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 12 3 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 4 5 6 
 
■'•»»*i^'^ 
 
 F^^ 
 
 POMPOSSD AT 
 
 mi, ftibrator, and tanada, 
 
 y 
 
 BY 
 
 y^LEXANDEI^^HAND, 78TH |^ighlaj 
 
 NDERS, 
 
 
 iii 
 
 Montreal •' 
 PRINTEiO By JOHN LOVfiLL, tSr. NIOaOLAS 3TRBRT. 
 
 1869. 
 
 I 
 
 ^^EH^. 
 
# 
 
 i 
 
) 
 
 POEMS AND SOS 
 
 C0MPOt«£D AT 
 
 HOME, GIBRALTAR AND CANADA, 
 
 i 
 
 BY 
 
 ALEXANDER SHAND 
 
 78th Highlanders- 
 
 >♦ ■'^-■^i 
 
 Montreal : 
 PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STREET. 
 
 , 1869. 
 
/ 
 
 ¥h mtim 
 
 p, 
 
 iott-Commlisslond miUm, and ptn 
 
 «)f 
 
 f fee ?8tfe lififelanbtrs, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 > 
 
 The following pieces were composed, not with the inten- 
 tion of being published, but for the amusement of the 
 author, and to improve a spare hour either on Sentry or 
 in the Barrack room. It will be highly gratifying to him 
 if the reader derives as much pleasure in perusing them 
 as he enjoyed in their composition. 
 
 A few of them—" Strathbogie," " The Maid of Lessen- 
 drum," and " To Jessie," — were composed amid the rural 
 scenes of his native village, while the others were composed, 
 either in the din of the Barrack room or in the nocturnal 
 solitude of the sentinel. The piece entitled " Soldier's 
 Thoughts on Sentry," was composed on Europa advance 
 guard, in Gibraltar, beneath the shadow of that gigantic 
 rock ; and the piece on the " Presentation of our Colors," 
 was composed on sentry at the main guard of this garrison 
 shortly aftci the occurrence of the event which it is meant 
 to describe. 
 
 It is at the request of his comrade soldiers that he sub- 
 mits them to press, not to undergo the critical inspection 
 of the pubUc, but for the soldiers, who can judge them 
 hest — being written in their own sphere. Any civilian, 
 into whose hands a copy may fall, who is at all acquainted 
 with military life, must allow for the disadvantages experi- 
 enced by a soldier in literary pursuits. 
 
> • •*. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Soldier's Thoughts on Sentry 5 
 
 On the Presentation of Colors 7 
 
 The Highland Soldier 9 
 
 Soldier Abroad H 
 
 Lines on Burns 23 
 
 Toast 24 
 
 Str-vthbogie 25 
 
 On the Tap O'Notu 27 
 
 The Maid op Ardekseik 28 
 
 Jessie the Maid of Lessendrum 30 
 
 To Jessie 31 
 
 Recruit Drill at Gibraltar 32 
 
olbiet's i^0U9^ts on sentrg. 
 
 The sun has set, and twilight grey 
 
 Is darkening into night; 
 The towers on yon embattled rock 
 
 Are spreading rays of light. 
 
 When walking sentry on my post 
 
 Upon the ramparts high, 
 Hearing no sound except the waves, 
 
 No human being nigh ; 
 
 My thoughts, — they wander'd f? r away 
 
 Unto a happy spot, — 
 My native land I My native home ! 
 
 Ah I ne'er to be forgot. 
 
 The dear lov'd cottage in the glen, 
 
 I pictur'd in my mind, 
 And dearer still, that lovely maid. 
 
 Whom I had left behind. 
 
 I thought I saw her, bright and fair, 
 
 Blooming in all her charms, 
 Oh ! how I long'd to be again 
 
 Encircl'd in her arms, 
 
 And fondly I recall'd to mind 
 
 My happy, early days. 
 When wand'ring with companions young 
 
 Among our country's braes; 
 
 I 
 
8 
 
 A soldier's thoughts on sentry. 
 
 Sometimes to tread the deep ravine, 
 Or climb the mountain side, 
 
 As hghtsome as om- native stag. 
 In all his freebom pride. 
 
 But youthful days soon pass away, 
 And boys soon grow to men ; 
 
 I parted with that happy band, 
 And now I am in Spain. 
 
 Enroll' d among a gallant corps, 
 Who guard their country's rights, 
 
 In doing duty— day or night, 
 Upon Gibraltar's heights. 
 
 That giant rock, with visage grey, 
 Has seen war's wild ala'-ms, 
 
 But never witnessed Britain's sons 
 Disgrace their country' i arms. 
 
 And well may Old Brittania boast 
 Of sons so tried and true ; 
 
 For in the battle's hottest charge, 
 Their courage leads them through. 
 
 In every climate— hot and cold, 
 The British soldier serves, 
 
 And gains himself a hero's name, 
 A name he well deserves. 
 
Itt the fircstnttitian of §cto (f^olors 
 
 To THE 78th Highlanders, 
 
 The bugle calls us for parade, 
 
 We form up, in marching order, 
 Dress'd in the Highland kilt and plaid, 
 
 We march away to "O'er the Border." 
 
 We come from (Caledonia's hills. 
 Their rugg'd rocket are high and hoary ; 
 
 Uur land a page of history tills, 
 With records of immortal glory. 
 
 The gallant ensign stately rears 
 
 Uur blood stain'd colors rent and torn ; 
 
 These relics of departed years 
 Are now to sin-eds completely worn. 
 
 In many a foreign land they've wav'd 
 Amid the strife and din of battle 5 
 
 And manly hearts beneath liave brav'd 
 
 The charge, where steel on steel did rattle, 
 
 Tho' bullets, time, and torrid zone 
 
 Have worn and sore defac'd our banners, 
 
 Yet what is left, to look upon, 
 Is thickly coverd o'er with honors. 
 
 But now !--We reach the Champ-de-Mars, 
 And as in line we take our station. 
 
 The ladies gay in glittering cars. 
 Do wait in eager expectation. 
 
 B 
 
]0 ON THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS. 
 
 And otticeis of every grade, 
 Around their Genercal, form a cluster, 
 
 He smiles upon the gay parade, 
 His eye sheds forth a joyous lustre. 
 
 Upon a pile of drums— Behold ! 
 
 Bright silken colors are extended, 
 Welcome the new ! Farewell the old ! 
 
 Their days of warfare now are ended. 
 
 But sec ! The crowd is thickening fast, 
 With men of every rank and station ; 
 
 The hour of twelve has chimed at last, 
 And now begins the presentation. 
 
 A lady fair, with graceful mien, 
 
 Of high degree, and polished manners, 
 
 gays :— " In the name of Britain" s Queen, 
 " I now present you with these banners ; 
 
 "And Highlanders, where e"er you go, 
 '' I hope you always will respect them, 
 
 <' And shouLl you ever meet the foe — 
 '<I bid you with your lives protect them." 
 
 Our country's royal gift we take ; 
 
 The memory of the past will aid us. 
 To guard them for our country's sake; 
 
 In battle nothing shall degrade us. 
 
Iht ^ijhbntr folbkr. 
 
 When our country goes to fight, 
 And the foe has come in sight, 
 
 In our columns, left or right, 
 You'll find the Highland soldier, 
 
 Pressing on with dauntless heart, 
 With the courage and the art 
 
 To perform an hero's part, 
 And prove himself a soldier. 
 
 When the shot like hailstones fly, 
 When the shells are bursting nigh. 
 
 Death or victory, is the cry 
 By every Highland soldier. 
 
 Onward, at the charge they go, 
 
 Rushing madly at the foe ; 
 Files and sections are laid low 
 
 Before the Highland soldier. 
 
 Never on the battle field. 
 
 Did a kilted hero yi'^id, 
 Though with mortal wounds he reeled, 
 
 He still fought like a soldier. 
 
 And oft. beneath a torrid sun, 
 Were deeds of glory bravely done, 
 
 And never-fading laurels won 
 By many a iligliland soldier. 
 
 I 
 
12 
 
 THE HIGHLAND SOLDHilR. 
 
 When Cawnpore's bloody plains were lost, 
 Who was it that the Ganges crvoss'd, 
 
 And hurl'd back the rebel host? 
 It was the Highland soldier. 
 
 From Lucknow's walls arose a cry— 
 The wail of women rent the sky, 
 
 Imploring aid from heaven on high : 
 Heaven sent the Highland soldier. 
 
 See on that wall the crimson stain, 
 
 The blood of infants cruelly slain ; 
 It cried for vengeance o'er the plain, 
 And vengeance cried the soldier. 
 
 Then bravely onward went that few, 
 
 Britannia's maidens to rescue ; 
 Their stalwart pipers loudly blew, 
 
 To cheer the weary ..oldier. 
 
 They maiched, they fought, but not in vain, 
 At last they did the fortress gain, 
 
 Although on India's burning plaui, 
 Lay many a bleeding soldier. 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 
 Is it a dream — a flitf'ul dream, 
 
 A shadow of the night ! 
 That Caledonia's bonnie hills 
 
 Are fleeing from my sight ? 
 I know too well 'tis not a dream, 
 
 It only is my fate 
 To leave fair Scotland for a while, 
 
 To serve the crown and state. 
 
 I go to join the Ross -shire Buffs, 
 
 That brave heroic band, 
 They wear the tartan of the North, 
 
 And glory in that land. 
 Land of the brave that gave me birth ! 
 
 To thee, I say, farewell ! 
 I for a time must cross the deep, 
 
 In other climes must dwell. 
 
 Ho! spread the canvas, Neptune's sons, 
 
 And let us catch the breeze ; 
 I long to prove the boasted worth 
 
 Of climes beyond the seas. 
 Our ship is good, the wind is fair. 
 
 No swell is on the deep. 
 We'll sling our hammocks to the beams, 
 
 Turn in, and go to sleep. 
 
 I 
 
14 SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 Vain hope ! an hour has changed the scene- 
 High crested waves appear, 
 
 We leave Hibernians coast behind, 
 And iBiscay's bay draws near. 
 
 Ill-fated bay ! how many a bark. 
 Has sunk beneath thy wave, 
 
 And England's bravest hearts of oak, 
 In thee have found a grave. 
 
 The heavens grow dark, the billows roar. 
 
 It blows a lieavy gale ; 
 The mariners with all their haste, 
 
 Are reefing every sail. 
 The gale assumes a hurricane, 
 
 And darker grows the sky. 
 Our vessel cracks from stem to stern. 
 
 The sea rolls mountains high. 
 
 A broadside from a monster wave. 
 
 Makes all her timbers shake ; 
 Another breaks upon her bows, 
 
 And sweeps along her deck. 
 We mount upon the watery heights. 
 
 Then headlong down we dash 
 Into a yawning, surging gulf. 
 
 Tremendous is the splash. 
 
 For twelve long hours the storm increased, 
 We roll'd from wave to wave, 
 — Yet every sailor did his best 
 
 The gallant ship to save. 
 At last the danger passed away, 
 
 The sea was calm and still; 
 And when a gentle breeze set in, 
 The boatswain's pipe blew shrill. 
 
SOLDIER APROAD. 
 
 The yards were manned, the sails were set, 
 
 The sun was sinking low ; 
 Then soldiers gathered on the deck, 
 
 And songs were all the go. 
 Some well known comrade gives his best, 
 
 Encourag'd by a cheer ; 
 And all along the crowded deck, 
 
 The chorus rises clear. 
 
 With many a song and many a tale. 
 
 The night was spent in glee ; 
 And every soldier's heart was glad, 
 
 That sec nd night at sea. 
 How soon do men forget the hour 
 
 Of threatening danger near — 
 An hour will change dismay to joy, 
 
 A minute— joy to fear. 
 
 When morning dawn'd, we sought the deck, 
 
 And well we could descry 
 Hispania's hills of hoary gray. 
 
 Far in the eastern sky. 
 And as our vessel near'd the shore 
 
 Corunna met our gaze ; 
 Well might its shattered walls unfold 
 
 A tale of former days. 
 
 For there our hardv sons of war, 
 
 Although half-starv"d and few, 
 Did meet with legions of the French, 
 
 And fought till all was blue. 
 All honor be to gallant Moore, 
 
 Who, in that day of strife. 
 Led on his men to victory's charge — 
 
 But gained it with his life. 
 
 15 
 
15 SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 Right woll he knew his Highland men, 
 
 The heroes of the Nile ; 
 "Rcmemher Egypt/' were his words, 
 
 And cheered th m with a smile. 
 And when their store of shot was spent. 
 
 Brave Moore, without dismay, 
 8aid : '^ Men j ou have your bayonets yet, 
 
 ''We'll charge and gain the day." 
 
 But scarcely were his words obey'd. 
 
 When with a fatal shot, 
 The hero got his mortal wound, 
 
 And fell upon the spot. 
 He raised himself from otf the ground. 
 
 And view'd his trusty band 
 Charging the now retiring French 
 
 Who could no longei stand. 
 
 Four soldi.rs took him in their arms. 
 
 And bore him oflf the field ; 
 He then exclaimed : " My work is done, 
 
 "To death I now will yield." 
 He died the glorious death of fame. 
 
 And Britain well might mourn 
 Her son, who gain'd Corunna's field, 
 
 But never did return. 
 
 Even France admired her conquering foe, 
 
 And o'er the hero's dust 
 Has raised a fitting monument, 
 
 Grac'd with colossal bust. 
 But though a passhig scene like this 
 
 Demands a passing lay. 
 The vessel speeds and so must I 
 
 Along our destin'd wiy. 
 
 \\ 
 
SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 IT 
 
 I'/ 
 
 We pass Finisterre's rounded cape, 
 
 Projecting in the deep ; 
 And playful to its rocky shore 
 
 The bounding waves do leap. 
 The genial warmth of tlie south 
 
 Now gently fans the air, 
 And men and women seek the deck, 
 
 The sunny bliss to share. 
 
 Against the bulwarks many stand, 
 
 And eagerly they watch 
 The porpoise dashing through the brine, 
 
 His mid day meal to catch. 
 And others squatted on the deck, 
 
 Are dealing out the cards ; 
 A few although untaught to climb. 
 
 Are sporting on the yaids. 
 
 And thus the time wings swiftly by, 
 
 Onward the vessel glides ; 
 We hail the coast of Portugal, 
 
 Where beauty's train abides. 
 What varied scenes that land displays, 
 
 On mountain, rock and dale ; 
 And richly there, the clustering vine 
 
 Abou> Is in every vale. 
 
 Yet, in this land by nature bless' d. 
 
 Exists a servile race — 
 A Nation cursed with indolence, 
 
 Degraded by excess. 
 Ye fallen sons of Portugal, 
 
 Arise and till the soil ; 
 Your wealth and honor to regain. 
 
 And heaven will on you smile. 
 
18 
 
 SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 With Autumn's bounty in your stores. 
 
 Your commerce cannot fail ; 
 For merchant ships from every land. 
 
 Will on the Tagus sail. 
 But as our vessel sweeps along, 
 
 The land rece<les from sight, 
 Again the sun sinks in the west, 
 
 And glorious is the night. 
 
 The moon, which but the other eve,. 
 
 Was hidden in the storm, 
 Now rises slowly o'er the wave, 
 
 Proud in her rounded form. 
 How brightly in the azure heavens, 
 
 Emblaz'd with shining stars, 
 A spangled throng that seems to smile 
 
 (Jn us the sons of Mars. 
 
 The starboard watch now take their post, 
 
 And briskly walk the deck, 
 The ship cuts through the brine and leaves 
 
 White foam, far in her wake. 
 The gay lieutenant on the bridge 
 
 Is walking to and fro. 
 Thinking perhaps on some fair girl, 
 
 That lov'd him long ago. 
 
 That night o'er many a watery league. 
 
 Our well tried ship did gain ; 
 By noon, next day, with cheers we hail'd 
 
 The southern coast of Spain. 
 Fair Cadiz, with its lofty towers, 
 
 Smiles o'er the peaceful bay. 
 Where Nelson met the fleet of France 
 
 In battle's stern array. 
 
 
SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 19 
 
 Trafalgar, scene of deadly strife, 
 
 The memories of thy fight 
 Will ever rouse the Briti'*h Tar 
 
 To die for Britain" s right. 
 How calm is now that deep blue bay, 
 
 Where once the cannon peel'd, 
 Where England's force received a wouud, 
 
 That vict'ry scarcely healed. 
 
 When brave men die, a nation's heart 
 
 Is wounded to the core ; 
 When Nelson fell, Britannia wept, 
 
 And mourn' d from shore to shore. 
 The Spanish soil, from north to south, 
 
 With British blood is stain' d ; 
 And victory on Trafalgar's Bay, 
 
 With valued life was gain'd. 
 
 Now ploughing swiftly through the gut 
 
 Unfathom'd yet by man, 
 A continent on every side, 
 
 With wondering gaze we scan ; 
 And Hercules' proud pillars rise 
 
 Majestic' ly ahead — 
 Slirine of that powerful demigotl 
 
 Fam'd for heroic deed. 
 
 Mare Internum' s inland wave 
 
 Is reached through Calpe's straits. 
 And with the batteries iron load, 
 
 Britannia guards the gates. 
 Weak minded statesmen seek to yield 
 
 That fort so dearly bought 
 With millions, and by British blood, 
 
 When desperate bx-avery fought. 
 
 I 
 
30 
 
 80LDIEK ABROAD. 
 
 W« nearly reach our dostiii'd port, 
 
 When night obscuros our way ; 
 By signals then we orders get 
 
 To anchor in the bay. 
 'Ti.s mom again — a glorious morn, 
 
 Gib's towering rock appears 
 Majestic, grand and terrible, 
 
 Its summit grey with years. 
 
 But mark its base how richly dress'd 
 
 In nature's robes of green ; 
 The orange thrives uncultured here, 
 
 And clambering vines are seen. 
 The figtree and the pomegranate 
 
 In rare profusion grow, 
 And leafy bowers of jivsmhie 
 
 Their cooling shadow throw. 
 
 An order comes for us to land ; 
 
 The ship now seeks the pier ; 
 There many of our regiment wait 
 
 To greet us with a cheer. 
 Our party now is formed up, 
 
 And soon we maroh a?' ore ; 
 And all that day the gay canteen, 
 
 With jovial mirth did roar. 
 
 With right good will the sons of Mars, 
 
 To Bacchus' board repair ; 
 And charge the glasses with the stufl) 
 
 Prescribed to drown dull care. 
 How free the foaming jug goes round, 
 
 Till m," th takes sovereign power, 
 And chases aught that tends to grieve 
 
 Them in the passing hour. 
 
SOLDIEP ABB0A1>. 
 
 But often, i-ome unlucky wight, 
 
 Drinks deeply for a while, 
 And finds himself safely next doy, 
 
 In shameful durance ^'ile. 
 There are in every class of men, 
 
 A few who by excess 
 Do mar enjoyment to the rest, 
 
 Then sink in deep disgrace. 
 
 Now, stationed on the good old rook, 
 
 Many old friends -we find, 
 Among the Roes-shire Highlanders, 
 
 Who had before us join'd. 
 Our draft broke up and intermixed 
 
 V/ith all that stalwart band, 
 Who long had served the British crown. 
 
 In many a foreign land. 
 
 The Highland garb has proudly wftv*d 
 
 In India's burning plain, 
 Wliore hostile ranks did thickly press 
 
 Kebellion to maintain. 
 With dreadful loss, our men at last 
 
 The mutineers subdued ; 
 The British flag's triumphant still. 
 
 And peace again renewed. 
 
 At Mpida's charge, at Assay es fight, 
 
 In Java's sultry isle ; 
 On Meteren's heights, on Persia's sands. 
 
 And on the banks of Nile, 
 The Ross-shire Butis have fought and bled 
 
 Along with thousands more ; 
 And still, with pride, can boast a name, 
 
 Unstain'd on any shore. 
 
 21 
 
22 
 
 SOLDIER ABROAD. 
 
 They now combine witli other troops, 
 
 Gibraltar's fort to bold, - 
 To foemen inaccessible, 
 
 To Britain more than gold. 
 What foe could stand before its guns, 
 
 Loaded with deadly shell, 
 Ready to pour destruction forth 
 
 C)n all who dare assail. 
 
 Even far up in the solid rock, 
 
 Are mighty galleries wrought ; 
 With heavy guns and furnaces — 
 
 Ready to give tlicni 't hot. 
 A hundred sentries proudly walk 
 
 Its ramparts and its walls, 
 And guard it as they would their Queen 
 
 In Windsor's Royal Halls. 
 
 
 I 
 

 U there an honest Scottish rustic bard, 
 
 Who does not hail with reverence the day 
 On which immortal Bums first appeared, 
 
 And in a cottage poor and humble lay ? 
 Is there a man of great and noble birth, 
 
 Is there a learned sage or simple swain, 
 Who does not join in one to praise the worth 
 
 Of him who seems as if he lived again ? 
 
 He lives indeed : for every Scottish maid 
 
 Oft hails the morning with a happy song. 
 Perhaps her native Bards, as if she paid 
 
 A tribute to his name, with impulse strong. 
 He lives in all who pander o'er his page. 
 
 And learn his tale of love so fond and true ; 
 Heart-stirring feelings do their minds engage, 
 
 And rich imaginations meet their view. 
 
 Altho' his s jngs speak of the lowly train, 
 
 His genius lifts him up to high renown ; 
 For reared high on Scotia's lovely plain 
 
 Are monuments his lasting fame to crown. 
 WTiat homely tales he makes with lustre shine 1 
 
 His Cottar's Night and Hallo weven's charms ! 
 In both he paints that pleasure so divine,— 
 
 A loving pair wrapp'd in each others arms. 
 
24 
 
 LINES ON BURNS. 
 
 O ! would the muses nine inspire my pen 
 
 To write on thee, thou bard thcat I admire. 
 Thy rarest beauties I would show to men, 
 
 In graphic style ! But vain is my desire. 
 Because my harp is weak, my words are few, 
 
 My style is simple and my measure tame — 
 To hymn thy panegyric ! Lyrist of the Plough ! 
 
 Or add a laurel to thy wreath of fame. 
 
 Soast 
 
 COMPOSED FOR .\ DINNKR, <HVEN BY TUK 8TtH KOYAI. IRISH 
 
 FUSILEERS, TO THE T^TH HIGHLANDERS, PREVIOUS TO 
 
 THEIR LEAVING GIBRALTAR. 
 
 Here's success to the heroes that wear the grenade. 
 
 Likewise to the lads with the kilt and the plaid— 
 The deeds they have done for their country and (^ueen, 
 
 On their old tattered banners, are plain to be seen. 
 And though fate has thought tit to part us afar, 
 
 May friendship unite us in peace or in war ; 
 And the next time we meet with the brave Fusileers, 
 
 May the brandy be flowing as free as our cheers. 
 
irat^bogic. 
 
 Though London toon be large and wide, 
 Wi' streets and lanes fu' nionnie ; 
 
 
 r^ivv thr^rc do 'bide, 
 
 The 
 
 It's very far fae bonnie. 
 ThoLigli Aberdeen's a burgh toon. 
 
 It is but dark and foggy ; 
 But my delight by day and night, 
 
 '8 to live in sweet Strathbogie. 
 
 Mark weel ! upon its eastern side 
 
 A varied fair creation 
 Of fertile fields, rock, hill and dale, 
 
 A river and plantation. 
 And bonnie lasses on the green 
 
 Bend o'er their girded cogir 
 And wash their Ihien white and clean, 
 
 To bleach beside the Bogie. 
 
 The market place is on the south. 
 
 There farmers bring their cattle ; 
 And wi' the dealers fae the toon, 
 
 Ilae many a firm battle. 
 And when they get their helter teem, 
 
 It maks them unco vogie ; 
 And droves o' them get up the steam 
 
 Wi' drinking gudo Strathbogie. 
 
26 STRATHBOGIE. 
 
 How sweet to taste the lovely west^ 
 
 Where natuie's voice is ringing, 
 And lightly rove along the grove 
 
 To hear the Unties singing. 
 A warlike pile stands to the north, 
 
 Among the trees sae scrogie, 
 By it the loving couples stray 
 
 Do'vn Deveron side to Bogie. 
 
 And as you pass along the streets, 
 
 If architecture's wanting 
 You'll see there faces blythe and gay.. 
 
 And bonnie lasses ran tin' . 
 They sp^ak o' lasses unco fair 
 
 In Fyve >^nd in Logig, 
 But while I live, I'll ever praise 
 
 The girls o' sweet Strathbogie. 
 
 And there is ane, my bonnie Jane^ 
 
 So lovely and so bonnie. 
 If there be mair that are so fair, 
 
 I'm sure there are no monnie. 
 And all I want gude heaven grant, 
 
 Give me her and my cogie ; 
 Though money's scant, I'll live contents 
 
 But aye live in Strathbogie. 
 
|n % Sap WBoil^. 
 
 On Bogie's side a lofty mountain stands, 
 Between wild moors and cultivated lands ; 
 
 The' distant far and hidden from my eyes, 
 .1 et in my mind I see its form arise, — 
 
 Its rugged sides, all clad with heaths and ferns, 
 Its crystal streamlets, and its old grey cau*ns, 
 
 The mighty rock th.*. 4ses from its side. 
 
 Where sits the keen eyed hawk in all his pride ; 
 
 And on its summit, where in days of yore, 
 The strife of nature horrid gorges tore, 
 
 The goat now feeds on herbs that suit his taste, 
 And where hot lava flow'd he goes to rest. 
 
 But all these wild eruptions now are o'er. 
 On Tap O'Noth volcanoes burn no more ; 
 
 And when the summer comea — its bonnie braes 
 Re-echo to the shepherd's artless lays. 
 
 When with the warming sun and crystal dew 
 The rich brown heath assumes its purple hue, 
 
 Then sportmen know their season is begun, 
 And do'vn the muir-fowl falls, — 0, glorious fun. 
 
 Beneath its towering heights, from day to day, 
 The hand of industry is seen to play ; 
 
 At morn the merry reapers take the fields. 
 And cut and gather that which nature yields; 
 
28 ox THE TAP O'NOTU. 
 
 The evening comes, an>I all is hushed and still, 
 Bright Luna rises slowly from the hill ; 
 
 i'he simple lover meet his artless maid, 
 And paradise is in the birken shade. 
 
 I long to see these rural scenes again, — 
 The steep loniantlv; hill and fertile plain; 
 
 Where peace an J plenty crown the rustic's toil, 
 And youth and beauty innocently smile. 
 
 Let foreign lands, reputed rich and fair. 
 Lead fortune hunters on to blank despair ; 
 
 liet mad ambition fight for future fame — 
 The old grey Tap O'Noth will stand the same. 
 
 nitt of %rberscir. 
 
 Away far in the distant west, 
 
 A soldier I do roam ; 
 The broad Atlantic now divides 
 
 Me from my native home. 
 
 But though I'm far from all I love. 
 
 While tartans I do wear ; 
 I'll mmd upon my dearest Jane, 
 
 The maid of Arderseir. 
 
 The heathy mountains of the north, 
 With lofty grandeur frown ; 
 
 And oft times from their craggy tops, 
 The bursting storm comes down. 
 
THK MAID OF AKDERSEIR. 
 
 And yet among them bloom« a rtower, 
 
 To me forever dear ; 
 All cLod with nature's wildest chaims 
 
 Is Jane of Arderseir. 
 
 When parting with that virtuous maid, 
 
 lier rosy lips 1 press'd 
 And when at last she breathe<l farewell. 
 
 I strained her to my breast. 
 
 '<My dearest girl,"' I s«'iid to her,— 
 
 "The happy time is near 
 "When I, your soldier, will return 
 
 "To bonnie Arderseir.' 
 
 From fortunes lap of golden stores, 
 
 I ask not wealth or fame ; 
 I've got a prize of higher worth,— 
 
 I iove to breathe her name. 
 
 It is engrnven on my heart, 
 
 'Tis music to my ear ; 
 And while I live, Tli tver love 
 
 My Jane of Arderseir. 
 
 29 
 

 jtssic, iht mnib of tcsstnbmm. 
 
 Its now September, and the oats 
 
 Are yellow on the braes ; 
 My musing fancy takes its wing 
 
 To sing my fair one's praise. 
 
 "Wlien from the merry harvest field, 
 
 I slowly homeward come, 
 Hy busy thoughts, my heart and soul 
 
 Are all at Lessendrum. 
 
 For there the rural nymph does dwell, 
 Who is my heart s delight ; 
 
 She's highest in my thoughts by day. 
 First in my dreams by nigh'-. 
 
 If Spaniards boast their matchless fair, 
 Let them to Scotland come, 
 
 And gaze on beauty pure and rare 
 At bonnie Lessendrum. 
 
 Ye powers that ruleth nature, 
 
 A humble poet hear, 
 And while he museth on the one. 
 
 That to his heart is dear. 
 
 Crown wreaths upon the soldier's brow, 
 Give gallant tars their rum ; 
 
 But ! give me my Jessie dear. 
 That lives at Lessendrum. 
 
JESSIE, THE MAID OF LESSENDRUM. 
 
 31 
 
 For she's the girl that I adore, 
 
 In a' the country wide ; 
 Her youthful cliarms hae won my heart- 
 
 Wi' her I aye could 'bide. 
 
 And I must he to see her soon, 
 
 To me she canna come ; 
 It's far between the Tap O'Noth, 
 
 And bonnie Lessendrum. 
 
 Q, 
 
 -^csslc. 
 
 Some think upon lands wi' their skies ever sunny, 
 And fair flowery countries far over the sea ; 
 
 Some thiuk on gay pleasure; some think on their money; 
 But Jessie ! my thoughts are concentr'd on thee. 
 
 From morning till evening, mid stir and in bustle, 
 
 When I am busy as busy can be, 
 When all my gay neighbours do merrily whistle. 
 
 My thoughts and my fa iy still wander to thee. 
 
 And in the dark night, when the tempest is raging, 
 And cold is the Avind that blows over the sea, 
 
 I dream ot a maiden — so sweet and engaging — 
 O Jessie ! dear Jessie, that maiden is thee. 
 
 Thou'rt as fair as the rose in the fresh summer morning, 
 And sweet as the honey that conies from the bee ; 
 
 Thy charms, like blossoms, all nature adorning, 
 i.t is that, Jessie dear, makes me think upon thee. 
 
 Although unto you I am almost a stranger. 
 Thy sweet youthful beauty has taken my e'e f 
 
 Then trust me and try me, 0, do not deny me, 
 There's none in the world that I love like thee. 
 
 I 
 
iectuit ^rill ni feibraltar. 
 
 Twas on a day in tiowery spring, 
 
 Un every tree the birds did sing, 
 The southern sun did brightly blaze 
 
 On Calpe's rock with scorching rays, 
 V'hen tirst our draft of forty men 
 
 Turned out lor drill at half past ten. 
 Tlie sergeant said he meant to try 
 
 And make us soldiers by and by ; 
 Now lads, my way of teaching drill,. 
 Is learn to face before you wheel ; 
 ( >f course we knew that long before 
 
 By practice some twelve months or move-, 
 Though here we were not ranked with men. 
 
 But classd as raw recruits again, 
 And tin-ned out three times in a day 
 For drill ; and faith it was not play, 
 Beneath the sun an hour to burn, 
 And still to get the other turn, 
 The least mistake by any there, 
 
 Kept us the longer on the square. 
 Duty was hanl, our case was urgent, 
 
 But fair things would not please the sergeant 
 The game of marking time he play'd, 
 
 Enjoying every night in bed, 
 T'ill one day came that made him sad. 
 
 The adjutant dismissed the squad, 
 And very gently told our tutor — 
 That he must do his guards in future. 
 
a