I a °s \> * •< * « , •% V W *.<* & '. ^ %> > />-' ^ ><<•.,.% "•%,.<# '•f^. ' \ & F <* ^ ^ Qft <6 Q< POEMS SENTIMENTAL AND HUMOROUS. BY W. MACINTYRE, &vo&Tlffyive. GLASGOW: ROBERTSON & ATKINSON. JAMES ROBERTSON AND CO., EDINBURGH; WILLIAM RALSTON, CAMPBELTON MDCCCXXV. 10 ^:& r/\-1^ OiFT BQ& JAMES S. CHILDERS -,. alULY 26, 1944 J. STARKE, PRINTER. a TO ft WALTER FREDERICK CAMPBELL, ESQ. Oflslay and SJiawJield, M. P. THE FOLLOWING POEMS ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS MOST OBEDIENT, MUCH OBLIGED, AND HUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. Inveraray, 30th May, 1825. CONTENTS. Page Preface, » 5 Ode to Inveraray and the surrounding Scenery, I Erin.— Written during her distress, in 1823, 13 Manfred and Eudora, 18 The harassed Farmer, 23 On the Emigration from the Highlands, 30 Sancho Panza's Soliloquy, and Address to his Ass, when buried in the Vaults, on his way from Barataria, 37 Sancho Panza's Extrication, 4<3 Contest of Patronage; or the Lawyer and the Deil, 50; Jock's Frolic, 57 An Allegorical Voyage, 69 Lines on viewing the Tombstone of the late D. M'N— — — . Esq., Inveraray, 78 On finding a Bird in a Trap, 8th February, 79 Verses on finding a dead Red-breast, which apparently had expired from the intensity of the Winter, 82 On hearing of the demise of a young friend, who died in the West Indies, 84< The Epitaph, 87 The Dying Sinner, 88 JV CONTENTS. Page Giaco. — A Tale, 97 Cottage Felicity, .102 Filthus and Flamira, Lines on seeing a person impose a noise upon a Company, 106 by way of Music, • ° * * . 108 Clerical Enthusiasm,. 114. Outlines, '- Culinary observations, addressed to a young Gentleman, 118 122 The Golden Age, The Kniffht of La Mancha's adventure of the Enchanted 124 Bark, '*" EPITAPHS. spoken person, 138 On an excessive Loquacious and Quick-spoken person, On a Lame person, ib. On a Miser, 139 On the late celebrated Mr. Sadler,;. SONGS- 140 Flora MacDonald's Lament, 142 Eugine, the Lunatic, ' Napoleon's Cannon sounded, When Scotia's sacred rights of old, 151 The Lass of Inveraray, 159 The Pale-faced Orb, Prince Charlie's Address on his defeat at Culloden, 154 PREFACE. In an age like the present, when the Pegasus of' Britain is so triumphantly mounted, it would he unpardonable in the author of the following Verses, for a moment to imagine, that any production* of his, would either afford amusement, or excite particular attention in those who may honour it with a perusal. His chief object was of a local nature, and his principal excitement, an affectton fcfr his country. It was with extreme regret that ne heard the beauties of other districts sung by their respective Bards, while the beauties of Argyll were allowed to remain un- noticed; and, though aware that he has but slender pre- tensions to the title of a Bard, he nevertheless, presumes • - PREFACE. to give publicity to the following Verses. He may have fallen short of his ohject; but still, he shall be gratified in the hope, that some competent genius may resume the subject, and,-though his feeble capacity may have failed, _ g ive to Argathalia the praises to which the sublimity of her scenery entitle her. •*>^ ^ — ODE TO INVERARAY AND THE SURROUNDING SCENERY. Sweet, lovely Village of my earliest days! A humble Muse attempts to sing thy praise; The task may far surpass untutor'd skill, But still the task is genial to the will. My happiest days in Argathalia pass'd, And on her shore I'd fondly spend my last: To breathe her sea-breeze, or her mountain air: To angle on her coast, or hunt the deer ; Or with some ancient sage to pass the while, And listen to the legends of Argyll: Or hear him, with more verity, unfold The actions of her warriors of old, And to the thought portray the battle fields, Where lack of strength and not of number yields : Or, from tradition, tell how wars arose Between Argyll the warrior and Montrose. ODE TO INVERARAY. And how, as victims to their chieftain's cause, The martyr'd Campbells fell by cruel laws : WlTo knew not Monmouth — who for James had fought, Had James at Sedgemoor their assistance sought : — Who, guiltless as their noble, guiltless lord, Fell by the barb'rous Writ of " Fire and Sword," A monument, a tribute to the slain, Doth to thy sons the Massacre explain. But why digress, my muse! so much at large When Aray's is the pledge you should discharge? Retrace thy steps — forsake these woes awhile, And sing the lovely domains of Argyll. The lovely village, all, Argyll ! thine own- Altho' by Charles made a royal Town, Is independent of a King's command — She holds a Charter seal'd by Nature's hand. Her lofty Vista, Guardian of the rear, Protects her peace when Boreas may appear. When ruthless Winter from the scene has fled, And in vertumnal robes her fields are clad. In splendour view, when in this dress array'd, The God of Nature and his works display'd. Should western gusts our fields incline to sweep, They find protection from Craig-Bruach's steep : ODE TO INVERARAY. The stormy south may roll to Aray's shore, — She has a safeguard and disdains his roar : She finds her shipping shelter in her bay — The angry wind may southward bend his way. No structures here for Idiots to admire — We have a Temple with a modest spire, In which the Celtic Briton may adore His mighty Maker as in days of yore : His holy aid with reverence invoke In the same tongue which his forefathers spoke, And where we, too, may sing His holy praise In the plain language of our modern days. No Palaces their foolish wings display, As if displeas'd, and fain to fly away; A massy Castle, in the Gothic style, Displays the sense and genius of Argyll. No towers, such as some dotard-ancients made, Irregular, bespeak a giddy head ; Nor does it dread what some impute as guilt — That it has not been some five centuries built. The ancient order moderniz'd with skill, Gives rev'rence due to ancient genius still ; Its turrets, in their dignity of grace, Declare its owner of a noble race. » ODE TO INVERARAY. While martial arms the splendid hall adorn, They call to mind the ancient lords of Lorn ; In council great — and warriors in the field, In patriotism prompt the sword to wield. All else within, in elegance and grace, Are correspondent with the noble place. — The field, surrounding, interspers'd with trees, Refers to Nature, and with her agrees, While by its verge the Aray's water winds, And forms a scene that no description finds. Or North or South, or turning East or West, 'Tis difficult to say which pleaseth best. To some place not so bless'd — one scene from thee, And then that place a Paradise would be; For here or there, where'er we turn the eye, The various works of Nature seem to vie, Which terminated, every way, by hills, The soul contemplative with rapture fills. The whole confin'd, yet Nature so unfurl'd, Makes Inveraray seem a little world: If thro' thy woods or lawns inclin'd to rove, The scene surpasseth each Utopian grove; Th' Elysian fields, or the Arcadian plain Ideal beauties may assume in vain : No heathen images thy scenes pervade — Each praise bestows on Him by whom 'twas made, ODE TO INVERARAY. And shows the power of his unerring hand, 'Mongst lofty wilds, such beauties to command. Arise, oh Shira! let thy vale be seen, And show where Nature hath so lavish been. Thy hills in their Autumnal covering take, Reflected in thy smooth and stilly Lake — Thy Lake — where various finny tribes abound, Thy Lake — that waters all thy fields around — Display when ting'd with parting rays of noon, Or calm, and silverized by the moon. Thy hills — thy vale with Switzerland might vie, And thy smooth lake, Italian lakes defy. No Naturalist could Nature ask to do More than she has, oh Shira! done for you; Thy long stretch'd meadows, by the river fed — And woodlands, for thy flocks, to form a shade ; Thy tow'ring barns on the distant ground, Enliven all the scenery around ; And while your banks can boast the fatt'ning steer, Ascend the hill and view the fallow-deer; Or else, perhaps, some young and tender fawn Sports with its dame upon the lower lawn, And to the gen'ral scene a richness gives Which none, a stranger, easily conceives. ODE TO INVERARAY. When leaving thee, and grieving to depart, Thy sister -field alleviates the heart — Her-lofty avenue of ancient trees, With the old foliage of thy hills agrees. Inviting then to stay, the shade is kind, For, stopping here the tourist looks behind ; And cannot but in rhapsody survey Loch-Shira's outlet, and the shady bay : Her waters here their pristine course pursue, And pass this field to renovate the view : There meand'ring in a serpentine line; The crystal stream pays homage to Lochfyne; Here many a faithful, now out- worn steed, Enjoys his noble owner's grateful meed — Permitted here to graze upon its soil, The gen'rous action, worthy of Argyll. Come Dunacuach! next, assist my lays — Ev'n from thy lofty summit to thy base : Display thy beauties to the wond'ring sight — Invite the stranger to thy steepy height; And, from within thy cool and ancient tower, Show him in miniature each grove and bower: Show him, from where her meadows have their birth. The Aray, flowing from her parent North, ODE TO INVERARAY. Descending, smooth, by regular cascades, Where no rude rock her winding course impedes ; And, when arrived at the bridge of Frew, Ask him, what Artist such a scene e'er drew? A portrait by my pen can not be given — The scene is worthy of a pen from Heaven. (Tis here, sweet Aray ! that thy beauties shine — Resplendent richness, in this grove, is thine.) Direct him onward to thy eastern base, And in the varied view his praises raise. In silent rev'rence downward bend his head To view the dormitory of the dead : The hallow'd grotto with its gloomy air, Mark it peculiar to the sacred care. The solemn grandeur of this drear retreat — The general sepulchre of low and great — The aged beeches, mourning o'er the sod, Shall raise the soul instinctively to God ; And tho' no kindred friend he here may mourn — He'll shed a tear upon the general urn ; And when he gives that tribute to the place, The stranger back his footsteps may retrace, And have the princely palace of Argyll, To change his melancholy to a smile, Here Art and Nature lovingly agree, The noble turret and the lofty tree; 5 ODE TO INVERARAY. The winding Aray, and the flow'ry field A pleasing grandeur to the mansion yield. And thou Lochfyne ! to thee my voice I raise- Thy cheering aspect, and thy sandy bays: In debt to thee stands Inveraray most — Her chiefest riches and her greatest boast: The town, its motto, doth from thee derive, So by that motto may her children thrive : And that their nets with silv'ry spangles shine, Is yours to give them, and the wish is mine. One valley yet, and yet one grove, remain, To share the praises of my rustic pen ; 'Twas in its recess stood the sacred bow r Which was the scene of many a happy hour: Where with my friend, (alas ! these joys are o'er ; For now he's buried on an Indian shore,) Where with my friend at eve I often hied, To share his thoughts and with him mine confide. 'Twas there at first my native rural muse Did in my soul her sacred fire infuse, And rose her vision to my youthful mind, To have my wand'ring thoughts to her confin'd She show'd the various grandeur of this glen— I'll give the vision as I saw it then.— ODE TO INVERARAY. One morning, in the vernal month of May, While Phoebus yet withheld one cheering ray, I bent my way to Essachosan's vale Saluted by the early nightingale, And as I stroll'd across the dewy lawn, Disturb'd the timid leveret, or fawn. I soon approach'd the hoary-clifted glen With anxious step the object to obtain ; And as I to the fav'rite grove drew near, A distant vision struck my soul with fear. I saw, recumbent, 'neath a spreading tree A female form, absorb'd in reverie ; And onward, unperceiv'd, my footsteps led, To know the lodger of the dewy bed ; Close, yet more close, I sent my wond'ring eyes- Its lustre spoke a being from the skies : The radiant feature, and transcendent grace Denied it kindred with the human race: The flowing hair, celestially unfuiTd, A Being spoke* of some more glorious world, I prostrate fell, nor could I longer gaze, So dazzled with th' effulgence of its rays. " Arise," it said, U nor dread thee any harm" — I rose obsequious to the heavenly form, And follow'd as the vision led the way, In thoughtful wonder, and in huge dismay — 10 ODE TO INVERARAY. The form sublime — and the celestial face Display'd the lowness of my humble race; Ita brow the seat of conscientious ease, And " every look and feature form'd to please 1" Show'd the vast distance mortals had to rise Ere they resembled Beings of the skies. When at the bower, o'ershadow'd by an oak, The morning vision in this manner spoke — " When Fancy leads me to forsake my grove And thro' this valley and these woods to rove ; I oft regret the beauties of the Glen, Give inspiration to no Poet's pen. This solitary spot — this little green, Seem the enchantment of a Fairy scene ; And would some Poet imitate Parnel, He, here, would for his Hermit find a cell, And in this solitary, sweet retreat, He'd have a bed of moss — and verdant seat — And food of fruit, and drink he here might call, Among those bushes, and this water-fall. Or, if some youthful Muse, in fancy's dream, Should wish an alcove, and a gentle stream, Then let him here his wand'ring steps pursue, And each of these, he'll find, sweet vale ! in you. Nor form'd, like Bruar Water, to complain Of want of woods to beautify the scene : ODE TO INVERARAY. 11 The little troutlings, too, are always free To some eool spot o'ershadow'd by its tree, And should bright Phoebus find their lurking hole, They upward glide and shun him in the pool. Had Ossian sought one gift from me to have, He here for Fingal would have found a cave; Or if his heath-men wish'd for fallow-deer— They in abundance would have found them here; Or, the wild moor-cock if they wish'd to kill, They would have found him on my either hill. Immortal Shenstone! if you had been here, Thou wouldst this vale deem worthy of thy care, Some fleecy ewes should here their pasture find, Thyself their guardian and their shepherd kind : Some Colin hither, with his reed and crook, You'd send to cheer the grove and grace the brook. And thou, O Burns! who rais'd thy country's fame, Would sing in praise of Essachosan's name : My arbour, here, would oft have been the seat Where faithful lovers innocently met, And secretly divulg'd the tender tale- Then left it hidden in my sacred vale. But I am here, an unbefriended muse — No vot'ry aids me, nor my path pursues : No Norval graces my romantic hills : No Errant in this Vale his vow fulfils: 12 ODE TO INVERARAY. No Ramsay I, to breathe a Patie's love, Or for his Peggy thro' my woods to rove. Not ev'n an Elegy— a Song— an Ode, Has been the offspring of my sweet abode. Take thou the pen, and in thy rustic way, Make known my sorrows in a simple lay; Some Poet then, or some superior bard, May give to Essachosan her reward; And to her Muse inscribe some rural tale, Or sound the praises of her lovely Vale!" Thus said, the vision vanish'd from my eyes, And with its voice the humble bard complies: He gives the beauties,— gives them loosely dress'd,- Arise, some abler bard and do the rest. ERIN. 13 ERIN. Written during her distress in 1823. " They have nothing; they are perfectly naked as to clothing, and perfectly helpless, without any comfort or convenience, or any possible way of gaining a livelihood." Countess of Gleng all's Report. Guardian of Erin! hear thy Daughter's tale, And, pitying, shed a sympathizing tear ; Or now withdraw the dark impending veil, That hangs around, portentous of despair. For Erin's woes and suff'rings deign to feel : Her sighs and tears, oh ! condescend to know ; To joyous thoughts a moment bid farewell; Whilst I my wonted sprightliness forego. The shafts of fate, in Poverty's attire, Strike on the hamlet and the humble cot, Guardian of Erin! see thy sons expire Or else relieve them of their hapless lot. B 14 ERIN. Bless'd be the gen'rous, virtuous Glengall, Who would not, with unmoved feeling, see Hibernia's children 'neath distresses fall, As if unworthy of Humanity. See her pine o'er the needy, helpless poor, Their sad calamities with truth unfold; And paint them, starving, at the bounteous door, Where, with effect, their sufferings may be told. Behold, Glengall ! from Heaven behold descend, The seraph that guards o'er the gen'rous heart; And, glad to find such bounty at thy hand, Haste back to Heav'n the tidings to impart. The record there, for charitable deeds, This soothing act for Erin's sons shall bear: . Erin, unable to supply her needs, Can only blush and shed a grateful tear Britain — that fountain of true sympathy, Feels, as her own, her sister Erin's woes, And, with a soul benevolent and free, She gives, unask'd, the bounty she bestows. ERIN. 15 If those who, lately, scarce could live, now perish, What comes of hosts that, suppliant, liv'd on them, And who had ne'er enough themselves to cherish ? But in death's record to enrol their name. The forest-tribes we see kind Nature clothe, Nor do they know from whom the blessings come- Shall man — shall fav'rite man his being loathe, And only find a cov'ring in the Tomb? Ah no ! this is not Nature's general way — We scan too hard — nor judge the real cause — Others have felt what we feel here to-day — According to her various special laws. Could we below, a human system find, To blend our luxuries with our distress, The medium, then, by these extremes combin'd, W r ould thus make Nature Poverty repress. The sad vicissitude which Erin mourns, Gives origin to the more sad events — Tythes to meet more than the land returns, Exclusive of the landlord's legal rents. 16 ERIN. For Famine now prevails throughout the land, (And Famine is the harbinger of woe,) Nor leaves enough to meet the Laws command ; Yet what more can the cottager bestow? The Harp of Erin now may dormant lye, Mute or untun'd, no one will touch the lyre ; Unless to sound a Dirge or Elegy, A mournful Minstrel strikes the tuneless wire. Oh Poverty! of virtue the hard test! What forcest thou my children to commit? For deeds concerted in their wildest cast, The starving peasant is no more unfit. Driv'n to fanat'cism by distress — ? They sin, yet still the crime is scarcely one: They pillage — but they only «teal redress, To mitigate the sufferings of their young. Is there no spark of love in fathers here? Yea ! will they not their naked daughters cover? Or where's the rustic swain, who yet would bear To meet, indecently, a modest lover? ERIN. 17 Parental love has not so far decay'd As to behold, with sullen, callous gloom, The pending fate, and not grasp every aid To save a starving infant from the tomb. Nor has the love alternate — filial love, From Erin's children yet for ever gone — They deem it kindness, duty doth them move- To feel alike their sires' wants and their own. But, oh Heaven ! retard their worse misdoings, Which by no human law can be forgiven: Save Erin's land from infamy and ruins— That Mercy show which is alone in Heaven. Hibernia's Shamrock cause to flourish yet; Guardian of Erin! former scenes restore; And place her Harper on his fav'rite seat To strike the minstrelsy of days of yore. Hail Britannia ! thou Nation great and free ! Hail thou! the gen'rous, virtuous Glengall! Erin her homage ever owes to thee, Should Erin flourish or should Erin fall. 18 MANFRED AND EUDORA. MANFRED AND EUDORA, (From the Romance of that name.) The lovely Eudora, her sire's house exiled, Expos'd to the tempest, and night's dreary gloom, Shed tears o'er her infant — the little babe smiled — Not knowing its fate nor its want of a home. " But for thee, my sweet babe," cried the lorn Eudora, "These thunderings, tremendous, might roll thro' the sky: Were you safe, I could find an abode for my sorrow: In the midst of this storm I could cheerfully die. . " Self-ruin'd— no more will my Father solace me— An ignoble outcast — such is my sad lot : My Father, my Father! no more dare I face thee, Nor ever again seek repose in thy cot." MANFRED AND EUDORA. 19 A wand'ring Exile — on the wide world toss'd — The pitiless tempest continued to roar; She reach'd the dark forest — her vigour was lost — And her limbs sinking under, could aid her no more. With sleep overcome, she no farther could wander : In the forest she slept, with her babe in her arm ; The light'ning might vividly flash, and the thunder Might roar, but they could not excite an alarm. It was not the sweet sleep of rest, — but of sorrow — Her suff 'rings increas'd as she woke in the morn: Nofood for her babe, nor herself, had Eudora — Despair met her thoughts ev'ry way they could turn. The tempest had ceas'd while Eudora lay sleeping, And Phoebus had vivified Nature again : The flow'rs of the field that, storm-beat, had been weeping Last night, now appeared to gladden the scene. The horns of Huntsmen in her ears resounded, And speedily follow'd some lords of the chace : In surprise was the ruin'd Eudora surrounded — In wonder Count Manfred met her in this place. 20 MANFRED AND EUDORA. " Give relief to thy babe — if not to Eudora !" She said, whilst the tears rush'd fast to her eye, The cruel Count Manfred, the cause of her sorrow — For his babe, nor Eudora ne'er offer'd a sigh. From her, who once held,his sworn vow of affection, The fair one he ruin'd by his false oath of love, He turn'd withholding his aid and protection — Not dreading the vengeance impending above. An innocent victim to one guilty action, — An action for which the Count swore he'd atone — The wand'ring Eudora, almost in distraction, No home in the wide world knows as her own. Next day as she stroll'd thro' the forest, forlorn, A band of fierce ruffians completed her woes : From her breast, by these villains, her infant was torn, And the Count look'd, unseen, at the struggling foes. While she wrestled, in vain, her Babe to recover — It fell — and a ruffian trod on its breast — One faint shriek it gave — and its suff'rings were over — Its pure soul had flown to the regions of rest. MANFRED AND EUDORA. 21 The cruel Count Manfred to his mansion return'd, And join'd in the banquet for his marriage prepar'd : Eudora, distracted, in solitude mourn'd, And call'd to the skies for a vengeful reward. She wrapt up the babe — now in death lying dormant Still warm — still bleeding — still reeking in gore — She wrapt up the corse in the skirt of her grament — And hast'ned her wild step to Count Manfred's door. She enter'd the Hall, with her features distorted,— Expos'd the bleeding victim of Count Manfred's guilt — His false oath and murderous deed she reported, — He plung'd thro' her bosom his sword to the hilt. The Count having thus put an end to her woes— To her babe having hastened its mother, Eudora — She paid but the debt which mortality owes, And in Heaven enjoyeth relief from her sorrow. Manfred retir'd to bed — not to rest : — For the Daemon of vengeance, enrag'd at the deed, — Saw him plunge the same sword in his unhallow'd breast, And the last spark of life from his vitals recede. 22 MANFRED AND EUDORA. The Count now with murder, — with suicide cover'd — Oh! how shall he stand the just judgment of Heav'n? Shall the witnessing Angels that over him hover'd Intercede with their prayers that he he forgiven ? Ah ! no — it belongs to an Angel of love, Ev'n the sad soul of Manfred, to lessen its sorrow, To forgive, and to venture one prayer above — An Angel perhaps in the shade of Eudora. THE HARRASSED FARMER. 23 THE HARRASSED FARMER. " He'll tramp and threaten — curse and swear — He'll apprehend them— poind their gear." Awake, O Muse! and paint a rural scene, Calamitous, tho' once with joy serene: — A farm, the family's, many ages past, From which a Factor turns them out at last ; A mansion, once, by joyous mirth possess'd, Acknowledging a Bailiff as its guest: — Young lambkins gamboling around the knowes And guarded strictly by the faithful ewes, Which were the Farmer's chiefest joy and care : But which no law nor Factor now can spare: — A hawkie-cow — superior of the fold, With all a fav'rite — likewise must be sold : — A sportive kid, their little Johnnie's pet, That with its dame, must up to sale be set; 24 THE HARRASSED FARMER. And tho' young Johnnie break his little heart, He and his fav'rite must for ever part. But to the tale, in native, rustic strain, And yet awhile the pitying sigh refrain: Unfold the scene with an impartial eye — Then for the harrass'd Farmer heave a sigh. The sun had scarce invaded Morven's shore, When distant echoes of the creaking oar, Attract the family's attentive ear, And warn them for a stranger to prepare, A stranger it might be — perhaps a friend — On either of them kindness would attend : It neither was — it was a motely tribe, Come to enforce the dictates of a Scribe: The Farmer guess'd, — he even fear'd the cause ; 'Twas rig'rous officers of rigid laws : He knew the length a Factor's spleen could go, And saw himself the victim of his foe. But now arriv'd, and landed on the isle, These reptiles of the law, with scornful smile. Display the writ — the purpose of their call A writ obtain'd thro' hatred and cabal. The Farmer's flocks and waving fields of corn, By legal grasp are from him to be torn : THE HARRASSED FARMER. 25 His flocks alone, it shortly will appear, Would pay twice o'er the sum of his arrear ; But at these law-made markets no regard Is paid the tenant, if it speed retard : No matter tho' tenfold the value's lost, If they can scrape the rent and Lawyer's cost: Ev'n tho' a surplus of the sales remain ; That surplus still the Lawyer must retain To expedite the Farmer's own undoing, And pay for the completion of his ruin. Being thus appris'd the Farmer homeward goes, Striving to hide what soon he must disclose : Such hapless tidings to a wife reveaH Yet such his fate, he can't them long conceal: His children too! — how can he them deceive? Tho' he betray, the scene they must believe. He strives, howe'er, dissembles to the last — Partakes, unappetiz'd, the morn's repast ; He sees his childrens' wonted mirth prevails — Their pending fate he inwardly bewails ; His little Johnnie's sports awake his fears- He quits the room to vent a flood of tears. Young Maggie's heart to earthly cares unknown, Suspecteth not the cares it soon must own : 26 THE HARRASSED FARMER. To Norman, who approacheth boyhood's years, The melancholy of the sire appears That all's not right, his own conjecture tells, His youthful heart with inward sorrow swells. They now approach — till now, this peaceful home : The officer and his assistants come : A Judge — a Crier, and an Auctioneer — With wond'ring villagers, fill up the rear. The Officer the Farmer calls aside, As if some secret with him he'd confide; But only tells him what he knows too well — He now is come, his property to sell — And with a sort of seeming sympathy, Which adds but insult to their misery, He asks if he is destitute of aid Sufficient to provide him with a bed, With which, and little else — he wisely says, Many a bankrupt Farmer spent his days; But well the Bailiff knoweth that the farm Must void and redd be at th' ensuing term : And that the Farmer then will have no home To which his family or himself can come — Unless kind Heav'n, propitious, intercedes — Deplores their sufFrings, and supplies their needs, THE HARRASSED PARMER. 27 The shepherds slowly wind adown the rocks, And sorrowfully lead the bleating flocks: Lament this gath'ring of their happy care, And with reluctance to the fank repair ; But here no softer feelings can oppose The harden d feelings of their legal foes. The flocks must now in various lots be sold, A Factor's ranc'rous malice to uphold — None but the Factor's ; for 'twas he alone, That, latent, wish'd the Farmer was undone. Heav'n confound these minions of our lairds, Who for such services meet such rewards : Who, just to gratify their selfish ends, Injustice do, whilst law precludes amends: Who reign despotic tyrants o'er their charge, And hold poor tenants on destruction's verge, That, if they violate tyrannic pleasure, He'll heap them ruin with unbounded measure: A perfect Nero in oppressive deeds — Who's worse than him who spurns the heart tJiat bleeds? Than touch the soul with insult and with scorn, Corporeal torture easier far is borne, For break the heart — the engine of the soul, And who'd not rather quit this earthly goal? 28 THE HARRASSED FARMER. Yet what can sooner reach and wound the heart (Wounds far beyond the power of Surgeon's art,) Tnan to behold thy fam'ly plung'd in woe r By machinations of a favoured foe? The flocks and lowing herds are now arriv'd — Their guardians of their happy charge depriv'd : Then form'd in lots — the whole are quickly sold, To leave for e'er their native fank and fold. Wee Johnnie looks in wondering surprise; But little knows what gives the bustle rise: The village Clergyman, mute, surveys the whole — . The hapless scene afflicts him to the soul: And since the means of friendship are denied, He, silent, prays to Heav'n to be their guide : To mitigate the father's dire distress And farther means of sorrow to repress : To interfere with its benignant hand, And give these 'pending laws a countermand. Tho' now dispos'd what thrice the rent would pay- 'Tis insufficient their hands to stay: They strip the mansion to the naked wall — Till now the cheerful room and servants' hall— The sire, his grief no longer can suppress— His tears, uncall'd for, indicate distress : \ THE HARRASSED FARMER. 29 Attendant spirits — descended from on high, Bear up the wish of Morven to the sky. The Curates prayer in Heaven's throne is heard— And joyful angels shout the bless'd award: A long-lost brother gain'd his native shore, Bless'd with a competence from India's store : Fraternal love I need not here describe He soon redeem'd them from the tyrants pride. They bless the Power thro' which the aid is given, The Curate raises up his thanks to Heaven. Again they live supremely bless'd, and free From Factor's malice, or from law's decree: Wee Johnnie's whims may wanton as they please— And all return to happiness and ease. 30 ON THE EMIGRATION ON THE EMIGRATION FROM THE HIGHLANDS. Come a' ye wha can greet an' croon , Ilk farmer, cottager, an' loun : Ye lairds, and greater folk aboon, An' mourn awhile, For mony a cheerie cot's left toom In auld Argyll. A' the folk for emigration, Have ta'en a dreadfu' inclination, Saying its cauld inspiration Sends them thither. Hech ! how an aulder generation Wad think and s wither! FROM THE HIGHLANDS. 31 Kail wadna grow out i' the yard, Nor kye their milk hae langer shard : The deil himsel wad need to've dar'd 'Fore they wad steal A march frae whare they often far'd Sae unco weel. Dead-swear thae ancients wad hae been, To leave their kingdom and their King : Their shanks wad be as sma' an' lean As the poor kye, Which foretold Pharoah in a dream, The famine nigh. They wadna sell their stocks o' cattle — Their beer for maut — their brewing kettle, Wi' a the lave o' the pat-mettle, To leave their hame, Unless it were to fight some battle For Scotia's fame. They wadna the auld cot forsake — Nor quit the linn, nor the muir-lake Frae which their young anes aft did take, 32 ON THE EMIGRATION Or 'twas a wonner, As mony troutlings as wad make A Sunday's dinner. What tho' at rent-day, somewhat short, The Factor thought it mighty sport To tell them that he was na for't— That he'd sequester — Some door-frien, 'fore he'd see him hurt, Wad lend's last tester, And seek nae written sort o' bill That promis'd payment to fulfil— He'd trust it to the cotter's will, Somewhat like men, And a the interest, just a gill— And wha wad ken? Thae times are gane, and man's the harm! Lament ye pibrochs on ilk farm Betwixt Loch-Tarbert and Loch-Earn Wi' sad, sad, drone — Play ilk fiddle, wi' teughest thairm, The mournfu tone. FROM THE HIGHLANDS. 33 Quite careless a' o' nature's ties, Wi' scarce ae tear in your eyes, Ye've gane, your fathers to despise : Fie on ye! Swith! The Indians 'gin to humanize Wi' a' your pith. Learn them there the generous pride That reign'd at ilka fire-side To see wha wad be the best guide O friendship's days, Striving to turn the surly tide O' neebor's waes. Amang the wilds, and ilk Savannah, Strive to catch, sirs! what ye canna; Syne starve, and need as much the manna, As Israel's folks, And cheated pride will mak' ye stan' a', Ye wandrin' gowks! Sirs! when ye think o' times now gane — The auld-new-year, — the Halloween, The mony cantrips on the green 34 ON THE EMIGRATION That ye hae had, The very thought o't a', alane, Might turn ye mad. Waes me! we needna here misca'ye — Other mischiefs may befa'ye — Soon enough some Buff'lo, tawie For a wee while, May gore your tripes, and sorely paw ye, Wi's foreign guile. And then, no friendly cock or hen To cackle thro' your but and ben — No cat your fire-side to ken, And pun* about it : A sic a callous, Yankee scene, I wish ye out o't. Sic labour and sic dreary toil To gain a wee bit foreign soil, Wi' no daft pleasure to beguile The drecgh days wark, But just belyve your yams to boil I' your stick-built ark. FROM THE HIGHLANDS. 35 Your todlin brats, who scarce can trot ; Whom to the Indians ye have brought, When right grown up, will take a thought Of these fine doings — Back here they'll come ; and you a lot Maun raise o' new anes. Wha kens th' intentions o' the state? Aiblins sometime no so blate To make ye thole a poor, poor fate — Ev'n there to starve, Or kinsfolk in a barb'rous state, To cut an' carve. Hey day! ye poor expatriate race! Why did ye turn away your facef D'ye think that there ye '11 find sic grace As Jacob got, Who peopled nations frae a place, Once just a cot? Faith ! ye maun hae twa wives at least, Before wi' fifty bairns ye're blest: — To fill a town, and that the maist, 36 ON THE EMIGRATION 85c It wad be wee, And yet that same wad need some haste For you to see. Fareweel ye ilk deluded chiel! Ye've broke the auld ancestry wheel — Your brats who've to gie their first squeel — Maun change the style ;— And to ilk custom, bid fareweel, O' auld Argyll. SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY. 37 SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY AND ADDRESS TO HIS Faithful Ass, Dapple, when buried in the Subterranean Vaults on his way from the Government of Barataria. " Sinner that I am! now I mourn! No greater fool was ever born ! My evil stars this woe have sent, Which 'tis beyond me to prevent. Sinner on earth ! here suck thy thumbs, And cease to long for sugar-plums. I told my wife — it's come to pass — That ' Honey was not for an ass,' That ' Pearls were not meant for swine ;' But that, some day, they might be mine I told my wife, alas ! wiseacre, That I for glory must forsake her, That, when in plenitude and pow'r, She should behold my coach and four. D m SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY She must control her giddy brain, And from all vulgar talk refrain: - Nor spend great sums with too much haste. But to reserve more than she'd waste. For wealth, 'fore God, I'd e'en purloin — I've now been paid in Satan's coin : To reap the honours of a lord, I shunn'd the bridge and cross'd the ford. Is't Rhadamanthus is so hard As punish me with this reward? Some fiend infernal it must be That now inflicts this woe on me! Last night, array'd in pomp and glory- To-day, toss'd down to purgatory! < No honours,' I once vainly said, < Would sit right on Teresa's head :' — Should I a Bishop be, or Earl, I run a most precarious peril: — To make a Countess of my wife, It would harass me all my life: To learn Terese to understand In the beau monde how to command Her cow-herd gait and pig-sty manners, Her tongue as loud as winnowing fanners, My hogs to mart I've driven well — Woe betide me! child of hell! SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY. 39 Searching for pears upon the elm, His greed doth Sancho overwhelm : In this grim dungeon Panza's toss'd To bear in comp'ny the wild ghost Of some poor devil, mad as he, Here to commence eternity! Lord! how I always dreaded ghosts And all the midnight wand'ring hosts ; God give me strength, whate'er betide, And grant me Dapple for my guide: Than I should meet with any skaith I know he'll sooner suffer death ; But if his courage strives in vain, Hobgoblins' guests we must remain. My Lord Governor ! one day past — Next day sent here to breathe my last ! Too soon I know — too late I learn The grief at which my bowels yearn: By the pedigree of all the Panza's, In prose recorded, or in stanzas, None of them ever did before, Beneath the grave his death deplore. " Oh ! had it been that val'rous wight, La Mancha's great and glorious Knight, 40 SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY. He'd of Dulcinea dream and rave As when in Montesinos' cave. - The cause of all my fear and pain Would pleasantly him entertain : A Tartarus, to me this cell — A banquet-hall him to regale: The cloth, to him, would here be laid: To him the bed be softly made — He here would see a chaste Diana And palaces of Galiana: This darkness which, as death, I fear ? To him some lucent chandelier As if adom'd in pride of spring, These vaults to him would pleasure bring; Heavenly visions he would see, Whilst toads and lizards gape at me: This vapour which I scarce can bear, To him, sweet aromatic air: While here I dread ten thousand evils Of Ghosts and Spirits, Fiends and Devils: Don Quixote's brain would all transform To heavenly visions soaring o'er him ; Oh ! animal with half an eye ! That such a death I here must die! Beast that I am ! without a soul ! To be of Fate the sporting Owl! SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY. 41 Oh ! garlic-eating, rustic fool ! To think that islands I should rule. Better it fits me to herd swine, Than dream that governments are mine. To be an ass, all that I lack, Are lugs, a tail, and burdened back ! Some past day, known to Heav'n alone, May bring to light my skeleton : Should Dap the ghost yield by my side, The world may safely then confide ' That we are Sancho and his ass, Who've met this lamentable pass: Who ne'er enjoyed more pleasant charms Than hugging in each others arms/ " Oh Dapple dear! my life — my soul! Well may'st thou at thy Sancho growl. I'st thus thy toiling I reward? — Forgive me friend, for I regard You, notwithstanding my misdoings, As the offspring of my loins : Oh ! thou great Solomon of sense I Assist me in this huge suspense : Entreat of heav'n us to release ; Nor let our mutual prayers cease. 42 SANCHO PANZA'S SOLILOQUY, I trow that, priest-like thou'rt devout. And that, like me, you'd fain get out : Should fortune cease on us to frown. Upon thy head I'll place a crown Of laurel, with which— -well I know it — Thou'lt look just like a laureat Poet : O'er and above and therewithal, I'll doubly load thy fatt'ning stall, And pleasure have to see it swell ye Till bless'd with Alderman-like belly — " Here Sancho ended tliis salute, While Dapple lay profoundly mute, Then pitying Heav'n their piteous prayers heard, And freedom on the Squire and Ass conferr'd. SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. 43 GOVERNOR PANZA'S EXTRICATION. Having pray'd, andsigh'd and wept and swore, Poor Sancho ventur'd to explore The extent of this dungeon wild, Into which fate had him beguil'd ; But tho' all, yet, was dark as death, Still Panza would not yield his breath, So long's his wallet could sustain Of life in him a single grain : He treated Dapple in the dark With half the bread, and this remark, " That ills on ills were even good So long's there was no lack of food My Master us'd to say — great hero! That ' Post tenebras lucem spero.' " The axiom came in proper time ; For Phoebus now began to shine 44 SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION Down thro' some crevice — God knows where- But Sancho's soul and eyes did stare : • His mouth for sight did even gape For some quick medium of escape : He look'd, and look'd again, in vain — Again did grievously complain — " We well may bear, without a frown, Misfortune when she comes alone — Her sisters here are all combin'd, And we to death are now consign'd ! Oh Dapple! join my Pater noster — My eyes behold the Devil's Toaster: Of Aves thou may'st add a few That my poor soul may have its due : As for our Credo — all my life, I had no more of than my wife, For she, poor brute I had no great itch For pray'rs, and I about as much. My Master said, I fear'd a toad, He believ'd, more than I dreaded God. And tho' at this remark I'd growl — Its truth now shakes my conscious soul." Whilst grieving thus, and quite dejected, One brought relief, by Heav'n elected, SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. 45 All wrongs and evils to redress, And aid to lend those in distress. La Mancha's Knight, for exercise, 'Fore Sol had cheer'd the clould-capt skies, With Rosinante, scour'd the field, Well arm'd with his lance and shield : And o'er the cavern's roof had hied, But at that instant Sancho cried, " Soho! above there! who are you? Christian, Pagan, Turk, or Jew ! I, Sancho, now half-dead with fear, Misgovern'd Governor! am here Buried in Jacob's chiJdrens' cave — Haste — try a Sinner quick to save." The Knight prodigiously astounded, "Who's that below?" with haste redounded, " Who should it be, oh noble sire ! But Sancho Panza, Quixote's Squire." The Knight was more surpris'd than ever, Because he could no cause discover, How Sancho, in his loving wits, Should haunt these dark and dreary pits- He thought, — till in conjecture lost — At last he thought 'twas Sancho's ghost Doing penance in this dismal place, And, taking this to be the case, 46 SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. Again did down the cavern roar, With voice as fierce as Indian Boar, — " Fiend, or most perturb'd of spirits That these infernal vaults inherits, I conjure thee not to depart, But tell me quickly who thou art: If for misdeeds thy life was curb'd, And in thy spirit thou'rt perturb'd, 'Tis mine, great actions to achieve — Th' oppress 'd to succour and relieve: And seeing that no devils yet Have with their tortures you beset, Our church's pray'rs we must obtain T' alleviate thy present pain — As far's my fortune can extend Her pray'rs for you shall have no end — Her Legates — Cardinals — the Pope — I'll pay them all, if there be hope, That their devotions may recal Your spirit from that darksome hall; So now thy real name declare." — " I vow to God I'm just your squire; Nor ever in my life was dead, But by enchantment here misled: To show that nought can truth surpass, My vows are proven by my ass; SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. 47 He, in his former human shape, Waits here, with me, for an escape." The ass gave now a hideous bray, Which Quixote's doubts quite clear'd away; He heard the tone so oft before, No doubt remain'd — the Knight was sure. For aid he was about to go, But in his movements seem'd so slow, That Sancho, in the name of God, Bawl'd up to him to take the road, " Buried alive, I cannot bear — Moreover, too, I'll die with fear — Off, off a God's name — off for aid — Raise I and Dapple from the dead." The Knight went off, and soon return'd, While Sancho's soul for freedom burn'd : His ass and Panza being bound With ropes, were hoisted to the ground." " Farewell ! thou bitter gates of hell," Cried Sancho, as he prostrate fell, " Bless'd be the light that's brought to pass — This resurrection to my ass: God wot, he liked, as much as me, This sample of eternity." 48 SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. " In this way" said a wag, conceited, " Let all bad Governors be treated" — " Hold, brother growler! full eight days I have made num'rous wise displays Of Law — of Justice and of Learning, And all the time was nothing earning : I never had a bribe in view; Nor even did receive my due : Cas'd round and round, like a Tortoise, Then hurried to the battle's noise And when unfit to bear the weight, Of armour in this devils-fight, Down came General Panza fast And willingly would breathe his last ; They march'd and counter-march'd, 'fore God, Lev'lling my carcase with the sod — And tho' I curse, and pray, and roar — They counter-march it more and more ; ' But God hims-elf doth still ordain, That man doth projects make in vain.' ' Heav'n knows better when to grant What every man pretends to want;' ' Let no one, then, presume to think, That of his cup he will not drink;' ' For where the flitch we hop'd to find, Not ev'n a hook was left behind.' I SANCHO PANZA'S EXTRICATION. ' Naked I went — naked remain — I've lost but little — less did gain.' t Between these two words < said' and « done,' A man a wild-goose chase may run.' " God knows my meaning— that's enough" Then ended this proverbial stun ; An Errant's squire will Sancho now remain, Nor ever dream of Governments again. ii^^i^^^^ 50 CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. CONTEST OF PATRONAGE; OR THE LAWYER AND THE DEIL The Deil, about twa year syne, Came in, incog, to Aray's town, Some puzzling bus'ness to untwine Anent some matters of his own. Straight to an honest lawyer chiel His deilship fast did hirplin' gang, Wi' lots o' gear to criesh the wheel, And mak't redress the grievous wrang, An Couns'llor Solon, ever gleg, In ony cause that wad hae pay't, Ne'er yet observ'd the cloven leg That marks auld Tammy to his wyte. CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. My honour'd Sir! please tell your case, Whilst I tak down the information ; And gin the law can gie you ease, I'll screed it aff in sweet rotation. " Then know, my worthy, learned frien' ! A job I have up i' the North : The case I'm told's already been To the Assembly-men sent forth. " Now Sir! this case goes hard wi' me, If the kirk-patron, haply gain it; So stir up a' the law ye hae And, faith, your fee, ye needna hain it. " He wants to keep a lawless grip, As patron, of a kirk-land living, An Sir! he's like to gie's a trip — Folk dread our church's plea misgiving. " He's o' the Roman Cath'lic kin', Which Orthodox puts in a fyke, For fear her numbers fa' behin' Wi' sermons o' some Popish tyke. 52 CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. " If Orthodox should na' gain't Then that wad strike my interest sair; And wi' the very thoughts I'm pain'd; For Papists always scant my fare." Solon soon wrote the twentieth page, Displaying numberless quotations, Made strong wi' mony a law adage, Frae Civil Laws and Law o' Nations. There he quoted " Craig de feudis," And Connel's learned work on Tiends- Explained to him, as wont and use is, The various ways to find amends. Forthwith a Mandate he did file, Altho' 'twas rather premature; But Cleft-foot could na now resile — And forehand payment made him sure : " Know, I'm his majesty Old Nick, Lang a Sovereign in this Ian' ; And now to yield to sic a trick As this wad be, I canna stan'. CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. 53 " Ye nae doubt ken that lang prescription, Completes my title here for ever — The Kirk shall breed a sad eruption, Before that right from me she sever. " You see the Pope, by under-hand, Sells a' his folk a cheap redemption : And when I come across the land They laugh and show me their exemption. " Thus, Sir ! am I depriv'd of sport Betwixt his Holiness and Death — His Grace absolves them at his Court, And Death, to spite me, stops their breath. " Hech Sirs!" yawn'd the chuffie Solon, " I hae mysel an interest here ; O Lord! to see me, your lang pole on, Ride an inglorious career. M Mercy! my blood within me boileth — I feel my hair as if 'twere seinging: My heart with brimstone heat recoileth — . Old Satans torture me to plunge in ! 54 CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. " Can we no even matters souther, (It does na suit us here to part,) And be to each a mutual brother — Come gie's a han', and cheer your heart. " If you're sent down, in haste, to me, When a' your mischief here is ended, Ye'll then find that ye'll thankfu' be That a' our quarrelling was ended. " For there I'll keep you in my mind, And wi' mysel aye hae ye daffin', While other Lawyers there will find, My minions at their torments laughin." " Tho' wi' your terms I b'lieve I'll gree, (I canna tell the reason how,) It gars me quake to think we'll be Constantly bleezing in a lowe. " But mind, a Missive maun be sign'd, Upon a proper stamp, to nail it ; Fob that will bind you if design'd When there, the implement to fail it." CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. 55 " Avaunt! avaunt! God's mercy on me! Tm almost petrified wi' fear: Oh ! how you yet may lay upon me, Wi' your three-prong'd witter'd spear." Thus spoke Solon, a' owre shaking, To the terrific powerfu' Deil, Who just stood laughin' at the quaking O' the conscience struck, poor Lawyer chiel. " Vow! how your heart must e'en no clink, When ye wad part wi' sic a fee ! Ken ye na yet there is a link That chains in friendship you and me?" " No," Solon cried " tak back your gear — I'll hae nae mair wi' you to do ; But in this cause I must appear; Tho' faith! your Rev'rence, not for you." Says Nick, " you're surely no sae fool As wi' a frien' to disagree ; And ever more to sit in dool, At war wi' Orthodox and me. 56 CONTEST OF PATRONAGE. A' thae affairs being friendly settled, Auld Clootie and the Lawyer 'greed; " But Clootie was a wee thing nettled, At Solon asking any deed. So as he came out owre the door, Says Nick, quite quietly to himsel, ' ' As ye outwit me here so sore, I'll scald you in my brimstone well. " It lies, in nomine pignoris — His parchment deed — wi' ev'ry clause; But soon the flames that wait before us, Shall abrogate his useless laws." Remember, Sirs! to tak some tent, When wi' the deil ye've any doing ; For Lawyers scarcely need a hint That there a heap o' them are going. JOCK'S FROLIC. 57 JOCK'S FROLIC. Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit. On wint'iy nights, when drift and snaw Give unco weight to Bacchus' Law; And Scribbler-chaps think it nae harm To make their stomachs something warm ; To bid defiance to the frost Beside the ingle of their host : To spend their ain hours as they please, As soon's their daily labours cease. They're first like Saints, but soon, as Deils, They'd reft o' senses sober chiels: When spirits make their patience rare, God pity poor auld sulky Care Frae them, this night, he'll get no hearing — His dull discourse is far past bearing: 58 JOCK'S FROLIC. Off home, they carena if this pest May go, and till the morning rest, By some auld Aunt or Brother's wife, He'll thanked be for nursing strife ; But Deil one step in here he'll come, Till Mirth herself shall quit the room. King Jock, wi' a' the might he's able, Will dance and caper on the table, And smash the dishes a' at once, Ere he completes his drunken dance; Loud, Jamie laughs, to see the fun— Willi breaks his glass, 'fore a' is done. It was not for being fu', we're told, That that Zipporah of a scold Xantippe, Socrates' cross wife, Tormented her poor husband's life. It was a very difFrent case — He ne'er assum'd a laughing- face ; — He went abroad — came home again — His countenance was still the same. Now, had Socrates been wiser, Or had he Jock for an adviser, He'd sometimes, ev'n by getting fu', Bid to Philosophy adieu : JOCK'S FROLIC. 59 Then home Xantippe to arouse, And play the devil in the house : Break every chair, table, stool — And show a Moralist a Fool. Then when she'd vented all her fury, She'd get good natur'd in a hurry, And maybe think it nothing wrong, To join Socrates in a song: And he might go so far, perchance, As make his cara spousa dance. 'Twas 'pon a wintry night like this, That Jock, determin'd to hae bliss, Foregather'd wi' a few good souls, To get as drunk and blind as owls : The night pass'd on wi' mirth and glee — They ay drank more and got more free. The big stoup on the table clinket — In, instantly, the landlord blinket ; And as they call the other fill, He eagerly obeys their will ; Whilst Jock lets fly his jokes and jibes, Friend Jamie's like to rive his sides, At sight o' which Jock grows the dafter, And makes unbounded Jamie's laughter. 60 JOCK'S FROLIC. Ev'n Bacchus stretcheth wide his jaws To see sic Min'sters o' his laws. His Heathen God and Tut'lar Saint — Full well knew Jock his wishes' bent: He charges each his glass to fill, Then calls upon his neighbour Will To screed some Bacchanalian song, And rouse the spirits o' the throng: Wi' greedy haste Will soon complies — Mirth, quick, goes on — time quicker flies : At length, like Babel's builders grown, Each speaks a language of his own, None else can tell't — such is the pass — More than the words of Balaam's Ass : Yet folk when fu' are so like weans, They care na' what each other means: All that then passes, goes for good- Such is a drunk man's happy mood. Some now lye snoring 'neath the table — Some stagger home as well's they're able : On 's foreside, one lies down to vomit — Another wise man sees a Comet, And on his back contented lies, (Perhaps because he cannot rise) Contemplating the starry skies ; JOCK'S FROLIC. 61 Some others deem't too soon to part — Jock seconds this wi' a' his heart. The lave, at last, get quite undone And Jock victorious reigns alone: Then treats the good-folk o' the house — Syne dances wi' the Landlord's spouse, And little thinks o' Kilmalieu*; But makes himself quite roarin' fu : Then staggers off, quite void o' fear, — Quite void o' ev'ry earthly care. But Kilmalieu, the dead folk's yard, Will soon thy pace, O Jock! retard; For here to-night it is compact' That some sad work's to be transact' — Neither by Witches, Fairies, Kelpies, Nor any tribe o' Warlock whelpies: Nor even by the Deil himsel, Nor ony agent sent frae H — 31; But by some ancient sons o' Death- Lord! Jock, I dread some unco skaith: It's nae sma' joke to meet wi' ghosts, Or ony sic hard hearted hosts The Burying Ground — about half a mile from Inveraray. F 62 JOCK'S FROLIC. Vow! what an inimical tribe — They'll no e'en listen to a bribe. They'll may be cram you in a coffin, While ye're dead-drunk, and end your damn ; And may be, 'fore the night be past, Ye'll hae to gape your very last. But truth, oh Jock ! — the truth be told — Whilst we this ghostly tale unfold. Jock stagger'd 'gainst the dead's ain door — It open'd wide — Jock tumbled o'er; And here he sits, some auld tune hummin — Deil care had he o' what was comin', Till suddenly he got a thump, That made him in a hurry jump : He thought it might be Will or Allan, Or Jamie— ill-tim'd tricky callan; But mercy on us, how he star'd To see the goggle een that glar'd : And then sic teeth — sic jaws — sic banes — As fleshless a' as ony stanes: Besides the rustling, cauld, white sheet, . That loosely trail'd about its feet : A sober man had life departed; But Jock, good trouth, was stouter hearted. JOCK'S FROLIC. 63 'Twas like a ghost — he saw that clear, But Jock no ghost did ever fear; 'Bout sp'rits his Grannie oft had deav'd him — But just to please her, Jock believ'd them : Her Great-grand-mother onc^e, she said, Saw her Grandfather at h&i' bed, Full fifty years after he Had perish'd in the Irish sea : Her auld Aunt Jean, when struck in years, Was reckon'd 'mong the best o' seers : Convers'd wi' Brownies, Fairies, Witches, Behind auld dykes and down in ditches ; Saw dreadfu' battles in the air, And out- cast spirits in despair. If kye had rowted thro' the night, She by this extraordinar' slight Could understand it — tell its meaning — Some one would die before next e'ening. If owls had skriegh'd, she'd gie her aith, It was portentous o' some death ; And ev'ry night, by some strange vision, She, soon as Death, knew's ain decision. But a' this wisdom Jock despis'd, Nor by such facts was e'er advis'd. 64- JOCK'S FROLIC. Jock thought the ghost was just a man— _ Cries i fright me neighbour if ye can/ It then gave Jock an awfu' cuff But met a valiant rebuff; To lay the spirit flat he tried, It a' his futile strokes defied; For a' that his twa hands did meet, Was just the empty winding sheet; In faith the cloth was yet so good, It had na' lang been made a shrOud. Unlin'd wi' whisky, Jock was gone — = Wi' fright he'd been as dead's a stone ; But, gath'rin' a' the life he could, He ask'd the ghost to be so good As tell him what he wanted wi' him, If nought — he presently should lea'e him : The ghost, wi' voice, grim, wild and hollow, Then told outwitted Jock to follow: That some auld friends, in council met, Did for his presence there await. Of reason Jock was almost 'reft, But no alternative was left; He made one effort to run off; But ghosts, it seems, are better stuff; It hard by Jock's twa hands did tug Jock in the ground his twa heels dug ; JOCK'S FROLIC. 65 But he might push wi' a' his main — Against the ghost, it was in vain : He strove the sp'rit to tumble owre; But that was not in poor Jock's power : They stagger'd over Grave head-stones; Jock bruis'd and peel'd his twa shin-bones; But o' sic evils to complain — 'Twas useless e'en to think, o' pain. God pity thee, oh Jock! thy fate — Thou'st bought it at a bonny rate — They know thy wanton pranks I fear, Frae first to last, thro' a' the year! Being at their council room arriv'd, Of every hope Jock's now depriv'd : He saw the Preses at the head, Who'd been some hundred years dead, The moulder'd banes, by some slight-hand, Were made, e'en yet, upright to stand; Next senior ghost in pulverism, (Who'd been in auld John Knox's schism,) Sat next the Preses — and so on Sat each succeeding skeleton. Some ghosts long since their robes had lost The best spun o' them went to dust: . 66 JOCK'S FROLIC. Which shows us that it's idle talk, To say that all the ghosts that walk, " Have sheets upon them, white as snow, Whene'er on midnight routs they go: — • The Junior class who died the last, Their gaudy grave-clothes had not cast— Some o' them were far gone indeed — Some yet could boast of every thread. 'Twas not their robes that Jock surpris'd, Nor yet the ghosts being pulverized — 'Twas to behold the cursed capers, The clerks made thro' the books and papers : To see, for clerkship, such utensils — Their various shifts for pens and pencils : A wee bairn's scull was their ink-holder: A sma' rib-bane, their paper-folder: Their desk, was Willie Brosey's stone: — Most other things were made o' bone. Their Record Preses 'hint them stood, The shelves were made o' coffin- wood: The books were bound in extra-sides — The leather made o' auld men's hides. Twa folio volumes, titled, " Heads " O' Jock's exploits and drunken deeds," Last night they'd finish'd, ev'ry word, And this night's work commenc'd a third: JOCK'S FROLIC. 67 Some more " Illustrious Lives" they had But Jock's ain life 'maist made him mad: He saw it was na' quite the worst, But still sufficiently curs'd. No other works could Jock inspect — 'Twas too much for his intellect. " Wretch," says the President, " you're drunk," Instinctively Jock's shoulders shrunk — " Thou list'nest to thy heathen-god" — Jock, horror-struck, just gave a nod : The President then gave a sign — The spirits form'd a double line: On Jock they a' fell, helter-skelter — In vain poor Jock might look for shelter: Frae ane anither — frae wall to wall They toss Jock like a tennis-ball — He roar'd to halt; but a' in vain — From wall to wall he flew again; But when they thought that Jock had fainted, And of his conduct had repented — They toss'd him over the kirk-yard, And then made off — unseen — unheard. 63 JOCK'S FROLIC. Jock gave a long and piteous groan, Then saw the sun's rays o'er the Strone *; - But as the orb himsel' did peep, Jock found he'd just been— sound asleep. * A Hill opposite the church-yard to the East, AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. 69 AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. I. Fiercely the billows, 'gainst the rocky shore, Dash'd with the rage of the tempest'ous storm, And loud the turb'lent, foamy waves did roar, While Nature gloried in her awful form. Amidst this jarring, elemental strife, Fate forc'd me thro' the wide world to roam, Now to commence the pilgrimage of life, — T encounter perils never known at home. II. Leaving the guidance of parental care, I wander thro' a world of subtle guile, Experience only teaching to beware, As at my loss a cruel world would smile. 70 AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. Scarce was I left to pilot my own bark, When, with the tide of youth's impetuous stream, I found me hurried to a world so dark, That all appear'd as some illusive dream. III. Envelop'd quite from ev'ry glimpse of light; I toss'd, unminded, o'er this per'lous sea: And prudence left me with malev'lent flight, To guard myself 'gainst the Rock, Misery. But soon — too soon — my Bark began to leak, Nor could my weight she longer well support; At length she founder'd on a coast so bleak, That I in vain might seek a safe resort. IV. I had not wander'd far along the coast, When, on my way, a human form apear'd ; But I in human weakness was so lost, I'd silence break, yet still to speak I fear'd. While undetermin'd and in deep suspense, I now was close in comp'ny with the man: He to punctilios made no pretence ; — But, turning tow'rds his home he thus began. AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. 71 V. " I judge, young man, that thou a stranger art, Driv'n here by the relentless tide of youth ; Nor shall I let you from this Isle depart Till I instruct you in a dear-bought truth. This coat which hangs upon my back so loose, This vest — which round my body twice would go — I yet would fill were't not the sad abuse, Inflicted by Simplicity and Woe. VI. " Legitimately I'm the born child Of Wealth, who early lost all love for me ; And by Adoption I have been beguil'd To be the son and heir of Poverty : Sad heirship! In complexity of form — Th' inheritance I hold none else could bear, Of pride, of malice, of contempt and scorn I am the victim — no one sheds a tear. VII. " The annual wheel of time hath circumvolv'd Full forty times, since folly brought me here; And in that time I've been as oft resolv'd To bind with fate, but fate was bound by fear. 72 AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. Yet tho' I've split upon this fatal rock, I grieve much more for your state than my own — 'I know the bitterness of every shock Which threatens you, but which, with me, is gone. VIII. " Existence I no longer can sustain — Ev'n time says I have suffer'd here too long — And Malice, Pride, and Slander must refrain From wounding farther with their pois'nous tongue. Dear-purchas'd knowledge thus enables me, To caution you against a world of woe, From which tho' I myself was ne'er quite free, I found Simplicity my chiefest foe. IX. " So long as Wealth had mark'd me as his son, I was the favorite of ev'ry tribe ; Misfortune saw me frequently atone For her misdoings to some rapacious Scribe Pale sickness too, when often couch-confin'd, By some rheumatic, or some phrensy fever, I have reliev'd, when all her efforts join'd, Could not her from the greedy Quack deliver. AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. 73 X. " And Poverty, in countless ragged forms, By all Adversity's demands beset, Oft crav'd my shelter from relentless storms Inflicted by the austerity of Fate. Nor were these plaints in deafness ever heard; My willing hand, subservient to my soul, Hath oft, with inward joy, these ills repair'd; Nor durst one narrow thought the act control. XI. " Thus have I often, for a time, combin'd, These two relations — yet conflicting friends — And thought, indeed, that none could have repin'd To see Relief make sad Distress amends. These acts, benevolent, I oft had done, When powerful Envy mark'd me as a prey, And most perfidiously her object won, And, 'fore their time, these grief-worn locks left gray. XII. " Ingratitude and Spleen join'd the cabal, And Pride and Malice in the scheme united, And black Hypocrisy, the worst of all, These kindly acts, as failings now recited, G 74 AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. Of former friends I found me quite bereft, Except a few — and better they were gone — • Simplicity and Charity still were left — Malignant Envy saw me now undone. XIII. " Ev'n Poverty, who saw declining power, Came forward, and proclaim'd me as her son, And hurl'd me down from Dives' highest tower, Garb'd in the sad cadav'rous state I'm in. Guard 'gainst such hard calamities of fate — Till safe yourself, attempt none else to raise ; And when the storms of this rude sea abate Have Care and Prudence to direct your ways. XIV. " And when you. reach the mild pacific tide, With honest Worth and Wisdom there unite, With them and their associates abide — Still think on mine — myself you cannot slight ; For, long before you reach the wish'd for shore ; My injur'd soul shall feel no lo.^er pain; Nor shall I feel, excruciating, more, The shafts of Pride, of Malice or Disdain." AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. 75 XV. Being thus advis'd, Necessity my friend, I re-embark'd, had for my Pilot, Care, Then Fortitude its dauntless aid did lend, And Hope surmounted ev'ry threatening snare. I soon was plac'd upon the stilly tide — To worldly Worth, and worldly Wisdom, now, To Tyranny and supercilious Pride Of friendship I made an eternal vow. XVI. Poverty's offspring, now, I could oppress, By being deaf to ev'ry cry of woe; And lending nothing to her friend Distress, The world's wisdom hence, I came to know. Narrow of soul, and of contracted mind, I liv'd with Avarice and Pomp and Ease ; And, too well known, I never now could find That poor Distress my sympathy could teaze. XVII. In Church Hypocrisy did next advise, That I'd evince my wounded sense of woe, By placing Bounty in a proper guise, In which the Congregation must it know. 76 AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. I might indeed the appetites appease, Of some poor starving fam'ly at my door; * But, in this way, from Famine to release, Could not be known to half the country o'er. XVIII. These and such dictates of a heart of stone., Implicitly I all obey'd, as best,— Despis'd the thought that I should e'er atone For them, till whelm'd with the powerful test. When counting o'er the hoards I now possess'd — Proportioning, with them, farther years of joy, Strict Conscience came, and quickly me assess'd, With crimes encumber'd with the worst alloy. XIX. Then sickness came, with just, determin'd aim, My each licentious appetite to ruin, And, as Death's harbinger, held in disdain, My proffer'd bribes to save me from undoing. Grim Death star'd wildly at me as I lay, Nor could I any palliation make : He show'd a list which made a sad display Of starving hosts, he slew for Mercy's sake. AN ALLEGORICAL VOYAGE. 77 XX. Orphans and Widows which I spurn'd to serve, — Wretched Debtors who vainly craved relief: And poor Old age who came with palsied nerve- To all which sorrows I gave no belief. In this black catalogue of sad distress, I found myself by Horror now arraign'd — Affrighted conscience did me sore oppress, Nor could I hope the violence restrain'd* XXI. Such were my wretched overtures of life, To lay before the righteous Throne of Heaven — Judge of my inward feelings, the hard strife — To find how such a wretch could be forgiven. Tho' thousands cheat in Poverty's attire, Be that not the criterion to decide — Let not deceitful Malice e'er aspire To cause distress which no man can abide. XXII. Nor stigmatize the man of gen'rous mind With being poor, tho' Fate th' aspersion prove, 'Twas too much goodness — rarely so refin'd — In Heav'n's sight a frater-feeling love. 78 LINES. Who can behold a fellow-being starve? And see him trembling, wanting an abode? The wrath of Heav'n shall lie in close reserve For he, who saw, unmov'd, affliction's rod, Starve his own equal — starve a child of God. LINES On viewing the Tombstone of the late D. M t*uW^ l frf SU* WW Mr. Donald Black, Glasgow. Mrs. M. Bolt, London. Captain John Brooks, Irvine. <\J>Mr. Brooks, Schoolmaster, Inveraray. Mr. William Broomfield, Painter Inveraray. \ \ Mr. Colin Brown, Schoolmaster, Cairndow. ^ ^jhcWMMH \ *\^Wt-4 • Mr. John Brown, Merchant, Inveraray. * The Right Honorable, Lady Augusta Clavering. ^t-Lord Francis Conyngham. Lady Francis Conyngham. Lady Augusta Chichester. Chichester, Esquire. W. F. Campbell, Esq. ot Islay, M. P. ,.. Mrs. Campbell, of Craignure. Mrs. Campbell, of Kilmartine. Miss Alicia Campbell, John Street, Glasgow. Ludovick Cameron, Esq. Writer, Inveraray. Alexander Campbell, Esq. of Ederline. Captain Archibald Campbell, Inveraray. Archibald Campbell, Esq. of Drimsynie, Cowal. Mr. Alexander Campbell, Messenger, Lochgilphead. Colin Campbell, Esq. Provost, Inveraray. Lieutenant, Colonel Colin Campbell, Inveraray. Mr. Colin Campbell, Tyree, Argyllshire. Captain Donald Campbell, 17 Regiment of Foot. Mr. Donald Campbell, Road Surveyor, Oban. Duncan Campbell, Esq. Sheriff Substitute of Argyllshire. Mr. Duncan Campbell, Jailor, Inveraray. fJVIr. James M'L. Campbell, Custom-house, Oban. John Campbell, Junr. Esq. Writer, Inveraray. Mr. John Campbell, Greenhead, Glasgotv, 2 copies. Mr. Peter Campbell, Brewer, Oban. Mr. Peter Campbell, Rothsay- Castle Steam Boat. ,-{,Mr. Robert Campbell, Saddler, Lochgilphead. \^+^4Lr e~*~+4*-~* ii SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. William Campbell, Esq. Collector of Customs, Oban. Mr. Mathew Clark, Greenhead, Glasgow. Mr. Patrick, Clason, Writer, Glasgow. Mr. Charles Collins, Merchant, Inveraray. James dimming, Esq. F. A. S. London, 4 copies. Miss dimming, Guildford Street, Russel Square, 4 copies. Mrs. General Campbell, Strachur Argyllshire. Mrsr Campbell of Southhall, Argyllshire Mr. Allan Dinning, Thistle Street, Hutchesonton, Glasgow. Mr. John Douglas, Merchant, Oban. Mr. James Emerson, Edinburgh. Mr. James Falconer, Water Bailie's Office, Glasgow. The Rev. Duncan Ferguson, Inveraray. Mr. William Ferguson, George Street, Glasgow. Mr. Dun Fletcher, Sheriff Clerk Dep. Inveraray. 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Mr. James Lemon, Writer, Glasgow. Mr. Robert Lemon, Wright, Inveraray. Mr. James, Marr, Duntocher. Mr. Charles Morrison, Inveraray. Duncan Munro, Esq. Clenary. Mr. James Munro, Tutor, Inveraray. John Munro, Esq. Writer, Oban. Niiol Munro Esq. Writer, Inveraray. Miss Agnes M'Allister, of Balinakiel, Kintyrc. John M-'Allister, Esq. Balinakiel. Alexander, M' Arthur, Esq. Writer, Inveraray. SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. Mr. Alexander M f Arthur, Cairndow, Lochfynehead. Mr. John M' Arthur, Ayr. Mr. Martin M' Arthur, Inveraray. Mr. John M' Galium, Wine Merchant, Glasgow, 3 copies, John M' Corquodale, Esq. Oban. Mr. William M'Coag, Innkeeper, Oban, Mr. Dugald M'Culloch, Flesher, Oban. John M' Donald, Esq. Writer, Glasgow. Mr. John M' Donald, Writer, Island of Mull. Lieutenant James M'Eachern, Argyll Militia. Mr. John M'Eachnie, Merchant, Oban. Mr. John M'Fadyen, Music Seller, Glasgow. Mr. John M' Fadyen, Junr. Glasgow. Captain M'Farlane, Lephenmore, Cowal. Mr. R. It. M' Gavin, Glasgow. R. M' Gibbon, Esq. Inveraray, Mr. Alexander M'Intyre, Wright, Glasgow. Mr. Donald M'Intyre, Writer, Inveraray. Mr. Donald M'Innes, Lochgilphead. Mr. Duncan M'Intyre, Verreville, Glasgow. Mr. George M'Intyre, Wright, Inveraray. James M'Intyre, Esq. Oban. Mr. James M'Intyre, Writer, Glasgow. Mr. John M'Intyre, Low Ballintyre, Glenaray. Mr. Malcom M'Intyre, Student, Glasgow. Mr. Peter M'Intyre, Student, Glasgow. Mr. Peter M'Intyre, Spirit Merchant, Glasgaw. Mr. Peter M'Intyre, Dalmally Glenorchy. Mr. Samuel M'Intyre, Verreville, Glasgow. Mr. William M'Intyre, Student, Glasgow. Donald M'Kay, Esq. Writer, Campbeltown. Mr. Robert M'Kellar, Innkeeper, Inveraray. William M'Kendrick, Esq. Writer, Glasgow, 2 copies. Mr. William M'Kenzie, Sheriff Officer, Glasgow. Mr. John M'Laren, Hospital Street, Glasgow. Dr. John Bell, M'Lachlan, Oban. Robert M'Lachlan, Esq. of M'Lachlan, Advocate. Mr. Alexander M'Lean, Writer, Glasgow. Mr. Donald M'Lean, Clerk, Glasgow. Mr. Duncan M'Lean, Merchant, Inveraray. Mr. James M'Lean, A. M. Glasgow. Mr. George M'Leod, Cairndow, Lochfynehead. Mr. John M'Neilage, Maltland, Inveraray. John M'Neil Esq. of Oakfield. Mr. M'Rae, Steward, Toward- Castle. Mr. A. M'Vicar, Broomielaw, Glasgow. Mr. Duncan M'Pherson, Feuar, Oban. Mr. Donald M'Grigor, Game Keeper, Inveraray. Mr. Niven M'Vicar, Kenmore, near Inveraray. Mr. Duncan M'Intyre, (Drimdarrach.) Mr. John Neil, Writer, Glasgow. Mr. John O'Neill, Merchant, Inveraray. O' s ^ ^V»x*-v%.v ; S > J$ Hi ■ , N, v \ v<* ^# 'W "^d< ^ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. c\s Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide <-*• . i Trpatmpnt nafp- Anril 9009 ' Treatment Date: April 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION * ^ 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 1 6066 (724)779-2111 r%: v x rt? k V ^ r ^ ^ ^ 9ft fc*r < v *<*> ^ '••^^•^^••°^^->^ = ^,. tf rt> 9ft #% 7 % .«* .V* o° . < ' - ■ ^ A c V l 7 V> V '\^.,.. V «.<*», -^ » <£ s ^ S7 «£"%•