CHIEFLY IN THE SCOTTISH DIALECT. BY ROBERT BURN S. IN TWO VOLUMES. THEC VOL. I. BELFAST: PRINTED BY WILLIAM MAGEE, BRIDGE-STREET. M,DCC,XCIII. 280. n. 495. TO THE NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CALEDONIAN HUNT. My Lords and Gentlemen, A SCOTTISH Bard, proud of the name, and whofe highest ambition is to fing in his Country's fervice, where all he fo properly look for patronage as to the illuftrious Names of his Native Land; those who bear the honours and inherit the virtues of their Ancestors? A 2 、 Ancestors?The Poetic Genius of my Country found me as the prophetic bard Elijah did Elifba-at the plough; and threw her infpiring mantle over me. She bade me fing the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures of my natal Soil, in my native tongue: I tuned my wild, artless notes, as fhe infpired She whispered me, to come to this ancient metropolis of Caledonia, and lay my Songs under your honoured protection: I now obey her dictates. Though much indebted to your goodness, I do not approach you, my Lords and Gentlemen, in the ufual file of dedication, to` thank you for past favours; that path is fo hackneyed by profituted Learning, that honeft Rufticity is afkamed of it.-Nor do I prefent this Addrefs with the venal foul of a fervile Author, looking for a continuation of thofe favours: I was bred to the Plough, and am independant. I come to claim the common common Scottish name with you, my illuftrious Countrymen; and to tell the world that I glory in the title.-I come to congratulate my Country, that the blood of her ancient heroes fill runs uncontaminated; and that from your courage, knowledge, and public Spirit, She may expect protection, wealth, and liberty. In the last place, I come to proffer my warmest wishes to the Great Fountain of Honour, the Monarch of the Univerfe, for your welfare and happiness. - When you go forth to waken the Echoes, in the ancient and favourite amufement of your forefathers, may Pleafure ever be of your party; and may Social-joy await your return! When harraffed in courts or camps with the juftlings of bad men and bad meafures, may the honeft confciousness of injured Worth attend your return to your return to your native Seats, and may Demelic Happiness, with a Smiling welcome, meet you at your gates! May A 3 Corruption: |
