Page:The muses threnodie (Adamson, 1638).djvu/25
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The first muse
5
With kinde embracements, did we thurst and thrimble,
(For in these dayes I was exceeding nimble)
We leapt, we danct, we loudly laught and cry'd:
For in the earth such skill was never try'd
In archerie, as we prov'd in these daies,
Whereby we did obtaine immortall praise.
Then Gossop Gall (quod I) I dar approve
Thou hast a trustie token of my love.
What shall be said of other martiall games?
None was inlaking from whence bravest stemmes,
Victorious trophees, palmes, and noble pynes
Olives and lawrels, such as auncient times
Decor'd the Grecian-victors in their playes,
And worthie Romanes in their brave assayes,
For tryall of their strength, each match'd with other,
Whose beautie was, sweat mix'd with dust together.
Such exercises did content us more
Then if wee had possest King Crœsus store.
But O! ye fields my native Perth neerby,
Prayes you to speak, and truely testifie,
What matchlesse skill we prov'd in all these places,
Within the compasse of three thousand paces,
On either side; while as we went a shooting,
And strongly strove who should bring home the booting,
Alongst the flowrie banks of Tay to Amound,
Ay when I hit the mark I cast a gamound;
And there we view the place where some time stood
The ancient Bertha, now ov'rflow'd with flood[1]
Of mightie waters, and that Princely hold
Where dwelt King William, by the streame down rold,
(For in these dayes I was exceeding nimble)
We leapt, we danct, we loudly laught and cry'd:
For in the earth such skill was never try'd
In archerie, as we prov'd in these daies,
Whereby we did obtaine immortall praise.
Then Gossop Gall (quod I) I dar approve
Thou hast a trustie token of my love.
What shall be said of other martiall games?
None was inlaking from whence bravest stemmes,
Victorious trophees, palmes, and noble pynes
Olives and lawrels, such as auncient times
Decor'd the Grecian-victors in their playes,
And worthie Romanes in their brave assayes,
For tryall of their strength, each match'd with other,
Whose beautie was, sweat mix'd with dust together.
Such exercises did content us more
Then if wee had possest King Crœsus store.
But O! ye fields my native Perth neerby,
Prayes you to speak, and truely testifie,
What matchlesse skill we prov'd in all these places,
Within the compasse of three thousand paces,
On either side; while as we went a shooting,
And strongly strove who should bring home the booting,
Alongst the flowrie banks of Tay to Amound,
Ay when I hit the mark I cast a gamound;
And there we view the place where some time stood
The ancient Bertha, now ov'rflow'd with flood[1]
Of mightie waters, and that Princely hold
Where dwelt King William, by the streame down rold,
Was
- ↑ Bertha