(Who died at Dunkeld, 1728)
Stop passenger! until my
life you read,—
The living may get knowledge from the dead.
Five tines five years I liv'd a virgin life
Five times five years I liv'd a happy wife
Ten times five years I liv'd a widow chaste:
Now, wearied of this mortal life, I rest.
Betwixt my cradle and my grave were seen
Eight mighty kings of Scotland and a queen.
Four times five years a commonwealth I saw,
Ten times the subjects rise against the law
Thrice did I see old prelacy pull'd down,
And thrice the cloak was humbled by the gown,
An end of Stewart's race I saw—nay more,
I saw my country sold for English ore:
Such desolations in my time have been,
I have an end of all perfection seen. |