Was chofen fittest to improve From rushy tufts the pleasing grove, Since earth's foundation to our present day Now, evenly planted, hedg'd, and drain'd, Round the green Circus of delight; Which fhall by ripening time ftill fweeter grow, And Hope be fam'd while Scotsmen draw the bow. Ah! while I fing, the northern air, Thro' gore and carnage gives offence; Carriage from thence but small expence; The useful corporation too would find, By working there, more health and ease of mind. Then fweet our northern flow'rs would blow, And from the lake a field be gain'd: Where on the spring's green margin by the dawn, Our maids might wash, and blanch their lace and lawn. Forbid 1 Forbid a nafty pack to place On ftalls unclean their herbs and roots, On the high street a vile difgrace, And tempting to our infant race To fwallow poison with their fruits *. Give them a station where less spoil'd and feen, The healthful herbage may keep fresh and clean. Befides, they straiten much our street, When those who drive the hack and dray, Mortal our hazard every way : Too oft the ag'd, the deaf, and little fry, Clean order yields a vast delight, And geniuses that brightest shine Prefer * With the more freedom fome thoughts in these stanzas are advanced, because several citizens of the best thinking, both in and out of the magiftracy, incline to, and have fuch views, if they were not oppofed by fome of grofs old-fashioned notions. Such will tell you, "O! the street of Edinburgh is "the finest garden of Scotland." And how can it otherwise be, confidering how well it is dunged every night! But this abuse we hope to fee reformed foon, when the cart and warning-bell fhall leave the lazy flattern without excufe, after ten at night. Prefer the pleasure of the fight Juftly, to theirs who day and night Sink health and active thought in wine. Happy the man that 's clean in house and weed, Tho' water be his drink, and oats his bread. Kind Fate! on them whom I admire, With friends that all his thoughts may fhare; A house in Edinburgh, when the fullen storm Defaces nature's joyous fragrant form. O! may we hope to see a stage, And cultivate the growing man; And fhew the virgin every proper grace, Nor, will the most devout oppofe, argues not, when right, to be refus'd. Thus, 1 Thus, what our fathers' wafting blood Of old from the South Britons won, When Scotland reach'd to Humber's flood, We shall regain by arts lefs rude, And bring the best and fairest down From England's northern counties, nigh as far Distant from court as we of Pictland are. Thus far, infpir'd with honeft zeal, These thoughts are offer'd, with fubmiffion, By your own bard, who ne'er shall fail The interest of the common-weal, While you indulge and grant permiffion To your oblig'd, thus humbly to rehearse His honest and well-meaning thoughts in verse. 1728. 'TO ALEXANDER MURRAY OF BROUGHTON, ON HIS MARRIAGE. 'Tis conquering love can move And honour'd worth, receives a mate from Heaven. And make your life flow smooth. The general voice approves your choice, All fentiments agree, With fame allow'd, that fhe 's a good Branch fprung from a right tree. Long may the graces of her mind delight Your foul, and long her beauties bless your fight! May the bright guard who love reward, With man recoin'd again, In offspring fair, make her their care, In hours of joyful pain! And |