“That I have expressed my Thought in my native Dialect, was not only my…” — Allan Ramsay | V2Melody

“That I have expressed my Thought in my native Dialect, was not only my Inclination, but the Desire of my best and wisest Friends; and most reasonable, since good Imagery, just Similes, and all Manner of ingenious Thoughts, in a well laid Design, disposed into Numbers, is Poetry. Then good Poetry may be in any Language.”

Defending the use of Scots as fully capable of genuine poetry · Preface to Poems, 1721

About Allan Ramsay

Allan Ramsay

c. 15 October 1684–7 January 1758

Allan Ramsay was born around 15 October 1684 (some sources cite 1685 or 1686) in the rugged mining village of Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He entered the world in a place defined by the harsh rhythms of lead extraction, where the hills echoed with the labor of men toiling for the Hopetoun estates. His father…

More by Allan Ramsay

Poems by Allan Ramsay

More remarks by Allan Ramsay

“There is nothing can be heard more silly than one's expressing his Ignorance of his native Language; yet such there are, who can vaunt of acquiring a tolerable Perfection in the French or Italian Tongues, if they have been a Forthnight in Paris or a Month in Rome: But shew them the most elegant Thoughts in a Scots Dress, they as disdainfully as stupidly condemn it as barbarous.”

Rebuking affectation and the neglect of one's own tongue · Preface to The Ever Green, 1724

“I e'en gave over in good time, before the coolness of fancy that attends advanced years, should make me risk the reputation I had acquired.”

On wisely ceasing to write poetry in later life to preserve one's fame · Letter to John Smibert, May 1736

“Tis none of the least of my Diversions to see one Part of the World laughing at the other, yet all seem fully satisfied with their own Opinions and Abilities; but I shall never quarrel with any Man whose Temper is the reverse of mine.”

On the folly of judging others for differing tastes and the value of tolerance · Preface to Poems, 1721