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Epistle to Mr Richard Ramsay

By Sarah Leech

Wi鈥� heck weel-teeth鈥檇 and spit renew鈥檇,

I sat me down to spin contented;
And your address to me reviewed,
Which set my head amaist demented.

My muse, impelled by gratitude,
Resolv鈥檇 your kindness to acknowledge,
Tho鈥� it should be in verses rude;
You ken I ne鈥檈r was at a college.

I am unskill鈥檇 in classic lord,
Tho鈥� I sometimes mak鈥� Scotch clink pat in -
Nae authors sage can I explore,
Like those who speak the Greek and Latin:

My muse kens nought o鈥� Sappho鈥檚 lays,
Who sung sublime on soaring pinion:
O! how the neighbours round would gaze,
If I, love-struck, should leap off Binion!

My Pegasus now fain would sink -
Grown dizzy wi鈥� sic classic matter -
So I maun light, and let him drink
A draught o鈥� Foyle鈥檚 inspiring water.

Then, fare you weel, may you ha鈥檈 health,
My correspondent, kind adviser -
And as you wish I may get wealth,
I, in return, pray you鈥檒l grow wiser;

And when grim death shall quench life鈥檚 flame,
And you embark in Charon鈥檚 wherry,
O may your MONUMENTAL THEME
Be lasting as the walls of Derry.