By far my elder brother in the Muses, VERSES INTENDED TO BE WRITTEN BE- WHOSE is that noble, dauntless brow? And whose that generous princely mien Stranger, to justly shew that brow, Would take His hand, whose vernal tints Bright as a cloudless summer sun, Among the illustrious Scottish sons THE AMERICAN WAR. A FRAGMENT. WHEN Guildford good our pilot stood, And did our helm thraw, man, Ae night, at tea, began a plea, Then up they gat the maskin'-pat, 1 turn quarrel tea-pot Then through the lakes Montgomery takes, And Carleton did ca', man; dash drive before him what matters 1 General Richard Montgomery invaded Canada, autumn 1775, and took Montreal, the British commander, Sir Guy Carleton, retiring before him. In an attack on Quebec he was less fortunate, being killed by a storm of grape-shot in leading on his men at Cape Diamond. 2 Lowrie's Burn, a pseudonyme for the St. Lawrence. 3 A passing compliment to the Montgomeries of Coilsfield, the patrons of the poet. 1 Poor Tammy Gage, within a cage, Wi' sword and gun he thought a sin 3 Burgoyne gaed up, like spur and whip, Then lost his way, ae misty day, In Saratoga shaw, man. Cornwallis fought as lang's he dought, But Clinton's glaive frae rust to save, Then Montague, and Guildford too, And Sackville dour, wha stood the stoure, knoll wood could sword obdurate dust 1 General Gage, governor of Massachusetts, was cooped up in Boston by General Washington during the latter part of 1775 and early part of 1776. In consequence of his inefficiency, he was replaced in October of that year by General Howe. 2 General Howe removed his army from New York to Philadelphia in the summer of 1777. 3 Alluding to a razzia made by orders of Howe at Peekskill, March 1777, when a large quantity of cattle belonging to the Americans was destroyed. The German Chief to thraw, man: thwart loosed Then Rockingham took up the game, Saint Stephen's boys, wi' jarring noise, And bore him to the wa', man.1 Then clubs and hearts were Charlie's cartes, On Chatham's boy did ca', man; cheers 1 Lord North's administration was succeeded by that of the Marquis of Rockingham, March, 1782. At the death of the latter in the succeeding July, Lord Shelburne became prime minister, and Mr. Fox resigned his secretaryship. Under his lordship, peace was restored, January, 1783. By the union of Lord North and Mr. Fox, Lord Shelburne was soon after forced to resign in favor of his rivals, the heads of the celebrated Coalition. 2 Fox's famous India Bill, by which his ministry was brought to destruction, December, 1783. And Scotland drew her pipe, and blew, "Up, Willie, waur them a', man ! وو Behind the throne then Grenville's gone, A secret word or twa, man; While slee Dundas aroused the class, Be-north the Roman Wa', man: vanquish And Chatham's wraith, in heavenly graith, armor (Inspired bardies saw, man,) Wi' kindling eyes cried: "Willie, rise! But, word and blow, North, Fox, and Co., struck Till Suthron raise, and coost their claise cast off Behind him in a raw, man ; And Caledon threw by the drone, And did her whittle draw, man; And swoor fu' rude, through dirt and blood, knife 1 In the new parliament called by Mr. Pitt, after his accession to office, in the spring of 1784, amidst the many new members brought in for his support, and that of the king's prerogative, there was an exceeding proportion from Scotland. |