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CALEDONIA, A POEM, &c.

1 IN Northern Hights, where Nature seldom smiles,
2 Embrac'd with Scas, and buttress't
a All the Western and Northern parts of Scotland are fenc'd with small Islands, which not only break off the Force of the Atlantick Ocean, but make excellent Harbours for Shipping, and Conveniencies for Trade.
round with Isles,
3 Where lofty Shores
b The Shores to the North of Scotland may be said to regard the adjacent Pole, either because it lies directly open to the Great Northern Ocean, which no Sailer could ever yet find the Extent of; or because it sees that Pole elevated to a great Height.
regard th' adjacent Pole,
4 Where Winds incessant blow, and Waves incessant roll;
5 Where Tyrant
c I call that continual Cold in the Frozen Seas here Tyrant Cold, because he reigns Uncontroll'd by the Accession of any Heat from the Sun.
Cold in Glacy Ocean reigns,
6 And all the Habitable World disdains,
7 Defies the distant Influence of the Sun,
8 And
d Shines in Ice. The Ice and Snow always give a kind of Light, tho faint and melancholy.
shines in Ice.
9 First
e Youngest Sister, because the North Capes and the Coast of Greenland〈◊〉to be of the same Family, but advanc'd farther North. First youngest, a Licence taken to expess Scotland the first of the Habitable, or at least Sociable Parts of the World so far North.
youngest Sister to the Frozen Zone,
10 Batter'd by Parent Natures constant Frown,
11 Adapt to Hardships, and cut out for Toil;
12 The best worst Climate, and the worst best Soil.
13 A rough, unhewn, uncultivated Spot,
14 Of old so fam'd, and so of late forgot.
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15 NEGLECTED SCOTLAND shews her awful Brow,
16 Not always quite so near to Heaven as now.
17 Circled with dreadful Clifts and Barb'rous Shores,
18 Where the strong Surff with high impetuous Roars,
19 Invades the Rocks, and these their Rage disdain,
20 And with redoubling Noise they'r hurry'd home again;
21 The hollow Caverns Mutual Roars return,
22 And Baffled Neptune
a The Raging of the Sea will often resemble Fire, and seem to burn, especially as some say on a Southerly Wind.
raging makes the Ocean burn.
23 The furious Elements in vain contend,
24 Unmov'd the mighty natural Breast-works stand.
25 Their awful Hights in threatning Grandeur shine,
26 Emblems of mightier Hearts of Stone within.
27 Th' Instructing Rocks, Invincible and Strong,
28 Describe the Race that to these Rocks belong,
29 And bid the quick retreating Waves declare,
30 And warn the World against a Northern War.
31 Tell them the Hopes of Conquest must be vain;
32 When Hands of Steel shall Rocks of Flint maintain.
33
b The high Shores could be in no place more needful to place Bounds proportion'd to the furious and vast Northern Ocean that beat upon Scotland, from whence there is nothing but Water to the very Frozen Zone of the North Pole. Those Rocks therefore are the Lands Defence, and the Ocems Bridle, and consequently Beauties in their Kind, made so by the Necessity of them.
These are th' eternal Bounds of Providence,
34 The Oceans Bridle, and the Lands Defence.
35 The Warts and Wrinkles plac'd on Natures Brow
36 That her Maternal Care and Conduct show.
37 The meanest parts of Nature have their Use,
38 And some to Terror, some to Strength conduce:
39 Nor is their Ornament at all the less;
40 For Beauty's best describ'd by Usefulness.
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41 Behind this Rugged Front
a The Situation of Scotland is certainly her Defence against either the Fury of the Ocean from the North, or of Invaders from the South; the dangerous Coast being such, that no Fleets care to venture themselves long at Sea that way.
securely lies
42 Blest Caledonia, and with Ease defies
43 Her Northern, or her Southern Enemies.
44 Fixt by Decree, Her Nature's not to fear
45 Huge Navies there, or Icy Mountains here.
46 Here Towring Clifts, and there the Beachy Shoal
47 Defy the
b By the Monsters of the Pole may be understood the Whales, in former times terrible to Mariners, as frequently oversetting the small Barks they sailed in; Or since, by the greater Skill in Navigation, that fear is at an end, it may be taken for the Monstruous floating Islands of Ice, which by the Fury of the Winds, are driven about the Northern Seas.
Raging Monsters of the Pole.
48 There equally they
c Floating Worlds, Navys and Fleets of Ships of War to assault that Country, and transport Armys to make Descents and Depredations on the Coast.
Floating Worlds defy,
49 Bid them stand off and live, advance and die:
50 The Hardy Wretch that sees the Hint too late,
51 Fails not to find his Folly in his Fate.
52 Behind this Rugged Front securely lies
53 Old Caledonia, all the Worlds
d The Worlds Surprize to find so fine a Countrey so Peopled, and so Inhabited behind such terrible places, which to the Sea-ward promise nothing but Desert, and abandon'd, uninhabited Places.
Surprize.
54 Her Native Beauty and her Wealth conceal'd
55 Waits
e The Ʋnion, whereby Improvement shall reveal the hidden Fruitfulness of Scotland.
the blest Hour when both shall be reveal'd.
56 In Age and Fancy'd Poverty Secure,
57 And yet She's ever Young, and never Poor.
58 Here labouring with the Injuries of Time,
59 Inclement Air, Inhospitable Clime,
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60 Foreign Invasions and Intestine Wars;
61 Yet all her Native Beauty still appears.
62 Brittain's
a Scotland is allowed the Left hand of Brittain as to Wealth, England as her younger Sister in matter of Antiquity, must however be allowed the Right hand in Wealth and Trade, at least till Union, if ever that shall happen, make them all one.
Left hand, which when she shall unite,
63 As Nature dictates, and the Fates Invite,
64 And join her younger Sister on the Right:
65 How shall they Mutual Wealth and Strength convey,
66 And with Contempt the weaker World Survey!
67 Till THAT BLEST HOUR, how does her Injur'd Name
68 Sleep in the Rubbish of her Ancient Fame?
69 Buried in
b The scandalous Reproaches of Authors pretending to describe either her Climate, People, or Government have been intollerable, and have buried her Character with Noise and Slander; which being never yet defended in publick, or any Attempt made to clear up those things to the World, Foreign Nations are too much possest with the Belief of what, when the Truth comes to be examined, appears meer Fiction and Falsity.
Slander, by Reproach laid low:
70 And all the distant World believes her so:
71 Then let us first survey her Fancy'd Herse,
72 She'll find some Resurrection in our Verse;
73 Till rousing from a long declining Fate,
74 WHOLE BRITTAIN shall her Glory reinstate.
75 How have
c Cleavland in his Poem upon Scotland, has said a Thousand extravagant things on these Heads.
we plac'd her out of Nature's Eye,
76 Where Constant Colds Few Seeds of Life supply?
77 Where Nature Chill'd some despicables dwell,
78 Immur'd with Darkness and ally'd to Hell.
79 No Moderate Blessings, no Endowment share,
80 Nothing that's Pleasant see, nothing delightful hear:
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81 But see the Horrid
a By the Horrid Bear is to be understood the Constellation so call'd, which Scotland, being so far North, easily sees in its whole Circular Motion round the Pole.
Bear march round the Pole,
82 And feel her Piercing Breath Congeal the Soul.
83 Their Musick's Whirl-wind, and the shrill Echoing Roar
84 Of Frozen Seas on the Deserted Shore.
85 Legends of Fables fill our partial Heads,
86 Of Lands where Grass ne'r grows, or Mortal treads;
87 Where keenest Winds and Storms Incessant blow
88 On Mountains cover'd with Eternal Snow;
89 Where Nature never blooms, and Sun ne'r shines,
90 But Cold with Cold, and Frost with Frost Combines,
91
b This is as suggested by Foreign Authors, in open Injury of Scotland, and one of the principal Reasons of this Poem.
Inhospitable Clime.
92 What Countrey's this? And whither are we gone?
93 Bright Caledonia, where will Fable run?
94 Suffer th' impartial Pen to range thy Shore,
95 And do thee
c 'Tis presum'd this Part will clear the Author from a Charge of Flattery, he designing to say nothing in this Poem, but what Justice and the Nature of things require.
Justice, Nature asks no more:
96 Fitted for Commerce and cut out for Trade;
97 The Seas the Land, the Land the Seas invade.
98 The Promontory Clifts with Hights embosst,
99 And large deep Bays adorn thy dang'rous Coast;
100 Alternately the Pilot's true Relief,
101 These warn at Distance, those receive him safe;
102 The deep indented Harbours then invite,
103 First court by day, and then secure at night:
104 The wearied Sailors safe and true Recess,
105 A full Amends for wild Tempestuous Seas.
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106 Nature that well foreknows a Nations Fate,
107 Thus fitted Caledonia to be great.
108 Her
a Various Aspects, Respecting the Situation of the Coast, or the Plan of the Countrey, which easily discovers that Scotland is equally qualified for Trade with any Nation in the World, whether we consider her Openness to all Parts of the Trading World; or the Convenience of her Harbours, safe Roads, and Neighbourhood both to the German and Atlantick Oceans.
various Aspects the Design explain,
109 And
b Her unhappy Circumstances, with respect to the rest of Brittain, have, without doubt, been the great Obstructions of her Prosperity, particularly as to Trade.
Circumstances shall resist in vain.
110 Subject no more to ev'ry cross Event,
111 She shall be Great and Rich, as Nature meant.
112 View next her Seas, from ancient Terrors nam'd,
113 For Bug-bear Storms, by Bug-bear Sailors fam'd.
114
c The Ancients, in their sailing these Seas, were strangely surprized at two things, 1. The Length of the Days, which they, being generally Phenicians and South-Countrey Merchants, had not been used to: From whence some of them, more addicted to superstitious Observations than the rest, blindly imagined, that (since the farther they went North-ward, the Days were the longer, and in some parts hardly any Night) the Elisium Shades must needs be thereabouts, and that if they should go further, they should come at length to Bright Eternal Day. 2. They were surpriz'd not with the Storms and Tempests only, but with the Tides and Currents, which were not only strange to 'em, but particularly terrible, in that they drove 'em in amongst the Rocks and Shores, where they often perish'd, not from any Real Danger, but for Want of Judgment From whence we have them often expressing themselves in this manner,
And BRITISH Seas,
II here Storms incessant blow,
And Tides uncertain ebbe and flow.
Phenician Sailors, wise in Ignorance,
115 That dream't of
d

Thule, an Island in the north of Scotland, was frequently fabled among the Ancients to represent the Elisium, which could be for no other Reason than the Length of the Days.

Bright THƲLE far advanc'd in raging Seas.
Dierum spatia ultra nostri () his mensuram & nox clara, & extrema Britanniae prte bvis, ut finem atque initium Lucis exiguo discrimine internoseas Nec Solem occidere & exsurgere, sed transire adfirmant. Tacit. Vit. Agricolae Cap. 12 Sect. 5.
THULE, yet afraid t'advance;
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116 Thy lengthen'd Sun with uncooth Joy survey,
117 And vainly dream'd it led to bright Eternal Day:
118 Unbless'd with Art, yet from thy Ocean fly,
119 Afraid to live, because afraid to die.
120 To them thy Wealth and Stores were unreveal'd,
121 And all beyond thee happily conceal'd.
122 Had they thy Scally Shoals of Blessings known,
123 They'd long since chose thy Shores, and quite sorgot their own.
124 Thine had been India, and thy Golden Seas
125 Had fill'd their Antique Songs.
126 But Fear, that Negative of Glory, gave
127 This Gift appropriat to a Race more brave.
128 The frighted South-taught Navigators fly,
129 And mock'd with Fear, their own Success destroy.
130 Unpractis'd in thy watry Wars, they shun
131 Thy safer Coast, and at a Distance run.
132 Thy Seas, tho vast, and in Extent unknown,
133 In Wealth and Strength to Thee
a The Seas indeed in these parts are subject to Storms, but nothing unusual, or uncommon with the rest of Brittain.
subservient grown.
134 Calm Tides, smooth Surface, and a shining Brow,
135 And gentle Gales for Wealth and Commerce blow.
136 These reconcile the once so dreadful Waste,
137 And Art and Industry supply the rest.
138
b This is a Poetical Excursion upon the extraordinary Improvement and Perfection which the World has attain'd in the practical part of Navigation.
Hail Science, Natures second Eye,
139 Begot on Reason by Philosophy,
140 Mans Tellescope to all that's Deep and High;
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141 What Infinites dost thou pursue!
142 The Tangl'd Skeines of Nature how undo!
143 Pierce all her darkest Clouds, her Knots untye,
144 And leave her naked to the wandring Eye.
145 What Gust of Knowledge blew thee off to Sea?
146 A desp'rate Curiosity.
147 In Mountain-Waves, and raging Wind,
148 Tell us, what couldst thou hope to find?
149 'Tis answer'd, These are Natures Schools,
150 To teach the Power of Art and Rules:
151 From hence what vast instructing things thou'st brought;
152 Besides the Huge Remains not yet found out.
153 But of all Knowledge, this was sure the best,
154 As 'tis the Pole-star to the rest.
155 How wing'd with Science, men might trace
156 The foaming Oceans roughest Face;
157 Plow the vast Furrows of th'amazing Deep,
158 With Ease and Safety sail and sleep.
159 No more th' uncertain Northern Tides shall fright,
160 Familiar Dangers lessen to the Sight;
161 The Rocks and Sands, the threatning Shore,
162 Pledges of certain Death before.
163 Now Roads and Harbours found for help appear,
164 And show the Follies of our ancient Fear;
165 Under their Weather Banks we calmly ride
166 Danger and Safety they divide.
167 Now they appear the Aids of Providence,
168 The Sailors Safety, and the Lands Defence.
169 Bold Science whither wilt thou stear,
170 See how the Tempests arm'd with Death, appear;
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171 Read but the threatning Language of the Skies,
172 How gathering Clouds, with-Child of Thunders rise;
173 See Mountains heap'd in strong Rebellion move,
174 See Ossa top'd with Pelion, threatning Jove;
175 See angry Nature rous'd to Civil War,
176 'Twas Prudence first taught Mankind how to fear;
177 Bold Science, whither wilt thou Steer!
178 Vain Caution! See the daring Nymph sets Sail,
179 What Fear calls Storm, she calls a welcome Gale;
180 On raging Waves, and Mountain Billows tost,
181 She sees with Joy her Port, with Joy she quits the Coast;
182 The Wind's embrac'd with high expanded Wings
183 The Sailors sleep and fly, the Pilot sings;
184 Sometimes he mounts so high, he turns his Ear,
185 And listens for the Musick of a Sphere;
186 Charm'd with the Symphony, he'll Consort keep,
187 And Beat true Time, tho' he reviews the Deep.
188 She's gone, new Worlds she seeks, new Worlds she finds,
189 She rides on Tempests, and improves the Winds,
190 Th' Elemental Terrors she'll despise,
191 And Bully Neptune boldly she defies.
192 See how Mankind by her Experience taught,
193 Has all to Rule and Method brought;
194 The
a Practicable Seas, made so by the Improvements of Navigation, and particularly the Extraordinary Methods of Building, as well as of Managing great Ships, sitting them to bear the roughest Sea, and to sail to the remotest parts of the World.
Practicable Seas to Art submit,
195 And Wealth and Commerce freely circulate,
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196 With steady hand th' experienc'd Pilot Steers,
197 And laughs in Northern Waves at Southern Fears,
198 Defies the two and thirty Hosts of Air,
199 And sits compos'd i'th' midst of Elemental War,
200 All unconcern'd at Natures Quarrels, he,
201 To his own Use, applies their Enmity.
202 The Furious Wind, the Water's Rage,
203 He wisely joins to his Just End, the Voyage:
204 In this he makes their pointed Rage agree,
205 And forms their Discord into Harmony.
206 So jarring Parties in a State,
207 By the Wise Conduct of the Crown,
208 Are manag'd to support the Magistrate,
209 And fix that Power they struggle to pull down.
210 Knowledge gives Courage, Science makes Men brave;
211 Folly drives headlong to the Grave:
212 For Ignorance and Fear make Cowards run
213 Into those Dangers they'r afraid to shun.
214 Discretion only makes Men safe and bold,
215 While Fears the Remedies withhold;
216 Fear holds the Gates of Reason fast,
217 Shuts out its help, and so the Coxcomb's lost.
218 The Pilot now, Consummate in his Skill,
219 Made safe by Nature, mounts the Watry Hill;
220 Thro' Paths untrod, and Mazes of the Deep,
221 He Cuts his Guided Course, the rough, the steep,
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222 Are all made smooth to him, he knows his Way,
223 He neither fears the Night, nor Courts the Day:
224 Thro' all the Tempests Midnight Rage he slies,
225 Visits the Bottoms now, anon the Skies.
226 When up to Heav'n he mounts, the Cheering Sun
227 Makes glad, and 'tis the same when darting down;
228 To all the Dark abyss he shoots and see's,
229 The Hollow Deeps of Natures Nudities;
230 Till his Blest Port with steady Hand he finds:
231 And thus to Art he reconciles the Winds.
232 Thus vanishes the Horrid and the Wild,
233 And Nature's now with pleasant Eyes beheld;
234 When Boreas mad with northern Vapours raves,
235 We smile, and with Contempt survey the Waves
236 Art reconciles the Elements, and Trade
237 Can now with ease the Globes Extremes invade.
238 Eternal circulating Commerce flows,
239 And ev'ry Nation, ev'ry Nation knows.
240 Torrid and Frigid scale, and joyn the Poles,
241 And far as Wind can blow, or Water rolls,
242 Ships sail, and Men in search of Wealth will trace
243 All the Meanders of the Universe.
244 The rough, the smooth, to men of Art submit;
245 The Northern Winter Cold, or Southern Heat,
246 With equal Safety, and with equal Ease,
247 Calm Caspian Lakes, and Caledonian Seas.
248 By Natures Aid, and Arts concurring Law,
249 Dangers are only Helps to draw.
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250 The Thirsts of Honour Generous Minds bewitch,
251 And Danger tempts the Brave, as Gold the Rich.
252 'Twas Courage first that ventur'd out to Sea,
253 Young in Experience, as Philosophy.
254 Noah himself had certainly been drown'd,
255 Had not his Courage, as his Faith, been sound.
256 Hail Caledonia, by vast Seas embrac't;
257 Those Seas for Glory, Wealth and Terror plac't.
258 Dreadful in Fame, to thee familiar grown,
259 Suited to no mens Temper like thy own.
260 The bounteous Ocean
a Fraught with Native Gold, i. e. the Treasure of the Fish, which is Gold efficiently, because an immense Treasure is drawn from it by all those Nations that apply themselves to that Trade.
fraught with native Gold,
261 Sav'd it for thee; by its own Curse,
b That Cold which by the Ancients was thought intolerable and kept those Seas for so many Ages impracticable, doubtless prevented the Discovery of the great Treasure of the Fishery, was, not that their taking of them could have lessened the Quantity; but without doubt Foreign Nations might have been prompted not to have fish'd here only, and in time have been too strong to be displac'd, but perhaps have taken Possession of the Land for the sake of the Vast Trade: And so a more powerful Nation have dispossest the Scots both of their Trade and their Country too.
the Cold.
262 Had not the Storms and Tempests govern'd here,
263 And fenc'd this long hid Treasure round with Fear,
264 Past Ages had thy rifled Store decreast,
265 And Foreign Nations all thy Wealth possest.
266 Wealth that well suits a hardy Race like thine,
267 That dares through Storms and Death pursue the Mine.
268 Wealth hid from Cowards, and the fainting Hand,
269 Scar'd with the Sea's content to starve by Land.
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270 But when thy daring Sons the Wave explore,
271 The Ocean yields her
a Not our Experience only allows the Store to be unexhausted, in that the Quantity is every Year renewed; but Authors tell us that even in their daily Fishing in one and the same place, when great Quantities are taken up, yet those that remain, and may immediately be taken in the same place, seem not to be lessened. Minorum ad littora piscium tanta benignitate Dei Opt. Max. praeventus est, & quo major frumenti Caritas est, eo etiam uberior; ut cum uno quovis die ingentem vim abstuleris, postridie illius Diei non minor codem in loco appareat. Hect. Boeth. Scot. Reg. Discriptio. p 8.
unexhausted Store:
272 Thy open Harbours all her Gifts divide,
273 And Seas of Wealth roll in with ev'ry Tide:
274 The Golden Shoals thy very Nets pursue,
275 Laugh at the lesser Treasures of Peru;
276 Prompt thee to change the meanness of thy State,
277 Bids thee, when e're thou wilt, be rich and great.
278 Tell us ye Sons of Myst'ry, from what Hand,
279 What
b Secret high Command. The wonderful Original and Causes of the Prodigious Quantity of Herring which appear in their exact Seasons. Places and Quantities upon all the Coasts of Scotland is the Occasion of this Digression.
secret High Command
280 Gives out the Word that's heard to Natures Deep,
281 Where all the Scaly Tribes their Councils keep?
282 Who tells them when the very Month arrives?
283 And who the secret Order gives?
284 When from the Womb of Wonders far by-North,
285 The mighty Slymy Hosts come forth;
286 The num'rous Legions spread the Sea,
287 The wondring frighted Waves give way;
288 Forward the Mighty moving Hosts push on,
289 All guided by a Hand unknown.
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290 Th' Involuntary well directed Fry,
291 The unknown something readily obey.
292 No Pilot can with more Exactness steer,
293 Not Sun or Moon divides the Year.
294 Not the revolving Stars their Course obey,
295 Not Darkness can succeed the Day,
296 With a more punctual steady Pace,
297 In Manner, Measure, Time and Place;
298 True to the very Distance of the Shore,
299 They'r never, where they never were before
300 Where there's but few, there ever was but few,
301 To ev'ry Circumstance so true.
302 Such Courses steer, such Orders keep,
303 Thro' all the wandring Mazes of the Deep;
304 As if the Ancient Paths they could discry,
305 Or read their Father's History:
306 Then Caledonians lend an humble Ear,
307 And your own
a Ill accepted. It must be owned, Scotland has not given that full welcome to this Gift of Heaven, the Fish that Nature and Providence seemed to expect from them, for whose Benefit without Doubt they were appointed.
ill accepted Blessings hear,
308 From the profound unmeasur'd Deeps
309 Where Nature all her Wonders keeps.
310 Her
b Instinct is here represented as delivering a Message in the Watry Audience, and making a Speech to the Fish, the Image, its hoped is not improper, nor is the Liberty taken at all unpoetical; so I make no excuse for it, but think, that what we call Instinct, may serve to represent Nature in all the Creatures obeying their Times and Seasons, exactly according to the great and just Law of Creation, and the Influence of Invisible Providence.
Handmaid Instinct, this Blest Message gave
311 To all the Watry Crew beneath the Watry Cave.
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312
a Without question they supply very much any Defect of Provisions, which either by the Sterillity of the Countrey, or rather want of Improvement, that People may labour under.
Go Numberless and spread the Finny Sail,
313 And find Britannia Nature's Darling Isle;
314 There spread your Scaly Squadrons, and submit,
315 Your Makers Law Commands, To Every Net.
316 Be You Their Wealth and plenteously supply
317 What Coldest Soil and Steril Climes deny.
318 Be You Their Envy'd Blessing, and attend
319 The willing Prey, to the undustrious Hand,
320 In proper Squadrons all your Troops divide,
321 And visit Every Creek, with Every Tide.
322 Present your selves to every Hungry Door,
323 Employ The Diligent, and feed The Poor.
324 If they reject the Bounties of the Sea
325 Bid'em Complain
b Indeed 'tis strange to think they should let such a Wealth pass by them, and at the same time complain of Poverty.
no more of Poverty.
326 Upbraid their sloth, and then return to me,
327
c Visit no other Port, it is plain they are not found in any considerable quantity in any Seas but these, and 'tis supposed they return to the Northward again, where the Prodigious Breed must increase sufficiently to supply for the next Years Voyage.
Visit no other Port.
328 The punctual well instructed Fish obey,
329 And Scaly Squadrons spread the Northern Sea,
330 Directly point their Course, and find the Shore,
331 As if they'd all been here before.
332 Their equal Distance keep, divide and join,
333 As if they're taught by Book, or steer'd by Line:
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334 Their strong Detachments send to every Creek,
335 In just Proportion their own Mischiefs seek.
336 Seek out the Harbours, seek the Indented Shore,
337 Timploy the Diligent, and feed the Poor.
338 No other Port they visit.
339 Ah! Caledonia, mark the High Command,
340 And mark the Caution of the Heavenly Hand;
341 If thou reject the Bounties of the Sea,
342 No more Complain of Poverty.
343 Hadst thou in early time with Wisdom grac't
344 Heav'ns Bounty, as in Duty bound, embrac't,
345 Above the Nations thou hadst rais'd thy Head,
346 At Home their Envy, and abroad their Dread,
347 Thy Wealthy Clime would all the World invite,
348 They'd Court Thee to Unite.
349 No more of Barren Hills and Seas complain,
350 Reproach the Land with Blasts, with Storms the Main.
351 Not all the Spicy Banks of
a Ganges and Nilus, one a River in India, the other in Egypt; The first famous for its rich Spices and Drugs, and the other for the Prolific Virtue of its Water, on the constant Regular Overflowings whereof, the Fruitfulness of the Land depends. Whence some tell us, The seven Years Famine in that Countrey in the Time of Joseph was occasion'd from the Nile's not over flowing its Banks during that Term.
Ganges Stream,
352 Not Fruitful Nile so oft the Poets Dream,
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353 Not
a Islands so call'd lying in the Gulph of Mexico, where the Pearl Fishing has been worth Immense Sums to the Spaeniard.
Isles of Pearl, not rich
b The Great Ocean on the West-side of America, Vulgarly, Tho I think Improperly, call'd, The South Seas.
Pacifick Seas,
354 Not the more Fruitful
c The Caribbees Islands, which, as now Improv'd by the English, are suppos'd to yield the greatest Produce of any Spot of Ground in the World of equal Extent.
Caribbees,
355 Not
d Guinea in Africk, and Chili in America, being the two principal places which supply the World with Gold.
Africks Wealth or Chilean Stores,
356 The Silver
e Silver Mountains. The Mountains of Potosi in the Country of Peru, thought by some to be all Silver, but without Question, is the richest of that kind in the World. Golden Shores: Meaning the Rivers of Guinea, in the Sands of which is taken up the Gold Dust, as it is wash'd out of the Mountains by the Water.
Mountains, or the Golden Shores,
357 Could such an
f Ʋnexhausted Treasure. The Fishery, and therefore very well propos'd to match the Treasures before spoken of, not only in its Value, but in this Peculiar, That 'tis never exhausted. Nor is it all the less for the Prodigious Quantities that are or might be Annually taken. Which some Authors have observ'd, That they were enough to subsist the whole Nation, if there were no other Provision. Tanta Piscium est Exundantia, cum ubique tum quo magis ad Septentrionem accedas, ut vel ii soli sufficere possint ad pastum Insulae totius:Boeth. de Descrip. Reg. Scot
Unexhausted Treasure boast,
358 A Treasure how supinely lost!
359 What Pains has Scotland taken to be Poor,
360 That has the Indies at her Door;
361 That lets her Coursest Fate of Choice remain,
362 And sees her Maker Bountiful in Vain.
363 When Caledonians, when will you be wise,
364 And search for certain Wealth in Native Seas?
365 A Wealth by Heav'n design'd for none but You,
366 A Wealth that does your very Hands pursue,
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367 Upbraids You with Neglect of Your own Right,
368 And courts Invading Neighbours in your Sight.
369 When Caledonians, when will You be wise?
370 When from Your Clouded Circumstances rise?
371 Banish Invaders, Heav'n's own Gifts enjoy,
372 This would Your Native Poverty destory.
373 This would restore Your Ancient dear bought Name,
374 This, and Your Valour, would revive Your Fame;
375 How would Your Navies quickly spread the Seas,
376 And guard that Wealth they help You to possess?
377 How would Your Commerce all Your Sons restore,
378 And they'd seek Home that shun'd that Home before?
379 With Wealth and People, Happy, Rich and Free,
380 You'd first Improve the Land, and then the Sea;
381 Be Strong, be Great, be Rich, be Europe's Fear,
382 Their War, their Wealth, their Trade, their Honours share.
383 But let's Retreat, Who can the Scene survey,
384 And View this Wealth the Neighbour Nations Prey;
385 What Eye, that's Caledonia's Friend, can see
386 Her Sons on Shore, and Strangers spread the Sea?
387 Who can, with Patience, View her People Poor,
388 And Mines of Wealth snatch'd up at ev'ry Door?
389 The Bounty Heav'n for their Peculiar meant,
390 Reap't by the Hands to whom 'twas never sent.
391 The Ocean plunder'd, the Advantage sold,
392 While these enjoy the Tempests, those the Gold.
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393 Hail Blest Conjunction, Brittain's last best Hour,
394 Shall Caledonia to her self restore;
395 Assert her long neglected Property,
396 Her Blessing, her Inheritance, the Sea.
397 In hopes of this, let's land and range the Shore,
398 And view the Nation that the World calls Poor.
399 Plenty's a doubtful Word mistook by most,
400 A modern Term for Luxury and Waste.
401 So Canaan flow'd. the Lands in Plenty drown'd;
402 Yet Egypt did in vast Increase abound.
403 The World's amus'd with different Forms of Words,
404 When various Sence the various Thought affords.
405 Nature's by vast Comparisons explain'd,
406 And all her Contradictions so maintain'd.
407 So Scotlands Barren, Fruitful, Poor and Rich:
408 Speak Malice, Speak Insulters, tell us which.
409 Describe the Globe, run all the Climates o'er,
410 She's Poor compar'd to Rich, and Rich compar'd to Poor.
411 In Climates next, let's view her Northern Coast,
412 A fruitful Stile, with Epithets embos't,
413 The Horrid, Boistrous, Barren, and the Cold,
414 What Fabl'd Monstrous Stories have been told!
415 Yet range the Globe, and her Extremes survey,
416 And sail from
a The two extreme Parts of America, and almost both uninhabitably Cold, and to which Scotland being compared, may be stiled a hot Climate, as compar'd to Mexico and Peru, she merits the Name of Cold.
Magellan to Hudsons Bay;
417 Ditto the Jest, and when the Truth's but told,
418 She's Cold compar'd to Hot, and Hot compar'd to Cold.
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419 Nor is there less of Injury appears
420 About her Mountains, or her Mountaineers.
421 View but the Savage
a A most savage People, that go naked, live on raw Flesh, and are the most Brutal of any people in the World.
Madagascar Moors,
422
b Campeche Indians are some of them the most Barbarous and Inhnmane of any of the American Race, among whom have been found absolute Cannibals, that devour one another
Campeche Indians, or
c The Circassian Boors are a sort of Tartars now under the Dominion of the Czar of Muscovy, very Cruel and Barbarous, and far worse than the most was ever pretended of the wild Irish or any sort of People in these parts of the World.
Circassian Boors,
423 And when the Characters we shall compare,
424 A Northern Highland-man's a Christian there.
425 Polite his Manners, and his
d I take the Highland Plaid, or the Dress of these Highland-men, to be the Remain of the Mantle of the Ancient Goths, and the same thing, applyed to the same Uses of the of the Moors of Africk, since both People use it to cover them in the Night, and therefore make no Scruple to carry it by Day in the hotest Weather.
Modern Dress,
426 Is Beauty all, when match't with Ugliness.
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PART II.

1 THe Plan's Describ'd, the Seas and Shores Survey'd;
2 Let's now the Treasures of the Land Invade,
3 Traverse their Hills, and all their Vales Descry,
4 And spread their just Description to the Eye.
5 The Rugged Nation plac'd by Nature here,
6 Shall in their fancied Poverty appear;
7 The World shall blush, when they their Picture see,
8 And Fame grow Proud to Print their History.
9 The Soil no more unjust Reproach shall bear,
10 For all they Talk of Barren's slander here,
11 And 'tis, or may be Fruitful ev'ry where.
12 A hardy Race possess the stormy Strand,
13 And share the Moderate Bountys of the Land,
14 Fitted by Nature for the Boistrous Clime,
15 And larger Blessings will grow due by time.
16 The num'rous Off-spring patient and sedate,
17 With Courage special to the Climate wait.
18 When Nigard Nature shall their Nation hear,
19 Shall smile, and pay them all the Vast Arrear.
20 A manly surliness, with Temper mix'd,
21 Is on their meanest Countenances fix'd.
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22 An awful Frown sits on their threatning Brow,
23 And yet the Soul's all smooth, and Calm below;
24 Thinking in Temper, rather grave than Gay,
25 Fitted to govern, able to obey.
26 Nor are their Spirits very soon enflam'd,
27 And if provok'd, not very soon reclaim'd.
28 Fierce when resolv'd, and fix'd as Bars of Brass,
29 And Conquest through their Blood can only pass.
30 In spight of Coward Cold, the Race is Brave,
31 In Action Daring, and in Council Grave;
32 Their haughty Souls in Danger always grow,
33 No Man durst lead 'em where they durst not go.
34 Sedate in Thought, and steady in Resolve,
35 Polite in Manners, and as Years Revolve;
36 Always secure their largest share of Fame,
37 And by their Courage keep alive their Name.
38 The lab'ring Poor dejected and supprest,
39 See not th' approaching Prospect of their Rest.
40 Knowledge of Liberty's their only want,
41 And loss of Expectation's their Content.
42 Too much subjected to immoderate Power,
43 Their Petty Tyrants all their Pains devour.
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44 Th'
a The Racking the Tennant, is not only a suppressing of the Poor, and discouraging of his Industry, but an Error in the Landlord himself as to his own Interest, preventing the Improvement of his Land, and disabling him from doing abundance of things, which would in the End be his own Advantage: And tho' abateing this might in some measure lessen the immediate Income; yet would certainly in Time, turn to the Advantage of the Family, as well as the Encouragement of the People.
extorting Masters their just hopes Restrain,
45 And
b 'Ts impossible the Farmer in Scotland can ever grow Rich, while the Rent of his Farm amounts within a small matter to the Extent of the Product, and while if a scarce Year comes, he is intirely Ruined; whereas if a good Year comes, he either enjoys not the Benefit, or does not enjoy it long; it being in his Landlords Power, upon all Occasions, to raise his Demands.
Diligence is no where more in vain.
46 The
c Little Chiefs, The Author is here willing to suppose that generally speaking, no Landlords, but such as are of small Estates, would thus disregard their own Interest, or continue the Oppressions of the Poor, Their Necessities not permitting 'em to be more Generous.
Little Chiefs, for what they call their due,
47 Eat up the Farme and eat the Farmer too;
48 Suck the Life-Blood, of Tennant and Estate,
49 And needless Poverty to both create.
50 Mistake their Int'rest, Nati'nal Ills procure,
51 And make the Poor be very very poor.
52 Th unhappy Drudge, yet bears the mighty Load,
53 With strange unnat'ral Temperance endow'd,
54 So servile, so unus'd to Liberty;
55 He seems the last, that wishes to be free,
56 Prepostrous Wonder!
56 Where will Nature run,
57 That Men should Struggle to be twice Undone;
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58 Afflictions make Men Stupid, Nature winks,
59 And Sense o'relaid, he acts before he thinks;
60 Subjected Nature fetter'd with Distress
61 Dozes, and Bondage does the Soul possess,
62 Endeavour Slackness, all the Prospects dy,
63 And with the Hope, the Love of Liberty.
64 Yet under all the Hardships of their State,
65 They've something seems to claim a softer Fate;
66 Nor does it claim alone, The Grand Portent
67 Foretells the Blessing, and decrees th'Event.
68 'Tis plainly printed on the Painful Brow,
69 They shall not always be supprest as now;
70 Th'approaching Light at Distance dawns, the Ray
71 Darts a Dim Earnest of the Welcome Day.
72 When sleeping Bondage doom'd to lasting Night,
73 Shall help to make the Chearing Beam more bright.
74 Th'enlighten'd Crowd shall their own Freedom see,
75 For willful Blindness only, shuts out Liberty;
76 Bondage is Ignorance, and he that sees,
77 Needs no directer Cure for that Disease.
78 Knowledge and Liberty go Hand in Hand,
79 Fools only will obey, when Knaves command;
80 The Sordid Yoke no longer can be born,
81 When once he sees he must the Grievance scorn;
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82 He that in Blind Dependence now submits,
83 Will rouse his Strength, when he shall rouse his Wits;
84 Nature prevails, and Sense in Exercise
85 The Chains on Reason nat'rally unties.
86 Thus when new Sight shall once but bless the Poor,
87 'Tis these will Scotland's Liberty Restore;
88 The strong Conviction no Man can resist,
89 And Blindness shall against her Will be blest;
90 And now, in all their Miseries, let's View
91 What Blessings they industriously pursue;
92 What just Equivalent they can supply,
93 For loss of Wealth, and loss of Liberty:
94 Th' Instructed Poor Laborious and Supprest;
95 Yet in their very Miseries are blest;
96 Crush'd with injurious Homage they obey
97 GOD and their Landlord, but with diff'rent Eye;
98 And yet to both they pay without Regrett,
99 To this the Homage, and to that the Debt.
100 The Negatives of Nature they Endure,
101 In Virtue Rich, tho in Possessions Poor,
102 Knowing in Sacreds, in Religion Nice,
103 And ignorant in nothing more than Vice:
104 What Crimes they have, they borrow from Mankind,
105 Hell's Manufactures here are contraband.
106 Imported by the help of Foreign Trade,
107 Clandestinely enjoy'd, clandestinely conveigh'd.
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108 Unusual Judgment fills the meaner Heads,
109 Devotion follows as Instruction leads.
110 Grave in Behaviour, in Discourse sedate,
111 And apter to believe than to debate;
112 And if they can exceed in doing Well,
113 'Tis in a little little TOO MUCH ZEAL.
114 In Doctrine sound, in Discipline severe,
115 The Church obtains her True Dominion here.
116 And yet her foft Coercives yield no Pow'r,
117 Either to persecure, or to devour.
118 Fiercely tenacious of determin'd Truth,
119 Dreadful to Error, Vigilant of both.
120 The wild Opinions of a Neighb'ring State,
121 Find here no Atom-Fancies to create:
122 The strong fermented Venom hither brought,
123 Like Irish Poisons, perish in the Thought;
124 Here no Enthusiastick Notion grows,
125 The only Barrenness the Nation knows.
126 A Mitred Jest indeed, the Land perplex'd,
127 Of Pomp and Pride, and Policy so mix'd;
128 The awkward medly left us in Debate,
129 Whether it did proceed from Church or State,
130 Begot by Power, and introduc'd by Plot,
131 With Tyranny came in, with Tyranny went out;
132 But ill agreeing with preciser Air,
133 It soon grew yellow, pale and sickly here.
134 The People Wise, and in Religion Nice,
135 Could not be gull'd with such a Faint Device.
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136 Some Blood the Monster drank, but when it try'd
137 To take a Dose of Liberty, IT DY'd.
138 But it their Civil State some Praise affords,
139 Much greater are the Trophies of their Swords.
140 Ages of Blood have brought them up to War
141 And their strong Legions breath in every Air,
142
a At the Battle of Leipsick, the Scots were the first that were ever seen to fire with their Ranks clos'd foreward, and their Pieces over one another's Shoulders, or as we call it, kneel, stoop, and stand, which was such a Surprize to the Germans, pouring in such a Quantity of Lead upon them together, that they could not stand it, which the King of Sweden own'd, was the great Occasion of the Victory, and practiz'd it afterwards among all his Troops.
They taught the very Swedes themselves to Fight,
143 And spight of Dulness arm'd the
b The Scots Officers have all along been the Instructors of the Muscovites, and if they are the worst Soldiers in Europe, it has not been for want of good Masters but by being dull Scholars, tho something may be ascrib'd to the Constitution of their Country, arming only the Boors, and not entertaining 'em as Soldiers, but demitting 'em after the Occasion, to their Imployments again, which Method the present Czar having alter'd, the Russians to Europe's Cost, are not unlikely to show the World they have been very well taught.
Muscovite;
144 The sordid Russ, to discipline they Train
145 And fain would teach the
c The Pride and Haughtiness of the Pole has made him disdain to be Instructed, and consequently their Foot (especially) are good for nothing in the Field.
Poles, but that's in vain.
146 Th' untracted Brute in Ignorance too Wise,
147 Learn't only how Experience to despise.
148 Nothing keeps Nature closs in Jayl like Pride,
149 Squadrons of Page-like Crimes before her ride,
150 And Ignorance is always next her side.
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151 Where shall we all their Ancient Glory trace,
152 The forward nations court the very Race:
153 Not Europe ventures to commence a War
154 But Caledonian Blood demands her Share,
155 And if 'tis bought or sold, 'tis always very dear
156
a Particularly famous for the great Battle between the Imperialists and the Swedes, the 3d. of September, Anno and afterwards for being the occasion of the great Battle at Lutzen, where the King of Sweden was slain, having made a long March to relieve this City then besieg'd by the Impertialists: But coming to late, he attack'd their Army, and overthrew 'em, but lost his Life.
Leipsick a Name in Fames red letter'd Roll
157 Matchless in War, where from the Frozen Pole
158
b The Fnland Horse in the Swedish Army grew a Terror to the Germans by their Extraordinary Bravery and Discipline.
Finland sent Monsters, Strangers to the Sun,
159 Bred up to fight, by great Gustave led on;
160 And yet by hardy
c

The Scots at the Battle of Leipsick were very ill clothed, and had complain'd of it to their Officers, who had often promis'd 'em a Supply, and being just entring into the Battle, Sir John Hepburn, who commanded 'em, pointing to the Imperial Army, Jestingly told them, Their Clothes were come,

Tilly had brought 'em en purpose for 'em, and if they would have 'em, they must fight for 'em.

naked Scots out-done.
161 Voracious Tilly just made drunk with Blood,
162 At
d Tilly had just taken Magdeburgh by Storm, and in a terrible manner sacked and destroy'd the Town, put Seventeen thousand People to the Sword, Men, Women and Children, and aftewards burnt the whole City to Ashes, and made himself Terrible to all the Protestants in Europe.
Magdeburgh he rais'd the Crimson Flood,
163 Tho gorg'd with Slaughter, yet a Thirst for more,
164 Approach't, all Europe trembled at his Power.
165 In Leipsick Plain the dreadful Scene begun,
166 On brighter Deeds the Sun himself ne're shone.
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167 Tilly's first Fury broke the
a The Duke of Saxony's Troops formed the Left of the Swedish Army the King of Sweden having the Right: upon the first Charge, the Right of the Imperialists broke the Saxons, and drove 'em quite out of the Field, killing between two and three Thousand upon the Spot; and had not the Scots interpos'd, they had been all cut to pieces.
Saxon Line,
168 And cry'd Victoria, all the Troops fall in,
169 With Blood and Terror glittering Eagles shine.
170 The Scots reserv'd for Dangers hither flye,
171 Dangers their Post by Nation, taught to dy,
172 And wing'd with Rage they
b The Scots being about twelve Battallions of Foot, joyn'd with some Dragoons, made the second Line of the Swedish Army; and finding how Matters went with the Saxons on their Flank, they immediately wheel'd to the Left, and joyning a Brigade of Foot of the Saxons, not yet broken, they fell in upon the pursuing Imperialists, and by their extraordinary Fury, turn'd the Fortune of the Day.
ravisht Victory.
173 Not the unequal Squadrons, not the Day
174 Half lest, not slaughter'd Saxons in the way,
175 Not formidable Death, that Jest of War,
176 In whatsoever shapes she durst appear,
177 Could their intrepid stedy Motion stay,
178 Nothing but slaughterd Foes and Victory;
179
c The Imperial Dragoons being recalled from the Pursuit of the Saxons, and being Superiour in Number, surrounded the Scots, falling in upon their Flank, which making them Desperate, they fought like Mad men, and made a terrible slaughter of the Enemy.
Surrounded, they with doubl'd Fury fight,
180 And pleasd with Danger, shine in (
d In the Fury othis Fight, the Scots threw off their Cloaths and fought in their Shirts; the Novelty of which struck a strange Terror into their Enemies, and convinced 'em, that despising all Danger, these were resolv'd to Conquer.
naked white,
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181
a The King of Sweden hearing of the Distress the Scots were in, came in Person with a Body of Horse and Dragoons to their Relief, Charg'd the Imperial Dragoons who had engag'd their Flank, and soon clear'd 'em of that Incumbrance. But seing how bravely they fought, and that there was no Danger on that Side, he call'd out Laughing to Sir John Hepburn, Al I EGREMENT, which is as much as to say in English, Bravely done Boys; and went back to his own Forces, where he soon overthrew the Imperialists, and compleated the Victory.
Gustavus saw how Fury like they fought,
182 And better witness never Soldiers sought;
183 The mighty Hero smil'd, with Wonder pleas'd,
184 And still they fought the more, the more he prais'd.
185 They Crown'd his Head with Lawrell's first, and he
186 To their just Valour
b Both the King of Sweden and the Elector of Saxony, publickly Complemented Sir John Hepburn, and the rest of the Scots Collonels upon the Occasion; and own'd the Victory to be very much owing to their extraordinary Behaviour.
own'd his Victory.
187 From whence advancing with a just Applause,
188 The ruin'd Protestants abandon'd Cause;
189 Religion and the Countrey they restore,
190 And grateful Germany commemorates the Hour.
191 In thirty Months continued fierce Campaign,
192 From Leipsick Plains, the Neckar, and the Main,
193 The Rhine, the Danube, and the Lech they cros't,
194 No Battle where they fought was ever lost.
195 Never was such an Army, such a Head,
196 Such Men to follow, such a King to Lead:
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197 such Countreys Travers'd, or such Battles won,
198 Such Conquests made, or
a In two Years and three Quarters, they Over-run two third Parts of the Empire, and were posses'd of the whole Countrey from Wolfenbuttle in Westphalia, where Duke Hamilton with another Body of Scots acted, to Prague in Bohemia; and had the King of Sweden Out-lived the Battle of Lutzen, he had bid fair to have taken Winter Quarters at Vienna.
Conquests made so soon.
199 Where shall we all their ancient Glories trace?
200 Let's hasten down to Ramellies a pace;
201 But stop at Phillipsburg, and ask Turenne,
202 And read their ancient Trophies on the Rhine,
203 How they did there the Gallick Name advance,
204 And by their Blood gave Plumes to
b To growing France. The Scots Regiments under the Viscount de Turenn, and particularly Douglass's Regiment, consisting then of 4 or 5000 Men, were the Flower of his Infantry, and help'd to make France Terrible; as at that time She was to all her Neighbours.
growing France
205 France, that on Foreign Valour raisd their Throne,
206 By other Nations Swords, and not their own,
207 Strip't of that Help how easily they fall,
208 And faint like Jericho without her Wall.
209 Recall'd from hence they
c Williams Sword. The Scots were Recall'd out of the French Service by King Charles the second, at the Instance of his Parliament, soon after the Marriage of the late King William then Prince of Orange, with the Princess Mary, a little before the Peace of Nimeguen, and Ordered to joyn the Prince of Orange's Army in Flanders.
Williams Sword obey,
210 And beat the French at Mons for
d Want of Pay, When the Scots were Recall'd from the King of France's Service, they were very ill treated, carried to the Remotest Parts of France, and there Dismis'd with but very little Money, ordered to Travel but two or three together, the Countrey order'd not to Trust them; and every where great Rewards offer'd 'em to List, on purpose to force 'em unto their Service; by which means very few of that great Body reach'd Home, but they that did, Vow'd to be reveng'd of the French if ever they came to hands with them, which they made good at the Battel of Mons.
want of Pay;
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211 Soon as the Caledonian Bands appear,
212 Not
a Luxemberg himself, The Duke of Luxemberg Commanding the French Army at Mons, Placing some of his best Infantry at a Post where he expected the Prince; told some of his Officers, that if the Prince of Orange ventur'd to Attack him there, he was sure it must be with the Scots Regiments; intimating that they were the fittest Troops he had for so desperate a Work.
Luxemberg himself disdaind to fear;
213 'Twas on their Valour he had rais'd his Fame,
214 He knew they'd Conquer where soe're they came.
215 He'd seen 'em fight when great
b Turenn lay dead. When Turenn was kill'd, the Scots Brigade stood the shock of the first Line of the German Army, with so much Resolution, that very much Recover'd the French out of the Surprize they were under for the Loss of their General.
Turenne lay dead,
216 He'd seen them follow where he
c Durst not lead! 'Twas Luxemberg's Post that Day, to have been with the advanc'd Troops, amongst which the Scots were posted; but he thought fit to get himself imploy'd elsewhere, which some said, was taken notice of in the Army, as if he thought the Service too Hot for him.
durst not lead;
217 He'd seen them fight when all the Army fled.
218 When wise
d Wise D. Lorge, who took upon him the Command of the Army at the Death of Turenn, obtain'd great Reputation by retreating the Army to an advantagious Post, while the extraordinary Bravery of the Scots, kept the whole German Army in play.
de Lorge to shun his own Defeat,
219 Under their Valour shelter'd his Retreat.
220 The experienc'd Hero, grave in War and State,
221 In this as sober, as in that sedate.
222 Advisd his Master, caution'd by his Fear,
223 To gain the Scots, or else decline the War.
224 Then view 'em under fifteen Years Recess,
225 Ranging thro' Europe to avoid the Peace.
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226 Battel and Death they make their chief Delight,
227 And in all Nations teach the World to fight.
228 Buda the dreadfull'st Siege the World ere saw,
229 What Hero's did the Fame of Danger Draw?
230
a Lesly. This was, Old Lesly, General of the Imperial Forces, and made Ban or Governour of Croatia by the Emperor, the same that burnt the Bridge of Esseck, and tho near 80 Years of Age, and tortur'd with the Gout, yet perform'd a great many desperate Services against the Turks during that War, and some of them in the Depth of Winter.
Lesly th' Old Croatian Ban appears,
231 And daring Scots led up the Volunteers.
232 What Actions pass't, let only such relate,
233 Who know how Men resolv'd to Conquer meet;
234 Never was Town with such strange Fury fill'd,
235 Such Deeds Victoria seldom has beheld;
236 Such Storms, such Fury, Flesh and Blood nere bore,
237 Nor Town was ever so maintain'd hefore;
238 The desp'rate Garrison disdain to Fear,
239 With their own slaughter'd Bones the Breach repair;
240 Contemning Mercy, they like Furies fight,
241 And just as fast as Life declin'd, submit.
242 What Streams of Blood must in such Fights be lost?
243 What Fatal Price must such a Conquest cost?
244 Life so bestow'd, is always sold too dear,
245 But VALIANT SCOTS, what Business had you here?
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246 With Noble Blood adorn'd, and blooming Years,
247 You were not made to storm like Musqueteers;
248 Scotland run too much venture in your Blood,
249 To have your Rate so little understood;
250 You had no desperate Fortunes there to raise
251 Your Names enough, you could not fight for Praise:
252 Then why so lavish, why so rashly brave?
253 To play away the Lives you ought to save;
254 Scotland has Sons indeed, but none to spare,
255 To furnish out the Shows and Sports of War;
256 You are her tenderest part which touch the whole,
257 And what lets out your Blood, lets out her Soul.
258 Pardon the
a Satyr's interrupting. 'Tis hop'd no Gentleman in Scotland will take this for a personal Satyr; but as I take Volunteering to be a Vice in War, as 'tis now practiz'd, where Men fit to lead Armies, serve as private Centinels, the Author hopes he may be excus'd in condemning the Practice as an Injury to their Native Countrey.
Satyrs interrupting here,
259 She owns, she hates this volunteering War,
260 When neither King nor Country to retrive,
261 The injur'd help, or the Oppress'd relieve,
262 Neither to gain Dominion, or to save;
263 Men die for nothing but the Fame of Brave.
264 So
b Foster hang'd himself. A foolish Fellow in England, who often talk'd of hanging himself, that he might have a fine Funeral, and at last did it, but whether upon that account or no, is not very certain.
Foster hang'd himself with deep Design,
265 Only to see himself be buried fine.
266 Hard Fate of Men, that only for a Name,'
267 Will in their own Destruction seek their Fame.
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268 That covet Dangers, and ride Post to die,
269 To live in Air, and WALK in Memory;
270 Vain Fame with high Fermented Vapour hot,
271 To be remember'd, strives to be forgot.
272 Wrap'd in his Jest, the bubbl'd Heroe dies,
273 Immortalizd in Mortal Memories,
274 Fill's up a Ballad, made too great in Rhime,
275 Is fabl'd into Tale, and dies again by Time.
276 And this for nothing, but to have it known,
277 He dy'd an ASS of very great Renown,
278 A forward Coxcomb, who in haste to dy,
279 Fought for he car'd not who, nor car'd not why.
280 One just Excuse indeed some few may give,
281 That die, because they can't tell how to live:
282 These shall in Pity 'scape our Censure here,
283 So Cowards dare not live, and hang themselves for Fear.
284 He's truly brave that Fights in Just Defence
285 Of Virtue press'd, of injur'd Innocence,
286 Himself, the Laws, his Neighbour, or his Prince;
287 Dares all the lawful Call's of Fate obey,
288 No Danger will decline, no Trust betray;
289 While he that heal's his Tortures in the War,
290 Own's he's a Coward, and only fights for Fear:
291 As for the Sport of Fighting, that's a Jest,
292 They talk of most, that understand it least.
293 Buda reduc'd, and Gallantry laid by,
294 Europe the Sweets of short liv'd Peace enjoy:
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295 Not the Recess of Arms can cool their Fire,
296 Quench't in the Act, they burn in the Desire;
297 Not Capuan Plenty, not luxuriant Ease,
298 The Man of Action's first and worst Disease,
299 Can Taint their Temper, quench their Thirst of Fame,
300 Or Rust the pollish'd splendor of their Name.
301 Their Arms may tarnish, but the Soul's kept bright,
302 For, spight of Practice, they by Nature fight;
303 Born Soldiers, fitted from the Birth for Fame,
304 Bodies all Iron, and their Souls all Flame.
305 The War revives, Bellona sounds to Arms,
306 The Scots by Nature ravish't with her Charms,
307 From their remotest Mountains hear the sound,
308 And Troops of Hero's spread Hibernian Ground;
309 With Native Fire and sense of Glory fill'd,
310 And wing'd with Joy, they rush into the Field.
311 In ev'ry Action that deserv'd a Name,
312 They shar'd the Hazard, others shar'd the Fame;
313 William with Pleasure often led 'em on,
314 They gave, they guarded, and they lov'd his Crown;
315 Smiling he view'd the Wonders of their Hands.
316 Happy the Gen'ral Troops like these Commands,
317 The gladded Monarch said,
317 when at Namure,
318 Ramsay fell on and mock'd the Gallick Power,
319 And emulating Nations wondring first gave o're.
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320 At Derry, Limrick, Agrim, or the Boyn,
321 Athlone, Namure, at Steenkirk, or Landen;
322 At all, their Hero's fought, at all they dy'd,
323 And latent Virtue want of Victory supply'd.
324 William, that Men of Courage lov'd t'obey,
325 How mourn'd he Douglass, Angus, and Mackay?
326 Too great a Loss for one unhappy Day.
327 A Loss that yielded France the Victory;
328 A Loss that none but Scotland could supply;
329 None had such to survive, or such to Dy.
330 Should we to recent Memory apply,
331 And trace the Scots in Modern History:
332 The present rising Glory of their Name,
333 Comes up to all that's ancient in their Fame.
334 At Schellemberg how could they choose but fight,
335 New Vigour swell'd their Nation at the sight;
336 The very Spot where
a Hepburn Storm'd before. The Scots in the King of Swedens Army beat John de Werth the Bavarian General, out of his Intrenchments at Schellembergh, where they had posted themselves almost upon the same Ground where the French and Bavarians were now Posted. Here Ramsey, and Rea, two Collonels of the Scots, according to the usual and particular Bravery of these two Ancient Families, entred the Intrenchments Sword in Hand, with a very great slaughter of the Enemy.
Hepburn Storm'd before,
337 And Conquering Scots, Imperial Standards tore.
338 Where Ramsey, Murray, Rhea, and Hamilton,
339 Like Lyons fought, the Swedes amaz'd lookt on,
340 And saw th' impregnable Intrenchments won.
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341 And now the Scots in Valour still the same,
342 Worthy the Race, and equal in their Flame,
343 With the same Fury, gain the same Applause,
344 The same the Courage, and the same the Cause:
345 The same the Circumstance, the same Success,
346 That great
a Gustavus saw. The Bavarians Complemented Gustavus Adolphus, on the taking the Intrenchments at Schellemberg, as a thing they thought impracticable; and the People of the Danawert say, it has been thirteen times Attack'd, and never was taken till then; which I take to be an equal Honour to the Scots Troops under the Duke of Marlborough, as to their Ancestors under the King of Sweden, these having a great share in the late Attack under the Command of Lord Orkney, as the other had under Collonel Hepburn.
Gustavus saw, great Marlbro' this.
347 Let future Poets Blenheims Trophies sing,
348 And Ramellies to Chime, with Leipsick bring;
349 There Orkney, Campbell, Hamilton, and Hay,
350 Shall match the Hero's, and shall match the Day.
351 To Times last Period hand their Nations Fame,
352 And ev'ry Ages Glory shall the next Enflame.
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PART III.

1 THeir Forreign Deeds are trac'd, and now we come,
2 To search the Fund of Fame that's left at Home;
3 A Thousand
a Kings. Alluding here to the ancient Figure, in which the Isle of Britain is generally supposed to be, when every Nobleman was a Sovereign upon his own Estate, some Marks of which Sovereignty are yet remaining, and within few Years past, were very visible in several of the Noble Families of Scotland, particularly in the Family of Douglass, who Pursued, fought, took Prisoner of War Sir William Hairis of Terriglis, for having withdrawn himself from his Vassalage or Dependence, & esteeming him as his own Servant, taken in Arms, where his Jurisdiction or Regality extended, upon his own Authority put him to Death. Godscross's History of the House of Douglass page 187. The same Earl of Douglass executed Justice upon Macklalane Tutor of Bumbee, Chief of his Name, & one of the Principal Houses in Galloway for Murdering one of his Servants, King James himself interceeded for him in vain.
Kings the mighty Land possess,
4 In Merit greater, tho' in Title less.
5 Kings in Command and in superiour Race,
6 And Virtue Ripens such for Crowns a pace.
7 Nobility of Blood, their Actions suit,
8 And Action here indents the Attribute;
9 Here Families in Lines of Virtue run,
10 The Father's Merit doubling in the Son.
11 The growing Honour forms a just Encrease,
12 First Crowns in War, and then Rewards in Peace.
13 Illustrious Blood with more illustrious Hand,
14 In proper Channels has been here retain'd:
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15 Th' Antiquity which other Nations boast,
16 Would here turn Modern, and in age be lost.
17 Scotland in Senior Glory will contend,
18 When lame Chronology with Age grows blind.
19 Here mighty Ancestors preserve their Stile,
20 From long Prescription, ancient as the Isle.
21 Not rais'd on Party Favour, Bribes and Fear,
22 Blood, Tyranny, Oppression, Theft and War;
23 Not raisd by strength OF FACE, or strength of Purse,
24 A Stock of Money, or a Stock that's worse;
25 But from the Youth of Time, their Names remain,
26 When Vertue only could that Fame obtain.
27 Back, further back than Story can relate,
28 When Infant Nations fix'd their Forms of State.
29 When Tricks of State and Court Intreague unknown,
30 No mighty Knave could Brother Villain Crown.
31 From Blood to Blood their Violence pursue,
32 First steal their Honours, then proclaim 'em due.
33 By Fraud and strong Oppressions Crowns obtain,
34 While those support the Frauds, and these the Reign;
35 Alternate Violences Fame supply,
36 The modern Fund of mean Nobility.
37 If there be any thing in Birth and Blood,
38 Or were Antiquity but understood;
39 If the old Trophies of our Fathers Fame,
40 When thoughts of Virtue burn, would fan the Flame;
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41 Make us their Steps of Dignity pursue,
42 And Ancient Honours would excite to new.
43 If any true Nobility remains,
44 And Virtue could by Blood possess the Veins.
45 Then let's no farther search the World in vain,
46 To Ancient Rome, and lost Records of Spain;
47 Nations in Barb'rous Hydra-mixtures rais'd,
48 And only by their own too partial Flatt'ries prais'd.
49 Fabii, Cornellii, and the Bruti yield
50 To Caledonian Tribes the Ancient Field.
51 Cummin, Duff, Donald, Strathern, Hay, and Keith,
52 And Names would run Fame's Trumpet out of Breath.
53 Their old Armorial Honours still retain,
54 While Rome in modern Lines contends in vain.
55 Nor has the Country lent her partial Fame,
56 And from her later Towns bestow'd the Name,
57 Not Towns the Names, but Names the Towns Command
58 And Families take Titles from the Land:
59 So Douglass, Mar and Southerland survive,
60 And not from Towns, but Provinces derive.
61 Kingdoms of old, who tho the Claim's laid down,
62 Yet in th' Antiquity they keep the Crown.
63 The Blood of Princes in their Race we see,
64 And modern Merit joins to old Nobility.
65 Blest are the Families that great in Blood,
66 Have thus their truest Honour understood,
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67 That on the Base of Vertue Built their Fame,
68 And join to that
a Lesser Praise. I know this word is objected against as ungrammatical, and therefore by some very carefully avoided in Verse, and by others, perhaps, too critically Censur'd; but as I have very good Authority for the word, I venture the Indignation of the Criticks, and anticipate their Observations, by referring them to the following Examples,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉prior〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉minor〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Which in English cannot be express'd by any other Word than what I here make use of, LESSER, which is form'd from the Comparative Less, exactly after the same manner.
lesser Praise their Name,
69 The only Just and truly great Design;
70 For Vertue helps Nobility to shine.
71 Then who shall search the long forgotten Roll,
72 Examine all the Parts, or Sum the whole,
73 Who shall the Impotence of Art supply,
74 Beyond the reach of Books or Heraldry?
75
b 'Tis hop'd the Gentlemen whose Names are included in these Lines, will not sind Fault with the Author for not observing Preceedency either in Dignity or Antiquity, the necessity of Rhime, Measure and Cadence being his just Excuse, and which he desires them to accept in that particular.
There Gordon, Lindsay, Crawford, Mar and Wems,
76 With Seaton, Ramsey, Cuninghame and Gra'ams,
77 Forbes, Ross, Murray, Bruce, Dunbar and Hume,
78 And Names for whom no Poet can make Room;
79 Remote in Birth, in Names and Honours known,
80 The Caledonian Glory through the World have show'n.
81 Where shall the Galick Trophies now appear?
82 The Ancient Belgae would look modern here.
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83 Not Mommerancy, not the great Nassau,
84 Could Ancestors like these, directly draw.
85 Douglass with Native Dignitys adorn'd,
86 Ancient beyond Record,
86 Records they scorn'd.
87 The World's the general
a Record. Here I make no question but to be animadverted upon for my different way of expressing the word Record, and changing the Quantity, making the Vowel long in the last Syllable of the first, and short in the last Syllable of the second. But for this, I have so good an Authority, that all Men will allow it sufficient to justifie me; being from such a Master of the Language as Buchannan himself, as follows. Dies tenētbras & tenebrae Dient,Buch. Ps. 19. ver. 2. l. 1.Which being the Verse call'd Dactilicus alchaicus, the second Foot is always Jambus, and the third and fourth Dactyli.
Record of their House,
88 When Histories are silent and abstruse.
89 The Fund of Families is in their Blood,
90 And the
b Fam'd Scoti. The Author of the History of the House of Douglass, tells us, That William Douglass, Grandchild to Sholto Douglass, was the Father of the Noble Family of the Scoti at Placenza in Italy. Fol. 5. And some say, That by a Marriage between a Branch of the said Family of Scoti, and some of the Ancient Line of the House of Mar in Scotland, was the Original of the Family of Marr-e-Scoti, a great and flourishing Family in Italy to this day.
Fam'd Scoti on their Shoulders stood,
91 A Race of Princes from their fruitful Stem,
92 Has been a living History to them.
93 Their Fame that's past, foretold their Fame to come,
94 They'r Dukes abroad before they'r Dukes at home.
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95 The Nation's willing Honours did afford,
96 And these cut out their. Glory by the Sword;
97 For 'twas the early Fortunes of their Blood,
98 To have their Worth both Crown'd and understood;
99 Princes by their strong Swords possest their Crowns,
100 And grateful France their Ancient Glory owns.
101 When Men are of true Merit first possest,
102 Justice prevails, the World supply's the rest.
103 For Characters will always suit Mens Deeds,
104 Honours will follow, when our Vertue leads.
105 The Mighty Branch that now supports the Race,
106 Ripens the blooming Stock for Fame apace,
107 With high instructing well directed Hand,
108 Shews him both how t'obey, and how Command,
109 By Just Example guides him to pursue,
110 And double all their Ancient Deed's with New.
111 Himself with steady hand the State directs,
112 Suppresses Factions, Liberty protects,
113 Scatters the threatning Clouds, prevents the Storms;
114 And gently al! mistaken Zeal reforms;
115 Backward to punish bears th' insulting Street,
116 Yet makes his Patience and his Justice meet:
117 And when their Pride his Government defies,
118 PITYS: For 'tis below him to despise.
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119 Great ANN'S Illustrious Scepter 'tis he sways,
120 And while he rules, Envy her self obeys;
121 Malice may swell, and wild Dislike appear,
122 But all their Spleen ferments into dispair:
123 Grovling they ly in Grief and Discontent,
124 Crusht by the Chariot Wheels of Government.
125 So Devils chaind, their Hate of Heaven express,
126 But as their Rage grows great, their Power grows less.
127 Campbells the modern Glory of this Isle,
128 Their doubling Fame's encreas't in great Argile;
129 Born to be great, to Noblest Blood ally'd,
130 He keeps the Honour, and abates the Pride,
131 For Action fitted, to the Wars inclin'd,
132 True Caledonian Courage swells his Mind;
133 Fitted his Country's Character to raise,
134 And by great Actions hand along her Praise.
135 Of ancient Stock, and long forgotten Race,
136 Nature has stamp'd their Glories in his Face.
137 The strong Impress of ev'ry manly Line
138 In Characters of Native Honour shine,
139 An Index of the brighter Soul within.
140 A Race to Caledonia always dear,
141 And on whose Blood her Liberties appear.
142 A Race to Honour, and their Countrey true,
143 They furnish'd Funds of Old, he heaps up stores of New.
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144 Nor shall weak prejudice debauch our Pen,
145 To flatter prosp'rous Fate, and guild the Crimes of Men
146 But undistinguish'd Virtue we'll rehearse,
147 For partial Praises are below our Verse.
148 Curst be that Party-spleen that shuts Men's Eyes,
149 From the just Merits of their Enemies;
150 That prepossess'd by Feud, denies Applause,
151 And dares not praise the Man without the Cause.
152 Where Honour claims it, Honour will be just,
153 And where Mens Actions praise 'em, all Men must.
154 Gordon, by Family and Fortune's great,
155 Tho' lost in Solitude and long Retreat,
156 Shall rise in Honour, as He's great in Mind,
157 Brave as the Roman, as the Christian kind,
158 A Gen'rous Enemy, a Faithful Friend.
159 Faction's below him, if he does dislike,
160 He always dares to show his Face, and strike;
161 Treason's a Stab ith' dark, that Man that's brave,
162 May show the En'my, cannot show the Knave.
163 The Hamiltons of old ally'd to Fame,
164 Illustrious in Blood, and more in Name;
165 In ancient Wars e're other Lines begun,
166 These had a length of tow'ring Fortunes run.
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167 Titles from
a Titles from France. The ancestors of this Noble Family obtain'd the Title of Duke of Chateas Reault in France; and by which Title they were known in Scotland, at the time of the Reformation.
France; from Sweden Wounds and Scars,
168 And batter'd Bones they bring from Belgick Wars;
169 Yet fraught with Honour, and rewards of Fame,
170 Honour revives, and Years increase the Flame.
171 Eight Noble Branches hand their Glory down,
172 Channels of Blood from Caledonia's Crown,
173 Each have large shares of Merit of their own.
174 Each in their proper Lines their Houses raise,
175 By Pers'nal and Hereditary Praise;
176 What Debt of Praise are to the Lesly's due?
177 Who shall their Family or Fame pursue?
178 The Bloody Steps no single Line can trace,
179 Nor Envy fetch'd from Hell, their History deface.
180 Born Gen'rals, all by Nature fram'd for War,
181 In ev'ry Battel's Front their Names appear;
182 The Swede, the Russ, and the Hungarians yield,
183 To them the willing Tribute of the Field;
184 From Esseck Bridge to mighty Astracan,
185 Their Terrors with the Barb'rous Crowds remain.
186 Grasted to this Old Stock, and to their Fame,
187 Leven adds Modern Glory to the Ancient Name;
188 Scotland depends on his experienc'd Hand,
189 Safe, Not in Armies, but in his Command.
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190 HE, young in Years, yet very old in Arms,
191 Guards her from Foreign or Domestick Harms,
192 His faithful Aids new vig'rous Life afford,
193 And boldly draws Hereditary Sword.
194 Stuart ancient as the Hills from which they sprung
195 The Mountains still do to the Name belong;
196 From hence they branch to ev'ry high Degree:
197 And Foreign Courts embrace the Progeny.
198 The rising Stem with thirst of Glory fir'd,
199 Not he to th'Crown, the Crown to him aspir'd;
200 His high attracting Fame the Nation drew,
201 They gave old Crowns, and Fate supply'd the new.
202 Thy Scepter Caledonia in their Hand,
203 First rais'd the real Glory of the Land;
204 And seven successive Branches held the Crown,
205 Till Britain vail'd, and made the Stuarts her own.
206 What Blood, what Wars, what strong convulsive Throws,
207 Britania fill'd with inbred Vapour knows?
208 How oft the interveening Hand of Blood,
209 Has their successive Happiness withstood?
210 Spread the dark Vail, let's hide the dismal Scene,
211 Let others paint the Horrid-draught, our Pen
212 Shall show the bright, and wish the rest unseen.
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213 ANN, the remaining Glory of the Race,
214 With unexampl'd Lustre fills the place,
215 Without their failings all their Virtue shares,
216 And Britains bright Imperial Joy prepares.
217 Blest be the Hour, blest that auspicious Reign
218 When ANN, the Stuarts last Glory, shall obtain
219 That Calm both Nations long have wish'd in Vain.
220 When Years of Rapine and Revenge shall cease,
221 And Feuds of Blood be lost in Floods of Peace;
222 Reserv'd for her, reserv'd to Crown the Line,
223 Sever'd too long, the listning Nations Joyn.
224 Nature directs, concurring Cause invites,
225 The Nations say Amen, and all of course Unites.
226 Then Party Hate and Border Spleen lay'd down,
227 Our Hearts shall first unite, and then the Crown;
228 Britain be one, one End and Interest view,
229 And hand in hand one Happiness pursue.
230 A Gallaxy of Worthies now appear,
231 And spread the Caledonian Hemisphere;
232 ROXBURGH enjoys the Curse of all mans Praise,
233 And TWEEDDALE adds trueLustre to the ancient HAYS,
234 Grave and sedate, he fill'd his Sovereign's Throne,
235 Maintain'd its Honour, and increas'd his own.
236 Montrose revives the Ancient Race of Gra'me,
237 From Time and Injury retrieves the Name,
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238 Lays all his Family Oppressions by,
239 And in his Countrey's Good, lets just Resentment dy;
240 In Scotlands Secret Council he presides,
241 With early Prudence every Action guides,
242 Sober, not dull, Pious, and not precise,
243 Grave, without Age, without Experience wise;
244 More thinking, more sedate than he appears,
245 And older in Understanding than in Years.
246 Glasgow adorns the Ancient Name of BOYL,
247 The Name's a constant Honour to the Isle,
248 A Name Britania always boasts to hear,
249 For Learning, Wisdom, Wealth and Character
250 Increas'd in England, and increasing here.
251 The God of Musick joins when COLVIL plays,
252 And all the Muses dance to HADDINGTONS Essays;
253 The Charms are mutual, piercing and compleat,
254 This in his Art excells, and that in Wit.
255 Seafield, and Marr, and Loudoun guide the State,
256 By Birth and Place, still more by Merit great.
257 No Malice can their Characters conceal,
258 But those direct the Sceptre, this the Seal.
259 The well instructed Pilots of the Realm
260 Who while just Queensberry steers, assist the Helm:
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261 With waking Cares they all surround the Throne,
262 Support the Well known burthens of the Crown;
263 Th' important Drudgery with Pleasure do,
264 Their Countrey's Safety, not their own, pursue.
265 Thro' Storms of Tumult and Distraction steer,
266 Not rais'd with Hope, and not supprest with Fear;
267 With Calm, but steady hand the Factions guide
268 At once, they yield to, and resist the Tide:
269 Wisely they calm the Feuds Weak Heads create,
270 And heal the wild Distempers of the State;
271 To every tender part their Hands apply,
272 And to the Mischiefs suit the Remedy;
273 True Patriot Principles their Minds possess,
274 Their Countrey them, and they their Countrey bless.
275 But their just Zeal to ANN's Immortal Throne,
276 Makes every Noble Character their own.
277 Nothing a Princes Wisdom more displays,
278 Than choice of Counsellors,
278 The double Praise.
279 Is always first the Monarchs, then their own,
280 First it illustrates, then supports the Throne.
281 But we'll no more pursue the mighty Train,
282 Whom to describe our Verse attempts in vain;
283 The Muses vail before the Illustrious Throng,
284 Too bright for Verse, too num'rous for our Song;
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285 Our Ancestors had merited in vain,
286 If our new steps did not their old maintain:
287 But as our Modern Virtue stands as high,
288 The present Worthies do the past supply;
289 A certain Pledge, our Name shall never dy.
290 And now with Just regard let's view the Fair,
291 Beauty can make no Breach of Union here;
292 Th' Equalities agree on either hand,
293 The Ladies no equivalent demand;
294 Nor will their Virtue be exhausted here,
295 But still the Sex their just Proportions bear:
296 Blest Mixture, equally Devout and Gay,
297 For Virtue only can both smile and pray.
298 No Scale of calculated Right will ly
299 Betwixt the Quantity and Quality;
300 England indeed the larger Roll may claim,
301 And English Beauty will preserve her Name;
302 But these the Merit equally divide,
303 Have all their Beauty, only want their Pride.
304 And now to Wonders turn your listning Ear,
305 Visit the Commonwealth of Learning here;
306 See how Apollo's Nurs'ry thrives, and how
307 Wit blooms in spight of Climat, Storms and Snow;
308 The Muses all laborious and severe,
309 Are Gard'ners bred, and work like Horses here;
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310 There Seeds of Science carefully they sow,
311 Here cultivate the Soil, to make 'em grow,
312 Plant, Prune, Inocculate, the Seasons tend,
313 And ev'ry fruitful Scyon to its Stock they bend.
314 See here how ev'ry Plant in order thrives,
315 And spight of Clime the tend'rest Blossom lives.
316 Here Epicks thick, as Groves of Laurel grow,
317 And strong Heroicks, plac'd in Walks below,
318 Lyricks and Pastorals in even Layes,
319 And Panygericks circled round with Bays,
320 There Knowledge grows, for Quantity and Kind,
321 The best, and best prepar'd t' instruct the Mind,
322 Temper'd with Modesty, 'tis set by
a Set by Zeal. Alluding to the Custom of Planting Rue and Sage together, which whether it be a vulgar Error or no, is, that the Rue is supposed to be effectual to keep Toads, and Venemous Creatures from the Sage.
Zeal
323 Fitted her rash Infections to repell.
324 Next this in constant Bloom's a Range of Wit,
325 And ev'ry day 'tis weeded of Conceit,
326 Kept thin, intrench'd, and never runs to seed,
327 But ripens gently in its flowry Bed;
328 For Wit's a Plant so apt to grow in haste,
329 It shakes the Root, and then decays as fast.
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330 Strong Sciences in pleasing Order stand,
331 With Borders of Philosophy on either hand.
332 These well reward the Lab'rers constant Toil,
333 Are nourish'd by, and yet improve the Soil.
334 But above all the Wonders of the Spot,
335 A simple, Men of Learning oft forgot,
336 In a small Border very cold and dry,
337 Here thrives that Tender Trifle, HONESTY;
338 Neglected Weed! from what strange Climate brought,
339 How seldom found, indeed, how seldom sought?
340 How do the easy World appear content
341 With spurious Kinds,
341 How very often vent
342 The False for True, and give their Sense the lye,
343 And make their Int'rest pass for Honesty?
344 Another Plant, but ah! how faint it grows?
345 Not that 'tis hurt by Climate, Frost, and Snows;
346 But as if Nature suffer'd strong Decay,
347 It withers every where, and dies away.
348 FRIENDSHIP!
348 The nicest Plant that ever grew,
349 Talk'd of by many, understood by few.
350 It's only Help is Honesty, and where
351 That thrives, it gets some Strength; but's very rare,
352 By Weeds of Self and Jealousie ore'run,
353 'Tis choak'd for want of Air, and shaded from the Sun.
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354 But who shall now the thriving Plants describe,
355 The Ever-greens, that quickning June imbile,
356 And furnish new Recruits to Levi's Tribe?
357 Sons of the Prophets at Gamaliel's Feet,
358 Who extract Learning, then refin't to wit,
359 By the laborious Lymbeck of the Brain,
360 Condense the Sp'rit, and let the Humid parts remain,
361 No loytring Sing-song Muses trifle here,
362 Weaving THIN FANCY into Webs of Air;
363 But here they Wed the Sciences for Wives,
364 And beat like Hemp at Bridewell for their Lives:
365 Th' Enquirers here to Ida's Top aspire,
366 Parnassus coolest Springs, can only quench their Fire.
367 To Learning's highest Pinacles attain,
368 By strong assiduous Travel of the Brain,
369 Ravish the Muses, in their Deeps delight,
370 And learn with the same Fury as they fight;
371 To curious search, to things, and Books so prest,
372 The Ancients or the Moderns find no rest,
373 Till Universal Knowledge fills the Mind,
374 And all the Soul's from Dross, and Ignorance refin'd.
375 Hence they to ev'ry strong Attainment reach,
376 And what they learn so well, as well they teach;
377 In ev'ry Art, in ev'ry Science grow,
378 Not proud of knowing, but are proud to know.
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379 Push to a Vice the Lust of doing well,
380 And in whate're they Practise they excell.
381 Humes and Da'rymples here adorn the Law,
382 With steady Justice,
382 Neither drive nor draw
383 But with the Head inform'd, and Hand upright,
384 Give every Cause its own impartial Weight,
385 In every Branch of Learning here they rise,
386 Nothing too high they fear, too low despise,
387 In every Science, every Just Extreme,
388 Men of Perfection may be found with them.
389 The Laws in Mists and Darkness they make clear,
390 And Physick thrives in spight of wholsome Air,
391 Pharmacopaea, void of simples, Lives,
392 And Surgery in barren Practice thrives,
393 Philosophy meer simple Knowledge vents,
394 Rather by Nature than Experiments.
395 Musick in spight of Discord, charms the Ear,
396 And Jarring Parties break no Consort here.
397 Thus blest with Art, enricht with Heads and Hands,
398 Producing Seas, and more productive Lands;
399 The Climate sound, the People prompt and strong;
400 Why is her Happiness delay'd so long?
401 Why with such Patience, and so long endure,
402 Distempers Prudence could so quickly cure?
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403 Why still on Natures Common Bounty live?
404 And why so soon content with what She'll give?
405 For where Contentment makes Endeavour less,
406 'Tis then a Vice, and not a Happiness.
407 So the
a Prov. The Sluggard would not pull his Hand out of his Bosom to put it to his Mouth.
fam'd sluggard starv'd, and reason good,
408 For want of feeding, not for want of Food;
409 Bear the Reproof, the fruitful Climate's known,
410 Not Heaven or Nature blame, the Fault's your own;
411 The Earth Adapt to bear, the Air, the Sea,
412 All fruitful, all to Plenty show the way;
413 No Barrenness, but in your Indust'ry.
414 'Tis Blasphemy to say the Climates curst,
415 Nature will ne're be fruitful till she's forc't;
416 'Twas made her Duty from her first Decay,
417 The sweating Brow alone, and labouring hand t' obey,
418 And these she never does, nor dares deny.
419 And yet this Sloth is not their proper Crime,
420 'Tis due to Poverty, and that to Time.
421 Hail SLOTH and POVERTY from Stygian Air,
422 Ushers to Death, and Handmaids to Despair.
423 Strange Birth, themeer Perfection of a Curse,
424 That find Men Mis'rable, and make them worse,
425 Of ill connected self ingendring Birth,
426 First circulate themselves, and then the Earth;
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427 Infernal Harmony of Causes make,
428 And in true Circles of Distress they walk,
429 Vile Sloth and Poverty of Spurious Breed,
430 Neither from Heaven or Earth, but of themselves proceed,
431 Begot in Life, by long degenerate Time,
432 'Twixt Stagnate Vertue, and Impregnate Crime.
433 'Twin Monsters neither Seed nor Offspring kno',
434 But concreate, by meer Succession flow.
435 No proper source, but from themselves they find,
436 And by supine Infusions reach the Mind.
437 All Natures Rules by their own Power reject,
438 And are themselves the Cause, themselves th' Effect;
439 Th' alternate Misery ne're leaves the Door,
440 But Poverty makes Sloth, and Sloth makes poor,
441 Unnatural Mixtures form the gendring Pair,
442 Alternately they both beget and bare.
443 No Proper Seeds of Life, or living show,
444 They'r born in Death, and in Consumptions grow;
445 Superior Witchcraft forms the dismal Race,
446 And Devils unknown below', connect the Face.
447 The unhappy Wretch, when Hag-rid and possest,
448 The Crimes are in his Countenance confest.
449 A sanguine Pale and drooping brightness shine,
450 This always Saturnine, and that supine,
451 Joyn'd hand in hand, they living Death display,
452 And Life in full perfection of Decay.
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453 No Misery's so great, but they make worse,
454 Each others Beeing, and each others Curse.
455 They mingle Death with every punct of Time,
456 And only in Destruction are sublime;
457 Slow Poisons which no Antidote can cure,
458 Lingring in Life and in Destruction sure;
459 Potent in strength their strong Dominions grow,
460 Not Men but Nations they can overthrow.
461 Wake Scotland from thy long Lethargic Dream,
462 Seem what thou art, and be what thou shalt seem,
463 Shake off the Poverty, the sloth will dy,
464 Success alone can quicken Industry.
465 No more the bondage of reproach endure,
466 Or bear those Harms thou canst so quickly cure.
467 To Land Improvement and to Trade apply,
468 They'l plentifully pay thine Industry.
469 The barren Muirs shall weighty sheaves bestow,
470 Th' uncultivated Vales rich Pastures show,
471 The Mountains Flocks and Herds in stead of Snow.
472 Natures a Virgin very Chast and coy,
473 To Court her's nonsence, if ye will enjoy,
474 She must be ravish't,
474 When she's forc't she's free,
475 A perfect Prostitute to Industry;
476 Freely she opens to th' Industrious hand,
477 And pays them all the Tribute of the Land.
[Page 60]
478 The strong labourious Head she Can't Deny,
479 She's only Backward where they won't apply.
480 Here fruitful Hills, and there the Flowry Plain,
481 Deep undiscov'rd Funds of wealth contain.
482 The Silver Veins and vast Mettallick store,
483 Forbid to call her wildest Mountains poor.
484 The Mines of Lead, of Copper, and of Coal,
485 Enrich the several parts, those parts the whole.
486 Nothing remains to make her Wealth compleat,
487 But that her right Hand and her left may meet.
FINIS.

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Title (in Source Edition): CALEDONIA, A POEM, &c.
Author: Daniel Defoe
Themes: Scotland
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Source edition

Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731. Caledonia: &c. A poem in honour of Scotland, and the Scots nation. In three parts. Edinburgh: printed by the heirs and successors of Andrew Anderson, anno Dom., 1706, pp. 1-60. [10],60p.; 2⁰. (ESTC T55494; Foxon D90-91; OTA K049443.000)

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