Of the green earth, to distant barbarous climes, Rivers unknown to song; where first the sun Gilds Indian mountains, or his setting beam Flames on th' Atlantic isles; 'tis naught to me: Since GOD is ever present, ever felt, In the void waste as in the city full; And where HE vital breathes there must be joy. Myself in Him, in Light ineffable! Come then, expressive Silence muse HIS praise. I NDO LE VEE. "It was not by vile loitering in ease In all supreme! complete in every part! And o'er the nations shook her conquering dart: "Had unambitious mortals minded nought, No arts had made us opulent and gay; With brother-brutes the human race had graz'd; None e'er had soar'd to fame, none honor'd been, none prais'd. ALLAN RAMSAY. 1686-1758. ALLAN RAMSAY was born in the village of Leadhills, Lanarkshire, where his father held the situation of manager of Lord Hopeton's mines. At fifteen he was put apprentice to a wig-maker in Edinburgh. In 1712 he married and commenced the more congenial business of book-selling. In 1725 appeared his pastoral drama of the Gentle Shepherd. It was received with universal approbation, and was republished both in London and Dublin. It is by far the best of Ramsay's works, and perhaps the finest pastoral drama in the world. It is a genuine picture of Scottish life, but of life passed in simple, rural employments, apart from the guilt and fever of large towns, and reflecting only the pure and unsophisticated emotions of our nature. PATIE AUD ROGER. (FROM THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.) BENEATH the south side of a craigy beild. Where crystal springs their halesome waters yield, Tenting their flocks ae bonny morn of May. Poor Roger granes, till hollow echoes ring; But blyther Patie likes to laugh an' sing Patie. This sunny morning, Roger, cheers my blood, And puts all nature in a jovial mood. How heartsome it's to see the rising plants! To hear the birds chirm o'er their pleasing rants! And a' the sweets it bears, when void o' care! Roger. I'm born, O Patie, to a thrawart fate! |