Page:Elegy in memory of that valiant champion, Sir R. Grierson, late Laird of Lag, who died Dec. 23d, 1733.pdf/21

21 Above Rabshakeh to blaspheme.

By habit he did curse and swear,

He harlot’s company did bear.

He did counsel and assist

The king who after blood did thirst,

To bring all to a final end

For covenants that did contend.

All public mischiefs in the land

Were done at Lauderdale's command.

In Mitchel’s case he did perjure

Himself most wrongfully he swore;

For conscience he regarded not,

Himself he wholly did devote

To serve king Charles and myself,

And to advance his wordly pelf

Persisting in these courses still,

Did grieve and anger one Cargil;

So Charles, York, Monmouth and he,

Were all deliver’d o’er to me;

Rothes, M’Kenzie and Dalziel,

Unto my lot each man they fell,

A company of as brave men,

As ever minister did send

By such a sentence unto me;

Whom I embrac’d most willingly,

’Cause formerly I did commend

In many things these worthy men.

Now those brave heroes I must leave,

And some few instances I’ll give

Of these brave actions which Lag did,

That ought no longer to be hid.

In Galloway he was well known

His great exploits in it were shewn.

He was my general in that place,