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diff --git a/40639-8.txt b/40639-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 323bcaa..0000000 --- a/40639-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9003 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral Comedy, by Allan Ramsay - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral Comedy - -Author: Allan Ramsay - -Release Date: September 1, 2012 [EBook #40639] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GENTLE SHEPHERD: A *** - - - - -Produced by Bryan Ness, Katie Hernandez and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: ALLAN RAMSAY.] - - - - THE - - GENTLE SHEPHERD. - - A Pastoral Comedy. - - BY - - ALLAN RAMSAY. - - WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, - - _AND THE OPINIONS OF VARIOUS EMINENT MEN ON THE WORK_. - - TO WHICH IS ADDED, - - A GREATLY IMPROVED GLOSSARY, - - AND A CATALOGUE OF THE SCOTTISH POETS. - - "_Away sic fears! Gae spread my fame, - And fix me an immortal name; - Ages to come shall thee revive, - And gar thee with new honours live; - The future critics, I foresee, - Shall have their notes on notes on thee; - The wits unborn shall beauties find, - That never entered in my mind._" - - ALLAN RAMSAY TO HIS BOOK. - - "The Gentle Shepherd has exhibited rusticity without vulgarity, - and elegant sentiment without affectation. Like the heroes of - Homer, the characters of this piece can engage in the humblest - occupation without degradation. Its verses have passed into - proverbs, and it continues to be the delight and solace of the - peasantry whom it describes." - - W. ROSCOE. - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK: WILLIAM GOWANS. - - 1852. - - - Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, - BY WILLIAM GOWANS, - In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States - for the Southern District of New York. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - PREFACE, v - LIFE OF ALLAN RAMSAY, BY WILLIAM TENNANT, xi - Remarks on the Writings of Ramsay, by Wm. Tennant, xxv - ESSAY ON RAMSAY'S GENTLE SHEPHERD, BY LORD WOODHOUSELEE, xxxi - OPINIONS AND REMARKS ON THE GENTLE SHEPHERD, BY - VARIOUS AUTHORS, lxi - John Aikin, LL. D., ib. - James Beattie, LL. D., ib. - William Tytler, lxii - Hugh Blair, D. D., lxiii - John Pinkerton, lxiv - Joseph Ritson, lxvi - William Roscoe, lxvi - Thomas Campbell, lxvii - Leigh Hunt, lxviii - Anecdote of Lady Strange, lxxiii - List of Allan Ramsay's Works, lxxiv - Dedication to the Countess of Eglintoun, by Ramsay, i - Dedication to the Countess of Eglintoun, by Wm. Hamilton, of - Bangour, iv - Epistle to Josiah Burchett, ix - THE GENTLE SHEPHERD, 1 - Notes, 89 - Glossary, 95 - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The Publisher being desirous to present the American public with a -correct edition of the "GENTLE SHEPHERD," considerable pains have been -taken to ascertain the best or standard text. Fortunately, there were, -within reach, several of the best editions, as well as others of -inferior character. A careful examination of these satisfied us, that, -the subscription edition in quarto, printed for the Author by Thomas -Ruddiman, in 1728, has higher claims to be considered the standard -one, than any other within our knowledge. - -For this conclusion, perhaps it might be a sufficient reason to state, -that, it was so considered by Andrew Foulis, of Glasgow, who reprinted -it in David Allan's celebrated quarto of 1788, undoubtedly the most -sumptuous edition of the "GENTLE SHEPHERD" ever published.[1] From the -well-known intelligence and proverbial accuracy of the Foulis', and -from the fact that the same house reprinted the 10th edition of the -Pastoral in 1750, (about eight years before the Author's death,) there -can be very little doubt that Andrew Foulis possessed both the means -and the inclination to ascertain which was the genuine text, and did -so accordingly. But, besides this, the publishers of the octavo of -1798, who seem to have taken unusual pains to give a correct text, -have adopted the same edition as the standard, and have given a -reprint, still more literal than that of Foulis. Moreover, the same -text has been selected for the very elaborate edition of 1808, in two -volumes, royal octavo; as well as for the royal quarto, printed by -Ballantyne in the same year. It is true the orthography of both these -editions of 1808 is altered; that of the octavo being considerably -Anglicised; while that of the quarto is changed throughout to the mode -of spelling adopted by Burns. The verbal changes, however, are very -few. - -[Footnote 1: The poet Burns writes of it thus:--"I once, and but once, -got a glance of that noble edition of the noblest pastoral in the -world; and dear as it was, I mean dear as to my pocket, I would have -bought it; but I was told that it was printed and engraved for -subscribers only." - - [Burns to Mr. Cunningham, 3d March, 1793.] - -The text of the editions of 1761, 1800, and 1850, differs, in several -places, from that of the editions before-mentioned. A list of the -principal variations, with some further remarks, will be found in the -Notes to the present edition. We have searched diligently for an -explanation of the origin of these variations, but without success. -They may belong either to the first edition, or, to some one -subsequent to 1728. But, be this as it may, we cannot look upon them -as improvements. - -Neither have we been able to see any warrant for changes in -orthography, such as those we have alluded to: we have rather supposed -that readers generally, and especially the admirers of Ramsay, would -prefer to see his best poem in precisely the same dress in which he -ushered it into the world when his poetical powers were in their -prime. - -In accordance with these views, we have adopted, as the standard text, -the quarto of 1728; of which the present edition is nearly a literal -reprint. Some obvious typographical errors we have corrected, and a -very few changes in orthography have been made; all of which, with one -exception, are authorized by the editions of 1788 and 1798. Some what -greater liberties have been taken with the punctuation, but in this -also, we have been guided by the same editions, with the aid of the -octavo of 1808. - -Of the "SONGS," the 9th, 11th, and 21st, with the verse at page 57, -are the only ones that appear in the quarto of 1728, or in the -preceding editions: the remaining eighteen were added, probably, in -1729. In Foulis' edition of 1788, these additional songs are excluded -from the body of the poem; but are given, with the music, at the end. -Every other edition, that we have seen, contains the whole twenty-one -songs inserted in their proper places, as in the present edition. -Another song (of which the last verse occurs at page 57) was added -subsequently, probably after 1750, for it is not to be found among the -other songs belonging to the "GENTLE SHEPHERD," published in that year -in the "Tea-table Miscellany."[2] It occurs in the edition of 1761, -but it is not in those of 1788 and 1798. We have given it complete in -the Notes at page 90. In a foot-note to the "Life" at page xviii, will -be found a statement, explanatory of the causes why these additional -songs were inserted. We quite agree with the writer of that Note, that -they mar the beauty of the poem; and, in this edition, we would have -preferred to follow the example of David Allan and Foulis in that of -1788; but, it being the opinion of the Publisher, that the Pastoral, -in such a form, would be generally considered incomplete, they have -been inserted in the usual manner. - -[Footnote 2: We have before us two editions of the "Tea-table -Miscellany;" one in 3 parts or volumes, 9th edition, London, 1733; the -other in 4 volumes, 11th edition, London, 1750. Near the end of the -second volume this notice occurs in both editions:-- - -"The following SONGS to be sung in their proper Places on the acting -of the _Gentle Shepherd_, at each the page marked where they come in." - -Then follow the first twenty songs; (Song XXI., which concludes the -Pastoral, not being noticed;) at the head of each it is stated by whom -sung, and the page where it "comes in" is given. It would seem, -therefore, that the songs were mainly intended for "_the acting_;" and -that many copies of the Pastoral were extant without the songs, to the -pages of which these references in the "Miscellany" thus formed an -index or guide.] - -For these eighteen extra songs we have not had what we can consider a -standard text: they have been printed from the edition of 1798, -collated with those of 1788 and 1808. We also compared them with those -in the "Tea-table Miscellany" of 1733, the oldest copy in our -possession, and found no difference of any consequence. - -The GLOSSARIES heretofore appended to the "GENTLE SHEPHERD" have been, -usually, reprints of that given by Ramsay in the quarto of 1728, which -was prepared for his Poems, complete: that in the edition of 1800 -being considerably enlarged. In the present edition the Glossary has -been restricted chiefly to those words and phrases which occur in the -Pastoral; of which, upwards of a hundred and fifty have been omitted -in every former edition that we have seen: those are now added, with -explanations. The rest of the Glossary has been carefully examined, -and some corrections made. - -In the "LIFE of Ramsay, by Tennant," we have made one or two -corrections; and some additions, derived from various sources, have -been inserted. These are distinguished by being enclosed in brackets. - -The elaborate ESSAY by Lord Woodhouselee "on the Genius and Writings -of Allan Ramsay," so far as it refers to the "GENTLE SHEPHERD," we -have given complete, excepting a few quotations in Italian. To this -have been added, opinions and criticisms on the Pastoral, by various -celebrated authors. These are not entirely confined to expressions of -approbation; that of Pinkerton being quite the reverse, although, as -we think, singularly unjust. - -The PORTRAIT prefixed to this edition is a careful and accurate copy -of the print given by Cadell and Davies, in their edition of 1800; -respecting which they make the following statement:--"there is -prefixed a portrait of the author, which has been finely engraved by -Mr. Ryder, from a drawing which was made by Allan Ramsay, the poet's -son; the original of which is now in the possession of A. F. Tytler, -Esq., of Edinburgh." - -In order that we may not be charged with negligence, we subjoin a list -of all the editions of the "GENTLE SHEPHERD" to which we have had -access during the preparation of the present edition; with a few -slight remarks as to the character of these editions. - - POEMS:--"Printed for the Author at the Mercury, opposite, to - Niddry's Wynd;" 1 vol. small 8vo. Edinburgh, 1720-1. - - This is, perhaps, the first collected edition. It contains exactly - the same poems (though differently arranged) and glossary, as - the subscription 4to. of 1721. It has the _first_ scene of the - Pastoral, and the 11th Song. - - POEMS:--"Printed by Mr. Thomas Ruddiman, for the Author." 2 vols. - 4to. Edinburgh, 1721-28. - - This is the subscription and, probably, the "_best edition_." The - 1st volume has the _first_ scene of the Pastoral, and the 11th - Song: the 2d volume has the Pastoral complete. - - *POEMS:--Millar, Rivington, and others; 2 vols. 12mo. London, 1761. - - A neat edition, containing exactly the same poems as that of - 1721-28. - - *POEMS:--Phorson; cheap edition; 2 vols. 12mo. Berwick, 1793. - - *POEMS:--Cadell and Davies; 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1800. - - This edition is well printed, on good paper: it is commonly called - the "best edition;" but, so far as the "Gentle Shepherd" is - concerned, it is not so. - - POEMS AND PROVERBS:--Oliver and Co.; 3 vols. 18mo. Edinburgh, no - date. - - Neat edition, with plates, and music to the Songs in the "Gentle - Shepherd." - - POEMS AND PROVERBS:--Chapman; 2 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1813. - - POEMS:--Fairbairn and Anderson; 1 vol. 24mo. Edinburgh, 1819. - - Neat but abridged edition; with Life of Ramsay by Wm. Tennant, - author of "Anster fair." - - *POEMS:--Fullarton and Co.; 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1850. - - A very neat edition; a reprint of that of 1800, with additions; - appendix, &c. - - GENTLE SHEPHERD:--Printed by A. Foulis; 4to. Glasgow, 1788. - - An elegant and correct edition, with David Allan's plates, and the - songs set to music. - - GENTLE SHEPHERD:--Geo. Reid and Co.; 8vo. Edinburgh, 1798. - - A very accurate edition, with 5 plates. - - GENTLE SHEPHERD:--A. Constable and Co., and others: printed by - Abernethy and Walker; 2 vols. roy. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1808. - - One of the best editions, with many plates and an elaborate - dissertation on the scenery, &c. Understood to have been edited - by Robert Brown, Esq., advocate. - - GENTLE SHEPHERD:--Watt and Baillie, Leith: Printed by Jas. - Ballantyne and Co.; Edinburgh. roy. 4to. 1808. - - A good edition, (with copies of David Allan's plates,) but the - orthography much changed. - - GENTLE SHEPHERD:--Griffin and Co.; 32mo. Glasgow, 1828. - -In all the above editions, with the exception of those of 1788 and -1798, the orthography of the "GENTLE SHEPHERD" is more or less changed -from that of the original quarto of 1728. - -The editions marked thus (*) follow a different text of the "GENTLE -SHEPHERD" from that of the present edition. See the Notes. - - - - -THE LIFE - -OF - -ALLAN RAMSAY. - -_Born 1686.--Died 1758._ - - -Allan Ramsay, the restorer of Scottish Poetry, was born on the 15th -day of October, 1686, at Leadhills, in the parish of Crawfordmoor, in -Lanarkshire. His father, John Ramsay, superintended Lord Hopetoun's -lead mines at that place; and his grandfather, Robert Ramsay, a writer -or attorney in Edinburgh, had possessed the same appointment: his -great-grandfather, Captain John Ramsay, was the son of Ramsay of -Cockpen in Mid-Lothian, who was brother of Ramsay of Dalhousie. His -mother, Alice Bower, was daughter of Allan Bower, a gentleman of -Derbyshire, whom Lord Hopetoun had brought to Scotland to instruct and -superintend his miners. His grandmother, Janet Douglas, was daughter -of Douglas of Muthil. In his lineage, therefore, our Poet had -something to boast of, and, though _born to nae lairdship_, he fails -not to congratulate himself on being sprung from the loins of a -Douglas. He did not long enjoy the blessing of paternal care and -instruction; for, shortly after his birth, his father died, leaving -the widow and family in a condition rather destitute. His mother soon -after married a Mr. Crichton, a petty landholder of the same county, -by whom she had several children. Under these unfortunate -circumstances, young Allan entered upon the career of life; and, for -fourteen years he remained in the house of his stepfather, with no -other education than was supplied by the school of the parish. Here, -surrounded by wild and mountainous scenery, and amid an artless and -secluded people, whose manners and language were of patriarchal -simplicity, his childhood received those pastoral and Arcadian -impressions, which were too lively to be effaced by future habits, -however uncongenial, and of which he in his manhood, amid all the -artificial life of the city, made so lively and fascinating a -transcription. - -Of his progress and attainments at school, we have no record. It does -not appear that he read much poetry prior to his twentieth year; and -his emulation, and _ambitious thoughts_, of which he says _he had -some_, seem to have slumbered in inactivity, till they were awakened -to unceasing exercise by the society and the excitements of Edinburgh. - -To Edinburgh he was sent in his fifteenth year, when the felicity of -his boyhood had been broken by the death of his mother. We have the -assurance of undoubted testimony, that at that early age, when his -mind was beginning to search about for the choice of a profession, his -wishes were to be a painter; a circumstance too little known, and too -little noticed by his biographers, but strongly indicative, in our -opinion, of the aspirations of his youthful disposition. While yet in -the country, he had been in the practice of amusing himself with -copying such prints as he found in the books of his mother's house. -This early predilection for an art kindred to that wherein he -afterwards excelled, very likely followed bins through life, and led -him to devote his son to that favourite study, from which he himself -was so harshly precluded. For his stepfather, little consulting the -inclination of young Allan, and wishing as soon as possible, and at -any rate, to disencumber himself of the charge of his support, bound -this nursling of the Muses apprentice to a wig-maker. Lowly as this -profession is, it has been vindicated by one of Ramsay's biographers -into comparative dignity, by separating it from the kindred business -of barber, with which it is vulgarly, and too frequently confounded. -Ramsay was never, it seems, a barber; his enemies never blotted him -with that ignominy; his calling of "scull-thacker," as he himself -ludicrously terms it, was too dignified to be let down into an -equality with the men of the razor. - -Thus from the beginning his business was with _the heads of men_. We -know not on what authority it is asserted by some of his biographers, -that he abandoned this profession on finishing his apprenticeship: he -is called wig-maker in the parish record down to the year 1716; and we -suspect he continued so till the year 1718, or 1719, for in one of -Hamilton's letters to him, dated 24th of July, 1719, mention is made -of his "new profession." - -He was in 1712 induced, as one of his biographers observes, _by the -example of other citizens_, to enter into the state of marriage. His -wife's name was Christian Ross, daughter of a writer in Edinburgh, who -brought him, year after year, a numerous family of three sons and five -daughters. Of this family, Allan, the eldest, and the only son who -survived him, inherited the genius of his father, and, having received -a liberal education, became afterwards conspicuous as a scholar, and a -painter.[3] - -[Footnote 3: Allan Ramsay the painter studied his art both at London -and Rome. He was the projector and founder of the Select Society of -Edinburgh in 1754. In 1767 he was appointed portrait painter to his -Majesty. On his return from Italy he died at Dover, on the 10th of -August, 1784, leaving a fortune of £40,000. He was twice married, -first to Miss Bayne, daughter of Professor Bayne of Edinburgh, and -sister of the late gallant Capt. Bayne of the Navy. She brought him -one daughter, who died young. His second wife was the eldest daughter -of Sir Alexander Lindsay of Evelich, Baronet, by Emilia, daughter of -the Viscount of Stormont, and niece to the great Earl of Mansfield; -she was also the sister of the late Sir David and Sir John Lindsay. -She died in 1782, and left by Allan Ramsay two daughters and a son. -One of his daughters was married to the late General Sir Archibald -Campbell, K. B. of Inverneil in Argyleshire, and the other to Colonel -Malcolm. His son, John Ramsay, has attained the rank of -Lieutenant-General in the army. - -Of our Poet's daughters only two survived him; Christian, who died -about the year 1800, and Janet, who died in New-street, Canongate, -Edinburgh, on the 14th of January, 1804.] - -About the year 1711 or 1712 our Poet seems first to have ventured into -the regions of rhyme. The clubs and societies of Edinburgh had -provoked in him this new passion, and his earliest effort, so far as -is known, is an Address, supplicatory of admission, "To the most happy -members of the Easy Club," a production bearing every mark of -unskilfulness and juvenility. Of this club he was afterwards appointed -poet-laureate, in which capacity he was wont to recite to that jolly -fraternity his successive productions, for their criticisms and their -applause. - -Many of these poems were published in a detached form at a penny -a-piece, and his name became by this means celebrated in the city. -About the year 1716, and ere he relinquished his avocation of -wig-maker, he published an edition of the excellent old poem of -"Christ's Kirk on the Green," with a second canto by himself. Having -thus associated himself in the walks of humour with the King of -Scotland, he was induced, by the approbation which he gained, and the -rapid sale of the book, to "keep a little more company with these -comical characters," and to complete the story, by adding afterwards a -third canto. This attempt was crowned with all the success he -anticipated, and numerous editions of the work afforded him -satisfactory proof, that, in the public opinion, he had not unworthily -put himself into partnership with the royal humourist.[4] - -[Footnote 4: A passage in one of those modern cantos of Ramsay's, -describing a husband fascinated homewards from a scene of drunkenness -by the gentle persuasions of his wife, has been tastefully selected by -Wilkie, and been made the subject of his admirable pencil. - -Hogarth dedicated to Ramsay, in 1726, his twelve plates of Hudibras.] - -Elevated by the distinction his productions had now procured him, and -losing at last all liking to a business which was at utter variance -with his ambition and darling amusements; he commenced bookseller, -most probably in the year 1718, when he was in the thirty-second year -of his age. This was a trade at once more congenial to his habits, and -more likely to be lucrative, on account of his being already -recommended by his authorship to the buyers of books. His first shop -as a bookseller was in the High-street opposite to Niddry's-wynd, with -the figure of Mercury for his sign. From this shop proceeded, in 1721, -a collection of his various poems in one quarto volume, published by -subscription, which contained every eminent name in Scotland. It was -thus advertised in the Edinburgh Evening Courant: "The poems of Allan -Ramsay, in a large quarto volume, fairly printed, with notes, and a -complete glossary (as promised to the subscribers), being now -finished; all who have generously contributed to carrying on of the -design, may call for their copies as soon as they please, from the -author, at the Mercury, opposite to Niddry's-wynd, Edinburgh." - -From the sale of this volume he realized 400 guineas, which was in -those days a very considerable profit on a book of Scottish poetry. In -1722 he gave to the world his Fables and Tales; in the same year his -tale of The Three Bonnets; and in 1724 his poem on Health. In January, -1724, he published the first volume of the Tea-table Miscellany, being -a collection of Scottish and English songs; this volume was speedily -followed by a second; [in 1727] by a third; [and some years afterwards -by a fourth; all] under the same title. Hamilton of Bangour, and -Mallet, assisted him by their lyrical contributions. Encouraged by the -popularity of these books, he published, in October, 1724, the -Evergreen, "a collection of Scots poems written by the ingenious -before 1600." For the duties of an editor of such a work, it is -generally agreed that Ramsay was not well fitted. For, neither had he -a complete knowledge of the ancient Scottish language, nor was his -literary conscience sufficiently tender and scrupulous to that -fidelity, which is required by the office of editor. He abridged, he -varied, modernized, and superadded. In that collection first appeared -under a feigned signature his Vision, a poem, full of genius, and -rich with Jacobitism, but disguising the author and his principles -under the thin concealment of antique orthography. - -At length appeared in 1725 his master-work, the Gentle Shepherd, of -which two scenes had been previously printed, [the first] in 1721, -under the title of Patie and Roger, and [the second] in 1723, under -that of Jenny and Meggy. [In the quarto of 1721, there is likewise to -be found (Sang XI.) the dialogue song between Patie and Peggy, -afterwards introduced into the second act.] The reputation he had -obtained by these detached scenes, and the admonitions of his friends, -who perceived how easily and how happily they could be connected, -induced him to re-model and embody them into a regular pastoral drama. -Its success corresponded to his own hopes, and to his friends' -anticipations. [In the following letter, (published for the first time -by R. Chambers in his Scottish Biographical Dictionary, 1835,) it will -be seen that he was engaged on this task in spring, 1724. - - - ALLAN RAMSAY to WILLIAM RAMSAY, of TEMPLEHALL, Esq. - - "Edinburgh, _April_ 8th, 1724. - - "Sir,--These come to bear you my very heartyest and grateful - wishes. May you long enjoy your Marlefield, see many a returning - spring pregnant with new beautys; may everything that's excellent - in its kind continue to fill your extended soul with pleasure. - Rejoyce in the beneficence of heaven, and let all about ye - rejoyce--whilst we, alake, the laborious insects of a smoaky city, - hurry about from place to place in one eternal maze of fatiguing - cares, to secure this day our daylie bread--and something till't. - For me, I have almost forgot how springs gush from the earth. - Once, I had a notion how fragrant the fields were after a soft - shower; and often, time out of mind! the glowing blushes of the - morning have fired my breast with raptures. Then it was that the - mixture of rural music echo'd agreeable from the surrounding - hills, and all nature appear'd in gayety. - - "However, what is wanting to me of rural sweets I endeavour to - make up by being continually at the acting of some new farce, for - I'm grown, I know not how, so very wise, or at least think so - (which is much about one), that the mob of mankind afford me a - continual diversion; and this place, tho' little, is crowded with - merry-andrews, fools, and fops, of all sizes, [who] intermix'd - with a few that can think, compose the comical medley of actors. - - "Receive a sang made on the marriage of my young chief.--I am, - this vacation, going through with a Dramatick Pastoral, which I - design to carry the length of five acts, in verse a' the gate, and - if I succeed according to my plan, I hope to tope[5] with the - authors of Pastor Fido and Aminta. - -[Footnote 5: Cope.] - - "God take care of you and yours, is the constant prayer of, sir, - your faithful humble servant, - - "ALLAN RAMSAY."] - -A second edition followed next year, and numerous impressions spread -his fame, not only through Scotland, but through the united kingdom, -and the colonies. His name became known, principally through this -drama, to the wits of England, and Pope took delight in reading his -pastoral, the obscurer phraseology of which was interpreted to him by -Gay, who, during his residence in Scotland, had been careful to -instruct himself in its dialect, that he might act as interpreter to -the poet of Twickenham. - -In 1726 our Poet, now a thriving bookseller, removed from his original -dwelling at the Mercury opposite Niddry's-wynd, to a shop in the east -end of the Luckenbooths, which was afterwards occupied by the late Mr. -Creech, (whose Fugitive Pieces are well known), and, after his death, -by his successor Mr. Fairbairn. With his shop he changed his sign, and -leaving Mercury, under the protection of whose witty godship he had so -flourished, he set up the friendly heads of Ben Jonson and Drummond of -Hawthornden. Here he sold books, and established a circulating -library, the first institution of that kind, not only in Scotland, but -we believe in Great Britain.[6] The situation being near the Cross, -and commanding a full view of the High-street, his shop became the -resort of all the wits of the city; and here Gay, who is described by -Mr. Tytler, as "a little pleasant-looking man, with a tyewig," used -to look out upon the population of Edinburgh, while Ramsay pointed out -to him the principal characters as they passed. Of this house no -vestiges now remain, for as the beauty and magnificence of the -High-street had been long disfigured by the cumbrous and gloomy -buildings called the Luckenbooths, they were, a few years ago, -completely removed, and the street cleared of that misplaced mass of -deformity. - -[Footnote 6: To this library Mr. Sibbald succeeded, who greatly -augmented it. It is now (1819) in possession of Mr. Mackay, -High-street.] - -In 1728 he printed in quarto a second volume, containing, [his -portrait by Smibert, and,] with other poems, a Masque on the Marriage -of the Duke of Hamilton, one of his most ingenious productions; [also -the Gentle Shepherd, complete.[7]] Of this quarto an octavo edition -followed next year; and so extended was now the circle of his -reputation, and so universal the demand for his poems, that the London -booksellers published an edition of his Works in 1731, and two years -after an edition also appeared at Dublin. His collection of thirty -Fables appeared in 1730, when he was in his 45th year, after which -period the public received nothing from his pen. "I e'en gave o'er in -good time," he says, in his letter to Smibert, "ere the coolness of -fancy attending advanced years made me risk the reputation I had -acquired." - -[Footnote 7: ["Soon after the first edition, in octavo, of this -pastoral was published, and about the time of the publication of his -second volume in quarto, the 'Beggar's Opera' made its appearance, -with such success that it soon produced a great number of other pieces -upon the same musical plan. Amongst the rest, Ramsay, who had always -been a great admirer of Gay, especially for his ballads, was so far -carried away by the current as to print a new edition of his pastoral, -interspersed with songs adapted to the common Scotch tunes, He did not -reflect at the time that the 'Beggar's Opera' was only meant as a -piece of ironical satire; whereas his 'Gentle Shepherd' was a simple -imitation of nature, and neither a mimickry nor mockery of any other -performance. He was soon, however, sensible of his error, and would -have been glad to have retracted those songs; but it was too late; the -public was already in possession of them, and as the number of singers -is always greater than that of sound critics, the many editions since -printed of that pastoral have been almost uniformly in this vitiated -taste. He comforted himself, however, with the thought that the -contagion had not infected his second volume in quarto, where the -'Gentle Shepherd' is still to be found in its original purity." - - (General Biographical Dictionary, Vol. XXVI.)] - -[The following letter was first published in the Scots Magazine, -August, 1784: we give it verbatim et literatim. - - ALLAN RAMSAY To MR. JOHN SMIBERT,[8] in BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND. - - "Edinburgh, _May_ 10, 1736. - - "My dear old friend, your health and happiness are ever ane - addition to my satisfaction. God make your life ever easy and - pleasant--half a century of years have now row'd o'er my pow; yes, - row'd o'er my pow, that begins now to be lyart; yet, thanks to my - Author, I eat, drink, and sleep as sound as I did twenty years - syne; yes, I laugh heartily too, and find as many subjects to - employ that faculty upon as ever: fools, fops, and knaves, grow as - rank as formerly; yet here and there are to be found good and - worthy men, who are an honour to human life. We have small hopes - of seeing you again in our old world; then let us be virtuous, and - hope to meet in heaven.--My good auld wife is still my bedfellow: - my son, Allan, has been pursuing your science since he was a dozen - years auld--was with Mr. Hyssing, at London, for some time, about - two years ago; has been since at home, painting here like a - Raphael--sets out for the seat of the Beast, beyond the Alps, - within a month hence--to be away about two years.--I'm sweer[9] to - part with him, but canna stem the current which flows from the - advice of his patrons and his own inclinations.--I have three - daughters, one of seventeen, one of sixteen, one of twelve years - old, and no waly-dragle[10] among them, all fine girls. These six - or seven years past, I have not wrote a line of poetry; I e'en - gave o'er in good time, before the coolness of fancy that attends - advanced years should make me risk the reputation I had acquired. - -[Footnote 8: [John Smibert, who drew his first breath in the -Grass-Market of Edinburgh, was the son of a dyer, and bred a coach -painter: but travelling into Italy for instruction, he painted -portraits, on his return, at London, till he was induced, by the -fascination of Bishop Berkeley, to emigrate with him to Bermuda, and -thence to New England. Smibert was born in 1684 and died at Boston, in -1751. - -(Life of Ramsay by George Chalmers, in Works, Edition of 1800.)]] - -[Footnote 9: Unwilling.] - -[Footnote 10: A feeble ill-grown person.] - - - "Frae twenty-five to five-and-forty, - My Muse was nowther sweer[11] nor dorty; - My Pegasus wad break his tether, - E'en at the shakking[12] of a feather, - And through ideas scour like drift, - Streaking[13] his wings up to the lift: - Then, then my saul was in a low, - That gart my numbers safely row; - But eild and judgment 'gin to say, - Let be your sangs, and learn to pray. - -[Footnote 11: Unwilling.] - -[Footnote 12: Shaking.] - -[Footnote 13: Stretching.] - - "I am, sir, your friend and servant, - - "ALLAN RAMSAY."] - - -He now therefore intermeddled no longer with the anxieties of -authorship, but sat down in the easy chair of his celebrity to enjoy -his laurels and his profits. After a lapse of six years of silence, -and of happiness, his ardour for dramatic exhibitions involved him in -some circumstances of perplexity, attended, it is believed, with -pecuniary loss. As Edinburgh possessed as yet no fixed place for the -exhibition of the drama, he endeavoured to supply that deficiency to -the citizens, by building, at his own expense a theatre in -Carrubber's-close. Shortly after, the Act for licensing the stage was -passed, which at once blasted all his hopes of pleasure and advantage; -for, the Magistrates availing themselves of the power entrusted to -them by the Act, shewed no indulgence to the author of the Gentle -Shepherd, but, in the true spirit of that puritanism which reckons as -ungodly all jollity of heart, and relaxation of countenance, they shut -up his theatre, leaving the citizens without exhilaration, and our -poet without redress. This was not all; he was assailed with the -satirical mockery of his laughter-hating enemies, who turned against -him his own weapons of poetical raillery. Pamphlets appeared, -entitled, "The flight of religious piety from Scotland, upon the -account of Ramsay's lewd books, and the hell-bred playhouse comedians, -who debauch all the faculties of the soul of our rising -generation;"--"A looking-glass for Allan Ramsay;"--"The dying words of -Allan Ramsay." These maligners, in the bitterness of their -sanctimonious resentments, reproached him with "having acquired -wealth,"--with "possessing a fine house,"--with "having raised his kin -to high degree;" all which vilifications must have carried along with -them some secret and sweet consolations into the bosom of our bard. -Amid the perplexities caused by the suppression of his theatre, he -applied by a poetical petition to his friend the Honourable Duncan -Forbes, then Lord President of the Court of Session, in order that he -might obtain some compensation for his expenses; but with what success -is not recorded by any of his biographers. - -His theatrical adventure being thus unexpectedly crushed, he devoted -himself to the duties of his shop, and the education of his children. -He sent in 1736 his son Allan to Rome, there to study that art by -which he rose to such eminence. In the year 1743 he lost his wife, who -was buried on the 28th of March in the cemetery of the Greyfriars. He -built, probably about this time, a whimsical house of an octagon form, -on the north side of the Castle-hill, where his residence is still -known by the name of Ramsay-Garden. [The site of this house was -selected with the taste of a poet and the judgment of a painter. It -commanded a reach of scenery probably not surpassed in Europe, -extending from the mouth of the Forth on the east to the Grampians on -the west, and stretching far across the green hills of Fife to the -north; embracing in the including space every variety of beauty, of -elegance, and of grandeur.[14]] This house he deemed a paragon of -architectural invention. He showed it with exultation to the late Lord -Elibank, telling his Lordship at the same time, that the wags of the -town likened it to a "goose-pye:" "Indeed, Allan," replied his -Lordship, "now that I see you in it, I think it is well named." - -[Footnote 14: Chambers' Scottish Biographical Dictionary.] - -Having for several years before his death retired from business, he -gave himself up in this fantastical dwelling to the varied amusements -of reading, conversation, and the cultivation of his garden. Being now -"loose frae care and strife," he enjoyed, in the calmness and -happiness of a philosophical old age, all the fruits of his many and -well rewarded labours. A considerable part of every summer was spent -in the country with his friends, of whom he had many, distinguished -both for talents and rank. The chief of these were, Sir Alexander Dick -of Prestonfield, and Sir John Clerk of Pennycuik, one of the Barons of -Exchequer, a gentleman who united taste to scholarship, and had -patronized and befriended Ramsay from the beginning. This amiable -gentleman died in 1756, a loss which must have been severely felt by -our Poet, and which he himself did not long survive. He had been -afflicted for some time with a scorbutic complaint in his gums, which -after depriving him of his teeth, and consuming part of the jaw-bone, -at last put an end to his sufferings and his existence on the 7th of -January, 1758, in the 72d year of his age. He was interred in the -cemetery of Greyfriars' church on the 9th of that month, and in the -record of mortality he is simply called, "Allan Ramsay, Poet, who died -of old age." - -Of his person, Ramsay has given us a minute and pleasant description. -He was about five feet four inches high, - - "A blackavic'd[15] snod[16] dapper fallow, - Nor lean, nor overlaid with tallow." - -[Footnote 15: Of a dark complexion.] - -[Footnote 16: Neat.] - -He is described by those who knew him towards the latter part of his -life, as a squat man, with a belly rather portly, and a countenance -full of smiles and good humour. He wore a round goodly wig rather -short. His disposition may be easily collected from his writings. He -possessed that happy Horatian temperament of mind, that forbids, for -its own ease, all entrance to the painful and irascible passions. He -was a man rather of pleasantry and laughter, than of resentment and -moody malignancy. His enemies, of whom he had some, he did not deem -so important as on their account to ruffle his peace of mind, by -indulging any reciprocal hostility, by which they would have been -flattered. He was kind, benevolent, cheerful; possessing, like Burns, -great susceptibility for social joys, but regulating his indulgences -more by prudence, and less impetuous and ungovernable than the -impassioned poet of Ayrshire. By his genius he elevated himself to the -notice of all those of his countrymen who possessed either rank or -talents; but these attentions proceeded spontaneously from their -admiration of his talents, and were not courted by any servilities or -unworthy adulations. Never drawn from business by the seductions of -the bowl, or the invitations of the great, he consulted his own -respect, and the comfort of his family, by attending to the duties of -his shop, which so faithfully and liberally rewarded him. His vanity -(that constitutional failing of all bards) is apparent in many of his -writings, but it is seasoned with playfulness and good humour. He -considered, indeed, that "pride in poets is nae sin," and on one -occasion jocularly challenges superiority in the temple of Fame, even -to Peter the Great of Russia, by saying, "But haud, proud Czar, I -wadna niffer[17] fame."--He is called by Mr. William Tytler, who -enjoyed his familiarity, "an honest man, and of great pleasantry." - -[Footnote 17: Exchange.] - -Of learning he had but little, yet he understood Horace faintly in the -original; a congenial author, with whom he seems to have been much -delighted, and in the perusal of whose writings he was assisted by -Ruddiman. He read French, but knew nothing of Greek. He did not, -however, like Burns, make an appearance of vilifying that learning of -which he was so small a partaker; he bewailed his "own little -knowledge of it;" and, like the Ayrshire bard, he was sufficiently -ostentatious and pedantic in the display of what little he possessed. - -He composed his verses with little effort or labour; his poetry seems -to have evaporated lightly and airily from the surface of a mind -always jocose and at its ease. And as _it lightly came_, he was wont -to say, _so it lightly went_; for after composition, he dismissed it -from his mind without further care or anxiety. - -In 1759 an elegant obelisk was erected to the memory of Ramsay, by Sir -James Clerk, at his family-seat of Pennycuik, containing the following -inscription: - - Allano Ramsay, Poetae egregio, - Qui Fatis concessit VII. Jan. MDCCLVIII. - Amico paterno et suo, - Monumentum inscribi jussit - D. Jacobus Clerk. - Anno MDCCLIX. - -At Woodhouselee, near the [supposed] scene of the Gentle Shepherd,[18] -a rustic temple was dedicated, by the late learned and accomplished -Lord Woodhouselee, with the Inscription - - ALLANO RAMSAY, et Genio Loci. - -[Footnote 18: "According to Mr. Tytler, this supposition is founded in -error; and the estate of New Hall in the parish of Pennycuik, was to a -certainty the legitimate parent of the pastoral. This fact has been -since farther confirmed, in a dissertation[19] from the elegant pen of -Sir David Rae, Lord Justice-Clerk; a descendant of Sir David Forbes, -proprietor of New Hall, and contemporary of Ramsay. Even without such -respectable evidence, however, we would inevitably be led to the same -conclusion, by the poet's well known acquaintance with the natural -beauties of the landscape at New Hall, where he was a constant and -welcome visitor; and because within the boundaries of that fine -estate, there is actually to be found all the peculiar scenery, so -graphically and beautifully described in the drama." - - (Gentle Shepherd, edition of 1828.)] - -[Footnote 19: Sir John Sinclair's Statistical account of Scotland; -Vol. XVII., appendix.] - - - - -REMARKS ON THE WRITINGS OF ALLAN RAMSAY. - -BY W. TENNANT. - - -Of Ramsay's Poems, the largest, and that on which his fame chiefly -rests, is his _Gentle Shepherd_. Though some of his smaller poems -contain passages of greater smartness, yet its more general interest -as a whole, and the uniformity of talent visible in its scenes, render -it one of the finest specimens of his genius. We have no hesitation in -asserting, that it is one of the best pastoral dramas in the wide -circle of European literature; an excellent production in a department -of writing in which the English language has as yet nothing to boast -of. While other modern tongues have been enriching themselves with -pastoral, the English, copious in all other kinds, continues, in this, -barren and deficient. No English production, therefore, can enter into -competition with the Gentle Shepherd. We must look to the south of -Europe for similar and rival productions, with which it can be -compared. The shepherd plays of Tasso, and Guarini, and Bonarelli, -contain more invention, and splendour, and variety of incident and of -dialogue, than our Scottish drama; but they have also more conceit and -flimsiness of sentiment, more artifice of language, more unnatural and -discordant contrivance of fable. _In its plot_, the Gentle Shepherd is -simple and natural, founded on a story whose circumstances, if they -did not really happen, are at least far within the compass of -verisimilitude. Its development is completed by means interesting but -probable, without the intervention of gods, or satyrs, or oracles, or -such heathenish and preposterous machinery. _The characters_ of the -Gentle Shepherd are all framed by the hand of one evidently well -acquainted with rural life and manners. They are not the puling, -sickly, and unimpressive phantoms that people the bowers of Italian -pastoral; they are lively, stirring creatures, bearing in their -countenances the hardy lineaments of the country, and expressing -themselves with a plainness, and downright sincerity, with which every -mind sympathizes. They are rustics, it is true, but they are polished, -not only by their proximity to the metropolis, but by the influence of -the principal shepherd, who, besides the gentility of blood that -operates in his veins, - - ----also reads and speaks, - With them that kens them, Latin words and Greeks. - -The situations in which the persons are placed are so ingeniously -devised, as to draw forth from their bosoms all those feelings and -passions which accompany the shepherd, life, and which are described -with a happiness and a simplicity, the truer to nature, on account of -its being removed from that over-wrought outrageousness of passion -which we sometimes think is the fault of modern writing. The -tenderness of correspondent affections,--the hesitation and anxiety of -a timid lover,--the mutual bliss on the mutual discovery of long -concealed attachment,--the uneasiness of jealousy, with the humorous -and condign punishment of its evil devices,--the fidelity of the -shepherd notwithstanding his elevation to an unexpected rank,--the -general happiness that crowns, and winds up the whole, are all -impressively and vividly delineated. - -With regard to _its sentiments_, the Gentle Shepherd has nothing to be -ashamed of; though in a very few places coarse, the thoughts are -nowhere impure; they have somewhat of the purity of Gesner, with -rather more vivacity and vigour. There is no affectation; every -character thinks as country people generally do, artlessly, and -according to nature. With regard to _its language_, we know not -whether to say much, or to say little. Much has been already said, to -redeem from the charge of vulgarity a language once courtly and -dignified, but now associated with meanness of thought, and rudeness -of manners. We do not think it necessary, however, to stand up in -defence of a dialect which has, since the days of Ramsay, been -ennobled by the poems of Burns, and is eternized more lately in the -tales of that mighty genius, who sits on the summit of Northern -Literature, and flashes forth from behind his cloud his vivid and his -fiery productions. In the use of this dialect, Ramsay is extremely -fortunate; for Scottish shepherds he could have employed none other; -and he wields his weapon with a dexterity which we do not think has -been since exceeded. Out of his own familiar language, he is indeed -heavy and wearisome; English armour is too cumbrous for him; he cannot -move in it with grace and activity. We find, accordingly, that in his -Gentle Shepherd the most unskilful passages are in English, without -beauty or energy; whereas his Scottish has in it a felicity which has -rendered it popular with all ranks, and caused his verses to pass with -proverbial currency among the peasants of his native country. - -Next in value to his Gentle Shepherd, we think, are his imitations of -Horace. To this good-humoured author Ramsay had, from congeniality of -mind, a strong predilection; and he in some places has fully equalled, -if not surpassed, his prototype in happy hits of expression. Pope -himself is not so fortunate. Take for instance, - - Daring and unco stout he was, - With heart _hool'd in three sloughs_[20] of brass, - Wha ventur'd first on the rough sea, - With _hempen branks_,[21] _and horse of tree_. - -Again, - - Be sure ye dinna quat the grip - O' ilka joy when ye are young, - Before auld age your vitals nip, - And _lay ye twafald o'er a rung_.[22] - -[Footnote 20: Coats.] - -[Footnote 21: A sort of bridle.] - -[Footnote 22: A stout staff.] - -In his _Vision_ there is more grandeur, and a nearer approach to -sublimity than in any other of his poems. He is indeed, here, superior -to himself, and comes nearer to the strength and splendour of Dunbar, -whose antiquated style he copied. The 5th stanza may be a specimen. - - Grit[23] daring dartit frae his ee, - A braid-sword schogled[24]at his thie,[25] - On his left arm a targe; - A shinnand[26] speir filld his richt hand, - Of stalwart[27] mak, in bane and brawnd, - Of just proportions large; - A various rainbow-colourt plaid - Owre[28] his left spawl[29] he threw, - Doun his braid back, frae his quhyte[30] heid, - The silver wymplers[31] grew. - -[Footnote 23: Great.] - -[Footnote 24: Dangled.] - -[Footnote 25: Thigh.] - -[Footnote 26: Shining] - -[Footnote 27: Strong.] - -[Footnote 28: Over.] - -[Footnote 29: Shoulder.] - -[Footnote 30: White.] - -[Footnote 31: Waving locks of hair.] - -His _Tales_ and _Fables_, a species of writing which he himself deemed -as "casten for his share," display great ease and readiness of -versification, with much comic vivacity. The best of these are the -_Twa Cats and the Cheese_; the _Lure_, in which the Falconer's -"foregathering with auld Symmie" is excellently described; and the -_Monk and the Miller's Wife_, for the story of which he is indebted to -Dunbar. As a song writer we are not inclined to give Ramsay a very -high place. His mind had not those deep and energetic workings of -feeling that fitted Burns so admirably for this difficult species of -writing. He is stiff, where passion is required; and is most easy, as -usual, where he is comic. Several of his songs yet retain their -popularity; but even of these none are without some faults. We prefer -the Highland Laddie, Gie me a Lass wi' a Lump o' Land, The Carle he -came o'er the Craft, The Lass of Patie's Mill and Jenny Nettles. - -His _Christ's Kirk_ is no mean effort of his muse; the idea of -continuing King James's production was good, and he has executed it -happily. Ramsay's humour must, however, be acknowledged to be inferior -to the pure, strong, irresistible merriment that shines even through -the dim and nearly obsolete language of his royal master. In the -_Third Canto_, the morning, with its effect on the crapulous -assemblage, is well painted. - - _Now frae east nook o' Fife the dawn - Speel'd[32] westlins up the lift_, - Carles wha heard the cock had crawn - Begoud, &c. - - An' greedy wives, wi' girning thrawn, - Cry'd lasses up to thrift; - Dogs barked, an' the lads frae hand - Bang'd[33] to their breeks,[34] like drift, - Be break o' day - -[Footnote 32: Climbed.] - -[Footnote 33: Started up from bed.] - -[Footnote 34: Breeches.] - -Of a character similar to the first two lines of the above stanza, are -the following other passages of Ramsay's works, which remind us a -little of the Italian poets;-- - - Now Sol wi' his lang whip gae cracks - Upon his nichering coosers'[35] backs, - _To gar them tak th' Olympian brae, - Wi' a cart-lade o' bleezing day_. - -[Footnote 35: Stallions.] - - _Tale of the Three Bonnets._ - - And ere the sun, though he be dry, - Has driven down the westlin sky, - To drink his wamefu' o' the sea. - - _Fables and Tales._ - - Soon as the clear goodman o' day - Does bend his morning draught o' dew. - - _Fables and Tales._ - -To sum up our opinion of Ramsay's merits as a poet--he was fortunate, -and he deserved well, in being the first to redeem the Muse of -Scotland from wasting her strength in a dead language, which, since -the _days_ of Buchanan, had been the freezing vehicle of her -exertions. He re-established the popularity of a dialect, which, since -the removal of the Scottish Court, had received no honour from the pen -of genius, but which, near two hundred years before, had been sublimed -into poetical dignity by Dunbar and the bards of that age. To Ramsay, -and to his treasures of Scottish phraseology, succeeding poets have -been much indebted; he knew the language well, and had imbibed the -facetious and colloquial spirit of its idioms. Ramsay, therefore, when -he employs his beloved dialect, manages it masterly, and, though never -lofty, he is always at his ease: Burns, in his highest flights, soared -out of it. The genius of the first was pleasing, placid, versatile, in -quest rather of knacks, and felicities of expression, than originating -bold and masculine thoughts: The genius of the latter was richer, more -original, more impressive, and formidable, but less equal, and less -careful of the niceties and tricks of phraseology. The tone of -Ramsay's mind was good-humoured composure, and facile pleasantry; of -Burns's, intensity of feeling, tenderness, and daring elevation -approaching to sublimity. Of Burns's superiority no man is doubtful; -but Ramsay's merits will not be forgotten; and the names of _both_ -will be forever cherished by the lovers of Scottish poetry. - - - - -ESSAY - -ON - -RAMSAY'S GENTLE SHEPHERD. - -BY LORD WOODHOUSELEE. - - -As the writings of _Allan Ramsay_ have now stood the test of the -public judgment, during more than seventy years;[36] and, in the -opinion of the best critics, he seems to bid fair to maintain his -station among our poets, it may be no unpleasing, nor uninstructive -employment, to examine the grounds, on which that judgment is founded; -to ascertain the rank, which he holds in the scale of merit; and to -state the reasons, that may be given, for assigning him that -distinguished place among the original poets of his country, to which -I conceive he is entitled. - -[Footnote 36: Written in 1800.] - -The genius of Ramsay was original; and the powers of his untutored -mind were the gift of nature, freely exercising itself within the -sphere of its own observation. Born in a wild country, and accustomed -to the society of its rustic inhabitants, the poet's talents found -their first exercise in observing the varied aspects of the mountains, -rivers, and vallies; and the no less varied, though simple manners, -of the rude people, with whom he conversed. He viewed the former with -the enthusiasm which, in early childhood, is the inseparable attendant -of genius; and on the latter he remarked, with that sagacity of -discriminating observation, which instructed the future moralist, and -gave the original intimations to the contemporary satirist. With this -predisposition of mind, it is natural to imagine, that the education, -which he certainly received, opened to him such sources of instruction -as English literature could furnish; and his kindred talents directed -his reading chiefly to such of the _poets_ as occasion threw in his -way. - -Inheriting that ardour of feeling, which is generally accompanied with -strong sentiments of moral excellence, and keenly awake even to those -slighter deviations from propriety, which constitute the foibles of -human conduct, he learned, as it were from intuition, the glowing -language, which is best fitted for the scourge of vice; as well as the -biting ridicule, which is the most suitable corrective of gross -impropriety, without deviating into personal lampoon. - -A consciousness of his own talents induced _Ramsay_ to aspire beyond -the situation of a mere mechanic; and the early notice, which his -first poetical productions procured him, was a natural motive for the -experiment of a more liberal profession, which connected him easily -with those men of wit, who admired, and patronised him. As a -book-seller, he had access to a more respectable class in society. We -may discern, in the general tenor of his compositions, a respectful -demeanour towards the great, and the rich, which, though it never -descends to adulation or servility, and generally seeks for an apology -in some better endowments than mere birth or fortune, is yet a -sensible mark, that these circumstances had a strong influence on his -mind. - -As he extended the sphere of his acquaintance, we may presume, that -his knowledge of men, and acquaintance with manners, were enlarged; -and, in his latter compositions, we may discern a sufficient -intelligence of those general topics, which engaged the public -attention. The habits of polite life, and the subjects of fashionable -conversation, were become familiar, at this time, to the citizens of -Edinburgh, from the periodical papers of _Addison_ and _Steele_; and -the wits of _Balfour's_ Coffee-house, _Forrester_, _Falconer_, -_Bennet_, _Clerk_, _Hamilton_ of Bangour, _Preston_, and -_Crawford_,[37] were a miniature of the society, which was to be met -with at _Will's_ and _Button's_. - -[Footnote 37: To the last three of these we owe the words of some of -the best of the Scotish songs, which are to be found in the collection -published by Ramsay, called _The Tea-table Miscellany_.] - -The political principles of _Ramsay_ were those of an old Scotsman, -proud of his country, delighted to call to mind its ancient honours, -while it held the rank of a distinct kingdom, and attached to the -succession of its ancient princes. Of similar sentiments, at that -time, were many of the Scotish gentry. The chief friends of the poet -were probably men, whose sentiments on those subjects agreed with his -own; and the Easy Club, of which he was an original member, consisted -of youths who were anti-unionists. Yet, among the patrons of _Ramsay_, -were some men of rank, who were actuated by very different principles, -and whose official situation would have made it improper for them, -openly, to countenance a poet, whose opinions were obnoxious to the -rulers of his country. Of this he was aware; and putting a just value -on the friendship of those distinguished persons, he learnt to be -cautious in the expression of any opinions, which might risk the -forfeiture of their esteem: hence he is known to have suppressed some -of his earlier productions, which had appeared only in manuscript; and -others, which prudence forbad him to publish, were ushered into the -world without his name, and even with false signatures. Among the -former was a poem to the memory of the justly celebrated _Dr. -Pitcairne_, which was printed by the Easy Club, but never published; -and among the latter, is _The Vision_, which he printed in the -_Evergreen_, with the signature of AR. SCOT.[38] - -[Footnote 38: See _Observations on The Vision_, by William Tytler, -Esq., of Woodhouselee, in the first volume of the Transactions of -Scotish Antiquaries; where that poem, and The Eagle and Robin -Redbreast, are proved to be both written by Allan Ramsay.] - -In Ramsay's _Vision_, the author, in order to aid the deception, has -made use of a more antiquated phraseology, than that, which we find in -his other Scotish poems: but, it evidently appears from this attempt, -and from the two cantos, which he added to _King James the First's_ -ludicrous satire of _Christ's Kirk on the Green_, that _Ramsay_ was -not much skilled in the ancient Scotish dialect. Indeed the Glossary, -which he annexed to the two quarto volumes of his poems, wherein are -many erroneous interpretations, is of itself sufficient proof of this -assertion. In compiling the Glossary of his Evergreen, _Lord Hailes_ -has remarked, that he does not seem ever to have consulted the -Glossary to _Douglas's Virgil_; "and yet they who have not consulted -it, cannot acquire a competent knowledge of the ancient Scotish -dialect, unless by infinite and ungrateful labour."[39] A part of this -labour undoubtedly may be ascribed to _Ramsay_, when he selected and -transcribed, from the _Bannatyne manuscript_, those ancient poems, -which chiefly compose the two volumes of his _Evergreen_: and hence, -it is probable, he derived the most of what he knew of the older -dialect of his country. His own stock was nothing else than the oral -language of the farmers of the _Lothians_, and the common talk of the -citizens of Edinburgh, to which his ears were constantly accustomed. A -Scotsman, in the age of Ramsay, generally _wrote_ in English; that is, -he imitated the style of the English writers; but when he _spoke_, he -used the language of his country. The sole peculiarity of the style of -Ramsay is, that he transferred the oral language to his writings. He -could write, as some of his compositions evince, in a style which may -be properly termed English verse; but he wrote with more ease in the -Scotish dialect, and he preferred it, as judging, not unreasonably, -that it conferred a kind of Doric simplicity, which, when he wished to -paint with fidelity the manners of his countrymen, and the -peculiarities of the lower orders, was extremely suitable to such -subjects. - -[Footnote 39: I am convinced, however, from a comparison of many of -Ramsay's interpretations, both in the Glossary to the _Evergreen_, -printed in 1724, and in that, which is subjoined to his _Poems_, with -the interpretations given by Ruddiman in the Glossary to _G. Douglas's -Virgil_, that Ramsay had made frequent use of the latter for the -explanation of the most antiquated words; though he does not seem to -have studied it with that care, which his duty as an editor of ancient -Scotish poetry certainly required. In proof of this, his obligations -to Ruddiman's Glossary, the reader has only to compare, with the -interpretations in that work, the following, given by Ramsay in the -Glossary to his Poems: _Bodin_, _Brankan_, _Camschough_, _Dern_, -_Douks_, _Dynles_, _Elritch_, _Ettle_, _Freck_, _Gousty_, _Moup_, -_Pawky_, _Withershins_; and the following, in the Glossary to the -Evergreen: _Crawdon_, _Galziart_, _Ithandly_, _Ourefret_, _Ruse_, -_Schent_, &c.] - -From these considerations, one cannot but wonder at the observation, -which is sometimes made even by Scotsmen of good taste, that the -language of _The Gentle Shepherd_ disgusts from its vulgarity. It is -true, that in the present day, the Scotish dialect is heard only in -the mouths of the lowest of the populace, in whom it is generally -associated with vulgarity of sentiment; but those critics should -recollect, that it was the language of the Scotish people, which was -to be imitated, and that too of the people upwards of a century ago, -if we carry our mind back to the epoch of the scene. - -If _Ramsay_ had made the shepherds of the Lowlands of Scotland, in the -middle of the seventeenth century, speak correct English, how -preposterous would have been such a composition! But, with perfect -propriety, he gave them the language which belonged to them; and if -the sentiments of the speakers be not reproachable with unnecessary -vulgarity, we cannot with justice associate vulgarism with a dialect, -which in itself is proper, and in its application is characteristic. -After all, what is the language of Ramsay, but the common speech of -Yorkshire during the last century?[40] - -[Footnote 40: See "A Yorkshire Dialogue in its pure natural dialect;" -printed at York, 1684.] - -But, as associated ideas arise only where the connection is either in -itself necessary, or the relation is so intimate, the two ideas are -seldom found disunited; so of late years, that disunion has taken -place in a twofold manner; for the language, even of the common people -of Scotland, is gradually refining, and coming nearer to the English -standard; and it has fortunately happened, that the Scotish dialect -has lately been employed in compositions of transcendant merit, which -have not only exhibited the finest strokes of the pathetic, but have -attained even to a high pitch of the sublime. For the truth of this -observation, we may appeal to _The Cotter's Saturday Night_, and _The -Vision of Burns_. In these, the language, so far from conveying the -idea of vulgarity, appears most eminently suited to the sentiment, -which seems to derive, from its simplicity, additional tenderness, and -superior elevation. - -The Scots, and the English, languages are, indeed, nothing more than -different dialects of the same radical tongue, namely, the -Anglo-Saxon; and, setting prejudice apart, (which every preference, -arising from such associations, as we have mentioned, must be,) it -would not perhaps be difficult, on a fair investigation of the actual -merits of both the dialects, to assert the superior advantages of the -Scotish to the English, for many species of original composition. But -a discussion of this kind would lead too far; and it is but -incidentally connected with the proper subject of these remarks.[41] -It is enough to say, that the merits of those very compositions, on -which we are now to offer some remarks, are of themselves a sufficient -demonstration of the powers of that language in which, chiefly, they -are composed, for many, if not for all the purposes of poetry. - -[Footnote 41: A learned writer has published, in the Transactions of -the Society of Scotish Antiquaries, a Dissertation on the Scoto-Saxon -Dialect; of which, as the work is not in every body's hands, the -reader may not be displeased with a short account. The author -maintains this proposition; that the Scoto-Saxon dialect was, at the -time of the union of the two nations, equal in every respect, and in -some respects superior, to the Anglo-Saxon dialect. He lays it down as -a principle, that three things constitute the perfection, or rather -the relative superiority, of a language: richness, energy, and -harmony. He observes, that a language is rich in proportion to the -copiousness of its vocabulary, which will principally depend, 1. on -the number of its primitive or radical words; 2. on the multiplicity -of its derivations and compounds; and, 3. on the variety of its -inflections. In all, or almost all of these respects, he shows the -superiority of the Scotish dialect of the Saxon to the English. The -Scots have all the English primitives, and many hundreds besides. The -Scots have derivatives from diminution, which the English entirely -want: e. g. _hat_, _hatty_, _hattiky_; _lass_, _lassie_, _lassiky_. -The degrees of diminution are almost unlimited: _wife_, _wifie_, -_wifiky_, _wee wifiky_, _wee wee wifiky_, &c. Both the English, and -Scots, dialects are poor in the inflections; but the Glossary to -Douglas's Virgil will shew that the Scotish inflections are both more -various, and less anomalous, than the English. Energy is the boast -both of the English, and the Scotish, dialects; but, in this author's -opinion, the Scotish poetry can furnish some compositions of far -superior energy to any cotemporary English production. With respect to -harmony, he gives his suffrage likewise in favour of the Scotish -dialect. He observes, that the _sh_ rarely occurs; its place being -supplied by the simple _s_, as in _polis_, _punis_, _sal_, &c. The _s_ -itself is often supplied by the liquids _m_ or _n_; as in _expreme_, -_depreme_; _compone_, _depone_. Harsh combinations of consonants are -avoided: as in using _sel_, _twal_, _neglek_, _temp_, _stown_ or -_stawn_, for _self_, _twelve_, _neglect_, _tempt_, _stolen_. Even the -vowel sounds are, in this author's opinion, more harmonious, in the -Scots, than in the English, dialect; as the open _a_, and the proper -Italic sound of _i_. For further elucidation of this curious subject, -the Dissertation itself must be referred to, which will abundantly -gratify the critical reader. It is proper here to observe, that the -remarks of this writer are the more worthy of attention, that he is -himself an excellent Scotish poet, as the compositions subjoined to -his Dissertation clearly evince. _Three Scotish Poems, with a previous -Dissertation on the Scoto-Saxon Dialect, by the Rev. Alexander Geddes, -LL.D., Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland_, vol. -i., p. 402.] - - (_Remarks on Ramsay's miscellaneous poems are here omitted._) - -In the year 1725, _Ramsay_ published his pastoral comedy of _The -Gentle Shepherd_, the noblest and most permanent monument of his fame. -A few years before, he had published, in a single sheet, _A Pastoral -Dialogue between Patie and Roger_, which was reprinted in the first -collection of his poems, in 1721. This composition being much admired, -his literary friends urged him to extend his plan to a regular drama: -and to this fortunate suggestion the literary world is indebted for -one of the most perfect pastoral poems that has ever appeared.[42] - -[Footnote 42: In the quarto of 1728, the following note is subjoined -to the first scene of the Gentle Shepherd:--"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 print this preluding scene -with the rest."] - -The _pastoral drama_ is an invention of the moderns. The first who -attempted this species of poetry was _Agostino de Beccari_, in his -_Sacrificio Favola Pastorale_, printed in 1553. _Tasso_ is supposed to -have taken the hint from him; and is allowed, in his _Aminta_, -published in 1573, to have far surpassed his master. _Guarini_ -followed, whose _Pastor Fido_ contends for the palm with the _Aminta_, -and, in the general opinion of the Italians, is judged to have -obtained it. _Tasso_ himself is said to have confessed the superior -merit of his rival's work; but to have added, in his own defence, that -had _Guarini_ never seen his _Aminta_, he never would have surpassed -it. Yet, I think, there is little doubt, that this preference is -ill-founded. Both these compositions have resplendent beauties, with -glaring defects and improprieties. I am, however, much mistaken, if -the latter are not more abundant in the _Pastor Fido_, as the former -are predominant in the _Aminta_. Both will ever be admired, for beauty -of poetical expression, for rich imagery, and for detached sentiments -of equal delicacy and tenderness: but the fable, both of the _Aminta_, -and _Pastor Fido_, errs against all probability; and the general -language and sentiments of the characters are utterly remote from -nature. The fable of the _Aminta_ is not dramatic; for it is such, -that the principal incidents, on which the plot turns, are incapable -of representation: the beautiful _Silvia_, stripped naked, and bound -by her hair to a tree by a brutal satyr, and released by her lover -_Amyntas_;--her flight from the wolves;--the precipitation of -_Amyntas_ from a high rock, who narrowly escapes being dashed in -pieces, by having his fall broken by the stump of a tree;--are all -incidents, incapable of being represented to the eye; and must -therefore be thrown into narration. The whole of the last act is -narrative, and is taken up entirely with the history of _Amyntas's_ -fall, and the happy change produced in the heart of the rigorous -_Silvia_, when she found her lover thus miraculously preserved from -the cruel death, to which her barbarity had prompted him to expose -himself. - -Yet, the fable of the _Aminta_, unnatural and undramatic, as it is, -has the merit of simplicity. That of the _Pastor Fido_, equally -unnatural and incredible, has the additional demerit of being -complicated as well as absurd. The distress of _Amyntas_, arising from -an adequate and natural cause--rejected love, excites our sympathy; -but the distress in the _Pastor Fido_ is altogether chimerical; we -have no sympathy with the calamities arising from the indignation of -_Diana_, or the supposed necessity of accomplishing the absurd and -whimsical response of an _oracle_. We cannot be affected by the -passions of fictitious beings. The love of a _satyr_ has nothing in it -but what is odious and disgusting. - -The defects of these celebrated poems have arisen from the erroneous -idea entertained by their authors, that the province of this species -of poetry was not to imitate nature, but to paint that chimerical -state of society, which is termed the _golden age_. _Mr. Addison_, -who, in the Guardian, has treated the subject of pastoral poetry at -considerable length, has drawn his critical rules from that absurd -principle; for he lays it down as a maxim, that, to form a right -judgment of pastoral poetry, it is necessary to cast back our eyes on -the first ages of the world, and inquire into the manners of men, -"before they were formed into large societies, cities built, or -commerce established: a state," says he, "of ease, innocence, and -contentment; where plenty begot pleasure, and pleasure begot singing, -and singing begot poetry, and poetry begot singing again:" a -description this, which is so fantastical, as would almost persuade -us, that the writer meant to ridicule his own doctrine, if the general -strain of his criticism did not convince us it was seriously -delivered. Is it necessary to prove, that this notion of pastoral -poetry, however founded, in the practice of celebrated writers, has no -foundation in fact, no basis in reason, nor conformity to good sense? -To a just taste, and unadulterated feelings, the natural beauties of -the country, the simple manners, rustic occupations, and rural -enjoyments of its inhabitants, brought into view by the medium of a -well-contrived dramatic fable, must afford a much higher degree of -pleasure, than any chimerical fiction, in which Arcadian nymphs and -swains hold intercourse with Pan and his attendant fauns and satyrs. -If the position be disputed, let the _Gentle Shepherd_ be fairly -compared with the _Aminta_, and, _Pastor Fido_. - -The _story_ of the _Gentle Shepherd_ is fitted to excite the warmest -interest, because the situations, into which the characters are -thrown, are strongly affecting, whilst they are strictly consonant to -nature and probability. The whole of the _fable_ is authorized by the -circumstances of the times, in which the action of the piece is laid. -The era of _Cromwell's_ usurpation, when many loyal subjects, sharing -the misfortunes of their exiled sovereign, were stripped of their -estates, and then left to the neglect and desolation of forfeiture; -the necessity under which those unhappy sufferers often lay, of -leaving their infant progeny under the charge of some humble but -attached dependant, till better days should dawn upon their fortunes; -the criminal advantages taken by false friends in usurping the rights -of the sufferers, and securing themselves against future question by -deeds of guilt; these circumstances, too well founded in truth, and -nature, are sufficient to account for every particular in this most -interesting drama, and give it perfect verisimilitude. - -The _fables_ of the _Aminta_ and _Pastor Fido_, drawn from a state of -society which never had an existence, are, for that reason, incapable -of exciting any high degree of interest; and the mind cannot for a -moment remain under the influence of that deception, which it is the -great purpose of the drama to produce. - -The _characters_ or _persons_ of the Italian pastorals are coy nymphs -and swains, whose sole occupation is hunting wild beasts, brutal -satyrs who plot against the chastity of those nymphs, shepherds -deriving their origin from the gods, stupid priests of these gods who -are the dupes of their ambiguous will, and gods themselves disguised -like shepherds, and influencing the conduct and issue of the piece. -The manners of these unnatural and fictitious beings are proper to -their ideal character. A dull moralizing chorus is found necessary to -explain what the characters themselves must have left untold, or -unintelligible. - -The _persons_ of the Scotish pastoral are the actual inhabitants of -the country where the scene is laid; their manners are drawn from -nature with a faithful pencil. The contrast of the different -characters is happily imagined, and supported with consummate skill. -_Patie_, of a cheerful and sanguine temperament; spirited, yet free -from vain ambition; contented with his humble lot; endowed by nature -with a superior understanding, and feeling in himself those internal -sources of satisfaction, which are independent of the adventitious -circumstances of rank and fortune. _Roger_, of a grave and phlegmatic -constitution; of kind affections, but of that ordinary turn of mind, -which is apt to suppose some necessary connection between the -possession of wealth and felicity. The former, from native dignity of -character, assuming a bold pre-eminence, and acting the part of a -tutor and counsellor to his friend, who bends, though with some -reluctance, to the authority of a nobler mind. The principal female -characters are contrasted with similar skill, and equal power of -discrimination. _Peggy_, beautiful in person as in mind, endowed with -every quality that can adorn the character of woman; gentle, -tender-hearted, constant in affection, free from vanity as from -caprice; of excellent understanding; judging of others by the -criterion of her own innocent mind, and therefore forming the most -amiable views of human nature. _Jenny_, sensible and affectionate, -sprightly and satirical; possessing the ordinary qualities of her sex, -self-love, simulation, and the passion of conquest; and pleased with -exercising a capricious dominion over the mind of a lover; judging of -mankind rather from the cold maxims of instilled prudential caution, -than from the native suggestions of the heart.--A contrast of -characters strongly and skilfully opposed, and therefore each most -admirably fitted to bring the other into full display. - -The subordinate persons of the drama are drawn with equal skill and -fidelity to their prototypes. _Glaud_ and _Symon_ are the genuine -pictures of the old Scotish yeomanry, the Lothian farmers of the last -age, in their manners, sentiments, and modes of life; humble, but -respectable; homely, yet comfortable. The episode of _Bauldy_, while -it gives a pleasing variety, without interrupting the principal -action, serves to introduce a character of a different species, as a -foil to the honest and simple worth of the former. It paints in strong -colours, and exposes to merited reprobation and contempt, that low -and sordid mind, which seeks alone the gratification of its own -desires, though purchased by the misery of the object of its -affection. Bauldy congratulates himself on the cruel disappointment of -Peggy's love;--"_I hope we'll a' sleep sound, but ane, this -night_;"--and judges her present situation of deep distress to be the -most favourable moment for preferring his own suit. His punishment, as -it is suitable to his demerits, gives entire satisfaction. - -The _Aminta_, and _Pastor Fido_, abound in beautiful sentiments, and -passages of the most tender and natural simplicity; but it is seldom -we find a single page, in which this pleasing impression is not -effaced by some affected and forced conceit. Nothing can be more -delicately beautiful, or more agreeable to the true simplicity of -pastoral, than _Amyntas's_ recounting to _Tircis_ the rise of his -passion for Silvia. The description of their joint occupations and -sports, till love insensibly arose in the breast of _Tircis_; the -natural and innocent device he employed to obtain a kiss from -_Silvia_; the discovery of his affection, and his despair on finding -her heart insensible to his passion, are proofs that _Tasso_ was a -true poet, and knew [how] to touch those strings, with which our -genuine feelings must ever harmonize. In elegant and just description -he is equally to be admired. The scene in which _Tircis_ describes the -lovely _Silvia_ bound naked to a tree by a brutal satyr, and released -by _Amyntas_, whose passion she treated with scorn, is one of the most -beautiful pieces of poetic painting. But, when _Amyntas_, unloosing -his disdainful mistress, addresses himself to the tree, to which she -was tied; when he declares its rugged trunk to be unworthy of the -bonds of that beautiful hair, which encircled it, and reproaches its -cruelty in tearing and disfiguring those charming tresses, we laugh at -such despicable conceits, and lament that vicious taste, to which even -a true poet found himself (we presume against his better judgment) so -often compelled to sacrifice. So likewise when, forgetting nature, he -resorts to the ordinary cant of pastoral, the language and thoughts of -_Theocritus_ and _Virgil_, and even superadds to those common-places, -the false refinement, which in his age delighted his countrymen, we -turn with dissatisfaction from his page. If we compare him, where the -similarity of the subject allows a comparison, with the Scotish poet, -how poor does the Italian appear in the competition! - -Thus, let the first scene of the _Aminta_, between _Silvia_ and -_Daphne_, be compared with the scene between _Jenny_ and _Peggy_, in -the _Gentle Shepherd_. The subject of both is the preference between a -single and a married life: - - DAPHNE. - - But whence can spring thy hate? - - SILVIA. - - Whence? from his love. - - DAPHNE. - - Too cruel offspring of so kind a sire! - When was it heard that e'er the tender lamb - Produced a tiger, or the rook a swan?-- - Sure you deceive yourself, or jest with me. - - SILVIA. - - How can I choose but hate his love, - Which hates my chastity? - - DAPHNE. - - Now tell me, should another thus address thee, - Would'st thou in such harsh kind receive his love? - - SILVIA. - - In such harsh kind I ever would receive - The traitor who would steal my virgin jewel. - Whom you term lover I account a foe. - - DAPHNE. - - Thus to the ewe the ram - Thou deem'st a foe; or to the tender heifer, - The sturdy bull; the turtle to its mate. - Thus the delightful spring - Seems in thy mind the season of fell hate, - And deadly enmity; the lovely spring - That smiling prompts to universal love, - That rouses nature's flame thro' all her bounds: - Nor less in animals of every kind, - Than favour'd man. See how creation glows, - In all her works, with love's imperious flame! - Mark yonder doves that bill, and sport, and kiss: - Hear'st thou the nightingale, as on the bough - She evermore repeats, "I love, I love:" - The wily snake sheaths her envenom'd fang, - And sinuous glides her to her glossy mate: - The savage tiger feels the potent flame: - The grim majestic lion growls his love - To the resounding forest.--Wilder thou - Than nature's wildest race, spurn'st at that power - To which all nature bows.--But why of these, - Of the grim lion, or the spotted lynx, - Or wily serpent?--these have sense and feeling. - Even trees inanimate confess the god: - See how the vine clings with a fond embrace; - The mountain fir, the pine, the elm, the beech, - Have each their favour'd mate: they burn, they sigh, &c. - - SILVIA. - - Well, when my ear shall hear their sighs of love, - Perhaps I too may learn to love like them. - -By a similar strain of argument, _Linco_, in the _Pastor Fido_, -endeavours to persuade _Silvio_ to love, whose sole delight is in the -chase, and who tells his adviser, that he would not give one wild -beast, taken by his dog _Melampo_, for a thousand beautiful nymphs. -_Linco_ bids him "See how all nature loves, the heavens, the earth, -the sea; and that beautiful morning star that now shines so bright, -she likewise loves, and shines more splendid from her amorous flame: -see how she blushes, for now perhaps she has just left the stolen -embraces of her lover. The woods, and alltheir savage inhabitants, the -seas, the dolphins. the huge whales, &c., &c." - -How poor is all this refinement and conceit, when compared with the -language of truth and nature! When Pegg, in the confidence of a wamr -and innocent heart, describes to her copanion the delights of a mutual -passion, the enjoyments of domestic bliss, and the happiness arising -from the exercise of the parental duties and affections; contrasting -these with the cold and selfish feelings of determined celibacy, it is -nature that speaks in every line, and the heart yields its warmest -sympathy, as the judgment its complete conviction: - - PEGGY. - - Sic coarse-spun thoughts as thae 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 dread nae other skaith. - There's nane of a' the herds that tread the green - Has sic a smile, or sic twa glancening een. - 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 a feckless fears that fright the lave! - Ilk day that he's alane upon the hill, - 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! - -To the sarcastical picture which Jenny draws of the anxieties and -turmoil of a wedded life, Peggy thus warmly replies: - - Yes, 'tis a heartsome 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?[43] - -[Footnote 43: When the sentiments are drawn from nature, it is not -surprising that, where the subject is similar, there should be a -concurrence of thought between two genuine poets, who never saw each -other's works. How similar is the following passage of the 10th -satire of Boileau to the imagery of this beautiful family picture! - - Quelle joie en effet, quelle douceur extreme - De se voir caresser d'une epouse qu'on aime;-- - De voir autour de soi croitre dans la maison, - Sous les paisibles loix d'une agréable mere - De petits citoyens dont on croit être pere! - Quel charme au moindre mal qui nous vient menacer - De la voir aussitot accourir, s'empresser, &c.] - - JENNY. - - But poortith, Peggy, is the warst of a', - Gif o'er your heads ill chance shou'd beggary draw: - 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. &c, - - PEGGY. - - 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 cou'd 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 said, 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: - And when my Pate in bairns and gear grows rife, - He'll bless the day he gat me for his wife. - - JENNY. - - But what if some young giglit on the green, - With dimpled cheeks, and twa bewitching een, - Shou'd gar your Patie think his haff-worn Meg, - And her kend kisses, hardly worth a feg? - - PEGGY. - - Nae 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. - They'll reason calmly, and with kindness smile, - When our short passions wad our peace beguile. - Sae, whensoe'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, - 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. - And soon as he flings by his plaid and staff, - The seething pot's be ready to take 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 - Guards to my face, to keep his love for me. - - _Act 1, Scene 2._ - -Such are the sentiments of nature; nor is the language, in which they -are conveyed, inadequate to their force and tenderness: for to those -who understand the Scotish dialect, the expression will be found to be -as beautiful as the thought. It is in those touches of simple nature, -those artless descriptions, of which the heart instantly feels the -force, thus confessing their consonance to truth, that Ramsay excels -all the pastoral poets that ever wrote. - -Thus _Patie_ to _Peggy_, assuring her of the constancy of his -affection: - - 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 cou'd'st hardly gang, - 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 pu' the rashes green, with roots sae white, - Of which, as well as my young fancy cou'd, - For thee I plet the flowry belt and snood. - - _Act 2, Scene 4._ - -Let this be contrasted with its corresponding sentiment in the _Pastor -Fido_, when _Mirtillo_ thus pleads the constancy of his affection for -_Amaryllis_: - - _Sooner than change my mind, my darling thought, - Oh may my life be changed into death!_ - -(and mark the pledge of this assurance) - - For cruel tho', tho' merciless she be, - Yet my whole life is wrapt in Amaryllis; - Nor can the human frame, I think, contain - A double heart at once, a double soul! - - _Pastor Fido, Act 3, Scene 6._ - -The charm of the _Gentle Shepherd_ arises equally from the nature of -the passions, which are there delineated, and the engaging simplicity -and truth, with which their effects are described. The poet paints an -honourable and virtuous affection between a youthful pair of the most -amiable character; a passion indulged on each side from the purest and -most disinterested motives, surmounting the severest of all -trials--the unexpected elevation of the lover to a rank which, -according to the maxims of the world, would preclude the possibility -of union; and crowned at length by the delightful and most unlooked -for discovery, that this union is not only equal as to the condition -of the parties, but is an act of retributive justice. In the anxious -suspense, that precedes this discovery, the conflict of generous -passions in the breasts of the two lovers is drawn with consummate -art, and gives rise to a scene of the utmost tenderness, and the most -pathetic interest. Cold indeed must be that heart, and dead to the -finest sensibilities of our nature, which can read without emotion the -interview between _Patie_ and _Peggy_, after the discovery of -_Patie's_ elevated birth, which the following lines describe: - - PATIE. - - ----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. - - PEGGY. - - 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 rover's hand, - Far frae his wishes, to some distant land? - - PATIE. - - 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. - Sir William's generous; leave the task to me, - To make strict duty and true love agree. - - - PEGGY. - - 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: - 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, - When Patie kiss'd me, when I danc'd or sang: - Nae mair, alake! we'll on the meadow play! - And rin haff breathless round the rucks of hay; - As aftimes I have fled from thee right fain, - And fawn on purpose, that I might be tane. - 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, - If e'er to ane but you, I be a wife. - - PATIE. - - 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; - 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, &c.---- - -With similar fervent assurances of the constancy of his affection, -_Patie_ prevails in calming the agitation of _Peggy's_ mind, and -banishing her fears. She declares she will patiently await the happy -period of his return, soothing the long interval with prayers for his -welfare, and sedulous endeavours to improve and accomplish her mind, -that she may be the more worthy of his affection. The scene concludes -with an effusion of her heart in a sentiment of inimitable tenderness -and beauty: - - With every setting day, and rising morn, - 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, - I'll aften gang, and tell the trees and flowers, - With joy, that they'll bear witness I am yours. - -_Act 4, Scene 2._ - -To a passion at once so pure, so delicate, so fervent, and so -disinterested in its object, with what propriety may we apply that -beautiful apostrophe of _Burns_, in his _Cottar's Saturday Night_! - - O happy love! where love like this is found; - O heartfelt raptures! bliss beyond compare! - If Heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare, - One cordial in this melancholy vale, - 'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair, - In other's arms breathe out the tender tale, - Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the evening gale. - -In intimate knowledge of human nature Ramsay yields to few poets -either of ancient or of modern times. How naturally does poor Roger -conjecture the insensibility of his mistress to his passion, from the -following simple, but finely-imagined circumstances: - - 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, - _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. - - _Act 1, Scene 1._ - - -The counsel, which _Patie_ gives his friend, to prove with certainty -the state of _Jenny's_ affections, is the result of a profound -acquaintance with the human heart: - - 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 - As ye do Jenny, and with heart as leel. - -Then follows a picture so natural, and at the same time so exquisitely -beautiful, that there is nothing in antiquity that can parallel it: - - 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: - 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 cockernony snooded up fou sleek, - 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. - 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, - 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. - 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, - My very saul came 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. - Seem to forsake her, soon she'll change her mood; - Gae woo anither, and she'll gang clean wood. - - _Act 1, Scene 1._ - -If, at times, we discern in the _Aminta_ the proofs of a knowledge of -the human heart, and the simple and genuine language of nature, our -emotions of pleasure are soon checked by some frivolous stroke of -refinement, or some cold conceit. In the _Pastor Fido_, the latter -impression is entirely predominant, and we are seldom gratified with -any thing like a natural or simple sentiment. The character of -_Silvio_, utterly insensible to the charms of beauty or of female -excellence, and who repays an ardent passion with insolence and -hatred, if it exists at all in nature, is fitted only to excite -contempt and detestation. _Dorinda's_ courtship of _Silvio_ is equally -nauseous, and the stratagem she employs to gain his love is alike -unnatural. She steals and hides his favourite dog _Melampo_, and then -throwing herself in his way while he is whooping after him through the -forest, tells him she has found both the dog and a wounded doe, and -claims her reward for the discovery. "What shall that be?" says -_Silvio_.--"Only," replies the nymph, "one of those things that your -mother so often gives you."--"What," says he, "a box o' the -ear?"--"Nay, nay, but," says Dorinda, "does she never give thee a -kiss?"--"She neither kisses me, nor wants that others should kiss -me."--The dog is produced, and _Silvio_ asks, "Where is the -doe?"--"That poor doe," says she, "am I." A petulance which, though -rudely, we cannot say is unjustly punished, by Silvio giving a -thousand kisses to his dear dog, and leaving the forward nymph, with a -flat assurance of his hatred, to ruminate on his scorn, and her own -indelicacy. If this is nature, it is at least not _la belle nature_. - -But the circumstance, on which turns the conversion of the obdurate -Silvio, bids defiance even to possibility. Hunting in the forest, he -holds a long discourse with an echo, and is half persuaded, by the -reflected sounds of his own voice, that there is some real pleasure in -love, and that he himself must one day yield to its influence. Dorinda -clothes herself in the skin of a wolf, and is shot by him with an -arrow, mistaking her for that animal. Then all at once he becomes her -most passionate lover, sucks out the barb of the arrow with a plaister -of green herbs, and swears to marry her on her recovery, which, by the -favour of the gods, is fortunately accomplished in an instant. - -Equally unnatural with the fable are the sentiments of this pastoral. -_Amaryllis_, passionately adored by _Mirtillo_, and secretly loving -him, employs a long and refined metaphysical argument to persuade him, -that if he really loves her, he ought to love her virtue; and that -man's true glory lies in curbing his appetites. The _moral_ chorus -seems to have notions of love much more consonant to human nature, who -discourses for a quarter of an hour on the different kinds of kisses, -and the supreme pleasure felt, when they are the expression of a -mutual passion. But we need no chorus to elucidate _arcana_ of this -nature. - -True it is that in this drama, as in the _Aminta_, there are passages -of such transcendent beauty, of such high poetic merit, that we cannot -wonder if, to many readers, they should veil every absurdity of fable, -or of the general strain of sentiment: for who is there that can read -the apostrophe of _Amaryllis_ to the groves and woods, the eulogy of -rural - - Care selve beate, &c.; - -the charming address of _Mirtillo_ to the spring-- - - O primavera gioventi del anno, &c.; - -or the fanciful, but inspired description of the age of gold-- - - O bella età de l'oro! &c.; - -who is there that can read these passages without the highest -admiration and delight? but it must at the same time be owned, that -the merit of these Italian poets lies in those highly finished, but -thinly sown passages of splendour; and not in the structure of their -fables, or the consonance of their general sentiments to truth and -nature. - -The principal difficulty in pastoral poetry, when it attempts an -actual delineation of nature, (which we have seen is too seldom its -object,) lies in the association of delicate and affecting sentiments -with the genuine manners of rustic life; an union so difficult to be -accomplished, that the chief pastoral poets, both ancient and modern, -have either entirely abandoned the attempt, by choosing to paint a -fabulous and chimerical state of society; or have failed in their -endeavour, either by indulging in such refinement of sentiment as is -utterly inconsistent with rustic nature, or by endowing their -characters with such a rudeness and vulgarity of manners as is hostile -to every idea of delicacy. It appears to me that _Ramsay_ has most -happily avoided these extremes; and this he could the better do, from -the singularly fortunate choice of his subject. The principal persons -of the drama, though trained from infancy in the manners of rustic -life, are of generous birth; to whom therefore we may allow, from -nature and the influence of blood, an elevation of sentiment, and a -nobler mode of thinking, than to ordinary peasants. To these -characters the poet has therefore, with perfect propriety and -knowledge of human nature, given the generous sentiments that accord -with their condition, though veiled a little by the manners, and -conveyed in the language which suits their accidental situation. The -other characters, who are truly peasants, are painted with fidelity -from nature; but even of these, the situation chosen by the poet was -favourable for avoiding that extreme vulgarity and coarseness of -manners which would have offended a good taste. The peasantry of the -_Pentland hills_, within six or seven miles of the metropolis, with -which of course they have frequent communication, cannot be supposed -to exhibit the same rudeness of manners which distinguishes those of -the remote part of the country. As the models, therefore, from which -the poet drew were cast in a finer mould than mere provincial rustics, -so their copies, as drawn by him, do not offend by their vulgarity, -nor is there any greater degree of rusticity than what merely -distinguishes their mode of life and occupations. - -In what I have said of the manners of the characters in the _Gentle -Shepherd_, I know that I encounter the prejudices of some _Scotish -critics_, who allowing otherwise the very high merits of Ramsay as a -poet, and giving him credit in particular for his knowledge of human -nature, and skill to touch the passions, quarrel with him only on the -score of his language; as they seem to annex inseparably the idea of -coarseness and vulgarity to every thing that is written in the native -dialect of their country: but of this I have said enough before. To -every Englishman, and, I trust, to every Scotsman not of fastidious -refinement, the dialect of the _Gentle Shepherd_ will appear to be -most perfectly consonant to the characters of the speakers, and the -times in which the action is laid. To this latter circumstance the -critics I have just mentioned seem not to have been sufficiently -attentive. The language of this pastoral is not precisely the Scotish -language of the present day: the poet himself spoke the language of -the beginning of the century, and his persons were of the age -preceding that period. To us their dialect is an antiquated tongue, -and as such it carries with it a Doric simplicity. But when we -consider both the characters and the times, it has an indispensable -propriety; and to have given the speakers in the _Gentle Shepherd_ a -more refined and pollished dialect, or more modern tone of -conversation, would have been a gross violation of truth and nature. - -In the faithful painting of rustic life, _Ramsay_ seems to have been -indebted to his own situation and early habits, as well as to the want -of a learned education. He was familiarly acquainted with rural nature -from actual observation; and his own impressions were not weakened or -altered by much acquaintance with the classical common-places, or with -those artificial pictures which are presented by the poets.[44] It is -not therefore the general characters of the country, which one poet -can easily draw from the works of others, that we find in his -pastoral; it was the country in which he lived, the genuine manners of -its inhabitants, the actual scenes with which he was conversant, that -fixed his observation, and guided his imitative pencil. The character -which, in the preface to his Evergreen, he assigns to the Scotish -poetry in general, is in the most peculiar manner assignable to his -own: "The morning rises in the poet's description, as she does in the -Scotish horizon: we are not carried to Greece and Italy for a shade, a -stream, or a breeze; the groves rise in our own valleys, the rivers -flow from our own fountains, and the winds blow upon our own hills." -Ramsay's landscapes are drawn with the most characteristic precision: -we view the scene before us, as in the paintings of a _Claude_ or a -_Waterloo_; and the hinds and shepherds of the Pentland hills, to all -of whom this delightful pastoral is as familiar as their catechism, -can trace the whole of its scenery in nature, and are eager to point -out to the inquiring stranger--the waterfall of _Habbie's how_--the -cottages of _Glaud_ and _Symon_--_Sir William's ancient tower_, -ruinated in the civil wars, but since rebuilt--the _auld avenue_ and -_shady groves_, still remaining in defiance of the modern taste for -naked, shadeless lawns. And here let it be remarked, as perhaps the -surest criterion of the merit of this pastoral as a _true delineation -of nature_, that it is universally relished and admired by that class -of people whose habits of life and manners are there described. Its -sentiments and descriptions are in unison with their feelings. It is -recited, with congenial animation and delight, at the fireside of the -farmer, when in the evening the lads and lasses assemble to solace -themselves after the labours of the day, and share the rustic meal. -There is not a milk-maid, a plough-boy, or a shepherd, of the Lowlands -of Scotland, who has not by heart its favourite passages, and can -rehearse its entire scenes. There are many of its couplets that, like -the verses of Homer, are become proverbial, and have the force of an -adage, when introduced in familiar writing, or in ordinary -conversation. - -[Footnote 44: So little has Ramsay borrowed from the ordinary language -of pastoral, which is generally a tame imitation of the dialogue of -Virgil and. Theocritus, that in the whole of the Scotish poem there -are (I think) only _three_ passages that bring to mind those -common-places which, in the eclogues of Pope, we find almost in every -line: - - The bees shall loath the flower, and quit the hive, - The saughs on boggie-ground shall cease to thrive, - Ere scornful queans, &c. ACT 1, SCENE 1. - - 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, &c. _Act 3, Scene 3._ - - See yon twa elms that grow up side by side, - Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; &c. - - _Act 1, Scene 2._] - - * * * * * - - - - -OPINIONS AND REMARKS - -ON - -"THE GENTLE SHEPHERD," - -_BY VARIOUS AUTHORS_. - - -JOHN AIKIN, LL.D. 1772. - -"No attempt to naturalize _pastoral poetry_, appears to have succeeded -better than Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd: it has a considerable air of -reality, and the descriptive parts, in general, are in the genuine -taste of beautiful simplicity."[45] - -[Footnote 45: Aikin's Essays on Song-Writing, p. 33.] - - -JAMES BEATTIE, LL.D. 1776. - -"The sentiments of [the 'Gentle Shepherd'], are natural, the -circumstances interesting; the characters well drawn, well -distinguished, and well contrasted; and the fable has more probability -than any other pastoral drama I am acquainted with. To an Englishman -who has never conversed with the common people of Scotland, the -language would appear only antiquated, obscure, or unintelligible; but -to a Scotchman who thoroughly understands it, and is aware of its -vulgarity, it appears _ludicrous_; from the contrast between -_meanness_ of phrase and _dignity_ or _seriousness_ of sentiment. - -This gives a farcical air even to the most affecting part of the -_poem_; and occasions an impropriety of a peculiar kind, which is very -observable in the representation. And accordingly, this play, with all -its merit, and with a strong national partiality in its favour, has -never given general satisfaction upon the stage."[46] - -[Footnote 46: Beattie's Essays, p. 652. Ed. 1776.] - - -WILLIAM TYTLER. 1783. - -"_Ramsay_ was a man of strong natural, though few acquired parts, -possessed of much humour, and native poetic fancy. Born in a pastoral -country, he had strongly imbibed the manners and humours of that life. -As I knew him well, an honest man, and of great pleasantry, it is with -peculiar satisfaction I seize this opportunity of doing justice to his -memory, in giving testimony to his being the author of the _Gentle -Shepherd_, which, for the natural ease of the dialogue, the propriety -of the characters, perfectly similar to the pastoral life in Scotland, -the picturesque scenery, and, above all, the simplicity and beauty of -the fable, may justly rank amongst the most eminent pastoral dramas -that our own or any other nation can boast of. Merit will ever be -followed by detraction. The envious tale, that the _Gentle Shepherd_ -was the joint composition of some wits with whom _Ramsay_ conversed, -is without truth. It might be sufficient to say, that none of these -gentlemen have left the smallest fragment behind them that can give -countenance to such a claim. 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 first two, 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.S._ The above note was shewn to Sir _James Clerk_, and had his -approbation."[47] - -[Footnote 47: Poetical Remains of James 1st of Scotland; p. 189.] - - -HUGH BLAIR, D.D. 1783. - -"I must not omit the mention of another _pastoral drama_, which will -bear being brought into comparison with any composition of this kind, -in any language; that is, Allan Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd. It is a -great disadvantage to this beautiful poem, that it is written in the -old rustic dialect of Scotland, which, in a short time, will probably -be entirely obsolete, and not intelligible; and it is a farther -disadvantage that it is so entirely formed on the rural manners of -Scotland, that none but a native of that country can thoroughly -understand or relish it. But, though subject to these local -disadvantages, which confine its reputation within narrow limits, it -is full of so much natural description, and tender sentiment, as would -do honour to any poet. The characters are well drawn, the incidents -affecting; the scenery and manners lively and just. It affords a -strong proof, both of the power which nature and simplicity possess, -to reach the heart in every sort of writing; and of the variety of -pleasing characters and subjects with which _pastoral poetry_, when -properly managed, is capable of being enlivened."[48] - -[Footnote 48: Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric, vol. iii. p. 126.] - - -JOHN PINKERTON. 1786. - -"ALLAN RAMSAY. The convivial buffoonery of this writer has acquired -him a sort of reputation, which his poetry by no means warrants; being -far beneath the middling, and showing no spark of genius. Even his -buffoonery is not that of a tavern, but that of an ale-house. - -"The _Gentle Shepherd_ all now allow the sole foundation of his fame. -Let us put it in the furnace a little; for, if it be gold, it will -come out the purer. Dr. Beattie, in his Essay on Laughter and -Ludicrous Composition, observes, that the effect of the Gentle -Shepherd is ludicrous from the contrast between meanness of phrase, -and dignity or seriousness of sentiment. This is not owing to its -being written in the Scotish dialect, now left to the peasantry, as -that ingenious writer thinks; for the first part of Hardyknute, -written in that very dialect, strikes every English reader as sublime -and pathetic to the highest degree. In fact this glaring defect -proceeds from Allan Ramsay's own character as a buffoon, so evident -from all his poems, and which we all know he bore in private life; and -from Allan's total ignorance of the Scotish tongue, save that spoken -by the mob of Mid Lothian. It is well known that a comic actor of the -Shuter or Edwin class, though highly meritorious in his line, yet, -were he to appear in any save _queer_ characters, the effect would -even be more ludicrous than when he was in his proper parts, from the -contrast of the man with his assumed character. This applies also to -authors; for Sterne's sermons made us laugh, though there was nothing -laughable in them: and, had Rabelais, or Sterne, written a pastoral -opera, though the reader had been ignorant of their characters, still -a something, a je ne sçai quoi, in the phraseology, would have ever -provoked laughter. But this effect Ramsay has even pushed further; -for, by his entire ignorance of the Scotish tongue, save that spoken -by the mob around him, he was forced to use the very phraseology of -the merest vulgar, rendered yet more ridiculous by his own turn to low -humour; being himself indeed one of the mob, both in education and in -mind. So that putting such _queer_ language into the mouth of -respectable characters--nay, pretending to clothe sentiments, pathos, -and all that, with such phraseology--his whole Gentle Shepherd has the -same effect as a gentleman would have who chose to drive sheep on the -highway with a harlequin's coat on. This radical defect at once throws -the piece quite out of the class of good compositions. - - * * * * * - -"Allan was indeed so much a _poet_, that in his _Evergreen_ he even -puts rhyming titles to the old poems he publishes; and by this silly -idea, and his own low character, has stamped a kind of ludicrous hue -on the old Scotish poetry, of which he pretended to be a publisher, -that even now is hardly eradicated, though many editors of great -learning and high respectability have arisen. - - * * * * * - -"I have been the fuller on this subject, because, to the great -discredit of taste in Scotland, while we admire the effusions of this -scribbler, we utterly neglect our really great poets, such as Barbour, -Dunbar, Drummond, &c. There is even a sort of national prejudice in -favour of the Gentle Shepherd, because it is our only drama in the -Scotish language; yet we ought to be ashamed to hold prejudices so -ridiculous to other nations, and so obnoxious to taste, and just -criticism. I glory in Scotland as my native country; and, while I try -to root up all other prejudices out of my mind, shall ever nourish my -partiality to my country; as, if that be a prejudice, it has been -esteemed an honest and a laudable one in all ages; and is, indeed, the -only prejudice perfectly consonant to reason, and vindicable by truth. -But Scotland has no occasion to recur to false history, false taste, -false science, or false honours of any kind. In the severest light of -truth she will stand very conspicuous. Her sons, in trying to adorn -her, have shown remarkable defects of judgment. The ancient history of -the Picts, so splendid in the page of Tacitus, is lost in our own -fables. We neglect all our great poets, and are in raptures with Allan -Ramsay. Our prejudices are as pitiful as strong; and we know not that -the truth would make us far more illustrious, than all our dreams of -prejudice, if _realized_, to use an expression of impossibility. Good -sense in antiquities, and good taste in poetry, are astonishingly -wanting in Scotland to this hour."[49] - -[Footnote 49: Ancient Scotish Poems. Vol. I. London, 1786.] - - -JOSEPH RITSON. 1794. - -"Ramsay was a man of strong natural parts, and a fine poetical genius, -of which his celebrated _pastoral_ The Gentle Shepherd will ever -remain a substantial monument; and though some of his songs may be -deformed by far-fetched allusions and pitiful conceits, _The Lass of -Patie's Mill_, _The Yellow-hair'd Laddie_, _Farewell to Lochaber_, and -some others, must be allowed equal to any, and even superior, in point -of pastoral simplicity, to most lyric productions, either in the -Scotish or any other language."[50] - -[Footnote 50: Ritson's Hist. Essay on Scotish Song, p. lxiii.] - - -WILLIAM ROSCOE. 1795. - -"Whether the dialect of Scotland be more favourable to attempts of -this nature, or whether we are to seek for the fact in the character -of the people, or the peculiar talents of the writers, certain it is, -that the idiom of that country has been much more successfully -employed in poetical composition, than that of any other part of these -kingdoms, and that this practice may here be traced to a very early -period. In later times the beautiful _dramatic poem_ of The Gentle -Shepherd has exhibited rusticity without vulgarity, and elegant -sentiment without affectation. Like the heroes of Homer, the -characters of this piece can engage in the humblest occupations -without degradation."[51] - -[Footnote 51: Roscoe's Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, vol. i. p. 296.] - - -THOMAS CAMPBELL. 1819. - -"The admirers of the Gentle Shepherd, must perhaps be contented to -share some suspicion of national partiality, while they do justice to -their own feeling of its merit. Yet as this drama is a picture of -rustic Scotland, it would perhaps be saying little for its fidelity, -if it yielded no more agreeableness to the breast of a native than he -could expound to a stranger by the strict letter of criticism. We -should think the painter had finished the likeness of a mother very -indifferently, if it did not bring home to her children traits of -undefinable expression which had escaped every eye but that of -familiar affection. Ramsay had not the force of Burns; but, neither, -in just proportion to his merits, is he likely to be felt by an -English reader. The fire of Burns' wit and passion glows through an -obscure dialect by its confinement to short and concentrated bursts. -The interest which Ramsay excites is spread over a long poem, -delineating manners more than passions; and the mind must be at home -both in the language and manners, to appreciate the skill and comic -archness with which he has heightened the display of rustic character -without giving it vulgarity, and refined the view of peasant life by -situations of sweetness and tenderness, without departing in the -least degree from its simplicity. The Gentle Shepherd stands quite -apart from the general pastoral poetry of modern Europe. It has no -satyrs, nor featureless simpletons, nor drowsy and still landscapes of -nature, but distinct characters and amusing incidents. The principal -shepherd never speaks out of consistency with the habits of a peasant, -but he moves in that sphere with such a manly spirit, with so much -cheerful sensibility to its humble joys, with maxims of life so -rational and independent, and with an ascendency over his fellow -swains so well maintained by his force of character, that if we could -suppose the pacific scenes of the drama to be suddenly changed into -situations of trouble and danger, we should, in exact consistency with -our former idea of him, expect him to become the leader of the -peasants, and the Tell of his native hamlet. Nor is the character of -his mistress less beautifully conceived. She is represented, like -himself, as elevated, by a fortunate discovery, from obscure to -opulent life, yet as equally capable of being the ornament of either. -A Richardson or a D'Arblay, had they continued her history, might have -heightened the portrait, but they would not have altered its outline. -Like the poetry of Tasso and Ariosto, that of the Gentle Shepherd is -engraven on the memory of its native country. Its verses have passed -into proverbs and it continues to be the delight and solace of the -peasantry whom it describes."[52] - -[Footnote 52: Campbell's British Poetry, vol. v. pp. 344-346.] - - -LEIGH HUNT. 1848. - -"Poetical expression in humble life is to be found all over the south. -In the instances of Burns, Ramsay, and others, the north also has seen -it. Indeed, it is not a little remarkable, that Scotland, which is -more northern than England, and possesses not even a nightingale, has -had more of it than its southern neighbour." - -"Allan Ramsay is the prince of the homely pastoral drama. He and Burns -have helped Scotland for ever to take pride in its heather, and its -braes, and its bonny rivers, and be ashamed of no honest truth in high -estate or in low; an incalculable blessing. Ramsay is entitled not -only to the designation we have given him, but in some respects is the -best pastoral writer in the world. There are, in truth, two sorts of -genuine pastoral--the high ideal of Fletcher and Milton, which is -justly to be considered the more poetical,--and the homely ideal, as -set forth by Allan Ramsay and some of the Idyls of Theocritus, and -which gives us such feelings of nature and passion as poetical rustics -not only can, but have entertained and eloquently described. And we -think the Gentle Shepherd, 'in some respects,' the best pastoral that -ever was written, not because it has anything, in a poetical point of -view, to compare with Fletcher and Milton, but because there is, upon -the whole, more faith and more love in it, and because the kind of -idealized truth which it undertakes to represent, is delivered in a -more corresponding and satisfactory form than in any other entire -pastoral drama. In fact, the Gentle Shepherd has no alloy whatsoever -to its pretensions, _such as they are_--no failure in plot, language, -or character--nothing answering to the coldness and irrelevances of -'Comus,' nor to the offensive and untrue violations of decorum in the -'Wanton Shepherdess' of Fletcher's pastoral, and the pedantic and -ostentatious chastity of his Faithful one. It is a pure, healthy, -natural, and (of its kind) perfect plant, sprung out of an unluxuriant -but not ungenial soil; not hung with the beauty and fragrance of the -productions of the higher regions of Parnassus; not waited upon by -spirits and enchanted music; a dog-rose, if you will; say rather, a -rose in a cottage-garden, dabbled with the morning dew, and plucked by -an honest lover to give to his mistress. - -"Allan Ramsay's poem is not only a probable and pleasing story, -containing charming pictures, much knowledge of life, and a good deal -of quiet humour, but in some respects it may be called classical, if -by classical is meant ease, precision, and unsuperfluousness of style. -Ramsay's diction is singularly straightforward, seldom needing the -assistance of inversions; and he rarely says anything for the purpose -of 'filling up;'--two freedoms from defect the reverse of vulgar and -commonplace; nay, the reverse of a great deal of what pretends to be -fine writing, and is received as such. We confess we never tire of -dipping into it, 'on and off,' any more than into Fletcher or Milton, -or into Theocritus himself, who, for the union of something higher -with true pastoral, is unrivalled in short pieces. The Gentle Shepherd -is not a forest, nor a mountain-side, nor Arcady; but it is a field -full of daisies, with a brook in it, and a cottage 'at the sunny end;' -and this we take to be no mean thing, either in the real or the ideal -world. Our Jar of Honey may well lie for a few moments among its -heather, albeit filled with Hybla. There are bees, 'look you,' in -Habbie's How. Theocritus and Allan shake hands over a shepherd's pipe. -Take the beginning of Scene ii., Act i., both for description and -dialogue:-- - - 'A flowrie howm between twa verdant 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. - - JENNY. - - Come, Meg, let's fa' to wark upon this green, - The shining day will bleech our linen clean; - The water's clear, the lift unclouded blew, - Will make them _like a lilly wet with dew_. - - PEGGY. - - 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 - 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 grows het, we'll to the pool, - There wash our sells--'tis healthfu' now in May, - And sweetly cauler on sae warm a day.' - -"This is an out-door picture. Here is an in-door one quite as -good--nay, better. - - '_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._' - -"We would quote, if we could--only it might not look so proper, when -isolated--the whole song at the close of Act the Second. The first -line of it alone is worth all Pope's pastorals put together, and (we -were going to add) half of those of Virgil; but we reverence too much -the great follower of the Greeks, and true lover of the country. There -is more sentiment, and equal nature, in the song at the end of Act the -Fourth. Peggy is taking leave of her lover, who is going abroad:-- - - At setting day, and rising morn, - With soul that still shall love thee, - I'll ask of Heaven thy safe return, - With all that can improve thee. - I'll visit aft the Birken Bush, - Where first thou kindly told me - Sweet tales of love, _and hid my blush, - Whilst round thou didst enfold me_. - 'To all our haunts I will repair, - By Greenwood-shaw or fountain; - Or where the summer-day I'd share - With thee upon yon mountain. - There will I tell the trees and flowers, - From thoughts unfeign'd and tender, - _By vows_ you're mine, _by love_ is yours - A heart which cannot wander.' - -"The charming and so (to speak) natural flattery of the loving -delicacy of this distinction-- - - '_By vows_ you're mine, _by love_ is yours,' - -was never surpassed by a passion the most refined. It reminds us of a -like passage in the anonymous words (Shakspeare might have written -them) of the fine old English madrigal by Ford, 'Since first I saw -your face.' Perhaps Ford himself wrote them; for the author of that -music had sentiment enough in him for anything. The passage we allude -to is-- - - 'What, I that _loved_, and you that _liked_, - Shall _we_ begin to wrangle?' - -The highest refinement of the heart, though too rare in most classes, -is luckily to be found in all; and hence it is, that certain meetings -of extremes in lovers of different ranks in life are not always to be -attributed either to a failure of taste on the one side, or unsuitable -pretensions on the other. Scotish dukes have been known to meet with -real Gentle-Shepherd heroines; and everybody knows the story of a -lowly Countess of Exeter, who was too sensitive to survive the -disclosure of the rank to which her lover had raised her."[53] - -[Footnote 53: A Jar of Honey from Mount Hybla, by L. Hunt, p. 106. -London, 1848.] - - - - -ANECDOTE OF LADY STRANGE. - - -During nearly twenty years of the latter part of Ramsay's life, "he -continued occasionally to write epistles in verse, and other short -pieces, as he had done before, for the entertainment of his private -friends. When urged by some of them to give some more of his works to -the press, he said that he was more inclined, if it were in his power, -to recall much of what he had already written, and that if half his -printed books were burnt, the other half, like the Sybil's books, -would become more valuable by it."[54] Still more deeply was this -feeling entertained by his son, who hesitated not to express it in a -manner more emphatic than respectful to his father's memory. On one -occasion, in London, and in the house of Lady Strange, widow of the -celebrated engraver of that name--a lady whose kindness to her -countrymen and predilection for Scotland will long be remembered--he -is said to have declared that if he could purchase every copy of his -father's writings, even at the cost of a thousand pounds, he would -commit them to the flames. "Indeed, sir," replied the lady, -misunderstanding his meaning, "then let me tell you that if you could, -and should do so, your labour would be lost, for I can," says she, -"repeat from memory _every word_ of the Gentle Shepherd, and were you -to consume every copy of it, I would write out that matchless poem -with my own hand, and cause it to be printed at my own charges."[55] - -[Footnote 54: Lives of Eminent Scotsmen. London, 1821.] - -[Footnote 55: We are indebted for this anecdote to the venerable -George Thomson, Esq., the correspondent of Burns and publisher of his -finest songs, now living and in the 93d year of his age, who had it -from--Macgowan, Esq., a gentleman formerly well known in this city, as -having been told him by Lady Strange herself. - - [Ramsay's Poems. Ed. 1850] - - - - -LIST OF ALLAN RAMSAY'S WORKS. - - - POEMS.--Edinburgh, 1721-28. 4to. 2 vols. First collective edition. - Many other editions. _See Preface, page_ ix. - - THE EVERGREEN, being a Collection of Scots Poems, wrote by the - Ingenious before 1600. Edinburgh, 1724. 16mo. 2 vols. Reprinted, - 1761 and 1824. - - THE TEA-TABLE MISCELLANY. Edinburgh, 1724, &c.--4 vols. 12mo. A - well-known collection of Songs, English as well as Scotish, by - several hands. Many other editions. - - TEA-TABLE MISCELLANY--circa 1726. "Music for Allan Ramsay's - collection of Scots Songs: Set by Alexander Stuart, and engraved - by R. Cooper, vol. First. Edinburgh; printed and sold by Allan - Ramsay." - - This is a small oblong volume of 156 pages, divided into six parts, - and contains the music of seventy-one Songs, selected from the - first volume of the Tea-Table Miscellany, printed in 1724. It is - very scarce, and no second volume ever appeared. - - THE GENTLE SHEPHERD, a Scots Pastoral Comedy. Edinburgh, 1725. First - edition. Numerous other editions. _See Preface, page_ x. - Included in all the collective editions of the Poems. - - _Translations._--By Cornelius Vanderstop. London, 1777. 8vo.--By W. - Ward. London, 1785. 8vo.--By Margaret Turner. London, 1790. 8vo. - - FABLES.--A Collection of thirty Fables. Edinburgh, 1730. First - collective edition. The greater part of these were included in - the quarto of 1728, and are to be found in all the more recent - editions of the Poems. - - PROVERBS.--A Collection of Scots Proverbs. Edinburgh, 1737. 12mo. - Numerous editions. - - - - -TO - -THE RIGHT HONOURABLE - -SUSANNA, - -_COUNTESS OF EGLINTOUN_.[56] - - -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 myself safe from the awkward -censure of some pretending judges that condemn before examination. - -[Footnote 56: "This is the same dignified lady, to whom, at the age of -eighty-five, Johnson, and Boswell, offered their homage; whose powers -of pleasing continued so resplendent as to charm the fastidious sage -into a declaration that, in visiting such a woman, he had spent his -day well. This celebrated patroness of poets was the accomplished -daughter of the noble house of Kennedy, who having married, in 1708, -Alexander the Earl of Eglinton, by whom she had three sons, two of -whom succeeded to the earldom, and seven daughters who married into -honourable families, died on the 18th of March, 1780, at the -patriarchal age of ninety-one."--_Geo. Chalmers' Life of Ramsay, page -xxxiv., edition of 1800._] - -I am sure of vast numbers that will crowd 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, 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 classed 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. - - EDINBURGH, _June_, 1725. - - - - -TO THE - -COUNTESS OF EGLINTOUN, - -WITH THE FOLLOWING PASTORAL. - - - ACCEPT, O EGLINTOUN! the rural lays, - That, bound to thee, thy duteous Poet pays! - The muse, that oft has rais'd her tuneful strains, - A frequent guest on SCOTIA'S blissful 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 ardours, 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, piteous of his fate, - Cur'd 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, - 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. - 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 - 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. - 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, - 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. - 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, - 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: - Then grudging hate, and sinful pride succeed, - Cruel revenge, and false unrighteous deed; - Then dow'rless beauty lost the power to move; - The rust of lucre stain'd the gold of love: - Bounteous no more, and hospitably good, - The genial hearth first blush'd with stranger's blood: - The friend no more upon the friend relies, - And semblant falsehood puts on truth's disguise: - The peaceful houshold fill'd with dire alarms; - The ravish'd virgin mourns her slighted charms: - The voice of impious mirth is heard around; - In guilt they feast, in guilt the bowl is crowned: - Unpunish'd violence lords it o'er the plains, - And Happiness forsakes the guilty swains. - Oh Happiness! from human search retir'd, - 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? - 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 - To noisy revel, and to midnight ball? - O'er 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? - Say, does the miser e'er thy face behold, - Watchful and studious of the treasur'd 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, - The Statesman's wisdom, or the Fair-one'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 Virtue knows the Pow'r to dwell. - 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, - 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 human bosom nurst, - Can Peace reside in dwellings so accurst? - 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 virtues rich, in goodness unconfin'd, - Thou shin'st a fair example to thy kind; - Sincere and equal to thy neighbour's fame, - How swift to praise, but how averse to blame! - Bold in thy presence bashful Sense appears, - And backward Merit loses all its fears. - Supremely blest by Heav'n, Heav'n's richest grace, - 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, - (The conscious transports of a parent's heart) - When thou behold'st 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: - Thrice happy! who succeed their mother's praise, - The lovely EGLINTOUNS of future days. - Meanwhile peruse the following tender scenes, - And listen to thy native Poet's strains: - In ancient garb the home-bred muse appears, - 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, - And virtuous love, the likeness of thy own; - While, 'midst the various gifts that gracious Heaven, - Bounteous to thee, with righteous hand has given, - Let this, O EGLINTOUN! delight thee most, - T' enjoy that Innocence the world has lost. - - W. H. - - - - -TO - -JOSIAH BURCHET, ESQ., - -SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY, - -WITH THE FIRST SCENE OF THE GENTLE SHEPHERD. - - - The nipping frosts, the driving snaw, - 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. - - Anes, anes again beneath some tree - Exert thy skill and nat'ral glee, - To him wha has sae courteously, - To weaker sight, - Set these[57] rude sonnets sung by me - In truest light. - -[Footnote 57: _To weaker sight, set these_, &c.] Having done me the -honour of turning some of my pastoral poems into English, justly and -elegantly.] - - In truest light may a' that's fine - In his fair character still shine, - Sma' need he has of sangs like mine - To beet his name; - For frae the north to southern line, - Wide gangs his fame. - - His fame, which ever shall abide, - Whilst hist'ries tell of tyrants pride, - Wha vainly strave upon the tide - T' invade these lands, - Where Britain's royal fleet doth ride, - Which still commands. - - These doughty actions frae his pen,[58] - Our age, and these to come, shall ken, - How stubborn navies did contend - Upon the waves, - How free-born Britons faught like men, - Their faes like slaves. - - [Footnote 58: _Frae his pen._] His valuable Naval History.] - - Sae far inscribing, Sir, to you, - 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 bow'r; - I'm but a callan: - Yet may I please you, while I'm your - Devoted _Allan_. - - - - -THE PERSONS. - - -MEN. - - SIR WILLIAM WORTHY. - PATIE, the Gentle Shepherd, in love with Peggy. - ROGER, a rich young shepherd, in love with Jenny. - SYMON, } two old shepherds, tenants to Sir William. - GLAUD, } - 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._ - - First act begins at eight in the morning. - Second act begins at eleven in the forenoon. - Third act begins at four in the afternoon. - Fourth act begins at nine o'clock at night. - Fifth act begins by day light next morning. - - - - -THE - -GENTLE SHEPHERD. - - - - -ACT FIRST. - - -_SCENE I._ - - Beneath the south-side of a craigy beild, - Where crystal springs the halesome 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. - -PATIE _and_ ROGER. - - -SANG I.--The wawking of the fauld. - -PATIE sings. - - _My_ Peggy _is a young thing, - Just enter'd in her teens, - Fair as the day, and sweet as May, - Fair as the day, and always gay. - My_ Peggy _is a young thing, - And I'm not very auld; - Yet well I like to meet her, at - The wawking of the fauld._ - - _My_ Peggy _speaks sae sweetly, - Whene'er we meet alane, - I wish nae mair to lay my care, - I wish nae mair of a' that's rare. - My_ Peggy _speaks sae sweetly, - To a' the lave I'm cauld; - But she gars a' my spirits glow - At wawking of the fauld._ - - _My_ Peggy _smiles sae kindly, - Whene'er I whisper love, - That I look down on a' the town, - That I look down upon a crown. - My_ Peggy _smiles sae kindly, - It makes me blyth and bauld; - And naething gi'es me sic delight, - As wawking of the fauld._ - - _My_ Peggy _sings sae saftly, - When on my pipe I play; - By a' the rest it is confest, - By a' the rest that she sings best. - My_ Peggy _sings sae saftly, - And in her sangs are tauld, - With innocence, the wale of sense, - At wawking of the fauld._ - - PATIE. - - 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. - 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. - - _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 e'e. - 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, - 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 may'st 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 said them ilka clute - At the West-Port, and bought a winsome flute, - Of plum-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 naething 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 shellycoat or 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 loo 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, - _O'er Bogie_ was the spring, and her delyte; - Yet tauntingly she at her cousin speer'd, - Gif she could 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. - - _Pat._ 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 all hope, - Gae till't your ways, and take the lover's lowp. - - _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 - 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: - 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 cockernony snooded up fou sleek, - 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. - Blythsome, I cry'd, My bonny Meg, come here, - I ferly wherefore ye're sae soon asteer; - But I can 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 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. - 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, - My very saul came 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. - Seem to forsake her, soon she'll change her mood; - Gae woo anither, and she'll gang clean wood. - - -SANG II.--_Tune_, Fy gar rub her o'er wi' strae. - - _Dear_ Roger, _if your_ Jenny _geck, - And answer kindness with a slight, - Seem unconcern'd at her neglect, - For women in a man delight; - But them despise who're soon defeat, - And with a simple face give way - To a repulse;--then be not blate, - Push boldly on, and win the day. - When maidens, innocently young, - Say aften what they never mean, - Ne'er mind their pretty lying tongue, - But tent the language of their een: - If these agree, and she persist - To answer all your love with hate, - Seek elsewhere to be better blest, - And let her sigh when 'tis too late._ - - - _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, - Ye've cherish'd me since ye began to speak. - Sae for your pains, I'll make ye 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, - 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 - 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. - 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 tak a turn up to the height, - And see gif all 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 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 mysell. [_Exeunt._ - - - -_ACT I.--SCENE II._ - - A flowrie howm between twa verdant 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. - - PEGGY _and_ JENNY. - - _Jenny._ - - Come, Meg, let's fa' to wark upon this green, - The shining day will bleech our linen clean; - 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 - The water fa's, and makes a sing and 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 grows het, we'll to the pool, - There wash our sells--'tis healthfu' 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 - 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? - 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; - 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 die'd beneath his knee. - 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, - Hatred for love is unco sair to bide: - But ye'll repent ye, if his love grows 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. - 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. - - -SANG III.--_Tune_, Polwart on the Green. - - _The dorty will repent, - If lover's heart grow cauld,_ - _And nane her smiles will tent, - Soon as her face looks auld._ - - _The dawted bairn thus takes the pet, - Nor eats, tho' hunger crave, - Whimpers and tarrows at its meat, - And's laught at by the lave._ - - _They jest it till the dinner's past; - Thus by itself abus'd, - The fool thing is oblig'd to fast, - Or eat what they've refus'd._ - - _Jen._ I never thought a single life a crime. - - _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, - But wha's oblig'd to spell his _hums_ and _haws_? - Whene'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. - - _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 you loo that rattle-skull, - A very deil that ay maun hae his will? - We'll soon hear tell what a poor fighting life - 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. - 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, - 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. - 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. - - -SANG IV.--_Tune_, O dear mother, what shall I do? - - _O dear_ Peggy, _love's beguiling, - We ought not to trust his smiling; - Better far to do as I do, - Lest a harder luck betyde you. - Lasses, when their fancy's carry'd, - Think of nought but to be marry'd: - Running to a life destroys - Heartsome, free, and youthfu' joys._ - - _Peg._ Sic coarse-spun thoughts as thae 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 dread nae other skaith. - There's nane of a' the herds that tread the green - Has sic a smile, or sic twa glancing een. - 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, - 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. - His better sense will lang his love secure: - Ill-nature heffs in sauls are weak and poor. - - -SANG V.--_Tune_, How can I be sad on my wedding-day? - - _How shall I be sad, when a husband I hae, - That has better sense than ony of thae - Sour weak silly fallows, that study like fools, - To sink their ain joy, and make their wives snools. - The man who is prudent ne'er lightlies his wife, - Or with dull reproaches encourages strife; - He praises her virtues, and ne'er will abuse - Her for a small failing, but find an excuse._ - - _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; - 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 it sell wi' broe, - Ane breaks his shin, anither tynes his shoe; - The Deel gaes o'er John Wobster, hame grows hell, - When Pate misca's ye war than tongue can tell. - - _Peg._ Yes, 'tis a heartsome 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 should 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 dyvour 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 you'd 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: - 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, - Shou'd gar your Patie think his haff-worn Meg, - And her kend kisses, hardly worth a feg? - - _Peg._ Nae 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. - They'll reason calmly, and with kindness smile, - When our short passions wad our peace beguile. - Sae, whensoe'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 - 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. - And soon as he flings by his plaid and staff, - The seething pot's be ready to take 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 - 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. - 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, } - '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! - Beneath ilk storm, frae every 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. - - - -SANG VI.--_Tune_, Nansy's to the green-wood gane. - - _I yield, dear lassie, you have won, - And there is nae denying, - That sure as light flows frae the sun, - Frae love proceeds complying. - For a' that we can do or say - 'Gainst love, nae thinker heeds us, - They ken our bosoms lodge the fae - That by the heartstrings leads us._ - - _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 - 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._ - - -_End of the_ FIRST ACT. - - - - -ACT SECOND. - - -_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 Gland's;--there you may see him lean, - And to his divot-seat invite his frien'. - - 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. - I'll warrant ye've coft 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, - 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, - 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, - 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 play'd the Rumple a right slee begunk, - 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? - They have been e'en a dreary time away. - 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; } - And good Sir William sall enjoy his ain. } - - -SANG VII.--_Tune_, Cauld kail in Aberdeen. - - _Cauld be the rebels cast, - Oppressors base and bloody, - I hope we'll see them at the last - Strung a' up in a woody. - Blest be he of worth and sense, - And ever high his station, - That bravely stands in the defence - Of conscience, king and nation._ - - _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. - - _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 gi'es woo this year?" - And sic like kindly questions wad he speer. - - -SANG VIII.--_Tune_, Mucking of Geordy's byar. - - _The laird wha in riches and honour - Wad thrive, should be kindly and free, - Nor rack the poor tenants wha labour - To rise aboon poverty: - Else like the pack-horse that's unfother'd, - And burden'd, will tumble down faint: - Thus virtue by hardship is smother'd, - And rackers aft tine their rent._ - - _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. - 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 Elspath too--and upo' sight, - I'll whistle Pate and Roger frae the height: - I'll yoke my sled, and send to the neist town, - 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: - For heer-yestreen I brew'd a bow of maut, - Yestreen I slew twa wathers prime and fat; - A firlot 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, - 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: - 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, - Since ye're my nearest friend that I like best. - Bring wi'ye a' 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. - Faith we shall bend the bicker, and look bauld, - 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 e'en! Hey! Madge, come forth: D'ye hear? - -_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; - 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't tald you o't? - - _Glaud._ What's that to you?--Gae get my Sunday's coat; - Wale out the whitest of my bobbit bands, - My white-skin hose, and mittons for my hands; - Then frae their washing, cry the bairns in haste, - And make yoursells 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. - - _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 - BAULDY his lane. - - BAULDY. - - 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 gowany 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! - 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 cantrips, 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 backward 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._ - - - _ACT II.--SCENE III._ - - A green kail-yard, a little fount, - Where water poplan springs; - There sits a wife with wrinkled-front, - And yet she spins and sings. - - -SANG IX.--_Tune_, Carle an the King come. - - 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? - Ye look baith hale and fere at threescore ten. - - _Mause._ 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 - Your helping hand, employs now all my cares. - - _Mause._ 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. - - _Mause._ Of what kind wisdom think ye I'm possest, - That lifts my character aboon the rest? - - _Bauld._ The word that gangs, how ye're sae wise and fell, - Ye'll may be take it ill gif I shou'd tell. - - _Mause._ What fowk says of me, Bauldy, let me hear; - 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; - 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, - 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: - 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 - You with a firlot of them mixt with pease. - - _Mause._ 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, } - 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. - - _Mause._ I'll try my art to gar the bowls row right; - Sae gang your ways, and come again at night; - '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; - 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. - - _Mause._ '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. - -[_Exit_ BAULDY. - - MAUSE _her lane_. - - Hard luck, alake! when poverty and eild, - 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; - 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, - 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 bonny lass and chearfu' swain - Change vows and kisses sweet. - -PATIE _and_ PEGGY. - - _Peggy._ - - 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: - 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! - How saft the westlin winds sough thro' the reeds. - - _Peg._ The scented meadows,--birds,--and healthy breeze, - 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, - Gif I cou'd 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, - 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. - - _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. } - - _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, - 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, - 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 cou'd'st hardly gang, - 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 pu' the rashes green, with roots sae white, - 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, - 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. - - _Peg._ When thou didst wrestle, run, or putt the stane, - And wan the day, my heart was flightering fain: - 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_, - 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_; - 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; - 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. - -_The foregoing, with a small variation, was sung at the acting, as -follows._ - - -SANG X.--_Tune_, The Yellow-hair'd Laddie. - - PEGGY. - - _When first my dear laddie gade to the green hill, - And I at ew-milking first sey'd my young skill, - To bear the milk-bowie, nae pain was to me, - When I at the bughting forgather'd with thee._ - - PATIE. - - _When corn-riggs wav'd yellow, and blue hether-bells - Bloom'd bonny on moorland and sweet rising fells, - Nae birns, briers, or breckens gave trouble to me, - If I found the berries right ripen'd for thee._ - - PEGGY. - - _When thou ran, or wrestled, or putted the stane, - And came aff the victor, my heart was ay fain; - Thy ilka sport manly gave pleasure to me; - For nane can putt, wrestle, or run swift as thee._ - - PATIE. - - _Our_ Jenny _sings saftly the_ Cowden Broom-knows, - _And_ Rosie _lilts sweetly the_ Milking the Ews; - _There's few_ Jenny Nettles _like_ Nansie _can sing; - At_ Throw the Wood Laddie, Bess _gars our lugs ring. - But when my dear_ Peggy _sings with better skill, - The_ Boat-man, Tweed-side, _or the_ Lass of the Mill, - _'Tis many times sweeter and pleasing to me; - For tho' they sing nicely, they cannot like thee._ - - PEGGY. - - _How easy can lasses trow what they desire! - And praises sae kindly encreases love's fire: - Give me still this pleasure, my study shall be, - To make myself better and sweeter for thee._ - - _Pat._ Wert thou a giglit gawky like the lave, - That little better than our nowt behave; - At nought they'll ferly;--senseless tales believe; - Be blyth for silly heghts, for trifles grieve:-- - Sic ne'er you'd win my heart, that kenna how, - Either to keep a prize, or yet prove true. - But thou, in better sense, without a flaw, - As in thy beauty, far excels 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. - - _Pat._ And let them ferly.--Now, a kindly kiss, - Or five score 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.-- - - _Pat._----Well, I agree. - - -SANG XI.--To its own Tune. - -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?_ - - PEGGY sings. - - _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 sings. - - _But gin they hing o'er lang upon the tree, - Their sweetness they may tine; and sae may ye. - Red checked 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._ - -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._ - -[_Exeunt._ - - -End of the SECOND ACT. - - - - -ACT THIRD. - - -_SCENE I._ - - Now turn your eyes beyond yon spreading lime, - And tent a man whase beard seems bleech'd with time; - An elvand 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 this cloud to see his lad. - Observe how pleas'd the loyal sufferer moves - Thro' his auld av'news, anes delightfu' groves. - - 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! - 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, - The dewy flowers 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, - 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 - 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, - 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, serenely gay, - 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! - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XII.--_Tune_, Happy Clown. - - _Hid from himself, now by the dawn, - He starts as fresh as roses blawn; - And ranges o'er the heights and lawn, - After his bleeting flocks. - Healthful, and innocently gay, - He chants and whistles out the day; - Untaught to smile, and then betray, - Like courtly weathercocks._ - - _Life happy, from ambition free, - Envy, and vile hypocrisie, - Where truth and love with joy agree, - Unsully'd with a crime: - Unmov'd with what disturbs the great, - In propping of their pride and state, - He lives, and unafraid of fate, - Contented spends his time._ - - 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. - - 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, gif 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. - - [_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: - 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. - - 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. - - _Sir Will._ I give ye thanks, Goodman; I'se no be blate. - - _Glaud._ [_drinks._] Come t'ye, friend:--How far came ye the day? - - _Sir 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. - - _Sym._ Ye're welcome here to stay all night with me, - And take sic bed and board as we can gi' ye. - - _Sir 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, - To spae it faithfully, be't good or ill. - - _Sym._ [_pointing to Patie._] Only that lad;--alake! I have nae mae, - Either to make me joyful now, or wae. - - _Sir Will._ Young man, let's see your hand;--what gars ye sneer? - - _Pat._ Because your skill's but little worth I fear. - - _Sir 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. - - _Sir Will._ I'll tell ye mair, if this young lad be spar'd - But a short while, he'll be a braw rich laird. - - _Els._ 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. - - [PATIE'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. - -[SIR WILLIAM _looks a little at_ PATIE'S _hand, then counterfeits -falling into a trance, while they endeavour to lay him right_.] - - _Els._ Preserve's!--the man's a warlock, or possest - With some nae good,--or second sight, at least: - Where is he now?---- - - _Glaud._ ----He's seeing a' that's done - In ilka place, beneath or yont the moon. - - _Els._ These second sighted fowk, his peace be here! - See things far aff, and things to come, as clear - 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, haste ye, gae, - 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 ye get them tald you in your sleep? - - _Sir 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. - - _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, - 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. - - _Sir Will._ Whisht, doubtfu' carle: for ere the sun - Has driven twice down to the sea, - 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 foresee - Sic fortunes for them might prove joy to me. - - _Sir 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. - - _Sym._ Elspa, cast on the claith, fetch butt some meat, - And, of your best, gar this auld stranger eat. - - _Sir 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 - 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. - - _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, - 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! - - ROGER _and_ JENNY. - - _Roger._ - - Dear Jenny, I wad speak to ye, wad ye let; - And yet I ergh, ye're ay sae scornfu' set. - - _Jen._ And what would 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 my pity else, to see ye set - On that whilk makes our sweetness soon forget. - Wow! but we're bonny, good, and every thing; - How sweet we breathe, whene'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 suggar'd words frae wooers 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. - 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; - Rejoice 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; - 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 - 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. - - _Which may be sung as follows._ - - -SANG XIII.--_Tune_, Leith Wynd. - - JENNY. - - _Were I assur'd you'd constant prove, - You should nae mair complain; - The easy maid, beset with love, - Few words will quickly gain: - For I must own, now since you're free, - This too fond heart of mine - Has lang, a black-sole true to thee, - Wish'd to be pair'd with thine._ - - ROGER. - - _I'm happy now; ah! let my head - Upon thy breast recline; - The pleasure strikes me near-hand dead; - Is_ Jenny _then sae kind?---- - O! let me briss thee to my heart, - And round my arms entwine: - Delytfu' thought! we'll never part: - Come press thy lips to mine._ - - _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, - 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. - Ye have what will commend ye to him well, - Auld fowks, like them, that wants na milk and meal. - - -SANG XIV.--_Tune_, O'er Bogie. - - _Well, I agree, ye're sure of me; - Next to my father gae: - Make him content to give consent, - He'll hardly say you nay: - For you have what he wad be at, - And will commend you well, - Since parents auld think love grows cauld, - Where bairns want milk and meal._ - - _Shou'd he deny, I care na by, - He'd contradict in vain; - Tho' a' my kin had said and sworn, - But thee I will have nane. - Then never range, nor learn to change, - Like those in high degree; - And if ye prove faithful in love, - You'll find nae faut in me._ - - _Rog._ My faulds contain twice fifteen forrow nowt, - As mony newcal in my byars rowt; - Five pack of woo I can at Lammas sell, - 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 heartsome house and tight, - Was still her care, my father's great delight. - They left me all; which now gie's joy to me, - Because I can give a', my dear, to thee: - And had I fifty times as meikle mair, - Nane but my Jenny should the samen skair. - My love and all is yours; now had them fast, - 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. - - _Rog._ To where the saugh-trees shades the mennin-pool, - I'll frae the hill come down, when day grows cool: - 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 - Within a Gallery 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. - - SIR WILLIAM _and_ SYMON. - - _Sir William._ - - 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, - 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._) - - 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! - - _Sir Will._ Rise, faithful Symon; in my arms enjoy - 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. - - _Sym._ The due obedience to your strict command - Was the first lock;--neist, my ain judgment fand - Out reasons plenty: since, without estate, - A youth, tho' sprung frae kings, looks baugh and blate. - - _Sir Will._ And aften vain and idly spend their time, - 'Till grown unfit for action, past their prime, - Hang on their friends--which gi'es 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: - 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, - That are within his tenth degree of kin: - Rins in ilk trader's debt, wha's sae unjust - To his ain fam'ly, as to give him trust. - - _Sir Will._ Such useless branches of a common-wealth, - Should be lopt off, to give a state mair health. - 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 - 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; - 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. - - _Sir Will._ Your tale much pleases;--my good friend, proceed: - 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. - - _Sir 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, - And carries ay a poutchfu' to the hill. - About ane Shakspear, and a 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, } - He kens fu' well, and gars their verses ring. } - I sometimes thought he made o'er great a 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. - - _Sir 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, - 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? - - _Sir Will._ Well jested, Symon:--But one question more - I'll only ask ye now, and then give o'er. - The youth's arriv'd the age when little loves - 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? - - _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, than I thought right or meet: - I had my fears; but now have nought to fear, - Since like your sell your son will soon appear. - A gentleman, enrich'd with all these charms, - May bless the fairest best born lady's arms. - - _Sir Will._ This night must end his unambitious fire, - When higher views shall greater thoughts inspire. - Go, Symon, bring him quickly here to me; - 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. - - _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 enhances 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. - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XV.--_Tune_, Wat ye wha I met Yestreen. - - _Now from rusticity and love, - Whose flames but over lowly burn, - My gentle shepherd must be drove, - His soul must take another turn: - As the rough diamond from the mine, - In breakings only shews its light, - Till polishing has made it shine: - Thus learning makes the genius bright._ [_Exit_ - - -End of the THIRD ACT. - - - - -ACT FOURTH. - - -_SCENE I._ - - The scene describ'd in former page, - Gland's onstead,--Enter _Mause_ and _Madge._ - - MAUSE _and_ MADGE. - - _Mause._ - - 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 - Live nives in length, and white as driven snaw, - 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; - Then pawkily pretended he cou'd spae, - Yet for his pains and skill wad nathing ha'e. - - _Mause._ 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, - Whilk slee Tod Lawrie hads without his mow, - When he to drown them, and his hips to cool, - In simmer days slides backward in a pool: - In short he did, for Pate, braw things fortell, - Without the help of conjuring or spell. - 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! - 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. - Our Meg, poor thing, alake! has lost her jo. - - _Mause._ It may be sae; wha kens? and may be no. - To lift a love that's rooted, is great pain; } - Even kings have tane a queen out of the plain: } - And what has been before, may be again. } - - _Mad._ Sic nonsense! 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. - - _Mause._ Gif Pate forsakes her, Bauldy she may gain; } - 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-- - - _Mause._ Ye'd be as dorty in your choice as he: - And so wad I. But whisht, here Bauldy comes. - - _Enter_ BAULDY _singing._ - - Jenny _said to_ Jocky, _gin ye winna tell, - Ye shall be the lad, I'll be the lass mysell; - Ye're a bonny lad, and I'm a lassie free; - Ye're welcomer to tak me than to let me be._ - - I trow sae.--Lasses will come to at last, - Tho' for a while they maun their snaw-ba's cast. - - _Mause._ Well, Bauldy, how gaes a'?-- - - _Baul._ ----Faith unco right: - 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. - 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, - 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. - I'll ne'er advise my niece sae gray a gate; - Nor will she be advis'd, fu' well I wate. - - _Baul._ 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 - 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 o'er your chin. - - _Baul._ I tak ye witness, Mause, ye heard her say, - That I'm mansworn:--I winna let it gae. - - _Mad._ Ye're witness too, he ca'd me bonny names, - And should be serv'd as his good breeding claims. - Ye filthy dog!---- - -[_Flees to his hair like a fury.--A stout battle.--Mause endeavours to -redd them._ - - _Mause._ 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 - An ether-cap, like him, to blaw the coal: - 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. - - _Mause._ That's true; and Bauldy ye was far to blame, } - To ca' Madge ought but her ain christen'd name. } - - _Baul._ My lugs, my nose, and noddle 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: - Ye maun forgi'e'm. I see the lad looks wae. - - _Baul._ 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. - - _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? - Swith, tak him deil; he's o'er lang out of hell. - - _Baul._ [_running off._] His presence be about us! Curst were he - That were condemn'd for life to live with thee. - - [_Exit_ BAULDY. - - _Mad._ [_laughing._] I think I've 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. - - _Mause._ Ye towin'd him tightly,--I commend ye for't; - His blooding snout gave 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? - - _Mause._ 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 - 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; - 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 main to gang - A conjuring, to do a lassie wrang. - - _Mause._ Then let us go; for see, 'tis hard on night, - 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, - Walks through the broom with Roger ever leel, - To meet, to comfort Meg, and tak farewell. - - PATIE _and_ ROGER. - - _Roger._ - - 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 nathing ha'e to brag of pedigree. - My Jenny now, wha brak 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 myself 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, - While thus to beat, my heart shall 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: - But what cares love for reason, rules and laws? - Still in my heart my shepherdess excells, - And part of my new happiness repells. - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XVI.--_Tune_, Kirk wad let me be. - - _Duty and part of reason - Plead strong on the parent's side, - Which love so superior calls treason; - The strongest must be obey'd: - For now, tho' I'm one of the gentry, - My constancy falshood repells; - For change in my heart has no entry, - Still there my dear_ Peggy _excells._ - - _Rog._ Enjoy them baith.--Sir William will be won: - Your Peggy's bonny;--you're his only son. - - _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 yoursell to stay - 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, } - 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, - 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; - 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 - 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; - 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 the bliss. - The passions rule the roast,--and, if they're sowr, - Like the lean ky, will 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; - While o'er the moor the shepherd, with less care, - 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 should 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 some time 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. - - _Pat._ [_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!---- - - _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. - 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: - 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, - When Patie kiss'd me, when I danc'd or sang: - Nae mair, alake! we'll on the meadow play! - And rin haff breathless round the rucks of hay; - As aftimes I have fled from thee right fain, - And fawn on purpose, that I might be tane. - 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, - If ere to ane, but you, I be a wife. - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XVII.--_Tune_, Wae's my heart that we should sunder. - - _Speak on,--speak thus, and still my grief, - Hold up a heart that's sinking under - These fears, that soon will want relief, - When_ Pate _must from his_ Peggy _sunder. - A gentler face, and silk attire, - A lady rich in beauty's blossom, - Alake poor me! will now conspire - To steal thee from thy_ Peggy's _bosom._ - - _No more the shepherd, who excell'd - The rest, whose wit made them to wonder, - Shall now his_ Peggy's _praises tell: - Ah! I can die, but never sunder. - Ye meadows where we often stray'd, - Ye banks where we were wont to wander, - Sweet-scented rucks, round which we play'd, - You'll lose your sweets when we're asunder._ - - _Again, ah! shall I never creep - Around the Know with silent duty, - Kindly to watch thee, while asleep, - And wonder at thy manly beauty? - Hear, Heaven, while solemnly I vow, - Tho' thou shouldst prove a wand'ring lover, - Thro' life to thee I shall prove true, - Nor be a wife to any other_ - - - _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; - 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, - 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. - 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, - 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; - Where I may manners learn---- - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XVIII.--_Tune_, Tweedside. - - _When hope was quite sunk in despair, - My heart it was going to break; - My life appear'd worthless my care, - But now I will save't for thy sake. - Where'er my love travels by day, - Wherever he lodges by night, - With me his dear image shall stay, - And my soul keep him ever in sight._ - - _With patience I'll wait the long year, - And study the gentlest charms; - Hope time away till thou appear, - To lock thee for ay in those arms. - Whilst thou was a shepherd, I priz'd - No higher degree in this life; - But now I'll endeavour to rise - To a height is becoming thy wife._ - - _For beauty that's only skin-deep, - Must fade like the gowans of May, - But inwardly rooted, will keep - For ever, without a decay. - Nor age, nor the changes of life, - Can quench the fair fire of love, - If virtue's ingrain'd in the wife, - And the husband have sense to approve._ - - _Pat._ ----That's wisely said, - And what he wares that way shall be well paid. - Tho' without a' the little helps of art, - Thy native sweets might gain a prince's heart: - 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; - 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. - - _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 vertues join the arts to please. - - _Peg._ Since with nae hazard, and sae small expence, - 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. - - _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, - 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, - I'll aften gang, and tell the trees and flowers, - With joy, that they'll bear witness I am yours. - - _Or sung as follows._ - - -SANG XIX.--_Tune_, Bush aboon Traquair. - - _At setting day, and rising morn, - With soul that still shall love thee, - I'll ask of Heaven thy safe return, - With all that can improve thee. - I'll visit aft the Birken Bush, - Where first thou kindly told me - Sweet tales of love, and hid my blush, - Whilst round thou didst enfold me._ - - _To all our haunts I will repair, - By Greenwood-shaw or fountain; - Or where the summer-day I'd share - With thee upon yon mountain. - There will I tell the trees and flowers, - From thoughts unfeign'd and tender, - By vows you're mine, by love is yours - A heart which cannot wander._ - - _Pat._ My dear, allow me, frae thy temples fair, - A shining ringlet of thy flowing hair; - Which, as a sample of each lovely charm, - 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. - - _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. - - - - -ACT FIFTH. - - -_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. - - SYMON _and_ BAULDY. - - _Symon._ - - 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 mysell 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. - - _Sir 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. - - _Sir Will._ [_smiling._] I lang to hear't---- - - _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; - 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 deil, I kenna whilk, - Like a dead corse in sheet as white as milk; - Black hands it had, and face as wan as death, - Upon me fast the Witch and it fell baith, - 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; - I pithless grew with fear, and had nae hope, - Till, with an elritch laugh, they vanish'd quite: - Sync 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. - I'm sure my heart will ne'er gi'e o'er to dunt, - Till in a fat tar-barrel Mause be burnt. - - _Sir 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: - 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. - - _Sir 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 deils up thro' a ring? - Syne playing tricks, a thousand I cou'd tell, - Cou'd never be contriv'd on this side hell. - - _Sir 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, - Whilst I walk out to take the morning air. - - -SANG XX.--_Tune_, Bonny grey-ey'd morn. - - _The bonny grey-ey'd morn begins to peep, - And darkness flies before the rising ray; - The hearty hind starts from his lazy sleep, - To follow healthful labours of the day: - Without a guilty sting to wrinkle his brow, - The lark and the linnet tend his levee, - And he joins their concert, driving his plow, - From toil of grimace and pageantry free._ - - _While fluster'd with wine, or madden'd with loss - Of half an estate, the prey of a main, - The drunkard and gamester tumble and toss, - Wishing for calmness and slumber in vain. - Be my portion health, and quietness of mind, - Plac'd at due distance from parties and state; - Where neither ambition, nor avarice blind, - Reach him who has happiness link'd to his fate._ - - [_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. - - GLAUD, JENNY _and_ PEGGY. - - _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. - 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, - 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; - 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, - 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. - They'll tempt young things, like you, with youdith flush'd, - Syne make ye a' their jest, when ye're debauched. - 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; - 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, - That shaws the gate to Heaven.--I've heard mysell, - Some of them laugh at doomsday, sin and hell. - - _Jen._ Watch o'er us, father! heh! that's very odd; - 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. - - _Enter_ MADGE. - - _Mad._ 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. - - [_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; - 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, - To rustle amang the beauties clad in silk. - But Meg, poor Meg! maun with the shepherd 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. - 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 - 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, - Attend, and with loud laughter hear - Daft Bauldy bluntly plead his cause: - For now 'tis tell'd him that the taz - Was handled by revengefu' Madge, - Because he brak good breeding's laws, - And with his nonsense rais'd their rage. - - SIR WILLIAM, PATIE, ROGER, SYMON, GLAUD, BAULDY _and_ MAUSE. - - _Sir William._ - - 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. - - _Mause._ 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. - - _Sir Will._ [_looking at Peggy._] Whose daughter's she - that wears th' Aurora gown, - 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. - Is this your daughter, Glaud?---- - - _Glaud._ ----Sir, she's my niece;-- - And yet she's not:--but I should hald my peace. - - _Sir Will._ This is a contradiction: What d'ye mean? - She is, and is not! Pray thee, Glaud, explain. - - _Glaud._ Because I doubt, if I should make appear } - What I have kept a secret thirteen year. } - - _Mause._ You may reveal what I can fully clear. } - - _Sir Will._ Speak soon; I'm all impatience!-- - - _Pat._ ----So am I! - 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, - In infant-weeds of rich and gentle make. - What cou'd they be, thought I, did thee forsake? - Wha, warse than brutes, cou'd leave expos'd to air - Sae much of innocence sae sweetly fair, - Sae helpless young? for she appear'd to me - Only about twa towmands 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 pass'd sincesyne - As a poor orphan, and a niece of mine. - 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, - Than what I to your Honour now declare. - - _Sir Will._ This tale seems strange!---- - - _Pat._ ----The tale delights my ear: - - _Sir Will._ Command your joys, young man, till truth appear. - - _Mause._ That be my task.--Now, Sir, bid all be hush: - Peggy may smile;--thou hast nae 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: - He saw't at first, and with quick eye did trace - His sister's beauty in her daughter's face. - - _Sir 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 - 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. - - _Sir Will._ Mak haste, good woman, and resolve each doubt. - - [_Mause goes forward, leading Peggy to Sir William._] - - _Mause._ 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. } - - _Sir 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._] - - Yes, surely thou'rt my niece; truth must prevail: - But no more words, till Mause relate her tale. - - _Pat._ Good nurse, go on; nae musick's haff sae fine, - Or can give pleasure like these words of thine. - - _Mause._ Then, it was I that sav'd her infant-life, - Her death being threatned by an uncle's wife. - 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, - 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 ere day: - 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 - 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 - 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, - 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. - - _Sir 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, - 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 Will._ [_raises them._] I give you both my blessing: may your - love - Produce a happy race, and still improve. - - _Peg._ My wishes are compleat,--my joys arise, - While I'm haff dizzy 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, - 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 - Of them that sought her life for wicked ends. - - _Sir 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. - - _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! - 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: - Even Bauldy the bewitch'd has quite forgot - Fell Madge's taz, and pawky Mause's plot. - - _Sir 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, - And bussy gardners shall new planting rear: - My father's hearty table you soon shall see - Restor'd, and my best friends rejoice with me. - - _Sym._ That's the best news I heard this twenty year; - New day breaks up, rough times begin to clear. - - _Glaud._ God save the King, and save Sir William lang, - To enjoy their ain, and raise the shepherd's 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, - 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; - 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, - And brag for ay, that I was ca'd the aunt - Of our young lady,--my dear bonny bairn! - - _Peg._ No other name I'll ever for you learn.-- - And, my good nurse, how shall I gratefu' be, - For a' thy matchless kindness done for me? - - _Mause._ The flowing pleasures of this happy day - Does fully all I can require repay. - - _Sir 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. - 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. - - _Patie_, [_presenting Roger to Sir William._] Sir, here's my trusty - friend, that always shar'd - 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: - Be pleas'd to speak to Glaud for his consent, - That nane may wear a face of discontent. - - _Sir 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 - 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, - 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: - But for my master, father and my wife, - I will employ the cares of all my life. - - _Sir 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 you'll find - 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. } - Now all's at rights, who sings best let me hear. } - - _Peg._ When you demand, I readiest should obey: - I'll sing you ane, the newest that I ha'e. - - -SANG XXI.--_Tune_, Corn-riggs are bonny. - - _My_ Patie _is a lover gay, - His mind is never muddy; - 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; - '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. - 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 - 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 - He's free to touzel air or late, - Where corn-riggs are bonny._ - - [_Exeunt omnes._ - - - - -NOTES. - - -Page 5, line 11 from top; the reading in the text is:-- - - - "She fled as frae a shellycoat or kow." - - This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721; (and also - in the 12mo edition of 1761;) where was published the _first - scene_ of the Pastoral, as a separate poem, under the title of - "Patie and Roger." But, in all the editions of the _Gentle - Shepherd_ that we have seen, the reading stands thus:-- - - "She fled as frae a shellycoated kow." - - We think the first reading is the true one; and that the second - is, probably, a typographical error. We have come to this - conclusion after an inquiry into the meaning of the words - "Shellycoat" and "Kow." The definitions of these words, from the - best authorities we know of, are subjoined; which will enable such - of our readers as have any curiosity in the matter to judge for - themselves. - - "_Shellycoat_, a spirit, who resides in the waters, and has given - his name to many a rock and stone upon the Scottish coast, belongs - also to the class of bogles. When he appeared, he seemed to be - decked with marine productions, and in particular with _shells_, - whose clattering announced his approach. From this circumstance he - derived his name.--_Shellycoat_ must not be confounded with - _Kelpy_, a water spirit also, but of a much more powerful and - malignant nature." - - [_Scott's Minstrelsy_, vol. i., Introd. civ. cv. - - - "_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." - - [_Ramsay's Poems._ vol. i., 4to edition, 1721. - - "_Kow_ or _Cow_" a hobgoblin; also, a scarecrow, a bugbear. - _Cow-man_, the devil." - - [_Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary._ - - "_Wirrikow_," the devil. - - [_Hogg's Mountain Bard._ - - The above definitions of _Shellycoat._are very precise: that of - _Kow_ is less so. Both are spirits, and frightful in character; yet - apparently of distinct habits. Hence the _first_ of the readings - given above,--the oldest and that adopted in the text-- - - "She fled as frae a shellycoat or kow," - - is quite natural and proper: the _second_ (though susceptible of - explanation,) seems much less so. - - * * * * * - -At page 57, a variation from the text given in the present edition, is -found in nearly all the more modern editions: it is as follows:-- - - "_Enter_ BAULDY [_singing_]. - - SANG XVI. - - Jocky _said to_ Jenny, Jenny, _wilt thou do't? - Ne'er a fit, quoth_ Jenny, _for my tocher-good; - For my tocher-good, I winna marry thee: - E'en's-ye-like, quoth,_ Jocky, _I can let you be._ - - _Mause,_[59] Well liltit, Bauldy, that's a dainty sang. - - [Footnote 59: In some editions, _Madge_.] - - _Bauldy,_ I'se gie ye't a', it's better than it's lang. - - _I have gowd and gear, I have land eneugh, - I have sax good owsen ganging in a pleugh; - Ganging in a pleugh, and linkan o'er the lee, - And gin ye winna tak me, I can let ye be._ - - _I have a good ha' house, a barn, and a byre; - A peat-stack 'fore the door, will mak a ranting fire; - I'll mak a ranting fire, and merry shall we be, - And gin ye winna tak me, I can let ye be._ - - Jenny _said to_ Jocky, _gin ye winna tell, - Ye shall be the lad, I'll be the lass mysell; - Ye're a bonny lad, and I'm a lassie free; - Y'ere welcomer to tak me than to let me be._" - - * * * * * - - In "Ramsay's Poems," published in London, by Millar, Rivington & - Co., 2 vols. 12mo, 1761; (three years after the author's death;) - there occur several variations from the text of the present - edition. As the more important of these changes, with one - exception, have been adopted in the edition edited by George - Chalmers, published by Cadell & Co., London, 2 vols. 8vo, 1800; - (usually considered the "best edition" of Ramsay's collected - works;) and as they have been again adopted in the recent reprint - of Cadell's edition by Fullarton & Co., London, 3 vols. 12mo, - 1850, it has been thought best to present them here in the form of - notes. The following, therefore, are to be understood as the - readings in the editions just referred to:-- - -Page 5, line 13 from bottom:-- - - "'Till he yowl'd sair she strak the poor dumb tyke:" - - This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721, before - referred to. In the 4to subscription edition of 1728, the author - rejected the above reading, and substituted that given in the - text. This would seem to be conclusive; and produces a - considerable degree of suspicion as to the authority for the other - alterations which we find in the editions of 1761 and 1800. - -Page 11, line 4 from bottom:-- - - "We soon will hear what a poor feightan life" - - [_Edition of_ 1800. - - The editions of 1761 and 1850 give the reading in the text. - -Page 19, line 8 from top:-- - - "To shine, or set in glory with Montrose." - -Page 25, line 8 from bottom:-- - - "_Bauldy._ Well vers'd in herbs and seasons of the moon, - By skilfu' charms 'tis kend what ye have done." - - [_Edition of_ 1761. - - The editions of 1800 and 1850 give the reading in the text. - -Page 27:-- - - MAUSE _her lane_. - - "This fool imagines, as do mony sic, - That I'm a witch in compact with _Auld Nick_, - 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. - Now since the royal _Charles_, and right's restor'd, - A shepherdess is daughter to a lord. - The _bonny foundling_ 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 th' _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: - None knows't but me;--and if the morn were come, - I'll tell them tales will gar them all sing dumb." - -Page 29, line 7 from top:-- - - "I darna stay,--ye joker, let me gang, - Or swear ye'll never tempt to do me wrang." - -Page 29, line 15 from top:-- - - "Shall do thee wrang, I swear by all aboon." - -Page 36, line 4 from top:-- - - "No _Jaccacinths_ or _Eglantines_ appear. - Here fail'd and broke's the rising ample shade, - Where _peach_ and _nect'rine_ trees their branches spread, - Basking in rays, and early did produce - Fruit fair to view, delightful in the use; - All round in gaps, the walls in ruin lie, - And from what stands the wither'd branches fly." - -Page 47, line 10 from bottom:-- - - "With equal joy my safter heart does yield, - To own thy well-try'd love has won the field." - -Page 62, top line:-- - - "But love rebels against all bounding laws; - Fixt in my soul the shepherdess excells," - -Page 63, line 15 from bottom:-- - - "Fine claiths, saft beds, sweet houses, sparkling wine, - Rich fare, and witty friends, whene'er ye dine, - Submissive servants, honour, wealth and ease," - -Page 64, line 14 from bottom:-- - - "_Roger._ And proud of being your secretary, I - To wyle it frae me a' the deels defy." - -Page 67, line 10 from bottom:-- - - "Dream thro' that night, 'till my day-star appear;" - -Page 70, line 5 from bottom:-- - - "_Peggy._ Were ilka hair that appertains to me - Worth an estate, they all belong to thee: - My sheers are ready, take what you demand, - And aught what love with virtue may command. - _Patie._ Nae mair I'll ask; but since we've little time," - -Page 72, line 9 from top:-- - - "What want ye, Bauldy, at this [early silent] hour, - When nature nods beneath the drowsy pow'r:" - -Page 73, line 8 from bottom:-- - - "Lows'd down my breeks, while I like a great fool," - - [_Not in edition of 1850._ - -Page 82, line 12 from bottom:-- - - "_Patie._ Good nurse, dispatch thy story wing'd with blisses, - That I may give my cusin fifty kisses." - - Besides the above, there occur, in the edition of 1761, about 50 - _verbal_ alterations, additions, and omissions; and about 75 in - the edition of 1800. In the edition of 1850 there are fewer - changes, it having been partially corrected, probably from the 8vo - edition of 1808. These verbal changes are rarely, if ever, - improvements; frequently of little consequence, and sometimes they - appear silly; for instance, towards the end of the Pastoral there - is substituted, in two or three instances, Archbald instead of - Bauldy! We have not, therefore, thought it worth while to note - them here. We rather think that our readers, generally, will not - consider the readings above given, as improvements on those in the - text. - - - - -A - -GLOSSARY; - -OR, - -AN EXPLANATION OF THE SCOTTISH WORDS - -WHICH ARE USED IN - -_ALLAN RAMSAY'S "GENTLE SHEPHERD;"_ - -AND WHICH ARE RARELY FOUND IN MODERN ENGLISH WRITINGS: - -WITH ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. - - * * * * * - - - A. - - - _A'_, all. - _Abeit_, albeit, although. - _Ablins_, perhaps. - _Aboon_, above. - _Ae_, or _ane_, one. - _Aff_, off. - _Aften_, often. - _Ain_, or _awn_, own. - _Air_, long since, early. - _Air up_, soon up in the morning. - _Airth_, quarter of the heaven. - _Alane_, alone. - _Amaist_, almost. - _Amang_, among. - _Aneath_, beneath. - _Anes_, once. - _Anither_, another. - _Asteer_, stirring. - _Atanes_, at once, at the same time. - _Attour_, out-over. - _Auld_, old. - _Awa_, away. - _A-will_, voluntarily. - _Awner_, owner. - - - B. - - _Ba'_, ball. - _Badrans_, a cat. - _Bairns_, children. - _Bair_, bear, boar. - _Baith_, both. - _To ban_, to curse. - _Banefire_, bonfire. - _Bannocks_, a sort of unleavened bread, thicker than cakes, and round. - _Barlickhood_, a fit of drunken angry passion. - _Bassend_, see _Bawsy_. - _Baugh_, sorry, indifferent. - _Bauk_, balk. - _Bauld_, bold. - _Bawk_, a rafter, joist; likewise, the space between cornfields; to - frustrate. - _Bawsy_, bawsand-fac'd, is a cow, or horse, with a white face. - _Be_, by. - _Bedeen_, immediately, in haste. - _Begunk_, a trick, a cheat. - _Beik_, to bask. - _Beild_, or _beil_, a shelter. - _Bein_, or _been_, wealthy, comfortable. A _been_ house, a warm - well-furnished one. - _Ben_, the inner room of a house. - _Come farer ben_, be better received. - _Bend_, a pull of liquor. - _Bend the bicker_, quaff out the cup. - _Bent_, a coarse kind of grass growing on hilly ground; the open - field, the plain. - _To the bent_, fled out of reach. - _Betooch-us-to_, Heaven preserve us. - _Beuk_, baked. - _Bicker_, a wooden dish. - _Bide_, to await. - _Bigonet_, a linen cap or coif. - _Billy_, brother, a young man. - _Birks_, birch-trees. - _Birky_,--_auld birky_, old boy. - _Birn_, a burnt mark. - _Birns_, the stalks of burnt heath. - _Black-sole_, a confidant in courtship. - _Blae_, black and blue, the colour of the skin when bruised. - _Blaeberry_, bilberry. - _Blashy_, plashy, deluging. - _Blate_, bashful. - _Blaw_, blow; to boast. - _Bleech_, to blanch or whiten. - _Bleer_, to bedim with tears. - _Bleez_, blaze. - _Blob_, a drop. - _Bob_, to move up and down as in dancing. - _Bobbit bands_, tasselled bands (worn about the neck). - _Bode_, to proffer. - _Bonny_, beautiful. - _Bouk_, bulk. - _Bourd_, jest or dally. - _Bowt_, bolt. - _Brae_, the side of a hill, a steep bank. - _Braid_, broad. - _Brankan_, prancing, a capering. - _Brattle_, to advance rapidly, making a noise with the feet. - _Brats_, aprons of coarse linen. - _Braw_, brave; fine in apparel. - _Breaks_, becomes bankrupt. - _Brecken_, fern. - _Briss_, to press. - _Brock_, a badger. - _Broe_, broth. - _Brown cow_, a ludicrous expression for ale or beer, as opposed to - milk. - _Bught_, the little fold where the ewes are inclosed at milking-time. - _Bumbazed_, confused; made to stare and look like an idiot. - _Burn_, or _burnie_, a brook. - _Busk_, to deck, dress. - _Bustine_, fustian (cloth.) - _But_, often used for _without_; as "_but_ feed or favour." - _But a flaw_, without a lie. - _But_,--_fetch but_, bring into the outer apartment, or that used as a - kitchen. - _By and attour_, over and above. - _By_,--_flings by_, throws aside. - _Byre_, or _byar_, a cow-house. - - - C. - - _Ca_, call. - _Cadgy_, good-humoured, happy, fond. - _Canker'd_, angry, passionately snarling. - _Canna_, cannot. - _Canny_, prudent. (See _Kanny_.) - _Cantraips_, incantations. - _Canty_, cheerful and merry. - _Car_, sledge. - _Carle_, a word for an old man. - _Carna_, care not. - _Cast up_, to upbraid one with a thing. - _Cauld_, cold. - _Cauldrife_, spiritless; wanting cheerfulness in address. - _Cauler_, cool or fresh. - _Cawf_, or _caff_, a calf; chaff. - _Cawk_, chalk. - _Chiel_, or _chield_, 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. - _Chitter_, chatter. - _Chucky_, a hen. - _Claith_, cloth. - _Clatter_, to chatter. - _Claw_, scratch. - _Cleck_, to hatch. - _Cleek_, to catch as with a hook. - _Closs_, close. - _Clute_, or cloot, hoof of cows or sheep. - _Cockernony_, the gathering of a woman's hair, when it is wrapt or - snooded up with a band or snood. - _Coft_, bought. - _Coof_, a stupid fellow. - _Corby_, a raven. - _Cottar_, a cottager. - _Crack_, to chat, to talk. - _Craig_, a rock. - _Crap_, crept. - _Croon_, or _crune_, to murmur or hum over a song. - _Crove_, a cottage. - _Crummy_, or _crummock_, a cow's name. - _Cunzie_, or _coonie_, coin. - _Curn_, a small quantity. - _Cut and dry_, a kind of tobacco. - - - D. - - _Daffine_, folly, waggery. - _Daft_, foolish. - _Dainty_, is used as an epithet of a fine man or woman. - _Dang_, _did ding_, beat, thrust, drive. - _Darn_, to hide. - _Darna_, dare not. - _Dash_, to put out of countenance. - _Dawty_, a fondling, darling. _To dawt_, or _daut_, to cocker and - caress with tenderness. - _Decreet_, award. - _Deil_, or _deel_, the devil. - _Dike_, or _dyke_, a fence of stone or turf. - _To Ding_, to drive down, to beat, to overcome. - _Dinna_, do not. - _Disna_, does not. - _Dit_, to stop or close up a hole. - _Divot_, thin turf. - _Doilt_, confused and silly. - _Doof_, a dull, heavy-headed fellow. - _Dool_, pain, grief. - _Dorts_, a proud pet. - _Dorty_, proud; not to be spoken to; conceited; appearing as - dis-obliged. - _Dosens_, becomes torpid. - _Dow_, to will, to incline, to thrive; to be able. - _Dowie_, sickly, melancholy, doleful, sad. - _Downa_, _dow not_, i. e., though one has the power, he wants the - heart to do it. - _Dowp_, the arse; the small remains of a candle. - _Drap_, drop. - _Dreery_, wearisome, frightful. - _Drie_, to suffer, endure. - _Drouth_, drought, thirst. - _Dubs_, mire, small pools of water. - _Duds_, rags. _Duddy_, ragged. - _Dung_, driven down, overcome. - _Dunt_, stroke or blow; to beat, to palpitate. - _Dyvour_, a bankrupt, a debtor. - - - E. - - _Eastlin_, easterly, eastward. - _Een_, eyes. - _Eild_, old age. - _Eith_, easy. _Eithly_, easily. - _Elf-shot_, bewitched, shot by fairies. - _Elritch_, wild, hideous, uninhabited except by imaginary ghosts. - _Elvand_, the ell measure. - _Ergh_, scrupulous; when one makes faint attempts to do a thing, - without a steady resolution; to be timorous. - _Ether_, an adder. - _Ethercap_, or _ettercap_, a venomous spiteful creature. - _Ettle_, to aim, design. - _Even'd_, compared. - _Evens_, equals, compares, allies. - - - F. - - _Fa_, fall. - _Fae_, foe. - _Fain_, joyful, tickled with pleasure. - _Fairfa'_, when we wish well to one, that a good or fair fate may - befall him. - _Fand_, found. - _Farder_, farther. - _Farer seen_, more knowing. - _Fash_,--_never fash your thumb_, be not the least vexed, be easy. - _Fash_, to vex or trouble. _Fasheous_, troublesome. - _Fauld_, fold. - _Fause_, false. - _Faut_, fault. - _Fawn_, fallen. - _Feckless_, feeble, little and weak. - _Feg_, a fig. - _Fell_, good, valuable, keen; a rocky, or wild, hill. - _Fere_, sound, entire. - _Ferlie_, wonder. - _Feu_, tenure, a fief. - _Firlot_, four pecks, the fourth part of a boll. - _Fit_, the foot. - _Flaes_, fleas. - _Flaw_, lie or fib. - _Flawing_, lying, fibbing. - _Fleetch_, to coax or flatter. - _Fleg_, fright. - _Flesh a' creep_, a phrase which expresses shuddering. - _Flet_, the preterit of _flyte_, did chide. - _Fley_, or _flie_, to affright. _Fleyt_, or _fleid_, afraid or - terrified. - _Flighter_, flutter. - _Flit_, to remove. - _Flite_, or _flyte_, to scold or chide. _Flet_, did scold. - _Flyp_, to turn inside out. - _Fog_, moss. - _Forby_, besides. - _Forgainst_, opposite to. - _Forgather_, to meet, encounter. - _Forrow cow_, a cow that is not with calf, and therefore continues to - give milk throughout the winter. - _Fou_, or _fu_, full. - _Fouth_, abundance, plenty. - _Fowk_, folk. - _Fow-weel_, full well. - _Frae_, fro, or from. - _Fraise_, to make a noise. We use to say "one makes a _fraise_," when - they boast, wonder, and talk more of a matter than it is worthy of, - or will bear. - _Freath the graith_, to froth the suds about the clothes in washing. - _Fundling_, foundling. - - - G. - - _Ga_, _gaw_, gall. - _Gab_, the mouth. _To Gab_, to prate. - _Gade_, went, did go. - _To Gae_, to go. - _Gait_, a goat. - _Gane_, gone. - _Gar_, to cause, make, or force. - _Gat_, got. - _Gate_, or _gait_, way. - _Gaw_, to take the pet, to be galled. - _Gawky_, an idle, staring, idiotical person. - _Gawn_, going. - _Gaws_, galls. - _Gay and early_, pretty early. - _To geck_, to mock, to toss the head with disdain. - _Gett_, a brat, a child, by way of contempt or derision. - _Ghaist_, a ghost. - _Gif_, if. - _Gin_, if. - _Girn_, to grin, snarl. - _Glen_, a narrow valley between mountains. - _Gloom_, to scowl or frown. - _Glowr_, to stare. - _Gowans_, daisies. - _Gowd_, gold. - _Gowk_, the cuckoo. In derision, we call a thoughtless fellow, and one - who harps too long on one subject, a _gowk_. - _Grace-drink_, the drink taken by a company after the giving of thanks - at the end of a meal. - _Graith_, furniture, harness, armour. - _To Grane_, to groan. - _Grany_, grandmother, any old woman. - _Gree_, prize, victory. - _Green_, or _grien_, to long for. - _Greet_, to weep. _Grat_, wept. - _Grit_, familiar. - _Grots_, milled oats. - _Gusty_, savoury. - _Gyte_, _gane gyte_, acts extravagantly. - - - H. - - _Ha_, hall. - _Had_, hold. - _Hae_, have. - _Haff_, half. - _Haffet_, the cheek, side of the head. - _Haflen_, partly, in part. - _Hagabag_, coarse table-linen. - _Haggies_, a kind of pudding made of the lungs and liver of a sheep, - and boiled in the big bag. - _Hag-raid_, witch-ridden, tormented by hags or phantoms. - _Hait_, or _het_, hot. - _Haith_, (a minced oath,) faith. - _Hald_, or _had_, hold. - _Hale_, whole. - _Halesome_, wholesome. - _Hallen_, a fence of turf, twigs, or stone, built at the side of a - cottage door, to screen from the wind. - _Haly_, holy. - _Haly band_, kirk session. - _Hame_, home. - _Hamely_, friendly, frank, open, kind. - _Happing_, hopping. - _Hapt_, covered. - _Harigalds_, the heart, liver, and lights of an animal. - _Hawky_, a cow; a white-faced cow. - _Hawse_, or _hauss_, the throat or gullet. - _Hawslock_, the wool that grows on the hawse or throat. - _Heartsome_, blythe and happy. - _Heeryestreen_, the night before yesternight. - _Heffs_, or _hefts_, dwells. - _Heghts_, or _hechts_, promises, engagements, proffers. - _Het_, hot. - _Hether-bells_, the heath-blossom. - _Hiddils_, or _hidlings_, lurking, hiding-places. To do a thing in - _hidlings_, i. e., privately. - _Hinder_, last. - _To Hing_, to hang. - _Hinny_, honey. - _Hissel-shaw_, hazel-wood. - _Hobleshew_, confused racket, uproar. - _Hodden-grey_, coarse grey cloth. - _Hool_, husk, shell. - _How_, low ground, a hollow. - _Howdy_, a midwife. - _Howk_, to dig. - _Howms_, _holms_, plains on river-sides. - _Howt!_ fy! - - - I. - - _Ilk_, each. _Ilka_, every. - _Of that ilk_, of an estate having the same name as the owner. - _Ingan_, onion. - _Ingle_, fire. - _I'se_, I shall; as, _I'll_, for I will. - _Ither_, other. - - - J. - - _Jaccacinths_, hyacinths. - _Jaw_, a wave or gush of water. - _Jee_, to incline on one side. - _Jo_, sweetheart. - - - K. - _Kaim_, or _kame_, comb. - _Kale_, or _kail_, colewort; and sometimes, broth. - _Kanny_, or _canny_, fortunate; also, wary, one who manages his - affairs discreetly; cautious. - _Kedgy_, or _cadgie_, jovial. - _Keep up_, hide, or retain. - _Ken_, to know. - _Kenna_, know not. - _Kent_, a long staff, such as shepherds use for leaping over ditches. - _Kilted_, tucked up. - _Kirn_, a churn; to churn. - _Kitted_, kept in a small wooden vessel. - _Kittle_, difficult, mysterious, knotty (writings). - _Kittle_, to tickle, ticklish; vexatious. - _Knit up themsells_, hang up themselves. - _Know_, a hillock, a knoll. - _Kow_, goblin. _See Notes_, p. 89. - _Ky_, kine or cows. - - - L. - - _Lair_, or _lear_, learning; to learn. - _Laith_, loth. - _Lake_, lack. - _Landwart_, the country, or belonging to it; rustic. - _Lane_, alone. - _Lang_, long. - _Langsome_, slow, tedious. - _Lang-syne_, long ago; sometimes used as a substantive noun, auld - _lang-syne_, old times by-past. - _Lap_, leaped. - _Lave_, the rest or remainder. - _Lavrock_, the lark. - _Leal_, or _leel_, true, upright, honest, faithful to trust, loyal; "a - _leal_ heart never lied." - _Lee_, untilled ground; also an open grassy plain. - _Leek_,--_clean's a leek_, perfectly clever and right. - _Leen_, cease, give up, yield. - _Leglen_, a milking-pail with one lug or handle. - _Len_, lend, loan. - _Let na on_, do not divulge. - _Leugh_, laughed. - _Lick_, to whip or beat; a blow. - _Lied_, ye lied, ye tell a lie. - _Lift_, the sky or firmament. - _Lills_, the holes of a wind instrument of music; hence, "_lilt_ up a - spring." - _Lin_, a waterfall. - _Linkan_, walking speedily. - _Loan_, or _loaning_, a passage for the cattle to go to pasture, left - untilled; a little common, where the maids often assembled to milk - the ewes. - _Loe_, or _loo_, to love. - _Loof_, the hollow of the hand. - _Lounder_, a sound blow. - _Lout_, to bow down, making courtesy; to stoop. - _Low_, flame. _Lowan_, flaming. - _Lowp_, to leap. - _Lowrie_, _lawrie_, cunning; a designation given to the fox. - _Lucky_, grandmother, or goody. - _Lug_, ear; handle of a pot or vessel. - _Luggie_, a dish of wood with a handle. - _Lug out_, pull or draw out. - _Lyart_, hoary or grey-haired. - - - M. - - _Mae_, more. - _Maik_, or _make_, to match, equal. - _Mailen_, a farm. - _Main_, or _mane_, moan. - _Mair_, more. - _Maist_, most. - _Mansworn_, perjured. - _Mavis_, a thrush. - _Maun_, must. _Mauna_, must not, may not. - _Mawt_, malt. - _Mear_, mare. - _Meikle_, much, big, great, large. - _Mennin_, minnow. - _Merl_, the blackbird. - _Midding_, a dunghill. - _Milk-bowie_, milking-pail. - _Mint_, aim, endeavour, to attempt. - _Mirk_, dark. - _Misca_, to give names. - _Mither_, mother. - _Mittons_, woollen gloves. - _Mony_, many. - _Mools_, the earth of the grave. - _Motty_, full of motes. - _Mou_, or _mow_, mouth. - _Mows_, _nae mows_, no jest. - _Muck_, dung. - _Muckle_, see _Meikle_. - - - N. - - _Na_, _nae_, no, not. - _Nathing_, _naething_, _naithing_, nothing. - _Nane_, none. - _Near-hand_, nearly, almost. - _Neist_, next. - _Newcal_, new calved (cows.) - _Newfangle_, fond of a new thing. - _Nibour_, neighbour. - _Nick_,--_auld Nick_, the devil. - _Nive_, the fist. - _Nocht_, nought, not. - _Nor_, than. - _Nowt_, cows, kine. - _Nowther_, neither. - - - O. - - _Obeysant_, obedient. - _O'ercome_, surplus. - _O'erput_,--_ne'er o'erput it_, never get over it. - _Onstead_, the building on a farm, the farm-house. - _Ony_, any. - _Or_, sometimes used for ere, or before. _Or_ day, i. e., before - daybreak. - _Orp_, to weep with a convulsive pant. - _Owk_, week. - _Owrlay_, a cravat. - _Owsen_, oxen. - _Oxter_, the armpit. - - - P. - - _Pat_, did put. - _Paughty_, proud, haughty. - _Pawky_, witty or sly in word or action, without any harm or bad - designs. - _Peets_, turf for fire. - _Pensy_, finical, foppish, conceited. - _Pit_, to put. - _Pith_, strength, might, force. - _Plaiding_, a coarse tweeled woollen cloth. - _Plet_, plaited. - _Plotcock_, the devil. - _Poinds your gear_, distrains your effects. - _Poke_, bag. - _Pople_, or _paple_, the bubbling, purling, or boiling up of water. - _Poortith_, poverty. - _Pou_, pull. - _Poutch_, a pocket. - _Pow_, the poll, the head. - _Prin_, a pin. - _Propine_, gift or present. - _Pu_, pull. - _Pund_, pound. - _Putt a stane_, throw a big stone. - - - Q. - - _Quean_, a young woman. - _Quey_, a young cow. - - - R. - - _Racket rent_, rack-rent. - _Rae_, a roe. - _Rair_, or _rare_, roar. - _Rashes_, rushes. - _Redd_, to rid, unravel; to separate folks that are fighting. It also - signifies clearing of any passage. "I am _redd_," I am apprehensive. - _Red up_, to put in order. - _Reek_, smoke. - _Reest_, to rust, or dry in the smoke. - _Rever_, a robber or pirate. - _Rife_, or _ryfe_, plenty. - _Rigs_ of corn, ridges. - _Rin_, run. - _Rock_, a distaff. - _Roose_, or _ruse_, to commend, extol. - _Roove_, to rivet. - _Roudes_, a wrinkled, ill-natured woman. - _Rousted_, rusted. - _Row_, roll. - _Rowan_, rolling. - _Rowt_, to roar, especially the lowing of bulls and cows. - _Rowth_, plenty. - _Ruck_, a rick or stack of hay or corn. - _Rumple_, the Rump parliament. - - - S. - - _Sae_, so. - _Saebiens_, seeing it is, since. - _Saft_, soft. - _Sair_, or _sare_, sore. - _Sakeless_, or _saikless_, guiltless, innocent, free. - _Sald_, sold. - _Sall_, shall; like _soud_ for should. - _Samen_, same. - _Sang_, song. - _Sark_, a shirt. - _Saugh_, a willow or sallow tree. - _Saul_, soul. - _Saw_, an old saying, or proverbial expression. - _Sawn_, sown. - _Sax_, six. - _Scad_, or _scawd_, scald. - _Scart_, to scratch. - _Scrimp_, narrow, straitened, little. - _Sell_, self. - _Sey_, to try. - _Shaw_, a wood or forest. - _To Shaw_, to show. - _Shellycoat_, a goblin, a spirit who resides in the waters. - _Sheveling-gabit_, having a distorted mouth. - _Shoon_, shoes. - _Shore_, to threaten. - _Sic_, such. - _Siccan_, such kind of. - _Siller_, silver. - _Simmer_, summer. - _Sindle_, or _sinle_, seldom. - _Singand_, singing. - _Sinsyne_, since that time; lang _sinsyne_, long ago. - _Skair_, share. - _Skaith_, hurt, damage, loss. - _Skelf_, shelf. - _Skelp_, to run; to flog the buttocks. - _Skiff_, to move smoothly along. - _Slaw_, slow. - _Sled_, sledge, sleigh. - _Slee_, sly. - _Slid_, smooth, cunning, slippery; as, "he's a _slid_ loun." - _Sma_, small. - _Smoor_, to smother. - _Snaw_, snow. - _Snood_, the band for tying up a woman's hair. - _Snool_, to dispirit by chiding, hard labour, and the like; also, a - pitiful grovelling slave. - _Sonsy_, happy, fortunate, lucky; sometimes used for large and lusty; - plump, thriving. - _Sorn_, to spunge, or hang on others for maintenance. - _Sough_, the sound of wind among trees, or of one sleeping. - _Spae_, to foretell or divine. _Spaemen_ prophets, augurs. - _Spain_, to wean from the breast. - _Spait_, or _spate_, a torrent, flood, or inundation. - _Speer_, to ask, inquire. - _Spill_, to spoil, abuse. - _Spraings_, stripes of different colours. - _Spring_, a tune on a musical instrument. - _Sta_, stall. - _Stane_, stone; a weight of 16 lbs. - _Stang_, did sting, to sting. - _Stap_, stop. - _Starns_, the stars. - _Staw_, stole. - _Steek_, to shut, close. - _Stegh_, to cram. - _Stend_, or _sten_, to move with a hasty long pace; to spring. - _Stent_, to stretch or extend; to limit or stint. - _Stock-and-horn_, a shepherd's pipe, made by inserting a reed pierced - like a flute into a cow's horn; the mouth-piece is like that of a - hautboy. - _Stown_, stolen. - _Strae_, straw. - _Strak_, struck. - _Strapan_, clever, tall, handsome. - _Sung_, singed. - _Swat_, did sweat. - _Swith_, quickly. - _Syne_, afterwards, then; since. - - - T. - - _Taid_, a toad. - _Tald_, told. - _Tane_, taken. - _Tarrow_, to refuse what we love, from a cross humour. - _Tass_, a little dram-cup. - _Tate_, a small lock of hair, or any little quantity of wool, cotton, - &c. - _Taz_, a whip or scourge. - _Tent_, to attend, to take care of; to observe, to remark. - _Thack_, thatch. - _Thae_, those. - _Than_, then. - _Thievless_, wanting propriety, unmeaning. - _Thirle_, to thrill. - _Thole_, to endure, suffer. - _Thow_, thaw. - _Thrang_, throng. - _Thrawart_, froward, cross, crabbed. - _Thrawin_, stern and cross-grained. - _Thrawn-gabet_, wry-mouthed. - _Tift_, good order. _In tift_, in the mood. - _Till_, to. _Till't_, to it. - _Timmer_,--_turn the timmer_, put round the cup. - _Tine_, or _tyne_, to lose. _Tint_, lost. - _Titty_, sister. - _Tocher_, portion, dowry. - _Tocher_,--_but tocher-good_, without dowry. - _Tod_, a fox. - _Tod Lawrie_, a fox. - _Tooly_, to fight; to scramble; to romp. - _Toom_, empty, applied to a barrel, purse, house, &c.; also, to empty. - _Tot_, a fondling name given to a child. - _Touse_, _tousle_, or _towzle_, to rumple, to handle roughly. - _Towin'd_, tamed. - _Towmond_, a year or twelvemonth. - _Towzle_, to handle roughly. - _Trig_, neat, handsome. - _Triste_, or _tryst_, appointment. - _Tron_, an instrument erected in every burgh in Scotland, for the - weighing of wool and other heavy wares. - _Trow_, to believe. - _Tulzie_, a quarrel or broil. - _Twa three_, two or three. - _Twitch_, touch. - _Tyke_, a dog of one of the larger and common breeds. - - - U. - - _Uneith_, not easy. - _Unfother'd_, not foddered. - _Unko_, or _unco_, unknown, strange; very. - _Unsonsy_, unlucky, ugly. - - - V. - - _Virle_, a ferrule. - _Vissy_, to view with care. - - - W. - - _Wa_, or _waw_, wall. - _Wad_, would. - _Wadna_, would not. - _Wae_, sorrowful; woe. - _Waefu'_, woeful. - _Waff_, wandering by itself; worthless. - _Wale_, to pick and choose; the best. - _Wame_, womb, the belly. - _Wan_, won. - _War_, or _warse_, worse. - _Ware_, wares, merchandise; to expend. - _Wark_, work. - _Warld_, world. - _Warlock_, wizard. - _Warst_, worst. - _Wat_, or _wit_, to know. - _Wather_, a male sheep that has been gelded while a lamb. - _Watna-whats_, know-not-whats. - _Wauk_, or _wawk_, to walk; to watch. - _Wawking_, watching. - _We'an_, or _wee ane_, a child. - _Wear up_, to drive off. - _Wee_, little. - _Ween_, thought, imagined, supposed. - _Weer_, to stop or oppose. - _Westlin_, westerly, westward. - _West-Port_, the sheep market-place of Edinburgh. - _Wha_, who. - _Whase_, whose. - _Whilk_, which. - _Whindging_, whining, whimpering. - _Whins_, furze. - _Whisht_, hush, hold your peace. - _Whop_, whip. - _Will-fire_, wild fire. - _Wimpling_, a turning backward and forward, winding like the meanders - of a river. - _Win_, or _won_, to reside, dwell. - _Winna_, will not. - _Winsom_, gaining, desirable, agreeable, complete, large, handsome, - charming. - _Withershins_, motion against the sun. - _Wobster_,--_the deel gaes o'er John Wobster_, the devil's to pay. - _To Won_, to dry by exposing to the sun and air. - _Wond_, wound, wrapped around. - _Woo_, or _w_, wool. - _Wood_, mad. - _Woody_, the gallows: for, a withy was formerly used as a rope for - hanging criminals. - _Wordy_, worthy. - _Wow_, wonderful, strange. - _Wrang_, wrong. - _Wreaths_ of snow, when heaps of it are blown together by the wind. - _Wyle_, or _wile_, to entice. - _Wyte_, or _wite_, to blame, blame. - - - Y. - - _Yestreen_, yesternight. - _Yont_, beyond. - _Youdith_, youthfulness. - _Youl_, to yell. - _Yule_, Christmas. - - * * * * * - - - - - A - - CATALOGUE - - OF THE - - SCOTTISH POETS, - - FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD. - - - _Sages and chiefs long since had birth, - Ere Cæsar was, or Newton nam'd; - These rais'd new empires o'er the earth,-- - And those, new heav'ns and systems fram'd; - Vain was the chiefs', the sages' pride! - They had no poet, and they died. - In vain they schem'd, in vain they bled! - They had no poet, and are dead._ - - A. POPE. - - Book Catalogues are to men of letters what the compass and the - lighthouse are to the mariner, the railroad to the merchant, the - telegraph wires to the editor, the digested index to the lawyer, the - pharmacop[oe]ia and the dispensatory to the physician, the sign-post - to the traveller, the screw, the wedge, and the lever to the mechanic; - in short, they are the labour-saving machines, the concordances, of - literature WESTERN MEMORABILIA. - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK: - - WILLIAM GOWANS. - - 1852. - - - - -CATALOGUE - -OF THE - -SCOTTISH POETS, - -AND OF THE BEST EDITIONS OF THEIR WORKS. - - * * * * * - - - ADAMSON, H. The Muse's Threnodie, or, Mirthful Mournings; and a - Poetical Description of Perth. Map. 8vo. Perth, 1774. - - ADAMSON, JOHN. The Muse's Welcome to the high and mighty prince - James, king of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, after his - happy return to his old and native kingdome of Scotland, after - XIII years absence. Folio. Edinburgh, 1618. - - ADAMSON, PATRICK. (_Archbishop of St. Andrews._) Paraphrase of the - Book of Job. 1597. - - ANDERSON, PATRICK. The Picture of a Scotish Baron Court: a Dramatic - Poem. 12mo. pp. 48. Edinburgh, 1821. - - AINSLIE, HEW. A Pilgrimage to the Land of Burns, interspersed with - Poems and Songs. 12mo. 1820. - - ALLAN, EDWARD. Original Poems. 12mo. pp. 108. Glasgow, 1836. - - ALLAN, ROBERT. Evening Hours: Poems and Songs. 12mo. pp. 237. - Glasgow, 1836. - - ALVES, ROBERT. The Weeping Bard, and other Miscellaneous Poems. - 1789. - - ANE PLEASANT GARLAND of Sweet Scented Flowers. 4to. pp. 31. 1835. - - ANSTRUTHER, SIR WILLIAM. Essays, Moral and Divine; interspersed with - Poetry. 1701. - - ARBUTHNOT, ALEXANDER. Miseries of a Poor Scholar, Praise of Women, - Love, &c., &c. 1583. - - ARBUTHNOT, JOHN, M. D. _Aye_ and _No_: a Poem. N. D. - - ARMSTRONG, JOHN. Art of Preserving Health, and other Poems and - Plays. 2 vols. 12mo. London, 1770. - - ARMSTRONG, JOHN. Juvenile Poems, with Remarks on Poetry. 1791. - - AYTON, SIR ROBERT. Poems on Woman's Inconstancy. 1600. - - BAILLIE, JOANNA. Poems, Songs, and Plays. 8vo. pp. 847. $4.00. - London, 1851. - - BALFOUR, ALEXANDER. Characters omitted in Crabbe's Parish Register, - with other Tales. 12mo. pp. 277. Edinburgh, 1825. - - BALFOUR, SIR JAMES. (Ballads, and other Fugitive Poetical Pieces, - chiefly Scottish, from the collection of) 4to. Edinburgh, 1834. - - BALNAVES, HENRY. A Poetical Rhapsody. N. D. - - BANNATYNE, GEORGE. (Ane Ballet Book, written in the year of God - 1558; and Ancient Scottish Poems, published from the MS. of) N. - D. - - BARBOUR, JOHN. The Bruce and Wallace; or, the Metrical History of - Robert I. King of Scots, and Sir William Wallace. Published from - a manuscript dated 1489, as preserved in the Advocate's Library, - with Notes, Glossary, and a Memoir of the Life of the Author. By - John Jamieson. 2 vols. 4to. pp. 625 and 664. Edinburgh, 1820. - - BARCLAY, ALEXANDER. Here begynneth the Eglogues, whereof the fyrst - thre conteyneth the Myseryes of Courters and Courts of all - Prynces in general. The fourth conteyning the Manners of Rich - Men anenst Poets and other Clerks. N. D. - - BARCLAY, JOHN. A Description, in verse, of the Roman Catholic - Church. 1679. - - BARCLAY, L. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish idiom. 12mo. pp. 185. - Glasgow, 1832. - - BARRY, THOMAS. (_Provost of Bothwell._) The Battle of Otterburn - Bower. M.S. 1338. - - BEATTIE, JAMES. Original Poems and Translations. 8vo. pp. 198. - London, 1760. - - BEATTIE, JAMES HAY. Literary and Poetical Remains. 1800. - - BELL, JOHN. Cartlane Craigs: a Poem. 12mo. pp. 73. Edinburgh, 1816. - - BELLENDEN, JOHN. (_Translator of Hector B[oe]ce._) The Proheme of - the Cosmographe. Folio. 1556. - - BINNEY, JAMES. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 18mo. Kelso, - 1815. - - BLACK, R. JOHN. The Falls of Clyde; or, the Fairies. A Scottish - Dramatic Pastoral, in Five Acts, with Three Preliminary - Dissertations. 8vo. pp. 241. Edinburgh, 1806. - - BLACKLOCK, THOMAS. A Collection of Original Poems. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. - 239 and 260. Edinburgh, 1760. - - BLACKWOOD, ADAM. De Jure Regni. 1644. - - BLAIR, JOHN. (_Chaplain to Sir William Wallace._) A History of - Wallace, in verse; written jointly by him and Thomas Gray. N. D. - - BLAIR, ROBERT. The Grave, and other Poems. Edinburgh, 1731. - - BLAMIRE, MISS. Songs in the Scottish dialect. N. D. - - BOSWELL, SIR ALEXANDER. Songs, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 8vo. - pp. 34. Edinburgh, 1803. - - BOYD, MARK ALEXANDER. Poems--Latin, English, and Scottish. 1601. - - BOYD, ZACHARIAH. A Poetical Version of the Bible, and other Poems. - 1643. - - BROWN, HUGH. The Covenanters, and other Poems. 1825. - - BRUCE, MICHAEL. Poems on Several Occasions. 12mo. pp. 176. - Edinburgh, 1807. - - BRUCE, GEORGE. Poems and Songs on Various Occasions. 8vo. pp. 203. - Edinburgh, 1811. - - BUCHAN, P. The Recreation of Leisure Hours; being original Songs and - Verses, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 18mo. pp. 138. - Edinburgh, N. D. - - BUCHANAN, ANDREW. Rural Poetry. 12mo. pp. 148. Stirling, 1817. - - BUCHANAN, DUGALD. (_Schoolmaster at Rannoch._) Poems in the Gaelic - language. 1770. - - BUCHANAN, GEORGE. A Latin Version of the Psalms of David, Satires, - Epigrams, and Plays. 1600. - - BUREL, JOHN. The Description of the Queen's Majesties Maist - Honorable Entree into the Town of Edinburgh, upon the 19th day - of May, 1590. 1590. - - BURNE, NICOL. The Disputation concerning the controverted Heads of - Religion holden in the realme of Scotland. (_A poetical satire - against the Reformers._) An Admonition to the Antichristian - Ministers of the Deformed Kirk of Scotland. 1581. - - BURNES, JOHN. Plays, Poems, Tales, and other Pieces. 12mo. pp. 317. - Montrose, 1819. - - BURNS, ROBERT (of Hamilton). Poems and Songs, chiefly in the - Scottish dialect. 1798. - - BURNS, ROBERT. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. Original - edition. 8vo. Kilmarnock, 1786. - - BURNS, ROBERT. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 8vo. pp. 368. - Portrait (_original Edinburgh edition_). Edinburgh, 1787. - - BURNS, ROBERT. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 2 vols. Small - 8vo. pp. 249 and 283. Second edition. Edinburgh, 1793. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, with an account of his Life, and a - criticism on his Writings. To which is added Some Observations - on the Character of the Scotish Peasantry, with a copious - Glossary. By _Dr. J. Currie_. 4 vols. 8vo. pp. 395, 469, 425, - and 414. London, 1802. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, with his Life, _and numerous wood-cuts - by Bewick, after Thurston_. 2 vols. 12mo. Newcastle, 1808. - - BURNS, ROBERT. Poems, with an account of his Life and Miscellaneous - Remarks on his Writings, containing also many Poems and Letters - not printed in Dr. Currie's edition. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 320 and - 379. Edinburgh, 1811. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, edited by the Ettrick Shepherd and - William Motherwell. 5 vols. 12mo. pp. 344, 328, 348, 383, and - 425. Fifteen engravings. Glasgow, 1830. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, with a Life by Allan Cunningham. 8 - vols. 12mo. pp. 384, 345, 346, 377, 336, 329, 344, and 384. - (_Sixteen engravings._) London, 1834. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, containing his Life by John Lockhart; - the Poetry and Correspondence of Dr. Currie's edition; - Biographical Sketches of the Poet by himself, Gilbert Burns, - Professor Stuart, and others; Essay on Scottish Poetry; Burns's - Songs from Johnson's Musical Museum and Thompson's Select - Melodies; Select Scottish Songs by other Poets, from the best - collections, with Burns's Remarks. 8vo. pp. 591. Edinburgh, - 1837. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Poems of. A new edition, with additional Poems, a - new Life of the Author and Notes, edited by Sir Harris Nicolas. - 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1839. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Works of, with a Life by Allan Cunningham, and - Notes by Gilbert Burns, Lord Byron, Thomas Campbell, Thomas - Carlyle, Robert Chambers, Wm. Cowper, Cromek, Allan Cunningham, - Dr. Currie, Wm. Hazlitt, James Hogg, Lord Francis Jeffrey, T. - Landseer, J. Lockhart, W. Motherwell, Sir Walter Scott, - Professor John Wilson, and Wm. Wordsworth. Royal 8vo. pp. 820. - London, 1846. - - BURNS, ROBERT. The Life and Works of, edited by Robert Chambers. 4 - vols. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1852. - - BURT, JOHN. Horæ Poeticæ; or, the Transient Musings of a solitary - Lyre, consisting of Poems and Songs in English and Scotch. 18mo. - pp. 194. Burlington, N. J., 1819. - - CAMERON, WILLIAM. A Poetical Dialogue on Religion, in the Scottish - dialect, between two Gentlemen and two Ploughmen; and, two - additional Cantos to Dr. Beattie's Minstrel. Edinburgh, 1788. - - CAMPBELL, GEORGE. Poems and Songs, &c. Born 1761. - - CAMPBELL, THOMAS. The Pleasures of Hope, Gertrude of Wyoming, - Theodoric, Pilgrims of Glencoe, and other Poems and Songs. V. Y. - - CHAMBERS, ROBERT. Poems by. 4to. pp. 48. Edinburgh, 1835. - - CRICHTON, JAMES. (_The Admirable._) Latin Poems. _Sine loco, sine - anno._ - - CHURCHYARD, THOMAS. Chips concerning Scotland, being a collection of - his Pieces relative to that country; with Historical Notes, and - a Life of the Author. (Edited by George Chalmers.) 12mo. pp. - 221. London, 1817. - - CLAPPERTON, --. Wa Worth Maryage! N. D. - - CLARKE, WILLIAM. The Grand Tryal; or, Poetical Exercitations upon - the Book of Job. 1685. - - CLELAND, WILLIAM. A collection of several Poems and Verses composed - upon various occasions. 12mo. pp. 140. 1697. - - COCHRAN, WILLIAM. The Seasons, in Four Descriptive Poems, with Moral - Reflections and Hymns. 1780. - - COCKBURN, MRS. The Flowers of the Forest, and other Songs. N. D. - - COLVIL, R. The Caledonian Hero, and other Poems. 8vo. 1788. - - COLVIL, SAMUEL. The Whigs' Supplication; or, the Scotch Hudibras: a - mock Poem, in two parts. 18mo. pp. 148. St. Andrews, 1796. - - COWPER, ROBERT. Poetry, chiefly in the Scottish language. 2 vols. - 12mo. pp. 285. Inverness, Scotland, 1808. - - CRAWFORD, ARCHIBALD. The Rash Vow, Bonnie Mary Hay, and other Songs - and Poems. 1825. - - CRAWFORD, DAVID. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect; and two - Comedies, namely, Courtship à la Mode, Love at First Sight, and - Love Epistles in Verse. Edinburgh, 1798. - - CRAWFORD, ROBERT. The Bush aboon Traquair, and other Songs. 1732. - - CRAIG, ALEXANDER. Amorous Songs, Sonnets, and Elegies. 4to. London, - 1604. - - CRAIG, JOHN. Poems. 12mo. pp. 147. Edinburgh, 1827. - - CUNNINGHAM, A. (_Earl of Glencairn._) Epistles, and other Poems. - 1542. - - CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN. Sir Marmaduke Maxwell, a Dramatic Poem; the - Mermaid of Galloway; the Legend of Richard Foulder; and twenty - Scottish Songs. 12mo. pp. 210. London, 1822. - - CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN. The Maid of Elvar. A Poem, in Twelve Parts. 12mo. - London, 1832. - - CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS M. _Har'st Kirn_, and other Poems and Songs. - 1797. - - DALRYMPLE, JAMES. A Collection of Songs. 1756. - - DALYELL, JOHN. Scottish Poems of the Sixteenth Century. 2 vols. - 12mo. pp. 161 and 380. Edinburgh, 1802. - - DALZIEL, GAVIN. John and Saunders, a Pastoral; and the Downfall of - Napoleon, with other Poems. 1792. - - DAVIDSON, JOHN. The Poetical Remains of, with a Biographical Account - of the Author. 12mo. pp. 73. Edinburgh, 1829. - - DEMPSTER, THOMAS. Poems and Plays. N. D. - - DIXON, JAMES H. Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads. - 12mo. London, 1845. - - DOIG, DAVID, LL.D. Panoramic Poems. N. D. - - DONALDSON, JAMES. (_Farmer._) A Pick Tooth for Swearers; or, a - Looking-glass for Atheists and Profane Persons: and Husbandry, - Anatomized. 1698. - - DONALD, ANDREW. Plays, Poems, and Songs. London, 1787. - - DOW, ALEXANDER. Plays and Poems. 1769. - - DOUGLAS, FRANCIS. (_Baker._) Rural Love, a Tale in the Scottish - dialect, and the Birth Day. 1741. - - DOUGLAS, GAWIN. (_Bishop of Dunkeld._) Satire on the Times; quharin - the Author schawes the Staet of thys Fals Warld, quhere all - Thyngs is turnit fra Vertue tye Vyce. N. D. - - DOUGLAS, GAWIN. (_Bishop of Dunkeld._) The Palice of Honour. 1553. - - DOUGLAS, GAWIN. (_Bishop of Dunkeld._) _The thirteen Bukes of_ - Eneados, of the Famous Poet Virgill. Translated out of Latyne - verses into Scottish metir. _Every Buke_ having hys perticular - Prologue. 4to. London, 1553. - - DOUGLAS, GAWIN. (_Bishop of Dunkeld._) Virgil's Æneis, translated - into Scottish verse by the famous Gawin Douglas, Bishop of - Dunkeld. A new edition, wherein many of the errors of the former - are corrected, and the defects supplied from an excellent - _Manuscript_. To which is added a large Glossary, explaining the - difficult words, which may serve for a Dictionary to the old - Scottish language. To which is prefixed, an Account of the - Author's Life and Writings, from the best historical records. - Folio. pp. 468, and a Glossary. Edinburgh, 1710. - - DOUGLAS, GAWIN. (_Bishop of Dunkeld._) A Description of Winter, with - his Great Storms and Tempests, and a Description of May. N. D. - - DOUGLAS, R. K. Poems and Songs, chiefly Scottish. 12mo. pp. 168. - Edinburgh, 1824. - - DOUN, ROBERT. Poems in the Gaelic language. N. D. - - DRUMMOND, SIR WILLIAM (_of Hawthornden_). The Poems of, with the - Life of the Author, by Peter Cunningham. 12mo. pp. 336. London, - 1833. - - DRUMMOND, THOMAS, LL.D. Poems Sacred to Religion. 1756. - - DUDGEON, M. Songs, Poems, &c. N. D. - - DUNBAR, JOHN. Epigrams and Elegies. 1616. - - DUNBAR, WILLIAM. The Poems of, now first collected, with Notes, and - a Memoir of his Life, by David Laing. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 326 and - 498. $5.50. Edinburgh, 1834. - - EGLISHAM, D. (_The Detractor of Buchanan._) Latin Poems, &c. - - ELLIOT, SIR GEORGE. Amynta, and other Poems. 1725. - - ERSKINE, ANDREW. Plays, Eclogues, and Songs. 1670. - - ERSKINE, HENRY. The Emigrant, a Poem; the Sensitive Plant and the - Nettle; Songs, &c. - - ERSKINE, REV. RALPH. Gospel Sonnets, and other Poems. 1740. - - ERSKINE, SIR DAVID. King James the First of _Scotland_, a Tragedy in - Five Acts. 12mo. pp. 114. Kelso, 1827. - - ERSKINE, SIR DAVID. King James the Fifth of _Scotland_, a Tragedy in - Five Acts. 12mo. pp. 145. Kelso, 1828. - - EWEN, REV. JOHN. The Boatic Rows, and other Songs. N. D. - - FAIRLIE, ROBERT. The Kalender of Man's Life, in Rhym, and Moral - Emblems. London, 1638. - - FALCONER, WILLIAM. The Shipwreck, and other Poems. 1785. - - FENTON, PETER. (_A Monk._) A Metrical History of Robert Bruce. M. S. - 1369. - - FERGUSON, ROBERT. The Poetical Works of, with a copious Life of the - Author, and numerous engravings on wood by Bewick. 2 vols. 12mo. - pp. 272 and 254. Newcastle, N. D. - - FINLAY, JOHN. Wallace; or, The Vale of Ellerslie, with other Poems. - 12mo. pp. 170. Glasgow, 1806. - - FINLAYSON, WILLIAM. Simple Scottish Rhymes. 12mo. pp. 166. Paisley, - 1815. - - FISHER, JAMES. (_The Blind Musician._) Poems on Various Subjects. - Dumfries, 1792. - - FLEMING, JOHN. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 12mo. pp. - 151. Cupar, Fife, 1803. - - FORBES, ROBERT. Ajax's Speech to the Grecian Knobs, a Journal to - Portsmouth and a Shop Bill. Written in the broad Buchan dialect. - Edinburgh, 1795. - - FORBES, WILLIAM. The Dominie Deposed; or, Intrigue with a Young - _Lass_. (In the Buchan dialect.) 18mo. Paisley, 1798. - - FOWLER, WILLIAM. The Tarantules of Love, and other Poems. 1627. - - FRAME, JAMES. City Odes, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 172. Glasgow, - 1814. - - FULLERTON, JOHN. The Turtle-Dove, under the Absence and Presence of - her only Choice. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1664. - - FYFE, ARCHIBALD. Poems and Criticisms. 12mo. pp. 144. Paisley, 1806. - - GALL, RICHARD. Poems and Songs, with a Memoir of the Author. 12mo. - pp. 168. Edinburgh, 1819. - - GALLOWAY, ROBERT. (_Bookseller._) Poems, Epistles, and Songs, in the - Scottish dialect. Glasgow, 1783. - - GALT, JOHN. Poems on Various Subjects. 8vo. pp. 104. London, 1833. - - GARDEN, F. (_Lord Gardenstone._) Miscellaneous Poems on Various - Subjects. 1764. - - GAULD, HARRY. Poems and Songs. 12mo. pp. 226. Aberdeen, 1828. - - GEDDES, WILLIAM. The Saints' Recreation. 1683. - - GEDDES, ALEXANDER. The Battle of Bangor; or, the Church's Triumph, - and other Poems. 1797. - - GEMMEL, DAVID. Shaws Water, a Poem in the Scottish dialect. 12mo. - pp. 18. Glasgow, 1828. - - GERROND, JOHN. The Poetical and Prose Works, Travels, and Remarks - of. 12mo. pp. 224. Leith, 1813. - - GIBSON, JOHN. Odes and other Poems. 18mo. pp. 127. Edinburgh, 1818. - - GILFILLAN, ROBERT. Poems and Songs. Fifth edition. 12mo. pp. 382. - Edinburgh, 1851. - - GILMOUR, JOHN. Poetical Remains, Harvest Home, Sabbath Sacrament, - and other Poems. 12mo. 1828. - - GLASS, JOHN. The River Tay, a Fragment. N. D. - - GLASS, WILLIAM. Scenes of Gloamin, Original Scottish Songs. 12mo. - pp. 48. Stirling. - - GLASS, WILLIAM. The Caledonian Parnassus: a Museum of Original - Scottish Songs. 12mo. pp. 64. Edinburgh, 1812. - - GLENCAIRN, ALEXANDER. (_Earl of._) Ane Epistle directed from the - Holy Heremite of Allareit to his Brethren of the Graye Freyre. - 1566. - - GLOVER, JANE. Author of "O'er the Moor amang the Heather." 1788. - - GLASSFORD, * * * Bannockburn, a Poem in Four Books. 8vo. pp. 248. - Glasgow, 1810. - - GOLDIE, JOHN. Poems and Songs by Nichol Nano. 1821. - - GOLDIE, JOHN. (_The Poetic Seaman._) The Deil's Burial, Death and - Davie L., Ode to a Haggis, and other Poems. 1826. - - GORDON, GILBERT. A Poem in imitation of the Cherry and Slae, &c. - 1701. - - GORDON, PATRICK. The Famous _Historie of the Renouned and Valliant - Prince Robert, surnamed the Bruce, King of Scotland_, &c., and - sundrie other Valiant Knights, both Scots and English. 4to. - Dort, 1615. - - GORDON, PATRICK. The First Boke of the Famous Historye of _Penardo_ - and _Laessa_, otherwyse called the _Warres of Love_ and - _Ambition_. Done in Heroick Verse. 8vo. Dort, 1615. - - GRÆME, JAMES. Poems on several occasions, with an account of the - Life of the Author by Dr. Anderson. Edinburgh, 1773. - - GRAHAM, D. History of the Rise, Progress, and Extinction of the late - Rebellion in 1745, '46. 8vo. Glasgow, 1774. - - GRAHAME, JAMES. Poetical Works of. 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 171, 314, and - 248. Edinburgh, 1817. - - GRAHAM, JOHN (_of Yew York_). Songs, chiefly in the Scottish - dialect. V. D. - - GRAINGER, JOHN. Translation of the Elegies of Tibulius, Poems of - Sulpitia, and other Poems. London, 1758. - - GRAHAM, JAMES. (_Marquis of Montrose._) Amatory Poems. N. D. - - GRAHAME, SIMEON. The Passionate Sparke of a Relenting Minde, and the - _Anatomie of Humors_. Edinburgh, 1604. - - GRANT, MRS. The Highlanders, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 362. - Edinburgh, 1810. - - GRAY, CHARLES. Lays and Lyrics. 12mo. pp. 272. Edinburgh, 1841. - - GRAY, CHARLES. Poems, &c., &c. 12mo. pp. 175. Cupar, 1811. - - GRAY, ROBERT. Poems in the Scotch and English dialects. 8vo. pp. - 156. Glasgow, 1793. - - GRAY, SIMON. Edinburgh: or, The Ancient Royalty: a Sketch of former - Manners; with Notes. 12mo. pp. 48. Edinburgh, 1816. - - GREENFIELD, ANDREW. Poems, &c. 1790. - - HAMILTON, CHARLES. (_Lord Binning,_) Ungrateful Nancy, and the Duke - of Argyle's Levee. 1740. - - HAMILTON, ELIZABETH. Popular Opinions; or, a Picture of Real Life - exhibited in a Dialogue between a Scottish Farmer and a Weaver, - &c., &c., &c. To which is added an Epistle from the Farmer to - Elizabeth Hamilton _in Scottish Verse_. 8vo. pp. 108. Glasgow, - 1812. - - HAMILTON, PAUL. Poems, Songs, and Translations, &c. N. D. - - HAMILTON, THOMAS. (_Earl of Haddington._) Forty Select Poems, on - several occasions, and Tales in Verse. Edinburgh, 1735. - - HAMILTON, WILLIAM (_of Bangour_). Poems on several occasions. 12mo. - pp. 262. Portrait. Edinburgh, 1760. - - HARPER, WILLIAM. A Version of the Song of Solomon. Edinburgh, 1775. - - HARVEY, JOHN. (_Schoolmaster._) A Collection of Miscellaneous Poems, - and a Life of Robert Bruce in Verse. Edinburgh, 1729. - - HAY, PETER. An Heroic Songe. Aberdeen, 1647. - - HENDERSON, ANDREW. Tragedies, &c. 1752. - - HENRYSON, ROBERT. (_Schoolmaster of Dumferling._) Borrowstown Mons - and the Landwart Mous, and other Fables. In Scottish Verse. - 1575. - - HERON, ROBERT. The Schoolmaster--a Play, and other Poems. N. D. - - HETRICK, ROBERT. (_The Dalmellington Poet._) Craigs of Ness. A Poem - and other Poems and Songs. 1826. - - HERVEY, JOHN. The Life of Robert Bruce King of Scots. An Heroic - Poem, in Three Books. 4to. pp. 232. Edinburgh, 1729. - - HEWIT, ALEXANDER. (_Ploughman._) Poems on Various Subjects, _English - and Scotch_. 12mo. pp. 159. Berwick, 1823. - - HOFLAND, MRS. Wallace; or, the Fight of Falkirk. A Metrical Romance. - 8vo. pp. 252. London, 1810. - - HOGG, JAMES. The Queen's Wake. A Legendary Poem. 8vo. pp. 356. - Edinburgh, 1813. - - HOGG, JAMES. Queen Hynde. A Poem, in Six Books. 8vo. pp. 443. - London, 1825. - - HOGG, JAMES. The Jacobite Relics of Scotland; being the Songs, Airs, - and Legends of the Adherents to the House of Stuart, collected - and illustrated by James Hogg. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 444 and 488. - (_With Music._) Edinburgh, 1819 and 1821. - - HOGG, JAMES. Scottish Pastorals, Poems, Songs, &c., mostly written - in the dialect of the South. 8vo. pp. 62. Edinburgh, 1802. - - HOGG, JAMES. Jock Johnstone the Tinkler. A Poem. See Blackwood for - 1829. - - HOGG, JAMES. A Queer Book. (_Poems._) 12mo. pp. 397. Edinburgh, - 1832. - - HOGG, JAMES. Songs, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 12mo. pp. 317. - Edinburgh, 1831. - - HOGG, JAMES. Dramatic Tales, _or Play in all four_, namely: - All-Hallow Eve, Sir Anthony Moore, The Profligate Prince, and - The Haunted Glen. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 274 and 271. Edinburgh, - 1817. - - HOGG, JAMES. The Mountain Bard, consisting of Ballads and Songs - founded on Facts and Legendary Tales. 8vo. pp. 476. Edinburgh, - 1821. - - HOGG, JAMES. The Pilgrims of the Sun; a Poem. 8vo. pp. 148. London, - 1818. - - HOGG, JAMES. The Poetic Mirror; or, the Living Bards of Britain. - 12mo. pp. 275. London, 1816. - - HOGG, JOHN. Poems on Different Subjects, in the Scottish dialect. - 12mo. pp. 128. Hawick, 1806. - - HOGG, WILLIAM. Poems, chiefly in the Latin language. 1706. - - HOLLAND, SIR RICHARD. The Buke of the Houlate; or, the Danger of - Pride. An Allegorical Poem. (In MS.) 1450. - - HOME, JOHN. Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd: a Tragedy, and other - Plays. 3 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1822. - - HOPE, JOHN. Thoughts, in Prose and Verse. Edinburgh, 1780. - - HOY, JOHN. Poems on Various Subjects. Edinburgh, 1781. - - HUDSON, THOMAS. Historie of Judeth, and Essays of an Aprentese in - the Divine Art of Poesie. 1600. - - HUME, ALEXANDER. Epistle to Moncrief; viz., Defeat of the Spanish - Armada, Flyting with Montgomery, &c. 1599. - - HUME, ALEXANDER. Scottish Songs. 12mo. London, 1835. - - HUME, DAVID. Poems, chiefly Latin. Paris, 1639. - - IMLAH, JOHN. May Flowers: Poems and Songs; some in the _Scottish - dialect_. 12mo. pp. 256. London, 1827. - - INGLES, HENRY. Marican, and other Poems. 8vo. pp. 144. Edinburgh, - 1851. - - INGLIS, SIR JAMES. Poems, consisting of Songs, Ballads, Satires, - Plays, and Farces. (In MS.) About 1513. - - INGLIS, SIR JAMES. The Complaynt of Scotland, written in 1548, with - a Preliminary Dissertation and Glossary. 4to. pp. 384. - Edinburgh, 1801. - - INGRAM, WILLIAM. Poems in the English and Scottish dialects. 8vo. - pp. 126. Aberdeen, 1812. - - JAMES THE FIRST. (_King of Scotland._) The Works of; to which is - appended an Historical and Critical Dissertation on his Life and - Writings. 12mo. pp. 395. Glasgow, 1825. - - JAMES THE FIFTH. (_King of Scotland._) Chryste's Kirk on the Greene. - N. D. - - JAMES THE SIXTH. (_King of Scotland._) Ph[oe]nix; a Metaphorical - Invention, Paraphrase on Lucian, Poem on Tyme, &c., &c. 1616. - - JAMES THE SIXTH. (_King of Scotland._) The Essayes of a Prentise in - the Divine Art of Poesie. With a prefatory Memoir by R. P. - Gillies. 4to. Edinburgh, 1814. - - JAMES THE SIXTH. (_King of Scotland._) His Majestie's Poetical - Exercises at Vacant Hours. 4to. Edinburgh, N. D. - - JAMIESON, J. Songs inspired by several occasions. V. D. - - JOHNSTON, ARTHUR. Parerga and Epigrammata, and a Latin Version of - the Psalms of David. 1632. - - JOHNSTON, PATRICK. The Three Death's Heads. N. D. - - KEITH, C. The Farm's Ha, and other Poems. 1776. - - KENNEDY, JOHN. Fancy's Tour with the Genius of Cruelty, and Geordie - Chalmers, or the Law in Glenbuckie. 1807. - - KENNEDY, WALTER. The Flyting between Dunbar and Kennedy, and other - Poems. 1508. - - KERR, LYON. Scottish Poems, Songs, &c. 18mo. pp. 128. Perth, 1802. - - KERR, ROBERT. (_Earl of Ancram._) Poems and Sonnets. Edinburgh, - 1624. - - KNOX, WILLIAM. The Harp of Zion. A Series of Lyrics founded on the - Hebrew Scriptures. 12mo. pp. 190. Edinburgh, 1825. - - LAIDLAW, WILLIAM. Lucy's Flittin, and other Songs. N. D. - - LAMONT, Æ. M. Poems and Tales in Verse. 12mo. pp. 179. London, 1811. - - LANDSBOROUGH, DAVID. Arron: a Poem. 12mo. pp. 176. Edinburgh, 1827. - - LAPRAIK, JOHN. (_Contemporary and friend of Burns._) Poems on - Several Occasions. 8vo. pp. 248. Kilmarnock, 1788. - - LEMON, JAMES. Original Poems and Songs--partly in the Scottish - dialect. 12mo. pp. 108. Glasgow, 1840. - - LEYDEN, JOHN. Scottish Descriptive Poems; with some Illustrations of - Scotch Literary Antiquity. 12mo. pp. 248: and Scenes of Infancy, - descriptive of Teviotdale. 12mo. pp. 184. Edinburgh, 1803. - - LEYDEN, JOHN. The Poetical Remains of. With Memoirs of his Life by - James Morton. 8vo. pp. 415. Edinburgh, 1819. - - LIDDLE, WILLIAM. Poems on Different Occasions, chiefly in the - Scottish dialect. 12mo. pp. 244. Edinburgh, 1821. - - LINEN, ALEXANDER. Poems, in the Scottish dialect, on Various - Occasions. 12mo. pp. 300. Edinburgh, 1815. - - LINDESAY, SIR DAVID. The Workis of the famous and worthie _Knicht - Schir Lyndesny of the Mount, alias Lyoun King of Armes. Newly - correctit_, and vindicated from the former errouris quhairwith - they war befoir corruptit, and augmentit with sundrie Warkis - quhilk was not before imprentit. The Contents of the Buke, and - quhat Warkis or augmentit, the nixt syde sail schaw. (_First - collected edition of this author's works._) 4to. Edinburgh, - 1568. - - LINDSAY, SIR DAVID. (_Of the Mount, Lion King at Arms under James - V._) The Poetical Works of. A new edition, corrected and - enlarged, with the Life of the Author, prefatory dissertations, - and an appropriate Glossary by _George Chalmers_. 3 vols. 12mo. - pp. 470, 420, and 524. Edinburgh, 1810. - - LINDSEY, ANN. Auld Robin Gray, and other Songs. N. D. - - LITHGOW, WILLIAM. Pilgrim's Farewell to his Native Country of - Scotland, wherein is contained, in way of Dialogue, the Joyes - and Miseries of Peregrination. With his Lamantado in his Second - Travels. 4to. Edinburgh, 1618. - - LITHGOW, WILLIAM. The Gushing Teares of Godly Sorrow, containing the - Causes, Conditions, and Remedies of Sinne, depending mainly upon - Contrition and Confession. 4to. Edinburgh, 1640. - - LITTLE, JANET. (_The Scottish Milkmaid._) Songs, &c. 1784. - - LOCHORE, ROBERT. Poems and Songs in the Scottish dialect. 1799. - - LOCKHART, CHARLES. Poems of, on Various Subjects, in which are - blended the Humourous and Pathetic. 12mo. pp. 178. Ayr, 1836. - - LOCKHART, SIR MUNGO. Poems, &c. This author's works are entirely - lost. 1530. - - LOGAN, JOHN. Poems and Plays, including a Life of the Author. 12mo. - pp. 223. Edinburgh, 1804. - - LOVE, JAMES. Poems on Several Occasions. 8vo. pp. 115. Edinburgh, - 1756. - - LOWE, DR. ALEXANDER. Mary's Dream, and other Songs and Poems. N. D. - - LYLE, THOMAS. Ancient Ballads and Songs, chiefly from Tradition, - Manuscripts, and Scarce Works, with Biographical and - Illustrative Notices, including Original Poetry. 12mo. pp. 250. - London, 1827. - - MACAULAY, JAMES. Poems on Various Subjects, in Scotch and English. - 12mo. pp. 332. Edinburgh, 1788. - - MACDONALD, ALEXANDER. Poems, in Gaelic. 8vo. 1751. - - MAC'INDOE, G. The Wandering Muse; or, a Miscellany of Original - Poetry. 12mo. pp. 228. Paisley, 1818. - - MACLAURIN, JOHN. (_Lord Dreghorn._) The Works of. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. - 189 and 391. Edinburgh, 1798. - - MACNEIL, HECTOR. The Poetical Works of. A new edition, corrected and - enlarged. Five plates and portrait. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 163 and - 196. Edinburgh, 1806. - - MACNEIL, HECTOR. The Links of Forth; or, A Parting Peep at the Carse - o' Stirling. A Plaint. 8vo. pp. 60. Edinburgh, 1799. - - MACPHERSON, JAMES. Poetical Works. 12mo. pp. 118. Edinburgh, 1802. - - MACPHERSON, DONALD. Melodies from the Gaelic, and Original Poems, - with Notes on the Superstitions of the Highlanders, &c. 12mo. - pp. 225. London, 1824. - - MACQUEEN, THOMAS. (_Mason._) The Exile: a Poem in Seven Books. 12mo. - pp. 166; and My Gloaming Amusements, a Variety of Poems on - several serious and entertaining subjects. Glasgow, 1836. - - MACTAGGART, JOHN. The Scottish, Caledonian Encyclopedia; or, the - Original, Antiquated, and Natural Curiosities of the South of - Scotland--interspersed with Scottish Poetry. 8vo. pp. 504. - London, 1824. - - MAITLAND, SIR RICHARD. Auld Kyndness Poryett the Miseries of the - Tyme, &c. 1611. - - MAITLAND, SIR RICHARD. Satire on the Town Ladies, The Age, Malice of - Poets, New Year, and other Poems. 4to. 1570. - - MAITLAND, SIR RICHARD (_of Lethington_). Poems. With an Appendix of - Selections from the Poems of Sir John Maitland, Lord Thirlstane, - and of Thomas Maitland. 4to. pp. 246. Glasgow, 1830. - - MAJORIBANKS, THOMAS. Trifles in Verse, by a Young Soldier. 3 vols. - Kelso, 1774. - - MALLET, DAVID. Poetical Works. 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 201, 234, and 254. - London, 1760. - - MATHISON, THOMAS. The Golf, an Heroic Poem, in Three Cantos. 1754. - - MAYNE, JOHN. The Siller Gun, a Poem, in Five Cantos; and Glasgow, a - Poem. 12mo. pp. 256. London, 1836. - - M'COLL, EVAN. The Mountain Minstrel; or, Poems and Songs in English. - 18mo. pp. 332. Edinburgh, 1838. - - MERCER, JAMES. Lyric Poems, &c. 1804. - - MERCER, WILLIAM. England's Looking-glasse. N.D. - - MESTON, WILLIAM. The Poetical Works. 12mo. pp. 240. Edinburgh, 1767. - - MICKLE, WILLIAM JULIUS. The Poetical Works. Collected from the best - editions by Thomas Park. 24mo. pp. 160. London, 1808. - - MITCHELL, JOHN. A Night on the Banks of Doon, and other Poems. 12mo. - pp. 162. Paisley, 1838. - - MITCHELL, JOSEPH. Pinky House, and other Poems and Plays. 2 vols. - 1729. - - M'KAY, ARCHIBALD. Drouthy Tom, and other Poems, &c. N. D. - - MOFFAT, JOHN. The Wife of Auchtermuchty, and other Poems. N. D. - - MOLLESON, ALEXANDER. Miscellanies in Prose and Verse. 12mo. pp. 222. - Glasgow, 1805. - - MONTEITH, ROBERT. Fratres Fraterrimi Translated, and Ane Theatre of - Mortality. Edinburgh, 1704. - - MONTGOMERY, ALEXANDER. The Cherry and Sloe, with other Poems and - Songs, &c. 1575. - - MONTGOMERY, JAMES. The Wanderer of Switzerland, The West Indies, The - World before the Flood, Greenland, Songs of Zion, The Pelican - Islands, Prison Amusements, Miscellaneous Poems, Lectures on - Poetry, Prose by a Poet, &c., &c. V. D. - - MOORE, DUGALD. The Bards of the North. A Series of Poetical Tales - illustrative of Highland Scenery and Character. 12mo. pp. 222. - Glasgow, 1833. - - MOORE, JAMES. Spirit of the Scots and English Rebels in 1745 - Characterized, and other Poems. 1750. - - MORRISON, DAVID. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 8vo. pp. - 224. Montrose, 1790. - - MOTHERWELL, WILLIAM. Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern, with an - Historical Introduction and Notes. 4to. pp. 518. Glasgow, 1827. - - MOTHERWELL, WILLIAM. Poems, Narrative and Lyrical. 4to. pp. 232. - Glasgow, 1832. - - MOTHERWELL, WILLIAM. Posthumous Poems. 12mo. pp. 187. Boston, 1851. - - MOUNTGOMERY, ALEXANDER. The Poems of, with Biographical Notices by - David Irving. 12mo. pp. 319. Edinburgh, 1821. - - M'PHIEL, D. Songs in the Scottish dialect. V. D. - - M'RAE, JOHN. Original Poems and Songs. 12mo. pp. 193. Inverness, - Scotland, 1816. - - MURRAY, DAVID. The Tragical Death of Sophonisba, and other Pieces. - London, 1611. - - MURRAY, DAVID. (_Viscount Stormont._) Elegies, &c. 1715. - - MUIR, WILLIAM. Poems on Various Subjects, with Notes, Biographical - and Critical. 12mo. pp. 330. Glasgow, 1818. - - MYLNE, JAMES. Poems, consisting of Miscellaneous Pieces; and two - Tragedies. 8vo. pp. 435. Edinburgh, 1790. - - NAPIER, JOHN. (_Lord Merchiston._) Poetical Version of the _Sybillan - Oracles_. Edinburgh. - - NASMYTH, ARTHUR. Divine Poems, and The Man's Looking-glass. - Edinburgh, 1665. - - NEILANS, ALEX. The Hagis, and other Scottish Poems. N. D. - - NICOL, ALEXANDER. Nature without Art; or, Nature's Prayers in - Poetry; and a Fourth Canto of Christ's Kirk on the Green. 1766. - - NICOL, ROBERT. Poems and Lyrics. Edinburgh, 1835. - - NICOL, JAMES. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 2 vols. 12mo. - pp. 196 and 194. Edinburgh, 1805. - - NICHOLSON, WILLIAM. Tales in Verse, and Miscellaneous Poems. 12mo. - pp. 262. Edinburgh, 1814. - - OGILBY, JOHN. Translations of Homer, Æsop, Virgil, and other Poems. - 1649. - - OGILVIE, JOHN. Poems on Several Subjects. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 296 and - 286. Dublin, 1769. - - OGILVY, MRS. D. A Book of Highland Minstrelsy, with Illustrations by - R. R. M'Ian. 4to. pp. 272. London, 1846. - - OSWALD, JOHN. The Virgin's Dream, and other Poems. N. D. - - OSSIAN. The Poems of, in the original Gaelic, with a literal - translation into Latin by the late Robert Macfarlan; together - with A Dissertation on the Authenticity of the Poems by Sir John - Sinclair, Bart.; and a Translation from the Italian of the Abbé - Cesacotti's Dissertation on the Controversy respecting the - Authenticity of Ossian, with Notes and a Supplementary Essay by - John M'Arthur. Published under the sanction of the Highland - Society in London. 3 vols. royal 8vo. pp. 500, 390, and 576. - _Portrait of Ossian._ London, 1807. - - OSSIAN. The Poems of, &c., containing the Poetical Works of James - Macpherson, Esq., in Prose and Rhyme, with Notes and - Illustrations by Malcolm Laing. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 579 and 634. - Edinburgh, 1805. - - PACE, JAMES. Poems on Various Occasions. 18mo. pp. 95. Edinburgh, - 1804. - - PAGAN, ISABEL. (_Author of "Ca the Yowes to the Knowes."_) 1797. - - PANTHER, PATRICK, D. D. Valliados, a Poem in Prais of Wallace. 1633. - - PARK, WILLIAM. The Vale of Esk, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 206. - Edinburgh, 1833. - - PATERSON, NINION. Epigrams, &c. 1679. - - PATTERSON WILLIAM. Plays, &c. 1738. - - PATTERSON, WALTER. The Legend of Iona, with other Poems. 8vo. pp. - 342. Edinburgh, 1814. - - PENNECUIK, ALEXANDER. The Works of, containing the Description of - Tweeddale and Miscellaneous Poems. A new edition, with copious - Notes, forming a complete history of the country to the present - time. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1815. - - PICKEN, EBENEZER. Miscellaneous Poems, Songs, &c., partly in the - Scottish dialect, with a copious Glossary. 2 vols. 18mo. pp. 199 - and 183. Edinburgh, 1818. - - PINKERTON, JOHN. Rimes by. 12mo. pp. 226. London, 1782. - - PITCAIRNE, ARCHIBALD, M. D. Select Poems and Plays. London, 1722. - - PREEBLES, WILLIAM. A poet and commentator on Burns; died 1826. - - PRIMROSS, DAVID. Welcome to James's Return to Scotland. N. D. - - PRINGLE, THOMAS. The Poetical Works of. 8vo. pp. 258. Portrait and - two plates. London, 1839. - - RAMSAY, ALLAN. Poems by. Portrait. 2 vols. 4to. (First collected - edition.) Edinburgh, 1721 and 1728. - - RAMSAY, ALLAN. The Poems of. A new edition, corrected and enlarged; - with a Glossary. To which are prefixed a Life of the Author, - from authentic documents; and Remarks on his Poems from a large - view of their merits; authentic Portrait, from an original - drawing by his son, the late Allan Ramsay; fac simile of the - Poet's handwriting, and copper-engraved Vignette. 2 vols. 8vo. - pp. 573 and 608. London, 1800. - - RAMSAY, ANDREW. The Creation--the Happy Condition of Man before the - Fall. Edinburgh, 1630. - - RAMSAY, JOHN. Poems and Songs in the Scottish dialect. N. D. - - RANKIN, WILLIAM. Poems on Different Subjects. 18mo. pp. 127. Leith, - 1812. - - RENNIE, JOHN. Poems, Miscellaneous and Pastoral. 2 vols. - - RICHARDSON, WILLIAM. Poems, chiefly Rural. 12mo. 1775. - - RICHARDSON, WILLIAM. The Maid of Lochlin, a Lyrical Drama, with - Legendary Odes, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 123. London, 1801. - - RIDDELL, HENRY S. Songs of the Ark, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 336. - Edinburgh, 1831. - - ROBERTSON, ALEXANDER (_of Strowan_). Poems on Various Subjects and - Occasions. 8vo. pp. 260. Edinburgh, N. D. - - RODGERS, ALEXANDER. Poems and Songs, Humorous and Satirical. 12mo. - pp. 339. Glasgow, 1838. - - ROLLAND, JOHN. Ane Treatise callit The Court of Venus; The Seven - Sages; and The Priest of Peblis: a Poetical Satire. 1542. - - ROSS, ALEXANDER. A Picture of the Life of Christ taken from the - Georgies of Virgil. - - ROSS, ALEXANDER. Heleonore; or, The Fortunate Shepherdess: a - Poetical Tale. To which is added the Life of the Author, - containing a particular description of the romantic place where - he lived, and an account of the manners and amusements of the - people of that period, by his grandson, the Rev. Alexander - Thomson. 12mo. pp. 200. Dundee, 1812. - - RUSSELL, WILLIAM, LL. D. Poems and Songs. N. D. - - SADLOCK, M. Songs, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. N. D. - - SANDS, JOHN SIM. Poems on Various Subjects, Political, Satirical, - and Humorous. 12mo. pp. 220. Arbroath, 1833. - - SCOTT, ALEXANDER. (_The Scottish Anacreon._) Lament of the Master of - Erskin, Advyee to Wowars, Counsel to Lustie Ladies, The Blate - Lover, and other Poems. 1550. - - SCOTT, ALEXANDER. A New Year's Gift, addressed to Queen Mary, when - she came first hame. 1562. - - SCOTT, ANDREW. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 18mo. pp. - 204. Kelso, 1811. - - SCOTT, WALTER. Ancient Chronicles and Traditions of our Fathers. - 1688. - - SCOTT, SIR WALTER. Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border; Sir Tristram; - Lay of the Last Minstrel; Ballads, Translations, and Imitations - from the German; Marmion--a Tale of Flodden Field; Lady of the - Lake; Rokeby; The Vision of Don Roderick; The Lord of the Isles; - Bridle of Tuermain; Harold the Dauntless; The Field of Waterloo; - Plays; Miscellaneous and Occasional Poems, Songs, &c. V. Y. - - SEMPIL, FRANCIS. The Banishment of Poverty, and she rose and let me - in. 1638. - - SEMPIL, SIR JAMES. The Packman and the Priest. 1601. - - SEMPLE, ROBERT. Philetus, Ballat of Three Female Taverneers, Fleming - Borg, Elegy on Habit, Simpson the Piper of Kilmarnock, &c. 1568. - - SHARP, ANDREW. A Collection of Poems, Songs, and Epigrams in Scotch, - English, and Irish. 12mo. pp. 154. Perth, 1820. - - SHAW, QUINTIN. Advice to a Courtier: a Poem. 1560. - - SHIRREFS, ANDREW. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 8vo. pp. - 406. Edinburgh, 1790. - - SILLAR, DAVID. (_Contemporary and friend of Burns._) Poems by. 8vo. - pp. 251. Kilmarnock, 1789. - - SIMSON, ANDREW. Trepatriarchicon, or the Lives of the three - Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in Verse; and Doleful - Lamentations on the "Hored Murther" of Archbishop Sharp. 1705. - - SIMPSON, WILLIAM (_of Ochiltree_). Songs, &c. 1788. - - SKINNER, REV. JOHN. Amusements of Leisure Hours, or Poetical Pieces, - chiefly in the Scottish dialect. To which is added a Sketch of - the Author's Life, with some Remarks on Scottish Poetry. 12mo. - pp. 144. Edinburgh, 1809. - - SMITH, THOMAS. Moral, Humorous, and Sentimental Poems. 12mo. pp. - 336. Glasgow, 1806. - - SMART, ALEXANDER. Rambling Rhymes. 16mo. pp. 243. Edinburgh, 1834. - - SMOLLETT, TOBIAS, M. D. Tears of Scotland, Ode to Independence, and - other Poems and Plays. 1750. - - STAGG, JOHN. Miscellaneous Poems, some of which are in the - Cumberland dialect. 12mo. pp. 249. Workington, 1805. - - STEEL, DAVID. The Three Tales of the Three Priests of Pebles; - contayning many notybill Examples and Sentences; and King of Roy - Robert. 4to. (MS.) 1400. - - STEVENSON, WILLIAM. Poems. 2 vols. 12mo. 1765. - - STEWART, ALLAN. The Poetical Remains of, with a Memoir of the - Author. 12mo. pp. 144. Paisley, 1838. - - STILL, PETER. The Cottar's Saturday, and other Poems, chiefly in - Scottish dialect. 18mo. pp. 216. Philadelphia, 1846. - - STIRRAT, JAMES. Poems and Songs, in the Scottish dialect. N. D. - - STIRLING, EARL OF. (_William Alexander._) Recreations with the - Muses. Folio. pp. 594. _London_, 1637; and Doomes-day; or, the - Great Day of the Lord's Judgment. 4to. Edinburgh, 1614. - - STONE, JEROME. The Immortality of Authors: a Poem; and Translations - from the Gaelic. N. D. - - STRUTHERS, JOHN. The Plough, and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 112. - Glasgow, 1818. - - STRUTHERS, JOHN. Poems, Moral and Religious. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 176 - and 189. Glasgow, 1814. - - STRUTHERS, JOHN. The Harp of Caledonia; or, Songs, Ancient and - Modern, chiefly in the Scottish dialect, with copious - Annotations. 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 367, 425, and 456. Glasgow, 1819. - - SYDSERF, SIR THOMAS. Comedies and Tragedies. 1666. - - TAIT, ALEXANDER. (_The Tarbolton Poet._) Poems and Songs. 8vo. pp. - 280. Paisley, 1790. - - TANNAHILL, ROBERT. The Works of, namely, Songs and Poems, chiefly in - the Scottish dialect; and a Play. With a Life of the Author and - a Memoir of Robert Smith the musical composer, by Philip A. - Ramsay. 12mo. pp. 258. London, 1850. - - TAYLOR, WILLIAM. Poems by, mostly in the Scottish dialect. 12mo. pp. - 55. Paisley, 1808. - - TELFER, JAMES. Border Ballads, and other Miscellaneous Pieces. 18mo. - pp. 163. Jedburgh, 1824. - - THOM, WILLIAM. Rhymes and Recollections of a Hand-loom Weaver. 12mo. - pp. 200. London, 1847. - - THOMAS of ERCILDOUNE. Sir Tristram, a Metrical Romance of the - _Thirteenth Century_, by Thomas of Ercildoune, called the - Rhymer. Edited by Walter Scott, Esquire, Advocate. 8vo. pp. 494. - Edinburgh, 1804. - - THOMSON, JAMES. Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect. 12mo. pp. - 237. Leith, 1819. - - THOMSON, JAMES. Ayrshire Melodies, or Select Poetical Effusions. - 12mo. 1814. - - THOMSON, JAMES. The Seasons, Britannia, Liberty, Plays, and Minor - Poems. 2 vols. 4to. London, 1736. - - TRAIN, JOSEPH. Strains of the Mountain Muse, Funeral of Sir - Archibald the Wicked, &c. 1819. - - TURNBULL, GAVIN. (_Comedian._) Poems and Songs, &c. 8vo. 1793. - - TYTLER, ALEXANDER. The Tempest: a Poem. 1681. - - TYTLER, DR. H. W. Art of Nursing Children: a Poem from the Italian; - and Callimachus' Hymns, translated from the Greek. 1806. - - URQUHART, SIR THOMAS. Epigrams and Inventions. N. D. - - VEDDER, DAVID. Poems, Legendary, Lyrical, and Descriptive. 12mo. pp. - 352. Edinburgh, 1842. - - VEDDER, DAVID. The Covenanters' Communion, and other Poems. 12mo. - pp. 157. Edinburgh, 1828. - - VEDDER, DAVID. Arcadian Sketches, Legendary and Lyrical Pieces. - 12mo. pp. 106. Edinburgh, 1832. - - VILANT, WILLIAM. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs; and Gospel Call - in _Meter_. Edinburgh, 1689. - - WALKER, JOHN. Poems in English, Scotch, and Gaelic, on Various - Subjects. 12mo. pp. 143. Glasgow, 1817. - - WALKER, THOMAS. (_The Poetical Tailor._) A Picture of the World: a - Poem. N. D. - - WATSON, DAVID. Translation of Horace, and other Poems. London, 1752. - - WATSON, THOMAS. The Rhymer's Family, a Collection of Bantlings. - Arbroath, Scotland, 1851. - - WEBER, HENRY. Metrical Romances of the 13th, 14th, and 15th - Centuries. Published from Ancient Manuscripts, with an - Introduction, Notes, and a Glossary. 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 466, 479, - and 459. Edinburgh, 1815. - - WEDDERBURN, JAMES. The Complaint of Scotland Gude and Godly, - Ballats, Psalms Versefyed. 1599. - - WEDDERBURN, JAMES. Plays, in the Scottish language. 1540. - - WHITEFORD, CALEB. The Hen and the Golden Egg, and other Poems. - London, 1782. - - WILKIE, WILLIAM. The Epigoniad: a Poem, in Nine Books. 12mo. pp. - 278. London, 1769. - - WILSON, ALEXANDER. (_The Ornithologist._) Poems, chiefly in the - Scottish dialect, with an Account of the Life and Writings of - the Author. 12mo. pp. 256. London, 1816. - - WILSON, GAVEM. A Collection of Masonic Songs, and Entertaining - Anecdotes for the Use of all the Lodges. 1788. - - WILSON, JOHN. Clyde: a Poem; The Day Festival; Earl Douglas, and - other Poems. 12mo. pp. 252. Edinburgh, 1803. - - WILSON, WILLIAM. (_Schoolmaster._) Douglas Water, Heppintone, and - other Poems of a Mournful, Religious, and Melancholy cast. About - 1800. - - WRIGHT, JOHN. The Retrospect of Youthful Scenes, with other Poems - and Songs. 12mo. pp. 177. Edinburgh, 1830. - - WYSE, GEORGE. Original Poems and Songs. 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 252, 230, - and 300. Glasgow and Falkirk, 1825-29. - - WYNTOWN, ANDREW OF. De Oryggneal Cronykil of Scotland. Now first - published, with Notes, a Glossary, &c., by David Macpherson. 2 - vols. pp. 501 and 523. London, 1795. - - YEMAN, ALEXANDER. The Fisherman's Hut in the Highlands of Scotland, - and other Poems. 12mo. pp. 152. London, 1807. - - - - -COLLECTIONS, AND ANONYMOUS AUTHORS. - - - A BOOK of Scottish Pasquels, &c. Three Parts in one Volume. - Edinburgh, 1827. - - A CHOICE Collection of Scotch Poems, Ancient and Modern, selected - chiefly from the labours of the most ingenious Writers in this - kingdom during the last two centuries. 12mo. pp. 178. - - A COLLECTION of Comic and Serious Scotch Poems, both Ancient and - Modern, by several Bards. Three Parts. 12mo. pp. 146, 117, and - 120. Edinburgh, 1706. - - A COLLECTION of Scarce, Curious, and Valuable Pieces, both in Verse - and Prose, chiefly selected from the fugitive productions of the - most eminent Wits of the present age. 12mo. pp. 412. Edinburgh, - 1784. - - A COLLECTION of Ancient and Modern Scottish Ballads, Tales, and - Songs, with explanatory Notes and Observations. By John - Gilchrist. 2 vols. 12mo. London, 1815. - - A NEW BOOK of Old Ballads. 12mo. pp. 78. Edinburgh, 1844. - - A PILGRIMAGE to the Land of Burns, containing Anecdotes of the Bards - and the Characters he immortalized, with numerous Pieces of - Poetry, Original and Collected. 12mo. pp. 260. Deptford, 1822. - - A PLEASANT HISTORY of Roswell and Lillian. 4to. pp. 310. Edinburgh, - 1663. - - A TALE of the Three Bonnets, in Four Cantos. 18mo. Paisley, N. D. - - ALLAN, JOHN (_of New York_). Ayrshire and the Land of Burns. This is - a unique repository of Newspaper Cuttings, Ballads, Songs, - Biographical Anecdotes, Autograph Letters, Oral Traditions, - Queer Jokes, Cards of Invitation, besides portraits of - distinguished personages, and a great assemblage of engraved - views of noted places in that renowned part of Scotland. - Collected by the diligence of the present owner, and arranged - with great taste and beauty, in one folio volume. New York, N. - D. - - ANCIENT SCOTTISH MELODIES, from a Manuscript in the reign of King - James VI., with an Introductory Inquiry Illustrative of the - History of Music in Scotland by William Downey. 4to. pp. 390. - Edinburgh, 1838. - - ANCIENT SCOTTISH POEMS, published from the MS. of George Bannatyne, - 1568. Edited by Lord Hailes. 8vo. £1 1s. Edinburgh, 1815. - - ANCIENT SCOTTISH POEMS. Two--the Gaberlunzie-man and Christ's Kirk - on the Green, with Notes and Observations by John Callander. - 8vo. pp. 192. Edinburgh, 1772. - - ANCIENT SCOTTISH BALLADS, recovered from Tradition, and never before - published, with Notes, historical and explanatory, and an - Appendix, containing the Airs of several of the Ballads. 8vo. - pp. 270. London, 1827. - - AYRSHIRE. The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire, illustrated with - Sketches, Historical, Traditional, Narrative, and Biographical. - 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 120 and 122. Ayr, 1846 and '47. - - CAMPBELL, ALEXANDER. An Introduction to the History of Poetry in - Scotland from the beginning of the 13th Century to the Present - Time, together with a Conversation on Scottish Songs. To which - are subjoined Songs of the Lowlands of Scotland, carefully - compared with the original editions, and embellished with - characteristic designs, composed and engraved by the late David - Allan. 2 vols. 4to. pp. 374 and 220. Music and Plates. - Edinburgh, 1798. - - CHALMERS, ROBERT. Scottish Songs Collected and Illustrated. 2 vols. - 12mo. pp. 706. Edinburgh, 1829. - - CHAMBERS, ROBERT. Scottish Ballads Collected and Illustrated. 12mo. - pp. 399. Edinburgh, 1829. - - COLLECTION of Ancient Scottish Prophecies in Alliterative Verse: - reprinted from Waldegrave's edition, M.DC.III. 4to. pp. 80. - Edinburgh, 1833. - - CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN. The Songs of Scotland, Ancient and Modern; with - an Introduction and Notes Historical and Critical, and - Characters of the Lyric Poets. 4 vols. crown 8vo. pp. 352, 352, - 352, and 364. London, 1825. - - FINLAY, JOHN. Scotch Historical and Romantic Ballads, chiefly - ancient, with Explanatory Notes and Glossary. To which is - prefixed Some Remarks on the Early State of Romantic Composition - in Scotland. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 214 and 204. Edinburgh, 1808. - - FRAGMENTS of Ancient Poetry Collected in the Highlands of Scotland, - and translated from the Gaelic or Erse language. 12mo. pp. 200. - _First edition of the Ossianic Poems._ Edinburgh, 1760. - - FRAGMENTA SCOTO. Dramatica, 1715 and 1758. 12mo. pp. 48. Edinburgh, - 1835. - - GILCHRIST, JOHN. A Collection of Ancient and Modern Scottish - Ballads, Tales, and Songs, with Explanation Notes and - Observations. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 393 and 380. Edinburgh, 1815. - - HERD, DAVID. Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads, &c. - 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 312 and 382. Edinburgh, 1776. _Third_ and - improved edition. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 360 and 371. Edinburgh, - 1791. - - JACOBITE MINSTRELSY, with Notes illustrative of the Text, and - containing Historical Details in relation to the House of Stuart - from 1640 to 1784. 18mo. pp. 378. Glasgow, 1827. - - JAMESON, ROBERT. Popular Ballads and Songs from Tradition, - Manuscripts, and Scarce Editions; with Translations of similar - Pieces from the Ancient Danish language, and a few Original by - the editor. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 371 and 409. Edinburgh, 1806. - - JOHNSON, JAMES. The Scottish Musical Museum; consisting of upwards - of Six Hundred Songs, with Proper Basses for the Pianoforte, - originally published by James Johnson, and now accompanied with - copious Notes and Illustrations of the Lyric Poetry and Music of - Scotland by the late William Stenhouse, with Additional - Illustrations. 6 vols. 8vo. pp. 320, 226, 226, 270, 249, and - 260. London, 1839. - - LAING, DAVID. Early Metrical Tales, including the History of Sir - Egeir, Sir Gryme, and Sir Gray Steill. 12mo. pp. 310. (175 - _copies printed._) Edinburgh, N. D. - - LINTOUN GREEN; or, The Third Market-day of June, 1685: a Poem, in - Nine Cantos. To which is added Carlop Green; or, Equality - Realized: a Poem, in Three Cantos, written in the year 1793. - 12mo. pp. 178. - - MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. Legends of, and other Ancient Songs, now first - published from MSS. of the Sixteenth Century, with an - Introduction, Notes, and an Appendix. 4to. pp. 174. London, - 1790. - - MEMORABLES of the Montgomeries: a Narrative in Rhyme. 4to. Glasgow, - 1770. - - MINSTRELSY of the Scottish Border, consisting of Historical and - Romantic Ballads, collected in the counties of Scotland; with a - few of modern date, founded upon Local Tradition. (_By Sir - Walter Scott._) 3 vols. 8vo. pp. 438, 392, and 420. Kelso. - - MORRISON, R. A Select Collection of Favourite Scottish Ballads, with - copper plates. 4 vols. 18mo. Perth, 1790. - - NITHSDALE MINSTREL, being Original Poetry, chiefly of the Bards of - Nithsdale. 12mo. pp. 314. Dumfries, 1815. - - NORTHERN ANTIQUITIES. Illustrations of, from the Earliest Teutonic - and Scandinavian Remains, being an abstract of the Books of - Heroic and Nibelungin Lays, with Translations of Metrical - Tales--from the old German, Danish, Scottish, Icelandic - languages--with Notes and Illustrations. 4to. pp. 522. - Edinburgh, 1814. - - NORTHERN MINSTRELSY, being a Select Specimen of Scottish Songs, with - a Glossary, and wood engravings. 12mo. pp. 138. N. D. - - PERCY, THOMAS. (_Bishop of Dromore._) Reliques of Ancient English - Poetry, consisting of old Heroic Ballads, Songs, and other - Pieces of our earlier Poets, together with a few of later date. - 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 489, 405, and 410. _Engraved head and tail - pieces._ London, 1775. - - PINKERTON, JOHN. Ancient Scottish Poems, never before in print, but - now published from the Manuscript Collections of Sir Richard - Maitland, comprising Pieces written from about 1420 to 1586, - with large Notes and a Glossary. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 326 and 380. - London, 1786. - - PINKERTON, JOHN. Scottish Ballads, a Collection of. 2 vols. 12mo. - pp. 225 and 240. London, 1771. - - PINKERTON, JOHN. Scottish Poems Reprinted from Scarce Editions. 3 - vols. 12mo. pp. 215, 263, and 246. London, 1792. - - PINKERTON, JOHN. Select Scottish Ballads, containing Ballads in the - Tragic style and Comic kind. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 216 and 240. - London, 1773. - - POEMS, consisting chiefly of Odes and Elegies. 12mo. pp. 176. - Glasgow, 1810. - - POEMS, written in Leisure Hours. (_By a Journeyman Mason._) 12mo. - pp. 263. Inverness, 1829. - - RITSON, JOSEPH. Scottish Songs. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 408 and 262. - London, 1794. - - RITSON, JOSEPH. The Caledonian Muse: a Chronological Collection of - Scottish Poetry from the Earliest Times; with vignettes engraved - by Heath after the designs of Stothard. 12mo. pp. 232. London, - 1821. - - ROB STENE'S Dream: a Poem, printed from a Manuscript in the - Leightonian Library, Dumblane. 4to. pp. 48. Glasgow, 1836. - - SCOTTISH ELEGIAC VERSES. MD.C.XXIX.-M.D.C.C.XXIX., with Notes, and - an Appendix of Illustrative Papers. 8vo. pp. 330. Edinburgh, - 1842. - - SELECT REMAINS of the Ancient Popular Poetry of Scotland, collected - by David Laing. 4to. pp. 328. Edinburgh, 1822. - - SIBBALD, J. Chronicles of Scottish Poetry from the Thirteenth - Century to the Union of the Crowns. To which is added a - Glossary. 4 vols. 8vo. pp. 492, 438, 512, and 63. Edinburgh, - 1802. - - SHELDON, FREDERIC. The Minstrelsy of the English Border, being a - Collection of Ballads, Ancient, Remodeled, and Original, founded - on the well-known Border Legends, with Illustrative Notes. 4to. - pp. 432. London, 1847. - - THE BATTLE of Flodden Field. 12mo. _Black Letter._ Newcastle, 1822. - - THE BALLAD BOOK. (_Mussel Mou'd Charlie._) 12mo. pp. 88. Edinburgh, - 1827. - - THE CALEDONIAN. A Collection of Poems, written chiefly by _Scottish - Authors_. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 176 and 236. London, 1775. - - THE HAR'ST RIG and the Farmer's Ha--two Poems in the Scottish - dialect. 12mo. pp. 64. Edinburgh, 1801. - - THE SONGS of England and Scotland. 2 vols. pp. 351 and 361. London, - 1835. - - THOMSON, GEORGE. The Select Melodies of Scotland, interspersed with - those of Ireland and Wales, united to the Songs of Burns, Sir - Walter Scott, and other distinguished Poets, with Symphonies and - Accompaniments for the Pianoforte by Pleyel, Kozeluch, Haydn, - and Beethoven, the whole composed for a Collection by George - Thomson. 6 vols. small folio. London, N. D. - - THOMSON, WILLIAM. Orpheus Caledonius; or, a Collection of _Scots - Songs_ set to Music. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 114 and 110. London, 1733. - - VARIOUS PIECES of Fugitive Scottish Poetry, principally of the - Seventeenth Century. (_Edited by David Laing._) 12mo. pp. about - 300. Edinburgh, N. D. - - WALLACE. The Lyfe and Actis of the Maist Illuster and Vailzeand - Champion William Wallace, Knicht of Ellerslie, Mainteiner and - Defender of the Libertie of Scotland. 4to. Edinburgh, 1594. - - WEBER, HENRY. The Battle of Flodden Field: a Poem of the Sixteenth - Century; with the various readings of the different copies, - historical notes, a Glossary, and an Appendix containing Ancient - Poems and Historical Matters relating to the same event. 8vo. - pp. 389. 2 plates. Edinburgh, 1808. - -........... - -Transcribers Note: -~Inconsistent punctuation and bracketing have been retained. -~Inconsistent double quotes have been retained. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral Comedy, by -Allan Ramsay - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GENTLE SHEPHERD: A *** - -***** This file should be named 40639-8.txt or 40639-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/6/3/40639/ - -Produced by Bryan Ness, Katie Hernandez and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Print project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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