LINESUpon reading the Journal of a Friend’s Tour into Scotland, in which the picturesque Scenery and the Character of the People are fairly and liberally stated.Much injur’d, Scotia! was thy genuine worth,When late the[12]surly Rambler wandered forthIn brown[13]surtout, with ragged staff,Enough to make a savage laugh!And sent the faithless legend from his hand,That Want and Famine scour’d thy bladeless land,That with thee Nature wore a wrinkled face,That not a leaf e’er shed its sylvan grace,But, harden’d by their northern wind,Rude, deceitful, and unkind,Thy half-cloth’d sons their oaten cake denied,Victims at once of penury and pride.Happy for thee! a lib’ral Briton here,Gentle yet shrewd, tho’ learned not severe.Fairly thy merit dares impart,Asserts thy hospitable heart,Proves that luxuriance smiles upon thy plains,And wit and valour grace thy hardy swains.[12]Dr. Johnson, author of the Rambler.[13]Alluding to his dress, as described by Mr. Boswell.
Upon reading the Journal of a Friend’s Tour into Scotland, in which the picturesque Scenery and the Character of the People are fairly and liberally stated.
Much injur’d, Scotia! was thy genuine worth,When late the[12]surly Rambler wandered forthIn brown[13]surtout, with ragged staff,Enough to make a savage laugh!And sent the faithless legend from his hand,That Want and Famine scour’d thy bladeless land,That with thee Nature wore a wrinkled face,That not a leaf e’er shed its sylvan grace,But, harden’d by their northern wind,Rude, deceitful, and unkind,Thy half-cloth’d sons their oaten cake denied,Victims at once of penury and pride.Happy for thee! a lib’ral Briton here,Gentle yet shrewd, tho’ learned not severe.Fairly thy merit dares impart,Asserts thy hospitable heart,Proves that luxuriance smiles upon thy plains,And wit and valour grace thy hardy swains.
[12]Dr. Johnson, author of the Rambler.
[13]Alluding to his dress, as described by Mr. Boswell.