Uncollected

Summary

To the Most Happy Members of the Easy Club, 1712

Were I but a prince or king,

I’d advance ye, I’d advance ye;

Were I but a prince or king,

So highly's I’d advance ye.

Great sense and wit are ever found

’Mong you always for to abound,

Much like the orbs that still move round,

No ways constrain’d, but easy.

Were I, &c.

Most of what's hid from vulgar eye,

Even from earth's center to the sky,

Your brighter thoughts do clearly spy,

Which makes you wise and easy.

Were I, &c.

Apollo's self unknown attends,

And in good humour re-ascends

The forkt Parnassus, and commends

You for being blythe and easy.

Were I, &c.

All faction in the church or state,

With greater wisdom still you hate,

And leave learn’d fools these to debate;

Like rocks in seas ye’re easy.

Were I, &c.

May all you do successful prove,

And may you never fall in love

With what's not firm for your behoof,

Or may make you uneasy.

Were I, &c.

I love ye well — O! let me be

One of your blythe society,

And, like yourselves, I’ll strive to be

Ay humorous and Easy.

Were I, &c.

On Andrew Brown Hanging Himself

Now what could be the carl's drift

to which auld Nick lent him a lift

Unless it were a wylie shift

To hain his bread

Now he’ll eat nane and that is thrift

Since he is dead

How coud the fallow be sa daft

to tye himsell up to the laft

at's awn bed fit, where he sa aft…

By heaven's it was cursedly uncivil

In a bout to prove his fathers Rivall

And then in Rage without Reprivall

his sire to send

with Cords down headlong to the devill

Oh fatall end

here be thou seiz’d with plague and pox

Even hell account thee heterodox

Just heaven inflict most grievous stro[kes]

Till thou perpends

thy sire below needs make no clocks

Where time nere ends

Cauld be your cast who curst your dad

May fleas ay bite you i’ your bed

be drawn when hanged in a sled

to gallow lee

After curst sauls to pluto fled

there ay hing ye.