Allan Ramsay. [A biography.] - National Library of Scotland

; —
ALLAN RAMSAY 47
a poetical address. Such a course was of itself sufficient
to recommend him to men like Dr. Ruddiman and Dr.
Pitcairn. The poem, addressed to 'The Most Happy
Members of the Easy Club,' proceeded, in a felicitous
strain of gentle satire, blended with genial humour not
unlike Gay at his best, to plead his own cause why he
should be admitted as ' an Easy fellow.' His applica-
tion was successful, and he was duly enrolled as a
member. The following lines extracted from it will
exhibit the character of the piece, which takes rank as
the earliest of his published poems
' Were I but a prince or king,
I'd advance ye, I'd advance ye
Were I but a prince or king,
So highly I'd advance ye !
Great wit and sense are ever found
Among ye always to abound ;
Much like the orbs that still move round,
No ways constrained, but easy.
Were I but, etc.
Most of what's hid from vulgar eye,
Even from earth's centre to the sky.
Your brighter thoughts do clearly spy,
Which makes you wise and easy.
Were I but, etc.
All faction in the Church or State,
With greater wisdom still you hate,
And leave learn'd fools there to debate,
Like rocks in seas you're easy.
Were I but, etc.
I love ye well—O let me be
One of your blythe Society
And like yourselves I'll strive to be
Aye humorous and easy.
Were I but, etc.
;
—