Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)

A SCOTTISH JOURNIE
285
Our humane shapes, and shew us unclad all
As we were in the worlds originall.
And now disrobd to this sad bed I goe,
Which was inchanted, needes it must be soe,
Forsleepe that as a sharpe set hawke usd still
To stoope like lightning at my call or will.
Would not come neere me now, although I woe it
With the receipt of praying, ’twould not doe it.
Yet prayers as opium some Zelotts tell
Taken in bedd for sudden sleepe doe well.
Had Ptolomy or Copernicus bin there
They might have topsy turvy turnd each spheare.
And not found out the cause kept me awake.
There were no mathematicke rules to make
This tx-uth appeare, some divel ’twas at least
That with a Covenanter was possest.
For not one slumber by free will or art
Would once approach the suburbs of my heart.
Soe then on poetry my thoughts I sett,
Hopeing a male or female muse to gett.
And there ai-e of both sexes without doubt
If one could find the seci'et of it out.
For Poets Goddesses, as some report.
Are all Landresses in Apollo’s court.
And wash his linnen in the Helicon,
Where cookes and footemen ever and anon
Debauch them for cold red deare pyes and wine,
And get both boyes and girles of the chast nine.
But this opinion of them made me thinke
They would not helpe me to a rime would chinke.
And now I heare a boysterous noise i’ th’ street,
A drum and bagpipe which doth all wayes greet
The neighboux-s of that towne when they should rise,
A most fantasticke consort, which they prise
Above our waights, indeed it did excell
In confusd lowdnesse our bigst curfew bell.
But as things went with mee I likd that thing.
The tune they playd was old Simon the King,
Which brought to mind how good King James was used
By Marquesse Hambleton, how much abused,
Twas this lord’s grandfather, and yet you see
How well the King and this Lord doe agree.