Ramsay, Allan (1684-1758)

To the same [Mr. Donald Macewen], on receiving a Present from him of a Seal, Homer's Head finely cut in Crystal, and set in Gold.

1728

"Your Present's most gentile and kind, / Baith rich and shining as your Mind"

Thanks to my frank ingenious Friend;
    Your Present's most gentile and kind,
Baith rich and shining as your Mind;
    And that immortal laurell'd Pow,
Upon the Gem sae well design'd
  And execute, sets me on Low.

  The heavenly Fire inflames my Breast,
Whilst I unweary'd am in quest
Of Fame, and hope that Ages niest
    Will do their Highland Bard the Grace,
Upon their Seals to cut his Crest,
    And blythest Strakes of his short Face.

  Far less great Homer ever thought
(When he, harmonious Beggar! sought
His bread throu' Greece) he should be brought,
    Frae Russia's Shore by Captain[1] Hugh,
To Pictland Plains, sae finely wrought
    On precious Stone, and set by you.

Writing::Seal

Searching "rule" and "reason" in HDIS (Poetry)

At least 10 entries in ECCO and ESTC (1728, 1731, 1733, 1751, 1760, 1761, 1770, 1780, 1793, 1797).

See Poems by Allan Ramsay (1721, 1723, 1728, 1731, 1733, 1751, 1760, 1761, 1770, 1797, 1800), and Poems on Several Occasions (1776, 1780, 1793, 1794).

Text from The Works of Allan Ramsay, eds. Burns Martin and John W. Oliver, et. al (London and Edinburgh: Printed by William Blackwood & Sons, 1944-1973).

06/22/2004