CHIEFLY IN THE SCOTTISH DIALECT. BY ROBERT BURNS.. (FROM THE LATEST EUROPEAN EDITION) TWO VOLUMES IN ONE.. PHILADELPHIA: FRINTED BY PATTERSON & COCHRAN, A My Lords, and Gentlemen, SCOTTISH Bard, proud of the name, and whofe highest ambition is to fing in his country's fervice, where fhall he so 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?--The poetic genius of my country found me, as the bard Elijah did Elisha-at the plough; prophetic threw her infpiring mantle over me. She and e fing the loves, the joys, the rural bade scenes and rural pleasures of my native foil, in my native tongue: I tuned my wild, artless notes, as the infpired.-She whispered me to come to this ancient metropolis of Caledonia, and lay my fongs 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 stile of dedication, to thank you for past favours; that path is so hackneyed by proftituted learning, that honeft rufticity is afhamed of it. Nor do I prefent this addrefs with the venal foul of a fervile author, looking for a continuation of those favours: I was bred to the Plough, and am independent. I come to claim the 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 still runs uncontaminated; and that from your courage, knowledge, and public spirit, she may expect protection, wealth, and liberty.-In the laft place, I come to proffer my warmeft wishes. to the Great Fountain of Honour, the Monarch of the Univerfe, for your welfare and happiness.. When you go forth to waken the echos, in the ancient and favourite amufement of your forefathers, may pleasure ever be of your party; and may focial-joy await your return! When haraffed in courts or camps with the justlings of bad men and bad measures, may the honeft con sciousness of injured worth attend your return to your native feats; and may domestic happiness, with a smiling welcome, meet you at your gates! May corruption fhrink at your kindling indignant glance; and may tyranny in the ruler, and licentiousness in the people, equally find in you an inexorable foe! I have the honour to be, With the fincerest gratitude and MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, |