The first Muse.
Now must I mourne for Gall, since he is gone,
And yee my Gabions help me him to mone;
And in your courses sorrow for his sake,
Whose matchlesse Muse immortall did you make.
5Who now shall pen your praise, and make you known?
By whom now shall your vertues be forth-shown?
Who shall declare your worth? Is any able?
Who dar to meddle with Apelles table?
Ai me there's none: And is there none indeed?
10Then must yee mourne of force, there's no remeed:
And I, for my part, with you in my turne
Shall keep a dolefull consort whilst ye mourne:
And thus, with echoing voice, shall houle and cry,
Gall, sweetest Gall, what ailed thee to die?
15How can I choose but mourne? when I think on
Our games Olympike-like in times agone;
Chieflie wherein our cunning we did try,
And matchlesse skill in noble archerie;
In these our dayes when archers did abound
20In Perth (then famous for such pastime found.)
Amongst the first for archers we were known,
And in that art our skil was lowdly blown;
What time Perths credit did stand with the best
And bravest archers, this land hath possest.
25We spar'd nor gaines, nor paines for to report
To Perth the worship, by such noble sport:
Witnesse the links of Leith, where Cowper, Grahame,
And Stewart win the price and brought it home;
And in these games did offer ten to three
30There to contend: Quorum pars magna fui.
But O! ye fields my native Perth neerby,
Prayes you to speak, and truely testifie,
What matchlesse skill we prov'd in all these places,
Within the compasse of three thousand paces,
35On either side; while as we went a shooting,
And strongly strove who should bring home the booting,
Alongst the flowrie banks of Tay to Amound,
Ay when I hit the mark I cast a gamound;
And there we view the place where some time stood
40The ancient Bertha, now ov'rflow'd with flood
Of mightie waters, and that Princely hold
Where dwelt King William, by the streame down rold,
Was utterly defac'd, and overthrown,
That now the place thereof scarce can be known.
45Then through these haughs of faire and fertile ground,
Which with fruit trees, with cornes, and flocks abound,
Meandring rivers, sweet flowres, heavenly honey,
More for our pastime then to conquesh money
We went a shooting, both through plaine and park,
50And never stay'd till wee came to Lowswork:
Built by our mightie Kings for to preserve us,
That thenceforth waters should not drown, but serve us;
Yet condescending it admits one rill
Which all these plaines with cristall brooks doth fill,
55And by a conduit large three miles in length
Serves to make Perth impregnable for strength
At all occasions; when her clowses fall,
Making the water mount up to her wall.
When we had viewd this mightie work at randon,
60We thought it best these fields for to abandon,
And turning home-wards, spar'd nor dyke nor fowsie
Untill we come unto the boot of Bowsie,
Alongst this aqueduct, and there our station,
We made, and viewd Balhowsies situation,
65O'reluking all that spacious pleasant valley,
With flowres damasked, levell as an alley
Betwixt and Perth, thither did we repair
(For why the season was exceeding fair)
Then all alongst this valley did we hye,
70And there the place we clearlie did espye.
The precinct, situation and the stead,
Where ended was that cruell bloodie fead
Between these cursed clans, Chattan, and Kay
Before King Robert, Iohn; upon the day
75Appointed, then and there, where did conveene
Thirtie 'gainst thirtie matcht upon that greene,
Of martiall fellows, all in rageing mood
Like furious Ajax, or Orestes wood,
Alonely arm'd with long two-handed swords,
80Their sparkling eyes cast fire in steed of words,
Their horride beards, thrown browes, brusled mustages
Of deadly blowes t'enshew were vive presages.
Thence did we take us to the other hand,
From this divided by a crystall strand:
85From whence the King beheld with open sight
The long-time doubtfull event of this fight,
From of his pleasant gardins, flowrie wall,
Which we the guilted Arbor yet do call;
And here some monuments we did descrie,
90And ruin'd heaps of great antiquitie:
There stood a temple, and religious place,[note]
And here a palace; but ah wofull cace!
Where murthered was one of the bravest Kings
For wisedome, learning, valour, and such things
95As should a Prince adorn; who trads and arts
By men of matchlesse skill brought to thir parts,
From Italie, Low Germanie, and France,
Religion, learning, policie to advance,
King Iames the first, of everlasting name,
100Kill'd by that mischant traitour, Robert Grahame,
Intending of his crown for to have rob'd him,
With twentie eight wounds in the breast he stob'd him.
Unnaturall parricide, most bloudie traitour!
Accursed be thou above any creature,
105And curst be all, for so it is appointed,
That dar presume to touch the Lords anointed.
This phoenix Prince our nation much decord,
Good letters and civilitie restord,
By long and bloudie wars which were defaced,
110His royall care made them be reembraced:
And he this citie mightilie intended
To have inhanc'd, if fates had condescended:
For which if power answer'd good-will, we would
With Gorgias Leontinus raise of gold
115A statue to him of most curious frame,
In honour of his dear and worthie name.
He likewise built most sumptuouslie fair
That much renownd religious place, and rare,
The Charterhouse of Perth, a mightie frame, [note]
120Vallis virtutis by a mystick name,
Looking alongst that painted spatious field,
Which doth with pleasure profite sweetly yeeld,
The fair south Inch of Perth, and banks of Tay.
This abbayes, stiples, and it's turrets stay
125While as they stood (but ah where sins abound
The loftiest pride lyes leveld with the ground!)
Were cunningly contriv'd with curious art,
And quintessence of skill in everie part;
My grandsire many times to me hath told it
130He knew their names this mightie frame who moldit:
Italians some, and some were French men borne,
Whose matchlesse skill this great work did adorne.
And living were in Perth some of their race
When that, alace, demolish'd was this place,
135For greatnesse, beautie, statlinesse so fair
In Britans Isle, was said, none might compare
The second Muse.
But this sad melancholick disquisition
140Did not befit our Joviall disposition
In these our dayes: Therefore when we had mourned
For this good King, we to the town returned,
And there to cheere our hearts, and make us merrie,
We kindely tasted of the noble berrie;
145Melancholie and grief are great men-killers:
Therefore from Tamarisk, with some capillars
Infusde we drank; for to preserve our splens
From grief, our lungs from cough, and purge our reins.
But this recept Gall did not keep alway,
Which made him die, alace, before his day.
150A cup I had of Woodbind of the wall
And drinking, said, This to you Master Gall.
Quoth he, Monsier, sith that we have no better,
With all mine heart I will you pledge in water:
This brook alongst the flowrie plain meanders,
155And in a thousand compasses it wanders;
And as it softly slides so many wayes,
It sweetlie sings as many rowndelayes,
And, harmonie to keep, the honie bees
Their trumpets sound amongst the flowres; and trees
160Their shadowes from their shaggie tops down sending
Did bow, in token of their homage rendring
But in short while Phaebus his face withdrew;
Then freshly fell we to't again of new,
And kyth most skilfull, and most pleasant game,
165While to the lands of Loncartie we came.
Then thus, quod I, Good Gall, I pray thee show,
For cleerly all antiquities yee know,
What meane these skonses, and these hollow trenches
Throughout these fellow-fields, and yonder inches?
170And these great heaps of stones, like Pyramids?
Doubtlesse all these yee know, that so much reads.
These trenches be (Gall answering, did reply)
Where these two armies Scots and Danes did ly
Incamped, and these heaps the trophae's be,
175Rear'd in memoriall of that victorie[.]
Thence forward went we unto Campsie-lin,
From whence the river falling makes such din
As Nilus Catadups: There so we sported
It is impossible for to report it:
180Whither we walk't, or did we sit, or stand,
Quiver was ty'd to side and bow in hand;
So that none thought us to be mortall wights
But either Phoebus, or fair Phoebe's Knights.
There we admir'd to see the Salmond leap,
185And overreach the waters mightie heap,
Which from a mountain falls, so high, and steep,
And tumbling down devals into the deep,
Making the boyling waters to rebound,
Like these great surges neere by Greenland found:
190Yet these small fish ov'rcome these watrie mountains,
And kindely take them to their mother fountains,
But O dear Caledonia! What desire [note]
Have all men who have heard thy fame t'admire
Thy monuments? How much more these who be
195Thy sons, desire thy maiden soile to see?
Thy maiden castle, and fair Maiden burgh,
The stately winged Citie, which is through
All ages much renow'nd with streets so fair,
And palaces so mounted in the air
200That if the deepnesse of imagination
Could limme a landskape by deep meditation,
Scarce could it match, where bravest youths abound,
And gravest counsellours are alwayes found:
Where Justice joineth hand with true Religion,
205And golden vertue keep the middle region,
As register, where these acts are enrold,
Better than in Corinthian brasse or gold.
Let Poetaster-parasits, who fain,
And fawn, and crouch, and coutch, and creep for gain,
210And, where no hope of gain is, huffe, and hur,
And bark against the Moone as doth a Cur;
Let such base curs, who nought but gobbets smell,
Wish the disgrac'd, and deeply sunk in hell
Whether themselves do go; yet shalt thou stand,
215And see them ruin'd all that thee withstand:
God shall be-friend thy friends, and shall all those
Aray with shame that causelesse be thy foes:
Thou art this ancient Kingdomes bravest part,
For wit and worth thou art its hand and heart,
220And who the Kingdomes compend brave would see
Needs do no more but survey take of thee.
Hence these desires fair Caledonias soile
To view, where bravest stratagems with toile
Have acted beene, hence comes these kindly wishes,
225To see these fields, even like these kindly fishes,
Which we behold ov'rcome this mightie lin,
And seeke the fountaines where they did begin.
The third Muse.
Thence downe the river bank as we did walk,
And mirrielie began to chant and talk,
230A prettie boat with two oares we espy'd
Fleeting upon the waters, then we cry'd,
HOW boatman come; two fisher men neerby
Thus answered us againe, And who doth cry?
Said we, Good friends, to favour us delay not,
235The day is verie hot, and walk we may not,
Therefore your kindly courtesie implores,
To let us have these little pair of oares
For down the river we would make our way,
And land at Perth, With all our heart, said they,
240For we likewise at Perth would gladly be,
Only we want such companie as yee.
All men were glad of us, none did refuse
What ever thing it pleasde us ask or chuse,
Then we inbarked with two boyes in train,
245Who recollect our shafts, and these two men:
As down the river did we softlie slide,
The banks most sweetly smyld on other side:
To see the flowres our hearts did much rejoice
The banwort, dazie, and the fragrant rose;
250Favonius in our faces sweetlie blew
His breath, which did our fainting sprits renew.
As we thus talk'd our berge did sweetly passe
By Scones fair pallace, sometimes Abbay was:
Strange change indeed, yet is it no new guyse,
255Both spirituall lands and more to temporise.
But pallace fair, which doth so richly stand,
Where gardens, orchards, parks on either hand,
Where flowres, and fruits, the hart, and fallow deere,
For smell, for taste, for venison and cheere,
260The nose, the mouth, and palate which may please,
For gardine chambers for delight and ease,
Damask't with porphyrie and alabaster,
Thou art not subject for each Poetaster,
But for a Poet, Master in his art,
265Which thee could whole descrive, and everie part,
So to the life, as t'were in perspective,
As readers that they see thee might beleeve.
Meane while our boat doth with the river slide
270The countrie Nymphs who in these parts abide,
With many a shout moving both head and hand
Did us invite, that we would come a land.
Not now, said we; and think it not disdaine
For we do promise for to come againe,
275And view where some time stood your Cathedrall,
And mount, which Omnis terra you do call.
Just by this time we see the bridge of Tay
O happie sight indeed, was it that day;
A bridge so stately, with elleven great arches,
280Joining the south and north, and commoun march is
Unto them both, a bridge of squared stone,
So great and fair; which when I think upon,
How in these dayes it did so proudly stand,
Ov'rlooking both the river and the land;
285So fair, so high, a bridge for many ages
Most famous; But alace, now through the rages
Of furious swelling waters, thrown in deep,
Mine heart for sorrow sobs, mine eyes do weep.
When mightie Romaines came into this soile,
290With endlesse labour and undaunted toile,
After great conflicts and uncertaine chance
Of Fortunes dye, they did in armes advance,
At length unto these parts where Perth doth stand
Under the conduct and victorious hand
295Of that most valiant Chieftain of great fame
Brave Iulius Agricola by Name.
And there hard by a river side they found
The fairest and most pleasant plot of ground,
That since by bank of Tiber they had beene,
300The like for beautie seldome had they seene,
Of eighteene hundreth paces good, in length,
From Muretowne brays to foot of Carnaks strength,
King of the Pights, which stood on Moredune hill,
The foot thereof from Friers dwelt thereintill
305Now named is, in breadth eight hundreth paces,
Painted with white, red, yellow flowrie faces,
So equall fair; which when they did espy,
Incontinent they Campus Martius cry,
And as an happie presage they had seene,
310They fixt their tents amidst that spatious greene,
Right where now Perth doth stand, and cast their trenches
Even where Perths fowsies are, between these inches,
The south and north, and bastalies they make,
The power and strength of Scots, and Pights to brake,
315Who presently would fight, by wise cunctation
They frustrat all their hope and expectation:
For well this most victorius Romaine knew
T'abate his Enemies rage and courage too.
Finding the place even to their hearts desire,
320With grasse for pasture stor'd, and wood for fire,
The river likewise verie opportune
For lighter vessels to passe up and downe,
And correspondence with their Navie make,
As Souldiers wise, they all occasions take,
325And do conclude to winter in that place,
To foile their foes, by voluntarie chace.
Thus fortified, lest that they should neglect
Due honour to their gods, they did erect
To Mars a temple, rather did restore
330The temple built by Cunidag before:
For time on all things worketh demolition,
And heathen men maintaine like superstition.
Then did this valiant chiftaine name the river
In Italies remembrance Neo-Tiber.
335Which afterwards it kept for many a day,
How long I know not, now its called Tay.
Likewise an house of mightie stone he framed,
From whence our Castell-gavell, as yet is named.
And, if Domitian had not cald him home,
340I think he should have built another Rome.
But all these monuments were worne away
Ere did King William Perths foundation lay,
Only Mars temple stood upon that greene,
And th'house built by Agricola was seene,
345And some characters cunningly incisde
With Iulius Agricola imprisde
In solid marmor, and some print was found,
Where camped had an armie, and the ground
Where there had beene a bridge: all which did yeeld
350Occasion to King William for to beild,
After old Bertha's overthrow, that citie,
These ancient walls, and famous bridge; ah pitie
If they were as! But what doth not the rage
Of men demolish and consuming age?
355For good King William seeing where had beene
Of old a passage, forthwith did ordaine
A mightie bridge of squaired stone to be.
These famous wals and fusies which we see,
Perth his chief strength to make, and seat of power
360Did with most ample priviledge indue her.
These be the first memorials of a bridge,
Good Monsier, that we truely can alledge.
Thus spake good Gall and I did much rejoice
To heare him these antiquities disclose;
365Which I remembring now, of force must cry,
Gall, sweetest Gall, what ailed thee to die?
The fourth Muse.
Then did we go, and taking cleare survey
How proper Perth did stand, one might have drawn
Its landship fair, on paper, or on lawn.
The fifth Muse.
370Our Shipper heerwith cald, HOW, turn aback,
The waters flow, and tide doth quickly make,
Therefore of this to speak more was no leasure,
For winde and tide (you know) stay no mans pleasure.
With post haste to our bearge we make our way,
375The day far spent, longer we might not stay;
Our ship now fairlie fleeting comes a land,
Two skilfull rowers take the oares in hand
We reembarked, down the river slide,
Which was most pleasant with the flowing tide,
380The bridge drawes nigh where contrare streams do run,
Take heed shipper, said we, these dangers shun,
The whirling streame will make our boat to cowp,
Therefore let's passe the bridge by Wallace loup.
Which when we did behold, 'mongst other things
385We much admir'd who lent his feet such wings:
Empedocles may leap in Aetna burning,
In Tiber leap may Cocles home returning,
The one burnes in flame, th'other falls in flood
But Wallace overleaping makes all good.
390When we these Heaven-like arches had survey'd [note]
We admird in th'air these hinging stones what stay'd.
Then thus said Gall; these on their centers stay,
As on their bases fixt, and all their sway
They presse toward the same, a wondrous thing,
Albeit the Center in the air doth hing,
395Yea diverse circles sections diverse wayes
Tend to their proper centers, as their stayes;
So these two sections do conjoine in one,
To make the arch, and finisht in a cone,
As everie peace these bowing arches bends,
400It rightlie pointing to the center tends.
So heavens respect the earth, and all their powers
Together in her bosome strongly powres,
Which is their center, roote, and sure pedestall
The stedfast base whereon this World doth rest all.
405Thus mans ingine Gods works doth imitate
And skilfull Art doth nature emulat.
As Archimedes in a sphere of glasse
The worlds great fabrick lively did expresse,
With all the stars fixt in the azure heaven,
410And all the motions of the wandring seven,
Moving about a fixed point or center,
Observing houres, dayes, months, summer, and winter.
Even so the arches of this bridge proclaime,
And shew the building of the starrie frame:
415But now all lost, needs Archimedes skill,
Oh if it were supplied by Master Mylne!
Thus having past the bridge, our oares we bend
To shore, so this day voyage made an end.
The sixth Muse.
420As we arrived at our Ladies steps,
Incontinent all men reverst their capes,
Bidding us welcome home, and joining hand,
They ask from whence we came, and from what land?
Said we, Some curious catching everie winde
425Do run through sea and land to either Inde,
And compassing the glob, in circuit role,
Some new found lands to search beneath each pole,
Or Memphis, wonders, or the Pharian tower,
Or walls which shew the Babylonian power;
430Or hung in th'air the Mausolean frame,
Or statelie' temple of the Trivian dame,
The Rhodian Colossus, and the grove,
Where stood the statue of Olympian Iove,
With endlesse toile and labour passe to see,
435Or if in all this world more wonders be,
They search the same, and so they stoutlie boast,
Yet both themselves and paines are oft times lost:
For going men, if they return perhaps,
Strange change, in swine transformed are their shaps:
440Albeit some, though rare, who go from hence,
Returne, like him of Ithaca was Prince:
But we, more safely passing all alongs,
Are not bewitched with such Syren songs.
In little much, well traveld in short ground
445Do search what wonders in the world are found;
Treading these mountains, and these pleasant valleyes,
Elisian fields had never braver allies
Then we imagine, and for wonders rare
More than the Carian tombe which hings in air
450Do we conceave. Of travels let them talk,
We in the works of learned men do walk
And painfully their learned paths do tread,
For sure he's traveld far who is well read
Yea who so views my Cabinets rich store,
455Is traveld through the world, and some part more.
Let this suffice we travell to content us,
And of our travels think nev'r to repent us,
Yea in our Muses, we do travell more
Than they that coast and sound the Indian shore.
460Yet think not so brave travels we condemne,
If with safe conscience we may use the same;
Nor do we speak voide of experience,
For both of us have traveld been in France,
And France for all, and if that will not ease you
465We think then all this world will never please you.
Meane while our boat, by Freertown hole doth slide,
Our course not stopped with the flowing tide,
We ned nor card, nor crostaffe for our Pole,
But from thence landing clam the Dragon hole,
470With crampets on our feet, and clubs in hand,
Where its recorded Iamie Keddie fand
A stone inchanted, like to Gyges ring,
Which made him disappear, a wondrous thing,
If it had been his hap to have retaind it,
475But loosing it, againe could never finde it:
Within this cove ofttimes did we repose
As being sundred from the citie woes.
From thence we, passing by the Windie gowle,
Did make the hollow rocks with echoes yowle;
480And all alongst the mountains of Kinnoule,
Where did we shut at many foxe and fowle.
Kinnoule, so famous in the dayes of old!
Where stood a castle and a stately hold [note]
Of great antiquity, by brink of Tay
485Woods were above, beneath fair medowes lay
In prospect proper Perth, with all her graces,
Fair plantings, spatious greens, religious places,
Though now defac'd through age, and rage of men,
Within this place a Ladie did remaine
490Of great experience, who likewise knew
By sprite of prophecie, what should ensue,
Who saw wight Wallace, and brave Bruce on live,
And both their manhoods lively did descrive
Unto that noble Prince, first of that name,
495Worthie King Iames, who hearing of her fame,
Went to her house, these histories to learne,
When as for age her eyes could scarce discerne.
This Ladie did foretell of many things
Of Britaines unioun under Scotish Kings,
500And after ending of our civill feeds,
Our speares in syths; our swords should turn in speads,
In signe whereof there should arise a Knight
Sprung of the bloodie yoak, who should of right
Possesse these lands, which she then held in fea,
505Who for his worth and matchlesse loyaltie
Unto his Prince, should greatly be renownd
And of these lands instyl'd, and Earle be crownd;
Whose son in spight of Tay, should joine these lands
Firmely by stone on either side which stands,
510Thence to the top of Law Tay did we hye,
From whence the countrie round about we spy,
And from the airie Mountaine looking down, [note]
Beheld the stance and figure of our town,
Quadrat with longer sides, from east to wast,
515Whose streets, wals, fowsies in our eyes did cast
A prettie shew: Then gan I to declare
Where our old Monastries, with Churches fair
Sometime did stand, placed at everie corner
Was one, which with great beautie did adorne her,
520The Charterhouse toward the southwest stood,
And at South-east the Friers, who weare gray hood.
Toward the North the BlackFriers Church did stand;
And Carmelits upon the Westerne hand;
With many chappels standing heere and there
525And steeples fairly mounted in the air,
Our Ladies Church, Saint Catharins, and Saint Paules,
Where many a messe was sung for defunct souls.
The chappell of the rood, and sweet Saint Anne,
And Lorets chappell, from Romes Vaticane
530Transported hither, for a time took sasing,
(You know the Cloister monkes write nev'r a leasing.)
For what offence I know not, or disdaine,
But that same chappell borne hence is againe,
For it appeares no more, look who so list,
535Or else I'm sure its covered with a mist
Saint Leonards cloister, mourning Magdolené,
Whose cristall Fountaine flowes like Hippocrené.
Saint Iohnes fair church, as yet in mids did stand:
A braver sight was not in all this land
540Than was that town, when thus it stood decord
As not a few, yet living, can record.
And to be short, for this we may not tarie on,
Of that old town this nought is but the carion.
545
Herewith we turne our pace, and down againe
Passe by the Windie gowle, unto the plaine;
And herbarising there a prettie while,
Galls lustie face blithly began to smile:
Guesse then how blith was I, if I had found
(I would not been so blith) a thousand pound.
550Thus recreat, to boat againe we go,
And down the river smothly do we row,
Neerby Kinfaunes, which famous Longoveil
Sometime did hold; whose auncient sword of steele
Remaines unto this day, and of that land
555Is chiefest evident; on th'other hand
Elcho and Elcho park, where Wallace haunted,
A sure refuge, when Englishmen he daunted;
And Elcho nunrie, where the holy sisters
Suppli'd were by the Fratres in their misters.
560By Sleeplesse Isle we row, which our good Kings
Gave to our town with many better things.
Before there was in that neere neighbouring station,
Or Frier or Nun to set there their foundation.
On th'other side we lookt unto Balthyok
565Where many peacock cals upon his mayok.
Megeance fair place, and Errols pleasant seat,
With many more, which long were to relate.
Right over against is that wood Earnside,
And fort where Wallace ofttimes did reside:
570While we beheld all these, the tide did flow,
A lie the rudder goes; about we row,
Up to the town again we make our course,
Sweetly convoy'd with Tayes reflowing source.
575
Up by the Willow gate we make our way;
With flowing waters pleasant then was Tay.
The town appeares; the great and strong Spey towre,
And Monks towre, builded round; a wall of power
Extending twixt the two, thence goeth a snout
Of great squair stones, which turnes the streames about;
580Two ports with double wals; on either hand
Are fowsies deep, where gorged waters stand,
And flow even as you list: but over all
The Palace kythes, may nam'd be Perths Whithall.
With orchards, like these of Hesperides
585But who shall shew the Ephemerides
Of these things, which sometimes adornd that Citie?
That they should all be lost, it were great pitie.
Whose antique monuments are a great deale more
Than any inward riches, pomp or store;
590And priviledges would you truely know?
The seventh Muse.
Up springs the Sun, the day is cleer, and fair,
Etesiae, sweetlie breathing, cools the air;
Then coming to my Cabin in a band,
Each man of us a Gabion hints in hand.
595Where me their Sergeant Major they elected,
At my command that day to be directed.
What prettie captaine's yone (so said some wenches)
Ladies, quoth I, Men are not met by inches.
The Macedonian Monarch was call'd great,
600Not from his Bodies quantitie, but state
And Martiall prowesse, good Ladies then to heart you,
You shall well know that talenesse is no vertue.
Thus merche we all alongs unto Moncreiff
Where dwells that worthie Knight, the famous chief
605Of all that auncient name: And passing by
Three trees sprung of one root we did espy:
Which when we did behold, said Master Gall.
Monsier, behold these trees, so great and tall
Sprung of one root, which all Men Brethren name,
610The symbole which true concord doth proclame.
O happie presage, where such trees do grow,
These Brethren three the threefold Gerion show,
Invincible, remaining in one minde,
Three hearts as in one Body fast combinde,
615Scilurus bundell knit, doth whole abide,
But easily is broke, when once unty'd.
So these three trees do symbolize most cleerly;
The amitie of hearts and mindes, inteirly
Kythes in that happie race, and doth presage
620To it more happinesse in after age;
Loves sweetest knot, which three in one doth bring
That budding gemme shall make more flourishing
Fair Brethren Trees, and sith so is your Name,
Be still the badge of concord, and proclaime
625All health and wealth, unto that happie race,
Where grace and vertue mutually embrace.
To Moncrief easterne, then to Wallace-town
To Fingask of Dundas, thence passing down
Unto the Rynd, as Martiall Men, we faire.
630What life Mans heart could wish more void of care?
Passing the river Earne, on th'other side,
Dreilling our Sojours, Vulgars were affraide.
Thence to the Pights great Metropolitan,
Where stands a steeple, the like in all Britaine [note]
635Not to be found againe, a work of wonder,
So tall and round in frame, a just cylinder
Built by the Pights in honour of their King,
That of the Scots none should attempt such thing,
As over his bellie big to walk or ride,
640But this strong hold should make him to abide.
Unlesse on Pegasus that he would flee,
Or on Ioves bird should soare into the skye,
As rode Bellerophon and Ganymede:
But mounted so must ride no giddie head.
645
From thence we merch't directlie unto Dron,
And from that stead past to the Rocking stone;
Accompanied with Infantrie a band,
Each of us had a hunting staffe in hand,
With whistles shrile, the fleeing fowles to charme,
650And fowlers nets upon our other arme:
But as for me about my neck was borne,
To sound the chace a mightie hunting horne;
And as I blew with all my might and maine,
The hollow rocks did answere make againe,
655Then everie man in this cleare companie
Who best should winde the horne began to try;
Among the rest a fellow in the rout
Boldly began to boast, and brave it out,
That he would wind the horne in such a wise,
660That easelie he would obtaine the prise,
But to record what chance there followed after
Gladly I would, but grief forbiddeth laughter,
For so it was the merrie man was mard,
Both tongue and teeth, I wot, were tightly tard;
665Then no more stay; Fellow, good night, quod we,
Th'old proverb sayes, that Dirt partes Companie.
By this we were just at the Rocking stone, [note]
Amongst the worlds great wonders, it is one
Most rare: It is a Phaenix in its kinde,
670The like in all the world yee shall not finde:
A stone so neicely set upon its kernels,
Not artificiall, but naturall chernels,
So huge, so grave, that if you please to prove it,
A hundred yoak of oxen will not move it,
675Yet touch it with your fingers smallest knocking,
Incontinent it will fall to a rocking,
And shake, and shiver; as if obedient,
More by request, than by commandement.
Then up I clame this rock, as I was wonted,
680And like Aegeon on Whales back I mounted,
And with Etites ratling stone I knocked,
And as it ratled, even so was I rocked.
So fair a cradle, and rare was never seene
Oh if my Cabinet could it conteine!
685Next at the bridge of Earne we made our Station,
And there we took some little recreation;
Where in Heroicks Gall fell to declaring
All circumstances of that dayes wayfairing,
And there so merrielie we sung, and chanted,
690Happie were they our companie who haunted,
Which when I call to minde it makes me cry,
Gall, sweetest Gall, what ailed thee to die.
The eight Muse.
What blooming banks sweet Earne, or fairest Tay,
Or Amond doth embrace; these many a day
695We haunted; where our pleasant pastorals
We sweetly sung, and merrie madrigals:
Sometimes bold Mars, and sometimes Venus fair,
And sometimes Phoebus love we did declare;
Sometimes on pleasant plaines, sometimes on mountains,
700And sometimes sweetlie sung beside the fountains.
But in these banks where flowes Saint Conils Well, [note]
The which Thessalian tempe doth excell.
Whose name and matchlesse fame for to declare,
In this most dolefull dittey, must I spare:
705Yet thus dar say, that in the World again
No place more meet for Muses to remain;
For shadowing walks, where silver brooks do spring,
And smelling arbors, where birds sweetly sing,
In heavenly Musick warbling like Arion,
710Like Thracian Orpheus, Linus, or Amphion,
That Helicon, Parnassus, Pindus fair
To these most pleasant banks scarce can compare.
These be the banks where all the Muses dwell,
And haunt about that cristall brook and well,
715Into these banks chiefly did we repair
Erom Shunshine shadowed, and from blasting air.
There with the Muses we did sing our songs,
Sometimes for pleasure, sometimes for our wrongs;
For in those dayes, none durst approach their table,
720But we, to taste their dainties, this no fable.
From thence to Methven wood we took our way,
Soone be Aurora fair did kyth the day;
And having rested there some little space,
Againe we did betake us to our chace,
725Raising the Does and Roes forth of their dennes,
And watrie fowles out of the marrish fennes,
That if Diana had been in that place,
Would thought, in hunting we had stain'd her grace.
To Methven Castle, where Gall did declare
730How Margaret Teuther, Queen, sometimes dwelt there;
First daughter to King Henrie seventh, who closes
York-Lancaster in one, Englands two roses.
A happie union after long debate,
But union much more happie, and more great
735Even by that same Queen springs, and by her race
Whereby all Britaine joyes long wished peace.
Hence came King Iames his title to the Crowne
Of England, by both parents of renowne.
Hence comes our happie peace, so be it ay,
740That peace with truth in Britaine flourish may.
Right over to Forteviot, did we hy,
And there the ruin'd castle did we spy
Of Malcolme Ken-more, whom Mackduff then Thane
Of Fife, (so cald) from England brought againe,
745And fiercelie did persue tyrant Makbeth,
Usurper of the Crowne, even to the death.
These castles ruines when we did consider,
We saw that wasting time makes all things wither.
To Dupline then, and shades of Aberdagie,
750From thence to Mailer, and came home by Craigie.
Soone by that time, before three dayes were done,
We went to se the monuments of Scone,
As was our promise, Scones Nymphs see we must,
For in such vowes we were exceeding just.
755And there with Ovid thus did we declare,
Heere is a greene, where stood a Temple fair:
Where was the fatall chaire, and marble stone,
Having this Motto rare incisde thereon,
This is the stone, if fates do not deceave,
760Where e're its found the Scots shall kingdome have.
Which Longshanks did transport to Troyuovant,
As Troy took in the horse by Grecia sent
So we, who sprung were of the Grecian crue,
Like stratageme on Trojans did renew.
765Oh if this fatall chaire transported were
To Spaine, that we like conquest might make there,
From thence to Italie, to Rome, to Grece,
To Colchos, thence to bring the golden fleece:
And in a word, we wish this happie chaire
770Unto the furthest Indes transported were,
That mightiest Kingdomes might their presents bring,
And bow to Charles as to their soveraigne King.
Neerby we view that famous Earthen Mount,
Whereon our Kings to crowned be were wont:
775And while we do consider, there we found
Demonstrat was the quadrat of the round,
Which Euclide could not finde, nor Pater Erra,
By guesse we did it finde on Omnis terra.
And if you Geometers hereof do doubt,
780Come view the place, and yee shall finde it out.
A demonstration so wondrous rare,
In all the world, I think, none may compare.
Thence need we must go see the Mure of Scone,
And view where Pights were utterlie undone
785By valiant Scots, and brought to desolation,
That since they never had the name of nation.
Seven times that fight renew'd was in one day
Pights seven times quaild, Scots were victorious ay;
Hence is it said, when men shall be undone,
790We shall upon them bring the mure of Scone.
King Donskine with his remnant Pights neere Tay
All kild, did crown the victorie of that day.
Then valiant Kenneth went to Camelon,
And threw to Earth King Donskins ancient throne.
795So greatest Kingdomes to their periods tend,
And everything that growes, must have an end.
Where is that golden head that reing'd so long,
The silver armes and bellie of brasse most strong?
The yron legs divided now in toes
800Are mixt with clay: and so the world it goes.
Thus nations like stars in multitude,
Like sand on shore, or fishes in the floud;
Yea rooted in the Earth so deep, so long,
As on the mountains grow the Cedars strong,
805Yet time hath overturn'd them, and their names
Are past, as Letters written on the streames:
To tell us, here we have no constant biding,
The world unto decay is alwayes sliding,
One Kingdome ever doth remaine, and all
Gainst it who rise to powder turne they shall.
810Neere this we did perceave where proud Makbeth,
Who to the furies did his soul bequeath,
His castle mounted on Dunsinnen hill,
Causing the mightiest peeres obey his will,
And bow their necks to build his Babylon;
815Thus Nimrod-like he did triumph upon
That mountain, which doth overtop that plaine:
And as the starrie heaven he should attaine,
A loftie tower, and Atlas caused build,
Then tyrannizing, rag'd as Nimrod wild:
820Who had this strange response that none should catch him
That borne was of a woman, or should match him:
Nor any horse should overtake him there,
But yet his sprite deceav'd him by a mare,
And by a man was not of woman borne
825For brave Makduff was from his mother shorne.
Makduff cald Thane of Fife, who home did bring
King Malcolme Kenmore was our native King.
Ken-more, great-head, a great-head should be wise,
To bring to nought a Nimrods enterprise!
830Vp to Dunsinnen's top then did we clim,
With panting heart, weak loynes, and wearied limme,
And from the mountains height, which was well windie,
We spy where Wallace cave was at Kilspindie.
But there we might not stay, thence to the plaine
835With swifter pace we do come down againe.
Descent is easie, any man can tell;
For men do easelie descend to Hell.
When we had view'd these fields both heere and there,
As wearied Pilgrims gan we Home to fair;
840Home, happie is that word, at Home in Heaven,
Where Gall now rests above the Planets seven,
And I am left this wretched Earth upon,
Thy losse, with all my Gabions, to bemoane:
Then mourne with me my Gabions, and cry,
845Gall, sweetest Gall, what ailed thee to die?
The ninth Muse
What! Could there more be done, let any say,
Nor I did to prevent this dolefull day?
For when I saw Galls fatall constellation
Would not permit him in this Earthly station
850Long to abide; then did I give a tryall,
To make impartiall fate susteene denyall,
By herbarising while I prov'd my skill,
On top of Law-Tay, and stay Mooredowne hill,
Collecting vegetables in these parts,
855By all the skill of Apollinian Arts,
If possible't had been, fate to neglect him,
By heavenlie skill immortall for to make him.
But sith that Phaebus could not stemme the bloud
Of Hyacinthus in his sowning moud,
860How then should I? a mortall! ah too shallow!
In wit and art presse to outreach Apollo?
Far be the thought, I therefore must absent me,
And never more unto the World present me,
But solitarie with my Gabions stay,
865And help them for to mourne till dying day.
Then farewell Cabine, farewell Gabions all,
Then must I meet in heaven with Master Gall:
And till that time I will set foorth his praise
In Elegies of wo, and mourning layes,
870And weeping for his sake still will I cry,
Gall, sweetest Gall, what ailed thee to die?
