EpistleToJohnMaxwell,ESQ.,OfTerraughty

epistletojohnmaxwell,esq.,ofterraughty

onhisbirthday.

healthtothemaxwell'sveteranchief!

health,ayeunsour'dbycareorgrief:

inspir'd,iturn'dfate'ssibylleaf,

thisnatalmorn,

iseethylifeisstuffo'prief,

scarcequitehalf-worn.

thisdaythoumetesthreescoreeleven,

andicantellthatbounteousheaven

(thesecond-sight,yeken,isgiven

toilkapoet)

ontheeatacko'seventimesseven

willyetbestowit.

ifenviousbuckiesviewwi'sorrow

thylengthen'ddaysonthisblestmorrow,

maydesolation'slang-teeth'dharrow,

ninemilesanhour,

rakethem,likesodomandgomorrah,

inbrunstanestour.

butforthyfriends,andtheyaremony,

baithhonestmen,andlassiesbonie,

maycouthiefortune,kindandcannie,

insocialglee,

wi'morningsblythe,ande'eningsfunny,

blessthemandthee!

fareweel,auldbirkie!lordbenearye,

andthenthedeil,hedaurnasteerye:

yourfriendsayelove,yourfaesayefearye;

forme,shamefa'me,

ifneistmyheartidinnawearye,

whileburnstheyca'me.