Keppoch song

7* A KEPPOCH SONG. a nto iv.
And them, by friendly feast, let know,
The modes that former times did show.
Can sound how a friend's pulse doth beat,
How he will bear a loss or cheat*.
Thus in his place his time he spends,
And to his neighbour no woe sends;
Contented with his ancient seat,
His patrimonial retreat,
He does not sound a martial charge,
In hopes his border to enlarge;
* Keppoch had kept a number of cattle at grass, for some
time, belonging to Mr. Forbes of Culloden, and, wishing to
be rid of them, sent a man to tell Culloden that an enemy
had made an inroad, and carried off his cattle, and, therefore,
he could not return them. Culloden, who seems to have
known something of Keppoch's humour, ordered the man to
be well entertained, and, at departing, gave him a piece of
money, as if he had brought him agreeable intelligence. The
man, on his return, told Keppoch how he had been received,
mid added that he could not find in his heart to deceive so
kind a disposition; and, therefore, if Keppoch did not restore
the cattle, he would go back and tell that he had them. Kep-«
path smiled; and, being satisfied with the trial of the temper
(>f both, sent him back to tell that the cattle were now found,
niid to send for them, Culloden had made a practice of this
f,;r some time, which Keppoch wished to be rid of, as he was
made responsible, while he had little or nothing for it; and
h$ and his people had cattle enough of their own for their
yrass. Culloden seems to have retained a grudge at Keppoch
oji this account.