Scottish Text Society publications > Old series > Works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan > Volume 2, 1898

CALEDONS COMPLAINT.
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Rob Caesar of his due, disclaime our head,
And limits of alleadgeance doe exceed.
O hight of hate ! O hellish impudence !
To thinke, that men of honour could dispence 60
With conscience, with their duetie to a King,
So good, so just, so wisely governing.
Whose Love, as of a Father’s, found we have,
As of a Master wee his favour crave,
His Aide as of a Lord ; since Father’s love, 65
And Son’s obedience, hand in hand doe move
To homage and protection, mutually,
Since true relation Prince and people tye.
Thy countrey’s heart doth bleed, her grieves are great,
Both fraud and force conspire against her State. 70
Her native liberties encroach’d on are,
Which, gain’d with honour, honourably were
From time to time maintain’d, against the pride,
And power, of all that durst against her side.
Her violated Lawes; the civill Right 75
Of Subjects shaken; Justice, mar’d by might;
Religion vex’d and wrong’d; (that sacred Band
Of Amitie, and Uhion of the Land,
The solide Pillar which the State sustaines,
By which cemented, firme each piece remains;) 80
Christ’s cause, yea Crowne, in question; by the bands
Of duetie, by the pow’r put in thy hands,
(The regall Scepter, Diadem, and Sword,
In Faith's defence, entrusted by thy LORD)
Conjure Thee, while the lowring Skies portend 85
A Tempest, to the danger to attend,
And wisely to His interest to advert,
Who count will crave how acted is thy part.
Those, whom eclipses, more than Sun-light please,
(The birds of prey, which gape for gaine), Those flies
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