loves 308. ‘Groves,’ (NLS) [not ‘Groves;’]; ‘Lamp to trace the Glens & Groves’ (NLS) [not ‘to trace the Wilds and Groves’] 308. ‘covy’: a family of partridges. 309-10. These lines, as they are printed in the copy-text, do not appear in either (NLS) or (BL). 309. ‘Reynard’: fox. 312. ‘And a fleet hunter his most a stout Ambling pad his Easyest Chair’ (NLS) [not ‘And a stout ambling Pad his easiest Chair’] 313. ‘plung’ (NLS) [not ‘plunge’] 315-16. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, vary entirely in (NLS), and are as follows: The Whizing Ball with nervous stroak drives the featherd St Andrews Balls which he can make oer many Aires fall [not ‘Then on the Links, or in the Estler Walls,/He drives the Gowff, or strikes the Tennis Balls’] 317. ‘sweep’ (NLS) [not ‘brush’] 318. ‘after with his Cur’ling throw’ (NLS) [not ‘with his Curling Throw’] 319. ‘or sends the arrow whizzing from the string’ (NLS) [not ‘Or send the whizzing Arrow from the String’] 320. ‘Game’ (NLS) [not ‘Game,’]; ‘its self’ (NLS), ‘itself’ (1724) [not ‘it self’] 558

Notes to Poems 1728 Footnote: cf. Ramsay’s ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’. 321. ‘Thus Healthfuly he’ll walk or work Danc or Run’ (NLS) [not ‘Thus cheerfully he’ll walk, ride, dance or game’] 322. ‘Blast or Scorching Southron Sun’ (NLS) [not ‘Blast, or Southern Flame’] 323. ‘Blow and dampy fogs may fall’ (NLS), ‘Blow & fogs unwholesome fall’ (BL) [not ‘blow, and sullen Fogs may fall’] 324. ‘a’ (BL) [not ‘his’]; ‘proof’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Proof’] 325. ‘weather’ (NLS) [not ‘Weather’] 326. ‘the Black the Blew or Rudy’ (NLS) [not ‘the black, the blew or ruddy’] 327-36. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, do not feature in either (BL) or (NLS). 329. ‘Lays’ (1724) [not ‘Song’] 331. ‘Game,’ (1724) [not ‘Game;’] 332. ‘Health,’ (1724) [not ‘Health’] 333. ‘excessive or the Pain,’ (1724) [not ‘excessive, or the Pain’] 334. ‘looser Minds’ (1724) [not ‘Losers’] 337. ‘then with a hearty Gust he can retire’ (NLS) [not ‘But from his Sport, can with a Smile retire’] 338. ‘appolos’ (NLS) [not ‘Apollo’s’]; ‘fire’ (NLS), ‘Fire.’ (1724) [not ‘Fire;’] ‘Apollo’: significant classical god associated with poetry. 339. ‘usefull’ (NLS) [not ‘useful’]; ‘Inspird’ (NLS) [not ‘inspired’] 340. ‘Genrous Poet for his pains’ (NLS) [not ‘generous Poet for his Pains’] 341. ‘Thus he for a change by wholesome Litrature & exercise’ (NLS) [not ‘Thus he by Lit’rature and Exercise’] 342. ‘he enjoys Life he lives each hour He Improves his Mind and wards off each disease’ (NLS) [not ‘Improves his Soul, and wards off each Disease’] 343. ‘Healths wel known foes I’ve taken pains to show’ (BL) [not ‘Health’s op’ner Foes, we’ve taken Care to show’] 344. ‘Deseases in full Torents’ (BL) [not ‘Diseases in full Torrents’] 345. ‘when this these do Intrude’ (BL) [not ‘when these Ills intrude’]; ‘will’ (1724) [not ‘will,’] 346. ‘We Leave the Cure to the Physicians Skill’ (BL), ‘We leave the Cure to the Physician’s Skill’ (1724) [not ‘Then hope for Health from Clark’s approven Skill’] 347. ‘Lawes’ (BL) [not ‘Laws’] 348. ‘who to each Motion can asign a Cawse’ (BL), ‘And for Disorders can assign a Cause.’ (1724) [not ‘That for Disorders can assign a Cause:’] 349. ‘and know’ (BL) [not ‘Who know’]; ‘Vertues’ (1724) [not ‘Virtues’] 350. ‘and such as what each differing’ (BL) [not ‘And what each different’] 351. ‘Aply’ (BL) [not ‘Apply’]; ‘health, but’ (BL), ‘Health; but’ (1724) [not ‘Health. – But’]; ‘Qack’ (BL) [not ‘Quack’] 352. ‘that Gull the Croud’ (BL) [not ‘Who gulls the Crowd’] 353-35. While these lines, as printed in the copy-text, are not included in either (NLS) or (BL), (BL) contains l.353 and 355 as a couplet, squeezed between ll.352-56. 353. ‘or [deleted; illegible] him as charges the Gazets with the his Bills’ (BL) [not ‘Or him that charges Gazettes with his Bills’] 559

Poems 354. ‘Anadoyne’: ‘anodyne’, pain-killing medicine. 355. ‘who [rarely] ever cure but often kills’ (BL) [not ‘Who rarely ever cures, but often kills’] 357. ‘Binds with knoted tape’ (BL) [not ‘binds with knotted Tape’] 358. ‘can’ (BL) [not ‘will’]; ‘Purple’ (1724) [not ‘purple]; ‘fevers’ (BL) [not ‘Fevers’] 359. ‘Pick pence from some beliving fool’ (BL) [not ‘impose on some believing Fool’] 360. ‘Shake or fevers Raise the flame’ (BL) [not ‘shake, or Fevers raise a Flame’] 361. ‘fame’ (BL), ‘Fame.’ (1724) [not ‘Fame;’] 362. ‘Learning &’ (BL) ‘not ‘Learning, and’]; ‘respect’ (BL), ‘Respect’ (1724) [not ‘Respect,’] 363. ‘Prudence Honour’ (BL) [not ‘Prudence, Honour,’]; ‘erect.’ (1724) [not ‘erect:’] 366. ‘Be Gratefull Britons for your happy [illegible] for your Temprate beams’ (BL) [not ‘Be grateful, Britons, for your temp’rate Beams’] 367. ‘Green Hills & Silver’ (BL) [not ‘green Hills, and silver’] 368. ‘Mead,’ (1724) [not ‘Mead;’] 369. ‘feed.’ (1724) [not ‘feed:’]; ‘Hills wher the flocks Herds in Millions feed’ (BL) [not ‘Where rise green Heights, where Herds in Millions feed:’] (BL) has here these deleted lines, which anticipate l.370 as printed in the copy-text: Springs Rivers & Lakes Rivers & Bays where Here Plenty in the fairest form appears Here Happy seasons Regulate the Years 370. ‘usefull Plenty Mitigates’ (BL) [not ‘useful Plenty mitigates’] 371. ‘form sweets’ (BL) [not ‘sweets’] 372. ‘Upon Those shores wher Months of circling of feeble Rays beams’ (BL) [not ‘Upon those Shores, where Months of circling Rays’] 373. ‘Bays:’ (1724) [not ‘Bays;’]; ‘Snow & frozen streams’ (BL) [not ‘Snow, and frozen Bays’] 374. ‘Wher’ (BL), ‘Where’ (1724) [not ‘Where,’]’ ‘wrap in fŭr’ (BL) [not ‘wrapt in Fur,’] 375. ‘curd’ling’ (1724) [not ‘curdling’] 376. ‘Want’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Want,’] 377. ‘Commbines with Lenthned’ (BL) [not ‘Combines with lengthned’] 378. ‘Combat Joyfull’ (BL) [not ‘combate joyful’]; ‘Health,’ (1724) [not ‘Health’]; ‘& and [illegible] Life calm Repose’ [not ‘and calm Repose’] 379. ‘ane equal Warmth &’ (BL) [not ‘an equal Warmth and’] 381. ‘Weygate’ (1724) [not ‘Weygate,’] ‘Weygate’: probably Weygate Strait, as it was known, which sits, according to Gregory’s Manual of Modern Geography (1760), ‘between the N. of Moscovy and Nova Zembla; which are sometimes frozen up for 2 or 3 Years together’ (p.195); ‘Hudson’s Bay’: saltwater bay in north-eastern Canada. The Hudson’s Bay Company was created here and began trading in the late seventeenth century. 382. ‘one’ (1724: misprint) [not ‘on’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 560

Notes to Poems 1728 383. ‘Inflame the Boiling’ (BL) [not ‘inflame the boiling’] An illegible deleted line appears here in (BL). 384. ‘breath’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘breathe’] 385. ‘ane air oft thickened with Blew Plagues & death’ (BL) [not ‘A thickened Air, with pestilential Death’] 386. ‘Range’ (BL) [not ‘range’]; ‘wasts’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Wastes,’] 387. ‘edgd’ (BL) [not ‘edg’d,’]; ‘Beasts.’ (1724) [not ‘Beasts;’] 388. ‘crawl’ (1724) [not ‘crawl,’]; ‘Wher Crawll the Monsters crawl that sure destruction Bring’ (BL) [not ‘Where Serpents crawl, which sure Destruction bring’] 389. ‘th’e Invenomd’ (BL) ‘not ‘the envenom’d’]; ‘Sting:’ (1724) [not ‘Sting;’] 390. ‘yeild’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘yield’]; ‘healfull’ (BL) [not ‘industrious’] 391. ‘Golden Sheave and’ (BL) [not ‘golden Sheave, or’]; ‘Oil.’ (1724) [not ‘Oil:’] 392. ‘hear’ (BL) [not ‘here’]; ‘Stranger’ (BL) [not ‘Stranger,’] 393. ‘feverish’ (BL), ‘Fev’rish’ (1724) [not ‘fev’rish]; ‘Beams Rashes beams’ (BL) [not ‘Beams’]; ‘lengthend’ (BL) [not ‘lengthen’d’] 394. ‘Dutch’ (BL) [not ‘Dutch,’]; ‘Bost’ (BL) [not ‘boast’] 396. ‘those’ (BL) [not ‘these’] 398. ‘Raise hy your Beds & dread your numerous frogs’ (BL) [not ‘Raise high your Beds, and shun your croaking Frogs,’] 399. ‘Tobaco Smoak your fogs’ (BL) [not ‘Tobacco Smoak your Fogs’] 400. ‘with Stoves & Gins debauch your Bums and Brain’ (BL) [not ‘Soak on your Stoves, with Spirits charge your Veins,’] 401. ‘of Agues & Rhymatick pains’ (BL) [not ‘off Agues and Rheumatick Pains’] 402. ‘Proud Spaniard Strute oer’ (BL) [not ‘proud Spaniard strut on’] 403. ‘the schorched plain for limpid Rills’ (BL) [not ‘the Plain for Christal Rills’] 404. ‘Sallad’ (BL), ‘Salade,’ (1724) [not ‘Sallet,’] 405. ‘dayly Roots’ (BL) [not ‘daily Roots,’]; ‘daylie Bread’ (BL), ‘daily Bread,’ (1724) [not ‘daily Bread;’] 406. ‘sour’ (BL), ‘sowr’ (1724) [not ‘sowr,’]; ‘jealouse to his friend or wife’ (BL) [not ‘jealous of his Friend and Wife’] 407. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 408. ‘find,’ (1724) [not ‘find’] 409. ‘Sence’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Sense,’] 410. ‘Isles’ (BL) [not ‘Isles!’] 411. ‘alow’ (BL) [not ‘Allow’] 412. ‘flowry sward’ (BL) [not ‘Flow’ry Sward,’]; ‘and pay to’ (BL), ‘and make to’ (1724) [not ‘and offer’] 413. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 414. ‘if eer ever from thy fair healthfull Limits stray range stray’ (BL) [not ‘If e’er I from thy Healthful Limits stray’] 415. ‘wish or word a thought’ (BL), ‘Wish or Word a Thought’ (1724) [not ‘Wise, or Word, a Thought’] 416. ‘Intrest’ (BL) [not ‘Int’rest]; ‘thy Juge fair’ (BL) [not ‘fair’]; ‘Renown,’ (1724) [not ‘Renown;’] 417. ‘Crown;’ (1724) [not ‘Crown,’]; ‘May neer a Lawrell [illegible] on my never Daphen furnish me Crown ’ (BL) [not ‘May never Daphne furnish me a Crown’] 561

Poems ‘Daphne’: meaning ‘laurel’, naiad of Greek mythology. 418. ‘nor May the Blooming Beautys of the Isle’ (BL) [not ‘Nor may the firstrate Judges of our Isle’] 419. ‘or sing or on my Deathles Numbers smile’ (BL) [not ‘Or read or on my blythsome Numbers smile’] 420-23. These lines, as printed in the copy-text, do not feature in either (BL) or (NLS). The following lines appear in (BL) in their place: No greater curse one Inocent of Wealth Can Inpriate, except the Want & Health 420. ‘Thalia’: one of the nine Muses, patron of comedy and pastoral poetry. 422. ‘Bray,’ (1724) [not ‘Bray;’] At this point, (1724) includes a further five lines which do not appear in (BL) or (NLS); a slight variation of these lines features at the beginning of the poem in Poems (1728): Be’t mine the Honour once again to hear, And see the best of Men for me appear, I’ll proudly chant, be dumb, ye thoughtless Throng, S----- bids me sing, to him these Lays belong, When he approves, who can condemn my Song? Robert, Richy, and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of Matthew Prior Esq Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in 1721 in London as Robert, Richy and Sandy: A Pastoral On the Death of Matthew Prior, Esq; Dedicated To The Right Honourable Person Designed by the Old Shepherd (London: Printed by S. Palmer, for Bernard Lintot, at the Cross-Keys between the Temple Gates in Fleet Street, and Sold by J. Roberts in Warwick-lane, 1721). This 1721 London edition features the following dedication which is not reprinted in Poems (1728): to the Right Honourable

My Lord, The Unwelcome Subject of the ensuing Pastoral having for many Years been lov’d and admir’d by every one of good Sense who had a Taste for Poetry writ with Witt, Strength, and Politeness, yet Easy; — ’tis well known, that your Lordship has suffer’d nothing in your shining Character by having had a Regard for a Person of his Worth: Wherefore I have used (perhaps with too much Assurance) the Freedom to crave your Protection of this small Monument rais’d to his Memory. Tho’ the Language hereof may seem uncouth, it will afford your Lordship the greater Amusement, when explain’d by a Scotsman. I am, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most humble and unkenn’d Servant, Allan Ramsay. 562

Notes to Poems 1728 Although the London edition does not identify its dedicatee, Ramsay’s note on the title of the poem as it is printed in Poems (1728) reveals the addressee to be ‘Robert late Earl of Oxford’: Robert Harley, first Earl of Oxford and Mortimer (1661-1724), prominent politician who served as British Lord High Treasurer from 1711 to 1714 who was central to Queen Anne’s ministry. He is credited for securing the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), which ended British involvement in the War of the Spanish Succession. Harley was also a noted literary patron and a supporter of the Scriblerus Club, a literary society formed in London in 1714 and frequented by, among others, Pope, Swift, Gay and Arbuthnot. Title: The title, style and content of the poem is reminiscent of Ramsay’s previous pastoral elegy – ‘Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral on the Death of Joseph Addison’ – which was published in Poems (1721), and Ramsay’s footnote at l.44 of ‘Robert, Richy, and Sandy’ makes a connection between the two works. The subject of ‘Robert, Richy, and Sandy’ is Matthew Prior (16641721), a poet and diplomat who had died in the year of the poem’s first publication in London. Like Harley, Prior was heavily involved in drawing up the Treaty of Utrecht. Prior was succeeded by another of Ramsay’s associates, John Dalrymple, Earl of Stair, as British Ambassador to France shortly before being imprisoned under house arrest for alleged corruption in the Utrecht negotiations; the same fate befell Ramsay’s dedicatee, Robert Harley. (The previous poem published in Poems (1728) is ‘Health’, which was dedicated to Dalrymple.) Following his release and the end of his political career, Prior dedicated himself to developing his country estate in Essex, antiquarianism and writing. His major texts are Solomon (1718) and Alma (1719), and he is commemorated in Westminster Abbey’s Poet’s Corner. 1. ‘douse’ (1721) [not ‘good’] ‘Robert the good’: Robert Harley, Lord Oxford, the poem’s dedicatee; see headnote above. 2. ‘Beard;’ (1721) [not ‘Beard:’] 4. ‘Moorland’ (1721) [not ‘Moor-land’] 5. ‘wi’’ (1721) [not ‘with’] 6. ‘Mind;’ (1721) [not ‘Mind.’] 8. ‘its’ (1721) [not ‘’tis’] 10. ‘len;’ (1721) [not ‘len:’] 12. ‘Tears.’ (1721) [not ‘Tears;’] 14. ‘auld good Man’ (1721) [not ‘good auld Man’] 15. ‘Ane Richy height’ (1721) [not ‘Kind Richy Spec’] ‘Richy’: Richard Steele (bap. 1672-1729), Irish writer and politician; ‘Spec’: Steele’s journal, The Spectator, which he founded with Joseph Addison in 1711. 16. ‘Ane Sandy,’ (1721) [not ‘And Sandy’]; ‘Shepherd’s sings the best:’ (1721) [not ‘Shepherds sings the best;’] ‘Sandy’: Alexander Pope. 17. ‘mourn’d’ (1721) [not ‘mourn’d,’] 18. ‘Three Times he sigh’d, and thus to them return’d:’ (1721) [not ‘He rais’d his Head, and sighing thus return’d.’] 19. ‘My Matt, my Matt! O Lads,’ (1721) [not ‘O Matt! poor Matt! – My Lads,’] 563

Poems 20. ‘Grief’ (1721) [not ‘Grief;’]; ‘Our sweet-tongu’d’ (1721) [not ‘Sweet singing’] 21. ‘Heav’ns’ (1721) [not ‘Heavens’] 22. ‘thine?’ (1721) [not ‘thine!’] 23. ‘way’ (1721) [not ‘Way’] 25. ‘Iskisk’ (1721) [not ‘Isk-isk’]; ‘Man,’ (1721) [not ‘Man;’] 26. ‘wagg’d’ (1721) [not ‘wag’d’] 27. ‘straik’d his Back’ (1721) [not ‘clap’d his Head’] 28. ‘yowl’d’ (1721) [not ‘youl’d’] 29. ‘Beast;’ (1721) [not ‘Beast.’] 30. ‘we.’ (1721) [not ‘we!’] 31. ‘Troop’ (1721) [not ‘Tupe’] 32. ‘Snaw out,’ (1721) [not ‘Snaw, out’] 33. ‘brake his Neck’ (1721) [not ‘brak his Leg.’] 34. ‘But now my Dream its red’ (1721) [not ‘Ah! now my Dream it’s red’] 35. ‘away!’ (1721) [not ‘away,’] 36. ‘Winters’ (1721) [not ‘Winter’s’] 37. ‘Flow on ye Tears’ (1721) [not ‘Flow fast, ye Tears’] 38. ‘O’ (1721) [not ‘Dear’]; ‘thousands’ (1721) [not ‘Thousands’]; ‘thee!’ (1721) [not ‘thee.’] 39. ‘Friends’ (1721) [not ‘Friends,’] 40. ‘him, wha to us a’ was dear;’ (1721) [not ‘him; he to us a’ was dear:’] 44. ‘Eddie’: Joseph Addison (1672-1719), mourned in Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’; Ramsay's footnote cross-references his earlier poem, published in Poems (1721), p. 172; ‘Secretary Addison’: Addison was Under-Secretary of State and secretary to Lord Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 46. ‘Souls, alake, wha have we left?’ (1721) [not ‘Sauls, alake! wha have we left!’] 47. ‘giv’n;’ (1721) [not ‘given,’] 48. ‘Heav’n’ (1721) [not ‘Heaven’] 51. A new stanza is begun at this line in (1721); there is no such break in Poems (1728); ‘Ash Tree’ (1721) [not ‘Ash-tree’] 53. ‘flourish’d’ (1721) [not ‘flowrish’d’] 55. ‘ane’ (1721) [not ‘ae’] 56. ‘from’ (1721) [not ‘frae’] 57. ‘Nourishment’ (1721) [not ‘Nourishment,’] 59. ‘but’ (1721) [not ‘But’] 60. ‘grew!’ (1721) [not ‘grew?’]; ‘fell!’ (1721) [not ‘fell?’] 61. ‘could’ (1721) [not ‘cou’d’]; ‘give’ (1721) [not ‘gi’e’] 62. ‘with’ (1721) [not ‘wi’’]; ‘loof!’ (1721) [not ‘loof?’] 63. ‘dosen’d’ (1721) [not ‘Dosen’d’] 64. ‘Purganty’ (1721) [not ‘Purganty,’]; ‘Ring!’ (1721) [not ‘Ring?’] ‘Purganty’: Prior’s ‘Paulo Purganti and His Wife: An Honest, but a Simple Pair’ (1718); ‘the Dutchman’s Ring’: Prior’s Hans Carvel (1718), in which the protagonist is given a ‘Magick Ring’ (l.133) by the devil. 65. ‘Siller Ladle’: Prior’s ‘The Ladle’ (1718). According to the STS editors, Prior’s is ‘a story based on Ovid’s Baucis and Philemon, and bear[s] some resemblances to Ramsay’s Mercury in Quest of Peace’ (STS II, p.60). 67. ‘Unnatural Witts he will’d’ (1721) [not ‘The wad-be Wits, he bade’] 68. ‘Shap,’ (1721) [not ‘Shap;’] 564

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘Tam Tinman’s Shap’: the opening lines of Prior’s ‘A Simile’ (1718) – ‘Dear Thomas, didst thou never pop/Thy head into a tin-man’s shop?’ (ll.1-2). 69. ‘might’ (1721) [not ‘wad’] 71. ‘things’ (1721) [not ‘Things’]; ‘could’ (1721) [not ‘cou’d’] 72. ‘strong’ (1721) [not ‘strang’]; ‘Day.’ (1721) [not ‘Day;’] 73. ‘Gay’ (1721) [not ‘Smart’] 74. ‘gay’ (1721) [not ‘blyth’]; ‘was!’ (1721) [not ‘was?’]; ‘fell!’ (1721) [not ‘fell?’] 75. ‘himself would’ (1721) [not ‘himsell wa’d’] 76. ‘a’,’ (1721) [not ‘a’;’] 79. ‘Red-Yards’ (1721) [not ‘Red-yards’]; ‘Fewd’ (1721) [not ‘Feud’] 80. ‘own Blood,’ (1721) [not ‘ain Blood;’] 81. ‘I and several mair’ (1721) [not ‘I, and mony mae’] 82. ‘House;’ (1721) [not ‘House:’] 83. ‘Lady ANNE’: Anne (1665-1714), Queen of Scotland, England and Ireland from 1702 to 1707, and thereafter British sovereign until 1714. 84. ‘Rancour and a bloody Mind,’ (1721) [not ‘Wiers, and of a peacefu’ Mind;’] 85. ‘When’ (1721) [not Since’]; ‘Dead’ (1721) [not ‘dead’] 86. ‘Peace’ (1721) [not ‘Peace,’] ‘To make the peace’: Prior’s (and Harley’s) role in negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht, which ended twelve years of British military involvement in the War of the Spanish Succession. Prior was British Ambassador to France. 88. ‘sar he jyb’d’: as Ramsay’s footnote explains, Prior responded satirically to Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux’s Ode sur la Prise de Namur (1693) with An English Ballad in Answer to Mr. Despreaux’s Pindarique Ode on the Taking of Namure (1695). 89. ‘Active’ (1721) [not ‘Careful’] 90. ‘was!’ (1721) [not ‘was?’]; ‘fell!’ (1721) [not ‘fell?’] 91. ‘could like him’ (1721) [not ‘cou’d, like him,’] ‘a short Sang’: Prior’s ‘The Despairing Shepherdess’ (1718). 92. ‘Pine?’ (1721) [not ‘Pine.’] 94. ‘Clay,’ (1721) [not ‘Clay;’] 96. ‘bow’d, obey’d and dy’d’: the closing lines of ‘The Despairing Shepherdess’, ‘But You shall promise ne’er again/To breath your Vows, or speak your Pain:/ He bow’d, obey’d, and dy’d.’ (ll.34-36). 97. ‘But sic dear Lasses, as the Nit-brown Maid’ (1721) [not ‘Sic constant Lasses as the Nit Brown Maid’] ‘Nit-brown Maid’: Prior’s ‘Henry and Emma, A Poem, Upon the Model of The Nut-Brown Maid’ (1718); see also Ramsay’s ‘Henry to Emma’. 98. ‘ay-lasting Honours’ (1721) [not ‘just Praises duly’] 99. ‘Lays’ (1721) [not ‘Sang’] 100. ‘manly Mind to shield and roose’ (1721) [not ‘pleasing Words to guide and ruse’] 101. ‘Sweet was’ (1721) [not ‘How sweet’] 102. ‘new:’ (1721) [not ‘new;’] 103. ‘wrang.’ (1721) [not ‘wrang:’] 104. ‘sang!’ (1721) [not ‘sung?’]; ‘fell!’ (1721) [not ‘fell?’] 105. ‘Mind’ (1721) [not ‘mind’] 106. ‘could’ (1721) [not ‘cou’d’] 565

Poems 107. ‘often’ (1721) [not ‘aften’] 108. ‘View;’ (1721) [not ‘View,’] 109. ‘could’ (1721) [not ‘cou’d’] 110. ‘bid’ (1721) [not ‘bids’]; ‘Law,’ (1721) [not ‘Law;’] 112. ‘Wi’’ (1721) [not ‘With’]; ‘Times’ (1721) [not ‘times’]; ‘Sheep;’ (1721) [not ‘Sheep.’] 113. ‘of God’s unbounding’ (1721) [not ‘of Pleasure, Power and’] 115. ‘braid-spoken,’ (1721) [not ‘braid-spoken’] 116. ‘outmost’ (1721) [not ‘utmost’] 117. ‘But where’s the’ (1721) [not ‘But ah! what’] 118. ‘flew!’ (1721) [not ‘flew?’]; ‘fell!’ (1721) [not ‘fell?’] 120. ‘Skaith;’ (1721) [not ‘Skaith:’] 122. ‘can’ (1721) [not ‘can;’]; ‘Then’ (1721) [not ‘then’] 125. ‘Fauter’ (1721) [not ‘Fauter,’] ‘Fauter’: wrongdoer or defaulter, especially against Church discipline. 126. ‘Fast.’ (1721) [not ‘faust:’] 127. ‘Let’s to my Shiel, I have a Browst of Tip’ (1721) [not ‘Come to my Shiel, there let’s forget our Care’] The second half of this line in (1721) – ‘I have a Browst of Tip’ – is reused in l.130 of Poems (1728); see below. 128-29. These lines in Poems (1728) do not appear in (1721). 131. ‘wush’ (1721) [not ‘wuish’]; ‘Lip:’ (1721) [not ‘Lip;’] 132. ‘take’ (1721) [not ‘tak’] 133. ‘For Reason tells me a’ our Sighs are vain;’ (1721) [not ‘For a’ our Tears and Sighs are but in vain:’] 134. ‘Come help me up’ (1721) [not ‘Come, help me up;’]; ‘Yon’ (1721) [not ‘yon’] To Mr. Pope Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.26v). Not previously published. According to IELM, an additional MS copy once existed, having been noted in the Sotheby’s catalogue for 21 December 1921, entitled ‘To Mr Pope, on Three times Reading his Translation of Homer’ (p.240); this MS has not been located. Title: English poet, Alexander Pope (1688-1744), a subscriber of both editions of Ramsay’s poems, published in 1721 and 1728. 1. ‘Thee I have Read’ (MS) [not ‘Three times I’ve read’] ‘your Iliad’: Pope’s translation of Homer’s Iliad was published in serial between 1715 and 1720. 2. ‘Pleasd’ (MS) [not ‘pleas’d’] 3. ‘New Beautys niest I did explore unobservd before’ (MS) [not ‘New Beauties unobserv’d before’] 4. ‘that niest Pleasd’ (MS) [not ‘Next pleas’d’] 7. ‘This’ (MS) [not ‘The’] 9-10. ‘henceford I dare not Esay/to con ye oer with Care’ (MS) [not ‘Henceforward I’ll not tempt my Fate,/On dazzling Rays to stare,’] 11. ‘Shoud’ (MS) [not ‘Should’] 12. ‘Read & Write’ (MS) [not ‘read and write’] 566

Notes to Poems 1728 Epistle to the Honourable Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, f.18v), consisting of ll.37-42 and ll.19-24; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.132v-4), consisting of ll.49-66, ll.25-48 and ll.67-107; EUL (Laing II.212, f.18), autograph fair copy. It is possible that, as in the case of ‘Health’, a MS draft of the poem once existed which was subsequently broken into two fragments; these fragments ended up in the NLS and the BL collections. The STS editors state that the NLS copy features the poem, while the BL copy contains Ramsay’s fable (VI, p.61): as the list of variants between MS and print below demonstrates, the story is much more complicated than this. The STS editors were not aware of EUL’s fair copy of the poem. The poem’s print history is no less complex. It was first printed in an 80page variant edition of ‘Health’, published in Edinburgh in 1724: for the full publishing history of ‘Health’, and the appearance of ‘Epistle to the Honourable Duncan Forbes’ therein, see the notes for that poem. In its first appearance in print, its title is ‘On Pride. An Epistle to ---’, and it includes a French epigraph by De Gomberville as follows: Mange dessous un Dais; dors dedans un Balustre, Sois Fils de mille Rois, & petit fils des Dieux, Si tu n’as la Virtu qui les mit dans les Cieux, Tu ne seras qu’un Sot illustre. De Gomberville Marin Le Roy de Gomberville (1600-74) was a French writer and poet, and Ramsay’s quotation can be found in La Doctrine des Moeurs qui Represente en Cent Tableaux, La Difference des Passions (Paris, 1685, p.197). The epigraph is translated thus: ‘Eat under a Dais; sleep in a Baluster,/Be the Son of a thousand Kings, & grandson of the Gods,/If you do not have the Virtue of who put them in Heaven,/You will only be an illustrious Fool.’ IELM states that there were two previously printed versions of ‘Epistle to… Duncan Forbes’: ‘First pub. as “Epistle and Fable on Pride to Mr. F—” with Health (1724), and as “On Pride. An Epistle to —” (1724)’ (p.204). It is more likely, however, that there was only one previously printed version, which was advertised as ‘Epistle and Fable…’ and thereafter printed as ‘On Pride. An Epistle to —’ alongside Health. Title: ‘Epistle To The Honoŭrable Dŭncan Forbes Lord Advocat’ (EUL); ‘On PRIDE. An Epistle to ------’ (1724) [not ‘EPISTLE To the Honourable DUNCAN FORBES, Lord Advocate.’] Duncan Forbes (1685-1747): Scottish politician and judge who was sheriff depute and sheriff of Edinburghshire in the 1710s. According to John S. Shaw, ‘During the Jacobite rising of 1715 Forbes, a Presbyterian supporter of the Hanoverian succession, was deputy lord lieutenant of Inverness-shire’ (Shaw, ‘Forbes, Duncan’, ODNB); despite this, he argued for clemency for the imprisoned rebels. In 1721 he became MP for Ayr, and was in 1722 elected for Inverness, remaining until 1737. Forbes was appointed Lord Advocate in 1725, a post he retained until Edinburgh’s Porteous Riots prompted his resignation in 1737. At the Jacobite rising of 1745, he was employed in anti-Jacobite efforts by John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair. Following the ’45, he continued in his 567

Poems belief that ‘Unnecessary Severitys’ against imprisoned Jacobites ‘create Pity’ (see H.R. Duff, Culloden Papers [1815], pp.284-85). According to Jacqueline Riding’s Jacobites: A New History of the 45 Rebellion (2016), when Flora MacDonald was arrested, Forbes arranged her protection until she was released by the 1747 Act of Indemnity (p.496). Forbes was author of several theological works, and lawyer of the notorious MP, gambler and convicted rapist Francis Charteris (c.1665-1732). (1724) begins with ‘Sir,’ an address which is not retained in Poems (1728). 1. ‘Study three Foot’ (1724) [not ‘Closet six Foot’] 2. ‘mekle’ (EUL) [not ‘meikle’] 3. ‘Pass’ (EUL) [not ‘pass’]; ‘Day’ (EUL), ‘Day,’ (1724) [not ‘Day;’] 5. ‘pursue’ (1724) [not ‘attend’] 6. ‘Lay’ (EUL) [not ‘lay’] 7. ‘Rack’ (1724) [not ‘Wing’] 8. ‘Something that Blith and snack to sing’ (EUL), ‘Something to sing that’s blyth or snack’ (1724) [not ‘Something that’s blyth and snack to sing’] 9. ‘To’ (1724) [not ‘And’]; ‘runckled’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘runkled’] 10. ‘vacant Minutes I’ (1724) [not ‘Care I happily’]; ‘happylie Beguile’ (EUL) [not ‘happily beguile’] 11. ‘To win’ (1724) [not ‘Hoping’]; ‘Smile’ (1724) [not ‘Smile,’] 12. ‘ony ane’ (1724) [not ‘best of Men,’]; ‘Like’ (EUL) [not ‘like’] 13. ‘You’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘You,’]; ‘kitle’ (EUL) [not ‘kittle’] 14. ‘debate’ (EUL) [not ‘Debate’] 15. ‘wrang,’ (1724) [not ‘wrang;’] 16. ‘blithly can’ (EUL) [not ‘blythly can,’] 17. ‘friend’ (EUL) [not ‘friend,’] 19. ‘mony’ (EUL) [not ‘mony,’] 20. ‘wand’ring’ (EUL) [not ‘wandring’]; ‘throw’ (NLS) [not ‘through’] 21. ‘Proŭd’ (EUL) [not ‘Proud’]; ‘Lords of Hell Thief in Hell’ (NLS) [not ‘Thief in Hell,’] 22. ‘Pretend’ (EUL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘Pretend,’]; ‘forsooth’ (EUL, 1724), ‘forsoth’ (NLS) [not ‘forsooth,’]; ‘the’re better fowk’ (NLS) [not ‘they’re gentle Fowk’] 23. ‘because blind Chance Luck gies them the yowk’ (NLS) [not ‘’Cause Chance gi’es them of Gear the Yowk,’] 24. ‘fowk chiels’ (NLS), ‘Chiels’ (1724) [not ‘Chiels’]; ‘Shell.’ (1724) [not ‘Shell?’] 25. ‘Wean’ (BL, EUL, 1724) [not ‘We’an’] 26. ‘greet’ (BL, EUL, 1724) [not ‘greet,’]; ‘na’ Tal’ (BL), ‘not tall;’ (EUL), ‘na tall;’ (1724) [not ‘not tall:’] 27. ‘but lift it on a Board and than’ (BL), ‘Heez’t’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘Heez’d on a Board, O than!’] From this point, some but not all of the 6-line stanzas as printed in Poems (1728) can be traced in (BL). In the printed text, the stanzas rhyme AABCCB, but in (BL) the fourth and fifth lines of the stanza are often missing, giving a rhyme scheme of AABB. The third line as printed, which is a threestress line as opposed to the four stresses in the first two lines, is rendered longer in (BL). 28. ‘Rejoycing in its artfu’ Hight’ (EUL), ‘Rejoycing in the artfu’ Hight’ (1724) [not ‘Rejoicing in the artfu’ Height’] 568

Notes to Poems 1728 29. ‘litle’ (EUL), ‘looks the little Wight,’ (1724) [not ‘look’d the little Wight!’] 30. ‘wel pleast ’twad think it sell a Man’ (BL), ‘And thinks itsell a Man’ (1724) [not ‘And thought it sell a Man’] 31. ‘Sic Bairns ar Men heezd up a wee’ (BL), ‘Sic Bairns are some, blawn up a wee’ (1724) [not ‘Sic Bairns are some blawn up a wee’] 32. ‘Splendor Wealth & Quality’ (BL) [not ‘Splendor, Wealth and Quality’] 33. ‘upon these stilts they strute fou fain’ (BL) [not ‘Upon these Stilts grown vain’] 34. ‘fowk’ (EUL), ‘Fouk’ (1724) [not ‘Fowk’] 36. ‘and think this artfou hight their ain’ (BL) [not ‘Thinking this Height their ain’] 37. ‘this proud’ (BL) [not ‘sic a’’] 38. ‘gars the’ (NLS, EUL), ‘gars him’ (BL) [not ‘gars thee’]; ‘high &’ (BL), ‘High &’ (NLS), ‘high and’ (1724) [not ‘big and’] At this point, (NLS) has a line not retained in Poems (1728): ‘is’t Lecquies W—s & Grooms’. Here too, (BL) has two lines which are not retained in Poems (1728): ‘[illegible] descent, Rank or equapage/Grooms, Lekies misses & a page’. 39. ‘is ane’ (NLS), ‘Is’t ane’ (1724) [not ‘Is’t an’] 40. ‘Fifty’ (1724) [not ‘fifty’]; ‘a palace & a spacious Table’ (BL) [not ‘Or fifty Dishes on your Table?’] 41. ‘with fifty’ (BL), ‘And fifty as mony’ (NLS), ‘Or Fifty’ (1724) [not ‘Or fifty); ‘his’ (BL) [not ‘your’] At this point (NLS) has a line not retained in Poems (1728): ‘or richly furnish’d’] 43-44. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) are inverted in (BL). They are, however, renumbered, suggesting that the revision was made in MS, and in advance of printing. 43. ‘Things’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘things’] 44. ‘Come thoughtless litle mortall great man tell’ (BL), ‘Come vain gigantick Shadow tell’ (EUL), ‘Come, proud gigantick Shadow, tell:’ (1724) [not ‘Come, vain gigantick Shadow, tell,’] 45. ‘and sayst thou yes – well then I’l shew’ (BL) [not ‘If thou sayest, Yes – I’ll shaw’] 46. ‘means’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘Mean’s’]; ‘shallow’ (BL) [not ‘silly’] 47. ‘Croil,’ (EUL, 1724), ‘Croil –’ (BL) [not ‘croil,’] 48. In place of this line as printed in Poems (1728), (BL) has this couplet: ‘thy sauls A blacken doer wi Lusts/Thou cheats thy sell and us disgusts’ 49. ‘Some Some great and indead and nobly born’ (BL), ‘Accept our Praise ye Nobly born’ (EUL), ‘Some really Great and Nobly born’ (1724) [not ‘Accept our Praise, ye nobly Born’] 51. ‘With ilka ?brave gift’ (BL), ‘Gift,’ (1724) [not ‘With ilka manly Gift;’] 52. ‘their’ (1724) [not ‘your’] 54. ‘which their forbears at first did lift’ (BL) [not ‘Which your Forbears did lift’] 55. ‘delight’ (EUL) [not ‘Delight,’]; ‘aboon the Vulgar – To this few’ (BL), ‘Frankly to this superior Few’ (1724) [not ‘In Duty, with Delight, to You’] 56. ‘Inferiour’ (EUL) [not ‘inferior’]; ‘pride pardonable we’ll allow’ (BL), ‘Pride 569

Poems pardonable we’ll allow;’ (1724) [not ‘Th’ inferior World justly bow’] 57. ‘But those alone are maist denied’ (BL), ‘while you’re are the maist denyd’ (EUL), ‘But these are maist deny’d:’ (1724) [not ‘While You’re the maist deny’d;’] 58. ‘Yet they shall be rever’d and priz’d’ (1724) [not ‘Yet shall Your Worth be ever priz’d’] 59. ‘Naithings are despis’d,’ (1724) [not ‘Nathings are despis’d’] 60. ‘glaring’ (1724) [not ‘stinkan’]; ‘hating to be hood winkd wi’ pride’ (BL) [not ‘With a’ their stinkan Pride’] At this point, (BL) has six lines which are not retained in Poems (1728). Only the first two lines are legible, the remaining four being heavily cancelled: ‘yet sic ken well due length to keep/frae sauls awake and them that sleep’. 61. ‘for Ilustration as we’r able’ (BL) [not ‘This to set aff as I am able’] 62. ‘I warn ye A’ to Read this fable’ (BL), ‘French Man (EUL, 1724) [not ‘I’ll frae a Frenchman thigg a Fable’] 63. ‘Frenchman’: Antoine Houdar de la Motte (1672-1731), French author and fabulist. His Fables nouvelles was first published in Paris in 1719 and reprinted in numerous later editions. Most of Ramsay’s own fables published in Poems (1728) are based on La Motte’s originals. 64. ‘Altho’’ (1724) [not ‘And tho’’]; ‘Mote’s’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘Motte’s’] 66. ‘Second’ (EUL) [not ‘second’] 67-107. Ramsay’s adaptation of La Motte’s ‘Les Deux Livres’, from his Fables nouvelles (1719) Book IV, Fable IX, pp.235-38. (1724) has the following title before l.67: ‘Fable of the twa Books’; this subtitle is not retained in Poems (1728). 67. ‘Books,’ (BL, EUL) [not ‘Books,’]; ‘Nighbours’ (BL, EUL) [not ‘Neighbours’] 68. ‘Fop:’ (1724) [not ‘Fop,’] 69. ‘weather Beaten’ (BL) [not ‘weather-beaten’] 70. ‘Leathern’ (1724) [not ‘Caf-skin’]; ‘and parchment jacket was worm eaten’ (BL) [not ‘And Caf-skin Jacket fair worm-eaten’] 71. ‘The Morernd proud’ (BL), ‘The Corky proud’ (EUL), ‘The Modern proud’ (1724) [not ‘The Corky, proud’]; ‘Sute’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘Suit’] 72. ‘nose’ (BL, EUL), [not ‘Nose,’] 73. ‘Oh’ (BL) [not ‘Oh!’] 74. ‘figh’ (BL) [not ‘Figh!’] 75. ‘how what way can ane sae fine as me’ (BL) [not ‘How can a gentle Book like me’] 76. ‘scoundrell’ (BL), ‘Scoundrell’ (EUL) [not ‘scoundrel’] 77. ‘may can’ (BL) [not ‘may’]; ‘Fouk’ (1724) [not ‘Fowk’] 78. ‘closs’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘close’]; ‘ane’ (BL) [not ‘this’]; ‘Thing’ (1724) [not ‘thing;’] 79. ‘silly’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘simple’] 80. ‘disregards’ (BL) [not ‘disregard]; ‘Merit.’ (1724) [not ‘Merit?’] 81. ‘Quoth Graybaird Wisht sir with your din’ (BL), ‘Quoth gray-baird, whisht Sir with your din’ (EUL), ‘Quoth Graybaird, Whisht, Sir, wi’ ye’r Din’ (1724) [not ‘Quoth Gray-baird, Whisht, Sir, with your Din’] 83. ‘ye’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘you’] 85. ‘Perhaps’ (BL), ‘Maybe’ (1724) [not ‘May be’]; ‘Better’ (BL) [not ‘better’] 570

Notes to Poems 1728 86. ‘Ah’ (BL) [not ‘O’]; ‘Bear’ (BL) [not ‘thole’] 87. ‘hash’ (BL), ‘Hash:’ (1724) [not ‘Hash;’] 88. ‘Minute’ (BL) [not ‘Moment’] 89. ‘My Lord’ (BL, EUL), ‘My Lord!’ (1724) [not ‘My Lord,’] 90. ‘pray let me only’ (BL) [not ‘Pray only let me’] 91. ‘wou’d’ (1724) [not ‘wad’] 92. ‘Tongŭe’ (EUL), ‘Tongue,’ (1724) [not Tongue’]; ‘Ah’ (BL), ‘O’ (1724) [not ‘Pray’] ‘Master Symmer’: may be ‘an Edinburgh bookseller, a friend of Ramsay’s who witnessed the baptism of several of Ramsay’s children’ (STS VI, p.61). 93. ‘noisie’ (BL, 1724) [not ‘dinsome’] 95. ‘or value persons of high station’ (BL), ‘Station:’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘And us of a distinguish’d Station,’] 96. ‘let me huried’ (BL) [not ‘let me be hurried’] 100. ‘wha up auld Parchment Lifts & eyes him’ (BL), ‘he up dous Stanza lifts and Eyes him’ (EUL), ‘Wha up auld Parchment lifts and Eyes him’ (1724) [not ‘He up douse Stanza lifts, and ey’s him’] 101. ‘Leavs’ (BL) [not ‘Leaves’]; ‘admires’ (BL, EUL, 1724) [not ‘admires,’] 102. ‘baith good and scarce’ (BL) [not ‘good and scarce’] 103. ‘smothest’ (BL), ‘smoothest’ (1724) [not ‘sweetest’] 104. ‘Guilt cleathing’ (BL), ‘Gilt Cleathing’ (1724) [not ‘gilt cleathing’] 105. ‘Cryd Heavens wha Buys this Bonny Neathing’ (BL), ‘Crys, Gods wha buys this bony Naithing’ (EUL), ‘Crys, Gods! Wha buys this bony Naithing?’ (1724) [not ‘Cries, Gods! wha buys this bonny naithing?’] 106. ‘Print,’ (1724) [not ‘Print:’] 107. ‘heh’ (BL) [not ‘Wow!’]; ‘Deal’ (1724) [not ‘deal’] 108. ‘Now to apply what is invented’ (1724) [not ‘Now, Sir, t’ apply what we’ve invented’] 109. ‘represented,’ (1724) [not ‘represented:’] 110. ‘And’ (EUL, 1724) [not ‘And,’] 111. ‘In ought to merit your Regard’ (1724) [not ‘My Lays shall merit your regard’] 112. ‘Rewad’ (EUL) [not ‘Reward’] The Clock and Dial Text: Poems (1728). MS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.18). The MS features the following doodles in Ramsay’s hand:

571

Poems First printed as ‘Fable III’ in Fables and Tales (1722), of which there are at least two imprints. The first has the following publication information: ‘Edinburgh, Printed for the Author, at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, 1722’, while the second has ‘Edinburgh, Printed for the Author, at the Mercury, opposite to the Cross Well, 1722’. The contents of both imprints are the same, save the latter publication’s addition of ‘Bagpipes no Music’, ‘Grubstreet nae satyre’ and ‘Ramsay’s Reasons for not Answering the Hackney Scriblers’, on pp.3744. Martin identifies another edition of Fables and Tales, which has the same title page as the first edition, but with the additional contents of the second. Ramsay’s poem is a Scots rendering of La Motte’s ‘La Montre & le Quadran Solaire’ (Book III, Fable 2). Ramsay’s edition of Fables and Tales (1722) has the following motto from ‘Ld. Lansdowne’ on its title-page: ‘Important Truths still let your Fables hold,/ And moral Mysteries with Art unfold,/As Veils transparent cover, but not hide;/Such Metaphors appear, when right apply’d.’ The edition also has an ‘Advertisement’, as follows: Some of the following are taken from Messieurs Fontaine and La Motte, whom I have endeavoured to make speak Scots with as much Ease as I can; at the same Time aiming at the Spirit of these eminent Authors, without being too servile a Translator. If my manner of expressing a Design already invented have any Particularity that is agreeable, good Judges will allow such Imitations to be Originals, form’d upon the Idea of another. Others who drudge at the dull verbatim, are like timorous Attendants, who dare not move one Pace without their Master’s Leave, and are never far from their Back but when they are not able to come up with them. Those, amongst them which are my own Invention, with Respect to the Plot, as well as the Numbers, I leave the Reader to find out; or if he think it worth his while to ask me, I shall tell him. If this Collection prove acceptable, as I hope it will, I know not how far the Love I have for this manner of Writing may engage me to be divertingly usefull. Instruction in such a Dress is fitted for every Palate, and strongly imprints a good Moral upon the Mind. When I think on the Clock and the Dial, I’m never upon the Blush, altho’ I should sit in Company ten Minutes without speaking. The Thoughts of the Fox and Rat has hindered me sometimes from disobliging a Person I did not much value. The wise Lizard makes me content with low Life. The Judgment of Minos gives me a Disgust at Avarice, and Jupiter’s Lottery helps to keep me humble; tho’ I own it has e’en enough ado wi’t, &c. A Man who has his Mind furnished with such a Stock of good Sense, as may be had from those excellent Fables, which has been approved of by Ages, is Proof against the Insults of all those mistaken Notions which so much harass humane Life: And what is Life without Serenity of Mind? How much of a Philosopher is this same moral Muse like to make of me! But (says one) Ay, ay, you’re a canny Lad, ye want to make the other Peny by her, - - - - Positively I dare not altogether deny this, no more than if I were a Clergyman or Physician; and altho’ all of us love to 572

Notes to Poems 1728 be serviceable to the World, even for the sake of bare naked Virtue, yet Approbation and Encouragement make our Diligence still more delightfull. (pp.iii-iv) Title: ‘Dial’: sundial. 1. ‘Knock’ (1722) [not ‘Clock’] 2. ‘Qualitys’ (MS) [not ‘Qualities’]; ‘trial;’ (1722) [not ‘Trial,’] 3. ‘Addresst him thus, My Neighbour, pray’ (1722) [not ‘Spake to him thus, My Neibour, pray’] 4. ‘Time of Day.’ (1722) [not ‘time of Day?’] 6. ‘What’ (1722) [not ‘what’] 8. ‘Light,’ (1722) [not ‘Light.’] 9. ‘Knock’ (1722) [not ‘Clock’] 10. ‘scelp’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘skelp’] 11. ‘Wieghts’ (MS) [not ‘Weights’]; ‘anes a Week’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘anes a-week’] 12. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘speak;’ (1722) [not ‘speak:’] 13. ‘ane useles’ (MS) [not ‘an useless’] 14. ‘Hand,’ (1722) [not ‘Hand:’] 15. ‘Hark hark’ (MS) [not ‘Hark, hark,’]; ‘Hour,’ (1722) [not ‘Hour;’] 17. ‘thŭs’ (MS) [not ‘thus’]; ‘Loud’ (MS) [not ‘loud’] 18. ‘brake’ (1722) [not ‘brak’]; ‘Cloud,’ (1722) [not ‘Cloud;’] 19. ‘Dial’ (MS) [not ‘Dial,’] 20. ‘Thumpers’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Thumper’s’]; ‘Pride.’ (1722) [not ‘Pride:’] 21. ‘ye said he’ (MS) [not ‘Ye see, said he,’] 22. ‘quarters’ (MS) [not ‘Quarters’]; ‘mair:’ (1722) [not ‘mair.’] 23. ‘Bairn’ (1722) [not ‘Friend’] 24. ‘Vain,’ (1722) [not ‘vain:’] 25. ‘Nor brag of your extemp’re Cant’ (1722) [not ‘Ne’er brag of constant clavering Cant’] 26. ‘That you an Answer’ (1722) [not ‘And that you Answers’] 27. ‘no’ (1722) [not ‘not’]; ‘believ’d,’ (1722) [not ‘believ’d:’] 28. ‘trusts’ (1722); ‘t’rust’ (MS) [not ‘trust’] 29. ‘councel’d’ (MS); ‘counsel’d’ (1722) [not ‘counsell’d]; ‘me,’ (1722) [not ‘me;’] 31. ‘allways’ (MS) [not ‘always’]; ‘ken,’ (1722) [not ‘ken;’] 32. ‘Way’ (1722) [not ‘way’] An Ode To the Memory of Lady Margaret Anstruther Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Although it is not recorded in Martin’s bibliography, there was a pamphlet issue of the poem, titled On the Death of Lady Margaret Anstruther, and signed ‘A.R.’. This separate printing does not have a date of publication, and scholars have provided conflicting estimations: the STS editors state that it ‘appears to be of 1721’ (VI, p.62), while Foxon dates it to 1728 (p.665). As the subject of the poem died in 1721, it is more likely to have been produced nearer that date: Ramsay’s elegies were generally timeous. In the absence of concrete evidence, it has not been possible to date the pamphlet definitively. Variants between the copy-text of Poems (1728) and the undated pamphlet are 573

Poems given in the notes. Title: Margaret Carmichael, daughter of James, third Lord Carmichael and second Earl of Hyndford and Elizabeth Maitland, daughter of John, fifth Earl of Lauderdale. Carmichael married Sir John Anstruther of Anstruther, second Baronet (c.1678-1753) in 1717 and died in 1721. Anstruther served as a Member of Parliament between 1702 and 1741. (See ‘Anstruther, Sir John, 1st Bt. (c.1678-1753), of Anstruther and Elie House, Elie, Fife’ in HoP). 1. ‘fair’ [not ‘Fair,’] 2. ‘LUCINDA’ [not ‘LUCINDA,’] 8. ‘Heavens’ [not ‘Heavens,’]; ‘Main,’ [not ‘Main;’] 14. ‘tho’ [not ‘tho’’] 16. ‘brings.’ [not ‘brings:’] 17. ‘LUCINDA’ [not ‘LUCINDA,’] 18. ‘Say’ [not ‘Stay’] 20. ‘Globe,’ [not ‘Globe;’] 22. ‘Robe;’ [not ‘Robe:’] 23. ‘us’ [not ‘us,’] 24. ‘as a Part of you.’ [not ‘hence as one of you?’] 29. ‘You take such hence, remov’d’ [not ‘Such you demand, and free’] 31. ‘daign’ [not ‘daign,’] 32. ‘attend,’ [not ‘attend;’] 38. ‘soft’ [not ‘such’] 41. ‘Light:’ [not ‘Light;’] 43-48. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the pamphlet publication. 44. ‘Forth’: Scottish river, rises in the Trossachs before flowing through Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire; when it reaches Airth and Kincardine, it becomes the Firth of Forth. 46. ‘Cypress’: symbol of mourning. 48. ‘Elysium’: destination of the blessed after death in Greek mythology. Elegy On the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie, Who died the 7th January 1722, the Eighth Year of his Age Text: Poems (1728). No MS. No previous printing. Title: James, Lord Carnegie, the young son of James Carnegie, fifth Earl of Southesk (1692-1730) who, as Ramsay states, died in his ‘eighth year’. Southesk fought for the Jacobites in the rising of 1715, after which he was attainted by act of Parliament and his estates forfeited; he died in France in 1730. His wife was Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter of James, fifth Earl of Galloway. Stewart was, according to the STS editors, related to Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, Ramsay’s friend and patron; ‘Sir John’s son, the brilliant young John Clerk, caught cold at the funeral of young Lord Carnegie, and later died’ (VI, p.62). Ramsay commemorates the related death of Clerk in ‘To the Honourable Sir John Clerk… on the Death of his most accomplished Son John Clerk Esq’, also published in Poems (1728). According to Thomas Somerville, Ramsay’s poem 574

Notes to Poems 1728 was used to settle an inheritance dispute: ‘In the Southesk peerage cause it was necessary, in support of Sir James Carnegie’s claim, to prove that this Lord Carnegie had died without issue; and Ramsay’s elegy, though afterwards supported by other proof, was for some time the only evidence for the claimant on this part of the case’ (Thomas Somerville, My Life and Times, 1741-1814 (1861), pp.32-33). 2. ‘Paphian’: of Paphos, Cyprus, believed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love. 22-24. ‘Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?’ (Psalms 89:47); ‘Royal Swain’: King David, thought to have been the author of the Psalms. An Ode Sacred to the Memory of the Right Honourable Anne Lady Gairlies Text: Poems (1728). No MS. No previous publication. Title: Anne, Lady Gairlies (d.1728), daughter of William Keith, ninth Earl Marischal (c.1664-1712), a Jacobite politician who was a member of the Scottish Parliament from 1698, the Privy Council from 1701, and a knight of the Thistle from 1705. Despite his imprisonment during the Jacobite rising of 1708, he was a representative peer at Westminster between 1710 and 1712. Anne Keith’s mother was Mary Drummond, Jacobite daughter of James Drummond, fourth Earl of Perth (1648-1716) and Lady Jane Douglas (d.1678). Anne married Alexander Stewart, sixth Earl of Galloway (c.1694-1773), son of James Stewart, fifth Earl of Galloway and Lady Catherine Montgomerie. His sister was Lady Margaret Stewart, wife of James Carnegie, fifth Earl of Southesk, and mother of James, Lord Carnegie, whose death was commemorated by Ramsay in ‘Elegy On the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie’. The family seat was Galloway House in Garlieston, Wigtownshire. The Lovely Lass and the Mirror Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.175), draft introductory stanza, later discarded. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) as ‘To — — — The fine Lady and the Looking-Glass. Fable I. M. N. P.’. The STS editors argue that ‘M. N. P.’ stands for ‘My Noble Patron’, and that the poem may be addressed to ‘the Countess of Panmure, the acknowledged leader of Edinburgh society and patron of the Assembly… the Countess was a subscriber to both the 1721 and the 1728 Ramsay volumes’ (VI, p.63). There is little to support this claim. In the absence of evidence, it has not been possible to identify the recipient, or to confirm that ‘M. N. P.’ refers to Ramsay’s addressee. Ramsay’s poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘La Belle & le Miroir’, which is printed at the beginning of his Fables Nouvelles (1719), pp.iii-vi. The version of the poem given in Fables and Tales features an introductory stanza, the same stanza preserved in the British Library (Egerton 2023, f.175), which is not retained for Poems (1728): 575

Poems Afraid to place sae great a Name To Lays yet of a dubious Fame, I therefore tease the draw the Skreen, Lest they should prove a poor Propine. I view you like a tim’rous Lover, 5 Wha hardly dare his Mind discover; But if I chance to make you smile, And think my Off’ring worth your While. I’ll frankly to my Patron bow, And hug my sell if roos’d by you. 10 First then, as PROLOGUE to the rest, This Lesson comes in Fiction drest, To shaw the Ill of fleetching Fools, And Good of Truth and Wisdom’s Schools. Variants between these lines, as printed in Fables and Tales, and the MS are as follows: Cancelled line: ‘Beneath your patronage I [?cower]’ 2. ‘of scrimp establish’d fame’ [not ‘of a dubious Fame’] 3. ‘I therefore stand behind the skreen’ [not ‘I therefore cease to draw the Skreen’] 4. ‘For fear the present should prove be too mean’ [not ‘Lest they should prove a poor Propine’] 5. ‘and’ [not ‘I’] A cancelled, unfinished line appears here in MS. 6. ‘mark’ [not ‘make’] 10. ‘when Love’ [not ‘if roos’d’] 11. ‘prologe to the Rest lave’ [not ‘PROLOGUE to the rest’] 12. ‘this season truth comes in comes in fable drest firmly comes drest’ [not ‘This Lesson comes in Fiction drest’] 13. ‘To shaw the [cancelled word] skaith’ [not ‘To shaw the Ill’] 14. ‘& Wisdoms Schoolls’ [not ‘and Wisdom’s Schools.’] Two lines appear in the MS which do not feature in the text as printed in Fables and Tales: lift left then as proluge Bonny Lass come outer with you? As stated above, these fourteen introductory lines are not retained in Poems (1728). Variants between the copy-text of Poems (1728) and the poem as printed in Fables and Tales (1722) are as follows: 1. ‘Nymph’ (1722) [not ‘Nymph,’] 3. ‘leal hearted Looking-Glass’ (1722) [not ‘leal-hearted Looking-glass’] 7. ‘amaist,’ (1722) [not ‘amaist:’] 8. ‘tho’ (1722) [not ‘tho’’] 11. ‘are,’ (1722) [not ‘are;’] 13. ‘patch’: a small piece of black material, typically silk or velvet, cut into a decorative shape and worn on the face, either for adornment or to conceal a blemish. 15. ‘beguile’ (1722) [not ‘beguile,’] 576

Notes to Poems 1728 17. ‘Move’ (1722) [not ‘move’] 21. ‘Threave,’ (1722) [not ‘Threave:’] 22. ‘them’ (1722) [not ‘them,’] 23. ‘Looking-Glass,’ (1722) [not ‘Looking-glass’] 24. ‘Her Dress, — And a’,’ (1722) [not ‘her Dress, — and a’’] 25. ‘wrang, She’s hale complete’ (1722) [not wrang; she’s hale compleat’] 26. ‘sweet:’ (1722) [not ‘sweet.’] 28. ‘Looking-Glass’ (1722) [not ‘Looking-glass’] 29. ‘May’t please —–—– The Beautie’s you’ (1722) [not ‘CLARINDA, this dear Beauty’s You’] 31. ‘Wha’ (1722) [not ‘Wha,]; ‘just’ [not ‘just,’] 32. ‘Princes’ (1722) [not ‘Nobes’] Jupiter’s Lottery Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed with the subtitle ‘Fable II’ in Ramsay’s Fables and Tales (1722). It is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘La Loterie du Jupiter’, ‘Fable Quartorziesme’ in his Fables Nouvelles (1719, Book I, pp.45-47). 1. ‘Anes Jove by’ (1722) [not ‘Anes Jove, bay’] ‘Jove’: literary term for Jupiter, the highest deity in ancient Roman religion. 3. ‘Hermes’ (1722) [not ‘Hermes,’] ‘Hermes’: Greek messenger of the gods; god of, among others, eloquence and several of the arts. 11. ‘first Rate Benefits were Health’ (1722) [not ‘first-rate Benefits were, Health’] 12. ‘Wealth,’ (1722) [not ‘Wealth;’] 14. ‘a’;’ (1722) [not ‘a’:’] 15. ‘Things,’ (1722) [not ‘Things’] 16. ‘Feck of the rest:’ (1722) [not ‘feck of the rest.’] 19. ‘Gates,’ (1722) [not ‘Gates’] 20. ‘Muir-cocks’ (1722) [not ‘Moor-cocks’]; ‘Bawbie-Rows’ (1722) [not ‘Bawby-rows’] 21. ‘Droll’ (1722) [not ‘Droll,’] 28. ‘turn’d to mix them well,’ (1722) ‘not ‘turn’d, to mix them well;’] ‘Mercury’: Roman name for the Greek Hermes. 32. ‘Prize,’ (1722) [not ‘Prize’] 35. ‘Wealth’ (1722) [not ‘wealth’] 36. ‘Friends’ (1722) [not ‘Friends,’] 37. ‘Prize’ (1722) [not ‘Prize,’] 38. ‘crys’ (1722) [not ‘crys,’] 39. ‘Come’ (1722) [not ‘Come,’] 40. ‘Pallas’: alternative name for Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom. 45. ‘an’ (1722) [not ‘ane’] 48. ‘sneg’d off at the Wob End’: to be frustrated of one’s hopes and purposes (SND). The STS editors argue that ‘Bawby-rows’ signifies ‘halfpenny rolls’, Ramsay’s translation of [La Motte’s] “Jusques à des gateaux”’ (VI, p.63). 50. ‘which’ (1722) [not ‘which,’] 577

Poems 52. ‘well,’ (1722) [not ‘well;’] 54. ‘Conceit a’ Sages grew’ (1722) [not ‘Conceit, a’ Sages grew:’] 55. ‘contented (1722) [not ‘contented,’] The Miser and Minos Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) with the subtitle, ‘Fable IV’. It is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘L’Avare & Minos’, (‘Fable Dixneuviesme’, Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book I, pp.60-63). Title: Minos: Greek judge of the dead in the Underworld. 2. ‘Treasure,’ (1722) [not ‘Treasure;’] 3. ‘take,’ (1722) [not ‘take’] 4. ‘Buy a Mutton Stake.’ (1722) [not ‘by a Mutton-stake,’] 5. ‘Nature,’ (1722) [not ‘Nature;’] 7. ‘short’ (1722) [not ‘short,’]; ‘Plenty,’ (1722) [not ‘Plenty;’] 11. ‘grudg’d; sic’ (1722) [not ‘grudg’d: Sic’] 12. ‘Prey,’ (1722) [not ‘Prey;’] 16. ‘Arthur’s Seat’: hill in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. 17. ‘Well’ (1722) [not ‘Well,’] 18. ‘Brink,’ (1722) [not ‘Brink;’] ‘Stygian’: the river Styx, which represents the infernal regions of classical mythology. 19. ‘Charon’: ferryman who conveys the dead across the Styx. 20. ‘Fraught,’ (1722) [not ‘Fraught;’] 22. ‘blaw;’ (1722) [not ‘blaw.’] 24. ‘wadnae’ (1722) [not ‘wadna’] 26. ‘o’er’ (1722) [not ‘o’er,’] 27. ‘damn and sink and rore,’ (1722) [not ‘damn, and sink and rore;’] 28. ‘gaind the Shore’ (1722) [not ‘gain’d the Shore,’] 29. ‘Arriv’d’ (1722) [not ‘Arriv’d:’]; ‘the three Pow’d’ (1722) [not ‘The three pow’d’] ‘Dog of Hell’: Cerberus of Greek mythology, the many-headed dog which guards the gates of the Underworld. 30. ‘Yell,’ (1722) [not ‘Yell;’] 31. ‘Sisters three’: the gorgons of Greek mythology, female figures with snakes for hair whose look can turn their observer to stone; Medusa is the principal gorgon. 34. ‘lost;’ (1722) [not ‘lost:’] ‘Pluto’: Roman god of the dead and of the Underworld. 38. ‘nae’ (1722) [not ‘na’] 42. ‘new:’ (1722) [not ‘new.’] 43. ‘Tantal’: the Greek myth of Tantalus, whose eternal punishment was to stand in water underneath a fruit tree, with the fruit eluding his grasp and the water receding before he could drink. 44. ‘Ixion’: expelled from Olympus and hit with a thunderbolt before being 578

Notes to Poems 1728 bound to a permanently spinning wheel of fire. 45. ‘Prometheus’: chained to a rock where an eagle would feed every day upon his liver. 46. ‘Sisyphus’: condemned to endlessly roll a stone up a hill, only for it to roll to the bottom each time he reached the peak. 47. ‘Rout,’ (1722) [not ‘Rout’] ‘wicked Rout’: the Greek myth of the Danaïdes, the fifty daughters of Danaus. All but one killed their husbands on their wedding night and were condemned to carry water in a sieve which leaked constantly. 48. ‘out.’ (1722) [not ‘out?’] 50. ‘below’ (1722) [not ‘below,’] 51. ‘Crime’ (1722) [not ‘Crime;’] 52. ‘World:’ (1722) [not ‘World.’] 53. ‘hear’ (1722) [not ‘hear,’] The Ape and the Leopard Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.182v-83). The STS editors state that the MS consists of ‘Lines 27-42 only’ (VI, p.63), however ll.1-26 are on the subsequent page. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) with the subtitle ‘Fable V’. It is a Scots version of La Fontaine’s ‘Le Singe et le Léopard’ (Fables Choisies (1668), Fable CLXXI). 1. ‘& Leopard’ (MS) [not ‘and Leopard,’] 2. ‘the tame the first a Wit the Last a Beau’ (MS), ‘Beau,’ (1722) [not ‘Beau;’] 3. ‘peny at a fair’ (MS) [not ‘Penny at a Fair’] 4. ‘sae Rare’ (MS) [not ‘sae rare’] 5. ‘mikle’ (1722) [not ‘meikle’] 6. ‘kind’ (MS), ‘Kind,’ (1722) [not ‘Kind;’] 7. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 8. ‘appear;’ (1722) [not ‘appear’] 9. ‘puff’ (MS), ‘Puf’ (1722) [not ‘Puff’] 10. ‘Muff,’ (1722) [not ‘Muff;’] 11. ‘Skin,’ (1722) [not ‘Skin:’] 15. ‘Tam Keeper Turnd him Round about’ (MS), ‘about;’ (1722) [not ‘His Keeper shaw’d him round about;’] 17. ‘But monsie Monky with ane air’ (MS) [not ‘But Master Monky with an Air’] 18. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘Harangud’ (MS), ‘harrangu’d’ (1722) [not ‘harangu’d’] 19. ‘Come Gentlemen and Ladys Bony’ (MS), ‘Come Gentlemen and Ladies bonny’ (1722) [not ‘Come, Gentlemen, and Ladies bonny’] 20. ‘I’ll gie ye pastime for ye’r Money’ (MS), ‘Money;’ (1722) [not ‘I’ll give ye Pastime for your Money:’] The MS has a cancelled line here, which is reworked as l.22 and reads: ‘a hundred pawky tricks I have’ 21. ‘perform’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘perform,’] 22. ‘Mair’ (MS) [not ‘mae’] 23. ‘Cusin Spotie’ (MS), ‘Cousin Spottie’ (1722) [not ‘Cousin Spottie,’] 579

Poems 24. ‘fur’ (MS) [not ‘Suit’] 25. ‘mair’ (1722) [not ‘mair.’] 26. ‘Blyth’ (MS) [not ‘blyth’]; ‘find:’ (1722) [not ‘find.’] 27. ‘Somtimes’ (MS) [not ‘Sometimes’]; ‘Chiel’ (1722) [not ‘Cheil’] 28. ‘thoughtfu grave & wag’ (MS) [not ‘thoughtfu’ grave, and wag’] 29. ‘Then in a Trice I’ll Lightlys Ape’ (MS) [not ‘Then mimick a light-headed Rake,’] 30. ‘and frisk it finely on a Rape’ (MS), ‘shake.’ (1722) [not ‘When on a Tow my Houghs I shake:’] 31. ‘Sometimes’ (MS), ‘Sometime’ (1722) [not ‘Sometime,’]; ‘Moderns’ (MS) [not ‘Modern’] 32. ‘Speech and naithing’ (MS), ‘Speech, and naithing’ (1722) [not ‘Speech, and nathing’] Here, the MS has two lines which do not feature in printed versions of the fable: then kiss my master for a Lick When I wad fain bite aff his Cheek 33. ‘away’ (1722) [not ‘away,’] 34. ‘ye’r to pay’ (MS), ‘ye’re to pay,’ (1722) [not ‘ye’re to pay;’]; ‘dear;’ (1722) [not ‘dear:’] 36. ‘render’ (MS), ‘doce’t’ (1722) [not ‘give’] 38. ‘Lang’ (MS), ‘long’ (1722) [not ‘long,’] 39. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 40. ‘beyont our Shape or finest Claiths’ (MS), ‘Beyond our Shape and brawest Claiths:’ (1722) [not ‘Beyond our Shape, and brawest Claiths.’] 41. ‘mony ah’ (MS), ‘mony, Ah!’ (1722) [not ‘mony, ah!’]; ‘Galants’ (MS) [not ‘Gallants’] 42. ‘Leopards’ (MS) [not ‘Leopard’]; ‘Talents.’ (1722) [not ‘Talents’] The MS has the following list at the bottom of the page, which refers to Ramsay’s collection of fables: Ass & Brok Cats & Chees Lizards ffox Rat Peace Cameleon Twa Books twa wivs Tall The Ass and Brock Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.186v-87). First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) with the subtitle ‘Fable VI’. Unlike the preceding fables, this is not a translation of an existing poem, but an original composition by Ramsay. The MS has two lines at the beginning of the poem which are not retained in 580

Notes to Poems 1728 the printed texts: Upon a Time The Brok & Ass after some compliments 1. ‘Time’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘time’] 2. ‘in’ (MS); ‘throu’’ (1722) [not ‘throw’]; ‘narow’ (MS) [not ‘narrow’] 3. ‘wher’ (MS) [not ‘Where’]; ‘Brok’ (MS) [not ‘Brock’] 4. ‘Rock,’ (1722) [not ‘Rock;’] 5. ‘did’ (MS), ‘did ----’ (1722) [not ‘did, ---’]; ‘gade’ (MS), ‘gade ----’ (1722) [not ‘gade,---’] 6. ‘News’ (MS), ‘News ----’ (1722) [not ‘News, ---’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘gaes’ (MS) [not ‘is’]; ‘Trade ----’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Trade,---’] 7. ‘John Bull &’ (MS) [not ‘Jock Stot and’] 8. ‘Tam Toop – & fitty honest Bucky Lad wantan’ (MS), ‘Tam Toop, and Bucky, honest Lad?’ (1722) [not ‘Tam Tup, and Bucky honest Lad?’ 9. ‘Reply the Ass & Made a heel’ (MS) [not ‘Reply’d the Ass, and made a Heel’] 10. ‘Better’ (MS) [not ‘better’]; ‘ye’ are’ (MS), ‘ye’re’ (1722) [not ‘ye’r’] 11. ‘girning’ (MS) [not ‘snarling’] 12. ‘wiked’ (MS) [not ‘wicked,’]; ‘some cas’st witty’ (MS), ‘some ca’s’t witty’ (1722) [not ‘some ca’s’t witty,’] 13. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘have,’ (1722) [not ‘have;’] 15. ‘Bissy’ (MS) [not ‘bisy]; ‘Gear’ (1722) [not ‘Gear,’] 16. ‘Brae,’ (1722) [not ‘Brae’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 17. ‘Breath Behind’ (MS) [not ‘breath behin’’] 18. ‘spitle on’ (MS) [not ‘Slaver at’] 19. ‘A—’ (MS), ‘A----’ (1722) [not ‘Arse;’] 20. ‘farce’ (MS), ‘Farce,’ (1722) [not ‘Farce:’] 21. ‘me’ (MS) [not ‘me,’] 22. ‘And you my Dear famous for stinkinking’ (MS) [not ‘And you, my Dear, famous for stinking’] 23. ‘Brave’ (MS) [not ‘bauld’]; ‘friend’ (MS) [not ‘Frien’’] 24. ‘Gluton’ (MS) [not ‘Glutton’]; ‘Eeen’ (MS) [not ‘Een’] 25-26. These lines are in reverse order in the MS. 25. ‘Monkys sae thus abuse’d’ (MS) [not ‘Dogs and Apes abus’d’] 27. ‘heh’ (MS) [not ‘heh!’]; ‘say’ (MS), ‘sae’ (1722) [not ‘sae,’] 28. ‘replyd the Brok’ (MS), ‘Return’d the Brock’ (1722) [not ‘Return’d the Brock,’] 29. ‘Witt’ (MS) [not ‘Wit’] 30. ‘about and ca’d’ (MS) [not ‘about, and ca’t’] 31. ‘ye’r Lungs your’ (MS) [not ‘your Lungs, your’]; ‘Loud’ (MS), ‘loud,’ (1722) [not ‘loud;’] 32. ‘Croud’ (MS) [not ‘Crowd’] 33. ‘good Righ’ (MS) [not ‘right’] 34. ‘scowrd Bangd’ (MS) [not ‘bang’d’]; ‘Might,’ (1722) [not ‘Might;’] 35. ‘hight Know’ (MS) [not ‘Know’] 36. ‘the monkys geezers wild did ratle’ (MS) [not ‘Wit did rattle’], ‘rattle;’ (1722) [not ‘rattle:’] 37. ‘deluge of wild phrases’ (MS) [not ‘Deluge of dull Phrases’] 581

Poems 38. ‘dogs & apes Lugh &’ (MS) [not ‘Dogs and Apes leugh, and’]; ‘Faces:’ (1722) [not ‘Faces.’] 39. ‘stupid’ (MS) [not ‘angry’]; ‘forth’ (1722) [not ‘forth,’] Four additional lines are here in MS; the third and fourth of these lines feature in the 1722 text. The additional lines are as follows: Hence Learn that sence will never yield To let grave nonsence win the field Gess ye moral I’se no tell’t Wha has a Nose will quickly smelt In (1722), ll.43-44 are as follows: Guess ye Moral, I’se no tell it Wha has a Nose will quickly smell it. These lines do not feature in the copy-text of Poems (1728). The Fox and Rat Text: Poems (1728). No MS. The STS editors mention six lines of poetry included in the BL’s Egerton MS (2023 f.185v) as a possible source for the fable (VI, p.64); these lines have no connection to this poem other than that they concern a rat. First published in Fables and Tales (1722) with the subtitle ‘Fable VII’. It is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Lion, le Renard & le Rat’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book III, Fable Onziesme, pp.170-72). 2. ‘Weir’ (1722) [not ‘Weir;’] 4. ‘Law;’ (1722) [not ‘Law:’] 5. ‘sent’ (1722) [not ‘sent,’] 8. ‘Royal Right and Princely Pow’r:’ (1722) [not ‘Royal Right, and Princely Power.’] 9. ‘agree’ (1722) [not ‘agree,’] 11. ‘lave,’ (1722) [not ‘Lave;’] ‘Ulysses’: denotes a traveller or adventurer, also a crafty and clever schemer. 12. ‘went on --- O Prince, allow thy Slave’ (1722) [not ‘went on, --- “O Prince, allow thy Slave’] 13-24. These lines are in quotation marks in Poems (1728); this is not the case in Fables and Tales (1722). 13. ‘Renown,’ (1722) [not ‘Renown;’] 15. ‘Thunder-bowt’ (1722) [not ‘Thunderbowt’] 16. ‘shake,’ (1722) [not ‘shake;’] 18. ‘Gods:’ (1722) [not ‘Gods.’] 19. ‘Thus thou great King hast by thy conquering Paw’ (1722) [not ‘Thus thou, great King, hast by thy conqu’ring Paw,’] 20. ‘Law;’ (1722) [not ‘Law:’] 22. ‘rore.’ (1722) [not ‘rore;’] 23. ‘Scepter’ (1722) [not ‘Sceptre’] 25. ‘sair,’ (1722) [not ‘sair;’] 26. ‘Gab and girn’d,’ (1722) [not ‘Gab, and girn’d;’] 27. ‘Lowrie wha durst gloom,’ (1722) [not ‘Lowry, wha durst gloom?’] 582

Notes to Poems 1728 29. ‘Dragon Lord Chief Treasurer’ (1722) [not ‘Dragon, Lord Chief Treasurer,’] 30. ‘sly tongu’d’ (1722) [not ‘sly-tongu’d’] 33. ‘Fox,’ (1722) [not ‘Fox.’]; ‘Kin’ (1722) [not ‘Kin,’] 34. ‘bind,’ (1722) [not ‘bind;’] 35. ‘nought but Pleasure, Joy, and Peace:’ (1722) [not ‘nought, but Pleasure, Joy and Peace,’] 36. ‘Geese,’ (1722) [not ‘Geese.’] 37. ‘teld’ (1722) [not ‘tell’d’] 38. ‘glow’d’ (1722) [not ‘glow’d;’] 40. ‘Tid’ (1722) [not ‘Tid,’] 42. ‘Nips:’ (1722) [not ‘Nips.’] 43. ‘gotten’ (1722) [not ‘gotten,’] 44. ‘E’en frae a Lyon’ (1722) [not ‘Ev’n frae a Lyon,’] The Caterpillar and the Ant Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First published in Fables and Tales (1722), with the subtitle ‘Fable VIII’. It is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘La Chenille & la Fourmi’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book III, ‘Fable Huitiesme’, pp.159-62). 1. ‘Ant’ (1722) [not ‘Ant,’] 2. ‘Green,’ (1722) [not ‘Green;’] 4. ‘slaw,’ (1722) [not ‘slaw:’] 5. ‘Good-E’en t’ye Mrs. Ant’ (1722) [not ‘Good-e’en t’ye, Mistress Ant,’] 6. ‘Hame,’ (1722) [not ‘hame?’] 7. ‘viewd’ (1722) [not ‘view’d’] 8. ‘return,’ (1722) [not ‘return;’] 10. ‘thee’ (1722) [not ‘thee,’] 11. ‘canst’ (1722) [not ‘can’] 20. ‘Whirly-Geg,’ (1722) [not ‘Whirly-gig;’] 25. ‘Thing the like of Thee’ (1722) [not ‘Thing, the like of thee’] 28. ‘Gaffa,’ (1722) [not ‘Gaffa.’] 30. ‘Mum;’ (1722) [not ‘Mum:’] 33. ‘by,’ (1722) [not ‘by’] 34. ‘Butterfly,’ (1722) [not ‘Butterfly;’] 35. ‘fair’ (1722) [not ‘fair,’] 36. ‘Air,’ (1722) [not ‘Air:’] 41. ‘advise’ (1722) [not ‘advise,’] 42. ‘despise,’ (1722) [not ‘despise;’] 44. ‘scorn;’ (1722) [not ‘scorn:’] 45. ‘Instance’ (1722) [not ‘instance’]; ‘Wing,’ (1722) [not ‘Wing’]

583

Poems The twa Cats and the Cheese Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722); it is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Fromage’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book II, ‘Fable Onziesme’, pp.102-4). 1. In (1722), the ‘a’ in ‘Twa’ is inverted. 2. ‘Right,’ (1722) [not ‘Right;’] 4. ‘at’ (1722) [not ‘a’]; ‘Prize;’ (1722) [not ‘Prize.’] 5. ‘Fair Play said ane, Ye bite o’er thick’ (1722) [not ‘Fair Play, said ane, ye bite o’er thick,’] 6. ‘yours’ (1722) [not ‘your’s’] 9. ‘do’t, ---- They’re’ (1722) [not ‘do’t; ---- they’re’] 12. ‘Judge,’ (1722) [not ‘Judge:’] 13. ‘campsho’: ‘camsho’, ‘surly, ill-tempered, perverse’ (Jameson, 1808). 19. ‘pales.’ (1722) [not ‘pales,’] 20. ‘Scales,’ (1722) [not ‘Scales;’] 21. ‘In twa it fell,’ (1722) [not ‘in twa it fell;’] 22. ‘Haff in either Shell;’ (1722) [not ‘haff in either Shell:’] 24. ‘strickest’ (1722) [not ‘strictest’]; ‘Place,’ (1722) [not ‘Place;’] 26. ‘ither stand;’ (1722) [not ‘other stand:’] 27. ‘Haff’ (1722) [not ‘haff’] 29. ‘syne, ---- It now prov’d light,’ (1722) [not ‘syne; — it now prov’d light:’] 30. ‘We’ll’ (1722) [not ‘we’ll’] 31. ‘Haff’ (1722) [not ‘haff’] 33. ‘prov’d:’ (1722) [not ‘prov’d.’] 38. ‘We’re’ (1722) [not ‘we’re’] 39. ‘too’ (1722) [not ‘too,’] 42. ‘done;’ (1722) [not ‘done:’] 44. ‘Law:’ (1722) [not ‘Law;’] 49. ‘pleas’d’ (1722) [not ‘pleas’d:’] 51. ‘Decreet;’ (1722) [not ‘Decreet,’]’ ‘Gae Hame and Sleep,’ (1722) [not ‘gae hame and sleep,’] The Chamaeleon Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722); it is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Cameleon’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book II, ‘Fable Neuviesme’, pp.95-97). 1. ‘Travellers’ (1722) [not ‘Travellers,’] 2. ‘ta’king’ (1722) [not ‘ta’king,’] 3. ‘Men’ (1722) [not ‘Men,’] 4. ‘seen and ought to ken’ (1722) [not ‘seen, and ought to ken;’] 5. ‘’tis’ (1722) [not ‘’Tis’] 6. ‘Four footed, with a Fish’s Head,’ (1722) [not ‘Four-footed, with a Fish’s Head;’] 7. ‘Bowk’ (1722) [not ‘Bowk,’] 9. ‘Blue,’ (1722) [not ‘blue;’] 584

Notes to Poems 1728 10. ‘true,’ (1722) [not ‘true;’] 12. ‘trow his ain twa Een,’ (1722) [not ‘true his ain twa Een;’] 19. ‘Kick’ (1722) [not ‘Kick,’] 21. ‘Mood’ (1722) [not ‘Mood,’] 22. ‘What, are ye Wood?’ (1722) [not ‘what! are ye wood?’] 23. ‘speer’t,’ (1722) [not ‘speer’t?’] 24. ‘hear’t;’ (1722) [not ‘hear’t:’] 25. ‘Blue,’ (1722) [not ‘Blue;’] 26. ‘Green,’ (1722) [not ‘Green.’]; ‘What’ (1722) [not ‘what’] 29. ‘Black’ (1722) [not ‘Black.’] 30. ‘Candle-light,’ (1722) [not ‘Candle-light;’] 33. ‘Said’ (1722) [not ‘said’] 34. ‘on’t’ (1722) [not ‘on’t,’] 37. ‘Black’ (1722) [not ‘Black,’]; ‘stout’ (1722) [not ‘stout;’] 38. ‘them whop’d him out;’ (1722) [not ‘them, whop’d him out:’] 39. ‘a’’ (1722) [not ‘a’,’] 49. ‘Things’ (1722) [not ‘things’] 50. ‘me.’ (1722) [not ‘me.”’] The twa Lizards Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.177-78). First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) as ‘Fable XI’ and is a Scots translation of La Motte’s ‘Les deux Lezards’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book I, ‘Fable Douziesme’, pp.38-40). 2. ‘Burn bank’ (MS) [not ‘Burn-bank’] 4. ‘in the Cauler’ (MS) [not ‘of the cauller’]; ‘Streams:’ (1722) [not ‘Streams.’] 5. ‘Waes me said’ (MS) [not ‘Waes me, says’]; ‘of’ (1722) [not ‘o’’] 6. ‘Live we Brither’ (MS) [not ‘live we, Brither?’] 7. ‘Nane Lives sae is ought say’ (MS) [not ‘is ought sae’] 9. ‘breath’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘breathe’]; ‘a’,’ (1722) [not ‘a’;’] 10. ‘firm’ (MS) [not ‘hard’] 11. ‘Creep and Crawl’ (MS) [not ‘creep and sprawl:’]; ‘sprawl;’ (1722) [not ‘sprawl:’] 12. ‘of ane Ambitious Saul!’ (MS) [not ‘to ane that has a Saul!’] 13. ‘Besides if’ (MS) [not ‘forby, gin’]; ‘report’ (MS) [not ‘Report’] 15. ‘Namd’ (MS) [not ‘Ca’d’]; ‘ah’ (MS) [not ‘Ah!’] 16. ‘sic a size’ (MS) [not ‘sic a Size,’]; ‘size’ (1722) [not ‘Size’] An illegible cancelled line is here in the MS. 17. ‘Then I might had my skare of fame’ (MS) [not ‘Then might I had my Skair of Fame’] 18. ‘Honour Respect’ (MS); ‘Honour, Respect’ (1722) [not ‘Honour, Respect,]; ‘Great’ (MS) [not ‘great’]; ‘Name,’ (1722) [not ‘Name;’] 19. ‘dreadfou’ (MS) [not ‘gaping’] 20. ‘The like a pagod’ (MS) [not ‘Syne like a Pa-god’]; ‘Syn’ (1722) [not ‘Syne’] 21. ‘Ah Friend replys’ (MS); ‘Ah Friend, replies’ (1722) [not ‘Ah Friend! replies’] 22. ‘Grumbling in ye Gizard’ (MS) [not ‘grumbling in thy Gizzard’] 585

Poems 23. ‘uneasy,’ (1722) [not ‘uneasy?’] 24. ‘pleas’ (MS) [not ‘please’] 25. ‘truble toil or Care’ (MS) [not ‘Trouble, Toil or Care’] 26. ‘Sun’ (MS) [not ‘Sun,’]; ‘Air;’ (1722) [not ‘Air,’] 27. ‘The Crystal Stream and Green Wood Shaw’ (MS); ‘The chrystal Spring, and green Wood shaw’ (1722) [not ‘The Crystal Spring, and Green-Wood Shaw’] 28. ‘Beildy holes’ (MS) [not ‘beildy Holes,’]; ‘tempest’ (MS) [not ‘Tempests’] 29. ‘fret Look dull or wan’ (MS) [not ‘fret, look blae or wan’] 30. ‘tho we’er dispisd by’ (MS); ‘Who were contemn’d’ (1722) [not ‘Tho’ we’re contemn’d’] 32. ‘animal dispise’ (MS) [not ‘Animal despise’] Here, the MS has three lines which do not feature in printed versions of the text: Replyd the ither silly ?Saul thing O said the ither, Ambitious grovling Gouk Thy Sauls as weefa as thy Bouk 33. ‘fy returnd’ (MS) [not ‘fy! returns’] 34. ‘fire warms’ (MS) [not ‘Fire now warms’] 35. ‘it puts me wood to Live sae’ (MS) [not ‘It breaks my Heart to live sae]; ‘mean,’ (1722) [not ‘mean;’] 36. ‘I loo t’ attract the Gazers een’ (MS) [not ‘I’d like t’ attract the Gazer’s Een’] 37. ‘admir’d’ (1722) [not ‘admir’d.’]; ‘dazzling statly Horns!’ (MS) [not ‘stately Horns’] 38. ‘The Buck deers majestic front adorn’ (MS); ‘Brows adorn;’ (1722) [not ‘The Deer’s majestic Brow adorn!’] 40. ‘Whereer’ (MS) [not ‘Where e’er’]; ‘head’ (MS), ‘Head:’ (1722) [not ‘Head.’] 41. ‘Chrysstal pools’ (MS) [not ‘clearest Pools’] 43. ‘Beautys with delyt’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties with Delyte;’]; ‘Delyte,’ (1722) [not ‘Delyte;’] 44. ‘droun’ (MS) [not ‘drown’]; ‘for’ (MS) [not ‘with’] 45. ‘he said, thus he went on when streight a pack’ (MS) [not ‘Thus he held forth, — when straight a Pack’] The MS an illegible cancelled line here. 46. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 47. ‘Hart’ (MS) [not ‘Deer’] The MS has a line here which does not feature in printed versions: ‘Ran hard by wearied Deer’. 48. ‘wearyd’ (MS) [not ‘wearied’]; ‘Chace:’ (1722) [not ‘Chace.’] 48-49. These lines are transposed in MS. 49. ‘And’ (MS) [not ‘The’]; ‘his Entrails the victim sise’ (MS) [not ‘the Victim seise’] 50. ‘Now’ (MS) [not ‘And’]; ‘Bougils’ (MS) [not ‘Bougles’] 51. ‘Hounds’ (MS) [not ‘Dogs’] 53. ‘Jouler Buf & Tray’ (MS) [not ‘Bawty, Buff and Tray’] 54. ‘Entrails of their prey’ (MS) [not ‘Paunches of the Prey’] 55. ‘Bloody’ (MS) [not ‘bloody’] 56. ‘proud’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Proud]; ‘adrest’ (MS) [not ‘addrest’] 586

Notes to Poems 1728 57. ‘dear Nighbour’ (MS), ‘Dear Cousin’ (1722) [not ‘Dear Cousin,’]; ‘Let’ (MS) [not ‘let’] 58. ‘quoth he convinced, and wae’ (MS) [not ‘quoth he, convinc’d and wae’] 59. ‘hae’ (MS) [not ‘have’] 61. ‘Well’ (MS) [not ‘Well,’] 62. ‘niver’ (MS) [not ‘never’]; ‘Great;’ (1722) [not ‘Great:’] 63. ‘litle’ (MS) [not ‘little’]; ‘Fowk that’s true,’ (1722) [not ‘Fowk, that’s true;’] 64. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] Mercury in Quest of Peace Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.187v-189). First published in Fables and Tales (1722) as ‘Fable XII’; it is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘La Paix’ (Fables Nouvelles (1719), Book IV, ‘Fable Seiziesme’, pp.261-65). 1. ‘out’ (MS), ‘out,’ (1722) [not ‘out;’] 3. ‘beseged’ (MS) [not ‘besieged’] 4. ‘spite and some frae pitty’ (MS) [not ‘Spite, and some frae Pity’] 5. ‘poont’ (MS) [not ‘Point’]; ‘stricknes’ (MS) [not ‘Strictness’] 6. ‘dogs Liknes’ (MS) [not ‘Dogs Likeness’] 7. ‘Whorish hissy Lucky Spence Whoor & Bawd’ (MS) [not ‘Whore and Bawd’] ‘Juno’: wife of Jupiter, Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth; ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love and beauty. 8. ‘and she ca’d her a scauldin blad Jade’ (MS) [not ‘Venus ca’d Juno scauldin Jad’] 9. ‘even criple’ (MS) [not ‘E’en cripple’]; ‘his’ (MS) [not ‘the’] ‘Vulcan’: husband of Venus and son of Jupiter and Juno, Roman god of metalworking and fire. 10. ‘Apolo ran to Bend’ (MS) [not ‘Apollo ran to bend’] ‘Apollo’: classical god of, among many other things, truth, light, poetry and the sun. 11. ‘is’ (MS) [not ‘his’]; ‘palas’ (MS) [not ‘Pallas’] ‘Dis’: Dīs Pater, Roman god of the Underworld; ‘Pallas’: alternative name for Athena, Greek goddess of, among other things, wisdom and warfare. 12. ‘Neptune’: Roman god of the sea. 13. ‘plague’ (MS) [not ‘Plague,’]; ‘say’ (MS), ‘cries’ (1722) [not ‘crys’]; ‘Hae’ (MS) [not ‘Heh’] ‘Jupiter’: also known as Jove, king of gods, and god of thunder and the sky. 14. ‘Toun be annither’ (MS) [not ‘Town prove anither’] ‘Troy’: ancient city in what is today Turkey; it was the location for the Trojan War, during which it was taken by the Greeks. 15. ‘What’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘What,’]; ‘always’ (MS) [not ‘ever’] 16. ‘men shall thinks’ (MS) [not ‘Mankind think’] 17. ‘Mistres’ (MS), ‘Mistress’ (1722) [not ‘Mistris’]; ‘hast appear’ (MS), ‘Haste, --- appear ---’ (1722) [not ‘haste, — appear. —’] ‘Mistris Peace’: the Roman goddess of peace is Pax. 19. ‘Hast’ (MS) [not ‘Come,’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 587

Poems ‘Hermes’: messenger of the Greek gods, representing, among other things, eloquence. 20. ‘Speed,’ (1722) [not ‘Speed:’] 21. ‘wark’ (MS) [not ‘Wark’] 22. ‘obeys &’ (MS) [not ‘obeys, and’] 23. ‘flies’ (1722) [not ‘flys’] 24. ‘sure he thought she wad be found’ (MS), ‘sure thought he she will be found’ (1722) [not ‘sure, thought he, she will be found’] 25. ‘this’ (MS) [not ‘that’]; ‘Ground’ (1722) [not ‘Ground,’] 26. ‘& embraces Ran’ (MS) [not ‘and Embraces ran’] 27. ‘curant’ (MS) [not ‘current’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 28. ‘soon alake’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘soon, alake!’]; ‘beguil’d!’ (1722) [not ‘beguil’d,’] 30. ‘flatry’ (MS) [not ‘Flat’ry’] 31. ‘ye;’ (1722) [not ‘ye:’] 32. ‘nae there nor neer can dwell’ (MS) [not ‘na there, nor e’er cou’d dwell’]; ‘cou’d’ (1722) [not ‘could’] 33. ‘While Where hiden envy makes a hell’ (MS) [not ‘Where hidden Envy makes a Hell’] 34. ‘Neist’ (MS) [not ‘Niest’]; ‘wher’ (MS) [not ‘where’] 35. ‘& Balance’ (MS) [not ‘and Ballance’] ‘Sword and Ballance’: Themis is a Greek goddess of justice, as is Dike/Dice, who is portrayed with a sword and scales. 36. ‘flew’ (MS), ‘flew -----’ (1722) [not ‘flew; ---’]; ‘fancyd eer thought’ (MS) [not ‘thought’] 37. ‘Acuser &’ (MS) [not ‘Accuser and’] 38. ‘but sure though he I’ll find the wench’ (MS) [not ‘But sure he thought to find the Wench’] 39. ‘fowk’ (MS) [not ‘Fowk’] 40. ‘gravity & and grace’ (MS) [not ‘Gravity and Grace’] 41. ‘Judges’ (MS) [not ‘Judge’s’] 42. ‘devivd’ (MS) [not ‘deceiv’d’] 43. ‘stood for’ (MS) [not ‘stack to’] 44. ‘The Law’ (MS) [not ‘the Law’] 45. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] The MS here has two lines which do not feature in printed versions: Thus Statutes that wer formd for union made aft a rent by wrang opinion. 46. ‘streight’ (MS) [not ‘straight’]; ‘Kirk,’ (1722) [not ‘Kirk:’] 47. ‘but here’ (MS) [not ‘In this’] 48. ‘peace wher’ (MS) [not ‘Peace, where’] 49. ‘ilka’ (MS) [not ‘ev’ry’] 50. ‘gate’ (MS) [not ‘Gate’]; ‘Text’ (1722) [not ‘Text,’] 51. ‘Nighbour’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Neighbour’] The MS has two illegible cancelled lines here. 52. ‘ilk party Toolyd day and night’ (MS) [not ‘And teughly toolied Day and Night’] 53. ‘Mankind belive’ (MS) [not ‘Believers trow’] 54. ‘she’ (1722) [not ‘he’]; ‘wher’ (MS) [not ‘where’]; ‘be’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘be?’] 588

Notes to Poems 1728 55. ‘thought’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘thought,’] 57. ‘Thence’ (MS), ‘Then’ (1722) [not ‘There’] 58. ‘ever;’ (1722) [not ‘ever:’] 59. ‘Contention Thrawn ill nature’ (MS) [not ‘Contention and ill Nature’] 60. ‘Rinkled ilka Learned’ (MS) [not ‘runkl’d ilka learned’]; ‘Feature,’ (1722) [not ‘Feature;’] 61. ‘antient’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘ancient’] 62. ‘Antients’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Ancients’]; ‘Foolls’ (MS) [not ‘Fools’] 63. ‘legs a spar’ (MS) [not ‘Shanks aspar’] 65. ‘Annither’ (MS) [not ‘Anither’] ‘Robin Kar’: probably Robert Ker of Gilmerton, author of The Serious Fears of Some Judgements Approaching on Scotland, 1717; Ramsay mentions Ker in ‘Prologue. Spoke by one of the young Gentlemen…’, printed in Poems (1721), as one ‘who puts the canting Phrases’ of nonconforming preachers ‘into rhyme’. 66. ‘Well’ (MS) [not ‘Well,’]; ‘here’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘here;’] 67. ‘seek amangst’ (MS) [not ‘seek her amangst’]; ‘Families;’ (1722) [not ‘Families.’] 68. ‘Toot,’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘Tout,’]; ‘ther’ (MS) [not ‘there’] 69. ‘Amanst Coud Matrimonial thunder’ (MS) [not ‘Dwells she with matrimonial Thunder’] 70. ‘wher Husbands Jelous – Husbands drinkers’ (MS) [not ‘Where Mates, some greedy, some deep Drinkers’] 71. ‘with mates some Greedy - & somne jinkers’ (MS) [not ‘Contend with thriftless Mates or Jinkers?’] 72. ‘says its Black and that wi spite’ (MS); ‘says ’tis Black, and that wi’ Spite’ (1722) [not ‘says, ’tis Black; and that, wi’ Spite’] 73. ‘Mentains with pith that it is whyt’ (MS), ‘Stifly maintains, and threeps ’tis white’ (1722) [not ‘Stifly maintains and threeps ’tis White’] The MS has here two lines which do not feature in printed versions of the poem: ’Mongst Brither Intrest made a cangling discord Jealousie & wrangling 74. ‘at Last qwoth he Let’s see’ (MS) [not ‘at last, quoth he, Let’s see’] 75. ‘parents with their Bairns’ (MS) [not ‘Branches with their Stocks’]; ‘agree;’ (1722) [not ‘agree:’] 76. ‘Mistake’ (1722) [not ‘Mistake;’] 77. ‘Cruell were’ (MS) [not ‘cruel were,’] 78. ‘ungratefou’ (MS) [not ‘ungratefu’’] 79. ‘father in a’ (MS) [not ‘Parents in the’] 80. ‘mang’ (MS) [not ‘amang’] 81. ‘Cry Hermes’ (MS), ‘Cry’d Hermes’ (1722) [not ‘Cry’d Hermes,’] 82. ‘Well’ (MS) [not ‘Well,’]; ‘wally round’ (MS) [not ‘waly Round’]; ‘Round’ (1722) [not ‘Round,’] 84. ‘wing’ (MS), ‘Wing’ (1722) [not ‘Wing,’]’ ‘doun to Towards’ (MS) [not ‘towards’] 85. ‘peace’ (MS), ‘piece’ (1722) [not ‘Piece’]; ‘een’ (MS) [not ‘Looks’]; ‘turn,’ (1722) [not ‘turn;’] 589

Poems 86. ‘Ther Mistress peace’ (MS), ‘There Mistress Peace’ (1722) [not ‘There Mistris Peace’]; ‘Chancd’ (MS) [not ‘chanc’d’]; ‘see’ (1722) [not ‘see,’] 87. ‘Siting’ (MS) [not ‘Sitting’]; ‘her Lane beneath a Tree’ (MS), ‘her lane beneath a Tree;’ (1722) [not ‘beneath a Willow Tree:’] 88. ‘Last’ (MS) [not ‘last?’] 89. ‘cryd aloud’ (MS) [not ‘cry’d aloud,’] 90. ‘yes here I live qwoth she and smild’ (MS) [not ‘Here I reside, quoth she, and smil’d’] 91. ‘ane ald Hermit’ (MS) [not ‘an auld Hermite’] 92. ‘Well Madam said he I percieve’ (MS) [not ‘Well, Madam, said he, I perceive’] 94. ‘still’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘still;’]; ‘the way to gain’ (MS) 95. ‘to have ye man must be alane’ (MS) [not ‘To have ye, ane maun be alane’] The Spring and the Syke Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722), where it is misnumbered as ‘Fable XI’ (it should be ‘Fable XIII’, according to internal numbering). It appears to be an original composition by Ramsay, rather than a translation. 1. ‘Spring’ (1722) [not ‘Spring,’] 4. ‘Rank’ (1722) [not ‘rank’] 6. ‘Summer’ (1722) [not ‘Simmer’] 9. ‘Big and Sprush’ (1722) [not ‘big and sprush’] 11. ‘Day’ (1722) [not ‘Day,’] 17. ‘Spring’ (1722) [not ‘Spring,’]; ‘Superior’ (1722) [not ‘superior’] 18. ‘Your’ (1722) [not ‘your’] 19. ‘Foreign’ (1722) [not ‘foreign’] 21. ‘supply,’ (1722) [not ‘Supply;’] 22. ‘borrow’ (1722) [not ‘borrow,’] The Daft Bargain. A Tale Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) as ‘Tale I’. 1. ‘how’ (1722) [not ‘how,’] 2. ‘Cow,’ (1722) [not ‘Cow:’] 4. ‘K—’ (1722) [not ‘k—’] 6. ‘Draf’ (1722) [not ‘Draff’] 7. ‘Part,’ (1722) [not ‘Part’] 8. ‘bee’t’ (1722) [not ‘be’t,’] 9. ‘reply’d’ (1722) [not ‘reply’d,’]; ‘Thum’ (1722) [not ‘Thumb,’] 10. ‘Gloom;’ (1722) [not ‘Gloom:’] 13. ‘done’ (1722) [not ‘done,’] 14. ‘under.’ (1722) [not ‘under;’] 17. ‘though’ (1722) [not ‘tho’’] 590

Notes to Poems 1728 18. ‘ye’ (1722) [not ‘ye,’]; ‘Hash,’ (1722) [not ‘Hash;’] 19. ‘Wark’ (1722) [not ‘Wark,’] 20. ‘Haff’ (1722) [not ‘haff’] 21. ‘Content’ (1722) [not ‘Content,’] 24. ‘seen,’ (1722) [not ‘seen. — ’] 25. ‘Confed’rate’ (1722) [not ‘confed’rate’] The twa Cut-Purses. A Tale Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Fables and Tales (1722) as ‘Tale II’, closing that volume. Title: ‘cut-purse’: according to Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary (1755), ‘One who steals by the method of cutting purses, a common practice when men wore their purses at their girdles’. 1. ‘Borrowstown’ (1722) [not ‘Borrows-town’] 2. ‘there;’ (1722) [not ‘there’] 6. ‘sma’ (1722) [not ‘sma’’]; ‘Nodles,’ (1722) [not ‘Nodles;’] 10. ‘lay,’ (1722) [not ‘lay;’] 11. ‘tane’ (1722) [not ‘tane,’] 12. ‘claim’ (1722) [not ‘clam’] 13. ‘Hands.’ (1722) [not ‘Hands’] 14. ‘stands,’ (1722) [not ‘stands.’] 20. ‘Mob,’ (1722) [not ‘Mob;’] 21. ‘Gear’ (1722) [not ‘Gear,’] 23. ‘wow’ (1722) [not ‘wow?’] 26. ‘out’ (1722) [not ‘ont’] 29. ‘a’’ (1722) [not ‘a’,’] 30. ‘shaw,’ (1722) [not ‘shaw;’] 32. ‘Melancholy Story:’ (1722) [not ‘melancholy Story;’] 33. ‘what e’er’ (1722) [not ‘whate’er’] Epistle to Robert Yarde of Devonshire, Esquire Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Health (1724), pp.41-48, as ‘The Poetick Sermon: To R--- Y---Esquire’. The 1724 printing of the poem features the following epigraph, which is not retained in Poems (1728): Sometimes of humble rural Things The Muse in middle Air, with vary’d Number sings, Then without Pride, divinely great, She mounts her native Skies, Then Goddess-like retains her State When down again she flies. Dennis. The quotation is from John Dennis’s ‘To Mr. Dryden upon his Translation of the Third Book of Virgil’s Georgicks, A Pindarick Ode’, published in Dryden’s Poems on Various Occasions; and Translations from Several Authors (London, 591

Poems 1701, pp.ix-x). The stanza, as published in Dryden’s collection, shows that Ramsay’s epigraph condenses the original: Sometimes of humble Rural Things, Thy Muse, which keeps great Maro still in Sight, In middle Air with varied Numbers Sings; And sometimes her sonorous Flight To Heav’n sublimely Wings. But first takes time with Majesty to rise, Then, without Pride, divinely Great, She Mounts her Native Skies; And, Goddess-like, retains her State When down again she flies. John Dennis (1658-1734): literary critic and member of a circle of poets which included Dryden, Wycherley and Congreve. As critic, he was author of, among many others, The Impartial Critick (1693) and The Stage Defended (1726). Title: the STS editors state that ‘Nothing certain is known of Robert Yarde, but Miss Irene James, Registrar of the Devonshire Association, has made enquiries and thinks he was a collateral of the family of Yarde of Highweek, Devon. A Robert Yarde, son of Edward Yarde of Churchton, Devon, matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford in March 1718-18, aged 17. This young man might have visited Edinburgh and met Ramsay in the early 1720’s’ (VI, p.67). The Yarde family were prominent in the parish of Highweek. It is possible that Robert Yarde had a connection to Gilbert Yarde, ‘who by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Northleigh of Penmore, had issue Gilbert, who married Joan, daughter and heir of Henry Blackaller of Sharpham, and had issue Gilbert Yarde, who in the year, 1751, sold the manor of Teignweek’ (Charles Worthy, Devonshire Parishes (1887), p.292). Gilbert Yarde (bap.1673-1707) was Member of Parliament for Ashburton between 1705 and 1707; his siblings included Henry, James, Walter, Thomas, Elizabeth and Robert. 1. ‘North’ren’ (1724) [not ‘Northern’] 3. ‘Time’ (1724) [not ‘time’]; ‘Curling Stane’ (1724) [not ‘Curling-stane’] 4. ‘Icy’ (1724) [not ‘icy’] 11. ‘faws’ (1724) [not ‘fa’s’] 12. ‘Divet’ (1724) [not ‘Divot’] 14. ‘heads and thraws’: ‘heads and (or) tails; arranged with heads and feet alternately, lying in opposite directions’ (Jamieson, 1825). 15. ‘gaes’ (1724) [not ‘gaes,’] 16. ‘Faes.’ (1724) [not ‘Faes:’] 21. ‘hartsom’ (1724) [not ‘hartsome’] 22. ‘Cumin’s, Don’s or Steil’s’: contemporary taverns in Edinburgh. 25. ‘yourself’ (1724) [not ‘your self’] 32. ‘But’s’ (1724) [not ‘But’s,’] 33. ‘pens’ (1724) [not ‘Pens,’] 37. ‘Langsyne’ (1724) [not ‘Langsyne,’] 39. ‘party Jars’ (1724) [not ‘Party-jars’] 41. ‘Roads’ (1724) [not ‘Roads,’] 592

Notes to Poems 1728 42. ‘Gods,’ (1724) [not ‘Gods.’] 43. ‘kend’ (1724) [not ‘ken’d’] ‘Divini vates’: ‘God’s Bard’. 44. ‘Name;’ (1724) [not ‘Name:’] 46. ‘Virtue’s’ (1724) [not ‘Vertue’s’] 47. ‘Tho’ (1724) [not ‘Tho’’] 50. ‘gay.’ (1724) [not ‘gay;’] 52. ‘best,’ (1724) [not ‘best;’] 53. ‘a Year’s’ (1724) [not ‘a-year’s’] 54. ‘in.’ (1724) [not ‘in:’] 61. ‘blest,’ (1724) [not ‘blest’] 66. ‘lent.’ (1724) [not ‘lent;’] 72. ‘sour’ (1724) [not ‘sowr’] 82. ‘please,’ (1724) [not ‘please;’] 91. ‘cannilie through’ (1724) [not ‘cannily throw’] 93. ‘a’’ (1724) [not ‘a’] 95. ‘tho’ (1724) [not ‘tho’’] 96. ‘Time.’ (1724) [not ‘Time:’] 98. ‘Expence.’ (1724) [not ‘Expence’] 100. ‘groom-porter’: officer of the English Royal Household, abolished under George III; his principal functions in the eighteenth century were to regulate matters connected with gaming within the precincts of the court, to furnish cards and dice, and to decide disputes arising at play; the term also refers to loaded dice. 103. ‘Lands’ (1724) [not ‘Lands,’] 104. ‘fawn’ (1724) [not ‘fa’n’]; ‘Sharper’s’ (1724) [not ‘Sharpers’] 105-10. These lines are not included in the text as published in Health (1724). 111. ‘bony’ (1724) [not ‘bonny’] 112. ‘ware,’ (1724) [not ‘ware;’] 114. ‘hooly;’ (1724) [not ‘hooly:’] 115. ‘oe’er’ (1724) [not ‘o’er’] 116. ‘dead;’ (1724) [not ‘dead:’] 118. ‘Grounds,’ (1724) [not ‘Grounds;’] 119. ‘constantly like Furies’ (1724) [not ‘constantly, like Furies,’] 120. ‘Revenge,’ (1724) [not ‘Revenge:’] 122. ‘anes’ (1724) [not ‘ane’s’] 123. ‘anes’ (1724) [not ane’s’]; ‘throu’ a Shanker,’ (1724) [not ‘throw a Shanker;’] 126. ‘Vow,’ (1724) [not ‘Vow:’] 128. ‘Arms,’ (1724) [not ‘Arms;’] 132. ‘Tongue,’ (1724) [not ‘Tongue;’] 134. ‘you,’ (1724) [not ‘you,’] 137. ‘again;’ (1724) [not ‘again. —’] 139. ‘Friends,’ (1724) [not ‘Friends’] 142. ‘shauna’ (1724) [not ‘shanna’]

593

Poems The Last Speech of a Wretched Miser Text: Poems (1728). MSS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.21v-25), draft entitled ‘The Last Speech of John Motypack who was execute with stinking fish and dowd ale & died of a Costivness of his Bags & Loosness of anno Gripes in anus 1723’; an alternative title is also given on f.2: ‘The Last Speech and Confession of John Motypack, who starvd for faut & of Linkum deedle who was Bee-heade at the Cross of Edr Ag 17 1724’, hereafter ‘BL’; NLS (15973, f.3), fair copy, entitled ‘Mouldy Mowdiwart: Or the last Speech of a Wretched Miser’, hereafter ‘NLS’. First printed with the latter title in Health (1724), with the following epigraph, which does not feature in Poems (1728): And when his Strength is wanting to his Mind, Looks back and sighs on what he left behind. Dryd. The fuller quotation – ‘like a Miser midst his store,/Who grasps, and grasps, till he can hold no more,/And when his strength is wanting to his mind,/ Looks back and sighs on what he left behind’ – is from John Dryden’s Tyrannick Love; or, the Royal Martyr (London, 1695), p.21. The BL’s draft copy features four stanzas which are not retained in the NLS fair copy MS or in printed versions. The first is cancelled, and found at the foot of f.22: as plain as twa and three make five they wha against their Intrest strive [cancelled line] wha thŭs destroys the [cancelled] clinghing Hive that made the Honey Can never by sic doing Thrive or gather Money The remaining three additional stanzas are not cancelled but were discarded by Ramsay before the poem came to fair copy and print. These stanzas are found throughout the BL draft MS as follows: Cheap Hodon Gray was a my Wear whilk Lasted me fou mony a Year & day fish market shoon that’s never dear I lood them best My hat & Gloves were Crishy gear Crish Sap gart them Last (f.22v, top) for what I’ve been together Scraping I see my [cancelled] Heirs allready graping and like poor Hungry Curs stand gaping gare to fa’ too [two cancelled lines] that when I’m cauld they may get laping at my fat broo (f.23v, bottom)

and I too like a stupid hash altho I neer loo’d ought but cash 594

Notes to Poems 1728 for a tete Tocher was sae Rash to wed a wife whase [cancelled] pride has proved the secret plague & fash= =rie of my Life (f.25, middle) 1. ‘Alace & maun I starving die’ (BL) [not ‘O Dool! and am I forc’d to die’] 2. ‘and nae mair my sweet dear siller nae mair see’ (BL) [not ‘And nae mair my dear Siller see’] 3. ‘pleasant sweetly’ (BL) [not ‘sweetly’]; ‘ee’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Eye!’] 4. ‘heart!’ (BL), ‘Heart’ (NLS) [not ‘Heart;’] 5. ‘Alakanie’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘alackanie’] 7. ‘&’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘and’] 9. ‘Caf’ (BL) [not ‘Caff’] 10. ‘blankets’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Blankets’]; ‘thin,’ (1724) [not ‘thin;’] 11. ‘flae’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘flea’] 13-18. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the BL MS draft. 13. ‘Tantalus’: son of Zeus and Plouto and king of Phrygia. As punishment for revealing the secrets of the gods, he was to stand in a deep pool of water, which receded each time he bent to drink, with branches of fruit hanging over his head which were too high for him to reach for food. 14. ‘Flood,’ (1724) [not ‘Flood;’] 15. ‘neer’ (NLS) [not ‘ne’er’]; ‘blood’ (NLS) [not ‘Blood’] 16. ‘pain’ (NLS) [not ‘Pain’] 17. ‘drap’ (NLS) [not ‘Drap’]; ‘food’ (NLS) [not ‘Food’] 19-24. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the BL MS draft. 19. ‘wisend’ (NLS) [not ‘wissen’d’] 22. ‘Bony’ (NLS) [not ‘bony’] 24. ‘Lovely’ (NLS) [not ‘lovely’] 25-30. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), feature later in the BL MS draft, numbered ‘3’ and located on f.24v. 25. ‘Altho’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘Altho’’]; ‘Anualrents’ (BL), ‘Anual rents’ (NLS) [not ‘Annualrents’] 26. ‘fourty’ (BL, NLS), ‘Fourty’ (1724) [not ‘forty’]; ‘fowk’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Fowk’]; ‘need’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘Need’] 27. ‘mysell’ (1724) [not ‘my sell’]; ‘daylie’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘daily’]; ‘bread’ (BL, NLS), ‘Bread,’ (1724) [not ‘Bread:’] 28. ‘when’ (BL) [not ‘if’] 29. ‘ane’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘an’] 31-36. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are placed as the third stanza in the BL MS. 31. ‘ye’ (BL) [not ‘you’]; ‘lockd up cosie’ (BL) [not ‘cosie’]; ‘hoord’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Hoord’] 32. ‘Thus’ (1724) [not ‘this’]; ‘I hunger heartyly’ (BL) [not ‘Thus Hunger I with Ease’]; ‘ease’ (NLS) [not ‘Ease’]; ‘endur’d,’ (1724) [not ‘endur’d;’] 33. ‘dught’ (BL) [not ‘dought’]; ‘doit’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Doit’] 34. ‘to a Reffitter’ (BL) [not ‘To ane of Skill’] 595

Poems 35. ‘Dolar’ (BL, 1724), ‘dolar’ (NLS) [not ‘Dollar’] 36. ‘S—’ (BL); ‘ill’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Ill’] 37-42. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are placed as the sixth stanza in the BL MS draft, on f.22v. 37. ‘its wasters I never’ (BL) [not ‘I never’]; ‘this my’ (BL) [not ‘my’]; ‘Brushing’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘brushing’] 38. ‘and nor wrung awa their my’ (BL) [not ‘Nor wrung away my’]; ‘Washing’ (NLS), ‘washing,’ (1724) [not ‘washing;’] 39. ‘and send awa nor ever sat’ (BL) [not ‘Nor ever sat’]; ‘Clashing dashing’ (BL) [not ‘dashing’] 40. ‘Awa my pence’ (BL) [not ‘Away my Coin’] 41. ‘for wine or Laughing, wine or wit or Clashing’ (BL) [not ‘To find out Wit or Mirth by clashing’]; ‘Clashing’ (NLS) [not ‘clashing’] 42. ‘what fools what some ca sence’ (BL) [not ‘O’er dearthfu’ Wine’] 43. ‘altho’ (BL) [not ‘Abeit’]; ‘was be’ (BL) [not ‘was’]’ ‘Belld & bair’ (BL), ‘beld & bare’ (NLS) [not ‘bald and bare’] 44. ‘I never wore’ (BL) [not ‘I wore nae’]’ ‘frlizle’d’ (NLS) [not ‘frizl’d]; ‘Limmers’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘Limmer’s’]; ‘hair’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Hair’] 45. ‘seeks takes mair of’ (BL) [not ‘takes of’]; ‘flower’ (BL, NLS), ‘Flow’r’ (1724) [not ‘Flower’] 46. ‘Reesting’ (BL) [not ‘reesting’] 47. ‘than what as miekle as wad aften’ (BL) [not ‘As meikle as wad’] 48. ‘Like’ (BL) [not ‘like’] 49. ‘I kept nae’ (BL) [not ‘Nor kept I’]; ‘Servants tales to tell’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Servants, Tales to tell’] 50. ‘Coodys’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Coodies’]; ‘sell,’ (1724) [not ‘sell;’] 52. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 53. ‘fish head’ (BL, NLS), ‘Fish Head’ (1724) [not ‘Fish-head’]; ‘gins’ (NLS) [not ‘’gins’] 54. ‘gies’ (BL), ‘gives’ (NLS) [not ‘Gives’]; ‘Curious’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘curious’] 55-60. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the BL MS draft. 55. ‘shaw qo’’ (NLS) [not ‘shaw, quo’’] 56. ‘& starve, to cheat &’ (NLS) [not ‘and starve, to cheat and’] 57. ‘Begar &’ (NLS) [not ‘Beggar, and’] 58. ‘Coyn’ (NLS) [not ‘Coin?’] 60. ‘tho’ (NLS) [not ‘Tho’’]; ‘joyn’ (NLS) [not ‘join’] 61-66. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are relocated on the BL MS draft to f.24. 61. ‘They said I had’ (BL), ‘wer grum & sour’ (BL), ‘were gruff & sour’ (NLS) [not ‘were groff and sowr’] 62. ‘fretfu’ (BL), ‘fretfŭ’ (NLS) [not ‘Fretfu’’]; ‘dul & dour’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘dull and dowr’]; ‘dowr.’ (1724) [not ‘dowr:’] 63. ‘oun’ (BL) [not ‘own’]; ‘wasna’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘was na’] 64. ‘to form a Smile My cares to ding’ (BL), ‘my fears to ding’ (NLS) [not ‘My Fears to ding’]; ‘ding,’ (1724) [not ‘ding;’] 65. ‘for faith Wherfore’ (BL), ‘Wherfore’ (NLS) [not ‘Wherefore’] 66. ‘Laugh’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘laugh’] 596

Notes to Poems 1728 67-72. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the BL MS draft. 68. ‘mŭsicall’ (NLS) [not ‘musical’]; ‘Breeding’ (1724) [not ‘breeding’] 69. ‘face’ (NLS) [not ‘Face’] 70. ‘Things’ (NLS), ‘Things,’ (1724) [not ‘things;’] 71. ‘pictures’ (NLS) [not ‘Pictures’] 72. ‘Kings’ (NLS) [not ‘King’s’] 73. ‘but’ (BL) [not ‘Now’] 74. ‘Poets’ (BL) [not ‘Rhimers’] 75. ‘pack’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Pack,’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 76. ‘’em’ (1724) [not ‘’em;’] 77. ‘Thrifty’ (BL) [not ‘thrifty’]; ‘fowk sauls’ (BL) [not ‘Sauls’]; ‘they’r’ (NLS) [not ‘they’re’] 78. ‘Venome’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Venom’] 79-84. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) are relocated in the BL MS draft to f.25. 79. ‘Women Women Warst of A’ (BL0 [not ‘waster Wives, the warst of a’’]; ‘Wives’ (NLS) [not ‘Wives,’] 80. ‘the youk’ (BL) [not ‘a youk’]; ‘they’ll gar ye us’ (BL), ‘thep gar an’ (1724) [not ‘they gar ane’] 81. ‘gar bid ye’ (BL) [not ‘bid us’] 82. ‘your’ (BL) [not ‘our’] 83. ‘that’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘that,’]; ‘mak’ (NLS) [not ‘make’] 84. ‘tongues’ (BL) [not ‘Tongues’] 85. ‘Courts & some’ (BL), ‘Courts some’ (NLS) [not ‘Courts, some’]; ‘the Kirks’ (BL) [not ‘loo the Kirks’] 86. ‘Hide’ (BL) [not ‘Skins’] 88. ‘Lemons’ (BL) [not ‘Lemans’]; ‘Bonny’ (BL), ‘Bony’ (NLS), ‘bony,’ (1724) [not ‘bony;’] 89. ‘me’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘me,’]; ‘Stirks,’ (1724) [not ‘Stirks’] 91. ‘Named’ (BL) [not ‘ca’d’] 92. ‘Cleave’ (BL) [not ‘Squeez, cleave’]; ‘Peel’ (1724) [not ‘peel’] 93. ‘Cleek, hard back, squeeze, pinch, penury’ (BL) [not ‘Clek, flae the Flint, and Penury’]; ‘Cleek,’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Clek’]; ‘penury’ (NLS) [not ‘Penury’] 95. ‘neer’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘ne’er’]; ‘Skaith’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘skaith’d’] 97-102. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are relocated in the BL MS draft to f.23. 97. ‘thoughts’ (NLS) [not ‘Thoughts’] 99. ‘Tent’ (1724) [not ‘tent’] 100. ‘pawns’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Pawns’] 101. ‘Cudieh’ (BL) [not ‘Cudeigh’]; ‘ten percent’ (BL), ‘tenper cent’ (NLS) ‘Ten per Cent’ (1724) [not ‘ten per Cint’] 103. ‘Borrowers’ (BL) [not ‘Borrow’rs’]; ‘Brake’ (BL) [not ‘brak,’]; ‘pawns’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Pawns’]; ‘rug’ (BL) [not ‘Rug’] 104. ‘Rings Gowns of Silk Pearl Beads or Siller jug’ (BL) [not ‘Rings, Beads of Pearl, or Siller Jug,’] 105. ‘aff’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘aff,’] 106. ‘girns’ (NLS) [not ‘Girns’]; ‘poor fowks Curses’ (BL) [not ‘Girns or Curses’] 597

Poems 107. ‘Whingd’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘whing’d’] 108. ‘purses’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Purses’] 109. ‘sigh and act the Saint’ (BL), ‘sigh and Act Ape a the Saint’ (NLS) [not ‘sigh, and ape a Saint’] 110. ‘And mak and with’ (BL) [not ‘And with’]; ‘rat-rhime’ (BL), ‘rat-Rhime’ (NLS) [not ‘Rat-rhime’] 111. ‘fowk them’ (BL) [not ‘them’]; ‘Want’ (BL, NLS), ‘Want,’ (1724) [not ‘want;’] 113. ‘fooll’ (BL), ‘fool’ (NLS) [not ‘Fool’] 115-20. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) are relocated in the BL MS draft to the foot of f.24. 115. ‘frankly’ (BL) [not ‘freely’] 116. ‘I thought that Man Chile a very a Silly dunce’ (BL) [not ‘That Chiel a very silly Dunce’] 117. ‘honesty renunce’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Honestly renounce’] 118. ‘ease & joy’ (BL), ‘Ease & Joys’ (NLS) [not ‘Ease and Joys’] 119. ‘time’ (BL, NLS), ‘Time’ (1724) [not ‘time,’]; ‘gain ane unce’ (BL), ‘win ane unce’ (NLS) [not ‘win an Ounce’] 120. ‘yelow’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Yellow’] 121-26. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are relocated in the BL MS draft to the middle of f.24. 121. ‘remorse’ (NLS) [not ‘Remorse’] 122. ‘Terrour’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Terror’] 123. ‘furnace whops and Racking Wheel’ (BL), ‘furnace, whops, and Racking Wheel’ (NLS) [not ‘Furnace, Whips, and racking Wheel’]; ‘Wheel,’ (1724) [not ‘Wheel;’] 124. ‘till and but’ (BL) [not ‘But’]; ‘degrees’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Degrees’] 127. ‘Want’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘Want,’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘Carking’ (BL) [not ‘carking’] 128. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘thrist’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Thirst’] 129. ‘&’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘oprest’ (BL) [not ‘opprest’] 130. ‘turn’ (NLS) [not ‘turn’d’]; ‘head’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Head’] 131. ‘Bairns’ (BL), ‘friends’ (NLS) [not ‘Friends’]; ‘Harpys’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Harpies’] 133-38. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) appear on the BL MS draft at f.22v. 133. ‘Thieve’ (BL) [not ‘Thieves’]; ‘Waking’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘waking’] 134. ‘day’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Day’] 135. ‘sleep’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Sleep,’]; ‘heart’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Heart’] 136. ‘I’ (BL) [not ‘I’ve’] 138. ‘When Magie Kimmer f—’ (BL) [not ‘When Elspa f—’] 139-44. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) as the fourth stanza in the BL MS draft, on f.22. 139. ‘Gear’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Gear!’]; ‘thee’ (BL) [not ‘ye’]; ‘thegither’ (1724) [not ‘thegither;’] 141. ‘brither’ (BL) [not ‘Brither’] ‘Virginia’: the British colony of Virginia, the largest and richest of early eighteenth-century North America, colonised for tobacco plantations. 145. ‘Life’ (BL) [not ‘Life!’]; ‘Earns’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘earns’] 598

Notes to Poems 1728 146. ‘and’ (BL) [not ‘or’]; ‘bairns’ (BL) [not ‘Bairns’] 148. ‘Thee’ (BL), ‘Thee!’ (NLS) [not ‘thee!’] 149. ‘Mortal’ (BL), ‘Mortall’ (NLS) [not ‘mortal’] 151-56. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), appear in the BL MS draft at f.24v. The BL MS draft has a cancelled line here: ‘My Crooked Rib’. 152. ‘When you to se Gaping friends kin & graceles Son’ (BL) [not ‘To see my Kin and graceless Son’]; ‘se’ (NLS) [not ‘see’] The BL MS draft has a cancelled line here: ‘The Gleds & Corbies are begun’] 153. ‘allready’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘already’] 157-62. These lines, as printed in Poems (1722), appear in the BL MS draft on f.22. 157. ‘Oh oh’ (BL) [not ‘Oh, oh!’]; ‘Son friends’ (BL) [not ‘Son’] 158. ‘Roasted’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘roasted’]; ‘moorfoul’ (BL), ‘moorfowl’ (NLS) [not ‘Moorfowl’] 159. ‘dub water’ (BL, NLS), ‘Dub-Water’ (1724) [not ‘Dub-water’] 160. ‘&’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘and’] 161. ‘darlings’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Darlings’] 162. ‘doun to nae Thing’ (BL) [not ‘Down to nathing’] 163-68. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are found in the BL MS draft at f.23v. 163. ‘Place’ (BL), ‘place’ (NLS) [not ‘Place,’]; ‘eer’ (BL) [not ‘e’er’] 164. ‘alang’ (BL, NLS), ‘alang,’ (1724) [not ‘alang!’] 165. ‘No’ (BL) [not ‘Nae’]; ‘neer’ (BL) [not ‘e’er’] 166. ‘wha sic gate Bouzes’ (BL), ‘that thus Carouses way Bowzes’ (NLS) [not ‘That thus carouses’] 167. ‘Tho’ (1724) [not ‘Tho’’]; ‘Tho wants him to a helter brang shoud them in a woodys hang’ (BL), ‘tho they shoud on a woodys hang’ (NLS) [not ‘Tho’ they shou’d a’ on Woodies hang’] 168. ‘Breaking’ (NLS) [not ‘breaking’]; ‘houses’ (BL) [not ‘Houses’] 169-74. The final stanza of the poem, as printed in Poems (1728), appears at the end of the corresponding section of the BL MS draft, but only ll.169-70 and part of l.171 are replicated there. In the BL MS, the remainder of the final stanza reads as follows: The thought of Death it gars me grew The Beds gawn round – the Candles Blew 169. ‘Oh I grew!’ (BL) [not ‘is that you?’] 170. ‘dizy’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘dizzy’]; ‘blue’ (1724) [not ‘blew’] 171. ‘Withat’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Wi’ that’] The following note, in Ramsay’s hand, appears on the back of the final sheet of the NLS MS fair copy: Set 2 Stanzas on the first page 4 on all the Rest, except 3 on the Last This description of the poem’s layout found in this note, which appears to be an instruction to the printer, accords with the 1724 printing in Health (1724). 599

Poems Tit for Tat Text: Poems (1728). MS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.19). The MS, like the fair copy NLS MS of ‘The Last Speech of a Wretched Miser’, has notes indicating the poem’s position and layout for Poems (1728). The STS editors did not record this MS. No prior publication. 1. ‘Be South’ (MS) [not ‘Be-South]; ‘it’ (MS) [not ‘’tis’] 2. ‘priest-riden’ (MS) [not ‘Priest-ridden,’] 3. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘Father,’]; ‘procession’ (MS) [not ‘Procession’] 5. ‘Sins langgather’d’ (MS) [not ‘Sins, lang-gather’d,’] 6. ‘burthen’ (MS) [not ‘burden’]; ‘inner-Man’ (MS) [not ‘inner Man’] 7. ‘ease’ (MS) [not ‘Ease’] 8. ‘eer’ (MS) [not ‘e’er’] 9. ‘Sins’ (MS) [not ‘Sins,’] 12. ‘Crys’ (MS) [not ‘Cries’]; ‘sighs ah’ (MS) [not ‘sighs, Ah!’] 18. ‘oun’ (MS) [not ‘own,’] 20. ‘faut’ (MS) [not ‘Faut’] 23. ‘ound’ (MS) [not ‘own’d’] 24. ‘anes’ (MS) [not ‘ane’s’]; ‘guts’ (MS) [not ‘Guts’] 25. ‘gien’ (MS) [not ‘gi’en’]; ‘head’ (MS) [not ‘Head’] 26. ‘replys the Priest my Son its plain’ (MS) [not ‘Replies the Priest, My Son, ’tis plain’] 29. ‘crys ah’ (MS) [not ‘cries, Ah!’] 32. ‘Name’t’ (MS) [not ‘name’t’] 33. ‘Neck’ (MS) [not ‘Neck,’] 34. ‘out, to you, believe’ (MS) [not ‘out to you: Believe’] 35. ‘faut’ (MS) [not ‘Faut’] 36. ‘Haly man’ (MS) [not ‘haly Man,’] 37. ‘intreated prayd’ (MS) [not ‘Intreated, pray’d,’] 38. ‘him’ (MS) [not ‘him,’] 39. ‘crime’ (MS) [not ‘Crime,’] 40. ‘then says Hodge’ (MS) [not ‘then, says Hodge’] 41. ‘tale’ (MS) [not ‘Tale’] 42. ‘its tald’ (MS) [not ‘’tis tald,’] 45. ‘Carnaly’ (MS) [not ‘carnally’] 46. ‘reverend’ (MS) [not ‘Reverend’] 48. ‘aft,’ (MS) [not ‘aft;’] Epistle from Mr. William Starrat Teacher of Mathematicks at Straban in Ireland Text: Poems (1728). This poem, addressed to Ramsay, was first printed as a Dublin broadside entitled A Pastoral in Praise of Allan Ramsay. By Willy Starrat (J. Gowan at the Spinning-wheell in Back-Lane, 1726). That the poem was sent by Starrat to Ramsay in advance of its publication is confirmed by the fact that Ramsay made a transcription of part of the text: that MS is held by the BL (Egerton 2023, f.6). Ramsay adds a date to his transcription – ‘Strabane May 15th 1722’ 600

Notes to Poems 1728 – and a note on Starrat: ‘Mr Starrat Teaches Mathematicks at Strabane’. According to John B. Cunningham, Starrat ‘was one of the most notable of Irish surveyors in the early 18th century’; he was, as Ramsay states, a teacher and writer. His The Doctrine of Projectiles was published in 1733, and in 1720 Starrat was styling himself ‘William Starrat Philomath’ (see Cunningham, ‘William Starrat Surveyor-Philomath’ in Clogher Record 11:2 (1983), pp.214-25). As a poet, Starrat is significant but under-researched: in Philip Robinson’s account, Starrat’s poem to Ramsay was ‘the earliest known Ulster-Scots poem’ (Robinson, ‘William Starrat of Strabane: The First Ulster Scots Poet’ in Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots 5 (1997)). According to Frank Ferguson, Starrat’s ‘significance can be measured in being the first extant example of Scots vernacular poetry to be produced in an Irish setting in the eighteenth century that concerns Irish subject matter’, and ‘his stature within Ulster-Scots writing is assured by the fact that he is one of the first Irish poets to send and receive a verse epistle from Allan Ramsay’ (Ferguson, Ulster-Scots Writing (Dublin, 2008), p.56). Starrat is regarded as the author of ‘Crochanhill. A Scotch Sang’, which was published among other poems and songs of his assumed authorship in The Ulster Miscellany of 1753. 3. ‘Crochan’: Crochanhill, translated from the Irish Cnocan Chrócaire as ‘Gallows Hill’, located near Castlebar, County Mayo. There is also a Croaghan Hill in Donegal, between Strabane and Letterkenny. Although the spelling has altered, the latter is more likely to be the location about which Starrat writes; as Ramsay’s transcription states, Starrat was based in Strabane. Starrat is the presumed author of ‘Crochanhill. A Scotch Sang’. 13. ‘Pierian Quines’: Pieria, district in modern-day Greek Macedonia to the north of Mount Olympus, regarded as the home of the Muses in classical mythology. 22. ‘Parnassus’: Mount Parnassus, the source of poetic inspiration in classical mythology. 30. ‘Theban’: Thebes, capital of Boeotia in ancient Greece. 33. ‘Bell-Trees’: Robert Sempill of Beltrees (c.1595-c.1665), Scottish poet and originator of the Standard Habbie stanza form with ‘The Life and Death of Habbie Simson, the Piper of Kilbarchan’ (1640). 37. Ramsay’s elegies on Lucky Wood and Lucky Spence. 43. ‘Lutter’: Tam Lutter of Ramsay’s Christ’s Kirk on the Green. 45. ‘Edie’s Death’: Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’. 46. ‘Matthew’s Loss’: Ramsay’s ‘Robert, Richy and Sandy’. 51. ‘Burchet’: Josiah Burchet, author of ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works’, printed at the opening of Poems (1721); see also Ramsay’s ‘To Josiah Burchet’. To Mr. William Starrat, on receiving the above Epistle Text: Poems (1728). MSS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.6), hereafter ‘MS1’; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.145-46), hereafter ‘MS2’. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). 1. ‘frae these fair fertile fields wher nae curst ethers creep’ (MS2) [not ‘Frae fertile 601

Poems Fields, where nae curs’d Ethers creep’] 2. ‘wha’ (MS2) [not ‘that’]; ‘Rash Busses’ (MS2) [not ‘Rash-busses’] 3-4. These lines do not feature in MS2, and occur only in MS1. 3. ‘Patricks’ (MS1) [not ‘Patrick’s’] 4. ‘Taids & Asks and ugly Crouping frogs’ (MS1) [not ‘Taids, and Asks, and ugly creeping Frogs’] 5. ‘Welcome’ is water-damaged in MS1. 6. ‘Welcome’ is water-damaged in MS1. ‘Welcome as sometime Blinks westlin winds or Blae Beris Ripe’ (MS2) [not ‘Welcome, as Westlen Winds, or Berries ripe’]; ‘Berrys’ (MS2) [not ‘Berries’] Here, MS2 features heavily cancelled, illegible lines. 7-8. These lines appear in the margin of MS2, and are mostly illegible in MS1, due to water damage. 7. ‘climbing’ (MS2) [not ‘speeling]; ‘Hill’ (MS2) [not ‘Hill,’]; ‘Dog Days’ (MS1), ‘Dog days’ (MS2) [not ‘Dog-days’]; ‘heat’ (MS2) [not ‘Heat’] 8. ‘Thirsty’ (MS2) [not ‘thirsty]; ‘Pant & sweat’ (MS1), ‘peh & sweet’ (MS2) [not ‘pant and sweat’] 9-24. These lines do not feature in MS2, but appear in MS1. 9. ‘Clim’ (MS1) [not ‘climb’] 11. ‘O’ (MS1) [not ‘O!’]; ‘Loo’ (MS1) [not ‘loo’] 12. ‘Breath’ (MS1) [not ‘breathe’] 13. ‘Teach’ (MS1) [not ‘teach,’]; ‘&’ (MS1) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘Skill that’s worth Rich silver’ (MS1) [not ‘Skill, that’s worth rich Siller’] 15. ‘wheels can gang with Greatest’ (MS1) [not ‘Wheels can gang with greatest’] 17. ‘wind mills’ (MS1) [not ‘Wind-mills’]; ‘made’ (MS1) [not ‘made,’] 19. ‘Aik’ (MS1) [not ‘Aik:’] 20. ‘Greatest (MS1) [not ‘greatest’] 21. ‘roots’ (MS1) [not ‘Roots’] 22. ‘Easilie’ (MS1) [not ‘easily’] 23. ‘what Plughs fits a wett soil & whilk the Dry’ (MS1) [not ‘What Pleughs fits a wet Soil, and whilk the dry’] 24. ‘Thousand usefull’ (MS1) [not ‘thousand useful’] 25. ‘I oun’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘I own’]; ‘encouragement’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Encouragement’] 26. ‘blatrand Hail Stanes ring’ (MS1), ‘Blatrin hailstones Ring’ (MS2) [not ‘blatran Hailstanes ring’] 27. ‘Bauldest’ (MS2) [not ‘bauldest’] 28. ‘throu’’ (MS1), ‘throw’ (MS2) [not ‘thro’’]; ‘&’ (MS1), ‘yet’ (MS2) [not ‘and’] 29-35. These lines are only partially legible in MS1, due to water damage. 29. ‘gane’ (MS2) [not ‘wid’]; ‘throw’ (MS2) [not ‘thro’’]; ‘Chorking’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘chorking’] 30. ‘plaid’ (MS2) [not ‘Plaid’]; ‘coat’ (MS2) [not ‘Kelt’] 31. ‘Blythly’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘blythly’]; ‘wad’ (MS2) [not ‘wald’]; ‘Bang’ (MS2) [not ‘bang’] 32. ‘Light’ (MS2) [not ‘light’] 33. ‘Better’ (MS2) [not ‘better’] Here, MS2 features two additional lines at f.145, which do not feature in 602

Notes to Poems 1728 Poems (1728): Truth Willy aftener times this very Hope Than that w enjoy gar our spirits Lowp 34. ‘Ladys’ (MS2) [not ‘Ladies’] 35. ‘&’ (MS2) [not ‘and’]; ‘on’ (MS2) [not ‘o’er’] MS2 has an additional six lines here, which do not feature in Poems (1728): with curds & Bannocks and fresh cogs of whey we may suffice our Maws as well as they I’ve seen our Laird wha Do hae’t naithing has to do be out of Humour [cancelled] with his [cancelled] Red heeld shoe or with the Lace or Cocking of his Hat when I in nouther coud e’er tent a faut 36. ‘acct’ (MS2) [not ‘Account’]; ‘ills’ (MS2) [not ‘Ill’s’] 37. ‘Ruther’ (MS2) not ‘Rudder,’] 38. ‘Ruse’ (MS2) [not ‘roose’] 39. ‘Lawly mints of my mim’ (MS2) [not ‘lawly Mints of my poor’] 40. ‘Wha Blatly Blushes Blatly looks Blate wher evnd to ether the twa’ (MS2) [not ‘Wha looks but blate, when even’d to either twa’] 41. ‘Luld’ (MS2) [not ‘lull’d’]; ‘Thebean’ (MS2) [not ‘Theban’] ‘Theban Wa’’: Thebes, ancient city in Boeotia, Greece. According to Greek mythology, Amphion built a wall around the city. 42. ‘Troth’ (MS2) [not ‘trowth’]; ‘natrule’ (MS2) [not ‘natural’] 43. ‘fauts and praises’ (MS2) [not ‘Fauts, and Praises’] MS2 has two additional lines here, which do not feature in Poems (1728): Nane sooner than me sall mair than I ambitious of that that gives to mortall [illegible] Imortall wights a deathless fame 44. ‘then’ (MS2) [not ‘then,’]; ‘Joys be’ (MS2) [not ‘Flocks grow’] Two lines follow l.45 in MS2: one is cancelled and the other only partially legible. These are followed by two further lines on f.146, which do not feature in Poems (1728): Blyth be your Heart & Hale your Hirsle prove and a’ ye’r days hours in a the canty circles snoove 46. ‘Sin’ (MS2) [not ‘Sun’]; ‘is Blew’ (MS2) [not ‘looks blue’] 47. ‘in’ (MS2) [not ‘O’er’]; ‘hov’ring’ (MS2) [not ‘hovering’]; ‘dew’ (MS2) [not ‘Dew’] 48. ‘Magy the Bonys Lass in a our Toun’ (MS2) [not ‘Maggy, the bonniest Lass of a’ our Town’] 49. ‘Brow’ (MS2) [not ‘Brow,’]; ‘hair’ (MS2) [not ‘Hair’]; ‘Broun’ (MS2) [not ‘Brown’] 50. ‘I’ve Trysted Have a tryst wi her’ (MS2) [not ‘I have a Tryst with her,’] 51. ‘some ither’ (MS2) [not ‘anither’] 52. ‘Time –’ (MS2) [not ‘Time;’] 53. ‘Dainty sangs that’ (MS2) [not ‘dainty Sangs, that’] ‘Crochan’: l.3 of ‘Epistle From Mr. William Starrat’.

603

Poems Bonny Christy Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.128). First printed in TTM I (1723). The tune has a long history in MS and print prior to Ramsay’s utilisation. It is first found in MS collections, including Sermons by Mr James Guthrie (1650-60, EUL La.III.111), the Panmure Music Book (before 1675, NLS MS.9458) and George Bowie’s collection (1705, NLS MS 21714). Its first printing is in Young’s Collection of Original Scotch Tunes for the Violin (1720), and it thereafter features in Neal’s Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (c.1724), Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725), Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?) and Urquhart and Wright’s Aria di Camera (1727). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 9. ‘flow’ry’ (TTM) [not ‘flowry’] 12. ‘chanting:’ (TTM) [not ‘chanting?’] 14. ‘Admiration,’ (TTM) [not ‘Admiration;’] 20. ‘Woman:’ (TTM) [not ‘Woman.’] 26. ‘o’erhear him,’ (TTM) [not ‘o’er-hear him;’] 30. ‘her,’ (TTM) [not ‘her;’] 33. ‘witness,’ (TTM) [not ‘witness’] 34. ‘arising,’ (TTM) [not ‘arising;’] 35. ‘Dream; ----’ (TTM) [not ‘Dream:’] 36. ‘surprising!’ (TTM) [not ‘surprising’] 38. ‘Wishes,’ (TTM) [not ‘Wishes;’] The bonny Scot, To the Tune of, The Boat-man Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.143v-44). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 6. ‘Hands,’ (TTM) [not ‘Hands;’] 21. ‘Fields’ (TTM) [not ‘Fields,’] 25. ‘Word’ (TTM) [not ‘Word,’] 29. ‘Shore’ (TTM) [not ‘Shore,’] Love Inviting Reason. A Song to the Tune of, I am Asleep, do not waken me Text: Poems (1728). No MS. The tune to which the song is set is first found in print in Neal’s Collection of the Most Celebrated Irish Tunes (c.1724) before it is published in Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. Title: ‘A SONG to the Tune of, --- Chamni ma chatle, ne duce skar mi.’ (TTM) 604

Notes to Poems 1728 [not ‘A SONG to the Tune of, I am asleep, do not waken me.’] 4. ‘How lovely and loving and bony was she?’ (TTM) [not ‘How lovely and loving, and bony was she!’] 6. ‘ajee’ (TTM) [not ‘a-jee;’] 7. ‘bonny’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny,’] 8. ‘Jamie’ (TTM) [not ‘Jamie,’] 13. ‘Rouse’ (TTM) [not ‘Rouze,’] 14. ‘me,’ (TTM) [not ‘me;’] 15. ‘bony’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny’] 17. ‘Manto’ (TTM) [not ‘Gown,’] 18. ‘Cottie’ (TTM) [not ‘Coatie’] 19. ‘forgetfu’’ (TTM) [not ‘forgetfu’,’] 20. ‘thine.’ (TTM) [not ‘thine?’] 21. ‘Rouse’ (TTM) [not ‘Rouze,’] 23. ‘bonny’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny,’] 27. ‘himself’ (TTM) [not ‘himself,’] 28. ‘me.’ (TTM) [not ‘me?’] 29. ‘Rouse’ (TTM) [not ‘Rouze,’] 31. ‘bonny’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny,’] 32. ‘Jamie’ (TTM) [not ‘Jamie,’] 35. ‘Squirrels or Beaus’ (TTM) [not ‘Squirrels, or Beaus,’]; ‘Power’ (TTM) [not ‘Power,’] 36. ‘Love’ (TTM) [not ‘Love,’] 37. ‘Rouse’ (TTM) [not ‘Rouze,’] 38. ‘me,’ (TTM) [not ‘me;’] 39. ‘bonny’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny,’] The Bob of Dunblane Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.150). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 3. ‘Dearie’ (TTM) [not ‘Deary’] 6. ‘braw’ (TTM) [not ‘braw,’]; ‘Shame’ (TTM) [not ‘shame’] 11. ‘mickle’ (TTM) [not ‘miekle’] 12. ‘didna’ (TTM) [not ‘did na’] 14. ‘lane,’ (TTM) [not ‘lane;’] Throw the Wood Laddie Text: Poems (1728). No MS. The tune is found in three MS sources: Lady Margaret Wemyss’s song book (1643-49, NLS Dep. 314/23), Panmure’s Music Book (before 1675, NLS MS 9458) and the Waterson MS (1715, NLS Acc. 4292). It is featured in several early eighteenth-century printed sources, including Neal’s Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (c.1724), Roberts’s Collection of Old Ballads 605

Poems (1725), Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725), as well as Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?). The tune is also used by John Gay in his play Polly (1729, Air 57). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 3. ‘naithing’ (TTM) [not ‘nathing’]; ‘me.’ (TTM) [not ‘me;’] 7. ‘Lav’rocks’ (TTM) [not ‘Lavrocks’] 9. ‘Ear;’ (TTM) [not ‘Ear,’] 10. ‘Wood Laddie’ (TTM) [not ‘Wood, Laddie,’] 13. ‘Morning;’ (TTM) [not ‘Morning:’] 14. ‘Knell;’ (TTM) [not ‘Knell,’] 16. ‘away,’ (TTM) [not ‘away;’] 18. ‘Hast’ (TTM) [not ‘Haste’] Ann thou were my ain Thing Text: Poems (1728). No MS. The tune is found in three MS collections: Robert Gordon of Straloch’s Lute Book (1627-29, NLS Adv. MS 5.2.18), Guthrie’s Sermons (1650-60, EUL, La.III.111) and the Balcarres Lute MS (1690-1700, NLS Acc.9769). It is first published in Neal’s Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (c.1724) and Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725) before it is featured in Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?). The tune is later used by John Gay in his Beggar’s Opera (1728, Air 17). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. While the TTM printing includes four collected stanzas before Ramsay’s own – which begins ‘Like Bees that suck the Morning Dew’ – the text in Poems begins with the chorus, which corresponds to ll.5-8 of the TTM text. 2. ‘thee,’ (TTM) [not ‘thee;’] 3. ‘An’ (TTM) [not ‘Ann’] 4. ‘thee?’ (TTM) [not ‘thee.’] 5. ‘Dew,’ (TTM) [not ‘Dew’] 9. ‘langs’ (TTM) [not ‘lang’s’] 12. ‘lo’d’ (TTM) [not ‘loo’d’] 13. ‘Jean,’ (TTM) [not ‘Jean!’] 18. ‘Ivy’ (TTM) [not ‘Ivy,’] 19. ‘Arround’ (TTM) [not ‘Around’]; ‘twine’ (TTM) [not ‘twine,’] 22. ‘shining, Youth,’ (TTM) [not ‘shining Youth’] 23. ‘nae’ (TTM) [not ‘no’] 24. ‘O’ (TTM) [not ‘O!’]; ‘nae’ (TTM) [not ‘no’] 27. ‘And,’ (TTM) [not ‘And’]; ‘Smile,’ (TTM) [not ‘Smile’]

606

Notes to Poems 1728 There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile Thee Text: Poems (1728). No MS. The tune is first printed in Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26?), although it is published – around the same time – in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 2. ‘thee;’ (TTM) [not ‘thee,’] 3. ‘And,’ (TTM) [not ‘And’]; ‘Slave,’ (TTM) [not ‘Slave’] 6. ‘bonny;’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny:’] 9. ‘are,’ (TTM) [not ‘are!’] 10. ‘sa’ (TTM) [not ‘sae’] 12. ‘’em’ (TTM) [not ‘’em;’] 14. ‘Mountain;’ (TTM) [not ‘Mountain,’] 15. ‘Kin and a’,’ (TTM) [not ‘Kin, and a’’] 18. ‘wander,’ (TTM) [not ‘wander;’] 20. ‘thumb’ (TTM) [not ‘Thumb’] 22. ‘naffin.’ (TTM) [not ‘naffin:’] 23. ‘vilely,’ (TTM) [not ‘vilely;’] The Highland Laddie Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.39), where the text differs substantially from the song as printed. Its tune is in Margaret Sinkler’s Music Book (1710, NLS MS 3296), before its first printing in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725); it is thereafter published in Urquhart and Wright’s Aria di Camera (1727). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 4. ‘bony bony’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny, bonny’] 12. ‘blew’ (TTM) [not ‘blew,’] 13. ‘Borrows-Town’ (TTM) [not ‘Borrows-town’] 18. ‘Dady.’ (TTM) [not ‘Dady;’] 19. ‘Wiuter’s’ (TTM) [not ‘Winter’s’] 21. ‘Room, and Silken’ (TTM) [not ‘Room and silken’] 24. ‘Plaidy.’ (TTM) [not ‘Plaidy:’] 26. ‘Laddie,’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie;’] 27. ‘Lass;’ (TTM) [not ‘Lass:’] 28. ‘beneath his’ (TTM) [not ‘his Highland’] 30. ‘steady’ (TTM) [not ‘steady,’] 31. ‘him,’ (TTM) [not ‘him’]

607

Poems The Coalier’s bonny Lassie Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Its tune is first found in Playford’s Collection of Original Scotch-Tunes (1710), and in two early eighteenth-century MS sources: Margaret Sinkler’s Music Book (1710, NLS MS 3296) and Cuming’s musical MS (1723, NLS MS 1667). It is printed in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725), and is also featured in Gay’s Polly (1729, Air 60). As it was first published prior to Poems (1728) in TTM I (1723), where it is entitled ‘The Collier’s bonnie Lassie’, a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 1. ‘Collier’ (TTM) [not ‘Coalier’] 2. ‘bonny,’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny;’] 4. ‘Money;’ (TTM) [not ‘Money.’] 5. ‘Tutor’s’ (TTM) [not ‘Tutors’] 6. ‘Lover,’ (TTM) [not ‘Lover:’] 7. ‘Ocean:’ (TTM) [not ‘Ocean;’] 13. ‘Collier’ (TTM) [not ‘Coalier’] 14. ‘Lillie’ (TTM) [not ‘Lilly’] 17. ‘Expression,’ (TTM) [not ‘Expression’] 19. ‘Possession,’ (TTM) [not ‘Possession;’] 24. ‘her.’ (TTM) [not ‘her;’] 25. ‘Collier’ (TTM) [not ‘Coalier’] 26. ‘naething’ (TTM) [not ‘nathing’] 28. ‘gar’ (TTM) [not ‘make’] 31. ‘me,’ (TTM) [not ‘me’] To L. L. in Mourning. To the Tune of, Where Helen lyes Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in Ramsay’s TTM I, where its title is ‘Where HELEN lies. To ––— in Mourning’; the full note is therefore found in that edition. The tune to which it is set is found in three late seventeenth-century MS collections: Lady Margaret Wemyss’s Song Book (1643-49, NLS Dep.314/23), The Companion to the Lady Margaret Wemyss MS (1660, NLS Dep.314/24) and the Bowie MS (c.1695-c.1705) (NLS RB.I.262(002)), and the Gairdyn MS (c.1710-35, NLS MS 3298). It is first printed in a single sheet entitled ‘Where Helen Lyes’ in 1690, and again in 1710, as ‘I would I were where HELEN lyes’. A a full textual and musical collation is provided in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay 1. ‘Ah’ (TTM) [not ‘Ah!’]; ‘Eyes,’ (TTM) [not ‘Eyes?’] 3. ‘Skies’ (TTM) [not ‘Skies,’] 11. ‘Blind’ (TTM) [not ‘blind’] 12. ‘thee’ (TTM) [not ‘thee;’] 14. ‘Height’ (TTM) [not ‘Height,’] 15. ‘lyes’ (TTM) [not ‘lyes,’] 20. ‘be,’ (TTM) [not ‘be.’] 21. ‘Eyes,’ (TTM) [not ‘Eyes;’] 608

Notes to Poems 1728 An Ode, With a Pastoral Recitative on the Marriage of the Right Honourable, James Earl of Wemyss and Mrs. Janet Charteris Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in bifolium format, dated ‘Edinburgh 17th September 1720’: a copy is held by the NLS (Ry.II.c.34 (46)). Title: James Wemyss, fifth Earl of Wemyss (1699-1756) and Janet Charteris married on 17 September 1720. Charteris was the daughter of Francis Charteris (c.1665-1732) who, after ‘an undistinguished and often scandalous military career’, ‘grew wealthy by gambling, by lending money at exorbitant interest, by paying his own debts only when faced with legal action, and by taking payment in the form of safe securities and mortgages’ (See Page Life, ODNB). Charteris was convicted of rape on several occasions; his lawyer was Duncan Forbes of Culloden, the addressee of a poem published by Ramsay in his edition of 1728. James Wemyss was a member of the Royal Company of Archers, a ceremonial group later known as the Sovereign’s Bodyguard in Scotland, which is the subject of many poems in Ramsay’s 1728 collection and among his uncollected works. James Wemyss was Captain-General of the Royal Company of Archers between 1743 and 1756; his father, David Wemyss, fourth Earl of Wemyss, had held the title from 1715-20. Ramsay joined the Archers in 1724. 3. ‘tunefou’ (1720) [not ‘tunefu’’] 5. ‘addrest,’ (1720) [not ‘addrest;’] 6. ‘chearfou’’ (1720) [not ‘chearfu’’] 9. ‘them’ (1720) [not ‘them,’] 16. ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage ceremonies and celebrations. 17. ‘whom, speak’ (1720) [not ‘whom? Speak’] 18. ‘Na, ’po’ my Sooth tis true, as I stand here:’ (1720) [not ‘NO, no, my Dear, ’tis true, as we stand here’] 19. ‘Thane’: medieval Scottish title signifying a royal official, equivalent in rank to an earl, who was the head of a ‘thanedom’. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth is Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor, while Lord Macduff is Thane of Fife. The STS editors state that ‘the Earls of Wemyss claimed descent from the Earls of Fife’ (VI, pp.70-71); see also ll.39-46. 20. ‘ain.’ (1720) [not ‘ain:’] ‘Blyth Bowl’: the silver punch bowl and ladle which was presented to the Royal Company of Archers in 1720 and was, as its inscription reads, ‘to be shot for as an annual pryze’. James Wemyss was the first winner of the punch bowl in 1720. 22. ‘Fate;’ (1720) [not ‘Fate,’] 23. ‘Heart,’ (1720) [not ‘Heart;’] 24. ‘Wealth’ (1720) [not ‘Wealth,’] 26. ‘mine:’ (1720) [not ‘mine.’] 27. ‘me’ (1720) [not ‘me,’] 29. ‘done,’ (1720) [not ‘done;’] 31. ‘Come Shepherds’ (1720) [not ‘Come, Shepherds,’] 32. ‘Faces,’ (1720) [not ‘Faces;’] 34. ‘Hame’ (1720) [not ‘hame’] 609

Poems 36. ‘Philomela’: in Roman mythology was transformed into a nightingale; in a literary sense, refers to the nightingale, a bird famed for its song. 38. ‘us.’ (1720) [not ‘us,’] 41. ‘ALBION’ (1720) [not ‘Albion,’]; ‘Tyrannick Sway’ (1720) [not ‘tyrannick Sway,’] 47. ‘sing’ (1720) [not ‘sing,’] 48. ‘sweeter,’ (1720) [not ‘sweeter;’] 50. ‘completer.’ (1720) [not ‘compleater:’] 56. ‘Wonder,’ (1720) [not ‘Wonder;’] 60. ‘a’ (1720) [not ‘a’’] 64. ‘lang, lang may they Blossom’ (1720) [not ‘lang lang may they blossom’] On seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers, &c. Text: Poems (1728). MSS: Huntington (HM 1490, f.7-[10v]); Bodleian (Douce R.304 (6)), annotations in Health (1724). First published in the collection headed by Health (1724); the Bodleian copy also features Ramsay’s ‘Epigram on Receiving a Present of an Orange’ in holograph on the back flyleaf. Although Ramsay prints the names of his aristocratic subjects in Poems (1728), their names are left blank in the poem’s first printing; the principal function of the annotations in the Bodleian copy is to identify the anonymised individuals depicted. The STS editors state that the Bodleian annotations are ‘in a contemporary hand’ (VI, p.71), while the IELM describes them as ‘autograph’ (p.221): we agree that the annotations are in Ramsay’s hand, and for that reason, their details are included in the notes below. For more on Ramsay’s relationship with the Royal Company of Archers, see J.L. Weir, ‘Allan Ramsay and the Scottish Archers’ in Notes and Queries 172:25 (19 June 1937), pp.435-38. All information regarding members of the Royal Company of Archers is taken from James Balfour Paul’s The History of the Royal Company of Archers (Edinburgh, 1875). Ramsay’s subjects are representatives of the most prominent families of the Scottish aristocracy at that time; they are also found throughout Ramsay’s Poems of 1728, most prominently in ‘Tartana’ and ‘The Fair Assembly’, as well as in the contemporary works of William Hamilton of Bangour and Robert Freebairn’s L’Eloge d’Ecosse, et des Dames Ecossoisses (1727). Ramsay’s annotations on the Douce copy of Health are given below. Title: See the notes accompanying ‘An Ode, with Pastoral Recitative’ for additional contextual information on the Royal Company of Archers. As Ramsay states, this poem was written ‘at the desire of’ his patron, William Bennet of Grubbet, Roxburgh (d.1729), who succeeded to the baronetcy in 1710. Bennet entered politics after a career as an army captain, during which he accompanied William III from Holland in 1688. He was a member of the Scottish Parliament for Roxburgh between 1693 and 1707, and thereafter a member of the British Parliament from 1707 to 1708; he was a supporter of the Union of 1707 (see also David Wilkinson, HoP). As Ramsay’s poem asserts, Bennet was an original member of the Royal Company of Archers at its institution. He was also a noted patron, supporting Ramsay as well as contemporary poet James 610

Notes to Poems 1728 Thomson (1700-48). Bennet’s home was Marlefield House at Morebattle, near Kelso in Roxburghshire. Epigraph: The Huntington MS redacts Sir William Bennet’s name, while in the Bodleian copy of Health, Ramsay identifies ‘Sr Wm Bennet’. In the epigraph, the 1724 publication prints ‘Cowden Knows,’ rather than ‘Cowdenknows;’, while the Huntington MS has ‘Cowdon knows’. The epigraph’s fourth line reads ‘He sometimes drinks, —’, whereas the Huntington MS adds ‘and (what than) –’. In the annotated Bodleian copy, the redacted portion of the epigraph is annotated with ‘and aftimes— mows’. In Scots, to ‘mow’ is to have sexual intercourse. The Latin quotation is from Horace (Odes, II, 10.19), and translates as ‘Nor does Apollo keep his bow continually drawn’; the phrase was, by Ramsay’s time, a proverb. The Scots lines in the epigraph are probably by Ramsay. ‘The Broom of Cowden-knows’, also known as ‘The Broom, the Bonny, Bonny Broom’, was a tune well-known in contemporary Scotland, having been first printed in John Playford’s The English Dancing Master (1651). Ramsay also utilises the tune in TTM. 1. ‘Butts’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Buts’] ‘butt’: a structure on which a target is placed for archery practice; ‘rover’: an arbitrarily selected mark at an unknown distance from the archer which is used to provide practice in long-distance shooting. 2. ‘Him’ (MS) [not ‘him’]; ‘dispotick’ (MS), ‘despotick’ (1724) [not ‘Despotick’] 3. ‘seen,’ (1724) [not ‘seen’] 4. ‘Green;’ (1724) [not ‘Green,’] 6. ‘Toasts’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Toasts,’] 8. ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘Fair’] Printed texts give the subtitle as ‘The Answer’; the MS reads ‘The Answer to [Sir William Bennet]’, where Bennet’s name is left blank. 9. ‘Sr’ (MS) [not ‘Sir’]; ‘delight’ (MS) [not ‘Delight’] 10. ‘field’ (MS) [not ‘Field’] 11. ‘Grab’ (MS) [not ‘Garb,’]; ‘game’ (MS) [not ‘Game’] 12. ‘Wind’ (1724) [not ‘Mind’] In the annotated Bodleian copy, Ramsay corrects ‘Wind’ to ‘Mind’; ‘Wind’ was clearly a misprint. 13. ‘Bended yew’ (MS) [not ‘bended Yew’] 14. ‘[first word redacted] brings’ (MS), ‘View;’ (1724) [not ‘View,’] 15. ‘swords &’ (MS), ‘Swords, and’ (1724) [not ‘Swords and’] 16. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 17. ‘Saxons’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Saxons,’]; ‘Invade’ (MS) [not ‘invade’] 18. ‘faes’ (MS) [not ‘Faes’]; ‘afraid’ (1724) [not ‘afraid;’] 20. ‘eer’ (MS), ‘e’er’ (1724) [not ‘their’]; ‘enslav’d;’ (1724) [not ‘enslav’d:’] 23. ‘unlike’ (MS) [not ‘unlike!’]; ‘but’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘But’] 24. ‘snarl,’ (1724) [not ‘snarl’] 25. ‘Av’rice’ (MS) [not ‘Av’rice,’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 26. ‘generation’ (MS) [not ‘Generation’] 27. ‘pithles limbs’ (MS) [not ‘pithless Limbs’] 28. ‘Lady handed’ (MS) [not ‘Lady-handed’] 29. ‘looking glas’ (MS), ‘Looking-Glass’ (1724) [not ‘Looking-glass’] 30. ‘blawflum’ (MS) [not ‘blaflum’] 32. ‘Appearance’ (1724) [not ‘appearance’] 611

Poems 33. ‘brook’ (MS) [not ‘bruik’]; ‘beild’ (MS) [not ‘Beild’] 34. ‘boots’ (MS) [not ‘Boots’]; ‘field’ (MS) [not ‘Field’] 35. ‘Virgorous as the Moon Glorious as the Sun’ (MS) 36. The MS has an illegible cancelled word here, which is replaced by ‘end’. 38. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’]; ‘boil’d’ (1724) [not ‘boild’] 39. ‘element ah me’ (MS) [not ‘Element, ah me!’] 40. ‘Ream’ (MS) [not ‘Ream,’] ‘Bohee’: Bohea tea, the name given in the early eighteenth century to the finest black tea from the Wu-i hills. 42. ‘Godlike fire’ (MS) [not ‘God-like Fire’] 43. ‘guardian’ (1724) [not ‘Guardian’] 44. ‘greatness’ (MS) [not ‘Greatness’]; ‘Mind,’ (MS) [not ‘Mind;’] 45. ‘Manly’ (MS) [not ‘manly’]; ‘Ardures’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Ardours’] Three cancelled lines feature here in the Huntington MS; they are illegible. 46. ‘Martial grace’ (MS) [not ‘martial Grace’] 47. ‘Throu’ (MS) [not ‘through’] 49. ‘demands’ (MS) [not ‘Demands’] 50. ‘hearts and hands’ (MS) [not ‘Hearts and Hands’] 51. ‘Here Sir’ (MS) [not ‘Here, Sir’]; ‘pardon’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Pardon’] 53. ‘fancy takes a flight’ (MS) [not ‘Fancy takes a Flight’] 54. ‘wher’ (MS) [not ‘where’] 57. ‘Arbitrarly’ (MS) [not ‘arbitrarly’] ‘ane wha arbitrarly sways’: David Drummond was an ‘advocate practising in the Court of Session, having been called to the Bar in 1683. He presided many years over the Council of the Royal Company, and died in 1741… universally regretted’ (Paul, p.48). 58. ‘what eer’ (MS), ‘what e’er’ (1724) [not ‘whate’er’] 61. ‘Slavery,’ (MS) [not ‘Slav’ry,’]; ‘bŭt’ (MS) [not ‘but’]; ‘delight’ (MS) [not ‘Delight’] 62. ‘Care’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘care’] 64. ‘power’s’ (MS) [not ‘Power’s’]; ‘end’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘End’] 65. ‘but’ (MS), ‘But’ (1724) [not ‘But,’]; ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 66. ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘nae mair’ (1724) [not ‘no more’]; ‘debate’ (MS), ‘Debate,’ (1724) [not ‘Debate:’] 67. ‘Government’ (MS) [not ‘Government,’] 68. ‘such’ (MS) [not ‘sic’]; ‘power’ (MS), ‘Pow’r;’ (1724) [not ‘Pow’r.’] Two additional lines are here in MS, which do not feature in printed copies: rather than with their Wealth to feast a monstrous mony-headed Beast 69. ‘disired’ (MS) [not ‘desir’d’] 70. ‘Archers’ (MS) [not ‘Archers,’] 71. ‘Healthfu’ (MS) [not ‘healthfu’’]; ‘sport to Chearfu’ (MS), ‘Sport to chearfu’’ (1724) [not ‘Sport, to chearfu’’] 72. ‘recruit &’ (MS) [not ‘recruit, and’] 73. ‘wher Inocent and Blythsome’ (MS) [not ‘Where innocent and blythesome’] 75. ‘here sir’ (MS) [not ‘Here, Sir,’] 76. ‘phrase’ (MS) [not ‘Phrase’] 612

Notes to Poems 1728 77. ‘Kind’ (1724) [not ‘kind’]; ‘fowks’ (MS) [not ‘Fowks’] 78. ‘& Gab’ling Gowks’ (MS), ‘and gab’ling Gouks’ (1724) [not ‘and gabbling Gowks’] 79. ‘Gielaingers’ (MS) [not ‘Gielaingers,’] 80. ‘light’ (MS) [not ‘Light’] 83. ‘Circling Wheels’ (MS) [not ‘circling wheels’]; ‘Hearty’ (MS) [not ‘hearty’] 84. ‘Lovely’ (MS) [not ‘lovely’] 85. ‘Bony’ (MS), ‘bony’ (1724) [not ‘bonny’] 86. ‘Brightens in the Nuptial flame’ (MS) [not ‘brightens in the nuptial Flame’] 87. ‘Lord your Toast’ (MS) [not ‘Lord, your Toast,’]; ‘Cryes’ (MS), ‘cries,’ (1724) [not ‘crys:’] 88. ‘C—l—te he replyes’ (MS), ‘C—l—te he replys’ (1724) [not ‘Charlotte, he replys’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Lady Charlote Hamilton’ here. ‘Lady Charlotte’: Charlotte Hamilton (c.1701-74), daughter of James Hamilton, fourth Duke of Hamilton and first Duke of Brandon (1658-1712) and his second wife, Elizabeth Gerard. She married Charles Edwin (1699-1756), Welsh Member of Parliament who sat between 1741 and 1756. Hamilton became involved with Methodism after encountering Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon (1707-91), a key sponsor of early Methodism, while serving as Lady of the Bedchamber to Princess Augusta of Wales. Hamilton was patron of seven livings in the Vale of Glamorgan. 89. ‘Now Sir’ (MS) [not ‘Now, Sir,’]; ‘bright,’ (1724) [not ‘bright:’] 90. ‘J—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Jean’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘L Jean Douglas’ here. ‘Lady Jean’: Jane Douglas (1701-29), daughter of James Douglas, second Duke of Queensberry (1662-1711) and Mary Boyle. She was the first wife of Francis Scott, second Duke of Buccleuch (1695-1751). 91. ‘H—t—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Hamilton’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ds. of Hamilton’ here. ‘Hamilton’: Lady Anne Cochrane (1707-1724), first wife of James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton. 92. ‘E—t—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Eglinton’] The annotated Bodleian copy has L. Eglinton’ here. ‘Eglinton’: Susanna Montgomerie (née Kennedy), Countess of Eglinton (16891780). The daughter of Sir Archibald Kennedy (c.1656-1710) of Culzean and Anna, she was a noted literary patron and society hostess. She had been courted by Ramsay’s patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, before marrying Alexander Montgomerie, ninth Earl of Eglinton (c.1660-1729) in 1709. According to Rosalind K. Marshall, she ‘typified those wealthy women of character who, while lacking an academic education, were figures of influence in the intellectual circles of eighteenth-century Edinburgh, by virtue of their intelligence, their humour, and indeed their eccentricity’ (ODNB). Ramsay’s GS is dedicated to her. 93. ‘Now Sir’ (MS) [not ‘Now, Sir,’]; ‘say?’ (MS), ‘say,’ (1724) [not ‘say:’] 95. ‘Lovd’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d’]; ‘S—e—k’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Southesk’]; ‘neist Sir’ (MS) [not ‘Niest, Sir’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘L. Southesk’. ‘Southesk’: Lady Margaret Stewart, wife of James Carnegie, fifth Earl of 613

Poems Southesk (1692-1730), whose estates were forfeited following the Jacobite risings. The death of her son, James, is the subject of Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie’. 96. ‘B—z—l’s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Basil’s’]; ‘Handsome’ (MS) [not ‘handsome’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Mrs. Bazil Hamilton’. ‘Basil’s handsome Dame’: probably Isabella Mackenzie, the wife of Lord Basil Hamilton (1696-1742), Member of Parliament for Baldoon and son of Lord Basil Hamilton (1661-1701) and Mary Dunbar (1677-1760). The younger Basil Hamilton commanded a troop of horse during the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, and had his estates forfeited in 1716 before reclaiming them in 1733. Isabella was the daughter of Alexander Mackenzie and granddaughter of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, fourth Earl of Seaforth (1661-1701), a Scottish peer and Jacobite. The STS editors contend that this reference is to ‘Mary Dunbar, wife of Basil Hamilton, M.P. for Baldoon, son of the first Duke of Hamilton’ (VI, p.71). 97. ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘Fair’] 98. ‘fawn’ (MS) [not ‘fawn,’]; ‘C—b—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Cockburn’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘L. Mary Cockburn’. ‘Cockburn’: Lady Mary Cockburn (née Ancrum), wife of Sir Alexander Cockburn of Langton, sixth Baronet (1710-39). 99. ‘Hearty’ (MS) [not ‘hearty’] 100. ‘Blythly’ (MS) [not ‘blythly’]; ‘Waŭghted’ (MS) [not ‘waughted’] 101. ‘Stately fair and young’ (MS), ‘stately Fair and Young’ (1724) [not ‘Stately, Fair and Young’] 102. ‘Ha—t—n and Ho—t—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Haddington and Hoptoun’] The annotated Bodleian copy cuts off Ramsay’s note at the bottom of the page. The first initial of ‘Haddington’ is illegible, but ‘Hoptoun’ is clear. ‘Haddington’: Lady Margaret Hamilton (d. 1768) and Lady Christian Hamilton (d. 1770), daughters of politician Thomas Hamilton, sixth Earl of Haddington (bap. 1680-1735), and Helen Hope; ‘Hoptoun’: Charles Hope, first earl of Hopetoun (1681-1742), and his wife Lady Henrietta Johnstone (1682-1750) had eight daughters: they are Sophia (1702-61), Henrietta (1706-45), Margaret (1708-78), Helen (1711-78), Christian (1714-99), Anne (1718-27), Charlotte (1720-88) and Rachel (b.1721). Helen and Charles Hope were siblings; the children of ‘Haddington and Hoptoun’ were, therefore, cousins. 103. ‘L—g—w’s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Lithgow’s] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘L: Ana Livingston’ and ‘Lithgow’s’. ‘Lithgow’s Daughter’: James Livingston, fifth Earl of Linlithgow and fourth Earl of Callendar (d.1723), a Jacobite who took part in the 1715 rising and was attainted for high treason, with his estates and titles subsequently forfeited. He died in Rome in 1723. With his wife, Lady Margaret Hay (d.1723), he had a son and a daughter; the latter, whom Ramsay alludes to here, is Lady Anne Livingston (1709-47). Anne married William Boyd, fourth Earl of Kilmarnock (1705-46), who was also convicted of high treason following involvement with the Jacobite cause; his estates were likewise forfeited, and he was executed in 1746. Anne Livingston died the following year. 104. ‘M—k—y’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Mackay,’]; ‘Comely’ (MS) [not ‘comely’]; ‘H—m’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Home’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Mrs 614

Notes to Poems 1728 Mackay’ and ‘Hume’. ‘Mackay’: not identified; ‘Home’: George Home younger of Kello was admitted a member of the Royal Company of Archers on 2 July 1726. He was the son of Sir George Home of Kello, Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1698. 105. ‘C—t—ns ev’ry Way’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Creightons every way’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘L: B: o: p: Creighton’. ‘Creightons’: not identified. 106. ‘H—d—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Haldane’]; ‘streight’ (MS) [not ‘straight’] These lines appear in a different order in the Huntington MS, but Ramsay renumbers each line as an instruction to the printer; the renumbered lines match printed copies of the poem. The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Ms Nell Haldane’. ‘Haldane’: John Haldane of Lanrick (1677-1764) was admitted as a member of the Archers on 21 February 1715. He had two sons and six daughters with Margaret Murray; his daughter’s names were Anne (d.1784), Agnes (d.1779), Lilias, Margaret (d.1781), Janet and Isobel (1718-82). Ramsay’s reference may be to one of these Haldanes; it could also be to Helen Haldane (d.1777), daughter of John Haldane, fourteenth of Gleneagles (1660-1721) and Helen Erskine (b.1671), who married Alexander Duncan in 1724. 108. ‘Perfum’d with Lovely’ (MS) [not ‘perfum’d with lovely’]; ‘B—s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Bess’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Bess Bennet’. ‘lovely Bess’: probably Elizabeth Hay, third wife of Sir William Bennet. 110. ‘N—b—t’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Nisbet’]; ‘N—ll’ (MS), ‘N—l’ (1724) [not ‘Nell’]; ‘J—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Jean’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Nisbet, Nel and Jean’. ‘Nisbet, Nell and Jean’: Jean Nisbet is probably Jean Bennet, sister of Ramsay’s patron Sir William Bennet and Elizabeth Hay, who married William Nisbet of Dirleton (c.1666-1724). They had two daughters, Catherine and Christian. William Nisbet of Dirleton was one of the original members of the Archers. 111. ‘M—g—y’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Montgomery’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘L: Mary Montgomery’. ‘Montgomery’: Lady Mary Montgomerie (d.1742), daughter of Alexander Montgomerie, eighth Earl of Eglinton (d.1701) and his first wife, Lady Elizabeth Crichton (d.1675). Mary Montgomerie married Sir James Agnew of Lochnaw, fourth Baronet (d.1735) 112. ‘P—f—d’ (MS), ‘P—f—d,’ (1724) [not ‘Priestfield’]; ‘T—ns’ (MS), ‘T—n’s’ (1724) [not ‘Twins’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies the ‘Priestfield Twins’ as ‘Ms Anne’ and ‘Pegy Cuningham’. ‘Priestfield Twins’: Sir William Cunyngham, ninth of Caprington, second Bt. (1664-1740) and his wife Janet Dick had three sons and four daughters, named Anne (1704-76), Christian (1710-41), Janet (d.1758) and Margaret: Ramsay probably refers to Anne and Margaret. Their brother was Sir Alexander Dick of Prestonfield, third Bt. (1703-86), physician and friend of Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay Junior; the two travelled throughout Europe in the 1730 and 1740s. ‘Prestonfield’ is recorded as one of the original members of the Royal Company of Archers; their estate was known at that time as ‘Priestfield’. 113. ‘K—t—es’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Katie’s]; ‘four’ (MS) [not ‘Four’]; ‘Beautyous 615

Poems fame’ (MS) [not ‘beauteous Fame’] The annotated Bodleian copy identifies ‘Kathies’. 114. ‘S—rt and C—r—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Stuart and Cochran’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Stuart’ and ‘Cocharan’. 115. ‘H—t—n fourth’ (MS), ‘H—t—n, Fourth’ (1724) [not ‘Hamilton, Fourth’]; ‘A—d—s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Ardress’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Ardress’, alongside ‘Pegy Hamiltons’. It has not been possible to conclusively identify Stuart, Cochran, Hamilton and Ardress. 116. ‘To Heavenly P—ty, B—g, & B—ll’ (MS), ‘To heavenly P—ty, B—g and B— ll’ (1724) [not ‘To Peggies Pentland, Bang and Bell’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Penty, Bang and Bell’. 117. ‘M—o’s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Minto’s’]; ‘Lively’ (MS) [not ‘lively’]; ‘N—ll’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Nell’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Lady Minto’ and ‘Nell Dalrymple’. ‘Minto’s Mate’: probably Helen Steuart (d.1774), daughter of Sir Robert Steuart of Allanbank, first Baronet (d.1707) and Helen Cockburn. Steuart was the wife of Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, second Baronet (d.1766); they married in 1720. Equally, the term may refer to one of the original Archers, listed as ‘Walter Scott, Minto’; ‘lively Nell’: may be Lady Eleanor Campbell (d.1759), wife of John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair (1673-1747). 118. ‘G—d—ns’ (MS), ‘G—d—ns,’ (1724) [not ‘Gordons’]; ‘Ravishingly’ (MS) [not ‘ravishingly’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Bell’ and ‘Ann Gordons’. ‘Gordons’: William Gordon, listed as ‘writer’, was an original member of the Royal Company of Archers. 119. ‘M—ll’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Maule’]; ‘meet:’ (1724) [not ‘meet,’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Jean Maull’. ‘Maule’: Jean Maule (d.1769), daughter of Hon. Harry Maule of Kellie (d.1731), an attainted Jacobite, and Lady Mary Fleming (d.1702). Jean Maule’s first husband was George Ramsay, Lord Ramsay (d.1739); their wedding is celebrated in Ramsay’s ‘Ode on the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule’, which appears in Poems (1728). 120. ‘H—p—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Hepburn’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Kate Hepburn’. ‘Hepburn’: may be a reference to the family of Adam Hepburn of Humbie (b.1639), an original member of the Royal Company of Archers. Hepburn was the son of Sir Adam Hepburn of Humbie (d. c.1657) and Agnes Foulis. He married Janet Hay in 1659 and had a daughter, Agnis, who was born in 1660. He also had a sister, Catherine Hepburn (b.1638). 121. ‘P—le’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Pringle’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Ann Pringle’. ‘Pringle’: may be connected to Katherine Pringle, Lady Newhall, wife of Scottish judge Walter Pringle, Lord Newhall (c.1664-1736). She was a ‘Directress’ of Edinburgh’s Assembly and is featured in Ramsay’s ‘The Fair Assembly’, also printed in Poems (1728). Sir Walter Pringle, listed as ‘advocate’, was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers in 1710. 122. ‘Adord’ (MS) [not ‘polite’]; ‘K—l—h and H—y’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Kinloch 616

Notes to Poems 1728 and Hay’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Maly Kinloch’ and ‘Ms Hay’. ‘Kinloch’: may be Magdalen Kinloch, daughter of Sir Francis Kinloch of Gilmerton, first Baronet (d.1691) and Magdalen McNath of Newbyres; ‘Hay’: probably Margaret Hay (c.1698-1782), daughter of Elizabeth Hay, Lady Drumelzier, a Directress of the Edinburgh Assembly, memorialised by Ramsay in ‘The Fair Assembly’. Elizabeth’s father was William Hay of Drumelzier; ‘Lord Hay’ was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers in 1710. 123. ‘W—l—ce’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Wallace,’]; ‘Beautyfu and Gay’ (MS) [not ‘beautifu’ and gay’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Bell Wallace’. ‘Wallace’: three men named Wallace were early members of the Royal Company of Archers: Hugh Wallace and Samuel Wallace were original members, while a Hugh Wallace, ‘advocate’, was admitted in 1710. 124-25. These lines do not feature in the Huntington MS. 124. ‘C---b---ll, S—n and R---f---d’ (1724) [not ‘Campbell, Skeen and Rutherfoord’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Campbell’, ‘Sceen’ and ‘Rutherford’. ‘Campbell’: probably a reference to the family of Sir James Campbell of Auchinbreck (c.1679-1756), an original member of the Royal Company of Archers. He had nine daughters and eight sons with three wives; ‘Skeen’: James Skeene of Hallyeards became a member of the Royal Company of Archers on 9 October 1710; ‘Rutherfoord’: William Rutherford MD was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers on 27 July 1725. The STS editors state that ‘Rutherfoord’ refers to ‘Alison Rutherford, who married Patrick Cockburn in 1731. She is well known as the writer of a set of verses to The Flowers of the Forest’ (VI, p.72). However, Rutherford (1712-94) would only have been in her early teens in the mid-1720s. 125. ‘M----t---n the’ (1724) [not ‘Maitland fair the’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Coll. Midelton’s Dr’, meaning that ‘Maitland’ was first introduced in Poems (1728). ‘Maitland’: the STS editors state that this is likely to be a reference to Barbara Maitland (d.1782), daughter of Hon. Alexander Maitland and Elizabeth Lauder (VI, p.72). This may be the case, however, given that a ‘Wm. Maitland, son to the Earl of Lauderdale’ is recorded as an original member of the Royal Company of Archers, the reference may be to a female relative of William Maitland (d.1724), son of Charles Maitland, third Earl of Lauderdale (d.1691) and Elizabeth Lauder (d.1685). His first wife, Christian Makgill, died in 1707; he married Margaret Walker in 1724. 126. ‘L—h—t’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Lockhart’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Grace Lockhart’. ‘Lockhart’: Grace Lockhart (d.1738), daughter of George Lockhart, second of Carnwath (d.1731) and Lady Euphemia Montgomerie (c.1681-1738). She married John Gordon, third Earl of Aboyne (d.1732); their marriage is celebrated by Ramsay in his ‘Ode to the Right Honourable Grace Countess of Aboyn, On her Marriage Day’, also printed in Poems (1728). 127. ‘Bony’ (MS), ‘bony’ (1724) [not ‘bonny’]; ‘C—f—d’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Crawford’]; ‘green,’ (1724) [not ‘green’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Craford’. 617

Poems ‘Crawford’: it has not been possible to identify ‘Crawford’ with certainty, but a David Crawford of Dumfries was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers in 1704. 128. ‘S—ts’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Stuarts’]; ‘Halesome Dazling’ (MS) The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Stuarts’. 129. ‘A—a’s N—y and D—n—n’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Invernytie and Denairn’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Annas Invernytie and Denairn’. ‘Invernytie’: John Steuart of Invernytie is likely to have been a Colonel in the Jacobite army, commissioned in 1718 (See Pittock and Williams, Jacobite Officers Database); ‘Denairn’: probably Charles Stuart (d.1732), husband of Sir William Bennet’s daughter, Christian, of Dunearn, Fife. 130. ‘Gracefu’ (MS) [not ‘gracefu’’]; ‘S—h,’ (MS), ‘S—h’ (1724) [not ‘Sleigh,’]; ‘O—p—ts’ (MS), ‘O—t’ (1724) [not ‘Oliphant’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms M Sleigh & Ms B. Oliphant’. ‘Sleigh’: Mary Sleigh (b.1704), who married Alexander Brodie, nineteenth of Brodie (1697-1754), Lord Lyon King of Arms. She is the subject of Ramsay’s ‘Epigram’, beginning ‘Minerva wandring in a Myrtle Grove’, and her marriage is commemorated in Ramsay’s ‘On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh’, both of which were printed in Poems (1728); ‘Oliphant’: may refer to a relative of Charles Oliphant, a ‘doctor of medicine’ who was an original member of the Royal Company of Archers, or to Mary Oliphant (1701-31), who went on to marry James Lyon, seventh Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne (c.1702-35). 131. ‘D—d, S—g’ (MS), ‘N—h, B—d’ (1724) [not ‘Nasmith, Baird’]; ‘S—t & G—ts’ (MS), ‘S—t, G—r and G—t’ (1724) [not ‘Scot, Grier and Grant’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Nysmith’, ‘Ms Baird’, ‘Ms J. Scot’, Ms Grier’ and ‘Ms Grant’. ‘Nasmith’: not identified; ‘Baird’: James Baird, a merchant, was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers on 4 August 1713; ‘Scot’ and ‘Grier’: not identified; ‘Grant’: a Major Grant is recorded as an original member of the Archers. 132. ‘C—k and E—r, F—k and G—m’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Clerk, Anstruther, Frank and Graham’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Clerk’, ‘Ms Enstruther’, ‘Ms Frank’ and ‘Ms Graham’. ‘Clerk’: Ramsay’s patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second Baronet (16761755), also an original member of the Archers. He had two daughters: Janet Clerk with his first wife, Lady Margaret Stewart, and Sophia Clerk with his second wife, Janet Inglis; ‘Anstruther’ and ‘Frank’: not identified; ‘Graham’: Alexander Graham is listed as an original member of the Archers. 133. ‘D—s’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Deans’]; ‘Agreeing’ (MS) [not ‘agreeing’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Ms Rose Deans’. ‘Deans’: Alexander Deans, Esq. was an original member of the Archers; Rose may have been a relative. 134. ‘Come’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Come,’] 135. ‘Christendome’ (MS) [not ‘Christendom’]; ‘Rest’ (MS) [not ‘rest’] 136. ‘unnamed’ (MS) [not ‘unnam’d,’]; ‘blame’ (MS) [not ‘Blame’] 137. ‘us’ (MS) [not ‘us,’]; ‘Want’ (1724) [not ‘want’] 138. ‘stand,’ (1724) [not ‘stand;’] 618

Notes to Poems 1728 139. ‘Way,’ (1724) [not ‘way:’]; ‘but’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘But’]; ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’] 140. ‘niest’ (MS) [not ‘neist’]; ‘Time’ (1724) [not ‘time’] 141. ‘right’ (MS) [not ‘Right’] 142. ‘B—st—lis R—hs & V—ts fine’ (MS), ‘B—, R— and V— fine’ (1724) [not ‘Beauties rare, and Virgins fine’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Brisles, Roughs and Velvets’. 143. ‘B—b—ds’ (MS), ‘B------’ (1724) [not ‘blooming Belles’]; ‘enliven’d’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘enliven’d’] The annotated Bodleian copy has ‘Belly Buds’. 144. ‘gan’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘’gan’] 145. ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘down’] 147. ‘pityed’ (MS) [not ‘pity’d’] 150. ‘fears’ (MS) [not ‘Fears’] 151. ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 152. ‘mark’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Mark’]; ‘Inferiour mind’ (MS) [not ‘inferiour Mind’] 153. ‘fear’ (MS) [not ‘Fear’] 155. ‘Lads’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Lads,’]; ‘Cock’ (MS) [not ‘cock’]; ‘Bonnets’ (MS) [not ‘Bonnets,’] 156. ‘and or in Earnest or in Mows’ (MS) [not ‘And, or in earnest, or in mows’] 157. ‘Successfull’ (MS) [not ‘succesful,’] 158. ‘Mars’: Roman god of war; ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love and fertility. 160. ‘Ladys’ (MS) [not ‘Ladies’] 161. ‘Thus Sr’ (MS) [not ‘Thus, Sir,’] 163. ‘inspire’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘inspire,’] 164. ‘deeds’ (MS), ‘Deeds’ (1724) [not ‘Deeds,’]; ‘Love:’ (1724) [not ‘Love;’] 166. ‘Native Son’ (MS, in larger script) [not ‘native Son’] The Huntington MS ends with the following doodle:

Wrote on Lady Somervile’s Book of Scots Sangs Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). The STS editors speculate that the ‘lines were probably written in a presentation copy of “The Tea-Table Miscellany”’ (VI, p.72), but no such copy has been located. Somerville was the dedicatee of the second book of Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Songs (1725-26?): this may be the edition of ‘Scots Sangs’ on which Ramsay inscribed his poem, but the copy in question has not been traced. 619

Poems Title: Anne Somerville, née Bayntun (1689-1734), daughter of Henry Bayntun (1664-91) and Lady Anne Wilmot (b.1672); her maternal grandfather was John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester (1647-80). Her second husband was James Somerville, twelfth Lord Somerville (1698-1765), son of James Somerville, eleventh Lord Somerville (1674-1709) and Margaret Murray. Somerville commissioned the building of a house known as The Drum in 1726: it is situated four miles south-east of Edinburgh, near Dalkeith. The house and garden were designed by Scottish architect William Adam (1689-1748) in the early eighteenth century. Somerville was appointed a Representative Peer for Scotland in 1743. Anne Somerville exchanged poetic epistles with Ramsay in 1728; they are held in EUL’s Laing Collection but remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime (see ‘Thus honour’d by a Muse divine’). James Somerville was a literary patron with connections to James Boswell and numerous contemporary Scottish authors: David Daiches describes him as ‘a man of ancient Scottish lineage and vast literary acquaintance, a patron of the Edinburgh stage’ (David Daiches, James Boswell and his World (New York, 1976), p.15). The Nuptials, A Masque on the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, &c. Text: Poems (1728). MS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.20 [a-j]), fair copy. First printed in 1723 in both Edinburgh and London as pamphlets: the first is titled The Nuptials: A Masque On the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton, And Lady Anne Cochran (Edinburgh, M.DCC.XXIII), and the second headed The Nuptials: A Masque, On the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton, And Lady Anne Cochran. By Allan Ramsay. To which is prefix’d, An Introduction concerning Masques (London: Pemberton, MDCCXXIII). All texts prior to its publication in Poems (1728) – in both print and MS – contain the following epigraph: Hail wedded Love! Mysterious Law! True Source Of humane Offspring, sole Propriety In Paradice, of all Things common else; Here Love his Golden Shafts employs, here lights His constant Lamp, and waves his purple Wings. The quotation is from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, IV, ll.750-54; in the London edition, ‘Golden’ is ‘golden’. As noted above, the London edition prefixes the poem with ‘An Introduction concerning Masques’: this ‘Introduction’ appears as the first footnote for ‘The Nuptials’ in Poems (1728). The London edition occasionally anglicises Ramsay’s Scots: these variants are recorded below. The majority of Ramsay’s Scots vocabulary is, however, retained, and the London edition presents English translations of Scots terms in footnotes. In the MS copy of the poem, Ramsay outlines an alternate or draft title-page, as follows: A | Masque – | Perform’d at the Celebrating of the Nuptials – | of | The Most Ilustrious Prince – | James Duke of Hamilton. | and | Lady Anne Cochran – | [rule] By Allan Ramsay | [rule] Hail wedded love! Misterious 620

Notes to Poems 1728 law! true source | of humane offspring! sole propriety | in paradice, of all things common else – | here Love his golden Shafts employs, here lights | his constant Lamp and waves his purple Wings | Milton | In addition, both 1723 editions feature a list of ‘The PERSONS.’: CALLIOPE. GENIUS Of the House of Hamilton. VENUS. HYMEN. MINERVA. The GRACES. BACHUS. GANYMEDE. In the London edition, ‘BACHUS’ is ‘BACCHUS’. The MS fair copy gives further details and descriptions of the ‘Names of the Actors in the Masquerade’: Calliope The Muse who preceeds over Hermony and Hyms in honour of Gods and Heroes – Genius of the family of Hamilton – dressd in a scarlet Robe – Whyt head and Beard – dukes Coronet on his head – a shield on his left with his Grace’s arms upon it &c Venus Goddess of Love – in her usual dress Hymen God of Marriage – in a saffron colour[ed] Robe a Torch of pine in his hand, cround with with Roses and Lillys all The Graces Attendants of Venus in their proper Minerva Goddess of Wisdom dresses Bachus God of Wine – like Himself both in Shapes and dress Ganimed Jupiters Cŭpbearer – in purple, just about the midle with a scarf of Lawn The Edinburgh and London editions feature a subtitle: ‘A MASQUE, Perform’d February 14, 1723’. The MS fair copy does not contain the date, and is subtitled ‘A Masqŭe’. Both 1723 editions and the MS carry an additional epigraph from Horace, which is not reprinted in Poems (1728). In the MS, the epigraph reads as follows: Descende Cœlo, & dic, age, tibiâ, Regina, longum, Calliope, melos. – Horace This epigraph appears in both 1723 editions in this way: Descende Cœlo, & dic age tibia, Regina longum Calliope melos, Hor. The quotation is from Horace’s Odes, III, IV, and translates as: ‘O royal Calliope, come from heaven,/and play a lengthy melody on the flute’. The stage direction printed at the start of the poem takes different forms in pre-1728

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621

Poems texts. While the MS has ‘Scene discovers Calliope sola, playing on a Violencella and singing’, the 1723 editions have ‘Calliope playing on a Violencello sings,’. ‘The Nuptials’ takes the form of a masque, a hybrid of poetry and drama which is defined and contextualised in the first footnote, reprinted in 1728 from the 1723 London edition. Ramsay’s masque has more in common with the masques of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries than with more contemporary versions by, for example, John Dryden. The earlier masque, which was ‘favoured by European royalty in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, especially to celebrate royal weddings’, offered a ‘spectacular kind of indoor performance’ in which mythological characters ‘enact a simple allegorical plot’ (‘Masque’ in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms). In the list of variants, the Edinburgh edition of 1723 is ‘Edin.’; the 1723 London edition is ‘Lond.’. Title: James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton and second Duke of Brandon (1703-43), succeeded to the title in 1712 following the death of his father, James Hamilton, fourth Duke (1658-1712), who was killed in a duel with Charles Mohun, fourth Baron Mohun of Okehampton (c.1675-1712). Hamilton was educated at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford. He became Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers in 1724 and was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1726, before becoming Lord of the Bedchamber between 1727 and 1733. Ramsay’s poem is a celebration of Hamilton’s marriage, on 14 February 1723, to Lady Anne Cochrane (1706/7-24); indeed, Ramsay’s MS draft title page – transcribed above – confirms that the masque was performed at their wedding. Cochrane was the daughter of John Campbell Cochrane, fourth Earl of Dundonald (1687-1720) and Lady Anne Murray (d.1710). She died in childbirth in August 1724, aged seventeen. Ramsay’s ‘Ode Sacred to the Memory of Her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton’ is also published in his Poems (1728). 1. ‘Bridegroom’ (MS) [not ‘Bridegroom,’]; ‘Clyd’ (MS) [not ‘Clyde’] ‘Prince of Clyde’: James Hamilton was styled Marquess of Clydesdale between 1703 and 1712. The Hamilton estate is in Lanarkshire, and the now-demolished Hamilton Palace stood north-east of Hamilton, near the River Clyde. 2. ‘bless and Greatness Blossom’ (MS) [not ‘Bliss and Greatness blossom’]; ‘blossom,’ (Edin.) [not ‘blossom;’] 3. ‘Virt^eous Lovely Bride’ (MS) [not ‘virtuous charming Bride’] 4. ‘Wha’ (MS) [not ‘Who’]; ‘day’ (MS) [not ‘Day’] 5-8. These lines are placed as the second stanza in all printed versions of the poem; in the MS, it is set as stanza 4. 5. ‘Appear’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Appear,’]; ‘Brave’ (MS) [not ‘great’]; ‘line’ (MS) [not ‘Line’] 6. ‘part’ (MS) [not ‘Part’]; ‘rejoycing’ (MS), ‘Rejoycing,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Rejoicing;’] 7. ‘Ward’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Ward,’]; ‘divine’ (MS) [not ‘Divine’] 8. ‘Match’d’ (MS) [not ‘Join’d’]; ‘Choising’ (MS), ‘chosing’ (Edin.) [not ‘choosing’]; the London edition notes that, in this line, ‘ain’ means ‘Own’. 9-13. These lines constitute the third stanza in all printed editions; the MS sets them at stanza 2. 9. ‘th’Idalian’ (MS) [not ‘the Cyprian’] 622

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘Cyprian’: Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island known in classical times for its worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Ramsay’s MS describes the scene as ‘Idalian’: Idalium is an ancient town located in Cyprus, where Aphrodite was also worshipped. 10. ‘Qŭeen’ (MS) [not ‘Fair Queen’] 11. ‘bring your Chearfu’ (MS) [not ‘come with a’ your’]; ‘come’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘come,’]; ‘all’ (Lond.) [not ‘a’’] 12. ‘Youthfu’ Loves and Shining Graves’ (MS); ‘Beauties, Loves and Sports and Graves’ (Edin.) [not ‘Beauties, Loves, and Sports, and Graces’] 13. ‘Come Hymen’ (MS) [not ‘Come, Hymen,’] ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage ceremonies and their feasts and songs. 14. ‘A’ your kinly’ (MS) [not ‘them with mutual’] 15. ‘Attend’ (MS); ‘Descend’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Descend,’] 16. ‘wha wisely Beets the Haly fire’ (MS) [not ‘With Virtue beets the haly Fire’]; ‘beets’ is noted in the London edition as meaning ‘Fans’. 17. ‘Mistress’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Mistris’]; ‘Sweet Hermony’ (MS) [not ‘harmonious Sounds,’] 18. ‘Charming Notes gratefu’ to ilka ear’ (MS) [not ‘Invitation gratefu’ to the Ear’] 19. ‘The Gods well pleas’d on the’ (MS) [not ‘Of a’ the Gods, who from the’]; ‘all’ (Lond.) [not a’’]; ‘Gods’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Gods,’] ‘Olympian’: Mount Olympus, home of the gods and goddesses in ancient Greek mythology. 20. ‘doun their Heads’ (MS) [not ‘down their Heads,’]; ‘sounds’ (MS) [not ‘Notes’] 22. ‘Usher whom thou Ca’s’ (MS) [not ‘lead th’ invited Guests’] Here in MS, l.22 is followed by ll.95-96 as printed in Poems (1728), i.e. ‘The Paths of sic Forbeers lang may He trace,/And She be Mother to as fam’d a Race.’, with variants: ‘his’ (MS) [not ‘sic’]; ‘long’ (MS) [not ‘lang’]. Following these two lines is Minerva’s speech as printed at ll.85-92: therefore, ll.23-94 are absent from the MS. 23. ‘Welcome’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Welcome,’]; ‘Divinities’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Divinities,’] 24. ‘faithful’ (Lond.) [not ‘faithfu’]; ‘reward,’ (Edin.), ‘reward.’ (Lond.) [not ‘reward;’] 25. ‘hail’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘hail,’] 26. ‘preserve,’ (Lond.) [not ‘preserve’] 28. ‘Care,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Care;’] 30. ‘anes’ is noted in the London edition as meaning ‘One’s’. 31. ‘Air,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Air;’] 32. ‘Fair,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Fair;’] 35. ‘Glance’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Glance,’]; in the London edition, ‘ilka’ is translated as ‘From ev’ry’. 36. ‘ravisht’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘ravish’d’]; ‘Things;’ (Edin.) [not ‘Things:’] 38. ‘Sweets.’ (Edin.), ‘Sweets,’ (Lond.) [not ‘Sweets’]; in the London edition, ‘hale’ is noted as meaning ‘Whole’. 39. ‘possess’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘possess,’] 46. ‘Night’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Nights’] 623

Poems 47. ‘Love.’ (Edin.) [not ‘Love:’] 49. ‘Embrace,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Embrace:’] 50. ‘Arms,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Arms;’] 55. ‘Rosy’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘rosy’] 56. ‘Flow’ry’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘flow’ry’] 68. ‘naithing’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘nathing’] 71. ‘Springs’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Springs,’]; ‘Spleen,’ (Lond.) [not ‘Spleen’] 74. ‘unmix’d’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘unmix’d,’] 75. ‘Jealousy’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Jealousy,’]; ‘Mouth’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Mouth,’] 76. ‘Love,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Love;’] 77. ‘Truth’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Truth,’] 81. ‘Thousand’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘thousand’] 85. ‘Worthyest’ (MS) [not ‘mightiest’]; ‘Kings’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Kings,’] 86. ‘pretend’ (MS) [not ‘derive’]; ‘Springs,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Springs;’] 87. ‘Common Moold ilk’ (MS) [not ‘common Soil each’]; ‘wond’rous’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘wondrous’] 88. ‘their spreading branches to the Skys did shoot’ (MS) [not ‘Aloft to Heaven their spreading Branches shoot’]; ‘shoot;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘shoot:’] 89. ‘Be Me sic Demi-Gods haf made their fate’ (MS) [not ‘Bauld in my Aid, these triumph’d over Fate’] 90. ‘fame’d’ (MS) [not ‘Fam’d’]; ‘thought &’ (MS) [not ‘Thought or’] 91. ‘Ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’] 92. ‘Raise’ (MS) [not ‘raise,’]; ‘Croud’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Crowd’] 93. ‘From sic succeeding Cround with wide renown’ (MS) [not ‘Frae these descending, laurel’d with Renown’]; ‘descending’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘descending,’] 94. ‘My Noblr Bridgroom draws his linage doun’ (MS) [not ‘My Charge throw Ages draws his Lineage down’]; ‘throu’’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘throw’]; ‘Linage’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Lineage’] ‘Lineage’: the House of Hamilton can be traced back to the Lairds of Cadzow, the first of whom – Sir Walter fitz Gilbert, first of Cadzow (d. c.1346) – was active in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. 95-96. As noted above, these lines appear in the MS at ll.22-23. In their place, the MS has: form’d like the strong saŭl’d fires & Godlike Man wha Brave and Wisely first the race began These lines do not appear in printed versions of the poem. 97. ‘deseases fill the sagnant’ (MS) [not ‘Diseases fill the drumly’] 98. ‘red-het’ (MS) [not ‘red het’]; ‘throu’’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘throw’] 99. ‘furious factions shake’ (MS) [not ‘madning Faction shakes’] 101. ‘Dear Maik, tho furys’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d Mate, — tho’ Furies’]; ‘Tho’ (Edin.), ‘Tho’’ (Lond.) [not ‘tho’’] 102. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘or’]; ‘sleeping’ (MS), ‘Sleeping’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘sleeping,’]; ‘they shall have repose’ (MS) [not ‘shall enjoy Repose’] 103. ‘day’ (MS) [not ‘day,’]; ‘mortalls’ (MS) [not ‘Mortals’] 104. ‘Isle;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Isle:’] 105. ‘be hush bleak Boreas Zyphers only Blaw’ (MS) [not ‘Be hush, bauld 624

Notes to Poems 1728 North, Favonius only blaw’] ‘Favonius’: an alternate name for the west wind, or Zephyr, as Ramsay has it in his MS copy. 106. ‘cease ye Clouds’ (MS), ‘cease bleak Clouds,’ (Edin.), ‘cease bleak Clouds’ (Lond.) [not ‘cease, bleak Clouds,’]; ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘or’] 107-8. In printed editions, these lines appear as the last couplet of the First Grace’s speech; in the MS they are situated as the first couplet spoken by the Second Grace. 107. ‘clear’ (MS) [not ‘bright,’] 108. ‘Gar’ (MS) [not ‘gar’]; ‘early’ (MS) [not ‘earlier’] 109. ‘Month’ (MS) [not ‘Month,’]; ‘Goddesses’ (MS) [not ‘Goddesses,’] 110. ‘Bridale day’ (MS) [not ‘Marriage Day’] 111-12. In printed editions, these lines constitute the last couplet of the Second Grace’s speech, but in the MS are given as the first couplet spoken by the Third Grace. 111. ‘Glota’s banks’ (MS), ‘Glotta’s Banks’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Glotta’s Banks,’]; ‘Hynds’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Hynds,’]; ‘Hynds and Herds resort’ (MS) [not ‘healthfu’ Hynds, resort’] ‘Glotta’: alternative name for the River Clyde which flows through Lanarkshire; Ramsay’s friend and correspondent James Arbuckle published his Glotta, or, The Clyde, A Poem in 1721. 112. ‘landart’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Landart’] 113. ‘faces’ (MS) [not ‘Faces’] 114. ‘Kindle’ (MS) [not ‘rouse’] 115-16. In printed editions, these lines constitute the last couplet of the Third Grace’s speech, but in the MS are the first couplet of the First Grace’s reply. 115. ‘Jovial’ (MS) [not ‘tunefu’’]; ‘help the whistling’ (MS) [not ‘join the rural’] 116. ‘till Ecchos loud frae Glens & Craigs rebound’ (MS) [not ‘And wake responsive Echo all around’] 117. ‘Master Albions’ (MS) [not ‘Master, Scotia’s’] 118. ‘Bright Beauty wha’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d Angel that’] 119-22. In printed versions, these lines are spoken by the First Grace; in the MS they are spoken by the Second Grace. 119. ‘Come Sisters’ (MS) [not ‘Come, Sisters,’]; ‘hoord Colect’ (MS) [not ‘Stores collect’] 120. ‘may her her Natural Graces’ (MS) [not ‘can her native Beauties’] 121. ‘light’ (MS) [not ‘Light’] 122. ‘of in’ (MS: this revision may be in another hand) [not ‘of’] 123. ‘Cease’ (MS) [not ‘Cease,’]; ‘Bissy’ (MS), ‘bussy’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘busy’]; ‘Maids’ (MS) [not ‘Maids,’] 124. ‘litle Aid’ (MS), ‘little Aid’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘small Addition’]; ‘Anna’s’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘her’]; ‘native’ (MS) [not ‘genuine’] 125. ‘Tho baith the India’s plans and Seas combine’ (MS) [not ‘Tho ilka Plain and ilka Sea combine’] 126. ‘Her’ (MS) [not ‘her’]; ‘jewels’ (MS) [not ‘Product’] 127. ‘her Lip her Bosom and her Starry een’ (MS) [not ‘Her Lip, her Bosom, and her sparkling Een’] 128. ‘Excell’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Excel’]; ‘Riby pearl’ (MS) [not ‘Ruby, 625

Poems Pearl,’]; ‘sheen;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘sheen:’] 129. ‘Those Ornaments inferious Comely’ (MS) [not ‘These lesser Ornaments, illustrious’] 130. ‘pleasures’ (MS) [not ‘Blessings,’]; ‘aside;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘aside,’] 131. ‘Bridale’ (MS) [not ‘Nuptial’] 132. ‘Shade,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Shade;’] 133. ‘being Confind to liberty’ (MS) [not ‘loath’d Restraint to Liberty’] 134. ‘nought takes place of Hermony & love’ (MS) [not ‘all is Harmony, and all is Love’]; ‘Harmony’ (Edin.) [not ‘Harmony,’]; ‘Love;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Love’] 135. ‘Hast’ (MS, Edin.) [not ‘Haste’]; ‘your joys kiss kiss the night away’ (MS) [not ‘these Blessings, – kiss the Night away’] 136. ‘Times’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘times’]; ‘sweeter than the day’ (MS) [not ‘pleasanter than Day’] 137. ‘The saftest Bless shall Charge thy Wheeling hours’ (MS) [not ‘The Whisper and Caress shall shorten Hours’] 138. ‘warm as the morning Beams on dewy flowers’ (MS) [not ‘While kindly as the Beams on dewy Flowers’]; ‘Flowers,’ (Lond.) [not ‘Flowers;’] 139. ‘Sŭn’ (MS) [not ‘Sun’]; ‘wha these fresh Globules’ (MS) [not ‘who the fresh Bevrage’] 140. ‘flavour’ (MS) [not ‘Sweetness’] 141. ‘hand’ (MS) [not ‘Hand’] 143. ‘Which Belt’ (MS) [not ‘That Zone’]; ‘pleasing to the fair’ (MS) [not ‘gratefu’ to the Fair’] 144. ‘A’ my Easy Chains’ (MS) [not ‘easy Bands of safter’] 145. ‘turns’ (MS) [not ‘grows’]; ‘hated’ (MS) [not ‘hatefu’’]; ‘Thing’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘thing’] 146. ‘those they More of honour Bring’ (MS) [not ‘These are bound, they mair of Honour bring’] 147. ‘Yes happy Pair’ (MS) [not ‘Yes, happy Pair,’]; ‘inspire’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘inspire,’] 148. ‘pursue and gratifie each just disire’ (MS) [not ‘Pursue, and gratify each just Desire’]; ‘Desire;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Desire:’] 149. ‘passions with high transport’ (MS) [not ‘Passions, with full Transports’] 150. ‘ay’ (MS) [not ‘still’]; ‘virtue’ (MS) [not ‘Vertue’] The MS features the following additional lines here, spoken by Minerva, which do not appear in print editions: Still may they fairly flow in Channells pure Thus you’ll possess those pleasures shall endure if Manking A’ the Charms of Virtue saw Here too, the MS has some cancelled lines to have been spoken by Bacchus, who enters ‘singing’ only in the MS: Fall all de rall dall, Fall de rall de rall dall, Fall all de rall dall, Fall der all de ra – 151. ‘Night,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Night?’] 152. ‘wha’s’ (MS) [not ‘She’s’]; ‘naithing’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘nathing’]; ‘feight’ (MS) [not ‘fight’] 626

Notes to Poems 1728 154. ‘lear’ (MS) [not ‘learn’]; ‘Thought’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘thought’] 155. ‘Peace Theban Roarer’ (MS) [not ‘Peace, Theban Roarer,’]; ‘powers’ (MS) [not ‘Powers’] ‘Theban’: Thebes, the capital of ancient Bœotia in Greece, and the birthplace of Bacchus. 156. ‘entertainment ther’s nae Ca’ for’ (MS) [not ‘Entertainment, there’s nae need of’] 157. ‘quiet’ (MS) [not ‘pure’]; ‘Caumer’ (MS) [not ‘calmer’] 159. ‘it!’ (MS) [not ‘it’]; ‘wha’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 160. ‘wedding’ (MS) [not ‘Bridal’]; ‘Year;’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Year:’] 161. ‘dervyship’ (MS) [not ‘Dortiship’] 162. ‘Bridale’ (MS) [not ‘Wedding’] 163. ‘blew-een remember’ (MS), ‘Blew Een remember’ (Lond.) [not ‘Blew Een, remember,’]; ‘hape’ (MS) [not ‘Hap’] 164. ‘Venus,’ (MS) [not ‘Venus’] 165. ‘aun’ (MS) [not ‘awn’]; ‘Truth,’ (MS) [not ‘Truth—’]; ‘sweet Sister dinna Check’ (MS), ‘Minerva cease to check’ (Lond.) [not ‘Minerva, cease to check’] 166. ‘hearty Brither with your disrespect’ (MS) [not ‘jolly Brother with your Direspect’] 167. ‘treats’ (MS) [not ‘Treats’] 168. ‘feast’ (MS) [not ‘Feast’] 169. ‘Thrice Welcome Power wha Chears’ (MS) [not ‘Maist welcome Power, that chears’] 170. ‘Thee’ (MS) [not ‘thee’]; ‘extreams’ (MS), ‘extremes’ (Edin.) [not ‘Extremes’] ‘Pallas’: alternative name for Minerva, goddess of wisdom. 171. ‘Rosie Visages’ (MS) [not ‘rosy Visage’] 172. ‘smiling’ (MS) [not ‘Smiling] 173. ‘dab’ (MS) [not ‘Dab’]; ‘Speeches,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Speeches’] 174. ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘Blythly’ (MS) [not ‘tightly’] 175. ‘Lovely’ (MS) [not ‘lovely’] 176. ‘miekle dawted’ (MS) [not ‘meikle dauted’] 177. ‘Joyce’ (MS) [not ‘Juice’]; ‘croun’ (MS) [not ‘crown’] ‘Bicquor’: variation of the Scots ‘bicker’, a ‘vessel for containing liquor for drinking’, ‘with one or two staves prolonged to form lugs’ (SND). 178. ‘Toast and see’t gang fairly roun’ (MS) [not ‘Toast, and see it fairly round’] 179. ‘Yoŭ’ (MS) [not ‘you’]; ‘beings the Benings’ (MS) [not ‘Beings, the benign’] 180. ‘Men’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Men,’]; ‘put your Spirits’ (MS) [not ‘keep your Sauls’] 182. ‘Browen’ (MS) [not ‘browen’] 183. ‘Ha’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Ha,’]; ‘Come’ (MS, Edin.) [not ‘Come,’] 184. ‘up’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘up,’] 185. ‘life’ (MS) [not ‘Life’]; ‘toy’ (MS) [not ‘Toy’] 186. ‘Come’ (MS) [not ‘Here,’] Here in MS, Ramsay has included a detailed stage direction which does not appear in printed editions: ‘Ganimed fills and gives it to Bachus who looks smirk upon it and then to the company syn gives the Health’, followed by the 627

Poems heading: ‘Beachus with the Glass in his hand’. 187. ‘Health to Brave Hamilton & his’ (MS) [not ‘Good Health to Hamilton, and his’]; ‘Hamilton’ (Lond.) [not ‘Hamilton,’] 188. ‘fair Consort, father Jove’ (MS) [not ‘Lov’d Mate: — O Father Jove’]; ‘Mate,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Mate:’]; ‘Jove’ (MS, Lond.) [not ‘Jove,’] 189. ‘Thou’llt’ (MS) [not ‘Thou’lt’]; ‘tack of Bless’ (MS) [not ‘Tack of Bliss’] 190. ‘Bony Bairns & Brave’ (MS) [not ‘bonny Bairns and brave’] 191. ‘them’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘them,’] 193. ‘waŭght’ (MS) [not ‘waught’] 194. ‘Heavenly’ (MS), ‘heavenly’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘heav’nly’] 195. ‘Come see’t about’ (MS) [not ‘Come, see’t about,’]; ‘a’’ (MS) [not ‘all’] 196. ‘Mortalls and gods by pairs and take a dance’ (MS) [not ‘Mortals and Gods be Pairs, and tak a Dance’] 197. ‘mim’ (MS, Lond.) [not ‘mim,’]; ‘Moralls’ (MS) [not ‘Morals’] 198. ‘Bachus’ (MS, Edin.) [not ‘Bacchus’]; ‘floor’ (MS) [not ‘Floor’] 199. ‘there Calie some gay Scotish tune’ (MS) [not ‘there, Lassie, some blyth Scottish Tune’] 200. ‘Syn’ (MS) [not ‘Syne’]; ‘blyth when wine and witt gaes roun’ (MS) [not ‘blyth, when Wine and Wit gae round’] ‘Epithalamium’: a nuptial song or poem which praises the couple, and prays for their health and fortune in marriage. 201. ‘Lawfu’’ (MS) [not ‘lawfu’’] 202. ‘Impart,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘impart;’] 203. ‘mints’ (MS) [not ‘mounts’] 205. ‘flame gives real worth’ (MS) [not ‘Flame gives lasting Worth’] 206. ‘greatnes Beauty Wealth & Birth’ (MS) [not ‘Greatness, Beauty, Wealth and Birth’] 207. ‘you’ (MS, Edin., Lond.) [not ‘You,’]; ‘Ilustriŏus happy’ (MS) [not ‘illustrious youthfu’’] 208. ‘Wha’ (MS) [not ‘Who’]; ‘delight and care’ (MS) [not ‘Delight and Care’] 209. ‘This Ray divine beeks’ (MS) [not ‘The blessfu’ Beam darts’]; ‘blissfu’’ (Lond.) [not ‘blessfu’’] 210. ‘will’ (MS) [not ‘shall’] 211. ‘those’ (MS) [not ‘these’] 213. ‘Bachus’ (MS), ‘Bachus,’ (Edin.) [not ‘Bacchus,’]; ‘aff’ (MS) [not ‘off’]; ‘gang’ (MS) [not ‘Gang’] 214. ‘hark’ (MS) [not ‘Hark,’]; ‘Hoams’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Howms’]; ‘rurall’ (MS) [not ‘rural’] 215. ‘away,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘away;’] 220. ‘this’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 223. ‘fires’ (MS) [not ‘Fires’] 225. ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘Fair’] 226. ‘disires’ (MS) [not ‘Desires’] 227. ‘Gae Loves and Beautys take your place’ (MS) [not ‘Gae, Loves and Graces, take your Place’] 228. ‘arround the Nuptial Bed reside’ (MS) [not ‘Around the Nuptial Bed abide’] 229. ‘Cyth’rea highten’ (MS) [not ‘Fair Venus heighten’]; ‘highten’ (Edin., 628

Notes to Poems 1728 Lond.) [not ‘heighten’] 230. ‘sweetly’ (MS) [not ‘smoothly’] 231. ‘Gae Hymen’ (MS) [not ‘Gae, Hymen,’] 232. ‘thence conduct’ (MS) [not ‘thither lead’]; ‘Bride,’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Bride;’] 233. ‘after’ (MS), ‘Neist all’ (Edin., Lond.) [not ‘Neist, all’] 234. ‘Saftly’ (MS) [not ‘sweetly’] The poem ends at l.234 in Poems (1728), but the MS features an additional stanza: Hast happy Prince mair happy be find Heaven within your Anna’s arms now by the sacred seal made free chastly to grasp at a her Charms A variant version of this final stanza also closes the Edinburgh and London editions of 1723. It is printed in both editions as follows: Haste, happy Man, and happier be, Enjoy the Maid profuse of Charms, Now by the Powers Divine made free, Take a’ the Joys reserv’d for thee, Reserv’d for thee in Anna’s Arms. Ode On the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, ff.34v-35v). A contemporary MS transcription, made in another hand, is housed at the NLS (Adv. MS. 19.3.44, ff.63v-5v). In the autograph MS, the poem’s stanzas are in a different order, but the revised order – as printed in Poems (1728) – is given via a numbering system, possibly in another hand, in the margin. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: George Ramsay, Lord Ramsay (d.1739), son of William Ramsay, sixth Earl of Dalhousie (1660-1739) and Jean Ross. Although heir to the Dalhousie Earldom, he died before he could succeed to the title. George Ramsay is also the dedicatee of Ramsay’s ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’, published in Poems (1721). The ‘Ode’ celebrates George Ramsay’s marriage to Jean Maule (d.1769), daughter of Hon. Harry Maule of Kellie (1659-1734) and Lady Mary Fleming (d.1702), which took place in November 1726. Harry Maule was a Jacobite officer and scholar, and the brother of James Maule, fourth Earl of Panmure (1658/9-1723). Both brothers’ involvement in the Jacobite risings led to their titles and lands being forfeited; James Maule was exiled in Europe until his death in 1723. Jean Maule’s aunt was Lady Margaret Hamilton (1668-1731), known as the Countess of Panmure by her marriage to James Maule and one of the ‘Directresses’ of Edinburgh’s dancing Assembly, commemorated by Ramsay in ‘The Fair Assembly’, also printed in Poems (1728). George Ramsay and Jean Maule had three children: Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Ramsay, seventh Earl of Dalhousie (1729-64), George Ramsay, eighth Earl of Dalhousie 629

Poems (c.1730-1787) and Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Ramsay (1731-83). 1. ‘youthfull Aparent’ (MS) [not ‘apparent’] 2. ‘Pride Boast’ (MS) [not ‘Boast’]; ‘Clan Name & Clan’ (MS) [not ‘Clanish Name’] 4. ‘fame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame’] 7. ‘Heroes Greatness’ (MS) [not ‘Greatness’] 8. ‘them Gratefull’ (MS) [not ‘Him grateful’] 9. ‘Heroes Greatness Patriots Rise’ (MS) [not ‘Patriots rise’] 10. ‘Honourd’ (MS) [not ‘Chiefs of’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 11. ‘Loyl fames’ (MS) [not ‘loyal Fames’] 12. ‘as Long as Roling orbs’ (MS) [not ‘While Ocean flows and Orbs’] 13-15. There are two drafts of these lines in the MS; they are reproduced below as (MSa) and (MSb). 13. ‘Ramsay & Maul names ever dear ever cround that coud prop’ (MSa), ‘The Ramsay’s still their Nations Caladonas prop’ (MSb) [not ‘The Ramsays! Caledonia’s Prop’] 14. ‘their nation & makes foes to dread’ (MSa), ‘The Mauls still to her struck her foes with dread’ (MSb) [not ‘The Maules! struck still her Foes with Dread’] 15. ‘from such ane union we may hope now joynd we from the union hope’ (MSa), ‘Now joynd we from the union hope’ (MSb) [not ‘Now joyn’d; we, from the Union, hope’] 17. ‘Transgress’ (MS) [not ‘transgress’] 19. ‘litle’ (MS) [not ‘little’]; ‘Proclaim them fools’ (MS) [not ‘proclaim them Fools’] 20. ‘Worthles of Beauty Sence or Youth’ (MS) [not ‘Unworthy Beauty, Sense and Youth’] 21. ‘you Blest Pair, Belovd’ (MS) [not ‘You, blest Pair, belov’d’] 22. ‘& Best Below’ (MS) [not ‘and Best below’] 23. ‘delights attend your call’ (MS) [not ‘Delights attend Your Call’] 24. ‘Lasting’ (MS) [not ‘lasting’] 28. ‘your’ (MS) [not ‘Your’]; ‘care’ (MS) [not ‘Cares’] 29. ‘streight with a Heavenly’ (MS) [not ‘straight a heavenly’] 30. ‘Methoucht I Inspird we’ (MS) [not ‘Inspir’d, — we’] 31. ‘Cry who dare quarrel’ (MS) [not ‘Cry, who dare quarrel’] 32. ‘mine be’ (MS) [not ‘mine, be’] 33. ‘their, Aid’ (MS) [not ‘their Aid,’] 34. ‘will’ (MS) [not ‘we’] 35. ‘greatness adorn Ther Antient Tower’ (MS) [not ‘Their Plains return, splendid their Tower’] This revision is located at the foot of f.34v. 36. ‘Blosom Broad the Edg well Tree’ (MS) [not ‘blossom broad the Edge-well-Tree’] Ramsay has the following footnote at this line: ‘See Note Vol. I. p. 276’, in reference to n12 in ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’, published in Poems (1721), p. 276: ‘An Oak Tree which grows on the Side of a fine Spring, nigh the Castle of Dalhousie, very much observed by the Country People, who give out, that before any of the Family died, a Branch fell from the Edge-well Tree. The old Tree some few Years ago fell altogether, but another sprung from the same Root, which is now tall and flourishing, and lang be’t sae.’ 37. ‘he’ (MS) [not ‘He’] 630

Notes to Poems 1728 38. ‘his’ (MS) [not ‘His’] 39. ‘Whilst she for ceolestial all that’s sweets adord’ (MS) [not ‘She for Celestial Sweets ador’d’] 40. ‘Shall animate ever charm the Godlike Gracefull Man’ (MS) [not ‘Shall ever charm the gracefu’ Man’] 41-44. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not appear in the MS. 45. ‘Hair’ (MS) [not ‘Pair’] 46. ‘Pleasure consenting’ (MS) [not ‘consenting,’] The MS has three cancelled lines here: and may Brave Ross Consenting share with Joyfull kind Consent Brave Ross appeas so may Love the Gods Ralna Gown 48. ‘thus and with’ (MS) [not ‘Thus with’] 49. ‘Hast evry Grace each of you of youth & smiles and each Love, & each smile’ (MS) [not ‘Haste, ev’ry Grace, each Love and Smile’] 50. ‘and from fair’ (MS) [not ‘From fragrant’] ‘Cyprus’: Mediterranean island where Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, was worshipped. 51. ‘Couch’ (MS) [not ‘Couch,’] 52. ‘Beautys of the spring’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties of the Spring’] 53-56. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the MS. 54. ‘Mars’: Roman god of war; ‘Phoebus’: an alternative name for Apollo, a key classical god of, among other things, music, dance, truth, light and poetry. Phoebus is generally presented as an athletic youth. 56. ‘Minerva’: Roman goddess of wisdom. Ode On the Birth of the Most Honourable Marquis of Dumlanrig Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.17), consisting of ll.33-68. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: Ramsay’s poem marks the birth of Henry Douglas, Lord Drumlanrig (1722-54), eldest son of Charles Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry and second Duke of Dover (1698-1778) and Lady Catherine Hyde (1701-77), on 30 October 1722. The Duchess of Queensberry, known as ‘Kitty’, was a literary patron, having been ‘brought up in a household frequented by literary celebrities such as Alexander Pope and Matthew Prior’ (Rosalind K. Marshall, ‘Douglas, Catherine [Kitty], duchess of Queensberry and Dover’, ODNB), and for whom Prior’s The Female Phaeton: upon Lady Kitty Hyde’s First Appearing in Publick (1722) was written. She had a close relationship with John Gay (1685-1732), defending him when he was refused a licence for his play Polly in 1729, and nursing him in his illness. She is referenced in Ramsay’s ‘Epistle to Mr. John Gay, Author of the Shepherd’s Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems’, which is the next printed text in Poems (1728). Henry Douglas would pursue a military career following education at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford. He married Lady Elizabeth Hope (d.1756), daughter of John Hope, second Earl of Hopetoun (1704-81) and Lady Anne Ogilvy (d.1759) in July 1754. Douglas 631

Poems died at the age of thirty-one after accidentally shooting himself with one of his own pistols only three months after they married; Hope died less than two years later. 2. ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), poet; ‘Granvile’: George Granville, Baron Lansdowne and Jacobite Duke of Abermarle (1666-1735), politician and author. 13. ‘Nytha’: the River Nith, which rises in the hills of East Ayrshire, and flows through Dumfries and Galloway before entering the Solway Firth. It runs through the estate of Drumlanrig, seat of the Duke of Queensberry. Drumlanrig Castle was constructed in the late seventeenth century by William Douglas, first Duke of Queensberry (1637-95), Henry Douglas’s great-grandfather. 34. ‘Henrey’ (MS) [not ‘Infant’] 35. ‘Stallwart progeny’ (MS) [not ‘stalwart Progeny’] 36. ‘Countrey’ (MS) [not ‘Country’] 37. ‘Still Ay’ (MS) [not ‘Still’]; ‘He’ (MS) [not ‘he’] 38. ‘Blythsome’ (MS) [not ‘blythsome’]; ‘strengh’ (MS) [not ‘Strength’] 39. ‘life’ (MS) [not ‘Life’] 41. ‘well’ (MS) [not ‘well,’]; ‘Tennents’ (MS) [not ‘Tenants’] 42. ‘heads’ (MS) [not ‘Heads’] 43. ‘Dumlanrigg’ (MS) [not ‘Dumlanrig’] 45. ‘Heroes’ (MS) [not ‘Heroes,’]; ‘pains’ (MS) [not ‘Pains’] The second word of this line has been cancelled heavily in MS and is illegible. 47. ‘plains’ (MS) [not ‘Plains’] ‘Elisian Fields’: connotes a paradise. 48. ‘Bless’ (MS) [not ‘bless’] 49-52. The second part of these lines have been lost due to water damage to the MS. 49. ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘Fair,’] 50. ‘Glow’ (MS) [not ‘glow’] 51. ‘Auld’ (MS) [not ‘auld’] 52. ‘Lay’ (MS) [not ‘lay’] ‘Alcide’: alternative name for Heracles (or Hercules), son of Zeus and Alcmene, divine hero of Greek mythology. 53. ‘Best & Bonyest’ (MS) [not ‘best and bonniest’] 58. ‘dumps’ (MS) [not ‘Dumps’] 59. ‘discord’ (MS) [not ‘Discord’] 62. ‘breast’ (MS) [not ‘Breast’] 63. ‘Moulded’ (MS) [not ‘moulded’] 64. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’]; ‘gust’ (MS) [not ‘Gust’] 65. ‘imortall’ (MS) [not ‘immortal,’] 66. ‘Doughty’ (MS) [not ‘doughty’] 68. ‘& their fame’ (MS) [not ‘and their Fame’]

632

Notes to Poems 1728 Epistle to Mr. John Gay, Author of the Shepherd’s Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems Text: Poems (1728). MSS: Harvard University Library (MS Eng.793), hereafter ‘Har.’; Northumberland Archives, Books Collection (X, f.17), hereafter ‘Nor.’. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘Epistle to Mr John Gay’ (Har.), ‘Epistle to Mr John Gay Author of the Shepherds Week’ (Nor.) [not ‘EPISTLE To Mr. JOHN GAY, Author of the Shepherd’s Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems.’] John Gay (1685-1732): prolific English poet and playwright known for Wine (1708), The Shepherd’s Week (1714), Trivia (1716) and The Beggar’s Opera (1728). As seen in the notes for Ramsay’s ‘Ode on the Birth of the Most Honourable Marquis of Dumlanrig’, Gay had a close relationship with Catherine Douglas, Duchess of Queensberry, and became a perpetual house guest of the Queensberrys in London. There has been speculation over whether Ramsay met Gay in person. According to the STS editors, Ramsay’s dating of the poem in the MSS to 10 August 1723, alongside evidence from Ramsay’s letters to Sir John Clerk of Penicuik in the summer of 1729, ‘makes more than ever likely a meeting between Ramsay and Gay’ (VI, p.74). As well as this epistle to Gay, Ramsay also wrote ‘Kate and Susan, a Pastoral to the Memory of John Gay’ in 1732 at news of Gay’s death; Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera is also regarded as being a major catalyst in Ramsay’s adaptation of The Gentle Shepherd into a ballad opera in 1729. (See also Steve Newman, ‘The Scots Songs of Allan Ramsay: “Lyrick” Transformation, Popular Culture, and the Boundaries of the Scottish Enlightenment’ in Modern Languages Quarterly 63:3 (2002), pp.277314). Ramsay inscribed a copy of The Ever Green (1724) to Gay in its year of publication, which is held by Innerpeffray Library, Perthshire; this makes it almost certain that Ramsay met Gay well in advance of Gay’s Beggar’s Opera. 1. ‘Lad wha,’ (Har., MSNor) [not ‘Lad, wha’]; ‘Linkan oer’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘linkan o’er] 2. ‘Blouzelinda’ and ‘Bowzybeus’: characters in Gay’s The Shepherd’s Week. 3. ‘And’ (Har.) [not ‘And,’]; ‘Lavrock’ (Har.) [not ‘Lavrock,’]; ‘Merrylie’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘merrily’] 5. ‘hartsome’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘heartsome’] 7. ‘thee’ (Har.), ‘Thee,’ (Nor.) [not ‘thee,’]; ‘edge’ (Nor.) [not ‘Edge’]; ‘Paintland’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Pentland’]; ‘height’ (Har.) [not ‘Height’] ‘Pentland’: range of hills to the south-west of Edinburgh, which runs towards Biggar. 8. ‘fawns’ (Har.) [not ‘Fawns’]; ‘fairys’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Fairies’]; ‘delight’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Delight’] 9. ‘to Revel’ (Nor.) [not ‘And revel’] 11. ‘Bard, that’ (Har.), ‘Bard wha’ (MSNor) [not ‘Bard that’]; ‘Second’ (Nor.) [not ‘second’] 12. ‘Spaes’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘spaes’] 13. ‘Now’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Now,’]; ‘&’ (Har.) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘flowers’ (Har., MSNor) [not ‘Flow’rs’] 15. ‘flowrishing’ (Har.) [not ‘flowrishing’]; ‘Lasting’ (Nor.) [not ‘lasting’] 633

Poems 17. ‘Envious’ (Har.) [not ‘envious’]; ‘Bray’ (Har.) [not ‘bray’] 19. ‘Loof,’ (Har.), ‘Loof –’ (Nor.) [not ‘Loof. –’]; ‘at ther’s’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Ay, there’s’]; ‘Line!’ (Har.) [not ‘Line’] 20. ‘Shine’ (Har.) [not ‘shine’] 21. ‘dawted,’ (Har.), ‘Dawted’ (Nor.) [not ‘Dawted’]; ‘Living,’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘living’] 22. ‘Best:’ (Har.) [not ‘Best,’] 23. ‘Mortal line’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘mortal Line’] 24. ‘fame’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Fame,’] 25. ‘Imortall’ (Har.), ‘Imortal’ (Nor.) [not ‘Immortal’]; ‘skillful’ (Har.), ‘skilful’ (Nor.) [not ‘skilfu’’] ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), English poet; ‘John’: John Arbuthnot (bap.1667-1735), Scottish physician and satirist. 26. ‘Learned’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘learned’]; ‘Calidon’ (Nor.) [not ‘Callidon’] At this point in Nor., there is an illegible cancelled line. 28. ‘Lang’ (Har.) [not ‘lang’] 30. ‘fame’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Fame,’] 31. ‘ruse’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘roose’] 32. ‘favour’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Favour’] 33. ‘for,’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘For’]; ‘friends’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Friends’] 34. ‘Spar’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘spar’] 35. ‘word, ne’er’ (Har.) [not ‘Word (ne’er’] 37. ‘Metled’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘mettled’]; ‘Mentain’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘maintain’] 38. ‘friend’ (Har.), ‘frien’’ (Nor.) [not ‘Friend’] 39. ‘Canty’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘canty’]; ‘brisk, &’ (Har.), ‘brisk, and’ (Nor.) [not ‘brisk and’] 40. ‘hour’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Hour’] 41. ‘fae’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Fae’] 44. ‘Rising day!’ (Har.), ‘rising Day!’ (Nor.) [not ‘rising Day,’] 45. ‘divinly’ (Har.) [not ‘Divinely’]; ‘Bony’ (Har.), ‘Bony!’ (Nor.) [not ‘Bonny,’]; ‘Great, &’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Great and’] 46. ‘Thinking’ Har., Nor.) [not ‘thinking’] 47. ‘&’ (Nor.) [not ‘and,’] 49. ‘Rumage’ (Nor.) [not ‘rumage’] 50. ‘Lillys’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Lillies’]; ‘Gems,’ (Har.) [not ‘Gems’] 51. ‘Her’s’ (Nor.) [not ‘her’s’]; ‘Lustures’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Lustre’] 52. ‘Bauchly’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘bauchly’]; ‘Tell’ (Nor.) [not ‘tell’] 53. ‘Beautys, she excells’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Beauties: She excels’] 54. ‘Like’ (Har.) [not ‘like’] 55. ‘form’ (Nor.) [not ‘Form’] 56. ‘ane’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘an’] 57. ‘Prince!’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Prince’]; ‘wha’ (Nor.) [not ‘who’] 59. ‘Whase’ (Nor.) [not ‘Whose’]; ‘Virtues’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Vertues’]; ‘Best’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘best’] 60. ‘Skyes’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Skies’] 61. ‘This’ (Har.) [not ‘this’] 63. ‘Scorn:’ (Har.), ‘Scorn,’ (Nor.) [not ‘Scorn;’] 64. ‘Bend thy knees’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘bend thy Knees’] 634

Notes to Poems 1728 65. ‘Bless’ (Har.) [not ‘bless’]; ‘thou wast’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘ye was’]; ‘Born’ (Har.) [not ‘born’] 66. ‘Please’ (Nor.) [not ‘please’] 67. ‘sings;’ (Har.) [not ‘sings,’] 68. ‘Craw,’ (Har.), ‘Craw’ (Nor.) [not ‘craw’]; ‘Clap’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘clap’] 69. ‘laugh,’ (Har.) [not ‘smile’] 70. ‘carles’ (Har.), ‘Careles’ (Nor.) [not ‘careless’] 71. ‘Wit, &’ (Har.) [not ‘Wit and’]; ‘Brings’ (Nor.) [not ‘brings’] 73. ‘Pipes’ (Har.) [not ‘Pipes,’] 74. ‘Trevia’ (Har.), ‘Trivia,’ (Nor.) [not ‘Trivia’]; ‘tune’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Tune’] 75. ‘&’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘and’] 76. ‘Strains:’ (Har.) [not ‘Strains,’] 77. ‘grateful’ (Nor.) [not ‘gratefu’’]; ‘out’ (Nor.) [not ‘out,’]; ‘done!’ (Har.), ‘Done’ (Nor.) [not ‘done’] 78. ‘Praise’ (Nor.) [not ‘praise’]; ‘pains’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Pains’] 79. ‘Voice’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Voice,’]; ‘arround’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘around’] 80. ‘Ecchoe’ (Har.), ‘Ecchoe’ (Nor.) [not ‘echo’]; ‘Lovely’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘lovely’] 81. ‘Clifs’ (Har.), ‘Cliffs’ (Nor.) [not ‘Cliffs,’]; ‘cround’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘crown’d’] 83. ‘Wher, Northward,’ (Har.) [not ‘Where Northward’]; ‘nae Mair’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘no more’] 84. ‘seas’ (Har.) [not ‘Seas’]; Roar’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘rore’] 85. ‘sing,’ (Har.), ‘Sing –’ (Nor.) [not ‘sing, —’]; ‘from’ (Har.) [not ‘frae’] ‘Arthur’s Seat’ is a hill on the edge of Edinburgh. 86. ‘Cheviot’ (Har.) [not ‘Chiviot’]; ‘Glour’ (Har.), ‘glowr’ (Nor.) [not ‘glow’r’]; ‘tyer’d’ (Har.), ‘tire’d’ (Nor.) [not ‘tyr’d’]; ‘Sight!’ (Har.) [not ‘Sight,’] ‘Chiviot’: the Cheviot Hills, which straddle the Scotland-England border between the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. 87. ‘wish’ (Har.) [not ‘wish,’]; ‘Raving’ (Har.) [not ‘raving’] 89. ‘Sax’ (Har.) [not ‘sax’]; ‘trig’ (Nor.) [not ‘trim’]; ‘& Tight’ (Har.) [not ‘and tight’] 90. ‘Toun’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Town’] 91. ‘Lang’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘lang’]; ‘Gove &’ (Nor.) [not ‘gove and’] 93. ‘reliefe’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Relief’] 94. ‘Quietly Content’ (Har.) [not ‘Quiet and content’] 95. ‘limbs’ (Har.) [not ‘Limbs’]; ‘Easylie’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘easylie’] 97. ‘broom, &’ (Har.) [not ‘Broom and’] 98. ‘Chrystall’ (Har.), ‘Chrystal’ (Nor.) [not ‘Crystal’]; ‘Burn,’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Burn’]; ‘Westlen’ (Har.) [not ‘Westlin’] 100. ‘Blythsome’ (Har.) [not ‘blythsome’] 101. ‘Rant &’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘rant and’]; ‘Dance’ (Nor.) [not ‘dance’]; ‘Kilkit’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘kilkit’] 102. ‘plains’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Plains’] 103. ‘Farwell’ (Har.), ‘farwell’ (Nor.) [not ‘Farewell;’]; ‘but’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘but,’]; ‘part’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘part,’] 104. ‘the Bearer’ (Nor.) [not ‘Clarinda’]; ‘&’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘and’] 105. ‘hae’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘ha’e’] 106. ‘Withouten’ (Har., Nor.) [not ‘Withoutten’]; ‘end!’ (Har.), ‘end’ (Nor.) [not 635

Poems ‘End! –’] Both MSS feature variant sign-offs which are not present in Poems (1728): ‘Agust 10th 1723 A-R’ (Har.); ‘Edr Agust 10th 1723 Allan Ramsay’ Ode To the Right Honourable Grace Countess of Aboyn, On her Marriage Day Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.3-3v). The MS, in which most lines are cancelled, revised, and often illegible, is held by the BL. The MS stanzas are ordered differently from those printed in Poems (1728), with numbering indicating the new order: 4, 5, 1, 2, 11, 9, 6, 10, 7, 8, 3. The MS has an inscription at its head, which reads ‘A B C D E f G H I K L M’; the top of f.3v features a couplet which does not appear in the printed poem: ‘Behold her in her Nuptiall Bow,/O sight too Dazling.’ Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: Grace Lockhart (d.1738): daughter of George Lockhart, second of Carnwath (1673-1731) and Lady Euphemia Montgomerie (c.1681-1738). Lockhart’s father was a Jacobite politician who fought in the rising of 1715, and the author of Memoirs Concerning the Affairs of Scotland (1714). Her first marriage – which Ramsay commemorates here – was to John Gordon, third Earl of Aboyne (d.1732), son of Charles Gordon, second Earl of Aboyne (d.1702) and Lady Elizabeth Lyon (d.1739). Gordon was, according to the STS editors, ‘also a Jacobite’ (VI, p.74). In James Paterson’s account, Grace Lockhart ‘died from fright, owing to the predictions of a fortune-teller’ (Paterson (ed.), The Poems and Songs of William Hamilton of Bangour (Edinburgh, 1850), p.118). 1. ‘Throu fire & sword with stuborn toils’ (MS) [not ‘In Martial Fields the Heroe toils’] 2. ‘the warior wades to Purchase fame’ (MS) [not ‘And wades throw Blood to purchase Fame;’] 3. ‘dreafull waves’ (MS) [not ‘dreadful Waves,’] 4. ‘Wealth brokers bring the Indines hame’ (MS) [not ‘The Merchant brings his Treasures hame’] 5. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]’ ‘gifts frae above few Joys Improve’ (MS) [not ‘no Joys bestow’] 6. ‘they Placd allane like’ (MS) [not ‘If plac’d alane they’] 7. ‘without that Heavenly figure Love’ (MS) [not ‘Tis to the Figure Love they owe’] 8. ‘No Real Joy they can command’ (MS) [not ‘The real Joys that they command’] 9. ‘he’ (MS) [not ‘He’]; ‘Love & Beauty Gains’ (MS) [not ‘Love and Beauty gains’] 10. ‘Gains what might claim, contesting King’ (MS) [not ‘Gains what contesting Kings might claim’] 11. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘Might’]; ‘Armys’ (MS) [not ‘Armies’] 12. ‘Loudly’ (MS) [not ‘loudly’]; ‘fill the Blast of fame’ (MS) [not ‘swell the Blast of Fame’] 13. This line is written on its own across the page in the MS. 14. ‘hou’ (MS) [not ‘how’]; ‘art thou Possest’ (MS) [not ‘is he possest!’] 636

Notes to Poems 1728 15. ‘Powers Divine’ (MS) [not ‘Pow’rs divine’] 16. ‘falds the Sparkler to thy Breast’ (MS) [not ‘lyes in lovely Lockhart’s Breast!’] 17. ‘Gazes in with Raptures on her thy fruits Charms’ (MS) [not ‘Gazing in Raptures on thy Charms’] 18. ‘Shape & blooming Youth’ (MS) [not ‘Shape and Youth’] 19. ‘Grasp all saf Lovely Lockhart in without thy Arms’ (MS) [not ‘He grasps all Softness in his Arms’] 20. ‘Syn’ (MS) [not ‘And’] 21. ‘Liknes’ (MS) [not ‘Likeness’] 22. ‘Kind’ (MS) [not ‘kind’] 23. ‘Then Venus shall her thy Beautys save’ (MS) [not ‘Each Pow’r shall guard the Charm they gave’] 24. ‘And Pallas still improve her thy Mind’ (MS) [not ‘Venus the Face, Pallas thy Mind’] ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love; ‘Minerva’: goddess of wisdom. 25. ‘Muse we could – but’ (MS) [not ‘Muse, we could, — but’]; ‘wing flight’ (MS) [not ‘Flight’] 26. ‘its’ (MS) [not ‘’tis’] 27. ‘we dare not Paint the nuptial’ (MS) [not ‘Who dares to paint the ardent’] 28. ‘Ravichd Youth &’ (MS) [not ‘ravish’d Youth and’] 30. ‘the Eye & whats too dazling Clear’ (MS) [not ‘And shade those Joys too dazling clear’] 31. ‘Such sacred Ruptures should ought not to be seen’ (MS) [not ‘By ev’ry Eye not to be seen’] 32. ‘nor yet describd to evry’ (MS) [not ‘Not to be heard by ev’ry’] 33. ‘Smiles ye Cupids play bask’ (MS) [not ‘Smiles, ye Cupids, play’] 34. ‘Revells’ (MS) [not ‘Revels’] 35. ‘Easy Task care by Day’ (MS) [not ‘Care by Day’] 37. ‘banishd’ (MS) [not ‘banish’d,’]; ‘manerd’ (MS) [not ‘natur’d’] 38. ‘dull Cloudy’ (MS) [not ‘fantastick’] 39. ‘dispair’ (MS) [not ‘despair’] 41. ‘Guardians Hover’ (MS) [not ‘Guardian Angels hover’] 42. ‘her head and Guard her from anoy’ (MS) [not ‘Thy Head, and ward off all Annoy’] 43. ‘may be all their Days with Blesses crownd’ (MS) [not ‘Be all thy Days with Raptures crown’d’] 44. ‘her Minutes Charged’ (MS) [not ‘thy Nights be blest’] Epigram Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (3648, f.31v), hereafter ‘NLS’; Huntington (HM 1490, f.12), hereafter ‘Hunt.’. The IELM identifies a third MS source, also held by the NLS (MS 1695 ff.15960), which appears to be a transcription by Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay Junior; it is not therefore included in our collation. Not published prior to Poems (1728). It is an acrostic, with the first letters of each of its lines spelling 637

Poems out the name of the epigram’s subject: Mary Sleigh. The NLS MS features three doodles by Ramsay. The first appears at the head of the page:

Title: ‘Epigram | On Miss Mary Sleigh now Lady Brodie’ [not ‘Epigram.’] Mary Sleigh (b.1704) married Alexander Brodie, nineteenth of Brodie (16971754) on 3 September 1724. The STS editors state that this poem was sent to Sleigh’s mother with an undated letter (IV, p.175; see also VI, p.75; p.177), however, as IELM confirms, ‘the poem is not present in the draft of this letter’ in NLS 2233, f.40 (p.203). The next text in Poems (1728) commemorates Sleigh’s marriage to Brodie. 1. ‘Minerva,’ (NLS) [not ‘Minerva’]; ‘myrtle grove’ (NLS) [not ‘Myrtle Grove’] ‘Minerva’: Roman goddess of wisdom. 2. ‘Acosted’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘Accosted’] 3. ‘self’ (Hunt.) [not ‘self,’] 4. ‘power’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘Pow’r’]; ‘yeilds’ (Hunt.) [not ‘yields’]; ‘Maid,’ (NLS) [not ‘Maid:’] At this point, after the acrostic has spelled out ‘MARY’, the following doodle appears in the NLS MS:

5. ‘Seems’ (Hunt.) [not ‘seems’]; ‘Goddess’ (Hunt.) [not ‘Goddess,’] 6. ‘gives’ (NLS), ‘lends’ (Hunt.) [not ‘leads’]; ‘Beautys’ (NLS), ‘beauty’ (Hunt.) [not ‘Beauty,’]; ‘Eclipses’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘eclipses’] 7. ‘youth, I know says Venŭs’ (NLS), ‘youth I know, says Venus,’ (Hunt.) [not ‘Youth, I know (says Venus)’]; ‘me’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘me;’] ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. 8. ‘Imadiatly’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘Immediately’]; ‘speaks’ (Hunt.) [not ‘speaks,’]; ‘Thee’ (Hunt) [not ‘thee’] 9. ‘Palas’ (NLS, Hunt.) [not ‘Pallas’]; ‘thŭs’ (Hunt.) [not ‘thus’] ‘Pallas’: alternative name for Minerva, signifying wisdom. 10. ‘Cupid’: Roman god of love, often portrayed as the son of Venus. The NLS MS features a final doodle, which is located at the end of the text:

638

Notes to Poems 1728 On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh Text: Poems (1728). MSS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.38v), consisting of ll.1-12, hereafter ‘BL’; NLS (2233, ff.6-7), consisting of ll.13-54, hereafter ‘NLS’. As with ‘Health’, the MS for this poem appears to have been split in two; these two sections ended up in different repositories. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘The Northren Thane & Southren Nymph in Sacred Wedlock Joyn’ (BL) [not ‘On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh.’] Alexander Brodie of Brodie (1697-1754): son of George Brodie, seventeenth of Brodie (d. c.1716) and Emilia Brodie (d. c.1716), MP for Elginshire (1720-41), Caithness (1741-47) and Inverness Burghs (1749-54) and Lord Lyon King of Arms from 1727 until his death. In the 1740s, he was instrumental in procuring evidence against Jacobites, including Simon Fraser, eleventh Lord Lovat (c.1667-1747). Brodie married Mary Sleigh (b.1704) – the subject of Ramsay’s acrostic ‘Epigram’ – on 3 September 1724; they would go on to have seven children. 1. ‘young & Inocence’ (BL) [not ‘young, and Innocence’] 3. ‘no Law design’ (BL) [not ‘No mean Design’] 4. ‘friendly & truth’ (BL) [not ‘and Truth’] 5. ‘fraud’ (BL) [not ‘Fraud,’] 6. ‘Carrest with tenderest regard’ (BL) [not ‘carest with fond and chast Regard’] The BL MS has a cancelled line here: ‘Unlike the Rak’; further illegible cancelled lines are located between ll.7-8 as printed. 9. ‘keept’ (BL) [not ‘kept’] 10. ‘Chast connubial Love confound conspird Inspird’ (BL) [not ‘kind connubial Sweet conspir’d’] 11. ‘With health & with Smiling Quiet & Joyfull Health throw lif’ (BL) [not ‘With smiling Quiet and balmly Health throu’ Life’] 12. ‘husband & the Wife’ (BL) [not ‘Husband and Wife’] 13. ‘But Our’ (NLS) [not ‘Our’]; ‘Witts’ (NLS) [not ‘Wits’] 14. ‘with Spirits weak & wavering weak with poor degenerate minds’ (NLS) [not ‘With Spirits weak, and wavering Minds’] 15. ‘Poorlie’ (NLS) [not ‘poorly’] 16. ‘They Relish nought cannot Relish ought that binds’ (NLS) [not ‘They cannot relish aught that binds,’] 17. ‘Suck of a Let Libertines of tast so wonder Nice’ (NLS) [not ‘Let Libertines of Taste sae wond’rous nice’] 18. ‘Dispise Confinement even to be confind in Paradice’ (NLS) [not ‘Despise to be confin’d in Paradise’] 19. ‘dearest Lovely Lovely’ (NLS) [not ‘beauteous’] 20-22. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the NLS MS; the following appear in their place: Enjoys in by Love Below Tranquilly tak a last blow, 639

Poems Part of the Bless that love the Sky Of that pure Bless that love the Sky in fuller Rivers flow 23. ‘Oershades his Rising Joy’ (NLS) [not ‘to gloom upon his Joy’] 24. ‘possesion’ (NLS) [not ‘Possessing’] 25. ‘Charm Warm’ (NLS) [not ‘warm’] 26. ‘wer’ (NLS) [not ‘were’] 27. ‘mind shall mind could’ (NLS) [not ‘Mind could’] 28. ‘Beautys’ (NLS) [not ‘Beauties’] 29. ‘united in a full Blaze conspire with Strong force Inspirs’ (NLS) [not ‘with full Force inspire’] 30. ‘to kindle & Mentain Loves Lasting fire/the with Kindest Warmth from Loves most Lasting fire’ (NLS) [not ‘The warmest Wish, and the most lasting Fire’] 31. ‘Accomplish mate’ (NLS) [not ‘accomplish’d Mate’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘with chear Ravisht heart Rejoyce’. ‘Thane’: Brodie was nineteenth Chief of Clan Brodie, a title he took in 1720. 32. ‘rejoyes’ (NLS) [not ‘rejoice’] 33. ‘Happyness’ (NLS) [not ‘Happiness’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘The Wise approve your Choise’. 34. ‘think’ (NLS) [not ‘think,’]; ‘Choise’ (NLS) [not ‘Choice’] 36. ‘hers & her’s be Thine’ (NLS) [not ‘her’s, and her’s be thine’] 37. ‘Rejoyce Dear Mary’ (NLS) [not ‘Rejoice, dear Mary,’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘By Birth Chief of a Clan’. 38. ‘of all worthy his old Clan Antient’ (NLS) [not ‘of his brave ancient Clan’] 39. ‘Mind’ (NLS) [not ‘Soul’]; ‘Love & truth:’ (NLS) [not ‘Love and Truth,’] 40. ‘and in each light he’s placd, a man’ (NLS) [not ‘And view’d in every Light a Man’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘& in the Best Sence a Man’, alongside other illegible cancelled words. 41. ‘Liberal hand hae’ (NLS) [not ‘liberal Hand have’] 42. ‘Sence, True’ (NLS) [not ‘Sense, true’]; ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘even,’ (NLS) [not ‘even.’] The NLS MS has a cancelled stanza here: thus bound in Sacred tyes Love A Pair in Sacred By Wisdome & by Love Invite rich Blessings from the skyes and the Best favours from above 43. ‘Faith & Honour Wisdom’ (NLS) [not ‘Love and Reason’] 44. ‘A Pair in Tyes of Love’ (NLS) [not ‘An equal Pair in sacred Ties’] 45. ‘The Humane Bless is most complete’ (NLS) [not ‘They gain the humane Bliss complete’] 46. ‘And all the Powers supream approve’ (NLS) [not ‘And Approbation from the Skies’] 47. ‘still on’ (NLS) [not ‘upon’] 48. ‘your Cheifest favours to Lifes their Lonest hour’ (NLS) [not ‘The best of 640

Notes to Poems 1728 Blessings to their latest Hour’] 49-54. This stanza is numbered ‘9’ in the NLS MS: no other stanza is numbered. 50. ‘fleet’ (NLS) [not ‘fly’] 51. ‘Leave’ (NLS) [not ‘leave’] 52. ‘pair’ (NLS) [not ‘Pair’] 53. ‘Muse – who did ane answer’ (NLS) [not ‘Muse, who did an Answer’] 54. ‘happyness their fate’ (NLS) [not ‘Happiness their Fate’] The poem ends with Ramsay’s doodle (NLS), placed after the last line:

To Josiah Burchet, Esq; On his being chosen Member of Parliament Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.137v), consisting of ll.1-24 only. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘To J. B. on his being E M P’ (MS) [not ‘To Josiah Burchet Esq; On his being chosen Member of Parliament.’] Josiah Burchett (c.1666-1746): by this point Ramsay’s long-term associate, having written the poem which opened Ramsay’s Poems of 1721 as well as an ‘Explanation’ for Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy’. Burchet had been MP for Sandwich between 1705 and 1713; after reinstatement in 1722, he continued as MP until 1741. 1. ‘well pleasd My Burchetts Name well pleasd’ (MS) [not ‘My Burchet’s Name! well pleas’d,’] 2. ‘Chosen’ (MS) [not ‘chosen’] 3. ‘Brittania’ (MS) [not ‘Britannia’] 5. ‘Rest that fill the house’ (MS) [not ‘rest wha fill the House’] 8. ‘Glorious days’ (MS) [not ‘glorious Days’] 9. ‘patriot’ (MS) [not ‘Patriot’]; ‘mare Great’ (MS) [not ‘mair great’] 10. ‘heaps of ill won’ (MS) [not ‘Heaps of ill win’] 11. ‘ane opŭlent’ (MS) [not ‘an opulent’] 12. ‘Clear’ (MS) [not ‘clear?’] 13. ‘litle’ (MS) [not ‘sneaking’]; ‘Money cash wad steak trok’ (MS) [not ‘Cash wad troke’] 14. ‘Countrey God or King’ (MS) [not ‘Country, GOD and King’] 15. ‘Vilain Mock’ (MS) [not ‘Villain mock’] 17. ‘pith’ (MS) [not ‘Pith,’] 19. ‘Truckling’ (MS) [not ‘truckling]; ‘Blew’ (MS) [not ‘blew’] 20. ‘Cow’ (MS) [not ‘cow’]; ‘Laigh & Clean’ (MS) [not ‘laigh and clean’] 21. ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘Down’] 22. ‘t’opose Brittanias right’ (MS) [not ‘Oppose the Nation’s Right’] 23. ‘fame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame’] 24. ‘in future times shine Bright’ (MS) [not ‘Throu’ future Times shine bright’] 641

Poems The General Mistake: A Satyre. Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable Lord Erskine Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, ff.1-4v), entitled ‘The Universall Mistake: A Satyr’ hereafter ‘MS1’; NLS (5200), hereafter ‘MS2’. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). MS2 carries an epigraph by the ‘Earl of Sterline’ which does not appear in other sources: yet all that I have Learnd, by Labour Past, by Long experience & in famous Schools is but to know my Ignorance at Last; who think themselves most wise, are greatest fools. Ramsay’s quotation is from William Alexander, second Earl of Stirling’s (d.1640) Recreations with the Muses (1637, p.7). As the variants demonstrate, MS1 is likely to be an early draft; MS2 is closer to the poem as printed in 1728. Title: ‘Lord Erskine’: judge and politician James Erskine of Prestongrange (c.1678-1754), son of Charles Erskine, fifth Earl of Mar (1650-89) and Lady Mary Maule. After education at Utrecht, Erskine joined the Faculty of Advocates in 1705. In the same year, he was appointed principal keeper of the signet. In 1706, Erskine was raised to the bench, taking the title of Lord Grange; in 1707, he became a Lord of Justiciary. By 1710, Erskine was Lord Justice Clerk, remaining in the position until the accession of George I. Although he played no part in the Jacobite rising of 1715, ‘he was never able to dispel strong suspicions – not least in the eyes of Sir Robert Walpole – that he maintained Jacobite connections and this, combined with personal weakness, dogged his political career’ (Richard Scott, ‘Erskine, James, Lord Grange’, ODNB). 1-8. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728) are missing from both MSS. 9. ‘ther’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘there’]; ‘or was ther ever ane from’ (MS1) [not ‘frae’] 10. ‘Judgement’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Verdict’]; ‘ther’s Nane’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘there’s nane’] 11. ‘wants five make’ (MS1), ‘wants, make’ (MS2) [not ‘Wants make’]; ‘Thousands’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘thousands’] 12. ‘Quarles grumbles with at’ (MS1), ‘quarles with’ (MS2) [not ‘quarrels’] 13. ‘Hou universall Proves’ (MS1), ‘Alace! hou Gen’ral prove’ (MS2) [not ‘Alas! how gen’ral prove’] 14. ‘in throw’ (MS1), ‘throw’ (MS2) [not ‘throu’’]; ‘Nibours’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Neighbours’]; ‘wakeness’ (MS1), ‘failings (MS2) [not ‘Failings’] 15. ‘then’ (MS1) [not ‘then,’]; ‘spite’ (MS1) [not ‘Spite,’] 16. ‘worse’ (MS1) [not ‘warse’] 17. ‘then Impartial Satyr’ (MS1) [not ‘then, Impartial Satyre,’] 18. ‘Station sex & age’ (MS1), ‘Station, sex, & age’ (MS2) [not ‘Station, Sex, and Age’] 19. ‘foly’ (MS2) [not ‘Folly’]; ‘Hide’ (MS1) [not ‘hide’]; ‘Persons’ (MS1), ‘persons’ (MS2) [not ‘Person’s’] 20. ‘for’ (MS1) [not ‘Since’]; ‘folows’ (MS2) [not ‘follows’]; ‘Publick’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘publick’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘’Tis silent self conviction which can bind’ 21. ‘Cammly’ (MS1) [not ‘calmly’] 22. ‘Scandall’ (MS1) [not ‘Scandal’] 642

Notes to Poems 1728 23. ‘Nor in the Lift let these Poor things appear’ (MS1), ‘Nor in the Lift Let these poor Things appear’ (MS2) [not ‘Proceed, but in the Lift, poor things forbear’] 24. ‘Humane Shape’ (MS1), ‘Humane form’ (MS2) [not ‘humane Form’] 25. ‘animated,’ (MS2) [not ‘animated’]; ‘Heavenly flar fire’ (MS1), ‘Heavenly fire’ (MS2) [not ‘heavenly Fire’] 26. ‘Saul’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Soul’]; ‘boundles’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘boundless’]; ‘thoughts’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Thoughts’] 27. ‘Claim move’ (MS1) [not ‘move’]; ‘pity’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Pity,’]; ‘bears the (MS1) [not ‘is to’] 28. ‘Its’ (MS1) [not ‘’Tis’]; ‘Foolls’ (MS1) [not ‘Fools,’]; ‘somthings’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘some things’]; ‘wise’ (MS1) [not ‘wise,’]; ‘Satyr’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Satyre’] 29. MS1 has several cancelled and illegible words in this line. ‘Nugator’ (MS1), ‘Nugator:’ (MS2) [not ‘Nugator,’] ‘Nugator’: an empty-headed or frivolous person; a trifler. 30. ‘features’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Features’]; ‘een’ (MS1) [not ‘Een’] 31. ‘Eybrows’ (MS1) [not ‘Eye-brows’]; ‘sink;’ (MS2) [not ‘sink,’] 32. ‘gŭess,’ (MS1), ‘guess,’ (MS2) [not ‘guess’] 33. ‘and’ (MS1) [not ‘Even’]; ‘does’ (MS1) [not ‘does,’] 34. ‘five’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘five,’]; ‘does’ (MS1) [not ‘does,’] 35. ‘red’ (MS1), ‘Read’ (MS2) [not ‘read’]; ‘Latine folios’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Latin Folio’s’]; ‘Thick’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘think’] 36. ‘Quick’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘quick’] 37. ‘he Loves’ (MS1) [not ‘Delights’]; ‘advice’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Advice’] 38. ‘he much admires you’ (MS1) [not ‘Admires your Judgement’]; ‘Judgment’ (MS2) [not ‘Judgement,’]; ‘Wise’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘wise’] 40. ‘by’ (MS1) [not ‘with’] 41. ‘him,’ (MS2) [not ‘him’]; ‘argument’s intirely Lost is Thrown’ (MS1) [not ‘Argument is thrown’] 42. ‘will’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘will,’]; ‘say,’ (MS2) [not ‘say:’] 43. ‘himsell’ (MS1) [not ‘himsell,’]; ‘&’ (MS1) [not ‘and’]; ‘curantly runs oer’ (MS1), ‘courantly runs o’er’ (MS2) [not ‘currently runs o’er’] 45. ‘Jaws & tyred wearyed tongue’ (MS1), ‘Chafts Jaws & tyrd Tongue’ (MS2) [not ‘Jaws and tired Tongue’] 46. ‘oponent’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Opponent’]; ‘rests’ (MS2) [not ‘rests,’] 47. ‘solem’ (MS1) [not ‘solemn’]; ‘Trifler know’ (MS1), ‘Trifler – ken’ (MS2) [not ‘Trifler, – ken’]; ‘dispisd’ (MS1) [not ‘despis’d’] 48. ‘Wisdom’ (MS1) [not ‘Wisdom,’]; ‘Nothing’ (MS1), ‘naithing’ (MS2) [not ‘nathing’] 49. ‘such who’ (MS1) [not ‘sic as’]; ‘with ane unruffled mind ther notions fause decline allow themselves to yield’ (MS1) [not ‘their Notions fause decline’] 51. ‘Thou Hated Hatefulls mass of dull conceits the flow of Language only & frets words’ (MS1) [not ‘How hatefull’s dull Opinion! prop’d with Words’] 52. ‘Sence’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘sense’] 53. ‘Tyresom’ (MS1), ‘tyrsom’ (MS2) [not ‘tiresome’]; ‘Laught’ (MS1), ‘Laugh,’ (MS2) [not ‘laugh,’] 54. ‘ye say’ (MS1) [not ‘thou says’]; ‘says,’ (MS2) [not ‘says’]; ‘Seem pass’ (MS1) 643

Poems [not ‘pass’] 55. ‘Eyes’ (MS1) [not ‘Eye’]; ‘to you willd mortall smooth smiles villano next neist next’ (MS1) [not ‘to smooth Chicander next’] 56. ‘sence’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Sense’]; ‘humour’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Humour’] 57. ‘but,’ (MS2) [not ‘But’]; ‘seems’ (MS1) ‘Seems –’ (MS2) [not ‘seems:—’]; ‘Envy Malice Guile’ (MS1) [not ‘Envy, Malice, Guile’] 58. ‘such Low vices croud’ (MS1), ‘vices croud’ (MS2) [not ‘sic base Vices, crowd’] 59. ‘does’ (MS1) [not ‘can’]; ‘thoughts’ (MS2) [not ‘Thoughts’] 60. ‘and he’ (MS1) [not ‘He’]; ‘end’ (MS1), ‘end,’ (MS2) [not ‘End:’] 61. ‘no’ (MS1) [not ‘No,’]; ‘Boast,’ (MS1), ‘Brag’ (MS2) [not ‘Brag;’] 62. ‘a Pawky Plot’ (MS1), ‘Triumphs’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘triumphs’]; ‘Bitt’ (MS1), ‘Bit’ (MS2) [not ‘bit’] 63. ‘ye Villain’ (MS1), ‘ye Villain Chicander’ (MS2) [not ‘Chicander’]; ‘crawling litle Arts creeping slights’ (MS1), ‘Creeping slights’ (MS2) [not ‘creeping Slights’] 64. ‘is a friend to truth & Right in sincerity delights’ (MS1) [not ‘in Sincerity delights’] 65. ‘Blinded’ (MS1) [not ‘sumphish’]; ‘penetration’ (MS2) [not ‘Penetration’] 66. ‘&’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘and’]; ‘Cunning’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘cunning’] 67. ‘ye have ther is’ (MS1) [not ‘there is’]; ‘desert’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Desert’] 68. ‘imploying’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘employing’]; ‘all’ (MS1) [not ‘a’’] 69. ‘superiour clearer’ (MS1) [not ‘clearer’]; ‘sence’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Sense’] 71. ‘Humane’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘humane’] 72. ‘with in’ (MS1) [not ‘in’]; ‘Bright’ (MS1) [not ‘bright’]; ‘& Blind’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘and blind’] 73. ‘This’ (MS2) [not ‘this’]; ‘twa face fawse-face’ (MS1), ‘fause-face’ (MS2) [not ‘fause Face,’] 74. ‘just Strict’ (MS1) [not ‘strict’]; ‘Plain’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘plain’]; ‘dealer’ (MS1) [not ‘Dealer,’]; ‘much in Love with who delights in over stretching Truth truth’ (MS1) [not ‘aft o’er stretching Truth’] 75. ‘Severely sour’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Severely sowr,’] 76. ‘Least Mistake’ (MS1), ‘Least wrang step’ (MS2) [not ‘least wrang Step’] 77. ‘in those he over rates’ (MS1), ‘in them, he over-rates’ (MS2) [not ‘in them he over-rates’] 78. ‘they’re are’ (MS1) [not ‘they’re’]; ‘pitty’d’ (MS1), ‘Pitty’d’ (MS2) [not ‘pitied’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘he dounright rails & scalds’. 79. ‘here his Lyes mistake his his weakest side’ (MS1) [not ‘Here his Mistake, his weakest Side’] 80. ‘pices’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Pieces’]; ‘Tears’ (MS1), ‘tears,’ (MS2) [not ‘tears;’] 81. ‘Quarter’ (MS1) [not ‘Quarter,’]; ‘high nor’ (MS1) [not ‘nor’] 82. ‘Beauty’s guard is vain Lays at a’’ (MS1) [not ‘Beauty guards in vain; he lays at a’’]; ‘Vain,’ (MS2) [not ‘vain;’] 83. ‘humour’ (MS1) [not ‘Humour,’]; ‘oer its’ (MS1) [not ‘o’er due’] 84. ‘to’ (MS2) [not ‘too’]; ‘many’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘mony’]; ‘wounds’ (MS1), ‘wounds:’ (MS2) [not ‘wounds;’] 85. ‘Croud’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Crowd’] 86. ‘joyntly’ (MS1), ‘Joyntly’ (MS2) [not ‘jointly’]; ‘Rail’ (MS1) [not ‘rail’]; ‘alloud’ (MS1) [not ‘aloud’] 644

Notes to Poems 1728 87. ‘and shun the wasp as much’ (MS1) [not ‘And as much’]; ‘&’ (MS2) [not ‘and’]; ‘Bitter’ (MS1) [not ‘bitter’] 88. ‘woud’ (MS1) [not ‘wad’] 89. ‘drap thy surlyness betimes’ (MS1); ‘faults’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Faults’] 90. ‘always’ (MS1) [not ‘ever’] 91. ‘yet this but this tho thus’ (MS1), ‘tho thŭs’ (MS2) [not ‘Tho’ thus’]; ‘vaut’ (MS1) [not ‘vaunt’] 92. ‘wormwood’ (MS1), ‘Wormwood’ (MS2) [not ‘Worm-wood’]; ‘o’t’ (MS1) [not ‘o’t,’]; ‘we dispise speaks it strait a want’ (MS1) [not ‘speaks a Want’] 93. ‘folly’ (MS1), ‘foly’ (MS2) [not ‘Folly’]; ‘will shall’ (MS1) [not ‘will’] 94. ‘advance your sence &’ (MS1), ‘Increase in Wit &’ (MS2) [not ‘increase in Wit, and’] 95. ‘way there’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Way there,’]; ‘Majestrate’ (MS1), ‘Earthfou God Magestrate * A Mortall God’ (MS2) [not ‘a mortal God’] 96. ‘Laugh –’ (MS1), ‘Laugh?’ (MS2) [not ‘laugh?’]; ‘had wore such Ears’ (MS1) [not ‘wore sic Ears’] ‘Midas’: king of Phygria known for his greed and stupidity. 97. ‘well he Looks wise and wise he looks’ (MS1), ‘how wise he Looks?’ (MS2) [not ‘How wise he looks?’]; ‘would wad he nothing says never speak’ (MS1) [not ‘wad he never speak’] 98. ‘folk people’ (MS1) [not ‘People’] 99. ‘ah’ (MS1), [not ‘ah!’]; ‘fancys’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘fancies,’]; ‘he’ (MS2) [not ‘he’s’] 100. ‘furd’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘furr’d’]; ‘Goun’ (MS2) [not ‘Gown’]; ‘from’ (MS1) [not ‘frae’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘Sae he Presumes assumes t’himsell annither air’. 101. ‘he’ (MS1) [not ‘he,’]; ‘Paughty Phrase with affectation & Lordly Glooms’ (MS1), ‘Paughty Air & Lordly Glooms’ (MS2) [not ‘paughty Mien, and lordly Glooms’] 102. ‘Coarse’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘vile’]; ‘air not his’ (MS1) [not ‘Air, not his,’] 103. ‘moves stalks sifly’ (MS1) [not ‘Stawks stifly’]; ‘bye’ (MS1), ‘bye,’ (MS2) [not ‘by,’]; ‘and scarcley yields a Not’ (MS1) 105. ‘Yet’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Yet,’]; ‘ther’ (MS1), ‘their’ (MS2) [not ‘there’]; ‘eer’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘e’er’] 106. ‘himsell’ (MS1), ‘himsell,’ (MS2) [not ‘himsell;’]; ‘and’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘and,’] 107. ‘ye Nane’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘you, Nane’]; ‘and Dummi canna winna Lie fy! can Lie!’ (MS1) [not ‘Will Judges tell a Lie?’] a Dummie Lie 108. ‘Since worthy Satyre drap him & Ye’r servant Judge – we drap ye to observe’ (MS1) [not ‘But let him pass, and with a Smile observe’]; ‘Pass –’ (MS2) [not ‘pass,’] 109. ‘Shadow’ (MS1) [not ‘Shadow,’]; ‘allmaist’ (MS1) [not ‘almaist’] 110. ‘Proud’ (MS1) [not ‘proud’]; ‘ingyne’ (MS1) [not ‘Ingine’] 111. ‘Author’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Author,’] 112. ‘fine’ (MS1) [not ‘fine,’]; ‘faith’ (MS1), ‘faith!’ (MS2) [not ‘Faith!’]; ‘head’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Head’] 113. ‘Can not’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Cannot’]; ‘Read’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘read’] 114. ‘this –’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘this; —’]; ‘rage’ (MS2) [not ‘Rage’] 645

Poems 115. ‘dullness’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Dulness’] 116. ‘unpayed –’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘unpaid. –’] 117. ‘Coppys’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Copies’]; ‘Long’ (MS1) [not ‘lang’] 118. ‘wad that not fret a Wise & Learned Mind’ (MS1) [not ‘And wad not that sair fret a learned Mind’]; ‘Learned’ (MS2) [not ‘learned’] 119. ‘Se’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘see’]; ‘prove be’ (MS1) [not ‘be’]; ‘so’ (MS1) [not ‘sae’] 120. ‘so much’ (MS1), ‘Mekle’ (MS2) [not ‘meikle’] 121. ‘Business sleep & wast of Brains’ (MS1), ‘Business, Sleep, and Wast of Brains;’ (MS2) [not ‘Bus’ness, Sleep, and waste of Brains?’] 122. ‘nought’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘nought,’]; ‘vily’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘vilely’]; ‘usd at stool’ (MS1) [not ‘us’d,’] 123. ‘byers have Refusd’ (MS1) [not ‘Buyers have refus’d’] In MS2, two cancelled, illegible lines are located between ll. 123 and 124. In MS1, ll.124-29 are printed at the end of the draft, on f.4v; ll.130-31 are missing in this MS. 124. ‘Dear Billy Author harken to advice to advice give heed’ (MS1) [not ‘Ah! Fellow Lab’rers for the Press, take heed’]; ‘Ah’ (MS2) [not ‘Ah!’]; ‘Laborours’ (MS2) [not ‘Lab’rers’] 125. ‘forcena’ (MS1), ‘forcenae’ (MS2) [not ‘force nae’]; ‘fame’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Fame’]; ‘way’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Way,’] 126. ‘mŭst’ (MS1) [not ‘must’]; ‘no’ (MS1) [not ‘nae’] 127. ‘displeasd’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘displeas’d,’]; ‘ye’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘we’]; ‘Grudge’ (MS2) [not ‘grudge’] 128. ‘happyly’ (MS1), ‘happylie’ (MS2) [not ‘happily’] 129. ‘Bauldly’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘bauldly’]; ‘on your’ (MS1) [not ‘your’]; ‘Pegasus & ride’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Pegasus, and ride’] ‘Pegasus’: winged horse of Greek mythology often portrayed as the Muses’ steed which bears poets on flights of literary inspiration. 130. ‘Value, your sell,’ (MS2) [not ‘Value your sell’] 131. ‘fire’ (MS2) [not ‘Fire’] 132. ‘Pen-Man’ (MS1) [not ‘Penman’]; ‘gayer’ (MS1) [not ‘bluffer’] 133. ‘twixt his Best twa friends that Lŭl’ (MS1) [not ‘’tween this twa best Friends that lull’]; ‘friends’ (MS2) [not ‘Friends’] 134. ‘Baith Pockets, wirth thre’ (MS1), ‘baith Poutches – with three’ (MS2) [not ‘baith Pouches – with three’] 135. ‘Bill’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Bill,’]; ‘Peruvian’ (MS1) [not ‘the Indian’] 136. ‘Lends & changes’ (MS1) [not ‘changes,’]; ‘& Grips’ (MS1), ‘& grips’ (MS2) [not ‘and grips’] 137. ‘turn’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Turn’]; ‘gainfu’ (MS1), ‘gainfou’ (MS2) [not ‘gainfu’’]; ‘usery’ (MS1), ‘use’ry’ (MS2) [not ‘Us’ry’] 138. ‘gaind won’ (MS1), ‘won’ (MS2) [not ‘won,’]; ‘pretence &’ (MS1) [not ‘Pretence and’] 139. ‘mekle’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘meikle’]; ‘hell’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Hell’] 140. ‘Lang hame’ (MS1), ‘Lang-hame’ (MS2) [not ‘lang Hame’]; ‘this’ (MS2) [not ‘This’] 141. ‘Imence’ (MS1), ‘Imense’ (MS2) [not ‘immense’]; ‘riches’ (MS2) [not ‘Riches’] 142. ‘Honour and Lear’ (MS1) [not ‘Lear,’]; ‘Virtue’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Vertue,’]’ 646

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘all’ (MS1) [not ‘sic’] 143. ‘he Looks upon as’ (MS1) [not ‘To him appear but’]; ‘Idle’ (MS2) [not ‘idle’] 144. ‘fitt’ (MS2) [not ‘fit’] 145. ‘&’ (MS1) [not ‘and’]; ‘Golden’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘golden’]; ‘ends’ (MS1) [not ‘Ends’] 146. ‘Vile wretch avant, & Gentlemen Take care’ (MS1) [not ‘Send for him, Deel! – till then, good Men, take care’]; ‘Deel’ (MS2) [not ‘Deel!’] 147. ‘ye’ (MS1) [not ‘to’]; ‘hook &’ (MS1), ‘Hook &’ (MS2) [not ‘Hook and’] 148. ‘Pity Rewth’ (MS1), ‘Rewth’ (MS2) [not ‘Rewth,’] 149. ‘for coin he’ll Cap & Horn & squeez & flay’ (MS1) [not ‘He’ll draw, indorse, and horn to Death his Prey’]; ‘Indorse’ (MS2) [not ‘indorse’]; ‘Horn to death’ (MS2) [not ‘horn to Death’] 150. ‘Pushes’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘pushes’] 151. ‘&’ (MS1) [not ‘and’] 152. ‘bestowd –’ (MS1), ‘bestowd’ (MS2) [not ‘bestow’d,’]; ‘man’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Man’]; ‘a man to think a man to pass’ (MS1) [not ‘a Man to pass’] MS1 has a cancelled phrase here: ‘himself a Sage’. 153. ‘thinking that’s ane ass’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘thinking, that’s an Ass’] 154. ‘wights Skybalds’ (MS1) [not ‘Skybalds,’]; ‘far less’ (MS1) [not ‘less of’] 155. ‘Guadiamus’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Guadeamus,’] ‘gratis Guadeamus’: ‘freely rejoice’. 156. ‘attentive’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘attentive,’]; ‘and a forcd up smile ready all about’ (MS1) [not ‘ready all about,’] MS1 has a cancelled phrase here: ‘aggree to all the’. 159. ‘know’ (MS1) [not ‘ken’]; ‘Time’ (MS1) [not ‘time’] 160. ‘such’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘sic’] 161. ‘his these’ (MS1) [not ‘these’]; ‘press grows’ (MS1) [not ‘grows’] MS1 has a cancelled phrase here: ‘while fresh his’ 162. ‘told;’ (MS1), ‘tald –’ (MS2) [not ‘tald. –’]; ‘Stream’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Stream,’] ‘Lethe’: one five rivers of the underworld of Hades, according to Greek mythology; known as the river of forgetfulness, those who drank from Lethe experienced a loss of memory. 163. ‘and the patron shine that he again may shine’ (MS1) [not ‘that he again may shine.’] 164. ‘dear Satyr’ (MS1), ‘fy Satyr’ (MS2) [not ‘Fy! Satyre!’]; ‘hold’ (MS1) [not ‘hald’]; ‘Peace!’ (MS1), ‘Tongue!’ (MS2) [not ‘Tongue,’]; ‘to’ (MS1) [not ‘too’] 165. ‘I think seems sae’ (MS1) [not ‘seems sae’] 166. ‘Poet Bare &’ (MS1), ‘Poet bare &’ (MS2) [not ‘Poet bare and’] 168. ‘ther’s’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘sence’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘sense’] 169. ‘&’ (MS1) [not ‘and’]; ‘worthy tunefull’ (MS1), ‘tunefull’ (MS2) [not ‘tuneful’] 171. ‘from dross’ (MS1) [not ‘frae Dross’] 172. ‘Imploy’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Employ’]; ‘freely’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘freely,’]; ‘wouldst thou Lawrells’ (MS1), ‘wouldst thou Laurells’ (MS2) [not ‘if thou’d Laurels’] 173. ‘the’ (MS1) [not ‘thee’] 174-79. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), appear as follows in MS1: The suspicious H—n & A—le Smile aprove at thy sang and Like thy canty Tale 647

Poems the Beautyous Een R—le & St—r C—s & H—d Q—y & A—l give sanction to thy Labours with a smile and with R—h s—t I—le & O—d & R—l I—a S—r [illegible] whose Bounty has & shall forbid thy care Blest with such Patr[illegible] crime 174. ‘Se’ (MS2) [not ‘see’]; ‘cause for dread’ (MS2) [not ‘Cause for Dread’] 175. ‘Gab’ (MS2) [not ‘Gab,’]; ‘head’ (MS2) [not ‘Head’] 176. ‘selfconceit’ (MS2) [not Self-conceit’] 177. ‘to acknowledge’ (MS2) [not ‘T’acknowledge’]; ‘Merit’ (MS2) [not ‘Merit,’] 178. ‘Reads –’ (MS2) [not ‘reads, –’]; ‘But’ (MS2) [not ‘but’]; ‘Beautys’ (MS2) [not ‘Beauties’] 179. ‘wher’ (MS2) [not ‘where’]; ‘faults’ (MS2) [not ‘Faults’] 180. ‘O Crits Learnd Versd in Aristoles Rules’ (MS1) [not ‘Much hated Gowk, tho’ vers’d in kittle Rules’]; ‘Hated’ (MS2) [not ‘hated’]; ‘Kitle’ (MS2) [not ‘kittle’] 181. ‘Thou frightfu wory-cow of writing fools’ (MS1) [not ‘To be a Wirry-kow to writing Fools’]; ‘fools’ (MS2) [not ‘Fools’] 182. ‘self’ (MS1) [not ‘sell’]; ‘Learnd’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘learn’d’] 183. ‘what’s cald’ (MS1) [not ‘the cauld’]; ‘&’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘and’] 184. ‘yet slightingly thoult of thy Betters speak’ (MS1) [not ‘Dar’st thou of a’ thy Betters slighting speak’]; ‘Darest’ (MS2) [not ‘Dar’st’] 185. ‘mekle’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘meikle’] 186. ‘Depth’s’ (MS1) [not ‘Depths’]; ‘ken’d’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘kend’]; ‘empty’ (MS1) [not ‘silly’] 188. ‘ye’ (MS1) [not ‘us’]; ‘lies’ (MS2) [not ‘Lies’] 189. ‘victories’ (MS1) [not ‘Vic’tries’]; ‘gaind’ (MS1) [not ‘won’]; ‘pleas’ (MS2) [not ‘Pleas’] 190. ‘ŭpstarts’ (MS1), ‘upstarts’ (MS2) [not ‘Upstarts’]; ‘care’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Care’] 191. ‘extract dscent’ (MS1), ‘descent’ (MS2) [not ‘Descent’]; ‘Gaws their Pride’ (MS1), ‘Gaws their pride’ (MS2) [not ‘gaws their Pride’] 192. ‘Kin’ (MS1), ‘kin,’ (MS2) [not ‘Kin,’]; ‘and make an endless faird’ (MS1) [not ‘and making endless Faird’]; ‘faird’ (MS2) [not ‘Faird’] 193. ‘gif that their Lucky’s cusin’s uncle’s Oy’s a Laird’ (MS1) [not ‘If that their Grany’s Uncle’s Oye’s a Laird’] 194. ‘Gramatick Gowks’ (MS1); ‘Scar Craws’ (MS2) [not ‘Scar-crows’]; ‘hen hearted’ (MS1) [not ‘Hen-hearted’]; ‘meanly Born’ (MS1), ‘& ye Meanly-born’ (MS2) [not ‘and ye meanly born’] 195. ‘are’ (MS1) [not ‘are,’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘natural defects are in themselves nae crime’. 196. ‘Give rules to words –’ (MS1), ‘Give rules to Labour in words –’ (MS2) [not ‘Labour in Words, –’]; ‘keep thy skin hale’ (MS1) [not ‘keep hale your Skins’]; ‘Skins,’ (MS2) [not ‘Skins:’] 197. ‘well’ (MS1) [not ‘well,’]; ‘shal’ (MS1) [not ‘will’] 198. ‘thy’ (MS1) [not ‘your’]; ‘now satyr pray the mark’ (MS1) [not ‘Walk aff, 648

Notes to Poems 1728 till we remark’] 199. ‘litle’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘little’]; ‘man wight’ (MS1) [not ‘Wight,’ 201. ‘with his’ (MS1) [not ‘His’]; ‘out’ (MS2) [not ‘out,’]; ‘haunch his hand’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Haunch his Hand’] 202. ‘Beats time’ (MS1) [not ‘beats Time’]; ‘ane’ (MS1) [not ‘a’’] 203. ‘all’ (MS1) [not ‘a’’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘he’ll talk yon Poor Man sick’. 204. ‘Prowd’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘proud’]; ‘allmaist’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘almaist’] MS1 has a cancelled phrase here: ‘with silly nonsense’. 206. ‘who is obliged’ (MS1) [not ‘wha is oblig’d’]; ‘somtimewhile to attend’ (MS1) [not ‘sometime t’ attend’] 108. ‘Jack Daw’ (MS1), ‘Jack daw’ (MS2) [not ‘Jack-daw’]; ‘its’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘’tis’] 209. ‘Vongue’ (MS1) [not ‘Tongue’]; ‘Please’ (MS2) [not ‘please’] 210. ‘all a’’ (MS1) [not ‘a’’]; ‘Mankind’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Mankind,’] 212. ‘Least’ (MS2) [not ‘Lest’]; ‘should’ (MS1) [not ‘shou’d’] 213. ‘hearers’ (MS1), ‘hearers Readers’ (MS2) [not ‘Readers’]; ‘breath’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘breathe’] 214. ‘and if’ (MS1) [not ‘If’]; ‘think allow’ (MS1) [not ‘allow’]; ‘Pictures’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Pictur’s’] 215. ‘more’ (MS1) [not ‘Mae’]; ‘Drawn’ (MS1), ‘drawn,’ (MS2) [not ‘drawn;’]; ‘originalls’ (MS1, MS2) [not ‘Originals’] The Phœnix and the Owl Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (Acc. 8479). Not printed prior to Poems (1728). The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Phénix et le Hibou, A la Reine de Prusse’ (Fables Nouvelles, Book V, Fable I). Title: ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] ‘Phoenix’: bird of classical mythology reputed to have lived for six hundred years in the Arabian Desert. It is said to have burned itself down to ashes on a funeral pyre before rising with renewed health and vigour. 1. ‘first’ (MS) [not ‘first,’] 2. ‘Cheif’ (MS) [not ‘Chief’]; ‘kind’ (MS) [not ‘Kind’] 4. ‘Sun’ (MS) [not ‘Sun,’]; ‘mind’ (MS) [not ‘Mind’] 5. ‘yet Mortall’ (MS) [not ‘Yet, mortal,’]; ‘yeild’ (MS) [not ‘yield’]; ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 6. ‘Summonds’ (MS) [not ‘Summons’] 7. ‘unalarmd’ (MS) [not ‘unalarm’d’]; ‘regret’ (MS) [not ‘Regret’] 8. ‘funerall’ (MS) [not ‘Fun’ral’] 9. ‘Howlet bird of mean degree’ (MS) [not ‘Howlet, Bird of mean Degree’] 10. ‘Poor dosend lame &’ (MS) [not ‘Poor, dosn’d, lame, and’] 11. ‘nighbouring’ (MS) [not ‘neighb’ring’] 12. ‘Cauld’ (MS) [not ‘cauld’] 13. ‘Phoenix Brother why so Griev’d’ (MS) [not ‘Phœnix, Brother, why so griev’d’] 649

Poems 14. ‘Ban’ (MS) [not ‘ban’]; ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘thee’] 15. ‘thou’ast’ (MS) [not ‘thou’st’] 16. ‘me ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘me, there’s’] 17. ‘that’ (MS) [not ‘that?’] 18. ‘Please Death is ane’ (MS) [not ‘will, Death is an’] 19. ‘Tryd’ (MS) [not ‘try’d’] 20. ‘will’ (MS) [not ‘Will’] 21. ‘you’ (MS) [not ‘you,’] 22. ‘ne’er Eelins with ye’ (MS) [not ‘Near Eeldins with the’] 23. ‘Tell’ (MS) [not ‘tell’] 24. ‘tyred and Inclined’ (MS) [not ‘tired, and incline’] 25. ‘sae’ (MS) [not ‘sae;’] 26-27. The MS has suffered damage at these lines. 28. ‘Hollow’ (MS) [not ‘hollow’] 29. ‘what’ (MS) [not ‘what,’] 31. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’] 33. ‘Come’ (MS) [not ‘Come,’]; ‘Die’ (MS) [not ‘die’] 34. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘thee’] 35. ‘flie’ (MS) [not ‘flee’] 36. ‘Poortith pain &’ (MS) [not ‘Poortith, Pain and’] 37. ‘darkness took delight’ (MS) [not ‘Darkness took Delight’] 38. ‘twangs of guilt’ (MS) [not ‘Twangs of Guilt’] 39. ‘Shunning light’ (MS) [not ‘shunning Light’] 40. ‘time flies’ (MS) [not ‘Time flees’]; ‘hast’ (MS) [not ‘haste’] 41. ‘servant Sir’ (MS) [not ‘Servant, Sir,’] 42. ‘lykna’ (MS) [not ‘likena’]; ‘dark’ (MS) [not ‘Dark’] 43. ‘cheil’ (MS) [not ‘Cheil’] 44. ‘certainty for howp’ (MS) [not ‘Certainty for Hope’] 45. ‘streight’ (MS) [not ‘straight’] 46. ‘aromatick nest retired’ (MS) [not ‘Aromatick Nest retir’d’] 47. ‘Colected’ (MS) [not ‘Collected’]; ‘wing’ (MS) [not ‘Wing’] 48. ‘Spicy flame’ (MS) [not ‘spicy Flame’] 49. ‘ther’ (MS) [not ‘there’]; ‘westlin gale’ (MS) [not ‘Westlin Gale’] 51. ‘pile’ (MS) [not ‘Pile’] 52. ‘hole’ (MS) [not ‘Hole’] 53. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 54. ‘ashes’ (MS) [not ‘Ashes’] 55. ‘night’ (MS) [not ‘Night’] 55-56. There is some damage to the MS at these lines. 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 Text: Poems (1728). MS: NRS (GD 18/4313). The IELM and STS editors note an additional MS, held in EUL’s Laing collection, but this is a calligraphic transcription of the NRS MS, and is therefore 650

Notes to Poems 1728 not included in our collation of holograph sources. First printed, probably in 1722, in a large, four-page edition. Only two copies have been traced: one in the NRS, where it is bound together with the MS; the second in New York Public Library (Berg Coll. 77-779). Title: Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second Baronet (1676-1755), friend and patron of Ramsay, mentioned throughout his corpus. Clerk was an advocate, politician and composer. He began practising law in 1700 and was MP for Whithorn between 1702 and 1707 and 1707-08, where he was Commissioner for the Union. From 1707 until his death in 1755, Clerk was Baron of the Exchequer of Scotland. Clerk married Lady Margaret Stewart (d.1701), daughter of the third Earl of Galloway and Lady Mary Douglas, in February 1701. Stewart died while giving birth to their son, John, in December 1701. This John Clerk (1701-22) is elegised in Ramsay’s poem. According to the STS editors, he had shown ‘great brilliance of intellect at Eton and Edinburgh University’ (VI, p.79). Given that he died in August 1722, it is highly likely that Ramsay’s four-page edition of the poem was published shortly afterwards. 2. ‘Loss’ (MS) [not ‘Deaths’]; ‘wound,’ (1722) [not ‘wound;’] 3. ‘weep you have too Just’ (MS) [not ‘weep, you have too just’] 4. ‘A Son, whom all, the Wise and Good,’ (MS) [not ‘A Son whom all the Good and Wise’] 5. ‘grace’ (MS) [not ‘Grace’]; ‘desir’d,’ (1722) [not ‘desir’d;’] 6. ‘High your Joyfull’ (MS) [not ‘high your joyful’] 7. ‘yield’ (MS) [not ‘yield,’] 8. ‘passions’ (MS) [not ‘Passions,’]; ‘Nod’ (MS), ‘nod;’ (1722) [not ‘nod:’] 9. ‘God?’ (1722) [not ‘God!’] 13. ‘Obtain’d’ (MS) [not ‘obtain’d’] 14. ‘Home to its Native’ (MS) [not ‘home to its native’] 15. ‘Happyness’ (MS) [not ‘Happiness’] 16. ‘Youth, like Eagles,’ (MS) [not ‘Youth like Eagles’] 18. ‘Others, throw Age, with Reptile Motion Creep’ (MS) [not ‘Others thro’ Age with reptile Motion creep’] 19. ‘fenny’ (MS) [not ‘Fenny’] 20. ‘Muddy pools’ (MS) [not ‘muddy Pools’]; ‘Stand’ (MS) [not ‘stand’] 21. ‘imerg’d’ (MS) [not ‘immers’d’] 22. ‘doun its flinty channell’ (MS) [not ‘down its flinty Channel,’] 25. ‘Son, whose fair unclouded’ (MS) [not ‘Youth, whose bright aspiring’] 26. ‘Ling’ring’ (MS) [not ‘lazy’] 27. ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘down’] 28. ‘Man so well, so soon’ (MS) [not ‘Man, so well, so soon’] 29. ‘Bless’ (MS) [not ‘Bliss’] 30. ‘Lasting’ (MS) [not ‘lasting’] 31. ‘ceast to roar’ (MS) [not ‘ceas’d to rore’] 32. ‘Broken’ (MS) [not ‘broken’]; ‘More’ (MS) [not ‘more’] 33. ‘Serenely view’d the Heavenly’ (MS) [not ‘serenely view’d the heavenly’] 34. ‘Obeying fate’s’ (MS) [not ‘obeying Fate’s’] 35. ‘fixt his Eyes on the Imortall’ (MS) [not ‘fix’d his Eyes on the immortal’] 36. ‘Crouding’ (MS) [not ‘Crowding’] 37. ‘Soŭtheska’s’ (MS) [not ‘Southeska’s’] 651

Poems ‘SOUTHESKA’s smiling Cherub’: James, Lord Carnegie, the son of James Carnegie, fifth Earl of Southesk and Lady Margaret Stewart, who had died aged eight; Ramsay commemorates his death in ‘Elegy On the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie’, also published in Poems (1728). In the note for this line Ramsay cites p. 46 (1728). 38. ‘Consort –’ (MS) [not ‘Consort,’]; ‘pleasures Shar’d’ (MS) [not ‘Pleasures shar’d’] ‘Garlies’: Anne, Lady Gairlies (d.1729), sister-in-law to James Carnegie, fifth Earl of Southesk. Her husband was Alexander Stewart, sixth Earl of Galloway (c.1694-1773), brother to Lady Margaret Stewart, Carnegie’s wife. Gairlies died in 1728 and is memorialised in Ramsay’s ‘An Ode Sacred to the Memory of the Right Honourable Anne Lady Gairlies’, also printed in Ramsay’s Poems (1728). In the note for this line Ramsay cites p. 49 (1728). 39. ‘Cunducting Him, where Virtue’ (MS) [not ‘Conducting him where Vertue’] 40. ‘hou’ (MS) [not ‘how’] 41. ‘woŭld,’ (MS) [not ‘would’] 42. ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 44. ‘Breast!’ (MS) [not ‘Breast,’] 45. ‘Him’ (MS) [not ‘him’]; ‘Blest.’ (MS) [not ‘Blest!’] 46. ‘youthfull’ (MS) [not ‘Youthful’] 47. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘Which’]; ‘Weakness’ (1722) [not ‘Weakness,’]; ‘Moan’ (MS) [not ‘moan’] 48. ‘Ours, to Him tis None’ (MS) [not ‘ours, he can have none’] 49. ‘Sailors, with a Crazy Vessel Crost’ (MS) [not ‘Sailors with a crazy Vessel crost’] 50. ‘Expecting, every Minŭte to be Lost’ (MS) [not ‘Expecting every Minute to be lost’] 51. ‘Suny’ (MS) [not ‘Sunny’] 52. ‘breath’ (MS, 1722) [not ‘breathe’] 53. ‘Cool’ (MS) [not ‘cool’] 54. ‘There’ (MS) [not ‘there’] 55. ‘would, after Death, to Bless’ (MS) [not ‘would after Death to Bliss’] 56. ‘Vicious passion’ (MS) [not ‘vicious Passion’] 57. ‘Croud, and at perfection’ (MS) [not ‘Crowd, and at Perfection’] 58. ‘Grieve’ (MS) [not ‘grieve’]; ‘Vain’ (MS) [not ‘vain’] 59. ‘good Old Age the Character Mentain’ (MS) [not ‘latest Age the Character maintain’]; ‘mantain’ (1722) [not ‘maintain’] On receiving a Letter to be present at the Burial of Mr. Robert Alexander of Blackhouse Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘Robert Alexander of Blackhouse’, son of Robert Alexander of Blackhouse and Boghall (b.1604) and Janet Henderson and Principal Clerk of the Court of Session. 652

Notes to Poems 1728 The Fair Assembly: A Poem Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (MS 567), autograph fair copy. IELM notes two further MS sources for ‘The Fair Assembly’: an autograph MS (numbered RaA 95 in IELM) ‘belonging to Greenock Burns Club’ (cf. Burnsiana 5 (1895), 3, 33), now lost; and a transcription, possibly by Alexander Pennecuik, ‘in a bound MS volume of “The Whole Works of Alexr Pennecuik Gent. Volume 2d”, dated 1723, followed by a poem in the same hand entitled “Edina’s glory: on The Fair Assembly: a poem by A. P.’ (IELM, p.207). As the NLS MS is the only extant copy in Ramsay’s hand, it alone is included in the list of variants below. First printed as The Fair Assembly, A Poem (Edinburgh, 1723). This edition features an epigraph on its title page which is not retained in Poems (1728): ——— ——— Jacobethia virgo Inchoat, & gestu cantum comitante figurat. Millæus. Miriam presiding o’er the Female Throng, Begins, and suits the Movement to the Song. Ramsay’s source for this quotation, taken from Antonius Millaeus’s Moyses Viator (1636-39), is likely to be John Weaver’s Essay Towards an History of Dancing (London, 1712, pp.60-62). The 1723 edition of ‘The Fair Assembly’ also features an introductory dedication: TO THE M A N AG E R S , Right Honourable LADIES, How much is our whole Nation indebted to your Ladyships for Your reasonable and laudable Undertaking to introduce Politeness amongst us, by a cheerful Entertainment, which is highly for the Advantage of both Body and Mind, in all this is becoming in the Brave and Beautiful; well forseeing that a barbarous Rusticity ill suits them, who in fuller Years must act with an Address superior to the common Class of Mankind; and it is undeniable, that nothing pleases more, nor commands more Respect than an easy, disingaged and genteel Manner. What can be more disagreeable, than to see one with a stupid Impudence saying and acting Things the most shocking amongst the Polite, or others (in plain Scots) blate and bumbaz’d, fyking how to behave, conscious of their own Want of Breeding, sit upon Nettles all the Time that their ill Luck throws them into good Company. Warm’d with these Reflections, and the Beautifulness of the Subject, my Thoughts have made their Way in the following Stanza’s, which, with Humility I beg Leave to present to Your Ladyships. ’Tis amazing to imagine, that any are so destitute of good Sense and Manners, as to drop the least unfavourable Sentiment against the FAIR ASSEMBLY. ’Tis to be owned, with Regrate, that the best of Things have been abused. The Church has been, and in many Countries is the chief Place for Assignations that are not warrantable. Wine, one of Heaven’s kindly Blessings, may be used to one’s Hurt. The Beauty of the 653

Poems FAIR, which is the great Preserver of Harmony and Society, has been the Ruin of many. Learning, which assists in raising the Mind of Man up to the Class of Spirits, has given many a one’s Brain a wrong Cast. So Places design’d for healthful and mannerly Dancing, have, by People of an unhappy Turn, been debauch’d by introducing Gaming, Drunkenness and undecent Familiarities. But will any argue from these, that we must have no Churches, no Wine, no Beauties, no Literature, nor Dancing? Forbid it Heaven! Noble and worthy Ladies, whatever is under Your auspicious Conduct must be improving and beneficial in every Respect. May all the fair Daughters copy after such virtuous and delightful Patterns, as You have been and continue to be: That You may be long a Blessing to the rising Generation, is the sincere Prayer of, May it please your Ladyships, Your most Faithful and Humble Servant, Edinr. June 28th, Allan Ramsay. 1723. Ramsay’s dedication is to the female managers – or ‘Directresses’ – of Edinburgh’s Assembly, a weekly gathering of the city’s elite in the new Assembly Rooms for social dancing. This was Edinburgh’s second dancing Assembly: the first was constituted in 1710 and disbanded at an unknown date. The Assembly about which Ramsay writes was founded in 1723 and was managed by five prominent aristocratic women: Lady Margaret Maule (née Hamilton), Countess of Panmure (1668-1731), Elizabeth Hay (née Seton), Lady Drumelzier (b.1668), Margaret Hamilton (née Hamilton), Lady Orbiston (b.c.1666), Katherine Pringle (née Johnston), Lady Newhall (d.1755) and Anne Dalrymple (née Horn), Lady North Berwick. As Ramsay’s dedication asserts, the Assembly suffered virulent opposition by Presbyterian commentators, including Patrick Walker (1666-1745), the Cameronian author of Six Saints of the Covenant: Peden, Semple, Wellwood, Cameron, Cargill, Smith (collected and republished in 1901) and Adam Petrie, author of Rules of Good Deportment, or of Good Breeding, for the Use of Youth (1720), who saw the Assembly’s dancing as scandalously indecent. For a full account of Edinburgh’s Assembly, its Directresses and the networks revealed by Ramsay’s poem, see Rhona Brown, ‘Networks of Sociability in Allan Ramsay’s The Fair Assembly’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 46:2, pp.22-39. While the poem’s stanzas are not numbered in Poems (1728), they are numbered ‘I’ to ‘XXI’ in both the MS and the edition of 1723. Title: Both the MS and the edition of 1723 are titled ‘The Fair Assembly, A Poem in the Royal Stanza’. Ramsay explains the significance of the stanza form in a footnote to the 1723 edition, as follows: So called, being invented by James the First, King of Scots, whose incomparable Poem in these Measures will be admired as long as Images justly represented give Pleasure in flowing Numbers and sonorous Rhyme, when the Sense is disingag’d as if spoke in Prose. The Royal Stanza is now known to have been originated by Chaucer; however, 654

Notes to Poems 1728 in Ramsay’s time, it was thought to have been the invention of James I of Scotland (1394-1437), author of The Kingis Quair. Epigraph: the MS and 1723 edition feature the following epigraph, which is not retained when the poem is published in Poems (1728): Soon after them all dancing in a Row, The comely Virgins came with Girlands dight, As fresh as Flowers that in Green Meadows grow, When Morning Dew upon their Leaves doth light. The quotation is from Edmund Spenser’s (1552?-99) The Faerie Queene (1590), Book I, Canto XII, ll.55-58. 1. ‘Awake Thalia and defend’ (MS) [not ‘Awake, Thalia, and defend,’] ‘Thalia’: eighth Muse and one of the three Graces, who presides over comedy and pastoral poetry. 2. ‘Carolling’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘carolling’] 3. ‘Bony Care’ (MS) [not ‘bonny Care’] 5. ‘Hermony’ (MS) [not ‘Harmony’]; ‘force’ (MS) [not ‘Force’] 6. ‘bring’ (1723) [not ‘bring:’] 7. ‘Callidonian’ (MS) [not ‘Caledonian’] 10. ‘flesh’ (MS) [not ‘Flesh’] 11. ‘Keep them Hale & Clear’ (MS) [not ‘keep them hale and clear’] 12. ‘food’ (MS) [not ‘Food’] Footnote: from John Dryden’s ‘To My Honor’d Kinsman, John Driden’, ll.83-84. 13. ‘then but debate’ (MS) [not ‘Then, but Debate’] 15. ‘Humors’ (1723) [not ‘Humours’] 17. ‘Heavyness, and’ (MS) [not ‘Heaviness and’] 18. ‘Things’ (1723) [not ‘things’] 19. ‘lazy’ (1723) [not ‘Lazy’] 20. ‘Blae’ (MS) [not ‘blae’] 21. ‘alain’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘alane’] 22. ‘drugs’ (MS) [not ‘Drugs’] 23. ‘These’ (MS) [not ‘these,’] 24. ‘Sours’ (MS), ‘sour’ (1723) [not ‘sowr’]; ‘Shining’ (MS0 [not ‘shining’] 25. ‘prize –’ (MS), ‘Prize, –’ (1723) [not ‘Prize; –’] 27. ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘Fair’] 28. ‘And’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘And,’] 29. ‘Blate and Ackward’ (MS) [not ‘blate and aukward’] 31. Footnote: from John Locke (1632-1704); Ramsay’s source is likely to be Weaver’s History of Dancing, p.22. 33. ‘daylie’ (MS) [not ‘daily’] 34. ‘witt & sence’ (MS) [not ‘Wit and Sense’] 35. ‘Easylie’ (MS), ‘easilie’ (1723) [not ‘easily’] Footnote: from Weaver’s History of Dancing, p.24. 36. ‘Confidence.’ (1723) [not ‘Confidence?’] 37. ‘Qualifie’ (MS) [not ‘qualifie’] 38. ‘Rustick’ (MS) [not ‘rustick’] 39. ‘doubt a duty’ (MS), ‘Doubt a Duty’ (1723) [not ‘doubt a Duty’] 655

Poems 40. ‘offence’ (MS) [not ‘Offence’] The MS and 1723 edition feature three additional stanzas here which are not printed in Poems (1728): VI. Cease moody Mortals to reprove † What’s lawfu’, blyth and chaste; Its skaithless in a Dance to move, If gracefully exprest: Sacred and humane Laws approve, Then set your Minds to rest, Since the maist worthy seem to love The Fair Assembly best. VII. Mates mayna there in Mirkness meet, But midst a Bleez of Candle; Is that like saunt’ring on the Street, Like you wha Doxies dandle: Pray learn to be some mair discreet, And mince your mumb’ling Scandal, Subjects like them sae fair and sweet, It sets ye ill to handle. VIII. Gae hunt Diseases in the Dark, Dull Hippoc’s, and be civil; Pursue with Pith your Mid-night Wark, Be thresh’d, or thresh your Rival: Wha ettle at the Marriage Mark, Evites these Paths are evil; They keep alive the heav’nly Spark, * And ding auld Doctor Divel. † - - - - - Tempus saltandi Deinde redeunte Jipthacho Mitzpam in doman suam; ecce filia ejus exibat obviam ei cum tymphanis & cum choris. Adhuc œdificaturus sum te, œdificeris, virgo Israelis, adhuc ornabis te tymphanus tuis, & procedes cum choro ludentium. * This Line would require a long and learned Note, but I shall leave the Honour of it to some unborn Scaliger or Heinsius. The Latin quotation from Ramsay’s footnote is an allusion to Exodus 15:20: ‘And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dances.’ The second refers to Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484-1558), Italian doctor and philosopher, and Daniel Heinsius (1580-1655), prominent scholar and poet of the Dutch Renaissance, who wrote poetry in Latin and Dutch. 41. ‘His’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘Hell’s’]; ‘dung when equal pairs’ (MS) [not ‘dung,

656

Notes to Poems 1728 when equal Pairs’] 42. ‘togither’ (MS) [not ‘Together’]; ‘joyn’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘join’] 44. ‘wedlock’ (1723) [not ‘Wedlock’]; ‘bands’ (MS) [not ‘Bands’] 49. Footnote: a Latin translation of Genesis 1:28: ‘And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.’ 50. ‘love’ (MS) [not ‘Love’] 51. ‘heart’ (MS) [not ‘Heart’] 52. ‘Lovd’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d’] 53. ‘Blyth’ (MS) [not ‘blyth’] 54. ‘devotion’ (MS) [not ‘Devotion’] 55. ‘Draught’ (MS) [not ‘Draught,’] 56. ‘ound’ (MS) [not ‘own’d’] 57. ‘life’ (MS) [not ‘Life’] 58. ‘Easy’ (MS), ‘easy’ (1723) [not ‘easy:’] 59. ‘Then’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘Then,’] 60. ‘Or’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘E’er’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 61. ‘dumps or strife’ (MS) [not ‘Dumps or Strife’] 63. ‘Assembley wher ther’s rife’ (MS) [not ‘Assembly, where there’s Rife’] 64. ‘Virteous’ (MS), ‘virtuous’ (1723) [not ‘vertuous’] 66. ‘strains’ (MS) [not ‘Strains’] 67. ‘Beautys’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties,’]; ‘Likes’ (MS) [not ‘likes’]; ‘ruse’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘roose’] 68. ‘envious Blaw’ (MS) [not ‘Envious blaw’] 69. ‘task’ (MS) [not ‘Task’] 71. ‘Bellinda’ (MS) [not ‘Bellinda,’]; ‘Chuse’ (MS) [not ‘chuse’] The MS has a cancelled footnote at this line: ‘Borrow’d names are given only for the sake of distinction to write ones real name beneath a picture is refusd by every good master.’ 73. ‘Lilly Banks’ (MS) [not ‘Lilly-banks’] 75. ‘Wher’ (MS) [not ‘Where’] 77. ‘mouth wher’ (MS) [not ‘Mouth, where’] 78. ‘smiles’ (MS) [not ‘Smiles,’] 79. ‘& soft surprize’ (MS) [not ‘and saft Surprise’] 82. ‘Streight’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘Straight’]; ‘pine’ (MS) [not ‘Pine’] 83. ‘& Rubys’ (MS) [not ‘and Rubies’] 84. ‘Lovely features’ (MS) [not ‘lovely Features’] 85. ‘Gay & solid’ (MS) [not ‘Gay and Solid’] 87. ‘lips or feet’ (MS) [not ‘Lips or Feet’] 88. ‘appears seems’ (MS) [not ‘seems’]; ‘power divine’ (MS) [not ‘Power Divine’] 89. ‘Daphne’ (MS), ‘Daphne,’ (1723) [not ‘Daphne!’] 92. ‘Rising’ (MS) [not ‘rising’]; ‘Light:’ (1723) [not ‘Light.’] 93. ‘flowers’ (MS) [not ‘Flowers’] 95. ‘Beautys’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties’] 96. ‘Joyfu sight’ (MS) [not ‘joyfu’ Sight’] 97. ‘dress’ (MS) [not ‘Dress’] 99. ‘Steps throw’out the Dance’ (MS) [not ‘Steps, throu’out the Dance,’] 100. ‘Hermony’ (MS) [not ‘Harmony’] 657

Poems 101. ‘Sings’ (MS) [not ‘sings,’] 102. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 103. ‘happyness’ (MS) [not ‘Happiness’] 104. ‘to’’ (MS) [not ‘T’’] 106. ‘Hears’ (MS) [not ‘hears’] The MS has the following cancelled footnote at this line: ‘The Greatest Reason I heard once a merghite advance for his hatred at dancing was that the Deel & Witches shake a foot at their midnight meetings and that the said black gentleman leads the Ring with a Candle in a particular socket and wonderfull it is to think hou a candle shoud burn with its head doun in such a windy place, while he is cutting a caper with his Cloven Cloots—let the wisdom of this Reason answer for its veracity.’ ‘Merghite’: from the Scots ‘mergh’, meaning ‘marrow’, is a reference to the Marrow Controversy which followed the republication in 1718 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity (1645, 1649), believed to have been written by theologian Edward Fisher. A ‘Merghite’ is a ‘Marrow Man’, one of the twelve who objected to the condemnation of the book by the Scottish General Assembly. Prominent ‘Marrow Men’ included Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine. 107. ‘Loves arrows shields’ (MS), ‘Love’s Arrows Shields’ (1723) [not ‘Love’s Arrows, Shields’] 108. ‘she He’ (MS) [not ‘he’] 109. ‘Cheek wher Rosses free from stane’ (MS) [not ‘Cheek, where Roses free from Stain’] 110. ‘Beek’ (MS), ‘beek;’ (1723) [not ‘beek:’] 111. ‘unmingled’ (MS) [not ‘Unmingl’d’]; ‘lips’ (MS) [not ‘Lips,’]; ‘retain,’ (1723) [not ‘retain;’] 115. ‘throw’ (MS), ‘Throu’’ (1723) [not ‘Thro’’]; ‘torrents’ (MS) [not ‘Torrents’] 116. ‘design’d;’ (1723) [not ‘design’d:’] 117. ‘Brag & Toast of Witts &’ (MS) [not ‘Brag and Toast of Wits and’] 118. ‘wonder of mankind’ (MS) [not ‘Wonder of Mankind’]; ‘Manking,’ (1723) [not ‘Mankind;’] 119. ‘Blest repose’ (MS) [not ‘blest Repose’] 121. ‘Gayety yet Grave’ (MS) [not ‘Gayety, yet grave’] 122. ‘Allang’ (MS), ‘alang,’ (1723) [not ‘alang;’] 125. ‘Sourocks haflines fool haff knave’ (MS) [not ‘Sourocks, hafflines Fool, haf Knave’] 126. ‘wha’ (MS, with a cancelled, illegible footnote); ‘sang’ (MS) [not ‘Sang’] 127. ‘Stately’ (MS) [not ‘stately’] 129. ‘Hearts said I!’ (MS) [not ‘Hearts, said I,’]; ‘trouth’ (MS) [not ‘trowth’] 130. ‘forgoten’ (MS) [not ‘forgotten’] 131. ‘clame’ (MS), ‘claim,’ (1723) [not ‘claim;’] 132. ‘do tis Roten’ (MS) [not ‘do, ’tis rotten’] 133. ‘Thowless flame’ (MS) [not ‘thowless Flame’] 134. ‘sot’ (MS) [not ‘Sot’]; ‘ane;’ (1723) [not ‘ane:’] 135. ‘Humane frame’ (MS) [not ‘humane Frame’] 136. ‘begoten’ (MS) [not ‘begotten’] 137. ‘light’ (MS) [not ‘Light’] 140. ‘And features she’s all o’er’ (MS) [not ‘She’s all o’er’] 658

Notes to Poems 1728 141. ‘neck & waist & Limbs’ (MS) [not ‘Neck and Waist, and Limbs’] 143. ‘flocks’ (MS) [not ‘Flocks’] 144. ‘fled with him to Troy’: the relationship, in Greek mythology, between Paris and Helen, queen of Sparta. Helen is regarded as being one of the most beautiful women in the world; her elopement with Paris is seen as one of the causes of the Trojan War. 145. ‘Dances’ (MS), ‘dances,’ (1723) [not ‘dances;’] 147. ‘Inocence’ (MS) [not ‘Innocence’] 148. ‘bony’ (MS) [not ‘bonny’] 149. ‘green’ (MS) [not ‘Green’] 150. ‘Day,’ (1723) [not ‘Day;’] 152. ‘scepter’ (MS) [not ‘Scepter’] 153. ‘Lays Strathella Justana Calista can comend’ (MS) [not ‘Lays, Calista, can commend’] 154. ‘Beautys’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties’]; ‘face’ (MS), ‘Face,’ (1723) [not ‘Face!’] 156. ‘trace:’ (1723) [not ‘trace!’] 157. ‘Boon the Starns some Bard’ (MS) [not ‘boon the Starns, some Bard,’] 159. ‘recomend’ (MS) [not ‘recommend’] 160. ‘embrace’ (MS) [not ‘Embrace’] 161. ‘Seraph,’ (MS) [not ‘Seraph’] ‘Aikman’: Scottish portrait painter William Aikman (1682-1731). 162. ‘Lively’ (MS) [not ‘lively’]; ‘Wit,’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘Wit;’] 163. ‘Ideas features of a Happy’ (MS) [not ‘Features of a happy’] 164. ‘hit,’ (MS) [not ‘hit?’] 165. ‘Compliment’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘compliment’] 166. ‘fit,’ (1723) [not ‘fit?’] 167. ‘coppys’ (MS) [not ‘Copies’] 168. ‘Bright’ (MS) [not ‘bright’]; ‘Strathella Calista’ (MS) [not ‘Calista’] 169. ‘Her Charm’s Mella’ (MS) [not ‘Mella’]; ‘Heavyest’ (MS) [not ‘heaviest’] 170. ‘sourest’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘sowrest’]; ‘thoughts’ (MS) [not ‘Thoughts’] 171. ‘& ease’ (MS) [not ‘and Ease’] 173. ‘Active as the Eydent’ (MS) [not ‘active as the eydent’] 174. ‘reare’ (MS) [not ‘rear’]; ‘Cell,’ (1723) [not ‘Cell;’] 176. ‘her sell’ (MS), ‘Hersell’ (1723) [not ‘hersell’] 177. ‘Beautys on Beautys’ (MS) [not ‘Beauties on Beauties’] 178. ‘thick’ (MS) [not ‘thick,’]; ‘affraid’ (MS) [not ‘afraid’] 180. ‘Aid;’ (1723) [not ‘Aid:’] 181. ‘General’ (MS), ‘general’ (1723) [not ‘gen’ral’] 183. ‘somthing’ (MS), ‘something’ (1723) [not ‘Something’] The MS features an additional stanza here (numbered incorrectly in the MS as ‘XVII’; it should be XXVII), which is not included in the text of Poems (1728): Wha tends the Fair Assembly Ha’, Where nae By-Room is found, But Benches fix’d upon the Wa’ Where all are seen around; Nor stronger Liquors at your Ca’ Than sober Tea, that’s sound; 659

Poems Nor here ae Rake out Dice dare draw, To gi’e anes Purse a Wound. 186. ‘Rudest’ (MS) [not ‘rudest’]; ‘Betray’ (MS) [not ‘betray’] 187. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 188. ‘Cunduct’ (MS) [not ‘Conduct’]; ‘Healfu’ (MS), ‘healfu’’ (1723) [not ‘healthfu’’] 189. ‘appear’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘appear,’]; ‘Keek’ (MS) [not ‘keek’] 190. ‘Good’ (1723) [not ‘good’]; ‘Way’ (1723) [not ‘way’] 191. ‘Night soon as as’ (MS) [not ‘Night, soon as’] The MS features an additional stanza – numbered XXIX – here, which does not feature in print editions: They govern with a chearfu’ Air, And justly kind Regard, Pleas’d with the Success of their Care, They think their Pains well war’d: Thus they in the Diversion share, Viewing their springing Breard Of sprightly Lads and Virgins fair, Whom they delight to guard. 193. ‘E’nburgh’ (MS) [not ‘Ed’nburgh,’] 194. ‘friends’ (MS) [not ‘Friends’] 195. ‘minds’ (MS) [not ‘Minds’] 196. ‘cure,’ (1723) [not ‘cure;’] 197. ‘Generous’ (MS), ‘generous’ (1723) [not ‘gen’rous’]; ‘part &’ (MS) [not ‘Part and’] 198. ‘poor’ (MS) [not ‘Poor’]; ‘Poor;’ (1723) [not ‘Poor:’] 199. ‘Virtues’ (MS), ‘Virtues,’ (1723) [not ‘Vertues,’]; ‘well’ (MS, 1723) [not ‘right’] 200. ‘heart’ (MS) [not ‘Heart’] The MS and 1723 editions feature an additional stanza – numbered ‘XXXI’ – here, which is not reprinted in Poems (1728): Well may the Fair Assembly be, And may they blooming Spring, Ilk ane up to a fruitfu’ Tree, And forth brave Branches bring. Ladies, accept these Lays frae me, Whom Truth engag’d to sing, Wha threep the contrair, tell a Lie, Adieu, — GOD save the King. On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl, July 6th, 1724 Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, f.40v), an early draft of 26 lines; NLS (2033, 41v), draft of ll.71-90. Given that it differs greatly from the poem as printed in Poems (1728), the first MS draft given in full here, rather than being included in the collation below: 660

Notes to Poems 1728 Again the wheeling year returns the Day thats dedicate to Chearfulness & Play Let all who wear a sour Rebelious face This Day meet with derision & disgrace be shun’d as serpents wha would dart their stings 5 into the Royl breasts of Rightfull Kings who would like Hydra rise with many a head and in confusion lay all order dead But still be all true sons of Scotia Gay and solemnize with Manly rites the Day 10 now to the field ye Archers Brave repair and send the singing shafts throw yeilding air. first to the field the Royall Bow men bend with mirth & manly laits the Day to spend Contending as brave Romans did of old 15 not prompt by litle view or thrift of Gold But Warm’d with glory to obtain a prize a prize of honour makes their spirits Rise with Emulation generously they strive and toward the mark with well aimd vizy dryv 20 the hasty shafts—which willingly obey And fly for Laurells on the Chearfull Day to shed the Victors temples with a crown that gars him on Contentious Kings look doun while yeilding Bows twang honour to the fair 25 and singing Arrows praise her throw the air. The second MS features dividing lines, indicating Ramsay’s drafting of the poem’s form. As with the previous source, ll.71-90 on f.41v differ significantly from the text as printed in Poems (1728), and are given in full here: Brave vetran now in victorys Gray thou must thy Bow lay Doun Come let us plet a Lawrell Crown to vetrans Head to grace gae to the Garden then Bedeen the Rose & Lawrells Pow and plet a wreath of whyt & Green to busk the victors Brow. Ll.81-90 of the second MS source conform more closely with the text as printed in 1728 and are therefore included in the list of variants below. First printed in Health (1724), pp.57-60. The STS editors suggest that ‘a separate edition’ (VI, p.83) of the poem, which also features ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, marching under the Command of his Grace Duke of Hamilton’, can be found in New College Library, Edinburgh University: however, this is not a distinct printing, but simply pp.57-60 of Health (New College Library: Pamphlets Ab/6/25 (3b)). The 1724 edition features a five-line epigraph from Ramsay’s collection of older Scots poetry, The Ever Green, on its title-page, which is not retained in Poems (1728), as follows: 661

Poems In May frank Archers will affix A Place to meet, syne Marrows mix, To shoot at Buts, at Banks and Braes; At Revers sum, sum at the Pricks, Sum laigh, and too beneath the Claes. Ever Green, Vol. 2. Pag. 188. The quotation is from Alexander Scott’s (1525?-c.85) ‘On May’, as printed in Ramsay’s Ever Green, Vol. II, pp.186-89. Title: For details of the Royal Company of Archers, see ‘On seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’. According to Paul, ‘the prize of the silver Punch-bowl was instituted’ in 1720 (Paul, History of the Royal Company of Archers, p.61). James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton (1702/2-42/3): also the subject of Ramsay’s ‘Clyde’s Welcome to his Prince’, published in Poems of 1721. After education at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford, Hamilton returned to Scotland, gaining the rank of Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers in 1724, having been a member since late 1716. David Drummond: an Advocate who was appointed President of the Archers in 1713. Ramsay’s ‘Scot worthy Scot when you departed’, a poem addressed to Drummond, is found in MS in the BL (Egerton 2023, f.57) and remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime. 6. ‘Sow’rness pine:’ (1724) [not ‘Sowrness pine;’] 11. ‘While’ (1724) [not ‘While,’] 13. ‘Business’ (1724) [not ‘Bus’ness’] 16. ‘Glee:’ (1724) [not ‘Glee;’] 21. ‘Interest’ (1724) [not ‘Int’rest’] 22. ‘Grandure’ (1724) [not ‘Grandeur’] 23. ‘even’ (1724) [not ‘ev’n’]; ‘Faes;’ (1724) [not ‘Faes:’] 27. ‘Politicks,’ (1724) [not ‘Politicks;’] 28. ‘State;’ (1724) [not ‘State,’] ‘Issachar’: one of the twelve Biblical tribes of Israel, named after the fifth son of Jacob and Leah. 31. ‘Muse,’ (1724) [not ‘Muse;’] 32. ‘Come’ (1724) [not ‘Come,’]; ‘ruse’ (1724) [not ‘roose’] ‘Bruntsfield Green’: parkland on Edinburgh’s south side. 34. ‘Bow-men’ (1724) [not ‘Bowmen’] 36. ‘Sky.’ (1724) [not ‘Sky;’] 37. ‘etling’ (1724) [not ‘ettling’] 38. ‘artful’ (1724) [not ‘artfu’’] 40. ‘Hopes’ (1724) [not ‘hopes’] 43. ‘due,’ (1724) [not ‘due’] 44. ‘Renown,’ (1724) [not ‘Renown;’] 46. ‘Brow,’ (1724) [not ‘Brow’] 47. ‘Saint’ (1724) [not ‘St.’] ‘At. Andrew’s Bonnet blew’: the uniform of the Royal Archers from 1713; according to Paul, ‘They ultimately fixed upon a Stuart tartan for the coat, and resolved that the lining should be “of fine white shalloon, and white stockings, with a white linning bow-case, with a green worsted bob, and 662

Notes to Poems 1728 a blew bonnet with a St Andrew and a Coque of white and green ribbons”’ (Paul, History, p.52). 48. ‘Prize;’ (1724) [not ‘Prize:’] 51. ‘Day’ (1724) [not ‘Day,’] 52. ‘chose,’ (1724) [not ‘chose;’] 53. ‘divine’ (1724) [not ‘divine,’] 55. ‘princely Boy’: James Hamilton, sixth Duke of Hamilton (1724-58), son of James Hamilton and his first wife, Lady Anne Cochrane (1706/7-24). 57. ‘Birth-day in immortal Sang,’ (1724) [not ‘Birth-day, in immortal Sang’] 61. ‘Law,’ (1724) [not ‘Law;’] 68. ‘preside;’ (1724) [not ‘preside:’] 72. ‘away,’ (1724) [not ‘away’] 81. ‘Hail to the vetran Man wha with his Bow’ (MS) [not ‘The Victor crown, who with his Bow’] ‘Victor’: according to Paul, ‘whoever won the arrow three times in succession was originally entitled to keep it as his own property. This occurred for the first time in 1643, 1644, and 1649, when R. Dobie of Stonyhill was the successful competitor. He, however, we are informed by a memorandum in the burgh records, “for ye love and affection borne be to him to ye weell and standing of this burch, giftet and gave bak agane ye said silver arrow to Johne Calderwood, present baillie, in name and behalf of ye baillies, counsel, and communitie of ye same burch, to be keepit and used be thame at thair pleasour in time coming.”’ (Paul, History, p.306.) 82. ‘in springing youth and ardent Glow’ (MS) [not ‘In Spring of Youth and am’rous Glow’] 83. ‘a full haff Century syne’ (MS) [not ‘Just fifty Years sinsyne’] ‘fifty Years sinsyne’: the Archers’ rule, made in 1676, that every summer, ‘a Silver Arrow, Cup, or other Peice of Plate… shall be shot for’ (Paul, History, p.23). 84. ‘arrow’ (MS) [not ‘Arrow’] 85. ‘fame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame’] 86. ‘Lusters’ (MS) [not ‘Feats to’] 87. ‘every ilk’ (MS) [not ‘every’] 88. ‘observe,’ (1724) [not ‘observe’] 89. ‘Patern’ (MS) [not ‘Pattern’] 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 Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in the 1724 edition of Health. The STS editors state that a separate edition, featuring this poem and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’, is held in Edinburgh University’s New College Library: this pamphlet is in fact pp.61-64 of Health. Title: For details of the Royal Company of Archers and their contemporary leader the Duke of Hamilton’s involvement with the group, see ‘On seeing 663

Poems the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’ and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’. Epigraph: These lines appear to have been written by Ramsay, probably around the time he was appointed an honorary member and Bard of the Archers, in 1724. According to Paul, Apollo had particular significance for the Archers: ‘Among the nations of antiquity renowned for their skill in archery, the Scythians and the Persians stand pre-eminent. The Greeks were also well skilled in the use of the bow, the origin of which they attributed to Apollo’ (Paul, History, p.2). 1. ‘themselves’ (1724) [not ‘themsells’] 3. ‘Phebus’ (1724) [not ‘Phœbus’] ‘Phoebus’: Apollo as god of the sun. 6. ‘laves’ (1724) [not ‘leaves’] 7. ‘Shore’ (1724) [not ‘Shore,’] 8. ‘General Spirit inform’d the Whole’ (1724) [not ‘gen’ral Sp’rit inform’d the whole’] 9. ‘bonnyest’ (1724) [not ‘bonniest’]; ‘all’ (1724) [not ‘a’’] 10. ‘smile,’ (1724) [not ‘smile;’] 12. ‘Plain;’ (1724) [not ‘Plain,’] 13. ‘Bellona’: Roman goddess of war. 15. ‘Saint’ (1724) [not ‘Saint,’] ‘Guardian Saint’: St Andrew, whose cross appears on field argent in one of the Archers’ standards. 18. ‘Crown;’ (1724) [not ‘Crown,’] 20. This line is a translation of the Latin motto which appears on the Archers’ standard: ‘Nemo me impune lacessit’. 21. ‘Lyon’: the Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland, commonly known as the Lion Rampant, is the Royal Standard of Scotland; it also features on the Archers’ standard. 22. ‘Gambols’ (1724) [not ‘gambols’] 28. ‘The’ (1724) [not ‘Their’] 31. ‘is,’ (1724) [not ‘is’] 32. ‘Son,’ (1724) [not ‘Son’] ‘Philip’s Son’: Alexander III of Macedon (356-323BC), popularly known as Alexander the Great, the son and successor of Philip II. Alexander was a respected military commander regarded as having been undefeated in combat; he built an empire which covered large areas of Africa and Asia and ran from Greece to northern India. 38. ‘Those,’ (1724) [not ‘Those’] 40. ‘Bent;’ (1724) [not ‘Bent,’] 42. ‘shine.’ (1724) [not ‘shine:’] 46. ‘History’ (1724) [not ‘Hist’ry’] 47. ‘See’ (1724) [not ‘See,’] 48. ‘fly.’ (1724) [not ‘fly:’] 50. ‘Command,’ (1724) [not ‘Command;’] 51. ‘numerous’ (1724) [not ‘num’rous’] 53. ‘Chief’ (1724) [not ‘Chief,’] ‘Chief’: David Drummond, President of the Archers at this time; see also ‘On 664

Notes to Poems 1728 the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’. 55-56. These lines allude to an incident in Homer’s Odyssey: Mentor was a friend and adviser to Odysseus who was left in charge of Odysseus’s palace and his son, Telemachus, while Odysseus was fighting in the Trojan War. Pallas, the Greek goddess of wisdom alternatively known as Athena, appeared to Telemachus in disguise as Mentor, to encourage Telemachus to discover his father’s fate. 56. ‘Ulysses’ (1724) [not ‘Ulysses’’] 59. ‘inferiour’ (1724) [not ‘inferior’] 67. ‘Muse!’ (1724) [not ‘Muse,’]; ‘Fair:’ (1724) [not ‘Fair;’] 70. ‘behave.’ (1724) [not ‘behave;’] 73. ‘Youths,’ (1724) [not ‘Youths’]; ‘Arm’ (1724) [not ‘arm’] ‘Mars’: Roman god of war; ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. 74. ‘charm,’ (1724) [not ‘charm;’] To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford, Lord Peircy, President, and the rest of the Honourable Members of the Society of British Antiquarians. A Scots Ode Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, f.15v), consisting of stanzas 1-4; NRS (GD 18/4316 [1-2]), fair copy. First published as A Scots Ode. To the British Antiquarians (1726). Title: Algernon Seymour, Earl of Hertford (1684-1750), politician and soldier. He was MP for Marlborough from 1705 until 1708, and for Northumberland between 1708 and 1722, when he entered the House of Lords as Baron Percy. Seymour was the third President of the Society of Antiquaries of London, holding office between 1724 and 1750. The Society of Antiquaries of London was found in 1707. Its members debated all aspects of history, and the Society gathered a large collection of artefacts, artworks and manuscripts. In 1751, the Society was granted a Royal Charter for ‘the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries’. Ramsay’s poem is noted in the minute book for the Society (Vol. I, p.182, 2 February 1725). 1. ‘Hail to the Curious Learned Curious friends’ (NLS) [not ‘To Hartford and his learned Friends’]; ‘Hartford,’ (1726) [not ‘Hartford’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘deserve the smoothest during Lays’. 2. ‘Learning’ (NLS) [not ‘Science’] 3. ‘his complements a Poet sends’ (NLS) [not ‘A Scottish Muse her Duty sends’]; ‘Muse,’ (1726) [not ‘Muse’] 4. ‘from Thalia’s Coast Paintlands Pictlands Tours’ (NLS) [not ‘Pictish Towers’] 5. ‘Health Length of Days &’ (NLS), ‘Health, length of Days and’ (NRS) [not ‘Health, Length of Days, and’] 6. At the beginning of the second stanza, the NLS MS has a cancelled line: ‘who with a wise unwearyd Skill’. 7. ‘whose Learning Prising Care makes Light arise’ (NLS), ‘light’ (NRS) [not ‘Light’] 8. ‘that’s hid from’ (NLS) [not ‘obscure to’] 665

Poems 9. ‘Wher Hiden Treasure Lyes’ (NLS), ‘where hidden knowledge lyes’ (NRS) [not ‘where hidden Knowledge lies’] 11. ‘Surprize’ (NLS), ‘Surprise’ (NRS) [not ‘surprise’] 12. ‘Thought sk Art’ (NLS), ‘thoughts’ (NRS) [not ‘Thoughts’] 13. ‘Broke Inscription’ (NLS) [not ‘broke Inscription’] 14. ‘on Mosaick Pavments Tred’ (NLS) [not ‘amongst antique Ruins tread’]; ‘Ruines’ (NRS) [not ‘Ruins’]; ‘tred’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘tread’] 15. ‘or viewe the Tombes’ (NLS) [not ‘And view Remains’] 16. ‘eer [cancelled word: illegible] Lud was Born’ (NLS) [not ‘In Funeral Piles’] 17. ‘and can unite with Skillfull speed’ (NLS) [not ‘Your Penetration seems decreed’] 18. ‘What Time has Torn’ (NLS) [not ‘To bless these Isles’] 19. ‘Wher’ (NLS) [not ‘Where’]; ‘Old’ (NRS) [not ‘old’] 20. ‘Vases & Their Gods’ (NLS) [not ‘Their Gods’]; ‘antient antique’ (NLS), ‘Cŭrious’ (NRS) [not ‘curious’] 21. ‘Meddals’ (1726) [not ‘Medals’]; ‘Brass &’ (NLS) [not ‘Brass or’] 22. ‘which help to shew’ (NLS) [not ‘’Tis you can show’] 23. ‘The’ (NLS) [not ‘And’]; ‘History Told’ (NLS) [not ‘Story told’] 24. ‘We owe to you’ (NLS) [not ‘To you we owe’] 26. ‘Lere,’ (1726) [not ‘Lere!’] 28. ‘old:’ (1726) [not ‘old,’] 29. ‘Ravish’ (NRS), ‘ravish’ (1726) [not ‘ravish,’] 31. ‘Coments’ (NRS), ‘Comments’ (1726) [not ‘Comments,’] 33. ‘Incline’ (NRS) [not ‘wou’d deign to look’] 34. ‘doubtfull’ (NRS) [not ‘doubtful’] 35. ‘Skillfull’ (NRS) [not ‘skilfull’] 36. ‘Marks.’ (1726) [not ‘Marks?’] 37. ‘fire’d’ (NRS) [not ‘fir’d’] 38. ‘Glory’ (NRS) [not ‘Glory,’]; ‘inspire’d’ (NRS) [not ‘inspir’d’] 39. ‘Antient Heroes’ (NRS), ‘ancient Heroes’ (1726) [not ‘ancient Heroes,’]; ‘tire’d’ (NRS) [not ‘tir’d’] 41. ‘And by their Godlike Acts aspire’d’ (NRS) [not ‘And, by their God-like Acts, aspir’d’] 42. ‘Imortall’ (NRS) [not ‘immortal’] 43. ‘usefull’ (NRS) [not ‘useful’] 44. ‘merit shall your fame’ (NRS) [not ‘Merit shall your Fame’] 45. ‘alure’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘allure’] 46. ‘Search’ (NRS) [not ‘search’] 47. ‘Truth’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Truth,’] 48. ‘doubt’ (NRS) [not ‘Doubt’] 49. ‘Hertford’s’ (NRS) [not ‘Hartford’s’] 52. ‘Historians’ (1726) [not ‘Historian’s’] 54. ‘Quil’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Quill’] 55. ‘Brittain’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Britain’] ‘Pembroke’: Thomas Herbert, eighth Earl of Pembroke (c.1656-1733), MP for Wilton in 1679 and 1681, appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1685 and President of the Society from 1689 to 1690. 56. ‘deeds of Wier’ (NRS), ‘Deeds of Wier’ (1726) [not ‘Deeds of War’] 666

Notes to Poems 1728 62. ‘Hermonious’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘harmonious’] 63. ‘Winchesly’ (NRS) [not ‘Winchelsea’] ‘Winchelsea’: Heneage Finch, third Earl of Winchilsea (1657-1726), army captain and politician, representing Hythe as MP in 1685. He was Vice President of the Society of Antiquaries from 1724 until his death; ‘Devon’: probably Sir William Courtenay, second Baronet and sixth Earl of Devon, MP for Devon from 1700 to 1710 and 1712-35, and for Honiton in 1715. He was Lord-Lieutanant of Devon between 1714 and 1716. 65. ‘Virtues’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Vertues’]; ‘bright’ (NRS) [not ‘bright,’] 66. ‘life’ (NRS) [not ‘Life’] 67. ‘Callidonias’ (NRS), ‘Caledonians’ (1726) [not ‘Caledonian’s’]; ‘sage’ (1726) [not ‘Sage’] 69. ‘Antique’ (NRS) [not ‘antique’] 71. ‘Ruines’ (NRS) [not ‘Ruins’] 72. ‘an’ (NRS) [not ‘and’] 74. ‘Learned’ (NRS) [not ‘learned’] ‘Clerk’: Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, who was appointed a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1725. 75. ‘right’ (NRS), ‘Right’ (1726) [not ‘right,’] 76. ‘beautys’ (NRS) [not ‘beauties’] 77. ‘marks of antique date’ (NRS) [not ‘Marks of ancient Date’] 78. ‘Be North’ (1726) [not ‘Be-north’] 79. ‘Begŭn’ (NRS) [not ‘begun’] ‘The Wall’: Hadrian’s Wall, built in northern England by Roman emperor Hadrian (76-138) in 122 to guard the northern frontier of the Roman Empire; it is eighty miles long, running from the Irish Sea on the west to the North Sea on the east. 80. ‘Severus’: although initiated by Hadrian, Hadrian’s Wall was developed further during the reign of Septimius Severus (145-211), Roman emperor from 193 to 211. 82. ‘Brittain’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Britain’] 83. ‘Shun’ (NRS) [not ‘shun’] 84. ‘Galld’ (NRS) [not ‘gall’d’] 85. ‘Need’ (1726) [not ‘need’] 86. ‘Age’d’ (NRS) [not ‘Ag’d’] 87. ‘Brittain’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘Britain’]; ‘Joyns’ (NRS) [not ‘joins’]; ‘Warlike’ (NRS, 1726) [not ‘warlike’] 88. ‘allways’ (NRS) [not ‘always’] 91. ‘Advance great Men’ (NRS) [not ‘Advance, great Men,’] 92. ‘divine,’ (1726) [not ‘divine’] 93. ‘Antiquitys’ (NRS) [not ‘Antiquity’s’] 94. ‘Precious’ (NRS) [not ‘precious’] 95. ‘Brittish Annalls Shine’ (NRS) [not ‘British Annals shine’]

667

Poems On the Marquis of Annandale’s conveying me a Present of Guineas in my Snuff-mill, after he had taken all the Snuff Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘Marquis of Annandale’: James Johnstone, second Marquess of Annandale (c.1688-1730). Johnstone was MP for Dumfriesshire and Linlithgowshire in 1708 but was disqualified due to his being the eldest son of a Scottish peer. He stood as a Scottish representative peer in 1722 but was defeated, perhaps due to reports that he was a Jacobite (see Handley, ‘Johnston (Johnstone), James, Lord Johnston’ in HoP). 5. ‘Royal Anna’: Anne, Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1702 until 1707. She was Britain’s last Stuart monarch. 9-10. ‘Roman… Horace’: the connection between Horace and Maecenas, often seen as the ideal poet-patron relationship. 11-12. ‘Dorset… Prior’: poet Matthew Prior’s (1664-1721) patronage by Charles Sackville, sixth Earl of Dorset and first Earl of Middlesex (1643-1706). The Monk and the Miller’s Wife. A Tale Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, ff.49-54), fair copy, hereafter ‘NLS’; BL (Egerton 2023, f.54v), consisting of ll.10-16; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.49-51v), hereafter ‘BL’. The NLS MS has numbers in the margin which align with the page numbers of the poem’s first publication alongside Health (1724). The NLS MS and first edition feature a longer title: ‘The Monk and the Miller’s Wife; Or, All Parties pleas’d. An unco Tale!’ Both also feature an epigraph, which is not retained in Poems (1728): For she was wild and young, and he was old, — Whoso hath no Wife, he is no Cuckold. Ramsay’s quotation is made up of two, non-consecutive lines in Chaucer’s ‘Miller’s Tale’, the second of his Canterbury Tales: ‘For she was wylde and yong, and he was old (l.3225) and ‘Who hath no wyf, he is no cokewold’ (l.3152). The plot of ‘The Monk and the Miller’s Wife’ closely resembles that of The Freiris of Berwick, an older, anonymous Scots poem contained in the Bannatyne MS collection: Ramsay had, by the time of ‘The Monk and the Miller’s Wife’s’ first publication, consulted and transcribed the Bannatyne MS and published some of its contents in his ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’ and The Ever Green (1724). 1. ‘Lend your Luggs’ (NLS) [not ‘lend your Lugs,’] 2. ‘Benefite’ (NLS) [not ‘Benefit’] 3. ‘wha Laughing Scud broun’ (NLS), ‘wha, laughing, scud brown’ (1724) [not ‘you wha laughing scud brown’] 4. ‘wee’ (NLS) [not ‘wee,’] 5. ‘Ane’ (NLS) [not ‘An’] 6. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 7. ‘somtimes’ (NLS) [not ‘sometimes’] 8. ‘Twa hord’ (NLS), ‘Twa-horn’d’ (1724) [not ‘twa-horn’d’] 668

Notes to Poems 1728 9. ‘Payd’ (NLS) [not ‘paid’] 10. ‘Millar’ (NLS) [not ‘Miller’] BL has a cancelled line here: ‘to draw hiz Purse he never stood’. 12. ‘Good Napy’ (BL) [not ‘nappy’] 15. ‘and wha’ (BL) [not ‘And’]; ‘converse’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Converse,’]; ‘ye’ll no trow trowth its true’ (BL) [not ‘troth ’tis true’] 16. ‘he’ (BL) [not ‘Hab’]; ‘Cant pray’ (BL), ‘Preach’ (NLS) [not ‘preach’] 17. ‘Three’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘three’]; ‘Pleasd’ (NLS) [not ‘pleas’d’] 18. ‘servd’ (NLS) [not ‘serv’d,’]; ‘men well Easd’ (NLS) [not ‘Men well eas’d’] 19. ‘Ground his Corns — &’ (NLS) [not ‘ground his Corns, and’] 22. ‘Baith’ (NLS) [not ‘baith’] 23. ‘Equal’ (NLS) [not ‘equal’]; ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 24. ‘Ceres’: Roman goddess of fertility, farming and grain crops. 25. ‘Gentle’ (NLS) [not ‘gentle’] 26. ‘Andro’s,’ (1724) [not ‘Andro’s’] ‘Saint Andro’s Alma Mater’: St Andrews University. 27. ‘day gaŭn hameward’ (NLS), ‘Day gawn Hameward,’ (1724) [not ‘Day gawn hameward,’] 28. ‘gate’ (NLS) [not ‘Gate’] 31. ‘Clack-Clack-Clack he’ (NLS) [not ‘Clack, – clack, – clack, he’] 32. ‘luggs’ (NLS), ‘Luggs’ (1724) [not ‘Lugs’]; ‘thertill’ (NLS), ‘theretil’ (1724) [not ‘theretill’] 33. ‘Threed’ (1724) [not ‘threed’] 37. ‘Now smiling Muse’ (NLS) [not ‘Now, smiling Muse,’]; ‘Past’ (NLS) [not ‘past’] 38. ‘Relate’ (NLS) [not ‘relate’] 39. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 40. ‘water Mills’ (NLS) [not ‘Water-mills’] 41. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘kēnd’ (NLS) [not ‘kend’] 45. ‘himsel’ (1724) [not ‘himsell’] 46. ‘terms’ (NLS) [not ‘Terms’] 47. ‘Hab’ (NLS) [not ‘Hab,’] 48. ‘yet’ (NLS) [not ‘yet;’] 49. ‘Bow shot’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Bow-shot’]; ‘Hame,’ (1724) [not ‘Hame:’] 50. ‘ye &’ (NLS) [not ‘ye, and’] 51. ‘Mill,’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Mill;’] 52. ‘Take’ (NLS) [not ‘tak’] 53. ‘James in Return’ (NLS) [not ‘James, in Return,’] 54. ‘tell’ (NLS), ‘tell,’ (1724) [not ‘tell;’]; ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘gade:’ (1724) [not ‘gade.’] 56. ‘line’ (NLS), ‘Line,’ (1724) [not ‘Line:’] 57. ‘Arive’d the knockd’ (NLS), ‘Arriv’d, he knock’d,’ (1724) [not ‘Arriv’d, he knock’d;’]; ‘Steekit’ (NLS) [not ‘steekit’] 58. ‘Streight’ (NLS) [not ‘Straight’]; ‘Keekit’ (NLS) [not ‘keekit’] 59. ‘Crys wha’s’ (NLS) [not ‘cries, “Wha’s’]; ‘fowk a fright’ (NLS) [not ‘Fowk a Fright’] 60. ‘Time of Night.’ (1724) [not ‘time of Night?”’] 61. ‘humour’ (NLS) [not ‘Humour,’]; ‘descreetly’ (NLS) [not ‘discreetly’] 669

Poems 62. ‘ye’ (NLS) [not ‘ye,’] 63. ‘doun’ (NLS) [not ‘down’] 64. ‘lane’ (NLS) [not ‘lane,’]; ‘Woman,’ (1724) [not ‘Woman;’] 65. ‘door’ (NLS) [not ‘Door’]; ‘Man:’ (1724) [not ‘Man.’] 66. ‘like’ (NLS) [not ‘like,’] 68. ‘Door’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Door,’]; ‘ther’s’ (NLS) [not ‘there’s’] 71. ‘doun’ (NLS) [not ‘down’]; ‘upon’t my lad’ (NLS) [not ‘upon’t, my Lad,’] 73. ‘mekle Clitter Clater’ (NLS) [not ‘meikle Clitter-clatter’] 76. ‘resignation took the key’ (NLS) [not ‘Resignation took the Key’] 77. ‘Unlock’d’ (NLS), ‘Unlock’t’ (1724) [not ‘Unlockt’]; ‘Barn’ (NLS) [not ‘Barn.’]; ‘Clam’ (NLS) [not ‘clam’] 78. ‘ane opening’ (NLS), ‘an opening’ (1724) [not ‘an Opening’]; ‘Hu’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Hou’] 79. ‘light’ (NLS) [not ‘Light’] 80. ‘diversion’ (NLS) [not ‘Diversion’] 81. ‘Quickly’ (NLS) [not ‘quickly’] 82. ‘wa’’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Wa’’] 83. ‘rive’ (NLS) [not ‘Rive’] 84. ‘house’ (NLS) [not ‘House’] 87. ‘Reverend fame’ (NLS) [not ‘reverend Fame’] Both the NLS MS and the 1724 edition leave a large gap between lines 88 and 89. The NLS MS features eight dots at this point, and a note in Ramsay’s hand: ‘Leave Room here for 8 lines’. This gap is not retained in Poems (1728). 89. ‘Lengthen out description’ (NLS) [not ‘lengthen out Description’] 91. ‘flame’ (NLS) [not ‘Flame’] 93. ‘O’re’ (NLS) [not ‘o’er’] 94. ‘Still to Glowre’ (NLS) [not ‘still to glowre’] 95. ‘Wife’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Wife,’] 97. ‘syne’ (NLS) [not ‘syne’]; ‘Ingle’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Ingle,’]; ‘Benn’ (NLS) [not ‘ben’] 99. ‘Stout &’ (NLS) [not ‘stout and’] 100. ‘Ale &’ (NLS) [not ‘Ale, and’] 101. ‘Luck Just’ (NLS) [not ‘Luck, just’] 102. ‘Chuckie’s breast’ (NLS) [not ‘Chucky’s Breast’] 103. ‘The unwelcome’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Th’unwelcome’]; ‘Millar’ (NLS) [not ‘Miller’] 104. ‘Cry’d – Bessy’ (NLS) [not ‘Cry’d, Bessy,’] 105. ‘Haly’ (NLS) [not ‘haly’] 106. ‘himsel’ (1724) [not ‘himsell’]; ‘Bed,’ (1724) [not ‘Bed;’] 107. ‘Things’ (1724) [not ‘things’] 108. ‘espy,’ (1724) [not ‘espy;’] 109. ‘in’ (NLS) [not ‘in;’]; ‘Tune’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘tune’] 110. ‘Speer’d,’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘Speer’d’]; ‘soon?’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘soon,’] 111. ‘maners’ (NLS) [not ‘Manners’] NLS has a cancelled line between l.112 and l.113, which is illegible. 113. ‘soud’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘shou’d’]; ‘do’ (NLS) [not ‘do,’]; ‘bissy,’ (1724) [not ‘bissy:’] 114. ‘Quoth’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘quoth’]; ‘Bessy Grumbling’ (NLS) [not ‘Bessy, 670

Notes to Poems 1728 grumbling’] 116. ‘Rumbling’ (NLS) [not ‘rumbling’] 117. ‘hou’ (BL) [not ‘how’]; ‘assurd’ (NLS), ‘to ken’ (BL) [not ‘assur’d’] 118. ‘nae thievish’ (NLS), ‘some thivish’ (BL) [not ‘nae thievish’] 119. ‘Wencher goten’ (NLS), ‘Letcher goten’ (BL) [not ‘Wencher, gotten’] 120. ‘wake’ (BL) [not ‘weak’]; ‘opose’ (NLS), ‘oppose.’ (1724) [not ‘oppose?’] 121. ‘him –’ (BL) [not ‘him?’]; ‘Langer’ (NLS), ‘langer!’ (BL) [not ‘langer’] 122. ‘Crys’ (NLS), ‘Quoth’ (BL) [not ‘Cries’]; ‘Higland’ (BL) [not ‘Highland’] 123. ‘Barn’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Barn,’] 124. ‘Quickly’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘quickly’]; ‘in Quoth’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘in, quoth’] 125. ‘in –’ (NLS), ‘in’ (BL), ‘in, –’ (1724) [not ‘in; –’]; ‘Bawked’ (NLS), ‘racked’ (BL), ‘bawked:’ (1724) [not ‘bawked;’] 126. ‘Close –’ (NLS), ‘Close,’ (BL), ‘closs, –’ (1724) [not ‘close; –’]; ‘Millar’ (NLS) [not ‘Miller’]; ‘cracked;’ (1724) [not ‘cracked:’] 127. ‘drumbly sunkan’ (BL) [not ‘sunkan gloomy’]; ‘Gloomy’ (NLS) [not ‘gloomy’] 128. ‘house’ (BL) [not ‘House’] 129. ‘sutable’ (BL) [not ‘suitable’] 130. ‘his’ (BL) [not ‘their’]; ‘Quality’ (NLS, BL, 1724) [not ‘Qualitie’] 131. ‘she’ (BL) [not ‘she,’]; ‘ken’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘ken,’] 132. ‘patage pan’ (NLS), ‘Paratch pan’ (BL), ‘Potage Pan;’ (1724) [not ‘Pottage-Pan:’] 133. ‘Boild or roasted’ (BL) [not ‘Stov’d or Roasted’] 134. ‘is aft a Stranger’ (BL) [not ‘Are aft great Strangers’] 135. ‘Potage, Quoth’ (NLS), ‘Paratch Quoth’ (BL), ‘Potage, quoth’ (1724) [not ‘Pottage, quoth’]; ‘Hab!’ (BL) [not ‘Hab,’]; ‘sencles’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘senseless’]; ‘Taupie’ (BL) [not ‘Tawpie!’] 136. ‘Gily-gawpy’ (NLS, 1724), ‘Giligaupie’ (BL) [not ‘Gilly-gawpy’] 137. ‘think you his tender’ (BL) [not ‘And that his gentle’] 138. ‘Swalow’ (BL) [not ‘worry’] 139-40. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are not in the BL MS. 139. ‘laiding’ (NLS) [not ‘Laiding’] 140. ‘plaiding’ (NLS) [not ‘Plaiding’] 141. ‘gae draw Roast’ (BL) [not ‘Swith roast’]; ‘Hen’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Hen,’] 142. ‘Picken’s’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Pickens’] 143. ‘Howt’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Hout’]; ‘I!’ (NLS), ‘I’ (BL) [not ‘I,’]; ‘quo’ (BL) [not ‘quoth’]; ‘she –’ (BL) [not ‘she,’]; ‘dinna’ (BL) [not ‘may well’] 144. ‘Ise warand that we have nor nae Burds or hen Its ill brought but thats no there ben’ (BL) [not ‘’Tis ill brought butt that’s no there ben’]; ‘its’ (NLS) [not ‘’Tis’]; ‘Benn’ (NLS), ‘ben,’ (1724) [not ‘ben;’] 145. ‘Last’ (BL) [not ‘last’]; ‘owk’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Owk,’] 146. ‘Pay’ (NLS) [not ‘pay’] 147. ‘Then James’ (NLS), ‘Quoth Then James’ (BL) [not ‘Then James,’] 148. ‘house’ (BL) [not ‘House’] 149. ‘Pawky smile’ (NLS), ‘Pauky smile’ (BL) [not ‘pawky Smile,’]; ‘the Pley’ (BL) [not ‘this Plea’] 150. ‘Please’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘please’]; ‘himsel’ (1724) [not ‘himsell’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘ease his friend’ (NLS), ‘Ease his friend’ (BL) [not ‘ease his 671

Poems Friend’] 151. ‘Thus first’ (BL) [not ‘First’]; ‘Oration,’ (1724) [not ‘Oration’] 152. ‘wonderous’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘wond’rous’]; ‘Skil’ (BL) [not ‘Skill’] BL has a cancelled phrase here: ‘Then Told them’. 153. ‘Quoth’ (BL) [not ‘Said’]; ‘he’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘he,’]; ‘art’ (BL) [not ‘fell Art’] 154. ‘aff’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘off’]; ‘Table,’ (1724) [not ‘Table’] 155. ‘like’ (BL, NLS, 1724) [not ‘like,’]; ‘male’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Mail’] 156. ‘Part,’ (NLS, 1724), ‘Part’ (BL) [not ‘part,’]; ‘hale’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘haill’] 157. ‘gif’ (BL) [not ‘if’]; ‘Please’ (NLS), ‘please’ (BL), ‘Please,’ (1724) [not ‘please,’] 158. ‘Quoth Halbert,’ (BL), ‘Crys, Halbert’ (1724) [not ‘Crys Halbert,’]; ‘faith,’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Faith’]; ‘all my heart’ (BL) [not ‘a’ my Heart!’] 159. ‘her sell’ (NLS, BL, 1724) [not ‘herself’]; ‘lord’ (NLS), ‘God’ (BL) [not ‘Lord’] 160. ‘P—d her hose’ (BL) [not ‘fell a Swoon’]; ‘fear’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Fear’] 161. ‘Leugh’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘leugh,’]; ‘bad’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘bade’] 162. ‘conjuring’ (1724) [not ‘Conjuring’]; ‘speed’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Speed’] 164. ‘uters’ (BL) [not ‘utters’]; ‘majick’ (NLS), ‘Barbrous’ (BL) [not ‘magick’]; ‘Sound’ (1724) [not ‘Sound,’] 165. ‘Part Latine, Greek, & Dutch’ (NLS), ‘part latine Greek & dutch’ (BL) [not ‘part Latin, Greek and Dutch’] 167. ‘he says, Now Now its’ (NLS), ‘done, he bad the Wife gae he cryd now now its’ (BL), ‘he says, Now, now its’ (1724) [not ‘says, Now, now ’tis’] 168. ‘stands the Bowel Boal’ (BL) [not ‘in the Boal’] 169. ‘Board –’ (NLS), ‘Board’ (BL) [not ‘Board; –’]; ‘Goodwife’ (NLS), ‘good wife’ (BL) [not ‘Goodwife,’]; ‘Benn’ (NLS) [not ‘ben’] 171. ‘wadna gang’ (NLS), ‘wad not gang’ (BL) [not ‘wadna gang,’] 172. ‘Ambry’ (BL) [not ‘Ambrie’] BL has a cancelled phrase here: ‘The savory sent’. 173. ‘well’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘well,’]; ‘short time he’ (BL) [not ‘he short time’]; ‘Time’ (1724) [not ‘time’] 174. ‘and’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘And,’]; ‘wondering’ (NLS), ‘wondring’ (BL) [not ‘wondring,’]; ‘hands’ (BL) [not ‘Hands’] 175. ‘Round’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘round,’]; ‘smel’d’ (1724) [not ‘smell’d’] 176. ‘Gentle’ (BL) [not ‘gentle,’]; ‘touch’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Touch’] 177. ‘sence’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Sense’]; ‘Conveen’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘conveen’] 179. ‘They all’ (NLS, 1724), ‘and These’ (BL) [not ‘They all,’]; ‘ane’ (NLS), ‘one’ (BL) [not ‘an’] 180. ‘declaird’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Declar’d]; ‘How-towdie’ (NLS), ‘How Towdie’ (BL) [not ‘How-towdy’] 181. ‘it, Quoth’ (NLS), ‘it quo’ (BL) [not ‘it, quoth’]; ‘Millar’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Miller’] 182. ‘This hen’ (BL) [not ‘The Fowl’]; ‘well &’ (NLS), ‘well and’ (BL) [not ‘well, and’]; ‘Till’ (BL) [not ‘till’] BL has a cancelled phrase here: ‘but for a Grace’. 183. ‘Content Quoth James and in a dowp’ (BL) [not ‘Sae be’t, says James; and in a doup]; ‘James,’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘James;’]; ‘Doup’ (1724) [not ‘doup’] 184. ‘snap’d’ (NLS, 1724), ‘snap’ (BL) [not ‘snapt’]; ‘Stoup &’ (NLS, BL) [not 672

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘Stoup and’]; ‘Rowp’ (BL) [not ‘Roup’] 185. ‘Men Time Now Then O Crys Haby coud your Skill’ (BL) [not ‘Neist, O! crys Halbert, cou’d your Skill’]; ‘Neist’ (1724) [not ‘Neist,’] 186. ‘waught’ (NLS), ‘wawght’ (BL) [not ‘Waught’]; ‘Ale;’ (1724) [not ‘Ale,’] 187. ‘to ye all’ (BL) [not ‘t’ye a’’] 188. ‘Diel’ (BL) [not ‘Deel’] 189. ‘gif’ (BL) [not ‘if’]; ‘descreeter’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘discreeter’]; ‘mak’ (BL) [not ‘make’] 190. ‘feard’ (BL) [not ‘fleed’]; ‘Tak’ (BL) [not ‘take’] 191-92. These lines are on the margin in the BL MS. 191. ‘James’ (BL) [not ‘James,’]; ‘ye’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Ye’]; ‘fair,’ (1724) [not ‘fair;’] 192. ‘haden’ (NLS, BL), ‘haden,’ (1724) [not ‘hadden,’] 193. ‘ye’s hae’t well then Quoth James, Syn Words he Muterd’ (BL) [not ‘Then thrice he shook a Willow Wand’] 194. ‘and thrice abat the circle stuterd’ (BL) [not ‘With kittle Words thrice gave Command’]; ‘Kitle’ (NLS) [not ‘kittle’] 195. ‘done’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘done,’]; ‘air solemnly’ (BL) [not ‘Look baith learn’d and’]; ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 196. ‘Said we have Said you this minute shall receive’ (BL) [not ‘Said, Now ye’ll get what we wad have;’]; ‘have,’ (1724) [not ‘have;’] 197. ‘Twow Botles’ (BL) [not ‘Twa Bottles’]; ‘Nappy’ (NLS), ‘Napy’ (BL) [not ‘nappy’] 198. ‘farmd Reamd in Quaf within a’ (BL) [not ‘ream’d in Horn or’]; ‘Ream’d’ (NLS) [not ‘ream’d’] 199. ‘ye’re’ (NLS), ‘ye’r’ (BL) [not ‘your’] 200. ‘them’ (BL), ‘Twa’ (1724) [not ‘twa’]; ‘weel’ (BL) [not ‘well’] 201. ‘said’ (NLS) [not ‘said,’]; ‘Millar’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Miller’] 202. ‘Botles’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Bottles’] 203. ‘health’ (BL) [not ‘Health’]; ‘Toasted’ (NLS), ‘Tosted’ (BL) [not ‘toasted’] 204. ‘Roasted’ (NLS, BL), ‘roasted,’ (1724) [not ‘roasted;’] 205. ‘niest –’ (NLS), ‘niest’ (BL) [not ‘niest, –’]; ‘all the Rest’ (BL) [not ‘a’ the rest’] 206. ‘he lood’ (BL) [not ‘that wishd’] 207. ‘too tedious’ (BL) [not ‘o’er langsome’]; ‘Time’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘time’] 208. ‘in this’ (BL) [not ‘On a’] 209. ‘Millar’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Miller’]; ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 210. ‘had Stakd staunch their Hunger, slakd their drough’ (BL) [not ‘Were blythly slock’ning of their Drowth’]; ‘slockening’ (NLS, 1724) [not ‘slock’ning’]; ‘drouth’ (NLS) [not ‘Drowth’] 211. ‘scarce witheld’ (BL) [not ‘scarcely held’] 212. ‘priest’ (NLS), ‘Preist’ (BL) [not ‘Priest’]; ‘vext’ (NLS, 1724), ‘vexd’ (BL) [not ‘vex’d’]; ‘&’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘and’] 213. ‘O Wow! said Hab,’ (NLS), ‘O wow Quoth Hab’ (BL), ‘O wow, said Hab,’ (1724) [not ‘O wow! said Hab,’] 214. ‘James –’ (NLS), ‘James’ (BL) [not ‘James,’]; ‘Chear:’ (1724) [not ‘Chear?’] 215-20. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the BL MS. 215. ‘awfu’ (NLS) [not ‘awfu’’] 216. ‘Lawfu’ (NLS) [not ‘lawfu’’] 673

Poems 217. ‘doubts’ (NLS) [not ‘Doubts’] 218. ‘Rosicrucian’: member of a fictitious secret society devoted to the study of metaphysical, mystical, and alchemical lore, such as the transmutation of metals, the prolongation of life, and the control of elements and animal spirits. 219. ‘carrys’ (NLS) [not ‘carries’] 220. ‘Traffick’ (1724) [not ‘traffick’]; ‘Black’ (NLS) [not ‘black’]; ‘Fairys’ (NLS) [not ‘Fairies’] 221-22. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are on f.50v but not in alignment with the rest of the text in the BL MS. 221. ‘thers’ (BL) [not ‘There’s’]; ‘Spriet’ (BL) [not ‘Sp’rit’]; ‘deil’ (BL) [not ‘Deel’] 222. ‘arround’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘around’] 223. ‘Quoth James ther was ane’ (BL) [not ‘There a Sage call’d’] ‘Albumazor’: Albumazar (787-886), leading astrologer of the Muslim world. In the seventeenth century, his name became synonymous with the archetype of the crafty astrologer: he appears in Giambattista della Porta’s Lo astrologo (1606), which forms the basis of Thomas Tomkis’s Albumazar (1615). Tomkis’s play was revived by John Dryden in 1668; Dryden’s ‘Prologue to Albumazar’ was written for its return to the stage. 224. ‘Witt’ (NLS) [not ‘Wit’]; ‘sharp’ (BL) [not ‘gleg’] The BL MS has two lines here which are not retained in any other MS or printed editions of the poem: and deeply Learnd fand out the way how men might gar the Sprits obey 225. ‘man’ (BL) [not ‘Man’] 226. ‘Gentery’ (NLS), ‘gentry’ (BL) [not ‘Gentry’] 227. ‘and these’ (NLS, 1724), ‘and gars them and these’ (BL) [not ‘And they’]; ‘Mind’ (NLS, BL, 1724) [not ‘mind’] 228. ‘Humane’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘humane’] 229-56. These lines appear on f.51v in the BL MS, while ll.257-68 appear on the reverse, i.e. f.51. The BL MS features a cancelled line here, before l.229: ‘now if you’re no a slave to fear’. 230. ‘My Monkahorner shall’ (BL) [not ‘I’ll gar my Pacolet’] ‘Pacolet’: Pacolet’s horse, mythical horse able to transport a person swiftly to wherever he or she wishes. 231. ‘fidgd,’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘fidg’d’]; ‘Leugh’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘leugh’] 232. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘the deil’ (BL) [not ‘a Sp’rit’] 233. ‘Coŭrage gaind’ (BL) [not ‘Courage wan’]; ‘day’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Day’] 236. ‘Rat’ (BL) [not ‘Rat,’]; ‘to’er’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘to’r’] 237. ‘Prayd’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘pray’d’]; ‘Howdie’ (BL) [not ‘Howdy’]; ‘drink’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Drink’] 238. ‘Time’ (1724) [not ‘time’]; ‘Wink:’ (1724) [not ‘Wink.’] 239. ‘eye’ (BL) [not ‘Eye’]; ‘ane’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘an’]; ‘answer’ (BL) [not ‘Answer’] 240. ‘that gave the wife nae sma’ (BL) [not ‘Which made the Wife right well’]; ‘Content’ (NLS), ‘content;’ (1724) [not ‘content’] 241. ‘Syn’ (BL) [not ‘Then’]; ‘Hab’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Hab,’] 242. ‘surpris’d’ (NLS, 1724), ‘surprisd’ (BL) [not ‘surpriz’d’] 674

Notes to Poems 1728 243. ‘life neer wag’ (BL) [not ‘Saul move not’] 244. ‘but stand prepaird with a stout’ (BL) [not ‘And ready stand with a great’]; ‘Ready’ (NLS) [not ‘ready’]; ‘Great’ (NLS) [not ‘great’] 245. ‘and’ (BL) [not ‘Syne’]; ‘goes’ (BL) [not ‘gangs’] 246. ‘Lend him a good’ (BL) [not ‘lend him a sound’]; ‘rout’ (NLS) [not ‘Rout’] 247-48. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are not in the BL MS. 248. ‘delyts’ (NLS) [not ‘delytes’]; ‘knocking’ (NLS) [not ‘Knocking’] 249. ‘Kent –’ (NLS), ‘Kent,’ (BL) [not ‘Kent, –’]; ‘be’ (BL) [not ‘by’]; ‘Hallan’ (1724) [not ‘Hallan;’] 250. ‘streight’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘straight’] 251. ‘Crys –’ (NLS), ‘Crys’ (BL) [not ‘Cries,’] ‘Rhadamanthus’: king of Crete and one of the judges of the dead in the underworld, known for unbending honesty and integrity. 252. ‘Monkkorner’ (BL) [not ‘Monk-horner’]; ‘jinko jingo’ (NLS), ‘Jinko Jingo’ (BL) [not ‘Jinko, Jingo’] 253. ‘Appear in Likness in Liknes’ (NLS), ‘appear walk forth in likness’ (BL), ‘Appear in Likness’ (1724) [not ‘Appear in Likeness’] 254. ‘not’ (BL) [not ‘No’]; ‘deil’ (BL), ‘Deel,’ (1724) [not ‘Deel’] 255. ‘fright’ (BL) [not ‘fleg’] 256. ‘forth’ (NLS, BL), ‘forth,’ (1724) [not ‘forth;’]; ‘door stand’ (BL) [not ‘Door stands’] 257. ‘steight from his’ (BL) [not ‘Then frae the’]; ‘hole wher’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Hole where’] 258. ‘Mess John The priest’ (BL) [not ‘The Priest’]; ‘Content’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘content’] BL has a cancelled phrase here: ‘stalk oer’. 259. ‘Pase stalkd’ (BL) [not ‘Pace strade’]; ‘floor’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Floor’] 260. ‘door’ (NLS) [not ‘Door’] 261. ‘Cudgel’ (NLS, 1724), ‘Lounder Cudgell’ (BL) [not ‘Cudgel,’]; ‘ran,’ (1724) [not ‘ran;’] 262. ‘Misd’ (BL) [not ‘miss’d’] 263. ‘oer’ (BL) [not ‘on’]; ‘lounder’ (BL) [not ‘Lounder’] BL has cancelled versions of ll.265-66, as follows: but darkness & the millars fright helpd soon to hide him from their sight 265. ‘Sight,’ (1724) [not ‘Sight;’] 266. ‘benn’ (NLS) [not ‘Ben’]; ‘Millar’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Miller’] The BL MS features a cancelled couplet here: with panting heart he cry Ohon but bragd how well he had laid on 267. ‘trow, Quoth he,’ (NLS), ‘trew Quoth he’ (BL) [not ‘trow, quoth he,’] 268. ‘O’ (BL) [not ‘wow’]; ‘John.’ (1724) [not ‘John!’] The NLS MS features a doodle at the end of the text:

675

Poems Advice to Mr. —— on his Marriage Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, f.54). First printed alongside Health in 1724. Title: ‘Mariage’ (MS) [not ‘Marriage’] 1. ‘you &’ (MS), ‘you, and’ (1724) [not ‘you and’]; ‘Emaelie’ (MS), ‘Emalie’ (1724) [not ‘Amelie’] 2. ‘faill’ (1724) [not ‘fail’] 3. ‘hou’ (MS) [not ‘how’]; ‘Imploy’ (MS), ‘imploy’ (1724) [not ‘employ’] 4. ‘baith & Tutor well your Joy’ (MS), ‘baith, and tutor well your Joy:’ (1724) [not ‘baith; and tutor well your Joy.’] 5. ‘take’ (MS) [not ‘tak’] 6. ‘Baith’ (MS) [not ‘baith,’] 7. ‘Wasters’ (MS) [not ‘Wasters,’]; ‘Criples’ (MS) [not ‘Cripples’] 8. ‘& Riples’ (MS), ‘Ripples;’ (1724) [not ‘Ripples:’] ‘notum’: known. 9. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’]; ‘auld-saw’ (MS), ‘Auld-saw’ (1724) [not ‘auld Saw’] Ramsay utilises a proverb here which he later collects in his Scots Proverbs (1737): ‘Better hain at the Braird than at the Bottom’ (p.12), meaning it is best to be economical with early resources. 11. ‘means –’ (MS) [not ‘means,’]; ‘use,’ (1724) [not ‘use’] 12. ‘Muse:’ (1724) [not ‘Muse;’] 13. ‘whip & spurring neve Prove’ (MS), ‘Whip and spurring never prove’ (1724) [not ‘Whip and Spurring never prove’] 14. ‘effectual’ (MS) [not ‘Effectual,’]; ‘verse or love’ (MS) [not ‘Verse or Love’] 15. ‘far my friend in merry strain’ (MS) [not ‘far, my Friend, in merry Strain’] 16. ‘gien a douse advice’ (MS), ‘gi’en a douse Advice’ (1724) [not ‘given a douse Advice’] 18. ‘Lines, tho Hamely,’ (MS), ‘Lines, tho’ hamely,’ (1724) [not ‘Lines (tho’ hamely)’]; ‘Nonsence’ (MS), ‘Nonsense:’ (1724) [not ‘Nonsense.’] 20. ‘litle’ (MS) [not ‘little’]; ‘Thing’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘thing’] 21. ‘fancys’ (MS), ‘Fancies,’ (1724) [not ‘Fancies’] 22. ‘Thigit’ (MS) [not ‘thigit’] 23. ‘endles Raptures – Constant Glee –’ (MS) [not ‘endless Raptures, constant Glee,’] 24. ‘was’ (MS) [not ‘was,’] 25. ‘Alake’ (1724) [not ‘Alake!’]; ‘Poor Mortall’ (MS) [not ‘poor Mortals’] 26. ‘therfore aften fall at ods’ (MS) [not ‘therefore often fall at Odds’] 27. ‘litle Quarrells’ (MS) [not ‘little Quarrels’] 28. ‘fault’ (MS), ‘Fault’ (1724) [not ‘Faults’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘Man.’ (1724) [not ‘Man:’] 29. ‘Improve’ (MS), ‘improve,’ (1724) [not ‘improve’] 31. ‘& you’ (MS) [not ‘and you,’]; ‘hours’ (MS) [not ‘Hours’] 32. ‘thinking’ (MS) [not ‘Thinking’] 33. ‘shower’ (MS) [not ‘Shower’] 35. ‘Pet’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Pet,’] 36. ‘calm’ (MS) [not ‘calm,’]; ‘mentain’ (MS) [not ‘maintain’] 37. ‘smiling’ (MS), ‘smyling,’ (1724) [not ‘smiling,’]; ‘litle foolie’ (MS) [not ‘little 676

Notes to Poems 1728 Foolie’] 39. ‘then’ (MS) [not ‘Than’]; ‘Cuffs’ (MS) [not ‘Cuffs,’]; ‘claver:’ (1724) [not ‘claver.’] 40. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 43. ‘Care:’ (1724) [not ‘Care;’] 44. ‘them’ (MS) [not ‘them,’]; ‘& civel’ (MS) [not ‘and civil’] 45. ‘disregarded’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘disregarded,’]; ‘Prove the Divel’ (MS) [not ‘prove the Devil’] The MS has a doodle at the end of the poem:

To Mrs. M. M. on her Painting Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not published prior to Poems (1728). 1. ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love; ‘Apelles’: ancient Greek painter celebrated by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia. The Lure: A Tale Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, ff.21-23). Not published prior to Poems (1728). 2. ‘arising’ (MS) [not ‘arising,’] 3. ‘wer Barking Cocks wer Crawing’ (MS) [not ‘were barking, Cocks were crawing’] 4. ‘Night drinking sots’ (MS) [not ‘Night-drinking Sots’] The MS has a cancelled phrase at this point: ‘Cear was the morning cler’. 5. ‘Clean was were the gate Roads &’ (MS) [not ‘Clean were the Roads, and’] 6. ‘a the faconer’ (MS) [not ‘a Falconer’] 7. ‘she wingd Knight Erant’ (MS) [not ‘she Knight errant’] 8. ‘who’ (MS) [not ‘that’]; ‘air the Bloody’ (MS) [not ‘Air the bloody’] 9. ‘wing fierce Beek’ (MS) [not ‘Wing, fierce Beek and’] 10. ‘Breaks divine & Humane’ (MS) [not ‘breaks divine and humane’] At this point, the MS has the following cancelled couplet: by tearing entrails guts & drinking Blood of the sweet singers of the Wood 11. ‘Pleasd but with the hearts &’ (MS) [not ‘pleas’d, but with the Hearts and’] 12. ‘Patricks Teals Moorpowts & plivers’ (MS) [not ‘Peartricks, Teals, Moorpowts and Plivers’] In Scots, these are birds: partridges, teal, moorhen and plovers. 677

Poems 13. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘Lodgd, well fed, &’ (MS) [not ‘lodg’d, well fed, and’] 17. ‘(about a Court’ (MS) [not ‘about a Court’] 18. ‘makes oppression but their Sport)’ (MS) [not ‘make Oppression but their Sport’] 19. ‘a greedy cov-tous murdering Bloody King’ (MS) [not ‘a paughty bloody King’] 20. ‘hire Hackney Poets’ (MS) [not ‘hire mean Hackney-Poets’] 21. ‘success Conquest Glorys, while the Deel belicket’ (MS) [not ‘Glories; while the Deel be licket’] ‘deil belicket’: Scots expletive, ‘Hang it all!’ (SND). 22. ‘atempt’ (MS) [not ‘attempt’] 23. ‘So Sir as I was going’ (MS) [not ‘So, Sir, as I was gawn’] 24. ‘falconer’ (MS) [not ‘Falconer’] 25. ‘moor’ (MS) [not ‘moor;’] ‘Calder’: on the outskirts of Edinburgh. 26. ‘ther forgatherd’ (MS) [not ‘there forgather’d’] 27. ‘was’t trow ye’ (MS) [not ‘was’t, trow ye,’] 29. ‘Humane shape sae snug &’ (MS) [not ‘humane Shape, sae snug and’] 30. ‘Will Jude’ (MS) [not ‘Jude’]; ‘Burly Baily’ (MS) [not ‘Burrlie-baillie’] ‘burlie-bailie’: an ‘officer employed to enforce the laws of the Burlaw-courts’ (Jamieson, 1808). Burlaw courts consisted of neighbours selected by common consent to act as judges in determining disputes between neighbours. 31. ‘wer hid with shone’ (MS) [not ‘were hid with Shoon’] 32. ‘Cov’rd’ (MS) [not ‘coor’d’] 33. ‘fire’ (MS) [not ‘Fire,’]; ‘Brimstane’ (MS) [not ‘Brimstone’] 34. ‘Glowrd but caumly’ (MS) [not ‘glowr’d; but cawmly’] 35. ‘Eeen and Voice – &’ (MS) [not ‘Een and Voice, and’] 36. ‘morrow to ye’ (MS) [not ‘Morning t’ye,’] 37. ‘Early out – how’ (MS) [not ‘early out: — How’] 38. ‘gate –’ (MS) [not ‘Gate? —’] 39. ‘foul is that’ (MS) [not ‘Fowl is that,’] 40. ‘hand’ (MS) [not ‘Hand?’] 41. ‘wher’ (MS) [not ‘where’] 42. ‘Like’ (MS) [not ‘like’] The NLS MS has a cancelled phrase here: ‘Wha disna ken a Hawk’. 43. ‘Man it’s a Hawk! and e’en as Good’ (MS) [not ‘Man, ’tis a Hawk, and e’en as good’] 44. ‘flew’ (MS) [not ‘flew,’] 45. ‘friend’ (MS) [not ‘Friend,’]; ‘stranger’ (MS) [not ‘Stranger,’] 47. ‘I’ (MS) [not ‘ay’] 48. ‘Questings’ (MS) [not ‘Questions,’] 49. ‘use do’ ye mack ot weet’ (MS) [not ‘do ye wi’t?’] 50. ‘is good to Sing or good to Eat’ (MS) [not ‘Is’t good to sing? or good to eat?’] 51. ‘neither answerd honest Jŭden’ (MS) [not ‘neither, answer’d simple Juden’] The NLS MS has a cancelled phrase after l.52: ‘as how quoth Belzie’. 53. ‘when fouls’ (MS) [not ‘When Fowls’] 54. ‘Streight’ (MS) [not ‘Straight’]; ‘hand’ (MS) [not ‘Hand’] 678

Notes to Poems 1728 The MS has a cancelled phrase here: ‘and doun she Brings’. 55. ‘hood’ (MS) [not ‘Hood’]; ‘aff she is not Langsome’ (MS) [not ‘aff, she is not langsome’] 56. ‘Captives’ (MS) [not ‘Captives,’] 57. ‘pidgeons a Dow’s Wings or Chicken Leg’ (MS) [not ‘a Dow’s Wing, or Chicken’s Leg’] 58. ‘faith quo the Deel that is nice – I beg’ (MS) [not ‘Trowth, quoth the Deel, that’s nice! I beg’] 59. ‘kind’ (MS) [not ‘kind,’] 61. ‘ye friend’ (MS) [not ‘ye, Friend,’] 62. ‘Syn Loosd the facon frae his hand’ (MS) [not ‘Syne loos’d the Falcon frae his Hand’] 63. ‘unhooded up she Mounts with bir with her speed’ (MS) [not ‘Unhooded, up she sprang with Birr’] 65. ‘back’ (MS) [not ‘back?’] 66. ‘that qo Jude’ (MS) [not ‘that, quoth Jude,’] 67. ‘se’ (MS) [not ‘see’]; ‘comand’ (MS) [not ‘command’] 68. ‘doun to my hand’ (MS) [not ‘down to my Hand’] 69. ‘he twirld it thrice’ (MS) [not ‘Syne twirl’d it thice,’] 70. ‘falcon’ (MS) [not ‘Falcon’] 71. ‘sinner Quoth the Deell’ (MS) [not ‘Sinner! crys the Deel’] 72. ‘pastime wonder weell’ (MS) [not ‘Pastime wonder weel’] 74. ‘biding’ (MS) [not ‘Bidding’] 75. ‘gate’ (MS) [not ‘Gate’] 76. ‘will of fate’ (MS) [not ‘Will of Fate’] 77. ‘Priest’ (MS) [not ‘Friar’] 78. ‘describ’d’ (MS) [not ‘descriv’d’]; ‘father’ (MS) [not ‘Father’] 79. ‘master Keys’ (MS) [not ‘Master-keys’]; ‘up,’ (MS) [not ‘u[;’]; ‘came snooving by was ’ (MS) on his way 80. ‘sathan Cleeked be the’ (MS) [not ‘Satan cleek’d up by the’] 81. ‘Whip aff his hood &’ (MS) [not ‘Whip’d aff his Hood, and’] 82. ‘gae’ (MS) [not ‘Ga’e’]; ‘twirl up in the air’ (MS) [not ‘Toss up in the Air’] 83. The MS has a cancelled word here: ‘Ignatious’. ‘Saint Loyola’: Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), Spanish Catholic priest who co-founded the Society of Jesus religious order, also known as the Jesuit order. He was canonised in 1622. 85. ‘all rapt in Wonder’ (MS) [not ‘Bumbaz’d with Wonder,’] 86. ‘ferly had neer Crudled’ (MS) [not ‘Ferly had ’maist crudled’] 87-88. These lines, as per the copy-text, are in reverse order in the MS. 87. ‘to se a friar [illegible] Monk Mount Like a facon’ (MS) [not ‘To see a Monk mount like a Facon’] 88. ‘he doubted oft if he was Wakin’ (MS) [not ‘He ’gan to doubt if he was wakin’’] At this point, the MS has a cancelled version of l.90, as printed: ‘but having masterd part o’s feard’. As Ramsay’s footnote explains, Spanish Catholic priest Rev. Anthony Gavin (d.1749) was the author of the bestselling Master-Key to Popery (1724). He had visited England in 1715 on a Jesuit mission, but thereafter converted to 679

Poems the Church of England. 89. ‘rub, his’ (MS) [not ‘rub his’] 90. ‘fear’ (MS) [not ‘Fear’] 91. ‘presence’ (MS) [not ‘Presence’] 92. ‘crys,’ (MS) [not ‘cries,’]; ‘saw!’ (MS) [not ‘saw:’] 93. ‘se se!’ (MS) [not ‘See, see!’]; ‘tours!’ (MS) [not ‘tours —’] 94. ‘twa three hours!’ (MS) [not ‘twa ’r three Hours!’] 96. ‘that Quoth Nick’ (MS) [not ‘that, quoth Nick,’]; ‘knack’ (MS) [not ‘Knack’] 97. ‘Birds I wantna’ (MS) [not ‘Birds, I want na’] 98. ‘yours’ (MS) [not ‘your’s’] 99. ‘ther’s ane coming oer the green hi’ gate hither’ (MS) [not ‘there’s ane coming, hie gate, hither’] 100. ‘doun the Haly’ (MS) [not ‘down the haly’] 101. ‘Bessy Lass’ (MS) [not ‘Lass’] 102. ‘cheeks like Rubies een’ (MS) [not ‘Cheeks like Cherries, Een’] 103. ‘few coats she wore and they were Kiltit’ (MS) [not ‘Few Coats she wore, and they were kilted’] 104. ‘And Jon com Kiss me now – she Lilted’ (MS) [not ‘And (John come kiss me now) she lilted’] ‘John Come Kiss Me Now’: well-known and enduring tune which is found in a number of MS collections, including the Blaikie (1692) and Margaret Sinkler (1710) MSS, and in, among others, Playford’s Introduction to the Skill of Music (1654). The MS has a cancelled phrase here: ‘Her Belzy [illegible]’. 105. ‘came oer the flowrie knows’ (MS) [not ‘skift o’er the Benty Knows’] 106. ‘gawn to the Bught to Milk’ (MS) [not ‘Gawn to the Bught to milk’] 107. ‘Hand auld Belzy’ (MS) [not ‘Hand slee Belzie’] 108. ‘pint stowp’ (MS) [not ‘Pint-Stoup’] 109. ‘thrice around wav’d her round’ (MS) [not ‘wav’d her round’] 110. ‘Whiew! Whiew! he whistled – and with speed’ (MS) [not ‘Whieu, — Whieu — he whistled, and with Speed’] 111. ‘doun quick as a shoting starns’ (MS) [not ‘Down, quick as shooting Starns,’] 113. ‘By this same Tale we it Plainly’ (MS) [not ‘The Moral of this Tale shews plainly’] 114. ‘that wicked Men attempt carnal minds atempt but vainly’ (MS) [not ‘That carnal Minds attempt but vainly’] 115. ‘Laigher Warld to speel mount’ (MS) [not ‘laigher Warld to mount’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘Slaves to the Evil & Sathan’. 116. ‘While Slaves to Sathan’ (MS) [not ‘While Slaves to Satan’] An Anacreontique on Love Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, f.7). Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘The 3d Ode of Anacreon Imitated’ (MS) [not ‘An Anacreontique on Love’] 680

Notes to Poems 1728 Anacreontic poetry is in the style of Greek poet Anacreon (c.582-c.485 BC), who wrote in Ionian dialect, and is known for poetry in praise of alcohol, love and conviviality. 1. ‘Closd’ (MS) [not ‘clos’d’] 2. ‘Wearyd with Labour Care & din’ (MS) [not ‘Fatigu’d with Labour, Care and Din’] 3. ‘Tranquily now ilk weay’ (MS) [not ‘And quietly ilka weary’] 4. ‘silence’ (MS) [not ‘Silence’] 5. ‘Cupid’ (MS) [not ‘Cupid,’] 6. ‘rapd’ (MS) [not ‘rapt’]; ‘yett’ (MS) [not ‘Yet’] 7. ‘Surprized throw Sleep I Cryd’ (MS) [not ‘Surpriz’d, throw Sleep, I cry’d,’] 9. ‘for God sake apen fear’ (MS) [not ‘Oh! haste ye apen,— fear’] 10. ‘if no’ (MS) [not ‘Else soon’] 13. ‘light’ (MS) [not ‘Light,’] 14. ‘Chittering’ (MS) [not ‘chittering’] 15. ‘as he had said he seem’d’ (MS) [not ‘And he appear’d to be’] 16. ‘Quiver Wings &’ (MS) [not ‘Quiver, Wings and’] 17. ‘Bairnly looks sae sweet’ (MS) [not ‘bairnly Smiles and Looks’] 18. ‘appeard as sae Inocent a boy’ (MS) [not ‘seem’d sae innocent a Boy’] 19. ‘ony’ (MS) [not ‘any’] 20. ‘beekd’ (MS) [not ‘beekt’] 21. ‘face his handys Thowd’ (MS) [not ‘Face, his Handies thow’d’] 22. ‘Cheek with Roses Glowd’ (MS) [not ‘Cheeks, like Roses, glow’d’] 23. ‘As’ (MS) [not ‘But’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 24. ‘try said he gif’ (MS) [not ‘try, quoth he, if’] 25. ‘gear’ (MS) [not ‘Gear’] 26. ‘& feir’ (MS) [not ‘and fier’] 27-28. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are not in the MS. 29. ‘with that he gade back twa thre Strides’ (MS) [not ‘Mov’d back apiece, — his Bow he drew’] 30. ‘And drave ane Arrow throw my Sides’ (MS) [not ‘Fast throw my Breast his Arrow flew’] 31. ‘done’ (MS) [not ‘done,’] 32. ‘Leugh’ (MS) [not ‘leugh,’] 33. ‘Cryd Nibour’ (MS) [not ‘Cry’d, Nibour,’] 35-36. These lines feature in the margin of the MS. 35. ‘flee’ (MS) [not ‘flie’] 38. ‘butt’: a structure on which a target is placed for archery practice, or the target itself. The MS has an additional couplet at the end of the poem, which is not retained in Poems (1728): but gif I be not far mistane I think I’ve gein your heart some Pain

681

Poems On Mr. Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs; An Epigram Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: George Drummond (1687-1766), accountant-general of excise in Scotland (1707) and powerful local politician; the poem commemorates his appointment as Commissioner of Customs in 1723. Ramsay’s connection with Drummond may have come from their shared acquaintance with John Clerk of Penicuik: Drummond had been employed as an amanuensis by Clerk as he drafted Scottish parliamentary reports in his role as a Scottish commissioner for negotiating the treaty of union between Scotland and England (see J.M. Gray (ed.) Memoirs of the Life of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik (Edinburgh, 1892), p.54). Drummond was a central figure in Edinburgh: he was appointed Lord Provost of the city six times, and was responsible for significant developments in the city, including the draining of the Nor’ Loch to make way for North Bridge, the formation of the medical faculty at the University of Edinburgh, the institution of the Royal Infirmary, and planning the city’s New Town development. (See also Alexander Murdoch, ‘Drummond, George’, ODNB). The Address of the Muse, To the Right Honourable George Drummond Esq; Lord Provost; and Council of Edinburgh Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, f.6), consisting of ll.15-21 and ll.29-63. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: for George Drummond, see ‘An Epigram, on Mr Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs’. Drummond was first appointed Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1725. 15. ‘Reason and Inclination’ (MS) [not ‘Our Reason and Advantage’] 17. ‘shoud contribute’ (MS) [not ‘should contribute,’] 18. ‘Rivolets’ (MS) [not ‘Rivulets’] 19. ‘one &’ (MS) [not ‘one, and’] 20. ‘Thus shoud a City all their Care Unite’ (MS) [not ‘So should a City all her Care unite’] 21. ‘and entertain the brave & sweet’ (MS) [not ‘with Entertainments of Delight’] 29. ‘The Social Mind somtimes’ (MS) [not ‘Sometimes the social Mind’] 30. ‘trace with contemplation hy’ (MS) [not ‘trace, with Contemplation high’] 31. ‘native beautys’ (MS) [not ‘natural Beauties’] 32. ‘turtle’s’ (MS) [not ‘Turtle’s’] 33. ‘Chant in a Sŭmmer’ (MS) [not ‘chant in a Summer’] 35. ‘varied pleasures’ (MS) [not ‘changing Pleasure’] 36. ‘that’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 37. ‘do whats Right’ (MS) [not ‘act aright’] 38. ‘Circling siller money’ (MS) [not ‘prudent Judging’] 39. ‘to make the Good Toun Look more sweet & Fair’ (MS) [not ‘The Good Town’s Failings to repair’] 682

Notes to Poems 1728 40. ‘delight’ (MS) [not ‘Delight’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘Add to you have done much & well’. 41. ‘much have you been have done both usefull and polite’ (MS) [not ‘Much you have done, both useful and polite’] 42. ‘tire’ (MS) [not ‘tire!’]; ‘Plans’ (MS) [not ‘Plan’s’] 43. ‘But ah Crys some we money want’ (MS) [not ‘Some may object, We Money want’] 44. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 45. ‘true,’ (MS) [not ‘true;’]; ‘sure a Parlament’ (MS) [not ‘sure, the Parliament’] 46. ‘Grant’ (MS) [not ‘grant’] 47. ‘designs’ (MS) [not ‘Designs’] 48. ‘Intrest’ (MS) [not ‘well’]; ‘British’ (MS) [not ‘Britain’s’] 49. ‘Her Grandure & is all her own’ (MS) [not ‘Wealth, and more her Grandeur crowns’] 50. ‘Fifty fifteen’ (MS) [not ‘fifteen’]; ‘Thousand’ (MS) [not ‘thousand’] 51. ‘Wer yearly by this way our City spent’ (MS) [not ‘Were yearly on Improvement spent’] 52. ‘Tho from our selves we raise the funds’ (MS) [not ‘If Luxury produce the Funds’] 53. ‘if well Imployd bestowd’ (MS) [not ‘And well laid out,’] 54. ‘Grumbling’ (MS) [not ‘murmuring,’] 55. The MS has a cancelled word here: ‘while’. 56. ‘Imployd & ther’s is Nothing lost’ (MS) [not ‘employ’d, we gain, and nothing’s lost’] 57. ‘hundred’ (MS) [not ‘hundreds,’]; ‘pounds a Day’ (MS) [not ‘Pounds a day’] 58. ‘Turks or Indian’ (MS) [not ‘Turkish Galey’] 59. ‘sleep’ (MS) [not ‘sleep,’] The MS features an illegible cancelled line here. 60. ‘our City’ (MS) [not ‘the Publick’] 62. ‘keept at works few no’ (MS) [not ‘kept at Work, few’] 63. ‘starving want’ (MS) [not ‘pinching Want’] 89. ‘from the Lake a Field be gain’d’: Edinburgh’s Nor’ Loch, drained to make way for the North Bridge as the city’s New Town was developed in the later eighteenth century. In 1721, the Royal College of Physicians recommended draining the loch for public health reasons. 120-26. Ramsay was a playwright, but also played a practical role in the development of the Edinburgh stage. In the late 1720s, he ‘defended the idea of staging plays in Edinburgh’ before managing the ‘Edinburgh Company of Comedians at the Tailors’ Hall’ in 1733-35 and opening his own theatre in Carrubber’s Close in 1736 (see Michael Murphy, ‘Allan Ramsay’s Contribution to Theatre in Edinburgh, 1719-1739’ in Scottish Studies Review 2:2 (2001), pp.9-28). 136. ‘Humber’: tidal estuary on northern England’s east coast. In the Anglo-Saxon period, it operated as a border between Northumbria and the southern kingdoms.

683

Poems On his Grace the Duke of Hamilton’s shooting an Arrow through the Neck of an Eel Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: For the Duke of Hamilton and his association with the Royal Company of Archers, see ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’ and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, marching under his Grace the Duke of Hamilton’. 2. ‘Apollo’: deity of Greek and Roman mythology, regarded as the god of archery. Betty and Kate; A Pastoral Farewell to Mr. Aikman, when he went for London Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: William Aikman of Cairnie (1682-1731), Scottish portrait painter. He was the son of advocate and laird of Cairnie William Aikman (1646-99) and Margaret Clerk (d. after 1729), daughter of Ramsay’s patron Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. After education at Edinburgh University, Aikman studied painting, ‘working for the Flemish portrait painter John de Medina, who had a successful practice in Edinburgh’. He moved to London in 1722 and remained there until his death (see Rosalind K. Marshall, ‘Aikman, William, of Cairnie’, ODNB). 11. ‘Isis’: alternative name for the River Thames, especially the reach from its source in the Cotswolds through Oxford. 12. ‘Fortha’: River Forth, a major river which runs through Scotland’s central belt. 37. ‘Spey’: a river of north-east of Scotland; ‘Clyde’: flows through Glasgow and into the Firth of Clyde on Scotland’s west coast. 38. ‘Lud’: according to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regnum Britanniae, London was built by the pre-Roman King Lud, and became known as CaerLud, giving rise to Ludgate, an area in central London. Today, London’s Ludgate is regarded as having been named after the western gate in the London Wall. Ramsay’s reference is to London, generally. 57. ‘Mary’: Aikman’s wife, Marion Lawson. To Mr. David Malloch, On his Departure from Scotland Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: David Malloch (later Mallet; 1701/2?-65), Scottish poet and playwright who, after attending Edinburgh University, worked with poet James Thomson on the Edinburgh Miscellany (1720); at this time, he made Ramsay’s 684

Notes to Poems 1728 acquaintance. Malloch moved to London in 1723, where he had success as a dramatist. In London, he was a friend of Pope and Bolingbroke’s literary executor. He is principally known for his collaborations with Pope and Thomson, as well as The Excursion (1728) and Alfred, a Masque (1740). His poem, William and Margaret, mentioned by Ramsay in ll.29-32, was first published in Aaron Hill’s The Plain Dealer in 1724, and reprinted by Ramsay in TTM II. 6. ‘two GRAHAMS’: Malloch’s previous position as tutor to William and George, the younger sons of James Graham, first Duke of Montrose (16821742) and Lady Christian Carnegie (d.1744). 21. ‘Grampian Heights’: an allusion to Malloch’s birthplace. Although there is today uncertainty about the identity of Malloch’s parents, it is known that he was born in Perthshire and educated at Crieff parish school before attending Edinburgh high school (see James Sambrook, ‘Mallet [formerly Malloch], David’, ODNB). The Grampian Mountains are a mountain range in northern Scotland, which extend into Perthshire. To Calista: An Epigram Text: Poems (1728). MS: EUL (Laing II.212, f.21v). Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘Clarinda ane Epigramme To Calista’ (MS) [not ‘To Calista: An Epigram’] 1. ‘Wisdom’ (MS) [not ‘Wisdom,’] ‘Wisdom, Majesty and Beauty’: allusion to the classical mythic narrative of the Judgement of Paris, in which Zeus was asked to judge which of three goddesses – Athena (goddess of wisdom), Hera (associated with solemnity and majesty) and Aphrodite (goddess of love) – was the most beautiful and could thereby claim the golden apple from the Garden of the Hesperides. Zeus passes the task to Paris, a Trojan mortal. 2. ‘alure’ (MS) [not ‘allure’] 3. ‘payd to each his duty’ (MS) [not ‘paid to ilk his duty’] 5. ‘Red debate’ (MS) [not ‘redd Debate’] 6. ‘Doughters’ (MS) [not ‘Daughters’] ‘Jove’: alternative name for Zeus. Hera was his wife, and Athena and Aphrodite were his daughters. 7. ‘Clarinda’s (MS) [not ‘Calista’s’]; ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 9. ‘if gien to Her’ (MS) [not ‘when given to her,’] 10. ‘Aple’ (MS) [not ‘Apple’] 11. ‘Possest of A’ that’s Bright’ (MS) [not ‘possest of a’ that’s bright’] 12. ‘Juno Venus and Minerva’ (MS) [not ‘Juno, Venus, and Minerva’] ‘Juno’: Roman equivalent of the Greek Hera; ‘Venus’: Roman equivalent of Aphrodite; ‘Minerva’: Roman equivalent of Athena.

685

Poems 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 Text: Poems (1728). MS: Huntington (HM 1490). Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: Alexander Wardlaw: according to a letter in the Scots Magazine for 1797, Chamberlain to Charles Fleming, seventh Earl of Wigton (c.1675-1747; see p.534). See also Ramsay’s poem for Wardlaw’s son, ‘Epistle to John Wardlaw’. 1. ‘Man’ (MS) [not ‘Man,’] 2. ‘Virtue’ (MS) [not ‘Vertue’]; ‘Stor’d’ (MS) [not ‘stor’d’] 3. ‘Honest part’ (MS) [not ‘honest Part’] 4. ‘between’ (MS) [not ‘Btween’; a misprint]; ‘Tennants’ (MS) [not ‘Tenant’] 6. ‘Mien’ (MS) [not ‘Mean’] 8. ‘unrŭffled’ (MS) [not ‘unruffl’d’] 9. ‘Flemings’: the Earl of Wigton’s ancestor, Sir Robert Fleming, is thought to have joined Robert the Bruce in the murder of John Comyn at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries in 1306. To prove that the murder had taken place, Fleming is reported to have emerged from the church holding Comyn’s head, stating, ‘Let the deed shaw’, a phrase which became (and remains) the motto of Clan Fleming. (See also Alexander Fleming and Roger Mason (eds), Scotland and the Flemish People (Edinburgh: Birlinn, 2019).) 10. ‘Hier’ (MS) [not ‘Heir’] 11. ‘behavd’ (MS) [not ‘behav’d’] 12. ‘faith’ (MS) [not ‘Faith’] 13. ‘fame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame’] 15. ‘Ages’ (MS) [not ‘Ages,’]; ‘rust’ (MS) [not ‘Rust’] 16. ‘frame’ (MS) [not ‘Frame’] 17. ‘joyn’ (MS) [not ‘join’] An Ode Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, ff.12-13), consisting of ll.9-20, ll.25-28 and ll.49-64. The IELM notes another MS, sold twice by Sotheby’s on 22 March 1911 and 23 April 1923: this MS has not been traced. First published in unauthorised form in The British Journal for 3 October 1724, p.6; this version consists of only nine stanzas, and is accompanied by an anonymous letter: The following Copy of Verses was written by Mr. Allan Ramsay, on the Death of the young Dutchess of Hamilton; a Lady of exquisite Beauty and great Hopes. She was just turn’d Seventeen. This Poem to her Memory deserves, I think, a Place in your Paper. The Sentiments are tender and passionate; the language is elegantly plain and unaffected; the first two Lines of the 3d Stanza are of a remarkable Beauty; the Opposition betwixt the Effects of her Marriage and her Death, is extremely touching; the Apostrophe to Reason is happily imagin’d; and the Advice, in the last two Stanza’s, is given with a very gentile Address. If you shall judge as favourable of this little Poem, as I have done, you’ll 686

Notes to Poems 1728 oblige a great many of your Readers by publishing it. The poem is reprinted in The British Journal for 14 November 1724 (p.3), in corrected form. This printing is accompanied by a letter of clarification from Ramsay: Sir, From a Friend of mine in London I had one of your Journals; wherein is a Part of my Ode on the Death of the young Dutchess of Hamilton, with some Alterations; nothing to its Advantage: Also a Stanza that is none of mine. It begins, Where a new Seraph, &c. which, notwithstanding of the Note below, I look upon to be a little too bold. The Gentleman who sent the Epistle with the Verses, brings me under Obligations of Gratitude for his Generous Encomium upon my Attempt; but whoever he was that alter’d it, and curtail’d it, has not acted so friendly a Part; wherefore, if you could reprint it in one of your next Journals from the Copy that I have sent you, it will be a singular Kindness done a distant Stranger, that perhaps may meet with an Opportunity to make you a suitable Return. Edinburgh, Oct. 27. 1724. Sir, Your most humble Servant, Allan Ramsay. Although both the MS and unauthorised printing consist of nine stanzas, they are not the same; as Ramsay states in his letter accompanying its publication in November 1724, the first printing was ‘alter’d’ without his consent. As the October 1724 publication was unauthorised and ‘altered’ by another hand, it is not part of our collation of variants below; Ramsay’s corrected copy is included. Title: Lady Anne Cochrane (1707-24) had married James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton on 14 February 1723. She died in childbirth, aged seventeen, in August 1724. See also Ramsay’s ‘The Nuptials’, written to commemorate her marriage. Epigraph: the 1724 printing has an epigraph from Alexander Pope which is not retained in Poems (1728): ‘Let Angels with their silver Wings o’ershade,/The Ground, now sacred by her Reliques made.’, from Pope’s ‘Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady’ (1717), ll.67-68. 3. ‘so bleak and cold?’ (1724) [not ‘sae bleak and cauld?’] 5. ‘on ye heights,’ (1724) [not ‘on, ye Heights;’] 6. ‘Sun’ (1724) [not ‘Sun,’] 7. ‘Sigh Winds from frozen Caves of Snow’ (1724) [not ‘Sigh, Winds, frae frozen Caves of Snaw’] 8. ‘Clyde’ (1724) [not ‘Clyde,’] ‘Clyde’: runs through central Scotland; James Hamilton was styled Marquess of Clydesdale between 1703 and 1712. 9. ‘dead’ (MS) [not ‘dead,’]; ‘Beautyous’ (MS) [not ‘beauteous’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘how Dark’s the is mortall doom’. 10. ‘Gloom!’ (1724) [not ‘Gloom:’] 11. ‘ah who coud think so fair a flower’ (MS) [not ‘Alas! the comely budding Flower’] 12. ‘Should wither in her’ (MS) [not ‘Is faded in the’]; ‘Bloom!’ (1724) [not 687

Poems ‘Bloom.’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘Now Cold she Lys’. 13. ‘Tomb’ (MS) [not ‘Vault’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘The fairest features Lyes’. 14. ‘cold & pale’ (MS), ‘cold and pale’ (1724) [not ‘cauld and blae’] 15. ‘No more’ (MS, 1724) [not ‘Nae mair’]; ‘play on adorn’ (MS) [not ‘adorn’] 16. ‘or Sparkle from’ (MS) [not ‘Nae mair she lifts’]; ‘No more’ (1724) [not ‘Nae mair’] The MS has a cancelled stanza here. Some lines are struck through and others are not; these lines are not retained in Poems (1728): O Dismal Mansions of the Dead our Last Refuge from Care Now closd in Dark & Dismall Night No more she Her Eyes now Closd Shut in dismal night that usd like stars to shine That shone like Infant Day rays her heavenly form shut up in enclosd with Damps Like Snow in Rain decays 17. ‘soon’ (MS) [not ‘soon,’] 18. ‘Parent Dearest Wife Mate’ (MS) [not ‘Parent, lovely Mate’] 19. ‘leaves’t’ (1724) [not ‘leaves’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 20. ‘Early’ (MS) [not ‘early’] 21-23. A version of these lines, as printed in Poems (1728), feature in the MS, but are cancelled: But late the happiest but Late Possest of every Joy The youthfull Chief 21. ‘chearful’ (1724) [not ‘chearfu’’]; ‘Day’ (1724) [not ‘day’] 26. ‘greif pain woe’ (MS) [not ‘Grief’] 27. ‘& grasps thye her’ (MS) [not ‘and grasps thy’] 28. ‘but spreds his Arms in Vain’ (MS) [not ‘The Day brings nae Relief’]; ‘no’ (1724) [not ‘nae’] 32. ‘mourns:’ (1724) [not ‘mourns.’] 33. ‘Loss;’ (1724) [not ‘Loss,’] 34. ‘Tears;’ (1724) [not ‘Tears,’] 35. ‘such’ (1724) [not ‘sic’] 38. ‘Nymphs’ (1724) [not ‘Nymphs,’] 39. ‘thus’ (1724) [not ‘Thus’] 48. ‘more’ (1724) [not ‘mair’]; ‘View.’ (1724) [not ‘View:’] In the MS, the following three lines are situated before l.49 as printed: Now her Imortall spotless mind Soars to its Bright abode Suplys a Joyns with The Choir 49. ‘her Whyt Imortall mind now soars’ (MS) [not ‘Whose white immortal Mind now shines’] 688

Notes to Poems 1728 50. ‘far from our feeble sight’ (MS) [not ‘And shall for ever bright’] 51. ‘millions of seraph measured miles’ (MS) [not ‘Above th’ Insult of Death and Pain’] 52. ‘she up to the first spring of Light’ (MS), ‘Light.’ (1724) [not ‘By the first Spring of Light:’] 53. ‘Ther Joyns the Consort the high conserted Choir’ (MS), [not ‘There joins the high melodious Thrang’]; ‘Throng’ (1724) [not ‘Thrang’] 55. ‘Cherub’ (MS) [not ‘Seraph’] The MS has a cancelled version of l.57: ‘Then cease kind Prince to rent’. 57. ‘Cease great James thy tender grief’ (MS) [not ‘cease, Great James, thy flowing Tears’] 58. ‘Rend’ (MS) [not ‘rent’] 59. ‘from These abodes’ (MS) [not ‘Frae Bowers of Bliss’]; ‘From’ (1724) [not ‘Frae’] 60. ‘to Bless thy’ (MS) [not ‘To thy kind’] 61. ‘Be Still Stil Cultivate thy Gracious Mind’ (MS) [not ‘With Goodness still adorn thy Mind’] 62. ‘True Thy Virtues greatness’ (MS) [not ‘True Greatness’] 63. ‘Patriot,’ (1724) [not ‘Patriot’]; ‘Just & Kind’ (MS) [not ‘just and brave’] Ode To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton; Inscrib’d to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.70v, f.72v-73). Lines 1, 2 and 4 are drafted on f.72v. The ordering of stanzas differs in the MS: stanzas 4 (ll.13-16), 5 (ll.17-20) and 6 (ll.21-24) appear in reverse, i.e. as 6, 5, 4. First published in 1727 as a four-page chapbook entitled ‘An Ode. To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton; Inscrib’d to The Royal Society of London, for the improving of Natural Knowledge’. Title: Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), prolific and highly influential mathematician and natural philosopher, known for his research on gravity, invention of the first practical reflecting telescope and the first theoretical calculation for the speed of sound. Newton was President of the Royal Society of London from 1703 until his death on 20 March 1727. ‘Royal Society of London’: scientific academy founded in 1660; its early years saw revolutionary advancements in science and its communication. 1. ‘Great Newton’s Dead’ (MS) [not ‘Great Newton’s dead, — full ripe his Fame’] 2. ‘No vulgar sighs cease selfish vulgar grief to dul our song’ (MS) [not ‘Cease, vulgar Grief, to cloud our Song’] 4. ‘who gave’ (MS) [not ‘who lent’] 5. ‘Now Godlike Newton Mounts on hy’ (MS) [not ‘The God-like Man now mounts the Sky’] 6. ‘Radiant spheres’ (MS) [not ‘radiant Spheres’] 8. ‘Years.’ (1727) [not ‘Years:’] 9. ‘none’ (MS) [not ‘none,’] 10. ‘hieght’ (MS) [not ‘Height’] 689

Poems 12. ‘Improve the Humane’ (MS) [not ‘improve the humane’] 14. ‘With Raptures now’ (MS) [not ‘Now with full Joy’] 14. ‘These these worlds reach & ther shining spheres [the remainder of the line is illegible due to water damage]’ (MS) [not ‘These Worlds, and ev’ry shining Blaze’] The MS has a cancelled line before l.16: ‘only throw Glass teach the’. 16. ‘only throw glasses shew ther [remainder of the line illegible]’ (MS) [not ‘Only thro’ Glasses shew their Rays’] 17. ‘Thousand’ (MS) [not ‘thousand’] 18. ‘to one thought they wer’ (MS) [not ‘But often to one Part’] 19. ‘Reveald’ (MS) [not ‘reveal’d’] 21. ‘Penetration’ (MS) [not ‘Penetration,’] 22. ‘divd deep’ (MS); ‘unbounded’ (MS) [not ‘extended’] 23. ‘Wher Humane Judgment knows no minds neer reach the Ground’ (MS) [not ‘Where humane Minds can reach no Bound’] 24. ‘rerely’ve divd’ (MS) [not ‘never div’d’] 25. ‘& Westernd’ (MS) [not ‘and Western’] 26. ‘When While’ (MS) [not ‘When’]; ‘Gaze’ (MS) [not ‘gaze’] 27. ‘touch and Sails are furld’ (MS) [not ‘guide the Sail unfurl’d’] The MS has a stanza here which is not retained in printed editions of the poem: Heaven sent Him with a fraught divine to perfect what before was Rude and Infinit thoughts of glimering shine He made them fully understood In the MS, ll.37-40 appear before ll.29-32. l.29, as printed, appears at the end of the corresponding stanza in the MS; this is a revision of a cancelled version of l.29, which reads: ‘yet free from Pride a modest grace’. 29. ‘Throw each dark Maze’ (MS) [not ‘Thro’ ev’ry Maze’] 30. This line is missing from the MS. 31. ‘yet Modest grace unsoild with pride’ (MS) [not ‘Yet Modesty, unstain’d with Pride’] 32. ‘Increasd his merit worth & our Love Esteem’ (MS) [not ‘Increas’d his Merit and our Love’] 33-36. These lines appear later in the MS, on f.73. 33. ‘Jangled sophistry of of useless Idle words’ (MS) [not ‘Sophistry of Words’] 35. ‘afords’ (MS) [not ‘afford’] 36. ‘demonstration just delight’ (MS) [not ‘Demonstration most Delight’] 37. ‘honourably Boast, her Glorious Son’ (MS) [not ‘honourably boast’] 38. ‘find Glory in her Matchless’ (MS) [not ‘And glory in her matchless’] 39. ‘Invented’ (MS) [not ‘invented’] 41. ‘Learn’d Felows’ (MS) [not ‘Ye Fellows’] ‘Fellows of the Royal Class’: members of the Royal Society were known as Fellows; Newton was President from 1703 until 1727. 42. ‘Justly ownd him for your’ (MS) [not ‘Who honour’d Him to be your’] 43. ‘Marble and in Brass’ (MS) [not ‘finest Stone and Brass’] 44. ‘dead’ (MS) [not ‘Dead’] 46. ‘deathless sweetst strain’ (MS) [not ‘highest Strain’] 690

Notes to Poems 1728 47. ‘our Works as long as wheels Coeval with this Ball’ (MS) [not ‘Words, as long as wheels this Ball’] 48. ‘bright’ (MS) [not ‘great’] 50. ‘throw’ (MS) [not ‘thro’’] 51. ‘To Bring doun knowledge from the Skyes’ (MS) [not ‘And bring down Knowledge from the Skies’] 52. ‘sow’t oer’ (MS) [not ‘plant on’] 53. ‘’Till Nations grovling few degrees from Beasts Brutes’ (MS) [not ‘Till Nations, few Degrees from Brutes’] 54. ‘led’ (MS) [not ‘brought’] 55. ‘Happyest fruits’ (MS) [not ‘happiest Fruits’] 56. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] The MS has an additional stanza at the end of the poem, which is not retained in printed editions: Mechanicks of each different kind from you who drain the Pits with fire To you of the Inf for lower deeds work designd light all your Lamps at his bright fire. To William Somerville of Warwickshire Esq; on reading several of his excellent Poems Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NLS (2233, f.10), consisting of ll.1-20 and page number markings for the printer; BL (Egerton 2023, f.12), consisting of ll.21-68; water damaged. The IELM notes an additional, unlocated MS source, described as ‘Autograph… on the fly-leaves of a copy of Poems (1721)’. This copy has been traced to the NLS (Bdg.m.22): the poem in question is not Ramsay’s holograph but a transcription in another hand; it is not, therefore, included in our collation. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: William Somervile (1675-1742), English poet based at Edstone, Warwickshire. His first major work was The Wicker Chair (1708), followed by The Two Springs, a Fable (1725) and Occasional Poems, Translations, Fables, Tales &c (1727). Somervile’s major poem is The Chace (1735). Ramsay and Somervile had an enduring epistolary relationship: Somervile responded to this poem with ‘An Epistle from Mr. Somervile’ and Ramsay replied with ‘Answer to the above Epistle’, printed in Poems (1728). A further set of poems between Ramsay and Somervile – consisting of ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay, upon his publishing his second Volume of Poems’, ‘To William Somervile, of Warwick-shire’ and ‘To William Somerville, 1728’ – remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime. See also the notes accompanying these poems. 1. ‘read’ (NLS) [not ‘read,’] 2. ‘Muses gay & Easy flow’ (NLS) [not ‘Muse’s gay and easy Flow’] 3. ‘fire’ (NLS) [not ‘Fire’] ‘Idalian’: ancient town of Idalia, Cyprus, where Greek goddess of love Aphrodite was worshipped. 4. ‘glow’ (NLS) [not ‘Glow’] 5. ‘line joyous care’ (NLS) [not ‘Line with joyous Care’] 691

Poems 7. ‘Gluton o’er his fare’ (NLS) [not ‘Glutton o’er his Fare’] 8. ‘delicious;’ (NLS) [not ‘Delicious,’] 9. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 11. ‘desert’ (NLS) [not ‘Desert’] 14. ‘Pindar’: (c.518-438 BC), ancient Greek poet. 15. ‘Virtue Being’ (NLS) [not ‘Vertue being’] 16. ‘Sister Springs’: Somervile’s ‘The Two Springs, A Fable’. 19. ‘Kind’ (NLS) [not ‘kind’] 20. ‘falen’ (NLS) [not ‘faln’] ‘Mount Gilbo’: Mount Gilboa, Israel. In the Bible, a battle between Saul and the Philistines ends with Saul falling on his own sword and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua being killed in battle (1 Samuel 31:1-4). Somervile’s poem, ‘Lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan’ is on this subject. 22. ‘Iliad’: Homer’s epic, The Iliad. 23. ‘e’er’ (BL) [not ‘e’er,’] 24. ‘praise’ (BL) [not ‘Praise’] 25. ‘Passions’ (BL) [not ‘Passions,’]; ‘disire’ (BL) [not ‘desire’] 27. ‘Virtues’ (BL) [not ‘Vertues’] 28. ‘soul’ (BL) [not ‘Soul’]; ‘sublime’ (BL) [not ‘Sublime’] 30. ‘Pŭmp for fame’ (BL) [not ‘pump for Fame’] 31. ‘Ass’ (BL) [not ‘Ass,’] 32. ‘flame his Tail he Lost’ (BL) [not ‘Flame his Tail he lost’] 31-32. ‘your gilt Ass’: in Somervile’s ‘The Incurious Bencher’, Col. Brocade’s trousers catch fire: ‘Fierce Vulcan caught him by the A—/Stuck to his Skirts, insatiate Varlet!/ And fed with pleasure on the Scarlet’ (ll.36-38). The Bencher provides the poem’s moral: ‘If you will burn your Tail to Tinder,/Pray what have I to do to hinder?/Other Mens Business let alone,/Why shou’d not Coxcombs mind their own?’ (ll.61-64). 33. ‘th’ Incurious’ (BL) [not ‘th’ incurious’] ‘th’ incurious Bencher’: Somervile’s ‘The Incurious Bencher’. 34. ‘Tale’ (BL) [not ‘Tale,’] 35. ‘Read’ (BL) [not ‘read’]; ‘fits’ (BL) [not ‘Fits’] 36. ‘Hearty’ (BL) [not ‘hearty’] 37. ‘Chaucer’ (BL) [not ‘Chaucer,’] ‘Chaucer’: Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400), medieval English poet and author of The Canterbury Tales. 38. ‘Prior’ (BL) [not ‘Prior,’] ‘Fontain’: Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95), French fabulist; ‘Prior’: Matthew Prior (1664-1721), English poet and diplomat. 39. ‘Best:’ (BL) [not ‘best;’] 40. Water damage makes this line illegible in the BL MS. ‘Lob’: Squire Lobb of Somervile’s ‘The Officious Messenger: A Tale’. 41. ‘Pursue’d’ (BL) [not ‘pursu’d’]; the remainder of the line is illegible in the BL MS. 41-44. Ramsay refers to the plot of Somervile’s ‘The Officious Messenger’. 42-43. Parts of these lines are illegible in the BL MS due to water damage. 46. ‘Revenging’ (BL) [not ‘revenging’] 692

Notes to Poems 1728 47. ‘merits’ (BL) [not ‘merits;’]; ‘fame’ (BL) [not ‘Fame’] 48. ‘Bowling Green’ (BL) [not ‘Bowling-Green’] ‘your Bowling-Green’: Somervile’s poem, ‘The Bowling-Green’. 49. ‘Partys’ (BL) [not ‘Parties,’] 50. ‘naturale just’ (BL) [not ‘natural, just,’] 51. ‘read’ (BL) [not ‘read,’] 52. ‘Please’ (BL) [not ‘please’] 53. ‘Pleasd and Please the Best’ (BL) [not ‘pleas’d, and please the best’] 54. ‘Lawrels’ (BL) [not ‘Laurels’] 55. ‘Fair and Mongst the Best’ (BL) [not ‘Fair, and ’mongst the best’] 56. ‘Somervile’s Consort’: Anne Somerville (1689-1734), wife of William Somerville’s ‘kinsman’, James Somerville, twelfth Lord Somerville (16981765). Ramsay’s ‘Wrote on Lady Somerville’s Book of Scots Sangs’ is addressed to her, while the second book of Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Songs is dedicated to her. Ramsay and Lady Somerville exchanged verse epistles which remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime; see ‘Thus Honourd by a Muse divine’. 57. ‘th’ Harmonious’ (BL) [not ‘th’ harmonious’] 58. ‘sing’ (BL) [not ‘Sing,’] 60. ‘wer’ (BL) [not ‘were’] 61. ‘Her’ (BL) [not ‘her’]; ‘valued’ (BL) [not ‘valu’d’] 62. ‘Realy’ (BL) [not ‘really’] 63. ‘handsome’ (BL) [not ‘handsome,’] 65. ‘Her Lov’d’ (BL) [not ‘her lov’d’] 66. ‘Claims’ (BL) [not ‘claims’] 67. Part of this line is illegible in the BL MS due to water damage; ‘fate’ (BL) [not ‘Fate’] 68. Water damage to the BL MS makes part of this line illegible. 70. ‘de Somerville’: Sir Gualter de Somerville, Norman knight in the circle of William I (c.1028-87), from whom Somervile is descended. An Epistle From Mr. Somervile Text: Poems (1728). This poem by William Somervile is in response to Ramsay’s ‘To William Somervile of Warwickshire, Esq; on reading several of his excellent Poems’. 1. ‘Avona’: River Avon, a tributary of the Severn. It flows through Warwickshire, the county in which Somervile resided. 15. ‘Brave and Fair’: Ramsay’s Preface to Poems (1721) states: ‘Thus shielded by the Brave and Fair,/My Foes may envy, but despair’. 28. ‘Brave Archers’: Ramsay’s poems dedicated to the Royal Company of Archers: ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Butts and Rovers’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’ and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers marching’. All three were published in the 1724 edition headed by Health; Somervile may have read them there, in advance of their publication in Poems (1728). 54. ‘Thule’: the most northerly location in classical Greek and Roman literature; regarded as referring to northern Scotland, Orkney and Shetland, or 693

Poems the islands of Norway and Estonia. 55. ‘Men of Gresham’: a group of mid-seventeenth-century scientists with links to Gresham College, London, a precursor to the Royal Society of London. 62. ‘Theban Swan’: classical Greek poet, Pindar, as described by Abraham Cowley (1618-67) in his poem ‘The Praise of Pindar’ (1656), l.37. 73. ‘Cadmean murd’ring Brood’: Cadmus, founder of Thebes in Bœotia; a ‘Cadmean victory’: associated with the Thebans; a victory involving one’s own ruin. 81. ‘Kirkman’: probably a reference to Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on John Cowper, Kirk Treasurer’s Man’, published in Poems (1721). 112. ‘Croudero’: Crowdero, a fiddler captured and put in the stocks by Sir Hudibras and Ralpho in Samuel Butler’s Hudibras (1674-78). The term is used by Roger North in his Memoires of Musick (1728): ‘The violin was scarce knowne tho’ now the principall verb, and if it was any where seen, it was in the hands of a country croudero, who for the portability served himself of it’ (see North, Memoirs of Musick, ed. Edward F. Rimbault (London, 1846), p.80). Answer to the above Epistle From William Somervile Esq; of Warwickshire Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.46v), consisting of ll.1-12. According to IELM, an additional MS ‘representing the latter part of the poem, two pages’ was sold in Edinburgh on 28 March 1887; this has not been located. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: in response to Somervile’s ‘An Epistle from Mr Somervile’, published in Poems (1728). See also ‘To William Somerville of Warwickshire’. 1. ‘oun my pleasure’ (MS) [not ‘own my Pleasure’] 2. ‘receipt was beyond beyont’ (MS) [not ‘Receipt, exceeded’] 3. ‘sae much spirit &’ (MS) [not ‘so much Sp’rit and’] 4. ‘slid sae strong correct &’ (MS) [not ‘smooth, sae strong, correct and’] 5. ‘ony Ane by’ (MS) [not ‘any He (by’] 6. ‘Merit’ (MS) [not ‘merit)’] 7. ‘Then if I be if that’s my fault’ (MS) [not ‘If that’s my Fault,’] 8. ‘wha lends’ (MS) [not ‘Wha’ve lent’]; ‘Heez Lift to fame’ (MS) [not ‘Lift to Fame’] The MS has the following cancelled lines here: God Save you sir Yours now now delightfully spreads round 9. ‘Yours now shines bright looms high and widens far’ (MS) [not ‘Your ain tours high, and widens far’] 10. ‘& blazesing’ (MS) [not ‘Bright glancing’] 11. ‘praise’ (MS) [not ‘Praise’] The MS has a cancelled version of l.12 here: ‘on your Late publishd Pleasing Lays’. 12. ‘Blyth Pages’ (MS) [not ‘Collection’] 694

Notes to Poems 1728 15. ‘Mat’: English poet Matthew Prior (1664-1721); ‘Swift’: Irish novelist, satirist and essayist Jonathan Swift (1667-1745). 16. ‘Waller’: Edmund Waller (1606-87), English politician and poet. 58. ‘lovely Progeny’: James Somerville (1698-1765), the eldest son of James Somerville, twelfth Lord Somerville, and his wife Anne Bayntun, with whom William Somervile claimed kinship (see also ‘To William Somerville of Warwickshire’). Ramsay’s description of Somerville’s son in this poem was later used in evidence in a Somerville family inheritance dispute, as explained by Thomas Somerville: William Somerville (the poet) had conceived a clannish attachment to Lord Somerville, and though no connection between the families could be traced of a more modern date than the Conquest, had given Lord Somerville some ground to expect being made his heir. The succession of his lordship, at all events, to the poet’s Gloucestershire estate was already a settled point. In these circumstances, Allan Ramsay, who was known to be in the habit of corresponding with Mr. Somerville, was asked to notify him the interesting intelligence of the birth of Lord Somerville’s eldest son and heir, in the form of a poetical epistle; and the poem in question was accordingly written. This poem afterwards became important evidence in a question of law involving considerable interests. When the boy whose birth had been thus announced and who became the fourteenth Lord Somerville, died in 1765, the descendants of his mother by a previous marriage claimed a share of his personal estate, according to the law of England, alleging that his lordship was to be considered an Englishman, and not a Scotchman; and the place of his birth was held to be a material circumstance for establishing the fact in dispute. No record of the birth, however, had been inserted into the parish register, nor, according to a general custom in Scotland, in the family Bible. Ramsay’s verses supplied the necessary proof, and the rather that, as I happened to be the means of ascertaining, they were inserted in the first edition of the poems, published in 1728, a year before the birth of Hugh Somerville, the second son, and although they do not so designate him, were necessarily alone applicable to the heir. I procured, with some difficulty, a copy of the edition of 1728, and was informed by Sir James Burgess, to whom I forwarded it in London, that its production had the principal weight in persuading Lord Somerville’s English relations to desist from the farther prosecution of their claim. (Thomas Somerville, My Own Life and Times, 1741-1814 (Edinburgh, 1861), pp.30-33.) There are errors in this account: Lord Somerville’s son, James, celebrated in these lines, succeeded as thirteenth Lord Somerville, rather than fourteenth. 85. ‘Avona’: the River Avon, which flows through Warwickshire, Somervile’s home county.

695

Poems Reasons for not answering the Hackney Scribblers, my obscure Enemies Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in the expanded edition of Ramsay’s Fables and Tales (1722), pp.41-44. In the first edition, the stanzas are numbered; these numbers are not retained in Poems (1728). The STS editors state that this poem ‘seems to be connected with the incidents that followed the publication of his epigram On Receiving a Present of an Orange’ (VI, p.93). However, given their admission that The Grub Street Journal did not refer to Ramsay’s epigram until 1731, this seems unlikely (see VI, p.161). The poem’s first publication is alongside ‘Bagpipes no Music’, an attack on Ramsay and Scots song, and Ramsay’s response, ‘Grubstreet nae satyre’. This suggests that ‘Reasons for not answering’ was written in reference to the ‘Hackney Scriblers’ responsible for ‘Bagpipes no Music’ and other attacks on Ramsay and his literary project, such as ‘A Satyr Upon Allan Ramsay, Occasioned upon a Report of his Translating Horace’ (NLS Ry.III.c.36), ‘Allan Ramsay Metamorphosed into a Hather-Bloter Poet’ (Mitchell Library, Glasgow), ‘A Block for Allan Ramsay’s Wigs’ (NLS Ry.III.a.10) and ‘A Habbyac on the Death of Allan Ramsay’ (NLS 6.107). Title: ‘Ramsay’s REASONS for not Answering the Hackney Scriblers, his obscure Enemies’ (1722) [not ‘REASONS for not answering the Hackney Scriblers, my obscure Enemies’] ‘Hackney’: ‘person or thing let out for promiscuous use: e.g. a horse, a whore, a literary drudge’ (John S. Farmer and W.E. Henley, Slang and its Analogues (1890) III, p.243). 1. ‘Friends,’ (1722) [not ‘Friends;’] 2. ‘deserve;’ (1722) [not ‘deserve:’] 3. ‘Ends,’ (1722) [not ‘Ends;’] 4. ‘Line’ (1722) [not ‘Line,’] 5. ‘feight’ (1722) [not ‘fight’] 6. ‘beguil’d,’ (1722) [not ‘beguild;’] 10. ‘Tools,’ (1722) [not ‘Tools;’] 11. ‘Warld by their daft Meddly’ (1722) [not ‘Warld, by their daft Medley,’] 13. ‘been’ (1722) [not ‘been,’] 15. ‘Mackfleckno’s’ (1722) [not ‘Macflecknos’] ‘Macflecknos’: Mac Flecknoe; or, A satyr upon the True-Blue-Protestant Poet, T.S. (1682), mock-heroic poem by John Dryden (1631-1700) which satirises English playwright and Poet Laureate Thomas Shadwell (c.1642-92). 17. ‘Garth or Congrave’ (1722) [not ‘Young or Somer’le’] ‘Young’: English writer Edward Young (bap.1683-1765), known at this point for A Poem on the Last Day (1713) and the collection of satires entitled The Universal Passion (1725-28); the poem for which he is principally known is The Complaint, or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality (174246); ‘Somer’le’: William Somervile, with whom Ramsay had established an epistolary relationship. 18. ‘wrang;’ (1722) [not ‘wrang:’] 19. ‘Spite,’ (1722) [not ‘Spite;’] ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), known for satirical poetry. 696

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘Addison’: Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English politician and author. 21. ‘Spec’: The Spectator (1711-12), London periodical founded by Addison and Richard Steele. 24. ‘throw’ (1722) [not ‘throu’’] 26. ‘Trade’ (1722) [not ‘Tade’; misprint] 27. ‘if forsooth’ (1722) [not ‘if, forsooth,’] 29. ‘Bread,’ (1722) [not ‘Bread;’] ‘Homer sang for’s daily bread’: Homer is thought to have been a court singer. 30. ‘Surprizing’ (1722) [not ‘Surprising’]; ‘Wool,’ (1722) [not ‘Wool;’] ‘Shakespear fin’d the Wool’: Shakespeare’s father, John, was a dealer in hides and wool. 31. ‘made,’ (1722) [not ‘made;’] 32. ‘imploy’d’ (1722) [not ‘employ’d’] ‘Ben’: English playwright and poet Ben Jonson (1572-1637) worked as a bricklayer; Thomas Fuller’s Worthies of England (1662) presents Jonson ‘with trowel in hand and book in pocket, labouring reluctantly at his uncongenial task’ (Ian Donaldson, ‘Jonson, Benjamin [Ben], ODNB). ‘Dorset’: English poet and playwright Thomas Sackville, first Earl of Dorset (1567-1604); ‘Launsdown’: English poet and politician George Granville, first Baron Lansdowne (1666-1735); ‘Lauderdale’: probably politician and judge John Maitland, fifth Earl of Lauderdale (1655-1710). 34. ‘Sterling’ (1722) [not ‘Stirling’] ‘Son of Angus’: may denote Aonghus Óg Mac Domhnaill (d.c.1318), younger son of Aonghus Mór mac Domhnaill, Lord of Islay. The clan offered support to Robert the Bruce in his claim to the Scottish crown. See W.D. Lamont, ‘Alexander of Islay, Son of Angus Mor’ in Scottish Historical Review 60:2 (1981), pp.160-69. 38. ‘Night,’ (1722) [not ‘Night;’] 42. ‘Best,’ (1722) [not ‘best;’] 45. ‘Cur,’ (1722) [not ‘Cur;’] 46. ‘Wave,’ (1722) [not ‘Wave;’] 48. ‘Altho’ (1722) [not ‘Altho’’] Epigraph: ‘equitem’ (1722) [not ‘Equitem’] From Horace’s Satires, Satyrarum libri (1.10, l.76): ‘it is enough for me to applaud the knights’; often used satirically in reference to those who use their art to gain the favour of powerful individuals. To Mr. Donald Macewen Jeweller at St. Petersburg Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, 31v). Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: many Scots, principally doctors and soldiers, emigrated to Russia in the eighteenth century; a notable example is Samuel Greig (1735-88) of Inverkeithing, who fought in the Battles of Chesma (1770) and Hogland (1788). Dmitry Fedosov identifies Donald MacEwan as ‘possibly from Perth or Dundee. Jeweller in St. Petersburg by mid-18th century’ (The Caledonian Connection: Scotland-Russia Ties (Aberdeen, 1996), p.75). According to Ramsay’s 697

Poems list of Subscribers to the 1728 edition of Poems, Macewen was ‘Jeweller to the Czar of Moscovy’. At this point, the Tzar was Peter I the Great (1672-1725), whose reign began in 1721 and ended at his death; he was succeeded by Catherine I (1684-1727). 1. ‘fame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame!’] 3. ‘imploy’ (MS) [not ‘employ’]; ‘fire and’ (MS) [not ‘Fire, and’] 4. ‘virtues that delyt’ (MS) [not ‘Vertues that delyte’] 5. ‘Tho fortune Lour tis’ (MS) [not ‘Should Fortune lour, ’tis’] 6. ‘Bawmy health’ (MS) [not ‘bawmy Health’] 7. ‘hour a saul unsour’ (MS) [not ‘Hour a Saul unsowr’] 9. ‘mind that unconfind’ (MS) [not ‘Mind that’s not confin’d’] 10. ‘with Passions mean & vile’ (MS) [not ‘To Passions mean and vile’] 11. ‘Pynd while thoughts Refind’ (MS) [not ‘pin’d, while Thoughts refin’d’] 12. ‘Gloomy cares Beguile’ (MS) [not ‘gloomy Cares beguile’] 13. ‘even as Gay’ (MS) [not ‘e’en as gay’] 15. ‘Tay’: the River Tay originates in the western Highlands of Scotland, and flows through the Highlands, Perth and Dundee; ‘Usquebae’: whisky. 17. ‘howsoeer hast gather geer’ (MS) [not ‘howsoe’er, haste, gather Gear’] 18. ‘Pack up your Bagadge’ (MS) [not ‘pack up your Treasure’] 19. ‘and here at hame come strute your wame’ (MS) [not ‘Then to Auld Reekie come, and beek ye’] 20. ‘with good fat Beef & cabadge’ (MS) [not ‘And close your Days with Pleasure’] To the same, on receiving a Present from him of a Seal, Homer’s Head finely cut in Crystal, and set in Gold Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: Donald Macewen, Scottish jeweller who had emigrated to St. Petersburg, Russia; see also ‘To Donald Macewen’. 16. ‘Hugh Eccles’: there is mention of a ‘Mr Eccles’ as ‘introducer’ of ceremonies in a letter from A.A. Matveev to Peter I of 20 May 1707 (Simon Dixon et. al., Britain and Russia in the age of Peter the Great: Historical Documents (London, 1998), p.62). According to Rebecca Wills, ‘In 1738 William Geddes, a Jacobite friend of Gordon’s, requested his intercession on behalf of his son. In the same year, Gordon recommended Hugh Eccles, who was recorded as having arrived in Russia by 1740’. Gordon is General Patrick Gordon, who ‘entered Russian service in 1661’: ‘it was to him that Peter owed, in large measure, the modernisation and success of his armed forces’ (Wills, The Jacobites and Russia, 1715-1750 (East Linton, 2002), p.185; p.38). A Ballad on bonny Kate Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). 698

Notes to Poems 1728 Title: ‘bonny Kate’: Catherine Cochrane (d.1786), daughter of John Campbell Cochrane, fourth Earl of Dundonald (1687-1720) and Lady Anne Murray (d.1710). She was the sister of Lady Anne Cochrane (1707-24), who had died in childbirth shortly after her marriage to James Hamilton, fifth Duke of Hamilton and was commemorated in Ramsay’s ‘An Ode Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton’, also printed in Poems (1728). Catherine Cochrane married Alexander Stewart, sixth Earl of Galloway (c.1694-1773) in 1729. 21. ‘Adonis’: the lover of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love. 24. ‘Solomon’: Biblical king of Israel. He built the first Temple of Jerusalem and is known for his power and wisdom. 27. ‘Circasian’: probably a reference to Samuel Croxall’s The Fair Carcassian, A Dramatic Performance (1720), of which an earlier version had been printed in Richard Steele’s Poetical Miscellanies (1714). Croxall’s poem is a verse adaptation of the Biblical Song of Solomon. 32. ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage ceremonies and accompanying feasts and song. To Dr. J. C. who got the foregoing to give to the young Lady Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: ‘Dr. J. C.’: Dr John Clerk (1689-1757), physician in Edinburgh who was appointed President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on 4 December 1740 (see Historical Sketch and Laws of the Royal College of Physicians, of Edinburgh from its Institution to August, 1882 (Edinburgh, 1882, p.17). Clerk provided a preface for Alexander Cunningham’s (1655-1730) edition of Virgil (1743), and published Cunningham’s edition of Phaedrus in 1757 (see David Irving, Memoirs of the Life and Writings of George Buchanan (Edinburgh, 1817), p.414). His library was sold after his death, and its contents published in A Catalogue of Books; Being the Library of the Learned Dr. John Clerk, Physician in Edinburgh; and of Dr. David Clear, His Son (Edinburgh, 1768). 6. ‘Cloud Compeller’: one who collects or drives the clouds, utilised in Pope’s translation of Homer’s Iliad (1718): ‘She said: the cloud-compeller, overcome,/Assents to fate, and ratifies the doom’ (Book IV, l.557-58). 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 Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.20v), entitled ‘Prol’. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: Ramsay’s ‘Prologue’ was written to be performed by the boys at Haddington Grammar School under their teacher, John Leslie, who regularly had his students stage plays for public audiences. According to William Steven, 699

Poems Leslie ‘is said to have been one of the ablest teachers in Scotland. He was eleven years master of the grammar school of Haddington, immediately before going to Dalkeith in 1731… Mr Leslie died August 18, 1739’ (Steven, The History of the High School of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, 1849), p.97). Ramsay’s patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, sent his sons Patrick and Henry to Haddington. In a letter to Leslie of 30 October 1730, Clerk asserts, ‘I approved much of your method to make your boys once a year act a play in publick. This gives them a decent behaviour and seem’d to prepare them for the business of the world’ (Gray (ed.), Memoirs of the Life of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, p.252). J. McKenzie states that ‘Leslie and his pupils appear to have been encouraged in their efforts by Haddington Town Council who on three occasions at least (March and August 1724 and August 1729) paid the expenses of erecting a stage’ (J. McKenzie, ‘School and University Drama in Scotland, 1650-1760’ in Scottish Historical Review 34:118 (Oct. 1955), p.106). The boys performed Cato and The Cheats of Scapin in 1724, Aurenzebe and The Drummer in 1727, The Beggar’s Opera in 1728 and Julius Caesar in 1729. Ramsay’s GS was performed at Haddington in 1729. Of the plays referred to here, Dryden’s Aurenzebe was written in 1675; The Drummer (1716) is by Addison. The next text printed in Poems (1728) is Ramsay’s ‘Epilogue’ written for the close of this performance by the Haddington students. 1. ‘hush’ (MS) [not ‘hush,’]; ‘apear’ (MS) [not ‘appear’] 3. ‘Phrase’ (MS) [not ‘Phrase,’]; ‘thoughts’ (MS) [not ‘Thoughts’] 4. ‘throw’ (MS) [not ‘thro’’] 5-6. These lines are added to the MS as revisions. 5. ‘Virtue’ (MS) [not ‘Vertue,’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 7. ‘Throw’ (MS) [not ‘Thro’’]; ‘Life’ (MS) [not ‘Life,’] 8. ‘Dryden’ (MS) [not ‘Dryden,’]; ‘Imortal’ (MS) [not ‘Immortal’] 9. ‘studyed’ (MS) [not ‘study’d’]; ‘men and kew’ (MS) [not ‘Men, and knew’] 11. ‘wee’r’ (MS) [not ‘we’re’]; ‘thought’ (MS) [not ‘Thought’] 12. ‘Harliqŭin’ (MS) [not ‘Harlequin’] 13. ‘fools’ (MS) [not ‘Fools’] 14. ‘dignity sprit’ (MS) [not ‘Sp’rit’] 15. ‘Aim –’ (MS) [not ‘Aim,’]; ‘care’s to’ (MS) [not ‘Care, to’] 16. ‘gracefullness’ (MS) [not ‘Gracefulness’] 17. ‘address’ (MS) [not ‘Address,’]; ‘bashfullness’ (MS) [not ‘Bashfulness’] 18. ‘oft heavy’ (MS) [not ‘a Weight’] 19. ‘Learning is good but pedantry’ (MS) [not ‘The Grammar’s good, but Pedantry’] 20. ‘Gentle duns beneath a’ (MS) [not ‘gentle Dunce below the’] 21. ‘Heart’ (MS) [not ‘heart’] ‘Ovid’s Trist’: Roman Augustan poet Ovid’s collection of epistolary poems, Tristia. 22. ‘ratle ore’ (MS) [not ‘rattle o’er’]; ‘elss’ (MS) [not ‘else’] 23. ‘Litle’ (MS) [not ‘little’] 24. ‘parots –’ (MS) [not ‘Parots,’]

700

Notes to Poems 1728 Epilogue, after the acting of the Drummer, spoke by Mr. Maurice Cockburn, another Son of Colonel Cockburn’s Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.19), entitled ‘Epilogue’. Not printed prior to Poems (1728). Title: this poem is the partner to Ramsay’s ‘Prologue’, and was probably written for the same performance by the students of Haddington Grammar School. 1. ‘Play is done’ (MS) [not ‘Plays are done’] 2. ‘pleasd –’ (MS) [not ‘pleas’d,’] 3. ‘side’ (MS) [not ‘Side—’] 4. ‘Gratis’ (MS) [not ‘gratis’] 5. ‘Pleasd’ (MS) [not ‘pleas’d’]; ‘selves;’ (MS) [not ‘selves –’[; ‘some few we have’ (MS) [not ‘we have’] 6. ‘where – Nothing Lodges’ (MS) [not ‘where nothing lodges’] 7. ‘Generous – Men of Sence’ (MS) [not ‘generous Men of Sense’] 8. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘And,’]; ‘litle stumble’ (MS) [not ‘little Snapper,’] 9. ‘mankind’s manly’ (MS) [not ‘manly’] 10. ‘sour Rebuke or’ (MS) [not ‘sowr Rebuke, and’] 11. ‘rises on the hopes’ (MS) [not ‘rises, on the Hope’] 12. ‘paths that Lead to fame’ (MS) [not ‘Roads that lead to Fame’] 13. ‘Oŭr breasts allready Pant’ (MS) [not ‘Our Breasts already pant’] 14. ‘Senates Courts By’ (MS) [not ‘Senates, Courts, by’] 15-18. These lines are inserted into the MS as revisions. 15. ‘fields’ (MS) [not ‘Fields’] 16. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 17. ‘draughts’ (MS) [not ‘Draughts’] ‘Castalian springs’: spring of Greek mythology, situated in Delphi and occupied by Castalia, a naiad-nymph, said to inspire poetry in those who drank from them or listened to their sound. ‘Mantuan’: Mantua, northern Italy, where ancient Roman poet Virgil is held to have been born; ‘Horatian’: Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, also known as Horace. 19. ‘oun! – the Ladys’ (MS) [not ‘ain! the Ladies’] 20. ‘recompences’ (MS) [not ‘recompenses’] 21. ‘smal parts’ (MS) [not ‘small Parts’] 22. ‘we’re yet are’ (MS) [not ‘We are’]; ‘deficient’ (MS) [not ‘deficient,’] 23. ‘yours –’ (MS) [not ‘your’s;’]; ‘perfect’ (MS) [not ‘perfect,’] 24. ‘Acting Better’ (MS) [not ‘acting better,’]; ‘favour’ (MS) [not ‘Favour’] 25. ‘retire’ (MS) [not ‘retire,’]; ‘tunes’ (MS) [not ‘Tunes’] 26. ‘throw Kyls our Gregorys &’ (MS) [not ‘thro’ our Gregories and’] ‘Gregories’: James Gregory (1638-75), Scottish astronomer and mathematician; ‘Newtons’: Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), prominent and recently deceased English astronomer, physicist, mathematician and theologian. 27. ‘Then ten years and some years time’ (MS) [not ‘And, some Years hence’]; ‘annother Tale we’ll tell we’ll tell annother Tale’ (MS) [not ‘we’ll tell another Tale’] 28. ‘then –’ (MS) [not ‘then,’]; ‘Rights & Nines blooming Buds’ (MS) [not ‘blooming Buds,—’] 701

Poems Prologue spoke by Mr. Anthony Aston, the first Nigh[t] the[y] acted in Winter 1726 Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: Anthony Aston (performing name Mat Medley, c.1682-1753?), English actor and playwright who toured throughout Britain in various companies and productions in the first half of the eighteenth century. This ‘Prologue’ is the only evidence of a connection between Aston and Ramsay. However, Ramsay’s Some Few Hints, in Defence of Dramatical Entertainments (c.1728; see STS IV, p.254) commends Aston for his principled management of the company at Skinner’s Hall in Edinburgh’s Cowgate in the context of Ramsay’s support for the staging of plays in the city. Ramsay’s defence comes in the wake of numerous disputes between Aston, the Edinburgh Town Council and Presbytery. Following Aston’s company’s performance of Love for Love, the Edinburgh ‘magistrates imposed a moderate fine for his contempt, discharg’d him thereafter to act any play, farce or comedy within the liberties, and caused affix a padlock upon the door of the Skinner’s Hall, which he had hired and prepared for that purpose’ (James C. Dibdin, The Annals of the Edinburgh Stage (Edinburgh, 1888), p.37). Aston continued acting as these controversies continued, until he was obliged to leave Edinburgh in 1728, according to a story in the Caledonian Mercury for 15 April regarding his son Walter’s marriage: ‘We are well informed that the marriage of Mr Walter Aston with Mrs Jean Ker has been mutually declared… Mr Aston and his father were incarcerate last week, as supposed to have enticed away that young gentlewoman’. 3. ‘Medley’: Aston was known for presenting ‘a medley entertainment of humorous scenes from various plays, with songs and dialogue of his own composition’ (E.D. Cook, rev. Terry Enright, ‘Aston, Anthony’, ODNB); his performing name was Mat Medley. 11. ‘Columbus’: Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), Italian explorer, navigator and coloniser who made the earliest European contact with Central and South America and the Caribbean. A Character Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, f.30v). Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: the closing rhyme scheme confirms that Ramsay’s subject is probably James Norie (1684-1757; see also VI, p.94) who, along with his sons James and Robert, was a prominent decorative landscape artist who painted interior schemes. In 1729, Norie was a founding member, alongside Ramsay, of the Edinburgh Academy of St Luke, the city’s earliest art academy. The Norie family was responsible for the decorative panels in the ‘Italian room’ and throughout Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, the home of Sir Alexander Dick (1703-76), a physician and friend of Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay junior: the two travelled throughout Europe in the 1730s and 1740s. ‘The paintings were commissioned by Sir Alexander Dick to commemorate a journey he made in Italy in 1736’ (http://canmore.org.uk/collection/774524). 702

Notes to Poems 1728 1. ‘of fancy Clear & Judgment Just’ (MS) [not ‘Of Judgment just, and Fancy clear’, with a line indicating change of order] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘active tho slow of speech’. 2. ‘Industrious altho not avaricious’ (MS) [not ‘Industrious, yet not avaritious’] 3. ‘or’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 4. ‘Chearfull yet disdaining hating to be visious’ (MS) [not ‘Chearful, yet hating to be vitious’] 5. ‘from Envy frae of mind humane tho praisd not vain’ (MS) [not ‘From Envy free, tho’ prais’d not vain’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘all narrow views & unjust scorning’. 6. ‘Honours Warant’ (MS) [not ‘Honour’s Warrant’] 7. ‘kind Generous equal & Humane’ (MS) [not ‘Still equal, generous and humane’] 8. ‘Husband master friend & parent’ (MS) [not ‘Husband, Master, Friend and Parent’] The MS has these cancelled lines here: So Modest, tho supperior far to thousands that appear more shining 9. ‘be scarcly’ (MS). 10. ‘By Glaring among the proud conceited’ (MS) [not ‘By glaring, proud conceited’] 12. ‘Less worth’ (MS) [not ‘less Worth’] 13. ‘him such’ (MS) [not ‘he’s’] 15. ‘trouth’ (MS) [not ‘trowth’] Ode To Alexander Murray of Brughton, Esq; On his Marriage with Lady Euphemia, Daughter to the Right Honourable Earl of Galloway Text: Poems (1728). No MS. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Title: Alexander Murray of Broughton (c.1680-1750), Scottish politician who represented Kirkcudbright Stewartry, Dumfries and Galloway between 1715 and 1727. He married Lady Euphemia Stewart (1706-60) probably in 1726; she was the daughter of James Stewart, fifth Earl of Galloway (d.1746) and Lady Catherine Montgomerie (1677-1757). 11. ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage ceremonies. Ode To the Memory of Mrs. Forbes, Lady Newhall Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233, f.25). The poem in MS reads as follows: yet with calm Joy correct your Moan But Mix your sighs with pious Joy exalt and raise your your pious Eyes & thoughts above on hye lifting religious thoughts on

703

Poems after her spotles Soul thats gone to Joys that neer can fade nor dye Be this O Forbes thy support in midst of all thy real grief Since thy vast happyness was short Be Pious Piety thoughts thy Best Relief Only the first half of this fragment aligns with the ‘Ode’ as printed in Poems (1728). Title: ‘Mrs. Forbes’: Margaret Bruce, wife of Ramsay’s friend and patron, John Forbes of Newhall. Bruce was the daughter of John Bruce, thirteenth Baron of Clackmannan and Ann Robertson. 29. ‘with calm Joy’ (MS) [not ‘piously’] 30. ‘lifting religious thoughts on hye’ (MS) [not ‘and raise religious Thoughts on hie’] 31. ‘spotles Soul that’s’ (MS) [not ‘spotless Soul, that’s’] On a Slate’s falling from a House on Mris. M. M——k’s Breast Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.18), entitled ‘‘Of a Sclates falling from the Top of a house in the West Bow on the neck of Breast of a fair young Lady’. Not published prior to Poems (1728). 1. ‘heaven Displeasd Venus Angry offended & in Spire with the fair’ (MS) [not ‘Venus angry, and in spite’] ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. 2. ‘and thold allowd that Sklate’ (MS) [not ‘Allow’d that Stane’] 3. ‘to wound her these Breast Perchance that like Lillys Whyt’ (MS) [not ‘Imagining these Breasts so white’] 4. ‘Contains which hedge a heart of Snaw’ (MS) [not ‘Contain’d a Heart of Snaw?’] 5. ‘the her wingd wean’ (MS) [not ‘her wing’d Son’] ‘wing’d Son’: Cupid, Roman god of love, represented as the son of Venus. 6. ‘peirce wound her Lovely’ (MS) [not ‘wound her lovely’] 7. ‘Rook get’ (MS) [not ‘get’] 8. ‘her [illegible, cancelled] Lovely Heart within’ (MS) [not ‘A Passage farder in?’] The MS has a cancelled line here: ‘Or is she Kind as she is sweet’. 9. ‘No she is to Loves’ (MS) [not ‘No: She is to Love’s’] 10. ‘and her young wea smiling sons Boys’ delight’ (MS) [not ‘Her smiling Boy’s Delight’] 11. ‘could not’ (MS) [not ‘doughtna’] 12. ‘Such’ (MS) [not ‘Sic’] 13. ‘face a sour Splenetick one of these sour Pretending’ (MS) [not ‘Some silly sowr pretending’] 14. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘an’]; ‘hell’ (MS) [not ‘Hell’] 15. ‘that all Attractions Lovely wants’ (MS) [not ‘Whase hale Religion lyes in Cant’] 704

Notes to Poems 1728 16. ‘and turns a fury fell’ (MS) [not ‘Her Vertue in wrang Zeal’] 17. ‘aimd drapt’ (MS) [not ‘threw’]; ‘Stane & Etled’ (MS) [not ‘Stane, and ettled’] 18. ‘Guardian Loves’ (MS) [not ‘watching Zylphs’] 19. ‘keep her Precious Life from’ (MS) [not ‘So guard dear Madie from all’] 20. ‘weird Death frae’ (MS) [not ‘quickly cur’d’] There are five additional lines drafted in the left margin of this page: One ae cauld flat stane tho very Litle it be smal thrown at a a tender nymph may wound – two of mair Bulk ne’er harms at cell



a Cauld flat stane tho small its measure thrown at a tender nymph may wound while Larger twa tho Rugh gives Pleasure Provided they be warm & Round

To my kind and worthy Friends in Ireland, who on a Report of my Death, made and published several Elegies Lyrick and Pasoral, very much to my Honour Text: Poems (1728). MSS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.45v), hereafter MS1; BL (Egerton 2023, f.46), hereafter MS2. Not published prior to Poems (1728). Ramsay’s text is a response to a recently published anonymous poem which mistakenly mourned Ramsay’s death, entitled A Pastoral Elegy Upon the Death of Mr. Allan Ramsy (Dublin: Printed by William-Shaw Anburey, in Abby-Street, 1727). A copy is held by Trinity College, Dublin (Press A.7.4 no.155). The poem features an epigraph from Ovid – ‘Cantabat mœstis tibia funeribus’, which refers to the mournful music played at funerals – and takes the form of a conversation between two shepherds, Daphnis and Thyrsis. The poem is as follows: Daph. Allan is Dead! — Ye listing Mountains hear! On your swift Wings ye Winds the Echo bear! Allan is Dead! — Ye Rivers gently flow, And bear your Equal Part’nership of Woe! Oh! let his dear Remembrance never die, 5 But mix his Fate with ev’ry Lover’s Sigh; In Ev’ry Tear his weighty Loss deplore; In ev’ry Dream recount his Merits o’er, And mourn that Life, which nothing can restore. Thyr. Mov’d at the News, despairing Philomel, 10 Laments the Loss of him who sung so well. Tho’ while he liv’d (as Rival to her Song) With a Pleas’d envy, still she heard his Tongue; But with his Death since all Contentions cease, Since Allan and his Pipe, are both at Peace, 15 See where she sits on yonder lonely Bough, Nor think of Tereus, but of RAMSY now. 705

Poems Daph. Why Slumbers TICKEL, whom Apollo’s Train, Have mark’d the first in the poetick Vein, Whose tunefull Voice o’er heavn’ly ADDY’s Grave, 20 Such melting Strains of weeping Friendship gave: Our ALLAN too, o’er dying ADDY sung, Thro’ the wide Groves the mournful Accent rung; His Verse, like Nature, quite devoide of Art, Yet shew’d the true sincerity of Heart; 25 To thy lov’d Friend, O gentle TICKEL! He Paid that just Tribute, which he asks from thee. Thyr. Why sits, inactive, negligent of Care PHILLIPS, the Wonder of the melting Fair PHILLIPS, who taught the Sheepherds how to Love 30 A second Orpheus, made the Forest move. Why sits ARBUCKLE indolently still Upon his Crutch, nor shows his wonted Skill. Daph. Ye Nymphs of Caledon, Divinely Fair, In whose soft Praise our Bards first Lays appear 35 ’Till farther Time display’d the rising Star From ev’ry Eye a silent Tear he claims A Room for Thought in all you gentle Dreams Thus in your Minds the Bard shall still remain And tho’ Entomb’d a nobler Being gain. 40 Thyr. How sweet the Musick of his heav’nly Voice, Soft without Dullness, Lofty without Noise; His Thoughts so easy! how refin’d his Stile! That strong as Myra’s Charms, this gentle as her smile. When on the Plaids his artfull Notes are spent, 45 Plaids we prefer to silken Ornament. The fav’rite Hoops as in his Verse they Sound, With greater Majesty are spread around And in a fairer Circle sweep along the Ground. Daph. How sweet his Voice when of Content he sings, 50 Soft as the Musick of Angelick strings; No sour Philosophy disturbs his Rules, Free from the faults and pedantry of Schools No severe Moral interrupts his Song, But all is Native Innocence along, 55 Pleas’d with his Precepts, which so just appear, We view the Road of blest Contentment near. Thyr. To him my rising Muse shall every Day, A gratefull tribute of her Verses pay, With Strength superior use the Ductile Quill, 60 706

Notes to Poems 1728 And with his Praises ev’ry Page shall fill: Big with the Transports of my juster Moan The pale-fac’d Lover shall forget to Groan; The Nymph neglected by her unkind Swain Shall lose her Sorrows and partake my Pain. 65 To heights unknown my Muse shall raise her Wing, This I can do — for I have heard him Sing. The poem refers to various Ramsay texts: ‘Patie and Roger’ (ll.22-23), ‘Tartana, or the Plaid’ (ll.45-46) and ‘Content’ (l.50). It also names Ramsay’s literary contemporaries and friends: Thomas Tickell (1685-1740), English poet and Under Secretary to Joseph Addison in his role as Secretary of State, secretary to the Lords Justices of Ireland from 1724 until 1740. John Phillips (1676-1709), English poet and author of The Splendid Shilling (1705), known for Cyder (1708), a collection of verses imitative of Virgil’s Georgics. James Arbuckle, Ramsay’s long-time friend and associate: see also ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay on the Publication of his Poems’ and ‘An Epistle to James Arbuckle’, both printed in Ramsay’s Poems (1721). MS1 has a cancelled first line: ‘Thanks t’ye kindly Herds Hibernian’. 1. ‘Tuneful Kindly Generous Shepherds of Hibernia’ (MS1); ‘Hibernian Shepherds cease your Tears sigh nae mair’ (MS2) [not ‘Sighing Shepherds of Hiberna’] ‘Hiberna’: Ireland; the poem to which Ramsay responds was published anonymously in Dublin. Line 2. ‘Smile and banish ilka care and banish all your Cares’ (MS2) [not ‘Thank ye for your kind Concern a’,’] 3-4. These lines are not in MS2. 3. ‘When a false report When a fause report beguiling’ (MS1) [not ‘When a fause Report, beguiling’] 4. ‘Was late a prov’d a’ (MS1) [not ‘Prov’d a’]; ‘drawback’ (MS1) [not ‘Draw-back’] 5. ‘Banish Gr Dight your Eeen & cease your Grieving’ (MS1) [not ‘Dight your Een, and cease your grieving’] 6-44. These lines are not in MS1. 7. ‘Singing Laughing Sleeping Soundly’ (MS2) [not ‘Singing, laughing, sleeping soundly’] 8. ‘Drinking Roundly’ (MS2) [not ‘drinking roundly’] 9-12. These lines are not in MS2. 11. ‘Supernaculum’: the act of drinking to the last drop (OED). 12. ‘drawing, filling’: as Ramsay’s footnote (‘See Note Vol. 1 p. 18’) states, this line refers to an annotation on his ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ in Poems (1721), which explains the game of ‘Hy-jinks’: ‘The Articles are, (1) Drink, (2), Draw, (3), Fill, (4) Cry Hy-jinks, (5) Count just, (6) Chuse your doublet Man’. 13. ‘Making Verses’ (MS2) [not ‘Sowing Sonnets’] 14. ‘Writing Satyrs on’ (MS2) [not ‘Hounding Satyres at’] 16. ‘Pack Horse’ (MS2) [not ‘Pack-horse’] 17-18. These lines appear at the foot of f.46 in MS2. 17. ‘medows Dales &’ (MS2) [not ‘Meadows, Schaws and’] 18. ‘Bughten burns & flowing fountains’ (MS2) [not ‘Crooking Burns and flowing Fountains’] Two lines feature here in MS2, which do not appear in the printed text: 707

Poems Kiltet Kate and Bautin Robin at the Landwart Bridal Bobing 19-30. These lines, as printed, are not in MS2. 28. ‘Philomel’: a reference to his poet recipient’s use of the image of Philomel in mourning; in Roman mythology, Philomela was turned into a nightingale; ‘Philomel’ is a literary name for the nightingale. 31-32. These lines appear in MS2 as lines 3-4. 31. ‘about your Allan ceas your Grieving’ (MS2) [not ‘Banish a’ your Care and Grieving’] 32. ‘Hale & well & Living’ (MS2) [not ‘hale, and well, and living’] 33. ‘mornings Glancing shining’ (MS2) [not ‘Morning’s shining’] 34. ‘to sets ilka fancy ilka muse warm a Dancing refining’ (MS2) [not ‘Ilka Fancy warm refining’] MS2 has a cancelled phrase here: ‘in fable Pastorell’. 35-6. These lines appear in MS2 on f. 46v, but in their place are the following two lines which are not in the printed text: Imploying all his artfull thinking seting his Native Whims a Clinking 35. ‘giving ilka ane a Burnish’ (MS2) [not ‘Giving ilka Verse a Burnish’] 36. ‘a second Vol furnish’ (MS2) [not ‘second Volume furnish’] 37. ‘Please His Patrons Lord &’ (MS2) [not ‘bring in frae Lord and’] 38. ‘and help him to a litle Ready’ (MS2) [not ‘Meikle Fame and Part of Ready’] 39. ‘[cancelled, illegible] that splendid’ (MS2) [not ‘Splendid’] 40. ‘Whilk wer Plow in the Suthren Ocean’ (MS2) [not ‘in the Southern Ocean’] 41. ‘Kirks and Gentry nerve’ (MS2) [not ‘Gentry, Nerve’]; ‘Batles’ (MS2) [not ‘Battles’] 42. ‘The prize for whilk the Gamster Ratles’ (MS2) [not ‘Risking a’ to gain a little’] 43. ‘Belzis Banes decieving Kitle’ (MS2) [not ‘Belzie’s Banes, deceitfu’, kittle’] 44. ‘hazarding a Risking his all to gain a litle’ (MS2) [not ‘Risking a’ to gain a little’] MS2 has the following lines here, which are not printed: going Quik ly to be printed Whilk that and for the Press he’s is now preparing 45-52. These lines are not in MS2. 45. ‘Tunefu Tickel’ (MS1) [not ‘tunefu’ Tickle’] 46. ‘Philomell &’ (MS1) [not ‘Philomel, and’] MS1 has a cancelled line here: ‘And A’ frae sanders Pope to sandy Penny –’. 47. ‘Baith Lads & Lass’ (MS1) [not ‘baith Lads and Lasses’] 48. ‘that tuneing your Pipes upon parnassus’ (MS1) [not ‘Tuning Popes on Hill Parnassus’] ‘Parnassus’: Mount Parnassus, Greece, home to the Muses and source of poetic inspiration. 49. ‘To you Maist, kindly to ye Allan wishes’ (MS1) [not ‘Allan kindly to you wishes’] 50. ‘Health and Lasting life and years and many Blesses’ (MS1) [not ‘Lasting Life, and Rowth of Blesses’] 708

Notes to Poems 1728 51. ‘He’ (MS1) [not ‘he’]; ‘may when you surender’ (MS1) [not ‘may, when ye surrender’] 52. ‘Heaven in Numbers Tender’ (MS1) [not ‘Heaven, in Number tender’] 53-4. These lines, as printed, are not in MS1. These lines appear in their place: Perpetuate your fame & merit Sing to the World your fame & merit and shaw he has a gratefull Spirit 53. ‘give to your a fames a gratefull a happy heezy’ (MS1) [not ‘Give a’ your Fames a happy Heezy’] 54. ‘Imortalize’ (MS1) [not ‘immortalize’] The Gentle Shepherd, A Pastoral Comedy; Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable, Susanna Countess of Eglintoun Text: Poems (1728). The Gentle Shepherd, first printed in 1725 and reprinted for the third time here in Poems (1728), is one of the major texts of Ramsay’s career. GS undergoes a complex progression from its origins as a pair of pastoral poems which developed into a print play, through to its final status as a complete ballad opera almost a decade later; it is also one of Ramsay’s most popular and enduring compositions. The play was printed twice prior to Poems (1728): first published by Ruddiman as The Gentle Shepherd; A Scots Pastoral Comedy (Edinburgh, 1725), it was released in a second edition, also published by Ruddiman, in 1726. Its publication in Ramsay’s second volume of Poems in 1728 follows, in the main, the texts of 1725 and 1726 and, as per the previous editions, includes four short songs in the play’s dialogue: ‘Peggy, now the King’s come’, ‘By the delicious warmness of thy mouth’, ‘Jenny said to Jocky’ and the song sung at the play’s conclusion, ‘Corn Riggs’. It is only in the edition of 1729, also published by Ruddiman, that Ramsay incorporates seventeen additional songs, referring the reader to song texts already published in the second volume of TTM, thus setting the play on its way to its culmination and effective completion in the ‘sixth edition’ of 1734, where the songs are incorporated for the first time into the text and printed alongside the verse dialogue. The play’s complex evolution means that the copy-text presented in Poems (1728) is a snapshot of GS, taken at an early stage of the play’s development into the ballad opera enjoyed by enormous numbers of theatregoers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The play exists in MS in both draft and fair copy. Three drafts of the play are held by Edinburgh University Library’s Laing Collection (Laing II, 212, ff.1-51). A further fair copy MS, entitled ‘The Gentle Shepherd a Scots Pastorall Comedy By Allan Ramsay written in the years 1724 & 1725 at the 40th of his age’, and held by the NLS, is annotated by Ramsay thus: This is the Originall Manuscript from which the Coppys were printed; presented to my Patroness March 2d 1737—after my having seen reprinted six Editions of it a thousand each Time in Ed, besides two in London one in Dublin & one in Glasgow—and Be it kend to you, curious posterity, that the performance has received the Universall 709

Poems approbation as I hope it will from YOU Thousands of years hence. N:B. The additional Songs were added to the fourth Edition about the year 1732. (p.1) This fair copy includes the Dedication to Susanna, Countess of Eglinton, and the epilogue (NLS MS 15972): only the former is printed in Poems (1728). Ramsay’s intricate drafting process for GS is captured in full in the first volume of The Collected Works of Allan Ramsay: Steve Newman and David McGuinness (eds), The Gentle Shepherd (Edinburgh, 2022). Newman and McGuinness’s edition presents a collation of the multiple MS and print sources of the text and a presentation and commentary on its key musical sources, a detailed account of its textual and musical evolution, as well as its publication and performance history. In the context of Poems (1728), Ramsay’s play has specific significance. Ramsay’s ‘Patie and Roger: A Pastoral Inscrib’d to Josiah Burchet’, published in Ramsay’s Poems (1721), forms the foundation of GS, and the text of ‘Patie and Roger’ is incorporated as Act I, Scene I of the play. The second source text is ‘Jenny and Meggy. A Pastoral, Being a Sequel to Patie and Roger’ (Edinburgh, 1723). This poem, with ‘Meggy’ updated to ‘Peggy’, is included in GS at Act I, Scene II. Finally, ‘Patie and Pegie: A Sang’, printed in Poems (1721) is Ramsay’s first publication of the song beginning ‘By the delicious Warmness of thy Mouth’, which is sung at the end of Act II, Scene IV. As a full collation of MS sources features in the edition of GS edited by Newman and McGuinness, this edition of Poems presents an account of the play’s history in print up until 1728. To that end, variants between the editions of 1725, 1726 and the copy-text of Poems (1728) are given in the notes. Dedication: Susanna Montgomerie (née Kennedy), Countess of Eglinton (1689/90-1780), prominent literary patron and society hostess; see ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’, also printed in Poems (1728). ‘Lesbia’: the name given by Roman poet Catullus (c.82-52 BC) to his lover; she is the subject of twenty-five of Catullus’s poems. ‘Idalian’: of the ancient town of Idalium, Cyprus, where Greek goddess of love Aphrodite was worshipped. To the Countess of Eglintoun, with the following Pastoral. This poem is by William Hamilton of Bangour (1704-54), a Scottish Jacobite poet who contributed verses to Ramsay’s TTM. Hamilton’s poem was first printed alongside Ramsay’s text in the 1726 edition of GS. Given that there are significant alterations between these two versions, variants between the poem’s first printing in the 1726 edition and the copy-text of Poems (1728) are given below. 1. ‘O! Eglintoun,’ (1726) [not ‘O Eglintoun!’] 2. ‘thy duteous Poet’ (1726) [not ‘thy Poet humbly’]; ‘pays;’ (1726) [not ‘pays:’] 4. ‘blissful’ (1726) [not ‘blessful’] 8. ‘stray:’ (1726) [not ‘stray.’] 9. ‘Her Repair’ (1726) [not ‘her repair’] 10. ‘breath’ (1726) [not ‘breathe’] 710

Notes to Poems 1728 15. ‘Learn from these Scenes what warm and glowing Fires,’ (1726) [not ‘Instructed from these Scenes, what glowing Fires’] 16. ‘inspires.’ (1726) [not ‘inspires!’] 17. ‘Delighted read’ (1726) [not ‘The Fair shall read’]; ‘Tears;’ (1726) [not ‘Tears,’] 18. ‘fears:’ (1726) [not ‘fears.’] 19. ‘rise,’ (1726) [not ‘rise!’] 20. ‘Eyes,’ (1726) [not ‘Eyes!’] 21-26. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are condensed in the 1726 edition to four lines, as follows: When first the fair One does her Hate relent, And blushing beauteous Smiles the kind Consent. Love’s Passion here in each Extreme is shown, In Charlot’s Smile, or in Maria’s Frown. 37. ‘Envy, and from Care,’ (1726) [not ‘Envy and from Care;’] 38. ‘deprest by Fear;’ (1726) [not ‘depress’d by Fear:’] 40. ‘vexes’ (1726) [not ‘torture’] 45. ‘roll,’ (1726) [not ‘roll;’] 47. ‘lost,’ (1726) [not ‘lost;’] 51. ‘forsakes’ (1726) [not ‘foresakes’] 55. ‘Sunny’ (1726) [not ‘sunny’] 57. ‘Crown’ (1726) [not ‘crown’] 59. ‘Age’ (1726) [not ‘Age,’] 60. ‘Innocence,’ (1726) [not ‘Innocence’] 68. ‘disguise’ (1726) [not ‘Disguise’]; ‘Semblant’ (1726) [not ‘semblant’] 72. ‘crown’d.’ (1726) [not ‘crown’d:’] 74. ‘Happyness’ (1726) [not ‘Happiness’]; ‘human’ (1726) [not ‘humane’] 75. ‘Oh! Happiness,’ (1726) [not ‘Oh Happiness!’] 77. ‘fled’ (1726) [not ‘fled,’] 78. ‘Shades,’ (1726) [not ‘Shades’] 79. ‘Ah’ (1726) [not ‘ah’]; ‘unkind,’ (1726) [not ‘unkind;’] 80. ‘Flyst’ (1726) [not ‘Fly’st’] 82. ‘Content’ (1726) [not ‘Content,’] 84. ‘Familiar,’ (1726) [not ‘Familiar’] 85. ‘Call’ (1726) [not ‘call’] 87-88. These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the 1726 printing. 91. ‘ere’ (1726) [not ‘e’er’] 96. ‘The Statesman’s Wisdom’ (1726) [not ‘In Stair’s Wisdom’]; ‘the fair One’s Charms?’ (1726) [not ‘in Erskine’s Charms.’] 100. ‘Virtue’ (1726) [not ‘Vertue’] 103. ‘Boast’ (1726) [not ‘boast’] 104. ‘cost;’ (1726) [not ‘cost:’] 106. ‘Envy’ (1726) [not ‘Envy,’] 109. ‘human’ (1726) [not ‘humane’] 111. ‘Unlike O!’ (1726) [not ‘Unlike, O’]; ‘Eglinton,’ (1726) [not ‘EGLINTOUN!’] 115. ‘Virtues’ (1726) [not ‘Vertues’] 711

Poems 116. ‘shinst’ (1726) [not ‘shin’st’]; ‘Kind,’ (1726) [not ‘Kind;’] 117. ‘Fame’ (1726) [not ‘Name’] 118. ‘Praise’ (1726) [not ‘praise,’]; ‘obstinate’ (1726) [not ‘guiltless’]; ‘blame?’ (1726) [not ‘defame?’] 119. ‘Presence,’ (1726) [not ‘Presence’]; ‘bashful Sense’ (1726) [not ‘Bashfulness’] 121. ‘Heav’ns’ (1726) [not ‘Heav’n’s’] 123. ‘Arm’ (1726) [not ‘arm’] 126. ‘The’ (1726) [not ‘(The’]; ‘Parents’ (1726) [not ‘Parent’s’]; ‘Heart.’ (1726) [not ‘Heart’] 128. ‘blest,’ (1726) [not ‘blest;’] 132. ‘Eglinton’s’ (1726) [not ‘EGLINTOUNS’] 134. ‘Poet’s’ (1726) [not ‘Poet’s’] 135. ‘antient’ (1726) [not ‘ancient’] 136. ‘Years.’ (1726) [not ‘Years;’] 137. ‘reflected’ (1726) [not ‘reflected,’] 138. ‘lookt’ (1726) [not ‘look’d’] 140. ‘And virtuous’ (1726) [not ‘Or vertuous’] 141. ‘midst’ (1726) [not ‘’midst’] 142. ‘Bounteous to thee, with righteous Hand has given’ (1726) [not ‘To thee, in whom it is well pleas’d, has given’] 143. ‘EGLINTON’ (1726) [not ‘EGLINTOUN’] The Gentle Shepherd Act I. Scene I. 2. ‘halesom’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘healsome’]; ‘Christal’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Crystal’] 3. ‘ly’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lay’] 4. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] 5. ‘Echos’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Echoes’] 7-170. The first scene of GS finds its origins in Ramsay’s ‘Patie and Roger: A Pastoral Inscrib’d to Josiah Burchet’, which was printed in Poems (1721). Explanatory annotations for this section of GS are therefore found in the notes accompanying that poem. 9. ‘hartsome is’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘heartsome ’tis’]; ‘Plants’ (1725), ‘Plants,’ (1726) [not ‘Plants?’] 11. ‘cawler’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cauler’] 12. ‘bears,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bears’]; ‘Care.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Care?’] 13. ‘thee’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘the’] 15. ‘born’ (1726) [not ‘born,’]; ‘Patie,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patie!’]; ‘Fate!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fate;’] 18. ‘Blood:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Blood;’] 20. ‘Relief,’ (1726) [not ‘Relief.’] 22. ‘Boggie Ground’ (1725) [not ‘Boggie-Ground’] 23. ‘E’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘E’re’]; ‘Warldly’ (1725) [not ‘warldly’] 25. ‘it’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘’tis’] 28. ‘Auld and Young’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘auld and young’] 29. ‘Sang’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sang,’] 34. ‘unlikly’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unlikely’] 712

Notes to Poems 1728 35. ‘Ten’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ten’] 39. ‘Gear:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gear?’] 41. ‘smoor’d;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘smoor’d,’] 42. ‘were,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘were;’] 43. ‘sma’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sma’’] 46. ‘loss’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lose’] 47. ‘sleep:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sleep;’] 50. ‘mayst’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘may’st’] 53. ‘Burden’ (1726) [not ‘Burden,’] 55. ‘Lambs,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lambs’] 57. ‘round;’ (1725) [not ‘round,’] 58. ‘Whistle,’ (1725) [not ‘Whistle’] 59. ‘neer’ (1725) [not ‘ne’er’] 61. ‘Na’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Na,’]; ‘na’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nae’] 62. ‘Things’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘things’] 63. ‘Night’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night,’] 65. ‘Friend,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Friend’]; ‘Pretence’ (1725) [not ‘Pretence,’] 66. ‘kens.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kens:’] 71. ‘guest’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘guess’d’] 72. ‘naithing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nathing’] 74. ‘mint.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mint:’] 75. ‘jears’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘jeers’] 76. ‘bombaz’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bumbaz’d,’] 77. ‘Yesterday’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘yesterday’]; ‘yont’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘’yont’] 78. ‘Shelly-coated Kow’: conflates two Scots terms. ‘Shelly-coated’ is an ‘allusion to the belief in a mischievous water-sprite, so called from being clad’ in a coat covered in shells, ‘who frequented seas, rivers, etc’ (SND). Ramsay’s own Glossary definition of ‘kow’ is a ‘Goblin, or any Person one stands in aw to disoblige, and fears’. The term, as printed in this scene’s source poem, ‘Patie and Roger’, reads as ‘Shellycoat or Kow’, which may signify that ‘Shelly-coated Kow’ is a misprint. 79. ‘Car,’ (1725), ‘Car.’ (1726) [not ‘Car;’] 80. ‘says,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘says’] 81. ‘her’ (1726) [not ‘her,’]; ‘wat,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wat;’] 82. ‘Neps,---’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Neps ----’] 83. ‘her---but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘her: — But’] 84. ‘rhole’ (1726) [not ‘thole’] 86. ‘Ev’n’ (1725) [not ‘Even’]; ‘fawn’d’ (1726) [not ‘fawn’d’]; ‘Tyke.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tyke:’] 87. ‘filld’ (1725) [not ‘fill’d’] 89. ‘Horn’ (1725) [not ‘Horn,’] 91. ‘play’d, ye never heard sic Spite;’ (1725), ‘play’d ye never heard sic Spite;’ (1726) [not ‘play’d, ye never heard sic Spite,’] 92. ‘Delyte:’ (1725), ‘Delyte,’ (1726) [not ‘Delyte;’] 93. ‘Cusin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cousin’]; ‘spear’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘speer’d’] 94. ‘could’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cou’d’] 95. ‘Flocks’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Flocks,’]; ‘Care,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘care,’] 97. ‘Misluke’ (1725) [not ‘Misluck’] 713

Poems 98. ‘sick’ (1725) [not ‘sic’]; ‘Thrawin-gabet’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thrawin-gabet’] 100. ‘ways’ (1725) [not ‘ways,’] 103. ‘Leave’ (1725) [not ‘leave]; ‘whinging’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘whindging’]; ‘Way.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Way;’] 105. ‘Lass,’ (1725) [not ‘Lass’] 106. ‘leel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘leel:’] 108. ‘about’ (1725) [not ‘about.’]; ‘lean’d,’ (1725) [not ‘lean’d’] 110. ‘Peggy’ (1725) [not ‘Meggy’] 111. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’]; ‘Mist.’ (1726) [not ‘Mist,’] 112. ‘close’ (1725) [not ‘closs’]; ‘wist.’ (1725), ‘wist,’ (1726) [not ‘wist;’] 114. ‘whyter’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘whiter’]; ‘Snaw.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Snaw;’] 116. ‘Haffet Locks’ (1725), ‘Haffet-locks’ (1726) [not ‘Haffet-Locks’] 117. ‘rudy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ruddy’] 118. ‘Hinny Pear’ (1725), ‘Hinny-Pear’ (1726) [not ‘hinny Pear’] 120. ‘Dewy’ (1725) [not ‘dewy’] 121. ‘my’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘My’]; ‘bony’ (1725) [not ‘bonny’]; ‘Meg’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Meg,’] 122. ‘asteer:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘asteer;’] 124. ‘What’s that to you?’ (1725) [not ‘What’s that to you?’] 125. ‘Meg-Dorts’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Meg Dorts’]; ‘lyke’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘like’] 126. ‘Dyke’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Dike’] 127. ‘saw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘saw,’] 129. ‘Miscaw’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Misca’d’]; ‘bad’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bade’] 131. ‘Hast,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Haste’] 132. ‘Waist’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Waste’] 133. ‘Waist’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Waste’] 136. ‘cam’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘came’] 137. ‘Sair’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sair,’]; ‘me,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me’] 138. ‘kend’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kent’] 141. ‘Mood:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mood;’] 142. ‘sh’ll’ (1725) [not ‘she’ll’] 143. ‘fa’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fa’’] 144. ‘Ye’r’ (1725) [not ‘Ye’re’]; ‘Art,’ (1726) [not ‘Art’] 146. ‘cherish’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cherish’d’] 147. ‘mak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘make’] 148. ‘Mother, rest her Saul,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mother (rest her Saul)’]; ‘fine’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fine,’] 150. ‘Green’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘green’]; ‘Blew:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘blew’] 151. ‘Gowd,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gowd’]; ‘siller’ (1725), ‘Siller’ (1726) [not ‘Siller,’]; ‘Black;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘black;’] 153. ‘o’t’ (1726) [not ‘o’t,’]; ‘sa’ (1725) [not ‘sae’] 157. ‘yours,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘your’s’] 158. ‘a Will’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a will’]; ‘take’ (1725) [not ‘tak’] 160. ‘Flute’ (1726) [not ‘Flute,’] 161. ‘out’ (1725) [not ‘out,’]; ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’]; ‘Spring;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spring,’] 162. ‘Tift’ (1725) [not ‘tift’] 163. ‘Turn’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘turn’] 714

Notes to Poems 1728 165. ‘Time Bannocks’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘time Bannocks’] 166. ‘please,’ (1725), ‘please.’ (1726) [not ‘please;’] 167. ‘daintyest’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘daintiest’] 169. ‘Grace-Drink’ (1725) [not ‘Grace-drink’]; ‘Well.’ (1725) [not ‘Well,’] 170. ‘fine’ (1725) [not ‘fine,’] Act I, Scene II. 173. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 174. ‘Peebles’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peebles’]; ‘shining’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘shining,’]; ‘round,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘round;’] 176. ‘Eye;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Eye,’] 179-385. This scene is based on Ramsay’s poem ‘Jenny and Meggy. A Pastoral, Being a Sequel to Patie and Roger’, published in 1723. 180. ‘Linnen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Linen’] 181. ‘Waters’ (1725) [not ‘Water’s’] 183. ‘Habie’s-How’ (1725) [not ‘Habby’s How’] ‘Habby’s How’: a wooded glen planted on the Newhall estate by owner John Forbes in the early eighteenth century. Newhall had been, between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, owned by two individuals with connections to Ramsay: Alexander Penicuik (1652-1722), physician and poet, and Sir David Forbes, who acquired the estate in 1703. Forbes was married to Catherine Clerk, the sister of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. Their son, John Forbes, was also a patron and acquaintance of Ramsay (see also ‘Ode to the Memory of Mrs. Forbes, Lady Newhall’). 184. ‘a that’s sweet in’ (1725) [not ‘a’ the Sweets of’]; ‘grow:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grow;’] 185. ‘Birks’ (1725) [not ‘Birks,’] 186. ‘fa’s’ (1726) [not ‘fa’s,’]; ‘Din:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Din;’] 187. ‘Breast-deep,’ (1725) [not ‘Breast-deep’]; ‘beneath’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘beneath,’] 188. ‘bordering’ (1725) [not ‘bordring’]; ‘Grass,’ (1725), ‘Grass;’ (1726) [not ‘Grass:’] 189. ‘Washing,’ (1726) [not ‘Washing’] 190. ‘grows’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grow’s’] 191. ‘sells. — ’Tis’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sells – ’tis’]; ‘healthfou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘healthfu’’] 193. ‘say’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘say,’] 194. ‘bratling’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘brattling’] 195. ‘se’ (1725) [not ‘see’] 196. ‘haith Lasses’ (1725), ‘Haith Lasses’ (1726) [not ‘Haith, Lasses,’] 199. ‘we’re our lane,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘(we’re our lane)’] 200. ‘gars’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gar’s’] 201. ‘Neighbours’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nibours’] 202. ‘carena’ (1725) [not ‘carna’] 203. ‘Troth,’ (1725) [not ‘Trowth,’] 204. ‘e’re’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘e’er’] 205. ‘End,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘End;’] 206. ‘Sheepish’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sheepish’] 715

Poems 207. ‘kames’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kaims’] 208. ‘Ribon Knots’ (1725), ‘Ribbon Knotes’ (1726) [not ‘Ribbon-knots’]; ‘Bonnet Lug’ (1725), ‘Bonnet-Lug’ (1726) [not ‘Bonnet-lug’] 209. ‘pensylie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pensily’]; ‘Thought’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thought’]; ‘a jee’ (1725) [not ‘a-jee’] 210. ‘dice’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dic’d’] 211. ‘Owrelay’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Owrlay’]; ‘Care,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Care;’] 212. ‘gangs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gang’] 213. ‘that’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘that,’] 214. ‘d’ye,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘d-ye’]; ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] 216. ‘unko’ (1725) [not ‘unco’] 217. ‘grow’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grows’] 219. ‘Wean,’ (1725), ‘wean’ (1726) [not ‘We’an’] 221. ‘Lave’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lave’] 222. ‘Thing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’] 224. ‘Fy Jenny’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fy, Jenny’] 226. ‘I:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’] 228. ‘himsel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘himsell’] 230. ‘Cause.’ (1725) [not ‘Cause,’] 231. ‘Hums’ (1725) [not ‘Hums’]; ‘Haws.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Haws?’] 235. ‘themsels’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘themsells’] 236. ‘Ways’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ways’]; ‘me’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me,’]; ‘Mind’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mind’] 238. ‘Heh Lass!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heh! Lass,’]; ‘How’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘how’]; ‘Rattle-scul?’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rattle-scull,’] 239. ‘Will.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Will?’] 240. ‘feightan’ (1725) [not ‘fighting’] 241. ‘lead’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lead,’] 242. ‘Risk,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Risk;’] 244. ‘Bridal Bed;’ (1725), ‘Bridal Bed,’ (1726) [not ‘Bridal-bed’] 246. ‘kiss,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kiss’]; ‘good;’ (1725) [not ‘good,’] 247. ‘do’ (1726) [not ‘do,’] 248. ‘why’ (1726) [not ‘Why’]; ‘’Tis’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘’tis’] 249. ‘that,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘that;’] 250. ‘indeed for Ten or Fifteen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘indeed, for ten or fifteen’] 251. ‘unko Fraise’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unco Fraise;’] 252. ‘Fowk,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fowk’] 256. ‘Delyte’ (1725), ‘Dlyte’ (1726) [not ‘Delite’] 257. ‘Flyte’ (1725), ‘flyte’ (1726) [not ‘flite’] 258. ‘Barlikhoods’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Barlickhoods’] 260. ‘Course-spun’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘coarse-spun’] 262. ‘Breath,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Breath;’] 265. ‘Smyle’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Smile’] 267. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 269. ‘little’ (1725) [not ‘feckless’]; ‘lave.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lave?’] 272. ‘is:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘is’]; ‘this’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘this?’] 274. ‘Gate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gait’] 278. ‘Hey bony’ (1725), ‘Hey bonny’ (1726) [not ‘Hey! bonny’] 716

Notes to Poems 1728 ‘The Bonny Lass of Branksome’: Scots song, first published in broadside in the early eighteenth century, and reprinted by Thomson in Orpheus Caledonius II (1733, No. 35, p.141). 280. ‘O’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘O!’]; ‘Thing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’] 281. ‘Gets’ (1725) [not ‘Getts’] 282. ‘Din:’ (1725) [not ‘Din,’] 284. ‘Wean’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘We’an’]; ‘wi’’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘we’] 285. ‘Shoe.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Shoe;’] 286. ‘Deil’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deel’] ‘Wobster:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wobster,’]; ‘Hell;’ (1725) [not ‘Hell,’] ‘the deil’s gane ower Jock Wabster’ signifies that ‘things are “in a devil of a mess”, have got out of hand, “the fat’s in the fire”’ (SND). 287. ‘miscaws’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘misca’s’] 288. ‘its’ (1725) [not ‘’tis’]; ‘Yes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yes,’]; ‘hartsome’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘heartsome’] 290. ‘Delight’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Delight,’] 291. ‘Plaints’ (1725) [not ‘Plaints,’] 292. ‘Wow Jenny’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wow! Jenny’]; ‘be’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘be,’] 294. ‘at,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘at’] 296. ‘Night’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night,’] 297. ‘Delight.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Delight?’] 298. ‘Poortith’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Poortith,’]; ‘Peggy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peggy,’]; ‘a’’ (1726) [not ‘a’,’] 299. ‘Beggery’ (1725) [not ‘Beggary’]; ‘draw.’ (1725) [not ‘draw:’] 300. ‘There’ (1725) [not ‘But’]; ‘Love’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Love,’]; ‘chear’ (1726) [not ‘Chear’] 301. ‘dudy’ (1725) [not ‘duddy’]; ‘Doublets’ (1726) [not ‘Doublets,’]; ‘toom:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘toom.’] 302. ‘die,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘die’] 306. ‘buyes’ (1725) [not ‘buys’]; ‘Butter’ (1726) [not ‘Butter,’] 307. ‘But’ (1725) [not ‘But,’]; ‘Payment’ (1725) [not ‘Payment,’] 309. ‘Bent.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bent;’] 310. ‘His Honour’ (1725) [not ‘His Honour’]; ‘manna’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mauna’] 311. ‘Syne’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Syne,’] 312. ‘Meg’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Meg,’]; ‘Life:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Life;’] 313. ‘it’s’ (1725) [not ‘’tis’]; ‘married’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘marry’d’] 314. ‘She’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘She,’] 315. ‘Fears,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fears;’] 316. ‘to to’ (misprint: 1725) [not ‘to’] 319. ‘should’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘shou’d’] 321. ‘Room’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Room,’] 322. ‘Part’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Part,’] 323. ‘Shepherd’s’ (1725) [not ‘Shepherd’s’] 324. ‘What e’er’ (1726) [not ‘Whate’er’] 325. ‘Vogue’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Vogue,’]; ‘Tron’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tron,’] 327. ‘Butter’ (1726) [not ‘Butter,’] 328. ‘sald’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sald,’]; ‘Laird’ (1725) [not ‘Laird’]; ‘due.’ (1725), ‘due,’ (1726) [not ‘Due;’] 717

Poems 329. ‘ain;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ain.’]; ‘thus’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thus,’] 330. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 332. ‘gate’ (1726) [not ‘gat’] 334. ‘Cheeks’ (1725) [not ‘Cheeks,’] 335. ‘haf-worn’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haff-worn’] 336. ‘Kisses’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Kisses,’]; ‘Feg.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Feg?’] 337. ‘that,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘that;’]; ‘Dear’ (1725) [not ‘dear’]; ‘free,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘free;’] 341. ‘caumly’ (1725) [not ‘calmly’] 342. ‘beguile:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘beguile.’] 343. ‘whenso’er’ (1725) [not ‘whensoe’er’] 344. ‘Ane’ (1725) [not ‘ane’] 345. ‘imploy’ (1726) [not ‘employ’] 347. ‘Even’ (1725) [not ‘Even,’] 349. ‘Winter’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Winter,’]; ‘Toils’ (1725) [not ‘toils’]; ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 352. ‘Seething’ (1725), ‘Seathing’ (1726) [not ‘seething’] 353. ‘Hag-a-bag’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hagabag’]; ‘Boord’ (1725) [not ‘Board’] 355. ‘be,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘be’] 356. ‘Face’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Face,’] 358. ‘dozens’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dosens’]; ‘nane’ (1725) [not ‘nane,’] 360. ‘Youth’ (1725) [not ‘Youth,’] 361. ‘Bairns and their Bairns make sure’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bairns, and their Bairns, make sure’]; ‘Tye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ty’] 363. ‘Side by Side;’ (1725) [not ‘Side by Side,’] 364. ‘them some Years syne’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘them, some Years syne,’]; ‘Bride,’ (1726) [not ‘Bride;’] 370. ‘a State sae lyk’d by you!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a State sae lik’d by you!’] 371. ‘Airth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Airth,’] 372. ‘Lassy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lassie’] 376. ‘Jenny’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Jenny,’] 377. ‘wie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wee’]; ‘take’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tak’] 378. ‘Hast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Haste,’] 380. ‘Time’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘time’s’]; ‘good’ (1725) [not ‘good,’] Act II, Scene I. 386. ‘Thack House’ (1725), ‘Thack-House’ (1726) [not ‘Thack-house’] 388. ‘Bayer:’ (1725), ‘Bayer;’ (1726) [not ‘Byre;’] 389. ‘joyns’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘joins’]; ‘Squair’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Square’] 391. ‘Divet-Seat’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Divot-Seat’]; ‘Frien’ (1725) ‘Friend’ (1726) [not ‘Frien’’] 392. ‘Symon,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symon;’] 395. ‘Crummock,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Crummock’] 401. ‘Things’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘things’] 404. ‘Fy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fy,’]; ‘Ah Symmie!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ah! Symie,’] 405. ‘Hand,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hand,’] 407. ‘fause’ (1726) [not ‘fause,’] 409. ‘Abroad’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘abroad’]; ‘been,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘been;’] 718

Notes to Poems 1728 411. ‘Estate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Estate,’]; ‘Head,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Head:’] 413. ‘great’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Great’]; ‘To shine, or set in Glory with Montrose’ (1725) [not ‘To stand his Liege’s Friend with Great Montrose.’] ‘Great Montrose’: James Graham, first Marquess of Montrose (1612-50), a royalist army officer and later Captain General of Scotland. In the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Montrose at first supported the Covenanters; he later supported King Charles I, and fought on his behalf in the Scottish Civil War. He was captured at the Battle of Carbisdale and, following trial, executed by the Scottish Parliament. After the Restoration, Charles II funded an extravagant funeral for Montrose in 1661. 414-17. ‘Cromwell… soon’: Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Lord Protectorate during the Commonwealth and Protectorate. Cromwell invaded Scotland in 1650, declaring Charles II as king. He left Scotland in 1651, leaving George Monck in command. ‘The Rumple’: ‘The Rump’, a name for the small group of MPs who ruled England following the execution of Charles I in 1649. Cromwell and his army closed down the Rump Parliament in 1653. 414. ‘Cromwell’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cromwell’s’]; ‘Nick’ (1726) [not ‘Nick’]; ‘Monk,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Monk’] 415. ‘Rumple’ (1726) [not ‘Rumple’]; ‘Begunk;’ (1725) [not ‘Begunk,’] 416. ‘Charles’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘CHARLES’]; ‘Thing’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’s’]; ‘Tune;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tune:’] 418. ‘indeed:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘indeed;’]; ‘flaw,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘flaw:’] 419. ‘til’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘till’t’]; ‘a’.’ (1725) a, (1726) [not ‘a’;’] 422. ‘Hame,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hame,’] 424. ‘Hag-raid’ (1725) [not ‘hag-raid’] 425. ‘again,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘again;’] 427. ‘lang,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lang;’] 428. ‘Thriving’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thriving,’]; ‘Rent;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rent:’] 429. ‘grumbled’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grumbl’d,’]; ‘rich,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rich;’] 431. ‘N’or’ (1725) [not ‘Nor’] 433-35. These lines are presented in quotation marks in 1725 and 1726; they are in italics in Poems (1728). 433. ‘tak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tak’] 434. ‘Hame’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hame’]; ‘Elspa?—’ (1725) [not ‘Elspa?’] 436. ‘spear’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘speer’] 437. ‘bedeen,’ (1726) [not ‘bedeen’] 438. ‘Nappy’ (1725) [not ‘nappy’] 440. ‘Time’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘time’]; ‘Hame.’ (1725), ‘Hame,’ (1726) [not ‘hame.’] 441. ‘Nibour’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nibour,’] 442. ‘Day.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day?’] 443. ‘Elspith too,’ (1725) [not ‘Elspath too’]; ‘Sight’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sight’] 444. ‘Height.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Height:’] 446. ‘Ale,’ (1725) [not ‘Ale’] 447. ‘Wean’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘We’an’] 449. ‘wadna’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wad na’] 453. ‘Furlet’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Firlot’] 454. ‘Nook.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nook:’] 457. ‘Mutton Bouk’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mutton-bouk’] 719

Poems 458. ‘Cost.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cost;’] 459. ‘Small’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sma’’]; ‘shorn;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘shorn,’]; ‘fou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’’] 460. ‘Spice.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spice:’] 461. ‘sung;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sung.’] 465. ‘manna’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mauna’] 467. ‘all’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a’’] 468. ‘When ere’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘When e’er’] 470. ‘appear:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘appear.’] 471. ‘Bicker’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bicker,’] 473. ‘Auld’ (1725) [not ‘Auld,’]; ‘I!—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I!’]; ‘Troth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘troth’]; ‘Score’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Score,’] 474. ‘News’ (1725) [not ‘News,’] 475. ‘Hey,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hey!’]; ‘forth, d’ye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forth: D’ye’]; ‘hear.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hear?’] 476. ‘Symon’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symon,’] 477. ‘ye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye,’] 479. ‘Snuf’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘snuff’]; ‘Wheel’ (1725) [not ‘Wheel,’] 480. ‘Peet-stack’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peat-stack’] 483. ‘indeed!—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘indeed!’]; ‘was’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘was’]; ‘o’t.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’t?’] 484. ‘t’you;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘to you?’]; ‘gae’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gae’] 485. ‘whytest’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘whitest’]; ‘bobit’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bobbit’] 486. ‘Whyt-skin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘white-skin’]; ‘Mittans’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mittons’] 487. ‘Hast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haste’] 488. ‘mak ye’r’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘make your’]; ‘Head’ (1725) [not ‘Head,’] 489. ‘Een’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘E’en’] 491. ‘Do’ (1725) [not ‘Do,’]; ‘Madge,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Madge:’]; ‘and Glaud’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘And, Glaud,’]; ‘Gate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gate’] 492. ‘ha’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hae’t’] Act II, Scene II. 493. ‘Cotage’ (1725) [not ‘Cottage’] 494. ‘suny’ (1725) [not ‘sunny’] 496. ‘Look’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Look,’]; ‘see.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘see’] 497. ‘’Tis’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘’tis’]; ‘Hell;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hell,’] 498. ‘brunt’ (1725) [not ‘burnt’] 499. ‘PEGGY,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peggy,’] 500. ‘Glens’ (1725) [not ‘Glens,’]; ‘Mawn’ (1725) [not ‘mawn’]; ‘Hay:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hay;’] 502. ‘Forrest’ (1726) [not ‘Forest’] 506. ‘Dead’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dead,’] 507. ‘me,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me!’] 509. ‘Vow!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Vow:’] 510. ‘Priest.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Priest!’] 511. ‘darena’ (1725) [not ‘dare na’] 512. ‘Doubt’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘doubt,’] 720

Notes to Poems 1728 513. ‘thole,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thole;’] 514. ‘Heart’ (1726) [not ‘Heart.’] 515. ‘Witch that for sma Price’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Witch, that for sma’ Price’] 520. ‘uncristen’d’ (1725) [not ‘unchristen’d’]; ‘Weans’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘We’ans’] 524. ‘Plotcock’: the devil, ‘in allusion to the incident before Flodden mentioned in Pitscottie’s History’ (SND). According to Hugh Miller’s Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland (1835), ‘The victims of Flodden were summoned at the Cross of Edinburgh in the name of Platcock, i.e., Pluto’ (p.165). 525. ‘Snakes.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Snakes;’] 527. ‘hates’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hates’]; ‘expire’ (1725) [not ‘expire,’] 528. ‘Fire,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fire;’] 529. ‘fou of Prines’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’ of Prins’] 530. ‘Pain’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pain,’]; ‘represent’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘represent,’] 531. ‘fou weil’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’ well’] 535. ‘do’t’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘do’t,’]; ‘thrive,’ (1726) [not ‘thrive;’] 536. ‘Deels’ (1725) [not ‘Deils’] Act II, Scene III. 537. ‘green’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Green’]; ‘Kail Yard’ (1725) ‘Kail-Yard’ (1726) [not ‘Kail-yard’] 538. ‘springs,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘springs;’] 539. ‘Wrinkle-front,’ (1725), ‘Wrinkle-Front,’ (1726) [not ‘Wrinkle-Front;’] 541-48. These lines are presented within inverted commas in 1725 and 1726; in Poems (1728), they are in italics. Ramsay is the first to print Mause’s song, ‘Peggy, now the king’s come’, an adaptation of the melody ‘Carle an the King Come’, first traced in MS in the MacFarlane MS (1740, No. 27, p.16); its next printing was in Oswald’s Caledonian Pocket Companion, Book 6 (1756), p.15. 541. ‘PEGGY,’ (1725) [not ‘Peggy,’] 542. ‘come,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘come;’] 543. ‘dance’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dance,’] 544. ‘Peggy,’ (1725), Peggy (1726) [not ‘Peggy,’]; ‘come,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘come.’] 545. ‘Hawkys’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hawkies’] 546. ‘Plaiding Coat’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Plaiding-Coat’]; ‘silk’ (1725) [not ‘Silk’] 548. ‘Now’ (1726) [not ‘Now,’] 549. ‘Glen,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Glen?’] 550. ‘rash’ (1725) [not ‘fere’] 554. ‘lead,’ (1725) [not ‘lead?’]; ‘Thresh’ (1725) [not ‘thresh’] 555. ‘Baith’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘baith’] 556. ‘Hand imploys’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hand, employs’] 557. ‘do’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘do,’] 559. ‘Ay’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ay,’] 563-4. These lines, as printed in the 1725 text, differ entirely from Poems (1728): Well vers’d in Herbs and Seasons of the Moon, By skilfu’ Charms ’tis kend what ye have done. 721

Poems Not: The Word that gangs, how ye’re sae wise and fell, Ye’ll may be take it ill gif I shou’d tell.] 564. ‘tak’ (1726) [not ‘take’]; ‘soud’ (1726) [not ‘shou’d’] 566. ‘fear?’ (1725) [not ‘fear.’]; ‘naithing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nathing’] 567. ‘Well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Well,’]; ‘a’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a’’] 568. ‘an’ (1725) [not ‘ane’]; ‘you’ (1726) [not ‘you,’] 569. ‘Roofless Barn,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘roofless Barn;’] 570. ‘Yarn,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yarn;’] 571. ‘Elfshot’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Elf-shot’] 572. ‘Tibi’ (1725) [not ‘Tibby’]; ‘kirn’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kirn’d,’] 573. ‘Wean,’ (1725), ‘Wean’ (1726) [not ‘We’an’] 574. ‘cou’dna’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cou’d na’]; ‘lane.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lane;’] 575. ‘Wattie’ (1725) [not ‘Watie’]; ‘through’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 576. ‘himsel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘himsell’]; ‘Snaw.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Snaw;’] 577. ‘still’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘still,’] 578. ‘Night.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night;’] 580. ‘seen;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘seen:’] 582. ‘about;’ (1725), ‘about:’ (1726) [not ‘about.’] 583. ‘Skaith;’ (1725), ‘Skaith,’ (1726) [not ‘Skaith:’] 584. ‘laith:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘laith;’] 586. ‘Furlet’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Firlot’] 587. ‘ye Lad,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye, Lad;’] 589. ‘Then’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Then,’]; ‘me’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me;’] 590. ‘Pate;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pate,’]; ‘Patie is’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patie’s’] 591. ‘Meg:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Meg.’]; ‘see’ (1726) [not ‘see.’] 594. ‘right,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘right;’] 595. ‘Ways,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ways,’]; ‘Night;’ (1725), ‘Night.’ (1726) [not ‘Night:’] 596. ‘Time’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘time’]; ‘Things’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘things’] 597. ‘Grots,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Grots;’]; ‘take’ (1725) [not ‘tak’] 598. ‘find;’ (1725) [not ‘find:’] 599. ‘Deel,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil,’]; ‘Wind,’ (1726) [not ‘Wind;’] 600. ‘Thunder,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thunder’] 601. ‘mirk’ (1725) [not ‘rough,’] 602. ‘Symmie’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symie’s’] 603. ‘Badrans’ (1725), ‘Badran’s’ (1726) [not ‘Badrans,’] 604. ‘spy;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘spy:’] 608. ‘advance,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘advance;’] 610-13 These lines, as printed in Poems (1728), are not included in the 1725 edition. 610. ‘Eild’ (1726) [not ‘Eild,’] 612. ‘small’ (1726) [not ‘sma’’]; ‘Twitch’ (1726) [not ‘twitch’] 613. ‘hatefu’ (1726) [not ‘hatefu’’] 615. ‘Witch’ (1725) [not ‘Wretch’]; ‘Nick,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nick;’] 616. ‘Education,’ (1725) [not ‘Education’] 618. ‘appear,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘appear;’] 619. ‘brought’ (1725) [not ‘brought,’]; ‘here.’ (1725), ‘here,’ (1726) [not ‘here;’] 722

Notes to Poems 1728 Ten lines appearing at this point in the 1725 text are not included in any other edition: Now since the Royal Charles, and Right’s restor’d, A Shepherdess is Daughter to a Lord. The bony Fundling that’s brought up by Glaud, Wha has an Uncle’s Care on her bestow’d. Her Infant Life I sav’d, when a false Friend Bow’d to the Usurper, and her Death design’d; To establish him and his in all these Plains That by right Heritage to her pertains. She’s now in her sweet Bloom, has Blood and Charms Of too much Value for a Shepherd’s Arms. 620. ‘None know’st’ (1725), ‘Nane kens’t’ (1726) [not ‘Nane kens’]; ‘me;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me,’] 621. ‘all’ (1725), ‘a’ (1726) [not ‘a’’] Act II, Scene IV. 622. ‘Tree’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tree,’] 623. ‘PATE and his PEGGY’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pate and his Peggy’]; ‘meet,’ (1725) [not ‘meet;’] 625. ‘bony’ (1725) [not ‘bonny’] 627. ‘Patie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patie,’]; ‘stay;’ (1725) [not ‘stay,’] 628. ‘hame’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hame,’] 630. ‘gane;’ (1725) [not ‘gane:’] 632. ‘themselves’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘themsells,’]; ‘judge’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘judge,’] 635. ‘Lav’rocks’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lavrocks’] 638. ‘ken’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ken,’] 639. ‘sair’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sair,’] 640. ‘sae’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sae,’] 646. ‘Merle’ (1725) [not ‘Merl’]; ‘Throtes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Throats’] 649. ‘Fruits,’ (1725) [not ‘Fruits’] 651. ‘Patrick’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patrick,’]; ‘End’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘End,’] 653. ‘darna’ (1725), ‘darena’ (1726) [not ‘dare na’]; ‘stay,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘stay’] 654. This line, as printed in Poems (1728) does not feature in the 1725 text. 654. ‘Sang,’ (1726) [not ‘Sang;’] 655. ‘Or swear ye’ll never tempt to do me Wrang.’ (1725) [not ‘Your Thoughts may flit, and I may thole the Wrang.’] 657. ‘Lap.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lap;’] 658. ‘cease;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cease,’] 661. ‘Shall do thee Wrang,’ (1725), ‘Shall skaith our Love,’ (1726) not ‘Shall skaith our Love;’] 663. ‘Haf-a-year’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haff a Year’] 665. ‘anither Lass’ (1725) [not ‘a fairer Face’]; ‘steel’ (1725) [not ‘steal’] 666. ‘Meg,’ (1726) [not ‘Meg’]; ‘relate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘relate,’] 668. ‘fear,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fear;’] 669. ‘young’ (1725) [not ‘young,’] 670. ‘cou’dst’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘coud’st’] 723

Poems 671. ‘Thrang’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thrang’] 673. ‘Tansy-know’ (1725), ‘Tansy-Know’ (1726) [not ‘Tansy-know’]; ‘rashy Strand;’ (1725), ‘Rashy-Strand.’ (1726) [not ‘Rashy-strand.’] 674. ‘Delyte’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Delite,’] 675. ‘whyte’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘white’] 679. ‘Skill,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skill;’] 680. ‘Toil’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘toil’] 681. ‘Bought’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bught’]; ‘Even’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘E’en’] 682. ‘Hether Bells,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hether-bells’] 684. ‘Birns’ (1725) [not ‘Birns,’]; ‘Briers’ (1725) [not ‘Briers,’]; ‘ere’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘e’er’]; ‘me:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me,’] 690. ‘Cowdon Knows,’ (1725), ‘Cowden-knows:’ (1726) [not ‘Cowden-knows,’] 690-96. Patie mentions a number of popular Scots songs here, many of which were published by Ramsay in TTM. ‘The Broom of Cowden-Knows’: in TTM I (1724, pp.25-27) after being first published in England in 1632. ‘The Milking of the Ews’: likely to be ‘Will ye go to the Ew-bughts Marion’, printed by Ramsay in his 1726 TTM, p.163. ‘Jenny Nettles’: first found (as ‘I Love My Love for Love again’) in the Skene MS, and is first printed by Bremner (1757). ‘Maggy Lauder’: not printed in Ramsay’s TTM, and its title dates from the mid-seventeenth century when John O’Neachtan gave new lyrics to the existing melody in 1676. It features in numerous plays in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, being sung by Thomas Dogget in A Country Wake (1696), and again in Hob, or the Country Wake (1711), as well as in Charles Coffey’s The Quaker’s Opera (1728) and Beggar’s Wedding (1729). ‘The Boat-man’: printed by Ramsay in TTM (1724) as ‘The Bonny Scot’ (pp.35-36). The song is first found in MS in Robert Edwards’s Commonplace Book (1630-65) and is first printed in Playford’s The English Dancing Master. It is also collected in Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725/26). ‘The Lass of Patie’s Mill’: first printed in Ramsay’s Poems of 1721; for full details of the song’s history, see the notes accompanying that text. 691. ‘Ews.’ (1726) [not ‘Ews;’] 692. ‘Nansie’ (1726) [not ‘Nansie,’] 693. ‘Lawder’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lauder’] 694. ‘sings’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sings,’]; ‘Skill’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skill;’] 695. ‘Boatman’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Boat-man’]; ‘Patie’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patie’s’] 696. ‘Thousand’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thousand’]; ‘Times’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘times’]; ‘me,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me:’] 697. ‘well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘well,’] 698. ‘desire,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘desire!’] 699. ‘roos’d,’ (1725) [not ‘roos’d’] 704. ‘Giglit’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘giglit’] 705. ‘behave.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘behave;’] 706. ‘believe,’ (1725), ‘believe.’ (1726) [not ‘believe;’] 707. ‘grieve.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grieve:’] 708. ‘how’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘how,’] 710. ‘thou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thou,’]; ‘Sense’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sense,’] 711. ‘excels’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘excells’]; ‘a’.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a’,’] 724

Notes to Poems 1728 712. ‘kind,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kind;’] 714. ‘harken’ (1725) [not ‘harken,’]; ‘yons’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘yon’s’]; ‘Cry,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cry;’] 715. ‘mak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘make’] 716. ‘ferly,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ferly.’]; ‘now’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Now,’] 717. ‘Fivescore’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fivescore’]; ‘a-miss’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘amiss’] 720. ‘Hyre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hire’] 721. ‘Well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Well,’] 722-747. The song is printed in italics in 1725. 723. ‘Eye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Eyes’]; ‘tells’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tell’] 723-47. This song was published by Ramsay as ‘Patie and Pegy’ in his Poems of 1721. Details of the song’s MS and publication history is found here. 725. ‘Love,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Love;’]; ‘deny.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘deny?’] 726. ‘gif’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gin’] 727. ‘done:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘done?’] 728. ‘tynes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tines’] 731. ‘tine,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tine’] 732. ‘appear,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘appear;’] 733. ‘Haf-year’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haff Year’] 734. ‘pow’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pu’’] 735. ‘Patie’s’ (1725; in same typeface as rest of song) [not ‘Patie’s’]; ‘Arms’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Arms,’]; ‘a’:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a’.’] 736. ‘Embrace,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Embrace;’] 738. ‘Armfu’’ (1725) [not ‘Armfu’,’] 739. ‘Day,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day;’] 740. ‘again.’ (1725), ‘again:’ (1726) [not ‘again,’] 742. ‘Sun’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sun,’]; ‘Skyes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skies’] 743. ‘rise:’ (1726) [not ‘rise;’] 745. ‘Day;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day:’] 746. ‘your’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye’re’] 747. ‘Sleep gin ye like’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sleep, gin ye like,’] Act III, Scene I. 748. ‘Lyme’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lime’] 749. ‘Time,’ (1726) [not ‘Time;’] 750. ‘mean;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mean:’] 751. ‘been:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘been.’] 752. ‘It’ (1725) [not ‘it’] 755. ‘Throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thro’’]; ‘delightfu’ (1725) [not ‘delightfu’’] 760. ‘Prospects,’ (1725) [not ‘Prospects’] 762. ‘stands’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘stands,’] 763. ‘Roof,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Roof;’] 764. ‘down, no Chimny left,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘down; no Chimney left;’] 765. ‘bereft.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bereft:’] 766. ‘Pavilians’ (1726) [not ‘Pavilions’] 767. ‘falls.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘falls:’] 768. ‘Gardens’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gardens,’]; ‘complete’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘compleat,’] 725

Poems 769. ‘sweet:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sweet;’] 770. ‘Green’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Green,’] 771. ‘Flowrs’ (1725) [not ‘Flowers’] 772. ‘But’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But,’] 774. ‘How fail’d and brok’s the rising ample Shade,’ (1725) [not ‘How do these ample Walls to Ruin yield,’] 775. ‘Trees their Branches spred’ (1725) [not ‘Branches found a Beild’] 776. ‘Basking in Rays, and’ (1725) [not ‘And bask’d in Rays, which’] 777. ‘View’ (1725) [not ‘view,’]; ‘delightful’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘delightfu’’]; ‘Use;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Use!’] 778. ‘Walls in Ruin’ (1725) [not ‘most in Rubbish’] 779. ‘withered’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wither’d’] 780. ‘repaird;’ (1725), ‘repair’d?’ (1726) [not ‘repair’d:’]; ‘and’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘And’]; ‘Joy,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Joy’] 782. ‘Prop’ (1725) [not ‘Prop,’] 783. ‘home’ (1725), ‘Home’ (1726) [not ‘hame’]; ‘fair,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fair.’] 784. ‘Him’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Him,’] 786. ‘charged’ (1725) [not ‘charg’d’] 787. ‘Till’ (1725) [not ‘’Till’] 789. ‘carless’ (1725) [not ‘careless’]; ‘Lawn.’ (1726) [not ‘Lawn,’] 790. ‘Charge’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Charge,’]; ‘serenly’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘serenely’] 792. ‘Life,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Life!’]; ‘free,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘free;’] 793. ‘cheerfully,’ (1725), ‘cheerfully’ (1726) [not ‘chearfully’] 794. ‘A quiet, contented Mortal, spends his Time,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘A quiet contented Mortal spends his Time’] 795. ‘Health’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Health,’] 796. ‘House,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘House’] 799. ‘gaylie’ (1725) [not ‘gayly’] Act III, Scene II. 801. ‘round,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘round;’] 804. ‘Peat Ingle’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peat-Ingle’] 805. ‘Floor.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Floor;’] 806. ‘mingle’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mingle,’] 812. ‘sells,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sells’] 813. ‘merrylie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘merrilie’] 816. ‘Lads’ (1725) [not ‘Lads,’]; ‘awa’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘awa’’] 824. ‘troth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘troth,’]; ‘Wean’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘We’an’] 825. ‘ken; a bonnyer’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ken: A bonnier’] 827. ‘Ha Glaud!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ha! Glaud,’]; ‘neer’ (1725) [not ‘ne’er’]; ‘Match,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Match;’] 828. ‘catch;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘catch:’] 830. ‘mix’d’ (1725) [not ‘mixt’] 831. ‘have,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘have?’]; ‘there’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘There’s’]; ‘sure’ (1726) [not ‘sure,’] 834. ‘kind;’ (1725), ‘kind:’ (1726) [not ‘kind.’] 837. ‘gie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gi’e’] 838. ‘if’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gif’] 726

Notes to Poems 1728 839. ‘spaining Time’ (1725), ‘spaining Time’ (1726) [not ‘Spaining-time,’] 841. ‘Glaud,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Glaud;’] 842. ‘hear.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘here’] 843. ‘Eight Days,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘eight days’] 845. ‘Well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Well,’]; ‘come’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘come,’]; ‘Bend,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bend;’] 846. ‘what ever’ (1725) [not ‘whatever’] [Stage direction after line 846: ‘round’ (1725) [not ‘round.’] 849. ‘Hallon Side’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hallon-side’] 850. ‘up’ (1725) [not ‘up,’]; ‘beded’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bedded’] 851. ‘clatteran’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘clattoran’] 852. ‘ere’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘e’er’] [Before line 853: No stage direction in 1726.] 853. ‘Father,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Father!’] 854. ‘seen;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘seen:’] 856. ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’]; ‘Look:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Look;’] 857. ‘ere’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘e’er’] 859. ‘in,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘in;’]; ‘say,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘say:’] 861. ‘fear’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fear,’] 862. ‘Gray’ (1725) [not ‘gray’]; ‘Mear’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mare’] 863. ‘Spae-men!—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spae-men!’]; ‘doubt,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘doubt;’] 864. ‘thereout’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘there out’] 865. ‘welcome’ (1725), ‘wellcome’ (1726) [not ‘welcome,’]; ‘Carle,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Carle;’] 866. ‘Goodman,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Goodman;’]; ‘Ise’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’se’] 867. ‘t’ye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘t’ye,’]; ‘cam’ (1725) [not ‘came’] 868. ‘ye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye,’]; ‘Nibour,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nibour:’]; ‘e’en’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘E’en’] 869. ‘wie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wee’]; ‘lang,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lang;’] 870. ‘Three’s’ (1725) [not ‘three’s’] 873. ‘unsought.—Well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unsought. – Well,’] 875. ‘imploy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘employ’]; ‘Skill’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skill,’] 877. ‘Lad,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lad;’] 878. ‘now’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘now,’] 879. ‘Hand,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hand;’] 881. ‘Point:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Point.’]; ‘But Billy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But, Billy,’]; ‘byde’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bide’] 882. ‘Mouse’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mouse’] 883. ‘Betootch’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Betooch’]; ‘true,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘true:’] 884. ‘Deel’s’ (1725) [not ‘Deil’s’]; ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’] 887. ‘spair’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘spar’d’] 889. ‘ye’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye,’]; ‘what think ye now!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘What think ye now?’] 890. ‘ken! strange auld Man, what’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ken: Strange auld Man! What’] 891. ‘Heart,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heart;’]; ‘Wealth,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wealth:’] 894. ‘Curs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Curs,’]; ‘Tenants’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tenants,’] 727

Poems 895. ‘Estate,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Estate’] 897. ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’] 898. ‘Aftymes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Aftimes’] 899. ‘Warlock’ (1726) [not ‘Warlock,’] 900. ‘good,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘good’]; ‘least,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘least:’] 902. ‘a’ (1725) [not ‘a’’]; ‘that that’s’ (1726: misprint) [not ‘that’s’] 905. ‘Things’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘things’, both instances] 906. ‘Thumb;--’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thumb – ’]; ‘tell?’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tell’] 907. ‘him’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘him,’]; ‘himsel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘himsell’] 908. ‘William.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘William?’] 910. ‘better,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘better;’]; ‘Elspa hast ye gae’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Elspa, haste ye, gae,’] 912-27. These lines are printed in black letter in the editions of 1725 and 1726, i.e. ‘A Knight that for a LYON fought…’ 915. ‘thousands shares:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thousands shares.’] 917. ‘owre the Plain,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er the Plain:’] 923. ‘bauld’ (1726) [not ‘bauld.’] 926. ‘tald,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tald;’] 929. ‘Deel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil’] 930. ‘keep,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘keep:’] 931. ‘you’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye’] 932. ‘Beard,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Beard;’] 934. ‘Ten’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ten’]; ‘Ane’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ane’] 938. ‘unko’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unco’] 939. ‘mak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘make’] 940. ‘sma’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sma’’] 942. ‘Flawing’ (1725) [not ‘flawing’] 944. ‘Carle,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Carle;’]; ‘e’er’ (1725) [not ‘ere’] 946. ‘said,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘said’] 948. ‘Friend;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Friend,’]; ‘sae’ (1725) [not ‘say’]; ‘naithing mair,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nathing mair;’] 949. ‘I have’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’ve’] 952. ‘through’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 953. ‘Bent,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bent:’] 954. ‘Day that Gift:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘day that Gift;’] 955. ‘ELSPA’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Elspa’] 958. ‘Care,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Care;’] 962. ‘please,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘please’]; ‘Desire,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Desire:’] 965. ‘Pint and Crack’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pint, and crack’] 966. ‘Space’ (1725), While (1726) [not ‘while’]; ‘Young-anes play,’ (1725), ‘Young-anes play.’ (1726) [not ‘young anes play.’] 967. ‘light’ (1725) [not ‘light,’] Act III, Scene III. 968. ‘Hame’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hame’] 969. ‘ROGER’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Roger’] 972. ‘Sight they meet.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sight, they meet:’] 973. ‘Laughing,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘laughing;’] 728

Notes to Poems 1728 974. ‘Shepherd?’ (1726) [not ‘Shepherd!’] 975. ‘t’ye’ (1725) [not ‘t’ye,’] [not ‘to ye’]; ‘let,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘let;’] 976. ‘ergh ye’r’ (1725) [not ‘ergh, ye’re’] 977. ‘cou’d’ (1725) [not ‘could’]; ‘speak;]’ (1726 [misprint]) [not ‘speak?’] 978. ‘ye’r to seek.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye’re to seek.’] 979. ‘Yes ye may guess,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yes, ye may guess’] 980. ‘Een:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Een.’] 981. ‘we’t,’ (1725) we’t (1726) [not ‘wi’t,’]; ‘Scorn,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Scorn;’] 982. ‘Even’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ev’n’] 983. ‘could’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cou’d’]; ‘Ah cou’d I loo ye less! I’d happy be’ (1725, 1726); [not ‘Ah! could I loo ye less, I’d happy be;’] 984. ‘far!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘far,’] 986. ‘say,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘say’] 991. ‘Cusin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cousin’] 993. ‘alyke’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘alike’] 995. ‘Jenny,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Jenny?’]; ‘sayna’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sayna’]; ‘again,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘again;’] 997. ‘glad however’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘glad, however,’]; ‘free,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘free:’] 998. ‘rew’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rue,’]; ‘Pity’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pity’] 1001. ‘bonny, good, and every Thing!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny, good, and every thing;’] 1002. ‘breath’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘breathe,’]; ‘kiss’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kiss,’] 1004. ‘Daffine,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Daffine’] 1005. ‘Waws’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Waws,’] 1008. ‘Mare:’ (1725) Mear: (1726) [not ‘Mear;’] 1011. ‘dounright’ (1725) [not ‘downright’] 1013. ‘suggard Words,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘suggard’d Words’] 1015. ‘fair’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fair’] 1016. ‘Clouds,’ (1725) [not ‘Clouds’]; ‘Skyes.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skies.’] 1017. ‘Spring,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spring’] 1018. ‘mossy’ (1726) [not ‘Mossy’] 1019. ‘rejoyce’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rejoice’] 1020. ‘beguile,’ (1726) [not ‘beguile.’] 1022. ‘unclouded,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unclouded’] 1023. ‘run’ (1725) [not ‘rin’]; ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 1024. ‘Ocean,’ (1725) [not ‘Ocean’]; ‘stain.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Stain.’] 1025. ‘blyth,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘blyth;’] 1026. ‘Rejoyce throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rejoice thro’’] 1029. ‘mawn’ (1725) [not ‘maun’] 1035. ‘fyr’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fir’d’] 1036. ‘tyr’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tir’d’] 1039. ‘the’ (1725) [not ‘thee’] 1040. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] [The stage direction ‘They Embrace’, following line 1040, is printed in the 1725 edition only.] 1041. ‘Joy,’ (1726) [not ‘Joy’]; ‘safter Heart does yield’ (1725) [not ‘easy Heart gi’es Way’] 729

Poems 1042. ‘Field’ (1725) [not ‘Day’] 1044. ‘me’ (1726) [not ‘me,’] 1045. ‘thousand,’ (1725) [not ‘thousand’] 1046. ‘dumb;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dumb,’] 1047. ‘kyndlier’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kindlier’] 1049. ‘Well I agree,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Well, I agree:’]; ‘neist’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Neist,’] 1050. ‘Consent;--,’ (1726) [not ‘Consent;—’] 1052. ‘Fowks like them’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fowks, like them,’] 1054. ‘Bayers rowt:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Byers rowt;’] 1055. ‘Lammass’ (1725) [not ‘Lammas’] 1056. ‘Fell.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fell:’] 1057. ‘Twenty’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘twenty’] 1059. ‘Hartsome’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘heartsome’]; ‘tight’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tight,’] 1061. ‘all,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘all;’]; ‘gie’s’ (1726) [not ‘gi’es’] 1062. ‘Dear’ (1726) [not ‘Dear,’]; ‘thee.’ (1725), thee, (1726) [not ‘thee:’] 1063. ‘Fifty’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fifty’]; ‘Times’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘times’] 1064. ‘shou’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘should’] 1065. ‘all’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘All’]; ‘yours,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘yours;’] 1066. ‘guid’ (1726) [not ‘guide’]; ‘like’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘like,’] 1067. ‘best;—but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘best — But’] 1068. ‘Meg,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Meg;’]; ‘besides’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘besides,’]; ‘stay;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘stay:’] 1069. ‘Lets’ (1725) [not ‘Let’s’]; ‘now’ (1725) [not ‘now,’]; ‘Morn,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Morn;’] 1070. ‘seen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘seen,’]; ‘dree’ (1725) [not ‘drie’] 1071. ‘tree’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘trees’]; ‘pool.’ (1726) [not ‘pool,’] 1072. ‘cool;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cool:’] 1073. ‘Tryst’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Triste’]; ‘there,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘there;’]; ‘meet.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘meet,’] 1074. ‘kiss’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kiss,’] Act III, Scene IV. 1075. ‘KNIGHT and SYM’ (1725), ‘KNIGHT and SYM’ (1726) [not ‘Knight and Sym’] 1076. ‘Galery’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gallery’] 1077. ‘grim,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grim;’] 1078. ‘Face;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Face,’] 1080. ‘fou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’’] 1082. ‘it,’ (1726) [not ‘it’] 1085. ‘William Worthy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘WILLIAM WORTHY’] 1086. ‘Wha’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Whilk’]; ‘He’s Come Hame’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘He’s come hame’] [Stage Direction after Line 1086: 1725 is headed ‘PROLOGUE’.] 1089. ‘Knight’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Knight,’]; ‘Regard’ (1726) [not ‘Regard,’] 1090. ‘Knees.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Knees’] 1091. ‘breathe!’ [not ‘breathe,’] 1092. ‘strong’ (1725) [not ‘strong,’]; ‘Skaith!’ [not ‘Skaith;’] 730

Notes to Poems 1728 1093. ‘Tenant’s’ (1726) [not ‘Tenants’]; ‘Sight!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sight,’] 1094. ‘Delight.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Delight!’] 1095. ‘Symon,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symon;’] 1102. ‘neist’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘neist,’] 1103. ‘plenty:—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘plenty:’] 1104. ‘Youth’ (1725) [not ‘Youth,’] 1107. ‘Friends,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Friends’]; ‘Cast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cast’] 1110. ‘few.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘few:’] 1112. ‘Name.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Name:’] 1114. ‘Grace,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Grace;’] 1115. ‘Sin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Sin,’] 1116. ‘Tenth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tenth’] 1117. ‘Debt’ (1726) [not ‘Debt,’] 1118. ‘Fam’lie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fam’ly’] 1119. ‘Common-wealth’ (1725), ‘common-wealth,’ (1726) [not ‘Commonwealth,’] 1120. ‘off’ (1726) [not ‘off,’] 1121. ‘Symon’ (1725) [not ‘Symon,’] 1123. ‘Excuse;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Excuse:’] 1126. ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’] 1130. ‘Judge,’ (1725) [not ‘Judge’] 1132. ‘grumble’ (1725) [not ‘grumble,’]; ‘Hand,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hand;’] 1135. ‘pleases,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pleases;’] 1136. ‘can’ (1725) [not ‘Can’] 1138. ‘gie’ (1725) [not ‘gi’e’] 1139. ‘delyts’ (1725) [not ‘delites’]; ‘reads’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘reads,’] 1141. ‘read,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘read?’]; ‘kind;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kind?’] 1143. ‘When e’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Whene’er’] 1145. ‘Will’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘will’] 1147. ‘Shakespear’ (1725) [not ‘Shakespear,’]; ‘famous’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘famons’, misprint] ‘Shakespear and a famous Ben’: English playwrights William Shakespeare (bap. 1564-1616) and his contemporary, Ben Jonson (1572-1637). 1148. ‘speaks’ (1725) [not ‘speaks,’] 1149. ‘Sterling’ (1725) [not ‘Stirling’] ‘Hawthrenden’: Scottish poet and pamphleteer William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585-1649); ‘Stirling’: poet and politician William Alexander, first Earl of Stirling (1577-1640). 1150. ‘caw’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ca’d’]; ‘Cowley’ (1725) [not ‘Cowley,’] ‘Cowley’: English poet Abraham Cowley (1618-67). 1151. ‘fou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’’] 1152. ‘thought that he’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thought he’] 1156. ‘well,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘well;’]; ‘Ear’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ear,’] 1157. ‘hear:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hear.’] 1159. ‘enclin’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘inclin’d’] 1161. ‘Book:’ (1726) [not ‘Book;’] 1162. ‘twa, haf read, haf spell’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘twa haff read haff spell’] 1163. ‘’Till’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Till’]; ‘round’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘round,’]; ‘sell.’ (1725, 731

Poems 1726) [not ‘sell?’] 1164. ‘Symon;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symon:’]; ‘but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But’]; ‘more,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘more’] 1166. ‘Youths’ (1726) [not ‘Youth’s’] 1167. ‘arround’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘around’]; ‘Doves;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Doves:’] 1168. ‘Lassy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lassie,’]; ‘Mein’ (1725), ‘Mein,’ (1726) [not ‘Mien’] 1169. ‘Rosie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rosy’] 1170. ‘youthful’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘youthfu’’] 1172. ‘Times’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘times’] 1173. ‘(With Glaud’s fair Niece)’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘With Glaud’s fair Neice,’]; ‘then’ (1725) [not ‘than’]; ‘meet.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘meet:’] 1175. ‘Since,’ (1726) [not ‘Since’]; ‘self’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sell’]; ‘appear,’ (1725) [not ‘appear.’] 1176. ‘Gentleman’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gentleman,’] 1180. ‘me,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me;’] 1182. ‘Yonders’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yonder’s’]; ‘Hand’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hand’] 1183. ‘Command:’ (1725) [not ‘Command;’] 1184. ‘dress;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dress:’] 1186. ‘flee’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘flee!’] 1187. ‘know’ (1725) [not ‘know,’] 1189. ‘cancels’ (1725) [not ‘cancells’] 1190. ‘Thousand’ (1725) [not ‘thousand’] ‘Lethe’s Stream’: a river in Hades. When one drinks its waters, one forgets the past; Lethe is sometimes referred to as the ‘waters of oblivion’. 1198. ‘improve:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘improve.’] 1199. ‘Diamond’ (1725) [not ‘Diamond,’] 1201. ‘artful’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘artfu’’] [1725 mistakenly has here ‘The End of the Fourth ACT.’] Act IV, Scene I. 1205. ‘Laird’ (1725) [not ‘Laird’s’]; ‘Heir,’ (1725), ‘Heir’ (1726) [not ‘Heir!’] 1209. ‘William’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘William,’]; ‘Beard,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Beard’] 1216. ‘pawkylie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pawkily’] 1217. ‘naithing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nathing’]; ‘hae’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ha’e’] 1219. ‘him’ (1725) [not ‘him,’] 1224. ‘did for Pate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘did, for Pate,’]; ‘foretell’ (1726) [not ‘fortell’] 1225. ‘Spell;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spell.’] 1226. ‘last when well diverted’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘last, when well diverted,’] 1230. ‘for,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘for;’] 1232. ‘Y’ll’ (1726) [not ‘Ye’ll’] 1233. ‘een’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘e’en’] 1236. ‘Thing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’] 1237. ‘kens,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kens?’] 1238. ‘rooted’ (1725) [not ‘rooted,’]; ‘Pain:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pain;’] 1239. ‘Plain,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Plain:’] 1240. ‘before’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘before,’] 1241. ‘Nonsence’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nonsense’]; ‘Root’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘root,’] 732

Notes to Poems 1728 1242. ‘Herds’’ (1726) [not ‘Herd’s’] 1243. ‘King Bruce’s Days’: the reign of Robert I (1274-1329), often referred to as Robert the Bruce. 1244. ‘gain,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gain;’] 1246. ‘fain,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fain!’] 1247. ‘Doubt’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘doubt’]; ‘Ain’ (1725) [not ‘ain’] 1248. ‘Doof!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Doof;’]; ‘well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘weil’] 1249. ‘teil’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘till.’] 1251. ‘he;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘he:’] 1252. ‘I:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I.’] [In the 1725 text, at ll.1258-71, Bauldy’s entrance, ‘singing,’ is longer than in the 1726 and 1728 editions. By removing these lines in subsequent printings, Ramsay essentially removes three quatrains of Bauldy’s song and the interjection – ‘Well liltit, Bauldy, that’s a dainty Sang’ – by Madge. The last quatrain, ll.1272-75 of 1725 remain largely unchanged in 1726 and 1728. The list of variants below retains the line numbering of the 1728 text.] 1253. ‘gin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gin’] 1253-56. ‘Jocky said to Jenny’: first found in print in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725/26), pp.142-43. 1255. ‘bony’ (1725) [not ‘bonny’] 1257. ‘sae,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sae.’] 1258. ‘Snaw-baws’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Snaw-ba’s’] 1259. ‘Well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Well,’]; ‘a’.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘a’?’] 1261. ‘well’ (1725, misprint) [not ‘we’ll’] 1263. ‘that’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘that,’]; ‘Task.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Task;’] 1264. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] 1265. ‘Pate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pate,’] 1266. ‘Mause’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mause,’] 1267. ‘Dumps,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dumps,’] 1268. ‘prove:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘prove;’] 1270. ‘bushy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bushy’] 1271. ‘sworn.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sworn:’] 1272. ‘Fy Bauldy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fy! Bauldy,’] 1273. ‘Herd.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Herd?’] 1274. ‘Heaven,’ (1726) [not ‘Heaven’] 1276. ‘Gate,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gate;’] 1277. ‘advis’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘advis’d,’]; ‘fou’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fu’’] 1278. ‘a’ (1725) [not ‘a’’]; ‘rest;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rest:’] 1279. ‘auld Roudes’ (1725) [not ‘auld Roudes’]; ‘and in faith’ (1725) [not ‘and, in Faith,’] 1280. ‘Words,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Words;’] 1282. ‘Brock,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Brock;’] 1283. ‘and trembling’ (1725) [not ‘and, trembling,’] 1284. ‘Ten’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ten’] 1285. ‘owre’ (1725) [not ‘o’er’] 1287. ‘mansworn’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘mansworn:’] 1288. ‘bony’ (1725) [not ‘bonny’] Stage direction: ‘Fury:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fury.’] 733

Poems 1291. ‘fy’ (1725, 1726)[not ‘fy,’]; ‘howt’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘howt,’]; ‘Bauldy,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bauldy’] 1292. ‘Tuilzie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tulzie’] 1295. ‘Ether-cap like him’ (1725) [not ‘Ether-cap, like him,’]; ‘Coal.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Coal:’] 1296. ‘well’ (1725) [not ‘well,’] 1299. ‘Bairn’s Bairns’ (1725) [not ‘Bairns Bairns’] 1300. ‘true,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘true;’] 1302. ‘Luggs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lugs’] 1303. ‘Auld’ (1725), ‘AULD’ (1726) [not ‘Auld’]; ‘Fallow,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fallow;’] 1304. ‘no;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘no!’]; ‘Bauldy:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bauldy.’] 1306. ‘forgi’e ’m:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forgi’e’m.’] 1307. ‘now’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘now,’] 1308. ‘first’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘first,’] ‘Wyte’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wite’] 1309. ‘happen’d, and’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘happen’d: And’] 1312. ‘cheat.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cheat,’] 1313. ‘Gae’ (1725) [not ‘Gae,’] 1314. ‘Till’ (1725) [not ‘’Till’]; ‘perform’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘perform,’] 1315. ‘was’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Was’] 1316. ‘Swith’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Swith,’] ‘Deil,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil;’]; ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’] 1317. ‘he,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘he’] 1319. ‘I have towzled’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’ve towzl’d’] 1323. ‘for’t,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘for’t;’] 1324. ‘Sport;’ (1726) [not ‘Sport:’] 1329. ‘how’ (1725) [not ‘How’] 1330. ‘hear.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hear?’] 1332. ‘Folk’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fowk’]; ‘decline,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘decline;’] 1334. ‘Lak’ (1725) [not ‘Lake’]; ‘supplie:’ (1725) [not ‘supplie.’] 1336. ‘bad’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bade’]; ‘Wark’ (1726) [not ‘wark’] 1337. ‘Tryst’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Triste’] 1338. ‘Help’ (1725) [not ‘Help,’] 1340. ‘Witch’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Witch’]; ‘Ghaist’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ghaist,’] 1341. ‘Linnen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Linen’]; ‘an’ (1726) [not ‘ane’] 1342. ‘grane’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘grane,’] 1344. ‘conjuring’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘conjuring,’] 1345. ‘go,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘go;’] 1346. ‘westlin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Westlin’] Act IV, Scene II. 1348. ‘Green-swaird’ (1725), ‘green Swaird’ (1726) [not ‘Green Swaird’] 1350. ‘inspir’d’ (1725) [not ‘inspir’d,’] 1351. ‘throw’ (1725) [not ‘through’] 1352. ‘farewell’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Farewell’] 1353. ‘Wow’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wow!’]; ‘I’ (1726, misprint) [not ‘I’m’]; ‘Lowps’ (1725) [not ‘lowps’]; ‘light;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘light.’] 1354. ‘O’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘O,’]; ‘Patrick’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patrick!’] 734

Notes to Poems 1728 1355. ‘Genle-fowk’ (1725), ‘Gentle fowk’ (1726) [not ‘Gentle Fowk’]; ‘farrer’ (1725) [not ‘farther’] 1357. ‘now’ (1725) [not ‘now,’]; ‘brake’ (1726) [not ‘brak’] 1358. ‘scorn’ (1725) [not ‘Scorn’] 1359. ‘Mind,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mind’]; ‘heard,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘heard’] 1360. ‘smil’d,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘smil’d’]; ‘kiss’d,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kiss’d’] 1361. ‘hear’t:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hear’t’]; ‘Day,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day’] 1365. ‘confest,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘confest;’] 1367. ‘closs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘close’] 1369. ‘Youth!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Youth;’] 1371. ‘flow’d,’ (1726) [not ‘flow’d.’] 1373. ‘prevail.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘prevail:’] 1374. ‘late-kend’ (1725) [not ‘late kend’] 1378. ‘renoun’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘renown’d’] 1379. ‘heard,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘heard!’]; ‘Fear!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fear’] 1380. ‘Ear,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ear:’] 1381. ‘forbids, —ah!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forbids. – Ah!’] 1382. ‘While, thus to beat,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘While thus to beat,’] 1383. ‘Stand’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘stand’] 1384. ‘Hand’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hand’] 1386. ‘Laws:’ (1726) [not ‘Laws?’]; ‘But Love rebels against all bounding Laws;’ (1725) [not ‘But what cares Love for Reason, Rules and Laws?’] 1387. ‘excels’ (1726) [not ‘excells’]; ‘Fixt in my Soul the Shepherdess excels’ (1725) [not ‘Still in my Heart my Shepherdess excelles’] 1389. ‘baith’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘baith.’] 1390. ‘bony,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny;’] 1391. ‘Love,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Love;’] 1392. ‘Fate’ (1725) [not ‘Change’] 1393. ‘else, through’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘else; thro’’]; ‘true,’ (1725), ‘true;’ (1726) [not ‘true:’] 1396. ‘here,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘here?’] 1399. ‘straight,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘straight’]; ‘To-morrow’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘to-morrow’] 1402. ‘Monky-tricks:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Monky-tricks.’]; ‘done’ (1725) [not ‘done,’] 1403. ‘Red-heel’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘red-heel’d’] 1406. ‘Cash’ (1725) [not ‘Cash,’]; ‘wate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wat’] 1407. ‘Third Wheel:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘third Wheel.’] 1408. ‘Peggy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peggy,’] 1410. ‘enough’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘enough,’] 1411. ‘Owrecome’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘O’ercome’] [Curly bracket placed in 1728 text only, for lines 1412-14] 1412. ‘Master’ (1725) [not ‘Mr.’]; ‘Hame’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hame’] 1413. ‘same:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘same.’] 1417. ‘Estate like yours’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Estate, like yours,’]; ‘yours,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘your’s’] 1418. ‘pike’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pick’] 1419. ‘Houses, sparkling Wine,’ (1725) [not ‘Houses, and red Wine,’] 735

Poems 1420. ‘Rich Fare’ (1725) [not ‘Good Chear’]; ‘when e’er ye dine,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘whene’er ye dine;’] 1421. ‘Submissive’ (1725) [not ‘Obeysant’]; ‘Ease,’ (1725), ‘Ease’ (1726) [not ‘Ease:’] 1423. ‘amiss,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘amiss;’] 1424. ‘their Bliss:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘the Bliss.’] 1425. ‘Roast,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Roast;’]; ‘sour’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sowr’] 1426. ‘they’ll’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘will’]; ‘Fat’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fat’]; 1429. ‘Gouts,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gouts’] 1430. ‘Fouk’ (1725) [not ‘Fowk’]; ‘owrelaid’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’erlaid’]; ‘Ease,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ease:’] 1431. ‘Shepherd’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Shepherd,’] 1433. ‘Lord’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lord,’]; ‘Man’ (1725), ‘Man,’ (1726) [not ‘Man!’] 1434. ‘when e’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘whene’er’] 1435. ‘Sense’ (1725) [not ‘Sense,’] 1437. ‘Skill,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Skill;’] 1438. ‘ill:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ill.’] 1439. ‘Ne’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Near’] 1442. ‘Ise hae’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’se ha’e’]; ‘Ky:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ky.’] 1443. ‘your’ (1726) [not ‘you’re’] 1444. ‘Will’ (1725) [not ‘Will,’] 1445. ‘lyes,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lyes;’]; ‘his’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘His’]; ‘obey’d,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘obey’d;’] 1447. ‘some Time’ (1725), ‘sometime’ (1726) [not ‘some time’] 1448. ‘closs’ (1726) [not ‘close’]; ‘here,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘here;’] 1450. ‘I,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I’]; ‘And proud of being your Secretary, I’ (1725) [not ‘Pleas’d that ye trust me with the Secret, I,’] 1451. ‘me, a’ the Deels’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me a’ the Deils’] 1453. ‘Heart:’ (1725), Heart. (1726) [not ‘Heart!’] 1456. ‘Heaven’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heaven!’] 1458. ‘red’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘red!’] 1459. ‘Peggy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Peggy,’] 1462. ‘high: --’ (1725) [not ‘high:’] 1465. ‘can’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘can,’]; ‘withouten’ (1725) [not ‘withoutten’]; ‘Pain’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pain,’] 1467. ‘carried’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘carry’d,’] 1468. ‘Wishes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wishes,’]; ‘Land.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Land?’] 1469. ‘remains’ (1726) [not ‘remains,’] 1473. ‘Come’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Come,’] 1474. ‘love’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘love,’] 1475. ‘generous,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘generous;’]; ‘me’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me,’] 1476. ‘Duty,’ (1726) [not ‘Duty’] 1477. ‘Grief,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Grief;’] 1479. ‘Thoughts,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Thoughts’] 1480. ‘Attire;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Attire:’] 1482. ‘Pate:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Pate;’] 1485. ‘envied’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘envy’d’]; ‘tatling’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tattling’] 1486. ‘me’ (1725) [not ‘me,’] 736

Notes to Poems 1728 1488. ‘haf’ (1726) [not ‘haff’]; ‘Hay,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hay;’] 1490. ‘purpose’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘purpose,’] 1491. ‘arround’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘around’]; ‘Foggy-Know’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Foggy-know’] 1493. ‘Vow,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Vow’]; ‘Ease,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ease;’] 1496. ‘ane but you’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ane, but you,’] 1497. ‘approves;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘approves’]; ‘and,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘and’] 1502. ‘fairer ere’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fairer, e’er’] 1509. ‘Tear? Believe’ (1725), ‘Tear, believe’ (1726) [not ‘Tear? Believe,’] 1510. ‘my Love’ (1725) [not ‘thy Words’]; ‘kind;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kind.’] 1511. ‘Dispair,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Despair’] 1512. ‘Care:’ (1725), ‘Care.’ (1726) [not ‘Care,’] 1514. ‘Heart’ (1725) [not ‘Love’] 1515. ‘then,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘then’] 1516. ‘away’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘away,’]; ‘appear.’ (1725), ‘appear,’ (1726) [not ‘appear;’]; ‘Dream throw that Night, till my Day-star appear:’ (1725) [not ‘Hope Time away till thou with Joy appear.’] 1517. ‘gent’ler’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gentler’] 1519. ‘Glaud;’ (1726) [not ‘Glaud,’] 1520. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’]; ‘School,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘School;’] 1525. ‘Heart.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heart:’] 1526. ‘Station’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Station,’] 1527. ‘Modes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Modes,’] 1528. ‘aft-times’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘aftimes’]; ‘Thing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’] 1529. ‘Serenity’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Serenity,’] 1530. ‘Laugh’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Laugh,’]; ‘speak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘speak,’; say, (1725, 1726) [not ‘say;’] 1531. ‘blyth’ (1726) [not ‘blyth,’] 1532. ‘scorn’d,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘scorn’d;’] 1533. ‘them’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘them,’] 1534. ‘still,’ (1725), ‘still:’ (1726) [not ‘still’]; ‘but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But’] 1538. ‘Integrety’ (1726) [not ‘Integrity’] 1539. ‘Native’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘native’]; ‘Virtues’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Vertues’]; ‘please,’ (1726) [not ‘please.’] 1540. ‘Hazard’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hazard’] 1541. ‘Sence’ (1725) [not ‘Sense’] 1542. ‘why, shou’d’ (1725) [not ‘why should’] 1543. ‘me:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘me?’] 1544. ‘cruel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘cruel,’] 1546. ‘Doubt’ (1725), ‘Doubt,’ (1726) [not ‘doubt,’]; ‘Travelling’ (1725), ‘Traveling’ (1726) [not ‘travelling’] 1547. ‘Love:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Love.’] 1548. ‘Cast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cast,’] 1551. ‘Heaven’ (1725) [not ‘Heaven,’] 1552. ‘Suckler-Brae’ (1725) [not ‘Suckler Brae’] 1553. ‘wont’ (1726) [not ‘wont,’] 1554. ‘Hissel-Shaw,’ (1725), ‘Hissel-shaw,’ (1725) [not ‘Hissel-shaw’] 1557. ‘Joy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Joy,’] 737

Poems 1558. ‘Dear allow me’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Dear, allow me,’] 1559. ‘Hair,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hair;’] 1561. ‘kiss’ (1725) [not ‘kiss,’] 1562. ‘Were ilka Hair that appertains to me’ (1725) [not ‘Were’t in my Power with better Boons to please,’] 1563. ‘Ease:’ (1725), ‘Ease,’ (1726) [not ‘Ease;’]; ‘Worth an Estate, they all belong to thee:’ (1725) [not ‘I’d give the best I could with the same Ease;’] 1564. ‘fallen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘faln’]; ‘My Sheers are ready, take what you demand,’ (1725) [not ‘Nor wad I, if thy Luck had faln to me,’] 1565. ‘thee,’ (1726) [not ‘thee.’]; ‘And ought what Love with Virtue may command’ (1725) [not ‘Been in ae Jot less generous to thee.’] 1566. ‘Nae mair I’ll ask;’ (1725) [not ‘I doubt it not,’]; ‘not,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘not;’]; ‘Time,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Time’] 1567. ‘Crime,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Crime:’] 1569. ‘its’ (1725) [not ‘’tis’] Stage Direction after line 1569: 1725 alone includes: ‘(Here they embrace, and the Courtain’s let down.)’] Act V, Scene I. 1571. ‘Rest:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rest.’] 1572. ‘Leg’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘leg’d’]; ‘Nightcap’ (1725) [not ‘Night-cap’] 1573. ‘See’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘See,’]; ‘foreward’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forward’] 1574. ‘silent’ (1725) [not ‘early’] 1575. ‘Power?’ (1725), ‘Power,’ (1726) [not ‘Pow’r?’]; ‘When Nature nods beneath the drowsy Power,’ (1725) [not ‘While drowsy Sleep keeps a’ beneath its Pow’r?’] 1576. ‘North’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘North,’] 1578. ‘glowre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘glowr,’] 1580 ‘Milk,’ (1725) [not ‘Milk’] 1582. ‘lane;’ (1726) [not ‘lane:’] 1584. ‘Symon,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Symon!’] Stage direction after 1580: ‘drink’ (1725) [not ‘Drink’] 1585. ‘ado.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ado?’] 1586. ‘Bed,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bed;’] 1587. ‘pleas’d;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘pleas’d:’] 1589. ‘timously’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘timeously’] 1590. ‘Rest;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rest:’] 1591. ‘Thing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’]; ‘opprest,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘opprest;’] 1593. ‘O! ay’ (1725) [not ‘O ay,’]; ‘true,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘true;’] 1596. ‘caw’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ca’d’] 1599. ‘Heart:’ (1725) [not ‘Heart.’] 1600. ‘trysted’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘tristed’]; ‘Night,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night;’] 1604. ‘Ghaist,’ (1725) [not ‘Ghaist’]; ‘Deel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Diel’] 1605. ‘Corse,’ (1726) [not ‘Corse’] 1608. ‘Lows’d down my Breeks,’ (1725) [not ‘And gat me down,’]; ‘down,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘down;’]; ‘I’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘I,’] 1609. ‘labour’d’ (1725) [not ‘laboured’] 1610. ‘lowp,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘lowp;’] 738

Notes to Poems 1728 1612. ‘elritch’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Elritch’]; ‘quite,’ (1725), ‘quite;’ (1726) [not ‘quite:’] 1613. ‘I’ (1725) [not ‘I,’]; ‘haf’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haff’] 1614. ‘up’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘up,’] 1615. ‘Help’ (1725) [not ‘Help,’]; ‘Deel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil’] 1617. ‘Tar Barrel’ (1725), ‘Tar-Barrel’ (1726) [not ‘Tar-barrel’] 1618. ‘be,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘be;’] 1620. ‘Honour,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Honour;’]; ‘obey,’ (1725), ‘obey;’ (1726) [not ‘obey:’] 1622. ‘fast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fast,’] 1623. ‘Deel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil’] 1624. ‘affraid’ (1725) [not ‘afraid’]; ‘Troth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Troth,’] 1627. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’]; ‘Want’ (1726) [not ‘want’]; ‘blind.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘blind!’] 1628. ‘Thing,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thing’] 1629. ‘Deels’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Diels’]; ‘up-throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘up thro’’]; ‘Ring,’ (1725), ‘Ring;’ (1726) [not ‘Ring?’] 1630. ‘Thousand’ (1725) [not ‘thousand’] 1632. ‘Moor,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Moor’] 1633. ‘Women,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Women’] 1634. ‘rejoyc’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rejoic’d’] 1635. ‘Dowp,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Dowp;’] ‘Candles in his Dowp’: Ramsay also uses this image of the devil in the MS for ‘The Fair Assembly’; details are found in the notes for that poem. 1637. ‘Aft-times’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Aftimes’]; ‘Sow;’ (1725) [not ‘Sow:’] 1638. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 1639. ‘Cats’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cats,’]; ‘ride,’ (1725) [not ‘ride;’] 1641. ‘Spain;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Spain:’] 1642. ‘be’ (1725) [not ‘by’] 1644. ‘What e’er’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Whate’er’s’] 1647. ‘rich:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rich.’] 1649. ‘Life.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Life;’] 1652. ‘will.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘will:’]; ‘but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But’]; ‘Light,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Light’] 1653. ‘Night:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night;’] 1654. ‘Servants’ (1725) [not ‘Servants,’] Act V, Scene II. 1657. ‘Hair,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Hair;’] 1658. ‘Beek.’ (1725), ‘Beek;’ (1726) [not ‘Beek,’] 1659. ‘throw’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thro’’] 1660. ‘Mouth,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mouth;’] 1662. ‘Night,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Night;’] 1663. ‘so’ (1725) [not ‘sae’]; ‘Light;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Light.’] 1664. ‘Thrang’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thrang’] 1665. ‘gang:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘gang.’] 1666. ‘But,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But’]; ‘think,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘think’] 1667. ‘regard.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘regard?’] 739

Poems 1668. ‘sure,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘sure’] 1669. ‘Friends’ (1726) [not ‘Friends,’]; ‘poor:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘poor.’] 1670. ‘gae’ (1726) [not ‘ga’e’] 1671. ‘Cusin’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cousin’] 1672. ‘Doubt’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘doubt’] 1674. ‘Before he’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Before he,’]; ‘Shepherd’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Shepherd,’] 1675. ‘Life:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Life;’] 1678. ‘Rake,’ (1725), ‘Rake!’ (1726) [not ‘Rake! –’]; ‘what’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘What’s’] 1681. ‘unco’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘unco’’] 1685. ‘Clap;’ (1725) [not ‘Clap.’] 1686. ‘Things like you,’ (1725), ‘Things like you’ (1726) [not ‘Things, like you,’] 1687. ‘mak’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘make’]; ‘Jest’ (1725) [not ‘Jest,’] 1688. ‘then’ (1725) [not ‘then,’]; ‘ge’e’ (1725, misprint) [not ‘gi’e’] 1690. ‘Blood,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Blood;’] 1691. ‘good.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘good?’] 1693. ‘wiser’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wiser,’] 1694. ‘sawn; they’re’ (1725) [not ‘sawn: They’re’] 1696. ‘Heaven;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heaven.’] 1697. ‘Dooms-day’ (1726) [not ‘Doomsday’] 1698. ‘heh,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Heh!’]; ‘odd,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘odd;’] 1699. ‘Dooms-day’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Doomsday’]; ‘God’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘GOD’] 1700. ‘why’ (1725) [not ‘why,’] 1701. ‘fear,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fear;’]; ‘debauch,’ (1726) [not ‘debauch’] 1703. ‘Gaits’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Gates’] 1704. ‘forbid!—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forbid!’]; ‘Things’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘things’] 1706. ‘Hast, hast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Haste, haste’]; ‘ye,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ye;’]; ‘owre’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘o’er’] 1707. ‘red’ (1725) [not ‘redd’] 1708. ‘’Tween’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Tween’] 1709. ‘House,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘House:’]; ‘himsel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘himsell’] 1710. ‘Staff,’ (1725), ‘Staf,’ (1726) [not ‘Staff;’] 1711. ‘wi’ye,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘wi’ye;’] 1712. ‘Look’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Look,’] 1713. ‘Een!’ (1725) [not ‘Een?’] 1714. ‘Woer’ (1725) [not ‘Wooer’] 1715. ‘Cross,’ (1725) [not ‘Cross;’] 1716. ‘Kent’ (1725) [not ‘Kent,’]; ‘Plain’ (1725) [not ‘Plain,’] 1717. ‘Spoons’ (1725) [not ‘Spoons,’] 1719. ‘Hay:’ (1726) [not ‘Hay;’] 1723. ‘send’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘send,’] 1729. ‘mine:’ (1725) [not ‘mine;’] 1730. ‘then’ (1726) [not ‘then,’] 1732. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’]; ‘Story trouth’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Story, trowth’]; ‘delay;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘delay:’] 740

Notes to Poems 1728 Act V, Scene III. 1734. ‘Twa-arm’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘twa-arm’d’] 1735. ‘Glaud,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Glaud’] 1738. ‘its’ (1725) [not ‘’tis’] 1742. ‘all?—’ (1725) [not ‘all?’]; ‘well, Archbald’ (1725), ‘well Bauldy’ (1726) [not ‘Well, Bauldy’] 1744. ‘Matter’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Matter,’] 1747. ‘Sir’ (1725) [not ‘Sir,’] 1750. ‘Score,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Score;’] 1753. ‘Deel:’ (1725), ‘Deel;’ (1726) [not ‘Deil:’] 1754. ‘Yet’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yet,’] 1755. ‘revengefu’’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘revengefu’] 1756. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’]; ‘Rosie’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rosy’] 1759. ‘me without my Wit’ (1725) [not ‘me, without my Wit,’]; ‘Deel’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Deil’] 1761. ‘Brown:’ (1725), ‘Brown.’ (1726) [not ‘brown?’] 1762. ‘what this I find,’ (1725), ‘what’s this I find?’ (1726) [not ‘What’s this! I find’] 1763. ‘Girle’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Girl’] 1766. ‘Glaud.’ (1725) [not ‘Glaud?’] 1767. ‘Sir’ (1725) [not ‘Sir,’]; ‘Niece,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Niece;’] 1768. ‘not;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘not:’]; ‘but’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘But’]; ‘had’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hald’] 1769. ‘Contradiction, what’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Contradiction: What’] 1771. ‘Because I doubt’ (1725), ‘Because, I doubt’ (1726) [not ‘Because I doubt,’]; ‘mak’ (1725) [not ‘make’] 1772. ‘Thirteen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘thirteen’] 1774. ‘soon,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘soon;’] 1776. ‘hope’ (1726) [not ‘hope,’] 1777. ‘Then’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Then,’]; ‘obey.—’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘obey.’] 1778. ‘Bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bonny’]; ‘Fundling’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fundling,’] 1779. ‘Closs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Close’] 1781. ‘Infant Weeds’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Infant-weeds’] 1785. ‘young;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘young?’]; ‘for’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘For’] 1788. ‘Look,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Look’] 1789. ‘Story’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Story:’]; ‘pass’d’ (1725) [not ‘past’] 1790. ‘Orphan’ (1726) [not ‘Orphan,’]; ‘mine:’ (1725) [not ‘mine.’] 1791. ‘wean’ (1725), ‘Wean’ (1726) [not ‘We’an’] 1792. ‘tane,’ (1725) [not ‘tane.’] 1793. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] 1794. ‘Blood;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Blood:’] 1795. ‘kenna,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kenna.’]; ‘naithing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Nathing’] 1798. ‘Ear!’ [not ‘Ear;’] 1800. ‘Task,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Task.’]; ‘now’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Now’]; ‘hush,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘hush;’] 1801. ‘smile,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘smile;’]; ‘no’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘nae’] 1803. ‘Way’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘way’] 1804. ‘name’ (1725) [not ‘name,’] 741

Poems 1805. ‘Parent’ (1725) [not ‘Friend’]; ‘claim.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘claim:’] 1806. ‘trace,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘trace’] 1807. ‘his’ [second] (1725) [not ‘her’] 1808. ‘Woman’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Woman,’] 1813. ‘Thing that looks like Reason’ (1725), ‘Things, looks like a Reason,’ (1726) [not ‘thing looks like a Reason’] 1814. ‘out,--’ (1725), ‘out,’ (1726) [not ‘out.’] 1815. ‘hast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haste,’] Stage direction after line 1815: ‘foreward’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘forward’] 1816. ‘Sir’ (1725) [not ‘Sir,’]; ‘well,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘well:’]; ‘Fifteen’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fifteen’]; ‘plow’d,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘plow’d’] 1817. ‘view’d’ (1725), ‘view’d.’ (1726) [not ‘view’d,’] 1818. ‘stand’ (1725) [not ‘stand,’] 1819. ‘nurs’t’ (1726) [not ‘nurs’d’]; ‘Hand,’ (1725), ‘Hand;’ (1726) [not ‘Hand?’] 1821. ‘Ha honest Nurse!’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Ha! honest Nurse,’]; ‘before,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘before!’] 1823. ‘Yet’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yet,’]; ‘Lab’rinth,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Lab’rinth’] 1824. ‘Say’ (1725) [not ‘Say,’]; ‘her,’ (1726) [not ‘her’] 1825. ‘Yes’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Yes,’]; ‘Niece,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Niece;’] 1826. ‘Words’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Words,’] 1827. ‘on,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘on;’]; ‘Good Nurse dispatch thy Story, wing’d with Blisses’ (1725) [not ‘Good Nurse, go on; nae Musick’s haff sae fine’] 1828. ‘That I may give my Cusin Fifty Kisses’ (1725) [not ‘Or can give Pleasure like these Words of thine’] 1829. ‘Then’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Then,’]; ‘Infant-Life’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Infant-life’] 1832. ‘pursu’d’ (1725) [not ‘pursu’d,’]; ‘View’ (1725) [not ‘View,’] 1836. ‘Bed.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bed!’] 1838. ‘Midnight-Hour’ (1725), ‘Midnight-Hour,’ (1726) [not ‘Midnight Hour,’]; ‘prest.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘prest,’] 1839. ‘away,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘away;’] 1840. ‘Day.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day:’] 1843. ‘Fifty’ (1726) [not ‘fifty’] 1844. ‘glades’ (1726) [not ‘glads’]; ‘Swains.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Swains;’] 1845. ‘Then fear’ (1725), ‘Then Fear’ (1726) [not ‘Afraid’] 1846. ‘Charge I’ (1725), ‘Charge, I’ (1726) [not ‘Charge, e’en’] 1847. ‘Cottage here that I’ (1725) [not ‘Cottage here, that I,’] 1848. ‘What e’er’ (1725) [not ‘Whate’er’]; ‘her’ (1725) [not ‘her,’] 1849. ‘Here,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Here’]; ‘himsel,’ (1725), ‘himsel’ (1726) [not ‘himsell,’] 1850. ‘well’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘well,’]; ‘Day,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day’] Stage direction after Line 1851: ‘Beard’ (1725) [not ‘Beard.’]; no parentheses in 1728] 1852. ‘remember’t;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘remember’t.’] 1853. ‘wisht’ (1725) [not ‘wish’d’] 1855. ‘Tis’ (1725) [not ‘’Tis’] 1857. ‘Love,’ (1726) [not ‘Love’] 1858. ‘Arms:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Arms.’] 742

Notes to Poems 1728 1859. ‘Vows, and would’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Vows; and would,’] The misprint direction ‘Roger’ at this point in the 1725 text has been corrected to ‘Sir Will’ in all subsequent versions. 1861. ‘Welcome’ (1725) [not ‘welcome’] 1862. ‘Mother,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Mother’] 1863. ‘Patrick,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patrick:’]; ‘now’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Now’]; ‘Aim,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Aim’] 1864. ‘be’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘be,’] 1865. ‘Boy’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Boy,’] Stage direction after Line 1866: Misprint ‘Pggey’ in 1725 corrected in later editions. 1868. ‘Life’ (1725) [not ‘Life,’] Stage direction after Line 1868 is in parenthesis in 1726 only. 1869. ‘Blessing,’ (1725), ‘Blessing;’ (1726) [not ‘Blessing:’]; ‘may’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘May’] 1871. ‘complete’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘compleat’] 1872. ‘haf’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haff’]; ‘dizy’ (1725) [not ‘dizzy’]; ‘Surprise;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Surprise.’] 1876. ‘Happy,’ (1726) [not ‘Happy’] 1877. ‘be,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘be;’] 1878. ‘gie;’ (1725), ‘gi’e;’ (1726) [not ‘gi’e:’] 1879. ‘yours’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘your’s’] 1880. ‘tak’ (1725) [not ‘take’] 1882. ‘Villian’ (1725) [not ‘Villain’] 1883. ‘below:’ (1725) [not ‘below.’] 1885. ‘ill-got’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ill got’] 1886. ‘Wealth,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wealth’]; ‘Estate’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Estate,’] 1888. ‘only’ (1725) [not ‘only,’]; ‘bow,’ (1725) [not ‘bow’] 1889. ‘best of Men’ (1726) [not ‘best of Men,’] 1890. ‘Day,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Day!’] 1891. ‘hast’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘haste’] 1893. ‘Fare.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Fare?’] 1894. ‘Brow,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Brow;’] 1895. ‘Twa’ (1725) [not ‘twa’] 1898. ‘Kindly, old Man’ (1725) [not ‘Kindly old Man’] 1899. ‘stray;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘stray:’] 1901. ‘Masons and Wrights’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Masons and Wrights’]; ‘rear:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘rear;’] 1902. ‘Fathers’ (1725) [not ‘Father’s’] 1904. ‘Twenty’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘twenty’] 1907. ‘Shepherd’s’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Shepherds’] 1908. ‘dance,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘dance?’] 1909. ‘whistle,’ (1725) [not ‘Whistle’] 1911. ‘fleid;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘fleid:’] 1914. ‘live;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘live:’]; ‘and Archbald’ (1725), ‘and Bauldy’ (1726) [not ‘And, Bauldy,’] 1915. ‘speak,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘speak;’] 1919. ‘ay’ (1725) [not ‘ay,’] 743

Poems 1920. ‘bony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘bonny’] 1921. ‘Name,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Name’]; ‘learn;—’ (1725), ‘learn:—’ (1726) [not ‘learn.—’] 1922. ‘And’ (1726) [not ‘And,’]; ‘be —’ [not ‘be,’] 1924. ‘Day, —’ [not ‘Day’] 1926. ‘and kind Glaud’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘and, kind Glaud,’] 1927. ‘Feu’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Feu;’] 1928. ‘possess’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘possess,’] 1931. ‘Mause in my House’ (1725), ‘Mause, in my House,’ (1726) [not ‘Mause, in my House’] 1932. ‘do’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘do,’] 1934. ‘Blessing’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Blessings’] Stage direction before Line 1935: ‘Will’ in 1725, 1726. 1935. ‘Friend’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Friend,’] 1936. ‘Bosom Secrets’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Bosom-secrets,’]; ‘e’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘ere’]; ‘Laird,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Laird;’] 1937. ‘Janet,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Janet’]; ‘Jenny’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Jenny,’] 1938. ‘Rais’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Rais’d,’] 1939. ‘spake’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘spake,’] 1940. ‘Son;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Son:’] 1944. ‘have’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘have,’] 1945. ‘Consent’ (1726) [not ‘Consent;’] 1949. ‘What e’er’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Whate’er’]; ‘Honour’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Honour’] 1950. ‘Roger’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Roger,’]; ‘Daughter’ (1725) [not ‘Daughter,’]; ‘Blessing’ (1725) [not ‘Blessing,’] 1952. ‘Head,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Head’] 1953. ‘Quietness,’ (1726) [not ‘Quietness’] 1956. ‘Father,’ (1725) [not ‘Father’] 1957. ‘behave’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘behave,’] 1959. ‘Station’ (1725) [not ‘Station,’] 1960. ‘ye’ll’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘you’ll’] 1961. ‘Reward’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Reward,’] 1962. ‘Wild’ (1725) [not ‘wild’] 1963. ‘beguil’d.’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘beguil’d:’] 1964. ‘Aft’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Aft,’] 1965. ‘Turn, with Joy,’ (1726) [not ‘Turn with Joy’] 1966. ‘Righs’ (1725, misprint) [not ‘Rights’] 1967. ‘readyest’ (1725) [not ‘readiest’]; ‘shou’d’ (1725) [not ‘should’]; ‘obey;’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘obey:’] 1968. ‘ane’ (1725) [not ‘ane,’] Stage direction before line 1969: ‘Corn-Rigs are bony.’ (1726) [not ‘Corn-riggs are bonny.’] 1969. ‘PATIE’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Patie’] 1969-92. ‘Corn Riggs’: the melody for this song was a well-known tune by the time Ramsay incorporated it into GS in 1725. It is first found in MS in Lessones for ye Violin (c.1680; NLS MS 5778), and first printed in Playford’s Choice Ayres, Songs and Dialogues (London, 1681, Vol. III, p.9). Playford 744

Notes to Poems 1728 reprints the song in Musick’s Recreation on the Viol (1682, Vol. I, no. 22, p.16), and again in the fifth edition of Apollo’s Banquet (1687, Vol. I, no. 47). It is also to be found in the now-lost Blaikie Manuscript (c.1683-92, no. 104, p.6). 1973. ‘Size,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Size;’] 1974. ‘Wawking,’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Wauking:’] 1975. ‘surprise:’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘surprise;’] 1978. ‘Yellow’ (1725) [not ‘yellow’] 1981. ‘kiss’d’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘kiss’d,’] 1982. ‘lood’ (1725) [not ‘loo’d’] 1983. ‘sincesyne’ (1725) [not ‘since syne’] 1984. ‘Corn-Riggs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Corn-riggs’]; ‘bony’ (1726) [not ‘bonny’] 1986. ‘wanting,’ (1725) [not ‘wanting;’] 1989. ‘comply’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘comply,’]; ‘PATE,’ (1725), ‘PATE;’ (1726) [not ‘Pate,’] 1990. ‘Cockernony’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Cockernonny’] 1992. ‘Corn-Riggs’ (1725, 1726) [not ‘Corn-riggs’]; ‘bony’ (1726) [not ‘bonny’] To Mrs. A. C. A Song Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II as ‘To Mris. A. C. A Song. To the Tune of, All in the Downs’, pp.97-99. ‘All in the Downs’ is first found in print as accompaniment to John Gay’s Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-ey’d Susan (London, 1720); it is also part of Patrick Cuming’s 1723 MS collection (NLS MS 1667) as ‘Black eyed Susan’. The tune also features in Gay’s Beggar’s Opera (1728), as Air 32, p.42. All previous versions of the song differ lyrically from Ramsay’s. Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. Title: ‘Mrs. A. C.’: probably Anne Clerk, daughter of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik (see VI, p.103), born in 1712. 3. ‘Lark’ (TTM) [not ‘Lark,’] 8. ‘Thought’ (TTM) [not ‘Thought,’]; ‘Lays,’ (TTM) [not ‘Lays;’] 13. ‘Youth’ (TTM) [not ‘Youth,’] 14. ‘appears’ (TTM) [not ‘appears,’] 19. ‘prove,’ (TTM) [not ‘prove;’] 20. ‘inchanting’ (TTM) [not ‘enchanting’]; ‘Sweenest’ (TTM) [misprint, not ‘Sweetnest’] 21. ‘yeild’ (TTM) [not ‘yield’] 22. ‘wonder’ (TTM) [not ‘wonder,’] 23. ‘fopish Butter-fly’ (TTM) [not ‘foppish Butterfly’] 26. ‘complete’ (TTM) [not ‘compleat;’] 28. ‘Angels,’ (TTM) [not ‘Angels’] 29. ‘Virtues’ (TTM) [not ‘Vertues,’]

745

Poems To Mrs. E. C. A Song Text: Poems (1728). MSS: NRS (GD 18/4626), entitled ‘Sang’; NLS (Acc. 8380), entitled ‘Song to Mrs. E: C To the Tune. of Tweediside’. The IELM identifies a third autograph MS, which was sold by Sotheby’s on 23 April 1934 as Lot 429 (p.240): this has not been located. Although the IELM states that ‘To Mrs. E. C.’ was first printed in the single-volume edition of TTM (1730), this printing in Poems (1728) is, in fact, its first publication. The song has not been found in print prior to 1728. The song’s tune, ‘Tweedside’, was an extremely popular melody in the 1720s. It has a long history in print and MS, being first found in two forms in Beck’s MS Balcarres Lute-book (c.1650; p.26, no. 48 and p.26, no. 49); it also features in the Leyden MS held by Newcastle University Library (NTu B/W 46, f.44r), which dates to the 1690s. In the eighteenth century, the song is located in two MS collections: Gairdyn’s Collection of Songs, Marches, Minuets, Sarabands, Country Dances, etc. (1710, 1729, 1735; NLS MS 3298, f.13), and in Cuming’s Musical Manuscript (1723, NLS MS 1667, pp.48-50). The tune first appears in print in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725, p.16), in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (1725-26, pp.8-9), Craig’s A Collection of the Choicest Scots Tunes (c.1725-30, p.12), and in Walsh’s The New Country Dancing-Master 3d Book (1728, p.104). Title: ‘Mrs. E. C.’: given that the previous song in this collection – ‘To Mrs. A. C.’ – is likely to have been written for Anne Clerk, daughter of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, it is probable that this song is dedicated to his younger daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in 1713. 2. ‘winter are seen’ (NLS), ‘Winter are Seen’ (NRS) [not ‘Winter are seen’] 3. ‘Carrol’ (NLS), ‘Carol’ (NRS) [not ‘carrol’]; ‘high’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘sweet’] 5. ‘Throw’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘Thro’’]; ‘groves’ (NLS), ‘Groves’ (NRS) [not ‘Groves,’]; ‘Rivolets’ (NLS) [not ‘Rivulets’]; ‘Clear’ (NLS) [not ‘clear’] 6. ‘Joy’ (NRS) [not ‘Pleasure’] 7. ‘Budlings and the Blossoms’ (NLS) [not ‘Buddings and Blossoms’] 8. ‘giveing prospects of pleasure joy & wealth’ (NLS), ‘Give Prospects of Pleasure & Wealth’ (NRS) [not ‘Giving Prospects of Joy and Wealth’] 9. ‘everyy’ (NLS) [not ‘every’]; ‘arround’ (NRS) [not ‘around’] 10. ‘are & that promise’ (NLS), ‘are & that Promise’ [not ‘are, and that promise’] 12. ‘perfect dear Eliza Betty as Thee’ (NLS), ‘perfect Dear B[MS cut]tty as thee’ (NRS) [not ‘perfect, Elisa, as thee’] 13. ‘fountain excells’ (NLS), ‘fountains Excell’ (NRS) [not ‘Fountains excell’] 14. ‘Lochs’ (NLS) [not ‘Locks’]; ‘outrival’ (NRS) [not ‘out-rival’] 15. ‘Zyphers’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘Zephyrs’]; ‘these Gently’ (NLS), ‘them Gently’ (NRS) [not ‘these pleasingly’] 16. ‘wave’ (NLS) [not ‘Wave’] 17-24, or stanzas 5 and 6 as printed, appear as stanzas 7 and 8 in the NLS MS. 17. ‘Lillys’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘Lillies’]; ‘combine’d’ (NRS) [not ‘combin’d’] 18. ‘amiable’ (NLS) [not ‘delicate’] 20. ‘tinctures’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘Tinctures’]; ‘True’ (NLS) [not ‘true’] 21. ‘But what with thy voice can compare’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘What can we 746

Notes to Poems 1728 compare with thy Voice’] 22. ‘Humour So Sweet’ (NLS), ‘humour so sweet’ (NRS) [not ‘Humour so sweet?’] 23. ‘no Gem on the Earth is So rare’ (NLS), ‘No Gem on the Earth is more Rare’ (NRS) [not ‘No Musick can bless with such Joys’] 24. ‘Is ought in the Heavens more complete’ (NLS, NRS) [not ‘Sure Angels are just so compleat’] 25-32. These lines do not appear in the NRS MS, and are placed as stanzas 5 and 6 in the NLS MS. 25. ‘Every delight’ (NLS) [not ‘every Delight’] 26. ‘Beautys ten Thousands outshine’ (NLS) [not ‘Beauties ten thousands out-shine’] 27. ‘charms sweets Shall be lasting and bright’ (NLS) [not ‘Sweets shall be lastingly bright’] 28. ‘So’ (NLS) [not ‘so’] 29. ‘Powers’ (NLS) [not ‘Powers,’] 30. ‘Eliza’ (NLS) [not ‘Elisa,’] 31. ‘O Save her from all Humane’ (NLS) [not ‘O! save her from all humane’] 32. ‘hours happyly’ (NLS) [not ‘Hours happily’] To Calista: A Song, To the Tune of, I wish my Love were in a Mire Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II (1726) as ‘To Clarinda, A Song, To the Tune of, I wish my Love were in a Mire’ (pp.1-2). Ll.1-4, as printed in Poems (1728), do not feature in the main text of TTM, and instead function as its epigraph. As noted below, the first four lines of the TTM text differ from those printed in Poems. The song is first published, without music, in The Spectator of 22 November 1711; the tune is not found in print until its appearance in The Scotch Orpheus (1734, p.4). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 1. ‘sung –––’ (TTM) [not ‘sung, ––’] 2. ‘espies:’ (TTM) [not ‘espies;’] The following stanza appears as ll. 1-4 of the TTM text: Blest as the immortal Gods is he, The Youth who fondly sits by thee, And hears and sees thee all the while Softly speak and sweetly smile, &c. 5. ‘eastern Maid;’ (TTM) [not ‘Eastern Maid,’] 6. ‘Seraphick’ (TTM) [not ‘seraphick’] 7. ‘Circasia’s’ (TTM) [not ‘Circassia’s’] ‘Circassia’: an allusion to Samuel Croxall’s The Fair Circassian, a Dramatic Performance (1720), a poetic adaptation of the Biblical Song of Solomon, of which an earlier version had appeared in Richard Steele’s Poetic Miscellanies (1714); see also Ramsay’s ‘Ballad on Bonny Kate’. The preface to the 1723 London edition of The Fair Circassian states that the protagonist and lover of Solomon ‘speaks of her self as one that kept a Vineyard’ (p.xv). 747

Poems 9. ‘Fair of high Desert,’ (TTM) [not ‘fair of high Desert’] 10. ‘King;’ (TTM) [not ‘Kind,’] 11. ‘Circasian’ (TTM) [not ‘Circassan’] 13. ‘Clarinda’ (TTM) [not ‘Calista’] 14. ‘Lays’ (TTM) [not ‘Lays;’] 17. ‘Mind’ (TTM) [not ‘Mind,’]; ‘complete’ (TTM) [not ‘compleat’] 18. ‘paint’ (TTM) [not ‘paint,’] ‘Skill:’ (TTM) [not ‘Skill,’] 19. ‘Sweet,’ (TTM) [not ‘sweet;’] 21. ‘wond’ring’ (TTM) [not ‘wondring’] 22. ‘View’ (TTM) [not ‘view’] A Song. Tune of Lochaber no more Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II (pp.3-5). The tune of ‘Lochaber no more’ appears to have been well-known at the time of Ramsay’s use. It is found in MS as ‘King James’s March to Ireland’ in Andrew Adam’s Leyden MS (1690, fol.2), and as ‘King James’s March to Dublin in the 1694 MS collection of Henry Atkinson. Its first appearance in print is in Thomas Duffet’s New Poems, Songs, Prologues, and Epilogues (1676), and thereafter as ‘Reeve’s Maggot’ in Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (1701) and the eleventh volume of his The Dancing Master (1701). It is reprinted as ‘Limbrick’s Lamentation’ in John and William Neal’s A Collection of the Most Celebrated Scotch Tunes (c.1724), and as ‘Lochaber’ in Adam Craig’s A Collection of the Choicest Scots Tunes (1727). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 1. ‘farewell’ (TTM) [not ‘farewell,’] ‘Lochaber’: used to signify various areas of the Scottish Highlands. 9. ‘Harrycanes’ (TTM) [not ‘Hurrycanes’] 10. ‘Mind.’ (TTM) [not ‘Mind:’] 12. ‘naithing’ (TTM) [not ‘nathing’] 14. ‘inglorious,’ (TTM) [not ‘inglorious’]; ‘gain’d?’ (TTM) [not ‘gain’d;’] 17. ‘Glory my Jeany maun plead my Excuse,’ (TTM) [not ‘Glory, my Jeany, mayn plead my Excuse;’] 20. ‘be?’ (TTM) [not ‘be.’] 21. ‘Fame,’ (TTM) [not ‘Fame;’] 22. ‘gloriousld’ (misprint in TTM) [not ‘gloriously’]; ‘Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘hame’] Lass with a Lump of Land Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II, titled ‘Lass with a Lump o’ Land’ (pp.11-12). Ramsay appears to have been the first to utilise the melody in print: following TTM II and Poems (1728), it is first found in Vol. 6 of John Watts’s Musical Miscellany (1731). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 2. ‘thegither,’ (TTM) [not ‘thegither;’] 748

Notes to Poems 1728 3. ‘wise,’ (TTM) [not ‘wise’] 6. ‘Shilling,’ (TTM) [not ‘Shilling;’] 14. ‘meddle,’ (TTM) [not ‘meddle;’] 17. ‘Bags.’ (TTM) [not ‘Bags,’] 18. ‘Complexion’ (TTM) [not ‘Complection’] 19. ‘Beauty and Wit, and Virtue in Rags,’ (TTM) [not ‘Beauty, and Wit, and Vertue in Rags.’] 20. ‘Affection:’ (TTM) [not ‘Affection.’] 21. ‘&’ (TTM) [not ‘and’] 22. ‘Meadows,’ (TTM) [not ‘Meadows;’] 23. ‘naithing’ (TTM) [not ‘nathing’] 24. ‘Lasses or joynter’d’ (TTM) [not ‘Lasses, or jointer’d’] Vertue and Wit. The Preservatives of Love and Beauty. To the Tune of Gillikranky. To Mrs. K. H. Text: Poems (1728). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.27). First printed in TTM II, without the dedication in the title, pp.20-21. The tune of ‘Gillikranky’ was well-known in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Its earliest appearance is as ‘My Mistres blush is bonny’ in John Skene’s MS Mandora Book (c.1625; NLS Adv. MS 5.2.1.5). It is thereafter found in broadside print from the 1680s: as The Memorable Battle fought at Killycrankie (London, 1689), The braes o’ Killiecrankie (London, 1689) and Killychrankie to be sung with its own proper tune (Edinburgh, 1689). In the eighteenth century, it is in MS in James Thomson’s Music Book (NLS MS 2833, fol. 20 and fol. 40-41) and the Sinkler MS (1710, no. 44, fol. 52). In print, the song features in Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (1700, No. 6, p.3) and Urquhart and Wright’s Aria di Camera (1727, no.50). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. The first speaker cue, ‘He’, is missing from Poems (1728). 1. ‘Maid,’ (TTM) [not ‘Maid;’] 6. ‘denying;’ (TTM) [not ‘denying?’] 10. ‘Blessing,’ (TTM) [not ‘Blessing;’] 12. ‘caressing?’ (TTM) [not ‘caressing.’] 13. ‘then my Katie’ (TTM) [not ‘then, my Katie,’] 14. ‘Rover;’ (TTM) [not ‘Rover,’] 18. ‘Inclination,’ (TTM) [not ‘Inclination;’] 21. ‘goes’ (TTM) [not ‘gaes’] 22. ‘Season,’ (TTM) [not ‘season;’] 29. ‘Virtue’ (TTM) [not ‘Vertue’] 30. ‘sweeter;’ (TTM) [not ‘sweeter:’] 32. ‘completer’ (TTM) [not ‘compleater’]

749

Poems Song. To the Tune of, I’ll gar ye be fain to follow me Text: Poems (1728). MS: NLS (2233), draft, differing in content and ordering. First printed in TTM II, pp.49-51. The tune is found in James Thomson’s MS collection of tunes for recorder, violin, keyboard and cello (1695-1750, p.28) and in Margaret Sinkler’s MS (1710, p.49). It does not appear in print until it is featured in Joseph Mitchell’s The Highland Fair (1731), where it is entitled ‘I’ll Gar Ye Be Fain to Follow Me’ (Air 33, p.52). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 1. ‘while’ (TTM) [not ‘while,’] 3. ‘Nelly’ (TTM) [not ‘Nelly,’] 4. ‘Ages,’ (TTM) [not ‘Ages’] 6. ‘hurrys’ (TTM) [not ‘hurries’]; ‘away;’ (TTM) [not ‘away:’] 7. ‘Alake,’ (TTM) [not ‘Alake!’] 9. ‘unhappy,’ (TTM) [not ‘unhappy’] 13. ‘Sway,’ (TTM) [not ‘Sway:’] 14. ‘Then Johny’ (TTM) [not ‘Then, Johny,’]; ‘na’ (TTM) [not ‘nae’] 21. ‘Flowers,’ (TTM) [not ‘Flowers;’] 22. ‘Witness’ (TTM) [not ‘witness’] Song. We’ll a’ to Kelso go Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II, pp.58-59. In both printings, the subtitle/tune title, ‘We’ll a’ to Kelso go’, is also the first line of the song. The tune is first found in print as ‘Geud Man of Ballangigh (The)’ in Playford’s Dancing Master, Part II (1696). It is then reprinted with the alternative title of ‘Hunt the Squirrel’ in John Walsh’s The Country Dancing Master (1718, p.16) and the seventeenth edition of Playford’s The Dancing Master, Vol. II (1721). Following Ramsay’s use of the tune in TTM and Poems (1728), the song is utilised by John Gay in Polly (1729); it is thereafter a feature in several plays throughout the 1730s. Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 2. ‘An’ (TTM) [not ‘Ann’]; ‘awa to bony’ (TTM) [not ‘awa’ to bonny’] 5. ‘incline,’ (TTM) [not ‘incline;’] ‘lead Apes below’: according to a proverb used by Shakespeare and Donne, the fate of unmarried women after death. 7. ‘Young and Fair’ (TTM) [not ‘young and fair’] 10. ‘Fool’ (TTM) [not ‘Fool,’] 13. ‘bony’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny’] 17. ‘gain,’ (TTM) [not ‘gain;’] 19. ‘what e’er’ (TTM) [not ‘whate’er’] 25. ‘gracious’ (TTM) [not ‘gracious,’] 28. ‘thought,’ (TTM) [not ‘thought’] 33. ‘bony’ (TTM) [not ‘bonny’]

750

Notes to Poems 1728 The Widow Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II, pp.72-73. The tune is first traced as ‘Wapp at the Widdow, my ladie, the new way’ in the Balcarres MS (1690-1700, no. 210), and thereafter in William Graham’s MS book for the flute (1694). Prior to Ramsay’s use of the tune in Poems (1728), it is found in Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (1701, p.10) and in Urquhart and Wright’s Aria di Camera (1727, p.14). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 2. ‘sew’ (TTM) [not ‘shew’] 3. ‘do,’ (TTM) [not ‘do;’] 4. ‘Ladie’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie’] 6. ‘blate,’ (TTM) [not ‘blate:’] 8. ‘Ladie’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie’] 9. ‘&’ (TTM) [not ‘and’] 10. ‘Wearing’ (TTM) [not ‘wearing’] 11. ‘Thing’ (TTM) [not ‘thing’] 12. ‘Joynter’ (TTM) [not ‘Jointure’]; ‘Ladie’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie’] 14. ‘bonyest’ (TTM) [not ‘bonniest’] 15. ‘naithing’ (TTM) [not ‘nathing’]; ‘Stool’ (TTM) [not ‘Stool,’] 16. ‘Ladie?’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie.’] 17. ‘till ’er and kill ’er with Courtesie’ (TTM) [not ‘till her, and kill her with Courtesy’] 19. ‘succeed,’ (TTM) [not ‘succeed’] 20. ‘Ladie’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie’] 22. ‘active and bauld’ (TTM) [not ‘Active and Bauld’] 23. ‘ruins’ (TTM) [not ‘ruines’] 24. ‘Ladie’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie’] The Step-Daughter’s Relief Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First printed in TTM II, pp.157-59. Ramsay used the tune, ‘If the Kirk wad let me be’, for part of his previous song, ‘The Satyr’s Comick Project’, which was published in his Poems (1721): full details of the popular tune’s history can be found in the notes accompanying that text. Full musical and textual note on ‘The Step-Daughter’s Relief’ is in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 1. ‘Lass,’ (TTM) [not ‘Lass’] 5. ‘Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘hame’] 6. ‘Gear,’ (TTM) [not ‘Gear;’] 8. ‘Steer’ (TTM) [not ‘steer’] 11. ‘haf’ (TTM) [not ‘haff’] 20. ‘Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘hame’] 21. ‘want,’ (TTM) [not ‘want;’] 28. ‘Yard,’ (TTM) [not ‘Yard.’] 29. ‘ye,’ (TTM) [not ‘ye;’] 751

Poems 32. ‘Ways Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘ways hame’] 33. ‘imploy’d’ (TTM) [not ‘employ’d’] 35. ‘Consented; — while’ (TTM) [not ‘Consented: — While’] 40. ‘Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘hame’] The Soger Laddie Text: Poems (1728). No MS. First published in TTM II, pp.167-68. In Poems (1728), each stanza is four lines long; in TTM the stanzas are eight lines long: while the lines are the same in terms of content, they are split in TTM into two lines, for example, ‘My Soger Laddie/Is over the Sea,’ (TTM) versus ‘My Soger Laddie is over the Sea,’ (Poems). The tune to which the song is set is first found as ‘Northland Laddie’ in the Sinkler MS (1710, f.10v). It does not appear in print until John Watts’s The Musical Miscellany; being a collection of Choice Songs (London, 1731, pp.110-12). Full musical and textual note in TTM, The Works of Allan Ramsay. 3. ‘Hame’ (TTM) [not ‘hame’]; ‘Lady,’ (TTM) [not ‘Lady:’] 6. ‘behave.’ (TTM) [not ‘behave:’] 7. ‘steady,’ (TTM) [not ‘steady;’] 8. ‘Laddie.’ (TTM) [not ‘Laddie,’] 10. ‘Arms.’ (TTM) [not ‘Arms,’] 12. ‘gie’ (TTM) [not ‘gi’e’] 14. ‘Due:’ (TTM) [not ‘Due;’]

752

INDEX of FIRST LINES This Index of First Lines is arranged alphabetically, with the title in brackets. The first page reference is for the text, the second for the note. A Nymph, with ilka Beauty grac’d (The Lovely Lass and the Mirror), 258; 575 A Pensy Ant, right trig and clean (The Caterpillar and the Ant), 264; 583 A Poem wrote without a Thought (Spoken to Mrs. N.), 167; 510 A Ram, the Father of a Flock (The Ram and Buck), 235; 546 Accept my third and last Essay (Epistle III), 142; 493 Accept, o Eglintoun! the rural Lays (To the Countess of Eglintoun, with the following Pastoral [The Gentle Shepherd]), 376; 710 Adieu for a while, my native green Plains (Song. To the Tune of, I’ll gar ye be fain to follow me), 429; 750 Ae day a Clock wad brag a Dial (The Clock and Dial), 252; 571 Ae windy Day last Owk, I’ll ne’er forget (Epistle from Mr. William Starrat Teacher of Mathematicks at Straban in Ireland), 281; 600 After the gaining Edinburgh’s Prize (Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot, gain’d by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig, Bart), 197; 528 Again the Year returns the Day (On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl, July 6th, 1724), 328; 660 Ah Life! thou short uncertain Blaze (Ode To the Memory of Mrs. Forbes, Lady Newhall), 372; 703 Ah! why those Tears in Nelly’s Eyes? (To L. L. in Mourning. To the Tune of, Where Helen lyes), 291; 608 All in her Bloom the graceful Fair (An Ode To the Memory of Lady Margaret Anstruther), 253; 573 All Joy to you and your Amelie (Advice to Mr. —— on his Marriage), 341; 676 And I’ll o’er the Moor to Maggy (O’er the Moor to Maggy), 169; 512 Anes Jove, by ae great Act of Grace (Jupiter’s Lottery), 258; 577 Anes Wisdom, Majesty and Beauty (To Calista: An Epigram), 353; 685 Ann I’ll awa’ to bonny Tweed-side (Song. We’ll a’ to Kelso go), 430; 750 Ann thou were my ain Thing (Ann thou were my ain Thing), 288; 606 753

Poems As Errant Knight with Sword and Pistol (An Epistle to Mr. James Arbuckle of Belfast, A.M. Edinburgh, January 1719), 199; 530 As from a Bow a fatal Flane (On his Grace the Duke of Hamilton’s shooting an Arrow through the Neck of an Eel), 349; 684 As from a Rock past all Relief (Love’s Cure. To the Tune of Peggy I must Love Thee), 83; 459 As once I view’d a rural Scene (To the Author), 39; 434 As Poets feign, and Painters draw (Elegy On the Right Honourable James Lord Carnegie, Who died the 7th January 1722, the Eighth Year of his Age), 254; 574 At Market anes, I watna how (The Daft Bargain. A Tale), 271; 590 At Polwart on the Green (Polwart on the Green), 171; 512 Auld Reeky mourn in Sable Hue (Elegy on Maggy Johnston, who died Anno 1711), 56; 437 Awake, Thalia, and defend (The Fair Assembly: A Poem), 323; 653 Be hush, ye Crowd, who pressing round appear (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), 369; 699 Be’t mine the Honour, once again to hear (Health: A Poem. Inscrib’d to The Right Honourable the Earl of Stair), 236; 547 Beneath a green Shade I fand a fair Maid (The Mill, Mill, — O. A Song), 219; 541 Beneath a Tree, ae shining Day (The twa Lizards), 267; 585 Beneath the South-side of a Craigy Beild (The Gentle Shepherd, A Pastoral Comedy; Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable, Susanna Countess of Eglintoun), 380; 712 Be-south our Channel, where ’tis common (Tit for Tat), 280; 600 Braw Lads, and bonny Lasses, welcome here (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), 180; 516 But Jealousie, dear Jos, which aft gives Pain (To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by him), 217; 540 By smooth winding Tay a Swain was reclining (John Hay’s Bonny Lassie), 171; 513 By the delicious Warmness of thy Mouth (Patie and Pegie: A Sang), 179; 516 754

Index of First Lines Cease, Poets, your cunning devising (A Ballad on bonny Kate), 367; 698 Charge me with the Nants and limpid Spring (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), 197; 529 Confess thy Love, fair blushing Maid (Vertue and Wit. The Preservatives of Love and Beauty. To the Tune of Gillikranky. To Mrs. K. H.), 428; 749 Dalhousie of an auld Descent (To the Right Honourable, William Earl of Dalhousie), 202; 532 Dear Allan, who that hears your Strains (To Mr. Allan Ramsay on the Publication of his Poems), 41; 434 Dear Hamilton ye’ll turn me Dyver (Answer II), 140; 493 Dear Katie, Willy’s e’en away! (Betty and Kate; A Pastoral Farewell to Mr. Aikman, when he went for London), 350; 684 Dear Lad, wha linkan o’er the Lee (Epistle to Mr. John Gay, Author of the Shepherd’s Week, on hearing her Grace Dutchess of Queensberry commend some of his Poems), 308; 633 Dear vent’rous Book, e’en take thy Will (The Conclusion. After the Manner of Horace, ad librum suum), 222; 543 E’er on old Shinar’s Plain the Fortress rose (To the Musick Club), 187; 520 Farewell to Lochaber, and farewell, my Jean (A Song. Tune of Lochaber no more), 427; 748 Fed by a living Spring, a Rill (The Spring and the Syke), 271; 590 Frae fertile Fields, where nae curs’d Ethers creep (To Mr. William Starrat, on receiving the above Epistle), 283; 601 Frae great Apollo, Poet say (The Poet’s Wish: An Ode), 220; 542 Frae Northern Mountains clad with Snaw (Epistle to Robert Yarde of Devonshire, Esquire), 273; 591 From different Ways of Thinking comes Debate (The Gentleman’s Qualifications, as debated by some of the Fellows of the Easy Club, April 1715), 190; 523 From me Edina, to the Brave and Fair (Edinburgh’s Address to the Country. November 1718), 87; 461 Gae, canty Book, and win a Name (Wrote on Lady Somervile’s Book of Scots Sangs), 298; 619 Gi’e me a Lass with a Lump of Land (Lass with a Lump of Land), 427; 748 755

Poems Great NEWTON’s dead, — full ripe his Fame (Ode To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton; Inscrib’d to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge), 356; 689 Hail Nothern Bard ! thou Fav’rite of the Nine (To Mr. Allan Ramsay on his Poetical Works), 37; 433 Hail to the brave apparent Chief (Ode On the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule), 305; 629 Happy’s the Love which meets Return (Mary Scot), 167; 511 Help me, some God, with sic a Muse (Ode On the Birth of the Most Honourable Marquis of Dumlanrig), 306; 631 Hence every Thing that can (Ode), 84; 460 Here lyes a Man, whose upright Heart (Inscription on the Tomb-stone of Mr. Alexander Wardlaw, late Chamberlain to the Right H, I: onourable Earl of Wigton, erected by his Son Mr. John Wardlaw in the Church of Biggar), 353; 686 Here, happy Doctor, take this Sonnet (To Dr. J. C. who got the foregoing to give to the young Lady), 368; 699 How far frae hame my Friend seeks Fame! (To Mr. Donald Macewen Jeweller at St. Petersburg), 366; 697 How sweetly smells the Simmer green? (Bonny Christy), 284; 604 How vain are our Attempts to know? (An Ode Sacred to the Memory of the Right Honourable Anne Lady Gairlies), 256; 575 I Wairn ye a’ to greet and drone (Elegy on John Cowper Kirk-Treasurer’s Man, Anno 1714), 60; 442 I was anes a well tocher’d Lass (The Step-Daughter’s Relief), 431; 751 I will awa’ wi’ my Love (O’er Bogie), 168; 511 If Tears can ever be a Duty found (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), 321; 650 In April when Primroses paint the sweet Plain (The Yellow Hair’d Laddie), 79; 457 In Borrows-town there was a Fair (The twa Cut-Purses. A Tale), 272; 591 In Martial Fields the Heroe toils (Ode To the Right Honourable Grace Countess of Aboyn, On her Marriage Day), 311; 636

756

Index of First Lines In Sonnet slee the Man I sing (The Life and Acts of, or An Elegy on Patie Birnie), 181; 517 Joy to the Bridegroom, Prince of Clyde (The Nuptials, A Masque on the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, &c.), 298; 620 Lassie, lend me your braw Hemp Heckle (The Bob of Dunblane), 287; 605 Last Morn young Rosalind, with laughing Een (An Ode, With a Pastoral Recitative on the Marriage of the Right Honourable, James Earl of Wemyss and Mrs. Janet Charteris), 292; 609 Look up to Pentland’s towring Taps (To the Ph— an Ode), 206; 534 Love’s Goddess in a Myrtle Grove (Bonny Jean), 80; 458 Me anes three Beauties did surround (Spoken to three young Ladies, who would have me to determine which of them was the bonniest), 209; 535 Minerva wandring in a Myrtle Grove (Epigram), 312; 637 MY Burchet’s Name! well pleas’d, I saw (To Josiah Burchet, Esq; On his being chosen Member of Parliament), 314; 641 My easy Friends, since ye think fit (On Wit), 191; 524 My Lord, my Patron, good and kind (The Address of the Muse, To the Right Honourable George Drummond Esq; Lord Provost; and Council of Edinburgh), 346; 682 My Mither’s ay glowran o’er me (Katy’s Answer), 86; 461 My Soger Laddie is over the Sea (The Soger Laddie), 432; 752 My sweetest May, let Love incline thee (There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile Thee), 289; 607 Myrtilla, as like Venus’ sell (Cupid thrown into the South-Sea), 185; 519 Near fair Avona’s Silver Tide (An Epistle From Mr. Somervile), 360; 693 Now do I press among the learned Throng (On the Great Eclipse of the Sun, The 22d April, nine a Clock of the Morning, wrote a Month before it hapned, March 1715), 188; 521 Now Gowans sprout and Lavrocks sing (An Ode to Mr F—), 205; 533 Now lend your Lugs, ye Benders fine (The Monk and the Miller’s Wife. A Tale), 335; 668 Now like themsells again the Archers raise (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), 330; 663 757

Poems Now Phœbus advances on hy (To Mrs. E. C. A Song), 425; 746 Now the Sun’s gane out o’ Sight (Up in the Air), 173; 513 Now wat ye wha I met Yestreen (The Young Laird and Edinburgh Katy), 85; 461 Now, Priam’s Son, thou may’st be mute (Epigram On Receiving a Present of an Orange from Mrs. G. L. now Countess of Aboyne), 236; 547 O B----, cou’d these Fields of thine (To R— H— B—, an Ode), 212; 537 O Bessy Bell and Mary Gray (Bessy Bell and Mary Gray), 84; 460 O Cannigate ! poor elritch Hole (Elegy on Lucky Wood in the Canongate, May 1717), 63; 443 O Colin how dull is’t to be (Wine and Musick, an Ode), 188; 521 O Cyprian Goddess twinkle clear (Horace to Virgil, on his taking a Voyage to Athens), 204; 533 O Dool! and am I forc’d to die (The Last Speech of a Wretched Miser), 276; 594 O Fam’d and celebrated Allan! (Epistle I), 133; 492 O Sandy, why leaves thou thy Nelly to mourn? (Throw the Wood Laddie), 287; 605 O’er ilka Thing a gen’ral Sadness hings! (Keitha: A Pastoral, Lamenting the Death of the Right Honourable Mary Countess of Wigtoun), 193; 527 Of Crawfurd-Moor, born in Leadhill (To the Whin-Bush Club, The Bill of Allan Ramsay), 198; 529 Of Judgement just, and Fancy clear (A Character), 371; 702 On the Shore of a low ebbing Sea (The Satyr’s Comick Project For recovering A young Bankrupt Stock-jobber), 185; 519 Our Plays are done – Now criticise, and spare not (Epilogue, after the acting of the Drummer, spoke by Mr. Maurice Cockburn, another Son of Colonel Cockburn’s), 369; 701 Pain’d with her slighting Jamie’s Love (The Penitent. To the Tune of the Lass of Livingston), 82; 459 Phoenix the first, th’ Arabian Lord (The Phœnix and the Owl), 319; 649 Robert the good, by a’ the Swains rever’d (Robert, Richy, and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of Matthew Prior Esq), 246; 562 Shall Berenice’s Tresses mount the Skies (On the most Honourable The Marquess of Bowmont’s Cutting off his Hair), 215; 539

758

Index of First Lines She sung, — the Youth Attention gave (To Calista: A Song, To the Tune of, I wish my Love were in a Mire), 426; 747 Short syne there was a wretched Miser (The Miser and Minos), 260; 578 Should auld Acquaintance be forgot (The Kind Reception. To the Tune of Auld Lang Syne), 81; 458 Shut in a Closet six Foot square (Epistle to the Honourable Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate), 250; 567 Sighing Shepherds of Hiberna (To my kind and worthy Friends in Ireland, who on a Report of my Death, made and published several Elegies Lyrick and Pasoral, very much to my Honour), 374; 705 Since Fate, with Honour, bids thee leave (To Mr. David Malloch, On his Departure from Scotland), 352; 684 Sir, I had your’s, and own my Pleasure (Answer to the above Epistle From William Somervile Esq; of Warwickshire), 362; 694 Sir, I have read, and much admire (To William Somerville of Warwickshire Esq; on reading several of his excellent Poems), 357; 691 Six Times the Day with Light and Hope arose (Written beneath the Historical Print of the wonderful Preservation of Mr. David Bruce, and others his School-fellows, St. Andrews, August 19. 1710), 89; 463 Sonse fa me, witty, wanton Willy (Answer I), 135; 492 Stand, Critick, and before ye read (To the Critick), 234; 545 Thalia anes again in blythsome Lays (The Prospect of Plenty: A Poem on the North-Sea Fishery, Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Royal Burrows of Scotland), 161; 506 Thalia, ever welcome to this Isle (Wealth, or the Woody. A Poem on the SouthSea. Wrote June 1720), 157; 502 Thanks to my frank ingenious Friend (To the same, on receiving a Present from him of a Seal, Homer’s Head finely cut in Crystal, and set in Gold), 367; 698 That I thus prostitute my Muse (The Scriblers Lash’d), 109; 481 The Ape and Leopard, Beasts for Show (The Ape and the Leopard), 261; 579 The Chief requir’d my Snishing-mill (On the Marquis of Annandale’s conveying me a Present of Guineas in my Snuff-mill, after he had taken all the Snuff), 335; 668 The Coalier has a Daughter (The Coalier’s bonny Lassie), 290; 608 The Earth-born Clod who hugs his Idol Pelf (On Friendship), 193; 526 759

Poems The finish’d Mind in all its Movements bright (The General Mistake: A Satyre. Inscrib’d to the Right Honourable Lord Erskine), 315; 642 The Gods coost out; as Story gaes (Mercury in Quest of Peace), 268; 587 The Good are glad, when Merit meets Reward (On Mr. Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs; An Epigram), 345; 682 The Lass of Peattie’s Mill (The Lass of Peattie’s Mill), 78; 455 The last Time I came o’er the Moor (The happy Lover’s Reflections), 77; 454 The Lawland Lads think they are fine (The Highland Laddie), 289; 607 The Lyon and the Tyger lang maintain’d (The Fox and Rat), 263; 582 The nipping Frosts and driving Sna (Patie and Roger: A Pastoral Inscrib’d to Josiah Burchet, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty), 149; 495 The Rovers and the Buts you saw (On seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers, &c.), 294; 610 The Sun just o’er the Hills was peeping (The Lure: A Tale), 342; 677 The Widow can bake, and the Widow can brew (The Widow), 430; 751 These to my blyth indulgent Friends (Reasons for not answering the Hackney Scribblers, my obscure Enemies), 365; 696 Thirsting for Fame, at the Pierian Spring (To Josiah Burchet, Esq.), 132; 490 Tho’ for seven Years and mair Honour shou’d reave me (I’ll never leave Thee), 170; 512 Thou sable border’d Sheet be gone (On receiving a Letter to be present at the Burial of Mr. Robert Alexander of Blackhouse), 323; 652 Three times I’ve read your Iliad o’er (To Mr. Pope), 249; 566 Three Times the Carline grain’d and rifted (Lucky Spence’s Last Advice), 65; 444 Thy last Oration orthodox (Answer III), 144; 493 Tibby has a Store of Charms (Genty Tibby and Sonsy Nelly. To the Tune of Tibby Fowler in the Glen), 172; 513 Tis conquering Love alone can move (Ode To Alexander Murray of Brughton, Esq; On his Marriage with Lady Euphemia, Daughter to the Right Honourable Earl of Galloway), 371; 703 Tis granted, Sir, Pains may be spar’d (To Mr. William Aikman), 208; 535

760

Index of First Lines Tis I, — dear Caledonians, blythsome Tony (Prologue spoke by Mr. Anthony Aston, the first Nigh[t] the[y] acted in Winter 1726), 370; 702 To Hartford and his learned Friends (To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford, Lord Peircy, President, and the rest of the Honourable Members of the Society of British Antiquarians. A Scots Ode), 332; 665 To paint his Venus, auld Apelles (To Mrs. M. M. on her Painting), 342; 677 Too blindly partial to my native Tongue (To Mr. Allan Ramsay), 40; 434 Twa Cats anes on a Cheese did light (The twa Cats and the Cheese), 265; 584 Twa Travellers, as they were wa’king (The Chamaeleon), 266; 584 Upon a time a solemn Ass (The Ass and Brock), 262; 580 Upon your Cheek sits blooming Youth (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), 219; 541 Was ne’er in Scotland heard or seen (Christ’s Kirk on the Green, In Three Canto’s), 90; 464 Was Venus angry, and in Spite (On a Slate’s falling from a House on Mris. M. M——k’s Breast), 373; 704 Welcome, my Lord, Heav’n be your Guide (Edinburgh’s Salutation To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of Carnarvon), 155; 501 Well fare thee, Allan, who in Mother Tongue (To Mr. Allan Ramsay, on his Richy and Sandy), 131; 489 What chearful Sounds from ev’ry Side I hear (Clyde’s Welcome to his Prince), 213; 538 What gars thee look sae dowf, dear Sandy, say? (Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral On the Death of Joseph Addison, Esq.), 126; 487 When a’ the Warld had clos’d their Een (An Anacreontique on Love), 345; 680 When Beauty blazes heavenly bright (To Mrs. A. C. A Song), 424; 745 When genial beams wade thro’ the dewy Morn (Content. A Poem), 114; 483 When I receiv’d thy kind Epistle (Epistle II), 137; 492 When innocent Pastime our Pleasure did crown (Love Inviting Reason. A Song to the Tune of, I am Asleep, do not waken me), 286; 604 When silent Show’rs refresh the pregnant Soil (The Morning Interview), 50; 435 When Time was young, and Innocence (On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mrs. Mary Sleigh), 312; 639 761

Poems Whether condemn’d to a Virgin State (To Some Young Ladies Who had been displeas’d at a Gentleman’s too imprudently asserting, That to be condemn’d to perpetual Virginity was the greatest Punishment could be inflicted on any of their Sex), 216; 540 While now in Discord giddy Changes reel (To Sir William Bennet Of Grubbet, Bart), 209; 536 While some for Pleasure pawn their Health (Nanny O), 80; 457 Why sounds the Plain with sad Complaint? (An Ode Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton), 354; 686 With Awe and Pleasure we behold thy Sweets (The beautiful Rose Tree enclosed), 211; 537 With broken Words and downcast Eyes (Colin and Grisy parting. A Song to the Tune of Woes my Heart that we shou’d sunder), 218; 541 Withoutten Preface or Preamble (The Rise and Fall of Stocks, 1720. An Epistle to the Right Honourable my Lord Ramsay, now in Paris), 174; 513 Ye Caledonian Beauties, who have long (Tartana, or the Plaid), 68; 446 Ye Gales that gently wave the Sea (The bonny Scot, To the Tune of, The Boatman), 285; 604 Ye watchful Guardians of the Fair (Delia. To the Tune of Green Sleeves), 78; 456 Your Herrings, Sir, came hale and seer (An Epistle To Lieutenant Hamilton On the receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of Loch-Fine Herrings from him), 147; 494 Your Poet humbly means and shaws (To the Right Honourable, The Town-Council of Edinburgh, The Address of Allan Ramsay), 196; 527 Your steady Impulse foreign Climes to view (An Epistle to a Friend at Florence, in his Way to Rome), 210; 536

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THE EDINBURGH EDITION OF THE COLLECTED WORKS OF ALLAN RAMSAY POEMS UNCOLLECTED & DUBIA

THE EDINBURGH EDITION of

THE COLLECTED WORKS of ALLAN RAMSAY General Editor Murray Pittock

POEMS UNCOLLECTED & DUBIA Edited by Rhona Brown

ABBREVIATIONS BL

British Library

DOST Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue DSL

Dictionaries of the Scots Language

EUL Edinburgh University Library GS HoP MS

Allan Ramsay, The Gentle Shepherd (1725) The History of Parliament: British Political, Social and Local History manuscript

MSS manuscripts NLS NRS

National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh

OED Oxford English Dictionary ODNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography SND STS

Scottish National Dictionary The Works of Allan Ramsay, 6 vols., ed. Burns Martin, John W. Oliver, Alexander M. Kinghorn, and Alexander Law. Edinburgh: Scottish Text Society, 1944-74.

TTM Allan Ramsay, The Tea-Table Miscellany, 3 vols. (1723, 1726, 1727)

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UNCOLLECTED

Manuscript of ‘Ode 6th’ (see p. 202) Reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Scotland Shelfmark MS 2233, f.38v

To the Most Happy Members of the Easy Club, 1712 Were I but a prince or king, I’d advance ye, I’d advance ye; Were I but a prince or king, So highly’s I’d advance ye. Great sense and wit are ever found ’Mong you always for to abound, Much like the orbs that still move round, No ways constrain’d, but easy. Were I, &c.

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Most of what’s hid from vulgar eye, Even from earth’s center to the sky, 10 Your brighter thoughts do clearly spy, Which makes you wise and easy. Were I, &c. Apollo’s self unknown attends, And in good humour re-ascends The forkt Parnassus, and commends 15 You for being blythe and easy. Were I, &c. All faction in the church or state, With greater wisdom still you hate, And leave learn’d fools these to debate; Like rocks in seas ye’re easy. Were I, &c.

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May all you do successful prove, And may you never fall in love With what’s not firm for your behoof, Or may make you uneasy. Were I, &c. I love ye well — O! let me be One of your blythe society, And, like yourselves, I’ll strive to be Ay humorous and Easy. Were I, &c. *** On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself Now what could be the carl’s drift to which auld Nick lent him a lift Unless it were a wylie shift To hain his bread 1

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How coud the fallow be sa daft to tye himsell up to the laft at’s awn bed fit, where he sa aft… By heaven’s it was cursedly uncivil 10 In a bout to prove his fathers Rivall And then in Rage without Reprivall his sire to send with Cords down headlong to the devill Oh fatall end 15 here be thou seiz’d with plague and pox Even hell account thee heterodox Just heaven inflict most grievous stro[kes] Till thou perpends thy sire below needs make no clocks Where time nere ends

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Cauld be your cast who curst your dad May fleas ay bite you i’ your bed be drawn when hanged in a sled to gallow lee 25 After curst sauls to pluto fled there ay hing ye. In a Clock cord baith tough and snell Some others think he hangd himsell Which was a nearer cut to hell 30 and with mare speed, Where base … *** To my Ingenious Friends, The Members of the EASY CLUB; Gentlemen, Accept the Moanings of an infant Muse, Who wants its Nurse, he’s gone who did infuse In us the Principles of Wit and Sense; Indulge my Faults, Excuse my weak pretence, To sing his Obsequies, which doth demand Appollo’s Harp, touch’d by Appollo’s hand: Howe’re my Kindest Friends, if that ye find 2

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To my Ingenious Friends, The Members of the Easy Club Ought in’t, to gratifie an Easy Mind, I have my Wish; and will predict I’le be In future times, a greater far than me. Prompt by your Praise, I’le to great things Aspire, And scoure on Pegasus through Dub and Mire; If not, for Jove’s sake, throw it in the Fire.

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Gentlemen, Your Humble Servant, Gawin Douglass. A POEM When loud mouth’d Fame the dismal News did sound, PITCAIRN Was Dead, great Grief was seen around Fix’d on each Face, for him whose generous Thought, The good of our ---------- and Scotland sought. For like a Noble Scot of Antient Race, 5 He Spurned at our Slavery and Disgrace. Poor Slaves to England, Wretched, O ye Gods! He’d often cry, Confound them for such Loads Hard to be Born by us, who ne’re knew how To Drudge, or to the proudest Monarchs bow. 10 But to our Own, Thus He. But now he’s gone Disdaining longer stay, ’Mongst English Slaves, his Soul now free’d from Clay Through Bright Elysium Roams; where he will meet Heroes, who gladly will his Langing Greet; 15 There they such Pleasure have, as none can tell, And Freedom large, which Villains cannot Sell. A kindly Genij, who doth oft Relate To me the hid Concerns of future State, Of these hid Scenes of Happiness and Wo, 20 Where Good and Bad, in their own Colours show. Said He, I was upon the Stygian Coast, Just when arriv’d the Doctors Noble Ghost. Old Charon grumbl’d when he took him in, For that, he said in Hell it was a Sin, 25 To suffer Good and Loyal Souls to come: Because such Rays would Brighten the Dark Gloom. Quickly he past the Smoaky Dark Empire Of furious Dis, the God of Wrath and Ire, Who Chains bad Souls in Lakes of liquid Fire, 30 In which the Brimston Rocks with hideous Crack, Incessantly fall down from Mountains Black. There he Observ’d a Pool of Boyling Gold, On which did float, those who their Country Sold. They Howl’d and Yell’d, and often Curs’d the Gods, 35 Who had not made them Vipers, Asps, or Toads.

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Poems Here he the Faces of some Traitours knew, Who at the U---- did their hands embrew, In the heart Blood of Antient Caledon, Which Mortal wound makes her dear Children Groan. 40 They’re so well known, it’s vain their Names to tell, But be assur’d thy’re firmly Chain’d in Hell. There in Just Rage he did his Passion Vent, In Words like these, or to the same Intent. Those are the Knaves, said he, who oft did strive 45 To Vye with Hell in Mischief, while alive. Now let them Roar, and all that gave concent, To Ruin us ne’re have Grace to Repent. Let black Dispair them to Perdition drive, And in Eternal Faction let them strive. 50 Amen said I, Now tell me gentle Friend, I long to know where did his Journey end? Then he Replyed, With Nimble Flight he left these Dark Abodes, Till he Arriv’d, Where dwell th’ Immortal Gods; 55 The Happy Regions of Eternal Light, Where Loyal Souls do shine with Splendour bright, And in soft Notes of sublime Matters sing; Here none dare come, who hate their God and King. But to PITCAIRN, they Joyful welcome sang, 60 With chearful noise, the high Empyrean Rang. Those Noble Scots, who for their Countrey’s Good, Had Sacrific’d their Fortunes with their Blood. And those, who for their Learning had their Name, Wrote in the endless bright Records of Fame: 65 All Joy’d to see him safely Landed there, Where no Disturbance fills the Mind with care. With Grave Majestick Stalk, the Royal shade Of Valiant BRUCE approach’d to him and said, Tell me, how fares it with my Albions now, 70 Can they with Ease to the Proud Saxons bow? : : : : : : : : : : : : :

O Gods! Is the Great Soul of SCOTLAND fled; Or does She Dream on some dark drowzy Bed. Will she not rise to gain Her Old Renown, And show She wears an Independent Crown. 75 The Sage Reply’d, we’re plague’d with Whig and Tory, Who mind their Interest more than great Jove’s Glory, About meer Triffles they make such a Pother, Still Damning and Devouring one another. So when E’re ought’s propos’d for SCOTLAND’S good, 80 It’s by a Cursed Party still withstood: Thus all our best Designs are Ruin’d quite, Allenarly by Whig and Tory Spite. WALLACE came next with Aspect Stern, yet kind; And ask’d, If there was none of Martial Mind, 85 4

To my Ingenious Friends, The Members of the Easy Club Who durst like him, through Blood and Ruin go, To save Old SCOTLAND from Her hated Foe. No, no, the Doctor said, there’s none at all: Our Peers are False, our Gentry’s Courage small. Then did the HERO groan and wish tho late, 90 It might be granted by Eternal Fate, For him once more to head the Valiant Clans, SCOTS should have freedom large as their Demands. With Joy he met great DOUGLAS, and brave GRAHAM, And many other Worthies of the Name. 95 There good BEILHAVEN did kindly him Embrace, And Thousands others of that happy Place, Where I him left Penning Harmonious Odes, In praise of Vertue, and the Immortal Gods. FINIS. *** A Rebuke to Antony Uneasy a lover who ask’d the advice of the Easy Club if he should court his mistres in poesy, which by a late discovery is found to be stolen out of the E. of Rochester’s works Uneasy’s a thief; tis black burning shame I’ll flite his muse deaf and blunder his name his muse said I. hang it, it must be damn’d lame She pilfer’d from bion the great son of fame Confess then ye’r dull and greatly to blame to fancy our Club so silly and tame to be tricked by mage in the weeds of her dame from my forge at Parnasus the 18th of the 8 moon the year of our Club 2

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Take this Sr from your Most proud & Arogant Deacon

Gavin Douglas

*** The Lamentation. A Poem to the Easy Club by Gawin Douglas, Poet Laureat. In Conference with Mr George Buchanan, Secretary. George Why drooping thus? Say, Gawin, what is the cause That surly face dares break our Easy laws. Gawin These drumbly times do very much confound My easy thinking and my judgement wound, While grief and hope alternately go round.

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Poems George Let wild confusions do the worst they can, No accident shall crush the vertuous man; Should jarring discord make all nature crack And wasting wars make of this world a wrack, No casual event can his peace controul, He stands secure, fix’d on his lofty soul. Gawin Ah George, methinks it stupid not to moan— Should we not sigh to hear our Mother groan Now when her sides are tore with civil broils And her brave blood in dreadful madness boils? Her hardy sons, whose fame was heard afar, Now ’gainst each other threaten cruel war. They who spread terrour in the dusky plain And, panting, trod o’re mountains of the slain, Who knew to dye much better than to yield And still were slain, or victors kept the field— Now must this daring courage all be spent In quelling private feuds and discontent? Degenerate age, say what can be the cause To prompt such wrath as shocks all nature’s laws. ’Gainst brother brother, father ’gainst the son, Both seem resolv’d their party’s risque to run, To gain their end no danger seem to shun. The kind emotions of a tender wife Who, fainting, views her husband in the strife, Dismay’d, she fears his slender tack of life. But now nor wife nor infant charms can make His strong resolves or inclinations shake Tho both his life and fortune’s at the stake. He mounts his steed, nor her advice does ask But sets his all upon the dreadful cast. She’s left alone and doubts of his return; She loves the man and can not chuse but mourn, Thus tyres to waste her grief by shedding tears And by faint hopes to crush substantial fears. Pacific hinds whose humble minds regard No politicks beyond their barn and yard Are forced to arms. These tools of death they weild with awkward hand, While ploughs on until’d ridg[e]s neglected stand. They see destruction through the kingdom reel And meagre famine treading on its heel When frugal arts of peace are laid aside To gratifie a dull schismatick pride. These sure are ills, yet there are ten times more Which every thinking Scotsmen should deplore.

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The Lamentation George They are, indeed. Yet often when disease Does threaten death to give the patient ease, From purple veins the lancet gives a pass To that base blood which would defile the mass. So may it hit. I know the horrid cause for which we smart, The black idea’s rivet in my heart. O may they only suffer by the rod Who with this cursed crime offended God.

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Gawin So may it end as I would wish, and then I’ll change my airs and tune my reed again. Both Till then heav’[n] blast our foes and save true hearted men. *** To The Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay

Edinburgh } Janr 1st } 1719

To you my Lord my earlyest lays Belong a Ramsay’s Chief demands a Ramsay’s Song, deemst not presumtion, not with Scorn Refuse the humble Tribute of an honest Muse. In Virteous days long e’re the Romish priest By Avarice made goodness seem a Jest, e’re Clergy discord from Men’s Bosoms drove Nat’rule Simplicity, Social love, The Bards of old the Heroes did inspire with noble Sentiments, and Gen’rous fire, sweet & Sublime their happy numbers flow’d and all arround a generall good Bestow’d. The Brave and Great with Justice pant for fame But often wander wide and miss their Aim, oft’ best of Men their best Designs are Crost, by want of Skill in Errour’s Mazes lost, But he who Studys Men and Books aright Views Causes and Effects in their trew light, 7

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Poems when polite knowledge Literature Refines that patriot with uncommon luster Shines.

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Thus you My Lord (fame sayst, & fame Says Truth) Bestow your usefull Time, and vig’rous Youth Well may you prosper in each Bright desire Still taking for your patern your Brave Sire posest of all his prudence & his fire

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} The thinking Man eyes his Ancestor’s worth preserv’s the Grandure of his house and Birth and through the Golden Mien he wisely Steers Not cheated with vain Hopes nor Crush’d with fears By fortitude of mind he conquest gains O’re Sordid pleasures and imagind pains Superior to the puny pleagues of Life looks doun on Trifles which engender Strife such a great Soul can destiny Command who holds his passions with a Steady hand Great in himself he all his Actions Rules by virtue, and leavs pegeantry to fools he Scorns to Cringe at courts or Blur his mind with Consent, when his countrey’s fall’s designd But when place’d at the Helm of state affairs the publick good engroses all his Cares How litle Fuscus looks how mean & vile at him the Sullen rail and Jovial smile an Empty Buble with a Vast Estate design’d a slave; but by mistaken fate thrown on a family to its disgrac[e] staining the honour’d glorys of his Race without a thought from Stew to stew he scours and nothing minds but drunkeness & whoors Now these fair Ridges which his fathers won wastes like the snow before the summer’s Sun, thus he goes on, destroying life & health and hangs a dead weight on the common wealth, But soon of him the nation shall have Ease, a young old man all Rotten with desease! I shew this Monster just to make yow Laugh Your Inate vertues shall preserve yow safe, for greater uses by Indulgent Heav’n your Sprightly Soul, and nervous limbs wer giv’n, Thousands we hope from your Brave loyns shall spring to Serve their God, their Countrey, & their King. O may that fair! whose circling arms shal twine your manly Breast, in all that’s Charming Shine, 8

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To the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay May she be Sent on purpose from above be worthy yow and Worthy of your Love: In this Important Choise My Lord be nice, and take your Motions by our Chief’s advice, Experience Crouns his Wisdom, and he knows the Springs from which this or that Event flows. That he whose nod the Universe Obeys May give yow length’ned lease of Joyfull Days My Lord Your Lordship[’s] most humble and devouted servant Allan Ramsay

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MR. LAW. Quem virum aut heroa lyra vel acri Tibis sumes celebrare, CLIO? Hor. O Could my Muse in nervous Numbers draw The Merit and surprizing Feasts of LAW, Sublime like MARO she should sing the Man Profound in Project, destin’d to command. Inferiour Minds are stun’d to see the Maze Of God-like Thought, where his vast Genius plays With so much Ease; without a wrinkl’d Brow Initimable Plans he doth pursue. BLEST Monarch! By indulgent Heav’n carest, Whose Crown’s of such a valu’d Gem possest. Such were thy JOVE and PHOEBUS, antient Greece, And such thy JASON, who brought Thee a Fleece; A Fleece of Gold the Æmonian Hero gain’d: France finds in Fact what’s in the Fable feign’d. HAD Fate decree’d His Birth when Time was young, Had he in Athens or in Sparta sprung; They who capacious Souls for Arts or Wars Did deifie, or write their Names on Stars, Would soon on their Olympus found a Place For Him amongst the high immortal Race. Not so we’re taught; enough for us we know That he’s one of the first e’er shone below, Excelling, in a present splendid Fame, Each eterniz’d fictitious daz’ling Name 9

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Poems Of Gods and Demi-gods, whose Glories throng Th’ harmonious Greek and Mantuan Shepherd’s Song. LIKE a fair River wynding thro’ the Plain, Increasing by successive Springs and Rain, Grown to a Sea, it challenges Esteem, And Plenty broods where e’er it turns its Stream. ’Till thus unite, how vain’s the useless Rill, Falling thro’ Chinks adown the naked Hill; Long in forgotten Wilds thro’ Rocks they reel, Or in the mossie Pits their Eddies wheel.

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SO all His just Ideas fertile flow, 35 And by their Course prolifick Riches grow; His Patronizing vig’rous Life imparts To Springs of Traffick and ingenious Arts, Without Encouragement, how oft with Pain The Mulcibers their Anvils beat in vain; 40 And others who in useful Crafts excel, While unimploy’d in lonely Cots they dwell: Warm’d into Action with his ev’ry Scheme, Thousands with glowing Breasts at Greatness aim. HOW great’s the Strength of one superiour Soul, Who shining thus in highest Spheres can roll? Kings idly search for Colonies abroad, Without a Star like Him to point the Road. Propt by his Conduct, LOUIS lifts his Head, And views his Kingdom flourish like a Mead. He speaks his Will, — the numerous Wooly Tribe Brouze amongst Vines, or glean the new shorn Glibe: In Room of scanty Fare, these will afford More solid Viands to the Gallick Board. They charge their Looms, their publick Wealth advance, And banish Canvas Cloathing out of France.

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TH’ imagin’d Worth of Stones, costly ’cause rare, Trifles which merit neither Love not Care, And most by empty Heads and Children priz’d, In France by his Advice become despis’d: 60 The glaring Peeble must no more appear To load the fair One’s Hands, her Neck or Ear. These he’ll exchange for what is really good, And chear the industrious Poor with Cloaths and Food. The wise European thus with Glass and Toys 65 The Savage Indian of his Wealth decoys. PARISIANS wrapt in hopeful View foresee The moving Masts come tow’ring from the Sea, Up their own Seine, t’ unload the foreign Store, 10

To Mr. Law Straight from the Hatches at the Merchant’s Door: Here Thousands from all Europe’s Nations come, And make Lutetia vie with antient Rome. MADAMOISELLES, who at Court Balls and Plays, And Basset Tables, spent both Nights and Days, Forget their Visits, Tea and dressing Box, And all their pretty Accents turn on Stocks: Hundreds grown Thousands raise such fond Desires, The Sex, all Passion, this new Wonder fires. THE chearfull Peasant no more now repines, Eas’d of his Tax, with Pleasure prunes his Vines: Soon as the East is guilded with the Dawn, For LAW he kneels to Heav’n with uplift Hand, Who on th’ expecting Croud his Bounty pours, Descending like great JOVE in Golden Showers. Great SIR, — WHILE Ships divide the Waves, as long’s the Sun From Cancer back to Capricorn shall run, The grateful GAULS your Mem’ry will revere, And glorious in their Annals You’ll appear; Who form’d them Banks, their sinking Credit rais’d, Whilst your warm Fancy in MISSISIPPI blaz’d: When a new Paris rises in that Land, in Parian Stone, or Brass Your Form shall stand, Sacred to those who poorly pent at home, At large on fertile Plains with Pleasure roam. HOW happy’s he who with Success imploys His tow’ring Schemes, and what he reaps enjoys; Who nobly to what’s truly great aspires, And gratifies his rational Desires: Thus You with steady Mind serenely move Thro’ Life, and all the Joys of Life improve. O more than Man! Once, once Your native Land, Often, tho active, wise behind the Hand, Had the first Offer of Your vast Ingine; Acted by meaner Views and wrong Design, Declin’d the golden Minute of her Fate, Which might have made her flourish, rich and great. Beneath her ’tis to fear or yet complain, Her Sons are brave, and you’re her Son and Friend: Unnumber’d Herds her lofty Hills adorn, The warmer Vales exuberant yields her Corn; Her Seas of Fish contain a lasting Fund, Which fill each Bay, clear River, Lake and Pond. 11

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Poems DARLING of SCOTS! Deign us thy matchless Aid, So may the Powers propitious be your Guide, In ev’ry publick spirited Design, ’Till you above with fellow Angels shine.

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IN all Your Actions Greatness is confest, Nor can Your Mind b’elated or deprest, Above or under its own innate Worth, 120 By what sublimest Numbers can set forth: Yet take from a SCOTS Muse Part of what’s due, A Muse, who but to Merit ne’er shall bow, And’s proud to make her Boast she’s sung to YOU.

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Alan Ramsay.

*** The Happy Man How happy’s he, who raisd above low care by plentyous fortune, with ane equal mind enjoys what God has given him for his Share, with Conduct & a Spirit unconfin’d. Whose Active Soul delights in the pursuit of knowlege, where true Honour’s only found, that use of life, which yields the fairest fruit and gives a fame detraction cannot wound. Who has a Partner of a cast divine all prudence, goodness, and of humour sweet, whose Virtues throw her Comely features Shine, and Amiably in her Actions meet forbidding Spleen, and all domestick Strife, groundles mistake the Spring of base debate The Best of Husbands he. — She the Best Wife, brings humane life next to the Heavenly State But who can paint the addition of His Joys, when dawning fair, he his oun worth can trace in the bright morning of his hopefull Boys, and all their Mother in each Daughter’s grace.

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With smiles engaging the Paternall Love to Cultivate the early springing bloom; in Minds they can so easylie improve, that have for every Virtue Spacious Room. Happy the Man thus blest! thrice happy he! 12

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The Happy Man that is, & views it in a proper light with gratefull Soul, from Spleen & envy free, takes in such gifts divine a due delight Knows where to fix the bounds of his desire nor Slights the real, for imagin’d good, nor Suffers Vice to inflame with wasting fire, nor is with all these excellencys proud. who, like the Sun, beneficently shines on Virtue, tho shut up in Common clay, to whom vast numbers bow yet none repines, but chearful Serve, & bless Him every Day. who Patronizes the ingenious Wight who Coppys Nature in the flowing lay to please the Ear — or who with shade & light rears up a new Creation to the Eye.

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But where, My friend, shall we in this Bad Age The Original, of such out-lines, remark—? attend me then, nor doubt, while I engage to Shew them all, & more in Sr John Clerk *** To Doctor John Theophilus Desaguliers on presenting him with my Book Is then the famous Desaguliers son to lear the dialect of our Calidon? Wiel Doctor since ye think it worth your while, Somtimes on my laigh landart Rhime to smile, Accept the Haleware — and when ye gae Hame Stand by your poet, and had-up his fame, Gin ill-haird Buckys girn and shaw their Spite, Your good word will gang far, and put them hyt, ’tis sport to se a Critick fuf and fling and, like a dron-Bee, daftly tine his sting, But the Industr’ous whid frae flower to flower, Suck frae the sweet, and hip out o’er the sour While Arthur-seat shal my parnasus be, and frae its twasome Tap my Nag can flee Arround this Nether Warld — its be my Care to gather Images handwal’d and rare, And gin I be sae Kanny aft to please the Best — my mind will be at muckle ease, then with a willing heart and fancy keen its be my study still to strike at spleen. 13

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Poems O worthy Wight whase Genius great refines, And puts in practice, Euclids unko lines, be ever Blyth, and keep a Saul in heel sae Benefical to the Common-Weal — Allan Ramsay. Edr Agust 25th 1721 *** The Roundell To her Health A Health to M— O— and lang may she flurish But soon ye Gods a Gardner Grant that’s fit to watter sic a Plant and Make the Maid a Nurish Now fill the Bumpers Drink and Rant A Health to M— O— and lang may she flourish

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*** On the Marriage of Mr George Drummond and Mirs Kathrine Campbell ~ July 10th 1721 Night now had spread her Gloom o’er all the Skys And sleep had seald up ev’ry Watchers Eyes When o’er the darken’d plain Kind Urban stray’d With Carefull pace to meet his faithfull Maid But ther’s no wandering where true Love’s the Guide Soon in his Arms he found his Lovely Bride e’er yet the Morn had rais’d her Rosie Head to Cross the waves the swelling Sails are spread pleas’d Ocean smooth’d his brow the winds blew fair and Seem’d to whisper doun each lesser Care While to his Bella, Urban did impart with softest words th’emotions of his Heart

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My Dearest Charge said he drop every Care Let all be mine — they’re now falen to my share These I can bear, so Heaven has well design’d 15 Our fortitude to Shield your Softer Mind Now Now your mine, so fate Consents and You And to the joynt Consent each one must Bow Then let’s dispise each poor and litle Mind that to the force of Sympathy are Blind 20 14

On the Marriage of... who think Joynt hands make Nuptial vows complete While Inclinations never Chance to Meet And let no doubts of what the World may Say Raise the lest Cloud on our fair Wedding Day A Blushing Glance here Serv’d for a Reply But Urban Read what pleasd him in her Eye Which raisd his Raptures, and forbade each pain that fright dull fools from Hymens happy Chain The Chain which now with Blyth Consent they bear And mutuall Love Shall make them Easy wear

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No sooner had loud fame with Spreading Blast Given out the News when each their verdict past At sullen Coffie or the Sparkling Wine or that sweet Circle where the fair Combine To Sip their Tea — I got this fair account 35 Which Justly Ballanc’d, this is the amount Some envyd — Some their weaker Souls Betrayd Beliving what each low Detracter Said (Such have nor Sence nor Courage to assert, Like Urban’s self, the Cause of wrong’d Desert) 40 But Those who dares to oun their Thoughts alloud And wisely sep’rate from the thoughtless Croud Aprov’d the Choise of Both Since only Love Calls doun the Marriage Blessings from above Which to Old age may they enjoy profuse 45 is the Kind wishes of ane honest Muse Allan Ramsay Edr July 15th 1721 ***

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Poems A TALE Of Three BONNETS. Persons in the Poem. Bard, Duniwhistle, Bristle, Joukum, Bawsy, Rosie, Ghost, Beef,

The Narrator. Father to Bristle, Jokum and Bawsy A Man of Honour and Resolution. In love with Rosie. A weak Brother. An Heiress. Of Duniwhistle. Porter to Rosie.

A TALE OF Three Bonnets. CANTO I. Bard. When Men of Mettle thought it Nonsence To heed that cleping Thing ca’d Conscience; And by free Thinking had the Knack Of jeering ilka Word it spake: And as a learned Author speaks, 5 Imploy’d it like a Pair of Breeks, To hide their lewd and nasty Sluces, Which eith slipt down for baith these Uses. Then Duniwhistle worn with Years, And gawn the Gate of his Forbears, 10 Commanded his three Sons to come And wait upon him in his Room: Bad Bristle steek the Door, and syne He thus began: — Duniwhistle. —Dear Bairns of mine, 15 I quickly maun submit to Fate And leave you three a good Estate, Which has been honourably won, And handed down frae Sire to Son, But Clag or Claim for Ages past; 20 Now that ye mayna prove the last, Here’s three Permission Bonnets for ye, Which your Grand Gutchers wore before ye; And if ye’d hae nae Man betray ye, 16

A Tale of Three Bonnets Let naithing ever wile them frae ye, 25 But keep the Bonnets on your Heads, And Hands frae singing foolish Deeds, And ye shall never want sic Things Shall gar ye be made of by Kings: But if you ever with them part, 30 Fou sair ye’ll for your Folly smart. Bare-headed then ye’ll look like Snools, And dwindle down to silly Tools. Had up your Hands, now swear and say, As ye shall answer on a Day, — 35 Ye’ll faithfully observe my Will, And a’ its Premisses fulfill. Bristle. My worthy Father I shall strive To keep your Name and Fame alive, And never shaw a Saul that’s dastard, 40 To gar Fowk tack me for a Bastard: If e’er by me ye’re disobey’d, May Witches nightly on me ride.

Joukum. Wha e’er shall dare by Force or Guile This Bonnet aff my Head to wile, For sic a bauld Attempt shall rue, And ken I was begot by you. Else may I like a Gipsie wander, Or for my daily Bread turn Paunder.

Bawsy. May I be jyb’d by great and sma’, And kytch’d like ony Tenis Ba’, Be the Disgrace of a’ my Kin, If e’er I with my Bonnet twin.

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Bard. Now soon as each had gi’en his Aith, The Auld Man yielded up his Breath, 55 Was row’d in Linnen white as Snaw, And to his Fathers born awa. But scarcely he in Mools was rotten Before his Testment was forgotten, As ye shall hear frae future Sonnet, 60 How Joukum sinder’d with his Bonnet, And bought frae’s senseless Billy Bawsy, His to propine a giglet Lassy, While worthy Bristle, not sae doner’d, Preserves his Bonnet and is honour’d. 65 Thus Caractacus did behave,

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Poems Tho by the Fate of War a Slave; His Body only, — for his Mind No Roman Power could break or bend. With Bonnet on he bauldly spake, 70 His Greatness gart his Fetters crack. The Victor did his Friendship claim, And sent him with new Glories hame. But leave we Birss and Similie, And to our Tale with Ardour flee. 75 Beyond the Hills where lang the Billies Had bred up Queys and Kids and Fillies, And foughten mony a bloody Battle, With Thieves that came to lift their Cattle, There liv’d a Lass kept Rary-shows, 80 And Fidlers ay about her House, Wha at her Table fed, and ranted With the stout Ale she never wanted. She was a winsome Wench and waly, And cou’d put on her Claiths fu’ brawly; 85 Rumbled to ilka Market Town, And drink and feight like a Dragoon: Just sic as her wha far aff wander’d To get get her sell well Alexander’d. Rose had a Word of meikle Siller, 90 Whilk brought a hantla Woers till her. Amang the Rest young Master Jouk She conquer’d ae Day with a Look; Frae that Time forth he ne’er cou’d stay At Hame to mind his Corn or Hay, 95 But grew a Beau, and did adorn Himself with Fifty Bows of Corn, Forby what he took on, to rigg Him out with Linnings, Shoon and Wig, Snuff-boxes, Sword-knots, Canes and Washes, 100 And Sweeties to bestow on Lasses, Cou’d newest Aiths genteely swear, And had a Course of Flaws perquire: He drank and danc’d, and sigh’d to move Fair Rosie to accept his Love. 105 After dumb Sings he thus began, And spake his Mind to ’er like a Man. Joukum. O tack me Rosie to your Arms, And let me revel o’er your Charms; If ye say na, I needna care 110 For Rapes or Tethers made of Hair, Penknives or Pools I winna need, That Minute ye say na, I’m dead. O let me ly within ye’r Breast,

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A Tale of Three Bonnets And at your dainty Table feast; 115 Well do I like your Gowd to finger, And sit to hear your Staneless Singer, While on this Sun-side o’ the Brae, Belangs to you, my Limbs I lay. Rosie. I own, sweet Sir, ye woo me frankly, 120 But a’ your Courtship sars sae rankly Of selfish Interest that I’m fleed My Person least imploys your Head.

Joukum. What a Distinction that’s you’re making, When your poor Lover’s Heart is breaking? With little Logick I can shew, That every Thing you have is you; Beside the Beauties of your Person, These Beds of Flowers ye set you’re A— on, Your Claiths, your Lands, and lying Pelf, Are ev’ry ane your very self, And add fresh Lustre to those Graces With which addorn’d your Saul and Face is. Rosie. Ye seem to have a loving Flame For me, and hate your native Hame; That gars me ergh to trust ye meikle, For fear ye shou’d prove fause and fikle.

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Joukum. In Troth my rugged Billy Bristle, About his Gentries makes sic fistle, That if a Body contradict him, 140 He’s ready with a Durk to stick him; That wearies me of hame I vow, And fain wad live and die with you.

Bard. Observing Jouk a wee Tate tipsy, Smirking, reply’d the pauky Gypsie. 145 Rosie. I wad be very wae to see My Lover tack the Pet and die; Wherefore I am inclin’d to ease ye, And do what in me lies to please ye: But first, e’er we conclude the Paction, You must perform some gallant Action, To prove the Truth of what you’ve said,

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Poems Else I for you shall die a Maid.

Joukum. My dearest Jewel gie’r a Name, That I may win baith you and Fame: 155 Shall I gae feight with Forrest Bulls, Or cleave down Troops with thicker Sculls? Or shall I dowk the deepest Sea, And Coral pou for Beads to thee? Penty the Pope upon the Nose, 160 Or Pish upon a hundred Beaus?

Rosie. In Trouth, dear Lad, I wad be laith, To risk your Life or do you Skaith, Only imploy your canny Skill To gain and rive your Father’s Will, 165 With the Consent of Birss and Bawsy, And I shall in my Bosom hawse ye, Soon as the fatal Bonnets three Are tane frae them and gi’en to me. Joukum. Which to preserve I gied my Aith, 170 But now the Case is Life and Death, I must, or with the Bonnets part, Or twin with you and break my Heart: Sae tho the Aith we took was awfu’, To keep it now appears unlawfu’: 175 Then, Love, I’ll answer thy Demands, And fly to fetch them to your Hands. Bard. The famous Jilt of Palastine, Thus drew the Howks o’er Sampson’s Een, And gart him tell where lay his Strength, 180 Of which she twin’d him at the Length, Then gied him up in Chains to rave, And labour like a Galley Slave: But Rosie mind, when growing Hair His Loss of Pith ’gan to repair, 185 He made of Thousands an Example, By crushing them beneath their Temple.

CANTO II. Bard. The Supper Sowin-Cogs and Bannocks Stood cooling on the Soles of Winnocks, 20

A Tale of Three Bonnets And cracking at the westlin Gavels Auld Wives sat beeking of their Navels, When Jouk his Brither Bristle found, 5 Fetching his Evening Wauk around A Score of Ploughmen of his ain, Who blythly whistled on the Plain. Jouk three Times congeed, Bristle anes, Then shook his Hand, and thus begins. 10 Bristle. Wow, Brither Jouk, where hae ye been! I scarce can trow my looking Een, Ye’r grown sae braw; now Wierds defend me, Gin that I hadna ’maist miskend ye. And where gat ye that braw blew Stringing That’s at your Houghs and Shouders hinging? Ye look as sprush as ane that’s wooing, I ferly, Lad, what ye’ve been doing.

Joukum. My very much respected Brither, Should we hide ought frae anither, And not, when warm’d with the same Blood, Consult ilk ane anithers good; And be it kend t’ye my Design Will Profit prove to me and mine. Bristle. And, Brither, Trouth it much commends Your Virtue thus to love your Friends; It makes me blyth, for aft I said Ye was a clever mettl’d Lad.

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Joukum. And sae, I hope, will ever prove, If ye befriend me in my Love: 30 For Rosie, bonny, rich and gay, And sweet as Flowers in June or May, Her Gear I’ll get, her Sweets I’ll rifle, If ye’ll but yield me up a Trifle, Promise to do’t, and ye’se be free 35 With ony Things pertains to me.



Bristle. I lang to answer your Demand, And never shall for Trifles stand. Joukum. Then she desires as a Propine These Bonnets Bawsy’s Yours and Mine; 40

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Poems And well I wat that’s nae great Matter, If I sae easily can get her. Bristle. Ha, ha! ye Judas, are ye there, The D—— then nor she ne’er get mair. Is that the Trifle that ye spoke of! 45 Wha think ye, Sir, ye make a Mock of? Ye silly mansworn Scant-of-Grace, Swith, let me never see your Face. Seek my auld Bonnet aff my Head! Faith that’s a bonny ane indeed! 50 Require a Thing I’ll part with never, She’s get as soon the Lap o’my Liver. Vile Whore and Jad, the Woody hang her.



Bard. This said, he said nae mair for Anger, But curs’d and ban’d, and was nae far 55 Frae treding Jouk amang the Glar. While Jouk with Language glibe as Oolie, Right pawkily kept aff a Toolie, Well masked with a Wedder’s Skin, Altho he was a Tod within. 60 He hum’d and hae’d, and with a Cant Held forth as he had been a Saint, And quoted Texts to prove we’d better Part with a sma’ Thing for a greater. Jouk. Ah Brither! may the Furies rack me, 65 If I mean’d ill, but ye mistack me: But gin your Bonnet’s sic a Jewel, Pray gie’t or keep it, Sir, as you will, Since your auld fashion’d Fancy rather Inclines till’t than a Hat and Feather. 70 But I’ll go try my Brither Bawsy, Poor Man, he’s nae sae daft and sawsy, With empty Pride to crook his Mou, And hinder his ain good like you; If him and me agree, ne’er doubt ye, 75 We’ll mak the Bargain up without ye; Syne your braw Bonnet and your Nodle Will hardly baith be worth a Bodle.



Bard. At this bauld Bristle’s Colour chang’d, He swore on Rose to be reveng’d; 80 For he began now to be flied She’d wile the Honours frae his Head. 22

A Tale of Three Bonnets Syne with a stern and cankard Look He thus reprov’d his Brother Jouk. Bristle. Thou vile Disgrace of our Forbeers, 85 Wha lang with valiant Dint of Weirs, Maintain’d their Rights ’gainst a’ Intrusions Of our auld Faes the Rosycrucians, Do’st thou design at last to catch Us in a Girn with this base Match, 90 And for the hading up thy Pride, Upon thy Breether’s Riggings ride? I’ll see you hang’d and her thegither, As high as Haman in a Tether, E’er I with my ain Bonnet quat, 95 For ony borrow’d Beaver-Hat, Whilk I, as Rosie takes the Fikes, Maun wear, or no, just as she likes: Then let me hear nae mair about her, For if again ye dare to mutter 100 Sic vile Proposals in my Hearing, Ye needna trust to my forbearing; For soon my Beard will tak a Low, And I shall crack your crazy Pow.

Bard. This said, brave Bristle said nae mair, 105 But cock’d his Bonnet with an Air, Wheel’d round with glooming Brows and muddy, And left his Brither in a Study.

CANTO III. Bard. Now Sol with his lang Whip gae Cracks Upon his nighering Coosers Backs, To gar them tak th’ Olympian Brae, With a Cart-Laid of bleezing Day; The Country Hynd ceases to snore, 5 Bangs frae his Bed unlocks the Door, His Bladder tooms, and gi’es a Rift, Then tentily surveys the Lift, And weary’d of his Wife and Fleas, To their Embrace prefers his Claiths. 10 Scarce had the Lark forsook his Nest, When Jouk wha had got little Rest For thinking on his Plot and Lassie, Gat up to gang and deal with Bawsie; Away fast o’er the Bent he gade, 15 23

Poems And fand him dozing in his Bed, His Blankets crishy, foul his Sark, His Courtains trim’d with Spiders Wark; Soot Draps hang frae his Roof and Kiples, His Floor was a’ Tobacco Spitles; 20 Yet on the Antlers of a Deer Hang mony a Claimore and Spear, With Coat of Iron, and Target trusty, Inch thick of Dirt and unco rusty; Enough appear’d to shaw his Billy 25 That he was lazy, poor and silly, And wadna make sae great a Bustle About his Bonnet as did Bristle. Jouk three Times rugged at his Shouder, Cry’d three Times laigh and three Times louder; 30 At Langrun Bawsy kare’d his Een, And crys, Wha’s that? What do ye mean? Then looking up he sees his Brither. Bawsy. Good Morrow Jouk what brings ye hither, You’re early up, — as I’m a Sinner 35 I seenle rise before my Dinner: Well what’s ye’r News, and how gaes a’? Ye’ve been an unko Time awa.



Joukum. Bawsy, I’m blyth to see you well, For me, thank God, I keep my Heal: Get up, get up, ye lazy Mart, I have a Secret to impart, Of which when I give you an Inkling, It will set baith your Lugs a tinkling.

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Bard. Straight Bawsy rises, quickly dresses, 45 While Haste his youky Mind expresses: Now rigg’d, and Morning-Drink brought in, Thus did slee-gabet Jouk begin.

Joukum. My worthy Brither, well I wate O’er feckless is your wee Estate, 50 For sic a miekle Saul as yours, That to Things greater higher towrs; But ye ly loitering here at hame, Neglectfu’ baith of Wealth and Fame, Tho, as I said, ye have a Mind 55 That is for higher Things design’d.

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A Tale of Three Bonnets Bawsy. That’s very true, thanks to the Skies, But how to get them there it lies.

Joukum. I’ll tell ye Baws, — I’ve laid a Plot, That only wants your casting Vote, 60 And if you’ll gie’t, your Bread is baken; But first accept of this Love Taken; Here take this Gowd, and never want Enough to gar you drink and rant; And this is but an Arle-penny 65 To what I afterward design ye; And in return I’m sure that I Shall naithing seek that ye’ll deny.

Bawsy. And Trouth now Jouk and neither will I, Or after never ca’ me Billy; 70 If I refuse Wae light upon me, This Gowd, O wow! ’tis wonder bonny.

Joukum. Ay that it is, — ’tis e’en the a’ That gars the Plough of Living draw: Tis Gowd gars Sogers feight the Fiercer, 75 Without it preaching wad be scarcer; ’Tis Gowd that makes some great Men witty, And puggy Lasses fair and pretty; Without it Ladies nice wad dwindle Down to a Wife that snoovs a Spindle. 80 But to the Point, and wave Digression, I make a free and plain Confession, That I’m in Love, and, as I said, Demand frae you a little Aid To gain a Bride that eith’y can 85 Make me fou blest, and you a Man: Give me your Bonnet to present My Mistress with, — and your Consent To rive the daft auld-fashion’d Deed, That bids ye wear it on your Head. 90

Bawsy. O gosh! O gosh! The, Jouk, have at her, If that be a’ ’tis nae great Matter.

Joukum. These granted, she demands nae mair To let us in her Riches skair; Nor shall our Herds as heretofore, 95



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Poems Rin aff with ane anither’s Store, Nor ding out ane anither’s Harns, When they forgether amang the Karns; But freely may drive up and down, And sell in ilka Market Town 100 Belongs to Her, — which soon ye’ll see, If ye be wise, belang to me; And when that happy Day shall come, My honest Bawsy there’s my Thumb, That while I breath I’ll ne’er beguile ye, 105 Ye’se baith get Gowd and be a Bailly. Bawsy. Faith, Jouk, I see but little Skaith In breaking of a senseless Aith, This is impos’d by doited Dads, (To please their Whims) on thoughtless Lads. 110 My Bonnet! Welcome to my Bonnet, And meikle good may ye mak on it. Our Father’s Will, I’se make nae Din, Tho Rosie shou’d apply’t behin. But say, does Billy Bristle ken 115 This your Design to make us Men?

Joukum. Ay that he does, but the stiff Ass Bears a Heart-hatred at the Lass, And rattles out a hantla Stories Of Blood and Dirt and antient Glories, 120 Meaning fool Feuds that us’d to be Between ours and her Family; Bans like a Blockhead that he’ll ne’er Twin with his Bonnet for a’er Gear; But you and I conjoyn’d can ding him, 125 And, by a Vote, to Reason bring him: If we stand closs, ’tis unko eith To rive the Test’ment spite o’s Teeth, And gar him ply, for a’ his Clavers, To lift his Bonnet to our Beavers. 130

Bawsy. Then let the Doof delight in drudging; What Cause have we to tent his grudging? Tho’ Rosie’s Flocks feed on his Fells, If you and I be well our sells. Bard. Thus Jouk and Bawsy were agree’d, 135 And Birss maun yield, it was decreed.

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A Tale of Three Bonnets Thus far I’ve sung, in Highland Strains, Of Jouk’s Amours, and pawky Pains To gain his Ends with ilka Brither, Sae opposite to ane anither; 140 Of Bristle’s hardy Resolutions, And Hatred to the Rosicrucians; Of Bawsy put in Slav’ry Neck-fast, Selling his Bonnet for a Breakfast. What follows on’t, of Gain or Skaith, 145 I’se tell when we have tane our Breath. CANTO IV. Bard. Now soon as e’er the Will was torn, Jouk, with twa Bonnets on the Morn, Frae Fairyland fast bang’d away, The Prize at Rosie’s Feet to lay; Wha sleely when he did appear, 5 About his Success ’gan to speer. Joukum. Here, bonny Lass, your humble Slave Presents you with the Things ye crave, The riven Will and Bonnets twa, Which makes the Third worth nought ava. Our Power gi’en up, now I demand Your promis’d Love, and eke your Hand.

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Bard. Rose smil’d to see the Lad outwitted, And Bonnets to the Flames committed. Immediately an awfu’ Sound, 15 As ane wad thought, raise frae the Ground; And syne appear’d a stalwart Ghaist, Whase stern and angry Looks amaist Unhool’d their Sauls, — shaking, they saw Him frae the Fire the Bonnets draw: 20 Then came to Jouk, and, with twa Drugs, Encreas’d the Length of baith his Lugs; And said,

Ghaist. Be a’ thy days an Ass, And Hackney to this cunning Lass; 25 But for these Bonnets, I’ll preserve them, For Bairns unborn, that will deserve them.



Bard. With that he vanish’d frae their Een, 27

Poems And left poor Jouk wi’ Breeks not clean, He shakes while Rosie rants and capours, 30 And ca’s the Vision nought but Vapours; Rubs o’er his Cheeks and Gab wi’ Reem, Till he believes’t to be a Dream: Syne to her Closet leads the Way, To soup him up with Usquabae. 35 Rosie. Now, bonny Lad, ye may be free To handle ought pertains to me; And e’er the Sun, tho’ he be dry, Has driven down the Westlin Sky, To drink his Wamefu’ of the Sea, 40 There’s be but ane of you and me. In Marriage ye shall hae my Hand; But I maun hae the sole Command In Fairyland to saw and plant, And to send there for ought I want. 45

Bard. Ay, ay, crys Jouk, all in a Fire, And stiff’ning into strong Desire.

Joukum. Come hast thee, let us sign and seal; And let my Billies gae to the D—. Bard. Here it wad make o’er lang a Tale, 50 To tell how meikle Cakes and Ale, And Beef, and Broe, and Gryce, and Geese, And Pyes a running o’er wi’ Creesh, Was serv’d upon the Wedding-table, To make the Lads and Lasses able 55 To do, ye ken what we think Shame (Tho’ ilk ane does’t) to gie’t a Name.

But true it is, they soon were buckled, And soon she made poor Jouk a Cuckold, And play’d her bawdy Sports before him, With Chiels that car’d na Tippence for him; Beside a Rosicrucian Trick She had of Dealing with Auld-Nick; And when ere Jouk began to grumble, Auld Nick in the niest Room wad rumble. She drank, and fought, and spent her Gear With Dice, and selling o’ the Mear. Thus living like a Belzi’s Get, She ran her sell sae deep in Debt 28

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A Tale of Three Bonnets By borrowing Money at a’ Hands, 70 That yearly Income of her Lands Scarce paid the Interest of her Bands. Jouk, ay ca’d wise behind the Hand, The Daffine of his Doings fand: O’er late he now began to see 75 The Ruin of his Family: But, past Relief, lar’d in a Midding, He’s now oblig’d to do her Bidding. Away, with strick Command, he’s sent To Fairyland to lift the Rent, 80 And with him mony a Catterpillar To rug frae Birss and Bawsy Siller; For her braid Table maun be serv’d, Tho’ Fairy-fowk shou’d a’ be starv’d. Jouk thus surrounded with his Guards, 85 Now plunders Hay-stacks, Barns and Yards. They drive the Nowt frae Bristle’s Fald, While he can nought but ban and scald.

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Bristle. Vile Slave to a Hissy, ill begotten, By many Dads, with Claps haf rotten. Were’t no for Honour of my Mither, I shou’d na think ye were my Brither.

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Joukum. Dear Brither, why this rude Reflection? Learn to be gratefu’ for Protection; The Peterenians, Bloody Beasts, 95 That gar Fowk lik the Dowps of Priests Else on a Brander, like a Haddock, Be broolied, sprowling, like a Padock. These Monsters, lang or now had come With Faggots, Taz, and Tuck o’ Drum, 100 And twin’d you of your Wealth and Lives, Syne, without speering, m— your Wives, Had not the Rosicrucians stood The Bulwarks of your Rights and Blood; And yet, forsooth, ye girn and grumble, 105 And, with a Gab unthankfu’, mumble Out mony a black unworthy Curse, When Rosie bids ye draw your Purse; When she’s sae generously content With not aboon Thirty per Cent. 110

Bristle. Damn you and her! tho’ now I’m blae I’m hopefu’ yet to see the Day, I’ll gar ye baith repent that e’er



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Poems Ye reav’d by Force, away, my Gear Without, or Thanks, or making Price, 115 Or ever speering my Advice

Joukum. Peace Gowk, we naithing do at a’, But by the Letter of the Law: Then nae mair with your Din torment us, Gowling like ane non compos mentis, 120 Else Rosie issue may a Writ, To ty ye up baith Hand and Fit, And dungeon ye, but Meat or Drink, Till ye be starv’d, and die in Stink. Bard. Thus Jouk and Bristle when they met, 125 With sick braw Language ither tret. Just Fury glows in Bristle’s Veins; And tho’ his Bonnet he retains, Yet on his Crest he may not cock it, But in a Coffer closs maun lock it. 130 Bareheaded thus, he e’en knocks under, And lets them drive away the Plunder. Sae have I seen, beside a Tower, The King of Brutes obliged to cour; And, on his Royal Paunches, thole 135 A Dwerf to prog him with a Pole; While he wad shaw his Fangs and rage With Bootless Brangling in his Cage. Now follows that we take a Peep Of Bawsy looking like a Sheep, 140 By Bristle hated and despis’d, By Jouk and Rose as little priz’d. Soon as the Horse had heard his Brither Joukum and Rose were prick’d thegither, Away he scours o’er Hight and How, Fow fidgen fain what e’er he dow, Counting what Things he now did mister, That wad be gi’en him by his Sister. Like shallow Bards wha think they flee, Because they live Sax Stories high, To some poor lifeless Lucubration Prefixes fleeching Dedication, And blythly dream they’ll be restor’d To Ale-house-Credit by my Lord. Thus Bawsy’s Mind in Plenty row’d, While he thought on his promis’d Gowd And Baillyship, which he with Fines 30

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A Tale of Three Bonnets Wad make like the West-India’s Mines; Arrives, with future Greatness dizy, Ca’s, where’s Mest Jouk? — 160

Beef. — Mest Jouk is bisy.



Bawsy. My Lady Rose is she at Leasure?



Beef. No, Sir, my Lady’s at her Pleasure.



Bawsy. I wait for Her or Him, go shew;



Beef. And pray ye, master, wha are you? 165

Bawsy. Upo’ my Saul this Porter’s sawsy; Sirra, go tell my Name is Bawsy, Their Brither wha made up the Marriage.

Beef. And sae I thought by your daft Carriage. Between your Houghs gae clap your Gelding, 180 Swith hame and feast upon a Spelding, For there’s nae Room beneath this Roof To entertain a simple Coof, The like of you that nane can trust, Wha to your ain have been unjust. 185

Bard. This said, he dadded too the Yet, And left poor Bawsy in a Fret, Wha loudly gowld and made a Din, That was o’er-heard by a’ within. Quoth Rose to Jouk, Come let’s away, 190 And see wha’s yon makes a this Fray. Away they went, and saw the Creature Sair rankling ilka silly Feature Of his dull Phiz, with Girns and Glooms, Stamping and biting at his Thumbs. 195 They tented him a little while, Then came full on him with a Smile, Which soon gart him forget the Torture Was rais’d within him by the Porter. Sae will a sucking Weanie yell, 200 But shake a Rattle or a Bell,

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Poems It hads its Tongue —— Let that alane, It to its Yamering faws again: Lilt up a Sang, and streight its seen To laugh with Tears into its Een. 205 Thus eithly anger’d, eithly pleas’d, Weak Bawsy lang they tantaliz’d, With Promises right wide extended, They ne’er perform’d nor e’er intended: But now and then when they did need him, 210 A Supper and a Pint they gied him; That done, they have nae mair to say, And scarcely ken him the neist Day. Poor Follow now this mony a Year, With some faint Hope, and Routh of Fear, 215 He has been wrestling with his Fate, A Drudge to Joukum and his Mate; While Bristle saves his manly Look, Regardless baith of Rose and Jouk, Mantains right quietly yond the Kairns 220 His Honour, Conscience, Wife and Bairns. Jouk and his Rumblegare Wife Drive on a drunken, gaming Life, ’Cause Sober they can get nae Rest For Nick and Duniwhistle’s Ghaist, 225 Wha in the Garrets aften tooly, And shore them with a bloody Guly. Thus I have sung in hamelt Rhime, A Sang that scorns the Teeth of Time; Yet modestly I hide my Name, 230 Admiring Virtue mair than Fame. But tent ye wha despise Instruction, And gives my Wark a wrang Construction, Frae hind my Courtain, mind I tell ye, I’ll shoot a Satyre thro’ your Belly: 235 But wha with Havins jees his Bonnet, And says, Thanks t’ye for your Sonnet, He shanna want the Praises due To Generosity. Adieu.

FINIS. ***

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Sir, Much pleasd of Late with that delight fou way Sir Much pleasd of Late with that delight fou way the antients usd their Moralls to convey in fable Quaint when Reason sence & Rhime Improve the mind and Beat ane equal Time Amongst the Rest this following pleasd my view which in Braid Scots I have dresd up a new and send it as a present sir to you

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*** On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s offer of five hundred pounds ~ To the Poet that would make the best Elegy on the Duke five hundred pounds! to[o] small boon to put a Poet’s muse in tune, That nothing may escape her, Should she atempt, the Heroick story of the Ilustrious Churchill’s glory, it would not buy the paper!

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*** Annother Epigram or Epitaph on the above Subject Here lyes the Ashes of a Frame that did a Soull Heroick hold, whose calm submissions to his Dame, to future Ages shall be told, Poor Sublaterns, shall curse her name, as long as posts are bought & Sold, Now, Sarah, I the premium claim, take you these Lines, give me the Gold.

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*** Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh Here Lyes the Ashes of a frame which did the Soul of Churchill Hold The Boast of Britain whose great Name Shall be throw wondring ages told till time shall put ane end to fame 5 in fame his Acts shall be enrolld How he made Mighty Louis Tame With Conduct Wise & Courage Bold 33

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Bag-pipes no Musick: A Satyre on Scots Poetry. An Epistle to Mr. Stanhope. As Dryden justly term’d Poetick Sound, A pacing Pegasus on Carpet Ground, Rosecommon’s nervous Sense your Verses yield A Courser bounding o’er the furrow’d Field: The Track pursue, — that thinking Scots may see 5 The comprehensive English Energy. Scotch Moggy may go down at Aberdeen, Where Bonnets, Bag-pipers, and Plaids are seen; But such poor Gear no Harmony can sute, Much fitter for a Jew’s Trump than a Lute. 10 Low Bells, not Lyre’s, the Highland Cliffs adorn, Macklean’s loud halloo, or Mackgregor’s Horn. Sooner shall China yield to Earthen Ware, Sooner shall Abel teach a singing Bear, Than English Bards let Scots torment their Ear. 15 Who think their rustic Jargon to explain, For anes is once, lang, long, and two is twain, Let them to Edinburgh foot in back, And add their Poetry to fill their Pack, While you the Fav’rite of the tuneful Nine, 20 Make English Deeds in English Numbers shine. Leave Ramsay’s Clan to follow their own Ways, And while they mumble Thistles, wear the Bays.

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Oxford, Novemb. 4. 1 7 2 0.

John Couper.

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Grubstreet nae Satyre. In Answer to Bagpipes no Musick. An Epistle to the Umquhile John Cowper, late Kirk-Treasurer’s Man of Edinburgh; Now his Ghaist studying Poetry at Oxford, for the Benefit of E. Curl. Dear John, what ails ye now? ly still: Hout Man! What need ye take it ill That Allan buried ye in Rhime, May be a Start afore ye’r Time? He’s nathing but a shire daft Lick, 5 And disna care a Fidle-stick, 34

Grubstreet nae Satyre Altho your Tutor Curl and ye Shou’d serve him sae in Elegy. Doup down doild Ghaist, and dinna fash us With Carpet Ground, and nervous Clashes; 10 Your Grubstreet Jargon Dryden wounds, When mixt with his Poetick Sounds. You pace on Pegasus! Take Care, He’ll bound o’er furrow’d Fields of Air, And fling ye headlong frae the Skies, 15 Never a second Time to rise: With sic a Fa, alake! ye’ll e’en a’ Dash into Shreds like broken China. China and Men the same Fate skair, Ah me! baith bruckle Earthen Ware. 20 Lang serv’d ye in a mettl’d Station, The foremost Beegle of our Nation, For scenting out the yeilding Creature, Wha us’d to play at Whats-the matter: But now, O fy for Shame to trudge, 25 Mun Curle’s poor Hackney scribling Drudge, To fill his Pack, while you, right fair, Gain Title braw! His singing Bear. But, John, Wha taught ye ilka Name, That shines sae bonnily in Fame, 30 Rosecommon, Stanhope, Ramsay, Dryden, Wha Back of winged Horse cou’d ride on? A’ them we ken; but what the D—— Bad you up the Hill Parnassus speel. You Ramsay make a feckfu’ Man, 35 Ringleader of a hearty Clan: Goodfaith it sets ye well to fear him, For gin ye etle anes to steer him, He’ll gloom ye dead; — in Rustick Phrase He’ll gar his Thistles rive your Bays. 40 Pate Birnie. Kinghorn, 16th November, 1720.

*** Sir your Epistle came to Hand and trouth I tak it kind when men wha numbers understand sae frankly tell their mind 35

Poems well Likes a poet to be praisd 5 by Learnd & worthy men Sae by your Lays I’m higher Raisd than those of other Ten Since tis weel kend that lang or now you’ve pleast the nicest tast 10 By what ye sing if ye mean true my Muse is Doubly Gract weell Bee’t sae then Now tent me Ker nor my reqwest refuse O! to the Beautys Donian fair 15 dear Lad make my excuse For Rowtining Clyd and fleechyng Tweed and pawky mein[ed] Tay had got possession of my head and dang out don & spay

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Nae farrer north my muse did Rove when she sang oer the plaid Then throw the Green Glantanar Grove wher Jove Imbracd the maid that Lovely Lass wha now apears 25 before Sols rearing sighing Beams was Born and past her Infant years by Dona’s silver streams she promp to’t by ane Inate Love each for their Birth place have 30 she as annither Boon frae Jov[e] this Benison did Crave That virgins Born on Don or Dee shoud be the Beautyous Bost of hight or plain within ilk sea 35 that shields Brittanias Coast Besides to them she does impart to wear and Dy and spin maist fine the plaid, nae mair Minerva’s art but of fair Iris thine 40 Dear Donian Nymphs cease to Reflect My fault I frankly own have for a penetent respect wha canna bear your frown 36

Sir your Epistle came to Hand ah Smile upon me & I’ll sing your smiles your Beautys throw the warld shall ring till warlds shall be nae mair

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farewell my friend god Grant Ye health and Easyness of Mind 50 possest of these ye want nae wealth and Heav[n] to you is Kind Say may kind Heavn proptious prove and grant what ere ye Crave An him a Corner in your Love 55 who is your humble slave

*** Belinda’s Dead! — the Murning Maya Crys while Gushing Streams flow from her sparkling Eys Belinda’s Dead! — Liza with sighs Replys May[a] Bauld are Blasts that Blaw oer yonder hight Short is and Langs the dreery Night yet nights and days I’d thole the Wind & rain coud that Bring Back Belindas Braith again Lizie Cauld is the Snaw that Cleads the Clinty Cleugh Hard is the Ice that Hings out oer the Heugh yet Barefut Wad I wade throw mony a wreath Could that Bring Back the Lovd Belindas breath Young Colin darnd behind a Ruck of Wheat with melting heart oer hard the Lasses Greet he felt their pain, but of [more] strength possest forbad his Tears — and thus the Maids adrest [Colin] Dear Lasses just is ilka tear ye shed for her whas Bounty made us aft fou glad whase sweetness wan the hearts of Great & Sma while her strick virtues gart us stand in aw sae at Sun whase chearing Beams we find we darna Glowr for fear he make us Blind But Lear to be content and thole yer pain for we can neer behad her face again 37

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Poems Maya ’tis unco Easy to be hardhearted men to meet with Tinsell & neer let fouk ken while we of safter minds sigh mony a day or we can get the uperhand of wae as Langs I see a Lady sweet and fair with keuly looks mix’d with a princly air if sic there be with grief I[’]ll ca to mind the Blest Belinda Best of a her kind Lizi when E’er I trade alang the Bony Green where she at Ilka dance was chosen Qween or by yon Burn where on the floury Brae we usd & sport & see the fishes play a Thousand thoughts of her and Time that’s gane will sink my saul wi grief and ay renew my pain May[a] now Day grows Langer and the welcome Spring comes on apace the Birds begin to sing the primrose Buds the Gowan knots appear with a’ the rising Beautys of the year But no to me this seson Gay & fair can joy restore or mitigate my Care Belinda’s Death — ay in my mind will ring and sour the saftest sweetness of the spring Lizi And Cease ye Lambs to Bleet — cease faling dews Cease streams to murmur, Echo to repeat Yes weep ye flock aloud that hills may hear Be ilka chrystall pearl of Dew a tear for dear Belinda — streams for ever Murn. for her let Echo sigh[i]ng sad return the Dolefu Tale — while we with grief relate her goodnes Beauty and oer hasty fate with Daring flight the Scotian Muse essays t’imortallize a Lovely prince[s]s’ praise Great Osburns Race her saftest Lays demand wha Love their Brave Anserstors native Land

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Nor will Carmarthan deem our sorow Less Altho we shed our Tears in Rural dress even Mighty Maro who Best sang of Wier with shepherds Lays could please Augustus’ ear Allow us then My Lord to pay what’s Due To Beauty, virtue, greatnes Love and You frae Ospurn sprung wha stood his monarchs stoop 38

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Belinda’s Dead! — the Murning Maya Crys when Majesty was Basely made to droop But when the Black Rebelious night was oer he shone with greater splendor than Before The Consort of high Beaufort Craves our Strains Beaufort who Drew his Blood from Royal Viens Dundonald worthy patriot! ah! oer soon thou Left a Heaven Below for that aboon but Destiny hard hearted never spears thy dwellings Loves & tents her tender tears, Love Magnifes her Loss she’s paind to be Earths joys grow mean — she droops she hasts to thee The Noble Brother finds his heart to ake the sudden Loss does all his pleasures shake striving my Lord to bring you some Relife A humble Bard would paint a Nations Grief ________________ Colin But now frae ilka fear of Greef shes free and tastes the fruit of th’Imortall Tree But mind shes free’d frae a’ our cares & strife and born aboon where endles joys are rife wher never enters sorrow sighs or pain sae for her Loss ye Greetna but your ain May[a] Ah hasty Death to pou her in her prime when eild it sell is but sae scrimp a time Thousands there are less usefou here beneath we Coud have spare’d for her and wi Lesser Skaith her words were musick and her deeds wer kind fair was [her] frame and Generous was her mind nae spitefou passion e’er coud a find place within her Brest or Cloud her Lovely face Descended frae a Chief yet free frae pride she did with meekness a’ her actions Guide Lizi not siller showers in drouth mair kindly fa than wer her welcome favour to us a’ nor is my heart nae mair than yours of steel yes I our tinsell as severly feell But stranger Reason comes to take my part while you less Guarded sink beneath the smart then dry ye’r Cheeks — and learn ye to Behave ye’r sells like her then shall your virtues crave Love in your Life and honour in your Grave *** 39

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Poems To His Grace John Duke of Roxburgh The Address of Allan Ramsay S.P. May it please your Grace In south Britannia there is Bays plac’d on a Poets pow, and stipend wi’t, his strains to raise, and gar his Genius Glow, well sic a Lad may link aff Lays, and various Volumes stow, with winsome witt, and A’ his Days sing but a Dowf, heh How! frae want secure. ’Tis Eith to Guess my Meaning here, and woodyfa’ them’s joaking, for tho I be na Gare on Gear I Loo na to be Broken, but fain wad keep my Credit Clear, and look a wee thought Cockin, for gin I honest like appear it keeps dull Coofs frae mockin our Gang aft poor.

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Now ound by A’ to be a Bard. A wonder vogey Title! 20 but Heir to no ae Inch of Eard, my Income’s somthing kitle, wherfore, since I claim your Regard, may post or pension litle Obtaind by you, be my Reward 25 lest poortith do my witt ill, and spill my Breeding. For nought am I to save our Tongue with numbers, Gloss and Notes, and smooth the Brows of Auld and Young, while warb’ling throu’ their Throats, A Cheil with poutch and pantrie Clung, maun Guzzell swats wi’ sots, Syn stanzas, frae sic Liquor sung, will neer be worth twa groats, or bide the Reading 40

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To His Grace John Duke of Roxburgh And Wadna that look very fine, To sic a Lad like me, Ca’d aft the Dawtie of the Nine, Sic Dowie dumps to dree. 40 Thus, for the lak of Claret wine, to gar me tak the Gie, my muse in Tippony to tine! and look like let me be, Baith blate & blew! 45 frae publick funds Thousands are fed with, some of, whom we’re vext, wha make Divinity a Trade Riving in deugs the Text, while painfou poets, better Bred, 50 Their precepts less perplext With God-sen Gifts are unco glad, And naithing sure Anext, yet Thanks to You That when my Glaring freinds gae way, And I was at a stand, (With Quarto Book, my fate to sey) held out your helping Hand, and Charg’d my purse with Guineas gay, withouten my Demand, This of your Goodness was a Ray which I right Genial fand, That happy Day.

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Grecious examples ever Ding, the Advice of wisest men, 65 Tho’ I should like a seraph sing what way should some fowk ken, The Streek of Blyth Thalai’s wing, unless you Princes Len your Aprobation, and gar Bring 70 the Canty Billy ben, This makes him Gay, Since I was Tented, by your Grace, my Muse with pleasure rises; wide nature’s fields I frankly Trace 75 wherever she advices, on Pindus Height she takes her place, nor cackling Criticks prizes, with Careless Air she smooths my face, and A’ the Droths dispises 80 with Gladsome Glee. 41

Poems Health, Blythness, Love, and A’ that’s Great delightfou, Good, and fine, Be yours, and Blooming Bowmont’s fate, And lang lang may ye shine: 85 These are our prayers, Air & late, To Guardian powers Divine, my Wishes These, when Left thumb gate, We Bend about the wine, and ay shall Be 90 Edr Aprile 20th 1722 *** Nil Mihi rescribus at aman Ipse vene, for your kitle Latine; In conscience, I dinna ken’t bene, Sed video, right miekle, qwid tendit ad meum honorem Sic Silvae Saltantis when cantylie I play before ’em In my Landart Lyra — Castalides omnia ambitious Videre this ferly new — weel be’t Sae benignus Patricus, Accipio for granted tu Cogitas guid thou hast dictus, and Blyth Sum Audire my pow is cum Laurel amictus, Ago tibi Gratias — when ye come to Senex fumosus Spero to se ye where a botle of the Best shall rejoyce us

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Allanus Ramisaeus Edr June 11 1722 *** Silvia to A— R— O Ramsay Rare wha Blythly Can Revive the Heart of Maid or Man if you a favour will bestow upon a Lass tho very Low in Rhime she here addresses you 5 And craves you’ll send her somthing new flames Raptures darts and hearts on fire are Subjects I don’t much admire The only Thing I’d wish to have is Somthing Gay but nothing grave 10 this favour if you’ll grant to me I shal Respect you till I die Silvia 42

Answer [to Silvia] Answer Octr 1722 When Silvia asks wha can deny wha has the use of ear or eye yes I in either prose or Rhime will serve the fair at ony time “if you a favour will bestow 5 that Sentance gars my vitals glow but you forbid me to Imploy or name the artiliry of the boy That Callan wha, Ill deedy Shit ! Sae afften on a Poets wit 10 makes a’ his Arrows gleg at point to Shoot young Hearts quite out of joynt that done the Wean, black be his fa! Skips to his Mam with a Gafa and tells his Pranks — she claps his Pow 15 Syn frae her Stays new bends his Bow gies his wee gab the ither Smack tyes a fou Quiver on his back with her ain garters — bids him gae arround the Warld and burn & slae 20 He’s on his march now to our City wher I’m affraid he’ll hae nae Pity but kill some hundreds in a night Where yielding Hearts by Candle Light Attend the dear deluding Charms 25 of Musick Sounding Saft alarms which wakens up their Youthfu Glee and gars them dust it cheerfully He has not yet forsook the Shade where he has conquerd mony a Maid 30 that tent O Silvia how ye jest with him or me his destin’d Priest obligd, by ane I watna fate aft at his Altars wild to wait and Sing his Victorys on the Plain 35 wher the mair Inocent are slain Or in the Brughs wher silk & lace him aft Repulses with disgrace and Animates the scornful Belle his sharpest arrows to repell 40 Tho shot frae wiggs as whyt as milk or Brawns adorn’d with pearly Silk when in Array ilk Lad & Lass come arm’d in Bravery from the Glass with a fring’d wastcoat Gowdspink Tryes 45 to save himsel frae Lintwhyts eyes the shining Gems round Linty’s neck 43

Poems has aft’ner the same effect But Love at some unguarded howr Gets her at last beneath his power and tho even arm’d in Gowd Brocad he aften foils the Round facd Lad and brings him on his Marrow Bains Syn Craws when he the Victory Gains Dear Silvia thus ye see in spite of my design I’m forc’d to write nor dare his dread command refuse who Rules the Sovraign of my Muse

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*** The Pleasures of Improvments in Agriculture while we attempt to Chaunt in Rural Strains Improvments in the forest Garth & Plains aid us ye Powers that changing Seasons Grant with Dew & Rays to Nurish evry Plant with flaming fancy fond of fuler fame fain wald we saftly sing sae sweet a Theme that on ae styl our Labours may be seen With Mantuan Maro & the French Rapin These sung beneath the Mirtle & the Vine upon the Banks of Tyber & the Sein whilst we beneath a Hathorn farther North upon the Caulder shore of Rowling Forth may be be allowd a drawback in our fire if its allowd warm Beams the Bards Inspire This Nation Long more keen of martial toil than cultivating of a yeilding Soil neglected Left each height & valey fair without the help of art to natures care she Plenteous did the Pregna[n]t mold adorn with Bloming whins Brooms Brackens Brier & Thorn while Stagnnant Lakes o’er many straths did flow wher Eells did sport & seggs did Plentous Grow here ane Estate was hid beneath a flood and flowry Parks lay Buried under mud wittness our Straitens Loch which we have seen a wavy Lake now a Prolifick Green of Late by Rankeilier worthy lasting fam[e] whose Breast Glows with a Bright Inproving flame now ditchd & hedgd and Circling Groves arise to save its verdures from Inclement Skys in these sweet walks beneath the Blooming shade the Citizen shall drop the cares of trade while in the fragrant Scenes he takes delight to Bask in Rising or in Setting Light 44

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The Pleasures of Improvments in Agriculture while Chearfull rays throu Trembling Branches Glance when they or Late or Early shoot askance Here the Hermonious tennants of the air to keep their Naturall consorts shall repair thither in comely crouds the youthfull gang in numerous Pairs to court shall Smiling thrang no harm to virtue — This high powers aprove when faith & honour are the Gaurds of Love observing these ye Lovly plants with Ease your Bony cheekys will but short time please you’ll follow out what renders you complet if beauty neer with sence & action meet by Education only you can rise but Lasting Graces bless her tongue and eyes that takes the most delight to deck her mind Hope hear the sang which thy unwearied mind for Publick good me thus to sing inclind continou Best of Clubs Long to Improve your native Plains and gain your nations Love Rowse evry Lazy Laird of each wide feild that unmanurd not half their Product yeild shew them the proper season soils and art how they may Plenty to their Lands impart Treeple their Rents encrease the farmers store Without the Purches of one Acre more

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*** Translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, Book X, ll.693-96 Firm as the Bass when thund’ring Tempests roar, And furious Waves come cracking on its Sides, While Hills inferior sink upon the Shore, It in its Height and strong Foundation prides. Such is the Man whose Godlike Spirit rises Amidst a Hurricane of Wayward Fate, He stands unmov’d, while his brave Soul despises Those Shocks of Chance which make the Vulgar fret.

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*** Beauty and Comely Shape, adorned with art, Allure and fancy enchant the eye; But only wisdom can engage the heart, And animate a love can never die. Then happy he who gains the lovely Sleigh, In whom he’ll every charm of Beauty find, Who can to constancy her lover tye, With all the shining virtues of her mind.

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Poems Accept my Lord these honest Lays that I have sowfd in Kathrines praise and as they’r to her justly due sae are a share of them to you To you and to each noble mind 5 that waver not with ilka wind Blaws frae the court like the slave’d Jouker Wha sells good fame for filthy Lucre while you and such as you my Lord are by ilk gratefu heart adore’d 10 and well ye judge for alls a dream without fair fame & Just esteem which now are yours and still will prove while Linton does his Nation love *** A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery on her coming first to Scotland June 1723 Wha’s yon, dear Calli, shines on Nytha’s green, Sweet as a Naiad, gracefu as a Queen, she appears new sent frae Heaven to Bless our Isles yet seems na fremit by her friendly Smiles? ’Tis Her in whom a thousand Charms conspire whose Brightness makes Inferiour rays retire eclipsd by Beautys warmd with heavenly fire now a young Prince of a brave Scotish Name with equal Grandure meets the Dazling flame and Beeks with ane extatick Love & Joy in Bleez Divine which could a World distroy Sae Juno Charms the Awfu Thundere[r] Jove and can in highest ardures meet his Love while mortal Semelie sinks doun to night wishing for Beams too strong for humane sight

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for Her late wisned parks revive in Hue and Buding Roses bath themsells in dew for Her the God of winds shuts up the East and bids saft Zyphers fan her Lovely Breast blaw Cawm ye winds shine fair ye morning Beams you in the Woods, ye on the crystal Streams while in the Shaw she Hears the Mavis sing or tents the frisking Lambkins by a spring Rejoyce ye Nymphs and sing ye ferlying swains when so Much Beauty Brightens on your Plains such kindly warmth and nourishment she’ll give as mankind from the Suns fair orb recive 46

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A Pastoral Welcome to her Grace like Him she sheds benificence arround and gars your glens with gladness a’ resound but like him too her shining Charms deny the rude approach of evry Vulgar eye while a her Beautys Eyes & hearts command her virtues makes them at due distance stand Blest be Fair and lang may she shine clear: but say my Bony Lass what brings her here? She’s mistress here of mony a Strath & height that frae yon Lother taps wad tire your sight adown clear Nyth wha does his Wimples guide throw Meadows parks and woods on either side sic frae the Alpine edges with delight Hyperian Haughs apear to Travelers Sight wha views on Arno’s braes the Blooming Wood frae Wreaths of Snaw neer Eelins with the flood Braid are Her plains wher Ploughs make plenty Spring high are the Hills wher a’ her Shepherds Sing for Her the fertile Rigs unumber’d bear the Guilded product of the wheeling Year for Her Ten Thousand Sheep & cowherds keep the Rowting Ky & Shear the Bleating Sheep for her as mony maids at Bught & Loan gar milk in Torrents frae strute udders stroan Rejoyce ye Nymphs and sing ye Chearfu Swains when so much Beauty Brightens on your plains Hark with what joy the Herds the Dee’s & Hynds Regard their princes with unrufled minds with honest pleasure they proclaim their Praise whilst all their Virtues a’ their Spirits raise not sae the Dowie Peasant can behave wha to his Tyrant Lord maun be a slave The Danube Tajo Tybur & the Sein altho their Banks bear Lemons & the Vine give not sae mikle glee as Nytha’s plains wher Liberty with needfu plenty Reigns Then all of you wha’re blest with sic a Lord and Princess wha deserved to be ador’d first thank your God & then Bow doun your heads and kiss the ground where Bright Cathrina Treds Rejoyce ye nymphs and sing ye Happy Swains when so much Beauty Brightens on your plains See See she comes Edina Busk thy Bowers and make her welcome to thy Antient Towers in Gay Assemblys bid your Sons advance and lead your Lovely Doughters to the Dance be Minstrells sweet and saftly tun’d the Sang 47

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Poems when the fair Angell joyns the Sparkling Thrang yes Edin will frae Natures Purest Wealth afford her a’ that’s fit for joy & Health may joy & health and a’ she can disire be ever her’s and late may she retire To that great Spring aboon frae whence she came In Ripest eild with ane Imortall fame

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*** Queensberys Come Thrice welcome fair Propitious Heavens peculiar care it maun be sae els gifts divine in saul and form coud never shine in sic profusion bright & even 5 but in a favourite of Heven Be blyth ye Lads on Nytha’s dale Lead out the Lasses to the Green Blaw saft ye winds ye skyes be clear Spring with thy flowers busk out the year 10 Ye Clouds had aff the suns fair face that he may bleez with blythsome grace ye tuneful birds frae wild repair and with saft musick fill the air Queensbery comes. Guard her ye Gods 15 and with all pleasures pave her Roads descend ye wardens with fu speed and sconce your wing around her head Nyth hears the news and blythly turns around to all her crystal Burns 20 and bids them lilt oer Heugh & how their Joys as frae their heights they flow with gushing heart he lifts his Head and tells it to his Brother Tweed wha Echo’st fra his Banks sae wide 25 to Leader haughs & Teviots side Clyd hears oer Tintock tap the din and Roars it oer the Corhouse Lin so loud its heard beyond the Tay oer the still ness & Rapid Spay 30 The welcome Sound soughs throw the air arround the Bush aboon Traquair fair flowing forth enriching Tide auld Edinburghs Blessing & her Pride in solem state Calms ilka wave 35 and Joyns in gladness with the Lave and well he may wha kens he[’]ll share with Nyth th’influence of the Pair Queensberys Lord and his fair mate 48

Queensberys Come Thrice welcome fair who dare be Noble to be great 40 while Sauls hem’d in with scrimper views slave out dull lives in scrapes & Bows and stick at nought to reek their ends sae far as their laigh sence extends but like clung Tods worry bot reuth 45 whatever faus into their Mouth and these scorn laits used lang sin syne to tent laws Humane & divine tho ilka hour damnation wait to doom them their deserved fate 50 as they sail tween lifes craigs & shauls unmindfu of their threed bare sauls stand yont vile things ye make me sick thus in your characters to keek while I the praise of patriots sing 55 who love their Countrey God & King The first twa slighted by your Tribes the Last respected as he Bribes Ah coud the morall moral muse but win ane of five score frae this curst sin 60 how Blyth shed be & ne’er repine altho the deel gat ninty nine But thanks to H ther some yet Great wha will prove stoups to prop the State But Thanks to Heaven their’s a kind flow 65 whase hearts with publick ardure Glow who have enough and strive to cure the publick wounds that hurt the poor by easing their half Broken Backs of ilka ill placed heavy Tax 70 for This the honest Labouring kind Shall lift to god his greatfu mind and he whas cast in Rougher form dares push his fortune throw a storm while Jarring tides Tempests Gowll 75 will to the patriots Toom the Bowl and bend his knee ilk even & morn that sic as Queensbery were born The Merchant with delighted view his shelves with goods all loaden bow 80 while quik returns of cash secure his Trade & make his credit sure Mechanicks of all kinds shall sing God bless our patriots and our King who now haf gart thae dutys sink 85 that poisned a our meat & drink The Herds upon the green hill side shall tent his bleeting care with pride & count hou many ells do grow 49

Poems of Claith ilk day on Toop & Ew 90 and a’s me ain then will he raise his notes in awe the patriots praise Reverse of servile sauls that stinge at courts and to vile catifs cringe Queensbery with superiour smile 95 Looks doun upon a nest so vile whase Presence like the heavnly Ray gives all arround a bleez of Day while Independance props her state being ever Good as she is Great 100 To patriots tune each chear fu note and Queensbery be neer forgot ***

JENNY and MEGGY. A PASTORAL, SEQUEL to Patie and Roger. JENNY. Come, Meg, let’s fa to Wark upo’ this Green, The shining Day will bleech our Linnen clean; The Water’s clear, the Lift unclouded blew Will make them, like a Lilly, wet with Dew. MEGGY. Go farer up the Burn, to Habie’s How, 5 Where a’ that’s sweeet [sic] in Spring and Summer grow; And, ’tween twa Birks, out o’er the little Lin, The Water fa’s, and makes a singing Din: A Pool Breast deep, beneath as clear as Glass, Kisses witheasy [sic] Whirles the Bordering Grass 10 We’ll end our Washing, while the Morning’s cool; And, when the Day grows het, we’ll to the Pool, There wash our sells: — ’Tis healthfou’ now in May, And unco cauler on sae warm a Day. JENNY. Daft Lassie, when we’re naked, what’ll ye say, If our twa Herds come bratling down the Brae, And see us sae? — That jeering Follow Pate, Wad taunting say, Haith Lasses ye’re no blate. MEGGY. We’re far frae ony Road and out of Sight, And for the Lads, they’ll no be hame till Night, 50

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Jenny and Meggy They feed this Day a Mile beyond the Height. But tell me now, dear Jenny, we’re our lane, What gars ye plague your Woer with Disdain. The Neighbours a’ tent this as well as I, That Roger loes ye, yet ye care na by. What ails ye at him; trouth atween us twa, He’s wordy you the best Day e’er ye saw. JENNY. I dinna like him, Megy, there’s an End, A Herd mair sheepish, yet I never kend. He kames his Hair indeed, and gaes right snug, With Ribon Knots at his blew Bonnet Lug, Whilk pensily he wears a Thought a jee, And spreads his Garters dic’d beneath his Knee. He falds his Owrlay down his Breast with Care; And few gangs nicer to the Kirk or Fair: For a’ that he can neither sing nor say, Except, How d’ye, — or, There’s a bonny Day. —

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MEGGY. Ye dash the Lad with constant slighting Pride; Hatred for Love is unco sair to bide: But ye’ll repent ye, if his Love grow cauld. — 40 What’s like a dorty Maiden when she’s auld? Like dawted Wean, that tarras at its meat, And for some feckless Whim will orp and greet; The lave laugh at it till the Dinner’s past; And syne the Fool Thing is oblig’d to fast, 45 Or scart anither’s Leavings at the last.

} JENNY. If Roger is my Jo, he kens himsel; For sick a Tale I never heard him tell. He glowrs and sighs, and I can guess his Cause; But wha’s oblig’d to spell his Hums and Haws. When e’er he likes to tell his Mind mair plain, I’se tell him frankly ne’er to do’t again. They’re Fools wha Slavery like, that can live free, The Chiels may a’ knit up themse’es for me.

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MEGGY. Be doing your Ways: — For me I have a Mind, To be as yielding as my Patie’s kind.

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JENNY. Heh Lass! how can ye loo that Rattle-Scul, A very Deel, that ay maun hae his Will. We’ll soon hear tell what a poor feighten Life, You twa will drive sa soon’s ye’re Man and Wife. 51

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Poems MEGGY. I’ll rin the Risk, nor hae I ony Fear, But rather think ilk longsome Day a Year. ’Till I with Pleasure mount my Bridal Bed; Where on my Patie’s Breast, I’ll lean my Head; There we may kiss, as lang as Kissing’s good; And what we do, there’s nane dare ca’ it rude. He’s get his Will: Why no? ’Tis good my Part, To give him that, and he’ll gi’ me his Heart. JENNY. He may indeed, for ten or fifteen Days; Make mikle o’ ye, with an unco’ Fraise, And dawt ye baith afore Fowk and ye’r lane: But soon as his Newfangleness is gane — He’ll look upon ye as his Tether-stake, And think he’s tint his Freedom for ye’r Sake. Instead then of lang Days of sweet Delyt, Ae Day be dumb, and a’ the niest he’ll flyt; And may be in his Barlyhoods ne’er stick To lend his loving Wife a lound’ring Lick. MEGGY. Sic course spun Thoughts as these want Pith to move My settl’d Mind, — I’m o’er far gane in Love; Patie to me is dearer than my Breath, But want of him I fear nae ither Skaith. There’s nane of a’ the Shepherds tred the Green Has sic a Smile, and sic twa glancing Een. How blythly he can sport, and gently rave And jest at little Things that fright the lave: In a’ he says or does there’s sic a Gate, The rest seem Coofs compar’d with my dear Pate; His better Sense will lang his Love secure, Contention’s heff in Sauls are weak and poor. JENNY. Hey! bonny Lass of Branksome, or’t be lang Your witty Pate will put ye in a Sang: O’ tis a pleasant Thing to be a Bride, And whindging Gets about ye’r Ingle-side, Yelping for this and that, with fashous Din, To make them Brats, then ye maun toil and spin. Ae Wean faws sick, ane feads himsell wi’ Broo, Ane breaks his Shin, anither tines his Shoe; The Deel gaes o’er John Wobster: — Haine grows Hell, When Pate miscaws ye war than Tongue can tell. MEGGY. Yes ’tis a heartsome Thing to be a Wife, 52

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Jenny and Meggy When round the Ingle-edge young Sprouts are rife; Gin I’m sae happy I shall have Delight To hear their little Plaints, and keep them right. Say, Jenny, Can there greater Pleasure be Than see sic wee Tots toolying at your Knee, When a’ they ettle at — their greatest Wish Is to be made of, and obtain a Kiss? Can there be Toil in tenting Day and Night The like of them, when Love makes Care delight? JENNY. But Poortith Meggy is the warst of a’, If o’er your Heads ill Chance shou’d Beggery draw; There’s little Love, or canty Chear can come Frae dudy Jackets, or a Pantry toom: Your Nowt may die — the Speat may bear away Frae aff the Howms your dainty Rucks of Hay, The feeding Wreaths of Snaw, or blashy Thows May sometimes smoor, and aften rot your Ews. A Dyver buys your Butter, Woo and Cheese, But, or the Day of Payment, breaks and flies: With gloomin Brow the Laird seeks in his Rent, Its no to gi’e, your Merchant’s to the Bent; His Honour manna want, he poonds your Gear, Syne driven frae House and Hald, where will ye steer? Dear Meg be wise, and live a single Life, Trouth its nae Mows to be a married Wife. MEGGY. May sic ill Luck befa’ that silly she Wha has these Fears, for that was never me; Let Fowk bode well, and strive to do their best, Nae mair’s requir’d, let Heaven mak out the rest. I’ve heard my honest Father aften say, That Lads shou’d a’ for Wives that’s verteous pray; For the maist thrifty Man cou’d never get A well stor’d Room, unless his Wife wad let: Wherefore nought shall be wanting on my Part To gather Wealth, to raise my Shepherd’s Heart. Whate’er he wins, I’ll guide with cautious Care, And win a Vogue at Market, Tron and Fair, For healsome, clean, cheap and sufficient Ware. A Flock of Lambs, Cheese, Butter and some Woo Shall first be sald, to pay the Laird his Due, Syne a’ behind’s our ain. — Thus without Fear, With Love and Rowth we throw the Warld will steer: And when my Pate in Bairns and Gear grows rife, He’ll bless the Day he gat me for his Wife.

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Poems JENNY. But what if some young Beauty on the Green, With dimpl’d Cheeks and twa bewitching Een, Shou’d gar your Patie think his haf worn Meg And her kend Kisses hardly worth a Feg. MEGGY. Nae mair of that — dear Jenny, to be free, 150 Men are mair constant aft in Love than we; Nor do I thank them for’t: Nature mair kind Has blest them with a Hardiness of Mind; And whensoe’er they slight their Mates at hame, Its ten to ane the Wives are maist to blame. 155 Then I’ll employ with Pleasure a’ my Art To keep him chearfu’ and secure his Heart. At E’en when he comes weary frae the Hill I’ll have a’ Things made ready to his Will. In Winter when he toils throu’ Wind and Rain, 160 A bleezing Ingle, and a clean Hearth-stane: And soon as he flings by his Plaid and Staff, The seething Pot’s be ready to tak aff; Clean hagabag I’ll spread upon his Boord, And serve him with the best we can afford. 165 Good Humour and whyt Bigonets shall be Guards to my Face, to keep his Love for me. JENNY. A Dish of married Love right soon grows cauld, And dosens down to nane as Fowk grow auld. MEGGY. But we’ll grow auld togither, and ne’er find The Want of Youth, when Love lyes in the Mind. Bairns and their Bairns make sure a firmer Tye Then ought in Love e’er kend to you and I; Like yon twa Elms that grow-up Side by Side, Suppose them some Years syne a Bridegroom and Bride, Nearer and nearer ilka Year they’ve prest, Till wide their spreading Branches are increast, And in their Mixture now are fully blest. JENNY. I’ve done, — I yield, dear Lassie I maun yield, Your better Sense has fairly won the Field, With the Assistance of a little Fae Lyes darn’d within my Breast this mony a Day. MEGGY. Alake! poor Prisoner! Jenny, that’s unfair That ye’ll no let the wee Thing take the Air; Hast let him out, we’ll tent as well’s we can 54

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Jenny and Meggy If he is Bauldy’s or poor Roger’s Man. JENNY. Anither Time’s as good, — for see the Sun Is right far up, — and we’re no yet begun To freath the Graith — If canker’d Madge your Aunt Come up the Burn, she’ll gie’s a winsome Rant. But when we’ve done, I’se tell ye a’ my Mind, For this I find nae Lass can be unkind.

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*** on Magy Dickson Assist ye Creil wives ane & a’ Of Inverask Musselbrugh & fisher Raw in souching sang the sooth to shaw of that slee wife [that] after she was hangit staw 5 again to Life O Maggy Mony a heart was wae for thee upon that dreiry day! and mony a ane for the did pray that Sindle wont 10 to mind themsells when thou right blae the steps did mount Young well-fard creature aft ye cryd and mony a time their cheeks they dryd when hangy round thy wyson tyed 15 the deidly cord the stoutest wad have been sair fleyd to be sae shor’d But litle cause hads thou to fear [where] he that throw thy case coud steer or thou wan to thy fiftenth year by word & wryt took care to gar deaths Stang appear but a flae Byte

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great casts of comfort did he reich 25 while he aft takingly did teich syne when they strave thy neck to streich with pious knack elegantly pen’d a speich that thou neer spak 30 But now thou canst be word of mouth 55

Poems tell the Backslydings of thy youth Shame a’ the Deils & say the truth of what befell when thou haff sleeping slak’d the drowth of Willy Bell

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Syne hou thou shook & grat for dool to think hou like a Silly fool in sacking Brat they wad thee Snool when thou confest 40 Shoud Stand on the Black penance stool Abone the rest Since thou came out of deaths cauld grips and fairer shines after Eclips some threep when folk their siller slips 45 into thy purse that in sic Temproulls runeth Snips thy Sprituall Nurse and what’s the mater ’pose he do for faith ther’s mony a rary show 50 on which the Currious cash bestow that’s of less worth Then its to see & hear thee — O! and him hald forth *** Apolo Patron of the Lyre and of the valiant Archers Bow Me with such sentiments Inspire as may appear from thee they flow When by thy special will & dread Comand I sing the merits of thy Royall Band

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*** On the B— P— design of Taking The Bounty off the Victual exported Decemr 1724 Poor slav’d tho’ Covenanted Land anes Independant brave dominion how like an Idiot dost thou stand Sair Payd and forc’d to kiss the wand and bend thy Craig beneath the U— Ye Selfish sencles Sniv’ling Crew drums of Rebelion and disorder 56

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On the B— P— design of Taking the Bounty off the Victual exported Tak up your dainty Divan now They’l neither let ye Bake nor Brew unless ye Creep within their Border But O, quoth ye, the good auld Cause thrives well & we have preaching rife besides oppression & hard Laws falds doun your P—s to your B—s and gars ye live the chaster life well said! good women hard ye yon how do ye like the consequence ist possible a dull Mess Jon can please ye with sae dry a tone while ye gaunt for Benevolence O wives & maidens young and auld with all the Pith of Language bang us flyte girn & pet & greet & Scauld that we may keep with Courage bauld the Beggars Bennison amang us Gie sons & husbands litle rest Brag how their fathers drew their whingers an if they thole to be opprest ye’ll look upon them at the best nae Better than Italian singers

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FIN ***

Spoke to Æolus one Night blowing hard on the House of M—f—d. Why on this Bow’r, bluff Cheeked God, Sacred to Phebus, and th’ Abode Of B—t, his much dauted Son, Say, wherefore makes thou all this Din, In Dead of Night? Heh! like a Kow! 5 To fuff at Winnocks and cry Wow! I have it now! Juno has seen The fair B—tas tred the Green, And them for Bairns of Venus’ guest, Sae sends thee to disturb their Rest. 10 Pray wauk your Body, if you please, Gae gowl and tooly on the Seas; Thou wants the pith to do them Harm; Within we’re safe and snug and warm, Kindly refresh’d with healthfu’ Sleep, 15 57

Poems While to my Kod my Pow I keep, Canty and cosiely I ly, And baith thy bursten Cheeks defy *** O Trusty men of Totness Toun Stoup’s of your Countrey & the Croun be neer in doughty deeds dung Doun: and far as Reeches, the blast of fame, be your Renown for making Speeches

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Lord but your Last ane was wel pend That Devon Heroes did Comend and mony men their lungs now lend to that address 10 Sure what ye say nae man can mend or Rhimes make less The jacks may now have litle Hope and all their dreaming fancys drop ye’ve gien them kicks upon the dowp 15 now their Pretender Bred at the Elbuck of the Pope May Claim surender for set he foot on British sands with Beeds and Ava Mary Bands 20 while the Heroick Totens Stands and men theirin He will find wark for all his Hands and a payd skin get but your Wills ye’ll surely make 25 Herod & Pontius Pilate power full Empires Quake when Mother Kirk is at the stake or Trade’s a strugling or ought that dares attempt to break your Gainfull Smugling 30 That happy way of yours by whi[c]h Ye get the start of growning Rich so that ye need nor spur nor switch (when swords & axes And Guns ding sogers in a ditch) 35 to pay your Taxes Now after this Prelude of praises 58

O Trusty men of Totness Toun which all to generous hearing raises we do beseek that in like phrases you woud once more 40 pen ane Adress for in all Places we sell a store Not Colins gainst the Prophecy nor Whiston ’gainst the Trinity Nor Sachevrell ’gainst Liberty 45 eer better sold each Sentance of your Oratry is worthy Gold from ag’d who wear the gravest look to children in their spelling book 50 from stars to him leans on his crook all do Confess none coud a dish more merry cook than your Adress we, Totnes, each your Humble Slave 55 not only ask but Nations Crave annother speech so wise and brave so said or sung the french and dutch already have it in their Tongue 60 By us its gratefully confest your writings make us drink the Best and tho our farthing rarely last Lang in our purse yet I subscribe for All the Rest 65 your servant, Birss *** Last Lamentation of ane Herostratian before he Hangd himself in a fit of Horrour and Remorse for demolishing a Pice of Curious Antiquity to mend his Park Wall, in which Barberous action makeing use of Gun Powder he was blown blind My Souls agast! — my Spirits Sink! — I Quake — I faint — I Starit — & Shrink! Wilst I view from the Infernal brink, my dreadfull Doom! I hate to live yet dare not think 5 of woes to come To Late I wish amidst my Pains that I had never known these Plains 59

Poems where Stood the Beautyfull Remains of Antient Time 10 which I’ve destroyd! — vile are the stains Attend my crime Thousands of wasting years had spar’d those monuments wise men regard and Proven Truths their search reward 15 Whilst I a clown for little uses lately dare’d to Blow them down Now dire remorse for crimes so black keeps my torn Soul upon the Rack a Burthen which no Humane Back on Earth can bear Then I the final scene must act and disappear

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Yet dark futurity I dread 25 where manes of the Mighty Dead will look with Scorn and shake the Head at wretched me. While my Poor Ghost hears Minos read his Stern Decree 30 Take warning from my desp’rate case ye foes to Learning Sence & Grace Earth-worms & every Sot whose face Proclaims the fool and ne’er like me become thus base- -ly Sattan’s Fool

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Each way I turn Peace flyes my mind all’s gloom within, without I’m blind and with despairing Terrour find my self a wight 40 unfitt to mix the Humane kind and live in Light Oh! Antiquarians hear my moan coud Streams of Tears for guilt atone I’d weep like Niob turn’d to Stone vain thought; alace! Can you forgive! — I must dispone of so much Grace while Sal’sbury’s old Colums stand while Hartford and his Learned Band shall spread their fame o’er many a Land 60

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Last Lamentation of ane Herostratian for antique skill the Brutal action of my Hand will vex them still for which they’ll justly curs my dust 55 and Poets of Iambick Gust will make my mem’ry Stink and Rust in Satyr keen Since what I’ve done might give a Bust of Bras the Spleen 60 Now Life grows irksome without Hope all Comfort’s gone & I must grope about if I can find a Rope I’ll once prove civel whan to oblige the world I drop 65 Thus to the Devil *** The Poet’s Thanks to the Archers, on being admitted into their Royal Company. THE restless Mind of Man ne’er tyres, To please his favourite Desires, He chiefly that to Fame aspires, With Soul enlarg’d grasps with Delight At every Favour, which conspires 5 To place him in a proper Light. Such as the Followers of the Nine, Who aim at Glory for Reward; Whose flowing Fancies brighter shine, When from the Best they meet Regard. 10 I not the least now of that Train, Who frae the Royal Archers gain Applause, while lovely Ladies deign To take me too beneath their Care: Then tho’ I boast, I am not vain, Thus guarded by the Brave and Fair. For which kind Fate to me this Day, First to the Powers supreme I bow; And next, my Gratitude I pay, Brave Sons of Caledon, to you. ALLAN RAMSAY.

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Poems The ARCHERS March. I. SOUND, sound the Musick, sound it, Let Hills and Dales rebound it, Let Hills and Dales rebound it, In Praise of Archery. It’s Origin Divine is, 5 The Practice brave and fine is, Which gen’rously inclines us To guard our Liberty. II. Art by the Gods imployed, By which Heroes enjoyed, 10 By which Heroes enjoyed, The Wreaths of Victory. The Deity of Parnassus, The God of soft Caresses, Diana and her Lasses 15 Delight in Archery. III. See, see yon Bow extended! ’Tis Jove himself that bends it, ’Tis Jove himself that bends it, O’er Clouds on high it glows. 20 All Nations, Turks and Parthians, The Tartars and the Scythians, The Arabs, Moors and Indians, With Bravery draw their Bows. IV. Our own true Records tell us, 25 That none cou’d e’er excell us, That none cou’d e’er excell us, In martial Archery. With Shafts our Sires engaging, Oppos’d the Romans Raging, 30 Defeat the fierce Norwegian, And spread few Danes to flee. V. Witness the Largs and Loncartie, Dunkeld and Aberlemno, Dunkeld and Aberlemno, 35 Rosline and Bannockburn. The Chiviots, — all the Border, Where Bowmen in brave Order, Told Enemies, if furder They mov’d, they’d ne’er return. 40 62

The Archers March VI. Sound, sound the Musick, sound it, Let Hills and Dales rebound it, Let Hills and Dales rebound it, In Praise of Archery. Us’d as a Game it pleases, 45 The Mind to Joy it raises, And throws off all Diseases Of lazy Luxury. VII. Now, now our Care beguiling, When all the Year looks smiling, 50 When all the Year looks smiling With healthful Harmony. The Sun in Glory glowing, With Morning Dew bestowing Sweet Fragrance, Life and Growing 55 To Flowers and every Tree. VIII. ’Tis now the Archers royal, An hearty Band and loyal, An hearty Band and loyal, That in just Thoughts agree, 60 Appear in ancient Bravery, Despising all base Knavery, Which tends to bring in Slavery Souls worthy to live free. IX. Sound, sound the Musick, sound it Fill up the Glass and round wi’t, 65 Fill up the Glass and round wi’t, Health and Prosperity To our Great CHIEF and Officers, To our President and Counsellors; To all who, like their brave Forbears, 70 Delight in Archery. *** To my unknown Corospondent in Irland Frae Thee unkend a second Time I oun t’ye I have Honourd been wher Praises and reproof in rhime you have bestowd baith kind & keen 63

Poems A Thankless Chiel is wordy blame but sindle seen to affront our gang and had your Letters tald your Name I wadna awin my Debt sae Lang

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Besides alowance maun be given to poets of the truest kind 10 who can nought till indulgent Heaven with Inspiration Warm their Mind your Roundells row awa sae right and what ye think sae smooth ye tell that speak ye as far up the Height 15 as Wanton Willy or my Sell Now that’s a compliment indeed for faith I’m unko sweer to roose ilk poor pretending Loger head that hob’ling Happer-Gaws a muse

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Ye may appear when eer ye please for be the swatch that ye hae gien I can observe that native bleez that makes the Poets saul sae sheen for me thank God I hae sung Gaily and goten be’t Baith fame & dollars taking the start by arts right wylie of some mair wise and better Scholars To be oer wise oer Learnd oer Grave neer Claimd my wishing fond desire I Like to ramble Laugh & rave and Glent with flaughts of Native fire without Restraint I take my flight neer minding what sour carpers say while’s dull enough whiles unko bright I let a friend gang with a fae when Auld and cushlock I design to weed my warks that Rankly grow Till then I’ll not ae fancy tine that wamles warmly in my Pow As yet I’m canty & alive Fast rearing up annither colum as Bony as I can contrive by vulgar call’d a second volum 64

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To my unknown Corospondent in Irland to be in Quarto at a Guinie for first rate Patrons of renown that has and can turn with their Cunzie the same in Octave for a Crown Farwell my friend and lang be Happy but mind, O mind! ye’re Made of Clay whilk if ye keepna blythly sappy ye’ll gyssen geg & mool decay

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Then Drink doun spleen & ilka care yet still within the tether Length of Reason, that ye may play fair 55 baith with your cunzie & your strenth My service to all friends Hibernian Whose tunefu-sauls superiour shine aboon the Crowd whose dark discerning Relish no sweetness in the nine

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Farwell again and I pray kiss for me ilk bony Lass ye hear with Heavnly Smile repete my Lay Lilt oer my sang & kindly speer for Sir your & Their 65 Agust 30 1726 *** The Druken dull swagering Rake hell May wallow in stews Like a Hog Let him grumph till his poky Bones ake all I’d healfuly kiss Molloy Mog No sooner I saw the sweet Creature Than the conquering Archer slee Rogue Shot my heart throw & throw from each feature So sweet, of my Dear Molly Mog Court Ladys may coxcombs decoy With ev’ry fine fashion in vogue for me I had rather enjoy Stark naked my dear Moly Mog The alcove & Coach are bewitching and aft to the ugly a Scogue to me a Low Celler & Kitching 65

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Tho Turkish sareglios ye Go see and seach ev’ry Jew’s synagogue and antichrists Nunreys ye’ll no see Ane fairer than my Moly Mog. *** FABLE of the Lost Calf. A carefu’ Cowherd anes had lost A Calf, that him much Seeking cost, His Labour vain, he near Despair, No Means untry’d save that of Prayer, The last Shift; when nought els will do, 5 Then to the Gods at length we bow: Thus did our Herdsman, fill’d with Grief, Petition Jove to shew’m the Thief That with his Calf had run away, And he would on his Altar lay 10 A Kid, the fattest of the Plain, Should for his Godship’s Use be slain. His Prayer reach’d the High Abode. We hear thee (smiling) cry’d the God, Have thy Desire. — Straight in the Place 15 A Lion star’d him in the Face. The too rash Clown now shook with Fear, To see the awfu’ Brute so near; Then to his Prayers he runs once more, To unpray what he pray’d before: 20 “Great Jove, said he, I know my Vow, “But the unhappy Wish I rew; “Remove the Thief, an’t be thy Will, “And I shall make the Kid a Bill. Thus Mankind oft importune Heaven 25 For what would ruine them, if given. ***

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Another against Adultery Another against Adultery. A pious Parson, Flesh and Blood, Thus to his Hearers did begin: Believ’t, beloved, for your Good, Adultrey is a hainous Sin. I’d rather anes ilk Month, said he, 5 With Ten young Maidens quench my Flame, Than anes in Ten Years verilie, Be guilty with a married Dame. *** EPIGRAM. When Nell in Tears frae Troy came, Thus to her Cuckold spake the Dame: Tho Paris that young Lecher tall Enjoy’d my Body, you’ad my Saul. That I can well believe, quoth he; 5 But Faith the warst haff fell to me. Another. A well kend Cuckold made his brag, How much by Fortune he was lov’d; And said in hearing of a Wag, That under him the Warld mov’d.

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That your great Glory yields to few, In Truth, says he, cannot be quarrel’d; For a’ the Warld moves under you, And your Wife under a’ the World. Another. Lasses, like Nuts, at Bottom brown, Are ripe, and shou’d be soight; Else of themsells they will fa’ down, And syn prove good for Nought.

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*** Thus Honourd by a Muse divine Gives joy above all measure The generous Lays so daz’ling shine Words fail to paint the pleasure Now I am sure my sangs are good 5 And all of taste will Love ’em they must be dull that call them rude 67

Poems Madam since you approve ’em Spleenatick wights may rail aloud The Criticks I defy them The first-rate Poets may be proud To be thus Blest as I am

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One may his equal recomend having a left-hand view but when superiours condescend 15 To praise we’re sure it’s true Madam allow your Muse to fly Sublime will be the flight You can, and have a title by Hereditary Right 20 This Quality with all that’s Great Sweet good & wise are yours To guard my Patroness’s fate Joyn all ye upper powers *** with hou much art and turn polite can Som’rill Muse with Ease Throw off the sour and draw the sweet and every party please while Britains Mighty King’s refusd by a Bold British swain to Pass who deems himself ill usd if broke his Bounded plain The Slave whose neck admires the yoke and licks a Tyrants hand will say this should a prince provoke and racks & Ropes demand while on the other rugged side the Oliverian sour run out as far and take a pride t’affront and tred on power from Both extreams your Equal mind Both prince & subject clear in Lays perspicous and refined from flatery free & fear 68

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with hou much art and turn polite The farmer who so bold behaves you raise above Base Loads And George who scorns to reign o’er slavves you’ve clasd among the Gods *** The Miller and his Man or Self deed Self fae a Tale

That Husbands Somtimes in their Lives May be as wanton as their Wives the Sequel of this Tale proves clear to all that like to read or hear Halbert the Miller lately Sung 5 wha with a Scholar’s help & Rung had driven a Monk out of his door wha’d gart his Bessy play the whoor Some weeks therafter when the Light grew mekle Shorter than the Night 10 And corns were Ruck’d up in the yard and nought but thumping flails were heard about this time their corns to tent young Lasses to the Mills were Sent To Habys Mill came bony Jean 15 with rosie cheeks & Jet black Een Round were her haunches Jimp her waste tho but in Bodice She was lace’d the youngsters gabs She gart them watter and unko fain they wad been at her 20 yet cannylie She shun’d their dandling and kept her Jewel frae their handling Hab coost her mony a loving glower and in his Heart did wish to Stow her long in himsell he hid his Smart 25 and sigh’d frae leggens of his heart but by degrees he grew some baulder and all his kindly thoughts he tauld her while the sweet Lass point blank refuse’d him and for his impudence missuse’d him 30 bad him gae hame to his ain Gawsie, better than tempt a simple Lassie, Hab heard her as he heard her not pressing Still onward with his plot where’er he met her Late or Aire 35 he fash’d the young Thing very Sair till at the Last She tauld to Bess his Wife, the Story mair & less 69

Poems I’m unko blyth replys the wife to hear Hab has sae mekle life 40 let’s Nick him in this Merry Mood tis an ill wind blaws nane some good now my dear Bairn since ye’re sae Just with this affair my Sell to trust to cheat him wee’ll Sae club our Skill 45 that hee’ll ne’er tempt you at his mill the Day’s now short and tis not right to travell under cloud of night gae back and see your corn ground out and if my Cowsie still keep Stout 50 and for a grant be briskly bent seem by degrees to give consent Say that for anes you’ll be complyan and tell the Bed you are to ly in on hand we have sae mekle corn 55 that he & Jock mayn ground till morn Sae when he thinks we’re Sound asleep right Sleely to your couch he’ll creep where I design to take my due by kepping what he means for you 60 while in my Bed you may sleep soun and rise as leal as ye lay down Thus the good-wife & pawky Jean contrive’d to hoodwink Haby’s Een Streight to the mill the maiden went 65 and after tigging smild consent syne rounded in his Lug he might come after midle of the night in stealing quiet as ony Wreath and no to speak aboon his breath 70 then a’ the favours that he wanted Shoud to his ain desire be granted Hab heard well pleas’d the dear decoy and worried o’er the Bait with Joy he clasp’d her round the neck sae Sleek 75 and slaver’d her frae cheek t0 cheek Jumpt in to a’ that she desire’d to sic a bleez his Saul was fire’d Now here to make a lang Tale short that we may hasten to the Sport 80 imagine that the night’s far fled they’ve Sup’d and a’ gane to their Bed but happy Hab & Jock his man wha must watch in the mill till Dawn the Noon of Night a while was gane 85 and a’ was still as ony Stane the moon was wysing to the west the Birds Sat noding in their nest 70

The Miller and his Man there was nae noise but mill-trows roaring and the hard-labourd Thrashers Snoring 90 when Hab as cunning as a Theif Staw sleely to his Loving Rief hooly & fairly did he tred till he fand out the Lassie’s Bed Syne without either din or strife 95 e’en crap down quietly by his wife with dunting heart kedgie & keen Still thinking She was bony Jean Here let them kiss and clap their fill for Man & wife they’ll do nae ill 100 we’ll draw the Courtain here, ’tis best to let you fancy out the rest Soon as Wild passions get their vent Reason returns and we repent the Crime commited Sinners feel 105 conviction treding on its Heel Sae fare’d it now with glunshan Hab wha hang his Lugs & threw his gab when he began to think if Jean might, very Likely fa’ with wean 110 ’twad with the Gracie sink his Credit Soon as they came to ken wha did it Then I, thought he like ane auld fool Maun for Adultry mount the Stool and for a year stand like a centry 115 in a Sack-brat by the Kirk entry Syne warst of a’ the girning strife and curst reflections of my wife with ne’er will Stint till kindly Death may prove my friend & stap her breath 120 As thus his mind was driven with Dread a Lucky whim came in his Head could I thought he perswade our Jock wha is young & crowse as ony cock to be a gliff with Jeany kind 125 ’twad lift this burthen aff my mind sure of the profer he’ll be fain the Deels as bussy with his ain come hither Johny Lad quoth he tell me young Hash what wad ye gie 130 for a fair bout with Jeany Gream wha’s lying in our house at hame with arms arround her head uplifted as saft & white as flour well sifted inviting to the tender tooly 135 with breath like the pease bloom in July At this Jock’s Heart gade pitty pattan eeg’d on by flush of youth, & Satan 71

Poems he fidge’d & clew his heathery pow while his round cheeks began to glow 140 Master said he in words are few I have nought els but a fat Sow She Shall be yours by morning light if you’ll help me to Jean this night The Bargin’s haden said the Miller 145 She’s yours & I’ll direct ye till her there, take the Key of the fore-Door Slyde quiet & saftly throw the floor till ye come to the Side-wa’ gantrie that stands between the Ha’ & pantrie 150 there in the Bed that steeks with doors the bony young-ane sweetly Snores I leave the rest to your ain Skill to bring that Lassie to your will She’ll no be thraff if ye be tenty 155 to take the measures that are genty I gie ye leave your time to tak now swith & let me see your back Jock snoov’d away like ony thing as streight as if led with a string 160 To where the good-wife took repose after the forsaid Loving Dose the Lad himsell did canny guide and slade doun gently by her side he thought her Jean, She thought him Hab, 165 Syne very kindly Gab to Gab they past their Time till near Day breaking at the auld Trade of Basket making now having got his hearts desire Jock of the Sport began to tire 170 Startled for fear of a discovering crap cleverly frae ’neath the covering and Staw out quiet as quiet coud be without e’er saying Lord be w’ ye Th’ Ungracious brush of wooing o’er 175 Jocks waken’d Conscience ’gan to glower Striking his heart strinks to the quick with mony a grivious cuff & kick ca’d him a wicked wretch to green by sic a trick to herry Jean 180 of what is ilka maidens pride when she gangs to the Kirk a Bride But what he maist of a’ did rew was the daft tinsell of his Sow whilk now fell in his Master’s cloutch 185 and patna Sixpence in his poutch Here canty muse e’en take thy breath till the goodwife has spread the claith 72

The Miller and his Man for Breakfast and cryd Halbert hame to comfort him & warm his wame 190 with Eggs tane cawller frae the nest to be syn’d down with Scuds the best Hab tenting with a Stare right steady a swindging Breakfast making ready Speard at his Spouse, wha was to eat, 195 a’ that great Table fou’ of meat? and these ten Eggs were in the pan? indeed they’re a’ for you Good man quoth Bessy, Smirkingly & leugh, trowth ye deserve them well enough 200 for I’m right certain since yestreen ye playd a manly part with Jean as ye imagine’d while kind she transfer’d the favour oer to me sae then instead of a young Lassie 205 ye only kissd your ain auld Bessy and I’ll refer’d now to your sell if ye can ony difference tell Halbert by this heard he was dung but very wisely held his Tongue 210 while Jean and Bessy were sae curst to Laugh till they were like to burst Hab in the Joke to bare a part but had nae Laughing at his heart thinking how his ain doited pow 215 had Scrowd him in the Cuckolds Row gart him baith blate & Simple Look and claw him where he did not youk fast frae them to the Mill he ran to manage maters with his Man 220 and since he coudna better make o’t to tutor Johnie not to speak o’t O Jock, quoth he, you’re no to blame that I have wrought my sell sic shame for our Goodwife, wae-worth her for’t 225 has play’d last night a bony sport Change’d Beds with Jean as they had ploted Sae by them we are baith out witted I well deserve it, wha did tempt ye! and on the graceless Erand sent ye! 230 now nae mair o’t, but play me fair and neer let on that ye was there On hearing this Jocks visage took a mair Contented chearfou Look dear Master, ther’s my hand, said he 235 the tale shall ne’er be tald by me but mony a time I’ll bless the day that by good luck it happen’d sae 73

Poems for since the Deed I have been sad but your good news has made me glad for now you’ll oun tis very plain that since our Bargin was for Jean and not your Wife the Sow’s my ain

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*** An Epilogue spoken after acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd Life’s but a Farce, at best, and we To-day Have shewn you how the different Stations Play: Each Palace is a Stage, — each Cote the same, And Lords and Shepherds differ but in Name. In many Things — like Passions rule each Soul, And Love and Rage, and Grief and Joy, the whole: In these they tally, yet our Fables show, There’s oft vast odds betwixt the Highs and Low; For artful Guile, Ambition, Hate and Pride, Gives least Disturbance to th’ inferior Side. Monimia falls, whilst Peggy on the Plain, Enjoys her Wishes with her faithful Swain. Thus we can moralize — the End design’d, To firm our Look, and brighten up the Mind, To Please our Beauteous Audience, and improve Our Language with the Energy to move — We’ll sing the Rest — come Knight and Partner Fair. Let’s close our Entertainment with an Air.

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PATTIE sings [to the Tune of Bessie Bell] Thus let us study Night and Day to fit us for our Station, That when we’re Men, we Parts may Play are useful to our Nation; For now’s the Time, while we are Young, to fix our Views on Merit, Water its Buds, and make the Tongue and Action sute the Spirit. PEGGY. This all the Fair and Wise approve, we know it by your Smiling, And while we gain Respect and Love, our Studies are not toiling. Such Application gives Delight, and in the End proves gainful, What many a dark and lifeless Wight thinks Labour hard and Painful. 74

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An Epilogue spoken after acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd

Sir WILLIAM. Then never let us think our Time and Care, when thus imployed, Are thrown away; but deem’t a Crime when Youth’s by Sloth destroyed. ’Tis only active Souls can rise to Fame, and all that’s splendid. Still Favourites of these conquering Eyes, ’gainst whom no Heart’s defended.

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On our Ladies being dressed in Scots Manufactory, at a publick Assembly. A SONG To the Tune of, O’er the Hills and far away. Let meaner Beauties use their Art, And range both Indies for their Dress. Our Fair can captivate the Heart, In native Weeds, nor look the less. More bright unborrowed Beauties shine, 5 The artless Sweetness of each Face Sparkle with Lustres more divine, When freed of every foreign Grace. The tawny Nymph on scorching Plains, May use the Aid of Gems and Paint, 10 Deck with Brocade and Tyrian Stains Features of ruder Form and Taint. What Caledonian Ladies wear, Or from the Lint or woolen twine, Adorn’d by all their Sweets, appear 15 What e’er we can imagine fine. Apparel neat becomes the Fair, The dirty Dress may Lovers cool, But clean, our Maids need have no Care, If clade in Linnen, Silk, or Wool. T’adore Myrtilla, who can cease? Her active Charms our Praise demand, Clad in a Mantua, from the Fleece, Spun by her own delightful Hand.

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Who can behold Calista’s Eyes, 25 Her Breast, her Cheek, and snowy Arms And mind what Artists can devise, To rival more superior Charms? 75

Poems Compar’d with those, the Diamond’s dull Launs, Satins, and the Velvets fade, The Soul with her Attractions full, Can never be by these betray’d.

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SAPHIRA, all o’er native Sweets, Not the false Glare of Dress regards, Her Wit, her Character completes, 35 Her Smile her Lovers Sighs rewards, When such first Beauties lead the Way, The inferior Rank will follow soon; Then Arts no longer shall decay, But Trade encouraged be in Tune. 40 Millions of Fleeces shall be wove, And Flax that on the Valeys blooms, Shall make the naked Nations love, And bless the Labours of our Looms; We have enough, nor want from them, 45 But Trifles hardly worth our Care, Yet for these Trifles let them claim What Food and Cloath we have to spare. How happy’s Scotland in her Fair! Her amiable Daughters shall, 50 By acting thus with virtuous Care, Again the Golden Age recal: Enjoying them, Edina ne’er Shall miss a Court; but soon advance In Wealth, when thus the Lov’d appear 55 Around the Scenes, or in the Dance. Barbarity shall yield to Sense, And lazy Pride to useful Arts, When such dear Angels, in Defence Of Virtue thus engage their Hearts. Blest Guardians of our Joys and Wealth True Fountains of Delight and Love, Long bloom your Charms, fixt be your Health, Till tir’d with Earth, you mount above.

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*** we Scarce dare hope in these censorious days with all our diligence to gain Much Praise is it for Boys to act the fatal Doom of Julius Cesar and the fall of Rome Some never to be Pleasd may duly say we can expect no Pleasure from this Play whoever thinks so, to your homes retire 76

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we Scarce dare hope in these censorious days and pelt your parts on those you please to hire our Souls tho young are of a British Growth they warmly breath for Liberty & Scowth 10 […] and beter things from such who early aim to front these rising hieghts that lead to fame Let others Joly dron away their youth grope throw the gloom whilst we in quest of truth discover how Ill governd Passions cause 15 their slaves neglect Reson & virtues Laws and hurry them at Last throw all that evil To Infamy destruction and the Devil Taught by the Muse that clearly points our way we change our times & place can display 20 *** Prologue for the Gent[le] Shepherd Now Brav’ry fierce — plots –Politicks & pride we’ve with the Roman Buskin laid aside and streight intend to shew in softer strains how love and virtue look on Scotia’s Plains where Inocence unpolish’d Goodness Guards 5 and fully the low State of life rewards with easy sleep, health joy & rich Content and open truth fair friendships best Cement Tho they’re but Shepherds that we’r now to Act yet gentle Audience we’d not ha’ ye mistake 10 and think your entertainment will be rude most men — and All the Ladys think it good Our Pastoral Author thinks so to – but fears the Diction may offend some nicer Ears this we regard not therfore will proceed 15 to Act the blithsome life that shepherds lead thus we read mankind of all different stations of various Ages & of Various Nations Happy the youth, tho Son of Lord or Knight too much his Lady-Mother’s fond delight 20 Who’s weand in proper time from these imbraces that often Stupefie the manly graces were he hid from himself and have the fate of good Sir Williams son and Gentle Pate more nervous & more prudent he would spring 25 for Service of his countrey & his King Thus give us leave to pass our None-age time on wee’ll all be Pate’s and Lesley’s be our Symon

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Richy & Edi ane Eclogue



To the memory of Sr Richard Steel



Dear Richy Welcome to these Happy Scenes where Joys unbounded shall reward thy pains The Pains thou tookst to make all mankind steer aboone the Rubs of Chance and Stangs of fear R[ichy] how Glad am I O Hapy Gaist to find that Death wants power to change thy friendly mind still dear to me was Edie Love & fame and throw Eternity shall be the same Lay Josie in these shaws sae sweet & fair are we with fools to Tooly ony mair maun we again watch wakrife throw the Night and wast our days to set the wandrer right

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Edie Nae Mair O Isaac, needs thou draw thy Pen To Please the Ladys & instruct the men the Prude, Coquet the Sharper prig the Beau 15 are names that nane in a’ Elysium know nor here nae party with detracting tale Strive under thumb oer ither to prevail here Lov & Honour in full splendor shine and at annothers Bliss na shades repine 20 not sae Below wher thou with wondrows skill raind pleasure & Instruction from thy Quill whilst Hid behind thy Borrowed name & Place Thy Taciturnity and shortend face Like haf a God or prophet thou wast praisd 25 and ilka ane thy fame & value raisd but soon as eer thee, English, man came forth one party ceases to extole thy worth Then Thou Indignant publisher was named and father only to fair fundlings fam’d 30 nor did they mind how faithfully and True thou helps frae me & others didst avow. *** My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace gave London Grubs the spleen and that they might be dirt its face the[y] fell to wark bedeen

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My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace But only Tague & Rook coud do’t 5 These metled Satyr made! The first cryd C—t, his nibour Brute and that was — a’ they Said But snarling Brute and Baudy C—t maun Learn with Sence to rise eer they Reek up my Wings to pluk Laigh Scoundrels I dispise

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*** The Callan and the Pig. Deep in a narrow craiged Pig Lay mony a dainty Nut and Fig. A greedy Callan, haf a Sot, Shot his wee Nive into the Pot, And thought to bring as mony out 5 As a’ his Fangs cou’d gang about; But the strait Neck o’t wadna suffer The Hand of this young foolish Truffer, Sae struted, to return again, Which gae the Gowkie nae sma’ Pain. 10 He gowls to be sae disappointed, And drags till he has ’maist disjointed, His Shekelbane. — Anither Lad Stood by, wha some mair Judgment had, Said, Billy, dinna grip at a’, 15 And you with Ease, a Part may draw. This same Advice, to Men I’d lend, Ne’er for o’er much at anes contend, But take the cannyest Gate to Ease, And pike out Joys by Twa’s and Three’s. 20 *** The Man with the twa Wives. In antient Tales, there is a Story, Of ane had twa Wives, Whig and Tory. The Carlie’s Head, was now attir’d With Hair, in equal Mixture, lyart. His Wives (Faith an might well suffic’d) Alternately was ay ill pleas’d; They being reverse to ane another In Age and Faith, made a curs’d Pother Whilk of the twa shou’d bear the Bell, And make their Man maist like themsell. 79

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Poems Auld Meg, the Tory, took great Care, To weed out ilka Sable Hair, Plucking out all that look’d like Youth, Frae Crown of Head, to Weeks of Mouth; Saying, That baith in Head and Face 15 Antiquity was Mark of Grace. But Bess, the Whig, a Raving Rump; Took Figmaliries, and wald jump, With Sword and Pistol, by her Side, And Cock-a-stride arowing ride, 20 On the Hag-riden Sumph, and grapple Him hard and fast about the Thraple; And with her furious Fingers whirle, Frae youthfu’ Black ilk Silver Curle. Thus was he serv’d between the twa, 25 ’Till no ae Hair he had ava. MORAL. The Moral of this Fable’s easy, But I sall speak it out to please ye. ’Tis an auld Saying and a trow, Between twa Stools the Arse fa’s throw. 30 Thus Britain’s Morals are much plucked, While by two opposites instructed: Who still contending have the Trick, The strongest Truths to contradict; Tho’ Orthodox, they’ll Error make it, 35 If Party opposite has spake it. Thus are we keytch’d between the twa, Like to turn Deists, ane and a’. *** Fable of the condemn’d Ass. A Dreadful Plague, the like was sindle seen, Coost mony a Breast, Wame upwards on the Green: By thousands down to Acheron they sank, To dander Ages on the dowie Bank; Because they lay unburied on the Sward, 5 The sick Survivers cou’dna give them Eard. The Wowf and Tod, with sighing spent the Day. Their sickly Stamacks scunner’d at the Prey: Fowls droop the Wing, the Bull neglects his Love; Scarce crawl the Sheep, and weakly Horses move. 10 The bauldest Brute, that haunt Numidian Glens, Ly panting out their Lives in dreary Dens. Thick lay the dead, and thick the pain’d and weak, 80

Fable of the condemn's Ass The Prospect gart the awfu’ Lyon quake. He ca’s a Council. — Ah! my Friends, said he, ’Tis for some horrid Faut sae mony die, Sae Heaven permits. — Then let us a’ confess With open Breast, our Crimes baith mair and less, That the revengefu’ Gods may be appeas’d, When the maist guilty Wight is sacrific’d. Fa’t on the Feyest, — I shall first begin, And awn what e’er my Conscience ca’s a Sin. The Sheep and Deer I’ve worried, now alace! Crying for Vengeance, glowr me i’ the Face: Forby their Herd, poor Man! to croun my Treat, Limb after Limb, with bloody Jaws I ate: Ah! Glutton me! what murders have I done! — Now say about, confess ilk ane as soon And frank as I. — Sire, says the pawky Tod, Your tenderness bespeaks you haf a God! Worthy to be the Monarch of the Grove, Worthy your Friends, and a’ your Subjects Love. Your scruples are too nice. — What’s Harts or Sheep, An Idiot Crowd, which for your Board ye keep; And where’s the Sin, for ane to take his ain, Faith ’tis their Honour, when by you they’re slain. Neist, What’s their Herd? — A Man! our deadly Fae, Wha o’er us Beasts, pretends a fancy’d Sway, And ne’er makes Banes o’t, when ’tis in his Power, With Guns and Bows, our Nation to devour. He said. — And round the Courtiers all and each, Applauded Lawrie for his winsome Speech. The Tyger, Bair, and ev’ry powerfu’ Fur, Down to the Wilcat, and the snarling Cur Confest their Crimes; but wha durst ca’ them Crimes Except themsells. — The Ass, dull Thing! neist in his Turn confest, That being with Hunger very sair opprest, In o’er a Dike, he shot his Head ae Day, And rugg’d three Mouthfu’s aff a Ruck of Hay But speering Leave. — Said he, Some wicked Deil, Did tempt me frae the Parish Priest to steal. He said. — And all at ains, the powerfu’ Croud, With open Throats cry’d hastily and loud, This Gypsie Ass, deserves ten Deaths to die, Whase horid Guilt, brings on our Misery. A gaping Wowf, in Office, straight demands, To have him burnt, or tear him where he stands: Hanging, he said, was an o’er easy Death, He shou’d in Tortures yield his latest Breath. 81

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Poems What breaks a Bishops Yard! Ah crying Guilt! Which nought can expiate till his Blood be split. — The Lyon signs his Sentence, Hang and draw; — Sae poor lang Lugs maun pay the Kane for a’. Hence we may ken, how Power has eith the Knack, To whiten red, and gar the blew seem black; They’ll start at Winle Straes, yet never crook, When Interest bids, to lowp out o’er a Stowk.

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*** The Gods of Egypt. Langsyne in Egypt Beasts were Gods, Sae mony that the Men turn’d Beasts; Vermin and Brutes, but House or Hald, Had Offerings, Temples and their Priests. Ae Day a Rattan, white as Milk, 5 At a Cat’s Shrine was sacrific’d, And Pompous on the Altar bled: The Victim much God Badrans pleas’d. He neist Day was God Ratan’s Tour; And that he might propitious Smile, 10 A Cat is to his Temple brought, Priests singing round him a’ the while. Odes, Anthems, Hymns, in Verse and Prose, With Instruments of solemn Sound, Praying the lang tail’d Diety [sic], 15 To bless their Faulds and furrow’d Ground. O plague us not with Cats they cry’d, For this we cut ane’s Throat to Thee. — A bonny God, indeed! quoth Puss, Can ye believe sae great a Lie. 20 What am I then, that eat your God, And Yesterday to me ye bow’d; This Day I’m to that Vermin offer’d, God save us! ye’re a senseless Crowd. The close Reflection gart them glowr, 25 And shook their Thoughts haf out of Joint; But rather than be fash’d with Thought, They gart the Ax decide the Point.

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The Gods of Egypt Thus we’re Egyptians ane and a’, Our Passions Gods, that gar us swither, Which just as the Occasion serves, We sacrifice to ane anither.

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*** The Spectacles. Ae Day when Jove, the High Director, Was merry o’er a Bowl of Nectar, Resolv’d a Present to bestow, On the Inhabitants below. Momus, wha likes his Joke and Wine, 5 Was sent frae Heaven with the Propine: Fast throw the Æther-fields he whirl’d His rapid Car, and reach’d the Warld: Conveen’d Mankind, and tald them Jove Had sent a Token of his Love, 10 Considering that they were short sighted, The Faut shou’d presently be righted. Syne loos’d his Wallet frae the Pillions, And toss’d out Spectacles by Millions. There were enow, and ilk an chose, 15 His Pair and cock’d them on his Nose: And thankfully their Knees they bended To Heaven, that thus their Sight had mended. Streight Momus hameward took his Flight, Laughing fou’ loud, as well he might. 20 For ye maun ken, ’tis but o’er true, The Glasses were some Red, some Blue, Some Black, some White, some Brown, some Green, Which made the same Thing different seem. Now all was wrong, and all was right, 25 For ilk believ’d his aided Sight, And did the Joys of Truth partake, In the absurdest gross Mistake. *** The Fox turn’d Preacher. A THOUGHT. A Learned Fox grown stiff with Eild, Unable now in open Field, By Speed of Foot and clever Stends, To seize and worry Lambs and Hens; But Lowry never wants a Shift, 5 To help him out at a dead Lift. He cleath’d himsell in Reverend Dress, 83

Poems And turn’d a Preacher. — Nathing less! Held forth wi’ Birr, ’gainst Wier unjust, ’Gainst Theft and gormondizing Lust: 10 Clear was his Voice, his Tone was sweet, In Zeal and Mien he seem’d complete; Sae grave and humble was his Air, His Character shin’d wide and fair. ’Tis said the Lyon had a Mind 15 To hear him. — But Mess Fox declin’d That Honour. — Reasons on his Side, Said that might snare him into Pride. But Sheep and Powtry, Geese and Ducks, Came to his Meeting-Hole in Flocks: 20 Of being his Prey, they had nae Fear, His Text the contrary made clear. Curst be that Animal voracious, Cry’d he, sae cruel and ungracious, That chuses Flesh to be his Food, And takes Delight in waughting Blood. What? live by Murder! — horrid Deed, While we have Trees, and ilka Mead, Finely enrich’d with Herbs and Fruits, To save and please the nicest Brutes. We shou’d respect, Dearly Belov’d, What e’er by Breath of Life is mov’d. First, ’tis unjust, and Secondly, ’Tis Cruel — and a Cruelty, By which we are expos’d, — O sad! To eat perhaps our Lucky-dad: For ken, my Friend, the Saul ne’er dies, But frae the failing Body flies; Leaves it to rot, and seeks anither: This young Miss Goose may be my Mither. The bloody Wowf, seeking his Prey, His Father in a Sheep may slay; And I in worrying Lambs or Cocks, Might cloak my Gransire Doctor Fox. Ah! Heaven protect me frae sic Crimes: I’d rather die a thousand Times. Thus our Bob tail’d Pythagoras preach’d, And with loud Cant, his Lungs out-stretch’d. His Sermon sounded o’er the Dale, While thus he moraliz’d with Zeal. His Glass spun out, — He ceast, admir’d By all, who joyfully retir’d. But after a’ the lave was gane Some Geese, twa Chickens ane a Hen, 84

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The Fox turn’d Preacher Thought fit to stay a little Space, To tawk about some kittle Case. The Doctor hem’d! and in he drew them, Then quiet and decently he slew them; On whom he fed the good auld Way. These who wan aff, thrice happy they.

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*** The Bee and the Fly. Before her Hive, a paughty Bee, Observ’d a humble Midding Flie, And proudly speer’d what brought her there, And with what Front she durst repair, Amang the Regents of the Air. 5 It sets ye well, the Fly reply’d, To quarrel with sic sawcy Pride. They’re daft indeed, has ought to do, With thrawin Contentious Fowk like you. Why, Scoundrel, you, return’d the Bee, 10 What Nation is sae wise as we? Best Laws and Policy is ours, And our Repast the fragrant Flowers. No sordid nasty Trade we drive, But with Sweet Honey fill the Hive; 15 Honey maist gratefu’ to the Taste, On which the Gods themsells may feast. Out of my Sight, vile Wretch, whose Tongue Is daily slacking throw the Dung: Vile Spirits, filthily content 20 To feed on stinking Excrement. The Fly replied, in sober Way, Faith we maun live as well’s we may: Glad Poverty was ne’er a Vice, But sure, ill-natur’d Passion is. 25 Your Honey’s sweet; but then how tart, And bitter’s your malicious Heart! In making Laws you copy Heaven, But in your Conduct how uneven! To fash at ony Time a Fae, 30 Ye’ll never stick ye’r Sells to slae; And skaith your sell mair sickerly, Than e’er ye can your Enemy. At that Rate, ane had better have Less Talents, if they can behave 35 Discreet, and less their Passions slave.

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Poems The Horse’s Complaint Ah, what a wretch’d unlucky Corse Am I! — crys a poor Hireling Horse; Toil’d a’ the Day quite aff my Feet, With little Time, or ought to eat; By break of Day up frae my Bed Of Dirt, I’m rais’d to draw the Sled, Or Cart, as haps to my Wanluck, To ca’ in Coals or out the Muck; Or drest in Sadle, Howse, and Bridle, To Gallop with some Gamphrel idle, That for his Hiring Pint and Shilling, Obliges me, tho’ maist unwilling, With Whip, and Spur sunk in my Side, O’er Heights and Hows all Day to ride, While he neglects my hungry Wame, ’Till aft I fa’ and make him lame. Who curses me should ban himsell, He starv’d me, I with Faintness fell. How happy lives our Baron’s Ape, That’s good for nought, but girn and gape, Or round about the Lasses flee, And lift their Coats aboon their Knee; To frisk and jump frae Stool to Stool, Turn up his Bum, and play the Fool: Aft rives a Mutch, or steals a Spoon, And burns the Bairns’ Hose and Shoon? Yet while I’m starving in the Stable, This Villain’s cock’d upon the Table, There fed and roos’d by all around him, — By Foolish Chiels, the Pox confound them My Friend, says a dowse headed Ox, Our Knight is e’en like other Folks: For ’tis not them who labour maist Than commonly are paid the best. Then ne’er cast up what ye deserve, Since better ’tis to please than serve.

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*** The Parrat. An honest Man had tint his Wife, And, wearied of a dowsy Life, Thought a Perroquet bade maist fair, With tatling to divert his Care: For the good Woman sair he griev’d; 5 He’ad needed nane if she had liv’d! 86

The Parrat Streight to a Bird man’s Shop he hies, Who, stock’d with a’ that wing the Skies, And give Delight with Feathers fair, Or please with a Melodious Air, 10 Larks, Gowdspinks, Mavises and Linties, Baith hame bred, and frae foreign Countries; Of Parrats he had curious Choice, Carefully bred to make a Noise: The very warst had learn’d his Tale, 15 To ask a Cup of Sack or Ale: Cry Westlin Herrings, or fresh Salmons, White Sand, or Norway Nuts like Almonds. — Delighted with their various Claver, While Wealth made all his Wits to waver, 20 He cast his Look beneath the Board, Where stood ane that spake ne’er a Word: Pray, what art thou stands speechless there? — Reply’d the Bird, — I think the mair. The Buyer says, Thy Answer’s wise, 25 And thee I’ll have at any Price. — What must you have? — Five Pounds. — ’Tis thine The Money, and the Bird is mine. — Now in his Room this feather’d Sage Is hung up in a gilded Cage, 30 The Master’s Expectation’s fully, Possest to hear him tauk like Tully: But in a hale Month is past and gane, He never hears a Rhime but ane; Still in his Lugs he hears it rair, 35 The less I speak, I think the mair. Confound ye for a silly Sot, What a dull Idiot have I got! As dull my sell, on short Acquaintance To judge of ane by a single Sentence. 40 *** The Eclipse. Upon his guilded Chariot led by Hours, With radiant Glories darting throw the Air, The Sun, high sprung in his Diurnal Course, Shed down a Day serenely sweet and fair. The Earth mair beautiful and fertile grew; The flowry Fields in rich Array, Smil’d lovely on the beamy Day, Delightful for the Eye to view; Ceres, with her golden Hair, Displaying Treasure ilka where, 87

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Poems While useful Plenty made her Stalks to bow. A thousand little Suns glanc’d on the Wave; Nature appear’d to claim the Sun’s Respect, All did sae blyth and beauteously behave. — Ah! cry’d the Moon, too much for him ye deck: My aking Een cannot this Glory bear. This Sun pretends nane in the Sky Can shine but him, then where am I? Soon I the contrary shall clear: By ae bauld Strake, With him I’ll make My equal Empire in the Heaven appear.

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’Tis me that gives a Lustre to the Night; Then should not I my proper Right display, And now, even now dart down my Silver light? 25 I give enough, this Sun gives too much Day. The Project fram’d, — Pale Cynthia now to shaw Her shining Power, right daftly run Directly ’tween the Earth and Sun. Unwise Design! the Warld then saw 30 Instead of Light, the Moon Brought Darkness in at Noon, And without borrowing, had no Light at a’. Thus many empty and imprudent Men, Wha to their ain Infirmities are blind, Rax yont their Reach, and this Way let us ken A jealous, weak, and insufficient Mind.

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ANE EPISTLE to A. R. On the Poverty of the Poets.

Dear ALLAN, with your Leave, allow me, To ask you but one Question civil, Why thou’rt a Poet, pray thee, shew me, And not as poor as any Devil? I own your Verses make me gay; 5 But as right Poet still I doubt ye, For we hear tell benorth the Tay, That nothing looks like want, about ye. In Answer then, attempt Sollution, Why Poverty torments your Gang? 88

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Ane Epistle to A. R. On the Poverty of the Poets And by what Fortitude and Caution Thou guards thee from its meager Fang. Yours, &c. W. L. *** A N S W E R. Sir, That mony a thriftless Poet’s poor, Is what they very well deserve, ’Cause aft their Muse turns common Whore, And flatters Fools that let them starve. Ne’er minding Business, they ly, 5 Indulging Sloth, in Garret-Couches, And gape like Gorblins to the Sky With hungry Wames and empty Poutches. Dear Billies tak Advice for anes, If ye’d hope Honour by the Muse, 10 Rather to Masons carry Stanes Than for your Patrons Block heads chuse. For there’s in Nature’s secret Laws Of Sympath and Antipathy, Which is, and will be still the Cause Why Fools and Wits can ne’er agree. A wee Thing serves a chearfu’ Mind, That is dispos’d to be contented; But he nae Happiness can find, That is with Pride and Sloth tormented.

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Still cautious to prevent a Dun, With Caps and Horns on Bills and Bands; The Sweets of Life I quietly cun, And answer Nature’s small Demands. Lucky for me I never sang 25 Fause Praises to a worthless Wight, And still took Pleasure in the Thrang Of them wha in good Sense delight. To such I owe what gave the Rise To ought thou in my Verse esteems, And Phœbe-like in darker Skies I but reflect their brighter Beams.

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Poems To Mr. ALLAN RAMSAY, upon his publishing his second Volume of POEMS. Hail Caledonian Bard! whose rural Strains, Delight the list’ning Hills, and chear the Plains. Already polish’d by some Hand Divine, Thy purer Oar, what Furnace can refine? Careless of Censure, like the Sun shine forth, In Native Lustre, and intrinsick Worth. To Follow Nature is by Rules to write, She led the Way and taught the Stagirite: From her the Criticks Taste the Poets fire, Both drudge in vain ’till she from Heav’n inspire. By the same Guide instructed how to soar, ALLAN is now what HOMER was before. Ye chosen Youths wha dare like him aspire, And touch with bolder Hand the golden Lyre, Keep Nature still in view. On her Intent Climb by her Aid, the dang’rous steep Ascent, To lasting Fame. Perhaps a little Art Is needful to plane o’er some rugged part, But the most labour’d Elegance and Care, T’arrive at full Perfection must despair.

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Alter, blot out, and write all o’er again, Alas! some venial Sins will yet remain. Indulgence is to Human Frailty due, Ev’n POPE has Faults, and ADDISON a few, But those, like Mists that cloud the Morning Ray 25 Are lost, and vanish in the Blaze of Day. Tho’ some intruding Pimple find a Place Amid the Glories of Clarinda’s Lace, We still love on, with equal Zeal adore, Nor thing her less a Goddess than before. 30 Slight Wounds, in no disgraceful Scars shall end, Heal’d by the Balm of some good natur’d Friend. In vain shall canker’d Zoilus assail, While * SPENCE presides, and Candor holds the Scale.1 His gen’rous Breast, nor Envy sow’rs, nor Spite,2 35 Taught by his † Founder’s Motto how to write Good Manners guides his Pen. Learn’d without Pride; In dubious Points not forward to decide: If here and there uncommon Beauties rise, From Flow’r to Flow’r he roves with glad Surprize. 40 In Failings no malignant Pleasure takes, * Mr Spence, Poetry Professor in Oxford, and Fellow of New College. † William of Wicham, Founder of New College in Oxford, and of Winchester Coll. His Motto is, Manners maketh Man.

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To Mr. Allan Ramsay Nor rudely triumphs over small Mistakes, No Nauseous Praise, no biting Taunts offend, W’ expect a Censor, and we find a Friend. Poets improv’d by his correcting Care, 45 Such face their Foes with more undaunted Air, Strip’d of their ‡ Rags shall like Ulysses shine, 3 With more Heroick Port, and grace divine. No Pomp of Learning, and no Fund of Sense, Can e’er Attone for lost Benevolence. 50 May WICHAM’s Sons, who in each Art excel, And rival ancient Bards in Writing well, While from their bright Examples taught they sing, And emulate their Flights with bolder Wing, From their own Frailties learn the humbler Part, 55 Mildly to judge in Gentleness of Heart. Such Criticks (RAMSAY) jealous for our Fame, Will not with Malice insolently blame, But lur’d by Praise the haggard Muse reclaim. Retouch each Line, till all is just and neat, A whole of proper Parts, a Work almost compleat.

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So when some beauteous Dame, a Reigning Toast, The Flow’r of Forth, and proud Edina’s Boast, Stands at her Toilet in her Tartan Plaid, And all her richest Head-gear, trimly clad, 65 The curious Handmaid with observant Eye, Corrects the swelling Hoop that hangs awry, Thro’ ev’ry Plait her busy Fingers rove, And now she plys below, and then above, With pleasing Tatle, entertains the Fair, 70 Each Ribbon smooths, adjusts each rambling Hair, Till the gay Nymph in her full Lustre shine; And * HOMER’s JUNO was not half so fine. *** To William Somervile, of Warwick-shire Esq; Again, like the Return of Day, From Avon’s Banks, the chearing Lay Warms up a Muse was well nigh lost, In Depths of Snow and chilling Frost; But generous Praise the Soul inspires, More than rich Wines, and blazing Fires. Tho’ on the Grampians I were chain’d, ‡ Vid. Hom. Od. L. 24th.

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Poems And all the Winter on me rain’d. Altho’ half starv’d, my Sp’rit would spring Up to new Life to hear you sing. 10 I take even Criticism kind, That sparkles from so clear a Mind. Friends ought and may point out a Spot, But Enemies make all a Blot. Friends sip the Honey from the Flower; 15 All’s Verjuice to the Waspish Sour. With more of Nature than of Art, From stated Rules I often start, Rules never studied yet by me. My Muse is British, bold and free, 20 And loves at large to frisk and bound Unman’cled o’er Poetick Ground. I love the Garden wild and wide, Where Oaks have Plumb-Trees by their Side; Where Woodbines and the twisting Vine, 25 Clip round the Pear-Tree and the Pine; Where mixt Jonckeels and Gowans grow, And Roses midst rank Clover blow, Upon a Bank of a clear Strand, Its Wimplings led by Nature’s Hand; 30 Tho’ Docks and Bramble here and there, May sometimes cheat the Gardner’s Care, Yet this to me’s a Paradise, Compar’d with prime cut Plots and nice, Where Nature has to Art resign’d, 35 Till all looks mean, stiff, and confin’d. May still my Notes of rustick Turn, Gain more of your Respect than Scorn, I’ll hug my Fate, and tell sour Fools I’m more oblig’d to Heaven, than Schools. 40 Heaven Homer taught. — The Critick draws Only from him, and such their Laws; The native Bard first plunge the Deep, Before the Artfull dare to leap. I’ve seen my self right many a Time, 45 Copy’d in Diction, Mode and Rhime. Now, Sir, again let me express My Wishing Thoughts in fond Address, That for your Health, and Love you bear To two of my Chief * Patrons here,4 50 * Lord and Lady Somervile.

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To William Somervile You’d when the Lav’rocks rouze the Day, When Beams and Dews make blythsome May, When blooming Fragrance glads our Isle, And Hills with Purple Heather smile, Drop fancy’d Ails, with Courage stout, 55 Ward off the Spleen, the Stone and Gout. May ne’er such Foes disturb your Nights, Or elbow out your Day Delights. — Here you will meet the jovial Train, Whose Clangors eccho o’er the Plain, 60 While Hounds with Gowls both loud and clear, Well tun’d delight the Hunter’s Ear, As they on Coursers fleet as Wind, Pursue the Fox, Hart, Hare or Hind. Delightful Game, where friendly Ties 65 Are closer drawn, and Health the Prize. We long for, and we wish you here, Where Friends are kind, and Claret clear. The lovely Hope of SOM’RIL’s Race, Who smiles with a Seraphick Grace; 70 And the fair Sisters of the Boy Will have, and add much to your Joy. Give Warning to your noble Friend: Your humble Servant shall attend, A willing Sancho and your Slave, 75 With the best Humour that I have, To meet you on that River’s Shore, That Britons, now, divides no more. Allan Ramsay. *** [Is] ther a Life where the reward for Goodnes shall be fully payed where virtues that the Best regard shall in full lusture be displayd Is their a Glorious calm repose 5 wheir neither Pain or Death appears wher every Joy Transporting flows unmixt with vexing cares & fears Is ther a place wher Hermony and Love springs from the Source Divine wher souls from heavy Earth set free for ever like high Angels shine There Aikman is there he Enjoys, that goodnes which still graced his mind 93

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Poems Now, no Inferior care anoys 15 but as he wishd are all refined O Best of men! the muse neglects thy spirit for the first of art while she with melting mind reflects on worth that captivated hearts

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That Wisdom witt Each Gentle Sweet which all thy other merits crownd and make a man the most complete To such a pitch are rarely found None bade more fair to reach that height than thy dear Boy whom Heaven still Just took from the Clod in virtue bright all free from Earths defiling rust In all he thought or did or Said Since ane Hermonious Beauty ran it humane Nature dignified that such a Soul Informd a Man The Double Loss gives double Pain to all our weak & fond disire that with good reason hoped again in all the Son to view the Sire How vain the Medling Mind of Man that with his Narrow Bounded Sence atempts complaint, or dares to Scan the Maze divine of Providence

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see the great universal scene all things in fairest order Move The almighty power does naught in vain and its our duty to aprove To you kind Sir whose generous h[eart] Can sympathize in humane woe I try to sing his desert whose Death makes floods of tears to flow But cease self Love to promt our Sigh Ripennd in virtues Heavens has tane Our Aikman to his Native Sky then ’tis but Weakness to complain So Reason plead but throws of Passing makes our reason fail 94

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[Is] ther a Life where the reward and soft Emotions must prevail Well met dear Forbes let us to yonder grove Welcome Dear friend I wishd to meet the here Soft Breath the Winds a’ the lift looks clear to yon Deep Glen wher sun beams sinle shine throw Shading Birks let’s hy & there recline there freely let us give a loose to greef our mutual sighs will bring us some relief whilest we his Merits sing & soul sae eve[n] that made our Aikman Sae soon ripe for heaven F[orbes] O Clerk I like the kind proposal well for in my Breast sic tender Twangs I feel that all that pleasd me once now dull appear since we have lost the man to us so dear what worth is Life it yeilds no stayd repose when what we wish to keep we soonest Lose Clerk Take care it sets not Mortalls to repine with weak reflections the Will devine all that he breathd for her below unmixd with care that oft anoys and hinders merits flow to blow

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come my friend I wishd thee here go with me to yon shady Glen there from the world let us retire to talk about the best of men and let us give a loose to grief 80 Since our Loved Aikman is no more our mutual sighs will bring relife while we so great a loss deplore I like the kind proposall well he to my heart was ever dear wher now for him such Twangs I feell as makes all Joys in Clouds appear How worthles is the lack of life! hou soon the litle race is run! Its pleasure few its pain sa rife and shut up eer its well begun Thither our Aikmans virtuous mind shines spotles in the source of Light It must be so els all mankind 95

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Poems start at Death & doubt their claim Yet while on Canvas colours glow t’ imortalize the brave & fair Painters unborn shall praise Bestow on pices finishd by his care

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if any come but near his way the artist raptures warm shall feel 100 When a good judge shall chance to say like Aikman’[s] manner its Gentile O Pope his much, indeared friend who far excells in tunefull verse Imploy thy Lays that worth commend 105 which we take pleasure to rehearse no subject can more merit yield wher truth suport the touring Theme nor ever was a fairer field for Bard by giving to get fame

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Their fate was Beautyfull & we but vex our selves with sighs in vain Farwell dear Shades tho short your days yet shall your fame and fair Renown Last out with Time deserved praise 115 Throw ages shall your merits crown My friend wipe of that falling Tear Let smiles again Light up our Eyes if virtuously throw Life we steer weell meet them soon above the Skyes 120 *** Now Now the Glorious Dawning Daws on happy hill side haunters for Lords & Lairds prop the auld cause and vote for Covenanters Turn up the white side of your Eeen 5 on the Kirk legislator and Bless the Day that ye have seen a Marrow Moderator have seen what rarely has been known throwout a course of ages Patriots the patrons right disown and vote ’gainst patronages *** 96

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In Mimick Scenes w’atemp with action Bold In Mimick Scenes w’atemp with action Bold to represent great Incidents of old when Usurpation and Tyranick sway did on brave Calidonia’s vitalls prey Till Heaven auspicious for the righteous side 5 defeat th’ opressor in his height of Pride Then Royal Malcom rose, in all thats Bright Like the fair Sun after a stormy night and made his Influense kind to all extend his countreys father & its Bravest friend 10 This Night we hope to please whilst round we view ane audience of a tast so Just & true the Royall Band who nobly are Inspird with Sentments that their Brave fathers fired who like to think to act & Dress & move 15 Like them whose Memorys demand our Love Justly demand these wreaths shall neer decay highest Esteem and the Imortal Lay Hail to the Royall Archers who delight to Imitate these Guardians of our Right 20 may they with Grandure flurish & display spirits still Brave brightend with all thats Gay ye worthy Paterns to the Rising age while patronize the muses & the stage by your Indul[g]ence will arise Refined 25 above the Insult of the Inferiour kind which we’ll Despise whilst we Your favor find *** To Maevis Junior An, Si’quis atro dente me peliverit, inultus ut flebo puer? Thou envious thing without a name spurgaw’d with mean malicious spite Secure my Honour and my fame I scorn all trash thou canst endite nae Labour’s lov[e] refind for Pope thers nought coud puzell Priors muse Nane but a silly snarling fop this to their merits will refuse Translations, Pedant, be thy task it is beneath me to Translate but in clear Rays I lov[e] to Bask and shining patterns imitate. 97

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Poems These Spite of Thee I’ll keep in view whilst with a Native Sympathise I can up Hill their Tract pursue 15 Faster than thou Crawls after Me To Deviat from ane natural way I own its very rarely Seen hence like ane ass thou’st born to Bray and swear out Rhimes that naithing Mean

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Let Horace Sleep! — he neer coud tire touch not his ashes! — he has none he’s all oer Brightness life and fire too dazling for saw dul a drone I’ll Rowze the Prophet that forsaw Lang syn in the Augustan days that I shoud Chaunt oer Dale & Law his notes in Calidonian Lays Thus waken me: ye Bards to come but thou my Hiden Enymie be sleep & heavyness thy Doom be Burryed in obscurity

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Be cursd with spleen to gar the Gloom frae this to a futurity *** Verses by the celebrated Allan Ramsay, to his Son. On his drawing a fine Gentleman’s Picture. Young Painter, thy Attempt is fair, And may’st thou finish with a Grace, The happy Smile unmix’d with Care, That ever shines in —— Face. So far thy labour, well design’d, 5 May all thy outward Form display, But Pencils cannot paint the Mind, In this, to me, thou must give way. With glowing Colours thou canst show, Th’ embroider’d Coat and nice Tupee: 10 Draw him a first Rate blazing Beau, Easy and airy, gay and free. But I can place him in a Light, That will his higher Merits hit; Display, what makes him much more bright, 15 His Courage, Learning, and his Wit. 98

Verses by [...] Ramsay, to his Son His sprightly Humour, solid Sense, And — but here further ’tis not meet, I should his noted Worth advance, Lest I be deem’d a Parasite. Yet this little Wou’d-be’s know, Who are but Apes of so much Fire; ’Tis the Philosopher, not Beau, Who we deservedly admire. Trifle, why not? with Cloaths and Air, Sing, dance, and joke, whene’er ye please, These oft our Joy and Health repair, Acceptable, perform’d with Ease. True Art and Nature must combine, To combat human Cares so rife; And rarely Characters can shine So far, as —— in Life.

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*** MOUNT ALEXANDER’s Complaint in the Absence of, and Joy on the Honourable Mr. Robertson of Struan’s Return. While my dear Master, far frae Hame Too long a Loyal Exile stray’d, With vile and vulgar Mounts my Name Was lost, and a’ my Sweets decayed. Then was I spoil’d with the rude Crew. 5 Of Saxon, and Batavia Race, Menesia Blush! For maist by you Was wrought my Slav’ry and Disgrace. The Silvan Gods then, great and sma’ Refus’d around my Skirts to sing, 10 Left me in Pett, and warst of a’ My Argentine deny’d his Spring! They a’ cry’d out, yon wither’d Brae! And Strath arround’s not worth our Care They now can neither Sing, nor Say, 15 Since our lov’d Struan is not there. But as they glided frae my Brow, They told me to ha’d up my Heart I should again my Master view Again should meet, and never part, 20 He like the Morning Star should shine Usher to J— Our Royal Sun, Who with His Friends, would soon combine To finish what they’d well begun. While thus I stood blasted, and bare 25 99

Poems Neglected, Flowerless, Sunk in Grief, The Ranoch Heroe lown’d my Care Return’d and gave me kind Relief. Thrice welcome Chief! Of Stalwart Make Baith of the outward Form and Mind, 30 What can your dauntless Courage shake? What to your Country make unkind? By Pallas, Mars, and Phebus, bred In Learning, Harmony, and Weir, Who better speaks? Who sings mair glad? 35 Or who in Stour can stouter steer? Now He’s returnd, I lift my Head, Adorn’d with Lawrels, to the Skies! On my green Edge sweet Gowans spread, And Lillys with White Roses rise. 40 Now Guardians of the Woods and Springs, With Nymphs and Naiads round me dance, While my awin Orpheus blythly sings In Concert, as the Train advance. The Muses leave the Grecian Height 45 Where they were wont to howf langsine, Reside with me — and less Delight In Helicon, than Argentine. Me bright Apollo makes his Throne, Wing’d Pegasus upon me feeds, 50 Slavery and Rapine now are gone, And Loyalty with Truths succeeds. Ye Gods, who Justice love, look down, And as You promis’d heretofore, Would You all Scotland’s Wishes crown, 55 J— with His golden Reign restore. *** Marion He’s Dead, O Poly, Johnny’s [dead] Wha daintily coud turn his Reed To lick the Lairds or chear the mead nane drave away The sourest spleen with greater speed than Johny Gay

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Poly from Garterd Knights doun to the swain that tends his flock or plows the plain he had the art their love to gain in sic a way 10 as gives universall pain for Johny Gay 100

Marion: ‘He’s Dead, O Poly, Johnny’s [dead] Marion On simmer mornings Hob & I by Day Break in the Eastlin sky aft to the highland shiels wad hy 15 and a’ the day while we on flowry Braes did ly sang Johny Gay Poly He Taught me sangs I often sung that gae delite to auld & young 20 which shall while Britons have a tongue to sing or say be still in vogue & praises Rung – to Jony Gay Poly While Bowsie Easop too right slee 25 he with all ranks of men made free and wyld us frae our faults with Glee and Moral saws mair pithy men of sence agre than stonkard Laws 30 If honest preachers have a Right to dwell wher never was a night if tunefu Sauls rise ever Bright sure Johny Gay easd of his Eard mounts to the hight of Heavenly day

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frae Reek and ratle of the Town in velved Hood & silken Goun Thrice welcom poly to the down and our fresh air 40 [MS illegible] gruff & Broun and sigh sae sair frae dinsom Burgh & Court sae fine where ilk strive other to outshine in haughs what makes fair Poly pine and sigh sae sair what have ye tint or like to tine that gies ye care

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Maist welcome Poly to our Haugh come let’s gae sing beneath yon saugh 50 what ails ye that ye dinna Laugh as ye were wont what gaes ye greet and look sae Bauch and heart sae dunt 101

Poems has ony stown your purse or fame 55 Sulzied your finery or your name has some Wild Billy nought can tame or ever mend done that whilk gars us a’ think shame when eer tis kend 60 I’m safe & sound nor have I fear that ought against my fame appear my heart is hale My voice is clear but ah the pain I thole for ane that we shall ne’er 65 see here again alas a Kinchen I coud bear wae’s me therfore O death thou neer again can spleet a heart mair honest true & sweet I’ll neer think on him but I’ll Greet

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O death again thy ruthles sting shall neer to mools ane better bring he was a comrade for a King and Bishops might 75 and ladys fair a’ hear him sing with great delight Katie & Susie But see my Lass yon westlin Cloud is Barming with a stormy thud Less Kilt our Coat & hame oer scud 80 and cease to murn for shou’d we greet till we gae wood he’ll neer return To him & to a pictland wight we awe our thanks baith day & night 85 wha did frae dust and Rubish dight Blyth British tunes whilk ilka spruce began to slight for Sauls crunes Crunes made where priests with godles pride 90 to death & dulness mortalls ride shoud we to freedom born abide sic slavish notes that with Ha ha’s sae drantin slide throw cheeping throats 95 102

Marion: ‘He’s Dead, O Poly, Johnny’s [dead] Ane Elegy on Johny Gay The Bard whase carrols pleasd us weel whase fragrant fame shall last for ay with men of godness & of skill This won he wad nae longer stay But kickd at fortunes fickle wheel 100 and angell like he sprang away To prior Addison & Steel Heaven grant me when my years are o’er to meet with these beloved four *** To the Right Honourable Susana Countes of Eglintoun The Muse’s Salutation after the Late bad weather Preceeding this New-years Day MDCCXXXIII The Sun will a’ his haelsome rays was far to Sutheran nations gane dreary our night and scrimp our days naked and blashy was the plain nae verdent leafe wave’d on the Tree 5 nor flowers upon the meadows blew Spates flowd in Lochs upon the Lee and heights were a’ of wissned hew Nature was heavy sour & dowf Dumb were the tunefu’ shepherds Reeds 10 nor coud the Birds their Carrols sowf but droopt the wing and hid their heads The lazy south-wind thol’d the mist to hang in clouds pang’d fou of Death Then feverish Mortalls e’er they wist 15 glow’d in the Cauld & scarce could breath Even Eglintoun the favourite of Heaven and its peculiar care with Her dear Blossoms fair & sweet had in the generall grief some share 20 Blest Fair Still good as thou art great ne’er misconstruct the will of Heaven on Virtue still waits happy fate and soon all oddness is made even some wandering twangs of Humane pain 25 make full amends for their annoys when by the canny cast we gain a better gust for honest Joys Hast Zyphers blaw the welkin clear drive a’ the Stagnant damps away 30 103

Poems Phebus return with the New year and bless us with thy shining Day A good New year to Eglintoun on her and on her Lovely Care Heaven pour thy hand-waild favours doun 35 and lang a life sae precious spare Lang may saft smiles adorn her face that with the sour was neer acquaint Lang may the Beautyous native Grace adorn the virtues of a Saint, 40 Daughters of Thule that wad shine with a’ that captivates the Heart follow a patern sae divine that’s far aboon affected art Do good things in a gracefu way be never mean nor blawn with pride mingle the Solid with the gay beauty & Honour neer devide Then shall the admiring warld allow you’ve coppyd happylie & well Bright Eglintoun the Standart true in whom the conquering charms excel

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*** AIR I. What shou’d a Lassie do with an old man? Ah! shou’d wanton Fancy move you, Shou’d you prove a naughty Man; I shall think you never lov’d me, I shall hate you, — if I can. Trapolin sings, Shou’d your dearest Beauties move me, They’d but prove that I’m a Man; You’d then believe I better lov’d you: Try, — and hate me if you can. *** AIR II. Willy was a wanton Wag. Wou’d you be a Man in Fashion, And prove wealthy, safe and wise; Indulge your self in every Passion; 104

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Air II. Willy was a wanton Wag Virtue, Learning, Fame despise; Be rapacious, bold and florid: Gold alone is the great Prize That takes from Vices all that’s horrid, And makes us pass for good and wise. This clears a Reputation tarnish’d, And it never yet was found That the Gallows e’er was garnish’d With a hundred thousand Pound. This clears, &c.

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*** AIR III. The Lads of Dunse. Complying, denying, Now free, and now coy, Alluring and curing Love’s Pain with its Joy, With Frowns and with Smiles, that kindle a Fire, 5 Is a Lass that each Temper and Age must admire. Her Eye darts its Glances, Our Hearts feel the Ray; Her Power advances As ours ebbs away. 10 From Engagements so strong there’s none can retreat; For do what she will, she’s every way sweet. *** AIR IV. Almansor. A buxome young Daughter Makes many Mouths water, And the Fops all around her will spark it; They say they’re a Treasure: — But gives us no Pleasure 5 Until they are brought to fair Market. While our Cash is in Chest, We are never at rest; For Robbers are rank in this loose Age: Our Girls and our Purses 10 Are nothing but Curses Till they both are put out to good Usage. ***

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Poems AIR V. O’er Boggy. The Dog his Bit will often quit, A Battle to eschew; The Cock his Corn will leave in Barn, Another Cock in view: One Man will eat another’s Meat, 5 And no Contention’s seen; For all agree ’tis good to be, Tho’ hungry, in a whole Skin. But should each Spy, his Mistris by, One contradict his Suit, He quits all Fears, and by the Ears They fall together to’t. Such Rivals shock Men, Dogs and Cocks, And makes the Gentle froward; He who won’t fight for Mistris bright Is something worse than Coward.

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*** AIR VI. 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.

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*** AIR XII. What tho’ they call me Country Lass. Trap. Now that I’m Duke, I’ll strut right high: Come, Courtiers, flatter, fawn and lie: 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. ***

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Air XIV. My Deary, if thou die. AIR XIV. My Deary, if thou die. Pure, as the new fallen Snow appears, The spotless Virgin’s Fame, Unsully’d white her Bosom bears: As fair her Form and Fame: But when she’s soil’d, her Lustre greets 5 Th’ admiring Eye no more; She sinks to Mud, defiles the Streets, And swells the common Shore. *** AIR XVI. My Dady forbad. Trap. Such Hang-dogs of State, They swell up so great; By Pimping, by Flatt’ring and Lying, That the crafty vile Rooks, Make a Blind of their Dukes, 5 While their Favours they’re selling and buying.

But we’ll let them know We’ll not be led so, As we please we will smile or we’ll frown, Boy; We Tuscany’s Duke 10 On no Man will look With any one’s Eyes but our own, Boy. *** AIR XIX. Hap me with thy Petticoat. Flam. Love’s the young Heroe Victory, Love, pamper’d Priests, young Nuns: Do good Men joy in Clemency, And witling in their Puns:

Do Poets take Delight in Praise? The Beau in Laces clean? So lov’d I, and will all my Days, My banished Trapolin. ***

AIR XXII. Yellow-hair’d Laddie. Some charm with their Descent, and some with their Face; Some enchant with a manner, and some with a Grace; Some only wish Riches to engage them for Life; 107

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Poems Some value nothing but Wit in a Wife: But in my dear Choice all Excellencies shine, And point her out sprung from a Source that’s divine; But in, &c. Prud. Tho’ an Enemy captive I view’d your Desert, Which darted a Conquest on my yielding Heart; And now, without Blushing, I own you my Choice; A Brother consenting gives Cause to rejoice. And since my Heart vanquish’d no longer is mine, Accept on’t and cherish’t, as I will do thine. And since, &c.

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*** AIR XXXVI. Nansy’s to the Green Wood gane. Lav.

Now all’s restor’d to rights again, And Falshood is discarded; Let sounding Joy reign o’er 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.

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Trap. Since I no more a Duke can be, Adieu to all that’s stately: 10 Come, Flamie, e’en let thee and me Strive to live kind and quietly. If we enjoy Content and Love, Altho’ our Rents be scanty, Our real Joys may rise above 15 The Petts of Pride and Plenty. *** ‘Song 1t’ I have a soft spirit & do what I dow Dear Trapolin will have the guiding o’t when he talks & he smiles my hearts in a low and now ther is no longer hiding ot he hugs me & Tugs me and call me his sweet he ratles & Raves while he falls at my feet by his constant adres his love seems complet yet still I’m afraid of the abiding ot *** 108

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Song 10 – John Anderson my Jo Song 10 – John Anderson my Jo —A Statesman should imploy his art to encrease his Masters Wealth and Study to rejoyce his heart with pleasures around with health Nor shoud he pillage from the Crown 5 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 10 and ever have a stayd regard ne’er to let merit starve *** To the Memory of Alexr Strachan Sometime School Master in Pennycuik who died aged 80 years 1733 Beneath this stone old Strachan’s laid whose Looks made Belzebub affraid he quick as lightning fled before him lest with this Taz he had come o’er him In Pennycuik strict was his rule 5 where long he kept his awfull school where with these Taz & canker’d looks he gart young Scholars tent their Books when he appeard in Blood-red Gown then trembled all the Bairns in Town 10 Soon as he reachd the Stygian lake even rugged Charon ’gan to quake his wonted freight he asked not but freely put him in his Boat he had no will to run the Risque 15 of getting with the Taz a whisk thus Sanders he got Safely in without a Scart upon his skin — and soon as Cerberus saw the Carle He hid his Heads and durst not Snarl 20 nor from him usual loaf he Beggs but fled with’s Tail between his Leggs Hells monsters all before him fled and and soon he gaind the Elesian Shade Howere these things the Poets feign 25 Let Strachan’s Bones in rest remain His Scholar keen to recompence his Master’s Care & Diligence 109

Poems Erects this Tomb that so his name May flurish with a lasting fame

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*** To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry on her departure from Scotland July 15th 1734 Why from us does Clarinda Stray from us so much in Love Ah Could our wish engage her Stay She never hence would move Here like her self in noble State she’d reign oer every heart her Life attended with that fate that still rewards desert

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In that high orb in which she’s place’d with splendor ever shine 10 Her merits with Respect be grace’d next that we pay Divine Ah! why has Brittain’s Southern plains more of the chearfull sun Why more alurements that can gain from us so blest a Boon Ah Callidonia cease to boast thy green and fertile Dales thy Lofty Hills and plentyous coast but litle now avails

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Clarinda Leaves you droop your Heads yet bless the Beautyous Dame since she so long has grace’d your meads it has advanc’d your fame Hope Her return with all the shine 25 that on her Virtues tend but never foolishly repine at what we cannot mend To please your Sighing fondness Should This darling of your Mind 30 endure each storm and Tempest loud of Rains and Roaring wind These Chilling frosts and fleecy snow that bury half our years 110

To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry These winter spates that overflow when naught that’s sweet appears ’Till with the gay returning Spring these fly like morning clouds then nature all begins to sing young Smile the Dales & Woods

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Then with a fuller gust we tast each Spring and Summer’s sweet raisd higher by the cold that’s past our pleasure’s more complete O bright Clarinda may we hope with the returning year when genial rays nurse up the Crops again you will appear

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Appear upon the Pictland field With all your happy Train 50 of Smiling Sweets that ever yield delights to Scotia’s plain So may kind Heaven with Length of Days and soundest Health prolong a Life that merits every praise 55 and the best poets Song gd Allan Ramsay *** To Dr. Robinson, when at Edinburgh, July 30th, 1734. Now troth, dear Doctor, it is kind, And shaws a cowthie [aefauld] mind In you, wha live sae far away, On Brittain’s sunny side of the Brae, To dawt and clap a northren pow, 5 Owning his roundels easy row. I own I like the scawpy height, Where men maist sib to God’s delight, Yet pay my debts, and school my Weans By canny conduct of my gains: 10 And fowk think that ane unko ferly, ’Cause poets play that part sae rarely! Thanks to Queensberry and the rest, Wha gave what biggit up my nest; When Quarto volume chanc’d to get in 15 Five hundreds frae the best in Brittain, For which I’ll chant, and shaw I’m gratefull, Till canker’d Eild make singing hatefull. 111

Poems *** Sprung from the Brave Maccalinmore the generous stream enrichd her vein that gave & gives our nation store of Heroes that our right sustain Joynd with a chief of worth & might Whose heart the Royall currants move Stuart in Campbell took delight May Campbells ever Stuarts Love

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Just pious good and Generous dame whose noble spirit mounts on hy 10 Tho Earth thy Mortall fabrick claim Thy Praise & fame shall never die but fragrant young as flowers shall spring unfading as the Verdand Bays and evry gratefull heart shall sing 15 Lady Morray’s praise On forthas Banks wher late was heard Nought but the gay and chearful sound while Morrays liberal hand debard all wants and Dealt her Bliss arround Now sullen grief shades every face tears flow where smiles were usd to brood While with a great yet easy grace She grandure mixt with all thats good. Let all who blosommd in her shine To every mour[n]ful thought give way tis a Just debt none should decline A nation should the Tribute pay

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*** The weets awa the morning fair nae rumbling wind desturbs the air the Birds are singing throw [the] shaws Echoes repete the watter faws the Bees have left their waxy Bowers 5 to suck their sweetnes frae the flowers a things agrree in humour gay to make this out a pleasant day Then come my Lasie lets lean doun here distant frae the dinsome Toun 10 and help me as thou aft has done to put my Landart pipes in tune 112

The weets awa the morning fair Muse Ah Shepherd thou at last maun tire for Eild will sloken out thy fire consider on thy borrowed een 15 and fifty winters thou hast seen since now thy youthfu flames away forget to sing & learn to pray Bard Oh say na that again my Dear I yet have health & fancy clear 20 & gust the pleasures of the plain as heartyly withouten pain as when you taught me by yon spring My Gentle Shepherds Loves to sing Muse I’m blith to hear’t than ne’er be Dowf as lang’s ye can a sonnet sowf I never will my help refuse and now what subject do you chuse

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B[ard] I fain woud sing of Caroline our Lady gracious sweet & sheen 30 whase goodness keeps our Joys alive wha takes delyte to see us thrive sent doun frae heaven without a flaw a Nursing Mother to us a’ wha finds our pleasure & our pain 35 as touching as they were her ain a thousand ways she has found out to bring our happynes about amang the lave the other day her Lads & Lassies heard her say 40 That she & a her Bony Breed Shoud nae mair Busk in foraign weed but cast a coppy to the Rest by being in hamelt cleathathing dress[ed] Now spinsters with the nicest care 45 twine & sma ye’re lint and bleach it fair Let lang extended webs be seen like new fawn snaw on ilka green Shepherds be tenty of your sheep and frae their Backs a Treasure Reip 50 a Treasure that befar excells hoards howkit out of Spanzie fells ye Lads that Labour on the Loom be nae mair fleyd for purses Toom wark true & tight ye’ll never fail 55 to have a clever canny sale 113

Poems ADDRESS of Thanks from the

Society of Rakes.

We Noblemen, Barons and Burgesses of the foresaid Class, to the Reverend Philosark, Greeting. THANKS and Renown be ever thine, O daring sensible DIVINE, Who in a few learn’d Pages, Like great Columbus, now discovers A pleasing Warld to a’ young Lovers, 5 Unkend to by-past Ages. Down, down with the Repenting-Stools, That gart the Younkers look like Fools Before the Congregation; Since thou, learn’d Youth, of rising Fame, 10 Proves that there’s neither Sin nor Shame In simple FORNICATION. Now Lads laugh a’, and take your Wills, And scowp around like Tups and Bulls, Have at the bony Lasses; 15 For Conscience has nae mair to say, Our Clergy-man has clear’d the Way, And proven our Fathers Asses. Our Donard Dads, snool’d with their Wives, To girn and scart our wretched Lives 20 Till Death, bound to a fixt ane. But now as free, as Cocks and Sparrows, We lawfully may shift our Marrows, And wheel round to the next ane. Thus any mettled Man may have, 25 Between his Cradle and his Grave, By lawfu’ Fornication, Bairns mony mae, with far less Din, Thus free, and be mair usefu’ in His Day and Generation. 30 Thus we may PATRIOTISM shaw, And serve our Country ane and a’, By fruitfu’ Propagation: Thus will we bravely Man our Fleet, Thus make our Regiments a’ complete, 35 And clear frae Debts the Nation. Hence shall we never mair hear tell 114

Address of Thanks From the Society of Rakes Of Lasses leading Apes in Hell, Like them wha aften harl’d And useless Life up to Fourscore, 40 Leal Maids, and scarcely kend wherefore They were sent to the Warld. The Mimmest now, without a Blush, May speer, if any Billy sprush Has Fancy for her Beauty: 45 For since the Awband’s tane away, The bony Lass has nought to say Against a moral Duty. ADULTERY is the warst of Crimes, And calls for Vengeance of these Times, 50 As practis’d in this Nation: But that vile Sin can be no more, When Marriage is turn’d out of Door, By franker Fornication. Peace be to you in Daughters rife, Since nane needs now to be a Wife; Their Tochers winna fash ye: That universal ane of Crammond, That gaes alang with a good Gammond, Will set aff ilka Lassie. Yet some by your New Light will lose; For those wha Kirk-Affairs engross, Their Session-Books may burn all. Since Fornication’s Pipe’s put out, What will they have to crack about, Or jot into their Journal?

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Even fell K. T. that gart us ban, And eke, that setting Dog, his Man, May turn Italian Singers; Or use a teugh St. Johnston Ribbon; 70 For now the Gain they were sae glib on, Is slipt out of their Fingers. Nae mair at early Hours, and late, Shall they round Bawdy-houses wait, Like Cats for stragling Mice; 75 Departed is that Fund of Fending, When Fornicators, for offending, They gart pay ony Price. Rejoice, ye Lads of little Rent, Who loo’d the Game, but did lament, 115

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Poems Your Purses being Skranky, The Dearth of Phorny’s now away, Since lawfu’, ye have nought to pay, But welcome, and we thank ye. Poor Fornicators, now grown auld, 85 Whase Blood begins to creep but cauld, Will grumble with Reflection, To think what Fashry they gade throw, Dear DOCTOR, wanting ane like you, To give them right Direction. 90 What say ye for your sells, ye Priests, For naming kind Whoremasters Beasts, When using of their Freedom? We hope ye’ll cease to take Offence At worthy Wives, like Lucky Spence, 95 Of usefu’ Mother Needham. Look up, ye Matrons, if ye can, And bless the Reverend pious Man, Who proves that your procuring, Is now sae far frae being a Crime, 100 That Devotees, when past their Prime, May lend a Hand to Whoring. The Fair ane, frighted for her Fame, Shall, for her Kindness, bear nae Blame, Or with Kirk-censure grapple; 105 Whilk gart some aft, their leev alane, Bring to the Warld the luckless Wean, And sneg its Infant-Thrapple. For which, by rude unhallow’d Fallows, They were surrounded to the Gallows, 110 Making sad reufu’ Murgeons, “’Till their warm Pulse forgot to play: “They sang, they swang, and sank away, Sune were gi’en to the Surgeons. O Leader, see that ye be sure 115 That ’tis nae Sin to play the Whore; For some in haly Station, The contrair three, and sair abuse ye: But we’ll aft drink your Health and ruse ye, For rusing Fornication. 120 We might forsee, the canker’d Clergy Wad with vile Hetrodoxy charge ye, And cast ye out frae ’mang them: 116

Address of Thanks From the Society of Rakes But that has been the common Fate Of a’ Reformers, wha’ debate, 125 Or struggle to o’ergang them. But letna their ill-word disturb ye; ’Tis but a Blast, they canna curb ye, Or cramp your new Devotions. A Briton free thinks as he likes, 130 And, as his Fancy takes the Fykes, May preach or print his Notions. Be satisfied, your Doctrine new Will favour find with not a few, It being sae inviting. 135 And tho’ they kick ye frae their Kirk, For that sma’ Skaith ye need not irk, We’ll make ye a bra Meeting. O had we fifty vacant Kirks, By Pith, or Slight, or ony Quirks, 140 And we erected Patrons! Then shou’d you see the Patron Act Demolish a’ the Marrow Pack, And Sessions rul’d by Matrons. The fattest Stipend shou’d be thine, 145 Thou pious and maist pure Divine, Thy Right is back’d with Reason: For wha can doubt your Care of Sauls, Wha loudly for mae Bodies calls, In this degenerate Season. 150 But nine and forty Pulpits still Wou’d then remain for you to fill, Wi’ Men of mighty Gifts. Then, Students, there were Hopes for you, Wha’re of the learn’d Free-thinking Crew, 155 And now are at your Shifts. Your Essay shaws your Eloquence, Your courtly Stile and Flow of Sense; And though some say ye blunder, Ye do them sae with Scripture pelt, 160 They will be forc’d to thumb your Belt At last, and a’ knock under. Your Scheme must take; for, let me tell ye, ’Tis a good Trade that fills the Belly, The Proverb proves it plainly: 165 And to say Goodness is not good, 117

Poems Wad shaw a Mind extremely rude, To argue sae profanely. Thou well deserves high Promotion, Wha’st wrote with sic a lively Motion 170 Upon Multiplication, T’enrich a Kingdom, better far Than that curst Business of War, That ushers Desolation. Doctor, farewell, O never stint, 175 For Love’s sweet Sake to preach and print, Tho’ some with Bedlam shore ye; Do not sma’ Punishment regard, Since Virtue has its ain Reward, In Persecution glory. 180 *** EPISTLE to the Reverend Philosarchus Minister of the Kirk of Scotland, occasioned by his late Essay, proving the Lawfulness of Fornication. Te duce, si qua manent sceleris vestigia nostri, Irrita perpetua solvent formidine terras. Virg. How much, O pastor, do we owe Thy Pains and Piety, Which covers thus our numerous Crimes, And our Iniquity! What Honours wait to crown thy Brow 5 And make thy Heart right glad! Bastards unborn shall lisp thy Praise, And Foundlings call thee Dad. Thou like another Saturn brings The Golden Age again; 10 Sinners no more shall curse the Land, Where ’tis no sin to sin. O had I OVID’s wondrous Quill Such Change to represent; When every Saint shall Sinner turn, 15 And every Sinner Saint. Then shall no paultry pocky House In Closs or Cowgate be: In Turnpike Foot none shall make Love, But all shall flock to thee. 118

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Epistle to the Reverend Philosarchus Thy Pulpit-Desk, Repenting-stool, Each Gallery, Pew and Seat, Shall all promote the glorious End, And serve to prop the State. The Treasurer of the Kirk, who now 25 Behaves himself but queerish, Shall join his Man with one Accord, And pimp it for the Parish. Nor shall the Minister, good Man, His Stipend lose or Kirk, 30 Let it be his to say the Grace, And oversee the Work. When this thou seest, then thou shalt see, My Friend, what thou shalt see; Powder’d Toupees shall grace the Kirk, 35 And Lords religious be. None shall be to thy Church compell’d, They’ll come without obliging; Papists and Jews shall change their Minds, And be of our Religion. 40 Ye Bedrals eke, O hungry Wights, Your Grumbling shall give o’er; Silver and Gold your Palms shall grease, Where Copper serv’d before. O let not these, most pious Priest, 45 Alone imploy thy Care; Sinners in Crowds of highest Rank Aloud demand a Share. Find out that Brib’ry is no Sin, Statesmen will thank thee for’t: 50 Make Lying and Deceit divine, Thoul’t get a Place at Court. Find out Injustice to be just, The Judges will commend: Prove killing Men a gracious Deed, The Doctors are your Friend. Thus shall the People of this Land Be from their Terrors freed; And every one shall bless the Day That thou hast learn’d to read. 119

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Poems To the Countes of Eglintoun with the bass relief Bustos of the 12 Cesars These first Imperial twelve who blaze So bright in antient story Who did by noble conquest raise Old Rome to all her Glory Attend your ladyship in Bust 5 were they in Being now Sure Julius or the great Agust would share the world with you *** Dalkeiths Welcome to Her prince ane ode His Grace Duke of Beccleughs return to Scotland 1735 Ye winds Ly Hush within your caves auld ocean calm thy roaring waves fair sun with brighter rays arise and wheel arround unclouded skys Flora & ceres lift your painted heads 5 oer gilded plains & verdant meads Tune all your notes that spread the wing and Joyn in concert while we sing a welcome to our gracious Lord by all his subjects Hearts adord 10 Thousands who his kind Influence feell Grateful To Heaven devoutly kneel that for them such a prince was born whose crouding virtues strive t’adorn these Honours that are handed Doun 15 from Royal Blood, & old renown Thus all the good & great unite to make his character complete Propitious power who ever guards the patriot and his worth rewards 20 on our dear prince thy Blessing Shower who coppying heaven Imploys his power and all the virtues of his mind in actions noble Just & Kind witness the chearfull Smiles we trace 25 on every pleasd Depentant face who’re blest with such a happy fate upon the Godlike man to wate get up ye Nymphs & all ye swains that dwell oer his extended plains 30 from mountains where your flocks you feed 120

Dalkeiths Welcome to Her prince from every Holm & flowry mead wher millions of Black catle stray and round the chry[s]tall margins play from Ridges that the Dales adorn 35 with Richest Loads of various corn with heartsome Look, in best array ye Blythsome Lads & Lases gay soon as your healthfull labours past and phebus dips doun to the west 40 meet on the green & by the spring lead out the dance & sweetly sing your Joys for your brave Lord returnd whose absence you oftimes have mournd and let this thought still chear your Blood 45 that he delights to do you good and on your thriving neer will frown whilst he esteems you as his own beneath whose shining Influence who is your Patron & Defence 50 flourish, strangers to the pain those who drag a Tyrants chain and wish th’oppressor far away while you Implore your prince’s stay Ye Scotian chiefs who oft decline 55 in your own proper Sphere to Shine while like Satelitys you Roam who’d shine the first Rate Stars at home Coppy from our Brave Beccleught the art to gain the Love of every heart 60 by chusing on these field[s] to move that God & Nature bids you Love wher honours shall flow like a stream from honest hearts that gush esteem joynd with that humble will shall make 65 them aught you will to undertake and if its cald for at their Hand even hazard Life at your command Hear us you powers who mankind rule by your divine almighty will 70 Let Healthy Days of Lengthend date Be our great Scots propitious fate Croud all his hours with that delight to which the Patriot has a right The wish of all the best of Scots 75 from cheviot Hills to John a Groats heard by the Muse who rejoyce to Echo round the general Voice delighted with the task divine to sing the virtues that combine 80 and give the Great the fairest shine

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Poems *** frae twenty five to five & forty my muse was nowther sweer nor dorty my Pegasus wad break his Tether een at the Wagging of a Feather and throw Ideas scour like drift 5 streeking his wings up to the Lift that then my saul was in a Low that gart my Rhimes sae raffan row but Eild & Judgment ’gin to say leave aff your Sangs & learn to Pray 10 *** ALLAN RAMSAY to JOHN WARDLAW*.5 my worthy friend, I HERE conjure ye, By the respect I ever bure ye, You’ll let me ken, by your niest letter, Why ye has been sae lang my debtor. I charge ye by these royall names, 5 Frae Fergus to Furst, to Octave James, As loyalty you still exprest, To mind your friend whan he’s distrest, Distrest wi’ little trading gawin, And the dreigh income of whats awin, 10 The curst peremptor, London bills, That gif return’d, our credit kills. Then there’s the necessars of life, That crave frae ane that has a wife, House-hawding, baith in milk and meall, 15 And mutton, beef, and shanks o’ veall; Nay, now and then, aff care to syne A sneaker, or waught o’ wine; And that the getlings prove na fools, They maun be hawden att the schools. 20 All these require the ready down Frae us wha live in Borrows town, That neither hae nor barn, nor byre, Washing, nor elding for our fire; Nor sheep, nor swine, or hens, or geese, 25 Nor sarking lint, or claithing fleece, Unless that Dubbies-land be staickit By us, we e’en may strutt stark naiket And starve — While ye jock upo’ lands, * John Wardlaw was factor for the Laird of Gartshore, and was in use to pay Mr Ramsay the interest of a bond for 200l. due to him by Mr Gartshore.

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Allan Ramsay to John Wardlaw Have ilka thing laid to your hands 30 Of whatsoe’er ye stand in need, Of your ain growth and your ain breed. Frae udders of your kine and ewes Your cream, your cheese, your butter flows; Your eggs and chickens (best o’ fare) 35 Are yours, withouten ony care; The nursing hen asks nae mair pay, But only what ye fling away; Whane’er ye like ye cram your creels Wi’ trouts, and pikes, and carps, and eels; 40 Horse-laids of fruit bob on your trees, The honey’s brought you by the bees; Roots for your pott ye hae in plenty, Wi’ artichoacks, and bow-kaill dainty; For gryce and goslings, calves and lamb, 45 Ye’ve meickle mair, nor can ye cramm; Your bannocks, grow upon your strae Your barley, brings you usquebae. From what I’ve said, its eith to prove You shou’d not filthy lucre love; 50 What use for cash hae landwart lairds, Unless to play’t att dice or cards, If useless in your poutch, ’t wears less, Until it grows as smooth as glass. Now since it obvious is and plain, 55 That coin so worthless is and vain Wi’ such as you — Let me advise Ne’er let regards for it intice ye, To hawd your hands o’er hard about it, And since we canna fend without it, 60 Pray gather’t up, white, yellow, brown, And pack it in to our poor town. Now either do this same, frae hand Or keep it; and gie us the land. Before you een sett wicked Tray, 65 That barking satt upo’ the stray, Yet cou’dna mak a meall of meat o’t, But wadna let poor horsie eat o’t. Wadd ye to what I say agree, Ye soon wou’d ken what drinkers drie. 70 Thus far, Sir, I have merry been, As a sworn enemy to spleen, And hearty friends, like us, weell ken, There’s nought ill said, thats no ill ta’en. My proper view, ye’ll eithly find 75 Was mainly to put you in mind I wad be vext, were ye unkind; But never having reason gi’en, I hope you’re still what ye hae been,

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Poems As you in mony ways did show it, 80 The Friend and Patron of your Poet, A. R. *** His majesty, Heaven guide His Grace, Encourages each Year a Race Upon Leith-Sands; where, at Laigh Tide, A Million may uncrowded ride: And the Good Town, to mend the Play, 5 Maintains the Sport another Day. The sprightly Lads from far and near, In their best Airs and Looks appear, Dress’d in their easy Hunting Weeds, Well mounted on their mettled Steeds, 10 While from the Chariot, or the Green, A shining Circle charms our Een, Whose ev’ry Glance emits a Dart, Whops whizzing thro’ the stoutest Heart. Ye Men of Rowth, ne’er hain your Treasure, 15 For any thing may give Them Pleasure; And since they like to shew their Faces At Plays, Assemblies, and Horse-Races, Support these Interviews of Love, Which Men of clearest Heads approve, 20 Rather than waste your Wealth at Cards, Or blast your Health with drunken Lairds. Ah! ne’er let manly Pastime dwine, For sake of either Dice or Wine; But keep a Groom can rightly nurse 25 The shapely Racer for the Course, That, barring some unseen Mischance, The Master’s Honour may advance, While loud o’er the extended Sands The Crowd rejoice, and clap their Hands. 30 Should we endure the taunting Tales Of Hunters on Northumber’s Dales, While o’er their Tankards of brown Stout, They at our careless gentry flout —— “Come, Dick! Says Harry, mount your Gray, 35 “I’ll bett against you on my Bay: “Let’s down to Leith — we’re sure to win, “Where there’s no better Nags to run “Of two rich Plates the Gazette tells, “For which they keep no Horse themsells. 40 “Since we so cheap may gain each Cup, “We’ll e’en step down and bring them up.” Well, this had been just now our Case, Had not Sir James join’d in the Race, 124

His Majesty, Heaven guide His Grace Whose Bonny Lass of Livingston, 45 Defeat Cutlugs and Judy brown. Thanks to the KNIGHT who props our Game, O! may his Coursers ne’er prove lame, But ever ’gainst the Day design’d Be able to outfly the Wind, 50 And every Year bring him a Prize, ’Till Heaps on Heaps the Trophies rise. A. R. *** To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Session, and all our other Judges, who are careful of the Honour of the Government, and the Property of the Subject. The Address of Allan Ramsay. Humbly means and shaws, TO you, my lords, whase elevation Makes you the wardens of the nation, While you with equal justice stand, With Lawtie’s ballance in your hand; To you, whase penetrating skill 5 Can eithly redd the good frae ill, And ken them well whase fair behaviour Deserve reward and royal favour, As like you do, these stonkerd fellows Wha merit naithing but the gallows: 10 To you, with humble bow, your Bard, Whase greatest brag is your regard, Begs leave to lay his case before ye, And for an outgate to implore ye. Last year, my lords, nae farrer gane, 15 A costly wark was undertane By me, wha had not the least dread An act wad knock it on the Head: A play-house new, at vast expence, To be a large, yet bein defence, 20 In winter-nights, ’gainst wind and weet, To ward frae cauld the lasses sweet; While they with bonny smiles attended, To have their little failures mended; Where satire, striving still to free them, 25 Hads out his glass, to let them see them. Here, under rules of right decorum, By placing consequence before ’em, I kept our troop, by pith of reason, Frae bawdy, atheism, and treason; 30 And only preach’d, frae moral fable, 125

Poems The best instruction they were able; While they, by doctrine linsy woolsy, Set aff the Utile with Dulce. And shall the man, to whom this task falls, 35 Suffer amang confounded rascals; That, like vile adders, dart their stings, And fear nae god, nor honour kings? Shall I, wha for a tract of years Have sung to commons and to peers, 40 And got the general approbation Of all within the British nation, At last be twin’d of all my hopes By them who wont to be my props? Be made a loser, and engage 45 With troubles in declining age; While wights, to whom my credit stands For sums, make sour and thrawin demands? Shall London have its houses twa, And we be doom’d to’ve nane ava? 50 Is our metrop’lis, anes the place Where longsine dwelt the royal race Of Fergus, this gate dwindled down T’ a level with ilk claghan town, While thus she suffers the subversion 55 Of her maist rational diversion? When ice and snaw o’er cleads the isle, Wha now will think it worth their while, To leave their gowsty country bowers, For, the anes blythsome, Edinburgh’s towers, 60 Where there’s no glee to give delight, And ward frae spleen the longsome night? For which they’ll now have nae relief, But sonk at hame, and cleck mischief. Is there ought better than the stage, 65 To mend the follies of the age, If manag’d as it ought to be, Frae ilka vice and blaidry free? Which may be done, with perfect ease, And nought be heard that shall displease, 70 Or give the least offence or pain, If we can hae’t restor’d again. Wherefore, my lords, I humbly pray Our Lads may be allow’d to play, At least till new-house debts be paid off, 75 The cause that I’m the maist afraid of; Which laide lyes on my single back, And I maun pay it ilka plack. Now, it’s but just the legislature Shou’d either say that I’m a fauter, 80 Or thole me to employ my bigging, 126

To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden Or of the burthen ease my rigging, By ord’ring, frae the publick fund, A sum to pay for what I’m bound; Syne, for a mends for what I’ve lost, Edge me into some canny post, With the good liking of our king, And your Petitioner shall — sing. A. R.

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*** The Marrow Ballad. On Seeing a Stroling Congregation going to a field meeting May 9th 1738 To the tune of — fy let us a to the Bridal. O fy let us a’ to the meeting for there will be canting there Where some will be laughing some greeting at the preaching of Erskine & Mair then rouze ye up Robie & Willy 5 the Lasies are raiking awa in petty-coats white as the Lilly And Biggonets prind on fou braw and there will be blinkan Eyed Bessy blyth Baby & sweet lipet Megg and mony a rosie cheek’d Lassie with coats kiltet to their mid-legg. to gar them gang clever & lightly we’ll carry their hose & their shoon syne kiss them & clap them fou tightly as soon as the sermon is done. The sun will be Sunk in the west before they have finishd the wark then behind a whin Bush we can rest ther’s mekle a good done in the Dark There Tammy or Tibby may creep Slee Sandy may mool in with Kate while the other dowf Sauls are asleep we’ll handle deep matters of State

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And should we deserve the black stools 25 for geting a Gamphrell with wean Wee’ll answer we’re no Siccan fools to obey them that have the Oaths tane when the lave’s to the parish Kirk Gawn on Sundays — we’ll rest us at hame 30 127

Poems an’ runing to Hills now & than makes it nowther a Sin nor a Shame Then up with Brethren true blew wha lead us to siccan delight and can prove it altho they be few 35 that ther is nae body els wha is right. and doun with all government Laws that are made by the Bishops of Baal and the Thieves wha climb oer the Kirk waw and come not in by a right call 40 *** To Mr James Home, Writer to the Signet. Sir, These two Volumes come to prove your Poet’s Gratitude and Love to you whose taste and friendly spirit encourage the least mints of merit impartialy without regard, 5 whether in shepherd Lord, or Laird for which and many an other favour that bind me to my best behaviour I from this honest Heart of mine beg you t’ accept this small propine, 10 tho’ Scant the value yet believe it is the best that I can give and the most proper you’ll allow for me to give to such as you Then with a friendly smile admit 15 me ’mongst your Laughing friends of wit shoot yont your Milton and your Pope that chant sublime from the Hill top make me a birth wher that I may cram in with Butler Matt and Gay 20 that when the spleen or ought that’s sour atacks you in a dumbly Hour with these may Allan come before you and to your gayity restore ye if I in this can recomend 25 my muse to you I’ve gain’d my end and if you own that I can sowff a Song or Tale nor dull nor dowf at some with no small pride I’ll sneer whase nodles are not quite so clear 30 and never tent their spitefull grumble while you stand by your Servant humble, Allan Ramsay

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To Mr James Home, Writer to the Signet From my closet in Edr Agust 10th 1738 *** Epistle to Mr H: S at London Novr 1738 To me, far in the frozen north, in winter on the banks of Forth, where Boreas thuds with all his Strength, through Nights of eighteen hours of Length, ther’s hardly aught coud please me better 5 than friendly Love & your kind letter, Happy the man who needs not roam, but when he pleases, from his home, who, when the Summer fields invite and healthfull Hunting his delight, 10 can tire out a whole pack of Hounds upon his oun paternall Grounds, then soon as Winter gins to frown in Coach and Six wheel to the Toun, there ratle about, in Spangl’d Cloathing, 15 in mighty hurry doing — nothing, unless for Nation’s good, or so the Orator says — yes or No. But we, who by our cast of fate have not been tagg’d to an Estate, 20 must rouze up all our thinking Arts, to ravish fortune by our parts, now here, now there, whiles up, whiles doun, plodding for Rhino, or Renown, should put our Tallents to the Test, 25 and of our Bargins make the best, for, while gay Hopes are our Support faith all our Labour’s but a sport, and in our turn, ev’n in their faces, can laugh at Lords, & even their Graces, 30 who rust unactive, Standing Still, turn heavy, having all their will, sunk oft in spleen, of life they tire, Born to their best, they rise no higher, the Stream of Joy must still grow less 35 when no more springs make it increase, Ye want to know, ye say, what passes Amongst the Edinburgh Lads & Lasses, ’Mongst Statesmen, and Kirk moderators, ’Mongst Gamsters, Bawds, & fornicators, 40 Then be it known, in this same place 129

Poems folk seem as little crampt with grace, as the unhallowd crouds who dwell from Wapping west to the pall-mall, from Scarlet Whore, indeed, they snarl at 45 but like right well a whore in scarlet, and here, in plenty, ev’ry Lad may have them in all collours clad, from the silk Damask, doun to Tartane, that’s manufactur’d at Dunbartane, 50 a choice of goods, & mighty cheap, for one a pox or clap may reap, if with but litle pains he’ll try, for sixpence wet & sixpence dry, and, if he’s not a simple Stirk, 55 may bite the Treasurer of the Kirk, for now, none heeds that dismall Dunner, unless it be some sighing Sinner, Thus whore, & Bawd, Doctor, & pox, the Tavern, & a large white Ox, 60 are the whole sum for Lord or clown of the Diversions of our Town, since by a late Sour-snouted law which makes great Heroes stand in awe the morall Teachers of broad Truths 65 have gotten padlocks on their mouths, fierce Bajezet, and bold Macbeth, Othello, Cato, & Macheath, now dumb, and of their Buskins stript, our stage is in its blossom nipt, 70 which spreads ane universall frown to see a Theater pull’d down, which for seven years, at small expence, had pleasd, without the least offence, advance’d a great way to remove 75 that Scarcrow of all social Love, Enthousiastick vile delusion which glorys in Stift-rumpt confusion, gives sanction to Rebellious plots, and finds out grace in cutting Throats, 80 which, in the reign of James & Charles, prompted these Covenanted Quarles and heezd the Leaguers up the Ladders to swing aloft in hempen Tedders, now since the softener of this rage 85 the mannerly reforming Stage, is tane away, ’tis justly dreaded, ’twill be by Biggotry succeeded, Divisions from divisions spring, and partys spiteful dart the sting, 90 My friend be blyth, nor fash your Head 130

Epistle to Mr H. S. with nick-nack of each different Creed that various molds of the Golden Calf from stile of Rome to that of Ralf yet never from these virtues start 95 which spring up in an honest Heart quite strangers to the party Squable which mads the great & litle Rable, enjoy your Laugh, your friend, & Glass, and, with chast Love, a chosen Lass, 100 sleep sound, & never break your brains, whither the Turk, or Russian gains, Farewell, & let me be your debtor for what would over-cram a letter, till we meet fairly nose to nose 105 then balance shall be payd in prose. *** Mr Ebenezer Erskins protest Against five of his Elders for their Submission to order & Government, and Summonding them from his pulpit in Stirling to appear before the Tribunall of Jesus Christ— Versified Since ther is nothing should be done in the House of him that rules aboon but what sutes with his will — or mine who am his plenipo Divine And seeing the old Jewish nation 5 under the Antient dispensation in observation were so strict that not one nail or pin or stick were shap’d or placed withouten order in Tabernacle’s rail or Border 10 how much more then should our new rules be observ’d by us who are greater fools then hear ye Elders worst & Best me Ebenezer take protest That in my kirk there may no flaw stick 15 by a Sad sentance Ecles’astick Tryanical and high Erastin Confirm’d by magistrates unchristian who without the least marrow grace set up Roost Rullers of this place 20 and by Coroboration drumbly have broke the Kirk-house order comely by wedging in, who we may call Erastian Elders nominall in number five — ’gainst my Commanding 25 131

Poems I saw besides the Offering Standing cash for the poor colecting, who have not a title to do so On which for the exoneration of my oun Conscience & discretion 30 I in my Masters name, and mine — and each Seceding learn’d Divine also in name of the Eleven Elders wha ken the gate to Heaven ound to have been true blew proffessors 35 by their most worthy predecessors Prottest that now my Preaching here connected with their standing there may not infer homologation of consequence to congregation 40 but whate’er loss the parish poor may suffer by them at the door be charg’d to them and all the unblest Who dare to adhere or to assist on which forsaid before the world 45 I do as messenger and Herauld of my great Master, in his name summon all you that bear the blame you intrometters with the Siller Henry Christy — & Andrew Miller 50 Robert Banks and William Macbane and Hary Allan for what ye hae done all to compere before with one accord before Tribunall of the Lord to answer what you have to say 55 for your said conduct on that day as also I add summond letters to all your aiders and abettors oer all the Earth both great & small with the black Diel to drive ye all 60 to this Tolbooth where flogs & fetters may teach you to obey your Betters *** On George Whitefield The Strolling preacher Now Reverend Sr after your wandering, your Theiving whooring and your Squandring you may rejoyce, that you at last on Scotland happylie are cast where wildnes oft starts to extream and men of lungs may somthing Seem amongst old women of both sexes 132

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On George Whitefield who admire what Reason’s light perplexes tho’ mostly folk of every Rank deem you a mumping Montebank 10 yet Self-Sufficiency and noise new Nonsence and a canting voice oft pass for grace & Doctrine true amongst the giddy-headed crew. Here you succesfully erected 15 your stage and was by priests protected there acted oft, nor playd in vain the fable of your Georgian Scene and in one hour made more than all the Merry Troop in Taylors Hall 20 will clear through a whole Winter’s Session tho to the place they’re no oppression yet by confinement they’re kept tame while you may dictate and declaim and set up for the first of preachers 25 from Taverns tune to teach our Teachers drawn from the drawing of strong Liquours to censure Bishops priests & Vicars and with a Band about your Collar Set up an Apostolick Stroler 30 most liberal of your noise and motion which you pass off for deep devotion ’mongst those who to you most are learning but least of all conceive your meaning yet these quill’d Gowks the most admire ye 35 and with Cash in your Hat inspire ye even while nor complisant or Civell you terifie them with the Devill who from his pit on each Occasion you raise, and thunder loud Damnation 40 unless their souls they strive to save by giving you — all that they have Hail Englands bold St George the Second! who hast the Infernall Dragon weaken’d roar on loud Champion, neer knock under 45 till you have fell’d him flat’s a flounder But may we ask by whose permission by what Authority or Comission by what Law Custom or example or who imposd a task so ample 50 on you to act and use a diction like Apostolick Jurisdicton who but your self did e’er assume who but your self did eer presume to hack about & ape these Leaders 55 who were the first great Gospell Spreaders Paul & Peter both we knew 133

Poems but start up Whitefield who art thou Doubtles you’ll no accept a post less than that of thirteenth of th’apostles 60 of Methodists Generall Reciever which some translate a grand Deciever In common wealths where’er you haunted a Beggar Snack as ever Canted All Hail thou devilish deep Divine 65 whose Theologicall Engine has got the Start of Archimedes And all his Geometrie who as said is offered if given a proper Station he’d move the Earth & its foundation 70 the place you’ve found, & we have seen, eclipt a Tent upon the Green in which your lucky Stance you take and make th’Inferiour world to shake that some part therof with much speed 75 you have cleverly turnd Arse o’er head. O Sovran Seer who by pretended mission, with zeal officious blended which rather looks like a possession then aught of Sacred Inspiration 80 Thou’st by thy vague licentious claver thy bauling bullocking behaviour most subtily thy self intruded on the mean croud & them deluded at the loud roar of sound’s expence 85 unaided by perswasive sence yet their long Ears have been much kitled even while their simple souls you bittled that they durst think nought good or holy but what was said by Whitefield soley, 90 their Squinting Guide — to Mamon true honest as a stockjobing Jew fit qualitys for such a Jugler a practise’d Simon Magus smugler for certain George this self conceit 95 of yours that blows you up this rate must spring from an opinion vile you have of this part of the Isle We oun we have a share of fools that on Occasion may prove Tools 100 to villains who with fair pretences can cast the glamour o’er their Sences and artfully can throw in faggots to kindle up their fanatick maggots these set aside the greater part 105 are worthy and of true desert Just Temperate learned Brave & wise 134

On George Whitefield whose touring Geniouses can rise sublime to all that’s great & bright beyond the reach of thy weak sight. 110 *** An EPISTLE. Dear Oswald, could my verse as sweetly flow, As notes thou softly touchest with the bow, While all the circling fair attentive hing, On ilk vibration of thy trembling string, I’d sing how thou wouldst melt our sauls away 5 By solemn notes, or chear us wi’ the gay, In verse as lasting as thy tunes shall be, As soft as thy new polish’d Danton me. But wha can sing that feels wi’ sae great pain The lass for which Edina sighs in vain? 10 Our concert now nae mair the Ladies mind; They’ve a’ forgot the gait to Niddrey’s wynd. Nae mair the Braes of Ballandine can charm, Nae mair can Fortha’s Bank our bosoms warm, Nae mair the Northern Lass attention draw, 15 Nor Pinky-house gi’ place to Allowa. O Jamie! When may we expect again To hear from thee, the soft the melting strain, And, what’s the loveliest, think it hard to guess, Miss St—t, or thy Lass of Inverness? 20 When shall we sigh at thy soft Cypress-grove, So well adapted to the tale of love? When wilt thou teach our soft Æidian fair, To languish at a false Sicilian air; Or when some tender tune compose again, 25 And cheat the town wi’ David Rizo’s name? Alas! no more shall thy gay tunes delight, No more thy notes sadness or joy excite, No more thy solemn bass’s awful sound, Shall from the chapel’s vaulted roof rebound. 30 London, alas! which ay has been our bane, To which our very loss is certain gain, Where our daft Lords and Lairds spend a’ their rents, In following ilka fashion she invents, Which laws we like not aft on us entails, 35 And where we’re forc’d to bring our lass appeals, Still envious of the little we had left, Of Jamie Oswald last our town bereft. ’Tis hard indeed — but may you now repent The day that to that spacious town you went. 40 If they thy value know as well as we, Perhaps our vanish’d gold may flow to thee. 135

Poems If so, be wise; and when ye’re well to fend, Return again and here your siller spend. Mean while, to keep our heavy hearts aboon, 45 O publish a’ your works, and send them soon: We’ll a’ subscribe, as we did for the past, And play while bows may wag or strings can last. Farewell — perhaps, if you oblige us soon, I’ll sing again to a new fav’rite tune. 50 *** Dr Cunningham & his Lady’s wishes for a return to their Native Soil when sojourning in Wales On Pembroke plains we pensive walkd when Sighing we thought on the flowery parks and Golden Riggs of our Ain Clermiston where now with spreading verdures crownd the Plantings stoutly stand the Thickets & the fencing Hedge set there by our ain hand

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when the Cadwaldrians require of us a Pictland Sang 10 we find our pipes quite out of Tune and ilka note runs wrang how can we sing or laugh or dance Sae far frae that dear Height where Forth frae Stirling to the Bass 15 with beautys crowd the Sight where fleecy flocks & bairded Gaits frisk through the whinny bloom, The Bees delight, which fills the air with Cherishing Perfume, Tho fatness flows in fullest floods in pork, & pudding here, and pears, & peaches, are as rife as Dog-hips on the Brier,

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Yet to our taste in foraign Lands 25 these we inferiour deem to th’yellow pound, & Cawller Eggs and sweet Corsterphine Ream Corsterphine Hills when we forget wi’its healsome Air, & spaw, 30 may we to Kilda be confin’d and gang bare limb’d in snaw 136

Lines writ on seeing Boys act the Tragedy of Cato Lines writ on seeing Boys act the Tragedy of Cato in the Taylors’ Hall, March 16, 1742 Hail, Cato! lovely youth, how didst thou shine With graces borrow’d from the Roman line! Thou set the godlike father up to view, Pointing the virtues Britons should pursue. The rising Cato made our hearts to glow With generous pleasure and condoling wo. When firm he stood, how venerably great, Beneath his sufferings, and resign’d to fate! Like an old oak that glories in his height, Midst storms and tempests standing still upright. What bosom swell’d not with a scared joy, To see great Portius in the tender Boy? The true resemblance of his glorious sire, Possess’d of virtues which all men admire: His speech, his action, every thing confess’d, The hero’s soul lodged in the stripling’s breast. Marcius conspicious shone, throughout the whole, With Roman virtues and a Roman soul. How well did Syphax act the treacherous part! A Syphax in appearance, not in heart. Lucius, mid’st civil broils calm and serene; Unchang’d, though fortune pleased to change the scene; Which gives us hopes our Lucius, when of age, Will act his part in life, as on the stage. No sooner Lucia lent her friendly aid, That all resistless were her captives made; Teaching the fair to listen to desert, And banish fops and coxcombs from the heart. How Marcia charm’d, when beautifully grieved, By Lybian robes stain’d o’er with blood deceived! Her secret passion now no more conceals, Throws off restraint, and owns the flame she feels. The little Decius, too, deserves our praise, Wh’ address’d the senate with becoming grace; The just applauses of the audience won. Express’d by claps on claps from every one. Ye British youth! advance to mighty deeds, Storing your tender mind with all the seeds Of solid virtue, which will brave your fate, And, tho, depress’d, will ever make you great. ***

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Poems To The Lairds of Annandale Conjunctly & severaly A:R: not Greeting, wishes them all a good Bridle-Hand Let Lairds of Lockerby take tent how they their Paughty Shoarings vent against a Troop wha think nae mair on flieing Naigs to Scowr throw Air then Lads of Annan think to bratle 5 round Cheviot Heights for English Catle Nor think to daunt them with your huffing your witty Kicks & merry cuffing Such fundamentall reparties their Dowps will never brook with ease 10 but if they should, what then, they’ll crack they were set on behind their back As for the Auld gash Edinburgh Bard He fears not either Lord or Laird if They’ll but fairly take the field 15 and feight with weapons He can weild for when Apollo lends him Quivers he’ll bring them down as they do plivers He owns the Dons of Annandale the Walls of a Goose-pye can scale 20 tho on a Rock, Beef and Hams its founde[d] and with a Ditch of punch sorrounded yet his upon the Castle-Hill will try their valour pith & skill for being the fav’rite of Mons-Meg 25 the Patroness will Lift her Leg and shaw them a Confounding trick by farting Bullets twa foot thick besides what further may be done by thunder-bowts brought frae the Moon 30 She too is on the Poets Side and ev’ry bonny lass & Bride frae Salway firth to Caithness Wick Nor Sweeter Supports can he seek Sae Lairds even as ye like be bawlan 35 your *6Ladys will take care of Allan *** This world is freighted with wonders in Store and we were sent to it to think & explore and when the due summond shall call us away no more’s to be said but contented obey. *** * The Gods ta[ke] care of Cato

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’Tis Well that’s not Worse ’Tis Well that’s not Worse a Moral Tale The Nights were Lang the frost was snell the Snaw wreaths deep on ilka fell when Travelers Sandy Tam & pate met at ane Inn when it was late the Beds were a’ tane up but ane 5 and not ae Guest was laid alane on which these three maun do their best to pigg togither in ae nest Slee Sandy he contriv’d it sae to get the midst between the twae 10 as warmest place, he thought, ’till dawn to what-e’er side the claiths were drawn now past his first and Soundest Sleep he fand dificulty to keep himsell frae rising to the pot 15 or Setting a’ the Bed on flote he doughtna think of ganging forth lest he shou’d tine his cosie birth but rather chuse by way of Jest to Stroan upon his nighbour neist 20 who wakening with the Stovan glow that frae his neck to heels did flow Crys Damn ye Brock I’m a’ bepisht Says Sandy be advise’d to whisht ye’re right well off, sae never mind me 25 I’m shyting on the chiel behind me The Morall Thus others view in more distress than us, makes ours appear the less Edr 1745 *** Let Edr heartyly Rejoyce and waft her thanks up throu the air Since by ane universall voice Again Good […] fills the Chair wha makes it all his care 5 To Meditate the Common weal and does the Publick good prefer to what Relates unto himsell He Merits Praise who moves so just That Envys self dares not Revile upon His Candor we may trust 139

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Poems without disturbing fears of Guile on whom even jarring partys smile the Reason’s plain they kenna how detraction on his fame to wile 15 because that way their’s Naithing due That Dame who has a Husband wise and kens it too, with pleasure sits Viewing his acts with Chearfull Eyes & to his Rule with Love submits 20 Thus Edr like a wife comits Her management to them that Can Not feard for Loss or fainting fits while […] is her good man *** Decmr 20th 1746 Madam Now when the furious Tempests gowl and dampy vapours cloud the soul while hid behind the masked sky no Chearfull Rays rejoyce the eye while slush and spate o’erflows the land 5 and trembling Trees all naked stand, The featherd Minstrells droop the wing with spirits sunk they downa sing while thus the bleak and noisie storms give winter all its horrid forms 10 why, Lady Dick, when we’re involv’d in the dull scene? are ye resolv’d to keep so closs your Countrey Seat and darn your Self in in your retreat The City pastimes thus refuse 15 and turn your self to a Recluse Tho bloom of youth with every grace Shines in your air your shape & face. Come and oblige our longing sight and sing away the lengthen’d night 20 the friendly visit do not scorn and the Tea Table ring adorn which oft by party squable lours where ther’s a dearth of wit like yours. but Madam here perhaps you’ll say 25 I’ve glanc’d on what keeps you away to wit, the dull and spitefull Jars which flow from Rapin blood & wars and whirls about each giddy head as pay, or superstition lead 30 140

Now when the furious Tempests gowl to cangle, threep, & gogle sour, with all the Malice in their Power which they on every person vent if from their nonsence they disent Madam, if I have guest your plea I with your Ladyship aggree ’tis mighty just and one should take all care to shun the envenom’d snake The Haggard Look and tones unkind sute ill with the hermonious mind But there are souls all thanks to heaven of shining thoughts and actions even whose social virtues are sublime and think humanity no crime these be your choice, and you can chuse the best and all the bad refuse. Madam accept of this short flight with service to your Self & Knight from your Ladyships Most humble servt, A R To L. D

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Madam your quaint return to mine I conn’d with pleasure every line where you so easylie have hit points of philosophy and wit the arguments for your Retreat 5 are Just are generous good & great. would Titled Scoundrells (that o’er-ride plain honest men with paughty pride and Steal & reave at every hand to answer luxory’s demand) 10 turn honest, and that plan pursue so worthylie laid doun by you, Brittain would brighten, Trade would flurish and every branch of Credit nurish. But while extravagant high living 15 brings in vile shuffelling & Theiving to prop the glare of gentle fame where nought remains o’t but the name, The industrious oprest by Knaves must dwindle doun to silly slaves 20 with broken hearts to drag their Mancles Clinch’d round their Shaklebanes & Ancles yet force’d by fear to crub their Tongues for fear their Riggings thole the Rungs 141

Poems often bestow’d in large extension 25 by Knights of post & Lords of pension. When thus Accurst the Sacred Nine dare not with proper lustre shine for if their Votries sing ought snell against these ugly Spawn of Hell 30 ther’s Dungeons pillorys & fines to Eclips them & their bright designs wherefore Thalia crys bewar my Bard & venture not too far with morall satyre to refine 35 ’tis wasting pearles upon Swine retire from the ill-fated crowd and closs within true virtue shrowd thy self, from all curst party strife the canker worm of pleasing life 40 Madam with Joy I heard the voice which corosponded with your choice and am resolv’d to raise my mind like you above the Reptile kind who crawl ignobley to wait 45 at courts & Levies of the great. ’tis grander far to tend the rise of Beams that brighten up the skies when radiant Aurora pours doun joys of Man Beasts Birds & flowers 50 Madam rejoyce & may each fear be finished with this bloody year but may th’ensuing win our praise and bless us with more Halcion days and the Almighty goodnes grant 55 us all we wish & all we want MYLHS AR Edr the last day of the year 1746 *** To Dr Boswell with my Poems in 2 vol These are the flowings from my Quill, when in my youthfull Days I Scamper’d o’er the Muses Hill and panted after praise. Ambitious to appear in print 5 my Labour was delyte 142

To Dr Boswell regardless of th’ envious Squint or growling Criticks Spite. While those of the best Taste & Sence [indulg’d] my native fire, [It blee]z’d by their benevolence and heav’d my genius higher

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Dear Doctor Best of friends were they resembled much by you Whose favour were the genial Ray 15 by which to fame I grew From my first Setting out in Rhim[e] near fourty years have wheeld Like Jacobs race so long a Time through fancys wild I’ve reeld

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May powers propitious by me Stand Since this is all my claim As they possest their promisd land may I my Promisd fame. While then on blythness health attends 25 and love on Bea[uty’s young] My Chearfull Tales shall [have their friends] and Sonnets shall be Sung. A R from my Bower on the Castle Bank of Edr March 12th 1747 *** Behold the man whose tunefull tone would melt a very heart of stone when he against the Drunkard roars or Lays about him at the whoors O thou great whoor of Babel fear 5 thy farsaid downfall draweth near for Ralf the Seer Ralf hath said thou on thy Back shall soon be laid This is the man who far & near The Marrow-Moderns flock to hear 10 him prove these Brethren want a missive that take the Oaths & are submissive who blinded with the light of Reason 143

Poems find out no godlyness in Treason obeying Laws like simple sotts 15 to which black Bishops give their votes who only preach against our crimes but never touch upon the Times while such in common Doctrines juggle great Ralf converts with Rhime & Ridle 20 All hail Dunfermling’s Shining Star Thy face & verse shall travell far and make more people Laugh & Sleep than e’er thy sermons caus’d to weep. *** Faith Master Death, ’tis but a scurvy job, To pay a visit to our friend “Old Bob;” He liked good company, ’tis passing true, But truly never would have thought of you. *** An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank march 1748 To a friend in Ed.r Dear friend to Smoak and noise confine’d which Soils your Shirt, and frets your mind, and makes you rusty look, and crabbed, as if you were bepox’d, or Scabed, or had been going through a dose 5 of mercury, to save your nose, let me advise you, out of pity, to leave the chattering, Stinking city, wher pride, and shallowness, take place of plain Integrety, and grace, 10 where hidious Screams, would kill a Cat, of who buys this or who buys that, and through the Day from break of mornings the buz of Bills, Protests, and Hornings, besides the everlasting Squable 15 amongst the great and litle Rable, who tear their Lungs, & deave your Ears, with all their party hopes and fears, while rat’ling o’er their Silly Cant, learnd from the mercury, and currant, 20 about the Aid that comes from Russia, and the neut’rality of prussia, of France’s Tyranie and Slavery, 144

An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank of Holands Selfishness & knavery, of Spain, the most beloved Son 25 of the old whore of Babylon the Guardian of her whips & fagots and all her superstitious magots, of all his gambols on the Green with Hungary’s Imperial Queen, 30 Of Genoa’s resolute resistance without Napolitan assistance, of passing Var, ’Seiging Savona, and breaking fidles at cremona, of how much Blood & dirt is cost, 35 before a Town is won or lost, of Popes, Stateholders, faiths’ Deffenders, Generals, Marshals, and pretenders, of Treaties, Ministers, and Kings, and of a Thousand other Things, 40 of all which, their Conceptions Dull, Sutes with the thickness of the Scull, yet with such Stuff one must be worrie’d, that’s through the City gauntlet hurried, But Ah! ye cry the dear dear Dances 45 with Beautys brisk, who charm our fancys, for five or Six gay hours complete in circles of the Assembley Sweet, who can forsake so fair a field where all to conquering Beauty yeild. 50 No doubt while in this Am’rous fit your next plea’s Boxes, and the pit, where wit, and humours of the Age, flow entertaining from the Stage, Where, if the Drama’s right conducted, 55 one’s both diverted and instructed. Well I shall grant it bears with Reason these have their charms in proper Season, but must not be indulg’d too much, lest they the Sofften’d Soul bewitch, 60 and faculties in fetters bind that are for greater ends design’d, then, rowze ye from these dosing Dreams, come view with me the golden Beams, which, Phebus, every morning pours 65 upon the plains, adorn’d with flowers, with me oer springing verdures stray, where wimp’ling watters make their way, here from the Oak with Ivy bound you’ll hear the soft melodious sound 70 of all those choiresters on hy whose notes re-echoe through the skie, better than Concerts of your Town, 145

Poems yet do not cost you half a Crown, here black birds, Mavises, & Linnets, 75 excell your fidles, flutes, & Spinnets, next we may mount the broomy Height and with wide Landskips Chear our Sight, diverted with the bleating Tribe, and plough-men whistling o’er the Glibe, 80 Thus we, with litle Labour, gain firm Health, and all its Joyfull Train, Silent repose, the chearfull Smile, which best intruding cares beguile, And makes the Springs of Life to flow 85 through every vein with kindly glow, giving the cheek a rosie teint surpassing all the arts of paint. The Heights Surveyd, we may return Along the Margin of the Burn, 90 wher fishes will divert your Eye while jumping up to catch a fly, which taught the Angler first to wait and Hook them with the tempting Bait, next the fair Gardens we may trace 95 where art adds life to Native grace, The Walls & Espaliers Load, & line’d, with fruits of the best chosen kind, the Borders fraughted with delight, to please the smelling, & the Sight, 100 while Ecchoe entertains the Ear when raisd by Notes well tune’d, & clear, Such morning walks, the Balmy Air, Improves the gust for healthy fair, and, when the Bell for Breakfast rings, 105 at heels you’ll find Hermetick wings, to reach a Table, neatly crownd, with all that’s hearty, hale, & sound, where in the shining vessels stand Blessings of Jacob’s promisd Land, 110 of which with freedom you may Share, for ceremony comes not there Nature refresh’d, you may retire with Books that jump with your desire, if cloudy Skies keep you within, 115 you’ve Closets warm & free from Din, where in the well degested pages you may review the by past ages, or, with great Newton, take a flight, through all the rolling Orbs of Light, 120 Their order note their bulk & shine ’till fire’d with raptures all divine or, with the pen, & pincells’ aid, 146

An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank trace nature out in Light & Shade with freedom, in a bold out line, 125 like Sachi, or Salvator, shine. If Zyphers, and the radiant bleeze, invite you to the Shady Trees, some hours, in indolence, to pass extended on the velvet gras, 130 with Milton, pope, & all the Rest, who Smoothly coppy Nature best, their Lays inspire’d, peruse, and find, what brightens, and improves, the Mind, and carrys it a pitch beyond, 135 these views, of which Low minds are fond. This is the Life, all those have Sung, Most to be wish’d by Old, and Young, by the Most Brave, and the most fair, where Least Ambition, least of Care, 140 desturbs the Soull, where virteous Ease, and Temperance, never cease to please.

So Sayth, sir your humble servt Allan Ramsay of Edr in his Grand Climaterek

*** of all delights that gain regard of which the Mob of Mortalls Crack O’ thers none on Earth to be Compared to sit & shite and smoak Tabaco *** Dear friend, t’enjoy Life aright, A man should rather turn his sight on those who in their stations move below him, than on those above. to be by vain Ambition led 5 to have fifty Thieves in Livery Clad, with Cooks from froathy France all able with foolish fare to load my Table, supported by large funds of wealth, and funds more worthy peace, & health, 10 than to wheel this luxurious round of Pleasures sensuall and unsound, I had rather like the Earlyest men on herbs & Acorns make a fen, all free from buz, in health to sing 15 147

Poems while cheap I quaff the chrystall spring, and pass my circling hours with Joy which glaring pride should ne’er destroy, with neither Drabs nor Duns opprest to crowd my Dreams or break my Rest, 20 or hinder me to bless my sight with Nature in a proper light, while by the fresh & rosie Dawn I haunt the Stream or trace the Lawn. That man is foolish beyond measure 25 Whose pride enslaves his truest pleasure, and makes him Act what’s Vile & low to keep of Greatness a vain show, weak coward minds! who can’t endure the Scandal of being reckoned poor, 30 preffering vice with title’d shine, to humble virtue’s Rays Divine. Blest is the Man whose happy fate has place’d him twixt the Small and great, who Independent can make choice 35 of life, both free of Toil & noise, and can, in Leasure hours resort, to streams & moors for healthfull sport, and for delight, & manly ends, enjoys his Gardens, Books, & friends, 40 O George, you have it in your power to sweeten life each wheeling hour, while in the Virtuous list you stand and passions guide with steady hand, Indulgent Heaven has given you all 45 that’s needful on this rolling Ball, with a fair Mate, whose merits prove her well deserving of your Love, while Beauty, Sence, & Virtue claim Stations in Rolls of worthy fame, 50 Then to your Lot your wishes bound, So shall your life with Joys be Crown’d, Nor envy him whose wider fields than yours an higher Rentall yields, for ’tis Content can only claim 55 Every Estate to make the Same, Since happiness is then confin’d to the emotions of the Mind, the Odds will turn out very brief between Dumlanrig and Drumcrief. 60 ***

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The Merry Meeting on The Moor The Merry Meeting on The Moor

July 1749

Now tours the Sun with radiant glow and zyphers brush the Height and How, neigher the Steads, the Spaniels frisk, the Hunters mount with humour brisk, to range the Moor, & beat the Bent, 5 and bring down Powts, with fell intent, Three Knights advance into the field wha to nae fae a foot wad yield, tho born upon the Dragon’s wing, or arm’d with th’envenom’d Sting, 10 Attended by their trusty ’Squires, And Nymphs on palfreys and in Carrs, wha unaffraid can deserts trace, and look all dangers in the face, the Mossy Hag, the Birns, and Bogg, 15 the Tempests which the Forrests shogg, and all such draw-backs, are in vain when they’ve a mind to take the plain, unlike the Lazy city fair who downa thole the halesome air, 20 now as the chearfu’ menzie wheel Outoer the wild, to gain the Sheil, Where Sportsmen their tire’d limbs recline, and like auld Grecean Heroes dine, accross their way, by Sathan sent 25 a Serpent crawld out from the Bent, uncoild it self, and forward sprung, Hissing with venomd teeth & Tongue, Down from his Carr the Guardian Knight with Martial Ardour did alight, 30 the Nymphs from dangers to relieve, by crushing that auld fae of Eve, which he perform’d with as stout Arm a as Hercules flew that of Lerna, which he with a great Club destroyd, 35 Our Errant but a whip imployd, with which the Sneak he breathless laid Scorning to ’file his shining blade with blood impure, — and now again they mount, and scowre allong the plain, 40 Singing a conquest sae compleat, while Ecchoing Hills the Notes repeat. Far in the uncultivated waste, by good Sr John, a Bower is plac’d The Architecture, all design’d 45 of the exactest rustic kind, and sae well form’d, above and under, 149

Poems beyond the pith of Thieves to plunder, nor cormorants, wha fleece by acts, can make it pay the Window Tax, 50 There feasted we, with much delyte, nae Sauce like a keen appitite and blest be clever Calderwood — wha cookd us up the savoury food, such was the dish Rebecca dressd, 55 for which, Auld Isaac, Jacob blessd, The Tribes wha were by Moses led whose Tables were in Desarts Spred, from the red sea, to Jordans ford, never beheld a rougher Board, 60 or Crownd with mair Substantial dishes to gratifie the sharpest wishes, than we sat round, nor easyer flowd good humour, in the age of Gowd, when sullen Jar, & party strife, 65 Coost nae dark Shades on Social life, nor was there wanting as good liquour as ever ratle’d in a Biquour, which all might drink, as they incline of Ale, or watter, punch, or wine, 70 nor must the Bon-bouch be unsung which phenix like frae Ashes sprung, well pepperd with the salt of peat, the gusty moresell close’d the Treat, and chearfully ilk waggan chin 75 fill’d up All blanks that were within, while freedom prompt the Jovial Jest and finish’d out the rurall feast *** The Synode to old Sathan sends the Compliments of all his friends to inform him, by their right Divine they intend to make him a propine of Brethren who reprov’d grow stiffer 5 and in some whitty-whattys differ doing our cause sa mekle Skaith by favouring the Burgher Aith for which we Masters Gib & Brown to raise your Belzieships renown 10 have come to a full resolution for fixing our constitution by solemn excommunication to sneg such off from their Salvation and first we shall begin with Ralf 15 that bungling ballad singing calf 150

The Synode to old Sathan sends who in his rhiming fidle didles turnd the plain gospell into Ridles for which and taking Aiths to Kings and whateer clips Seceding wings. To cure all such upsprouting evils we give him up to all the Devils to lick him with their Taz to snell doun the deepest pot of Hell.

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*** Verses addresst to the Mavis Well which flows into the Gardens of Mavis Bank O fountain, favourit of fate! hou early happy is thy state soon as from Earth’s dark cells thou springs, at thy clear Head, the Mavis sings, Joyn’d with th’hermonious choirs of mirth 5 to hail & celebrate thy birth, no sooner thou beholds the light than Natures beautys glad thy sight, and Flora with her frag’rant gales all her refreshing scents retails, 10 Pomona with luxuriant Loads Presents the Nectar of the Gods, delighted with the croud of sweets which Thee to Paradice invites, with rapid rush, adoun thou pours 15 to incorporate with the fruits & flowers, their roots to lave, & drouth expell ’Midst them thy Stores collected swell, into a pond, which to the Eye reflects the glorys of the skie, 20 reflects the Nymphs of gracefull mein, who tred arround thy margin green, and with their songs artfull & sweet make Ecchoe from thy Head repete, was it oer thee, say limpid spring, 25 that the vain fop his head did hing? where, daz’led with his oun dear Charms, he fled the enamour’d virgin’s arms, Ay sure it was, for here poor voice! near Thee residing makes her choice 30 whence, from on high, she sees below her still belov’d Narcissus grow — O fountain, favourite of fate! what must thy merits can relate! hou gratefull to the Taste, hou good 35 to Staunch our drouth, & cool the blood, 151

Poems for ever may thy spring still flow and on the cheek make Health to glow. AR Mavis-Bank, June 15th

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*** To the Hon Sr Alexr Dick of Prestonfield Baronet with Mr Ramsay’s Poems in this & Second Volum ble

My Worthy friend, whose Polish’d mind Springs far aboon the common kind, Since in my Verses you can find what prompts your praise, Allow your self to be propine’d 5 With all my lays. When I was clever, blyth, & young, in braid Stile of my mother Tongue, What nature dictated I sung now as on colums, 10 them fair, for ever, I have hung up, in these Volums. O may they always have the power To tune your saull, should it grow sour, And clear up ilka gloomy hour, 15 When spleen is fashous, May they make cankerd care to cour, With smiles sagacious. May you, & your fair Part’ner, Lang enjoy life free of ilka Twang 20 To con my Tales, & sowf ilk Sang, can pleasure bring, ’till ripe in years, aloft we spang with Saints to sing. Our Sauls then freed frae Hools of clay, 25 There we may hope to Sing, & say, All that is great, divinely gay, and flights extend, O’er space imense, wher Joy & Day shall never end. 30 q[uo]d Allan Ramsay ye Author Anno Domini: 1755. Et.at suae LXX 152

An Epistle to James Clerk, Esq. of Pennycuik AN EPISTLE TO JAMES CLERK, ESQ. OF PENNYCUIK Blyth may he be wha o’er the Haugh all free of care, may sing & laugh, whase Owsen lunges o’er a plain of wide extent, that’s a’ his ain, nae humdrum fears need break his Rest 5 wha’s not with debts, and Duns opprest, wha has enough, even tho it’s litle if it can ward frae dangers kitle, that Chiels, fated to Skelp vile Dubs throw, for living are oblige’d to rub throw, 10 to fend by Troaking, Buying, Selling, the profit’s aft no worth the telling, when after, in ane honest way, we’ve gain’d, by them that timely pay, in comes a customer, looks big 15 looks generous, and scorns to prig Buys heartylie, bids mark it doun, He’ll clear before he leaves the Town, which tho’ they Say’t they ne’er intend it we’ve bitten sair but canna mend it 20 a year wheels round, we hing about, he’s sleeping — or he’s Just gane out, if catch’d, he glooms like ony Divel, swears - braid, and calls us damn’d uncivil, or aft our doited lugs abuses 25 with a’ ratrime of cant excuses, and promises they stoutly Ban towhich they have ne’er a mind to stand to, as lang’s their credit hads the fleet o’t, they hound it round to seek the meat o’t, 30 till, joyntly, we begin to gawd them, and Edinburgh grows o’er het to had them, then aft they to the country scowp, and reave us baith of cash, & hope, Syne we, the lovers of fair dealing, 35 wha deem ill payment next to stealing rin wood with care how we shall pay, our Bills against the destin’d Day, for, lame excuse, the Banker Scorns and terrifies with Caps, & Horns, 40 nae Trader Stands of Trader awe, but nolens volens gars him draw, ’Tis hard to be laigh poortith’s Slave and like a man of worth behave, wha creeps beneath a laid of Care, 45 when Intrest points, he’s gleg & gare, and will at naithing stap or stand 153

Poems that reeks him out a helping hand, But here, Dear Sr, do not mistake me, as if grace did sae far forsake me, 50 as to Aledge, that All poor fellows unblest with Wealth, deserv’d the Gallows, na God forbid, that I shoud Spell Sae vile a fortune to my Sell, unborn to not ae Inch of Ground, 55 I keep my Conscience white & sound, And tho I neer was a rich keaper, to make that up, I live the cheaper, by this ae knack, I’ve made a shift, to drive ambitious cares adrift, 60 and now in years, and sence, grown auld, in ease I like my limbs to fauld Debts I abhore, and plan to be, frae Shocheling Trade, & danger free, that I may, loosd frae care & strife 65 with calmnes view the edge of life, and when, a full ripe Age, shall crave slide easylie into my Grave, now seventy years are o’er my Head, and Thirty mae, may lay me Dead 70 Should dreary care then stunt my muse, and gar me aft her Jogg refuse, S[i]r I have Sung, and yet may sing, Sonnets that oer the Dales may ring, And in gash glee couch moral saw, 75 roose virtue, and keep vice in awe, make villany look black & blew, and give distinguish worth its due, fix its imortall fame in verse that men till doomsday shall reherse, 80 I have it even within my Power the very Kirk it self to Scower, and that, you’ll say’s a brag right bauld, but did not Lind’say this of auld Sr David’s Satyres help’d our nation 85 to carry on the Reformation, and gave the Scarlet whore a Box mair snell than all the pelts of Knox. Thus far Sr, with no mean design, to you I have pour’d out my mind, 90 and sketchd you forth the Toill & pain of them that have their bread to gain, with cares laborious, that you may in your blest Sphere be ever gay enjoying Life with all that Spirit 95 that your Good Sense, & virtues, merit, Adieu, and ma’ye as happy be 154

An Epistle to James Clerk, Esq. of Pennycuik as ever shall be wish’d by me your ever obliged humble servant Allan Ramsay Pend, may 9th 1755 *** On false Greatness Stand aff ye giddy, gawky, thrang, to what-ee’r classes ye belang frae Cottars up to Kings, if you’r of Truth & Justice Scant, and Social lore, & honour want, ye are but worthless Things. Tho to ten Thousand Acres born All wave’d 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.

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Wha can help laughing in their faces! that are maist fausly call’d their Graces, wha’re reverse of the Title, 15 heap honours upon honour’s top, it ne’er will make the matter up, if that the Saul be litle. Full blest are they wha claim their birth frae great forbears of valu’d worth 20 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 *** Spoke to a Chapin Stowp Still friend we seldom hear thy voice unless when thou art very Toom and then thou makest a Clinking Noise 155

Poems that’s hard allowd from Room to Room how opisite art thou & we 5 we litle say when Boss within but soon as tightly chargd with Thee we coud ding Gossips with our Din when eer we Please we gar the[e] spew and Laughing think it curious game but if the Jest we aft renew thoul gar us do the very same yet art thou freind to every wight wha moderatly thy aid Imploys thou makes the havy saul grow light and makes the Brighter aft rejoyce with thee a Kindred I Pretend we Baith Took rise out of a mine I strive the warld by mirth to mend as tha attemps by Bringing wine

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*** A Loyalist with Blyth design his measures strave to lay to have his Spouse bear him a Son the twenty nynt of may but sae it was he quite forgot 5 that it was a Leap year which by a day just Baukd his plot which had fawn out prequeir and quite Reverse tho neer it Rung which furnisht friends with Laughter in stead of giving Charles a Son George honourd with a Dauchter

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*** When I was a Lusty young fellow My sword it was tipit wi steel Baith Magy and my Lady They Likeit my metle fou weell But now I’m grown auld & I’m faild and donna do as I was wont The Lasses in our Toun End Crys Jony yer weapon is grown Blunt *** 156

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A Knave of trump when catch ye play A Knave of trump when catch ye play baith ace & faces dings then paughty sma cards wha but They can cut the craigs of Kings Britain was like a pack of Cards 5 When Oliver was Trump the Rif-raf cowd King Lords & Lairds and Head gave place to Rump *** a Drinker sair on his Death Bed Lying sent pressin for the Parish Preist to come & comfort him when dying and help to Ease his troubled Breast the man of God came in great haste with Pious mind & heart right wae to help his now departing Ghaist as far as words & prayers might gae a while he sat awaiting when he’d bid him Pray or give advice but miekle was the monk mistane for Colvin’s lust was some mair nice these had nae hand in his device for thus besought he the Divine Good Sr for Peity Love or Price procure me some Burgundyan wine he Kend the Priest did often dine with a good Lord that was na sweir to sloken drouth[y] sauls in pyn with Burgundy or Claret Clear

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This was his Reason hale in sending for the Right Revrend Mr Troter wha left him with some fear of mending a Saul in sic Dry Clay a Cotter but help the Levit loot him ly nane to Assist him now was found Till a Samaritan came by and Pourd french Bawm in to his wound Blyth Colvin saw the Glas gae round Just at the Closing of his Lease in Burgundy his pains was Drownd & syn he flited aff with peace 157

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Poems Babband and Tittypow A persian Tale Imitated from The Original of Yas Marnalla: Pleasant to Siuvatio Governour of the three Spicy Valeys How Lady after she grew sickly Without a test’ment drapt aff qwickly, To nae sma tinsel of stepdoughter When twa grave pows came in and hought her, I sing the Tale, to Toun & Landart, 5 And verity shall be the Standart, Nor need I the Lang-nebit diction that’s aften used to Varnish fiction — thus far as porter or swiss Sentrey preface well bred stands in the Entrey 10 Then wauk in Gentles we’r Just Showing the honest stepmother a going. Baband the dervise her Relation Bestows what’s calld for in his station of which he gies a Rantan Rug 15 Of thae things! grown amaist a drug Whyt Een, heh heys! & greetin Grunzie And sic wares as cost little Cunzie e’en while she had the use of Breath And his Right not secured by death 20 In part of payment the Sweet Singer Steals twa Gowd Rings frae aff her finger In the mean time snack Tittypow Is doing a that e’er she dow To see that ilk thing be in Order 25 When Madam’s on the mortall Border This she performs wi’ meikle Care Till the Rich Relict is nae mair What joy it gies dependants Heart When wealthy friend daigns to depart! 30 Now ther’s nae cheeks blabed wi’ tears But Blythness throu’ forced Glooms appears Soon’s Atropos had used her Gooly A’ hands to wark about the Spooly Deal honest quoth Stepdoughter Heires 35 ye’s gett a skair & that Right fair is young Miss ye’r servant quoth Mess Jon ther is nae Testment pray, Stand yon lear to be Civil in your Carriage ye’r nae Bairn of the Second Marriage 40 158

Babband and Tittypow Nor did ae drap of her Blood ever glow in your Cheek or warm your Liver But wee’r her ain nearest of kin And think it nowther Shame nor Sin To nick ye fine & upo’ Sight to 45 Sease ilky thing she claimed a Right to ’Tis mair indeed than I expected but since the Latter-will’s neglected Come Lass gies in a Glass of Claret A hale fou Bottle let’s nae spare it 50 I plainly see that ane had twice better be Canny than be wise. He took his penfou very dously Then fell a plundering unco Crously but Quarrell shor’d to happen niest 55 tween Tittypow & canny priest till he was force’d to Condescend That Titt should have her dividend Then this be yours & that be mine All’s fair – and ther’s nane els come in 60 Nought in the house escaped their Cloutches with very Meal they Cramn’d their poutches What in our youthood we Recive We nat’ruly bear to the Grave tho set a Beggar o’er a leal flock 65 his mind will hanker to a meal poke A Butter Lump in May well sauted Their Gabs baith Watterd to be at it the haly man linkt out a Lingle And hav’d it soon wi’ little pingle, 70 then slap dash Nievs in Nuckle deep ilk ane their parts peremptor keep. Speets & Racks pots pans & Caudrons The Lady’s Messen & poor Baudrans Bowies Lugies spoons & dishes 75 and things wherin fouk s…. & p…. are a’ laid hands on by the Truffer The Cocks & Hens poor fowls maun suffer Alake! ye’r kind Auld Ladys Cavie frae hungrey maws nae mair will save ye 80 Now whiles a tiptaes whiles on hunkers They Scrambled throu presses & Bunkers ’mang mony things the garesome harlot Fand a gay miekle deug of Scarlet And cryd she’d keep it a thegither 85 For Under-Mutches to her mither To these fair Miss had sma Regard And without Scruple coud have spared But when she saw ilk sneaking Divel Sae Cursed greedy & Uncivil 90 159

Poems To take the Jewels & the Rings The watch and sindrey Costly things that had pertaind to her ain mither gi’en to her stepdame by her father Her heart b’ing fou, as well it might, 95 She askd them as her proper Right Reply’d ane o’ the duddy Kin Whisht Mestres gie’s less o’ yer din it setts you well indeed to speer Gin wee’ll twin wi’ sic wally gear 100 to beet your Vanity and pride They’ll look as well hung at my side […] Now ye Maun ken after Auld Madam was Boughted wi’ the Bairns of Adam, they Sent express for further Augment 105 of former Stock to glean ilk fragment Moolings of plumbcake short bread bisket gart Soup-up Clean into a Basket [and] wine left or in glass or Stoups [Wi’] a’ Remaining Candle dowps 110 [That] Douminies loos dowps may a say [W]as well observ’d by servant Lassie Well Embassy was trew transacted [And] Crumbs & dribles up were paked After transferd with Carefou Care 115 into hands of dividing pair What qwam of conscience it could be Possest them — mair’s than kend by me But back, O Generous! they Sent The Bitts and dribs – Rare compl[iment] 120 But dire Mischance! ther is a So[rt] of greedy Gleds hing at the p[ort] Wha for the sake of King & [land] grip a’ the goods are Count[erband] and pro & Con neer stand to a[rgue] 125 these made a seasure of the Cargo Syn after claught to his skair And swaloud this sma Bill of fare frae a that has been sung or said Some Aplication shoud be made 130 first for improvement let me tell ye in a ye do forgetna Selly [an]d never slight a gowden offer [To]gether gear into your Coffer [Think] but a freet these Auld Wifes Tales 135 [Of] justice wi her Kittle scales for ane that’s Rich can eith exhoner his making free [w]ith her and honnour If you wi’ Brass can theek your front 160

Babband and Tittypow And pit a good grave face upon’t 140 ye may scelp throw baith thick and thin do ought & neer be Charged wi Sin. A second Lesson’s worth your heari[ng] Tho ne’er a Barrell better herring That is — Men may have great preten[se] 145 To sanctity—yet want the sens[e] Of Real virtue & good Man[ners] if they of Lucre can be gaine[rs] This I have Scotished [frae] a s[croll] of a Gush Oriental Drol, 150 frae virteous Vein to — Awband On ilky Tittypow & Babband. finis *** yours dated the Last Hagmynae to me This Harvest only came then that you’ve had driegh answer frae your servant, yet he’s not to blame I’d neer deserve haff a’ the Rusing that you in sic smooth verse bestow did I prove sweer, or thraf, refusing, while kindly thus ye Strake my pow But ah till I am realy dead your Manuscripts, my dear delight can ne’er through toun & Landwart spread in fairest print to do them right

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for snarlers here wha fully ken my failings & my weakest side wad tell me to my teeth I’m vain 15 blawn like a Blather fou of pride that I’m deficent in descerning and when I’m banterd do not know it when Gentlemen of sprit & Learning to shaw their wit can Blaw a poet

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wherfore Sir when ye write again O Say nae mair about My sell praises make pride & pride makes pain Lord keep us a’! pride Biggit Hell The Har’st of fools are unco rank 25 Satyrick shearer very Scarce The world will oun ye Mekler thank if you the publick good Pursue 161

Poems Cut doun sned aff, pou frae the root, These weeds of every vic[i]ous kind that choak the growth of that fair fruit that shoud adorn the humane mind

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Tell Airtrus he should glow with shame when he chose one of the siting Member’s for Bribe to drop the patriots Name 35 and neer the Common well remembers Ther Lumpus stalks a paughty dunce that wad have poor wise chiels adore him The Golden Caff forsooth will Glunsh unless we a’ fa down before him

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Niest clap yon monkey up in Chains that has been traveling for Improvement who to his heels has sunk his brains and glorys in a fauty movment Tell Courtiers that a Lye a Sin is and to the man of merit pleading false smiles worse than ane honest Grin is and promises forgot ill breeding Teach Clergymen of Genius Clever neer to support Piestick Asses advice and pulpit janerrs never t’exceed their o’er lang haff hour Glasses Rouze Lethagaws frae out his dreaming the man can think but is sae Lazy he hums and drums about ay seeming to greater Gowks as he wer Crazy Pray check the gloomin dinsome Brager Tell a the quaking men of Gotham no be flied when sic sall swager they’r a’ but coward at the Bottom

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The misers wor[t]hless worms & vile Lick them to death you will be civil to ilk ane worthy wha will smile to see the moths huyed to the Devil But gently touch the Ladys fauties 65 to me they a’ seem sma & rare to me I own the Bony Dawtys can have nae faut if they are fair *** 162

The Smuglers The Smuglers a Satyr The Muse attempts Inflam’d with honest Zeal to Lash destruction from the Common Weal With horrour we the frightfull scene pursue While perjurd wights & Bankrupts Crowd our view Who pushd by private ends regard no Tyes 5 and all the Laws of god & Men despise While Robd of Peace and Rackd with endless care the Smugler grasps at wealth by Means unfair the Honest Mer[chan]ts with contentment find ane Easy flow of Trade with Peace of mind 10 serene they from the Ship unload their Store nor dread the Hawk-eyd Waiters on the shore who ever to the Running gang appear their evil Genius shocking them with fear when hid by night they trace Remotest Roads 15 and sweating Toil to hide their Lawles Loads if Noding Birds should rustle on the spray they sweat & tremble while their hearts give way to evry aprehension Guilt sugests to frighted fancys & disturbed Breasts 20 not without Reason oftentimes for they whom they’re obligd their Trust to trust betray Thus the young Rakes wha dread their Parents frown and strives to keep their nightly trips unknown he’s given up to him who makes his fob 25 pay handsomely for the unlawfull job Besides a Custumary fine that’s due Decivd by her wh’alone the secret knew *** he hates to be tyed doun for life wild Rover! to a single wife his hungry visage plainly shows he to [his] wife prefers his [Brose] last word Left out its sencles prose 5 then pray you sir turn out your Toes and blaw that buble aff your nose Syne prym it with a snishing dose will please you better than a Rose Button your Breeks ty up your hose 10 in play of Cramby we wrote those and now we think it time to Close *** 163

Poems The Ingenious and Entertaining Interlocutory of The Reverend Presbytry of Inverness The Presbytry considering well, and Presbytrys should well consider, that taking formal proofs and leal may put the Members in a Swither Their Judgments jumble and perplex 5 whilst what’s advanced ’gainst each approver hinc inde might the Brethren vex and Some few pious frauds discover Protract the Time, our Time that ought To be on wives and Glybs bestow’d cause people Swear each Secret thought such swearing Should not be allow’d Hence did resolve, wisely and fairly! that taking of a view compounded Of proces by the bulk thus Squairly in order to have Sentance grounded and giving the Judgment thereupon they will have us unbias’d regard to Willy Schaw and Polson John and Heritor of a kail-yeard

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and to the dross of Christian people who in the primitive old way enjoy the most beneath the Steeple and for the Blessing nothing pay as to the Magestrates each one 25 who with their power make Such a pother or Heritors who throw the Bone that makes us worry one annother Thus to both sides we’ll have regard impartialy and wherfore not but spite of Council Lord or Laird our Man must have the casting vote *** Hear oh O hear ye silly sheep for sheep I well may call ye who’re now so snoold ye dare na cheep The Patronages Gall ye 164

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Hear oh O hear ye silly sheep Oh on these days turn back your Eeen 5 when we were Brave & Bigg and fought it fine on Rulion Green and eke at Bothwell Brig These These wer Times ay Times indeed when folk woud rather swing 10 or on a Scafold give their Head as yeild to Lord or King Now Godles Patrons manage Calls and had the Kirk but ill up oer Bellys of ten Thousand Sauls 15 ye’r Vacancys they fill up with Trucklers that will start at Treason who wad with Marrow Mingle the Ranting of their Sence & Reason and Heathenish Morall Jingle

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O fy for shame will no Bauld stirk now head the Honest Rable with forks & flails to free the Kirk from all this Brood of Bable *** On The Marriage of Mr Bull Preacher and Mris Mary — As O’er the Seas, the God that Lap a’ The Bony Lasses, bore Europa In form a Bull he did her carry Sae Mr Bul oer the Queens ferry Transported his red headed Mary 5 The Bul of Bulls great Jove was fired with Lust & streight to — consumate retired but tho a God was Quickly tired when he had done he Bravely Scorns to be confined and draps his Horns 10 casts aff his Cloven Cutes & Syne forsakes Poor Miss & turns Divine Our Christian Bull tret his with honour with Rings and Rites & fleeching won her woo’d Closs & keen made her his wife 15 and swore to be her Stot for life and ran his nodle in a noose nane less divine that Jove can loose and tho his horns are Scarcly sprouted that they may Lenthen is not doubted 20

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Poems O Mary gently guide thy Bull Tho his Divinity grow dull and like Europa safe to sail hald by his horns & steer his Tail *** on Priests not marrying God send every Priest a Wife and every nun a Man that they might live that haly life as first the Kirk began Saint peter whom nane can reproove 5 his life in Marriage led And A’ good preists whom god did loove their marryed wives had Great Reason then I grant had they frae Marriage to refrain 10 but greater causes have they may now wives to wed again for then soud not sae mony whoor be up & doun the Land nor yet sae mony Beggars poor 15 in Kirk & mercat Stand And no sae Miekle Bastard seed throu out this Countrey sawin nor good men fremit fry shoud feed and a’ the sooth were knawn 20 sen Christs Law and Common law and Doctors will admit that priests that good yoak shoud draw wha dare say contrair it *** On the Clergys minding themsells mair than their flock Wae to the Herds of Israell that feed nae Right the flock but daintylie Batten themsell syne do the people mock The silly sheep are a’ forlorn 5 166

On the Clergys minding themsells mair than their flock and fawn to Wouffs a prey Then Herds hae teendit a’ the corn the sheep can get nae Strae They Gatherd up their Woo & Milk of nae mair took they Cure but cled themsells with costly silk and siclike Cled their Whoor

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Therefore says God I will require my Sheep out of their Hands and give them Herds at my disire 15 to teach them my Commands and they shall nowther feed them sell nor yet hunger My sheep I shall them frae my Kirk expell and give them Swine to keep

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*** father & friend of Humane race thou greatest first and best fountain of light of life and grace Supremely good & blest whose hand unseen conducts us still 5 unseen moves all below whose power and goodness most we feel whose nature least we know Each year moneth Day may they begin & rule their course by thee Whose voice their Courses taught to run and bade all nature be

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Thee teach me thro’ thy ways to trace in thy works to explore in nature to See natures cause 15 and that first Cause adore save me from vanity & vice teach me thyself to know point out the path to real bliss and guide me where I go 20 Bestow the clear well judging head on me and heart humane That let no prejudice mislead in this no passion reign 167

Poems Inspire my Breast from envy free 25 with Social warmth to glow to Joy when others blest I see and to grieve at their woe Teach me to drop the friendly tear to heave the gentle groan 30 that I may ne’er shut heart or ear against the injur’d groan let not my love in narrow bound be to a sect confind but strech its wide embrace arround 35 all creators and mankind O send contentment health & peace ought els if thou ordain may I wish chearfulness embrace and never vex in vain 40 bless may I thankfully receive distressed thy hand adore rejoyce in what thou art pleasd to give nor envy who hath more Riches thou knowest if best or not 45 be that to Thee resign’d let ease & virtue be my lot and bless me with a friend Then grant when life’s short scene is o’er in peace I may ly down 50 conscious of Innocence secure I’ll dare the life to come my prayer, when fit thou hear’st, allow not fit, unheard may’t be My will to thine still let it bow 55 and own thy wise decree Great Soul of all this mighty frame may loud thy praise resound let all Creation sing the same the universe arround 60 ***

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farewell sweet Inocence – ah while I think farewell sweet Inocence — ah while I think on thy Least Lovelyness my Spirits sink fain woud I banish from my melting Mind each thought of thee and wish my soul less kind but still in Spite of all my stuborn art the Torture of Reflection Pains my heart faint grows my fortitude do what I will I hear & Se the Beautyous Pratler Still Ah must I never never smiling see Again the litle flaterer at my knee with words half form’d delytfull to my Ears which shined with witty thought Beyond her years Alace no More must these deserted Arms enfold my tender Bloom of Budding Charms heart Rending thought — the Darling spirits fled and the fair faitures fades in Deaths cold Bed that Lovely mouth which oft I prest to mine these twinkling Eyes that matchd the Brilants shine now cease to smile, the sparkling stars are set while death too Early claims the Humane debt flow freely Tears and ease my Akeing soul my Greifs too strong for Reason to controul assist me hopes of ane Imortal Life and endles Bliss unmixed with pain or Strife Thither my Christy spotles heavenly flame To[0] good for this vile world Returns from whence it came

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*** Sir while I ly within your Arm I’m safe well pleasd and kindly warm having my servant at a Call my Thoughts rise high my soul grows Tal nor do I ever fear to die 5 while thus I in your bosom Ly if ther I ever chance to Spew the same on me you may renew thus we by mutual Love shall Bind our selves in one and plesure find 10 till by the stern comand of death we shall be forcd to yield our Breath *** Like Lightnings glent she glided by but Ah the killing Dart She sent frae her Inchanting eye flew whizing throw my Heart 169

Poems as thunder struck I stood right blate 5 while with a conquering air she left me in their haples state wha love ane unkend fair O Bony Lass maun I return back to Northumbrias plain with bleeding heart my loss to mourn neer to see the[e] again

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Ah killing thought ye guards aboon or give her to my arms or with some brighter beauty soon 15 relieve me frae her charms *** She’s the only one of all her Sex That’s Ignorant of her oun Defects Her sprightly wit & Beauty Charm if Coquetry coud do no harm The Drawers Tremble when he swears 5 Like him when a Drawn Sword appears His Cloathes sae Richly trimnd with Lace Engadge the Eye more than his face Till he’s engagd he’ll love to range But get him fixd he’ll scorn to Change

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the Glegest een coud never see his acctions give his Tongue the Lie His manly mind thinks naithing weaker than win a mistres and forsake her She[’s] often Jealous of her Lover Which serves her Envy for a cover

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he Courts ilk fair & dresses fine but Love is Least of his design if Thou wants weal[t]h he’ll neer be true for Intrest’s his sum total View 20 he strives his mistress heart to gain not for her oun sake but his ain 170

She’s the only one of all her Sex she’s fair and Chast, heavens! baith togither all thanks to Nature, and her Mither his Wisdom Dignifies his Choice and makes his Mistress’ heart Rejoyce

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he Thinks nane wise — O sympathy! unless they’re as great fools as he her wit tends mair hou to improve her foly than her Sence or Love 30 her faults are few and these not ill but ah her charmes are fewer still no slander can give her ofence being happy in her Inocence Ther’s allways ane speaks of Her well and that Beloved friend’s her sell

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he’s in a Ba[w]dy house a Bully while to some Raged drab a Cully her Lovely tell [tale] Eyes discover what her dear Tongue denys her Lover

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by evry one she’ll be alowed a Charmer if she werna proud she the Lest minds & Least admires her sweets which evry bosom fires his mind with Equal motion bears the shine of Hope and dusk of fears

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without the Sun a Dial’s vain Sae is this Nymph without a Swain A Smile a Look, a grasp, or Kiss of this dear Maid gives sweetest Bless 50 her Graces unaffected Raise our Admiration, Love, & praise Her Heavnly Beauty will Submit to naithing but her Lively wit no pain or Labour he’ll Refuse 55 to serve the fair his soul pursues 171

Poems He Loves the muses and his care in numbers saft to sing the fair he greatest dangers can dispise when fame [and] Cellia are the prize

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Bachus and Love this youth command But Bachus gets the upper hand when Drunk he’s Bauld as ony Bair But fresh as tame as ony hare She’s chast that never yet perplext her 65 but nane e’er offerd that ee’n vexd her her Lips wear a Virmilion Glow her accents all like musick flow not Dress but she her Dress adorns and evry Borrowed Luster scorns 70 her Limbs, Breast, face all of a pice Like hers wha Raisd the Troops of Greece her Eyes can gar mae Men knack under than Jove can do without a his Thunder nae Litle ends his Loves can stain 75 he Scorns the sordid views of gain *** O Climate happy sweet & Rare Blest with Lovely constant fair whose Beautyous Bony forms in Shapes & faces their smiles their tuneful tongues & Graces the Nations of the Earth excell a’ 5 from China West to Portabella from Lapland coast where witches Dance to capes of Horn & Bon Esprance mongst whom like the first Orb of Light the Lovely Hartford Glances Bright 10 whose numerous beautys as the spring Invite the Muses all to sing Charlot & Susan charming Twain Pride & Boast of Glota’s Plain Sisters each with Seraphick […] 15 Sing all ye muses the desert that merits the Brave Percies heart 172

O Climate happy sweet & Rare that merits all the Love thats due to friendship and a Breast so true Between dear Albionites return 20 your absence makes a Nation murn the swains & Nymphs look dowf & wan a’ sighing for Charlot & Susana your constance gives such delight […] *** Take tent now ilka Blythsome wight when Daylight’s ane short while seen and gees are good to eat To Dance away a winter een and Laugh at wind and weet A Gay wheen Lads and Lasess bein-ly in a ha’ did meet to shaw their metled shankies Clean and witty Guilded feet Three fidlers and a Bummin Base were planted in a Nook wha lifted up with miekle Grace Corelli be the Book they lookd like Lairds with siller Lace white Camrick Rufles shook and musick in their Look like ony thing with fidles tuned and in their place how nobly did they Look

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*** Hail Scobie, halesome limpid Spring whose virtues bid the muses sing O happy woud the Lays appear Coud they as thee flow soft & clear whose virtues claim equall regard 5 frae Cottar, Tennant, & the Laird when the intestine glows conspire to set our crazy hulks all in fire Then Temp’reance & thy cauller Stream Best stokens out the rising flame 10 From Thee the Laigh Laborious Hind can cheaply his refreshment find his Bannock eats with halesome glee and Blythly synes it oer with thee and laughs at cares that gar the Rich 15 to ilka nook of the sadle pitch 173

Poems since happy man thou can keep sound when luxury the graceless wounds Luxurious men your draughts refine by blending Scobie with your wine and quench our Rums hell fire flame with rowth of its Balsamick stream Then safely & without a glunch you may bend Bumpers of your Punch

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*** Henry to Emma To Thee O Emma Lovelyest of thy kind whose dear Idea fills thy Henry’s mind Thy Henry who each soft reflection moves delights to tell his Fair how much he Loves but Words descriptive Phrases chosen best 5 will faill to paint the movements of my breast where thou allone oer Evry Passion sways and each with Joy almighty Love obeys Tho now extended tracts of Hills and plains Between my Fair & me — augment my Pains 10 yet Hope by Day & Welcome Dreams by Night give me the best reliefe and most delight. Thus on the Greenland Coast without a Smile The Britton Lours a voluntire Exile in Cold inhospitable rocky Caves 15 or on the yet more dangerous Icy waves yet when on warm Brittania’s flowry Dales with Joy he thinks and hopes the prosp’rous gales Shall bear him to his wishd for native Shore his Heart beats Joyously and griefes no More. 20 I Scarce regard the Fleet or Bounding Steed nor claims the sportive evening Ball my heed I Fly to Books but my forsaken Eyes run oer the Learnd or pleasing Labour thrice My Thoughts elswhere no sentence can I mind 25 to Every thing but thee my soul is blind my Emma all my fancy so Employs and each Inferior Pleasure Quite Destroys Soft Blow the fragrant winds o’er Grove & Mead Sweet sing the Lark & Thrushes round my head 30 the flowers Invite the Eye with various hew and scent refreshfull bath’d in Chrystall Dew but relish not these sweetnes of the Grove when I’m so far remov’d from all I Love from whose soft Lip bright Eye Sweet voice & breath 35 the Son of Venus can give Life and Death The friend with Wisdom fraught & chearfull Tale 174

Henry to Emma kindly officious Strive my wounds to hale bootless attempt, nor Crave I any Cure but from thy brighter Soul which can alure Without these Beautyous charms of form divine throw which the Inward Amiably Shine

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*** An Elegy on Mr Samuel Clerk running Stationer Ye curious Reader’s now may Cark, And greet frae aff your Cheeks the Bark; Since doolfu Death that greedy Shark, Has cut the thread Of Life, and sent poor Samuel Clerk, Doun to the Dead. Wha now alace! when its in Season, Will publish Span-new Rhime & Reason, Mix’t now and then with blads of Treason, Folk are sae fleed — There’s few will venture Craig and Weason, Since Samuel’s Dead. He was of a well-kend Vocation, A Stationer without a Station; Wha travell’d much to serve the Nation Wi’ Essays to read, Against or for th’ Administration, But now he’d Dead —

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Just as the Pamphlet brought in Siller, He was ilk Party’s pithy Pillar; 20 Nor did he value an ill-willer, Yet bare nae feud, To ony Man but Andrew x Miller,7 Whom he wish’d Dead. When he was young his Parents kind, 25 Him for the Clergy Craft design’d, Amang the Brethren to have shin’d, But his wise Head — To Arts mair usefou was inclind, But now he’s Dead. 30 His Saul sublimer could na bear, The Sturt, the Struggle, strife & Steer, a Bookseller in London who pursued him before the Court of Session for republishing some things that were his property.

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Poems Hair-cleaving, grano-salis weir, About the Creed; And calling ane annither Liar, 35 But now he’s Dead. Wharfor as said is he withdrew, Frae that ill-haird contentious Crew, Of the auld usance or the new, Wha ne’er agreed; 40 In ought but the rich living view, But now he’s Dead. In Claiths he was nor fine nor gaudy, In Actions humble as a Cadie, In Eloquence he spake braid Baudy, With open mouth; His greatest plague frae a gaw’n Laddie, Was deeply Drouth.

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Delicious Drams were his Delight, Whilk every Morning set him right, 50 Nine to his forenoon upon Sight, He well could Skreed; Besides a Pint of Tipon-tight, But now he’s Dead. Aft did his Landlady and He, 55 About the premises agree, With pledge ye Samuel, and here’s t’ye, Which clear’d the Head; And warm’d the Wame better than Tea, And yet he’s Dead. 60 What else he acted with this Lady, The Muse say’th not tho some are ready, To swear he try’d to be a Dady, But came nae speed; He being not o’er stout or steady, 65 For sic a Deed. Ye laughan Lads wha like good Liquors, And in Platoons bend round the Bickers, And with Deray drive round the Nickers, Your Sport suspend; 70 Sink your sad Snouts like Seggs or wickers, For Samuel’s end. Of all within the Walls of Reeky, This should allarm thee maist O! Beeky, Wha’rt posting the same road to Cleeky, 75 176

An Elegy on Mr Samuel Clerk Wha in a Clink; Will up in Girdy’s Cellar steek ye, Withouten Drink. Alake for him my Heart is wae, For he was ne er a Poet’s Fae, But did whatever in him lay, Our Warks to spread — For which his Fame shall last for ay, Tho he be Dead —

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*** O much Loved Youth for thee in tender Grief with gushing Eyes ten Thousand seek relief who with delight beheld thy rising Shine Blazing with splendor Humane & Divine Thy Morning promised us a Beautyous Day 5 free from these Mists that cloud the Heavnly way when Reason, Sacred Guide! in Shakles divine and Blinded Zeal with Ignorance combine to Banish Love & Quench the Holy fire which makes the Soul up to its God aspire 10 Leaving the weak sunk in the Quags of Doubt and confirming in their vice the Godles Rout Thoughts more Elate and of a higher kind with raptures Glowd in our young prophets mind he saw he knew & felt that God was Love 15 and taught the heart in amrous strains to move Toward that source wher glories all abound where all we wish & all we want are found Alas! no more, we Hear the Heavnly youth with Energy demonstrate Christian Truth 20 with all that force & Beautys which controll the Burst of vice & captivate the Soul to tred those pious paths that calmly Lead the thirsting mind to the Great fountain Head where now enlarged from every Humane Strife 25 with Joy he Quaffs the Eternall streams of Life There Envious detraction never wounds nor is Low Intrest known in these Bright Bounds There stormy Pride fierce anger sullen spleen cease to pursue with stinges envenomd keen 30 But there in its meridian the Blazes Bright The Bond of all perfections and delight The Grace we ought to grasp of greaces worth much disrespected on this Hell-tinged Earth He saw its Beauty & with pious care 35 Implored the gift from God & had his share But cease kind friends to wast your useles Tears 177

Poems for him who now sormounts all pains & fears Born up with seraphs wings he Leaves this Globe to be adornd with Lights Eternall Robe he Takes His Harp and tunes the Hermonious Strings to his Patrons praise the Almighty King of Kings

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*** To day our Scenes have to your View desp[l]ayd The consequence of cruelty & pride The Tyrant falls while one Heroick chief to groning Nations gives a brave relief Restores to Liberty each sighing slave 5 Such beautyous Painting should engage each mind to all thats generous noble just & kind what’eers the Effect you’ll oun the well designd Then since Improvment now is all our aim we surely may your smiles & praises plaudits claim 10 which is obtaind youl Quickly see each Boy Spring throw his Learning up to man with Joy *** [George] Here Dick according to our paction Take Ten pices yesternight I wond two hundred Three twelve moneths that thou has been in my service Reciving 5 per cent of all my Gains praythee doest use make of all this money

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Dick and what but your purse bearer have I been you know that by our Bargin I obliged my self when eer you chancd to run agroun to furnish you with twenty yellow Boys now calculate how often this has hapned

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G[e]orge phew! that can never Balance the account thourt Certainly Grown Rich & Hoards thy Treasure D[ick] Rich! no no Sir ther’s very small appearance This way for you or me to have that fate wherfore as Long as these ten yelow Boys 15 are safe in my possesion I Design to drop you for a master for perhaps before the morrow they are no more mine *** 178

On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun Here honest Sandy Mitchell’s earded, wha was ane enemie to drouth And’s Master’s friends with care regarded and kindly usd to weet their mouth He hated ilka thing was sour 5 In conversation or in wine and did whate’er lay in his power to make men’s sauls & noses shine If fowk according as they live be after death — as doctors think we have good reason to believe he’s not where wights want mirth & drink

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*** Painter to the[e] the Gods are kind before them gratefull bow & ask their influence to thy hand & mind to finish fair thy daring Task Bold thy atempt with light & shade 5 to Imitate the amrous shine of Beauty Ravishingly Bright of make all dazling & Divine Thy Maitins said, the steady hand and all the Justice of thine Eye let the fair Linaments demand till Judges can no errour spy

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Then shall thy fame get such a heave that doun again it neer can fall if striking likness thou dost give 15 to Beautyous Walace Ker & Hall *** Scot Worthy Scot when you departed sunk daylie till Quite Broken hearted he dropd his Clay to take his Place amongst the Best of Adams Race to Pass a sweet Eternity 5 in friendship, Smiles, & Hermony of this we’r sure, since souls that Love goodness and Justice mount above 179

Poems Yet Drummond Lives, Long be his yeares His Pleasures many few his cares: 10 From principles of friendship kind you’re frequent in his Social Mind wha Langs in Kenedys to meet ye and prompts the willing muse t’invite ye Rarely fails good will to shew 15 when askd by such as Him or you Tho oft in Pet she droops the wing Mackenzie Wood Sr James Sr Colin when frost and snaw are taking leave and Pleasures on the Sward revive 20 and now the Archers’ Bosoms Glow wear the Bonnet & Bend the Bow your Presence at their Council Board or in the field will joy afford our wines are Good in nought weer Scanty 25 and for diversions we have Plenty *** Safely oer the Hibernian Strand Your Blyth Epistle came to hand But my Proud Muse was at a stand when first We Red it when she tween dock & Posscript fand Nae man to Dad it

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what father’s he that thinks’t a shame to let his Yellings bear his name far less shoud Poets Sons of fame Desert their Lays 10 when none of mankind have a Claim to sae much Praise and Better Loo’st and Sae ye think wha at my fauts sae kindly wink and Ruse me my Rimes in Clever Clink 15 *** Hail to the chief of Ramsay’s name! On this propitious day On which you to the world came Let all your Clan be gay Thers not a Ramsay the day will disgrace with a sour look the joys of his face. from such a Race my Lord ye spring the fountain hides its head 180

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Hail to the chief of Ramsay’s name! ere Analls wer or Bards coud sing Barbrous swains coud Read Yet by tradition and as History old we Learn the Line was Loyall great & Bold

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Cease every thing that may Molest or interupt our mirth Now since this day is duble Blest 15 With Clementhia’s Birth O hapy day in which to us was gi’en The Brave Dalhousie and great James’s Queen Glyd smoothly Esk By his old Tower and tell it to the sea 20 how glad we are this very hower Beside the Edge-well Tree Old ocean pleas’d he’ll Raise his Oozy head And Tell the Tale up Tagus to Madrid what in your Best ancestors shone 25 Center great sir in you Nor shoud I ad surpast by none I give you But your due Long may you Live till you gladly see As large as e’re it was the Edgewell T[ree] 30 Long may you live; Live till you se hiers *** from Publick Jars & Party Squable that vex the Great and girning Rable Sir you’ve retird with as much Grace and equal honour from your Place as when in fields you drove the sword 5 or gave you Councell at the Board when you for Brittain dard her faes or for her Intrest sums coud raise still true to Justice faith & Right your Character shines ever Bright 10 But why dear Sir may we complain must Marlefield thus strict retain and all your smiles & witt engross while friends deserted feel the Loss my muse half Petted droops the wing 15 and snarls when Idiots did her Sing when merit faintly is regarded and worth Like yours sae ill rewarded But now the Muse wad fain Express 181

Poems her wishes and with Blyth adress 20 in name of many to Beseek ye not to desert for ay auld Reeky wher a’ your hearty friends disire to se you chearfullness Inspire That Point wherin you never fail 25 when smiles Invite the witty Tale Come then & with kind Pleasure trace glad welcome in each friendly face who wearyd with Politick din and common jangle of out & in 30 wad be content to drap these Mobers of faithfullness and friendship Robers *** Madam please to accept this small yet blyth diverting gift that’s ever ready on a call to set our dumps a drift for every thing ther is a Time 5 says the wise Preacheing King wha sang the Best, then its no crime, but duty, aft to sing Mirth firms our health & gives a shine to Beauty wit sence 10 & gainst each care makes us repine an easy sure Defence Then madam these colections use which I have culld with care I’m still delighted when my muse 15 finds favour with the fair *** who’s yon fair Stranger with a mien so gracefull Beautyfull & sweet whose Looks bespeak a soul serene where all inviting Merits Meet? ’Tis Lovely Lechmere the delight 5 of all that worth & virtue Love whose wit makes every one Polite wher ever she’s Inclind to move But see tho clear as Light she shines She quick as lightning glides away 182

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who’s yon fair Stranger with a mien Edina sighs and sad repines She can’t engage her Longer Stay How can she while throw Rural Groves or wandring by the limpid springs our fair Assemblys tell ther Loves 15 or form the Dance in rural Rings O may we see her ance again when frosty winter Blasts the field and Scotian Beautys leave the Plain and seek the city’s Lower Bield

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Then might we hope such as her sell might here detain her many a day such only have the charming spell to make ilk moneth shine like a May we own the Thames & Severns air 25 blows safter than on Tweed & forth which af[t] forbids Agusta’s fair to make their visits so far north but Lovely Lichmore — has our thanks and prases since She dard to try 30 and view the Plenty crowns their Banks to give the vulgar herd the Lie next thanks Robinson to you who think and can your Thoughts express and since ye like to prop what’s true 35 Bear to the Beauty this Address promote her ilk Indulgent thought in favour of the Pictland Plain that to our joy she may be brought anes mair to our Hope Park again

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Sae may you Shine in Brittains House Sae may your House with Grandure rise May such as Lichmore be your spouse whose sweets can soften Nuptial Tyes you’ve seen a Sample of our art in Building; Laying out our Ground and how kind nature does her part to make all usefull things abound for wheat & wine fish flesh & foul from ilk green Hieght & yealow field 183

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Poems from the fresh Lake or wavy Brine weell not to many Nations yi[e]ld Then Like the faithful that were sent to Cannan with a Lying crew who hated like the Lave to Sclent be Carliles Daughter Sir & you

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*** To E’nburgh’s reeky Towers Confind while oer the flowry plains the Jovial Lads & Lasses Kind Sing Joys or sigh their pains what notes would Cloe expect or crave from one to Business a Slave with a fa La La la Happy the youth who in his Bloom has a thing at his will whose purse, when pleasure makes it toom his Riggs again can fill This Lad with Ease may Dance or Sing

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*** since heavens so kind Brave Sir to Bless your Eyes with these dear Pledges of your youthfull Love Indulge your smiles while from their shining Skys the Guardian Powers a mind like theirs approve with arms expanded wide your Joys declare and to your hear[t] Imbrace the welcome pair who can express the sweet Paternal Glow that warms the Breast of such a Generous Sire O coud my Thought in happy Numbe[r]s flow I have a Theme may all thats Gay Inspyre fair ye Sisters Sing a welcome to the pair who merit Love from all that’s good & fair Behold these youth[s] your Hope their Mothers joys their Kindreds Pleasure Numberous friends delyte after Long Absence Now the Late dear Boys Mounting to men Return to Bless your Sight Rejoyce brave Bennet banish every care Let all… Your first from Brittains Court the most polite wher Grander in a proper Light is placd 184

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since heavens so kind Brave Sir to Bless your Eyes from Nurserys of Larning, comes Complete with old & Modern Education Gracd Rejoyce ye hapy Parents in your Heir Let all in… Your Second Hope, bold youth! who durst explore in such green years the oriental climes Cut Boundless Deeps to Antipodian shores. attempt fit for a God in earlyer Times! Rejoyce ye Parents in a son so Rare Let all arround Sing welcome to the Pair nowe Marlefield adorn thy fragrant Scenes with evry Balmy Beauty of the year deckd like the Queen of all the Nighburghing plains Like the first Paradice all gay apear with all your verdures welcome home the pair go Bath in silver Dew & Scent the air Now Crown a Bowl with the most Generous Wine Let none tast the Libation with a Gloom be gratefull first to all the Powers Divine who safely brought the Longd for Brother[s] home Then Blythly round the Chearfull Bumpers share in healths & hearty welcome to the pair

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*** When furious winds storm on the Mountain brow oft fall the pines & stately cedars bow the skillfull forester then tends the grove to watch & prop the Plants belovd by Jove when Raging Tempest threats with evry Sweep to sink the hardy Vessell in the Deep The Pilot then with steady Eye & hand Exerts his Skill to bring his charge to Land Thus you My Lord (acquainted with each source from whence the strongest Passions have their course and by true Judment & a strenght of mind Know when they should be Loosd & when confind) Like a wise forester take care to save the Noblest Plant the Calidonians have When such a Schok attempts his Bloom to Blight as makes a Nation bend beneath its weight O from the Sea of Greif & sinking Roar of dire Reflection steer him to the shore wher Resignation yields to soveraign fate while Reason is Chief Minister of State So may the Best of Blessings chear your soul May long your days in Circling pleasures rol 185

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Poems To him to you your countrey owes & pays The Justest Tribute of their Love & praise Who as their Kindest Stars amongst them shine When other Cheifs their Influence decline

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*** On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O. like her self fair & serene Hail to this fair Propitius Day on which was Lovely M— Born Let Nature all that’s Sweet display and joy the Circling hours adorn Still are the Roaring winds that Raise 5 Tempest and Terrour on the main Bright are the Blythsome Beams that Blaze and Scater Sweets oer evry plain While Nature thus in Jovial Mood Appears well pleasd with M— Birth Let Bachus warm our Ravisht Blood and Love and Transport Raise our Mirth Descend ye Graces from above Come Venus with thy Smiling Gang of Youth & sport and Joy & Love and animate the Chearfull Thrang Who now with Sparkling Cups Resolve to celebrate her Birth and fame Whose witt and sweetness can desolve and set the flintyest heart on flame

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*** About the Moneth, Sir of September When you wer here I do Remember I promised to write my Mind, Indeed good Sir you were not kind; Coldness in age is a great failing; 5 I match you there, But ’am not willing that all the love from me shoud come this is a thing thats seldom done, least I Be guilty of false Charge express your love By gifts thats large 10 a Diamond Ring or a gold Chain will ty me allways to Remain to be your Jo as heretofore 186

About the Moneth, Sir of September But Tys of priests can scarce get o’er yet Bonny Wallys in my time 15 hath Caught young lasses in their prime and Realy you most owe sich Charms for [auld] folk turn oftimes Bairns — his Answer Dear Lady Gay, grant I am Auld yet am I neither faild nor Cauld and tho I over a Score of years aulder than you, we’re head-apeers for I’m for generation Stout lang Time after your pipe’s gane out

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I oun, Indeed, when Kitle woos 25 it spaes baith speed and Luck to Trews but gowden Chains and Diamond Rings upo’ my Troth are Costly Things to gie’ a Mistress in propine wha winna Cast the knot divine 30 In ae Respect I’le serve ye Brawly with what maids loo ~ a Bonny Wally and hazard take of me for Life The Complement ye’s never Thumb but for as miekle in its Room and this, faith, you maun take in hand or els the Bargin winna stand Madam yours

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*** On Flavia’s fan Thrice happy Fan whose Spreading Mount Awakes the inactive Air and forms the momentary gale to cool the panting fair If litle Engine such thy Art 5 that Art O let me prove pour all the Tempest on my Soul and cool the Flames of Love Retract, mistaken fool! thy wish nor urge the fond desire 10 what you receive from Flavia’s hands but Serves to fan the fire So the poor fever parched Wretch to the cool fountain flys 187

Poems Neglects Machaon’s wise Advice 15 and draws & drinks — & Dies *** Chloe, an amorous Youth desired Ane Heiroglyphick she Possest Long she denyd what he requird And prin’d it faster to her Breast Till some kind Power on Damon’s side 5 (That kens when words from thoughts are wide) Pearch’d on the Bossom of the Belle, Staw out the print, and doun it fell It fell a Prize to Damons Share, Who joyfull heard the Lovely maid 10 bid him his Purchase Keep with care Which he with chearfullness obeyd For why? The Auspicious Embleme bare A heart of where 1 & 10 stood fair Which we Read thus, tis 10 to 1 15 But he her real ♥ may gain. *** anes Cupid took a wandring fit which frighted Venus out o’er wit she sought him Lang and gart the Cryer proclaim wha eer Brought her the strayer on her Ceolestial lips shoud feast cryd Colin here he’s in my Breast Come pay & take ye’re dainty Burd and ye’ll be better than ye’r Word Come pay or Bid Bennetta Kiss me Syn better than ye’r word ye’ll Bless me

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*** Coridon arise my Coridon for Titan shineth Clear who’s ther that calls on Corridon or who est that I hear Philida thy true Love Calleth Thee 5 Arise then arise then! arise Come feed thy flocks with me Philida my true Love is it Thee? I come then, I come then, I come to feed my flocks with thee 10 Philida, render my Philida 188

Coridon arise my Coridon that heart which cupids wiles has ravisht from thy Coridon with thy sweet Looks & smiles Coridon thy true Love claims’t of thee or change then or change then and give thy heart to me Coridon my shepherd I yeild t[o thee] be true then be true then and I’ll give my heart to thee

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*** A Pastoral Epithalamium – By Allan Ramsay upon the happy Marriage of :R:M and J:M— Strephon Ho Coridon come on this mossy Bank Lean down and press primroses fresh and rank – I’m glad to see thee fraught with blest content – thou lookst as thou some pleasing thought wou’dst vent Say, lovely friend, and give a reason why 5 Ther’s so much gladness dancing in thine eye Coridon Yea my dear strephon it’s not without reason That I’m so blyth when there’s good occasion Do not you know Menalcus the brave swain That feeds his flocks on the adjacent plain 10 This day of shepherds none more happy is – For he’s attain’ed unto his long’d for bliss – A long’d for bliss which oft did rack his mind – But now the God of Love not always blind – has unto his best wishes proven kind – 15 And granted him a bride as bright as day – Who will with pleasure all his cares allay – Strephon O sweet surprise! I know the happy youth – But who is she that will with softness soothe his easy Cares, and with her pleasing charms Clasp our Dear friend within her snowy arms Coridon With snow for whyteness they may well compare And all frame so delicate and rare Her form all casten is in Beauty’s molds Thousands of lambs are lodg’d within her folds – It’s fair Melossa who are fields did grace – – – With modest air and with a charming face – – Strephon I’ve seen the fair Melossa, happy he; If with her comely form her soul aggree; Such a fair Lodging surely was design’d – To harbour nothing but a Virtuous Mind – 189

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Poems Coridon It was her bright Virtue which did most commend her to the Love of our Discerning friend — Thrice happy he who hath the right to all In this wise nymph, which we can Virtue call Strephon Well he deserves her, and the Gods are Just To put so fair a Jewell in his trust Who knows to manage well what he intends his solid fancy flys with nimble wings through various tracts and to him knowledge brings Knowledge which teacheth us with a sweet Voice What’s bad to shun and what is good to Choice. – Coridon Come sheperd rouse thee this is not a day – To loyter in tune up thy pipe and play And I will sing untill the rocks rebound – And Th’echo thirds us in our Joyfull sound – The Murmuring Rivulet will be the bass While she o’re little cattrachs runs her race And the mild Zephyr, with his gentle breeze Will give a soft sound soughing through the trees And on their tops or in the oppen sky Will Join and sing the litle feathered fry – And let it be the subject of our Theme To blaze Menalcus & Melossa’s fame Strephon May the great Pan preserve their breeding flocks Of kine and sheep and goats that climb the rocks Let no wolf enter on their Verdant spot And keep them free of all sickness and Rot Jove grant them plenty ofspring to survive That on these plains their names may ever live And by such generous worth bear up their fame – That ages after may still bless their Name –

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THE THIMBLE, a poem, BY RAMSAY.

‘In tenui labour: at tenuis non gloria.’ VIRG. What god shall I invoke to raise my song? What goddess I of the celestial throng? Shall bright Apollo lend to me his aid? Shall chaste Lucina bring my muse to bed? Oh! rather, greatest beauty of the sky! 5 190

The Thimble I write for Lydia; hear your vot’ry’s cry, You gave your charms to her — What can you then deny? All o’er this globe, where Phœbus darts his rays, What strange variety accosts our eyes! We see how nations variously incline, How different studies favour different men; Some love to chase the fox throughout the day, Others to dance the winter night away. Unlike to these, some love the trumpet’s sound, And cries of men, when gasping on the ground; To some, of fancy warm it gives delight, Instructed by the muses, verse to write Of bards, some generals in fight rehearse, Others with groves and fountains crowd their verse. Greater than their’s has fallen to my share — A theme sublimer far demands my care, I sing the Thimble — armour of the fair. Hail! heaven-invented-engine! gift divine! You keep the tend’rest fingers free from pain. Sing, lofty Muse, from whence the Thimble sprung — The Thimble—safegaurd of the fair and young.

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In ancient times, ere mortals learnt the trade, Bright Venus for herself her mantles made. As busied once, in Cyprian grove she sat, Her turtles fondly sleeping at her feet, 30 With hands alone to sew the goddess tried, Her wand’ring thoughts were otherwise employed; When, — lo! her needle — strange effect of spite — Wounded that skin it could not see so bright; She starts, — she raves, — she trembles with the smart; 35 The point that pricked her skin, went to her heart. Sharp pain would not allow her long to stop; My doves, she cry’d, haste to Olympus’ top; The tim’rous beauty gets into her car, Her pinioned bearers swiftly cut the air, 40 As quick as thought, they reach’d the sacred ground, Where mighty Jove with Juno sat enthron’d. What ails my child? to her then cried the god; Why thus in tears? What makes you look so odd? Would you a favour beg? — A while she stood, 45 Her ivory finger stain’d with purple blood; Then thus: — Oh! father of the gods, she prayed, Grant I may be invulnerable made! With look sedate, returned the awful sire — Daughter, you do not know what you desire; 50 Would you to Pluto’s gloomy regions run? Would you be dipt in Styx, like Thetis’ son? 191

Poems Could you unfrighted view Hell’s dismal shore? What shall I say then? — Go, and stitch no more. Ashamed — unsatisfied — away she hies 55 To try her fate again, beneath the skies. Shall I, she said, while goddesses well drest, Outshine each other at a birth-day feast; Shall I in simple nakedness be brought, Or clothed in rags? Intolerable thought! 60 No, rather may the blood my cheeks forsake, And a new passage thro’ my fingers take! In fertile Sicily, well known to fame, A mountain stands, and Ætna is its name. — Tremendous earthquakes rend the flinty rock, 65 And vomit forth continual fire and smoke: Here, Vulcan forges thunderbolts for Jove Here, frames sharp arrows for the God of Love; His Cyclops with their hammers strike around, The hollow caverns echo back the sound. 70 Here, Venus brought her pigeons and her coach, The one-eyed workmen ceased at her approach; When Vulcan thus — My charmer! why so pale? You seem prepared to tell some dismal tale. Does fierce Tydides still rage pursue? Or has your son his arrows tried on you? Ah! no. — What makes you bleed then? answer quick. On no, my lord, my husband! Know, a prick Of needle’s point has made me wond’rous sick! Fear not, my spouse! said Vulcan, ne’er again, Never shall any needle give you pain. With that the charming goddess he embraced, Then in a shell of brass her finger cased. This little engine shall in future days Continued he, receive the poet’s praise, And give a fruitful subject for their lays; This shall the lovely Lydia’s finger grace — Lydia — the fairest of the human race! He spoke — then, with a smile, the Queen of Love Returned him thanks, and back to Cyprus drove.

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When Venus, Lydia, with beauty blest, She granted her the thimble with the rest; Yet cannot brass or steel remain for ay, All earthly things are subject to decay. Of Babel’s tow’r, so lofty and so proud, 95 No stone remains to tell us where it stood; The great, the wise, the valiant and the just, Cæsar and Cato, are returned to dust; 192

The Thimble Devouring Time to all destruction brings, Alike the fate of Thimbles — and of Kings. Then grieve not, Lydia! cease your anxious care, Nor murmur lest your favorite Thimble wear. All other thimbles shall wear out e’er long, All other thimbles, be they e’er so strong, Whilst your’s shall live for ever — in my song.

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On the foregoing by —

Fair Lydia’s Thimble, Ramsay! to thy name, Shall be a passport thro’ the gates of Fame. *** Again the Royal Band in fair array Hast to the Plain see [th]e Brave Hark Lads the fair with Conquering Een demand your gay appearance on the Green Health Joy and all that Makes Life Easy flow To the Brave Band that Bauldly Bend the Bow 5 Cease Gloomy Sauls to Snarl at Blyth deray nor grudge the Chearfu mind a Social day Sigh oer your Trash vile Nigards & be Slaves till you unpitied Starve into your Graves Ye publick Rovers a’ thats sonsy sell 10 to pang your pride your Bountith sure in H— while honest minds unsourd with clogs sae vile can cast their cares aside and sometimes smile smile at each wight with vice & spleen oprest well kenning Life is but a farce at Best 15 Let heavy heads there solemn nonsence Brook and ward aff friendship with a sullen Look Tis yours ye Royal Band with Joy to trace benevolence in ane annithers face Ladys demand & flowry field invite 20 The Scotish Archers on the Plains to meet friendship & generous Love that only give the Bliss that makes it worth anes while to live “Let sounds melodious Echo throw the air “and free ilk hearty archer Banish care 25 meet every youth who tyes of friendship bind let him be fremit-fled who lags behind be deemd a Creeping span[i]el of state and be the Butt of Bonny lasses hate But to ilk archer who in good array 30 helps to adorn the March and Gambols gay May ilka Patriot be his friend & prope 193

Poems and softest Beauty gratifie his hope These are rewards that can make life flow even only bestowd on favourites of Hevven 35 Hail to the patriot chiefs who Grace the Band May they still brook as they deserve command May still their publick generous thought d[i]fuse a joy unkend to those who power abuse to latest ages may their fame desend 40 and to esteem their offspring recomend Let sounds melodious Echoe throw the air and far frae noble patriots banish care Clarinda smiles Calista looks serene in lovely state they press the flowry green 45 a Thousand Beautys coppy from the pair and by the Imitation look more fair O Best of Paterns may you ever shine the Leading Stars of Graces maist Devine when springing Beautys yet in lovely Bud 50 shall act with grandure what is wise & good not rightly understood by Cloudy wights who cannot place things in their proper light to grace whats Just convincingly theyl say Clarinda and Calista Led the way 55 Let sounds Melodious Echo throw the air and far frae Bony Smilers Banish care Let sparkling Bumpers Blythly wheel arround and with the Best & fairest Toasts be crownd such healths as makes the honest heart to Glow 60 of every worthy Scot who draws the Bow and scorns to act a Damnd or dirty thing against his countrey conscience and his King who can look doun with virtuous disdain on sic as daur trock a those for gain 65 Dear Clara too in whom the Graces meet with Amacordia every way complete with Charms divine awaking softest Love adorn the field and the parade approve stand yont vile Things you must not interfere 70 with their Just Joys to whom their rights are dear Dear be his Nation to ilk Archers heart so may just heaven pay hame his high desert with sic rewards no canker can destroy when thers no conscious guilt to sour his Joy 75 *** what Joyous Din thus strikes my Ear what mean these preparations gay for what these Clangors loud & clear that in my night strikes up a day 194

what Joyous Din thus strikes my Ear Great Dame lift up your awfull head and view the amiable show Behold your Brave and Stalward Brood who march to draw the Martial bow Their Native Courage dignified with Art Easyest adress

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*** O Come Let us be Joving & merry mery Roving come let us all agree Then to the Links weer going our Bows and arrows showing 5 with Rank and file in order as every ane may se O Calidonia wonder the next line is a Blunder [Many who hope a wee]

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They daylie are Increasing in hopes of New Succession to free us frae oppress[ion] & bring us Libertie *** The distress & complaint of Mustapha, for Loss of his fur A Dogrell ’Twas now the merry moneth of May the Gowans spang’ling ilka Brae, when Dogs grew as debauchd as man, and after mapin Bitches ran, then for their Doxies fight pell-mell when an ill-time’d mischance befell, to Mustapha, a dog of merit, of pauky Laits, and courtly Spirit, Supperiour the continouall snarling, was still sagacious in his Quareling; — a very wise and cunning Coward, bauld among Curs, to Mastives toward, Well clad he was, oe’r Rigg & flank, with a broun curllie fur and rank, whilk baith his sides and hipps did deck, as braw, as a young Lady’s neck, his hinging eyebrows shade his Een, 195

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Poems sae thick they scarcely coud be seen, which made him look as grave & staunch as some great Dons who fill the Bench, 20 This foresaid Dog, thus warmly clad, a favourite by his master fed, now in the shining, Summer days, had his full share of skiping flaes, that, in voracious flocks, did nip him, 25 which prompt the Coachman to clip him, to ease him of that waukrife levee, that throw his hide suckt out his gravie, which had th’efect — but then alace! it twin’d him of his portlie grace, 30 stript of his Ministeriall fur, the Spaniel seem’d a sneaking Cur, with nothing of that noble air, and gracefullness, of his long Hair, while streight, to every head of Block, 35 thus Cowd he grew a laughing stock, On which he ran, as fast as able, to see if nighbours in the Stable, Sorrell, Blackie, Nab & Balsan, woud treat [him] in a kinder fashion, 40 but Ah! these Catle didna ken him, and not ae friendly snowk wad len him, but took him for some snarling whelp, that was stown in to bite & yelp, and when he seyd to fleech, & lick them, 45 they heez’d up their hind hooves to kick him, vext to the heart, ne’er fawn a swoond, three times he yould, and thrice gade round, syne doun with faulded feet, he Lay in a bye Hole, upon the Strae, 50 and with his Heart all in his Hose, he lifted up his bluberan nose, and to cauld waws, of sweating stane, he gowling loud, thus made his mane, “Alake! how pittyfull I look, 55 “thus lying naked in a nook, “misken’d, and slighted by the scorns “of ilka Beast wears hooves, & horns, “wha at me neither flung, nor Butted, “while I in Curlie glorys struted, 60 “then my least smile wad heez’d ilk hope “and made them blyth to lick my dowp, “ther was no Dog in all the Citty “was mair esteemd, or thought so witty, “while high in favour with my Lord 65 “by Courtiers all I was ador’d, “Black be that Day, and never fair, 196

The distress & complaint of Mustapha “on which from me, they cut the Hair, “be warned by my unlucky fate, “ye skipers of the kitle state, 70 “and eek ye Rullers who appear “hoold up in Honours, for a year, “mentain that Solemn look & air “which make the litle vulgar stare, “and to your Husk pay homage due 75 “when all within it wad not do, “as frequently Experience shaws “men clad in majesteriall Braws, “seem Pows of pithy penetration, “hewn out to grace sae great a Station 80 “but soon as stript, and laid aside, “their sinking value lays their pride, “Oh! soon grow forth ye curls of mine, “Oh! soon again in ringlets shine, “Outo’er my Skin, frae Snout to Tail, 85 “that I these happy Days may hail, “when these regards I can make sure, “neer given to powerless, & the poor, This said he stuck his nostirls deep between his hips & fell asleep 90 *** The Tykes Tooly Of all the Rangers of the Moor fair Juno was the greatest whore, none swifter scowered the Knows and Bogs, She was a Toast, among the Dogs, but, Ah! what dire mischeifs are spred! 5 from ills, by Love and Beauty bred, Empires distroy’d, and private Jars, Assasinations, bloody wars, thus fierce were Toolys ’mongst the Tykes for Juno, when she took the sykes, 10 even blood-relation pled no grace ’mongst the Love-bitten barking race, The father in the madest Ire ’gainst the Son’s Throple did conspire, and uncles curst thought it no sin 15 to rive his yowling nevoy’s skin, for Juno’s Love, the panting croud Shew’d all their fangs, & gowld aloud, Ringwood, Ranger, Tray, & Towser, Venture’d their heart’s blood to espouse her, 20 The rageing Pack, all in a fury Gowl, snarl, & bite, & tear, & worry, 197

Poems ’till many a Dog with gaping wound, and meikle blood, and dirt, was shed, before the Amorous plea was redd, 25 Like them, the Humane race appears who go togither by the Ears, and think it an Heroick play to murder thousands in a day, and when the Bloody race is run 30 by either side ther’s nothing won, Our Tale, this Morall fairly teaches Mankind act oft like Dogs & Bitches. *** The broad Hint cunningly answerd In ripened years, when Blood flows cool, then mankind cease to play the fool, grow very cautious, grave, & wise. and prodigall of good advice, the courses that themselves run throw, 5 they hardly to their Bairns allow. Patricius for his merits known which none who knew him would disown, was now arriv’d to that same age which can oppose love’s fiercest rage, 10 tho in his youth, some would debate it, he took a Rugg when he could get it, He had a son, a hearty youth, who lov’d to smack a pretty mouth, the Lad was lively, brisk, &, keen, 15 not much to ceremony gi’en, who thought, when nature was inviting, one should not take too long entreating, nor cavil much about her Laws, when one could show a good because, 20 Some maiden auld of envious nature, or chap’lain, sour malicious creature, officiously had told the Laird that his son John had no regard, to Laws cannonicall or civell 25 but amongst Lasses playd the Devil, Thought fornication was no sin, and whore’d about throw’ thick & thin unterified at claps & poxes Repenting-stools or the Kirk-Boxies 30 One Evening as the Son & father by a warm Ingle sat togither where tire’d with Rambles of the Day upon the hearth lay favourite Tray 198

The broad Hint cunningly answerd to whom thus spoke by way of squint 35 the sire that Son might take the hint Ye silly Cur what is’t bewitches you thus to galop after Bitches the live-lang day oer Riggs & Bogs fighting with all the wicked Dogs 40 wasting your strength for litle thanks and getting riven spauls & shanks? John understood his father’s drift when luckylie to lend a lift a little whelp of humour gay 45 woud fain have had some game with Tray he pauted at his hinging luggs and sometimes at his Tail he druggs which sport the auld & sullen Tike by snaps & girns seem’d to dislike 50 John to the auld dog spoke, thus slee get out ye cankerd curr cryd he, your Eild & Sourness gar ye snarl and with the wanton whelpie quarell you have forgot — (your manners tell) 55 that you was anes a whelp your Sell. *** The Clever offcome When Lewis the grand monarque rung whose doughty deeds french poets sung when he with Shining sword & fire o’er Europe Strave to have Empire then to win Hearts and be Commanders 5 french Beaux dance’d a the gate to flanders tho ane of Ten came Scarcely back of his atchevments bauld to crack in Honours Bed they got their lair and never dream’d of Lasses mair 10 Ane dafter that had a young Wife which he had newlie tane for life went with the lave to win renown with hazard of a broken Crown sair sighd his Spouse and like a Spout 15 frae her kind Blinkers tears gush out Roars out, Oh! this will break my Heart! but Honour call & they maun part and streight he leavs his sighing Dame to fen the best she could at hame 20 And she, wise woman, was not slaw some comfort, for her self, to draw From such as like’d better to wield, 199

Poems Love’s Darts, than Mars’s bloody Shield, To make our Tale as brief’s we can, 25 He joyn’d the camp and playd the man, and raxing at imortall fame he in the Gazet stuck his name, thus stoutly standing brunt of fight, he by his prince was made a Knight, 30 Now when the winter winds grew bauld, and Heroes doughtna fight for cauld, they to their Garisons retire to rest, & lay in winter fire, then to his Hame the Knight withdrew 35 with victor’s wreaths upon his Brow, but aft, midst Laurells, sprouting Horn may bravest Wariors’ fronts adorn, when wives forsaken likes blyth meetings better than sunkan sighs & greetings 40 the case Sr Bertram found his Spouse in was Ranting Dancing & Carowsing with twa three Gilpys young & souple nae slaves to superstitious Scruple Hence Jealousie, that gnawing Evil, 45 that’s oft in marriage most uncivell, Streight cram’d our Heroes head with care to ken if Dearest playd him fair, but how proceed to find the Truth? well thought — “I’ll learn’t frae her ain mouth 50 “next friday she’s to be confest, “I’ll be in haly muslin drest “in this disguise by canny jug’ling “I may pump out her secret smug’ling pleasd with the thought, at Time, & place 55 clad like a father full of Grace He met his wife in silent Room where with austere and awfull gloom “Said Daughter as you’d Scape the fangs “of Deils & purgatorays pangs 60 “hide not from me your least polution “as you expect true absolution he said — his bonny wife begins and lays in light her lesser sins then penetently next proceeds 65 to tell her mair Lacivious deeds “Ah! cryd she, tho a new beginer “Alass! I’ve been a sinfu’ sinner “even with a Captain, Knight, & priest, “These have layn heavy on my Breast, 70 She had gane on — had not her Dearest, roard out upon his faithless fairest, a vile ratrime of nasty names, 200

The Clever offcome for playing at sic graceless games, “what with a priest, vile wretch, sd he, 75 “pray what do ye take me to be? My Husband, answerd she right Stout, (who by his fury found him out) “Ah, Lovie! cryd the paukie Gipsie, “Could ye think me sae dull or tipsy 80 “Sae arrant, & unkind a fool, “as not to ken you throw a Cowl, “you’re Jealous Deary without Reason, “nor has my Love commited Treason, “you are the Captain, Knight, & priest, 85 “whom I confest about in Jest, “two Titles valour won to thee, “a priest now you appear to be, “most Reverend father, now resolve, “either to punish, or absolve, 90 “your tender kind & faithfull wife, “who loves you better than her life, Here wit & aprehension quick, provd notable, at such a nick, in transports all his joys danc’d, 95 believing’t truth what she advancd, he by the bite sae well was buckle’d, he never thought himself a cuckold. *** Ode 5th What young Raw Muisted Beau Bred at his Glass now wilt thou on a Rose’s Bed Carress wha niest to thy white Breasts wilt thow intice with hair unsnooded and without thy Stays O Bonny Lass wi’ thy Sweet Landart Air how will thy fikle humour gie’ him care when e’er thou takes the fling strings, like the wind that Jaws the Ocean — thou’lt disturb his Mind when thou looks smirky kind & claps his cheek to poor friends then he’l hardly look or speak the Coof belivest-na but Right soon he’ll find thee Light as Cork & wavring as the Wind on that slid place where I ’maist brake my Bains to be a warning I Set up twa Stains that nane may venture there as I hae done unless wi’ frosted Nails he Clink his Shoon *** 201

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Ode 6th To His Grace John Duke of Argyle

Harmonious Pope wha made th’Inspired Greek in British phrase his winsome Iliad speak shoud Son’rous sing what Bairns unborn shall Read O Great Argyle ilk martial doughty deed of thine in a’ thy Conduct and Career 5 in Closet Schems & Rieking fields of wier Campbells Brave Chief we mensfowly decline to sing the Heroes of King Fergus’ line, Corbredus Glad in feght unkend to tire or Caractatus shogan Rome’s Empire 10 A blateness shoars me sair that I wad tine my sell and spill a subject sae divine if I should mint aboon my sphere to flee and sing the Glorys of Cround heads & Thee Wha can descrive the pusiant God of War 15 in’s adamantine Coat & Brasen Car draun by fierce Lyon throu Ten thousand faes garing their heart strings crack wher e’er he gaes wha can at Bannock burn Bauld Bruce display or Thee at Mallplackae forcing the Way 20 Enough for me to draw a Countrey dance and how Blyth Gossips drink the young wife hans with Ourlies Clean how Tam & me fou feat wad Rin an wrestle Round the Rucks wi’ Kate

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Some Cry up paris for Good Wine Madrid Brags her potosi’s Mine and up wit Rome for ferlies fine Vianas an Emperial Seat The Hogans keep their ’Dams Right Neat Aboon them A’ London’s maist great

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But Arthurs Seat wher Echos Ring and Round those Wawks fit for a King wher Glides the Clear Saint Antons Spring Clyds Gow’ny Howms & Watter faws the Louthian Rigs & Leader Haughs and Ed’nburghs high & hewn stain Waws Delyt me mair than Spartas towers or yet Larissa Bonny Bowers 202

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Ode 7th or Tempes Greens Chequer’d wi’ flowers The Suthren Blasts will cease to thud grow mild & Brush away ilk Cloud and let the sun Beams warm the Bud Then if at hame Courting the fair or in Rugh plains wher Cannons Rair O — Drink — and drive aff Care.

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*** ane Epitaph Designd for Mr. —— Here Lys ane Author wha has made Sax muckle Volumes by his Thieving wha thought to live whan he was dead But chanc’d to die while was living *** Jock upo’ Land had Sons eleven and Bony Daughters nine The Lads were brawny tall & even the Lasses cheeks did shine John (says my Lord) what gars your weans thrive better than our Elves Replys the Clown we’re at the pains to get our Bairns our Selves

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*** The Hand preferd to the Hat a Epigrame Ae Day a Bonny Lass and Braw gat on the open street a fa’ The Wind Blew up her sark like milk far higher than her Hose of silk To ilka ane her conquering Spade 5 like a spred Eagle was displayd Mean time came by a sighing Brither wha tenting this Mark of his Mither as it had been to say the Grace o’t he laid his hat upo’ the face o’t 10 Crys out the Lady Lying flat Kind sir ye may tak aff ye’r Hat Ye’r Loof is Braid enough for That

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Poems To a Gentleman who bid me write allways short Things Epigram That’s your advice I Thank ye for’t but My Muse beter bred is for tho ye Like a Thing that’s Short so does not All the Ladys *** When fate’s great Author is inclind His blessings on a place to shower He raises men of upright Mind To had the Rulling Reins of power Those magistrates to angells Tower Who hate each avaritious crime And by their Prudence evry hour do good to thousands at a time

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*** The ugly only are the spitefu and with this spite themsels they gaw nor satyr need, and the delytfu nae line o’t to their Skair can fa These ar a hint of Thousands mae 5 I give well wordy of their Licks Lets thrash them till theyre black & blay nor count their Love worth fidlesticks The Love & notice of the few whose spirits rise aboon the rest 10 all men shoud court if its their due and for the favour gratefull bow Sir as your Allan does to you whose muse such kindness has exprest *** To Harts and Hares’ Nature gave heels Horns to the Bull to Eagles wings fishes she Armd with fins & scales With his stout fang the Lyon dings With wisdom and a Brawny Arm 5 man claims to bear the Sovraign sway to keep the Tender fair from harm 204

To Harts and Hares’ Nature gave heels what Sheild what arms have they? A gift surmounting all the rest Altho it weaker seems than ony 10 yet is befar strongest & best wha can resist or wrang what’s Bony *** You only You have the Ascendant gain’d oer all my Joys and Hiden I’ve mentaind A civel war between myself and me between base custom and true love to Thee false force of fashion poor unworthy Cause which binds our Bashfull Sex doun to its Laws the hated bondage I Shake off and must or vent my Love or blended be with dust Then hast thee Sovraign of my Pulse and breath And give me joy & Life or Scorn and Death Ah yet I Blush Attackd on either Side between my Inate Modesty and pride I’ve said enoug[h] few words in Love are blest when first we meet thy Looks shall speak the rest

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*** Like twa fell flesher Tikes inured to Quarrell with horid din about a bane they snarle Straight rise their Bristly furs red Glow their Eeen up curl their snouts & all their teeth are seen enragd they make th’atack with Widend Jaws and tear each other with sharp tusks & claws Thus but oer aften trifles Raises Strife which never ends but with some foolish Life Like as the hungry Gled with hasty fleight doups doun & Puts the powtrie in a fright while some ill illfated wandring bird must fa with ruefull cheeps in his dead griping Claw oer late it then its last portyoul may sing that left the safegard of kind Tapoks Wing

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Like a Robd fox that sees The Eagle rise 15 and bear his yet Blind Cub up towards the Skys Lang may he Gove and bootles youl & yelp while to his nest Joves Bird conveys the whelp To his mid Region fort the Prey he brings whilk Lowrie ne’er can Rescew without wings 20 So have I seen a craft[y] cat oft Play 205

Poems *** Should Angells from the Heavens descend and say one Partys Right Their oposite would Still contend and shut their Eyes on Light Reason debard ill nature Rife 5 self views & cant uncivil Completes a wight for factious Strife makes him a wasp in Social Life and agent for the Devil *** Is their a Condition Included in your Late commission That publick shoud be sae Respected That private friends Maun be Neglected Or rather is’t some Lovely She 5 That rivals Mony Mae than me If that’s the case, then I knock under And at your silence shall not wonder for that same litle Godie Amor Makes sic a hildiegildie clamour 10 Where eer he gets the upper hand that ilk ane else maun silent stand *** While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold that’s to the Bonyest Godess Bucked, was Pointing these mischivous darts that Peirces young unguarded hearts his Bony wife in hinny dipt them 5 her son as aft with wormwood tipt them mein time to get a cast of craft either of hard ware, or of Saft Came in the furious God that Rules when feilds are Clad with feighting fools 10 and when the weirs are oer gaes sculkan to adorn the brows of Cheils like Vulcan the mighty Mars with scorning moves his Weighty Lance & Leugh at Love’s what Pudding Prick What Skures quoth he 15 are these ye make sae Light sae wee but soone the slee Unsonsy Brat said therrs ane weightier — feel but that I’ll lay if you speak truth & plain you’ll oun it Heavyer than your ain 20 206

While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold Mars Took it but nae sooner took it than that he fand he had mistook it to se her Brawny spark beguild in hope to gain be’t Venus smild but frae the Bottom of his Liver 25 he sight and ound the dangerous Quiver was heavey — and that he’d back receive it Quoth Cupid keep it since ye have it *** Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno Martis nonarum tertius usque pavor Non Sic fata Jubent nec nunquam fata Jubebunt ut foret illa dies Chara Suprema tibi Now all ye Powers who Generous Love defend who give Integrity ane happy End O crown with pleasure all my souls desire and Emma’s breast with all thats kind inspire for me who only health & being wish enjoy in her so much of your own Bliss

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I write no more Love whispers in Mine Ear Thy Emma’s bright atractions shine so clear Rivals may rise — this rouzes all my Mind I come my fair, Lovd welcome may I find But Thousands wheeld unheeded there for me 15 Love all my thoughts, & Eyes still turn’d on thee Th’Italian chanting tunefull on the Stage The Mimicks Lashing folys of the Age for me Imployd but Idly all their care when my delight in chief thy self was there 20 Ah tell me fairest can thy Heart incline to Love and match a flame so pure as mine does the Extatick Glow & Cloud by turns, which the true Lover’s Spirit damps & burns, Checquer thy minutes? — happy wert for me 25 wouldst thou say yes my Henry ’tis for thee The fondest Matron from the Hostile plain her only Son reported to’ve been slain recieving home in perfect bloom of Health a Sculcking Bankrupt raisd to princely wealth 30 higher than theirs my Bliss would rise divine were thy Love fixd on me & Equald mine Wealth, shining blaze of Titles, & renown, of wearers & supporters of a Croun Stars, Coronets Gold Keys or Whytend Rods 35 which mount th’ Ambitious up to demi Gods 207

Poems in vulgar view — Look litle all in mine compard to one consenting smile of thine Shoud fate sweep of the whole of Humane kind we but exeem’d, in Emma’s form & mind 40 I’d think of Bliss I had the fullest store bow gratefull to the Heavens & ask no more *** She Gecks as ane wad do her ill when she Glaiks paughty in her Braws then let the filly fling he[r] fill for fint a Crum o’ thee she faws Nere dunt again within my Breast 5 Nor let her Scorn thy courage spill Ne’er gie a sob abiet she Incast Best mends een let her tak her will *** Preserve these Charms you Liberal Gave your supliant ask nae mair ye’ve Left us naithing els to crave for one sae good sae fair whose Beauty in Duty ilk muse is bound to sing Still wishing that Blissing She mony Bairns may Bring

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*** my friend be thankfu for the Grace of ’Scaping what aft cleeks in raw lads to ane unsonsy case The Cannongates a Kitle place for Lovers to get Breeks in that bumbling Quacks aft sleeks in

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*** To A fa[i]r Quaker in Dumps A Song Tune Blest as the Imortall Clear up My Marg’ret let nae Care cast Clouds upon a face sae fair Examine by thy light within and be convinced it is a Sin to Rob the warld of a these Charms 208

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To a fa[i]r Quaker in Dumps which evry wondring gazer warms wha Ravishd canna think the Less than Angell in a Quaker’s dress Thy Een that glance with sic a fire as might a Druid daisd inspire with warmest wishes werna made sae soon beneath a Gloom to fade Thy Mouth and Breasts where charms contend which Best shall Please a Trembling friend Shoud ken nae grief nor pout nor pant or ought to favour a Complaint O Margret Like the friends above wha have nae ither wealth but Love dispise the dross dug frae the Hills (with which the wretch his coffer fills) and with a Love as pure as mine within my arms with joy recline recline thy Cheek upon my Heart and bid farewell to Evry Smart

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I’ll be to Thee if thou prove True 25 refreshing as the morning Dew Thou Like the Sun shall gar me rise and a’ the thoughts of Earth dispise Thus Hov’ring oer the shaking Grove a while the Pearly Liquids move 30 Till Beams with fuller Ardures flame and dew & Rays become The Same *** Bogi-Dow a Sang To the Tune of Jeny Beguild the Wobster O had my Apron Biden Doun the Kirk had ne’er a kend it But now the words gane throu the Toun Alake hou can we mend it Now ye maun face the Minister 5 and I maun Mount the Pillar and that’s the gate that poor Fowk gae for Poor fowk have nae siller But what needs either Jock or I care for the parish Taunting 10 since a’ we did was but to Try the Thing that we were Wanting nane Buys a Chease afore they pale 209

Poems and prive gin they were Twenty The man that has a wife to wale 15 why shoud he be less Tenty Come Jock lets Joyn afore the Priest since that’s the thing we maun do That done fa frankly to the feast and laugh at a they can do 20 its Marriage makes a mends for a and sma’s the Skaith of AntiThen let’s gae Sowder ilka flaw syn ca the Cutty Canty Let silly woers Sight & Jouk 25 that fear to make the Tryal I like the Lad with Laughing Look that will take nae denyal but Round about the Hay Stack and in amang the finkle 30 A Lad shoud gie a Lass a Snack to gar her Tocher Tinkle *** O Maly O Mally I can nae Langer Bear my spirit will fail me if Put to further Tryalls Should a Tongue sae swet sic Een Divinely Clear confound a poor Lover with ony mair Denyalls ***

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Poems



A Poem upon Ease by Gavin Douglas poet Laureat to the Easy Club.

The greatest blessings God for Men design’d Were health of Body and ane Upright Mind These in times youth the Ancient Sages Sang from these soft ease with Charming Beauty Sprang Such Beauties as doth every Mortall please 5 for who’s so dull that’s not in Love with Ease for her a Monarch oft wou’d quit his Crown and all his Regall powerfull sway lay down for her Even Loyall Subjects just and True To their Right sovereign often times do bow 10 To ane Usurper In View of her mankind supports their toyl and Seeks her out through many a different Soyl Even from these Shores where Ice like mountains Stand To where the Sun doth Search the fleeting Sand 15 for her the Merchant ploughs the Briny flood for her the Souldier wades through lakes of Blood for her the Spaniard digs the golden Ore and from peru brings’t to the European Shore The frugall gauls with care their Vineyards plant 20 To Banquet Divine ease and Banish want The Brawny Britain to his plough doth Yoak and feeds fat herds to make her kettles smoak All seek to find her all her presence crave Tho some Ne’re find her till they Reach ye grave 25 Some Search for her in Courts but in her Shape They only find dull laziness her Ape her Real Self though hy Born Rather dwells In Humble Cotes and pious culdee’s cells They quite mistake who think ye Virgin Can 30 despise forsake or hate the active man Its only he’s her darling and her Care While lumpish lazy Drones dye in Despair Hail Noble Nymph Thy praises cannot fail While grief and pain do on this Round prevail 35 Thou wast the gift of the Supremer powers To our first parents in fair Edens bowers There there thou Reign’d and did thy Sweets infuse Nor Care nor fears of want durst thee Abuse But when Black crimes appear’d thou then forsook 40 This globe and back to Heaven thy journey took With thee Artrea and all ye graces left this Cursed Wild of goodness quit bereft Whose absence we thy Votaries do mourn Because thou daigns so Seldom to Return 45 Thy Select Club fair Maid be pleas’d to grace and Chear us with thy glad Contented face 212

A Poem upon Ease by Gavin Douglas Be with us always and our happy Race That Unborn sons of ours May blaze the fame Each of his Easy predecessors Name for being Men ’mongst wilder Mankind tame yet Michael Scot and Napier will take place ’mongst them who do through knotty problems trace May conquest still attend on Wallace’s arm and on his tongue that he may beauties charm Support Blind Harry that his worthy Pen May praise the hero and such God-like men Who Stand’s their Countrey’s friend in time of Need and Cannot See brave Caledonia bleed Let Zachery Boyd and Davie Lindsay’s mirth To glad good humour always give the Birth Let great Buchannan never cease to fill well written Volumes with his Learned quill May our Pitcairn ne’re fail with methods sure To have Success when he designs to Cure May Hector Boece and Jon Barclay write Their histories true Contemming party spite May good Beilhaven still plead his Nations cause and firmly stand by her just Rights and Laws Cherish old Gavin yt while his lungs do breath his Temples may deserve the Laurell Wreath

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*** My Generous Patrons, who have lang Approven of my merry Sang Smiled at my tale and own I write The Pastoral that gives delyte, And that my Native Muse is able 5 For comick epigram and fable. The higher strains I darena brag Afraid in this I should prove lag, Yet since in other lays I please Thanks to Appolo, I’m at ease. 10 And will not Blush while I demand Assistance from your helping hand When I design, with tenty speed, Fairly to print, that you may read, The seven-years labours of my head. 15 While to my Patrons thus I pray, Methinks I hear ’S[?]abella say, “Cheer up, blyth Bard, nor cease to sing; Nae critick sour shall clip thy wing: I, with a thousand Beautys mae 20 Shall shield thee frae ilk surly fae. We’ll keep thy cottage tight and bein,

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Poems Thy pot in play, thy owerlay clean, And slip into thy purse some store, To breed thy son and daughters four 25 Please us, the Powers of Love and we Will take peculiar care of thee.” Ye Glorys of the British Isle, As long as I enjoy your smile, My cares shall vanish like a dream 30 Or mist that hovers o’er the stream, Till Phoebus, with a bleez of day, Forbids the damp t’oppose his ray. ’Twas [my?] study and my Pride To have the fair upon my side, 35 And while you thus indulgent shine, MY gratitude shall ne’er decline. “Fleech on,” cries N[?]abal, brag or pet But de’il ye (one) doit frae me ye’se get. Ye’ve gotten mair than your deserving, 40 While mony a better Rhymer’s sterving As ye should a, baith gude and ill, With my consent, had I my will. Gie glancing gowd for wicked rhymes? O wicked fashions! wicked times! 45 Gie poets cash! — gie them the woody, Swith to a garret, poor and duddy, Till hunger has your bulk refined, For the enlargement of your mind. *** Banks of Forth Say Chloe by what secret art a glowing flame you do impart throw ev’ry Breast, when tis well known snow is not colder than your oun it gives the admiring world surprise to see that Love who from these Eyes wounds others with unerring Darts Should prove a Stranger to your Heart

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Throw varrious Climates I have rov’d and varrious Beautys seen unmov’d 10 my Heart preservd for you Alone I lookd I lov’d & was undone but ah so pleasing was the pain fondly I hugg’d the fatal chain nor would I tho I might be free 15 but live a captive still to thee 214

Verses To the Tune of Over the hills and far Away Verses To the Tune of Over the hills and far Away The Royall Youth may now advance And safely bid adieu to France And Loyal hearts will bless ye day For his return that’s far away The gracious Queen with tears of joy Will wellcome home ye lovely boy And gloriously resigne the sway To him whom we should all obey

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Hanover may now bid adieu And also that rebellious crew 10 Who the Royall Scepter hopes to sway Which belongs to him thats far away Trow Subjects now may freely sing Soon may return our banish’d King we no pretender will obey 15 When he comes home thats far away Now Let us Since He’s comeing home Drink’s safe accession to the throne And not regard what they can say Who still would keep him far away 20 *** I read your Letter Saunders Wood, And the main meaning understood, Which is that ye like well the Air, Of Pindus and nine Lasses fair; On that Green edge with them to Sing - 5 And quaff at the Pierrian Spring The worthy ardor I approve, And Sauls of sic a Byass Love; Without whilk turn I’ve aften thought, The tuneless mind is good for nought, 10 But howking in Earth’s guts for Cash, Or throw’ vile Party Dubbs to plash; To craw upon a dirty Midding, By doing a’ there Leaders bidding, Be’t ne’er sae scand’lous or dull nonsense, 15 Without regard to Law or Conscience. But these wha tend th’harmonious Nine, 215

Poems Have in them something mair Divine Whilk beets a brave, and generous flame, That Lows up to Immortal Fame, 20 Which by them justly is prefer’d, To a’ the Gowd grows in the Eard— And makes them ever true and liel, To God, the King, and Common-Weal, Then mount my Lad and be na fley’d, 25 Upon our Pinnion’d Nag to ride; For tho he be mair fleet and Skeigh, Than ony rins on Sands of Leith, And haes gi’en mony a Chiel a Coup, That durst between his Shoulders Loup, 30 Wha war na of the native Band, And held na right the Bridle-Hand; Yet if the Muses kindly own ye, He’s canny as a pacing Powny— Thus far to hearten you I’ve sung, 35 But as a critick had my Tongue, Till you and I sall fairly meet— Then I sall shaw in Plan, or feet, Of your Essay, what I observ’d in’t Till then, incog. your humle Servant; 40 A. R. *** I had a Rock & a wee Pickle Tow and I wad gae try spinning ot I Louted doun and my Rock took a Low and that was an ill beginning ot I Luntit I Brunt it it vexd me to death I waited I fretted and was unco Laith That my Rock & my Tow shoud meet with sick skaith an hae sic an ill beginning ot

5

*** Long has it been the Bus’ness of the Stage To mend our Manners, and reform the Age. This Task the Muse by Nature was assign’d, E’re Christian Light shone in upon the Mind; Ev’n since those glorious Truths to Men appear’d, Her moral Precepts still have been rever’d, And where the sacred Monitors have fail’d. Just Satyre from the Stage hath oft prevail’d. Tho’ some sour Criticks full of Phlegm and Spleen, Condemn her Use as hellish and obscene; 216

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Long has it been the Bus’ness of the Stage And from their gloomy thoughts and want of Sense, Think what diverts the Mind gives Heav’n Offence. Would such from Truth and Reaso[n] form their Sample, They’ll find what’s meant for Precept, what Example, Nor think when Vice and Folly shall appear, The Characters were drawn for them to wear. Fools in their native Follies should be shown, and Vice must have its Language to be known. To such this Lesson then we recommend, Let each mend one, the Stage will have its End, Good Sense shall flourish, Reason triumphant reign, And Hypocrites no more their Power Maintain; The Muse shall once again resume her Throne, And our Stage vie with Athens or with Rome. Long in those Realms she held her rapid Flight, Filling their Minds with Profit and Delight. Till in despight of Sense, and wits Disgrace, Dull Ignorance a while usurp’d her Place, For many ages bore the Palm alone, And wild Buffoons defil’d her sacred Throne. But late at length she reach’d Britannia’s Shore, And Shakespear taught her once again to soar. At last transplanted by your tender Care. She hopes to keep her Seat of Empire here. To your Protection then ye Fair and Great, This Fabrick to her Use we consecrate. On you it will depend to raise her Name, And in Edina fix her lasting Fame.

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*** The Dogs of Balgavy As Willy Rode through mire & clay In dark & dismall night His Mare grew weary of the way & wearier of the wight Wanded & spurred he Right fast 5 She farted & she flung Till Step she would not Stir at last So Closs to Clay she Clung The Tykes beset her in this plight Behind & eke befor her 10 had but their pith been like their spite in pieces they had tore her Mischief they meant but good they did To Willy that was Stranded Bitt by the heels his mare got Rid 15 Till on firm Ground She landed 217

Wolls me (Quoth Willy) to the dogs Kind Jacobites adieu I’de sank forever in these bogs had it not been for you Whether of Merriment or spite he gave the dogs this name or if he calld them so from Bite (In this my story[’]s lame) Allan Ramsay

***

20

NOTES To the Most Happy Members of the Easy Club, 1712 Text: Chambers (ed.), Works (1800), I, p.xiv. No MS. The STS editors assert that an MS copy is found in the BL (Add MS 12115), but the text has not been found in that collection. The poem is in the Journal of the Easy Club and was, according to the STS editors, ‘delivered… on 27 June 1712 on the occasion of Ramsay’s being Praeses for the evening’ (VI, p.125). First printed in the 1800 edition of Ramsay’s poems edited by Chalmers and Tytler, where it is described as ‘his earliest production’ (I, p.xiv). The Easy Club Journal does not survive in MS, but it was seen by Gibson, who made a transcription of it and refers to it throughout his New Light. The STS editors were furnished with a transcription of Gibson’s transcription of the Journal and published that text in the fifth volume of their edition. Given that the original has been lost, there are obvious problems with the textual reliability of either Gibson’s or the STS editors’ transcriptions as copy-text. Having said this, the general contents of the Easy Club Journal are not in doubt: all editors and scholars of Ramsay prior to and including Gibson had seen it or refer to it, and all agree on its details. In the absence of a reliable MS copy-text, we follow the poem’s first publication (1800) for our text. 13. ‘Apollo’: key deity in classical mythology, associated with poetry, music, dance and archery. 15. ‘Parnassus’: mountain north of Delphi in Greece, regarded in classical mythology as sacred to Apollo and the Muses. On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself Text: EUL (Laing II.212, f.12), transcription by ‘George Buchanan’ (John Fergus), Secretary of the Easy Club, assigned to Ramsay. No holograph MS. First published: STS III, pp.150-51. As with Fergus’s transcription of the ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ in Poems (1721), Ramsay’s proven association with the Easy Club and Fergus’s known role allows us to accept this transcription as copy-text. 2. ‘auld Nick’: the devil. 8. After ‘laft’, this line has ‘I’. The transcription does not complete this stanza. 26. ‘Pluto’: Roman god of the underworld and the dead. To my Ingenious Friends, The Members of the Easy Club; A Poem To the Memory of the Famous Archbald Pitcairn, M.D. Text: ‘A | POEM | To the Memory of the Famous | Archbald Pitcairn, M. D. | [rule] | by | A Member of the | EASY CLUB | in | EDINBURGH. | [rule] | Sum zonder bene for reddy Gold in Hand, | Sald and betrafit thare native Realme and Land. | G. Douglass’s Virgil lib: 6. p. 186. | [rule]’; copy at NLS (RB.s.1173). 219

Poems No MS. First published by Andrew Hart on behalf of the Easy Club, an Edinburgh society of which Ramsay was a founding member, as per ‘Text’. This poem, believed to be Ramsay’s first published composition, remained unlocated until the 1970s. Following its initial printing, the poem was thought to have been lost until it was rediscovered and reprinted in F.W. Freeman and Alexander Law, ‘Allan Ramsay’s first published poem: the poem to the memory of Dr. Archibald Pitcairne’ in The Bibliotheck; a Scottish Journal of Bibliography and Allied Topics 9:5 (1 January 1979, pp.153-60). Previous editors of Ramsay knew that the poem existed: Gibson’s New Light reproduces the title page and quotes the first three lines of Ramsay’s verse dedication, and the poem is referred to in the Club’s journal, but no editor of Ramsay’s works has had access to the full text until now. The Easy Club was founded in Edinburgh by a group of around fourteen young men in May 1712, being modelled on Addison’s and Steele’s Spectator Club. It was thought to have been dissolved in May 1715, but ‘The Lamentation’ sees Ramsay engaged with his fellow members in November of that year (see also notes for that poem). As noted under the ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’, the Journal of the Easy Club as printed in the STS edition of Ramsay’s works has significant problems regarding its provenance and reliability as a copy-text; it is, however, a surviving, if flawed, source of information regarding Ramsay’s Club. It states that all members used pseudonyms while in attendance; Ramsay’s soubriquet at the time of the Club’s foundation was Isaac Bickerstaff. This name was used by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) in a hoax predicting the death of astrologer John Partridge (1644-c.1714) in 1708. In the following year, Steele named Isaac Bickerstaff as the fictitious editor of The Tatler and wrote for the paper under the pseudonym. The Easy Club Journal indicates that, on 5 November 1713, ‘it was unanimously resolv’d in warm expressions by each that none of this club shall have English but Scots patrons… and that member formerly nam’d Isaac Bickerstaff did chose Gavin Douglas sometime Bishop of Dunkeld and a famous old Scots poet for which he is chosen by that member’ (STS V, p.28). Douglas (c.1474-1522), Bishop of Dunkeld, was a Scottish poet and translator. He is known for the Eneados, his Scots translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, which was republished in an influential edition by Thomas Ruddiman in 1710. On 18 November 1713, the Journal states that Gavin Douglas was chosen Praeses who after he had taken the Chair Presented a Poem Composed by himself to ye Memory of Dr Archd Pitcairn which he dedicated to ye Club in a handsome Dedicatory poem… after which it was Resolved the sd poem should be printed at ye charge of ye Members the author included (at his own desire) Upon which each member Consign’d 18/s Scots in thesr hands amounting to £7.4s. The Secretary was appointed to order the printing of it and attend ye Press with ye Author (STS V, p.33). Given that Archibald Pitcairne (1652-1713) died in Edinburgh on 20 October 1713, and Ramsay’s poem was presented to the Easy Club on 18 November, it is likely that the poem to Pitcairne was printed in late 1713 or early 1714. It is 220

Notes to Uncollected Poems also likely that the Club’s decision – on 5 November 1713 – to switch to Scots pseudonyms was connected to Pitcairne’s death, and may have been an active tribute to him. Pitcairne was a Scottish Deist, Jacobite, physician and writer who was responsible for a number of Latin publications including Epistola Archimedis ad regem Gelonem (1710), an anonymously published text which seemingly satirised medical sects, but in fact ridiculed Presbyterianism. He is author of the anti-Presbyterian satirical play, The Phanaticks, later known as The Assembly, which circulated in MS at the end of the seventeenth century but was not published until 1722; Pitcairne was not formally identified as its writer until the nineteenth century. His satirical poem, Babel, was also critical of Presbyterianism. Pitcairne was found to be in debt at the time of his death, and his library was sold to Russia’s Peter the Great to recoup costs. Pitcairne’s son fought on the Jacobite side during the 1715 rising. Dedication 6. ‘Apollo’: Olympian deity and patron of poetry, truth and prophecy. 8. ‘Easy Mind’: Ramsay’s dedicatees, his fellow members of the Easy Club. 12. ‘Pegasus’: winged horse of Greek mythology. The strike of its hoof caused springs to burst forth; Pegasus is therefore credited with the creation of Hippocrene on Mount Helicon, the home of the Muses. 13. ‘Jove’: poetic name for Jupiter, the highest deity in ancient Roman religion. A Poem 14. ‘Elysium’: dwelling of the blessed after death in Greek mythology. 18. ‘Genij’: early modern term for genius. In classical mythology, a ‘genij’ is the attendant spirit allotted to every person at birth, who governs their character and fortunes and finally conducts them to the afterlife. 22. ‘Stygian Coast’: River Styx which, according to classical mythology, was the river over which the dead were ferried to Hades, the abode of the dead. 24. ‘Charon’: ferryman who conveyed the dead across the River Styx to Hades. 29. ‘Dis’: Dīs Pater, Roman god of the underworld. 38. The redacted word is likely to be ‘Union’, in reference to the Union of Parliaments of 1707. 61. ‘Empyrean’: highest sphere of heaven; the sky or firmament. 69. ‘Bruce’: King Robert I of Scotland (1274-1329), commonly known as Robert the Bruce, who led Scotland in the first of the Scottish Wars of Independence. 70. ‘Albion’: Britain; by Ramsay’s time it signified a romanticised, nostalgic view of Britain. 71. ‘Saxon’: in Ramsay’s time, an Englishman descended from the Anglo-Saxons, a Germanic people who occupied areas of southern Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries. 76. ‘Whig’ and ‘Tory’: the two great political and parliamentary parties in England and, following the Union of 1707, Britain. 84. ‘Wallace’: Guardian of Scotland Sir William Wallace (d.1305), one of the leaders of the first War of Scottish Independence. Little is known about Wallace; the main source of information on his life is Scottish poet Blind Harry’s The Wallace, an epic poem dating to the fifteenth century. 221

Poems 94. ‘Douglas’: Sir James Douglas (d.1330), often referred to as James the Black Douglas, Scottish soldier and leader in the Wars of Independence and friend of Robert I of Scotland; ‘Graham’: probably John de Graham of Dundaff (d.1298), who was killed at the Battle of Falkirk, a major battle in the first War of Scottish Independence. 96. ‘Beilhaven’: John Hamilton, second Lord Belhaven and Stenton (16561708), Scottish politician and peer. His 1706 speech, published as ‘The Lord Beilhaven’s Speech in Parliament Saturday the Second of November, on the Subject-matter of an Union Betwixt the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England’, strongly opposed the Union of 1707. In this speech, he accused the Squadrone of betraying Scotland in their support of the Union in an allusion to Brutus’s betrayal of Julius Caesar: ‘Et tu quo-que me fili Squadrone!’ A Rebuke to Antony Uneasy a lover who ask’d the advice of the Easy Club… Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.5). First published: STS III, p.151. According to the Journal of the Easy Club as printed in the STS edition, a letter from ‘Anthony Uneasy’ was presented to the Club on 15 December 1713 (V, p.35): with the letter he encloses a poem written for his beloved and requests the Club’s advice before sharing it with her. Ramsay’s ‘Rebuke’ was presented to the Club on 22 December, when it was discovered that Uneasy’s verses were ‘stoln totidem verbis Out of Rochesters works’ (STS V, p.35). Uneasy’s letter and poem, dated ‘Edr, 10ber 15 1713’, are in MS in EUL’s Laing Collection; the poem is as follows: May no blasphemous bold offence Thy charming soul dare move But Heav’n and Earth join to dispence Delights of every sacred Sence Of my transported Love.

And as that beauteous Angel face Heav’ns masterpiece refin’d The Gods with blest proportions grace So may they fill with tender peace And harmony thy mind.



Still be thy moments soft and light And wing’d with pleasure fly Thy thoughts in day and dreams by night Prove all one rapture of delight And boundless extasie.

With such perfections fortify’d What Monarch can withstand To Lay mean soveraignty aside And own with more than Regal pride Thy absolute command. Title: ‘E. of Rochester’: John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester (1647-80), 222

Notes to Uncollected Poems English poet and member of Charles II’s Restoration court. The STS editors contend that there ‘is no poem like this in the works of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, and it is more likely that verses written by James Stewart, the Club member who took the name of “Rochester” are intended’ (VI, p.125). It has not been possible to trace the original of Anthony Uneasy’s poem, however, it is unlikely that he would have plagiarised the work of a Club member whose opinion he sought. Moreover, the fact that Ramsay capitalises ‘Works’, alongside the lack of surviving poetry by Stewart, makes it probable that Uneasy’s source was a lost Wilmot poem, or a text wrongly attributed to Wilmot, or that the Easy Club members were mistaken in their accusation of plagiarism. 4. ‘Bion’: Greek bucolic poet of the late second and early first centuries BC, known for his Lament for Adonis. 5. ‘dŭll’ (MS) [not ‘dull’] Signature: ‘Parnassus’: mountain sacred to the muses, regarded as the source of poetic inspiration; ‘the 18th of the 8 moon, the year of our club 2’: relates to the founding of the Easy Club in 1712; the ‘Rebuke’ was presented on the eighteenth day of the eighth month of the second year of the Easy Club’s existence; ‘Gavin Douglas’: Ramsay’s Easy Club pseudonym. The Lamentation. A Poem to the Easy Club by Gawin Douglas, Poet Laureat. In Conference with Mr George Buchanan, Secretary. Text: EUL (Laing II.212, f.8), transcription by ‘George Buchanan’ (John Fergus), Secretary of the Easy Club, assigned to Ramsay. No holograph MS. First published: STS III, pp.152-54. Given that no holograph MS survives, that Fergus is known to have transcribed several of Ramsay’s poems for the Easy Club, and that the link between Ramsay and Fergus is proven, our copy-text is taken from Fergus’s transcription. The poem’s date – 9 November 1715 – is significant for the Club’s history. The Journal of the Easy Club, as printed by the STS editors, ends on 11 May 1715, suggesting that the Club disbanded on or around this date. However, ‘The Lamentation’ has Poet Laureate Ramsay and Club Secretary Fergus engaged in the poetic activities of the club some six months after its presumed closure. The poem takes the form of a conversation between Ramsay and Fergus, suggesting that it may have been co-written, or authored by Ramsay following an Easy Club debate. In the conversation, Ramsay utilises his Easy Club pseudonym of ‘Gavin Douglas’. 3. ‘drumbly times’: probably alludes to increasing Jacobite unrest towards the end of 1715. Jacobite leader John Erskine, Earl of Mar (1675-1732) had on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766) as Scotland’s king and, after assembling an army, took a portion of the Scottish Highlands and Perth. John Campbell, second Duke of Argyll (1680-1743) was dispatched with an army of Scottish and English regiments to neutralise the Jacobite threat. The two forces met at Sheriffmuir, near Stirling in central Scotland, on 13 November 1715. The battle was inconclusive, and Mar afterwards returned to Perth. 64. For ‘heav’n’, the MS has ‘heav’d’, probably a misprint. 223

Poems To The Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay Text: MS at Writer’s Museum, Edinburgh (formerly at Huntly House Museum). First printed: STS III, pp.154-56. Title: George Ramsay, Lord Ramsay (d.1739), to whom Ramsay would dedicate ‘Ode on the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule’, published in Poems (1728). For full details on Lord Ramsay, see the notes to that poem. Cancellations and additions in the MS text are noted below. 3. ‘Refŭse’ (MS) [not ‘Refuse’] 5. ‘Cunning Romish’ (MS) [not ‘Romish’] 11. ‘sweet Smooth’ (MS) [not ‘sweet’]; ‘nŭmbers’ (MS) [not ‘numbers’] 18. ‘Caŭses’ (MS) [not ‘Causes’] 20. ‘lŭster’ (MS) [not ‘luster’] 21. ‘ffame’ (MS; both instances) [not ‘fame’] 22. The STS edition has ‘Restore’ for ‘Bestow’. 24. ‘your Brave Sire’: George Ramsay’s father, William Ramsay, sixth Earl of Dalhousie (1660-1739). 29. ‘ffears’ (MS) [not ‘fears’] 30. ‘By fortitude of mind But with ane Eqwal’ (MS) [not ‘By fortitude of mind’ 42. ‘ffuscus’ (MS) [not ‘Fuscus’] ‘Fuscus’: a personification, which translates as ‘dark’ from Latin. 48. ‘scoŭrs’ (MS) [not ‘scours’] 50. ‘ffathers’ (MS) [not ‘fathers’] 52. ‘thŭs’ (MS) [not ‘thus’] 60. ‘shall from your Brave loyns shall’ (MS) [not ‘from your Brave loyns shall’] Before l.70, the MS has ‘Adieu’ 70. ‘That May’ (MS) [not ‘That’] 71. ‘May’ (MS) [not ‘May’]; ‘Long lease’ (MS) [not ‘lease’] To Mr. Law Text: To Mr. Law (Edinburgh, 1720); copy at NLS (L.C. 1424). No MS. Title: John Law of Lauriston (bap. 1671-1729), Scottish economist who became France’s finance minister. He was educated in Edinburgh, after which he moved to England. There, he killed Edward ‘Beau’ Wilson in a duel and was imprisoned for murder in April 1694. He escaped from prison and fled to Europe before being pardoned in 1719. He travelled widely throughout Europe in the early eighteenth century and was naturalised as a Frenchman in May 1716. He was in France from 1713 to 1720, during which time he proposed a plan for a royal bank to Louis XIV. Following the king’s death and the beginning of the Régence, Law came to prominence: he initiated a general bank in 1716, and in 1717 instigated the Compagnie d’Occident, sometimes referred to as the Mississippi Company, which had exclusive rights to the French colony in Louisiana. In 1718, the Banque Générale became a royal bank, giving the crown control of taxes. Law was appointed controller-general of France in 1720 and, four months later, promoted to superintendent. Law’s financial 224

Notes to Uncollected Poems system collapsed in 1720, and he resigned at the end of that year, entering exile abroad. He died in Venice in March 1729. For an introduction to Law’s life and career, see Richard Bonney, ‘Law, John’ (ODNB). It is likely that Ramsay’s poem was written and published at the time of Law’s prestigious appointment as finance minister. The STS editors suggest that ‘the poem was ready for publication when John Law fell from power in July, 1720, and that Ramsay decided to suppress it’ (VI, p.104). While there is no evidence of ‘suppression’, Ramsay did not reprint ‘To Mr Law’ in either Poems (1721) or Poems (1728). Epigraph: from Horace’s Ode 1.12, ‘Praising Augustus’; ‘What god, man, or hero do you choose to praise/on the high pitched flute or the lyre, Clio?’ 3. ‘Maro’: Virgil, whose full name was Publius Vergilius Maro. 9. ‘Blest monarch’: five-year-old Louis XV of France (1710-74), who came to the throne in September 1715. Given the king’s age, the country was ruled at this time by Phillipe II, Duke of Orléans (1674-1723), who had been appointed Regent of France. Law’s original economic plans were presented to the previous monarch, Louis XIV. 11. ‘Jove’: Jupiter, the highest Roman deity; ‘Phoebus’: alternative name for Apollo, god of light or the sun. Ramsay may allude here to Louis XIV (16381715), known as le Roi Soleil, or the Sun King. 12-13. ‘Jason’: hero of Greek mythology and leader of the Argonauts. His quest for the Golden Fleece is featured in classical literature, including Euripides’ tragedy, Medea; Ovid’s Metamorphoses refer to Jason as ‘the Aeomonian youth’. 16. ‘Athens’: capital city of Greece; ‘Sparta’: significant warrior city in ancient Greece. Athens and Sparta were rivals. 19. ‘Olympus’: ancient city of Greece, located in Lycia. 26. ‘Mantuan Shepherd’: Virgil who, according to tradition, was born near Mantua, northern Italy. 40. ‘Mulciber’: alternative name for Vulcan, Roman god of metalworking; in Milton’s Paradise Lost, Mulciber is the devil who builds Pandemonium, Satan’s abode in Hell. 69. ‘Seine’: second longest river in France, which runs through the centre of its capital city, Paris. 72. ‘Lutetia’: ancient Roman city, the predecessor of Paris. 86. ‘Cancer’: fourth astrological sign of the zodiac, the sun sits in this area in July and August; ‘Capricorn’: tenth astrological sign, the sun transits Capricorn between December and January. 87. ‘Gaul’: inhabitant of ancient Gaul, as well as an individual of the Gallic race; the term is used poetically to indicate a French person. 91. ‘Missisippi’: Law’s economic schemes connected to the French colony in Louisiana, known as the Mississippi Company. 92. ‘new Paris’: New Orleans, a city on the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana; it was founded in 1718 by French colonists, and named after the contemporary French Regent, the Duke of Orléans. 93. ‘Parian Stone’: fine white marble from the Greek island of Paros, sought after by sculptors. 102-7. ‘the first Offer’: according to the STS editors, Law ‘had made an offer 225

Poems to [John Dalrymple, first Earl of ] Stair to revive the Scottish economy’ (VI, p.104). The Happy Man Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4343). Additional MS: NRS (GD 18/4320). First published: The Eccho, or Weekly Edinburgh Journal, c.1728 – untraced; thereafter STS III, p.156-58. The earlier of the two MSS (NRS GD 18, 4320) is a draft in pencil dated 28 March 1728; the second (NRS GD 18, 4343) is a later fair copy with two additional stanzas, enclosed with a letter to Ramsay’s patron Sir John Clerk of Penicuik’s second wife Janet Inglis, dated 25 September 1739. Given that the latter was the version sent by Ramsay to Inglis, it is regarded as the fullest final version, and therefore provides our copy-text. As Ramsay states in the letter, and according to IELM, ‘The Happy Man’ was first printed in a periodical entitled The Eccho, or Weekly Edinburgh Journal at an unknown date, probably in 1728. This printing has not been found within surviving issues of the Eccho. Variants between the copytext (NRS1) and the MS draft (NRS2) are given in the notes; cancellations and additions in NRS1 are also noted. The letter accompanying the poem is as follows: Edr 25 Septr 1739 Madam The following Poem wrote by me at pennycuik the 28th of march 1728 and published in the Echoe, I take the freedom to send to your Ladyship because it hath truth to keep it in countenance, the indulgent regards & patronage I have ever received from the honourable & happy character described, bind me with dutyfull respect and gratitude to be ever Madam your Ladyships Humble & devoted Servt Allan Ramsay NRS2 has an endorsement in another hand: ‘Original poem by Alan Ramsey at penny cook 1728 written with Katarine [?].’ ‘Katarine’ has not been identified but she may be one of the Clerks’ unknown daughters. In the copy-text MS (NRS1), the stanzas are numbered. 1. ‘He’ (NRS2) [not ‘he,’]; ‘Low’ [not ‘low’] 2. ‘Plenteous’ (NRS2) [not ‘plentyous’]; ‘equall’ (NRS2) [not ‘equal’] 3. ‘Heaven’ (NRS2) [not ‘God’] 4. ‘Conduct, and’ (NRS2) [not ‘Conduct &’] 5. ‘Pursuit’ (NRS2) [not ‘pŭrsuit’] ‘pŭrsuit’ (NRS1) [not ‘pursuit’) 6. ‘knowlege’ [not ‘knowlege,’] 7. ‘life’ (NRS2) [not ‘life,’]; ‘yeilds’ [not ‘yields’] 8. ‘Detraction’ (NRS2) [not ‘detraction’] 226

Notes to Uncollected Poems In NRS1, ‘Partner’ is in enlarged script. 10. ‘Prudence goodness’ (NRS2) [not ‘prudence, goodness,’]; ‘Humour Sweet’ (NRS2) [not ‘humour sweet’] 11. ‘Lovely’ (NRS2) [not ‘Comely’] 13. ‘forbiding’ (NRS2) [not ‘fforbidding’]; ‘Spleen’ (NRS2) [not ‘Spleen,’] ‘fforbiding’ (NRS1) [not ‘forbidding’] 14. ‘groundless’ (NRS2) [not ‘groundles’]; ‘all’ (NRS2) [not ‘base’] ‘ground Spring’ (NRS1) [not ‘Spring’] 15. ‘He’ (NRS2) [not ‘he’] 18. ‘when in their dawn her his own’ (NRS2) [not ‘when dawning fair, he his oun’] 19. ‘the rich Buildings of his Lovely’ (NRS2) [not ‘in the bright morning of his hopefull’] 20. ‘Daughters Grace’ (NRS2) [not ‘Daughter’s grace’] In NRS1, ‘Mother’ and ‘Daughter’s’ are enlarged. 21. ‘Whose Beautyous Smiles engadge’ (NRS2) [not ‘With smiles engaging the’] 22. ‘hopefull Early Bloom’ (NRS2) [not ‘early springing Bloom’] 25. ‘twice’ (NRS2) [not ‘thrice’]; ‘He’ (NRS2) [not ‘he’] 26. ‘is and views his Bless in proper Light’ (NRS2) [not ‘is, & views it in a proper light’] 27. ‘Soul’ (NRS2) [not ‘Soŭl’]; ‘Envy’ (NRS2) [not ‘envy’] ‘Soŭl’ (NRS1) [not ‘Soul’] 28. ‘these’ (NRS2) [not ‘such’]; ‘just’ (NRS2) [not ‘due’] 29. ‘th’extent’ (NRS2) [not ‘bounds’] 30. ‘real’ (NRS2) [not ‘real,’] 31. ‘t’inflame’ (NRS2) [not ‘to inflame’] 33-40. Not in the MS draft. 41. ‘Say you’ (NRS2) [not ‘My friend’]; ‘vile’ (NRS2) [not ‘Bad’] 42. ‘Originall’ (NRS2) [not ‘original,’]; ‘these outlines remark’ (NRS2) [not ‘such out-lines, remark-?’] In NRS1, ‘Original’ is enlarged. 43. ‘my friend attend then, and I shall engage’ (NRS2) [not ‘attend me then, nor doubt, while I engage’] 44. ‘all and’ (NRS2) [not ‘all, &’] In NRS1, ‘Sr John Clerk’ is enlarged. Signed ‘Allan Ramsay | Writen at newbigging march 28 1728’ ‘newbigging’: Newbiggin House, home of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik and his family at Penicuik until it was demolished in 1734 to make way for their new home, Penicuik House. To Doctor John Theophilus Desaguliers on presenting him with my Book Text: MS at Houghton Library, Harvard (Hyde 76, (2.3.220)). First printed: Illustrated London News, 17 November 1855 (Vol. 27, Iss. 770, p.23). This is the first time a Ramsay editor has had access to the MS, which is in 227

Poems a collection of miscellaneous MSS and cuttings in Boswell’s Life of Johnson extra-illustrated (1464-1897, Vol.2, pt.3, seq. 327-30), once owned by Mary Eccles, Viscountess Eccles (1912-2003), and is accompanied by an engraving of Ramsay by William Howison after William Aikman. Unaware of the existence of the MS, the STS editors located their text in Vol. 12 of ‘a collection of newspaper cuttings made by R. Scott Fittis’ which was at that time entitled ‘Perth Pamphlets’ and held by the Sandeman Library (now the A.K. Bell Library), Perth (VI, p.191). The STS editors did not have access to the poem’s original printing but speculate that it could have appeared in the Illustrated London News in the 1850s. This first publication of the text has now been found in the Illustrated London News for 17 November 1855, under the heading, ‘Unpublished Verses by Allan Ramsay’. The contributor, English book collector and musicologist Edward F. Rimbault (1816-76), describes having come across an edition of Ramsay’s Poems (1721) ‘at the east end of London, in search of old black-letter lore’: ‘On the fly-leaf of this volume, written in a clear bold hand, are the following verses, addressed to a well-known character of the period’. After giving further information on John Theophilus Desaguliers (see below), Rimbault shares the poem, in which eleven Scots words are glossed: ‘lear’ (‘learn’), ‘landart’ (‘Low rustic’), ‘had-up’ (‘Hold up), ‘girn’ (‘Grin’), ‘hyt’ (‘Mad’), ‘fuf’ (‘To puff or blow’), ‘tine’ (‘Lose’), ‘whid’ (‘A hasty flight’), ‘hip’ (‘Leave’), ‘twasome’ (‘Two-headed’) and ‘unko’ (‘Strange’), and two terms are marked by ‘(?)’ as unknown: ‘haleware’ and ‘handwal’d’. Rimbault mistranscribes ‘Rhime’ (l.4) as ‘shrine’; the STS editors replicate this error. The poem is dated in MS to 25 August 1721; it is also known that Desaguliers was in Edinburgh in that year (see details below). Title: John Theophilus Desaguliers (1683-1744), French engineer and natural philosopher who followed his parents to London in their exile from France as Huguenots. He was the protégé of Isaac Newton and was heavily involved in promoting Newtonianism through lectures, demonstrations and practical experiments. He is author of, among others, Mechanical Lectures (1717) and Experimental Philosophy (1734-44). Desaguliers was part of Ramsay’s circle: with Ramsay’s friend and collaborator George Sewell (see ‘Patie and Roger’ and ‘Wealth, or the Woody’), he co-translated Archibald Pitcairne’s ‘pro-Newtonian iatro-mechanical physiology (1715)’ (Patricia Fara, ‘Desaguliers, John Theophilus’ in ODNB). He was also known to Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik: in his memoir, Clerk states that Desaguliers was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1714, ‘and invited to become their demonstrator and curator, and in 1742 he received from them the Copley medal for his successful experiments’ (Clerk, Memoirs, p.126). Desaguliers visited Edinburgh in 1721 to ‘repair the city’s water supply, [and] he was welcomed at a masonic lodge’ (Fara, ODNB). 1. ‘Desaguliers son’: Desaguliers and Joanna Pudsey had four sons and three daughters, but only two sons survived to adulthood – John Theophilus junior (1718-51) and Thomas (1721-80). Given that they would have been infants at the time of the poem’s composition in 1721, it is likely that Ramsay’s reference is to another of Desaguliers’s sons, who died young. 13. ‘Arthur=seat’ (MS) [not ‘Arthur-seat’] ‘Arthur’s Seat’: prominent hill and landmark in the Holyrood area of 228

Notes to Uncollected Poems Edinburgh; ‘Parnassus’: Mount Parnassus, Greece, regarded as sacred to the Muses and a source of poetic inspiration. 19. ‘ffancy’ (MS) [not ‘fancy’] 22. ‘Euclid’: ancient Greek mathematician regarded as the founder of geometry. 24. ‘Common=weal’ (MS) [not ‘Common-weal’] The Roundell To her Health Text: MS at NLS (9749), inside a copy of Ramsay’s Poems (1721). First published: STS IV, p.262. ‘M.O.’ has not been identified definitively, but Ramsay also wrote ‘On the Birth Day of Mrs M.O.’ for the same recipient, and an ‘Oliphant’ – who may or may not be the same person – is mentioned in ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves’. The STS editors identify ‘M.O.’ as ‘Mary Oliphant who married the Earl of Strathmore’ (VI, p.176) but, as argued in the notes for ‘On the Birth Day of Mrs M.O.’, this is far from certain. On the Marriage of Mr George Drummond and Mirs Kathrine Campbell – July 10th 1721 Text: MS at NRS (GD 24/1/835), signed by Ramsay and dated 15 July 1721. First published: STS III, pp.160-61, as ‘[On the Marriage of Urban and Bella. July 10th, 1721]’. A transcription in another hand, with many minor variants, is in the Huntington (HM 97). Although the STS editors state that they used the NRS MS, variants between their text and ours demonstrates that their copy-text is, in fact, the Huntington transcription. According to the holograph MS, the poem commemorates the marriage of ‘Mr. George Drummond and Mris Katherine Campbell’. George Drummond (1687-1766): Edinburgh politician and future accountant-general of Scotland. He became a member of Edinburgh’s town council in 1717, becoming a dean of guild in 1722 and elected Lord Provost of the city for the first time in 1725. Ramsay’s epigram ‘On Mr. Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners for the Customs’ is published in the 1728 edition of his Poems; for full details on Drummond’s role in Edinburgh, see the notes to that poem. Catherine Campbell (d.1732): daughter of Sir James Campbell of Aberuchill, second Baronet (c.1672-1754) and Jean Dempster. 16. ‘ffortitude’ (MS) [not ‘fortitude’] 17. ‘ffate’ (MS) [not ‘fate’] 18-24. These lines may refer to the fact that the marriage between Drummond and Campbell seems to have taken place without the consent of her father. The STS editors note, ‘it was alleged that there had been irregularity in the proclamation of the banns’ (VI, p.127). 28. ‘ffools’ (MS) [not ‘fools’] ‘Hymen’: Greek god of marriage ceremonies and their associated songs and feasts. 31. ‘ffame’ (MS) [not ‘Fame’] 229

Poems A Tale of Three Bonnets Text: ‘A | TALE | Of Three | BONNETS. | [rule] | Eheu, cicatricum & sceleris pudet, | Fratrumque. — | — regnum & diadema tutum | Deferns uni, propriamque laurum, | Quisquis ingentes oculo irretorto | Speclat acervos. | Horace. | [rule] | [vignette] | [rule] | Printed in Year M. dcc. xxii’, anonymous. MS: early draft at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.151, 152, 154-63v). The MS draft has several illegible portions, and differs from the printed text. It is given in full here: A Tale of a Cog of paratch Thre Billys anes Sangster Sturdy Jouk & Sturdy Thistle Sons of a Dad Baith Bauld and wurdy of a wealthy diny wastle wha livd in credit mony years trading the staps of his forbears grown auld and a 5 now grew right auld what will ye say nae Misluk wight can Live for ay ae day placd in his elbow Chair now grown right auld and finding Death Just ready gaping for his Breath 10 he order his three sons to come and wait upon him in his Room Bid Sturdy Thistle steek the Door—and then Syn He thus Began dear Bairns of mine I soon maun Leave ye Quikly maun submit to fate 15 and Leave you three a good estate well won and Honourably which has been Honourably won gien doun frae father to his son for mony mony ages past 20 But now se ye mayna dinna let prove the Last Her’s three permissions Bonnets for ye that yeir sirs and your grand gutchers wore before ye an ye’d wad hae nae man Betray ye, Let not Kings revenues By them frae ye 25 hing ay your ain Bonnets on your Heads [illegible] hands frae signing foolish deeds Now come my Lads This Bible Lads lay hands upon it and swear that ilk ane keep his Bonnet [illegible] Bonnet ye shall Trock 30 [illegible] become a Laughing stock Bare headed syn ye’ll look like fools and dwindle doun to silly snools now soon as they each had gien his aith This Said he hard them gie thir Aith 35 to obey and then he yielded up his Breath But scarcely was the auld man Roten 230

Notes to Uncollected Poems Before his will was quite forgoten By turn by Jouk & Bawsy who While Jouk led Bawsy be the Nose 40 to Trock his Bonet for some Brose But Thistle Best of a the Three ne’er with the ither twa wad ’gree But keept his Bonnet, tho indeed he darena wear’t upon his Head 45 as he was wont when he sat Baily and coud baith make & Break a Taily But now he Looks just like ane O and dare na at the Goose play Bo [The MS has three cancelled, illegible lines here] his Billys hae geent out hes wood 50 and dies o drouth for humane Blood They staw his sword out of his Closet and glewd it in the sheath wi Roset he swears like ony Twa Hornd Deil to get ane hame of Temperd Steil 55 to had when he gets on his Cleek [illegible] a their spauls & Riggans Reek While gawky Juke his Beard neer fashes [illegible] his Braging a [?Dalt] clashes. ‘A Tale of Three Bonnets’ was first published anonymously in 1722. Although Ramsay’s name does not appear on the title page of this printing, he lists the poem as his own in an advertisement for Health (1724); he also includes it in the 1729 edition of Poems (pp.133-68). The STS editors blame ‘caution’ (VI, p.104) for Ramsay’s delay in printing the poem, given that it can be read as an anti-Union satire; indeed, Alexander Law’s MS notes on the poem state: ‘This little piece is typical of the way in which the Scots were wheedled into the Union – Madame Rosie representing England – and Jouk and Bawsy two weak Scotsmen who were made her tools. The third brother, the resolute Bustle, who refused to part with his bonnet may be intended by the Poet to represent Lord Belhaven who made so bold a stand against the Union’ (NLS LC.93). However, the fact that Ramsay published the text in his collection of 1729, when his fame was at its height, demonstrates that he was content for such interpretations to be made. The 1722 printing features an epigraph from Horace: ‘Eheu, cicatricum & sceleris pudet,/Fratrumque.—/—regnum & diadema tutum/Deferns uni, propriamque laurum,/Quisquis ingentes oculo irretorto/Speclat acervos.’ The quotation is from the penultimate stanza of Ode ‘To Fortune’ (I.XXXV): ‘Alas, the shame of our scars and wickedness,/and our dead brothers. What has our harsh age spared?/What sinfulness have we left untried?/What have the young men held their hands back from,/in fear of the gods?’

231

Poems Canto I 22. ‘permission bonnet’: cap permitted to be worn on occasions when, or in places where, it was proper to be bareheaded. 66. ‘Caractacus’: Caratacus, ancient Celtic king who reigned in an area of England probably incorporating parts of modern-day Gloucestershire and Hampshire. He led the unsuccessful native resistance against Roman invasion, which was led by Aulus Plautius (43-47 CE). After defeat and exile, he was delivered to the Romans, where he was granted a pardon by Claudius. 89. ‘Alexander’: to praise or flatter. 117. ‘Staneless singer’: castrati, male singers who were castrated in childhood to retain a soprano or alto voice, popular throughout Britain in the eighteenth century. 177-83. The Biblical story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16). Delilah entrapped Samson and persuaded him to reveal that his hair was the source of his strength, before betraying him to his enemies. Canto II. 1. ‘sowans’: a ‘kind of flummery; husks or seeds of oats, together with some fine meal, steeped in water for about a week until the mixture turns sour, then strained and the husks thoroughly squeezed to extract all the meal, when the jelly-like liquor is left for a further period to ferment and separate, the solid glutinous matter which sinks to the bottom being sowans’ (Jamieson, 1808); ‘cog’: as Ramsay explains in his Glossary, a wooden dish. Ramsay’s original title for ‘A Tale of Three Bonnets’, as found in the MS draft, was ‘A Tale of a Cog of paratch’, referring to a bowl of porridge. 15. ‘stringing’: ornamentation of lace or fringe. 43. ‘Judas’: Judas Iscariot, one of the original twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ who, according to the Biblical Gospels, betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by revealing his identity to the Sanhedrin. 87. ‘Rosycrucians’: rather than referring to the Rosicrucian Order, it is likely that Ramsay refers to the Saint George’s Cross, the flag of England, which is a red cross on a white field. 94. ‘Haman’: adversary of the Biblical book of Esther (chapter 3), whose plot to kill all Jews in the Persian empire was exposed by Queen Esther. He was executed on gallows measuring 50 cubits in height which he had built himself. Canto III. 1-4. ‘Sol’: Norse god of the sun, who rode a chariot; however, given the reference to ‘Olympia’, Ramsay also refers to Phoebus (Roman) or Apollo (Greek), who also represents the sun and leads a horse-driven chariot through the skies to light the earth. 31. ‘Langrun’: ‘in the long run’. 104-5. Apart from the pact made between Joukum and Bawsy, Ramsay also refers to his own song, ‘There’s my Thumb I’ll ne’er beguile thee’, which he first published in his TTM I (1723) and reprinted in Poems (1728). 106. ‘Bailly’: the ‘Baron’s deputy in a burgh of barony’ or a ‘municipal officer or magistrate’; can also refer to the person ‘in charge of the cows on a farm’ (SND). 232

Notes to Uncollected Poems Canto IV. 32. ‘reem’: multiple definitions in Scots. It is likely that Ramsay’s term refers figuratively to ‘confusion in the mind’ (SND). 68. ‘Belzi’: ‘Beelzebub’. 95. ‘Peterenian’: may refer to the ‘Paternians’, a Manichean sect which was condemned as heretical by a Roman council in 367, which believed that God made the higher parts of the body and Satan the lower ones. Alternatively, to ‘peter’ in Scots is ‘to act in an arbitrary or domineering way over, to dictate to’ (SND). The STS editors read the term as referring to Roman Catholics (VI, p.105). St. Peter is considered to have been the first Pope, and Bishop of Rome. ‘Sir, Much pleasd of Late with that delight fou way’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.185). First published: STS IV, p.259, as ‘A Dedication to the Fables’. Although the poem has no title in MS and its dedicatee is unknown, Ramsay’s mention of ‘fable’ (l.3) connects it to his collection of Fables and Tales (1722). Although it is acknowledged that Ramsay could have dedicated his book to a friend at a later date, the poem is here dated tentatively to 1722. On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s offer of five hundred pounds – To the Poet that would make the best Elegy on the Duke Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4358). First published: STS IV, p.260. Given that the poem was written in memory of politician and army officer John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), who died on 16 June 1722, it is dated to 1722 here. Ramsay made three attempts at an elegy or epitaph on Churchill; see also ‘Another Epigram or Epigraph on the Above Subject’ and ‘Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh’. Title: Ramsay’s poem is written in response to a request by Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns), Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), for poets to compose an elegy on her husband who had died on 16 June, with the best entry receiving a monetary prize. The competition is described in the Newcastle Courant for 11 August 1722 which, quoting Wye’s letter from London of 4 August, states that ‘’Tis said that a Reward of five hundred Guineas will be given by the Duchess of Marlborough to such Persons as shall write a Latin Epitaph, to be engraven on the Duke’s Monument, approv’d by the Rev. Dr. Hare, Dean of Worcester, Dr. Friend, head Master of Westminster School, and Dr. Bland, head Master of Eaton’. Ramsay’s attempts are not in Latin, and it is not known if he entered any of them to the competition. After l.6, Ramsay has signed the text ‘a R’. Annother Epigram or Epitaph on the above Subject Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4358). First published: STS IV, p.260. 233

Poems Like ‘On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s Offer of Five Hundred Pounds’ and ‘Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh’, it was written for John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, who had died on 16 June 1722. 3. ‘Dame’: Sarah Jenyns, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744). 8. ‘Gold’: the competition for the best elegy on Churchill; see also ‘On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s Offer of Five Hundred Pounds’. Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh Text: MS at NRS (GD 205, portfolio 6). First published: STS IV, p.260. Like ‘On the Dutches of Marbrugh’s Offer of Five Hundred Pounds’ and ‘Another Epigram or Epitaph on the Above Subject’, it was written in response to a competition initiated by Sarah Jenyn, widow of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, for the best elegy on her husband, who had died on 16 June 1722. 5. ‘ffame’ (MS) [not ‘fame’] 7. ‘Louis’: Churchill’s forceful leadership of the Allied armies against French king Louis XIV between 1701 and 1710. Bagpipes no Musick: A Satyre on Scots Poetry. An Epistle to Mr. Stanhope Text: Fables and Tales (1722), p.37. First published: Bagpipes no Musick (Edinburgh, 1720). This ‘satyre on Scots poetry’ was not written by Ramsay, but was printed in Fables and Tales (1722, p.37). Given its reference to the explanation of Scots’ ‘rustic Jargon’ (l.15), the poem may have been occasioned by the appearance of Ramsay’s poems in London: his Richy and Sandy, with the accompanying ‘Explanation’ by Burchett, was published in London in 1719, and Patie and Roger in 1720. The STS editors contend that the satire’s author, John Couper, took a pseudonym from Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on John Cowper’, published in Poems (1721), and that his recipient ‘Mr. Stanhope’ may be ‘George Stanhope (16601728), Dean of Canterbury’ (VI, p.106). While Ramsay’s answer to ‘Bag-pipes no Musick’ – ‘Grubstreet nae Satyre’, signed ‘Patie Birnie’ – makes the connection between the author of this satire and his own ‘John Cowper, Kirk-Treasurer’s Man’, no such connection is made in ‘Bag-pipes no Musick’. It is conceivable that John Couper used his own name; in ‘Grubstreet nae Satyre’, Ramsay describes him as a scholar of poetry at Oxford University. There is nothing concrete to connect George Stanhope to Ramsay, or to Scottish poetry. Alternatively, Couper’s recipient may be Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), a British diplomat, writer and celebrated wit. While in Paris in 1715, Stanhope supplied the British government with intelligence regarding the Jacobite plot, and he was the author of several poems and songs. 1. ‘Dryden’: English poet, critic and playwright John Dryden (1631-1700); in his literary criticism, Dryden analysed the differences between the sounds of Latin and vernacular language. (See also Tina Skouen, ‘The Vocal Wit of John Dryden’ in Rhetorica: A Journal of the History of Rhetoric 24:4 (2006), 234

Notes to Uncollected Poems pp.371-402). 2. ‘Pegasus’: mythical winged horse of classical mythology associated with the Muses and their inspiration of poetic creativity. 3. ‘Rosecommon’: may refer to Wentworth Dillon, fourth Earl of Roscommon (1637-85), Irish peer and poet whose Essay on Translated Verse (1684) set out core principles of poetic diction. 7. ‘Scotch Moggy’: early eighteenth-century English tune, printed in John Walsh’s New Country Dancing Master, 2nd Book (1710) and his Second Book of the Compleat Country Dancing-Master (1719), as well as in all four editions of John Young’s Second Volume of the Dancing Master (1710-28). There is also a ballad entitled ‘Scotch Moggy’s Misfortune’ in the Pepys Ballads (c.1635). 10. ‘Jew’s Trump’: small, typically lyre-shaped musical instrument played with the mouth; it is also known as a ‘Jew’s Harp’. 14. ‘Abel’: according to the Biblical book of Genesis, one of the first two sons of Adam and Eve; Abel was a shepherd. Grubstreet nae Satyre Text: Fables and Tales (1722), p.38. No MS. First published: alongside Bag-pipes no Musick (1720) in broadside; copy at NLS (Mf.G.0819 (35)). This poem written in response to the preceding ‘Bag-pipes no Musick’ by John Couper. Although pseudonymous, ‘Grubstreet nae Satyre’ is highly likely to be Ramsay’s work: the NLS catalogue records it as being ‘in fact by Allan Ramsay’. Subtitle: ‘An Epistle to the Umquhile John Cowper late Kirk-Treasurer’s Man of Edinburgh; now his Ghaist studying Poetry at Oxford, for the Benefit of Ethert Curl.’ (1720) [not ‘In Answer to Bagpipes no Musick. An Epistle to the Umquhile John Cowper, late Kirk-Treasurer’s Man of Edinburgh; Now his Ghaist studying Poetry at Oxford, for the Benefit of E. Curl.’] ‘John Cowper’: Ramsay connects John Couper – the name of the author of ‘Bag-pipes nae Musick’ – with the protagonist of his ‘Elegy on John Cowper, Kirk Treasurer’s Man’, published in Poems (1721), declaring the poet to be Cowper’s ghost; ‘E. Curl’: Edmund Curll (d.1747), London bookseller known for his piracy of Pope’s works, who issued Ramsay’s Content in an unauthorised edition of 1720 (see also Content). 1. ‘John’ (1720) [not ‘John’] 3. ‘Allan’ (1720) [not ‘Allan’] 7. ‘Curl’ (1720) [not ‘Curl’] 8. ‘Elegy’ (1720) [not ‘Elegy’] 9-20. This stanza responds directly to details of ‘Bag-pipes no Musick’; see also the notes to that poem. 11. ‘Dryden’ (1720) [not ‘Dryden’] 12. ‘Poetick Sounds’ (1720) [not ‘Poetick Sounds’] 26. ‘Ned Curle’s’ (1720) [not Mun Curle’s] 29. ‘John’ (1720) [not ‘John’] 31. ‘Rosecommon, Stanhope, Ramsay, Dryden,’ (1720) [not ‘Rosecommon, 235

Poems Stanhope, Ramsay, Dryden,’] For information on these individuals, see notes to ‘Bag-pipes no Musick’. 33. ‘Parnassus’: Mount Parnassus, regarded in classical mythology as the source of poetic inspiration. Signature: Patie Birnie, a fiddler from Kinghorn, Fife, who died around the time of this poem’s composition; Ramsay’s ‘The Life and Acts of, or, An Elegy on Patie Birnie’ was published in Poems (1721). Birnie is one of the earliest composers of Strathspeys, a type of Scottish dance tune; he was known for his wit. ‘Sir your Epistle came to Hand’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.138-39). First published: STS III, pp.158-60, as ‘[To Mr. Jo. Kerr of King’s College, Aberdeen]’. The poem, which has no title in the MS, was written in reply to an epistle from Kerr, dated 22 March 1722, in response to Ramsay’s Poems (1721), and is therefore dated to 1722. Kerr’s poem is held in EUL’s Laing collection and is printed in full in the STS edition (IV, pp.307-11). In it, Kerr warmly praises several of Ramsay’s works and his facility in English and Scots. His sole criticism regards Ramsay’s failure, in Tartana, to invoke the nymphs of the River Don, which flows through Aberdeenshire: ‘Why fam’d old Dona’s Muses does he slight/And Northern Nymphs?’ John Kerr (d. 1741) started his career as a schoolmaster in Crieff, Perthshire, and the Royal High School in Edinburgh before joining King’s College, Aberdeen, as its first professor of Greek. In 1734 he became chair of Latin at Edinburgh University. Kerr was a friend of physician, satirist and Jacobite Archibald Pitcairne, the subject of Ramsay’s first published poem. Kerr was also an author: his Donaides (1725) is a Latin poem in praise of Aberdeenshire worthies, and his paraphrase of the Biblical Song of Solomon, Canti Solomonis Paraphrasis Gemina, was published in 1727; he also wrote memorial verses for Pitcairne and others. 1. ‘Kind Epistle’ (MS) [not ‘Epistle’] 3. ‘fouk’ (MS) [not ‘men’] Before l.5, the MS has cancelled lines: for others are some illwilly Cheils Gowks fowks nae much [a] great spirit 9. ‘you before lang’ (MS) [not ‘lang’] 10. ‘have pleast’ (MS) [not ‘pleast’] 11. ‘Thou wh’ at the beginning of the line (MS). Before l.13, the MS has cancelled lines: I do my Best that’s very plain thought I no sae my sell I doubt ye notice 13. ‘But Now’ (MS) [not ‘Now’] 15. ‘the Beautys Donian fair’: Kerr’s accusation that Ramsay had neglected the nymphs of the River Don; nymphs are semi-divine spirits who often appear as women inhabiting the sea and rivers. ‘Don’: rises in the Grampian hills in the Highlands of Scotland, before flowing eastwards through Aberdeen, 236

Notes to Uncollected Poems where it joins the North Sea. 16. ‘excŭse’ (MS) [not ‘excuse’] 17. ‘ffor’(MS) [not ‘For’]; ‘Clyd’ is an insertion in superscript; a cancelled, illegible word appears before ‘fleechying’. ‘Clyde’: flows through Lanarkshire and Glasgow; ‘Tweed’: flows through the Scottish Borders. 18. ‘siller Breasted Tay’ (MS) [not ‘Tay’] ‘Tay’: flows through central Scotland and Perth before joining the Firth of Tay, south of Dundee. 20. ‘Spey’: rises in the Scottish Highlands and flows through the north-eastern towns of Newtonmore, Kingussie and Aviemore before joining the Moray Firth, west of Buckie. Before l.22: ‘when she then p’ (MS). 23. ‘long Green’ (MS) [not ‘Green’] ‘Glantanar’: Glen Tanar, Aberdeenshire; now an estate in the Cairngorms National Park, Royal Deeside. 25. ‘Tha Lovely’ (MS) [not ‘Lovely’] 26. ‘Greeting rearing’ (MS) [not ‘rearing’] Before l.29: ‘an for the tilt’ (MS). 30. ‘a’ for’ (MS) [not ‘for’] 33. ‘Dee’: rises in the Cairngorms and flows through Aberdeenshire before joining the North Sea at Aberdeen. 35. ‘any Ilka hight’ (MS) [not ‘hight’]; ‘that ilk’ (MS) [not ‘ilk’] Before l.37, ‘fairly’ (MS). Before l.38: ‘Best Skill to make her plaid’ (MS). 39. ‘Minerva’: Roman goddess associated with wisdom and prowess in war. 40. ‘Iris’: Greek messenger of the gods, who appeared as the rainbow. 46. ‘smiles and sweetest Rare’ (MS) [not ‘smiles’] 49. ‘ffriend’ (MS) [not ‘Friend’] 55. The MS has a cancelled, double struck through illegible word before ‘Corner’; the STS editors read this as ‘sma share’ (VI, p.127). ‘Belinda’s Dead! — the Murning Maya Crys’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.178v-81). First published: STS III, pp.164-68, as ‘To the Memory of Mary, Duchess Dowager of Beaufort and Countess Dowager of Dundonald’. The MS is messy, and its numerous cancellations and additions are recorded in the notes below. The STS editors describe it as ‘a confusing text’ which is ‘in the wrong order’; therefore, they rearrange the stanzas ‘in what appears to the editors to be the right order’ (VI, p.127). Ramsay’s original ordering of stanzas is preserved here. The poem concerns the death on 4 February 1722 of Lady Mary Osborne (1688-1722), daughter of Peregrine Osborne, second Duke of Leeds (c.1659-1729) and Bridget Hyde (c.1662-1733/34). Ramsay’s letter to Mary Osborne’s brother Lord Camarthen describes his satisfaction with the poem ‘to perpetuate the memory (of ) your Lordship’s Ilustrious sister the Duchess of Beaufort whose personal merits Joynd with her Emanent Quality make the Losing of her Grace to be universally lamented’ (STS IV, p.173). Mary 237

Poems Osborne’s first husband was Henry Somerset, second Duke of Beaufort (16841714), and her second was John Campbell Cochrane, forth Earl of Dundonald (1687-1720). Lady Anne Cochrane (1707-1724), the subject of Ramsay’s ‘The Nuptials’, printed in his edition of 1728, was Mary Osborne’s step-daughter through her second marriage. Before l.1, the MS features two cancelled lines: ‘Dear Isabella In Carles dress the Gay Myrtila Moans Crys’. 1. ‘Celia Maya’ (MS) [not ‘Maya’] 3. ‘with’ (MS) [not ‘Liza’]; ‘[returns?] Replys’ [not ‘Replys’] Before l.5, the MS features a cancelled partial line: ‘form as the’. 7. ‘It that’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 13. ‘heart’ (MS) [not ‘heart’] Before l.14, the MS features a cancelled partial line: ‘and Bare a part’. 14. In the MS, this line has an ink blot between ‘of’ and ‘strength’. 18. ‘made wan’ (MS) [not ‘wan’] 26. The MS has an illegible cancelled word after ‘safter’; ‘minds’ (MS) [not ‘minds’]; ‘yours away mony a day’ [not ‘mony a day’] Before l.29, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘I’ll at think on the Bliss Bellindas Charms’. 35. ‘&’ (MS) not ‘&’; ‘ffishes’ (MS) [not ‘fishes’] Before l.38, the MS has a cancelled partial line: ‘The Spring approaches’. 42. ‘saft Gay’ (MS) [not ‘Gay’] 44. ‘Dead Death’ (MS) [not ‘Death’] Before l.46, at the start of Lizi’s speech, the MS has the following cancelled lines: To me this year thers … been a spring … … or No flowers … Bud nor will the Lavrocks sing … … … fields shall pleasing scents arise But and Blasted Clouds shall cleath the murning Skys Nae … … shall … … upon the Brierd 46. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘—cease’]; ‘faling’ (MS) [not ‘faling’] 48. ‘Bleet weep’ (MS) [not ‘weep’] Before l.54, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘To you Brave Sir’. 54. The STS editors print this section first, and this is their first line. They introduce the actual first line (‘Belinda’s Dead!-the Murning Maya Crys’) after the end of this section, at the line, ‘A humble Bard would paint a Nations Grief’. 55. In the margin of this line, Ramsay has ‘} to do or say whats worthy Base or Mean’. Before l.56, the MS has the following cancelled lines: Great Osburns Race demands her Loudest Lays nor Let Carmathan slights the P[redacted] hamely reed 2

______

58. ‘her Lays her forbid our sorow Less’ (MS) [not ‘our sorow Less’] ‘Camarthan’: Osborne’s brother, Peregrine Hyde Osborne, third Duke of Leeds (1691-1731), succeeded as the third Marquess of Camarthen, a 238

Notes to Uncollected Poems secondary family title, in 1729. 59. ‘she drap her we shed our’ (MS) [not ‘we shed our’] 60. ‘Sae even’ (MS) [not ‘even’] ‘Maro’: Virgil, whose full name was Publius Vergilius Maro. 61. ‘sang Lays’ (MS) [not ‘Lays’]; ‘By’ is printed at the end of the line. 62. ‘he me us’ (MS) [not ‘us’]; ‘Dang’ is printed at the end of the line. Before l.64, the MS has ‘1 ___’. 64-67. Ramsay describes Mary Osborne’s familial origins: her ancestor and the first Duke of Leeds was Thomas Osborne, first Marquess of Camarthen (1632-1712), one of the ‘Immortal Seven’ who signed the ‘Invitation to William’ in 1688 to William III, Prince of Orange. The letter offered William their support at the birth of the heir apparent of James II of England, James Francis Edward Stuart. 66. ‘and But’ (MS) [not ‘But’] 68. ‘Beaufort’: Mary Osborne’s first husband, Henry Somerset, second Duke of Beaufort, who died in 1714. Before l.70, the MS has the following cancelled line: ‘Dundonald G…. patriot wh… …ft fare..’. 70. This line has a cancelled, illegible word before ‘oer’. ‘Dundonald’: Mary Osborne’s second husband, John Campbell Cochrane, fourth Earl of Dundonald, who died in 1720. 75. ‘and syn’ (MS) Before l.76, the MS has two illegible cancelled lines. 76. ‘his’ (MS) [not ‘his’] 81. The MS has two cancelled, illegible words before ‘th’Imortall’. Before l.83, the MS has two partially legible cancelled lines: ‘so feast for … ay hou… … the Tree of Life Not for her Lass ye … Greet … but for your ain Before l.86, the MS has the following cancelled line: ‘her words wer mercifull,’. 86. ‘to bear her af sae young to pou her in her prime’ (MS) [not ‘to pou her in her prime’] 89. ‘far Less Lesser’ (MS) [not ‘Lesser’] 90. ‘Tongue words’ (MS) [not ‘words’] 91. ‘Heavenly Generous’ (MS) [not ‘Generous’] 92. In the MS, this line begins with ‘x’; ‘ever e’er’ (MS) [not ‘e’er’]; ‘a’ (MS) [not ‘a’] Before l.94, the MS has a cancelled partial line: ‘Born of a Race’. 96. In the MS, this line begins with ‘x’. 103. Ramsay has two attempts at this line in the MS: ‘of you Respect woud crave’ and ‘then shall your virtues have then shall your virtues crave’ [not ‘then shall your virtues crave’] 104. ‘when alive in your Life’ (MS) [not ‘in your Life’] To His Grace John Duke of Roxburgh The Address of Allan Ramsay Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.140), presentation copy. Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.135-37), draft, hereafter ‘Eg.’. First published: STS III, pp.161-64. 239

Poems In the MS copy-text, each stanza is preceded by ‘x’, in place of stanza numbering. The MS draft contains no end-line punctuation; this is added at presentation copy stage. Title: John Ker, first Duke of Roxburghe (c.1680-1741). Ker’s son Robert is the subject of Ramsay’s ‘On the most Honourable The Marquess of Bowmont’s Cutting off his Hair’, published in Ramsay’s edition of 1721. Ker was central to Scottish politics from the turn of the eighteenth century. In his role as a Secretary of State of Scotland, he was instrumental in establishing the Union between Scotland and England in 1707. Following the Union, he was a representative peer for Scotland in four parliaments, as well as privy councillor and Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland. Politically a Whig, Ker was Member of Parliament for Berwick and Dysart Burghs. He was a Secretary of State for Scotland again between 1716 and 1725, being dismissed by Robert Walpole due to his opposition to the malt tax. Ramsay’s use of ‘S.P.’ after his name is obscure; it may be, as the STS editors state, that it stands for ‘Scots Poet’ (III, p.160), but this is uncertain. 1. ‘Be south of Berwick ther is Bays’ (Eg.) [not ‘In south Britannia there is Bays’] 2. ‘to grace placd on a poets Pow’ (Eg.) [not ‘plac’d on a Poets pow’] 3. ‘wi’t’ (Eg.) [not ‘wi’t,’] The Egerton MS has a cancelled line after l.4: ‘But here’. 5. ‘weel’ (Eg.) [not ‘well’] 6. ‘mony’ (Eg.) [not ‘various’] 7. ‘Wit’ (Eg.) [not ‘witt,’] 8. ‘dowf’ (Eg.) [not ‘Dowf,’] 9. ‘feard for scant frae want secure’ (Eg.) [not ‘frae want secure’] 11. ‘woody fa’ (Eg.) [not ‘woodyfa’’]; ‘Joking’ (Eg.) [not ‘joaking’] 13. ‘loo’ (Eg.) [not ‘Loo’] 17. ‘Mockin’ (Eg.) [not ‘lockin’] 18. ‘gang’ (Eg.) [not ‘Gang’] 20. ‘an elivated title’ (Eg.) [not ‘A wonder vogey Title!’] 21. ‘But Bornt to no ae fit inch’ (Eg.) [not ‘but Heir to no ae Inch’] 22. ‘Livings’ (Eg.) [not ‘Income’s’]; ‘Kitle’ (Eg.) [not ‘kitle’] 23. ‘wherfore’ (Eg.) [not ‘wherfore,’]; ‘regard’ (Eg.) [not ‘Regard’] 24. ‘Some let’ (Eg.) [not ‘may’] 25. ‘yow be my reward’ (Eg.) [not ‘you, be my Reward’] The Egerton draft MS has a cancelled line after l.25: ‘frae the great Treasury be spard’. 26. ‘Lest’ (Eg.) [not ‘lest’] Stanza beginning l. [Stanza 4] is numbered ‘2’ in the Egerton MS. 28. ‘for’ (Eg.) [not ‘ffor’]; ‘tongue’ (Eg.) [not ‘Tongŭe’] The presentation copy has ‘ffor’ in place of ‘For’, and ‘Tongŭe’ for ‘Tongue’. 29. ‘numbers’ (Eg.) [not ‘numbers,’]; ‘&’ (Eg.) [not ‘and’] 30. ‘Brow’ (Eg.) [not ‘Brows’] 31. ‘warbling’ (Eg.) [not ‘warb’ling’]; ‘throw’ (Eg.) [not ‘throu’’]; ‘throats’ (Eg.) [not ‘Throats’] 32. ‘wi cheeks & poutches Clung’ (Eg.) [not ‘with poutch and pantrie Clŭng’] The presentation copy has ‘Clŭng’ for ‘Clung’. 240

Notes to Uncollected Poems 33. ‘Guzell suckling’ (Eg.) [not ‘Guzell’] 34. ‘volumes’ (Eg.) [not ‘stanzas,’] 35. ‘no’ (Eg.) [not ‘neer’] 36. ‘scarce’ (Eg.) [not ‘bide’] After l.36 in the Egerton MS, an additional stanza, not in the presentation copy, reads: Maun shoud I attend a Lord or Duke or [cancelled] rings of Lasses Ladys [cancelled] fair with Dudy Claims or hungry look to play the Jock whistle bair na rather I’ll sing by my Book and do as I [did?] air with pawky fare and gentle juke set aff their Curly hair [illegible cancellation] bit aff whyt washer hair for siller Grays 37. ‘very woud’ (Eg.) [not ‘very’] 38. ‘man Chiel’ (Eg.) [not ‘Lad’] 39. ‘nine’ (Eg.) [not ‘Nine’] 40. ‘Dowi Dumps’ (Eg.) [not ‘Dowie dumps’] 41. ‘and for the want’ (Eg.) [not ‘Thus, for the lak’] 43. ‘Dampy Vowts[?] I’ll’ (Eg.) [not ‘Tippony to’] 45. ‘unwordy [illegible cancellation] praise’ (Eg.) [not ‘Baith blate & blew!’] 46. ‘frae’ (Eg.) [not ‘ffrae’]; ‘founds’ (Eg.) [not ‘funds’] The presentation copy has ‘ffrae’ for ‘Frae’. 47. ‘with whom weer after vext’ (Eg.) [not ‘with, some of, whom we’re vext’] 48. ‘trade’ (Eg.) [not ‘Trade’] 49. ‘and Rug the Haly Text’ (Eg.) [not ‘Riving in deugs the Text’] 50. ‘only ane for better Bred’ (Eg.) [not ‘painfou poets, better Bred’] 51. ‘prceps’ (Eg.) [not ‘precepts’] 52. ‘God sen gifts is aften’ (Eg.) [not ‘God=sen Gifts are unco’] 53. ‘anext’ (Eg.) [not ‘Anext’] 54. ‘But yet thanks to you’ (Eg.) [not ‘yet Thanks to You’] This line begins in the presentation copy with an illegible cancelled word; ‘yet’ is added in superscript. 55. ‘my my’ (Eg.) [not ‘my’] ‘South sea freins’ (Eg.) [not ‘Glaring friends’] 57. ‘with Quatro Book my fate to sey’ (Eg.) [not ‘(With Quatro Book, my fate to sey)’] ‘Quatro Book’: Ramsay’s Poems (1721), of which both Ker and his wife, Mary Finch, who had died towards the end of 1718, were subscribers. In addition, Gilbert Ramsay, ‘Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh’, John Hume, ‘Chamberlain to the Duke of Roxburgh’, Colonel Ker, ‘Brother to the D. of Roxburgh’ and Robert Wood, ‘Secretary to the D. of Roxburgh’ all appear in the list of subscribers to Poems (1721). 58. ‘hand’ (Eg.) [not ‘Hand’] 59. ‘poutch’ (Eg.) [not ‘purse’] 241

Poems The Egerton draft MS has a cancelled, illegible line after l.60, and a cancelled, illegible line after l. 61. 62. ‘Right fruitfull’ (Eg.) [not ‘right Genial’] The presentation copy has ‘Genial’ for ‘Genial’. 63. This line is illegible in the Egerton MS. 64. ‘for great good’ (Eg.) [not ‘Grecious’] The Egerton MS has a cancelled line after l.64: ‘preceps tho neer sae wise’. 65. ‘th advice of wisesest men’ (Eg.) [not ‘the Advice of wisest men’] 67. ‘shoud dunders’ (Eg.) [not ‘should some fowk’] 68. ‘touring strech of Clio’s’ (Eg.) [not ‘Streek of Blyth Thalai’s’] ‘Thalai’: probably Thalia, Greek goddess who presided over pastoral poetry and comedy. 69. ‘princes len’ (Eg.) [not ‘Princes Len’] 70. ‘gracious lugs and bid them’ (Eg.) [not ‘Aprobation, and gar’] 71. ‘the Canty poet Blythsome Billy Ben’ (Eg.) [not ‘the Canty Billy ben’] The Egerton draft MS has an illegible, cancelled version of l. 72, below revised version. 73. ‘Tented’ (Eg.) [not ‘Tented,’] 75. ‘wide Oer [illegible] Natures as I field frankly trace’ (Eg.) [not ‘wide nature’s fields I frankly Trace’] 77. ‘pindus height she tak my her’ (Eg.) [not ‘Pindus Height she takes her’] ‘Pindus’: mountain range in northern Greece and southern Albania. 78. ‘Grinning’ (Eg.) [not ‘cackling’] 79. ‘paughty smile superiour she smoths’ (Eg.) [not ‘Careless Air she smooths’] 80. ‘the Dull drons a the Drolls’ (Eg.) [not ‘A’ the Droths’] 81. ‘and lang be’t sae’ (Eg.) [not ‘with Gladsome Glee’] In the Egerton draft MS, Ramsay has couplets in the last stanza, rather than the presentation copy’s 9-line stanza format. 82. ‘Health Length of Days years and a that’s good & Great’ (Eg.) [not ‘Health, Blythness, Love, and A’ that’s Great’] The Egerton draft MS does not feature l.83, as it appears in the presentation copy. 84. ‘be ever yours & your Blooming Bowmonts fate’ (Eg.) [not ‘Be yours, and Blooming Bowmont’s fate’] ‘Bowmont’: Ker’s son, Robert, Marquess of Bowmont. 85. ‘Strong may [several illegible cancellations] star of Greatness shine Blaze shed ’ (Eg.) [not ‘And lang lang may ye shine’] doun sic Rays 86-90. These lines are not included in the Egerton draft MS. The last line of the draft Egerton MS reads: ‘shall warm his nation in’s Meridian days’. ‘Nil Mihi rescribus at aman Ipse vene,’ Text: tipped into the copy of Poems (1721) held by Wellesley College, Massachusetts. First published: STS III, p.168, as ‘Macaronic, June 11, 1722’. The text is a hybrid of dog Latin and Scots and translates loosely as follows: Reply nothing to me but your dear [friend] himself ?is the source?, 242

Notes to Uncollected Poems For your flattering Latin, in conscience I do not know it well; But I see very well, where it is going to my honour; Such sylvan dancers when I cheerfully play before them On my country lyre — by all ?Castalians ?made ambitious by the Muses 5 See this new marvel — well be it so, kind Patricus, I take for granted that you think well what you have said, While happy to hear my head is wearing the laurel. Thanks to you. When you come to Auld Reeky, I hope to see you where a bottle of the best shall rejoice us. 10 1. ‘rescribus’ (MS) [not ‘rescribus’] 6. ‘Patricŭs’ (MS) not ‘Patricus’] 8. ‘come’ (MS) [not ‘cum’]; ‘cum’ (MS) [not ‘cum’] 9. ‘fŭmosus’ (MS) [not ‘fumosus’] ‘Silvia to A— R—’ and ‘Answer’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, ff.19-20v). First published: STS III, pp.168-70. The first is a poem to Ramsay by an unknown author, which he transcribed in the MS alongside his own ‘Answer’, dated October 1722. ‘Answer’ 4. ‘ffair’ (MS) [not ‘fair’] Before l. 5, the MS has two cancelled lines: and give when e’er they daign to crave That only Thing theyd wish to have 12. ‘qŭite’ (MS) [not ‘quite’] 21. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘his’]; ‘his’ (MS) [not ‘his’] 25. ‘Saft’ (MS) [not ‘dear’]; ‘dear’ (MS) [not ‘dear’] 27. ‘ŭp’ (MS) [not ‘up’] Before l.29, the MS has four illegible cancelled lines. 33. In this line, Ramsay has an illegible, cancelled line, replaced by ‘by ane I watna fate by ane I watna fate ’; ‘ ’ (MS) [not ‘by ane I watna fate’] 52. ‘Roŭnd’ (MS) [not ‘Round’] 54. ‘When when’ (MS) [not ‘when’] 58. ‘Mŭse’ (MS) [not ‘Muse’] The Pleasures of Improvments in Agriculture Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.61-63). First published: STS III, pp.171-72. The MS is likely to be a draft letter, where the poem is preceded by a prose dedication to Ramsay’s recipients: The Pleasures of Improvments in Agriculture Plant Gard To the Honourable & Ingenious & Praise worthy ffraternity for Improvements in Agriculter Planting Gardening &c Success Plenty & Joy their Humble Poet Begs them to attend his Landwart Lays while he attemps to Sing their Benficial & Generous Design, whilk which 243

Poems we Introduce with a Text from the Renownd Sr David Lindsay in his conversation with Dame Remembrance about the affairs State of Scotland you’ll excuse its being Some Longer than a Common Sentence or So of Horace or Ovid The poem commemorates the founding, on 8 June 1723, of the Society for Improving in the Knowledge of Agriculture. Although his dedicatee is unidentified, the core founders of the Society were John Cockburn of Ormiston (1695-1758), Sir Thomas Hope, eighth Baronet of Rankeillor (c.1677-1771), John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair (1673-1747), Archibald Campbell, third Duke of Argyll and first Earl of Ilay (1682-1761), William Kerr, third Marquess of Lothian (c.1690-1767), Alexander Murray, fourth Lord Elibank (1677-1736), Charles Hope, first Earl of Hopetoun (1681-1742), Charles Cathcart, eighth Lord Cathcart (1686-1740), George Hay, eighth Earl of Kinnoull (1689-1758) and Hew Dalrymple, Lord Drummore (1690-1755). (See also James Handley, The Agricultural Revolution in Scotland (Glasgow, 1963), p.74.) Ramsay mentions in his dedication a quotation from Scottish poet and playwright David Lyndsay (c.1490-c.1555); this ‘Text’ is not found in the MS. It is clear from the description, however, that Ramsay is referring to Lyndsay’s earliest poem, ‘The Dreme’ (c.1528), an allegory of sixteenth-century Scotland in which Dame Remembrance reveals to Scotland that it possesses all the natural resources necessary for the comfort and prosperity of its people, while criticising the contemporary administration for mismanagement of these resources, and for their unjust decisions and policies. 1. ‘make Lust attempt’ (MS) [not ‘attempt’] 2. ‘fforest’ (MS) [not ‘forest’] 3. ‘Lead us your aid us ye Powers that [?curling] changing Seasons Grant’ (MS) [not ‘aid us ye Powers that changing Seasons Grant’] 4. ‘and with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] 5. The MS has an illegible cancelled word before ‘flaming’. 8. ‘ffrench’ (MS) [not ‘French’] ‘Maro’: ancient Roman poet Virgil, whose full name was Publius Vergilius Maro; ‘Rapin’: René Rapin (1621-87), French Jesuit author whose Latin poem on gardens and horticulture, Hortum libri IV (1665), was translated into English in 1673 and 1706. 10. ‘Tiber’: major river in central Italy; ‘Seine’: runs through the French capital, Paris. 12. ‘fforth’ (MS) [not ‘Forth’] ‘Forth’: major river of central Scotland. Before l.13, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘attend the Influence of the Prince of Day’. 13. ‘may be all must be’ (MS) [not ‘may be’]; ‘in sublime in our fire’ (MS) [not ‘in our fire’] 14. ‘our Breast the Bards’ (MS) [not ‘the Bards’] 19. ‘that she’ (MS) [not ‘she’] 21. ‘Stagnnant’ (MS) [not ‘Stagnnant’]; ‘Acres straths did’ (MS) [not ‘straths did’] Before l.25, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘witness the Park besoith Edinas towers’. 244

Notes to Uncollected Poems 25. ‘and our’ (MS) [not ‘our’] 25-27. ‘Straitens Loch’: Edinburgh’s Burgh Loch, drained in the early seventeenth century. In 1658, the loch and marshes were rented to John Straiton, from which point it was referred to as ‘Straiton’s Loch’. The land was let in 1722 to one of the founders of the Society for Improving in the Knowledge of Agriculture, Thomas Hope of Rankeillour. 27. ‘Now of Late’ (MS) [not ‘of Late’]; ‘Ingenious Hope the most deserving most worthy fame Rankeilier worthy lasting fame’ [not ‘by Rankeilier worthy lasting fame’] 28. ‘ane a arround’ (MS) [not ‘a’] 29. ‘now ditchd & hedgd by him ae and’ (MS) [not ‘now ditchd & hedgd and’] Before l.31, the MS has two cancelled lines: Beneath whose shades along each evenly walk The Citizens from Care retires to talk Before l.32, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘The Burgers Soul sometimes forgets dull trade’ 33. ‘throw in oer’ (MS) [not ‘in’]; ‘he the’ (MS) [not ‘he’] 35. ‘while when’ (MS) [not ‘when’] 40. ‘numerous’ (MS) [not ‘numerous’] 42. ‘ffaith’ (MS) [not ‘faith’] 50. ‘my the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 51. ‘to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 54. ‘Indolent’ (MS) [not ‘Lazy’]; ‘ample feilds each wide feild’ (MS) [not ‘each wide feild’] 55. ‘their their’ (MS) [not ‘their’] 56. ‘the Best of the proper season methodes, Time, & where’ (MS) [not ‘the proper season soils and art’] Before l.58, the MS has the following cancelled couplet: Here by enrich their Tennents yet increase their rent with ease Pay all their Debts and gain Content 58. ‘fortunes Rents’ (MS) [not ‘Rents’] Translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, Book X, ll.693-96 Text: British Journal, 9 March 1723 (XXV, p.3), alongside another poetic translation. No MS. The British Journal contextualises the two texts as follows: The two remarkable Verses; the one out of Horace, Ode 4. Lib. 4. in Praise of Drusus; and the other out of Virgil, Æn. Lib. 10. in Praise of Mezentius, mention’d in the Letter from St. Andrews, appears by the Edinburgh News-papers to be two Scotch Presents, made by the Professor of the Mathematicks there to a Mr. Pas. Stevens of the Temple, (for out-braving two Sea-Storms coming into that Land; the first Time driven from Montross into Norway, and the second Time from their Anchor, between the Bass and St. Ebbes-Head into Brunt Island, at that remarkable time of the Hurricane in Jamaica, when the Deep utter’d his Voice, and lift up his Hands on high.) The Translations of which being much admir’d: The first translated 245

Poems by himself; the second by Allen Ramsay, a Scotch Poet, who had 20 Marks for his Labour. Both which I have here set down at large, that my Readers may judge who is intitled to the Laurel, viz. Est in Juvencis, est in Equis patrum Virtus: nec imbellum feroces Progenerant Aquilæ Columbam. Horat. From strenuous Sires bold Sons proceed, Brave Horses from a generous Breed; Nor doth the awful Bird of Jove Beget a weak and timorous Dove. The first translation is from Horace’s Ode to ‘Drusus and the Claudians’ (IV, IV). Although its author is not identified by the British Journal, James Gregory is one of the subscribers to Ramsay’s Poems (1721), where he is listed as ‘Professor of Mathematicks at Edinburgh’: he may have been a descendant of James Gregory (1638-75), the first Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh, who was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1668 and corresponded with Isaac Newton on their respective telescopes. (See also Ramsay’s ‘Ode to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton’ and ‘To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford’.) The British Journal contributor continues by giving the original of Ramsay’s translation: Ille, velut rupes, vastum que prodit in Æquor, Obvia ventorum furiis, expostaque ponto, Vim cunctam, atque minas perfect Ceelique Marisque; Ipsa immota manens — Virgil. It has not been possible to locate the story of the sea-storm in contemporary account; a ‘Mr. Pas. Stevens’ is, however, listed as a subscriber to Scottish historian and Bishop of Salisbury Gilbert Burnet’s (1643-1715) Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time (London, 1734). In the context of Virgil’s Aeneid, Mezentius is a deposed king of the Etruscans whose son is killed by Aeneas. The places mentioned in the British Journal’s contextualisation are Montrose, a town in Angus, north-east Scotland; the Bass Rock, an island in the Firth of Forth off eastern Scotland; St. Abbs, a fishing village in Berwickshire, on the southeastern coast of Scotland; and Bruntisland, a coastal town in Fife, on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. ‘Beauty and Comely Shape, adorned with art,’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.40), within a letter sent from Ramsay to Mrs Sleigh, 7 July 1724. First published: STS IV, p.175, within the letter, but not part of Poems. An additional MS copy is at the NLS (MS 1695, f.159): this is regarded by the IELM as an autograph draft MS but is more likely to be a transcription in the hand of Allan Ramsay Junior; it is not, therefore, accepted as holograph here. The recipient is the mother of Mary Sleigh, who married Alexander Brodie of Brodie in September 1724; see also ‘On Seeing the Archers Divert Themselves’, ‘Epigram’, beginning ‘Minerva wandring in a Myrtle Grove’, and ‘On the Marriage of Alexander Brodie of Brodie… and Mrs. Mary Sleigh’, all printed in Poems (1728). 246

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Accept my Lord these honest Lays’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f98v). First published: STS III, p.173, as ‘To the Duke of Queensberry’. It is likely that the poem dates to 1723, because it appears to refer to and introduce the following poem to the Duke’s wife, entitled ‘A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery on her coming first to Scotland June 1723’. The poem is written for Charles Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry (1698-1778), also the recipient of ‘Ode On the Birth of the Most Honourable Marquis of Dumlanrig’, written for Douglas’s son Henry, published in Poems (1728). The Duke and Duchess of Queensberry were subscribers to both the 1721 and 1728 editions of Ramsay’s poems. 2. ‘Kathrine’: the Duchess of Queensberry, Catherine ‘Kitty’ Hyde (1701-77), literary patron, wife of Charles Douglas and supportive friend of English poet John Gay. For further details, see ‘Ode on the Birth of the… Marquis of Dumlanrig’. Before l.7, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘like the court weather cocks’. 8. ‘his good’ (MS) [not ‘good’] 10. ‘honest gratefu’ (MS) [not ‘gratefu’] 14. ‘Linton’: may refer to Douglas’s relative, William Douglas, second Earl of March (c.1696-1731), whose son, also William Douglas (1725-1810), would succeed the poem’s recipient as fourth Duke of Queensberry. The second Earl of March held the title of lord of the regality of Linton. The town of West Linton is in Peebleshire, Scotland; the Queensberry family also had historical links to West Linton’s Drochil Castle and Old Manor House. A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery on her coming first to Scotland June 1723 Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.7-8). First published: STS III, p.173-75. This poem appears to be associated with the preceding text, written for the Duke of Queensberry, which introduces ‘these honest Lays/that I have sowfd in Katherines praise’ (ll.1-2); these ‘honest lays’ are written for the Duchess of Queensberry. Literary patron Catherine ‘Kitty’ Hyde (1701-77) had married William Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry, in March 1720 (see also ‘Ode On the Birth of the… Marquis of Dumlanrig’, which was printed in Ramsay’s Poems (1728)). 1. ‘Calli’: Calliope, the ninth classical Muse who presided over eloquence and heroic poetry; ‘Nytha’: the River Nith, which flows through the Queensberrys’ Drumlanrig estate in Dumfriesshire. 2. ‘Naiad’: freshwater nymph of classical mythology, often represented as inhabiting rivers. 12. ‘Juno’: Roman goddess of childbirth and marriage, and the wife of Jupiter; ‘Jove’: poetic name for Jupiter, highest deity of the ancient Romans. 14. ‘must sinks’ (MS) [not ‘sinks’] 16. ‘now late’ (MS) [not ‘late’] 37. ‘Lother’: Lowther Hills, near the Queensberry estate of Drumlanrig in Dumfriesshire; the range is part of the Southern Uplands, stretching from 247

Poems Dumfries and Galloway to Ramsay’s Lanarkshire hometown of Leadhills. 41. ‘Hyperian’: of Hyperion, a Titan of classical mythology who was the father of Helios, Selene and Eos, who represent, respectively, the sun, moon and dawn. 42. ‘Arno’: major river in Tuscany, Italy. 59. ‘their his’ (MS) [not ‘his’] 60. ‘Danube’: European river which flows through central and south-eastern Europe, before joining the Black Sea; ‘Tajo’: Tagus, a river of the Iberian Peninsula, which runs through Spain and Portugal before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean outside Lisbon; ‘Tiber’: river of central Italy, which flows through Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio before entering the Tyrrhenian Sea; ‘Seine’: major French river which flows through north-eastern France and Paris before joining the English Channel at Le Havre. 75. ‘ffair’ (MS) [not ‘fair’] 80-81. The closing couplet is added in the margin of the MS. ‘Queensberys Come Thrice welcome fair’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.93v-95). First published: STS III, pp.176-78, as ‘To the Duchess of Queensberry’. The STS editors omit several lines from the poem in MS, which are reinstated here. It is likely that the poem dates to 1723, when its subject, Catherine Douglas, Duchess of Queensberry, first visited Scotland following her marriage to Charles Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry, in 1720. See also ‘On the Birth of the… Marquis of Dumlanrig’, ‘Accept my Lord these honest Lays’, ‘A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery’ and ‘To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry on her departure from Scotland July 15th 1734’. Before l.4, the MS has the following cancelled text: The Bonyest form by fate designd to guard 7. ‘Nytha’: the River Nith runs through the Queensberry estate of Drumlanrig, in Dumfriesshire. 14. ‘sweetest tuneful’ (MS) [not ‘tuneful’] 16. The beginning of this line is marked with ‘x’ in the MS. Before l.17, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘all nature Joyn to glad the way’. 17. ‘sweetness smooth pleasures smooth her’ (MS) [not ‘pleasures’] 18. The beginning of this line is marked with ‘[x’ in the MS; ‘ye ye’ (MS) [not ‘ye’] 19. ‘flas spread sconce your wing your pinions’ (MS) [not ‘sconce your wing’] 21. ‘around arround’ (MS) [not ‘around’] 22. ‘oer the lin oer Heugh & how’ (MS) [not ‘oer Heugh and how’] 23. ‘rin’ (MS) [not ‘flow’] 24. ‘flashing gushing’ (MS) [not ‘gushing’] ‘Tweed’: rises in the Lowther Hills, which overlook the Queensberry estate of Drumlanrig, before flowing through the Scottish Borders and entering the sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed. 26. ‘Teviot’: tributary of the River Tweed, which flows through the Scottish 248

Notes to Uncollected Poems Borders and joins the Tweed south of Kelso. 27. ‘Clyde’: major Scottish river which flows through Lanarkshire and Glasgow before emptying into the sea at the Firth of Clyde; ‘Tintock’s tap’: Tinto, a hill in the Southern Uplands of Scotland which sits on the river Clyde, to the west of Biggar. 28. ‘Corhouse Lin’: today known as Cora Linn, the highest waterfall of the Falls of Clyde in Lanarkshire. 29. ‘Tay’: Scotland’s longest river, which rises in the western Highlands, flows through the Highlands towards Perth, and enters the sea at the Firth of Tay, south of Dundee. 30. ‘Ness’: flows from Loch Ness to Inverness and empties into the Beuly Firth; ‘Spay’: rises in the Scottish Highlands before flowing through Newtonmore and Aviemore. It joins the sea at the Moray Firth, west of Buckie. Before l.30, the MS has the following cancelled lines: Fforth smiles and calm calms smooths his wavy brow & smiles auld father fforth the paintland pride 32-33. These lines are in the margin at this point in the MS, and are added in place of the following cancelled lines, also in the margin: sweetly and saftly soughs it throw the air arround his Bush aboon Traquair 32. ‘Traquair’: village in Peeblesshire in the Scottish Borders. ‘The Bush Aboon Traquair’: popular Scottish tune first published by James Oswald in the first edition of his Orpheus Caledonius (1725); Ramsay would later utilise the tune in the ballad opera version of GS. 34. ‘ffair’ (MS) [not ‘fair’]; ‘thrice happy enriching’ (MS) [not ‘enriching’] 35. ‘Tay auld’ (MS) [not ‘auld’] 39. ‘influence’ (MS) [not ‘influence’] 40. ‘Dumlanrigs Queensberys’ (MS) [not ‘Queensberys’]; ‘ffair’ (MS) [not ‘fair’] 41. ‘be be’ (MS) [not ‘be’] 47. ‘faŭs’ (MS) [not ‘faus’] Before l.48, the MS has this cancelled line: ‘Regardless neer fashd’. 48. ‘x Scorn’ (MS) [not ‘Scorn’]; ‘x laits’ (MS) [not ‘laits’]; the ‘x’ signifies where the word ‘scorn’ should be placed in the line. 49. ‘mind’ (MS) [not ‘tent’] 61. ‘sh’ (MS) [not ‘five’] 64-65. These lines are in the margin at this point in the MS. 66. This line begins with ‘*’; ‘fair kind’ (MS) [not ‘kind’] 67. ‘generous publick’ (MS) [not ‘publick’] Before l.70, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘wha soon we hope will’. 71. ‘ffor’ (MS) [not ‘for’] 73. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 78-79. These lines are in the margin at this point in the MS. 81. ‘row’ (MS) [not ‘bow’] 82. ‘ready cash’ (MS) [not ‘cash’] 84. ‘shall rise’ (MS) [not ‘shall sing’] 86. ‘tholes us’ (MS) [not ‘who now’] 92. ‘and all says and all says a’s me ain then will he raise he blythly says’ (MS) [not ‘and a’s me ain then will he raise’] 249

Poems 93. ‘for which I aught his notes in very awe the patriots praise’ (MS) [not ‘his notes in awe the patriots praise’] 94. ‘Reverse of while skeaking servile sports sauls that stinge’ (MS) [not ‘Reverse of servile sauls that stinge’] 96. ‘far aboon them a’ with superiour Grace smile’ (MS) [not ‘with superiour smile’] 98. ‘whase her’ (MS) [not ‘whase’] 102-3. These lines are in the margin at this point in the MS. Jenny and Meggy. A Pastoral, Sequel to Patie and Roger Text: Jenny and Meggy. A Pastoral, Being a Sequel to Patie and Roger (Edinburgh, 1723). No MS. Title: On the title page of the 1723 edition, the poem is referred to as ‘Jenny and Meggy’, while the internal title inverts the protagonists’ names, as ‘Meggy and Jenny’. Here, the poem is referred to as ‘Jenny and Meggy’, reflecting the first edition’s title page and the poem’s now canonical title. As its title outlines, the poem is a sequel to ‘Patie and Roger’, which was printed for the first time in 1720.These two pastoral dialogues are the foundational texts for Ramsay’s GS: while ‘Patie and Roger’ corresponds to Act I, Scene I, ‘Jenny and Meggy’ corresponds to Act I, Scene II, with the name ‘Meggy’ substituted with ‘Peggy’; full explanatory annotations for the poem are found in the notes accompanying GS. on Magy Dickson Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.54). First published: STS III, pp.182-84. Given that it is a response to the story of Margaret Dickson (see below), which was covered heavily in contemporary newspapers and broadsides, it is dated to 1724. Title: Margaret Dickson (c.1702-30), tried ‘for concealment of pregnancy in the case of a dead child’ in late 1724, her defence being that ‘she was a married woman, though living separate from her husband’. She was sentenced to death, and hanged in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket on 2 September, after which her body was cut down and placed into a coffin. On the way to her burial place, the coffin was targeted by body-snatchers who meant to sell her body for scientific dissection, and in the scuffle ‘they heard a noise within’. On opening the coffin, they found Dickson alive. Chambers reports that ‘her husband, struck with a forgiving interest in her, took her ultimately back to his house. She lived to have several children creditably born, and cried salt for many a day through the streets of Edinburgh, universally recognised and pointed out to strangers as “Half-hangit Maggie Dickson”’ (Chambers, Domestic Annals of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1861), pp.500-2). She died in September 1730. Dickson’s story was a popular subject in contemporary broadsides, including The Last Speech, Confession and Warning, of Margaret Dickson, who was execute in the Grass-Mercat of Edinburgh, for the unnatural murder of her own child, on Wednesday the 2d of September 1724, Margaret 250

Notes to Uncollected Poems Dickson’s penetential confession and A warning to the wicked, or Margaret Dickson’s welcome to the gibbet (all Edinburgh, 1724). 2. ‘Inverask’ (MS) [not ‘Inverask’] ‘Inverask’: Inveresk, village near Musselburgh, East Lothian, Dickson’s birthplace; ‘fisher Raw’: Fisherrow, a village at Musselburgh. All three locations were key to the eighteenth-century Scottish fishing industry. 5. The beginning of this line is missing, due to MS damage. Before l.19, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘But Happy hapy was it for thee’. 20. As with l.5, the beginning of this line is lost to MS damage. 26. ‘who while he’ (MS) [not ‘while he’] 29-30. ‘pen’d a speech… neer spak’: the broadside entitled The Last Speech, Confession and Warning of Margaret Dickson, in which Dickson gives her story. 29. ‘he pen’d’ (MS) [not ‘pen’d’] 31. ‘of mouth’ (MS) [not ‘of mouth’] 32. ‘repete the Stumbler tell the Backslydings’ (MS) [not ‘tell the Backslydings’] 33. ‘tell say’ (MS) [not ‘say’] Before l.37, the MS has the following cancelled lines: Mithers & Masters O tak heed when nakit to thy bed he came 33-36. ‘Shame a… Willy Bell’: alluding to The Last Speech, Confession and Warning of Margaret Dickson, in which Dickson explains how, after taking lodgings at Maxwell-heugh, Kelso, she became pregnant with the child whose death she was charged with concealing: William Bell my Landlords Son one Night being Drunk when we were all to our Beds, and his Bed was just at my Beds head, I never knew till he was in the naked Bed with me, and almost had me Overcomed before I wakned, and being throw my Sleep, Alas I was Infatuate, and did not Cry, but save that one Night, I never knew him nor any other Man (p.2). 37. ‘sight grat for with’ (MS) [not ‘grat for’] 38. ‘hou hou the’ (MS) [not ‘hou’] ‘Apolo Patron of the Lyre’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.37). Additional MS: according to IELM, held by the Royal Company of Archers, titled ‘Allan Ramsay Bard to the Royall Company’, 13 July 1724; not located. First published: STS III, p.187, as ‘[Lines Written under his Signature in the Roll of the Royal Company of Archers]’. Ramsay was ‘admitted an honorary member (i.e. without entry-fees having been exacted), and appointed Bard to the Company’ in 1724 (Paul, The History of the Royal Company of Archers, p.62); it is likely that the poem was written to accompany this occasion. For more on Ramsay’s relationship with the Archers, see the notes for ‘On seeing the ARCHERS diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, marching under the Command of 251

Poems his Grace Duke of Hamilton’, ‘The Archers March’ and ‘The Poet’s Thanks to the Archers’. 1. ‘Apollo’: deity of classical mythology, regarded as the god of, among other things, poetry and archery. 3. noble Before 5. when I obeying thy command 5. high 6. this On the B— P— design of Taking The Bounty off the Victual Exported Decemr 1724 Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.16). First published: STS III, pp.181-2. Title: It is likely that, as the STS editors also state, ‘B- P-’ stands for ‘British Parliament’. Given its date, Ramsay’s poem may be on recent parliamentary resolutions, as reported in The Historical Register for January 1725: That in lieu of the Duties on Malt made and consum’d in Scotland, an additional Duty of Sixpence shall be paid for every Barrel of Beer or Ale brew’d by the Common Brewers, or any other Person or Persons who doth or shall sell, or tap out Beer or Ale publickly or privately in Scotland, from the twenty-third day of June, 1725, to the twenty-fourth day of June, 1726; and in that Proportion for any greater or lesser Quantity… That in further Satisfaction of what ought to be paid for the Duties on Malt, the Allowance given by an Act of the first Year of the Reign of their late Majesties King William and Queen Mary, or by any other Act or Acts of Parliament for the Encouragement of the Exportation of Corn, shall from and after the twenty-third Day of June, 1725, cease, determine, and be no longer paid for any Corn or Grain exported from Scotland, or brought from thence and exported from England, before the twenty-fifth day of June, 1726 (p.63). 5. ‘U—’: the 1707 Union of the Scottish and English Parliaments. 25. ‘Beggar’s Bennison’: The Beggar’s Benison, or The Most Ancient and Most Puissant Order of the Beggar’s Benison and Merryland, was a men’s sex club dedicated to ‘the convivial celebration of male sexuality’ which was founded in Anstruther, Fife, in 1732, with an Edinburgh chapter opening in 1766. As this poem dates to late 1724, Ramsay’s reference is too early to relate to the club itself, but may reveal that the term, and its sexual connotations, was in circulation well before the founding of the Beggar’s Benison club. 30. ‘Italian singers’: castrati, male singers castrated in childhood to retain a soprano or alto voice; they were popular throughout the eighteenth century. Spoke to Æolus one Night blowing hard on the House of M—f—d Text: Health (1724), pp.55-56. MS: Huntington (HM 1490, f.137). The MS has a note in the margin: ‘leave this out at present and go on to the Bee & flee’, i.e. ‘The Bee and the Fly’, which Ramsay printed in Poems (1729). 252

Notes to Uncollected Poems Title: ‘Spoke to Eolus Blowing one stormy night on the House of Marle-field agust 1721’ [not ‘Spoke to Aeolus one Night blowing hard on the House of M—f—d.’] Marlefield: the Roxburgh estate of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir William Bennet of Grubbet; see also ‘To Sir William Bennet’ and the poem to Bennet beginning ‘from Publick Jars & Party Squable’. ‘Aeolus’: Greek ruler of the winds. 1. ‘Bower’ (MS) [not ‘Bow’r’,] 2. ‘Phebus’ (MS) [not ‘Phebus,’] ‘Phebus’: Greek god Apollo as god of the sun. 3. ‘Bennet’ (MS) [not ‘B----t,’]; ‘Dawted’ (MS) [not ‘dauted’] 4. ‘Say wherfore’ (MS) [not ‘Say, wherefore’] 5. ‘Night, heh! like a Kow’ (MS) [not ‘Night? Heh! like a Kow!’] 6. ‘wow’ (MS) [not ‘Wow!’] 7. ‘Juno’: Roman goddess of childbirth and marriage and wife of Jupiter. 8. ‘Bright Bennetas’ (MS) [not ‘fair B----tas’]; ‘green’ (MS) [not ‘Green’] ‘Benneta’: Bennet’s third wife, Elizabeth Hay, and/or his daughter, Jean Bennet. 9. ‘Venus Guest’ (MS) [not ‘Venus’ guest,’] ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. 11. ‘Wawk’ (MS) [not ‘wauk’]; ‘Body if ye’ (MS) [not ‘Body, if you’] 12. ‘Gowl & Tooly on the seas’ (MS) [not ‘gowl and tooly on the Seas;’] 14. ‘snug we’re Blyth & warm’ (MS) [not ‘safe and snug and warm’] 16. ‘the Cod my pow’ (MS) [not ‘my Kod my Pow’] 17. ‘Stout as a Sarazen’ (MS) [not ‘Canty and cosiely’] 18. ‘Būrsten’ [not ‘bursten’] ‘O Trusty men of Totness Toun’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.71-72). First published: STS III, pp.188-90, as ‘[The Men of Totness Town]’. The poem concerns the actions of the Corporation of Totnes in 1725, when war between Britain, Germany and Spain looked possible. According to Richard Nicholls Worth, the Corporation’s ‘loyalty was shown most conspicuously when, in 1725, it was proposed to levy a land-tax of four shillings in the pound for warlike purposes. The Corporation petitioned in favour of the tax, and expressed themselves willing to pay the other sixteen shillings rather than submit to a foreign yoke!’ (Worth, A History of Devonshire (London, 1886), p.262). The Corporation’s ‘Address’ on the subject of their petition, which Ramsay alludes to throughout the poem, was published in the London Gazette for 25 February 1726 (Issue 6559, pp.5-6). While the STS editors date the poem to 1725, when the Totnes Corporation first took action, it is more likely that Ramsay’s poem dates to early 1726, when their Address was printed in the Gazette. Ramsay’s friend Joseph Mitchell was the author of The Totness Address Versified, which went through numerous editions in 1727. For further information on Ramsay’s relationship with Mitchel, see ‘To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by him’. 9. ‘a man men’ (MS) [not ‘men’] 10. ‘your that’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 253

Poems Before l.12, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘or leter Dress or verse m’ 12. ‘or or words express or Rhimes make less’ (MS) [not ‘or Rhimes make less’] 14. ‘you’ve ge’en [illegible]’ (MS) Before l.16, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘and him that’s Bred’ 16. ‘up Bred’ (MS) [not ‘Bred’] 20. ‘Ava Mary’: Roman Catholic prayer of praise and petition to the Mother of God known as the Hail Mary or Ave Maria. Before l.25, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘for sure we are get you your wills’ 26. ‘united Herod Empires & Pontius Pilate’ (MS) [not ‘Herod & Pontius Pilate’] ‘Herod’: Roman king of Judaea who, in the Christian Gospel of Matthew, orders the Massacre of the Innocents at the time of Jesus’s birth; ‘Pontius Pilate’: governor of Judaea, known for presiding over Jesus’s trial and subsequently ordering his crucifixion. 28. ‘Trade’s’ (MS) [not ‘Trade’s’] 29. ‘to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] Before l.30, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘beloved Smugling’. 33. ‘spŭr’ (MS) [not ‘spur’] 37. ‘these our genuing this Prelude of’ (MS) [not ‘this Prelude of’] 40. ‘again once more’ (MS) [not ‘once more’] 41. ‘pen ane again’ (MS) [not ‘pen ane’] Before l.43, the MS features four cancelled lines: Even Lawyers close their Corpus Kitle Auld Their Bumpers & delitle not whiston ’Gainst the Chtian Creed faith Nor Colins Grounds 43. ‘Colins’: Anthony Collins (1676-1729), philosopher and author of theological and philosophical texts including An Essay Concerning the Use of Reason in Propositions (1707), Priestcraft in Perfection (1710) and A Philosophical Enquiry Concerning Human Liberty (1717), which defend ‘freethinking’. 44. ‘Whiston’: William Whiston (1667-1752), natural philosopher, mathematician and theologian, and author of A New Theory of the Earth (1696); his denial of the Trinity made him an enemy of the contemporary church. Before l.45, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘nor Hobs against’. 45. ‘Sachevrell’: Henry Sacheverell (bap.1674-1724), religious controversialist and Church of England clergyman, whose sermon, The Communication of Sin (1709), triggered a process that saw him impeached by the House of Commons. 46. ‘gaes eer better off’ (MS) [not ‘eer better’] 49. ‘The from age’d’ (MS) [not ‘from ag’d’] Before l.52, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘all more and Less’ Before l.54, the MS has two cancelled lines: Not O Totnes Brave demand but all foraign nations crave 55-56. These lines appear elsewhere in the MS, but Ramsay’s asterisk at the start of l.55 denote that they should be placed here. 57. ‘[illegible] and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 254

Notes to Uncollected Poems 59. ‘have it’ (MS) [not ‘have’] Before l.62, the MS has three cancelled lines, as well as the additional text placed at ll.55-56: Totnes not us tho Eac Not we alone * we, Totnes, each your Humble Slave not only ask but Nations Crave do you but write, 65. ‘I sign in Name of Lang in our purse’ (MS) [not ‘Lang in our purse’] 66. ‘yet I subscribe for’ (MS) [not ‘yet subscribe for’] ‘Birss’: in Scots, to ‘birss’ is to injure, batter or crush with a heavy weight or blow; to bruise, or to apply pressure to; to push, press, squeeze. Last Lamentation of ane Herostratian before he Hangd himself in a fit of Horrour Text: NRS (GD 18/4316 [3-4]). Additional MSS: NLS (2233, f.14v-15), revised draft; BL (Egerton 2023, f.40), two additional stanzas. First published: STS III, pp.333-34. In the STS edition, the copy-text is based on the NLS text, and where the alternative title is given; the STS editors provide the NRS text in their Notes (VI, pp.172-73) and print the additional stanzas found in the BL separately. The poem’s subject is Caleb Baily, a Justice of the Peace at Avebury, Wiltshire, one of the ‘Modern Goths’ who ‘disrespected the heritage of the past’. Baily, ‘the “Stonekiller” of Avebury”’, ‘broke up the sarsen monoliths to the despair of William Stukeley’ (Iain Gordon Brown, ‘A Classic Looks at the Gothic: Sir John Clerk, Ruins and Romance’ in The Architecture of Scotland, 16601750, ed. Louisa Humm, John Lowrey and Aonghus MacKechnie (Edinburgh, 2020), p.101). Baily’s case was discussed at the Society of Antiquaries, whose members included Ramsay’s friend Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, and Society member Alexander Gordon wrote to Clerk in 1725, stating that ‘our Society is very desirous Allan Ramsay should proceed in his lashing Caleb Baily the Goth who is going on worse than ever in his Barbaritys’ (NRS Clerk MSS; see also STS VI, p.171). Ramsay agreed to write on the subject in a letter to Clerk of 9 December 1725 (STS IV, p.177), and the resulting poem, as sent to Clerk, is the NLS text. However, on hearing of Baily’s repentance for his crimes, Ramsay wrote to Clerk on 6 January 1726, stating that he would ‘move no further in that affair’ (STS IV, p.178), and proceeded to remove all references from the poem which would identify Baily: this is the NRS version of the text. Given that it was Ramsay’s ‘improved’ text, it is here selected as copy-text. See also Alexander Law, ‘Caleb Baily, The Demolisher’ in The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, 64 (1969) and Iain Gordon Brown, The Hobby-Horsical Antiquary: A Scottish Character 1640-1830 (Edinburgh, 1980). This supporting evidence allows re-dating of the poem to 1726. Title: ‘Just before he hangs himself The Last Speech of Caleb Baily who was Blawn Blind Breaking doun with Gun Pouder some Curious Remains of celtik Antiquitys ^ at Abery to mend a Park dike’ (NLS) [not ‘The Last Lamentation of 255

Poems ane Herostratian before he Hangd himself in a fit of Horrour and Remorse for demolishing a Pice of Curious Antiquity to mend his Park Wall, in which Barberous action makeing use of Gun Powder he was blown blind’] ‘Herostratian’: Herostratus, ancient Greek arsonist who destroyed the Temple of Artemis; ‘Herostratian’: an individual who commits a crime to gain fame. These lines, consisting of a draft of the first stanza are in NLS, but do not appear in NRS: Hard fate [illegible] ^of mortalls sic as I with Whase sand blind sauls cloudy souls can nought espy in darkness Ly untill the corpral orbs outer shots deny th Ingress of Light their usual aid Then with Remorse we clearly spy how we have strayed 1. ‘My spirits sink( my souls agast’ (NLS) [not ‘My Souls agast! – my Spirits Sink! –’] 2. ‘I Quake I start I grasp faint & shrink’ (NLS) [not ‘I Quake – I faint – I Starit - & Shrink!’] 3. ‘whilest on my hated Crimes I think I vew from the Infernal Brink’ (NLS) [not ‘Wilst I view from the Infernal brink,’] 4. ‘doom’ (NLS) [not ‘Doom!’] 5. ‘Live’ (NLS) [not ‘live’]; ‘thinks’ (NLS) [not ‘think’] 6. ‘of ills to come’ (NLS) [not ‘of woes to come’] An additional, unfinished stanza is in NLS MS after l. 6: ah would I neer had bought known these that Lands wher now no more these Pillars stand broke doun by my illfated hand cursd be the day 7. ‘amaidst’ (NLS) [not ‘amidst’] Before l. 8 in NLS: ‘of Dire Remorse’ 8. ‘That’ (NLS) [not ‘that’]; ‘seen’ (NLS) [not ‘known’] 9. ‘Beautfull remains’ (NLS) [not ‘Beautyfull Remains’] 10. ‘of Antique antient Art near aged with Time’ (NLS) [not ‘of Antient Time’] 11. ‘which I demolishd which action stains ugly the stains’ (NLS) [not ‘which I’ve destroyed! – vile are the stains’] 12. ‘atend’ (NLS) [not ‘Attend’] 13. ‘what thousands of wasting winters years had spard’ (NLS) [not ‘’Thousands of wasting years had spar’d’] The NLS MS has an alternative version of l. 14: ‘for what the wise have fond Regard’ 14. ‘These’ (NLS) [not ‘those’]; ‘Regard’ (NLS) [not ‘regard’] 15. ‘while manly Proven Truths their cares reward’ (NLS) [not ‘and Proven Truths their search reward’] 16. ‘I like’ (NLS) [not ‘Whilst I’] 17. ‘to clout the duke arround my yard’ (NLS) [not ‘for little uses lately dare’d’] 18. ‘een Blew them doun’ (NLS) [not ‘to Blow them down’] 19-36 are not in NLS MS. 19. ‘for ah just with dire Remorse for Crime so Black’ (BL) [not ‘Now dire 256

Notes to Uncollected Poems remorse for crimes so black’] 20. ‘which my kends stents my soul upon a Rack’ (BL) [not ‘keeps my torn Soul upon the Rack’] 22. ‘with Life’ (BL) [not ‘on Earth’] 23. ‘Part’ (BL) [not ‘scene’] 24. ‘disapear’ (BL) [not ‘disappear’] 29. ‘Minos’: judge of the dead in the underworld of Greek mythology. 31. ‘horid’ (BL) [not ‘desp’rate’] 32. ‘each pinchin wreth and Scant-of-Grace’ (BL) [not ‘ye foes to Learning Sence & Grace’] 33. ‘on drunken sot whose firy face’ (BL) [not ‘Earth-worms & every Sot whose face’] 34. ‘Proclaim’ (BL) [not ‘Proclaims’] 35. ‘niver and neer’ (BL) [not ‘and ne’er’]; ‘base=’ (NRS) [not ‘base-’] 36. ‘Satans’ (BL) [not ‘Sattan’s’]; ‘=ly’ (NRS) [not ‘-ly’] 37. ‘Tis done, & Peace had left fled my Mind’ (NLS) [not ‘Each way I turn Peace flyes my mind’] 38. ‘and for now Alace I’m doubly Blind’ (NLS) [not ‘all’s gloom within, without I’m blind’] 39. ‘To Late with horrour ah none I find’ (NLS) [not ‘and with despairing Terrour find’] 41. ‘unfit’ (NLS) [not ‘unfitt’] 42. ‘or Live’ (NLS) [not ‘and live’] 43-8 not in NLS MS. 45. ‘Niobe’: figure of classical mythology associated with grief, sorrow and tears; she was turned to stone, after which she wept for eternity. 49. ‘Sal’sbury’s old Colums’: the stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury near Salisbury in Baily’s native Wiltshire. 50. ‘searching’ (NLS) [not ‘Learned’] ‘Hartford’: Algernon Seymour, Earl of Hartford (1684-1750), third President of the Society of Antiquaries, London; see also ‘To the Right Honourable Earl of Hartford’. 51. ‘every’ (NLS) [not ‘many a’] 53. ‘ah me the deed of my Basse vile hand’ (NLS) [not ‘the Brutal action of my Hand’] 54. ‘chaff’ (NLS) [not ‘vex’] 56. ‘while’ (NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘Satyrick’ (NLS) [not ‘Iambick’] 57. ‘shall’ (NLS) [not ‘will’]; ‘stink &’ (NLS) [not ‘Stink and’] 58. ‘Iambicks Keen’ (NLS) [not ‘Satyr keen’] 60. ‘Brass’ (NLS) [not ‘Bras’] 61. ‘hatefull’ (NLS) [not ‘irksome’] 62. ‘comforts’ (NLS) [not ‘Comfort’s’]; ‘and’ (NLS) [not ‘&’] 64. ‘It will seem civel’ (NLS) [not ‘I’ll once prove civel’] 66. ‘doun to the divell’ (NLS) [not ‘Thus to the Devil’]

257

Poems The Poet’s Thanks to the Archers, on being admitted into their Royal Company Text: Poems in English and Latin on the Archers, and Royal Company of Archers (1726). No MS. Ramsay was admitted an honorary member of the Archers in 1724 and, on being appointed the Company’s Bard, wrote several poems in tribute to his fellow members: see also ‘An Ode, with a Pastoral Recitative’, ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’ and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers marching’, all published in his Poems (1728). 7. ‘the Nine’: the classical Muses, believed to inspire poets and aid their composition. 16. ‘Brave and Fair’: an allusion to Ramsay’s Preface to Poems (1721), in which he states that, ‘Thus shielded by the Brave and Fair,/My Foes may envy, but despair’. The Archers March Text: Poems in English and Latin, on the Archers, and the Royal Company of Archers (1726). MS: NLS (2233, f.24), early draft. For details on Ramsay’s membership of the Royal Company of Archers, see ‘An Ode, with Pastoral Recitative’, ‘On seeing the Archers diverting themselves’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers, shooting for the Bowl’ and ‘On the Royal Company of Archers marching’, all published in Poems (1728). 13. ‘Parnassus’: home of the Muses; the mountain was also sacred to Dionysius, a Greek god of, among other things, wine, fertility and festivity. 15. ‘Diana’: classical goddess of hunters. 21. ‘Parthian’: inhabitant of Parthia, a kingdom of the Achaemenian Empire in what is now Iran. 22. ‘Tartar’: in the eighteenth century, the group under the leadership of Genghis Khan (1202-1227) which colonised areas of Asia and Eastern Europe in the thirteenth century; ‘Scythians’: nomadic people of Scythia, an area in present-day Eastern Europe. 23. ‘Moor’: in the eighteenth century, an inhabitant of ancient Mauretania, a region in present-day Algeria and Morocco. 33-37. When Ramsay republished ‘The Archers March’ in TTM II (1726; p.169), he provided notes to the references in these lines, as follows: Largs, where the Norwegians, headed by their valiant King Haco, were in Anno 1263, totally defeat by Alexander III King of Scots; the heroick Alexander, Great-Steward of Scotland, commanded the right Wing. Loncartie, near Perth, where King Kenneth III obtained the Victory over the Danes, which was principally owing to the Valour and Resolution of the first brave Hay, and his two Sons. Dunkel, here, and in Kyle, and on the Banks of Tay, our great King 258

Notes to Uncollected Poems Corbredus Galdus in three Battles overthrew 30000 Romans in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian. Aberlemny, four Miles from Brechin, where King Malcolm II obtained a glorious Victory over the united Armies of Danes, Norwegians and Cumbrians, & commanded by Sueno King of Denmark, and his warlike Son Prince Canute. Rosline, within five Miles South of Edinburgh, where 10000 Scots, led by Sir John Cumin and Sir Simon Frazer, defeat in three Battles in one Day 30000 of their Enemies, Anno 1303. The Battles of Bannockburn and Chiviot, &c are so well known, that they require no Notes. ‘Battle of Bannockburn’: fought in June 1314, part of the first War of Scottish Independence, resulting in the victory of Robert the Bruce over King Edward II of England; ‘Chiviot’: a range of hills on the border between Scotland and England. The Battle of Otterburn, in which the Scots defeated the English, took place just south of the Cheviots in August 1388, following a raid on English territory by James, second Earl of Douglas (c.1358-88), who was killed in the battle. To my unknown Corospondent in Irland Text: NLS (2233, ff.23v-24). First published: STS III, pp.197-99. Ramsay dates the poem to 30 August 1726, making it likely that it is connected to his ‘To my kind and worthy Friends in Ireland’, published in Poems (1728), and written in response to a false report of Ramsay’s death in A Pastoral Elegy Upon the Death of Mr. Allan Ramsy. The anonymous Pastoral Elegy was published in Dublin in 1727, but Ramsay may have seen a copy in the previous year. ‘To my unknown Corospondent’ responds to a ‘second’ (l.1) communication from Ramsay’s Irish admirer; this makes it likely that the epistolary exchange triggered by the Pastoral Elegy continued beyond the initial pair of poems. The letter/poem to which Ramsay responds has not been located. Before l.1, the MS features several cancelled lines: ffrae thee unkend a Second Time gratefull with thinks favour’d I oun I’ have Honour I’ve wher praises and reproov in Rhime you give baith kind & keen clean you have Bestow’d baith kind & keen Ingratitude’s a deadly Sin 1. ‘ŭnkend’ (MS) [not ‘unkend’] 2. ‘awin oun’ (MS) [not ‘oun’] 7. ‘spoke tald’ (MS) [not ‘tald’] 9-12. This stanza is placed at the end of the main text in the MS, but a ‘3’ at its head indicates that it should be positioned here, as the third stanza. 259

Poems 16. ‘Wanton Willy’: probably William Hamilton of Gilbertfield, Ramsay’s friend and frequent correspondent; his and Ramsay’s ‘Familiar Epistles’ were published in Ramsay’s Poems (1721). Before l.30, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘I neer Let up for’ 31. ‘but Like’ (MS) [not ‘Like’] 32. ‘and mount with wings and Glent with flaughts’ (MS) [not ‘and Glent with flaughts’] 37. ‘Aŭld’ (MS) [not ‘Auld’]; ‘sullen cushlock’ (MS) [not ‘cushlock’] 38. ‘Rankly grow right fast Rankly’ (MS) [not ‘Rankly grow’] 40. ‘wanders warmles’ (MS) [not ‘warmles’] 41. ‘chearful canty neither Dead nor sick & alive’ (MS) [not ‘canty & alive’] 42. ‘neer but fast’ (MS) [not ‘fast’] 43. ‘Shall as’ (MS) [not ‘as’] 44-45. ‘Quarto’: the second volume of Ramsay’s Poems, printed in quarto in 1728. 45-48. This stanza is placed at the end of the main text in the MS, but an asterisk indicates that it should positioned here. Before l.46, ‘the MS has a cancelled line: ‘for Lords & Lairds’ 48. ‘Octave’: the third edition of Ramsay’s Poems, published in 1729 in octavo. 52. ‘soon mool’ (MS) [not ‘mool’] 57. ‘Hibernian’ (MS) [not ‘Hibernian’] 60. ‘the nine’: the classical muses, thought to inspire poetry. 61. ‘the kiss’ (MS) [not ‘kiss’] 62. ‘thou ye’ (MS) [not ‘ye’] Before l.63, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘comend my sang’ ‘The Druken dull swagering Rake hell’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, ff.25-26). First publication: according to IELM, in Mist’s Weekly Journal; untraced. According to the IELM, it was first printed in Mist’s Weekly Journal for 27 August 1726; however, the text published there is John Gay’s ‘Molly Mog: Or, The Fair Maid of the Inn. A Ballad’, which begins, ‘Says my Uncle, I pray you discover’. Having said this, that same issue of Mist’s Weekly Journal states that, ‘In our last we presented our Readers with a short Poem upon Molly Mog; as few have seen that which occasion’d it, it never having been printed, we shall give the Publick now, which will make the other better understood’ (p.43). Unfortunately, the previous issue of Mist’s – Volume 69, for 20 August 1726 – has been lost, and it is now impossible to confirm whether the ‘short Poem upon Molly Mog’ in that issue was the first printing of Ramsay’s poem. Ramsay’s poem is dated to c.1726, given that it is likely to respond to Gay’s version, as printed in Mist’s, or to one or both of the versions printed in Dublin broadsides in the same year: Molly Mog or the Fair Maid of the Inn and The Famous Poem of Molly Mog or the Fair Maid of the Inn. Before l.1, the MS has ‘Gub’d Lonbotham his Miss may keep’ 1. ‘Bully Rake’ (MS) [not ‘Rake’] 4. ‘While I’d’ (MS) [not ‘I’d’] 5. ‘as I’ (MS) [not ‘I’] 6. ‘Than Cupid Cupid the all’ (MS) [not ‘Than the’] 260

Notes to Uncollected Poems Before l.9, the MS has the following cancelled lines: Pleasd Fired with the Jingle and returns of Rhime Mean and not refind & thought sublime Mean and to wit Refind & louring Thought that soars unbounded Of any that are Courtly, and dressing Court Ladys may shine in apparell and all the fine fashions in vogue 9. ‘the fops may may coxcombs’ (MS) [not ‘may coxcombs’] 10. ‘drest in with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] Before l.13, the MS has three cancelled lines: Thy equipage footmen and thy hennells Gilt Coaches shiphennells apparrell May be to the ugly a Scogue 13. ‘no doubt a Gilt The alcove &’ (MS) [not ‘The alcove &]; ‘is are’ (MS) [not ‘are’] 15. ‘but to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 16. ‘wad be is’ (MS) [not ‘is’]; ‘my bony my dear’ (MS) [not ‘my dear’] 21. ‘seraglio’: a Turkish palace, especially that of the Sultan at Constantinople. Fable of the Lost Calf Text: Poems (1727), pp.275-76. No MS. The edition in which this text first appears was printed by Ruddiman; it is the fourth edition of Poems (1721), and features five poems not collected elsewhere. 8. ‘Jove’: poetical name for Jupiter, the Romans’ highest deity. Another against Adultery Text: Poems (1727), p.305. MSS: NLS (582 (610), f.51) and BL (Egerton 2023, f.127). The poem was reprinted in the STS edition as ‘A Note of a Papist’s Preaching’ (III, p.281). 1. ‘A Cordilier’ (NLS); ‘a pious parson,’ (BL) [not ‘A pious Parson,’]; ‘flesh & Blood’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Flesh and Blood’] 2. BL has illegible cancelled word before ‘hearers’; ‘Begin’ (both) [not ‘begin:’] 3. ‘Belive’t Beloved’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Believ’t, beloved,’]; ‘good’ (NLS); ‘god’ (BL) [not ‘Good,’] 4. ‘Adultrie’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Adultrey’]; ‘Crying’ (NLS); ‘Mortall’ (BL) [not ‘hainous’] 5. ‘ilka Month said he’ (NLS), ‘said he [illegible] anes ilka moon ilka [illegible] month said he’ (BL) [not ‘anes ilk Month, said he,’] 6. ‘ten’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Ten’]; ‘Virgings’ (BL) [not ‘Maidens’]; ‘lay’ (NLS), ‘quench lay’ (BL) [not ‘quench’]; ‘flame’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Flame’] 7. ‘Verylie’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘verilie’] 261

Poems 8. ‘fa foul upon a Married Dame’ (NLS), ‘with to midle with a maried Dame’ (BL) [not ‘Be guilty with a married Dame.’] Epigram, Another and Another Text: Poems (1727), pp.304-5. No MS. 1. ‘Nell’: Helen of Troy, regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world, was promised to Paris by Aphrodite following the Judgement of Paris; afterwards, Paris seduced her and took her to Troy. One tradition holds that the efforts to release Helen from Troy sparked the Trojan War. Helen’s spouse was Menelaus, the poem’s ‘Cuckold’ (l.2). ‘Thus Honourd by a Muse divine’ Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.25). First published: STS III, pp.201-2, as ‘Answer [to Lady Somerville’s Poem]’. This text is in reply to a poem written to Ramsay by Lady Anne Somerville (1689-1734), the subject of ‘Wrote on Lady Somervile’s Book of Scots Sangs’ (see also the notes to that poem) and the dedicatee of the second book of Stewart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Songs. Cancellations and additions in the MS are detailed below. The MS of Somerville’s poem, as sent to Ramsay, is held alongside his response in the EUL (Laing II.212). The poem and Ramsay’s annotations are as follows: To Allan Ramsey Permit an humble female Muse Kind Allan to Address thee And my unskillfull lines excuse Tho’ they yeild naught to please thee.



Shall I admire and sing thy lays From morning until night, Yet Render not the poet praise Who gives me such delight. Tho’ I in numbers be untaught, And every pleasing Art; Thy Gentle Strains inspire my Thought, Thy Sonnets chear my Heart.



Pheabus denys to Grace my Song: His Rays are all for you. The Poet too, from whom I sprung To him I nothing owe. ’Tis thou alone that dos’t inspire Each soft poetick thought, From thee the gentle grateful fire That warmes my Breast I caught. 262

5

10

15

20

Notes to Uncollected Poems Protect and skreen an Infant Muse That owes its Birth to thee Accept; and all it’s faults exuse; ’Tis Fame enough for me. Ramsay has two notes on Somerville’s MS: the first, at l.15, explains that the ‘Poet’ ‘from whom’ Somerville ‘sprung’ is ‘wilmot Earl of Rochester:’; the second, which is at the end of the poem, notes that the epistle is ‘ffrom a Lady of Quality’, ‘viz Lady Somervile’, and notes the date: ‘Edr June 14th 1728’. Somerville’s maternal grandfather was John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester (1647-80), English poet, libertine and Restoration wit who was a courtier to Charles II of England (1630-85). 12. ‘Blest praise’ (MS) [not ‘Blest’] ‘with hou much art and turn polite’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.93). First published: STS III, pp.202-3, as ‘[To William Somerville]’, dated to 1728. Ramsay had published his early poetic correspondence with English poet Somerville – ‘Epistle from Mr Somervile’, ‘Answer to the Above Epistle’ and ‘To Mr Somervile of Warwickshire’ – in Poems (1728). A further set of poems, consisting of Somerville’s ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay, upon his publishing his second Volume of Poems’, and Ramsay’s ‘To William Somervile, of Warwickshire Esq’, were published in Ramsay’s edition of 1729. No concrete evidence of the date of the poem’s composition is found in the MS; however, it is likely that it belongs to that same period – c.1728 – during which the two poets exchanged the epistles published in Ramsay’s editions of 1728 and 1729. 5. ‘King’s Monarch Stands denyd refusd’ (MS) [not ‘King’s refusd’] 10. ‘the a’ (MS) [not ‘a’] 14. ‘Oliverian’: a Cromwellian, or follower of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1653 to 1658. 21. ‘ffarmer you’ve sna who so bold so well’ (MS) [not ‘farmer who so bold’] 22. ‘Tyrannical Base’ (MS) [not ‘Base’] 24. ‘George’: George II of Great Britain, who came to the throne on 11 June 1727. Ramsay’s allusions to Cromwell may draw parallels with George II’s lack of control over domestic policy, which was handled by the Parliament. The Miller and his Man Text: MS at EUL (MS. Gen. 752), fair copy. Additional MS: Huntington (HM 211), fair copy. First published: STS III, pp.203-9, from HM MS, dated to c.1728. The copy-text is here taken from the EUL MS: this decision is taken because there is evidence of the work of another hand in the HM MS (for more details, see textual note below). The title of the Huntington MS states that the poem is ‘a Counter-part to The Monk & the Millers wife a Tale’, which was published in Poems (1728); Ramsay’s footnote in both MSS confirms the relationship between the two texts with a cross-reference: ‘Se vol 2d in octavo page 169’, though the correct page reference for 1728 is in fact p. 222. ‘The Miller and his 263

Poems Man’ was, on this evidence, written after ‘The Monk and Miller’s Wife’, and is therefore likely to date to 1728-29. The STS editors state that the poem’s ‘example of the double substitution motif is of interest because it contains details that seem to relate it to an old French version that was still in MS. in Ramsay’s day’ (VI, p.139); the motif was, as Martin states, ‘found in many French fabliaux and Italian novelle’ (Martin, Allan Ramsay, p.65). It is noted that most lines in the HM MS end with a comma: given that Ramsay generally adds little to no punctuation in his MS drafts, and the EUL MS does not feature end-line punctuation, it is not clear if the commas are Ramsay’s or, as is more likely, were added by another hand. Title: ‘The Miller and his Man a Counter-part to The Monk & the Millers wife a Tale’ (HM) [not ‘The Miller and his Man or Self deed Self ffae a Tale’]; ‘ffae’ (EUL) [not ‘fae’] 1. ‘Sometimes’ (HM) [not ‘Somtimes’]; ‘lives’ (HM) [not ‘Lives’] 3. ‘sequell’ (HM) [not ‘Sequel’] 4. ‘read, or hear,’ (HM) [not ‘read or hear’] 5. ‘Miller,’ (HM) [not ‘Miller’] 6. ‘Schollars help, and’ (HM) [not ‘Scholar’s help &’] 8. ‘whore’ (HM) [not ‘whoor’] 9. ‘therafter,’ (HM) [not ‘therafter’]; ‘light’ (HM) [not ‘Light’] 10. ‘mikle’ (HM) [not ‘mekle’] 11. ‘ruck’d’ (HM) [not ‘Ruck’d’] 12. ‘nought’ (HM) [not ‘noŭght’]; ‘noŭght’ (EUL) [not ‘nought’] 13. ‘Time,’ (HM) [not ‘time’]; ‘their’ (EUL) [not ‘their’]; ‘meal’ (HM) [not ‘corn’] 14. ‘maidens’ (HM) [not ‘Lasses’] 16. ‘and Jet-black’ (HM) [not ‘& Jet black’] 17. ‘haunches,’ (HM) [not ‘haunches’] 19. ‘younkers’ (HM) [not ‘youngsters’] 20. ‘uncko’ (HM) [not ‘unko’] 24. ‘heart’ (HM) [not ‘Heart’] 25. ‘in his breast’ (HM) [not ‘in himsell’]; ‘smart’ (HM) [not ‘Smart’] 26. ‘sighing frae legens’ (HM) [not ‘and sigh’d frae leggens’]; ‘Heart’ (HM) [not ‘heart’] 28. ‘kindest’ (HM) [not ‘kindly’] 29. ‘dear Lass point-blank’ (HM) [not ‘Sweet Lass point blank’] 30. ‘missuse’d’ (HM) [not ‘missŭse’d’]; ‘missŭse’d’ (EUL) [not ‘missuse’d’] 32. ‘titter’ (HM) [not ‘better’] 33. ‘as if heard’ (HM) [not ‘as he heard’] 34. ‘forward’ (HM) [not ‘onward’] 35. ‘late, or Air’ (HM) [not ‘Late or Aire’] 36. ‘whilk’ (HM) [not ‘he’]; ‘young-Thing’ (HM) [not ‘young Thing’] 37. ‘this plague’d, at last’ (HM) [not ‘till at the Last’] 39. ‘very blith, replyd’ (HM) [not ‘unko blyth replys’] 40. ‘mikle’ (HM) [not ‘mekle’] 41. ‘him,’ (HM) [not ‘him’] 45. ‘him,’ (HM) [not ‘him’] 47. ‘Short, &’ (HM) [not ‘Short and’] 50. ‘prove’ (HM) [not ‘keep’] 264

Notes to Uncollected Poems 53. ‘Say,’ (HM) [not ‘Say’]; ‘anes,’ (HM) [not ‘anes’] 55. ‘mikle’ (HM) [not ‘mekle’] 56. ‘grind’ (HM) [not ‘groŭnd’]; ‘groŭnd’ (EUL) [not ‘ground’] 58. ‘Bed’ (HM) [not ‘couch’] 60. ‘catching’ (HM) [not ‘kepping’] 61. ‘Bed,’ (HM) [not ‘Bed’] 62. ‘doun’ (HM) [not ‘down’] 63. ‘and’ (HM) [not ‘&’] 64. ‘contriv’d’ (HM) [not ‘contrive’d’]; ‘Eeen’ (HM) [not ‘Een’] 66. ‘tigging,’ (HM) [not ‘tigging’] 67. ‘then’ (HM) [not ‘syne’]; ‘lug’ (HM) [not ‘Lug’] 71. ‘all’ (HM) [not ‘a’’] 72. ‘Should’ (HM) [not ‘Shoud’] 73. ‘– Hab’ (HM) [not ‘Hab’]; ‘heard,’ (HM) [not ‘heard’]; ‘pleas’d,’ (HM) [not ‘pleas’d’] 74. ‘bait’ (HM) [not ‘Bait’] 82. ‘they have sup’d & all’ (HM) [not ‘they’ve Sup’d and a’’] 83. ‘Hab,’ (HM) [not ‘Hab’] 84. ‘wha maun attend the mill till dawn’ (HM) [not ‘wha must watch in the mill till Dawn’] 89. ‘ther’ (HM) [not ‘there’]; ‘noise,’ (HM) [not ‘noise’] 90. ‘hard Labourd Threshers’ (HM) [not ‘hard-labourd Thrashers’] 91. ‘Hab,’ (HM) [not ‘Hab’]; ‘pawky’ (HM) [not ‘cunning’] 92. ‘sleelie’ (HM) [not ‘sleely’]; ‘loving Reif’ (HM) [not ‘Loving Rief’] 94. ‘Lass’s’ (HM) [not ‘Lassie’s’] 97. ‘heart,’ (HM) [not ‘heart’] 98. ‘bonny’ (HM) [not ‘bony’] 99. ‘here’ (HM) [not ‘Here’]; ‘& court’ (HM) [not ‘and clap’] 101. ‘we’ (HM) [not ‘we’ll’] 104. ‘returns,’ (HM) [not ‘returns’] 105. ‘a’ (HM) [not ‘the’]; ‘commited,’ (HM) [not ‘commited’] 106. ‘heel’ (HM) [not ‘Heel’] 107. ‘So’ (HM) [not ‘Sae’] 108. ‘lugs,’ (HM) [not ‘Lugs’]; ‘Gab’ (HM) [not ‘gab’] 110. ‘likely,’ (HM) [not ‘Likely’] 111. ‘’twad,’ (HM) [not ‘’twad’]; ‘gracie,’ (HM) [not ‘Gracie’]; 113. ‘then’ (HM) [not ‘Then’]; ‘he,’ (HM) [not ‘he’] 114. ‘the Stool’: the ‘cutty-stool’ of repentance, used by the eighteenth-century Scottish Prebsyterian Church to punish and humiliate sinners, who were forced to stand on the stool, usually after being found guilty of ‘fornication’. 115. ‘year,’ (HM) [not ‘year’]; ‘Sentrie’ (HM) [not ‘Centry’] 116. ‘Kirk-entrie’ (HM) [not ‘Kirk Entry’] 117. ‘Syne,’ (HM) [not ‘Syne’]; ‘a’,’ (HM) [not ‘a’’]; ‘my the’ (EUL) [not ‘the’] 119. ‘Stint,’ (HM) [not ‘Stint’] 120. ‘friend’ (HM) [not ‘ffriend’]; ‘ffriend’ (EUL) [not ‘friend’] 121. ‘dread’ (HM) [not ‘Dread’] 123. ‘I,’ (HM) [not ‘I’]; ‘he,’ (HM) [not ‘he’] 125. ‘be’ (HM) [not ‘be a’]; ‘Jeany’ (HM) [not ‘Jeanie’] 265

Poems 126. ‘burthen’ (HM) [not ‘bŭrthen’]; ‘bŭrthen’ (EUL) [not ‘burthen’] 127. ‘proffer’ (HM) [not ‘profer’] 128. ‘Deil’s’ (HM) [not ‘Deels’]; ‘Bussy’ (HM) [not ‘bussy’] 129. ‘hither, Jonny Lad,’ (HM) [not ‘hither Johny Lad’] 130. ‘hash,’ (HM) [not ‘Hash’] 131. ‘kind’ (HM) [not ‘fair’] 134. ‘floŭr’ (EUL) [not ‘flour’] 137. ‘pitty-pattan’ (HM) [not ‘pitty pattan’] 138. ‘eegd’ (HM) [not ‘eeg’d’] 141. ‘Master, said he,’ (HM) [not ‘Master said he’]; ‘ar’ (HM) [not ‘are’] 144. ‘you’ (HM) [not ‘you’ll’] 145. ‘haden,’ (HM) [not ‘haden’] 146. ‘yours,’ (HM) [not ‘yours’]; ‘you’ (HM) [not ‘ye’] 147. ‘this’ (HM) [not ‘the’]; ‘fore door’ (HM) [not ‘fore-Door’] 148. ‘Slyd’ (HM) [not ‘Slyde’]; ‘oer’ (HM) [not ‘throw’] 149. ‘Side-wa gantry’ (HM) [not ‘Side-wa’ gantrie’] 150. ‘Ha’ (HM) [not ‘Ha’’]; ‘pantry’ (HM) [not ‘pantrie’] 151. ‘Bed,’ (HM) [not ‘Bed’] 152. ‘lovely Lambie’ (HM) [not ‘bony young-ane’] 154. ‘lassie’ (HM) [not ‘Lassie’] 155. ‘thraff,’ (HM) [not ‘thraff’] 158. ‘swith, and’ (HM) [not ‘swith &’] 161. ‘Good-wife’ (HM) [not ‘good-wife’] 162. ‘foresaid loving dose’ (HM) [not ‘forsaid Loving Dose’] 163. ‘lad’ (HM) [not ‘Lad’] 164. ‘crap’ (HM) [not ‘slade’] 165. ‘Jean—’ (HM) [not ‘Jean,’] 166. ‘kindly, gab to gab’ (HM) [not ‘kindly Gab to Gab’] 167. ‘time’ (HM) [not ‘Time’]; ‘day’ (HM) [not ‘Day’] 168. ‘trade’ (HM) [not ‘Trade’] 172. ‘slade’ (HM) [not ‘crap’]; ‘frae-neath’ (HM) [not ‘frae ’neath’] 173. ‘quiet,’ (HM) [not ‘quiet’] 174. ‘Saying, lord’ (HM) [not ‘saying Lord’] 175. ‘the ungracious’ (HM) [not ‘Th’ Ungracious’]; ‘foly’ (HM) [not ‘wooing’] 176. ‘Jock’s’ (HM) [not ‘Jocks’]; ‘wakened’ (HM) [not ‘waken’d’] 177. ‘strings’ (HM) [not ‘strinks’] 178. ‘Cuff,’ (HM) [not ‘cuff’] 179. ‘dog,’ (HM) [not ‘wretch’] 180. ‘herrie’ (HM) [not ‘herry’] 181. ‘maiden’s’ (HM) [not ‘maidens’] 185. ‘masters’ (HM) [not ‘master’s’] 186. ‘put not’ (HM) [not ‘patna’] 188. ‘good-wife’ (HM) [not ‘goodwife’] 189. ‘breakfast,’ (HM) [not ‘Breakfast’]; ‘call’d’ (HM) [not ‘cryd’] 190. ‘Comfort, & to Stuff’ (HM) [not ‘comfort him & warm’] 191. ‘Eggs,’ (HM) [not ‘Eggs’] 192. ‘Synd’ (HM) [not ‘Syn’d’] 194. ‘mealtith’ (HM) [not ‘Breakfast’] 266

Notes to Uncollected Poems 195. ‘Eat?’ (HM) [not ‘eat,’] 196. ‘All’ (HM) [not ‘a’’]; ‘fu’’ (HM) [not ‘fou’]; ‘meat,’ (HM) [not ‘meat?’] 198. ‘Goodman’ (HM) [not ‘Good man’] 202. ‘ye’ve’ (HM) [not ‘ye’] 203. ‘imagine’d,’ (HM) [not ‘imagine’d’] 204. ‘favours’ (HM) [not ‘favour’] 206. ‘Kissd’ (HM) [not ‘kissd’] 209. ‘this,’ (HM) [not ‘this’] 210. ‘but, very wisely,’ (HM) [not ‘but very wisely’] 211. ‘&’ (HM) [not ‘and’] 212. ‘Laugh,’ (HM) [not ‘Laugh’] 214. ‘laughing’ (HM) [not ‘Laughing’]; ‘Heart’ (HM) [not ‘heart’] 216. ‘Scrow’d’ (HM) [not ‘Scrowd’] 217. ‘which gart’ (HM) [not ‘gart’]; ‘blate,’ (HM) [not ‘blate’]; ‘look’ (HM) [not ‘Look’] 218. ‘didna’ (HM) [not ‘didna’] 220. ‘matters’ (HM) [not ‘maters’] 223. ‘said’ (HM) [not ‘quoth’]; ‘ye’re not’ (HM) [not ‘you’re no’] 225. ‘good-wife’ (HM) [not ‘Goodwife’]; ‘for’t!’ (HM) [not ‘for’t’] 226. ‘playd,’ (HM) [not ‘play’d’]; ‘night,’ (HM) [not ‘night’]; ‘bonny’ (HM) [not ‘bony’] 227. ‘plotted’ (HM) [not ‘ploted’] 228. ‘out-witted’ (HM) [not ‘out witted’] 229. ‘ye,’ (HM) [not ‘ye!’] 230. ‘Errand’ (HM) [not ‘Erand’]; ‘ye’ (HM) [not ‘ye!’] 233. ‘this,’ (HM) [not ‘this’] 234. ‘chearfull’ (HM) [not ‘chearfou’]; ‘look’ (HM) [not ‘Look’] 235. ‘Master’ (HM) [not ‘Master,’]; ‘Sd’ (HM) [not ‘said’] 236. ‘Tale’ (HM) [not ‘tale’] 238. ‘happened’ (HM) [not ‘happen’d’] 239. ‘deed,’ (HM) [not ‘Deed’] 240. ‘now makes’ (HM) [not ‘has made’] 241. ‘you must oun,’ (HM) [not ‘now you’ll oun’] 242. ‘bargin’ (HM) [not ‘Bargin’] 243. ‘wife,’ (HM) [not ‘Wife’]; ‘The’ (HM) [not ‘the’] An Epilogue spoken after acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd Text: The Eccho, or Edinburgh Weekly Journal, 29 January 1729. No MS. Its publication in The Eccho is accompanied by this letter: Dear Eccho, Having been most agreeably entertain’d on Wednesday last in the Taylors Hall, by a Party of young Gentlemen, who acted the Orphan and the Gentle Shepherd, a Circle of us reflecting on the Pleasure we received in that Nights Diversion, thought it our Duty to desire you to make our grateful Acknowledgements Publick and 267

Poems acceptable; let them and the World know that we all own’d that nothing of that kind had ever given us so much Delight, every one having acted his Part with so much Spirit, Harmony and Ease, that neither the vast Crowd, nor length of the Time, appear’d to give the least Pain to the pleas’d Audience: Oblige us further with the Epilogue, [in your next Paper] that was sung by three of the Young Gentlemen. On this evidence, the ‘Epilogue’ is likely to have been delivered at the earliest known performance of Ramsay’s GS, in Edinburgh’s Taylors Hall on 22 January 1729. This is confirmed by a note in the 1730 London edition of Ramsay’s TTM, where he describes the performance as having been given ‘in Taylorshall, By a Set of Young Gentlemen, January 22, 1729’ (p.189). The STS editors state that Ramsay’s prologue to GS, beginning ‘Now Brav’ry fierce’, ‘was probably delivered on the same occasion’ (VI, p.119), and conclude that, because that prologue mentions John Leslie, schoolmaster at Haddington Grammar School, the performance at Taylors Hall was undertaken by the Haddington students. Ramsay did write prologues and epilogues for the Haddington boys (see ‘Prologue, before the Acting of Aurenzebe and the Drummer’ and the accompanying epilogue in Poems (1728)), and we know that GS was performed at Haddington Grammar School under Leslie’s direction in August 1729. However, there is no evidence to conflate the Taylors Hall and Haddington performances: Taylors Hall was Scotland’s leading professional theatre in the early eighteenth century and the natural place for the premiere of GS as a ballad opera, while Haddington Town Council paid for the erection of a stage at Haddington Grammar School for the staging of its student plays onsite, some twenty miles from Edinburgh. Furthermore, an advertisement in the Caledonian Mercury for 19 August 1729 states: ‘On Wednesday the 27th Instant, will be acted by the young Gentlemen of the Grammar-school of Haddington, the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and the celebrated ALLAN RAMSAY’s Pastoral Comedy. To begin precisely at 9 in the morning.’ This suggests that there were at least two performances of GS in Edinburgh in 1729: at Taylors Hall in January, and at Haddington in August. Ramsay’s epilogue was delivered at the former. (See also J. McKenzie, ‘School and University Drama in Scotland, 1650-1760’ in Scottish Historical Review 34:118 (1955) and Brianna Robertson-Kirkland, ‘“Damage to trees”: Performing Ramsay’s The Gentle Shepherd at Haddington Grammar School’ in Theatre Notebook 75:3 (2021)). Title: The Orphan, or the Unhappy Marriage (1680), tragedy by English Restoration playwright Thomas Otway (1652-85). 11. ‘Monimia’: a principal character of Otway’s The Orphan. 19-26. ‘Bessy Bell and Mary Gray’: a song printed in Ramsay’s Scots Songs and reprinted in Poems (1721). On our Ladies being dressed in Scots Manufactory, at a publick Assembly Text: TTM, Vol. II, fifth edition (Edinburgh, 1729), pp.189-92. MSS: NLS (2233, ff.8-9), fair copy; BL (Egerton 2023, ff.43-44), revised. 268

Notes to Uncollected Poems The printed text has eight stanzas of eight lines each, whereas the NLS text has sixteen four-line stanzas. The BL MS has vague divisions, with the text generally presented in unnumbered four-line verses. The tune ‘O’er the Hills and far away’ dates to at least the early seventeenth century and was printed in D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy (1706); it was also utilised in Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer (1706) and Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera (1729). The NLS MS subtitle of ‘ffebr. 15th 1729’ allows exact dating of the poem’s composition. Title. [no title in BL]; ‘Ane Ode | On the Ladys being all dressd in Scots Manufactory | at ane Assembly ffebr 15th 1729’ (NLS) [not ‘On our Ladies being dressed in | Scots Manufactory, at a | publick Assembly. | A SONG | To the Tune of, O’er the Hills and far | away.’] ‘publick Assembly’: Edinburgh’s Assembly, a regular and rigorously controlled dancing society for the social elite; see also ‘The Fair Assembly’. According to Jamieson, the aristocratic ‘directresses’ of the Assembly made it part of their mission ‘to promote the industries of Scotland, and there appears to have been a widespread desire amongst patriotic society ladies to make use of the fabrics manufactured in this country’ (James H. Jamieson, ‘Social Assemblies of the Eighteenth Century’ in Book of the Old Edinburgh Club 19 (1933), p.45). 1. ‘Beautys’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Beauties’]; ‘Art’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Art,’[ 2. ‘Baith’ (BL) [not ‘both’]; ‘Indias’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Indies’]; ‘Dress’ (BL), ‘Dress:’ (NLS) [not ‘Dress.’] 3. ‘fair’ (BL), ‘ffair,’ (NLS); [not ‘Fair]; ‘Captivat’ (BL) [not ‘captivate’]; ‘heart’ (BL) [not ‘Heart,’] 4. ‘Weeds;’ (NLS) [not ‘Weeds,’]; ‘Look the Less’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘look the less’] 5. ‘No Brighter shines their every Charm appears’ (BL) [not ‘More bright unborrowed Beauties shine.’]; ‘ŭnborrow’d beautys shine’ (NLS) [not ‘unborrowed Beauties shine.’] 6. ‘face’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Face’] 7. ‘Strikes all on the Soul more deep & warm’ (BL) [not ‘Sparkle with Lustres more divine,’]; ‘divine’ (NLS) [not ‘divine,’] 8. ‘Borrowed Grace’ (BL), ‘foraign grace’ (NLS) [not ‘foreign Grace.’] Cancelled line after l. 8 in BL: ‘Some need the Jewl & Brocade’ 9. ‘Tawny’ (BL) [not ‘tawny’]; ‘suny scorching Climes’ (BL), ‘Scorching Plains’ (NLS) [not ‘scorching Plains,’] 10. ‘Gemes & Paint’ (BL, with revised order marked), ‘Gems & paint’ (NLS) [not ‘Gems and Paint’] 11. ‘Proud of Brocad &’ (BL) [not ‘Deck with Brocade and’]; ‘deck’ (NLS) [not ‘Deck’] ‘Tyrian’: made in Tyre, ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean, the centre of extensive commerce. 12. ‘while whats her own look Mean & faint’ (BL), ‘while all her oun are mean & faint’; ‘and ‘ffeatures of Ruder form & taint’ (NLS) [not ‘Features of ruder Form and Taint’] 13. ‘what are ae ane Albion Callidonian Beautys wears’ (BL), ‘What Callidonian Ladys wear’ (NLS) [not ‘What Caledonian Ladies wear,’] 14. ‘wer’t be’t from the wool or Linnen Loom twine’ (BL), ‘Or be’t from the Lint or woolen twine’ (NLS) [not ‘Or from the Lint or woolen twine,’] 15. ‘Sweets’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Sweets,’] 269

Poems 16. ‘whatere we can Imagine’ (BL), ‘what eer we can Imagine’ (NLS) [not ‘What e’er we can imagine’] 17-24. These lines appear later in the arrangement in BL, with ll. 18-20 affected by water damage. 17. ‘Clean Neat in her dress becomes the fair’ (BL), ‘Neat in her Dress becomes the ffair’ (NLS) [not ‘Apparel neat becomes the Fair’,] 18. ‘the Saltern will her Lover cool’ (BL, NLS, with redacted/illegible half-line in BL) [not ‘The dirty Dress may Lovers cool,’] 19. ‘but clean no maid’ (BL) [not ‘But clean, our Maids’]; ‘needs to have’ [water damage] (BL), ‘need have no care’ (NLS) [not ‘need have no Care,’] 20. ‘Claid’ (BL), ‘Clad’ (NLS) [not ‘clade’]; ‘our’ (BL) [not ‘in’]; ‘Linnen Silk or’ [water damage] (BL), ‘Linnen, Silk, or wool,’ (NLS) [npt ‘Linnen, Silk, or Wool.’] Above l.21 in BL: ‘ffablusque’] 21. ‘How comely T’adore’ (BL) [not ‘T’adore] ‘Myrtilla’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Myrtilla,’] ‘wher’ (NLS) [not ‘who’]; ‘cease’ (BL), ‘cease,’ (NLS) [not ‘cease?’] Cancelled above l. 22 in BL: ‘Cloe come’ 22. ‘her virtious vertous charms our praise demand’ (BL), ‘her Active charms our Praise demand’ (NLS) [not ‘Her active Charms our Praise demand,’] 23. ‘Mantua’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Mantua,’]; ‘fleece’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Fleece’] ‘Mantua’: a loose gown worn by women, fashionable especially in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. 24. ‘oun delightfull hand’ (BL), ‘oun amiable delightfull hand’ (NLS) [not ‘own delightful Hand’] 25-28. These lines appear earlier in the BL MS’s arrangement. 25. ‘But who can view Calistas Eyes’ (BL) [not ‘Who can behold Calista’s Eyes,’]; ‘Eyes’ (NLS) [not ‘Eyes,’] 26. ‘her [illegible] Breast her, Blush, & snowy neck arms’ (BL) [not ‘Her Breast, her Cheek, and snowy Arms’]; ‘& Snowy’ (NLS) [not ‘and snowy’] 27. ‘mind Love what artist can devise (BL) Love mind what [Pictures?] artists can devise’ (NLS) [not ‘mind what Artists can devise,’] 28. ‘that hides a Thousand Thousand charms’ (BL), ‘to rival more supperiour Charms’ (NLS) [not ‘To rival more superior Charms?’] 29-32. These lines appear later in BL. 29. ‘Compared’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Compar’d’]; ‘these’ (BL), ‘those’ (NLS) [not ‘those,’]; ‘diamond’s dul’ (BL), ‘diamonds dul’ (NLS) [not ‘Diamond’s dull’] 30. ‘Lawns Satins’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Launs, Satins,’]; ‘& the Velvets Velvets fade’ (BL) [not ‘and the velvets fade,’] 31. ‘the mind is all with her sell so full’ (BL), ‘the Soul is with [several heavily redacted words] full | atractions’ (NLS) [not ‘The Soul with her Attractions full,’] 32. ‘it neer can be by those betrayd’ (BL), ‘it ne’er can never be by those betrayd’ (NLS) [not ‘Can never be by these betray’d.’] 33. ‘Maria’ (BL), ‘Saphira’ (NLS) [not ‘SAPHIRA,’]; ‘oer’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘o’er’] 34. ‘Regards the not the mean [illegible] Glare of dress regards’ (BL), ‘not the false glare of dress regards’ (NLS) [not ‘Not the false Glare of Dress regards,’] 35. ‘her wit her character’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Her Wit, her Character’]; ‘compleets’ (BL), ‘completes’ (NLS) [not ‘completes,’] 270

Notes to Uncollected Poems 36. ‘And and smiles her Lovers Sighs rewards’ (BL), ‘her smile her Lover’s sigh Rewards’ (NLS) [not ‘Her Smile her Lovers Sighs rewards,’] 37. ‘first Beautys’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Beauties’]; ‘Lead’ (BL) [not ‘lead’] Before l. 38 in BL: ‘our manufactorys shall advance Increase’ 38. ‘Th’inferiour Rank will Imitate folow fast [soon?]’ (BL) [not ‘The inferior Rank will follow soon;’]; ‘Ranks’ (NLS) [not ‘Rank’] Before l. 39 in BL: ‘our manufactorys’ 39. ‘then and Arts no Longer shall decay’ (BL), ‘Then Arts no Longer Shall decay’ (NLS) [not ‘Then Arts no longer shall decay,’] 40. ‘and but trade encouraged be in tune’ (BL) [not ‘But Trade encouraged be in Tune.’]; ‘Tune’ (NLS) [not ‘Tune.’] 41. ‘Millions of fleeces’ (BL), ‘Millions of ffleeces’ (NLS) [not ‘Millions of Fleeces’]; ‘shall be spun be wove’ (BL) [not ‘shall be wove’] 42. ‘and and’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘And’]; ‘flax’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Flax’]; ‘our’ (BL), ‘our the’ (NLS) [not ‘the’]; ‘bloom’ (BL), ‘Blooms’ (NLS) [not ‘blooms,’] 44. ‘Loom’ (BL), ‘Looms’ (NLS) [not ‘Looms;’] 45. ‘frome’ (BL) [not ‘from’] 46. ‘care’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Care,’] 48. ‘food &’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Food and’]; ‘Cloth’ (BL) [not ‘Cloath’] 49. ‘fair’ (BL), ‘ffair’ (NLS) [not ‘Fair!’] 50. ‘shall’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘shall,’] 51. ‘accting’ (BL) [not ‘acting’]; ‘care’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Care,’] 52. ‘again the golden age recall’ (BL), ‘again the Golden age recall’ (NLS) [not ‘Again the Golden Age recal:’] ‘Golden Age’: the first and best age of humankind, according to Greek and Roman mythology; a time of peace, prosperity and happiness. 53. ‘Them’ (BL), ‘Them’ (NLS) [not ‘them,’] Above l. 54 in BL: ‘Shall mourn the absence of a court’ 54. ‘court,’ (BL), ‘court’ (NLS) [not ‘Court;’] 55. ‘while’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘when’] 56. ‘arround’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Around’]; ‘Scenes’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Scenes,’] 57. ‘yeild’ (BL) [not ‘yield’] 58. ‘and the Enthusiast be struck mute’ (BL), ‘and genteel arts usefull arts to Lazy Pride’ (NLS) [not ‘And lazy Pride to useful Arts,’] 59. ‘Angells’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Angels,’]; ‘defence’ (BL), ‘Deffence’ (NLS) [not ‘Defence’] 60. ‘Shall from the man Cast forth the Brute’ (BL), ‘thus are in the virtue’s Paths the Guides’ (NLS) [not ‘Of Virtue thus engage their Hearts.’] 61-4. These lines are partly damaged by damp in BL. 61. ‘Joys & Wealth’ (BL, NLS) [not ‘Joys and Wealth’] ‘we Scarce dare hope in these censorious days’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.115). First published: STS III, pp.212-13, as ‘[A Prologue for Julius Caesar]’, dated ‘August 19, 1729’. We concur with the STS editors that the prologue was written for a performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar by the students of Haddington 271

Poems Grammar School in that month: according to the Caledonian Mercury for 19 August 1729, ‘On Wednesday the 27th Instant, will be acted by the young Gentlemen of the Grammar-school of Haddington, the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and the celebrated ALLAN RAMSAY’s Pastoral Comedy.’ The proximity in the Egerton MS of this poem to Ramsay’s prologue to The Gentle Shepherd, beginning ‘By Languages at first we’r gently traind’ – the former is at f.115, the latter at ff.116-17 – indicates that Ramsay wrote both prologues for the double performance of Julius Caesar and The Gentle Shepherd at Haddington on 27 August 1729 (see also STS VI, p.140). For further details on Ramsay’s relationship with Haddington Grammar School, see the notes for ‘Prologue, before the Acting of Aurenzebe and the Drummer’. The MS is water damaged; illegible portions are indicated below. Before l.1, the MS has the following cancelled lines: while Censuring malice & ungenerous Spite _________________________________________ Taught by the muse the _________________________________________ Before l.3, the MS has these cancelled lines: some never to be pleasd may shake their heads Perhaps with swa Once on this Stage we acted Cato fate Should children 4. ‘might Julius Cesar and the fall the fate fall’ (MS) [not ‘Julius Cesar and the fall’] 5. ‘may never’ (MS) [not ‘never’]; ‘sourly duly Grumble’ (MS) [not ‘duly’] Before l.6, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘yes who ever Makes thanks so’ 10. ‘and they’ (MS) [not ‘they’] Prologue for the Gent[le] Shepherd Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.37), among draft MSS for GS. Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.116-17), badly water-damaged and partially illegible. First published: STS III, pp.213-14. The STS edition uses the BL MS as copy-text, despite a note that the EUL MS ‘appears to be the final version’ (VI, p.141), and where it is dated to 1729. As outlined in the notes to the previous poem, Ramsay’s prologue for Julius Caesar, the ‘Prologue for the Gent Shepherd’ was written for a double performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Ramsay’s GS by the students of Haddington Grammar School on 27 August 1729. Variants between the BL MS (where legible) and the EUL MS are given in the notes. The BL MS begins as follows, with lines which are not retained in the EUL copy: By Languages at first we’r gently traind to these Learnd fields wher wisdoms to be gaind here where various volums teach us how to think but rest we here we doun to Pedants sink 272

Notes to Uncollected Poems while unaplyd Books to Smal purpose tend but when aplyd like to a ray divine they make the active man supperiou shine And Justly those [illegible] mind Judgments teach Alow them like [illegible] their Wings to Strech [illegible] … before your view [illegible] … over threw [illegible] … Plain [illegible] … had Slaid [illegible] … hurld [illegible] … world [illegible] … the wise [illegible] … advises [illegible] … rise 1-2. In the EUL MS these lines are inverted, starting BL MS f. 117. 1. ‘Now’ [cancelled illegible] Bravery fierce Plots—Politicks—plots & pride’ (BL) [not ‘Now Brav’ry fierce — plots –Politicks & pride’] 2. ‘we’ve laid with the Roman Buskin now Laid aside’ (BL) [not ‘we’ve with the Roman Buskin laid aside’] ‘Roman Buskin’: the other play performed on the same day by the Haddington Grammar students, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. 3. ‘and now streight’ (BL) [not ‘and streight’] 4. ‘& virtue looks on Scotias’ (BL) [not ‘and virtue look on Scotia’s’] 5. ‘wher’ (BL) [not ‘where’]; ‘goodness guards’ (BL) [not ‘Goodness Guards’] 6. ‘state of Life’ (BL) [not ‘State of life’] 7. ‘health, Joy, & rich Content,’ (BL) [not ‘health joy & rich Content’] 8. ‘Truth of friendship’ (BL) [not ‘open truth fair friendships’] 9. ‘tis’ (BL) [not ‘they’re’]; ‘wee’r now to act ye’ (BL) [not ‘we’re now to Act’] 10. ‘auidence’ (BL) [not ‘Audience’]; ‘mistak ye’ (BL) [not ‘mistake’] 11. ‘to think’ (BL) [not ‘and think’] 12. ‘men & all’ (BL) [not ‘men — and All’] Before l.13, the BL MS has these cancelled lines: So thinks our the Author too but should some faults pop out weed not defend ’em pray tell them to the author – and he’ll mend em 13. ‘[illegible word]; Author, Allan, thinks so to but fears’ (BL) [not ‘Author thinks so to – but fears’] 14. ‘diction’ (BL) [not ‘Diction’] 15. ‘we think not so, & therfore will go on proceed’ (BL) [not ‘this we regard not therefore will proceed’] 16. ‘Happy blythsome’ (BL) [not ‘blithsome’] 17-18. These lines, as they appear in the copy-text, seem to follow the final line in the BL MS, but are obscured by dampness. 19. ‘Hapy for the youngsters youth or Sons of a Lords & or Knights’ (BL) [not ‘Happy the Youth, tho Son of Lord or Knight’] 20. ‘Lady Mother’s’ (BL) [not ‘Lady-Mother’s’] 21-2. These lines are not included, or visible, in the BL MS. 273

Poems 24. ‘pate’ (BL) [not ‘Pate’] ‘Sir Williams son and Gentle Pate’: Sir William Worthy and Patie are protagonists of Ramsay’s GS. 25-6. These lines are not included, or visible, in the BL MS. 27-8. These lines are only partially legible in the BL MS. 27. ‘Tyme on’ (MS) [not ‘time on’]. 28. ‘Lesley’: Haddington Grammar School master John Leslie, who was instrumental in staging their school plays; for further details on Lesley, see the notes to ‘Prologue, before the Acting of Aurenzebe’, published in Ramsay’s Poems (1728); ‘Symon’: a character in Ramsay’s GS. Richy & Edi ane Eclogue To the memory of Sr Richard Steel Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.59). First published: STS III, pp.215-16, dated to 1729. The poem was written in response to the death of English author and politician Sir Richard Steele (bap.1672-1729), here cast as ‘Richy’, who had died on 1 September 1729; we concur with the STS editors that the poem dates to the later months of that year. Richy’s counterpart in the poetic dialogue is ‘Edi’, who stands for English politician and writer Joseph Addison (1672-1719) and whose death was commemorated in Ramsay’s ‘Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral’, which was published in his Poems (1721). Cancellations and additions in the MS are indicated below. The MS has a heavily cancelled and now illegible alternative title at the top of the page. 3. ‘to gar the warld move to make all mankind’ (MS) [not ‘to make all mankind’] Before l.5, the MS has two cancelled lines: sweet shade of my most worthy frend I’m come now meeting Thee to my desired Home 5. ‘friendly shade Hapy Gaist’ (MS) [not ‘Hapy Gaist’] Before l.9, the MS has two cancelled lines: in these fair Regions sweet Tongd Josi lay in thes 9. ‘shades shaws’ (MS) [not ‘shaws’] Before l.13, the MS features several cancelled lines: Shall Bickerstaff or Spec or Ironside mint morals to mend Nae mair, dear Isaac, have [illegible] Coquet or sulen prude Adownward Isaac turn thy Lenthend sight elow fiels milions of miles beneath thes Land of Light a dungeon is a Thousand worlds in Length girded with walls of adamantine strength ther shut frae Light Joy and doom’d to end less jar 13. ‘Isaac’: Isaac Bickerstaff, Steele’s pseudonym as editor of and contributor to The Tatler. Ramsay also took the pseudonym in his membership of the Easy Club, before a decision was taken to use only Scottish names, after which 274

Notes to Uncollected Poems Ramsay was known as Gavin Douglas. 15. ‘and prig’ (MS) [not ‘prig’] 16. ‘Elysiŭm’ (MS) [not ‘Elysium’] 24. ‘Thy Taciturnity’: in the first issue of The Spectator (11 March 1711), Addison blames ‘my own Taciturnity’, and resolves ‘to Print my self out, if possible, before I Die’. Steele also uses the term: in The Spectator 4 (5 March 1711), he states that he ‘was once taken up for a Jesuit, for no other reason but my profound Taciturnity’ and later refers to his ‘invincible Taciturnity’ (75, 26 May 1711). 25. ‘haf’ (MS) [not ‘haf’] 27. ‘The Englishman’: a political journal founded by Steele in 1713. Ramsay’s cancellations before l.13 mention ‘Ironside’: Steele, in the guise of the narrator of The Englishman, states in the first issue that he has ‘purchased the Lion, Desk, Pen, Ink, and Paper… of NESTOR IRONSIDE’. 29. ‘Thou Indignant publisher’: Steele’s principal publisher, Jacob Tonson (1655/6-1736). Before l.32, the MS has: ‘Thou mine and others aid’ ‘My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.26). First published: STS III, p.282, as ‘[A Reply to Critics]’. The poem refers to a literary dispute following the publication of Ramsay’s ‘Epigram. On Receiving a Present of an Orange from Mris. G. L. now Countess of Aboyne’ in Poems (1728). ‘G. L.’, here ‘Lovely Grace’, is Grace Lockhart (d.1738) who was, alongside her first husband, a subscriber to the 1728 edition; see the notes to Ramsay’s ‘Epigram’ and ‘To the Right Honourable Grace Countess of Aboyn, On her Marriage Day’ for further biographical details. The BL MS has a cancelled draft of the poem, given below, in which Ramsay states that two ‘Bards of Mitchells Club’ responded negatively in verse to the epigram: the reference is to playwright and poet Joseph Mitchell (c.16841738), a member of Edinburgh’s Athenian Society, which had published the Edinburgh Miscellany (1720) featuring the work of poet James Thomson; see also ‘To Mr. Joseph Mitchel on the successful Representation of a Tragedy wrote by him’. As the STS editors also point out (VI, p.160), one of the respondents to the ‘Epigram’ on Lockhart was Ramsay’s friend and associate Josiah Burchet: a note on the Bodleian copy of Ramsay’s Health (1724) states that in response to Ramsay’s ‘Epigram’, Burchet ‘most uncourteously sent for an answer’, As Juno chaste, as Venus kind, She may have been who gave the fruit: But had she had Minerva’s mind, She ne’er had gi’ent to sic a brute! (see also ‘The Poems of Allan Ramsay’ in The Anti-Jacobin (March 1801), p.255). Given that ‘My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace’ was written in reply to the negative verse responses to his ‘Epigram’ on Lockhart published in Poems (1728), the poem is tentatively dated to c.1728 here. Before l.1, the MS has the following cancelled stanzas: 275

Poems

My Epigram on Lovely Grace raisd mang the grubs envy Twa shining Bards of Mitchells Club and how they might the same disgrace armd with low spite they Try

These Bards they undertook to do’t twa Epigrams they made the tane cryd C—t the tither Brute and that was a they said 1. ‘Epigram Bonny Tale’ (MS) [not ‘Bonny Tale’] 3. ‘the same disgrace be dirt its face’ (MS) [not ‘be dirt its face’] At l.5, the following note is in the margin: ‘Extemporary at the sight of their Broyr Mitchells dead Corps’ Before l.9, the MS features cancelled lines: Soon as the Billys learn to joyn Reason & truth in Rhime But Snarling Brute and Baudy C—t The Baudy & the Brutal when ’gainst me they write common sence 9. ‘But snarling Brute’ (MS) [not ‘But Snarling Brute and Baudy C—t’] The Callan and the Pig Text: Poems (1729), p.108. No MS. Poems (1729) is an enlarged imprint of Ramsay’s edition of the previous year and is, like Poems (1728), subtitled ‘Volume II’ to 1721’s ‘Volume I’; it also features the same epigraph and Dedication as was printed in 1728, although this time the Dedication is dated ‘Edin. October 15th. 1729.’, and the list of subscribers is not printed. The Man with the twa Wives Text: Poems (1729). No MS. The poem is a Scots version of La Fontaine’s ‘L’Homme entre deux âges et ses deux maîtresses’ (Livre I, Fable 17). 2. ‘Whig and Tory’: the two great opposing parliamentary and political parties in eighteenth-century Britain. 38. ‘Deist’: an individual who acknowledges the existence of a God based on the testimony of reason, but rejects revealed religion.

276

Notes to Uncollected Poems Fable of the condemn’d Ass Text: Poems (1729). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.183v-84v). There is very little end-line punctuation in the MS version; this was added by the printer. 1. ‘dreadfou plague’ (MS) [not ‘Dreadful Plague,’] ‘Like had rare been’ (MS) [not ‘like was sindle’] 2. ‘layd’ (MS) [not ‘Coost’]; ‘Brast Cauld dead upon’ (MS) [not ‘Breast, Wame upwards on’] 3. ‘Thousands doun’ (MS) [not ‘thousands down’] ‘Acheron’: one of the rivers of Hades over which the souls of the dead had to pass in Greek mythology; the term also refers to the ancient Greeks’ underworld, or hell. 4. ‘wander’ (MS) [not ‘dander’]; ‘its Dowie’ (MS) [not ‘the dowie’] 5. ‘their Carkasses Bodys [illegible] lay aboon’ (MS) [not ‘they lay unburied on’] 6. ‘survivers’ (MS) [not ‘Survivers’] 7. ‘& Tod’ (MS) [not ‘and Tod,’]; ‘day’ (MS) [not ‘Day’] 8. ‘stamocks scunerd at sweet prey’ (MS) [not ‘Stamacks scunner’d at the Prey’] This line is in the MS in place of ll. 9-13: ‘The Turtle dow foryets her lovely Mate Maik’. 11. ‘Numidia’: ancient kingdom of North Africa, situated in present-day Algeria. 14. ‘the dreadfu death Carnage Gars even the Lyon shake Quake’ (MS) [not ‘The Prospect gart the awfu’ Lyon quake’] 15. ‘dear friends’ (MS) [not ‘my Friends,’] 16. ‘for some its for some ill done deeds’ (MS) [not ‘’Tis for some horrid Faut’] 17. ‘permits then’ (MS) [not ‘permits. – Then’] 18. ‘Breast’ (MS) [not ‘Breast,’]; ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 19. ‘avenging’ (MS) [not ‘revengefu’’]; ‘apeads’ (MS) [not ‘appeas’d’] 20. ‘Guilty shall be’ (MS) [not ‘guilty Wight is’] 21. ‘without Indulgence’ (MS) [not ‘Fa’t on the Feyest, —’] 22. ‘oun what eer my Consciens’ (MS) [not ‘awn what e’er my Conscience’] 23. ‘The ass sheep & Lambs I’ve woried now, allace’ (MS) [not ‘The Sheep and Deer I’ve worried, now alace’] 24. ‘vengeance stare me in the face’ (MS) [not ‘Vengeance, glowr me i’ the Face’] 25. ‘crown’ (MS) [not ‘croun’] 26. ‘with wicked jaws I eat’ (MS) [not ‘Limb, with bloody Jaws I ate’] 27. ‘Ah Gluton me —’ (MS) [not ‘Ah! Glutton me!’]; ‘Ills have I not done’ (MS) [not ‘murders have I done’] 28. ‘about’ (MS) [not ‘about,’]; ‘an’ (MS) [not ‘ane’] 29. ‘I’ (MS) [not ‘I.’]; ‘Sir qowth’ (MS) [not ‘Sire, says’] 30. ‘Tenderness’ (MS) [not ‘tenderness’]; ‘haff’ (MS) [not ‘haf’] 31. ‘the prince of a ilka the Groves’ (MS) [not ‘the Monarch of the Grove’] 32. ‘of A’ your friends and subjects’ (MS) [not ‘your Friends, and a’ your Subjects’] 33. ‘to delicate’ (MS) [not ‘too nice’]; ‘whats sheep’ (MS) [not ‘What’s Harts 277

Poems of Sheep’] ‘hart’: mature red deer stag. 34. ‘Ane Idiot croud’ (MS) [not ‘An Idiot Crowd,’]; ‘use you’ (MS) [not ‘Board ye’] 35. ‘is That a crime’ (MS) [not ‘And where’s the Sin,’] 36. ‘Na it their honour by you to be slain’ (MS) [not ‘Faith ’tis their Honour, when by you they’re slain’] 37. ‘and whats their Herd - [illegible] a man our constant fae’ (MS) [not ‘Neist, What’s their Herd? --- A Man! our deadly Fae’] 38. ‘the us Beast’ (MS) [not ‘us Beasts,’]; ‘[illegible] fancy’d’ (MS) [not ‘fancy’d’] 39-40, as printed in Poems (1729) are not in the MS. 41. ‘he said – and aRound’ (MS) [not ‘He said. — And round’]; ‘All & each’ (MS) [not ‘all and each’] 42. ‘aplauded Lowrie for his handsome speech’ (MS) [not ‘Applauded Lawrie for his winsome Speech’] 43. ‘Tyger Bear and ilka powerfou fur’ (MS) [not ‘Tyger, Bair, and ev’ry powerfu’ Fur’] 44. ‘doun to Gray Badrans the willcat & the yampling Cur’ (MS) [not ‘Down to the Wilcat, and the snarling Cur’] 45. ‘fauts crimes – but wha durst be sae [illegible, partially destroyed]’ (MS) [not ‘Crimes; but wha durst ca’ them Crimes’] 46. ‘to ca’ them fauts their throts wad run a Risk’ (MS) [not ‘Except themsells’] 47. ‘The Ass poor Coof’ (MS) [not ‘Ass, dull Thing!’] 48. ‘[fainting?] with hunger unco sair oprest’ (MS) [not ‘That being with Hunger very sair opprest’] 49. ‘outoer a Dike’ (MS) [not ‘In o’er a Dike,’]; ‘head ae day’ (MS) [not ‘Head ae Day’] 50. ‘Rugd’ (MS) [not ‘rugg’d’]; ‘mouthfous frae a Ruck of hay’ (MS) [not ‘Mouthfu’s aff a Ruck of Hay’] 51. ‘To which he had nae right – some wicket Deell’ (MS) [not ‘But speering Leave. --- Said he, Some wicked Deil’] The MS has a draft l.52 at foot of MS, f. 184. 52. ‘had tempt him frae the parash priest’ (MS) [not ‘Did tempt me frae the Parish Priest’] 53. ‘soon as the silly Brute coof had done the flatring powerfou Croud’ (MS) [not ‘He said. — And all at ains, the powerfu’ Croud’] 54. ‘throat’ (MS) [not ‘Throats’]; ‘& alloud’ (MS) [not ‘and loud’] 55. ‘vilain Ass deserves then death’ (MS) [not ‘Gypsy Ass, deserves ten Deaths’] 56. ‘wicked deeds’ (MS) [not ‘horid Guilt,’] 57. ‘Greedy wowf ane under Clerk’ (MS) [not ‘A gaping Wowf, in Office, straight demands’] 58. ‘To Impale him Quick or Tear’ (MS) [not ‘To have him burns, or tear’] 59. ‘hanging he said was ane oer Easy death’ (MS) [not ‘Hanging, he said, was an o’er easy Death’] 60. ‘spend’ (MS) [not ‘yield’] 61. ‘Break a parsons yard &’ (MS) [not ‘breaks a Bishops Yard!’] 62. ‘expiat’ (MS) [not ‘expiate’] 278

Notes to Uncollected Poems ll.63-4, as printed in Poems (1729), are inserted at the end of the MS. 63. ‘Lyons signs the his sentance hang & draw’ (MS) [not ‘The Lyon signs his Sentence, Hang and draw’] 64. ‘say poor Lang-Lugs maun pay the kean for a’’ (MS) [not ‘Sae poor lang Lugs maun pay the Kane for a’’] 65. ‘ken’ (MS) [not ‘ken,’]; ‘power has aff the knack’ (MS) [not ‘Power has eith the Knack’] 66. ‘whyten Black Red or gar the Whyt Blew seem Black’ (MS) [not ‘To whiten red, and gar the blew seem black’] 67-68. The MS has alternative lines to those printed: =+ and make the Litle vilains must submit yield to fate - that Great anes may enjoy the world on [illegible] The Gods of Egypt Text: Poems (1729). MSS: NLS (5200), fair copy, hereafter ‘NLS’; Huntington (HM 1490), fair copy, hereafter ‘HM’; BL (Egerton 2024, f.200), revised draft, hereafter ‘BL’. The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Les Dieux d’Egypte’ (Livre I, Fable XVIII). Variants between the three MSS – signified by ‘BL’, ‘NLS’ and ‘HM’ – and the copy-text of Poems (1729) are given in the notes. It should be noted that there is little end-line punctuation in the MSS versions; these have been added by the printer. Title: ‘The Gods of Egypt a ffable’ (NLS); the BL copy has no title [not ‘The Gods of Egypt’] A cancelled line is in BL before l. 1: Langsyne in Egypt ilka Beast 1. ‘Lang-syn’ (BL) [not ‘Langsyne’] 2. ‘So many’ (BL) [not ‘Sae mony’]; ‘turnd’ (NLS), ‘tŭrnd’ (BL) [not ‘turn’d’] 3. ‘Brutes’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Brutes,’]; ‘house or hald’ (BL), ‘House or Hauld’ (NLS) [not ‘House or Hald’] 4. ‘Offerings’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Offerings,’]; ‘&’ (HM, BL) [not ‘and’] 5. ‘day’ (NLS) [not ‘Day’]; ‘Raton’ (NLS), ‘Ratan’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Rattan,’]; ‘whyt’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘white’] 6. ‘Cats’ (BL) [not ‘Cat’s’]; ‘Kirk’ (BL) [not ‘Shrine’]; ‘Sacrafice’d’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘sacrific’d’] 7. ‘with pomp’ (BL), ‘pompous’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘Pompous’]; ‘altar’ (BL) [not ‘Altar’]; ‘Bled’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘bled’] 8. ‘Pleasd’ (NLS, BL) [not ‘pleas’d’] 9. ‘Niest’ (NLS, HM), ‘next’ (BL) [not ‘neist’]; ‘Raton’s’ (NLS), ‘Ratans’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Ratan’s’]; ‘tour’ (NLS, HM), ‘day’ (BL) [not ‘Tour’] 10. ‘Propitious prove smile’ (BL) [not ‘propitious Smile’] 11. ‘a Cat maun must is to his altar Brought’ (BL) [not ‘A Cat is to his Temple brought’] 12. ‘Singing’ (HM) [not ‘singing’]; ‘all’ (BL) [not ‘a’’] 13. ‘Odes, Anthemes, Hymes, in verse & prose’ (NLS), ‘Odes Anthemes Hymes in verse & prose’ (HM), ‘Odes Anthemes Hyms in verse & Prose’ (BL) [not 279

Poems ‘Odes, Anthems, Hymns, in Verse and Prose’] 15. ‘Lang-taild’ (NLS), ‘Lang taild’ (HM, BL) [not ‘long tail’d] 16. ‘faŭlds’ (NLS), ‘faulds’ (HM), ‘falds’ (BL) [not ‘Faulds’]; ‘&’ (HM, BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘furroud’ (NLS), ‘furrou’d’ (HM), ‘Harrowd’ (BL) [not ‘furrow’d’] 18. ‘for this we offer ane to thee’ (NLS), ‘for this we Power his Blood cut anes Throt to Thee’ (BL) [not ‘For this we cut ane’s Throat to Thee’]; The (HM) [not ‘Thee’] 19. ‘Bony God, indeed! crys puss’ (NLS), ‘bony God, indeed! quoth Puss’ (HM), ‘Bony God! Ideed Quoth, Pŭss’ (BL) [not ‘A bonny God, indeed! quoth Puss’] 20. ‘Sae’ (NLS) [not ‘sae’] 21. ‘then’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘then,’]; ‘Eat’ (HM, BL) [not ‘eat’]; ‘God?’ (BL) [not ‘God,’] 22. ‘Me you Bowd’ (BL) [not ‘me ye bow’d’] 23. ‘victim to that vermin’ (BL) [not ‘to that vermin offer’d’] 24. ‘Lord’ (NLS), ‘god’ (HM) [not ‘God’]; ‘us ye’re’ (NLS), ‘us ye’r’ (HM), ‘us your y’re’ (BL) [not ‘us! ye’re’]; ‘Sencless’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘senseless’]; ‘Croud’ (BL) [not ‘Crowd’] A cancelled version of l.29 appears before l.25 in BL. 25. ‘Closs’ (NLS, HM), ‘closs’ (BL) [not ‘close’]; ‘reflection’ (NLS, HM) [not ‘Reflection’]; ‘Glowr’ (BL) [not ‘glowr’] 26. ‘ther’ (BL) [not ‘their’]; ‘thoughts’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Thoughts’]; ‘haff’ (NLS, HM) [not ‘haf’]; ‘Joynt’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Joint’] 27. ‘fashd’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘fash’d’]; ‘Reason’ (NLS), ‘thought’ (HM), ‘reason’ (BL) [not ‘Thought’] 28. ‘made’ (NLS) [not ‘gart’]; ‘point’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Point’] 29. ‘we’r’ (HM), ‘weer’ (BL) [not ‘we’re’]; ‘Egyptian’ (BL) [not ‘Egyptians’]; ‘&’ (NLS, HM) [not ‘and’] 30. ‘our passions’ (NLS), ‘Passions’ (BL) [not ‘Our Passions’]; ‘Gods’ (BL, NLS, HM) [not ‘Gods,’]; ‘Swither’ (NLS) [not ‘swither’] 31. ‘occasion’ (NLS), ‘occasions’ (BL) [not ‘Occasion’] 32. ‘Another’ (NLS), ‘annuthers’ (HM), ‘annother’ (BL) [not ‘anither’] The Spectacles Text: Poems (1729), p.116. MSS: Huntington (HM 1490), fair copy; BL (Egerton 2024, f.200v), consisting of ll.1-24; NLS (2233, f.36), consisting of ll.25-26. The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Les Lunettes’ (Livre III, Fable III). Variants between the MSS – signified by ‘HM’, ‘BL’ and ‘NLS’ – and the copytext of Poems (1729) are given in the notes. The MSS do not feature end-line punctuation, which was added by the printer. Title: The BL MS does not give the poem a title. 1. ‘high’ (BL) [not ‘High’] ‘Jove’: alternative name for Jupiter, the highest deity for the ancient Romans. 4. ‘on Mortalls of short sight the Inhabitants below’ (BL) [not ‘On the Inhabitants below’] 5. ‘Momus’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Momus,’]; ‘Likes’ (HM), ‘Loves’ (BL) [not ‘likes’]; 280

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘&’ (HM, BL) [not ‘and’] ‘Momus’: Greek god of censure and ridicule, banished from Olympus for criticising the gods. 6. ‘Sent’ (HM) [not ‘sent’]; ‘propine’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Propine’] 7. ‘throu’ (BL) [not ‘throw’]; ‘Ether fields’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Æther-fields’] ‘Æther’: in ancient cosmological speculation, an element which was conceived of as filling all space beyond the sphere of the moon. It was also thought to be the constituent substance of the stars and planets. 8. ‘Car and’ (HM), ‘car &’ [not ‘Car, and’] 9. ‘Mankind’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Mankind,’]; ‘& loosd his walet and thus Began the care of Heaven thrice Happy man and tald them Jove’ (BL) [not ‘and tald them Jove’] 10. ‘them a’ (BL) [not ‘a’]; ‘token’ (BL) [not ‘Token’] A cancelled line appears before l. 11 in BL: was still to do them good [delighted?] 11. ‘they wer ye are’ (BL) [not ‘they were’] 13. ‘Then Loosd his walets’ (BL) [not ‘Syne loos’d his Wallet’] 14. ‘Spectales’ (HM) [not ‘Spectacles’]; ‘be’ (BL) [not ‘by’] 15. ‘ther’ (HM), ‘Ther’ (BL) [not ‘There’]; ‘Enow’ (HM), ‘enow’ (BL) [not ‘enow,’]; ‘and ilk gat ane his pair chose’ (BL) [not ‘and ilk ane chose’] 16. ‘Cock’d’ (HM), ‘cockd’ (BL) [not ‘cock’d’] 17. ‘gratefully’ (BL) [not ‘thankfully’]; ‘knees’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Knees’] 18. ‘Heaven’ (HM), ‘Jove’ (BL) [not ‘Heaven,’]; ‘thŭs’ (BL) [not ‘thus’] 19. ‘Hameward’ (BL) [not ‘hameward’] 20. ‘Loud’ (HM, BL) [not ‘loud,’] 21. ‘ken its’ (BL) [not ‘ken, ’tis’] 22. ‘Red some Blew’ (HM), ‘reed some Blew’ (BL) [not ‘Red, some Blue’] 23. ‘Black some whyt some Broun’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Black, some White, some Brown,’]; ‘green’ (BL) [not ‘Green’] 24. ‘thing’ (HM, BL) [not ‘Thing’] 25. ‘wrong &’ (HM), ‘wrong and’ (NLS) [not ‘wrong, and’] 27. ‘Pertake’ (HM), ‘Partake’ (NLS) [not ‘partake’] 28. ‘mistake’ (HM) [not ‘Mistake’] The NLS MS has an additional three lines, possibly connected to ‘The Spectacles’: and thus in Errour had as rowth of Pleasure is found in Truth and thus enjoyed The Fox turn’d Preacher Text: Poems (1729), p.117. MSS: Huntington (HM 1490), fair copy; NLS (2233, ff.36v-37v), revised. The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Renard Prédicateur’ (Livre V, Fable III). Neither MS has consistent first line capitalisation or end-line punctuation; these were added by the printer. Title. ‘The ffox turnd Preacher. A Thought!’ (HM), ‘The ffox turnd Preacher’ (NLS) [not ‘The Fox turn’d Preacher. A THOUGHT.’] 1. ‘Stiff with Eild’ (HM), ‘Stif with age Eild’ (NLS) [not ‘stiff with Eild’] 281

Poems The NLS MS has two cancelled lines here: that could not as when young engage Then Powtrie or the Bleeting flock 2. ‘field’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Field’] 3. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’]; ‘stens’ (NLS) [not ‘stends’] 4. ‘to siese & worry Lambs & Hens’ (HM), ‘to seise on Lambs gagle on Gees and Hens’ (NLS) [not ‘To seize and worry Lambs and Hens’] 5. ‘Lowrie’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Lowry’] ‘Lowry’: Scots literary term for a fox. 7. ‘reverend dress’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Reverend Dress’] 8. ‘tŭrnd’ (HM), ‘turnd’ (NLS) [not ‘turn’d’]; ‘preacher –’ (HM), ‘preacher;’ (NLS) [not ‘Preacher. –’]; ‘naithing Less!’ (NLS), ‘naithing Less’ (HM) [not ‘Nathing less!’] 9. ‘held forth wi’ Birr ’gainst wier unjust’ (HM), ‘hads held Strongly forth gainst wiers unjust’ [not ‘Held forth wi’ Birr, ’gainst Wier unjust’] 10. ‘theft and’ (HM), ‘Theft &’ (NLS) [not ‘Theft and’]; ‘Gormondizing’ (NLS) [not ‘gormondizing’] 11. ‘voice’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Voice,’]; ‘& sweet his his tone’ (NLS) [not ‘his tone’] 12. ‘Zeal & mien’ (HM), ‘Zeal & mein’ (NLS) [not ‘Zeal and Mien’] 13. ‘Still So grave & yet’ (NLS) [not ‘Sae grave and’]; ‘&’ (HM) [not ‘and’]; ‘wer his Looks was his air’ (NLS) [not ‘was his air’] 15. ‘its’ (NLS) [not ‘’Tis’]; ‘mind’ (NLS) [not ‘Mind’] 16. ‘him – but Mess ffox’ (HM), ‘him but the fox’ (NLS) [not ‘him. – But Mess Fox’] 17. ‘Reason’ (NLS) [not ‘Reasons’] 19. ‘But Sheep & Powtrie Gees & Ducks’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘But Sheep and Powtry, Geese and Ducks’] 20. ‘meeting hole’ (NLS) [not ‘Meeting-Hole’]; ‘flocks’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Flocks’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘withouten dread of being his Prey’ 21. ‘Prey’ (HM), ‘prey’ (NLS) [not ‘Prey,’] 22. ‘Contrary’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘contrary’] 23. ‘Cursd’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Curst’] 24. ‘He,’ (HM), ‘he’ (NLS) [not ‘he,’]; ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] 25. ‘flesh’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Flesh’]; ‘food’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Food’] 26. ‘swill[?]’ (NLS); ‘blood’ (HM) [not ‘Blood’] 27. ‘what, live by Murder!’ (HM), ‘what! live by Murder,’ (NLS) [not ‘What? live by Murder!’]; ‘Horid Crime Sin deed’ (NLS) [not ‘horrid Deed’] 28. ‘Trees and’ (HM), ‘Trees &’ (NLS) [not ‘Trees, and’] 29. ‘enow’ (NLS) [not ‘finely’]; ‘Herbs & fruits’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Herbs and Fruits’] 30. ‘serve &’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘save and’] 31. ‘should respect’ (NLS) [not ‘shou’d respect,’] ‘dearly’ (HM) [not ‘Dearly’]; ‘Beloved’ (NLS) [not ‘Belov’d’] 32. ‘eer by breath’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘e’er by Breath’]; ‘moved’ (NLS) [not ‘mov’d’] The NLS MS has these cancelled lines here: 282

Notes to Uncollected Poems This Doctrine I shall prove, take heed, by Several Reason This Point I prove – first its unjust I prove my Doctrine thus take heed The NLS MS has an additional line before l. 33: ‘Propation of this Truth I’ll gi ye’ 33. ‘first ’tis’ (HM), ‘first its’ (NLS) [not ‘First, ’tis’]; ‘unjust’ (HM), ‘unjust unjust’ [not ‘unjust,’] 34. ‘Cruel – & a’ (HM), ‘Cruel and a’ (NLS) [not ‘Cruel — and a’] The NLS MS has the following cancelled lines here: of the maist dangerous consequence by which we 35. ‘expossd’ (HM), ‘exposd’ (NLS) [not ‘expos’d,’] 36. ‘Eat’ (HM) [not ‘eat’]; ‘a miny or a Dad’ (NLS) [not ‘perhaps our Luckydad’] 37. ‘ken’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘ken,’]; ‘friend’ (HM), ‘friends’ (NLS) [not ‘Friend,’] 38. ‘dead the failing’ (NLS) [not ‘the failing’] 39. ‘that’ (NLS) [not ‘it’]; ‘Rot &’ (HM), ‘Rot and’ (NLS) [not ‘rot, and’]; ‘annither’ (HM) [not ‘anither’] 40. ‘Goos’ (NLS) [not ‘Goose’] 41. ‘Wowf’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Wowf,’] 42. This line begins in the NLS MS with an illegible cancellation; ‘ffather’ (HM), ‘father’ (NLS) [not ‘Father’] 43. ‘worying of a Lamb Lambs or Cox’ (NLS) [not ‘worrying Lambs or Cocks’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘ah me migh choak my ain poor Dame’ 44. ‘Gransyre’ (NLS) [not ‘Gransire’]; ‘Dr’ (NLS) [not ‘Doctor’]; ‘ffox’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘Fox’] 45. ‘ah Heaven’ (HM), ‘ah God Heaven’ (NLS) [not ‘Ah! Heaven’]; ‘Protect’ (HM) [not ‘protect’] 46. ‘Thousand’ (HM), ‘hundred’ (NLS) [not ‘thousand’] 47. ‘Bob-taild’ (HM), ‘Lang Taild’ (NLS) [not ‘Bob tail’d’] ‘Pythagoras’: Pythagoras of Samos (c.570-495 BC), Greek philosopher and founder of Pythagoreanism, known for his religious teachings. 48. [Part of line missing from HM: MS torn]; ‘out strechd’ (NLS) [not ‘out-stretch’d’] 50. ‘heer Roard and swat with’ (NLS) [not ‘he moraliz’d with’] 51. ‘out –’ (HM), ‘out,’ (NLS) [not ‘out, —’]; ‘ceast’ (NLS) [not ‘ceast,’] 52. ‘all’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘all,’]; ‘with much joy’ (NLS) [not ‘joyfully’] 54. ‘Some Goose’ (HM), ‘a Goos’ (NLS) [not ‘Some Geese,’]; ‘twa Chickens &’ (HM, NLS) [not ‘twa Chickens and’]; ‘hen’ (NLS) [not ‘Hen’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘that scanter wer lef’ 55. [part of line cancelled in HM, illegible]; ‘Remand behind with Scant of Grace’ (NLS) [not ‘Thought fit to stay a little Space’] 56. ‘talk’ (NLS) [not ‘tawk’]; ‘spiritual kitle’ (HM), ‘Private spiritual’ (NLS) [not ‘kittle’] The NLS MS has a cancelled line here: ‘of whom he ma’ 57. Not in NLS MS; ‘Hem’d!’ (HM) [not ‘hem’d!’] 283

Poems 58. ‘queit &’ (HM) [not ‘quiet and’]; ‘whom he maist decently did slay’ (NLS) [not ‘Then quiet and decently he slew them’] 59. ‘and feasted on the Good auld way on the good auld way’ [not ‘on whom he fed the good auld way’] 60. ‘These who wan aff’ (HM), ‘wha wha had got aff’ (NLS) [not ‘These who wan aff,’]; ‘Thrice Happy They’ (NLS) [not ‘thrice happy they’]; [NLS MS has ll.58-60 as a triplet, and a brace (‘}’) appears there] The Bee and the Fly Text: Poems (1729), p.120. MS: Huntington (HM 1490, f.137-38). There is no end-line punctuation in the MS; this was added by the printer. Title: ‘The Bee & the fly a ffable’ (MS) [not ‘The Bee and the Fly’] 1. ‘Hive a Paughty’ (MS) [not ‘Hive, a paughty’] 2. ‘observd’ (MS) [not ‘observ’d’]; ‘flie’ (MS) [not ‘Flie’] 3. ‘speerd’ (MS) [not ‘speer’d’]; ‘There’ (MS) [not ‘there’] 4. ‘front’ (MS) [not ‘Front’] 6. ‘well’ (MS) [not ‘well,’]; ‘fflei’ (MS) [not ‘Fly’] 7. ‘Quarell with sic saucy pride’ (MS) [not ‘quarrel with sic sawcy Pride’] 8. ‘indeed’ (MS) [not ‘indeed,’] 9. ‘thrawn’ (MS) [not ‘thrawin’] 10. ‘Why Scoundrell’ (MS) [not ‘Why, Scoundrel’] 12. ‘policy’ (MS) [not ‘Policy’] 13. ‘repast’ (MS) [not ‘Repast’]; ‘flowers’ (MS) [not ‘Flowers’] 14. ‘trade’ (MS) [not ‘Trade’] 16. ‘tast’ (MS) [not ‘Taste’] 18. ‘sight’ (MS) [not ‘Sight,’]; ‘wretch’ (MS) [not ‘Wretch,’] 19. ‘daylie’ (MS) [not ‘daily’]; ‘dung’ (MS) [not ‘Dung’] 20. ‘spirits’ (MS) [not ‘Spirits,’]; ‘filthyly’ (MS) [not ‘filthily’] 22. ‘flee replyd’ (MS) [not ‘Fly replied,’] ‘way’ (MS) [not ‘Way’] 24. ‘glad poverty’ (MS) [not ‘Glad Poverty’] 25. ‘sure ill naturd passion’ (MS) [not ‘sure, ill-natur’d Passion’] 26. ‘sweet,’ (MS) [not ‘sweet;’] 29. ‘ūneven’ (MS) [not ‘Uneven’] 30. ‘time a ffae’ (MS) [not ‘Time a Fae’] 31. ‘ye’re’ (MS) [not ‘ye’r’] 32. ‘Thus harm and skaith’ (MS) [not ‘And skaith’] 33. ‘Can your Enemie’ (MS) [not ‘can your Enemy’] 34. ‘rate’ (MS) [not ‘Rate,’] 35. ‘Talents’ (MS) [not ‘Talents,’] 36. ‘Discreet and less their passions Slave’ (MS) [not ‘Discreet, and less their Passions slave’] The Horse’s Complaint Text: Poems (1729), p.122. No MS. The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘L’Ane’ (Livre I, Fable VII). 284

Notes to Uncollected Poems The Parrat Text: Poems (1729), p.126. MS: Huntington (HM 1490), fair copy. The poem is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘Le Perroquet’ (Livre I, Fable III). There is very little end-line punctuation in the MS; this was added by the printer. Title: ‘The Parot’ (MS) [not ‘The Parrat’] 1. ‘Ane’ (MS) [not ‘An’]; ‘wife’ (MS) [not ‘Wife’] 2. ‘And’ (MS) [not ‘And,’]; ‘dowie’ (MS) [not ‘dowsy’] 3. ‘paraquet’ (MS) [not ‘Perroquet’] 4. ‘care’ (MS) [not ‘Care’] 5. ‘woman’ (MS) [not ‘Woman’] 7. ‘Bird-man’s’ (MS) [not ‘Bird man’s’]; ‘hyes’ (MS) [not ‘hies’] 8. ‘who stockd’ (MS) [not ‘Who, stock’d’] 9. ‘delight feathers’ (MS) [not ‘Delight with Feathers’] 11. ‘Larks Gowdspinks Mavises and Linties’ (MS) [not ‘Larks, Gowdspinks, Mavises and Linties’] 12. ‘bred’ (MS) [not ‘bred,’]; ‘foraign’ (MS) [not ‘foreign’] 13. ‘Parots’ (MS) [not ‘Parrats’] 15. ‘learnd’ (MS) [not ‘learn’d’]; ‘tale’ (MS) [not ‘Tale’] 16. ‘ale’ (MS) [not ‘Ale’] 17. ‘Herrings’ (MS) [not ‘Herrings,’] 18. ‘whyt sand or Nor’way’ (MS) [not ‘White Sand, or Norway’] ‘White sand’: sugar. 20. ‘wealth’ (MS) [not ‘Wealth’]; ‘witts’ (MS) [not ‘Wits’] 22. ‘Wher’ (MS) [not ‘Where’]; ‘neer’ (MS) [not ‘ne’er’] 23. ‘pray’ (MS) [not ‘Pray,’]; ‘speechles’ (MS) [not ‘speechless’] 24. ‘replyd the Bird – I think the Mair’ (MS) [not ‘Reply’d the Bird, — I think the mair’] 25. ‘says’ (MS) [not ‘says,’]; ‘thy Answers’ (MS) [not ‘Thy Answer’s’] 27. ‘five’ (MS) [not ‘Five’]; ‘’tis’ (MS) [not ‘’Tis’] 28. ‘money, & the bird’ (MS) [not ‘Money, and the Bird’] 29. ‘sage’ (MS) [not ‘Sage’] 31. ‘Masters expectations’ (MS) [not ‘Master’s Expectations’] 33. ‘Moneth is past & gane’ (MS) [not ‘Month is past and gane’] 35. ‘speak’ (MS) [not ‘speak,’] 39. ‘Sell on short acquaintance’ (MS) [not ‘sell, on short Acquaintance’] 40. ‘sentence’ (MS) [not ‘Sentence’] The Eclipse Text: Poems (1729), p.128. No MS. It is a Scots version of La Motte’s ‘L’Éclipse’ (Livre II, Fable XII). 9. ‘Ceres’: Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture. 27. ‘Cynthia’: classical personification of the moon.

285

Poems Ane Epistle to A. R. On the Poverty of the Poets Text: Poems (1729), p.200. MS: NLS (5200, f.6v-7v), Ramsay’s autograph transcription. An additional transcription in an unidentified hand of ‘Ane Epistle’ and Ramsay’s ‘Answer’ is found in EUL (Laing.II.212, f.30 [a-b]). ‘W.L’ has not been identified definitively; however, a William Lumisden is listed as a subscriber to Ramsay’s Poems (1728), where his occupation is listed as a legal writer. Answer Text: Poems (1729), p.201. MS: NLS (5200, f.6v-7v), fair copy, alongside Ramsay’s transcription of the previous poem. There is no end-line punctuation in the MS; this was added by the printer. 1. ‘poet’s Poor’ (MS) [not ‘Poet’s poor’] 3. ‘muse’ (MS) [not ‘Muse’]; ‘Common’ (MS) [not ‘common’] 4. ‘flaters fools’ (MS) [not ‘flatters Fools’] 5. ‘Business they Lye’ (MS) [not ‘Business, they ly’] 6. ‘garret Couches’ (MS) [not ‘Garret-Couches’] 8. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘poutches’ (MS) [not ‘Poutches’] 9. ‘Billys’ (MS) [not ‘Billies’]; ‘advice’ (MS) [not ‘Advice’] 10. ‘honour’ (MS) [not ‘Honour’] 11. ‘rather’ (MS) [not ‘Rather’] 12. ‘Blockheads’ (MS) [not ‘Block heads’] 13. ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’]; ‘Nature’ (MS) [not ‘Nature’s’] 15. ‘is’ (MS) [not ‘is,’] 16. ‘foolls & witts’ (MS) [not ‘Fools and Wits’] 17. ‘Chearfou’ (MS) [not ‘chearfu’’] 19. ‘happyness’ (MS) [not ‘Happyness’] 20. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘Tormented’ (MS) [not ‘tormented’] There are two cancelled, illegible lines before l.21 in the MS. 22. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 23. ‘Quietly Cūn’ (MS) [not ‘quietly cun’] 24. ‘Natures’ (MS) [not ‘Nature’s’]; demans [not ‘Demands’] 26. ‘praises’ (MS) [not ‘Praises’]; ‘worthles’ (MS) [not ‘worthless’] 28. ‘sence’ (MS) [not ‘Sense’] 31. ‘Pheobe like in darker Skyes’ (MS) [not ‘And Phœbe-like in darker Skies’] ‘Phoebe’: the moon personified in classical mythology. 32. ‘Reflect their Brighter beams’ (MS) [not ‘reflect their brighter Beams’] To Mr. Allan Ramsay, upon his publishing his second Volume of Poems Text: Poems (1729), p.243. This text is by English poet William Somerville, with whom Ramsay established an epistolary relationship in the 1720s: for more on their poetic communications, see ‘An Epistle from Mr Somervile’ and ‘Answer to the above Epistle’, printed in Ramsay’s Poems (1728). Ramsay published Somerville’s ‘To Mr Allan Ramsay’ in his Poems (1729), alongside his response, ‘To William Somerville’ (pp.243-50). 286

Notes to Uncollected Poems 8. ‘the Stagirite’: ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, born in Stagira, a city of Macedonia. 24. ‘Pope… Addison’: poets Alexander Pope (1688-1744) and Joseph Addison (1672-1719). To William Somervile, of Warwick-shire Esq; Text: Poems (1729), p.247. No MS. Title: For details on Ramsay’s relationship with English poet William Somervile, see ‘To William Somervile of Warwickshire Esq; on reading several of his excellent Poems’, to which Ramsay replied with ‘Answer to the above Epistle’, both published in Poems (1728). 2. ‘Avon’: tributary of the Severn which flows through Warwickshire, the home of Somervile. 7. ‘Grampians’: major mountain range of the Scottish Highlands. 41. ‘Homer’ (c.800-c.701 BC): ancient Greek poet and presumed author of the foundational epics, Iliad and Odyssey. 50. ‘my Chief Patrons’: as explained in the note for ‘To William Somervile of Warwickshire’, William Somervile claimed kinship with Ramsay’s patrons, James Somerville, twelfth Lord Somerville (1698-1765) and his wife, Anne Somerville (1689-1734). 58-64. ‘the jovial train… Hind’: an allusion to Somervile’s favoured literary topic of hunting. 75. ‘Sancho’: Sancho Panza, the protagonist’s faithful squire in Cervantes’s Don Quixote (1605). ‘[Is] ther a Life where the reward’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.79-81v). First published: STS III, pp.217-20, as ‘[An Elegy in Memory of Aikman]’ and III, p.221, ‘[A Second Elegy on William Aikman]’, dated to 1731. The ‘Second Elegy’, as printed in the STS edition, is ll.59-75 of this copy-text. It is not clear why the STS editors broke the text into two, although they may have considered the dialogue between Clerk and Forbes at ll.59-75 to have been a separate piece. In the MS, the verses appear in one continuous draft without titles and, significantly, without divisions demarcating two separate texts. Therefore, it is presented as one long elegy here. The subject is Ramsay’s friend, Scottish portrait painter William Aikman of Cairnie (1682-1731), who died in London in June 1731. Given Ramsay’s long-standing relationship with Aikman (see also ‘Betty and Kate’, written on Aikman’s departure from Edinburgh for London and printed in Poems (1728)), it is likely that the elegy was written shortly after his death, and is dated to 1731 here. Cancellations and additions in the BL MS are indicated below. 1. ‘future Life’ (MS) [not ‘Life’] 10. ‘in all her Glory shine springs from the Source Divine’ (MS) [not ‘springs from the Source Divine’] 14. ‘which go which’ (MS) [not ‘which’] 287

Poems 18. ‘Genius spirit’ (MS) [not ‘spirit’] Before l.19 is a cancelled line: ‘while Justly she pays the’ 21. ‘& these Each’ (MS) [not ‘Each’] 22. ‘that which’ (MS) [not ‘which’] Before l.23 is a cancelled line: ‘But rarlie in one spirit Genius meet’ 23. ‘and which’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 24. ‘height pitch’ (MS) [not ‘pitch’] 26-28. ‘thy dear Boy… defiling rust’: the premature death of Aikman’s only son, John, in early 1731. 27. ‘a Jem so in virtue’ (MS) [not ‘in virtue’] 28. This line appears in the margin in MS. Before l.29 are these cancelled lines: Ah had he lived ! weep with tears we cry the father in the son shall in the son we’ad seen the sire 29. ‘Throw In’ (MS) [not ‘In’] 30. ‘a Just Easy ane Hermonious’ (MS) [not ‘ane Hermonious’] Before l.32 are these cancelled lines: That W A was a Man that our dear Aikm Before l.34 is a cancelled line: ‘to the weak Mind w’ 39. ‘who wokd atempts’ (MS) [not ‘atempts’] 41. ‘Look around great universal scene/see the vast plan of Heavn & Earth’ (MS) [not ‘see the great universal scene’] 42. ‘shine Move’ (MS) [not ‘Move’] Before l.45 is the cancelled line: ‘To you Dear Sir that knows the springs’ 45. ‘heart humane generous h’ (MS) [not ‘generous h[eart]’] 47. ‘assist in singing to sing’ (MS) [not ‘to sing’] 48. ‘to flow’ (MS) [not ‘to flow’] Before l.49 are these cancelled lines: Aikman your friend! the worlds great friend Alas for us! he is no more Ripend in virtues he has gaen 49. ‘make us sigh to promt our’ (MS) [not ‘to promt our’] 50. ‘crown tane’ (MS) [not ‘tane’] Before l.53, the MS has these cancelled lines: Then smiling let us sing Let’s rather walk chearfully reflect With yet ah we must weak nature falls and Reason proved a week defence 53. ‘ah the pangs throws’ (MS) [not ‘throws’] 54. ‘weak reason’ (MS) [not ‘reason’] 56. ‘fforbes’ (MS) [not ‘Forbes’]; ‘us Joyn to yonder grove’ (MS) [not ‘us to yonder grove’] Before l.57 is ‘and sin’ 57-75. Although the text is in one continuous draft in MS, the STS editors 288

Notes to Uncollected Poems print this section as a separate poem, entitled ‘[A Second Elegy to William Aikman]’. It is retained in its place as per the MS draft here. This section is a dialogue between Ramsay’s friends and patrons, Sir John Forbes of Newhall and Sir John Clerk of Penicuik; Clerk was Aikman’s cousin. Before l.63 is the cancelled line: ‘for Aikman our dear friend the best of men’ 63. ‘his the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 64. ‘for heaven’ (MS) [not ‘for heaven’] Before l.66, the MS has two cancelled lines: and long on the sweet dear subject coud I dwell But Pope has friend 69. ‘that it’ (MS) [not ‘it’] 72. ‘with weak or cast’ (MS) [not ‘with weak’] 80. ‘Ther and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 81. ‘dear Loved’ (MS) [not ‘Loved’] The stanza beginning at l.84 is marked with an ‘X’ in the MS. 87-90. These lines appear in a different order in the MS, but Ramsay has numbered them to show how they should be placed: 1 How worthless is the lack of life! 4 that closes and shut up eer its well begun 3 Its pleasure few it’s pain sa rife 2 hou soon the litle race is run! 90. ‘that closes and shut up’ (MS) [not ‘and shut up’] Before l.91, the MS has the following lines which appear to be attempts at ll.91-92 which are not cancelled, but discarded: Hou weak’s the Thither our Aikmans soul is bound to enjoy ane Everlasting day now there 91-94. These lines are printed only in the notes of the STS edition, despite the fact that they are not cancelled in the MS. 92. ‘as th in’ (MS) [not ‘in’] 94. ‘may doubling die & start’ (MS) [not ‘may start’] 103. ‘Pope’: English poet Alexander Pope, Aikman’s friend in London. Before l.104, the MS has ‘To his’. 105. ‘his that’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 111. ‘Here Their’ (MS) [not ‘Their’] Before l.113, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘So Willd omnipotence and we’ 113. ‘John tho’ (MS) [not ‘tho’] 114. ‘Last out with Time and fair Renown’ (MS) [not ‘and fair Renown’] 118-20. These lines appear in the margin at this point in the MS. ‘Now Now the Glorious Dawning Daws’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.96). First published: STS III, p.223, as ‘[Reversal of Situation]’, dated to c. 1732. Although the MS bears no date of composition, it is likely that the STS editors’ estimate of the poem’s dating is correct. As they state, the poem probably 289

Poems reflects the actions of James Erskine, Lord Grange (bap. 1679-1754), who ‘led attacks on Church patronage’ in the early 1730s (VI, p.144). Indeed, Erskine ‘took an active part in the affairs of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland and was a staunch opponent of lay patronage in the appointment of church ministers’: Ramsay’s allusion to ‘a Marrow Moderator’ (l.8) may also refer to the events of 1732 when, ‘with the support of Ebenezer Erskine and other “high-flying” ministers’, Grange stood unsuccessfully as MP for the Stirling burghs (Richard Scott, ‘Erskine, James, Lord Grange’ in ODNB). Erskine was a key player in the Marrow Controversy of the late 1710s; for more on this religious context, see the notes for Ramsay’s ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’ (1735). Cancellations and additions in the MS are noted below. 2-4. ‘happy hill side… Covenanters’: indirect reference to two sects in the contemporary Church of Scotland; the ‘New Lights’, who focused on personal salvation, and the ‘Old Lights’ who remained in sympathy with the principles of the Covenanters. ‘Covenanter’: a subscriber to the National Covenant of 28 February 1638, or of the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. 3. ‘for and’ (MS) [not ‘for’] Before l.5, the MS has two cancelled lines: ‘The Marrow now has won the Gree’; the second line is illegible. 8. ‘Moderator’: in the Scottish Presbyterian church, a minister appointed to preside over the General Assembly, the Church’s governing body. In 1731, the Moderator was Neil Campbell (1678-1761), minister of Kilmallie and principal of Glasgow University on the patronage of Argyll. 9. ‘our Great Assembley filld what rarely has been known’ (MS) [not ‘what rarely has been known’] 11. ‘their the Temporal patrons’ (MS) [not ‘the patrons’] ‘In Mimick Scenes w’atemp with action Bold’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.85). First published: STS III, p.224, as ‘[A Prologue to Macbeth]’, dated to 1732. It is highly likely that Ramsay’s poem was written in the context of the activities of the Royal Company of Archers as reported in the Caledonian Mercury for 11 July 1732 (see also VI, p.144). The paper reports that on Monday 10 July, ‘the ROYAL COMPANY of ARCHERS paraded in the Parliament Close in their proper Habits’ before marching ‘into Leith in the same Order; and after Dinner, returned to the City, and saw acted the Trage[d]y called MACBEATH’ (pp.2-3). Given that it refers to the Archers and the plot of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and that there are no additional performances of the play in association with the Archers during Ramsay’s lifetime, it is likely that the poem was performed as a prologue at the performance of the play in Edinburgh on the evening of 10 July 1732. Cancellations and additions in the MS are noted below. 4. ‘made did’ (MS) [not ‘did’] 7. ‘rose,’ (MS) [not ‘rose,’] At this point in the margin, the MS features Ramsay’s doodle: 290

Notes to Uncollected Poems

‘Royal Malcom’: in the context of Macbeth, Malcolm is the son of King Duncan and heir to the throne who marches with his army on Dunsinane Castle camouflaged with branches, thereby fulfilling the witches’ prophecy. 9. ‘sheding and made’ (MS) [not ‘and made’]; ‘oer to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 11. ‘round’ (MS) [not ‘round’] 13. ‘whose Breast who are warmly fired nobly are’ (MS) [not ‘who nobly are’] ‘Royal Band’: the Royal Company of Archers, in attendance at the performance of Macbeth. 15. ‘Love like’ (MS) [not ‘like’] 17. ‘Lawrells neer shall fade wreaths shall neer decay’ (MS) [not ‘wreaths shall neer decay’] 19. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘the’]; ‘may who may the Band delight’ (MS) [not ‘who delight’] 23. ‘the ye’ (MS) [not ‘ye’] 24. ‘while and patronize patrons’ (MS) [not ‘while patronize’] 25. ‘this then will arise’ (MS) [not ‘will arise’] To Maevis Junior Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4314). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f35v and f.69). First printed in the STS edition, where it is split into two separate texts: ‘[Defiance of a Critic]’ (III, pp.282-83) and ‘Ane Epigram’ (III, p.284). The latter is regarded as a revised version of the second stanza of ‘To Maevis Junior’ in the present edition. As explained below, Ramsay’s poem was written in response to a satirical treatment of his works in the Grub Street Journal of 6 May 1731; we can, therefore, date it to c.1731. General: Each stanza is separated by ‘~’, except stanza 6 (ll.21-24), which is headed by ‘—— ~’. Title: ‘Maevis Junior’: probably ‘Maevius’, the pseudonym of Richard Russel (1685-1756), co-founder of the Grub Street Journal, in which Ramsay’s ‘Epigram. On Receiving a Present of an Orange’ was satirised; see also the note to ll.9-12 below. There is no title in the BL MSS. Epigraph: from Horace’s Epode VI in response to the blackmailer; ‘Do you think if a venomous tooth attacks me/I’ll cry, un-avenged, like a child?’ 1. ‘Dull Thou Thing envious [illegible] without a name’ (BL) [not ‘Thou envious thing without a name’] 2. ‘I seen thy poor Spur Gaw’d with mean malicious Spite’ (BL) [not ‘spurgaw’d with mean malicious spite’] The BL MS has a cancelled line after l.3: ‘Looks doun on ought that thou caust write’ 291

Poems 4. ‘write’ (BL) [not ‘endite’] 5. ‘for Pope no Labour is too Great Refind great for pope’ (BL) [not ‘nae Labour’s lov refind for Pope’] ‘Pope’: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), English poet and satirist. 6. ‘and what can coud Puzled Priors Muse’ (BL) [not ‘thers nought coud puzell Priors muse’] ‘Prior’: Matthew Prior (1664-1721), English poet. 7. ‘none but ane empty snarling fop’ (BL) [not ‘Nane but a silly snarling fop’] 8. ‘Like Thee will to their fame refuse’ (BL) [not ‘this to their merits will refuse’] 9-12. ‘Translations… imitate’: refers to the Grub-Street Journal’s cumbersome and prolix English paraphrase and translation into Latin of Ramsay’s ‘Epigram. On receiving a Present of an Orange’; in the accompanying letter, ‘Maevius’ states of Ramsay that ‘It was very wonderful, that a Person could write with so much spirit when under such great difficulties of circumstances, and infirmity both of body and mind. For tho’ he was still alive… he was in a very languishing condition, having intirely lost his memory’ (see The Grub-Street Journal 70 (6 May 1731), p.3). 9. ‘Translation be the Pedendts task’ (BL) [not ‘Translations, Pedant, be thy task’] 11. ‘fair Rays I like’ (BL) [not ‘clear Rays I lov’] 12. ‘Masters paterns Imitate’ (BL) [not ‘patterns imitate.’] 13. ‘Thus I sometimes Dear Horace Ill Master View’ (BL) [not ‘These Spite of Thee I’ll keep in view’] 14. ‘and with delight their Beautys see steps pursue’ (BL) [not ‘whilst with a Native Sympathise’] 15. ‘and follow and can up hill the [illegible] more Likness to him shew’ (BL) [not ‘I can up Hill their tract pursue’] Cancelled in BL before l. 16: ‘Then ever thou canst do to me’ Cancelled in BL after l. 16: ‘I never Thought it wit or sence’ 17. ‘To deviat from ones natural naturle Bent way’ (BL) [not ‘To Deviat from ane natural way’] Cancelled in BL before l. 18: ‘I oun a Truth [illegible half-line]’ 18. ‘and therfore I oun tis’ (BL) [not ‘I own its’] 19. ‘thy naturale is to smart Like ane ass & silent to Bray’ (BL) [not ‘hence like ane ass thou’st born to Bray’] 20. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 21-22. ‘Let Horace… none’: probably a reference to another poem which satirised Ramsay’s literary efforts; the anonymous ‘A Satyr Upon Allan Ramsay, Occasioned upon a Report of his Translating Horace’ (c.1720, NLS Mf.G.0189 (21)) implores, ‘Touch not the Ashes laid to rest;/Let Horace sleep, his Labours spare’ (ll.19-20). 21. The NRS MS has an illegible cancelled word before ‘tire’. 22. ‘Touch’ (BL) [not ‘touch’] 23. ‘Life &’ (BL) [not ‘life and’] 24. ‘dazaling for a [illegible] dull dron’ (BL) [not ‘dazling for saw dul a drone’] Cancelled in BL before l. 25: The [illegible] prophet do forsee 292

Notes to Uncollected Poems mair than thou in [illegible] syne [illegible] 25. ‘Rouze’ (BL) [not ‘Rowze’] 26. ‘far back in the Agustan days’ (BL) [not ‘Lang syn in the Augustan days’] ‘Augustan’: refers to the reign of Roman emperor Augustus (27 BC-14 AD), during which Latin literature is regarded as having had a golden age; key authors of this period are Horace, Virgil, Livy and Ovid. 27. ‘that I should sing oer oer’ (BL) [not ‘that I shoud Chaunt oer Dale & Law’] In the NRS MS, this line has a footnote to Horace’s ‘Book 2d Ode 2’; however, the reference is not found in that text; Ramsay probably refers instead to Horace’s second Epode, on the delights of the countryside. 29. ‘me ye’ (BL) [not ‘me: ye’] 30-34. These lines are in the right-hand margin of the NRS MS. 30. ‘hiden enymie’ (BL) [not ‘Hiden Enymie’] 31. ‘and heavy ness thy Doome’ (BL) [not ‘heavyness thy Doom’] 32. ‘Buryd’ (BL) [not ‘Burryed’] 34. ‘All Eternity’ (BL) [not ‘a futurity’] Additional lines in BL after l.34: Wha dearest Impudend Impudently Carest presume to name thy nonsence poetry The NRS text is signed ‘a R]’. Verses by the celebrated Allan Ramsay, to his Son. Text: Scarborough Miscellany (1732), p.20. No MS. In Chalmers’s edition of 1800, the poem is entitled ‘An Ode. Allan Ramsay to his Son, on his Painting Captain James Forester’: as the editor states, Ramsay junior’s subject was ‘afterwards Colonel Forester, and known in the literary world as the author of an elegant tract, intitled, “The Polite Philosopher;” the purpose of which is to shew, that no bad man can be truly polite’ (I, p.172). In fact, in The Polite Philosopher, Forrester makes a comparable point to Ramsay’s in this poem: ‘Good-Nature adorns every Perfection a Man is Master of, and throws a Veil over every Blemish which would otherwise appear. In a word, like a skilful Painter, it places his Virtues in the fairest Light, and casts all his Foibles into shade’ (p.9). The Polite Philosopher was published by Robert Freebairn in Edinburgh in 1734. According to the English clergyman and antiquary Samuel Pegge (1704-96), Forrester was a ‘Captain in the Guards. He is of a good family and travelled with the present Marquis of Rockingham’ (‘Lieut.-Col. James Forrester’ in Notes and Queries 235 (14 October 1922), p.314). Ramsay junior’s painting of Forrester has not been located. Mount Alexander’s Complaint in the Absence of, and Joy on the Honourable Mr. Robertson of Struan’s Return Text: Mons Alexander, in Struani Domini sui Reditum (1732). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.111v-112). 293

Poems The STS editors initially date the poem to c.1726, with the title ‘[A Jacobite Poem]’ (III, pp.190-91); they correct the date in the Notes volume, by which time the Mons Alexander publication had come to light (VI, pp.135-36). Mons Alexander is largely in Latin and commemorates Alexander Robertson of Struan’s return from exile to his estate, Mount Alexander, near Pitlochry on Loch Rannoch. Variants between the copy-text and the MS held by the BL are given in the notes. Title: Alexander Robertson of Struan (c.1670-1749), Jacobite army officer and poet. After fighting for Dundee and King James in 1689, he was attainted and his estates forfeited in 1690, when he fled to France. Robertson joined the Jacobite forces in 1715, where he commanded a battalion under General Gordon. He returned home in 1731 and gained remission; in the following year, Mons Alexander was published. Robertson participated in the Jacobite rising of 1745, where he achieved the commission of major-general; he was still active in the cause in 1746 (see also Murray G.H. Pittock, ‘Robertson, Alexander, of Struan’ in ODNB). There is no title in the MS version. 1. ‘Brave Dear’ (MS) [not ‘dear’]; ‘Master’ (MS) [not ‘Master,’] 2. ‘a Loyal Exile Bravely Strayd’ (MS) [not ‘Too long a Loyal Exile stray’d’] 3. ‘& Vulgar hieghts my Name’ (MS) [not ‘and vulgar Mounts my Name’] Before l.4, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘I was forgot my noted fame’ 4. ‘was lost Soon fled, & soon did my verdures fade my sweets decayd’ (MS) [not ‘Was lost, and a’ my Sweets decayed’] 5. ‘Then was I slaved Then was I spoild by the rude crew worst of slaves’ (MS) [not ‘Then was I spoil’d with the rude Crew’] 6. ‘Saxon &’ (MS) [not ‘Saxon, and’] ‘Saxon’: the Germanic people of the Christian era who occupied southern Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries; ‘Batavia’: capital of the Dutch East Indies, which corresponds to present-day Jakarta, Indonesia. 7. ‘Mingessa Minesia’ (MS) [not ‘Menesia’] 8. ‘Thy spitefull arts wrought my slavery disgrace’ (MS) [not ‘Was wrought my Slav’ry and Disgrace’] Before l.9, the MS has the following cancelled lines: I ow was wr while thus abused the Silvan Gods 9. ‘then Great & sma’ (MS) [not ‘then, great and sma’’] 10. ‘refusd’ (MS) [not ‘Refus’d’] 11. ‘pet, & warst of a!’ (MS) [not ‘Pett, and warst of a’’] 12. ‘spring’ (MS) [not ‘Spring!’] ‘Argentine’: an allusion to the landscape of Robertson’s family estate at Dunalastair in Rannoch, Perthshire, around six miles from Mount Alexander. According to A.D. Cunningham, Rannoch’s burial grounds were associated with particular saints and ‘St. Luke’s at Dunalastair’ had ‘its ancient spring called Argentine’ (Cunningham, A History of Rannoch (Inverness, 1984)). 13. ‘out yon witherd Brae’ (MS) [not ‘out, yon wither’d Brae!’] 14. ‘Straths’ (MS) [not ‘Strath’] 15. ‘sing or say’ (MS) [not ‘Sing, nor Say’] 18. ‘tald me to had up my heart’ (MS) [not ‘told me to ha’d up my Heart’] 294

Notes to Uncollected Poems 20. ‘meet &’ (MS) [not ‘meet, and’] 21. ‘morning star shoud’ (MS) [not ‘Morning Star should’] 22. ‘James our Royall’ (MS) [not ‘J— Our Royal’] ‘J—’: James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), the Old Pretender, whose claim to the English, Scottish and Irish crown as James VIII of Scotland and James III of England set in motion the events that led to the Jacobite risings of the eighteenth century. 23. ‘friends’ (MS) [not ‘Friends,’] 24. ‘end finish’ (MS) [not ‘finish’]; ‘they had’ (MS) [not ‘they’d’] 25. ‘Blasted’ (MS) [not ‘blasted,’] 26. ‘neglected flowerles & forlorn drownd in Tears sunk in gref’ (MS) [not ‘Neglected, Flowerless, Sunk in Grief’] 27. ‘ends’ (MS) [not ‘lown’d’] ‘Rannoch’: Robertson’s family estate in the Scottish Highlands. 28. ‘Returns’ (MS) [not ‘Return’d’]; ‘full relief’ (MS) [not ‘kind Relief’] 29. ‘Welcom Man Chief of Stallwart make’ (MS) [not ‘Thrice welcome Chief! Of Stalwart Make’] 30. ‘form and mind’ (MS) [not ‘Form and Mind’] 31. ‘shake’ (MS) [not ‘shake?’] 32. ‘countrey’ (MS) [not ‘Country’]; ‘unkind’ (MS) [not ‘unkind?’] 33. ‘Phebus Palas Mars & Palass Phebus Bred’ (MS) [not ‘By PALLAS, MARS, and PHEBUS, bred’] ‘Pallas’: Greek Titan god of war and warcraft; ‘Mars’: Roman god of war; ‘Phoebus’: an alternative name for Apollo, a key Olympian deity associated with, among other things, archery, truth, prophecy, light and poetry. 34. ‘wisdom Learning, Hermony, & war, weir’ (MS) [not ‘Learning, Harmony, and Weir’] Before l.35, the MS has a cancelled version of l.35, as printed: ‘who can better wiser or of heart more Glad’ 35. ‘better speaks who sings more’ (MS) [not ‘Who better speaks? Who sings mair glad?’] 36. ‘and who in cany’s can greater date in stour can stouter streer’ (MS) [not ‘Or who in Stour can stouter steer?’] 37. ‘Returnd I’ (MS) [not ‘returnd, I’]; ‘head’ (MS) [not ‘Head’] 38. ‘Lawrell’ (MS) [not ‘Lawrels,’]; ‘skies’ (MS) [not ‘Skies!’] 39. ‘edge’ (MS) [not ‘Edge’] 40. ‘Lilly’ (MS) [not ‘Lillys’] Before l.41, the MS has these cancelled lines: Now founs and s Now Gods & ‘white Roses’: a symbol of Jacobitism; ‘White Rose Day’ commemorated the birthday of James Francis Edward Stuart on 10 June. 41. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 42. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] ‘nymphs’: semi-divine female spirits of classical mythology who inhabit the sea, rivers and mountains; ‘naiads’: nymphs of fresh water. 43. ‘ain’ (MS) [not ‘awin’]; ‘Sings’ (MS) [not ‘sings’] ‘Orpheus’: ancient Greek poet, prophet and musician, known for his ability to 295

Poems charm both living and non-living things with his music. 44. ‘Consort’ (MS) [not ‘Concert,’] 45. ‘The Nine Muses have left leave’ (MS) [not ‘The Muses leave’]; ‘height’ (MS) [not ‘Height’] 46. ‘wer’ (MS) [not ‘were’]; ‘meet howf’ (MS) [not ‘howf’] 47. ‘have chosen me and less delight’ (MS) [not ‘Reside with me — and less Delight’] 48. ‘Helicon’ (MS) [not ‘Helicon,’] ‘Helicon’: mountain sacred to the Muses in Greek mythology; it is the place where the Aganippe and Hippocrene springs rise, and is used in reference to literary inspiration. 50. ‘on my fresh wingd’ (MS) [not ‘Wing’d’]; ‘feads’ (MS) [not ‘feeds’] ‘Pegasus’: winged horse of Greek mythology, thought to have been responsible for the creation of the Hippocrene fountain on Mount Helicon; see also note to l.48. 51. ‘falshood Rapine’ (MS) [not ‘Rapine’] 52. ‘Liberty Loyalty’ (MS) [not ‘Loyalty’]; ‘Truth’ (MS) [not ‘Truths’] 53. ‘doun’ (MS) [not ‘down’] 54. ‘you’ (MS) [not ‘You’] 55. ‘mine and your would you’ (MS) [not ‘Would You’] 56. ‘James with his Golden Reign’ (MS) [not ‘J----- with His golden Reign’] Marion: ‘He’s Dead, O Poly, Johnny’s [dead]’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 202, ff.90v-92v). First published: STS III, pp.225-29, as ‘Kate and Susan, A Pastoral to the Memory of John Gay, Esqr’; copy-text from transcription in an unidentified hand at Huntington (HM 97). This poem poses an editorial problem. The autograph MS is shorter than the HM transcription; it is also heavily revised, and its ordering is not always clear. The STS editors solve this problem by presenting an edited version of the non-autograph transcription as their copy-text, giving the autograph MS text in the notes. Their text is therefore based on a non-autograph MS which has no proven connection with Ramsay, and an unclear date of production. Our editorial decision is the opposite: we present the MS text in Ramsay’s hand as copy-text and provide the non-holograph transcription below. The poem was written in response to the death on 1 December 1732 of Ramsay’s friend and correspondent, English poet and playwright John Gay; it is therefore highly likely that the poem dates to late 1732 or early 1733. Additions and cancellations in the BL MS are given below. The HM transcription is as follows: Kate and Susan a Pastoral to the Memory of John Gay Esq’r Ane Elegy on Johny Gay The Bard whase Carrols plea’d us weel, Whase happy Fame shall last for Ay, 296

Notes to Uncollected Poems With Men of Wit, and thinking leel, This gain’d we wad nae longer stay, Tir’d with the turns of Fortune’s Wheel, 5 In Virtue’s ripe he sprang away To Prior, Addison, and Steel; God grant me, when my Years are o’er, To meet with these immortal Four — ________________________________ Katty Your welcome Susan to our Haugh, 10 Come let’s gae Sing beneath yon Saugh; What aills you that ye dinna laugh, With usual Glee, Ye’re a’ begrutten and look baugh— I’m wae to S’ye, – 15 Have ye been wrang’d in Goods or Name, Or girn’d at by our Cankard Dame, Or has some Swankie nought can tame Or ever mend; Done that whilk gars us a’ think shame, 20 Whene’er its kend. Susan The Spring=Well canna be mair clear, Than I’m frae spots that maidens fear; Sour Reek and flyting I could bear, Wi’ far less pain; 25 Than what I thole for ane we ne’er Shall see again.— He’s Dead! Oh Kattie! Johny’s Dead, Wha daintily cou’d tune his Reed, To please the Brugh and chear the Mead; 30 Nane drave away; The dronan Frumps wi’ faster Speed, Than Johny Gay. Katty O! Death! again thy ruthless Sting, Shall ne’er to mools ane better bring; 35 He was a Comrade for a King. And Clergy might, And mimmest maidens hear him Sing, With free Delight. On Summer Morning’s Pate and I, By Day=break in the Eastlin sky, Aft to the highland Shiels wad hy, And a’ the Day; While we on flow’ry Braes did ly, 297

40

Poems Sang Johny Gay. 45 Susan To Gay and to ae other Wight, We awe our thanks baith Day and Night, Wha did frae rust and rubish dight Blyth British Tunes; Which ane & a’ began to Slight 50 For outland Crunes, Crunes prick’d, where Princes poor with Pride, To silly saftness Sangsters ride, Shou’d we to freedom born, abide, Sic fosie Notes; 55 Notes that throw’ unkend language Slide, And cheepand Throats. Katty His Ballads a’ we blythly sung, The merry made baith auld and young, And shall while Britons have a Tongue, To sing our say Be still in Vogue, and praises rung; To gentle Gay. How snackly could he with a Sneer, Jybe Chiels that sell their Sauls for Gear; Nor past he Porter, Prigg, or Peer, That fell in’s way Nane hit their Blots mair snell and Clear, Than Gabby Gay.

60

65

Susan O! canty Lad, what did’st thou mean, 70 With Sunday’s Coat, and Owrly clean, To leave our Bughts and bleer our Een, To seek Renown — Frae Ribbons blue and Ribbons Green, In London Toun. 75 Had ony of them e’er the Grace, To heez thee to some idle Place; A daft attempt in thee alace. O’er mickle Wit And Honestly bleez’d in thy face, 80 That mark to hit. Katty Yet dear Clarinda (bonnier nane, Wha grace the court, or glad the Plain) 298

Notes to Uncollected Poems Great, Good, and Bountifou did Deign In gracious way 85 To prop, to Credit, and Maintain The Aefauld Gay. His Worth she tented, lik’d his Sang, And rais’d him frae the Vulgar thrang; May a’ her years be blyth and lang 90 We Sooth=fast Pray, Wha frae laigh Poortith’s wissen’d fang Preserv’d our Gay. Susan Waesme! as saft as I shall keek, On his bound Book, and Shepherd’s week, 95 Saut Tears will flood adoun my Cheek It shou’d be sae, Since lang and bootless we may seek, For ane like Gay—— I’m sure the Show=fouk o’ the Stage, 100 Wha mint to mend the Gawky Age, Will ne’er play o’er his Op’ra page Withouten Grief, For him wha bauldly durst engage Wi’ ilka Thief 105 Frae Thieves that under Coro’nets hide, And in their Coach and Sixes ride, To them wha o’er the Country wide, Demand your Purse; Throw’ a’ their Crooks he was our Guide, And their great Curse.

110

Katty His Roundels a’ were snod and sweet, Well taught he how to wawk the Street, On drouthy Days, in Wind and Weet, His Sonnet tells; 115 How we frae mischiefs, we might meet, Should shield our Sells. Like snacky Easop too right slee, He with a’ Ranks of Men made free, And wyl’d us frae our fau’ts wi’ Glee 120 And Moral Saws; Mair pithy, Men of Sense agree, Than stonkard Laws.

299

Poems Susan If honest Teachers have a right, To swell where never was a Night, If tunefu Sauls rise ever bright, Sure virtuous Gay; Lous’d frae his Cares tow’rs to the Height Of Bleezing Day.

125

But see my Lass yon sooty Cloud, 130 Is burning with a stormy Thud Lets kilt our coats and hame=o’er Scud And cease to mourn, For tho our Een should rain a Flood, He’ll ne’er return.— 135 1. ‘Blythsome Johnny’s’ (MS) [not ‘Johnny’s’] Before l.4, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘and drive’. 7. ‘to Lublin Clout doun to the swain’ (MS) [not ‘doun to the swain’] 8. ‘from what that’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 19. ‘I got be tongue I often sung’ (MS) [not ‘I often sung’] 25. ‘Bowsie’ (MS) [not ‘Boswie’] ‘Easop’: Greek fabulist and storyteller Aesop; Gay published a collection of Fables in 1727. Before l.39, the MS has the following cancelled lines: to Rustick friends upon the down what wind can blaw what brings the sparkling poly doun 43. ‘ffrae’ (MS) [not ‘frae’]; ‘court sae fine dinsom Burgh’ (MS) [not ‘dinsom Burgh’] Before l.44, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘wher a’ in Tricks & Laces shine’ 48. In the margin at l.48, Ramsay has these words in a vertical list: ‘Beet meet feet sweet street greet’. Before l.49, the MS has these cancelled lines: use lang in Brugh and Gentle Guise where Rogues Blunt honesty despise Maist welcom Poly Come Poly Before l.54, the MS has ‘in usual Guise’. Before l.56, the MS has ‘by heaving to your Mouth your wame’. 56. ‘fash Sulzied’ (MS) [not ‘Sulzied’] Before l.58, the MS has ‘withouten grace’. 62. ‘amiss shall against’ (MS) [not ‘against’] 68. ‘therefore o gay for thee’ (MS) [not ‘therefore’] Before l.75, the MS has two stray, partially cancelled lines: for tho like to Shepherds he wad sing yet with great Ease 75. ‘with and blates maidens and Bishops’ (MS) [not ‘and Bishops’] 84. In the margin at l.84, the MS has these words in a vertical list: ‘mauld auld wald’. 300

Notes to Uncollected Poems Before l.84, the MS has the following draft stanza, which is cancelled by a vertical line: To John Gay whose Sonnets bauld restired the springs brushdys anew blyth tunes grown auld or British grouth that better wald 84. ‘paintland pictland’ (MS) [not ‘pictland’] ‘Pictland’: an area of Scotland north of the Firth of Forth which was formerly inhabited by the Picts. 87. ‘springs tunes’ (MS) [not ‘tunes’] 88. ‘when whilk’ (MS) [not ‘whilk’] 89. ‘Sencles Sauls’ (MS) [not ‘Sauls’] Before l.90, the MS has: ‘Crunes in a preist Riden’. 93. ‘notes notes springs’ (MS) [not ‘notes’] 100. ‘kicked of gae a kickd at’ (MS) [not ‘kickd at’] 101. ‘like sprang frae his clay like he sprang away’ (MS) [not ‘like he sprang away’] 102. ‘Prior’: Matthew Prior (1664-1721), English poet and diplomat; ‘Addison’: Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English author and politician; ‘Steel’: Sir Richard Steele (bap.1672-1729), English writer and politician. 104. ‘delightfu beloved four’ (MS) [not ‘beloved four’] To the Right Honourable Susana Countes of Eglinton The Muse’s Salutation… Text: MS at NLS (2618), fair copy. Additional MS: Huntington (HM 211), fair copy, 4 lines shorter than the NLS MS. First published: STS III, pp.230-31, with HM MS as copy-text. Each line in the HM text ends with a comma; there is no end-line punctuation in the NLS MS. Title: ‘To the Rt Honble Susana Countes of Eglintoun The Muse’s Salutation, on New years Day 1733 after the late sickly weather’ (HM) [not ‘To the Right Honourable Sŭsana Countes of Eglintoun The Muse’s Salutation after the late bad weather Preceeding this New-years Day MDCCXXXIII’ ‘Susana Countes of Eglintoun’: literary patron and society hostess Susanna Montgomerie (née Kennedy), Countess of Eglinton (1689/90-1780), to whom Ramsay’s GS was also dedicated. For further information on Montgomerie, see ‘On Seeing the Archers diverting themselves at the Buts and Rovers’, printed in Poems (1728). 1. ‘Sun, with all his healsome Rays,’ (HM) [not ‘Sun with A’ his haelsome rays’] 2. ‘Southren’ (HM) [not ‘Sutheran’] 3. ‘& short our Days’ (HM) [not ‘and Scrimp our days’] 4. ‘naked, and blashy,’ (HM) [not ‘naken and blashy’] 5. ‘leaf wav’d’ (HM) [not ‘leafe wave’d’] 6. ‘the meadows’ (HM) [not ‘meadows’] 8. ‘Heights were of a wisened’ (HM) [not ‘heights were a’ of wisned’] 9. ‘waxd heavy, sour &, dowf’ (HM) [not ‘was heavy sour & dowf’] 10. ‘dumb’ (HM) [not ‘Dumb’]; ‘reeds’ (HM) [not ‘Reeds’] 12. ‘&’ (HM) [not ‘and’]; ‘Heads’ (HM) [not ‘heads’] 301

Poems 13. ‘Lazy south wind tholl’d’ (HM) [not ‘lazy south-wind thol’d’] 14. ‘to hover thick, oerchang’d with Death’ (HM) [not ‘to hang in clouds pang’d fou of Death’] 16. ‘Cauld, & gasp’d for breath’ (HM) [not ‘Cauld & scarce could breath’] 17. ‘Eglintoun,’ (HM) [not ‘Eglintoun’] 18. ‘Heaven,’ (HM) [not ‘Heaven’] 19. ‘her’ (HM) [not ‘Her’]; ‘Blosoms’ (HM) [not ‘Blossoms’] 20. ‘a’ (HM) [not ‘some’] 21. ‘ffair,’ (HM) [not ‘Fair’]; ‘Great’ (HM) [not ‘great’] 25. ‘humane’ (HM) [not ‘Humane’] 31. ‘return,’ (HM) [not ‘return’]; ‘this’ (HM) [not ‘the’] ‘Phoebus’: Greek god Apollo as the god of the sun. 32. ‘Shining’ (HM) [not ‘shining’] 34. ‘Her’ (HM) [not ‘her’] 35. ‘best of’ (HM) [not ‘hand-waild’] 37-40. These lines are not in HM. 41. ‘Thule’: ancient Greek and Latin name for the most northerly region in the world. 44. ‘and rise’ (HM) [not ‘that’s far’] 45. ‘things,’ (HM) [not ‘things’]; ‘Gracefu’ (HM) [not ‘gracefu’] 46. ‘mean,’ (HM) [not ‘mean’]; ‘puffd’ (HM) [not ‘blawn’] 47. ‘Solid,’ (HM) [not ‘Solid’] 48. ‘Beauty, and Honour,’ (HM) [not ‘beauty &’ Honour]; ‘divide’ (HM) [not ‘devide’] 49. ‘world’ (HM) [not ‘warld’] 50. ‘that you’ve’ (HM) [not ‘you’ve’]; ‘happylie’ (HM) [not ‘hapylie’] 51. ‘Eglintoun, the Standard’ (HM) [not ‘Eglintoun the Standart’] The NLS MS is signed ‘A R’ under the final line of text. AIR I. What shou’d a Lassie do with an old man? Text: The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries (Edinburgh, 1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.86). The following fourteen songs are found in MS in the BL. Twelve of the fourteen, including this one, were printed in the Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries (Printed and Sold by Allan Ramsay, 1733), from which their copy-text is taken. The Devil of a Duke, written by Robert Drury and based on Aston Cokayne’s Trappolin Creduto Principe, was first published in London by Charles Corbett in 1732: this London edition features twenty-two songs. Ramsay’s Edinburgh edition, published the following year, features an additional sixteen songs, mostly set to Scottish tunes; of these songs, twelve are in draft in the Egerton MS. Two additional songs, numbered in the MS as if destined for the Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke, do not make it into the final ballad opera: these are ‘Song 1. I have a soft spirit & do what I dou’ and ‘Song 10. John Anderson my Jo’. Furthermore, the Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke contains four additional songs which are not in the original London edition, nor in Ramsay’s MS, although some are set to tunes associated with him. These are ‘Air XXVI. Let’s be jovial’ (first 302

Notes to Uncollected Poems line ‘’Tis Wine that clears the Understanding’), ‘Air XXVIII. Come Neighbours now (‘While ploting Statesmen, form dull Schemes’), ‘Air XXXI. Fy gar rub her o’er wi’ Strae’ (‘Sparks unheeded, quickly blazing’) and ‘Air XXXIV. I wish my Love were in a Mire’ (‘Inconstant Youth! Behold a Maid’). These songs may be by Ramsay but, given that they do not appear in the Egerton MS, as the other fourteen do, they are not considered as being of his secure authorship here. Ramsay uses all four tunes elsewhere: ‘Let’s be jovial’ is in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection (c.1725, pp.12-13); ‘Come Neighbours Now’ is used for ‘The Haymaker’s Song’ in TTM IV; ‘Fy gar rub her o’er wi’ Strae’ is utilised in GS, and ‘I wish my Love were in a Mire’ is the melody for ‘To Chloe’, which Ramsay printed in Poems (1728) and TTM I. ‘Let’s be jovial’ is found in The Triumph of Bacchus: or, the Delights of the Bottle (London, 1729). Given that these were well-known tunes at the time, the additional four songs may have been provided by an additional contributor. The STS editors present Ramsay’s fourteen songs for The Devil of a Duke according to their own imposed numbering system (‘Song 1’ through to ‘Song 14’), thereby giving the impression that they were all part of the 1733 Edinburgh edition of the ballad opera (IV, pp.264-69). This was not the case: here, the songs are titled and numbered as per their first printing in the Edinburgh edition of the play. The songs which were published in that edition take the printed version as copy-text; variants with the MS are given in the notes. The unpublished songs are presented separately here, with the copy-text taken from the Egerton MS. This song is the first in the Edinburgh edition (pp.3-4). The tune – ‘What should a Lassie do wi an Auld Man?’ – was first published in Oswald’s Caledonian Pocket Companion 6 (1760). See also J.M., ‘Allan Ramsay’ in Notes and Queries, Vol. s2-VI, issue 133 (17 July 1858), p.47. Title: ‘p 19 naughty man Song 2d’ (MS) not ‘AIR I. What shou’d a Lassie do with an old man?’ General: Singer 1 noted in MS as ‘flamieta’ [not ‘Flam.’] 1. ‘O shoud Wanton fancy’ (MS) [not ‘Ah! shou’d wanton Fancy’] 2. ‘Shoud’ (MS) [not ‘Shou’d’] 3. ‘Lov’d’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d’] 4. ‘You’ (MS) [not ‘you,’] 5. ‘Shoud’ (MS) [not ‘Shou’d’]; ‘charming Beauty’ (MS) [not ‘dearest Beauties’] 6. ‘’twoud’ (MS) [not ‘they’d’] 7. ‘you shoud’ (MS) [not ‘You’d then’] 8. ‘try, then’ (MS) [not ‘Try, — and’] AIR II. Willy was a wanton Wag Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.86). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. The tune to which this song is set is also used by Ramsay in TTM II (first line: ‘Willy ne’er enquire what End’). Title: ‘Song 3d’ (MS) [not ‘Air II. Willy was a wanton Wag’] Notes: MS cue ‘Trap not that I care much for virtue neither’ 1. ‘Would’ (MS) [not ‘Wou’d’]; ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘a’]; ‘fashion’ (MS) [not ‘Fashion’] 303

Poems 2. ‘wealthy Safe & Wise’ (MS) [not ‘wealthy, safe and wise’] 3. ‘Passion’ (MS) [not ‘Passion’] 4. ‘Virtue learning fame despise’ (MS) [not ‘Virtue, Learning, Fame despise’] 5. ‘rapacious bold & florid’ (MS) [not ‘rapacious, bold and florid’] 6. ‘prize’ (MS) [not ‘Prize’] 7. ‘vices’ (MS) [not ‘Vices’]; ‘horid’ (MS) [not ‘horrid’] 8. ‘men us’ (MS) [not ‘us’]; ‘& Wise’ (MS) [not ‘and wise’] MS does not include the final cue ‘This clears, &c.’ AIR III. The Lads of Dunse. Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.86v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. The tune to which the song is set first appears in John Walsh’s Compleat Country Dancing Master (1731) and thereafter in Daniel Wright’s Aria Di Camera (1735). Title: ‘p 21 Song 4th’ (MS) [not ‘Air III. The Lads of Dunse’] Notes: in MS subtitled ‘Lads Duns | never Blown on my Lord —’, cued ‘Trap:’] 1. ‘Complying’ (MS) [not ‘Complying,’] 2. ‘Free &’ (MS) [not ‘free, and’] 3. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 4. ‘Loves pain with it’ (MS) [not ‘Love’s Pain with its’] 5. ‘Smiles’ (MS) [not ‘Smiles,’]; ‘fire’ (MS) [not ‘Fire’] 6. ‘iz’ (MS) [not ‘Is’]; ‘Temper & age’ (MS) [not ‘Temper and Age’] 7. ‘her’ (MS) [not ‘Her’]; ‘glances’ (MS) [not ‘Glances’] 8. ‘our heart’ (MS) [not ‘Our Hearts’]; ‘A’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 9. ‘her power’ (MS) [not ‘Her Power’] 11. ‘charms’ (MS) [not ‘Engagements’]; ‘ther’s’ (MS) [not ‘there’s’] 12. ‘She will’ (MS) [not ‘she will,’] AIR IV. Almansor Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.86v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. The tune has not been traced elsewhere, although it may have a connection to John Dryden’s play, The Conquest of Granada (1672), which features Almanzor and Alimahide. Title: ‘Song 5 Almanzor’ (MS) [not ‘Air IV. Almansor’] Notes: subtitled ‘had only prayd togither’; cued ‘Lavinio’ in MS 1. ‘Buxom’ (MS) [not ‘buxome’] 3. ‘ffops’ (MS) [not ‘Fops’]; ‘arround’ (MS) [not ‘around’] 4. ‘Say’tis’ (MS) [not ‘say they’re’] 5. ‘pleasure’ (MS) [not ‘Pleasure’] 6. ‘untill’ (MS) [not ‘Until’]; ‘Brought’ (MS) [not ‘brought’] 7. ‘chest’ (MS) [not ‘Chest’] 9. ‘for Robers are every where loose Sir’ (MS) [not ‘For Robbers are rank in this loose Age’] 304

Notes to Uncollected Poems 10. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 12. ‘’till’ (MS) [not ‘Till’]; ‘good use sir’ (MS) [not ‘good usage’] AIR V. O’er Boggy Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.87). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay also utilises the tune in his GS; the full musical note for that usage can be found in that volume. ‘O’er Boggy’ is first found in print in Mrs Crockat’s Music Book (1709), as well as in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725). It is featured in ballad operas including John Gay’s Achilles (1733) and John Watts’s Highland Fair (1733). Title: ‘Song 6 5 Tipling John’ (MS) [not ‘Air VI. O’er Boggy’] Notes: cued ‘[B]runeta – vengance reach’ in MS 1. ‘Quit’ (MS) [not ‘quit’] 2. ‘Batle’ (MS) [not ‘Battle’] 4. ‘Annother’ (MS) [not ‘Another’] 5. ‘annothers’ (MS) [not ‘another’s’] 6. ‘Contention’ (MS) [not ‘Contention’s’] 8. ‘hungry’ (MS) [not ‘hungry,’] 9. ‘Spy’ (MS) [not ‘Spy,’]; ‘Mistress’ (MS) [not ‘Mistris’] 10. ‘sūit’ (MS) [not ‘Suit’] 11. ‘Quits’ (MS) [not ‘quits’]; ‘fears &’ (MS) [not ‘Fears, and’] 12. ‘togither’ (MS) [not ‘together’] 13. ‘Hinderers shocks Mend Dogs &’ (MS) [not ‘Rivals shock Men, Dogs and’] 14. ‘gentle’ (MS) [not ‘Gentle’] 15. ‘fieght for Mistress’ (MS) [not ‘fight for Mistris’] 16. ‘somthing’ (MS) [not ‘something’] AIR VI. Colin’s Complaint Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.87). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Although Ramsay does not provide tune titles in TTM III, ‘Colin’s Complaint’ is the tune used for ‘Grim King of the Ghosts’ in that volume. The tune is also found in D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy (1720) and Watts’s Musical Miscellany (1729), as well as in Gay’s Beggar’s Opera (1729, as ‘Can love be controlled by advice’) and Watts’s play, The Devil to Pay, or the Wives Metamorphos’d (1731). Title: ‘Song 6 colins complaint’ (MS) [not ‘Air VI. Colin’s Complaint’] Notes: cued ‘Lavino – secured you in my heart’ in MS 1. ‘Bark’ (MS) [not ‘Bark,’] 2. ‘distance’ (MS) [not ‘Distance’] 4. ‘lands’ (MS) [not ‘Land’s’] 5. ‘virtue’ (MS) [not ‘Virtue’] 6. ‘return,’ (MS) [not ‘return’] 7. ‘current of vice’ (MS) [not ‘Current of Vice’] 8. ‘’till’ (MS) [not ‘Till’] 305

Poems AIR XII. What tho’ they call me Country Lass Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.87v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay uses this tune for his ‘Altho’ I be but a Country Lass’, ‘To its ain tune’, in TTM II. The tune is associated with the early eighteenth-century ballad of the same name by Martin Parker; it was first printed in D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy (1700) and is also in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725). Title: ‘Song 7th what tho they call me country Lass’ (MS) [not ‘Air XII. What tho’ they call me Country Lass’] Notes: cued ‘[T]rapents good fayr farewell’ (MS) 1. ‘Duke’ (MS) [not ‘Duke,’] 2. ‘come courtiers flatter fawn & ly’ (MS) [not ‘Come, courtiers, flatter, fawn and lie’] 4. ‘by’ (MS) [not ‘by,’] 5. ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 6. ‘face’ [not ‘Face’] AIR XIV. My Deary, if thou die Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.87v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay also uses this tune in TTM I, for the song beginning ‘Love never more shall give me pain’; it is listed in the Leyden Lyra Viol MS (c.1692) and is printed in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of Scots Song (1725-26) and Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius, Vol. II (1733). Title: ‘Song 8 — my Deary if thou die’ (MS) [not ‘Air XIV. My Deary, if thou die’] Notes: cued ‘wish performd flametta’ (MS) 1. ‘faling new falen’ (MS) [not ‘new fallen’]; ‘apears’ (MS) [not ‘appears’] 2. ‘Spotles virgins Name’ (MS) [not ‘spotless Virgin’s Fame’] 3. ‘bosom’ (MS) [not ‘Bosom’] 4. ‘form & frame’ (MS) [not ‘Form and Fame’] 5. ‘Soild her luster’ (MS) [not ‘soil’d, her Lustre’] 6. ‘the admiring’ (MS) [not ‘Th’ admiring’] 7. ‘mud defiles’ (MS) [not ‘Mud, defiles’] AIR XVI. My Dady forbad Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.88). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. The tune is also used by Ramsay for his ‘My Dady forbad, my Minny forbad’ in TTM I. Title: ‘Song 10 doing mischief’ (MS) [not ‘Air XVI. My Dady forbad’] 1. ‘hang dogs’ (MS) [not ‘Hang-dogs’] 3. ‘pimping by flattery & lying’ (MS) [not ‘Pimping, by Flatt’ring and Lying’] 6. ‘favours they are selling & Buying’ (MS) [not ‘Favours they’re selling and buying’] 306

Notes to Uncollected Poems 7. ‘wee’ll’ (MS) [not ‘we’ll’] 9. ‘wee’ll’ (MS) [not ‘we’ll’]; ‘frown’ (MS) [not ‘frown,’] 12. ‘oun’ (MS) [not ‘own,’] AIR XIX. Hap me with thy Petticoat Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.88v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay uses the tune in GS; the full musical note can be found in that volume. The air is first found in the Gairdyn MS (f.43v) and is first printed in Neals’s Celebrated Collection of Irish Tunes (1724) as ‘Long Absence’; it is also printed in Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius (1725). Title: ‘Song 12 11’ (MS) [not ‘Air XIX. Hap me with thy Petticoat’] Note: introduced ‘Trap | Thou shall not fare the worse for that – didst thou | Love this same Trapolin’ (MS) 1. ‘Loves’ (MS) [not ‘Love’s’] 2. ‘and pamperd priests’ (MS) [not ‘Love, pamper’d Priests,’] 3. ‘men’ (MS) [not ‘Men’] 4. ‘Witlings in their punns’ (MS) [not ‘witling in their Puns’] 5. ‘delight in praise’ (MS) [not ‘Delight in Praise’] 6. ‘Clean’ (MS) [not ‘clean’] 7. ‘Lov’d I’ (MS) [not ‘lov’d I,’] 8. ‘Poor Banishd’ (MS) [not ‘My banished’] AIR XXII. Yellow-hair’d Laddie Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.88v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay uses this tune in his GS; the full musical note is found in that volume. Title: ‘yealow haird’ (MS) [not ‘Yellow-hair’d’] Note: number 12 in margin of MS, with ‘Divine Prudentia’ noted. 1. ‘Riches Descent’ (MS) [not ‘Descent,’] 2. ‘inchant’ (MS) [not ‘enchant’]; ‘manner &’ (MS) [not ‘manner, and’] 4. ‘while others value naught nothing but wit in a wif’ (MS) [not ‘Some value nothing but Wit in a Wife’] 5. ‘Prudentia dear Choice’ (MS) [not ‘dear Choice’]; ‘excellencys’ (MS) [not ‘excellencies’] 7. ‘ane Enemie’ (MS) [not ‘an Enemy’] 9. ‘now without Blushing’ (MS) [not ‘now, without Blushing,’] 10. ‘since a A’ (MS) [not ‘A’]; ‘cause to rejoyce’ (MS) [not ‘Cause to rejoice’] 11. ‘sinc’ (MS) [not ‘since’]; ‘min’ (MS) [not ‘mine’] 12. ‘on and cherisht’ (MS) [not ‘on’t and cherish’t,’]

307

Poems AIR XXXVI. Nansy’s to the Green Wood gane Text: The Devil of a Duke (1733). MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.89v). See also notes for ‘Air I. What sho’d a Lassie do with an old man?’. Ramsay used this tune in his GS; the full musical note can be found in that volume. Beyond GS, the tune is featured in Stuart’s Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of Scots Songs (1725-26?) and in Cibber’s ballad opera Patie and Peggy; or, The Fair Foundling (1730). Title: ‘Nansy to the Green wood gane’ (MS) [not ‘Nansy’s to the Green Wood gane’] Notes: ‘17’ in margin, ‘Lavino’ as speaker in MS. 1. ‘restored’ (MS) [not ‘restor’d’] 2. ‘falshood’ (MS) [not ‘Falshood’] 3. ‘Joys ring oer the plain’ (MS) [not ‘Joy reign o’er the Plain’] 5. ‘events in life’ (MS) [not ‘Events in Life’] 6. ‘clouds their meaning’ (MS) [not ‘Clouds their Meaning’] 7. ‘pain’ (MS) [not ‘Pain;’] 8. ‘they are then most are’ (MS) [not ‘they then are’] 9. ‘Now Since I’m no more to be a Duke can be’ (MS) [not ‘Since I no more a Duke can be’] 10. ‘farwell to all that’s stately the fasheous Grandure stately’ (MS) [not ‘Adieu to all that’s stately’] 11. ‘Come fflamie then let thee & me’ (MS) [not ‘Come, Flamie, e’en let thee and me’] 12. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 13. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘and tho’ (MS) [not ‘Altho’’] 15. ‘joys’ (MS) [not ‘Joys’] 16. ‘petts of pride & plenty’ (MS) [not ‘Petts of Pride and Plenty’] Song 1t Text: BL (Egerton 2023, f.86). First published: STS IV, p.264. As explained in the notes for ‘What shou’d a Lassie do with an old man?’, this song is one of two songs found in MS at the BL which were drafted for Ramsay’s 1733 Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries, but did not make it into the printed text. The tune to which the song is set is not indicated in the MS. Before l.1, the MS has Trap speak have a young heart song 1t 2. ‘Trapoling’ (MS) [not ‘Trapolin’] 7. ‘constant carles adres his conquests complete love seems complet’ (MS) [not ‘constant adres his love seems complet’]

308

Notes to Uncollected Poems Song 10 – John Anderson my Jo Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.88). First published: STS IV, p.267. Like the previous song – ‘I have a soft spirit and do what I dow’ – it was written for Ramsay’s 1733 Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries, but did not feature in the printed text. The tune – ‘John Anderson My Jo’ – is used twice by Ramsay in TTM: it accompanies the song beginning ‘What means this Niceness now of late’ in TTM I, and ‘’Tis not your Beauty, nor your Wit’ in TTM II; the full musical note can be found in TTM I. The tune is dated by Mary W. Stuart to the mid-1500s, and it is collected in the Rowallan (c.1612-28) and Skene (1615-20) MSS. In the eighteenth century, it is featured in the Agnes Hume MS (c.1704); Ramsay’s use of it in TTM is its first printing. ‘Song 10 – John Anderson my Jo’ is preceded in the Egerton MS (f.87v) with the following dialogue, presumably destined for the Edinburgh edition of The Devil of a Duke in order to introduce the song: well my lord this fine speech of yours woud do well if it wer sung come you must sing it — (Barb) what means your Grace Sing! your Highnees will please to pardon me I cannot Sing nor would it well become the person you have honoured. Trap) you ought to study our pleasure – sing Quickly I say we Love musick strike up ther ye Sons of Cats guts [?] to the tune of let me see – ay Jo Anderson my Jo s 6. ‘Heir ’ (MS) [not ‘Heirs’] The song concludes with another piece of dialogue: Trap ye say right well but did not you thus with Trapolin – you know you’ve Banishd him, to get his Lass vile Barbarinio Why— To the Memory of Alexr Strachan Sometime School Master in Pennycuik Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4486). First published: STS IV, pp.281-82. This poem accompanies a poem entitled ‘Paraphrase of Mr Strachan’s Epitaph’, ‘in what may be Sir John Clerk’s hand’ (STS, VI, p.193). Cancellations and additions in the MS are indicated below. Title: Alexander Strachan or Strauchan, schoolmaster of Ramsay’s friend and patron Sir John Clerk: ‘I was put to the school of Pennecuik after my Mother died, and found a very careful master in the persone of one Mr. Alex. Strauchan, only that, according to the bad custome of these times, he was too severe a disciplinarian. I learnt from this never to suffer any man to use my children and young friends as if born to be slaves’ (Clerk, Memoirs, p.10). 309

Poems 4. ‘Taz’: the tawse, a leather strap or thong, divided at the end into narrow strips, used in school discipline. 11. ‘Stygian’: referring to the River Styx, the boundary between earth and the underworld in classical mythology. 12. ‘Charon’: the ferryman who conducts souls across the River Styx to the underworld after death. 19. ‘Cerberus’: the many-headed dog who guards the gates to the underworld. 24. ‘^soon’ (MS) [not ‘soon’] ‘Elysian’: a reference to Elysium, the afterlife for the good and the heroic in Greek mythology. To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry on her departure from Scotland July 15th 1734 Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4337), fair copy. Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.99-100), draft. First published: STS III, pp.178-80, as ‘[Another Poem to the Duchess of Queensberry, c.1723]’. Both the title and the of the STS printing are erroneous because the editors saw only the BL text, which is four lines longer than the NRS fair copy. Our use of the NRS fair copy demonstrates that, rather than being written for the Duchess of Queensberry on her arrival in Scotland in 1723 as the STS editors supposed, it was written for her departure more than a decade later, in July 1734. The NRS fair copy has stanza numbers in the left margin. Title: Catherine Douglas, Duchess of Queensberry (1701-77); see also ‘On the Birth of the… Marquis of Dumlanrig’, ‘Accept my Lord these honest Lays’, ‘A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery’ and ‘Queensbery’s Come Thrice welcome Fair’. The BL MS draft does not have a title, and features the following doodle at the head of f.99:

1. ‘Why from us these plains does fair Clarinda move stray’ (BL) [not ‘Why from us does Clarinda stray’] The BL MS has a cancelled line here: when She’s by all ador’d admire’d 2. ‘When from them us so much in love’ (BL) [not ‘from us so much in Love’] 3. ‘coud’ (BL) [not ‘Could’]; ‘engadge’ (BL) [not ‘engage’] 9. ‘placed’ (BL) [not ‘place’d’] 11. ‘virtues’ (BL) [not ‘merits’]; ‘graced’ (BL) [not ‘grace’d’] ‘James’ written in the margin at this point in the BL MS. 12. ‘divine’ (BL) [not ‘Divine’] Three cancelled lines are in the BL MS after l. 12: with awfull yet a fond regard Her excelence we view ffarwell O fairest sweetest 310

Notes to Uncollected Poems 13. ‘Ah’ (BL) [not ‘Ah!’] 14. ‘Pan [?] rays sun’ (BL) [not ‘sun’] 16. ‘sae’ (BL) [not ‘so’] 17. ‘Calidonia cease to cease to’ (BL) [not ‘Callidonia cease to’] 18. ‘&’ (BL) [not ‘and’] 19. ‘touring Lofty’ (BL) [not ‘Lofty’]; ‘Rocky coast Plenteous coast’ (BL) [not ‘plentyous coast’] 21. ‘heads’ (BL) [not ‘Heads’] 22. ‘Bless’ (BL) [not ‘bless’] 23. ‘She that for so’ (BL) [not ‘she so’]; ‘gracd’ (BL) [not ‘grace’d’] 24. ‘advanced’ (BL) [not ‘advanct’] The BL MS has two cancelled half lines before l. 25: Hope her return ye Brave & fair who 25. ‘Hoper’ (BL) [not ‘Hope’] 26. ‘tend want tend’ (BL) [not ‘tend’] 27. ‘but and not never foolishly ungratefully’ (BL) [not ‘but never foolishly’] 28. ‘ye’ (BL) [not ‘we’] The BL MS has a cancelled phrase before l. 29: ‘why Shoud’ 29. ‘idle fondnes shoud’ (BL) [not ‘Sighing fondness Should’] 31. ‘& bluster Loud’ (BL) [not ‘and Tempest loud’] 32. ‘our frosts Rains and wintry Roring wind’ (BL) [not ‘of Rains and Roaring wind’] 33. ‘frost &’ (BL) [not ‘frosts and’] 34. ‘Burry’ (BL) [not ‘bury’]; ‘the our’ (BL) [not ‘our’] 35. ‘the and winter Spates that over plain oer flow’ (BL) [not ‘These winter spates that overflow’] 36. ‘and and’ (BL) [not ‘When’]; ‘that’ (BL) [not ‘that’s’] 37. ‘Returning’ (BL) [not ‘returning’] 41. ‘then with Elated’ (BL) [not ‘Then with a fuller’] 42. ‘Spring & summers Joys sweet’ (BL) [not ‘Spring and Summer’s sweet’] 43. ‘that’ (BL) [not ‘that’s’] 44. ‘Joys are then more’ (BL) [not ‘pleasure’s more’] 45. ‘dear’ (BL) [not ‘bright’] The BL MS has a cancelled half-line after l. 46: ‘when the fair sun’ 47. ‘Rays nurse up the Crop’ (BL) [not ‘rays nurse up the Crops’] 49. ‘pictland’ (BL) [not ‘Pictland’] 50. ‘train’ (BL) [not ‘Train’] 51. ‘Sweets & Joys’ (BL) [not ‘Smiling Sweets’] 52. ‘Pleasure to Scotias’ (BL) [not ‘delights to Scotia’s’] 53. ‘healthy years length of days’ (BL) [not ‘Length of Days’] 54. ‘soundes’ (BL) [not ‘soundest’] 55. ‘your a’ (BL) [not ‘a’] 56. ‘Best poets song’ (BL) [not ‘best poets Song’] The BL MS has an additional stanza at this point, not included in the NRS MS: Long save his Grace your the Noble Shield of all that’s Good & fair Long with his Bow to adorn our field with all his virtues rare 311

Poems To Dr. Robinson, when at Edinburgh, July 30th, 1734 Text: Notes and Queries (Series 3, Vol. 7), January-June 1865, p.355. No MS. W. Carew Hazlitt contributes the text to Notes and Queries, where he explains that it was found ‘On the fly-leaf of a copy of Allan Ramsay’s Poems’; the original MS has not been traced. Hazlitt adds that in ‘the original there is no pointing’: in the STS edition (III, pp.231-32), the text is therefore stripped of all punctuation and capitalisation at the beginning of the lines. In the absence of the ‘original’, the text as printed in Notes and Queries is preserved here. William Carew Hazlitt (1834-1913) was a prolific bibliographer and author. Title: ‘Dr Robinson’: probably Bryan Robinson (1680-1754), Irish physician and author whose ‘first publication was a translation of a work on conic sections (1704). He also published an account of the inoculation of five children at Dublin in 1725 and wrote on Newton’s aether (1743 and 1747), food (1747), and medicines (1752)’ (G. Le G. Norgate, rev. Jean Loudon, ‘Robinson, Bryan’ in ODNB). His major work is Treatise of the Animal Oeconomy (1732-33), a Newtonian account of animal motions. Ramsay was interested in Newton’s theories; see also ‘Ode To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton’, which Ramsay published in 1727 and reprinted in Poems (1728). 2. ‘crefauld’ is printed in the Notes and Queries text; this is probably a mis-transcription of Ramsay’s Scots. ‘Aefauld’, which signifies one who is ‘single-minded, simple-hearted, honest, faithful’ (SND), is likely to have been the term used by Ramsay in the original poem. 4. ‘sunny side of the Brae’: if Ramsay’s recipient is Bryan Robinson, he may refer here to Robinson’s Dublin home, to the west of Britain and thus on the ‘sunny side’. 13. ‘Queensberry’: Charles Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry (1698-1778) and his wife Catherine ‘Kitty’ Hyde, Duchess of Queensberry (1701-77) were Ramsay’s patrons, having both subscribed to both editions of Poems (1721 and 1728). See also ‘Ode on the Birth of the… Marquis of Dumlanrig’, ‘To the Duke of Queensberry’, ‘Queensberys Come Thrice welcome fair’ and ‘To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry’. 15. ‘Quarto’: as Ramsay asserts in ‘To my unknown Corospondent in Irland’, his Poems (1728) were ‘in Quarto at a Guinie’ (l.45). The STS editors state that ‘five hundreds’ is a ‘reference to the profit Ramsay made’ (VI, p.148) from his Poems, but it is equally possible that he refers to his subscribers here, who numbered 441 for Poems (1728). ‘Sprung from the Brave Maccalinmore’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.101v-102). First published: STS III, pp.232-33, as ‘[An Elegy on the Countess of Moray]’, dated to 1734. The text has no title in MS, but Ramsay’s reference to ‘Lady Morray’ (l.16) indicates that the poem’s addressee is Lady Anne Campbell (1657/58-1734), daughter of prominent politician and clan leader Archibald Campbell, ninth Earl of Argyll (1629-85), and his second wife, Lady Mary Stuart (1628-68). Anne Campbell’s first husband was Jacobite nobleman Richard Maitland, 312

Notes to Uncollected Poems fourth Earl of Lauderdale (1653-95); following Maitland’s death, she married Charles Stuart, sixth Earl of Moray (c.1660-1735), also a Jacobite. Campbell died in 1734, giving us the likely date for the poem’s composition. Before l.1, the MS has the following partial draft stanza: Sprung from the Brave Mccolinmore whose ye Bards who merit best proclaim sing her descent in Lasting lays Blaze sing the brave line stem chief of which whom she came that have through ages Heroes seen Succeeding a Line of 1. ‘Maccalinmore’: Campbell’s father was Archibald Campbell, clan chief, who was ‘called in Gaelic, Mac Culein Mor’ (STS VI, p.148). 4. ‘still that’ (MS) [not ‘that’] 5. ‘the good the noble chief a chief of worth & might’ (MS) [not ‘a chief of worth & might’] 6. ‘Breast heart’ (MS) [not ‘heart’]; ‘warms move’ (MS) [not ‘move’] 7. ‘Dear in’ (MS) [not ‘in’] 8. ‘Campbells ever Stuarts’: Campbell’s second marriage to Charles Stuart; Ramsay also alludes to the marriage of Campbell’s parents, Archibald Campbell and Mary Stuart. Before l.9, the MS has ‘John—’ in the margin. 10. ‘Adieu whose’ (MS) [not ‘whose’]; ‘noble mind now spirit’ (MS) [not ‘noble spirit’] 13. ‘ever fresh as fragrant young’ (MS) [not ‘fragrant young’]; ‘that glad shall’ (MS) [not ‘shall’] 14. ‘& Lasting unfading’ (MS) [not ‘unfading’] 16. ‘good Lady’ (MS) [not ‘Lady’] After l.16, the MS has ‘The Generous’ Before l.17, the MS has ‘On ffortha’s shore in woefull dool’ 17. ‘fortha’: the River Forth, which runs through the Central Belt and drains into the North Sea at the Firth of Forth on Scotland’s east coast. 18. ‘nothing Nought’ (MS) [not ‘Nought’] 20. ‘each all’ (MS) [not ‘all’] Before l.21, the MS has a cancelled stanza: Now heavy Dool damps every face tears gush flood these Cheeks she causd to smile while with a great yet easy Grace She greatness mixt with all that’s good while gushing flows the Briny flood Before l.25, the MS has ‘Mourn all you that’

313

Poems ‘The weets awa the morning fair’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.109-10). First printed: STS III, pp.233-35, titled ‘[In Praise of Caroline]’ and dated to c.1735. The STS editors date the text on the basis that if Ramsay’s reference to ‘fifty winters’ (l.16) is taken ‘literally, we can assign this poem to c.1735’ (VI, p.149). Critical consensus is that he was born in 1684; if then, ‘fifty winters’ refers to the span of Ramsay’s own life, the poem was probably written in 1734. Before l.1, the MS has ‘Allan’, suggesting that Ramsay originally cast himself as the poet/speaker in the poem; later, the poet/speaker is ‘Bard’. 3. ‘throw a the are singing throw shaws are singing’ (MS) [not ‘are singing throw [the] shaws’] 6. ‘sŭck’ (MS) [not ‘suck’] 12. ‘rural Landart’ (MS) [not ‘Landart’] After l.12, and before the stanza spoken by ‘Muse’, the MS has ‘Thal’, perhaps suggesting that Ramsay’s poetic dialogue was initially between himself and Thalia, the eighth classical Muse who presided over pastoral and comedic poetry. 15. ‘borrowed een’: the STS editors consider this suggests ‘that Ramsay wore glasses’ (VI, p.149). 17. ‘now thy youthfu spirit flames now’ (MS) [not ‘now thy youthfu flames’] Before l.20, the MS has ‘My health & Blythness yet remain’ 24. ‘My Gentle Shepherds’: Ramsay’s GS. Before l.25, the MS has ‘I’m blyth hew’ 25. ‘Then I’m’ (MS) [not ‘I’m’]; ‘Dowf’ (MS) [not ‘Dowf’] Before l.33, the MS has ‘and has declared she wanna wear’ 41. ‘Bairs shoud wear Bony Breed’ (MS) [not ‘Bony Breed’] 42-44. ‘Should nae mair… hamlet cleathathing dress[ed]’: an allusion to Ramsay’s song, ‘On our Ladies being dressed in Scots Manufactory at a publick Assembly’, printed in TTM III (Dublin, 1729), and his ‘The Fair Assembly’ on Edinburgh’s aristocratic dancing assembly, printed in Poems (1728): an advertisement of 15 February 1728 recommended that ‘all ladies and gentlemen come to the assemblies twice a year dressed entirely in the manufactory of the country, and that “at all times thereafter no linen or lace be worn in this assembly but what shall be made in great Britain.”’ (James Balfour Paul, The Scots Peerage, Vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1910), p.25). 45. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 46. ‘gae twine’ (MS) [not ‘twine’]; ‘bleach it fair’ (MS) [not ‘bleach it fair’] 48. ‘clead mony a on ilka’ (MS) [not ‘on ilka’] 52. ‘Spanzie’: ‘Spanish, belonging to Spain, of a Spanish breed’ (SND). 56. ‘quick and clever’ (MS) [not ‘clever’] Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes Text: An Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes, To the pious Author of An Essay upon improving and adding to the Strength of Great Britain and Ireland by Fornication. To which is added, An Epistle to the said Author, by another Hand (Edinburgh: Ramsay, 1735). 314

Notes to Uncollected Poems MS: BL (Egerton 2023, ff.102v-6v). The title page of the poem’s anonymous first printing has an epigraph from Horace: ‘Ridiculum acri/Fortius & melius magnas plerumque secat res.’ This quotation, from Satires, Book I, Satire 10, translates as ‘Ridicule usually/Cuts through things better, more swiftly, than force.’ The Essay upon improving and adding to the Strength of Great Britain and Ireland by Fornication was published pseudonymously in Edinburgh by ‘Rev. Dr. Philosark’ in 1735. Julie Peakman identifies ‘Dr Philosark’ as Daniel McLauchlan, who was ‘later imprisoned in England as the author of An Essay. The Church ex-communicated McLauchlan in 1737’ (Peakman, Mighty Lewd Books: The Development of Pornography in Eighteenth-Century England (Basingstoke, 2003, p.211). McLauchlan was a minister in Ardnamurchan parish who probably intended his Essay to be satirical, but as Ramsay’s poem demonstrates, suffered a significant public backlash at its publication. There is no end-line punctuation in the MS, which was added by the printer. There are 30 unnumbered stanzas in the printed version. In the MS, Ramsay numbers the stanzas, only on the first page. Stanza 1 (ll.1-6), stanza 14 (ll.79-84) and stanzas 24-49 (ll.139-74) do not feature in the MS. Several new – or alternative – stanzas appear throughout, in the following order: 2, new, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, at least two new stanzas, 15, 16, 17, new, 6, 18, 19, at least two new stanzas, 30. Title: ‘Laugh Lads A’ (MS), [not ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes.’] 7. ‘Doun doun with the Repenting Stools’ (MS) [not ‘Down, down with the Repenting-Stools’] 8. ‘that’ (MS) [not ‘That’]; ‘young lovers’ (MS) [not ‘Younkers’]; ‘fools’ (MS) [not ‘Fools’] 9. ‘’fore A’’ (MS) [not ‘before’] After l.9: ‘for now a Reverend Learned Mess John young Devine’. 10. ‘now a youth of pious fame’ (MS) [not ‘thou, learn’d Youth, of rising Fame’] 11. ‘nowther sin nor shame’ (MS) [not ‘neither Sin nor Shame’] 12. ‘fornication’ (MS) [not ‘FORNICATION’] The MS has an additional stanza here, which is not part of the printed text: Increase & multiply’s the word The order and punishment attends the Horder of Talents of Talents that are stable very of Talent usefull Then A ye young & hearty Band Obey this first and great Comand as Lang as ye are able Before l.13: ‘Now whilk about like Bissy Bees’. 13. ‘ye Lusty Lads now take ye’re wills’ (MS) [not ‘Now Lads laugh a’, and take your Wills’] 14. ‘Scowr about like Toops &’ (MS) [not ‘scowp around like Tups and’] After l.14: ‘Nae Beauty spare’. 15. ‘have at the Bony’ (MS) [not ‘Have at the bony’] 16. ‘for’ (MS) [not ‘For’] 17. ‘the dear divine has powed your the way’ (MS) [not ‘Our Clergy-man has clear’d the Way’] 18. ‘ffathers’ (MS) [not ‘Fathers’] 315

Poems 19. ‘Wores Our silly Dads lyd dount to accursd with wives’ (MS) [not ‘Our Donard Dads, snool’d with their Wives’] 20. ‘scart & girn’ (MS) [not ‘girn and scart’] After l.20: ‘because they durst na change them’. 21. ‘death’ (MS) [not ‘Death,’] 22. ‘but’ (MS) [now ‘But’]; ‘free’ (MS) [not ‘free,’]; ‘dows &’ (MS) [not ‘Cocks and’] 23. ‘we may may dras Lawfully may’ (MS) [not ‘We lawfully may’] 24. ‘turn’ (MS) [not ‘wheel’] 25-6: partly illegible due to MS water damage. 25. ‘metled man’ (MS) [not ‘mettled Man’] 26. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 27. ‘Lawfull’ (MS) [not ‘lawfu’’]; ‘fornication fornication’ (MS) [not ‘Fornication’] 28. ‘Mony mae Bairs with far less din’ (MS) [not ‘Bairns mony mae, with far less Din’] 29. ‘freed & be mair usefu’ (MS) [not ‘free, and be mair usefu’’] 30. ‘day &’ (MS) [not ‘Day and’] 31-6. These lines, as printed, appear later in the MS, on f.105v, with no stanza number ascribed. 31. ‘Then tillt ye Lads & Lasses Braw’ (MS) [not ‘Thus we may PATRIOTISM shaw’] 32. ‘Lets serve our countrey ane & A’ (MS) [not ‘And serve our Country ane and a’’] Before l.33: ‘by fornicating soundly’. 33. ‘fruitfu fornication’ (MS) [not ‘fruitfu’ Fornication’] 34. ‘fully’ (MS) [not ‘bravely’]; ‘fleet’ (MS) [not ‘Fleet’] 35. ‘and make our armys mair complet’ (MS) [not ‘Thus make our Regiments a’ complete’] 36. ‘from debts our’ (MS) [not ‘frae Debts the’] 37. ‘nor will we ever now ever’ (MS) [not ‘Hence shall we never mair’] Before l.39: ‘Poor Things who used to Die are out[?]’. 38. ‘leading Apes in Hell’: the fate of unmarried women after death, according to contemporary proverb. 39. ‘that’ (MS) [not ‘wha’]; ‘harld’ (MS) [not ‘harl’d’] 40. ‘Threescore & ten years or a sighing life up to fourscore’ (MS) [not ‘And useless Life up to Fourscore’] 41. ‘Maiden that’ (MS) [not ‘Maidens, and’]; ‘wherfore’ (MS) [not ‘wherefore’] 43. ‘for Bessys now bet looking blate without a blush’ (MS) [not ‘The Mimmest now, without a blush’] 44. ‘may ask of ony banner[?] youngster from willy Tam or Pate sprush’ (MS) [not ‘May speer, if any Billy sprush’] 45. ‘will draw upon her Beauty’ (MS) [not ‘Has Fancy for her Beauty’] After l.45: if they incline the favour to grant the the sma favour

316

Notes to Uncollected Poems 46. ‘he’ll answer with a smack & squees’ (MS) [not ‘For since the Awband’s tane away’] 47. ‘My Lassie soon as e’er ye please’ (MS) [not ‘The bony Lass has nought to say’] 48. ‘’tis now a [?]han duty’ (MS) [not ‘Against a moral Duty’] 49-54. These lines, as printed, appear later in the MS, on f.103v. 49. ‘Adultry’ (MS) [not ‘Adultery’]; ‘indee the warse’ (MS) [not ‘the warst’] 50. ‘and hauls doun vengance on our Times’ (MS) [not ‘And calls for Vengeance of these Times’] 51. ‘throw’ (MS) [not ‘in’] 52. ‘sin’ (MS) [not ‘Sin’] 53. ‘turn out of door’ (MS) [not ‘turn’d out of Door’] 54. ‘by sweeter franker fornication’ (MS) [not ‘By franker Fornication’] 55-60. These lines, as printed, appear before ll.49-54 in the MS. 55. ‘Rejoyce ye men with wha’ve in Daughters mony plenty Rife’ (MS) [not ‘Peace be to you in Daughters rife’] 56. ‘seek a wife’ (MS) [not ‘be a Wife’] After l.56: ye need na care abeit they’re twenty for Tocher now they need na 57. ‘Ther’ (MS) [not ‘Their’]; ‘need na’ (MS) [not ‘winna’] 58. ‘univeral’ (MS) [not ‘universal’]; ‘Cramond’ (MS) [not ‘Crammond’] ‘Cramond’: a village outside Edinburgh, at the River Almond as it enters the Firth of Forth. Ramsay’s reference to ‘That universal ane of Crammond’ is obscure. The economist John Law, recipient of Ramsay’s ‘To Mr. Law’, grew up on the family estate of Lauriston at Cramond. Alternatively, Sir John Inglis of Cramond, second Baronet (1683-1771), Postmaster General for Scotland, had four sons: Adam (1714-72), John (c.1716-99), Patrick and Charles (1731-91). Ramsay’s reference may be to any or none of these contemporaries. 59. ‘a ilka good Gamond’ (MS) [not ‘a good Gammond’] 60. ‘sett’ (MS) [not ‘set’]; ‘lassie’ (MS) [not ‘Lassie’] 61. ‘But ther will be ae Loss some skaith alace’ (MS) [not ‘Yet some by your New Light will lose’] ‘New Light’: an allusion to two sects in the Church of Scotland; the ‘New Lights’, who focused on personal salvation, and the ‘Old Lights’, who remained in sympathy with the principles of the Covenanters. In 1733, just before the poem’s publication, many ministers had left the Church of Scotland in the First Secession, and formed the Associate Presbytery. This long-standing dispute led, in 1747, to a further split over the Burgher Oath, which obliged town burgesses to affirm the religion ‘presently professed in this kingdom’: opponents of the Oath became known as Anti-Burghers. 62. ‘will happen to will folow for the Men of Grace’ (MS) [not ‘For those wha Kirk-Affairs engross’] 63. ‘Kirk they session Books may burn all wha sitt in the Kirk-session’ (MS) [not ‘Their Session-Books may burn all’] 64. ‘since now that forny’s fornication’s pipes put out’ (MS) [not ‘Since Fornication’s 317

Poems Pipe’s put out’] 65. ‘they’ll naithing have to crack about’ (MS) [not ‘What will they have to crack about’] 66. ‘Jot’ (MS) [not ‘jot’]; ‘Journall’ (MS) [not ‘Journal’] 67-68. ‘K. T.’: the Kirk Treasurer who, in the contemporary Church of Scotland, was responsible for collecting fines from fornicators. He was assisted by his ‘Man’; Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on John Cowper’ memorialises Cowper as ‘Kirk-Treasurer’s Man’. 67. ‘and he that Judas of the Kirk’ (MS) [not ‘Even fell K.T. that gart us ban’] 68. ‘Clipt Treasurer and the eeke [cancelled] stirk’ (MS) [not ‘And eke, that setting Dog, his Man’] 69. ‘may ware three Whoors / on use their whingers’ (MS) [not ‘May turn Italian Singers’] ‘Italian Singers’: the castrati, popular Italian singers who were castrated before puberty to maintain a soprano voice. 70. ‘A Rape a fathom of or neck lace St Johnston Ribon’ (MS) [not ‘Or use a teugh St. Johnston Ribbon’] ‘St. Johnston Ribbon’: ‘A Rope. A Tyburn Necklace’ (Glossary, 1721); i.e. a noose. 71. ‘gain’ (MS) [not ‘Gain’]; ‘Glib’ (MS) [not ‘glib’] 72. ‘fingers’ (MS) [not ‘Fingers’] The MS has cancelled partial lines before l. 73: Their dear Diana is nae mair Shes falen 73. ‘houers & Late’ (MS) [not ‘Hours, and late’] 74. ‘need’ (MS) [not ‘Shall’]; ‘Bawdy houses waite’ (MS) [not ‘Bawdy-houses wait’] 75. ‘like’ (MS) [not ‘Like’]; ‘Rattans mouses mice’ (MS) [not ‘Mice’] 76. ‘fond of fending’ (MS) [not ‘Fund of Fending’] 77. ‘fornicators’ (MS) [not ‘Fornicators,’] 78. ‘price’ (MS) [not ‘Price’] 79-84, or stanza 14, do not feature in the MS. 85. ‘The But fornicators now groun Auld’ (MS) [not ‘Poor Fornicators, now grown auld’] Before l.87: will girn whan the reflect ont will grumble at their ill fortune at their ill luck 87. ‘Grumble’ (MS) [not ‘grumble’] Before l.88: ‘to snib the snarling of their conscienc’. 88. ‘labours’ (MS) [not ‘Fashry’]; ‘throu’ (MS) [not ‘throw’] 89. ‘for slown dints’ (MS) [not ‘Dear DOCTOR,’] 90. ‘direction’ (MS) [not ‘Direction’] Before l.91: That in their youdith were perplext with them that frae the Haly Text Spake ill of fornication 318

Notes to Uncollected Poems 91. ‘ye’r sells ye priests’ (MS) [not ‘your sells, ye Priests’] 92. ‘cawing us’ (MS) [not ‘naming kind’] 93. ‘for’ (MS) [not ‘When’] 94. ‘you’l nae mair take offence’ (MS) [not ‘ye’ll cease to take Offence’] 95. ‘With’ (MS) [not ‘At’]; ‘Wives’ (MS) [not ‘Wives,’] ‘Lucky Spence’: well-known Edinburgh brothel madam who died c.1719. She was commemorated by contemporary poets, including Ramsay in his ‘Lucky Spence’s Last Advice’, printed in Poems (1721). 96. ‘famous’ (MS) [not ‘usefu’’]; ‘Needhame’ (MS) [not ‘Needham’] ‘Mother Needham’: Elizabeth Needham (d.1731), London brothel-keeper featured in William Hogarth’s satirical etchings entitled A Harlot’s Progress and Pope’s Dunciad. Needham’s brothel was frequented by London’s social elites. Before l.97: now nowf such matrons will shine in fame Look doun ye matrons frae your star providing ye’re won up sae far 97. ‘doun up ye matrons’ (MS) [not ‘up, ye Matrons,’] 98. ‘glorious’ (MS) [not ‘pious’] 99. ‘usefu calling procuring’ (MS) [not ‘procuring’] Three cancelled, illegible lines appear in the MS after l.99. 100. ‘opposite to vice far frae being a crime’ (MS) [not ‘far frae being a Crime’] After l.100: ‘that shall Ladys pious’. 101. ‘Ladys’ (MS) [not ‘Devotees’] 102. ‘may lend a hand to whooring teach the hale art of whooring’ (MS) [not ‘May lend a Hand to Whoring’] The MS features a new stanza, inserted before l.103, with a cross in the margin suggesting it be removed: when Blood is het & pulse Beats high Should we not answer nature’s Cry And seek the Stokering[?] potion since frae the Sacred Text ye prove at the dear Bubling font of Love we may drink will devotion 103. ‘Nae mair shall the Lasses blate Lass think shame’ (MS) [not ‘The Fair ane, frighted for her Hame’] 104. ‘to look upon their heaving wame’ (MS) [not ‘Shall, for her Kindness, bear nae Blame’] 105. ‘Kirk censure graple’ (MS) [not ‘Kirk-censure grapple’] 106. ‘that gart them aft’ (MS) [not ‘Whilk gart some aft,’] 107. ‘bring’ (MS) [not ‘Bring’]; ‘luckles’ (MS) [not ‘luckless’] 108. ‘cut its infant Thrapple’ (MS) [not ‘sneg its Infant-Thrapple’] 109. ‘which’ (MS) [not ‘which,’]; ‘unhalowd fellows’ (MS) [not ‘unhallow’d Fallows’] 110. ‘surrounded beguarded’ (MS) [not ‘surrounded’]; ‘Galows’ (MS) [not ‘Gallows’] 111. ‘Ruefu murgeons’ (MS) [not ‘reufu’ Murgeons’] 112. ‘where’ (MS) [not ‘‘Till’]; ‘pulse’ (MS) [not ‘Pulse’] 319

Poems 113. ‘there swingd & sang && swang & sank away’ (MS) [not ‘“They sang, they swang, and sank away’] 114. ‘and syne were gien to the surgeons’ (MS) [not ‘Syne were gi’en to the Surgeons’] After l.114: A sad reward to that poor Beauty wha at first been doing her duty wha after she had done her duty 115. ‘Doctor’ (MS) [not ‘Leader,’] 116. ‘its nae sin’ (MS) [not ‘’tis nae Sin’]; ‘Whoor’ (MS) [not ‘Whore’] Before l.117: for some auld fashiond people Spite of your proofs the Contrair threep 117. ‘for but some in Sacred’ (MS) [not ‘For some in haly’] 118. ‘threep’ (MS) [not ‘threep,’]; ‘even miscaw’ (MS) [not ‘fair abuse’] 119. ‘but I believ’t + say cause I (fair fa ye)’ (MS) [not ‘But we’ll aft drink your Health and ruse ye’] Before l.120: ‘for I love fornication’. 120. ‘delight in fornication’ (MS) [not ‘For rusing Fornication’] 121. ‘wee need na doubt but a’ the undoubtedly the snarling Clergy’ (MS) [not ‘we might forsee, the canker’d Clergy] 122. ‘With will now with Hetrodxy charge ye’ (MS) [not ‘Wad with vile Hetrodoxy charge ye’] Before l.123: ‘The spitefu Brethren canna thole’. 124. ‘fate’ (MS) [not ‘Fate’] 125. ‘Reformers who’ (MS) [not ‘Reformers, wha’’] 126. ‘strugle to oer-gang’ (MS) [not ‘struggle to o’ergang’] 127. ‘but let nae that their Ill word desturb ye’ (MS) [not ‘But letna their ill-world disturb ye’] 128. ‘it’s but a blast they canna Curb ye’ (MS) [not ‘’Tis but a Blast, they canna curb ye’] 129. ‘devotions’ (MS) [not ‘Devotions’] 130. ‘Britton’ (MS) [not ‘Briton’] 131. ‘and as his fancy takes the fikes’ (MS) [not ‘And, as his Fancy takes the Fykes’] 133. ‘ye Be well assured your doctrine new’ (MS) [not ‘Be satisfied, your Doctrine new’] 134. ‘will be well tane favourd be by not a few’ (MS) [not ‘Will favour find with not a few’] Before l.135: ‘and tho ye’r Kirk ye tine be’t’. 135. ‘so’ (MS) [not ‘sae’] 136. ‘and alho it twin ye & ye’r Kirk’ (MS) [not ‘And tho’ they kick ye frae their Kirk’] 137. ‘sma Skaith’ (MS) [not ‘sma; Skaith’] 138. ‘wee’ll make ye a braw meeting’ (MS) [not ‘We’ll make ye a bra Meeting’] After l.138 the MS has lines which do not appear in the printed text:

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Notes to Uncollected Poems There generously well pay our dues if ye keep Beds instead of pews The great & sma will [illegible] Wher Mothers May come proudly And hand their blooming daughters fair to ony man who will bid mair to do the to fornicate aroundly Faith this [Devotion?] will gae doun New Usage and tak in Country & in Toun with pleasure every Rake & [Loun?] 139-144. These lines, as printed, are not in the MS. 142. ‘Patron Act’: the Scottish Church Patronage Act (1711), entitled ‘An Act to restore the Patrons to their ancient Rights of presenting Ministers to the Churches vacant in that Part of Great Britain called Scotland’, was designed to enable patrons to regain their control of Church of Scotland parish churches, which they had lost in the Revolution of 1688. 143. ‘Marrow Pack’: the Scottish religious dispute known as the Marrow Controversy. The dispute followed the publication in 1718 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity, believed to have been written by seventeenth-century theologian Edward Fisher, which was condemned as antinomian by the Church of Scotland General Assembly in 1719. At the Assembly of 1721, a group of ministers including Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine, Thomas Boston and James Hog stated their support for the prepositions of The Marrow of Modern Divinity. The group was known as the Marrow Men or, in this case, the ‘Marrow Pack’: some of its members would secede from the Church of Scotland in 1733 to form the Associate Presbytery, which later led to the formation of the United Secession Church. 145. ‘Thanks & renown be ever Thine’ (MS) [not ‘The fattest Stipend shou’d be thine’] 146. ‘O Daring Sencible Divine’ (MS) [not ‘Thou pious and maist pure Divine’] 147-50. These lines, as printed, are entirely different from the equivalent stanza in the MS: who in a few Learnd pages who like Kitt Columbus now discovers a pleasing World to young Lovers unkend to ages bypast ages 151-162. These lines, as printed, are not in the MS. 163. ‘ffaith that will do & met me tell ye’ (MS) [not ‘Your Scheme must take; for, let me tell ye’] 165-8. In the MS, these lines vary from the printed text, and feature heavy revision: and marion [mause?] Bess & Maudy and a’ of your profession ilk Lasses frae her Ladie fair proffessors need will never want to Stanch therr her Grenny 321

Poems the mimest may [illegible] when taught by you to tell their meanry the mimest need not [minch?] her speak There since you have banishd Bawdy of course you have cow aff Bawsy 169-174. These lines, as printed, are not in the MS. 175. ‘Doctor farwell and never stint’ (MS) [not ‘Doctor, farewell, O never stint’] 176. ‘to [illegible] crack & preach to pen write & print’ (MS) [not ‘For Love’s sweet Sake to preach and print’] 177. ‘to they’. 178. ‘small punishments’ (MS) [not ‘sma’ Punishments’] 179. ‘has is’ (MS) [not ‘us’]; ‘reward’ (MS) [not ‘Reward’] 180. ‘pish ilka think before ye’ (MS) [not ‘In Persecution glory’] Epistle to the Reverend Philosarchus Minister of the Kirk of Scotland Text: An Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes (Edinburgh, 1735). It is not by Ramsay, but by the ‘other hand’ specified in the edition’s full title. Like the previous poem – Ramsay’s own ‘Address of Thanks’ – it is written in response to Daniel McLauchlan’s controversial Essay upon improving and adding to the Strength of Great Britain and Ireland by Fornication, published in 1735 under the pseudonym of ‘Rev. Philosarchus’. According to the STS editors, the poem is ‘a parody of the metrical psalms’ (VI, p.124). The poem’s epigraph is from Virgil’s Bucolics, Eclogue IV (ll.13-14), and translates as ‘any traces of our evils that remain will be cancelled,/while you lead, and leave the earth free from perpetual fear.’ 9-12. This stanza is an allusion to Virgil’s Eclogue IV, which provides this poem’s epigraph: the Eclogue focuses on the Golden Age, and praises Roman politician Pollio, in whose consulship ‘this noble age begins,/and the noble months begin their advance’ (ll.11-12; ‘Teque adeo decus hoc aevi, te Consule, inibit,/Pollio; et incipient magni procedere menses’). According to classical mythology, Saturn was sovereign of the gods who, after attempting to prevent his deposition by devouring his own offspring, was overthrown by his son, Zeus. In general usage, the ‘Golden Age’ refers to the period in classical mythology regarded as the first and best age of humankind; it also refers to a time of peace, prosperity and happiness. 13. ‘Ovid’: Publius Ovidius Naso, also known as Ovid (43BC-17AD), Roman poet of the Augustan age known for his Metamorphoses (alluded to here), Ars Amatoria and Fasti. 18. ‘Cowgate’: an area of the old town of Edinburgh. 21. ‘Repenting-stool’: used in the Church of Scotland in the eighteenth century as a place for punishment and humiliation for sinners, usually those found guilty of fornication. 41. ‘bedral’: beadle, a church official who attended the minister. In the eighteenth century, the ‘bedral’ would sometimes assist with grave digging or bell ringing.

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Notes to Uncollected Poems To the Countes of Eglintoun with the bass relief Bustos of the 12 Cesars Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.14). First published: STS III, p.235. It is likely that the poem dates to c.1735, given that, on the evidence of Ramsay’s correspondence, ‘casts in bas-relief of medals and other objects was a hobby Ramsay undertook about 1735’ (STS VI, p.150). The poem is addressed to literary patron and society hostess Susana Montgomerie, Countess of Eglinton (1689/90-1780), to whom Ramsay dedicated his GS and ‘To the Right Honourable Susana, Countes of Eglintoun The Muse’s Salutation’. ‘12 Cesars’: Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus’s De Vita Caesarum, known as The Twelve Caesars, a collection of biographies of Julius Caesar and the first eleven emperors of the Roman Empire; alongside Caesar, they outline the lives of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. Dalkeiths Welcome to Her prince Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.107-8v). First published: STS III, pp.236-38. Title: Francis Scott, second Duke of Buccleuch (1694/95-1751), son of James Scott, Earl of Dalkeith (1674-1704/5) and Lady Henrietta Hyde (c.1677-1730). On his father’s death, he was styled Earl of Dalkeith, and succeeded as Duke of Buccleuch in 1732. Scott was a Representative Peer for Scotland from 1734 to 1741. Before l.1, the MS has these cancelled lines: Again the Lovd propitious Day Heven is Kind Returns my Welcome 2. ‘slow calm’ (MS) [not ‘calm’] Before l.3: ‘Be clear ye skys’ 5. ‘fflora’ (MS) [not ‘Flora’]; ‘painted’ (MS) [not ‘painted’] ‘Flora’: Roman goddess of flowers; ‘Ceres’: Roman goddess of grain crops, fertility and agriculture. 12. ‘Grateful’ (MS) [not ‘Grateful’] Before l.17: ‘Goodnes & Greatnes’ Before l.19: Propitious Heaven preserves him Lord With health & Joys the subject of 19. ‘Heaven power’ (MS) [not ‘power’] Before l.17: ‘wha happyly neer attend the nod’ 30. ‘Breath dwell’ (MS) [not ‘dwell’] 37. ‘In Sunday weeds your best array’ (MS) [not ‘in best array’] 40. ‘phebus’: classical god Apollo in personification of the sun. 42. ‘blythly sweetly’ (MS) [not ‘sweetly’] 47. ‘delights and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] Before l.49: ‘Thrice happy people’ 49. ‘shining’ (MS) [not ‘shining’] 323

Poems Before l.53: ‘O may the Rests of’ Before l.55: ‘Coppy from him ye chiefs’ 58. ‘when who’d’ (MS) [not ‘who’d’] Before l.59: Leave distant courts Like great Beccleugh 59. ‘our great Brave’ (MS) [not ‘our Brave’] 60. ‘ane h the esteem Love’ (MS) [not ‘the Love’] Before l.63: ‘Ther meet These Honours that are justly us due’ 65. ‘Blended with that respect humble’ (MS) [not ‘with that humble’] 66. ‘for you all them aught you Hazards dangers will to’ (MS) [not ‘them ought you will to’] 68. ‘will even’ (MS) [not ‘even’] 69. ‘us’ (MS) [not ‘us’] 71. ‘with Let’ (MS) [not ‘Let’] Before l.73: Croud with His Life with every 73. ‘hoŭrs’ (MS) [not ‘hours’] 76. ‘cheviot Hills’: run across the Anglo-Scottish border; ‘John a Grots’: John o’ Groats, Caithness, the most northerly village in Scotland. ‘frae twenty five to five & forty,’ Text: MS at NLS (2968, f.25), within a letter from Ramsay to Duncan Forbes of Culloden, 15 April 1736. First published: STS IV, pp.203-4; not printed in STS Poems. The poem also features in a letter to John Smibert, dated 10 May 1736: this MS is non-holograph, being a transcript of the letter and poem, probably by Allan Ramsay Junior, in EUL (Laing II.212, f.33). For Forbes, see ‘Epistle To the Honourable Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate’, printed in Poems (1728) and ‘To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden’, which dates to August 1737. For Ramsay’s relationship with artist John Smibert, see ‘Epistle to a Friend at Florence’, printed in Poems (1721). 3. ‘Pegasus’: winged horse of Greek mythology thought to have created the fountain of Hippocrene, sacred to the Muses; also representative of poetic inspiration. Allan Ramsay to John Wardlaw Text: Scots Magazine 59 (August 1797), p.611. No MS. Title: John Wardlaw, son of Alexander Wardlaw, Chamberlain to Charles Fleming, seventh Earl of Wigton; see also Ramsay’s ‘Inscription on the TombStone of Mr. Alexander Wardlaw’, published in Poems (1728). A letter to the editor from ‘N.’ of ‘Albanach, May 27. 1797’ in the same edition of the Scots Magazine in which the poem was first published provides further context and provenance for the ‘Epistle to John Wardlaw’. ‘N.’ states: ‘I’m delyted wi’ the 324

Notes to Uncollected Poems cantie Allan’s rants; as I kent him weell, and was affen in cumpany wi’ him frae June 1743 till Aprile 1745… I canna be sicker as to the time he was ta’en awa’ frae us: but John Wardlaw, (son to Alexander, Chamberlain to Earl Wigton) in spring 1757 tauld me, that he flippet the grupp, either end of fifty-sax, or beginning of fifty-seven… John Wardlaw ga’e me a very nice familiar epistle o’ Allan’s to him (for they warr unca gritt frien’s and lang cronies) putting him in mind of sum anualrent due, in a most humorous, canty stile, weell wordie o’ a place amang his ither warks, and which being inclosed, craves room in the Scots Magazine’ (p.534). 6. ‘Fergus furst’: Fergus I, thought to have been the first Scottish king, who came from Ireland to assist the Scots against the Picts and Britons; ‘Octave James’: James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), known as the Old Pretender, son of James VII of Scotland. On his father’s death, he claimed the Scottish, English and Irish throne as James VIII of Scotland and III of England but, although he was recognised by French King Louis XIV as the rightful heir, he was prevented from taking the crown by William III and Mary II, who had been on the throne since 1688. The Jacobite risings were attempts to restore James to the throne. 22. ‘Borrows town’: a burgh. After the closing line, the poem is dated ‘From my Palace on the Castle Bank of Edinr June 5th, 45 minutes after 6 o’clock att night, A. D. 1736, and of our age the 51st year.’ ‘His Majesty, Heaven guide His Grace,’ Text: Caledonian Mercury, 2 August 1736. No MS. It is accompanied by the following headnote in its first printing: Saturday last the City Plate was won by a Horse of Sir James Cuningham of Milncraig’s, against two English Horses, one of which was distanced at the very first Heat. On which Occasion we received the following Piece of Poetry. Ramsay had written on the annual Edinburgh horse race known as Leith Races before: his ‘Inscription on the Gold Tea-pot, gain’d by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig, Bart.’ and ‘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’ were both published in Poems (1721). This poem’s reprinting in the London Magazine for August 1736 (p.455) establishes Ramsay’s authorship: here it is signed ‘A. Ramsay’, and is accompanied by a slightly different contextualising introduction: When the City Plate of 40.l. was run for on the Sands of Leith, it was won with great Ease by Sir James Cunningham of Milncraig’s Grey Mare, the Bonny Lass of Livingston, against two English Horses. On which occasion we received the following Piece of Poetry. Sir James Cunynghame of Milncraig, second Baronet (c.1685-1747): MP for Linlithgowshire from 1715 until 1722, when he was defeated by George Dundas. His petition was presented on four occasions, and rejected by the House in 325

Poems 1726. He attempted to re-enter Parliament in 1734 but was defeated by government supporter Alexander Hamilton. Cunnyngham was a subscriber to both the 1721 and 1728 editions of Ramsay’s Poems. 3. ‘Leith-sands’: the annual horse race was run on the sands of Leith, outside Edinburgh, at low tide. 45. ‘Bonny Lass of Livingston’: Cunynghame’s horse, as Ramsay states, but also the name of a tune first printed in Playford’s A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (1700) and thereafter in Wright’s Aria di Camera (1727). Ramsay printed the song in his TTM I. To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Session Text: To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden (Edinburgh, 1737), dated 27 July, copy at NLS (6.1081 (5)). No MS. The poem is reprinted in the Gentleman’s Magazine for August 1737 (p.507). Ramsay had addressed Duncan Forbes of Culloden in the past: his ‘Epistle To the Honourable Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate’ was printed in Poems (1728); see also the notes accompanying that poem. Forbes was the cousin of Ramsay’s key patron, John Forbes of Newhall, and a subscriber to Ramsay’s editions of 1721 and 1728. The subject of Ramsay’s poem is the Licensing Act of 1737, which banned theatrical productions in premises which did not hold a license from the Lord Chamberlain, thereby threatening Ramsay’s expensive new theatre in Edinburgh’s Carrubber’s Close. The Act deems ‘common players of interludes’ ‘rogues and vagabonds’ and was designed to suppress political comment via plays and performances. It caused specific problems for theatres outside those ‘theatres royal’ in London’s Drury Lane and Covent Garden and, given the local hostility of the Scottish Presbyterian Church to drama, Ramsay could only resist these pressures for so long, and was forced to close his theatre in 1739. 34. ‘Utile with Dulce’: the Latin phrase ‘dulce et utile’, ‘a sweet and useful thing’. 49. ‘London have its Houses twa’: the patented theatres royal in Drury Lane and Covent Garden. 53. ‘Fergus’: probably the mythological King Fergus I of Scotland, thought to have come to the throne in 330BC after arriving from Ireland to assist the Scots against the Britons and Picts. The Marrow Ballad Text: MS at NLS (1030, f.6). First published: STS III, pp.244-45. Title: the Marrow Controversy of the early eighteenth-century Scottish church. At its centre was The Marrow of Modern Divinity, a text first published by Edward Fisher in 1646 and reprinted in Scotland in 1718. The General Assembly of 1718 condemned the text as Antinomian, but some Presbyterians – soon to be known as the Marrow Men, including ministers such 326

Notes to Uncollected Poems as Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine – approved the text as scriptural. This dispute was one of the factors which led to the first Secession in the Scottish church in 1733, and the establishment of the Associate Presbytery. ‘Field meeting’: an outdoor service of the Scottish Presbyterian Church, in which communion would be taken: Burns’s ‘The Holy Fair’ (1786) is also on the worshippers’ activities during such meetings. See also Ramsay’s ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’, ‘Behold the man whose tuneful tone’ on Ralph Erskine and ‘Mr. Ebenezer Erskins Protest’. The tune to which the song is set is ‘Fy let us a’ to the Bridal’, also known as ‘An the Kirk wad Let Me Be’ (to which Ramsay sets ‘The Step-Daughter’s Relief’ and part of ‘The Satyr’s Comic Project’) and ‘The Blythesome Bridal’. Earlier lyrics to the melody were thought to have been provided by Francis Semple of Beltrees, and this version appears in James Watson’s Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Poems (1706-11). 4. ‘Erskine’: Secessionist ministers and ‘Marrow Men’ Ralph Erskine (16851752) and Ebenezer Erskine (1680-1754); ‘Mair’: Thomas Mair (1701-68). 8. ‘pettycoats Biggonets’ (MS) [not ‘Biggonets’] 11. ‘with mony’ (MS) [not ‘mony’] 23. ‘and while’ (MS) [not ‘while’] 25. ‘black stools’: the Repentance Stool or ‘cutty stool’, used in the Scottish Presbyterian Church to humiliate and punish sinners; it was a common punishment for sexual transgressions. 38. ‘Baal’: male deity of Phoenicia and Canaan; the term applies to a false god. 40. ‘right call’: in the Scottish Presbyterian Church, a minister’s invitation to join a new congregation is known as a ‘call’. To Mr James Home, Writer to the Signet Text: MS at EUL (JA 3822), inside a copy of Ramsay’s Poems (1721). First published: Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, January 1818, 2:10, p.383. The Blackwood’s contributor’s letter and transcription of Ramsay’s poem are in MS at the NLS (4003, f.197). Title: James Home, Ramsay’s associate and customer. Ramsay’s bill to Home of 23 June shows him having bought a significant number of books and play texts (STS IV, p.181); according to Smart, Ramsay also billed Home for ‘Miss Katy Halls picture by my son’ on 31 May 1736 (Smart, Life and Art of Allan Ramsay, p.14). 1. ‘two volumes’: Ramsay’s inscription to Home is in Poems (1721), i.e., Volume 1; this line implies that Ramsay gifted Home a two-volume collection, i.e., Poems of 1721 and 1728. 17. ‘Milton and your Pope’: English poets John Milton and Alexander Pope. 20. ‘Butler Matt and Gay’: English authors Samuel Butler, Matthew Prior and John Gay. Epistle to Mr H:S at London Novr 1738 Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.247-49. The dedicatee has not been identified. 327

Poems 2. ‘fforth’ (MS) [not ‘Forth’] ‘Forth’: runs through central Scotland before joining the Firth of Forth outside Edinburgh. 3. ‘Boreas’: Greek god of the north wind. 24. ‘Rhino’: slang for money. 25. ‘let as should’ (MS) [not ‘should’] 39. ‘Kirk Moderator’: the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the minister or elder who moderates the annual General Assembly, the Church’s governing body. 44. ‘Wapping’: a district of East London; ‘Pall Mall’: a street in London’s Westminster. 45. ‘Scarlet Whore’: may be a reference to a 1641 pro-Covenanter text published in England, entitled Scotlands Triumph over Rome, the second part, in which the scarlet whore stabd to the heart, a sequel to Scotlands Encouragement. Scotlands triumph in spight of Rome and Spaine, Who would curst Jericho’s wals heer builde againe (1640). The ‘Scarlet Whore’ is an alternative name for ‘Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth’ of Revelation 1:5; ‘the whore of Babylon’ was often used by Reformed Christian commentators to refer to the Roman Catholic Church. 50. ‘Dunbartane’: Dumbarton, a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, formerly the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde. 56. ‘Treasurer of the Kirk’: Kirk Treasurer, responsible for gathering fines from Scottish Presbyterian congregations, often pursuing those found guilty of sexual transgressions; see also Ramsay’s ‘Elegy on John Cowper’. 67-68. Ramsay lists plays which were performed at his own theatre in Carrubber’s Close, Edinburgh: Jean Racine’s Bajazet (1672), Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Othello, Joseph Addison’s Cato, a Tragedy (1712) and John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera (1728), whose protagonist is Captain Macheath. 69-90. An account of Ramsay’s theatre, which he had opened in November 1736 and which, thanks to opposition from the town magistrates and the Presbyterian church, he was finally forced to close in 1739. 81-82. The Scottish Covenanting movement originated from religious disputes in the reigns of James VI of Scotland and I of England and his son Charles I of England. 93. ‘Golden Calf’: an idol made by the Israelites (Exodus 32:4). 94. ‘Ralf’: probably Secessionist minister and ‘Marrow Man’, Ralph Erskine. 103. ‘ffarewell’ (MS) [not ‘Farewell’] Mr Ebenezer Erskins Protest Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.241-43. In the STS printing, it is originally dated to 1736 or 1737; later, the STS editors redate it to 1746, stating that it was more likely to have been written ‘during the disputes about the Burgher Oath’ (VI, p.151). The poem’s specific details on a specific incident allow us to pinpoint for the first time its likely date of composition. It is here dated to 1739 when, as the poem outlines, Ebenezer Erskine took action against five elders in his Stirling parish for various 328

Notes to Uncollected Poems misdemeanours, their part in a dispute with twelve law-abiding elders and the (in his view, unfair) preferential treatment of the five by the Stirling magistrates: Erskine’s ‘protest’ took place on 25 February 1739. For a full account of the affair, see Donald Fraser, The Life and Diary of the Reverend Ebenezer Erskine A.M. (Edinburgh, 1831, pp.409-13). Title: Ebenezer Erskine (1680-1754), a founder of the Scottish Secession Church, and brother of fellow minister Ralph. The brothers’ roles in the Marrow Controversy and the dispute over the Burgess Oath are commemorated by Ramsay in his ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’ and a poem on Ralph Erskine, beginning ‘Behold the man whose tunefull tone’. All three poems remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime. 4. ‘Plenipo’: abbreviation of plenipotentiary, a person invested with full, unlimited or discretionary powers or authority. 13. ‘Elders’: ordained ruling members of the Kirk Session, the Church of Scotland’s governing body. 15-25. These lines describe the actions of the Stirling magistrates who declared the five troublesome elders ‘the only Session of Stirling, while the other twelve elders, who had adhered to their ministers in the faithful exercise of discipline, were summarily condemned’ (Fraser, p.410). 17. ‘Erastin’: Erastus, Biblical chamberlain of Corinth, who features in 2 Timothy and Acts. 19. ‘Marrow Grace’: The Marrow of Modern Divinity, the text at the centre of the Marrow Controversy. 24. ‘Erastian’: an adherent to the supposed doctrines of Erastus; one who maintains the complete subordination of the ecclesiastical to the secular power. In his protest against the magistrates’ intervention, Erskine stated that it was ‘an invasion of the prerogative of Christ, a violent thrust at his own ministry, a robbery committed upon the congregation, and an injury to its lawful rulers — now thrust out by an Erastian and tyrannical authority, without any libel, process, or pretended crime’ (Fraser, The Life and Diary of Ebenezer Erskine, p.410). 26. ‘offering’: donations provided by the congregation during Church of Scotland services. As part of their action in this case, the Stirling magistrates ‘interposed their authority, by prohibiting the twelve [law-abiding elders], though “not actually suspended from any part of their office,” to collect the offerings for the poor; and by appointing the five, exclusively, to stand at the church doors for this purpose’ (Fraser, p.410). 39. ‘Inf infer’ (MS) [not ‘infer’] ‘homologation’: in Scots law, to homologate is to ratify or render valid (a deed in itself defective or informal) by some subsequent act which expresses or implies assent to it. 49. ‘intrometters’: intromitter, one who interferes or deals with the property of another in Scots law. 51-53. Ramsay names the five elders about whom Erskine protested: Henry Christie, William Maben, Robert Banks, Andrew Millar and Henry Allan. After his ‘protest’, Erskine ‘called on the congregation to make a new election of elders to co-operate with the twelve, whom he considered as the only “lawful Session”’ (Fraser, p.411). 329

Poems On George Whitefield The Strolling Preacher Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First printing: STS III, pp.250-52, missing ll.18-41 and l.68. The poem is printed in full here for the first time. Whitefield made fourteen visits to Scotland, the first being in 1741 in which, after arriving on the invitation of Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine, leaders of the Associate Presbytery, a dispute led the Erskines to denounce Whitefield as ‘a poor, vain-glorious, self-seeking, puffed-up creature’, and ‘a limb of AntiChrist’ (Luke Tyerman, The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, 2 Vols (London, 1876-77), Vol. 2, p.11). The poem’s content suggests that it was written in response to that first visit; it is here dated to 1741, as per the STS edition. Title: George Whitefield (1714-70), English Calvinistic travelling clergyman; he was a leader of Methodism and an early proponent of evangelicalism. 11. ‘Self=Sufficiency’ (MS) [not ‘Self-Sufficiency’] 14. ‘giddy=headed’ (MS) [not ‘giddy-headed’] 18. ‘Georgian Scene’: one of Whitefield’s core objectives was to raise money for an orphanage in the American state of Georgia with donations from his congregations. Construction of the Bethesda Orphanage, outside Savannah, began in 1740. This drive for donations ‘created an unfavourable impression in Edinburgh, so he adopted the habit of also raising funds for the new Infirmary’ in the city (VI, p.152). 20. ‘Merry Troop’: an acting company in Edinburgh’s main theatre, Taylors Hall. 43-44. ‘St. George’: patron saint of England, known for his slaying of a dragon. 46. ‘fflounder’ (MS) [not ‘flounder’] 57. ‘Paul and Peter’: St. Paul and St. Peter, two of Jesus’s apostles in the Christian Bible. 61. ‘Methodists Generall Reciever’: Whitefield’s key role in the early Methodist Church. 67. ‘Archimedes (c.287-c.212)’: leading Greek mathematician and inventor. 68. ‘^ who’ (MS) [not ‘who’] This line is not printed as per the MS in the STS edition; it is replaced by ‘All Hail, thou devilish deep Divine’, which appears at l.65 in the MS. 81. ‘licentioŭs’ (MS) [not ‘licentious’] 91. ‘Squinting Guide’: a reference to Whitefield’s pronounced squint; ‘Mamon’: Biblical New Testament symbol of greed for wealth, which is incompatible with Christian godliness (Matthew 6:19-24). 102. ‘Orient Jew’ (MS) [not ‘Jew’] 104. ‘Simon Magus’: a magician of the Bible’s New Testament who ‘used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one’ (Acts 8:9). He was condemned by the apostles for offering them money in exchange for ‘this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost’ (Acts 8:19). 105. ‘ffor’ (MS) [not ‘for’] 109. ‘ffools’ (MS) [not ‘fools’]

330

Notes to Uncollected Poems An Epistle Text: Scots Magazine, October 1741. No MS. Ramsay’s recipient is James Oswald (1710-69), Scottish musician, publisher and music teacher. He was author of A Collection of Minuets (1736), Curious Collection of Scots Tunes (1740-42) and the major, multi-volume Caledonian Pocket Companion (1743-59), which features many tunes adopted by Ramsay in GS and TTM. Oswald left Edinburgh for London in 1741; Ramsay’s poem commemorates his departure. 8. ‘Danton me’: the song ‘To Daunton Me’, used by his associate Joseph Mitchell in The Highland Fair, or Union of the Clans, performed in London’s Drury Lane in 1731. The tune was adapted and reset by Oswald, with new variations, and printed in his Caledonian Pocket Companion I (1743). 12. ‘Niddry’s Wynd’: a close off the High Street of Edinburgh; Ramsay had his bookshop there for many years. 13. ‘Braes of Ballandine’: probably the song ‘The Braes of Ballenden’, first printed in Oswald’s Caledonian Pocket Companion V (1760). 14. ‘Fortha’s Banks’: ‘The Banks o’ Forth’, a tune by Oswald, first published in his Scots Tunes (1740). 15. ‘Northern Lass’: composed by Oswald and published in his Scots Tunes (1740). 16. ‘Pinky-house’: Scottish song first printed by Ramsay in his TTM (1724); it later appeared in Watts’s Musical Miscellany (1731), attributed to David Rizzio, known to have been Oswald’s pseudonym. ‘Alloa’: Oswald’s tune, ‘Aloway House’, published in his Caledonian Pocket Companion I in 1743; the song was reprinted in McGibbon’s Collection of Scots Tunes I (1762). 20. ‘Lass of Inverness’: also known as ‘The Lovely Lass of Inverness’, a tune by Oswald, printed in his Caledonian Pocket Companion I (1743). 21. ‘Cypress-grove’: Oswald’s tune, published in his Caledonian Pocket Companion VI (1760). 26. ‘David Rizo’: Oswald’s pseudonym, utilised against several melodies in the second London edition of his Scots Tunes (1742), in reference to David Rizzio (c.1533-66), the Italian-born private secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose murder was orchestrated by Mary’s second husband, Lord Darnley. Dr Cunningham & his Lady’s wishes for a return to their Native Soil when sojourning in Wales Text: Huntington (HM 211), fair copy. Additional MSS: NRS (GD 331/5/5), fair copy; BL (Egerton 2023), draft. First published: Atholl Forbes, Curiosities of a Scots Charta Chest 1600-1800 With the Travels and Memoranda of Sir Alexander Dick (Edinburgh, 1897). In the STS edition (III, 252-53), the Egerton draft MS is used as copy-text, even though the Huntington version is regarded as being ‘in the final form’ (VI, p.153). The NRS MS was enclosed with a letter to Cunyngham of 18 November 1742 (GD 331.5.28.1), giving the date of composition. Title: Alexander Cunyngham (1703-85), later known as Sir Alexander Dick, 331

Poems third Baronet following his mother’s inheritance, son of Sir William Cunyngham of Caprington, first Baronet (d.1740) and Janet Dick (d.1753). At the time of the poem’s composition, he was practicing medicine in Pembrokeshire, having settled there after travelling through Europe with Ramsay’s son, Allan Ramsay Junior (1713-84). He succeeded to the baronetcy after the death of his brother William in 1746, when he returned home to the family estate of Prestonfield, Edinburgh. The ‘Lady’ to whom Ramsay refers is Cunyngham’s first wife, his cousin Janet Dick (d.1760), whom he had married in 1736. Title: ‘To the Bonny Musician in Pembroke Doctor Cunninghames Lady’ (NRS), ‘To Dr Cuninghame’ (BL) [not ‘Dr Cŭnningham & his Lady’s wishes for a return to their Native Soil when sojourning in Wales’] General: stanzas are numbered in HM, but not NRS, BL. 2. ‘sighing’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘Sighing’] 3. ‘gowanie’ (NRS), ‘green Gowanie’ (BL) [not ‘flowery’]; ‘gowden’ (NRS), ‘Gowden’ (BL) [not ‘Golden’] 4. ‘Clermiston’: one of the Dick family estates (the other being Prestonfield), near Corstorphine, Edinburgh. 5. ‘wher’ (BL) [not ‘where’]; ‘bonnyest comely’ [not ‘spreading’] 6. ‘plantings’ (NRS), ‘Plantings’ (BL) [not ‘Plantings’] 7. ‘The Hawthorn fences & the Byes Thickets & the fencing Hedge’ (BL) [not ‘the Thickest & the fencing Hedge’] 9. ‘When’ (NRS), ‘when the oft when’ (BL) [not ‘when’]; ‘Cauldwald’rians’ (NRS), ‘Cauldwalderians’ (BL) [not ‘Cadwaldrians’] ‘Cadwaldrians’: Cadwaladr was a seventh-century king of Gwynedd, Wales; here signifying the Welsh people. 10. ‘frae’ (NRS) [not ‘of’]; ‘an’ (BL) [not ‘a’]; ‘pictland’ (NRS), ‘Scotish Pictland ’ (BL) [not ‘Pictland’] Edinburgh ‘Pictland’: the area of northern Scotland formerly inhabited by the Picts. 11. ‘tūne’ (NRS), ‘tune’ (BL) [not ‘Tune’] 12. ‘a the’ (BL) [not ‘ilka’]; ‘rins’ (NRS), ‘run’ (BL) [not ‘runs’] 13. ‘Dance’ (NRS) [not ‘dance’] 14. ‘friday’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘that dear’]; ‘Hill’ (BL) ‘Height’: probably Corstorphine Hill, on the Dick estate at Clermiston, from whose summit one can see the landmarks of l.15. 15. ‘wher’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘where’]; ‘fforth’ (MS) [not ‘Forth’]; ‘from Sterling’ (BL) [not ‘frae Stirling’] ‘Forth’: runs through central Scotland past Stirling and joins the sea at the Firth of Forth; ‘Bass’: Bass Rock, a small island in the Firth of Forth, off North Berwick. 16. ‘Beautys’ (BL) [not ‘beautys’]; ‘chears’ (NRS), ‘glad’ (BL) [not ‘crowd’] 17. ‘bearded’ (NRS), ‘Bearded’ (BL) [not ‘bairded’] 18. ‘[illegible]’ (BL); ‘throw’ (BL) [not ‘through’]; ‘Bloom’ (BL) [not ‘bloom’] 19. ‘that chears the sight; & fills the Air’ (BL) [not ‘the Bees delight, which fills the Air’] 20. ‘healthyest’ (NRS), ‘healthyest’ (BL) [not ‘Cherishing’] After line 20, the BL MS deviates from the order of the fair copy MSS. Line 20 is followed by line 29 (with l. 28 inserted in the margin), then ll. 30-2, then 2 and a half cancelled lines, then ll. 21-7. 332

Notes to Uncollected Poems 21. ‘flows’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘fflows’]; ‘fflows’ (MS) [not ‘flows’]; ‘like a spring Tide’ (BL) [not ‘in fullest floods’] 22. ‘’midst pork &’ (NRS), ‘with Pork &’ (BL) [not ‘in pork, &’]; ‘Pudding’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘pudding’] 23. ‘pears & Peaches’ (NRS), ‘Pears & peaches’ (BL) [not ‘pears, & peaches,’] 24. ‘Briar’ (BL) [not ‘Brier’] 25. ‘Yet these, to us, in foraign Lands’ (BRS), ‘yet to our tast now far frae hame’ (BL) [not ‘Yet to our taste in foraigne Lands’] Before l. 26: ‘fa short meet not with that esteem’ (BL) 26. ‘we far inferiour deem’ (NRS), ‘come short in our esteem’ (BL) [not ‘these we inferiour deem’] 27. ‘Pound & cauller’ (NRS, BL) [not ‘pound, & Cawller’]; ‘Egs’ (BL) [not ‘Eggs’] Partly cancelled version of l. 27 in BL MS: ‘To the yelow Pound & cawler Eggs’ ‘yellow pound’: butter. 28. ‘Corstorphine Ream’: a cream cheese for which the town was famous. 29. ‘I we’ (BL) [not ‘we’] 30. ‘brother Willie’s’ (NRS), ‘Brither Willys’ (BL) [not ‘wi’its healsome Air, &’] ‘healsome Air, and spaw’: in the eighteenth century, Corstorphine was a popular summer spa resort, with visitors attracted by the curative properties of the town’s Physic Well. 31. ‘I to we in’ (BL) [not ‘we to’] ‘Kilda’: St. Kilda, an isolated island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, to the west of North Uist. At the time of the poem’s composition, St. Kilda had been in the press as the place to which Jacobite judge and politician James Erskine, Lord Grange arranged for his wife Rachel to be kidnapped; she remained there for seven years. For further comment on Grange, see Ramsay’s ‘Now Now the Glorious Dawning Daws’. 32. ‘to’ (BL) [not ‘and’]; ‘bare-arse’d’ (NRS), ‘bare arsd’ (BL) [not ‘bare limb’d’] Further cancelled lines in BL MS relate to ll. 22-3: when I can we prefer peaches & pears fat Strong Pork & puddings fat Sign-off, NRS only: ‘Again, with my Love & service to you Both I am Sir & Madam Your real friend humble servt Allan Ramsay P.S Jeanie Gordon is in a few days to be mausked in the haly ffat of matrimony, with some subaltern of the Excise office in or about preston pans if the brews well she’ll drink the better N.B: Just before I seald up this Katie sing it twice over to the tune of — will ye go to flanders my mally-o and it does exactly.’ ‘Will you go to Flanders?’: Scottish tune associated with the Flanders campaigns of the early eighteenth century; it was first printed in the second book of William McGibbon’s Scots Tunes (1746). Lines writ on seeing Boys act the Tragedy of Cato in the Taylors’ Hall, March 16, 1742 Text: Edinburgh Evening Courant, 29 March 1742. No MS. In the STS edition (IV, pp.278-79), it is placed in a section entitled ‘Poems 333

Poems Attributed to Ramsay’. The evidence suggests that it was Ramsay’s work: he occasionally published poems in newspapers and magazines and would object in writing if his work was misrepresented in print (see ‘An Ode Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton, printed in 1728’s Poems). He was a regular contributor of prologues and epilogues for theatre productions both before and after he was a theatre-owner in Edinburgh; his GS was performed in Taylors’ Hall, and by the students of Haddington Grammar School. In the absence of concrete evidence, Ramsay’s authorship is tentatively ascribed here. Title: ‘Cato’: Joseph Addison’s Cato, written in 1712 and premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London in 1713; ‘Taylors’ Hall’: Edinburgh’s main theatre in the early eighteenth century; Ramsay’s GS was performed there on 22 January 1729. 12. ‘Portius’: one of Cato’s twin sons in the play. 17. ‘Marcius’: the other of Cato’s twin sons. 19. ‘Syphax’: Juba’s servant and Cato’s main antagonist in the play. 21. ‘Lucius’: senior senator in Cato. 25. ‘Lucia’: engaged in an affair with Portius throughout the play; they are given Cato’s blessing to marry at the end. 29. ‘Marcia’: Cato’s daughter, and sister to Portius and Marcius. She concealed her love for Juba before revealing her feelings on believing that Juba was dead. 33. ‘Decius’: an Ambassador from Caesar. To the Lairds of Annandale Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4346), within a letter to George Clerk, dated 27 August 1743. Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.60), draft. First published: STS III, pp.265-66. The recipient is Sir George Clerk of Penicuik, fourth Baronet (1715-84), son of Ramsay’s friend and patron Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second Baronet (1676-1755) and Janet Inglis. He inherited the lands of Drumcrieff in Annandale, south-west Scotland, from his father, hence Ramsay’s designation of him in the letter’s address as ‘George Clerk of Drumcrief, Esq.’. ‘To the Lairds of Annandale’ was first published in the STS edition (III, pp.265-66), where only the NRS MS is noted. 1. ‘Lockerbie’ (BL) [not ‘Lockerby’] ‘Lockerby’: Lockerbie, town in present-day Dumfries and Galloway, southwest Scotland. 2. ‘paughty’ (BL) [not ‘Paughty’] 3. ‘Clan wha nae many Troop’ (BL) [not ‘Troop’] 4. ‘flying Nags’ (BL) [not ‘flieing Naigs’] 5. ‘when they used to Ratle think to Bratle’ (BL) [not ‘think to brate’] 6. ‘heights’ (BL) [not ‘Heights’] ‘Cheviot Heights’: the Cheviot Hills run along the Anglo-Scottish border, with sections in both Scotland and England. 7. ‘and nor’ (BL) [not ‘Nor’] 334

Notes to Uncollected Poems 8. ‘With your’ (BL) [not ‘your’] 10. ‘not receive never brook’ (BL) [not ‘never brook’]; ‘Ease’ (BL) [not ‘ease’] 11. ‘shoud’ (BL) [not ‘should’]; ‘Crack’ (BL) [not ‘crack’] 12. ‘Back’ (BL) [not ‘back’] 13. ‘auld’ (BL) [not ‘Auld’]; ‘Enbrugh’ (BL) [not ‘Edinburgh’] 14. ‘nowther not either’ (BL) [not ‘not either’] 15. ‘they’ll’ (BL) [not ‘They’ll’] 16. ‘wield’ (BL) [not ‘weild’] 17. ‘Apollo’: classical god of archery. 19. ‘he owns them he owns the’ (BL) [not ‘He owns the’] 20. ‘Goose-pye’: Ramsay’s house on the Castle Hill, Edinburgh, known as the ‘Goose Pie’ due to its octagonal shape. 21. ‘tho with Roast on Rock Beef & Hams its foundee’ (BL) [not ‘tho on a Rock, Beef and Hams its founde’] 22. ‘sorounded’ (BL) [not ‘sorrounded’] 23. ‘Castle Bank Hill’ (BL) [not ‘Castle-Hill’] 24. ‘match try’ (BL) [not ‘try’]; ‘valouer’ (BL) [not ‘valour’] 25. ‘being scare’ (BL) [not ‘being’]; ‘Mons Meg’ (BL) [not ‘Mons-Meg’] ‘Mons-Meg’: a large, fifteenth-century cannon on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, and therefore in the vicinity of Ramsay’s home. It did not function in Ramsay’s time, having been burst during a ceremonial firing in 1680. It was removed to the Tower of London in 1754 and returned to Scotland in 1829. 26. ‘that patrones will lift her leg’ (BL) [not ‘the Patroness will Lift her Leg’] 27. ‘maist Trouble confounding’ (BL) [not ‘Confounding’] 28. ‘and fart a by Blowing farting Bullets twa foot Thick’ (BL) [not ‘by farting Bullets twa foot thick’] 30. ‘thunder bolts’ (BL) [not ‘thunder-bowts’] 32. ‘as in ilk lass & married and evry Bony lass & br Bride’ (BL) [not ‘and ev’ry bonny lass & Bride’] 33. ‘week’ (BL) [not ‘Wick’] 33. ‘Salway firth’: Solway Firth, part of the Anglo-Scottish border; ‘Wick’: a town in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. 34. ‘better Guardians will can he seek’ (BL) [not ‘Sweeter Supports can he seek’] 35. ‘Bawlin’ (BL) [not ‘bawlan’] Footnote: ‘Presumptuous man! the gods take care of Cato’, from Joseph Addison, Cato, A Tragedy (1712), Act II, Scene 2. ‘This world is freighted with wonders in Store’ Text: MS at NRS (GD 331.5.29), in a letter to Alexander Dick of 25 February 1744. First published: Forbes, Curiosities of a Scots Charta Chest, p.149. See also ‘To Dr Cunningham’. In the letter to Dick, Ramsay alludes to his grief for his ‘dear wife’ and ‘her kind sister’: Ramsay’s wife, Christian Ross, had died on 28 March 1743.

335

Poems ’Tis Well that’s not Worse Text: Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, p.254, as ‘’Tis Well That’s Not Warse: A Moral Tale’. The IELM records another MS at NRS (GD 18/4349), but close examination reveals it to be a copy in another hand: here, the formations of the letters ‘A’, ‘R’, ‘d’, ‘f’ and especially ‘s’ are not consistent with Ramsay’s hand, and his surname is misspelled ‘Ramsey’. In the STS edition, the stated copy-text is the HM text. However, the STS text has ‘Warse’ for ‘Worse’ in the title, and punctuation and capitalisation where there is none in the MS; the STS copy-text is, therefore, a hybrid of the HM MS and the NRS transcription. The HM text is printed in full for the first time here. 19. ‘chŭse’ (MS) [not ‘chuse’] ‘Let Edr heartyly Rejoyce’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.2v). First published: STS III, p.255, as ‘[A Poem of Civic Rejoicing]’, with an additional final stanza from BL (Egerton 2023, f.21). The STS’s editorial decision to add the final stanza from elsewhere in the Egerton MS is not explained and, although it shares a rhyme scheme with this poem, it has no relationship with the rest of the text in MS. Here, the poem is presented as per the MS, and the stanza from f.21 is treated as a separate text (see ‘When fate’s great Author is inclind’). The STS editors date the poem to c.1746, on the logic that it takes George Drummond, who served multiple terms as Lord Provost of Edinburgh, as its subject: ‘His first spell was in 1725-27, and his second, after a long interval, in 1746-48. It is suggested that this poem might have marked his election in 1746, just as The Address of the Muse… recorded his first tenure of office’ (VI, p.154). It is indeed likely that the poem commemorates Drummond’s second term as Lord Provost; see also textual parallels with ‘The Address of the Muse’ and ‘On Mr Drummond’s being chosen one of the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs’. Ramsay’s description of the subject’s wife in ll.16-24 may also suggest that the poem is for Drummond, given that he commemorates their 1721 marriage in ‘On the Marriage of Mr George Drummond and Mris Kathrine Campbell’. Therefore, this poem is dated to c.1746, when ‘in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion, [Drummond] was chosen as lord provost of Edinburgh for a second time, but on this occasion by a free poll of the burgesses (taxpayers) of Edinburgh’ (Alexander Murdoch, ‘Drummond, George’ in ODNB). 2. ‘their her’ (MS) [not ‘her’] 4. The name in this line is heavily cancelled and illegible. 5. This line begins with a heavily overwritten and illegible cancellation. 6. ‘wealth well weal’ (MS) [not ‘weal’] Before l.17: ‘Thus in her family that Dame’ Before l.18: ‘and knows it’ Before l.19: ‘and cheerfully his Actions eyes’ 22. ‘Hom them’ (MS) [not ‘them’] 23. ‘not unfeard’ (MS) [not ‘not feard’] 24. The name in this line is heavily cancelled and illegible; ‘is her’ (MS) [not ‘is her’] 336

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Now when the furious Tempests gowl’ Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.256-57, entitled ‘[To Lady Dick]’. The addressee is Lady Janet Dick (d.1760), wife of Sir Alexander Dick (formerly Cunyngham). The couple had been living in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where Dick practiced medicine, but returned to the Dick family estate of Prestonfield, Edinburgh, in 1746 when Dick inherited the baronetcy; see also ‘To Dr Cunninghame’. Dick replied to Ramsay’s poem, initiating his second poem to her, ‘To Lady Dick’. Her epistle is printed in Forbes’s Curiosities of a Scots Charta Chest (pp.169-70), where it is mistakenly regarded as a response to Ramsay’s later poem, entitled ‘To Sir Alexander Dick of Prestonfield, Baronet, With Mr Ramsay’s Poems’; the STS editors also make this assumption. The contents of Dick’s poem make it much more likely to have been a reply to this poem: Dear Allan thanks to you and muse Comes from myself and Knight my Spouse For your kind canty cosh Epistle It warm’d my Heart and made me whistle In spite of gloomy gloury weather 5 It made my soul as Light as Feather Clapt Hold of Paper pen and Ink To try my Hand if Rhime Cowed Clink To tell you fairly my best Reason Was not that I had ought Aversion 10 For City Pastimes and Deversions But that I have no mind to steal And send poor trades folks to the Deil Take aff Brau Cleathes Till goud in Purse Can save me mony a heavy Curse 15 From Castle Hill to Nether Bou Where folks must run the gauntlet now Who Run in Debt to all they meet And here there grumbling on the street But ready money when it comes 20 Will make us all Rise from our Bums With Haste to spread the Blessing Round That is with Honest Plenty Cround The winds may goul the floods may flow But Peace of Mind they Ever know 25 Who from Contenment know true Blis And envy no man what is His Dispise the Luxury of towns More upright Beaus than Down Right Clowns Admire old farant Common sense 30 Which Country Air and words Despence But now I see the Blooming Spring I see I feel it on the wing Haste Balmie gales and April shours 337

Poems And Deck my fields with all your flours 35 Mien time Dear Allan know a Goose Well Feed and Roasted in the Juice With onions Pepper time and sage In Honour of the Last Years Stage Is sacrifised on Thursday next 40 The Parson Comes the Hour is fixed Then let us Drown all Care in Claret My Knight expects you winna spare it. 7. ‘ffeathered’ (MS) [not ‘feathered’] 9. ‘thŭs’ (MS) [not ‘thus’] 13. ‘Countrey Seat’: the Prestonfield estate, outside Edinburgh. 28. ‘Rapin’: Paul de Rapin (1661-1725), historian and army officer who wrote a number of histories of Britain under British patronage, including Dissertation sur les whigs et les tories (1717) and Histoire d’Angleterre, which was translated by Nicholas Tindal and published in fifteen volumes between 1725 and 1731. Signature: ‘ffrom’ (MS) [not ‘from’] To L. D Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.257-59. Given the reference in l.1 to ‘your quaint return to mine’, it was written in response to Dick’s epistle, written in reply to ‘Now when the furious Tempests gowl’, and found in the notes for that poem. For Lady Janet Dick, see also ‘To Dr Cunninghame’. 11. ‘tŭrn’ (MS) [not ‘turn’] 16. ‘^in’ (MS) [not ‘in’] 27. ‘the Sacred Nine’: the nine Muses of classical mythology, who inspired poetry. 33. ‘Thalia’: the eighth of the Muses, who presided over comic and pastoral poetry. 49. ‘Aurora’: Roman goddess of the dawn; ‘poŭrs’ (MS) [not ‘pours’] Signature: ‘M Y L H S’: probably ‘Madam your Ladyship’s humble servant’, as per the previous poem to Dick. To Dr Boswell with my Poems in 2 vol Text: MS at NLS (Acc. 8575). First published: STS III, pp.259-60), entitled ‘To Doctor Boswell With the Two Vols. Of my Poems’, dated to 10 March 1747. The STS copy-text, ‘from a holograph owned (1929) by the Brick Row Bookshop, New York’ (VI, p.155), differs from the NLS text and may have been a draft or transcription of the letter which has now been lost. Apart from the variations in the titles and numerous small textual variants, the main differences between the NLS and STS texts are as follows: for the NLS’s ‘Like 338

Notes to Uncollected Poems Jacobs race so long a Time’ (l.19), STS has ‘Like Israel’s Sons, so long a Time’; the NLS’s date is 12 March 1747, while STS has ‘March the 10th, 1747’. The STS version also fills in some words and phrases that are illegible in the NLS MS; they are presented in square brackets here, as they cannot now be verified. Title: ‘To Dr Boswell’ (MS) [not ‘To Dr Boswell’] ‘Dr Boswell’: physician John Boswell (1710-80), son of James Boswell (c.16721749) and Elizabeth Bruce and uncle of biographer and diarist James Boswell (1778-1822). He and Ramsay shared a friend in Sir Alexander Dick (formerly Cunyngham): in his diary entry for 7 February 1767, James Boswell reports visiting Dick with his uncle and a Dr Livingston. ‘Poems in 2 vol’: Ramsay’s two major editions, Poems (1721) and Poems (1728). 13. ‘Boswell such Best of friends’ (MS) [not ‘Best of friends’] 19. ‘Jacob’: patriarch of the Israelites in Abrahamic religions, said to have died at the age of 147. 25. ‘on’ (MS) [not ‘on’] Signature: ‘my Bower on the Castle Bank’: Ramsay was by this time living in a self-built home on Castle Hill, Edinburgh, known as the ‘Goose Pie’ thanks to its octagonal shape. ‘Behold the man whose tunefull tone’ Text: NRS (GD 18/4341), following a print of Ralph Erskine by Matthew Briggs. First published: STS III, pp.240-41, titled ‘[Upon the Right Rev(eren)d Ralph Erskin]’ and dated to 1737. The STS copy-text is taken from a non-holograph transcription in EUL’s Laing Collection. Ralph Erskine (1686-1752): minister of the Scottish Secession church and brother of fellow minister Ebenezer Erskine; Ramsay also references the Erskines in ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’. Given its central discussion of ‘the Oaths’ (l.12), the poem is here dated to 1747 when, following disputes over the burgess oath, Erskine ‘was the foremost of the first three to have his name removed from the ministerial rolls by the General Associate (Anti-Burgher) Synod’ (David C. Lachman, ‘Erskine, Ralph’ in ODNB). 1. ‘tunefull tone’: Erskine was a poet and songwriter. His Gospel Sonnets (1720) were popular, going through many editions in the eighteenth century; he published Scripture Songs in 1754. 5. ‘whoor of Babel’: Biblical place of evil and symbolic female archetype in Revelation 17; contemporary commentators of Reformed Christianity also used the term to signify the Roman Catholic Church. 6. ‘farsaid downfall’: the fall of Babylon, outlined in Isaiah 47:11. 10-12. ‘Marrow-Moderns’: the Marrow Controversy in the eighteenth-century Church of Scotland, in which The Marrow of Modern Divinity was condemned as Antinomian by the 1719 General Assembly. Ralph Erskine and his brother Ebenezer were ‘Marrow Men’ who petitioned that The Marrow was in fact scriptural; the General Assembly rejected the petition, and these events led to the secession of 1733. In 1747, the secession church split further into Burghers and Anti-Burghers in a debate over the lawfulness of the burgess oath, which was sworn by all town burgesses on 339

Poems taking office. See also ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’, ‘The Marrow Ballad’, ‘Mr Ebenezer Erskine’s Protest’ and the poem beginning ‘The Synode to auld Sathane sends’. 21. ‘Dunfermling’: Erskine was ordained to the parish of Dunfermline, Fife, in August 1711. ‘Faith Master Death, ’tis but a scurvy job,’ Text: James Maidment, Nugae Scoticae: Miscellaneous Papers Illustrative of Scotish Affairs (Edinburgh, 1829), no.17. No MS. Written in 1747 at news of the death of antiquarian Robert Mylne at age 103, it is described by Maidment as ‘an unpolished effusion of the celebrated Allan Ramsay, the friend and boon companion of the venerable Bibliomaniac’, having been ‘for the first time, rescued from its dusty retreat among the Anderson papers, and sent to greet the public eye’. Mylne was a zealous Jacobite, and his papers include many contemporary political satires; he was also a friend of Ramsay’s mentor, Archibald Pitcairne. An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4351), fair copy, enclosed with a letter to Sir John Clerk, 23 March 1748, hereafter ‘NRS1’. Additional MSS: NRS (GD 18/4352), fair copy dated May 1748 (7pp), hereafter ‘NRS2’; NRS (GD 18/4354), fair copy dated 1748 (4pp), hereafter ‘NRS3’; Huntington (HM 1490), fair copy which adds two lines after l.36, lacks ll.1012, condenses ll.103-6 into two lines, gives twelve alternative lines in place of ll.111-12 and replaces ll.121-26 with two alternative lines, hereafter ‘HM’. First published: Chambers (ed.), Poems (1800, II, pp.434-38). A calligraphic transcript in an unidentified hand is held by EUL (La.II.212, f.38). Our choice for copy-text is the version Ramsay was content to send to his friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. It may also be the earliest: the text as sent is dated 23 March 1748, while (NRS2) is dated ‘May 1748’. This may indicate that Ramsay revised it after sending it to Clerk, but (NRS3) and (HM) have no specific date of composition, making any attempt at a chronology of the MSS conjectural. There is varying intensity in Ramsay’s use of Scots across the four versions but again, in the absence of a secure chronology, it is not possible to say whether the English or Scots version came first. Apart from NRS3, the MSS have consistent end-line punctuation. Chambers’s copy-text is based on NRS2, given its title, and that l.32 references ‘Corsica’, rather than ‘Sicilian’ (NRS3, HM) or ‘Napolitan’ (NRS1). The poem is later reprinted in the STS edition (III, pp.261-64), where only one MS source is noted and is used as copy-text: this is NRS1, but its call number is mislabelled in that edition. Title: ‘Epistle from a Gentleman in the Countrey To his friend in Edinburgh’ (NRS2), ‘Epistle from Mavisbank To a friend in Edr 1748’ (NRS3), ‘Epistle from Mavis Bank to a friend at Edr 1748’ (HM) [not ‘An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank march 1748 To a friend in Ed.r’] ‘Mavisbank’: villa designed and built in the 1720s by celebrated Scottish 340

Notes to Uncollected Poems architect William Adam (1689-1748) for Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. Ruined by a fire in the 1970s, its site is to the south of Edinburgh, five miles from Penicuik. 1. ‘O friend, to Smoke and din’ (NRS2), ‘Dear friend to smoak and din’ (NRS3) ‘Dear friend, to Smoak & din’ (HM) [not ‘Dear ffriend to Smoak and noise’]; ‘ffriend’ (NRS1) [not ‘friend’] 2. ‘fouls your Claiths, &’ (NRs2), ‘Soils your Shirt and’ (NRS3), ‘Soils your shirt, &’ (HM) [not ‘Soils your Shirt, and’] 3. ‘rŭsty look, & crabed’ (NRS2), ‘rusty look and crabbed’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘rusty look, and crabbed’] 4. ‘bepoxd’ (NRS3) [not ‘bepox’d,’]; ‘Scabed’ (all) [not ‘Scabbed’] 5. ‘throw’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘through’] 6. ‘mercury’ (NRS3), ‘mercurey’ (HM) [not ‘mercury,’] ‘mercury’: used medicinally in the eighteenth century, notably for the treatment of syphilis. 7. ‘you (NRS3, HM) [not ‘you,’] 8. ‘chatering, Stinking City’ (NRS2, HM), ‘chatering dinsome City’ (NRS3) [not ‘chattering, Stinking city’] 9. ‘emptyness’ (NRS2) [not ‘shallowness’]; ‘pride and emptyness’ (NRS3), ‘pride & emptyness’ (HM) [not ‘pride, and shallowness,’] 10. ‘Integrity and Grace’ (NRS2), ‘integrity and grace’ (NRS3), ‘integrety & grace’ (HM) [not ‘Integrety, and grace’] 11. ‘hidioŭs Screams, wad’ (NRS2), ‘hidious Screams wad’ (NRS3), ‘hidious Screams would’ (HM) [not ‘hidious Screams, would’] 12. ‘wha’ (NRS2, 3) [not ‘who’] 13. ‘and throw the Day, frae break of morning’ (NRS2), ‘Joynd throw the day frae break of mornings’ (NRS3), ‘Joyns through the day, from break of mornings’ (HM) [not ‘and through the Day from break of mornings’] 14. ‘Bills protests and’ (NRS3) [not ‘Bills, Protests, and’] ‘protests’ (NRS2, HM) [not ‘Protests’]; ‘&’ (HM) [not ‘and’]; ‘Horning’ (NRS2), ‘hornings’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Hornings’] ‘Hornings’: in Scots law, a process issued under the signet directing a messenger to charge a debtor under pain of being ‘put to the horn’, i.e., declared a rebel. 15. ‘squable’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘Squable’] 16. ‘amang the great, & litle, Rable’ (NRS2), ‘amongst the great and litle Rable’ (NRS3), ‘amongst the great & litle Rable’ (HM) [not ‘amongst the great and litle Rable’] 17. ‘wha’ (NRS2) [not ‘who’]; ‘Lungs &’ (NRS2), ‘Lungs and’ (NRS3), ‘lungs &’ (HM) [not ‘Lungs, &’] 18. ‘hopes &’ (NRS2), ‘Hopes &’ (HM) [not ‘hopes and’] 19. ‘retailing all the trash and cant’ (NRS3), ‘[redacted word] Retailing all the trash & cant’ (HM) [not ‘while rat’ling o’er their Silly Cant’] 20. ‘learn’d frae the Mercury & Currant’ (NRS2), ‘glean’d frae the Mercury and Currant’ (NRS3), ‘glean’d from the Mercury & Currant’ (HM) [not ‘learnd from the mercury, and currant’] ‘mercury, and currant’: contemporary Edinburgh newspapers, the Caledonian Mercury and the Edinburgh Evening Courant; the former was published by 341

Poems Ramsay’s printer, Thomas Ruddiman. 21. ‘about’ (all) [not ‘aboŭt’]; ‘aboŭt’ (NRS1) [not ‘about’]; ‘frae’ (NRS2) [not ‘from’] ‘Russia’: in the mid-eighteenth century, Britain and Russia were becoming closer politically, thanks to Tsar Peter I’s declaring himself an emperor and his efforts to bring Russia into European affairs. Many Scots (often Jacobite) were in Russia in the early eighteenth century; see also ‘To Mr Donald Macewen, Jeweller at St. Petersburg’. 22. ‘Neutrality’ (NRS2), ‘newtrality’ (NRS3) [not ‘neut’rality’]; ‘Prussia’ (NRS2) [not ‘prussia’] ‘Prussia’: formerly a German state, the Kingdom of Prussia was created in 1701 and grew in power under Frederick the Great, who reigned from 1740 to 1786. 23. ‘ffrance’ (NRS1) [not ‘France’]; ‘&’ (NRS2, HM) [not ‘and’]; ‘slavery’ (NRS3) [not ‘Slavery’] ‘France’s Tyranie’: the Second Hundred Years War, in which Britain opposed France, ran from c.1689 to c.1815. 24. ‘their faithless fickelness & Knavery’ (NRS2) [not ‘of Holands Selfishness & knavery’]; ‘Holland’s’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Holands’]; ‘and’ (NRS3) [not ‘&’] ‘Holands Selfishnes’: in the Revolution of 1688, King James VII of Scotland and II of England and Ireland was overthrown by the Dutch armies of William of Orange, who ascended the English throne. These events were factors in the Jacobite uprisings, which attempted to restore the Stuarts to the throne. 25. ‘Spain the best’ (NRS2), ‘Spain the most’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Spain, the most’] ‘Spain’: the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-20) saw Britain and France challenge Spain on its attempt to reclaim territory in Italy; the War of Jenkins’s Ear –precipitated by an incident in which British merchant captain Robert Jenkins’s ear was cut off by Spanish sailors – lasted from 1739 to 1748. 26. ‘auld Whoor’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘old whore’]; ‘Babilon’ (HM) [not ‘Babylon’] ‘old whore of Babylon’: term used by eighteenth-century reformed Christians for the Roman Catholic Church. 27. ‘Warden’ (NRS2) [not ‘Guardian’]; ‘and’ (NRS3) [not ‘&’]; ‘faggots’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘fagots’] 28. ‘maggots’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘magots’] 29. ‘our’ (NRS2) [not ‘his’]; ‘gambolls’ (NRS3), ‘Gamolls’ (HM) [not ‘gambols’]; ‘green’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Green’] 30-34. These lines reference the powers and places involved in the War of the Austrian Succession of 1740-48: this conflict was related to the War of Jenkins’s Ear and saw Prussia rise to prominence as a major European power. The conflict began as Maria Theresa was to inherit her father’s Hapsburg crown, allowing France, Bavaria and Prussia to challenge her; she was supported by Holland, Britain and Hanover. As it developed, Spain, Sardinia, Russia and others became involved. A full account of these incidents is given across various reports in Vol. 10 of the Scots Magazine for January 1748. 342

Notes to Uncollected Poems 30. ‘to Aid the bauld Imperial Queen’ (NRS2) [not ‘with Hungary’s Imperial Queen’]; ‘Hungareys’ (HM) [not ‘Hungary’s’]; ‘imperiall’ (NRS3) [not ‘Imperial’] ‘Hungary’s Imperial Queen’: Maria Theresa (1717-80), ruler of the Hapsburg empire – which included Hungary – from 1740 until her death; Britain supported her accession to the Hapsburg crown in the War of the Austrian Succession. Two lines inserted here in NRS2 only: when the Most Christian Shoars to strike and fashous ffredrick gars her sike 31. ‘Genoa and the’ (NRS2) [not ‘Genoa’s resolute’] ‘Genoa’: a republic until 1797, which took colonies throughout the Black and Mediterranean Seas; these included Corsica, which had revolted against Genoa in 1729. Genoa supported Spain in action against Britain in the 1740s. 32. ‘of Corsica without’ (NRS2), ‘without Sicilian’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘without Napolitan’] ‘Corsica’: mentioned in NRS2, had been colonised by Genoa; ‘Sicily’: an island to the south of Italy; ‘Napolitan assistance’: Charles of Bourbon became ruler of Naples in present-day southern Italy in 1734. Naples supported Spain in the military action of the 1740s. 33. ‘wading Var sieging Savona’ (NRS2), ‘of crossing Var ‘Seiging savona’ (NRS3), ‘wading Var Seiging Savońa’ (HM) [not ‘of passing Var, ’Seiging Savona’] ‘Var’: a river in south-east France; ‘Savona’: an Italian region conquered by Genoa in the sixteenth century. After their capture of Genoa, the Austrians were forced across the River Var by rebels. 34. ‘ffidles’ (NRS1) [not ‘fidles’] ‘fidles at Cremona’: city in present-day Lombardy, Italy, ruled by Austria from 1707. It was known for manufacturing violins from the sixteenth century onwards, with Antonio Stradivarius (1644-1737) being the most celebrated craftsman. 35. ‘what Jaws of Blood & gore it cost’ (NRS2), ‘of how much blood and gore it cost’ (NRS3), ‘of how much blood & gore it cost’ (HM) [not ‘of how much Blood & dirt is cost’] 36. ‘Toun’ (NRS2) [not ‘Town’]; ‘win’ (NRS3) [not ‘won’] Two lines appear here in the other MSS, but not in the copytext, they are: 1. ‘how much the Alied Arms have been a’’ (NRS2), ‘how much the Allied Arms have been a’’ (NRS 3), ‘how much the Alied Arms have been A’’ (HM) 2. ‘propd by the Monarch of Sardina’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘prop’d by the Monarch of Sardina’ (HM) 37. ‘popes Stateholders ffaiths Deffenders’ (NRS2), ‘popes Stateholders ffaiths Defenders’ (NRS3), ‘popes, Stateholders, ffaiths Deffenders’ (HM) [not ‘Popes, Stateholders, ffaiths’ Deffenders’]; ‘ffaiths’ (NRS1) [not ‘faiths’] 38. ‘Generalls’ (NRS2), ‘of Generalls’ (NRS3), ‘of Generalls,’ (HM) [not ‘Generals,’]; ‘Mar’shalls & pretenders’ (NRS2), ‘Marhals and pretenders’ (NRS3), ‘Martials, and Pretenders’ (HM) [not ‘Marshals, and preteders’ (sic)] 39. ‘Treaties Ministers & Kings’ (NRS2), ‘Treaties Ministers and Kings’ (NRS3) 343

Poems [not ‘Treaties, Ministers, and Kings’] 40. ‘thousand’ (NRS3) [not ‘Thousand’]; ‘things’ (all) [not ‘Things’] 41. ‘which’ (all) [not ‘which,’]; ‘Constructions’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Conceptions’] 42. ‘Thickness’ (NRS2) [not ‘thickness’] 43. ‘Such’ (NRS3) [not ‘such’]; ‘ane maun’ (NRS2), ‘ane must’ (NRS3) [not ‘one must’]; this line is indented in NRS3 and HM, but not in other sources. 44. ‘throw your Citty’s’ (NRS2) [not ‘through the City’] 45. ‘Redots &’ (NRS2), ‘the Sprightly’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘the dear dear’] 46. ‘Lasses trig that please’ (NRS2), ‘Beautys wha delight’ (NRS3), ‘Beautys [cancelled] neat who charm’ (HM) [not ‘Beautys brisk, who charm’] 47. ‘hous’ (NRS2) [not ‘hours’] 48. ‘Assembly’: the dancing Assemblies of Edinburgh; see also ‘The Fair Assembly’. 49. ‘wha can forsake sae’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘who can forsake so’] 50. ‘beauty’ (NRS2), ‘graces’ (NRS3), ‘Graces’ (HM) [not ‘Beauty’]; ‘yield’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘yeild’] 51. ‘Doubt, whilst in the’ (HM) [not ‘doubt while in this’] 52. ‘plea’s,’ (HM) [not ‘plea’s’]; ‘Boxes & the pit’ (all) [not ‘Boxes, and the pit’] 53. ‘witt &’ (NRS2), ‘wit and’ (NRS3) [not ‘wit, and’] 54. ‘flows’ (NRS2), ‘flows’ (HM) [not ‘flow’] 55. ‘where,’ (NRS2), ‘wher’ (NRS3), ‘and’ (HM) [not ‘Where,’]; ‘Dramma’s’ (NRS3) [not ‘Drama’s’] 56. ‘ane’s baith diverted & Instructed’ (NRS2), ‘ane’s baith diverted and instructed’ (NRS3), ‘one’s both diverted, and instructed’ (HM) [not ‘one’s both diverted and instrūcted’]; ‘instrūcted’ (NRS1) [not ‘instructed’] 57. ‘Well I shall grant, it ’grees thw Reason’ (NRS2), ‘Well I shall grant it ’grees with Reason’ (NRS3), ‘Well, I shall grant, it ’grees with Reason’ (HM) [not ‘Well I shall grant it bears with Reason’]; this line is indented in the copytext, but not in other MS sources. 58. ‘charms,’ (HM) [not ‘charms’] 59. ‘indulge’d’ (HM) [not ‘indulg’d’] 60. ‘Saft’ned Saul’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘Softened Soul’ (HM) [not ‘Sofften’d Soul’] 61. ‘facultys’ (all) [not ‘faculties’] 62. ‘higher’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘greater’]; ‘designd’ (NRS2) [not ‘design’d’] 63. ‘ye,’ (HM) [not ‘ye’]; ‘dozing’ (NRS2) [not ‘dosing’] 64. ‘and view with me’ (NRS2), ‘and view with us’ (NRS3), ‘and view, with me,’ (HM) [not ‘come view with me’] 65. ‘which phebus ilka’ (NRS2), ‘which Phebus every’ (NRS3), ‘which phebus every’ (HM) [not ‘which, Phebus, every’] ‘Phebus’: Apollo as god of the sun. 66. ‘our plains adorn’d with fflowers’ (NRS2), ‘upon the plains adorn’d with flowers’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘upon the plains, adorn’d with flowers’] 67. ‘throw Howms & meadows’ (NRS2), ‘oer grassy Carpets’ (NRS3), ‘o’er verdent medows’ (HM) [not ‘me oer springing verdures’] 68. ‘wher’ (NRS3) [not ‘where’]; ‘wimpling’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘wimp’ling’]; ‘waters’ (NRS2), ‘Watters’ (HM) [not ‘watters’] 69. ‘frae the Aiks & Elms arround’ (NRS2) [not ‘from the Oak with Ivy bound’] 70. ‘Saft’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘soft’] 344

Notes to Uncollected Poems 71. ‘A’ the Queeristers’ (NRS2), ‘all those Queeristers’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘all those choiresters’] 72. ‘whase’ (NRS2) [not ‘whose’]; ‘re-Ecchoe’ (NRS3), ‘reechoe’ (HM) [not ‘re-echoe’]; ‘throw the Sky’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘through the Skie’ (HM) [not ‘through the skie’] 73-4 follow ll.75-6 in NRS3 and HM. 73. ‘and all the’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘better than’]; ‘in’ (NRS2) [not ‘of’]; ‘Toun’ (HM) [not ‘Town’] 74. ‘without extracting’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘yet do not cost you’] 75. ‘black-birds Mavis’s & Linnets’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘black-Birds, Mavises, & Linnets’ (HM) [not ‘black birds, Mavises, & Linnets’] 76. ‘ffidles flutes’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘ffidles, flutes,’]; ‘ffidles’ (NRS1) [not ‘fidles’]; ‘and’ (NRS3) [not ‘&’] 77-8 not included in the other MSS. he following couplet takes their place in NRS2 only: our Jerry Rooks ever far excels your Strim Strams & your Jingling Bells Here, NRS3 and HM have the following couplet: 1. ‘next you may mount the rising Ground’ (NRS3), ‘Here you may mount the [cancelled] rising ground’ (HM) 2. ‘and view wide Lanskips all arround’ (NRS3), ‘and [cancelled] view wide lanskips [cancelled] all arround’ (HM) 79. ‘as do the cloven-footed Tribes’ (NRS2) [not ‘diverted with the bleating Tribe’] 80. ‘Rusticks whistling oer the Glybes’ (NRS2), ‘Rusticks whistling oer the Glibe’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘and plough-men whistling o’er the Glibe’] 81. ‘here’ (NRS2) [not ‘Thus’]; ‘we with’ (all) [not ‘we, with’]; ‘litle labour gain’ (NRS2), ‘pleasing labour gain’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘litle Labour, gain’]; this line is indented in NRS3 only. 82. ‘Health with’ (NRS2, HM), ‘health with’ (NRS3) [not ‘Health, and’] 83. ‘Sillent’ (HM) [not ‘Silent’] 84. ‘all’ (all) [not ‘best’] The NRS2 variant for ll.99-100 appears here. 85. ‘life’ (all) [not ‘Life’] 86. ‘throw’’ (NRS2) [not ‘through’]; ‘vien’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘vein’] 87. ‘Cheek’ (NRS2), ‘cheeks’ (HM) [not ‘cheek’]; ‘taint’ (all) [not ‘teint’] 88. ‘excelling’ (NRS2) [not ‘surpassing’]; ‘Slight’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘arts’] 89-98 are not in NRS2. 89. ‘fields surveyd then we’ (NRS3), ‘fields survey’d, then we’ (NRS2) [not ‘Heights Surveyd, we may’] 90. ‘Allong’ (NRS3) [not ‘Along’]; ‘Bourn’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Burn’] 91. ‘where ffishes aft divert the Eye’ (NRS3), ‘where fishes oft divert the Eye’ (HM) [not ‘wher ffishes will divert your Eye’]; ‘ffishes’ (NRS1) [not ‘fishes’] 92. ‘when’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘while’]; ‘flie’ (NRS3) [not ‘fly’] 93. ‘first,’ (HM) [not ‘first’] 94. ‘th’ inticing’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘the tempting’] 95. ‘Then we delightfull Gardens trace’ (NRS3), ‘next we delightfull Gardens 345

Poems trace’ (HM) [not ‘next the fair Gardens we may trace’] 96. ‘wher’ (NRS3) [not ‘where’] In NRS3 and HM, ll.97-8 appear after ll.99-100. 97. ‘With The’ (HM) [not ‘The’]; ‘Espaliers load & lin’d’ (NRS3), ‘Espaliers, Load & line’d’ (HM) [not ‘Espaliers Load, & line’d’] 98. ‘most’ (HM) [not ‘best’] 99. ‘Here fragrant fflowers of tinctures Bright’ (NRS2), ‘here fragrant fflowers of tinctŭres bright’ (NRS3), ‘here fragrant flowers, of tinctures bright’ (HM) [not ‘the Borders fraughted with delight’] 100. ‘regale the Smell & please the Sight’ (NRS2), ‘regale the smell and glad the sight’ (NRS3) ‘regale the smell, & glad the sight’ (HM) [not ‘to please the smelling, & the Sight’] 101-6 are not in the other MSS. Before l.107, NRS3 and HM have: 1. ‘Thus morning Walks and Air Conspire’ (NRS3), ‘Thus morning walks, & Air conspire’ (HM) 2. ‘to whet the Temperate desire’ (NRS3), ‘and rouze the Temperate desire’ (HM) 107-15 are not in NRS2. 107. ‘Table’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘Table, ne’]; ‘ne neatly’ (NRS1) [not ‘neatly’] 108. ‘hearty hale & sound’ (NRS3) [not ‘hearty, hale, & sound’] 109. ‘wher, in the Shining vessels, stand’ (HM) [not ‘where in the shining vessels stand’] ‘Jacob’s promised Land’: Jacob’s migration to Israel, as told in the Biblical book of Genesis; Israel was known for salt manufactory. 111-12 are not in other MSS. The following 12 lines appear in the other MSS. Ll.9-12 appear in all three, whereas ll.1-11 are included only in NRS3 and HM. 1. ‘here Joyn the Sage the fair & Gay’ (NRS3), ‘here Joyn the fair, the sage, the Gay’ (HM) 2. ‘with friendly freedom to display (NRS3, HM) 3. ‘their turn of mind, various, yet meet’ (NRS3, HM) 4. ‘to make Society complete’ (NRS3, HM) 5. ‘here one by observation draws’ (NRS3, HM) 6. ‘his wise remarks from natures Laws’ (NRS3, HM) 7. ‘annother on these virtues dwells’ (NRS3, HM) 8. ‘by which the humane mind excells’ (NRS3, HM) 9. ‘This hinders not the Jocund Smile’ (NRS2), ‘these hinder not the Jocund Smile’ (NRS3, HM) 10. ‘with mirth to mix the morall stile’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘with mirth, to mix the morall Stile’ (HM) 11. ‘in Conversation this being right’ (NRS2), ‘in Conversation, this, as right’ (NRS3), ‘in Conversation, this as right’ (HM) 12. ‘as in painting Shade & light’ (NRS2), ‘as to the painters Shades the light’ (NRS3, HM) Of these alternative lines, ll.9-12 appear before l.137 of the copy-text. 113. ‘refreshd we’ (NRS3), ‘refreshd, we’ (HM) [not ‘refresh’d, you’] 114. ‘Sute with our’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘jŭmp with your’]; ‘jŭmp’ (NRS1) [not 346

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘jump’] 115. ‘cauld or Rain keep us’ (NRS2), ‘rain or cald keep us’ (NRS3), ‘Rain or Cold, keep us’ (HM) [not ‘cloudy Skies keep you’] 116. ‘we’ve Rooms neat warm & free from din’ (NRS2), ‘we’ve Closets warm & free from din’ (NRS3), ‘we have closets warm and free from din’ (HM) [not ‘you’ve Closets warm & free from Din’] 117. ‘where,’ (HM) [not ‘where’] 118. ‘we can converse with’ (NRS2, NRS3), ‘we can converse, with’ (HM) [not ‘you may review the’]; ‘by-past’ (NRS2), ‘bypast’ (HM) [not ‘by past’] Here, NRS2 has: and oft to set our dumps adrift we smile with prior, Gay, & Swift 119. ‘or’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘or,’] ‘Newton’ (NRS, NRS3) [not ‘ Newton,’] ‘Newton’: mathematician, astronomer and physicist Isaac Newton (1642/431726/27); see also ‘Ode to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton’. 120. ‘amongst’ (NRS2), ‘throw all’ (NRS3) [not ‘through all’]; ‘orbs of light’ (HM) [not ‘Orbs of Light’] 121-8 are not included in the other MSS, with ll.121-2 inserted in the margin. Here, NRS3 and HM have these alternative lines: 1. ‘till lost in wonders we explore’ (NRS3, HM) 2. ‘the Almighty mover we adore’ (NRS3, HM) 3. ‘if Skys Seren and radiant Beams’ (NRS3), ‘if Softer Air, & radiant Beams’ (HM) 4. ‘invite us to the graves or streams’ (NRS3), ‘invite us to the woods or streams’ (HM) 126. ‘Sachi, or Salvator’: Salvator Rosa (1615-73), Italian Baroque painter and poet. 129-30 are not in NRS2. 129. ‘hours’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘hours,’]; ‘Indolence’ (NRS3), ‘indolence’ (HM) [not ‘indolence,’] 130. ‘reclind upon’ (NRS3), ‘recline’d upon’ (HM) [not ‘extended on’]; ‘grass’ (NRS3), ‘Grass’ (HM) [not ‘gras’] 131. ‘Milton, Pope, & all the Rest’ (NRS2), ‘Milton Pope and All the Rest’ (NRS3), ‘Milton, pope, & all the rest’ (HM) [not ‘Milton, pope, & all the rest’] ‘Milton, Pope’: English poets John Milton and Alexander Pope. 133. ‘from those Inspire’d we often find’ (NRS2), ‘Their Lays inspir’d we read and find’ (NRS3), ‘their Lays inspir’d, we read, & find’ (HM) [not ‘their Lays inspire’d, peruse, and find’] 134. ‘brightens & Improves’ (NRS2), ‘raises and improves’ (NRS3), ‘raises & improve’ (HM) [not ‘brightens, and improves,’] 135. ‘carry men’ (NRS2) [not ‘carrys it’] 136. ‘views of which low Sauls’ (NRS2), ‘views of which low minds’ (NRS3, HM) [not ‘views, of which Low minds’] 137. ‘life poets have sung’ (NRS2), ‘life all those have Sung’ (NRS3), ‘life, all those have sung’ (HM) [not ‘Life, all those have Sūng’]; ‘Sūng’ (NRS1) [not ‘Sung’] 347

Poems 138. ‘wild for, my friend by auld & young’ (NRS2), ‘most to be wishd by auld and young’ (NRS3), ‘most to be wishd by old and young’ (HM) [not ‘Most to be wish’d by Old, and Young’] 139. ‘by all wha would Heavens favours share’ (NRS2), ‘who in the truest wisdom share’ (NRS3), ‘by the most Brave, & the most ffair’ (HM) [not ‘by the Most Brave, and the most ffair’]; ‘ffair’ (NRS1) [not ‘fair’] 140. ‘where least ambition least’ (NRS2), ‘where least ambition lest’ (NRS3), ‘wher least Ambition, least’ (HM) [not ‘where Least Ambition, least’] 141. ‘disturbs the mind, where virtuous ease’ (NRS2), ‘disturb the mind where virtuous Ease’ (NRS3), ‘disturb the Soull, where virtuous Ease’ (HM) [not ‘desturbs the Soull, where virteous Ease’] 142. ‘Temperance never fail’ (NRS2, NRS3) [not ‘Temperance, never cease’] Sign-off: ‘Allan Ramsay | Pennycuik | May 1748’ (NRS2), ‘Allan Ramsay’ (NRS3), [none] (HM) [not ‘So Sayth, Sir your humble servt | Allan Ramsay | of Edr in his Grand Climaterek’] ‘Grand Climaterek’, or Grand Climacteric: a year of life, often reckoned to be the sixty-third, supposed to be especially critical, when a person was particularly liable to changes in health or fortune. In 1747, Ramsay was 63. After Ramsay’s signature, the copy-text features a doodle:

‘of all delights that gain regard’ Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4351), within a letter to Sir John Clerk, 23 March 1748. First published: STS IV, p.227, as part of the letter, but not part of Poems. Ramsay’s ‘An Epistle Wrote from Mavisbank’ is enclosed with the same letter. ‘Dear friend, t’enjoy Life aright,’ Text: MS in NRS (GD 18/4353), in a letter to George Clerk, 15 September 1748. Additional MS: NLS (MS 804), inlaid in a copy of Poems (1721). First published: STS III, pp.266-67, as ‘[To Sir George Clerk of Drumcrieff ]’. The STS editors state that their copy-text is the NRS MS; however, textual details demonstrate that their text is a hybrid of both MSS. George Clerk: son of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik; see also ‘To the Lairds of Annandale’. 1. ‘life arright’ (NLS) [not ‘Life aright,’] 2. ‘ever rather’ (NLS) [not ‘rather’] 5. ‘ambition led,’ (NLS) [not ‘Ambition led’] 6. ‘livery clad’ (NLS) [not ‘Livery Clad’] 348

Notes to Uncollected Poems 7. ‘frothy ffrance’ (NLS) [not ‘froathy France’] 8. ‘spread’ (NLS) [not ‘load’] 9. ‘wealth’ (NLS) [not ‘wealth,’] 10. ‘peace’ (NLS) [not ‘peace,’] 11. ‘Luxurious’ (NLS) [not ‘luxurious’] 12. ‘pleasures’ (NLS) [not ‘Pleasures’] 13. ‘earlyest’ (NLS) [not ‘Earlyest’] 14. ‘and’ (NLS) [not ‘&’] 15. ‘of Buz’ (NLS) [not ‘from buz,’] 16. ‘quaf the Cauller spring’ (NLS) [not ‘quaff the chrystall spring,’] 18. ‘destroy’ (NLS) [not ‘destroy,’] 20. ‘croud’ (NLS) [not ‘crowd’]; ‘rest’ (NLS) [not ‘Rest,’] 22. ‘nature’ (NLS) [not ‘Nature’] 24. ‘Stream, or trace the lawn’ (NLS) [not ‘Stream or trace the Lawn’] 25. ‘mortall’ (NLS) [not ‘man’] 29. ‘minds’ (NLS) [not ‘minds!’]; ‘cant’ (NLS) [not ‘can’t’] 30. ‘Scandall of being reckon’d’ (NLS) [not ‘Scandal of being reckoned’] 31. ‘prefering’ (NLS) [not ‘preffering’]; ‘titled’ (NLS) [not ‘title’d’] 32. ‘rays divines’ (NLS) [not ‘Rays Divines’] 34. ‘plac’d’ (NLS) [not ‘place’d’]; ‘Great’ (NLS) [not ‘great’] 35. ‘independant’ (NLS) [not ‘Independent’] 36. ‘life both free of Toil and’ (NLS) [not ‘life, both free of Toil &’] 37. ‘can’ (NLS) [not ‘can,’]; ‘resort’ (NLS) [not ‘resort,’] 38. ‘streams, & moors,’ (NLS) [not ‘streams & moors’] 39. ‘ends’ (NLS) [not ‘ends,’] 42. ‘hour’ (NLS) [not ‘hour,’] 44. ‘passion’s’ (NLS) [not ‘passions’] 46. ‘needfull’ (NLS) [not ‘needful’] 47. ‘Help Meet’ (NLS) [not ‘fair Mate,’] ‘fair Mate’: George Clerk’s wife, Dorothea Clerk-Maxwell (d.1793), daughter of William Clerk-Maxwell and Agnes Maxwell; through their marriage, Clerk received lands at Middlebie, Dumfriesshire. 48. ‘love’ (NLS) [not ‘Love’] 49. ‘Virtue,’ (NLS) [not ‘Virtue’] 51. ‘bound’ (NLS) [not ‘bound,’] 53. ‘him,’ (NLS) [not ‘him’] 56. ‘every’ (NLS) [not ‘Every’] 57. ‘happyness’ (NLS) [not ‘happiness’] 59. ‘Brief’ (NLS) [not ‘brief’] 60. ‘&’ (NLS) [not ‘and’] ‘Drumlanrig’: the Dumfriesshire estate of Ramsay’s friends and patrons, the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry; ‘Dumcrieff’: Clerk’s estate, also in Dumfriesshire. The Merry Meeting on The Moor Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4355). First published: STS IV, pp.269-71. 349

Poems 32. ‘auld fae of Eve’: the temptation of Eve by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, as recounted in the Biblical book of Genesis. 34. ‘Hercules’: Roman hero distinguished by extraordinary strength, and for facing the ‘Twelve Labours’; ‘Lerna’: the second of Hercules’s ‘Labours’ was to slay the Lernean Hydra. 44. ‘Bower’: the Mavisbank estate of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. 50. ‘Window Tax’: in the latter half of the eighteenth century (1748-98), taxes were levied in Scotland on the occupants of buildings with several windows. 55-56. ‘Rebecca’, or Rebekah: wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24-27). Esau exchanged his birthright for a bowl of ‘red pottage’ in Genesis 25:30. 57-59. The crossing of the Red Sea by Moses and the Israelites, as told in the Biblical book of Exodus. 64. ‘Age of Gowd’: in classical mythology, the golden age is regarded as the first and best age of humankind, followed by the silver, bronze and iron ages. 68. ‘Biquor’ or ‘bicker’: a vessel for drinking liquor. 71. ‘Bon-bouch’ or ‘bonne bouche’: a small savoury or sweet item served as an appetiser or (here) at the end of a meal. 72. ‘phenix’: a bird of Greek mythology thought to renew its life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. After l.78, the MS is signed ‘a R’. ‘The Synode to old Sathan sends’ Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, p.268, as ‘[The Excommunication of Ralph Erskine]’, dated to 1749. Ralph Erskine was, along with his brother, Ebenezer, a founder of the Scottish Secession Church, formed after the first Secession of 1733. Following the Burgher Oath dispute in 1747, the Second Secession took place, in which the Burgher and Anti-Burgher factions were formed. Both Erskine brothers were excommunicated by the Anti-Burghers: ‘They libelled them, suspended them, and finally excommunicated them, handing them over to Satan, and declaring that they should be “holden by the faithful as heathen men and publicans.” Ralph Erskine was excommunicated in 1749, and Ebenezer in 1750’ (A.R. MacEwen, The Erskines (Edinburgh, 1900), p.128); Ramsay’s poem is therefore dated to 1749. See also ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’, ‘Behold the man whose tunefull tone’, ‘Mr Ebenezer Erskins Protest’ and ‘The Marrow Ballad’. 1. ‘Synode’: Synod, an assembly of ministers and elders constituting the ecclesiastical court above the Presbytery in the Church of Scotland. 9. ‘Gib’: Adam Gib (1714-88), prominent Secessionist and Anti-Burgher minister; ‘Strong-minded, polemical, and scornful of those who questioned his leadership, Gib aroused hostility with erstwhile seceders and other General Associate Synod members where he was dubbed “Pope Gib”’ (Kenneth B.E. Roxburgh, ‘Gib, Adam’ in ODNB). ‘Brown’: not identified. 350

Notes to Uncollected Poems 16. ‘ballad singing calf’: Ralph Erskine was a poet, whose Gospel Sonnets (1720) and Scripture Songs (1754) were reprinted numerous times. Verses address to the Mavis Well Text: MS at NLS (15973, f.8). First published: STS III, pp.269-70, obtained from a ‘rotograph in Poems (1728)’ at the NLS (VI, p.158). Title: ‘Mavisbank’: the country home of Ramsay’s friend and patron, John Clerk of Penicuik, having been a collaboration between Clerk and architect Adam (see also ‘An Epistle Wrote from Mavisbank’). Clerk explains that water was brought to Mavisbank ‘in Timber pipes, there having been nothing there before but what was brought from the Mavis Well, under the House of Mavisbank’ (John M. Gray (ed.), Memoirs of the Life of Sir John Clerk (Edinburgh, 1892), p234). 1. ‘favourite’ (MS) [not ‘favourit’] 9. ‘fflora’ (MS) [not ‘Flora’] ‘Flora’: Roman goddess of flowers. 11. ‘Pomona’: Roman goddess of fruits and fruit trees. 24-32. An allusion to Ovid’s Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection in a fountain; at the place where he died, the flower of the same name grew. 33. ‘foŭntain’ (MS) [not ‘fountain’] To the Honble Sr Alexr Dick of Prestonfield Baronet with Mr Ramsay’s Poems in this & Second Volum Text: MS at NRS (GD 331/5/3). First published: Forbes, Curiosities of a Scots Charta Chest, p.168. An MS transcription in an unidentified hand is held by EUL (Laing.II.212.23). In the STS edition (III, 270-71), the copy-text is taken from the EUL MS, which the editors regard as holograph; the NRS MS is not noted. Dick replied to Ramsay’s poem as follows; this MS is held by the NRS (GD 331/5/2): Hail be your Heart auld Canty Cairlie, Wha in your Time has rhim’d sae rairlie, And with your weell weld words sae fairlie Geen Vice a Gouff As made the snarling Criticks hairly Nor dare, Yeouf yeouf.

5

Wha can your gentle shepherd hear, where Nature’s voice speaks out sae clear, But feels his saul as well’s his ear Weel tund to pleasure. 10 when you bang up your pipes we steer To your Scots measure.

Best thanks for your most kind propine 351

Poems of all your works, the sacred Nine Have datit you in ilka line 15 which they direckit. A Bony Lass said, you, lang syne, Should be confeckit. Title: Sir Alexander Dick (formerly Cunyngham), friend of Ramsay and his son, Allan Ramsay junior; see also ‘To Dr Cunninghame’, ‘To Lady Dick’ and ‘Now when the furious Tempests gowl’. ‘Prestonfield’: the Dick family estate near Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh; ‘this and Second Volum’: Ramsay’s Poems of 1721 (volume 1) and 1728 (volume 2). 1. ‘ffriend’ (MS) [not ‘friend’] 19. ‘fair partner’: Dick’s first wife, Janet Dick, to whom Ramsay addresses ‘To Lady Dick’ and ‘Now when the furious Tempests gowl’ as part of an epistolary exchange. Signature: the poem is dated 1755, but it must have been written before Ramsay’s birthday on 15 October; he describes himself here as 70 years old (Et.at suae LXX). He would turn 71 on 15 October 1755. An Epistle to James Clerk, Esq. of Pennycuik Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4356). First published: STS III, pp.271-74. An MS transcription in an unidentified hand is at EUL (Laing.II.212, f.37). The STS text has several unexplained variants from the MS source. Title: Sir James Clerk of Penicuik, third Baronet (c.1710-82), son of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second Baronet, and Janet Inglis; he was also the brother of George Clerk of Drumcrieff. 2. ‘laúgh’ (MS) [not ‘laugh’] 16. An illegible cancelled word is before ‘and’ in the MS. 42. ‘nolens volens’: ‘and refuse to willingly’. 51. ‘Aledge’ (MS) [not ‘Aledge’] 65. ‘[cancelled illegible word] may’ (MS) [not ‘may’] 84-86. ‘Lindsay’: Sir David Lyndsay (c.1486-1555), writer and herald, whose Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis (1552) is a morality drama regarded as having played a part in the Scottish Reformation. 87. ‘Scarlet whore’: the Whore of Babylon, a term used by eighteenth-century Protestants for Roman Catholicism. 88. ‘Knox’: John Knox (c.1514-72), prominent Scottish religious reformer. On false Greatness Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4357). First published: STS IV, p.271. The stanzas are numbered in the MS. Signature: ‘Penk’: Penicuik, the home of Ramsay’s friend and patron, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik; ‘LXXI’: Ramsay’s age; he was 71 years old in 1755, again confirming his birthdate as 15 October 1684. 352

Notes to Uncollected Poems Spoke to a Chapin Stowp Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.54v). First published: STS III, p.277. It is not possible to ascertain a date for this text. Title: ‘Chapin Stowp’: a smaller sized vessel for holding liquor, sometimes also used as a drinking-vessel (Jamieson, 1808). 1. ‘ffriend’ (MS) [not ‘friend’] 18. ‘Took rise out of a mine’: Ramsay’s childhood in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, where his father was an overseer of the lead mines. ‘A Loyalist with Blyth design’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.5). First published: STS III, p.285, as ‘[Leap Year]’. The poem’s satire on its loyalist protagonist relies upon the knowledge that Stuart monarch Charles II was born on 29 May 1630 and Hanoverian King George I on 28 May 1660. The latter’s birth date did indeed fall in a leap year. It has not been possible to date this text. Before l.5, the MS has cancelled lines: his spouse Inclined the his Spouse annither gate did sway his spouse She of a principle revers 8. ‘that which’ (MS) [not ‘which’] ‘When I was a Lusty young Fellow’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.190). First published: STS III, p.287, as ‘[Old Age]’. It has not been possible to assign its date. 2. ‘sword’ (MS) [not ‘sword’] 4. ‘wooing metle’ (MS) [not ‘metle’] 8. ‘sword weapon’ (MS) [not ‘weapon’] ‘A Knave of trump when catch ye play’ Text: MS at NLS (510, 2v). First printed: Transactions of the Rymour Club III (Edinburgh, 1924), p.127. It has not been possible to assign its date. 1. ‘catch’: card game entitled Catch the Ten, or Scotch Whist. It was ‘a favourite game in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland… [and] may be played by from 2 to 8 persons, with 36 cards’ of small suit: ‘As the name implies, the grand object in this game is to Catch the Ten of trumps, or to prevent its being caught by an adversary’ (Hoyle’s Games (Philadelphia, 1845), pp.3031). Before l.5, the MS has ‘x’. 5-8. ‘Britain… rump’: Lord Protectorate Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) ruled Britain from 1653 until his death. The Rump Parliament, which had been sitting since late 1648, was closed by Cromwell in 1653. 353

Poems ‘a Drinker sair on his Death Bed Lying’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.58). First printed: STS III, pp.288-89, as ‘[The Dying Parishioner]’. It has not been possible to date this text. 1. ‘Poor Blyth Colvin a Drinker sair’ (MS) [not ‘a Drinker sair’] 2. ‘Haly Parish’ (MS) [not ‘Parish’] 3. ‘& light comfort’ (MS) [not ‘and comfort’] Before l.4, the MS has: Lord kens whas case it may be neist and Ease his the 7. ‘assist help’ (MS) [not ‘help’] Before l.9, the MS has: ‘A while he sighd, a while lang time he sat’ 9. ‘expecting awaiting’ (MS) [not ‘awaiting’] 10. ‘he’d to be bid him Pray and give or give advice’ (MS) [not ‘he’d bid him Pray or give advice’] Before l.11, the MS has: ‘but he was fair very much mistane I trow’ 14. ‘he’ (MS) [not ‘he’] 19. ‘pyn’ (MS) [not ‘pyn’] Before l.20, the MS has: ‘to pit sic wanters out of’ 20. ‘for with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] 21. ‘for in’ (MS) [not ‘in’]; this line ends with ‘hale prequir’ in MS. 23. ‘him with sma hopes with some fear’ (MS) [not ‘him with some fear’] 24. ‘Clay Waws’ (MS) [not ‘Clay’] Before l.25, the MS has: Thus Thus the Levite left him 25. ‘Levit’: ‘Levite’, a term for a clergyman, often used contemptuously in allusion to Judges 17:12. 28. ‘Bawm’: ‘balsam’. 31. ‘sence pains’ (MS) [not ‘pains’] After the closing line (l.32), the MS has this variant on ll.25-27: The Calvinite loot Colvin ly frae him no help requird hee found Till a Home-Simaritans came by Babband and Tittypow Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.17 (a-f )). First published: STS III, pp.295-301. An additional MS transcription in an unidentified, contemporary hand is at the Huntington (HM 97). There are issues with the autograph MS at EUL: four pages of the MS are missing, and paper tears remove words from the beginnings and ends of lines at ll.109-12, l.113 and ll.120-25. The STS editors solve this problem by inserting passages and words from the transcription where the autograph MS has gaps (VI, p.164). Given that the Huntington transcription has no proven connection to Ramsay and is incomplete, our copytext presents only what is in autograph; where Ramsay’s MS has gaps, the corresponding text from the non-autograph transcription is provided in the 354

Notes to Uncollected Poems notes or, in the case of partly legible words, in square brackets. Cancellations and additions in the MS are detailed below. 4. ‘hoŭght’ (MS) [not ‘hought’] 8. ‘Lang=nebit’ (MS) [not ‘Lang-nebit’] 16. ‘drŭg’ (MS) [not ‘drug’] 20. ‘secŭred’ (MS) [not ‘secured’] 30. ‘ffriend’ (MS) [not ‘friend’] 33. ‘Atropos’: one of the three Greek goddesses of fate, responsible for choosing human beings’ manner of death, portrayed as ending their lives by cutting their threads. 54. ‘Croŭsly’ (MS) [not ‘Crously’] 71. ‘Nŭckle’ (MS) [not ‘Nuckle’] 77. ‘Trŭffer’ (MS) [not ‘Truffer’] 78. ‘ffowls’ (MS) [not ‘fowls’] 84. ‘deŭg’ (MS) [not ‘deug’] 86. ‘Under=Mutches’ (MS) [not ‘Under-Mutches’] 89. ‘Bŭt’ (MS) [not ‘But’] 94. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] Four pages of text are missing from the autograph MS from this point. The Huntington transcription has these lines as follows: Ay Sister said the Cussion dadder, Really sic things make Wenches madder, They shouldna hae Diamonds & Watches That deal in Fardingales and Patches; I cou’dna answer to my Conscience, 5 If I consented to her vain Sense. Niest when they had this Point decided, The Siller Plate maun be divided, Which they perform’d with equal Scales, And left fair Miss to bite her Nails. 10 Wow but they coud baith laigh and clean, Frae Gowd and Siller to a Preen, Bootless She strave her case to mend, She’s ay snigg’d off at the Wob end. Beds, Bousters, Blankets, Sheets and Codds, 15 Courtains, hingings, Twilts and Rods; Table Linnen, Body Cleathing, In short the greedy Rooks left naithing. They gutted Servant Lass’s Bed, And thus grave Babband to her said; 20 Ye maun gae hame and spin wi’ me, Or else ye’s ne’er be pay’d your Fee, But for sae lang, mind what I tell; Young Miss may lair to sair hersell. The very Sheets they sought away 25 Off Bed where this young Lady lay, 355

Poems Wi’ much difficulty and skill, Only in this She gain’d her will, And that indeed was nae sma’ Ferly When ilka thing’s consider’d n’erly, 25 For the sweet Creature to her Sorrow, Oblidg’d was a’ things else to borrow; They left na’, the worth of a Snishing, But stoury floor and bare Partition— A Mop was like to saw dissention, 30 And jumble up a great Contention, But after meikle Wark and Cangle, Deel speed the Liars, threep and Brangle; Auld Cleave=a hair, wi solemn Face He spake, and said, here ly’s the Case; 35 My Wife ye ken lives far frae Reeky, Then Tittypow I wou’d beseek ye, Since ye live here upo the Spot, Gie her the Map, and nae mair o’t; I’ll hae quo Titt than, spite the nose ye, 40 The Lady’s Breeks that keept her cossie; I beg your pardon quo Mess John, Upo’ your A— they’s ne’er gae on; They for my Spouse will do fow fine, And stap her Gab frae seeking mine; 45 Wha aftentimes has wat her Cheeks, Because I wadna yeild the Breeks. I’ll draw them aff again Quo Titt, Gin e’er her Buttocks in them Sit, Then had your Chafts, make nae mair Stir, 50 I loo to be as warm as her — 108. ‘Soup=up’ (MS) [not ‘Soup-up’] 109. The first word is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘and’. 110. The first word is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘Wi’’. 111. The first word is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘That’. 112. The first letter is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘W’. 114. The first word is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘And’. 120. The MS ends at ‘compl’; the transcription has ‘compliment’. 121. The MS ends at ‘So’; the transcription has ‘Sort’. 122. The MS ends at ‘p’; the transcription has ‘port’. 123. The last word is missing in MS; the transcription has ‘land’. 124. The MS ends at ‘Count’; the transcription has ‘Counterband’. 125. The MS ends at ‘a’; the transcription has ‘argue’. 128. The transcription ends at this point; the remaining lines are only in the autograph MS. 129. ‘ffrae’ (MS) [not ‘frae’] 143. ‘Lesson’s’ (MS) [not ‘Lesson’s’] 151. ‘^virteous v’ (MS) [not ‘virteous’] 356

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘yours dated the Last Hagmynae’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.47v-48v). First published: STS III, pp.319-22, titled ‘[The Function of Satiric Poetry]’. This text cannot be dated; cancellations and additions in the MS are given below. 1. ‘Hagmynae’: Hogmanay, or New Year’s Eve. 2. ‘came to hand to me’ (MS) [not ‘came’] 3. ‘slaw driegh’ (MS) [not ‘driegh’] Before l.5: ‘I shauld not’ 11. ‘toŭn’ (MS) [not ‘toun’] 12. ‘full print’ (MS) [not ‘print’] 17. ‘and that I’m want the gleg deficient in descerning’ (MS) [not ‘that I’m deficient in descerning’] 19. ‘wit sprit’ (MS) [not ‘sprit’] Before l.25: Your Muse Implying these gifts that Heavens have given to you with So profuse the virtuous world will oun ye thank 25. The MS has two versions of this line, as follows: The common well will oun ye thank x The Har’st of fools are unco rank Given that ‘thank’ is used later in the stanza, the second is used here; Ramsay’s ‘x’ probably indicates his preference. 29. ‘pluck sned’ (MS) [not ‘sned’] 31. ‘of’ (MS) [not ‘of’] 32. ‘spring from adorn’ (MS) [not ‘adorn’] 34. ‘when he is chose one of the a siting Member’s’ (MS) [not ‘when he chose one of the siting Member’s’] 36. ‘neer not’ (MS) [not ‘neer’] 37. ‘ane haughty a paughty’ (MS) [not ‘a paughty’] 39. ‘Golden Calf’: an idol made by the Israelites (Exodus 32:4). Before l.47: ‘and promises forgot ill breeding’ 49. ‘Tell Teach Clergymen that can speak sence of Genius Clever’ (MS) [not ‘Teach Clergymen of Genius Clever’] 50. ‘encourage support’ (MS) [not ‘support’] 51. ‘janner’: ‘jaunner’, to talk idly or in a foolish or jocular manner. 57. ‘noisey dinsome’ (MS) [not ‘dinsome’] 58. ‘Man of Gotham’: a simpleton. 60. ‘he’s they’r a’’ (MS) [not ‘they’r a’’] Before l.61: ‘A Bady is as much afraid’ 61. ‘The misers if he’s worth your while worhles wretch worms’ (MS) [not ‘The misers wor[t]hless worms’] 64. ‘wretch driven moths huyed’ (MS) [not ‘moths huyed’] 65. ‘Crimes fauties’ (MS) [not ‘fauties’] Before l.66: ‘Their faults if any are mast rare’

357

Poems The Smuglers a Satyr Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.32v). First published: STS III, pp.338-39. This poem cannot be dated; cancellations and additions in the MS are given below. 1. ‘with’ (MS) [not ‘Inflam’d with’] 8. ‘store’ (MS) [not ‘wealth’] 11. ‘Traders’ (MS) [not ‘Mer[chan]ts’] 10. ‘Wealth Trade’ (MS) [not ‘Trade’] 11. ‘& farles’ (MS) [not ‘they’] 12. ‘Stars fears dread’ (MS) [not ‘dread’] Before l.13: These constant Terrours of the Running Gang Crew whose very Sight make them start & look blew 14. ‘Geniŭs’ (MS) [not ‘Genius’] 17. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘if’]; ‘rŭstle’ (MS) [not ‘rustle’]; ‘Brier spray’ (MS) [not ‘spray’] 19. ‘aprehension’ (MS) [not ‘aprehension’] 20. The MS features heavily cancelled, illegible words after ‘to’. 21. ‘not without Reason oftentimes for they’ (MS) [not ‘not without Reason oftentimes for they’] 22. ‘Thus Thoughtles Lads whom they’re obligd their Trust to trust betray’ (MS) [not ‘whom they’re obligd their Trust to trust betray’] 23. ‘Lads Rakes’ (MS) [not ‘Rakes’] 24. ‘all’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 25. ‘he’s given up falls frequent to him in his hand who makes their his purse fob’ (MS) [not ‘he’s given up to him who makes his fob’] 27-28. These last two lines are in the margin of the MS; it is likely that they were intended to be the poem’s closing couplet. ‘he hates to be tyed doun for life’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.20). First published: STS III, pp.346-47, titled ‘[Crambo]’. Its date cannot be ascertained; cancellations and additions in the MS are given below. 3. ‘heavy hungry’ (MS) [not ‘hungry’] 4. ‘Brose’ is cancelled in MS but is reinstated here to preserve the rhyme. 11. ‘Cramby’: crambo, a game in which one player gives a word or line of verse to which each of the others has to find a rhyme. The Ingenious and Entertaining Interlocutory of The Reverend Presbytry of Inverness Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.76). First published: STS III, pp.277-78, where it is not securely attributed to Ramsay. According to the STS editors, ‘the writing is not so characteristic, the text 358

Notes to Uncollected Poems is almost flawless – a suspicious sign in this collection – and there is almost no use of Scots’ (VI, p.159). There are tidy texts within the Egerton MS, and Ramsay wrote several poems not in Scots; moreover, no comparable text has been found. The poem is, therefore, attributed to Ramsay here. The individuals mentioned in l.19 are found in the Inverness Kirk Session Records for the early eighteenth century. In the entry for ‘Aprile 10th, 1722’, the following is found: Christian Ross, being called, Compeared, and adhered to her former Confession, and that Mr John Polson, younger of Kinmyles, was Father of the Last Child She brought Forth, And it was Reported That the said Mr John Polson owned the Same, And promised to give some Acknowledgement to the poor, Which being Considered by the Session, They did Appoint the said Christian to Compear befor the Congregation next Lord’s day, and be rebuked. Then, on ‘May 15th, 1722’: ‘Reported that Christian Ross, who fell with Mr John Polson, Younger of Kinmyles, had Satisfy’d the Discipline, and was absolved, but was referred to Gillies McBean for her penalty, & Mr Stuart & Mr Baillie were appointed to Mind Kinmyles of his promise to give something to ye poor’ (Alexander Mitchell (ed.), Inverness Kirk-Session Records 1661-1800 (Inverness, 1902), p.229). Moreover, a ‘William Shaw, Elder, Glover’ and ‘John Polson, Elder, Glover’ are listed alongside fellow elder and Ramsay associate Duncan Forbes of Culloden, in a Session declaration that ‘Wee, the Ministers and the Church Session of Inverness, do own the Confession of Faith of the Church of Scotland Ratified in Parliament, 1690 and 1707, to be the Confession of our faith’ (Inverness Kirk-Session Records, pp.140-41). Ramsay’s poem seems, however, to be based on a dispute over the rental of pews in the High Church of Inverness. In November 1709, a proposal was made to charge rents for church seats, to ‘be taxed at a certain rate to be condescended on payable yearly to the Session for reparation of the Church’; Forbes of Culloden and Polson of Kinmylies were chosen ‘to acquaint the rest of the Heritors’ (Inverness Kirk Session Records, p.4). Ramsay’s source has not been traced and it is not therefore possible to provide a date for this text. 3. ‘[cancelled illegible word] formal’ (MS) [not ‘formal’] 7. ‘hinc inde’: both sides. 22. ‘after in’ (MS) [not ‘in’]; ‘old’ (MS) [not ‘old’] ‘Hear oh O hear ye silly sheep’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.83). First published: STS III, pp.243-44, titled ‘[On Church Patronage]’ and dated ‘March 1738’. The MS is undated, and the STS editors provide no rationale for assigning this specific date. It is certainly the case that the poem concerns the controversial issue of church patronage, which was a central concern in the disputes which led to the Secession in the Scottish church in 1733. In addition to the original Patronage Act of 1711, further Acts were passed by the General Assemblies of 1730 and 1732, and church patronage remained contentious in the church for generations to come. The 1711 Act was designed ‘to restore the Patrons to their 359

Poems ancient Rights of presenting ministers to the Churches’ of Scotland following the Union of 1707; patronage traditionally came from the monarch, a University, a Town or Burgh Council or an aristocratic landowner. The Act of 1732 allowed elders to offer patronage and stipulated the process if a congregation objected to the presented candidate; this led directly to the Secession and the institution of the Associate Presbytery in 1733. The issue of patronage was, therefore, in discussion throughout the 1730s and beyond: in the absence of concrete evidence regarding the poem’s date of composition, it is not assigned a specific date here, but it is likely to have been written in the 1730s. Cancellations and additions in the MS are given below. 1. ‘oh O’ (MS) [not ‘O’]; ‘flock sheep’ (MS) [not ‘flock’] Before l.5, the MS has: ‘O call to mind the Glorious Day’ 7. ‘at on’ (MS) [not ‘on’] ‘Rulion Green’: the Lothian site of a major battle of the Pentland Rising on 28 November 1666, in which the Scottish Covenanters rose in opposition to the government. 8. ‘Bothwell Brig’: the Battle of Bothwell Bridge – also a battle between the Covenanters and government troops –fought in Lanarkshire on 22 June 1679. Before l.13, the MS has: ‘But now forsooth a Scartpot Laird’ 13. ‘Calls’: in the Scottish Presbyterian Church, a minister’s invitation to head a new congregation is known as a ‘call’. Before l.16: ‘we’ll force a preacher on ye’ 18. ‘and and who’ (MS) [not ‘who’] ‘Marrow’: the Marrow Controversy in the eighteenth-century Scottish Church; see also Ramsay’s ‘Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes’. 19. ‘Raving Ranting’ (MS) [not ‘Ranting’] 21. ‘will none curse will no Bauld stirk’ (MS) [not ‘will no Bauld stirk’] 22. ‘and now’ (MS) [not ‘now’] On The Marriage of Mr Bull Preacher and Mrs Mary — Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.9v). First published: STS III, pp.332-33. No further information has been found on the scandal of which Ramsay writes, and the text is not assigned a date here. 2-3. ‘Europa’: princess of Tyre who was courted by Zeus in the form of a bull in classical mythology. 4. ‘Queens ferry’: a town west of Edinburgh, which sits on the shore of the Firth of Forth. 7. ‘consumate’ (MS) [not ‘consumate’] on Priests not marrying Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.66). First published: STS IV, pp.274-75. It is not possible to date this poem. 5. ‘Saint peter’: one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles and leader of the early 360

Notes to Uncollected Poems Christian church; he is regarded as having been the first Bishop of Rome (Pope). The Biblical books of Matthew, Mark and Luke contain accounts of Jesus’s healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, demonstrating that Peter was married. On the Clergys minding themsells mair than their flock Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.66v). First published: STS IV, pp.275-76. It has not been possible to date this text. 1. ‘Herds of Israell’: the Biblical image of the clergy as shepherds of their Christian flock, as told in Ezekiel 34-36: ‘And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd’ (Ezekiel 34:23). ‘father & friend of Humane race’ Text: MS at EUL (MS Gen. 2122/14 (Acc. E82/64)). First published: STS III, pp.279-81, titled ‘[A Prayer]’; their copy-text is from a ‘holograph in the possession (1929) of the Brick Row Bookshop, New York’ (VI, p.160). A note by Alexander Law in Studies in Scottish Literature for 1985 (20:1) records EUL’s purchase of the MS and outlines the differences between the STS text and the original (p.60). It is not possible to assign a secure date to the text. Cancellations and additions in the MS are given below; the MS has asterisks between all stanzas except those beginning at l.17, l.37 and l.53. 1. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] 3. ‘ffountain’ (MS) [not ‘fountain’] At the end of the MS is the following note, probably in the hand of Allan Ramsay Junior: ‘This prayer is in the hand writing of Mr Allan Ramsay and found amongst his papers after his death A. R.’. ‘farewell sweet Inocence – ah while I think’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.31). First published: STS III, p.331, titled ‘[On the Death of his daughter, Christy]’. The STS editors express confusion at the poem’s subject: ‘There is a “Christian” in the family tree drawn up by the poet in Egerton 2023, but it has been assumed by Burns Martin in his Allan Ramsay that she survived infancy and was one of the “three fine girls” mentioned by Ramsay in his letter to Smibert of 1736’ (VI, p.171). However, a writ in the City of Edinburgh’s Title Deeds (1748-1822) reveals that Ramsay disposed of his bookshop in the Luckenbooths to his daughters, Janet, Anne and Catherine: these are presumably the ‘three fine girls’ alluded to above. Pittock outlines Ramsay’s family as follows: Allan (1713-84), Susanna (b.1714), ‘who was possibly later known as Anne (or there may have been a separate daughter of that name born between 1719 and 1724)’, Neill (b.1715), Robert (b.1716), Janet, Catherine and Agnes (b.1725). Another daughter, Christy, ‘died in infancy, probably in the 1720s’ (Pittock, 361

Poems ‘Ramsay, Allan’ in ODNB). Given the absence of documentary evidence containing the date of Christy’s death, the poem is not dated here. 1. ‘ffarewell’ (MS) [not ‘farewell’] Before l.4: ‘the dear Ideas’ 4. ‘thee wishing thee and wish’ (MS) [not ‘thee and wish’] 7. ‘and weak my will’ (MS) [not ‘do what I will’] 10. ‘hang upon at’ (MS) [not ‘at’] 11. ‘the my’ (MS) [not ‘my’] 15. ‘gush heart Rending thought — yes tears with freedom flow the heavenly Darling spirits fled’ (MS) [not ‘heart Rending thought — the Darling spirits fled’] 21. ‘Breast soul’ (MS) [not ‘soul’] 23. ‘Eternal Spring Imortal Life’ (MS) [not ‘Imortal Life’] Before l.24: ‘and endless Day’ 25. ‘filld’ (MS) [not ‘Thither’]; ‘fair’ (MS) [not ‘spotles’] ‘Sir while I ly within your Arm’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.20). First published: STS III, p.289, titled ‘[Friendship]’. In the absence of evidence, the poem is not assigned a date. ‘Like Lightnings glent she glided by’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.100). First published: STS III, pp.308-9, titled ‘[A Forsaken Lover]’. It is not possible to date the text. 2. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 3. ‘frae’ (MS) [not ‘frae’] 7. ‘she left me to bewail my fate in their unsonsy haples state’ (MS) [not ‘she left me in their haples state’] 10. ‘beyond the Cheivot height mount back to Northumbrias height plain’ (MS) [not ‘back to Northumbrias plain’] 11. ‘like with’ (MS) [not ‘like’]; ‘mourned’ (MS) [not ‘mourn’] 15. ‘with with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] ‘She’s the only one of all her Sex’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.10-11v). First published: STS III, pp.309-12, titled ‘[A Medley]’. The couplets are numbered 1-39 in the MS, with a glitch at the stanza headed ‘27’, beginning ‘Her Heavnly Beauty’: the next stanza, erroneously numbered ‘26’, has no content, and is followed by the stanza beginning ‘no pain or Labour’, which is headed ‘29’. The couplets are presented according to Ramsay’s numbering system, but the numbers have been removed from the text here. There is no evidence of its date of composition. The MS text is headed by a doodle:

362

Notes to Uncollected Poems

Before l.3, the MS has an illegible cancellation. 7. ‘coats so thick laid oer with Lace Cloathes sae Richly trimnd with Lace’ (MS) [not ‘Cloathes sae Richly trimnd with Lace’] 11. ‘Spy see’ (MS) [not ‘see’] 14. ‘to engage win’ (MS) [not ‘win’] 15. ‘she often proves’ (MS) [not ‘she[’s] often’] 16. ‘nought but serves her’ (MS) [not ‘serves her’] Before l.21: ‘he Loves his mistres’ 23. ‘as Diane Chast Chast, heavens! baith togither’ (MS) [not ‘Chast, heavens! baith togither’] 39. ‘tell Eyes Perswade’ (MS) [not ‘tell [tale] Eyes’] 41. ‘Speak till the Lad the by evry one in evry Thing she’ll be alowed’ (MS) [not ‘by evry one she’ll be alowed’] 42. ‘to be a Charmer but she’s a Beauty Charmer’ (MS) [not ‘a Charmer’] Before l.43, the MS has an illegible cancellation. 45. Two illegible, cancelled words are after ‘Equal’ in the MS. 48. ‘a this’ (MS) [not ‘this’] Before l.51: ‘None Affectation’ 60. ‘Imortal Cellia’ (MS) [not ‘[and] Cellia’] 61. ‘Bacchus’: Roman god of wine. 63. ‘Auld as ony Bauld as ony Bair’ (MS) [not ‘Bauld as ony Bair’] 65. ‘that never yet perpext her’ (MS) [not ‘that never yet perplex her’] 66. ‘Speerd offerd that perplexes ee’n vexd her’ (MS) [not ‘offerd that ee’n vexd her’] 69. ‘they Dress’ (MS) [not ‘Dress’] 73. ‘hers wha Raisd the Troops of Greece’: Helen of Troy, whose kidnap by Paris sparked the Trojan war. ‘O Climate happy sweet & Rare’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.114v and f.67). First published: STS III, pp.313-14, titled ‘[In Praise of Scottish Ladies]’, consisting of ll.1-15 only. The MS is water-damaged, and some lines are illegible. The IELM entry for this poem regards the text at f.67 as possibly being related to the poem as printed by the STS: given that both poems refer to ‘Charlot and Susana’, this MS forms our copy-text from l.16 onwards. These additional lines were not printed in the STS edition. Before l.1: ‘O Happy at Climates their where’ Before l.2: ‘Where Beauty’s Constant as it is fair’ 2. ‘ffair’ (MS) [not ‘fair’] 3. ‘Beautyous’ (MS) [not ‘Beautyous’] 363

Poems 4. ‘tŭneful’ (MS) [not ‘tuneful’] 5. ‘excell the the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 6. ‘Portabella’: Portobello, seaside town three miles east of Edinburgh, on the Firth of Forth. 8. ‘capes of Horn’: Cape Horn, the most Southerly point of South America; ‘Bon Esprance’: ‘le cap de bonne espérance’, Cape of Good Hope, on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. 10. ‘Shines Glances most’ (MS) [not ‘Glances’] 11. ‘ever smiling like the whose numerous beautys as the’ (MS) [not ‘whose numerous beautys as the’] Before l.12: ‘that rouzes Bards like Birds larks to song’ 13. ‘Charlot & Susan’: may be be Lady Susan/Susanna Montgomerie (d.1754) and Lady Charlotte Montgomerie (d.1732), two daughters of Susanna Montgomerie, Countess of Eglinton (1689-1780), to whom Ramsay dedicated GS. Montgomerie had nine daughters, all of whom were in regular attendance at Edinburgh’s dancing assembly; see also ‘The Fair Assembly’. 14. ‘Glota’: literary term for the Clyde, the river that runs through Glasgow, taken from Ramsay’s friend James Arbuckle’s poem ‘Glotta, or the Clyde’ (1721). 15. ‘Sisters of a Seraphick five Shine each with Seraphick [?]’ (MS) [not ‘Sisters each with Seraphick…’ From this point, the text continues, but water damage makes the MS only partly legible. The surviving text is as follows: and organs of the … mold Symour! while I… around my heart… a flame that… which cupid… Dear Herb… and bony… … Before l.16: ‘to me thus Still Release me with a grant’ 16. ‘all’ (MS) [not ‘all’] 17. ‘all the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 20-24. May refer to Lady Susan Montgomerie’s marriage to John Renton of Lamberton, after which she lived in Berwickshire on the Anglo-Scottish border. 22. ‘shed tears like dew look the dowf & wan a’’ (MS) [not ‘look dowf & wan a’’] Before l.23: ‘for Lady Charles & Lady Sue’ After l.24, MS damage makes only part of the text legible; the remaining text is as follows: O Charming … adore ye you crowd… throw all the Day … Hay …Plain … faith 364

Notes to Uncollected Poems … … Fair ‘Take tent now ilka Blythsome wight’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.150). First published: STS III, p.314, titled ‘[An Evening Frolic]’. In the STS printing, a number of uncancelled lines are excluded from the copy-text. The MS text is very messy, and it is clear that it is an early draft: it is presented as per the MS here. It is not assigned a date here. Before l.2: Lang was the night the Day was In Winter the Days are Short 2. ‘where [?] awa when’ (MS) [not ‘when’]; ‘seen’ (MS) [not ‘seen’] 4. ‘night een’ (MS) [not ‘een’] 6. ‘Gay’ (MS) [not ‘Gay’]; ‘tight bein-’ (MS) [not ‘bein-’] 7. ‘wide ha’’ (MS) [not ‘ha’’] Before l.8: ‘met a’ with witty feet’ 8. ‘Goozels Gilded Bright metled shankies’ (MS) [not ‘metled shankies’] Before l.10: and Learning with their fee fou Dink that night with ilka Spring and shake them sine 12. ‘and wha’ (MS) [not ‘wha’] 13. ‘Corelli’: Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Italian composer and violinist, whose works were popular in Scotland throughout the eighteenth century. 14. ‘seem’d a’ lookd like’ (MS) [not ‘lookd like’] 15. ‘their white’ (MS) [not ‘white’] Before l.16 is an illegible, cancelled line and ‘treu time was seen in ilka face’ ‘Hail Scobie, halesome limpid Spring’ Text: MS at NRS (GD 18/4363). First published: STS III, p.315. The STS copy-text is based on a non-holograph transcription found in EUL’s Laing MS, which differs in content and order and adds a title where there is none in the autograph MS. The STS editors speculate that, given the similar subject matter, John Clerk of Penicuik’s Latin poem on Scobie in the Clerk MSS is associated with Ramsay’s poem, and that the ‘two might have been a literary competition’ (VI, p.167). Clerk’s text is as follows: Inscription on Scobby Scobbea dulce fluens quae non solamina vitae Fundit nectareus rivulus isthe tuus Et quot delicias etiam dum fercula nobis Farrea componit rustica simplicitas 5 Seu sedare sitim cupimus seu lavere fessos Artis rose tuo, sis panacea mea Sustineas sanos agrorum corpora firmas 365

Poems Effugiunt morbid um medicina fuit. Sweet Scobby flowing in the wood 10 what happiness & joy Does thy clear rivulet exude To all the passers by. The STS editors’ prose translation is as follows: Water is truly refreshing Sweet flowing Scobby what comforts of life does not thy nectar-like stream pour forth? and even how many delights? when the rustic simplicity composes the wheaten cakes for us whether we wish to quench our thirst or to bathe our wearied limbs in thy dew be thou my universal medicine. Thou sustainest the bodies of the sick making them sound & strng. Diseases fly whilst medicine flows. (VI, p.167) Title: There is no title in the MS; the Laing transcription entitles the poem ‘The Virtues of Scobie Wells (A Fine Spring Near the House of Pennycuik)’. 1. ‘Scobie’s Well’: landmark in the Penicuik House estate, Penicuik, the home of Ramsay’s friend and patron Sir John Clerk, second Baronet of Penicuik. 8. ‘our crazy’ (MS) [not ‘our crazy’] 9. ‘& thy [illegible] & thy’ (MS) [not ‘& thy’] 11. ‘the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 13. The MS has an illegible, cancelled word after ‘Bannock’; ‘halesome glee’ (MS) [not ‘halesome glee’] 14. ‘thee’ (MS) [not ‘thee’] Before l.19, ‘ye Drunkards’ is uncancelled, but probably superfluous. 22. ‘of’ (MS) [not ‘of’] Henry to Emma Text: MS at Morgan Library and Museum, New York (MA 3102). First printed here. A photocopy of the poem is held at the NLS (Acc. 6842), where it is accompanied by a note from Ann Payne to Mr Ritchie of the department of MSS at the British Library, 20 Jan? 1977: ‘Enclosed are photos of Sotheby sale 14 Dec 1976’. The envelope is marked: ‘Acc. 6842. Xerox copy of ms. Poem by Allan Ramsay (Sotheby 14 Dec 1976 lot 220) Deposited with BL under export regulations (their RP 1335(2)) & transferred by Arrangement to NLS (their memo included) Not to be opened until 12 January 1984.’ Ramsay’s poem may allude to Matthew Prior’s ‘Henry and Emma, A Poem, Upon the Model of The Nut-Brown Maid’ (1718) and, given that both poems feature characters named Henry and Emma, may also be connected to the unpublished poem beginning ‘Rideat usquo Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno’; see also the notes accompanying that text. Before l.5: ‘words want full Power or description’ 5. Ramsay has reordered the words here by numbering them. The line in the original MS is as follows: ‘but descriptive Words and Phrases chosen best’ [not ‘but Words descriptive Phrases chosen best’] 366

Notes to Uncollected Poems 7. ‘Reigns’ (MS) [not ‘sways’] 23. ‘deserted forsaken’ (MS) [not ‘forsaken’] 29. ‘Zyphers fragrant winds’ (MS) [not ‘fragrant winds’]; ‘the fragrant Grove &’ (MS) [not ‘Grove &’] 36. ‘Son of Venus’: Cupid, Roman god of erotic love. 39. As with l.5, Ramsay has reordered these words by numbering: ‘any Cure I Crave’ (MS) [not ‘Crave I any Cure’] 40. ‘might can’ (MS) [not ‘can’] Before l.41: ‘without the Beauties of thy form & face’ 41. ‘theses’ (MS) [not ‘these’]; ‘outward Beautyous’ (MS) [not ‘Beautyous’] After l.42, an additional two lines are illegible due to a cut in the MS. The following can be read: ‘But Stil These Sacrest ceas… oft thou Glory of the female race’. An Elegy on Mr Samuel Clerk running Stationer Text: MS at Huntington (HM 97). First published: STS III, pp.301-3. It is not possible to date the text. Title: ‘running Stationer’: sold popular literature, including pamphlets, broadsides, ballads, chapbooks, newspapers and magazines, on the streets of eighteenth-century Edinburgh. 13. ‘well=kend’ (MS) [not ‘well-kend’] 23. ‘Andrew Millar’ (1705-68): Scottish bookseller working in London who took Samuel Clerk to court for piracy: ‘Unmindful of former favours Millar led the Stationers’ war against Scottish reprints with a spate of lawsuits in the court of session in 1739 that closed in the House of Lords in 1751’ (Hugh Armory, ‘Millar, Andrew’, ODNB). According to Warren McDougall, the Scottish booksellers named in Andrew Millar’s first prosecution at the Court of Session in 1738-39 included Samuel Clerk and Ramsay himself (McDougall, ‘The Emergence of the Modern Trade’ in Brown and McDougall (eds), The History of the Book in Scotland: Enlightenment and Expansion 1707-1800 (Edinburgh, 2012), p.26). 33. ‘Hair=cleaving, grano=salis’ (MS) [not ‘Hair-cleaving, grano-salis’] ‘grano-salis’: Pliny’s phrase, ‘cum grano salis’, meaning ‘with a grain of salt’. 38. ‘ill=haird’ (MS) [not ‘ill-haird’] 53. ‘Tipon=tight’ (MS) [not ‘Tipon-tight’] ‘O much Loved Youth for thee in tender Grief’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.84). First published: STS III, pp.222-23, titled ‘[In Memory of a Youth]’. The STS editors date to 1731 on the basis that, although there ‘is no definite identification of the young man commemorated’, this poem is ‘so close in Egerton to those on Aikman, it may well refer to his son, whose early death precipitated his father’s’ (VI, p.144). It is said that the death of Aikman’s son, John, ‘a promising young artist, early in 1731’, left his father ‘heart-broken’ and Aikman died only a few months later in June 1731 (Rosalind K. 367

Poems Marshall, ‘Aikman, William, of Cairnie’, ODNB); it is also the case that this poem appears only a few pages after Ramsay’s elegy on William Aikman in the Egerton MS. However, the biblical inflections in this poem, and the lack of references to painting, which are plentiful in Ramsay’s poem in memory of Aikman whose son was also an artist, may indicate that the ‘much Loved Youth’ was a young clergyman. In the absence of concrete evidence as to the poem’s recipient and its timing, it is not assigned a date here. 1. ‘with flowing Eyes in tender Grief’ (MS) [not ‘in tender Grief’] 2. ‘ane with’ (MS) [not ‘with’]; ‘ten Thousand a Nation’ (MS) [not ‘ten Thousand’] 7. ‘Gods Sacred spark Guide!’ (MS) [not ‘Sacred Guide!’] 8. ‘when and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 12. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 14. ‘Glowing raptures’ (MS) [not ‘raptures’]; ‘mind’ (MS) [not ‘mind’] 16. ‘move’ (MS) [not ‘move’] Before l.19, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘This he appeard, and but appeard’ 20. ‘Hermoniously with Energy’ (MS) [not ‘with Energy’]; ‘Gospell Christian’ (MS) [not ‘Christian’] 21. ‘that which’ (MS) [not ‘which’] Before l.25, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘Where Now he sings now placed in these unclouded Beams’ 25. ‘Strife’ (MS) [not ‘Strife’] 27. ‘Envious mean’ (MS) [not ‘Envious’] Before l.28, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘and There selfish Grovling’ 28. ‘mean Low’ (MS) [not ‘Low’]; ‘these Bright Bounds’ (MS) [not ‘these Bright Bounds’] 31. ‘shines the Blazes Bright’ (MS) [not ‘the Blazes Bright’] 32. ‘Thate’ (MS) [not ‘The’]; ‘Tye delight’ (MS) [not ‘delight’] 33. ‘Graced’ (MS) [not ‘Grace’] 34. ‘much’ (MS) [not ‘much’]; ‘Hell=tinged’ (MS) [not ‘Hell-tinged’] 35. ‘Christian pious care’ (MS) [not ‘pious care’] 37. ‘useles Tears’ (MS) [not ‘useles Tears’] 38. ‘who him’ (MS) [not ‘who’] 41. ‘Strings’ (MS) [not ‘Strings’] ‘To day our Scenes have to your View desp[l]ayed’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.82). First published: STS III, p.214. In the STS edition, it is dated to 1729 on the basis that the epilogue ‘might have followed Julius Caesar, Macbeth, or Cato, all tragedies and all popular with school plays’ (VI, p.142); additionally, two uncancelled lines (l.5 and l.8) are removed from the STS copy-text without explanation. As has been established, Ramsay wrote several prologues and epilogues for the stage, and had a particular association with Haddington Grammar School, whose students staged GS in August 1729 under the direction of John Leslie. There is nothing concrete to suggest that this epilogue belongs to the same period, or even to a Haddington performance: indeed, as Ian Brown asserts, ‘schools, rural and street drama were clearly lively phenomena’ in early eighteenth-century Scotland (Ian Brown, ‘Public and Private Performance: 1650-1800’ in 368

Notes to Uncollected Poems The Edinburgh Companion to Scottish Drama, ed. Brown (Edinburgh, 2011), p.26). Similarly, there is no real indication as to which play the epilogue was intended to follow. These contextual considerations, alongside the lack of a date in MS, means that the poem is not assigned a date here. 3. ‘falls in’ (MS) [not ‘falls’] 6. ‘such noble beautyous Painting should courts our youthfull engage each mind’ (MS) [not ‘such beautyous Painting should engage each mind’] 7. ‘jŭst’ (MS) [not ‘just’] 8. ‘and may sic what’eers’ (MS) [not ‘what’eers’]; ‘the well designd’ (MS) [not ‘the well designd’] Before l.9, the MS has two cancelled partial lines: success atend the what’eer 10. ‘plaudits’ (MS) [not ‘plaudits’] Before l.11: ‘The more you give we will deserv’t the more’ 11. ‘the each’ (MS) [not ‘each’] ‘Here Dick according to our paction Take’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.139v). First published: STS III, p.330, titled ‘[A Dialogue]’. The MS ink has faded considerably, and some lines, as indicated below, are difficult to read. The lack of rhyme and dialogic structure led the STS editors to speculate that it ‘looks like a bit of dialogue from a play by Ramsay’ (VI, p.171). It is not assigned a date here. Before l.3, the MS has an illegible cancellation and ‘percent’. Before l.5, the MS has an illegible cancellation. 5. ‘praythee what doest thou with use make to of all this money make use of all this money’ (MS) [not ‘praythee doest use make of all this money] The ink is very faint in the MS here, making it difficult to read text and cancellations; the text is therefore tentative. 9. ‘yellow Boys’: colloquial term for a gold coin, guinea or sovereign. Before l.14: ‘of that’. On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.25v). First published: STS III, p.284. In the absence of concrete evidence, it has not been possible to date the text. Title: There were two Earls of Wigtown in Ramsay’s lifetime; the poem could, therefore, be dedicated to the butler of John Fleming, sixth Earl (1674-1744) or Charles Fleming, seventh Earl (1675-1747). ‘Painter to the[e] the Gods are kind’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.93v). First published: STS III, pp.284-85, titled ‘[To a Painter]’. We concur with the STS editors that the poem was probably written for 369

Poems Ramsay’s painter son, Allan Ramsay Junior, given its reference to at least one known portrait by Ramsay Junior in the final line (STS, VI, p.162). Although the painting of ‘Hall’ (l.16) is dated to 1736, those of ‘Walace’ and ‘Ker’ have not been traced. It has not, therefore, been possible to date the poem’s composition. 2. ‘crave ask’ (MS) [not ‘ask’] 3. ‘they’ll their’ (MS) [not ‘their’] 4. ‘Beautyous daring’ (MS) [not ‘daring’] 6. ‘Rising dazling amrous’ (MS) [not ‘amrous’] 9. ‘with the’ (MS) [not ‘the’] 16. ‘Beautyous’ (MS) [not ‘Beautyous’] ‘Hall’: Ramsay Junior painted Kathleen Hall of Dunglass, for which the receipt ‘is signed by the artist’s father and dated 1736’, reading ‘Edr May 31, 1736. Recieved from Ja. Lesley in name of Mr James Home Writer to Signt three Guineas for Miss Katy Halls picture by my son, Allan Ramsay’ (Smart, Life and Art of Allan Ramsay, p.14). ‘Walace’ and ‘Ker’ have not been identified. ‘Scot Worthy Scot when you departed’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.57). First published: STS III, pp.190-91, titled ‘[A Poem to Mr. Drummond]’; an uncancelled line (l.18) is missing from their copy-text. Given that the poem’s dedicatee is David Drummond, an advocate who was Praeses of the Royal Company of Archers for more than two decades between the 1710s and 1730s, the STS editors date the poem to 1725, the year in which Ramsay joined the Archers. However, the subject matter of the poem may suggest a later date of composition. According to Paul, Drummond resigned as Praeses in 1734. Immediately afterwards, Drummond was ‘asked to reconsider his determination; and though, on the same day, he sent a letter adhering to his resolution, he seems to have been continued in office for another year, although he did not make any public appearance’ (Paul, A History of the Royal Company of Archers, p.71). The poem’s invitation to Drummond to re-attend ‘their council Board’ (l.22) may suggest that it dates to 1734, when Drummond resigned his post. Equally, the poem could date to an unspecified year in which false rumours of Drummond’s death were in circulation following his retiral from public life in the 1730s (see ll.1-9). In the absence of concrete evidence by which to date the poem, it is placed among undated texts here. 2. ‘dreepd sunk’ (MS) [not ‘sunk’] 6. At this point, the MS has Ramsay’s caricature:

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Notes to Uncollected Poems 9. ‘and Long we hope Long be his yeares’ (MS) [not ‘Long be his yeares’] 10. ‘Joys Numerous Pleasures many’ (MS) [not ‘Pleasures many’] 13. ‘and wha’ (MS) [not ‘wha’] ‘Kenedy’s’: probably a tavern or meeting place of the Archers. 15. ‘what Rarely’ (MS) [not ‘Rarely’] 18. ‘Mackenzie’ (MS) [not ‘Mackenzie’] The STS editors do not print this line, even though it is not cancelled in the MS. ‘Mackenzie’: an Alexander M’Kenzie was one of the original Counsellors of the Archers in 1676; moreover, a Captain Colin Mackenzie won the Musselburgh Arrow in 1704 (Paul, p.310). Ramsay may be referring to the latter, given his reference to ‘Sr Colin’ here. ‘Wood’: not identified definitively, but an ‘Alex. Wood, merchant’ was admitted to the Archers on 15 June 1754 (Paul, p.367). ‘Sr James’: not identified with certainty. 19. ‘The when’ (MS) [not ‘when’] Before l.21: ‘She spring’ 21. The MS has an illegible superscript word between ‘the’ and ‘Archers’’. 22. ‘to and wear the Bonnet & smiling fields to’ (MS) [not ‘wear the Bonnet &’] 24. ‘or with or’ (MS) [not ‘or’] ‘Safely oer the Hibernian Strand’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.41v). First published: STS III, pp.196-97, titled ‘[To a Gentleman in Ireland]’ and dated to c.1726. The STS dating is not explained but was probably made because the editors associated this text with ‘To my unknown Corospondent in Irland’, which dates to 1726. There is little to connect these two poems, apart from the fact that Ramsay addresses an Irish recipient; moreover, ‘To my unknown Corospondent in Irland’ is found in MS in the NLS, while the present poem is in the Egerton MS. In the absence of concrete evidence, the poem has not been assigned a date here. 2. ‘kend Blyth’ (MS) [not ‘Blyth’] Before l.3, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘The Blyth Contents Make a demand’ 7. ‘ffather’s’ (MS) [not ‘father’s’] 8. ‘offspring Yellings’ (MS) [not ‘Yellings’] Before l.13, the MS has the stanza marked with ‘x’. ‘Hail to the chief of Ramsay’s name!’ Text: MS at NLS (2618, 31v-32). First published: Transactions of the Rymour Club III (Edinburgh, 1924), pp.122-23. The STS edition text (III, pp.315-16) is based on the latter source; this is, therefore, the first time the holograph MS has been used in copy-text. It has not been possible to date the text. 1. ‘chief of Ramsay’s name’: George Ramsay, eighth Earl of Dalhousie (173087), son of George, Lord Ramsay (d.1739) and Jean Maule (d.1769), who would go on to be a Scottish Representative Peer (1774-1787), Lord of Police 371

Poems (1775-82) and High Commissioner of the General Assembly of Scotland. 3. ‘you’ (MS) [not ‘you’] ‘you to the world came’: the poem commemorates George Ramsay’s birthday; see also the note to ll.16-18 below. 5. ‘who dares to the day will’ (MS) [not ‘the day will’] Before l.7: ‘Sprung from’ 12. ‘allways Loyall’ (MS) [not ‘Loyall’] 13. ‘thing’ (MS) [not ‘thing’] 16-18. These lines suggest that George Ramsay was born on the same day – 18 July – as Maria Clementina Sobieska (1702-35), wife of James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), or ‘the Old Pretender’, whose claim to the Scottish, English and Irish thrones made her titular queen. Before l.18: ‘Bath Ramsay’s Chief’ Before l.19: ‘Then Lest the [illegible]’ 19. ‘Esk’: Scottish river which runs past Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian, the seat of the Earls of Dalhousie and Clan Ramsay. Before l.20: ‘and to old Ocean tell’ 22. ‘Edge-well Tree’: according to James George Frazer, an oak tree ‘which is popularly believed to be linked to the fate of the [Dalhousie] family by a mysterious tie; for they say that when one of the family dies, or is about to die, a branch falls from the Edgewell Tree’ (Frazer, The Golden Bough (New York, 1922), p.682). 24. ‘send the news Tell the Tale’ (MS) [not ‘Tell the Tale’] ‘Tagus’: Iberian river which rises in eastern Spain and flows into the Atlantic at Lisbon, Portugal; ‘Madrid’: capital city of Spain. 25. ‘and like the you what’ (MS) [not ‘what’] 30. The MS is torn at the end of this line. ‘from Publick Jars & Party Squable’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.39). First published: STS III, pp.316-17, titled ‘[To Sir William Bennet of Marlefield]’. Ramsay’s addressee is his friend and patron, Sir William Bennet of Grubbet; see also ‘To Sir William Bennet’. Bennet’s estate, Marlefield, is near Morebattle, Roxburghshire; he retired here to focus on landscaping, gardening and agriculture. The STS editors speculate that this poem is referred to in Ramsay’s letter to Bennet of 20 September 1721 (IV, p.171), in which he describes an enclosed poem as ‘one flow of fancy which comes to your hands in a pure state of nature unlick’d and Defective’: there is, however, no concrete evidence to support this view. 1. ‘Retird from’ (MS) [not ‘from’]; ‘Party’ (MS) [not ‘Party’] Before l.2: ‘that Keytch the High’ 2. ‘& Please and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 3. ‘Sir you’ve retird Bennet Retirs belovd by with better as much Grace’ (MS) [not ‘Sir you’ve retird with as much Grace’] 4. ‘as much Respected and equal honour’ (MS) [not ‘and equal honour’] 5-6. Bennet’s earlier career: he was, from 1688, a Captain in the British Army, 372

Notes to Uncollected Poems when he attended William III in Holland; he later became Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire (1693-1707 and 1707-08). 12. ‘you thus close strict’ (MS) [not ‘thus strict’] 13. ‘fair and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] Before l.17: but you no sooner used to hint a thought that in was seen it print 20. ‘& with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] Before l.22: Invite you now & then for Change somtimes for diversion Before l.24: wher mony a trust friends think lang to se ye from worthy Scot even doun to me Before l.27: your much Lovd Scot & Drummond baith Come then Then on your Boots & rien your Fleed much need we have of wit belive me tis worth your while These cancelled lines have references to Ramsay’s and Bennet’s fellow Royal Archers David Drummond and William Scot of Thirlestane. 29. ‘Tyrd wearyd’ (MS) [not ‘wearyd’] Before l.30: ‘of some turnd out & som shot in’ 31. ‘Croud Mobers’ (MS) [not ‘Mobers’] 32. ‘faithfŭllness’ (MS) [not ‘faithfullness’] The MS has Ramsay’s doodle in the margin alongside the closing lines:

‘Madam please to accept this small’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.75). First published: STS III, pp.322-23, titled ‘[With a Gift of Books]’. The STS editors assert that, ‘Since one of the cancelled lines refers to “three volumes”, we can assume that the gift was of “The Tea-Table Miscellany”’ (VI, p.169). In the absence of a concrete date of composition, it is not possible to 373

Poems identify the books which made up Ramsay’s gift: ‘volumes’ could refer to any of his book publications, or even books from his shop. Before l.1 are two partly cancelled lines which appear to be a draft of ll.1-2: Madam these and his Billys fellows twa two allow me to present ye 5-6. An allusion to Ecclesiastes 3:1: ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’; ‘Preacheing King’: King Solomon, generally regarded as the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. 6. ‘Inspird wise wise Preacheing’ (MS) [not ‘wise Preacheing’] 9. ‘Joy & gives a glow a shine’ (MS) [not ‘& gives a shine’] 11. ‘and is & gainst all each care’ (MS) [not ‘& gainst each care’] Before l.13: Then aft Imploy three volums Then Madam this Triumvirate ŭse 13. ‘Madam madam’ (MS) [not ‘madam’]; ‘use’ (MS) [not ‘use’] 15. ‘I’m still delighted when my muse’ (MS) [not ‘still delighted when my muse’] 16. ‘proud the Labours of my finds favour with the fair’ (MS) [not ‘finds favour with the fair’] ‘who’s yon fair Stranger with a mien’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.73v-74v). First published: STS III, pp.323-25, titled ‘[To the Lovely Lechmere]’. The poem is addressed to Lady Elizabeth Howard (1701-39), daughter of Charles Howard, third Earl of Carlisle (1669-1738) and Lady Anne de Vere Capell (c.1675-1752). Elizabeth Howard’s first husband was Nicolas Lechmere, first Baron Lechmere of Evesham (1675-1727), whom she married in 1719, after which she was styled Baroness Lechmere of Evesham. Before l.1, the MS has a list of texts: Blest as the Imortal Gods is he Logan water—Bony Jean Ah Lovely Lichmere why so soon Peggy I must Lov ye wat ye wha I met yestreen

5. ‘Lo chmeore’ (MS) [not ‘Lechmere’] 7. ‘whose Graces wit makes every the rude one more Polite’ (MS) [not ‘whose wit makes every one Polite’] 9. ‘fair clear’ (MS) [not ‘clear’] 10. ‘glents glides’ (MS) [not ‘glides’] 12. ‘can’t not engage make’ (MS) [not ‘can’t engage’] 13. ‘while throw oer Autum Groves while throw Rural Groves’ (MS) [not ‘while throw Rural Groves’] 14. ‘round by the rural limpid’ (MS) [not ‘by the limpid’] Before l.15: ‘her Best & fairest’ 15. ‘her’ (MS) [not ‘our’] ‘Assembly’: a dancing assembly for Edinburgh’s elite, which was managed by aristocratic ‘Directresses’; see also ‘The Fair Assembly’. e

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Notes to Uncollected Poems Before l.18: when fross Looks when to our Turrets 19. ‘The’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 21. ‘Suc such’ (MS) [not ‘such’] 24. ‘gar make’ (MS) [not ‘make’]; ‘smile shine’ (MS) [not ‘shine’] Before l.25: ‘Return dear [?Angleite two illegible words] return’ 25. ‘The we own ah’ (MS) [not ‘we own’] ‘Thames’: English river which runs through London; ‘Severn’: runs through south-west England and Wales. Before l.26: ‘a softer than the T’ 26. ‘be that than’ (MS) [not ‘than’] ‘Tweed’: river in the Scottish Borders; ‘Forth’: runs through central Scotland. 29. ‘our Praise our thanks’ (MS) [not ‘our thanks’] 30. ‘thanks because prases since’ (MS) [not ‘prases since’] 32. ‘and to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 33. ‘next thanks The Dear Robinson whose’ (MS) [not ‘next thanks Robinson’] ‘Robinson’: Sir Thomas Robinson, first Baronet (1703-77), Elizabeth Howard’s second husband; they married on 25 October 1728. Before l.37: encourage every thought that dawns in favour of the Pictland plain that to our joy she may be seen once more on our Hope Park again 37. ‘encourage’ (MS) [not ‘promote’] 40. ‘Hope Park’: Edinburgh park, now known as the East Meadows, originally named for its creator, Sir Thomas Hope of Rankeillour; see also ‘while we attempt to Chaunt in Rural Strains’. 41. ‘Brittain’s House’: Robinson was MP for Morpeth. 42. ‘Beauty’ (MS) [not ‘Grandure’] 43. your the your’ (MS) [not ‘your’] Before l.45 are these uncancelled draft lines: If you aps your good word many well regard a swatch of Scotish art you seen part of our Policy in Buildings Planting Before l.50: from our green Mountains stalks & seas weell to few nations yield 50. ‘every hight ilk green Hieght & yealow field’ (MS) [not ‘ilk green Hieght and yealow field’] 53. ‘faithful that that’ (MS) [not ‘faithful that’] 53-56. Alludes to the Biblical story of Moses sending spies into Canaan, to ‘see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat 375

Poems or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not’ (Numbers 13:18-19). ‘To E’nburgh’s reeky Towers Confind’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.122v). First published: STS III, p.325, titled ‘[To Chloe]’. It has not been possible to date this text. 2. ‘dales’ (MS) [not ‘plains’] Before l.6: ‘fromae her imprisond’ Before l.8: ‘Ah herd the Rullers of our fate’ ‘since heavens so kind Brave Sir to Bless your Eyes’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.55). First published: STS III, pp.325-27, titled ‘[A Poem in Honour of the Return of the Sons of Sir William Bennet of Marlefield]’. The MS draft is particularly messy, and the stanzas are there out-of-order: Ramsay has, however, numbered the stanzas, and the text is ordered here according to his numbering. The text features a variable refrain at the end of each stanza, but Ramsay does not always give the full refrain in MS: the STS editors transposed lines and added their approximation of the refrain where there are gaps; the text is presented as per the MS here. The poem focuses on the sons of Ramsay’s friend and patron Sir William Bennet of Grubbet: they are Sir William Bennet, third Baronet (d.1733) and Sir David Bennet, fourth Baronet (d.1741). Before l.1 are two draft lines which replace the cancelled lines at ll.11-12: Sr Assist fair ye Sisters Smile Sing a welcome to the pair who merit Love from all that’s good & fair 2. ‘Lovd Plants’ (MS) [not ‘dear Pledges’]; ‘of your upright youthfull’ (MS) [not ‘of your youthfull’] 3. ‘Joy smiles’ (MS) [not ‘smiles’] 5. ‘welcome’ (MS) [not ‘arms’]; ‘wide your Joys Love’ (MS) [not ‘wide your Joys’] Before l.7: ‘What muse’ 7. ‘Joy’ (MS) [not ‘Glow’] 8. ‘of’ (MS) [not ‘of’] 10. ‘soft Gay’ (MS) [not ‘Gay’] 11. ‘ye muses sing a welcome to the Pair’ (MS) [not ‘fair ye Sisters Sing a welcome to the pair’] 12. ‘Adorn thy self fair Marlefield who claim your who well deserve your tender Love & care’ (MS) [not ‘who merit Love from all that’s good & fair’] Before l.13: to tune my Reed assist ye Sisters to sing the merits of the W:

13. ‘Joy Hope’ (MS) [not ‘Hope’] 376

Notes to Uncollected Poems 14. ‘their’ (MS) [not ‘Numberous’] 15. ‘each Sprightly the Late dear’ (MS) [not ‘the Late dear’] 17. This line is in superscript in the left-hand margin at this point in the MS. 19. ‘Court the most polite’ is cancelled and then reinstated in the MS. 20. ‘all that’s Bright & Grander in a proper Light is placd’ (MS) [not ‘Grander in a proper Light is placd’] 21. ‘now’ (MS) [not ‘comes’] 22. ‘hes Mind’ (MS) [not ‘with]; ‘Science Education’ (MS) [not ‘Education’] 23. ‘Rejoyce ye hapy Parents in your [illegible cancelled words]the glad welcome There Heir’ (MS) [not ‘Rejoyce ye hapy Parents in your Heir’] 26. ‘Distan’ (MS) [not ‘oriental’] 27. ‘Oceans’ (MS) [not ‘Deeps’] 31: ‘Marlefield’: the Bennet family estate in Roxburghshire. 32. ‘all evry the Lovely Balmy’ (MS) [not ‘evry Balmy’] 33. ‘Like our the first parents paradice Paradice all gay with sweets apear’ (MS) [not ‘Like the first Paradice all gay apear’] 36. ‘Bath go Gentle Kyle in’ (MS) [not ‘Bath in’] At l.36, the MS has ‘In the sqr Book’ in the margin. 37. ‘Then Now’ (MS) [not ‘Now’]; ‘the most’ (MS) [not ‘the most’] 40. ‘has’ (MS) [not ‘brought’] ‘When furious winds storm on the Mountain brow’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.42v). First published: STS III, p.343, titled ‘[To a Noble Lord]’. It has not been possible to date the text. Before l.1: ‘My Lrd’ 1. ‘storms’ (MS) [not ‘winds’] Before l.3: Then is the Time that fforester with care Preps ever d 3. ‘fforester’ (MS) [not ‘forester’] 6. ‘dash sink’ (MS) [not ‘sink’] 7. ‘steady’ (MS) [not ‘Pilot’] 10. ‘source course’ (MS) [not ‘course’] 11. ‘ffortitude’ (MS) [not ‘Judment’] 15. ‘Schoking’ (MS) [not ‘Schok’] Before l.19: ‘wher ffortitude Reason flits sways cheif’ 20. ‘fate State’ (MS) [not ‘State’] 22. ‘and long to’ (MS) [not ‘long’] After l.26: May neer again the fforeign Clyms Invite Our Hamiltoun our Johnstoun from Their Plain.

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Poems On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O. Text: MS at NLS (3648, f.31). First published: STS III, pp.344-45. The title is preceded by ‘Septr 24th’ in the MS, and each stanza is separated by Ramsay’s doodle:

The STS editors speculate that the poem is addressed to ‘Mary Oliphant who married the Earl of Strathmore’ (VI, p.176), and who may also be the ‘Oliphant’ referred to in Ramsay’s ‘On Seeing the Archers’ and the dedicatee of ‘The Roundell to Her Health’. However, Mary Oliphant’s birthdate was 6 August: presuming that Ramsay wrote the poem on or around his addressee’s birthday, the dates do not match. An alternative candidate is a female relative of Charles Oliphant, an original member of the Royal Company of Archers, or Lady Mary Osborne (1688-1722), whose death is mourned in ‘Belinda’s Dead! — the Murning Maya Crys’. 11. ‘Bacchus’: Roman god of wine. 14. ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love. ‘About the Moneth, Sir of September’ Text: MS at NLS (510, 1v). First published: Transactions of the Rymour Club III (Edinburgh, 1924), p.124. The top edge of the MS may contain an additional line or two, but that text has been rendered illegible by tearing. It has not been possible to date this poem. 15. ‘Bonny Wally’: a knick-knack (SND). 26. ‘Lŭck’ (MS) [not ‘Luck’] On Flavia’s Fan Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.77). First published: STS III, p.304, not securely assigned to Ramsay. According to the STS editors, ‘The spelling is so correct that one is suspicious that this may not be by Ramsay’ (VI, p.164). The poem has not been found in print elsewhere; it is, therefore, here attributed to Ramsay. It is not, however, possible to date its composition. General: Before the poem text begins, the MS has the following note at the top of the page: ‘Courtain – Quadrile Table – Dieu – Pearle’. Each stanza is marked with an ‘x’ in the MS; these have been removed in the copy-text. Title: ‘ffan’ (MS) [not ‘fan’] 12. ‘ffan’ (MS) [not ‘fan’] 14. ‘ffountain’ (MS) [not ‘fountain’] 15. ‘Machaon’: respected physician of Greek mythology who healed his fellow soldiers during the Trojan War.

378

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Chloe, an amorous Youth desired’ Text: MS at NLS (510, 2v). First published: Transactions of the Rymour Club III (Edinburgh, 1924), p.126. It is not possible to date the text. 1. ‘amoroŭs’ (MS) [not ‘amorous’] Before l.10, the second stanza is marked with ‘2’ in the MS. 14. ‘ane & 1 &’ (MS) [not ‘1 &’] ‘anes Cupid took a wandring fit’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.131). First published: STS III, p.305, titled ‘[A Compliment]’. The STS edition excludes an uncancelled couplet (here at ll.7-8), as well as making a number of silent emendations to the last four lines of the text. It is here presented as per the MS, but cannot be dated. Before l.3, the MS has cancelled: ‘she cryd him saught him far & near’ 3. ‘at and’ (MS) [not ‘and’] 9. ‘Bennetta’: probably the wife or a daughter of Ramsay’s patron Sir William Bennett of Grubbet. 10. ‘promise word ye’ll’ (MS) [not ‘word ye’ll’] ‘Coridon arise my Coridon’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.57v). First published: STS III, pp.307-8, titled ‘[A Morning Song]’. As the STS editors also note, the first ten lines are taken, with some variation, from a poem entitled ‘Phillida’s Love-Call to her Coridon, and his Replying’, printed in the collection entitled England’s Helicon (see England’s Helicon. Probably edited by Nicolas Ling. A Collection of Pastoral and Lyric Poems First Published at the Close of the Reign of Q. Elizabeth (reprinted London, 1812, pp.73-74). The England’s Helicon version is as follows: Phil. Coridon, arise my Coridon, Titan shineth cleare; Cor. Who is it that calleth Coridon, Who is it that I heare: Phil. Phillida thy true loue calleth thee, Arise then, arise then; Arise and keep thy flocke with me. Cor. Phillida, my true loue is it she? I come then, I come then, I come and keepe my flocke with thee. 1. Ramsay numbers the first ten lines of his text, which are adapted from that of England’s Helicon; the numbers signify the number of syllables in the line. This line is numbered ‘9’ at the start of the line in MS. 2. Numbered ‘6’ in MS. 3. Numbered ‘8’ in MS. 4. Numbered ‘9’ in MS; likely to be an error, as this line consists of 6 syllables. 5. Numbered ‘9’ in MS. 379

Poems 6. Numbered ‘8’ in MS. 7. Numbered ‘6’ in MS. 8. Numbered ‘9’ in MS. 9. Numbered ‘8’ in MS. 10. Numbered ‘6’ in MS. Before l.11, Ramsay separates the borrowed text from his own with ‘_____’. 12. ‘my that heart thy looks so sweet which cupids wiles’ (MS) [not ‘that heart which cupids wiles’] 15. ‘Love’ (MS) [not ‘Love’] Before l.18, the MS has cancelled: ‘O Shepherd I’m willing’ 18. ‘yield to’ (MS) [not ‘yield’] A Pastoral Epithalamium Text: MS at EUL (Laing II.212, f.14), transcription by ‘George Buchanan’ (John Fergus), Secretary of the Easy Club. No autograph MS. First published: STS III, pp.327-29. Given that Ramsay’s use of Fergus as occasional amanuensis is established – see also ‘Elegy on Maggy Johnston’ and ‘On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself’ – the copy-text is taken from the Laing transcription. Fergus’s transcription makes it likely that ‘A Pastoral Epithalamium’ is an early composition, probably dating from the period of Ramsay’s Easy Club membership. The STS copytext is based on the same MS source but differs from our text. It has not been possible to date the poem. 4. ‘wou’dst’ (MS) [not ‘wou’dst’] After l.38, a space is left in the MS: this, and the interruption in the couplets, suggests that a line is missing here. The Thimble Text: The Thimble (Edinburgh, c.1820), copy at NLS (APS.2.202.030(5)). No MS. It was first attributed to Ramsay by Chalmers in his edition of Ramsay’s Works (1848, Vol. II, pp.284-87). Chalmers states that his copy-text is taken ‘from a privately printed sheet stuck into a copy of Chalmers’s edition of Ramsay, which was formerly the property of Harry Guthrie Esq. W. S. Edinburgh, and is now in possession of Mr. R. Chambers. Of its authenticity there is no room for doubt’ (p.284). Given that no further copies of the ‘private printing’ have surfaced, and no MS sources have been traced for ‘The Thimble’, it is tentatively ascribed to Ramsay here. In the absence of a contemporary MS, it has not been assigned a date. Motto: from Virgil’s Georgics (IV, 6), ‘The object of the labour was small, but not the fame’. 3. ‘Apollo’: classical god of, among other things, the sun, archery, poetry and music. 4. ‘Lucina’: alternative name for the Roman goddess Juno, when representing childbirth and labour. It is likely, however, that the term is here used to refer 380

Notes to Uncollected Poems to the moon. 8. ‘Phoebus’: classical god Apollo as the god of light or the sun. 28-29. ‘Venus’: Roman goddess of love and fertility; her Greek counterpart is Aphrodite, who is thought to have been born in Cyprus. 38. ‘Olympus’: Greek mountain, regarded as the home of the gods. 42. ‘Jove’: the highest deity in ancient Roman religion, also known as Jupiter; ‘Juno’: Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth and, as the wife of Jupiter/Jove, queen of the gods. 51. ‘Pluto’: ruler of the underworld in classical mythology, and the god who presides over the afterlife. 52. ‘Styx’: the river which acts as the boundary between earth and the underworld in classical mythology; ‘Thetis’: sea nymph of Greek mythology who married Peleus; their son is Achilles, the protagonist of Homer’s Iliad. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus meets Achilles in the underworld. 67. ‘Vulcan’: Roman god of fire, metalworking and volcanoes, whose forge was thought to be located under the volcanic Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily; he was consort to Venus. 68. ‘Cupid’: Roman god of love, represented with a bow and arrow. 69. ‘Cyclops’: one-eyed beings of classical mythology often depicted as the builders of walls, and associated with Sicily. 75. ‘Tydides’: an epithet for Diomedes, King of Argos, a noted warrior. 95. ‘Babel’s tow’r’: the Tower of Babel, location for a Biblical origin myth which explains the existence of the world’s many languages (Genesis 11:1-9). 98. ‘Caesar’: Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44BC), noted Roman statesman and general; ‘Cato’: Marcus Porcius Cato, or Cato the Younger, a Roman senator known for his opposition to Caesar. Again the Royal Band in fair array Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, ff.96v-98). First published: STS III, pp.193-95, titled ‘Again the Royal Band in fair array [To the Royal Company of Archers]’, dated to c.1726. Ramsay joined the Archers in 1724 and wrote several songs and poems for the company as its Bard. It is beyond doubt that this poem dates to Ramsay’s period of membership, and is therefore post-1724, but in the absence of concrete evidence, it cannot be assigned a secure date. 1-3. These lines are in the margin of the facing page of the MS. 1. ‘se’ (MS) [not [th]e’] 3. ‘and demand’ (MS) [not ‘demand’] 4-5. These lines are in the margin of the MS. 5. ‘To Every Scot to’ (MS) [not ‘To’] Before l.7: ‘gae hide your hevy heads’ 10. ‘hurt about your Fools a’ thats sonsy sell’ (MS) [not ‘a thats sonsy sell’] 12. This line has many cancellations in the MS, where it appears as follows: while honest minds [illegible] minds unsourd with black designs cark’ring Crimes with clogs sae vices vile [not ‘while honest minds unsourd with clogs sae vile’] 381

Poems 14. ‘Thug wight wretch with pride vice (MS) [not ‘wight with vice’] 15. ‘well kenning Life is but a farce at Best ’ (MS) [not ‘well kenning Life is but a farce at Best’] well kenning Before l.16: that some with solemn look and heavy head stawk throw as there wer something int indeed 16. ‘with solemn nonsence shake there solemn nonsence Brook’ (MS) [not ‘there solemn nonsence Brook’] Before l.20: Hast to the fields wishing demand The fields invite, The fair with tender glance delight to view 21. ‘the Scotish’ (MS) [not ‘the Scotish’] 22-23. These lines appear in the margin of the MS, but Ramsay has marked that they should go here with a ‘x’. 24. ‘the sounds melodious Instruments’ (MS) [not ‘sounds melodious’] 25. ‘might archer ae day frae Banish’ (MS) [not ‘archer Banish’] Before l.26: ‘Let sounds melodious’. It also has ‘[The Best & Bravest]’. 28. ‘spanel Lakmadowps’ (MS) [not ‘span[i]el’] 30. ‘the ilk’ (MS) [not ‘ilk’] 36. ‘the Band the Day’ (MS) [not ‘the Band’] 38. ‘dfuse’ (MS) [not ‘d[i]fuse’] Before l.43: ‘Hail to Calinda Clarinda to Calista Hail’ 43. ‘hearty Archers noble patriots’ (MS) [not ‘noble patriots’] 46. ‘Imitate coppy from’ (MS) [not ‘coppy from’] Before l.50: what evers great or good what may be After acted great and good with a Just meaning 51. ‘what’s or w what is wise & good’ (MS) [not ‘what is wise & good’] 52. ‘Justly rightly’ (MS) [not ‘rightly’] 53. ‘cannot range’ (MS) [not ‘cannot]; ‘their’ (MS) [not ‘their’] Before l.54: ‘to Justice their conduct ’ 55. ‘Pavd Led’ (MS) [not ‘Led’] 56. ‘air’ (MS) [not ‘air’] 57. ‘Bony Smilers Patriot Beauty’ (MS) [not ‘Bony Smilers’] 58. ‘Blythly’ (MS) [not ‘Blythly’] 59. ‘Best & worthiest’ (MS) [not ‘Best &’] 60. ‘honest’ (MS) [not ‘honest’] 61. ‘worthy’ (MS) [not ‘worthy’] 62. ‘Damnd’ (MS) [not ‘Damnd’] 64. ‘with brave virtuous’ (MS) [not ‘with virtuous’] 65. ‘daur trock them baith a [illegible] those’ (MS) [not ‘daur trock a those’] Before l.66: Let Sparkling Bumper Wheel arround and with the fairst Toasts be Crownd

382

Notes to Uncollected Poems 66. ‘To Dear Clara Too with all that’s great & sweet’ (MS) [not ‘Dear Clara too in whom too in whom the Graces meet the Graces meet’] 67. ‘and with’ (MS) [not ‘with’] 70. ‘ŭnworthy our regard you must not interfere’ (MS) [not ‘you must not interfere’] 72. ‘to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 75. ‘or conscious guilt when’ (MS) [not ‘when’] ‘what Joyous Din thus strikes my Ear’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.101). First published: STS III, p.195, titled ‘[To the Royal Company of Archers]’ and dated to c.1726. The MS does not mention the Archers, however Ramsay’s reference to the ‘Brave and Stalward Brood’ (l.7) may suggest that it belongs to his collection of poems and songs dedicated to them. In the absence of concrete evidence regarding the poem’s dating, it is not assigned a date here. Before l.1, the MS has three cancelled lines: whence this gay noise whence these Harmonious sounds what blyth deray is this I hear that strikes mellodious on thy Ear 1. ‘thŭs’ (MS) [not ‘thus’] 2. ‘for what these what mean these’ (MS) [not ‘what mean these’] Before l.3: ‘whence’ Before l.5, the MS has ‘P’. The STS editors state that the ‘fragment is evidently a dialogue between Edinburgh (the “Great Dame”) and the Poet’ (VI, p.137). 6. ‘sight show’ (MS) [not ‘show’] Before l.9: ‘who ready to’ 9. ‘prepared Their Native Coŭrage [illegible] dignified’ (MS) [not ‘Their Native Courage dignified’] ‘O Come Let us be Joving’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.41v). First published: STS III, p.196, titled ‘[A Marching Song]’ and dated to c.1726. In the absence of concrete evidence regarding the poem’s dating, it is not assigned a date here. The poem was probably part of the collection of poems and songs written by Ramsay for the Royal Company of Archers. 3. ‘all’ (MS) [not ‘all’] Before l.4: Come let us leave fooling for our Kails’ a cooling hanging on a Tre 4. ‘Links’: probably Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield Links which was, before becoming a golf course in 1761, used as a hunting ground. Before l.10: ‘you Sons in Antient Order’ 383

Poems 10. This line is almost illegible in the MS and the transcription is not definitive. Ramsay uses the Scots term ‘a wee’ elsewhere, in ‘The Rise and Fall of Stocks’ (1721), l.85; the term signifies a ‘small measure, quantity or degree, of any thing or commodity, of time, space, etc., a little while, a short distance, freq. in adv. constructions as a wee, somewhat, rather, for a little’ (Jamieson, 1808). The STS edition has ‘how proud now may ye be’ for this line. Before l.11: ‘how Proud now may be be’ 12. ‘New Succession’: alluding to the early Jacobite cast of the Royal Company of Archers, and their hope for Stuart succession. The distress & complaint of Mustapha, for Loss of his fur Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.290-92. In the absence of evidence, the text is not assigned a date. Title: ‘ffur’ (MS) [not ‘fur’] 5. This line is in the margin in MS, but Ramsay’s asterisk indicates that it should be placed here. 7. ‘then to’ (MS) [not ‘to’] 9. ‘Supperioŭr’ (MS) [not ‘Supperiour’]; ‘continoŭall’ (MS) [not ‘continouall’] 16. The MS features a cancelled, illegible word after ‘as’. l.55. The dialogue from this point is marked by left-hand double quotation marks; in MS, these marks are back-to-front. The Tykes Tooly Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.292-93. In the absence of concrete evidence, it is not assigned a date. 2. ‘Juno’: Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth, and queen of the gods; here, a dog’s name. 13. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] 16. ‘nevoy’: nephew. The broad Hint cunningly answerd Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.293-95. The STS editors identify two other MS sources at the Huntington; only one of these has been located (HM 97), and it is a transcription in an unidentified, contemporary hand entitled ‘The Pawky Answer’. In the absence of evidence, it is not assigned a date. Title: ‘answerd’ (MS) [not ‘answerd’] 7. The MS has an illegible cancelled word after ‘Patricius’. 10. ‘which which’ (MS) [not ‘which’] 30. ‘Repenting-stools’: in the eighteenth-century Scottish Presbyterian Church, sinners accused of fornication were humiliated before the congregation on the ‘Repenting-stool’ or ‘cutty stool’; ‘Kirk-Boxies’: fines paid to 384

Notes to Uncollected Poems the Kirk Treasurer’s Man for such sins. See also ‘Elegy on John Cowper, Kirk-Treasurer’s Man’. 31. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] 35. ‘thŭs’ (MS) [not ‘thus’] 55. ‘ive have’ (MS) [not ‘have’] The Clever Offcome Text: MS at Huntington (HM 211). First published: STS III, pp.210-12, dated to c.1728. It is a Scots version of La Fontaine’s ‘Le Mari confesseur’, a tale of adultery which was published in his anthology of bawdry, Contes et nouvelles en vers (1665). As the STS editors note, Ramsay’s poem substitutes ‘the Flemish campaign of Louis XIV for the Italian campaign of Francis I’ (VI, p.140). The MS does not feature a date of composition, but it is known that Ramsay was adapting the work of La Fontaine and other French fabulists for his own collections of fables: Fables and Tales was published in 1722, while an additional group of fables is printed in the third edition of Ramsay’s Poems (1729); further fables remained unpublished in Ramsay’s lifetime. It may be that ‘The Clever Offcome’ belongs to the period in which Ramsay was preparing his fables for Poems (1729), but in the absence of concrete evidence, the poem is not assigned a date here. 1. ‘Lewis’: Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), known as the Sun King, French monarch from 1643 until 1715; La Fontaine, on whose ‘Le Mari confesseur’ Ramsay’s poem is based, was part of Louis’s cultural circle. 6. ‘fflanders’ (MS) [not ‘flanders’] ‘Flanders’: Louis XIV had several victories in Flanders throughout the 1690s, which led to the bombardment of Brussels in August 1695. 24. ‘Mars’: Roman god of war. 29. ‘brŭnt’ (MS) [not ‘brunt’] 38. ‘[illegible] may’ (MS) [not ‘may’] 49. This line is added in subscript at this point in the MS. 50. All quotation marks at the beginning of lines in the MS are double, and back-to-front, i.e. each line of speech begins with ” rather than “; this has been corrected here. 56. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] 70. ‘^ heavy’ (MS) [not ‘heavy’] 89. ‘ffather’ (MS) [not ‘father’] 98. ‘cŭckold’ (MS) [not ‘cuckold’] Ode 5th Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.38). First published: STS III, pp.340-41, titled ‘[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode V]. As the title suggests, the poem is a Scots translation of Horace’s Ode V (Book I), to Pyrrah. There is no evidence to date this text. 385

Poems Ode 6th To His Grace John Duke of Argyle Text: MS at NLS (2233, ff.38v-39). First published: STS III, pp.341-42, titled ‘[Translation of Horace: Book I, Ode VI]’. In the absence of concrete evidence, it has not been assigned a date. As the STS title suggests, this poem is a Scots translation of Horace’s Ode VI (Book I), in tribute to Agrippa. In Horace’s context, Agrippa was second-in-command to Augustus in war, and was responsible for the construction of notable and intricate Roman buildings including the Pantheon. Title: John Campbell, second Duke of Argyll (1680-1743), senior figure in the British army and Commander in Chief of Scotland, who led the government forces against the Jacobites at Sheriffmuir (1715). A Whig politician, he later held the post of Lord Steward of the Household. 1-2. ‘Harmonious Pope… Iliad speak’: Alexander Pope’s English translation of Homer’s Iliad (1715-20) 1. ‘the sublime th’Inspired’ (MS) [not ‘th’Inspired’] 2. ‘Numbers Iliad’ (MS) [not ‘Iliad’] 5. ‘Condŭct’ (MS) [not ‘Conduct’] 8. ‘ffergus’’ (MS) [not ‘Fergus’’] Fergus: legendary king of Dalriada often credited as Scotland’s founder; according to George Buchanan’s Rerum Scoticarum Historia (1579), he acceded as Scotland’s first king around 330 BC. 9. Corbredus: according to Buchanan, nineteenth legendary king of Scotland; Corbredus II Galdus was the twenty-first. Ode 7th Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.39v). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, 8v). First printed: STS III, pp.342-43. It is a Scots translation of Horace’s Ode 7 (Book I), on Tibur, which begins, ‘Let others sing in praise of Rhodes, or Mytilene,/or Ephesus, or Corinth’ (ll.12). There is no evidence to allow definitive dating. Title: ‘Ode’ (BL) [not ‘Ode 7th’] Before l.1, the NLS MS has ‘To’ 1. ‘cry up cry up’ (BL) [not ‘Cry up’]; ‘Paris for Red wine’ (BL) [not ‘paris for Good Wine’] 2. ‘Potosie’ (BL) [not ‘potosi’s’]; ‘potosi’s’ (NLS) [not ‘potosi’s’] ‘potosi’s mine’: the silver mine at Potosi, Bolivia, which acted as a Spanish colonial mint, producing the Spanish dollar. 3. ‘we’t’ (BL) [not ‘wit’] 4. ‘Viena’s ane Imperial’ (BL) [not ‘Vianas an Emperial’] ‘Viana’: Vienna, capital of Austria. 5. ‘right’ (BL) [not ‘Right’] ‘Hogans’: the States General of the Netherlands. 6. ‘And Londons Populas and great’ (BL) [not ‘Aboon them A London’s maist great’] 7. ‘Arthur’s’ (BL) [not ‘Arthurs’]; ‘where’ (BL) [not ‘wher’]; ‘ring’ (BL) [not 386

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Ring’] ‘Arthurs Seat’: prominent hill and landmark in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. 8. ‘Walks’ (BL) [not ‘Wawks’] 9. ‘glides’ (BL) [not ‘Glides’]; ‘Anton’s Spr’ (BL) [not ‘Antons Spring’] ‘Saint Antons Spring’: holy well in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park. 10. ‘Gowany’ (BL) [not ‘Gow’ny’]; ‘fa’s’ (BL) [not ‘faws’] 11. ‘Lowthian’ (BL) [not ‘Louthian’] ‘Leader’: the River Leader, or Leader Water, runs through the Scottish Borders from the Lammermuir Hills through Earlston and Lauder before joining the River Tweed at Leaderfoot. The river – and Ramsay’s phrase – gives its name to a Scottish song, ‘Leader haughs and Yarrow’. 12. ‘and’ (BL) [not ‘&’]; ‘stane’ (BL) [not ‘stain’] 13-15 differ in BL: Delyt me mair than fragrant Plains which starve where sigh the sunburnt Slavish swains wha ’midst profusion drag their Chains 13. ‘Sparta’: city of ancient Greece known for its military strength. 14. ‘Bonny’ (NLS) [not ‘Bonny’] ‘Larissa’: ancient Greek city, reputed to be the birthplace of Achilles. 15. ‘fflowers’ (NLS) [not ‘flowers’] 16-21 are not in BL. ane Epitaph Designd for Mr. —— Text: MS at NLS (582 (610)). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.127). First printed: STS III, p.283, titled ‘[Ane Epitaph]’. Its recipient and date have not been identified. 1. ‘the ane author of volume wha had made’ (BL) [not ‘ane Author wha has made’]; ‘had has’ (NRS) [not ‘has’] 2. ‘[illegible] a’ (BL) [not ‘Sax’]; ‘volums’ (BL) [not ‘volumes’]; ‘Theiving’ (BL) [not ‘Thieving’] 3. ‘And’ (BL) [not ‘wha’]; ‘Live’ (BL) [not ‘live’]; ‘Dead’ (BL) [not ‘dead’] 4. ‘Die while he was Living’ (BL) [not ‘die while was living’] ‘Jock upo’ Land had Sons eleven’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.13v). First published: STS III, p.286, titled ‘[Epigram]’. There is no evidence to allow the poem’s dating. The Hand preferd to the Hat Text: MS at NLS (582, no. 610v). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.129). First published: STS III, p.286. It has not been possible to date this poem. No title in BL MS. 1. ‘A Genty Ae Day Bony’ (BL) [not ‘Ae Day a Bonny’] 387

Poems The BL MS has a cancelled line here: ‘ae day when the [illegible] winds did Blaw’ 2. ‘a’ (BL) [not ‘at’] 4. ‘hose’ (BL) [not ‘Hose’] The BL MS has a cancelled line here: ‘and [illegible] shawd her to that ilk’ 6. ‘Eglal’ (BL) [not ‘Eagle’] The BL MS has cancelled lines here: By Ane a Chiel with whinging look and it 8. ‘mark’ (BL) [not ‘Mark’] 10. ‘flung’ (BL) [not ‘laid’] 11. ‘Lass while Lying’ (BL) [not ‘Lady Lying’] 12. ‘Remove your hat’ (BL) [not ‘tak aff ye’r Hat’] 13. ‘your’ (BL) [not ‘Ye’r’]; ‘braid’ (BL) [not ‘Braid’]; ‘fo’ (BL) [not ‘for’] To a Gentleman who bid me write always short Things Text: Bodleian (Douce R.306 (6)), on the flyleaf of a copy of Health (1724). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.192). First published: STS III, p.288, titled ‘To a Gentlman who would have me always to write Epigrams’. The STS text is taken from the BL MS; the Bodleian MS is not noted in that edition. In the absence of evidence, the poem has not been dated. Title: ‘To a Gentleman who would have me always to write Epigrams’ (BL) [not ‘To a Gentleman who bid me write allways short Things’] Subtitle: ‘Epigram’ (BL) [not ‘Epigram’] 2. ‘but yet’ (BL) [not ‘but’] 3. ‘Tho’ (BL) [not ‘tho’] 4. ‘sae disna A’’ (BL) [not ‘so does not All’] ‘When fate’s great Author is inclind’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.21). First printed: STS III, p.255, as the final stanza of ‘[A Poem of Civic Rejoicing’], beginning ‘Let Edr heartyly Rejoyce’. There is no connection between the two texts in the MS, and they are some twenty pages apart. It is treated as a separate text here and, in the absence of evidence, has not been assigned a date. 4. ‘Rulling’ (MS) [not ‘Rulling’] ‘The ugly only are the spitefu’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.9). First printed: STS III, p.322, titled ‘[A Fragment of an Epistle]’. In the STS note, the MS is mislabelled as ‘Egerton 2024, f.115v’; this latter call number in fact refers to another poem, also entitled ‘[A Fragment of an Epistle]’ by the STS editors, beginning ‘Is their a condition’. There is not enough evidence to date this text. 388

Notes to Uncollected Poems 4. ‘naw nae line’ (MS) [not ‘nae line’] Before l.7: ‘Then the’ 11. ‘the wise men’ (MS) [not ‘men’]; ‘and tis if its’ (MS) [not ‘if its’] ‘To Harts and Hares’ Nature gave heels’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.7v). First published: STS III, pp.331-32, titled ‘[Fragment]’. The stanzas are numbered in the MS. There is no evidence to date the poem. 3. ‘ffishes’ (MS) [not ‘fishes’] 4. ‘strong’ (MS) [not ‘stout’] ‘You only You have the Ascendant gain’d’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.19). First published: STS III, p.335, titled ‘[Fragment]’. Ramsay concludes this text with three long lines; here the lines feature a doodle:

There is no evidence to allow dating of this text. ‘Like twa fell flesher Tikes inured to Quarrell’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.29). First published: STS III, pp.335-36, titled ‘[Fragment]’. There is no evidence to date the text. Before l.3: ‘Red look Red Glow their Een’ 3. ‘up Stare Straight rise’ (MS) [not ‘Straight rise’] 4. ‘gawf’ (MS) [not ‘snouts’]; ‘Teeth teeth’ (MS) [not ‘teeth’] 6. ‘and and’ (MS) [not ‘and’]; ‘teeth tusks’ (MS) [not ‘tusks’] 7. ‘too’ (MS) [not ‘oer’] 11. ‘The’ (MS) [not ‘while’]; ‘Inocent must wandring bird must fa’ (MS) [not ‘wandring bird must fa’] 12. ‘peeping cheeps’ (MS) [not ‘cheeps’]; ‘Ravenous Maw dead griping Claw’ (MS) [not ‘dead griping Claw’] 13. ‘Laments’ (MS) [not ‘its’] 15. ‘a Poor a Robd’ (MS) [not ‘a Robd’] 17. ‘he’ (MS) [not ‘he’] 19. ‘high airy his mid Region’ (MS) [not ‘his mid Region’] ‘Should Angells from the Heavens descend’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.29). First published: STS III, p.336, titled ‘[Fragment]’. 389

Poems It is not assigned a date here. 5. ‘with social ill nature Rife’ (MS) [not ‘ill nature Rife’] Before l.7: and every ffriendly tye Low self desiging views Before l.9: ‘on Earth a Human’ 9. ‘ane’ (MS) [not ‘agent’]; ‘Devil’ (MS) [not ‘Devil’] ‘Is their a Condition’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2024, f.11v). First printed: STS III, p.187, titled ‘[Fragment of an Epistle]’. The poem is on the reverse of Ramsay’s draft of the fifteenth stanza of ‘The Vision’, published in The Ever Green (1725), and is one of two MS scraps bound into the sheaf in the place between source MSS for volumes one and two of The Ever Green. There is no clear connection to the texts Ramsay prepared for The Ever Green: it is likely to be a verse epistle, and it does not feature the antiquing method Ramsay applied to texts for that collection. Given that the MS features no evidence of the poem’s composition date, and its subject – ‘your Late commission’ – cannot be identified securely, it has been placed in the ‘Undated’ section here. The MS is headed by ‘DD’. 3. ‘maun shoud’ (MS) [not ‘shoud’] 4. ‘shoud Maun’ (MS) [not ‘Maun’] Before l.5, the MS has a cancelled line: ‘or has some new dung out the Auld’ Before l.7, the MS has two cancelled lines: be tenty Lad if thats the Case if that’s the Case dear Lad be tenty After l.12, the MS has two cancelled lines: Or dares the spleen foer aft a fae To minds as Clear as Rising day) ‘While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, ff.27v-28). First printed: STS III, pp.339-40, titled ‘[Fragment]’. There is no evidence to allow the poem’s dating. 1. ‘Imortal cuckold’: Vulcan, Roman god of fire, metalworking and volcanoes, who was married to Venus, goddess of love. His smithy was said to be underneath the volcanic Mount Etna, Sicily; each time Venus was unfaithful, he beat his forge in anger, causing Etna to erupt. Before l.3 in MS is a cancelled, illegible line. 6. ‘her son’: Venus’s son is Cupid, god of love. 13. ‘scorning’ (MS) [not ‘scorning’] ‘Mars’: Roman god of war, who had an affair with Vulcan’s wife, Venus. 18. ‘weightier heavyer’ (MS) [not ‘weightier’]

390

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno’ Text: MS at NLS (3648, f.32 and f.32v). First published in the STS edition as two separate texts: ‘[Fragment]’ (III, pp.344-45) and ‘[Fragment]’ (III, pp.345-46). Given that these ‘fragments’ are next to each other in the NLS MS, take similar forms and both have Emma in the role of the beloved, they are brought together as one text here. These lines may also be connected to ‘Henry to Emma’, held by the Morgan Library, New York: as well as the name of the beloved, they have the same rhyme scheme and subject matter. There is no evidence to allow the text’s dating. 1-4. Ramsay was not proficient in Latin, and it is not straightforward to translate this passage: the second line is particularly puzzling. An approximate translation is as follows: He and his beloved laugh until the Sun Fosters panic on the third Nones of March [?] Not such the Fates commanded nor ever will command So that the day would be supremely sweet to thee 2. ‘tertiŭs’ (MS) [not ‘tertius’]; an illegible, cancelled word comes after ‘usque’. 3. ‘Jŭbebunt’ (MS) [not ‘Jubebunt’] 6. ‘and who’ (MS) [not ‘who’] 7. ‘joy my flame of heavenly fire pleasure all my souls desire’ (MS) [not ‘pleasure all my souls desire’] 9. ‘wish for days & Health health & being wish’ (MS) [not ‘health & being wish’] 10. This line is marked with an ‘x’ in the margin. 18. ‘Roscians Mimicks’ (MS) [not ‘Mimicks’] 23. ‘Joy Glow & pain Cloud’ (MS) [not ‘Glow & Cloud’] 27. ‘doating fondest’ (MS) [not ‘fondest’] 36. The MS indicates a change of order: ‘Stars, Coronets or Whytend 2 Rods or Golden 1 Keys’ (MS) [not ‘Stars, Coronets Gold Keys or Whytend Rods’] Before l.36 is a heavily cancelled, illegible line ending with ‘The Courtiers’. 37. ‘are’ (MS) [not ‘Look’] At the end of the MS text, the word ‘Aproven’ appears in the margin, but has no obvious link with this text. ‘She Gecks as ane wad do her ill’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.35v). First published: STS III, p.346, titled ‘[Fragment]’. There is no evidence to date this text. 1. ‘Glooms Gecks’ (MS) [not ‘Gecks’] 2. ‘when’ (MS) [not ‘when’]; ‘Looks sae Glaiks’ (MS) [not ‘Glaiks’] 3. ‘and’ (MS) [not ‘then’] 5. ‘again’ (MS) [not ‘again’]; ‘Breast again’ (MS) [not ‘Breast’] 6. ‘Blythness courage’ (MS) [not ‘courage’] 7. ‘sob Gow sigh abiet suppose she Incast’ (MS) [not ‘sob abiet she Incast’] Before l.8, the MS has: ‘be wylie and I shall a Wyse at will’ 8. ‘let her let her’ (MS) [not ‘let her’] 391

Poems ‘Preserve these Charms you Liberal Gave’ Text: MS at NLS (2233, f.41). First printed: STS IV, p.276, titled ‘[Fragment]’. The STS edition reinstates several lines which are cancelled in the MS. The text is presented as per the MS here, with cancellations recorded in the notes. There is no evidence to allow its dating. Before l.1, the MS has: When noucht but Zyphers shake the Shaw fans the Plain and Phebus shines serene Her from her couch as from the Main Arose the Cyprian Queen 2. ‘me’ (MS) [not ‘your’]; ‘supliants’ (MS) [not ‘supliant’]; ‘more’ (MS) [not ‘mair’] Before l.5: then Gard her Reward her with a Brave numerous Race whose such Sweetness completnes 5. ‘&’ (MS) [not ‘in’] Before l.6: ‘in Ilka charme divine’ Before l.7: ‘the muses like to sing’ ‘my friend be thankfu for the Grace’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.100v). First published: STS III, p.309. In the STS edition ll.3 and 6 are missing from the text without explanation. There is no evidence to allow its dating. 4. ‘Canongate’: Edinburgh district at the foot of High Street, also known as the Royal Mile. To A fa[i]r Quaker in Dumps Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.52). First published: STS III, pp.306-7. In the STS edition, its provenance is doubted: ‘A correct text, and therefore possibly not by Ramsay’ (VI, p.165). The text has not been found elsewhere in print and, given that Ramsay commented on Quakerism in similar vein in the ‘Epistle to James Arbuckle’, the song is attributed to Ramsay here. Another piece of evidence in favour of Ramsay’s authorship is the tune, which he also used for ‘To Clarinda, A Song’, printed in TTM II. The song was first printed in The Spectator (1711), with lyrics translated from Sappho by Ambrose Philips (1674-1749). It appeared thereafter in the 1712 London edition of Boileau’s works (Vol. I, p.321), in Philips’s Epistles, Odes, &c.: written on several subjects (London: 1724, pp.170-71), The Scotch Orpheus (London 1731, p.4) and Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius I (London, 1733, p.9). General: Each stanza, apart from the first, is numbered in the MS. Title: ‘far’ (MS) [not ‘fa[i]r’] 392

Notes to Uncollected Poems ‘Quaker’: member of the Religious Society of Friends, a religious movement founded in the mid-seventeenth century by Christian preacher George Fox. Quakerism’s emphasis is on the direct relationship of the individual with God; it rejects ordained ministry, sacraments and set forms of worship. 3. ‘the light within’: Fox emphasised the ‘inward light’ as early Quakerism’s first principle, emphasising the direct, individual relationship with God. 17. ‘ffriends’ (MS) [not ‘friends’]; may be a reference to the Religious Society of Friends. Bogi-Dow Text: MS at NLS (9749). Additional MS: BL (Egerton 2023, f.36v). First published: STS IV, pp.273-74. The stanzas are numbered in the MS, and the verses are accompanied by two of Ramsay’s doodles. The first is at the head of the NLS MS:

The tune to which the song is set is an early version of a melody entitled ‘Jenny Dang the Weaver’; Ramsay uses the tune in TTM II for the song beginning ‘O Mither dear, I ’gin to fear’; it was reprinted in Thompson’s Orpheus Caledonius Vol. II (1733). No title in BL; ‘^ a Sang’ (NLS) [not ‘a Sang’] 1. ‘Had Eppy’s Masies Apron Biden Doun’ (BL) [not ‘O had my Apron Biden Doun’] 3. ‘but now when the words’ (BL) [not ‘But now the words gane throu the Toun’] 4. ‘she’ (BL) [not ‘we’] 5-6. ‘Now ye maun… Pillar’: typical eighteenth-century Church of Scotland punishment for pre-marital sex. Offenders were brought before the minister and humiliated in front of the congregation by mounting the ‘Pillar’, or cutty-stool. A fine, paid to the Kirk Treasurer’s Man, was also extracted if the offenders could pay. 5. ‘Now Rab Will’ (BL) [not ‘Now ye’] 6. ‘& she meg’ (BL) [not ‘and I’] 7. ‘for and that’s the way that they maun gae’ (BL), ‘gate Way a doing to’t that poor 393

Poems ’ (NLS) [not ‘and that’s the gate a that poor Fowk gae’] 8. ‘has’ (BL) [not ‘have’] 9. ‘Either’ (BL) [not ‘either’] 10. ‘Parish’ (BL) [not ‘parish’] 24. ‘Cŭtty’ (NLS) [not ‘Cutty’] Additional stanzas not in the NLS MS, and clearly marked as cancelled in the BL MS: O Mither Dear I ’gin to fear I winna keep a Towmond Tho I am baith good & Bonny I winna keep, for in my sleep I start & Dream of Jokny when Jony then comes oer doun the Glen to Woo my dinna hindere but with Content gie your consent for we twa neer can sinder Fowk gae



Better to Marry than miscary its Sin for & shame & skaiths to think o’t the Clink ot To thol the dool upo to mount that stool I wounna Bide the Blenk ot to think o’t Sae while tis time I’ll shun the Crime that gars poor Meg gae whindgng Syn of his Merk weel Bawk the Clerk with hanches fow & that gart her and een sae Blew and Bleerd with grief & greeting to a’ the Bedrals Bindging The NLS MS ends with Ramsay’s doodle:

‘O Maly O Mally I can nae Langer Bear’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.37v). First printed: STS IV, p.277, titled ‘[Fragment of a Song]’. 1. ‘O Maly O Mally I Cannae can nae’ (MS) [not ‘O Maly O Mally I can nae’] 2. In the MS, ‘heart must gie way’ is cancelled by ‘spirit will fail me’ above the original text; the original phrase is not scored out. 3. ‘why’ (MS) [not ‘Should’] 4. ‘a lang’ has two alternative replacements in: ‘ony mair’ and ‘sican lang’; ‘ony mair’ 394

Notes to Uncollected Poems has been selected here. After l.4, the MS has additional draft lines: What is ther in yeild ye a yield ye my Bonny Bony Lass yeild ye o yeild ye my Lovely A Poem upon Ease by Gavin Douglas poet Laureat to the Easy Club Text: Journal of the Easy Club, STS V, pp.49-51. No MS. First printed: STS V, pp.49-51. This poem is found in the Easy Club Journal, in the entry dated 2 February 1715, at the time of Ramsay’s club laureateship. Although the contents of the Easy Club Journal have been accepted as reliable, the poem is categorised as ‘Dubia’ because no textual witness survives: the STS copy-text ‘is a transcript of a transcript made from the original Journal by Andrew Gibson’ (V, p.1); the original MS has been lost. It was not included in STS volumes of Ramsay’s poetry. 37. ‘first parents’: the Biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, as told in the book of Genesis 2:4-3:24. 42. ‘Artrea’: probably Astraea, Greek goddess of justice and purity. 56. ‘Blind Harry’: all Easy Club members went by pseudonyms when in attendance; this member takes the name of Blind Harry (c.1440-92), author of a long poem on Sir William Wallace, commonly known as The Wallace (c.1477). 60. ‘Zachery Boyd’; Easy Club pseudonym, from Zachary Boyd (1585-1683), known as author of The Garden of Zion (1644); ‘Davie Lindsay’: pseudonym, from Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount (c.1490-c.1555), Scottish herald, poet and playwright known for Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis (1552). 62. ‘Buchannan’: pseudonym, from George Buchanan (1506-82), Scottish historian and Latinist. 64. ‘Pitcairn’: pseudonym, from Archibald Pitcairne (1652-1713), Scottish Jacobite physician and satirist; author of The Assembly (1691) and Babel. 66. ‘Hector Boece’: pseudonym, from Hector Boece, or Boethius (1465-1536), Scottish historian and philosopher; author of Historia Gentis Scotorum (1527); ‘Jon Barclay’: pseudonym, from John Barclay (1582-1621), Scottish satirist and neo-Latinist known for his Argenis (1621). 68. ‘Beilhaven’: pseudonym, from John Hamilton, second Lord Belhaven and Stenton (1656-1708), Scottish politician and peer, who delivered a speech against the Union of 1707 in the Scottish Parliament on 2 November 1706. 70. ‘old Gavin’: Ramsay’s pseudonym was Gavin Douglas (c.1474-1522), from the Scots bishop and poet of the same name; he was the author of a Scots translation of Virgil’s Aeneid into Scots, entitled the Eneados (1513).

395

Poems ‘My Generous Patrons, who have lang’ Text: MS at NLS (1695, f.164), transcript in an unidentified hand. No holograph MS. First printed: STS III, pp.216-17, first dated to ‘c.1729’, and later updated to 1727 (VI, p.143). According to the IELM, the MS is an ‘autograph sender’s fair copy of the poem as an enclosure with a letter… [of ] 11 February 1727’. The letter in question is Ramsay’s to Alexander Brodie of Brodie, in which he states that he is busy ‘colecting, adjusting, and puting in order all my last seven years Labours, Pastorals, Tales, Epigrams, Marriage Songs, &c. to make them appear gracefuly in a 2d quarto vol’ (STS IV, p.182), and asks for Brodie’s help in disposing of the 1721 edition of Poems. Given that the original letter and MS poem have not survived, and our only MS source is a non-holograph transcription in an unidentified hand, the poem is classed as ‘Dubia’ here. Banks of Forth Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.68). First published: STS III, pp.305-6. The song is attributed to Ramsay in the STS edition, even though editors suspect that, due to its being ‘suspiciously clean’ in MS, ‘the verse may not be by Ramsay’ (VI, p.165). The song, to the tune of ‘Banks of Forth’, is indeed found in another contemporary source: it appears, in slightly variant form and without authorial credit, in The Scots Charmer; A Choice Collection of Songs, English and Scots (Edinburgh, 1749, p.182), and features thereafter in later editions of The Scots Charmer (1752, 1765 and 1782) as well as in The Lark: Being a Select Collection of the Most Celebrated and Newest Songs, Scots and English Vol. I (Edinburgh, 1765), pp.168-69. The tune, ‘The Banks o’ Forth’, was written by Ramsay’s associate James Oswald, having been published in his Curious Collection of Scots Tunes (1740) and in McGibbon’s Scots Tunes, Book II (1746). Nothing in this evidence suggests that Ramsay was not the song’s author, but in the absence of concrete evidence, its provenance is uncertain. Title: ‘fforth’ (MS) [not ‘Forth’] 6. ‘that who’ (MS) [not ‘who’] Before l.9, the second stanza is marked ‘2’ in the MS; in the publications above, the song is presented in four verses. Verses To the Tune of Over the hills and far Away Text: MS at Aberdeen University Library (MS 955), a transcription in another hand, whose title states erroneously that the song is ‘by Allan Ramsay – in his oun handwriting’. No holograph MS. First printed: STS IV, p.274. Given that no other evidence of Ramsay’s authorship of the song has been traced, it is not securely regarded as of his composition. Ramsay printed the song, as ‘O’er the Hills and far away’ in TTM II; the tune also replaces the second part of the duet ‘By the delicious Warmness of thy Mouth’ in 396

Notes to Uncollected Poems Theophilius Cibber’s Patie and Peggy (1730), an adaptation of Ramsay’s GS. The tune to which the song is set dates to at least the early seventeenth century, being found in Henry Atkinson’s MS (1694, p.102). It was printed in D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy (1706) and was the tune for his The Hubble Bubbles (1720), on the South Sea Bubble; it appears in Playford’s Dancing Master II (1710, p.55) and was also utilised in Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer (1706) and Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera (1729). General: the stanzas are numbered in the MS. 1. ‘The Royall Youth’: James Francis Edward Stuart (1688-1766), who was raised in France and, on his father’s death in 1701, claimed the English, Scottish and Irish throne, leading to the first Jacobite uprising of 1715. 2. ‘ffrance’ (MS) [not ‘France’] 3. ‘ye’ (MS) [not ‘ye’] 4. ‘ffor’ (MS) [not ‘For’] 5. ‘wt’ (MS) [not ‘with’] ‘The gracious Queen’: Queen Anne (1665-1714), reigned in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1702 to 1707. 6. ‘ye’ (MS) [not ‘ye’] 9. ‘Hanover’: the House of Hanover, which succeeded the House of Stuart to the British and Irish throne; the first Hanoverian monarch was George I (1660-1727), who reigned from 1714 to 1727. 15. ‘pretender’: satirical reference to James Stuart’s Whig nickname of ‘Old Pretender’. ‘I read your Letter Saunders Wood’ Text: MS at Huntington (HM 97), transcript in an unknown hand. No holograph MS. First published: STS III, pp.318-19, attributed to Ramsay. The signature ‘A. R.’ may well signify that it is Ramsay’s work but given that there is no other trace of the poem with a concrete connection to the poet, it is categorised as dubia here. 4. The nine Muses of Greek mythology dwelt at the summits of Mounts Helicon, Parnassus and Pindus; the Pindus mountain range is in southern Greece. 6. ‘Pierian Spring’: a fountain in Macedonia believed to have been sacred to the Muses. 10. ‘mind’ (MS) [not ‘mind’] 24. ‘Common=weal’ (MS) [not ‘Common-weal’] 27. ‘be’ (MS) [not ‘be’] 28. ‘Leith’: port town to the north of Edinburgh; the Sands of Leith was the venue for an annual horse race; see also ‘Leith Races’. 32. ‘Bridle=Hand’ (MS) [not ‘Bridle-Hand’] ‘I had a Rock & a wee Pickle Tow’ Text: MS at BL (Egerton 2023, f.40v). First printed: STS IV, p.277, titled ‘[Fragment of a Song]’. Ramsay sets different lyrics to the tune in his ‘Song’, beginning ‘I have a 397

Poems green Purse and a wee pickle Gowd’, in TTM II. The text here is a variation of the first verse of a song entitled ‘The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow’, or ‘The Spinnin’ O’t’, credited by David Herd in 1776 to Alexander Ross (1699-1784), which also features in Ramsay’s friend Joseph Mitchell’s Highland Fair (1731) and Oswald’s Curious Collection of Scots Tunes (1740): it is not, therefore, regarded as being of Ramsay’s sole and secure authorship. There are, however, variations between Ramsay’s MS text and the song as printed. Ross’s song begins as follows: There was an auld wife had a wee pickle tow, And she wad gae try the spinnin’ o’t; She louted her doun, and her rock took a-low, And that was a bad beginnin’ o’t. She sat and she grat, and she flat and she flang, And she threw and she blew, and she wriggled and wrang, And she chokit and boakit, and cried like to mang, Alas, for the dreary beginnin’ o’t! 1. ‘Rock’: a spindle; ‘Tow’: flax or hemp fibre. 3. ‘me’ (MS) [not ‘doun’] 7. ‘skaith’ (MS) [not ‘skaith’] ‘Long has it been the Bus’ness of the Stage’ Text: Caledonian Mercury, 15 November 1736. No MS. The first printing is accompanied the following introductory note: EDINBURGH, Nov. 15. On Monday last the new Theatre in Carrubber’s Close was opened (which is thought by all Judges to be as complete, and finished with as good a Taste as any one of its Size in the three Kingdoms) when the following Prologue was spoken by Mr. Bridges. There is no concrete evidence to prove that Ramsay was the author of this poem. It does, however, concern the opening of Ramsay’s own theatre in Carrubber’s Close, Edinburgh, on Monday 12 November 1736. Theatre was, in the early eighteenth century, violently opposed by the clergymen of Edinburgh, and despite spending months battling to keep its doors open, Ramsay was forced to close in 1739 following a restrictive government Act which prevented the staging of plays without the permission of the Lord Chamberlain. The STS editors argue that ‘he owned the theatre, and could write prologues, so why would he have paid someone else to write one?’ (VI, 125). In the absence of absolute proof of authorship, this poem is placed in the Dubia category. 13. The original reads ‘Reasom’, an obvious misprint. The Dogs of Balgavy Text: MS in an unidentified hand at Mellerstain House, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Reproduced with permission of George Baillie-Hamitlon, 14th Earl of Hadding398

ton. Thanks to Lesley Abernethy for bringing the text to our attention and providing transcription. No holograph MS. Here printed for the first time. Although no MS in Ramsay’s hand survives, leading to this poem’s designation as ‘dubia’, there are points of contact between Ramsay and the family who would inhabit Mellerstain House, where the MS was located. The construction of Mellerstain was begun in 1725 by George Baillie of Jerviswood (1664-1738), who subscribed to both the 1721 and 1728 editions of Ramsay’s Poems. Baillie is described in the list of subscribers to the 1721 edition as ‘one of the Commissioners of the Treasury’: he was M.P. for Berwickshire between 1708 and 1734, Lord of Trade (1710-12), of Admiralty (1714-17) and of Treasury (1717-25). He was the son of Rachel Johnston and Robert Baillie of Jerviswood (bap. 1634-84), who had been executed on a charge of complicity in the Rye House Plot, a 1683 plan to assassinate Charles II (1630-85) and James, Duke of York (1633-1701). George Baillie’s own politics were Whig, and he was a leader of the Squadrone, which played a key role in supporting the parliamentary Union of 1707. Charles Hamilton, Lord Binning (1697-1732) was, through his marriage to Rachel Baillie, George Baillie’s son-in-law: he was influential on the design and construction of Mellerstain House, and also subscribed to both the 1721 and 1728 editions of Ramsay’s Poems. Title: ‘Balgavy’: probably Balgavies, near Forfar, which houses the remains of a medieval castle in the parish of Aberlemno, Angus. 18. ‘Jacobites’: the dogs (‘tykes’), who rescue the weary mare and its rider from sinking into the bog, are here associated the Jacobites, who supported the Stuarts after the Revolution of 1688. 19. ‘sank’: this word is difficult to decipher, and our reading is therefore tentative; it is in superscript above a heavily cancelled, illegible word in MS. 23. ‘this name’: the poem’s narrator refers to the dogs who rescued him as per the poem’s title, ‘The Dogs of Balgavy’. This may also be a reference to the Stuarts: the medieval Balgavie Castle ‘was razed to the foundation by James VI during his journey to the north after the defeat of Argyll in 1593’ (See ‘Balgavy Castle’, Canmore, National Record of the Historic Environment). James VI (1566-1625) was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who oversaw the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in 1603.

A

GLOSSARY, OR

EXPLANATION of the Scots Words us'd by the Author, which are rarely or never found in the modern English Writings. Some general Rules shewing wherein many Southern and Northern Words are originally the same, having only a Letter anged for another, or sometimes one taken away or added. I. In many Words ending with an l. after an a. or u. the l. is rarely sounded. Scots. English. A All. Ba, Ball. Ca, Call. Fa, Fall. Ga, Gall. Ha, Hall. Sma, Small. Sta, Stall. Wa, Wall. Fou, or fu, Full. Pou, or pu, Pull. Woo, or U, Wool. II. The l. changes to a. w. or u. after o. or a. and is frequently sunk before another Consonant; as, Scots. Bawm, Bauk, Bouk, Bow, Bowt, Caff, Cow, Faut, Fause, Fowk, Fawn, Gowd, Haff, How, Howms,

English. Balm. Baulk. Bulk. Boll. Bolt. Calf. Coll or Clip. Fault. False. Folk. Fallen. Gold. Half. Hale or Hollow. Holms.

Maut, Pow, Row, Scawd, Stown, Wawk,

Malt. Pell. Roll. Scald. Stoln. Walk.

III. An o. before ld. changes to an a. or au; as, Scots. Auld, Bauld, Cauld, Fauld, Hald, or Had, Sald, Tald, Wad,

English. Old. Bauld. Cold. Fold. Hold. Sold. Told. Would.

IV. The o, oe, or ow is changed to a, ae, aw, or ai; as, Scots. Ae, or ane, Aeten, Aik, Aith, Ain, or awn, Alane, Amaist, Amang, Airs, Aits, Apen, Awner, Bain, Bair, 401

English. One. Oaten. Oak. Oath. Own. Alone. Almost. Among. Oars. Oats. Open. Owner. Bone. Boar.

Poems Baith, Blaw, Braid, Claith, Craw, Drap, Fae, Frae, Gae, Gaits, Grane, Haly, Hale, Halesom, Hame Hair, or Het, Laith, Laid, Lain, or Len, Lang, Law, Mae, Maist, Mair, Mane, Maw, Na, Nane, Naithing, Pape, Rae, Rair, Raip, Raw, Saft, Saip, Sair, Sang, Slaw, Snaw, Strake, Staw, Stane, Saul, Tae, Taiken, Tangs, Tap, Thrang, Wae,

Both. Blow. Broad. Cloath. Crow. Drop. Foe. Fro, or from. Go. Goats. Groan. Holy. Whole. Wholsome. Home. Hot. Loath. Load. Loan. Long. Low. Moe. Most. More. Moan. Mow. No. None. Nothing. Pope. Roe. Roar. Rope. Row. Soft. Soap. Sore. Song. Slow. Snow. Stroak. Stole. Stone. Soul. Toe. Token. Tongs. Top. Throng. Woe.

Wame, Wan, War, Wark, Warld, Wha,

Womb. Won. Worse. Worl. World. Who.

V. The o. or u. is frequently changed into i; as, Scots. Anither, Bill, Birn, Brither, Fit, Fither, Hinny, Ither, Mither, Nits, Nise, Pit, Rin, Sin,

English. Another. Bull. Burn. Brother. Foot. Fother. Hony. Other. Mother. Nuts. Nose. Put. Run. Sun. A B

Ablins, Perhaps. Aboon, Above. Aefauld, Single-minded, simplehearted, honest, faithful (SND). Aikerbraid, The Breadth of an Acre. Air, Long since. It. Early, Air up, Soon up in the morning. Ambrie, Cupboard. Anew, Enow. Arles, Earnest of a Bargain. Ase, Ashes. Atains, or Atanes, At once, at the Same Time. Attour, Out-over. Auld-farran, Ingenious. Aurglebargin, or Eagglebargin, To contend and wrangle. Awband, A check or restraint, especially used in a moral sense (SND). Awsome, Frightful, terrible. Aynd, The Breath, 402

Glossary

B A

Back sey, a Surloin. Badrans, A Cat. Baid, Stayed, abode. Bairns, Children. Balen, Whale-bone. Balillilow, a lullaby, or hush-word when nursing a child to sleep (SND). Ban, To vow, to promise with oaths (SND). Bang, Is sometimes an Action of Haste. We say he or it came with a Bang.---A Bang also means a great number. Of Customers she had a Bang. Bangster, A blustering roaring Person. Bannocks, A Sort of Bread thicker than Cakes, and round. Barken’d, When Mire, Blood &c. hardens upon a Thing like Bark. Barlikhood, A Fit of Passion or ill Humor. Barrow Trams, The Staves of a Hand-barrow. Batts, Colick. Bawbie, Halfpenny. Bauch, Sorry, indifferent. Bawsy, Bawsand fac’d, is a Cow or Horse with a white Face. Bedeen, Immediately; in haste. Bedral, or Beddal, A minor church official, whose chief duty is to attend the minister, but who may also officiate as gravedigger and church bellman (SND). Best, Beaten. Begoud, Began. Begrutten, All in Tears. Beik, To Bask. Beild or Beil, A Shelter. Bein, or Been, Wealthy. A been House, A warm well furnished one. Beit, or Beet, To help, repair. Bells, Bubles. Bellum, Force, impetus; a blow; noise, din (SND). Beltan, The 3d of May, or Rood-day.

Bended, Drunk hard. Benn, The Inner-room of a House. Bennison, Blessing. Bensell, or Bensail, Force. Bent, The open Field. Benty, Delicate, dainty (SND). Betooch, To commit, entrust (SND). Beuk, Baked. Bicker, A wooden Dish. Bickering, Fighting, Running quickly, School Boys battling with Stones. Bigg, Build. Bigget, Built. Biggings, Buildings. Biggonet, A linen cap or coif (SND). Billy, Brother. Birr, A (fair wind), strong, sudden breeze (SND). Byre or Byar, A Cow-stall. Birks, Birch Trees. Birle, To drink. Common People joining their Farthings for purchasing Liquor, they call it Birling a Bawbie. Birn, A burnt Mark. Birns, The Stalks of burnt Heath. Birr, Force, flying swiftly with a Noise. Birs’d, Bruised. Bittle, or Beetle, A wooden Mell for beating Hemp, or a Fuller’s Club. Black-a-vic’d, Of a black Complexion. Blae, Pale, blew, the Colour of the Skin when bruised. [’Tis used as a Proverb, when one looks pale or out of Countenance, He looks blaefac’d. – 1721] Blaflum, To cajole, deceive (SND). Blaidry, Trumpery, foolishness, ostentation, harm (SND). Blashy, Rainy, wet, gusty (SND). Blate, Bashfull. Blatter, A rattling Noise. Bleer, To make the Eye water. Bleez, Blaze. Blether, Foolish Discourse. Bletherer. A Babbler. Stammering is called blethering. Blin, Cease. Never blin, Never have done. 403

Poems Blinkan, The Flame rising and falling, as of a Lamp when the Oil is exhausted. Boak, or boke, Vomit. Boal, A little Press or Cupboard in the Wall. Bodin, or bodden, Provided or furnished. Bodle, One sixth of a Penny English. [Two Pennies Scots, or ½ a Penny English. – 1721] Bodword, An ominous Message. Bodwords are now used to express ill-natur’d Messages. Boglebo, Hobgoblin or Spectre. Bone-fence, a lady’s stays or whalebone corsets (SND). Bony, Beautiful. Bonywalys, Toys, Gee-gaws. Borrowing Days, The three last days of March, Old Stile (Jamieson, 1808). Borrows-town, A borough (DOST). Boss, Empty. Bought, A shelter of any kind (SND). Bouk, Bulk. Bourd, Jest or Dalley. [We say, A sooth Bourd is nae Bourd. – 1721] Bouze, To drink. Bowie, A small tub for washing (Jamieson, 1808). Brachen, A Kind of Water Gruel of Oat-meal, Butter and Honey. Brae, The Side of a Hill. Bank of a River. Braird, The first sprouting of Corns. Brander, A Gridiron. Brands, Calves of the Legs. Brankan, Prancing. A capering. Branks, Wherewith the Rusticks bridle their Horses. [A Halter fixt to two Pieces of Wood, which hang on either Side of the Nose. – 1721] Bratle, Noise, as of Horse Feet. Brats, Rags. Braw, Brave. Fine in Apparel. Brecken, Fearn. Brent-brow, Smooth high Fore-head. Brigs, Bridges. Briss, To press.

Brock, A Badger. Broe, Broth. Browden, Fond. Browster, Brewer. Browst, A Brewing. Bruckle, Brittle, easily broken; crumbling (SND). Bruliment, A Broil. Bucky, The large Sea-Snail. A Term of Reproach, when we express a cross natur’d Fellow by thrawn Bucky. Buff, Nonsense. As, He blether’d Buff, Bught, The little Fold where the Ews are inclosed at Milking-time. Buller, To bubble. The Motion of Water at a Spring-head, or Noise of a rising Tide. Bumbazed, Confused. Made to stare and look like an Idiot. Bumler, A Bungler. [One that cannot perform his Work handsomely. – 1721] Bummil, To read in a low indistinct tone; to sing, or play in a bungling manner; to stutter and stammer; to speak carelessly, making many mistakes in pronunciation or in the construction of a sentence (SND). Bung, Completely fudled, as it were to the Bung. Bunkers, A Bench, or Sort of long low Chests that serve for Seats. Burlie-Bailie, An officer employed to enforce the laws of the Burlawcourts (Jamieson, 1808). Burlaw courts consisted of neighbours selected by common consent to act as judges in determining disputes between neighbours. Burn, a Brook. Any little Torrent of Water. Busk, To deck. Dress. Bustine, Fustian (Cloath). But, Often, for without. As, But Feed or Favour. Bykes, or Bikes, Nests or Hives of Bees. [or Pismires. – 1721] Bygane, Bypast. Byword, A Proverb.

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Glossary C A Cadie, One who earned a living by running errands, lighting the way in the dark with lanterns, etc. Originally applied to a number of such persons who formed an organised corps in Edinburgh and other large towns in the early 18th century (SND). Cadge, Carry. Cadger is a Country Carrier, &c. [who jogs about with his Fish, Fowls, Eggs, &c. – 1721] Caff, A Calf. Chaff. Callan, Boy. Caller, Applied to fish, vegetables, etc.: just caught or gathered (SND). Camschough, Stern, grim, of a distorted Countenance. Cangle, To wrangle. Cankerd, Angry, passionately snarling. Canna, Cannot. Cant, To tell merry old Tales. Cantraips, Incantations. Canty, Chearful and merry. Capernoited, Whimsical. Ill-natur’d. [One who has got a Blow or Knoit on the head that has turned his Judgment wrong. – 1721] Car, Sledge. Carna, Care not. Carle, An old Word for a Man. Carline, An old Woman. GireCarling, A Giant’s Wife. Cathel, An hot Pot, made of Ale, Sugar and Eggs. Catif, A miserable person; a poor wretch (DOST). Cauldrife, Spiritless. Wanting chearfulness in Address. Cauler, Cool or fresh. Cawk, Chalk. Chafts, Chops. Chaping, An Ale Measure or Stoup, somewhat less than an English Quart. A-Char, or a-jar, Aside. When any Thing is beat a little out of its Position, or a Door or Window a

little open’d, we say they’re a-Char, or a-jar. Charlewain, Charles-wain. The Constellation called the Plow, or Ursa major. Chancy, Fortunate, good natur’d. Chat, A cant Name for the Gallows. Chiel, A general Term, like Fellow, used sometimes with Respect; as, He’s a very good Chiel; and contemptuously, That Chiel. Chirm, Chirp and sing like a Bird. Chork, To make a squelching noise; generally used of the sound made when walking with water-filled shoes (SND). Chucky, A Hen. Claghan, A hamlet, village, generally containing a church; “a small cluster of cottages” (SND). Clan, Tribe, Family. Clank, A sharp Blow or Stroke that makes a Noise. [The Din of a Pot Lid, when the Drinker makes it speak for more Liquor; - 1721] Clashes, Chat. Claught, Took hold. Claver, To speak Nonsense. Claw, Scratch. Clead, To cover; fill, throng (SND). Cleck, To invent; conceive (SND). Cleek, To catch as with a Hook. Cleugh, A narrow gorge or chasm with high rocky sides (SND). Clish-ma-claver, Idle talk, gossip; wordy discourse (SND). Clough, A Den betwixt Rocks. Clinty, Hard, stonny. Clock, A Beetle. Cloited, The Fall of any soft moist Thing. [When one falls carelessly, he’s said to cloit down. – 1721] Closs, A Court or Square; and frequently a Lane or Alley. Clour, The little Lump that rises on the Head, occasioned by a Blow or Fall. Clute, Hoof, of Cows or Sheep. Cockernony, The gathering of a Woman’s Hair, when ’tis wrapt or

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Poems snooded up with a Band or Snood. Cockstool, A Pillory. Cod, A Pillow. Cost, Bought. Cog, A pretty large wooden Dish the Country People put their Potage in. Cogle, When a Thing moves backwards and forwards, inclining to fall. Coodies, A small wooden Vessel used by some for Chamber-pots. Coof, A stupid Fellow. Coor, To cover. Cooser, A Ston’d Horse. Coost, Did cast. Coosten, Thrown. Corby, A Raven. Cosie, Shelter’d in a convenient Place. Cotter, A Sub-tenant. Cowp, To fall; also a Fall. Cowp. To change or Barter. Cowp. A Company of People; as merry, senseless, corky Cowp. Cour, To crouch and creep. Couth, Frank and kind. Crack, To chat. Craig, The throat, the gullet (SND). Creel, Basket. Crish, Grease. Croil, A crooked Dwarf. Croon, or Crune, To murmure, or hum o’er a Song. The Lowing of Bulls. Crouse, Bold. Crove, A Cotage. Crummock, A cow with crooked horns; a pet name for a cow (Jamieson, 1808). Cryn, Shrink, or become less by drying. Cudeigh, A Bribe, Present. Culzie, Intice or flatter. Cun, To taste. Learn. Know. Cunzie, or Coonie, Coin. Curn, A small Parcel. Cursche, A Kerchief. A Linnen Dress wore by our Highland Women. Cushlock, Sour in manner, disgruntled, having lost one’s interest or nerve (SND).

Cutled, Used kind and gaining Methods for obtaining Love and Friendship. [like little Children pressing in upon, and pratling agreeably to their Parents. – 1721] Cutts, Lots. These Cutts are usually made of Straws unequally cut. [which one hides between his Finger and Thumb, while another draws his Fate. – 1721] Cutty, Short. D A Dab, A Proficient. Dad, To beat one Thing against another. He fell with a Dad. He dadded his Head against the Wall, &c. Daft, Foolish; and sometimes, Wanton. Daffin, Folly. Wagrie. Dail, or Dale, A Valley. Plain. Daintiths, Delicates. Dainties. Dainty, Is used as an Epithet of a fine Man or Woman. Dander, Wander to and fro, or saunter. Dang, Did ding, Beat. Thrust. Drive. Ding, Dang, Moving hastily one on the Back of another. Darn, To hide. Dash, To put out of Countenance. Dawty, A Fondling, Darling. To dawt, To cocker, and caress with tenderness. Deave, To stun the Ears with Noise. Dees, Diary [sic] Maids. Deray, Merriment. Jollity. Solemnity. Tumult. Disorder. Noise. Dern, Secret. Hidden, Lonely. [When one has hid himself, we say, He’s dern’d in some Place. – 1721] Deval, To descend. Fall, Hurry. [or dip down. – 1721] Dewgs, Rags or Shapings of Cloath. Didle, To act or move like a Dwarf. Dight, Deck’d. Made ready; also to clean. Ding, To knock, beat or strike:

406

Glossary to drive; to push suddenly and forcibly; to displace or overturn by shoving (SND). Dinna, Do not. Dirle, A smarting Pain quickly over. Dit, To stop or close up a Hole. [Dit ye’r Gab wi’ ye’r Meat. – 1721] Divet, Broad Turf. Dockin, A Dock, (the Herb.) Doild, Gloomy, mournful (SND). Doilt, Confused and silly. Doited, Dozed or crazy, as in old Age. [Daft young, and doited auld, the two Times of foolish Marriage. – 1721] Doll, A large Piece, Dole or Share. Doller, Horse dung (SND). Dominie, A schoolmaster (SND). Donk, Moist. Donsie, Affectedly neat. Clean, when applied to any little Person. Doofart, A dull heavy headed Fellow. Dool, or Drule, The Goal which Gamesters strive to gain first (as at Football.) Dool, Pain. Grief. Dorts, A proud Pet. Dorty, Proud. Not to be spoke to. Conceited, appearing as disobliged. Dosend, Cold. Impotent. Dought, Could. Avail’d. Doughty, Strong, valiant and able. Douks, Dives under Water. Doup, To bend, to duck (Jamieson, 1808). Douse, Solid. Grave. Prudent. Dow, To Will. To incline. To thrive. [To do good. – 1721] Dow’d, (Liquor) that’s dead, or has lost the Spirits. Or, wither’d (Plant.) Dowff, Mournful, wanting vivacity. Dowie, Melancholy. Sad. Doleful. Downa, Dow not, i.e. Tho one has the Power, he wants the Heart to it. Dowp, The Arse. The small Remains of a Candle. The Bottom of an Egg-shell. Better haff Egg as toom dowp. Drant, To speak slow, after a sighing

Manner. Dree, To suffer. Endure. Dreery, Wearisome. Frightfull. Dreigh, Slow, keeping at Distance. Hence an ill Payer of his Debts, we call Dreigh. Tedious. [Or when on Journey if the Way prove longer than we expected, we say, ’Tis a dreigh Road. – 1721] Dribs, Drops. Drizel, A little Water in a Rivulet, scarce appearing to run. Droning, Sitting lazily, or moving heavily. Speaking with Groans. Drouked, Drench’d, all wet. Drowth, Thirst (SND). Drumbly, Muddled, obscure, dim (SND). Dubs, Mire. Dung, Defeat. Dunt, Stroke or Blow. Dunty, A Doxy. Durk, A Poinyard or Dagger. Dynles, Trembles. Shakes. [To have a Touch of Pain, as Gout or Toothach. – 1721] Dyver, A Bankrupt. E A Eags, Incites, stirs up. Eard, Earth, the Ground. Edge, Of a Hill, is the Side or Top. Een, Eyes. Eild, Age. Eildeens, Of the same Age. Eith, Easy. Eithar, Easier. Elbuck, Elbow. Elding, Any kind of fuel, esp. inflammable material such as peat, sticks, brushwood, etc., firewood (SND). Elfshot, See Note on Patie and Roger Vol. I. Line 42. Elson, A Shoe-maker’s Awl. Elritch, Wild. Hideous. Uninhabited, except by imaginary Ghosts. Elwand, A measuring rod, one ell in length (Jamieson, 1808). Endlang, Along.

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Poems Ergh, Scrupulous. When one makes faint Attempts to do a Thing without a steady Resolution. Erst, Time past. Estler, Hewn Stone. Buildings of such we call Estler-work. Ether, An Adder. Etle, To aim, design. Even’d, Compared. Eydent, Diligent, laborious. F A Fa, A Trap, such as is used for catching Rats or Mice. Fadge, A spungy Sort of Bread in Shape of a Roll. Fae, Foe (SND). Fag, To tire, or turn weary. Fail, Thick Turf, such as are used for building Dikes for Folds, Inclosures, &c. Fain, Expresses earnest Desire; as Fain would I. Also, Joyful, tickled with Pleasure. [This word used in England expresses a Desire or Willingness to do a Thing; as Fain would I. Besides it being used in the same Sense with us, it likewise means Joyful, tickled with Pleasure. As, As fain as a Fidler. – 1721] Fait, Neat, in good Order. Fairfaw, When we wish well to one, that a good or fair Fate may befal him. Fang, The Talons of a Fowl. To fang, To grip, or hold fast. Fash, Vex or Trouble. Fashous, Troublesome. Faugh, A Colour between white and red. Faugh rigs, Fallow Ground. Feck, A Part, Quantity; as, Maist Feck, The greatest Number. Nae Feck, Very few. Feckfow, Able, active. Feckless, Feeble, little and weak. Feed or Fead, Feud, Hatred, Quarrel. Feil, Many, several. Fen, Shift. Fending, Living by Industry. Make a Fen, Fall upon

Methods. Ferlie, Wonder. Fernzier, The last or fore-run Year. Fier, Sound in body or mind; healthy, sturdy (SND). Figmalirie, A whim, fancy, crotchet (SND). File, To defile or dirty. Fi[e]nt, As an imprecation. Phrs. Fient nor, fient that = would to the devil that…! (SND) Finkle, The plant fennel, Foeniculum vulgare (Jamieson, 1808). Fireflaught, A Flash of Ligtning [sic]. Firlot, A measure of capacity for grain, the fourth part of a Boll and equal to 4 Scottish pecks, the amount varying in different districts and for different commodities (SND). Fistle, To stir, a Stir. Fitsted, The Print of the Foot. Fizzing, Whizzing. Flae, Flea (SND). Flaffing, Moving up and down, raising Wind by Motion, as Birds with their Wings. Flags, Flashes, as of Wind and Fire. Flane, An Arrow. Flang, Flung. Flaught, A flash, as of fire or lightning (Jamieson, 1825). Flaughter, To pare Turf from the Ground. Flaw, Lie or Fib. Fleegerie, An ornament, a gewgaw, especially something excessively garish, as in one’s dress (SND). Fleetch, To cox or flatter. Fleg, Fright. Flewet, A smart Blow on the Head. Fley or flie, To affright. Fleyt, Afraid or terrified. Flinders, Splinters. Flit, To remove. Flite, or Flyte, To scold, chide, Flet, Did scold. Flushes, Floods. Fog, Moss. Foordays, The Morning far advanc’d,

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Glossary fair Day-light. Forby, Besides. Forebears, Forefathers, Ancestors. Forfairn, Abused, bespatter’d. Forfoughten, Weary, faint and out of Breath with Fighting. Forgainst, Opposite to. Forgether, To meet, encounter. Forleet, To forsake or forget. Forestam, The Fore-head. Forrow Nowt, Cows not in calf (DOST). Fouth, Abundance. Plenty. Fozy, Spungy, soft. Frais, To make a Noise. We use to say one makes a Frais, when they boast, wonder, and talk more of a Matter than it is worthy of, or will hear. Fray, Bustle, Fighting. Freath, To work a liquid up into a froth, especially of soapsuds, to make a lather (SND). Freik, A fool, light, impertinent Fellow. Fremit, Strange, not a Kin. Fristed, Trusted. Frush, Brittle, like Bread baken with Butter. Fuff, To blow. Fuffin, Blowing. Fulzie, To defecate, to befoul (oneself); to defile, pollute (SND). Furder, Prosper. Furthy, Forward. Fush, Bought. Fyk, To be restless, uneasy. Furlet, Four Pecks. G A Gab, The Mouth. To prat. Gab sae gash. Gabbing, Prating pertly. To gab again, When Servants give saucy Returns when reprimanded. Gabby, One of a ready and easy Expression; the same with auld Gabbet. Gadge, To dictate impertinently, talk idly with a stupid Gravity.

Gafaw, A hearty loud Laughter. To gawf, Laugh. Gait, A Goat. Gammon, Of a person: the leg, thigh (SND). Gamphrel, A bumptious, foolish person (Jamieson, 1825). Gams, Gums. Gar, To cause, make, or force. Gar, A strip or patch of green grass, generally on a hill-side (SND). Gare, Greedy, Rapacious, earnest to have a Thing. Gash, Solid, Sagacious. One with a long out Chin, we call Gash Gabbet, or Gash Beard. Gate, Way. Gaud, A bar of iron, especially one used in forging (SND); also a trick, prank; ‘a bad custom or habit, of whatever kind’ (Jamieson, 1808). Gaunt, Yawn. Gawky, Idle, staring, idiotical Person. Gawn, Going. Gaws, Galls. Gawsy, Jolly, buxome. Geck, To mock. Geed, or Gade, Went. Geg, A truck, deception (Jamieson, 1825). Genty, Handsome, genteel. Get, Brat. A Child, by Way of Contempt or Derision. Gielainger, An ill Debtor. Gif, If. Giglet, A wanton or light woman or girl (DOST). Gillycacus, or Gillygapus, A staring, gaping Fool, a Gormandizer. Gilpy, A roguish Boy. Gimmer, A young Sheep (Ew.) Gin, If. Gird, To strike, pierce. Girn, To grin, snarl. Also a Snare or Trap, such as Boys make of Horse Hair to catch Birds. Girth, A Hoop. Glaiks, An idle, good for nothing Fellow. Glaiked, Foolish, Wanton. 409

Poems Light. To give the Glaiks, To beguile one, by giving him his Labour for his Pains. Glaister, To bawl or bark. Glamour, Juggling. When Devils, Wizards, or Jugglers deceive the Sight, they are said to cast Glamour o’er the Eyes of the Spectator. Glar, Mire, ouzy Mud. Glee, To squint. Gled, The common kite, Milvus milvus (SND). Gleg, Sharp, quick, active. Glen, A narrow Valley between Mountains. Glent, To gleam, glint, shine, sparkle (SND). Gliff, A fright, a scare; a state of excitement (SND). Gloom, To scoul or frown. Glowming, The Twilight, or Evening-gloom. Glowr, To stare, look stern. Glunsh, To hang the Brow and grumble. Goan, A wooden Dish for Meat. Goolie, A large Knife. Gorlings, or Gorblings, Young, unfleg’d Birds. Goshens, Abundance, plenty, generally used of fish; ‘used by Kincardineshire fishermen, often referring to a good catch’ (SND). Gossie, Gossip. Gowans, Dazies. Gowdspink, The goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis (Jamieson, 1825). Gowsty, Of buildings: large, bare and cheerless (Jamieson, 1808). Gove, To look broad and stedfast, holding up the Face. Gowf, Besides the known Game, a Racket or sound Blow on the Chaps, we call a Gowf on the Haffet. Gowk, The Cuckow. In derision we call a thoughtless Fellow, and one who harps too long on one Subject, a Gowk. Gowl, A Howling, to bellow and cry. Gousty, Ghastly, large, waste,

desolate, and frightful. Graith, Equipment, tackle, gear (SND). Grany, Grandmother, any old Woman. Grape, A trident Fork. Also to grope. Gree, Prize, Victory. Green, To long for. Greet, To weep. Grat, Wept. Grein, To desire ardently, long, yearn (SND). Grieve, An Overseer. Groff, Gross, coarse. Grotts, Mill’d Oats. Grouf, To ly flat on the Belly. Grounche, or Glunsh, To murmure, grudge. Grunzie, The snout of an animal or (contemptuously) of a person, the ‘phiz’ (SND). Grutten, Wept. Gryse, A Pig. [or young Swine. – 1721] Gumption, Good Sence. Gurly, Rough, bitter, cold, (Weather.) Gutcher, A grandfather (SND). Gysened, When the Wood of any Vessel is shrunk with dryness. Gytlings, Young Children. H A Haffet, The Cheek. Side of the Head. Hagabag, Coarse Napery. Haggise, A kind of Pudding made of the Lungs and Liver of a Sheep, and boiled in the big Bag. Hags, Hacks, Peat-Pits, or Breaks in mossy Ground. Hain, To save, manage narrowly. Haining, The enclosing of ground by fences, hedges, or walls; the fence, hedge, or wall forming the boundary of an enclosure (DOST). Halesome, Wholesome: as Hale, Whole. Haleware, The whole of something, esp. of a company or of a number of things (SND). Hallen, A Screen.

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Glossary Hameld, Domestick. Hamely, Friendly, frank, open, kind. Hantla, A large number (SND). Hanty, Convenient, handsome. Happer-gall, A stumbling or hesitation (in a speech) (DOST). Harigalds, The viscera of an animal, entrails of a fowl, the pluck; also used metaphorically (Jamieson, 1808). Harle, Drag. Harns, Brains. Harn pan, The Scull. Harship, Ruin. Hash, A Sloven. Haveren, or Havrel, Ibid. Haughs, Valleys, or low Grounds on the Sides of Rivers. Havins, Good Breeding. Havins, Behaviour. Haws, The Throat, or Fore-part of the Neck. Heal, or Heel, Health, or whole. Heepy, A Person hypochondriack. Heeryestreen, The Night before yesternight. Heez, To lift up a heavy Thing a little. A Heezy is a good Lift. Heght, Promised. Also, named. Hempy, A tricky Wag, such for whom the Hemp grows. Hemp Heckle, The toothed comblike implement used for dressing flax, a hackle (Jamieson, 1808). Hereit, Ruined in Estate, broke, spoil’d. [impoverish’d. – 1721] Hesp, A Clasp or Hook, Bar or Bolt. Also in Yarn a certain Number of Threeds. Hether-bells, The Heath-blossom. Heugh, A Rock or steep Hill. Also a Coal-pit. Hiddils, or Hidlings, Lurking, hiding Places. To do a Thing in hidlings, i.e. privately. Hildiegildie, An uproar (Jamieson, 1825). Hirple, To move slowly and lamely. Hirsle, To move as with a rustling Noise.

Hirsle, or Hirdsale, A Flock of Cattle. Hissel, Hazel (Jamieson, 1808). Ho, A single Stocking. Hobbleshew, Confused Racket, Noise. Hodden, Coarse homespun, dyed woollen cloth, of greyish colour, due to a mixture of black and white wool (SND). Hogmanay, The 31st December, the last day of the year, New Year’s Eve (SND). Hool, Husk. Hool’d, inclosed. Hooly, Slow. Host, or Whost, To cough. Hou, or Hu, A Cap or Roof-tree. Houghed, To disable by cutting the tendons of the hough in man or (usually) beast; to hamstring, hough; also fig. To deprive of support; to put out of action, put a stop to (DOST). How, Low Ground, a Hollow. How! Ho! Howdered, Hidden. Howdy, A Midwife. Howk, To dig. Howlet, An owl, an owlet (SND). Howms, Plains on River Sides. Howt! Fy! Howtowdy, A young Hen. Hurkle, To crouch or bow together like a Cat, Hedge-hog, or Hare. Hut, A Hovel. Hyt, Mad. Iceshogles, Icicles. Ilk, Each. Ilka, Every. Incast, A quantity of anything given by a seller to a buyer in addition to the exact amount or sum stipulated for, something thrown in by way of discount (Jamieson, 1825). Ingan, Onion. Ingle, Fire. Irie, Fearful, terrified, as if afraid of some Ghost or Apparition. Also, Melancholy. I’se, I shall; as I’ll for I will. 411

Poems Isles, Embers.1 J A Jack, Jacket. Jag, To prick as with a Pin. Jaunner, To talk idly or in a foolish or jocular manner (Jamieson, 1825). Jaw, A Wave or Gush of Water. Jawp, The Dashing of Water. Jee, To incline to one Side. To jee back and fore, is to move like a Balk up and down to this and the other Side. Jig, To crack, make a Noise like a Cart-wheel. Jimp, Slender. Jip, Gypsie. Jo, Sweet-heart. Jocktaleg, A large clasp or pocket knife or a large knife for kitchen use (SND). Jouk, A low Bow. Junt, A large Joint or Piece of Meat. Jute, Sour or dead Liquor. Jybe, To mock. Gibe, Taunt. K A Kaber, A Rafter. Kale, or Kail, Cole-wort, and sometimes Broth. Kacky, To dung. Kain, A Part of a Farm-rent paid in Fowls. Kame, Comb. Kanny, or Canny, Fortunate. Also warry, one who manages his Affairs discreetly. Kebuck, A Cheese. Keckle, To laugh, to be noisy. Kedgy, Jovial. Keek, To peep. Keel, Ruddle, red ochre (Jamieson, 1808). Kelt, Cloth with a Freeze, commonly made of native black Wool. Kemp, To strive who shall perform

most of the same Work in the same Time. [equal to that Proverb, (Fool’s Haste is no Speed) is, Kempers shear nae Corn. – 1721] Ken, To know; used in England as a Noun. A Thing within Ken, i.e. Within View. Kent, A long Staff, such as Shepherds use for leaping over Ditches. Kepp, To catch a Thing that moves towards one. Keuly, The word may represent kin(d)ly (SND). Keytch, To pitch, toss, to toss to and fro (Jamieson, 1808). Kiest, Did cast. Vid. Coost. Kilted, Tuck’d up. Kimmer, A Female Gossip. Kiple, A rafter (SND). Kirk, The word is generally used of a Presbyterian or other non-Episcopal church or congregation as opposed to chapel for a Scottish Episcopalian or Roman Catholic place of worship (SND). Kirn, A Churn, to churn. Kirtle, An upper Petticoat. Kitchen, All Sort of Eatables except Bread. Kittle, Difficult, mysterious, knotty (Writings.) Kittle, To tickle, ticklish. Knacky, Witty and facetious. Knoit, To beat or strike sharply. Knoos’d, Buffeted and bruised. Know, A Hillock. Knublock, A Knob. Knuckles, Only used in Scots for the Joints of the Fingers next to the Back of the Hand. Kow, Goblin, or any Person one stands in aw to disoblige, and fears. Ky, Kine, or Cows. Kyth, To appear. He’ll kyth in his ain Colours. Kyte, The Belly.

1 All words beginning with ‘I’ were placed out of order under ‘J A’ in Ramsay’s original glossaries.

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Glossary L A Laggert, Bespatter’d, cover’d with Clay. Laigh, Low. Laits, Manners. Lak, or Lack, Undervalue, contemn; as, He that laks my Mare, would buy my mare. Landart, The Country, or belonging to it. Rustick. Lane, Alone. Langour, Languishing, Melancholy. To hold one out of Langour, i.e. Divert him. Lankale, Coleworts uncut. Lap, Leaped. Lapper’d, Crudled, or clotted. Lare, A Place for laying, or that has been layn in. Lare, Bog. Latter-meat, Victuals brought from the master’s to the servants’ table (Jamieson, 1825). Lave, The Rest, or Remainder. Lavrock, The Lark. Lawin, A Tavern Reckoning. Lawland, Low Country. Lawty, or Lawith, Justice, Fidelity, Honesty. Leal, True, upright, honest, faithful to Trust, loyal. A leal Heart never lied. Leam, Flame. Lear, Learning, to learn. Lee, Untill’d Ground; also an open Grassy Plain. Leglen, A Milking-pale with one Lug or Handle. Leman, A kept Miss. Lends, Buttocks, Loyns. Leugh, Laughed. Lew warm, Lukewarm. Libbit, Gelded. Lick, To whip or beat. It. A Wag or Cheat, we call a great Lick. Lied, Ye lied, ye tell a Lie. Lift, The Sky or Firmament. Liggs, Lyes. Lills, The Holes of a Wind

Instrument of Musick; hence, Lilt up a Spring. Lilt it out, Take off your Drink merrily. Limmer, A Whore. Limp, To halt. Lin, A Cataract. Ling, Quick Carrier in a straight Line, to gallop. Lingle, Cord, Shoe-makers Threed. Linkan, Walking speedily. Linsey Woolsy, Consisting of a mixture of irreconcilables; mixed up, muddled, confused (DOST). Lintie, The linnet, Acanthis cannabina (Jamieson, 1808). Lire, Breasts. Item, The most muscular Parts; sometimes the Air or Complexion of the Face. Lirk, A Wrinkle or Fold. Lisk, The Flank. Lith, A Joint. Lizar, A strip of pasture between two pieces or ridges of arable ground or in a corner or margin of a ploughed field in which cattle are grazed and herded (Jamieson, 1880). Loan, A little Common near to Country Villages, where they milk their Cows. Loch, A Lake. Loo, To love. Loof, The Hollow of the Hand. Looms, Tools, Instruments in general. Vessels. Loot, Did let. Low, Flame. Lowan, Flaming. Lown, Calm. Keep lown, Be secret. [He sits foul own that has a riven Breech. – 1721] Loun, Rogue, Whore, Villain. Lounder, A sound Blow. Lout, To bow down, making Courtesie. To stoop. Lowry, A name given to the fox (SND). Luck, To enclose, shut up, fasten; hence Lucken handed, Close Fisted Lucken Gowans, Booths, &c. Lucky, Grandmother or Goody. Lug, Ear, Handle of a Pot or Vessel. 413

Poems Luggie, A Dish of Wood with a Handle. Lum, The Chimney. Lurdane, A lazy, loutish or stupid person, a loafer, a worthless creature, a rascal (Jamieson, 1808). Lure, Rather. Lyart, Hoary or Gray-hair’d. M A Magil, To mangle. Maik, or Make, Match, Equal. Maikless, Matchless. Mailen, A Farm. Makly, Seemly. Well proportion’d. Maksna, ’Tis no matter. Malison, A curse, Malediction. Mangit, Gall’d or bruised by Toil or Stripes. Mank, A Want. Manswear, To swear falsely, to perjure (SND). Mant, To stammer in Speech. March, or Merch, A Land-mark, Border of Lands. Marh, The Marrow. Marrow, Mate, Fellow, Equal, Comrad. [We say, Half-marrow, Husband or Wife, and the Marrow of a Shoe or Glove. – 1721] Mask, To mash, in Brewing. Masking Loom, Mash-Vat. Maun, Must. Maunna, Must not, may not. Mavis, The Song Thrush (SND). Meikle, Much, big, great, large. Meith, Limit, Mark, Sign. Mends, Satisfaction, Revenge, Retaliation. To make a Mends, To make a grateful Return. Mense, Discretion, Sobriety, good Breeding. Mensfou, Mannerly. Menzie, Company of Men, Army, Assembly, one’s Followers. Mercat, Market (Jamieson, 1825). Merl, The Blackbird (SND). Messen, A little Dog, Lap-dog. Mess John, A jocular or contemptuous name for a Scottish

Presbyterian minister (DOST). Midding, A Dunghill. Midges, Gnats, little Flies. Mim, Affectedly modest. Mint, Aim, endeavour. Mirk, Dark. Miscaw, To give Names. Mischance, Misfortune. Misken, To neglect or not take Notice of one; also, Let alone. Mislushous, Malicious, Rough. Misters, Necessities, Wants. Mittans, Woolen Gloves. Mony, Many. Mools, The Earth of the Grave. Mou, Mouth. Moup, To eat, generally used of Children, or of old People, who have but few Teeth, and make their Lips move fast, tho’ they eat but slow. Mow, A Pile or Bing, as of Fewel, Hay, Sheaves of Corn, &c. Mows, Jests. Muckle, See Meikle. Murgullied, Mismanaged, Abused. Mutch, Coif. Mutchken, An English Pint. N A Nacky, or Knacky, Clever, active in small Affairs. Naig, A horse of any size or kind (SND). Neese, Nose. Netle, To fret or vex. Newcal, Of cows: Newly calved, having calved. As distinguished from forrow (DOST). Newfangle, Fond of a new Thing. Nevel, A sound Blow with the Nive or Fist. Nick, To bite or cheat. Nicked, Cheated: also as a cant Word, to drink heartily; as, He nicks fine. Nicker, To crack, clatter, make a clicking sound, to creak (SND). Niest, Next. Nieve, A fist, a clenched hand 414

Glossary (Jamieson, 1808). Niffer, To exchange or barter. Niffnafan, Trifling. Nignays, Trifles. Nipps, Bits. Nither, To straiten. Nithered, Hungered or half starv’d in Maintenance. Nive, The Fist. Nock, Notch or Nick of an Arrow or Spindle. Noit, See Knoit. Nowt, Cows, Kine. Nowther, Neither. Nuckle, New calv’d (Cows.) O E Oe, A Grandchild. O’er, or Owre, Too much; as, A’ O’ers is Vice. O’ercome, Superplus. Ony, Any. Or, Sometimes used for e’er or before. Or Day, i.e. Before Day break. Ora, Any thing over what’s needful. Orp, To sweep with a convulsive Pant. Oughtlens, In the least. Ourlie, A necktie, cravat, originally ‘a neck-cloth worn by men, which hung down before, and was tied behind’ (Jamieson, 1808). Owk, Week. Owrlay, A Caveat. Owsen, Oxen. Owthir, Either. Oxter, The Arm Pit. Oye, A grandchild (Jamieson, 1808) P A Paddock, A Frog. Paddock Ride, The Spawn of Frogs. Paiks, Chastisement. To paik, To beat or belabour one soundly. Pang, To squeez, press or pack one Thing into another. Pash, A jocular term for the head,

‘nut’, ‘loaf’ (Jamieson, 1808). Patrick, A partridge (SND). Paughty, Proud, haughty. Pawky, Witty or sly in Word or Action, without any Harm or bad Designs. Peer, A Key or Wharf. Peets, Turf for Fire. Pegh, To pant. Pensy, Finical, foppish, conceited. Penty, To administer a light blow, punch lightly, tap (Jamieson, 1808). Perquire, By Heart. Pett, A Favourite, a Fondling. To pettle, To dandle, feed, cherish, flatter. Hence to take the Pett, is to be peevish, or sullen, as commonly Petts are when in the least disobliged. Pibroughs, Such Highland Tunes as are play’d on Bag-Pipes before them when they go out to Battle. Pig, An Earthen Pitcher. Pike, To pick, pick out, or chuse. Pimpin, Pimping, mean, scurvy. Pine, Pain or Pining. Pingle, To contend, strive or work hard. Pint-Stoup, A smaller-sized vessel for holding liquor, sometimes also used as a drinking vessel; a mug, flagon, tankard, decanter (Jamieson, 1808). Pirn, The Spool or Quill within the Shutle, which receives the Yarn. Pirny, (Cloath or a Web) of unequal Threeds or Colours, stripped. Pith, Strength, Might, Force. Plack, Two Bodles, or the 3d of a Penny English. Plotcock, A name for the devil, in allusion to the incident before Flodden mentioned in Pitscottie’s History (SND). See The Gentle Shepherd, Act II, Scene II, l.524. Pople, or Paple, The Bubling, Purling or Boyling up of Water. (Popling.) Poortith, Poverty. Portyoul, A sad outcry, a doleful moan, a howl; to cry, make moan, 415

Poems lament (Jamieson, 1808). Pow, The head of a human being or an animal (Jamieson, 1808). Powny, A little Horse or Galloway; also a Turky. Powt, A young fowl, especially a young game bird (Jamieson, 1808). Pouse, To push. Poutch, A Pocket. Praeses, The person who presides at a meeting or the like, the chairman, president; the spokesman or leader of a group (SND). Pratick, Practice, Art, Stratagem, Priving Pratick, Trying ridiculous Experiments. Prets, Tricks, Rogueries. We say, He plaid me a Pret, i.e. Cheated. The Callan’s fou of Prets, i.e. Has abundance of waggish Tricks. Prig, To cheapen, of importune for a lower Price of Goods one is buying. Prin, A Pin. Prive, To prove or taste. Propine, Gift, or Present. Prym, or Prime, To fill, or stuff. Pulliese, A pulley of any kind, especially a contrivance consisting of a rope running on a pole as a prop, used to hang clothes out of a window to dry (Jamieson, 1808). Putt a Stane, Throw a big Stone. Q Quat, To leave, depart from, forsake; to relinquish, give up, let go (Jamieson, 1825). Quey, A young Cow. R A Rackless, Careless. One who does Things without regarding whether they be good or bad, we call him rackless Handed. Rae, A Roe. Raffan, Merry, roving, hearty. Raik, To move with speed, to cover the ground quickly (Jamieson,

1808). Raird, A loud Sound. Rair, A Roar. Rak, or Rook, A Mist or Fog. Rampage, To speak and act furiously. Rarie-Show, a peep-show, used in quotation in the sense of an object of unusual interest, a curiosity (SND). Rashes, Rushes. Ratrime, A string of meaningless phrases; a rigmarole (DOST). Rave, Did rive or tear. Raught, Reached. Rax, To stretch. Rax’d, Reached. Ream, Cream. Whence, Reaming; as, Reaming Liquor. Reave, To tear, rend, to grab, snatch forcibly at, to rip, to plough up (SND). Redd, To rid, unravel. To separate Folks that are fighting, where one oft gets what we call the Redding Strake. It also signifies clearing of any Passage. I’m redd, I’m apprehensive. Rede, Council, Advice. As, I wad na rede ye to do that. Reek, Reach; also Smoak. Reest, To rust, or dry in the Smoak. Rest, Bereft, robbed, forc’d or carried away. Reif, Rapine, Robbery. Reik, or Rink, A Course or Race. Rever, A Robber or Pirate. Rewth, Pity. Rice, or Rise, Bulrushes, Bramble Branches, or Twigs of Trees, such as are used for Partition Walls plaister’d with Clay. Rife or Ryfe, Plenty. Rift, To belch. Rigging, The Back, or Rig-back, the Top or Ridge of a House. Rin Wood, Of a state, appearance, emotion, event, etc.: Exhibiting madness or rage, crazy, without reason (DOST). Ripples, A weakness in the Back and Reins.

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Glossary Rock, A Distaff. Roose, or Ruse, To commend, extoll. Roove, To rivet. Rottan, A Rat. Rottle, To strike, knock or beat repeatedly, bang, to (cause to) hit, to come violently in contact, crash noisily (SND). Roudes, A coarse, ill-favoured or masculine-looking woman, an ill-natured hag, an old witch (Jamieson, 1808). Roundel, A witty, and often Satyrick Kind of Rhime. [commonly of 8 Lines, some of which are repeted as the Fancy requires. – 1721] Rowan, Rolling. Rowt, To roar, especially of the Lowing of Bulls and Cows. Rowth, Plenty. Royt, A beast that runs through the fields, instead of keeping to its pasture is said to royt’ (Jamieson, 1808). Ruck, A Rick or Stack of Hay or Corns. Rude, The red Taint of the Complexion. Ruefu, Doleful. Rug, To pull, take away by Force. Rumble, Wild, disorderly, unruly, having a forward, devil-may-care attitude (Jamieson, 1808) Rumple, The Rump. Rungs, Small Boughs of Trees lop’d off. [which serve for Staves to Country People. – 1721] Runkle, A Wrinkle. Runckle, To rufle. Rype, To search. S A Saebeins, Seeing it is. Since. Saikless, Guiltless, free. Sain, To protect oneself from harm or evil by a ritual sign or act, especially by making the sign of the cross (SND). Sain’d, Blessed. Saip Bells, Bubbles formed by

blowing out soapy water (Jamieson, 1808). Sall, Shall. Like Soud for Should. Sand-blind, Pur-blind, Short-sighted. Sar, Savour or Smell. Sark, A Shirt. Saugh, A Willow or Sallow Tree. Saw, An old Saying, or proverbial Expression. Scad, Scald. Scar, The bare Places on the Sides of Hills washen down with Rains. Scart, To scratch. Scawp, A bare, dry Piece of stony Ground. Scon, Bread the Country People bake over the Fire, thinner and broader than a Bannock. Scowp, To leap or move hastily from one Place to another. Scowth, Room, Freedom. Scrimp, Narrow, straitned, little. Scroggs, Shrubs, Thorns, Briers. Scroggy, Thorny. Scogue, Concealment, shade, a means of hiding (Jamieson, 1825). Scuds, Ale. A late Name given it by the Benders. [perhaps from its easy and clever Motion. – 1721] Scunner, To loath. Segg, An animal, generally a bull, that has been castrated when fully grown (SND). Sell, Self. Selly, Deserving pity or compassion, freq. as an epithet expressing kindness or sympathy; poor (Jamieson, 1808). Seuch, Furrow, Ditch. Sey, To try. Seybow, A young Onion. Shan, Pitiful, silly, poor. Shanker, A (venereal) ulcer (DOST). Sharn, Cow’s Dung. Shauchle, To walk without lifting the feet, to shuffle, shamble, walk in an ungainly, heavy-footed manner (Jamieson, 1808). Shaw, A Wood or Forrest. Shawl, Shallow.

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Poems Shawps, Empty Husks. Shekelbane, The wrist-bone, carpus (Jamieson, 1808). Sheen, Shining. Shellycoat, A coat covered with shells; adj. shelly-coated, in allusion to the belief in a mischievous water-sprite, so called from being clad in such a coat, who frequented seas, rivers, etc. (SND). Shiel, A temporary or roughly-made house or shed, a hut, bothy, freq. of a shelter used by salmon-fishermen (Jamieson, 1808). Shill, Shril, having a sharp Sound. Shire, Clear, thin. We call thin Cloath, or clear Liquor, Shire. Also a clever Wag, A Shire Lick. Shoaring, A threat (SND). Shog, To wag, shake, or jog backwards and forwards. Shool, Shovel. Shoon, Shoes. Shore, To threaten. Shotle, A Drawer. Sib, A-kin. Sicker, Firm, secure. Sike, A Rill or Rivulet, commonly dry in Summer. Siller, Silver. Sindle, Seldom, rarely, infrequently (Jamieson, 1825). Sinsyne, Since that Time. Lang sinsyne, Long ago. Skaill, To scatter. Skair, Share. Skaith, Hurt, Damage, Loss. Skeigh, Skittish. Skelf, Shelf. Skellum, A worthless fellow, scamp, scoundrel, rogue (SND). Skelp, To run. Used when one runs Bare-foot. Also a small Splinter of Wood. It. To flog the Hips. Skiff, To move smoothly away. Skink, A Kind of strong Broth made of Cows Hams or Knuckles; also, to fill Drink in a Cup. [We say, A Spoonfou of Skitter will spoil a Potfu’ of Skink. – 1721]

Skirl, To shreik, or cry with a shrill Voice. Sklate, Slate. Skailie, is the fine blue Slate. Skowrie, Ragged, Nasty, Idle. [We call a vagrant lazy Fellow, A Skowrie, or Skurrievaig, i.e. A Scourer or Vagrant. – 1721] Skreed, A Rent. Skybald, A Tatterdamalion. Skyt, Fly out hastily. Slade, or Slaid, Did slide, moved, or made a Thing more easily. Slap, or Slak, A Gap, or narrow Pass between two Hills. Slap, A Breach in a Wall. Slee, Sly (Jamieson, 1808). Sleek, Smooth. Sleet, A Shower of half melted Snow. Slerg, To bedawb or plaister. Slid, Smooth, cunning, flippery; as, He’s a slid Lown. Slidry, Slippery. Slippery, Sleepy. Sloken, To quench (thirst), satisfy (the desire to drink) (Jamieson, 1808). Slonk, A Mire, Ditch or Slough; to wade thro’ a Mire. Slote, A Bar or Bolt for a Door. Slough, Husk or Coat. Smaik, A silly little pitiful Fellow; the same with Smatchet. Smirky, Smiling. Smittle, Infectious or Catching. Smoor, To smother. Snack, Nimble, ready, clever. Sned, To cut. Sneg, To cut; as, Sneg’d off at the Web End. Snell, Sharp, smarting, bitter, firm. Snib, Snub, check or reprove, correct. Snifter, To snuff or breath throw the Nose a little stopt. Snish, Snuff, a pinch of snuff (SND). Snod, Metaphorically used for Neat, Handsome, Tight. Snood, The Band for tying up a Woman’s Hair. Snool, To dispirit by chiding, hard

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Glossary Labour, and the like; also a pitiful grovling Slave. Snoove, To whirl round. Snotter, Snot. Snurl, To ruffle or wrinkle. Sod, A thick Turf. Sonsy, Happy, fortunate, lucky; sometimes used for large and lusty. Sore, Sorrel, reddish coloured. Sorn, To spunge. Soss, The Noise that a Thing makes when it falls to the Ground. [To fall down heavily, is to fall with a Soss. – 1721] Souch, The Sound of Wind amongst Trees, or of one Sleeping. Sourock, A sulky, peevish, perverse, sour-tempered person (SND). Sowder, To join (together) with solder (DOST). Sowens, Flumry, or Oat-meal sowr’d amongst Water for some time, then boil’d to a Consistency, and eaten with Milk or Butter. Sowf, To conn over a Tune on an Instrument. Spae, To fortel or divine. Spaemen, Prophets, Augurs. Spain, To wean from the Breast. Spait, A Torrent, Flood, or Inundation. Spang, A Leap or Jump; to leap or jump. Spanzie, Spanish, belonging to Spain, of a Spanish breed (SND). Spaul, Shoulder, Arm. Speel, To climb. Speer, To ask, inquire. Speet, A pointed stick or skewer on which herring or other fish are strung up to dry (SND). Spelder, To split, stretch, spread out, draw asunder. [Whence Speldin, A little Fish open’d and dry’d. – 1721] Spence, The Place of the House where Provisions are kept. Spill, To spoil, abuse. Spoolie, Spoil, Booty, Plunder. Spraings, Stripes of different Colours. [as in Cloth. – 1721]

Spring, A Tune on a Musical Instrument. Sprush, Spruce. Spruttl’d, Speckled, spotted. Spung, A purse, pouch for holding money frequently closing with a spring device (SND). Spunk, Tinder. Stalwart, Strong and valiant. Stang, Did sting; also a Sting or Pole. Stank, A Pool or Pond of standing Water. Stark, Strong, robust. Starns, The Stars. Starn, A small Moity. We say, Ne’er a Starn. Stawk, A shock of cut sheaves of grain, usually ten or twelve, set up to dry in a harvest-field (Jamieson, 1808). Stay, Steep; as, Set a stout Heart to a stay Brae. Steek, To shut, close. Stegh, To cram. Stend, or Sten, To move with a hasty long Pace. Stent, To stretch or extend. Stirk, A Steer or Bullock. Stoit, or Stot, To rebound or reflect. [One is said to stoit, when he hits his Foot against a Stone, or moves like one drunk. – 1721] Stonkard, Sulky, surly, perversely or sullenly obstinate (Jamieson, 1808). Stoor, Rough, hoarse. Stou, To cut or crop, A Stou, A large Cut or Piece. Stound, A smarting Pain or Stitch. [as, A Stound of Love. – 1721] Stoup, A wooden post, pillar or prop, e.g. a chair or table leg, a bed- or gate-post (Jamieson, 1808). Stour, Dust agitated by Winds, Men or Horse Feet. To Stour, To run quickly. Stowth, Stealth. Strae, Straw (Jamieson, 1808). Strapan, Clever, tall, handsome. Strath, A Plain on a River Side. Streek, To stretch. Striddle, To stride, applied

419

Poems commonly to one that’s little. Strinkle, To sprinkle or straw. Stroan, The discharge of urine (Jamieson, 1825). Stroot, or Scrute, Stuff’d full, drunk. Strunt, A Pett. A Fit of ill Humour. To take the Strunt. To be petted or out of Humour. Strute, Crammed full and bulging, stretched to capacity (Jamieson, 1808). Studdy, An Anvil, or Smith’s Stithy. Sturdy, Giddy-headed. It. Strong. Sture, or Stoor, Stiff, strong, rough, hoarse. Sturt, Trouble, Disturbance, Vexation. Stym, A Blink, or a little Sight of a Thing. Suddle, To sully or defile. Sumph, Blockhead. Sunkan, Spleenatick. Sunkots, Something. Swak, To throw, cast with Force. Swankies, Clever young Fellows. Swarf, To swoon away. Swash, Squat, fuddled. Swatch, A Pattern. Swats, Small Ale. Swecht, Burden, Weight, Force. Sweer, lazy, slow. Sweeties, Confections. Swelt, To be suffocated, choaked to Death. Swith, Begone quickly. Swither, To be doubtful whether to do this or that. [go this Way or the other. – 1721] Syne, Afterwards, then. Syke, A small stream, rill or water-course, especially one that meanders through a hollow or across flat or boggy ground and is frequently dry in summer (Jamieson, 1808).

T A

Tackel, An Arrow.

Taid, Toad. Tane, Taken. Tap, A Head, or such a Quantity of Lint as the Spinsters put on the Distaff, is a Lint-Tap. Tape, To imploy or use any Thing sparingly. [that it may last long. – 1721] Tapok, A pet-name for a hen with a tufted crest (SND). Tappit-hen, The Scots Quart-stoup. [The Scots Quart, or English half Gallon Stoup. – 1721] Tarrow, To refuse what we love, from a cross Humour. Tartan, Cross striped Stuff, of various Colours, checker’d. The Highland Plaids. Tass, A little Dram-cup. Tate, A small Lock of Hair, or any little Quantity of Wool, Cotton, &c. Taunt, To mock. Taunty-raunty, Fornication (SND). Tawpy, A foolish Wench. Taz, A Whip or Scourge. Ted, To scatter, spread. [as, Tedding Hay. – 1721] Tee, A little Earth, on which Gamsters at the Gowf set their Balls before they strike them off. Teen or Tynd, Anger, Rage, Sorrow. Teet, To peep out. Tensome, The Number of Ten. Tent, Attention. Tenty, Cautious. Thack, Thatch. [Thacker, Thatcher. – 1721] Thae, Those. Tharmes, Small Tripes. Theek, To thatch. Thig, To beg or borrow. Thir, These. Thole, To endure, suffer. Thowless, Unactive, silly, lazy, heavy. Thraff, cold in manner, stiff (DOST). Thrawart, Froward, cross, crabbed. Thrawin, Stern and Cross-grain’d. Thrawngabet, of the mouth or features: wry, twisted with pain, rage, vexation, etc., surly (Jamieson, 1808). 420

Glossary Threave, A large number or quantity, a bunch, crowd (Jamieson, 1808). Threep or Threap, To aver, allege, urge and affirm boldly. Thrimal, To press or squeez through with Difficulty. Thripling Kame, A comb-like instrument for cleaning the seeds of flax from the stems, a ripplingcomb (SND). Throple, The windpipe; the throat, generally (DOST).s Thole, To suffer, undergo (pain, grief, vexation, etc.), to be subjected to or afflicted with, to have to bear or endure (SND). Thud, A Blast, Blow, Storm, or the violent Sound of these. Cry’d heh at ilka Thud, i.e. Gave a Groan at every Blow. Tid, Tide or Time, proper Time; as, He took the Tid. Tift, Good Order, Health. Tine, To lose, or suffer the loss, destruction, disappearance, etc. of some attribute or possession, to cease to have or enjoy, to mislay (Jamieson, 1808). Tinsell, Loss, deprivation of anything, damage by loss (Jamieson, 1808). Tint, To lose. Tint, Lost. Tinsel, Loss. Tip, or Tippony, Ale sold for Twopence the Scots Pint. Tirle, or Tirr, To uncover a House. [or undress a Person, strip one naked. Sometimes a short Action is named a Tirle; as, They took a Tirle of dancing, drinking, &c. – 1721] Titty, Sister. Tocher, Portion, Dowry. Tod, A Fox. Tooly, To fight. A Fight or Quarrel. Toom, Empty, applied to a Barrel, Purse, House, &c. It. To empty. Toop, An entire male sheep, a ram (Jamieson, 1808). Tosh, Tight, neat. Tosie, Warm, pleasant, half fuddled.

To the fore, In being, alive, unconsumed. Touse, or Tousle, To rumple, teeze. Tout, The Sound of a Horn or Trumpet. Tow, A Rope. [A Tyburn Necklace, or St. Johnstoun Ribband. – 1721] Towmond, A Year or Twelvemonth. Trewes, Hose and Breeches all of a Piece. [wore by the Highlandmen. – 1721] Trig, Neat, handsome. Troke, Exchange. True, To trow, trust, believe. [as, True ye sae; or, Love gars me true ye. – 1721] Truf, Steal. Tryst, Appointment. Turs, Turfs. Turs, Trus. Turse, A truss, bundle, bale, any large quantity or untidy bundle of straw, thatch, sticks, etc. (Jamieson, 1825). Twin, To part with, or separate from. Twitch, Touch. Twinters, Sheep of two Years old. Tydie, Plump, fat, lucky. Tynd, Vid. Teen. Tyst, To entice, stir up, allure. U G Ugg, To destest, hate, nauseate. Ugsome, Hateful, nauseous, horrible. Umwhile, The late, or deceast sometime ago. Of old. Undocht, or Wandought, A silly weak Person. Uneith, Not easy. Ungeard, Naked, not clad, unharness’d. Unko, or Unco, Uncouth, strange. Unulusum, Unlovely. Usquebae, Whisky (SND).

V

Virle, A ferrule, a ring of metal, ivory

421

Poems or other material fitted round a wooden rod, cane, pipe, or the like to prevent splitting or fraying (Jamieson, 1808). Vougy, Elevated, Proud. W Wad, or wed, Pledge, Wager, Pawn; also, Would. Waff, Wandering by itself. Wak, Moist, wet. Wakrife, Disinclined or unable to sleep, sleepless, wakeful, able to do with little sleep [SND]. Wale, To pick and chuse. [The Wale, i.e. The best. – 1721] Walop, To move swiftly with much Agitation. Wally, Chosen, beautiful, large. [A bonny Wally, i.e. A fine Thing. – 1721] Wame, Womb. Wamle, Of things: to roll, toss, wriggle, wobble, quiver, to twist and turn, slither about (SND). Wandought, Want of Dought. Impotent. Wangrace, Wickedness, want of Grace. Wanter, Someone who seeks to acquire something he lacks (DOST). War, Worse. Warlock, Wizard. Wat, or Wit, To know. Waught, A large Draught. [Waughts, drinks largely. – 1721] Waukrife, Disinclined or unable to sleep, sleepless, wakeful, able to do with little sleep (Jamieson, 1880). Weason, The gullet, the food passage in the throat, the oesophagus (Jamieson, 1825). Wee, Little. [as, A wanton wee Thing. – 1721] Wean or Wee ane, A Child. Wedder, a castrated male lamb (SND). Week, A corner (of the mouth), the

angle between the upper and lower lip (Jamieson, 1808). Ween, Thought, imagined, supposed. Weer, To stop or oppose. Weir, War. Weird, Fate or Destiny. Weit, Rain. Welkin, Wersh, Insipid, Wallowish, wanting Salt. Whauk, Whip, beat, flog. Whelp, The young of a dog; a pup (DOST). Whid, To fly quickly. [A Whid is a hasty Flight. – 1721] Whilk, Which. Whilly, To cheat. Whilly-wha, A Cheat. Whindging, Whining. [speaking with a doleful Tone. – 1721] Whins, Furze. Whisht, Hush. Hold your Peace. Whisk, To pull out hastily. [as a Sword out of its Sheath. – 1721] Whomilt, Turn’d upside down. [Whelmed. – 1721] Wight, Stout, clever, active. Item, A Man or Person. Wimpling, A turning backward and forward, winding like the Meanders of a River. Win or Won, To reside, dwell. Winle Strae, Anything light, trifling or of no account (Jamieson, 1808). Winna, Will not. Winnocks, Windows. Winsom, Gaining, desirable, agreeable, complete, large. [we say, My winsome Love. – 1721] Wirrykow, A Bug-bear or Goblin. Wisent, Parch’d, dry’d, wither’d. Wistle, To exchange (Money.) Wither-shins, Cross Motion, or against the Sun. Wobster, A Weaver (Jamieson, 1825). Woo, or W, Wool. [as in the Whim of making five Words out of four Letters, thus, z, a, e, w, (i.e.) Is it all one Wool? – 1721]

422

Glossary Wood, Mad. Woody, The Gallows. Woodyfa, The Devil, in similes and imprecations (SND). Wordy, Worthy. Wouff, A wolf (DOST). Wow! Wonderful! Strange! [O wow! Ah strange!] Wreaths, Of Snaw, when Heaps of it are blown together by the Wind. Wylie, Fine, beautiful, excellent (DOST). Wysing, Inclining. To wyse, To Lead, train. [as, He’s no sic a Gouk as to wise the Water by his ain Mill. – 1721] Wyson, The Gullet. Wyt, To blame. Blame. Y A Yamph, To bark, or make a Noise like little Dogs. Yap, Hungry, having a longing Desire for any Thing ready. Yealtou, Yea wilt thou. Yed, To contend, wrangle. Contention, Wrangling. Yeld, Barren, as a Cow that gives no Milk. Yerk, To do any Thing with celerity. Yesk, The Hickup. Yett, Gate. Yestreen, Yesternight. Youdith, Youthfulness. Youk, To itch, feel ticklish or itchy, of a part of the body (Jamieson, 1808) Younker, A youngster, a young lad or girl, a youth (SND). Yowden, Wearied. Yowf, A swinging Blow. Yuke, The Itch. Yule, Christmass.

423

BIBLIOGRAPHY Primary Texts Manuscripts Ramsay, Allan, Autograph Annotations on a copy of Health (1724). Douce R.304 (6), Bodleian Library, Oxford University —, Autograph MS of ‘An Elegy on Mr Samuel Clerk Running Stationer’. HM 97, Huntington Library —, Autograph MS of ‘An Ode to Mr. F-----’. MS 2233, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Behold the man whose tunefull tone’. GD 18/4341, National Records of Scotland —, ‘Bogi-Dow, a Sang to the Tune of Jeny Beguild the wobster’, MS 9749, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Chloe, an amorous Youth desired’ and ‘About the Moneth, Sir of September’. MS 510, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Dear friend, t’enjoy Life aright’. GD 18/4353, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Dear friend, t’enjoy Life aright’. MS 804, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Dr Cunningham & his Lady’s wishes for a return to their Native Soil’. GD 331/5/5, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of the ‘Elegy on Lucky Wood in the Canongate, May 1717’ on fly-leaves of a copy of James Watson’s Choice Collection (1706). JA 2035, Edinburgh University Library —, Autograph MS of ‘Epigram’ on Mary Sleigh’, ‘But Thousands wheeld unheeded there for me’ and ‘Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno’. MS 3648, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Epistle to Mr. John Gay, Author of the Shepherd’s Week’. MS Eng. 793, Harvard University Library —, Autograph MS of ‘Epistle to Mr. John Gay, Author of the Shepherd’s Week’. Northumberland Archives, Book Collection X —, ‘Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrughs’. GD 205, portfolio 6, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘father and friend of Humane race’. MS Gen. 2122/14 (Acc. E82/64), Edinburgh University Library —, Autograph MS of ‘Hail Scobie, halesome limpid Spring’. GD 18/4363, 425

Poems

National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘Henry to Emma’. MA 3102, Morgan Library and Museum, New York —, Autograph MS of ‘Nil Mihi rescribus at aman Ipse vene’. Tipped into the copy of Poems (1721) held at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts —, Autograph MS of ‘On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O.’. MS 3641, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘On false Greatness’. GD 18/4357, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s offer of five hundred pounds’ and related poems. GD 18/4358, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘On the Marriage of the Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay and Lady Jean Maule’. Adv. MS 19.3.44, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘On the Marriage of Urban and Bella’. GD 24/1/835, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Fair Assembly’. MS 567, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Last Speech just before he hangd himself of Caleb Bailey’. GD 18/4316, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Marrow Ballad’. MS 1030, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Merry Meeting on The Moor’. GD 18/4355, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Miller and his Man’. HM 211, Huntington Library —, Autograph MS of ‘The Miller and his Man’. MS Gen. 752, Edinburgh University Library —, Autograph MS of ‘The Phoenix and the Owl’. Acc. 8479, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Poet’s Wish’ and ‘The Response of the Oracle’. MS 150, f.44, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘The Roundell to her Health’. MS 9749, tipped inside a copy of Poems (1721), National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘’Tis Well that’s not Worse’. GD 18/4349, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘To a Gentleman who bid me write allways short 426

Bibliography

Things’. Fair copy on flyleaf of Health (1724), Douce R.304 (6), Bodleian Library, Oxford University —, Autograph MS of ‘To Doctor Boswell’. Acc. 8575, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘To Dr John Theophilus Desaguliers, on Presenting Him with My Book’. MS Hyde 76 (2.3.220), Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts —, Autograph MS of ‘To his Grace John, Duke of Roxburgh’. Add. 12115, ff.6-8, British Library —, Autograph MS of ‘To Mr. James Home’. MS JA3822 inside a copy of Poems (1721), Edinburgh University Library —, Autograph MS of ‘To the Honble Sr Alexr Dick of Prestonfield’. GD 331/5/3, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘To the Lairds of Annandale’. GD 18/4346, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘To the Memory of Alexr Strachan’. GD 18/4486, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MS of ‘To the Right Honourable George, Lord Ramsay’. Writer’s Museum, Edinburgh. —, Autograph MS of ‘To the Right Honourable Susana Countes of Eglintoun The Muse’s Salutation’ and ‘Hail to the chief of Ramsay’s name!’. MS 2618, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1728). MS Egerton 2023, British Library —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1728). MS 2233, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1728) and uncollected and unpublished texts addressed to Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. Clerk of Penicuik Papers, National Records of Scotland —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1728). Laing.II.212, Edinburgh University Library —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1721) and Poems (1728); also unpublished texts. MS 15973, National Library of Scotland —, Autograph MSS of texts from Poems (1721) Poems (1728); also unpublished texts. HM 1490, Huntington Library —, Autograph MSS of unpublished poems. MS Egerton 2024, British Library —, Autograph MS of unpublished poems. MS 582 (610), National Library of Scotland 427

Poems

—, Autograph Transcription of ‘Christ’s Kirk on the Green’, Canto I. MS Egerton 2024, British Library Town Council Records, Edinburgh City Archives, SL1/1/47, 26 August 1719 Contemporary Printed Editions of Ramsay’s Poems Allan Ramsay to John Wardlaw in The Scots Magazine LIX (1797) An Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes, To the pious Author of An Essay upon improving and adding to the Strength of Great Britain and Ireland by Fornication (Edinburgh: Printed, and Sold at Allan Ramsay’s Shop, 1735) The Battel: Or, Morning-Interview. An Heroi-Comical Poem (Edinburgh: George Stewart, 1716) Christ’s Kirk on the Green In Two Canto’s (Edinburgh: William Adams Junior, 1718) Christ’s-Kirk on the Green, In Three Cantos (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1718) Christ’s Kirk on the Green, In Three Cantos (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720) Content. A Poem (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1719) Content. A Poem. The Second Edition (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1719) Content. A Poem (London: E. Curll, 1720) Content. A Poem. The Third Edition (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1721) The Devil of a Duke: Or, Trapolin’s Vagaries. A (Farcical Ballad) Opera (Edinburgh: Printed and Sold by Allan Ramsay, 1733) Edinburgh’s Address to the Country (Edinburgh, 1718?) Edinburgh’s Salutation To the Most Honourable, My Lord Marquess of Carnarvon (1720?) Elegy on Lucky Wood (Edinburgh, 1718?) An ELEGY On the very much Lamented Death of Maggie Johnston (Edinburgh, c.1712) Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood. By Allan Ramsay. Second Edition corrected and amended (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1718) [Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood, Lucky Spence’s Last Advice] (no title-page) (Edinburgh, 1719?) [Elegies on Maggy Johnston, John Cowper, and Lucky Wood, Lucky Spence’s Last Advice] (no title-page) (Edinburgh, 1720?) 428

Bibliography

An Elegy on Patie Birnie (broadside, 1721; see NLS Ry.III.c.34) An Elegy on the very much Lamented Death of Maggie Johnston (Edinburgh, c.1712) ‘An Epistle’ in The Scots Magazine, October 1741 An Epistle to W— H—, On The receiving the Compliment of a Barrel of Loch-fyne Herrings from him, 19th December, 1719 (1719-20) ‘An Epilogue spoken after acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd’ in The Eccho, or Edinburgh Weekly Journal, 29 January 1729 Fables and Tales (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry’s Wynd, 1722) Fables and Tales (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, at the Mercury, opposite to the Cross Well, 1722) The Fair Assembly, A Poem (Edinburgh: 1723) ‘Faith Master Death, ’tis but a scurvy job’ in James Maidment (ed.), Nugae Scoticae. Miscellaneous Papers Illustrative of Scotish Affairs (Edinburgh, 1829) Familiar Epistles Between W— H— and A— R— (1719?, 24pp) Familiar Epistles Between W— H— and A— R— (1719?, 24pp) Familiar Epistles Between W— H— and A— R— (1719?, 28pp) Familiar Epistles Between W— H— and A— R— (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720) ‘Firm as the Bass when thund’ring Tempests roar’ in The British Journal, 9 March 1723 The Gentle Shepherd (Edinburgh: Thomas Ruddiman, 1725) The Gentle Shepherd (Dublin: S. Powell for George Risk, 1727) The Gentle Shepherd (Edinburgh: Thomas Ruddiman, 1729) The Gentle Shepherd (London: J. Watson, 1730) The Gentle Shepherd (Glasgow, 1751) The Gentle Shepherd (Glasgow, Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1752) The Gentle Shepherd (Glasgow: James Knox for John Wood, 1753) ‘Hail, Cato! lovely youth, how didst thou shine’ in Edinburgh Evening Courant, 29 March 1742 Health: A Poem (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1724) in three formats: in 22 pages with Health alone; as 48 pages with Health, ‘On Seeing the Archers’, ‘Mouldy-Mowdiwart’ and ‘The Poetic Sermon’ and as 80 pages with Health, ‘On Seeing the Archers’, ‘MouldyMowdiwart’, ‘The Poetic Sermon’, ‘On Pride’, ‘Fable of the twa Books’, ‘Spoke to Aeolus one Night’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers… July 6th, 1724’, ‘On the Royal Company of Archers… August 4th, 1724’, ‘The 429

Poems

Monk and the Miller’s Wife’ and ‘Advice to Mr. —’ Jenny and Meggy (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1723) ‘Leith Races’ in The Caledonian Mercury, 2 August 1736 Lucky Spence’s Last Advice (Edinburgh, 1718?) Lucky Spence’s Last Advice (n.d.) Lucky Spence’s Last Advice (n.d.) Mons Alexander in Struani Domini sui Reditum (1732) The Morning-Interview. An Heroi-Comical Poem (Edinburgh: William Adams Junior, 1719) The Morning-Interview. An Heroi-Comical Poem (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720) Musick for Allan Ramsay’s Collection of Scots Songs (Edinburgh: Printed and sold by Allan Ramsay, 1725-26) The Nuptials: A Masque On the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton, And Lady Anne Cochran (Edinburgh, 1723) The Nuptials: A Masque, On the Marriage of his Grace James Duke of Hamilton, And Lady Anne Cochran. To which is prefix’d, An Introduction concerning Masques (London: J. Pemberton, 1723) An Ode Sacred to the Memory of her Grace Anne Dutchess of Hamilton: unauthorised printing in British Journal, 3 October 1724; corrected in The British Journal, 14 November 1724 An Ode to the Memory of Lady Margaret Anstruther (1721) An Ode To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton; Inscrib’d to the Royal Society of London, for the improving of Natural Knowledge (1727) An Ode, With a Pastoral Recitative on the Marriage of the Right Honourable, James Earl of Wemyss Mrs. Janet Charteris (Edinburgh 17th September 1720), Ry.II.c.34 (46), National Library of Scotland On the Death of Lady Margaret Anstruther (Edinburgh, c.1721) On this Great Eclipse. A Poem by A.R. (Edinburgh: James Watson, 1715) A Pastoral Elegy on the Death of Mr Joseph Addison: in a Dialogue, Between Sir Richard Steel, and Mr Alexander Pope. By Mr Alan Ramsey (Nottingham: John Collyer, 1720?) Patie and Roger: A Pastoral Inscribed to Josiah Burchet, Esq; Secretary of the Admiralty (Edinburgh: 1720?) Patie and Roger: A Pastoral, By Mr Alan Ramsay, In the Scots Dialect (London: J. Pemberton, 1720) ‘A Poem on the Royal Company of Archers’ in The Caledonian Mercury, 12 July 1726 A Poem on the South-Sea. By Mr. Alexander Ramsay. To which is Prefix’d, 430

Bibliography

A Familiar Epistle to Anthony Hammond Esq; By a Friend (London: T. Jauncy, 1720) A Poem to the Memory of the Famous Archbald Pitcairne M.D. By A Member of the Easy Club in Edinburgh (Edinburgh: Andrew Hart for the Members of the Easy Club, 1712) Poems (Edinburgh: Thomas Ruddiman, 1721) Poems Vol. II (Edinburgh: Thomas Ruddiman, 1728) Poems Vol. II enlarged (Edinburgh: Thomas Ruddiman, 1729) Poems in English and Latin, on the Archers, and Royal-Company of Archers. By Several Hands (Edinburgh, 1726) ‘A Prologue for the Opening of the New Theatre’ in The Caledonian Mercury, 15 November 1736 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 (1720?) Proposals for Printing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Allan Ramsay (Edinburgh, 1720) The Prospect of Plenty: A Poem On the North-Sea Fishery. To which is Added, An Explanation of the Scotch Words used in this Poem. Inscribed to the Royal Burrows of Scotland By Mr Allan Ramsay (London: T. Jauncy, 1720) Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral On the Death of Mr. Joseph Addison (1719?) Richy and Sandy, A Pastoral On the Death of Mr. Joseph Addison (1719-20) Richy and Sandy in Eloisa to Abelard. Written by Mr Pope. The Second Edition (London: Bernard Lintot, 1720) Richy and Sandy; A Pastoral On the Death of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq. By Allan Ramsey (London: Bernard Lintot, 1719-20) The Rise and Fall of Stocks, 1720. An Epistle To the Right Honourable My Lord Ramsay, Now in Paris. To which is added The Satyr’s Comick Project for recovering a Bankrupt Stockjobber (Edinburgh: Printed by the Author… and sold by T. Jauncy, 1721) Robert, Richy and Sandy. A Pastoral on the Death of Matthew Prior, Esq; Dedicated to the Right Honourable Person Designed by the Old Shepherd. (London: S. Palmer for Bernard Lintot, 1721) The Scarborough Miscellany. An Original Collection Of Poems, Odes, Tales, Songs, Epigrams &c (London: J. Roberts, 1732) A Scots Ode, To The British Antiquarians (1726) Scots Songs (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1718) Scots Songs. The Second Edition (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 431

Poems

1719) Scots Songs (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720): not located. Scots Songs, Viz [here follow the names of nine songs in two columns] (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author… and sold by T. Jauncy, 1720?) The Scriblers Lash’d (Edinburgh, 1718) The Scribers Lash’d (Edinburgh, M.DCC.VIII) The Scriblers Lash’d. The Second Edition (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720) Selecta Poemata Archibaldi Pitcarnii (Edinburgh, 1727) A Tale Of Three Bonnets (Edinburgh, 1722) Tartana: Or, The Plaid (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1718) Tartana: Or The Plaid, The Second Edition (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1719) The Thimble (Edinburgh, c.1820) To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden (Edinburgh, 1737), 6.1071 (5), National Library of Scotland ‘To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden’ in The Gentleman’s Magazine VII, August 1737 To the Honourable, Sr John Clerk of Pennycuik Bart. One of the Barons of the Exchequer. On the Death Of his most accomplished Son, John Clerk Esqr. who died in the 20th Year of his Age, August 1722 (1722), GD 18/4313, National Records of Scotland ‘To Mr James Home, Writer to the Signet’ in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, January 1818 To Mr Law (Edinburgh: Printed for the Author, 1720) To the Royal Burrows of Scotland, The following Poem Is humbly dedicated, By Allan Ramsay. Edinburgh, 18. October, 1720 (Edinburgh: 1720) Wealth, Or The Woody (Edinburgh, 1720?, 8pp) Wealth, Or, The Woody (Edinburgh, 1720?, 12pp) Wealth, or the Woody: A Poem on the South-Sea. By Mr. Allan Ramsay. To which is Prefix’d, A Familiar Epistle to Anthony Hammond Esq; By Mr. Sewell (London: T. Jauncy, 1720) Wealth: Or, The Woody. By Mr. Allan Ramsay (London: T. Jauncy, 1720) Later Editions of Ramsay’s Poems Chalmers, George and Woodhouselee, Alexander Fraser Tytler (eds), The Works of Allan Ramsay (London, 1851) Kinghorn, Alexander Manson and Law, Alexander (eds), Poems by Allan 432

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—, ‘The Scots Songs of Allan Ramsay: “Lyrick” Transformation, Popular Culture, and the Boundaries of the Scottish Enlightenment’ in Modern Language Quarterly 63:3 (2002) —, ‘“Some Pastoral Improvement” in The Gentle Shepherd: Mediation, Remediation, and Minority’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 46:2 (2020) Nicholson, Colin, ‘“Of eminent significancy”: Allan Ramsay’s “British” Poetics and Post-Union Constructions of Cultural Space’ in British Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies 25:2 (2002) Oxford Classical Dictionary at https://oxforddre.com/classics/ Oxford English Dictionary at https://oed.com Oxford Dictionary of National Biography at https://oxforddnb.com Pasachoff, J.M., ‘Halley and his maps of the Total Eclipses of 1715 and 1724’ in Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage 2:1 (1999) Paterson, James (ed.), The Poems and Songs of William Hamilton of Bangour (Edinburgh: Stevenson, 1850) Paul, James Balfour, The History of the Royal Company of Archers (Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1875) Peakman, Julie, Mighty Lewd Books: The Development of Pornography in Eighteenth-Century England (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2003) Pegg, M.A. and Roberts, E.F.D., ‘An Unrecorded Edition of Allan Ramsay’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 2 (1964) Pittock, Murray, ‘Allan Ramsay and the Decolonisation of Genre’ in Review of English Studies 58:235 (2007) —, ‘Allan Ramsay: Romanticism and Reception’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 46:2 (2020) —, Enlightenment in a Smart City: Edinburgh’s Civic Development, 16601750 (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2020) —, Poetry and Jacobite Politics in Eighteenth-Century Britain and Ireland (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994) —, Scottish and Irish Romanticism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008) —, ‘Were the Easy Club Jacobites?’ in Scottish Literary Journal 17:1 (1990) Pittock, Murray and Lamont, Craig, ‘Spatial Humanities: Mapping Edinburgh in the First Age of Enlightenment’ in Studies in Scottish Literature 42:2 (2016) —, ‘Edinburgh’s Enlightenment, 1680-1750’ at https://www.gla. ac.uk/schools/critical/research/researchcentresandnetworks/ robertburnsstudies/edinburghenlightenment/themap/#d.en.412385 438

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INDEX of FIRST LINES This Index of First Lines is arranged alphabetically. Where Ramsay has provided a title, it can be found in brackets after the first line. The first page reference is for the text, the second for the note.

A buxome young Daughter (AIR IV. Almansor), 105; 304 A carefu’ Cowherd anes had lost (Fable of the Lost Calf), 66; 261 A Dreadful Plague, the like was sindle seen (Fable of the condemn’d Ass), 80; 277 a Drinker sair on his Death Bed Lying, 157; 354 A Health to M— O— (The Roundell To her Health), 14; 229 A Knave of trump when catch ye play, 157; 353 A Learned Fox grown stiff with Eild (The Fox turn’d Preacher), 83; 281 A Loyalist with Blyth design, 156; 353 A pious Parson, Flesh and Blood (Another against Adultery), 67; 261 A Statesman should imploy his art (Song 10 – John Anderson my Jo), 109; 309 About the Moneth, Sir of September, 186; 378 Accept my Lord these honest Lays, 46; 247 Ae Day a Bonny Lass and Braw (The Hand preferd to the Hat), 203; 387 Ae Day when Jove, the High Director (The Spectacles), 83; 280 Again, like the Return of Day (To William Somervile, of Warwick-shire Esq;), 91; 287 Ah! shou’d wanton Fancy move you (AIR I. What shou’d a Lassie do with an old man?), 104; 302 Ah, what a wretch’d unlucky Corse (The Horse’s Complaint), 86; 284 An honest Man had tint his Wife (The Parrat), 86; 285 anes Cupid took a wandring fit, 188; 379 Apolo Patron of the Lyre, 56; 251 As Dryden justly term’d Poetick Sound (Bagpipes no Musick: A Satyre on Scots Poetry. An Epistle to Mr. Stanhope), 34; 234 441

Poems As O’er the Seas, the God that Lap a’ (On The Marriage of Mr Bull Preacher and Mris Mary —), 165; 360 As the Bark, when it parts from the Shore (AIR VI. Colin’s Complaint), 106; 305 As Willy Rode through mire & clay (The Dogs of Balgavy), 217; 398 Assist ye Creil wives ane & a’ (on Magy Dickson), 55; 250 Beauty and Comely Shape, adorned with art, 45; 246 Before her Hive, a paughty Bee (The Bee and the Fly), 85; 284 Behold the man whose tunefull tone, 143; 339 Belinda’s Dead! — the Murning Maya Crys, 37; 237 Beneath this stone old Strachan’s laid (To the Memory of Alexr Strachan Sometime School Master in Pennycuik), 109; 309 Blyth may he be wha o’er the Haugh (An Epistle to James Clerk, Esq. of Pennycuik), 153; 352 Chloe, an amorous Youth desired, 188; 379 Clear up My Marg’ret let nae Care (To A fa[i]r Quaker in Dumps), 208; 392 Come, Meg, let’s fa to Wark upo’ this Green (Jenny and Meggy. A Pastoral, Sequel to Patie and Roger), 50; 250 Complying, denying (AIR III. The Lads of Dunse), 105; 304 Coridon arise my Coridon, 188; 379 Dear Allan, with your Leave, allow me (Ane Epistle to A. R. On the Poverty of the Poets), 88; 286 Dear friend to Smoak and noise confine’d (An Epistle wrote from Mavisbank), 144; 340 Dear friend, t’enjoy Life aright, 147; 348 Dear John, what ails ye now? ly still (Grubstreet nae Satyre), 34; 235 Dear Oswald, could my verse as sweetly flow (An Epistle), 135; 331 Dear Richy Welcome to these Happy Scenes (Richy & Edi ane Eclogue To the memory of Sr Richard Steel), 78; 274 Deep in a narrow craiged Pig (The Callan and the Pig), 79; 276 Faith Master Death, ’tis but a scurvy job, 144; 340 farewell sweet Inocence – ah while I think, 169; 361 father & friend of Humane race, 167; 361 442

Index of First Lines Firm as the Bass when thund’ring Tempests roar (Translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, Book X), ll.693-96, 45; 245 five hundred pounds! to[o] small boon (On the Dutches of Marlbrugh’s offer of five hundred pounds – To the Poet that would make the best Elegy on the Duke), 33; 233 Frae Thee unkend a second Time (To my unknown Corospondent in Irland), 63; 259 frae twenty five to five & forty, 122; 324 from Publick Jars & Party Squable, 181; 372 God send every Priest a Wife (on Priests not marrying), 166; 360 Hail Caledonian Bard! whose rural Strains (To Mr. Allan Ramsay, upon his publishing his second Volume of Poems), 90; 286 Hail Scobie, halesome limpid Spring, 173; 365 Hail to the chief of Ramsay’s name!, 180; 371 Hail to this fair Propitius Day (On the Birth Day of Mrs M. O.), 186; 378 Hail, Cato! lovely youth, how didst thou shine (Lines writ on seeing Boys act the Tragedy of Cato in the Taylors’ Hall, March 16, 1742), 137; 333 Harmonious Pope wha made th’Inspired Greek (Ode 6th To His Grace John Duke of Argyle), 202; 386 Hast to the Plain see [th]e Brave (Again the Royal Band in fair array), 193; 381 he hates to be tyed doun for life, 163; 358 Hear oh O hear ye silly sheep, 164; 359 Here Dick according to our paction Take, 178; 369 Here honest Sandy Mitchell’s earded (On Allexr Mitchell Butler to the Earl of Wigtoun), 179; 369 Here lyes the Ashes of a Frame (Annother Epigram or Epitaph on the above Subject), 33; 233 Here Lyes the Ashes of a frame (Epitaph for His Grace the Duke of Marlbrugh), 33; 234 Here Lys ane Author wha has made (ane Epitaph Designd for Mr. ——), 203; 387 His Majesty, Heaven guide His Grace, 124; 325 Ho Coridon come on this mossy Bank (A Pastoral Epithalamium), 189; 380 How happy’s he, who raisd above low care (The Happy Man), 12; 226 443

Poems How Lady after she grew sickly (Babband and Tittypow), 158; 354 How much, O pastor, do we owe (Epistle to the Reverend Philosarchus Minister of the Kirk of Scotland), 118; 322 Humbly means and shaws (To the Honourable Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Session), 125; 326 I had a Rock & a wee Pickle Tow, 216; 397 I have a soft spirit & do what I dow (Song 1t), 108; 308 I here conjure ye (Allan Ramsay to John Wardlaw), 122; 324 I read your Letter Saunders Wood, 215; 397 In antient Tales, there is a Story (The Man with the twa Wives), 79; 276 In Mimick Scenes w’atemp with action Bold, 97; 290 In ripened years, when Blood flows cool (The broad Hint cunningly answerd), 198; 384 In south Britannia there is Bays (To His Grace John Duke of Roxburgh The Address of Allan Ramsay), 40; 239 Is their a Condition, 205; 390 Is then the famous Desaguliers son (To Doctor John Theophilus Desaguliers on presenting him with my Book), 13; 227 Is] ther a Life where the reward, 93; 287 Jock upo’ Land had Sons eleven, 203; 387 Langsyne in Egypt Beasts were Gods (The Gods of Egypt), 82; 279 Let Edr heartyly Rejoyce, 139; 336 Let Lairds of Lockerby take tent (To the Lairds of Annandale), 138; 334 Let meaner Beauties use their Art (On our Ladies being dressed in Scots Manufactory, at a publick Assembly), 75; 268 Life’s but a Farce, at best, and we To-da (An Epilogue spoken after acting The Orphan and The Gentle Shepherd), 74; 267 Like Lightnings glent she glided by, 169; 362 Like twa fell flesher Tikes inured to Quarrell, 205; 389 Long has it been the Bus’ness of the Stage, 216; 398 Love’s the young Heroe Victory (AIR XIX. Hap me with thy Petticoat), 107; 307 Madam please to accept this small, 182; 373 Madam, your quaint return to mine (To L. D), 141; 338 444

Index of First Lines Marion: ‘He’s Dead, O Poly, Johnny’s [dead], 100; 296 My Bonny Tale on Lovely Grace, 78; 275 my friend be thankfu for the Grace, 208; 392 My Generous Patrons, who have lang, 213; 396 My Souls agast! — my Spirits Sink! — (Last Lamentation of ane Herostratian before he Hangd himself in a fit of Horrour), 59; 255 My Worthy friend, whose Polish’d mind (To the Honble Sr Alexr Dick of Prestonfield Baronet with Mr Ramsay’s Poems in this & Second Volum), 152; 351 Night now had spread her Gloom o’er all the Skys (On the Marriage of Mr George Drummond and Mirs Kathrine Campbell – July 10th 1721), 14; 229 Nil Mihi rescribus at aman Ipse vene, 42; 242 Now all’s restor’d to rights again (AIR XXXVI. Nansy’s to the Green Wood gane), 108; 308 Now Brav’ry fierce — plots –Politicks & pride (Prologue for the Gent[le] Shepherd), 77; 272 Now Now the Glorious Dawning Daws, 96; 289 Now Reverend Sr after your wandering (On George Whitefield The Strolling Preacher), 132; 330 Now that I’m Duke, I’ll strut right high (AIR XII. What tho’ they call me Country Lass), 106; 306 Now tours the Sun with radiant glow (The Merry Meeting on The Moor), 149; 349 Now troth, dear Doctor, it is kind (To Dr. Robinson, when at Edinburgh, July 30th, 1734), 111; 312 Now what could be the carl’s drift (On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself), 1; 219 Now when the furious Tempests gowl, 140; 337 O Climate happy sweet & Rare, 172; 363 O Come Let us be Joving, 195; 383 O Could my Muse in nervous Numbers draw (To Mr. Law), 9; 224 O fountain, favourit of fate! (Verses address to the Mavis Well), 151; 351 O fy let us a’ to the meeting (The Marrow Ballad), 127; 326 O had my Apron Biden Doun (Bogi-Dow), 209; 393 O Maly O Mally I can nae Langer Bear, 210; 394 445

Poems O much Loved Youth for thee in tender Grief, 177; 367 O Ramsay Rare wha Blythly Can (Silvia to A— R—), 42; 243 O Trusty men of Totness Toun, 58; 253 of all delights that gain regard, 147; 348 Of all the Rangers of the Moor (The Tykes Tooly), 197; 384 On Pembroke plains we pensive walkd (Dr Cunningham & his Lady’s wishes for a return to their Native Soil when sojourning in Wales), 136; 331 Painter to the[e] the Gods are kind, 179; 369 Poor slav’d tho’ Covenanted Land (On the B— P— design of Taking The Bounty off the Victual Exported Decemr 1724), 56; 252 Preserve these Charms you Liberal Gave, 208; 392 Pure, as the new fallen Snow appears (AIR XIV. My Deary, if thou die), 107; 306 Queensberys Come Thrice welcome fair, 48; 248 Rideat usque Suo et dilecto Phoebus Alumno, 207; 391 Safely oer the Hibernian Strand, 180; 371 Say Chloe by what secret art (Banks of Forth), 214; 396 Scot Worthy Scot when you departed, 179; 370 She Gecks as ane wad do her ill, 208; 391 She’s the only one of all her Sex, 170; 362 Should Angells from the Heavens descend, 206; 389 since heavens so kind Brave Sir to Bless your Eyes, 184; 376 Since ther is nothing should be done (Mr Ebenezer Erskins Protest), 131; 328 Sir while I ly within your Arm, 169; 362 Sir your Epistle came to Hand, 35; 236 Sir, Much pleasd of Late with that delight fou way, 33; 233 Some charm with their Descent, and some with their Face (AIR XXII. Yellowhair’d Laddie), 107; 307 Some Cry up paris for Good Wine (Ode 7th), 202; 386 Sound, sound the Musick, sound it (The Archers March), 62; 258 Sprung from the Brave Maccalinmore, 112; 312 Stand aff ye giddy, gawky, thrang (On false Greatness), 155; 352 446

Index of First Lines Still friend we seldom hear thy voice (Spoke to a Chapin Stowp), 155; 353 Such Hang-dogs of State (AIR XVI. My Dady forbad), 107; 306 Take tent now ilka Blythsome wight, 173; 365 Thanks and Renown be ever thine (Address of Thanks from the Society of Rakes), 114; 314 That Husbands Somtimes in their Lives (The Miller and his Man), 69; 263 That mony a thriftless Poet’s poor (Answer), 89; 286 That’s your advice I Thank ye for’t (To a Gentleman who bid me write always short Things), 204; 388 The Dog his Bit will often quit (AIR V. O’er Boggy), 106; 305 The Druken dull swagering Rake hell, 65; 260 The greatest blessings God for Men design’d (A Poem upon Ease by Gavin Douglas poet Laureat to the Easy Club), 212; 395 The Muse attempts Inflam’d with honest Zeal (The Smuglers a Satyr), 163; 358 The Nights were Lang the frost was snell (Tis Well that’s not Worse), 139; 336 The Presbytry considering well (The Ingenious and Entertaining Interlocutory of The Reverend Presbytry of Inverness), 164; 358 The restless Mind of Man ne’er tyres (The Poet’s Thanks to the Archers, on being admitted into their Royal Company), 61; 258 The Royall Youth may now advance (Verses To the Tune of Over the hills and far Away), 215; 396 The Sun will a’ his haelsome rays (To the Right Honourable Susana Countes of Eglinton), 103; 301 The Synode to old Sathan sends, 150; 350 The ugly only are the spitefu, 204; 388 The weets awa the morning fair, 112; 314 These are the flowings from my Quill (To Dr Boswell with my Poems in 2 vol), 142; 338 These first Imperial twelve who blaze (To the Countes of Eglintoun with the bass relief Bustos of the 12 Cesars), 120; 323 These two Volumes come to prove (To Mr James Home, Writer to the Signet), 128; 327 This world is freighted with wonders in Store, 138; 335 447

Poems Thou envious thing without a name (To Maevis Junior), 97; 291 Thrice happy Fan whose Spreading Mount (On Flavia’s Fan), 187; 378 Thus Honourd by a Muse divine, 67; 262 To day our Scenes have to your View desp[l]ayed, 178; 368 To E’nburgh’s reeky Towers Confind, 184; 376 To Harts and Hares’ Nature gave heels, 204; 389 To me, far in the frozen north (Epistle to Mr H:S at London Novr 1738), 129; 327 To Thee O Emma Lovelyest of thy kind (Henry to Emma), 174; 366 To you my Lord my earlyest lays Belong (To The Right Honourable George Lord Ramsay), 7; 224 Twas now the merry moneth of May (The distress & complaint of Mustapha, for Loss of his fur), 195; 384 Uneasy’s a thief; tis black burning shame (A Rebuke to Antony Uneasy a lover who ask’d the advice of the Easy Club if he should court his mistres in poesy), 5; 222 Upon his guilded Chariot led by Hours (The Eclipse), 87; 285 Wae to the Herds of Israell (On the Clergys minding themsells mair than their flock), 166; 361 we Scarce dare hope in these censorious days, 76; 271 Were I but a prince or king (To the Most Happy Members of the Easy Club, 1712), 1; 219 Wha’s yon, dear Calli, shines on Nytha’s green (A Pastoral Welcome To her Grace Cathrine Dutches of Queensbery on her coming first to Scotland June 1723), 46; 247 What god shall I invoke to raise my song? (The Thimble), 190; 380 what Joyous Din thus strikes my Ear, 194; 383 What young Raw Muisted Beau Bred at his Glass (Ode 5th), 201; 385 When fate’s great Author is inclind, 204; 388 When furious winds storm on the Mountain brow, 185; 377 When I was a Lusty young Fellow, 156; 353 When Lewis the grand monarque rung (The Clever Offcome), 199; 385 When loud mouth’d Fame the dismal News did sound (To my Ingenious Friends, The Members of the Easy Club; A Poem To the Memory of the Famous Archbald Pitcairn, M.D.), 3; 219 448

Index of First Lines When Men of Mettle thought it Nonsence (A Tale of Three Bonnets), 16; 230 When Nell in Tears frae Troy came (Epigram, Another and Another), 67; 262 When Silvia asks wha can deny (Answer Octr 1722), 43; 243 While at his forge, the Imortal cuckold, 206; 390 While my dear Master, far frae Hame (Mount Alexander’s Complaint in the Absence of, and Joy on the Honourable Mr. Robertson of Struan’s Return), 99; 293 while we attempt to Chaunt in Rural Strains (The Pleasures of Improvments in Agriculture), 44; 243 who’s yon fair Stranger with a mien, 182; 374 Why drooping thus? Say, Gawin, what is the cause (The Lamentation. A Poem to the Easy Club by Gawin Douglas, Poet Laureat. In Conference with Mr George Buchanan, Secretary.), 5; 223 Why from us does Clarinda Stray (To Her Grace Kathrine Dutchess of Queensberry on her departure from Scotland July 15th 1734), 110; 310 Why on this Bow’r, bluff Cheeked God (Spoke to Æolus one Night blowing hard on the House of M—f—d), 57; 252 with hou much art and turn polite, 68; 263 Wou’d you be a Man in Fashion (AIR II. Willy was a wanton Wag), 104; 303 Ye curious Reader’s now may Cark (An Elegy on Mr Samuel Clerk running Stationer), 175; 367 Ye winds Ly Hush within your caves (Dalkeiths Welcome to Her prince), 120; 323 You only You have the Ascendant gain’d, 205; 389 Young Painter, thy Attempt is fair (Verses by the celebrated Allan Ramsay, to his Son), 98; 293 yours dated the Last Hagmynae, 161; 357

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