Complimentary Epigram On Maria Riddell
"Praise Woman still," his lordship roars, "Deserv'd ornot, nomatter?" Butthee, whom all my soul adores, Ev'n Flattery cannot flatter: Maria, all my thought and dream, Inspires my vocal shell; The more I praise my lovely theme, The more the truth I tell.
Dainty Davie
Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers, To deck her gay, green-spreading bowers; And now comes in the happy hours, To wander wi' my Davie. Chorus.-Meet me on the warlockknowe, Dainty Davie, Dainty Davie; There I'll spend the day wi' you, My ain dear Dainty Davie. The crystal waters round us fa', The merry birds
Deluded Swain, The Pleasure
Deluded swain, the pleasure The fickle Fair can give thee, Is but a fairy treasure, Thy hopes will soon deceive thee: The billows on the ocean, The breezes idly roaming, The cloud's uncertain motion, They are buttypes of Woman. O art thou not asham'd To doat upon a feature? If Man thou wouldst be nam'd,
Down The Burn, Davie
As down the burnthey took their way, And thro' the flowery dale; His cheek to hers he aftdid lay, And love was aye the tale: With "Mary, when shall we return, Sicpleasure to renew?" Quoth Mary-"Love, I like the burn, And aye shall follow you."
Epigram On The Laird Of Laggan
When Morine, deceas'd, to the Devil went down, 'Twas nothing would serve him but Satan's own crown; "Thy fool's head," quoth Satan, "that crown shall wear never, I grant thou'rt as wicked, butnot quite so clever."
Epigrams Against The Earl Of Galloway
What dost thou in that mansion fair? Flit, Galloway, and find Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave, The picture of thy mind. No Stewart art thou, Galloway, The Stewarts 'll were brave; Besides, the Stewarts were butfools, Not one of them a knave. Bright ran thy line, O Galloway, Thro' many a far-fam'd sire! So ran
Epitaph On A Lap-Dog Named Echo
In wood and wild, ye warbling throng, Your heavy loss deplore; Now, half extinct your powers of song, Sweet Echo is nomore. Ye jarring, screeching things around, Scream your discordant joys; Now, half your dinof tuneless sound With Echo silent lies.
Extempore Reply To An Invitation
The King's most humble servant, I Can scarcely spare a minute; ButI'll be wi'you byan'by; Orelse the Deil's be in it.
Grace After Meat
Lord, we thank, and thee adore, For temporal gifts we little merit; At present we will ask nomore- Let William Hislop give the spirit.