Captain Johnstoun's last Farewell.
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YOY noble Lords of high Degree,
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that see my dismal Doom;
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Have some Regard to pity me,
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who now, alas! am come,
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To die an ignominious Death,
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as it doth well appear;
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While I declare with my last Breath,
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the Laws are most severe.
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In Scotland I was bred and born
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of noble Parents there:
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Good Education did adorn
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my Life I do declare:
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No Crime did e're my Conscience stain;
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till I adventur'd here?
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Thus have I Reason to complain,
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the Laws are most severe.
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In Flanders I the French have fac'd,
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and likewise in Ireland;
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Still eagerly pursu'd the Chase,
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with valiant Heart and Hand:
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Why was I not in Battle slain,
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rather than suffer here,
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A Death which Mortals do disdain,
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the Laws are most severe.
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I did no Hurt nor Wrong indeed,
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I solemnly protest;
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But meerly for to serve my Friend,
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I granted his Request;
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To free his Lady out of Thrall,
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his Joy and only Dear;
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And now my Life must pay for all,
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the Laws are most severe.
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I coming from my Native Land,
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in this unhappy Time,
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Alas, I did not understand
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the Nature of the Crime;
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Therefore I soon did condescend,
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as it doth well appear;
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And find therein I did offend,
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the Laws are most severe.
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In the same Lodging where I lay,
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and liv'd at Bed and Board;
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My Land-lord did my Life betray
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for Fifty Pounds Reward:
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Then being into Prison cast,
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although with Conscience clear,
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I was arraigned at the last,
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the Laws are most severe.
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The Lady would not hear my Moan,
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while dying Words I sent;
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Her cruel Heart, more hard than Stone,
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would not the least relent;
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But triumphing in my wretched State,
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as I did often here;
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I fall here by the Hand of Fate,
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the Laws are most severe.
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Will not my good and gracious King,
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be merciful to me?
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Is there not in his Breast a Spring
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of Princely Clemency?
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No not for me, alas I die!
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the Hour is drawing near:
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To the last Minute I shall cry,
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The Laws are most severe.
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Farewel dear Country Men (said he)
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and this tumultuous Noise;
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My Soul will soon transported be
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to more Celestial Joys:
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Tho' in the Blossom of my Youth,
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pale Death I do not fear:
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For to the last I'll speak the Truth,
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the Laws are most severe.
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Alas! I have not long to live;
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and therefore now (said he)
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All that wrong'd me, I them forgive,
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as GOD shall pardon me.
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My Land-lord and his subtile Wife,
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I do forgive them here;
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Farewel this transitory Life,
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the Laws are most severe.
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