Forgive, fair nymph, the dictates of despair;_The poetical works of Janet Little, the Scotch milkmaid

Transcriber's note: Italic font is indicated by _underscores_.

THE

_POETICAL WORKS_

JANET LITTLE,

THE

_SCOTCH MILKMAID_.

AIR:

PRINTED BY JOHN & PETER WILSON.

M,DCC,XCII.

Entered in Stationers’ Hall.

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE

_FLORA_,

COUNTESS OF LOUDOUN,

THE FOLLOWING

POEMS

ARE

WITH PERMISSION,

_HUMBLY INSCRIBED_,

YOUR LADYSHIP’S]

EVER GRATEFUL,

AND OBEDIENT

HUMBLE SERVANT,

JANET LITTLE,

_CONTENTS._

_Page_

To Hope 27

On Happiness 32

Upon a young Lady’s leaving Loudoun Castle 37

The fickle Pair 40

To a Lady, a Patroness of the Muses, on her Recovery

from Sickness 42

The Lottery Ticket 45

The Month’s Love 47

Damon and Philander 50

Colin and Alexis 58

Almeda and Flavia 62

On the Spring 72

William and Mary 75

Lothario 78

Amanda, an Elegy on the Death of Mrs. ----,

personating her Husband 83

Celia and her Looking Glass 86

The unfortunate Rambler 91

Lucina, an Elegy 94

The envied Kiss 98

The young Man’s Resolution 100

To a young Man under Sentence of Death for Forgery,

from his Mistress 101

On an unlooked for Separation from a Friend 104

Written January first, 1792 106

On a Visit to Mr. Burns 111

Given to a Lady who asked me to write a Poem 113

Epistle to Nell, wrote from Loudoun Castle 117

Nell’s Answer 120

Another Epistle to Nell 122

An Epistle to a Lady 125

From Snipe, a favourite Dog, to his Master 129

On the Death of J---- H----, Esq. 133

On the Birth of J---- H----, Esq.’s Son 138

On a Gentleman’s proposing to travel 300 Miles to

see J---- H----, Esq.’s Child 140

Verses written on a Foreigner’s visiting the Grave of a

Swiss Gentleman, buried among the Descendents

of Sir William Wallace, Guardian of

Scotland in the thirteenth Century 142

From Philander to Eumenes 144

Sylvia and Armeda 147

The captivated Soldier 150

On reading Lady Mary Montague and Mrs. Rowe’s

Letters 153

Upon a young Lady’s breaking a Looking Glass 155

An Acrostic upon a young Woman, written by her

Lover 158

An extemporary Acrostic 159

An Epistle to Mr. Robert Burns 160

To my Aunty 164

On Halloween 167

On seeing Mr. ---- Baking Cakes 171

A Poem on Contentment 173

Alcanzar 180

Alonzo to Delia 184

Delia to Alonzo 185

From Delia to Alonzo, who had sent her a slighting

Epistle 188

From Flavia to Carlos 192

To Nell when at Moffat Well 195

A young Lady’s Lamentation for the Loss of her Sister

by Marriage 197

The Rival Swains 202

To a Lady who sent the Author some Paper, with a

Reading of Sillar’s Poems 206

_SUBSCRIBERS NAMES._

Boyd Alexander, Esq. of Southbar

Mrs. Alexander, ditto

Mrs. Alexander of Ballamile

Mr. Robert Ainsley, writer, Edinburgh

Mrs Arnot of Dalwhatswood

Mrs. Austine, Edinburgh

Mr. Armstrong, Braikwoodlees

Mr. William Armstrong, writer, Langholm

Mr. John Armstrong, Eives

Mr. John Armstrong, Wier

Mr. John Aitchison, Annan

Mr. John Aitchison, Newbie

Mr. Thomas Archibald, Ardry

Mr. Francis Allwood, Shuttleston

Mr. Robert Allan, Catrine

Mr. Andrew Anderson, Glasgow

Mr. Robert Allason, ditto

Mr. Agnew, Castlewig

Robert Anderson, Esq. of Borland

Mr. William Andrew, Oldhall

Mr. Thomas Aiton, Woodhead

Mr. James Aitken, Cairn

Mr. Alexander Ainsley, Prince’ street, Edinburgh

Mr. James Alexander, Union Bank, Paisley

Mr. William Alexander, manufacturer, ditto

Mr. John Andrew of Coldstream

Dr. Adair, Edinburgh

Miss Adair, ditto

Honourable Mr. Boyle, Irvine

Honourable Mrs. Boyle, ditto

Sir John Hunter Blair

T. Boyle, Esq. of Shouilston

Robert Baillie Esq. of Mayvill

Miss Lesly Baillie

Mrs. Baillie of Canal-bank

James Boswell, Esq. of Auchinleck

Richard Bousiher, Esq. Bath

William Blair Esq. of Blair

Mrs. Blair of ditto

Mrs Bushbie, Tinwaldowns, 2 copies

Miss Bushbie

Thomas Beattie Esq. of Cruvie

Alexander Benton Esq. of Lamberton

George James Bell, Esq. advocate, Edinburgh

James Buchannan Esq.

Alexander Brown, Esq.

Mr. A. Blair, writer to the signet, Edinburgh

Mr. David Balfour, writer to the signet, ditto

Rev. Mr. Thomas Brisbane, Dunlop

Mr. Hugh Breckenridge, of Daldarick

Mr. William Bell, Argyle street, Glasgow, 4 copies

Miss Bell, 2 copies

Mr. James Bell, 2 copies

Mr. William Balfour, Glasgow

Mr. Blair, George’ street, Edinburgh

Mrs. Balmain, Hill street, ditto

Miss Balmain

Mrs. Buchannan, Sydorf, Hanover street

Mrs. Bell, Queen’s street

Mr. James Brown, Loudoun kirk

Mr. James Brown, Fenwick

Mr. John Begbie, Kilmarnock

Miss Bosland, Paisley

Mr. William Brown, writer, Kilmarnock

Mr. James Brown, Blacklaw

Mr. James Brown, merchant, Kilmarnock

Robert Borland, Esq

Mr. William Babington

Miss J. Brown of Waterhause

Miss M. Brown, ditto

Mr. Andrew Brown, writer, Stewarton

Mr. John Beg, Cairn

Mr. James Bell, Ecclefechen

Mr. C. Baillie, Matterstain

Mr. David Blackwood, Stewarton

Mr. Robert Baird, Drumkelly

Mr. Richard Beattie, Lochmaben

Mr. Stairs Beck, Charlesfield

Mr. James Beck, Allenby

Mr. John Burle, cotton manufacturer, Annan

Mr. James Burnie, Kilnhead

Mr. David Black, Longbridge

Mr. Patrick Blackstock, Woodside

Mr. John Blacklock, Cummertrees

Mr. David Blair

Mr. Thomas Buchannan, merchant, Glasgow

Mr. James Buchannan, merchant, ditto

Mr. Robert Boyd, do

Mr. John Baird, LIII. Regiment

Mr. James Baird, Niddrie

Mrs Catharine Beattie, Ballamile

Mr. Robert Burns, Dumfries

Lady Elizabeth Creichton, 2 copies

Lady Mary Cameron

Sir William Cunningham of Robertland

Miss J. F. Crawford, 2 copies

Mr Cameron

Ronald Crawford, Esq of Frisky

Mrs. Cunningham junior, of Auchenskeith

Peter Clark, Esq. of Holms

Mrs. Clark, ditto

Arthur Campbell, Esq. of Auchmunnoch

Colonel J. W. Crawford of Crawfordland

George Cranston Esq. advocate, Edinburgh

David Cathcart, Esq advocate, ditto

Miss Jane Cathcart

James Campbell, Esq. ditto

John Carse, Esq. of Gardrum

Henrick Cape, Esq. Glasgow

Miss Carr, Edinburgh

Mrs. Craigie, Hay street, Edinburgh

Mrs. Campbell of Netherplace

Mrs. Clark, Standingstone, Cumberland

Willifred Clark, ditto

Ewan Clark, ditto

Mr. James Cathcart, Queen’s street, Edinburgh

S. Crawford, Tuland

Mr. Cunningham Corbet, Glasgow

Mr. William Clydesdale, Glasgow

Mr. William Currie, ditto

Mr. John Cross, ditto

Mr. James Campbell, ditto

Mr. Colin Campbell, ditto

Mr. James Campbell, for D.

Mr. James Carruthers, Mouswald

Mr. William Caldwell of Middleton

Mr. Hume Cranston, Edinburgh

Mr. John Clark, XXXV. Regiment

Mrs. Cunningham, Langshaw

Miss Cunningham, Glasgow

Mr. Ceorge Christie, Paisley, 2 copies

Miss Christie, do.

Mrs. Cross, Greenlaw, do.

Mrs. Campbell, Waterhause

Mr. Thomas Corsan, Druggist, Kilmarnock

Mr. M. Cunningham of Seabank

Mr. Patrick Campbell, writer to the signet, Edinburgh

Mr. Andrew Cromie

Mr. David Craig, Dunlop

Mr. William Carlington, Caldwell

Mr. William Cochran, Glanderston

Mr. Allan Cochrane

Mr. Thomas Corsan, Lochryan

Mr. John Carruthers, Brocklihearst

Mr. William Chalmers, bookseller, Dumfries, 2 copies

Mr. James Clindinning, ditto

Mr. William Cleland, Glasgow

Mrs. Carruthers, Supplebank

Miss J. Carruthers, Cummertrees

Mr. Charles Ewart, Dalton

Mr. James Corbet

Mr. William Carmichael, Craigie

Mr. Robert Carlyle

Mr. Walter Cook

Mr. John Cathcart, Moffat

Mr. Charles Crawford, Killhead

Mr. James Carruthers

Mr. Walter Cowan, Bygate

Mr. Jardine Combe, Ecclefechan

Mr. Alexander Craig, Dumfries

Mr. George Clapperton, surgeon, Annan

Mr. Thomas Chalmers, Hannah

Earl of Dumfries, 2 copies

Countess of Dumfries, 2 copies

Countess of Dalhousie

Right Honourable Lord Dair, St. Mary’s Isle

Lady Isabella Douglas

Lady Eleonora Dalziel

Lady Douglas of Killhead, 2 copies

Mrs. Dunlop of Dunlop, 7 copies

Major Dunlop, 6 copies

Miss K. Dunlop, 7 copies

Miss A. E. Dunlop, 2 copies

George Douglass, Esq; of Roadenhead, 2 copies

Colonel Alexander Dundass

Mr. William Dundass

Miss Dundass of Dundass

James Dewar, Esq; of Vogrie

Captain Dumbar, Douglas

Mr. William Dalziel, writer to the signet, Edinburgh

David Douglas Esq; advocate

Robert Davidson, Esq; advocate

Mr. James Donaldson, senior, merchant, Glasgow

Mr. David Dale, junior, ditto

Mr. James Donaldson, junior, ditto

James Duncaster, Esq;

Rev. Mr. Jacob Dickson, Mouswald

Rev. Mr. David Dickson, St. Mungo

Rev. Mr. James Dewar, Fenwick

Rev. Mr. Duncan, Ardrossan

Mr. James Douglas, Loudoun

Mr. Dalziel, Queen street, Edinburgh

Mr. James Duncan, surgeon, ditto

Miss Davies, Dumfries

Mr. Matthew Dickie of Knockingdale

Mr. Robert Dunlop, Aurthurby

Mr James Dobie, Beith

Mr. John Dun, Loanhead

Mr. James Dunlop of Loanhead

Mr. Thomas Dunlop of Aiket

Mr. Abraham Dickson, Harrington

Mr. Thomas Dickson, Mouswald

Mr. John Dalrymple, Branthat

Mrs. Janet Deens, Hitchel

Mr. Thomas Dickson, Annan

Mr. Robert Dickson, ditto

Countess Dowager of Errol

Governor Edmonston, George’ street, Edinburgh

William Erskine, Esq. advocate

John Elliot, Esq. of Whitehaugh

Mr. David Ewart, Chancery office, Edinburgh

Mr. James Elliot, M. D.

Mr. J. Elliot of Flat

Mr. Elliot of Dunlie

Mr. John Elliot of Park

Mr William Elliot, George’ square, Edinburgh

Mr. James Easton, student of Divinity, Mouswald

Mr. Archibald Edmonston, Edinburgh

Mr. Walter Ewen, merchant, Glasgow

Colonel William Fullarton of Fullarton, 2 copies

Mrs. Fullarton

S. M. Fullarton of Bartonholm

Mr. Fergusson, Beith

Mrs. Fergusson, ditto

Miss H. Fergusson, ditto

James Fergusson Esq. advocate, Edinburgh, 5 copies

Robert Fergusson, Esq. Tennant, 2 copies

John Fletcher, Esq. of Dowings

Mr. John Fergusson, Glasgow

Rev. Mr. James Foster, A. B. English Chapel, Glasgow

Rev. Mr. Peter Fergusson, Inch

Mr. Alexander Fowlds, Kilmarnock

Mr. Foster, Pasterhead

Miss Fisher, Dykemount

Mr. James Fisher, Minive, 2 copies

T. Ferrier, Esq. George’ street, Edinburgh

Miss Ferrier, ditto

Mr Archibald Fletcher, ditto

Mr. Robert Flemen, ditto

Mr. Allan Forsyth, ditto

Mr. James Fairly, Cairn

Mr. Alexander Fergusson, Stewarton

Mr. John Forrest, Annan

Earl of Glasgow

Countess of Glasgow

Honourable Francis Grey, 7 copies

General Gordon

Lady Margaret Grierson, Rochal

George Greenlaw, Esq. of Hilton

John Gordon, Esq. of Carleton

Archibald Grahame, Esq. Glasgow

Alexander Gardiner, writer to the Signet

Dr Robert Glasgow of St Vincents

Rev. Mr. George Gordon, Sorn, 2 copies

Mrs. Gordon, 2 copies

Rev Mr. Greenfield, Edinburgh

Miss Guthry, Argyle square, ditto

Rev. Mr James Grant, Libertone

Mr. James Galloway, writer, Glasgow

Mr. John Geddis, Glasswork, ditto

Mr. James Gregg, writer, Kilmarnock

Mr. Thomas Greenshields, ditto

Mr. John Greenshields

Mr. A Gillian, London

Mr. A. Gillies, Edinburgh

Mr. James Gibson, ditto

Miss Graham, Dumfries

Mr Archibald Gordon

Mr Robert Grierson, B. D Edinburgh, 2 copies

Mr. William Grahame, Drumlanrig Castle, 2 copies

Miss Charlotte Grant

Mr John Graham Foxhall, Finiston, 2 copies

Miss Graham, Edinburgh

Mrs Gordon, Greenlaw

Mr. George Gregg, Hoddam Castle

Mr George Grahame, merchant, Langholm

Mr. James Gibson, Ecclefechan

Mr. John Glover, Hillhead

Mr. Walter Graham, Powfoot

Mr. James Gibson, Caldwell

Miss J. Gemmel, Dunlop

Mr. William Guthrie, Harperland

Mr. J. Guthrie, Dollars

Mr. William Gordon, Edinburgh

Mr. John Grahame, Paisley

Mr J. Graham, manufacturer, ditto

Mr. Thomas Gemmel, Caldwell

Mr. John Goven, Patterhill

Earl of Hume

Earl of Hopeton

Countess of Hopeton, 4 copies

Lady Margaret Hope

Honourable Charles Hope

Lady Charlotte Hay

Lady Isabella Anne Hay

Sir James Hall, Bart. Dunglass

William Hamilton, Esq. Edinburgh

Dr. William Hamilton, Kilmarnock

J. Hunter, Esq. writer to the signet, Edinburgh, 2 copies

Alexander Hamilton, Esq. of Grange

William Hamilton, Esq. of Middlepart

Mr Robert Hamilton, Edinburgh

Mr James Hagart, do.

Mr. Thomas Hopekirk, do

Mr Francis Howden, do.

Mr. James Howden, do

Rev. Mr. James Hall, do. 2 copies

Mr John Hall, teacher, Glasgow, 2 copies

Mr John Hall, writer, do

Rev. Mr. James Headrick, Glasgow

Captain George Hope, R. N.

Ninian Hume Esq. of Paxton

Mrs. Hume of ditto

Patrick Hume Esq. of Wedderburn

Miss Hume, ditto

Miss M. J. Hume

Miss Hume, Broomhouse

James Hume Esq of Newmills

Miss Hume, ditto

George Hume Esq. of Branxton

Mr. James Hume, Edinburgh

George Hardie, Esq. Annan

Miss Hunter of Thurston

Miss S. Hawthorn, Castlewig, Edinburgh

Miss C. Hawthorn, ditto

Mrs. Hawthorn Stewart of Phisgill

Mrs. Henry, Bourdeaux, 8 copies

Mr. James Henderson, Hudliscleugh

Mr. David Hunter, George’ street Edinburgh

Mr. Robert Hay, Wellmeadows

Mr. Roger Hall, Stewarton

Miss Hugan, Glasgow

Mr. James Harris, ditto

Mr. Charles Haushet, Candleriggs, ditto

Mrs. Henderson, Camlongan

Miss Henderson, ditto.

Mr. Andrew Hunter

Mr Robert Henderson

Mr. C. Hope, advocate, St. Andrew’s square, Edinburgh

Mr. Simon Hall, merchant, Ecclefechan

Mr. John Henry, Surgeon, ditto

Mr Thomas Hetherton, Stonebridge

Mr. John Hill, Winterseugh

Mr. James Henderson, Hightea

Mr. Alex. Harkness, Gotterby

I, J

Lady G. Johnston

Lady Anne Johnston

Lady Jemina Johnston

Lady Lucy Johnston

Miss Johnston, Creichton street, Edinburgh

James Johnston, Esq. of Alva

Mr. James Johnston, Bleneresset

Miss Johnston Killhead

Miss Catharine Johnston, ditto

Mrs. Johnston, Charlesfield

Mr. Robert Johnston, Student, Edinburgh

Mr. William Johnston, Glasgow

Mr. J. Johnston, Cummertrees

Mr. Robert Johnston, Kerr

Mr. John Johnston, Winterseugh

Professor Jardine, Glasgow

Mr. John Javan, King street, do.

Mr. Christopher Irvine, do.

Mr. William Irvine, Glasgow

Rev. Mr. Jeffery, Kilmarnock

Mr. John Jeffery, Edinburgh

Mr. Henry Jamieson, Gayfield-place

Mr. David Jackson, Netherrow

Mr. William Inglis, Milnholm

Mr. James Irvine, Milnpath

Mr. Alexander Irvine, Killhead

Mr. Thomas Irvine, Annan

Rev. Mr. William Kilpatrick, Dumfries

Miss Kincald of Kincald

Miss Kennedy

Mr. James King, Aurthurly

Mr. Thomas Kerr, Mouswald

Mr. George Kyle, Heughead

Miss Kennedy, Antigua street, Edinburgh

Mr. John King, teacher of vocal music

The Countess of Loudoun, 12 copies

Colonel Laurie, Bath, 6 copies

James Pit Laurie, Esq. Honduras, 3 copies

Rev. Dr. Laurie, Newmilns

Mr. Archibald Laurie, ditto, 2 copies

Miss B. Laurie

Mrs. Lockhart of Carnwath

John Lumsdair, Esq. of Blenem

Rev. Mr. Lauson, Dumfries

Miss C. Lindsay, Burleshall

John Lowes, Esq. Ridgely-hall, Northumberland, 2 copies

Mrs. Laughton, Great Russel street, Bloomsbury, London, 2 copies

R. Lindsay, Esq. of Bourtreehill, 2 copies

Mr. George Lewis M‘Murdo, Broadlee

Mr. Francis Laing, writer, Edinburgh

Mr. David Litster, do.

Mr. William Lyal, Glasgow

Mr. Laing, Paisley

Mr. William Lockhart, Edinburgh

Mr. Robert Lauchlan, Eaglesham

Mr. John Lapraik, Galston

Mr. David Loudoun, Ardry

Mr. John Law, Cumberland

Mr. William Laidlaw, mathematician, Edinburgh

Mr. Stewart Lewis, Ecclefechan

Mr. David Lawson, Halton

Mr. Alexander Lennox

Mr. David Laing, writer, Glasgow

Mr. John Little, writer, Annan

Mr. John Little, Langholm

Miss Grace Little, do.

Mr. William Little, Milsgate

Mr. Robert Little, Standingstone, 8 copies

Mr. Robert Little, Whisgills

Mr. Robert Little, Whithaugh

Mr. David Little, Branthwat

Mr. John Little, Blough

Sir William Maxwell of Springkell, baronet

Lady Maxwell, do.

Lieut. David Maxwell, Broomholm

David Monypenny, Esq. Advocate, Edinburgh

John M‘Farquhar, Esq. M. S. Edinburgh.

Robert Morris, Esq of Craig

Hugh Morton, Esq. of Greenbank

James M‘Aullay, Esq. Bath, 2 copies

Miss Maxwell of Polloch

Miss B. Maxwell, do.

William Muir, Esq. of Caldwell, 7 copies

Mrs. Muir of Wariston, 7 copies

Dr. Moor, London

Mrs. Moor, do.

Mr. George Munro

Miss E. Munro

Mr James Main, Paisley

Mr. Ross M‘Key

Mr. Charles M‘Key, Edinburgh

Mr. William M‘Donald, do.

Mr. John Miller, do.

Mr. Wolfe Murray, do.

Mr. William Mole, do.

Mr. James Moubray, do.

Rev. Mr. Thomas Martin, Langholm

Rev. Mr. James M‘Millan, Torthorwald

Mr. William M‘Farlane

Mr. T. M‘Carter, Dr. Jeffery’s College, Glasgow

Mr. Robert Montgomery of Bogston

Mr. William M‘Nish, postmaster, Stranraer, 2 copies

Mr. James M‘Gown, surgeon Stow

Lieut. Alexander M‘Donald, Rodenhead

Mrs. J. Mitchell, Friendlesshead

Mr. J. Muir, merchant Kilmarnock

Miss A. M‘Laughlan, Paisley

Mr. Thomas M‘Culloch, Croach

Mr. J. M‘Key, Stranraer

Rev. Mr. J. M‘Kenzie Port Patrick

Mr. P. M‘Dowal, Cairn

Mr. M‘Whirter, do

Mr. John Morton, Loudoun Castle

Mr James Mason, Loudoun Kirk

Mr. George M‘Gill, Kilmaurs

Mr. Thomas Muir, Milsgate

Mrs. M‘Gill of Kingsingcleuch

Mr John M‘Kenzie, surgeon, Mauchline

Mr. Matthew Morrison, do

Mr. William M‘Dowal, Glasgow

Mr. James M‘Nair, writer, do.

Peter Murdoch, Esq.

Mrs. Jane Marshal, Cockbridge

Mr. Hugh Maxwell, Dumfries

Miss Malcom, Westerkirk

Mr. James Moffat, surgeon, Langholm

Mr. Thomas Murray, Whisgills

Mr. James M‘Kie, Gatterbie

Mr. John Miller, Clayhouse

Mr. James Moffat, Hightea

Miss Eliza M‘Claren, Kilhead

Mr. Matthew Murray, merchant, Langholm

Mr. James Moffat, Ecclefechan

Mr. William M‘Nae, Sandbed

Miss M‘Cleod, George’ street, Edinburgh

Mrs. M‘Kie, Hanover street, do.

Mr. George M‘Intosh, Glasgow, 4 copies

Mrs. M‘Intosh, do. 2 copies

Mr. Charles M‘Intosh

Miss F. M‘Intosh

Miss Polson M‘Intosh

Mr. John M‘Intosh

Mr. Andrew M‘Intosh

Mr. John M‘Clean, surgeon, Glasgow

Mr. James M‘Clatchie, Dumfries

Mr. William M‘Dowall, Buchannan street, Glasgow

Mr John M‘Naught, do.

Mr Francis Murray, Trongate, do.

Mr John Milligan, do.

Mr. William Mitchell

Mr William Millar, Glasgow

Mr. Samuel M‘Caul, do

Mr. Andrew Macaulay, bookseller, do. 12 copies

Honourable Miss Napier, Prince’ street, Edinburgh

Archibald Nisbet Esq. of Sornhill

James Napier, Esq. Edinburgh

Michael Nicholson Stewart, Esq. of Carnock

Mrs. Nicholson, do.

Mr. Andrew Nixon, Langholm

Mr. Thomas Nixon, Blinkbonny

Mr. Neilson

Miss S. Nicholis, Edinburgh

Mrs. Ogilvie of Broomlie

Alexander Osburn, Esq Customhouse

Miss Orde, George’ street, Edinburgh

Miss Eliza Orde, do.

Mr. J. Owen, schoolmaster, Cummertrees

Mr. Robert Orr, Paisley

William Parker, Esq. of Corraith

Mr. Parichon, London, 2 copies

Professor Playfair, Edinburgh

Captain Archibald Paton, Glasgow

Mr. Robert Purdon, do.

Mr. Paisley, teacher, Carlisle

Mr. Andrew Pollock, A. Houstin’s, Glasgow

Mr. Alexander Pearson, Hanover street, Glasgow

Mr. J. Parker, junior, Kilmarnock

Miss Paton, Neilston

Mr. J. Paton, Clearmount

Mr. P. Philips, Ruthwell

Miss Paterson, Gill

Mr. David Porteous, Oldmiln

Mr. Andrew Pickens, Shuttleston

Doctor Rutherford, Edinburgh

John Richardson, Esq. of Buss, 2 copies

William Rae, Esq. advocate, Edinburgh

Miss Sophia Richardson, Stank

Mr. Thomas Rynd, Union Bank, Paisley

James Ramsay, Esq.

Mr. William Riddle, Glasgow

Mr. Stephen Rowan, do.

Mr. Alexander Rough, Ballamile

Mr John Rankine, Boghead

Mr. John Rankine, Caldwell

Mr. John Robertson, do.

Mr. J. Richmond, Loudoun-kirk

Mr. William Roxburgh, Finwick

Mr. James Renie, Trongate, Glasgow

Mr. Reid of Adamton

Mr. Alexander Ramsay, Glasgow

Miss P. Richardson

Mr. James Rome, Ruthwell

Mr. James Rae, Killhead

Mr. William Rodgerson, Dumfries

Rev. Mr. Reid, Mauchline

Sir J. Sinclair of Ulster

Lady S. Sinclair

Charles Sharp Esq. of Hodam

Mrs. Sharp, do.

Miss Sharp, do.

William Stewart, Esq. of Hillside

Mrs. Charles Stewart, Monteith, Closeburnhall, 2 copies

James Stewart, Esq. of Stewart-hall

John Shaw Stewart, Esq. of Greenock, 2 copies

Mrs. Shaw Stewart, do.

Miss Secombe

Dr. Smith, physician, Bath

John Scott, Esq. of Hopesridge

Miss Scott of Ancrum

Mrs. Stewart, Argyle street, Edinburgh, 2 copies

John Swanson, Esq. Glasgow

John Stark, Esq. do.

Mr James Steven, junior, do.

Rev. Mr. Steven, Catrine

Rev Mr Smith, Cummertrees

Rev. Mr. Smith, Galston

Mr. Robert Speed, Edinburgh

Mr. John Swinton, ditto

Mr. Archibald Swinton

Mr. William Staig

Miss Stevens, Edinburgh

Mrs. Scott, Forge, Cannonby

Mr David Scott, banker, Air

Mr. Adam Smats, Westburn Fla

Miss Stewart, Ashton, Edinburgh

Mr. Charles Shaw, writer, Air

Miss Somervile, Kenox

Mr. E. Sheriff, Paisley

Mr. Stewart, do.

Mr. Slaiter, do.

Mr. James Spence, Edinburgh

Mr. Robert Spear, Templeton

Mr. James Smail, Caldwell

Mr. James Smith, Newmilns

Mr. James Senier, Glasgow

Mr Thomas Stevens, Whitby

Mr. Alex. Scott, Glasgow

Mr Thomas Scott, Langholm

Mr. Francis Smith, Catrine

Mr. Peter Stewart, do.

Mr. Thomas Scott, Craiglockhart

Mr. Moses Steven, merchant, Glasgow

Mr. James Steel, Alton

Mr John Smith, Dunlop

Miss Sked, Hunah

Francis Tytler, advocate, Edinburgh

Mr. Todd, Dean street, London

Mrs Todd, Dean street, London

Mr. James Thomson, student of divinity, Kilmarnock

Mrs. Trotter of Mortonhall, 4 copies

Mr. William Thomson, teacher, Carlisle

Mr. J. Torrance, Catrine

Mr. James Turnbull, Edinburgh

Mr. George Turner, Bolton gate

Mr. James Thomson, Cummertrees

Mr. Robert Turner, Ardry

Mrs. Trother, Glasgow

Sir John Wedderburn, Ballendean

Dr. Walker, Edinburgh

Mr. J. Wilson, junior, Glasgow

Mr. James Wyllie, do.

Mr. Williamson, Edinburgh

Mr. A Wachop, senior, Niddry, 3 copies

Mr. A. Wachop, junior, do. 3 copies

Miss M. Wachop, do. 2 copies

Miss Alice Wachop, do

Mr. Robert Wight, Kingsknow

Mr Robert Wood

Capt. Wallace of Cairnhill

Mrs. Warner, Irvine

Mr. Alexander Walker, Air

Mr. Samuel Watson, Edinburgh

Mr. David Williamson, do.

Mrs. Watson, Abbotsinch

Mr. Wallace, Queen street, Edinburgh

Mr Alexander Williamson, Glasgow

Mr. J. Woodburn Shawmiln

Mr. Alexander Wilson, Paisley

Mr. Thomas Wilson, Stewarton

Mr J Wightman Cummertrees

Mrs Walker, Smailholm, 2 copies

Mr Weir, surgeon, Edinburgh

Mr. William Wilson, Birmingham

Mr. T. Wood, Whitehall

Mr. Dan Wilkinson

Mr. John Wilkinson

J. Wilson, bookseller, Kilmarnock

P. Wilson

Mr Vance Agnew, 3 copies

Mrs. Vance Agnew, 4 copies

Charles Young, Esq. Edinburgh

Rev. Mr. James Yorkston, Hoddam

Mr. J. Young, merchant, Glasgow

Mr. William Yates, Ardry

Mr. William Young, Shuttleston

Mr. William Yeoman

ERRATA.

P. 44 l. 8. from the head, _for_ nor, _read_ or.

P. 46. line 8 from the head, _for_ delusive, _read_ decisive.

P. 51. last line, _for_ Golanda, _read_ Golconda.

P. 54. line 2. from the head, _for_ my, _read_ buy.

P. 69 line 7. from the head, _for_ nor, _read_ no.

P. 81. line 5. from the head, _for_ expanded, _read_ extended.

P. 90. line 9. from the head, _for_ Claudia, _read_ Claudius.

P 139 line 9. from the head, _for_ the, _read_ his.

P. 159. line 4. _for_ of, _read_ or.

P. 170. line 8. _for_ game, _read_ dance.

TO THE

_COUNTESS OF LOUDOUN_.

Will gentle Loudoun deign to lend an ear,

When nature speaks, and sorrow drops a tear?

Within your walls my happiness I found

Luxuriant flourish, like the plants around:

Blithe as the birds that perch on yonder spray,

In joyous notes, I pour’d the willing lay.

Beneath your roof these humble lines had birth,

Whose honour’d Patrons now lie low in earth;

Or borne by Fate far from their native shore,

With smiles auspicious glad my heart no more.

Here youth and beauty, innocence and love,

I joy’d to see, to serve, and to approve:

Here honour’d Age to all around did show,

That virtue’s paths alone can bliss bestow:

Here moral lessons spoke from ev’ry part,

And peace and kindness wrote them on my heart.

Hoary inhabitants around the place,

Whose faithful services obtain’d that grace,

’Mid ev’ry comfort rural life affords,

Shower prayers and blessings on its former Lords.

To you the young are taught to lift the eye,

Mild morning sun of their unclouded sky.

Blest in a lot left nothing to desire,

Those happy scenes did future hopes inspire,

That thus my life in careless ease might run,

My age supported by my master’s son;

In him, that goodness, and those virtues find,

Which grateful numbers meet in you combin’d.

Ah! like a changeful vision of the night,

Those scenes are fled, and death appals my sight!

Where’er I turn, lamented tombs appear,

Or parting sails extort the bitter tear!

To distant realms the darling child too gone;

O guard him heav’n, and let me weep alone!

For ev’ry tear, let countless blessings fall

On thy sad mother in thy grandsire’s hall!

Forgive, fair nymph, the dictates of despair;

Grief flies, for comfort, to the tender fair.

The good and great, we fondly think have pow’rs,

Can charm to ease our sad and anxious hours:

Else why to you should I at Fate repine?

The friends I mourn, alas! were _doubly_ thine!

For their dear sakes, bid lines they priz’d still live,

And grant that shelter they no more can give.

Yet, the sad verse how should you patronize

That wakes up anguish in a heart at ease!

For their dear sakes my pray’rs are ever thine,

Nor can I more were your protection mine.

TO THE PUBLIC.

From the dull confines of a country shade,

A rustic damsel issues forth her lays;

There she, in secret, sought the Muse’s aid,

But now, aspiring, hopes to gain the bays.

II.

“Vain are her hopes,” the snarling critic cries;

“Rude and imperfect is her rural song.”

But she on public candour firm relies,

And humbly begs they’ll pardon what is wrong.

III.

And if some lucky thought, while you peruse,

Some little beauty strike th’ inquiring mind;

In gratitude she’ll thank th’ indulgent Muse,

Nor count her toil, where you can pleasure find.

IV.

Upon your voice depends her share of fame,

With beating breast her lines abroad are sent:

Of praise she’ll no luxuriant portion claim;

Give but a little, and she’ll rest content.

_POEMS._

HOPE.

Hail meek-ey’d maid! of matchless worth!

Our best companion here on earth;

To thee sole pow’r is giv’n,

T’ illume our dark and dreary way,

As through life’s mazy path we stray,

And bend our steps to heav’n.

’Tis thine to smooth the rugged vale,

To stem the trickling tear;

Thy whispers, as the spicy gale,

Do drooping trav’llers cheer.

Incline thou, to shine now

Upon me as I go;

Thy favour shall ever

Alleviate my wo.

II.

Thy presence calms the raging seas,

And to the throbbing breast gives ease

Amid the tempest’s howl,

When waves appear as mountains high,

When swelling surges dash the sky,

And foaming billows roll;

When danger, with uplifted hand,

Proclaims th’ approaching doom,

Thou gently dost the stroke withstand,

And dissipates the gloom.

When caring, despairing,

And deeming all as lost,

Thy rays will portray still

The long expected coast.

III.

Thou animates the hero’s flame;

To him presents a deathless name

In the ensanguin’d field:

Thou dost his nerves with valour brace,

Bids him, with bold undaunted face,

Destructive weapons wield.

War’s trumpet, breathing rude alarms,

Strikes terror all around;

Thy voice of fame, and honour’s charms,

Outvies the direful sound.

When falling, appalling

The tumults wild increase,

On wings then, thou brings then

The harbinger of peace.

IV.

Thy power elates the student’s views;

The paths of science kindly strews

With never-fading flow’rs.

Depriv’d of thee, how lovers mourn

Dejected, restless and forlorn,

In unfrequented bow’rs!

Attending still on Hymen’s rites,

Thou decorates the chain;

Thy smile the sprightly maid invites

And lures the youthful swain;

Still easing, and pleasing,

When stern misfortune stares,

’Mid losses, and crosses,

Thou lightens all their cares.

From life’s fair dawn to liart eve,

We all thy flatt’ring tales believe,

Enamour’d of thy art:

Thy soft and salutary voice

Gives birth to unexpected joys,

And soothes the bleeding heart;

And even at our latest hour,

When earthly comforts fly,

Thou dost, by a superior Pow’r,

Death’s terrors all defy.

Not grieving, when leaving

This scene of dole and care,

But viewing, pursuing

A more exalted sphere.

HAPPINESS.

O happiness! where art thou to be found?

What bow’r is blest with thy perpetual gleam?

From court, from cot, ev’n while they seek thy stay,

On thy soft pinions, rapid is thy flight.

Thy name, not substance, is to mortals known.

Repulse from thee makes drunkards stand aghast,

Who nightly revel o’er the flowing bowl.

In vain they seek thy progress to retard,

A guest too noble to be thus detain’d.

Thy quick elopement shews their sad mistake;

Baulks hope, and certain disappointment brings.

Misers for thee grope ’midst their bags of wealth,

Nor find thy residence in golden ore:

Fear, anxious care, bleak av’rice, and distrust,

Forbid thy access to the grov’ling soul.

Not riches, though in gorgeous pomp array’d,

With all the dazzling splendour of the east,

Secure thee ’mongst the gay, fantastic train.

Pride and Ambition, vulture-like, appear,

Gain access to the op’lent master’s heart,

And bid defiance to thy sacred charms,

Now swiftly banish’d from his sumpt’ous seat.

Nor even the voice of honour can recal

Thy hasty steps: thee Pleasure sues in vain;

A stranger to the gay, licentious crowd,

The giddy flutt’ring sons of dance and song.

Thou to the libertine dost ever prove

An airy phantom; mock’st his eager grasp;

Leaves him to cruel disappointment’s rage,

Remorse, despair, the inmates of his soul.

In hopes to meet thee in some distant clime,

The ardent warrior quits his native shore,

Inur’d to martial toil; at danger smiles,

And unconcern’d treads o’er the heaps of slain:

His en’mies fly before him; at his feet

Millions fall prostrate, and for mercy call:

Yet still in vain he makes his court to thee;

Thou scarce vouchsafes him one auspicious smile.

See lovers too, in yon sequester’d grove,

Seek lonely walks, and spend their sighs in vain,

For thee! For what? for some bewitching fair,

Whose smiles they deem can boundless bliss secure:

Their views contracted would thee thus confine.

Nor art thou found in Hymen’s sacred rites,

Though silken cords of sweet affection bind.

A thousand ills encompass the fond pair,

And mix their sweets with bitterness and wo.

Bent in pursuit, through many a devious track,

All seem to say, “Successless is the search;

To nobler objects henceforth bend your view.”

All hail, Religion! thou celestial power!

Thy force alone can soothe the anxious breast,

And quite dispel the solitary gloom,

These sullen shades that steal upon the soul.

O let me hear thy salutary voice!

Thy sacred dictates let me still revere;

And ever prone in virtue’s steps to tread,

My hopes, my wishes center’d all in Him,

Whose hand omnipotent the world did frame.

O Thou, great Source of all supreme delight!

Without reluctance may I ever prove

Submissive to thy providential sway,

To know and to observe thy laws divine,

My sole solicitude.

How mean soe’er my humble station be,

Content, and calm serenity of mind,

Shall pave my paths along the rugged vale;

And when the vain delusive vision’s past,

Then happiness, in all its vast extent

Unmeasurable, ignorant of bounds,

Shall through eternal ages be my lot;

The lot of all whose hope is fix’d on thee.

UPON A

YOUNG LADY’S

LEAVING

_LOUDOUN CASTLE_.

What means this silent, solitary gloom?

All nature in her dishabille appears;

Contracted flow’rets yield no sweet perfume,

And ev’ry grove a dismal aspect wears.

Nor do the joys of Autumn glad our plains;

Our landscapes are in sable weeds array’d;

No jocund sound is heard among the swains,

And nought but sighs from each dejected maid.

Rude Eurus echoing through the distant woods,

With harsh, discordant note, augments our wo;

While rains, impetuous, from the bursting clouds,

Our verdant walks and pleasure-grounds o’erflow.

Incumber’d by their foliage now, the trees,

With leaves, untimely dropp’d, bestrew the ground:

Because Matilda’s presence does not please,

All bleak and dismal seem the fields around.

Her placid looks bespoke a mind serene,

Each feature wore an unaffected smile;

Her’s was the pow’r to beautify the scene,

And sweetly gay the languid hours beguile.

Her count’nance milder than an April morn,

When Phœbus first emits his infant rays;

More radiant beauties do her mind adorn,

Than ere were brighten’d by his noon-tide blaze.

Fair Virtue, cloth’d in all it’s native sweets,

Celestial precepts in her breast inlaid;

And oft, as friendly intercourse invites,

In softest accents from her lips convey’d.

But now she’s gone, a sullen sadness reigns!

Absorb’d in grief we still her absence mourn,

Or beg that heaven would smile upon our plains,

And grant a blessing in her swift return.

THE

_FICKLE PAIR_.

Damon and Phillis, ’tother day,

To Hymen’s altar hasten’d;

They talk’d of love along the way,

And wish’d the knot well fasten’d.

A church the willing pair perceiv’d,

With portals wide expanded;

The priest a speedy audience crav’d,

And in the bride was handed.

When lo! a tremor seiz’d the fair,

In marriage robes adorned;

She left the youth perplex’d with care,

The rites yet unperformed.

With eager steps he swift pursu’d

The object of his wishes,

And with redoubl’d ardour woo’d

Her to complete his blisses.

The maid, reluctant, turn’d again,

Some glances kind bestowing;

And well resolv’d appear’d the swain,

Though with resentment glowing.

Kind Hymen heav’d his torch, while they

Re-enter’d both together;

But Cupid slily took his way,

And went--they knew not whither.

The bridegroom next--but what of that,

No bride his absence mourned;

He play’d his charmer tit for tat;

He went but ne’er returned.

Philander kindly fill’d his place;

To Damon Chloe consented.

That night they wed, O woful case!

And ere next morn repented.

A LADY,

A PATRONESS OF THE MUSES,

ON HER

_RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS_.

While sickness, madam, on your vitals prey’d,

The sympathetic sisters shar’d your pain:

I mark’d them then in sable weeds array’d,

In concert sad assume the plaintive strain.

From Elly’s[1] Land was heard the harp of wo;

A shepherd, once the blithest of the throng,

Did mirth inspiring, sportive notes forego,

And steep’d in tears the melancholy song.

From _Irvine’s_ verdant banks, a doleful lay

Re-echo’d through the groves and distant dale;

Each vocal throat was fill’d with dire dismay,

And heart-felt sighs proclaim’d th’ unwelcome tale.

Quick and unstable are the turns of Fate;

’Twixt well and wo are thin partitions rear’d:

I mark’d the drooping choir with hearts elate,

Exulting o’er the ills so lately fear’d.

When brooding on the verge of deep despair,

A gladd’ning voice did through the groves resound;

Loud acclamations fill’d the ambient air,

And joy and pleasure triumph’d all around.

Health, blooming goddess, re-assum’d her sway,

And did the tender, captive frame release;

All seem’d intent the tidings to convey,

In notes more grateful than the whisp’ring breeze.

Some greet a patroness, all hail a friend,

Whose bosom feels seraphic virtues glow;

Nor further, madam, do your smiles extend;

Vice dreads your frown, and shuns you as a foe.

Long may you live admir’d by all, and lov’d,

The honour of a long illustrious race;

Your worth innate, by Envy’s self approv’d,

Which time or sickness never can efface.

[1] The Residence of the celebrated Poet, Robert Burns.

THE

_LOTTERY TICKET_.

Celia, fair, beyond description,

Soon became the fav’rite toast;

Charms unrival’d ev’n by fiction,

Did the lovely maiden boast.

Beaux and sages, panting, dying,

Did of love and her complain,

While the nymph, his darts defying,

Triumph’d o’er her thousands slain.

With their woes too rashly sporting,

Still more fatal darts were sought;

Anxious to augment her fortune,

She a lott’ry-ticket bought.

But old Plutus, sullen power,

Can the fair and brave withstand;

He, in the decisive hour,

Shov’d a blank to Celia’s hand:

While Brunetta, short of stature,

Limbs distorted, shoulders round,

Gain’d new charms, in spite of Nature,

By good thirty thousand pound.

Celia now, with looks dejected,

Seem’d the erring wheel to blame,

When the god, with brows erected,

Did a moment’s audience claim.

Go bright Celia, fair and cruel,

Still of countless charms secure,

Would you heedless add more fuel

To the flames you will not cure?

View the maid to grief inclined,

Though she grasps the golden prize,

O how gladly she’d resign it,

For the conquests of your eyes!

THE

_MONTH’S LOVE_.

Ye maidens attend to my tale,

Of love that sly archer take care;

His darts o’er all ranks do prevail,

The wealthy, the wise, and the fair.

When once his fierce arrow he throws,

Contentment will bid you adieu;

No potion the doctor bestows,

Can then be of service to you.

Experience prompts me to tell,

I felt his tyrannical sway;

The time I remember too well;

It was a long month and a day.

The youth, I’ll not mention his name,

Who was the sole cause of my smart,

His deeds were unnotic’d by fame,

His manners unpolish’d by art.

His person could boast of no charm,

His words of no conquering power;

Yet his footsteps did give the alarm,

Which made my heart beat for an hour.

When absent from him I ador’d,

One minute as ages did prove;

Though plenty replenish’d my board,

I fasted and feasted on love.

My couch but augmented my pain;

No sleep ever closed my eyes;

One glance of my rustic young swain

Was what I more highly did prize.

None ever bemoan’d my sad case;

They laugh’d at the ills I endur’d;

But time did my sorrows efface,

And spite of the imp I was cur’d.

I saw my lov’d youth in the shade,

Soft whisp’ring to Susan apart;

Resentment came quick to my aid,

And I banish’d him quite from my heart.

But be not too forward, ye fair,

Nor take too much courage from me,

How many have fall’n in the snare

That got not so easily free?

_DAMON AND PHILANDER._

DAMON.

The sun with keenness darts his sultry ray;

To some cool shade Philander haste away,

Nigh yon smooth riv’let, where the southern breeze

So softly plays among the bord’ring trees.

Beneath yon spreading elm let’s rest a while,

And with our songs the tedious hours beguile:

There will I tune my pipe to Delia’s praise,

While ev’ry swain’s attentive to my lays.

PHILANDER.

O Damon! how insipid is thy theme?

Philander’s sick of thy lov’d Delia’s name:

Nor can the fairest nymph enslave my heart;

Man’s soul was form’d to act a nobler part.

This gewgaw train can ne’er my thoughts employ;

Such would dispel but can’t augment my joy.

I’ll sing the beauties of the breathing spring,

The treasures Autumn to my barns will bring.

To notes of transport ever tune my reed,

While on the plains my num’rous flocks I feed.

DAMON.

Let Damon’s breast such trivial joys disdain;

What though my flocks o’erspread the wide domain?

What though my barns were with abundance stor’d,

And gen’rous nectar ever grac’d my board?

Nor honour, riches, though their force unite,

In Delia’s absence ever can delight.

O Delia! sweeter than the op’ning dawn,

More bright than rays that cheer the dewy lawn.

Her sparkling eye the orient gem outshines,

Or brightest lustre of Golconda’s mines:

Her cheeks of roseate hue, her flaxen hair,

In easy curls, waves gently in the air.

Her coral lips ambrosial sweets retain;

She rivals Juno in her air and mien;

She far exceeds what ancient painters drew,

When fancy’s flights the Cyprian queen pursue.

Such excellence might grace a prince’s arms;

Yet this must yield to her interior charms.

In her fair bosom virtue bears the sway;

There wisdom sheds a pure unmingl’d ray.

Truth, innocence, and modesty combine

T’ adorn her mind, where all perfections shine:

Apollo’s wit does to the maid belong;

Her voice more charming than the Syren’s song.

PHILANDER.

Hold, hold, dear Damon, sure too much is said;

Your Delia’s then a most bewitching maid:

As blind men judge of colours, so you trace

The matchless beauties of her charming face,

Recount her virtues, and, with partial eyes,

Admire in her what others would despise.

A sad delirium sure has seiz’d thy brain,

Which makes thee fancy what the poets feign,

Of love, and such like vain fantastic whims,

’Tis wild chimera all, and idle dreams.

DAMON.

And dost thou doubt of such a thing as love?

If once thy breast, like mine, the smart should prove,

More than is painted by the poet’s art,

In genuine colours will affect thy heart.

But wherefore now contemn my rural lays?

Thy notes were swell’d once with Lucretia’s praise!

Does she thy favours treat with disrespect,

Which makes thee now all other maids neglect!

PHILANDER.

Lucretia still appears in all her charms,

A match most fitting for Philander’s arms.

What she possesses yields most solid joy,

Since bags of wealth buy pleasures ne’er can cloy.

These beauties catch; they set my heart on fire;

Her farm, her flocks, are all I do admire:

Her darts are powerful, of a yellowish hue,

More fierce than those the fam’d Alcides threw.

Her striking beauty in full bloom appears,

At the dull period of full fifty years:

Then Delia will no admiration claim,

But dear Lucretia ever is the same.

DAMON.

For this you love her; now I truly find,

That none but gilded cords your heart can bind;

Nor wit nor beauty can obtain your vow;

At Mammon’s shrine you still devoutly bow.

PHILANDER.

Vain would th’ attempts of either be to hold

My am’rous heart, without the force of gold:

Beauty an empty trifle still I deem,

A childish toy, unworthy of esteem.

Its gaudy foliage may attract the eye;

But as the tulip it will fade and die:

The glowing cheek enamour’d fops may prize,

But men of sense can ruby lips despise.

And what is wit? a giddy flutt’ring thing,

Which can no real satisfaction bring.

A thousand ills attend his wretched life,

Whose dear companion is a witty wife:

Still she is right, and ever in the wrong,

Such elocution dwells upon her tongue.

But if assisted by the Muse’s skill,

He sure may dread the poison of her quill;

She with keen satire lashes all around,

And with the rest her husband feels the wound.

Should poverty, by sudden threats alarm,

Can wit with all its power now prove a charm?

The fairest flowers Parnassus ere could boast,

Yield to the treasures of the golden coast.

The maid who comes fraught with that precious ore,

Brings virtue, wit, and beauty all in store;

This gives the palid cheek a crimson glow,

The tawny skin the tincture of the snow.

This makes the dwarf complete in ev’ry part:

She wounds most sure who throws the golden dart.

Short of one foot, distorted of one eye,

Struck by its lustre, no defects I spy.

DAMON.

Thus does Philander waste his wits to prove

A happy marriage destitute of love.

Gold, cursed gold, the bane of ev’ry bliss,

Thy _summum bonum_, all thy happiness.

Say, to what purpose do thy words avail?

Beauty and wit to give us joy may fail.

Wit cease to please, and beauty may decay, }

Riches make wings and swiftly fly away; }

Depriv’d of all, what will Philander say? }

But to secure thee of thy darling’s charms,

Go to the mines, and lodge within her arms;

Enfold thy mistress in a fond embrace,

For ever banish’d from the shepherd race.

Nor quit thy mansion till thou breathe thy last:

Such sordid souls no social joys should taste.

Blest with my Delia on this happy plain,

Where peace and pleasure in perfection reign,

I’ll more serenely pass life’s hours away,

Than without her, though crown’d with princely sway.

To please my charmer all my care shall be;

Can I be wretched when she smiles on me?

But we must go, our fleecy charge attend.

Farewell, Philander, I am still thy friend.

The maid whose real charms the heart can hold,

Must not be deem’d one whit the worse for gold.

_COLIN AND ALEXIS._

Now from before Aurora’s rays,

Stern darkness with its horror flies;

The mountain tops begin to blaze,

And Phœbus gilds the eastern skies.

See glist’ning dew drops on the bush,

Reviving odours cheer the morn;

The warbling blackbird and the thrush,

Make vocal ev’ry blooming thorn.

Alexis join the rural lay,

Give welcome to the op’ning spring.

Why sigh’st thou thus thy hours away?

Come take thy pipe, and softly sing.

ALEXIS.

Beneath these ivy mantled trees,

Allow me, Colin, to complain.

No murm’ring brook, nor whisp’ring breeze

Can in the least divert my pain.

The maid, whose charms I oft have sung,

Has left the plain, ’twas what I fear’d,

And o’er her shoulders, careless hung,

A Caledonian plaid appear’d.

Of ancient note on Scotia’s plain,

And by her grandam often wore,

Its crimson hue was free from stain,

Which made Calista shine the more.

Yea still she shines; her radient eyes

Add lustre to the brightest day;

Each feature strikes with new surprise,

And various beauties still display.

But why should I recount them still?

’Tis only to increase my pain.

She bids these verdant fields farewell,

And goes to seek a richer swain.

Calista, with thy rapid flight,

Is vanish’d each delightful gleam.

Can Drife’s fair banks give more delight,

Than Eckles’ gently winding stream?

Do sweeter scents perfume the grove,

Or fairer flow’rs adorn the vale?

Do comelier swains now talk of love,

And cheer thee with their am’rous tale?

More sprightly youths may feel the smart,

And court thee with assiduous care;

But none of all who seek thy heart

Avows a passion more sincere.

Then haste Calista, save the swain,

Who in thy absence ever sighs;

Add fresher beauties to the plain,

And bid more pleasing prospects rise.

Give to the flowers a livelier hue;

Thy presence makes all nature gay.

O lovely maid! when blest with you,

Each season seems the month of May.

The warblers now, with plaintive note,

Seem to accord with ev’ry sigh;

The shepherds have their songs forgot,

And laid their pipes in silence by.

Since thy retreat, O charming fair!

Day after day my hopes destroy.

O save Alexis from despair,

And crown succeeding scenes with joy.

_ALMEDA AND FLAVIA._

FLAVIA.

While dusky shades eclipse the solar ray,

And fanning zephyrs ’mong the branches play,

Where varied beauties deck the verdant groves,

Let us recount the story of our loves.

Say, dear Almeda, why this pensive mood,

Which does thy wonted cheerfulness exclude?

ALMEDA.

The cause of this to Flavia I’ll reveal:

It is a youth whose power I can’t conceal.

’Tis Strephon, who long since obtain’d my heart,

When artful Cupid gave the killing dart.

When Strephon’s near, no anxious cares molest,

Nor access find to my enraptur’d breast;

But when he’s gone, his absence still I mourn,

And spend my hours in sighs till he return.

FLAVIA.

You kindle into rapture at his name;

Be wise in time, and guard against a flame,

Which cherish’d, hopeless, will your charms efface,

And rob your features of each blooming grace.

The dear Castalia taught my heart to prove

The soft’ning charms and pleasing art of love.

Witness ye rural walks and verdant vales,

How charm’d I’ve listen’d to his melting tales;

While he, unskill’d in flatt’ry, did impart,

In flowing strains, the dictates of his heart.

Blind was my passion, long it bore the sway,

Suppress’d at last by the enliv’ning ray

Of Reason wak’d, by some celestial pow’r,

To my relief, in an auspicious hour,

With open’d eyes I did the charmer view;

Deaf to his accents, from his presence flew.

Observe, my precepts are with prudence fraught,

What heart so stubborn would remain untaught?

ALMEDA.

Command the briny waves no more to flow,

Bid southern breezes ever cease to blow;

Say to the flowers, no more your fragrance yield,

Nor Ceres crown with joy the fertile field;

Bid Phœbus cease to gild the op’ning morn,

And Cynthia be of all her beauty shorn:

Would these obedient as thy vassals prove?

No more can I, dear Flavia, cease to love.

A youth possess’d of ev’ry moving art,

Quick access gains to the securest heart.

When he appears, to cheer the drooping plain,

Each nymph enamour’d spends her sighs in vain:

And when in softest strains he tunes his lay,

Each shepherd, envious, throws his lute away.

In him all radiant virtues are combin’d,

True greatness centers in a humble mind;

Truth, candour, justice, in his gen’rous breast,

Firm fortitude and soft compassion rest.

Nor can the gods on mortals more bestow,

A bright example of their works below.

Young Strephon’s charms, no tongue could e’er express;

I may be silent, but can’t love him less.

FLAVIA.

Enough is said, Almeda dear, to prove

No fault is seen in those we truly love.

The son of Venus, by a magic art,

Deceives the sight, soon as he wounds the heart.

Blind as himself does all his vot’ries make,

Extremely happy in their own mistake.

In all his charms I have young Strephon seen,

Yet never by the youth have wounded been.

Yet were he, as you paint him, thus complete,

And fond to lay his garlands at your feet,

Sure young men’s minds still subject are to change,

Though from our plains he were not doom’d to range.

A change of scenes may, with distorted brows,

Pour swift contempt on all your former vows.

But let indiff’rence lodge within your breast,

Nor Strephon’s absence e’er your mind molest;

The more his charms, the surer he’ll succeed

’Mong pow’rful rivals, whom you now may

dread.

ALMEDA.