The Last Words of James Mackpherson Murderer.
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I Spent my time in rioting,
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debauch'd my health and strength,
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I pillag'd, plundred, murdered,
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but now alas! at length,
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I'm brought to punishment condign;
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pale Death draws near to me,
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The end I ever did project
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to hang upon a Tree.
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To hang upon a Tree a Tree
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that curs'd unhappy Death;
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Like to a Wolf to worried be
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and Chocked in the Breath;
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It makes my very heart to break
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when this I think upon,
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Did not my Courage singular
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bid pensive thoughts begone.
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No man on Earth that draweth Breath
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more Courage had than I.
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I dar'd my Foes into their Face.
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knew not what 't was to Fly;
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A Grandeur stout I did keep out,
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like Hector manfully,
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Then wonder all that such a spark
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should hang upon a Tree.
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The Egiptian Band I did Command
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with greater sway by far,
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Then ever did a General
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his Soldiers in the War;
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Being fear'd be all and spar'd be all,
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I liv'd most joyfullie
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But ay pox take this fate of mine,
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must hang upon a Tree.
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No Grief at all I would take up,
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if Justice would take place,
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And bring my Fellow plunderers
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unto the same Disgrace.
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For Peter Brown that nottour lown
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escap'd and was made free,
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But ay pox take this Fate of mine,
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must hang upon a Tree.
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Ah! Laws and Justice buried are,
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Force, Fraud and Guile succeed,
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The Guilty pass unpunished.
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if Money interceed:
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The Laird of Grant that highland Saint
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that mightie Majesty,
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Did plead the Cause for Peter Brown
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and let Mackpherson dye,
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The Destinies my Death contriv'd
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Men whom I did oblige
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Rewarded me much ill for good,
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and left me no Refuge;
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For Brake a Duff in rage enuff
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at length laid Hands on me,
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The which if Death do not Prevent
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revenged I shall be.
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As for pale Death I do not care,
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more courage never had none,
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But yet Hells Torments I do not fear,
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when once my life is gone:
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Therefore good people all take head,
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this warning take by me,
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According to the Life ye lead,
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rewarded ye shall be
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As for my Death I'll not lament;
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such things I do abhore
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To part with life I'm well content,
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as any heretofore;
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Therefore my Council to you all
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is to Repent and Turn,
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Least afterwards it may befall
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you in Hells fire do burn,
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For neither Death nor Devils pow'rs
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this rage of mine shall break,
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For in the place to which I go
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some Office I expect,
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I'll Muster all the pow'rs of Hell,
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I'll cross the Stygian lake,
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Upon the Heads of those my Foes,
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sad Vengeance I shall take,
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Then be content and not relent
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my silly Soul, until
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The time may come wherein thou mayst
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perform thy Letter will.
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In hopes whereof I poured forth
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this with a dying Breath,
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As joyfully as man could do
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who hath in sight his Death;
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Then wantonly and Rantingly
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I am Resolv'd to die,
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And with undanted Courage I
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shall mount this fatal Ttee.
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