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Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

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THE SCOTTISH BORDER. 101<br />

were <strong>the</strong> early <strong>the</strong>mes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grecian muse. Whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />

that delicacy, which precludes <strong>the</strong> modern bard from<br />

<strong>the</strong> choice <strong>of</strong> such impressive and dreadful <strong>the</strong>mes, be<br />

favourable to <strong>the</strong> higher classes <strong>of</strong> poetic composition,<br />

may perhaps be questioned; but <strong>the</strong>re can be little doubt<br />

that <strong>the</strong> more important eause <strong>of</strong> virtue and morality is<br />

advanced by this exclusion. The knowledge, that enor-<br />

mities are not without precedent, may promote, and<br />

even suggest <strong>the</strong>m. Hence, <strong>the</strong> publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New-'<br />

gale Register has been prohibited by <strong>the</strong> wisdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

legislature, having been found to encourage those very<br />

crimes <strong>of</strong> which it recorded <strong>the</strong> punishment. Hence,<br />

too, <strong>the</strong> wise maxim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Romans, Fac'mora ostendi<br />

dum puniantur,Jlagitla aulcm ahsco7uli dchcnt.<br />

The ballad has a high degree <strong>of</strong> poetical merit.

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