Glen Collection of printed music > Printed music > Selection of original Scots songs in three parts

JOHN OF BADE NY ON.
By the Rev. Mr. SKINNER.
When firft I came to be a man of twenty years or fo,
I thought myfelf a handfome youth, and fain the world would know ;
In heft attire I ftept abroad, with fpirits brilk and gay,
And here and there, and every where, was like a morn in May.
No care I had, nor fear of want, but rambled up and dowp,
And for a beau I might have pafs’d in country or in town;
I flill was pleas’d where’er I went, and, when I was alone,
I tun’d my pipe, and cheer’d myfelf with John of Badenyon.
Now, in the days of youthful prime, a miftrefs I mull find ;
For love, they fay, gives one an air, and e’en improves the mind:
On Phillis, fair, above the reft, kind fortune fix’d my eyes ;
• Her piercing beauty ftruck my heart, and (he became my choice :
To Cupid then, with hearty pray’r, I offer’d many a vow,
And danc’d and fung, and figh’d and fwore, as other lovers do ;
But when at laft I breath’d my flame, I found her cold as ftone ;
I left the girl, and tun’d my pipe to John of Badenyon.
When love had thus my heart beguil’d with foolifti hopes and vain,
To Friendlhip’s port I fleer’d my courfe, and laugh’d at lovers’ pain;
A friend I got by lucky chance, ’twas fomething like divine;
An honeft friend’s a precious gift, and fuch a gift was mine,
And now, whatever might betide, a happy man was I;
In any ftrait I knew to whom I freely might apply:
A ftrait foon came, my friend I try’d, he laugh’d and fpurn’d my moan
I hy’d me home, and pleas'd myfelf with John of Badenyon.
What next to do,T mus’d awhile, ftill hoping to fucceed:
I pitch’d on books for company, and gravely try’d to read ;
I bought and borrow’d ev’ry where, and ftudied night and day;
Nor mlfs’d what Dean or Dodlor wrote, that happen’d in my way.
Philofophy I now efteem’d the ornament of youth,
And, carefully, thro’ many a page, I hunted after truth :
A thoufand various fchemes I try’d, and yet was pleas’d with none ;
I threw them by, and tun’d my pipe to John of Badenyon.
And now, ye youngfters, every where, who want to make a fhow,
Take heed in time, nor vainly hope for happinefs below;
What you may fancy pleafure here, is but an empty name,
For friendfhip, love, and learning deep, you’ll find them all the fame.
Then be advis’d, and warning take from fuch a man as me ;
I’m neither Pope nor Cardinal, nor one of high degree :
You’ll find difpleafure ev’ry where, then do as I have done ;
E’en tune your pipe, and pleafe yourfelf with John of Badenyon.