The Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral Comedy Part 9

Nun, sober and devout! why art thou fled, To hide in shades thy meek contented head?

Virgin of aspect mild! ah! why, unkind, Fly'st thou, displeas'd, the commerce of mankind?

O! teach our steps to find the secret cell, Where, with thy sire, Content, thou lov'st to dwell.

Or say, dost thou, a duteous handmaid, wait Familiar at the chambers of the great?

Dost thou pursue the voice of them that call To noisy revel, and to midnight ball?

O'er the full banquet when we feast our soul, Dost thou inspire the mirth, or mix the bowl?

Or, with th' industrious planter dost thou talk, Conversing freely in an evening walk?

Say, does the miser e'er thy face behold, Watchful and studious of the treasur'd gold?

Seeks Knowledge, not in vain, thy much lov'd pow'r, Still musing silent at the morning hour?

May we thy presence hope in war's alarms, The Statesman's wisdom, or the Fair-one's charms?

In vain our flatt'ring hopes our steps beguile, The flying good eludes the searcher's toil: In vain we seek the city or the cell, Alone with Virtue knows the Pow'r to dwell.

Nor need mankind despair these joys to know, The gift themselves may on themselves bestow.

Soon, soon we might the precious blessing boast, But many pa.s.sions must the blessing cost; Infernal Malice, inly pining Hate, And Envy, grieving at another's state: Revenge no more must in our hearts remain, Or burning l.u.s.t, or Avarice of gain.

When these are in the human bosom nurst, Can Peace reside in dwellings so accurst?

Unlike, O EGLINTOUN! thy happy breast, Calm and serene enjoys the heavenly guest; From the tumultuous rule of pa.s.sions free'd, Pure in thy thought, and spotless in thy deed: In virtues rich, in goodness unconfin'd, Thou shin'st a fair example to thy kind; Sincere and equal to thy neighbour's fame, How swift to praise, but how averse to blame!

Bold in thy presence bashful Sense appears, And backward Merit loses all its fears.

Supremely blest by Heav'n, Heav'n's richest grace, Confest is thine, an early blooming race; Whose pleasing smiles shall guardian Wisdom arm, Divine Instruction! taught of thee to charm: What transports shall they to thy soul impart, (The conscious transports of a parent's heart) When thou behold'st them of each grace possest, And sighing youths imploring to be blest!

After thy image form'd, with charms like thine, Or in the visit, or the dance to shine: Thrice happy! who succeed their mother's praise, The lovely EGLINTOUNS of future days.

Meanwhile peruse the following tender scenes, And listen to thy native Poet's strains: In ancient garb the home-bred muse appears, The garb our Muses wore in former years: As in a gla.s.s reflected, here behold How smiling goodness look'd in days of old: Nor blush to read where beauty's praise is shown, And virtuous love, the likeness of thy own; While, 'midst the various gifts that gracious Heaven, Bounteous to thee, with righteous hand has given, Let this, O EGLINTOUN! delight thee most, T' enjoy that Innocence the world has lost.

W. H.

TO

JOSIAH BURCHET, ESQ.,

SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY,

WITH THE FIRST SCENE OF THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.

The nipping frosts, the driving snaw, Are o'er the hills and far awa'; Bauld Boreas sleeps, the Zephyres blaw, And ilka thing Sae dainty, youthfou, gay, and bra', Invites to sing.

Then let's begin by creek of day, Kind muse skiff to the bent away, To try anes mair the landart lay, With a' thy speed, Since BURCHET awns that thou can play Upon the reed.

Anes, anes again beneath some tree Exert thy skill and nat'ral glee, To him wha has sae courteously, To weaker sight, Set these[57] rude sonnets sung by me In truest light.

[Footnote 57: _To weaker sight, set these_, &c.] Having done me the honour of turning some of my pastoral poems into English, justly and elegantly.]

In truest light may a' that's fine In his fair character still shine, Sma' need he has of sangs like mine To beet his name; For frae the north to southern line, Wide gangs his fame.

His fame, which ever shall abide, Whilst hist'ries tell of tyrants pride, Wha vainly strave upon the tide T' invade these lands, Where Britain's royal fleet doth ride, Which still commands.

These doughty actions frae his pen,[58]

Our age, and these to come, shall ken, How stubborn navies did contend Upon the waves, How free-born Britons faught like men, Their faes like slaves.

[Footnote 58: _Frae his pen._] His valuable Naval History.]

Sae far inscribing, Sir, to you, This country sang, my fancy flew, Keen your just merit to pursue; But ah! I fear, In giving praises that are due, I grate your ear.

Yet tent a poet's zealous pray'r; May powers aboon, with kindly care, Grant you a lang and muckle skair Of a' that's good, Till unto langest life and mair You've healthfu' stood.

May never care your blessings sowr, And may the muses, ilka hour, Improve your mind, and haunt your bow'r; I'm but a callan: Yet may I please you, while I'm your Devoted _Allan_.

THE PERSONS.

MEN.

SIR WILLIAM WORTHY.

PATIE, the Gentle Shepherd, in love with Peggy.

ROGER, a rich young shepherd, in love with Jenny.

SYMON, } two old shepherds, tenants to Sir William.

GLAUD, } BAULDY, a hynd engaged with Neps.

WOMEN.

PEGGY, thought to be Glaud's niece.

JENNY, Glaud's only daughter.

MAUSE, an old woman, supposed to be a witch.

ELSPA, Symon's wife.

MADGE, Glaud's sister.

SCENE.--A Shepherd's Village, and Fields some few miles from Edinburgh.

_Time of Action within twenty hours._

First act begins at eight in the morning.

Second act begins at eleven in the forenoon.

Third act begins at four in the afternoon.

Fourth act begins at nine o'clock at night.

Fifth act begins by day light next morning.

THE

GENTLE SHEPHERD.