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DEDICATION

Of the Second Edition of the Poems formerly printed.

TO THE

NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN

OF THE

CALEDONIAN HUNT.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

A Scottish Bard, proud of the name, and whose highest ambition is to sing in his Country's service-where shall he so properly look for patronage as to the illustrious 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 prophetic bard Elijah did Elisha-at the PLOUGH; and threw her inspiring mantle over me. She bade me sing the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures of my native soil, in my native tongue: I tuned my wild, artless notes, as she inspired. 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 usual style of dedication, to thank you for past favours: that path

VOL. III.

b

is

is so hackneyed by prostituted learning, that honest rusti-
city is ashamed of it. Nor do I present this Address with
the venal soul of a servile Author, looking for a conti-
nuation of those favours: I was bred to the plough, and
am independent. I come to claim the common Scottish
name with you, my illustrious Countrymen; and to tell
the world that I glory in the title. I come to congratu-
late 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 last place, I come to proffer
my warmest wishes to the Great Fountain of Honour, the
Monarch of the Universe, for your welfare and happiness.

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