Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ODE TO MR. FORBES, by ALLAN RAMSAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ODE TO MR. FORBES, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now gowans sprout and lavrocks sing
Last Line: Enjoy it a', ye've nae mair for't.
Subject(s): Spring


Now gowans sprout and lavrocks sing,
And welcome west winds warm the spring,
O'er hill and dale they saftly blaw,
And drive the winter's cauld awa.
The ships lang gyzened at the pier
Now spread their sails and smoothly steer.
The nags and nowt hate wissened strae,
And frisking to the fields they gae,
Nor hynds wi' elson and hemp lingle,
Sit soling shoon out o'er the ingle.
Now bonny haughs their verdure boast,
That late were clade wi' snaw and frost.
With her gay train the Paphian Queen
By moonlight dances on the green;
She leads while Nymphs and Graces sing,
And trip around the fairy ring.
Meantime poor Vulcan hard at thrift,
Gets mony a sair and heavy lift,
Whilst, rinnen down, his haff-blind lads
Blaw up the fire, and thump the gads.
Now leave your fitsted on the dew,
And busk ye'r sell in habit new.
Be gratefu' to the guiding powers,
And blythly spend your easy hours.
O kanny F -- -- -- ! tutor time,
And live as lang's ye'r in your prime;
That ill-bred Death has nae regard
To king or cottar, or a laird,
As soon a castle he'll attack,
As waus of divots roofed wi' thack.
Immediately we'll a' take flight
Unto the mirk realms of night,
As stories gang, with gaists to roam,
In gloumie Pluto's gousty dome;
Bid fair good-day to pleasure syne
Of bonny lasses and red wine.
Then deem ilk little care a crime,
Dares waste an hour of precious time;
And since our life's sae unko short,
Enjoy it a', ye've nae mair for't.






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