Though by His wisdom and unrivalled might, Though earth unfolded then unknown to blight, None from immortal Reason's hallowed light Hence to supply in being's endless chain With conscious innocence supremely blessed— Who then amid the joys ecstatic there This consummated, the stupendous whole Harmonious, owning all the grand control Hence passed the sixth in rapture thus away— A SCOLD. VER galling, bawling, brawling Ever fretting, hating, fating, Cursing all from morn to night. Ever mumbling, grumbling, stumbling Fiendish on my corny toes— Ever ready, greedy, speedy Every failing to expose. Ever trying, lying, flying Imp of darkness, reckless fury, Living bane of every pleasure, TO THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONERS OF COLDSTREAM. 'OST honoured, most illustrious band, May a' that's guid ye aye attend, Ye're weel deservin 't. Our hand-waled few wha Caldstream mense, The cream o' a' her wit and sense, To flattery I hae nae pretence, Nor irony; Sae Heaven forbid ye e'er offence Should tak at me. I spurn, I hate them, and abhor, I'll still maintain, damn and deplore I glory in extolling merit, And aye where praise is due confer it; A public, independent spirit, Ye will allow, Is just what rulers should inherit, And farther, to adorn your station, Lest sic a dizzy elevation Should turn your head. But, please your honours, dinna fear, As oracles, baith far and near, Ye shine fu' braw; But wi' a double lustre here, Anent the law. Frae beds the finest marble torn, E'en diamonds frae Golconda borne, The purest gold that can adorn The monarch's crown, To art their charms they owe in turn; But vain for genius formal rules- As Nature's counterfeits and fools, To rack your brains. O why attempt the snaw to whiten, And wondrous silly, To try the rainbow's tints to brighten, Wi' double reverence be it spoken, Cursed be the wretch that daurs to mock on, Has Caldstream no had every token, I need na hint it, That you by Nature, without jokin', Aff hand were minted? But wae's me!-damn ingratitude,- |