As for the firſt kind of Artiſts, I ſay,
If they have Art let me it ſee
In phraſes of our own Country:
Namely in Arts mbich hath been found
Into our own good Scotſh ground.
If they have Art from Rome or Greece
Tell it in phraſes of that Place:
And alſo who it there did find,
And they ſhall bear more of my mind.
When they deſcribe the Comets Ray,
The Swans wing they ought to ſay:
They give't a name though not a nait'ne,
For Cignus, wing is broken Latine
They give this comet a Stars name,
And places it in Stary frame.
And alſo names its Conſtellation
As if it kept a conſtant ſtation.
It ſeems rhe Art hath got diſgrace,
Which makes the Stars to leave their place:
Scorning with them to be ſet down,
Or to be known for half a crown
Or elſe their inſtruments do fail,
For things too cheap is oft cut-waile.
For they begin Art to ſet down,
And teach the ſame for half a Crown
Which if they could take obſervation
They would not ſo flight Navigation.
For Artiſts good I thus will ſay,
I'l ſhew all kindneſs that I may;
And ſo will all that loves there Arts,
Both in this place and other parts.
By Mathematicks firſt were made
The firſt foundations of each Trade.
I pray good Artiſts me excuſe
For in this thing none abuſe:
For better it were then to exhort,
Then they to others be a ſport.
Ja.Paterſon.
