EPITAPH FOR GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ. THE poor man weeps-here Gavin sleeps, Whom canting wretches blam'd: But with such as he, where'er he be, A BARD'S EPITAPH. Is there a whim-inspired fool, Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, And owre this grassy heap sing dool, Is there a Bard of rustic song, Who, noteless, steals the crowds among, O, pass not by ! But, with a frater-feeling strong, Here, heave a sigh. Is there a man whose judgment clear, Wild as the wave ; Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear, Survey this grave. The poor Inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise to know, And softer flame, But thoughtless follies laid him low, Reader, attend-whether thy soul Know, prudent, cautious self-control EPITAPH ON MY FATHER. O YE, whose cheek the tear of pity stains, Draw near with pious rev'rence and attend! Here lie the loving husband's dear remains, The tender father, and the gen'rous friend. The pitying heart that felt for human woe ; 'For ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side.' EPITAPH ON JOHN DOVE, INNKEEPER, MAUCHLINE. Here lies Johnny Pidgeon; What was his religion? Wha e'er desires to ken, To some other warl' For here Johnny Pidgeon had nane ! Strong ale was ablution, Small beer persecution, A dram was memento mori ; But a full flowing bowl Was the saving his soul, And port was celestial glory. EPITAPH ON JOHN BUSHBY, WRITER, IN DUMFRIES. HERE lies John Bushby, honest man! EPITAPH ON A WAG IN MAUCHLINE. LAMENT him, Mauchline husbands a', For had ye staid whole weeks awa, Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass EPITAPH ON A PERSON NICKNAMED 'THE MARQUIS,' WHO DESIRED BURNS TO WRITE ONE ON HIM. HERE lies a mock Marquis whose titles were shamm'd, If ever he rise, it will be to be damn'd. EPITAPH ON WALTER S——. SIC a reptile was Wat, Sic a miscreant slave, That the worms ev'n damn'd him When laid in his grave. 'In his flesh there's a famine,' A starv'd reptile cries; 'An' his heart is rank poison,' GRACE BEFORE MEAT. LORD, when hunger pinches sore, ON COMMISSARY GOLDIE'S BRAINS. LORD, to account who dares thee call, Else why within so thick a wall IMPROMPTU. AT Brownhill we always get dainty good cheer, ADDRESSED TO A LÁDY WHOM THE AUTHOR FEARED HE HAD OFFENDED. RUSTICITY'S ungainly form May cloud the highest mind; Propriety's cold cautious rules But spare poor sensibility The ungentle, harsh rebuke. |