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V. 


LIBRARY 

UNlvr-RGlTY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 

SAN  DIEGO 


\\i 


VOLUME  FIRST 


Cl^e  €tin  ©teen 


A  COLLECTION 


OF 


tots 


oemg 


IVrote  by  the  Ingenious  before  1 600 


By    ALLAN    RAMSAY 


SUcprinteli  ftom  tf)c  ©riflinal  iSittiott 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES 
Volume  Fi rst 


JOHN  CRUM,  ST.  VINCENT  STREET 

1874 


Printed  by  M'Laren  &  Erskine,  Glasgow. 


THE 

Ever  Green, 

BEING     A 

COLLECTION 

O  F 

Scots  Poems, 

Wrote  by  the  Ingenious  before  1600. 

Vol.     L 

Publijhed  by    Allan    Ramsay. 

Still  green  with  Bays  each  ancient  Altar  ftands, 
Abo-ve  the  Reach  of  Jacrilegious  Hands, 
Secure  from  Flames,  from  En-vys  fiercer  Rage, 
DeflruEii've  War  and  all  devouring  Age. 


Pope. 


^m 


EDINBURGH, 

Printed  by  Mr.  Thomas  Ruddiman  for  the  Pu- 
blifher,  at  his  Shop,  near  the  Crofs.  M.dcc.xxiv. 


Digitized  by  the  internet' Archive 
in  2007  with  funding  from 
-    IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/evergreencollect01ramsiala 


111. 


To  His  Grace 

JAMES 

Duke    of    Hamilton,    Sffc. 
Captain    General, 

And    the    reft   of   the    Honourable 
Members   of  the 

Royal   Company   of  Archers. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

T7[  /"Hen  the  more  eminent  Concerns 

'       of  Life,  or  the  agreeable  Diver- 

fion  of  the  BOW,  do  not  employ  your 

leafure 


iv.  DEBICATION, 

leafure  Time,  the  following  Old  Bards 
prefent  you  with  an  Intertainment  that 
can  never  be  difagreeable  to  any  Scots 
Man,  who  defpifes  the  Fopery  of  admir- 
ing nothing  but  what  is  either  new  or 
foreign,  and  is  a  Lover  of  his  Country. 
Such  the  Royal  Company  of  Archers 
are,  and  fuch  every  good  Man  fliould 
ftrive  to  be. 

The  Spirit  of  Freedom  that  fhines 
throw  both  the  ferious  and  comick  Per- 
formances of  our  old  Poets,  appears  of 
a  Piece  with  that  Love  of  Liberty  that 
our  antient  Heroes  contended  for,  and 
maintained  Sword  in  Hand.  From 
you  then,  My  Lords  and  Gentlemen^ 
who  take  Pleafure  to  reprefent  our 
brave  Anceftors,  thefe  Poets  claim 
Regard  and  Patronage ;  they  now 
make    a    Demand    for     that     Immortal 

Fame 


DEDICATION.  v. 

Fame  that  tuned  their  Souls  some  Hun- 
dred Years  ago,  which  is  in  your 
Power,  by  countenancing  to  beftow. 
They  do  not  addrefs  you  with  an  indi- 
gent Face,  and  a  Thousand  pityful 
Apologies,  to  bribe  the  good  Will  of  the 
Criticks.  No !  'tis  long  fmce  they  were 
fuperiour  to  the  Spleen  of  thefe  four 
Gentlemen. 

Every  one  who  has  Generofity,  and  is 
not  byaffed  with  a  miftaken  Prejudice, 
will  allow,  that  good  Senfe,  fharp  Satyre, 
and  witty  Mirth,  may  be  exprefs'd  with 
a  true  Spirit,  altho'  in  antiquated  Words 
and  Phrafes:  When  one  beftows  but  a 
very  fmall  Pains  to  enter  into  the  Authors 
Manner,  then  'tis  not  to  be  doubted  but 
the  Royal  Company  will  receive  and 
approve  of  thefe  valuable  Remains,  and 
have  a  due   Regard  to  the  Memory  of 

thefe 

A2 


vi.  DEDICJTION. 

thefe  meritorious  Authors,  and  accept  this 
Dedication  from, 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 
Their  faithful  Puhlifher^ 
And  your  mofl  humble 

And  devoted  Servant^ 

Allan  Ramsay. 

Edin.  Oaob. 
15.  1724. 


vu. 


^t'it'tt'attttt'itttrtt'itrt'Jtttttt'!^^ 


ii:iiA2feA±iC?iA«ji^>^ 


^"p^^jpfsp^i 


PREFACE. 


— -9Q99^-^^eeGo- — 


T  Have  obferved  that  Readers  of  the  bejl  and  moji 
exquijite  Difcernment  frequently  complain  of  our 
modern  Writings,  as  filled  with  affeSfed  Delicacies 
and  Jiudied  Refinements^  which  they  would  gladly 
exchange  for  that  natural  Strength  of  Thought  and 
Simplicity  of  Stile  our  Forefathers  praSlifed:  To  fuch^ 
I  hope^  the  following  Colleftion  of  Poems  will  not 
be  difpleafing. 

When  thefe  good  old  Bards  wrote,  we  had  not  yet 
made  Ufe  of  imported  Trimming  upon  our  Cloaths, 
nor  of  foreign  Embroidery  in  our  Writings.  Their 
Poetry  is  the  Product  of  their  own  Country,  not  pil- 
fered andfpoiled  in  the  Tranfportation  from  abroad: 
Their  Images  are  native,  and  their  Landlkips  domef- 

tick 


viii.  PREFACE. 

tick;  copied  from  thofe  Fields  and  Meadows  we  every 
Day  behold. 

The  Morning  rifes  (in  the  Poets  Defcriptton)  as 
Jhe  does  in  the  Scottifti  Horizon.  We  are  not  carried 
to  Greece  or  Italy y^r  a  Shade^  a  Stream  or  a  Breeze. 
The  Groves  rife  in  our  own  Valleys ;  the  Kiversfow 
from  our  own  Fountains^  and  the  Winds  blow  upon 
our  own  Hills.  I  find  not  Fault  with  thofe  Things, 
as  they  are  in  Greece  or  Italy  :  But  with  a  North- 
ern Vott  for  fetching  his  Materials  from  thefe  Places, 
in  a  Poem,  of  which  his  own  Country  is  the  Scene  ; 
as  our  Hymners  to  the  Spring  and  Makers  of  Paf^ 
tox2\s  frequently  do. 

This  Mifcellany  will  Ukewife  recommend  itfelf  by 
the  Diverfty  of  Subjects  and  Humour  it  contains. 
The  grave  Defcription  and  the  wanton  Story,  the 
Moral  Saying  and  the  mirthful  Jefi,  will  illuflrate 
and  alternately  relieve  each  other. 

The  Reader  whofe  Temper  is  fpleen'd  with  the 
Vices  and  Follies  now  in  Fajhion,  may  gratifie  his 
Humour  with  the  Satyres  he  will  here  find  upon  the 
Follies  and  Vices  that  were  uppermojl  two  or  three 

Hun- 


PREFACE.  ix. 

Hundred  Tears  ago.  The  Man^  whofe  Inclinations 
are  turned  to  Mirth,  will  he  pleafed  to  know  how  the 
good  Fellow  of  a  former  Age  told  his  jovial  Tale ;  and 
the  Lover  may  divert  himfelf  with  the  old  fajhioned 
Sonnet  of  an  amorous  Poet  in  ^.  Margaret  and  ^ 
Mary' J  Days.  In  a  Word,  the  following  Collection 
will  be  fuch  another  ProfpeSf  to  the  Eye  of  the  Afind, 
as  to  the  outward  Eye  is  the  various  Meadow,  where 
Flowers  of  different  Hue  and  Smell  are  mingled 
together  in  a  beautiful  Irregularity. 

I  hope  alfo  the  Reader,  when  he  dips  into  thefe 
Poems,  will  not  be  difpleafed  with  this  RefeStion, 
That  he  isjiepping  back  into  the  Times  that  are  pafi^ 
and  that  exiji  no  more.  Thus  the  Manners  and 
Cuftoms  then  in  Vogue,  as  he  will  find  them  here 
defcribed,  will  have  all  the  Air  and  Charm  is/* Novelty; 
and  that  feldom  fails  of  exciting  Attention  and 
pleaftng  the  Mind.  Befides,  the  Numbers,  in  which 
thefe  Images  are  conveyed,  as  they  are  not  now  com- 
monly praSlifed,  will  appear  new  and  amuftng. 

The  different  Stanza  and  varied  Cadence  will 
likewife  much  footh   and  engage  the  Ear,  which  in 

Poetry 


X.  PREFACE. 

VoQtry*  efpecially  muji  be  always  Jiattered.  However^ 
I  do  not  expeSf  that  thefe  Poems  Jhould  pleafe  every 
Body^  nay  the  critical  Reader  muJl  needs  find  feveral 
Faults;  for  I  own  that  there  will  be  found  in  thefe 
Volumes  two  or  three  Pieces^  whofe  Antiquity  is 
their  greateft  Value;  yet  fill  I  am  perfwaded  there 
are  many  more  that  Jhall  merit  Approbation  and 
Applaufe  than  Cenfure  and  Blame.  The  bef  Works 
are  but  a  Kind  of  Mifcellany,  and  the  cleaneji  Corn 
is  not  without  fome  Chajf^  no  not  after  often  Win- 
nowing:  Befides^  Difpraife  is  the  eafiefl  Part  of 
Learning,  and  but  at  bejl  the  Offspring  of  unchari- 
table Wit.  Every  Clown  can  fee  that  the  Furrow 
is  crooked^  but  where  is  the  Man  that  will  plow  me 
one  flraight  ? 

There  is  nothing  can  be  heard  more  filly  than  one's 
expreffing  his  Ignorance  of  his  native  Language; 
yet  fuch  there  are^  who  can  vaunt  of  acquiring  a 
tolerable  PerfeSlion  in  the  French  or  Italian  Tongues^ 
if  they  have  been  a  Forthnight  in  Paris  or  a  Month 
in  Rome :  But  fljeW  them  the  mojl  elegant  Thoughts 
in  a  Scots  Drefs^  they  as  difdainfully  asfiupidly  con- 
demn 


PREFACE.  xi. 

demn  it  as  barbarous.  But  the  true  Reafon  is 
obvious:  Every  one  that  is  born  never  fo  little f up erior 
to  the  Vulgar,  would  fain  dijiinguijh  themfelves  from 
them  by  fome  Manner  or  other ^  and  fuch^  it  would 
appear  J  cannot  arrive  at  a  better  Method.  But  this 
affeSied  Clafs  of  Fops  give  no  Uneajinefs^  not  being 
numerous;  for  the  moft  part  of  our  Gentlemen^  who 
are  generally  Majlers  of  the  moji  ufeful  and  politeji 
Languages,  can  take  Pleafure  (for  a  Change)  tofpeak 
and  read  their  own. 

It  was  intended  that  an  Account  of  the  Authors 
of  the  following  QoWcdiion  Jhould  be  given;  but  not 
being  furnijhed  with  fuch  diJiinSf  Information  as  could 
be  wijhed  for  that  End  at  prefent^  the  Defign  is  de- 
layed^ until  the  publijhing  of  a  Third  or  Fourth 
fucceeding  Volume,  wherein  the  Curious  Jhall  be 
fatisfied^  in  as  far  as  can  be  gathered^  with  Relation 
to  their  Lives  and  Characters,  and  the  Time  wherein 
they  flourijhed.  The  Names  of  the  Authors,  as  we 
find  them  in  our  Copies,  are  marked  before  or  after 
their  Poems. 

/  cannot  finijh    this    Preface,   without  grateful 

Acknow- 


xii.  PREFACE. 

Acknowledgements  to  the  Honourable  Mr.  William 
Carmichael,  Advocate,  Brother  to  the  Earl  of 
Hyndford,  who.,  with  an  eafy  Beneficence,  that  is 
infep  arable  from  a  fuperior  Mind,  affifled  me  in  this 
Undertaking  with  a  valuable  Number  of  Poems  in  a 
large  Manufcript-book  in  Folio,  colle£led  and  wrote 
by  Mr.  George  Bannyntine  in  Anno  15685  from 
which  MS.  the  mofi  of  the  following  are  gathered: 
And  if  they  prove  acceptable  to  the  World,  they  may 
have  the  Pleafure  of  expe^ing  a  great  many  more, 
and  Jhall  very  foon  be  gratified. 


CHRYSTS- 


CHRYSTS-KIRK 


OF    THE 


GREN  E. 


l-«»S-«- 


I. 


"X  7[  fAS  nevir  in  Scotland  hard  nor  lene 

Sic  Dancing  and  Deray, 
Nowthir  at  Falkland  on  the  Grene, 
Nor  Pebills  at  the  Play, 


As 


NO  TES. 

Becaufe  we  ftriftly  obferve  the  old  Orthography,  for  the  more  Con- 
veniency  of  the  Readers,  we  fhall  note  fome  general  Rules  at  the 
Bottom  of  the  Page,  as  they  occur,  wherein  the  old  Spelling  differs 
from  the  prefent,  in  Words  that  have  nothing  elfe  of  the  Antique,  or 
Difference  from  the  Englip ;  But  fhall  refer  you  to  the  GlofTary  at  the 
End  of  the  fecond  Vol.  for  the  Explanation  of  all  of  that  kind  in  par- 
ticular, and  of  thofe  that  are  more  peculiar  to  this  Nation, 

Rule  I.  Grene,  Sene,  Clene,  &c,,  Green,  Seen,  Clean.  The  double 
ee  is  fupplied  in  fuch  Words,  commonly  with  one  e  before,  and  another 
after  the  Confonant. 

B 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

As  was  of  Wowers,  as  I  wene, 
At  Chryjls-Kirk  on  a  Day; 

Thair  came  our  Kitties  wafhen  clene 
In  new  Kirtills  of  Gray, 

Full  gay, 

At  Chryji-Kirk  of  the  Grene  that  Day. 


II. 

To  danfs  thir  Damyfells  them  dicht, 

Thir  Lafles  licht  of  Laits  : 
Thair  Gluvis  war  of  the  RafFell  richt, 

Thair  Shune  war  of  the  Straits; 
Thair  Kirtills  war  of  Lincome  licht, 

Weil  preft  with  mony  Plaits : 
They  war  fae  nyfs  when  Men  them  nicht, 

They  fqueilt  lyke  ony  Gaits, 
Sae  loud,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 

III.     Of 

Danfs,  Fenfs,  Glanfs,  Dance,  Fence,  Glance.  The  fs  us'd  for  the 
ie  often  in  fuch  Words. 

Dicht,  Licht,  Richt,  Sec,  Dight,  Light,  Right.  The  ch  in  fuch 
Words  always  us'd  in  Place  of  the  gh. 

Glwvis,  Lufe,  Half,  Sec,  Gloves,  Love,  Have.  The  y  and  v  in- 
differently made  ufe  of  in  thofe  and  the  like  Words. 

Shune,  Mmicy  Sum,  Sec,  Shoon  (or  Shoes),  Moon,  Soon,  the 
double  00  never  found  in  fuch  Words.  Sometimes  they  are  fpell'd, 
Sone,  Mone;  but  in  thofe,  as  in  many  others,  we  have  endeavour'd  to 
fix  the  Orthography  to  the  moft  frequent  Manner. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene.  3 

III. 

Of  all  thir  Maidens  myld  as  meid, 

Was  nane  fae  jimp  as  Gillie: 
As  ony  Rofe  her  Rude  was  raid, 

Her  Lyre  was  lyke  the  Lillie. 
Fow  zellow,  zellow  was  her  Heidj 

But  fcho  of  Lufe  fae  filly, 
Thocht  all  hir  Kin  had  fworn  hir  Deid, 

Scho  wald  haif  but  fweit  Willie 
Alane,  at  Chryji-Kirk,  &c.  that  Day. 

IV. 

Scho  fkornit  jfok  and  fkrapit  at  him, 
And  murgeont  him  with  Mokks, 

He  wald  haif  luvit,  fcho  wald  not  lat  him, 
For  all  his  zellow  Lokks. 

He 


fFeil,,  Deld,  Held,  Meid,  &c.,  Well,  Dead,  Head,  Mead.  The 
Dipthong  ei  us'd  in  many  fuch  Words,  as  now  require  e,  ea  and  ee. 

Sae,  Wae,  Mae,  Nane,  Wald,  &c. ,  So,  Wo,  Moe,  None,  Would. 
The  a  and  ae  in  Place  of  o  and  oe,  except  in  thofe  Words,  Ony,  Mony, 
which  are  the  reverfe, 

^yfi,  ^yfh  Syl,  Hyd,  Myld,  Lyk,  &c.,  Nice,  Wife,  Bite,  Hide, 
Mild,  Like.  Our  not  founding  the  i  as  the  Englijh  do,  accounts  very 
well  for  our  Elders  fpelling  all  words  with  zy  of  fuch  a  Sound. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

He  chereift  hir,  fcho  bad  gae  chat  him, 
Scho  compt  him  not  twa  Clokks : 

Sae  fchamefully  his  fchort  Goun  fet  him, 
His  Limms  wer  lyk  twa  Rokks, 

Scho  laid  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


V. 


THOM  LUTAR  was  thair  Menftral  meit, 

O  Lord !  as  he  could  lanfs : 
He  playt  fae  fchill,  and  fang  fae  fweet, 

Quhyle  Towjie  tuke  a  Tranfs. 
Auld  Lightfute  thair  he  did  forleit. 

And  counterfittet  Franfs; 
He  us'd  himfelf  as  Man  difcreit, 

And  up  tuke  Morels  Danfs, 
Full  loud,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 

VI.     Then 


Sangj  Lang,  Band,  Thrang,  Sec,  Song,  Long,  Bond,  Throng.  The 
a  is  us'd  in  place  of  o. 

Tuke,  Blude,  Gude,  Luke,  Fule,  Shute,  &c..  Took,  Blood,  Good, 
Look,  Fool,  Shoot. 

^hyle,  Siuhat,  Sluho,  S^uhyt,  Sec,  While,  What,  Who,  White. 
The  qu  is  always  us'd  for  the  German  w,  when  an  A  immediately 
follows.     See  Mr.  Ruddiman's  Gloflary  to  Ga-v'in  Douglases  Virgil. 

Auld,  Bauld,  &c.,  Old,  Bold.  Here  in  many  fuch  Words  the  Scots 
Ipell  vnth  au  in  Place  of  the  Englijh  o. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 


VI. 

Then  Steven  came  ftepand  in  with  Stands, 

Nae  Rynk  micht  him  arreift : 
Platejlute  he  bobbit  up  with  Bends, 

For  Maid  he  maid  Requeift. 
He  lap  till  he  lay  on  his  Lends ; 

But  ryfand  was  fae  preift, 
Quhyle  that  he  hoiftit  at  baith  Ends, 

For  honour  of  the  Feift, 
And  danft,  at,  i^c.  that  Day. 

VII.  Syne 


Stepand,  Ryfand,  Sec,  Stepping,  Rifing;  anii  is  frequently  the  Sign 
of  the  Participle  of  the  Prefent  Tenfe  j  fometimes  an  and  in  inftead  of 
the  modern  ing. 

Slevin,  Stepand,  Stends,  as  before,  Lajfes  Ucht  of  Laits,  and  generally 
through  all,  our  antient  Bards  endeavour  to  add  a  delicate  and  artful 
Smoothnefs  to  their  Verfe,  by  a  Flow  of  Words  that  begin  with  the 
fame  initial  Letters.  No  Poets  of  any  Language  ever  purfued  that 
Manner  fo  clofe,  or  fucceeded  fo  well.  Dryden  and  Waller,  and  fome 
others  of  our  beft  Moderns,  in  their  Verfification,  feem  to  admire  that 
Beauty. 

When  Man  on  many  multiply'' d  hh  Kind.     Dryd, 

And,  Ok  !  /low  I  long  my  tender  Limbs  to  lay.      Wal, 

One  cannot  help  fmiling  to  hear  the  Writer  of  Mr,  Waller''!  Life  fay, 
That  this  Way  of  throwing  off  a  Verfe  eafily  wasjirfi  Introduced  by  him. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 


VII.   • 

Syne  Robene  Roy  begoud  to  revell. 

And  Dawny  to  him  druggit. 
Let  be,  quoth  fok^  and  cawd  him  Jevell, 

And  be  the  Tail  him  tuggit. 
The  Kenfle  cleikit  to  a  cavell; 

But,  Lord,  than  how  they  luggit. 
Thay  partit  manly  with  a  Nevell; 

I  trow  that  Hair  was  ruggit 
Betwix  them,  at,  &c.  that  Day. 


VIII. 

Ane  bent  a  Bow,  fic  Sturt  coud  fteir  him. 
Grit  Skayth  wefd  to  haif  fkard  him : 

He  cheifl:  a  Flane  as  did  afFeir  him; 
The  toder  faid,  Dirdum,  dardum: 

Throw 


Begoud,  Beuk,  Clam,  Keijl,  See,  Began,  or  did  begin,  did  bake,  did 
climb,  did  caft.  Our  old  Authors  have  a  great  many  of  fuch  Preterites 
of  Verbs,  moft  of  which  continue  amongft  us  ftill. 

Toder,  Fader,  Bruder,  Moder,  Hider,  Sec,  That  other,  Father, 
Brother,  Mother,  Hither.  The  d  is  frequently  us'd  for  tA  in  fuch 
Words. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene.  7 

Throw  baith  the  Cheiks  he  thocht  to  cheir  him, 
Or  throw  the  Erfs  half  chard. him. 

Be  ane  Akerbraid  it  came  not  neir  him, 
I  can  not  tell  quhat  mard  him 

Thair  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


IX. 

With  that  a  Freynd  of  his  cry'd  fy, 

And  up  an  Arrow  drewj 
He  forgit  it  fae  furioufly, 

The  Bow  in  Flenders  flew : 
Sae  was  the  Will  of  God,  trow  I; 

For  had  the  Tree  been  trew. 
Men  faid  that  kend  his  Archery, 

He  wald  haif  flain  enow 
At  Chryji-Kirk  on  the  Grene  that  Day. 


X. 

Ane  hafty  Henfure  callit  Hary^ 

Quha  was  an  Archer  heynd, 
Tytt  up  a  Taikle  withouten  tary. 

That  torment  fae  him  teynd. 

I  wat 


8  Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene, 

I  wat  not  quhidder  his  Hand  coud  vary, 

Or  the  Man  was  his  Freynd; 
For  he  efchapit  throw  Michts  of  Mary, 

As  Man  that  nae  111  meind, 
But  Gude,  at  Chryji-Kirk  on  the  Grene  that  Day. 


XI. 

Than  Lowry  lyk  a  Lyon  lap, 

And  fone  a  Flane  can  fedder; 
He  hecht  to  perfe  him  at  the  Pap, 

Thereon  to  wed  a  Weddir. 
He  hit  him  on  the  Wame  a  Wap, 

It  buft  lyk  ony  Bledder : 
But  fwa  his  Fortune  was  and  Hap, 

His  Doublet  made  of  Ledder, 
Saifit  him,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 

XII. 

A  zaip  zung  Man  that  flude  him  neift, 

Loufd  afF  a  Schot  with  Yre ; 
He  ettlit  the  Bern  in  at  the  Breift, 

The  Bolt  flew  owre  the  Byre, 

Ane 

Zellovj,  Zaip,   Zung,  Zier,  Zou,  Sec,  Yellow,  Yap,  Young,  Year, 
You. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

Ane  cryd,  Fy,  he  had  flain  a  Prieft, 

A  Myle  bezond  a  Myre. 
Then  Bow  and  Bag  frae  him  he  keift, 

And  fled  as  ferfs  as  Fyre 
Frae  Flint,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


XIII. 

With  Forks  and  Flails,  thay  lent  grit  Flaps, 

And  flang  togidder  lyk  Friggs : 
With  Bowgars  of  Barns  thay  beft  blew  Kapps, 

Quhyle  thay  of  Berns  maid  Briggs. 
The  Reird  raife  rudely  with  the  Rapps, 

Quhen  Rungs  war  laid  on  Riggs : 
The  Wyfis  came  forth  with  Crys  and  Clapps, 

Lo,  quhair  my  Lyking  Hggs, 
Quoth  thay,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


XIV. 

Thay  girnit  and  lute  gird  with  Grains, 

Ilk  Goflip  uder  greivt : 
Sum  ftrak  with  Stings,  fum  gaddert  Stains, 

Sum  fled  and  ill  mifchevt. 

The 


J'' 


lo         Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

The  Menftral  wan  within  twa  Wains, 
That  Day  full  weil  he  preivt: 

For  he  came  hame  with  unbirs'd  Bains, 
Quhair  Fechtairs  war  mifcheivt. 

For  evir,  at,  &c.  that  Day. 


XV. 

Heich  Hutchon  with  a  Hiffil  Ryfs, 

To  red  can  throw  them  rummill; 
He  muddillt  them  down  lyk  ony  Myfs, 

He  was  nae  Baity  bummill. 
Thocht  he  was  wicht,  he  was  nocht  wyfs. 

With  fie  Jangleurs  to  jummillj 
For  frae  his  Thoume  they  dang  a  Sklyfs, 

Quhyle  he  cry'd  Barlafummill^ 
I  am  flain,  at,  l^c.  this  Day. 


XVI. 

QuHEN  that  he  faw  his  blude  fae  reid. 

To  fle  might  nae  Man  let  him. 
He  weind  it  had  been  for  auld  feid. 

He  thocht  ane  cry'd,  Haif  at  him. 

He 


v.. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene.         n 

He  gart  his  Feit  defend  his  Heid, 

The  far  fairer  it  fet  himi 
Quhyl  he  was  paft  out  of  all  pleid. 

They  fould  bene  fwift  that  gat  him 
Throw  Speidj  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


XVII. 

The  Town-Soutar  in  Grief  was  bowdin, 

His  Wyfe  hang  at  his  Waift; 
His  Body  was  in  Blude  all  browdin, 

He  graint  lyk  ony  Ghaift. 
Her  Glitterand  Hair  that  was  fae  gowden, 

Sae  hard  in  Lufe  him  laift, 
That  for  her  Saik  he  was  not  zowden, 

Seven  Myle  that  he  was  chaift. 
And  mair,  ^c.  that  Day. 


XVIII. 

The  Millar  was  of  manly  Male, 

To  melt  him  was  nae  Mows, 
There  durft  not  Ten  cum  him  to  tak, 

Sae  noytit  he  thair  Pows. 

The 


12         Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

The  Bufchment  hale  about  him  brak, 
And  bikkert  him  with  Bows, 

Syne  traytorly  behind  his  Bak, 
They  hewt  him  on  the  Hows, 

Behind,  at,  l^c.  that  Day. 


XIX. 

TwA  that  war  Herdmen  of  the  Herd, 

On  udder  ran  lyk  Rams, 
Then  foUowit  Feymen,  richt  unafFeird, 

Bet  on  with  Barrow  trams. 
But  quhair  thair  Gobs  thay  war  ungeird. 

They  gat  upon  the  Gams ; 
Quhyl  bludy  berkit  war  thair  Baird, 

As  they  had  worriet  Lamms, 
Maift  lyk,  at,  ^c.  that  Day. 


XX.  The 


Hewt  Mm  en  the  Hows,  Hew'd  or  cut  him  down,  by  ftrlking  him 
behind  on  the  Houghs  or  Hams. 

Cum,  Sum,  &c.,  Come,  Some.     The  a  In  Place  of  o. 

Lamms,  Thowme,  Dum,  &c.,  Lambs,  Thumb,  Dumb.  The  b 
feldom  made  Ufe  of  in  such  Words. 


Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene.  13 

XX. 

The  Wyves  keift  up  a  hideous  Zell, 

Quhen  all  thir  Zounkers  zokkit, 
Als  ferfs  as  ony  Fyre-flauchts  fell; 

Freiks  to  the  Feilds  they  flokit. 
The  Carlis  with  Clubs  did  uder  quell, 

Quhyl  Blade  at  Breifts  out  bokit; 
Sae  rudely  rang  the  common  Bell, 

That  all  the  Steipill  rokkit 
For  reid,  at  Chryjis-Kirk  on  the  Grene  that  Day. 


XXI. 

Quhen  thay  had  beirt  lyk  baitit  Bulls, 

And  branewod  brynt  in  Bails, 
They  wer  as  meik  as  ony  Mulis, 

That  mangit  ar  with  Mails. 

For 


Mulls,  Mules,  In  feveral  Words  like  this,  where  an  i  goes  between 
an  /  and  another  Confonant,  we  are  to  pronounce  fhort,  as  Mules,  not 
Mulls. 

Mangit  ar  "with  Malls,  Maim*d  with  Burdens. 

Flawchtlr  Falls,  Turf  that  Country  People  flea  for  covering  Houfes. 

Halld  the  Dulls,  is  a  Phrafe  us'd  at  Foot  Ball,  or  fuch  Games,  where 
the  Party  that  gains  the  Dule  or  Goal  is  faid  to  hall  it,  or  win  the 
Game. 


14        Chryfts-Kirk  of  the  Grene. 

For  Faintnefs  thae  forfochtin  Fulis, 
Fell  down  lyk  flauchtir  Fails : 

Frefti  Men  came  in  and  hail'd  the  Dulis, 
And  dang  them  down  in  Dails, 

Bedene,  at,  l^c.  that  Day. 


XXII. 

QuHEN  all  was  done,  Dik  with  an  Aix, 

Came  furth  to  fell  a  Fudder, 
Quod  he,  quhair  are  zon  hangit  Smaiks, 

Richt  now  wald  flain  my  Brudder. 
His  Wyfe  bade  him  gae  hame,  Gib  Glaiks, 

And  fae  did  Meg  his  Mudder. 
He  turn'd  and  gaif  them  baith  their  Paiksj 

For  he  durft  ding  nane  udder, 
For  Feir,  at  Chryjl-Kirk  of  the  Grene  that  Day. 

Finis  quod  King  JAMES  I. 


Fudder,   properly  a  Load,    relating  to  Lead.       It  is   1600    Pound 
Weight:  in  our  old  Authors  it  often  metaphorically  means  a^f^f  many. 


-=f-*^|«-|— 


15 

The  Thistle  and  the  Rose, 

O' er  Floijoers  attd  Herbage  green^ 

By  Lady  Nature  chofe^ 

Brave  King  and  lovely  Slueen. 


POEM 

In  Honour  of 

Margaret,  Daughter  to  HENRY  xht 
VII.  of  England^  Queen  to  James  the 
IV.  King  of  SCOTS, 

I. 

/^Uhen  Merch  with  variand  Winds  was  overpaft, 
And  fweit  Apryle  had  with  his  Silver  Showers 
Tane  Leif  of  Nature,  with  an  orient  Blait, 
And  lufty  May^  that  Mudder  is  of  Flowrs, 
Had  maid  the  Birds  begin  be  tymous  Hours; 
Amang  the  tendir  Odours  reid  and  quhyt, 
Quhois  Harmony  to  heir  was  grit  Delyt. 

II.  In 

Lufiy  May,  Defireable  May.  Lufty,  through  thefe  Poems,  is  an 
Epithet  frequently  us'd  in  this  Senfe  j  alfo  in  our  Language  it  expreffes 
Youthful,  Blooming,  Large,  Jolly. 


1 6  The  Ihiftle  and  the  Rofe. 

11. 

In  Bed  at  Morrow,  flelping  as  I  lay, 
Methocht  Aurora  with  her  Ruble  Ene, 

In  at  my  Window  lukit  by  the  Day, 

And  halfit  me,  with  Vifage  pale  and  grene, 
Upon  her  Hand  a  Lark  fang  frae  the  Splene, 

Luvers,  awake  out  of  your  Slumbering, 

Se  how  the  lufty  Morning  dois  upfpring. 

III. 

Methocht  frefli  May  before  my  Bed  upftood, 
In  Weid  depainted  of  ilk  diverfe  Hew, 

Sober,  benyng,  and  full  of  Menfuetude, 
In  Bright  Atyre  of  Flours,  all  forget  new. 
Of  heavenly  Colour  quhyt,  reid,  brown  and  blew, 

Balmit  in  Dew,  and  gilt  with  Phebus  Beims, 

Quhyle  all  the  Houfe  ilumynt  with  her  Leims. 

IV. 
Slugart,  fcho  faid,  awake  annon,  for  Schame, 

And  in  my  Honour  fumthing  thou  gae  wryte; 
The  Lark  has  done,  the  merry  Day  proclaim, 
Luvers  to  rais  with  Comfort  and  Delyte, 
Will  nocht  increafe  thy  Courage  to  indyt; 

Quhafe 

hukit  by  the  Day,  Looked  in  at  my  Window  by  Day  or  the  Dawn- 
ing.     Halfit,  Hail'd  or  Saluted. 

Menfuetude,  Mildnefs,  or  good  Humour. 


ne  mjik  and  the  Rofe.  17 

Quhafe  Heart  fomtyme  has  glad  and  blifsful  bene, 
Sangs  oft  to  mak  under  the  Brenches  grene. 


V. 


QuHERTO,  quoth  I,  fall  I  upryfe  at  Morrow, 
For  in  thy  Month  few  Birds  haif  I  hard  fing, 

Thay  haif  mair  Caufe  to  weip  and  plein  their  Sorrow: 
Thy  Air  it  is  not  holfum  nor  benyng, 
Lord  Eolus  dois  in  thy  Seafon  ring, 

Sae  boufteous  ar  the  blafts  of  his  Ihill  horn, 

Amang  thy  Bews  to  walk  I  haif  forborn. 


VI. 


With  that  the  Lady  foberly  did  fmyle, 
And  faid,  Upryfe  and  do  thy  Obfervance  : 

Thou  did  promift  in  Mayis  lufty  quhyle. 

Then  to  difcryve  the  ROSE  of  moft  Plefance. 
Go  fee  the  Birdis  how  they  fing  and  dance, 

And  how  the  Skyes  iluminat  ar  bricht, 

Enamylt  richly  with  new  azure  Licht. 

VIL    QUHEN 

Do  thy  Obfervance,  Perform  thy  Duty  or  Refpe£fe.  Here  'tis  proper 
we  take  notice  of  the  Cadency  of  fuch  Words  j  many  in  that  Age  being 
pronounced  long  that  now  are  exprefled  fhort :  But  our  Union  with 
France,  and  French  Auxiliaries  fo  often  in  Scotland  at  that  Time,  can 
eafily  account  for  that  Manner  of  Pronunciation. 
C 


1 8  The   Thi/ile  and  the  Rofe. 

VII. 

QuHEN  this  was  faid,  away  then  went  the  Quene, 
And  entert  in  a  lufty  Garden  gent ; 

And  then  methocht,  full  haftylie  befene, 
In  Sark  and  Mantle  after  her  I  went 
Into  this  Garth  moft  dulce  and  redolent, 

Of  Herb  and  Flowir,  and  tender  Plants  moft  fweit. 

And  grene  Leivs  doing  of  Dew  doun  fleit. 

VIII. 

The  pourpour  Sun,  with  tender  Rayis  reid, 
In  orient  bricht  as  Angel  did  appeir, 

Throu  golden  Skys  advancing  up  his  Held, 
Whofe  gildet  TrefTes  fchone  fae  wonder  cleir, 
That  all  the  Warld  tuke  Comfort  far  and  neir. 

To  luke  upon  his  frefti  and  blifsful  Face, 

Doing  all  fable  frae  the  Heavenis  chace. 

IX. 

And  as  the  blifsful  Sun  drave  up  the  Sky, 
All  Nature  fang  throu  Comfort  of  the  Licht; 

The  Minftrells  wingd  with  open  Voyces  cry, 
O  Luvers  now  is  fled  the  dully  Nicht, 
Come  welcome  Day  that  comforts  every  Wicht. 

Hail 


I 


ne  mjlle  and  the  Rofe.  19 

Hail  May^  hail  Flora^  hail  Aurora  fliene, 

Hail  Princefs  Nature,  hail  Luves  hartfome  Quene. 


X. 

Dame  Nature  gave  an  Inhibition  ther 
To  Neptune  ferfs  and  Eolus  the  bauld, 

Not  to  perturb  the  Water  nor  the  Air, 

That  nowther  blafhy  Shower,  nor  Blasts  mair 

cauld 
Suld  Flowirs  efFray  nor  Fowles  upon  the  Fauld. 

Scho  bad  eik  yum  Goddes  of  the  Sky, 

That  fcho  the  Heaven  fuld  keep  amene  and  dry. 


XL 

Als  fcho  ordaind  that  every  Bird  and  Beift 
Before  her  Hienefs  fuld  annone  compeir, 

And  every  Flovv^ir  of  Virtue  maift  and  leift. 
And  every  Herb  in  fair  Feild  far  and  neir. 
As  they  had  w^ont  in  May  frae  Yeir  to  Yeir : 

To  hir  thair  Quene  to  mak  Obediens, 

Full  law  inclynand  with  dew  Reverens. 

Xn.  With 


Obedlem  and  Re-verens,  as  obferved  before  in  the  Words  Obfervance 
and  Ple/ance,  muft  be  accented  long. 


20         The  I'hiftle  and  the  Rofe, 


XII. 

With  that  annone  fcho  fent  the  fwift  fute  Roe^ 
To  bring  in  alkind  Beift  frae  Dale  and  Doun, 

The  reftlefs  Swallow  ordert  fcho  to  go, 

And  fetch  all  Fowl  of  fmall  and  grit  Renown, 
And  to  gar  Flowirs  appeir  of  all  FafToim : 

Fully  craftely  conjurit  fhe  the  Yarrow. 

Quhilk  did  forth  fwirk  as  fwift  as  ony  Arrow. 


XIII. 

All  brocht  in  were,  in  twynkling  of  an  Ee, 

Baith  Beiji  and  Bird  and  Flowir  before  the  ^ene. 

And  firft  the  Lyon  greateft  of  Degre 

Was  fummond  ther,  and  he,  fair  to  be  fene. 
With  a  full  hardy  Countenance  and  kene. 

Before  Dam  Nature  came,  and  did  inclyne, 

With  Vifage  bauld,  and  Courage  Leonyne. 

XIV.  This 


Courage  Leonyne.  This  perhaps  maybe  fmil'd  at,  but  there's  as 
much  Reafon  to  laugh  at  the  modern  Phrafe  of  one's  looking  like 
himfelf. 


The  Thijlle  and  the  Rofe.  21 


XIV. 

This  awful  Beift  was  terrible  of"  Cheir, 

Perfing  of  Luke,  and  flout  of  Countenance, 

Right  flrong  of  Corps,  of  FafTon  fair,  bot  feir, 
Lufly  of  Shape,  licht  of  Deliverance, 
Reid  of  his  Colour,  as  the  Ruby  Glance : 

In  Feild  of  Gold  he  flude  full  rampantly. 

With  Flowr-de-Lyces  circlet  plefantly. 

XV. 

This  Lady  liftit  up  his  Cluves  fae  cleir. 
And  lute  him  lifllie  lein  upon  hir  Knee, 

And  crownit  him  with  Diadem  full  deir. 
Of  radyous  Stanes  maifl  ryall  there  to  fee. 
Saying,  The  King  of  all  Beifts  male  I  thee, 

And 


If  one  were  to  comment  and  illuftrate  every  poetical  Beauty  that 
ftrikes  our  Imaginations  fo  agreeably,  and  come  fo  frequent,  he  would 
fwell  the  Notes  too  much,  and  rob  the  Reader  of  a  Pleafure  which  is 
his  own  Property ;  wherefore  fuch  Annotations  fhall  be  declined. 
When  Folks  are  ravifhed  with  any  Pleafure  tho'  it  be  obvious  to  every 
By-flander,  yet  they  cannot  help  exprefling  what  delights  them  many 
Times  over,  when  there  is  not  the  leaft  Occafion  for  Information. 
This  was  juft  my  Cafe,  on  reading  this  excellent  Defcription  of  the  Lyon 
and  the  Scots  Arms,  never  fo  happily  blazoned. 


22  The  Thijile  and  the  Rofe. 

And  the  Prote6lor  cheif  in  Wodes  and  Schaws, 
Go  furth,  and  to  thy  Leiges  keip  the  Laws. 

XVI. 

Justice  exerce,  with  Mercy  and  Confciens, 

And  let  nae  fmall  Beift  fuffir  Skaith  nor  Skorns, 

'Of  greiter  Beifts  that  bein  of  more  Pufiance. 
Do  Law  alyke  to  Apes  and  Unicorns, 
And  lat  na  Bowgle  with  his  boufteous  Horns 

Opprefs  the  meik  Pluch-Ox,  for  all  his  Pryd, 

But  in  the  Yok  go  quietly  him  befyd. 

XVII. 
When  this  was  faid,  with   Noyfe  and  Sound  of 

Joy, 

All  Kynd  of  Quadrupeds  in  thair  Degree, 
Attains  cry'd,  Laud^  and  then,  Vive  le  Roy; 

Syne  at  his  Feit  fell  with  Humility; 

To  him  they  all  made  Homage  and  Feiltie ; 
And  he  did  tham  refaif  with  princely  Laits, 
Whofe  noble  Yre  his  Greitnefs  mitigates. 

XVIII. 

Syne  crownit  fcho  the  Eagle  King  of  Fowls  ; 

And  fliarp  as  Darts  of  Steil  fcho  made  his  Penns, 
And  bade  him  be  as  juft  to  Whawps  and  Owls^ 

As 


The  Thijile  and  the  Rofe.  23 

As  unto  Peakoks^  Papingos^  or  CranSj 
And  mak  ane  Law  for  wicht  Fowls  and  for  JVrenSy 
And  let  nae  Fowl  of  Rapine  do  affray, 
Nor  Birds  devore  but  his  own  proper  Prey. 


XIX. 

Then  callt  fcho  all  the  Flowirs  grew  in  the  Feild, 
Difcryving  all  thair  FafTons  and  Effeirs, 

Upon  the  awfull  Thistle  ftie  beheld, 

And  faw  him  guarded  with  a  Bufh  of  Speirs, 
Confiddering  him  fae  able  for  the  Weirs, 

A  radiant  Crown  of  Rubies  fcho  him  gaif. 

And  faid,  in  Feild  go  forth,  and  fend  the  laif. 


XX. 

And  fen  thou  art  a  King,  be  thou  defcreit. 
Herb  without  Value  hald  not  of  fic  Pryce, 

As  Herb  of  Vertew  and  of  Odour  fweet, 
And  let  no  Netle  vyle  and  full  of  Vyce 
Hir  fallow  with  the  gudly  Flowr-de-Lyce^ 

Nor  let  no  wyld  Weid,  full  of  Churlifhnefs, 

Compare  hir  to  the  Lillys  Nobilnefs. 

XXL  Nor 


24         The  Thijlle  and  the  Rofe. 

XXI. 

Nor  hald  nane  other  Flowir  in  fie  denty 

As  the  frefli  Rose,  of  Colour  reid  and  quhyt  j 

For  if  thou  dois,  hurt  is  thyne  Honefty, 
Confiddering  that  no  Flowir  is  fae  perfyte, 
Sae  full  of  Plefans,  Vertew  and  Delyte, 

Sae  full  of  blifsful  Angellyke  Bewtie, 

Imperial  Birth,  Honour  and  Dignitie. 

XXII. 

Then  to  the  Rose  fcho  did  her  Vifage  turn. 
And  faid,  O  lufty  Dochter  moft  benyng, 

Abofe  the  Lilly  thou  art  ilufterous  born, 
Frae  Ryal  Linage  ryfing  frefli  and  yung, 
But  ony  Spot  or  Macull  doing  fprung  : 

Cum  Blume  of  Joy  with  richeft  Jems  be  crownd, 

For  owre  the  laif  thy  Bewtie  is  renound. 

^ 

XXIII. 

A  coftly  Crown  with  Stanes  clarified  bricht, 

This  comely  Quene  did  on  hir  Heid  inclofe, 
Quhyle  all  the  Land  illumynat  of  Licht  j 

Quhairfor 


S^hois,  Dois,  Hir,  &c.,  Whofe,  Does,  Her,     The  e  in  many  fuch 
Words  Is  fupplied  with  ;. 
But  ony  Spot,  Without  Spot 


The  Thi/ile  and  the  Rofe.  25 

Quhairfor  methocht,  the  Flowirs  did  all  rejofe, 
Crying  attaines,  Hail  to  the  fragrant  Rose, 
Hail  Emprefs  of  the  Herbs,  frefch  Quene  of  Flowirs, 
To  the  be  Glore  and  Honour  at  all  Hours. 


XXIV. 

Then  all  the  Birds  thay  fang  with  Voice  on  hicht, 
Whofe  mirthfuU  Sound  was  marvellous  to  heirj 

The  Mavys  fang,  Hail  Rose  moft  rich  and  richt, 
That  does  upflurifs  under  Phebus  Sphere, 
Hail  Plant  of  Youth,  Hail  Princes  Dochter  deir. 

Hail  Blofome  breking  out  of  Blude  Ryal, 
Quhois  precious  Vertew  is  Imperial. 

XXV. 

The  Merle  fcho  fang,  Hail  Rose  of  moft  Delyt, 
Hail  of  all  Flowirs  the  fweit  and  foverain  Quene: 

The  Lark  fcho  fang,  Hail  Rose  baith  reid  and  quhyt, 
Moft  plefand  Flowir  of  michty  Colours  twain ; 
Nichtingails  fang.  Hail  Nature's  Suffragane, 

In  Bewty,  Nurture,  and  each  Nobilnefs, 

In  rich  Array,  Renown  and  Gentilnefs. 

XXVI.  The 

That  the  Houfe  of  York  and  Lancajler  (the  White  and  Red  Rofe)  were 
united  in  the  Perfon  of  our  i^ueen,  is  well  known. 


26  The  Thijile  and  the  Rofe. 

XXVI. 

The  common  Voice  upraife  of  Birdis  fmall, 
Upon  this  Ways,  O  bliffit  be  the  Hour 

That  thou  was  chofe  to  be  our  Principal, 

Welcome  to  be  our  Princes  crownd  with  Powir, 
Our  Perle,  our  Plefance,  and  our  Paramour, 

Our  Peace,  our  Play,  our  plain  Felicity : 

Chryst  the  conferve  from  all  Adverfity. 


XXVII. 

Then  all  the  Confort  fang  with  fic  a  Shout, 

That  I  anone  awakent  quhair  I  lay. 
And  with  a  Braid  I  turnit  me  about 

To  fe  this  Court,  but  all  wer  gone  away; 

Then  up  I  leint  me,  halflings  in  affray. 
Calk  to  my  Mufe,  and  for  my  Subjeck  chofe 
To  fmg  the  Ryal  Thistle  and  the  Rose. 

^od  Mr.  W"-  Dunbar. 


27 


A&&   Ai^  A-Mi  t^'Mi  Ae^  «^A 

1^*^      <r^r^      c^r^      r^t^      *^<^      '^'^ 


A 

PANYGYRICK 

ON 

S  R   Penny. 

—^-^^^--^ 

I. 

TD ICHT  fain  wald  I  my  Qwaintance  male 

Sr  Penny  with,  and  wate  ye  quhy? 
He  is  a  Man  will  undertak. 

A  Lairdfhip  of  braid  Lands  to  buyj 
Thairfoir  methink  richt  lain  wald  I 
With  him  in  Feliowfliip  repair, 

Becaufe  he  is  in  Company 
A  noble  Gyde  baith  late  and  air. 

II.  Sr 


28       A  Panygyrick  on  Sr  Penny. 

II. 

Sr  Penny  for  till  hald  in  Hand, 

His  Company  they  think  fae  fweitj 
Sum  does  not  care  to  fell  thair  Land, 

With  gude  Sr  Penny  for  to  meit, 

Becaufe  he  is  of  a  noble  Spreit, 
A  furthy  Man  and  a  forfeiand; 

There  is  no  Mater  ends  compleit, 
Till  he  fet  to  his  Seil  and  Hand. 

III. 
Sr  Penny  is  a  valiant  Man, 

Of  mekle  Strenth  and  Dignitie, 
And  evir  fen  this  Warld  began. 

In  this  Land  autoreift  is  he : 

The  King  or  Quene  ze  may  not  fee, 
They  ftill  fo  tenderlie  him  trete, 

That  ther  can  nathing  endit  be. 
Without  his  Company  ze  get. 

IV. 

Sr  Penny  is  a  Man  of  Law, 

And  (witt  ye  weil)  baith  wyfe  and  war; 
He  mony  Reafons  can  furth  fchaw, 

Quhen  he  is  Handing  at  the  Bar, 

Is 


A  Panygyrick  on  Sr  Penny.        29 

Is  nane  fae  fharp  that  can  him  fear, 
Quhen  he  propons  furth  ony  Pleyj 

Nor  zit  fae  hardy  Man  as  dar 
Sr  Penny  tyne  or  difobey. 


V. 


Sr  Penny  is  baith  leird  and  wyfe, 

The  Kirk  to  fteir  he  taks  in  Hand, 
Difponer  of  ilk  Benefice 

In  this  Realm,  throu  all  the  Land  j 

Is  nane  fae  wicht  dar  him  gainftand, 
Sae  wyfely  can  Sr  Penny  wirk ; 

And  als  Sr  Symonie  his  Servand, 
That  now  is  Gydar  of  the  Kirk. 

VI. 

GiF  to  the  Court  thou  mak  repair. 

And  ther  haif  Matters  to  proclame. 
Thou  art  unable  weil  to  fair, 

Sr  Penny  gif  thou  leif  at  hame. 

To  bring  him  furth  think  thou  nae  Schame  j 
I  do  thee  weil  to  underftand. 

Into  thy  Bag  beir  thou  his  Name, 
Thy  Matter  cums  better  to  hand. 

VII.  Sr 


3°       A  Panygyrick  on  Sr  Penny. 

VII. 

Sr  Penny  now  is  maid  an  OwU, 

They  wirk  him  mekle  Tray  and  Tene, 
They  hald  him  in  till  he  hair-mouU, 

And  males  him  blind  of  baith  his  Ene ; 

Thirout  he  is  but  fmdle  fene, 
Sae  faft  tharin  they  can  him  fteik, 

That  Commons  pure  cannot  obtain 
Ane  Day  to  byd  with  him  and  fpeik. 


Tray  and  Tene,  Anger. 

Hair-moullf  Grown  hoary  with  Mouldinefs. 


4.|)..c|..|> 


VERTUE 


31 


VERTUE    and    V  Y  C  E. 


POEM, 

Addreft  to 

JAMES  V.    King  of  Scots, 

By  the  famous  and  renown' d  Clerk, 

Mr,  John  Bellentyne, 

Arch-Dean  of  Murray. 


I. 

/~\UHEN  Silver  Diane  full  of  Beims  bricht, 
-^     Frae  dark  Eclips  was  paft  this  uther  Nicht, 

And  to  the  Crab  hir  proper  Manfion  gane  j 
Artophilax  contending  with  his  Micht 
In  the  grit  Eift  to  fet  his  Vifage  richt ; 

I  mene  the  Leider  of  the  Charle-wane : 

Aboif  our  Heid  then  was  the  Vrfis  twain, 
Quhen  Starris  fmall  obfcure  grew  to  our  Sicht, 

And  Lucifer  left  twinkling  him  alane. 

II.  The 


V-  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


II. 


The  frofty  Nicht  with  her  prolixit  Hours, 
Her  Mantle  quhyt  fpred  on  the  tender  Flours; 

When  ardent  Labour  has  addreffit  me, 
Tranflate  the  Tale  of  our  Progenitours, 
Thair  greit  Manheid,  Wifdom  and  hie  Honours, 

Quhair  we  may  cleir,  as  in  a  Mirrour,  fee 

The  furious  End  fomtymes  of  Tyranie; 
Somtymes  the  Gloir  of  prudent  Governours, 

Ilk  State  appryfit  in  thair  Facultie. 


III. 


My  weary  Spreit  defiring  to  reprefs 
My  emptive  Pen  of  frutelefs  Biffinefs, 

Awalkit  forth  to  tak  the  recent  Air, 
When  Priapus  with  ftormy  Weid  opprefs, 
Requeiftit  me,  in  his  maift  Tendernefs, 

To  reft  a  while  amids  his  Gardens  bare. 

But  I  no  maner  coud  my  Mynd  prepare 
To  fet  afyde  unplefant  Havynefs 

On  this  and  that  contempling  Solitare. 

IV.  And 

■  Priapus,  who  prefides  over  Gardens. 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  33 


IV. 

And  firft  occurrt  to  my  remembering, 
How  that  I  was  in  Service  with  the  King, 

Put  to  his  Grace  in  Zeirs  tendereft, 
Clerk  of  his  Compts,  althocht  I  was  inding. 
With  Heart  and  Hand,  and  evry  uther  thing. 

That  micht  him  pleife  in  ony  manner  beft, 

While  Envy  grit  me  from  his  Service  keft, 
By  them  that  had  the  Court  in  governing. 

As  Bird  bot  Plumes  is  herryt  of  her  Neft. 


V. 


Our  Lyfe,  our  Gyding,  and  our  Aventuris, 
Dependance  have  on  thir  celefl:  Creaturis, 

Apperandly  by  fome  Neceffitie; 
For  thocht  a  Man  wald  fet  his  bifly  curis, 
Sae  far  as  Labour  and  his  Wifdom  furis, 

To  flie  hard  Chance  of  Infortunitie, 

Tho  he  efchew  it  with  Difficultie, 
The  curfid  Weird  yet  ithandly  enduris, 

Gien  to  him  firft  in  his  Nativitie. 


VI.  Of 


34  Vertue  and  Vyce, 


VI. 

Of  eardlie  State  bewailing  thus  the  Chance 
Of  Fortune  gude  I  had  nae  Efperance, 

Sae  lang  I  had  fwomt  in  hir  Seis  fae  deip, 
That  fad  Avyfing  with  her  thochtfull  Lance 
Coud  find  nae  Port  to  anker  her  Firmance, 

Till  Morpheus  the  dreiry  God  of  Sleip, 

For  very  Rewth  did  on  my  Cures  weip, 
And  fet  his  Slewth  and  deidly  Countenance, 

With  fnorand  Vains  to  throw  my  Body  creip. 


VII. 

Methocht  I  was  into  a  plefand  Meid, 
Quhair  Flora  made  the  tender  Bluims  to  fpreid 

Throw  kindly  Dew,  and  Humours  nutrative, 
Quhen  golden  TAtan  with  his  Flamis  fae  reid, 
Aboif  the  Seis  upraift  his  glorious  Heid, 

Defounding  down  his  Heit  reftorative 

To  evry  Fruit  that  Nature  maid  to  live, 
Whilk  was  afore  into  the  Winter  deid, 

With  Stormis  cauld,  and  Har-froft  penetrive. 

VIII.  A 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  35 


VIII. 

A  Silver  Fountain  fprang  with  Watir  cleir 
Into  that  Place,  quhair  I  approchit  neir; 

Quhair  I  did  fone  efpy  a  fellon  Reird 
Of  courtly  Gallants  in  thair  gayeft  Weir, 
Rejoycing  them  in  Seafon  of  the  Zeir, 

As  it  had  bene  of  Mayis  fweit  Day  the  Feird, 

Their  gudelie  Havings  made  me  nocht  affeird ; 
With  them  I  favsr  a  crownit  King  appeir, 

With  tender  Downs  arrifmg  on  his  Beird. 


IX. 


Thir  courtly  Gallants  fettand  thair  Intents 
To  fmg  and  play  on  divers  Inftruments  j 

According  to  this  Princis  Appetyte, 
Twa  Ladyis  fair  came  pranfand  owre  the  Bents, 
Thair  coftly  Cleathing  fhawd  their  mighty  Rents ; 

Quhat  Heart  micht  wifti,  they  wanted  not  a  Myte, 

The  Rubies  fhone  upon  thair  Fingers  quhyt : 
And  finaly  I  knew  by  thair  Confents 

This  Vertue  was,  that  uther  hecht  Delyte. 

X.  Thir 


3^  Vertue  and  Vyce, 


X. 


Thir  Goddefles  arrayt  in  this  fine  Ways, 
As  Reverence  and  Honour  lift  devyfe, 

Afore  this  Prince  fell  down  upon  thair  Kneis, 
Syne  dreft  themfells  into  thair  beft  Avyfe, 
Sae  far  as  Wifdom  in  thair  Powir  lyes, 

To  do  the  Thing  that  micht  him  beft  appleife, 

Quhair  he  rejoyced  in  his  heavenly  Gleis, 
And  him  defyret  that  for  his  Emperyfs, 

Ane  of  them  twa  unto  his  Lady  cheis. 


XI. 


And  firft  Delyte  unto  the  Prince  faid  thus, 
Maift  valiant  Knycht,  in  A6tions  amorous. 

And  luftyeft  that  evir  Nature  wrocht, 
Quha  in  the  Flour  of  Zouth  mellyfluous. 
With  Notes  fweit,  and  fang  mellodious, 

Awalketh  heir  amang  the  Flowirs  foft. 

Thou  has  nae  Game,  but  in  thy  mirry  Thocht, 
My  heavenly  Blifs  is  fo  delicious. 

All  Wealth  in  Eard  bot  it  availeth  nocht. 

XII.  Tho 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  37 


XII. 

Tho  thou  had  France^  and  all  beyont  the  Po^ 
Spain^  Ingland^  Pole^  with  uther  Kingdoms  moe. 

And  reign  oure  them  in  State  moft  glorious, 
Thy  puffiant  Empyre  is  not  worth  a  Stro, 
Gif  it  unto  thy  Pleifurs  is  a  Foe, 

Or  pains  thy  Mind  with  Cares  are  dolourus ; 

Ther  is  nathing  may  be  fae  odious 
To  Man,  as  leif  in  Mifery  and  Woe, 

Defrauding  God  of  Nature  Genius. 


XIII. 

Dress  thee  thairfor  with  all  thy  bifly  Cure, 
That  thou  in  Joy  and  Pleifure  may  endure; 

Be  Sicht  of  thir  four  Bodyis  elementar, 
Twa  grofs  and  heavy,  twa  are  licht  and  pure, 
Thir  Elements  be  working  of  Nature, 

In  uther  change ;  and  tho  they  be  richt  far 

Frae  uther  twind,  with  Qualitys  contrair. 
Of  them  are  made  all  Creatures  Eard  eir  bure, 

And  finaly  in  them  refolvit  ar. 

XIV.  The 


3^  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XIV. 

The  Fyre  in  Air,  the  Air  in  Watter  cleir, 
In  Eard  the  Watter  turns  withouten  Weir, 

The  Eard  in  Watter  it  turns  ower  again ; 
Sae  furth  in  Order  nochts  confumed  heir, 
And  Man  new  born  begins  sone  to  appeir 

Ane  uther  Figure  than  afore  was  tane, 

Quhen  he  is  deid,  the  Matter  does  remain, 
Tho  it  refolve  into  fum  new  Manner, 

Naething  is  new,  nocht  but  the  Form  is  gane. 


XV. 

Thus  naething  is  in  Eard  but  fugitive, 
Pafland  and  command  fpreiding  fucceffive; 

And  as  a  Beift,  fo  is  a  Man  confave 
Of  Seid  infufd  in  Members  genitive. 
And  furth  his  Tyme  in  Plefoure  does  out  dryve 

As  Chance  him  leids,  till  he  be  laid  in  Grave: 

Thairfor  thy  Hevin  and  Plefour  now  refave, 
Quhile  thou  art  heir  into  this  prefent  Lyve, 

For  after  Death  thou  fall  no  Plefour  haif. 

XVI.  The 


1 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  39 


XVI. 

The  Rofe,  the  Lilly,  and  the  Violet, 
Unpult,  fone  wither,  and  with  winds  owrefet, 

Wallout  falls  down  hot  ony  Fruit,  I  wifs, 
Thairfore  I  fay,  Sen  that  naething  may  let. 
But  thy  bricht  Hew  maun  be  with  Zeirs  all  fret, 

(For  every  Thing  but  for  a  Seafon  is) 

Thou  may  not  haif  a  mair  excellent  Blifs 
Than  ly  all  Nicht  into  my  Arms  plet, 

To  hals  and  brais  with  mony  a  lufty  Kifs. 


XVII. 

And  haif  my  tender  Body  by  thy  Syde, 
So  proper  fet,  quhilic  Nature  has  provyde 

With  every  Plefour,  that  thou  mayft  divyne. 
Ay  quhile  my  tender  Zeirs  be  overflyde  j 
Then  gif  thou  pleis  that  I  thy  Brydel  gyde. 

Thou  maun  all  ways  from  agit  men  declyne. 

Syne  drefs  thy  Hairt,  thy  Courage  and  Ingyne, 
To  fuffer  nane  fall  in  thy  Houfe  abyde. 

But  gif  thay  will  unto  thy  Luft  inclyne. 

XVIII.  Gif 


4°  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XVIII. 

GiF  thou  defyres  into  the  Seis  to  fleit 
Of  hevinly  Blifs,  than  me  thy  Lady  treit ; 

For  it  is  faid  by  Clerks  of  fair  Renown, 
Thair  is  nae  Pleafour  in  this  Eard  fo  grit. 
As  quhen  a  Luver  dois  his  Lady  meit, 

To  raife  his  Lyf  frae  mony  a  deidlie  Soun, 

As  hieft  plefour  but  Comparifoun. 
I  fall  the  geif  in  thy  Zeirs  zoung  and  fweit, 

A  lufty  Halk  with  mony  Plumes  full  broun. 


XIX. 

QuHiLK  fall  be  found  fae  joyous  and  Plefant, 
Gif  thou  into  her  mirry  Flichts  fall  hant. 

Of  evry  Bhfs  that  may  in  Eard  appeir. 
As  Hairt  will  think  thou  fall  nae  Plenty  want, 
Quhile  Zeirs  fwift  with  Quheils  properant, 

Confume  thy  Strenth,  and  all  thy  Bewtie  cleir. 

And  quhen  Delyt  had  faid  on  this  Maner, 
As  Rage  of  Zowtheid  thocht  maift  relivant  j 

Then  Vertew  fpake,  as  after  ye  fall  heir. 

XX.  My 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  4^ 


XX. 

My  Lands  full  braid  with  mony  a  plenteous  Shyre, 
Sail  give  thy  Hienefs,  (gif  thou  lift  difyre) 

Triumphant  Glore,  hie  Honour,  Fame  divyne. 
With  fie  PuifTance,  that  them  nae  furious  Yre, 
Nor  weirand  Age,  nor  Flames  of  birnand  Fyre, 

Nor  bitter  Death  may  bring  unto  Rewyne, 

But  thou  maun  firft  enfufFer  meikle  Pyne, 
Abune  thy  felf,  that  thou  may  haif  Empyre, 

Then  fall  thy  Fame  and  Honour  haif  no  Fyne. 


XXI. 

Amang  my  Faes  my  Realms  fet  ar  all, 
Quhilic  haif  with  me  a  Weir  continual. 

And  ever  ftill  dois  on  my  Border  ly : 
And  tho'  thay  may  nae  Ways  me  overthrawl, 
Thay  ly  in  wait,  gif  ony  Chance  may  fall, 

Of  me  fumtyme  to  get  the  Vidlory. 

Thus  is  my  Lyfe  an  ithand  Chevalry, 
And  Labour  halds  me  ftrong  as  ony  Wall, 

And  nathing  breks  me  but  vyl  Slugardy. 

XXn.  Nae 


4^  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XXII. 

Nae  Fortune  may  againft  me  ocht  avail, 
Tho  fcho  with  cloudy  ftorms  me  aft  aflail. 

I  brek  the  Streim  of  fharp  adverfity, 
In  Wedder  lown,  and  maift  tempeftous  Hail, 
Bot  any  Dreid  I  beir  an  equal  Sail: 

My  Ships  fae  ftrong,  that  I  may  never  die. 

Wit,  Reafon,  Manheid  governs  me  fae  hie, 
Nae  influence  of  Starns  can  eir  prevail 

To  rigne  ow^re  me  w^ith  Infortunitie. 


XXIII. 

The  Rage  of  Zouth  can  never  dantit  be, 
Bot  grit  Diftrefs  and  fharp  Adverfity, 

As  be  this  Reafon  is  experience; 
The  fynefl  Gold  or  Silver  that  we  fe. 
May  not  be  wrocht  to  our  Utility, 

Without  kein  Flames  and  bitter  Violence; 

The  mair  Diflrefs,  the  mair  Intelligence. 
Quha  eir  fails  lang  in  hie  Profperity, 

Ar  fune  owrefet,  gainft  florms  have  nae  Defence. 

XXIV.  This 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  43 


XXIV. 

This  fragill  Lyfe,  as  Moment  induring, 
Bot  doubt  fall  thee  and  all  the  Warld  bring 

To  ficker  Blifs,  or  then  eternal  Wae. 
Gif  thou  by  honeft  Labour  dois  a  Thing, 
Thy  Labour  vaniefis  but  tarrying; 

Howbeit  thy  honeft  Warks  they  do  not  fae. 

Gif  thou  does  ocht  of  Luft  be  Nicht  or  Day, 
The  fhameful  Deid,  without  diflevering, 

Continues  ftill  when  Plefour  is  away. 


XXV. 

As  Carvell  ticht,  faft  tending  throw  the  Sie, 
Leives  nae  imprent  amang  the  Wallis  hie. 

As  fwifteft  Birds  with  mony  a  bifly  Plume 
Perfis  the  Air,  and  wates  not  quhair  thay  flie, 
Sicklyks  our  Lyfe  without  Adtivitie ; 

It  gifles  na  Fruit,  howbeit  a  Shadow  blume. 

Quha  dois  thair  Lyfe  in  Ydlenefs  confume, 
Bot  Vertews  Deids,  thair  Fame  and  Memorie 

Sail  vanife  foner  than  the  reiky  Fume. 

XXVI.  As 


44  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XXVI. 

As  Watter  purges  and  males  Bodys  fair, 
As  Fyre  afcends  be  Nature  in  the  Air, 

And  purefies  with  Heit  thats  vehement: 
As  Flowir  does  fmell,  as  Fruit  is  nurifare: 
As  precious  Balmes  reverts  the  Things  ar  fair, 

And  males  them  of  the  Rot  impatient. 

As  Spyce  maift  fweit,  and  Rofe  maift  redolent  j 
As  ftern  of  Day  by  Motion  circulair, 

Chaifes  the  Nicht  with  Beims  refplendent. 


XXVII. 

SiCKLYKE  my  Warks  they  perfyt  every  Wicht, 
In  fervent  Luve  of  maift  excellent  Licht, 

And  males  a  Man  into  this  Eard  bot  Peir, 
And  does  the  Saul  frae  all  Disorder  dicht, 
With  Odour  dulce,  and  males  it  ftill  mair  bricht 

Than  Diane  full,  or  zet  Apollo  cleir, 

Syn  raifes  it  into  the  hieft  Sphere, 
Immortally  to  fliine  in  Gods  awin  Sicht, 

His  chofen  Creature,  and  as  Spous  maift  deir. 

XXVIII.  This 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  45 


XXVIII. 

This  uther  Wretch  that  clipit  is  Delyte^ 
Involves  Mankynd  be  fenfual  Appityte, 

In  every  Kind  of  Vyce  and  Miferie, 
Because  nae  Wit  nor  Reafon  is  perfyte 
Quhair  fhe  is  Gyde,  but  Skaith  thats  infinytj' 

With  Dolour,  Shame,  and  urgent  Povertiej 

For  fcho  fprang  frae  the  licht  Froth  of  the  Se. 
Quhilk  fignifies  hir  Plefour  venomit. 

Is  minglit  ay  with  fhairp  Adverfitie. 


XXIX. 

Duke  Hannibal,  as  mony  Authors  wrait. 
Throw  Spenzte  came  be  mony  a  Paflage  ftrait; 

To  Italy  in  Furor  bellical, 
Brak  down  hie  Walls,  and  hieft  Mountains  flait. 
And  to  his  Army  made  an  open  Gait, 

And  Victories  had  on  the  Romans  all. 

At  Capua  by  Plefour  fenfual. 
The  Duke  was  made  fae  faft  and  delicate. 

That  by  his  Faes  he  was  fone  overthrawU. 

XXX.  Of 


46  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XXX. 

Of  ferfs  Achill  the  weirly  Deids  fprang, 

In  Troy  and  Gre'ice^  quhyle  he  in  Vertue  rang, 

How  Luft  him  flew  it  is  but  Rewth  to  heir: 
Siclyk  the  Trojans  with  thair  Knichts  ftrang, 
The  valiant  Gretks  furth  frae  thair  Ruins  dang, 

Vidlorioufly  exercit  mony  a  Zeir; 

That  Nicht  they  went  to  thair  Lufl:  and  Plefour, 
The  fatal  Horfs  did  throw  thair  Walls  feng, 

Quhais  pregnant  Sydes  wer  full  of  Men  of  Weir. 


XXXI. 

SARDJNAPJLL^  that  Prince  efeminat, 
Frae  Deids  of  Knichts  bafely  degenerat, 

Twynand  the  Threid  of  whyt  or  purpour  Lint, 
With  Fingers  faft  amang  the  Ladyis  fat, 
And  with  his  Luft  couth  not  be  fatiate, 

Till  frae  his  Faes  came  laft  the  bitter  Dint. 

Quhat  nobil  Men  and  Ladyis  haif  bene  tint, 
Quhen  they  with  Luft  have  bene  intoxicat. 

To  fchaw  at  lenth  my  Tung  wald  nevir  ftint. 

XXXII.  But 


Vertue  ajid  Vyce.  47 


XXXII. 

But  brave  Camil  the  valiant  Chevalier, 
(When  he  the  Gauls  had  dantint  be  his  Weir) 

Of  Heritage  vv^ald  haif  nae  Recompence  j 
For  gif  his  Bairns,  his  Kin  and  Friends  maift  deir 
Were  verteous,  they  could  not  fail  ilk  Zeir 

To  haif  enough,  be  Roman  Providence. 

Gif  they  wer  given  to  Vyce  and  Infolence, 
It  was  not  neidfull  he  fould  conqueifs  Geir, 

To  be  the  Caufe  of  thair  Incontinence. 


XXXIII. 

Sum  nobil  Men,  as  Poets  lift  declair, 
Were  Deifeit,  fum  made  Gods  of  the  Air, 

Sum  of  the  Heaven,  as  Eolus^  Vulcan^ 
Apollo^  Saturn^  Hermes,  Jupiter, 
Mars,  Hercules,  and  uther  Men  preclair. 

That  Fame  imortall  in  this  Warld  w^an : 

Quhy  wer  thir  People  called  Gods  than  ? 
Becaufe  they  had  a  Vertue  fingulair, 

Excellent  hie  abune  the  Ingyne  of  Man. 

XXXIV.  And 


4^  Vertue  and  Vyce. 


XXXIV. 

And  uthers  are  in  Reik  fulphurious, 
As  Ixion^  and  weiry  Syfyphus, 

Eumentdes^  the  Furys  odibil, 
The  proud  Gyants,  and  thrifty  Tantalus^^ 
With  ugly  Drink,  and  Fude  maift  vennomus, 

Quhair  Flames  bauld,  and  Mirknefs  ar  fenfibil ; 

Quhy  ar  thir  Folk  in  Pains  fae  terribil? 
Becaufe  they  were  but  Shrews  maift  vicious 

Into  thair  Lyfe,  with  Deids  maift  horribil. 


XXXV. 

And  tho  nae  Fruit  wer  after  confequent 
Of  mortall  Lyfe,  but  for  this  Warld  prefent 

Ilk  Man  to  haif  allenerlie  Refpedt ; 
Zet  Vertue  fould  frae  Vice  be  different. 
As  quick  frae  deid,  as  rich  frae  indigent; 

That  ane  to  hieft  Honour  does  direct, 

This  uther  Saul  and  Body  does  negleft. 
That  ane  of  Reafon  maift  intelligent, 

This  uther  of  Beifts  following  the  Effeft. 

XXXVI.  For 


1 


Vertue  and  Vyce.  49 


XXXVI. 

For  he  that  nold  againft  his  vyl  Lufts  ftryve. 
But  lives  as  Beifts  of  Knawlege  fenfityve, 

Grows  faft  to  Eild,  and  Death  him  fone  owrehails: 
Thairfor  the  Mule  is  of  a  langer  Lyfe 
Than  the  ftaind  Horfe;  alfo  the  barrand  Wyfe 

ZouthfuU  appeirs,  when  that  the  Brudie  fails: 

We  alfo  fe  when  Nature  nocht  prevails, 
The  Pain  and  Dolour  ar  fae  pungityve, 

Nae  Medycyne  the  Patient  then  avails. 


XXXVII. 

Sen  our  Intents  baith  we  haif  fhawn  thee  thus, 
Cheis  of  us  twae  the  malft  delicious, 

Or  to  fuftene  a  fharp  Adverfitie, 
Danting  the  Rage  of  Zouth-heid  furious. 
And  fyn  pofles  Triumphs  innumerous. 

With  hie  Empyre,  and  lang  Felicitie; 

Or  haif  ane  Moment  Senfualitie 
Of  fulilh  Zouth,  in  Lyf  voluptous, 

And  all  thy  Days  full  of  fad  Miferie. 

E      XXXVIII.  PHE- 


50  Vertue  and  Vyce, 


XXXVIII. 

PHEBUS  be  this  his  fyrie  Cart  did  wry, 
Frae  South  to  Weft  declynand  biflyly 

To  dip  his  Steids  into  the  Weftlin  Main; 
When  ryfing  Damps  owrefaild  his  Vifage  dry 
With  Vapours  thick,  and  cluddet  all  the  Sky, 

And  Notus  brym,  the  Wind  meridian, 

With  Wings  donk,  and  Fedders  full  of  Rain, 
Awakent  me,  that  I  could  not  efpy 

Quhilk  of  the  twa  was  for  his  Lady  tane. 


XXXIX. 

But  fone  I  knew  they  were  the  Goddefles 
That  came  in  Sleip  to  valiant  Hercules^ 

When  he  was  zung,  and  free  of  every  Lore, 
To  Luft  or  Honour,  Purtith  or  Riches, 
Quhair  he  contempnit  Luft  and  Idlenefs, 

That  he  in  Vertue  micht  his  Lyfe  decore; 

Then  Warks  he  did  of  maift  excellent  Glorej 
The  mair  increfst  his  painfull  Biffinefs, 

His  hie  Triumphs  and  Loving  was  the  more. 


1 

i 


51 


A  By t  and  BALL  AT  on  warlo  Wives  ^ 
That  gar  thair  Men  live  pinging  Lives. 


I. 


1I)E  merry,  Brethrene,  ane  and  all, 

And  fet  all  Sturt  alide  j 
And  every  ane  togither  call 
To  God  to  be  our  Gyd; 
For  as  lang  lives  the  mirry  Man, 
As  dois  the  Wretch  for  ocht  he  can. 
When  Deid  him  ftrakes,  he  v»?ats  na  whan, 
And  charges  him  to  byde. 


II. 

The  Rich  then  fall  not  fpared  be, 
Thocht  they  haif  Gold  and  Land, 

Nor  zit  the  Fair,  for  their  Bewty, 
Cannot  that  Charge  gainftand. 


Tho 


5^  A  lytand  Ballat^  &c. 

Tho  Wicht  or  Weak  wald  flee  away, 
Nae  Doubt  but  all  maun  Ranfom  pay, 
Quhat  Place  or  quhare  can  nae  Man  say. 
Be  Se  or  zit  be  Land. 


III. 

The  mirryeft  Man  that  leives  on  Lyfe, 

He  fails  upon  the  Sej 
For  he  knaws  neither  Sturt  nor  Stryfe, 

But  blyth  and  glad  is  he : 
But  he  that  has  an  evil  Wyfe, 
Has  Sour  and  Sorrow  all  his  Lyfe, 
And  that  Man  quilk  leives  ay  in  Stryf, 
How  can  he  mirry  be  ? 


IV. 

Ane  evil  Wyfe  is  the  warft  aught 

That  ony  Man  can  haif; 
For  he  may  nevir  fit  in  Saught, 

Unlefs  he  be  her  Slaif : 

But 


A  by t and  Ballat^  &c.  53 

But  of  that  Sort  I  knaw  nane  uther, 
Except  a  Cuckald  or  his  Brutherj 
Sunt  Lairds  and  Cuckalds  altogither, 

May  wifs  their  Wyves  in  Graif. 


V. 


Because  thair  Wyves  half  Maiftery, 

That  they  dar  naeways  cheip, 
But  gif  it  be  in  Privity, 

Quhen  they  are  faft  afleip  j 
Ane  mirry  in  thair  Company, 
To  them  is  worth  baith  Gold  and  Fie: 
A  Menftrell  neir  coud  dairthful  be, 
Thair  Mirth  if  he  coud  beit. 

VI. 

But  of  that  Sort  whilk  I  report, 

I  knaw  nane  in  this  Ring : 
But  we  may  all  baith  grit  and  fmall, 

Glaidly  baith  dance  and  fing, 

Quha 


Sunt  Lairds.     Here  is  spelled  with  an  ^,  as  it  ough^  and  not  with  a 
C,  as  many  of  the  Englijh  do. 


54  A  by  t  and  Ball  at ^  &c. 

Quha  lifts  not  here  to  make  gude  Cheir, 
Perchance  his  Guids  an  uthir  Yeir 
Be  fpent,  quhen  he  is  brought  to  Beir, 
Quhen  his  Wyfe  taks  the  Fling. 

VII. 

It  has  been  fene,  that  wyfe  Women, 

After  their  Huftjand's  Deid, 
Has  gotten  Men  has  gart  them  ken, 

If  they  could  bear  a  Laid. 
With  a  grene  Sting,  hes  gart  them  bring 
The  Geir  that  won  was  by  a  Dringj 
And  fyne  gart  all  the  Bairnies  fing, 
Ramukloch  in  their  Bed. 

VIII. 

Then  wad  fcho  fay,  Alake  this  Day, 

For  him  that  wan  this  Geir, 
Quhen  I  him  had,  I  Ikairfly  faid. 
My  Heart  anes  mak  gude  Cheir. 
•    Or  I  had  letten  him  fpend  a  Plak,. 
I  lure  haif  witten  him  brake  his  Bak, 
Or  els  his  Craig  had  gotten  a  Crak, 
Ower  the  Hicht  of  the  Stair. 

IX.  Ze 


A  bytand  Ballat^  &c.  55 

IX. 

Ze  Niggarts  then  Example  tak, 

And  leir  to  fpend  your  awn. 
And  with  gude  Freynds  ay  mirry  male, 

That  it  may  well  be  knawn, 
That  thou  art  he  quha  wan  this  Geir ; 
And  for  thy  Wyfe  fe  thou  nocht  fpair. 
With  blyth  Freynds  ay  to  make  Repair, 
Sae  fall  thy  Worth  be  fhawn. 

X. 

FINIS  quod  I,  quha  sets  not  by 
The  ill  Wy  ves  of  this  Toun, 
Tho  for  Difpyte  with  me  wald  flyte, 

Gif  thay  micht  put  me  doun. 
Gif  they  wald  ken  quha  maid  this  Sang, 
Quhidder  they  will  him  heid  or  hang, 
Flemyings  his  Name  quhair  eir  he  gang. 
In  Country  and  in  Toun. 

^od  Flemyng. 

Seti  not  by,  Does  not  Value.     Put  doun,  Murder. 


Robin 


56 


Robin    and  Makyne, 

A    PASTORAL. 

I. 

"D  OB  IN  fat  on  the  gude  grene  Hill, 

Keipand  a  Flock  of  Fie, 
Quhen  mirry  Makyne  faid  him  till, 

O  Robin  rew  on  me. 
I  haif  thee  luivt  baith  loud  and  ftill, 

Thir  Towmonds  twa  or  thre ; 
My  Dule  in  dern  but  gif  thou  dill, 

Doubtlefs  bot  Dreid  I  die. 

II. 

i2057iV  replied,  Now  by  the  Rude, 

Naithing  of  Luve  I  knaw. 
But  keip  my  Sheip  undir  yon  Wod, 

Lo  quhair  they  raik  on  Raw. 


Quhat 


Dule  In  dern,  Sorrow  in  fecret.     Dill,  ftill,  calm,  or  mitigate. 
Ra'tk  on  Raw,  go  apace  in  a  Row, 


Robin  and  Makyne.  57 

Quhat  can  have  mart  thee  in  thy  Mude, 

Thou  Makyne  to  me  fchaw  ? 
Or  quhat  is  Luve,  or  to  be  lude  ? 

Fain  wald  I  leir  that  Law. 

III. 

The  Law  of  Luve  gin  thou  wald  leir, 

Tak  thair  an  A,  B,  C  ; 
Be  keynd,  courtas,  and  fair  of  Feir, 

Wyfe,  hardy,  kind  and  frie, 
Sae  that  nae  Danger  do  the  deir. 

What  dule  in  dern  thou  drie ; 
Prefs  ay  to  pleis,  and  blyth  appeir. 

Be  patient,  and  privie. 

IV. 

ROBIN  he  anfwert  her  again, 

I  wat  not  quhat  is  Luve, 
But  I  haif  Marvell  uncertain 

Quhat  maks  thee  thus  wanrufe. 

The 


Fair  of  Feir,  of  a  fair  and  healthful  Look. 


5^  Robin  and   Makyne. 

The  Wedderis  fair,  and  I  am  fain j 
My  Sheip  gaes  hail  abuve, 

Gif  we  fould  play  us  on  the  Plain, 
They  wald  us  baith  repruve. 


V. 

ROBIN  talc  tent  unto  my  Tale, 

And  do  all  as  I  reid ; 
And  thou  fall  haif  my  Heart  all  hale, 

Eik  and  my  Maidenheid  : 
Sen  God  he  fends  Bute  for  Bale, 

And  for  Murning  Remeid. 
I  dern  with  thee,  but  give  I  dale, 

Doubtlefs  I  am  but  deid. 


VI. 

MAKYNE  the  Morn  be  this  ilk  Tyde, 

Gif  ye  will  meit  me  heir, 
May  be  my  Sheip  may  gang  besyde, 

Quhyle  we  have  liggd  full  neir ; 

But 


Wedderis,  Weather's.  It  is  to  be  noticed,  that  our  Elders  never 
apoftrophifed,  yet  by  this  one  may  judge  that  in  every  like  Cafe  they 
pronounced,  as  if  fuch  Vowels  were  cut  off  with  an  Apoftrophe: 
Without  allowing  this,  many  of  their  Lines  will  not  be  Numbers. 


mm- 


Robin  and   Makyne.  59 

But  maugre  haif  I,  gif  I  byde, 

Frae  thay  begin  to  fteir, 
Quhat  lyes  on  Heart  I  will  nocht  hyd, 

Then  Makyn  mak  gude  Cheir. 

VII. 

ROBIN  thoM  reivs  me  of  my  Reftj 

I  luve  but  thee  alane. 
Makyne^  adieu ^  the  Sun  goes  Weft, 

The  Day  is  neir-hand  gane. 
Robin  in  Dule  I  am  fo  dreft, 

That  Luve  will  be  my  Bane. 
Makyne  gae  luve  quhair  eir  ye  lift; 

For  Lemans  I  luid  nane. 

VIII. 

ROBIN  I  ftand  in  fic  a  Style, 

I  fich,  and  that  full  fair. 
Makyne  I  have  been  heir  this  quyle, 

At  hame  I  wifh  I  were. 
Robin,  my  Hinny,  talk  and  fmyle, 

Gif  thou  will  do  nae  mair. 
Makyne  sum  uther  Man  beguyle^ 

For  hameward  I  will  fare. 

IX.  Syne 


6o  Robin  and  Makyne. 


IX. 

Syne  Rohin  on  his  Ways  he  went, 

As  light  as  Leif  on  Tree: 
But  Makyne  murnt  and  made  Lament, 

Scho  trow'd  him  neir  to  fee. 
Robin  he  brayd  attowre  the  Bent. 

Then  Makyne  cryd  on  hie, 
Now  may  thou  fing,  for  I  am  flient! 

Quhat  can  ail  Luve  at  me? 

X. 

MAKYNE  went  hame  withouten  fail, 

And  weirylie  could  weip ; 
Then  Roh'in  in  a  full  fair  Dale 

Aflemblit  all  his  Sheip, 
Be  that  fomepart  of  Makyns  Ail, 

Outthrow  his  Heart  coud  creip, 
Hir  faft  he  foUowt  to  aflail, 

And  till  her  tuke  gude  keip. 

XL  Abyd 


Brayd  attowre  the  Bent,  hafted  over  the  Field.     Tuke  gude  Kelp,  J 

kept  a  clofe  Eye  upon  her.  1 


Robin  and   Makyne.  6i 


XI. 

Abyd,  abyd,  thou  fair  Makyne^ 

A  Word  for  ony  Thing; 
For  all  my  Luve  it  fall  be  thyne, 

Withoutten  departing. 
All  hale  thy  Heart  for  till  have  myne, 

Is  all  my  coveting; 
My  Sheip  quhyle  Morn  till  the  Hours  Nyne, 

Will  miller  nae  keiping. 

XII. 
ROBINj  thou  has  heard  fung  and  fay, 

In  Jefts  and  Storys  auld, 
The  Man  that  will  not  when  he  may^ 

Sail  have  nocht  when  he  wald. 
I  pray  to  Heaven  baith  Nicht  and  Day, 

Be  eikd  their  Cares  fae  cauld, 
That  prefTes  firft  with  thee  to  play, 

Be  Forreft,  Firth  or  Fauld. 

xin. 

MAKYNE^  the  Nicht  is  foft  and  dry. 

The  Wether  warm  and  fair, 
And  the  grene  Wod  richt  neir  hand  by 

To  walk  attowre  all  where : 

There 


62  Robin  and  Makyne. 

There  may  nae  Janglers  us  efpy, 

That  is  to  Luve  contrair, 
Therin,  Makyne^  baith  you  and  I, 

Unfeen  may  mak  Repair. 

XIV. 

ROBIN,  that  Warld  is  now  away, 

And  quyt  brocht  till  an  End, 
And  neir  again  thereto  perfay, 

Sail  it  be  as  thou  wend ; 
For  of  my  Pain  thou  made  but  Play, 

I  Words  in  vain  did  fpendj 
As  thou  has  done  fae  fall  I  fay, 

Murn  on,  I  think  to  mend. 

XV. 

MAKYNE,  the  Hope  of  all  my  Heal, 

My  Heart  on  thee  is  fetj 
I'll  evermair  to  thee  be  leil, 

Quhile  I  may  live  but  lett. 
Never  to  fail  as  uthers  feil, 

Quhat  Grace  fo  eir  I  get. 
Robin,  with  thee  I  will  not  deal  3 

Adieu,  for  this  we  met. 

XVI.  MA' 


Robin  and  Makyne.  63 


XVI. 

MAKYNE  went  hameward  blyth  enough, 

Outowre  the  Holtis  Hair. 
Pure  Rohin  murnd  5nd  Makyne  leugh ; 

Scho  fang,  and  he  fichd  fair: 
Scho  left  him  in  baith  Wae  and  Wreuch, 

In  Dolor  and  in  Care, 
Keipand  his  Herd  under  a  Heuch, 

Amang  the  ralhy  Gair. 

Finis  quod  Mr.  RoB.  Henryson. 


Advii 


ce 


64 


K^.*^.^.  .C^.*^.^.  .(^.'^.^  .(^■'i^.^.  '(^.'^.k). 
•Cf -A-f)-  -cf- A'§>-  •4*4^'^'  •4'«4''^*  •^'^^''f^* 


Advice  to  Man  to  enjoy  his  ain. 


«.§•!+■ 


I. 


TV/r  AN,  fen  thy  Lyfe  is  ay  in  Weir, 
And  Deid  is  ever  drawing  neir, 
The  Tyme  unfiker  and  the  Place, 
Thyne  ain  Gude  fpend  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

II. 

GiF  it  be  thyne,  thy  felf  it  ufes, 

Gif  it  be  not,  thee  it  refufes. 

Another  of  thee  Profit  has. 

Then  fpend  thy  ain  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

III. 

Thou  may  to  Day  have  Gude  to  fpend. 
In  haift  to  Morn  may  from  it  wend. 
And  leive  an  uther  thy  Baggs  to  brace, 
Then  fpend  thy  ain  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

IV.  Quhile 


Advice  to  Man  to  enjoy  his  ain.      65 

IV. 

QuHiLE  thou  has  Space,  fe  thou  difpone 
That  for  thy  Geir:  quhen  thou  art  gone, 
Nae  Wicht  ane  other  flay  or  chace, 
Enjoyt  thy  felf  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

V. 

Sum  all  his  Days  dryves  owre  in  vain. 

Ay  gatherand  Geir  with  Greif  and  Pain, 

Is  nevir  glade  at  Xule  nor  Pais; 

Thyne  ain  Gude  fpend  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

VI. 

Syne  cums  ane  blythfome  of  his  Sorrow, 
That  for  him  prayd  nor  Even  nor  Morrow, 
And  fangs  it  all  with  Merrynefs  j 
Then  fpend  thy  ain  quhile  thou  has  Space. 

VII. 

Sum  gathers  Gude,  and  ay  it  fpares. 
And  after  him  cum  braw  young  Airs, 
That  his  auld  Thrift  fets  on  an  Ace, 
And  fendft  a  Sheiring  in  fhort  Space. 

VIII.  Its 

F 


66      Advice  to  Man  to  enjoy  his  ain. 

VIII. 

Its  juft  all  thyne  that  here  thou  fpends, 
And  not  all  that  on  thee  depends, 
But  his  to  fpend  it  that  has  Grace; 
Then  fpend  thyn  ain  quhyle  thou  has  Space. 

IX. 

Trust  not  annother  will  do  ye  to, 

It  that  thy  felf  wald  nevir  do; 

For  gif  thou  dois,  ftrange  is  thy  Cace ; 

Thine  ain  Gude  fpend  quhyle  thou  has  Space. 

X. 

Luke  how  the  Bairn  dois  to  the  Mother, 
And  tak  Example  be  nane  uther. 
That  it  not  after  be  thy  Cafe ; 
Sae  fpend  thy  ain  quhyle  thou  has  Space. 

^od  DUMBAR. 


On 


67 


On  a  bonny  Veffel  called  The  Fleming 
Bark,  belonging  to  Edinburgh. 

I. 

T  Have  a  little  Fleming  Berge 

Of  cleanly  Wark,  and  fcho  is  wichtj 

Quhat  Pylot  talcs  my  Schip  in  Charge, 
Maun  hald  her  cleanly,  trim  and  ticht: 
Hir  Hatches  maun  be  handlit  richt. 

With  Steir  Burd,  Baburd,  Luf  and  Lie; 
Scho  will  fail  all  the  Winter  Nicht, 

And  nevir  tak  a  Tellzevie. 


II. 

With  ane  even  Keil  afore  the  Wind, 

Scho  is  richt  fairdy  with  a  Sail ; 
But  at  a  Lufe  fcho  lyis  behind, 

Gar  heis  her  quhile  her  Howbands  ikail; 

Draw 


68  '^he  Fleming  Bark. 

Draw  weil  the  tackle  to  her  Tail, 
Scho  will  not  mifs  to  lay  zour  Maft, 

To  pump  as  aft  as  ze  may  fail, 
Ze  will  neir  hald  her  Watter-faft. 


III. 

To  coif  hir  aft,  can  do  no  ill, 

And  talloun  quhair  the  Flude-mark  flows ; 
But  gif  fcho  lekks,  get  Men  of  Skill 

To  flap  the  Holes  laigh  in  the  Hows : 

For  faut  of  Hemp,  tak  hairy  Tows, 
And  Stane-balaft  withouten  other. 

In  moonlefs  Nichts  it  is  nae  Mows, 
Except  a  ftout  Man  fteir  the  Ruther. 

IV. 

A  Veflell  fair  abune  the  Watter, 

And  is  but  laitly  reikit  too, 
Quhairto  till  deave  ze  with  hir  Blatter 

Are  nane  fie  in  the  Flot  as  fcho: 

Plum  weil  the  Grund,  quhat  eir  ze  do. 
Hail  on  the  Fore-fheit  and  the  Blind ; 

Scho  will  tak  in  at  Cap  and  Ko, 
Without  fcho  balaft  be  behind. 

V.  Nae 


The  Fleming  Bark,  69 

V. 

Nae  Pedders  Pak  fcho  will  refufe, 

Altho  hir  Travel  fcho  fhoud  tine,  • 

Nae  Cuckold  Carle  or  Carlings  Pet, 

That  dois  their  Corn  and  Catle  trayn ; 

And  quhere  scho  finds  a  Fallow  fyne, 
He  will  be  fraught  free  for  a  Sowfe, 

She  carries  nocht  but  Men  and  Wyne, 
And  Bulion  to  the  Cunzie-Houfe. 

VI. 

For  Merchand  Men  I  may  half  Money, 

But  nane  fic  as  I  wald  defy  re, 
And  I  am  laith  to  mell  with  ony. 

To  leif  my  Matter  in  the  My  re; 

That  man  that  wirks  beft  for  his  Hyre 
Its  he  fall  be  my  Marriner, 

But  Nicht  and  Day  he  maunna  tyre 
That  fails  my  bonny  Ballenger. 

VII. 

QuHEN  Anker-hald  nane  can  be  fund, 
I  pray  you  caft  the  Leid-lyne  out; 

And  gif  ye  cannot  get  the  Ground, 
Steir  be  the  Compafs,  keep  her  Rout; 

Syne 


70 


The  Fleming  Bark. 


Syne  travers  ftill,  and  lay  about, 
And  gar  her  top  twiche  Wind  and  Waw, 

When  Anker  dryves,  there  is  nae  Dout 
Thir  tripand  Tydes  may  tyne  us  a. 

VIII. 

Now  is  my  pretty  Pinnage  ready, 

Abydand  on  fum  Merchand  Block, 
But  be  fcho  empty,  be  our  Lady, 

Scho  will  be  kitle  of  her  Dok ; 

Scho  will  refufe  nae  Landwart  "Jok^ 
Tho  he  fhoud  fraught  her  for  a  Crown: 

Thus  fair  ze  weil,  fays  gude  John  Cok, 
A  nobil  Sailor  in  this  Toun. 

^od  Semple. 


The 


^-c^fOMf^  '»-r^|>ivj 


7^ 


The  Defens  of  Griffell  Sandylands 
For  ufing  of  hir  felf  contrair  the  Ten  Commands^ 
Being  in  JVard  for  playing  of  the  Loun 
With  every  ane  lijl  gife  hir  half  a  Croun. 


I. 

T)Ernitious  People,  partial  in  Defpyte, 
Sufannas  Juges,  Sawers  of  Sedition, 

Zour  cankert  Council  is  the  Caufe  and  Wyte, 
Bowftert  with  Pryde,  and  blinded  with  Ambition, 
Finding  nae  Cryme,  nor  haifing  a  Comiffion 

To  hurt  Dame  Venus  Virgins  as  ze  doj 
Gif  ze  fae  rafhly  rin  upon  Sufpition, 

Ze  may  put  others  on  the  Pannell  too. 

II. 

To  Sandylands  ze  war  ower-fair  to  fchame  hir, 

Sen  ze  with  Council  quietly  might  command  hir  j 
Grit  Fulis  ze  war  with  Fallows  to  defame  hir, 
Haifing  nae  Caufe,  but  common  Fame  and  Sklan 
der, 

Quhen 


7^   The  Defens  o/'Griffell  Sandylands. 

Quhen  finding  no  Man  in  the  Houfe  neir  hand  hir, 
Exept  a  *Clerk  of  godly  Converfation, 

Quhat  gif  befyde  John  Duries  felf  ye  fand  hir, 
Dar  ze  fufpedt  the  haly  Congregation. 

III. 

ZouR  flefhly  Confciens  gars  zou  tak  this  Feir, 

Believe  ze  Virgins  will  be  won  fae  fune, 
Na,  God  forbid,  but  Men  may  bourd  as  neir. 

And  Women  be  nae  war,  quhen  that  is  done, 

Had  fcho  bene  *  *  *  * 
That  war  a  perelous  Play,  ane  micht  fufpedt  them. 

But  Lads  and  LafTes  will  meit  after  None, 
When  Dick  and  Dune  baith  dow  not  correal  them. 


IV. 

Sen  Drunkards,  Gluttons  and  contentious  Men, 
Scheders  of  Blude,  and  Subjects  given  to  Greid, 

May  not  poflefs,  or  Heavens  high  Hall  get  ben, 
As  in  the  Byble  daylie  we  may  reid : 

Let 


*  The  MInifter,  Beaton. 

Had  fcho  bene  *  *  *  *  In  fuch  Places  as  are  fo  fullied  or  torn  in  our 
old  Copies,  that  they  cannot  be  read,  we  chufe  rather  to  leave  a  Blank 
than  fill  them  up,  tho'  they  might  be  fupplied  with  fmall  Difficulty. 


The  Defens  o/'Griffell  Sandylands.   Ti 

Let  thir  be  weyd  alyke,  till  every  Leid, 
Syne  Fornication  placit  amang  the  laif, 

Exempt  zour  felves  throu  all  the  Toun  in  Deid, 
Then  luke  how  mony  zou  unmarkid  haif. 

V.  . 

GiF  ye  belife  not  Betoun  be  his  Word, 

In  hir  Defens,  it  cannot  be  refulit ; 
Let  him  that  follows  fecht  it  with  the  fword, 

Ane  auntient  Law  quhen  Ladyis  are  accufit. 

Are  Minifters  fic  Men  to  be  abufit, 
That  knaw  the  Scripture  and  the  Ten  Commands? 

Tho  he  and  fcho  wer  in  a  Houfe  inclufit, 
That  fays  not  he  fell  foul  on  Sandylands, 

VL 

As  for  the  reft,  I  knaw  not  thair  Vocation, 

Thair  Lyfe  and  Manners ;  but  I  heir  Folk  name 

Catholick  Virgins  of  the  Congregation,  [them 

Syne  were  to  tyne  them,  if  ze  wald  obtein  them : 
Quhat  can  ze  fay,  exept  that  ze  haid  fein  them 

With  rem  in  re  all  nakit,  bot  Adherance; 

Then  tak  a  Bow-ftring,draw  it  down  betweinthem, 

And  gif  it  flicks,  that  has  an  ill  Appeirance. 

VIL  Ze 


74    'The  Defens  o/'Griffell  Sandylands. 


VII. 

Ze  cative  Clerks,  that  Colege  ze  frequentit 

Quhen  ze  were  Wanflers  of  the  wanton  Band, 
Now  ze  are  laimt  frae  Labour,  I  lamment  it, 

Zour  Piftols  tuimt,  and  Backfprent  like  a  Wand, 

Snap  Wark,  Adieu  frae  *  *  * 
And  warfe  than  that,  ze  want  zour  pryming  Powder; 

Then  confciens  cums  with  crukit  StafF  in  Hand, 
Greitand  for  bygane  bowing  Back  and  Shouder. 


VIII. 

Remember  firft  zour  former  Quality, 

And  wrak  nae  Virgins  with  zour  wilfuU  Weir; 

But  gif  ze  do,  then  our  Regality 

Has  Power  plainly  then  to  replege  them  heir, 
Micht  they  win  to  the  Girth,  I  tak  nae  Feir, 

Doun  by  the  Canno-Croce  I  pray  zou  fend  them. 
Where  * Bannatyn  has  promift  to  compeir, 

With  lawfiiU  Reafon  ready  to  defend  them. 

IX.  Ane 


*  Mr.  Patrick. 


The  Defens  o/'Griffell  Sandylands.   75 


IX. 


Ane  Caufe  there  is,  thay  cannot  be  convick, 
Ze  had  nae  Power  after  the  Sun  was  fet. 

The  Provoft  gave  nae  Charge  to  Gilbert  Dick; 
The  fpecial  Thing  that  fould  not  bein  forzet, 
They  were  not  Thieves,  nor  yet  condemt  in  Dett, 

Nor  Red-hand  tane,  then  was  nae  Caufe  ze  knaw, 
*  But  ze  let  Rukes  and  Gleds  rin  throu  the  Nett, 

And  faiklefs  Daws  make  fubject  to  the  Law. 

X. 

ZouR  partial  Juge  we  may  declyne  him  to, 

But  fet  me  doun  the  Parfon  Pennycuik^ 
Or  Sanders  Guthrie  fee  quhat  he  can  do: 

He  kens  the  Law,  and  keeps  zour  ain  Court- 
Buke: 

For  Men  of  Law,  I  wait  not  quhere  to  luke : 
James  Banantyne  was  anes  a  Man  of  Skill ; 

And  gif  he  comes  not  there,  I  wifh  we  tuke, 
To  keip  our  Dyet,  Mes  David  Makgill. 

XL  Quhat 


Little  Villains  muft  fubmit  to  Fate, 

That  great  Ones  may  enjoy  the  World  in  State. 


7^  The  Defefis  o/'Griffell  Sandylands. 


XI. 

QuHAT  Kimmer  cafts  the  formeft  Stane,  lets  fe, 
At  thae  poor  Queans,  ze  wrangfully  fufpeck 

For  Iklenting  Bouts ;  now  better  war  let  be. 
Than  to  begin  and  get  zour  felves  a  Geek, 
The  greateft  Fait  I  find  in  this  EfFedt; 

They  baith  tuke  Pay,  and  put  themfelves  in  Schame ; 
But  quhen  the  Court  cums  to  the  Town,  quhat 

We  fall  reftore  them  to  their  Stock  again.      [Reck, 

XII. 

In  zour  Tolbuith  fie  Prifoners  to  plant. 

Will  be  receivd  richt  weil,  ye  may  confider, 
Gude  Captane  Adam  will  not  let  them  want 

Bedding,  howbeid  they  fould  lig  all  togidder. 

As  for  his  Wife,  I  wald  ye  fould  forbid  her, 
Hir  Eyndling  Toits,  I  true  ther  be  nae  Danger, 

Becaufe  his  Back  is  larbour  groun  and  lidder, 
Bot  Underftanding  now  to  treit  a  Stranger. 

XIII. 

The  greateft  Greif  I  find,  ze  haif  defamed 

Thir  Luvers  leil,  and  done  their  Friends  but  Lack, 

Becaufe  thair  Bands  were  juft  to  be  proclaimd, 
Partys  had  met,  and  made  a  fair  Contrack: 

But 


The  Defens  o/'Griffell  Sandylands.    17 

But  now  alas  the  Men  are  loppen  back; 
For  oppen  Sklander  callt  a  fpeikand  Deil, 

In  grit  AfFairs  ze  had  not  bein  fae  fnack, 
About  the  ruleing  of  the  Common-weil. 


XIV. 

To  punifli  Part  is  Partiality, 

To  punifli  all  is  hard  to  do  indeid  j 
But  fend  them  heir  to  our  Regality, 

And  we  fall  fee  gif  we  can  ferve  their  Neid  j 

This  rural  Ryme  whaever  likes  to  reid, 
To  Dick  and  Dury  'tis  dire61:ed  plain, 

Quhere  I  offend  them  in  my  Landwart  Leid, 
I  fall  be  ready  to  reform  again. 

^od  Semple. 


THE 


78 


The  Battle  of  Harlaw^ 

Fought  en  upon  Friday,  July  24,  141 1, 
againft  Donald  of  the  Ifles. 


I. 

"PRAE  Dunideir  as  I  cam  throuch, 
Doun  by  the  Hill  of  Banochie^ 

Allangft  the  Lands  of  Garioch; 
Grit  Pitie  was  to  heir  and  fe 
The  Noys  and  dulefum  Hermonie, 

That  evir  that  dreiry  Day  did  daw, 
Cryand  the  Corynoch  on  hie, 

Alas!  alas!  for  the  Harlaw. 


II. 

I  marvlit  quhat  the  Matter  meint. 
All  Folks  war  in  a  fiery  fairy : 

I  wift  nocht  quha  was  Fae  or  Freindj 
Zit  quietly  I  did  me  carrie. 


But 


Battle  of  Harlaw.  79 

But  fen  the  Days  of  auld  King  Hairy 
Sic  Slauchter  was  not  hard  nor  fene, 

And  thair  I  had  nae  Tyme  to  tairy, 
For  Biifinefs  in  Aherdene. 


III. 

Thus  as  I  walkit  on  the  Way, 

To  Inverury  as  I  went, 
I  met  a  Man  and  bad  him  ftay, 

Requeifting  him  to  mak  me  quaint, 

Of  the  Beginning  and  the  Event, 
That  happenit  thair  at  the  Harlaw; 

Then  he  entreited  me  tak  tent. 
And  he  the  Truth  fould  to  me  fchaw. 

IV. 

Grit  Donald  of  the  Yles  did  claim. 
Unto  the  Lands  of  Rofs  fum  Richt, 

And  to  the  Governour  he  came, 
Xhem  for  to  haif  gif  that  he  micht : 

Quha 


Governor,  Robert  Duke  of  j^hany.  Uncle  to  King  James  I.     The 
Account  of  this  famous  Battle  may  be  feen  in  our  Scots  Hiftories. 


8o  Battle  o/^  Harlaw. 

Quha  faw  his  Intereft  was  but  flicht; 
And  thairfore  anfwerit  with  Difdain; 

He  haftit  hame  baith  Day  and  Nicht, 
And  fent  nae  Bodward  back  again. 


V. 

But  Donald  ncht  impatient 

Of  that  Anfwer  Duke  Robert  gaif, 
He  vowd  to  God  Omnipotent, 

All  the  hale  Lands  of  Rofs  to  haif, 

Or  ells  be  graithed  in  his  Graif. 
He  wald  not  quat  his  Richt  for  nocht. 

Nor  be  abufit  lyk  a  Slaif, 
That  Bargin  fould  be  deirly  bocht. 

VI. 

Then  haiftylie  he  did  command, 

That  all  his  Weir-Men  fliould  convene. 
Ilk  an  well  harnifit  frae  Hand, 

To  meit  and  heir  quhat  he  did  mein ; 

He  waxit  wrath  and  vowit  Tein, 
Sweirand  he  wald  furpryfe  the  North, 

Subdew  the  Burgh  of  Aherdene^ 
Mearns^  Angus ^  and  all  Fyfe^  to  Forth. 

VII.  Thus 


Battle  of  Harlaw. 


VII. 

Thus  with  the  Weir-men  of  the  Yles^ 

Quha  war  ay  at  his  bidding  bown, 
With  Money  maid,  with  Forfs  and  Wyls, 

Richt  far  and  neir  baith  up  and  doun : 

Throw  Mount  and  Muir,  frae  Town  to  Town, 
AUangfl:  the  Land  of  Rofs  he  roars, 

And  all  obey'd  at  his  Bandown, 
Evin  frae  the  North  to  Suthren  Shoars. 

VIII. 

Then  all  the  Countrie  Men  did  zieldj 

For  nae  refiftans  durft  they  male, 
Nor  offer  Battill  in  the  Feild, 

Be  forfs  of  Arms  to  beir  him  bakj 

Syne  they  refolvit  all  and  fpak, 
That  beft  it  was  for  thair  Behoif, 

They  fould  him  for  thair  Chiftain  tak, 
Believing  weil  he  did  them  luve. 

IX. 

Then  he  a  Proclamation  maid 

All  Men  to  meet  at  Invernefs^ 
Throw  Murray  Land  to  mak  a  Raid, 

Frae  Arthurfyre  unto  Spey-nefs. 

And 


82  Battle  of  Harlaw. 

And  further  mair,  he  fent  Exprefs, 
To  fchaw  his  Collours  and  Enfenzie, 

To  all  and  findry,  mair  and  lefs, 
Throchout  the  Boundis  of  Boyn  and  Enzie. 

X. 

And  then  throw  feir  Strathbogie  Land, 

His  Purpofe  was  for  to  purfew, 
And  quhafoevir  durft  gainftand, 

That  Race  they  Ihould  full  fairly  rew. 

Then  he  bad  all  his  Men  be  trew, 
And  him  defend  by  Forfs  and  Slicht, 

And  promift  them  Rewardis  anew, 
And  mak  them  Men  of  mekle  Micht. 

XI. 

Without  Refiftans  as  he  faid, 

Throw  all  thefe  Parts  he  ftoutly  paft, 
Quhair  fum  war  wae,  and  fum  war  glaid, 

But  Garioch  was  all  agaft. 

Throw  all  thefe  Feilds  he  fped  him  fail. 
For  fie  a  Sicht  was  never  fene ; 

And  then,  forfuith,  he  langd  at  laft 
To  fe  the  Bruch  of  Aherdene. 

XII.  To 


Battle  of  Harlaw.  83 


XII. 

To  hinder  this  prowd  Enterprife, 

The  ftout  and  michty  Erie  of  MARR 

With  all  his  Men  in  Arms  did  ryfe, 
Even  frae  Cur garf  to  Craigyvar^ 
And  down  the  fyde  of  Don  richt  far, 

Angus  and  Mearns  did  all  convene 

To  fecht,  or  DONALD  came  fae  nar 

The  Ryall  Bruch  of  Aherdene. 


XIII. 

And  thus  the  Martial  Erie  of  MARR^ 

Marcht  with  his  Men  in  richt  Array, 
Befoir  the  Enemie  was  aware. 

His  Banner  bauldly  did  difplay. 

For  weil  enewch  they  kend  the  Way, 
And  all  thair  Semblance  weil  they  faw. 

Without  all  Dangir,  or  Delay, 
Came  haiftily  to  the  HARLAW. 

XIV.  With 


MAKRy  Alexander  Earl  of  Mar,  Son  of  Alexander  the  Governour's 
Brother. 


84  Battle  of  Harlaw. 


XIV. 

With  him  the  braif  Lord  OGILVT^ 

Of  Angus  Sherriff-principall, 
The  Conftabill  of  gude  Dunde^ 

The  Vanguard  led  before  them  all. 

Suppofe  in  Number  they  war  fmall, 
Thay  firft  richt  bauldlie  did  purfew. 

And  maid  thair  Faes  befoir  them  fall, 
Quha  then  that  Race  did  fairly  rew. 

XV. 

And  then  the  worthy  Lord  S ALTON, 

The  ftrong  undoubted  Laird  of  DRUM, 
The  ftalwart  Laird  of  Lawrijione^ 

With  ilk  thair  Forces  all  and  fum. 

PJNMUIR  with  all  his  Men  did  cum, 
The  Provoft  of  braif  Aherdene^ 

With  Trumpets  and  with  Tuick  of  Drum, 
Came  fchortly  in  thair  Armour  fchene. 

XVL 

These  with  the  Erie  of  MARR  came  on. 

In  the  Reir-ward  richt  orderlie, 
Thair  Enemies  to  fett  upon; 

In  awfull  Manner  hardily, 

Togither 


Battle  o/'Harlaw.  85 

Togither  vowit  to  live  and  die, 
Since  they  had  marchit  mony  Mylis 

For  to  fupprefs  the  Tyrannie 
Of  douted  DONALD  of  the  Ties. 

XVII. 

But  he  in  Number  Ten  to  Ane, 

Richt  fubtilie  alang  did  ryde, 
With  Malcomtofch  and  fell  Maclean^ 

With  all  thair  Power  at  thair  Syde, 

Prefumeand  on  thair  Strenth  and  Pryde, 
Without  all  Feir  or  ony  Aw, 

Richt  bauldlie  Battill  did  abyde, 
Hard  by  the  Town  of  fair  HARLAW. 

XVIII. 

The  Armies  met,  the  Trumpet  founds. 

The  dandring  Drums  alloud  did  touk, 
Baith  Armies  byding  on  the  Bounds, 

Till  ane  of  them  the  Feild  fould  bruik. 

Nae  Help  was  thairfor,  nane  wald  jouk, 
Ferfs  was  the  Fecht  on  ilka  Syde, 

And  on  the  Ground  lay  mony  a  Bouk 
Of  them  that  thair  did  Battill  byd. 

XIX.  With 


86  Battle  0/ Harlaw. 


XIX. 

With  doutfum  Viftorie  they  dealt. 

The  bludy  Battill  laftit  lang, 
Each  Man  his  Nibours  Forfs  thair  felt; 

The  weakeft  aft-tymes  gat  the  Wrang: 

Thair  was  nae  Mowis  thair  them  amang, 
Naithing  was  hard  but  heavy  Knocks, 

That  Eccho  maid  a  dulefull  Sang, 
Thairto  refounding  frae  the  Rocks. 

XX. 

But  Donalds  Men  at  laft  gaif  back; 

For  they  war  all  out  of  Array. 
The  Earl  of  Marris  Men  throw  them  brak, 

Purfewing  fhairply  in  thair  Way, 

Thair  Enemys  to  tak  or  flay, 
Be  Dynt  of  Forfs  to  gar  them  yield, 

Quha  war  richt  blyth  to  win  away. 
And  fae  for  Feirdnefs  tint  the  Feild. 

XXI. 

Then  Donald  fled,  and  that  full  fafl;, 
To  Mountains  hich  for  all  his  Micht; 

For  he  and  his  war  all  agafl:, 

And  ran  till  they  war  out  of  Sicht ; 

And 


Battle  of  Harlaw.  87 

And  fae  of  Rofs  he  loft  his  Richt, 
Thocht  mony  Men  with  him  he  brocht, 

Towards  the  Ties  fled  Day  and  Nicht, 
And  all  he  wan  was  deirlie  bocht. 


XXII. 

This  is  (quod  he)  the  richt  Report 

Of  all  that  I  did  heir  and  knaw, 
Thocht  my  Difcourfe  be  fumthing  fchort, 

Tak  this  to  be  a  richt  futhe  Saw : 

Contrairie  God  and  the  Kings  Law, 
Thair  was  fpilt  mekle  Chriftian  Blude, 

Into  the  Battill  of  Harlaw; 
This  is  the  Sum,  fae  I  conclude. 

XXIII. 

But  zit  a  bony  Quhyle  abyde, 

And  I  fall  mak  thee  cleirly  ken 
Quhat  Slauchter  was  on  ilkay  Syde, 

Of  Lowland  and  of  Highland  Men, 

Quha  for  thair  awin  haif  evir  bene : 
Thefe  lazie  Lowns  micht  weil  be  fpaird, 

ChefEt  lyke  Deirs  into  thair  Dens, 
And  gat  thair  Waiges  for  Rewaird. 

XXIV.  Mal- 


Battle  of  Harlaw. 


XXIV. 

Malcomtosh  of  the  Clan  Held  Cheif, 
Macklean  with  his  grit  hauchty  Heid, 

With  all  thair  Succour  and  Releif, 
War  dulefuUy  dung  to  the  Deid : 
And  now  we  are  freid  of  thair  Feid, 

They  will  not  lang  to  cum  again ; 

Thoufands  with  them  without  Remeid, 

On  Donalds  Syd  that  Day  war  flain. 

XXV. 

And  on  the  uther  Syde  war  loft, 

Into  the  Feild  that  difmal  Day, 
Chief  Men  of  Worth  (of  mekle  Coft) 

To  be  lamentit  fair  for  ay. 

The  Lord  Saltoun  of  Rothemay, 
A  Man  ofMicht  and  mekle  Main; 

Grit  Dolour  was  for  his  Decay, 
That  fae  unhappylie  was  flain. 

XXVI. 

Of  the  beft  Men  amang  them  was, 
The  gracious  gude  Lord  OGILVT, 

The  Sheriff-principal  oi  Angus; 
Renownit  for  Truth  and  Equitie^ 


For 


Battle  of  Harlaw.  89 

For  Faith  and  Magnanimitie ; 
He  had  few  Fallows  in  the  Field, 

Zit  fell  by  fatall  Deftinie, 
For  he  nae  ways  wad  grant  to  zield. 

XXVII. 

Sir  yames  Scrimgeor  of  Duddap^  Knicht, 

Grit  Conftabill  of  fair  Dunde^ 
Unto  the  dulefull  Deith  was  dicht, 

The  Kingis  cheif  Banner-man  was  he, 

A  valziant  Man  of  Chevalrie, 
Quhais  PredecefTors  wan  that  Place 

At  Spey^  with  gude  King  WILLIAM  in^^ 
Gainft  Murray  and  Macduncans  Race. 

XXVIII. 

Gude  Sir  Allexander  Irving^ 

The  much  renownit  Laird  of  Drum^ 
Nane  in  his  Days  was  bettir  fene, 

Quhen  they  war  femblit  all  and  fum ; 

To  praife  him  we  fould  not  be  dumm, 
For  Valour,  Witt  and  Worthynefs, 

To  end  his  Days  he  ther  did  cum, 
Quhois  Ranfom  is  remeidylefs. 

XXIX.  And 


90  Battle  of  Harlaw. 

XXIX. 

And  thair  the  Knicht  of  Lawrtjion 

Was  flain  into  his  Armour  fchene, 
And  gude  Sir  Robert  Davidfon^ 

Quha  Proveft  was  of  Aberdene^ 

The  Knicht  of  Panmure^  as  was  fene, 
A  mortall  Man  in  Armour  bricht, 

Sir  Thomas  Murray  flout  and  kene, 
Left  to  the  Warld  thair  laft  gude  Nicht. 

XXX. 
Thair  was  not  fen  King  Keneths  Days 

Sic  ftrange  intelline  crewel  Stryf 
In  Scotland  fene,  as  ilk  Man  fays, 

Quhair  mony  liklie  lofl  thair  Lyfe; 

Quhilk  maid  Divorce  twene  Man  and  Wyfe, 
And  mony  Childrene  fatherlefs, 

Quhilk  in  this  Realme  has  bene  full/yfe; 
Lord  help  thefe  Lands,  our  Wrangs  redrefs. 

XXXI. 
In  July^  on  Saint  yames  his  Even, 

That  Four  and  twenty  difmall  Day, 
Twelve  hundred,  ten  Score  and  eleven 

Of  Zeirs  fen  Chryst,  the  Suthe  to  fay : 

Men  will  remember  as  they  may, 
Quhen  thus  the  Veritie  they  knaw. 

And  mony  a  ane  may  murn  for  ay, 
The  brim  Battil  of  the  Harlaw, 


Ane 


91 


Ane  BALL  AT  of  the  fenziet  Frier  of  Tungland, 
How  he  fell  in  the  Myre  fleand  to  Turkland. 

— -939Qj«jeeec- — 

I. 

A  S  zung  Auror  with  Chryftal  Hail, 

In  Orient  fchewd  hir  Vifage  pail, 
A  fwenyng  Swyth  did  me  aflail, 

Of  Sonis  of  Sathanis  Seidj 
Methocht  a  Turk  of  Tartary^ 
Come  throw  the  Bounds  of  Barbary, 
And  lay  forloppin  in  Lombardy 

Full  lang,  in  Watchmans  Weid. 

II.  Frae 


An  Account  of  this  Friar,  who  was  an  Italian,  may  be  feen  In 
Mr.  Lejlfs  Hiftory.  K.  yames  IV.  made  him  Abbot  of  Tungland: 
He  pretended  and  attempted  to  make  Gold  out  of  other  Mettalsj  but 
failing  of  that,  he  next  gave  out,  That  he  could  fly,  and  very  boldly 
appointed  the  Day  and  Place,  which  was  from  Stirl'mg-CaMe,  where 
the  King  and  many  Speftators  faw  him  throw  himfelf  with  his  large 
Wings  from  the  Rock,  and  break  his  Thigh-bone. 


92  The  Frier  of  Tungland. 


II. 

Frae  baptafing  for  to  efchew, 
Thair  a  religious  Man  he  flew, 
And  cled  him  in  his  Habeit  new, 

For  he  couth  wryte  and  reid. 
Quhen  kend  was  his  Diffimulance, 
And  all  his  curfit  Governance; 
For  Fair  he  fled,  and  come  in  France^ 

With  litill  Lombard  Leid. 

III. 

To  be  a  Leiche  he  fenyt  him  thair, 
Quhilk  mony  micht  rew  evirmair. 
For  he  left  nowthir  fick  nor  fair 

Unflane,  or  he  hyne  zed : 
Vane-Organs  he  full  cleinly  carvit, 
Quhen  of  his  Straik  fae  mony  fl:arvit, 
Dreid  he  had  got  quhat  he  defarvit. 

He  fled  away  gude  Speid. 

IV. 

In  Scotland  then  the  narreft  Way 
He  come,  his  Cunning  till  aflay ; 
To  fum  Men  thair  it  was  nae  Play, 
The  preiving  of  his  Sciens. 


In 


The  Frier  of  Tungland.  93 

In  Pottingrie  he  wrocht  grit  Pyne, 
He  murdreift  mony  in  Medecyne, 
The  'Jew  was  of  a  grit  Engyne, 
And  generit  was  of  Gyans. 

V. 

In  Leich-craft  he  was  homecyd, 
He  wald  haif  for  a  Nicht  to  byd, 
A  Haiknay  and  the  Hurtmans  Hyd, 

Sae  mekle  he  was  of  Myance. 
His  Yrons  was  rude  as  ony  Rawchter, 
Quhair  he  leit  Blude,  it  was  nae  Lauchterj 
Full  mony  an  Inftrument  for  Slauchter 

Was  in  his  Garde vyance. 

VI. 

He  couth  gif  Cure  for  Laxatyve, 
To  gar  a  wicht  Horfe  want  his  Lyfe, 
Quha  eir  aflay  wald  Man  or  Wyfe, 

Thair  Hipps  zied  hiddy-giddy. 
His  Prafticks  neir  war  put  to  Preif, 
Bot  fudden  Deid  or  grit  Mifchief  j 
He  had  Purgation  to  mak  a  Thief 

To  die  without  a  Widdy. 

VII.  Unto 


94  The  Frier  of  Tungland. 


VII. 

Unto  nae  Mefs  eir  preft  this  Prelat, 
For  Sound  of  facring  Bell  nor  Skellat, 
As  Blackfmyth  brukit  was  his  Pallat, 

For  batting  at  the  Study. 
Thocht  he  come  hame  a  new  maid  Channoun. 
He  had  difpenfit  with  Matynis  Cannoun 
On  him  come  nowdir  Stole  nor  Fannoun, 

For  fmuking  of  the  Smydy. 

VIII. 

Methocht  feir  Faflbnis  he  aflailziet 
To  mak  the  Quinteflance,  and  failziet ; 
And  when  he  faw  that  nocht  availziet, 

A  Fedrem  on  he  tuke : 
And  fchupe  in  Turkic  for  to  flie, 
And  quhen  that  he  did  mont  on  hie, 
All  Fowl  ferliet  quhat  he  fould  be, 

That  did  upon  him  luke. 

IX. 

Sum  held  he  had  bene  Dedalus^ 
Sum  the  Minatour  marvellous. 
And  fum  the  Smyth  of  Mars,  Vulcanus, 
And  fum  Saturnus  Kuke. 


And 


The  Frier  of  Tungland.  95 

And  ay  the  Cufchetts  at  him  tuggit, 
The  Ruiks  him  rent,  the  Ravyns  druggit; 
The  hudit  Craws  his  Hair  furth  ruggit, 
The  Hevin  he  micht  not  bruke. 


X. 

The  Mytaiie  and  Saint  Martyns  Fowl 
Wend  he  had  bene  the  hornit  Howie ; 
They  fet  upon  him  with  a  Zowle, 

And  gaif  him  Dynt  for  Dynt. 
The  Golk,  the  Gormaw,  and  the  Gled, 
Befit  him  with  Buffets  till  he  bledj 
The  Spar-halk  to  the  Spring  him  fped, 

As  ferfs  as  Fyre  off  Flint. 

XI. 

The  Tarfall  gaif  him  Tug  for  Tug, 
A  Stanchell  hang  in  ilka  Lug, 
The  Pyot  furth  his  Pens  did  rug. 

The  Stork  ftraik  ay  bot  Stynt. 
The  BilTart  biffy  bot  Rebuke, 
Scho  was  fae  cleverous  of  her  Cluke, 
His  B s  he  micht  nae  langer  bruke, 

Scho  held  them  at  a  Hynt. 

XH.  Thick 


9^  The  Frier  of  Tungland. 


XII. 

Thick  was  the  Cloud  of  Kayis  and  Crawis, 
Of  Marlzeons,  Mittains,  and  of  Mawis, 
That  bikkirt  at  his  Baird  with  Blawis, 

In  Battill  him  about. 
They  nybillt  him  with  dinfome  Cry, 
The  Rerd  of  them  raife  to  the  Sky, 
And  evir  he  cryd  on  Fortune,  Fy, 

His  Lyfe  was  into  Dowt. 

XIII. 

The  Jae  him  fkrippit  with  a  Skryke, 
And  fkornit  him  as  it  was  lyk, 
The  Egill  ftrong  at  him  did  ftryk, 

And  rawcht  him  mony  a  Rout. 
For  Feir  uncunnandly  he  cawkit, 
Quhyle  all  his  Penns  wer  drownt  and  drawkit. 
He  maid  a  hundreth  Nolt  all  hawkit, 

Beneath  him  with  a  Spowt. 

XIV. 

He  fchure  his  Feddreme  that  was  fchene. 
And  flippit  out  of  it  full  clene, 
And  in  a  Myre,  up  to  the  Ene, 
Amang  the  Glar  did  glyd. 

The 


The  Frier  of  Tungland.  97 

The  Fowlis  all  at  the  Fedreme  dang, 
As  at  a  Monfter,  them  amang, 
Quhyle  all  the  Penns  of  it  outfprang 
Intill  the  Air  full  wyde. 

XV. 

And  he  lay  at  the  Plunge  eirmair, 

Sae  langs  he  hard  a  Ravin  rair; 

The  Craws  him  focht  with  Crys  of  Cair 

In  every  Schaw  befyde. 
Had  he  reveild  bene  to  the  Ruiks, 
They  had  him  riven  with  thair  Cluiks : 
Thre  Days  in  Dubs  amang  the  Duiks, 

He  did  with  Dirt  him  hyde. 

XVI. 

The  Air  was  dirkint  with  the  Fowls, 
That  came  with  Zawmers  and  with  Zowls, 
With  Skryking,  Skryming,  and  with  Scouls 

To  tak  him  in  the  Tyde. 
I  walknit  with  the  Noyfs  and  Schout, 
Sic  hydious  Beir  was  me  about, 
Senfyne  I  curfl:  that  cankirt  Rout, 

Quaireir  I  gang  or  ryde. 

Finis  quod  Dunbar. 

Tyd- 
H 


98 


YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY 

TYDINGS  frae  the  Session. 
I. 

A  Mure  LANDS  Man  of  Uplands  Male, 

At  Hame  thus  to  his  Nychbour  fpak, 
What  Tydings,  Goffip,  Peice  or  Weir? 
The  tother  rounit  in  his  Eir, 

I  tell  zou  this  under  Confeflion, 
But  laitly  lichtit  afF  my  Meir, 

I  come  of  Edinburgh  frae  the  Seffion. 

II. 

QuHAT  Tydings  hard  ze  thair,  I  pray  zou? 
The  tother  anfwert,  I  fall  fay  zou, 
Keip  this  all  fecreit,  gentil  Brothir, 
Is  nae  Man  thair  that  trefts  ane  uther : 

A  common  Doer  of  Tranfgreffion, 
Of  Innocents  preveins  a  Futher : 

Sic  Tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffion. 

III.  Sum 


I 


'Ty dings  frae  the  Seffion,  99 

III. 

Sum  with  his  Maik,  rowns  him  to  pleis, 
That  envyous  wald  byt  afF  his  Neis ; 
His  Fae  him  by  the  Oxter  leids; 
Sum  Patters  with  his  Mouth  on  Beids, 

That  has  his  Mynd  all  on  Oppreffion : 
Sum  becks  full  law,  and  fchaws  bair  Heids, 

Wald  luke  full  heich  war  not  the  Seffion. 

IV. 
Sum  bydand  Law,  lays  Land  in  Wed ; 
Sum  fuperexpendit  gaes  to  Bed, 
Sum  fpeids,  caufe  he  in  Court  has  Meins, 
Sum  of  Partiality  compleins. 

How  Feid  and  Favour  fleims  Difcretion : 
Sum  fpeiks  full  fair  and  falfly  feins; 

Sic  Things  I  hard  and  faw  at  Seffion. 

V. 

Sum  Summonds  cafts,  and  fum  excepts, 
Sum  ftand  befyd  and  fkaild  Law  kepps; 
Sum  is  delayd,  fum  wins,  fum  tynes; 
Sum  maks  him  merry  at  the  Wynes; 

Sum  is  put  out  of  his  PofTeffion; 
Sum  herrit,  and  on  Credance  dynes; 

Sic  Tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffion. 

VI.  Sum 


100  Ty dings  frae  the  SeJJion. 

VI. 

Sum  fweirs,  and  gaes  clein  up  with  GOD, 
Sum  in  a  Lamb-fkin  is  a  Tod, 
Sum  in  his  Tung  his  Kindnefs  turfes, 
Sum  cuts  at  Throats,  and  fum  pyks  Purfes : 

Sum  gaes  to  Gallows  with  Proceffion; 
Sum  fains  the  Seit,  and  fum  them  curfes; 

Sic  Tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffion. 

VII. 

Religious  Men  of  divers  Places, 
Cum  thair  to  wou,  and  fee  fair  Faces, 
Baith  Carmelites  and  Cordlliers^ 
To  Gemer  cum,  and  get  mae  Friers, 

Unmindful  of  thair  cheft  Profeffion, 
The  zunger  at  the  elder  leirs  j 

Sic  Tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffion. 

VIII. 
Thair  cums  zung  Monks  of  hie  Complexion, 
Of  Mynd  devote,  Luve  and  Affection ; 
And  in  the  Court  thair  het  Flefli  dant. 
Full  Father-lyk,  with  Pech  and  Pant : 

They  are  fae  humble  of  Interceffion, 
Thair  Errand  all  kynd  Women  grant : 
Sic  Tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffion. 

IX.  Sum 


I 


Ty dings  frae  the  SeJJion,         loi 

IX. 

Sum  honeft  Lords  adorn  the  Bench, 

Sum  mynds  nocht  but  his  Wine  and  Wench ; 

Sum  has  Law  Learning  of  his  awin, 

Sum  wants  and  lippens  to  his  Man, 

In  ilka  Caufe  to  get  a  Leflbn; 
Sum  cankirt  girns,  be  Party  thrawin, 

And  fleims  fair  Juftice  frae  the  Seflion. 

X. 

The  Advocates  I  may  nocht  wyte, 
Nor  yet  the  Lads  that  Lybalds  wryte ; 
For  its  thair  Craft,  and  they  maun  fen. 
This  has  nae  Spevie  in  his  Pen, 

Nor  that  a  Palfie  in  Expreffion  j 
But  weil  I  wate  an  of  ilk  Ten, 

Micht  very  weil  gane  all  the  Seflion. 

^od  Dunbar. 


102 


Genera//   SATYRE. 


I. 


T^EvoRiT  with  Dreim  devifing  in  my  Slumber, 
How  that  this  Realm  with  Nobles  out  of 
Number, 
Gydit,  provydit  fae  mony  Years  has  benej 
And  now  fie  Hunger,  fie  Cowarts,  and  fie  Cumber, 
Within  this  Land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene. 


n. 

Sic  Pryd  with  Prelats,  fae  few  to  preieh  and  pray ; 
Sic  hunt  of  Harlots,  with  them  baith  Nieht  and  Day, 

They  that  fould  have  ay  thair  God  afore  thair  Ene, 
Sae  nyce  in  Array,  fae  ftrange  to  thair  Abay, 

Within  this  Land  was  nevir  hard  or  fene. 

HL  Sae 


A  general!  Satyre.  103 

III. 
Sae  mony  Preifts  cled  up  in  fecular  Weid, 
With  blafing  Breifts,  cafting  thair  Clais  abreid; 

It  is  no  Neid  to  tell  of  quhome  I  mein, 
To  quhome  the  Creid  and  Teftament  to  reid 

Within  this  Land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene. 

IV. 

Sae  mony  Maifters,  fae  mony  gowckit  Clerks, 
Sae  mony  Waifters,  to  God  and  all  His  Warks, 

Sic  fyrie  Sparks,  difpytful  frae  the  Splene, 
Sic  lofin  Sarks,  fae  mony  Glengore  Marks, 

Within,  i^c. 

V. 

Sae  mony  Lords,  fae  mony  naturale  Fules, 
That  better  accords,  to  play  them  at  the  Trules, 

Nor  feis  the  Dules,  that  commons  did  fuftene. 
New  tane  frae  Schules,  fae  mony  Anis  and  Mules, 

Within,  ^c. 

VI. 

Sae  meikle  Treaflbn,  fae  mony  partial  Saws, 
Sae  little  Reafon,  to  help  the  common  Caufe, 

That  all  the  Laws  are  not  fet  by  ane  Bene, 
Sic  fenziet  Flaws,  fae  mony  waftit  Waws, 

Within,  ^c. 

VII.  Sae 


104  A  general!  Satyre. 

VII. 

Sae  mony  Theivs  and  Murderers  well  kend, 
Sae  grit  Releivs  of  Lords  them  till  defFend, 

Becaufe  they  fpend  the  Pelf  them  betwene, 
Sae  few  till  wend  this  Mifcheif  till  amend, 

Within,  l^c. 

VIII. 

This  to  corredt,  they  fhore  with  mony  Cracks, 
But  fmall  the  Effe6t  of  Speir  or  bartar  Ax,      [kein, 

Quhen  Courage  lacks,  that  fuld  the  Corfs  mak 
Sae  mony  Jacks,  and  Brats  on  Beggars  Baks, 

Within,  l^c. 

IX. 

Sic  Vant  of  Wouftours,with  Hearts  in  finful  Satures, 
Sic  brawland  Bolters,  degenerate  frae  thair  Natures, 

And  lie  Regratours,  the  pure  Man  to  prevene ; 
Sae  mony  Traytors,  fae  mony  Rubeators, 

Within,  ^c. 

X. 

Sae  mony  Juges,  and  Lords  new  made  of  late, 
Sae  fmall  Refuges,  the  pure  Man  to  debate ; 

Sae  mony  Eftate,  for  common  Weil  fae  quhene, 
Owre  all  the  Gate,  fae  mony  Theives  fa  tait. 

Within,  l^c. 

XI.  Sae 


A  generall  Satyr e.  105 

XI. 
Sae  mony  a  Sentance  retreitit  for  to  win 
Geir  and  Aquentance,  or  Kyndnefs  of  thair  Kin; 

Thay  think  nae  Sin,  quhair  Proffit  cums  betwene 
Sae  mony  a  Gin,  to  haift  them  to  the  Pin, 

Within,  &c. 

XII. 

Sic  Knavis  and  Crakkars,  to  play  at  Cards  and  Dyce, 
Sic  Haland-Shakers,  quhilk  ate  Cowkelbys  Gryce, 

Ar  halden  of  Pryce,  when  Lymers  do  convene  j 
Sic  Store  of  Vyce,  sae  mony  Witts  unwyfe, 

Within,  &c. 

XIII. 

Sae  mony  Merchands,  fae  mony  ar  menfworne. 
Sic  pure  Tennands,  fie  curfing  Ein  and  Morn, 

Quhilk  flays  the  Corn, and  Fruit  that  grows  grene ; 
Sic  Skaith  and  Skorn,  fae  mony  Paitlaits  worn. 

Within^,  ^c. 

XIV. 

Sae  mony  Rackets,  fae  mony  Ketch  Pillars, 
Sic  Balls,  fie  Nackets,  and  fie  Tutivilaris, 

And  fie  Ill-willars,  to  fpeik  of  King  and  Quene, 
Sic  Pudding-fillars,  defcending  doun  frae  Millars, 

Within,  ^c. 

XV.  Sic 


io6  A  generall  Satyr e. 

XV. 

Sic  Fardingails  on  Flags  as  fat  as  Quhails, 
Fattit  lyk  Fouls,  with  Hatts  that  nocht  avails, 

And  fie  foul  Tails,  to  fweip  the  Caufy  clene. 
The  Duft  up  fails,  fae  mony  with  uck  fails 

Within,  ^c. 

XVI. 
Sae  mony  a  Kitty,  dreft  up  in  Golden  Chenze, 
Sae  few  witty,  that  weil  can  Fables  fenze. 

With  apil  Renze,  ay  fhawand  her  Golden  Chene ; 
Of  Sathans  Senzie  fure  fie  an  unfall  Menzie 

Within  this  Land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene. 

^od  Dunbar. 


Wife 


107 


Wife    SAVINGS, 


•m- 


TT  that  I  gife,  I  haif, 

It  that  I  len,  I  craif, 
It  that  I  fpend,  is  myne, 
It  that  I  leif,  I  tyne : 

Get  and  faif,  and  thou  fait  haif, 
Len  and  grant,  and  thou  fait  want ; 
Wha  in  his  Plenty  taks  not  Heid, 
He  fall  haif  Fait  in  Tyme  of  Neid : 
When  eir  I  lend, 
I  am  a  Friend, 
And  whan  I  craif, 
I  am  unkynd; 
Thus  of  my  Friend,  I  mak  a  Fae, 
I  fhrew  me,  gif  I  mair  do  fae. 


A  zung  Man  Chiftane,  wittles, 
A  pure  Man  Spendar,  gettles, 
Ane  auld  Man  Trechour,  truthlefs, 
A  Woman  Lowpar,  landlefsj 

Be  gude  Saint  Giel, 
Sail  nevir  ane  of  thir  do  weil. 


THE 


io8 


THE 


COMPLAINT. 

An  EPISTLE  to  his  Mijlrefs 
on  the  Force  of  LuvE. 


I. 

/^Uhair  Luve  is  kendlit  comfortlefs, 
'^    Ther  is  nae  Fever  half  fae  fell, 
Frae  Cupid  keift  his  Dart  begefs, 
I  had  nae  Hap  to  faif  my  fell, 
Lyk  as  my  wofull  Heart  can  tell. 
My  inwart  Pains  and  Siching  fairj 
For  weil  I  wat  the  Pains  of  Hell 
Unto  my  Pain  can  nocht  compair. 


II.  For 


Complaint  to  his  Mijirefs.        109 

II. 

For  ony  Malledy,  ze  ken, 

Except  peuir  Luve,  or  than  ftark  Deid, 
Help  may  be  had  frae  Hands  of  Men, 

Throw  Medicines  to  mak  Remeid : 

For  Harms  of  Body,  Hands  or  Heid, 
The  Pottingars  will  purge  the  Pains; 

But  all  the  Members  are  at  Feid, 
Quhair  that  the  Law  of  Luve  remains. 

IIL 

As  Tantalus  in  Watter  Hands, 

To  ftanche  his  thrifty  Appetyte, 
Bewailing  Body,  Heid  and  Hands, 

The  River  fleis  him  in  Difpyte; 

Sae  does  my  lufty  Lady  qwhyte. 
She  fleis  the  Place  where  I  repair : 

To  hungry  Men  is  fmal  Delyte 
To  twitch  the  Meit,  and  eit  nae  mair. 

IV. 

The  nar  the  Flame,  the  better  Fyre, 

The  mair  I  pyne,  zet  I  perfew, 
The  mair  enkindlis  my  Difyre, 

Frae  I  behald  her  heavenly  Hew; 

Pure 


no        Complaint  to  his  Mijirefs. 

Pure  Piramus  himfelf  he  flew, 
Made  Saul  and  Body  to  diflaver, 

He  diet  but  anes,  farwel,  adiew, 
I  daylie  die,  and  zet  dies  never. 

V. 

ZiT  Jafon  did  enjoy  Medea, 

And  Thefeus  gat  his  Adriane, 
Dido  diflTaved  was  with  Enea, 

And  Demophoy  his  Lady  wan; 

Gif  Women  trowd  fic  Traytors  than, 
For  till  enjoy  the  Fruits  of  Luve, 

Quhy  wald  ze  flay  zour  faikles  Man, 
Quha  never  mynds  for  to  remuve. 

VI. 

Thocht  ferfs  AMI,  that  worthie  Knicht, 

Was  flain  for  Luve,  the  Suthe  to  fay, 
Leander  on  a  flrormy  Nicht 

Diet  fleitand  on  the  Bilious  gray; 

Thocht  Troyalus  he  langourt  ay. 
Still  waitand  for  his  Luves  Return, 

Had  not  fic  Pyne  (thairs  was  but  Play) 
As  daylie  does  my  Body  burn. 

vn.  As 


Complaint  to  his  Mijirefs. 


Ill 


VII. 

As  Pol  to  Pylatts  does  appeir 

Far  brichtar  than  the  Stars  about, 
Sae  does  zour  Vifage  fhine  as  cleir 

As  Rofe  amang  the  rafkal  Rout ; 

War  Paris  leivand  now,  bot  Dout, 
And  had  the  Golden  Ball  to  ferve, 

I  wate  he  wald  fune  wail  zou  out, 
And  leif  baith  Venus  and  Minerue. 


VIII. 

Now  Paper  pas,  and  at  her  fpeir, 

Gif  pleife  her  Prudence  to  imprint  it  ? 
My  faithfull  Heart  I  fend  it  heir. 

In  Signe  of  Paper  I  prefent  it; 

Wad  God  my  Body  war  foment  it, 
That  I  micht  ferve  hir  Grace  bot  Glammer, 

To  be  hir  Knaif  I  am  contentit, 
Or  fmalleft  Varlet  of  hir  Chammer. 

^od  King  Henry  Stewart. 


Cupid 


112 


10  ^V/^  w!i5'4^^I&'W'^V/>f?^ 


Sl'^t^^'/.v^.Q  WMW^  ''/■<? 


Cupid  quareld  for  his  Tyrannie^ 
Blindnes  and  Injujlice. 


I. 

/^Uhome  fould  I  wyt  for  my  Mifchance, 

But  Cupid  King  of  Variance, 
Thy  Court,  without  Confiderance, 

Quhen  I  it  knew, 
Or  evir  made  the  Obfervance, 

Richt  fair  I  rew. 


11. 

Thou  and  thy  Law  ar  Inftruments 
Of  diverfs  Inconveniments  j 
Thy  Service  mony  fair  repents, 

Knawing  the  Quarrell, 
Quhen  Body,  Fame  and  Subftance  flients. 

And  Saul  in  Perel. 

III.    QUHAT 


1 


Cupids   T'yrannie.  113 

III. 

QuHAT  is  thy  Manrent  but  Mifcheif, 
Sturt,  Anger,  Grunching,  Yre  and  Greif, 
111  Lyfe,  and  Langour  bot  Releife, 

Of  wounds  fae  wan, 
Difplifour,  Pain,  and  hie  Repreife 

Of  God  and  Man. 

IV. 

Thou  luves  all  them  that  loudeft  leis, 
And  follows  fafteft  them  that  fleis; 
Thou  lichtlies  all  trew  Properties 

Of  Luve  exprefs, 
And  marks  quhen  neir  a  Styme  thou  feis, 

And  hits  begefs. 

V. 

Blind  Buk !  but  at  the  Bound  thou  fhutes, 
And  them  forbeirs  that  thee  rebutes; 
Thou  ryves  thair  Hearts  ay  frae  the  Rutes, 

Quilk  ar  thy  awin, 
And  cures  them  that  cares  not  three  Cutes 

To  be  mifknawn. 

VI.  Thou 


114  Cupids   Tyrannie. 

VI. 

Thou  art  in  Friendfhip  with  thy  Fae, 
And  to  thy  befl:  Friends  fremit  ay, 
Thou  fleims  all  faithful  Men  thee  frae, 

Offtedfaft  Thocht, 
Regarding  nane  but  them  perfay 

That  cures  the  nocht. 

VII. 

Thou  chirriefs  them  that  with  thee  chyds, 
And  banniefs  them  with  thee  abyds : 
Thou  hes  thy  Horn  ay  in  thair  Syds 

That  cannot  flie; 
Thay  furder  warft  in  thee  confyds, 

I  fay  for  me. 

^od  Alex'.  Scot. 


THE 


"5 


'  THE 

Auld  Mans  inveighing  againji  Mouth- 
Thanklefs. 


I. 

A  Ne  agit  Man  twyce  Forty  Zeirs, 

After  the  haly  Days  of  Zule^ 
I  hard  him  carp  amang  the  Freirs, 
Of  Order  gray,  makand  grit  Dule, 
Richt  as  he  war  a  furious  Fule; 
Aft-tymes  he  ficht,  and  faid  Alace ! 

Be  Claud  my  Care  may  nevir  cule. 
That  I  fervt  evir  Mouth-thanklefs. 

II. 

Throch  Ignorance,  and  Folly,  Zouth, 
My  Preterit  Tyme  I  wald  neir  fpair, 

Plefance  to  put  into  that  Mouth, 
Till  Aige  faid,  Fule,  let  be  thy  Fare, 


And 


ii6  Auld  Mans  inveighing 

And  now  my  Heid  is  quhyt  and  liair, 
For  feiding  of  that  fowmart  Face, 

Quhairfor  I  murn  baith  late  and  air, 
That  I  fervt  evir  Mouth-than kiefs. 


III. 

Silver  and  Gold  that  I  micht  get 

Beifands,  Brotches,  Robes  and  Rings, 
Frelie  to  gife,  I  wald  nocht  let, 

To  pleife  the  Mulls  attour  all  Things. 

Right  as  the  Swan  for  Sorrow  fings. 
Before  her  Deid  a  little  Space, 

Richt  fae  do  I,  and  my  Hands  wrings. 
That  I  fervt  evir  Mouth-thanklefs. 

IV. 

Bettir  it  were  a  Man  to  ferve 

With  Honour  brave  beneath  a  Sheild, 

Nor  her  to  pleis,  thocht  thou  fould  fterve. 
That  will  not  luke  on  thee  in  Eild, 
Frae  that  thou  has  nae  Hair  to  heild 

Thy  Heid  frae  harming  that  it  hes, 

Quhen  Pen  and  Purfe  and  all  ar  peild, 

Tak  then  a  Meis  of  Mouth-thanklefs. 

V.  It 


Againjl  Mouth-thanklefs.          117 

V. 

It  may  be  in  Example  fene, 

The  Grund  of  Truth  wha  underftude, 
*  Frae  in  thy  Bag  thou  beirs  thyne  Een, 

Thou  gets  nae  Grace  but  for  thy  Gude, 

At  Venus  Clofet,  to  conclude, 
Call  ze  not  this  a  cankert  Cafe: 

Now  God  help  and  the  haly  Rude, 
And  keip  all  Men  frae  Mouth-thanklefs. 

VI. 

O  brukil  Zouth  in  Tyme  behald, 

And  in  thy  Heart  thir  Words  gae  graif, 

Or  thy  Complexion  gather  Cauld, 
Amend  thy  Mifs,  thy  felf  to  faif, 
The  Blifs  abune  gif  thou  wald  haif. 

And  of  thy  Gilt  Remit  and  Grace. 
All  this  I  hard  an  auld  Man  raif, 

After  the  Zule,  of  Mouth-thanklefs. 

^uod  Kennedy. 

*  Makes  use  of  Spedlacles. 

THE 


ii8 


The   Soutar  defcryvit  by  the 
Tailzior, 


•^^^<^^ 


I. 

'T^Hou  leis  Loun,  thou  leis,  thou  leis, 
Zone  are  Soutars  that  thou  feis, 
Kneiland  full  lawly  on  thair  Kneis, 

Thair  Gods  till  adorn. 
Be  Saint  Girnega^  that  grim  Ghaift, 
To  hale  ther  HairfnelTes  on  haift, 
Of  moltin  Tauch  thay  talc  a  Teft 
On  Monandays  at  Morn. 


II. 

To  hald  them  halefome  at  the  Heart, 
Sum  of  fat  Uly  fpews  a  Quart, 
Uthers  a  Pynt  for  thair  awn  Part, 
Of  foul  Soutars  Blek, 


Thus 


'The  Soutar  defcryvit.  119 

Thus  fum  fits,  and  fum  fews, 
Sum  byts  the  Birs,  fum  Uly  fpews, 
And  he  keips  ay  beft  his  Kews, 

Spouts  in  his  Nichbours  Nek. 

III. 

Of  Tauch  or  Uly  when  thay  want. 
Sir  Girnega  will  give  a  Gant, 
And  bok  a  Pynt  at  ilka  Pant, 

And  dr —  them  Roset  rowth. 
Wald  Man  and  Wyf  all  do  as  I, 
When  eir  we  faw  them  we  fould  cry, 
Fy  on  them,  fich !  and  fy !  fy !  iy\ 

Thay  fyle  the  Wind  in  trowth. 


THE 


120 


THE^ 

Soutars  Anfwer  to  the  Tailzior* 


T7Alse  clatterand  Kenfy,  Kuckold  Knaif, 
Blafphemand  Baird  in  thy  Backbyting, 

Of  me  thou  fall  an  Anfwer  haif, 

Fumart  cum  forth,  and  lace  my  Flyting, 
Warfe  than  a  Warlo  in  thy  Wryting; 

Thou  Sathans  Seid  ay  fet  to  Evil, 

Mandrag,  Memerkyn,  mifmade  Myting, 

I  fall  thee  conjure  lyk  the  Devil. 


II. 

Fy  on  the  Tailzior  never  trew, 

Frae  Claith  w^eil  can  thou  cleik  a  Clout, 
Of  Stomoks  ftown  baith  red  and  blew, 

A  Bag  fou  anes  thou  bore  about. 


They 


The  Soutars  Anfwer.  121 

They  followt  thee  with  Cry  and  Shout, 
Hey,  hald  the  Thief  that  ftaw  the  Claith  j 

Thou  will  be  hangt,  haif  thou  nae  Dout, 
For  mony  prefumptous  forfworn  Aith. 


III. 

Amang  the  Wyves  it  fall  be  witten 

Thou  was  ane  Knakat  in  the  Way, 
For  loufy  Seims  that  thou  haft  bitten, 

Thy  Gumes  are  giltin  grein  and  gray ; 

Thy  Couch  is  on  a  Sonic  of  Strae, 
Peild  Prick-loufe  of  a  Pudding  Price, 

Breik  Boutcher  on  a  Suny  Brae; 
Wae  worth  thee  Wirryar  of  quhyt  Lyce. 

IV. 

Thou  zeid  with  Elwand,  Sheir  and  Thymbill, 

Full  mony  a  Day  feikand  thy  Craft; 
For  Halfpenies  thy  Hand  zeid  nimble. 

Grit  Blads  and  Bitts  thou  ftaw  full  aft; 

Quha  delt  with  thee  thay  wer  full  daft, 
For  on  thy  Back,  as  all  Men  kens, 

Wer  broken  mony  a  gude  Ax  Shaft, 
For  wrangus  Geir  of  uther  Mens. 

V.  Thy 


122  'J'he  Soutars  Anfwer. 

V. 

Thy  Wyfe  fcho  wont  a  Man  flie  gat 

Of  thee,  quhen  that  thou  was  weil  brankit, 

And  fcho  gat  but  ane  Cur  Knakat, 

A  foul  Taid  Carle,  all  Tailzior  fhankit, 
For  Clais  that  thou  mifmade  and  mankit, 

Thou  dar  not  dwell  wher  thou  was  bornj 
Zet  afterwart  thou  fall  be  hankit 

Betwixt  Kirkaldy  and  Kingorne. 

^od  Stewart. 


"D  Etwix  twa  Tods  a  crawing  Cok, 

Betwix  twa  Friers  a  Maid  in  her  Smok, 

B  etwix  twa  Cats  a  Mous, 

Betwix  twa  Tailziors  a  Lous; 
Schaw  me,  gude  Sir,  not  as  a  Stranger, 
Quhilk  of  thir  Fours  in  griteft  Danger  ? 

Answer. 
Foxis  ar  fell  at  crawing  Coks, 
Friers  are  fers  at  Maids  in  thair  Smoks, 
Cats  ar  cautelus  in  taking  Myce, 
Tailziors  ar  Tyrrans  in  killing  Lyce. 


123 


A  B  ALL  AT  made  to  the  Scorn  and 
Derijion  of  wanton  Women. 


'-^'X*^- 

I. 

VE  lufty  Ladyis,  luke 

The  rackles  Lyves  ze  leid, 
Haunt  nocht  in  Hole  or  Nuke, 

To  hurt  zour  Womanheid; 

I  red,  for  beft  Remeid, 
Forbeir  all  Place  prophane; 

Gif  this  be  Caufe  of  Feid, 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

n. 

QuHAT  is  fic  Luve  but  Luft, 

A  lytill  for  Delyte, 
To  hant  that  Game  robuft. 

And  beiftly  Apety te ; 


I  now- 


Jf24     In  Derifion  of  isoanton  Women. 

I  nowther  fleich  nor  flyte, 
But  Veritie  tell  plain; 

Talc  ye  this  in  Defpyte, 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

III. 

The  wyfeft  Scho  may  fone 

Seducit  be  and  fchent, 
Syne  frae  the  Deid  be  done, 

Perchance  fall  fair  repent; 

Ower  late  is  to  lament, 
Frae  Belly  dow  not  lane, 

Therfor  in  Tyme  tak  tent : 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

IV. 

Light  Wenches  Luve  will  fawin, 
Evin  lyke  a  Spanzeolis  Lauchter, 

""Vq    *    *    * 

Be  them,  lift  Geir  bechaucht  hir; 
For  Conzie  ze  may  caucht  hir, 

TP         *     *     * 

And  nevir  fpeir  quhais  aucht  hir  j 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

V.  Thocht 


In  Der'tfion  of  wanton  Women.     125 

V. 

Thocht  bruckle  Women  hants 

In  Luft  to  leid  their  Lyvis, 
And  Widdow  Men  that  wants 

To  fteil  a  Pair  of  Wy vis ; 

But  quhere  that  marriet  Wyvis 
Gaes  by  thair  Hufbands  Bane, 

That  Houfhald  nevir  thryvis, 
I  fayt,  and  fayt  again. 

VI. 

It  fets  not  Maidens  als 

To  let  Men  lowfe  thair  Lace, 
Nor  clym  about  Mens  Hals, 

To  clap,  to  kifs,  and  brace. 

Nor  round  in  fecret  Place ; 
Sic  Treatment  is  a  Train 

To  cleave  thair  Quaver-Cafe, 
And  breid  them  Dule  and  Pain. 

Vll. 

Fareweil  with  Cheftetie, 

Frae  Wenches  fall  a  Chucking, 

Thair  follows  Things  thre. 
To  gar  them  gae  a  Gucking, 

Imbracing, 


1^6     Jn  Dertfion  of  ijoanton  Women. 

Imbracing,  Tigging,  Plucking; 
Thir  foure  the  Suth  to  fane, 

Enforfis  them  *  *  * 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

VIII. 

Sum  lykes  new  cum  to  Toun, 

With  Jeigs  to  mak  them  joly, 
Sum  lykes  danfs  up  and  doun 

To  miefs  thair  Melancholy; 

Sum  lykes  Sang,  troly  loly, 
And  fum  of  rigging  fain ; 

Lyk  Fillocks  full  of  Foly, 
With  litle  Gier  thair  ain. 

IX. 

Sum  Mune-brunt  Maidens  myld, 

At  None-tyde  of  the  Nicht, 
Are  chapit  up  with  Chyld, 

Bot  Coal  or  Candle-licht ; 

Sua 


Enforfis  them  *  *  *  'Tis  not  impoflible  but  a  complete  Copy  of 
this  old  Ballad  may  be  found  to  fupply  thefe  few  Blanks. 


Ill  Derifion  of  wanton  Women.      127 

Sua  fum  faid,  Mayds  has  Slicht 
To  play,  and  tak  nae  Pane, 

Syne  fchift  thair  fells  frae  Sicht, 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 


X. 

Sum  thinks  nae  Schame  to  clap 

And  kifs  in  open  Ways; 
Sum  cannot  keip  her  ap 

Frae  lanfing,  as  fcho  lyes; 

Sum  goes  fae  gymp  in  Gyfe, 
Or  fcho  war  kiffd,  but  plain, 

Scho  leur  be  married  thryis, 
And  thre  Tymes  thryis  again. 

XL 

Mair  Gentrice  is  to  jot 

Undir  a  Silkin  Goim, 
Than  with  quhyt  Pettycot 

And  redyar  ay  boun, 

The  denkeft  foneft  doun, 
The  faireft  but  refrain. 

The  gayeft  greateft  Loun, 
But  dinna  tellt  again. 

XII.  The 


128     In  Derifion  of  'wanton  Women. 

XII. 

The  moir  degeft  and  grave, 

The  grydiar  *  *  * 
The  nyceft  to  reflave 

Upon  thair  *  *  * 

The  quhytlieft  will  quhipit, 
And  nocht  thair  *  *  * 

The  lefs,  the  larger  hippitj 
I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

XIII. 

Lo  Ladyis  gif  this  be, 

A  gude  Counfale  I  geife  zou, 

To  fave  zour  Honeftie, 

Frae  Sklander  to  releife  zou  j 
But  Ballats  mae  to  breif  zou, 

I  will  not  break  my  Brain, 

Suppofe  ze  fould  mifcheive  you, 

I  fall  not  fayt  again. 

^od  Scott. 


On 


129 


On  the  Uncertainty  of  Life  and  Fear  of 
Death^  or  a  Lament  for  the  Lofs  of 
the  Poets, 

— -OGOGS-^IGGGG- — 

I. 

/^Ur  Pleafance  heir  is  all  vain  Glory, 
This  Warld  falfe  but  tranfatory; 
The  Flefh  is  bruckle,  the  Feynd  is  flie, 
'Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 

II. 

The  State  of  Man  dois  change  and  vary, 
Now  found,  now  feik,  now  blyth,  now  fary. 
Now  danfand  merry,  now  lyk  to  die, 
Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 

III. 

No  State  in  all  the  Eard  ftands  ficker. 
But  as  the  Weft-Wind  wavis  the  wicker, 
Sae  wanes  this  warldly  Vanity, 
Timor  mortis  J  &c. 

IV.  DouN 

K 


13°  Lament  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets. 


IV. 

DouN  to  the  Death  gois  all  Eftates, 
Princes,  Prelates  and  Potentates, 
Baith  rich  and  pure  of  all  Degree, 
Timor,  &c. 

V.  ■ 

He  taks  the  Knichts  into  the  Feild, 
Enarmed  under  Helm  and  Sheild, 
He  Viftor  is  at  all  mellie, 
Timor,  &c. 

VI. 

That  ftrang  invynfable  Tyrrand 
Taks,  on  the  Muthers  Breift  fuckand. 
The  Babe,  full  of  Benignitie, 
Timor,  Sec. 

VII. 

He  taks  the  Campion  in  the  Stour, 
The  Captain  clofd  within  the  Towir, 
The  Lady  in  Bowre,  full  of  Bewtie, 
Timor,  &c. 

VIII.  He 


Lament  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets.   13^ 


VIII. 

He  fpares  no  Lord  for  his  Pufiance, 
Nor  Clerk  for  his  Intelligence  3 
His  awfuU  Strake  may  no  Man  flee, 
Timor ^  &c. 

IX. 

Art  Magicians  and  Aftrologs, 
Rethoris,  Logitians,  Theologs, 
Get  Help  frae  nae  Conclufions  flee, 
Timor ^  &c. 

X. 

In  Medecyne  the  mofl:  Pradlitians, 
Leiches,  Surrigians  and  Phefitians, 
Themfelves  frae  Death  may  not  fupplie, 
Timor ^  Sec. 

XI. 

I  fee  the  Makkars,  mang  the  laif. 
Plays  here  thair  Padzians,  fyne  goes  to  Graif ; 
Not  fpairt  is  thair  fweit  Facultie, 
Timor,  Sec. 

XII.  He 


132  Lame?it  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets. 


XII. 

He  has  done  petoufly  devore, 
The  nobil  ^Chawfer  of  Makkars  Flowir, 
The  Monk  of  Berry  and  Gower  all  thre, 
Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 


XIII. 

The  gude  Sr  Hew  of  Eglintoun, 
Etrick,  Heriot  and  TVintorij 
He  has  tane  out  of  this  Countrey, 
Timor  J  &c. 


XIV. 

That  Scorpion  fell  has  done  infek, 
Maifter  yohn  Clerk  and  James  Affleck, 
Frae  Ballat  making  and  Tragedy, 


Timor,  &c. 


XV.  Ho- 


*  'Tis  worthy  of  Notice  how  generoufly  Mr.  Dunbar  pays  his 
Refpe£b  to  the  Memory  of  the  renowned  Chaucer,  Gower  and  LidgatCf 
before  he  names  his  own  Country  Poets. 


Lament  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets.   133 


XV. 

Holand  and  Barb  or  he  has  bereft, 
Allace !  that  he  not  with  us  left 
Sr  Mungo  Lockhart  of  the  Z/V, 
Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 

XVI. 

Clerk  of  Tranent  eik  he  has  tane, 
That  made  the  Aventers  of  Sr  Gawane, 
Sr  Gilbert  Gray  endit  has  he, 
Timor ^  &c. 

XVII. 

He  has  Blind  Hary  and  Sandy  Trail 
Slain  with  his  Shot  of  mortall  Hail, 
Quhilk  Patrick  Johnfon  micht  not  flie, 
Timor ^  &c. 

XVIII. 

He  has  reft  Merfar  his  Indyte, 
That  did  in  Luve  fo  lyflie  wryte. 
So  fchort,  fo  quick,  of  Sentens  hie, 
Timor^  Sec. 

XIX.  He 


134  Lament  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets. 


XIX. 

He  has  tane  Rowl  of  Aherdene^ 
And  gentle  Rowl  of  Corjiorphyne ; 
Twa  bettir  Fallows  did  no  Man  fie, 
Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 

XX. 

In  Dumfermling  he  has  tane  Broun, 
With  gude  Mr.  Robert  Henry fon; 
Sr  John  the  Rofs  imbraift  has  he, 
Timor,  Sec. 

XXI. 

And  he  has  now  tane,  laft  of  aw. 
The  gentle  Stobo  and  ^intene  Schaw, 
Of  quhome  all  Wichts  has  grit  Pitie, 
Timor,  &c. 

XXII. 

And  Mr.  Walter  Kennedy 
In  Poynt  of  Death  lyes  werely; 
Grit  Rewth  it  wer  that  fo  fould  be, 
Timor,  &c. 

XXIII.  Sen 


POSTSCRIPT.  135 


XXIII. 

Sen  he  has  all  my  Brethren  tane, 
He  will  not  let  me  leive  alane ; 
On  Forfs  I  maun  his  nixt  Prey  be, 

Timor ^  &c. 


XXIV. 

Sen  for  the  Death  Remeid  is  none, 
Beft  is  that  we  for  Death  difpone ; 
Aftir  our  Death,  that  live  may  we, 
Timor  mortis  conturbat  me. 

POSTSCRIPT, 

XXV. 

CUthe  I  forfie,  if  Spae-craft  had, 

Frae  Hethir-Muirs  fall  ryfe  a  Lad, 
Aftir  twa  Gentries  pas,  fall  he 
Revive  our  Fame  and  Memorie. 

XXVI.  Then 


136  POSTSCRIPT. 


XXVI. 

Then  fall  we  flourifh  Evir  Grene  j 
All  Thanks  to  carefull  Bannantyne, 
And  to  the  *Patron  kind  and  frie, 

Quha  lends  the  Lad  baith  them  and  me. 

XXVII. 

Far  fall  we  fare,  baith  Eift  and  Weft, 
Owre  ilka  Clyme  by  Scots  pofleft; 
Then  fen  our  Warks  fall  nevir  die, 
Timor  mortis  non  turbat  me. 

^od  Dunbar. 


*  Patron,  Mr.  William  Carmichael,  Brother  to  the  Earl  of  Hyndford, 
who  lent  A,  R.  that  curious  MSS.  collefted  by  Mr.  George  Barman- 
tyne,  Anno  1568,  from  whence  thefe  Poems  are  printed. 


rhe 


137 

4k  ^  :^r„  4fc>  ^t«;  ^t^  4i%  ^t^  ^c-  ^fr^  •^t«%  ^t^  4lC'  4i%  4:C-  •^t(%  ^k  4(i%  ^^c-  4S?' 

T/ie  JFIFE  of  Auchtermuchty. 
I. 

TN  Auchtermuchty  dwelt  a  Man, 

An  Hufband,  as  I  heard  it  tawld, 
Quha  weil  coud  tipple  out  a  Can, 

And  nowther  luvit  Hungir  nor  Cauld, 
Till  anes  it  fell  upon  a  Day, 

He  zokit  his  Plewch  upon  the  Plain; 
But  fchort  the  Storm  wald  let  him  ftay, 

Sair  blew  the  Day  with  Wind  and  Rain. 

II. 

He  lowfd  the  Plewch  at  the  Lands  End, 

And  draife  his  Owfen  hame  at  Ene; 
Quhen  he  came  in  he  blinkit  ben, 

And  faw  his  Wyfe  baith  dry  and  clene, 
Set  beikand  by  a  Fyre  full  bauld, 

Suppand  fat  Sowp,  as  I  heard  fay : 
The  Man  being  weary,  wet  and  cauld, 

Betwein  thir  twa  it  was  nae  Play. 

HI.  Quod 


138      "The  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty. 

III. 

Quod  he,  quhair  is  my  Horfes  Corn, 

My  Owfen  has  nae  Hay  nor  Strae, 
Dame,  ye  maun  to  the  Plewch  the  Morn, 

I  fall  be  HufTy  gif  I  may. 
This  Seid-time  it  proves  cauld  and  bad, 

And  ze  fit  warm,  nae  Troubles  fe ; 
The  Morn  ze  fall  gae  with  the  Lad, 

And  fyne  zeil  ken  what  Drinkers  drie. 

IV. 

GuDEMAN,  quod  fcho,  content  am  I, 

To  tak  the  Plewch  my  Day  about, 
Sae  ye  rule  weil  the  Kaves  and  Ky, 

And  all  the  Houfe  baith  in  and  out: 
And  now  fen  ze  haif  made  the  Law, 

Then  gyde  all  richt  and  do  not  break; 
They  iicker  raid  that  neir  did  faw, 

Therfor  let  naithing  be  negledt. 

V. 

But  fen  ye  will  Huflyfkep  ken, 

Firft  ye  maun  fift  and  fyne  fall  kned; 

And  ay  as  ze  gang  butt  and  ben, 

Luke  that  the  Bairns  dryt  not  the  Bed : 


And 


The  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty.      i39 

And  lay  a  faft  Wyfp  to  the  Kiln, 
We  half  a  dear  Farm  on  our  Held ; 

And  ay  as  ze  gang  forth  and  in, 

Keip  weil  the  Gaiflings  frae  the  Gled. 

VI. 

The  Wyfe  was  up  richt  late  at  Ene, 

I  pray  Luck  gife  her  ill  to  fair, 
Scho  kirn'd  the  Kirn,  and  fkumt  it  dene, 

Left  the  Gudeman  but  bledoch  bair : 
Then  in  the  Morning  up  fcho  gat; 

And  on  hir  Heart  laid  hir  Disjune, 
And  pat  as  mekle  in  hir  Lap, 

As  micht  haif  ferd  them  baith  at  Nune. 

VII. 

Says,  Jok^  be  thou  Maifter  of  Wark, 

And  thou  fall  had,  and  I  fall  ka, 
Ife  promife  thee  a  gude  new  Sark, 

Either  of  round  Claith  or  of  fma. 
Scho  lowft  the  Owfen  aught  or  nyne. 

And  bynt  a  Gad-ftafF  in  her  Hand : 
Up  the  Gudeman  raife  aftir  iyne, 

And  faw  the  Wyfe  had  done  Command. 

VIII.  He 


140      The  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty. 

VIII. 
He  draif  the  Gaiflings  forth  to  feid, 

Thair  was  but  fevenfum  of  them  aw, 
And  by  thair  comes  the  greidy  Gled, 

And  lickt  up  five,  left  him  but  twa: 
Then  out  he  ran  in  all  his  Mane, 

How  fune  he  hard  the  Gaiflings  cry; 
But  than  or  he  came  in  again. 

The  Kaves  brak  loufe  and  fuckt  the  Ky. 

IX. 

The  Kaves  and  Ky  met  in  the  Loan, 

The  Man  ran  with  a  Rung  to  red. 
Than  by  cam  an  illwilly  Roan, 

And  brodit  his  Buttoks  till  they  bled: 
Syne  up  he  tuke  a  Rok  of  Tow, 

And  he  fat  down  to  fey  the  Spinning; 
He  loutit  doun  our  neir  the  Low, 

Quod  he  this  Wark  has  ill  Beginning. 

X. 

The  Leam  up  throu  the  Lum  did  flow. 
The  Sute  tuke  Fyre  it  flyed  him  than, 
Sum  Lumps  did  fell  and  burn  his  Pow ; 
*   I  wat  he  was  a  dirty  Man : 

Zit 


'The  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty.      141 

Zit  he  gat  Water  in  a  Pan, 

Quherwith  he  flokend  out  the  Fyre : 

To  foup  the  Houfe  he  fyne  began, 
To  had  all  richt  was  his  Defyre. 

XI. 

Hynd  to  the  Kirn  then  did  he  ftoure, 

And  jumblit  at  it  till  he  fwat, 
Quhen  he  had  rumblit  a  full  lang  Hour, 

The  Sorrow  crap  of  Butter  he  gat  j 
Albeit  nae  Butter  he  could  get, 

Zit  he  was  cummert  with  the  Kirn, 
And  fyne  he  het  the  Milk  fae  het, 

That  ill  a  Spark  of  it  wad  zyrne. 

XII. 

Then  ben  thair  cam  a  greidy  Sow, 

I  trow  he  cund  hir  litle  Thank : 
For  in  fcho  fhot  hir  mekle  Mow, 

And  ay  fcho  winkit,  and  ay  fcho  drank. 
He  tuke  the  Kirnftaff  be  the  Schank, 

And  thocht  to  reik  the  Sow  a  Rout, 
The  twa  left  Gaiflings  gat  a  Clank, 

That  Straik  dang  baith  thair  Harns  out. 

XIII.  Then 


I 


142      The  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty. 


XIII. 
Then  he  bure  Kendling  to  the  Kill, 

But  fcho  ftart  all  up  in  a  Low, 
Quhat  eir  he  heard  what  eir  he  faw. 

That  Day  he  had  nae  Will  to  *  * 
Then  he  zied  to  take  up  the  Bairns, 

Thocht  to  have  fund  them  fair  and  clene; 
The  firft  that  he  gat  in  his  Arms, 

Was  a  bedirtin  to  the  Ene. 

XIV. 

* 

The  firft  it  fmelt  fae  fappylie. 

To  touch  the  lave  he  did  not  grein: 
The  Deil  cut  afFthair  Hands,  quoth  he, 

That  cramd  zour  Kytes  fae  ftrute  zeftrein. 
He  traild  the  foul  Sheits  down  the  Gate, 

Thocht  to  haif  wufh  them  on  a  Stane, 
The  Burn  was  rifen  grit  of  Spait, 

Away  frae  him  the  Sheits  has  tane. 

XV. 
Then  up  he  gat  on  a  Know-heid, 
On  hir  to  cry,  on  hir  to  fchout: 
Scho  hard  him,  and  fcho  hard  him  not, 
But  ftoutly  fteird  the  Stots  about. 

Scho 


Hhe  Wife  of  Auchtermuchty.      143 

Scho  draif  the  Day  unto  the  Nicht, 

Scho  lowft  the  Plewch,  and  fyne  cam  hame ; 

Scho  land  all  wrang  that  fould  bene  richt, 
I  trow  the  Man  thocht  mekle  Schame. 

XVI. 

QyoTH  he,  my  Office  I  forfake, 

For  all  the  hale  Days  of  my  Lyfe; 
For  I  wald  put  a  Houfe  to  Wraik, 

Had  I  been  twenty  Days  Gudewyfe. 
Quoth  fcho,  weil  mot  ze  bruke  your  Place, 

For  truely  I  fall  neir  accept  it  j 
Quoth  he,  Feynd  fa  the  Lyars  Face, 

But  zit  ze  may  be  blyth  to  get  it. 

XVII. 
Then  up  fcho  gat  a  mekle  Rung; 

And  the  Gudeman  made  to  the  Dore, 
Quoth  he.  Dame,  I  fall  hald  my  Tung, 

For  and  we  fecht  I  '11  get  the  war : 
Quoth  he,  when  I  forfuke  my  Plewch, 

I  trow  I  but  forfuke  my  Skill : 
Then  I  will  to  my  Plewch  again ; 

For  I  and  this  Houfe  will  nevir  do  weil. 

^od  Moffat. 
THE 


144 


T^he  Borrowfloun  Mous,  and  the  Land- 
wart  Mous, 


~^^ 


I. 


PJ*  Asop  relates  a  Tale  weil  worth  Renown, 

Of  twa  wie  Myce,  and  they  war  Sifters  deir, 

Of  quhom  the  Elder  dwelt  in  Borrowftoun, 
The  Zunger  fcho  wond  upon  Land  weil  neir, 
Richt  folitair  beneth  the  Bufs  and  Breir, 

Quhyle  on  the  Corns  and  Wraith  of  labouring  Men, 

As  Outlaws  do,  fcho  maid  an  eafy  Fen. 


II. 

The  Rural  Mous,  unto  the  Winter-tyde, 

Thold  Cauld  and  Hunger  aft,  and  grit  Diftrefs : 

The  uther  Mous  that  in  the  Burgh  can  byde. 
Was  Gilt-bruther,  and  made  a  frie  Burges, 
Tol  frie,  and  without  Cuftom  mair  or  lefe, 

And  Friedom  had  to  gae  quhair  eir  fcho  lift, 

Amang  the  Cheis  and  Meil  in  Ark  or  Kift. 

III.  Ane 


"The  Borrowjioun  Mous^  &c.      i45 

III. 

Ane  Tyme  when  fcho  was  full,  and  on  Fute  fair, 
Scho  tuke  in  Mynd  her  Sifter  up-on-Land, 

And  langt  to  ken  her  Weilfair  and  her  Cheir, 
And  fe  quhat  Lyf  fcho  led  under  the  Wand : 
Bare-fute  alane,  with  Pykftaff  in  her  Hand, 

As  Pilgrim  pure  fcho  paft  out  of  the  Toun 

To  feik  her  Sifter,  baith  in  Dale  and  Doun. 

IV. 

Throw  mony  wilfum  Ways  then  couth  fcho  walk. 
Throw  Mure  and  Mofs,  throwout  Bank,  Bufk 
and  Breir, 

Frae  Fur  to  Fur,  cryand  frae  Balk  to  Balk, 
Cum  furth  to  me,  my  awin  fweit  Sifter  deir. 
Cry,  peip  anes, — with  that  the  Mous  couth  heir, 

And  knew  her  Voce,  as  kindly  Kinfmen  will, 

Scho  hard  with  Joy,  and  furth  fcho  came  her  till. 

V. 

Thair  hearty  Cheir  was  plefand  to  be  fene, 

Quhen  thir  twa  Sifters  kind  with  Blythnefs  met, 

Quhilk  aften  Syfs  was  fliawin  them  twa  betwein ; 

For  quhyls  they  leuch,  and  quhyls  for  Joy  they  grat, 

Quhyls  fweitly  kift,  and  quhyls  in  Arms  they  plet : 

And 
L 


146  'The  Borrowjioun  Mous^ 

And  thus  they  fure,  till  fobirt  was  thair  Meid, 
Syne  Fute  for  Fute  they  to  thair  Chalmer  zeid. 

VI. 

As  I  hard  fay,  it  was  a  femple  Wane 

Of  Fog  and  Fern,  full  fecklefly  was  maid, 

A  filly  Shell,  under  a  Eard-faft  Stane, 

Of  quhilk  the  Entrie  was  not  hie  nor  braid  j 
Into  the  fame  they  went  bot  mair  abaid, 

Withouten  Fyre  or  Candle  birnand  bricht. 

For  commonly  fic  Pykers  luves  not  Licht. 

VII. 

QuHEN  thus  wer  lugit  thir  twa  filly  Myce, 
The  zungeft  Sifter  to  her  Butrie  hyed. 

And  brocht  furth  Nuts  and  Pais  infteid  of  Spyce, 
And  fic  plain  Cheir  as  fcho  had  her  befyde: 
The  B urges  Mous  fae  dynk  and  full  of  Pryde, 

Sayd,  Sifter  myne.  Is  this  zour  daylie  Fude? 

Quhy  not,  quod  fcho,  think  ze  this  Mefs  not  gude? 

VIII. 

Na,  be  my  Saul,  methink  it  but  a  Scorn; 

Madame,  quod  fcho,  ye  be  the  mair  to  blame : 
My  Moder  faid,  aftir  that  we  wer  born, 

That 


and  the  Landwart  Mous.        i47 

That  ze  and  I  lay  baith  within  her  Wame; 

I  keip  the  richt  auld  Cuftom  of  my  Dame 
And  of  my  Syre, — livand  in  Povertie, 
For  Lands  and  Rents  nana  is  our  Propertie. 

IX. 

My  Sifter  fair,  quod  fcho,  haif  me  excuft, 
This  Dyet  rude  and  I  can  neir  accord ; 

With  tender  Meit  my  Stomock  ftill  is  uft, 
For  quhy,  I  fair  as  weil  as  ony  Lord : 
Thir  withert  Nuts  and  Peis,  or  they  be  bord, 

Will   brek   my   Chafts,   and   mak   my  Teith   full 
Iklender, 

Quhilk  has  bein  uft  before  to  Meit  mair  tender. 

X. 

Weil  Sifter,  weil  then,  quoth  the  rural  Mous, 
Gif  that  ze  pleis  flc  Things  as  ze  fe  heir, 

Baith  Meit  and  Drink,  and  Herbouray  and  Hous, 
Sail  be  zour  awin,  will  ze  remain  all  Zeir, 
Ze  fall  it  haif  with  blyth  and  hairtly  Cheir, 

And  that  fould  mak  the  Mefles  that  ar  rude. 

Still  amang  Freinds  richt  tender,  fweit  and  gude. 

XL    QUHAT 


148  'The  Borrowjloun  Mous^ 

XI. 

QuHAT  Plefans  is  in  Feifts  mair  dilicate, 

The  quhilk  ar  given  with  a  gloumand  Brow; 

A  gentle  Heart  is  better  recreate 

With  Ufage  blyth,  than  feith  to  him  a  Cow; 
Ane  Modicum  is  better,  zeill  allow, 

Sae  that  Gude-will  be  Carver  at  the  Defs, 

Than  a  thrawn  Vult,  and  mony  a  fpycie  Mefs. 

XII. 
For  all  this  moral  Dodtrine,  ticht  and  foun, 

The  B urges  Mous  had  little  Will  to  fmg. 
But  hevely  fcho  keft  her  Vifage  doun. 

For  all  the  Daintys  fcho  couth  till  her  bring; 

Zit  at  the  laft  fcho  faid,  half  in  hie  thing, 
Sifter  this  Vittell  and  zour  Royal  Feift 
May  weil  fuffice  for  fie  a  rural  Beift. 

XIII. 
Let  be  this  Hole,  and  cum  unto  my  Place, 

I  fall  zou  fchaw,  by  gude  Experience, 
That  my  Gude-Frydays  better  than  zour  Pafe,, 
And  a  Difh  licking  worth  zour  hale  Expence; 
Houfes  I  haif  enow  of  grit  Defence, 
Of  Cat,  nor  Fall,  nor  Trap,  I  haif  nae  Dreid : 
This  faid, — that  was  convinced, — and  furth  they  zeid. 

XIV.  In 


and  the  Landwart  Mous.        ^49 

XIV. 
In  Skugry  ay  throw  rankeft  Gras  and  Corn, 

And  Wonder  flie  full  prively  they  creip; 
The  eldeft  was  the  Gyde,  and  went  beforn, 

The  zunger  to  her  Futefteps  tuke  gude  keip ; 

On  Nicht  they  ran,  and  on  the  Day  did  fleip, 
Till  on  a  Morning,  or  the  Lavrock  fang, 
They  fand  the  Toun,  and  blythly  in  couth  gang. 

XV. 

Not  far  frae  thyne,  on  till  a  worthy  Wane, 

This  B urges  brocht  them  fune  quhair  they  fould  be. 

Without  God-fpeid, — -thair  Herboury  was  tane 
Intill  a  Spence,  wher  Vittell  was  Plenty, 
Baith  Cheis  and  Butter  on  lang  Skelfs  richt  hie. 

With  Fifh  and  Flefh  enough  baith  frefh  and  fait. 

And  Pokks  full  of  Grots,  Barlie,  Meil  and  Malt. 

XVI. 
QuHEN  afterwart  they  wer  difpofd  to  dyne, 

Withouten  Grace  they  wufli  and  went  to  meit. 
On  every  Difh  that  Cuikmen  can  divyne, 
Muttone  and  Beif  cut  out  in  Telzies  grit, 
Ane  Erles  Fair  thus  can  they  counterfitt, 
Exept  ane  Thing, — they  drank  the  Watter  cleir 
Infteid  of  Wyne,  but  zit  they  made  gude  Cheir. 

XVII.  With 


15°  The  Borrowjioun  Mous^ 

XVII. 

With  blyth  Upcaft  and  merry  Countenance, 
The  elder  Sifter  then  fpeird  at  her  Geft, 

Gif  that  fcho  thocht  be  Refon  DifFerance 
Betwixt  that  Chalmer  and  her  fary  Neft; 
Zea  Dame,  quoth  fcho  ?  but  how  lang  will  this  left  ? 

For  evermair  I  wate,  and  langer  to ; 

Gif  that  be  trew,  ze  ar  at  Eife,  quoth  fcho. 

*  XVIII. 

To  eik  the  Cheir,  in  Plenty  furth  fcho  brocht 
A  Plate  of  Grots,  and  a  large  Difti  of  Meil, 

A  Threfe  of  Caiks,  I  trow  fcho  fpairt  them  nocht, 
Abundantlie  about  her  did  fcho  deil; 
Furmage  full  fyne  fcho  brocht  inftead  of  Geil, 

A  Candle  quhyte  out  of  a  Coffer  ftaw, 

Infteid  of  Spyce,  to  creifli  thair  Teith  with  a. 

XIX. 

Thus  made  they  mirry,  quhyle  they  micht  nae  mair, 
And  hail  Zule!  hail!  they  all  cryt  up  on  hiej 

But  after  Joy  ther  aftentymes  comes  Cair, 
And  Trouble  after  grit  Profperitie : 
Thus  as  they  fat  in  all  thair  Solitie, 

The  Spens  came  on  them  with  Keis  in  his  Hand, 

Apent  the  Dore,  and  them  at  Dinner  fand. 

XX.  They 


and  the  Landwart  Mous.        151 

XX. 

They  tarriet  not  to  wafli,  ze  may  fuppofe, 

But  afF  they  ran,  quha  micht  the  foremoft  win  j 

The  B urges  had  a  Hole,  and  in  fcho  gaes. 
Her  Sifter  had  nae  Place  to  hyde  her  in, 
To  fee  that  filly  Mous  it  was  grit  Sin, 

Sae  difalait  and  will  of  all  gude  reid. 

For  very  Feir  fcho  fell  in  Swoun,  neir  deid. 

XXI. 

But  as  Jove  wald,  it  fell  a  happy  Cafe, 
The  Spenfar  had  nae  Laifar  lang  to  byde, 

Nowthir  to  force,  to  feik,  nor  fkar,  nor  chefe. 
But  on  he  went,  and  keft  the  Dore  upwydej 
This  Burges  then  his  Pafage  weil  has  fpyd, 

Out  of  her  Hole  fcho  came,  and  cryt  on  hie, 

How!  Sifter  fair,  cry,  peip,  quhair  eir  thou  be. 

XXH. 
The  Landwart  Mous  lay  flatlings  on  the  Ground, 

And  for  the  Deid  fcho  was  full  fair  dreidand, 

For  to  her  Heart  ftrak  mony  a  waefull  Stound, 

As  in  a  Fever  trymblit  fcho  Fute  and  Hand  j 

And  when  her  Sifter  in  fic  Plicht  her  fand, 

For  very  Pitie  fcho  began  to  greit ; 

Syne  Comfort  gaif,  with  Words  as  Huny  fweit. 

XXHI.  QuHY 


152  "The  Borrowfioun  Mous^ 

XXIII. 

QuHY  ly  ze  thus  ?  Ryfe  up  my  Sifter  deir, 
Cum  to  zour  Meit,  this  Perell  is  owre-paft; 

The  uther  anfwert,  with  a  hevy  Cheir, 
I  may  nocht  eit,  fae  fair  I  am  agaft : 
I  lever  had  this  fourtie  lang  Days  faft, 

With  Watter  Kail,  and  gnaw  dry  Beins  and  Peis, 

Then  haif  zour  Feift  with  this  Dreid  and  Waneife. 

XXIV. 

With  Tretie  fair,  at  laft,  fcho  gart  her  ryfe. 
To  Burde  they  went,  and  down  togither  fat; 

But  (kantly  had  they  drunken  anes  or  twyce, 
Quhen  in  came  Hunter  Gib^  the  joly  Cat, 
And  bad  God-fpeid. The  B urges  up  fcho  gat. 

And  till  her  Hole  fcho  fled  lyk  Fyre  frae  Flint; 

But  Badrans  be  the  Back  the  uther  hint. 

XXV. 

Frae  Fute  to  Fute  he  keft  her  to  and  frae, 
Quhyls  up,  quhyls  doun,  als  tait  as  ony  Kid; 

Quhyls  wald  he  let  her  ryn  beneth  the  Strae, 

Quhyls  wald  he  wink  and  play  with  her  Buk-hid: 
Thus  to  the  filly  Mous  grit  Harm  he  did; 

Till  at  the  laft,  throw  fair  Fortune  and  Hap, 

Betwixt  the  Dreflbur  and  the  Wall  fcho  crap. 

XXVI.  Syne 


and  the  Landivart  Mous.        J 53 

XXVI. 

Syne  up  in  hafte  behind  the  Pannaling, 

Sae  hie  fcho  clam,  that  Gibby  might  not  get  her, 

And  be  the  Cluks  fae  craftylie  can  hing, 

Till  he  was  gane,  her  Cheir  was  all  the  better. 
Syne  down  fcho  lap,  quhen  ther  was  nane  to  let  her. 

Then  on  the  Burges  Mous  alloud  did  cry, 

Sifter  fairweil,  heir  I  thy  Feift  defy. 

XXVII. 
Wer  I  anes  in  the  Cot  that  I  cam  frae, 

For  Weil  nor  Wae  I  fould  neir  cum  again. 
With  that  fcho  tuke  her  Leif,  and  furth  can  gae, 
Quhyles  throw  the  Riggs  of  Corn,  quhyles  owre 

the  Plain, 
Quhen  fcho  was  furth  and  frie,  her  Heart  was  fain, 
And  merrylie  fcho  linicit  owre  the  Mure, 
Needlefs  to  tell  how  afterwart  fcho  fure. 

XXVIII. 
But  this  in  fchort  fcho  reikt  her  eify  Den, 

As  warm  as  on  fuppofe  it  was  not  grit. 
Full  beinly  ftuffit  it  was  baith  butt  and  ben. 

With  Peis,  and  Nuts,  and  Beins,  and  Ry  and 

Quheit, 
When  eir  fcho  lykt  fcho  had  eneuch  of  Meit, 

In 


154  l^he  M or  alt  tie. 

In  Eife  and  Quiet,  withouten  Sturt  and  Dreid, 
But  till  her  Sifter's  Feift  nae  mair  fcho  zeid. 


The   MORALITIE. 

XXIX. 

TJ  EiR  ze  may  find,  my  Freinds,  gif  ze  tak  Heid 

Unto  this  Fable  a  gude  Moralitie, 
As  Fitches  minglit  ar  with  noble  Seid, 

Sae  interwoven  is  Adverfitie 

With  eardly  Joy,  fo  that  nae  State  is  free, 
Withouten  Trouble  and  aft  grit  Vexation, 

And  namelie  thay  that  wreftle  up  maift  hie, 
And  not  contentit  ar  of  fmall  PofTefion. 

XXX. 

Blissit  be  fymple  Lyfe,  withouten  Dreid, 

Bliffit  be  fober  Feift  in  Quietiej 
Quha  has  eneuch  of  nae  mair  has  he  Neid, 

Thocht  it  be  litle  into  Quantitie, 

Aboundance  grit  and  blind  Profperitie 
Maks  aftentymes  a  very  ill  Conclufion : 

The  fweiteft  Lyfe  therefore  in  this  Countrie 
Is  Sickernefs  and  Peace  with  fmall  PofTefion. 

XXXI.  o 


The  Moralitte.  i55 


XXXI. 

O  wanton  Man,  quhilk  ufes  ay  to  feid 

Thy  Wame,  and  males  it  maift  thy  God  to  be, 
Luke  to  thy  felf  I  warn  thee  weil  on  Deid ; 
For  the  Cat  cums,  and  to  the  Mous  has  Ee, 
Quhat  does  avail  thy  Feift  and  Ryelty, 
With  dreidfuU  Hairt,  and  endlefs  Tribulation : 
"    Therefore  belt  Thing  on  Eard,  I  fay  for  me. 
It  is  a  merry  Mynd  and  fmall  Poffefion. 

XXXII. 
Freind,  thy  awin  Fyre,  thocht  it  be  but  ane  Gleid, 

Will  warm  thee  weil,  and  is  worth  Gold  to  theej 
And  Salomon  the  Sage,  fays,  (gif  ze  reid,) 

Under  the  Hevin  I  can  nocht  better  fe^ 

Than  ay  be  blyth^  and  leif  in  Honejiie. 
Quhairfore  I  may  conclude  me  with  this  Reafon, 

Of  Eardly  Blifs  it  beirs  the  beft  Degree, 
Blythnefs  of  Hairt  in  Peace  with  fmall  PofTefion. 

^od  Mr,  R.  Henryson. 


4..|)..c|..|). 


AD' 


iS6 


^*"^4<^^'~^ii^'*^iii^*^ii^^^i?^^^^^5P^^ 


ADVICE  to  his  zoung  King. 


■■^, 


I. 

"DReceland  Prince,  haiffing  Prerogatyve, 
Of  Royal  Richt  in  this  Region  to  ring, 

I  thee  befeik  againft  thy  Lull  to  ftryve, 
And  luve  thy  God  aboif  all  uther  Thing, 
And  him  implore  now  in  thy  Zeirs  zing 

To  grant  thee  Grace  thy  Subjects  to  defend, 
Quhilk  he  has  given  to  thee  in  governing 

In  Peice  and  Honour  to  thy  Lyves  End. 


II. 


And  fen  thou  ftands  in  fie  a  tender  Age, 
That  Nature  zit  to  thee  Wifdome  denys ; 

Therefore  fubmit  unto  thy  Council  fage. 
And  in  all  Manner  work  as  thay  devyfe : 


But 


Advice  to  his  zoung  King.        ^57 

But  ower  all  Things  keip  thee  frae  Covetyfe, 
To  princely  Honour  gif  thou  wald  pretend, 

Be  liberal  ay,  then  fall  thy  Fame  upryfe, 
And  win  thee  Honour  to  thy  Lyves  End. 

III. 

Gif  that  thou  gives  dilyver  quhen  thou  hechts, 

And  nevir  let  thy  Hand  thy  Hecht  delay; 
For  then  thy  Hecht  and  thy  Diliverance  fechts. 

Far  bettir  war  thy  Hecht  had  biden  away; 

He  awis  me  nocht  that  fchortly  fays  me  nay; 
But  he  that  hechts,  and  caufes  me  attend, 

Syne  gives  me  not,  I  may  repute  him  ay, 
Ane  untrue  Dettor  to  my  Lyves  End. 

IV. 

Better  is  the  Gut  in  Feit,  than  Cramp  in  Hands, 

The  Fait  of  Feit  with  Horfe  thou  may  fupport ; 
But  quhen  thy  Hands  are  bundin  up  with  Bands, 

Nae  Surrigiane  may  cure  them,  nor  Comfort; 

But  thou  them  open  payntit  as  a  Port, 
And  freily  give  fic  Gudes  as  God  dois  fend, 

Then  may  thay  mend  within  a  Seafon  fchort. 
And  win  the  Honour  to  thy  Lyves  End. 

V.  Give 


15  8       Advice  to  his  ^oung  King, 

V. 
Give  every  Man  aftir  his  Faculty, 

And  with  Difcration  ftill  difpone  thy  Geir: 
Give  not  to  Fules,  and  cunning  Men  ower  flie, 

Tho  Fules  fould  roun  and  flattir  in  thine  Eir, 

Give  not  to  them  that  dois  thy  Saws  fweir, 
Give  to  them  that  are  true  and  conftant  kendj 

Then  ower  all  quhair  thy  Fame  they  fall  forth  beir, 
And  win  the  Honour  to  thy  Lyves  laft  End. 

VI. 

Sen  thou  art  Heid,  thy  Leiges  Members  all, 
Given  by  God  unto  thy  Governance, 

Luke  that  thou  rule  the  Rute  originall,  [vance. 
That  throw  thy  Fait  no  Limb  make  other  Gri- 
For  quha  cannot  himfelf  gyde  and  advance? 

Quhy  fould  a  Provence  upon  him  depend. 
To  gyde  himfelf  that  has  nae  Purveance, 

With  Peice  and  Honour  to  his  Lyves  laft  End? 

vn. 

Dreid  God,  do  Council,  of  thy  Leiges  leil 

Reward  gude  Deid,  punifli  all  Wrang  and  Vyce, 

Thoch  that  thy  Saw  be  ficker  as  thy  Seil, 
Fleme  Frawd  and  be  Deffender  of  Juftice. 

Honour 


On  Confciens. 


159 


Honour  all  Time  thy  noble  Genterice, 
Obey  the  Kirk;  gif  thou  dois  mifs,  amend, 

Sae  fall  thou  win  a  Place  in  Paradyce, 
And  mak  on  Eard  an  honourable  End. 


^od  Hen.  Stewart. 


'it?>i^:v^;v;l?«i^/:M^<iMYl¥$?,;My^^ 


ON 


CONSCIENS 


I. 

/^Uhen  Dodtors  preicht  to  win  the  Joy  eternal, 
'^     Into  the  Heavens,  aftir  our  Lords  Afcens 
They  Juftice  taught  bot  Bud  or  Favour  carnal, 

And  cauft  be  puniftit  flefhly  vyl  OiFens, 
Gave  Benifice  to  Clerks  of  CONSCIENS; 

And  fae  the  Feynd  had  fic  Envy  thereon. 

Away  he  gart  frae  Con/dens  fcrape  the  Con, 
And  then  behind  was  only  left  Sciens. 

n.  Then 


i6o  On  Confc'iens. 


II. 

Then  were  all  Clerks  for  Sciens  fune  promovit, 

And  them  that  wald  to  Study  maift  apply : 
But  zit  the  Feynd  at  Sciens  was  comuvit, 

And  gart  frae  Sciens  fcrape  away  the  Sci. 
Sae  only  Ens  was  left  by  his  flie  Envy, 

Quhilk  ay  fould  be  for  Gold  and  Geir  expont, 

Quhairby  Benifices  are  now  difpont 
But  Confciens  or  Sciens  to  fell  and  buy. 

III. 
O  Sovraign  Lord,  and  maift  excellent  King, 

Gar  put  the  Con  and  Sci  again  to  Ens^ 
And  rule  thy  Realm  with  Juftice  in  thy  Ring; 

Give  Benifice  to  Clerks  of  Confciens^ 
With  Truth  and  Honour  to  ftand  thy  Defens : 

Sae  in  thy  Court  that  Confciens  be  clene. 

For  vyle  Corruption  or  thy  Days  has  bene, 
Againft  Juftice,  with  uthir  great  Offens. 

^od  Stewart. 


On 


i6i 


On   the   CREATION,   and 
PARADYCE   loft. 


I. 


/^  OD  by  His  Word  His  Wark  began. 

To  form  this  Erth  and  Hevin  for  Man, 
The  Sie  and  Watter  deip ; 
The  Sun,  the  Mune  and  Stars  fae  bricht. 
The  Day  devydit  from  the  Nicht, 

Thair  Courfes  juft  to  keipj 
The  Beifts  that  on  the  Grund  do  muve, 

And  Fifties  in  the  Sie; 
Fowls  in  the  Air  to  flie  abuve, 

Of  ilk  Kind  formed  He  : 
Sum  creiping,  fum  fleiting, 
Sum  fleing  in  the  Air, 
Sae  heichly,  fae  lichtly. 
In  muving  heir  and  thair. 

n.  Thir 

M 


[ 


i62  On  the  Creation^ 

II. 

Thir  Warks  of  gret  Magnificence, 
Periytit  by  His  Providence, 

According  to  His  Will: 
Nixt  He  made  Man;  To  gife  him  Glore, 
Did  with  His  Image  him  decore, 

Gaife  Paradyce  him  till; 
Into  that  Garden  hevinly  wrocht, 

With  Pleafures  mony  a  one, 
The  Beifts  of  every  Kynd  vv^er  brocht, 
Thair  Names  he  fuld  expone; 
Thefe  kenning  and  nameing. 
As  them  he  lift  to  call. 
For  eifing  and  pleifing 
Of  Man,  fubdued  them  all. 

III. 

In  heavenly  Joy  Man  fae  pofTeft, 
To  be  alane  God  thocht  not  beft, 

Made  Eve  to  be  his  Maik ; 
Bad  them  increafs  and  multiplie, 
And  of  the  Fruit  frae  every  Tree 

Thair  Pleafure  they  fuld  take. 


Except 


and  Paradyce  loft.  ^63 

Except  the  Tree  of  Gude  and  111 

That  in  the  Midft  dois  ftand, 
Forbad  that  they  fuld  cum  thertill, 

Or  twitch  it  with  thair  Handj 
Left  luking  and  plucking, 
Baith  they  and  all  thair  Seid, 
Seveirly,  awfteirly, 
Suld  die  without  Remeid. 

IV. 

Now  jidam  and  his  lufty  Wyfe 
In  Paradyce  leidand  thair  Lyfe, 

With  Pleafures  infineit; 
Wanting  nae  thing  fuld  do  them  Eafe, 
The  Beifts  obeying  them  to  pleife, 

As  they  could  wifli  in  Spreit: 
Behald  the  Serpent  fullenlie 

Envyand  Mans  Eftate, 
With  wicket  Craft  and  Subtiltie 

Eve  temptit  with  Defait; 
Nocht  feiring,  but  fpeiring, 
Quhy  fcho  tuke  not  her  till. 
In  ufing  and  chufing 
The  Fruit  of  Gude  and  111? 

V.  Com- 


164  On  the  Creation^ 


CoMMANDiT  us,  fcho  faid,  the  Lord, 
Noways  therto  we  fuld  accord, 
Undir  eternall  Pain ; 
But  grantit  us  full  Libertie 
To  eit  the  Fruit  of  every  Tree, 

Except  that  Tree  in  plain. 
No,  no,  nocht  fae,  the  Serpent  faid. 
Thou  art  defaifet  therin; 
Eit  ze  therof,  ze  fall  be  made 

In  Knawledge  lyke  to  Him, 
In  feiming  and  deiming 
Of  every  thing  aricht. 
As  dewlie,  as  trewly. 
As  ze  wer  Gods  of  Micht. 

VI. 

EVE  thus  with  thefe  fals  "Words  allurit, 
Eit  of  the  Fruit,  and  i^jn^  procurit 

Adam  the  fame  to  play: 
Behald,  faid  fcho,  how  precious, 
Sae  dilicate  and  delicious, 

Befyde  Knawledge  for  ay : 

Adam 


and  Paradyce  loji.  165 

Jdam  puft  up  in  warldly  Glore, 

Ambition  and  high  Pryd, 
Eit  of  the  Friiit;  allace  therfore, 

And  fae  they  baith  did  flydj 
Negle6ling,  forzetting 
The  eternal!  Gods  Command, 
Quha  fcurged  and  purged 
Them  quyt  out  of  that  Land. 

VII. 

QuHEN  they  had  eiten  of  that  Fruit, 
Of  Joy  then  war  they  deftitute, 

And  faw  thair  Bodys  bare. 
Annon  they  paft  with  all  thair  Speid, 
Of  Leives  to  male  themfelves  a  Weid, 

To  cleith  them,  was  thair  Care : 
During  the  Tyme  of  Innocence, 

Nae  Sin  or  Schame  they  knew, 
Frae  Tyme  they  gat  Experience, 

Unto  ane  Bufs  they  drew, 
Abyding  and  hyding, 
As  God  fuld  not  them  fee, 
Quha  fpyed,  and  cryed, 
Adam,  quhy  hyds  thou  thee  f 

VIII.  I 


1 66  On  the  Creation^ 

VIII. 

I  being  naikit,  Lord,  throu  Feir, 
For  Schame  I  durft  not  to  compeir, 

And  fae  I  did  refufe : 
Mad  thou  not  eiten  of  the  Tree^ 
That  Knawledge  had  not  hein  in  thee. 

Nor  zit  nae  fic  Excufe; 
The  Helper,  Lord,  thou  gaife  to  me, 

Has  cawfit  me  to  tranfgrefs, 
Saydfcho,  the  Serpent  fubtillie, 
Perfuadit  me  nae  lefs, 
Intreitingj  be  eiting. 
That  we  fuld  be  perfyte. 
Me  fyl'it,  begyltt; 
In  him  lyes  all  the  Wyte. 

IX. 

Jehove  that  evir  juged  richt, 
Bringing  His  Juftice  to  the  Licht, 

The  Serpent  firft  did  juge: 
Becaufe  the  Woman  thou  begylt, 
For  evir  thou  fall  be  exylt. 

Said  He,  without  Refuge; 

Betwixt 


and  Paradyce  lojl.  167 

Betwixt  her  Seid  and  thy  Offfpring 

Nae  Peace  nor  Reft  fall  be, 
And  hir  Seid  fall  thy  Heid  doun  thring, 
For  all  thy  Subtiltiej 
Abhorred,  deformed. 
Thou  on  thy  Breift  fall  gang, 
In  feiding  and  leiding 
Thy  Lyfe  the  Beifts  amang. 

X. 

The  Woman  nixt,  for  her  Offence, 
Did  of  the  Lord  refave  Sentence, 

Her  Sorrow  fuld  encreafe. 
With  Wae  and  Pain  her  Childrene  beir, 
Subdewt  to  Man,  under  his  Feir, 

No  Libertie  pofTefs : 
For  Adams  Fait  he  curfd  the  Erth, 
That  barrane  it  fuld  be. 
Without  Labour  fuld  zield  nae  Birth 

Of  Corns,  nor  Herb,  nor  Tree  j 
Bot  working  and  irking 
For  evir  fuld  remain, 
And  being  in  deing. 
In  Erth  returnd  again. 

XL  O 


1 68  On  the  Creation^ 

XL 

O  cruel  Serpent  venemous, 
Difpytfull  and  feditious, 

The  Grund  of  all  our  Care; 
Thou  fals-bound  Slave  unto  the  Devill, 
Thou  firft  Inventar  of  this  Evill 

Of  Blifs,  quhilk  made  us  barej 
O  devlifh  Slave,  did  thou  believe, 

Or  hou  had  thou  fic  Grace, 
Therby  for  evir  thou  micht  live 
Abuve  into  that  Place: 

Thy  Grudging  gat  Scrudging, 
And  fae  God  lute  the  fe, 
Defavers  no  Gravers 
Of  His  Reward  fuld  be. 

XII. 

O  dainty  Dame,  with  Eirs  bent 
That  harkent  to  that  fals  Serpent, 

Thy  Bains  we  may  fair  ban ; 
Without  Excufe  thou  art  to  blame, 
Thou  juftly  has  obtaint  that  Name, 

The  very  Wo  of  Man  : 


With 


and  Paradyce  loft,  169 

With  Teirs  we  may  bewail  and  greit 

That  wickit  Tyme  and  Tyde, 
Quhen  Adam  was  obligit  to  fleip, 

And  thou  tane  ofF  his  Syde. 
No  Sleiping  hot  Weiping 
Thy  Seid  hes  fund  fenfyne, 
Thy  Eiting  and  Sweiting, 
Is  turn'd  to  Wo  and  Pyn. 

XIII. 

ADAM^  thy  Part,  quha  can  excufe, 
With  Knawledge  thou  that  did  abufe 

Thyne  awn  Felicitie. 
The  Serpent  his  inventing  fals, 
The  Womans  fune  confenting  als. 

Was  nocht  fae  wicketly.  » 

God  did  prefer  thee  to  this  Day, 

And  them  fubdewt  to  thee, 
Sae  all  that  they  culd  mein  or  fay, 
Suld  not  have  moved  thee 
To  brecking,  abjefting 
That  hie  Command  of  Lyfe 
Quhilk  gydid,  provydit 
The  ay  to  live  bot  Stryf. 

XIV.  Be- 


170 


On  the  Creation. 


XIV. 

Behald  the  State  that  Man  was  in, 
And  als  how  it  he  tynt  throw  Sin, 
And  loft  the  fame  for  ay; 
Zet  God  His  Promife  dois  perform, 
Sent  His  Son  of  the  Virgin  born, 

Our  Ranfome  deir  to  pay. 
To  that  great  God  let  us  give  Glore, 

To  us  has  bein  fae  gude, 
Quha  be  His  Grace  did  us  reftore, 
Quherof  we  were  denude; 
Not  careing  nor  fparing 
His  Body  to  be  rent, 
Redeiming,  releiving 
Us  quhen  we  wer  all  fchent. 

^od  Sir  RiCH^-  Maitland 
of  Lethingtoun,  K^t. 


The 


171 

YYVYVYVYVVVYYVVVYVYVYVYYVYVYVYVYV^ 

The  Devils  Advice  to  all  and  fundry 
of  his  bejl  Freinds. 

I. 

HTHis  Nicht  in  Sleip  I  was  agaft, 

Methocht  the  Deil  was  tempand  faft, 

People  with  Aiths  of  Crueltie, 
Sayand  as  throw  the  Fair  he  paft, 

Renunce  zour  God,  and  cum  to  me. 

II. 

Methocht  as  he  went  forth  the  Way, 
A  Preift  fweirt  braid  be  God  verry, 

Quhilk  at  the  Alter  reflavit  he: 
Thou  art  my  Clerk,  the  Deil  can  fay, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me» 

III. 

Then  fwore  a  Courtier  of  grit  Pryd, 
Be  Chryfts  Woundis  bludy  and  wyd. 

And  be  his  Harmis  was  rent  on  Treej 
Then  fpak  the  Deil  hard  him  befyd, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

IV.  A 


^72  'J' he  Devils  Advice 

IV. 

A  Merchant  as  he  Geir  did  fell, 
Renuncit  his  Part  of  Heaven  for  Hell: 

The  Deil  cryd,  Welcome  mot  thou  be, 
Thou  fall  be  Merchand  for  my  fell, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

V. 

A  Goldfmith  faid.  This  Goldis  fae  fyne. 
That  all  the  Warkmanlhip  I  tyne, 

The  Feynd  reflaife  me,  gif  I  lie. 
Think  on,  quod  Nik^  that  thou  art  myne ; 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

VI. 

A  Tailzior  faid.  In  all  this  Town, 
Be  thair  a  bettir  weil  made  Gown, 

I  gife  me  to  the  Feynd  all  frie : 
Gramercy  Tailzeor,  faid  Mahoun^ 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

VII. 

A  Soutar  faid.  In  gude  EfFeck, 
Nor  I  be  hangit  be  the  Neck, 

Gif  better  Butes  of  Lether  be. 
Fy,  quoth  the  Deil,  thou  fawrs  of  Blek, 

Gae  clenge  the  clene,  and  cum  to  me. 


VIII.  A 


to  his  bejl  Fre'inds.  ^73 

VIII. 
A  Baxter  faid,  I  quat  with  God, 
And  all  His  Warks  baith  even  and  od, 

Gif  fyner  Stuff  ther  neids  to  be. 
The  Devil  leuch,  and  gae  him  a  Nod, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

IX. 

The  Flejhour  fwore  be  Sacrament, 
And  be  the  Blude  maift  inocent, 

Neir  fattir  Flefh  Man  faw  v/ith  Ee. 
The  Deil  faid,  Hald  on  thy  Intent, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

X. 

The  Maltman  fays,  I  Blifs  forfake. 
And  may  the  Deil  of  Hell  me  taik. 

Give  ony  better  Malt  may  be. 
And  of  this  Kill  I  haif  Inlaik, 

Says  Sathan,  Cum  thy  Ways  to  me. 

XI. 

A  Browjier  fwore  the  Malt  was  ill, 
Baith  reid  and  reikit  on  the  Kill, 

It  will  be  nae  Ale  worth  a  Flie; 
A  Boll  will  not  fax  Gallons  fill: 

Mahoun  cryis.  Cum  and  malk  with  me. 

XII.  The 


174  The  Devils  Advice 

XII. 

The  Smith  he  fwore  be  Rude  and  Raip, 
Intill  a  Gallows  mot  I  gaip, 

Gif  I  ten  Days  win  Pennies  three, 
For  laik  of  Ale  I  Water  laip : 

Quod  iV/V,  ThouU  get  far  les  with  me. 

XIII. 

A  M'lnjlrel  faid,  The  Feynd  me  ryve, 
Gif  I  do  ocht  but  drink  and  yve : 

The  Deil  faid,  Hardly  mot  it  be, 
Exerce  that  Craft  throu  all  thy  Lyfe, 

And  thouill  be  fure  to  cum  to  me. 

XIV. 

A  Dycer  bad,  with  Words  of  Stryf, 
The  Deil  cum  flick  him  with  a  Knyf  j 

But  he  keft  up  fair  Syces  three : 
The  Deil  faid,  Endit  is  thy  Lyfe, 

Renunce  thy  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

XV. 

A  Ty^^z/'faid,  111  that  eir  I  chaip, 
Nor  a  ftark  Woddy  gar  me  gaip. 
But  I  in  Hell  for  Geir  wald  be. 
The  Deil  faid,  Welcom  in  a  Raip, 


Gae  lift  a  Cow,  and  cum  to  me. 


XVI.  The 


to  his  beft  Freinds.  i75 

XVI. 

The  Fifli-wyves  flet,  and  fwore  with  Granes, 
And  to  Auld-nich  fauld  Flefli  and  Banes, 

And  gaif  them  with  a  Schout  on  hie. 
The  Deil  cryd,  Welcome  all  attaines, 

Sling  by  zour  Creils,  and  cum  to  me. 

XVII. 

Methocht  the  Deils  as  blak  as  Pik, 
Solifand  were  as  Beis  thick, 

Ay  tempand  Folk  with  Ways  flie, 
Rounand  to  Robin  and  to  Dick^ 

Renunce  zour  Creid,  and  cum  to  me. 

^od  Dunbar. 


THE 


176 


-;:-!- -^  -t^-T'.rHift  -tf<^::-«r>  ^m^:-*r.^r  ^-^.rt^k  S>f-^fe^  -•?'— :;-^-^4  -g;**:,^^^ 


THE 

Claith-Merchant ; 

Or,  a  Ballat  made  on  Jonet  Reid,  Jean 
Violet,  and  Anna  Whyt,  being  Jlicht 
Women^  and  Taverners. 

I. 

(~\P  Collours  cleir, 

Quha  lykes  to  weir, 
Are  mony  Sorts  into  this  Toun, 

Grene,  Zellow,  Blew, 

And  ilka  Hew, 
Baith  Paris  Black,  and  IngUs  Broun"; 

Braw  London  Sky, 

Quha  lykes  to  buy. 
Colour  de  Roy  is  clene  laid  down, 

And  Dunde  Gray 

This  mony  a  Day 
Is  lichtlyt  baith  be  Lad  and  Loan. 

II.  But 


l^he  Cla'ith- Merchant.  ^11 

II. 

But  ftanch  my  Fyking, 

And  ftryd  my  Lyking, 
Are  feimly  Hews  for  Simmer  Play ; 

Din  dipt  in  Zellow 

For  ilka  gude  fallow, 
As  Will  of  ^hyt-hauch  bad  me  fay ; 

I  will  not  deny  it 

To  them  that  will  buy  it, 
For  Silver  nane  fall  be  faid  nay; 

Ze  neid  not  plenze, 

It  will  not  ftenzie, 
Suppofe  ye  weit  it  Nicht  and  Day. 

III. 

And  I  have  ^hyt 

Of  great  Delyt, 
And  Violet  quha  lykes  to  weir, 

Weil  wearand  Reid 

Till  ze  be  dead ; 
It  fall  not  failzie,  tak  ze  no  Feir, 

The  ^hyt  is  gude. 

And  richt  weil  lued. 


But 


N 


178  The  Claith-Mer chant. 

But  zit  the  Reid  is  twice  as  deir: 

The  Fiolet  iyne, 

Baith  frefh  and  fyne, 
Sail  ferve  ye  Hofeing  for  a  Zeir. 

IV. 

The  ^hyt  is  teuch, 

And  frefh  enouch, 
Saft  a6  the  Silk,  as  all  Men  feis. 

The  Reid  is  bonny, 

And  focht  be  mony; 
They  hyve  about  the  Houfe  lyke  Beis. 

My  Violet  faft, 

Quhen  ye  have  coft, 
Will  ply  lyk  Satin  to  zour  Theis  j 

Sure  be  my  witting 

Not  burnt  in  the  Litting, 
Suppofe  baith  Lads  and  Limmers  leis. 

V. 

Of  thir  thrie  Hews 
I  haif  left  Clews, 
To  be  our  Court-Men  Winter  Weid, 

Weill 


The  Claith- Merchant.  i79 

Weill  twynt  and  fmal, 

The  beft  of  them  all 
May  weir  the  Claith  for  Woul  and  Threidj 

But  in  the  Wawk-mill, 

The  Wedder  is  ill : 
Thefe  are  not  drying  Days  indeid ; 

And  gif  it  be  wat, 

I  hecht  for  that, 
It  tuggs  in  Holes  and  gaes  abreid. 


VI. 

ZiT  its  weil  wawkit, 

Cardit  and  cawkit, 
As  warm  a  Weid  as  weir  the  Dule, 

Weil  wrocht  in  Luims, 

With  Wobfters  Guims, 
Baith  thick  and  nymble  gaes  the  Spule  j 

Cottond  and  fliorn, 

The  mair  it  be  worn, 
Ze  will  find  zour  fell  the  greater  Fule, 

Zit  bony  forfuith, 

Cum  buyit  in  my  Buith, 
To  mak  ze  Garments  againft  Zule. 

VII.  Thir 


i8o  I'he  Claith-Mer chant. 

VII. 

Thir  mixt  togither, 

Zour  fell  may  confider, 
Quhat  fyner  Colour  can  there  be  fund, 

And  namely  for  Breiks, 

Gif  ony  Man  feiks, 
Heill  purchace  the  Pair  ay  for  a  Fund: 

Abeit  it  be  fkant, 

Nae  Wowars  fall  want, 
That  to  my  bidding  will  be  bund, 

Weil  may  they  bruik  it, 

They  neid  not  luke  it, 
But  grape  it  Mirklyns  be  the  Grund. 

VIII. 

Our  Court-Men  heir. 

Has  made  my  Claith  deir, 
Raifd  it  Twall-penies  of  ilka  Ell, 

Zit  is  my  Claith  fure, 

Beft  Sadies  to  cure, 
Suppofe  the  hale  Seffion  fliould  ryd  themfel. 

The  Violet  certain. 

Was  maid  at  Dumbartain ; 
The  Reid  was  wawkit  at  Dunkell: 

The 


ne  Claith-Mer chant.  i8i 


The  ^hyt  has  bein  dicht 
In  mony  mirk  Nicht, 
But  Tyme  and  Place  I  cannot  weil  tell. 

IX.    ' 

Now  gif  ye  work  wyflie, 

And  fliape  it  precyflie; 
The  Ellwand     *     *     * 

Gif  the  Bys  be  wyde, 

Gar  lay  it  on  Syde  5 
And  fae  ze  cannot  weil  gae  wrangj 

And  for  the  lang  Lift, 

It  wald  be  fewd  faft, 
And  care  not  by  how  deip  ze  gang; 

But  want  ze  quhyt  Threid, 

Ye  will  not  cum  fpeid, 
Black  Waluway  maun  be  zour  Sang. 

X. 

And  tho  it  be  auld, 
And  Twenty  Tymes  fald, 
Zit  will  the  Freprie  ot  mak  ze  fain, 

With 


1 82  T'he  Claith-Mer chant. 


With  Oyls  to  renew  it, 

And  male  it  weil  hewt, 
And  gar  it  glans  lyk  Silic  in  Grain  j 

Syne  with  the  fleik  Stains 

That  fervis  for  the  Nains, 
They  raife  the  Pyle  quhen  it  falls  plain: 

With  mony  braid  Aith, 

We  fell  this  fame  Claith, 
To  gar  the  Buyers  cum  faft  again. » 

XL 
I 

Now  is  my  Wob  wrocht, 

And  arlet  and  bocht, 
Cum  lay  the  Payment  in  my  Hand ; 

And  gif  my  Claith  felzie, 

Zeis  not  pay  a  Melzie, 
The  Wob  fall  be  at  zour  Command. 

The  Market  is  thrang, 

And  will  not  laft  lang; 
They  buy  faft  in  the  Border  Land ; 

AbeitI  haifTinfel; 

Zit  maun  I  tak  Handfell, 
To  pay  my  Buith-Mail  and  my  Stand. 


XIL  My 


ne  Claith- Merchant.  183 

XII. 

My  Claith  wald  be  lude, 

Be  great  Men  of  gude, 
Gif  Lads  and  Lowns  wald  let  me  be, 

Zit  maun  I  excufe  them; 

How  can  I  refufe  them, 
Sen  all  Mens  Penny  males  him  frie  ? 

The  beft  and  Gay  ot. 

My  felf  tuke  a  Sey  ot, 
A  Wylie-coat  I  will  nocht  lie, 

Quhilk  did  me  nae  Harm, 

But  held  my  Coft  warm, 
A  fymple  Merchant  ye  may  fee. 

XIII. 

This  far  to  relive  me. 

That  nane  may  reprive  me. 
In  yedbrugh  at  the  Jufticeair, 

This  Sang  of  thrie  Lafles 

Was  made  abune  Glafles, 
That  Tyme  that  they  wer  Tapfters  thair. 

The  firft  was  a  ^hyt, 

A  Lafs  of  Delyte; 

The 


184    On  K.  James  V.  his  MiJIreJfes. 

The  Violet  was  baith  gude  and  fair: 

Keip  Reid  frae  all  Skaith. 

Scho  is  wordie  them  baith; 
Sae  to  be  fhort  I  fay  nae  mair. 

^od  Semple. 


On    King    James    V.    his    three 
Mijirejfes. 

O  Aw  not  thy  Seid  on  Sandy  lands  ^ 

Spend  not  thy  Strength  on  Weir^ 
And  ryd  not  on  the  Oliphant, 
For  hurting  of  thy  Geir. 


THE 


i85 

^  ^^  ^^^ 

THE 

LTON  and  the   MOUS. 
I. 

T  N  Midft  of  yune^  that  jolly  Seafon  fweit, 

Quhen  Phebus  fair,  with  his  warm  Beams  fae 
bricht 
Had  dryit  frae  Dale  and  Dawn  the  dewy  Weit, 
And  all  the  Land  made  with  his  leiming  Licht, 
In  a  gay  Morn,  betwixt  Mid-day  and  Nicht, 
I  raife  and  put  all  Slouth  and  Sleip  on  Syde, 
And  went  allone  untill  a  Forreft  wyde. 

II. 

SwEiT  was  the  Smell  of  Flowirs,  blae,  quhyt  and 
reid. 
The  Noyfe  of  Birds  was  maift  melodious, 
The  bobing  Bews  bluimd  braid  abune  my  Heid, 
The  Grund  growand  with  Grafs  maift  verderous, 
Of  all  Pleifance  that  Place  was  plenteous, 
With  fweit  Odour  and  Birds  faft  Hermonie, 
The  Morning  myld  increafd  the  Mirth  and  Glee. 

III.  The 


1 86         '=^}je  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

III. 

The  Rofes  reid  arrayt  the  Rone  and  Ryfs, 
The  Primrofe  and  the  Purpure  Violae ; 

To  heir  it  was  a  Poynt  of  Paradyce, 

Sic  Mirth  the  Mavis  and  the  Merle  couth  mae; 
The  Blofoms  blyth  brak  up  on  Bank  and  Brae, 

The  Smell  of  Herbs,  and  the  Wing-minftrell  Cry, 

Contending  quha  fould  haif  the  Vidtory. 

IV. 

Me  to  conferve  frae  the  Suns  birning  Heit, 
Undir  the  Schadow  of  an  Awthorn-grene, 

I  leant  me  doun  amang  the  Flowirs  fweit, 

Syn  made  a  Crofs,  and  closed  baith  myne  Eenj 
On  Sleip  I  fell  amang  the  Bewis  bein, 

And  in  my  Dream  methocht  came  throw  the  Schaw 

The  faireft  Man  that  eir  before  I  faw. 

V. 

His  Goun  was  of  a  Claith  as  quhyte  as  Milk, 
His  Chymers  wer  of  Chamelet  Purpure  broun, 

His  Hude  of  Scarlet,  borderit  round  with  Silk 
In  hekle  Ways,  untill  his  Girdle  doun; 
Of  the  auld  Faflbun  was  his  Bonnat  roun, 

His  Heid  was  quhyt,  his  Een  was  grene  and  gray, 

With  lokar  Hair,  quhilk  owre  his  Shulder  lay. 

VI.  A 


The  Lyon  and  the  Mous.        ^^7 

VI. 

A  Row  of  Paper  in  his  Hand  he  bair, 

A  Swans  quhyt  Pen  ftickand  beneth  his  Eir, 

Ane  Inkhorn  with  a  pretty  gilt  Pennair, 
A  Bag  of  Silk,  all  at  his  Belt  he  weir; 
Thus  was  he  gudely  grathit  in  his  Geir, 

Of  Stature  large,  and  with  a  feirfuU  Face, 

To  quher  I  lay  he  came  with  fturdy  Pace. 

VII. 

And  fayd,  God-fpeid,  my  Son,  and  I  was  fain 
Of  that  couth  Word,  and  of  his  Company; 

With  Reverence  I  falutet  him  again. 

Welcome  Fader,  and  he  fat  doun  by  me; 
Difpleis  zou  not,  my  gude  Matter,  tho  I 

Demand  zour  Birth,  zour  Facultie  and  Name, 

Quhat  brings  ze  hier,  and  quher  ze  dwell  at  hame? 

VIII. 
My  Son,  he  fayd,  I  am  of  gentle  Blude, 

My  natall  Land  is  Rome,  withouten  nay. 

And  in  that  Toun  firft  to  the  Schulis  I  zied, 

And  ftudyt  Sciens  ther  full  mony  a  Day, 

And  now  my  winning  is  in  Heaven  for  ay ; 

Efope  I  hecht  my  Wryting  and  my  Wark, 

Is  couth  and  kend  to  many  a  cunnand  Clark. 

IX.  O 


1 88         T'he  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

IX. 

O  Maifter  Efope,  Poet  and  Laureat, 

God  wate  zeare  full  deir  welcome  to  mej 

Are  ze  not  he  that  all  thir  Fables  wrat, 
Quhilk  in  EfFeft,  altho  they  fenziet  be, 
Are  full  of  Prudence  and  Moralitie  ? 

Fair  Son,  he  fayd,  I  am  the  famyne  Man; 

My  flichterand  Heart  I  wate  grew  mirry  than. 

X. 

ESOPE,  faid  I,  my  Maifter  venerable, 

I  heartilie  zou  befeik,  for  Cheritie, 
Ze  wald  dedene  to  tell  a  pritty  Fable, 

Concludand  with  a  gude  Moralitie; 

Schekand  his  Heid,  he  fayd.  My  Son  let  be, 
For  quhat  ift  worth  to  tell  a  fenziet  Tale, 
Quhen  hale  preiching  may  naithing  now  avail  ? 

XL 

Now  in  this  Warld  methinks  richt  few  or  nane 
To  haly  Scripture  has  the  leift  Regaird; 

The  Eir  is  deif,  the  Hairt  is  hard  as  Stane, 
They  nevir  mynd  Punition  or  Rewaird, 
Thair  Lukes  inclynand  allways  to  the  Eard; 

Sae  rouftet  is  the  Warld  with  Canker  black. 

That  all  my  Tales  may  little  Succour  mak. 

XIL  ZiT 


'The  Lyon  and  the  Mous.         189 

XII. 

ZiT  gentle  Sr,  fayd  I,  for  my  Requieft, 
Not  to  difpleis  zour  Fatherheid  I  pray, 

Undir  the  Figure  of  fum  brutal  Beift, 
A  moral  Fable  ze  wald  grant  to  fay; 
Quha  kens  nor  I  may  leir  and  beir  away 

Sumthing  therby,  hereaftir  may  avail : 

I  grant,  quoth  he,  and  thus  began  his  Tale. 

XIII. 

A  Lyon  at  his  Prey  weiry  forrun, 

To  recreate  his  Limbs  and  tak  his  Reft, 

Beikand  his  Breift  and  Bellie  at  the  Sun, 
Undir  a  Tree  lay  in  the  fair  Foreftj 
Then  came  a  Trip  of  Myce  out  of  thair  Neft, 

Richt  tait  and  trig,  all  danfand  in  a  Gyfs, 

And  owre  the  Lyon  lanlit  twyfs  or  thryfs. 

XIV. 
He  lay  fae  ftill,  the  Myce  was  not  afFeird, 

But  to  and  frae  atowre  him  tuke  thair  Trace; 
Sum  tirlt  at  the  Whiskers  of  his  Beird, 

Sum  did  not  fpare  to  claw  him  on  the  Face : 
Merry  and  glade  thus  danfit  they  a  Space, 
Till  at  the  laft  the  nobil  Lyon  wouk. 
And  with  his  Paw  the  Maifter  Mous  he  tuke. 

XV.  He 


19"^         The  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

XV. 

He  gaif  a  Cry,  and  all  the  laif  agaft, 

Their  Danfing  left,  and  hid  them  heir  and  thairj 
He  that  was  tane  cryit  out  and  weipit  faft, 

And  fayd,  Allace  for  now  and  evermair ! 

Now  am  I  tane  a  wofull  Prifoner, 
And  for  my  Gilt  believes  incontinent 
Jugement  to  thole,  and  unto  Death  be  fent. 

XVI. 

Then  fpak  the  Lyon  to  that  carefuU  Mous, 

Thou  catyve  Wretch,  and  vyle  unwordy  Thing, 

Owre  malapert  and  owre  prefumpteous. 

Thou  was  to  mak  atowre  me  thy  Tripping ; 
Know  thou  not  weil  I  was  baith  Lord  and  King 

Of  all  the  Beifts? — This  (quod  the  Mous)  I  knaw, 

But  I  mifknew,  becaufe  ze  lay  fae  law. 

xvn. 

Lord,  I  befiek  thy  Princely  Ryaltie, 
Heir  quhat  I  fay,  and  tak  in  Patience; 

Confidder  firft  my  fimple  Povertie, 

And  fyne  thy  mighty  high  Magnificence; 

Se  als  how  Things  that  is  done  by  negligence, 

Not  frae  malicious  Thocht,  or  ill  defynd, 

Sould  gain  Remiflion  frae  a  Kingly  Mynd. 

XVnr.  With 


"The  Lyon  and  the  Mous.         19^ 

XVIII. 

With  gret  Aboundance  we  wer  all  repliet 
Of  alkynd  Fude,  fic  as  to  us  affeird, 

And  us  to  dans,  provokit  the  Seafon  fweit, 
And  mak  fic  Mirth  as  Nature  to  ys  laird  j 
Ze  lay  fae  ftill  and  law  upon  the  Eard, 

That  be  my  Saul , we  weind  ze  had  bein  deid, 

Ells  wald  we  not  half  danfit  owire  zour  Heid. 

XIX. 

Thy  falfe  Excufe,  the  Lyon  fayd  again, 
Sail  not  avail  a  Myt,  I  undertae; 

I  put  the  Cafe,  had  I  bene  deid  or  flain. 
And  fyne  my  Skin  bene  ftapit  full  of  Strae, 
Thocht  thou  had  found  my  Figure  lyand  fae, 

Becaufe  it  bare  the  Prent  of  my  Perfoun, 

Thou  fould  for  Dreid  on  Kneis  haif  falen  doun. 

XX. 

Now  for  thy  Cryme  thou  can  mak  nae  Defence, 
My  Ryal  Perfon  thus  to  vylipend, 

Nowther  by  Forfs  nor  thyne  oun  Negligence, 
For  till  Excufe  thou  can  nae  Caufe  prettendj 
Therfore  thou  fuffer  fall  a  fchamefuU  End, 

And  Deid,  fic  as  to  TrefTon  is  decreit, 

To  be  hung  on  a  Gallows  be  the  Fiet. 

XXI.    o 


19^         'The  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

XXL 

O  Mercy,  Lord !  at  thy  Gentrlce  I  afs, 
As  thou  art  King  of  all  Beifts  corronat, 

Sobir  thy  Wrath,  and  let  thyn  Yre  owrepafs. 
And  mak  thy  Mynd  to  Mercy  inclynat ; 
I  grant  OfFens  is  done  to  thy  Eftate, 

Therfore  I  wirdy  am  to  fuffir  Deid,  ^ 

But  gif  thy  Kingly  Mercy  reik  Remeid. 

XXII. 

In  evry  Juge  Mercy  and  Rewth  fuld  be. 
As  Afleflbrs  and  coUaterall; 

Without  Mercy,  Juftice  is  Crewelltie, 
As  faid  is  in  the  Law  fpirituall : 
When  Rigour  fits  upon  the  hygh  Tribunal], 

The  Equitie  of  Law  quha  may  fuftain  ? 

Richt  few  or  nane  bot  Mercy  gae  betwein. 

XXIIL 
Besyds  ze  knaw  the  Honour  Triumphs  zeild. 

To  every  Vidlor,  on  the  Strength  depends 
Of  his  Compeir,  quhilk  manly  in  the  Feild, 
Throw  Jepordy  of  Arms  he  lang  defFends ; 
Quhat  Pryce  or  Lowding,  quhen  the  Battle  ends, 
Is  fayd  of  him  that  overcomes  a  Man  j 
Him  to  defFend  that  nowther  dow  nor  can. 

XXIV.  A 


'The  Lyon  and  the  Mous.         ^93 

XXIV. 

A  Thoufand  Myce  to  murder  and  devore, 
Is  litle  Manheid  in  a  Lyon  ftrang; 

Full  litle  Worfliip  can  ze  win  thairfore, 

To  quhofe  vaft  Strenth  is  nae  Comparefon: 
It  will  degrad  fum  Part  of  zour  Renown 

To  flay  a  Mous  that  can  male  nae  Deffence, 

But  afkand  Mercy  at  zour  Excellence. 

XXV. 
Also  it  not  becomes  zour  Celfitude, 

That  ufes  daylie  Meit  delicious, 
To  fyle  zour  Lipps  or  Grinders  with  my  Blude, 

Quhilk  to  zour  Stomak  is  contagious ; 

Unhalefom  Melteth  is  a  fairy  Mous, 
And  namely  to  a  nobil  Lyon  ftrang. 
Wont  to  be  fed  with  gentil  Venifon. 

XXVI. 

My  Lyfe  is  litle,  and  my  Deid  far  lefs  j  * 

Zit,  gif  I  live,  I  may  peraventure 

Supplie  zour  Highnes  being  in  Diftrefs : 
For  aft  is  fene  a  Man  of  fmall  Stature 
Refkewed  has  a  Lord  of  hygh  Honnour, 

Kept  that  has  bene  in  Poynt  to  be  owre-thrawn, 

Throu  Fortunes  Fait;  fie  Cafe  me  be  zour  awn. 

XXVII.    QUHEN 


194        The  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

XXVII. 

QuHEN  this  was  fayd,  the  generous  Lyon  paufit. 
And  thocht  this  arguing  did  not  Reafon  want; 

His  Yre  aflwageit,  and  his  kynd  Mercy  caufit 
Him  to  the  Mous  a  full  Remiffion  grant, 
Opent  his  Paw;  He  on  his  Kneis  doun  bent, 

And  baith  his  Hands  unto  the  Heaven  upheild, 

Cryand,  Almichty  "Jove  give  zou  lang  Eild. 

XXVIII. 
QuHEN  he  was  gane,  the  Lyon  zeid  to  hunt. 

For  he  had  nocht,  but  livd  upon  his  Prey, 
And  flew  baith  tame  and  wyld,  as  he  was  wont. 

And  in  the  Countrie  made  a  grit  Deray; 

Till  at  the  laft  the  People  fand  the  Way 
This  crewell  Lyon  with  a  Girn  to  talc, 
Of  hempin  Cords  richt  ftrang  Netts  coud  they  male. 

XXIX. 

And  in  a  Road  quhair  he  was  wont  to  rin. 
With  Raips  rude  frae  Trie  to  Trie  it  band, 

Syne  cufl:e  a  Raing  on  Raw  the  Wod  within. 
With  Blafts  of  Horns  and  Cauits  faft  calland ; 
The  Lyon  fled,  and  throu  the  Rone  rinnand 

Fell  in  the  Net,  and  hankit  Fute  and  Held, 

For  all  his  Strenth  he  coud  mak  nae  Remeid. 

XXX.  Roland 


The  Lyon  and  the  Mous.  ^95 

XXX. 

Roland  about  with  hydious  Rowmiffing, 

Quhyles  to  quhyles  frae,  gif  he  micht  Succor  get ; 

But  all  in  vain,  that  velziet  him  naething, 
The  mair  he  flang,  the  fafter  he  was  knit : 
The  Raips  rude  about  him  fae  was  plet 

On  every  Syde,  that  Succor  faw  he  nane, 

But  ftill  lyandj  thus  murnand  maid  his  Mane. 

XXXI. 
O  fair  lameit  Lyon,  liggand  heir  fae  law, 

Quhair  is  the  Micht  of  thy  Magnificence, 
Of  quhom  all  brutal  Beift  in  Eard  ftand  Aw, 

And  dreid  to  luke  on  thy  gret  Excellence; 

Bot  Hope  or  Help,  bot  Succor  or  Defence, 
In  ftrang  Hemp-bands  heir  maun  I  ly,  allace! 
Till  I  be  flain,  I  fe  nae  uther  Grace. 

XXXII. 
Ther  is  nae  Joy  that  will  my  Harms  wraik. 

Nor  Creature  to  do  Comfort  to  my  Crown, 
Quha  fall  me  bute?     Quha  fall  thir  Bands  brek? 
Quha  fall  me  put  frae  Pain  of  this  Prifon  ? 
Be  that  he  had  his  Lamentation  done. 
Perchance  the  litle  pardond  Mous  came  neir. 
And  of  the'Lyon  hard  the  pityous  Beir. 

XXXIII.  And 


19^         'The  Lyon  and  the  Mous. 

XXXIII. 

And  fuddainly  it  came  intill  his  Mynd 
That  it  fuld  be  the  Lyon  did  him  Grace, 

And  fayd,  Now  wer  I  fals  and  richt  unkynd, 
Bot  gif  I  quit  fum  Part  thy  Gentilnefs 
Thou  did  to  me, and  on  with  that  he  gaes 

To  all  his  Maiks,  and  on  them  faft  did  cry, 

Cum  help,  cum  helpj  and  they  came  all  on  hy. 

XXXIV. 

Lo,  quoth  the  Mous,  this  is  our  Ryal  Lord, 
Quha  gaif  me  Grace  quhen  I  was  by  him  tane, 

And  now  is  faft  heir  fanklet  in  a  Cord, 

Wrekand  his  Hurt  with  Murning  fair  and  Mane, 
Bot  we  him  help,  of  Suplie  kens  he  nane; 

Cum  help  to  quyt  ane  gude  Turn  with  annither, 

Sae  beit,  cryd  allj  fyn  fell  to  Wark  togither. 

XXXV. 

They  tuke  nae  Knyf,  thair  Teith  wer  fherp  enewgh ; 
To  fe  that  Sicht  forfuith  it  was  grit  Wonder, 

How  that  they  ran  amang  the  Halters  tewgh. 
Before,  behind,  fum  zeid  abune,  fum  under. 
And  fchure  the  Raips  with  the  maift  eifs  in  Sunder, 

Syne  bad  him  ryfe, and  he  ftart  up  annone, 

And  thankit  them  j  fyn  to  the  Bent  is  gane. 

XXXVI.  Now 


The  Moralitie.  i97 

XXXVI. 
Now  dois  the  Lyon  frie  of  Danger  fkour, 

Lowfe,  and  delivert  till  his  Libertie, 
By  litle  Animals  of  fmalleft  Power, 

As  ze  haif  hard,  becaufe  he  had  Pitie: 

Quoth  I,  Maifter,  is  ther  Moralitie 

Into  this  Fable?  Son^  fayd  he,  richt  gude ; 

I  pray  zou  gieft,  quoth  I,  or  ze  conclude. 

The   MORALITIE. 
XXXVII. 
"\lt /"E  may  fuppofe  this  Lyon  of  Renoun 
May  fignifie  ane  Emperour  or  King, 
Or  ony  Poteftate  that  weirs  a  Croun, 
That  fould  be  wakryfe  in  his  governing. 
But  of  his  Peple  talcs  flicht  noticeing. 
To  rule  and  fteir  the  Land,  and  Juftice  keip. 
But  lazy  lyes  in  luftie  Slouth  and  Sleip. 

XXXVIII. 
The  Foreft  fair  with  Bloflbms  lown  and  lie, 

The  fingand  Birds  and  Flowirs  fae  ferly  fweit, 
Ar  but  this  Warld,  and  his  Profperitie, 

As  Pleifands  fals  mingillit  with  Care  repleit, 
Richt,  as  the  Rofe  with  Froft  and  Winter  weit, 
Wallous  j  fae  dois  the  Warld  and  them  defaif 
That  Confidence  in  lufty  Pleafures  haif. 

XXXIX.  Thir 


19^  The  Moralitie, 

XXXIX. 

Thir  litle  Myce  ar  Comonalitie, 

Wanton,  unwyfe,  without  Core£i:ion  due; 

Sic  Lords  and  Princes,  quhen  they  chanfs  to  fe 
That  execute,  the  richteous  Laws  on  few, 
They  dreid  naithing,  but  with  rebellious  Brow 

Dar  difobey;  for  quhy?  they  ftand  nae  Aw, 

That  maks  them  aft  thair  Soverains  to  mifknaw. 

XL. 

And  be  this  Fable,  Lords  of  prudent  Sence 

Confidder  may  the  Virtue  of  Pitie, 
And  fuld  remit  fumtyme  a  grit  Offence, 

And  Mercy  metigate  with  Crueltie ; 

Aftymes  is  fene  a  Man  of  fmall  Degree 
Has  quit  a  Common  baith  for  Gude  and  111, 
As  Lords  has  Rigour  done,  or  Grace  him  till. 

XLI. 
QuHA  wates  how  fune  a  Lord  of  grit  Renoun, 
Rowand  in  warldly  Luft  and  vain  Pleifance, 
May  be  owrthrawin,  diftroyed,  or  put  doun 
Throu  Fortune  fals,  that  of  all  Variance 
Is  hale  Miftres,  and  Leader  of  the  Dance 
To  lufty  Men,  and  binds  them  up  fae  foir, 
That  they  nae  Perell  can  provyd  befor. 

XLII.  Thir 


The  Moralitie.  199 

XLII. 

Thir  crewell  Men  that  ftentit  has  the  Net 
In  quhilk  the  Lyon  fuddenlie  was  tane, 

Waited  allway  that  they  a  Mends  micht  get; 

For  Hurt,  Men  wryts  with  Steil  in  Marble-ftane, 
Mair  till  expone,  as  now,  I  let  alane : 

But  King  and  Lord  may  weil  wate  what  I  mein, 

The  Figure  hereof  aftymes  has  bein  fene. 

XLIIL 

QuHEN  this  was  fayd,  quoth  Efop^  My  fair  Chyld, 
Perfuade  the  Kirkmen  eydentlie  to  pray, 

That  Treafon  ofF  this  Countrie  be  exyld, 

That  Juftice  ring,  and  Nobles  keip  their  Fay 
Unto  thair  Soverain  Lord  baith  Nicht  and  Day : 

And  with  that  Word  he  vaneift,  and  I  woke, 

Syne  throu  the  Schaw  my  Jurney  hamewart  tuke. 

^od  Mr.  Ro.  Henryson. 


THE 


200 


A'k  4^4^"^"^"  ^f"  ^f""  ^  ^  ^  ^f-  ^t"  ^f"  •^'^^  ^'-  •^'^'^  i^  ^t^  ^t?>  i^ 


THE 

TOD   and  the   LAMB, 

OR, 

Follo'ws  the  Waiving  of  the  King  'when 
he  was  at  Dumfermeling. 

><>^li<Kx^ 

I. 

'X'His  hinder  Nicht  in  Dumfermeling, 
To  me  was  tald  a  wonder  Thing, 
That  late  a  Tod  was  with  a  Lamb, 
And  with  hir  playd,  and  made  gude  Game; 

Syne  to  his  Breift  did  hir  imbrace, 
And  wald  haif  ridden  hir  lyk  a  Ram, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

II. 

He  braift  hir  bonny  Bodie  fweit. 

And  halfl:  hir  with  his  forder  Feit, 

Syne  fchuke  his  Tail  with  Whindge  and  Zelp; 

And  todht  with  hir  lyke  a  Quhelp, 

Then  lourit  on  growf,  and  afked  Grace ; 
And  ay  the  Lamb  cryd,  Lady  help, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

III.  The 


The  Tod  and  the  Lamb.         201 

III. 
The  Tod  was  nowthir  lein  nor  fcowry, 
He  was  a  lufty  reid-haird  Lowry^ 
Ane  lang  taild  Beift  and  grit  withall; 
The  filly  Lamb  was  all  to  fmall, 

With  fic  a  Trible  to  hald  a  Bafe : 
Scho  fled  him  not,  fair  mot  her  fall, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

IV. 

The  Tod  was  reid,  the  Lamb  was  quhyte, 
Scho  was  a  Morfell  of  Delyte  j 
He  luvit  nae  Ews  auld  teuch  and  Sklender, 
Becaufe  this  Lamb  was  zung  and  tender. 

He  ran  upon  her  with  a  Race, 
And  fcho  fchup  nevir  to  defend  hir, 

And  this  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

V. 

He  gripit  her  about  the  Waift, 
And  handilt  her  as  gif  in  Hafte ; 
This  Inocent  that  neir  trefpaft, 
Tuke  Heart  that  fcho  was  handilt  faft. 

And  lute  him  kifs  her  lufty  Face  : 
His  girnand  Gams  hir  nocht  agaft. 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

VI.  He 


202         "Xhe  Tod  and  the  Lamb. 

VI. 

He  held  hir  till  him  be  the  Hals, 
And  fpake  full  fair  thocht  he  was  fals  j 
Syne  faid  and  fwore  to  hir  in  Mode, 
That  he  fuld  not  twitch  hir  Prein-cod. 

The  filly  Thing  trow'd  him,  allace ! 
The  Lamb  gaif  Creddance  to  the  Tod, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

vn. 

I  will  nae  Leifings  put  in  Verfe, 
Lyke  as  fum  Janglers  do  reherfe  j 
But  be  quhat  Manner  they  wer  ihard, 
Quhen  Licht  was  out  and  Dores  were  bard : 

I  wate  not  gif  he  gaif  hir  Grace; 
But  Winnocks  all  were  ftappit  hard. 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

vm. 

Quhen  Folk  do  fleit  in  Joy  maift  far, 
Thair  fune  cums  Wae  or  they  be  War, 
Quhen  carpand  wer  thir  twa  maift  croufe. 
The  Wolf  he  umbefet  the  Houfe, 

Upon  the  Tod  to  make  a  Chace  : 
The  Lamb  fcho  cheipit  lyke  a  Moufe, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

IX.  Throw 


ne  Tod  and  the  Lamb,  203 

IX. 

Throw  hydious  Howling  of  the  Wowf, 
This  wylie  Tod  plait  doun  on  Growf; 
And  in  the  filly  wie  Lambs  Skin, 
He  crap  as  far  as  he  micht  win, 

And  hid  him  thair  a  gay  lang  Space; 
The  Ews  befyde  they  made  nae  Din, 

And  that  methocht  a  ferly  Cafe. 

X. 

QuHEN  of  the  Tod  was  heerd  nae  Peip, 
The  Wowf  wont  all  had  bene  afleip  3 
And  quhyle  the  Tod  had  ftriken  Ten, 
The  Wowf  he  dreft  him  to  his  Den, 

Proteftand  for  the  fecond  Place : 
And  this  Report  I  with  my  Pen, 

How  at  Dumfermling  fell  the  Cafe. 

^od  Dunbar. 


j^@®(!i 
^@@^ 


On 


204 


On  anes  being  his  own  Enemy. 
— — -»♦♦«- 


"LJ  E  that  has  Gold  and  Riches  great, 
And  may  live  at  a  merry  Rate; 

And  Gladnefs  dois  frae  him  expell. 
And  lives  into  a  wretched  State  j 

He  worketh  Sorrow  to  himfell. 

II. 

He  that  may  be  hot  Sturt  and  Stryf, 
And  live  a  lufty  lightfome  Lyfe, 

And  fyne  with  Marriage  dois  him  mell, 
And  buckles  with  a  wicked  Wyfe, 

He  worketh  Sorrow  to  himfell. 

III. 
He  that  has  for  his  awin  Genzie 
A  plefand  Prop  bot  Mank  or  Menzie, 

And  ftiutes  fyne  at  an  uncow  Schell, 
And  is  forfairn  with  Fleis  of  Spenzie, 
He  worketh  Sorrow  to  himfell. 

IV.  And 


On  anes  being  his  own  Enemy.  205 

IV. 

And  he  that  with  gude  Life  and  Treuth, 
Bot  Variance  or  other  Slewth, 

Dois  evir  with  a  Mafter  dwell, 
That  nevir  of  him  will  have  Rewth, 

He  worketh  Sorrow  to  himfell. 

V. 

Now  all  this  Time  let  us  be  merry, 
And  fet  not  by  this  Warld  a  Cherry, 

Now  quhyle  thair  is  gude  Wyne  to  fellj 
The  Cheil  that  dois  on  dry  Breid  wirry, 

I  give  them  to  the  Devil  of  Hell. 

^od  Dunbar. 


The 


206 


^%.  ^t«.  -jt*.  ^t(!;  i?fe  ^t«.  ^fe  ^t<:  ^t^  ^t«.  ^t*:  ^t«.  ^t/^  ^t<?.  ^fe  ^tij;  ^t«.  ^t«i  jfc  ^t<i 


^i^^  Benlfite  of  them  who  have  Ladies 
wha  can  be  gude  Soliciters  at  Court. 


I. 
nPHiR  Ladys  fair,  that  male  Repair, 

And  at  the  Court  are  kend. 
In  three  Days  thair,  they  will  do  mair, 

Ane  Matter  for  till  end. 
Than  ther  Gude-men  will  do  in  Ten, 

For  any  Craft  they  can, 
Sae  weil  they  ken,  what  Time  and  quhen, 
Thair  Manes  they  fuld  mak  than. 

n. 

With  little  Noy  they  can  convoy 

A  Matter  finally, 
Richt  myld  and  Moy,  and  keip  it  coy. 

On  Evens  fae  quietly; 
They  do  no  mifs,  but  gif  they  kifs, 

And  keip  Colation, 
Quhat  Reck  of  this,  thair  Matter  is 

Brocht  to  Conclufion. 

III.  Then 


The  Benifite  of,  &c.  207 

III. 

Then  wit  ye  weil,  they  haif  grit  Fail, 

And  Matter  to  folift, 
Treft  as  the  Steil,  fyne  neir  a  Deil, 

Quhen  they  come  hame  are  mift. 
Thir  Lairds  they  are,  methink  richt  far, 

Sic  Wyves  behalden  to. 
That  fae  weil  dar  gae  to  the  Bar, 

Quhen  there  is  ocht  to  do. 

IV. 

Therefore  I  reid,  gif  ze  haif  Pleid, 

Or  Matter  in  the  Play, 
To  mak  Remeid,  fend  in  zour  Steid 

Zour  Ladys  graitht  up  gay; 
They  can  defFend,  even  to  the  End, 

And  Matters  forth  exprefsj 
Suppofe  they  fpend,  it  is  unkend; 

Thair  Geir  is  nocht  the  lefs. 

V. 

In  quiet  Place,  gin  they  have  Space, 

Within  lefs  than  twa  Hours, 
They  can  percafe,  purchafe  fum  Grace, 

At  the  Compofitours ; 

Thair 


2o8  "The  Benifite  of,  &c. 

Thair  Compofition  with  full  Remiffion, 

Thair  finally  is  endit, 
With  Expedition,  and  full  Condition, 

Thair  Seals  then  are  to  pendit. 

VI. 

All  hale  almoft  they  make  the  Coft, 

With  fober  Recompence, 
Richt  little  loft,  they  get  indorft, 

All  hale  thair  Evidence, 
Sic  Ladys  wyfe,  they  are  to  pryze. 

To  fay  the  Verity, 
Sae  can  devyfe,  and  not  furpryze 

Thame  nor  thair  Honefty. 

^od  Dunbar. 


rf! 


Annother 


209 

Annother  of  the  famen  Cqfl^ 
Fend  be  the  Poet  wrote  the  lajl. 


I. 


HPHe  Ufe  of  Court  richt  weil  I  knaw, 
Ladyis  SoUceters  of  the  Law ; 
At  hame  remain  the  filly  Lairds, 
And  fend  thair  Wyves  behind  the  Yards, 
Well  ftuft  with  Money  and  Rewards, 

To  furder  thair  Errands  frae  Nicht  faw. 


II. 

In  Clouks  they  cum  full  braw  quhyte  cledj 
And  rouns  to  have  thair  Matter  fped ; 
They  give  nae  Budds, 
But  on  thair  Fudds 
They  get  grit  Skuds, 
In  nakit  Bed. 

III.  But 


210      Annother  of  the  famen^  &c. 

III. 

But  neirthelefs  the  Laird  maun  fyn, 
For  all  hir  Miens,  a  Tun  of  Wyne : 

His  Wyfe  cums  hame  thus  fynely  ufd, 
But  zit  he  maun  hald  hir  excufdj 
And  finaly  the  Folks  that  doift 
Denys  and  laughs  at  them  baith  fyne. 

IV. 

The  Laird  murns  quhen  he  may  not  mend  it, 

His  Lady  jaipt  his  Siller  fpend  it. 

And  all  his  Labour  turnd  in  vainj 
But  ay  the  Lady  fays  full  plain. 
That  fcho  maun  to  the  Court  again, 

Or  els  the  Plea  will  not  be  endit. 

V. 

Hir  Buckler  bord,  and  backward  born, 
And  all  hir  Caufe  is  quite  forlorn; 

Up  gets  hir  Wame, 

Scho  thinks  nae  Schame 

Syne  to  bring  hame 
The  Laird  a  Horn. 


THE 


211 


THE 

VISION. 

Compylit  in  Latin  be  a  moji  lern'it  Clerk* 
in  Tyme  of  our  Hairjhip  and  Opprejfion^ 
anno  1300,  and  tranjlatit  in  1524. 

— -•x»«:-»«»<<-:*<i:-< — 

I. 

"D  Edoun  the  Bents  of  Banquo  Brae 
Milane  I  wandert  waif  and  wae, 
Mufand  our  main  Mifchauncej 
How  be  thay  Faes  we  ar  undone, 
That  flaw  ^Qfacred\  Stane  frae  Scone^ 
And  leids  us  lie  a  Daunce : 

Quhyle 


*  The  Hiftory  of  the  Scoti  Sufferings,  by  the  unworthy  Con- 
defcenfion  of  Baliol  to  Edward  I.  of  England,  till  they  recovered 
their  Independence  by  the  Conduct  and  Valour  of  the  Great  Bruce, 
is  fo  univerfally  known,  that  any  Argument  to  this  antique  Poem 
feems  ufelefs. 

■f*  The  old  Chair  (now  in  Wejlminjier  Abbey)  in  which  the  Scots 
Kings  were  always  crown'd,  wherein  there  is  a  Piece  of  Marble  with 
this  Infcription ; 

N't  fallat  fatum,  ScoTi,  quocunque  locatum 
Invement  lapidem,  regnare  tenentur  ibidem. 


212  ne  Vifion. 

Quhyle  Inglands  Edert  taks  our  Tours, 

And  Scotland  ferft  obeys, 
Rude  Ruffians  ranfakk  Ryal  Bours, 
And  Baliol  Homage  pays; 
Throch  Feidom  our  Freidom 
Is  blotit  with  this  Skore, 
Quhat  Romans  or  no  Mans 
Pith  culd  eir  do  befoir. 


II. 

The  Air  grew  ruch  with  boufteous  Thuds, 
Bauld  Boreas  branglit  outthrow  the  Cluds, 

Maift  lyke  a  drunken  Wicht; 
The  Thunder  crakt,  and  Flauchts  did  rift 
Frae  the  blak  Viflart  of  the  Lift : 

The  Forreft  fchuke  with  Fricht ; 
Nae  Birds  abune  thair  Wing  extenn. 

They  ducht  not  byde  the  Blaft, 
Ilk  Beift  bedeen  bangd  to  thair  Den, 
Untill  the  Storm  was  paft: 
Ilk  Creature  in  Nature 
That  had  a  Spunk  of  Sence, 
In  Neid  then,  with  Speid  then, 
Methocht  cryt.  In  Defence. 


III.  To 


The  Vifton.  213 

III. 

To  fe  a  Morn  in  May  fae  ill, 

I  deimt  Dame  Nature  was  gane  will, 

To  rair  with  rackles  Reil; 
Quhairfor  to  put  me  out  of  Pain, 
And  (konce  my  Skap  and  Shanks  frae  Rain, 

I  bure  me  to  a  Beil, 
Up  ane  hich  Craig  that  lundgit  alaft. 

Out  owre  a  canny  Cave, 
A  curious  Cruif  of  Natures  Craft, 
Quhilk  to  me  Schelter  gaif ; 
Ther  vexit,  perplexit, 
I  leint  me  doun  to  weip. 
In  brief  ther,  with  Grief  ther 
I  dottard  owre  on  Sleip. 

IV. 

Heir  Somnus  in  his  filent  Hand 
Held  all  my  Sences  at  Command, 

Quhyle  I  forzet  my  Cair; 
The  myldeft  Meid  of  mortall  Wichts 
Quha  pafs  in  Peace  the  private  Nichts, 

That  wauking  finds  it  rare  j 


Sae 


214  ne  Vifion. 

Sae  in  faft  Slumbers  did  I  ly, 

But  not  my  wakryfe  Mynd, 

Quhilk  ftill  ftude  Watch,  and  couth  efpy 

A  Man  with  Afpeck  kynd, 

Richt  auld  lyke  and  bauld  lyke. 
With  Baird  thre  Quarters  Ikant, 
Sae  braif  lyke  and  graif  lyke, 
He  feemt  to  be  a  Sandl:. 


V. 

Grit  Darring  dartit  frae  his  Ee, 
A  Braid-fword  fchogled  at  his  Thie, 

On  his  left  Arm  a  Targe; 
A  fhynand  Speir  filld  his  richt  Hand, 
Of  ftalwart  Mak,  in  Bane  and  Brawnd, 

Of  juft  Proportions,  large; 
A  various  Rain-bow  colourt  Plaid 

Owre  his  left  Spaul  he  threw, 
Doun  his  braid  Back,  frae  his  quhyt  Heid, 
The  Silver  Wymplers  grew ; 
Amaiflt,  I  gaifit 
To  fe,  led  at  Command, 
A  ftrampant  and  rampant 
Ferfs  Lyon  in  his  Hand. 


VI.  Quhilk: 


^^_^_^^^_g||||_g| 


The  Vtfton,  215 

VI. 

QuHiLK  held  a  Thiftle  in  his  Paw, 
And  round  his  Collar  graift  I  faw 
This  Poefie  pat  and  plain, 
Nemo  me  impune  lacefs- 

~Et: In  Scots^  Nane  fall  opprefs 

Me^  unpuniji  with  Pain; 
Still  fchaking,  I  durft  naithing  fay. 
Till  he  with  kynd  Accent 
Sayd,  Fere  let  nocht  thy  Hairt  affray, 
I  cum  to  hier  thy  Plaint ; 
Thy  graining  and  maining 
Haith  laitlie  reikd  myne  Eir, 
Debar  then  afFar  then 
All  Eirynefs  or  Feir. 

VII. 

For  I  am  ane  of  a  hie  Station, 

The  Warden  of  this  auntient  Nation, 

And  can  nocht  do  the  Wrang; 
I  viflyt  him  then  round  about, 
Syne  with  a  Refolution  flout, 

Speird,  Quhair  he  had  bene  fae  lang? 

Quod 


21 6  ne  Vifion. 

Quod  he,  Althocht  I  fum  forfuke, 

Becaus  they  did  me  (licht, 

To  Hills  and  Glens  I  me  betuke, 

To  them  that  luves  my  Richt; 
Quhafe  Mynds  zet  inclynds  zet 
To  damm  the  rappid  Spate, 
Devyfing  and  pryfmg 
Freidom  at  ony  Rate. 

VIII. 

Our  Trechour  Peirs  thair  Tyranns  treit, 
Quha  jyb  them,  and  thair  Subftance  eit, 

And  on  thair  Honour  ftramp; 
They,  pure  degenerate!  bend  thair  Baks, 
The  Viftor,  Lang/hanks^  proudly  cracks 

He  has  blawn  out  our  Lamp : 
Quhyle  trew  Men,  fair  complainand,  tell, 

With  Sobs,  thair  fllent  Greif, 
How  Baliol  thair  Richts  did  fell. 

With  fmall  Howp  of  Releifej 
Regretand  and  fretand 
Ay  at  his  curfit  Plot, 
Quha  rammed  and  crammed 
That  Bargin  doun  thair  Throt. 


IX.  Braif 


ne  Vifion.  217 

IX. 

Braif  Gentrie  fweir,  and  Burgers  ban, 
Revenge  is  muttert  be  ilk  Clan 

Thats  to  thair  Nation  trew; 
The  Cloyfters  cum  to  cun  the  Evil, 
Mailpayers  vnfs  it  to  the  Devil, 

With  its  contryving  Crew: 
The  Hardy  wald  w^ith  hairty  Wills, 

Upon  dyre  Vengance  fall; 
The  fecklefs  fret  owre  Heuchs  and  Hills, 
And  Eccho  Anfwers  all, 
Repetand  and  greitand. 
With  mony  a  fair  Alace, 
For  Blading  and  Cafting 
Our  Honour  in  Difgrace. 

X. 

Waes  me!  quod  I,  our  Cafe  is  bad. 
And  mony  of  us  are  gane  mad. 

Sen  this  difgraceful  Paction. 
We  are  felld  and  herryt  now  by  Forfe ; 
And  hardly  Help  fort,  thats  zit  warfe. 

We  are  fae  forfairn  with  Fa6lion. 

Then 


2i8  ne  Vifion. 

Then  has  not  he  gude  Caufe  to  grumble, 

Thats  forft  to  be  a  Slaif; 
Oppreffion  dois  the  Judgment  Jumble 
And  gars  a  wyfe  Man  raif. 

May  Cheins  then,  and  Pains  then 
Infernal  be  thair  Hyre 
Quha  dang  us,  and  flang  us 
Into  this  ugfum  Myre. 

XL 

Then  he  with  bauld  forbidding  Luke, 
And  ftaitly  Air  did  me  rebuke. 

For  being  of  Sprite  fae  mein : 
Said  he  its  far  beneath  a  SCOT 
To  ufe  weak  Curfes  quhen  his  Lot 

May  fumtyms  four  his  Splein, 
He  rather  fould  mair  lyke  a  Man, 

Some  braif  Defign  attempt  j 
Gif  its  nocht  in  his  Pith,  what  than, 
Reft  but  a  Quhyle  content, 
Nocht  feirful,  but  cheirful. 
And  wait  the  Will  of  Fate, 
Which  mynds  to  defygns  to 
Renew  zour  auntient  State. 


XII.  I 


The  Vifion. 


219 


XII. 

I  ken  fum  mair  than  ze  do  all 
Of  quhat  fall  afterwart  befall, 

In  mair  aufpicious  Tymes; 
For  aften  far  abufe  the  Mune, 
We  watching  Beings  do  convene, 

Frae  round  Eards  outmoft  Climes, 
Quhair  evry  Warden  reprefents 
Cleirly  his  Nations  Cafe, 
Gif  Famyne,  Peft,  or  Sword  Torments, 
Or  Vilains  hie  in  Place, 
Quha  keip  ay,  and  heip  ay 
Up  to  themfelves  grit  Store, 
But  rundging  and  fpunging 
The  leil  laborious  Pure. 

XIII. 

Say  then,  faid  I,  at  zour  hie  Sate, 
Lernt  ze  ocht  of  auld  Scotlands  Fate, 

Gif  eir  fchoil  be  her  fell ; 
With  Smyle  Celeft,  quod  he,  I  can, 
But  its  nocht  fit  an  mortal  Man 

Sould  ken  all  I  can  tell : 


But 


220  l^he  Vifion. 

But  Part  to  the  I  may  unfold, 

And  thou  may  faifly  ken, 
Quhen  Scottljh  Peirs  flicht  Saxon  Gold, 
And  turn  trew  heartit  Menj 
Quhen  Knaivry  and  Slaivrie, 
Ar  equally  difpyfd, 
And  Loyalte  and  Royalte, 
Univerfalie  are  pryfd. 

XIV. 

Quhen  all  zour  Trade  is  at  a  Stand, 
And  Cunzie  clene  forfaiks  the  Land, 

Quhilk  will  be  very  fune. 
Will  Preifts  without  their  Stypands  preich, 
For  nocht  will  Lawyers  Caufes  Streich ; 

Faith  thatis  nae  eafy  done. 
All  this  and  mair  maun  cum  to  pafs, 

To  cleir  zour  glamourit  Sicht; 
And  Scotland  maun  be  made  an  Afs, 
To  fet  her  Jugment  richt. 
Theyil  jade  hir  and  blad  hir, 
Untill  fcho  brak  hir  Tether, 
Thocht  auld  fchois  zit  bauld  fchois. 
And  teuch  lyke  barkit  Lether. 

XV.  But 


The  Vifton,  221 

XV. 

But  mony  a  Corfs  fall  braithlefs  ly. 
And  Wae  fall  mony  a  Widow  cry. 

Or  all  rin  richt  again  j 
Owre  Cheviot  prancing  proudly  North^ 
The  Faes  fall  tak  the  Feild  neir  Forthe^ 

And  think  the  Day  thair  ain : 
But  Burns  that  Day  fall  rin  with  Blude 

Of  them  that  now  opprefs; 
Thair  CarcafTes  be  Corbys  Fude, 

By  thoufands  on  the  Grefs. 
A  King  then  fall  ring  them, 
Of  wyfe  Renoun  and  braif, 
Quhafe  Pufians  and  Sapiens, 
Sail  Richt  reftoir  and  faif. 

XVI. 

The  View  of  Freidomis  fweit,  quod  I, 
O  fay,  grit  Tennant  of  the  Skye, 

How  neiris  that  happie  Tyme. 
We  ken  Things  but  be  Circumftans, 
Nae  mair,  quod  he,  I  may  advance, 

Leift  I  commit  a  Cryme. 

Quhat 


i22  T;he  Vifion. 

Quhat  eir  ze  pleis,  gae  on,  quod  I, 

I  fall  not  fafh  ze  moir, 
Say  how,  and  quhair  ze  met,  and  quhy. 
As  ze  did  hint  befoir. 
With  Air  then  fae  feir  then, 
That  glanft  like  Ray  is  of  Glory, 
Sae  Godlyk  and  oddlyk. 
He  thus  refumit  his  Storie. 

XVII. 

Frae  the  Suns  Ryfing  to  his  Sett, 
All  the  pryme  Rait  of  Wardens  met, 

In  folemn  bricht  Array, 
With  Vehicles  of  Aither  cleir, 
Sic  we  put  on  quhen  we  appeir 

To  Sauls  rowit  up  in  Clay; 
Thair  in  a  wyde  and  fplendit  Hall, 

Reird  up  with  fhynand  Beims, 
Quhais  Rufe-treis  wer  of  Rainbows  all. 
And  paift  with  ftarrie  Gleims, 
Quhilk  prinked  and  twinkled 
Brichtly  beyont  Compair, 
Much  famed  and  named 
A  CaftiU  in  the  Air. 


XVIII.  In 


I 


The  Vifton.  223 

XVIII. 

In  midft  of  quhilk  a  Tabill  ftude, 
A  fpacious  Oval  reid  as  Blude, 

Made  of  a  Fyre-Flaucht, 
Arround  the  dazeling  Walls  were  drawn, 
With  Rays  be  a  celeftial  Hand, 

Full  mony  a  curious  Draucht. 
Inferiour  Beings  flew  in  Haift, 

Without  Gyd  or  Deredlour, 
Millions  of  Myles  throch  the  wyld  Wafte, 
To  bring  in  Bowlis  of  Ne6tar : 
Then  roundly  and  foundly, 
We  drank  lyk  Roman  Godsj 
Quhen  Jove  fae  dois  rove  fae, 
That  Man  and  Bacchus  nods. 

XIX. 

Quhen  Phebus  Heid  turns  licht  as  Cork, 
And  Neptune  leans  upon  his  Fork, 

And  limpand  Vulcan  blethers : 
Quhen  Pluto  glowrs  as  he  were  wyld. 
And  Cupid  luves  we  wingit  Chyld, 

Fals  down  and  fyls  his  Fethers. 

Quhen 


224  The  Vifion. 

Quhen  Pan  forzets  to  tune  his  Reid, 

And  flings  it  cairlefs  bye, 
And  Hermes  wingd  at  Heils  and  Heid, 
Can  nowther  ftand  nor  lye : 

Quhen  ftaggirand  and  fwagirrand, 
They  floyter  Hame  to  fleip, 
Quhyle  Centeries  at  Enteries 
Imortal  Watches  keip. 

XX. 

Thus  we  tuke  in  the  high  browin  Liquour, 
And  bangd  about  the  Nedlar  Biquour; 

But  evir  with  his  Ods : 
We  neir  in  Drink  our  Judgments  drenfch, 
Nor  fcour  about  to  feik  a  Wenfch 

Lyk  thefe  auld  baudy  Gods, 
But  franklie  at  ilk  uther  afk, 

Quhats  proper  we  fuld  know. 
How  ilk  ane  hes  performt  the  Tafk, 
Aflignd  to  him  below. 

Our  Minds  then  fae  kind  then, 
Are  fixt  upon  our  Care, 
Ay  noting  and  ploting 
Quhat  tends  to  thair  Weilfair. 


XXI.  Gothus 


ne  V'tfton.  225 

XXI. 

Gothus  and  Vandall  baith  lukt  bluff, 
Quhyle  Gallus  fneerd  and  tuke  a  SnufF, 

Quhilk  made  Allmane  to  ft  are  j 
Lattnus  bad  him  naithing  feir, 
But  lend  his  Hand  to  haly  Weir, 

And  of  cowd  Crouns  tak  Care ; 
Batavius  with  his  Paddock-Face 

Luking  afquint,  cryd,  Pifch, 
Zour  Monks  ar  void  of  Sence  or  Grace, 
I  had  leur  ficht  for  Fifch  ; 

Zour  Schule-men  ar  Fule-men, 
Carvit  out  for  dull  Debates, 
Decoying  and  deftroying 
Baith  Monarchies  and  States. 

XXII. 

Iberius  with  a  gurlie  Nod 

Cryd,  Hogan^  zes  we  ken  zour  God, 

Its  Herrings  ze  adore ; 
Heptarchus^  as  he  ufd  to  be. 
Can  nocht  with  his  ain  Thochts  agre. 

But  varies  bak  and  fore  j 

Ane 


226  ne  Vifion. 

Ane  quhyle  he  fays,  It  is  not  richt 

A  Monarch  to  refift, 
Neift  Braith  all  Ryall  Powir  will  flicht, 
And  paflive  Homage  jeft; 
He  hitches  and  fitches 
Betwein  the  Hie  and  Hoc^ 
Ay  jieand  and  flieand 
Round  lyk  a  Wedder-cock. 

xxni. 

1  ftill  fupport  my  Precedens 

Abune  them  all,  for  Sword  and  Sens, 

Thocht  I  haif  layn  richt  now  lown, 
Qiihylk  was,  becaus  I  bure  a  Grudge 
At  fum  fule  Scotis^  quha  lykd  to  drudge 

To  Princes  no  thair  awin; 
Sum  Thanis  thair  Tennants  pykit  and  fqueift, 

And  purfit  up  all  thair  Rent,  ^ 

Syne  wallopit  to  far  Courts,  and  bleift. 

Till  Riggs  and  Schaws  war  fpent ; 
Syne  byndging  and  whyndging, 
Quhen  thus  redufit  to  Howps, 
They  dander  and  wander 
About  pure  Lickmadowps. 

XXIV.  But 


ne  Vifion.  227 

XXIV. 

But  now  its  Tyme  for  me  to  draw 
My  fhynand  Sword  againft  Club-Law, 

And  gar  my  Lyon  roir; 
He  fall  or  lang  gie  fic  a  Sound, 
The  Ecchoe  fall  be  hard  arround 

Europe^  frae  Schore  to  Schore; 
Then  lat  them  gadder  all  thair  Strenth, 

And  ftryve  to  wirk  my  Fall, 
Tho  numerous,  zit  at  the  lenth 
I  will  owrecum  them  all. 
And  raife  zit  and  blafe  zit 
My  Braifrie  and  Renown, 
By  gracing  and  placing 
Arright  the  Scottis  Crown. 

XXV. 

QuHEN  my  braif  Bruce  the  fame  fall  weir 
Upon  his  Ryal  Heid,  full  cleir 

The  Diadem  will  fhyne; 
Then  fall  zour  fair  Oppreffion  ceis, 
His  Intreft  zours  he  will  not  fleice, 

Or  leif  zou  eir  inclyne : 

Thocht 


228  The  Vifton. 

Thocht  Millions  to  his  Purfe  be  lent, 

Zell  neir  the  puirer  be, 
But  rather  richer,  quhyle  its  fpent 
Within  the  Scottijh  Se: 

The  Feild  then  fall  zeild  then 
To  honeft  Hufbands  Welth, 
Gude  Laws  then  fall  caufe  then 
A  fickly  State  haif  Helth. 

XXVI. 

Quhyle  thus  he  talkit,  methocht  ther  came 
A  wondir  fair  Etherial  Dame, 

And  to  our  Warden  fayd, 
Grit  Callidon  I  cum  in  Serch 
Of  zou,  frae  the  hych  ftarry  Arch, 

The  Counfill  wants  zour  Ayd; 
Frae  every  Quarter  of  the  Sky, 
As  fwift  as  Quhirl-wynd, 
With  Spirits  fpeid  the  Chiftains  hy, 
Sum  grit  Thing  is  defygnd 
Owre  Muntains  be  Funtains, 
And  round  ilk  fairy  Ring, 
I  haif  chaift  ze,  O  haift  ze, 
They  talk  about  zour  King. 

XXVII.  With 


1 


The  Vifion.  229 

XXVII. 

With  that  my  Hand  methocht  he  fchuke, 
And  wifcht  I  Happynefs  micht  bruke, 

To  eild  be  Nicht  and  Day; 
Syne  quicker  than  an  Arrows  Flicht, 
He  mountit  upwarts  frae  my  Sicht, 
Straicht  to  the  milkie  Way; 
My  Mynd  him  followit  throw  the  Skyes, 

Untill  the  brynie  Streme 
For  Joy  ran  trinckling  frae  myne  Eyes, 
And  wakit  me  frae  Dreme; 
Then  peiping,  half  fleiping, 
Frae  furth  my  rural  Beild, 
It  eifit  me  and  pleifit  me 
To  fe  and  fmell  the  Feild. 

XXVIII. 

For  Flora  in  hir  clene  Array, 

New  wafhen  with  a  Showir  of  May^ 

Lukit  full  fweit  and  fair; 
Quhyle  hir  cleir  Hufband  frae  aboif 
Sched  doun  his  Rayis  of  genial  Luve, 
,    Hir  Sweits  perfumt  the  Air; 

The 


230  ne  Vifion, 

The  Winds  war  hulht,  the  Welkin  cleird, 

The  glumand  Clouds  war  fled, 
And  all  as  faft  and  gay  appeird 
As  ane  Elyfion  Sched; 
Quhilk  heifit  and  bleifit 
My  Heart  with  fic  a  Fyre, 
As  raifes  thefe  Praifes 
That  do  to  Heaven  afpyre. 

^od  Ar.  Scot. 


Jok 


231 


Jok  Up-a-lands  Complaint  agatnjl 
the  Court  in  the  Kings  Nonaige, 


— ^:»»:*^«- 


I. 

"XT  Ow  is  the  King  in  tendir  Aige, 

O  Chryst  !   conferve  him  in  his  Eild, 
To  do  Juftice  to  Man  and  Page, 

That  gars  our  Land  ly  lang  unteild, 
Thocht  we  do  double  pay  thair  Wagej 

Pure  Commons  prefentlie  ar  peild. 
They  ryde  about  in  flc  a  Rege, 

Be  Firth  and  Forreft,  Muir  and  Feild, 

With  Bow  Buckler  and  Brand. 
Lo  quhair  they  ryde  intill  the  Ry, 
The  Deil  mot  fane  the  Company, 
I  pray  it  frae  my  Heart  trewly : 
This  faid  Jok  Up-a-land. 

II.  He 


232        Jok  Up-a-lands  Complaint. 

II. 

He  that  was  wont  to  beir  the  Barrows, 

Betwixt  the  Bake-hous  and  the  Brew-hous 
On  Twenty  Shilling  now  he  tarrows, 

To  ryd  the  Heigait  by  the  Plewisj 
But  were  I  King,  and  haif  gude  Fallows, 

In  Norroway  they  fould  heir  of  Newis, 
I  fould  him  tak,  and  all  his  Marrows, 

And  hing  them  hich  upon  zon  Hewis, 
And  thairto  plichts  my  Hand, 

And  all  thir  Lordis  and  Barronis  grit, 

Upon  an  Gallows  fould  I  knit. 

That  this  doun  treddit  has  our  Quhit: 
This  faid  Jok  Up-a-land. 

III. 

But  wald  ilk  Lord  that  our  Law  leids, 

To  Hufbands  Reflbne  do  with  Skill, 
To  chak  thir  Chiftains  be  the  Heids, 

And  hing  them  heich  upon  ane  Hillj 
Then  Hufbands  labour  micht  their  Steids, 

And  Preifts  micht  pattir  and  pray  their  Fill: 
For  Hufbands  fould  nocht  haif  fic  Fields, 

And  Scheip  and  Nolt  micht  ly  full  ftill. 
And  Stakis  and  Rukis  micht  ftand; 


For 


Jok  Up-a-lands  Complaint.       233 

For  fen  they  raid  amang  our  Dorrs, 
With  Splent  on  Spald  and  joufty  Spurrs, 
Thair  grew  nae  Fruit  intill  our  Furrs  : 
This  faid  "Jok  Up-a-land. 

IV. 

Tak  a  pure  Man  a  Scheip  or  twae, 

For  Hungir  or  for  Fait  of  Fude, 
To  five  or  fax  wie  Bairns  or  mae, 

They  will  him  hang  in  Halters  rude; 
But  gif  an  talc  a  Flok  or  fae, 

A  Bow  of  Ky,  and  lat  them  blude, 
Full  faifly  may  he  ryd  or  gae : 

I  wait  nocht  gif  thir  Laws  be  gude, 
I  fchrew  them  firft  them  fand. 

O  Jesu,  for  thy  haly  Paflioun, 

Grant  to  him  Grace  that  weirs  the  Crown, 

To  ding  thir  mony  Kings  all  doun : 
This  faid  Jok  Up-a-land. 

^od  Kennedy. 


THE 


234 


THE 

Garment  of  gude  LADYIS, 


-^^^^^- 


I. 


"^  y^  ^Ald  my  gude  Lady  lufe  me  beft, 

And  work  aftir  my  Will, 
I  fould  a  Garment  gudlieft, 
Gar  mak  hir  Body  till. 

11. 
Of  Honour  hie  fould  be  hir  Hude, 

Upon  hir  Heid  to  weir, 
Garnift  with  Governance  fae  gude, 

Nae  demyeng  fould  hir  deir. 

in. 

Hir  Sark  fould  be,  hir  Body  nixt. 

Of  Chaftitie  fae  quhyte. 
With  Schame  and  Dreid  togither  mixt. 

The  fame  fould  be  perfyt. 

IV.  Hir 


The  Garment  of  gude  Lady  is.     235 


IV. 

HiR  Kirtle  of  the  clene  Conftance, 

Doun  laift  with  lefum  Luvej 
The  Melzies  of  Continuance,  ' 

For  nevir  to  remuve. 

V. 

HiR  Goun  fould  be  of  Gudlienes, 

Weil  Riband  with  Renown, 
PurfiUt  with  Plefour  in  ilk  Place, 

And  furt  with  fyne  Faflbun. 

VI. 

HiR  Belt  fould  be  of  Benignitie, 

About  hir  Midil  meit, 
Hir  Mantil  of  Humilitie, 

To  tholl  baith  Wind  and  Weit. 

VII. 

Hir  Hat  fould  be  of  fair  Having, 

Hir  Tipat  of  the  Truth ; 
Hir  Paitlet  of  ay  gude  paufing, 

Hir  Hals  Riban  of  Rewth. 

VIII.  Hir 


236     The  Garment  of  gude  Lady  is. 


VIII. 

HiR  Sleives  fould  be  of  Efperance, 

To  keip  hir  frae  Difpairj 
Hir  Gluves  of  the  beft  Governance, 

To  hyd  hir  Fingers  fair. 

IX. 

Hir  Shune  fould  be  of  Sickernefs, 

In  Time  that  fcho  nocht  flyd; 
Hir  Hofe  of  Honefty  exprefs, 

I  fould  for  hir  provyde. 

X. 

Wald  fcho  put  on  this  Garment  gay, 

I  durft  fweir  be  my  Seill, 
That  fcho  wore  nevir  Grene  nor  Gray, 

That  fet  hir  half  fo  weil. 

^od  Mr.  Rob.  Henryson. 


To 


237 


To  the  Honour  of  the  Ladyisy  and 
the  Fortification  of  their  Fame, 


»5®j. 


I. 

1  UsT  to  declair  the  hie  Magnificence, 
And  Bountie  grit  that  in  the  Ladyis  is. 

The  Wirdynefs  and  Verteus  Excelence, 

The  Laud,  the  Truth,  the  Bewtie,  and  the  Blifs, 
My  Barbir  Tung  unworthy  is  I  wifsj 

But  nocht  the  lefs  my  Pen  I  will  apply, 
To  fay  the  Suth,  thoch  Eloquence  I  mifs, 

Of  Femenyne  the  Fame  to  fortify. 

II. 

Thocht  Doftors  auld  Addrefles  thair  Delyt, 

To  dyt  of  Ladys  Defamation, 
Wae  worth  the  Wicht  fould  fet  his  Appityte, 

To  reid  fie  Rolls  of  Reprobation; 

But  tittar  mak  plain  Proclamation, 
To  gather  all  fie  Lybills  biflelie. 

And  in  the  Fyre  mak  thair  Location, 
Of  Femenyne  the  Fame  to  fortifie. 

III.  For 


238     To  the  Honour  of  the  Ladyis. 


III. 

For  quho  fae  lift  the  Richt  trew  to  reherfe, 
To  humane  Glore  they  mak  Habilitie; 

Quhen  Men  ar  fad  at  them  folace  they  ferfs, 
As  Habitickles  of  all  Humanity, 
They  bring  grit  Weirs  aft  to  Tranquilitie, 

Malice  of  Men  they  meis  and  pacifie, 
To  Saul  and  Body  baith  Utilitie; 

Therfore  all  Men  thair  Fame  fould  fortifie. 

•     IV. 

Althocht  a  Man  had  as  niuch  Gude  to  fpend 

As  all  the  Empyres  of  this  Globe  around ; 
Wer  Women  wanting  Weil-fare  were  at  End, 

Without  thair  Comfort  Care  fould  him  confound; 

Quhair  they  abyde  thair  Blifs  does  ay  abound, 
And  quhair  they  flie  Felicetie  gaes  by; 

Bot  thair  Solace  nae  Sage  may  be  eir  found ; 
Thairfore  all  Men  thair  Fame  fould  fortifie. 

V. 

Sen  god  has  grantit  them  fie  Gudlinefs, 
And  formid  them  after  fae  fyne  fafibun. 

Syne  put  fic  bluming  Bewtie  in  thair  Face, 

Quhy  fould  not  Men  hald  them  of  grit  Renown? 

Sen 


To  the  Honour  of  the  Ladyis.     239 

Sen  God  has  given  to  them  fae  grit  Guerdoun, 
And  with  fic  Meiknes  does  them  magnifie, 

Quhy  fould  Men  male  to  them  Comparifone, 
But  owre  all  quhair  thair  Fames  to  fortifie  ? 

VI. 

Of  Mary  myld,  the  Maid  imaculate, 

To  fortifie  of  Femenyne  the  Fame, 
Chryst  was  incarnate  and  incorporate, 

And  nurift  was  nyn  Months  within  hir  Wame ; 

And  aftir  born,  and  bocht  us  frae  the  Blame 
Of  Bellialj  that  brint  us  bitterliej 

That  heavenly  Honour  faves  the  Sex  frae  Shame, 
And  owre  all  quhair  thair  Fame  dois  fortifie. 

^od  Stewart. 


\&^^\ 
\&^^l 


THE 


240 


THE 

D  A  U  N  C  E. 

\ 

I. 

(~\F  Februar  the  fiftein  Nicht, 

Richt  lang  before  the  Dayis  Licht, 
I  lay  intill  a  Trance, 
And  then  I  faw  balth  Heaven  and  Hell, 
Methocht  amang  the  Feynds  fell 

Mahoun  gart  cry  a  Daunce, 
Of  Shrewis  that  wer  nevir  fchrevin 
Againft  the  Feift  of  Fafterns  Evin, 

To  male  thair  Obfervance; 
He  bad  Galands  gae  graith  a  Gyis, 
And  caft  up  Gamonds  to  the  Skyes, 

That  laft  came  out  of  France. 


n.  Let 


'The  Daunce.  241 


II. 


Let  fee,  quod  he,  now  quha  begins : 
With  that  the  foull  feven  deadly  Sins 

Begouth  to  leip  attains; 
And  firft  of  all  the  Daunce  was  Pryde., 
With  Hair  wyld  back.  Bonnet  on  Syde, 

Lyk  to  mak  vaiftie  Wains ; 
And  round  about  him  as  a  Quheil, 
Hang  all  in  Rumples  to  his  Heil 

His  Kethat  for  the  Nains : 
Mony  proud  Trumpour  witH  him  trippit 
Throw  Ikaldan  Fyre,  ay  as  they  fkipit 

They  girnd  with  hydious  Granes. 


III. 

Hellie  Harlots  on  hawtane  Ways 
Came  in  with  mony  findry  Gyis, 

Zit  nevir  leuch  Mahoun^ 
Till  Preifts  came  with  bare  fchaven  Necks, 
Then  all  the  Feynds  leuch  and  made  Geeks, 

Black-wame  and  Bawfy-broun. 

IV.  Then 


242  ne  Daunce. 


IV. 

Then  Tre  came  in  with  Sturt  and  Stryfe, 
His  Hand  was  ay  upon  his  Knyfe, 

He  brandeift  lyk  a  Beir: 
Boafters,  Braggers  and  Barganers 
Aftir  him  pafsd  all  in  be  Pairs, 

All  boddin  in  Feir  of  Weir; 
In  Jacks,  Stripps,  and  Bonnets  of  Steil, 
Thair  Leggs  wer  chenziet  to  the  Heil, 

Frawart  was  thair  AfFeir  j 
With  Brands  fum  on  uther  beft, 
Sum  jagit  uthers  to  the  Heft 

With  Knives  that  Scheip  coud  fcheir. 


V. 


Next  foUowd  in  the  Daunce,  Envy.^ 
Filld  full  of  Feid  and  Fellony, 

Hid  Malyce  and  Difpyt; 
For  privy  Hate  that  Traytor  trembled, 
Him  foUowd  mony  Freik,  difTembled 

With  fenzied  Words  quhyte. 


And 


l^he  Daunce.  243 

And  Flatterers  into  Mens  Faces, 
And  Back-byters  of  fundry  Races, 

To  lie  that  had  Delyte, 
With  Rownars  vyle  of  falfe  Leifings ; 
AUace !  that  Courts  of  nobil  Kings 

Of  fie  can  neer  be  quyte. 

VI. 

NixT  him  in  Daunce  came  Covetyce^ 
Rute  of  all  111,  and  Grund  of  Vyce, 

That  neir  could  be  content; 
Catyvs,  Wretches  and  Ockerars, 
Hud  Pykes,  Hurders  and  Gatherers, 

All  with  that  Warlo  went : 
Out  of  thair  Throts  they  fhot  on  uther, 
Het  moltin  Gold  methocht  a  Futher, 

As  Fyre-flaucht  maift  fervent; 
Ay  as  they  tuimt  themfells  of  Schot, 
Feynds  fiUd  them  weil  up  to  the  Throt 

With  Gold  of  all  kynd  Prent. 

VII. 

Syne  Swetrnes  at  the  fecond  Bidding 
Came  lyk  a  Sow  out  of  a  Midding, 
Full  fleipy  was  his  Grunzie; 

Mony 


244  The  Daunce. 

Mony  fweir  butnbard  Belly-huddron, 
Mony  Slut,  Daw,  and  fleipy  Duddron, 

Him  ferved  ay  with  Sounzie : 
He  drew  them  furth  intill  a  Chenzie, 
And  Belial  with  a  Bridall  Renzie 

Ay  lafhit  them  on  the  Lunzie. 
In  Daunce  they  wer  fae  flaw  of  Feit, 
They  gaif  them  in  the  Fyre  a  Heit, 

Made  them  quicker  of  Cunzie. 


vni. 

Then  Lechery^  that  laithly  Corfs, 
Berand  lyk  to  a  bagit  Horfs, 

And  Ydlenefs  did  him  leid ; 
Ther  was  with  him  ane  ugly  Sort, 
And  mony  a  ftynkand  foull  Tramort 

That  had  in  Sin  bene  deid : 
Quhen  they  wer  enterit  in  the  Daunce, 
They  wer  full  ftrange  of  Countenance, 

Lyk  Turkas  burnand  reid; 

All  led  they  uther  by  the 

Suppofe  they  fyket  with  thair 

It  micht  be  nae  Remeid. 


IX.  Then 


The  Daunce.  245 


IX. 

Then  the  foull  Monfter,  Gluttony, 
With  Wame  unfatiate  and  greidy, 

To  daunce  fyn  did  him  drefs  j 
Him  foUowit  mony  a  foull  Drunkart 
With  Can  and  Colep,  Cop  and  Quart, 

In  Surfet  and  Excefs ; 
Full  mony  a  waiftlefs  wally  Drag, 
With  Wames  unwyldy  did  forth  wag 

In  Creifh,  that  did  increfs; 
Drink,  ay  they  cryd,  with  mony  a  Gaip, 
The  Feynds  gave  them  het  Lead  to  laip, 

Thair  Lovery  was  nae  lefs. 


X. 


Nae  Minftralls  playd  to  them  hot  Dout, 
For  Glie-men  ther  war  haldin  out 

Be  Day  and  elk  by  Nichtj 
Except  a  Minftrall  that  flew  a  Man, 
Sae  till  his  Heritage  he  wan, 

Entert  be  Breif  ofRicht. 


XI.  Then 


246  'The  Datince. 


XL 


Then  cryd  Mahoun  for  a  Earfe  Padzean, 
Syn  ran  a  Feynd  to  fetch  Makfadzean^ 

Far  Northwart  in  a  Nukej 
Be  he  the  Correnoch  did  fchout, 
Earfe  Men  fo  gatherit  him  about, 

In  Hell  grit  Rume  they  tuke : 
That  Tarmagants  with  Tag  and  Tatter, 
Full  loud  in  Earfe  begoud  to  clatter 

And  rowp  lyk  Ravin  and  Rowk; 
The  Deil  fae  deivt  was  with  thair  Yell, 
That  in  the  deipeft  Pot  of  Hell 

He  fmorit  them  all  with  Smuke. 


Follows 


247 


Follows  the   Tournament  between 
the  Soutar  and  Tailzior. 

I. 

TVr  IxT  that  a  Tournament  was  cryd, 

That  lang  before  in  Hell  was  tryd, 

In  Prefence  of  Mahoun^ 
Betwifch  a  Tailzior  and  a  Soutar, 
A  Prick-Loufe  and  a  Hobell-Clouter, 

The  Barrefs  was  made  boun; 
The  Tailzior  baith  with  Speir  and  Sheild, 
Convoyit  was  into  the  Feild, 

With  mony  a  Lymmar-Loun, 
Of  Seme-byters  and  Beift-knappers, 
Of  Stomok-ftealers  and  Claith-takers, 

A  graceles  Garrifoun. 

II.  His 


248  Tournament  betiveen 


II. 


His  Banner  was  born  him  before, 
Quherin  was  Clouts  a  hundred  Score, 

Ilk  ane  of  diverfe  Heu, 
And  all  ftown  out  of  findry  Webs, 
For  quhyle  the  Greik  Se  flows  and  ebs, 

Tailziors  will  neir  be  trew: 
The  Tailzior  on  the  Barrows  blent, 
Allace !  he  tint  all  Hardy ment, 

For  Feir  he  changit  Hew : 
Mahoun  came  forth  and  maid  him  Knicht, 
Nae  Ferlie  thocht  his  Heart  was  licht, 

That  to  fie  Honour  grew. 


III. 

The  Tailzior  hecht  before  Mahoun^ 
That  he  fuld  ding  the  Soutar  doun, 

Wer  he  ftrang  as  a  Maft; 
But  quhen  he  on  the  Barrous  blenkit. 
His  clouted  Courage  fairly  fchrinkit. 

His  Heart  did  all  owre-caft : 


Quhen 


the  Soutar  and  the  T'ail%ior.      ^49 

Quhen  to  the  Soutar  he  did  cum, 
Of  all  fic  Words  he  was  quyte  dum, 

Sae  fair  he  was  agaft. 
In  Heart  he  tuke  fae  great  a  Sounder, 
A  Rak  of  Farts  lyke  ony  Thunder, 

Flew  frae  him  Blaft  for  Blaft. 

IV. 

The  Soutar  to  the  Feild  him  dreft, 
He  was  convoyid  out  of  the  Weft, 

As  an  DefFender  ftout. 
Suppofe  he  had  nae  lufty  Varlet, 
He  had  full  mony  a  loufy  Harlot, 

Round  ryding  him  about. 
His  Banner  was  of  barkit  Hyd, 
Quherin  Saint  G'lrnega  did  glyd. 

Before  that  Rebald  Rout : 
Full  Soutar  lyke  he  was  of  Laitsj 
For  ay  betwifli  his  Harnes  Plaits, 

The  Uly  burftit  out. 

V. 

Quhen  on  the  Tailzior  he  did  luke. 
His  Heart  a  litle  Dwaming  tuke. 
He  micht  not  richt  upfit. 

Into 


250  Tournament  betijueen 

Into  his  Stommok  was  fic  a  Steir, 
Of  all  his  Denner  quhilk  he  coft  deir, 

HisBreaft  heldDeilaBit: 
To  comfort  him  or  he  raid  fiirder. 
The  Deil  of  Knichthude  gaif  him  Order, 

Fou  fair  fyne  did  he  fpit; 
And  he  about  the  Devils  Neck, 
Did  fpew  again  a  Quart  of  Blek, 

Thus  knichtly  he  him  quit. 


VI. 

Then  Fourty  Times  the  Feynd  cryd,  Fy, 
The  Soutar  richt  afearedly, 

Unto  the  Feild  he  focht : 
Quhen  they  were  ferved  with  their  Speirs, 
Folk  had  a  Feil  be  their  Effeirs, 

Their  Hearts  were  baith  on  Flocht, 
They  fpurd  their  Horfs  on  either  Syde, 
Syne  they  outowre  the  Grund  coud  glyd. 

And  them  togither  brocht. 
The  Tailzior  that  was  nocht  weil  fitten. 
He  left  his  Sadie  all  befhitten, 

And  to  the  Grund  he  focht. 

VII.  His 


the  Soutar  and  the  Tail%ior.     251 


VII. 

His  Harnes  brak  and  made  a  Brattle, 
The  Soutars  Horfs  lap  with  a  Ratle, 

And  round  about  coud  reil : 
The  Beift  that  frayed  was  richt  evil, 
Ran  with  the  Soutar  to  the  Devil, 

Him  he  rewardit  weil : 
Sumthing  frae  him  the  Feynd  efhewd. 
He  wont  again  to  bein  befpewd, 

So  ftern  he  was  in  Steil: 
He  thocht  again  he  wald  debate  him. 
He  turnd  his  Erfe,  and  all  bedret  him, 

Ein  quyte  frae  Neck  to  Heil. 


VIII. 

He  lowfit  it  afFwith  fic  a  Reird; 

He  dang  baith  Horfs  and  Man  till  Eard, 

He  fartit  with  fic  Feir. 
Now  half  I  quit  thee,  quoth  Mahoun, 
Thir  new  made  Knichts  lay  baith  in  Swoun, 

And  did  all  Arms  menfweir; 

The 


252         Tournament  between^  &c. 

The  Deil  gart  them  to  Dungeon  dryve, 
And  them  of  Knichthude  could  depryve, 

Difcharging  them  of  Weir, 
And^made  them  Harlots  baith  for  evir, 
Quhilk  ftill  to  keip  they  had  far  levir 

Nor  ony  Arms  to  beir. 

IX. 

I  had  mair  of  their  Warks  written, 
Had  not  the  Soutar  bein  befhitten. 

With  Bel'iah  Erfs  unblift. 
But  that  fae  gude  a  Bourd  methocht. 
Sic  Solace  to  my  Heart  it  brocht. 

For  Lauchter  neir  I  brifl: : 
Quherthrow  I  wakenit  frae  my  Trance, 
To  put  this  in  Rememberance, 

Micht  no  Man  me  refift; 
For  this  faid  Jufting  it  befell, 
Befoir  Mahoun  the  Air  of  Hell, 

Now  trew  this  gif  ze  lift. 

Here  ends  the  Soutar  and  the  Tailziors  TVar, 
Made  be  the  noble  Poet  W™.  Dunbar. 

Follows 


253 


Follows  ane 

Amends  made  to  the  forefaid 
Knichts  of  the  Birs  and  T humble '^ 
In  Cafe  his  yoke  fhould  them  provok 
Owr  fair  to  girn  and  grumble. 


I. 

11)  Etwisht  the  Twelt  Hour  and  Elevin, 
I  dreamd  an  Angel  came  frae  Heavin, 
With  Pleafand  Stevin  fayand  on  hie, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 

II. 

High  up  for  zou  is  ordafnd  a  Place, 
Abune  all  Saints  in  great  Solace, 
In  Happynefs  and  Dignity, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 


III.  The 


254      Amends  to  the  Tournament. 

III. 

The  Caufe  to  you  is  not  unkend, 
Natures  Negleft  ye  do  amend. 
Be  Craft  and  great  Agility, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 

IV. 

Soutars  with  Schune  weil  made  and  meit, 
Ze  mend  the  Faults  of  illfard  Feit, 
Quherfore  to  Heavin  zour  Sauls  will  flie, 
Soutars  and  Tailziors  blift  be  ze. 

V. 

Theris  not  in  this  Fair  a  Flyrock, 
That  has  upon  his  Feit  a  Wyrock, 
Knoul  Taes,  or  Mouls  in  nae  Degre, 
But  ze  can  hyde  them,  blift  be  ze. 

VI. 

And  Tailziors  ze  with  weil  made  Clais, 
Can  mend  the  warft  made  Man  that  gaes, 
And  mak  him  feimly  lyk  to  fee, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 

VII.  Thocht 


Amends  to  the  Tournament.       255 


VII. 

Thocht  ane  fuld  haif  a  broken  Back, 
Haif  he  a  Tailzior  gude,  quhat-rak, 
Heill  cover  it  richt  craftely, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 

VIII. 

Of  all  great  Kindes  may  ze  claim, 
The  cruke  Backs,  and  the  Criple,  Lame, 
Ay  howdrand  Faults  with  zour  fuplie, 
Tailziors  and  Soutars  blift  be  ze. 

IX. 

In  Eard  ze  kyth  fic  Ferlys  heir. 
In  Heavin  ze  fall  be  Saints  full  cleir, 
Tho  ze  be  Knaves  in  this  Countrie. 
Soutars  and  Tailziors  blift  be  ze. 

^od  Dunbar. 


rhe 


256 


i.'^.*^^J^.^Jp^3pp^i^$tp$^^ 


7he  Luvers  Mane  that  dares  not 
ajfay. 


I. 

/^Uhen  Flora  had  owrfrett  the  Firth, 
^^^  In  May  of  ilka  Moneth  Quene, 
Quhen  Merle  and  Mavis  fings  with  Mirth, 

Sweit  Melling  in  the  Schaws  fae  fchene, 

When  Luvers  all  rejofit  bene, 
And  maift  diiyrous  of  thair  Prey, 

I  hard  a  lufty  Luver  mene, 
I  luve,  but  I  dare  not  afTay  ! 

II. 

Strang  ar  the  Pains  I  daylie  pruve. 

But  zit  with  Patience  I  fuftene, 
I  am  fae  fettert  in  the  Luve, 

Only  of  my  fweit  Lady  fchene, 

Quhilk  for  her  Bewtie  micht  be  Quene, 
Nature  fae  craftily  alway. 

Has  done  depaint  that  fweit  Serene, 
Quhom  I  luve,  and  dare  not  aflay. 

III.   SCHO 


The  Luvers  Mane.  257 

III. 

ScHO  is  fae  bricht  of  Hyd  and  Hew, 

I  luve  but  hir  allone  I  wene, 
Is  nane  hir  Luve  that  may  efchew, 

That  blenks  fae  of  that  dulce  Amene ; 

Sae  comelie  cleir  ar  hir  twa  Ene, 
That  fcho  mae  Luvers  does  efFrey, 

Then  eir  of  Greice  did  fair  Helene^ 
Quhome  I  luve,  and  dar  not  aflay. 

^od  Stewart. 


Ane 


258 


Am  litle  Interlude  of  the  Droichs. 


I. 

"LT  Irry,  hary,  hobbilfchow, 

Se  ze  not  quha  is  cum  now, 
But  zit  wate  I  nevir  how, 

Brocht  with  the  Quhirl-wind  j 
A  Sargeand  out  of  Soudoun  Land, 
A  Gyane  ftrang  in  Limbs  to  ftand, 
That  with  the  Strength  of  my  awin  Hand 

May  Bairs  and  Bugles  bind. 

II. 

Quha  is  then  cum  heir,  but  I 
A  bauld  and  bowfteous  Bellomy, 
Amang  zou  all  to  cry  a  Cry 

With  a  maift  michty  Soun? 
I  generit  am  of  Gyans  kynd, 
Frae  hardy  Hercules  be  Strynd, 
Of  all  the  Occident  and  Ynd, 

My  Elders  woir  the  Croun. 


III.  My 


Interlude  of  the  Droichs.         259 


III. 

My  fore  Grandfyre  heicht  Fynmackoully 
Quha  dang  the  Deil,  and  gart  him  zoul, 
The  Skyes  raind  Fludes  quhen  he  wald  ikoul, 

He  trublit  all  the  Air. 
He  gat  my  Gudfyre  Gog  Magogs 
He,  when  he  daunft,  the  Warld  wald  fchog, 
Then  Thoufand  Ells  zied  in  his  Frog 

Of  Highland  Plaids,  and  mair. 

IV. 

Sic  was  he  quhen  of  tendir  Zouth, 
But  aftir  he  grew  mair  at  Fouth, 
Elevin  Myle  wyde  mett  was  his  Mouth, 

His  Teith  was  ten  Myles  fquair: 
He  wald  upon  his  Tais  upftand. 
And  tak  the  Starns  doun  with  his  Hand, 
And  fet  them  in  a  Gold  Garland, 

Abuve  his  Wyfes  Hair. 

V. 

His  Wyfe  fcho  mekle  was  of  Clift, 
Her  Heid  wan  heicher  than  the  Lift, 
The  Hevin  reirdit  quhen  fcho  did  rift, 
The  Lafs  was  naithing  fldender: 

Scho. 


26o         Interlude  of  the  Droichs. 

Scho  fpat  Loch-lowmond  with  hir  Lips, 
Thunder  and  Fyre  flew  frae  hir  Hips, 
Quhen  fcho  was  crabbit,  the  Sun  thold  Clips ; 
The  Feynd  durft  nocht  offend  hir. 

VI. 

For  Cauld  fcho  tuke  the  Fever  Tartane, 
For  all  the  Claith  in  France  and  Bartane 
Wald  not  be  to  hir  Leg  a  Gartane, 

Thocht  fcho  was  zung  and  tendir: 
Upon  a  Nicht  heir  in  the  North, 
Scho  tuke  the  Gravel,  and  flaild  Craig-gorth^ 
And  pifcht  the  grit  Watter  of  Forth^ 

Sic  Tyd  ran  aftirhind  hir. 

VIL 

Ane  Thing  written  of  hir  I  find. 
In  Trland  quhen  fcho  blew  behind. 
On  Norway  Coifl:  fcho  raift  the  Wind, 

And  grit  Schips  drownit  thair: 
Then  fcho  fifcht  all  the  Spainzie  Seis, 
With  hir  Sark  Lap  betwix  hir  Theyis, 
And  thre  Days  failing  tween  hir  Kneis 

It  was  efteemd  and  mair. 

VIII.  The 


Interlude  of  the  Droichs.         261 


VIII. 

The  hingan  Braes  on  Adir  Syde 

Scho  powtert  with  hir  Lymms  fae  wydej 

LafTes  micht  lair  at  hir  to  ftryde, 

Wald  gae  to  Luvairs  lair. 
Scho  markit  to  the  Land  with  Mirth, 
Scho  quhirrd  fyve  Quhails  into  the  Firth, 
Had  croppin  on  hir  *Geig  for  Girth, 

Walterand  amang  the  Wair. 


IX. 

My  Fader  mekle  Gow  Macmorne^ 
Out  of  his  Moders  Wame  was  fchorne. 
For  Littlenes  fcho  was  forlorn, 

Sican  a  Kemp  to  beir  : 
Or  he  of  Age  was  Zeirs  thre. 
He  wald  flap  owre  the  Ocean  Se, 
The  Mone  fprang  neir  abune  his  Knie, 

The  Heavens  had  of  him  Feir. 

X.  Ane 


*  A   Kind   of  an   old   fa/hioned   Net   ufed  now   for   catching    of 
Spouts. 


262         Interlude  of  the  Drotchs, 

X. 

Ane  thoufand  Ziers  ar  paft  frae  Mynd, 
Sen  I  was  generit  of  his  Kynd, 
Far  fiirth  in  Defarts  of  the  Ynd, 

Amang  Lyon  and  Beir: 
Worthy  King  Arthur  and  Gawane^ 
And  mony  a  bauld  Bairn  of  Bartane 
Ar  deid,  and  in  the  Wars  are  flain, 

Sen  I  could  weild  a  Speir. 

XI. 

The  Sophie  and  the  Sowdoun  ftrang, 

With  Battles  that  haif  laftit  lang, 

Out  of  thair  Bounds  has  maid  me  gang. 

And  turn  to  Turkie  tyte. 
The  King  of  Francis  grit  Armie 
Has  brocht  a  Derth  in  Lombardie^ 
That  in  the  Countrie  I  and  he 

Can  nocht  dwell  baith  perfyte. 

XIL 

Swadrick,  Danmark,  and  Noraway, 
Nor  in  the  Steids  I  dar  not  gae, 
For  ther  is  nocht  but  burn  and  flae. 
Cut  Thropples  and  mak  quyte. 

Trland 


Interlude  of  the  Droichs.         263 

Trland  for  ay  I  half  refufit, 
All  wyfe  Men  will  hald  me  excufit; 
For  neir  in  Land  wher  Earfe  is  ufit, 
To  dwell  had  I  delyt. 

XIII. 

I  haif  bene  foremoft  ay  in  Feild, 

And  now  fae  lang  haif  born  the  Scheild, 

That  I  am  crynit  in  for  Eild 

This  litle,  as  ze  may  fe: 
I  haif  bene  banift  undir  the  Lynd 
This  lang  Tyme,  that  nane  could  me  fynd, 
Quhyle  now  with  this  laft  Eiftin  Wynd, 

I  am  cum  heir  perdie. 

XIV. 

My  Name  is  Welth,  therfore  be  blyth, 
I  am  cum  Comfort  zou  to  kyth, 
Suppofe  ilk  Wretch  fuld  wail  and  wryth, 

All  Derth  I  fall  gar  die : 
For  certainly  the  Truth  to  tell, 
I  cum  amang  ze  now  to  dwell, 
Far  frae  the  Sound  of  Curphour  Bell, 

To  live  I  neir  fall  drie. 

XV.  Now 


264         Interlude  of  the  Dro'tchs. 

XV. 

Now  fen  I  am  fic  Quantitie 
Of  Gyans  cum,  as  ze  may  fe, 
Quhair  will  be  gotten  a  Wyfe  for  me, 

Of  ficlyk  Breid  and  Hicht? 
In  all  this  Bour  is  not  a  Bryde 
Ane  Hour  I  wate  dar  me  abyde, 
Zet  trow  ze  ony  Heir  befyde 

Micht  fufFer  me  all  Nicht. 


XVI. 

A  DEW  a  quhyle,  for  now  I  gae. 
But  I  will  not  lang  byde  ze  frae, 
I  wifch  ze  be  conferft  from  Wae, 

Baith  Maiden,  Wyfe  and  Man: 
God  blefs  them  and  the  haly  Rude, 
Gif  me  a  Drink,  fe  it  be  gude. 
And  quha  trows  belt  that  I  do  lude, 

Skink  firft  to  me  the  Kan. 

FINIS.    The  Droichs  Part  of  a  Play. 


Juld 


26s 

-^  ^t<;  -?fc  ^t<i  ^c  ^td  ^t«i;  ^t<!;  ^t«.  ^Jfe.  ^t<i  ^t«:  ^jfe  ijfe  ^t(j.  jfe  ^fe  ^t<i;  ^t<i  j^ 

Auld  Kyndnefs  quite  forzet  quhen 
am  grows  pure, 

I. 

'"PHis  Warld  is  all  but  fenziet  fair, 
And  as  unftable  as  the  Wind, 

And  Faith  is  flemit  I  wat  not  quhair, 
Treft  Fallowfhip  is  ill  to  find, 
Gude  Confciences  is  all  made  blind, 

And  Charity  thairs  nane  to  getj 
Leil  Luve  and  Lawty  lys  behind. 

And  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet. 

II. 
QuHYLE  I  had  ony  Thing  to  fpend. 

And  ftuffit  weil  with'  Warlds  Wrack, 
Amang  my  Friends  I  was  weil  kendj 

Quhen  I  was  proud  and  had  a  Pack, 

They  wad  me  be  the  Oxter  tak  3 
And  at  the  hich  Buird  I  was  fet. 

But  now  they  let  me  ftand  aback. 
Sen  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet. 

III.  Now 


266      Auld  Kyndnefs  quite  for%et. 

III. 

Now  I  can  find  but  Friends  few. 

Sen  I  was  prized  to  be  pure, 
They  hald  me  now  but  for  a  Shrew  j 

Of  me  they  talc  but  little  Cure  j 

All  that  I  do  is  but  Injure: 
Thocht  I  be  bair  I  may  not  bett, 

They  let  me  ftand  upon  the  Flure, 
Sen  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet. 

IV. 

Suppose  I  mein  I  am  nocht  mendit, 

Sen  I  held  part  with  Povertie, 
Away  fen  that  my  Pack  was  fpendit, 

Adieu  all  Liberality. 

The  Proverb  now  is  trew  I  fee, 
^uha  may  not  give  will  little  get; 

Therefore  to  fay  the  Verity, 
Now  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet. 

V. 
They  wald  me  hals  with  Hude  and  Hat, 

Quhyle  I  was  rich  and  had  enouch. 
About  me  Friends  enow  I  gat; 

Richt  blythly  then  on  me  they  leuch. 

But  now  they  mak  it  wonder  teuch, 
And  lets  me  ftand  before  the  Zet; 

Therfoir  this  Warld  is  very  freuch. 
And  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet.        VI.  As 


Auld  Kyndnefs  quite  forzet.      2,67 

VI. 

As  lang  as  my  ain  Cap  ftude  even, 

I  zied  but  feindle  myne  allane, 
I  fquyrit  was  with  Sax  or  Sevin, 

Ay  quhyle  I  gave  them  twa  for  ane  j 

But  fuddenly  frae  that  was  gane, 
They  pafsd  me  by  with  Hands  plett, 

With  puirtith  frae  I  was  oertane, 
Then  auld  Kyndnefs  was  quite  forzet. 

VII. 

Into  this  Warld  fuld  nae  Man  trow, 

Thou  may  weil  fee  the  Reafon  quhy; 
For  ay  but  gif  thy  Hand  be  fou. 

Thou  art  but  little  fetten  by. 

Thou  art  not  tane  in  Company, 
Bot  ther  be  fund  Fifli  in  thy  Net : 

Therfore  this  falfe  Warld  I  defy, 
Sen  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet. 

VIII. 

Sen  that  nae  Kyndnefs  kepit  is, 

Into  this  Warld  that  is  prefent, 
Gif  thou  wald  cum  to  Heavins  Blifs, 

Thyfelf  appleifl:  with  fober  Rent, 

Live  weil  and  give  with  gude  Intent, 
To  every  Man  his  proper  Debt, 

Quhat  eir  God  fend  hald  thee  content. 
Sen  auld  Kyndnefs  is  quite  forzet.  AD- 


268 


ADVICE  to   be   Liberal  and 
BlytL 


:<><# 


#>o:.. 


I. 


T  Make  it  kend,  he  that  will  fpend, 

And  luve  God  late  and  Air, 
He  will  him  mend,  and  Grace  him  fend, 

Quhyle  Catives  fhall  have  Care: 
But  Praife  weil  pend,  fall  him  comend, 

That  of  his  Rowth  can  fpare ; 
We  knaw  the  End,  that  all  maun  wend 

Away  nakit  and  bare. 
With  an  O  and  an  I, 

And  a  Wretch  fall  haif  nae  mair, 
But  a  fchort  Sheit  at  Heid  and  Feit, 

For  all  his  Wrak  and  Ware. 


II.  For 


Advice  to  be  liberal  and  blyth.     269 


II. 


For  all  the  Wrak  a  Wretch  can  pack. 

And  in  his  Bags  embrace, 
Zit  Deid  fall  tak  him  be  the  Back, 

And  gar  him  cry  Alace ! 
Then  fall  he  fwak,  away  with  Lak, 

And  wate  not  to  what  Place, 
Then  will  they  mak,  at  him  a  Knack, 

That  maift  of  his  Geir  hes ; 
With  ane  O  and  an  I, 

Quhyle  we  haif  Tyme  and  Space, 
Mak  we  gude  Cheir,  quhyle  we  are  heir. 

And  thankful  be  for  Grace. 


III. 

Were  there  a  King  to  rax  and  ring, 

Amang  Gude-fallows  crownd, 
Wretches  wad  wring,  and  mak  Murning, 

For  Dule  they  fould  be  drownd. 
Quha  finds  a  Dring,  or  auld  or  zing, 

Gar  hoy  him  out  and  hound. 

Now 


270     Advice  to  be  liberal  and  blyth. 

Now  let  us  fing,  our  Cares  to  ding, 

And  mak  a  gladfome  Sound, 
With  an  O  and  ane  I : 

Now  are  we  further  bound. 
Drink  thou  to  me,  and  I  to  thee. 

And  let  the  Cap  go  round. 

IV. 

QuHA  underftude,  fuld  have  his  Gude, 

Or  he  were  clofd  in  Clay, 
Sum  in  thair  Mude  they  wald  ga  wid. 

And  die  lang  or  thair  Day; 
Not  worth  a  Hude,  or  an  auld  Snude 

Thou  fhall  bear  hence  away; 
Wretch  be  the  Rude,  now  to  conclude. 

Full  few  fall  for  thee  pray. 
With  an  O  and  ane  I, 

Gude  Fallows  as  langs  we  may. 
Be  merry  and  free,  fyne  blyth  let  us  be. 

And  fmg  on  tway  and  tway. 

^od  Jo.  Blyth. 
The  End  of  the  Jirjl  Volume. 


271 


CONTENTS 

OF   THE 

Firft   VOLUME. 


— :O^I>^I)-0H)H):- 

^~^  H  R I  s  T '  s  Kirk  on  the  Grene, 

^^     The  Th'tjlle  and  the  Rofe^ 

Panygyrick  on  Sr  Penny, 

Virtue  and  Vyce^ 

Bytand  Ballat  on  ivarlo  Wyvesy 

Robin  and  Makyne, 

Advyce  to  a  Man  to  enjoy  his  ain, 

The  Fleming  Bark, 

Defens  of  Grifjel  SandylandSf 

The  Battle  of  Harlaiv, 

The  Fenziet  Frier  of  Tungland, 

Tydings  frae  the  Sejjion, 

A  generall  Satyr e, 

Wyfe  Sayings,     . 

The  Complaint  to  his  Mijlrefs, 

Cupid  quareled for  Tyranie, 

InveSive  againfl  Mouth-Thanklefs, 

The  Soutar  and  Tailziors  Flyting, 

Ballat  to  the  Scorn  of  nvanton  Women, 

The  Lament  for  the  Lofs  of  the  Poets, 

The  Wyfe  of  Auchtermuchty, 


Page 

I 

15 
27 

31 
51 
56 
64 
67 

71 
78 

9^ 

98 

102 
107 
108 
112 

"5 
118 
123 
129 

137 
The 


272 


CONTENTS, 


Page 

The  Borrotvjloun  Mous,  and  the  Landiuart  Mous,  .      1 44 

Advice  to  his  %oung  King^     .  .  .  .  .156 

On  Confciens,      .         .         .  .  .  .  .159 

On  the  Creation^  and  Paradyce  lojl^  ,  .  .161 

The  Devils  Advyce  to  his  Freindsj  .  .  .      171 

Ballat  on  J.  Violet ^  A.  Quhyt,  and  J.  Reidy    .  .176 

On  K.  JAMES  V.  three  MiftreJeSy       .  .  .184 

The  Lyon  and  MouSy  .         .         .         ,  .  .185 

The  Tod  and  the  Lamb,         .         .  .  .  .200 

On  anes  being  his  ain  Enemy,  .  .         .  .204 

Benifit  on  Ladys  that  ar  Gude  Solicit ers,  .  .206 

Another  on  the  fame  SubjeB,  .         .  .  .209 

The  Vifton^ 2II 

Joch  Up-a-lands  Complaint,  .  .         .  .231 

The  Garment  of  a  gude  Lady,         ,  .  .  .234 

To  the  Honour  of  the  Ladys,  .  .  .  .237 

The  Daunce  in  Hell,    .  .  .  .  .  .239 

The  Tournament  between  the  Soutar  and  Tailzor,  .     247 

The  Amends  made  to  Birs  and  Thimble,  ,  .     253 

The  Lovers  Mane  that  dar  not  f peak,      .         .  .256 

Ane  Interlude  of  the  Droichs,  .  .  .  .258 

Auld  Kyndnefs  quite  for%et,  .  .  .  .  .265 

Advyce  to  be  liberal  and  blyth,         .         .  .  .268 


K  \-]^^^l