Bonny Barbara Allan (4)/Macpherson's Rant
For other versions of this work, see Bonny Barbara Allan.
MacPherson's Rant.
I've spent my time in rioting, debauch'd my health and strength!I've pillag'd, pluuder'd, murdered! but now, alas! at length,
I'm brought to punishment direct, pale ⟨death⟩ draws ⟨near⟩ to me!This end I never did project, to hang upon a tree!
To hang upon a tree, a tree! that curs'd, unhappy death!Like to a wolf to worried be, and choaked in the breath.My very heart would surely break, when this I think upon,⟨Did not⟩ my courage singular, bid pensive thoughts begone.
No man ⟨on⟩ earth that draweth breath, more courage had than I;I dar'd my foes unto their face, and would not from them fly:This grandeur stout, I did keep out, like Hector, manfullie:Then wonder one like me, so stout, should hang upon a tree!
Th' Egyptian band I did command, with courage more by far,Than ever did a general his soldiers in the war.
Being fear’d by all, both great and fr(illegible text) I liv'd most joyfullie:O! curse ⟨upon⟩ this fate of mine, to hang ⟨upon⟩ a tree.
As for my life. I do not care, if ⟨justice⟩ would take place,And bring my ⟨fellow⟩-plunderers unto the same disgrace.⟨For Peter⟩ Brown, that notour loon, ⟨escap'd⟩, and was made free;O! curse upon ⟨that⟩ fate of mine, to hang ⟨upon⟩ a tree.
⟨Both⟩ law and justice buried are, and fraud and guile succeed,The guilty pass unpunished, if money intercede.The Laird of Grant, that Highland saint his mighty majestie,He ploads the cause of Peter Brown, and lets Macpherson die.
The dest'ny of my life contriv'd, by those whom I oblig'd,Rewarded me much ill for good, and left me no refuge.
⟨But⟩ Braco Duff; in rage enough, ⟨He⟩ first laid hands on me;⟨And⟩ if that death would not prevent, ⟨Avenged⟩ wou'd I be.
⟨As⟩ for my life, it is but short when I shall be no more;⟨To⟩ part with life I am content, as any ⟨heretofore⟩:⟨Therefore⟩, good people all, take heed, this warning take by me,⟨According⟩ to the lives you lead, rewarded you will be.