Which even the Rights of Kings in low prostration But truce with kings, and truce with constitutions, VERSES Written under the Portrait of Fergusson, the Poet, in a copy of that Author's Works presented to a young Lady in Edinburgh, March 19, 1787. CURSE on ungrateful man, that can be pleas'd, THE HENPECKED HUSBAND. LINES ON AN INTERVIEW WITH THIS wot ye all whom it concerns, A ne'er-to-be-forgotten day, I've been at drucken writers' feasts, But wi' a Lord-stand out my shin, Up higher yet, my bonnet; But oh for Hogarth's magic pow'r ! To meet good Stuart little pain is, Thinks I, they are but men! Hill. As faultering I gaed ben !d Crawled, or clambered on the hands and knees. u Thirst. i. e. He was six feet high. 8 Going, or walking. Was stupified. w Slacken, or quench. y Bashful look. a A kind of wooden curb for horses c Knocked together. d Went into the parlour. I sidling shelter'd in a nook, I marked nought uncommon. Mair than an honest ploughman. Then from his Lordship I shall learn, A PRAYER. Left in a room of a Reverend Friend's house, where the Author slept. O THOU, dread Pow'r who reign'st above! I know thou wilt me hear; When for this scene of peace and love, I make my pray'r sincere. * Dr. Laurie, minister of Loudoun, from whom the poet received many essential favours, one of which, and none of the least, will be best explained in his own words I had taken the last farewell of my few friends-my chest was on the road to Greenock, from whence I was to embark in a few days for America. I had composed the last song, I should ever nieasure in Caledonia. The gloomy night is gathering fast, when a letter from Dr. Blacklock, to a friend of mine, (Dr. Laurie, who had sent to Dr. Blacklock a copy of our poet's works) overthrew all my schemes, by opening new prospects to my poetic ambition. The doctor belonged to a set of critics, for whose applause I had not dared to hope. His opinion that I would meet with encouragement in Edinburgh for a second edition, fired me so much, that away 1 posted for that city, without a single acquaintance, or a single letter of introduction. The baneful star that had so long shied its blasting influence in my zenith, for once made a revolution to the nadir; and a kind providence placed me under the patronage of one of the noblest of men, the Earl of Glencairn.' The hoary sire-the mortal stroke, And shew what good men are. Their hope, their stay, their darling youth, Bless him, thou God of love and truth, The beauteous seraph sister-band, Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand, Guide thou their steps alway! When soon or late they reach that coast, A PRAYER, Under the pressure of violent Anguish. Yet sure I am, that known to Thee Thy creature here before Thee stands, Yet sure those ills that wring my soul Sure Thou, Almighty, canst not act O, free my weary eyes from tears! But if I must afflicted be, To suit some wise design; A PRAYER, In the prospect of Death. O THOU, unknown, Almighty cause If I have wander'd in those paths Thou know'st that Thou hast formed me Where human weakness has come short, Or frailty stept aside, Do Thou, All-Good! for such Thou art, Where with intention I have err'd, No other plea I have, But, Thou art good; and goodness still STANZAS ON THE SAME OCCASION. Have I so found it full of pleasing charms? Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between; Some gleams of sunshine 'mid renewing Is it departing pangs my soul alarms; [storms. Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode? |