Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/burnsworl'r ...... . 126 TheCa^f . 120 The Cotter's Saturday Night ..... . 35 ' The Death and Dying Words of Poor Maillie 5 The Farewell ....... . 118 The First Psalm . 10 The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm . . 11 The Hermit ..... . . . 142 The Holy Fair ....... . 105 The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to the Noble Duke of Athole . 147 The Inventory ..... ^ . . 91 The Jolly Beggars ...... . 43 The Kirk's Alarm ...... . 166 The Ordination ....... . 85 The Poet's Welcome to his Illegitimate Child . . 135 The Rights of Woman ...... . 203 The Torbolton Lasses ...... 2 , The Tree of Liberty ...... . 212 The Twa Dogs ....... . 78 V The Twa Herds : or, The Holy Tulzie .... . 18 The Vision . 64 The Vowels : a Tale ...... . 200 The Whistle . 169 To a Haggis ....... . 138 To a Kiss ....... . 205 To a Louse, on Seeing one on a Lady's Bonnet at Church . . ^ 84x To a ^Mountain Daisy ...... . 93 To a Mouse ....... . 24 To Captain Riddel of Glenriddel .... . 160 ToChloris ....... . 214 To Clarinda ....... . 154 To Clarinda ........ . 155 To Clarinda ..... . 155 To Clarinda . . . - . . 156 To Collector Mitchell .... . 217 To Colonel De Peysfcer .... . 218 To John Taylor ....... . 162 To Miss Cruikshank , .... . 151 To Miss Ferrier . . .... . 145 To Miss Jessy Lewars, Dumfries .... . 219 To Miss Logan, with Beattie's Poems as a New- Year's Gift, January 1,1787 137 To IMrs C , on Receiving a Work of Hannah More's . 136 To the Owl . 177 Tragic Fragment ....... 1 lo CONTENTS, PAQB Verses Intended to be Written Below a Noble Earl's Picture . . 137 Verses on an Evening View of the Ruins of Lincluden Abbey . . 178 Verses on a Scotch Bard Gone to the West Indies .... 112 Verses on Captain Grose's Peregrinations through Scotland Collecting the Antiquities of that Kingdom ....... 172 Verses on Reading in a Newspaper the Death of John M'Leod, Esq. . 143 Verses on Seeing a Wounded Hare Limp by me which a Pellow had just Shot 164 Verses on the Destruction of the Woods near Drumlanrig , . . 215 Verses to an old Sweetheart After her Marriage . 119 Verses to John Maxwell of Ten'aughty, on his Birthday . 199 Verses to John Rankine ..... . 202 Verses to Miss Graham of Fintry, with a Present of Songs . 211 Yerses to my Bed ..... . 181 Verses Written under Violent Grief . . 120 Willie Chalmers ...... . 121 Winter : a Dirge ...... 4 EPISTLES. Epistle to a Young Friend ....... 250 Epistle to Davie ...... . 222 Epistle to Dr Blacklock .... . 264 Epistle to Gavin Hamilton, Esq. . 248 Epistle to Hugh Parker .... . 259 Epistle to James Smith .... . 244 Epistle to James Tait of Glenconner . . 262 Epistle to John Goudie, Kilmarnock . . 233 Epistle to John Lapraik .... . 226 Epistle to John Rankine . 220 Epistle to Major Logan .... . 253 Epistle to Mr M'Adam of Craigengillan 252 Epistle to the Rev. John M'Math . 240 Epistle to William Creech . 257 Epistle to William Simpson . 234 First Epistle to R. Graham, Esq., of Fintry . . 260 Fourth Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry . 271 Poetical Invitation to Mr John Kennedy . 249 Second Epistle to Davie . 242 Second Epistle to Lapraik . 230 Second Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry . 266 Third Epistle to John Lapraik . . 238 Third Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry . 269 To the Guidwife of Wauchope House . . 255 EPIGKAMS, EPITAPHS, &C. A Bottle and an Honest Friend ...... 298 A Farewell ..... . 273 A Grace before Dinner . . 295 A Mother's Address to her Infant . 296 Epigram on Bacon . 285 Epitaph on a Suicide . 288 Epitaph on Robert Aiken, Esq. . . 2D1 Epitaph on Tarn the Chapman . . . 292 Epitaph on the Author's Father . 273 Epitaph on W . 279 Extempore on Two Lawyers . , . 275 Extempore on William Smellie . . 276 Extempore, Pinned to a LadyV Coach . . 287 Extempore to Mr Syme . . 289 CONTENTS. II PAGR Grace after Dinner . . . . . . 299 Grace after Dinner . . . . . . 299 HowletFace ...... . 285 Innocence ...... . 279 Inscription on a Goblet . . . . . . 290 Johnny Peep ...... . 294 Lines on Viewing Stirling Palace . 277 Lines sent to a Gentleman whom he had Offended . 282 Lines Spoken Extempore on being appoin^ted to the 1 xcise . . .279 Lines to John Rankin e . . . . . . 297 Lines Written under the Picture of the Celebrated Mi ss Burns . . 277 Lines Written on a Pane of Glass in the Inn at Mofta t . . .279 On a Celebrated Ruling Elder . . . . . 292 On a Country Laird . . . , . . 290 On a Friend ...... . 291 On a Henpecked Country Squire . 293 On a Henpecked Country Squire . 293 On a Henpecked Country Squire . 294 On a Noisy Polemic . . . . . . 292 On a Noted Coxcomb .... . 293 On a Person Nicknamed the Marquis . . 279 On a Schoolmaster . . . . , . 278 On a Sheep's Head . . . . . . 283 On a Wag in Mauchline . . . . . . 274 On Andrew Turner . . . . . . 295 On Burns's Horse being Impounded . 281 On Captain Francis Grose . . . . . 280 On Elphinstone's Translation of Martial's "Epigrams " . . . 278 On Excisemen ..... . 287 On Gabriel Richardson, BrewT, Dumfries . 283 On Gavin Hamilton .... . 292 On Grizzel Grim ..... . 281 On Incivility shown to him at Inverary . 277 On John Bushby ..... . 297 On John Dove, Innkeeper, Mauchline . . 272 On Lord Galloway .... . 284 On Lord Galloway .... . 285 On Miss Jean Scott of Ecclefechau . 293 On Mr Burton ..... . 281 On Mr W. Cruikshank .... . 295 On Mrs Kemble . . - . ^ . 286 On Robert Riddel .... . 287 On Seeing Miss Fontenelle in a favourite Character . 283 On Seeing the beautiful Seat of Lord Galloway . 284 On the Death of a Lap-Dog named Echo . 284 On the Illness of a Favourite Child . 275 1 On the Kirk of Lamington, in Clydesdale . 2C8 I On the Poet's Daughter .... . 290 > On the Recovery of Jessy Lewars . 298 On the Sickness of Miss Jessy Lewai's . . 298 On Wat ...... . 2D5 On Wee Johnny ..... . 293 Poetical Inscription for an Altar to Independence . 289 Poetical Reply to an Invitation . . 274 Voetical Reply to an Invitation . 281 12 CONTENTS. PAGB The Black-headci Eagle 283 The Book-worms ........ 285 The Creed of Poverty 286 The Epitaph 286 The Henpecked Husband . . . . . . .294 The Highhmd Welcome ........ 276 The Parson's Looks ........ 286 The Parvenu The Reproof The Selkirk Grace The Toast The Toast The True Loyal Natives . Though Fickle Fortune has Deceived Me To a Painter To a Young Lady in a Church . To Dr Maxwell . To John M'Murdo, Esq. . To John M'Murdo, Esq. . To Lord Galloway To Miss Jessy Lewars To Mr Svme To the Editor of the Star Verses Addressed to the Landlady of the Inn at Rosslyn Verses to John Rankine .... Verses Written on a Pane of Glass, on the Occasion of a National Thanks- giving for a Naval Victory Verses Written on a Window of the Globe Tavern, Dumfries Verses Written on a Window of the Inn at Carron . Verses Written under the Portrait of Eergusson the Poet Written in a Lady's Pocket-book . . . SONGS. Address to the Woodlark Adown Winding Nith ... Ae Fond Kiss .... A Farewell to the Brethren of St James's Lodge, A Fragment .... *4 Afton Water .... Ah, Chloris I . . . . Amang the Trees, where Humming Bees An Excellent New Song . Anna, thy Charms A Red, Red Rose A Rosebud by my Early Walk . , As I was A-wandering . >^ Auld Lang Syne .... Auld Rob Morris .... A Vision ..... Bannocks o' Barley Behold the Hour .... Bess and her Spinning- Wheel . Beware o' Bonny Ann . . . Blithe Hae I Been Blithe was She .... Blooming Nelly . . , . Bonny Dundee . • . • CONTENTS, 13 Bonny Lesley Bonny Peg Bonny Peg-a-Ramsay Bonny Peggy Alison Braving Angry Winter's Storms Braw Lads of Gala Water Brose and Butter . Bruce's Address to his Army at Bannockburn By Allan Stream I Chanced to Rove Caledonia Caledonia Canst thou Leave me thus, my Katy ? Cassillis' Banks . Ca' the Ewes Ca' the Yowes Chloris .... Cock up your Beaver 1 Come Boat me o'er to Charlie Come, let Me Take Thee Come Rede Me, Dame . Coming through the Braes o' Cupai* , Coming through the Rye Contented wi' Little Countrie Lassie . Craigie-Burn Wood Dainty Davie Damon and Sylvia Deluded Swam, the Pleasure Duncan Gray Eliza ... V Eppie Adair Fair Eliza Fairest Maid on Devon Banks . Fair Jenny Fare w eel to a' our Scottish Fame Farewell, thou Stream . Forlorn, my Love, no Comfort near For the Sake of Somebody Frae the Friends and Land I Love Fragment— Chloris Gala Water Gloomy December Green Grow the Rashes, ! Guid E'en to You, Kimmer Guidwife, Count the Lawin Had I a Cave . . , HadltheWyte . Hai)py Friendship . , Hee Ba ou I Her Daddie Forbad Here 's a Health to Them that 's Awa' Here's his Health in AVater Here 's to thy Health, my Bonny Lass Her Flowing Locks Hey for a Lass wi' a Tocher Hey, the Dusty Miller . M CONTENTS, ' 4 Highland Mary . V How Cruel are the Parents I How Long and Dreary is the Night I Hunting Song I do Confess thou Art sae Fair . I Dream'd I Lay where Flowers were Springing I hae a "Wife o' my Ain . I '11 Aye Ca' in by Yon Town I 'm o'er Young to Marry Yet Is there, for Honest Poverty It is na, Jean, thy Bonny Face Jamie, Come Try Me Jeanie's Bosom . Jenny M'Craw Jessy Jockey's ta'en the Parting Kiss John Anderson, my Jo John Barleycorn . Katherine Jaffray Lady Mary Ann . Lady Onlie Lament, Written at a Time when the Poet was about Landlady, Count the Lawin Lassie wi' the Lint- White Locks Last May a Braw "Wooer Let not Woman e'er Complain . Lines on a Merry Ploughman . Logan Braes Lord Gregory Lovely Davies . . Lovely Polly Stewart Luckless Fortune Macpherson's Farewell . Mark Yonder Pomp - Mary ! . . ^ . Mary Morison Meg o' the Mill , Meg o' the Mill . Menie . . . , . Montgomery's Peggy Musing on the Roaring Ocean . My Ain Kind Dearie, . My Bonny Mary . My Collier Laddie My Father was a Farmer My Handsome Nell My Harry was a Gallant Gay . My Heart's in the Highlands . My Heart was ance as Blithe and Free My Hoggie My Jean ! . My Lady's Gown, there's Gairs upon't My Lovely Nancy My Love she 's but a Lassie yet My Nannie, O , , • My Nannie's Awa' My Peggy's Face . . to leave S CONTENTS. IS PAGE My Spouse, Nancy ...... i . 439 My Tocher's the Jewel ....... . 395 My Wife's a Winsome Wee Thing . 407 Nithsdale's Welcome Harne . . . . • . 400 Now Spring has Clad the G-rove in G-reen . 498 Of a' the Airts the Wind can B!aw .... . 344 Oh, Aye my Wife she Dang Me . . • • . 508 Oh, Bonny was Yon Rosy Brier .... . 494 Oh, can ye Labour Lea ...... . 381 Ohfor Ane-and-Twenty, Taml ..... . 399 ^ Oh, Gruid Ale Comes ....%. . 478 Oh, how can I be BUthe and Glad ? . . . . . 396 Oh, Kenmure 's on and Awa* ..... . 419 Oh, Lay thy Loof in Mine, Lass .... . 448 Oh, Luve will Venture in .... . . 402 Oh, Mally's Meek, Mally's Sweet .... . 448 Oh, Merry hae I been Teethin' a Heckle . 377 Oh, Saw ye my Dearie ...... . 414 Oh, Steer Her Up . 469 Oh, that I had Ne'er been Married .... . 505 Oh, Wat ye Wha's in Yon Town? .... . 490 Oh, wat ye what My Minnie did? . . 478 Oh, were I on Parnassus' Hill ..... . 345 Oh, were my Love Yon Lilac fair . . . . < . 440 Oh, Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast .... . 501 Oh, Wha is She that Lo'es Me ? . 609 • Oh, Whistle, and I '11 Come to You, my Lad . . 434^ Oh, Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut .... . 360 Lassie, art thou Sleeping yet ? . 483 On Cessnock Banks ...... , 303 On Chloris being III ..... • . 492 On the Seas and Far Away ..... . 449 Open the Door to Me, oh I . . , « • . 425 Philly, Happy be that Day ...... . 459 Tibbie, I hae seen the Day ..... . 302 Our Thrissles flourished Fresh and Fair . 376 Out Over the Forth ...... . 442 Peggy . 311 Phillis the Fair . 432 Rattlin', Roarin' Willie . . . , . . ' . . 357 Raving Winds around her Blowing .... . 342 Robin ........ . 315 Robin Shure in Hairst ...... . 506 Sae Far Awa' ....... . 473 Saw ye my Phely? ...... . 455 Sic a Wife as Willie had ...... . 404 Simmer 's a Pleasant Time . . • . • . 384 ShelahO'Neil . ' . 510 c She says she Lo'es Me best of a' . . . • . 451 , She's Fair and Pause ...... . 4(i6 Smiling Spring Comes in Rejoicing ... . . . 405 Song ........ . 422 Song, in the Character of a Ruined Farmer . . 326 Stay, my Charmer ...••. . 340 Strathallan's Lament ,,.... . 341 Sveetest May ....... . 507 i6 CONTENTS, Tam G^Ien . • . The American War , The Banks of Cree Tne Banks o' Doon The Banks of Doon The Banks of the Devon The Banks of Nith The Battle of Killiecrankie The Battle of Sheriff-Muii* The Birks of Aberfeldy . The Blue-Eyed Lassie The Bonny Banks of Ayr The Bonny Lass of Albany The Bonny Wee Thing . The Braes o' Ballochmyle The Captain's Lady The Cardin' o't . The Carle of Kellyburn Braes . The Carles of Dysart The Charming Month of May . The Chevalier's Lament The Cooper o' Cuddie The Cure for all Care The Day Returns The Dean of Faculty The Deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman The Deuk's Dang o'er my Daddie, The Discreet Hint The Dumfries Volunteers The Farewell . . , The Fete Cnampetre The Five Carlines ?he Gallant Weaver The Gowden Locks of Anna The Heron Election Ballads — Ballad L Ballad II. . . . Ballad III.— John Bushbv's Lamentation The Highland Laddie . The Highland Lassie The Highland Widow's Lament The Joyful Widower The Laddies by the Banks o' Nith The Lass of Ballochmyle The Lass of Ecclefechan The Lass that Made the Bed to Me The Last Braw Bridal . The Last Time I Came o'er the Moor The Lazy Mist The Lovely Lass of Inverness . The Lover's Morning Salute to his Mistre The Maucbline Lady The Mirk Night o' December , Theniel Menzie's Bonny Mary . The Piper , Tiie Ploughman . -p Tlie Poor and Honest Sodger . The Raiitin' Dog the Daddie o't There'll never be Peace till Jamie Comes Hame There's a Youth in this City There 's News, Lasses, News There was a Bonny Lass CONTENTS. 17^ FAGB There was a Lass ........ 320 There was a Lass, and She was Fair . 431 There was a Wife . 511 The Rigs 0' Barley . 310 The Ruined Maid's Lament . 505 The Slave's Lament .... . 417 The Sons of Old Killie . . 325 The Tailor .... . 574 The Tither Morn . 411 The Weary Pund 0' Tow . • . 417 The Winter is Past . 359 The Winter of Life . 465 The Young Highland Rover . 341 This is no my Ain Lassie . 497 Thou hast Left Me Ever . 438 Tibbie Dunbar .... . 367 To Chloris .... . 454 To Daunton Me . . 356 To Mary ..... . 445 To Mary in Heaven . 361 'Twas na her Bonny Blue Ee . 495 Up in the Morning Early . 358 Wae is my Heart .... . 445 Wandering Willie . 390 War Song .... . 386 Weary Fa' You, Duncan Gray . . 354 Wee Willie Gray . 379 Welcome to General Dumourier . 428 Wha is that at My Bower-Door? 463 What Can a Young Lassie Do ? . . 395 When Clouds in Skies do Come together . 314 When First I Saw Fair Jeanie's Face . . 366 When I Think on the Happy Days . 507 When Rosy May Comes in wi' Flowers . 368 Whistle, and I'll Come to You, my Lad . 340 Whistle o'er the Lave o't . 381 Will ye Go to the Indies, my Mary? . 323 Wilt Thou be My Dearie ? . 444 Women's Minds .... . 381 Ye hae Lien Wrang, Lassie . 375 Ye Jacobites by Name . . 416 Yon W^ild Mossy Mountains . 398 Young Jamie, Pride of a' the Plais . 481 Young Jessie .... . 425 Young Jockey .... ► . 378 Ycung Peggy . . • • r \ . . . S17 BIOGRAPHICAL' SKETCK.* BY WILLIAM GUNNYON, Egbert Burns, the Ayrshire bard, so lauded and lionised for a short period of his stormy and chequered career, and com- paratively so neglected during his few later years, has at length risen to an elevation in the affections of his country- men, and of the lovers of song in general, which has no par- allel in the annals of literature. Peer and peasant alike, the man of the highest culture and the humblest mechanic and tiller of the soil, have enshrined him in their heart of hearts. The shepherd on Australian and New Zealand plains — the digger in Calif ornian and Columbian mines — the sailor on the deck, and the soldier in his barrack — the colonist on the banks of the St Lawrence, and by the shores of the great American lakes — in short, wherever men of British birth or descent are found, there are the admirers of the Scottish poet, animated by a warmth of admiration which is entirely exceptional ; all the warmer, doubtless, because of his marred and imperfect life, and because he who has been the channel of imparting so much happiness to the world was himself, on the whole, so unhappy. Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Shakespeare have, per- haps, more than other poets, left the impress of their mind on their compatriots, but none of them has leavened the ,thought and speech of the great mass of his countrymen so thoroughly as Burns, for he was essentially " one of the people" in birth, breeding, and instincts ; and, though it is not in- tended to assert that he equals these intellectual giants in perfect development and poetical results, he has been taken * For various important testimonies explanatory and illustrative of the poet's life, the reader is referred to the Appendix at the end of this Slcetch. :'400 in his pocket, and of this he advanced £180 to his brother Gilbert to enable him to struggle on with the cold soil of Mossgiel, and keep the' family together in something like comfort. In a letter to James Smith, Avon Printfielcl, Linlithgow, dated April 28, 1788, Burns first acknowledged his intention to make Jean *'an honest woman." He had always had a warm affection for her, chilled naturally for a time by her own and her parents' conduct towards him ; but cast as she now was upon his protection, his love was rekindled, being strongly fanned by his natural tenderness of heart. He took up his residence at Ellisland on the 13th of June. He had to get a new steading built, and Jean and her child, one of the first twins, had to remain at Mauchline. To Mrs Dunlop he acknowledged his marriage, and his satisfaction with his choice. That he had done her justice reconciled himself to his better instincts. Providing a home by the banks of the Nith for the loved one not far from the banks of the Ayr, his conscience became calm, and his afiections took eager flight to the quondam "Mauchline belle." It was while Iviii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, animated by these feelings that he composed his famous song^ " Of a' the airts the wind can blaw," and the warm and luxu- riant stanzas beginning, " Oh, were I on Parnassus' hill ! " On the 5th of August, Robert Burns and Jean Armour were formally declared husband and wife by the church. His new house not being ready so early as he had expected, he brought Mrs Burns to Dumfriesshire in the first week of December, having obtained temporary accommodation for her at a neigh- bouring farm. United to his wife and family, surrounded by a household-train, however humble, his feelings welled over in song, " I hae a wife o' my ain," &c. It was not long, however, before he had reason to despair of succeeding as the farmer of Ellisland, and he took measures to obtain an appointment as an exciseman in his own district. He disclosed his views to Dr Moore, and in the midst of his despondency a flash of hope, characteristically enough^ cheers him on ; for, while hinting that an excise officer's posi- tion would be acceptable, he sees a supervisorship or surveyor- generalship looming in the future. Ellisland was a pleasant spot, and in the neighbourhood Were some very worthy men who cultivated the acquaintance of Burns. Among others, Captain Riddel of Glenriddel, and Mr M'Murdo, chamberlain to the Duke of Queensberry, and residing in Drumlanrig Castle. He would have been very happy here had fortune been more propitious. He exerted himself, in conjunction with Captain Riddel, to establish a parish library, perhaps among the first of such in Scotland. His feelings towards Creech had undergone a change, and he now corresponded with him in friendly terms, and supplied him, gratis, with copies of his more recent productions for a contemplated new edition. Ecclesiastical disputes still raging in the west, he wrote " The Kirk's Alarm," in behalf of Dr M'Gill of Ayr, whom he looked on as an injured honest man ; but M'Gill having given in a document expressive of his regret for having disturbed the peace of the church, the storm of persecution was allayed. Mrs Burns, now residing in the new house at Ellisland, having given birth to a son on the 18th of August 1789, the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, lix poet, anticipating increased household expenditure, applied to Graham of Fintray to be appointed excise officer of the dis- trict in which he lived. Ellisland was to be converted into a dairy farm, managed principally by the females of the estab- lishment, thus giving the poet time for attending to official duties. Two bacchanalian productions of the highest merit, "WilHe brewed a peck o' maut," and **The Whistle," were now written- It has been strenuously asserted that Burns was not present at the famous contest for the whistle, but it has been clearly established that he was, nor can any candid man, all circum- stances considered, attach to him the slightest blame. He was as sober as a lark when the contest closed. Though now happy, most happy with his Jean, the vision of Mary Camp- bell sometimes floated before his mental vision, and at the close of an autumn day, three years after poor Mary's untimely death, he composed the verses, " To Mary in Heaven." He was appointed to the excise, but his district comprehended ten parishes, and neither his farming operations nor his poetic studies could prosper well with a man who had to ride on an average two hundred miles a week. He was, however, zealous and conscientious in the discharge of his official duties, and his over-exertion laid him on a sick bed. His diligence grati- fied his superiors to such a degree, that, when he had been only a twelvemonth in the service, his promotion to a super- visorship, it might have been of £200 a year, was contem- plated. Old friends sometimes looked in on him, as Mr Ramsay of Ochtertyre and Robert Ainslie. Such days were to be marked by a white stone. In one day, at Ellisland, he composed what he himself deemed the best of his poems, " Tam o' Shanter," for Captain Grose's " Antiquities of Scot- land." He wished Alloway Kirk to be delineated in that work, and Grose agreed to do so if the ingenious Mr Robert Burns should write for it a '' pretty tale." Burns was now falling into straitened circumstances. Ellis- land was eating up the profits of his muse. Yet it never occurred to him to rhyme for anything but "fun." In spring 1791 he had stated to Lady Elizabeth Cunningham that but Ix BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, for the excise he would have had to give up the farm. Per* haps he was not a very good farmer. Such is the general and perhaps correct impression. He now only waited promotion to throw up the farm altogether. His hopes of a supervisor- ship were for the present blasted, but he received an appoint- ment to Dumfries, with a salary of £70, which was £20 more than he had at Ellisland, and, besides, he was not required to keep a horse. Accordingly he left Ellisland, and quitting the freedom of the country for the smoky town, he settled down in a small house in the southern ca]3ital of Scotland, in the winter of 1791. It is generally agreed that after settling in Dumfries his moral course was downward rather than otherwise ; and if fame had been busy with his character before she had fairer scope now. Let it be owned once for all that there is some truth in this ; at the same time, many of the tales circulated to his hurt were either lies or greatly exaggerated ; nay, if carefully examined in the light of co-existing circumstances, in nowise discreditable to him. He was a man of too much mark to escape from the consequences of even the appearance of evil at the hands of those who lay in wait for his halting. Your ordinary blockhead is of all men the dullest and most malignant ; and a fellow-feeling of common danger leagued the dull into one against such a dissector of men's minds and motives, such a master of withering sarcasm and crucifying impromptu. Dumfries, like most Scottish towns of similar size and character even now, still more seventy-five years ago, contained a goodly proportion of men of comparatively easy circumstances who scarcely knew how to fill up the entire day. Their meridian, or twelve-hours' dram, their four o'clock dram, and a tumbler or two of toddy in the evening in their favourite hovjff, was a regular part of the business, at least of the rou- tine, of every day. These men seldom got highly intoxicated, as may be understood from this having been a daily practice, and from their having been generally men in fair businesses. They were soakers, tipplers, their breath never free from the smell of whisky, fresh or stale, but drunkards they were not. Again, there were young doctors, lawyers, writers' clerks, who BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixi could not so indulge during the day, but who preferred some- thing more sprightly in their evening com potations. By both these classes a man like Burns, who, however, never indulged in the forenoon, was eagerly welcomed, illustrating their orgies by the splendour of his genius and renown, and bringing in his conversation, whether as sallies of wit, floods of broad merriment, outbursts of indefensible coarseness, or electric flashes of pathos drawing tears from every eye, a wealth of social stimulus that could not be found elsewhere. That he had not indulged much before he came to Dumfries is indis- piltably established. That a man whose clear income was £1 per annum, as his was at Lochlea and Mossgiel, who clothed himself respectably as became his station, and owed no man anything, could have been a drunkard, nay, could have been often within the walls of a public-house, is clear on the very face of it. Only on two suppositions could this have been the case. First, that Burns was a- lounger hanging about inn doors at Torbolton or Mauchline, for a chance treat from any farmer or bagman, who might think the drink well earned by the brilliancy of the conversation ; or, second, that he sorned on his rustic compeers. But Burns was a man of the most conscientious industry, and his highness of spirit would not brook to accept of anything from any man without paying his fair share of the lawin'. Auld Nanse Tinnock, the Mauchline . hostel wife, who found herself and hostelrie suddenly rendered famous by the *' Earnest Cry and Prayer," stoutly denied, and truthfully, that he had been wont to study politics in her house at least " over a glass of guid auld Scotch drink." And when he tells Lapraik, — ** The four-gill chap, we'se gar him clatter, An' kirsen him wi' reekin' water ; Syne we '11 sit down an' tak' onr whitter, To cheer our heart," — it IS well enough known that "the four-gill chap " was in the same category with the delicacies of the feast of Barmecide. How it fared with him in Edinburgh cannot be perfectly known. But charges of habitual or even frequent intoxica- Ixii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. tion were never preferred, though a very considerable amount of free living might be pardoned him, when we consider the elevation to which he was so suddenly raised, the eagerness with which his company was sought after, the comparative idleness in which he found himself after a life of labour so severe, that he himself says it was " the unceasing moil of a galley-slave," a style of living that might be called in com- parison luxurious, and a greater abundance of cash than he had ever before possessed. Yet, when about to leave Edin- burgh, Dr Blair addressed to him a most friendly and affec- tionate letter, in which his having stood firm and calm and unseduced amid the dazzling circumstances by which he had been tried is particularly enlarged upon. At Ellisland we know his life was one of temperance and industry, and that he spoke the literal truth when he said that he had taken down his punch-bowl from its dusty corner on some particular occa- sion of merry-making. At all times he was apt to be in- truded on, sometimes by shallow blockheads who were no mates for him, at other times by men of worth and standing, literary and social ; and to both classes alike he was apt to give up his time and impair his means by a hearty and abun- dant hospitality. His was not the calculating head and the chill heart in hours of good-fellowship ; in every hand that he clasped he owned the hand of a brother ; and often must he have thrown his pearls before those who could not appreciate them, and neglected his true interests to gratify the laudable or vulgar, and therefore impertinent, curiosity of many who, whether fitted to appreciate or not the wondrous being with whom they had been brought into contact, robbed him, and through him posterity, of that which could not in any case so enrich them, as it made him and has made us poor indeed. The country gentry, too, for a season, were urgent for his presence at their tables. And whilst it must have been grati- fying both to Burns and them, it was on the whole injurious. For it broke in upon his leisure, tended to produce, if it did not actually produce, dissatisfaction with the humble miTiage at home, and put him altogether in a false position. He was the earthen pot sailing down the stream among the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Ixiii brazen ones, and sure to come to grief ; as the fable of the boys and frogs has it — " What is sport to you is death to us." Had these local magnates exerted themselves, as it is possible they might have done successfully, to have got promotion for him in his humble self -elected calling, and thereby have pro- cured for him an income large enough to have kept his mind at ease with regard to his family, and for himself a prospect of greater leisure for poetical activity, something might be pardoned to their selfishness. If they had taken away much, it could have been said that they had given something, or had tried to give something, in return. But they threw aside the flower after they had extracted half its sweetness, and went on their way and made no sign. It is said that when it was plain that farming Ellisland had proved a failure, and, from some political sentiments uttered, or misdemeanours or indiscretions acted, in Dumfries, his prospects in the excise were overclouded, or supposed to be 60, his conduct was less circumspect than usual. If such were the case, do we not see similar results every day % Sor- row is proverbially thirsty ; and if, from a regard to human frailty, we condone ordinary mortals for losing heart when fortune frowns, how much more ought we to pardon a being 60 impressionable as a poet, and that poet Burns ! But is it true that Burns so demeaned himself in actual or dreaded misfortune ? And is it true, and if so, how true, that Burns by his political sins brought himself under the chastisement or reproof of his superiors % To answer this it will be neces- sary to glance at the state of politics in Great Britain and France at the period under review. The French Ke volution of 1789 did not immediately affect the sentiments and expressions of Burns, so far as can be learned from his writings ; but most men of ardent tempera- ment and liberal opinions watched eagerly for the results of an experiment that was to introduce liberty, fraternity, and equality among men. The position of the unfortunate Louis was viewed with alarm by all dynasties, and by the governing classes generally, as something that boded no good to their order. The British Government and its functionaries, high Ixiv BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH and low, were naturally on the alert to prevent the spread of those dangerous doctrines which had in their eyes proved so fatal to the cause of order. Burns had a half-sentimental Jacobitism, which had already subjected him to suspicion from the indiscreet publicity he had given it in the unfortu- nate verses written on an inn window at Stirling. At a period of alarm and suspicion, this would readily be remembered ; and, from his fame as a poet, and his position as a servant of the Government, his conduct would be narrowly observed* At a moment of public alarm a race of vile informers finds encouragement and reward from the representatives of power ; and men, otherwise highminded and honourable, in the panic of the hour became merciless, uncharitable, and intolerant of everything like independent thought and action. The latent Jacobitism of Scotland came to the surface as a sort of half- Jacobinism, merely because it was known to be distasteful to the reigning family. Burns, not only as a quasi-Jacobite, bui in common with a large proportion of the most enlightened and thoughtful of his fellow-subjects generally, expressed him- self more freely, in the way of sympathy with the French patriots, than was discreet in one in his position. Hence many eyes were turned upon him with watchful spite ; and the disafifected ganger, if his conduct were out of joint, or his circumstances embarrassed, would find neither generous criti- cism nor brotherly sympathy. As matters grew more serious in France, the most of those who at first had hailed the Re- volution as the inauguration of a millennium of liberty were compelled to withdraw their sympathies, and to cling with increased fondness to the constitutional form of government established here. Dumfries was a Tory town, and political feeling is generally rancorous in direct proportion to its dis- tance from the centre of power. Burns was a Whig ; and the chief men who had patronised him in Edinburgh, and the squires whom he mixed with oftenest in Dumfriesshire, as well as his superiors in the excise there, were of the same political creed. That he was a Whig, and the man of greatest mark in the town, made him particularly obnoxious to the Tory gentlemen, especially as there was a suspicion that he BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixv was a turncoat, and had held different opinions before he had " fallen in Whiggish hands." A distich applied to Burns has been preserved by Sir Walter Scott : — " A "Whig, I guess, but Eab 's a Tory, And gi'es us mony a funny story. " Whether this be true or not, it is certain that for some time Burns was a marked man. In so small a place he could not but know this ; and it is not difficult to imagine that a man of such haughtiness of spirit could ill brook the scorn or in- solence of any, of whatever rank ; and that he would, from the vivacity of his temperament, unconsciously even play into his enemies' hands. His obnoxious political sentiments, and his stubborn pride of character — not formed to conciliate those whom he deemed treating him unworthily — had doubt- less a great instrumentality in originating those tales to his discredit, which, like all doubtful stories about the eminent, ever find too ready credence. The affair of the four carronades sent by him to the French Convention, along with a letter expressive of his sympathy with their exertions in the cause of liberty, has had perhaps in some quarters undue importance attached to it. The Solway Firth, from its proximity to and easiness of access from the Isle of Man, was much frequented by smuggling craft, and, on the Scottish side especially, there dwelt a race of most daring and unscrupulous smugglers. That contraband operations of almost incredible magnitude were here syste- matised and regularly carried on, is familiar to every reader of " Bedgauntlet." On February 27th, 1792, a suspicious- looking craft was discovered in the Firth, and Burns, with others, was set to watch her movements. Next day she stranded, and, it being discovered that her crew were nume- rous, well armed, and likely not to yield without formidable resistance, two officers were despatched in different directions for troops. On their arrival. Bums, putting himself at their head, entered the water sword in hand, and boarded the ship, when the crew, losing heart, submitted without a struggle. Here, as in all his professional requirements, he exhibited Ixvi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, himself a brave and zealous officer. The vessel, with all her stores and arms, was sold at Dumfries ; and Burns, purchasing four carronades for L.3, sent them, with a letter as above mentioned, to the French Convention. Mr Chambers, by a careful examination of dates, has shown that when the guns were bought, no such body as the French Convention existed. This, however, matters little ; whether they were sent to the Convention or the Legislative Assembly, it was an extraordinary and uncalled-for act for a British citizen, and a servant of the Government, so far to step out of his way as to send munitions of war to a Government viewed by his own with uneasy, if not exactly with hostile, feelings. The sentiments of the royal family were also known to be unfavourable to the French Government, and its emissary, M. de Perigord, had even then been publicly slighted at a levee by the Queen. The guns and letter were stopped at Dover ; and it must have been regarded as a very eccenti-ic action in an excise officer, personally to address a foreign Government, and furnish it with material aid, which might be used some time against either Britain or its alHes. The whole transaction, however, regard it as we may, was done deliberately, from no hasty impulse, and under no unusual excitement. It was, we think, very indiscreet ; and, though not visited with formal censure from his superiors, would not elevate him in their estimation, nor, at a season of political excitement, be otherwise than detrimental to his chances of promotion. Matters in France were proceeding rapidly to a crisis. The blood spilt in torrents by the fierce democracy, the establish- ment of a republic, and the dissemination of revolutionary ideas in other countries — ^particularly the formation in this country of poHtical societies named *' Friends of the People '* . — were viewed by those in power, and by the majority of all classes, as endangering the peace of society. At such a time Burns ought to have been more than usually circumspect, and, looking at contemporary events in the light of his con nection with the Government, to have said or done nothing to embarrass the powers that were, or to draw upon himself BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixvii misconstruction and obloquy ; yet, such was the strength of his feelings and the vivacity of his temperament, that he boldly gave utterance to his sympathy with the French, and to his dissatisfaction with the British Government for its hostile attitude towards the republicans, and its refusal to grant the reforms insisted on by the " Friends of the People," and even by the more cautious Whigs. In ordinary conver- sation, but above all in animated discussion, he gave vent to his sentiments with a force and fearlessness that made mode- rate men shrink from him in alarm. Thus, at a private dinner party he refused to drink the health of Pitt, he being meanwhile a servant of Pitt's Government, and proposed instead the health of Washington. Now, apart from the con- sideration of the claims of these two distinguished men to pre- cedence, it was surely most ill-judged in Burns to demur to pledge the health of Pitt. The great officers of the Crown are accustomed to be toasted at all kinds of meetings, and by men of all political opinions. But it was an unguarded, though doubtless an obstinate, assertion of his sympathies with republicanism. Two other stories of similar tendency may be here mentioned, though they may not have occurred exactly at this time. Entering the Dumfries theatre one night while the National Anthem was being played, the poet, who was somewhat intoxicated, refused to uncover, and called for pa ira. The anecdote is in its essentials confirmed by two independent witnesses. A call was made by the audience for his expulsion, which subsided on his doffing his hat. Such an act seems, to use the phraseology of Calvinism, to savour of "judicial blindness." On another occasion, at an after- dinner drinking-bout, he proposed the toast — ^^May our success in the present war be equal to the justice of our causeJ'* An officer present, a Captain , took offence at it, and, as bear- ing his Majesty's commission — ^which Burns also did, though he seems to have forgotten it — took exception to it, doubtless less from what was said than from what was implied, and a discreditable brawl ensued, which, according to the usual code of honour in those days, ought to have resulted in a hostile meeting. Burns, next morning, wrote a very humble letter Ixviii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, to his host, exj)lainir]g and attempting — it must be confessed, unsuccessfully — to defend the obnoxious toast. It was, he said, "a toast that the most outrageous frenzy of loyalty cannot object to." This was begging the question. Words, in themselves harmless, become at certain conjunctures " flat blasphemy;" and none knew this better than Burns. But, in the cases we have mentioned, there can be no doubt that the wine had stolen away, not the wise man's brains, but his caution, and that, while under its influence, he gave expres- sion to sentiments which he would have carefully repressed while sober — some of which, in a state of sobriety, would never have occurred to him, nay, never would have shaped themselves in his mind as distinct propositions. But the bowl which elevated him for a while into the most enchanting of table companions, gradually gave, as Horace says, " horns to the poor man." Fluent of discourse, quick of apprehension, fertile in illustration ; argument, sarcasm, joke, pathos — the whole armoury of successful conversational display flooding his ideas in resistless stream — ^would make him, as the wine flowed, and *' The mirth and fun grew fast and furious,'* occasionally one of the most obstinate and headstrong of men. It is heartrending to read the almost abject letter in which he excuses himself for not having proceeded to fatal arbitra- ment on account of his wife and children, and pleads with his host to get the story suppressed, as its publication might bring him under the censiu'e of his superiors in the Excise. No doubt, however, can be entertained that these unpleas- antnesses all owed their origin to the " Social Bowl." Some malicious, or loyal^ person had brought these or similar proceedings under the notice of the Board of Excise, and Mr Mitchell, the collector, was instructed to inquire into his political conduct, as being a person blamed for disafiec- tion to the Government. Burns was thrown into a state of great alarm, as may be seen from his letters to Mr Graham and Mrs Dunlop. of December 1792, and the following Janu- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixix arj. It was even rumoured that he had been dismissed from the Excise, as we learn from his own letter to Mr Erskine of Mar, in which a history of the transaction, and of his defence^ as well as an exposition of his political creed are given in extenso. It is clear that the defence would be nearly as un- palatable to the Board as the offence. Burns evidently made more of the matter than the circumstances warranted. He was cautioned to be more circumspect ; and as a Government oflS-cial he ought not to have been surprised at this, but rather that his ]3olitical delinquences were treated so leniently. It may be easily imagined that a mere ganger would not have been allowed to slip so easily ; and that for such neither Mr Graham nor Mr Corbet would have stood his steady friends. That he was told to act, and not to think, if it ever was said, was simply impertinent ; and to be silent and obedient, what- ever might be men or measures, though, as Eluellen says, "prave 'ords," must have commended themselves to Burns himself as the only proper course for him so long as he chose to remain a servant of the Government. This caution preyed on his sensitive mind, and made him fear for promotion in his calling. It is a peculiarity of i\\Q meaner class of animals to assail one "who has been wounded ; and ignoble men seem to consider it a duty to keep down a brother who has fallen. Just in proportion as they worship the rising sun do they heap up their blasphemies against the luminary in hi? decline. Besides, many worthy God-feariug persons, aware of the freedom of speech, and taught to suspect a corresponding looseness of conduct, in our poet, as well as many sensible and respectable Tories who otherwise would have been proud of his intimacy, but were shocked by his political baokslidings, kept aloof from him. In a small, gos- siping, aristocratic town like Dumfries this was singularly unfortunate for Bums, because no man would suffer more acutely at being tabooed in society. He had not that thorough absorption in his poetical calling that would make him feel poetry to be its own exceeding great reward. He must have the sympathies and kind regards of his fellow-men ; and though he might sing — Ixx BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. " Who does me disdain, I will scorn them again, " the averted looks and cold shoulders of his fellow-citizens must have furnished him with exquisite misery. Mr Lockhart records an anecdote furnished to him by David Macculloch, son of the laird of Ardwall : — " He was seldom more grieved than when, riding into Dumfries one fine summer's evening to attend a county ball, he saw Burns walking alone, on the shady side of the pnucij)al street of the town, while the oppo- site side was gay with successive groups of gentlemen and ladies, all drawn together for the festivities of the night, not one of whom appeared willing to recognise him. The horse- man dismounted and joined Burns, who, on his proposing to him to cross the street, said, * Nay, nay, my young friend — that 's all over now ; * and quoted, after a pause, some verses of Lady Grizzel Baillie's pathetic ballad, — " * His bonnet stood ance fu' fair on his brow, His auld ane look'd better than mony ane's new; But now he lets 't wear ony way it will hing, And casts himsel' dowie upon the corn-bing. " * Oh were we young, as we ance hae been, We suld hae been galloping down on yon green, And linking it ower the lily white lea. And werena my heart light I wad die J " It v^as little in Burns's character to let his feelings on certain subjects escape in this fashion. He, immediately after citing these verses, assumed the sprightliness of his most pleasing manner ; and taking his young friend home with him, en- tertained him very agreeably till the hour of the ball arrived, with a bowl of his usual potation, and Bonnie Jean's singing of some verses which he had recently composed." We see him here in two very opposite jjhases of his char- acter, which, on other occasions also, alternated with almost inexplicable rapidity, like the tears and smiles of an April morn. One thing is certain, that in the performance of his ofTicial duties he was conscientious and punctual to a degree of jea- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixxi lousy. As an officer his conduct was praiseworthy, and neve? were his duties performed in any but the most rigid spirit of fidelity. The least appearance of remissness was explained and defended with punctilious warmth. And this tallies with the general sense of duty which never forsook him under any circumstances, and which, when his conduct happened to deflect from the exact circle of propriety, filled him with such vehement remorse. His constitutional melancholy, his large social susceptibilities, his sorrows, his somewhat incongruous circumstances, his falling on evil tongues and evil times, made him apt to snatch an hour from reflection, and drown amid the jovialty of the festive board the meaner cares of his ill-assorted life. And yet these cares sprang chiefly from himself. Had he accepted his position in a spirit of faith, and hope, and cheerfulness, talked less of independence, and leant more on himself, cultivating and maturing the s^Dirit of divine harmony with which he had been so largely gifted, his soul might have got into tune, and, instead of his life alternating between paroxysms of wild joy and overmastering gloom, it might have flowed on musically like a "rejoicing stream." Burns was really as little of a Jacobin at heart as he was of a Jacobite. Though he did express sympathy with the patriots, and rejoiced over the capture of the Bastile, yet when France assumed an attitude hostile to Britain, his patriotism was in a glow at once. And his patriotism had been from his earliest years one of the strongest sentiments of his heart, not a sentiment so much as a passion. For Scotland with her old historic, heroic memories, in the first place, and as a poet ; and for the empire, of which she was an integrant part, with its world-wide possessions and inter- ests, in the second place, and as a man and citizen, his heart ever beat with the most generous devotion. It is one thing to discuss politi3al questions and possible reforms, and to regard with interest and admiration the eff'orts of an enslaved people to shake off the yoke of despotism, or free themselves from the oppression of an insolent aristocracy ; but should that same people, in the intoxication of success, threaten to Ix-xii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. pollute the soil of a free nation by making a descent on its shores for any purpose whatever, then the soul of every patriot is up in arras, and the feelings which animated Burns when he composed that noble war-song, " Does haughty Gaul invasion threat?" pervade millions of bosoms, though none but the one Tyrtoeus of his people could shape them into such an inspiring and defiant war-cry. Burns was one of the battalion of volunteers raised in Dumfries, as others were elsewhere over the United Kingdom, to repel, if need were, any hostile attack of "haughty Gaul." And, though some of the respectables, God help them ! objected to the enrolment of the bard, he soon became the most popular man in the battalion, and voluntarily became their poet-laureate. The "Dumfries Yolunteers" and the "Poor and Honest Sodger" then rose at once to the highest popularity. All classes sang them with enthusiasm, and there can be little doubt that they added many a brave soldier to the ranks of the British army, by investing with the finest human interest the career of a humble warrior, and lifting the public imagi- nation above the familiar conception of the ranks of the army being recruited chiefly from the lowest and most degraded of the populace. And herein surely Burns deserved well of his country, well especially of its Government. That your Saltmarket or Canongate losel will fight well has been proved on many a bloody field. That the army is the best school he could enter to acquire habifs of self-command and order, obedience to lawful authority, and many other minor morals, is nowise difiicult to understand and acknowledge. But that he should be brought into contact with steady in- telligent men of his own order, who love their profession, and study its details that they may obtain promotion ; who set him an example of voluntary sobriety, subordination, pursuit of knowledge, and a faithful observance of the decencies of life ; and all the better if they are men, as many common soldiers we hope and believe are, of genuine piety then not only is his chance of reformation greater, but the credit of the whole service is enhanced, and the character of soldier is not associated, as in many minds it still is BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, kxiil with whatever is most dissokite and godless. Burns's song produced on the public mind generally, and fortunately on the minds of many young men in town and country of excel- lent character and good education, and who had been brought up in honest households, an impression that the army was not the last resource of scapegraces, but a field from which by faithful discharge of duty might be reaped honourable in- dependence and possible promotion. " Scots wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled " and the " Song of Death '^ tend to promote patriotism, and a contempt of death in freedom's cause, in- spiring the finest martial enthusiasm, admirably adapted to the genius of our people, which is martial^ not military^ that prompts with stern resolve to repel aggression or support outraged weakness, but has no thirst for war or its triumphs as such. Its motto is *' Defence." With the exception of Dibdin, whose services to the navy by his excellent sailor- Bongs were acknowledged by a handsome pension, no poet of the time, — and to name Dibdin as a poet in the same breath with Burns is " very tolerable and not to be endured," — did anything to keep alive the national spirit. And yet these services were never acknowledged. Burns, it is certain, never looked for acknowledgment, never imagined he had done any- thing more meritorious than the most prosaic volunteer who appeared on parade, both having done what they could ; yet, devoting his rare, his matchless gift of song to the service of his country, had his country's rulers bestowed on him the merest recognition, though it had cost the imperial treasury no single coin, it would have thrilled his generous soul to its centre with grateful delight. Had they given or promised promotion in the Excise, how, from no spirit of flunkeyism, but from the native promptings of the warmest and least exacting yet most independent heart then beating, would his gratitude have overflowed in gushing melody ; and, as he mourned for Glencairn, who had done nothing for him beyond the commonest courtesies of a kindly nature, and getting the members of the Caledonian Hunt to subscribe for guinea copies of his second edition, — as he mourned for him as mother for child, as bridegroom for newly-wedded bride, so Ixxiv BIOGEAPHICAL SKRTCBC, the raptures of his heartfelt joy would have been boundless ; and many a sad pang would have been spared to him, many a gloomy foreboding warded off, and his later years, instead of showing life to him as a bare heath without bloom, might have presented it as a not unlovely garden. And whatever may be said or thought of his dissipation, this much is clear, that not when skies are bright and seas are calm, but when they are livid with storms and the waves run high, does the poetic temperament resort to the bowl to deaden thought, " and steej^ the senses in forgetfulness." After all, what was the amount of dissipation with which he could be charged? His political heresies, we believe, mainly caused it to be noticed, and, of course, to be exag- gerated. He was not more addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors than many of the most respectable civic functionaries, and even grave elders of the church. And for him, in respect to this, and, it may be, other indiscretions, a strong palliation may be found in his temperament, and in the temptations to which he, more than others, was exposed. Among these wa8 the frequent seizure and confiscation of rum or other spirits, which fell to the lot of the revenue officers ; and a man of the generous and hospitable disposition of our bard would always be too ready, in the after-part of the day, in his own house, to play the host ; and thus, from an abuse of one of the finest feelings of our nature, he was wont to expose him- self to unnecessary and hurtful indulgence. If other short- comings can be charged against him, we should remember that they must have been rare, and sorrowed over with an anguish of repentance almost inconceivable — as the party sinned against was the first to forgive, and during the re- mainder of her life cherished for his memory the most sin- cere affection and admiration. And we should not forget that he died when he was comparatively young, when in many men the fever of the blood has not been cooled ; and that, when passion had subsided, the remainder of his life might have flowed on in calmness, had he been preserved to the world Allan Cunningham, than whom no man had a more tender regard for Burns's reputation, has. we think, been guilty of an BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixxi error in judgment, in insinuating that too close an intimacy existed between him and some of the heroines of his later songs. He should either have been more circumstantial, or been silent altogether. Professor Walker hints something of the same kind, but he is a very grave offender with regard to Burns's later years, and has come under a most truculent but not altogether undeserved castigation from Professor Wilson. In fact, Heron, Currie, and Walker have been too free in giving circulation to popular gossip, and to the whispers and inuen- does of rumour, always to be distrusted in the case of any man of more than usual mark who has recently died. And this, at ^ time when the poet's exemplary wife and young family, as well as his most respectable brother and mother, could not fail to know and suffer from such gratuitous publicity given to private shortcomings, on the supposition even that what they published was the unvarnished truth. That Burns was a ganger, and had been a ploughman, and that therefore, as one of the 'plehs^ his reputation might be discussed in a spirit of freedom and plain-speaking that would not have been readily thought of in the case of an individual of higher social stand- ing, whose dearest and nearest relatives must necessarily have been cognisant of everything published affecting his memory, is the excuse now made for his early biographers. It is a lame one, but in the case of Currie we are willing to allow it as he proved himself the most devoted and least selfish friend of all that took an interest in the poet's family. His sins of commission proceeded from no foolish notion of his own supe- riority, nor does he ever speak in the same patronising spirit of condescension which is so offensive in Professor Walker; but he had not realised that Burns was no vulgar prodigy, but a poet of a great and original genius, who was not merely to slip into a humble niche in the temple of poesy, under shelter of his ploughman's plaid, but into the most conspicuous one allotted to his century, and with all a poet's singing robes about him. Mr Carlyle puts the case very graphically thus: — ** Dr Currie and Mr AValker have both, we think, mistaken one essentially important thing : their own and the world's true relation to their author, and the style in which it became Ixxvi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. sucli men to think and to speak of such a man. Dr Currie loved the poet truly — more perhaps than he avowed to his readers, or even to himself — ^yet he everywhere introduces him with a certain patronising, apologetic air, as if the polite public might think it strange and half unwarrantable that he, a man of science, a scholar, and gentleman, should do such honour to a rustic. In all this, however, we readily admit that his fault was not want of love, but weakness of faith, and regret that the first and kindest of all our poet's biographers should not have seen farther, or believed more boldly what he saw. Mr Walker ofiends more deeply in the same kind," &c. Towards the close of his life. Miss Aiken, daughter of his early Ayr patron, encountered him on the streets of Dum- fries ; he was gaunt and thin, and exhibited all the marks of ill-health. She insisted that he should go home and get ready for dinner in the house of the friend with whom she was staying, one of the aristocracy of the town. Captain Hamilton, his landlord, also was urgent for a renewal of the intimacy which had formerly existed between them, but which had latterly fallen off somewhat. Some of the country gentle^ men and their wives, ladies of the highest culture and deli- cacy, and such persons of respectability as Gray the teacher, Findlater the supervisor, and Mr Syme of Kyedale, were his warm friends to the last. So that we may believe that the stories to his discredit were greatly exaggerated, else, in so circumscribed a community, these persons would have fallen away from him as from a leper. The only class that as a body and to a man abjured intimacy with him were the local clergy. This is not to be wondered at, nor taken as a proof, in the absence of other proof, that his society was generally shunned, or deserving to be shunned. In provincial towns in Scotland, and perhaps elsewhere, the local clergy are in a very painful position. As a rule, their fellowship is restricted to the straitest professors of their own congregation. A set of old ladies of unimpeachable orthodoxy and spotless decorum, pos- sessed of the narrowest sympathies, and a few old men of analogous character, supplemented by a sprinkhng of juniors, male and female, do all the active part of the congregational BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixxvii work ; and to intercourse with these the clergyman for the most part restricts himself. Rarely is he on cordial terms wilih the members of another denomination. Kow, the last man that can be imagined likely to have engaged the sym- pathies of the Dumfries clergy was the swashbuckler and iighting-man of the New Lights, the author of " The Kirk's Alarm," "The Ordination," "Holy Willie's Prayer and Epi- taph," and "The Holy Fair." A terror of originality and inde- pendent thought has ever been the besetting sin of ordinary clergymen ; and while Dr Blacklock and Dr Blair and Professor Dugald Stewart would have hailed the poet with the most unaf- fected cordiality, being themselves superior to misconstruction, and not afraid of manly independence, these Dumfries minis- ters durst not have associated with the poet at a less price hhan the favour of "the unco guid or rigidly righteous.'* And it is lamentable that they should have paid so dear for what was worth so little. Surely if they had been zealous to pluck a brand from the burning, here was a noble opportunity. In the exercise of their sacred functions no inhabitant of the burgh had a prior claim on them ; and, to a priest who feared not the face of man, the guiding of the feet of the author of " The Cotter's Saturday Night" into the way of peace should have been a j)rime consideration. We know that his official duties were always punctually discharged. We know that he attended to the education of his children with a degree of care and attention rare in any rank of life, even among men of the most exemplary sobriety. We know now, further, that when it was supposed, falsely and to his hurt, that he had hung his harp on the willows, he was writing the finest songs to be found in any language, restoring others, collecting and writing remarks on Scottish song, cor- responding with Mr Thomson and many more. In fact, scarcely a day can have passed in which, in addition to his arduous duties as an officer of the Government, he did not throw off as much original composition, prose or verse, as many professed authors have been accustomed to do, who have given themselves entirely to literature. And it was his ignor- ance of this latter fact in particular that kept his brother Ixxviii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Gilbert so long from vindicating the poet's memory from the charges brought against it so unjustly, but in such good faith, by Dr Currie, otherwise so kind and generous. And to vindi- cate in this way the good name of Burns required great moral courage on the part of Gilbert, as it subjected him to the suspicion of having come to the defence too late, and from some selfish motive ; and it actually drew down upon him an indignant rejoinder from Mr Roscoe, Dr Currie's friend. Yet he succeeded in removing at least a part of that obloquy which attached too long to the poet's reputation. Burns's songs are by many reckoned the best of all his com- positions. The inspiration is purer, and the felicities of expression more curious, if that be possible, than in his other productions. The greater proportion of them deals with the tender passion ; and no poet of ancient or modern times has treated of it with so much variety of illustration and senti- ment, with so much warmth, and, on the whole, with so much purity. We admit partly Lord Jeftrey's objection that he exhibits no chivalry in his portraiture of the passion ; that he never approaches the beloved object in a spirit of defer- ential respect, but always, even when the " dear idea " is not that of some nut-brown rustic maiden, but of some high- born beauty, places himself on a footing of perfect equality and strains her to his daring and impassioned breast. This we may attribute partly to the humility of bis origin ; but also, and in greater part, to the perfect loyalty and unrestrained impetuosity of his feelings. " One touch of Nature makes the whole world kin ;" and in certain circumstances, and witb certain individuals, there is no such leveller as the tender passion when it exists in purity and unrestrained strength. There is a delicacy of feeling, a refinement of passion and expression in his best love songs, which makes us forget their tone of fearless familiarity, and sometimes a subtlety which surprises like the perfume of a rose that blushes unseen— *' Yestreen when to the trembling string The dance gaed through the lighted ha', To thee my fancy took its wing, I safc, but neither heard nor saw. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixxix Though this was fair, and that was braw. And yon the toast of a' the town, I sigh'd, and said amang them a', * Ye are na Mary Morison.'" In some of liis songs tlie warmth expands into indelicacy, but always without insidiousness. No poison is ministered in secret to the tender imagination, disguised in sweets. Nothing like the prurience of Mr Thomas Little is to be found in the direct manly strains of the Ayrshire Poet. Even in those daring stanzas which bear the impress of Burns's misdirected powers, which we, in common with many, have come across in the course of our inquiries, but which were never intended for publication, no healthy mind would find much that could injure, thus testifying to the native nobility and directness of his character. To show with what skill he could seize upon a line or two of a song that was floating up and down the country, and complete it in the spirit of the original, we subjoin the following "splendid lyric," as Mr Lockhart justly desig- nates it : — " Go fetch to me a pint of wine, And fill it in a silver tassie ; That I may drink, before I go, A service to my bonnie lassie ; The boat rocks at the pier o* Leith, Fu' loud the wind blaws frae the Ferry, The ship rides by the Berwick Law, And I maun leave my bonnie Mary. " The trumpets sound, the banners fly, The glittering spears are ranked ready \ The shouts o' war are heard afar, The battle closes thick and bloody \ But it 's not the roar o' sea or shore Wad make me langer wish to tany j Nor shouts o* war that 's heard afar — It 'b leaving thee, my bonnie Marj/* One verse more from his love songo — Ixxx BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. *' Had we never loved sae kindly, Had we never loved sae blindly, Never met, or never parted, We had ne'er been broken-hearted." Byron uses this stanza as the motto to "The Bride of A^bydos.'^ Scott says it contains the essence of a thousand love tales. And Mrs Jameson says these lines are in them- selves a complete romance. " They are the aljiha and omega of feeling, and contain the essence of an existence of pain and pleasure distilled into one burning drop." Three other classes of songs have been produced by him in equal perfection — First, Domestic Songs, of which "John Anderson my Jo, John," is the finest specimen. Second, Bacchanalian Songs, represented best by " Willie brewed a peck o' maut," and illustrated by the " Earnest Prayer and Cry," and " Scotch Drink." These are by no means coarse, as some dull fools suppose. They breathe the finest and most ethereal spirit of Bacchus, matched only by some of the ex- quisite lyrics of the Elizabethan era, and infinitely raised Above the emanations of Anacreon's muse by superior vigour and by a rare sense of humour. We never think of Anacreon but as an old debauchee, unredeemed by a single unselfish trait. Beyond the solacements of Venus and Bacchus he seems never to have had an aspiration. And, third, War Songs, as " The Song of Death" and " Scots wha hae wi' Wal- lace bled." Most people recollect Mr Syme's account of the circumstances under which the last was composed. Burns and he were riding over the hills of Galloway amid the sub- limities of a thunder storm. It is, by acclamation, the best war-ode ever written. In it he rivals Tyrtaeus. The same steady gazing upon and contempt of death, the same stern patriotism, and the same disregard of the horrors of a " foughten field." From his earliest years he had studied song- writing as a craft. He had in the course of his ramblings over Scotland visited the scene of every remarkable song except Lochaber and the Braes of Bellenden. And his earliest poetic and patriotic desire was that for poor auld Scotland's sake he BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixxxi " might sing a sang at least." Hence his enthusiasm in every- thing pertaining to Scottish song, and his generous offer of assistance to Johnson in getting up the " Scots Musical Museum." From his first letter to Johnson, in May 1787, to his last, in July 1797, he never ceased to take a lively interest in that work. In the department of Scottish poetry he was virtually the editor, though an unpaid one. Among Johnson's papers Cromek saw no fewer than 184 of the pieces which compose the collection written out in Burns's own hand. Thus for upwards of ten years he busied himself about a work for which all the remuneration he asked or expected was a copy now and then for a friend. " I am ashamed,'' he writes to Johnson, not much more than a fortnight before his death, ** to ask another favour of you, because you have been so very good already ; but my wife has a very particular friend of hers, a young lady who sings well, to whom she wishes to present the * Scots Musical Museum.' If you have a spare copy, will you be so obliging as to send it by the very first fly^ as I am anxious to have it soon." A much more ambitious undertaking in the same line was projected by George Thomson, clerk to the Board of Trustees for the Encouragement of Manufactures in Scotland. He was assisted by some musical amateurs in Edinburgh, and among them by the Honourable Andrew Erskine. It was resolved to solicit the co-operation of Burns, and Thomson wrote to him in September 1792. In his letter the terms of the en- gagement are explicitly stated ; and as much controversy has arisen on this subject, it is well to note the following sen- tences : — " We will esteem your poetical assistance a particu- lar favour, besides paying any reasonable price you shall please to demand for it. Profit is quite a secondary consideration with us, and we are resolved to spare neither pains nor ex- pense on the publication." Burns agreed, with an enthusiasm that might have been anticipated, to embark with them in an undertaking that jumped so exactly with his predilections, and gratified his most cherished patriotic longings. He wrote : — " As to any remuneration, you may think my songs either above or below price ; for they shall absolutely be the Ixxxii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. one or the other. In the honest enthusiasm with which I embark in your undertaking, to talk of money, wages, fee, hire, &c., would be downright prostitution of soul ! " Mr Thomson's offer of remuneration was extremely guarded; Burns's rejection of it was explicit and peremptory. The undertaking would be expensive, and might prove a failure, and Thomson was not then in much better circumstances than Burns. Besides, the affairs of the poet wore a promising aspect, and no immediate need of money pressed. In the ordinary affairs of life, his views were much more business- like than is usually supposed ; but in so congenial a task as song-writing, and for a work with whose projectors "profit was quite a secondary consideration," it was clearly impossible for him to be influenced by pecuniary motives. In a letter to the Eev. P. Carfrae he had said — " The profits of the labours of a man of genius are, I hope, as honourable as any profits whatever." And he had printed the Kilmar- nock edition of his poems to raise a sum of money to pay his passage out of the country. He had, further, realised about i/'600 from the Edinburgh edition, printed by Creech. His only motive, then, in assisting Johnson and Thomson so efficiently for nothing with songs whose equals could not have been purchased anywhere for money was, not a belief in the impropriety of an author's living by the productions of his brain, but solely a high sense of patriotism, and of boundless pleasure in the work itself. Towards the close of his life his circumstances, from the increase of his family, and from the pressure on British commerce from the war with France, were considerably more straitened than they had been in Ellisland. He was sometimes obliged to borrow small sums, which, how- ever, he punctually repaid ; and sometimes his accounts with his landlord and his drapers, for instance, were allowed to stand over longer than would have been expected from a man of his punctilious independence had payment been easy for him. That he never, therefore, bethought himself of adding to his income by the publication of his later productions, shows the generous spirit in which they were composed. The too generous, the unjustly generous spirit — for no more sacred BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixxxiii obligation than the comfortable upbringing of a family, and securing the peace and self-respect which freedom from petty cares for paltry sums tends to produce, is incumbent on a parent. It does seem strange that ho would rather stoop to borrow where he could so easily have commanded money by his own honourable exertions. Nobility of spirit endures no severer test than the pressure of poverty. And that Burns would not write songs for money, that he refused £50 a year from a London newspaper for occasional poems, and that he rejected with scorn the offer from a miscreant of a large sum for the looser productions of his pen, and for the pieces of kindred spirit that his love for the Scottish muse, even when higher kilted than decorum warranted, had prompted him to collect and commit to writing, all tend to prove his naturally high-toned character. And yet no man was more alive to the pleasures that money could purchase, or to the respect that the possession of it generally secures. His Edinburgh life, and his intercourse with the local aristocracy, showed him persons in the enjoy- ment of all the material comforts and agr^mens of life, of whose understanding and character he thought meanly. And herein lay the great mistake of his life — that he hankered after and enjoyed with exquisite keenness the pleasures that wealth could procure, and yet chose to act otherwise than the accumulation of wealth demands. Between poesy and worldly success he could never fairly decide. When his pride met with a rebuff he merely talked of his independence, and forgot in the next social circle the wounds under which he had lately smarted. And yet had he brought his poetical talents into market he could have secured worldly independence, and along with it self-respect and the respect of others. However, to use the words of Carlyle, "not as a hired soldier, but as a patriot, would he strive for the glory of his country ; so he cast from him the poor sixpence a day, and served zealously as a volunteer. Let us not grudge him this last luxury of his existence ; let him not have appealed to us in vain ! The money was not necessary to him ; he struggled through with- out it ; long since, -these guineas would have been gone, and Ixxxiv BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, now the high-mindedness of refusing them will i)lead for him in all hearts for ever." After Burns had been contributing to Thomson's work for nine months, that gentleman wrote to him that the under- taking was now entirely on his own responsibility, the gentle- men who had agreed to join him in the speculation having requested to be let off. He goes on — " But thanks, my friend, are a poor return for what you have done. As I shall be benefited by the publication, you must suffer me to enclose a small mark of my gratitude, [Five Pounds] and to repeat it afterwards when I find it convenient. Do not return it, for, by heaven ! if you do, our correspondence is at an end." To this Burns's answer was extraordinary. " I assure you that you truly hurt me with your pecuniary parcel. It degrades me in my own eyes. However, to return it would savour of affectation ; but, as to any more traffic of that debtor and creditor kind, I swear, by that honour which crowns the upright statue of Robert Burns's integrity, on the least motion of it, I will indignantly spurn the bypast transaction, and from that moment commence entire stranger to you ! " What renders this the more wonderful is, that we have convincing proof that at this very time the possession of a few pounds would have been of great service to him ; and that, in fact, he had to borrow, and with a feeling of shame, and a confession and explanation of poverty, from a gentle- man under no obligation to assist him. Thomson, however, did continue occasionally to remunerate him in the way he thought least likely to offend, as by making Mrs Burns the present of a shawl, and the poet himself that of a drawing by Allan from the "Cotter's Saturday Night ;" while he was not niggardly in furnishing him with copies of the first half- volume of the " Melodies " — all that was published in his lifetime. Ill health, and increasing pecuniary difficulties, magnified, doubtless, by his depressed spirits and gloomy imagination, at last, shortly before his death, made him apply, in a letter written under great excitement, to Thomson for five pounds ; not, however, as a gift, which under any circumstances it BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCiL Ixxxv could not bave been, but as beforehand payment of work to be furnished for the " Melodies." '* After all my boasted independence, curst necessity compels me to implore you for live pounds. A cruel scoundrel of a haberdasher, to whom I owe an account, taking it into his head that I am dying, has commenced a process, and will infallibly put me into jail. Do, for God's sake, send me that sum, and that by return of post. Forgive me this earnestness ; but the horrors of a jail have made me half distracted. I do not ask all this gratui- tously ; for, upon returning health, I hereby promise and engage to furnish you with five pounds' worth of the neatest song-genius you have seen." Thomson's reply is as follows : — "Ever since I received your melancholy letters by Mrs Hyslop [three months before, let the reader remember] I have been ruminating in what manner I could alleviate your sufferings. Again and again I thought of a pecuniary off'er; but the recollection of one of your letters on this subject, and the fear of offending your independent spirit, checked my resolution. I thank you heartily, therefore, for the frankness of your letter of the 12th, and with great j^leasure enclose a draft for the very sum I proposed sending. Would I were Chancellor of the Exchequer but for one day, for your sake ! " This is all that passed between Burns and Thomson on this subject. After the poet's death Thomson was blamed in diffe- rent quarters for having acted shabbily to him and his family, and he attempted several not very satisfactory defences. Had he spoken the truth manfully, and confessed himself to have been in straitened circumstances, as is well known that he was when Burns wrote that last affecting letter ; that in fact, the five pounds he sent so promptly had first to be bor- roxoed, he w^ould have come out of the controversy more honourably than he has done. Professor Walker, whom we consider a pompous prig, came to his defence. When he talks of " the delicate mind of Mr Thomson," we cannot forget how far he had outraged common decency in his account of his last interview with Burns, and must infer that he thought Mrs Burns the ganger's widow, and the ganger's other relatives, to have been, one and all. Ixxxvi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, without that superfine article "a delicate mind." The letter he quotes from Lord Woodhouselee shows only that "that highly respectable gentleman and accomplished writer " knew nothing whatever of the true state of the case. That Burns was as much indebted to Thomson for his good counsels and active friendship as a man, as for his strictures as a critic, are equally true ; for his criticisms were generally rejected, his active friendship was confined to giving him £10 and a trum- pery shawl for a collection of songs and other writings intrin- sically priceless, and which were instrumental in yielding to Thomson hundreds of pounds ; and his good counsels, if advice as from a Mentor is meant, were never offered, never durst have been offered, to the haughty poet on whose face he had never looked, or whom at least he had never met. We have often wondered if the following is to be included among the " good counsels " referred to : — " Pray, my good sir, is it not possible for you to muster a volume of poetry % If too much trouble to you, in the present state of your health, some literary friend might be found here, who would select and arrange from your manuscripts, and take upon him the task of editor. In the meantime, it could be advertised to be [)ublished by subscription. Do not shun this mode of obtain- ing the value of your labour ; remember, Pope published the ' Iliad ' by subscription. Think of this, my dear Burns, and do not reckon me intrusive with my advice. You are too well convinced of the respect and friendship I bear you, to impute anything I say to an unworthy motive." Is it possible Thomson did not know, or that he thought Burns had forgotten that he had himself published both the Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of his poems by subscrip- tion ? Why, he might easily have published a very respect- able volume indeed, composed of the songs in the possession of Johnson and Thomson, of "Tarn o' Shanter," given to Captain Grose, as cheaply as to the gentlemen above men- tioned their treasures had been, and of " The Jolly Beggars,'* the best thing of its kind in British literature, but of which Burns himself had not a copy, so prodigal was he of what others would have coined, and who could have blamed them ? BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, Ixxxvii into solid gold. A few tales like " Tarn o' Shanter," and a handful of songs given annually to the public, had he been strict to turn the productions of his genius, as he would not have scrupled to do the labour of his hands, to good account, would have brought him not only competence but wealth, lighted up his home with sunshine, banished care and anxiety from his troubled bosom, and furnished him with most con- genial and ennobling labour — labour twice blest, and imparting conscious dignity to a life, wasted in great measure in pursuits which he could hardly like, in occasional indulgences which he was forced to deplore, and in fretting cares for daily bread which unhinged the balance of an " equal mind." When we compare the ample means and leisure of Wordsworth, not more divinely-gifted than Burns, with Ids worried life and narrow resources, we are compelled with regret to own that to Burns himself after all, more than to aught external, is the difference to be attributed. When one has a bad case to conduct he is very apt to fall into contradictions. In a letter to Professor Walker, after he must have realised a very good sum from the "Melodies,'^ Thomson says — " I am not even yet compensated for the pre- cious time consumed by me in poring over musty volumes," &c. Now in his letter to Burns with the first five pounds he had written : " I should be somewhat compensated for my labour by the pleasure I shall receive from the music." And in a letter to Robert Chambers, written apparently under a partial eclipse of judgment, as he hints in it that he might have retained all the songs and letters, and not have granted the use of them to Dr Currie for the edition of the works he was to undertake for behoof of the poet's family, after plum- ing himself upon his temporary surrender of them, (he, ol course, retained the right to publish them in the work for which they were originally intended,) he says : — " For thus surrendering the manuscripts I received, both verbally and in writing, the warm thanks of the trustees for the family — Mr John Syme and Mr Gilbert Burns — who considered what I had done as a fair return for the poet's generosity of conduct to me." He must have been at his wit's end when he had re- Ixxxviii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. course to so lame and impotent a defence. For nearly half a century he must have reaped annually a large sum from the profits of a work, the great charm of which is Burns's exqui- site lyrics ; and, as Mr Lockhart has remarked, the fault lay in not arranging in limine the poet's proportion of the re- wards. And when in ill health, and as might have easily been guessed in circumstances not too comfortable, he might have insisted, and Burns would not have been ill to persuade, that at least a prospective interest in the profits, if any, should be secured to his family in the event of his decease. We are now drawing to a close. Ill health had broken the poet down. He had gone to Brow, on the Solway, for sea- bathing, but without obtaining any permanent relief. He knew his end was at hand ; and he looked death calmly in the face. He was even cheerful in his intercourse w^ith some female friends who saw him there. His cares were all for hi? family to be left unprovided for, and for his Jean about once more to become a mother. Tt was from Brow he wrote that letter for five pounds — from Brow that he addressed that last ineffectual appeal to Mrs Dunlop for an explanation of the withdrawal of her friendship. Dr Currie says that the poet got a satisfactory explanation. But it was not so ; and his last farewell must have touched her heart, for it was naturally a kind one, with many a secret pang, when she learned that the bard was beyond reach of her symjjathy or reproach. As the shadows of the dark valley were closing around him, the falling off of his friends would be doubly painful. His had ever been the open hand, and many had been the recipients of his warm-hearted charity. But nothing could be more painful for his mind to dwell on, than that the wife and children of one whose watchword had been Independence should be indebted for daily bread to alien bounty. He had given himself wholly for Scotland. Her peasant life, her patriotism, superstitions, heroic-memories, history, music — had all been illustrated by his splendid genius. Before him the literature of his country had lost all tinge of nationality. Her writers were afraid to be Scottish, and, from a dread of Enghsh sarcasm, were aiming at Addisonian neatness, or BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Ixxxix moulding themselves on Frencli forms, or exhibiting an insipid cosmo]3olitanism. With the instinctive glance of genius he saw a whole world of poetry revealed to him in the everyday life, the ways and customs, loves and griefs of his fellow- peasants, and, as he sung, the domain of human conscious- ness and happiness was enlarged. Neither Smollett nor Dr Moore, both accomplished men, and one of them of splendid genius, ever had the courage to attempt the Scottish dialect. Moore, in fact, attempted to dissuade Burns from its use But he knew better the region of his power ; and nowhere is he so happy as in the use of his native dialect, which in his hand is never vulgar, and to which he is not slavishly bound ; for when he rises to serious passion the language insensibly acquires dignity, and doffs much of its Scottish garb. Nor in his Scotch is he like the modish minstrels of our own day, who in their attempts in the good old Doric use a dialect that belongs to no district or time, a piebald livery of words differing in locality and in the era of their use. Since his time, in the path which he so happily opened up, we have had our Sir Walter Scott, our John Wilson, our John Gait, and many others. Nowise is it now attempted to be concealed that an author is Scottish and imbued with a Scottish spirit, but rather otherwise. Thus far, then, Scotland was a debtor to Burns ; and though she neglected him when alive, her people, gentle and simple, being intent on their own well- being chiefly, it was not to be doubted that she w^ould adopt the family of her great minstrel, and wipe off in her generous exertions for them the stigma of having allowed him to sink into the grave w^ith a heart saddened for those he left behind. This, we say, could not be doubted. But Burns would be the last to whom it would occur. He never vapoured of what his country owed him ; his thought was rather how much he owed his country. He did not theatrically leave his little ones as a bequest to an ungrateful, but haply in the future a rej)entant, people. He knew from his first appearance as an author, nay, before it, of his genius. Would that his last sad hours had been illuminated by a forecast of his own immor- tality, and of the zeal with which Scotland would hasten to 9 XC BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, atone to the children for their neglect of the father. The sum for which he fancied that he would be thrown into jail was £7, 4s., overdue for his volunteer uniform. Nothing alarms an ordinary honest Scotchman so much as a letter from a writer demanding payment. All the pains and penal- ties of the law stare him in the face. Especially if he has not the money necessary to liquidate the debt, his fears are acute in proportion to his pride and his honesty. How acutely Burns felt may be learnt from this, that he wrote two letters on the same day, one from Dumfries to his cousin James Burnes, Montrose, for £10, and one from Brow to Thomson, quoted above, for £b. The £10 sent from Montrose were not drawn, the draft having been found among the poet's papers after his death. Mr Syme says the people of Dumfries would never have allowed Burns to have been taken to prison for such a sum. It is an unfortunate expression. First, as it is nothing to the point of Burns's anxiety, because he could not know this, nay, would have died almost ere he had ac- quainted the people of Dumfries with his difficulties ; and, second, because his townsmen were not aware of his being in that particular pecuniary embarrassment. As sea-bathing promised no permanent relief, he returned to Dumfries on the 18th of July. It was with difficulty he walked up the small hrae leading to his own house. His first act was to write to his father-in-law in Mauchline to send Mrs Armour to wait on her daughter, who was hourly expect- ing to be brought to bed. The house in Millhole Brae must have been at this time a sad one. Not, however, unblessed by the light and love of human sympathy. There was the kind Jessie Lewars, who tended him with filial devotion ; there was Findlater, the supervisor, to soothe as far as he could the last moments of his friend ; and there was Dr Maxwell, skilful and affectionate. A gloom overspread Dumfries and the neigh- bourhood when it was understood that the great poet was indeed dying. The streets were filled with groups anxious to know of their illustrious townsmen. All political and personal rancours were forgotten. It was enough that a great, ill- requited countryman, the greatest living Scotchman, was BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH xci grappling with the last enemy in the humble tenement hard by ; that there was a wife about to become a mother and a widow, and four helpless boys to be orphans. When it was known that the last moment was at hand, his four sons, who had been removed to the house of Mr Lewars, were sent for to witness the parting scene ; and, his family and friends around him, and his bonnie Jean in bed in an adjoining chamber, on the morning of the 21st July 1796, muttering an execration against the legal agent whose letter had embit- tered his parting hours, this world-weary soul passed away into the unknown and infinite. The body was laid out for the grave in a plain coffin, and had been wrapped about with a linen sheet. In the bed and round the coffin flowers were strewn. On the evening of the '25th the remains were removed from his own house to the town-hall. They were buried on the following day with mili- tary honours by his brother volunteers. Two regiments, ono of infantry and one of cavalry, lined the streets from the town-hall to the burying-ground — a distance of more than half a mile. It was calculated that from ten to twelve thou- sand individuals took part in the procession or hned the streets. The body after a little delay was lowered into the grave, and few faces were dry. The volunteers fired some straggling shots over the resting-place of their comrade ; the grave was filled in, the green sod replaced, and the people gradually melted away. It is sad to know that while the remains of the poet were being thus honoured, his widow was in the pangs of child- birth. The child was named after Dr Maxwell, and died in infancy. A splendid mausoleum now covers the poet's ashes. Over- looking the banks of the Doon arises a magnificent monument to his memory, while another graces the Calton Hill in "Edina, Scotia's darling seat." His country took charge of his Jean and her children whom he had loved so well ; and at this hour no dearer names thrill a Scotchman's heart than those of the honoured "sons of Burns." Pilgrims from all lands, with pious regard, repair to the humble cottage where he was xcii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. born, to AUoway's auld haunted kirk, and the banks and braes o' bonnie Doon. And as they wander over the scenes made immortal by a peasant's song, heart cHngs closer to heart, the pride of birth and wealth melts away in a feeling of common humanity, and it is felt indeed that " a man 's a man for a' that." That his country was niggardly to him while he was alive, — when he asked for bread giving him a stone, and then piling monumental marble over " the poor inhabitant below," — has been often made the theme of reproach to her. But in all countries the truly great men, the prophets, who were not of the market-place, who did not contribute to the material wealth of the people, have often been neglected and even put to death. Think of Socrates, think of the Christian apostles, think of Galileo, think of Tasso. Let England think of Butler, of Otway, of Bloomfield, of Clare, and " Of Cliatterton, the wondrous boy, The sleepless soul that perished in his pride,*' and well may Scotland bear up her head in the comparison. All her sons and daughters think more highly of their country that Burns was of it. Let a Scotchman travel where he will, he is, if otherwise worthy, made more welcome for Burns's sake. That the poet was misappreciated while alive was due to many causes — religious, political, and personal. Besides, how often does it happen that the man we see before us, busy with ourselves in the prosaic battle of life, fighting for bread, jostling us perhaps, in no dignified position of brief authority, we cannot properly discern. Not till he is removed from us by being lifted up into some official or other eminence, or hidden from us by the curtain of the grave, do we begin to know his greatness. Not in this generation do we think a man hke Burns would be allowed to struggle with base entangle- ments. To talk of the unknowable is, however, bootless. Enough that Scotland's eyes were opened in time to succour and honour those who bore the poet's name, and that now she cherishes with an undying love the memory of Egbert Burns. APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. The Appendix to the Biographical Sketch of Robert Burns will appropriately commence with his letter to Dr Moore, a distin- guished London physician, and author of several important works, including " A View of Society and Manners in France^ Switzerland, and Germany," " Zeluco," &c. The letter — which was called forth by a strong expression of admiration for the Poet's genius on the part of Dr Moore — was written in August 1787, immediately after his first visit to Edinburgh, and gives a graphic account of his life and experience up to that time. The Editor believes that in reprinting this letter, along with all the more important and valuable of the sketches written by contemporaries, he will materially assist the reader in form- ing a distinct impression of the poet's personal appearance and habits. THE POET'S LETTER TO DR MOORE. I HAVE not the most distant pretensions to assume that character which the pye-coated guardians of escutcheons call a gentleman. When at Edinburgh last winter, I got acquainted in the herald's office ; and, looking through that granary of honours, I there found almost every name in the kingdom ; but for me, •'My ancient but ignoble blood nas crept through scoundrels ever since the flood.'* Gules, purpure, argent, &c., quite disowned me. My father was of the north of Scotland, the son of a farmer, and was thrown by early misfortunes on the world at large; where, after many years' wanderings and sojourniugs, he picked up a pretty large quantity of observation and experience, to which I am indebted for most of my little pretensions to wi&dom. I have met with few who xciv APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. understood men, their manners, and their ways, equal to him ; hut Btubborn, ungainly integrity, and headlong, ungovernable irascibility, are disqualifying circumstances; consequently, I was born a very poor man's son. For the first six or seven years of my life, my father was gardener to a worthy gentleman of small estate in the neighbourhood of Ayr. Had he continued in that station, I must have marched off to be one of the little underlings about a farm- house ; but it was his dearest wish and prayer to have it in his power to keep his children under his own eye, till they could discern be- tween good and evil ; so, with the assistance of his generous master, my father ventured on a small farm on his estate. At those years, I was by no means a favourite with anybody. I was a good deal noted for a retentive memory, a stubborn, sturdy something in my disposition, and an enthusiastic idiot [idiotic] piety. I say idiot piety, because I was then but a child. Though it cost the schoolmaster some thrashings, I made an excellent English scholar ; and, by the time I was ten or eleven years of age, I was a critic in substantives, verbs, and particles. In my infant and boyish days, too, I owed much to an old woman who resided in the family, remarkable for her ignorance, credulity, and superstition. She had, I suppose, the largest collection in the country of tales and songs concerning devils, ghosts, fairies, brownies, witches, war- locks, spunkies, kelpies, elf-candles, dead-lights, wraiths, apparitions, cantraips, giants, enchanted towers, dragons, and other trumpery. This cultivated the latent seeds of poetry ; but had so strong an effect on my imagination that to this hour, in my nocturnal rambles, I sometimes keep a sharp look out in suspicious places; and, though nobody can be more sceptical than I am in such matters, yet it often takes an effort of philosophy to shake off these idle terrors. The earliest composition that I recollect taking plea- sure in was the Vision of Mirza, and a hymn of Addison's, begin- ning, " How are thy servants blest, Lord ! " I particularly remem- ber one half -stanza which was music to my boyish ear — "For though on dreadful whirls we hung High on the broken wave." I met with these pieces in Mason's English Collection, one of my school-books. The first two books I ever read in private, and which gave me more pleasure than any two books I ever read since, were the Life of Hannibal, and the History of Sir William Wallace. Hannibal gave my young ideas such a turn that I used to strut in raptures up and down after the recruiting drum and bagpipe, and wish myself tall enough to be a soldier, while the story ot Wallace poured a Scottish prejudice into my veins, which will boil along there till the floodgates of life shut in eternal rest. Polemical divinity about this time was putting the country half mad, and I, ambitious of shining in conversation parties on Sundays, between sermons, at funerals, &c., used a few years afterwards to puzzle Calvinism with so much heat and indiscretion that I raised a hue and cry of heresy against me, which has not ceased to this hour APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. XC7 My vicinity to Ayr was of some advantage to me. My social disposition, when not checked by some modifications of spirited pride, was, like our Catechism definition of infinitude, without bounds or limits. I formed several connexions with other younkers, who possessed superior ^advantages ; the youngling actors who were busy in the rehearsal of parts, in which they were shortly to appear on the stage of life, where, alas ! I was destined to drudge behind the scenes. It is not commonly at this green age that our young gentry have a just sense of the immense distance between them and their ragged playfellows. It takes a few dashes into the world to give the young great man that proper, decent, unnoticing disre- gard for the poor, insignificant, stupid devils, the mechanics and peasantry around him, who were, perhaps, born in the same village. My young superiors never insulted the clouterly appearance of my ploughboy carcase, the two extremes of which were often exposed to all the inclemencies of all the seasons. They would give me stray volumes of books ; among them, even then, I could pick up some observations, and one, whose heart, I am sure, not even the "Munny Begum" scenes have tainted, helped me to a little French. Parting with these my young fi'iends and benefactors, as they occasionally went off for the East or West Indies, was often to me a sore afflic- tion; but I was soon called to more serious evils.* My father's generous master died ; the farm proved a ruinous bargain ; and, to clench the misfortune, we fell into the hands of a factor, who sat for the picture I have drawn of one in my tale of " The Twa Dogs." My father was advanced in life when he married ; I was the eldest of seven children, and he, worn out by early hardships, was unfit for labour. ]\Iy father's spirit was soon irritated, but not easily broken. There was a freedom in his lease in two years more, and^ to weather these two years, we retrenched our expenses. We lived very poorly : I was a dexterous ploughman for my age ; and the next eldest to me was a brother, (Gilbert,) who could drive the plough very well, and help me to thrash the corn. A novel-writer might, * " My brother," says Gilbert Bums, "seems to set off his early companions in too consequential a manner. The principal acquaintances we had in Ayr, while boys, were four sons of Mr Andrew M'CuUoch, a distant relation of my mother's, who kept a tea-shop, and had made a little money in the contraband trade very common at that time. He died while the boys were young, and my father was nominated one of the tutors. The two eldest were bred shopkeepers, tlie third a surgeon, and the youngest, the only sm'viving one, was bred in a counting-house in Glasgow, where he is now a respectable merchant. I believe all these boys went to the West Indies. Then there were two sons of Dr Malcolm, whom I have mentioned in my letter to Mrs Dunlop. The eldest, a very worthy young man, went to the East Indies, where he Imd a commission in the army ; he is the person whose heart my brothersays the ' Munny Begum scenes could not corrupt.' The other, by the interest of Lady Wallace, got an ensigncy in a regiment rai.^ed by the Duke of Hamilton during the American war. I believe neither of them are now (1797) alive. We also knew the present Dr Paterson of Ayr, and a younger brother of his now in Jamaica, who were much younger than us. I had almost forgot to mention Dr Charles of Ayr, who was a \\XWq older than my brother, and with whom we had a longer and closer intimacy than with any of the others, which did not, however, continue in after life." xcvi APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. perhaps, have viewed these scenes with some satisfaction, but so dia not I ; my indignation yet boils at the recollection of the scoundrel factor's insolent threatening letters, which used to set us all in tears. This kind of life — the cheerless gloom of a hermit, with the unceas- ing moil of a galley-slave — brought me to my sixteenth year; a little before which period I first committed the sin of rhyme. You know our country custom of coupling a man and woman together as partners in the labours of harvest. In my fifteenth autumn, my partner was a bewitching creature, a year younger than myself. My scarcity of English denies me the power of doing her justice iu that language, but you know the Scotch idiom : she was a " bonnie, sweet, sonsie lass." In short, she, altogether unwittingly to herself, initiated me in that delicious passion which, in spite of acid disap- pointment, gin-horse prudence, and book-worm philosophy, I hold to be the first of human joys, our dearest blessing here below ! How she caught the contagion I cannot tell ; you medical people talk much of infection from breathing the same air, the touch, &c. ; but I never expressly said I loved her. — Indeed, I did not know myseli why I liked so much to loiter behind with her, when returning in the evening from our labours ; why the tones of her voice made my heart-strings thrill like an -^Eolian harp ; and particularly why my pulse beat such a furious ratan, when I looked and fingered over her little hand to pick out the cruel nettle-stings and thistles. Among her other love-inspiring qualities, she sang sweetly ; and it was her favourite reel to which I attempted giving an embodied vehicle in rhyme. I was not so presumptuous as to imagine that I could make verses like printed ones, composed by men who had Greek and Latin ; but my girl sang a song which was said to be composed by a small country laird's son, on one of his father's maids with whom he was in love ; and I saw no reason why I might not rhyme as well as he ; for, excepting that he could smear sheep, and cast peats, his father living in the moorlands, he had no more scholar-craft than myself. Thus with me began love and poetry ; which at times have been my only, and, till within the last twelve months, have been my highest, enjoyment. My father struggled on till he reached the freedom in his lease, when he entered on a larger farm, about ten miles farther in the country. The nature of the bargain he made was such as to throw a little ready money into his hands at the commencement of his lease, otherwise the afi'air would have been impracticable. For four years we lived comfortably here, but a difi'erence commencing between him and his landlord as to terms, after three years' tossing and whirling in the vortex of litigation, my father was just saved from the horrors of a jail by a consumption, which, after two years' promises, kindly stepped in, and carried him away, to where the wicked cease from troubline:, and the weary are at rest ! ^ It is during the time that we lived on this farm that my little APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. /^CVll story is most eventful, I was, at the beginiiing of this period, per- haps, the most UDgainly awkward boy in the parish — no solitaire was less acquainted with the ways of the world. What I knew of ancient story was gathered from Salmon's and Guthrie's Geographi- cal Grammars ; and the ideas I had formed of modern manners, of literature, and criticism, I got from the Spectator. These, with Pope's Works, some Plays of Shakespeare, Tull and Dickson on Agriculture, The Pantheon, Locke's Essay on the Human Under- standing, Stackhouse's History of the Bible, Justice's British Gar- dener's Directory, Boyle's Lectures, Allan Ramsay's Works, Taylor's Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin, A Select Collection of English Songs, and Hervey's Meditations, had formed the whole of my reading. The collection of songs was my vade mecum. I pored over them, driving my cart, or walking to labour, song by song, verse by verse ; carefully noting the true tender, or sublime, from affectation and fustian. I am convinced I owe to this practice much of my critic-craft, such as it is. In my seventeenth year, to give my manners a brush, I went to a country dancing-school. My father had an unaccountable antipathy against these meetings, and my going was, what to this moment I l-epent, in opposition to his wishes.* My father, as I said before, was subject to strong passions ; from that instance of disobedience in me, he took a sort of dislike to me, which, I believe, was one cause of the dissipation which marked my succeeding years. I say dissipation, comparatively with the strictness, and sobriety, and regularity of Presbyterian country life ; for though the will-o'-wisp meteors of thoughtless whim were almost the sole lights of my path, yet early ingrained piety and virtue kept me for several years afterwards within the line of innocence. The great misfortune of my life was to want an aim. I had felt early some stirrings of ambi- tion, but they were the blind gropings of Homer's Cyclops round the walls of his cave. I saw my father's situation entailed on me perpetual labour. The only two openings, by which I could enter the temple of fortune, were the gate of niggardly economy, or the path of little chicaning bargain-making. The first is so contracted an aperture I never could squeeze myself into it — the last I always hated — there was contamination in the very entrance ! Thus aban- doned of aim or view in life, with a strong ai^petite for sociability, * ''I wonder," says Gilbert Burns, " how Robert could attribute to our father that lasting resentment of his going to a dancing-school against his will, and of which he was incapable. I believe tlie truth was that about this time he began to see the dangerous impetuosity of my brother's passions, is well as his not being amenable to counsel, which often irritated my fatlier, and which, he would naturally think, a dancing-school was not likely to correct. But he was proud of Robert's genius, which he bestowed more expense on cultivating than on the rest of the family — and he was equally delighted with his warmth of heart and conversational powers. lie had indeed that dislike of dancing-schools which Robert mentions ; but so far overcame it during Robert's first month of iiuendance that he permitted the rest of the family that were fit for it to accom- pany him during the second month. Robert exuded in dancing, and was fo) some time distractedly fond of it." xcviii APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. as well from native hilarity as from a pride of observation and remark ; a constitutional melancholy or hypochondriacism that made me fly solitude ; add to these incentives to social life my reputation for bookish knowledge, a certain wild logical talent, and a strength of thought, something like the rudiments of good sense ; and it will not seem surprising that I was generally a welcome guest where I visited, or any great wonder that always, where two or three met together, there was I among them. But far beyond all other im- pulses of my heart was un 'penchant a V adorable moitU du genre humain. My heart was completely tinder, and was eternally lighted up by some goddess or other ; and, as in every other warfare in this world, my fortune was various ; sometimes I was received with favour, and sometimes I was mortified with a repulse. At the plough, scythe, or reap-hook, I feared no campetitor, and thus I set absolute want at defiance; and, as I never cared further for my labours than while I was in actual exercise, I spent the evenings in the way after my own heart. A country lad seldom carries on a love-adventure without an assisting confidant. I possessed a curiosity, zeal, and intrepid dexterity that recom- mended me as a proper second on these occasions ; and, I daresay, I felt as much pleasure in being in the secret of half the loves of the parish of Tarbolton as ever did statesman in knowing the in- trigues of half the courts of Europe. The very goose-feather in my hand seems to know instinctively the well-worn path of my imagination, the favourite theme of my song ; and is with difficulty restrained from giving you a couple of paragraphs on the love-adven- tures of my compeers, the humble inmates of the farmhouse and cottage ; but the grave sons of science, ambition, or avarice baptize these things by the name of follies. To the sons and daughters of labour and poverty they are matters of the most serious nature : to them the ardent hope, the stolen interview, the tender farewell, are the greatest and most delicious parts of their enjoyments. Another circumstance in my life which made some alteration in my mind and manners, w^as that I spent my nineteenth summer on a smuggling coast, a good distance from home, at a noted school, to learn mensuration, surveying, dialling, &c., in which I made a pretty good progress. But I made a greater progress in the know- ledge of mankind. The contraband trade was at that time very successful, and it sometimes happened to me to fall in with those who carried it on. Scenes of swaggering riot and roaring dissipation were, till this time, new to me ; but I was no enemy to social life. Here, though I learnt to fill my glass, and to mix without fear in a drunken squabble, yet I went on with a high hand with my geometry, till the sun entered Virgo, a month which is always a carnival in my bosom, when a charming fillette, who lived next door to the school, overset my trigonometry, and set me off at a tangent from the sphere of my studies. I, however, struggled on with my eines and co-sines for a few days more ; but stepping into the garden one charming noon to take the sun's altitude, there I met my angel APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, xcix " Like Proserpine gathering flowers, Herself a fairer flower " It was in vain to think of doing any more good at school. The remaining week I stayed I did nothing but craze the faculties of my Boul about her, or steal out to meet her ; and the two last nights of my stay in the country, had sleep been a mortal sin, the image of this modest and innocent girl had kept me guiltless. I returned home very considerably improved. My reading was enlarged with the very important addition of Thomson's and Shen- stone's Works ; I had seen human nature in a new phasis ; and I engaged several of my schoolfellows to keep up a literary corres- pondence with me. This improved me in composition. I had met with a collection of letters by the wits of Queen Anne's reign, and I pored over them most devoutly. I kept copies of any of my own letters that pleased me, and a comparison between them and the com- position of most of my correspondents flattered my vanity. I carried this whim so far that, though I had not three-farthings' worth of business in the world, yet almost every post brought me as many letters as if I had been a broad plodding son of day-book and ledger. My life flowed on much in the same course till my twenty-third year. Yive Vamour, et vive la Lagatelle, were my sole principles of action. The addition of two more authors to my library gave me great pleasure ; Sterne and Mackenzie — Tristram Shandy and the Man of Feeling — were my bosom favourites. Poesy was still a darling walk for my mind, but it was only indulged in according to the humour of the hour. I had usually half a dozen or more pieces on hand ; I took up one or other, as it suited the momentary tone of the mind, and dismissed the work as it bordered on fatigue. My passions, when once lighted up, raged like so many devils, till they got vent in rhyme ; and then the conning over my verses, like a spell, soothed all into quiet I None of the rhymes of those days are in print, except " Winter, a dirge," the eldest of my printed pieces; " The Death of poor Mailie," " John Barleycorn," and songs first, second, and third. Song second was the ebullition of that pas- sion which ended the forementioned school-business. My twenty-third year was to me an important era. Partly through whim, and partly that I wished to set about doing some- thing in life, I joined a flax-dresser in a neighbouring town, (Irvine,) to learn his trade. This was an unlucky affair. My , and to finish the whole, as we were giving a welcome carousal to the new year, the shop took fire and burnt to ashes, and I was left, like a true poet, not worth a sixpence. I was obliged to give up this scheme ; the clouds of misfortune were gathering thick round my father's head ; and, what was worst of all, he was visibly far gone in a consumption ; and to crown my distresses, a belle file, whom I adored, and who ?!iad pledged her soul to meet me in the field of matrimony, jilted me with peculiar circum- stances of mortification. The finishing evil that brought up the rear of this infernal file, was my constitutional melancholy being C APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. increased to such a degi'ee, that for three months I was in a state of mind scarcely to be envied by the hopeless wretches who have got their mittimus—" Depart from me, ye accursed ! " From this adventure I learnt something of a town life ; but the principal thing which gave my mind a turn was a friendship I formed with a young fellow, a very noble character, but a hapless son of misfortune.* He was the son of a simple mechanic ; but a great man in the neighbourhood, taking him under his patronage, gave him a genteel education, with a view of bettering his situation in life. The patron dying just as he was ready to launch out into the world, the poor fellow in despair went to sea, where, after a variety of good and ill fortune, a little before I was acquainted with him, he had been set on shore by an American privateer, on the wild coast of Connaught, stripped of everything. I cannot quit this poor fellow's story without adding that he is at this time master of a large West Indiaman belonging to the Thames. His mind was fraught with independence, magnanimity, and every manly virtue. I loved and admired him to a degree of enthusiasm, and of course strove to imitate him. In some measure, I suc- ceeded ; I had pride before, but he taught it to flow in proper channels. His knowledge of the world was vastly superior to mine, and I was all attention to learn. He was the only man I ever saw who was a greater fool tlian myself where woman was the pre* siding star ; but he spoke of illicit love with the levity of a sailor, which hitherto I had regarded with horror. Here his friendship did me a mischief, and the consequence was, that soon after I resumed the plough, I wrote the " Poet's Welcome." f My reading only in- creased while in this town by two stray volumes of Pamela, and one of Ferdinand Count Fathom, which gave me some idea of novels. Ehyme, except some religious pieces that are in print, I had given up ; but meeting with Fergusson's Scottish Poems, I strung anew my wildly-sounding lyre with emulating vigour. When my father died, his all went among the hell-hounds that growl in the kennel of justice; but we made a shift to collect a little money in the family amongst us, with which, to keep us together, my brother and I took a neighbouring farm. My brother wanted my hare-brained imagination, as well as my social and amorous madness ; but in good sense, and every sober qualification, he was far my superior. I entered on this farm with a full resolution, " Come, go to, I will be wise ! " I read farming books, I calculated crops ; I attended markets; and, in short, in spite of "the devil, and the world, and the flesh," I believe I should have been a wise man ; but the first year, from unfortunately buying bad seed, the second from the late harvest, we lost half our crops. This overset all my wisdom, and I returned, " like the dog to kis vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." £ now began to be known in the neighbourhood as a maker of * ]\rr Richard Erown. . t '-Hob the Rhymer's Welcome to his Bastard Child." APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ci rhymes. The first of my poetic offspring that saw the light was a burlesque lamentation on a quarrel between two reverend Calvinists, both of them dramatis personce in my *' Holy Fair." I had a notion myself that the piece had some merit ; but, to prevent the worst, I gave a copy of it to a friend, who was very fond of such things, and told him that I could not guess who was the author of it, but that I thought it pretty clever. With a certain description of the clergy, as well as laity, it met with a roar of applause. " Holy Willie's Prayer " next made its appearance, and alarmed the kirk-session so much that they held several meetings to look over their spiritual artillery, if haply any of it might be pointed against profane rhymers. Unluckily for me, my wanderings led me on another side, within point-blank shot of their heaviest metal. This is the unfor- tunate story that gave rise to the printed poem, ** The Lament," This was a most melancholy affair, which I cannot yet bear to reflect on, and had very nearly given me one or two of the principal quali- fications for a place among those who have lost the chart, and mistaken the reckoning of rationality. I gave up my part of the farm to my brother: in truth, it was only nominally mine; and made what little preparation was in my power for Jamaica. But, before leaving my native country for ever, I resolved to publish my poems. I weighed my productions as impartially as was in my power; I thought they had merit; and it was a delicious idea that I should be called a clever fellow, even though it should never reach my ears — a poor negro-driver — or perhaps a victim to that inhospi- table clime, and gone to the world of spirits ! I can truly say that, pauire inconnu as I then was, I had pretty nearly as high an idea of myself and of my works as I have at this moment, when the public has decided in their favour. It ever was my opinion that the mistakes and blunders, both in a rational and religious point of view, of which we see thousands daily guilty, are owing to their ignorance of themselves. — To know myself had been all along my constant study. I weighed myself alone ; I balanced myself with others; I watched every means of information, to see how much ground I occupied as a man and as a poet ; I studied assiduously iiTature's design in my formation — where the lights and shades in my character were intended. I was pretty confident my poems would meet with some applause ; but at the worst, the roar of the At- lantic would deafen the voice of censure, and the novelty of West Indian scenes make me forget neglect. I threw oJGf six hundred copies, of which I had got subscriptions for about three hundred and fifty. — My vanity was highly gratified by the reception I met with from the public ; * and, besides, I pocketed, all expenses de- ducted, nearly twenty pounds. This sum came very seasonably, as * "It is hardly possible to express," says the unfortunate Heron, "with what eager admii-ation and delight they were everywhere received. Old and younp^, high and low, grave and gay. learned or ignorant, all were alike delighted, agitated, transported. I was at that time resident in Galloway, contiguous to Ayr-shire, and I can well remember, how that even plough-boys and maid-ser- vauts would have gladly parted with the vagcs which they eai-ned the most - -- _ cii APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, I was thinking of indenting myself, for want of money to procure my passage. As soon as I was master of nine guineas, the price of wafting me to the torrid zone, I took a steerage passage in the first ship that was to sail from the Clyde, for " Hungry ruin had me in the wind." I had been for some days skulking from covert to covert, under all the terrors of a jail ; as some ill-advised people had uncoupled the merciless pack of the law at my heels. I had taken the last farewell of my few friends ; my chest was on the road to Greenock ; I had composed the last song I should ever measure in Caledonia — '' The gloomy night is gathering fast," when a letter from Dr BLack- lock to a friend of mine overthrew all my schemes, by opening new prospects to my poetic ambition. The doctor belonged to a set of critics, for whose applause I had not dared to hope. His opinion, that I would meet with encouragement in Edinburgh for a second edition, fired me so much that away I posted for that city, without a single acquaintance, or a single letter of introduction. The bane- ful star that had so long shed its blasting influence in my zenith for once made a revolution to the nadir ; and a kind Providence placed me under the patronage of one of the noblest of men, the Earl of Glencairn. Ouhlie moi, grand Dieu, si jamais je VouUie I I need relate no further. At Edinburgh I was in a new world; I mingled among many classes of men, but all of them new to me, and I was all attention to " catch " the characters and the manners "living as they rise." Whether I have profited, time will show. My most respectful compliments to Miss Williams. Her very elegant and friendly letter I cannot answer at present, as my presence is requisite in Edinburgh, and I set out to-morrow. R. B. LETTER OF GILBERT BURNS TO MRS DUNLOP. The following interesting letter was drawn up shortly after the poet's death by his brother Gilbert, at the request of Mrs Dunlop of Dunlop, who was anxious to obtain some biographical details regarding the early years of her admired and lamented friend: — Robert Burns was born on the 25th day of January 1759, in a small house about two miles from the town of Ayr, and within a few hardly, and which they wanted to purchase necessary clothing, if they might hut procure the works of Burns. A copy happened to be presented from a gentleman in Ayrshire to a friend in my neighbourhood ; he put it into my liands, as a work containing some effusions of the most extraordinary genius. I took it, rather that I might not ditoblige the lender, than from any ardour of curiosity or expectation. * An iml«ttered ploughman, a poet I' said I, with contemptuous incredulity. It was on a Saturday evening. I opened the volume by accident, whilft I was undressing to go to bed. I closed it, not till a late hour on the rising Sunday morn, afcer I had read over every syllable it contained. "* AFFENDIX TO BIOGRAFHICAL SKETCH, Ciii hundred yards of Alio way Church, which his poem of "Tarn o' Shan- ter " has rendered immortal. The name, which the poet and his brother modernised into Burns, was originally Burnes, or Burness Their father, William Burnes, was the son of a farmer in Kincardine- shire, and had received the education common in Scotland to per- sons in his condition of life ; he could read and write, and had some knowledge of arithmetic. His family having fallen into reduced cir- cumstances, he was compelled to leave his home in his nineteenth year, and turned his steps towards the south, in quest of a livelihood. The same necessity attended his elder brother Robert. "I have often heard my father," says Gilbert Burns, in his letter to Mrs Dunlop, *' describe the anguish of mind he felt when they parted on the top of a hill on the confines of their native place, each going off his several v/ay in search of new adventures, and scarcely knowing whither he went. My father undertook to act as a gardener, and shaped his course to Edinburgh, where he wrought hard when he could get work, passing through a variety of difficulties. Still, how- ever, he endeavoured to spare something for the support of his aged parents : and I recollect hearing him mention his having sent a bank-note for this purpose, when money of that kind was so scarce in Kincardineshire, that they scarcely knew how to employ it when it arrived." From Edinburgh, William Burnes passed westward into the county of Ayr, where he engaged himself as a gardener to the laird of Fairly, with whom he lived two years ; then changing his service for that of Crawford of Doonside. At length, being desirous of settling in life, he took a perpetual lease of seven acres of land from Dr Campbell, physician in Ayr, with the view of commencing nurseryman and public gardener; and, having built a house upon it with his own hands, married, in December, 1757, Agnes Brown, the mother of our poet, who still survives. The first fruit of this mar- riage was Robert, the subject of these memoirs, born on the 25th of January 1759, as has already been mentioned. Before William Burnes had made much progress in preparing his nursery, he was withdrawn from that undertaking by Mr Ferguson, who purchased the estate of Doonholm, in the immediate neighbourhood, and en- gaged him as his gardener and overseer ; and this was his situation when our poet was born. Though in the service of Mr Ferguson, he lived in his own house, his wife managing her family and her little dairy, which consisted sometimes of two, sometimes of three milch cows ; and this state of unambitious content continued till the year 1766. His son Robert was sent by him, in his sixth year, to a school at Alloway-Mill, about a mile distant, taught by a person of the name of Campbell; but this teacher being in a few months appointed mas- ter of the workhouse at Ayr, William Burnes, in conjimction with some other heads of families, engaged John Murdoch in his stead. The education of our poet, and of his brother Gilbert, was in com- mon ; and of their proficiency under Mr Murdoch we have the fol- lowing account: — "With him we learnt to read English tolerably well, and to write a little. He taught us, too, the English grammar. civ APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. I was too young to profit much from Lis lessons in grammar ; but Robert made some proficiency in it — a circumstance of considerable weight in the unfolding of his genius and character ; as he soon became remarkable for the fluency and correctness of his expression, and read the few books that came in his way with much pleasure and improvement; for even then he was a reader when he could get a book. Murdoch, whose library at that time had no great variety iu it, lent him 'The Life of Hannibal,' which was the first book he read, (the school books excepted,) and almost the only one he had an opportunity of reading while he was at school : for * The Life of VVallace,' which he classes with it in one of his letters to you, he did not see for some years afterwards, when he borrowed it from the blacksmith who shod our horses." It appears that William Burnes approved himself greatly in the service of Mr Ferguson by his intelligence, industry, and integrity. In consequence of this, with a view of promoting his interest, Mr Ferguson leased him a farm, of which we have the following ac- count : — " The farm was upwards of seventy acres, (between eighty and ninety English statute measure,) the rent of which w;xs to be forty pounds annually for the first six years, and afterwards forty-five pounds. My father endeavoured to sell his leasehold property, for the purpose of stocking his farm, but at that time was unable, and Mr Ferguson lent him a hundred pounds for that purpose. He re- moved to his new situation at Whitsuntide, 1766. It was, I think, not above two years after this, that Murdoch, our tutor cmd friend, left this part of the country; and there being no school near us, and our little services being useful on the farm, my father undertook to teach us arithmetic in the winter evenings, by candle-light ; and in this way my two eldest sisters got all the education they received. I remember a circumstance that happened at this time, which, though trifling in itself, is fresh in my memory, and may serve to illustrate the early character of my brother. Murdoch came to spend a night with us, and to take his leave when he was about to go into Carrick. He brought us, as a present and memorial of him, a small compendium of English Grammar, and the tragedy of ' Titus Andronicus,' and, by way of passing the evening, he began to read the play aloud. We were all attention for some time, till presently the whole party was dissolved in tears. A female in the play (I have but a confused remembrance of it) had her hands chopt off, and her tongue cut out, and then was insultingly desired to call for water to wash her hands. At this, in an agony of distress, we with one voice desired he would read no more. My father observed, that if we would not hear it out, it would be needless to leave the play with us. Robert replied, that if it was left he would burn it. My father was going to chide him for this ungrateful return to his tutor's kind- ness; but Murdoch interfered, declaring that he liked to see so much sensibility ; and he left ' The School for Love,' a comedy, (translated I think from the French,) in its place. APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. CV " Nothing," continues Gilbert Bums, '' could be more retired tlian our general manner of living at Mount Oliphant ; we rarely saw anybody but the members of our own family. There were no boys of our own age, or near it, in the neighbourhood. Indeed, the greatest part of the land in the vicinity was at that time possessed by shopkeepers, and people of that stamp, who had retired frorn business, or who kept their farm in the country, at the same time that they followed business in town. My father was for some time almost the only companion we had. He conversed familiarly on all subjects with us, as if we had been men; and was at great pains, while we accompanied him in the labours of the farm, to lead the conversation to such subjects as might tend to increase our know- ledge, or confirm us in virtuous habits. He borrowed * Salmon's Geographical Grammar* for us, and endeavoured to make us ac- quainted with the Situation and history of the different countries in the world ; while, from a book-society in Ayr, he procured for us the reading of ' Derham's Physico and Astro-Theology,* and * Ray s Wis- dom of God in the Creation,' to give us some idea of Astronomy and Natural History. Robert read all these books with an avidity and industry scarcely to be equalled. My father had been a sub- scriber to * Stackhouse's History of the Bible,' then lately published by James Meuross, in Kilmarnock : from this Robert collected a com- petent knowledge of ancient history ; for no book was so voluminous as to slacken his industry, or so antiquated as to damp his researches. A brother of my mother, who had lived with us for some time and had learnt some arithmetic by our winter evening's candle, went into a bookseller's shop in Ayr, to purchase * The Ready Reckoner, or Tradesman's Sure Guide,' and a book to teach him to write letters. Luckily, in place of ' The Complete Letter- Writer,' he gob by mistake a small collection of letters by the most emi- nent writers, with a few sensible directions for attaining an easy epistolary style. This book was to Robert of the greatest conse- quence. It inspired him with a strong desire to excel in letter- writing, while it furnished him with models by some of the first writers in our language. *'My brother was about thirteen or fourteen, when my father, re- gretting that we wrote so ill, sent us, week about, during a summer quarter, to the parish school of Dalrymple, which, though between two and three miles distant, was the nearest to us, that we might have an opportunity of remedying this defect. About this time a bookish acquaintance of my father's procured us a reading of two volumes of Richardson's 'Pamela,' which was the first novel we read, and the only part of Richardson's works my brother was ac- quainted with till towards the period of his commencing author. Till that time, too, he remained unacquainted with Fielding, with Smollett, (tvv'o volumes of ' Ferdinand Count Fathom,' and two volumes of ' Peregrine Pickle ' excepted,) with Hume, with Robert- eon, and almost all our authors of eminence of the later timea. I recollect, indeed, my father borrowed a volume of English history cvi APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. from Mr Hamilton of BourtreehiU's gardener. Ifc treated of the reign of James L, and bis imfortunate son, Charles, but I do not know who was the author ; all that I remember of it is something of Charles's conversation with his children. About this time, Mur- doch, our former teacher, after having been in different places in the country, and having taught a school some time in Dumfries, came to be the established teacher of the English language in Ayr, a circumstance of considerable consequence to us. The remem- brance of my father's former friendship, and his attachment to my brother, made him do everything in his power for our improvement. He sent us Pope's works, and some other poetry, the first that we had an opportunity of reading, excepting what is contained in * The English Collection,' and in the volume of the Edinburgh Maga- zine for 1772; excepting also those 'excellent new songs' that are hawked about the country in baskets, or exposed on stalls in the streets. " The summer after we had been at Dalrymple school, my father sent Robert to Ayr, to revise his English grammar, with his former teacher. He had been there only one week, when he was obliged to return, to assist at the harvest. When the harvest was over, he went back to school, where he remained two weeks ; and this com- pletes the account of his school education, excepting one summer quarter, some time afterwards, that he attended the parish school of Kirkoswald, (where he lived with a brother of my mother's,) to iearn surveying. "During the two last weeks that he was with Murdoch, he himself ?v'as engaged in learning French, and he communicated the instruc- tions he received to my brother, who, when he returned, brought home with him a French dictionary and grammar, and the ' Adven- tures of Telemachus' in the original. In a little while, by the assistance of these books, he had acquired such a knowledge of the language, as to read and understand any French author in prose. This was considered as a sort of prodigy, and through the medium of Murdoch, procured him the acquaintajoce of several lads in Ayr, who were at that time gabbling French, and the notice of some families, particularly that of Dr Malcolm, where a knowledge of French was a recommendation. " Observing the facility with which he had acquired the French language, Mr Robinson, the established writing-master in Ayr, and Mr Murdoch's particular friend, having himself acquired a consider- able knowledge of the Latin language by his own industry, without ever having learned it at school, advised Robert to make the same attempt, promising him every assistance in his power. Agreeably to this advice, he purchased 'The Rudiments of the Latin Tongue,* but finding this study dry and uninteresting, it was quickly laid aside. He frequently returned to his Rudiments on any little chagrin or disappointment, particularly in his love affairs; but the Latin seldom predominated more than a day or two at a time, or a w^eek at most. Observing himself the ridicule that would attach, to this APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, cvu Bort of conduct if it were known, he made two or three humorous stanzas on the subject, which I cannot now recollect, but they all ended, 'So I'll to my Latin again.' " Thus you see Mr Murdoch was a principal means of my brother's improvement. Worthy man ! though foreign to my present purpose, I cannot take leave of him without tracing his future history. He continued for some years a respected and useful teacher at Ayr, till one evening that he had been overtaken in liquor, he happened to speak somewhat disrespectfully of Dr Dalrymple, the parish minister, who had not paid him that attention to which he thought himself entitled. In Ayr he might as well have spoken blasphemy. He found it proper to give up his appointment. He went to London, where he still lives, a private teacher of French. He has been a considerable time married, and keeps a shop of stationery wares. " The father of Dr Paterson, now physician at Ayr, was, I believe, a native of Aberdeenshire, and was one of the established teachers in Ayr, when my father settled in the neighbourhood. He early recognised my father as a fellow-native of the north of Scotland, and a certain degree of intimacy subsisted between them during Mr Paterson's life. After his death, his widow, who is a very genteel woman, and of great worth, delighted in doing what she thought her husband would have wished to have done, and assiduously kept up her attentions to all his acquaintance. She kept alive the inti- macy with our family, by frequently inviting my father and mother to her house on Sundays, when she met them at church. *' When she came to know my brother's passion for books, she kindly offered us the use of her husband's library, and from her we got the ' Spectator,' * Pope's Translation of Homer,' and several other books that were of use to us. Mount Oliphant, the farm my father possessed in the parish of Ayr, is almost the very poorest soil I know of in a state of cultivation. A stronger proof of this I cannot give than that, notwithstanding the extraordinary rise in the value of lands in Scotland, it was, after a considerable sum laid out in im- proving it by the proprietor, let a few years ago five pounds per annum lower than the rent paid for it by my father thirty years ago. My father, in consequence of this, soon came into difficulties, which were increased by the loss of several of his cattle by accidents and disease. To the buffetings of misfortune, we could only oppose hard labour, and the most rigid economy. We lived very sparing. For several years butcher's meat was a stranger in the house, while all the members of the family exerted themselves to the utmost of their strength, and rather beyond it, in the labours of the farm. My brother, at the age of thirteen, assisted in threshing the crcjp of corn, and at fifteen was the principal labourer on the farm, for we had no hired servant, male or female. The anguish of mind we felt at our tender years, under these straits and difficulties, was very great. To think of our father growing old, (for he was now cviii APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. above fifty,) broken down with the long continued fatigues of his life, with a wife and five children, and in a declining state of circum- stances — these reflections produced in my brother's mind and mine sensations of the deepest distress. I doubt not but the hard labour and sorrow of this period of his life, was in a great measure the cause of that depression of spirits with which Robert was so often afflicted through his whole life afterwards. At this time he was almost constantly afflicted in the evenings with a dull headache, which at a future period of his life was exchanged for a palpitation of the heart, and a threatening of fainting and safFocation in his bed in the night-time. " By a stipulation in my father's lease, he had a right to throw it up, if he thought proper, at the end of every sixth year. He attempted to fix himself in a better farm at the end of the first six years, but failing in that attempt, he continued where he was for six years more. He then took the farm of Lochlea, of a hun- dred and thirty acres, at the rent of twenty shillings an acre, in the parish of Torbolton, of Mr , then a merchant in Ayr, and now (1797) a merchant in Liverpool. He removed to this farm at Whit- sunday, 1777, and possessed it only seven years. No writing had ever been made out of the conditions of the lease ; a misunder- standing took place respecting them ; the subjects in dispute were submitted to arbitration, and the decision involved my father's affairs in ruin. He lived to know of this decision, but not to see any execution in consequence of it. He died on the 13th of February 1784. " The seven years we lived in Torbolton parish (extending from the seventeenth to the twenty-fourth of my brother's age,) were not marked by much literary improvement ; but, during this time, the foundation was laid of certain habits in my brother's character, which afterwards became but too prominent, and which malice and envy have taken delight to enlarge on. Though when young he was bashful and awkward in his intercourse with women, yet when he approached manhood, his attachment to their society became very strong, and he was constantly the victim of some fair enslaver. The symptoms of his passion were often such as nearly to equal those of the celebrated Sappho. I never indeed knew that he * fainted, sunk, and died away ; ' but the agitations of his mind and body exceeded anything of the kind I ever knew in real life. He had always a particular jealousy of people who were richer than himself, or who had more consequence in life. His love, therefore, rarely settled on persons of this description. When he selected any one out of the sovereignty of his good pleasure, to whom he should pay his particular attention, she was instantly invested with a sufficient stock of charms, out of the plentiful stores of his own imagination ; and there was often a great dissimilitude between his fair captivator, as she appeared to others, and as she seemed when invested with the attributes he gave her. One generally reigned paramount in his affections ; but as Yorick's affections APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Cix flowed out toward Madame de L at the remise door, while the eternal vows of Eliza were upon him, so Robert was frequently encountering other attractions, which formed so many under-plots in the drama of his love. As these connexions were governed by the strictest rules of virtue and modesty, (from which he never deviated till he reached his twenty-third year,) he became anxious to be in a situation to marry. This was not likely to be soon the. case while he remained a farmer, as the stockiDg of a farm re- quired a sum of money he had no probability of being master of for a great while. He began, therefore, to think of trying some other line of life. He and I had for several years taken land of my father for the purpose of raising flax on our own account. In the course of selling it, Robert began to think of turning flax-dresser, both as being suitable to his grand view of settling in life, and as subservient to the flax raising. He accordingly wrought at the business of a flaxdresser in Irvine for six months, but abandoned it at that period, as neither agreeing with his health nor inclination. In Irvine he had contracted some acquaintance of a freer manner of thinking and living than he had been used to, whose society prepared him for overleaping the bounds of rigid virtue which had hitherto restrained him. Towards the end of the period under review (in his twenty -fourth year,) and soon after his father's death, he was furnished with the subject of his Epistle to John Rankin, During this period also he became a freemason, which was his first introduction to the life of a boon companion. Yet, notwithstanding these circumstances, and the praise he has bestowed on Scotch drink (which seem to have misled his historians,) I do not recollect, during these seven years, nor till towards the end of his commencing author, (when his growing celebrity occasioned his being often in ccimpany,) to have ever seen him intoxicated ; nor was he at all given to drinking. A stronger proof of the general sobriety of his conduct need not be required than what I am about to give. During the whole of the time we lived in the farm of Lochlea with my father he allowed my brother and me such wages for our labour as he gave to other labourers, as a part of which, every article of our clothing, manufactured in the family, was regularly accounted for. When my father's affairs drew near a crisis, Robert and I took the farm of Mossgiel, consisting of a hundred and eighteen acres, at the rent of ninety pounds per annum, (the farm on which I live at present,) from Mr Gavin Hamilton, as an asylum for the family in case of the worst. It was stocked by the property and individual savings of the whole family, and was a joint concern among us. Every member of the family was allowed ordinary wages for the labour he performed on the farm. My brother's allowance and mine was seven pounds per annum each. And during the whole time this family concern lasted, which was for four years, "as well as during the preceding period at Lochlea, his expenses never in any one year exceeded his slender income. As I was intrusted with the keeping of the family accounts, it is not possible that there can ex APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. be any fallacy in this statement in my brother's favour. His tem- perance and frugality were everything that could be wished. " The farm of Mossgiel lies very high, and mostly on a cold wet bottom. The firsb four years that we were on the farm were very frosty, and the spring was very late. Our crops in consequence were very unprofitable ; and, notwithstanding our utmost diligence and economy, we found ourselves obliged to give up our bargain, with the loss of a considerable part of our original stock. ^ It was during these four years that Robert formed his connexion with Jean Armour, afterwards Mrs Burns. This connexion could ^ no longer be concealed, about the time we came to a final determina- tion to quit the farm. Robert durst not engage with his family in his poor unsettled state, but was anxious to shield his partner, by every means in his power, from the consequences of their im- prudence. It was agreed therefore between them, that they should make a legal acknowledgment of an irregular and private marriage ; that he should go to Jamaica to push his fortune : and that she should remain with her father till it might please Providence to put the means of supporting a family in his power. " Mrs Burns was a great favourite of her father's. The intima- tion of a marriage was the first suggestion he received of her real situation. He was in the greatest distress, and fainted away. The marriage did not appear to him to make the matter better. A husband in Jamaica appeared to him and his wife little better than none, and an efi'ectual bar to any other prospects of a settlement in life that their daughter might have. They therefore expressed a wish to her, that the written papers which respected the marriage should be cancelled, and thus the marriage rendered void. In her melancholy state, she felt the deepest remorse at having brought such heavy affliction on parents that loved her so tenderly, and sub- mitted to their entreaties. Their wish was mentioned to Robert. He felt the deepest anguish of mind. He offeied to stay at home and provide for his wife and family in the best manner that his daily labours could provide for them ; that being the only means in his power. Even this offer they did not approve of; for humble as Miss Armour's station was, and great though her imprudence had been, she still, in the eyes of her partial parents, might look to a better connexion than that with my friendless and unhappy brother, at that time without house or biding place. Robert at length consented to their wishes ; but his feelings on this occasion were of the most distracting nature : and the impression of sorrow was not effiiced, till by a regular marriage they were indissolubly united. In the state of mind which this separation produced, he wished to leave the country as soon as possible, and agreed with Dr Douglas to go out to Jamaica, as an assistant overseer, or, as I believe it is called, a book-keeper, on his estate. As he had not Bufficient money to pay his passage, and the vessel in which Dr Douglas was to procure a passage for him was not expected to sail for some time, Mr Hamilton advised him to publish his poems in APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Cxi the meantime by subscription, as a likely way of getting a little money, to provide him more liberally in necessaries for Jamaica. Agreeably to this advice, subscription-bills were printed imme- diately, and the printing was commenced at Kilmarnock, his pre- parations going on at the same time for his voyage. The reception, however, which his poems met with in the world, and the friends they procured him, made him change his resolution of going to Jamaica, and he was advised to go to Edinburgh to publish a second edition. On his return, in happier circumstances, he renewed his connexion with Mrs Burns, and rendered it permanent by a union for life. " Thus, madam, have I endeavoured to give you a simple narrative of the leading circumstances in my brother's early life. The re- maining part he spent in Edinburgh, or in Dumfriesshire, and its incidents are as well known to you as to me. His genius having procured him your patronage and friendship, this gave rise to the correspondence between you, in which, I believe, his sentiments were delivered with the most respectful, but most unreserved confidence, and which only terminated with the last days of hia life." LETTER FROM MR JOHN MURDOCH. "Sir, — I was lately favoured with a letter from our worthy friend, the Rev. Wm. Adair, in which he requested me to com- municate to you whatever particulars I could recollect concerning Robert Burns, the Ayrshire poet. My business being at present multifarious and harassing, my attention is consequently so much divided, and I am so little in the habit of expressing my thoughts on paper, that at this distance of time I can give but a very imper- fect sketch of the early part of the life of that extraordinary genius, with which alone I am acquainted. " William Burnes, the father of the poet, w^as born in the shire of Kincardine, and bred a gardener. He had been settled in Ayr- shire ten or twelve years before I knew him, and had been in the service of Mr Crawford of Doonside. He was afterwards employed as a gardener and overseer by Provost Ferguson of Doonholme, in the parish of AJloway, which is now united with that of Ayr. In this parish, on tue road side, a Scotch mile and a half from the town of Ayr, and half a mile from the bridge of Doon, William Burnes took a piece of laud, consisting of about seven acres ; part of which he laid out in garden ground, and part of which he kept to graze a cow, &c., still continuing in the employ of Provost Ferguson. Upon this little farm was erected a humble dwelling, of which William Burnes was the architect. It was, with the exception of a little straw, literally a tabernacle of -clay. In this mean cottage, of which I myself was at times an inhabitant, I really believe there dwelt a larger portion of content than in any palace in Europe. The cxii APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. * Cotter's Saturday Night ' will give some idea of the temper and manners that prevailed there. "In 1765, about the middle of March, Mr Wm. Burnes came to Ayr, and sent to the school where I was improving in writing, under my good friend Mr Robinson, desiring that I would come and speak to him at a certain inn, and bring my writing-book with me. This was immediately complied with. Having examined my writing, he was pleased with it, (you will readily allow he was not difficult, ) and told me that he had received very satisfactory information of Mr Tennant, the master of the English school, concerning my im- provement in English, and in his method of teaching. In the month of May following, I was engaged by Mr Burnes, and four of his neighbours, to teach, and accordingly began to teach the little school at Allovvay, which was situated a few yards from the argillaceous fabric above mentioned. My five employers undertook to board me by turns, and to make up a certain salary at the end of the year, provided my quarterly payments from the diJBferent pupils did not amount to that sum. " My pupil, Robert Burns, was then between six or seven years of age ; his preceptor about eighteen. Robert, and his younger brother Gilbert, had been grounded a little in English before they were put under my care. They both made a rapid progress in reading, and a tolerable progress in writing. In reading, dividing words into syllables by rule, spelling without book, parsing sentences, &c., Robert and Gilbert were generally at the upper end of the class, even when ranged with boys by far their seniors. The books most commonly used in the school were the Spelling-Book, the New Testament, the Bible, Mason's Collection of Prose and Verse, and Fisher's English Grammar. They committed to memory the hymns, and other poems of that collection, with uncommon facility. This facility was partly owing to the method pursued by their father and me in instructing them, which was, to make them thoroughly ac- quainted with the meaning of every word in each sentence that was to be committed to memory. By the by, this may be easier done, and at an earlier period, than is generally thought. As soon as they were capable of it, I taught them to turn verse into its natural prose order ; sometimes to substitute synonymous expressions for poetical words, and to supply the ellipses. These, you know, are the means of knowing that the pupil understands his author. These are excellent helps to the arrangement of words in sentences, as well as to a variety of expression. " Gilbert always appeared to me to possess a more lively imagin- ation, and to be more of the wit than Robert. I attempted to teach them a little church music : here they were left far behind by all the rest of the school Robert's ear, in particular, was remarkably dull, and his voice untunable. It was long before I could get them to distinguish one tune from another. Robert's countenance was generally grave, and expressive of a serious, con- templative, and thoughtful mind. Gilbert's face said, ' Mkth, with APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. CxIIl thee I mean to live ;' and certainly, if any person who knew the two boys had been asked which of them was the most likely to court the Muses, he would surely never have guessed that Kobert had a propensity of that kind. " In the year 1769, Mr Barnes quitted his mud edifice, and took possession of a farm (Mount Oliphant) of his own improving, while in the service of Provost Ferguson. This farm being at a considerable distance from the school, the boys could not attend regularly ; and some changes taking place among the other sup- porters of the school, I left it, having continued to conduct it for nearly two years and a half. *' In the year 1772, I was appointed (being one of five candidates who were examined) to teach the English school at Ayr ; and, in 1773, Robert Burns came to board and lodge with me, for the purpose of revising the English grammar, &c,, that he might be better qualified to instruct his brothers and sisters at home. He was now with me day and night, in school, at all meals, and in all my walks. At the end of one week, I told him, that, as he was now pretty much master of the parts of speech, &c., I should like to teach him something of French pronunciation; that when he should meet with the name of a French town, ship, officer, or the like, in the newspapers, he might be able to pronounce it something like a French word. Robert was glad to hear this proposal, and immo' diately we attacked the French with great courage. " Now there was little else to be heard but the declension of nouns, the conjugation of verbs, &c. When walking together and even at meals, I was constantly telling him the names of difierent objects, as they presented themselves, in French, so that he was hourly laying in a stock of words and sometimes little phrases. In short, he took such pleasure in learning, and I in teaching, that it was difficult to say which of the two was most zealous in the business : and about the end of the second week of our study of the French, we began to read a little of the ' Adventures of Telemachus,' in Fenelon's own words. "But now the plains of Mount Oliphant began to whiten, and Robert was summoned to relinquish the pleasing scenes that sur- rounded the grotto of Calypso ; and, armed with a sickle, to seek glory by signalising himself in the fields of Ceres — and so he did ; for although but about fifteen, I was told that he performed the work of a man. " Thus was I deprived of my very apt pupil, and consequently agreeable companion, at the end of three weeks, one of which was spent entirely in the study of English, and the other two chiefly in that of French. I did not, however, lose sight of him ; but was a frequent visitant at his father's house, when 1 had my half -holiday ; and very often went, accompanied with one or two persons more intelligent than myself, that good William Barnes might enjoy a mental feast. Then the labouring oar was shifted to some other hand. The father and the sou sat down with us. when we enjoyed cxiv APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, a conversation, wherein solid reasoning, sensible remar^' and a moderate seasoning of jocularity, were so nicely blenaed as to render it palatable to all parties. Robert had a hundred questions to ask me about the French, &c.; and the father, who had always rational information in view, had still some que?'',n to propose to my more learned friends, upon moral or natur-vi philosophy, or some such interesting subject. Mrs Burnes, too, 'Was of the party as much as possible — * But still the house affairs would draw her thence. Which ever as she could with haste despatch, She 'd come again, and with a greedy ear, Devour up their discourse,' and particularly that of her husband. At all times, and in all companies, she listened to him with a more marked attention than, to anybody else. When under the necessity of being absent, while he was speaking, she seemed to regret as a real loss, that she had missed what the good man had said. This worthy woman, Agnes Brown, had the most thorough esteem for her husband of any woman I ever knew. I can by no means wonder that she highly esteemed him : for I myself have always considered William Burnes as by far the best of the human race that &ver I had the pleasure of being acquainted with — and many a worthy character I have known. I can cheerfully join with Robert in the last line of hia epitaph (borrowed from Goldsmith) : — ' And even his failings lean'd to virtue's side.' " He was an excellent husband, if I may judge from his assi- duous attention to the ease and comfort of his worthy partner, and from her affectionate behaviour to him, as well as her unwearied attention to the duties of a mother. ** He was a tender and affectionate father ; he took pleasure in leading his children in the path of virtue ; not in driving them, as some parents do, to the performance of duties to which they them- selves are averse. He took care to find fault but very seldom ; and therefore, when he did rebuke, he was listened to with a kind of reverential awe. A look of disapprobation was felt ; a reproof was severely so ; and a stripe with the tawz, even on the skirt of the coat, gave heartfelt pain, produced a loud lamentation, and brought forth a flood of tears. " He had the art of gaining the esteem and good-will of those that were labourers under him. I think I never saw him angry but twice : the one time it was with the foreman of the band, for not reaping the field as he was desired ; and the other time, it was with an old man, for using smutty innuendoes and double entendres, Were_ every foul-mouthed old man to receive a seasonable check in this way, it would be to the advantage of the rising generation. As he was at no time overbearing to inferiors, he was equally incap- able of that passive, pitiful, paltry spirit, that induces some people to keep booing and booing in the prese^ce of a great man. He always A F FEND IX TO BIOGRAFHICAL SKETCH. cxv treated superior* with, a becoming respect ; but he never gave the BmallesTi ^encouragement to aristocratical arrogance. But I must not pretend to give you a description of all the manly qualities, the rational and Christian virtues, of the venerable William Burnes. Time would -^^il me. I shall only add, that he carefully practised every known vi'-ity, and avoided everything that was crimiDal; or, in the apostle's words, ' Herein did he exercise himself in living a life void of offence towards God and towards men.' Oh, for a world of men of such dispositions ! We should then have no wars. I have often wished, for the good of mankind, that it were as customary to honour and perpetuate the memory of those who excel in moral rec- titude, as it is to extol what are called heroic actions : then would the mausoleum of the friend of my youth overtop and surpass most of the monuments I see in Westminster Abbey. " Although I cannot do justice to the character of this worthy man, yet you will perceive, from these few particulars, what kind of person had the principal hand in the education of our poet. He spoke the English language with more propriety (both with respect to diction and pronunciation) than any man I ever knew with no greater advantages. This had a very good effect on the boys, who began to talk and reason like men much sooner than their neigh- bours. I do not recollect any of their contemporaries, at my little seminary, who afterwards made any great figure, as literary cha- racters, except Dr Tennant, who was chaplain to Colonel Fullarton'a Regiment, and who is now in the East Indies. He is a man of genius and learning ; yet affable and free from pedantry. " Mr Burnes in a short time found that he had over-rated Mount Oliphant, and that he could not rear his numerous family upon it. After being there some years, he removed to Lochlea, in the parish of Torbolton, where, I believe, Robert wrote most of his poems. " But here, sir, you will permit me to pause. I can tell you but little more relative to our poet. I shall, however, in my next, send you a copy of one of his letters to me, about the year 1783. I received one since, but it is mislaid. Please remember me, in the best manner, to my worthy friend Mr Adair, when you see him or write to him. "Hart Street, Bloomsbury Square, London, Ftb, 22, 1799. SKETCH BY DAVID SILLAR. David Sillar, to whom Burns addressed several of the finest of his epistles, was a native of Torbolton. He was for many years schoolmaster at Irvine. He published a volume of poems, in the Scottish dialect, of some merit. " Robert Burns was sometime in the parish of Torbolton, prior to my acquaintaucfi with him. His Bocial disposition easily pro- cxvi APFENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. cured him acquaintance; but a certain satirical seasoning with which he and all poetical geniuses are in some degree influenced, while it set the rustic circle in a roar, was not unaccompanied with sus- picious fear. I recollect hearing his neighbours observe, he had a great deal to say for himself, but that they suspected his principles. He wore the only tied hair in the parish; and in the church his plaid, which was of a particular colour, (I think fiUemot,) he wrapped in a peculiar manner round his shoulders. These surmises, and his exterior, made me solicitous of his acquaintance. I was in- troduced by Gilbert not only to his brother, but to the whole of that family, where, in a short time, I became a frequent, and, I believe, not unwelcome, visitant. After the commencement of my acquaintance with the bard, we frequently met upon Simdays at church ; when, between sermons, instead of going with our friends or our lasses to the inn, we often took a walk in the fields. In these walks, I have often been struck with his facility in addressing the fair sex ; many times when I have been bashfully anxious how to express myself, he would have entered into conversation with them, with the greatest ease and freedom; and it was generally a death-blow to our conversation, however agreeable, to meet a female acquaint- ance. Some of the few opportunities of a noontide walk that a country life allows her laborious sons, he spent on the banks of the river, or in the woods, in the neighbourhood of Stair. Some book or other he always carried, and read, when not otherwise employed : it was likewise his custom to read at table." RECOLLECTIONS OF WILLIAM CLARK. The following testimony by William Clark, who had lived with the poet as a ploughman for six months, was communicated to a gentleman in Kirkcudbright. "Soon after Burns became tenant of Ellisland, William Clark lived with him as servant during the winter half-year, he thinks, of 1789- 90 Burns kept two men and two women servants ; but he invariably, when at home, took his meals with his wife and family in the little parlour. Clark thought he was as good a manager of land as the generality of the farmers in the neighboiu-hood. The farm of Ellisland was said to be moderately rented, and was suscep- tible of much improvement, had improvement been in repute. Bums sometimes visited the neighbouring farmers, and they returned the compliment; but that way of spending time and exchanging civili' ties was not so common then as now, and, besides, the most of the people thereabouts had no expectation that Burns's conduct and writings would be so much noticed afterwards. Burns kept nine or ten miich-cows, some young cattle, four horses, and several pet Eheep : of the latter he was very fond. During the winter and spring APPENDIX PO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, cxvii time, wlien he was not engaged with the excise business, he occasion- ally held the plough for an hour or so for him (William Clark), and was a fair workman, though the mode of ploughing now-a-days is much superior in many respects. During seed-time, Burns might be frequently seen, at an early hour, in the fields with his sowing- sheet : but as business often required his attention from home, he did not sow the whole of the grain. He was a kind and indulgent master, and -spoke familiarly to his servants, both in the house and out of it, though, if anything put him out of humour, he was yey guldersome foi' a wee while : the storm was soon over, and there was never a word of upcast afterwards. Clark never saw him really angry but once, and it was occasioned by the carelessness of one of the women-servants who had not cut potatoes small enough, which brought one of the cows into danger of being choked. His looks, gestures, and voice on that occasion were terrible ; W. C. was glad to be out of his sight, and when they met again, Burns was perfectly calm. If any extra work was to be done, the men sometimes got a dram ; but Clark had lived with masters who were more Jlush in that way to their servants. Clark, during the six months he spent at Ellisland, never once saw his master intoxicated or incapable of managing his own business. . . .... Burns, when at home, usually wore a broad blue bonnet, a blue or drab long-tailed coat, corduroy breeches, dark blue stockings, and cootiJcens, and in cold weather a black-and-white-checked plaid wrapped round his shoulders. Mrs Burns was a good and prudent housewife, kept everything in neat and tidy order, and was well liked by the servants, for whom she provided abundance of wholesome food. At parting, Burns gave Clark a certificate of character, and, besides paying his wages in full, gave him a shilling for a. fairing.^' SKETCH BY DUGALD STEWAKT. Contributed to Dr Currie's edition of the Life and Works of the poet. " The first time I saw Robert Burns was on the 23d of October 1786, when he dined at my house in Ayrshire, together with oui common friend Mr John Mackenzie, surgeon in Mauchline, to whom I am indebted for the pleasure of his acquaintance. I am enabled to mention the date particularly, by some verses which Burns wrote after he returned home, and in which the day of our meeting is recorded. — My excellent and much lamented friend, the late Basil, Lord Daer, happened to nirive at Catrine the same day, and, by the kindness and frankness of his manners, left an impression on the mind of the poet which never was effaced. The verses I allude to are among the most imperfect of his pieces ; but a few stanzas may perhaps be an object of curiosity to you, both on account of the character to which they relate, and of the light which they throw on the situation and feelings of the writer, before his name was known to the public. cxviii APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, " I cannot positively say, at tlijs distance of time, whether at the period of our first acquaintance, the Kilmarnock edition of his poema had been just published, or wa» yet in the press. I suspect that the latter was the case, as I have still in my possession copies in his own handwriting of some of his favourite performances ; particularly of Lis verses ' On the turning up a Mouse with his Plough ;' * On the Mountain Daisy ; ' and ' The Lament.* On my return to Edinburgh, I showed the volume, and mentioned what I knew of the author's history to several of my friends ; and, among others, to Mr Henry Mackenzie, who first recommended him to public notice in the 97th number of 'The Lounger.' *' At this time Burns's prospects in life were so extremely gloomy, that he had seriously formed a plan of going out to Jamaica in a yery humble situation, not however without lamenting that his want of patronage ehould force him to think of a project so repugnant to his feelings, when his ambition aimed at no higher an object than the station of an exciseman or ganger in his own country. ** His manners were then, as they continued ever afterwards, simple, manly, and independent; strongly expressive of conscious genius and worth; but without anything that indicated forwardness, arrogance, or vanity. He took his share in conversation, but not more than belonged to him ; and listened with apparent attention and deference on subjects where his want of education deprived him of the means of information. If there had been a little more gentle- ness and accommodation in his temper, he would, I think, have been still more interesting ; but he had been accustomed to give law in the circle of his ordinary acquaintance; and his dread, of anything approaching to meanness or servility rendered his manner somewhat decided and hard. Nothing, perhaps, was more remarkable among his various attainments, than the fluency, and precision, and origi- nality of his language, when he spoke in company; more particularly as he aimed at purity in his turn of expression, and avoided more successfully than most Scotchmen^ the peculiarities of Scottish phraseology. " He came to Edinburgh early in the winter following, and re- mained there for several months. By whose advice he took this step, I am unable to say. Perhaps it was suggested only by his own curiosity to see a little more of the world ; but, I co^ifess, I dreaded the consequences from the first, and always wished that his pursuits and habits should continue the same as in the former part of life ; with the addition of, what I considered as then completely within his reach, a good farm on moderate terms, in a part of the country agreeable to his taste. "The attentions he received during his stay in town, from all ranks and descriptions of persons, were such as would have turned any head but his own. I cannot say that I could perceive any un- favourable effept which they left on his mind. He retained the same eimplicity of manners and appearance which had struck me so for- cibly when I first saw him in the country ; nor did he seem to f eeJ APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. CXix any additional self-importance from the number and rank of his new acquaintance. His dress was perfectly suited to his station, plain, and unpretending, with a sufficient attention to neatness. If I re- collect right, he always wore boots; and, when on more than usual ceremony, buckskin breeches. " The variety of his engagements, while in Edinburgh, prevented me from seeing him so often as I could have wished. In the course of the spring, he called on me once or twice, at my request, early in the morning, and walked with me to Braid-Hills, in the neighbour- hood of the town, when he charmed me still more by his private conversation, than he had ever done in company. He was passion- ately fond of the beauties of nature ; and I recollect once he told me, when I was admiring a distant prospect in one of our morning walks, that the sight of so many smoking cottages gave a pleasure to his mind, which none could understand who had not witnessed, like him- self, the happiness and the worth which they contained. " In his political principles he was then a. Jacobite ; which was perhaps owing partly to this, that his father was originally from the estate of Lord Mareschal. Indeed, he did not appear to have thought much on such subjects, nor very consistently. He had a very strong sense of religion, and expressed deep regret at the levity with which he had heard it treated occasionally in some convivial meetings which he frequented. I speak of him as he was in the winter of 1786-7; for afterwards we met but seldom, and our conversation turned chiefly on his literary projects, or his private affairs. " I do not recollect whether it appears or not from any of your letters to me, that you had ever seen Burns. If you have, it is super- fluous for me to add, that the idea which his conversation con- veyed of the powers of his mind, exceeded, if possible, that which is suggested by his writings. Among the poets whom I have hap- pened to know, I have been struck, in more than one instance, with the unaccountable disparity between their general talents, and the occasional inspirations of their more favourable moments. But all the faculties of Burns's mind were, as far as I could judge, equally vigorous ; and his predilection for poetry was rather the result of his own enthusiastic and impassioned temper, than a genius exclu- sively adapted to that species of composition. From his conversa- tion I should have pronounced him to be fitted to excel in what- ever walk of ambition he had chosen to exert his abilities. *' Among the subjects on which he was accustomed to dwell, the characters of the individuals with whom he happened to meet was plainly a favourite one. The remarks he made on them were al- ways shrewd and pointed, though frequently inclining too much to sarcasm. His praise of those he loved was sometimes indiscriminate and extravagant ; but this, I suspect, proceeded rather from the caprice and humour of the moment, than from the efl'ects of attach- ment in blinding his judgment. His wit was ready, and always im- pressed with the marks of a vigorous ui^derstanding ; but to my taste, not often pleasing or happy. His attempts at epigram, in cxx APPENDIX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. his printed works, are the only performances, perhaps, that he has produced, totally unworthy of his genius. "In summer 1787, I passed some weeks in Ayrshire, and saw Burns occasionally. I think that he made a pretty long excursion that season to the Highlands, and that he also visited what Beattie calls the Arcadian ground of Scotland, upon the banks of the Teviot and the Tweed. "I should have mentioned before, that notwithstanding various reports I heard during the preceding winter, of Burns's predilec- tion for convivial, and not very select society, I should have con- cluded in favour of his habits of sobriety, from all of him that ever fell under my own observation. He told me indeed himself, that the weakness of his stomach was such as to deprive him entirely of any merit in his temperance. I was, however, somewhat alarmed about the effect of his now comparatively sedentary and luxurious life, when he confessed to me, tbe first night he spent in my house after his winter's campaign in town, that he had been much dis- turbed when in bed, by a palpitation at his heart, which, he said, was a complaint to which he had of late become subject. " In the course of the same season, I was led by curiosity to attend for an hour or two a mason-lodge in Mauchline, where Burns pre- sided. He had occasion to make some short, unpremeditated com^ pliments to different individuals from whom he had no reason to expect a visit, and everything he said was happily conceived, and forcibly as well as fluently expressed. If I am not mistaken, he told me, that in that village, before going to Edinburgh, he ha cam haurlin' Aff 's nievea ^^ that night. A wanton widow Leezie was, As canty as a kittlin ; But, och! that niglit, amang the shaws,^^ She got a fearfu' settlin'! 1 The pig. 2 Corn-baskets. s Few. * Gentle. 6 Urged. 6 Promised. 't Knotty. 8 Hideous. »Oath. 10 Shreds. u Hands. 12 Woods. * This charm must likewise be performed unperceived and alone. You go to the barn, and open both doors, taking them off the hinges, if possible ; for there is danger that the being about to appear may shut the doors, and do you some ' mischief. Then take that instrument used in winnowing the corn, which in our countiy dialect we call a wecht ; and go through all the attitudes of letting down corn against the wind. Repeat it three times ; and the third time an apparition will pass through the barn, in at the windy door, and out at the other, having both the figure in question, and the appearance or retinue marking the employ- ment or station in life. — B. \ Take an opportunity of going unnoticed to a bean-stack, and fathom it three times round. The last fathom of the last time, you will catch in your arms the appearance of your futm-e conjugal yoke-fellow. — B. 32 POEMS, [1785. She througli tlie whins,^ and by tlie cairn, I And owre the hill gaed scrievin, I "Whare three lairds' lands met at a burn,* | To dip her left sark-sleeve in, j "Was bent that night. ! "Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays, | As through the glen it wimpl't ; "^ \ "Whyles round a rocky scaur ^ it strays; Whyles in a wiel^ it dimpl't; Whyles glitter'd to the nightly rays, Wi' bickering, dancing dazzle ; Whyles cookit underneath the braes, Below the spreading hazel, Unseen that night. Amang the brackens, on the brae, Between her and the moon, The deil, or else an outler quey,"'' Gat up and gae a croon : ^ Poor Leezie's heart maist lap the hool 1^ Near lav'rock-height she jumpit ; But mist a fit, and in the pool Out-o^vre the lugs she plumpit, Wi' a plunge that night. In order, on the clean hearth-stane, The luggies three f are ranged, And every time great care is ta'en To see them duly changed : Auld Uncle John, wha wedlock's joys Sin' Mar's year did desire. Because he gat the toom^ dish thrice, He heaved them on the fire In wrath that night. Wi' merry sangs, and friendly cracks, I wat they didna weary; And unco tales, and funny jokes, Their sports were cheap and cheery ; 1 Gorse. 2 Wheeled. s ClifiF. * Eddy. » Unhoused heifer. 6 Moan. "> Burst its case. 8 Empty. * You go out, one or more, for this is a social spell, to a south-running spring or rivulet, where "three lairds' lands meet," and dip your left shirt-sleeve. Go to bed in sight of a fire, and hang your wet sleeve before it to dry. Lie awake ; and, some time near midnight, an apparition having the exact figure of the grand object in question, will come and turn the sleeve, as if to dry the other side of \t.—B. t Take three dishes ; put clean water in one, foul water in another, leave the third empty : blindfold a person, and lead him to the hearth where the dishes are ranged ; he (or she) dips the left hand : if by chance in the clean water, the future husband or wife will come to the bar of matrimony a maid ; if in the foul, a widow ; if in the empty dish, it foretells, with equal certainty, no marriage at all It is repeated three times, and every time the arrangement of the dishes is altered. —B. In order, on the clean hearthstane,' The luggies three are ranged. And every time trreat care is ta'en To see tiiem duly changed. —Halloween, page 32. iET. 27.] POEMS. 33 Till butter'd so'ns,* wi' fragrant lunt,^ Set a' their gabs^ a-steerin*; Syne, wi' a social glass o' strunt,* They parted aff careerin' Fu' blythe that night. MAN WAS MADE TO MOUEK A DIKGB. *' Several of the poems," says Gilbert Burns, " were produced for the purpose of bringing forward some favourite sentiment of the authoi-'s. He used to remark to me that he could not well conceive a more mortifying picture of human life tlian a man seeking work. In casting about in his mind how this sentiment might be brought forward, the elegy, ' Man was Made to Mourn/ was com- posed." .\a old Scottish ballad had suggested the form and spirit of this poem. " I had an old grand-uncle," says the poet to Mi-s Dunlop, "with whom my mother lived a while in her girlish years. The good old man was long blind ere he died, during which time his highest enjoyment was to sit down and 017, while my mother would sing the simple old song of ' The Life and Age of Man.* " From the poet's mother, Mr Cromek procured a copy of this composition ; it c.'>mmences thus ;— *' Upon the sixteen hundred year Of God and fifty-three Frae Christ was born, who bought us dear, As writings testifie ; On January the sixteenth day. As I did lie alone. With many a sigh and sob did say Ah 1 man was made to moan 1 " When chill November's surly blast Made fields and forests bare, One evening, as I wander'd forth Along the banks of Ayr, I s])ied a man whose aged step Seem'd weary, worn with care ; His face was fnrrow'd o'er with years, And hoary was his hair. *' Young stranger, whither wanderest thou?" Began the reverend sage ; " Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain. Or youthful pleasures rage? Or haply, x^rest with cares and woes, Too isoon thou hast began To wander forth with me to mourn The miseries of man. 1 Smoke. 2 Mouths. 3 Spirits. * Sowens.— The shell of the corn (called, in the rural districts, shellings) is steeped in water until all the fine meal particles are extracted ; the liqtuid is thaa strained ofif, and boiled with milk or butter until it thickens. 34 POEMS. [1785, *' The Bun that overhangs yon moors, Outspreading far and wide, Where hundreds labour to support A haughty lordling's pride : I Ve seen yon weary winter sun Twice forty times return, And every time has added proofs That man was made to mourn. *' O man ! while in thy early years, How prodigal of time ! Misspending all thy precious hours, Thy glorious youthful prime ! Alternate follies take the sway ; Licentious passions burn ; Which tenfold force gives nature's law, That man was made to mourn. " Look not alone on youthful prime, Or manhood's active might ; Man then is useful to his kind, Supported is his right : But see him on the edge of life. With cares and sorrows worn ; Then age and want — oh! ill-match'd pair! — Show man was made to mourn. " A few seem favourites of fate. In pleasure's lap carest ; Yet think not all the rich and great Are likewise truly blest. But, oh ! what crowds in every land Are wretched and forlorn ! Through weary life this lesson learn — That man was made to mourn. " Many and sharp the numerous ills Inwoven with our frame ! More pointed still we make ourselves— Regret, remorse, and shame ! And man, whose heaven-erected face Tlie smiles of love adorn, Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn ! " See yonder poor, o'erlabour'd wight. So abject, mean, and vile, Who begs a brother of the earth To give him leave to toil ; And see his lordly fellow-worm The poor petition spurn, Unmindful, though a weeping wife And helpless offspring mourn. Look not alone on youthfiol prime. Or manhood's active might, But see him on the edge of life, With cares and sorrows worn : Then age and want— oh, ill-match'd pair ! — Show man was made to movim ! —Man was Made to Mourn, vage 34. ^T. 27.] POEMS, 35 " If I*m design'd yon lordling's slave- By nature's law design'd — Whv was an independent wish E er planted in my mind? If not, wliy am I subject to His cruelty or scorn ? Or why has man the will and power To make his fellow mourn ? " Yet let not this too much, my son, Disturb thy youthful breast ; This partial view of humankind Is surely not the last ! The poor, oppress'd, honest man, ... I Had never, sure, been born, *^ Had there not been some recompense^ To comfort those that mourn. ^ " O Death! the poor man's dearest friend— The kindest and the best ! "Welcome the hour my aged limbs Are laid with thee at rest ! The great, the wealthy, fear thy blow, From pomp and pleasure torn ; But, oh! a blest relief to those ■ That weary -laden mourn ! '* THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT, INSCRIBED TO KOBEET AIKEN, ESQ. Gilbert Burns gives the following distinct account of the origin of this poem . — " Robert had frequently remarked to me that he thought there was something peculiarly venerable in the phrase, ' Let us worship God ! ' used by a decent, sober head of a family^ introducing family worship. To this sentiment of the author, the world is indebted for *The Cotter's Saturday Night.' When Robert had not some pleasure in view in which I was not thought fit to particii)ate, we used frequently to walk together, when the weather was favourable, on the Sunday afternoons — those precious breathing times to the labouring part of the community — and enjoyed such Sundays as would make one regret to see their number abridged. It was in one of these walks that I first had the pleasure of hearing the author repeat « The Cotter's Saturday Night.' I do not recollect to have read or heard anything by which I was more highly electrified. The fifth and sixth stanzas, and the eighteenth, thrilled with peculiar ecstasy through my soul. The cotter, in the 'Saturday Night,' is an exact copy of my father in his manners, his family devotion, and exhortations ; yet the other parts of the description do not apply to our family. None of us were ' at service out among the farmers roun' .' Instead of our depositing our 'sair-won penny-fee ' with our parents, my father laboured hard, and lived with the most rigid eco- nomy, that he might be able to keep his children at home, thereby having an opportunity of watching the progi-ess of our young minds, and forming in them early hsJbits of piety and virtue ; and from this motive alone did he engage in farming, the source of all his difficulties and distresses." "Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure ; Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile, The short but simple annals of the poor." — Gray. 36 POEMS. [1785 My lovea, my honour'd, much-respected friend ! No mercenary bard his homage pays ; "With honest pride, I scorn each selfish end : My dearest meed, a friend's esteem and praise : To you I sing, in simple Scottish lays, The lowly train in life's sequester'd scene ; The native feelings strong, the guileless ways : What Aiken in a cottage would have been ; Ah ! though his worth unknown, far happier there, I ween ! November chill blaws loud wi' angry sugh ; ^ The short'ning winter-day is near a close ; The miry beasts retreating frae the plough ; The black'ning trains o' craws to their repose ; The toil-worn cotter frae his labour goes, This night his weekly moil is at an end, Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes, Hoping the morn in ease and rest to spend. And, weary, o'er the moor his course does hameward bend. At length his lonely cot appears in view, Beneath the shelter of an aged tree ; Th* expectant wee things, toddlin', stacher through To meet their dad, wi' flichterin' noise and glee. His wee bit ingle, blinking bonnily, His clean hearthstane, his thrifty wifie's smile, The lisping infant prattling on his knee. Does a' his weary carking cares beguile. And makes him quite forget his labour and his toil. Bely ve,2 the elder bairns come drapping in, At service out, among the farmers roun' : Some ca' the pleugh, some herd, some tentie lin A canny errand to a neibor town : Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman grown, In youthfu' bloom, love si)arkling in her ee, Comes hame, perhaps to show, a braw new gown, Or deposit her sair-won penny-fee. To hell? her parents dear, if they in hardship be. Wi' joy unfeigTi'd, brothers and sisters meet. And each for other's weelfare kindly specrs :^ The social hours, swift-wing'd, unnoticed, fleet ; Each tells the uncos * that he sees or hears; The parents, partial, eye their hopeful years ; Anticipation forward points the view. The mother wi' her needle and her shears. Gars auld claes look amaist as weel 's the new — The father mixes a' wi' admonition due. Their master's and their mistress's command, The younkers a' are warned to obey; And mind their labours wi' an eydent-^ hand. And ne'er, though out o' sight, to jauk^ or play : ^ isroan. 2 By and by. " Inquires. * News. « Diligent « Dally. The toil-worn cotter frae his labour goes. This night his weekly moil is at an end, CET. 27.] POEMS, 49 Witli his philabeg and tartan plaid, And guid claymore down by his side, The ladies' hearts he did trepan, My gallant braw John Highlandman. Sing, hey, &c. "We ranged a' from Tweed to Spey, And lived like lords and ladies gay; For a Lawland face he feared none, My gallant braw John Highlandman. Sing, hey, &c. They banish'd him beyond the sea, But ere the bud was on the tree, Adown my cheeks the pearls ran, Embracing my John Highlandman. Sing, hey, &c. But, oh I they catch'd him at the last, And bound him in a dungeon fast; My curse upon them every one. They 've hang'd my braw John Highlandman. Sing, hey, &c. And now a widow, I must mourn The pleasures that will ne'er return ; Nae comfort but a hearty can, When I think on John Highlandman. Sing, hey, &c. EECITATIVO. A pigmy scraper, wi' his fiddle, AVha used at trysts and fairs to driddle,^ Her strappin' limb and gaucy middle (He reach'd nae higher) Had holed his heartie like a riddle. And blawn't on fire. Wi' hand on haunch, and upward ee. He croon'd his gamut, one, two, three, Then in an arioso key, The wee Apollo, Set off wi' allegretto glee His giga solo. AIK. « Tune— ' ' Whistle owre the lave o't. " Let me ryke^ up to dight^ that tear. And go wi' me and be my dear. And then your every care and fear May whistle owre the lave o't. 1 Play. 2 Reach. ' Wipo. so POEMS. [1785. I am a fiddler to my trade, And a' the tunes that e'er I play'd, The sweetest still to wife or maid, "Was whistle owre the lave o't. At kirns and weddings we'se be there, And oh! sae nicely *» we will fare ; We 11 bouse about till Daddy Care Singa whistle owre the lave o't. I am, &c. Sae merrily the banes we '11 pyke, And sun oursels about the dike, And at our leisure, when ye like, We'll whistle owre the lave o't. I am, &c. But bless me wi' your heaven o' charms, And while I kittle hair on thairms, Hunger, cauld, and a' sic harms, May whistle owre the lave o't. I am, &c. KECITATIVO. Her charms had struck a sturdy caird,^ As weel as poor gut-scraper; He taks the fiddler by the beard, And draws a roosty rapier — He swore by a' was swearing worth, To speet him like a pliver,* Unless he wad from that time forth Relinquish her for ever. Wi* ghastly ee, poor Tweedle-dee Upon his hunkers 2 bended, And pray'd for grace wi' ruefu' face, And sae the quarrel ended. But though his little heart did grieve When round the tinkler press'd her, He feign'd to snirtle^ in his sleeve, "When thus the caird address'd her : — AIE. Tune— *' Clout t^ Caudron." My bonny lass, I work in brass, A tinkler is my station : 1 Tinker. * Hams. « Laugh. ♦ To spit him like a plover. Air. 27.] POEMS, 51 I've travell'd round all Christian groand In this my occupation. I've ta'en the gold, I've been enroll'd In many a noble squadron : But vain they search'd, when off I march'd To go and clout ^ the caudron. I 've ta'en the gold, &c. Despise that shiimp, that wither'd imp, Wi' a' his noise aud ca'prin', And tak a share wi' those that bear The budget and the apron. And by that stoup, my faith and houp, And by that dear Kilbagie, If e'er ye want, or meet wi' scant, May I ne'er weet my craigie.^ And by that stoup, &c. RECITATIVO, The caird prevail'd— the unblushing fair In his embraces sunk. Partly wi' love, o'ercome sae sair, And partly she was drunk. Sir Violino, with an air That show'd a man of spunk, Wish'd unison between the pair. And made the bottle clunk To their health that night. But urchin Cupid shot a shaft That play'd a dame a shavie,^ The fiddler raked her fore and aft, Ahint the chicken cavie. Her lord, a wight o' Homer's craft,* Though limping wi' the spavie. He hirpled up, and lap like daft, And shored ^ them Dainty Davie O' boot that night. He was a care -defying blade As ever Bacchus listed. Though Fortune sair upon him laid, His heart she ever miss'd it. He had nae wish but — to be glad, Nor want but — when he thirsted ; He hated nought but— to be sad. And thus the Muse suggested His sang that night :— 1 Patch. 2 Throat. « A trick. < A ballatl-singer. * Offered. 52 POEMS, [1785 AIR, Tune — *' For a' that, and a' that." I am a bard of no regard, Wi' gentle folks, and a' that : But Homer-like, the glowrin' byke,^ Frae town to town I draw that. For a' that, and a' that. And twice as muckle 's a' that ; I Ve lost but ane, I Ve twa behin', I Ve wife eneugh for a' that. I never drank the Muses' stank,^ Castalia's burn, and a* that ; But there it streams, and richly reams, My Helicon I ca' that. For a' that, &c. Great love I bear to a' the fair. Their humble slave, and a' that ; But lordly will, I hold it still A mortal sin to thraw that. For a* that, &c. In raptures sweet, this hour we meet, Wi mutual love, and a' that : But for how lang the flee may stang. Let inclination law that. For a' that, &c. Their tricks and craft hae put me daft, They've ta'en me in, and a' that; But clear your decks, and here 's the sex ! I like the jads for a' that. For a' that, and a' that, And twice as muckle 's a' that ; My dearest bluid, to do them guid, They 're welcome till 't for a' that. EECITATIVO. So sang the bard — and Nansie's wa's Shook wi' a thunder of applause, Re-echoed from each mouth ; They toom'd their pokes and pawn'd their duds, They scarcely left to co'er their fuds, To quench their lowin' drouth. ^ 1 The staring crowd. 2 Pool. 3 Burning thirst. «T. 27.] POEMS. 53 Then owre again, the jovial thrang, The poet did request, To loose his pack and wale^ a sang, A. ballad o' the best ; He, rising, rejoicing, Between his twa Deborahs, Looks round him, and found them Impatient for the chorus. AIE. Tune — '* Jolly Mortals, fill your Glasses." See ! the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial ragged ring ! Round and round take up the choiiis, And in raptures let us sing. A fig for those by law protected ! Liberty 's a glorious feast ! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest. What is title ? what is treasure ? / "What is reputation's care ? ' If we lead a life of pleasure, 'Tis no matter how or where ' A fig, &c. AYith the ready trick and fable. Round we wander all the day ; And at night, in barn or stable, Hug our doxies on the hay. A fig, &c. Does the train-attended carriage Through the country lighter rove ? Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love ? A fig, &c. Life is all a variorum. We regard not how it goes ; Let them cant about decorum Who have characters to lose. A fig, &c. Here 's to budgets, bags, and wallets ! Here 's to all the wandering train ! Here 's our ragged brats and callets ! One and all cry out— Amen ! 1 Choose. 54 POEMS. 1785. A fig for those by law protected ! Liberty 's a glorious feast ! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the i>riest. THE VISION. This beautiful poem depicts, in the highest strain of poetical eloquence, a struggle which was constantly going on in the poet's mind between the mean- ness and poverty of his position and his higher aspirations and hopes of inde- pendence, which he found it impossible ever to realise. It must have been evident to his mind that poetry alone was not to elevate him above the reach of worldly cares ; yet in this poem, as in many others, he accepts the poetical calling as its own sweet and sufficient reward. In the appearance of the Muss of Coila, the matter is settled after a fashion as beautiful as poetical. In the Kilmarnock edition of his poems, the allusion to his Jean in Lis description of the Muse's appearance — ♦* Down flow'd her robe, a tartan sheen, Till half a leg was scrimply seen, And such a leg t my bonny Jean Could only peer it ; Sae straught, sae taper, tight, and clean, Nane else cam near it — " was replaced by the name of another charmer, in consequence, it is presumed, of his quarrel with her father. When the Edinburgh edition appeared, his old afiections had again asserted their sway, and her name was restored. In a letter to Mrs Dunlop, dated February 1788, the poet, in allusion to Miss Kachel Dunlop, one of her daughters, being engaged on a painting representing "The Vision," says:— "I am highly flattered by the news you tell me of Coila. I may say to the fair painter who does me so much honour, as Dr Beattie says to Ross, the poet, of his Muse Scota, from which, by the by, I took the idea of Coila ; ('tis a poem of Beattie's in the Scottish dialect, which per- haps you have never seen) : — ' Ye shake your head, but 0' my fegs, Ye've set auld Scota on her legs ; Lang had she lien wi' buffs and flegs, Bumbazed and dizzie ; Her fiddle wanted strings and pegs — Wae's me, poor hisszie ! ' " DUAN FIRST.* The sun had closed the winter day, The curlers quat their roaring play,+ And hunger'd maukin ta'en her way To kail-yards green, * Duan, a term of Ossian's for the different divisions of a digressive poem. See his "Cathloda," vol. ii. of Macpherson's translation.— J5. t Curling is a wintry game peculiar to the southern counties of Scotland. When the ice is sufficiently strong on the lochs, a number of individuals, each provided with a large stone of the shape of an oblate spheroid, smoothed at the bottom, range themselves on two sides, and being furnished with handles, play against each other. The game resembles bowls, but is much more animated, and keenly enjoyed. It is well characterised by the poet as a roaring play. ^T.27.1 POEMS, 55 "WTiile faitliless snaws ilk step betray Whare she has been. The thrasher's weary flingin'-tree ^ The lee-lang day had tired me ; And when the day had closed his ee, Far i' the west, Ben r the spence, * right pensivelie, I gaed to rest. There, lanely, by the ingle-cheek,^ I sat and eyed the spewing reek,^ That fiU'd, wi' hoast-provoking sraeek,* The auld clay biggin* ; And heard the restless rattens ^ squeak About the riggin . All in this mottie,^ misty clime, I backward mused on wasted time, How I had spent my youthf u* prime, And done naething, But stringin' blethers ^ up in rhyme, For fools to sing. Had I to guid advice but harkit, I might by this hae led a market, Or strutted in a bank, and clerkit My cash-account : "While here, half -mad, half -fed, half-sarkit, Is a' th* amount. I started, muttering. Blockhead ! coof ! 8 And heaved on high my waukit loof,* To swear by a' yon starry roof, Or some rash aith. That I henceforth would be rhyme-proof Till my last breath — When, click ! the string the sneck^*' did draw And, jee ! the door gaed to the wa' ; And by my ingle-lowe I saw, Now bleezin' bright, A tight, outlandish hizzie, braw. Come full in sight. Ye needna doubt, I held my whisht ; The infant aith, half -f orm'd, was crusht ; 1 The flail. 2 Fireside. s Smoke. * Smoke. « Rats. 6 Hazy 7 Nonsense. 8 fool. » Hardened palm. w Latch. * The parlour of the farm-house of Mossgiel— the only apartment besides the kitchen. $6 POEMS, [1785 I glower'd as eerie *s I'd been dnsht^ In some wild glen ; When Bweet, like modest Worth, she blusht, And stepped ben.^ Green, slender, leaf-clad holly-boughs Were twisted gracefu' round her brows — I took her for some Scottish Muse, By that same token : And come to stop those reckless vows, Would soon be broken. A " hare-brain'd, sentimental trace" Was strongly marked in her face ; A wildly -witty, rustic grace Shone full upon her ; Her eye e'en turnM on empty space, Beam'd keen with honour. Down flow'd her robe, a tartan sheen. Till half a leg was scrimply seen ; And such a leg ! my bonny Jean Could only peer it ; Sae straught, sac taper, tight, ^ and clean, Nane else cam near it. Her mantle large, of greenish hue, My gazing wonder chiefl}' drew ; Deep lights and shades, bold-mingling threw A lustre grand ; And seem'd, to my astoDish'd view, A well-known land. Here, rivers in the sea were lost ; There, mountains to the skies were tost : Here, tumbling billows mark'd the coast. With surging foam ; There, distant shone Art's lofty boast, The lordly dome. Here, Doon pour'd down his far-f etch'd floods ; There, well-fed Irwine stately thuds : * Auld hermit Ayr staw ^ through his woods. On to the shore ; And many a lesser toiTent scuds. With seeming roar. Low, in a sandy valley spread. An ancient borough * rear'd her head : Still, as in Scottish story read. She boasts a race 5 Frightened. 2 into the room. a Handsome, well-formed. * Sounds. » Stole. * The town of Ayr. ^T. 27.] POEMS. 57 To every nobler virtue bred, And polish'd grace. By stately tower or palace fair, Or ruins pendent in the air, Bold stems of heroes, here and there, ■ I could discern ; Some seem'd to muse, some seem'd to dare, With features stei-n. My heart did glowing transport feel, To see a race * heroic wheel, And brandish round the deep-dyed steel In sturdy blows ; While back-recoiling seem'd to reel Their suthron foes. His country's saviour, + mark him well! Bold Richardton's % heroic swell ; The chief on Saik § who glorious fell, In high command ; And he whom ruthless fates expel His native land. There, where a sceptred Pictish shade || Stalk'd round his ashes lowly laid, I mark'd a martial race, portray 'd In colours strong ; Bold, soldier-featured, undismay'd They strode along. Through many a wild romantic grove,^ Near many a hermit-fancied cove, (Fit haunts for friendship or for love, ) In musing mood. An aged judge, I saw him rove. Dispensing good. AVith deep -struck reverential awe The learned sire and son I saw,** * The Wallaces.— 5. t Sh- William Wallace.—^. X Adam Wallace of Richardton, cousin to the immortal preserver of Scottish independence. — B. § Wallace, Laird of Craigie, who was second in command, under Douglas, Eavl of Ormond, at the famous battle on the banks of Sark, fought in 1448. That glorious victory was principally owing to the judicious conduct and intrepid valour of the gallant Laird of Craigie, who died of his wounds after the action.— jB 8 Coilus, king of the Picts, from whom the district of Kyle is said to take its name, lies buried, as tradition says, near the family seat of the Montgomeries of Coilsfield, where his bui'ial-place is still shown. — B. \ Barskimming, the seat of the late Lord Justice-Clerk. — B. (Sir Thomas Miller of Glenlee, afterwards President of the Court of Session.) ** The Rev. Dr Matthew Stewart, the celebi-ated mathematician, and his son Mr Dugald Stewart, the elegant expositor of the Scottish school of metaphysics, «ire here meant, their villa of Catrine being situated on the Ayr. 58 POEMS, [1785- To nature's God and nature's law They gave their lore, This, all its source and end to draw ; That, to adore. Brydone's brave ward * I well could spy, Beneath old Scotia's smiling eye : Who call'd on Fame, low standing by, To hand him on. Where many a patriot name on high And hero shone. DUAN SECOND. With musing-deep, astonish'd stare, I view'd the heavenly^ seeming fair ; A whispering throb did witness bear Of kindred sweet. When with an elder sister's air She did me greet : — " All hail ! my own inspked bard ! In me thy native Muse regard ; Nor longer mourn thy fate is hard. Thus poorly low ! I come to give thee such reward As we bestow. *' Know, the great genius of this land Has many a light, aerial band. Who, all beneath his high command, Harmoniously, As arts or arms they understand. Their labours ply. "They Scotia's race among them share; Some fire the soldier on to dare ; Some rouse the patriot up to bare Corruption's heart: Some teach the bard, a darling care. The tunefu' art. ** 'Mong swelling floods of reeking gore, They ardent, kindling spirits, pour; Or, 'mid the venal senate's roar. They, sightless, stand, To mend the honest patriot-lore. And grace the hand. "And when the bard, or hoary sage. Charm or instruct the future age, * Colonel Fullarton.— J?. JET. 27.] POEMS, 59 They bind tlie wild, poetic rage, In energy, Or point the inconclusive page Full on the eye. " Hence FuUarton, the brave and young; Hence Dempster's zeal-inspired tongue ; Hence sweet harmonious Beattie sung His Minstrel lay ; Or tore, with noble ardour stung. The sceptic's bays. "To lower orders are assign'd The humbler ranks of humankind, The rustic bard, the labouring hind, The artisan; All choose, as various they're inclined, The various man. "When yellow waves the heavy grain, The threatening storm some, strongly, rein ; Some teach to meliorate the plain, With tillage skill; And some instruct the shepherd -train, Blithe o'er the hill. ** Some ^nt the lover's harmless wile ; Some grace the maiden's artless smile ; Some soothe the labourer's weary toil, For humble gains. And make his cottage-scenes beguile His cares and pains. *' Some, bounded to a district-space, Explore at large man's infant race. To mark the embryotic trace Of rustic bard ; And careful note each opening grace, A guide and guard. "Of these am I — Coila my name. And this district as mine I claim. Where once the Campbells,* chiefs of fame, Held ruling power, I mark'd thy embryo tuneful flame. Thy natal hour. " With future hope, I oft would gaze. Fond, on thy little early ways, Thy rudely-caroll'd, chiming phrase, In uncouth rhymes, Fired at the simple, artless lays, Of other times. » The Loudoun branch of the Campbells is here meant. Mossgiel, and much of the neighbouring ground, was then the property of the Earl of Loudon. 6o POEMS. [1785- " I saw thee seek the sounding shore, Delighted with the dashing roar; Or when the north his fleecy store Drove through the sky, I saw grim nature's visage hoar Struck thy young eye. *' Or when the deep green-mantled earth Warm cherish'd every floweret's birth, And joy and music pouring forth In every grove, I saw thee eye the general mirth With boundless love. "Whf^n ripen'd fields, and azure skies, Oall'd forth the reaper's rustling noise, I saw thee leave their evening joys, And lonely stalk. To vent thy bosom's swelling rise In pensive walk. "When youthful love, warm-blushing, strong, Keen-shivering shot thy nerves along. Those accents, grateful to thy tongue, Th' adored Name, I taught thee how to pour in song. To soothe thy flame. ** I saw thy pulse's maddening play, AVild, send thee Pleasure's devious way, Misled by Fancy's meteor-ray, ^ By passion driven ; But yet the light that led astray Was light from Heaven. " I taught thy manners painting strains. The loves, the ways of simple swains. Till now, o'er all my wide domains Thy fame extends ; And some, the pride of Coila's plains. Become thy friends. "Thou canst not learn, nor can I show. To paint with Thomson's landscape glow. Or wake the bosom-melting throe, AVith Shenstone's art ; Or pour, with Gray, the moving flow Warm on the heart. " Yet all beneath the unrivall'd rose, The lowly daisy sweetly blows ; Though large the forest's monarch throws His army shade. Yet green the juicy hawthorn grows Adown the glade. ^T. 27.] FOEMS. 61 " Then never murmur nor repine; Strive in thy humble sphere to shine : And, trust me, not Potosi's mine, Nor kings' regard, Can give a bliss overmatching thine— A rustic bard. *'To give my counsels all in one. Thy tuneful flame still careful fan ; Preserve the dignity of man, With soul erect; And trust, the universal plan Will all protect. "And wear thou this," she solemn said. And bound tlie holly round my head : The polish'd leaves, and berries red, Did rustling play ; And, like a passing thought, she fled In light away. A WINTER NIGHT. This poem was first printed in the second, or first Edinburgh, edition of the poet's works. Carlyle says of it — "How touching is it, amid the gloom of per- sonal misery that broods over and around him, that, amid the storm, he still thinks of the cattle, the silly sheep, and the wee harmless birdies ! — yes, the tenant of the mean lowly hut has the heart to pity all these. This is worth a whole volume of homilies on mercy, for it is the voice of mercy itself. Burns lives in sympathy : his soul rushes forth into all the realms of being : nothing that has existence can be indifferent to him." " Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, That bide the pelting of the pitiless storm ! How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides, Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you, Prom seasons such as these ? " — Shakespeare. When biting Boreas, felP and doure,^ Sharp shivers through the leafless bower ; When Phoebus gies a short-lived glower ^ Far south the lift,* Dim-darkening through the flaky shower. Or whirling drift : Ae night the storm the steeples rocked. Poor labour sweet in sleep was locked. While bums, wi' snawy wreaths up-choked, Wild-eddying swirl. Or through the mining outlet hocked,^ Down headlong hurl. 1 Keen. 2 Stern. s stare. 4 gky. 6 Belched. 62 POEMS. [178s Listening the doors and winnocks^ ra,ttle, I thought me on the ourie^ cattle, Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle^ O' winter war, And through the drift, deep-lairing sprattle,* Beneath a scaur. ^ Ilk happing 6 bird, wee, helpless thing, That, in the merry months o' spring, Delighted me to hear thee sing. What comes o' thee? Whare wilt thou cower thy chittering wing, And close thy ee ! Even you, on murdering errands toil'd. Lone from your savage homes exiled. The blood-stain'd roost, and sheep-cot spoil'J, My heart forgets, Wliile pitiless the tempest wild Sore on you beats. Now Phoebe, in her midnight reign, Dark muflfled, view'd the dreary plain ; Still crowding thoughts, a pensive train, Kose in my soul, When on my ear this plaintive strain. Slow, solemn, stole : — " Blow, blow, ye winds, with heavier gust! And freeze, thou bitter-biting frost! Descend, ye chilly, smothering snows ! Not all your rage, as now united, shows More hard unkindness, unrelenting. Vengeful malice unrepenting, Tlian heaven-illumined man on brother man bestows ! . ** See stern Oppression's iron grip. Or mad Ambition's gory hand, Sending, like blood-hounds from the slip. Woe, Want, and Murder o'er a land ! Even in the peaceful rural vale. Truth, weeping, tells the mournful tale. How pamper'd Luxury, Flattery by her side, The parasite empoisoning her ear, With all the servile wretches in the rear, Looks o'er proud Property, extended wide ; And eyes the simple rustic hind, Whose toil upholds the glittering show, A creature of another kind. Some coarser substance unrefined, Placed for her lordly use thus far, thus vile, below. J "Windovrs. 2 Shivering. » Dashing storm. 4 Struggle. » Cliff. « Happing. ^T. 27.] POEMS, dl " Where, where is Love's fond, tender throe, With lordly Honour's lofty brow, The powers you proudly own? Is there, beneath Love's noble name, Can harbour dark the selfish aim. To bless himself alone ! Mark maiden innocence a prey To love-pretending snares. This boasted Honour turns away, Shunning soft Pity's rising sway, Kegardless of the tears and unavailing prayers ! Perhaps this hour, in misery's squalid nest. She strains your infant to her joyless breast. And with a mother's fears shrinks at the rocking blast! *' O ye who, sunk in beds of down, Feel not a want but what yourselves create. Think for a moment on his wretched fate Whom friends and fortune quite disown ! Ill satisfied keen nature's clamorous call, Stretch'd on his straw he lays himself to sleep, While through the i-agged roof and chinky wall. Chill o'er his slumbers piles the drifty heap ! Think on the dungeon's grim confine. Where Guilt and poor Misfortune pine ! Guilt, erring man, relenting viewl But shall thy legal rage pursue The wretch, already crushed low By cruel Fortune's undeserved blow? Affliction's sons are brothers in distress, A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss ! " I heard na mair, for chanticleer Shook off the pouthery snaw. And hail'd the morning with a cheer, A cottage-rousing craw. But deep this truth impress'd my mind — Through all His works abroad. The heart benevolent and kind The most resembles God. SCOTCH DPvINK. This poem, written after the manner of Fergusson's "Caller Water," is not to be taken as evidence of the poet's feelings and practices. It was suggested, along with the following poem, by the withdrawal of an Act of Parliament em- powering Duncan Forbes of Culloden to distil whisky on his bai'ony of Ferin- tosh. free of duty, in return for services rendered to the Government. This privilege was a source of great revenue to the family ; and as Ferintosh whisky was cheaper than that produced elsewhere, it became very popular, and the i»am« Ferintoah thus became something like a syuonyme for whisky over the 64 POEMS. [1785. country. Compensation for the loss of privilege, to the tune of £21,580, was awarded to the Forbes family by a jury. Attention was further drawn to " the national beverage" at this time by the vexatious and oppressive way in which the Excise laws were enforced at the Scotch distilleries. Many distillers abandoned the business ; and as barley was beginning to fall in price in con- sequence, the county gentlemen supported the distillers, and an Act was passed relieving the trade from the obnoxious supervision. These circumstances gave the poet his cue ; and the subject was one calculated to evoke his wildest humour. Writing to Robert Muir, Kilmarnock, he says, " I here enclose you my * Scotch Drink,' and may the follow with a blessing for your edification. I hope some time before we hear the gowk, [cuckoo,] to have the pleasure of seeing you at Kilmarnock, when I intend we shall have a gill between us in a mutch- kin stoup, which will be a great comfort and consolation to your humble ser- vant, R. B." " Gie him strong drink, until he wink, That's sinking in despair ; And liquor guid to fire his bluid, That 's prest wi' grief and care ; There let him bouse, and deep caruuse, Wi' bumpers flowing o'er, Till he forgets his loves or debts, And minds his griefs no more." — Solomon's Proverbs xxxi. 6, 7. Let other poets raise a fracas ^ 'Bout vines, and wines, and drucken Bacchus, And crabbit names and stories wrack 2 us, And grate our lug,^ I sing the juice Scotch beare can mak us, In glass or jug. O thou, my Muse ! guid auld Scotch drink, Whether through wimplin'^ worms thou jink,'"* Or, richly brown, ream o'er the brink. In glorious faem. Inspire me, till I lisp and wink, To sing thy name ! Let husky wheat the haughs adorn, And aits set up their awnie horn,<* And peas and beans, at e'en or morn. Perfume the plain, Leeze me on thee, John Barleycorn, Thou king o' grain ! On thee aft Scotland chows her cood, In souple scones,^ the wale o' food ! Or tumblin' in the boilin' flood Wi' kail and beef ; Bat when thou pours thy strong heart's blood. There thou shines chief. Food fills the wame, and keeps us livia' ; Though life's a gift no worth receivin' 1 A row. 2 Bother. « Ear. * Crooked. » Steal. « Beard. ^ Cakes. ^T. 27.] POEMS, 65 Wlien heavy dragg'd wi' pine^ and grievin*} But, oil d by thee, The wheels o* life gae down-hill, scrievin',^ Wi' rattlin' glee. Thou clears the head o* doited Lear ; Thou cheers the heart o' drooping Care ; Thou strings the nerves o' Labour sair, At 's weary toil ; Thou ©ven brightens dark Despair, "Wi' gloomy smile. Aft clad in massy siller weed,* Wi' gentles thou erects thy head ; Yet humbly kind in time o' need, The poor man's wine,* His wee drap parritch, or his bread, Thou kitchens* fine. Thou art the life o' public haunts ; But thee, what were our fairs and rants? Even godly meetings o' the saunts. By thee inspired. When gaping they besiege the tents,f Are doubly fired. That merry night we get the com in. Oh, sweetly then thou reams the horn in J Or reekin' on a new-year morning In cog or bicker,' And just a wee drap sp'ritual bum in, And gusty sucker ! ^ When Yulcan gies his bellows breath. And ploughmen gather wi' their graith,'' Oh, rare ! to see tbee fizz and freath I' the lugget cg-up ! 8 Then Bumewin ® comes on like death At every chap. Nae mercy, then, for airn or steel ; The brawnie, bainie, ploughman chiel, Brings hard owrehip, wi' sturdy wheel, The strong forehammer, Till block and studdie *° ring, and reel, Wi' dinsome clamour. i Pain. ' Gliding gleesomely. 'Silver jugs. * Relishcst. Wooden vessels. « Toothsome sugar. ' Impi«ments. 5 WooQ^n cup with e^rs. » The blacksmith. 10 Anvil. * Ale is meant, which is frequently mixed with porridge instead of milk, t The tents for refreshment at out-of-door communions. (Bee " Holy Fai r."") 66 POEMS, [1785, "WTien skirlin' weatiies ^ see the light, Thou maks the gossips clatter bright, How fumblin' cuifs ^ their dearies slight ; Wae worth the name ! ' Nae howdy 3 gets a social night, Or plack^ frae therru \yhen neibors anger at a plea, And just as wud as wud ^ can be, How easy can the barley-bree Cement the quarrel ! It's aye the cheapest lawyer's fee To taste the barrel. Alake ! that e'er my Muse has reason To wyte ^ her countrymen wi' treason I But mony daily weet their weason^ AVi' liquors nice, And hardly, in a wintei-'s season. E'er spier ^ her price. "Wae worth that brandy, burning trash ! Pell source o* mony a pain and brash ! ^ 'Twins mony a poor, doylt, drucken hash^o O' half his days ; And sends, beside, auld Scotland's cash To her worst faes. Ye Scots, wha wish auld Scotland well ! Ye chief, to you my tale I tell. Poor plackless devUs like mysel. It sets you ill, Wi' bitter, dearthfu wines to mell,^^ Or foreign gill. May gravels round his blether wrench, And gouts torment him inch by inch, Wha twists his gruntle wi' a glunch ^^ O' sour disdain, Gut-owre a glass o' whisky punch V Wi' honest men. O whisky ! soul o' plays and pranks ! Accept a Bardie's gratefu' thanks ! When wanting thee, what tuneless cranks Are my poor verses ! Thou comes — they rattle i' their ranks At ither's a — es. Thee, Ferintosh ! oh, sadly lost ! Scotland lament frae coast to coast ! 1 Screaming children. 3 Awkward fools. 3 Midwife. •* Coin. » Mad. « Charge. ? Throat. 8 Ask. » Sicknesi 10 Rough fellow. 11 Meddle. 12 Face with a grin. /ET. 27.1 POEMS. 67 ^^ow colic grips, and barkin' hoast,^ May kill us a' ; For loyal Forbes's charter'd boast, Is ta'en awa* ! Thae curst horse-leeches o' th' Excise, "NVha mak the whisky-stells their prize ! Uaud up thy han', deil ! ance, twice, thrice ! There, seize the blinkers ! 2 And bake them up in brunstane pies For poor damn'd drinkers. Fortune ! if thou'll but gie me still Hale breeks, a scone, and whisky gill, And rowth^ o' rhyme to rave at will, Tak a' the rest, And deal 't about as thy blind skill Directs the best. EEMORSE. A FEAQMENT. The following lines occur in an early Commonplace-book of the poei's, and probably relate to the consequences of his first serious error :— Op all the numerous ills that hurt our peace. That press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish, Beyond comparison, the worst are those That to our folly or our guilt we owe. In every other circumstance, the mind Has this to say — " It was no deed of mine ; " But when, to all the evil of misfortune. This sting is added — " Blame thy foolish self,' Or, worser far, the pangs of keen remorse — The torturing, gnawing consciousness of guilt — Of guilt perhaps where we 've involved others. The young, the innocent, who fondly lo'ed us. Nay, more — that very love their cause of ruin ! O burning hell ! in all thy store of torments. There 's not a keener lash ! Lives there a man so firm, who, while his heart Feels all the bitter horrors of his crime, Can reason down its agonising throbs ; And, after proper purpose of amendment. Can firmly force his jarring thoughts to peace? Oh, happy, happy, enviable man ! Oh, glorious magnanimity of soul ! 1 Cough. s A contemptuous term, 8 Abundance. 68 POEMS, [1785 ANSWER TO A POETICAL EPISTLE, SENT TO THE AUTHOR BY A TAILOR. A tailor in the neighbourhoorl of Mauchline having taken it upon him lo send the poet a rhymed homily on his loose conversation and irregular behaviour, re- ceived the following lines in reply to his lecture : — \Yhat ails ye now, ye lousie bitch, To thrash my back at sic a pitch ? Losh, man ! hae mercy wi' your natch,^ Your bodkin's bauld, I didna suffer half sae much Frae Daddie Auld. What though at times, when I grow crouse,- I gie the dames a random pouse, Is that enough for you to souse ^ Your servant sae ? Gae mind your seam, ye prick-the-louse And jag-the-flae. King David, o' poetic brief, Wrought 'mang the lasses sic mischief As fill'd his after life wi' grief And bluidy rants. And yet he 's rank'd among the chief O' lang-syne saunts. And maybe, Tarn, for a' my cants,"* My wicked rhymes, and drucken rants, I'll gie auld cloven Clootie's haunts An unco slip yet, And snugly sit among the saunts At Davie's hip yet. But fegs,5 the session says I maun Gae fa' upon anither plan, Than garrin' lasses cowp the cran Clean heels owre gowdy, And sairly thole ® their mither's ban Afore the howdy. 7 This leads me on, to tell for sport, How I did wi' the session sort : Auld Clinkum at the inner poit Cried three times— "Robin! Come hither, lad, and answer for 't. Ye 're blamed for jobbin'.'* 1 <>i"ip. 2 Happj. » Scold. 4 Tricks. » Faith. « Bear. 7 Midwife. 'F.T. 27.] POEMS. 69 Wi' pinch I put a Sunday's face on, And snooved^ awa' before the session; I made an open, fair confession — I scorn'd to lie ; And syne Mess John, beyond expression, Fell foul o' me. A furnicator-loon he call'd me, And said my faut frae bliss expell'd me ; I own'd the tale was true he tell'd me, " But what the matter?" Quo* I, *' I fear unless ye geld me, I'll ne'er be better." *' Geld you ! " quo' he, *' and what for no? If that your right hand, leg, or toe, Should ever prove your spiritual foe. You should remember To cut it aff — and what for no Your dearest member ? " *' Na, na," quo' I, "I'm no for that, Gelding 's nae better than 'tis ca't ; I 'd rather suffer for my faut, A hearty flewit, As sair owre hip as ye can draw 't, Though I should rue it. *' Or gin ye like to end the bother, To please us a', I 've just ae ither — When next wi' yon lass I forgather, Whate'er betide it, I '11 frankly gie her 't a' thegither, And let her guide it." But, sir, this pleased them warst ava, And therefore, Tam, when that I saw, I said, "Guid night," and cam awa'. And left the session ; I saw they were resolved a' On my oppression. THE AUTHOR'S EARNEST CRY AND PRAYER TO THE SCOTCH EEPKESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OP COMMONS. For an account of the ch'cum stances which gave rise to the following lines, sec the introduction to the poem entitled "Scotch Drink," p. 63. " Dearest of distillations ! last and best I How art tliou lost I " — Parody on Milton. 1 Sneaked. 70 POEMS. [1786. Ye Irish lords, ye knights and squires, Wha represent our brughs and shires, And doucely ^ manage our affairs In parliament, To you a simple Bardie's prayers Are humbly sent. Alas ! my roopit * Muse is hearse ! ^ Your honours' heart wi' grief 'twad pierce. To see her sittin' on her a— e Low i' the dust, And scraichin' 3 f out prosaic verse, And like to bui'st ! Tell them wha hae the chief direction, Scotland and me 's in great affliction, E'er sin' they laid that curst restriction On aqua vitse ; And rouse them up to strong conviction, And move their pity. Stand forth and tell yon Premier youth, J The honest, open, naked truth : Tell him o' mine and Scotland's drouth,^ His servants humble : The muckle devil blaw ye south, If ye dissemble ! Does ony gi'eat man glunch^ and gloom? Speak out, and never fash your thoom ! ^ Let posts and pensions sink or soom ^ Wi' them wha grant 'em : If honestly they canna come. Par better want 'em. In gath'rin' votes you werena slack ; Now stand as tightly by your tack ; Ne'er claw your lug,^ and fidge^ your back, And hum and haw ; But raise your arm, and tell your crack ^"^ Before them a'. Paint Scotland greetin' ^^ owre her thrissle. Her mutchkin stoup as toom 's ^2 a whissle ; ^ Soberly. 2 Hoarse. 3 Screaming hoarsely— the cry of fowls when displeased. •* Thirst. 5 Frown. « Trouble your thumb. "* Swim. 8 Ear. 9 Shrug. 10 Tale. 11 Weeping. 12 Empty. * A person with a sore throat and a dry, tickling cough, is said to be roopy. t Some editors give this 'screechin', (screaming;) but, taken in connexion witti the hoarseness, every one who has heard the word used will endorse our reading. X William Pitt. ^T. 28.] POEMS. 71 And damn'd excisemen in a bussle, Seezin' a stell, Triumphant crushin' 't like a mussle Or lampit shell. Then on the tither hand present her, A blackguard smuggler, right behint her. And cheek-f or-chow a chuffie ^ vintner, Colleaguing join. Picking her pouch as bare as winter Of a' kind coin. Is there, that bears the name o' Scot, But feels his heart's-bluid rising hot. To see his poor auld mither's pot Thus dung in staves, And plunder'd o' her hindmost groat By gallows knaves ? Alas ! I *m but a nameless wight, Trod f the mire and out o* sight ! But could I like Montgomeries fight,* Or gab like Bos well, f There *s some sark-necks I wad draw tight, And tie some hose well. God bless your honours, can ye see 't, The kind, auld, cantie carlin greet,^ And no get warmly to your feet. And gar them hear it, And tell them wi' a patriot heat. Ye winna bear it ? Some o' you nicely ken the laws, To round the period and pause, ■ And wi' rhetoric clause on clause To make harangues ; Then echo through St Stephen^s wa's Auld Scotland's wrangs. Dempster, j a true-blue Scot I'se warran'; Thee, aith-detesting, chaste Kilkerran; S And that glib-gabbet^ Higliland baron, ' The Laird o' Graham; 1| 1 Fat-faced. 2 The cheerful old wife cry» « Ready-tongued, (Scotland is personified.) * Colonel Hugh Montgomery, who had served in the American war, and was Chen representing Ayrshire. t James Boswell of Auchinleck, the biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson. X G-eorge Dempster of Dunnichen, Forfarshire. § Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, then member for Edinburgh. ( The Marquis of Graham. 72 POEMS. [1786. And ane, a chap that 's damn'd auldfarran,! Dundas his name.* Erskine,t' a spunkie^ Norland billie; True Campbells, Frederick and Hay ; % And Livingstone, the bauld Sir Willie ; And mony ithers, Whom auld Demosthenes or Tully Might own for brithers. Tliee, Sodger Hugh, my watchman stented,§ If bardies e'er are represented ; I ken if that your sword were wanted, Ye 'd lend your hand : But when there 's ought to say anent it, Ye 're at a stand. 1| Arouse, my boys ; exert your mettle, To get auld Scotland back her kettle ; Or, faith ! I '11 wad my new pleugh-pettle,' Ye '11 see 't or lang, She '11 teach you, wi' a reekin' whittle,* Anither sang. This while she*s been in crankous'' mood, Her lost militia fired her bluid ; (Deil na they never mair do good, Play'd her that pliskie ! ^ And now she's like to rin red-wud^ About her whisky. And, Lord, if ance they pit her till 't. Her tartan petticoat she 11 kilt, And durk and pistol at her belt. She '11 tak the streets. And rin her whittle to the hilt I' th' first she meets ! For God's sake, sirs, then speak her fan. And straik^ her cannie wi' the hair, And to the muckle House repair Wi' instant speed, And strive, wi' a' your wit and lear. To get remead. ^ Sagacious. 2 Plucky. s Plough-staff. * Knife. 6 Ill-tempered, restless. « Trick. 7 Mad. 8 Sti-oke * Henry Dundas, afterwards Viscount Melville. t Thomas Erskine, afterwards Lord Erskine. X Lord Frederick Campbell, brother to the Duke of Argyle, and Ilay Campbell, then Lord Advocate. 5 Being member for Ayrshire, the poet speaks of him as his stented or van- guard watchman. 1 Thia stanza alludes to Hugh Montgomery's imperfect elocution .ET. 28.] POEMS. 73 Yon ill-ton gued tinkler, Charlie 1^'ox, May taunt you wi' his jeers and mocks ; But gie him 't het, my hearty cocks ! E'en cowe the caddie ! ^ And send him to his dicing-box And sportin' lady. Tell yon guid bluid o' auld Boconnock's* I '11 be his debt twa mashlum bannocks, f* And drink his health in auld Nanse Tinnock's % Nine times a week, If he some scheme, like tea and winnocks,§ Wad kindly seek. Could he some commutation broach, I '11 pledge my aith in guid braid Scotch, He needna fear their foul reproach Nor erudition. Yon mixtie-maxtie, queer hotch-potch, The coalition.il Auld Scotland has a raucle^ tongue; She 's just a devil wi' a rung ;3 1 Fellow. 2 Rough. 3 Cudgel * William Pitt was the grandson of Robert Pitt of Boconnock, in Cornwall. f Cakes made of oats, beans, and peas, with a mixture of wheat or barley flour, X A worthy old hostess of the author's in Mauchline, where he sometimes studied politics over a glass of guid auld Scotch drink. — B "Nanse Tinnock is long deceased, and no one has caught up her mantle. She is described as having been a true ale-wife, in the proverbial sense of the word— close, discreet, civil, and no tale-teller. When any neighbouring wife came, asking if Iter John was here, 'Oh no,' Nanse would reply, shaking money in her pocket as she spoke, * he 's no here,' implying to the querist that the husband was not in the house, while she meant to herself that he was not among her half-pence — thus keeping the word of promise to the ear, but breaking it to the hope. Her house was one of two stories, and had a front towards the street, by which Bui*ns must have entered Mauchline from Mossgiel. The date over the door is 1744, It is re- membered, however, that Nanse never could understand how the poet should have talked of enjoying himself in, her house 'nine times a-week.' 'The lad,' she said, ' hardly ever drank three half-mutchkins under her roof in his life, Nanse, probably, had never heard of the poetical licence. In truth, Nanse's hostehy was not the only one in Mauchline which Burns resorted to : a rather better-looking house, at the opening of the Cowgate, kept by a person named John Dove, and then and still bearing the arms of Sir John Whiteford of Ballochmyle, was also a haunt of the poet's having this high recommendation, that its back windows surveyed those of the house in which his 'Jean' resided. The reader will find in its proper place a droll epitaph on John Dove, in which the honest landlord's religioa is made out to be a mere comparative appreciation of his various liquors," — Chambers. § Pitt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had gained some credit by a measure introduced in 1784 for preventing smuggling of tea by reducing the duty, the revenue being compensated by a tax on windows. I Mixtie maxtie is Scotch for a mixture of incongruous elements. Hotch-potch is a dish composed of all sorts of vegetables. This coalition, like many others since, was in the poet's eyes an unnatural banding together of men of different opinions. 5^4- POEMS. [1786, And if she promise auld or young To tak tlieir part, Though by the neck she should be strung, She '11 no desert. And now, ye chosen Five-and-Forty,* May still your mother's heart support yo ; Then though a minister grow dorty,^ And kick your place, Ye '11 snap your fingers, poor and heaiiiy. Before his face. God bless your honours a' your days Wi' sowps^ o' kail and brats o' claise,^ In spite o' a' the thievish kaes * That haunt St Jamie's ! Your humble poet sings and prays While Eab his name is. POSTSCRIPT. Let half-starved slaves in warmer skies See future wines, rich clust'ring, rise ; Their lot auld Scotland ne'er envies. But blithe and frisky, She eyes her free-born, martial boys, Tak aff their whisky. "What though their Phoebus kinder warms, Wliile fragrance blooms and beauty charms! When wretches range, in famish'd swarms, The scented groves Or, hounded forth, dishonour arms In hungry di'oves. Their gun's a burthen on their shouther; They downa bide^ the stink o' pouther ; Their bauldest thought's a hank'ring swither^' To stan' or rin. Till skelp — a shot — they're aff, a' throu'ther,^ To save their skin. But bring a Scotsman fra his hill, Clap in his cheek a Highland gill, Say, such is royal George's will. And there's the foo; He has nae thought but how to kill Twa at a blow. 1 Sulky. 2 Spoonfuls. 8 Rags o' clothes. * Jackdaws. 6 They dare not stand. * Uncertainty. » Pell melL * The number of Scotch representatives. >ET. 2S.] POEMS. 75 Nae cauld, faint-hearted doubtings tease him; Death comes — wi' fearless eye he sees him; Wi' bluidy han' a welcome gies him ; • And when he fa's, His latest draught o' breathin' lea'es him ; In faint huzzas ! Sages their solemn een may steek,^ And raise a philosophic reek,2 And physically causes seek, In clime and season; But teU me whisky's name in Greek, I'll tell the reason. Scotland, my auld, respected mither ! Though whiles ye moistify your leather, Till whare ye sit, on craps o' heather. Ye tine 3 your dam ; Freedom and whisky gang thegither! — Tak aff your dram ! THE AULD FAEMER'S NEW-YEAR MORNING SALUTATION TO HIS AULD MARE MAGGIE, ON GIVING HER THE ACCUSTOMED RIP OF CORN TO HANSEL IN THE NEW YEAR. Most editors have alluded to the tenderness of Burns towards the lower animals ; this is a true poetic instinct, and with him was unusually strong. The Ettri(5k Shepherd says, in a note to this poem: — "Burns must have been an exceed- ingly good and kind-hearted being ; for whenever he has occasion to address or mention any subordinate being, however mean, even a mouse or a flower, then there is a gentle pathos in his language that awakens the finest feelings of the heart.'' A GUID New- Year I wish thee, Maggie ! Hae, there 's a rip * to thy auld baggie : Though thou 's howe-backit now and knaggie,^ I 've seen the day Thou could hae gaen like ony staggie Out-owre the lay.^ Though now thou's dowie,'' stiff, and crazy. And thy auld hide 's as white 's a daisy, I 've seen thee dai^pl't, sleek, and glazie,^ A bonny gray : He should been tight that daur't to raize ^ thee, Ance in a day. I Eyes may shut. 2 Smoke. 3 Lose. •*- A handful of corn in the stalk. s Bent-l)acked and ridged, c Grass-field, 7 Low-spirited. 8 Shining. 9 Excite. 76 POEMS, [1786. Tliou auce was i' the foremost rank, A filly buirdly, steeve, and swank, ^ And set weel down a shapely shank, As e'er tread yird ; 2 And could hae flown out-owre a stank, ^ Like ony bird. It 's now some nine-and-twenty year. Sin' thou was my guid father's meer : He gied me thee, o' tocher ^ clear. And fifty mark ; Though it was sma', 'twas weel-won gear, And thou Avas stark. ^ When first I gaed to woo my Jenny, Ye then was trottin' wi' your minnie : ^ Though ye was trickie, slee, and funnie, Ye ne'er was donsi*? ; 7 But hamely, towie, quiet, and cannie,^ And unco sonsie.^ That day ye pranced wi' muckle pride When ye bure hame my bonny bride : And sweet and gracefu' she did ride, Wi' maiden air ! Kyle-Stewart* I could hae bragged ^^ wide, For sic a jjair. Though now ye dow but hoyte and hoble,^^ And wintle like a saumont-coble,^^ That day ye was a j inker ^^ noble. For heels and win' ! And ran them till they a' did wauble,i* Far, far, behin' ! When thou and I were young and skeigh,'' And stable-meals at fairs were dreigh,^^ How thou would prance, and snore and skreigh, And tak the road ! Town's bodies ran, and stood abeigh,^^ And ca't thee mad. When thou was corn't, and I was mellow, We took the road aye like a swallow : At Brooses^s thou had ne'er a fellow, For pith and speed ; But every tail thou pay't them hollow, Wliare'er thou gaed. » Stately, strong, active. 2 Earth. 3 Ditch. « Dowry. 6 Strong. 6 Mother. ' Mischievous. 8 Good-natured. 9 Engaging. 10 Challenged, n Can but limp and totter. 12 Twist like the ungainly boat used by salmon fishers. i3 Runner. 1* Stagger— being doae-up. " Mettlesome. le Lengthy. 17 Aside, 18 Wedding races. * The district between the Ayr and the Dooa. ^T. 28.] POEMS, 77 The sma* droop-rumpl't,^ hunter cattle, Might aiblins waur't thee for a brattle ; 2 But sax Scotch miles thou try*t their mettlo, And gar't them whaizle^ Nae whup nor spur, but just a wattle ^ O' saugh or hazle. Thou was a noble fittie-lan',^ As e'er in tug or tow was drawn ! Aft thee and I, in aught hours' gaun, In guid March weather, Hae tum'd sax rood beside our han', For days thegitlier. Thou never braindg't, and fech't, and fliskit,^ But thy auld tail thou wad hae whiskit,^ And spread abreed thy well-fill'd brisket, 8 Wi' pith and power, 'Till spritty knowes wad rair't and risket,^ And slypet owre. When frosts lay lang, and snaws were deep, And threaten'd labour back to keep, I gied thy cog ^^ a wee bit heap Aboon the timmer ; I kenn'd my Maggie wadna sleep For that, or simmer. In cart or car thou never reestit ; ^^ The steyest^2 i^^ae thou wad hae faced it ; Thou never lap, and sten't, and breastit,^^ Then stood to blaw ; But just thy step a wee thing hastitj^-* Thou snoov't awa. My pleugh is now thy bairn -time a' ; ^^ Four gallant brutes as e'er did draw ; Forbye sax mae, I Ve sell 't awa', That thou hast nurst : They drew me thretteen pund and twa, The vera warst. Mony a sair darg^^ we twa hae wrought, And wi' the weary warl' fought ! 1 Sloping-backed. 2 Might perhaps have beaten thee for a short race. « Wheeze. •* A switch. 6 The near horse of the hindmost pair in the plough. 6 Never pulled by fits or starts, or fretted. 7 Shaken. « Breast. » Till hard, dry hillocks would open with a cracking sound, the earth falling gently over. 10 Wooden measure. 11 Stopped. " 12 steepest. 13 Never leaped, reared, or started forward. 1* Quickened. 15 My plough team are all thy children. I8 Day's labour. '78 POEMS. [1786. And mony an anxious day I thought We v/ad be beat ! Yet here to crazy age we 're brought, Wi' something yet. And think na, my auld trasty servan', That now perhaj)s thou 's less deservin', And thy auld days may end in starvin', For my last fou, A heapit stimpart,i I '11 reserve ane Laid by for you. We 've worn to crazy years thegither ; We '11 toyte^ about wi' ane anither ; Wi' tentie care I '11 flit thy tether To some hain'd rig,' Whare ye may nobly rax* your leather. Wi' sma' fatigue. THE TWA DOGS. A TALE. Gilbert Burns says,— "The tale of 'The Twa Dogs' was composed after the resolu- tion of publishing was nearly taken. Robert had a dog, which he called Luath, that was a great favourite. The dog had been killed by the wanton cruelty of some person, the night before my father's death. Robert said to me that he s^hould like to confer such immortality as he could bestow on his old friend Luath, and that he had a great mind to introduce something into the book under the title of ' Stanzas to the Memory of a Quadruped Friend :' but this plan was given up for the poem as it now stands. Caesar was merely the crea- ture of the poet's imagination, created for the purpose of holding chat with his favourite Luath." The factor who stood for his portrait here was the same ot whom he writes to Dr Moore in 1787: — "My indignation yet boils at the scoundrel factor's insolent threatening letters, which used to set us all in tears." All who have been bred in country districts will have no diflBculty in finding parallels to the factor of the poem. Often illiterate and unfeeling, they think to gain the favour of the laird by an over-zealous pressure on poor but honest tenants, who, if gently treated, would struggle through their difficulties ■'TWAS in that place o' Scotland's isle, That bears the name o' auld King Coil,^ Upon a bonny day in June, When wearing through the afternoon, Twa dogs that werena thrang ^ at hame, Forgather'd ance upon a time. The first I '11 name, they ca'd him Caesar, Was keepit for his honour's pleasure; His hair, his size, his mouth, his lugs,^ Show'd he was nane o' Scotland's dogs ; 1 A measure of corn, the eighth part of a bushel. » Totter. * Suved ridge of gi'ass. ■* Stretch. * The vilddle disti'ict of Ayrshire. ■> Busy. 1 Bars. ^T. 28.] POEMS, 79 But wlialpit some place far abroad, "V^liere sailors gang to fish for cod. His locked, letter'd, braw brass collar Show'd him the gentleman and scholar ; BTT^^n/V^ bp. was o' high degree, He stamp a^u . .,^ |,ride had he; But wicf E^^"o^A"-^.,*i\^pur caressin', Even wi' a tinkler-gypsy's messan : ^ At kirk or market, mill or smiddie, Nae tawted ^ tyke, though e'er sae duddie,* But he wad stan't, as glad to see him, And stroan't ^ on stanes and hillocks wi' him. The tither was a ploughman's collie, A rhyming, ranting, roving billie, Wha for his friend and comrade had him, And in his freaks had Luath ca'd him, After some dog in Highland sang,* Was made lang syne — Lord knows how lang. He was a gash^ and faithfu' tyke. As ever lap a sheugh'' or dike. His honest, sonsie, baws'nt face,^ Aye gat him friends in ilka place. His breast was white, his touzie ^ back 'V^eel clad wi' coat o' glossy black ; His gaucie^^ tail, wi' upward curl. Hung o'er his hurdies^^ wi' a swirl. Nae doubt but they were fain o' ither,i3 And unco pack and thick ^^ thegither j Wi' social nose whyles snuff'd and snowkit,^* Whyles mice and moudie worts they howkitj^^* Whyles scoui-'d awa' in lang excursion, And worried ither in diversion ; Until wi' daffin'^6 weary grown, Upon a knowe^^ they sat them down, And there began a lang digression About the lords o' the creation. I 've often wonder'd, honest Luath, What sort o' life poor dogs like you have ; And when the gentry's life I saw. What way poor bodies lived ava. 1 A petty oath = " the devil a bit o'.» 2 Cur. 3 Matted and dirty. * Ragged. « Pissed. « Knowing. 7 Ditch. 8 His honest, comely, white-striped face. " Sliaggy. 10 Busliy. lA Hips. 12 Fond of each other. 18 Very interested and friendly. 1* Scented. 16 Sometimes for mice and moles they dug. i« Sporting. 17 HillocJc * CuchuUin's dog in Ossian's " Mngal."— 5 [lySe 80 POEMS. Our laird gets in his racked rents, His coals, his kain, and a' his stents ;* He rises when he likes himsel ; His flunkies answer at the bell ; He ca's his coach, he ca's his horse ; He draws a bonny silken "^^ V^hotili"^'-*' As lang 's my tail, . ^^u 's L^^ ^etit ^ V* .^cK The yellow-letter'c'\V/i*av j?ro i».«3cn.o; -' Frae mom to e'en it's nought but toiling, At baking, roasting, frying, boiling ; And though the gentry first are stechin,* Yet e'en the ha' folk fill their pechan^ Wi' sauce, ragouts, and siclike trashtrie, That's little short o' downright wastrie. Our whipper-in, wee, blastit wonner,^ Poor worthless elf, it eats a dinner Better than ony tenant man His honour has in a' the Ian' ; And what poor cot-folk pit their pair.ch in, I own it 's past my comprehension. Trowth, Ccesar, whyles they're fasht^ eneugh; A cotter howkin' in a sheugh,* Wi' dirty stanes biggin' a dike, Baring a quarry, and siclike ; Himsel, a wife, he thus sustains, A smytrie o' wee duddie weans,^^ And nought but his han' darg ^^ to keep Them right and tight in thack and rape.^^ And when they meet wi' sair disasters, Like loss o' health or want o' masters. Ye maist wad think, a wee touch langer, And they maun starve o' cauld and hunger : But how it comes I never kenn'd yet, They 're maistly wonderfu' contented : And buirdly chiels, and clever hizzies,^' Are bred in sic a way as this is. C2ESAR. But then to see how ye 're negleckit. How huff'd, and cufi'd, and disrespeckit ! Lord, man, our gentry care as little For delvers, ditchers, and sic cattle ; 1 His corn rents and assessments. 2 Stitches. s Glances. 4 StuGBng, 5 stomach. « Wonder, a contemptuous appellation » Paunch. « Troubled. » Digging in a ditch. 10 A number of ragged children. n Day's work. 12 Under a roof-tree — literally, thatch and rope. -^ Stalwart men and clerer women. /5T, 28 ] POEMS, 8t Tliey gang as saucy by poor folk As I wad by a stinkin' brock. ^ I 've noticed, on our laird's court-day, And mony a time my heart's been wae, Poor tenant bodies, scant o' cash, How they maun thole a factor's snash '^ He'll stamp and threaten, curse and swear^ He'll apprehend them," poind their gear; "While they maun staEr', 'wi' aspect humble, And hear it a', and fear and tremble! I see how folk live that hae riches ; But surely poor folk maun be wretches! They're no sae wretched 's ane wad think; Though constantly on poortith's^ brink : They're sae accustom'd wi' the sight, TLe ^ iew o't gies them little fright. Then chance and fortune are sae guided. They 're aye in less or mair provided ; And though fatigued wi* close employment, A blink o' rest's a sweet enjoyment. " The dearest comfort o' their lives, Their grushie"* weans and faithfu' wives; The prattling things are just their pride, That sweetens a' their fire-side; And whyles twalpennie worth o' nappy ^ Can mak the bodies unco happy ; • They lay aside their private cares, To mind the Kirk and State affairs : They '11 talk o' patronage and priests, \VT kindling fury in their breasts ; Or tell what new taxation's comin', And f erlie ^ at the folk in Lon'on. As bleak-faced Hallowmas returns. They get the jovial ranting kirns, ^ When rural life o' every station Unite in common recreation ; Love blinks, Wit slaps, and social Miith Forgets there 's Care upo' the earth. That merry day the year begins They bar the door on frosty win's ; The nappy reeks wi' mantling ream. And sheds a heart-inspiring steam ; Badgey. 2 Bear a factor's abuse. s Poverty. *■ Tlirivmg s Ale or whisky. « Wouder. ? Harvest-homes FOEMS. [17S6. The luntin pipe and sneeshin mill ^ Are handed round wi' right guid will ; The cantie '^ auld folks crackin' crouse,^ The young anes rantin' through the house, - My heart has been sae fain to see them, Tliat I for joy hae barkit wi' them. Still it 's owre true that ye hae said, Sic game is now owre aften play'd. There 's mony a creditable stock O' decent, honest, f awsont * folk. Are riven out baith root and branch, Some rascal's pridef u' greed to quench, Wha thinks to knit himsel the faster In favour wi' some gentle master, Wha aiblins** thrang a parliamentin' For Britain's guid his saul iudentin' — Haith, lad, ye little ken about it ; For Britain's guid! guid faith, I doubt it. Say rather, gaun as Premiers lead him ; And saying Ay or No's they bid him ; At operas and plays parading, Mortgaging, gambling, masquerading; Or maybe, in a frolic daft. To Hague or Calais taks a waft,^ To mak a tour, and tak a whirl, To learn hon ton, and see the worl*. There, at Vienna or Versailles, He rives his father's auld entails;'^ Or by Madrid he takes the route, To thrum guitars, and fecht wi' nowte;* Or down Italian vista startles, "Whore-hunting among groves 0' myrtles, Then bouses drumly German water. To mak himsel look fair and fatter. And clear the consequential sorrows, Love-gifts of Carnival signoras. For Britain's guid! — for her destruction ! "Wi* dissipation, feud, and faction! Hechman! dear sirs! is that the gate They waste sae mony a braw estate ! Are we sae foughten and harass'd For gear to gang that gate at last ! I The smoking pipe and snuff-box. 2 Cheerful. s Talking briskly. * Seemly. 6 Perhaps « A trip. r Break* th« entail on his estate. « See bull-fights. The cantie auld folks crackin' crouse, The youug anes rantin' through the house— My heart has been sae fain to see them, Thatlforjoyhaeharkitwi' them. _ „ „ ^ —The Twa Dogt, pane sa i£T 28 J POEMS. 83 Oil, would they stay aback fra courts, And please themsels wi' country sports. It wad for every ane be better, 'J'he Laird, the Tenant, and the Cotter! !For thae frank, rantin', rambim' billies, Fient haet o' them's ill-hearted fellows; Except for breakin' o' their timmer, Or speakin' lightly o' their limmer, Or shootin' o' a hare or moorcock, The ne'er a bit they're ill to poor folk. But will ye tell me, Master Caesar, Sure great folk's life 's a life o' pleasure ? Nae cauld nor hunger e'er can steer tht m, The very thought o't needna fear them. CiESAR. Loid, man, were ye but whyles whare I am, The gentles ye wad ne'er envy 'em. It 's true they needna starve nor sweat, Through winter's cauld, or simmer's heat ; They've nae sair wark to craze their banes, And fill auld age wi' grips and granes : ^ But human bodies are sic fools. For a' their colleges and schools. That when nae real ills j^erplex them. They mak enow themsels to vex them ; And aye the less they hae to sturt^ them, In like proportion less will hurt them. A country fellow at the pleugh. His acres till'd, he 's right eneugh ; A country girl at her wheel. Her dizzens done, she 's unco weel : But Gentlemen, and Ladies warst, AVi' evendown want o' wark are curst. Tiiey loiter, lounging, lank, and lazy; Tiiough deil haet^ ails them, yet uneasy; Their days insipid, dull, and tasteless; Their nights unquiet, lang, and restless ; And e'en their sports, their balls and races, Their galloping through public places, There 's sic parade, sic pomp and art, The joy can scarcely reach the heart. The men cast out in party matches. Then sowther^ a' in deep debauches; Ae night they 're mad wi' drink and whoring, Neist day their life is past enduring. »• Pains and groans. 2 Trouble. » Devil a thing. * Solder, 84 POEMS, [1786 The Ladies arm-in-arm in clusters, As great and gracious a' as sisters; But hear their absent thoughts o' ither. They're a' run deils and jads* thegitlier. Whyles, owre the wee bit cup and piatie, Tiiey sip the scandal potion pretty : Or lee-lang nights, wi' crabbit leuks, Pore owre the devil's pictured beuks; Stake on a chance a farmer's stackyard, And cheat like ony unhang'd blackguard, "'here's some exception, man and woman ; iJut this is Gentry's life in common. By this, the sun was out o' sight, And darker gloaming brought the night : The bum-clock 2 humm'd wi* lazy drone; The kye stood rowtin i' the loan . When up they gat, and shook their lugs, Rejoiced they werena men, but dogs; And each took aff his several way, Resplved to meet some ither day. TO A LOUSE, ON SEEING ONE ON A LADY'S BONNET AT CHURCH. Bums's fastidious patrons and patronesses sometimes ventured to lecture him on the homeliness and vulgarity of some of his themes. " The Address to a Louse" was a notable instance. The poet defended it on account of the moral conveyed, and he was right we think. He was ever impatient of criticism and suggestions ; and. judging from the kind of criticisms and suggestions frequeiUly offered to him, we may be glad tJiat^ he so freiiUeut.y followed his own judiiment. Ha ! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin' ferlie ! ' Your impudence protects you sairly : I camia say but ye strunt '♦■ rarely, Owre gauze and lace ; Though, faith, I fear ye dine but sparely On sic a place. Ye ugly, creepin', blastit wonner, Detested, shunn'd, by saunt and sinner, How dare ye set your fit upon her, Sae fine a lady ? Gae somewhere else, and seek your dinner On some jDOor body. Swith, in some beggar's haffet squattle ; * There ye may creep, and sprawl, and sprattle ® I A i4i(l(iy girl. 2 Beetle. 3 Wonder. 4 Strut, ii >Swift crawl in some beggar's hair. 6 ycranible. /£T. 28.] POEMS. 85 "Wi' ither kindred, jumping cattle, In shoals and nations ; Whare horn nor bane ne'er daur unsettle ^ Your thick plantations. Now hand you there, ye 're out o* sight, Eelow the fatt'rils,^ snug and tight ; Na, faith ye yet ! ye 11 no be right Till yeVe got on it, The very tapmost, towering height O' Miss's bonnet. My sooth ! right bj^uld ye set your nose out, As plump and gray as ony grozet : ^ Oh for some rank, mercurial rozet,* Or fell, red smeddum,® I'd gie you sic a hearty doze o't, Wad dress your droddum !^ I wadna been surprised to spy You on an auld wife's flannen toy ; "^ Or aiblins some bit duddie boy, On's wyliecoat ; 8 But Miss's fine Lunavdi ! * lie ! How daur ye do 't ? O Jenny, dinna toss your head, And set your beauties a' abread ! Ye little ken what cursdd speed The blastie's mnkin' I Thae winks and fuiger-ends, I dread, Are notice takin' ! Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us ! It wad frae mony a blunder free us. And foolish notion : "What airs in dress and gait wad lea'e us, \ And even devotion! j THE ORDIN-ATIOK. 'The Ordination" was written on the occasion of the admifision of the Rev. James Mackinlay as one of the ministers of the Laigh or parochial kirk of Kilmarnock, Mackinlay was a member of the "Auld-Licht" or orthodox school, to which the poet was opposed. The following by Mr Chambers will show how small a hold tLe moderate or liberal party had on the sympathies of 1 Where the hair is never* combed. 2 The ribbon-ends. 2 Gooseberry. 4 Uosin. 5 PowJer. 6 Breech. 7 Flannel cap. 8 Flannel waistcoat. * A kind of bonnet, at one time fashionable, called after an Italian aeronaut. 8^ POEMS, [17S6 the bulk of the people: — "There was a popular notion that Mr Lindsay had been indebted for his presentation from the patron, Lord Glenoairn, to his wife, Margaret Lauder, who was believed, but, I am assured erroneously, to have been his lordship's housekeeper. Mr Lindsay's induction, in 1764, wai so much in opposition to the sentiments of the people, that it produced a riot, attended by many outrages. Three young men who had distinguished them- selves by their violence, were whipped through Ayr, and imprisoned a month. These circumstances evoked from a shoemaker named Hunter, a scoflBng ballad, to which Burns alludes in the note marked thus t, below, and which may be found in the ' History of Kilmarnock,' by Archibald M'Kay : 1848." A tliird edition of Mr M'Kay's very interesting work was published recently ; and the account of Mr Lindsay's induction and "The Scoffing Ballad," will be found at pp. 119-128. " For sense they little owe to frugal Heaven — To please the mob, they hide the little given." Kilmarnock •wabster.s,^ fidge and claw, And pour your creeshie nations ; ^ And ye wha leather rax^ and draw, Of a' denominations,* Swith to the Laigh Kirk, ane and a', And there tak up your stations ; Then aff to Begbie s t in a raw. And pour divine libations For joy this day. Curst Common Sense, that imp o' hell, Cam in wi' Maggie Lauder ; % But Oliphant aft made her yell, And Kussell sair raisca'd her ; § This day Mackinlay taks the flail, And he 's the boy will blaud ^ her ! He '11 clap a shangan ^ on her tail, And set the bairns to daud ** her Wi' dirt this day. Mak haste and turn king David owre, And lilt wi' holy clangor ; O' double verse come gie us four, And skirl up the Bangor : This day the Kirk kicks up a stoure/ Nae mair the knaves shall wrang her, For Heresy is in her power. And gloriously she 11 whang ^ her Wi' pith this day. 1 Weavers. 2 Greasy crowds. s Stretch. 4 giap. 6 A cleft stick. 6 Bespatter. ' A dust. « Lash. * Kilmarnock was then a town of between three and four thousand inhabitnnts, most of whom were engaged in the manufacture of carpets and other coarse woollen goods, or in the preparation of leather. t A tavern near the church kept by a pei-son of this name. X Alluding to a scoffing ballad which was made on the admission of the late reverend and worthy Mr Lindsay to the Laigh Kirk. — B. § Oliphant and Russell were ministers of the Auld-Licht p.arty. «T. 28.] POEMS, 8j Come, let a proper text be read, And touch it aff wi' vigour, How graceless Ham * leugh at his dad, Which made Canaan a nigger ; Or Phinehasf drove the murdering blade, Wi' whore-abhorring rigour ; Or Zipporah,:}; the scauldin' jade, Was like a bluidy tiger I' the inn that day. There, try his mettle on the creed, And bind him down wi' caution, That stipend is a carnal weed He taks but for the fashion ; And gie him owre the flock to feed, And punish each transgression ; Especial, rams that cross the breed, Gie them sufficient threshin', Spare them nae day. Njjw, auld Kihnarnock, cock thy tail, And toss thy horns f u' canty ; ^ Nae mair thou 'It rowte ^ out-owre the dale, Because thy pasture's scanty ; For lapfu's large o' gospel kail ShaU till thy crib in plenty. And runts 3 o' gi-ace the pick and wale, No gien by way o' dainty, But ilka day. Nae mair by Babel's streams we '11 weep, To think upon our Zion ; And hing our fiddles up to sleep, Like baby-clouts a-dryin' ; Come, screw the pegs, wi' tunefu' cheep, And o'er the thaii-ms'' be tryin' ; Oh, rare ! to see our elbucks wheep,* And a' like lamb-tails flyin' Fu' fast this day 1 Lang, Patronage, wi' rod o* aim. Has shored^ the Kirk's undoin*, As lately Fenwick,§ sair forfaim,^ Has proven to its ruin : Our patron, honest man ! Glencairn, He saw mischief was brewin' ; And, like a godly elect bairn, He 's waled ^ us out a true ane. And sound this day. 1 Merry. 2 Low. 8 Cabbage stems. * Strings. * Elbo\v.s jerk. « Threatened. ' Menaced. 8 Chosen. * Grenesis ix. 22. f Numbers xxv. 8. % Exodus iv. 25. § Rev. William Boyd, minister of Fsnwick, whose settlement had been aisputed S3 POEMS, [1786 Now, Robinson,* harangue nae mair, But steek your gab^ for ever : Or try the wicked town of Ayr, For there they '11 think you clever ! Or, nae reflection on your leai, Ye may commence a shaver ; Or to the Nethertonf repair, And turn a carpet-weaver Aff-hand this day. Mutrie % and you were just a match, "We never had sic twa drones : Auld Hornie did the Laigh Kirk watch, Just like a winkin' baudrons : "^ And aye he catch'd the tither wretch, To fry them in his caudrons : But now his honour maun detach, Wi' a' his brimstone squadrons. Fast, fast this day. See, see auld Orthodoxy's faes She 's swingein' ^ through the city ; Hark, how the nine-tail'd cat she j^lays! I vow its unco pretty : There, Learning, with his Greekish face Grunts out some Latin ditty ; And Common Sense is gaun, she sa3\s. To mak to Jamie Beattie § Her plaint this day. But there *s Morality himsel, Embracing ail opinions ; Hear how he gies the tither yell, Between his twa companions ; See how she peels the skin and fell,"* As ane were i)eelin' onions ! Now there — they 're packed aff to hell, And banish'd our dominions Henceforth this day. O happy day ! rejoice, rejoice ! Come bouse about the porter ! Morality's demure decoys Shall here nae mair find quarter : Mackinlay, Russell, are the boys, That Heresy can torture, - Shut your mouth. « A cat. 8 Whipping. * The flesh under the skiik * The colleague of the newly-ordained clergyman — a moderate. \ A part of the town of Kilmarnock. + The deceased clergyman, whom Mr Mackin'ay succeeded I The well-known author of the «'E,ssay on Truth." iCT. 28.] POEMS, 89 Tjiey '11 gie her on a rape a hoyse,^ And cowe^ her measure shorter By the head some day. Come, bring the tither mutchkin in, And here 's, for a conclusion, To every New-Light * mother's son, From this time forth, Confusion : If mair they deave ^ us wi' their din, Or patronage intrusion, We '11 light a spunk,^ and, every skin. We '11 rin them aff in fusion, ' Like oil some day. ADDE,ESS TO THE UNCO GTJID, OK THE RIGIDLY RIGHTEOUS. This fine poem is a protest against a too ready judging of one's neighbour, and was no doubt suggested by the worrying attacks of petty minds who were in- capable of going below the surface, or of understanding his many-sided char- acter. The Ettrick Shepherd, in speaking of it, says, " Burns has written more irom his own heart and his own feelings than any other poet, of which this poem is an instance. With the secret fountains of passion in the human 8o;il he was well acquainted, and deeply versed in their mysteries. The last two verses are above all praise." " My son, these maxims make a rule, And lump them aye thegither ; The rigid righteous is a fool, The rigid wise anither ; The cleanest corn that e'er was dight May hae some pyles o' caff in ; So ne'er a fellow-creature slight For random fits o' daffin." — Solomok.— Eccles. vii. 16. O YE wha are sae guid yoursel, Sae pious and sae holy, Ye 've nought to do but mark and tell Your neibour's f auts and folly ! Whase life is like a weel-gaun mill. Supplied wi' store o' water, The heapet happer's ebbing still, And still the clap plays clatter. Hear me, ye venerable core. As counsel for poor mortals, 1 A swing in a rope. 2 Cut. s Deafen. * A matoh * "Now Light" is a cant phrase, in the west of Scotland, for those religious opinions which Dr Taylor of Norwich has defended so strenuously.— jB 90 POEMS. [1786. That frequent pass douce^ Wisdom's doer For glaikit^ Folly's portals ; I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes, Would here propone defences, Their donsie^ tricks, their black mistakes, Their failings and mischances. Ye see your state wi' theirs compared, And shudder at the niffer,* But cast a moment's fair regard, What maks the mighty differ ? Discount what scant occasion gave, That purity ye pride in, And (what's aft mair than a' the Lave) Your better art o' hiding. Think, when your castigated pulse Gies now and then a wallop. What ragings must his veins convulse, That still eternal gallop : Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail, Right on ye scud your sea-way ; Eut in the teeth o' baith to sail, It makes an unco lee-way. {See social life and glee sit down, All joyous and unthinking, Till, quite transmugrified,^ they 're grown Debauchery and drinking: Oh would they stay to calculate The eternal consequences : Or your more dreaded hell to state, Damnation of expenses ! Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames. Tied up in godly laces, Before ye gie poor frailty names. Suppose a change o' cases ; A dear-loved lad, convenience snug, A treacherous inclination — But, let me whisper i' your lug,® Ye 're aiblins ^ nae temptation. Tlien gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman ; Though they may gang a kennin'8 wrang, To step aside is human : One point must still be greatly dark, The moving why they do it : And just as lamely can ye mark How far perhaps they rue it. 1 Thoughtful. 2 Senseless. » Unlucky. » Comparison. 5 Transformed. « Ear, f Perhaps. • A little bit. ^T<28.] POEMS. 91 Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us ; lie knows each chord — its various tone. Each spring— its various bias : Tiien at the balance let 's be mute, We never can adjust it ; What 's done we partly may compute, But know not what 's resisted. THE INVENTORY. IN ANSWER TO A MANDATE BY THE SURVEYOR OF TAIXES. Mr Chambers says : — " The ' Inventory' was written in answer to a mandate sent by Mr Aiken of Ayr, the surveyor of windows, carnages, &c., for the district, to each farmer, ordering him to send a signed list of his horses, servants wheel-carriages, &c., and to state whether he was a married man or a bachelor and also the number of his children. The poem is chiefly remarkable for the information it gives concerning the farm, the household, and the habits ol Burns." Sir, as your mandate did request, 1 send you here a faithfu' lisb O' guids and gear, and a' my graith, To which I 'm clear to gie my aith. Imprimis, then, for carriage cattle, I hae four brutes o' gallant mettle. As ever drew afore a pettle.^ My han'-af ore's ^ a guid auld has-been, And wight and wilfu' a' his days been. My han'-ahin's"^ a weel-gaun filly. That aft has borne me hame frae Killie,* And your auld burro' mony a time, In days when riding was nae crime — But ance, when in my wooing pride, I, like a blockhead boost* to ride, The wilfu' creature sae I pat to, (Lord, pardon a' my sins, and that too!) I play'd my filly sic a shavie,^ She 's a' bedevil'd ^vi' the spavie. My fur-ahin's^ a worthy beast, As e'er in tug or tow was traced. The fourth's a Highland Donald hastie, A damn'd red-wud Kilburnie blastie ! Forbye a cowte,'' o' cowte's the wale,^ As ever ran afore a tail : 1 A plonch spade. 2 The foremost horse on the left-hand in the plough. 3 The hindmost horse on the left-hand in the plough. * Must needs. 5 A trick. 6 The hindmost horse on the right-hand in the plough ^ A colt, * Choice * Kilmaniock 9* POEMS, [17S6. If he be spared to be a beast, He '11 diaw me fifteen pun' at least. Wheel-carriages I hae but few, Three carts, and twa are feckly^ nev ; An auld wheelbarrow, mair for token Ae leg and baith the trams are broken ; I made a poker o' the spin'le, And my auld mither brunt the triale. For men, I Ve three mischievous boys, Ivun-deils for rantin' and for noise ; A gaudsman ane, a thrasher t'other ; Vfee Davoc bauds the nowte in f other. *^ 1 rule them, as I ought, discreetly, And aften labour them completely; And aye on Sundays duly, nightly, I on the question targe** them tightly, Till, faith, wee Davoc's turn'd sae gle.;,* Though scarcely langer than my leg, He '11 screed you aff Effectual Calling '"* As fast as ony in the dwalling. I've nane in female servan' station, (Lord, keep me aye frae a' temptation I) I hae nae wife, and that my bliss is, And ye hae laid nae tax on misses ; And then, if kirk folks dinna clutch me, I ken the devils darena touch me. "VVi' weans I'm mair than weel contented, ITeaven sent me ane mair than I wanted. ]\[y sonsie,* smirking, dear-bought Bess,t She stares the daddy in her face. Enough of ought you like but grace ; But her, my bonny sweet wee lady, I 've paid enough for her already. And gin ye tax her or her mither, B' the Lord ! ye'se get them a' thegitlier. And now, remember, Mr Aiken, Nae kind of licence out I 'm takin' ; Frae this time forth I do declare, I 'sc ne'er ride horse nor hizzie mair; Through dirt and dub f'^r life I'll paidle,** Ere I sae dear pay for a saddle ; My travel a' on foot I '11 shank ^ it, I've sturdy bearers, Gude be thankit. 1 Nearly. 2 Keeps the cattle in fodder. s Task. 4 So shai-p. » Comely. 6 Tramp. 1 Wiilk. * A leading question in the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly of divines. f A child born to the poet bv a female servant of his mother's. «T. 28.] POEMS, 93 The kirk and you may tak you that, It puts but little in your pat ; Sae dinna put me in your buke, Nor for my ten vhite shillings luko. This list wi' my ain hand I Ve wrote it, The day and date as under noted; Then know all ye whom it concerns, Suhscripsi mic, EoBERT Burns, MossGiEL, February 22, 1786. TO A MOUNTAIN DAISY, ON TURNING ONE DOWN -WITH THE PLOUGH IN AFRIL 1786. Wr Chambers says: — "The 'Mountain Daisy' was ccmposed, as the poet has related, at the plough. The field where he crushed the 'Wee, modest, crimson- tipped flower' lies next to that in which he turned up the nest of the mouse, and both are on the farm of Mossgiel, and still shown to anxious inquirers by the neighbouring peasantry." Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower, Thou 's met me in an evil hour; For I maun crush amang the stoure ^ Thy slender stem : To spare thee now is past ray power, Thou bonny gem. Alas ! it 's no thy neibor sweet, The bonny lark, companion meet. Bending thee 'mang the dewy weet, Wi' speckled breast. When upward si^ringing, blithe, to greet, The purpling east. Cauld blew the bitter-biting north Upon thy early, humble, birth ; Yet cheerfully thou glinted'^ forth Amid the storm. Scarce rear'd above the parent earth Thy tender form. The flaunting flowers our gardens yield, High sheltering woods and wa's maun shield ; But thou, beneath the random bield ^ O' clod or stane, Adorns the histie'* stibble-field, Unseen, alane. 1 Dust. 2 Peeped. 8 Shelter. * Barren. 94 POEMS, [17.S6. There, in thy scanty mantle clad, Thy snawie bosom sun-ward spread, Thou lifts thy unassuming head In humble guise ; But now the share uptears thy bed. And low thou lie.i ! Such is the fate of artless maid, Sweet floweret of the rural shade ! By love's simplicity betray 'd. And guileless trust, Till she, like thee, all soil'd, is laid Low i' the dust. Such is the fate of simple bard, On life's rough ocean luckless starr'd I Unskilful he to note the card Of prudent lore, Till billows rage, and gales blow hard, And whelm him o'er ! V Such fate to suffering worth is given, Who long with wants and woes has striven, By human pride or cunning driven. To misery's brink. Till, wrench'd of every stay but Heaven, He, ruin'd, sink ! Even thou who mourn'st the Daisy's fate, That fate is thine — no distant date ; Stern Ruin's ploughshare drives, elate, Full on thy bloom, TUl, crush'd beneath the furrow's weight, Shall be thy doom ! LAMENT, OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE OF A FRIEND's AMOUR. After mentioning the appearance of "Holy "Willie's Prayer," which alai-med the kirk-session so much that they held several meetings to look over their spir- itual artillery, if haply any of it might be pointed against profane rhymers. Burns states: — " Unluckily for me, my wanderings led me on another side, witliin point-blank shot of their heaviest metal. This is the unfortunate story that gave rise to my printed poem ' The Lament.' This was a most melancholy affair, which I cannot yet bear to reflect on. and had veiy neai'ly given me one or two of the principal qualificat'ons for a place among those who have lost the charter, and mistaken the reckoning of rationality, t had been for some days skulking from covert to covert, under all the terrors of a jail ; as some ill- advised i>eople had uncoupled the merciless pack of the law at my heeltJ. I had taken the last farewell of my few friends ; my chest was on the road to Greenock ; I had composed the last song I should ever measure in Caledonia, • The Gloomy Night is Gathering Fast,' when a letter from Dr Blacklock to a -r-T. 28.] POEMS. 95 friend of mine overthrew all my schemes, by opening new pi'Otpects to my poetic ambition." "It is scarcely necessary," Gilbert Burns says, "to mention that 'The l^ament' was composed on that unfortunate passage in his matrimonial historj which I have mentioned in my letter to Mrs Dunlop, [alluding to his connexion with Jean Armour.] After the- first distraction of his feelings had subsided, that connexion could no longer be concealed. Robert durst not engage with a family in his poor unsettled state, but was anxious to shield his partner by every means in his power, from the consequences of their imprudence. It was agreed, therefore, between them, that they should make a legal acknowledg- ment of an irregular and private marriage : that he fy brats E'en thigger 1 at your doorsi aijd yeb^f*,- Flaffan wi' duds and gray wi' beas',-^ Frightin' avva' your deucks and geese, Get out a horsewhiiD or a jowler,^ The langest thong, the fiercest growler, And gar ^ the tatter'd gypsies pack Wi' a' their bastards on their back ! Go on, my lord ! I lang to meet you, And in my house at hame to greet you ; AYi' common lords ye shanna mingle, The benmost neuk ^ beside the ingle," At my right han' assign'd your seat, 'Tween Herod's hip and Polycrate, — Or if you on your station tarrow,^ Between Almagro and Pizarro, A seat, I 'm sure ye 're weel deserviu^t ; And till ye come — Your humble servant, Beelzescb. Jw/ielii, ^nnoil/wncZi, 3790 [a.d. 1786.] A DREAM. The publication of "The Dream" in the Edinburgh edition of the poems, a^ cording to many, did much to injure the poet with the dispensers of (Jovern- ment patronage. Mrs Dunlop and others endeavoured in vain to prevent it^- publication. The free-spoken and humorous verses of Burns contrast oddly with the servile ode of Warton, which Burns represents himself as having fallen asleep in reading. "Thoughts, words, and deeds, the statute blames with reason ; But surely dreams were ne'er indicted treason." On reading in the public papers the Laureate's "Ode," * with the other parade of June 4, 1786, the author was no sooner dropt asleep than he imagined himself transported to the birthday levee; and in his dreaming fancy made the follow- ing Address.— Burns. Guid-mornin' to your Majesty ! May Heaven augment your blisces, On every new birthday ye see, A humble poet wishes ! 1 Beg. 2 Gates. 3 Fluttering in rags and gray with vermin, ■t A dog. « Make. « The innermost co):ner. 7 Fire-place. " 8 Complain. * Thomas Wai-ton then filled this office. His ode for June 4, 1786, begins as follows :— "When Freedom nm'sed her native fire lu ancient Greece, and ruled the lyre. Her bards disdainful, from the tyrant's orow, The tinsel gifts of flattery tore, But paid to guiltless power their willing vow, And to the throne of virtuous kings," &c. On the?'e verses, the rhymes of the Ayrshire bard must be allowed to form an odd euough comnieutary. — Chambrrs. fO«' ' ''^ ..'<*.,' POEMS. [1786. '• \ /; ', i " 1 . Jrly b^r^liip here, at your levee, ' ''^ « .^ ' '« ' ' 'On siu a day' as this is. Is sure an uncouth sight to see, Among thae birthday dresses Sae fine this day. I see ye 're complimented thrang, By many a lord and lady ; *'God save the king" 's a cuckoo sang That 's unco easy said aye ; The poets, too, a venal gang, Wi' rhymes weel-turn'd and ready, "Wad gar ye trow ^ ye ne'er do wrung, But aye unerring steady. On sic a day. For me, before a monarch's face, Even there I winna flatter ; For neither pension, post, nor place, Am I your humble debtor : So, nae reflection on your grace, Your kingship to bespatter ; There 's mony waur ^ been o' the race. And aiblins ^ ane been V)etter Than you this day. 'Tis very true, my sovereign king, My skill may weel be doubted : But facts are chiels that winna ding,* And downa^ be disputed : Your royal nest, beneath your wing, Is e'en right reft and clouted,^' And now the third part of the string. And less, will gang about it Than did ae day.* Far be 't f rae me that I aspire To blame your legislation. Or say, ye wisdom want, or fire, To rule this mighty nation ! But, faith ! I muckle doubt, my sire. Ye 've trusted ministration To chaps,^ wha, in a barn or byre, Wad better fill'd their station Than courts yon day. And now ye 've gien auld Britain j)eace, Her broken shias to plaister : i "^ bwld make you believe. 2 Many worse. » Perhaps. ■* Bpat. 6 Will not. c Broken and patched. 7 Fellows. * In this verse the poet alludes to the immense curtailment of the Brifsh dominion at the close of the American war, and the cession of the teiTitory of Louisiana to Spain. CT. 18.] POEMS, 103 Your sair taxation does her fleece, Till she has scarce a tester : For me, thank God, my life 's a lease, Nae bargain wearing faster, Or, faith ! I fear that wi' the geese, I shortly boost ^ to pasture r the craft some day. I 'm no mistrusting "W.'Uie Pitt, When taxes he enlarges, (And Will's a true guid fallow's get, ** A name not envy spairges, ) ^ That he intends to pay your debt, And lessen a' your charges ; !Uiit, God-sake ! let nae saving fit Abridge your bonny barges f " And boats this day. Adieu, my liege ! may Freedom geek * Beneath your high protection ; And may you rax * Corruption's neck, And gie her for dissection ! But since I 'm here, I '11 no neglect, In loyal, true affection, To pay your queen, with due respect, My fealty and subjection This great birthday. ITail, Majesty Most Excellent ! While nobles strive to please ye. Will ye accept a compliment A simple poet gies ye ? Thae bonnie bairn-time,^ Heaven has lent, Still higher may they heeze^ yo Tn bliss, till fate some day is sent. For ever to release ye Frae care that day. For you, young potentate o' Wales, I tell your Highness fairly, Down pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails, ^ I 'm tauld ye 're diiving rarely ; But some day ye may gnaw your nails, And curse your folly sairly, 1 Behoved. 2 Bespatters. ^ L'ft her head. 4 Stretch. 6 Children. « ilaise. * Gait, jrett, or pyte, a homely substitute for the word child in Scotland The above stanza is not the only testimony of admiration which Bm-ns pays to the great Earl of Chatham. t On the supplies for the navy being voted, spring 1788, Captain Macbride counselled some clianges in that force, particularly the giving upof 64-gun ships, which occasioned a good deal of discussion. 104 POEMS, [J 786. That e'er ye brak Diana's pales, Or rattled dice wi' Charlie,* By night or day. Yet aft a ragged cowte's^ been known To mak a noble aiver ;2 So, ye may doucely ^ fill a throne, For a' their clish-ma-claver ; ^ There, him at Agincourt f wha shone, Few better were or braver : And yet, wi funny, queer Sir John, J He was an unco shaver ^ For mony a day. For you, right reverend Osnaburg,§ Nane sets the lawn-sleeve sweeter, Although a ribbon at your lug AVad been a dress completer : As ye disown yon paughty^ dog That bears the keys o' Peter, Then, swith ! and get a wife to hug. Or, trouth I ye '11 stain the mitre Some luckless day. Young, royal Tarry Breeks, II I learn. Ye 've lately come athwart her ; A glorious galley,^ stem and stern, Weel rigg'd for Venus' barter \ But first hang out, that she'll discern, Your hymeneal charter, Then heave aboard your grapple-aim, And, large upon her quarter. Come full that day. Ye, lastly, bonny blossoms a'. Ye royal lasses dainty. Heaven mak you guid as weel as braw. And gie you lads a-plenty : lUit sneer na British boys awa', For kings are unco scant aye ; '^ And German gentles are but sma'. They 're better just than want aye On ony day. God bless you a' ! consider no^> ' Ye 're unco muckle dautit ; ^ ^ Colt. 2 Horse. » Wisely. < Idle scandal. 9 A humorous >Yag. <» Haughty. 7 Always scavce. ^ Too much flattered ♦ The Right Hon. Charles James Fox. f King Henry V.— J5 t Sir John F<'ilstaff— ride Shake.speare.— .B. § The Duke of York. ii Willitim IV., then Duke of Clarence. •[if Alluding to the uew-spuper account of a certain royal Siiilor's amour. virr. 28.] POEMS. 105 But ere the course o' life be through, It may be bitter sautit : ^ And I hae seen their coggie fu','^ That yet hae tarrow't ^ at it ; But or the day was done, I trow. The laggen they hae clautit * Fu" clean that day. THE HOLY FAIK* This is by far the ablest of the satires Bums levelled at the Church ; and his worst enemies could not avoid confessing that it was as well deserved as it was clever. Scenes such as the poet describes had become a scandal and a dis- grace to the Church. The poem was met by a storm of abuse from his old enemies ; but, amid all their railings, they did not fail to lay it to heart, and from that time forward there was a manifest improvement in the bearing of ministers and people on such occasions. This is not the least of its merits in the eyes of his countrymen of the present day. Notwithstanding the daring levity of some of its allusions and incidents, the poet has strictly confined him- self to the sayings and doings of the assembled multitude— the sacred rite itself is never once mentioned. Open-air sacramental services, conducted in the presence of huge mobs, are not uncommon, we believe, at the present day in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The writer of this has witnessed several such. Twenty years ago, he remembers being present at a huge gathering of the kind, the population of half a county being collected together, many having come a distance of more than twei^ty miles — some on foot, others on horseback, in gigs, and carts. During the early part of the day, decorum was pretty well maintained, but towards the afternoon the crowd kept moving backwards and forwards, as if at a country fair. Bands of lads and lasses, and douce, sober seniors, were more intent on go.:sip and enjoying the refreshments, which the great majority had brought with them in abundance, than in listening to the exhausted ministers. Bound the outskirts of the great crowd, knots of people were squatted on the grass, gossiping freely about family and country matters, while " the luntia pipe" went from mouth to mouth, men and women smoking vigorously, and " the sneeshin' mill" passed from hand to hand. By the rural population, even when the services are conducted decorously in the church, the Sacramental Sabbath is looked forward to as a day when friends and acquaintances will meet who have seldom more than two or three such opportunities in a year. The audience is not confined to the parish in which the celebration takes place, many people attending the communion from a dozen neighbouring parishes. The preaching season, as it is sometimes termed, is a period of excitement to the preachers as well as the people, many of them relishing the opportunity the season gives of exercising their eloquence in a new scene. There was no drinking observable during the services ; but in the evening the change-housea of the various villages throughout the district presented no very edifyin^j spectacle. •' A robe of seeming truth and trust Hid crafty observation ; And secret hung, with poison'd crust, The dirk of Defamation : 1 Salted. 2 Platter full. 8 Grumbled. •* They have scraped out the dish. * Holy Fair is a common phrase in the west of Scotland for a sacramental oc casiou. — B, To6 POEMS. [1 784 A mask that like the gorget show'd, Dye-varying on the pigeon ; And for a mantle, large and broad, He wrapt him in Religion."— ir?/poo\'s2/ h la-Mode. Upon a simmer Sunday morn, AVhen Nature's face is fair, I walked forth to view the com, And snuff the caller ^ air. The rising sun owre Galston* muirs, Wi' glorious light was glintin' ;2 The hares were hirplin^ down the furs,** The lav'rocks they were chantin' Fu' sweet that day. As lightsomely I glower'd** abroad, To see a scene sae gay, Three hizzies,^ early at the road, Cam skelpin' up the way; Twa had manteeles o' dolefu' black. But ane wi' lyart^ lining ; The third, that gaed a-wee a-back, Was in tlie fashion shining Fu' gay that day. The twa appear'd like sisters twin, In feature, form, and claes ; Their visage, wither'd, lang, and thin, And sour as ouy slaes : The third cam up, hap-step-and-lowp. As light as ony lambie. And wi' a curchie low did stoop. As soon as e'er she saw me, Fu' kind that day. Wi' bonnet aff, quoth I, "Sweet lass, I think ye seem to ken me ; I 'm sure I Ve seen that bonny face. But yet 1 canna name ye. '* Quo' she, and laughin' as she spak, And taks me by the hands, *' Ye, for my sake, hae gien the feck * Of a' the ten commands A screed some day. *' My name is Fun — your crony dear, The nearest friend ye hae ; And this is Superstition here. And that 's Hypocrisy. * 1 Fresh. 2 Glancing. » Limping. * Fim-ows. * Looked. 6 Wenches. ^ Gray. ^ Most. * The adjoining parish to TSLauchlino. MT, 28.] POEMS, 107 I 'm gaun to Maucliline holy fair, To spend an hour in daffi n' ; ^ Gin ye '11 go there, yon runkled pair, "We will get famous laughin', At them this day." Quoth I, "With a' my heart, I'll do't, I '11 get my Sunday's sark^ on, And meet you on the holy spot ; Faith, we 'se hae fine remarkin' ! '* Then I gaed hame at crowdie-time,-* And soon I made me ready ; For roads were clad, frae side to side, Wi' mony a weary body. In droves that day. Here farmers gash,^ in ridin' graith,-'' Gaed hoddin'^ by their cotters ; There, swankiesT" young, in braw braid claith, Are springin' owre the gutters ; The lasses, skelpin' barefit, thrang, In silks and scarlets glitter ; Wi' sweet-milk cheese, in mony a whang,^ And farls,^ baked wi' butter, Fii' crump that day. AVhen by the plate we set our nose, AVeel heaped up wi' ha'pence, A greedy glower Black-bonnet * throws, And \W3 maun draw our tippence. Then in we go to see the show. On every side they're gath'rin*. Some carrying dails,^^ some chairs and stools, And some are busy bleth'rin' ^^ Kight loud that day. Kere stands a shed to fend the showers, And screen our country gentry, There Racer Jess,t and twa4hree whores, Are blinkin' at the entry. 1 Sport. 2 Shirt, » Breakfast-time. •* Sensible. 6 Att"r.\ c Jogging. 7 Striplings. « Cut. 9 Cakes. 10 Planks, or boards, to sit on. ii Chatting. * A colloquial appellation bestowed on the church elders or deacons, who in landward parishes in the olden time generally wore black bonnets on Sundays, when tiiey officiated at " the plate" in making the usual collection for the poor. — MOTHERAVELL. t The following notice of Racer Jess appeared in the newspapers of February 1818 :— "Died at Mauchline a few weeks since, Janet Gibson, consigned to im- mortality by Burns in his * Holy Fair,' under tlie turf appellation of 'Racer Jess.' She was the daughter of 'Poosie Nansie,' who figures in 'The Jolly Beggars.' She was remarkable for her pedestrian powers, and sometimes ran long distances for a wager." J"o8 POEMS. [1786. Here sits a raw of tittlin' ^ jades, Wi' heaving breast and bare neck, And there a batch o' wabster lads, Blackguarding frae Kilmarnock, Eor fun this day. Here, some are thinkin' on their sins. And some upo' their claes ; Ane curses feet that fyled ^ his shins, Anither sighs and prays : On this hand sits a chosen swatch, ^ Wi' screw'd-up, grace-proud faces ; On that a set o' chaps at watch, Thrang winkin' on the lasses To chairs that day. ^ Oh, happy is that man and blest ! ^^ Nae wonder that it pride him ! AVhase ain dear lass, that he likes best, Comes clinkin' down beside him ! Wi* arm reposed on the chair-back, He sweetly does compose him ; ^Vhich, by degrees, slips round her neck, An's loof ■* upon her bosom, Unkenn'd that day. Now a* the congregation o'er Is silent expectation : For Moodie * speels ^ the holy door, Wi' tidings o' damnation. Should Hornie, as in ancient days, 'Mang sons o' God present him. The vary sight o' Moodie's face To 's ain het hame had sent him Wi' fright that day. Hear how he clears the points o' faith Wi' rattlin' and wi' thumpin' ! Now meekly calm, now wild in wrath, Ho 's stampin' and he 's jumpin' ! His lengthen'd chin, his turn'd-up snout. His eldritch^ squeal, and gestures, Oh, how they fire the heart devout. Like cantharidian plasters. On sic a day ! 1 Whispering. 2 Soiled. 3 Snmple. * Hand. 6 Climbs. ^ L'neai-tbJy. * Moodie was the minister of Kiccarton, and one of the heroes of " The Twa Herds." He was a never-failing assistant ft the Mauchline sacraments. His personal appearance and style of oratory were exactly such as described by the poet. He dwelt chiefly on the terrors of the law. On one occasion, he told the audience that they would find the text in John viii. 44, but it was so applicable to their case that there was no need of his reading it to them. The verse begins, " Yc are of your father the devil." JET 20.] POEMS, 109 But, hark ! the tent has changed its voice ! There 's peace and rest nae langer : For a' the real judges rise, ~ They canna sit for anger. Smith* opens out his cauld harangues On practice and on morals ; And aff the godly pour in thrangs, To gie the jars and barrels A lift that day. What signifies his barren shine Of moral powers and reason ? His English style, and gesture fine, Are a' clean out o' season. Like Socrates or Antonine, Or some auld pagan heathen, The moral man he does define. But ne'er a word o' faith in That *s right that day. In guid time comes an antidote Against sic poison'd nostrum ; For Peebles, frae the Water-fit, f Ascends the holy rostrum : See, up he 's got the AVord o' God, And meek and niimi has view'd it, While Common Sense % has ta'en the road, And's aff and up the Cowgate,§ Fast, fast, that day. Wee Miller il neist the guard relieves. And orthodoxy raibles,^ Though in his heart he weel believes And thinks it auld wives' fables: I Primly. 2 Rattles. * Mr (aftenvaWs Dr) George Smith, minister of Galston— the same whom the poet introduces, in a different feeling, under the appellation of Irvine-side, in "The Kirk's Alarm." Burns meant on this occasion to compliment him on his rational mode of preaching, but the reverend divine regarded the stanza as satirical. t The Rev. Mr (afterwards Dr) William Peebles, minister of Newton-upon- Ayr, sometimes named, from its situation, tlie Water-fit, and the moving hand in the prosecution of Dr M'Gill, on which account he is introduced into "The Kirk's Alarm." He was in great favour at Ayr among the orthodox party, though much inferior in ability to the heterodox ministers of that ancient burgh. X Dr Mackenzie, then of Mauchline, afterwards of Irvine, had recently con- ducted some village controversy under the title of " Common Sense." Some local commentators are of opinion that he, and not the personijQed abstraction, is meant. § A street so called which faces the tent in Mauchline. — B. The game street in which Jean Armour lived. II The Rev. Mr Miller, afterwards minister of Kilmaurs. He was of remark -ably low stature, but enormous girth. Burns believed him at the time to lean at heart to the moderate party. This stanza, virtually the mo-t depreciatory in the whole poem, is said to have retarded Miller's advancement. no POEMS. [1786. But, faith ! the birkie wants a manse, So, cannily he hums them ; Although his carnal wit and sense Like hafflins-ways^ o'ercomes him At times that day. Now but and ben the change-house fills Wi' yill-cauj) commentators : Here's crying out for bakes ^ and gills, And there the pint-stoup clatters ; While thick and thrang, and loud and lang, Wi' logic and wi' Scripture, Tliey raise a din, that, in the end, Is like to breed a mpture O' wrath that day. Lceze me on drink ! it gies U3 mair - Than either school or college : It kindles wifc, it waukens lair. It pangs 3 us fou o' knowledge. Ee 't whisky gill, or penny wheep, Or ony stronger potion, It never fails, on drinking deep, To kittle ^ ui> our notion By night or dr.,y. The lads and lasses, blithely bent. To mind baith saul and body. Sit round the table weel content, And steer about the toddy. On this ane's dress, and that ane's leuk, They're making observations ; AVhile some are cozie i' the neuk,-^ And forming assignations To meet some day. . But now the Lord's ain trumpet touts, Till a' the hills are rarin'. And echoes back return the shouts, Black Russell* is na sparin' ; His piercing words, like Highland swords, Divide the joints and marrow; His talk o' hell, whare devils dwell; Our vera sauls does harrow t AVi' fright that day. 1 Like hafflins-ways = almost. 2 Biscuits. 3 Crams. < Rouse. <* Snug in the comer. * The Rev. John Russell, at this time minister of the chapel of ease, Kilmar- nock, afterwards minister of Stirling— one of the heroes of "The Twa Herds " <• He was." says a correspondent of Cunningham's, " the most tremendous man I ever saw : Black Hugh Macpherson was a beauty in comparison. His voice Avas like thunder, and his sentiments were such as must have shocked any class of hearers in the least more refined than those whom he usually addressed " t Sliakespeare's "Hamlet."— 5. .«T. 28.] FOEMS, m A vast, unbottom'd, boundless ])it, Fill'd f u' o' lowin' brunstane, Whase ragin' flame, and scorchin' heat. Wad melt the hardest whunstane ! The half -asleep start up wi' fear, And think they hear it roarin', Wlien presently it does appear 'Twas but some neibor snorin' Asleep that day. 'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell How mony stories past. And how they crowded to the yill AVhen they were a' dismist: How drink gaed round, in cogs and caups, Among the forms and benches : And cheese and bread, frae women's laps, "Was dealt about in lunches. And dauds^ that day In comes a gaucie,^ gash^ guidwife, And sits down by the fire, Syne draws her kebbuck* and her knife; The lasses they are shyer. The auld guidmen, about the grace, Frae side to side they bother, Till some ane by his bonnet lays. And gies them't like a tether, Fu' lang that day. Waesucks 1^ for him that gets nae lass, Or lasses that hae naething ! Sma' need has he to say a grace, Or melvie^ his braw claithing! O wives, be mindfu' ance yersel How iaonny lads ye wanted, And dinna, for a kebbuck-heel,^ Let lasses be affronted On sic a day! Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin' tow. Begins to jow and croon; 8 Some swagger han^e, the best they dow,® Some wait the afternoon. At slaps 1^ the billies ^^ halt a blink. Till lasses strip their shoon: Wi' faith and hope, and love and drink, They 're a' in famous tune For crack that day. t Lumps. 2 Fat. » Sagacious. •* Cheese. » Alns. «Soil. 7 Cheese-crust. 8 Sin? and groan, » Can. "^ Breaches in fences. ii Lads. POEMS, [1786, How mony hearts this day converts O' sinners and o' lasses ! Their hearts o' stane, gin night, are gane, As saft as ony flesh is. There 's some are f ou o' love divine ; There's some are fou o' brandy; And mony jobs that day begin May end in houghmagandy Some ither day. VERSES O^ A SCOTCH BARD, GONE TO THE WEST INDIES. The following playfully personal lines were written by the poet when he thought he was about to leave the country in 1186 for Jamaica :— A' YE wha live by sowps o' drink, A' ye wha live by crambo-clink, » A' 3 6 wha live and never think, Come, mourn wi' me! Our billie 's gien us a' a jink,'^ And owre the sea. Lament him a' ye rantin' core, AV ha dearly like a random splore,^ Nae mair he'll join the merry roar In social key; For now he's taken anither shore, And owre the seal The bonny lasses weel may wiss him. And in their dear petitions place him : The widows, wives, and a' may bless him, Wi' tearf u' ee ; For weel I wat* they '11 sairly miss him That 's owre the sea ! O Fortune, they hae room to grumble ! Hadst thou ta'en aff some drowsy biimmlo • Wha can do nought but fyke and fumble, « 'Twad been nae plea; But he was gleg'' as ony wumble,^ That 's owre the sea ! Auld cantie Kyle may weepers wear. And stain them wi' the saut, saut tear ; | .^ Vci-.sifyinsi. 2 " Our friend has eluded us." 3 Frolic. 4 U > U I know' Bungler. 6 "Make a fuss." 7 Sharp. 8 Wimble. /ET. 28.] POEMS. \ 13 *Twill make lier poor auld heart, I fear. Id flinders ^ flee ; He was her laureate mony a year, That 's owre the sea I He saw misfortune's cauld nor*-west Lang mustering up a bitter blast; A jillet^ brak his heart at last, 111 may she be ! So, took a berth afore the mast, And owre the sea. To tremble under Fortune's cummock,^ On scarce a bellyfu' o' drummock,^ Wi' his proud, independent stomach. Could ill agree ; So, row't his hurdies^ in a hammock. And owre the sea. He ne'er was gien to great misguiding, Yet coin his pouches ^ wadna bide in ; Wi' him it ne'er was under hiding : He dealt it free : The Muse was a' that he took pride in That 's owre the sea- Jamaica bodies, use him weel, And hap him in a cozie biel ; ^ Ye '11 find him aye a dainty chiel,^ And fu' o' glee ; He wadna wrang the very deil. That 's owre the sea, Fareweel, my rhyme-composing billie I Your native soil was right ill-wLUie ; But may ye flourish like a lily. Now bonnilie ! I '11 toast ye in my hindmost gillie ® Though owre the sea ! A BARD'S EPITAPH. Of this beautiful epitaph, which Burns wrote for himsslf, Wordsworth says,— "Here is a sincere and solemn avowal — a public declaration from his own will— a confession at once devout, poetical, and human — a history in the shape: 0* a prophecy 1 " Is there a whim-inspirfed fool, Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, 1 Shreds. 2 j-it, 3 Rod. •* :Meal and water. 5 Wrapt his hams. 6 Pockets. 7 Warm shelter. « Kindly fellow. » My last gill. IT4 POEMS, [178^^ Owre blate ^ to seek, owre proud to snool ? ' Let him draw near ; And owre this grassy heap sing dool,* And drap a tear. Is there a bard of rustic song, "Who, noteless, steals the crowds among. That weekly this area throng ? Oh, pass not by ! But. with a f rater-feeling strong, Here heave a sigh. Is there a man, whose judgment clear Can others teach the course to steer, Yot runs himself life's mad career Wild as the wave ? iieie pause — and, through the starting tear, Survey this grave. Tiie poor inhabitant below A\'as quick to learn, and wise to know. And keenly felt the friendly glow. And softer flame ; But thoughtless foUies laid him low, And stain'd his name ! Reader, attend — whether thy soul Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, Or darkling grubs this earthly hole. In low pursuit ; Know, prud ent, ca utioua .self-control '"^ ^ Is wisdom s root. A DEDICATION TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ. fn the following dedication of his poems to his friend, Gavin Hamilton, the poet does not merely confine himself to characterising that generous-natured man, but takes the opportunity of throwing out some parting sarcasms at orthodoxy and its partisans : — Expect na, sir, in this narration, A fleechin',* fleth'rin' ^ dedication. To roose^ you up, and ca you guid. And sprung o' great and noble bluid, Because ye 're surnamed like his Grace ; Perhaps related to the race ; Then when I'm tired, and sae are ye, "Wi' mony a fulsome, sinfu' lie, Set up a face, how I stop short. For fear your modesty be hurt, , 1 Bashful. i Be obseqaii>i.j. 8 Lamentation. * Flattering 6 Fawning « Praise. .ET. 28.] POEMS, IIU' This may do—maun do, sir, wi' them wba ]\Iaun please the great folks for a wamefu';^ For me ! sae laigh ^ I needna bow, For, Lord be thankit, I can plough ; And when I downa '^ yoke a naig. Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg ; Sae I shall say, and that's nae flatterin', Its just sic poet, and sic patron. The poet, some guid angel help him, Or else, 1 fear, some ill ane skelp ^ him. He may do weel for a' he's done yet, But only — he's no just began yet. The patron, (sir, ye maun forgie me, I winna lie, come what will o' me, ) On every hand it will allow'd be. He's just — nae better than he should bo. I readily and freely grant, He downa see a poor man want ; What's no his ain he winna tak it, What ance he says he winna break it ; Ought he can lend he '11 no refus 't, Till aft his guidness is abused ; And rascals whyles that do him wrang, Even that he doesna mind it lang : As master, landlord, husband, father, He doesna fail his i)art in either. But then nae thanks to him for a' that j l^^ae godly symptom ye can ca' that ; It 's nae thing but a milder feature Of our poor sinfu', corrupt nature : Ye '11 get the best o' moral works, 'Mang black Gentoos and pagan Turks, Or hunters wild on Ponotaxi, Wha never heard of orthodoxy. That he's the poor man's friend in need, The gentleman in word and deed. It's no through terror of damnation; It's just a carnal inclination. Morality, thou deadly bane, Thy tens o' thousands thou hast slain ! Vain is his hope whose stay and trust is In moral mercy, ti-uth, and justice ! No — stretch a point to catch a plack;^ Abuse a brother to his back ; 1 Bellyful * Low. 3 Cannot. 4 Beat. 6^ coin=thk-(l part of a pcnn/. rr6 POEMS. [17S6 Steal through a wirnock^ frae a whore But point the rake that taks the door ; Be to the poor like ony whuustane, And haud their noses to the gruustane, Ply ev^y art o' legal thieving ; No matter, stick to sound believing. Learn three-mile prayers, and half-mile graces Wi' weel- spread looves,^ and lang, wry faces ; Grunt up a solemn, lengthen'd groan, And damn a' parties but your own; I'll warrant then, ye 're nae deceiver — A steady, sturdy, stanch believer. ye wha leave the springs o' Calvin, For gumlie •* dubs of your ain delvin' ! Ye sons of heresy and error. Ye '11 some day squeel in quaking terror ! Wlien Vengeance di-aws the sword in wrath. And in the fire throws the sheath ; When Ruin, with his sweeping besom. Just frets till Heaven commission gies him ; While o'er the harp pale Misery moans, And strikes the ever-deepening tones. Still louder shrieks, and heavier groans ! Your pardon, sir, for this digression, 1 maist forgat my Dedication ; But when divinity comes 'cross me, My readers still are sure to lose me. So, sir, ye see 'twas nae daft vapour, But I maturel}'- thought it proper, "When a' my works I did review, To dedicate them, sir, to you : Because (ye needna tak it ill) I thought them something like your e nalf-witted. rET. 2S.] POEMS, 131 NEW BEia. Now hand you there ! for faith ye 've said enough, And muckle mair than ye can mak to through ; ^ That's aye a string auld doited gray -beards harp on, A topic for their peevishness to carp on. As for your jDriesthood, I shall say but little, Corbies and clergy are a shot right kittle : But, under favour o' your langer beard, Abuse o' magistrates might weel be spared : To liken them to your auld-warld squad, I must needs say compai'isons are odd. • In Ayr, wag-wits nae mair can hae a handle To mouth "a citizen," a term o' scandal; Nae mair the council waddles down the street, In all the pomp of ignorant conceit ; No difference but bulkiest or tallest, With comfortable dulness in for ballast ; " Nor shoals nor currents need a pilot's caution, For regularly slow, they only witness motion ; Men wha grew wise priggin' owre hops and raisins, Or gather'd liberal views in bonds and seisins, If haply Knowledge, on a random tramp. Had shored^ them wi' a glimmer of his lamp. And would to Common Sense for once betray'd them, Plain, dull Stupidity stept kindly in to aid them. What further clishmaclaver^ might been said. What bloody wars, if sprites had blood to shed, No man can tell ; but all before their sight, A fairy train appear'd in order bright : A down the glittering stream they featly danced ; Bright to the moon their various dresses glanced : They footed o'er the watery glass so neat, The infant ice scarce bent beneath their feet ; While arts of minstrelsy among them rung, And soul- ennobling bards heroic ditties sung. Oh, had M'Lachlan,* thairm^-inspiring sage, Been there to hear this heavenly baud engage, When through his dear strathspeys they bore with Highland rage; Or when they struck old Scotia's melting airs, The lover's raptured joys or bleeding cares ; How would his Highland lug^ been nobler fired. And even his matchless hand with finer touch inspired ! No guess could tell what instrument appear'd. But all the soul of Music's self was heard ; Harmonious concert rung in every j^art, While simple melody pour'd moving on the heart. » Make good. 2 Exposed. s Palaver, i Cat-gut. 6 Ear. • A wtl^known performer of Scottish music on tho violin.— P. POEMS. [1786. The Genius of tlie stream in front appears, A. venerable chief advanced in years ; His hoary head with water-lilies crown'd, His manly leg with garter-tangle bound. Next came the loveliest pair in all the ring, Sweet Female Beauty hand injhand with Spring; Then, crown'd with flowery hay, came Rural Joy, And Summer, with his fervid-beaming eye : AU-checring Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreathed with nodding corn ; Then Winter's time-bleach'd locks did hoaiy show. By Hospitality with cloudless brow. Next foUow'd Courage, with his martial stride, From where the Feal* wild- woody coverts hide; Benevolence, with mild, benignant air, A female form came from the towers of Stair : \ ] ^earning and Worth in equal measures trode iVom simple Catrine, their long-loved abode : % Last, white-robed Peace, crowned with a hazel wieath, To rustic Agriculture did bequeath The broken iron instruments of death ; At sight of whom our sprites forgat their kindling wrath. LINES ON MEETING WITH LORD DAER. In 1780, Professor Dugald Stewart, the well-known expounder of the Scottish system of metaphysics, reskled in a villa at Catrine, on the Ayr, a few miles from the poet s farm ; and having heai'd of his astonishing poetical produc- tions, through Mr Mackenzie, a talented and generous surgeon in Mauchline, lie invited Burns to dine with him. accompanied by his medical friend. Tlie poet seems to have been somewhat alarmed at the idea of meeting so distin- guished a member of the literary world ; and, to increase his embarrassment, it happened tliat Lord Daer, (son of the Earl of Selkirk,) an amiable young nobleman, was on a visit to the professor at the time. The result, however, ai)pears to have been rather agreeable than otherwise to the poet, who has re- corded his feelings on the subject in the following lir^es :— This wot ye all whom it concerns, I, Khymer E-obin, alias Burns, October twenty-third, A ne'er-to-be-forgotten day ! Sae far I sprachled ^ up the brae, 1 dinner'd wi' a lord. 1 Clambered. * Tne poet here alludes to Captafn Montgomery of CoilsQeld— soger FTugh— afterwards twelfth Earl of Eglintou, whose seat of Coilsfield is situated on' the Fe il, or Faile, a tributary stream of the Ayr. t A compliment to his early patroness, ]\Irs Stewart of Stair. % A well-merited tribute to Professor Dugald Stewart /ET 28.] POEMS. 133 I Ve been at drucken writers' feasts, Nay, been bitch f ou 'mang godly priests ; (Wf rev'reuce be it spoken !) I Ve even joiu'd the honour'd jorum "When mighty squireships o' the quorum Their hydra drouth did sloken. But wi' a lord ! — stand out, my sLiu : A lord — a peer — an earl's son ! — Up higher yet, my bonnet ! And sio a lord ! — lang Scotch ells twa, Our peerage he o'erlooks them a*. As I look o'er my sonnet. But, oh I for Hogarth's magic power ! To show Sir Bardie's willy art glower,^ And how he stared and stanimer'd ! When goavan,2 as if led wi' branks,^ And stumpin' on his ploughman shauks, He in the parlour hammer'd. To meet good Stewart little pain is. Or Scotia's sacred Demosthenes ; Thinks I, they are but men ! But Burns, my lord— guid God ! I doited ! •* My knees on ane anither knoited,^ As faultering I gaed ben ! ^ I sidling shelter'd in a nook, And at his lordship steal't a look, Like some portentous omen ; ;. Except good sense and social glee, f And (what surprised me) modesty, I marked nought uncommon. I watch'd the symptoms o' the great, The gentle joride, the lordly state, The arrogant assuming ; The fient a pride, nae pride had he, Nor sauce, nor state, that I could see, Mair than an honest ploughman^ Then from his lordship I shall learn Henceforth to meet with unconcern One rank as weel 's another ; Nae honest, worthy man need care, To meet wi' noble, youthful Daer, For he but meets a brother. 1 Bewildered stave. 2 Moving stupidly. » Bridle. * Became stupified. » Kuocked. 6 into the rooiTK T34 POEMS. [1787. ADDRESS TO EDINBUEGH. Writing to hia friend, William Chalmera, the poet nays: — "I enclose you two poems, which I have carded and spun since I passed Glenbuck. 'Fail Burnet' is the heavenly Miss Burnet, daughter of Lord Monboddo, at whose house I have had the honour to be more than once. There has not been anything nearly like her in all the combinations of beauty, grace, and good- ness the great Creator has formed, since Milton's Eve on the first day of he? existence 1 " Edina ! Scotia's darling seat • All hail thy palaces and towers, Where once t3eneath a monarch's feet Sat Legislation's sovereign powers I From marking wildly-scatter'd flowers, As on the banks of Ayr I stray'd, And singing, lone, the lingering hours, I shelter in thy honour'd shade. Here wealth still swells the golden tide, As busy Trade his labour plies ; There Architecture's noble pride Bids elegance and splendour rise ; Here Justice, from her native skies. High wields her balance and her rod ; There Learning, with his eagle eyes, Seeks Science in her coy abode. Thy sons, Edina ! social, kind. With open arms the stranger hail ; Their views enlarged, their liberal mind, Above the narrow, rural vale ; Attentive still to Sorrow's wail, Or modest Merit's silent claim ; And never may their sources fail ! And never envy blot their name ! Thy daughters bright thy walks adorn, Gay as the gUded summer sky, Sweet as the dewy milk-white thom, Dear as the raptured thrill of joy I Fair Burnet strikes th' adoring eye. Heaven's beauties on my fancy shine ; I see the Sire of Love on high. And own His work indeed divine. There, watching high the least alarms, Thy rough, rude fortress gleams afar ; Like some bold veteran, gray in arms, And mark'd with many a seamy scar : The ponderous wall and massy bar, Grim-rising o'er the rugged rock, Have oft withstood assailing war, And oft repell'd the invader's shock. ST. 29.] POEMS, 135 With awe-struck thought, and pitying tears, I view that noble, stately dome, "VYhere Scotia's kings of other years, Pamed heroes ! had their royal home i Alas, how changed the times to come ! Their royal name low in the dust ! Their hapless race wild -wandering roam I Though rigid law cries out, 'Twas just. Wild beats my heart to trace your steps, Whose ancestors, in days of yore. Through hostile ranks and ruin'd gaps Old Scotia's bloody lion bore : Even I who sing in rustic lore. Haply, my sires have left their shed, And faced grim Danger's loudest roar, Bold-following where your fathers led ! Edina ! Scotia's darling seat ! All hail thy palaces and towers, "Where once beneath a monarch's feet Sat Legislation's sovereign powers I From marking wildly-scatter'd flowers, As on the banks of Ayr I stray'd, And singing, lone, the lingering hours, I shelter in thy honour'd shade. THE POET'S WELCOME TO HIS ILLEGITIMATE CHILD.* There can be no doubt that the feeling which prompted the composition of this aud similar poems was not that of the reckless libertine who was lost to all shame, and was without regard for the good opinion of his fellows. Lockhart hits the truth when he says: — *' 'To wave (*in his own language') the quantum of the sin,' he who, two years afterwards, wrote the ' Cotter's Saturday Night' had not, we may be sure, hardened his heart to the thought of bringing addi- tional sorrow and unexpected shame to the fireside of a widowed mother. But his false pride recoiled from letting his jovial associates guess how little ha was able to drown the whispers of the ' still small voice ;' and the fermenting bitterness of a mind ill at ease within itself escaped, (as maybe too often traced in the history of satirists,) in the shape of angry sarcasms against others, who. whatever their private errors might be, had at least done him no wrong. It is impossible not to smile at one item of consolation which Burns proposes to himself on this occasion : — * The subject of these verses was the poet's illegitimate daughter whom, in ''The Inventory," he styles his "Sonsie, smirking, dear-bought Bess." ghe grew up to womanhood, was married, and had a family. Her death Is thiis innounced in the Scots Magazine, Decembers, 1817: — "Died Ehzabeth Burns, «rife of Mr John Bishop, overseer at Polkemmet, near Whitburn. She was the laughter of the celebrated Robert Burns, aud the subject of some of hia most beautiful lines. 136 POEMS. [1787 The mail" they talk, I 'm kenn'd the better ; E'en let them clash! This is indeed a singular manifestation of «the last infirmity of noble minds,* ^ Thou's welcome, wean ! mishanter^ fa' me, If oiTght of thee, or of thy mammy, Shall ever danton me, or awe me, My sweet wee lady. Or if I blush when thou shalt ca' me Tit-ta or daddy. Wee image of my bonny Betty, I fatherly will kiss and daut^ thee. As dear and near my heart I set thee Wi' as guid will, - As a' the priests had seen me get thee That 's out o' hell. What though they ca' me fornicator, And tease my name in kintra clatter : ^ The mair they talk I 'm kenn'd the better. E'en let them clash ! ^ An auld wife's tongue's a feckless ^ matter To gie ane fash.^ Sweet fruit o' mony a merry dint, My funny toil is now a' tint, Sin' thou came to the warld asklent,^ Which fools may scoff at ; lu my last plack thy part's be in't — The better half o't. And if thou be what I wad hae thee, And tak the counsel I shall gie thee, A lovin' father I '11 be to thee. If thou be spared : Through a' thy childish years I '11 ee tliee. And think 't weel wared. Guid grant that thou may aye inherit Thy mither's person, grace, and merit. And thy poor worthless daddy's spirit. Without his failin's, 'Twill please me mair to hear and see 't, Than stockit mailins.^ TO MRS C , ON RECEIVING A WORK OP HANNAH MORE'S. Thou flattering mark of friendship kind. Still may thy iDages call to mind 1 INIisfortune. 2 Fondle. 8 Country talk. * Gossip. s Very bmiill. « Trouljle. f Irregularly, » Stocked farms. ^T. 29. J POEMS, 137 The dear, the beauteous donor ! Though sweetly female every part, Yet such a head, and more the heart, Does both the sexes honour. She show'd her taste refined and just When she selected thee, Yet deviating, own I must, For so approving me. But kind still, I mind still The giver in the gift, I '11 bless her, and wiss her A Friend above the lif i.^ TO MISS LOGAN, WITH BEATTIE's poems AS A NEW-TEAR'S GIFT, JAN. 1, 1787. Miss Susan Logan was the sister of the Major Logan to whom Burns wrote a rhymed episUe. He was indebted to both for many pleasant hours when he >viio suffering from despondency. Again the silent wheels of time Their annual round have driven, And you, though scarce in maiden prime, Are so much nearer heaven. No gifts have I from Indian coasts The infant year to hail ; I send you more than India boasts, In, Edwin's simple tale. Our sex with guile and faithless love Is charged, perhaps, too true ; Eut may, dear maid, each lover prove An Edwin still to you ! VERSES INTENDED TO BE WRITTEN BELOW A NOBLE EARL*S PICTURE. "The enclosed stanzas," said the poet, in a letter to his patron, the Earl of Glen cairn, "I intended to write below a picture or profile of your lordship, could I have been so happy as to procure one with anything of a likeness." Whose is that noble, dauntless brow ? And whose that eye of fire ? And whose that generous princely mien Even rooted foes admire ? iSky. 138 POEMS. [1787. Stranger, to justly ehow that brow. And mark that eye of fire, Would take His hand, whose vernal tints His other works admire. Bri.iiht as a cloudless summer sun, With stately port he moves ; His guardian seraph eyes with awe The noble ward he loves. Among the illustrious Scottish sons That chief thou mayst discern ; Mark Scotia's fond returning e}^e — It dwells upon Glencaim. TO A HAGGIS. The haggis Ib a dainty peculiar to Scotland, though it Is supposed to be an adap- tation of a French dish. It is composed of minced offal of mutton, mixed with meal and suet, to which are added various condiments by way of season- lug, and the whole is tied up tightly in a sheep's stomach, and boiled therein. Although the ingredients of this dish are not over inviting, the poet does not far exceed poetical licence in singing its praises. We would recommend the reader to turn to page 173 of vol. i. of Wilson's "Noctes Ambrosianie," where he will find a grapnic and humorous description of a monster haggis, and what resulted fi'om cutting it up. The Edinburoh Literary Journal, 1829, made the following statement: — "About sixteen years ago there resided at Mauchline Mr Kobert Morrison, cabinetmaker. He was a great crony of Burns's, and it was in Mr Morrison's house that the poet usually spent the 'mida o' the day' on Sunday. It was in this house that he wrote his celebrated ♦Address to a Haggis,' after partaking liberally of that dish as prepared by Mrs Morrison." Fair fa* your honest, sonsie^ face. Great chieftain o' the puddin' race ! Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm :^ Weel are ye worthy of a grace As iang 's my arm. The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hall. Your pin* wad help to mend a mill In time o' need, While through your pores the dews distil Like amber bead. His knife see rustic labour dight,' And cut you up wi' ready slight. 1 Jolly. 2 Small intestines. « Wipe. * A wooden skewev with which it is lifted out and in to the vessel in which It IS cooked, and which also serves the purpose of securing the mouth of the bag. His knife see rustic labour dight And cut you up wi' ready slight, Trencliiug your gushins; eutrails bnght. Like ony ditch. And then, oii, what a elorious sight 1 Warin-reekin*, rich ! —To a Haggis, page l /ET. 29.] POEMS. 139 Trencliing your gushiug entrails bright Like ony ditch ; And then, oh, what a glorious sight, Warm-reekinV rich ! Then horn for horn they stretch and strive, Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive, Till all their weel-swaU'd kytes bely ve * Are bent like drums ; Then auld guidman, maist like to rive,^ Bethankit hums. Is there that owre his French ragoiit, Or olio that wad staw a sow, 8 Or fricassee wad mak her spew* Wi' perfect scunner,* Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view On sic a dinner? Poor devil ! see him owre his trash, As feckless ^ as a wither'd rash, His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash. His nieve^ a nit: Through bloody flood or field to dash, Oh, how unfit 1 But mark the rustic, haggis-fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He 11 mak it whissle ; And legs, and arms, and heads will sned,^ Like taps o' thrisslo. Ye powers wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o' fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware * That jaups ^^ in higgles ;ii But if ye wish her gratefu' prayer, Gie her a haggis I PROLOGUE. SPOKEN BY MR WOODS f ON HIS BENEFIT NIGHT, MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1787 "When by a generous public's kind acclaim. That dearest meed is granted — honest fame : 1 Smoking. a Burst. » Pig. 4 Vomit. • Loathing. « Pithless. 7 Fist. « Cut off. » Thia stuff. 10 Splashes. ^^ Wooden bowls with upright haudles. ♦ Till all their well-swollen bellies by and by. t INIr Woods had been the friend of Fergusson. He was long * favourit* actoi in Edinburgh, and was himself a man of some poetical talent. T40 POEMS, ^ [1787, ■Wlien here your favour is the actor's lot, Nor even the man in private life forgot ; "What breast so dead to heavenly virtue's glow, But heaves impassion'd with the grateful thro3 ? Poor is the task to please a barbarous throng, It needs no Siddons' powers in Southern's song ; But here an ancient nation famed afar, For genius, learning high, as great in war — Hail, Caledonia ! name for ever dear ! Before whose sons I 'm honour'd to appear ! Where every science— every nobler art — That can inform the mind, or mend the heart;, Is known ; as grateful nations oft have found, Far as the rude barbarian marks the bound. Philosophy, no idle pedant dream. Here holds her search by heaven-taught Eeason's beam ; Here History paints with elegance and force, The tide of Empire's fluctuating course ; Here Douglas forms wild Shakespeare into plan, And Harley* rouses all the god in man, When well-form'd taste and sparkling wit unite With manly lore, or female beauty bright, (Beautv, where faultless symmetry and grace, Can only charm us in the second place,) Witness my heart, how oft with panting fear, As on this night, I 've met these judges here ! But still the hope Experience taught to live, Equal to judge — you 're candid to forgive. No hundred-headed Riot here we meet, With decency and law beneath his feet : Nor Insolence assumes fair Freedom's name ; Like Caledonians, you applaud or blame. O Thou dread Power ! whose empire-giving hand Has oft been stretch'd to shield the honour'd land ! Strong may she glow with all her ancient fire ! May every son be worthy of his sire ! Firm may she rise with generous disdain At Tyranny's, or direr Pleasure's, chain I Still self-dependent in her native shore, Bold may she brave grim Danger's loudest roar. Till Fat© the curtain drops on worlds to be no mor^ NATURE'S LAW. HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ. These verses were first published in Mr Pickering's edition of the poet's works, printed from the original MS. in the poet's handwriting. They appear to have been written shortly after " Bonny Jean" had presented him with twins. * Henry Mackenzie, author of "The Man of Feeling." AT. 29.] POEMS. 141 "Great Nature spoke— observant man obey'd." — Popb. Let other heroes boasfc their scars, The marks of sturt and strife ; And other poets sing of wars, The plagues of hnman life : Shame fa' the fun, wi' sword and gun, To slap mankind like lumber ! I sing his name and nobler fame, Wha multiplies our number. Great !N"ature spoke, with air benign, " Go on, ye human race ! This lower world I you resign ; Be fruitful and increase. The liquid fire of strong desire I've pour'd it in each bosom ; Eere, in this hand, does mankind stand. And there is beauty's blossom ! " The hero of these artless strains, A lowly bard was he, Who sung his rhymes in Coila's plains, With mickle mirth and glee ; Kind Nature's care had given hia sliara Large of the flaming current ; And.all devout, he never sought To stem the sacred torrent. He felt the powerful, high behest. Thrill, vital, through and through ; And sought a corresi)ondent breast To give obedience due : Propitious Powers screen'd the young flowers From mildews of abortion ; And lo ! the bard, a great reward, Has got a double portion ! Auld cantie Coil may count the ii?cjy As annual it returns, The third of Libra's equal sway, That gave another Burns, With future rhymes, and other times, To emulate his sire ; To sing auld Coil in nobler style, \Yith more poetic fire. Ye powers of peace, and peaceful song, Look down with gracious eyes ; And bless auld Coila, large and long, With multii^lying joys ; Lang may she stand to prop the laud, The flower of ancient nations ; And Burns's spring, her fame to sing. To endless generations.' 142 POEMS, 11787. THE HERMIT. WRITTEN ON A MARBLE SIDEBOARD IN THE HERMITAGE BELONGING TO THE DUKE OP ATHOLE, IN THE WOOD OP ABERFELDY. This poem was brought to light by Mr Peter Buchan, himself a poet, and editoi ^ of the "Scottish Legendary Ballads," and first appeared in Hogg and Mo- therwell's edition of the poet's works. It is believed to be authentic. Whoe'er thou art, these lines now reading, Think not, though from the world receding, I joy my lonely days to lead in This desert drear ; That fell remorse, a conscience bleeding. Hath led me here. No thought of guilt my bosom sours ; Eree-will'd I fled from courtly bowers ; For well I saw in halls and towers That lust and pride. The arch-fiend's dearest, darkest powers, In state preside. I saw mankind with vice incrusted ; I saw that Honour's sword was rusted , That few for aught but folly lasted ; That he was still deceived who trusted To love or friend ; And hither came, with men disgusted, My life to end. In this lone cave, in garments lowly, Alike a foe to noisy folly. And brow-bent gloomy melancholy, I wear away My life, and in my oflBce holy Consume the day. This rock my shield, when storms are blowing ; The limpid streamlet yonder flowing Supplying drink, the earth bestowing My simple food ; Eut few enjoy the calm I know in This desert wood. Content and comfort bless me more in This grot than e'er I felt before in A palace — and with thoughts still soaring To God on high, Each night and morn, with voice imploring, This wish I sigh — *'Let me, O Lord ! from life retire, Unknown each guilty worldly fire, ^•. 29.] POEMS. 143 Remorse's throb, or loose desire ; And when I die, Let me in this belief expire — To God I fly." Stranger, if full of youth and xiot, And yet no grief has marr'd thy quiet, Thou haply throw'st a scornful eye at The hermit's prayer , Eut if thou hast good cause to sigh at Thy fault or care ; If thou hast known false love's vexation. Or hast been exiled from thy nation. Or guilt affrights thy contemplation, And makes thee pine. Oh ! how must thou lament thy station. And envy mine ! SKETCH OF A CHARACTER. "This fragment," Bays Burns to Dugald Stewart, "I have not shown to man living tnl I now send it to you. It forms the postulata, the axioms, the de- finition of a character, which, if it appear at all, shall be placed in a variety of lights. This particular part I send you merely as a sample of my hani at portrait-sketching." A LITTLE, upright, pert, tart, tripping wight. And still his precious self his dear delight : Who loves his own smart shadow in the streets Better than e'er the fairest she he meets : A man of fashion, too, he made his tour, Leam'd Vive la bagatelle, et Vive V amour ! So travell'd monkies their grimace improve, Polish their grin, nay, sigh for ladies' love. Much specious lore, but httle understood ; Veneering oft outshines the solid wood : His solid sense by inches you must tell. But mete his cunning by the old Scots ell ; His meddling vanity, a busy fiend. Still making work his selfish craft must mend. VERSES ON READING IN A NEWSPAPEE THE DEATH OF JOHN M'lEOD, ESQ., BKOTHER TO A YOUNQ LADY, A PARTICULAR FRIEND OF THE AUTHOR'S. Sad thy tale, thou idle page. And rueful thy alarms : Death tears the brother of her lovo From Isabella's arms. 144 POEMS. [1787. Sweetly deckt with pearly dew The morning rose may blow ; But cold successive noontide blasts May lay its beauties low. Fair on Isabella's morn The sun propitious smiled ; But, long ere noon, succeeding clou da Succeeding hopes beguiled. Fate oft tears the bosom chords That nature finest strung : So Isabella's heart was form'd. And so that heart was wrung. "Were it in the poet's power, Strong as he shares the grief That pierces Isabella's heart, To give that heart relief ! ' Dread Omnipotence alone Can heal the wound He gave ; Can point the brimful grief-worn eyes To scenes beyond the grave. Virtue's blossoms there shall blow, And fear no withering blast ; There Isabella's spotless worth Shall hajDpy be at last. ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF SIR JAMES HUNTER BLAIR. Sir James Hunter Blair, who died in 1787, was a partner in the eminent banking house of Sir William Forbes and Co., of Edinburgh. The lamp of day, with ill-presaging glare, Dim, cloudy, sunk beneath the western wave ; The inconstant blast howl'd through the darkening air, And hdUow whistled in the rocky cave. Lone as I wander'd by each cliff and dell, Once the loved haunts of Scotia's royal train ;* Or mused where limpid streams, once hallow'd, well,f Or mouldering ruins mark the sacred fane. J The increasing blast roar'd round the beetling rocks, The clouds, swift-wing'd, flew o'er the starry sky. The groaning trees untimely shed their locks, And shooting meteors caught tlie startled eye, ♦ Tlie King's Park, at Holyrood House, t St Anthony's Wdl. t St Anthony's Chapel. «T. 29.] POEMS, 145 Tlie paly moon rose in the livid east, And 'rnong the cliffs disclosed a stately form, In weeds of woe, that frantic beat her breast, And mix'd her wailings with the raving storm. Wild to my heart the filial pulses glow, 'Twas Caledonia's trophied shield I view'd : Her form majestic droop'd in pensive woe. The lightning of her eye in tears imbued. Reversed that spear, redoubtable in war, Reclined that banner, erst in fields unfurl'd, That like a deathful meteor gleam'd afar, And braved the mighty monarohs of the world. " My patriot son fills an untimely grave I " With accents wild and lifted arms she cried ; " Low lies the hand that oft was stretch'd to save. Low lies the heart that swell' d with honest pride. *' A weeping country joins a widow's tear. The helpless poor mix with the orphan's cry ; The drooping arts surround their patron's bier, -And grateful science heaves the heartfelt sigh ! " I saw my sons resume their ancient fire ; I saw fair Freedom's blossoms riclily blow : But ah ! how hope is born but to expire ! Relentless Fate has laid their guardian low, "My patriot falls, but shall he lie unsung, WMle empty greatness saves a worthless name? No ; every Muse shall join her tuneful tongue. And future ages hear his growing fame. "And I will join a mother's tender cares. Through future times to make his virtues last ; That distant years may boast of other Blairs ! " — She said, and vanish' d with the sleeping blast. TO MISS FERRIES, ENCLOSING THE ELEGY ON SIB J. H. BLAIB. During the poet's sojourn in Edinburgh his Muse of fire appears never to have ascended its highest heaven of invention. A few days after the death of hli patron, Sir James Hunter Blair, he was wandering in a musing mood along George Street, which was at that time so remote from the great centre of business as to be considered ahnost in the country, when he accidentally met Miss Ferrier, eldest daughter of Mr J. Ferrier, W.S., one of his warmest patrons, and father of Miss Ferrier, the well-known novelist. In the gparklinf eyes of this young lady, who afterwards became Mrs General Graham^ the poet seems to have found the inspiration he was in search of. 146 POEMS, L1787. Kae heathen name shall I prefix Frae Pindus or Parnassus ; Anld Reekie din^s ^ them a' to sticks. For rhyme-inspiiing lasses. Jove's tunefu' dochters tliree times three Made Homer deep their debtor ; But, gien the body half an ee, Nine Ferriers wad done better ! Last day my mind was in a bog, Down George's Street I stoited ; * A creeping, cauld, prosaic fog My very senses doited. ^ Do what I dought** to set her free, My saul lay in the mire ; Ye tum'd a neuk^ — I saw your ee— She took the wing like fire ! The mournfu* sang I here enclose, In gratitude I send you ; And [wish and] pray in rhyme sincere, A' guid things may attend you. LINES ^VEITTEN WITH A PENCIL OVER THE CHIMNETPIECE IN THE PARLOTJB OF THE INN AT KENMOEE, TAYMOUTH. This and the following poem, with their fine and appreciative description of mag- nificent scenery, must have escaped the notice of the writer of the article ia the North British Review for March 1865. This article, which is said to be from the pen of John Hill Burton, is meant to prove that the Scottish Muse Ignored allusions to romantic scenery until recently. Professor Walker says, *' Burns passed two or three days with the Duke of Athole, and was highly delighted by the attention he received, and the company to whom he was in- troduced. By the Duke's advice he visited the Falls of Bruar, and in a few days I received a letter from Inverness, with the following verses enclosed ;"— Admiring Nature in her wildest grace. These northern scenes with weary f e*t I trace ; O'er many a winding dale and painful steep, The abodes of covey'd grouse and timid sheep, My savage journey, curious, I pursue, Till famed Breadalbane opens to my view, — The meeting cliffs each deep-sunk glen divides. The woods, wild scatter'd, clothe their ample sides , Tlie outstretching lake, embosom'd 'mong the hills. The eye with wonder and amazement fills : 1 Beats. 3 Tottered. « f-tupifled. * Would. « Corner. ^T. 29.] FORMS. 147 The Tay, meanclering sweet in infant pride, The palace, rising on its verdant side ; The lawns, wood-fiiuged in ZsTature's native taste; The hillocks, dropt in Nature's careless haste ; The arches, striding o'er the new-born stream; The village, glittering in the noontide beam — Poetic ardours in my bosom swell. Lone wandering by the hermit's mossy cell : The sweeping theatre of hanging woods ! The incessant roar of headlong tumbling floods. Here Poesy might wake her Heaven-taught lyre, And look through Nature with creative fire ; Here, to the wrongs of Fate half -reconciled, Misfortune's lighten'd steps might wander wild ; And Disappointment, in these lonely bounds. Find balm to soothe her bitter, rankling wounds ; Here heart-struck Grief might heavenward stretch her scan. And injured Worth forget and pardon man. THE HUMBLE PETITION OF BRUAR WATER* TO THE NOBLE DUKE OF AT HOLE. My lord, I know your noble ear Woe ne'er assails in vain ; Embolden'd thus, I beg you '11 hear Your humble slave complain, How saucy Phoebus' scorching beams, In flaming summer pride. Dry- withering, waste my foamy streams, And drink my crystal tide. The lightly-jumpin', glowrin' trouts. That through my waters play, If, in their random, wanton spouts, They near the margin stray ; If, hairless chance ! they linger lang, I 'm scorching up so shallow, They're left, the whitening stanes amang, In gas]3ing death to wallow. Last day I grat wi' spite and teen, As Poet Burns came by. That to a bard I should be seen Wi' haK my channel dry : * Bruar Tails, la Atliole, ra'e exceedingly picturesque and beautiful ; but theii dffeot is much impaired by the want of tx'ees and shrubs. — B. 148 POEMS, [1787 A panegyric rhynie, I ween, Even as I was he shored ^ me ; But had I in my glory been, He, kneeling, wad adored me. Here, foaming down the shelvy rocks, In twisting strength I rin ; There, high my boiling torrent smokes, AYild-roaring o'er a linn : Enjoying large each spring and well, As nature gave them me, I am, although I say 't mysel, Worth gaun 2 a mile to see. "Would, then, my noblest master pleas© To grant my highest wishes. He '11 shade my banks wi' toweling trees, And bonny spreading bushes. Delighted doubly, then, my lord, You '11 wander on my banks. And listen mony a gratefiil bird Return you tuneful thanks. The sober laverock, 3 warbling wild, Shall to the skies aspire ; The gowdspink. Music's gayest child, Shall sweetly join the choir ; The blackbird strong, the lintwhite clear. The mavis ^ mild and mellow ; The robin pensive autumn cheer. In all her locks of yellow. This, too, a covert shall insure, To shield them from the storms ; And coward maukins^ sleep secure Low in their grassy forms : The shepherd here shall make his seat, To weave his crown of flowers ; Or find a sheltering safe retreat. From prone descending showers. And here, by sweet endearing stealth, Shall meet the loving pair. Despising worlds, with zH their wealth, As empty idle care. The flowers shall vie in all their charms The hour of heaven to grace. And birks extend their fragrant arms To screen the dear embrace. Here haply too, at vernal dawn, Some musing bard may stray, 1 Promised. 3 Going. » Lark. 4 Thiiiah. * Hares. «T. 29.] POEMS. 149 And eye the smoking dewy lawn, And misty mountain gray ; Or, by the reaper's nightly beam,^ Mild-chequering through the trees. Kave to my darkly -dashifig stream, Hoarse swelling on the breeze. Let lofty firs, and ashes cool, My lowly banks o'erspread, And view, deep-bending in the pool. Their shadows' watery bed ! Let fragrant birks in woodbines drest My craggy cliffs adorn ; And, for the little songster's nest, The close -embowering thorn. So may old Scotia's darling hope. Your little angel band, Spring, like their fathers, up to prop Their honour'd native land ! So may through Albion's furthest ken, To social-flowing glasses. The grace be—" Athole's honest men, And Athole's bonny lasses I " LINES WKITTEN WITH A PENCIL, STANDING BY THE FALL OP PYEPS, NEAR LOCH NESS. Among the heathy hills and ragged woods The roaring Fyers pours his mossy floods ; Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds. Where, through a shapeless breach, his stream resounds, As high in air the bursting torrents flow, As deep-recoiling surges foam below. Prone down the rock the whitening sheet descends. And viewless Echo's ear, astonish'd, rends. Dim seen through rising mists and ceaseless showers, The hoary cavern, wide-surrounding, lowers. Still, through the gap the struggling river toils. And still, below, the horrid caldron boils. CASTLE-GOEDOJSr. These lines were written after Burns's brief visit to Gordon Castle. The poet enclosed them to James Hoy, librarian to the Duke of Gordon. The duchess guessed them to be by Dr Beattie, and on learning they were by Burns, re- gretted they were not in the Scottish language. 1 The harvest moon. 150 POEMS. [1787, Streams that glide in orient iDlains, Never bound by Winter's cliains ! Glowing here on golden sands, There commix'd with foulest stains From tyranny's empurpled bands. : These, their richly-gleaming waves, I leave to tyrants and their slaves ; Give me the stream that sweetly hives The banks by Castle-Gordon. Spicy forests, ever gay, Shading from the burning ray Hapless ■wretches sold to toil, Or the ruthless native's way, Bent on slaughter, blood, and spoil : Woods that ever verdant wave, I leave the tyrant and the slave. Give me the groves that lofty bravo The storms by Castle-Gordon. Wildly here without control, Nature reigns and rules the whole ; In that sober pensive mood, Dearest to the feeling soul. She plants the forest, i^ours the flood : Life's poor day I '11 musing rave, And find at night a sheltering cave. Where waters flow and wild woods wave. By bonny Castle-Gordon. ON SCARING SOME WATER-FOWL IN LOCH TITRIT, A "WILD SCENE AMONG THE HILLS OP OCHTi RTYRE. Why, ye tenants of the lake, For me your waterv haunts forsake ? Tell me, fellow-creatures, wny At my presence thus you fly ? Why disturb your social joys, Parent, filial, kindred ties ? — Common friend Jo you and me, Nature's gifts to all are free : Peaceful keep your dimpling wave, Busy feed, or wanton lave ; Or, beneath the sheltering rock, Bide the surging billow's shock. Conscious, blushing for our race, Soon, too soon, your fears I trace, Man, your proud usurping foe, Would be lord of all below : ^T. 29.] POEMS. Plumes himself in freedom's pride, Tyrant stern to all beside. The eagle, from the cliflpy brow, Marking you his prey below. In his breast no pity dwells, Strong necessity compels : But man, to whom alone is given A ray direct from pitying Heaven, Glories in his heart humace — And creatures for his pleasure slain. In these savage, liquid plains. Only known to wandering swains, "Where the mossy rivulet strays. Far from human haunts and ways ; All on nature you depend, And life's poor season peaceful spend. Or, if man's superior might Dare invade your native right, On the lofty ether borne, Man Avith all his powers you scorn : Swiftly seek, on clanging wings, Other lakes and other springs ; And the foe you cannot brave Scorn at least to be his slave. TO MISS CEUIKSHANK, A. VERT YOUNG LADY. WRITTEN ON THE BLANK LEAF OF A BOOK PRE- SENTED TO HER BY THE AUTHOR. This young lady was the subject of one of the poet's songs, " A Rosebud by my Early Walk." She was the daughter of Mr Cruikshanlr, No. 30 St James's Square, Edinburgh, with whom the poet resided for some time during one of his visits tc Edinburgh. She afterwards became the wife of Mr Henderson, a solicitor ic Jedburgh. Beauteous rosebud, young and gay. Blooming in thy early May, Never mayst thou, lovely iSower, Chilly shrink in sleety shower ! Never Boreas' hoary path. Never Eurus' poisonous breath. Never baleful stellar lights. Taint thee with untimely blights ! Never, never reptile thief Riot on thy virgin leaf ! Nor even Sol too fiercely view Thy bosom blushing still with dew ! Mayst thou long, sweet crimson gem, BichljT deck thy native stem : 'Till some evening, sober calm, Dropping dews, and breathing balm, 152 POEMS. [1787. While all arotind the woodland rings, And every bird thy requiem singa ; Thou, amid the dirgeful sound, Shed thy dying honours round, And resign to parent earth The loveliest form alie e'er gave birth. POETICAL ADDRESS TO MR WILLIAM TYTLEPu WITH A PRESENT OP THE BARD'S PICTURE. William Tytler, Esq., of Woodhouselee, to whom these lines were addressed, wrote a work in defence of Mary Queen of Scots, and earned the pratitude of Burns, who had all a poet's sympathies for the unfortunate and beautiful queen. Mr Tytler was grand-father to Patrick Fruser Tytler, the author ol " The History of Scotland." Revered defender of beauteous Stuart, Of Stuart, a name once respected, — A name -which to love was the mark of a true heart, But now 'tis despised and neglected. Though something like moisture conglobes in my eye, Let no one misdeem me disloyal ; A poor friendless wanderer may well claim a sigh, Still more, if that wanderer were royal. My fathers that name have revered on a throne ; My fathers have fallen to right it ; Those fathers would spurn their degenerate son, That name should he scoffingly slight it. Still in prayers for King George I most heartily join. The queen, and the rest of the gentry ; Be they wise, be they foolish, is nothing of mine — Their title 's avowd by my country. But why of this epocha make such a fuss That gave us the Hanover stem ; If bringing them over was lucky for us, I 'm sure 'twas as lucky for them. But, loyalty, truce! we're on dangerous ground, Who knows how the fashions may alter ? The doctrine to-day that is loyalty sound, To-morrow may bring us a halter. I send you a trifle, a head of a bard, A trifle scarce worthy your care : But accept it, good sir, as a mark of regard. Sincere as a saint's dying i^rayer. Kow life's chilly evening dim shades on your eye, And ushers the long dreary night ; But you, like the star that athwart gilds the sky, Your course to the latest is bright. ^T. 29.] POEMS. 153 ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF EOBERT DUNDAS, ESQ., OF AKNISTON,* LATE LOED PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OP SESSION. In a letter to Dr Geddes, Burns tells the fate of this poem, and makes his owr comment: — " The following elegy has some tolerable lines in it, but the in curable wound of my pride will not suffer me to correct, or even peruse, it. ] sent a copy of it, with my best prose letter, to the son of the great man, tin theme of the piece, by the hands of one of the noblest men in God's world- Alexander Wood, surgeon. When, behold 1 his solicitorship took no more notice of my poem or me than if I had been a strolling fiddler who had madt free with his lady's name over a silly new reel ! Did the gentleman imagine that I looked for any dirty gratuity ? " LoNE on the bleaky hills the straying flocks Shun the fierce storms among the sheltering rocks ; Down foam the rivulets, red with dashing rains ; The gathering flx)ods burst o'er the distant i^lains ; Beneath the blast the leafless forests groan ; The hollow caves return a sullen moan. Ye hills, ye plains, ye forests, and ye caves, Ye howling winds, and wintry-swelliug w ves ! Unheard, unseen, by human ear or eye. Sad to your sympathetic scenes I fly ; Where, to the whistling blast and waters' roar Pale Scotia's recent wound I may deplore. Oh heavy loss, thy country ill could bear ! A loss these evil days can ne'er repair ! Justice, the high vicegerent of her God, Her doubtful balaaice eyed, and sway'd her rod ; She heard the tidings of the fatal blow. And sunk, abandon'd to the wildest woe. "Wrongs, injuries, from many a darksome den, Now gay in hope explore the paths of men : See, from his cavern, grim Oppression rise, And throw on Poverty his cruel eyes ; Keen on the helpless victim see him fly, And stifle, dark, the feebly-bursting cry. Mark ruflSan Violence, distain'd with crimes. Rousing elate in these degenerate times ; "View unsuspecting Innocence a prey, As guileful Fraud points out the erring way : "While subtle Litigation's pliant tongue The life-blood equal sucks of Right and Wrong : Hark! injured Want recounts th' unlisten'd tale, And much-wrong'd Misery pours the unpitied wail! * Elder brother to Viscount Melville, born 1713, appointed President in 1760, and died December 13, 1787, after a short illness. 154 POEMS. [1788. Ye dark waste hills, and hrown unsightly plains, To you I sing my grief -inspired strains : Ye tempests, rage ! ye turbid torrents, roll ! Ye suit the joyless tenor of my soul. Life's social haunts and pleasures I resign, Be nameless wilds and lonely wanderings mine. To mourn the woes my country must endure, That wound degenerate ages cannot cure. TO CLARINDA. ON THE poet's LEAVING EDINBURGH. The maiden name of Clarinda was Ajnies Craig. At the time Burns made her ac- quaintance she was the wife of a Mr M'Lehose, from whom she had heen sepa- rated on account of incompatibility of temper, &c. She seems to have entertained a sincere affection for the poet. Burns, who was always engaged in some affair of the heart, seems to have been much less sincere. His letters to her are somewhat forced and stilted, and contrast very unfavourably with those of hers which have been preserved. He soon forgot her, however, to her great regret and mortification. She was beautiful and accomplished, and a poetess. The poet in one of his letters to her, thus alludes to one of her productions: — "Your last verses to me have so delighted me that I have got an excellent old Scots air that suits the measure, and you shall see them in print in the Scots Musical Museum, a work publishing by a friend of mine in this town. The air is ' The Banks of Spey,' ;.nd is most beautiful. I want four stanzas— you gave me but three, and one of them alluded to an expression in my former letter: so I have taken your first two verses, with a slight alteration in the second, and have added a third ; but you must help me to a fourth. Here they are ; the latter half of the first stanza would have b«en worthy of Sappho; I am in raptures with it: — " 'Talk not of Love, it gives me pain, For Love has been my foe ; He bound me with an iron chain, And plunged me deep in woe. ** ' But friendship's pure and lasting joys My heart was form'd to prove ; There, welcome, win, and wear the prize, But never talk of Love. *' * Your friendship much can make me blest, Oh ! why that bliss destroy? Why urge the odious [only] one request You know I must [willj deny?' "P.^y.— "What would you think of this for a fourth stanza ? " * Your thought, if Love must harbour there, Conceal it in that thought ; Nor cause me from my bosom tear The very friend I sought.' " These verses are inserted in the second volume of the Musical Museum. Clarinda, mistress of my soul, The measured time is run ! Tlie wretch beneath the dreary pole, So marks his latest sun. fiLT, 30.] FOEMS. 155 To what dark cave of frozen nigLt Shall poor Sylvander liie ? Deprived of thee, his life aud light, The sun of all his joy ! "We part — but, by these precious drops That fill thy lovely eyes ! No other light shall guide my stei)s Till thy bright beams arise. She, the fair sun of all her sex, Has blest mj gloiious day ; And shall a glimmering planet fix My worship to its ray ? TO CLARINDA. WITH A PRESENT OF A PAIR OF DRINKING-GLASSES. Fair empress of the poet's soul, And queen of poetesses ; Clarinda, take this little boon, This humble pair of glasses. And fill them high with generous juice, As generous as your mind ; And pledge me in the generous toast — " The whole of humankind !" " To those who love us !"— second fill ; But not to those whom we love ; Lest we love those who love not us ! A third — " To thee and me, love ! " Long may we live ! long may we love ! And long may we be hapi^y ! And may we never want a glass Well charged with generous nappy ! TO CLARINDA. Before I saw Clarincla's face, My heart was blithe and gay. Free as the wind, or feather'd rnc« That hop from spray to spray. But now dejected I appear, Clarinda proves unkind ; I, sighing, drop the silent tear, But no relief can find. 156 POEMS. [1788L In plaintive notes niy tale rehearses When I the fair have found ; On every tree appear my verses That to her praise resound. But she, ungrateful, shuns my sight, My faithful love disdains, My vows and tears her scorn excite — Another happy reigns. Ah, though my looks betray, 1 envy your success ; Yet love to friendship shall give way, I cannot) wish it less. TO CLARINDA. ** I BURN, I burn, as when through ripen*d corn. By driving winds, the crackling flames are borne ! '* Now maddening, wild, I curse that fatal night ; Now bless the hour which charm'd my guilty sight. In vain the laws their feeble force oppose ; Chain'd at his feet they groan. Love s vanquish'd foes : In vain Keligion meets my shrinking eye ; I dare not combat — but I turn and fly : Conscience in vain upbraids the unhallow'd fire ; Love grasps its scorpions— stifled they expire ; Reason drops headlong from liis sacred throne, Your dear idea reigns, and reigns alone : Each thought intoxicated homage yields, And riots wanton in forbidden fields ! By all on high adoring mortals know ! By all the conscious villain fears below ! By your dear self ! — the last great oath I swear — Nor life nor soul was ever half so dear ! LINES WRITTEN IN friars' CARSE HERMITAGE, ON THE BANKS OF THE NTTH. {^irst Version.) Burns thought so well of this poem, that he preserved both copies. The first was written hi June 1783. The MS. of the amended copy is headed, "Altered from the foregoing, in December 1788." The hermitage in which these lines were written was on the property of Captain Riddel of Friars' Carse, a beautiful house with fine grounds, a mile above Ellisland. One of the many kindly favours extended to the poet by Captain Riddel and his accomplished lady was the permission to wander at will in the beautiful grounds of Friars' Carse. The first six lines were graven with a diamond on a pane of glass in a window of the hermitage. j&r.zo.] POEMS. 157 Thou whom chance may hither lead, Be thou clad in russet weed Be thou deckt in silken stole, Grave these maxims on thy soul :— Life is but a day at most, Sprung from night, in darkness lost ; Day, how rapid in its flight — Day, how few must see the night ; Hope not sunshine every hour, Fear not clouds will always lower. Happiness is but a name, Make content and ease thy aiin ; Ambition is a meteor gleam ; Fame an idle, restless dream : Pleasures, insects on the wing Bound Peace, the tenderest flower of Spring! Those that sip the dew alone, Make the butterflies thy own ; Those that would the bloom devoiur Crush the locusts — save the flower. For the future be prepared, Guard whatever thou canst guard : But, thy utmost duly done, Welcome what thou canst not shun. Follies past give thou to air, Make their consequence thy care : Keep the name of man in mind, And dishonour not thy kind. Beverence with lowly heart Him whose wondrous work thou art ; Keep His goodness still in view, Thy trust— and thy example, too. Stranger, go ! Heaven be thy guide ! Quoth the Beadsman on Nithside. LINES WEITTEN IN FRIAES' CARSE HERMITAGE, ON NITHSIDB. (Second Version.) Thou whom chance may hither lead, Be thou clad in russet weed, Be ihoxL deckt in silken stole. Grave these counsels oa thy soul ;-^ Life is but a day at most. Sprung from night, in darkness lost ; Hope not sunshine every hour, Fear not clouds wHl always lower. 158 POEMS. [1788. As Youth and Love, with sprightly dance. Beneath thy morning-star advance, Pleasure, with her siren air. May delude the thoughtless pair ; Let Prudence bless Enjoyment's cup, Then raptured sip, and sip it up. As thy day grows warm and high, Life's meridian flaming nigh, Dost thou spurn the humble vale? Life's proud summits wouldst thou scale ? Check thy climbing step, elate. Evils lurk in felon wait : Dangers, eagle-pinion'd, bold, Soar around each cliffy hold, While cheerful Peace, with linnet song, Chants the lowly dells among As the shades of evening close. Beckoning thee to long repose ; As life itself becomes disease. Seek the chimney-neuk of ease. There ruminate with sober thought On all thou 'st seen, and heard, and wrought; And teach the sportive younkers round. Saws of experience sage and sound : Say, man's true, genuine estimate, The grand criterion of his fate, Is not — Art thou high or low ? Did thy fortune ebb or flow ? Wast tliou cottager or king ? Peer or peasant ? — no such thing ! Did many talents gild thy span ? Or frugal Nature grudge thee one ? Tell them, and press it on their mind, As thou thyself must shortly find. The smile or frown of awful Heaven To Virtue or to Vice is given. Say, "To be just, and kind, and wise, There solid ^elf-enjoyment lies ; That foolish, selfish, faithless ways Lead to the wretched, vile, and base." Thus resign'd and quiet, creep To the bed of lasting sleep ; Sleep, whence thou shalt ne'er awake, Night, where dawn shall never break. Till future life— future no more — To light and joy the good restore, To light and joy unknown before ! Stranger, go ! Heaven be thy guide ! Quoth the beadsman of Nithside. .ET. 30.] POEMS, 159 A MOTHER'S LAMENT FOE, THE DEATH OF HEK SOK Tho poet says: — "'The Mother's Lament' was composed partly with a view to Mrs Fergusson of Craigdarroch and jjartly to the worthy patroness of my oarly unknown muse, Mrs Stewart of x\.fton." It was also inserted in the Musical Museum, to the tune of "Finlayston House." Fate gave the word, the arrow sped, And pierced my darling's heart ; And with him all the joys are fled Life can to me impart. By cruel hands the sapling drops, In dust dishonour' d laid ; So fell the pride of all my hopes. My age's future shade. The mother-hnnet in the brake Bewails her ravish'd young ; So I, for niY lost darling's sake, Lament the live-day long. Death, oft I *ve fear'd thy fatal Mow, Now, fond, I bare my breast. Oh, do thou kindly lay me low With him I love, at rest ! ELEGY ON THE YEAR 1788. A SKETCH. Cunningham says : — "Truly has the ploughman bard described the natures of those illustrious rivals, Fox and Pitt, under the similitude of the 'birdie cocks.' Nor will tlie allusion to the 'hand-cuffed, muzzled, half-shackled regent ' be lost on those who remember the alarm into which the nation was thrown by the king's illness." Foe lords or kings I dinna mourn. E'en let them die — for that they 're born ! But oh ! i)rodigious to reflec' ! A towmont,^ sirs, is gane to wreck ! O Eighty-eight, in thy snia' space What dire events hae taken place ! Of what enjoyments thou hast reft us ! In what a pickle thou hast left us ! The Spanish empire's tint^ a head. And my auld teethless Bawtie 's ^ dead ; The tuizie's"* sair 'tween Pitt and Fox, And our guidwife's wee birdie cocks ; The tane is game, a bluidy devil. But to the hen-birds unco civil ; The tither 's something dour o' treadin*, But better stuff ne'er claw'd a midden. I Twelvemonth. 2 Lost. a His dog. * Fight. l6o POEMS. [1789. Ye ministers, come mount the pu'pit, And cry till ye be hoarse and roopit, For Eighty-eight he wish'd you weel, And gied you a' baith gear^ and meal ; E'en mony a plack, and mony a peck, Ye ken yoursels, for little feck ! ^ Ye bonny lasses, dight ^ your een, For some o' you hae tint a frien' ; In Eighty-eight, ye ken,* was ta'en What ye '11 ne'er hae to gie again. Observe the very nowte^ and sheep, How dowf and dowie^ now they creep ; Nay, even the yirth itsel does cry. For Embrugh wells are grutten^ dry. O Eighty-nine, thou's but a bairn. And no owre auld, I hope, to learn ! Thou beardless boy, I pray tak care. Thou now hast got thy daddy's chair, Nae hand-cufif'd, muzzled, half -shackled regent. But, like himsel, a full, free agent. Be sure ye follow out the plan Nae waur® than he did, honest man! As muckle better as you can. Jan. 1, 1789. TO OAPTAIN RIDDEL OF GLEI^IDDEL. EXTEMPORE LINES ON RETUBNING A NEWSPAPER. The newspaper sent contained some sharp strictures on the poet's works. Elilsland, Monday Evening. Your news and review, sir, I Ve read through and through, sir, "With little admiring or blaming ; The papers are barren of home news or foreign, No murders or rapes worth the naming. Our friends, the reviewers, those chippers and hewers. Are judges of mortar and stone, sir; But of meet or unmeet., in 2k fabric complete^ I boldly pronounce they are none, sir. My goose-quill too rude is to tell all your goodness Bestow'd on your servant, the poet ; Would to God I had one like a beam of the sun, And then all the world, sir, should know it ! 1 Goods. 2 Work. » Wipe. * Know. » Oattle. « Pithless and lo\v-spirited. f Wept. 8 Worse. ^T, 33.] POEMS, l6l ODE: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MRS OSWALD. The origin of this bitter and not very creditable effusion is thus related by the poet in a letter to Dr Moore : — "The enclosed 'Ode' is a compliment to the memory of the late Mrs Oswald of Auchincruive. You probably knew her personally, an honour which I cannot boast, but I spent my early years in her neighbourhood, and among her servants and tenants. I know that she was detested with the most heartfelt cordiality. However, in the particular part of her conduct which roused my poetic wrath she was much less blamable. In January last, on my road to Ayrshire, I had to put up at Bailie Whigham's in Sanquhar, the only tolerable inn in the place. The frost was keen, and the grim evening and howling wind were ushering in a night of snow and drift. My horse and I were both much fatigued with the labours of the day ; and just as my friend the bailie and I were bidding defiance to the storm, over a smoking bowl, in wheels the funeral pageantry of the late Mrs Oswald ; and poor I am forced to brave all the terrors of the tempestuous night, and jade my horse — my young favourite horse, whom I had just christened Pegasus — further on, through the wildest hills and moors of Ayrshire, to New Cum- nock, the next inn. The powers of poesy and prose sink under me when I would describe what I felt. Suffice it to say that, when a good fire at New Cumnock had so far recovered my frozen sinews, I sat down and wrote the en- closed ' Ode.' " The poet lived to think more favourably of the name : one of his finest lyrics, " Oh, wat ye wha's in yon town," was written in honour of the beauty of the succeeding Mrs Oswald. Dweller in yon dungeon dark, Hangman of creation, mark ! Who in widow-weeds appears, Laden with unhonour'd years, Noosing with care a bursting purse, Baited with many a deadly curse ! View the wither'd beldam's face — Can thy keen inspection trace Aught of humanity's sweet melting grace? Note that eye, 'tis rheum o'erflows, Pity's flood there never rose. See these hands, ne'er stretch'd to save, Hands that took — but never gave. Keeper of Mammon's iron chest, Lo, there she goes, unpitied and unblest — She goes, but not to realms of everlasting rest I ANTISTROPHE. Plunderer of armies, lift thine eyes, (A while forbear, ye torturing fiends ;) Seest thou whose step, unwilling, hither bends T No fallen angel, hurl'd from upper skies 4 'Tis thy trusty quondam mate, Doom'd to share thy fieiy fate, She, tardy, hell ward plies. l62 ' POEMS. [1789. EPODE. And are they of no more avail. Ten thousand glittering pounds a year ? In other worlds can Mammon fail, Omnipotent as he is here ? Oh, bitter mockery of the pompous bier, While down the wretched vital part is driven ! The cave-lodged beggar, with a conscience clear, Expires in rags, unknown, and goes to heaven. TO JOHN TAYLOE. 'The poet," says a correspondent of Cunningham's, "it seems, during one of his journeys over his ten parishes as an exciseman, had arrived at Wanlock- head on a winter day, when the roads were slippery with ice, and Jenny Geddes, liis mare, kept her feet with difficulty. The blacksmith of the phice was busied with other pressing matters in the forge, and could not spare time for 'frosting* the shoes of the poet's mare, and it is likely he would have pro- ceeded on his dangerous journey, had he not bethought himself of propitiating the son of Vulcan with verse. He called for pen and ink, wrote these verses to John Taylor, a person of influence in Wanlockhead ; and when he had done, a gentleman of the name of Sloan, who accompanied him. added these words : — ' J. Sloan's best compliments to Mr Taylor^ and it wculdbe doing hira and the Ayrshire bard a particular favour, if he would oblige them iustanter with his agreeable company. The road has been so slippery that the riders and the brutes were equally in danger of getting some of their bones broken. For the poet, his life and limbs are of some consequence to the world ; but for poor Sloan, it matters vei*y little what may become of him. The whole of this business is to ask the favour of getting the horses' shoes sharpened.* On the receipt of this, Taylor spoke to the smith ; the smith flew to his tools, sharpened the horses' shoes, and, it is recorded, lived thirty years to say he had never been ' weel paid but ance, and that was by the jioet, who paid him in money, paid him in drink, and paid liim in verse.' " "With Pegasus upon a day, Apollo weary flying, Through frosty hills the journey lay, On foot the way was jilying. Poor slipshod giddy Pegasus Was but a sorry walker ; To Vulcan then Apollo goes, To get a frosty caulker. * Obliging Yulcan fell to work. Threw by his coat and bonnet, And did Sol's business in a crack ; Sol paid him with a sonnet. Ye Vulcan's sons of Wanlockhead, Pity my sad disaster ; My Pegasus is poorly shod — I '11 pay you like my master. Ramage's, fhree o'dock. EOBERT BUENS. ' A nail put into a shoe to prevent the foot from slipping in frosty weather. MT, 31.] POEMS. 163 SKETCH : INSCRIBED TO THE EIGHT HON. 0. J. FCX. In a letter to Mrs Dunlop the poet says, "I have a poetic whim in my head, which I at present dedicate, or rather inscribe, to the Right Hon. Charles James Fox ; but how long that fancy may hold, I cannot say. A few of the first lines I have just rough-sketched as follows : " — y How wisdom and folly meet, mix, and unite ; - How virtue and vice blend their black and their white ; How genius, the illustrious father of fiction. Confounds rule and law, reconciles contradiction — I sing : if these mortals, the critics, should bustle, -s I care not, not I — let the critics go whistle ! But now for a patron, whose name and whose glory At once may illustrate and honour my story. Thou first of our orators, first of our wits ; Yet whose parts and acquirements seem mere lucky hits ; "With knowledge so vast, and with judgment so strong, No man with the half of 'em e'er went far wrong ; "With passions so potent, and fancies so bright, No man with the half of 'em e'er went quite right ; — A sorry, poor misbegot son of the Muses, For using thy name offers fifty excuses. Good Lord, what is man? for as simple he looks, Do but try to develop his hooks and his crooks ; With his depths and his shallows, his good and his evil ; All in all he 's a problem must puzzle the devil. On his one ruling passion Sir Pope hugely labours, That, like the old Hebrew walking-switch, eats up its neighbours , Mankind are his show-box — a friend, would you know him ? Pull the string, ruling passion the picture will show him. AVhat pity, in rearing so beauteous a system, One trifling particular truth should have miss'd him ; For, spite of his fine theoretic positions. Mankind is a science defies definitions. Some sort all our qualities each to its tribe, And think human nature they truly describe ; Have you found this, or t'other ? there 's more in the wind, As by one drunken fellow his comrades you '11 find. But such is the flaw, or the depth of the plan. In the make of that wonderful creature call'd man. No two virtues, whatever relation they claim. Nor even two different shades of the same, Though like as was ever twin brother to brother. Possessing the one shall imply you 've the other. But truce with abstraction, and truce with a Muse, Whose rhymes you'll perhaps, sir, ne'er deign to peruse ; i64 POEMS. [1789, "Will you leave your justings, your jars, and your quarrels, Contending with Billy for proud-nodding laurels ? My much-honour'd patron, believe your poor poet, Your courage much more than your prudence you show it ; In vain with Squire Billy for laurels you struggle, He '11 have them hy fair trade, if not, he will smuggle ; Not cabinets even of kings would conceal 'em, He 'd up the back-stairs, and by God he would steal 'em. Then feats like Squire Billy's you ne'er can achieve 'em, It is not, outdo him, the task is out-thieve him. YEKSES ON SEEING A WOUNDED HARE LIMP BY ME WHICH A FELLOW HAD JUST SHOT. This poem was founded on a real incident. James Thomson, a neighbour ot the poet's, states that having shot at, and wounded a hare, it ran past the poet, who happened to be near, "he cui-sed me, and said he would not mind tlirow- ing me into the water; and I'll warrant he could hae done't, though 1 was both young and strong." Inhuman man ! curse on thy barb'rous art, And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye ; May never pity soothe thee with a sigh. Nor ever jjleasure glad thy cruel heart ! Go live, poor wanderer of the wood and field ! The bitter little that of life remains : No more the thickening brakes and verdant plaing To thee shall home, or food, or pastime yield. Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest, No more of rest, but now thy dying bed I The sheltering rushes whistling o'er thy head. The cold earth with thy bloody bosom prest. Oft as by winding Nith, I, musing, wait The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn ; I '11 miss thee sporting o'er the dewy lawn, And curse the rufl&an's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate. DELIA. AN ODE. This ode was sent to the Star newspaper with the following chai*actenstic letter: — *' Mr Printer, — If the productions cf a simple ploughman can merit a place in the same paper with the other favourites of the Muses who illuminate the Star with the lustre of genius, your insertion of the enclosed trifle will be Bucceeded by future communications from, yours, &c,, *• Robert Burns. ♦« Ellislasi>, neae Dumfries. Uay 18, 1789 " ^'^'^MAiL Adown my beard the slavers trickle ! I kick the wee stools o'er the inickle, Ab round the fire the giglets keckle To see lue loup : —Address to the Toothache, page 166. ^T. 31.] POEMS, 165 Fair the face of orient day, Fair the tints of opening rose ; But fairer still my Delia dawns, More lovely far her beauty blows. Sweet the lark's wild-warbled lay, Sweet the tinkling rill to hear ; But, Delia, more delightful still, Steal thine accents on mine ear. The flower-enamour'd busy bee, The rosy banquet loves to sip ; Sweet the streamlet's limpid lapse To the sun-brown'd Arab's lip. But, Delia, on thy balmy lips Let me, no vagraDt insect, rove ! Oh, let me steal one liquid kiss ! For. oh ! my soul is parch'd with love ! ADDRESS TO THE TOOTHACHK WRITTEN WHEN THE AUTHOR WAS GRIEVOUSLY TORMENTED BY THAT DISORDER. My curse upon thy venom'd stang, That shoots my tortured gums alang ; And through my lugs gies mony a twang, Wi' gijawing vengeance ; Tearing my nerves wi' bitter pang. Like racking engines ! When fevers burn, or ague freezes, Rheumatics gnaw, or cholic squeezes ; Our neighbour's sympathy may ease us, Wi' pitying moan ; But thee — thou hell o' a' diseases, Aye mocks our groan \ Adown my beard the slavers trickle ! I kick the wee stools o'er the mickle. As round the fire the giglets keckle,^ To see me loup ; * While, raving mad, I wish a heckle * Were in their doup. 1 The mirthful children laugh. * Jump. ♦ A frame in which is stuck, sharp ends uppermost, from fifty to a hundred steel spikes, through which the hemp is drawn to straighten it for mauufacturiDg purposes. l66 POEMS, ri78(> Of a' the numeroTis human dools,^ 111 hairsts, daft bargains, cutty-stools, Or worthy friends raked i' the mools,^ Sad sight to see ! The tricks o' knaves, or fash o' fools, Thou bear'st the gree, Where'er that place be priests ca' hell, Whence a' the tones o' misery yell, And ranked plagues their numbers tell. In dreadfu' raw, Thou, Toothache, surely bear'st the bell Amang tliem a' ! O thou grim mischief -making chiel. That gars the notes of discord squeel, Till daft mankind aft dance a reel In gore a shoe thick, Gie a* the faes o' Scotland's weal A towmond's^ toothache ! THE KIRK'S ALARM. A SATIRE. tV^e quote Lockhart's account of the origin of the " Kirk's Alarm :" — " M'Gili and Dalrymple, the two ministers of the town of Ayr, had long been suspected of entertaining heterodox opinions on several points, particularly the doctrine of original sin and the Trinity; and the former at length published * An Essay on the Death of Jesus Christ,' which was considered as demanding the notice of the Church courts. More than a year was spent in the discussions which ai'ose out of this: and at last, Dr M'Gill was fain to acknowledge his errors, and promise that he would take an early opportunity of apologising for them to his congregation from the pulpit, which promise, however, he never per- formed. The gentry of the country took, for the most part, the side of M 'Grill, who was a man of cold, unpopular manners, but of unreproached moral char- acter, and possessed of some accomplishments. The bulk of the lower orders espoused, with far more fervid zeal, the cause of those who conducted the prosecution against this erring doctor, Gavin Hamilton, and all persons of his stamp, were, of course, on the side of M'Gill — Auld and the Mauchline elders with his enemies. Robert Aiken, a writer in Ayr, a man of remarkable talents, particularly in public speaking, had the principal management of M 'Gill's cause before the presbytery and the synod. He was an intimate friend of Hamilton's, and through him had about this time formed an acquaint- ance which soon ripened into a warm friendship with Burns. Burns was, therefore, from the beginning, a zealous, as in the end he was, perhaps, the most efiective, partisan of the side on which Aiken had staked bo much of his reputation." Orthodox, orthodox, Wha believe in John Knox, Let me sound an alarm to your conscience— There 's a heretic blast Has been blawn i' the wast, That what is not sense must be nonsense, A Troubles. « Gmve— earth. « Tvrelvemonih'i. iET. 31.] POEMS. 167 Doctor Mac,* Doctor Mac, You should stretch on a rack, To strike evil-doers wi' terror ; To join faith and sense, Upon ony pretence, Is heretic, damnable error. Town of Ayr, town of Ayr, It was mad, I declare. To meddle wi' mischief a-brewing ; Provost John \ is still deaf To the Church's relief, And Orator Bob:]: is its ruin. D'rymple mild,§ D'rymple mild, Though your heart 's like a child. And your life like the new-driven snaw ; Yet that winua save ye, Auld Satan must have ye, For preaching that three 's ane and twa. Rumble John,|| Rumble John, Mount the steps wi' a groan. Cry the book is wi' heresy cramm'd ; Then lug out your ladle. Deal brimstone like adle,^ And roar every note of the damn'd. ■' Simper James, "[I Simper James, Leave the fair Killie"-^ dames. There 's a holier chase in your view ; I '11 lay on your head That the pack ye '11 soon lead. For pupines like you there 's but few. Singet Sawney,** Singet^ Sawney, Are ye herding the penny, Unconscious what evil await ? Wi' a jump, yell, and howl, Alarm every soul. For the foul thief is just at your gate. 1 Putrid water. 2 Kilmarnock. 8 Singed. Dr M'Gill. t John Ballantyne, Esq., provost of Ayr, to whom the "Twa BWgs" is dedicated. X Mr Kobert Aiken, writer in Ayr, to whom the "Cotter's Saturday Night" is inscribed. He was aj?ent for Dr M'Gill in the presbytery and synod. § The Rev. Dr William Dalrymple, senior minister of the collegiate church of Ayr. II The Rev. John Russell, celebrated in the " Holy Fair." ^ The Rev. James Mackinlay, the hero of the "Ordination." ** The Rev. Alexander Moodie, of Riccarton, one of the heroes of the "Twa Herds.'* 1 68 POEMS, [1789. Daddy Auld,* Daddy Auld, There 's a tod^ in the fauld, A tod meikle waur than the clerk ; + Though ye downa do skaith,^ Ye '11 be in at the death, And if ye canna bite, ye can bark. Davie Bluster, ij: Davie Bluster, For a saunt if ye muster, The corps is no nice of reciniits ; Yet to worth let 's be just, Royal blood ye might boast. If the ass were the king of the brutes. Jamie Goose, § Jamie Goose, Ye hae made but toom roose,^ In hunting the wicked lieutenant ; But the doctor 's your mark. For the Lord's haly ark He has cooper'd and ca'd* a wrang pin in 't. Poet Willie,!! Poet Willie, Gie the Doctor a volley, Wi' your " Liberty's chain" and your wit ; O'er Pegasus' side Ye ne'er laid a stride, Ye but smelt, man, the place where he Andro Gouk,^ Andro Gouk, Ye may slander the book. And the book nane the waur, let me tell ye ; Though ye 're rich, and look big, Yet lay by hat and wig. And ye '11 hae a calf's head o' sma' value. Barr Steenie,** Barr Steenie, What mean ye, what mean ye ? If ye *11 meddle nae mair wi' the matter, Ye may hae some pretence To bavins ^ and sense, Wi' people wha ken ye nae bettor. 1 Fox. 2 Harm. s Empty fame. * Driven. * Good manners. * The Rev. Mr Auld, of Mauchline. t The clerk was Mr Gavin Hamilton, who had been a thorn in the side of Mr Auld. X Mr Grant, Ochiltree. § Mr Younjr, Cumnock. II The Rev. Dr Peebles, of Newtou-upon- Ayr, the author of an indifferent poem on the centenary of the Revolution, in which occurred the line to which the poet alludes. ^ Dr Andrew Mitchell, Monkton, a wealthy member of presbytery. ** Eev. Steplien Young, Barr ffiT. 31.] POEMS, 169 Irvine side,* Irvine side, Wi' your turkey-cock pride, Of manhood but sma' is your share; y'e Ve the figure, 'tis true, Even your faes will allow. And your friends they daur grant you nae mair. Muirland Jock,f Muirland Jock, Wiien the Lord makes a rock To crush Common Sense for her sins, If ill manners were wit. There 's no mortal so fit To confound the poor Doctor at ance. Holy Will,t Holy Will, There was wit i' your skull When ye pilf er'd the alms o' the poor ; The timmer is scant. When ye 're ta'en for a saunt, Wha should swing in a rape for an hour. Calvin's sons, Calvin's sons, Seize your spiritual guns, Ammunition you never can need ; Your hearts are the stuff Will be powther enough. And your skulls are storehouses o' lead. Poet Bums, Poet Burns, Wi' your priest-skelping turns, Why desert ye your auld native shire ? Your Muse is a gipsy — E'en though she were tipsy. She could ca' us nae waur than we are. THE WHISTLE. Burns says, "As the authentic prose history of the 'Whistle' i3 curious, I shall here give it : — In the train of Anne of Denmark, when she came to Scotland with our James the Sixth, there came over also a Danish gentleman of gif,'antic stature and great prowess, and a matchless champion ot Bacchus. He had a little ebony whistle, which at the commencement of the orgies he laid on the table, and whoever was the last able to blow it, everybody else being disabled by the potency of the bottle, was to carry off the whistle as a trophy of victory. The Dane produced credentials of his victories, without a single defeat, at the courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Moscow, Warsaw, and several of the petty courts in Germany; and challenged the Scots Bacchan- alians to the alternative of trying his prowess, or else of acknowledging tlieir Inferiority. After many overthrows on the part of the Scots, the Dane was encountered by Sir Robert Law rie of Maxwelton, ancestor of the preseni worthy • Rev. Mr George Smith, Galston. f Mr John Sheplierd, Muirkirk. X William Eishei*, elder in Mauchline, whom Burns so often scourged. 11 o POEMS. [1789. baronet of that name, who, after three days' and three nights hard contest, left the Scandinavian under the table, And blew on the whistle his requiem shrill. Sir "Walter, son of Sir Robert before mentioned, afterwards lost the whistle to Wal.er Riddel of Glenriddel, who had married a sister of Sir Walter's. — On Friday, the 16th of October 1789, at Friars' Carse, the whistle was once more contended for, as related in the ballad, by the present Sir Robert Lawrie of Maxwelton ; Robert Riddel, Esq., of Glenriddel, lineal descendant and repr<^- sentative of Walter Riddel, who won the whistle, and in whose family it had continued ; and Alexander Ferguson, Esq., of Craigdarroch, likewise descender! from the great Si^ Robert, which last gentleman carried off the hard-won honours of the field." k good deal of doubt was at one time felt as to whether Burns was present at the contest for the whistle — Professor Wilson having contended that he was not present, citing as evidence a letter to Captain Riddel, which will be found in the General Correspondence. These doubts are now set at r-st. Captain Riddejl, in replying to the letter mentioned, invited the poet to be present. He answered in the following verse : — " The king's poor blackguard slave am I, And scarce dow spare a minute ; But I '11 be with you by and by, Or else the devil's in ii\"—B. xVIr Chambers places the matter still further beyond doubt by quotinj* the testimony of William Hunter, then a servant at Friars' Carse. who was living in 1851, and who distinctly remembered that Burns was there, and, what was better still, that Bui'as was remarkably temperate during the wliole evening, and took no part in the debauch. I SING of a whistle, a whistle of worth, I sing of a whistle, the pride of the North, Was brought to the court of our good Scottish king, And long with this whistle all Scotland shall ring. Old Loda,* still rueing the arm of Fingal, The god of the bottle sends down from his hall — "This whistle 's your challenge— to Scotland get o'er, And drink them to hell, sir, or ne'er see me more ! " Old poets have sung, and old chronicles tell, What champions ventured, what champions fell ; The son of great Loda was conqueror still, And blew on the whistle his requiem shrill. Till Robert, the lord of the Cairn and the Skarr, Unmatch'd at the bottle, unconquer'd in war, He drank his poor godship as deep as the sea, No tide of the Baltic e'er drunker than he. Thus Robert, victorious, the trophy has gain'd ; Which now in his house has for ages remain'd ; Till three noble cliieftains, and all of his blood, The jovial contest again have renew'd. Three joyous good fellows, with hearts clear of flaw : Craigdarroch, so famous for wit, worth, and law; * See Ossian's Caric-thura. — B~ iEr. 3J.] POEMS. 171 And trusty Glenriddel, so skilled in old coins ; And gallant Sir Robert, deep-read in old wines. Craigdarroch began, with a tongne smooth as oil, Desiring Glenriddel to yield up the spoil ; Or else he would muster the heads of the clan, And once more, in claret, try which was the man. " By the gods of the ancients ! " Glenriddel replies, "Before I surrender so glorious a prize, ' I'll conjure the ghost of the great Rorie More,* And bumper his horn with hirn twenty times o'er." Sir Robert, a soldier, no speech would pretend. But he ne'er turn'd his back on his foe — or his friend. Said, Toss down the whistle, the prize of the field, And, knee-deep in claret, he 'd die ere he 'd yield. To the board of Glenriddel our heroes repair, So noted for drowning of sorrow and care ; But for wine and for welcome not more known to fame, Than the sense, wit, and taste, of a sweet lovely dame. A bard was selected to witness the fray, And tell future ages the feats of the day ; A bard who detested all sadness and spleen, And wish'd that Parnassus a vineyard had been. The dinner being over, the claret they ply, And every new cork is a new spring of joy ; In the bands of old friendship and kindred so set, And the bands grew the tighter the more they were wet. Gay pleasure ran riot as bumpers ran o'er ; Bright Phoebus ne'er witness'd so joyous a core. And vow'd that to leave them he was quite forlorn, Till Cynthia hinted he 'd see them next mom. Six bottles apiece had well wore out the night, "When gallant Sir Robert, to finish the fight, Turn'd o'er in one bumper a bottle of red. And swore twas the way that their ancestors did. Then worthy Glenriddel, so cautious and sage, No longer the warfare, ungodly, would wage ; A high ruling-elder to wallow in wine ! He left the foul business to folks less divine. The gallant Sir Robert fought hard to the end ; But who can with Fate and quart-bumpers contend ? Though Fate said — A hero shall perish in light ; So up rose bright Phoebus— and down fell the knight. * See Johnson's Tour to the Hebrides. — B. 172 POEMS, [1789. Next up rose our bard, like a prophet in drink : " Craigdarroch, thou It soar when creation shall sink ! But if thou wouldst flourish immortal in rhyme, Come— one bottle more — and have at the sublime ! " Thy line, that have struggled for freedom with Bruce, Shall heroes and patriots ever produce : So thine be the laurel, and mine be the bay ; The field thou hast won, by yon bright god of day ! " VERSES ON CAPTAIN GROSE'S PEREGRINATIONS THROUGH SCOTLAND COLLECTING THE ANTIQUITIES OF THAT KINGDOM. Captain Grose, the hero of this poem, author of a work on the Antiquities ol Scotland, was an enthusiastic antiquary, fond of good wine and good com- pany. Burns met him at the hospitable table of Captain Riddel of Friars' Carse. He died in Dublin, of an apoplectic fit, in 1791, in the 62d year of hip age. Hear, Land o' Cakes, and brither Scots, Erae Maidenkirk * to Johnny Groat's ; If there 's a hole in a' your coats, I rede you tent^ it; A chiel 's amang you takin' notes. And, faith, he '11 prent it ! If in your bounds ye chance to light Upon a fine, fat, f odgel ^ wight, O' stature short, but genius bright, That 's he, mark weel — And wow ! he has an unco slight O' cauk and keehi* By some auld, houlet-haunted biggin', % Or kirk deserted by its riggin', It 's ten to ane ye '11 find him snug in Some eldritch ^ part, Wi' dells, they say. Lord save 's ! colleaguin At some black art. Ilk ghaist that haunts auld ha' or chaumer, Ye gipsy gang that deal in glamour,* And you, deep read in hell's black grammar, Warlocks and witches ; Ye 'n quake at his conjuring hammer, Ye midnight bitches ! 1 Heed. 2 Plump. » Fnholy. * Black art • An inversion of the name of Kirkmalden, in Wigtonshire, the most southerl parish in Scotland t Alluding to his powers as a draughtsman, t See his "Antiquities of Scotland." — B. ^T. 31.] POEMS, 173 It *s tauld he was a sodger bred, And ane wad rather fa'n than fled ; But now he 's quat the spurtle-blada And dog-skin wallet, And ta'en — the antiquarian trade, I think they call it. He has a fouth^ o* auld nick-nackets, llusty airn caps and jinglin' jackets,* Wad baud the Lothians three in tackets A towmond. guid ; And parritch-pats, and anld sant-backets, Afore the flood. Of Eve's first fire he has a cinder ; Auld Tubal Cain's fire-shool and fender ; That which distinguished the gender O' Balaam's ass ; A broomstick o' the witch o' Endor, Weel shod wi' brass. Forbye, he '11 shape you aff, fu' gleg,^ The cut of Adam's philabeg : The knife that iiicket Abel's craig ^ He '11 prove you fully, It was a fauldiug jocteleg, Or lang-kail gully. But wad ye see him in his glee, For meikle glee aud fun has he. Then set him down, and twa or three Guid fellows wi' him ; And port, O port ! shine thou a wee. And then ye '11 see him I !N"ow, by the powers o' verse and prose ! Thou art a dainty chiel, O Grose ! — Whae'er o' thee shall ill suppose. They sair misca' thee ; I 'd take the rascal by the nose, Wad say. Shame fa' thee ! LINES WEITTEN IN A WKAPPER, ENCLOSING A LETTER TO CAPTAIN GEOSE. Burns having undertaken to gather some antiquarian and legendary material as to the iniins in Kyle, in sending them to Captain Grose under cover to Mr Cardonnel, a brother antiquary, the following vei-ses, in imitation of the ancient 1 Abundance. 2 jFuU tji^ulckly. 8 Throat. * See his "Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons." — J5. 174 POEMS. [1789. ballad of <' Sir John Malcolm," were enclosed. Cardonnel real them every where, much to the captain's annoyance, and to the amusement of his friends. ICen ye ought o' Captain Grose ? Igo and ago, If he 's amang his friends or foes ? Iram, coram, dago. Is he south, or is he north ? Igo and ago, Or drownM in the river Forth? Iram, coram, dago. Is he slain by Highlan' bodies ? Igo and ago, And eaten like a wether-haggis ? Iram, coram, dago. Is he to Abra'm's bosom gane ? Igo and ago. Or haudin* Sarah by the wame ? Iram, coram, dago. Where'er he be, the Lord be neiu' him ! '' Igo and ago, As for the deil, he daurna steer him ! Iram, coram, dago. But please transmit the enclosed letter, Igo and ago, "Which will oblige your humble debtor, Iram, coram, dago. So may ye hae auld stanes in store, Igo and ago. The very stanes that Adam bore, Iram, coram, dago. So may ye get in glad i^ossession, Igo and ago. The coins o' Satan's coronation ! Iram, coram, dago. SKETCH— NEW-YEAR'S DAY, [1790.] TO MRS DUNLOP. On the original MS, of these lines, the poet writes as follows : — " On second thoughts I send you this extempore blotted sketch. It is just the first random scrawl ; but if you think the piece worth while, I shall retouch lit, and finish it. Though I have no copy of it, my memory serves me." This day, Time winds the exhausted chain, To run the twelvemonth's length again ; /KT. 31.] POEMS, ' 175 I see the old, bald-pated fellow, With ardent eyes, complexion sallow- Adjust the unimpaired machine, To wheel the equal, dull routine. The absent lover, minor heir, In vain assail him with their prayer ; Deaf, as my friend, he sees them press, Nor makes the hour one moment less. Will you (the Major 's * with the hounds, The happy tenants share his rounds Coila's fair Rachel's + care to-day. And blooming Keith 's X engaged with Gray) From housewife cares a minute borrow- That grandchild's cap will do to-morrow — And join with me a-moralising, This day 's propitious to be wise in. Pirst, what did yesternight deliver ? *'Another year is gone for ever !" And what is this day's strong suggestion ? " The passing moment's all we rest on ! " Rest on — for what ? what do we here ? Or why regard the passing year ? Will Time, amused with proverb'd lore, Add to our date one miaute more ? A few days may — a few years must— Repose us in the silent dust, Then is it wise to damp our bliss ? Yes — all such reasonings are amiss ! The voice of Nature loudly cries, And many a message from the skies, That something in us never dies : That on this frail, uncertain state. Hang matters of eternal weight : That future life, in worlds unknown, Must take its hue from this alone ; Whether as heavenly glory bright, Or dark as Misery's woeful night. Since, then, my honour'd, first of friends, On this poor being all depends. Let us the important now employ. And live aa those who never die. Though you, with days and honours crownM, Witness that filial circle round, (A sight, life's sorrows to repulse, A sight, pale Envy to convulse, ) Others now claim your chief regard ; Yourself, you wait your bright reward. ♦ Major, afterwards General, Andrew Dunlop, Mrs Dunlop's second son. t Miss Rachel Dunlop, who afterwards married Robert (Jlasgow, Esq. X Miss Keith Dunlop, the youngest daughter. 176 . POEMS. I1790. PEOLOGUE, SPOKEN AT THE THEATRE, DUMFRIES, ON NEW-TEAR'S DAT EVENING, [1790.] Burns, writing to his brother Gilbert, says :— " We have gotten a set of very decent players here just now : I have seen them an evening ^r two. David Campbell, in Ayr, wrote to me by the manager of the company, a Mr Suther- land, who is a man of apparent worth On New-year's Day I gave him the fol- lowing prologue, which he spouted to his audience with applause :" — No song nor dance I bring from yon great city That queens it o'er our taste — the more's the pity : Though, by the by, abroad why will you roam ? Good sense and taste are natives here at home ; But not for panegyric I appear, I come to wish you all a good new year ! Old Father Time deputes me here before ye, Not for to preach, but tell his simple story. The sage grave ancient cough'd, and bade me say, ** You 're one year older this important day." If wiser, too — he hinted some suggestion, But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask tlie question ; And with a would-be roguish leer and wink, He bade me on you press this one word — " Think ! " Ye sprightly youths, quite flush'd witli hope and spirit. Who think to storm the world by dint of merit, To you the dotard has a deal to say. In his sly, dry, sententious, proverb way ! He bids you mind, amid your thoughtless rattle, That the first blow is ever half the battle ; That though some by the skirt may try to snatch him, Yet by the forelock is the hold to catch him ; That whether doing, suffering, or forbearing, You may do miracles by persevering. Last, thought not least in love, ye faithful fair, Angelic forms, high Heaven's peculiar care ! To you old Bald-pate smooths his wrinkled brow. And humbly begs you '11 mind the important Now ! To crown your happiness he asks your leave, And offers bliss to give and to receive. For our sincere, thougli haply weak, endeavours, With grateful pride we own your many favours; And howsoe'er our tongues may ill reveal it, Believe our glowing bosoms truly feel it. iET. 32.] POEMS, 177 TO THE OWL. This poem was originally printed, from a MS. In the poet's handwriting, by Cromek, who threw some doubts on its being written by Burna. But as the MS. copy showed occasional interlineations in the same hand, there can be little doubt, we presume, as to its authenticity. Sad bird of nigiit, what sorrows call tliee forth, To vent thy plaints thus in the midnight hour ? Is it some blast that gathers in the north, Threatening to nii3 the verdure of thy bower ? Is it, sad owl, that Autumn strips the shade. And leaves thee here, unshelter'd and forlorn? Or fear that Winter will thy nest invade ? Or friendless melancholy bids thee mourn ? Shut out, lone bird, from all the feather'd train, To tell thy sorrows to the unheeding gloom ; No friend to pity when thou dost complain, Grief all thy thought, and solitude thy home. Sing on, sad mourner ! I will bless thy strain, And pleased in sorrow listen to thy song ; Sing on, sad mourner ; to the night complain. While the lone echo wafts thy notes along. / Is beauty less, when down the glowing cheek Sad, piteous tears, in native sorrows fall ? Less kind the heart when anguish bids it break ? Less happy he who lists to pity's call ? Ah no, sad owl ! nor is thy voice less sweet, That sadness tunes it, and that grief is there ; That spring's gay notes, unskill'd, thou canst repeat ; That sorrow bids thee to the gloom repair. Nor that the treble songsters of the day Are quite estranged, sad bird of night ! from thee \ Nor that the thrush deserts the evening spray. When darkness calls thee from thy reverie. From some old tower, thy melancholy dome. While the gray walls, and desert solitudes, Return each note, responsive to the gloom Of ivied coverts and surrounding woods, Tliere hooting, I will list more pleased to theo Than ever lover to the nighting-ale ; Or drooping wretch, oppress'd with misery, Lending his ear to some condoling tale. 173 POEMS. [1790, VEESES ON AN EVENING VIEW OP THE RUINS OF LINCLUDEIf ABBEY.* Ye holy walls, that, still sublime, Kesist the crumbling touch of time ; How strongly still your form displays The piety of ancient days ! As through your ruins, hoar and gray — Ruins yet beauteous in decay — The silvery moonbeams trembling fly : The forms of ages long gone by Crowd thick on Fancy's wondering eye. And wake the soul to musings high. Even now, as lost in thought profound, I view the solemn scene around, And, pensive, gaze with wistful eyes, The past returns, the present flies ; Again the dome, in pristine pride, Lifts high its roof and arches wide, That, knit with curious tracery, Each Gothic ornament display. • The high-arch'd windows, painted fair. Show many a saint and martyr there. As on their slender forms I gaze, Methinks they brighten to a blaze ! With noiseless step and taper bright, What are yon forms that meet my sight? Slowly they move, while every eye Is heavenward raised in ecstasy. 'Tis the fair, spotless, vestal train. That seek in prayer the midnight fane. And, hark ! what more than mortal sound Of music breathes the pile around ? 'Tis the soft-chanted choral song, Whose tones the echoing aisles prolong ; Till, thence return'd, they softly stray O'er Cludeu's wave, with fond delay ; Now on the rising gale swell high, And now in fainting murmurs die ; The boatmen on Nith's gentle stream, That glistens in the pale moonbeam, Suspend their dashing oars to hear The holy anthem, loud and clear ; Each worldly thought a while forbear, And mutter forth a half-form'd prayer. But, as I gaze, the vision fails. Like frost-work touch'd by southern gales ; The altar sinks, the tapers fade, And all the si^lendid scene 's decayed ; * On the banks of the river Cluden, and at a short distance from Dumfries, are the beautiful ruins oi the A"bbey of Lincluden, which was founded in the tAn» of Malcolm, the fourth King of Scotland. ^T 32.] POEMS, T79 Tn window fair the painted pane Ko longer glows with holy stain, But through the broken glass the galo Blows chilly from the misty vale ; The bird of eve flits sullen by, Her home these aisles and arches high J The choral hymn, that erst so clear Broke softly sweet on Fancy's ear, Is drown'd amid the mournful scream That breaks the magic o^ my dream ! Boused by the sound, I start and see The ruin'd sad reality ! PROLOGUE, FOR MR SUTHERLAND'S BENEFIT NIGHT, DUMFRIES. This prologiie was accompanied with the following letter to Mr Sutherland, the manager of the Dumfries Tlieatx*e : — ' » Mondo.y Morning. " I was much disappointed in wanting your most agreeable company yesterday. However, I heartily pray for good weather next Sunday ; and whatever aerial being has the guidance of the elements, he may take any other half dozen ol Sundays he pleases, and clothe them with Vapours, and clouds, and storms. Until he terrify himself At combustion of his own raising. I shall see you on Wednesday forenoon. In the greatest hurry. .—R. B." What needs this din about the town o' Lon'on, How this new play and that new sang is comin'? Why is outlandish stuff sae meikle ^ courted ? Does nonsense mend like whisky, when imported! Is there nae poet, burning keen for fame, Will try to gie us sangs and plays at hame ? For comedy abroad he needna toil, A fool and knave are plants of every soil ; Nor need he hunt as far as Home and Greece To gather matter for a serious piece ; There 's themes enow in Caledonian story, Would show the tragic muse in a* her glory. Is there no daring bard will rise and tell How glorious Wallace stood, how hapless fell? Where are the Muses fled that could produce A drama worthy o' the name o' Bruce ; How here, even here, he first unsheafch'd the sword, *Giainst mighty England and her guilty lord ; l8o POEMS. [i790t And after mony a bloody, deathless doin^, Wrencli'd his dear countiy from the jaws of ruin? Oh for a Shakespeare or an Otway scene To draw the lovely, hapless Scottish queen ! Vain all the omnipotence of female charms 'Gainst headlong, ruthless, mad Rebellion's arms. She fell, but fell with spirit truly Roman, To glut the vengeance of a rival woman : A woman — though the phrase may seem uncivil — As able and as cruel as the devil ! One Donglis lives in Home's immortal page, But Douglases were heroes every age : And th(n»gh your fathers, prodigal of life, A Douglas followed to the martial strife. Perhaps if bowls row right, and Right succeeds. Ye yet may lollow where a Douglas leads ! As ye hae generous done, if a' the land Would take the Muses' servants by the hand ; Not only hear, but patronise, befriend them, And where ye justly can commend, commend them ; And aiblins when they winna stand the test. Wink hard and say the folks hae done their best ! Would a' the land do this, then I '11 be caution Ye '11 soon hae poets o' the Scottish nation, Will gar Fame blaw until her trumpet crack. And warsle^ Time, and lay him on his bacit \ For us and for our stage should ony spier, *' Wha's aught thae chiels maks a' this bustle here?" My best leg foremost, I '11 set up my brow, We have the honour to belong to yon ! We 're your ain bairns, e'en guide us as ye like, But like good mithers, shore"* before ye strike. And gratefu* still I hope ye '11 ever find us. For a' the patronage and raeikle kindpess We Ve got frae a' professions, sets, arid ranks ; God help us ! we 're but poor — ye 'ife get but thanks. STANZAS ON THE DUKE OF QUEENSBERRY. On being questioned as to the propriety of satirising people unwortliy of his notice, and the Duke of QueensbeiTy being cited as an instance, Burns drew Cut his pencil and penned the following bitter lines as his reply : — How shall I sing Drumlanrig's Grace- Discarded remnant of a race Once gi-eat in mai-tial story? His forbears' virtues all contrasted- - The very name of Douglas blasted — His that inverted glory. 1 WrcPtle. fi Ask. » Threaten /ET. 32. J POEMS. 181 Hate, envy, oft the Douglas bore ; But he has sui^eradded more, And sunk them m contempt ; Follies and crimes have stain'd the name ; But, Queensberry, thine the virgin claim. From aught that 's good exem]3t. VERSES TO MY BED. Thou bed, in which I first began To be that various creature— ma?! / And when again the fates decree, The place where I must cease to be ; — When sickness comes, to whom I fly, To soothe my pain, or close mine eye ; — When cares surround me where I weep, Or lose them all in balmy sleep ; — When sore with labour, whom I court, And to thy downy breast resort — Where, too, ecstatic joys I find, When deigns my Delia to be kind — And full of love, in all her charms, Thou givest the fair one to my arms. The centre thou, where grief and pain. Disease and rest, alternate reign. Oh, since within thy little space So many various scenes take place ; Lessons as useful shalt thou teach. As sages dictate — churchmen preach ; And man, convinced by thee alone. This great important truth shall OAvn : — That thin partitions do divide The bounds where good and ill reside ; That nought is perfect here below ; But hliss still bordering upon woe. ELEGY ON PEG NICHOLSON. Peg Nicholson, the "good bay mare," belonged to Mr William Nicol, a fast friend of the poet's, and was so named from a frantic virago who attempted the life of Greorge III. The poet enclosed the following verses in a letter to his friend, in February 1790, with a long account of the deceased mare, whicb letter will be fomid in the correspondence of that year. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare As ever trode on airn ; ^ But now she 's floating down the Nith, And past the mouth o' Cairn. 1 82 POEMS, [1790. Veg Nicholson was a good bay maro, And rode through thick and thin ; But now she 's floating down the Nith, And wanting even the skin. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, And ance she bore a priest ; But now she 's floating down the Nith, For Solway fish a feast. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare. And the priest he rode her sair ; And much oppress'd and bruised she was, As priest-rid cattle are. LINES WRITTEN TO A GENTLEMAN WHO HAD SENT HIM A NEWSPAPER, AND OFFERED TO CONTINUE IT FREE OP EXPENSE. Kind sir, I 've read your paper through. And, faith, to me 'twas really new I How guess'd ye, sir, what maist I wanted ? This mony a day I've gran'd^ and gaunted^ To ken what French mischief was brewin', Or what the drumlie Dutch were doin' ; That vile doup-skelper. Emperor Joseph, If Venus yet had got his nose off ; Or how the collieshangie^ works Atween the Russians and the Turks ; Or if the Swede, before he halt. Would play anither Charles the Twalt : If Denmark, anybody spak o 't ; Or Poland, wha had now the tack* o't : How cut-throat Prussian blades were hmgin';'' How libbet^ Italy was singin* ; If Spaniards, Portuguese, or Swiss Were eayin' or takin' aught amisa : Or how our merry lads at hame. In Britain's court, kept up the game : How royal George, the Lord leuk o'er him ! Was managing St Stephen's quorum; If sleekit^ Chatham Will was livin', Or glaikit^ Charlie got his nieve^ in ; How Daddie Burke the plea was cookin*. If AVarren Hastings' neck was yeukin' ;^® How cesses, stents, and fees were rax'd,^- Or if bare a— s yet were tax'd ; 1 Groaned. a Yawned. s Quarrel. * Leas? » Hanging. « Castrated. ' Sly. * Tnougnuess » Fist. 10 Itching. n Stretched. MT. 32.] FOEMS, 183 Tlie news o* princes, dukes, and earls. Pimps, sharpers, bawds, and opera girls ; If that daft buckie, Geordie Wales, Was threshin' still at hizzies' tails ; Or if he was grown oughtlins douser,^ And no a perfect kintra cooser. A' this and mair I never heard of ; And but for you I might despair'd of. So gratefu', back your news I send you, And pray, a' guid things may attend you ! Ellisland, Monday Morning, 1790. ELEGY OK CAPTAIN MATTHEW HENDERSON, A GENTLEMAN WHO HELD THE PATENT FOR HIS HONOURS IMMEDIATELY PROM ALMIGHTY GOD. The following note was appended to the original MS. of the Elegy : — "Now that you are over with the sirens of flattery, the harpies of corruption, and the furies of ambition — those infernal deities that, on all sides and in all parties, preside over the villainous business of politics — permit a rustic muse of your acquaint- ance to do her best to soothe you with a song. You knew Henderson. I have not flattered his memory." In a letter to Dr Moore, dated February 1791, the poet says : — '* The Elegy on Captain Henderson is a tribute to the memory of a man I loved much. Poets have in this the same advantage as Roman Catholics ; they can be of service to their friends after they have passed that bourne where all other kindness ceases to be of any avail. Whether, after all, either the one or the other be ot any real service to the dead is, I fear, very problenutical ; but I am sure they are highly gratifying to the living. Captain Henderson was a retired soldier, of agreeable manners and upright character, who had a lodging in Carrubber's Close, Edinburgh, and mingled with the best society of the city : he dined regularly at Fortune's Tavern, and was a member of the Capillaire Club, which was composed of all who inclined to the witty and the joyous." " Should the poor be flatter'd ? "—Shakespeare. But now his radiant course is run, For Matthew's course was bright ; His soul was like the glorious sun, A matchless heavenly light I O Death ! thou tyrant fell and bloody ! The meikle devil wi' a woodie ^ HaurP thee hame to his black smiddie,* O'er hurcheon* hides. And like stock-fish * come o'er his studdie • Wi' thy auld sides ! 1 At all more sober. 2 Rope of wythes. 3 Drag. 4 Hedgehog. 6 Dried fish. 6 Anvil. * Smiddie, a blacksmith's shop— hence the appropriateness of its use in the present instance. 1 84 POEMS. [1790 He 's gane ! he 's gane ! he 's f rae us torn ! The ae best fellow e'er was born ! Thee, Matthew, Nature's sel shall mourr.. By wood and wild, Where, haply, Pity strays forlorn, Erae man exiled ! Ye hills ! near neibors 0' the starns,i That proudly cock your cresting cairns ! Ye cliffs, the haunts of sailing yearns,^ Where Echo slumbers ! Come join, ye Nature's sturdiest bairns, Mv wailing numbers ! Mourn, ilka grove the cushat kens ! 3 Ye hazelly shaws and briery dens ! Ye burnies, wimplin' down your glens, Wi' toddlin' din,* Or foaming Strang, wi' hasty stens,^ Frae lin to lin ! Mourn, little harebells o'er the lea ; Ye stately foxgloves fair to see ; Ye woodbines, hanging bonnilie In scented bo wers ; Ye roses on your thorny tree, The first 0' flowers. At dawn, when every grassy blade Droops with a diamond at its head, At even, when beans their fragrance shed, I' the rustling gale, Ye maukins whiddin' ^ through the glade, Come, join my wail. Mourn, ye wee songsters 0' the wood ; Ye grouse that crap ^ the heather bud ; Ye curlews calling tlirough a clud ; ^ Ye whistling plover ; And mourn, ye whirring paitrick^ brood !— He 's gane for ever. Mourn, sooty coots, and speckled teals ; Ye fisher herons, watching eels ; Ye duck and drake, wi' airy wheels Circling the lake ; Ye bitterns, till the quagmire reels, Bair for his sake. * Stars, 2 Eagles. » "Wood-pigeon knows. ^ Bounds. » Hares running. « Crop, eat. i" oioua. 8 Partridge. * With the noise of one who goes hesitatingly or insecurely. ET. 32.] POEMS. J 85 Mourn, clam'ring craiks ^ at close o* day, 'Mang fields o' flowering clover gay ; And when ye wing your annual way Frae our cauld shore, Tell thae far warlds wha lies in clay, Wham we deplore. Ye houlets,2 frae your ivy bower, In some auld tree or eldritch ^ tower, What time the moon, wi' silent glower,* Sets up her horn. Wail through the dreary midnight hour Till waukrif e ^ morn ! O rivers, forests, hills, and plains ! Oft have ye heard my canty ^ strains : But now, what else for me remains But tales of woe ? And frae my een the drapping rains Maun ever flow. Mourn, Spring, thou darling of the year ! Ilk cowslip cup shall kep^ a tear : Thou, Simmer, while each corny spear Shoots up its head, Thy gay, green, flowery tresses shear For him that 's dead 1 Thou, Autumn, wi' thy yellow hair, In grief thy sallow mantle tear ! Thou, Winter, hurling through the air The roaring blast, Wide o'er the naked world declai-e The worth we 've lost ! Mourn him, thou Sun, great source of light ! Mourn, emi^ress of the silent night ! And you, ye twinkling stamies bright, My JNIatthew mourn ! For through your orbs he 's ta'en his flight. Ne'er to return. O Henderson ! the man — the brother ! And art thou gone, and gone for ever? And hast thou cross'd that unknown river. Life's dreary bound ? Like thee, where shall I find another The world around ! Go to your sculptured tombs, ye great In a' the tinsel trash o' state ! 1 Landrails. 2 Owls. * Haunted. 4 Stare. 6 Wakening. « Happy. ^ Catch. 1 86 POEMS. [1790. But by thy honest turf 1^11 wait, Thou man of worth ! And weep the ae best fellow's fate E'er lay in earth. THE EPITAPH. Stop, passenger ! — my storj-^ 's brief, Ind truth I shall relate, man ; I tell nae common tale o' grief — For Matthew was a great man. If thou uncommon merit hast, Yet spurn'd at Fortune's door, man, A look of pity hither cast — For Matthew was a poor man. If thou a noble sodger art. That passest by this grave, man. There moulders here a gallant heai-t — For Matthew was a brave man. If thou on men, their works and ways. Canst throw uncommon light, man. Here lies wha weel had won thy praise — For Matthew was a bright man. K thou at friendship's sacred oa' Wad life itself resign, man. The sympathetic tear maun fa' — For Matthew was a kind man I If thou art stanch without a stain, Like the unchanging blue, man, This was a kinsman o' thy ain — For Matthew was a true man. If thou hast wit, and fun, and fire, And ne'er guid wine did fear, man, This was thy billie, dam, and sire — For Matthew was a queer man. If ony whiggish whingin' sot. To blame poor Matthew dare, man. May dool and sorrow be his lot ! — For Matthew was a rare man. TAM O' SHANTER: A TALE. Captain Grose, In the Introduction to his <* Antiquities of Scotland," says, "To ray inffenious friend, Mr Robert Burns, I have been seriously obligated ; he was not only at the pains of making out what was mosc worthy of notice in /ET. 32.] POEMS. 187 Ayrshire, the country honoured by his birth, but he also wrote, expressly foi this work, the pretty tae annexed to Alloway Church." This pretty tale was ♦'Ta n o' Shanter," certainly the most popular of all our poet's works. In a lette to Captain Grose, No. CCXXVII. of the General Correspondence, Burns gives the legend which formed the groundwork of the poem : — "On a market day in the town of Ayr, a farmer from Carrick, and consequently whose way lay by the very gate of Alloway kirkyard, in order to cross the river Doon at the old bridge, which is about two or three hundred yards farther on than the said gate, had been detained by his business, till by the time he reached Al- loway it was the wizard hour, between ni Wept. 2 Very. « Then. * Know. » Went. • Gave, 7 Beat. af4 POEMS, [1795. "Wae wortli the loon ^ wha wa^lna eat Sic halesome dainty cheer, man ; I 'd gie my shoon frae aff my feet, To taste sic fruit, I swear, man. Syne let ns pray, auld England may Sure plant this far-famed tree, man ; And blithe we 'U sing, and hail the day That gives us liberty, man. TO CHLORIS. Th? Chloris of the following lines, and of several songs of the poet's, was a Mrs Whelpdale, the beautiful daughter of Mr William Lorimer, farmer of Kemmis Hall, near Ellisland. Her marriage was unfortunate, for a few months after it took place she was separated from her husband, whom she did not» again meet for twenty-three years. 'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair friend, Nor thou the gift refuse. Nor with unwilling ear attend The moralising Muse. Since thou, in all thy youth and charms, Must bid the world adieu (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms) To join the friendly few. Since thy gay mom of life o'ercast, Chill came the tempest's lower ; (And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast Did nip a fairer flower. ) Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Still much is left behind ; Still nobler wealth hast thou in store— The comforts of the mind ! Thine is the self -approving glow, On conscious honour's part : And, dearest gift of Heaven below, Thine friendship's tniest heart. The Joys refined of sense and taste. With every Muse to rove : And doubly were the poet blest, These joys could he improve. » Fellow. XT. 37.] POEMS. 3IS VERSES ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WOODS NEAR DRUMLANRia. rhe Duke of Queensbeiry, who was no favourite of the poet's, and who wai deservedly held in little esteem wherever his character was known, had ^we quote from Mr Chambers) "stripped his domains of Drumlanrig in Dumfries- shire, and Neidpath in Peeblesshire, of all the wood fit for being cut, in order to enrich the Countess of Yarmouth, whom he supposed to be his daughter, and to whom, by a singular piece of good fortune on her part, Mr George Selwyn, the celebrated wit, also left a fortune, under the same, and probably equally mistaken, impression." As on the banks o* waijdering Nith Ae smiling summer mom I stray'd, And traced its bonny howes and haughs, Where Unties sang and lambkins play'd, I sat me down upon a craig, And drank my fill o' fancy's dream, "When, from the eddying deep below, Uprose the genius of the stream. Dark, like the frowning rock, his brow, And troubled like his wintry wave, And deep, as sughs^ the boding wind Amang his eaves, the sigh he gave — " And came ye here, my son," he cried, " To wander in my birken shade? To muse some favourite Scottish theme, Or sing some favourite Scottish maid I "There was a time, it's nae lang syne,' Ye might hae seen me in my pride, When a' my banks sae bravely saw Their woody pictures in my tide ; When hanging beech and spreading elm Shaded my stream sae clear and cool ; And stately oaks their twisted arms Threw broad and dark across the pool ; "When glinting through the trees appear*d The wee white cot aboon the mill, And peacefu' rose its ingle reek,^ That slowly curl'd up the hill. But now the cot is bare and cauld. Its branchy shelter 's lost and gane, And scarce a stinted birk is left To shiver in the blast its lane." " Alas !" said I, "what ruefu' chance Has twin'd* ye o' your stately trees? Has laid your rocky bosom bare ? Has stripp'd the deeding ^ o' your braes? 1 Sighs. s Since. > The smoke of its fire. *Reft. eClothin^r. 2i6 POEMS, [1796. Was it the bitter eastern blast, That scatters blight in early spring? Or was 't the vril'-fire scorch'd their boughs, Or canker-worm wi' secret sting?" "Nae eastlin blast," the sprite replied ; *' It blew na here sae fierce and fell ; And on my dry and halesome banks Nae canker-worms get leave to dwell : Man ! cruel man ! " the genius sigh'd — As through the cliffs he sank liim down — "The worm that gnaw'd my bonny trees, That reptile wears a ducal crown !" ADDRESS SPOKEN BY MISS FONTENELLE ON HER BENEFIT NIGHT. *We have had a brilliant theatre here this season," tlie poet writes to Mrs Dunlop ; " only, as all other business does, it experiences a stagnation ol ti-ade from the epidemical complaint of the country — wantofcash. 1 mention our theatre merely to lug in an occasional address which I wrote for tlie benefil Dight of one of the actresses." Still anxious to secure your partial favour, And not less anxious, sure, this night than ever, A Prologue, Epilogue, or some such matter, 'Twould vamp my bill, said I, if nothing better ; So sought a poet, roosted near the skies. Told him I came to feast my curious eyes ; Said nothing like his works was ever printed ; And last, my Prologue-business slily hinted. " Ma'am, let me tell you," quoth my man of rliymes, " I know your bent— these are no laughing times : Can you — but. Miss, I own I have my fears — Dissolve in pause and sentimental tears ; With laden sighs, and solemn-rounded sentence. Rouse from his sluggish slumbers, fell Repentance ; Paint Vengeance, as he takes his horrid stand, Waving on high the desolating brand, Calling the storms to bear him o'er a guilty land ? " I could no more — askance the creature eyeing, D'ye think, said I, this face was made for crying ? I'll laugh, that's poz— nay, more, the world shall know iti And 80, your servant ! gloomy Master Poet ! Firm as my creed, sirs, 'tis my fix'd belief, That Misery's another word for Grief; I also think — so may I be a bride ! That so much laughter, so much life enjoy 'd. Thou man of crazy care and ceaseless sigh. Still under bleak Misfortune's blasting eye ; *r. 38.] POEMS, 217 Doom'd to that sorest task of man alive — To make three guineas do the work of five : Laugh in Misfortune's face— the bedlam witch I Say you '11 be merry, though you can't be rich. Thou other man of care, the wretch in love, Who long with jiltish arts and airs hast strove ; Who, as the boughs all temptingly project, Measured in desperate thought— a rope — thy neck-^ Or, where the beetling cliff o'erhangs the deep, Peerest to meditate the healing leap : Wouldst thou be cured, thou silly, moping elf, Laugh at her follies — laugh e'en at thyself : Learn to despise those frowns now so terrific. And love a kinder— that *s your grand specific. To sum up all, be merry, I advise ; And as we 're merry, may we still be wise ! TO COLLECTOR MITCHELL. The poet died withm a few months of writing this. But Collector Miichell, win was a sincere friend to him, was not aware of his distress at this time. Friend of the poet, tried and leal, Wha, wanting thee, might beg or steal ; Alake ! alake ! the meikle deil Wi' a' his witches Are at it, skelpin' ^ jig and reel, In my poor pouches ! I modestly fu' fain wad hint it. That one pound one I sairly want it ; If wi' the hizzie ^ down ye sent it, It would be kind ; And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted,^ I 'd bear 't in mind. So may the auld year gang ^ out moaning To see the new come laden, groaning, Wi' double plenty o'er the loaning ^ To thee and thine ; Domestic peace and comforts crowning The hale design. POSTSCRIPT. Ye 've heard this while how I 've been licket,* And by fell Death was nearly nicket ; ^ 1 Dnncing. 2 Girl. s Throbbed. « Go. * The road leading to the farm. « Beaten. 7 Cut oZ 2x8 POEMS, [i7g'5 Grim loun ! he gat me by tlie feoket,* And sair me sheuk ; But by guid luck I lap a wicket, And tum'd a neuk. But by tliat health, I Ve got a share o 't, And by that life I 'm promised mair o 't, My hale and weel I '11 tak a care o 't, A tentier '^ way : ^ Then fareweel folly, hide and hair o '4, For ance and aye I TO COLONEL DE PEYSTER* My honoured colonel, deep I feel Your interest in the poet's weal : Ah I now sma' heart hae I to speel^ The steep Parnassus, Surrounded thus by bolus pill And potion glasses. Oh, what a canty* warld were it. Would pain, and care, and sickness spare it ; And fortune favour worth and merit As they deserve ! And aye a rowth,*' roast beef and claret ; Syne^ wha wad starve? Dame Life, though fiction out may trick her, And in paste gems and frippery deck her j Oh! flickering, feeble, and unsicker^ I 've found her still. Aye wavering, like the willow- wicker, ^ 'Tween good and ill. Then that curst carmagnole, auld Satan, Watches, like baudrons^ by a ratton, Our sinfu' saul to get a claut^® on Wi' felon ire ; Syne whip ! his tail ye '11 ne'er cast saut^^ on — He 's aff like fire. Ah, Nick ! ah, Nick I it is na fair, First showing us the tempting ware, » Waistcoat. 2 More careful. » Climb. ■* Happy. » Abundance. « Then. 7 Insecure. « Twig. 9 Cat, 10 Claw. ii Salt. ♦ Aventz de Peyster, colonel of the Gentlemen Volunteers of Dumfries, ol w^hich Burns was a member. He had made some kind inquiries as to the poet's uealth. ^. 38.] POEMS. 219 Bright \diies and bonny lasses rare, To put ns daft; ^ Syne weave, unseen, the spider snare O' hell's damn'd waft. Poor man, the flee aft bizzes by. And aft as chance he comes thee nigh, Thy a\ild damn'd elbow yeuks^ wi' joy, And hellish pleasure; Already in thy fancy's eye, Thy sicker treasure. Soon, heels-o'er-gowdie ! ^ in he gangs, And, like a sheep-head on a tangs, Thy giming^ laugh enjoys his pangs And murdering wrestle, As, dangling in the wind, he hangs A gibbet's tassel. But lest you think I am uncivil. To plague you with this draunting^ drivel, Abjuring a' intentions evil, I quat my pen : The Lord preserve us frae the devil ! Amen I Amen! TO MISS JESSY LEWAES, DUMFRIES, WITH A PRESENT OF BOOKS. "Cunningham says: — "Miss Jessy Lewars watched over the poet and his little household during his declining days with all the affectionate reverence of a daughter. Tor this she has received the silent thanks of all who admire the genius of Burns, or look with sorrow on his setting sun ; she has received more — the undying thanks of the poet himself: his songs to her honour, and his simple gifts of books and verse, will keep her name and fame long in the world." Thine be the volumes, Jessy fair, And with them take the poet's prayer — That Fate may in her fairest page, With every kindliest, best presage Of future bliss, enrol thy name ; With native worth, and spotless fame, And wakeful caution still aware Of ill — but chief, man's felon snare. All blameless joys on earth we find, And all the treasures of the mind — These be thy guardian and reward ; So prays thy faithful friend — the Bard. 1 Mad. 2 Itches. » Topsy-turvy. * Grinning. » Drawling. EPISTLES. EPISTLE TO JOHN RANKINE, ENCLOSING SOME POEMS. John Rankine, Adamhill, near Torbolton, would seem to have merited th« epithets of "rough and ready-witted," which Burns bestowed upon him. Th« dream which is alluded to in the epistle may be related as an instance of his caustic humour. Lord K , it is said, was in the practice of calling all his familiar acquaintances "brutes," and sometimes "damned brutes." — "Well, ye brute, how are ye to-day, ye damned brute?" was his usual modo of salutation. Once, in company, his lordship having indulged in this rude- ness more than his wont, turned to Rankine, and exclaimed, •' Ye damned brute, are ye dumb? Have ye no queer, sly story to tell us ?'' "I have nae stoi7," said Rankine, "but last night I had an odd dream." "Out with it, by all means," said the other. " Aweel, ye see," said Rankine, " I dreamed I was dead, and that for keeping other than good company upon earth I was damned. When I knocked at hell-door, wha should open it but the deil ; he was in a rough humour, and said, 'Wha may ye be, and what's your name?' «My name,' quoth I, 'is John Rankine, and my dwelling-place was Adamhill.' *Gae wa' wi' ye,' quoth Satan, *ye canna be here ; ye 're ane of Lord K 's damned brutes — hell's fu' o' them already!'" This sharp rebuke, it is said, polished for the future his lordship's speech. With reference to the circumstances alluded to in the epistle, Lockhart says: — "He was compelled, according to the then almost universal custom of rural parishes in Scotland, to do penance in church, before the congregation, in con- sequence of the birth of an illegitimate child ; and, whatever may be thought of the propriety of such exhibitions, there can be no difference of opinion as to the culpable levity with which he describes the nature of his offence, and the still more reprehensible bitterness with which, in his epistle to Rankine, he inveighs against the clergyman, who, in rebuking him, only performed what was then a regular part of the clerical duty, and a part of it that could never have been at all agreeable to the worthy man whom he satirises under the appellation of Daddie Auld." O KOUGH, rude, ready-witted Rankine, The wale ^ o' cocks for fun and drinkin' I There 's mony godly folks are thinkin' Your dreams * and tricks 1 Choice. * A certain humorous dream of his was then making a noise in the countiT' side.— -B. iET. 27.] EPISTLES. 221 Will Send you, Korah-like, a-sinkin*, Straught to auld Nick's. Ye hae sae mony cracks and cants,^ And in your wicked, drucken rants,^ Ye mak a devil o' the saunts. And fill them fou ; ^ * And then their failings, flaws, and wants, Are a' seen through. HjT)ocrisy, in mercy spare it ! That holy robe, oh, dinna tear it ! Spare 't for their sakes wha aften wear it, The lads in black ! But your curst wit, when it comes near it, Rives 't * aff their back. Think, wicked sinner, wha ye 're skaithing,^ It 's just the blue-gown badge and claithingf O' saunts ; tak that, ye lea'e them naethiiig To ken them by, Frae ony unregenerate heathen Like you or I, I 've sent you here some rhyming ware, A' that I bargain'd for, and mair ; Sac, when ye hae an hour to spare, I will expect Yon eang, J ye 11 sen't wi' cannie care, And no neglect. Though, faith, sma' heart hae I to sing ! My muse dow ^ scarcely spread her wing I 've play'd mysel a bonny spring, And danced my fill ! I 'd better gaen and sair't '^ the king. At Bunker's Hill. 'Twas ae night lately, in my fun, I gaed a roving wi' the gun. And brought a paitrick ^ to the grun', A bonny hen. And, as the twilight was begun. Thought nane wad ken.* 1 Stories and tricks. 2 Bouts. s Tipsy. * Pulls it. 5 Injuring. 6 Dare. 7 Served. 8 Partridge. 9 Know. * A minister or elder, some say Holy "Willie, had called on Rankine, and had partaken so freely of whisky-toddy as to have ended by tumbling dead-drunk on the floor. t '• The allusion here is to a privileged class of mendicants well known in Scotland by the name of 'Blue Gowns.' The order was instituted by James V. 01 Scotland, the i-oyal 'Claberlunzie-Man.' " X A song he had c)romised the author. — B. EPISTLES. [1785. The poor wee thing was little hurt ; I straikit ^ it a wee for sport, Ne'er thinking they wad fash^ me for't But, diel-ma-care I Somebody tells the poacher-court The hale affair. Some auld-used hands had ta'en a note, That sic a hen had got a shot, I was suspected for the plot ; I scorn'd to lie ; So gat the whistle o' my groat. And pay 't the fee. But, by nny gun, o' guns the wale, And by my pouther and my hail, And by my hen, and by her tail, I vow and swear ! The game shall pay o'er moor and dale. For this, neist year. As soon 's the clocking-time is by, And the wee pouts begun to cry. Lord, I'se hae sportin' by and by, For my gowd guinea : Though I should herd the buckskin kye For 't in Virginia. Trouth, they had muckle for to blame ! 'Twas neither broken wing nor limb. But twa-three draps about the wame Scarce through the feathers ; And baith a yellow George to claim And thole their blethers ! ^ It pits me aye as mad 's a hair ; So I can rhyme nor write nae mair ; But pennyworths again is fair, When time 's expedient : Meanwhile 1 am, respected sir. Your most obedient. EPISTLE TO DAVIE, A BROTHER POET. David Sillar, to whom this epistle was addressed, was a native of Torbolton, 9 poet and scholar. He was for many years a schoolmaster at Ii-vine, and was latterly a magistrate of that town. He published a volume of poems in the Scottish dialect. Gilbert Burns says, with reference to this epistle : — " Among the earliest of his poems was the epistle to Davie. Robert often composed •without any regular plan. When anything made a strong impression on hie 1 Stroked. s Trouble. s Nonsense. iCr. 27 1 EPISTLES. J?? 3 mind, so as to rouse It to any poetic exertion, he would give way to the impulse, and embody the thought in rhyme. If he hit on two or three stanzas to please him, he would then think of proper introductory, connecting, and concluding stanzas ; hence the middle of a poem was often first produced. It was, I think, in the summer of 1784, when, in the interval of harder labour, Eobert and I were weeding in the garden, that he repeated to me the principal part of this epistle. I believe the first idea of Eobert's becomi g an authoi was started on this occasion. I was much pleased with the epi tie, and said to him I was of opinion it would bear being printed, and that it would b* well received by people of taste ; that I thought it at least equal, if not supe rior, to many of Allan Ramsay's epistles, and that the merit of these, and much other Scottish poetry, seemed to consist principally in the knack of the expression; but here there was a strain of interesting sentiment, and the Scotticism of the language scarcely seemed affected, but appeared to be the natural langiiage of the poet ; that, besides, there was certainly ome novelty in a poet pointing out the consolationfi that were in store for im when he should go a-begging. — Robert seemed well pleased with my criticism." January 1785w While winds f rae aff Ben Lomond blaw, And bar the doors wi' driving snaw, And hing^ us owre the ingle, ^ I set me down to pass tlie time, And spin a verse or twa o' rhyme, In hamely westlin jingle.* While frosty winds blaw in the drift, Ben to the ohimla lug,* I grudge a wee the great folk's gift. That live sae bien^ and snug: I tent 6 less, and want less Their roomy fire-side ; But hanker and canker To see their cursed pridou It 's hardly in a body's power To keep at times frae being sour. To see how things are shared ; How best o' chiels'' are whiles in want, While coofsS on countless thousands rant,^ And ken na how to wair 't ;^o But, Davie, lad, ne'er fash ^^ your head, Though we hae little gear,i3 We 're fit to win our daily bread, As lang 's we 're hale and fier : i3 " Mair spier na, nor fear na," ^^ Auld age ne'er mind a feg,^^ The last o 't, the warst o 't, Is only but to beg.'. To lie in kilns and bams at e'en, When banes are crazed, and bluid is thin, 1 Hang. « Fire. » Homely west country dialect * Chimney corner. « Comfortable. « Heed. 7 Men. » Fools. 6 Live extravagantly. lo Spend it. 11 Trouble. i» Goods or wealth. i' Whole and sound. 1* More ask not, nor fear not. I8 Fig. t24 EPISTLES, [1785. Is dou"btles8 great distress ! Yet then content could make us blest ; E'en then, sometimes, we 'd snatch a taste Of truest happiness. The honest heart that 's free f rae a' Intended fraud or guile. However Foi*tune kick the ba', Has aye some cause to smile : And mind still, you '11 find still, A comfort this nae sma' ; Kae mair then, we '11 care then, Nae farther can we fa'. "What though, like commoners of air, We waiider out we know not where. But either house or hall ? Yet nature's charms — the hills and woods, The sweeping vales, and foaming Hoods — Are free alike to all. In days when daisies deck the ground, And blackbirds whistle clear. With honest joy our hearts will bound To see the coming year : On braes, when we please, then. We '11 sit and sowth^ a tune : Syne rhyme tiU 't, we '11 time till 't, And sing 't when we hae dune. It *8 no in titles nor in rank : It 's no in wealth like Lon'on bank, To purchase peace and rest : It 's no in making muckle mair ; ^ It 's no in books ; it 's no in lear ; ^ To make us truly blest ; If happiness hae not her seat And centre in the breast, We may be wise, or rich, or great, But never can be blest : Nae treasures, nor pleasures, Could make us happy lang : The heart aye's the part aye That makes us right or wrang. Think ye that sic^ as you and I, Wha drudge and drive through wet and dry, Wi' never-ceasing toil ; Think ye, are we less blest than they Wha scarcely tent^ us in their way. As hardly worth their while? Alas ! how aft in haughty mood, God's creatures they oppress ! 1 Whistle. 2 Much more. * Learning. * Such. 6 Heed. JET. 27.] EPISTLES. 225 Or else, neglecting a' that 's guid, They riot in excess ! Baith careless and fearless Of either heaven or hell I Esteeming and deeming It 's a' an idle tale ! Then let ns cheerfu' acquiesce ; Nor make our scanty pleasures less. By pining at our state ; And, even should misfortunes come, I here wha sit hae met wi' some, An 's thankf u' for them yet. They gie the wit of age to youth ; They let us ken oursel ; They make us see the naked truth, The real guid and ill. Though losses and crosses Be lessons right severe. There 's wit there, ye 'U get there, Ye '11 find nae other where. But tent me, Davie, ace o' hearts ! (To say aught less wad wrang the cartes. And flattery I detest, ) This life has joys for you and I ; ' And joys that riches ne'er could buy : And joys the very best. There 's a' the pleasures o' the heart. The lover and the frien' ; Ye hae your Meg, * your dearest part, And I my darling Jean \ It warms me, it charms me, To mention but her name : It heats me, it beets me. And sets me a' on fl^me ! Oh, all ye powers who rule above ! O Thou, whose very self art love ! Thou know'st my words sincere ! The life-blood streaming through my heart, Or my more dear immortal part, Is not more fondly dear ! When heart- corroding care and grief Deprive my soul of rest, Her dear idea brings relief And solace to my breast. Thou Being, all-seeing, ^ Oh, hear my fervent prayer ! Still take her, and make her Thy most peculiar care ! * Sillar's flame was a lass of the name of Margaret Orr, who had charge of the children of Mrs Stewart of Stair. It was not the fortune of "Meg" to be- come ;Mrs Sillar. 226 EPISTLES. [1785. All hail I ye tender feelings dear ! The smile of love, the friecdly tear, The sympathetic glow ! Long since, this world's thorny "svays Had number'd out my weary days, Had it not been for you ! Fate still has blest me with a friend, In every care and ill ; And oft a more endearing band, A tie more tender still. It lightens, it brightens The tenebrific scene, To meet with, and greet with My Davie or my Jean ! Oh, how that name inspires my style ! The words come skelpinV rank and file, Amaist^ before I ken ! ^ The ready measure rins as fine As Phoebus and the famous Nine Were glowerin' owre my pen. My spaviet* Pegasus will limp, Till ance he 's fairly het ; And then he '11 hilch,^ and stilt,^ and jimp/ And rin an unco fit : But lest then, the beast then, Should rue^ this hasty ride, I'll light now, and dight** now His sweaty, wizen'd^^ hide. EPISTLE TO JOHN LAPEAIK, AN OLD SCOTTISH BARD John Lapraik was a rustic follower of the Muses. Burns describes him as thdt "very worthy and facetious old fellow, John Lapraik, late of Dalfram, near Muirkirk, which little property he was obliged to sell in consequence of some connexion as security for some persons concerned in that villainous bub bis, the Ayr Bank." Ai^il 1, IT80. While briers and woodbines budding green, And paitricks^^ scraichin'^^ loud at e'en, And morning poussie^^ wliiddin seen, Inspire my Muse, This freedom in an unknown frien' I pray excuse. 1 Dancing ^ Almost. » Know. * Spavined. 6 Hobble. c Halt. ' Jump. 8 Repent. » Wipe. 10 Withered. " Partridges. 12 Screaminpf, IS The hare. ^T. 27.] EPISTLES. 227 On Fasten-e'en we had arockin',* To ca' the crack ^ and weave our stockin* j And there was muckle^ fun and jokin', Ye needna doubt ; At length we had a hearty yokin' 3 At sang about, Th Coarse. «i Trick. 2 struggle. « Fondle, 6 Should be beaten 6 Shrug. » Twisting. 10 Wake. 18 Pocket. " F 6t. 17 Trouble. as Spavin. 2 44 EPISTLES, [1785. EPISTLE TO JAMES SMITH. James Smith, one of Burns's earliest friends, was a merchant in Mauchline. He was present at the scene in *' Poosie Nansie's," which sugg.-sted "Th* Jolly Beggars." " Friendship ! mysterious cement of the soul \ Sweet'ner of life, and solder of society 1 I owe thee much." — Blair. Dear Smith, the sleest,^ paukie^ thief. That e'er attempted stealth or rief,^ Ye surely hae some warlock breef ^ Owre human hearts ; For ne'er a bosom yet was prief ^ Against your arts. For me, I swear by sun and moon, And every star that blinks aboon, Ye've cost me twenty pair of shoon^ Just gaun to see you ; And every ither pair that 's done, Alair ta'en I 'm wi' you. That auld capricious carlin,'^ Nature, To mak amends for scrimpit^ stature, Sho 's turn'd you aff , a human creature On her first plan ; And in her freaks, on every feature She's wrote, " The Man." Just now I 've ta'en the fit o' rhyme, My barraie^ noddle's working prime, My fancy yerkit^® up sublime "Wi' hasty summon : Hae ye a leisure moment's time To hear what 'a com in' ? Some rhyme a neibor's name to lash ; Some rhyme (vain thought !) for needfu' cash; Some rhyme to court the country clash, ^^ And raise a din ; **^ For me, an aim I never fash ;^^ I rhyme for fun. The star that rules my luckless lot Has fated me the russet coat, And damn'd my fortune to the groat ; But in requit, Has blest me wi' a random shot O' country wit. 1 Slyest. 2 Knowing. ^ Robbery. < Spell. » Proof. 6 Shoes ^ Woman. 8 Stinted 9 Yeasty. lo Fermented. " Gossip. i^ Noise. 13 Trouble. ACT. 27.] EPISTLES. 24s This while my notion 's ta'en a sklent,^ To try my fate in guid black i)rent ; But still, the mair I 'm that way bent, Something cries, "Hooliel' I rede^ you, honest man, tak tent,^ Ye '11 shaw your folly. "There's ither poets much your betters, F;ir seen in Greek, deep men o' letters, Hae thought they had insured their debtors A' future ages ; Now moths deform in shapeless tatters Their unknown pages.'* Then fareweel hopes o* laurel-boughs. To garland my poetic brows ! Henceforth I '11 rove where busy ploughs Are whistling thrang, And teach the lanely heights and howes** My rustic sang. 1*11 wander on, with tentless^ heed How never-halting moments speed, Till Fate shall snap the brittle thread ; Then, all unknown, I '11 lay me with the inglorious dead, Forgot and gone I But why o' death begin a tale ? Just now we 're living sound and hale, Then top and maintop crowd the sail. Heave Care owre side ! And large, before Enjoyment's gale, Ing the leaves ; And though the puny wound appear. Short while it grieves. Some, lucky, find a flowery spot, For which they never toil'd or swat ; ^ They drink the sweet and eat the fat But care or pain; And, haply, eye the barren hut With high disdain. With steady aim some fortune chase ; Keen hope does every sinew brace ; Through fail*, through foul, they urge the race, And seize the prey : Then cannie,^ in some cozie^ place, They close the day. And others, like your humble servan', Poor wights ! * nae rules nor roads observin' ; To right or left, eternal swervin', They zig-zag on ; Till curst with age, obscure and starvin', They aften groan. Alas ! what bitter toil and straining — But truce with peevish, poor complaining ! Is Fortune's fickle Luna wanmg ? E'en let her gang ! Beneath what light she has remaining. Let 's sing our sang. My pen I here fling to the door. And kneel, "Ye Powers ! " and warm implore, "Though I should wander Terra o'er, In all her climes, 1 Sweated. 2 Quietly. » Snug. * Fellowa. MT. 27.] EPISTLES. 247 Grant me but tliis, I ask no more, Aye rowth.! o' rhymes. " Gie dreeping roasts to country lairds, Till icicles hing frae their beards ; Gie fine braw claes to fine life-guards, And maids of honour And yill and whisky gie to cairds,^ Until they sconnor.* ** A title, Dempster* merits it ; A garter gie to Willie Pitt ; Gie wealth to some be-ledger'd cit, In cent, per cent. ; But gie me real, sterling wit, And I 'm content. ** While ye are pleased to keep me hale, I '11 sit down o'er my scanty meal, Be 't water-brose, or muslin-kail,* Wi' cheerfu' face, As lang 's the Muses dinna fail To say the grace." An anxious ee I never throws Behint my lug ^ or by my nose ; I jouk^ beneath Misfortune's blows As weel 's I may ; Sworn foe to Sorrow, Care, and Prose, I rhyme away. O ye douce 7 folk, that live by rule, Grave, tideless-blooded, calm and cool, Compared wi' you — O fool ! fool ! fool I How much unlike ! Your hearts are just a standing pool. Your lives a dike ! ^ Nae harebrain'd, sentimental traces, In your unletter'd, nameless faces ! In arioso trills and graces Ye never stray, But gravissimo, solemn basses Ye hum away. Ye are sae grave, nae doubt ye 're wise ; Nae ferly^ though ye do despise The hairum-scairum, ram-stam^^^ boys, The rattling squad : 1 Abundance. 2 Tinkers. s Are nauseated. * Broth made without meat. « Ear. « Stoop. 7 Serious. » Blank as a wall. 9 Wonder. 10 Reckless. * George Dempster of Duunichen, a parliamentary orator of the time. 248 POEMS, [1786. 1 see you upward cast your eyes— Ye ken the road. Whilst I — ^bufc I shall haud me there— Wi' you I '11 scarce gang ony where — Then, Jamie, I shall say nae mair, But quat my sang, Content wi' you to mak a pair, "VVhare'er I gang. EPISTLE TO GAVIN HAMILTON, Esq.. KECO]^IMENDING A BOY. Gavin Hamilton, solicitor in Mauchline, was a warm and jrenerous friend of the poet's, a New-Light partisan who had suffered from Auld-Light persecutions^ a fact which did not tend to lessen Burns's respect for him. With referenca to the Master Tootie of this epistle, Cromek tells us, •' He lived in Mauchline, and dealt in cows. It was his common practice to cut the nicks or markings from the horns of cattle, to disguise their age, and so bring a higher price." MosGAViLLB, May 3, 1786. I HOLD it, sir, my bounden duty To warn you how that Master Tootie, Alias, Laird M'Gaun, Was here to hire yon lad away 'Bout whom ye spak the tither day, And wad hae done't aff han' '?- But lest he learn the callan^ tricks. As, faith, I muckle doubt him, Like scrapin' out auld Crummie's nicks,* And tellin' lies about them : As lieve ^ then, I 'd have then. Your clerkship he should sair, If sae be, ye may be Not fitted other where. Although I say 't, he 's gleg ^ enough. And 'bout a house that 's rude and rough, The boy might learn to swear ; But then wi' you lie '11 be sae taught. And get sic fair example straught, I haena ony fear. Ye '11 catechise him every quirk. And shore ^ him weel wi' hell ; And gar^ him follow to the kirk — Aye when ye gang yoursel. I Off hand. 2 Boy. » More willingly. * Sharp. 6 Threaten. « Make. * See introduction to this epistle. /ET. 28.] EPISTLES, 249 If ye then, maun be then Erae hame this comm' Friday ; Then please, sir, to lea'e, sir, The orders wi' your lady. My word of honour I hae gien, In Paisley John's, that night at e'en, To meet the warld's worm ; ^ To try to get the twa to gree. And name the airles ^ and the fee, In legal mode and form : I ken he weel a sneck can draw,^ When simple bodies let him ; And if a devil be at a', In faith he 's sure to get him. To phrase you, and praise you, Ye ken your laureate scorns : The prayer still, you share still, Of grateful ]VIinstrel Burns. POETICAL INVITATION TO MR JOHN KENNEDY. This rhymed epistle was accomj^anied by a prose letter, and a copy of the "Cot ter's Saturday Night," Kennedy had interested himself greatly in the success of the Kilmarnock edition of the poems. He was afterwards factor to the Mariiuis of Breadalbane. Now Kenned}', if foot or horse E'er bring you in by Mauchline corse,* Lord, man, there 's lasses there wad force A hermit's fancy ; And down the gate, in faith they 're worse. And mair unchancy. But, as I *m sayin', please step to Dow's, And taste sic gear as Johnnie brews, Till some bit callant ^ bring me news \ That you are there ; And if we dinna hand a bouze I *se ne'er drink mair. It 's no I like to sit and swallow, Then like a swine to puke and wallow ; But gie me just a true good fallow, Wi' right ingine,^ And spunkie,'' ance to make us mellow. And then we '11 shine. 1 Avaricious creature. 2 Earnest money. » Can take advantage. 4 Mauchline market oross. 6 Boy. « Genius or temperament, 1 Whisky is meant. 250 EPISTLES, [1786. Now, if ye 're ane 0' warld'a folk, Wha rate the wearer by the cloak, And sklent^ on poverty their joke, Wi' bitter sneer, Wi' you no friendship will I troke,^ Nor cheap nor dear. But if, as I 'm informed weel, Ye hate, as ill 's the very deil, The flinty heart that canna feel — Come, sir, here 's tae you ! Hae, there 's my haun', I wiss you weel, And guid be wi* you. EPISTLE TO A YOUNG FRIEND. This epistle was addressed to Andrew Aiken, the son of his old friend Robert Aiken, writer in Ayr. Andrew Aiken afterwards earned dlstinctioo in the service of his country. May 1786. I LANG hae thought, my youthfu* friend, A something to have sent you. Though it should serve nae other end Than just a kind memento ; But how the subject-theme may gang. Let time and chance determine ; Perhaps it may turn out a sang. Perhaps turn out a sermon. Ye '11 try the world f u' soon, my lad. And, Andrew dear, believe me. You'll find mankind an unco squad,^ And muckle they may grieve ye : For care and trouble set your thought. Even when your end 's attain'd ; And a' youi views may come to nought, Where every nerve is strain'd. I '11 no say men are villains a' ; The real, harden'd, wicked, Wha hae nae check but human law, Are to a few restricked ; But, och ! mankind are unco ^ weak. And little to be trusted ; If self the wavering balance shake. It 's rarely right adjusted ! Yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife, Their fate we shouldna censure. For still the important end of life They equally may answer ; 1 Throw. 2 Exchange. » Queer lot. * Very «T. 28.] EPISTLES, 2^1 A man may hae an honest heart, Though poortith ^ hourly stare him ; h man may tak a neibor's part, Yet hae na cash to spare him. Aye free, aff han' ^ your story tell, When wi' a bosom crony ; ^ But still keep something to yoursel Ye scarcely tell to ony. Conceal yoursel, as weel 's ye can Frae critical dissection ; But keek ^ through every other man, Wi' sharpened, sly inspection. The sacred lowe o' weel-placed love, Luxuriantly indulge it ; But never tempt the illicit rove. Though naething should divulge it : I waive the q aantum o' the sin, The hazard of concealiag ; But, och ! it hardens a' within, And petrij&es the feeling ! To catch dame "Fortune's golden smile^ Assiduous wait upon her ; And gather gear ^ by every wile That 's justified by honour ; Not for to hide it in a hedge, Nor for a train-attendant ; But for the glorious privilege Of being independent. The fear o' hell 's a hangman's whip To baud the wretch in order ; But where ye feel your honour grip, Let that aye be your border : Its slightest touches, instant pause- Debar a' side pretences ; And resolutely keep its laws, Uncaring consequences. The great Creator to revere Must sure become the creature ; But still the preaching cant forbear. And even the rigid feature : Yet ne'er with wits profane to rang3. Be complaisance extended ; An atheist laugh 's a poor exchange For Deity offended ! 1 Poverty 2 OfT hand. ' Boon compauioa * To look pryingly. 6 Wealth. 252 EPISTLES. [J786. WHien ranting round in Pleasure's ring, Religion may be blinded ; Or if she gie a random sting, It may be little minded ; But when on life we 're tempest-driven, A conscience but a canker — A corresiDondence fix'd wi' Heaven Is sure a noble anchor ! Adieu, dear, amiable youth ! Your heart can ne'er be wanting ! May prudence, fortitude, and truth Erect your brow undaunting ! In ploughman phrase, ** God send you speed," Still daily to grow wiser : And may you better reck the rede Than ever did th' adviser ! EPISTLE TO MR M'ADAM OF CRAIGENGILLAN. The following was written on receiving a letter, congratulating him on his poeti* efforts, from Mr M 'Adam : — Sir, o'er a gill I gat your card, I trow ^ it made me proud ; *' See wha taks notice o' the bard ! " I lap 2 and cried f u' loud, Now deil-ma-care about their jaw, The senseless, gawky ^ million ; I '11 cock my nose aboon them a' — I 'm roos'd ** by Craigengillan ! *Twas noble, sir ; 'twas like yoursel. To grant your high protection : A great man's smile, ye ken fu' well. Is aye a blest infection. Though by his * banes wha in a tub Match'd Macedonian Sandy ! f On my ain legs, through dirt and dub, I independent stand aye. And when those legs to guid warm kail,^ Wi' welcome canna bear me A lee dike-side, 6 a sybow 'f tail, And barley scone '^ shall cheer me. * Vow. 2 Leaped. « Silly. « Praised. 6 Broth. A shady wall-side. ' The young onion. 8 Cake. * Diogtnee. f Alexander the Great. «T. 28.] EPISTLES. 253 Heaven spare you lang to kiss the breath O' mony flowery simmers ! And bless your bonny lasses baith — I 'm tauld they 're lo'esome kiramers ! ^ And God bless young Dunaskin's laird, The blossom of our gentry ! And may he wear an auld man's beard, A credit to his country. EPISTLE TO MAJOR LOGAN. Major Logan, a retired military oflScer, lived at Park House, near Ayr, witli his mother and sister — the latter the Miss Logan to whom Burns addressed soma verses, with a present of Bea'ttie's poems. The major was a man after Burns's own heart, a capital companion, abounding in humorous sallies, and a first- rate violinist, well-known to, and much in favour with, the celebrated Neil Gow. Hail, thairm^-inspirin', rattlin' Willie ! Though Fortune's road be rough and hilly To every fiddling, rhyming billie, We never heed, But tak it like the unback'd filly, Proud 0' her speed. When idly goavan ^ whiles we saunter, Yirr, Fancy barks, awa' we canter. Up hill, down brae, till some mischanter,^ Some black bog-hole, An'ests us, then the scaith and banter We're forced to thole.^ Hale be your heari. ! hale be your fiddle ! Lang may your elbuck jink and diddle,^* To cheer you through the weary widdle ^ O' this wild warl', Until you on a cummock driddle ^ A gray-hair'd carl. Come wealth, come poortith,^ late or soon, Heaven send your heart-strings aye in tune, And screw your temper-pins aboon, A fifth or mair, The melancholious, lazy croon ^^ O' cankrie care ! ^^f May still your life from day to day Nae lenU largo in the play, 1 Heart-enticing creatures. 2 Fiddle-string. s Walking aimlessly. 4 Mishap. s Bear. « Elbow dodge and jerk. 7 Struggle. 8 Until you hobble on a stafiF. £> Poverty. 10 Drone ♦ These two lines also occur in the Second Epistle to Davie, 254 htlSTLhS, [1786. But allegretto forte gay Harmonious flow : A sweeping, kindling, banld strathspey — Encore ! Bravo ! A blessing on the cheery gang Wha dearly like a jig or sang, And never think o' right and wrang By square and rule, But as the clegs ^ o' feeling stang Are wise or fool ! My hand- waled ^ curse keep hard in chase The harpy, hoodock,^ purse-proud race. Wha count on poortith as disgrace — Their tuneless hearts ! May fireside discords jar a base To a* their parts ! But come, your hand, my careless brither— I* th' ither warl', if there 's anither — And that there is I 've little swither * About the matter — "We cheek for chow ^ shall jog thegither, I 'se ne'er bid better. We Ve faults and failings— granted clearly. We 're frail backsliding mortals merely, Eve's bonny squad, priests wyte ^ them sheerly,'^ For our grand fa' ; But still — but still— I like them dearly — God bless them a' ! Ochon ! for poor Castalian drinkers, When they fa' foul o' earthly jinkers,^ The witching, cursed, delicious blinkers * Hae put me hyte,io And gart me weet my waukrife winkers,^^ Wi girnin' ^2 spite. But by yon moon ! — and that 's high swearin* — And every star within my hearin' ! And by her een wha was a dear ane ! * I '11 ne'er forget ; I hope to gie the jads^^ g, clearin' In fair play yet. 1 Gadflies. ^ Chosen, s Money-loving. ■* Doubt. * Jole. 6 Blame. ^ Sorely. 8 Sprightly girla » Pretty girls. 10 Mad. " Sleepy eyelids. 12 (Jrinuing. 1* Lasses. * An allusion to the unfortunate termination of his courtship with Jean Armour MT, 2S.J EPISTLES, 255 My loss I mourn, but no6 repent it, I '11 seek my pursie whare I tint ^ it, Ance to the Indies I were ■wonted, Some cantrip ^ hour. By some sweet elf 1 11 yet be dinted, Then, Vive Vamouri Faites mes haisemains respectueuses. To sentimental sister Susie, And honest Lucky ; no to roose ^ ye, Ye may be proud, That sic a couple Fate allows ye To grace your blood. Nae mair at present can I measure, And trouth my rhymin' ware 's nae treasure ; But when in Ayr, some half -hour's leisure, Be 't light, be 't dark, Sir Bard will do himsel the pleasure To call at Park. Robert Burns, MossQiBL, Oct. 30, 1788. TO THE GUIDWIFE OF WAUCHOPE HOUSE. Mrs Scott of Wauchope, to whom this epistle was addressed, was a lady of con- siderable taste and talent, a writer of verse, and something of an artist. Sha was niece to Mrs Cockburn, authoress of a beautiful version oi "The Flowera of the Forest." GuiDWIFE, I mind it weel, in early date, When I was beardless, young, and blate,* And first could thrash the barn. Or baud a yokin' at the pleugh ; And though forfoughten^ sair eneugh, Yet unco proud to learn : When first amang the yellow corn A man I reckon'd was, And wi' the lave^ ilk merry mom Could rank my rig and lass. Still shearing, and clearing. The tither stooked raw, Wi' claivers and haivers 7 Wearing the day awa'. Even then, a wish, (I mind its power,) A wish that to my latest hour Shall strongly heave my breast — 1 Lost. 2 Witching. » Praise. * Bashful. 6 Fatigued. « Rest. 7 Idle 8torie« and gossip. 2S(i EPISTLES. [1787. That I, for poor auld Scotland's sake, Some usefu' plan or beuk could make, Or sing a sang at least. The rough burr- thistle, spreading wide . Amang the bearded bear, I tum'd the weeder-clips aside, And spared the symbol dear : No nation, no station. My envy e'er could raise, A Scot still, but blot still, I knew nae higher praise. But still the elements o' sang, In formless jumble, right and wrang. Wild floated in my brain ; Till on that haiist^ I said before, My partner in the merry core. She roused the forming strain : I see her yet, the sonsie quean, ^ That lighted up my jingle, Her witching smile, her pauky cen, That gart^ my heart-strings tingle! I fired, inspired, At every kindling keek,* But bashing, and dashing, I feared aye to speak. Health to the sex ! ilk guid chieP says, Wi' merry dance in winter-days. And we to share in common : The gust o' joy, the balm of woe. The saul o' life, the heaven beloAV, Is rapture -giving woman. Ye surly sumphs,^ who hate the name, Be mindfu' o' your mither : She, honest woman, may think shame That ve 're connected with her. Ye re wae^ men, ye 're nae men. That slight the lovely deai's ; To shame ye, disclaim ye. Ilk honest birkie ^ swears. For you, no bred to barn and byre, "Wha sweetly tune the Scottish lyre. Thanks to you for your line : The marled plaid ye kindly spare By me should gratefully be ware ; * 'Twad please me to the Nine. I'd be mair vauntie^*^ o' my hap,^^ Douce hingin'i2 owre my curple,^' 1 Harvest 2 Comely lass. 3 Made. •* Glance. 5 Fellow. 6 Blockheads. » Woeful. 8 jj'ellow. 9 Worn. 10 Proud. *» Covering. 12 Ihavely hanging. la Rump. jKT. 29.] EPISTLES, 25.7 Than ony ermine ever lap, Or proud imperial purple. Fareweel then, lang heal then, And plenty be your fa' ; May losses and crosses Ne'er at your hallan^ ca'! EPISTLE TO WILLIAM CREECH. William Creech was the publisher of the first Edinburgh edition of the poet's works. He was the most celebrated publisher of his time in Edinburgh ; and it was his good fortune to be the medium through which the works of the majority of tha: band of eminent men who made Edinburgh the head-quarters of literature during the latter half of the eighteenth century, passed to the world. This epistle was written during the poet's Border tour, and while Creech wa.'' in London. AuLD chuckie^ Reekie's^ sair distrest, Down droops her ance weel-burnisht crest, Nae joy her bonny buskit* nest Can yield ava,* Her darling bird that she lo'es best, Willie 's awa' ! O Willie was a witty wight,* And had o' things an^nco slight -^ Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight. And trig and braw ; But now they 'U busk her like a fright— Willie 's awa' ! The stiffest o* them a' he bow'd ; The bauldest o' them a' he cow'd ; They durst nae mair than he allow'd. That was a law ; "We 've lost a birkie^ weel worth gowd— Willie 's awa' ! Now gawkies, tawpies, gowks, ^ and fools, Frae colleges and boarding-schools. May sprout like simmer puddock^^-stoolij In glen or shaw ; He wha could brush them down to mools ^^ — Willie 's awa' ! The brethren o' the Commerce-Chaumer* May mourn their loss wi' doolfu' clamour ; I Porch. 2 Literally a hen. » Edinburgh. 4 Deoordted. 5 At all. « Fellow. 7 A great knowledge. 8 Fellow. » Sii;:ipletons, sluts — gowk means literally cuckoo, also a fool. 10 Toad. li The dust. *• The Chamber of Commerce, of which Creech was secrctazy. R ~" 258 EPISTLES. He was a dictionar and grammar Amang them a' ; I fear tliey '11 now mak mony a stammer ^— Willie 's awa' ! Nae mair we see his levee door Philosophers and poets pour, And toothy critics by the score, In bloody raw ! The adjutant o' a* the core- Willie 's awa' ! Now worthy Gregory's * Latin face, Tytler'sf and Greenfield's % modest grace; Mackenzie, § Stewart, |1 sic a brace As Rome ne'er saw ; They a' maun* meet some ither place — Willie 's awa' ! Poor Bums — e'en Scotch drink canna quicken, He cheeps^ like some bewilder'd chicken, Scared frae its minnie* and the cleckin* By hoodie-craw ; Grief 's gien his heart an unco kickin' — Willie 's awa' ! Now every sour-mou'd girnin' blellum,*^ And Calvin's folk, are fit to fell him ; And self-conceited critic skellum'' His quill may draw ; He wha could brawlie^ ward theii' helium 9 — Willie 's awa' ! Up wimpling stately Tweed I 've sped, And Eden scenes on crystal Jed, And Ettrick banks now roaring red, While tempests blaw ; But every joy and pleasure 's fled — Willie 's awa' ! May I be Slander's common speech ; A text for Infamy to preach ; And lastly, streekit^o o^t to bleach In winter snaw, When I forget thee, Willie Creech, Though far awa' ! [1787 1 Stumble. 6 Brood. » Attacks. « Must. « Talking fellow, w Stretched. » Chirps. ^ A term of contempt. 4 Mother. « Easily. * Dr James Gregory. X Professor of Rhetoric in the University. § Henry Mackenzie t Tjtler of Woodhouselet, I Dugald Stewari ^T. 29.] EPISTLES. May never wicked Fortune touzle^ him ! May never wicked men bamboozle' him I Until a pow^ as auld's Methusalem He canty ^ claw ! Then to the blessed New Jerusalem, Fleet wing awa' ! 259 EPISTLE TO HUGH PARKER. Mr Hugh Parker was a Kilmarnock merchant, and an earif friend and ad- mirer of the poet's. In this strange land, this uncouth clime, A land unknown to prose or rhyme ; "Where words ne'er crost the Muse's heckles,* Nor limpet ^ in poetic shackles ; A land that Prose did never view it, Except when drunk he stachert^ through it ; Here, ambush'd by the chimla cheek,7 Hid in an atmosphere of reek,^ I hear a wheel thrum i' the neuk,® I hear it — for in vain I leuk. The red peat gleams, a fiery kernel, . Erxhusked by a fog infernal : Here, for my wonted rhyming raptures, I sit and count my sins by chapters ; For life and spunk like ither Christians, 1 'm dwindled down to mere existence ; Wi' nae converse but Gallowa' bodies, AVi' nae kenn'd face but Jenny Geddes.i* Jenny, my Pegasean pride ! Dowie ^^ she saunters down Nithside, And aye a westlin leuk she throws, While tears hap ^^ o'er her auld brown nose ! Was it for this wi' canny ^^ care. Thou bure the bard through many a shire 1 At howes ^* or hillocks never stumbled, And late or early never grumbled ? Oh, had I power like inclination, I 'd heeze ^* thee up a constellation. To canter with the Sagitarre, Or k)up the ecliptic like a bar ; iTeaze. 2 Bother. 8 Head. < CheerftiL 6 Limped- « Staggered. T Chimney coraer. 8 Smoke. 9 Corner. 10 Sadly. " Hop. " Gentle. 13 Hollows. " Raise. • A series of sh;;rp-pointed spikes through which flax is drawn in dressing U for manufacture. Its application here is obvious. ■t The poet's mare. 26o EPISTLES, [178a Or turn the pole like any arrow ; Or, when auld Phoebus bids good-morrow, Down the zodiac urge the race, And cast dirt on his godship's face ; For I could lay my bread and kail He 'd ne'er cast saut upo' thy taiL Wi' a' this care and a' this grief, And sma', sma' prospect of relief, And nought but peet-reek i' my head, How can I write what ye can read ? Torbolton, twenty-fourth o' June, Ye '11 find me in a better tune ; But till we meet and weot ^ our whistle, Tak this excuse for nae epistle. Robert Burns, FIRST EPISTLE TO R. GRAHAM, ESQ. OF FINTRY. Robert Graham of Fintry was a Commissioner of Excise, In August 1788, Bums, in writing to Mrs Dunlop, enclosed fourteen lines of this epistle, and says, "Since I am in the way of transcribing, the following lines were the produc- tion of yesterday, as I jogged through the wild hills of New Cumnock. I intend inserting them, or something like them, in an epistle which I am going to write to the gentleman on whose friendship my Excise hopes depend, Mr Graham of Fintry, one of the worthiest and most accomplished gentlemen, not only of this country, but, I will dare to say, of this age." When Nature her great masterpiece design'd, And framed her last, best work, the human mind. Her eye intent on all the mazy plan, She form'd of various parts the various man. Then first she calls the useful many forth ; Plain plodding industry and sober worth : Thence peasants, farmers, native sons of earth, And merchandise' whole genus take their birth : Each prudent cit a warm existence finds, And all mechanics' many-apron'd kinds. Some other rarer sorts are wanted yet. The lead and buoy are needful to the net ; The caput mortuum of gross desires Makes a material for mere knights and squires ; The martial phosphorus is taught to flow, She kneads the lumpish philosophic dough. Then marks th' unyielding mass with grave desigiis, Law, physic, politics, and deep divines : Last, she sublimes th' Aurora of the poles, The flashing elements of female souls. The order'd system fair before her stood. Nature, well pleased, pronounced it very good ; 30-] EPISTLES. 261 But ere she gave creating labour o'er, Half -jest, she tried one curious labour more. Some spumy, fiery, ignis-fatuus matter, Such as the slightest breath of air might scatter; . "With arch alacrity and conscious glee (Nature may have her whim as well as we, Her Hogarth-ai-t perhaps she meant to show it) She forms the thing, and christens it— a Poet, Creature, though oft the prey of care and sorrow. When blest to-day, unmindful of to-morrow. A being form'd t' amuse his graver friends. Admired and praised — and there the homage ends : A mortal quite unfit for Fortune's strife, Yet oft the sport of all the ills of life ; Prone to enjoy each pleasure riches give. Yet haply wanting wherewithal to live ; Longing to wipe each tear, to heal each groan. Yet frequent all unheeded in his own. But honest Kature is not quite a Turk, She laugh'd at first, then felt for her poor work. Pitying the propless climber of mankind, She cast about a standard tree to find ; And, to support his helpless woodbine state, Attach'd him to the generous truly great, A title, and the only one I claim. To lay strong hold for help on bounteous Graham. Pity the tuneful Muses' hapless train, Weak, timid landsmen on life's stormy main ! Their hearts no selfish stern absorbent stuff. That never gives— though humbly takes enough; The little fate allows, they share as soon, Unhke sage, proverb'd, wisdom's hard-wrung boon. T tie world were blest did bliss on them depend, Ah, that " the friendly e'er should want a friend ! " Let prudence number o'er each sturdy sou, Who life and wisdom at one race begun. Who feel by reason and who give by rule, (Instinct's a brute, and sentiment a fool!) Who make poor will do wait upon / should — We own they're prudent, but who feds they're good? Ye wise ones, hence ! ye hurt the social eye ! God's image rudely etch'd on base alloy 1 But come, ye who the godlike pleasure know. Heaven's attribute distinguish'd — to bestow ! Whose arms of love would grasp the human race : Come thou who givest with all a courtier's grace; Friend of my life, true patron of my rhymes ! Prop of my dearest hopes for future times. Why shrinks my soul half -blushing, half -afraid, Backward, abash'd to ask thy friendly aid? 262 EPISTLES, [1789L I know my need, T know thy giving hand, I crave thy friendship at thy kind command ; But there are such who court the tuneful Nine — Heavens ! should the branded character be mine I - Whose verse in manhood's pride sublimely flows, Yet vilest reptiles in their begging prose. Mark, how their lofty independent spirit Soars on the spurning wing of injured merit ! Seek not the proofs in private life to find ; Pity the best of words should be but wind ! So to heaven's gate the lark's shrill song ascends, But grovelling on the earth the carol ends. In all the clam'rous cry of starving want, They dun benevolence with shameless front ; Oblige them, patronise their tinsel lays, They persecute you all your future days ! Ere my poor soul such deep damnation stain, My homy fist assume the plough again ; The piebald jacket let me patch once more ; On eighteenpence a week I 've lived before. Though, thanks to Heaven, I dare even that last shift I I trust, meantime, my boon is in thy gift : That, placed by thee upon the wish'd-for height, Where, man and nature fairer in her sight, My Muse may imp her wing for some sublimer flight. EPISTLE TO JAMES TAIT OF GLENCONNER. It was Tait of Glenconner who accompanied Burns in his Nithsdale tour, and advised him respecting EUisIand. In writing to a correspondent, he says, "1 am just returned from Miller's farm. My old friend, whom I took with me, was highly pleased with the bargain, and advised me to accept of it. He is the most intelligent, sensible farmer in the county, and his advice has snig- gered me a good deiil." The persons alluded to in the poem were either Mi Tait's neighbours or friends. AuLD comrade dear, and brither sinner, How 's a' the folk about Glenconner ? How do ye this blae eastlin win*, That 's like to blaw a body blin' ? For me, my faculties are frozen. My dearest member nearly dozen'. ^ I 've sent you here, by Johnnie Simson, Twa sage philosophers to glimpse on ! Smith, wi' his sympathetic feeling, And Reid, to common sense appealing. Philosophers have fought and wrangled, And meikle Greek and Latin mangled, Till wi' their logic- jargon tired. And in the depth of science mired, 1 Numbed. iET. 31.] EPISTLES, 263 To common sense they now appeal, "What wives and vvabsfcers^ see and feel. But, hark ye, frien' ! I charge you strictly. Peruse them, and return them quickly, For now I'm grown sae cursed douce ^ I pray and ponder butt the house ; My shins, my lane,^ I there sit roastin', Perusing Bunyan, Brown, and Boston ; Till by and by, if I haud on, I '11 grvint a real gospel-groan : Already I begin to try it, To cast my een up like a pyet,* When by the gun she tumbles o'er, Fluttering and gasping in her gore : Sae shortly you shall see me bright, A burning and a shining light. My heart-warm love to guid auld Glen, The ace and wale^ of honest men : When bending down wi' auld gray hairs, Beneath the load of years and cai-es. May He who made him still support him. And views beyond the grave conifort him. His worthy familv, far and near, God bless them a wi' grace and gear! My auld schoolfellow, preacher Willie, The manly tar, my Mason Billie, And Auchenbay, I wish him joy ; If he 's a parent, lass or boy, May he be dad, and Meg the mither, Just five-and-f orty years thegither ! And no forgetting Wabster Charlie, I 'm tauld he offers very fairly. And, Lord, remember Singing Sannock, Wi' hale-breeks,^ saxpence, and a bannock.'^ And next my auld acquaintance, Nancy, Since she is fitted to her fancy ; And her kind stars hae airted^ till her A good chiel wi' a pickle siller.^ My kindest, best respects I sen' it, To cousin Kate and sister Janet ; Tell them, frae me, wi' chiels^^ be cautious. For, faith, they'll aiblins^i fin' them fashious;^* To grant a heart is fairly civil. But to grant a maidenhead 's the devil. And lastly, Jamie, for yoursel. May guardian angels tak a spell, And steer you seven miles south o* hell ; >■ Weavers. * Serious. ' By myself. * Magpie. • Choice. 6 Whole breeches. 7 Oat cake. 8 Directed. » Some money. 1® Fellows. 11 Perhaoa. M Troublesom« 264 EPISTLLS. [1789. But first, before you see heaven's glory, May ye get mony a merry story, Mony a laugh, and mony a drink, And aye eneugh o' needfu* clink. ^ Now fare ye weel, and joy be wi' you; For my sake this I beg it o' you, Assist poor Simson a' ye can, Ye '11 find him just an honest man : Sae I conclude, and quat my chanter. Yours, saint or sinner, Rob the Ranter. EPISTLE TO DR BLACKLOCK, IN ANSWER TO A LETTER. Dr Blacklock, the blind poet, had been educated for the Church, but In conse queuce of his blindness was disappointed of a charge. He kept a boarding- school for young men attending college. He was much respected by the literati of the town ; but, what is more important, it was his letter to Mi George Lawrie of Kilmarnock, the friend of Burns, which fired the poet's ambition, and induced his visit to Edinburgh, and the abandonment of his projected departure for the "West Indies. This was no solitary instance of Dr Blacklock's judgment in discerning talent and encouraging it. Professor Walker says, *' If the young men were enumerated whom he drew from ob- scurity, and enabled, by education, to advance themselves in life, the catalogue would naturally excite surprise." Ellisland, October 21, 1789. Wow, but your letter made me vauntie ! 2 And are ye hale, and weel, and cantic?^ I kenn'd it still your wee bit j auntie "Wad bring you to : Lord send you aye as weel's I want ye. And then ye '11 do. The ill-thief blaw the Heron* south ! And never drink be near his drouth ! * He tauld mysel, by word o' mouth, He 'd tak my letter ; I lippen*d' to the chiel in trouth,^ And bade 7 nae better. But aiblins honest Master Heron Had at the time some dainty fair one To ware 8 his theologic care on, And holy study ; - Money, k Trusted- 2 Proud. < A petty oath. » Cheerful. 7 Deserved. * Thirst « Spend. • "Heron, author of a History of Scotland published In 1800; and, among various other works, of a respectable life of our poet himself."— Cdebib. MT. 31.] EPISTLES, 265 And tired o' sauls to waste his lear^ ou, E'en tried the body. But what d' ye think, my trusty fier,^ I 'm turn'd a ganger '^ — Peace be here ! Parnassian queans,'^ I fear, I fear. Ye '11 now disdain mel And then my fifty pounds a year Will little gain me. Ye glaikit,^ gleesome, dainty damies, Wha, by Casfcalia's wimplin' streamies, Lowp,6 sing^ a,ji(l lave your pretty limbies. Ye ken, ye ken, That Strang Necessity supreme is J sons o' men. I hae a wife and twa wee laddies, Tliey maun hae brose and brats o' duddies ;^ Ye ken youi'sels my heart right proud is I needna vaunt,^ But I'll sned besoms ^ — thraw saugh woodies,** Before they want. Lord, help me through this world o' care 1 I 'm weary sick o 't late and air ; ^^ Not but I hae a richer share Than mony ithers ; But why should ae man better fare, And a' men brithers ? Come, firm Resolve, take thou the van. Thou stalk o' carl-hemp in man ! * And let us mind, faint heart ne'er wan A lady fair : Wha does the utmost that he can. Will whiles ^^ do mair. But to conclude my silly rhyme, (I 'm scant o' verse, and scant o' time,) To make a happy fire -side clime To weans ^3 and wife ; That 's the true pathos and sublime Of human life. 1 Learning. 2 Friend. ' Exciseman. * Lassea. 6 Foolish. « Jump. ' Rags o' clothing. 8 Boast. » Cut broorajj. 10 Twist willow withes. n Early. 12 Sometimes. i» Children. * The male hemp— that which bears the seed. "Ye have a stalk 0' carl-hemp In you," is a Scotch remark, and means that a man has more stamina in bim than ordinary. 266 EPISTLES. 1179a My compliments to sister Beckie ; And eke the same to honest Lucky, I wat she is a dainty chuckie,* As e'er tread clay ! And gratefully, my guid auld cockie, + I 'm yours for aye. Robert Burns. SECOND EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ. OF FINTRY, ON THE CLOSE OP THE DISPUTED ELECTION BETWEEN SIR JAMES JOHNSTON AND CAPTAIN MILLER, FOR THE DUMFRIES DISTRICT OP BOROUGHS. FiNTRY, my stay in worldly strife, Frieud o' my Muse, friend o' my life, Are ye as idle *s I am ? Come then, wi' uncouth, kintra fleg,* O'er Pegasus I 'U fling my leg. And ye shall see me try him. I '11 sing the zeal Drumlanrig J bears, Wha left the all-i«.nportant cares Of princes and their darlin's ; And, bent on winning borough touns, Came shaking hands wi' wabster louns. And kissing barefit carlins.^ Combustion through our boroughs rode, Whistling his roaring pack abroad. Of mad, unmuzzled lions ; As Queensberry " buff and blue " unfurl'd. And Westerha' § and Hopetoun hurl'd To every Whig defiance. But cautious Queensberry left the war. The unmanner'd dust might soil his star; Besides, he hated bleeding : But left behind him heroes bright, Heroes in Caesarean fight. Or Ciceronian pleading. Oh, for a throat like huge Mons-Meg, To muster o'er each ardent Whig Beneath Drumlanrig's banners ; 1 Country kick. 2 Barefooted women. • Chuckie— literally, hen. Often used as a familiar term of endearment la Ipeaking of a female. t Cockie — literally, cock. Used in the same way as chuckie. X The fourth Duke of Queensberry, of infamous memory. \ Sir James Johnston, the Tory candidate. fiT. 32.] EPISTLES, 267 Heroes and heroines commix. All in the field of politics, To win immortal honours. M'Murdo * and his lovely spouse (Th' enamour'd laurels kiss her brows !) Led on the Loves and Graces : She won each gaping burgess' heart, While he, all-conquering, play'd his part Amang their wives and lasses. Craigdarroch + led a light-arm'd corps ; Tropes, metaphors, and jQgures pour. Like Hecla streaming thunder : Glenriddel,:!: skiil'd in rusty coins, Blew up each Tory's dark designs. And bared the treason under. In either wing two champions fought, Redoubted Staig,§ who set at nought The wildest savage Tory : And Welsh, |} who ne'er yet flinch'd his ground, High-waved his magnum-bonum round With Cyclopean fury. Miller brought up the artillery ranks, The many -pounders of the Banks, Resistless desolation ! While Maxwelton, that baron bold. Mid Lawson's •U port entrench'd his hold, And threaten'd worse damnation. To these, what Tory hosts opposed ; With these, what Tory warriors closed, Surpasses my discriving : Squadrons extended long and large. With furious speed rush'd to the charge, Like raging devils driving. What verse can sing, what prose narrate. The butcher deeds of bloody Fate Amid this mighty tulzie ! ^ Grim Horror grinn'd — pale Terror roar'd. As Murther at his thrapple shored,^ And Hell mix'd in the brulzie ! ^ As Highland crags by thunder cleft. When lightnings fire the stormy lift,* 1 Conflict. 2 Threatened. » BroiL * Firmament. * The Chamberlain of the Duke of Queensberry at Drumlanrig, and a friend d the poet's. t Ferguson of Craigdarroch. X Captain Riddel of Glenriddel, another friend of the poet's. I Provost Staig of Dumfries, \ Sheriff Welsh. *R A wine merchant in Dumfries. 268 EPISTLES. [1790. Hurl down wi* crashing rattlo : As flames amang a hundred woods ; As headlong foam a hundred floods ; Such is the rage of battle I The stubborn Tories dare to die ; As soon the rooted oaks would fly Before th' approaching fellei^ : The Whigs come on like Ocean's roar, "When all his wintry billows jjour Against the Buchan Bullers.* Lo, from the shades of Death's deep niglit, Departed Whigs enjoy the fight, And think on fornler daring : The muffled mui-therer of Charles t The Magna-Charta flag unfurls, All deadly gules its bearing. Nor wanting ghosts of Tory fame, Bold Scrirageour X follows gallant Grahame, § Auld Covenanters shiver. (Forgive, forgive, much-wrong'd Montrose I While death and hell ingulf thy foes, Thou liv'st on high for ever ! ) Still o'er the field the combat bums, The Tories, AVTiigs, give way by turns ; But Fate the word has spoken ; For woman's wit and strength o' man, Alas ! can do but what they can — The Tory ranks are broken ! Oh that my een were flowing burns ! My voice a lioness that mourns Her darling cub's undoing ! That I might greet, that I might cry, While Tories fall, while Tories fly, And furious Whigs pursuing ! AVhat "Whig but wails the good Sir Jamea ! Dear to his country by the names Friend, patron, benefactor ! Not Pulteney's wealth can Pulteney save ! And Hopetoun falls, the generous brave ! And Stewaii;,!! bold as Hector. Thou, Pitt, shalt rue this overthrow; And Thurlow growl a curse of woe : * The "Bullers of Buchan" is an appellation given to a tremendous rocky recess on the Aberdeenshire coast, near Peterhead— having an opening to th« eea, while the top is open. The sea, constantly raging in it, gives it the aj^pear- ance of a pot or boiler, and hence the name. t The executioner of Charles I. was masked. X John Earl of Dundee, i The great Marquis of Montrose. U Stewart of Hillside. ^T. 32.] EPISTLES. 269 And Melville melt in wailing ! Now Fox and Sheridan rejoice ! And Burke shall sing, " O Prince, arise ! Thy power is all-prevailing." For your poor friend, the bard, afar He hears, and only hears, the war, A cool spectator purely ; So when the storm the forest rends, The robin in the hedge descends, And sober chirps securely. Additional verse in Closebum MS. — Now for my friends' and brethren's sakes, And for my dear-loved Land o' Cakes, I pray with holy fire : Lord, send a rough-shod troop o' hell, O'er a' wad Scotland buy or sell. To grind them in the mire ! THIRD EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ. OF FINTRY, Late crippled of an arm, and now a leg,* About to beg a pass for leave to beg : Dull, listless, teased, dejected, and deprest, (Nature is adverse to a cripple's rest;) Will generous Graham list to his poet's wail? (It soothes poor Misery, heark'ning to her tale,) And hear him curse the light he first survey'd, And doubly curse the luckless rhyming trade ? Thou, Nature! partial Nature! I arraign ; Of thy caprice maternal I complain. The lion and the bull thy care have found. One shakes the forests, and one spurns the ground : Thou giv'st the ass his hide, the snail his shell, Th'envenom'd wasp, victorious, guards his cell; Thy minions, kings, defend, control, devour, In all th' omnipotence of rule and power ; Foxes and statesmen subtle wiles insure ; The cit and polecat stink, and are secure ; Toads with their poison, doctors with their drug, The priest and hedgehog in their robes are snug ; Even silly woman has her warlike arts. Her tongue and eyes — her dreaded speai and darts. But, oh ! thou bitter stepmother and hard, To thy poor, fenceless, naked child — the bard ! * Burns wrote to Mrs Dunlop, on the 7th of February 1791, " that, by a fall, not from ray horse, but with my horse, I have been a cripple for some time, and this is the first day my arm and hand have been able to serve me in writing." 270 EPISTLES, [1791 A thing unteacbable in worldly skill, And half an idiot, too, more helpless still ; No heels to bear him from the opening dun : No claws to dig, his hated sight to shun ; No horns, but those by luckless Hymeu worn, And those, alas ! not Amalthea's horn : No nerves olfactory, Mammon's trusty cur, Clad in rich Duluess' comfortable fur ; — In naked feeling, and in aching pride, He bears the unbroken blast from every side : Vampire booksellers drain him to the heart, And scorpion critics cureless venom dart. Critics ! — appall'd I venture on the name, Those cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame : Bloody dissectors, worse than ten Monroes ! * He hacks to teach, they mangle to expose. His heart by causeless wanton malice wrung, By blockheads' daring into madness stung; His well-won bays, than life itself more dear, By miscreants torn, who ne'er one spj-ig must wear : Foil'd, bleeding, toi-tured, in the unequal strife, The hapless poet flounders on through life ; Till, fled each hope that once his bosom fired. And fled each muse that glorious once inspired, Low sunk in squalid unprotected age. Dead, even resentment, for his injured page, He heeds or feels no more the ruthless critic's rage. So, by some hedge, the generous steed deceased, For half-starved snarling curs a dainty feast, By toil and famine worn to skin and bone. Lies senseless of each tugging bitch's son. O Dulness ! portion of the truly blest ! Calm shelter' d haven of eternal rest ! Thy sons ne'er madden in the fierce extremes Of Fortune's polar frost, or torrid beams. If mantling high she fills the golden cup, With sober selfish ease they sip it up : Conscious the bounteous meed they well deserve, They only wonder " some folks '' do not starve. The giave sage hern thus easy i^icks his frog, And thinks the mallard a sad worthless dog. When Disappointment snaps the clue of Hope, And through disastrous night they darkling grope. With deaf endurance sluggishly they bear, And just conclude that *' fools are fortune's care." So, heavy, passive to the tempest's shocks. Strong on the sign-post stands the stujjid ox. * The allusion here is to Alexander Munvo, the distinguished Professor oi Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh in Burns's day. JGTT. 33-j( EPISTLES. 2/1 Not so the idle Muses' mad-cap train, Not such the workings of their moon-struck brain ! In equanimity they never dwell, By turns in soaring heaven or vaulted helL I dread thee, Fate, relentless and severe, With all a poet's, husband's, father's fear ! Already one stronghold of hope is lost — Glen cairn, the truly noble, lies in dust ; (Fled, like the sun eclipsed as noon appears. And left us darkling in a world of tears :) Oh ! hear my ardent, grateful, selfish prayer! — Fintry, my other stay, long bless and spare ! Through a long life his hopes and wishes crown. And bright in cloudless skies his sun go down ! May bliss domestic smooth his private path, Give energy to life, and soothe his latest breath, With many a filial tear circling the bed of death ! FOURTH EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ. OF FINTRY. The following verses were written in acknowledgment of the favour the previous epistle piayed for. Cunningham justly says, " Robert Graham of Fintry had the merit of doing all that was done for Burns in the way of raising him out ol the toiling humility of his condition, and enabling him to serve the Muse without dread of want." I CALL no goddess to inspire my strains, A fabled Muse may suit a bard that feigns ; Friend of my life ! my ardent spirit burns, And all the tribute of my heart returns, For boons accorded, goodness ever new. The gift still dearer, as the giver you. Thou orb of day ! thou other paler light ! And all ye many sparkling stars of night ; If aught that giver from my mind efface ; If I that giver's bounty e'er disgrace ; Then roll to me along your wandering spheres, Only to number out a villain's years ! EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, &c. THOUGH FICKLE FORTUNE HAS DECEIVED ME. •The following," says Burns, "was written extempore, under the pressure of a heavy train of misfortunes, which, indeed, threatened to undo me altogclher. It was just at the close of that dreadful period mentioned already, (in Com- monplace-book, March 1784 ;) and though the weather has brightened up a little with me since, yet there has always been a tempest brewing round me in the grim sky of futurity, which I pretty plainly see will, some time or other, perhaps ere long, overwhelm me, and drive me into some doleful dell, to pine in solitary, squalid wretchedness." Though fickle Fortune has deceived me, Slie promised fair and perform'd but ill ; Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereaved me, Yet I bear a heart shall support me stilL I '11 act with prudence as far 's I 'm able, But if success I must never find, Tlien come, Misfortune, I bid thee welcome, I '11 meet thee with an undaunted mind. ON JOHN DOVE, INNKEEPER, MAUCHLINE. The subject of the following lines was the landlord of the Whitefoord Arms in Mauchline. Here lies Johnny Pigeon ; "What was his religion ? Whae'er desires to ken,^ To some other warl' Maun follow the carl,^ For here Johnny Pigeon had nane ! 1 Know. a Old man. i^r.-^S.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 273 Strong ale was ablution — Small beer persecution, A dram was memento mori ; But a full flowing bowl Was the saving his soul, And port was celestial glory. TO A PAINTER. While in Edinburgh, the poet paid a visit to the studio of a well-known painter, whom he found at work on a pictm*e of Jacob's dream ; and having looked at the sketch for a little, he wrote the following verses on the back of it : — Dear , I '11 gie ye some advice, You '11 tak it no uncivil : You shouldna paint at angels mair, But try and paint the devil. To paint an angel 's kittle wark, Wi' auld Nick there 's less danger j You '11 easy draw a weel-kent face, But no sae weel a stranger. R. B. EPITAPH ON THE AUTHOR'S FATHER. The following lines were inscribed on a small head-stone erected over the grav« of the poet's fauier in AUoway Kirkyard : — O YE whose cheek the tear of pity stains, Draw near with pious reverence, and attend ! Here lie the loving husband's dear remains, The tender father, and the generous friend; The pitying heart that felt for human woe ; The dauntless heart that f ear'd no human pride ; The friend of man, to vice alone a foe ; " For even his failings lean'd to virtue's side." * A FAREWELL. These lines form the conclusion of a letter from Burns to Mi* John Kennedy, dated Kilmarnock, August 1786. Farewell, dear friend! may guid luck hit you, And, 'mang her favourites admit you ! If e'er Detraction shone to smite you, May nane believe him ! And ony deil that thinks to get you, Good Lord deceive him. » Goldsmith. 274 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1786. ON A WAG IN MAUCHLINE. The wag here meant was James Smith, the James Smith of the epistle commencing, "Dear Smith, tlxe sleest, pawkie thief." Lament him, Maucbline husbands a', He aften did assist ye ; For had ye staid whole years awa', Your wives they ne'er had miss'd ye. Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass To school in bands thegither, Oh, tread ye lightly on his grass — Perhaps he was your father. POETICAL REPLY TO AN INVITATION. MOSSGIEL, 1786. Sir, Yours this moment I unseal, And faith, I am gay and hearty ! To tell the truth and shame the deil, I am as fou as Bartie : * But foorsday, sir, my promise leal, Expect me o' your party, If on a beastie I can speel, Or hurl in a cartie.— E. B. TO A YOUNG LADY IN A CHURCH. During the poet's Border tour, he went to church one Sunday, accompanied by Miss Ainslie, the sister of his travelling companion. The text for the day happened to contain a severe denunciation of obstinate sinners. And Burns, observing the young lady intently turning over the leaves of her Bible in search of the passage, took out a small piece of paper, and wrote the following lines upon it, whicli he immediately passed to her : — Fair maid, you need not take the hint, Nor idle texts pursue ; 'Twas guilty sinners that he meant, Not angels such as you ! * A proverbial saying, which may be interpreted by a line of an old song— <'I'm no just fou, Hut I'm gayley yet." .ET. 28.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 275 VERSES WRITTEN UNDER THE PORTRAIT OF FERGUSSON, THE POET, IN A COPY OF THAT author's WORKS PRESENTED TO A YOUNG LADY IN EDINBURGH, MARCH 17, 1787. Curse on ungrateful man, that can be pleased, And yet can starve the author of the pleasure ! O thou, my elder brother in misfortune, By far my elder brother in the Muses, With tears I pity thy unhappy fate ! Why is the bard unpitied by the world, Yet has so keen a relish of its pleasures ? ON THE ILLNESS OF A FAVOURITE CHILD. Now health forsakes that angel face, Nae mair my dearie smiles ; Pale sickness withers ilka grace, And a' my hopes beguiles. The cruel Powers reject the prayer I hourly mak for thee ! Ye heavens, how great is my despair, How can I see him die 1 EXTEMPORE ON TWO LAWYERS. During Burns's first sojourn in Edinburgh in 1787, he paid a visit to the Parlia- ment House, and the result was two well-drawn sketches of the leading counsel of the day— the Lord Advocate, Mr Hay Campbell, (afterwards Lord President,) and the Dean of Faculty, Harry Erskine. LORD ADVOCATE. He clench'd his pamphlets in his fist, He quoted and he hinted. Till in a declamation mist His argument he tint ^ it ; He gaped for 't, he graped 2 for 't. He found it was awa', man ; But what his common sense cam short, He ek^d out wi' law, man. I Lost. a Groped 276 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1787. DEAN OP FACULTY. Collected Harry stood a wee, Then open'd out his arm, man ; His lordship sat, wi' ruefu' ee. And eyed the gathering storm, man 2 Like wind-driven hail, it did assail, Or torrents owre a linn, man ; The Bench sae wise, lift up their eyes, Half-waken'd wi' the din, man. THE HIGHLAND WELCOME. Cunningham says : — " Burns, on repassing the Highland border, in 1787, turned round and bade farewell to the hospitalities of the north in these happy lines Another account states that he was called on for a toas*t at table, and gave * The Highland Welcome,' much to the pleasure of all who heard him." When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er, A time that surely shall come ; In heaven itself I '11 ask no more Than just a Highland welcome. EXTEMPORE ON WILLIAM SMELLIE, AUTHOR OP THE " PHILOSOPHY OP NATURAL HISTORY," AND MEMBER OP THE ANTIQUARIAN AND ROYAL SOCIETIES OP EDINBURGH. Bmellie belonged to a club called the Crochallan Fencibles, of which Burns was a member. Shrewd Willie Smellie to CrochaUan came. The old cock'd hat, the gray surtout, the same ; His bristling beard just rising in its might, _ 'Twas four long nights and days to shaving night ; His uncomb'd grizzly locks wild staring, thatch'd A head for thought profound and clear unmatched : Yet though his caustic wit was biting, rude. His heart was warm, benevolent, and good. VERSES WRITTEN ON A WINDOW OF THE INN AT CARRON. The following lines were written on being refused admittance to the Carron iron-works : — We cam na here to view your warks In hopes to be mair wise. But only lest we gang to heU, It may be nae surprise : «T. 29.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 277 But when we tirled at your door, Your porter douglit na hear us ; Sae may, should we to hell's yetts come, Your billy Satan sair us ! LINES ON VIEWING STIKLING PALACE. The following lines were scratched with a diamond on a pane of glass in a window of the inn at which Burns put up, on the occasion of his first visit to Stirling. They were quoted to his prejudice at the time, and no doubt did him no good with those who could best serve his interests. On his next visit to Stirling, he smashed the pane with the butt-end of his riding whip : — Here Stuai-ts once in glory reign'd, And laws for Scotland's weal ordain'd ; But now unroof d their palace stands, Their sceptre 's swa^d by other hands ; The injured Stuart line is gone, A race outlandish fills their throne — An idiot race, to honour lost : Who know them best despise them most. THE KEPROOF. Pash mortal, and slanderous poet, thy name Shall no longer appear in the records of fame ; Dost not know, that old Mansfield, who writes like the Bible, Says, The more 'tis a truth, sir, the more 'tis a libel ? LINES WRITTEN UNDER THE PICTURE OF THE CELEBRATED MISS BURNS. Miss Burns was a "gay" lady, well known to the "fast" young fellows of the Scottish metropolis in the poet's day. Cease, ye prudes, your envious railing, Lovely Burns has charms — confess. True it is, she had one failing — Had a woman ever less ? ON INCIVILITY SHOWN TO HIM AT INVERAPY. The poet having halted at Inverary during his first Highland tour, put up at the inn ; but on finding himself neglected by the landlord, whose house was filled with visitors to the Duke of Argyle, he resented the incivility in the fol- lowing lines : — 278 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, [1788 Whoe'er he be that sojourns here, I pity much his case, Unless he conle to wait upon The lord their god, his Grace. There 's naething here but Highland pride, And Highland cauld and hunger ; If Providence has sent me here, 'Twas surely in His anger. ON A SCHOOLMASTER. William Michie was schoolmaster of the parish of Cleish, in Fifeshire, and became aciiuainted with Burns during his first visit to Edinburgh, in 1787. Here lie "Willie Michie's banes ; O Satan, when ye tak him, Gie him the schoolin' o your weans, For clever deils he 11 mak 'em ! VERSES ADDRESSED TO THE LANDLADY OF THE INN AT ROSSLTN. ]\Iy blessings on you, sonsie wife ; I ne'er was here before ; You 've gien us walth for horn and knife, Nae heart could wish for more. Heaven keep you free frae care and strife, Till far ayont fourscore ; And, while I toddle on through life, I'll ne'er gang by your door. ON ELPHINSTONE'S TRANSLATION OF MARTIAL'S "EPIGRAMS." " Stopping at a merchant's shop in Edinburgh," says Burns, "a friend of mine one day put Elphinstone's translation of Martial into my hand, and desired my opinion of it. I asked permission to write my opinion on a blank leaf oi the book ; which being granted, I wrote this epigram." O THOU, whom Poesy abhors ! Whom Prose has turned out of doors ! Heard'st thou that groan? — proceed no further — 'Twas laurell'd Martial roaring, *' Murther !" MT, 30.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 279 INNOCENCE. Innocence Looks gaily-smiling on ; while rosy Pleasure Hides young Desire amid her flowery wreath, And pours her cup luxuriant : mantling high The sparkling heavenly vintage — Love and Bliss ! LINES WRITTEN ON A PANE OF GLASS IN THE INN AT MOFFAT. While Burns was in the inn at Moffat one day, the "charming, lovely Davies" of one of his songs happened to pass, accompanied by a tall and portly lady , and on a friend asking him why God had made Miss Davies so small and the other lady so large, he replied— / Ask why God made the gem so small, \ And why so huge the granite ? '.Because God meant mankind should set The higher value on it. LINES SPOKEN EXTEMPORE ON BEING APPOINTED TO THE EXCISE. Searching auld wives* barrels, Och, hon ! the day ! That clarty barm should stain my laurels ; But— what 11 ye say ? These movin' things ca'd wives and weans Wad move the very hearts o' stanes ! EPITAPH ON W . Stop, thief ! Dame Nature cried to Death, As Willie drew his latest breath ; You have my choicest model ta'en, How shall I make a fool again? ON A PERSON NICKNAMED THE MARQUIS. The person who bore this name was the landlord of a tavern in Dumfries fre- quented by Burns. In a moment of weakness he asked the poet to write his 28o EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, E7'C. [1789 epitaph, which he immediately did. In a style not at all to the taste of the Marquis. Here lies a mock Marquis, wliose titles "were Bhamm'd ; If ever lie rise— it will be to be damn'd. TO JOHN M'MUKDO, ESQ. John M'Murdo was steward to the Duke of Queensberry, and the faithful friend of Burns during the whole period of his residence in Nithsdale. Oh could I give thee India's -weallli As I this trifle send ! Because thy joy in both would be To share them with a friend. But golden sands did never grace , The Heliconian stream ; Then take what gold could never buy— An bonest bai-d's esteem. TO THE SAME. Blest be M'Murdo to his latest day ! No envious cloud o'ercast his evening ray ; No wriixkle furrow'd by the hand of Care, Nor ever sorrow add one silver bail- ! Oh, may no son the father's honour stain, Nor ever daughter give tbe mother pain ! ON CAPTAIN FEANCIS GEOSE. One night at table, when the wine had circulated pretty freely, and " The mirth and fun grew fast and furious," Captain Grose, it is said, amused with the sallies of the poet, requested a couplet on himself. Having eyed the corpulent antiquary for a little, Burns repeated the following :— The devil got notice that Grose was a-dying, So whip at the summons old Satan came flying ; But when he approach'd where poor Francis lay moaning, And saw each bedpost with its burden a-groaning, Astonish'd, confounded, cried Satan, "By God! I '11 want 'iDi, ere I take such a damnable load 1 " /ET. 31.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. ON" GRIZZEL GEIM. Here lies with Death auld Grizzel Grim, Lincluden's ugly witch ; O Death, how horrid is thy taste To lie with such a bitch ! ON MR BURTON. Barns having on one occasion met a young Englishman of the name of Burton, he became very importunate that the poet should compose an epitaph for him. "In vain," says Cunningham, "the bard objected that he was not suffi- ciently acquainted with his character and habits to qualify him for the task; the request was constantly repeated with a "Dem my eyes, Burns, do write an ep itaph for me : oh, dem my blood, do. Burns, write an epitaph for me." Ov ercome by his importunity, Burns at last took out his pencil and produced the following : — Here cursing, swearing Burton lies, A buck, a beau, or Dem my eyes ! Who in his life did little good ; And his last words were — Dem my blood 1 POETICAL REPLY TO AN INVITATION. The king's most humble servant, I Can scarcely spare a minute ; But I'll be wi' you by and by, Or else the devil 's in it. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. 'Burns at one period," says Cunningham, "was in the habit of receiving the Star newspaper gratuitously ; but as it came somewhat irregularly to hand, he sent the following lines to head-quarters, to insure more punctuality :"— Dear Peter, dear Peter, We poor sons of metre, Are often negleckit, ye ken ; For instance, your sheet, man, (Though glad I'm to see't, man,) I get it no ae day in ten. ON BURNS'S HORSE BEING IMPOUNDED. Being in Carlisle, the poet's nag was turned oiit to grass, and had trespassed on oome grounds belonging to the corporation. The horse was impounded, but 282 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, [1791 the mayor, hearing to whom it belonged, gave orders for its liberation— " Let him have it, by all means, or the circumstance will be heard of for ages to come." As Burns had written the following lines previously, the worthy mayor's prophecy has come true : — Was e'er puir poet sae befitted, The maister drunk— the horse committed? Puir harmless beast ! tak thee nae care, Thou 'It be a horse when he's nae mair {mayor,') LINES SENT TO A GENTLEMAN WHOM HE HAD OFFENDED. The friend was Mr Riddel of Woodley Park, at whose table, while under the in- fluence of wine, he had indulged in a freedom of speech which gave offence to the company. The reparation made in the following lines was warmly a« cepted : — The friend whom wild from wisdom's way The fumes of wine infuriate send ; (Not moony madness more astray ;) Who but deplores that hapless friend? Mine was the insensate frenzied part ! Ah ! why should I such scenes outlive ! Scenes so abhorrent to my heart ! 'Tis thine to pity and forgive. VERSES TO JOHN RANKINE, ON HIS WRITING TO THE POET THAT A GIRL IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY WAS WITH CHILD BY HIM. I AM a keeper of the law In some sma' points, although not a' ; Some people tell me gin I fa', Ae way or ither, The breaking of ae point, though sma*, Breaks a' thegither. I hae been in for 't ance or twice, And winna say o'er far for thrice, Yet never met with that surprise That broke my rest, But now a rumour 's like to rise, A whaup 's i' the nest. ^T.33.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 283 (J^ SEEING MISS FONTENELLE IN A FAVOURITE CHARACTER. Sweet naivete of feature, Simple, wild, enchanting elf, Not to thee, but thanks to Nature, Thou art acting but thyself. "VVert thou awkward, stiff, affected, Spuming nature, torturing art ; Loves and graces all rejected. Then indeed thou 'dst act a part. ON GABRIEL RICHARDSON, BREWER, DUMFRIES. Here brewer Gabriel's fire 's extinct, And empty all his barrels : He 's blest — if, as he brew'd, he drink — In upright honest morals. THE BLACK-HEADED EAGLE : A FRAGMENT ON THE DEFEAT OE THE AUSTRIANS BY DUMODRIER, AT GEMAPPE, NOVEMBER 1792. The black-headed eagle, As keen as a beagle. He hunted owre height and owre howe ; But fell in a trap On the braes o' Gemappe, E'en let him come out as he dowe. ON A SHEEB'S-HEAD. Having been dining at the Globe Tavern, Dumfries, on one occasion when a sheep's-head happened to be the fare pi-ovided, he Avas asked to give some- thing new as a grace, and instantly replied : — O Lord, when hunger pinches sore, Do Thou stand us in stead. And send us from Thy bounteous store A tup or wether head ! — Amen. After having dined, and greatly enjoyed this dainty, he was again asked to re- turn thanks, when, without a moment's premeditation, he at once said : — 284 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, [1793. O Lord, since we have feasted thus, Which we so little merit, Let Meg now take away the flesh, And Jock bring in the spirit !— Amen. ON THE DEATH OF A LAP-DOG NAMED ECHO. While Burns was on a visit to Kenmore Castle, the ancient seat of the Gordons, it happened that the lady's lap-dog died, and she requested him to write an epitaph for it, which he did as follows : — In wood and wild, ye warbling throng, Your heavy loss deplore ; Now half-extinct your powers of song, Sweet Echo is no more. Ye jarring, screeching things around, Scream your discordant joys ; Now half your din of tuneless sound With Echo silent lies. ON SEEING THE BEAUTIFUL SEAT OF LORD GALLOWAY. This and the three following verses were written as political squibs during th« heat of a contested election :— What dost thou in that mansion fair ? — Flit, Galloway, and find Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave, The picture of thy mind ! ON THE SAME. No Stewart art thou, Galloway, The Stewarts all were brave ; Besides, the Stewarts were but fools, Not one of them a knave. ON THE SAME. Bright ran thy line, O Galloway, Through many a far-famed sire I So ran the far-famed Roman way, So ended— in a mire \ ALT. 35.] EFIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 285 TO THE SAME, ON THE author's BEING THEEATENED WITH HIS RESENTMENT. Spare me thy vengeance, Galloway, In quiet let me live : I ask no kindness at thy hand. For thou hast none to give. HOWLET FACE. One of the Lords of Justiciary, says a correspondent of Mr Chambers's, while on cix'cuit at Dumfries, had dined one day at Mr Miller of Dalswinton's ; and having, according to the custom of the time, taken wine to such an extent as to affect his sight, said to his host, on entering the drawing-room, and at the same time pointing to one of his daughters, who was thought an uncommonly handsome woman, "Wha'syon howlet-faced thing in the corner?" The cir- cumstance having been related to Burns, who happened to dine there next day, he took out his pencil, and wrote the following lines, which he handed to Miss Miller :— How daur ye ca' me howlet-faced. Ye ugly glowering spectre ? My face was but the keekin'-glass, And there ye saw your picture ! THE BOOK-WORMS. Having been shown into a magnificent library, while on a visit to a nobleman, and observing a splendidly-bound, but uncut and worm-eaten, copy of Shake- speare on the table, the poet left the following lines in the volume ; — Through and through the inspired leaves, Ye maggots, make your windings ; But, oh, respect his lordship's taste, And spare the golden bindings ! EPIGRAM ON BACON. Brownhill was a posting station some fifteen miles from Dumfries. Dining there on one occasion, the poet met a Mr Ladyman, a commercial traveller, who solicited a sample of his "rhyming ware." At dinner, beans and bacon were served, and the landlord, whose name was Bacon, had, as was his wont, thrust himself somewhat offensively into the company of his guests : — At Brownhill we always get dainty good cheer, And plenty of bacon each day in the year ; "We 've all things that 's neat, and mostly in season But whv always Bacon ? — come, give me a reason. 286 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1794, THE EPITAPH. In this stinging epitaph Buns satirises Mrs Riddel of Woodley Park. He hsd taken offence because she seemed to pay more attention to some oflBcers in the company than to the poet, who had a supreme contempt for "epauletted puppies," as he delighted to call them. This quai-rel, and the means he took of showing his anger, were not creditable to the poet, for he had no warmer friend and admirer than Mrs RiddeL Here lies, now a prey to insulting neglect, What once was a butterfly, gay in life's beam : "Want only of wisdom denied her respect. Want only of goodness denied her esteem. ON MRS KEMBLE. The poet having witnessed the performance of Mrs Kemble in the part of Yarico, one night at the Dumfries theatre, seized a piece of paper, wrote these lines with a pencil, and handed them to the lady at the conclusion of the perform- ance. Kemble, thou cur'st my unbelief Of Moses and his rod ; At Yarico's sweet notes of grief The rock with tears had flow'd. THE CREED OF POVERTY. '•When the Board of Excise," says Cunningham, "informed Burns that his business was to act, and not think, he read the order to a friend, turned the paper, and wrote as follows ; " — In politics if thou wouldst mix, And mean thy fortunes be ; Bear this in mind — "Be deaf and blind ; Let sTeat folks hear and see." WRITTEN IN A LADY'S POCKET-BOOK. The following lines indicate how strongly Burns sympathised with the lovers oJ liberty during the first outbreak of the French Revolution : — Grant me, indulgent Heaven, that I may live To see the miscreants feel the pain they give ; Deal Freedom's sacred treasures free as air, TiU slave and despot be but things which were. MT. 36.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 287 THE PARSON'S LOOKS. gome one having remarked that he saw falsehood in the very look of a certain reverend gentleman, the poet replied — That there is falsehood in his looks I must and will deny ; They say their master is a knave — And sure they do not lie. EXTEMPORE, PINNED TO A lady's COACH. If you rattle along like your mistress's tongue, Your speed will outrival the dart ; But a fly for your load, you '11 break down on the road, If your stuff be as rotten 's her heart. ON ROBERT RIDDEL. The poet traced these lines with a diamond on the window of the hermitage ol Friars' Carse, the first time he visited it after the death of his friend the Laird of Carse. To Riddel, much-lamented man, This ivied cot was dear ; Reader, dost value matchless worth ? This ivied cot revere. ON EXCISEMEN. WRITTEN ON A WINDOW EN DUMFRIES. « One day," says Cunningham, "while in the King's Arms Tavern, Dumfries, Burns overheard a country gentleman talking disparagingly concerning ex- cisemen. The poet went to a window, and on one of the panes wrote this re buke with his diamond :" — Ye men of wit and wealth, why all this sneering 'Gainst poor excisemen ? give the cause a hearing ; What are your landlords' rent-rolls ? taxing ledgers ; What premiers — what ? even monarchs' mighty gangers : Nay, what are priests, those seeming godly wise men? What are they, pray, but si)iritual excisemen ? 288 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1795 VERSES WRITTEN ON A WINDOW OF THE GLOBE TAVERN, DUMFRIES. The graybeard, old Wisdom, may boast of bis treasures, Give me with gay Folly to live ; I grant him calm-blooded, time -settled pleasures, But Folly has raptures to give. THE SELKIRK GRACE. The poet having been on a visit to the Earl of Selkirk at St Mary's Isle, was asked to say grace at dinner. He repeated the following words, which have since been known in the district as " The Selkirk Grace : " — Some bae meat, and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it ; But we bae meat, and we can eat. And sae the Lord be thankit. EPITAPH ON A SUICIDE. Earth'd up here lies an imp o' bell. Planted by Satan's dibble — Poor silly wretch he 's damn'd himscl To save the Lord the trouble. TO DR MAXWELL, ON MISS JESSIE STAIG'S RECOVERY. " How do you like the following epigram," says the poet, in a letter to Thomson, " which I wrote the other day on a lovely young girl's recovery from a fever ? Doctor Maxwell was the physician who seemingly saved her from the grave and to him I address the following : " — Maxwell, if merit here you crave. That merit I deny ; Yon save fair Jessie from the grave ? — An angel could not die. THE PARYENU. Bums being present in a company where an ill-educated •parvenu was boring every one by boasting of the many great people he had lately been visiting, g:ave vent to his feelings in the following lines : — ^T37] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 289 No more of your titled acquaintances boast, And in what lordly circles you 've been ; An insect is still but an insect at most, Though it crawl on the head of a queen ! POETICAL INSCRIPTION FOR AN ALTAR TO INDEPENDENCE. The following lines were inscribed on an altar erected at the seat of Heron of Kerroughtree. They were written in 1795, when the hopes and triumphs of the French Revolution had made it a fashion to raise altars to Freedom, and plant trees to Liberty. Thou of an independent mind. With soul resolved, with soul resign'd ; Prepared power's proudest frown to brave, Who wilt not be, nor have, a slave ; Virtue alone who dost revere, Thy own reproach alone dost fear, Approach this shrine, and worship here. EXTEMPOEE TO MR SYME, on refusing to dine with him. John Syme of Ryedale was a gentleman of education and talent, and a constant companion of the poet's. These lines were written in reply to an invitation to dine, in which he promised the "first of company and the first of cookery." Dec. 17, 1795. No more of your guests, be they titled or not, And cookeiy the first in the nation ; Who is proof to thy personal converse and wit Is proof to all other temptation. TO MR SYME, with a present of a dozen of porter. Jerusalem Tavern, DcMFRiaa, Oh, had the malt thy strength of mind, Or hops the flavour of thy wit, 'Twere drink for first of humankind, A gift that e'en for Syme were fit. 290 EPIGRAMS, EPITAFHS, ETC. [1795. INSCRIPTION ON A GOBLET. There 's death in the cup— sae beware ! Nay, more — there is danger in touching ; But wha can avoid the fell snare ? The man and his wine 's sae bewitching ! THE TOAST. Burns having been called on for a song at a dinner given by the Dumfries Volunteers in honour of the anniversary of Rodney's great victory of the 12th of April 1782, gave the following lines in reply to the call :— Instead of a song, boy», I '11 give you a toast — Here 's the memory of those on the twelfth that we lost ! — That we lost, did I sav ? nay, by Heaven, that we found ; For their fame it shall last wliile the world goes round. The next in succession, I '11 give you — The King! Whoe'er would betray him, on high may he swing ! And here 's the grand fabric. Our free Constituiion, As built on the base of the great Revolution ; And longer with politics not to be cramm'd. Be Anarchy cursed, and be Tyranny damn'd ; And who would to Liberty e'er prove disloyal May his son be a hangman, and he his first trial ! ON THE POET'S DAUGHTER. The following lines were ^yritten on the loss of an "only daughter and darling child" of the poet's, who died in the autumn of 1795 ; — Heee lies a rose, a budding rose, Blasted before its bloom : Whose innocence did sweets discloss Beyond that flower's perfume. To those who for her loss are grieved, This consolation 's given — She 's from a world of woe relieved, And blooms a rose in heaven. ON A COUNTRY LAIRD. Tho subject of these verses is said to have been Sir David Maxwell of Cardoness, who had given some offence to the poet during the heat of a contested elec- tion. .ET. 37.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 29) Bless the Redeemer, Cardoness, "With grateful lifted eyes, Who said that not the soul alone, But body, too, must rise ; For had He said, "The soul alcne From death I will deliver ; " Alas ! alas ! O Cardoness, Then thou hadst slept for ever ! THE TRUE LOYAL NATIVES. The origin of these lines is thus related by Cromek :— r^When politics ran high the poet happened to be in a tavern, and the following lines — the production of one of ' The True Loyal Natives ,— were handed over the table to Burns : — ' Ye sons of sedition, give ear to my song, Let Syme, Burns, and IMaxwell, pervade every throng ; "With Craken the attorney, and Mundell the quack, Send Willie the monger to hell with a smack.' The poet took out a pencil and instantly wrote this reply :" — Ye true " Loyal Natives " attend to my song, In uproar and riot rejoice the night long ; From envy and hatred your corps is exempt. But where is your shield from the darts of contempt ? EPITAPH ON ROBERT AIKEN, ESQ. Robert Aiken, writer, Ayr, was one of the poet's most intimate friends. Know thou, O stranger to the fame Of this much-loved, much-honour'd name, (For none that knew him need be told) A warmer heart Death ne'er made cold ! ON A FRIEND^ The name of the friend is unknown. An honest man here lies at rest. As e'er God with His image blest ! The friend of man, the friend of truth , The friend of age, and guide of youth ; Few hearts like liis, with virtue warm'd, Few heads with knowledge so inform'd : If there's another world, he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best of this. 292 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1796. EPITAPH ON TAM THE CHAPMAN. Tarn the chapman was a Mr Kennedy, a travelling agent for a commercial house. The following lines were composed on his recovery from a severe illness: — As Tain the Cliapman on a day Wi' Death forgather'd by the way, Weel pleased, he greets a wight ^ sae famous, And Death was nae less pleased wi' Thomas, "Wha cheerfully lays down the pack. And there blaws up a hearty crack ; ^ His social, friendly, honest heart Sae tickled Death, they couldna part : Sae, after viewing knives and garters. Death takes him hame to gie him quarters. ON GAVIN HAMILTON. The poor man weeps — here Gavin sleeps, Whom canting wretches blamed : But with such as he, where'er he be. May I be saved or damn'd ! ON A CELEBKATED RULING ELDER. Here souter Hood in death does sleep ; — To hell, if he 's gane thither, Satan, gie him thy gear ^ to keep. He '11 haud^ it weel thegither. ON A NOISY POLEMIC. James Humi)hrey, a working mason, was the "noisy polemic" of this epitaph. Burns and he ft-equently disputed on Auld-Light and New-Light topics, and Humphrey, although an illiterate man, not unfrequently had the best of it. Ec died in great poverty, having solicited charity for some time before hia death. We have heard it said that in soliciting charity from the strangers who aiTived and departed by the Mauchline coach, he grounded his claims to tbeir kindness on the epitaph— ^'Please, sirs, I'm Burns's bletherin' bitch 1" Below thir stanes lie Jamie's banes : O Death, it 's my opinion, Thou ne'er took such a bleth'rin' bitch Into thy dark dominion ! "* 1 Fellow. -'Gossip. 3 Wealth. * Hold. iET.38.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 293 ON WEE JOHNNY. HIC JACET WEE JOHNNY. John Wilson, the printer of the Kilmarnock edition of the poet's works. Whoe'er thou art, O reader, know- That Death has murder'd Johnny ! And here his body lies f u' low — For saul he ne'er had ony. ON A NOTED COXCOMB. Light lay the earth on Billy's breast, His chicken heart so tender ; But build a castle on his head, His skull will prop it under. ON MISS JEAN SCOTT OF ECCLEFECHAN. The young lady, the subject of these lines, dwelt in Ayr, and cheered the poet, not only by her sweet looks, taut also with her sweet voice. Oh ! had each Scot of ancient times Been, Jeannie Scott, as thou art, The bravest heart on English ground, Had yielded like a coward ! ON A HENPECKED COUNTRY SQUmE. • As Father Adam first was fool'd, A case that 's still too common, Here lies a man a woman ruled — The devil ruled the woman. ON THE SAME. O Death, hadst thou but spared his life Whom we this day lament ! We freely wad exchanged the wife, And a' been weel content ! 294 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1796. E'en as he is, cauld in his graff, The swapi we yet will do't; Tak thou the carlin's* carcase aff, Thou'se get the saul to boot. ON THE SAME. One Queen Artemisia, as old stories tell, When deprived of her husband she lov^d so well, In respect for the love and affection he'd show'd her. She reduced him to dust and she drank up the powder. But Queen Netherplace, of a different complexion, When call'd-on to order the funeral direction. Would have eat her dead lord, on a slender pretence, Not to show her respect, but — to save the expense ! JOHNNY PEEP. Burns having been on a visit to a town in Cumberland one day, entered a tavern and opened the door of a room, but on seeing three men sitting, he was about to withdraw, when one of them shouted, "Come in, Johnny Peep." The poet accordingly entered, and soon became the ruling spirit of the party. In the midst of their mirth, it was proposed that each should write a verse of poetry, and place it, along with a half-crown on the table — the best poet to have his half-crown returned, and the other three to be spent in treating the party. It is almost needless to say that the palm of victory was awarded to the following lines by Burns • — Here am I, Johnny Peep ; I saw three sheep. And these three sheep saw me ; Half-a-crown apiece Will pay for their fleece. And so Johnny Peep gets free. THE HENPECKED HUSBAND. It is said that the wife of a gentleman, at whose table the poet was one day dining, expressed herself with more freedom than propriety regarding her husband's extravagant convivial habits, a rudeness which Burns rebuked in these sharp lines : — Cursed be the man, the poorest wretch in life, The crouching vassal to the tyrant wife ! Who has no will but by her high permission ; Who has not sixpence but in her possession ; 1 Exchange, * Carlin— a woman with an evil tongue. In olden times used with referenoe to a woman suspected of having dealings with the devil. JET. 38.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 295 Who must to her his dear friend's secret tell ; "Who dreads a curtain-lecture worse than hell ! Were such the wife had fallen to my part, I 'd break her spirit, or I 'd break her heart ; I 'd charm her with the magic of a switch, I 'd kiss her maids, and kick the perverse bitch. ON ANDEEW TURNER. In se'enteen hunder and forty-nine, Satan took stuff to mak a swine, And cuist it in a comer ; But wilily he changed his plan, And shaped it something like a man, And ca'd it Andrew Turner. A GRACE BEFORE DINNER, O Thou, who kindly dost provide For every creature's want ! We bless thee, God of nature wide. For all thy goodness lent : And, if it please thee, heavenly Guide, May never worse be sent ; But, whether granted or denied, Lord, bless us with content ! — Amen. ON MR W. CRUIKSHANK. Dne of the masters of the High School, Edinburgh, and a well-known friend ol the poet's. Honest Will 's to heaven gane, And mony shall lament him ; His faults they a' in Latin lay, In English nane e'er kent them. ON AY AT. Tlie name of the hero of these terrible lines has not been recorded. Sic a reptile was Wat, Sic a miscreant slave. That the very worms damn'd him When laid in his grave. 296 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, [1796. *' In his flesh there *s a famine," A starved reptile cries ; "And his heart is rank poison," Another replies. ON THE KIRK OF LAMINGTON, IN CLYDESDALE. Ilaving been stayed by a storm one Sunday at Laminj^ton in Clydesdale, the poet went to church ; but the day was so cold, the place so uncomfortable, and the sermon so poor, that he left the following poetic protest in the pew : — As cauld a wind as ever blew, A caulder kirk, and in 't but few ; As cauld a minister 's e'er spak. Ye 'se a' be het ere I come back. A MOTHER»S ADDRESS TO HER INFANT. My blessin's upon thy sweet wee lippie : My blessin's upon thy bonny ee-brie ! Thy smiles are sae like my blithe sodger laddie, Thou's aye the dearer and dearer to me ! VERSES WRITTEN ON A PANE OF GLASS, ON THE OCCASION OP A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING FOR A NAVAL VICTORY. Ye hypocrites ! are these your pranks ? To murder men, and gie God thanks ! For shame ! gie o'er — proceed no further — God won't accept your thanks for murther ! I MURDER hate by field or flood. Though glory's name may screen us ; In wars at hame I '11 spend my blood. Life-giving wars of Venus. The deities that I adore. Are social peace and plenty ; I 'm better pleased to make one more, Than be the death of twenty. ^T. 38.] EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. 297 My bottle is my holy pool, That heals the wounds o' care and dool ; And pleasure is a wanton trout, An' ye drink it dry, ye '11 find him out. ON JOHN BUSHBY. Bushby, it seems, was a sharp-witted clever lawyer, who happened to cross the poet's path in politics, and was therefore considered a fair subject for a lam- poon. Here lies John Bushby, honest man ! — Cheat him, devil, gin you can. LINES TO JOHN RANKINE. fhese lines were written by Burns while on his deathbed, and forwarded to Rankine immediately after the poet's death. He who of Eankine sang lies stiff and dead, And a green grassy hillock haps his head ; Alas ! alas ! a devilish change indeed ! TO MISS JESSY LEWARS. "During the last illness of the poet," says Cunningham, '-Mr Brown, the sur- geon who attended him, came in, and stated that he had been looking at a collection of wild beasts just arrived, and pulling out the list of the animals, held it out to Jessy Lewars. The poet snatched it from him, took up a pen, and with red ink wrote the following on the back of the paper, saying, ' Nosv it is fit to be presented to a lady : ' " — Talk not to me of savages From Afric's burning sun, No savage e'er could rend my heart As, Jessy, thou hast done. But Jessy's lovely hand in mine, A mutual faith to plight, Not even to view the heavenly choir Would be so blest a sight. 298 EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC. [1796. THE TOAST. On another occasion, while Miss Lewars was waiting upon him during his ill- ness, he took up a crystal goblet, and writing the following lines on it, pre- sented it to her : — Fill me with the rosy wme, Call a toast— a toast divine ; Give the poet's darling flame, Lovely Jessy be the name ; Then thou mayest freely boast Thou hast given a peerless toast. ON THE SICKNESS OF MISS JESSY LEWARS. On Miss Lewars complaining of illness in the hearing of the poet, he said he would provide for the worst, and seizing another crystal goblet, he wrote as follows :— Say, sages, what 's the charm on earth Can turn Death's dart aside ? It is not purity and worth, Else Jessy had not died. ON THE RECOVERY OF JESSY LEWARS. On her recovering health, the poet said, '' There is a poetic reason for it,' composed the following : — But rarely seen since nature's birth. The natives of the sky ; Yet still one seraph 's left on earth, For Jessy did not die. A BOTTLE AND AN HONEST FRIEND. Some doubt has been expressed by the brother of the poet as to the authenticity of this small piece. " There's nane that's blest of humankind But the cheerful and the gay, man. Fal, lal," kQ. JF.T. 38.] EriGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC, 299 Here 's a bottle and an honest friend ! What wad you wish for mair, man ? , Wha kens, before his life may end, What his share may be of care, man ? Then catch the moments as they fly, And use them as ye ought, man ; Believe me, Happiness is shy. And comes not aye when sought, man. * GRACE AFTER DINNER. O Thou, in whom we live and move. Who madest the sea and shore ; Thy goodness constantly we prove, And, grateful, would adore. And if it please Thee, Power above, Still grant us, with such store. The friend we trust, the fair we love, And we desire no more. ANOTHER. Lord, we thank Thee and adore. For temp'ral gifts we little merit ; At present we will ask no more — Let William Hyslop give the spirit ! THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT. Mr Robert Carrathers, of Inverness, gives the following account of these lines : — "In 'The Statistical Account of Scotland,' the minister of Balmaghie, in G-alloway, quoted the epitaph on a martyr's tombstone,— a stone 'with uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked ; ' and he added this depreciatory remark — ' The author of which (the epitaph) no doubt supposed himself to have been writing poetry I ' " Burns was nettled at this unfeeling comment, and wrote with his pencil on the page : — The Solemn League and Covenant, Now brings a smile, now brings a tear ; But sacred freedom too was theirs ; If thou'rt a slave, indulge thy sneer. SONGS. MY HANDSOME NELL. Tune — " I am a man unmarried." Nelly Kilpatrick, the heroine of this song, was the daughter of the village blacksmith, and the poet's first partner in the labours of the harvest-field. She was the " sonsie quean" he sings of, whose "witching smile" first made his heart-strings tingle. "This song," he says, "was the first of my perform- ances, and done at an early period of my life, when my heart glowed with honest, warm simplicity, — unacquainted and uncorrupted with the ways of a wicked world. It has many faults ; but I remember I composed it in a wild enthusiasm of passion ; and to thia hour I never recollect it but my heart melts — my blood sallies, at the remembrance." Oh, once I loved a bonny lass, Ay, and I love her stiU ; And whilst that virtue warms my breast I '11 love my handsome Nell. Fal, lal de ral, kc. As bonny lasses I hae seen, And mony full as braw ; ^ But for a modest, gracefu' mien, The like I never saw. A bonny lass, I will confess, Is pleasant to the ee. But without some better qualities She 's no a lass for me. But Nelly's looks are blithe and sweet ; And, what is best of a' — Her reputation is complete, And fail- without a flaw. She dresses aye sae clean and neat, Baith decent and genteel ; And then there 's something in her gait Gars ^ ony dress look weel. 1 Well dressed. ^ Makes. ^T. 23.] SONGS. 301 A gaudy dress and gentle air May slightly touch the heart ; But it 's innocence and modesty That polishes the dart. 'Tis this in Nelly pleases me, 'Tis this enchants my soul ! For absolutely in my breast She reigns without control. I DREAM'D I LAY WHERE ELOWERS WERE SPRINGING. ** These two stanzas," says the poet, "which are among the oldest of my printed pieces, I composed when I was seventeen." I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing Gaily in the sunny beam, Listening to the wild birds singing By a falling crystal stream ; Straight the sky grew black and daring ; Through the woods the whirlwinds rave ; Trees with aged arms were warring, O'er the swelling, drumlie wave. Such was my life's deceitful morning, Such the pleasures I enjoy'd ; But lang or ^ noon, loud tempests storming, A' my flowery bliss destroy'd. Though fickle Fortune has deceived me, (She promised fair, and perform'd but ill,) Of mony a joy and hope bereaved me, I bear a heart shall suppoi-t me LjtilL MY NANNIE, O. Tune—" My Nannie, 0." A-gnes Fleming, the heroine of what has been termed the finest love-song Kn any language, was at one time a servant in the house of Mr Gavin Hamilton, tha poet's friend, and died unmarried well advanced in life. It may gratify soma to know that the lather of the poet lived to read this song, and that he ex- pressed his hearty admiration of it. Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows 'Mang moors and mosses many, O, The wintry sun the day has closed, And I '11 awa' to Nannie, O. 1 Ere. 302 SONGS. [1781. Tlie westlin wind blaws loud and shrill ; The night 's baith mirk and rainy, O ; But I '11 get my plaid, and out I '11 steal, And owre the hills to Nannie, O. My "Nannie 's charming, sweet, and young, Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, C : May ill befa' the flattering tongue That wad beguile my Nannie, O. Her face is fair, her heart is true, ■ As spotless as she 's bonny, O : The opening go wan, ^ wat wi' dew, Nae purer is than Nannie, O. A country lad is my degree, And few there be that ken me, O ; But what care I how few they be, I 'm welcome aye to Nannie, O. My riches a' s my penny-fee, ^ And I maun guide it cannie, O ; But warl's gear=* ne'er troubles me. My thoughts are a' my Nannie, O. Our auld guidman delights to view His sheep and kye thrive bonny, O ; But I'm as blithe that bauds his pleugh, And has na care but Nannie, O. Come weel, come woe, I care na by, I '11 tak what Heaven will sen' me, O ; Nae ither care in life have I But live and love my Nannie, O ! O TIBBIE, I HAE SEEN THE DAY. Tune— " Invercauld's Reel." Isabella Steven, the subject of these verses, was the daughter of a man in the neighbourhood of Lochlea, who possessed three acres of peat inoss — an inherit- ance which she appears to have thought entitled hej* to treat the poet with disdain. O Tibbie, I hae seen the day Ye wadna been sae shy ; For lack o' gear ye lightly * mo. But, trowth, I care na by. Yestreen I met you on the moor, Ye spak na, but gaed by like stoure :^ 1 Daisy. 2 Wages. s TTorld's wealth. ♦ Slight. « Dust driven by the wind. O Tibbie I hae seen the day Ye wadiia beeu sae shy ; For laik o' gear ye lightly me But, trowth. I care nae by. Yestreen I met y^u on the moor. Ye spak na, but gaed by like stoure Ye v'eck at me because 1 'm poor, £ut feiut a hair care I. —i'uve 302. Mi\ 2^.] SOA'GS. SO^ Ye geek ^ at me because I 'm poor, But feint a hair care I. I doubt na, lass, but ye may think, Because ye hae the name o' clink,^ That ye can please me at a wink Whene'er ye like to try. But sorrow tak him that 's sae mean, Although his pouch o' coin were clean, Wha follows ony saucy quean, ^ That looks sae proud and high. Although a lad were e'er sae smart. If that he want the yellow dirt Ye '11 cast yer head anither airt,^ And answer him fu' dry. But if he hae the name o' gear.^ Ye '11 fasten to him like a brier, Though hardly he, for sense or lear,* Be better than the kye.^ But Tibbie, lass, tak my advice. Your daddie's gear maks you sae nice ; The deii a ane wad spier your price Were ye as poor as I. There lives a lass in yonder park, I wadna gie her in her sark s For thee, wi' a' thy thousan' mark ! Ye need na look sae high. ON CESSNOCK BANKS. Tune — "If he be a butcher neat and trim." Ellison Begbie, the inspirer of this song of similes, was the daughter of a small farmer in the parish of Galston ; and was, when the poet fii'st knew and ad- mired her, employed as a servant with a family on the banks of the Cessnock, about two miles from his home. The charms of this humble girl, which ap- pear to have lain chiefly in the life and grace of her mind, were such, that the poet, after he had seen the finest Edinburgh ladies, acknowledged that she was, of all the women he had ever addressed, the only one who was likely to have made a pleasant companion for life. The song first appeared in Cromek's "Reliques," the editor having obtained it from "the oral communi- cation of a lady residing at Glasgow, whom the bard in early life affectionately admired " — probably the heroine herself. 1 Mock. ? Money. * Wench, < DirectioQ. ^Wealth. •Learning. » Cows. ? Shift. 304 SONGS. [1 781. On Cessnock banks there lives a lass, Could I describe her shape and mien, The graces of her weelfaurd^ face, And the glancing of her sparkling een. She 's fresher than the morning dawn, When rising Phoebus first is seen. When dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. She 's stately, like yon youthful ash That grows the cowslip braes between, And shoots it's head above each bush ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. She 's spotless as the flowering thorn. With flowers so white and leaves so green, When purest in the dewy mom ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her looks are like the sportive lamb, When flowery May adorns the scene, That wantons round its bleating dam ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her hair is like the curling mist That shades the mountain-side at e'en When flower-reviving rains are past ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her forehead 's like the showery bow. When shining sunbeams intervene. And gild the distant mountain's brow ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her voice is like the evening thrush That sings on Cessnock banks unseen. While his mate sits nestling in the bush ; And she 's twa glancing, sj)arkling een. Her lips are like the cherries ripe That sunny walls from Boreas screen — They tempt the taste and charm the sight ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her teeth are like a flock of sheep With fleeces newly washen clean, That slowly mount the rising steep : And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. Her breath is like the fragrant breeze That gently stirs the blossom'd bean When Phoebus sinks behind the seas ; And she 's twa glancing, sparkling een. 1 Well-favoured. MT. 23.] SONGS. 305 But it 's not lier air, her form, her face, Though matching beauty's fabled queen, But the mind that shines in every grace. And chiefly in her sparkling een. IMPBOVED VERSION. On Cesisnock banks a lassie dwells. Could I describe her shape and mien ; Our lassies a* she far excels ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. She 's sweeter than the morning dawn, When rising Phoebus first is seen, And dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. She 's stately, like yon youthful ash That grows the cowslip braes between, And drinks the stream loith vigour fresh ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. She 's spotless, like the flowering thorn. With flowers so white, and leaves so greej*. When purest in the dewy morn ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. Her looks are like the vernal May, When evening Phoebus shines serene, While birds rejoice on every spray; And she *s twa sparkling, roguish een, Her hair is like the curling mist That climbs the mountain-sides at e'en When flower-reviving rains are past ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish e'en. Her forehead 's like the showery bow, When gleaming sunbeams intervene, And gild the distant mountain's brow ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een, Jlei' cheeks are like yon crimson gem. The pride of all the flowery scene. Just opening on its thorny stem ; And she*s twa sparkling, roguish een, ffer teeth are like the nightly snoiv. When pale the morning rises keen. While hid the murm''ring streamlets flow; And she 's tiva sparkling, roguish een. 3o6 SOJ\rGS. [t783- Her liiis are like yon cherries ripe That sunny walls from Boreas screen— They tempt the taste and charm the sights And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. Her breath is like the fragrant breeze, That gently stirs the blossom 'd bean When Phoebus sinks behind the seas ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. Her voice is like the evening thrush, That sings on Cessnock banks unseen, While his mate sits nestling in the bush ; And she 's twa sparkling, roguish een. But it 's not her air, her form, her face, Though matching beauty's fabled queen, 'Tis the mind that shines in every grace ; And chiefly in her roguish een. MY FATHER WAS A FARMER. Tune—" The Weaver and his Shuttle, O." 'The following song," says the poet, "is a wild rhapsody, miseranly deficient In versification ; but the sentiments were the genuine feeling* of my heart at the time it was written." My father was a farmer Upon the Carrick border, O, And carefully he bred me In decency and order, O ; He bade me act a manly part, Though I had ne'er a farthing, O, For without an honest manly heart, No man was worth regarding, O. Then out into the world My course I did determine, O ; Though to be rich was not my wish, Yet to be great was charming, O : My talents they were not the worst, Nor yet my education, O ; Resolved was I, at least to try, To mend my situation, O. In many a way, and vain essay, I courted Foi'tune's favour, O ; Some cause unseen still stept between, To frustrate each endeavour, O : Sometimes by foes I was o'erpovver'd ; Sometimes by friends forsaken, O , And when my hope was at the top, I still was worst mistaken, O. ,ET. 24.] SONGS. 307 Then sore harass'd, and tired at last, With Fortune's vain delusion, O, I dropt my schemes, like idle dreams, And came to this conclusion, O : The past was bad, and the future hid ; Its good or ill untried, O ; But the present hour was in my power, And so I would enjoy it, O. No hell), nor hope, nor view had I, Nor person to befriend me, O ; So I must toil, and sweat, and broil, And labour to sustain me, O : To plough and sow, to reap and mow, My father bred me early, O ; ¥or one, he said, to labour bred, Was a match for Fortune f aiily, O. ^ Thus all obscure, unknown, and i)oor. Through life I 'm doom'd to wander, O, Till down my weary bones I lay In everlasting slumber, O. No view nor care, but shun whate'er Might breed me pain or sorrow, O ; I live to-day as well's I may, Regardless of to-morrow, O. But cheerful still, I am as well As a monarch in a palace, O, Though Fortune's frown still hunts me down. With all her wonted malice, O : I make indeed my daily bread, But ne'er can make it farther, O ; But as daily bread is all I need, I do not much regard her, O. When sometimes by my labour I earn a little money, O. Some unforeseen misfortune Comes generally upon me, O : IVIischance, mistake, or by neglect, Or my good-natured folly, O ; But come what will, I've sworn it still, I '11 ne'er be melancholy, O. All you who follow wealth and power With unremitting ardour, O, The more in this you look for bliss. You leave your view the farther, O, Had you the wealth Potosi boasts. Or nations to adore you, O, A cheerful, honest-hearted clowu I will prefer before you, O ! 3o8 SONGS, [1782. JOHN BARLEYCORN. A BALLAD. The following is an Improvement of an early song of English orlglo, a copy o\ which was obtained by Mr Robert Jameson from a black-letter sheet in the Pcpys Library, Cambridge, and first published in his ♦' Ballads :" — There were three kings into the easfc, Three kings both great and high ; And they hae sworn a solemn oath J ohn Barleycorn should die. They took a plough and plough'd him down. Put clods upon his head ; And they hae sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead. But the cheerful spring came kindly an^ And showers began to fall : John Barleycorn got up again, And sore surprised them all. The sultry suns of summer came, And he grew thick and strong ; His head weel aim'd wi' pointed speans, That no one should him wrong. The sober autumn entered mild, When he grew wan and pale ; His bending joints and drooping head Show'd he began to faiL His colour sicken'd more and more, He faded into age ; And then his enemies began To show theii' deadly rage. They Ve ta'en a weapon, long and sharp, And cut him by the knee ; Then tied him fast upon a cart, Like a rogue for f orgerie. They laid him down upon his back, And cudgell'd him full sore ; They hung him up before the storniy Aiid turned him o'er and o'er. They filled up a darksome pit With water to the brim : They heaved in John Barleyoora^ There let him sink or swim. ^T. 24.] SONGS. 309 They laid him out upon the floor. To work him further woe : And still, as signs of life appear'dj They toss'd him to and fro. They wasted o'er a scorching flame The marrow of his bones ; But a miller used him worst of all— He crush'd him 'tween two stones* And they hae ta'en his very heart's blood. And drank it round and round, And still the more and more they drank^ Their joy did more abound. John Barleycorn was a hero bold. Of noble enterprise ; For if you do but taste his blood, 'Twill make your courage rise. Twill make a man forget his woe ; 'Twill heighten all his joy : Twill make the widow's heart to sing# Though the tear were in her eye. Tlien let us toast John Barleycorn^ Each man a glass in hand ; And may his great posterity Ne'er fail in old Scotland I MONTGOMERY'S PEGGY. Tune — '' Crala Water." * MoutgOTnery*s Pegrgy," says the poet, "who had been bred in a style of life rather elegant, was my deity for six or eight months." She was a superior servant in the house of Mr Montgomery of Coilsfield ; and the poefs aojuaint- ance with her arose from his sitting in the same seat with her at church. It cost him some heart-aches, he tells us, to get rid of this affair. Although my bed were in yon muir, Amang the heather, in my plaidie, Yet happy, happy would I be, Had I my dear Montgomery's Peggy, When o'er the hill beat surly storms, And winter nights were dark and rainy; I'd seek some dell, and in my arms I 'd shelter dear Montgomery's Peggy. Were I a baron proud and high, And horse and servants waiting ready, ^J.''hen a' 'twad gie o' joy to me, The sharin 't wi' Montgomery's Peggy. 510 SOjVGS. [1782 MARY MORISON. Tune— "Bide ye yet." 'Of all the productions of Burns," says Ilazlitt, "his pathetic and serious love- songs, in the manner of the old ballads, are perhaps those which take the deepest and most lasting hold of the mind. Such are the lines to Mary Morison." Mary, at thy window be, It is the wish'd, the trysted hour ! Those smiles and glances let me see That make the miser's treasure poor : How blithely wad I bide the stoure, A weary slave frae sun to sun ; Could I the rich reward secure, The lovely Mary Morison. Yestreen, when to the trembling string, The dance gaed through the lighted ha'. To thee my fancy took its wing — I sat, but neither heard nor saw : Though this was fair, and that was braw, And yon the toast of a' the town, 1 sigh'd, and said, amang them a', "Ye are na Mary Morison." O Mary, canst thou wreck his peace Wha for thy sake wad gladly die ? Or canst thou break that heart o^ his Whase only f aut is loving thee ? If love for love thou wilt na gie, At least be pity to me shown ; A thought ungentle canna be The thought o' INIary Morison. THE RIGS O' BARLEY. TuNB— " Corn Rigs are Bonny." Ihe heroine of this song is supposed to have been a young girl of the name of Annie Ronald, afterwards Mrs Paterson of Aikenbrae, and the daughter of a neighbour of the poet's, at whose house he was wont to be a frequent visitor. It was upon a Lammas night, When corn rigs are bonny. Beneath the moon's unclouded light, I held awa' to Annie : The time flew by wi' tentless heed, Till, 'tween the late and early, Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed To see me through the barley. ^T. 24.] SO.VGS. 311 The sky was blue, the wind was still. The moon was shining clearly, I set her down, wi' right good will, Amang the rigs o' barley : I kent her heart was a' my ain, I loved her most sincerely : I kiss'd her owre and owre again, Amang the rigs o' barley. I lock'd her in my fond embrace I Her heart was beating rarely : My blessings on that happy place, Amang the rigs o' barley ! But by the moon and stars so bright, That shone that hour so clearly ! She aye shall bless that happy night, Amang the rigs o' barley. I hae been blithe wi' comrades dear ; I hae been merry drinkin' ! I hae (been joyfu' gath'rin' gear ; I hae been happy thinkin' : But a* the pleasures e'er I saw, Though three times doubled fairly, That happy night was worth them a', Amang the rigs o' barley. (Corn rigs, and barley rigs, And corn rigs are bonny : I '11 ne'er forget that happy night, Amang the rigs wi' Annie. PEGGY. Tune—*' I had a horse, I had nae mair." rhe heroine of this song, about whom there appears to be some dabiety, is thought to have been the "Montgomery's Peggy" mentioned in page 309. Now westlin winds and slaught'ring guns Bring autumn's pleasant weather ; The moorcock springs, on whirring wings, Amang the blooming heather : Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain, Delights the weary farmer ; And the moon shines bright, when I rove at night, To muse upon my charmer. The partridge loves the fruitful fells ; The plover loves the mountains ; The woodcock haunts the lonely dells ; The soaring hern the fountains : )I2 SONGS. [1784. Tlirougli lofty groves the cushat ' re ;.'.s, The path of man to shun it ; The hazel bush o'erhangs the thr:; ,' The spreading thorn the linnc Thus every kind their pleasure riutl, The savage and the tender ; Some social join, and leagues corabij) ■ Some solitary wander : A vaunt, away ! the cruel sway, Tyrannic man's dominion ; I The sportsman's joy, the murde , The fluttering, gory pinion ! But Peggy, dear, the evening ' Thick flies the skimming sw: I The sky is blue, the fields in \'v All fading green and yellow : Come, let us stray our gladson And view the charms of nat The rustling corn, the fruited 1 : And every happy creature. "VVe *11 gently walk, and sweetly Till the silent moon shine c' , I'll grasp thy waist, and, fond'; Swear how I love thee deai ]\ Not vernal showers to buddiii-; Not autumn to the farmer, So dear can be, as thou to me, My fair, my lovely charmer I GREEN GROW THE RASTl^'^ Tune—" Green grow the rash This song, ■which the poet said was the genuine Ian provement upon an ancient homely ditty, of con. . 10 the same air. Green grow the rashes, O ! Green grow the rashes, O ! The sweetest houi's that e'er i Are spent amang the lasses, ( ' There 's nought but care on ever^ L:.i In every hour that passes, O : "What signifies the life o' man. An 'twere na for the lasses, O " Gie me a cannie hour at e'en, My arms about my dearie, 0, And warl'ly cares and warl'ly men May a' gae tapsalteerie, O'. —Ureen Grow the Rashet, 0, page 313. ,ET. 26.] SONGS. 313 T]ie warily ^ race may riches chase. And riches still may fly them, O ; And though at last they catch them fast, Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O. But gie me a canny 2 hour at een, My arms about my dearie, O, And warl'ly cares, and warily men, May a' gae tapsalteerie,^ O. For you sae douce,^ ye sneer at this, Ye 're nought but senseless asses, O ; The wisest man the warl' e'er saw He dearly loved the lasses, O. Auld Nature swears the lovely dears Her noblest work she classes, O ; Her 'prentice hand she tried on man, And then she made the lasses, O. THE CUKE FOE ALL CAEE. TuNfi — " Prepare, my dear brethren, to the tavern let's fly." The poet composed this song shortly after joining the Torbolton Mason Lodge, which was long noted in the west for its festivities. No churchman am I for to rail and to write, No statesman nor soldier to plot or to fight. No sly man of business contriving a snare — For a big-bellied bottle 's the whole of my care. The peer I don't envy, I give him his bow ; I scorn not the peasant, though ever so low ; But a club of good fellows, like those that are here, And a bottle like this, are my glory and care. Here passes the squire on his brother — his horse ; There centum per centum, the cit with his purse ; But see you the crown, how it waves in the air! There a big-bellied bottle still eases my care. The wife of my bosom ; alas ! she did die ; For sweet consolation to church I did fly ; I found that old Solomon proved it fair, That a big-bellied bottle 's a cure for all care. I once was persuaded a venture to make ; A letter inform'd me that all was to wreck ; — 3ut the pursy old landlord just waddled up stau'S With a glorious bottle that ended my cares. 1 Worldly. 2 Happy, lucky—quiet. 3 Topsy-turvy. < Grave. 314 SONGS. [1784. "Life's cares they are comforts,"— a maxim laid down By the bard, what d'ye call him, that wore the black gown; And faith, I agree with the old prig to a hair ; For a big-bellied bottle 's a heaven of a care. ADDED IN A MASON LODGE. Then fill up a bumper, and make it o'erflow, And honours masonic prepare for to throw ; May every true brother of the compass and square Have a big-bellied bottle when harass'd with care I MY JEAN! TcNK— " The Northern Lass." • The heroine of this sweet snatch," says Cunningham, "was bonny Jean. It was composed when the poet contemplated the West India voyage, and an eternal separation from the land and mU that was dear to him." Though cruel fate should bid us part, Far as the pole and line, Her dear idea round my heart Should tenderly entwine. Though mountains rise, and deserts howl. And oceans roar between ; Yet, dearer than my deathless soul, I still would love my Jean. A FKAGMENT. Tune—" John Anderson my jo." One night as I did wander, When com begins to shoot, I sat me down to ponder Upon an auld tree root : Auld Ayr ran by before me, And bicker'd^ to the seas ; A cushat croodled ^ o'er me, That echo'd through the braes. WHEN CLOUDS IN SKIES DO COME TOGETHER. "The following," says the poet in his first Commonplace Book, "was an extem- pore etfusion, composed under a train of misfortunes which threatened to undo me altogether." 1 Raced leapingly. ? Wood-pigeon cooed. ^T. 26.] SONGS. 315 When clouds in skies do come together To hide the brightness of the weather. There will surely be some pleasant weather When a' their storms are past and gone. Though fickle Fortune has deceived me, She promised fair, and perform'd but ill ; Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereaved me, Yet I bear a heart shall support me still. 1 '11 act with prudence, as far 's I 'm able ; But if success I must never find. Then come, Misfortune, I bid thee welcome, 1 11 meet thee with an undaunted mind. ROBIN. Tune — " Dainty Davie." It is related that when the poet's mother felt her time approach, his father took horse ia the darkness of a stormy January night, and set out for Ayr to pro- cure the necessary female attendant. On arriving at the ford of a rivulet which crossed the road, he found it so deep in flood, that a female wayfarer sat on the opposite side unable to cross , and, notwithstanding his own haste, he conveyed the woman through the stream on his horse. On returning from Ayr with the midwife, he found the gipsy, for such she proved to be, seated at his cottage fireside ; and on the child's being placed in the lap of the woman, shortly after his birth, she is said to have inspected his palm, after the manner of her tribe, and made the predictions which the poet has embodied in the song. There was a lad was born in Kyle, But whatna day o' whatna style, I doubt it 's hardly worth the while To be sae nice wi' Robin. Robin was a rovin' boy, Rantin' rovin', rantin' rovin' ; Robin was a rovin' boy, Rantin' rovin' Robin ! Our monarch's hindmost year but ane Was five and twenty days begun, 'Twas then a blast o' Januar win' Blew hansel in on Robin. The gossip keekit ^ in his loof,^ Quo' she, wha lives will see the proof, This waly ^ boy will be nae coof "* — I think we '11 ca' him Robin. He '11 hae misfortunes great and sma', But aye a heart aboon them a' ; He '11 be a credit till us a', We '11 a' be proud o' Robin. 1 Peeped. 2 Palm. 3 Goodly. 4 Fool. 3i6 SOA^GS. L17S5 But, sure as three times three mak nine, I see, by ilka score and line. This chap will dearly like our kin', So leeze ^ me on thee, Eobin. Guid faith, quo' she, I doubt ye gar The bonny lasses lie aspar. But twenty fauts ye may hae waur, So blessin's on thee, Kobin ! LUCKLESS FOKTUNE. O KAGING Fortune's withering blast Has laid my leaf full low, O ! O raging Fortune's withering blast Has laid my leaf full low, O ! My stem was fair, my bud was green, My blossom sweet did blow, O ; The dew fell fresh, the sun rose mild. And made my branches grow, O. But luckless Fortune's northern storms Laid a' my blossoms low, O ; But luckless Fortune's northern storms Laid a' my blossoms low, O. THE MAUCHLINE LADY. TuKB— "I had a horse, I had nae mair." When first I came to Stewart Kyle, My mind it was na steady : "Where'er I gaed, where'er I rade, A mistress still I had aye ; But when I came roun' by Mauchline town, Not dread in' ony body. My heart was caught, before I thought. And by a Mauchline lady. * THE BRAES O' BALLOCHMYLE. Tune—" Braes 0' Ballochmyle." Ihis song was composed on the amiable family of Whitefoord's being compelled to part with their hereditary estate, and leave "the braes 01 Ballochmyle." * A term of endearment. * Jean Annour. ^.27.] SONGS, 317 ♦' Maria" was the eldest daughter of Sir John Whitefoord, and afterwards >> cume Mrs Cranston. The Catriiie woods were yellow seen, The flowers decay'd on Catrine lea, Nae laverock ^ sang on hillock green. But nature sicken'd on the ee. Through faded groves Maria sang, Hersel in beauty's bloom the while, And aye the wild-wood echoes rang, Fareweel the Braes o' Ballochmyle I Low in your wintry beds, ve flowers, Again ye '11 flourish fresh and fair ; Ye birdies dumb, in withering bowers, Again ye '11 charm the vocal air. But here, alas ! for me nae mair Shall birdie charm or floweret smile ; Fareweel the bonny banks of Ayr, Fareweel, fareweel ! sweet Ballochmyle ! YOUNG PEGGY. Tune— " The last time I cam o'er the muir." The daughter of a landed proprietor in Carrick, whom Burns happened to meet at the house of a friend in Mauchline, was the heroine of these lines. The young lady's wit, youth, and beauty, so fascinated the poet, that he wrote the song, and sent it to her with a highly complimentary lettei*. Young Peggy blooms our bonniest lass, Her blush is like the morning, The rosy dawn the springing grass With pearly gems adornmg : Her eyes outshine the radiant beanis That gild the passing shower, And glitter o'er the crystal streams. And cheer each freshening flower. Her lips more than the cherries bright, A richer dye has graced them ; They charm th' admiring gazer's sight, . And sweetly tempt to taste them ; Her smile is, like the evening, mild, When feather'd tribes are courting, And little lambkins wanton wild, In playful bands disporting. Were Fortune lovely Peggy's foe, Such sweetness would relent her ; As blooming Spring unbends the broiy Of surly, savage Winter. 1 Lark. 3i8 SONGS. [1786. Detraction's eye no aim can gain, Her winDing powers to lessen ; And spiteful Envy grins in vain, The poison'd tooth to fasten. Ye Powers of Honour, Love, and Ti-uth, From every ill defend her ; Inspire the highly-favour'd youth The destinies intend her; Still fan the sweet connubial flame, E-esponsive in each bosom ; And bless the dear pai-ental name With many a filial blossom. THE KANTIN' DOG THE DADDIE O'T. Tune— "East neuk 0' Tife." The subject of this lively ditty was a girl of the name of Elizabeth Paton, a domestic servant in the poet's house, and the mother of his illegitimate child — "sonsie, smirking, dear-bought Bess." "I composed it," says the poet, "pretty early in life, and sent it to a young girl, a very particular acquaint- ance of mine, who was at the time under a cloud." Oh wha my babie-clouts ^ will buy? Oh wha will tent ^ me when I cry 'i Wha will kiss me where I lie ? — The rantin' dog the daddie o't. Oh wha will own he did the faut ? Oh wha will buy the groanin' maut? ^ Oh wha will tell me how to ca't ! — • The rantin' dog the daddie o't. When I mount the creepie-chair,* Wha will sit beside me there ? Gie me Rob, I '11 seek nae mair, The rantin' dog the daddie o't. Wha will crack to me my lane ? Wha vrill mak me fidgin-fain ? * Wha will kiss me o'er again ?— The rantin' dog the daddie o't, I Baby-clothea. 2 Heed. 9 Malt to brew ale to welcome th« birth of the child. < Pidget with delight. ' * The stool of repentance, on which culprits formerly sat when making public satisfaction in tha ehurch. ^T. 28.] SONGS, 319 MENIE.* Tune — "Johnny's Gray Breeks.'* The chorus of this beautiful lyric was borrowed by Burns from a song composed by an Edinburgh gentleman ; but it has been generally objected to by critics as iiiterfei'ing with the sombre sentiments of the lines. Again rejoicing nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues, Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep'd in morning dews. CHORUS. And maun I still on Menie dote, And bear the scorn that 's in her ee ? For it's jet, jet black, and it's like a hawk, And it winna let a body be ! In vain to me the cowslips blaw, In vain to me the violets spring ; In vain to me, in glen or shaw,i The mavis and the lintwhite^ sing. The merry ploughboy cheers his team, "VYi* joy the tentie^ seedsman stalks; But life to me 's a weary dream, A dream of ane that never wauks.* The wanton coot the water skims, Amang the reeds the ducklings cry, The stately swan majestic swims, And everything is blest but I. The shepherd steeks^ his faulding slap,^ And owre the moorlands whistles shrill ; Wi* wild, unequal, wandering step, I meet him on the dewy hill. And when the lark, 'tween light and dark. Blithe waukens by the daisy's side, And mounts and sings on flittering wings, A woe-worn ghaist I hameward glide. Come, "Winter, with thine angry howl. And raging bend the naked tree ; Thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul, When nature all is sad like me ! 1 Wood. 2 Linnet. » Heedful. * Wakes. « Shuts. 6 Gate. * The common abbreviation of Mariamne. 320 SONGS. [1786. THERE WAS A LASS, TuHK — " Duncan Davison.** There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg, And she held o*er the moor to spin ; There was a lad that foUow'd her, They ca'd him Duncan Davison. The moor was driegh,^ and Meg was skiegh,* Her favour Duncan couldna win; For wi' the rock she wad him knock, And aye she shook the temper-pin. As o'er the moor they lightly foor,^ A bum was clear, a glen was green, Upon the banks they eased their shanks, And aye she set the wheel between : But Duncan swore a haly aith. That Meg should be a bride the morn, Then Meg took up her spinnin' graith,* And flang them a' out o'er the bum. LAMENT, WRITTEN AT A TIME WHEN THK POET WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE SCOTLAND. In the first edition the Editor inserted this piece without comment, although aware that there were doubts as to its authenticity. Through his friend Mr Gunnyon, of Kilmarnock, he is enabled to state that it was written by a Mr John Burt, a teacher in Kilmarnock, who sent it to the Ayr Advertiser of June 23, 1814, as an unpublished song of Burns'a, with the view of securing its inser- tion. Burt having afterwards emigrated to America, where he attained to an honourable position in his profession, published at Bridgewater, U.S., a volume of poems in 1819, in which " The Lament" was included. The Editor thinks the verses and their history of sufficient interest to warrant their still being retained. O'ER the mist-shrouded cliffs of the lone mountain straying, Where the wild winds of winter incessantly rave, What woes wring my heart while intently surveying The storm's gloomy path on the breast of the wave I Ye foam-crested billows, allow me to wail. Ere ye toss me afar from my loved native shore ; Where the flower which bloom'd sweetest in Coila's green v^«^ The pride of my bosom, my Mary 's no more 1 No more by the banks of the streamlet we '11 wander, And smile at the moon's rimpled face in the wave ; No more shall my arms cling with fondness around her, For the dewdrops of morning fall cold on her grave. No more shall the soft thrill of love warm my breast, I haste with the storm to a far-distant shore ; Where, unknown, unlamented, my ashes shall rest, And joy shall revisit my bosom no more. I T<,4ioy^. a High-taiaaed. 8 Went, i Qeai. Fjow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes. Flow gently, I '11 sing thee a song in thy praise. My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream — Flow gently, sweet Aftou, disturb nut her dream. —Afton tVater, page 32l iET 28.] SONGS. 321 We '11 big a house — a wee, wee house, And we will live like king and queen, Sae blithe and merry we will be When ye set by the wheel at e'en. A man may drink and no be drunk ; A man may fight and no be slain ; A man may kiss a bonny lass, And aye be welcome back again. AFTON WATER. V' T[jNE— "The Yellow-hair'd Laddie." There appears to be some dubiety regarding the heroine ^ this fine song, Curric and Cuuningham having asserted that it was written in honour of Mrs Stewart of Afton Lodge, an early patroness of the poet's. A daughter of Mrs Dunlop's, however, and the poet's eldest brother Gilbert, affirmed that they remembered hearing Burns say that it was written upon the Coilsfield daiiy-maid, the dearly-loved and long-remembered Highland Mary. Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, Flow gently, I '11 sing thee a song in thy praise ; My Mary *s asleep by thy murmuring gtream— Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. Thou stock-dove, whose echo resounds through the glen. Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den, Thou green-crested lapwing, thy screaming forbear — ■ I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair. How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills, Far mark'd with the courses of clear winding rills ; There daily I wander as noon rises high, My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye. How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow; There, oft as mild evening weeps over the lea, The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary and me. Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides, And winds by the cot where my Mary resides ; How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave, As gathering sweet flowerets she stems thy clear wave. Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays ; My Mary 's asleep by thy murmuring stream — Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream ! 322 SOJVGS. [1786U THE HIGHLAND LASSIE. TuN« — ♦* The deuks dang o'er my daddy."* " This," says the poet, " was a composition of mine before 1 was at all known in the world. My Highland lassie [Mary] was a warm-hearted, charming young creature as ever blessed a man with generous love." For an account of this simple, interesting girl, whom the poet's passion has placed in " Fame'iS proud temple," and clothed with immortality as with a garment, the reader is referred to the introduction to the verses entitled, "To Mary in Heaven," p. 06I. Burns having sent this song to Mary when she was residing with her l>arents in the Highlands, her mother saw it, and greatly admired it ; and years after the death of this gentle girl, whom every one seems to have loved, it is said the poor old woman was wont to soothe her sorrow by singing to her grandchildren the sweet strains in which the poet has celebrated the beauty and charms of her favourite daughter. Having outlived her husband and many of lier children, she died in great poverty at Greenock in 1822, Nae gentle* dames, though e'er sae fair, Shall ever be my Muse's care : Their titles a' are empty show ; Gie me my Highland Lassie, O. Within the glen sae bushy, O, Aboon the plains sae rushy, O, I set me down wi' right good will. To sing my Highland Lassie, O. Oh, were yon hills and valleys mine, Yon palace and yon gardens fine ! The world then the love should knew I bear my Highland Lassie, O. But fickle Fortune frowns on me, And I maun cross the raging sea ! But while my crimson currents flow, I '11 love my Highland Lassie, O, Although through foreign climes I i-ange, I know her heart will never change. For her bosom burns with honour's glow. My faithful Highland Lassie, O. For her I '11 dare the billows' roar. For her I '11 trace the distant shore, That Indian wealth may lustre throw Ai'ound my Highland Lassie, O. The has my heart, she has my hand. By sacred truth and honour's band ! 'Till the mortal stroke shall lay me low, I 'm thine, my Highland Lassie, O. sense Gentle is used here in opposition to simple, in the Scottish and old English se of the word. — Nae gentle dames— no high-blooded neones. — Cureis. ^T. 26.\ SONGS. Z^Z Fareweel the glen sae busliy, O ! Fareweel the plain sae rushy, O I To other lands I now must go. To sing my Highland Lassie, O ! IVIARY! Tune — "Blue Bonnets." This beautiful song was found amongst the poet's manuscripts after his death, inscribed, "A Prayer for Mary." Wlio Mary was the world knows. PoWEKS celestial ! whose x)rotectiou Ever guards the virtuous fair, While in distant climes I wander, Let my Mary be your care ; Let her form sae fair and faultless, Fair and faultless as your own, Let my Mary's kindred spirit Draw your choicest influence down. Make the gales you waft around her Soft and peaceful as her breast ; Breathing in the breeze that fans her, Soothe her bosom into rest. Guardian angels ! oh, protect her, When in distant lands I roam ; To realms unknown while fate exiles me. Make her bosom still my home ! WILL YE GO TO THE INDIES, MY MARY? "In my very early years," says the poet, in a letter to Mr Thomson in 1792, " when I was thinking of going to the West Indies, I took the following iiiX-*.- well of a dear girl [Highland Mary] :" — Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary, And leave auld Scotia's shore ? Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary, Across the Atlantic's roar ? Oh, sweet grow the lime and the orange, And the apple on the pine ; Bat a' the charms o' the Indies Can never equal thine. I hae sworn by the Heavens to my I^Iary, I hae sworn by the Heavens to be true ; And sae may the Heavens forget me When I forget my vow 1 324 SONGS. [1786. Oh, plight me your faith, my Mary, And plight me your lily-white hand ; Oh, plight me your faith, my INIary, Before I leave Scotia's strand. "We hae plighted our troth, my Mary, In mutual affection to join ; And curst be the cause that shall part us I The hour and the moment o' time ! ELIZA. TuNK — " Gilderoy." The heroine of this song was the "Miss Betty is braw," one of the Mauchline belles whom the poet has celebrated in epigrammatic verse. She was borr and brought up in Ayrshire, was of an amiable disposition, and appears tc have sympathised with the poet in all his sufferings, and thus raised, says Chambers, a kind of love, chiefly composed of gi'atitude, in his bosom. She ultimately married a Mr James Stewart, and long survived the poet, having died at Alva in 1827, in the 74th year of her age. From thee, Eliza, I must go, And from my native shore ; The cruel fates between us throw A boundless ocean's roar ; But boundless oceans roaring wide Between my love and me. They never, never can divide My heart and soul from thee ! Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear, The maid that I adore ! A boding voice is in mine ear, We part to meet no more ! The latest throb that leaves my heart, "While death stands victor by, That throb, Eliza, is thy part. And thine that latest sigh ! A. FAREWELL TO THE BRETHREN OF ST JAMES'S LODGE, TORBOLTON. Tune—" Good night, and joy be wi' you a I'* The poet is said to have chanted this "Farewell" at a meeting of St James's Mason Lodge at Torbolton, while his chest was on the wav to G-reenock, and he had just written the last song he thought he should ever compose in Scot- land. The person alluded to in the last stanza was Major-General Jame» Montgomery, who was Worshipful Master, while Burns was Depute-Master. /ET. 28.] SOjVGS. 325 ADIEU ! a heart- warm, fond adieu ! Dear brothers of the mystic tie ! Ye favour'd, ye enlighten'd few, Companions of my social joy ! Though I to foreign lands must hie, Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry baV With melting heart, and brimful eye, I '11 mind you still, though far awa'. Oft have I met your social band, And spent the cheerful, festive night ; Oft, honour'd with supreme command, Presided o'er the sons of light : And, by that hieroglyphic bright, Which none but craftsmen ever saw ! Strong Memory on my heart shall write Those hai)py scenes when far awa' ! May freedom, harmony, and love, Unite you in the grand design. Beneath the Omniscient eye above, The glorious Architect Divine ! That you may keep the unerring line, Still rising by the plummet's law, Till order bright completely shine, Shall be my prayer when far awa'. And you, farewell ! whose merits claim. Justly, that highest badge to wear ! Heaven bless your honour'd, noble name, To masonry and Scotia dear ! A last request permit me here. When yearly ye assemble a'. One round — I ask it with a tear — To him, the Bard that 's far awa'. THE SONS OF OLD KILLIE. Tune — " Shawnboy." Having visited the Kilmarnock Mason Lodge, presided over by his friend William Parker, Burns produced the following song. "William Parker was a Kilmar- nock bankar, and had subscribed for thirty copies of the first edition of the poema. Ye sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie, To follow the noble vocation ; Your tlirifty old mother has scarce such another To sit in that honoured station. 1 Slippery ball 326 SONGS. [1786 I Ve little to say, but only to pray, ^ As praying 's the ton of your fashion ; A prayer from the Muse you well may excuse, 'Tis seldom her favourite passion. Ye powers who preside o'er the wind and the tide, Who marked each element's border ; "VVho formed this frame with beneficent aim, Wliose sovereign statute is order ; Within this dear mansion may wayward Contention Or withered Envy ne'er enter ; May Secrecy round be the mystical bound, And Brotherly Love be the centre ! SONG, IN THE CHAEACTER OF A ECINED FAEMEE. Tune— "Go from my window, love, do." '*By the liberality of Mr Dick, bookseller, Ayr," says Mr Robert Chambers, in his recent edition of the poet's works, "the present proprietor of a manu- script of ten leaves, in Burns's hand-writing, and wliich was formerly in the possession of Mrs General Stewart of Stair, we are enabled to give the following song, which has not hitherto seen the light :" — The sun he is sunk in the we.^t. All creatures retired to rest. While here I sit all sore beset With sorrow, grief, and wo ; And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O I The prosperous man is asleep, Kor hears how the whirlwinds sweep ; But Misery and I must watch The surly tempest blow ; And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O ! There lies the dear partner of my breast, Her cares for a moment at rest : Must I see thee, my youthful pride, Thus brought so very low ! And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O ! Tiiere lie my sweet babies in her arms, No enxious fear their little heart fdarms ; But for their sake my heart doth ache, With many a bitter throe : And it 's O, fickle Fortune, 1 I once was by Fortune carest, I once could relieve the distrest : fET. 2S.] SOJVGS, 327 IsTow, life's poor support hardly earn'd, My fate will scarce bestow : And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O ! No comfort, no comfort I have ! How welcome to me were the grave ! But then my wife and children dear, wliither would they go ? And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O ! O whither, O whither shall I turn ! All friendless, forsaken, forlorn ! For in this world Rest or Peace 1 never more shall know ! And it 's O, fickle Fortune, O ! THE LASS OF BALLOCHMYLE. Tune — " Miss Forbes's Farewell to Banff.'* rhe beautiful estate of Ballochmyle, which is situated on the Ayr, in the neigh- bourhood of Mauchline, was -at this period of the poet's life transferred from the family of the Whitefoords (whose departure he has lamented in the lines on "The Braes of Ballochmyle") to Mr Claud Alexander, a gentleman who had made a large fortune as paymaster-general of the East India Company's troops at Bengal ; and having just taken up his residence at the mansion- house, his sister. Miss Wilhelmina Alexander, was one day walking out through the grounds, which appear to have been a favourite haunt of Bin-ns's, when she accidentally encountered him in a musing attitude, with his shoulder leaning against a tree. As the grounds were thought to be strictly private, the lady appears to have been somewhat startled ; but, having recovered herself, passed on, and thought no more of the matter. A short time afterwards, however, she was reminded of the circumstance by receiving a letter from the poet, enclosing the song. "I had roved out," he says, "as chance directed in the favourite haunts of my Muse, on the banks of the Ayr, to view nature in all the gaiety of the vernal year. The evening sun was flaming over the distant western hills : not a breath stirred the crimson opening blossom, or the verdant spreading leaf. It was a golden moment for a poetic heart. Such was the scene, and such was the hour — when, in a corner of my prospect, I spied one of the fairest pieces of nature's workmanship that ever crowned a poetic land- scape or met a poet's eye. Tlie enclosed song was the work of my return home ; and perhaps it but poorly answers what might have been expected from such a scene." Much to the mortification of Burns, however, the lady took no notice of either the letter or the song, although she ultimately displayed a higli sense of the honour which the genius of the poet had conferred on her. She died unmarried in 1843, at the age of eighty-eight. 'TwAS even — the dewy fields were greeii. On every blade the pearls hang, The zephyrs wanton'd round the bean, And bore its fragrant sweets alang : In every glen the mavis sang, All nature listening seem'd the while. Except where greenwood echoes rang, Amang the bra'^s o' Ballochin.vle. 3^8 SONGS. [1 785. With careless step I onward stray'd, My heart rejoiced in Nature's joy, "When musing in a lonely glade, A maiden fair I chanced to spy ; Her look was like the morning's eye, Her air like Nature's vernal smile, Perfection whisper'd, passing by, Behold the lass o' Ballochmyle ! Fair is the morn in flowery May, And sweet is night in autumn mild ; When roving through the garden gay. Or wandering in the lonely wild : But woman, Nature's darling child ! There all her charms she does compile ; Even there her other works are foil'd By the bonny lass o' Ballochmyle. Oh ! had she been a country maid, And I the happy country swain. Though shelter'd in the lowest shed That ever rose on Scotland's plain : Through weary winter's wind and rain, AVith joy, with rapture, I would toil ; And nightly to my bosom strain The bonny lass o' Ballochmyle ! Then pride might climb the slippery steep. Where fame and honours lofty shine ; And thirst of gold might tempt the deep, Or downward seek the Indian mine ; Give me the cot below the pine. To tend the flocks, or till the soil. And every day have joys divine With the bonny lass o' Ballochmyle, THE BONNY BANKS OF AYE. Tune — "Roslin Castle." The poet, says Professor Walker, having been on a visit to a family where he had enjoyed much elegant and social pleasure, and which he thought was never to be renewed, as he was about to depart for the West Indies, "on his way home had to cross a wide stretch of solitary moor ; and, depressed by the con- trasted gloom of his prospects, the aspect of nature harmonised with his feel- mgs : it was a lowering and heavy evening in autumn. The wind was up, and whistled thi-ough the rushes and long speargrass which bent before it. The clouds were driving across the sky; and cold pelting showers at intervals added discomfort of body to cheerlessness of mind. Under these circumstances, and in this frame, Burns composed the following song : " — The gloomy night is gathering fast, Loud roars the wild inconstant blast ; Yon murky cloud is foul with rain, I see it diiving o'er the i^lain ; «T. 28.] SONGS, 329 The hunter now has left the moor, The scattered coveys meet secure ; While here I wander, prest with care Along the lonely banks of Ayr. The Autumn mourns her ripening corn, By early Winter's ravage torn ; Across her placid, azure sky, She sees the scowling tempest fly : Chill runs my blood to hear it rave — I think upon the stormy wave, Where many a danger I must dare, Far from the bonny banks of Ayr. 'Tis not the surging billow's roar, "Tis not that fatal, deadly shore ; Though death in every shape appear, The wretched have no more to fear ! But round my heart the ties are bound. That heart transpierced with many a wound ; These bleed afresh, those ties I tear, To leave the bonny banks of Ayr. Farewell old Coila's hills and dales. Her heathy moors and winding vales ; The scenes where wretched fancy roves, Pursuing past unhappy loves ! Farewell, my friends ! farewell, my foes ! My peace with these, my love with those— The bursting tears my heart declare ; Farewell the bonny banks of Ayr I THE BANKS OF DOON. FIRST VEESION. The following song relates to an incident in real life— an unhappy love-tale. The unfortunate heroine was a beautiful and accomplished woman, the daughter and heiress of a gentleman of fortune in Carrick. Having been deserted by her lover, the son of a wealthy Wigtonshire proprietor, to whom she had bora a child without the sanction of the Church, she is said to have died of a broken heart. The poet composed a second version of this song in 1792, for the Scott Musical Museum, ; but it lacks the pathos and simplicity of the present one. (See p. 404.) Ye flowery banks o' bonny Doon, How can ye bloom sae fair ; How can ye chant, ye little birds. And I sae fu' o' care ! Thou It break my heart, thou bonny bird That sings upon the bough ; Thou minds me o' the happy days When my fause luve was true. 33^ SONGS. [1787. Thou 'It "break my heart, thou bonny bird That sings beside thy mate ; For sae I sat, and sae I sang, And wist na o' my fate. Aft hae I roved by bonny Doon, To see the woodbine twine ; And ilka bird sang o' its love, And sae did I o' mine. \Yi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, Frae off its thorny tree ; And my fause luver staw ^ the rose, But left the thorn wi' me. THE AMERICAN WAR. A FKAGMENT. Tune — " Killiecrankie." riie following ballad was composed at a period when the poet's political opinions had scarcely developed themselves, and when, as Dr Blair remarked, they still "smelt of the smithy." It is curious, however, as an illustration of the mode in which the rustic mind is apt to view the most important militaiy and poli- tical matters. "When Guildford good our pilot stood, And did our helm thraw,^ man, Ae night, at tea, began a plea, Within America, man : Then up they gat the maskin'-pat,3 And in the sea did jaw,^ * man ; And did nae less, in full Congress, Than quite refuse our law, man. Then through the lakes, Montgomery t takes, I wat he wasna slaw, man ! Down Lowrie's burn J he took a turn, And Carleton did ca', man : But yet, what-reck, he, at Quebec, Montgomery-like § did fa', man : Wi' sword in hand, before his band, Amang his en'mies a', man. 1 Stole. 2 Turn. s Tea-pot. 4 Throw. * The English Parliament having imposed an excise duty upon tea imported into North America, the East India Company sent several ships laden with that article to Boston ; but, on their an-ival, the natives went on board by force of arms, and emptied all the tea into the sea. t General Montgomery invaded Canada in 1775, and took Montreal, the British general. Sir Guy Carleton, retiring before him. X A pseudonym for the St Lawrence. g A compliment to the poet's patrons, the Montgomeries of Coilsfield /ET. 29.] SOJVCrS. 331 Poor Tammy Gage, within a cage, AVas kept at Boston ha', man ; * Till Willie Howe took o'er the knowe For Philadeli)hia, man ; "VVi' sword and gun he thought a sin Guid Christian bluid to draw, man ; But at New York, wi' knife and fork, Sir-loin he hackM sma', man.f Burgoyne gaed up, like spur and whip, Till Fraser brave did fa', man ; Then lost his way, ae misty day, In Saratoga shaw,^ man. J Cornwallis fought as long 's he dought,^ And did the buckskins claw, man ; But Clinton's glaive frae rust to save, He hung it to the wa', man. Then Montague, and Guildford too, Began to fear a fa', man ; And Sackville doure,^ wha stood the stoure,* The German chief to thraw,^ man ; For Paddy Burke, like ony Turk, Nae mercy had at a', man ; And Charlie Fox threw by the box. And loosed his tinkler jaWj§ man. || Then Rockingham took up the game, Till death did on him ca' man ; When Shelburne meek held up his cheek, Conform to gospel law, man ; Saint Stephen's boys wi' jarring noise, They did his measures thraw, man. For North and Fox united stocks. And bore him to the wa', man. Then clubs and hearts were Charlie's cartes. He swept the stakes awa', man. Till the diamond's ace, of Indian race. Led him a sair/awx pas^ man ; ^ 1 Wood. 2 Could. 3 Stubborn. 4 Dust. 5 Thwart. * An allusion to General Gage's being besieged in Boston by General Washing- ton. f Alluding to an inroad made by Howe, when a large number of cattle was destroyed. X An allusion to the surrender of General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga. § Free-spoken tongue. Tinkers are provei'bial for their power of speech. !| By the union of Lord North and INIr Fox, in 1783, the heads of the celebrated coalition, Lord Shelburne was compelled to resign. ^ An allusion to Mr Fox's India Bill, which threw him out of office in Decern oer 1783. 332 SONGS. [1787 The Saxon lads, wi' loud placads,'^ On Chatham's boy did ca', man ; And Scotland drew her pipe, and blew, *' Up, Wniie, waur 2 them a', man ! " Behind the throne then Grenville 's gone, A secret word or twa, man ; While slee Dundas aroused the class Be-north the Roman wa', man : And Chatham's wraith,^ in heavenly graith, (Inspired Bardies saw, man ;) Wi' kindling eyes cried, " Willie, rise !'* " Would I hae fear'd them a', man? " But, word and blow, North, Fox, and Co. , Gowfif'd * AVillie like a ba', man, Till Suthrons raise, and coost ^ their claes Behind him in a raw, man ; And Caledon threw by the drone, And did her whittle ^ draw, man ; And swoor fu' rude, through dirt and bluid, To make it guid in law, man. THE BIRKS OF ABERFELDY. Tune— "The Birks of Aberfeldy." The poet tells us he composed this song on a visit which he paid to the beautiful falls of Moness, at Aberfeldy, in Perthshire, while on his way to Inverness. The air is old and sprightly. Bonny lassie, will ye go. Will ye go, will ye go ; Bonny lassie, wiU. ye go To the bii'ks^ of Aberfeldy? Now simmer blinks 8 on flowery braes, And o'er the crystal streamlet plays ; Come, let us spend the lightsome days In the birks of Aberfeldy. Wbile o'er their heads the hazels hing. The little birdies blithely sing, Or lightly flit on wanton wing In the birks of Aberfeldy. 1 Cheers. 2 Beat. 3 Ghost. * Knocked him about. The phrase properly refers to the game of golf. • Doffed. 6 Knife. "> Birches— Birch- wood. 8 Glancea iCT. 29.] SONGS. 333 The braes ascend, like lofty wa's, The foaming stream deep-roaring fa's, O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws,^ The birks of Aberfeldy. The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi' flowers, White o'er the linns the bnrnie pours, And rising, weets wi' misty showers The birks of Aberfeldy. Let Fortune's gifts at random flee. They ne'er shall draw a wish frae mo, Supremely blest wi' love and thee, In the birks of Aberfeldy. THE BONNY LASS OF ALBANY. Tune — " Mary's Dream." ** The following song," says Chambers, " is printed from a manuscript book in Burns's hand-writing, in the possession of Mr B. Nightingale of London." The heroine was the natural daughter of Prince Charles Edward, by Clemen- tina Walkinshaw, with whom, it is well-known, he lived for many years. The Prince afterwards caused her to be legitimated by a deed of the parliament of Paris in 1787, and styled her the Duchess of Albany. My heart is wae, and unco wae, ^ To think upon the raging sea That roars between her gardens green And the bonny Lass of Albany. This lovely maid 's of royal blood That ruled Albion's kingdoms three. But oh, alas ! for her bonny face, They 've wrang'd the Lass of Albany. In the rolling tide of spreading Clyde There sits an isle of high degree. And a town of fame whose princely name Should grace the Lass of Albany. But there 's a youth, a witless youth. That fills the i^lace where she should be ; We '11 send him o'er to his native shore, And bring our ain sweet Albany. Alas the day, and wo the day, A false usurper wan the gree '^ Who now commands the towers and lands — The royal right of Albany. 1 Woods. 2 Sad. « Superiority. 334 SOA^GS. Li 787. We '11 dail]r pray, we '11 niglitly pray, On bended knees most fervently. The time may come, with pipe and drum, We '11 welcome hame fair Albany. LADV ONLIE. Tune— ** Ruffian's Rant." ■PTiis IS an old song improved by Burns for the Musmrru. A' THE lads o' Thorniebank, When they gae to the shore o' Bucky,^ They '11 step in and tak a pint Wi' Lady Onlie, honest Lucky ! ^ Lady Onlie, honest Lucky, Brews guid ale at shore o' Bucky ; I wish her sale for her guid ale. The best on a' the shore o' Bucky. Her house sae bien,^ her curch* sae clean, I wat she is a dainty chucky ; ^ And cheerlie blinks the ingle-gleed ® Of Lady Onlie, honest Lucky ! Lady Onlie, honest Lucky, Brews guid ale at shore o' Bucky ; I wish her sale for her guid ale. The best on a' the shore o' Bucky. BLITHE WAS SHE. Tune—" Andrew and his Cutty Gun." The heroine of this song was Miss Euphemia Murray of Lintrose, a lovely young creature of eighteen, and already distinguished by the appellation of "The Flower of Strathmore." The poet met her while on a visit to the house of her uncle, Sir William Murray of Ochtertyre, and seems to have been charmed by her beauty and affability. She subsequently became the wife of Mr Smythe of Methven, one of the judges of the Court of Session. Blithe, blithe, and merry was she, Blithe was she butt and ben : ^ Blithe by the banks of Earn, And blithe in Glenturit glen. 1 Ruckhaven. SGoodwife 3 Well-filled. < Kerchief— a covering for the head. ^ Dear. 6 Blazing fire 7 In kitchen and parlour. ^T. 29.] SOATGS. 335 By Auchtertyre grows the aik,i On Yarrow banks the birken shaw ; ' But Phemie was a bonnier lass Than braes o' Yarrow ever saw. Her looks were like a flower in May, Her smile was like a simmer morn ; She tripped by the banks of Earn, As light 's a bird upon a thorn. Her bonny face it was as meek As ony lamb upon a lea ; The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet, As was the blink o' Phemie's ee. The Highland hills I 've wander'd wide, And o'er the Lowlands I hae been ; But Phemie was the blithest lass That ever trod the dewy green. BONNY DUNDEE. Tune — " Bonny Dundee." This song appeared in the first volume of the Museum. The second verse aloae is Burns's, the first having been taken from a very old homely ditty. Oh, whare did ye get that hauver^-meal bannock? Oh, silly blind body, oh, dinna ye see? I gat it frae a brisk young sodger laddie, Between Saint Johnston and bonny Dundee. Oh gin I saw the laddie that gae me 't ! Aft has he doudled'* me upon his knee ; May Heaven protect my bonny Scots laddie, And send him safe hame to his baby and me ! My blessin 's upon thy sweet wee lippie. My blessin 's upon thy bonny eebree ! Thy smiles are sae like my blithe sodger laddie, Thou 's aye be dearer and dearer to me ! But I '11 big a bower on yon bonny banks. Where Tay rins wimplin' by sae clear ; And I '11 deed thee in the tartan sae fine. And mak thee a man like thy daddie dear. 1 Oak 2 Birch-woocls. 8 Oat. * Dandled S36 SONGS, [1787. THE JOYFUL WIDOWER. ToKE— " Maggy Lauder." I MAKEIED witli a scolding wife, The fourteenth of Noveniber ; She made me weary of my life By one unruly member. Long did I bear the heavy yoke, And many griefs attended ; But, to my comfort be it spoke, Now, now her life is ended. We lived full one-and-twenty years As man and wife together ; At length from me her course she steered, And 's gone I know not whither : Would I could guess, I do profess, I speak, and do not flatter. Of all the women in the world, I never could come at her. Her body is bestowed well, A handsome grave does hide her ; But sure her soul is not in hell. The deil could ne'er abide her. I rather think she is aloft. And imitating thunder; For why, methinks I hear her voice Tearing the clouds asunder. A ROSEBUD BY MY EARLY WALK Tune—" The Rosebud." This song was composed in honour of the young lady to whom the poet ad- dressed the lines beginning, " Beauteous rosebud, young and gay." She was Miss Jenny Cruikshank, daughter of Mr William Cruikshank, one of the masters of the High School of Edinburgh, a friend of Burns's, and at whose house he resided during one of his visits to the metropolis. Being a proficient in music, the young lady appears to have charmed the poet by her skill in that art. She subsequently became the wife of a Mr Henderson, a legal practitioner in Jedburgh. A ROSEBUD by my early walk, Adown a corn-enclosed bawk,^ Sae gently bent its thorny stalk, All on a dewy morning. Ere twice the shades o' dawn are fled, In a' its crimson glory spread And drooping rich the dewy head, It scents the early morning. 1 An open space in a cornfield. /K1V2').] SONGS, 337 Within the bush, her covert nest A little linnet fondly prest, The dew sat chilly on her breast Sae early in the morning. She soon shall see her tender brood, The pride, the pleasure o' the wood, Amang the fresh green leaves bedewed, Awake the early morning. So thou, dear bird, young Jenny fair! On trembling string, or vocal air, Shall sweetly pay the tender care That tends thy early morning. So thoa, sweet rosebud, young and gay, Shalt beauteous blaze upon the day. And bless the parent's evening ray That watch'd thy early morning. BRAYING ANGRY WINTER'S STORMS. Tune — "Neil CrOw's Lamentation for Abercairny." The two following songs were written in praise of Miss Margaret Chalmers, a relative of the poet's friend, Mr Gavin Hamilton. Burns first became ac- quainted with the young lady at the house of Br Blacklock ; and being of a quiet, amiable disposition, and possessed of that "excellent thing in woman," a delightful voice, she appears to have left an abiding impression on the heart oT xhe susceptible poet, who called her "one of the most accomplished oi -tvomen/' and frequently spoke of her with more than common warmth. Wheke, braving angry Winter's storms, The lofty Ochils rise, Far in their shade my Peggy's charms First blest my wondering eyes ; As one who by some savage stream, A lonely gem surveys, Astonish'd, doubly marks its beam, With art's most polished blaze. Blest be the wild sequester'd shade, And blest the day and hour. Where Peggy's charms I first survey'd, When first I felt their power ! The tyrant Death, with grim control, May seize my fleeting breath ; But tearing Pescgy from my soul Must be a stronger death. 33^ SONGS. 1:178V. VlY PEGGY'S FACE. TuNB— " My Peggy's Face." Mt Peggy's face, my Peggy's form, The frost of hermit age might warm ; My Peggy's worth, my Peggy's mind, Might charm the first of humankind. I love my Peggy's angel air. Her face so truly, heavenly fair. Her native grace so void of art, But I adore my Peggy's heart. The lily's hue, the rose's dye. The kindling lustre of an eye ; Who but owns their magic sway ! Who but knows they all decay ! The tender thrill, the pitying tear. The generous purpose, nobly dear, The gentle look, that rage disarms— These are all immortal charms. THE BANKS OF THE DEVON. Tune— " Bhanarach dhonn a chruidh.'' •'These verses," says Burns, in his notes in the Musical Museum,, "were com- posed on a charming girl. Miss Charlotte Hamilton, who is now married to James M. Adair, physician. She is sister to my worthy friend, Gavin Hamil- ton of Mauchline, and was born on the banks of the Ayr; but was, at the time I wrote these lines, residing at Harvieston, in Clackmannanshire, on tne ro- mantic banks of the little river Devon." The poet, it has been said, wished to b«'*»omething more than a mere admirer of this young lady ; but " Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig ; " for the music of his lyre appears to have fallen on ears that would not charm. How pleasant the banks of the clear-winding Devon, With green-spreading bushes, and flowers blooming fair? But tlie bonniest flower on the banks of the Devon Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr. Mild be the sun on this sweet-blushing flov^^il, In the gay rosy mom, as it bathes in the AQVf ! And gentle the fall of the soft vernal shower. That steals on the evening each leaf to renew. Oh, spare the dear blossom, ye orient breezes- With chill hoary wing, as ye usher the dawn ! And far be thou distant, thou reptile, that seizes The verdure and pride of the garden and lawn ! iCT. 29.] SOA^CrS, 339 Let Bourbon exult in his gay gilded lilies, And England, triumphant, display her proud rose : A fairer than either adorns the green valleys Where Devon, sweet Devon, meandering flows. MACPHERSON'S FAREWELL. Tune— " M'Pherson's Rant." This fine song, which Lockhart terms "a gi-and lyric," and Carlyle " a wild, stormful song, that dwells ia ear and mind with strange tenacity," was designed by the poet as an improvement of a well-known old ditty entitled, " Macpher- son's Lament," and which is said to have been written by a Highland freebooter a night or two before his execution. As this hero's history contains some elements of interest, we borrow the following account of him from Mr Robert Chambers's recent edition of the poet's works : — "James Macpherson was a noted Highland freebooter of uncommon personal strength, and an excellent performer on the violin. After holding the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray in fear for some years, he was seized by Duff of Braco, ancestor of the Earl of Fife, and tried before the sheriff' of Banffshire, (November 7, 1700,) along with certain gipsies who had been taken in his company. In the prison, while he lay under sentence of death, he composed a song and an appropriate air, the former commencing thus : — ' I've spent my time in rioting, Debauch'd my health and strength ; I squander' d fast as pillage came, And fell to shame at length. But dantonly, and wantonly. And rantingly I '11 gae ; I '11 play a tune, and dance it rouij' Beneath the gallows-U'ee.' When brought to the place of execution, on the Gallows-hill of Banff, (Nov. 16,) he played the tiine on his violin, and then asked if any friend was present who would accept the instrument as a gift at his hands. No one coming for- ward, he indignantly broke the violin on his knee, and threw away the frag- ments ; after which he submitted to his fate. The traditionary accounts of Macpherson's immense prowess ai-e justified by his sword, which is still pre- served in Duff House, at Banff, and is an implement of great length and weight — as well as by his bones, which were found a few years ago, and were allowed by all who saw them to be much stronger than the bones of ordinary men." Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong, The wretch's destinie ! Macpnerson's time will not be long On yonder gaUows-tree. Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, Sae dauntingly gaed he ; Hg ylay'd a spring, and danced it round, Below the gallows-tree. C^ I what is death but parting breath?— On mony a blooay plain I 've dared his face, and in this place I scorD him yet again ! 340 SOJVGS. [i783» Untie these bands from off my hands, And bring to me my sword ! And there 's no a man in all ScotlaLd But I '11 brave him at a word. I Ve lived a life of sturt and strife; I die by treacherie : It bums my heart I must depart And not avenged be. Now farewell light — thou sunshine bright, And all beneath the sky ! May coward shame distain his name. The wretch that dares not die ! ^ WHISTLE, AND I 'LL COIVIE TO YOU, MY LAD, fliis version of an old fragment the poet composed for the second volume of th« Museum; but he afterwards altered and extended it for Thomson's colleotion. Oh, whistle, and I '11 come to you, my lad ; Oh, whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad : Though father and mother should baith gae mad, Oh, whistle, and I '11 come to you, my lad. Come down the back stairs when ye come to court me , Come down the back stairs when ye come to court me ; Come down the back stairs and let naebo-iy see And come as ye werena coming to me. STAY, MY CHAKMER. Tune — " An dille dubh ciar dhubh." Stay, my charmer, can you leave me ? Cruel, cruel to deceive me ! Well you know how much you ^eve me ; Cruel charmer, can you go ? Cruel charmer, can you go ? By my love so ill requited ; By the faith you fondly plighted ; By the pangs of lovers slighted ! Do not, do not leave me so .' Do not, do not leave me so ! JET, 30.] SOATGS. 341 STRATHALLAN'S LAMENT. William, fourth Viscount of Strathallan, whom the poet celebrates in these lines, fell on the rebel side at CuUoden in 1746. The poet, perhaps ignorant of thia fact, speaks of him as having survived the battle, and fled for safety to some mountain fastness. Thickest night, o'erhang my dwelling! Howling tempests, o'er me rave ! Turbid torrents, wintry swelling, Still surroimd my lonely cave ! Crystal streamlets gently flowing, Busy haunts of base mankind, Western breezes softly blowing, Suit not my distracted mind. In the cause of right engaged, Wrongs injurious to redress, Honour's war we strongly waged, But the heavens denied success. Farewell, fleeting, fickle treasure, 'Tween Misfortune and Folly shared 1 Farewell Peace, and farewell Pleasure I Farewell flattering man's regard ! Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us, Not a hope that dare attend, The wide world is all before us— But a world without a friend ! THE YOUNG HIGHLAND ROYER. Tune — "Morag." Loud blaw the frosty breezes, The snaw the mountains cover ; Xjike winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland rover Far wanders nations over. Where'er he go, where'er he stray, May Heaven be his warden ; 'xieturn him safe to fair Strathspey, And bonny Castle-Gordon 1 The trees now naked groaning, Tshall soon wi' leaves be hinging, The birdies dowie^ moaning, ShaU a' be blithely singing, And every flower be springing. 1 Sadly. 34'^ SONGS, [:7£e. Sae I'll rejoice the lee-lang day, AVTien by his mighty warden My youth 's return'd to fair Strathspey, And bonny Castle-Gordon. RAYING WIKDS AEOUND HER BLOAYING. Tune—" Macgregor of Ruara's Lament." "I composed these verses," says Burns, "on Miss Isabella M'Leod of Raasay, alluding to her feelings on the death of her sister, and th? still more melan- choly death of her sistei*'s husband, the late Earl of Loudon, who shot himself out of sheer heartbreak at some mortification he suffered from the deranged state of his finances." Raving winds around her blowing, Yellow leaves the woodlands strowir.g, By a river hoarsely roaring, Isabella stray'd deploring : — "Farewell hours that late did measure Sunshine days of joy and pleasure ; Hail thou gloomy night of sorrow, Cheerless night that knows no morrow ! *' O'er the past too fondly wanderinj. On the hopeless future pondering ; Chiljy Grief my life-blood freezes, Fell Despair my fancy seizes. Life, thou soul of every blessing, Load to Misery most distressing. Oh, how gladly I 'd resign thee. And to dark oblivion join thee I" MUSING ON THE ROARING OGE_VN Tune— "Druimion Dubh." **I composed these verses," says the poet, " out cf cD:aipliment to a Mrs Maclaclilan, whose liusband w^as an officer in tl^e JFast Indies." Musing on the roaring ocean, Which divides my love and me ; "Wearying Heaven in warm devoti-?!!, For his weal where'er he Hjc. Hope and Fear's alternate biuO'V Yielding late to Nature's laW ;^ Whispering spirits round my pillow Talk of him fchair 's far awa'. .lex. 3oJ SONGS, 343 Ye whom sorrow never wounded, Ye who never shed a tear, Care-untroubled, j oy-surrounded, Gaudy Day to you is dear. Gentle Night, do thou befriend me ; Downy Sleep, the curtain draw ; Spirits kind, again attend me, — Talk of him that 's far awa' ! BONNY PEGGY ALISON. Tune— "Braes o' Balquhidder." The heroine of this song is thought to have been the "Montgomery's Peggy" of the soug of that name, the subject of other songs, and tue object Of many months' fruitless wooing. I 'll kiss thee yet, yet, And I '11 kiss thee o'er again ; And I '11 kiss thee yet, yet, My bonny Peggy Alison ! Ilk care and fear, when thou art near, I ever mair defy them, O ; Young kings upon their hansel ^ throne Are nae sac blest as I am, O ! When in my arms, wi' a' thy charms, I clasp my countless treasure, O, I seek nae mair o' Heaven to share, Than sic a moment's pleasure, O ! And by thy een, sae bonny blue, I swear I 'm thine for ever, O !-^ And on thy lips I seal my vow. And break it shall I never, O ! THE cheyalh]:r's lament. Tune— " Captain O'Kean," ^ Yesterday," wrote Burns to his friend Cleghorn, "as I was riding througji a tract of melancholy, joyless moors, between Galloway and Ayrshire, it b€ing Sunday, I turned my thought?s to psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs ; and j'OUB favourite air, 'Captain O'Kean,' coming at length into my head. I tried these words to it. I am tolerably pleased with the verses ; but as I have only a sketch of the tune, I leave it with you to try if they suit the measure of the X New-Ton, 344 SONGS. [.V88. music." Cleghorn answered that the words delighted him, and fitted the tune exactly. "I wish," added he, "that you would send me a verse or two more » and, if you have no objection, I would have it in the Jacobite style. Suppose it sliould be sung after the fatal field of CuUoden, by the unfortunate Charles." The poet took his friend's advice, and infused a Jacobite spirit into the first verse as well as the second. The small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning, The murmuring streamlet winds through the vale ; The hawthorn trees blow, in the dew of the morning, And wild scattered cowslips bedeck the green dale : But what can give pleasure, or what can seem fair. While the lingering moments are number'd by care ? No flowers gaily springing, nor birds sweetly singing, Can soothe the sad bosom of joyless despair. The deed that I dared, could it merit their malice, A king, and a father, to place on his throne ? His right are these hills, and his right are these valleys. Where the wild beasts find shelter, but I can find none But 'tis not my sufferings thus wretched, — forlorn, My brave gallant friends ! 'tis your ruin I mourn ; Youi* deeds proved so loyal in hot bloody trial — Alas ! can I make you no sweeter return ? OF A' THE AIETS THE WIND CAN BLAW. Tune— "Miss Admiral Gordon's Strathspey." "I composed this song," says the poet, "out of compliment to Mrs Burns, during our honeymoon." Of a' the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly like the west. For there the bonny lassie lives, The lassie I lo'e best : There wild woods grow, and rivers row,^ And mony a hill between ; But day and night, my fancy's flight Is ever wi' my Jean, I see har in the dewy flowers, I see her sweet and fair : I hear her in the tunefu' birds, I hear her charm the air : There 's not a bonny flower that springs By fountain, shaw,*^ or green. There 's not a bonny bird that sings, But minds me o' my Jean. * 1 Koll. 2 Wood. * The two following stanzas were written some years afterwards, by Mr John Hamilton, music-seller, Edinburgh, and from their simplicity and beauty are really worthy of forming the corollary to this fine song : — >ET. 30.] SOJVGS. 345 OH, WERE I ON PAEKASSUS' HILL. Tune — "My love is lost to me." This song vras also produced in honour of Mrs 3urns, shortly before she took up her residence at Ellisland as the poet's wife. It is thought to have been com- posed while he was one day gazing towards the hill of Corsincon, at the head of Nithsdale, and beyond which, though at some distance^ was the quiet vale where lived his "bonny Jean." Oh, were I on Parnassus' hill ! Or had of Helicon my fill ; That I might catch poetic skill To sing how dear I love thee. But Mth maun be my Muse's well, My Muse maun be thy bonny sel ; " Oh, blaw, ye westlin* winds, blaw saft J^mang the leafy trees, Wi' balmy gale, frae hill and dale, Bring hame the laden bees ; And bring the lassie back to me That's aye sae neat and clean ; Ae smile o' her wad banish care, Sae charming is my Jean. " What sighs and vows amang the knowee Hae pass'd atween us twa ! ilow fond to meet, how wae to part, That night she gaed awa' ! The powers aboon can only ken, To whom the heart is seen, That nane can be sae dear to me As my sweet lovely Jean ! " The two following were also wiitten as an addition to this song by Mr WilUam Reid, of the firm of Brash and Reid, booksellers, Grlasgow, and have sometimes been printed as the poet's : — " Upon the banks o' flowing Clyde . The lassies busk 1 them braw ; But when their best they hae put on, My Jeanie dings 2 them a' : In hamely weeds she far exceeds The fairest o' the town ; .^ Baith sage and gay confess it sae, Though drest in russet gown. " The gamesome lamb, that sucks its dam, Mair harmless canna be ; She has nae faut, (if sic ye ca't,) Except her love for me ; The sparkling dew, 0' clearest hue, Is like her shining een : In shape and air nane can compare Wi' my sweet lovely Jean." 34<5 SONGS, (^1788. On Corsincon I'll glower^ and spell, And write how dear I love thee. Then come, sweet Muse, inspire my lay ! For a' the lee-lang simmer's day I couldna sing, I couldna say, How much, how dear, I love thee. I see thee dancing o'er the green. Thy waist sae jimp,^ thy limbs sae clean, ^ Thy tempting lips, thy roguish een — By heaven and earth I love thee ! By night, by day, a-field, at hame, The thoughts o' thee my breast inflame ; And aye I muse and sing thy name — I only live to love thee. Though I were doom'd to wander on Beyond the sea, beyond the sun. Till my last weary sand was run ; Till then— and then I 'd love thee. THE FETE CHAMP:eTRE. Tune—*' Killiecrankie." The poet's brother, Gilbei-t Burns, gives the following account of the origin of this ballad : — "When Mr Cunninghame of Enterkin came to his estate, two mansion-houses on it, Enterkin and Annbank, were both in a ruinous state. Wishing to introduce himself with some edat to the county, he got temporary erections made on the banks of the Ayr, tastefully decorated with shrul^s and flowers, for a supper and ball, to which most of the respectable families in the county were invited. It was a novelty in the county, and attracted much notice. A dissolution of parliament was soon expected, and this festivity was thought to be an introduction to a canvass for representing the county. Several other candidates were spoken of, particularly gir John Whitefoord, then re- siding at Cloncaird, commonly pronounced Crlencaird, and Mr Boswell, the well-known biogi;apher of Dr Johnson. The political views of this festive as- semblage, which are alluded to in the ballad, if they ever existed, were, how- ever, laid aside, as Mr Cunninghame did not canvass the county." Oh, wha will to Saint Stephen's house, To do our errands there, man ? Oh, wha will to Saint Stephen's house. O' th' merry lada of Ayr, man ? Or will we send a man-o'-law? Or will we send a sodger ? Or him wha led o'er Scotland a* The meikle^ Ursa-Major? Come, will ye court a noble lord, Or buy a score o' lairds, man ? For worth and honour pawn their word, Their vote shall be Glencaii'd's, man? 'I Stare. a Small. s Well-shaped. * Great. ^T 30.] SONGS. 34? Ane gies them coin, ane gies them wine, Anither gies them clatter ; ^ Annbank, wha guess'd the ladies' taste, He gies a Fete Charapetre. When Love and Beauty heard the news, The gay greenwoods amang, man ; Where gathering flowers and busking ^ bowera. They heard the blackbird's sang, man ; A vow, they seal'd it with a kiss, Sir Politics to fetter. As theirs alone, the patent-bliss, To hold a F6te Champ6tre. Then mounted Mirth, on gleesome wing, O'er hill and dale she flew, man ; Ilk wimpling burn, ilk crystal spring, Ilk glen and shaw ^ she knew, man : She summon'd every social sprite, That sports by wood or water. On the bonny banks of Ayr to meet, And keep this Fete Champetre. CuN-ld Boreas, wi' his boisterous crew, Were bound to stakes like kye,* man ; And Cynthia's car, o' silver fu', Clamb up the starry sky, man : Reflected beams dwell in the streams. Or down the current shatter ; The western breeze steals through the trees To view this Fete Champetre. How many a robe sae gaily floats ! What sparkling jewels glance, man ! To Harmony's enchanting notes, As moves the mazy dance, man. The echoing wood, the winding flood. Like paradise did glitter. When angels met, at Adam's yett,^ To hold their Fete Champetre. When Politics came there, to mix And make his ether-stane, man ! He circled round the magic ground. But entrance found he nane, man : * He blush'd for shame, he quat his name. Forswore it, every letter, Wi' humble prayer to join and share This festive Fete Champetre. iTalk. 2 Dressing. » Wood. * Cattle. « Gate. * "Alluding tea superstition," says Chamberg, "which represents adders as forming annually from their slough certain little annular stones of streaked colouring, which are occasionally found, and the real origin of which is supposed by antiquaries to be Druidical." 348 SONGS. i.i7S8. THE DAY RETURNS. Tune—" Seventh of November." In a letter to Miss Chalmers, an intimate female friend of the poet's, he says regarding this song : — "One of the most tolerable things I have done for some time is these two stanzas I made to an air a musical gentleman of my acquaint- ance [Captain Riddel of G-lenriddel] composed for the anniversary of his wedding day." The day returns, my bosom burns, The blissful day we twa did meet, Though winter wild in tempest toil'd, Ne'er summer sun was half sae sweet. Than a' the pride that loads the tide, And crosses o'er the sultry line ; Than kingly robes, than crowns and globes, Heaven gave me more — ^it made thee mine 1 "While day and night can bring delight, Or nature aught of pleasure give, "While joys above my mind can move, For thee, and thee alone, I live ! When that grim foe of life below Comes in between to make us part. The iron hand that breaks our band It breaks my bliss— it breaks my heart. THE DISCREET HINT. ** Lass, when your mither is frae hame, May I but be sae bauld As come to your bower window, And creep in frae the cauld ? As come to your bower window, And when its cauld and wat, "Warm me in thy fair bosom — Sweet lass, may I do that ? " " Young man, gin ye should be sae kind, AVTien our gudewife's frae hame, As come to my bower window, Whare I am laid my lane, To warm thee in my bosom, — Tak tent,i I '11 tell thee what, The way to me lies through the kirk — Young man, do ye hear that ? " ^T. 30.] SONGS. 349 THE LAZY MIST. Tune — " Here's a health to my true love." The lazy mist hangs from the brow of the hill, Concealing the course of the dark-winding rill ! How languid the scenes, late so sprightly, appear ! As Autumn to Winter resigns the pale year. The forests are leafless, the meadows are brown, And all the gay foppery of Summer is flown : Apart let me wander, apart let me muse, How quick Time is flying, how keen Fate pursues ! How long I have lived — ^but how much lived in vain ! How little of life's scanty span may remain ! What aspects old Time, in his progress, has worn ! What ties, cruel Fate in my bosom has torn ! How foolish, or worse, till our summit is gain'd ! And downward, how weaken'd, how darken'd, how pain'd ! This life 's not worth having with all it can give — For something beyond it poor man sure must live. I HAE A WIFE O' MY AIN. Tune— " Naebody." The following sprightly lines were written shortly after the poet had welcomed home his wife to his new house on the farm of Ellisland— the first winter ha spent in which he has described as the happiest of his life. I HAE a wife o' my ain— I '11 partake wi' naebody ; I '11 tak cuckold frae nane, I *11 gie cuckold to naebody, I hae a penny to spend, There — thanks to naebody ; I hae naething to lend — I 'U borrow frae naebody. I am naebody's lord — I '11 be slave to naebody ; I hae a guid braid sword, I '11 tak dunts ^ frae naebody ; I '11 be merry and free, I '11 be sad for naebody ; If naebody care for me, I 'U care for naebody. 350 ^ONGS. [I7S& AULD LANG SYNE. Burns has described this as an old song and tune which had often thrilled through his soul ; and in communicating it to his friend George Thomson, he professed to have recovered it from an old man's singing; and exclaimed re- garding it — " Light be the turf on the breast of the Heaven-inspired poet who composed this glorious fragment ! " The probability is, however, that the poei was indulging in a little mystification on the subject, and that the entire song was his own composition. The second and thii'd verses — describing the happy days of youth — are his beyond a doubt. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min' ? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' lang syne ? For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We '11 tak a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne ! "We twa hae run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine ; But we Ve wander'd mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl't i' the bum, Frae morning sun till dine : But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne. And here 's a hand, my trusty fiere,^ And gies a hand o' thine ; And we '11 tak a right guid willie-waught,^ For auld lang syne ! And surely ye '11 be your pint-stoup, And surely I '11 be mine ; And we '11 tak a cup o' kindness yet, i For auld lang syne. MY BONNY MARY. Tune— "Go fetch to me a pint o' wine.» Tlie first four lines of this song are from an old ballad composed in 1636, by Alexander Lesly of Edin, on Doveran side, grandfather to the celebrated Archbishop Sharpe— the rest are Burns's. Go fetch to me a pint o' wine. And fill it in a silver tassie,^ That I may drink, before I go, A service to my bonny lassie ; 1 yrieud. 8 Draught. ' Cup. iET. 30.] SOiVGS. 351 The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith ; Fu' loud the wind blaws f rae the ferry > The ship rides by the Berwick -law, And I maun leave my bonny Mary. The trumpets sound, the banners fly. The glittering spears are ranked ready ; The shouts o' war are heard afar, The battle closes thick and bloody ; But it 's not the roar o' sea or shore Wad make me langer wish to tarry ; Nor shout o' war that 's heard afar — It 's leaving theo, my bonny Maiy. MY HEART WAS ANCE AS BLITHE AND FREE. Tune — " To the weavers gin ye go." The chorus of tliis song is taken from a very old ditty, the rest is the production of the poet. My heart was ance as blithe and free As simmer days were lang, But a bonny westlin' weaver lad Has gart me change my sang. To the weavers gin ye go, fair maids, To the weavers gin ye go ; I rede^ you right, gang ne'er at night, To the weavers gin ye go. My mither sent me to the town, To warp 2 a plaiden wab ; But the weary, weary warpin' o 't Has gart^ me sigh and sab. A bonny westlin' weaver lad Sat working at his loom ; He took my heart as wi' a net, In every knot and thrum.* I sat beside my warpin'- wheel, And aye I cad it roun' ; But every shot and every knock, My heart it gae a stoun.^ The moon was sinking in the west Wi' visage i^ale and wan, As my bonny westlin' weaver lad Convoy'd me through the glen. 1 Warn. 2 Prepare for the loom. a Made. 4 Thread. 6 Start. 352 SONGS. [1788. But what was said, or what was done. Shame fa' me gin I tell ; But, oh ! I fear the kintra^ soon Will ken as weel 's mysel. BRAW LADS OF GALA WATER. Tune— "Gala Water." The air and chorus of this song are both very old. This version Bums wrote for the Scoti Musical Museum ; but he was so enamoured with the air, that he afterwards wrote another set of words to it for his friend Thomson, which will be found at p. 423. ^ Br AW, braw lads of Gala Water; Oh, braw lads of Gala Water : I '11 kilt my coats aboon my knee, And follow my love through the water. Sae fair her hair, sae brent ^ her brow, Sae bonny blue her een, my dearie ; Sae white her teeth, sae sweet her mou', The mair I kiss she 's aye my dearie. O'er yon bank and o'er yon brae, O'er yon moss amang the heather ; I '11 kilt 3 my coats aboon my knee, And follow my love through the water. Down amang the broom, the broom, Down amang the broom, my dearie. The lassie lost her silken snood,* That cost her mony a blirt and bleary.* HER DADDIE FORBAD. Tpne— " Jumpin' John." Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad ; Forbidden she wadna be : She wadna trow't the browst she brew'd ^ Wad taste sae bitterlie. 1 Country. 2 High and smooth. » Tuck up and fix. 4 gigh and tear. 5 She wouldn't believe the drink she brew'd. * The snood or ribband with which a Scottish lass braided her hair had an emblematical signification, and applied to her maiden character. It was ex- changed for the curch, toy, or coif, when she passed by marriage into the matron state. But if the damsel was so unfortunate as to lose pretensions to the name of maiden without gaining a right to that of matron, she was neither permitted to use the snood nor advance to the gi-aver dignity of the curch.— Scott ^T. 30.] SONGS, 353 The lang lad they ca' Jumpin' John Beguiled the bonny lassie ; The lang lad they ca' Jumpin' John Beguiled the bonny lassie. A cow and a calf, a ewe and a hauf, And thretty guid shillin's and three ; A very guid tocher/ a cotter-man's dochter. The lass with the bonny black ee. HEY, THE DUSTY MILLEE. TuNK — " The Dusty Miller." Hey, the dusty miller. And his dusty coat ; He will win a shilling Or he spend a groat. Dusty was the coat, Dusty was the colour,. Dusty was the kiss I got frae the miller. Hey, the dusty miller. And his dusty sack ; Leeze me on the calling Fills the dusty peck. JFills the dusty peck. Brings the dusty siller ; I wad gie my coatie For the dusty miller. THENIEL MENZIE'S BONNY MAKY. Tune— "The Ruffian's Rant.' In coming by the brig o' Dye, At Darlet we a blink did tarry ; As day was dawin in the sky. We drank a health to bonny Mary. Theniel Menzie's bonny Mary, Theniel Menide's bonny Mary ; Charlie Gregor tint ^ his plaidie, K-issin' Theni el's bonny Mary. 1 Dower. * jLost 354 SONGS. [1788. Her een sae bright, her brow sae white, Her haffet^ locks as brown's a berry; And aye they dimpl't wi' a smile. The rosy cheeks o' bonny Mary. We lap and danced the lee-lang day, Till piper lads were wae and weary ; But Charlie gat the spring to pay, For kissin' Theniel's bonny Mary. WEARY FA* YOU, DUNCAN GRAY. TuNB— '* Duncan Gray." rh1« -first version of an old song was written for the Museum. The poet after, wai-ds composed another and better version for the collection of his friend Thomson, which will be found at p. 409. Weary fa' you, Duncan Gray — Ha, ha, the girdin'^ o 't ! Wae gae by you, Duncan Gray — Ha, ha, the girdin' o 't ! When a' the iavo ^ gae to their play, Then I maun sit the lee-lang day, And jog the cradle wi' my tae. And a' for the girdin' o 't. Bonny was the Lammas moon— Ha, ha, the girdin' o 't ! Glowerin' a* the hills aboon — Ha, ha, the girdin' o 't ! The girdin' brak, the beast cam down, 1 tint ^ my curch ^ and baith my shoon— Ah ! Duncan, ye Ve an unco loon— Wae on the bad girdin' o 't ! But, Duncan, gin ye '11 keep your aith, Ha, ha, the girdin' o 't ! — I 'se bless you wi' my hindmost breath — Ha, ha, the girdin' o 't ! Duncan, gin ye '11 keep your aith — The beast again can bear us baith. And auld Mess John will mend the skaith,*^ And clout 7 the bad girdin' o 't. 1 Temple. * Binding. » Others. * Lost. 6 Cap. « Harm. 1 Patch up ^T. 30.] SONGS. 355 THE PLOUGHMAN. Tune—" Up wi' the ploughman." The fourth and fifth verses only of this piece are by Burns, the remainder bj some older writer. The ploughman he 's a bonny lad, His mind is ever true, jo ; His garters knit below his knee, His bonnet it is blue, jo. Then up wi' my ploughman lad, And hey my merry ploughman ! Of a' the trades that I do ken, Commend me to the ploughman. My ploughman he comes hame at e'en, He 's af ten wat and weary ; Cast aff the wat, put on the dry. And gae to bed, my dearie ! I will wash my ploughman's hose. And I will dress his o'erlay ; ^ I will mak my ploughman's bed. And cheer him late and early. I hae been east, I hae been west, I hae been at Saint Johnston ; The bonniest sight that e'er I saw "Was the ploughman laddie danciu'. Snaw- white stockin's on his legs. And siller buckles glancin' ; A guid blue bonnet on his head — And oh, but he was handsome ! Commend me to the barn-yard. And the corn-mou,* man; I never gat my coggie fou. Till I met wi' the ploughman. LANDLADY, COUNT THE LAWIN. TraE— " Hey Tutti, Taiti." The first two verses of this song were supplied by Burns ; the others belong to a political ditty of earlier date. 1 Cravat. * The recess left in the stack of corn in the Barn as the sheaves are removed to the thranhing-floor. 35» SONGS. [1788. Landlady, count the lawin,i The day is near the dawin ; Ye 're a' blind drunk, boys, And I 'm but jolly fou.^ Hey tutti, taiti, How tutti, taiti— Wha 's f ou now ? Cog and ye were aye fou, Cog and ye were aye fou, I wad sit and sing to you, If ye were aye fou. Weel may ye a' be ! Ill may we never see ! God bless the king, boys. And the companie ! Hey tutti, taiti. How tutti, taiti — "Wha 's fou now ? TO DAUNTON IVIE. Tune—" To daunton me." The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw, The simmer lilies bloom in snaw. The frost may freeze the deepest sea ; But an auld man shall never daunton ^ me. To daunton me, and me so young, Wi' his fause heart and flatt'ring tongue. That is the thing you ne'er shall see ; For an auld man shall never daunton me. For a' his meal and a' his maut, For a' his fresh beef and his saut, For a* his gold and white monie. An auld man shall never daunton me. His gear* may buy him kye and yowes, His gear may buy him glens and knowes ; But me he shall not buy nor fee. For an auld man shall never daunton me. He hirples'^ twa-fauld as he dow,^ Wi' his teethless gab'' and his auld held pow,8 And the rain di'eeps down frae his red bleer'd ee. That auld man shall never daunton me. 1 Reckoning. 2 Pull. • Rule— intimidate. « Wealth. * Limps. « Can. ^ Moutlu 8 Uead. ^T. 30.1 SONGS. 357 COME BOAT ME O'ER TO CHARLIE. Tune — " O'er the Water to Charlie.'* Come boat me o'er, come row me o'er. Come boat me o'er to Charlie ; I'll gie John Ross another bawbee, To boat me o'er to Charlie. We '11 o'er the water and o'er the s?-a, We '11 o'er the water to Charlie ; Come weel, come woe, we '11 gather and go, And live or die wi' Charlie. I lo'e weel my Charlie's name, Though some there be abhor him : But oh, to see auld Nick gaun hame. And Charlie's faes before him ! I swear and vow by moon and stars, And sun that shines so early, If I had twenty thousand lives, I 'd die as aft for Charlie. RATTLIN', ROARIN* WILLIE. TcNE— " Rattlin', roarin' Willie." " The hero of this chant," says Bums, " was one of the worthiest fellows in the world — William Dunbar, Esq., wi'iter to the signet, Edinbui'gh, and colonel of the Crochallan corps— a club of wits, who took that title at the time of raising the fencible regiments." The last stanza only was the work of the poet. O KATTLIN', roarin' Willie, Oh, he held to the fair. And for to sell his fiddle. And buy some other ware ; But parting wi' his fiddle, The saut tear blin't his ee ; And rattlin', roarm' Willie, Ye 're welcome hame to me ! O Willie, come sell your fiddle, Oh, sell your fiddle sae fine ; O Willie, come sell your fiddle. And buy a pint o' wine ! If I should sell my fiddle. The warl' would think I was mad ; For mony a rantin' day My fiddle and I hae had. 3S8 SONGS. [178a As I cam by Crochallan, I cannily keekit ben — B-attlin', roariii' AVillie Was sitting at yon board en*; Sitting at yon board en', And aniang guid companie; Kattlin', roarin' Willie, Ye 're welcome hame to me ! MY HOGGIE.* TtJinc— " What will I do gin my hoggie die ?" What will I do gin my hoggie die? My joy, my pride, my hoggie ! My only beast, I had nae niae, And vow but I was vogie ! ^ The lee-lang night we watch'd the fauld, Me and my faithf u' doggie ; Wo heard nought but the roaring linn, Amang the braes sae scroggie ;^ But tlie houlet cried frae the castle wa' The blutfcer^ frae the boggie, The tod* replied upon the hill, I trembled for my hoggie. When day did daw, and cocks did craw. The morning it was foggie ; An unco tyke^ lap o'er the dike, And maist has kill'd my hoggie UP IN THE MORNING EAKLY. The chorus of this song is old ; but the two stanzas are Burns's. CHORUS. Up in the morning's no for me, Up in the morning early ; When a' the hills are cover'd wi' snaw, I 'm sure it 's winter fairly. Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west. The drift is driving sairly ; 1 Tain. 2 Full of stunted bushes. 3 Mire-snipe. * Fox. 5 A strong dog. * Hoggie— s. young sheep after it is smeared, and before it is first shorn. «T. 30.] SONGS. 3^59 Sae loud and shrill I hear the blast, I 'm sure it 's winter fairly. The birds sit chittering^ in the thorn, A' day they fare but sparely ; And lang 's the night f rae e'en to mom, I 'm sure it 's winter fairly. I'M O'ER YOUNG TO MARRY YET. Tone — "I'm o'er young to marry yet." I AM my mammy's ae bairn, Wi' unco 2 folk I weary, su' ; And lying in a man's bed, I 'm fley'd ^ wad mak me eerie,* sir. I 'm o'er young to marry yet ; I 'm o'er young to marry yet ; I 'm o'er young — 'twad be a sin To tak me frae my mammy yet. My mammy cof t ^ me a new gown, The kirk maun hae the gracing o 't ; Were I to lie wi' you, kind sir, I 'm f ear'd ye 'd spoil the lacing o 't. Hallowmas is come and gane. The nights are lang in winter, sir ; And you and I in ae bed, In trouth I dare nae venture, sir. Fu' loud and shrill the frosty wind Blaws through the leafless timmer,^ sir ; But if ye come this gate ^ again, I '11 aulder be gin simmer, sir. THE WINTER IS PAST. The winter it is past, and the summer 's come at last. And the little birds sing on every tree ; Now everything is glad, while I am very sad. Since my true love is parted from me. The rose upon the brier, by the waters running clear. May have charms for the linnet or the bee ; Their little loves are blest, and their little hearts at rest, But my true love is parted from me. 1 Shivering. 2 Strange. 3 Afraid. < Timorous. 6 Bought. 6 Trees. 7 Way. $t>o SONGS. [1789. My love is like the sun, in tlie firmament does run, For ever is constant and true ; But his is like the moon, that wanders up and down, And is every month changing anew. All you that are in love, and cannot it remove, I pity the pains you endure : For experience makes me know that your hearts are full o' woe, A woe that no mortal can cure. OH, WILLIE BREWD A PECK O' MAUT. Tune—" Willie brew'd a peck 0' maut.'' The poet's account of the origin of this song is as follows : — "The air is Allan Masterton's, the song mine. The occasion of it was this— Mr William Nicol of the High School, Edinburgh, being at Moffat during the autumn vacation, honest Allan— who was at that time on a visit to Dalswinton — and I went to pay Nicol a visit. We had such a joyous meeting that Masterton and I agre«d, each in our own way, that we should celebrate the business." Oh, Willie brew'd a peck o' maut And Rob and Allan cam to pree ; ^ Three blither hearts, that lee-lang night, Ye wadna find in Christendie. We are na fou, we 're nae that fou. But just a drappie in our ee ; The cock may craw, the day may daw. And aye we '11 taste the barley bree. Here are we met, three merry boys, Three merry boys, I trow, are we ; And mony a night we 've merry been, And mony mae we hope to be ! It is the moon — I ken her horn, That 's blinkin' in the lift sae hie ; She shines sae briglit to wile us hame. But, by my sooth, she '11 wait a wee ! AVha first shall rise to gang awa', A cuckold, coward loon is he ! Wha last beside his chair shall fa', He is the king amaiig us three ! 1 Taste. ^T. 31.] SONGS, 361 TO MARY DT HEAVEN. TuNK — "Death of Captain Cook." The story of Mary Campbell has been briefly alluded to in the memoir of the poet, and in the notes to the Correspondence. She belonged to the neighbour- hood of Dunoon, a beautiful watering-place on the Clyde, and was in the service of Colonel Montgomery of Coilsfield when the poet made her acquaint- ance, and afterwards in that of Gavin Hamilton. They would appear to have been seriously attached to each other. When Jane Armour's ftither had ordered her to relinquish all claims on the poet, his thoughts naturally turned to Mary Campbell. It was arranged that Mary should give up her place with the view of making preparations for their union ; but before she went home they met in a sequestered spot on the banks of the Ayr. Standing on either side of a purling brook, and holding a Bible between them, they exchanged vows of eternal fideUty. Mary presented him with her Bible, the poet giving his o^\ n in exchange. This Bible has been preserved, and on a olank leaf, in the poet's hand-writing, is inscribed, "And ye shall not swear by my name falsely : I am the Lord," (Lev. xix. 12.) On the second volume, " Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oath," (Matt. v. 33.) And on another blank leaf his name and mark as a Royal Arch mason. The lovers never met again, Mary Campbell having died suddenly at Grreenock. Over her grave a monument has been erected by the admirers of the poet. On the third anniversary of her death, Jean Armour, then his wife, noticed that, towards the evening, "he grew sad about something, went into the barn-yard, where he strode restlessly up and down for some time, although repeatedly asked to come in. Immediately on entering the house he sat down and wrote ' To Mary in Heaven,'" which Lockhart characterises "as the noblest of all his ballads." Thou ling'ring star, with less'ning ray, That lovest to greet the early morn, Again thou usher'st in the day My Mary from my soul was torn. O Mary ! dear departed shade ! "Where is thy place of blissful rest ? See'st thou thy lover lowly laid ? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? That sacred hour can I forget, Can I forget the hallow'd grove, Where by the winding Ayr we met. To live one day of parting love I Eternity will not efface Those records dear of transports past ; Thy image at our last embrace ; Ah ! little thought we 'twas our last ! Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore, O'erhung with wild woods, thick'ning green ; The fragrant birch, and hawthorn hoar, Twined amorous round the raptured scene ; The flowers sprang wanton to be prest. The birds sang love on every spray — Till too, too soon, the glowing west Proclaim'd the sx^eed of winged day. Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care ! 362 SONGS. [1789. Time but the impression stronger makes. As streams their channels deeper wear. My Mary ! dear departed shade ! Where is thy place of blissful rest ? See'st thou thy lover lowly laid ? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? THE LADDIES BY THE BANKS O' NITH. TuxH — " Up and waur them a'." The following ballad originated in a contest for the representation of the Dum- fries burghs, which took place in September 1789, between the former member, Sir James Johnston of Westerhall, who was supported by the coui-t and the Tories, and Captain Miller of Dalswinton, the eldest son of the poet's landlord, who had the interest of the Duke of Queensberry and the Whigs. As Burns had the warmest veneration for individuals of both parties, he wished to avoid taking any active part on either side, and contented himself therefore with penning this piece chiefly against the Duke of Queensberry, the largest landed proprietor in Nithsdale, and for whose character he seems to have entertained the utmost detestation. The allusion in the first verse is to the vote his Grace gave on tlve regency question, when he deserted the king, his master, in whose household he held office, and supported the right of the Prince of Wales to assume the government without the consent of Parliament. The laddies by the banks o' Nith Wad trust his Grace wi' a', Jamie ; But he'll sair^ them as he saii-'d the king. Turn tail and rin awa', Jamie. Up and waur 2 them a', Jamie, Up and waur them a' ; The Johnstons hae the guidin' o't, Ye turncoat WTiigs, awa'. The day he stood his countiy's friend, Or gaed her faes a claw, Jamie, Or frae puir man a blessin' wan, That day the duke ne'er saw, Jamie. But wha is he, the country's boast, Like him there is na twa, Jamie ; There 's no a callant^ tents^ the kye,^ But kens o' VTesterha', Jamie. To end the wark here 's Whistlebirck,* Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie ; And Maxwell true o' sterling blue, And we 'U be Johnstons a', Jamie. 1 Serve. ^ Beat. » Boy. •* Tends. 6 Cows. * Alexander Birtwhistle, Esq.., merchanUn Kirkcudbriglit, and provost of tho baigh. m\ 31.] SONGS. 363 Up and waur them a', Jamie, Up and waur them a' ; The Johnstons hae the guidin' o 't, Ye turncoat Whigs, awa'. THE FIVE CARLIKES. Tune—" Chevy chace." This is another ballad which the poet penned on the contested election men- tioned above. It represents the five burghs in cleverly-drawn figurative char- acters — Dumfries, as Maggy on the banks of Nith : Annan, as Blinking Bess of Annandale ; Kirkcudbright, as Whisky Jean of Gralloway ; Sanquhar, as Black Joan frae Crichton Peel; and Lochmaben, as Marjory of the Many Lochs — each of which is more or less locally appropriate. There were five carlines^ in the south, They fell upon a scheme, To send a lad to Lon'on town, To bring them tidings hame. Not only bring them tidings hame. But do their errands there ; And aiblins ^ gowd and honour baith Might be that laddie's share. There was Maggy by the banks o' Mth, A dame wi' pride eneugh ; And Marjory o' the Mony Lochs, A carline auld and teugh. And Blinkin Bess of Annandale, That dwelt near Solway-side, And Whisky Jean, that took her gill In Galloway sae wide. And Black Joan, frae Crichton Peel, O' gipsy kith and kin ; — Five wighter^ carlines werena foun' The south countrie within. To send a lad to Lon'on town. They met upon a day ; And mony a knight, and mony a laird. Their errand fain wad gae. Oh, mony a knight, and mony a laird, This errand fain wad gae ; But nae ane could their fancy please. Oh, ne'er a ane but twae. 1 Old women. 2 Perhaps. * More powerful. 3^4 SONGS. [1789, The first he was a belted knight,* Bred o' a Border clan ; And he wad gae to Lon'on town, Might nae man him withstan' ; And he wad do their errands weel, And meikle he wad say ; And ilka ane at Lon'on court ^ Wad bid to him guid-day. Then neist cam in a sodger youth, f And spak wi' modest grace. And he wad gae to Lon'on town, If sae their pleasure was. He wadna hecht^ them courtly gifts, Nor meikle speech pretend ; But he wad hecht an honest heart "VVad ne'er desert his friend. Now, wham to choose, and wham refuse. At strife thir carlines fell ; For some had gentlefolks to please, And some wad please themsel. Then out spak mim-mou'd 2 Meg o' Nith, And she spak up wi' pride, And she wad send the sodger youth, Whatever might betide. For the auld guidman J o' Lon'on court She didna care a pin ; But she wad send a sodger youth To greet his eldest son.§ Then up sprang Bess of Annandale, And swore a deadly aith, Says, " I will send the Border knight Spite o' you carlines baith. ** For far-off fowls hae faathers fair, And fools o' change are fain ; But I hae tried this Border knight, And I '11 try him yet again." Then Whisky Jean spak owre her drink, "Ye weel ken, kimmers a'. The auld guidman o' Lon'on court, His back 's been at the wa'. 1 Promise. 2 Prim-mouthed. * Sir J. Johnston. f Captain Miller. t George III. § The Prince of Wales. .ET. 31.] SONGS, 365 "And mony a friend that kiss'd his cup Is now a f remit ^ \vight ; But it 's ne'er be said o' Whisky Jean, I'll send the Border knight." Says Black Joan frae Crichton Peel, A carline stoor ^ and grim, — " The auld guidman, and the young guidman, For me may sink or swim ; "For fools will prate o' right and wrang, While knaves laugh in their sleeve ; But wha blows best the horn shall win, I'll spier nae courtier's leave." Then slow raise Marjory o' the Lochs, And wrinkled was her brow ; Her ancient weed was russet gray. Her auld Scots blind was true. "The Lon'on court set light by me— I set as light by them ; And I will send the sodger lad To shaw that court the same." Sae how this weighty plea may end, Nae mortal wight can tell : God grant the king, and ilka man. May look weel to himsel ! THE BLUE-EYED LASSIE. Am—" The Blue-eyed Lass." The "Blue-Eyed Lassie" was Miss Jean Jeffrey, daughter of the Rev. Mr Jeffrey of Lochmaben, in Dumfriesshire, at whose house the poet was a frequent visi- tor. On the occasion of his first visit, the young lady, then a charming blue- eyed creature of eighteen, did the honours of the table, and so pleased the poet, that next morning at breakfast he presented her with the following pass- port to fame, in the form of one of his finest songs. Miss Jeffrey afterwards went out to New York, where she married an American gentleman of the name of Renwick, to whom she bore a numerous family. One of her daughters became the wife of Captain Wiiks, of the United States Navy, whose name was recently brought so prominently before the public of this country in connexion with the affair of the steamship Trent, and the capture of the Confederate Commissioner. I GAED a waef u' gate ^ yestreen, A gate, I fear, I'll dearly rue ; I gat my death frae twa sweet een, Twa lovely een o' bonny blue. 1 EKtranged. 2 Austere. * Road 366 SONGS. [1790. 'Twas not her golden ringlets bright ; Her lills, like roses, wat wi' dew ; Her heaving bosom, lily-white — * It was her een sae bonny blue. She talk'd, she smiled, my heart she wiled ; She charm'd my soul — I wist na how ; And aye the stound,i the deadly wound. Cam frae her een sae bonny blue. But spare to speak, and spare to speed,* She '11 aiblins ^ listen to my vow : Should she refuse, I '11 lay my dead » To her twa een sae bonny blue. WHEN FIRST I SAW FAIR JEANIE'S FACE. AiE— "Maggie Lauder." Th's song first appeared in the New York Mirror in 1846, with the following notice of the heroine, Mrs Renwick {nee Miss Jean Jeflfrey) mentioned above : — " The lady to whom the following verses— never before published— were ad- dressed, known to the readers of Burns as the ' Blue-eyed Lassie,' is one of a race whose beauties and virtues formed for several generations the inspiration of the masters of Scottisli song, ller mother was Agnes Armstrong, in whose honour the touching words and beautiful air of 'Roslin Castle' were composed. When first I saw fair Jeanie's face, I couldna tell what ail'd me, My heart went fluttering pit-a-pat, My een they almost fail'd me. She 'a aye sae neat, sae trim, sae tight, All grace does round her hover, Ae look deprived me o' my heart. And I became a lover. She 's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay, She 's aye so blithe and cheerie ; She 's aye sae bonny, blithe, and gay, Oh, gin I were her dearie ! Had I Dundas's whole estate, Or Hopetoun's wealth to shine in ; Did warlike laurels crown my brow. Or humbler bays entwining — I 'd lay them a' at Jeanie's feet. Could I but hope to move her, And prouder than a belted knight, I 'd. be my Jeanie's lover. She 's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay, &;c. I Pang. 5 Perhaps. * Death. * A proverbial expression— Give me the chance of speaking and tte oppor- tunity of gaining her favour. JiiT. 32.] SONGS. 367 But sair I fear some happier swain Has gain'd sweet Jeanie's favour : If so, may every bliss be hers, Though I maun never have her ; But gang she east, or gang she west, 'Twixt Forth and Tweed all over, While men have eyes, or ears, or taste, She 11 always fijid a lover. She 's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay, ko. MY LOVELY NAKCY. TuNB— " The Quaker's "Wife." "The following song," says the poet, in a letter to Clarinda, to whose charms, probably, we'owe the lines, "is one of my latest productions ; and I send it t« you as I would do anything else, because it pleases myself : " — Thine am I, my faithful fair. Thine, my lovely Nancy ; Every pulse along my veins, Every roving fancy. To thy bosom lay my heart, There to throb and languish : Though despair had wrung its core. That would heal its anguish. Take away these rosy lips, Rich with balmy treasure : Turn away thine eyes of love, Lest I die with pleasure. What is life when wanting love ? Night without a morning : Love 's the cloudless summer sun. Nature gay adorning. TIBBIE DTJNBAIt. Tune— ' ' Johnny M -aill. " Oh, wilt thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar ? Oh, wilt thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar ' Wilt thou ride on a horse, oi be drawn in a cxr. Or walk by my side, oh, sweet Tibbie Dunbar? 368 SOA^GS. [1790. I care na thy daddie, his lands and his money, I care na thy kin, sae high and sae lordly : But say thou mlt hae me for better for waur— And come in thy coatie, sweet Tibbie Dunbar ! WHEN ROSY MAY COMES IN Wr FLOWERS. I Tune— «' The gardener wi' his paidle." The poet afterwards produced a new version of this song, with a change in the burden at the end of the stanzas. When rosy May comes in wi' flowers. To deck her gay green-spreading bowers, Then busy, busy, are his hours — The gardener wi' his paidle.^ The crystal waters gently fa' ; The merry birds are lovers a' ; The scented breezes round him blaw — * The gardener wi' his paidle. When purple morning starts the hare To steal upon her early fare, Then through the dews he maun repair — The gardener wi' his paidle. When day, expiring in the west, The curtain draws of nature's rest, He flies to her arms he lo'es the best — The gardener wi' his paidle. MY HARRY WAS A GALLANT GAY. Tune— '• Highlander's Lament." The chorus of this son«r, the poet tells us, he picked up from an old woman In Dunblane, the rest being his own. The old song was composed on a Highland love affair ; but this version was evidently intended for a Jacobite melody. My Harry was a gallant gay, Pu' stately strode he on the plain ; But now he 's banish'd far away, I '11 never see him back again. Oh, for him back again ! Oh, for him back again ! I wad gie a' Knockhaspie's land For Highland Harry back again. John Anderson, my jo, John, When we were first acqueut Your locks were like the raven. Your bonny brow was breut. But now your brow is beld. John, Your locks are like the snaw ; But blessiues on your frosty pow, John Anderson, my jo. —Page 86». ^r. 32.1 SONGS, 369 "When a* the lave ^ gae to their bed, I wander dowie ^ up the glen ; I set me down and greet ^ my fill, And aye I wish him back again. Oh, were some villains hangit high, And ilka body had their ain ! Then I might see the joyfu' sight. My Highland Harry back again. BEWARE O' BONNY ANN. Tune—" Ye gallants bright." 'I composed this song," says the poet, "out of compliment to Miss Ann Mas- terton, the daughter of my friend, Mr Allan Masterton, composer of the air, * Strathallan's Lament.'" Miss Masterton subsequently became Mrs Derbi- shire, and went to reside in London. Ye gallants bright, I rede * ye right, Beware o' bonny Ann ; Her comely face sae fu' o' grace » Your heart she will trepan. ^ Her een sae bright, like stars by nighi Her skin is like the swan; Sae jimply ^ laced her genty waist, That sweetly ye might span. ' Youth, Grace, and Love, attendant move^ 1^ And Pleasure leads the van : J In a' their charms, and conquering arms, c They wait on bonny Ann. The captive bands may chain the hands, But love enslaves the man ; Ye gallants braw, I rede you a', Beware o* bonny Ann ! JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO. Tune—" John Anderson, my Jo." John Anderson, my jo/ John, When we were first acquent ; Your locks were like the raven. Your bonny brow was brent.* 1 Rest. « Sad. » Cry. 4 Wnrn. * Ensnare. • Tigntiy. f Love— dear. » Smooth. :L A Z70 SONGS. But now your brow is beld, John, *^ ?* d ' Your locks are like the snaw ; . 5 S c^j | But blessings on your frosty pow,"^ % %^ 'S> "S - John Anderson, my jo. 't ^ '~' u \ John Anderson, ray jo, John, v o ?^ "3 a We clamb the hill thegither ; s i: " o ^ And mony a canty 2 day, John, "1';^ '^ C "^ ^- .r- hasten'd to the charsre. o -§ >r .^ SOJVGS. 371 1-3 o ;r :3 S^ C3 S^ -1:2 . vi/ w ^ w hasten'd to the charge, o'+j'^ ^ S ^'3*'^1^ Tath they frae the sheath .r-,rt g^^ ^«^ >,d jeath, till out o' breath, S^ ^ -rr "ci ^ *S •" S -^ ) frighted doos,^ man." a fl ow<^oa3b/)—'a3 , .^ frae the north, man ; ^SS^'^S^^ y did pursue rS „ - "H S ° ''^ ^ ^ ^^^^ *^ Forth, man ; ^ ^ > 'ch S a^ ^ ^i '^^i i^ ^y ^i^ sight, ^ 0^ :r. 5=3 )rig wi' a' their might, 5M^ajW)'r^^^<^^ > Stirling wing'd their flight ; J^^'§>cuq-^>'C° ! the gates were shut ; ? -2 !!? fi m 5 ^^^*' P°°^ red-coat, D r^ :: fc-< W '^ -g^ ^£^j swarf,2 man ! '* jTjj aitsu^i i».d.te cam up the gate Wi' crowdie unto me, man ; She swore she saw some rebels run Frae Perth unto Dundee, man : Their left-hand general had nae skill. The Angus lads had nae good will That day their neibors' bluid to spill ; For fear by foes that they should lose Their cogs o' brose, they scared at blows, And hameward fast did flee, man. "They've lost some gallant gentlemen Amang the Highland clans, man ; I fear my Lord Panmure is slain. Or fallen in Whiggish hands, man : Now wad ye sing this double fight, Some fell for wrang, and some for right ; And mony bade the world guid-night ; Then ye may tell how pell and mell, By red claymores, and muskets' knell, Wi' dying yell, the Tories fell. And Whigs to hell did flee, man. BLOOMING NELLY. TuNa — *' On a Bank of Flowers." On a bank of flowers, in a ^mmer day For summer lightly drest, The youthful blooming Nelly lay, With love and sleej) opprest ; "i Pigeons. 2 Swoon. CD 3j OD O CD 1 9 Pi ^ O^ •^ 37<^ SONGS. But now your brow is bel| Your locks are like the But blessings on your fro^ John Anderson, my jo. ', John Anderson, my jo, JcJ We clamb the hill thegi . And mony a canty ^ day, Ji We 've had wi' ane anitl Now we maun totter down! But hand in hand we '11 1 And sleep thegither at the I 5 i^ I *'^ »!!3 a5*-4 '^ John Anderson, my jo, ', ■ P*^ ^r ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ P. l-J b^ K^ 55-^ THE BATTLE OF SHERIE § ^ ^ ^ § ^ re ^- TuNB — "Cameronian Rant." Tliis is an improved version which the poet composed for the Museum of an older and more diffuse song on the same subject, which was written by :; Mf Barclay, a Berean minister of some note in Edinburgh, and uncle to tiie dis- tinguished anatomist of the same name. ** Oh cam ye here the fight to shun, Or herd the sheep wi' me, man ? Or were ye at t'he Sherra-muir, And did the battle see, man ? " *' I saw the battle sair and tough. And reekin* red ran mony a sheu'gh ; ^ My heart, for fear, gaed sough ^ for sough, To hear the thuds,^ and see the cluds, O' clans frae woods, in tartan duds,^ Wha glaum'd ^ at kingdoms three, man. ** The red-coat lads, wi' black cockades, To meet them werna slaw, man ; They rush'd and push'd, and bluid outgush'd, And mony a bonk ® did fa', man : The great Argyle led on liis files, I wat they glanced for twenty miles ; They hack'd and hash'd while broadswords clash'd. And through they dash'd, and hew'd and smash'd. 'Till fey ^ men died awa', man. ** But; had ye seen the philabegs. And skyrin ^^ tartan trews, man When in the teeth they dared our Whigs And covenant true-blues, man ; 1 ITead, « Happy. » Ditch. * Sigh. t Knocks. • Clothes. ' Graaped. • Human trunk-body • Predestined. » Shining, ffiT.32.] SONGS. Zll In lines extended lang and large, When bayonets o'erpower'd the targe, And thousands hasten'd to the charge, Wi' Highland wrath they frae the sheath Drew blades o' death, till out o' breath, They fled like frighted doos,^ man." '*0h, how deil, Tarn, can that be true? The chase gaed frae the north, man ; I saw mysel they did pursue The horsemen back to Forth, man ; And at Dunblane, in my ain sight, They took the brig wi' a' their might. And straught to Stirling wing'd their flight ; But, cursed lot ! the gates were shut ; And mony a huntit, poor red-coat. For fear amaist did swarf, ^ man ! " *' My sister Kate cam up the gate Wi' crowdie unto me, man ; She swore she saw some rebels run Frae Perth unto Dundee, man : Their left-hand general had nae skill, The Angus lads had nae good will That day their neibors' bluid to spill ; For fear by foes that they should lose Their cogs o' brose, they scared at blows, And hameward fast did flee, man. "They've lost some gallant gentlemen Amang the Highland clans, man ; I fear my Lord Panmure is slain. Or fallen in Whiggish hands, man : Now wad ye sing this double fight. Some fell for wrang, and some for right ; And mony bade the world guid- night ; Then ye may tell how pell and mell. By red claymores, and muskets' knell, Wi' dying yell, the Tories fell, And Whigs to hell did flee, man. BLOOMING NELLY. TuN»— " On a Bank of Flowers." On a b£tnk of flowers, in a ^mmer day For summer lightly drest, The youthful blooming Nelly lay, With love and sleep opprest ; 1 Pigeons . 372 SONGS. [1790, When Willie, wandering through the wood, AVho for her favour oft had sued, He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd And trembled where he stood. Her closed eyes, like weapons sheathed, Were seal'd in soft repose ; Her lips, still as she fragrant breathed, It richer dyed the rose. The springing lilies sweetly prest. Wild-wanton, kiss'd her rival breast ; He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd- His bosom ill at rest. Her robes, light waving in the breeze. Her tender limbs embrace ! Her lovely form, her native ease. All harmony and grace ! Tumultuous tides his pulses roll, A faltering, ardent kiss he stole ; He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he blush'd, And sigh'd his very souL As flies the partridge from the brake, On fear-inspirSd wings. So Nelly, starting, half -awake, Awiay affrighted springs : Bvit Willie f oUow'd — as he should ; He overtook her in the wood ; He vow'd, he pray'd, he found the maid Forgiving all and good. MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS. Tune—" Faille na Miosg." " The first half stanza of this song," says Burns, "is old ; the rest is mine.** My heart 's in the Highlands, my heart is not here ; My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe — My heart 's in the Highlands wherever I go. Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North, The birthplace of valour, the country of worth ; Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow ; Farewell to the straths and gieen valleys below ; Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods ; Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods. ^. 32.] SONGS. 373 My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not heie; My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer ; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe— My heart 's in the Highlands wherever I go. THE BANKS OF NITH. Tune — "Robie donna Gorach.** The Thames flows proudly to the sea, Where royal cities stately stand ; But sweeter flows the Nith, to me, 'V\'Tiere Cummins * anee had high command : When shall I see that honour'd land. That winding stream I love so dear ! Must wayward Fortune's adverse hand For ever, ever keep me here ? How lovely, Nith, thy fruitful vales. Where spreading hawthorns gaily bloom ! How sweetly wind thy sloping dales. Where lambkins wanton through the broom 1 Though wandering, now, must be my doom, Far from thy bonny banks and braes, May there my latest hours consume, Amang the friends of early days ! TAM GLEN. TuNB— "Tarn Glen." My heart is a-breaking, dear tittie^!^ Some counsel unto me come len' ; To anger them a' is a pity, But what will I do wi' Tarn Glen? I 'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fallow, In poortith I might mak a fen ; ^ What care I in riches to wallow, If I mauna marry Tarn Glen? There 's Lowrie the Laird o' Drumeller, " Guid day to you, brute ! " he comes ben; He brags and he blaws o' his siller. But when will he dance like Tam Glen? 1 Sister. ^ Shift. * The well-known Corny ns of Scottish history. 374 SONGS, ri790. My minnie ^ does constantly deave me, And bids me beware o' young men ; They flatter, she says, to deceive me, But wha can think sae o' Tarn Glen ? My daddie says, gin 1 11 forsake him, He '11 gie me guid hunder marks ten ; But if it 's ordain'd I maun take him, Oh, wha will I get but Tam Glen? Yestreen at the valentines' dealing, My heart to my mou' gied a sten ; ^ For thrice I drew ane without failing, And thrice it was written — Tam Glen. The last Halloween I lay waukin' * My droukit^ sark-sleeve, as ye ken;* His likeness cam up the house staukin', And the very gray breeks o' Tam Glen / Come counsel, dear tittie ! don't tarry — I '11 gie ye my bonny black hen, Gif ye \vdll advise me to marry The lad I lo'e dearly— Tam Glen. THE TAILOR. TOxNB— " The tailor fell through the bed, thimbles and a'." The tailor fell through the bed, thimbles and a' ; The tailor fell through the bed, thimbles and a' ; The blankets were thin, and the sheets they were sma , The tailor fell through the bed, thimbles and a\ The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill ; The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae ill ; The weather was cauld, and the lassie lay still, She thought that a tailor could do her nae ill. Gie me the groat again, canny young man ; Gie me the groat again, canny young man ; The day it is short, and the night it is lang, The dearest siller that ever I wan ! » Mother. 2 Bound. 3 Watching. * Wet. * For an exi)lanation of this old usage, see, under the head "Poems," Note *j page 32. >ET. 32.] SONGS. 375 There 's somebody weary wi' lying her lane ; There's somebody weary wi' lying her lane ; There's some that are dowie/ I trow wad be fain' To see the bit tailor come skippin' again. YE HAE LIEN WRANG, LASSIE. CHOKUS. Ye hae lien a' wrang, lassie, Ye Ve lien a' wrang ; Ye 've lien in an unco^ bed, And wi' a f remit* man. Your rosy cheeks are turn'd sae wan, Ye 're greener than the grass, lassie ; Your ooatie 's shorter by a span, ^ Yet ne'er an inch the less, lassie. O lassie, ye hae play'd the fool, And ye will feel the scorn, lassie ; For aye the brose ye sup at e'en. Ye bock 5 them ere the morn, lassie. Oh, ance ye danced upon the knowes,^ And through the wood ye sang, lassie ; But in the berrying o' a bee byke, I fear ye 've got a stang, lassie. THERE'S A YOUTH IN THIS CITY, Tune—" Neil Gow's Lament." The first half stanza of this song is old ; the rest by Burns. There 's a youth in this city, It were a great pity That he frae our lasses should wander awa' ; For he 's bonny and braw, "Weel favour'd witha', And his hair has a natural buckle and a'. His coat is the hue Of his bonnet sae blue : His fecket* is white as the new-driven snaw; His hose they are blae. And his shoon like the slae. And his clear siller buckles they dazzle us a'. i Slelancholy. 2 Glad. » Strang * Stranger. 5 Vomit. « Hills. * An under waistcoat with sleeves. 37^ SONGS. [1790. For beauty and fortune The laddie 's been courtin' ; Weel-featured, weel-tocher'd, weel-mounted, and braw ; But chiefly the siller, That gars him gang till her, The penny 's the jewel that beautifies a'. There 's Meg wi' the mailen,* That fain wad a haen him ; And Susie, whose daddy was laird o' the ha' ; There 's lang-tocher'd Nancy Maist fetters his fancy — But the laddie's dear sel he lo'ea dearest of a'. OUR THRISSLES FLOURISHED FRESH AND FAIR. Tune—" Awa', Whiga, awa'." rho second and fourth stanzas only of this song are from the pen of the poet the others belong to an old Jacobite ditty. Our thrissles flourish'd fresh and fair, And bonny bloom'd our roses ; But Whigs cam like a frost in June, And wither'd a* our posies. Awa', Whigs, awa' ! Awa', Whigs, awa' ! Ye 're but a pack o' traitor louns Ye '11 do nae guid at a'. Our ancient crown 's fa*n in the dust^ Deil blin' them wi' the stoure o't ; And write their names in his black beuk Wha gie the Wiiigs the power o't ! Our sad decay in Church and State Surpasses my descriving ; The Whigs cam o'er us for a curse, And we hae done wi' thriving. Grim Vengeance lang has ta'en a nap, But we may see him wauken ; Gude help the day when royal heads Are hunted like a maukin ! ^ 1 Have. * A well-stocked farm. ^T. 32.] SONGS. 371 COME REDE ME, DAME. Come rede ^ me, dame, come tell me, dani<5» And nane can tell mair truly, What colour maun the man be of To Icrve a woman duly. The carline ^ flew baith up and down, And leugh and answered ready, I learn'd a sang in Annandale, A dark man for my lady. But for a country quean like thee, Young lass, I tell thee fairly. That wi' the white I 've made a shift, And brown will do fu' rarely. There 's mickle love in raven locks, The flaxen ne'er grows youden,^ There 's kiss and hause^ me in the brown, And glory in the gowden. THE CAPTAIN'S LADY. Tune — " Ch, mount and go." Oh, mount and go. Mount and make you ready ; Oh, mount and go. And be the captain's lady. When the drums do beat, And the cannons rattle. Thou shalt sit in state. And see thy love in battle. When the vanquish'd foe Sues for peace and quiet. To the shades we '11 go, And in love enjoy it. OH, MERRY HAE I BEEN TEETHIN' A HECKLE. TuNB— "Lord Breadalbane's March." Oh, merry hae I been teethin' a heckle, And merry hae I been shapin' a spoon ; I Counsel. 2 Old woman. 8 (Jray. * Hug or embrace. 3 73 SONGS, [179a And merry liae I been cloutin' ^ a kettle, And kissin' my Katie when a' was done. Oh, a' the laug day I ca' at my hammer, And a' the lang day I whistle and sing, A' the lang night I cuddle^ my kimrner,^ And a' the lang night am as happy 's a king. Bitter in dool I lickit my winnin's, O' marrying Bess, to gie her a slave : Blest be the hour she cool'd in her linens. And blithe be the bird that sings on her grave ! Come to my arms, my Katie, my Katie, And come to my arms and kiss me again ! Drunken or sober, here 's to thee, Katie ! And blest be the day I did it again. EPPIE ADAIR. Tune—" JVly Eppie.* And oh ! my Eppie, My jewel, my Eppie ! Wha wadna be happy Wi' Eppie Adair? By love, and by beauty, By law, and by duty, I Bwear to be true to My Eppie Adair ! And oh ! my Eppie, My jewel, my Eppie ! Wha wadna be happy Wi' Eppie Adair? A' pleasure exile me, Dishonour defile me. If e'er I beguile thee, My Eppie Adair ! YOUNG JOCKEY. Tune— "Young Jockey." « The whole of this song," says Stenhouse, " excepting three or four lines, is the production of Burns." Young Jockey was the blithest lad In a' our town or here awa' : Fu' blithe he whistled at the gaud,* Fu' lightly danced he in the ha'. 1 Patching up. • Fondle. 8 Dearie. * Plough. ET. 32.] SONGS. 379 He roosed ^ my een, sae bonny blue, He roosed my waist sae genty sma*, And a3^e my heart came to my mou'^ "When ne'er a body heard or saw. My Jockey toils upon the plain, Through wind and weet, through frost and snaw ; And o'er the lea I leuk fu' fain When Jockey's owsen hameward ca*. And aye the night comes round again, When in his arms he taks me a' ; And aye he vows he '11 be my ain, As lang's he has a breath to draw. WEE WILLIE GRAY. Wee Willie Gray, and his leather wallet ; Peel a willow-wand to be him boots and jacket : The rose upon the brier will be him trouse and doublet, The rose upon the brier will be him trouse and doublet. Wee Willie Gray, and his leather wallet. Twice a lily flower will be him sark and cravat : Feathers of a flee wad feather up his bonnet, Feathers of a flee wad feather up his bonnet. JAMIE, COME TRY ME. TuNK — " Jamie, come tiy me." CHORUS. Jamie, come try me, Jamie, come try me, If thou wad win my love, Jamie, come try me. If thou should ask my love, Could I deny thee ? If thou would win my love, Jamie, come try me. If thou should kiss me, love, Wha could espy thee ? If thou wad be my love, Jamie, come try me. 3^0 SONGS, [1790, THE BATTLE OF KILLIECRANKIE. TuNK — " Killiecrankie." The chorus of this songr, which celebrates the battle where Viscount Dundee fell in the moment of victory, is old ; the rest is from the pen of Burns. "Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad ? Whare bae ye been sae brankie,^ O? Oh, whare hae ye been sae braw, lad ? Cam ye by Killiecrankie, O ? An ye had been whare I hae been. Ye wadna been sae cantie,^ O ; An ye had seen what I hae seen, On the braes of Killiecrankie, O. I fonght at land, I fought at sea ; At hame I fought my auntie, O ; But I met the devil and Dundee, On the braes o' Killiecrankie, O. The bauld Pitcur fell in a fur,^ And Clavers got a clankie, O ; Or I had fed an Athole gled,"* On the braes o* Killiecrankie, O. GUIDWIFE, COUNT THE LA WIN. TuNB— "Guidwife count the lawiiL" Gane is the day, and mirk *a the night. But we 11 ne'er stray for f au't ^ o' light, For ale and brandy 's stars and moon, And blude-red wine 's the rising sun. Then, guidwife, count the la win, The la win, the lawin ; Then, guidwife, count the lawin, And bring a coggie ^ mair. There 's wealth and ease for gentlemen, And simple folk maun fecht and fen' ; But here we 're a' in ae accord, For ilka man that 's drunk 's a lord. My coggie is a haly pool, That heals the wounds o' care and dool j'' And pleasure is a wanton trout. An ye drink but deep ye '11 find him out. 1 Gaudy. « Merry. » Furrow. * Kitft, 6 Want. 6 Bumper, ' Grief. JET. 32.1 sojva^. 3S1 "WHISTLE O'ER THE LAVE O'T Tune— "Whistle o'er the lave o't."- First when Maggy was my care. Heaven, I thought, was in her air ; Kow we 're married — spier ^ nae mair— » Whistle o'er the lave o 't. — Meg was meek, and Meg was mild, Bonny Meg was nature's child ; Wiser men than me 's beguiled — Whistle o'er the lave 't. How we live, my Meg and me, How we love, and how we 'gree, I care na by how few may see — Whistle o'er the lave o 't. Wha I wish were maggots' meat;, Bish'd up in her winding sheet, I could write — but Meg maun see 't — Whistle o'er the lave o 't. OH, CAN YE LABOUE LEA, Oh, can ye labour lea, young man, And can ye labour lea ; Gae back the gate ye cam again, Ye 'se never scorn me. I fee'd a man at Martinmas, Wi' airl-pennies three ; And a' the faut I fan' wi' him, He couldna labour lea. The stibble-rig is easy plough'a, The fallow land is free ; But wha wad keep the handless coof, That couldna labour lea? WOMEN'S MINDS. Tune— 'Trra' that." Though women's minds, like winter winds, May shift and turn, and a' that. The noblest breast adores them maist, A consequence I draw that, I Ask. \/ 382 SONGS, [1 791 For a' that, and a' that. And twice as muckle 's a* that. The bonny lass that I lo'e best She '11 be my ain for a' that. Great love I bear to all the fair, Their humble slave, and a' that ; But lordly will, I hold it still, A mortal sin to thraw that. But there is ane aboon the lave,^ Has wit, and sense, and a' that ; A bonny lass, I like her best, And wha a crime dare ca' that ? IT IS NA, JEAK, THY BONNY FACE. Tune— "The Maid's Complaint." " These verses," says Cunningham, "were originally in English : Burns bestowed a Scottish dress upon them, and made them utter sentiments connected with his own aflfectioDs." It is na, Jean, thy bonny face. Nor shape, that I admire, Although thy beauty and thy grace Might weel awake desire. Something, in ilka part o' thee, To praise, to love, I find ; But, dear as is thy form to me, Still dearer is thy mind. Nae mair ungenerous wish I hae, Nor stronger in my breast. Than if I canna mak thee sae. At least to see thee blest. Content am I, if Heaven shall give But happiness to thee : And, as wi' thee I 'd wish to live, For thee I 'd bear to die. MY LOVE SHE'S BUT A LASSIE YET. Tune— "Lady Ladinscoth's Reel." My love she 's but a lassie yet, My love she 's but a lassie yet ; We '11 let her stand a year or twa, She '11 no be half sae saucy yet. » Rest. «T, 33.] SOA'GS, 383 I rue the day I songht her, O, I rue the day I sought her, O ; Wha gets her needna say she 's woo'd, But he may say he 's bought her, O ! Come, draw a drap o' the best o 't yet ; Come draw a drap o' the best o 'fc yet ; Gae seek for pleasure where ye will, But here I never miss'd it yet. We 're a' dry wi' drinking o 't ; We 're a' dry wi' drinking o 't ; The minister kiss'd the fiddler's wife, And couldna preach for thinkin' o 't. OA' THE EWES. Tune — "Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes." The fourth and fifth stanzas of this song, which was written for the Museum, are old, with a few touches of improvement by Burns. He afterwards wrote a much better version for Thomson's collection, which will be found at p. 460 As I gaed down the water-side, There I met my shepherd lad, He row'd^ me sweetly in his plaid. And he ca'd me his dearie. Ca' the ewes to the knowes, Ca' them whare the heather grows, Ca' them whare the bumie rowes, My bonny dearie ! Will ye gang down the water-side, And see the waves sae sweetly glide ? Beneath the hazels spreading wide The moon it shines f u' clearly. I was bred up at nae sic school, My shepherd lad, to play the fool, And a' the day to sit in dool,^ And naebody to see me. Ye sail get gowns and ribbons meet, Cauf -leather shoon upon your feet. And in my arms ye 'se lie and sleep. And ye sail be my dearie. If ye '11 but stand to what ye 've said, I 'se gang wi' you, my shepherd lad, And ye may rowe me in your plaid, And I sail be your dearie. • ' ■ ' ■ ' > t 1 Wrapt. » Griet 3^4 SONGS, [1 791 While waters wimple ^ to tlie sea ; ^ While day blinks in the lift ^ sae hie ; Till clay-cauld death sail blin' my ee, Ye sail be my dearie. SIMMER'S A PLEASANT TIME. TuNB— " Aye Waukin, 0." This is an oldjong, on which the poet appears to have made only a few alterations Simmer 's a pleasant time, Flowers of every colour ; The water rins o^er the heugh,^ And I long for my true lover. Aye waukin, O, Waukin still and wearie : Sleep I can get nane For thinking on my dearie. When I sleep I dream, When I wauk I 'm eerie ; * Sleep I can get nane For thinkmg on my dearie, Lanely night comes on, A* the lave ^ are sleepin* ; I think on my bonny lad, And I bleer my een with greetin*.* THERE'LL NEVER BE PEACE TILL JAMIE COMES HAME. TuNK— "There are few guid fellows when Willie's awa'.** * When political combustion," says the poet, in a letter to Thomson, enclosing this song, which had evidently been composed while in a Jacobitical mood, *' ceases to be the object of princes and patriots, it then, you know, becomes the lawful prey of historians and poets." By yon castle wa', at the close of the day, I heard a man sing, though his head it was gray ; And as he was singing, the tears fast down came, Tliere '11 never be peace till Jamie comes hame. The Church is in ruins, the State is in jars ; Delusions, oi)pressions, and murderous wars ; AVe darena weel say 't, though we ken wha 's to blame- There '11 never be peace till Jamie comes hame ! 1 Wander. 2 Heavens. • Steep. * TimoKOUS. * Rest • Weeping. -ffiT. 33.] SONGS, 3S5 My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword, And now I gi-eet^ round their gi'een beds in the yerd.^ It brak the sweet heart of my faithfu' auld dame — There '11 never be peace till Jamie comes hame. Now life is a burthen that bows me down, Since I tint ^ my bairns, and he tint his crown ; But till my last moments my words are the same- There '11 never be peace till Jamie comes hame. LOVELY DAVIES. Tune — "Miss Muir." riie heroine of this song was Miss Deborah Davies, a beautiful young English- woman, connected by ties^.d^ blood witli the family of Captain Riddel of Crlen- riddel, at whose house the poet first met her. Her beauty and accompli.s.i ments appear to have made a deep impression upon him,for he has celebrated them in a number of effusions in both prose and verse. In a letter to her enclosing this song, he says, in a strain of enthusiastic gallantry :—" When my theme is youth and beauty— a young lady whose personal charms, wit, and sen- timent, are equally striking and unaffected— by Heavens ! though I had lived threescore years a married man, and threescore years before I was a married man, my imagination would hallow the very idea ; and I am truly sorry that tiie enclosed stanzas have done such poor justice to such a subject." Oh, how shall I, unskilfu* try The poet's occupation, The tunefu' powers, in happy hours. That whisper inspiration ? Even they maun dare an effort mair Than aught they ever gave us, Or they rehearse, in equal verse, The charms o' lovely Davies. Each eye it cheers, when she appears, Like Phoebus in the morning. When past the shower, and every flower The garden is adorning. As the wretch looks o'er Siberia's shore, "When v/inter-bound the wave is ; Sae droops our heart when we maun part Frae charming, lovely Davies. Her smile 's a gift, frae 'boon the lift. That maks us mair than princes ; A sceptred hand, a king's command, Is in her darting glances : The man in arms, 'gainst female charmsL Even he her willing slave is ; He hugs his chain, and owns the reigi Of conquering, lovely Davies. 1 Weep. 2 Earth. 3 Lost 2 b'~ 386 SONGS. [1791 My Muse to dream of sucli a theme, Her feeble ijowers surrender ; The eagle's gaze alone surveys The sun's meridian splendour : I wad in vain essay the strain, The deed too daring brave is ; I '11 drap the lyre, and mute admire The charms o' lovely Davies. THE BONNY WEE THING. TuNB— "Bonny wee Thing." This is another, though briefer and more sentimental, song in celebration of th(^ lady mentioned above — " the charming, lovely Davies." Bonny wee thing, cannie wee thing, Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine, I wad wear thee in my bosom, Lest my jewel I should tine.^ "Wishfully I look and languish In that bonny face o' thine ; And my heart it stounds ^ wi' anguish, Lest my wee thing be na mine. Wit, and grace, and love, and beauty, In ae constellation shine ; To adore thee is my duty. Goddess o' this soul o' mine ! Bonny wee thing, cannie wee thing, Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine, I wad wear thee in my bosom, Lest my jewel I should tine ! WAR SONG. AiE— " Oran an Doig ; " or, " The Song of Death." " I have just finished," says the poet, in a letter to Mrs Dunlop, enclosing this noble lyric, "the following song, which, to a lady, the descendant of Wallace, and herself the mother of several soldiers, needs neither preface nor apology." The subject, the poet tells us, was suggested to him by an Isle-of-Skye tune entitled, <*Oran an Doig ;" or, "Tlie Song of Death," which he found in a cok lection of Highland airs, and to the measure of which he adapted his stanzas. Scene— A. field of battle— Time of the day, Evening— The wounded and dying ot the victorious army are supposed to join in the following song : — 1 Lose. * Aches. llow'd ray Willie, Through the lang muir I have follow'd him hame Whatever betide us, nought shall divide us, Love now rewards all my sorrow and pain." T. 34.] SONGS. 391 Here awa', there awa', wandering "Willie, Here awa', there awa', hand awa' hame ; Come to my bosom, my ain only dearie, Tell me thou bring'st me my Willie the same. Winter winds blew loud and cauld at our parting, Fears for my Willie brought tears in my ee ; Welcome now simmec, and welcome my Willie — The simmer to nature, my Willie to me. Rest, ye wild storms, in the cave of your slumbers, How your dread howling a lover alarms ! Wauken, ye breezes ! row gently, ye billows ! And waft my dear laddie ance mair to my arms ! But oh, if he's faithless, and minds na his Nannie, Flow still between us thou wide roaring main ! May I never see it, may I never trow it, But, dying, believe that my Willie 's my ain. THE DEHi'S AWA* WI' THE EXCISEMAN. Tune — " The deil cam fiddling through the town." Lockhart gives the following interesting account of this song :—" This spiriteil song was composed on the shores of the Solway, while the poet and a party of his brother excisemen were engaged in watching the motions of a suspicious- looking brig, which had put in there, and which, it was supposed, was engaged in smuggling. The day following that on which she was first seen, the vessel got into shallow water, and it was then discovered that the crew were nume- rous, and not likely to yield without a struggle. Lewars accordingly was despatched to Dumfries for a party of dragoons, and another oflicer proceeded on a similar errand to Ecclefechan, leaving Burns with some men under his orders, to watch the brig and prevent landing or escape. Burns manifested considerable impatience while thus occupied, being left for many hours in a wet salt-marsh with a force which he knew to be inadequate for the purpose it was meant to fulfil. One of his comrades hearing him abuse his friend Lewars in particular, for being slow about his journey, the man answered that he also wished the devil had him for his pains, and that Burns in the meantime would do well to indite a song upon the sluggard. Burns said nothing ; but after taking a few strides by himself among the reeds and shingle, rejoined his party, and chanted to them this well-known ditty :" — The deil cam fiddling through the town, And danced awa' wi' the Exciseman, And ilka wife cries — " Auld Mahoun, I wish you lujck o' the prize, man ! " The deil 's awa', the deil 's awa*. The deil 's awa' wi' the Exciseman ; He *s danced awa', he 's danced awa'. He 's danced awa' wi' the Exciseman ! 392 SONGS, [1792. "We '11 TTiak our maut, we '11 brew our drink, We 'I dance, and sing, and rejoice, raan; And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil That danced awa' wi' the Exciseman. The deil 's awa', the deil 's awa , The deil 's awa' wi' the Exciseman ; He 's danced awa', he 's danced awa', He 's danced awa' wi' the Exciseman ! There 's threesome reels, there 's foursome reels. There 's hornpipes and strathspeys, man ; But the ae best dance e'er cam to the land. Was— the deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman. The deil 's awa', the deil 's awa*. The deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman; He's danced awa', he's danced awa', He 's danced awa' wi' the Exciseman ! BONNY LESLEY. rhe poet, in a letter to Mrs Dunlop, gives the following account of tne origin of this song :—«* Apropos!— do you know thiat I am almost in love with an ac- quaintance of yours ? Know, then," said he, " that the heart-struck awe, the distant humble approach, the delight we should have in gazing upon and lis- tening to a messenger of Heaven, appearing in all the unspotted purity of his celestial home, among the coarse, polluted, far inferior sons of men, to deliver to them tidings that sliould make their hearts swim in joy, and their imagina- tions soar in transport, — such, so delighting and so pure, were the emotions of my soul on meeting the other day with Miss Lesley Baillie, your neighbour at Mayfield. Mr Baillie, with his two daughters, accompanied by Mr H. of G-., passing through Dumfries a few days ago, on their way to England, did me the honour of calling on me, on which I took my horse, (though God 'knows I could ill spare the time,) and accompanied them fourteen or fifteen miles, and dined and spent the day with them. 'Twas about nine, I think, when I left them ; and riding home, I composed the following ballad. You must know that there is an old one beginning with — / My bonny Lizzie Baillie, I'll rowe thee in my plaidie,' &c. {?o T parodied it as follows." Miss Baillie ultimately became Mrs Cumming of Logie, and died in Edinburgh in 1843. Oh, saw ye bonny Lesley As she gaed o'er the Border? She's gane like Alexander, To spread her conquests farther. To see her is to love her. And love but her for ever; For Nature made her what she is, And never made anither iET. 34] SONGS. 393 Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, Thy subjects we, before thee : Thou art divine, fair Lesley, The hearts o' men adore thee. The deil he couldna skaith ^ thee, Nor aught that wad belang thee ; He 'd look into thy bonny face, And say, *' I canna wrang thee.'* The powers aboon will tent^ thee ; Misfortune sha' na steer thee : Thou'rt like themselves sae lovely, That ill they 11 ne'er let near thee. Return again, fair Lesley, Return to Caledonie ! That we may brag we hae a lass There 's nane again sae bonny. CRAIGIE-BURN WOOD. The poet composed the following song to aid the eloquence of a Mi* Gillespie, a friend of his, who was paying his addresses to a Mis» Lorimer, a young lady who resided at a beautiful place on the banks of the MoflFat, called Craigie- burn Wood. The gentleman did not succeed in his suit, however, as the lady afterwards married another ; but her marriage proving unfortunate, the poet, regarding her with that pity which is arkin to love, made her the subject of some of his finest lyrics. For an account of this lady, see p. 451. Burns after- wards considerably altered this song, and reduced it to the dimensions of the second version. Sweet closes the evening on Craigie-bum "Wood, And blithely awaukens the morrow ; But the pride of the spring in the Craigie-bum Wood Can yield to me nothing but sorrow. Beyond thee, dearie, beyond thee, dearie, And oh ! to be lying beyond thee ; Oh, sweetly, soundly, weel may he sleep That's laid in the bed beyond thee ! I see the spreading leaves and flowers, I hear the wild birds singing ; But pleasure they hae nane for me, While care my heart is wiinging. I canna tell, I maunna tell, I darena for your anger ; But secret love will break my heart, If I conceal it langer. 1 Ilarm. a Guard. 394 SONGS, [1792. I see thee gracefu', straiglit, and tall, I see thee sweet and bonny ; But oh, what will my torments be, If thou refuse thy Johnnie ! To see thee in anither's arms, In love to lie and languish, *Twad be my dead,^ that will be seen, My heart wad burst wi' anguish. But, Jeanie, say thou wilt be mine, Say thou lo'es nane before me ; And a* my days o' life to come I '11 gratefully adore thee. SECOND VERSION. Sweet fa's the eve on Craigie-burn, And blithe awakes the morrow ; But a' the pride o' spiing's return Can yield me nought but sorrow. I see the flowers and spreading trees, I hear the wild birds singing ; But what a weary wight can please, And care his bosom wringing ? Fain, fain would I my griefs Impart, Yet darena for your anger ; But secret love will break my heart, If I conceal it langer. If thou refuse to pity me, If thou shalt love anither, When yon green leaves fade frae the tree, Around my grave they '11 wither. FKAE THE FRIENDS AND LAITD I LOYE. Air — " Carron Side." In his notes to the Museum, the poet says of this song :— "I added the last four lines by way of giving a turn to the theme of the poem— such as it is." The entire song, however, was in his own handwriting, and is generally thought to be his own composition, as the other twelve lines have not been found in any collection. Frae the friends and land I love, Driven by Fortune's felly 2 spite, Frae my best-beloved I rove, Never mair to taste delight ; 1 Death. ^ Relentless. ^T. 34.] SONGS, 395 Never mair maun hope to find Ease frae toil, relief frae care : When remembrance wracks the mind. Pleasures but unveil despair. Brightest climes shall mirk appear, Desert ilka blooming shore, Till the Fates, nae mair severe, Friendship, Love, and Peace restore ; Till Eevenge, wi' lautell'd head, Bring our banish'd hame again ; And ilka loyal bonny lad Cross the seas and win his ain. MY TOCHER 'S THE JEWEL. Tune— "My Tocher's the Jewel." Oh meikle thinks my luve o' my beauty, And meikle thinks my luve o' my kin ; But little thinks my luve I ken brawlie^ My tocher 's^ the jewel has charms for him. It 's a' for the apple he '11 nourish the tree ; It 's a' for the hiney he '11 cherish the bee ; My laddie 's sae meikle in luve wi' the siller He canna hae luve to spare for me. Your proffer o' luve 's an airl-penny,^ My tocher's the bargain ye wad buy; But an ye be crafty I am cunnin', Sae ye wi' anither your fortune maun try. Ye 're like to the timmer^ o' yon rotten wood, Ye 're like to the bark o' yon rotten tree, Ye '11 slip frae me like a knotless thread, And ye '11 crack^ your credit wi' mae^ nor me. WHAT CAN A YOUNG LASSIE DO? Tune — " What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man?" What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie, What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man? Bad luck on the jDenny that tempted my niinnie'^ To sell her i)oor Jenny for siller and Ian' ! Bad luck on the i^enny, &c. 1 Know well. 2 Dowry. 3 Money given as earnest of a bargain * Timber. 6 Injure. « More. t Mother 396 SONGS. [1792. lie 's always compleenin* frae mornin' to e'enin', Hehoasts^ and he hirples^ the weary day lang ; He 's doyl't^ and he's dozen,^ his bluid it is frozen, Oh, dreary 's the night wi' a crazy auld man ! He 's doyl't and he *s dozen, &c. He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers, I never can please him, do a' that I can ; He *s peevish and jealous of a' the young fellows : Oh, dool^ on the day I met wi' an auld man ! He 's peevish and jealous, &c. My auld Auntie Katie upon me taks pity, I '11 do my endeavour to follow her plan ! I 'U cross him, and wrack him, until I heartbreak him. And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan. I "11 cross him, and wrack him, &c. OH, HOW CAN I BE BLITHE AND GLAD? TuNK — " Owre the hills and far awa*." The poet having found the germ of this song in Herd's collection is thought to have wrought into it some allusion to an incident in his own personal history. "This little lamentation of a desolate damsel," says Jeffrey, "is tender and pretty." Oh, now can I be blithe and glad. Or how can I gang brisk and braw, When the bonny lad that I lo'e best Is o'er the hills and far awa' ? When the bonny lad that I lo'e best Is o'er the hiUs and far awa' ? It 's no the frosty whiter wind, It 's no the driving drift and snaw ; But aye the tear comes in my ee. To think on him that 's far awa'. But aye the tear comes in my ee, To think on him that 's far awa'. My father pat me frae his door, *My friends they hae disown'd me a*, But I hae ane will tak my part, The bonny lad that 's far awa'. But I hae ane will tak my part. The bonny lad that 's far awa'. A pair o' gloves he bought for me, And silken snoods * he gae me twa ; 1 Coughs. 2 Limps. 8 Crazed, * Benumbed. 6 Woe. * See p. 352— nofe. Mr. 34.] SONGS. 397 And I will wear them for his sake, — The bonny lad that 's far awa'. And I will wear them for his sake, — The bonny lad that 's far awa'. Oh, weary winter soon will pass, And spring will deed the birken-shaw ;^ And my young baby will be born. And he '11 be hame that 's far awa\ And my young baby will be born, And he '11 be hame that 's far awa*. I DO CONFESS THOU ART SAE FAIR. Tune— "I do confess thou art sae fair." This song was altered by the poet into Scotch, from a poem by Sir Robert Ayton, private secretary to Anne, consort of James VI. "I think," says Burns, "that I have improved the simplicity of the sentiments by giving them a Scota dress." * I DO confess thou art sae fair, I wud been owre the lugs 2 in luve, Had I na found the slightest prayer That lips could speak thy heart could move. I do confess thee sweet, but find Thou art sae thriftless o' thy sweets, Thy favours are the silly wind. That kisses ilka thing it meets, See yonder rosebud, rich in dew^ Amang its native briers sae coy ; How sune it tines ^ its scent and hue When pu'd and worn a common toy ! Sic fate, ere lang, shall thee betide. Though thou may gaily bloom a while ; Yet sune thou shalt be thrown aside Like ony common weed and vile. 1 Birch-wood. 2 Ears. » Loses. * The following are the old words : — "I do confess thou'rt smooth and fair, And I might have gone near to love thee ; Ilad I not found the slightest prayer That lips could speak had power to move theo. But I can let thee now alone. As worthy to be loved by none. *< I do confess thou'rt sweet ; yet find Thee such an unthrift of thy sweets, Thy favours are but like the wind, That kisseth everything it meets ; And since thou canst with more than one^ Thou'rt worthy to be kiss'd by none. 398 SONGS. [1792 YON WILD MOSSY MOUNTAINS. Tune — " Yon wild mossy mountains." " This song," says the poet, "alludes to a part of my private history which it Is of no consequence to the world to know." Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide, That nurse in their bosom the youth o' the Clyde, Where the grouse lead their coveys through the heather to feed. And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. Where the grouse lead their coveys through the heather to feed, And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. Not Gowrie's rich valleys, nor Forth's sunny shores, To me hae the charms o' yon wild mossy moors; For there, by a lanely, sequester'd clear stream, Besides a sweet lassie, my thought and my dream. For there, by a lanely, sequester'd clear stream, Besides a sweet lassie, my thought and my dream. Amang thae wild mountains shall still be my path, Ilk stream foaming down its ain green narrow strath ; For there, wi' my lassie, the day-lang I rove. While o'er us, unheeded, flee the swift hours o' love. For there, wi' my lassie, the day-lang I rove. While o'er us, unheeded, flee the swift hours o' love. She is not the fairest, although she is fair ; O' nice education but sma' is her share ; Her parentage humble as humble can be ; But I lo'e the dear lassie because she lo'es me. Her parentage humble as humble can be. But I lo'e the dear lassie, because she lo'es me. ^ To beauty what man but maun yield him a prize, In her armour of glances, and blushes, and sighs ? And when wit and refinement hae polish'd her daits, They dazzle our een as they flee to our hearts. And when wit and refinement hae polish'd her darts, They dazzle our een as they flee to our hearts. "The morning rose, that untouch'd stands, Arm'd w^ith her briers, how sweetly smells I But, pluck'd and strain'd through ruder hands, Her sweet no longer Avith her dwells, But scent and beauty both are gont. And leaves fall from her, one by one. " Such fate, ere long, will thee betide, When thou hast handled been a while Like sun-flowers to be thrown aside, And I shall sigh while some will smile, To see thy love for moi-e than one Ilath brought thee to be loved by none." Oh, leeze me on my spinning-wheel, And leeze me on my rock and reel ; The Bun blinks kindly in the biel. Where blithe I turn my spinning-wheel. —Best and her Spinning-WTuel, page 3&9. MT. 34.] SONGS, 39g But kindness, sweet kindness, in the fond sparkling ee, Has lustre outshining the diamond to me ; And the heart-beating love, as I 'm clasp'd in her arms, Oh, these are my lassie's all-conquering charms ! And the heart-beating love, as I'm clasp'd in her arms. Oh, these are my lassie* t* all-conquering charms ! OH FOR AISTE-AND-TWENTY, TAM! Tune—" The Moudiewort." And oh for ane-and-twenty, Tam ! And hey, sweet ane-and-twenty, Tam! 1 '11 learn my kin a rattlin' sang, An I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam. They snooP me sair, and hand me down, And gar me look like bluntie,^ Tam ; But three short years will soon wheel roun'- Aud then comes ane-and-twenty, Tam« A gleib o' Ian', 3 a claut 0' gear,* Was left me by my auntie, Tam ; At kith or kin I needna spier, ^ An 1 saw ane-and-twenty, Tam. They '11 hae me wed a wealthy coof ,* Though I mysel hae plenty, Tam ; But hear'st thou, laddie — ^there 's my loof " — I 'm thine at ane-and-twenty, Tam. BESS AND HEE, SPINNIJSTG-WHEEL. TuNB — " The sweet lass that lo'es me." Oh, leeze me on my spinning-wheel. And leeze me on my rock and reel ; Prae tap to tae that deeds me bien,^ And haps^ me fieP^ and warm at e'en! I '11 set me down and sing and spin. While laigh descends the simmer sun, Blest wi' content, and milk and meal — Oh, leeze me on my spinning-wheel ! On ilka hand the burnies trot,!^ And meet below my theekit cot ; 1 Curb. 2 A simpleton. 3 a portion of ground. * A sum of money. ^ Ask. * Fool. ? Hand. 8 Comfortably. » Wraps. 10 Soft. u Run. /. 400 SONGS. [1792 The scented birk and hawthorn white, Across the pool their arms unite, Alike to screen the birdies' nest, And little fishes' caller^ rest ; The sun blinks kindly in the biel,' Where blithe I turn my spinning-wheel. On lofty aiks the cushats^ wail, And echo cons the doolfu' ^ tale ; The lintwhites in the hazel braes. Delighted, rival ither's lays: The craik'^ amang the clover hay, The paitrick whirrin' o!fir the ley, The Bwallow jinkin' round my shiel,^ Amuse me at my spinning-wheel. ^^"^^^^ -t w^'^ ■' Wi* sma* to sell, and less to buy, \ -4-Ktf>Bdiy Aboon distress, below envy, T^ tK^vws; Oh, wha wad leave this humble state, ^.^ f O For a' the pride of a' the great ? \ . ^^^tJ-Vn Amid their flaring, idle toys, ) J cP Amid their cumbrous, dinsome joys, y f Ll ^ Can they the peace and pleasure feel ^ ^ — * Of Bessy at her spinning-wheel? NITHSDALE'S WELCOME HAME. This song was written to celebrate the return to Scotland of Lady Winifred Max. well, a descendant of the attainted Earl of Nithsdale. The music to which the poet composed the verses was by Captain Riddel of Glenriddel, The noble Maxwells and their powers Are coming o'er the Border, And they '11 gae big Terregle's towers, And set them a' in order. And they declare Terregles fair. For their abode they choose it ; There 's no a heart in a' the land But's lighter at the news o't. Though stars in skies may disappear, And angry tempests gather : The happy hour may soon be near That brings us pleasant weather : * The weary night o' care and grief May hae a joyfu' morrow ; So dawning day has brought relief — Fareweel our night o' sorrow ! 1 Cool. 2 Cottage, sheltered place. » Wood-pigeon, * Woeful. » Landrail. « Cottage. ^T. 34.] SONGS. 401 COUNTRIE LASSIE. Tune—" The Country Lass." In simmer, when the hay was mawn, And corn waved green in ilka field, While clover blooms white o'er the lea, And roses blaw in ilka bield ; ^ Blithe Bessie in the milking shiel,^ Says, "I '11 be wed, come o't what will : ** Out spak a dame in wrinkled eild^ — " O' giiid advisement comes nae ill. " It's ye hae wooers mony ane, And, lassie, ye 're but young, ye ken ; Then wait a wee, and cannie wale,^ A routine butt, a routhie ben : ^ l^iere's Johnnie o' the Buskie Glen, Fu' is his barn, fu' is his byre ; Tak this frae me, my bonny hen. It 's plenty beats the luver's fire." *' For Johnnie o' the Buskie Glen, I dinna care a single flie ; He lo'es sae weel his craps and kye. He has nae luve to spare for me : But blithe 's the blink o' Hobble's ee, And weel I wat he lo'es me dear : A e blink o' him I wadna gie For Buskie Glen and a' his gear.'' " Oh, thoughtless lassie, life's a f aught ;^ The canniest gate,'' the strife is sair But ay f u'-hant is fechtin' best, A hungry care 's an unco care : But some will spend, and some will spare. And wilfu' folk maun hae their will ; Syne ^ as ye brew, my maiden fair, Keej) mind that ye maun drink the yill." " Oh, gear will buy me rigs o' land. And gear will buy me sheep and kye ; But the tender heart o' leesome ^ luve The gowd and siller canna buy ; "We may be x^oor — Bobbie and I, Light is the burden luve lays on ; Content and luve bring peace and joy — What rcair hae queens upon a throne?" 1 Sheltered place. 2 Shed. s Age. 4 Wisely choose. 5 A home with plenty in it. « Stnij?gle. 7 Easiest way. s And, » Gladsome. 4C2 SONGS. [1792, FAIR ELIZA. This £ong i8 said to have been composed by the poet as an expression of the love which a I^Ir Hunter, a friend of his, entertained for a certain lady. The gentleman, however, appears to have failed in his suit, for he went out to the West Indies, and died there a short time after his arrivaL Turn again, tliou fair Eliza, Ae kind blink before we part, Kue on thy despairing lover ! Canst thou break his faithfu' heart? Turn again, thou fair Eliza ; If to love thy heart denies, For pity hide the cruel sentence Under friendship's kind disguise ! Thee, dear maid, hae I offended? The offence is loving thee : Canst thou wreck his peace for ever AVha for thine wad gladly die ? While the life beats in my bosom, Thou slialt mix in ilka throe ; Turn again, thou lovely maiden, Ae sweet smile on me bestow. Not the bee ux^on the blossom. In the pride o' sunny noon ; Not the little sporting faiiy. All beneath the simmer moon ; Not the poet, in the moment Fancy lightens in his ee. Kens the pleasure, feels the rapture, That thy presence gies to me. OH, LUYE WILL VENTURE IN. Tune— "The Posie.' On, luve will venture in Where it daurna weel be seen ; Oh, luve will venture in Where wisdom ance has been ; But I will down yon river rove, Amang the wood sae green — And a' to pu' a posie To my ain dear May. The primrose I will i3u'. The firstling of the year ; ^T. 34 ] SO/VGS, 403 And I will pu' the pink, The emblem o' my dear ; For she 's the pink o' womankind^ And blooms without a peer — And a' to be a j^osie To my ain dear May. I '11 pu' the budding rose, When Phoebus peeps in view. For it 's like a baumy kiss O' her sweet, bonny mou' ; The hyacinth 's for constancy, Wi' its unchanging blue — And a' to be a posie To my ain dear May, The lily it is pure, And the lily it is fair, And in her lovely bosom I '11 place the lily there ; The daisy 's for simplicity, And unaffected air — And a' to be a posie To my ain dear May. The hawthorn I will pu', Wi' its locks o' siller gray, Where, like an aged man. It stands at break of day. _ But the songster's nest within the hvLoh I winna tak away — And a' to be a posie To my ain dear May. The woodbine I will pu*. When the evening star is near, And the diamond draps o' dew Shall be her een sae clear ; The violet 's for modesty. Which weel she fa's to wear — And a' to be a posie To my ain dear May. I '11 tie the posie round Wi' the silken band of love, And I '11 place it in her breast, And I 'U swear by a' above, That to my latest draught o' life The band shall ne'er remove— And this will be a posie To my ain dear May. 404 SONGS, [1792. THE BANKS O' BOOK Tune— "Caledonian Hunt's Delight." Tliis is a second version of the song which the poet composed in 1787 ; and al- though greatly inferior in many respects to the first, it has almost entirely superseded it. For the subject of the song, see the first version, p. 329. Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon, How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair ; How can ye chant, ye little bhds, And I sae weary, fu' o' care ! Thou '11 break my heart, thou warbling bird, That wantons through the flowering thorn : Thou minds me o' departed joys, Departed — never to return ! Oft hae I roved by bonny Doon, To see the rose and woodbine twine ; And ilka bird sang o' its luve, And fondly sae did I o' mine. Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree ; And my fause luver stole my rose, But, ah ! he left the thorn wi' mo. SIC A WIFE AS WILLIE HAD. Tune— "The Eight Men of Moidart." Cunningham gives the following account of the lady said to be the heroine ol this song : — " She was the wife of a farmer who lived near Burns at Ellisland. She was a very singular woman : 'tea,' she said, 'would be the ruin of the na- tion ; sugar was a sore evil ; wheaten bread was only fit for babes ; earthen- ware was a pickpocket ; wooden floors were but fit for thrashing upon ; slated roofs, cold ; feathers, good enough for fowls ;* in short, she abhorred change, and, whenever anything new appeared, such as harrows with iron teeth — * Ay, ay,' she would exclaim, 'ye'U see the upshot!' Of all modern things she disliked china most ; she called it 'brunt clay,' and said it was only fit for 'haudin' the broo o' stinkin' weeds,* as she called tea. On one occasion, a southern dealer in cups and saucers asked so much for his ware that he exas- perated a peasant, who said, 'I canna buy, but I ken ane that will:' 'Gang there,' said he, pointing to the house of Willie's wife : — ' dinna be blate or burd-mouthed ; ask a guid penny — she has the siller.' Away went the poor dealer, spread out his wares before her, ajjd summed up all by asking a double price. A blow from her cummock was his instant reward, which not only fell on his person, but damaged his china — 'I'll learn ye,' quoth she, as she heard the saucers jingle, 'to come wi' yer brazent English face, and yer bits 0' brunt clay to me ' ' " Willie Wastle dwalt on Tweed, Tlie spot they ca'd it Linkum-doddie , Willie was a wabster ^ guid, Could stown '^ a clue wi' ony bodie : 1 Weaver. 2 stolen. mr. 34.] SOJVGS, 405 He bad a wife was dour and din, Oh, Tinkler Madgie was her mither; Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her. She has an ee — she has but ane, The cat has twa the very colour ; Five rusty teeth, f orbye 1 a stump, A clapper-tongue wad deave a miller ; A whiskin' beard about her mou', Her nose and chin they threaten ither — Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her. She 's bow-hough'd, she 's hein-shinn'd, Ae limpin' leg, a hand-breed shorter ; She 's twisted right, she 's twisted left, To balance fair in ilka quarter She has a hump upon her breast, The twin o' that upon her shouther — Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her. Auld baudrons ^ by the ingle ^ sits, And wi' her loof ^ her face a-washin'; But Willie's wife is nae sae trig,^ She dights her grunzie ^ wi' a hushion ; ^ Her walie nieves ^ like midden-creels. Her face wad fyle the Logan AYater — Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her. SMILING SPRLN^G COMES IN REJOICING. Tune—" The Bonny Bell." The smiling Spring comes in rejoicing. And surly Winter grimly flies ; Now crystal clear are the falling waters, And bonny blue are the sunny skies ; Fresh o'er the mountains breaks forth the morning, The evening gilds the ocean's swell ; All creatures joy in the sun's returning, And I rejoice in my bonny Bell. The flowery Spring leads sunny Summer, And yellow Autumn presses near. Then in his turn comes gloomy Winter, Till smiling Spring again appear. 1 Besides. 2 The cat. s ph-eplace. 4 Palm. e Clean. 6 Mouth. 7 An old stocking. 8 Ample fistSi do6 SONGS, [1792 Thus seasons dancing, life advancing, Old Time and Nature their changes tell. But never ranging, still unchanging, I adore my bonny Bell. THE GALLANT WEAVER. TuNK— " The Weavers' March.* Where Cart* rins rowin' to the sea. By mony a flower and spreading tree, Their lives a lad, the lad for me. He is a gallant weaver. Oh, I had wooei's aught or nine, They gied me rings and ribbons fine ; And I was fear'd my heart would tine,* And I gied it to the weaver. My daddie sign'd my tocher-band,' To gie the lad that has the land ; But to my heart I '11 add my hand. And gie it to the weaver. While birds rejoice in leafy bowers ; Wliile bees delight in opening flowers ; While corn grows green in summer showers, 1 11 love my gallant weaver. SHE'S FAIR AND FAUSE. TuxK— "She's Fair and Pause." She 's fair and fause that causes my smart, I lo'ed her meikle and lang ; She 's broken her vow, she 's broken my heart, And I may e'en gae hang. A coof "^ cam in wi' routh o' gear,"* A nd I hae tint ^ my dearest dear ; But woman is but warld's gear, Sae let the bonny lassie gang. Whae'er ye be that woman love, To this be never blind, Nae f erlie ^ 'tis, though fickle she prove, A woman has 't by kind. » Lose. 2 Marriage-deed. ' Fool. 4 Abundance of wealth. 5 Lost. 6 Wonder. * The Cart is a river in Renfrewshire, which runs through the town of Paisley celebrated for the labours of the loom. .ET. 34.] SONGS, 407 O woman, lovely -woman fair ! An angel form 's fa'n to thy share ; 'Twad been o'er meikle to gien ^ thee mair— I mean an angel mind. MY AIN KIND DEARIE, 0. Tone— "The Lea-Rig." When o'er the hill the eastern star TeUs bughtin-time "^ is near, my jo ; And owsen frae the furrow'd field Return sae dowf ^ and weary, O ; Down by the burn, where scented birks * Wi' dew are hanging clear, my jo, 1 11 meet thee on the lea-rig,^ My ain kind dearie, O ! In mirkest ^ glen, at midnight hour, I 'd rove, and ne'er be eerie,'' O ; If through that glen I gaed to thee, My ain kind dearie, O ! Although the night were ne'er sae wild, And I were ne'er sae wearie, O, I 'd meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie, O ! The hunter lo'es the morning sun, To rouse the mountain deer, my jo ; At noon the fisher seeks the glen, Along the burn to steer, my jo ; Gie me the hour o' gloamin' gray. It maks my heart sae cheery, O, To meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie, O ! MY Y^^IFE 'S A WINSOME WEE THING. The following lively lines, the poet tells us, were written extempore to the old air of " My Wife's a Wanton Wee Thing;" — She is a winsome wee thing. She is a handsome wee thing, She is a bonny wee thing, This sweet wee wife o' mine. 1 Have given. 2 Folding-time. s j)xx\\. 4 Birches. 5 Grassy ridge. c Darkest. "* Frightened. 4o8 SOJVGS. [1792 1 never saw a fairer, I never lo'ed a dearer ; And neist my heart 1 11 wear her, For fear my jewel tine.^ She is a winsome wee thing, She is a handsome wee thing. She is a bonny wee thing, This sweet wee wife o' mine. The warld's wrack we share o't, The warstle and the care o 't ; \Vi' her I'll blithely bear it, And think my lot divine. HIGHLAND MARY. TuNK— "Katharine Ogie." Til's is another of those glorious lyrics inspired by the poet's passion for High- land Mary ; and which celebrates, in strains worthy of the occasion, their last interview, and her untimely and lamented death. "The following song," he says, in a letter to Thomson, enclosing the verses, "pleases me ; I think it is in my happiest manner. The subject of the song is one of the most interesting passages of my youthful days ; and I own that I should be much flattered to see the verses set to an air which would insure celebrity. Perhaps, after all, it is the still glowing prejudice of my heart that throws a borrowed lustre over the merits of the composition." See p. 361 for an account of ]Maiy. Ye banks, and braes, and streams around The castle o* IMontgomery, Green be your woods, and fair your flowers, Your waters never drumlie !^ There simmer first unfauld her robes, And there the langest tarry ; For there I took the last fareweel O' my sweet Highland Mary. How sweetly bloom'd the gay green birk ! ^ How rich the hawthorn's blossom ! As underneath their fragrant shade, I clasp'd her to my bosom ! The golden hours, on angel wings, Flew o'er me and my dearie ; For dear to me, as light and life. Was my sweet Highland Mary ! Wi' mony a vow, and lock'd embrace, Our parting was fu' tender ; And, pledging aft to meet again, We tore oursels asunder ; » Be lost. 2 Muddy. 3 Birch. /ET. 34.] SONGS, 409 But, oh ! foil Death's untimely frost, That nipt my flower sae early ! — Now green 's the sod, and cauld's the clay, That wraps my Highland Mary ! Oh, pale, pale now, those rosy lips, I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly ! And closed for aye the sparkling glance That dwelt on me sae kindly ! And mouldering now in silent dust That heart that lo'ed me dearly — But still within my bosom's core Shall live my Highland Mary ! AULD ROB MOREIS. The two first lines of the following song were taken from an old ballad— the rest is the poet's : — There 's auld Rob Morris that wons^ in yon glen. He 's the king o' guid fellows and wale ^ of auld men ; He has gowd in his coffers, he has owsen and kine, And ae bonny lassie, his darling and mine. She 's fresh as the morning the fairest in IMay ; She's sweet as the evening amang the new hay ; As blithe and as artless as lambs on the lea. And dear to my heart as the light to my ee. But oh ! she 's an heiress, — auld Robin's a laird, And my daddie has nought but a cot-house and yard ; A wooer like me maunna hope to come speed ; The wounds I must hide that will soon be my dead.^ The day comes to me, but delight brings me nane; The night comes to me, but my rest it is gane : I wander my lane like a night-troubled ghaist. And I sigh as my heart it wad burst in my breast. Oh, had she but been of a lower degree, I then might hae hoped she'd hae smiled upon me ! Oh, how past descriving ^ had then been my bliss, As now my distraction no words can express ! DUNCAN GRAY. This song was written on the model and to the tune of a coarse old ditty in Johnson's Museum, the name of the hero, and a line or two, being all that was retained. 1 Dwells. 2 Choice. 8 Death. * Describing. 4IO SCYGS. [1792. Duncan Gray cam here to woo, Ha, ha, the weeing o 't. On blithe yule night when we were fou. Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Maggie coost her head fu' high, Look'd asklent and unco skeigh,^ Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh ; ^ Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Duncan fleech'd,^ and Duncan pray'd, Ha, ha, the wooing o 't ; Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig,* Ha, ha, the wooing o't, Duncan sigh'd baith out and in, Grat^ his een baith bleert and blin*, Spak o' lowpin' o'er a linn ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Time and chance are but a tide ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't ; Slighted love is sair to bide ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Shall I, like a fool, quoth he, For a haughty hizzie die ? She may gae to— France for me ! Ha, ha, the wooing 't. How it comes let doctors tell ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't ; Meg gi'ew sick as he grew hale ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Something in her bosom wrings, For relief a sigh she brings ; And oh, her een, they spak sic things ! Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Duncan was a lad o' grace ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't ; Maggie's was a piteous case ; Ha, ha, the wooing o 't. Duncan couldna be her death. Swelling pity smoor'd ^ his wrath ; Now they 're crouse and canty ^ baith ; Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 1 Disdainful. 2 Aloof, s Flattered. * Wept. 6 Smothered. ^ Cheei'ful and happy. * A.well-known rocky islet in the Frith of Clyde. Duucau Gray cam here to woo. On blithe yule night when we were fou ; Ha, ha, the wooing o't Maggie coost her head fu' high, LoOK'd askleut and unco skeigh, Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh ; Ha, ha, the wooing o't. —Duncan Oray, pa e 410. A 1.34] SONGS. 411 COCK UP YOUR BEAVER. TuNB — " Cock up your beaver." The second stanza only of this song is Burns's — the first is old. "When first my brave Johnnie lad Came to this town, He had a blue bonnet That wanted the crown ; But now he has gotten A hat and a feather, — Hey, brave Johnnie lad, Cock up your beaver \ Cock up your beaver. And cock it fu' sprush, We '11 over the Border And gie them a brush ; ' There 's somebody there We '11 teach better behaviour — Hey, brave Johnnie lad, Cock up your beaver ! BONNY PEG. The following lines first appeared in the Edinburgh Magazine for 181& As I came in by our gate end, As day was waxin' weary, Oh, wha came tripping down the street. But bonny Peg, my dearie ! Her air sae sweet, and shape complete, Wi' nae proportion wanting, The Queen of Love did never move Wi' motion mair enchanting. Wi' linked hands, we took the sands Adown yon winding river ; And, oh ! that hour and broomy bower. Can I forget it ever? THE TITHER MORN. To a Highland Air. The tither mom, When I forlorn, Aneath an aik sat moaning 412 SONGS. [1792. I did na trow'^ I'd see my jo*'* Beside me gin the gloaming. But he sae trig ^ Lap o'er the rig, • And dawtingly ^ did cheer me, "Wlien I, what reck, Did least expec' To see my lad sae near me. His bonnet he, A thought ajee, Cock'd spnish when first he clasp'd me ; And I,^ I wat,6 Wi' fainness grat,^ "WHiile in his grips he press'd me. Deil tak' the war ! I late and air Hae wdsh'd since Jock departed ; But now as glad I 'm wi' my lad As short syne broken-hearted. Fu* aft at e'en Wi' dancing keen, When a' were blithe and merry, I cared na by, Sae sad was 1 In absence o' my dearie. But, praise be blest. My mind 's at rest, 1 'ra happy wi' my Johnny ; At kirk and fair, I 'se aye be there. And be as canty ' s "^ ony. THE DEUKS DANG O'ER MY DADDIE, O. Tune — " The deuk's dang o'er my daddie." The bairns gat out wi' an unco shout, The deuk's ^ dang o'er my daddie, O ! The fient may care, quo' the feirie ^ auld wife. He was lout a paidlin ^^ body, O ! He paidles out, and he paidles in, And he paidles late and early, O ! Tliae seven lang years I hae lien by his side, And he is but a f usionless ^^ carlie, O ! 1 Think. 2 Dear. ' Neat. * Lovingly. 5 Know. « Wept. * 7 Happy. 5 Duck. 9 Sturdy. 10 Wandering aimlessly about. n Sapless. ^T. 34-] SONGS. 4^3 Oh, baud your tongue, my feirie auld wife, Oh, haud your tongue now, Nansie, O I I 've seen the day, and sae hae ye, Ye wadna been sae dousie,^ O ! I 've seen the day ye butter'd my brose, And cuddled ^ me late and early, O ; But downa do 's ^ come o'er me now, And, oh ! I feel it saiiiy, O ! HAPPY FRIENDSHIP. Cnnningham gives the following account of this song, which first appeared in hia edition of the poet's works : — " Bums, on one occasion, was on a visit at a friend's house Iot two or three days ; and during his stay there a convivial party met, at which the bard was requested to favour the company with a poetical effusion. He promptly complied by writing the song in question. The original MS. is now in the possession of Captain Hendries, who com- mands a Scottish trading vessel, and who is nephew to the gentleman at whose festive board Burns was entertained on the evening alluded to." Here around the ingle ^ bleezing, Wha sae hapi^y and sae free ; Though the northern wind blaws freezing, Frien'ship warms baith you and me. Happy we are a' thegither, Happy we '11 be yin and a' ; Time shall see us a' the blither. Ere we rise to gang awa'. See the miser o'er his treasure Gloating wi' a greedy ee ! Can he feel the glow o' pleasure That around us here we see ? Can the peer, in silk and ermine, Ca' his conscience half his own ; His claes ^ are spun and edged wi' vermin, Though he stan' afore a throne ! Thus, then, let us a' be tassing ^ Atf our stoups o' gen'rous flame ; And, while round the board 'tis passing. Raise a sang in friendship's name. Frien'ship maks us a' mair happy, Frien'ship gies us a' delight ; Frien'ship consecrates the drappie, Frien'ship brings us here to-night. 1 Pettish, 2 Fondled. 3 A phrase signifying the exhaustion of age. 4 Fireside. ■'' Clothe?. ^ Tossing. •ii4 SONGS. [1792. OH, SAW YE MY DEARIE. Tune—" Eppie M 'Nab." Oh, saw ye my dearie, my Eppie M'JSTab? Oh, saw ye my dearie, my Epj^ie M'Nab? She 's down in the yard, she 's kissin' the laird, She winna come hame to her ain Jock Rab. Oh, come thy ways to me, my Epi)ie M'Nab ! Oh, come thy ways to me, my Eppie M'Nab ! Whate'er thou hast done, be it late, be it soon, Thou 's welcome again to thy ain Jock Rab. What says she, my dearie, my Eppie M'Nab? What says she, my dearie, my Eppie M'Nab ? She lets thee to wit,i that slie has thee forgot, And for ever disowns thee, her ain Jock Rub. Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie M'Nab! Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Ej^ine M'Nab ! As light as the aii-, as fause as thou's fair. Thou 's broken the heart o' thy ain Jock Rab. THE CARLE OF KELLYBURN BRAES. TuNB— " Kellyburn Braes ** rhis Is an old song which the poet considerably modified and amended. When Mrs Burns was infoi-ming Cromek of the alterations her husband had made on various old songs, she said of the following, "Robert gae this ane a terrible brushing : " — Theee lived a carle '^ in Kellyburn braes, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme ;) And he had a wife was the plague o' his days ; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. Ae day as the carle gaed^ up the lang glen, (Heyj and the rue grows bonny wi' tTiyme,) He met \d' the devil, says, "How do you fen?-*" And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. ** I 've got a bad wife, sir; that 's a' my complaint; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) For, saving your presence, to her ye 're a sain$ ; Ajid the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime.'* ** It 's neither your stot^ no¥ your staig^ I shall crave, (Hey, and the rie grows bonny wi' thyme,) 1 Know. 2 ]\ian. s Went 4 Live, 5 Bullock. 6 Colt. ST. 34] SONGS. 4^5 But gie me your wife, man, for her I must have, And the thyme it is withered, and rue is in prime/* "Oh ! welcome, most kindly," the blithe carle said, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) "But if ye can match her, ye 're waur than ye 're ca'd, And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime." The devil has got the auld wife on his back ; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) And, like a poor pedlar, he 's carried his pack, And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. He 's carried her hame to his ain hallan-door ; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) Syne bade her gae in, for a bitch and a whore, And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. Then straight he makes fifty, the pick o' his band, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) Turn out on her guard in the clap of a hand ; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. The carlin^ gaed through them like ony wud^ bear, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) Whae'er she gat hands on cam near her nae mair; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. A reekit^ wee devil looks over the wa' ; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) "Oh, help, master, help ! or she'll ruin us a', And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime.'* The devil he swore by the edge o' his knife, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) He pitied the man that was tied to a wife ; Aiid the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. The devil he swore by the kirk and the bell, (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme, ) He was not in wedlock, thank Heaven, but in hell ; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. Then Satan has travell'd again wi' his pack ; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) And to her auld husband he 's carried her back ; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. " I hae been a devil the feck^ o' my life ; (Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi' thyme,) But ne'er was in hell, till I met wi' a wife ; And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime.** 1 Woman. 2 Wild. 8 Smoked. * Most. i(6 SOA'GS, [1792. YE JACOBITES BY :N'A]ME. Tone — "Ye Jacobites by Name." Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, give an eai* : Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear; Ye Jacobites by name. Your fauts I will proclaim, Your doctrines I maun blame — You shall hear. 'S\Tiat is right, and what is wrang, by the law, by the law? What is right, and what is wrang, by the law? What is right, and what is wrang? A short sword, and a lang, A weak arm, and a Strang For to draw. Wliat makes heroic strife famed afar, famed afar? What makes heroic strife famed afar ? What makes heroic strife ? To whet th' assassin's knife, Or hunt a parent's life Wi' bluidie war. Then let your schemes alone, in the state, in the state ; Then let your schemes alone, in the state ; Then let your schemes alone, Adore the rising sun. And leave a man undone To his fate. AS I WAS A- WANDERING. Tune— "Kinn Meudial mo Mhealladh." As I was a- wandering ae midsummer e'enin*, The pipers and youngsters were making their game, Amang them I spied my faithless fause lover, Which bled a' the wound o' my dolour again. Weel, since he has left me, may pleasure gae wi' him j I may be distress'd, but I winna complain I '11 flatter my fancy I may get anither, My heart it- shall never be broken for ane. I couldna get sleeping till dawin^ for greeting,^ The tears trickled down like the hail and the rain : Had I na got gi-eeting, my heart wad a broken, For, oh ! luve forsaken 's a tormenting pain ! i Dawn. 2 Weeping. r^T. 34.. I ^'jNGS. 4^7 Althortgh lie has left me for greed o' the siller, I diiiua envy him the gains he can win ; I rather wad bear a' the lade o' my sonow Than ever hae acted sae faithless to him. THE SLAVE'S LAMENT. Regarding the authenticity of this song, Stenhouse says that the words and muslo were sent by the poet to the Museum; while Mr C. K. Sharpe asserts that Burns took the idea of the song from an old ballad at one time very popular amongst the peasantry in Scotland. The piece appears to have been formed on the model of the verses entitled, "The Ruined i'armer's Lament," (p. 326,) as it bears a very close resemblance to them. It was in sweet Senegal that my foes did me enthral, For the lands of Virginia, O ; Torn from that lovely shore, and must never see it more, And alas I am weary, weary, O ! All on that charming coast is no bitter snow or frost, Like the lands of Virginia, O ; There streams for ever flow, and there flowers for ever blow. And alas I am weary, weary, O ! The burden I must bear, while the cruel scourge I fear, In the lands of Virginia, O ; And I think on friends most dear, with the bitter, bitter tear. And alas I am weary, weary, O ! THE WEAEY FUND O' TOW. TuNK— "The Weary Fund o' Tow." I BOUGlTT my wife a stane o' lint^ As guid as e'er did grow; And a' that she has made o' that Is ae i)oor pund o' tow.^ The weary pund, the weary pund, The weary pund o' tow ; I think my wife will end her lifo Before she spin her tow. There sat a bottle in a bole, Beyont the ingle low,^ And aye she took the tither souk,^ To drouk^ the stourie^ tow. 1 Flax. 2 Hemp or flax in a prepared stata, 8 l^lame of the lire. ■* Swig. 5 Drench, 6 Dusty. __ 4i8 SONGS, I179X Quoth I, " For sliame, ye dirty darae, Gae spin your tap o' tow ! " She took the rock, and wi' a knock She brak it o'er my pow. At last her feet — I sang to see 't — Gaed foremost o'er the knowe ; ^ And or I wad anither jad, I '11 wallop in a tow.^ LADY MAEY ANK TjNE— "Craigton's Growing." Tlie poet having had an old ballad called "Craigton's Growing" cliantcd to hia while on a tour in the Highlands, afterwards mused over it, and produced the XQUowing verses, which he sent to the Museum : — Oh, Lady INIary Aim Looks o'er the castle wa*, She saw three bonny boys Playing at the ba' ; The youngest he was The flower amang them a' — My bonny laddie's young, But he 's gi'owin' yet. O father! O father ! An ye think it tit, \ ^Ye '11 send him a year J To the college yet : We '11 sew a green ribbon Eound about his hat, And that will let them kei He 's to marry yet. Lady Mary Ann Was a flower i' the dew, Sweet was its smell, And bonny was its hue ; And the langer it blossom'd The sweeter it grew j For the lily in the bud Will be bonnier yet. Young Charlie Cochrane Was the sprout of an aik ; Bonny and bloomin' ^ And strauglit was its make 2 Swin;, m a rope. I I I /g.T. 34.] SOA^GS, 419 The sun took delight To shine for its sake, And it will be the brag O' the forest yet. The simmer is gane When the leaves they were green. And the days are awa' That we hae seen ; But far better days I trust will come again, For my bonny laddie 's young. But he 's growin' yet. OH, KENMURE 'S ON AND AWA'. Tune — '-Oh, Kenmure's on and awa', Willie." •* This song," says Cunningham, "refers to the fortunes of the gallant Gordons of Kenmure in the fatal ' Fifteen.' The Viscount left Galloway with two hundred borsemen well armed ; he joined the other lowland Jacobites— penetrated tc Preston— repulsed, and at last yielded to, the attack of General Carpenter— and perished on the scalTold. He was a good as well as a brave man, and his fate was deeply lamented. The title has since been restored to Che Gordon's Jine." Burns was,;once at least, an invited guest at Kenmure Casile, near New Galloway. Oh, Kenmure 's on and awa', Willie I Oh, Kenmure 's on and awa' ! And Kenmure's lord 's the bravest lord That ever Galloway saw. Success to Kenmure's band, Willie i Success to Kenmure's band ; There 's no a heart that fears a Whig That rides by Kenmure's hand. Here 's Kenmure's health in wine, Vv'iUie ! Here 's Kenmure's health in wine ; There ne'er was a coward o' Kenmure's blude, Nor yet o' Gordon's line. Oh, Kenmure's lads are men, Willie ! Oh, Kenmure's lads are men ; Their hearts and swords are metal true—' And that their faes shall ken. They '11 live or die wi' fame, Willie ! They'll live or die wi' fame ; But soon wi' sounding victorie May Kenmure's lord come hame . Here 's him that 's far awa', Willie ! Here 's him that's far awa' ! And here 's the flower that I lo'e best— The rose that 's like the snaw ! 420 SO.VCS. |i7g2. MY COLLIER LADDIE. Tune—" The Collier Laddie." **I do not know," says Burns, "a blither old song than this ;" which he modified and altered, and then sent to the Museum, Oh, whare live ye, my bonny lass ? And tell me what they ca' ye ? My name, she says, is Mistress Jean, And I follow the Collier Laddie. My name, she says, is Mistress Jean, And I follow the Collier Laddie. Oh, see you not yon hills and dales, The sun shines on sae brawlie ! They a' are mine, and they shall be thine. Gin ye '11 leave your Collier Laddie. They a' are mine, and they shall be thino, Gin ye '11 leave your Collier Laddie. And ye shall gang in gay attire, Weel buskit^ up sae gaudy ; And ane to wait at every hand, Gin ye '11 leave your Collier Laddie. And ane to wait at every hand. Gin ye '11 leave your CoUier Laddie. Though ye had a' the sun shines on, And the eai-th conceals sae lowly, I wad turn my back on you and it a', And embrace my Collier Laddie. I wad turn my back on^you and it a'. And embrace my Collier Laddie. I can win my five pennies a day. And spen 't at night fu' brawlie ; And mak my bed in the Collier's neuk,^ And lie down wi' my Collier Laddie. And mak my bed in the Collier's neuk, And lie down wi' my Collier Laddie. Luve for luve is the bargain for me, Though the wee cot-house should baud mo ; And the warld before me to win my bread, And fair fa' my Collier Laddie. And the warld before me to win my bread, And fair fa' my Collier Laddie. 1 Dressed. 2 Jiut. .«T. K-J SONGS, 421 FAREWEEL TO A' OUR SCOTTISH FAME. Tune— "Such a Parcel of Rogues in a iVation." " Burns," says Cunningham, "has expressed sentiments in this song which were once popular in the north." The poet himself, indeed, appears to have been in the habit of expressing his feelings pretty freely regarding the Union.— "What," he exclaimed, on one occasion, "are all the advantages which my country reaps from the Union that can counterbalance the annihilation of her independence, and even her very name? Nothing can reconcile me to the terms, 'English Ambassador,' 'English Court/" &c. Fareweel to a' our Scottish fams^ Fareweel our ancient glory ! Fareweel even to the Scottish name, Sae famed in martial story ! Now Sark rins o'er the Sc»lway sands, And Tweed rins to the ocean, To mark where England's province stands- Such a parcel of rogues in a nation I What force or guile could not subdue. Through many warlike ages, Is wrought now by a coward few, For hireling traitors' wages. The English steel we could disdain. Secure in valour's station ; But English gold has been our bane- - Such a parcel of rogues in a nation ! Oh, would, ere I had seen the day That treason thus could sell us, My auld gray head had lien in clay, Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace ! But pith and power, till my last hour, I '11 mak this declaration ; We 're bought and sold for English gold - Such a parcetof rogues in a nation. HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AWA'. Tune—" Here's a health to them that's awa'." The poet's political predilections at this period of his life being somewhat marked, and of an ultra-liberal tendency, he is supposed to have thrown them into the following song, composed in honour of the le»iders of the liberal party in the House of Commons: — Here 's a health to them that 's awa'. Here 's a healtli to them that 's awa' ; And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause, May never guid luck be their fa' ! 42 2 SONGS. (1792 It *3 gi.iid to be meriy and wise, It's guid to be honest and true, It *s guid to support Caledonia's cause. And bide by the buff and the blue. Here 's a health to them that 's awa'. Here 's a liealth to them that 's awa', Here 's a health to Charlie * the chief of the clan, Although that his band be but sma'. ]\Iay Liberty meet wi' success ! May Prudence protect her frae evil! May tyrants and tyranny tine in the mist, And wander their way to the devil ! Here 's a health to them that 's awa', Here 's a health to them that 's awa' ; Here 's a health to Tammie,t the Norland laddie, That lives at the lug o' the law ! Here 's freedom to him that wad read. Here 's freedom to him that wad write ! There s nane ever fear'd that the truth should be heard But they wham the truth wad indite.^ Here 's a health to them that 's awa'. Here 's a health to them that 's awa'. Here's Chieftain M'Leod,:{: a chieftain worth gowd^ Though bred amang mountains o' snaw ! Here 's a health to them that 's awa'. Here 's a health to them that 's awa' ; And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause, May never guid luck be their fa' ! SONG. Tune— "I had a horse, I had nae mair.** Gilbert Burns says that a Miss Jane Blackstock, who afterwards became Mrs Whiter, of Liverpool, was the heroine of this song. The poet, in a letter to Thomson, said, " For private reasons, I should like to see it in print." Oh, poortith^ cauld and restless love. Ye wreck my peace between ye ; Yet poortith a' I could forgive, An 'twere na for my Jeanie. 1 Indict— impeach. 2 Poverty. * The Right Hon. Charles James Fox. Buff and blue formed the livery of Fox during the celebrated Westminster elections, and thus came to be adopted as the colours of the Whig party generally. t Thomas, afterwards Lord, Erskiue. t M'Leod of Dun vegan, Isle of Skye, and then I^I.P. for Inverness. ^T. 34.] SONGS, 423 Oh, why should Fate sic pleasure have. Life's dearest bands untwining ? Or why sae sweet a flower as lovo Depend on Fortune's shining ? This warld's wealth when I think on. Its pride, and a' the lave o 't — Fie, fie on silly coward man, That he should be the slave o 't ! Her een sae bonny blue betray How she repays my passion ; But prudence is her o'erword ^ aye, She talks of rank and fashion. Oh, wha can prudence think upon, And sic a lassie by him? Oh, wha can prudence think upon, And sae in love as I am ? How blest the humble cotter's fate! He wooes his simple dearie ; The silly bogles, wealth and state, Can never make them eerie. ^ GALA WATER. There 's braw, braw lads on Yarrow biaes. That wander through the blooming heather. But Yarrow braes ** nor Ettrick shaws* Can match the lads o' Gala Water. But there is ane, a secret ane, Aboon them a' I lo'e him better ; And I '11 be his, and he '11 be mine. The bonny lad o' Gala Water. Although his daddie was nae laird, And though I haena meikle tocher ; * Yet rich in kindest, truest love, We '11 tent our flocks by Gala Water. It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth, That cof 1 6 contentment, peace, or pleasure ; The bands and bliss o' mutual love. Oh, that 's the chief est warld's treasure I I Kefrain. 2 Afraid. 3 HiHg. * Woods. 5 Much money. 6 Bought. 424 SONGS. [1793. LORD GREGOEY. This song was written in imitation of Dr Wolcot's (Peter Pindar) lallad on the same subject,* of which Bums says, in a letter to Thomson, "Pindar's 'Lord Gregory' is beautiful. I have tried to give you a Scots version, which is at your service. Not that I intend to enter the lists with Peter— tliat would be presumption indeed 1 My song, though much inferior in poetic merit, has, 1 think, more of the ballad simplicity in it." The idea of both songs, however, is taken from an old strain. Oh, mii-k,i mirk is this midniglit hour, And loud the tempest's roar ; A waefu' wanderer seeks thy tower — Lord Gregory, ope thy door ! An exile frae her father's ha', And a' for loving thee ; At least some pity on me shaw. If love it may na be. Lord Gregory, mind'st thou not the grove. By bonny Irwin-side, Where first I own'd that virgin love I lang, lang had denied ? How aften didst thou pledge and vow Tliou wad for aye be mine ; And my fond heart, itsel sae true, It ne'er mistrusted thine. Hard is thy heart, Lord Gregory, And flinty is thy breast — Thou dart of heaven that flashest by, Oh, wilt thou give me rest ! 1 Dark. • The following is "Wolcot's version : — <' Ah, ope, Lord Gregory, thy door! A midnight wanderer sighs, Hard rush the rains, the tempests roar, And lightnings cleave the skies. " Who comes with woe at this drear night — A pilgrim of the gloom ? If she whose love did once delight, My cot shall yield her room. " Alas ! thou heard'st a pilgrim mom"n That once was prized by thee ; Think of the ring by yonder burn Thou gavest to love and me. '* Lut shouldst thou not poor Marian know. I '11 turn my feet and part ; And think the stoi*ms that round me blow Far kinder than thy heart." .ET. 35.J SONGS, 425 Ye mustering thunders from above, Your willing victim see ! But spare, and pardon my fause love His wrangs to Heaven and me ! OPEN THE DOOli TO ME, OH! ** Oh, open the door, some i^ity to show. Oh, open the door to me, oh ! Though thou hast been false, 1 11 ever x^rove true, Oh, open the door to me, oh ! ** Cauld is the blast upon my pale cheek, But caulder thy love for me, oh ! The frost that freezes the life at my heart Is nought to my pains frae thee, oh ! " The wan moon is setting behind the white wave. And time is setting with me, oh ! False friends, false love, farewell ! for mair 1 11 ne'er trouble them nor thee, oh ! " She has opened the door, she has open'd it wide ; She sees his pale corse on the i)lain, oh ! " My true love ! " she cried, and sank down by his side, Never to rise again, oh ! YOUNG JESSIE. Tune— "Bonny Dundee." This song was written in honour of Miss Janet Staig, daughter of the Provosi of Dumfries, and afterwards the wife of Major William Miller, one of the sons of Patrick Miller of Dalswinton, the poet's landlord, in Dumfriesshire. The lady died in 1801, at the early age of twenty-six, and was long remembered in the district for her beauty and gentleness. TiiUE-hearted was he, the sad swain o' the Yarrow, And fair are the maids on the banks o' the Ayr, But by the sweet side o' the Nith's winding river Are lovers as faithful and maidens as fair : To equal young Jessie seek Scotland all over ; To equal young Jessie you seek it in vain ; Grace, beauty, and elegance fetter her lover, And maidenly modesty fixes the chain. Oh, fresh is the rose in the gay, dewy morning. And sweet is the lily at evening close ; But in the fair presence o' lovely young Jessie, Unseen is the lily^ unheeded the rose. 426 SONGS. [1793. Love sits in her smile, a wizard ensnaring ; Enthroned in her een he delivers his law : And still to her charms she alone is a stranger — Her modest demeanour's the jewel of a' I THE POOR AND HONEST SODGER Air— "The Mill, MiUO!" A coiTespondent of Thomson's says, regarding the origin of this song : — " Burns, I have been Informed, was one summer evening at the inn at Brownhill with a couple of friends, when a poor wayworn soldier passed the window : of a sud- den, it struck the poet to call him in, and get the story of his adventures ; after listening to which, he all at once fell into one of those fits of abstraction not unusual with him. He was lifted to the region where he had his 'garland and singing robes about him,' and the result was the admirable song which he sent you for 'The Mill, Mill, 01'" Mill-Mannoch, says Chambers, a sweet pastoral scene on theCoyl, nearCoylton Kirk, is thought to have been the spot where the poet imagined the meeting of the lovers to have taken p'ace. When wild war's deadly blast was blawn. And gentle peace returning, Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless, And mony a widow mourning ; I left the lines and tented field, Where lang I 'd been a lodger, My humble knapsack a' my wealth, A poor and honest sodger. A leal light heart was in my breast, My hand unstain'd wi' plunder. And for fair Scotia, hanie again, I cheery on did wander. I thought upon the banks o' Coil, I thought u])on my Nancy, T thought upon the witching smile That caught my youthful fancy. At length I reach'd the bonny glen Where early life I sported ; I pass'd the mill, and trysting thorn, Wheee Nancy aft I courted : Wha spied ^ I but my ain dear maid, Down by her mother's dwelling ! And turn'd me round to hide the flood That in my een was swelling. Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, ** Sweet lasa, Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom. Oh ! happy, happy may he be, That 's dearest to thy bosom 1 iSaw. ^ She gazed— she redden'd like a rose- Syne pale like ony lily ; She sauk within my arms and cried, *' Art thou my ain dear Willie ? ' ^I'he toor and Honest Sudgcr, page 426. /ET. 35.] SONGS. 427 My purse is light, I 've far to gaug, And fain wad be thy lodger; I 've served my king and country lang - Take pity on a sodger." Sae wistfully she gazed on me, And lovelier was than ever ; Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo'ed, Forget him shall I never : Our humble cot, and hamely fare, Ye freely shall partake it, That gallant badge — the dear cockade— Ye 're welcome for the sake 't." She gazed— she redden'd like a rose — Syne^ pale like ony lily ; She sank within my arms, and cried, "Art thou my ain dear Willie ?" "By Him who made yon sun and sky, By whom true love 's regarded, I am the man ; and thus may still True lovers be rewarded ! " The wars are o'er, and I 'm come hame, And find thee still true-hearted ; Though poor in gear, we 're rich in love, And mair, we'se ne'er be parted." Quo' she, " My grandsire left me gowd, A mailen^ plenish'd fairly ; And come, my faithful sodger lad, Thou 'rt welcome to it dearly ! '* For gold the merchant ploughs the main, The farmer ploughs the manor ; But glory is the sodger's prize. The sodger's wealth is honour : The brave poor sodger ne'er despise. Nor count him as a stranger ; Eemember, he 's his country's stay In day and hour of danger. MEG O' THE MILL. Am — " Hey ! bonny lass, will you lie in a barrack?" Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten ? And ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten ? She has gotten a coof *^ wi' a claut o' siller,^ And broken the heart o' the barley miller. 1 Then. 2 Farm. =^ Lout. * Plenty of money ^3 SOJVGS, [1793, The miller was strappin', the miller was ruddy ; A h«art like a lord, and a hue like a lady ; The laird was a widdiefu', bleerit knurl ;^ She 's left the guid-fellow and ta'en the churl. The miller he hecht'' her a heart leal and loving ; The laird did address her wi' matter mair moving, A fine-pacing horse, wi' a clear-chain'd bridle, A whip by her side, and a bonny side-saddle. Oh, wae on the siller, it is sae prevailing ; And wae on the love that is fix'd on a maiden ! ^ A tocher's * nae word in a true lover's parle, But, gie me my love, and a fig for the warl' I WELCOME TO GENERAL DUMOURIER. Some one, In the presence of the poet, having expressed joy at the desertion of General Dumourier from the army of the French Republic, in 1793, after having gained some splendid victories with it, in a few moments he chanted, almost extempore, the following verf es to the tune of " Robin Adair ; " — You 're welcome to despots, Dumourier ; You 're welcome to despots, Dumourier ; How does Dampiere* do ? Ay, and Beumonvillef too ? Why did they not come along with you, Dumourier ? I wul fight France with you, Dumourier ; I will fight France with you, Dumourier ; I will fight France with you, I will take my chance with you ; By my soul, I '11 dance a dance with you, Dumourier* Then let us fight about, Dumourier ; Then let us fight about, Dumourier ; Then let us fight about, Till Freedom's spark is out. Then we 'U be danm'd, no doubt, Dumourier THE LAST TIME I CAME O'ER THE MOOR. Tn this song the poet is supposed to have given expression to certain feelings of illicit love which it is known he entertained for the beautiful and fascinating Mrs Riddel of Woodley Park, for a further account of whom, see p. 461, It is but just to remember, however, and charitable to believe, that the poet, with an eye to artistic efifect, may have purposely heightened his colours in order to increase the general efifect of his picture. 1 Ill-tempered, bleared dwarf. * Offered. « Farm. * Dowery. * One of Dumourier's generals. f An emissary of the Convention's. ^T, SSJ SONGS. 429 The last time I came o'er the moor, And left Maria's dwelling, What throes, what tortures passing cure, "Were in my bosom swelling : Condemned to see my rival's reign. While I in secret languish ; To feel a fire in every vein. Yet dare not s^Deak my anguisli. Love's veriest wretch, despairing, I Fain, fain my crime would cover : The unweeting gi^oan, the bursting sigh, Betray the guilty lover. I know my doom must be despair. Thou wilt nor canst relieve me ; But, O Maria, hear my prayer, For pity's sake, forgive me ! The music of thy tongue I heard, Nor wist while it enslaved me ; I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd. Till fears no more had saved me. The unwary sailor thus aghast The wheeling torrent viewing, In circling horrors yields at last In overwhelming ruin ! BLITHE HAE I BEEN. Tune— "Liggeram Cosh." The "Lesley Is sae fair and coy" of this song was the beautiful Miss Lesley Baillie with whom the poet told Mrs Dunlop he was almost in love, and whom he made the heroine of the song entitled, "Bonny Lesley," (p. 392.) She ap- pears to have been one of those goddesses who wei-e eternally crossing his path, and whose attractions formed, as his brother Grilbert tells us, so many under plots in the drama of his all-embracing love. Blithe hae I been on yon hill, As the lambs before me ; Careless ilka thought and free. As the breeze flew o'er me. Now nae langer sport and play, Mirth or sang can please me ; Lesley is sae fair and coy. Care and anguish seize me. Heavy, heavy is the task. Hopeless love declaring: Trembling, I dow nocht but glower,"* Sighing, dumb, despairing ! 1 Dare nought but stare. 4^0 SONGS, [1793, If slie Tvinna ease the thraws ^ In my bosom swelling ; Underneath the grass-green sod, Soon maun be my dwelling. LOGAJSr BEAES. TuxB — "Logan Water.' The poet, in a letter to Thomson, enclosing this song, says, regarding its origin : — "Have you ever, my dear sir, felt your bosom ready to burst with indigna- tion on reading of those mighty villains who divide kingdom against kingdom, desolate provinces, and lay nations waste, out of the wantonness of ambition, or often from still more ignoble passions ? In a mood of this kind to-day, I recollected the air of 'Logan Water,' and it occun-ed to me tliat its querulous melody probably had its origin from the plaintive indignation of some swel- ling, sutl'ering heart, fired at the tyrannic strides of some public destroyer ; and overwhelmed with private distress, the consequence of a country's ruin. If I have done anything at all like justice to my feelings, the following song, composed in three quarters of an hour's meditation in my elbow-chair, ought to have some merit." The two last lines of the first stanza the poet took from a very pretty song to the same air, written by Mr John M'lyt.e, author of a poem entitled, " The Siller Grun." O Logan, sweetly didst thou glido That day I was my Willie's bride ! And years sinsyne hae o'er us run, Like Logan to the simmer sun. But now thy flowery banks appear Like drumlie *^ Winter, dark and drear. While my dear lad maun face his faes, Far, far frae me and Logan braes ! Again the merry month o' May Has made our hills and valleys gay ; The birds rejoice in leafy bowers, The bees hum round the breathing flowers : Blithe morning lifts his rosy eye. And evening's tears are tears of joy : My soul, delightless. a' surveys, While Willie 's far frae Logan braes. Within yon milk-white hawthorn bush Amang her nestlings sits the thrush ; Her faithfu' mate will share her toil, Or wi' liis song her cares beguile : But I, wi' my sweet nurslings here, "Nae mate to help, nae mate to cheer, Pass widow'd nights and joyless days While Willie 's far frae Logan braes. 1 Throes. * Clouded and rainy. ^T. 35.] SONGS, 431 Oh, wae upon you, men o' state, That brethren rouse to deadly hate ! As ye make mony a fond heart mourn, Sae may it on your heads return ! How can your flinty hearts enjoy The widow's tears, the orphan's cry ? But soon may peace bring happy days And Willie iiame to Logan braes ! THERE WAS A LASS, AND SHE WAS FAIR. Tune — "Bonny Jean." I have just finished the following ballad," says the poet to Thomson, "and as I do think it is in my best style, I send it to you." The heroine of this song was Miss Jane M'Murdo, the eldest daughter of John M'Murdo, Esq., cham- berlain to the Duke of Queensberry, and who resided, with a family of charm- ing and accomplished daughters, at the ducal seat of Drumlanrig, a few miles from the poet's farm. A frequent guest at this gentleman's table, he appears to have lived on terms of intimacy with the entire family. The heroine, he tells us, he did not paint in the rank which she held in life ; but in the dress and character of a cottager. There was a lass, and she was fair, At kirk and market to be seen. When a' the fairest maids were met, The f aii-est maid was bonny Jean. And aye she wrought her mammie's wark, And aye she sang sae merrilie : The blithest bird upon the bush Had ne'er a lighter heart than she. But hawks will rob the tender joys That bliss the little lintwhite's nest : And frost will blight the fairest flowers, And love will break the soundest rest. Young Kobie was the brawest lad, The flower and pride of a' the glen; And he had owsen, sheep, and kye, And wanton naigies ^ nine or ten. He gaed wi' Jeanie to the tryste,'^ He danced wi' Jeanie on the down ; And, lang ere witless Jeanie wist, Her heart was tint,^ her peace was stown.'* As in the bosom o' the stream. The moonbeam dwells at dewy e'en ; So trembling, pure, was tender love Within the breast o' bonny Jean- 1 iror.ses. 2 Fair 2 Lost. •- S^olou 43^ SONGS. [,793, And now she works her mammie's wark. And aye she sighs wi' care and paiu ; Yet wist na what her ail might be, Or what wad mak her weel again. But did na Jeanie's heart loup light, And did na joy blink in her ee, As Robie tauld a tale o' love Ae e'enin' on the lily lea ? The sun was sinking in the west, The birds sang sweet in ilka grove ; His cheek to hers he fondly prest, And whisper'd thus his tale o' love :— ** O Jeanie fair, I lo*e thee dear ; Oh, canst thou think to fancy me? Or wilt thou leave thy mammie's cot, And learn to tent ^ the farms wi' mo ? ** At barn or byre thou shalt na drudge, Or naething else to trouble thee ; But stray amang the heather-bells. And tent the waving corn wi' me.** Now what could artless Jeanie do ? She had nae will to say him na : At length she blush'd a sweet consent, And love was aye between them twa. PHILLIS THE FAIR. Tone— "Robin Adair." K5ss Philadelphia M'Murdo, one of the daughters of John M'Murdo, Esq., men- tioned above, and who afterwards became Mrs Norman Lockhart of Carnwath, was the heroine of this song. The poet is supposed to have written the lines at the request of his ft-iend, Stephen Clarke the musician, who taught the young lady music, and was nearly in love with his charming pupil, "Phillia the fair." "While larks with little wing Fann'd the pure air, Tasting the breathing spring, Forth I did fare : Gay the sun's golden eye Peep'd o'er the mountains high ; Such thy morn ! did I cry, PhiUis the fair. In each l)ird's careless song Glad did I sliare ; ^T. 35.] SONGS, 433 While yon wild flowers among, Chance led me there : Sweet to the opening day Kosebuds bent the dewy spray ; Such thy bloom ! did I say, Phillis the fair. Down in a shady walk Doves cooing were ; I mark'd the cruel hawk Caught in a snare : So kind may Fortune be. Such make his destiny ! He who would injure thee, Phillis the fair. HAD I A CAYE. Tune—" Robin Adair." Mr Alexander Cunningham, a writer to the signet in Edinburgh, and a warm friend of the poet's, had wooed and, as he thought, won, a young lady of great beauty and accomplishments ; but another lover having presented himself, with weigMier claims to her regard than poor Cunningham possessed, ** The fickle, faithless queen, Took the carl, and left her Johnnie ; " and appears to have cast him off with as little ceremony as she would a piece of faded frippery. The poet, in the following lines, has endeavoured to ex- press the feelings of his friend on the occasion : — Had I a cave on some wild, distant shore, "Where the winds howl to the waves' dashing roar ; There would I weep my woes, There seek my lost repose, Till grief my eyes should close, Ne'er to wake more. Falsest of womankind, canst thou declare All thy fond plighted vows fleeting as 9,ir I To thy new lover hie. Laugh o'er thy perjury. Then in thy bosom try What peace is there ! BY ALLAN STREAM I CHANCED TO ROVE, TuNK— " Allan Water." Tn a letter to Thomson, dated August 1793, enclosing this song, the poet says ; — *' I walked out yesterday evening with a volume of the Museum in my hand, when, turning up ' Allan Water,' as the words appeared to me rather unworthy 434 SONGS. [1793. of so fine an air, I sat and raved ander the shade of an old thoni, till I wrote one to suit the measure. I maybe wrong, but I think it not in my worst style. Bravo 1 say I ; it is a good song. Autumn is my propitious season. I make more verses in it than all the year else." By Allan stream I chanced to rove, While Phoebus sank beyond Benledi ; The winds were whispering through the grove, The yellow com was waving ready : I listen'd to a lover's sang, And thought on yoathfu' pleasures many ; And aye the wild wood echoes rang — Oh, dearly do I love thee, Annie ! Oh, happy be the woodbine bower, Nae nightly bogle make it eerie ;^ Nor ever sorrow stain the hour, The place and time I met my dearie ! Her head upon my throbbing breast, She, sinking, said, "I'm thine for ever !'* While mony a kiss the seal imprest. The sacred vow, — we ne'er should sever. The haunt o* Spring 's the primrose brae, The Simmer joys the flocks to follow ; How cheery, through her shortening day, Is Autumn in her weeds o' yellow ! But can they melt the glowing heart. Or chain the soul in speechless pleasure, Or through each nerve the rapture dart. Like meeting her, our bosom's treasure? OH, WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME TO YOU, MY LAD. Tune— "Whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad." "The old air of 'Whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad,'" says the poet to Thomson, "I admire very much, and yesterday I set the following verses to it;"— Oh, whistle, and I '11 come to you, my lad, Oh, whistle, and I '11 come to you, my lad : Though father and mither and a' should gae mad, Oh, whistle, and I '11 come to you, my lad. But warily tent ^ when you come to court me, And come na unless the back yett ^ be a-jee ; Syne up the back stile, and let uaebody see, And come as ye were na comin' to me. At kirk, or at market, whene'er ye meet me. Gang by me as though that ye cared na a flie ; 1 Frightsome. 2 Carefully heed. 3 Gate. ^T. 35.] SOAGS. 435 But steal me a blink o' your bonny black ee, Yet look as ye were na looking at me. Aye vow and protest that ye care na for me, And whiles ye may lightly^ my beauty a wee ; But court na anither, though jokin' ye be, For fear that she wile your fancy frae me. ADOWN WINDING NITH. Tune — " The Mucking o* Creordie's Byre." The Phillis of thxS song is thought to have been Miss Philadelphia M'Murdo, the heroine of the lines to "Phillis the Fair," in p. 432. Adown winding Nith I did wander, To mark the sweet flowers as they spring ; Adown winding Nith I did wander, Of Phillis to muse and to sing, Awa' m' your belles and your beauties, They never wi' her can compare : Whaever has met wi' my Phillis, Has met wi' the queen o' the fair. The daisy amused my fond fancy, So artless, so simple, so wild ; Thou emblem, said I, o' my Phillis, For she is Simplicity's child. The rosebud 's the blush o' my charmer. Her sweet balmy lip when 'tis prest ; How fair and how pure is the lily. But fairer and purer her breast ! Yon knot of gay flowers in the arbour, They ne'er wi' my Phillis can vie : Her breath is the breath o' the woodbine. Its dew-drop o' diamond her eye. Her voice is the song of the morning. That wakes through the green-spreading grove, AVhen Phoebus peeps over the mountains, On music, and pleasure, and love, But beauty how frail and how fleeting, The bloom of a fine summer's day I While worth in the mind o' my Phillis "Will flourish without a decay. 1 Disparage. 43^ SONGS. [1793 COME, LET ME TAKE THEK Air— "CauldKaU." Come, let me take thee to my breast, And pledge we ne'er shall sunder ; And I shall spurn as vilest dust The warld's wealth and grandeur : And do I hear my Jeanie own That equal transports move her? I ask for dearest life alone, That I may live to love her. Thus in my arms, wi' a' thy charms, I clasp my countless treasure ; I '11 seek nae mair o' heaven to share Than sic a moment's pleasure ; And by thy een, sae bonny blue, I swear I 'm thine for ever ! And on thy lips I seal my vow, ' ^Vnd break it shall I neve:i: ! DAINTY DAVIE, This is an improved version of a song which the poet wrote gome years before for the Museum, and which will be found at p. 368. The old song which fur- nished the air is said to have been composed on a somewhat indelicate inci- dent that occurred in the life of the Rev. David Williamson, during the times of the Persecution in Scotland. This worthy, it is affirmed, after having married seven wives, died minister of St Cuthbert's, Ediaburgh. Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers, To deck her gay green-spreading bowers ; And now comes in my happy hours To wander wi' my Davie. Meet me on the warlock knowe, Dainty Davie, dainty Davie ; There I '11 spend the day wi' you, My ain dear dainty Davie. The crystal waters round us fa', The merry birds are lovers a', The scented breezes round us blaw A-wandering wi' n^y Davie. When purple morning starts the hare, To steal upon her early fare, Then through the dews I will repair, To meet my faithfu' Davie. ^.T. 35.] SONGS. 437 When day, expiring in the west. The curtain draws o' nature's rest, I flee to his arms I lo'e best, And that 's my ain dear Davie. BRUCE'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY AT BANN'OCKBURN, Tune— "Hey, tuttie taitie." «» There is a tradition," says the poet, in a letter to Thomson, enclosing this glorious ode, "that the old air, ' Hey tuttie taitie,' was Robert Bruce's march at the battle of Bannockburn. This thought, in my solitary wanderings, has warmed me to a pitch of enthusiasm on the theme of liberty and independence which I have thrown into a kind of Scottish ode, fitted to the air, that one might suppose to be the gallant Scot's address to his heroic followers on that eventful morning." This ode, says Professor Wilson— the grandest out of the Bible— is sublime I )ScoTS, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots, wham BRUCE has often led ; Welcome to your gory bed, Or to Victory I Now 's the day, and now *s the hour ; See the front o' battle lour ; See approach proud Edward's power- Chains and slavery ! Wha will be a traitor knave ? Wha can fill a coward's grave? Wha sae base as be a slave ? Let him turn and flee ! Wha, for Scotland's king and law, Freedom's sword will strongly draw ; Freeman stand, or freeman fa', Let him follow me ! By Ox>pression's woes and pains I By your sons in servile chains ! We will drain our dearest veins. But they shall be free ! Lay the proud usurpers low ! Tyrants fall in every foe ! Liberty 's in every blow ! — Let us do or die I 43 S SONGS. [1793. THOU HAST LEFT ME EVER. Tune— "Fee him, father." The poet, in sending these verses to Thomson, says— "I do not give them for any merit they have. I composed them about the ' back o' midnight,' and by the leeside ot a bowl of punch, which had overset every mortal in company except the Muse." Thou hast left me ever, Jamie ! Thou hast left me ever ; Thou hast left me ever, Jamie ! Thou hast left me ever. Aften hast thou vow'd that death Only should us sever ; Now thou 'st left thy lass for aye— I maun see thee never, Jamie, I '11 see thee never I Thou hast me forsaken, Jamie '. Thou hast me forsaken ; Thou hast me forsaken, Jamie ! Thou hast me forsaken. Thou canst love anither jo, While my heart is breaking : Soon my weary een I '11 close — Never mair to waken, Jamie, Ne'er mair to waken ! FAIR JENNY. Tdjnb— " Saw ye my father." Where are the joys I have met in the morning, That danced to the lark's early song ? Where is the peace that awaited my wandering, At evening the wild woods among ? No more a-winding the course of yon river, And marking sweet flowerets so fair ; No more I trace the light footsteps of pleasure, But sorrow and sad sighing care. Is it that Summer 's forsaken our valleys, And grim, surly Winter is near? No, no ! the bees humming round the gay roses Proclaim it the pride of the year. Fain would I hide what I fear to discover, Yet long, long too well have I known; All that has caused this wreck in my bosom Is Jenny, fair Jenny alone. /ET. s5.] SONGS. 439 Time cannot aid me, my griefs are immortal, !N"or hope dare a comfort bestow : Come then, enamoured and fond of my anguish, Enjoyment I'll seek in my woe. DELUDED SWAIN, THE PLEASUKE. Tune—" The Collier's Bonny Lassie." Deluded swain, the pleasure The fickle fair can give thee Is but a fairy treasure — Thy hopes will soon deceive thee. The biUows on the ocean, The breezes idly roaming, The clouds' uncertain motion — They are but types of woman. Oh ! art thou not ashamed To doat upon a feature ? If man thou wouldst be named. Despise the silly creature. Go, find an honest fellow ; Good claret set before thee : Hold on till thou art mellcw, And then to bed in glory. MY SPOUSE, NANCY. Tune—" My Jo, Janet." *' Husband, husband, cease your strife, Nor longer idly rave, sir ; Though I am your wedded wife, Yet I am not your slave, sir." *' One of two must still obey, Nancy, Nancy ; Is it man, or woman, say, My spouse, Nancy?'* " If 'tis still the lordly word, Service and obedience ; I '11 desert my sovereign lord, And so, good-by, allegiance V* 440 SONGS, £1793. "Sad will I be, so bereft, Nancy, Nancy ; Yet I '11 try to make a shift, My spouse, Nancy." *'My poor heart then break it must. My last hour I 'm near it : "When you lay me in the dust. Think, think how you will bear it." ** I will hope and trust in Heaven, Nancy, Nancy; Strength to bear it will be given, My spouse, Nancy." "Well, sir, from the silent dead, Still I '11 try to daunt you ; Ever round your midnight bed Horrid sprites shall haunt you." "I'll wed another, like my dear Nancy, Nancy ; Then aU hell will fly for fear, My spouse, Nancy." OH, WERE MY LOVE YON LILAC FAIR. Tune—" Hughie Oraham." The iii-st two stanzas only of this song are by Bums ; the other two are old. Oh, were my love yon lilac fair, Wi' purple blossoms to the spring ; And I a bird to shelter there, When wearied on my little wing. How I wad mourn, when it was torn. By autumn wild, and winter rude I But I wad sing, on wanton wing, • When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd. Oh, gin my love were yon red rose, That grows upon the castle wa', And I mysel a drap o' dew. Into her bonny breast to fa* ! Oh ! there, beyond expression blest, I'd feast on beauty a' the night ; Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest, TiU fle/di awa' by Phoebus' light ! 1 Frightened. ^T. 35.] SONGS. 441 THE LOVELY LASS OF INYERNESS. Tune— "The Lass of Inverness." Burns's most successful imitation of the old style of ballad composition, says Cromek, seems to be in " The Lovely Lass of Inverness." The lovely lass of Inverness Nae joy nor pleasure can she see ; For e'en and morn she cries, alas ! And aye the saut tear blin's her ee : Drumossie Moor — Drumossie day — A waef u' day it was to me ! For there I lost my father dear, My father dear, and brethren three. Their winding-sheet the bluidy clay, Their graves are growing green to see : And by them lies the dearest lad That ever blest a woman's ee ! Xow wae to thee, thou cruel lord, A bluidy man I trow thou be ; For mony a heart thou hast made sair That ne'er did wrang to thine or thee. A RED, RED ROSE. Tune—" Crraham's Strathspey." This song was composed by the poet as an improvement of a street ballad, which is said to have been written by a Lieutenant Hinches, as a farewell to his sweetheart, when on the eve of parting. Oh, my luve 's like a red, red rose, That 's newly sprung in June : Oh, my luve 's like the melodie That 's sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonny lass. So deep in luve am I ; And I will luve thee still my dear. Till aJ the seas gang dry. Till sJ the seas gang dry, my dear. And the rocks melt wi' the sun : I will luve thee still, my dear, "While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only luve ! And fare thee weel a while ! And I will come again, my luve. Though it were ten thousand mile. 442 SONGS. [1794. A VISION. The following lines were written amid the ruins of Lincluden Abbey, a favourite haunt of the poet's. He contributed a version somewhat different to the Scot^s Musical Mtiseum : — As I stood by yon roofless tower, AVhere the wa'-flower scents the dewy air, Where the howlet^ mourns in her ivy bower, And tells the midnight moon her care ; The winds were laid, the air was still, The stars they shot along the sky ; The fox was howling on the hill, And the distant-echoing glens reply. The stream, adown its hazelly path, Was rushing by the i-uin'd wa's, Hasting to join the sweeping Nith, Whose distant roaring swells and fa's. The cauld blue North was streaming forth Her lights, wi' hissin', eerie din : Athort the lift they start and shift, ^ Like Fortune's favours, tint^ as win. By heedless chance I turn'd mine eyes, And, by the moonbeam, shook to see A stern and stalwart ghaist arise. Attired as minstrels wont to be. Had I a statue been o' stane. His daring look had daunted me ; And on his bonnet gi-aved was plain. The sacred posy — "Liberty ! " And frae his harp sic strains did flow, Might roused the slumbering dead to hear; ]3ut, oh ! it was a tale of woe. As ever met a Briton's ear ! He san^wi' joy the former day, He, weeping, wail'd his latter times ; But what he said it was nae play, — I winna venture 't in my rhymes. OUT OVER THE FOETH. TtJNE— " Charlie Gordon's Welcome Hame." Out over the Forth I look to the north. But what is the north and its Highlands to me ? 1 Owl. ^ I'Ost. .ET. 36.] SONGS, 443 The south nor the east gie ease to my breast. The far foreign land, or the wild-rolling sea. But I look to the west, when I gae to rest. That happy my dreams and my slumbers may be ; For far in the west lives he I lo'e best, The lad that is dear to my baby and me. JEANIE'S BOSOM. Tune—" Louis, what reck I by thee V* Louis, what reck I by thee, Or Geordie on his ocean? Dyvor,^ beggar loons to me — I reign in Jeanie's bosom. Let her crown my love her law, And in her breast enthrone me : King and nations — swith, awa' ! Keif -randies, 2 I disown ye ! FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEBODY. Tune—" For the Sake of Somebody.'* My heart is sair — I dare na tell- - My heart is sair for Somebody ; I could wake a winter night For the sake o' Somebody. Oh-hon ! for Somebody ! Oh-hey! for Somebody! I could range the world around, For the sake o' Somebody ! Ye Powers that smile on virtuous love, Oh, sweetly smile on Somebody ! Frae ilka danger keep him free, And send me safe my Somebody. Oh-hon ! for Somebody ! Oh-hey ! for Somebody ! I wad do— what wad I not ? For the sake o' Somebody ! * Bankruxjt. 2 Ti^ieving-beggars. 444 SONGS. [1794. WILT THOU BE MY DEAKIE. Air—" The Sutor's Dochter," "VYlLT tliou be my dearie ? When soiTow wrings thy gentle heart. Wilt thou let me cheer thee ? By the treasure of my soul, That 's the love I bear thee ! I swear and vow that only thou Shall ever be my dearie. Only thou, I swear and vow, Shall ever be my dearie. Lassie, say thou lo'es me ; Or, if thou wilt na be my ain, Say na thou 'It refuse me : If it winna, canna be, Thou, for thine may choose me, Let me, lassie, quickly die. Trusting that thou lo'est me. Lassie, let me quickly die, Trusting that thou lo'es me. LOVELY POLLY STEWART. TdNE— " Ye're welcome, Charlie Stewart." The heroine of this song was the daughter of a Mr William Stewart, a neighbour of the poet's at Ell island, and was, when he first knew her, a handsome blooming girl, just bursting into womanhood. She married a wealthy gentle- man early in life ; but, unfortunately, from some act of indiscretion, she fell from "her high estate," and sunk to the lowest depths of poverty and degra- dation ; and is said, on the authority of Mr Chambers, to have been forced to support herself, towards the end of her life, by her labours as a laundress in Maxwelltown. O LOVELY Polly Stewart ! O charming Polly Stewart ! There 's ne'er a flower that blooms in May That 's half so fair as thou art. The flower it blaws, it fades and fa's, And art can ne'er renew it ; But worth and truth eternal youth Will gie to Polly Stewart. May he whose arms shall fauld thy charma Possess a leal and true heart ; To him be given to ken the heaven He grasps in Polly Stewart ! O lovely Polly Stewart ! O charming Polly Stewart ! There 's ne'er a flower that blooms in May That 's half so sweet as thou art. ^T. 36.] SOJ^GS. 445 TO MAEY. Tune—" At Setting Day." Could aught of song declare my pains, Could artful numbers move thee, The Muse should teU, in labour'd strain s^ O Mary, how I love thee ! They v/ho but feign a wounded heart May teach the lyre to languish ; But what avails the pride of art. When wastes the soul with anguish t Then let the sudden bursting sigh The heart-felt pang discover ; And in the keen, yet tender, eye, Oh, read th' imploring lover. For well I know thy gentle mind Disdains art^s gay disguising ; Beyond what fancy e'er refined. The voice of nature prizing. WAE IS MY HEART. Tui?B— "Wae is my heart" "Wae is my heart, and the tear's in my ee, Lang, lang, joy 's been a stranger to me : Forsaken and friendless, my burden I bear. And the sweet voice of pity ne'er sounds in my ear. Love, thou hast pleasures, and deep hae I loved. Love, thou hast sorrows, and sair hae I proved ; But this bruised heart that now bleeds in my breast, I can feel by its throbbings will soon be at rest. Oh, if I were, where happy I hae been, Down by yon stream and yon bonny castle-green ; For there he is wandering, and musing on me, Wha wad soon dry the tear frae his Phillis's ee. HERE'S TO THY HEALTH, MY BONKY LASS. T^NB— '5 l^gs&n Burn.^' Here's tathy health, my bonny lass, Quid night and joy be wi' thee ; I '11 come nae mair to thy bower- door. To tell thee that I lo'e the.e. 446 SOJVGS, [1794. Oh, dinna think, my pretty pink, Bub I can live without thee : I vow and swear I dinna care, How lang ye look about ye. Thou 'rt aye sae free informing me Thou hast nae mind to marry ; I '11 be as free informing thee Nae time hae I to tarry. I ken thy friends try ilka means Frae wedlock to delay thee ; Depending on some higher chance — But Fortune may betray thee. I ken they scorn my low estate, But that does never grieve me ; But I 'm as free as any he, Sma' siller will relieve me. I '11 count my health my greatest wealth Sae lang as I '11 enjoy it : I '11 fear nae scant, I '11 bode nae want, As lang 's I get employment. But far-off fowls hae feathers fair. And aye until ye try them : Though they seem fair, still have a care, They may prove waur than I am. But at twal at night, when the moon shines bright, My dear, I '11 come and see thee ; For the man that lo'es his mistress weel, Nae travel makes him weary. MY LADY'S GOWN, THERE 'S GATES UPON 'T, Tune—" Gregg's Pipes," My lady's gown, there 's gairs^ upon't, And gowden flowers sae rare upon 't ; But Jenny's jimps^ and jirkinet,^ My lord thinks meikle mair upon 't. My lord a-hunting he is gane. But hounds or hawks wi' him are nane ; By Colin's cottage lies his game, If Colin's Jenny be at hame. My lady 's white, my lady 's red, And kith and kin o' Cassillis' blude ; But her ten-pund lands o' tocher guid Were a' the charms his lordship lo'ed. 1 A triangular piece of cloth inserted at the bottom of a robe. ' A kind of stays. 8 Bodice. «T. 36.] SOiYGS, , 447 Out o'er yon muir, out o'er yon moss, "Whare gor-cocks through the heather pass, There wons auld Colin's bonny lass, A lily in a wilderness. Sae sweetly move her gentle limbs, Like music-notes o' lovers' hymns : The diamond dew in her een sae blue, "Where laughing love sae wanton swims. My lady 's dink,^ my lady's drest. The flower and fancy o' the west ; But the lassie that a man lo'es best, Oh, that 's the lass to mak him blest. ANNA, THY CHAEMS. Tune — " Bonny Mary." Anna, thy charms my bosom fire. And waste my soul with care ; But ah ! how bootless to admire, "When fated to despair ! Yet in thy presence, lovely fair, To hope may be forgiven ; For sure 'twere impious to despair. So much in sight of heaven. JOCKEY 'S TA'EN THE PAETING KISa Tune — '' Bonny Lassie, tak a Man." Jockey 's ta'en the parting kiss. O'er the mountains he is gane ; And with him is a' my bliss. Nought but griefs with me remain. Spare my luve, ye winds that blaw. Flashy sleets and beating rain ! Spare my luve, thou feathery snaw, Drifting o'er the frozen plain ! "When the shades of evening creep O'er the day's fair gladsome ee, Sound and safely may he sleep, Sweetly blithe his waukening be I He will think on her he loves, Fondly he '11 repeat her name ; For where'er he distant roves, Jockey's heart is still at liame. 1 Neat, trim. 44^ SONGS. [1794. Oil, LAY THY LOOF IN MINE, LASS. Tune—" Cordwainers' March.** Oh, lay thy loof ^ in mine, lass, In mine, lass, in mine, lass ; And swear on thy white hand, lass, That thou wilt be my ain. A slave to love's unbounded sway, He aft has wrought me meikle wae ; But now he is my deadly fae. Unless thou be my ain. There 's mony a lass has broke my rest, That for a blink 2 I hae lo'ed best ; But thou art queen within my breast, For ever to remain. Oh, lay thy loof in mine, lass, In mine, lass, in mine, lass ; And swear on thy white hand, lass, That thou wilt be my ain. OH, MALLY'S IVIEEK, MALLY'S SWEET. Cunningham gives the following account of the origin of this song : — " The poet was one day walking along the High Street of Dumfries, when he met a young woman from the country, who, with her shoes and stockings packed carefully up, and her petticoats kilted, * Which did gently shaw Her straight bare legs that whiter were than snaw,* was proceeding towards the Galloway side of the Nith. This sight, by no means so unusual then as now, influenced the Muse of Burns, and the result was this exquisite lyric." As I was walking up the street, A barefit maid I chanced to meet ; But oh, the road was very hard For that fair maiden's tender feet. Oh, Mally's meek, Mally's sweet, Mally 's modest and discreet, ]\Ially 's rare, Mally 's fair, Mally 's every way complete. It were mair meet that those fine feet Were weel laced up in silken shoon. And 'twere more fit that she should sit Within yon chariot gilt aboon, 1 Palm 8 Short space. ET. 36.] SONGS. 449 Her yellow hair, beyond compare, Comes trinkling down her swan-like neck ; And her two eyes, like stars in skies, Would keep a sinking ship frae wreck. THE BANKS OF CREE. Tune— "The Banks of Cree." Lady Elizabeth Heron having composed an air entitled " The Banks of Cree," in remembrance of a beautiful and romantic stream of that name, " I have writ- ten," says the poet, " the following song to it, as her ladyship is a particular friend of mine." Here is the glen, and here the bower, All underneath the birchen shade ; The village-bell has told the hour — Oh, what can stay my lovely maid? 'Tis not Maria's whispering call ; 'Tis not the balmy-breathing gale, Mixt with some warbler's dying fail, The dewy star of eve to hail. Ifc is Maria's voice I hear ! So calls the woodlark in the grove, His little faithful mate to cheer — At once 'tis music, and 'tis love. And art thou come? and art thou true? Oh, welcome, dear, to love and me ! And let us all our vows renew Along the flowerj^ banks of Cree, ON THE SEAS AND FAE, AWAY. Tune— -"O'er the hills and far away." How can my poor heart be glad. When absent from my sailor lad ^ How can I the thought forego, He 's on the seas to meet the foe ? Let me wander, let me rove. Still my heart is with my love : Nightly dreams, and thoughts by day, Are with him that 's far away. On the seas and far away, On stormy seas and far away ; Nightly dreams, and thoughts by day. Are aye with liini that 's far iiway. 2f 450 SONGS. [1794. When in summer noon I faint, As weary flocks around me pant, Haply in the scorching sun My sailor 's thundering at his gun : Bullets, spare my only joy! Bullets, spare my darling boy ! Pate, do with me what you may — Spare but him that 's far away ! At the starless midnight hour, When winter rules with boundless power ; As the storms the forest tear, And thunders rend the howling air, Listening to the doubling roar, Surging on the rocky shore. All I can — I weep and pray, For his weal that 's far away. Peace, thy olive wand extend. And bid wild War his ravage end, Man with brother man to meet. And as a brother kindly greet : Then may Heaven with prosperous gales Fill my sailor's welcome sails. To my arms their charge convey — My dear lad that 's far away. CA' THE YOWES. This is an improved version, which the poet prepared for his friend Thomson, of a song already given at p. 383. Ca' the yowes to the knowes, Ca' them whare the heather grows, - Ca' them whare the burnie rowes, My bonny dearie ! Hark the mavis' evening sang Sounding Cluden's woods amang I Then a faulding let us gang. My bonny dearie. We '11 gae down by Cluden side, Through the hazels spreading wide. O'er the waves that sweetly glide, To the moon sae clearly. Yonder Cluden's silent towers, Where at moonshine midnight hours, O'er the dewy bending flowers. Fairies dance sae cheery. mT.36.] SONGS, 451 Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear ; Thou 'rt to love and heaven sae dear, Nocht of ill may come thee near. My bonny dearie. Fair and lovely as thou art, Thou hast stown my very heart ; I can die— but canna part — My bonny dearie ! SHE SAYS SHE LOE'S ME BEST OF A\ Tune—" Onagh's Waterfall." Miss Jean Lorimer, the flaxen-haired Chloris of this and other fine lyrics, has been once or twice alluded to already ; but as the poet has celebrated her beauty of person and charms of manner in no less than eleven songs, some of which are amongst the finest he ever wrote ; and as her lot in life, for one so beautiful and attractive, was singularly unfortunate, a brief outline of her his- tory will be found interesting — for the leading incidents of ,which we are in- debted to the diligence and research of Mr Robert Chambers. Her father, Mr William Lorimer, was a prosperous farmer at a place called Kemmis Hall, on tlie banks of the Nith, near Dumfries, and with whom the poet was on terms of the closest intimacy. Here he first saw and admired this charming crea- ture, who, though not yet nineteen, was now in the full bloom of her dazzling beauty, and destined to task his Muse to its highest heaven of invention. Slie had, of course, no lack of suitors, many of whom were men of worth and honour; but, unfortunately for herself, her choice fell upon a young gentleman of the name of Whelpdale, a native of the county of Cumberland, who had settled as a farmer in the neighbourhood of Moffat, and with whom she eloped one night from her father's house to Gretna G-reen, where they were married. But, a few short months after this romantic affair, her husband, who was natu- rally of reckless and extravagant habits, fled from the district to avoid his creditors, leaving his wife to return to her father's without a penny to support her. She did not see him again for twenty-three years ! And it was while residing with her parents, in this abandoned condition, that the poet first made her acquaintance, and sang her beauty and her sorrows. A few years after her desertion, however, when the poet's lyre was mute, and the hand that tuned it in her praise was mouldering in the dust, her father met with a series of losses that reduced him to the brink of poverty, and she v/as forced to accept of a situation as an under governess in a gentleman's family. Having supported herself for many years by her services in this capacity, she one day accidentally heard that her husband was imprisoned at Carlisle for debt, after having wandered about the country for years, and squandered some four or five fortunes that had been left him by different relations. With a woman's yearning for the lover of her youth, she went to see him ; but when he was pointed out to her, he was so changed, she scarcely knew him ; and it was only when he pronounced her name, that she recognised, in the broken-down and bloated figure before her the gay gallant with whom she had fled from her fathei^'s house some twenty years before ! After a few visits, as the infatuated man seemed utterly incapable of reforming, she parted with him, never to meet again. Some years afterwards, when friendless and unprotected, she stept from the paths of honour, fell from her respectable position in society, and for a time "had her portion with weeds and outworn faces ! " For years after this she is said to have been in a condition little above beggary, leading a kind of wandering life, and occasionally acting as a domestic servant. Ulti- mately, however, through the exertions of a benevolent gentleman to whom she had disclosed her history, she was rescued from this wretched state, and 45 2 SONGS, [1794. became housekeeper to a gentleman residing in Newington, Edinburgh, where she remained for some years. But having at last been seized with consump- tion, which compelled her to leave her situation, she retired to an obscure abode in Middleton's Entry, Potterrow ; and after lingering there for some time in loneliness and suffering, supported by the charity of strangers, she died in September 1831, and was buried in Newington churchyard. Sae flaxen were her ringlets, Her eyebrows of a darker hue, Bewitchingly o'er-arching Twa laughing een o' bonny blue. Her smiling sae wiling, Wad make a wretch forget his woe ; Wliat pleasure, what treasure. Unto these rosy lips to grow ! Such was my Chloris' bonny face, When first her bonny face I saw ; And aye ray Chloris' dearest charm, She says she lo'es me best of a*. Like harmony her motion ; Her pretty ankle is a spy, Betraying fair proportion. Wad mak a saint forget the sky, Sae warming, sae charming. Her faultless form and gracefu' air; Hk feature— auld Nature Declared that she could do nae mair. Hers are the willing chains o' love, By conquering beauty's sovereign law ; And aye my Chloris' dearest charm, She says she lo'es me best o' a'. Let others love the city. And gaudy show at sunny noon ; Gie me the lonely valley. The dewy eve, and rising moon ; Fair beaming and streaming. Her silver light the boughs amaug ; While falling, recalling. The amorous thrush concludes his sang ; There, dearest Chloris, wilt thou rove By wimpling bum and leafy shaw, And hear my vows o' truth and love, And say thou lo'est me best of a' ? THE LOVER'S MORNING SALUTE TO HIS MISTRESS. Tune— "Deil tak the wars." 'Having been out in the country dining with a friend," (Mr Lorimer of Kemmis Hall,) says the poet in a letter to Thomson, "I met with a lady, [Mrs "\VheIi> dale— ' Chloris,'] and as usual got into song, and on returning home composed the following : "— ^.T. s6.] SONGS, 453 Sleep'st thou, 01 wakest thou, fairest creature ? Bosy Morn now lifts his eye. Numbering ilka bud which nature Waters wi' the tears o' joy r Now through the leafy woods, And by the reeking floods, Wild nature's tenants, freely, gladly, stray ; The lintwhite in his bower Chants o'er the breathing flower; * The laverock to the sky Ascends wi' sangs o' joy. While the sun and thou arise to bless the day Phoebus, gilding the brow o' morning. Banishes ilk darksome shade, Nature gladdening and adorning ; Such to me my lovely maid. When absent frae my fair, The murky shades o care With startless gloom o'ercast my sullen sky ; But when, in beauty's light, She meets my ravish'd sight, When through my very heart Her beaming glories dart — *Tis then I wake to life, to light, and joy.f CHLORIS. Regarding the following lines, the poet says :— " Having been on a visit the other day to my fair Chloris — that is the poetic name of the lovely goddess of my inspiration— she suggested an idea, which, on my return home, I wrought into the following song : " — My Chloris, mark how green the groves, The primrose banks how fair ; The balmy gales awake the flowers, And wave thy flaxen hair. * Vabiation. — " Now to the streaming fountain. Or up the heathy mountain, The hart, hind, and roe, freely, wildly- wanton stray; In twining hazel bowers His lay the linnet pours ; The laverock to the sky," &c. t Var. — " When frae my Chloris parted, Sad, cheerless, broken-hearted, Then night's gloomy shades, cloudy, dark, o'ercast my sty ; But when she charms my sight, In pride of beauty's light : "When through my very heart Her beaming glories dart, 'Tis then, 'tis then I wake to life and joy." 454 SONGS. [1794. The laverock shuns the palace gay, And o'er the cottage sings ; For nature smiles as sweet, I ween, To shepherds as to kings. Let minstrels sweep the skilfu* string In lordly lighted ha' : Tlie shepherd stops his simple reed. Blithe, in the birken shaw.^ The princely revel may survey Our rustic dance wi' scorn ; But are their hearts as light as ours, Beneath the milk-white thorn? The shepherd in the flowery glen. In shepherd's phrase will woo; The courtier tells a finer tale — But is his heart as true ? These wild- wood flowers I 've pu'd, to deck That spotless breast o' thine ; The courtier's gems maj' witness love — But 'tisna love like mine. TO CHLORIS. The following lines, says the poet, were "written on the blank leaf cf a copy of the last edition of ray poems, and presented to the lady whom, with tiie most ardent sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of Chloris : " — 'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair friend. Nor thou the gift refuse, Nor with unwilling ear attend The moralising Muse. Since thou, in all thy youth and charms, Must bid the world adieu, (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms,) To join the friendly few ; Since thy gay mom of life o'ercast, Chill came the tempest*s lower ; (And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast Did nip a fairer flower ;) Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Still much is left behind ; Still nobler wealth hast thou in store— The comforts of the mind ! 1 Birch wood. SONGS. 455 Thine is the self -approving glow- On conscious honour's part ; And — dearest gift of Heaven below — Thine friendship's truest heart. The joys refined of sense and taste, With every Muse to rove : And doubly were the poet blest, These joys could he improve. AH, CHLORIS I Tu2«B— "Major Graham." ThJs is another of those beautiful lyrics, the fruit of the poet's acquaintance with the charming Chloris— the liglitning of whose eye, to use his own words, , was the godhead of Parnassus, and the witchery of her smile the divinity of Helicon ! Ah, Chloris ! since it mayna be That thou of love wilt hear ; If from the lover thou maun flee, Yet let the friend be dear. Although I love my Chloris mair Than ever tongue could tell ; My passion I will ne'er declare, I '11 say, I wish thee well. Though a' my daily care thou art, And a' my nightly dream, 1 11 hide the struggle in my heart, And say it is esteem. SAW YE MY PHELY? Tu^'K— " When she cam ben she bobbit.** Oh, saw ye my dear, my Phely ? Oh, saw ye my dear, my Phely ? She 's down i' the grove, she 's wi' a new love, She winna come hame to her Willy. What says she, my dearest, my Phely ? AYliat says she, my dearest, my Phely ? She lets thee to wit that she has thee forgot, And for ever disowns thee, her Willy. Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Phely ! Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Phely ! As light as the air, and fause as thou's fair — Thou's broken the heart o' thy Willy. 4S<5 I1794. HOW LONG AND DREAEY IS THE NIGHT! To a Gaelic Air. How long and dreary is the night, When I am frae my dearie ! I sleepless lie frae e'en to mom, Though I were ne'er sae weary. I sleepless lie frae e'en to mom, Though I were ne'er sae weary. When I think on the happy days I spent wi' you, my dearie, And now what lands between us lie, How can I be but eerie ?^ And now what lands between us lie. How can I be but eerie ? How slow ye move, ye heavy hours. As ye were wae and weary ! It wasna sae ye glinted^ by When I was wi' my dearie. It wasna sae ye glinted by When I was wi' my dearie. IMPROVED VERSION. Tune— "Cauld Kailin Aberdeen." How long and dreary is the night, When I am frae my dearie ! I restless lie frae e'en to mom. Though I were ne'er sae weary. For oh I her lanely nights are lang ; And oh, her dreams are eerie ; And oh, her widow'd heart is sair, That 's absent frae her dearie. "When I think on the lightsome days I spent wi' thee, my dearie ; And now what seas between us roar — How can I be but eeric^? How slow ye move, ye heavy hours ! The joyless day how dreary ! It wasna sae ye glinted by. When I was wi' my dearie. ^T. 36.] soj\rGS. 4S7 LET NOT WOMAN" E'ER COMPLAIN. Tune—" Duncan Crray." *'I have been at 'Duncan Gray,'" says the poet to Thomson, "to dress it into English ; but all I can do is deplorably stupid. For instance :" — Let not woman e'er complain Of inconstancy in love ; Let not woman e'er complain Fickle man is apt to rove : Look abroad through nature's range, » Nature's mighty law is change ; Ladies, would it not be strange, Man should then a monster prove ? Mark the winds, and mark the skies j Ocean's ebb, and ocean's flow ; Sun and moon but set to rise. Round and round the seasons go : "Why then ask of silly man To oppose great Nature's plan ? We '11 be constant while we can — You can be no more, you know. THE CHARMING MONTH OF MAY, The poet having given the following English dress to an old Scotch ditty, says, in transmitting it to Thomson : — " You may think meanly of this ; but if you saw the bombast of the original you would be surprised that I had made so much of it." It was the charming month of May, When aU the flowers were fresh and gay, One morning, by the break of day, The youthful, charming Chloe ; From peaceful slumber she arose, Girt on her mantle and her hose. And o'er the flowery mead she goes, The youthful, charming Chloe. Lovely was she by the dawn. Youthful Chloe, charming Chloe, Tripping o'er the pearly lawn, The youthful, charming Chloe. The feather'd people you might see, Perch'd all around, on every tree, In notes of sweetest melody, They hail the charming Chloe ; Till painting gay the eastern skies. The glorious sun began to rise, Out-rivaU'd by the radiant eyes Of youthful, charming Chloe. 45 8 SONGS, [1794, LASSIE WI' THE LINT- WHITE LOCKS. Tune— "Roth emurche's Rant." "This piece," says the poet, "has at least the merit of being a regular pastoral : the vernal morn, the summer noon, the autumnal evening, and tl.e winter night, arc regularly rounded." Now nature deeds ^ the flowery lea, And a' is young and sweet like thee ; Oh, wilt thou share its joy wi' me. And say thou 'It be my dearie, O ? Lassie wi' the lint-white locks, Bonny lassie, artless lassie, Wilt thou Avi' me tent '^ the flocks ? Wilt thou be my dearie, O ? And when the welcome simmer-shower Has cheer'd ilk drooping little flower, We '11 to the breathing woodbine bower At sultry noon, my dearie, O. When Cynthia lights, wi' silver ray, The weary shearer's ^ hameward way ; Through yellow waving fields we '11 stray, And talk o' love, my dearie, O. And when the howling wintry blast Disturbs my lassie's midnight rest ; Enclasped to my faithfu' breast, I '11 comfort thee, my dearie, O. FAREWELL, THOU STREAM. Tune— " Nancy's to the greenwood gane." This song appears to be an improved version of the one entitled, " The last time I came o'er the moor," (p. 428,) with the substitution of the name Eliza for that of Maria. This change probably arose from the poet's quarrel with Mrs Riddel having rendered her name distasteful to him. See the introduction to the song entitled, " Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy ?" in p. 461. Farewell, thou stream that winding flows Around Eliza's dwelling ! O Memory ! spare the cruel throes Within my bosom swelling : Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain, And yet in secret languish ; To feel a fire in every vein. Nor dare disclose my anguish. 1 Clothes. 2 Tend. » Reaper's. /ET. 36.] SONGS. • 459 Love's veriest wi'etch, unseen, unknown, I fain my griefs would cover ; The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan, Betray the hapless lover. I Know thou doom'st me to despair, Nor wilt, nor canst, relieve me ; But oh, Eliza, hear one j)rayer — For pity's sake forgive me ! The music of thy voice I heard. Nor wist while it enslaved me ; I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd, 'Till fears no more had saved me : The unwary sailor thus aghast, The wheeling torrent viewing ; 'Mid circling horrors sinks a,t last In overwhelming ruin. O PHILLY, HAPPY BE THAT DAY. Tune—" The Sow's Tail." O Philly, happy be that day, When roving through the gather'd hay, My youthfu' heart was stown away, And by thy charms, my Philly. O Willy, aye I bless the grove Where first I own'd my maiden love, AVhilst thou didst j)ledge the Powers abovo To be my ain dear Willy. As songsters of the early year Are ilka day mair sweet to hear, So ilka day to me mair dear, And charming is my Philly. SHE. As on the brier the budding rose Still richer breathes and fairer blows, So in my tender bosom grows The love I bear my Willy. HE. The milder sun and bluer sky That crown my harvest cares wi' joy, Were ne'er so welcome to my eye As is a sight o' Philly. 46o SOJ\rGS. [1794. Tlie Kttle swallow's wanton wing, Though wafting o'er the flowery spring, Did ne'er to me sic tidings bring As meeting o' my Willy. HE. The bee that through the sunny hour Sips nectar in the opening flower. Compared wi' my delight is poor, Upon the lips o' Philly. SHE. The woodbine in the dewy weet "Wlien evening shades in silence meet. Is nocht sae fragrant or sae sweet As is a kiss o' Willy. HE. Let Fortune's wheel at random rin, And fools may tyne, and knaves may win; My thoughts are a' bound up in ane, And that 's my ain dear Philly. "NVTiat 's a' the joys that gowd can gie ? I carena wealth a single flie ; The lad I love 's the lad for me, And that 's my ain dear Willy. CONTENTED WI' LITTLE. Tune—" Lumps 0' Pudding." This song is entitled to more than ordinary attention, as it appears the poet meant it for a personal sketch ; for, in a letter to Thomson, thanking him for the present of a picture of " The Cotter's Saturday Night," by David Allan, the leading painter of the day, he says : — *' Ten thousand thanks for your elegant present. ... I have some thoughts of suggesting to you to prefix a vignette of me to my song, ' Contented wi' little, and cantie wi' mair,' in order that the portrait of my face, and the picture of my mind, may go down the stream of time together." Contented wi' little, and cantie^ wi' mair. Whene'er I forgather 2 wi' sorrow and care, I gie them a skelp,^ as they're creeping alang, Wi' a cog o' guid swats,^ and an auld Scottish sang. 1 Happy. 2 Meet. * Whack. * Flagon of ale MT. 36.] SONGS. 461 I whiles claw the elbow o' troublesome thought ; But man is a sodger, and life is a faught ; My mirth and guid humour are coin in my pouch, And my freedom's my lairdship nae monarch dare touch. A towmond ^ o' trouble, should that be my fa', A night o' guid-fellowship sowthers ^ it a' : When at the blithe end o' our journey at last, Wha the deil ever thinks o' the road he has past ? Blind Chance, let her snapper and stoyte ^ on her way ; Be 't to me, be 't frae me, e'en let the jade gae : ^ Come ease or come travail ; come pleasure or pain ; My warst word is — " Welcome, and welcome again ! '* CANST THOU LEAYE ME THUS, MY KATY? TuNK— "Roy's Wife." This song, which the poet says he composed in two or three turns across his little room, was meant as a representation of the kindly feelings which he now once more began to entertain for his former beautiful and fascinating friend, Mrs Riddel of Woodley Park. Having been a frequent and welcome guest at the house of this kind and accomplished lady, whom he passionately admired, (see the song, "The last time I came o'er the moor," p. 428,) he is said, on one occasion, while under the influence of the wine he had taken at table, and the alluring charms of his fair hostess's conversation and manner, to have so far forgot himself as to attempt to kiss her — an indignity, however, which she punished by withdrawing her friendship. During the continuance of this coldness, which lasted for nearly two years, he weakly gave vent to his wrath and wounded pride in two or three lampoons and other satirical effu- sions ; but ultimately a kindlier feeling took possession of him, under the influence of which he composed this song, and sent it to the lady as a kind of peace-offering. To her honour be it said, she not only had the magnanimity to forgive him, but, in order to soothe his ruffled feelings, and help to heal the breach that kept them separate, she replied to his song in a similar strain of poetic licence.* The poet, it will be observed, with the usual freedom 1 Twelvemonth. 2 Solders. 8 Stagger and stumble. * Slut go. ♦ The following are the pieces which Mrs Riddel sent to the poet in reply to his song : — Tune— "Roy's Wife." " Tell me that thou yet art true, And a' my wrongs shall be forgiven ; And when this heart proves fause to thee, Yon sun shall cease its course in heaven. " Stay, my Willie — ^yet believe me, Stay, my Willie — yet believe me, For, ah ! thou know'st na every pang Wad wring my bosom, shouldst thou leave me, « But to think I was betray' d, That falsehood e'er our loves should sunder I To take the floweret to my breast. And find the guilefu' serpei it under. 462 SONGS. [1794. of the sons of Apollo, addresses her as a mistress, and in that character she replies to him. It is gratifying to know that they ultimately became thoroughly reconciled ; and after his untimely and lamented death, he had no warmer eulogist than Maria Riddel. Is this thy plighted, fond reward, Thus cruelly to i^art, my Katy ? Is this thy faithful swain's regard — An aching, broken heaii;, my Katy ? Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy ? Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy ? Well thou knowest my aching heart — And canst thou leave me thus for pity ? Farewell ! and ne'er such sorrows tear That fickle heart of thine, my Katy ! Thou mayst find those will love thee deal — But not a love like mine, my Katy ! * Could I hope thou'dst ne'er deceive, Celestial pleasures might I choose 'era, I 'd slight, nor seek in other spheres That heaven I 'd find within thy bosom. «' Stay, my Willie— yet believe me. Stay, my Willie— yet' believe me, For ah 1 thou know'st na every pang Wad wring my bosom, shouldst thou leave me.* " To thee, loved Nith, thy gladsome plains. Where late with careless thought I ranged, Though prest with care, and sunk in woe, To thee I bring a heart unchanged. I love thee, Nith, thy banks and braes, Though Memory there my bosom tear. For there he roved that broke my heart, Yet to that heart, ah, still how dear 1 '' And now your banks and bonny braes But waken sad remembrance' smart; The very shades I held most dear Now strike fresh anguish to my heart : Deserted bower 1 where are they now — Ah I where the garlands that I wove With faithful care, each morn to deck The altars of ungrateful love ? <• The flowers of spring, how gay they bloom' d, When last with him I wandei^'d here I The flowers of spring are pass'd away For wintry horrors, dark and drear. Yon osier'd stream, by wliose lone banks My songs have lull'd him oft to rest, Is now in icy fetters lock'd — Cold as my false love's frozen breast." ^T. 36.] SONGS. 463 \VHA IS THAT AT MY BOWEK-DOOE? Tune— "Lass, an I come near thee." The following quaint ditty, it appears, was suggested to the poet by an old song in Ramsay's "Tea-Table Miscellany," entitled, "The Auld Man's Address to the Widow : " — "VVha is that at my bower-door? Oh, wha is it but Findlay ? Then gae yere gate,^ ye'se nae be here !— Indeed, maun I, quo' Findlay. AVhat mak ye sae like a thief? Oh, come and see, quo' Findlay ; Before the morn ye '11 work mischief — Indeed will I, quo' Findlay. Gif ^ I rise and let you in, — Let me in, quo' Findlay ; Ye '11 keep me waukin wi' your din- Indeed will I, quo' Findlay. In my bower if ye should stay, — Let me stay, quo' Findlay ; I fear ye '11 bide^ till break o' day — Indeed will I, quo' Findlay. Here this night if ye remain, — I'll remain, quo' Findlay; I dread ye '11 ken the gate again ; — Indeed will I, quo' Findlay. What may pass within this bower, — Let it pass, quo' Findlay ; Ye maun conceal till your last hour ; — Indeed will I, quo' Findlay. THE CAKDIN' O 'T. Tune — "Salt-fish and Dumplings.* I COFT'* a stane o' haslock^ woo, To mak a coat to Johnny o 't ; For Johnny is my only jo, I lo'e him best of ony yet. The cardin' o 't, the spinnin' o 't, The war x:)in' o 't, the winnin' o 't ; When ilka ell cost me a groat. The tailor staw,^ the linin' o 't. 1 Way. 2 If. » Remain. •♦ Bought. » Hause-lock, the wool on the throat— the finest of the fleece. « Stole. 4^4 SOATGS. [1794. For thougli his locks be lyart gray, And though his brow be held aboon ; Yet I hae seen him on a day The pride of a' the parishen. THE PIPER. A FRAGMENT. There came a piper out o' Fife, I watna what they ca'd him ; He play'd our cousin Kate a spring When fient a body bade him ; And aye the mair he hotch'd and blew, The mair that she forbade him. JENNY M'CRAW. A FRAGMENT, Jenny M'Craw, she has ta'en to the heather. Say, was it the Covenant carried her thither ; Jenny M'Craw to the mountains is gane. Their leagues and their covenants a' she has ta*en ; My head and my heart now, quo' she, are at rest, And as for the lave, let the deil do his best. THE LAST BRAW BRIDAL. A FRAGMENT. The last braw bridal that I was at, 'Twas on a Hallowmas day, And there was routh^ o' drink and fun. And mickle mirth and play. The bells they rang, and the carlines^ sang, And the dames danced in the ha' ; The bride went to bed wi' the sillv bridegroom, In the midst o' her kimmers ^ a . ^ Plenty. 2 Old women. « Women. ALT. 30 .J SOJVGS. 4t>S LINES ON A MERRY PLOUGHMAN. As I was a wandering ae morning in si)ring, I heard a merry ploughman sae sweetly to sing; And as he was singin' thae words he did say, There 's nae life like the ploughman's in the month o' Sweet May, The laverock in the morning she '11 rise frae her nest, And mount in the air wi' the dew on her breast ; And wi' the merry ploughman she'll whistle and sing ; And at night she '11 return to her nest back again. THE WINTER OF LIFE. TuxE— "Gril Morice." But lately seen in gladsome green, The woods rejoiced the day ; Through gentle showers the laughing flowers In double pride were gay : But now our joj'-s are fled On winter blasts awa' ! Yet maiden May, in rich array, Again shall bring them a'. But my white pow,^ nae kindly thowe,^ Shall melt the snaws of age ; My trunk of eild,^ but"* buss or bield,-^ Sinks in Time's wintry rage. Oh ! age has weary days, And nights o' sleejoless pain ! Thou golden time o' youthfu' prime, Why comest thou not again ! I 'LL AYE CA' IN BY YON TOWN Tune — "I'll gae nae mair to yon town." I 'll aye ca' in by yon town, And by yon garden green, again ; I '11 aye ca' in by yon town, And see my bonny Jean again. There 's nane sail ken, there 's nane sail guess, What brings me back the gate again ; But she, my fairest, faithfa' lass, And stowlins*^ we sail meet again. 1 Head. 2 Thaw. « Ap:ed trunk, * Without. sSlielter. « Seci-ctlj, 2 G 466 SONGS. [1794. She '11 wander by tlie aiken tree, When trystin'-tinie draws near again ; And when her lovely form I see, Oh, haith, she '■& doubly dear again ! I '11 aye ca' in by yon town, And by yon garden green, again ; I '11 aye ca' in by yon town, And see my bonny Jean again. THE GOWDEN LOCKS OF ANNA. Tune— "Banks of Banna." 'A Dumfries maiden," 8a)'S Cunningham, " witli a light foot and a merry eye, was the heroine of this clever song. Burns thought so well of it himself that he recommended it to Thomson ; but the latter — awai'e, perhaps, of the free character of her of the gowden locks, excluded it, though pressed CO publish it by the poet. Irritated, perhaps, at Thomson's refusal, he wrote ihe additional stanza, by way of postscript, in defiance of his colder-blooded critic." Yestreen I had a pint o' wine, A place where body saw na ; Yestreen lay on this breast o' mine The gowden locks of Anna. The hungry Jew in wilderness, Rejoicing o'er his manna, A~ras naething to my hinny bliss Upon the lips of Anna. Ye monarchs tak the east and west, Frae Indus to Savannah ! Gie me within my straining grasp The melting form of Anna. There I '11 despise imperial charms, An empress or sultana. While dying raptures in her arras I give and take with Anna ! Awa', thou flaunting god o' day ! Awa', thoi* pale Diana ! nk star gae hide thy twinkling ray. When I'm to meet my Anna. Come, in thy raven plumage, Niglio ! Sun, moon, and stars withdrawn a* ; And bring an angel pen to write My transpoi-ts wi' my Anna ! POSTSCEIPT. The kirk and state may join, and tell To do such things I maunna : The kirk and state may gae to hell, And I '11 gae to my Anna^ /ET. 36.] SONGS. 467 She is the sunshine o* my ee, — • To live biit^ her I canna ; Had I on earth bi^t wishes three, The first should be my Anna. HAD I THE WYTE. TuiiE— " Had I the wyte ?— she bade me.'* Had I the wyte, 2 had I the wyte, Had I the wyte ? — she bade me ; She watch'd me by the hie-gate side, And up the loan she shaw'd me ; And when I wadna venture in, A coward loon she ca'd me ; Had kirk and state been in the gate, I lighted when she bade me. Sae craftilie she took me ben,^ And bade me make nae clatter ; "For our ramgunshoch, glum^ guidman Is o'er ayont the water : " Whae'er shall say I wanted grace, When I did kiss and dawt*^ her. Let him be planted in my place, Syne say I was a fautor. Could I for shame, could I for shame. Could I for shame refused her? And wadna manhood been to blame Had I unkindly used her? He claw'd her wi' the ripplin-kame. And blae and bluidy bruised her ; AVhen sic a husband was frae hame, "What wife but wad excused her ? I dighted^ aye her een sae blue, And bann'd the cruel randy ; ^ And weel I wat her willing mou' Was e'en like sugar-candy. At gloamin'-shot it was, I trow, I lighted on the Monday : But I cam through the Tysday's dew. To wanton Willie's brandy. 1 Without. 2 Blame. s in. 4 Rugged coarse, s Fondle. « Wiped. 7 Scold. ' 4^^3 SONGS, [1794. CALEDONIA. Tune— "Caledonian Hunt's Delight. " There was once fi day — ^but old Time then was young— That brave Caledonia, the chief of her line, From some of your northern deities sprung, (Wlio knows not that brave Caledonia's divine?) From Tweed to the Orcades was her domain, To hunt, or to pasture, or do what she would ; Her heavenly relations there fixed her reign, And pledged her their godheads to warrant it good. A lambkin in peace, but a lion in war, The pride of her kindred the heroine grew : Her grandsire, old Odin, triumphantly swore, " Whoe'er shall provoke thee th' encounter shall rue ! " With tillage or pasture at times she would sport, To feed her fair flocks by her green rustling corn ; Bat chiefly the woods were her favourite resort. Her darling amusement the hounds and the horn. Long quiet she reign'd ; till thitherward steers A flight of bold eagles from Adria's strand : Eepeated, successive, for many long years, They darken'd the air, and they plunder'd the land : Tlieir pounces were murder, and terror their cry, They M conquer'd and ruin'd a world beside ; She took to her hills, and her arrows let fly — The daring invaders they fled or they died. The fell harpj^ -raven took wing from the north, The scourge of the seas, and the dread of tlie shore ! The wild Scandinavian boar issued forth To wanton in carnage, and wallow in gore ; O'er countries and kingdoms their fury prevail'd, No arts could appease them, no arms could repel ; But brave Caledonia in vain they assaiFd, As Largs well can witness, and Loncartie tell. Tlie Cameleon-savage disturb'd her repose. With tumult, disquiet, rebellion, and strife ; Provoked beyond bearing, at last she arose, And robb'd liim at once of his hopes and his life : The Anglian lion, the terror of France, Oft prowling, ensanguined the Tweed's silver flood : But, taught by the bright Caledonian lance, He learn'd to fear ia his own native wood. Thus bold, independent, unconquer'd, and free, Her bright course of glory for ever shall run : For brave Caledonia immortal must be ; I'll prove it from Euclid as clear as the sun: /ET. 36.] SONGS. 469 Kectangle-triangle, the figure we '11 choose, The ui)right is Chance, and old Time is the base ; But brave Caledonia 's the hypothenuse ; Then, ergo, she '11 match them, and match them always. THE FAREWELL. Tune— "It was a' for our rightfu' king." It was a' for our rightfu' king We left fair Scotland's strand ; It was a' for our rightfu' king We e'er saw Irish land, my dear, We e'er saw Irish land. Now a' is done that men can do, And a' is done in vain ; My love and native land farewell, Eor I maun cross the main, my dear. For I maun cross the main. He turn'd him right, and round about. Upon the Irish shore ; And gae his bridle-reins a shake, With adieu for evermore, my dear. With adieu for evermore. The sodger frae the wars returns, The sailor frae the main ; But I hae parted frae my love, Never to meet again, my dear, Never to meet again. When day is gane, and night is come, And a' folk bound to sleep ; I think on him that 's far awa'. The lee-lang night, and weep, my dear, The lee-lang night, and weep. OH, STEER HER UP. Tune—" Oh, steer her up and haud her gaun." Oh, steer ^ her up and haud her gaun — Her mither 's at the mill, jo ; And gin she winna tak a man, E'en let her tak her will, jo : 1 Stir. 470 SONGS, [1794. First shore ^ her wi' a kindly kiss, And ca' anither gill, jo ; A nd gin she tak the thing amiss, E'en let her flyte^ her fill, jo. Oh, steer her up, and be na blate,^ And gin she tak it ill, jo. Then lea'e the lassie till her fate, And time nae langer spill, jo : Ke'er break your heart for ae rebute,* But think upon it still, jo ; That gin the lassie winna do't, Ye '11 fin' anither will, jo. BONNY PEG-A-EAMSAY. Tune — "Cauld is the e'enin blast." Cauld is the e'enin' blast O' Boreas o'er the pool ; And dawin' it is dreary When birks are bare at Yule. Oh, cauld blaws the e'enin' blast When bitter bites the frost. And in the mirk and dreary drift The hills and glens are lost. Ne'er sae murky blew the night That drifted o'er the hill, But bonny Peg-a-B/amsay Gat gi'ist to her mill. HEE BALOU! TcNE— " The Highland Balou." Concerning this song, Cromek says— "The time when the moss-troopers and cattle-drivers on the Borders began their nightly depredations was the first Michaelmas moon. Cattle-stealing formerly was a mei*e foraging expedition , and it has been remarked that many of the best families in the north cac trace their flesceut from the daring sons of the mountains. The produce (bj way of dowry to a laird's daughter) of a Michaelmas moon is proverbial ; and by the aid of Lochiel's lanthorn (the moon) these exploits were the most desirable things imaginable. In the *Hee Balou' we see one of those heroes in the ci'adle." Hee balou ! ^ my sweet wee Donald, Picture o' the great Cianronald ; 1 Try. 5 Scold. 3 Bashful. 4 llebuke. ^ a cradle-lullaby phrase used by nurses. ^T. 36.] SONGS. 471 Brawlie kens our wanton cliief Wha got my young Highland tliief. Leeze me on thy bonny craigie, An thou live, thou 'It steal a naigie : Travel the country through and through, And bring hame a Carlisle cow. Through the Lawlands, o'er the Border, "Weel, my baby, may thou f urder : ^ Herry-^ the louns o' the laigh countrie, Syne to the Highlands, hame to me. HERE 'S HIS HEALTH IN WATER. Tune—" The Job of Journey work." Although my back be at the wa*, And thougli he be the fautor ; Although my back be at the wa', Yet, here 's his health in water ! Oil ! wae gae by his wanton sides, Sae braw^lie 's he could flatter ; Till for his sake I 'm slighted sair, And dree^ the kintra clatter.^ But though my back be at the wa', And though he be the fautor ; But though my back be at the wa', Yet, here 's his health in water ! AMANG THE TREES, WHERE HUMMING BEES. Tune — " The king of France, he rode a race." Amang the trees, where humming bees At buds and flowers were hinging, O, Auld Caledon drew out her drone, And to her j)ipe was singing, O ; 'Twas pibroch, sang, strathspey, or reels. She dirl'd them aff fu' clearly, O, When there cam a yell o' foreign squeels. That dang her tapsalteerie,^ O. Their capon craws, and queer ha ha's, They made our lugs^ grow eerie,'' O ; 1 Prosper. 2 Plunder. 3 Bear. 4 Country talk. 6 Topsy-turvy « Ears. 7 Weary. 472 SONGS, The hungry bikei did scrape and pike,^ Till we were wae and weary, ; But a royal ghaist,^ wha ance was cased A prisoner aughteen year awa', He fired a fiddler in the north That dang them tapsalteerie, [1794. CASSILLIS' BANKS. Tune— Uuknown. Now bank and brae are claithed in green, And scatter'd cowslips sweetly spring • By Girvan's fairy-haunted stream The birdies flit on wanton wing. To Cassillis' banks, when e'ening fa's, There, wi' my Mary, let me flee, There catch her ilka glance of love, The bonny blink o' Mary's ee ! The chield wha boasts o* warld's walth Is af ten laird o' meikle care ; But Mary, she is a' mine ain— Ah ! fortune canna gie me mair ! Tlien let me range by Cassillis' banks, Wi' her, the lassie dear to me, And catch her ilka glance o' love. The bonny blink o' Mary's ee ! BANNOCKS 0' BARLEY. Tu.NE— " The Killogie." » Baxnocks o' bear-meal, Bannocks o' barley ; Here 's to the Highlandman's Bannocks o' l)arley ! "VVlia in a brulzie,"* Will first cry a parley ? Never the lads wi' The bannocks o' barley ! •» Bannocks o* bear-meal, Bannocks o' barley; Here 's to the Highlandman'g Bannocks o' barley ! 1 Band. SPicI* 3 Ghost. 4 Broil. fET. 36.] SONGS. 473 Wha, in his wae-days, Were loyal to Charlie ? Wha but the lads wi' The bannocks o' barley? SAE FAE, AWA\ TuNK— "Diilkeith Maiden Bridge." Oh, sad and heavy should I part, But for her sake sae far awa' ; Unknowing what my way may thwart, My native land, sae far awa'. Thou that of a' things ]\Iaker art. That form'd this fair sae far awa', Gie body strength, then I '11 ne'er start At this, my Avay, sae far awa'. How true is love to pure desert, So love to her sae far awa' : And nocht can heal my bosom's sriiarb While, oh ! she is sae far awa'. Nane other love, nane other dart, I feel but hers, sae far awa' ; But fau'er never touch'd a heart Than hers, the fair, sae far awa'. HER PLOWING LOCKS. Tone— Unknown. This small piece is said to have been an extemporaneous effusion on a young lady of great beauty whom the poet met one day on the streets of Mauch« line. It was found among his MSS., and fii'st printed by Cromek. Her flowing locks, the raven's wing, Adown her neck and bosom hing ; How sweet unto that breast to cling. And round that neck entwine her ! Her lips are roses wat wi' dew. Oh, what a feast her bonny mou' I Her cheeks a mair celestial hue, A crimson still diviner. THE HIGHLAND LADDIE. Tune — "If thou 'It play me fair play." This song was composed on the basis of some Jacobite verses, entitled, " The Uighlaud Lad and the Lowland Lassie." 474 SOJVGS. [1794. Tfte bonniest lad tliat e'er I saw, Bonny laddie, Highland laddie, Wore a plaid, and was f u' braw, Bonny Highland laddie. On his head a bonnet blue, Bonny laddie, Highland laddie ; His royal heart was firm and true, Bonny Highland laddie. Trumpets sound, and cannons roar, Bonny lassie. Lowland lassie ; And a' the hills wi' echoes roar," Bonny Lowland lassie. Gloiy, honour, now invite, Bonny lassie. Lowland lassie. For freedom and my king to fight. Bonny Lowland lassie. The sun a backward course shall take. Bonny laddie, Highland laddie. Ere aught thy manly courage shake, Bonny Highland laddie. Go ! for yoursel procure renown, Bonny laddie, Highland laddie ; And for your lawful king his crown. Bonny Highland laddie. THE LASS THAT MADE THE BED TO ME. Tune — "The lass that made the bed to me." The poet, in his notes to the Museum, says regarding this song : — " 'The bonny lass that made the bed to me ' was composed on an amour of Charles II., when skulking in the north, about Aberdeen, in the time of the usurpation. He formed une petite affaire with a daughter of the house of Port Letham, who was the lass that made the bed to him ] " "When Januar' wind was blawing cauld. As to the north I took my way, The mirksome^ night did me enfauld, I knew na where to lodge till day. By my good luck a maid I met. Just in the middle o' my care ; And kindly she did me invite To walk into a chamber fair. I bow'd fu^ low unto this maid, And thank'd her for her courtesie ; I bow'd fu' low unto this maid, And bade her make a bed for me. 1 Darksome. £LT, 36.] SONGS, 475 She made tlie bed 'baitli large and wide, Wi' twa white hands she spread it down. She put the cup to her rosy lips, And drank,. ** Young man, now sleep ye souu'. " She snatch'd the candle in her hand. And frae my chamber went wi' speed ; But I call'd her quickly back again. To lay some mair below my head. A cod* she laid below my head And served me wi' due respect ; And, to salute her wi' a kiss, I put my arms about her neck. " Hand off your hands, young man," she says, " And dinna sae uncivil be : Gif ye hae ony love for me, Oh, wrang na my virginitie ! " Her hair was like the links o' gowd, Her teeth were like the ivorie ; Her cheeks like lilies dipt in wine, The lass that made the bed to me. Her bosom was the driven snaw, Twa drifted heaps sae fair to see ; Her limbs the polish'd marble stane. The lass that made the bed to me. I kiss'd her owre and owre again. And aye she wist na what to say ; I laid her between me and the wa' — The lassie thought na lang till day. Upon the morrow, when we rose, I thank'd her for her courtesie ; But aye she blush'd, and aye she sigh'd, And said, " Alas ! ye 've ruin'd me." I clasp'd her waist, and kiss'd her syne, AVhile the tear stood twinkling in her ee ; I said, "My lassie, dinna cry, For ye aye shall mak the bed to me." She took her mither's Holland sheets, And made them a' in sarks to me : Blithe and merry may she be, The lass that made the bed to me. The bonny lass made the bed to me. The braw lass made the bed to me ; I '11 ne'er forget, till the day I die, * Pillow. Tiie lass that made the bed to me ! 47 <5 SO2VGS. [1794. THE LASS OF ECCLEFECHAN. Tune— " Jacky Latin/' Gat ye me, oh, gat ye me, Oh, gat ye me wi' naething ? Hock and reel, and spimiin' wheel, A mickle quarter basin. Bye attour,^ my gutcher^ has A heigh house aud a laigh ane, A' forbye my bonny sel. The toss of Ecclef echan. Oh, haud youi' tongue now, Luckie Lahig, Oh, haud your tongue and jauneri*^ I held the gate till you I met, Syne I began to wander : I tint^ my whistle and my sang, I tint my peace and pleasure ; But your green graff ^ now, Luckie Laing, Wad airt<5 me to my treasure. THE COOPER O' CUBDIK Tune— "Bob at the Bowster." The cooper o' Cuddie cam here awa' ; He ca'd the girrs'' out owre us a' — And our guidwife has gotten a ca* That anger'd the silly guidman, O. We '11 hide the cooper behind the door, Behind the door, behind the door. We '11 hide the cooper behind the door. And cover him under a mawn,^ O. He sought them out, he sought them in, Wi', Deil hae her ! and, Deil hae him ! Bat the body he was sae doited^ and blin'. He wistna where he was gaun, O. They cooper'd at e'en, they cooper'd at mom, Till our guidnian has gotten the scorn ; On ilka brow she 's planted a horn. And swears that there they shall stan', O. 1 Besides. 2 Grandsire. » Complaining. * Lost. 6 Grave. '^ Direct. » Hoops. 8 Ba.iket. ^ Stupid. ^T. 36.] SONGS, 477 THE HIGHLAND WIDOWS LAMENT. Oh ! I am come to the low countrie, Och-on, och-on, ocli-rie ! Without a penny in my purse To buy a meal to me. It wasna sae in the Highland hills, Och-on, och-on, och-rie ! Nae woman in the country wide Sao happy was as me. For then I had a score o' kye, Och-on, och-on, och-rie ! Feeding on yon hills so high, And giving milk to me. And there I had threescore o' yowes, Och-on, och-on, och-rie ! Skipping on yon bonny knowes. And casting woo' to me. I was the happiest of a' the clan, Sair, sair may I repine ; For Donald was the brawest man, And Donald he was mine. Till Charlie Stuart cam at last, Sae far to set us free ; My Donald's arm was wanted then For Scotland and for me. Their waefu' fate what need I tell? Eight to the wrang did yield : My Donald and his country fell Upon CuUoden field. Och-on, O Donald, oh ! Och-on, och-on, och-rie ! Nae woman in the warld wide Sae wretched now as me. THEEE WAS A BONNY LASS. Theee was a bonny lass. And a bonny, bonny lass, And she lo'ed her bonny laddie dear j Till war's loud alarms Tore her laddie frae her arms, Wi' mony a sigh and a tear. 47^ SONGS, [1794. Over sea, over shore, Where the cannons loudly roar, He still was a stranger to fear ; And nocht could him quail, Or his bosom assail. But the bonny lass he lo'ed sae dear. OH, WAT YE WHAT MY MINNIE DID? Oh, wat ye what my minnie did. My minnie did, my minnie did. Oh, wat ye what my minnie did. On Tj'sday 'teen to me, jo? She laid me in a saft bed, A saft bed, a saft bed, She laid me in a saft bed. And bade guid e'en to me, jo. And wat ye what the i)arson did. The parson did, the parson did, And wat ye what the parson did, A' for a penny fee, jo ? He loosed on me a laug man, A mickle man, a Strang man, He loosed on me a lang man, That might hae worried me^ jo. And I was but a young thing, A young thing, a young thing. And I was but a young thing, Wi' nane to pity nie, jo. I wat the kiik was in the wyte,^ In the wyte, in the wyte. To pit a young thing in a fright, And loose a man on me, jo. OH, GUID ALE COJMES. CHORUS. Oh, guid ale comes, and guid ale goes, Guid ale gars'-^ me sell my hose. Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon, Guid ale keeps my heart aboon. I had sax owsen in a pleugh. They drew a' weel eneugh ; ne. -' -Makes. Ail. 3^'] SONGS, 479 I seird them a' just ane by ane ; Guid ale keeps my heart aboon. Guid ale hands me bare and busy, Gars me moop^ wi' the servant hizzie/'* Stand i' the stool when I hae done * Guid ale keeps my heart aboon. COMING THROUGH THE BKAES 0' CUPAR. Donald Brodie met a lass Coming o'er the braes o' Cupar ; Donald, wi' his Highland hand, Rifled ilka charm about her. CHOEUS. Coming o*er the braes o' Cupar, Coming o'er the braes o' Cupar, Highland Donald met a lass, And row'd his Highland plaid about her. Weel I wat she was a quean, Wad made a body's mouth to water ; Our Mess John, wi' his auld gray pow,^ His haly lips wad licket at her. Off she started in a fright, And through the braes as she could bicker; * But souple Donald quicker flew, And in his arms he lock'd her sicker.^ GUID E'EN TO YOU, KIJVIMER. TuNK— " We're a' noddin." Guid e'en to you, kimmer,^ And how do ye do ? Hiccup, quo' kimmer. The better that I 'm fou. We 're a' noddin, nid, nid, noddin, We 're a' noddin at our house at hame. Kate sits i' the neuk,^ Suppin' hen broo ; ^ Deil tak Kate, An she be na noddin too ! I Romp. 2 Wench. s Head. * Run. > ^ure. « Lass, 7 Corner. 8 Broth. 480 SONCrS, [1794 How's a' wi* you, kimmer, And how do ye fare ? A pint o' the best o 't, And twa pints mair. How's a' wi' yon, kimmer, And how do ye thrive ? How mony bairns hae ye? Quo' kimmer, I hae five. Are they a' Johnny's ? Eh ! atweel, na : Twa o' them were gotten When Johnny was awa*. Cats like milk, And dogs like broo, Lads like lasses weel, And lasses lads too* "We 're a' noddin, nid, nid, noddin, We 're a' noddin at our house at hamc. MEa O' THE MILL. TrNE — "Jackie Hume's Lament. This spconcl version of "Mego' the Milt, (p. 427,) prepare- hj J.jt .not tvr k^e M'^'^eum, was founded on an old ditty, which he altered and amendeo. Oh, ken ye what Meg o* the Mill has gotten, And ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten ? A braw new naig^ wi' the tail o' a rottan, And that 's what Meg o' the Mill has ^otten. Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill lo'es dearly And ken ye what IVIeg o' the Mill lo'es dearly . A dram o' gnid strunt^ in a morning early, And that 's what Meg o' the Mill lo'es dearly. Oh, ken ye how iSleg o the Mill was married, And ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was married ? The priest he was oxter'd, the clerk he was earned, And that 's how Meg o' the Mill wUs married. On, ken ye how Meg o* the Mill was bedded. And ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was bedded ? Tlie groom gat sne fou,^ he fell twa-fanld beside it, And that 's how IMeg o' the Mill was bedded. 1 A riding-horse. 2 Wlrlskj. » Drunk. //rr. 36.] SOATGS, 481 YOU^s^G JAIVHE, PEIDE 01' A' THE PLAIN. Tune—'* The Caiiin 0' the Glen." ^ Young Jamie, pride of a' the plain, Sae gallant and sae gay a swain ; Through a' our lasses he did rove, And reign'd resistless king of love : But now, wi' sighs and starting tears, He strays among the woods and briers ; Or in the glens and rocky caves, His sad complaining dowie^ raves : "I wha sae late did range and rove, And changed with every moon my love, I little thought the time was near Eepentance I should buy sae dear : The slighted maids my torments see, And laugh at a' the pangs I dree ;2 While she, my cruel, scornfu' fair, Forbids me e'er to see her mair ! " COMING THKOUGH THE EYE. , Tune— ' ' Coming through the rye." Coming through the rj^e, poor body, Coming through the rye, She draiglet^ a' her petticoatie, Coming through the rye. O- Jenny's a* wat, poor body, Jenny's seldom dry; She draiglet a' her petticoatie, Coming through the rye. txin^ a body meet a body Coming through the rye ; Gin a body kiss a body- Need a body cry? •(>in a body meet a body Coming through the glen ; Gin a body kiss a body — N eed the warld ken ? I Sadly. 2 Suffer. 8 Soiie> beipatterctl 4 If. 482 SONGS. [1795, THE CAPwLES OF DYSART. T0XE— "Hey, ca' through.". Up wi' the carles ^ o' Dysart And the lads o' Buckhaven, And the kimniers^ o* Largo, And the lasses o* Leven. Hey, ca' through, ca'^ through, For we hae mickle ado ; Hey, ca' through, ca' through. For we hae mickle ado. We hae tales to tell, And we hae sangs to sing; We hae pennies to spend. And we hae i)iiits to bring. We '11 live a' our days, And them that come behm'. Let them do the like. And spend the gear they win. IS THERE, FOR HONEST POVERTY. Tune — *< For a' that and a' that." Of the following song— one of the most striking and characteristic effusions 3f his Muse — he says, evidently in a strain of affected depreciation : — "A great critic on songs says that love and wine are the exclusive themes for song- writing. Tlie following is on neither subject, and is consequently no song; but will be allowed, I think, to be two or three pretty good j>rose thoughts in- vei'ted into rhyme." Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a' that ? The coward slave, we pass him by, We dare be poor for a' that ! For a' that, and a' that, Our toils obscure, and a' that ; The rank is but the guinea-stamp, The man 's the gowd for a' that ! Wliat though on hamely fare we dine, Wear hodden gray, and a' that ; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man 's a man for a' that ! For a' that, and a' that. Their tinsel show, and a' that ; Tlie honest man, though e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that ! 1 Men. a Women. « Push. ^T. 37.] SONGS. 4^3 Ye see 3^011 birkie,* ca'd a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' tliat ; Though hundreds worship at his word. He 's but a coof ^ for a' that : For a' that, and a' that, His riband, star, and a' that ; The man of independent mind, He looks and laughs at a' that ! A king can mak a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that ; But an honest man's aboon his might, Guid faith he maunna^ fa' that ! For a' that, and a' that, Their dignities, and a' that. The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Are higher ranks than a' that. Then let us pray that come it may — As come it will for a' that — That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a' that ; For a' that, and a' that. It 's comin' yet for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that ! O LASSIE, ART THOU SLEEPING YET? Tune—" Let me in this ae night." This beautiful lyi'ic the poet composed on the model of an older one — the bas« metal of which, as with a magician's touch, he has transmuted into gold. O LASSIE, art thou sleeping yet, Or art thou waking, I would wit ? For love has bound me hand and foot, And I would fain be in, jo. Oh, let me in this ae night. This ae, ae, ae night, For pity's sake this ae night, Oh, rise and let me in, jo ! Thou hear'st the winter wind and weet, Kae star blinks through the drivmg sleet : Tak pity on my weary feet, And shield me frae the rain, jo. 1 Fool. 2 u ije maunna fa' that" = he must not try that. * Primafily, the word signifies a lively, mettlesome young fellow; but here the poet's meaning would be better lendered by the words— a proud, affected person 484 SONGS. [1795. The bitter blast that round me blaws, Unheeded howls, unheeded fa's : The cauldness o' thy heart 's the cause Of a' my grief and pain, jo. HER ANSWER. Oh, tell na me o' wind and rain, Upbraid na me wi' cauld disdain ! Gae back the gate ye cam again, I winna let ye in, jo. I tell you now this ae night, This ae, ae, ae night ; And ance for a', this ae night, I winna let you in, jo. The snellest^ blast, at mirkest hours. That round the pathless wanderer pours, Is nocht to what poor she endures That's trusted faithless man, jo. The sweetest flower that deck'd the mead, Now trodden like the vilest weed ; Let simple maid the lesson read, The weird may be her ain, jo. The bird that charm'd his summer-day Is now the cruel fowler's prey ; Let witless, trusting woman say How aft her fate 's the same, jo. THE HERON ELECTION BALLAD^ BALLAD L Although the three following ballads make no pretension to anything higher than mere electioneering squibs, dashed ofif in the heat of political excitement to serve certain party purposes, and ought therefore to be judged only by the standard applied to all such ephemeral productions, they are yet in many respects highly characteristic, and worthy of preservation, if for nothing more than the rich vein of biting satire that pervades them. They were written by the poet in support of his friend Mr Heron of Kerroughtree, who contested, in the Whig interest, the election to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright in February 1795. The Tory, or Government candidate, was a Mr Gordon of Balmaghie, a gentleman of small means and little personal influence, but who was supported by the interest of his uncle, Mr Murray of Bx'oughton, one of the largest landowners in the district, and also by that of the Earl of Galloway. Whom will you send to London town, To Parliament, and a' that ? 1 Sharpest, ffiT. 37.] SOiVGS. 4S5 Or wha in a' the country round The best deserves to fa' that ? For a' that, and a' that, Tlirough Galloway and a' that ; Where is the laird or belted knight That best deserves to fa' that ? Wha sees Kerroughtree's open yett,^ And wha is 't never saw that ? Wha ever wi' Kerrcughtree met, And has a doubt of a' that ? For a' that, and a' that. Here's Heron yet for a' that ! The independent patriot, The honest man, and a' that. Though wit and worth in either sex, St Mary's Isle can shaw that ; Wi' dukes and lords let Selkirk mix, And weel does Selkirk fa' that. For a' that, and a' that, Here 's Heron yet for a' that ! The independent commoner Shall be the man for a' that. But why should we to nobles jouk?^ And it 's against the law that ; For why, a lord may be a gouk^ Wi' ribbon, star, and a' that. For a' that, and a' thab, Here 's Heron yet for a' that ! A lord may be a lousy loun Wi' ribbon, star, and a' that. A beardless boy comes o'er the hills Wi' uncle's purse and a' that ; But we '11 hae ane frae 'mang oursels, A man we ken, and a' that. For a' that, and a' that. Here 's Heron yet for a' that ! For we 're not to be bought and sold Like naigs, and novvt,"* and a' that. Then let us drink the Stewartry, Kerroughtree's laird, and a' that, Our representative to be. For weel he 's worthy a' that. For a' that, and a' that. Here 's Heron yet for a' that ! A House of Commons such as he, They would be blest that saAV that. J Gate. 2 Bend. 3 Fool. 4 Cattle. ^^(^ SONGS, [1795, BALLAD TI. Tune — " Fy, let us a' to the bridal." Fy, let us a' to Kirkcudbright, For there will be bickering there ; For Murray's light horse are to muster, And oh, how the heroes will swear ! And there will be Murray,^ commander, And Gordon, 2 the battle to win ; Like brothers they'll stand by each other, Sae knit in alliance and kin. And there will be black-nebbit Johnnie ^ The tongue o' the trump to them a' ; An he gets na hell for his haddin* The deil gets na justice ava' ; And there will be Kempleton's birkie,^ A boy na sae bhick at the bane, But, as for his tine nabob fortune, AV'e'll e'en let the subject alane. And there will be Wigton's new sheriff, ^ Dame Justice fu' brawlie has sped, She 's gotten the heart of a Bushby, But, Lord! what's become o' the head? And there will be Cardoness,^ Esquire, Sae mighty in Cardoness' eyes, A wight that will weather damnation. For the devil the prey will despise. And there will be Kenmure,^ sae generous! Whose honour is proof to the storm ; To save them from stark reprobation. He lent them his name to tlie firm. But we winna mention Redcastle,^ The body, e'en let him escape ! He 'd venture the gallows for siller. An 'twere na the cost o' the rape. 1 Murray of Broughton. 2 Gordon of Balmaghie. 3 Mr John Bushby, a sharp-witted lawyer, for whom the poet had no little aversion. * William Bushby of Kempleton, brother of the above, who had made a fortune in India, but which was popularly thought to have originated in some questionable transactions connected with the ruinous alTair of the Ayr Bank- before he went abroad. 5 Mr Bushby Maitland, son of John, and recently appointed Sheriff of Wigton shii-e. ^ David IMaxwell of Cardone^ss. 7 Mr Gordon of Kenmure. 8 Mr Lawrie of Redcastle. 4£T. 37.] SOjVGS. 4S7 And where is our king's lord-lieutenant, Sae famed for his gratefu' return ? The billie is getting his questions, To say in St Stex^hen's the morn. And there will be Douglases ^ doughty, New-christening towns far and near ; Abjuring their democrat doings, By kissing the of a peer. And there will be lads o' the gospel, Muirhead,^ wha's as guid as he 's true ; And there will be Buittle's apostle, ^ Wha 's mair o' the black than the blue. And there will be folk frae St Mary's, A house o' great merit and note, The deil ane but honours them highly,— The deil ane will gie them his vote 1 And there will be wealthy young Kichard,^ Dame Fortune should hing by the neck ; Tor prodigal, thriftless, bestowing, His merit had won him respect. And there will be rich brother nabobs, Though nabobs, yet men of the first,^ And there will be Collieston's^ whiskers, And Q.uintin,7 o' lads not the warst. And there will be stamp-office Johnnie,^ Tak tent how ye purchase a dram ; And there will be gay Cassencarrie, ^ And there will be gleg Colonel Tarn ;8 And there will be trusty Kerroughtree,^'' Whase honour was ever his law, if the virtues were jDack'd in a parcel, His worth might be sample for a'. And strong and respectfu 's his backing, The maist o' the lairds m' him stand ; Kae gipsy-like nominal barons, Whase property 's paper, but lands. 1 Jlessrs Douglas of Carlinwark gave the name of Castle Douglas to a village Which rose in their neighbourhood — now a populous town. 2 Rev. Mr Muirhead, minister of Urr. 3 Rev. Greorge Maxwell, minister of Buittle. * Richard Oswald of Auchincruive. 5 The Messrs Hannay. 6 Mr Copland of Collieston. 7 Quintin M'Adam of Craigengillaa, 8 Mr Jolin Syme, distributor of stamps, Dumfries. 9 Colonel Groldie of Groldielea. 10 Mr Heron of Kerroughtree, the Whig candidate. 4S8 ■ SOArcS. [1795. And can we forget the auld Major, "^ Wlia 11 ne'er be forgot in the Greys, Our flattery we '11 keep for some ither, Him only it 's justice to praise. And there will be maiden Kilkerran,^ And also Barskimming's guid knight, ^ And there will be roaring Bii'twhistle,^ Wha luckily roars in the right. And there, frae the Niddisdale border, AVill mingle the Maxwells in droves ; Teugh Johnnie,^ stanch Geordie,^ and Walie,^ That griens for the fishes and loaves. And there will be Logan M'Dow{ill,8 Sculduddery and he will be there ; And also the wild Scot o' Galloway, Sodgering, gunpowder Blair.'* Then hey the chaste interest o' Broughton, And hey for the blessings 'twill bring ! It may send Balmaghie to the Commons, In Sodom 'twould make him a king ; And hey for the sanctified Murray,!^ Our land wha wi' chapeLs has stored ; He founder'd his horse amang harlots, But gied the auld naig to the Lord. JOHN BUSHBY'S LAMENTATION. BALLAD in. Mr Heron having gained the election, after a hard and hotly-contested straggle, the poet raised a song of triumph over his discomfited foes, singling out foi special castigation his crafty old opponent, John Bushby, factotum to the EurJ of Galloway. TWAS in the seventeen hundred year O' Christ, and ninety-five, That year I was the wae'est man O' ony man alive. 1 Major Heron, brother of the above. 2 Sir Adam Ferguson of Kilkei-ran 8 Sir William Miller of Barskimming, afterwards a judge, with the title of Lord Glenlee. •* Mr Birtwhistle of Kircudbright. 6 Mr Maxwell of Terraughty. 6 George Maxwell of Carruchan. 7 Mr Wellwood Maxwell. 8 Captain M 'Dowall of Logan. 9 Mr Blair of Dun sky. 10 IMr Mun-ay of Broughton, who had abandoned his wife, and eloped with 9 lady of rank. /ET. 37.] SONGS. 4^9 In March, the three-and-twentieth day, The sun raise clear and bright ; But oh, I was a waefu' man Ere to-fa' o' the night. Yerl Galloway lang did rule this land Wi' equal right and fame, And thereto was his kinsman join'd, The Murray's noble name ! Yerl Galloway lang did rule the land, Made me the judge o' strife ; But now Yerl Galloway's sceptre 's broke. And eke my hangman's knife. *Twas by the banks o' bonny Dee, Beside Kirkcudbright towers, The Stewart and the Murray there Did muster a' their powers. The Murray, on the auld gray yaud,^ Wi' winged spurs did ride. That auld gray yaud, yea, Nid'sdale rade. He staw^ upon Nidside. An there had been the yerl himsel, Oh, there had been nae play ; But Garlies was to London gane, And sae the kye might stray. And there was Balmaghie, I ween, In the front rank he wad shine ; But Balmaghie had better been Drinking Madeira wine. Frae the Glenkens came to our aid A chief o' doughty deed ; In case that worth should wanted be, O' Kenmure we had need. And there, sae grave. Squire Cardoness Look'd on till a' was done ; Sae in the tower o' Cardoness, A hnwlet sits at noon. And there led I the Bushbys a* ; My gamesome Billy Will, And my son Maitland, wise as brave, My footsteps follow'd still. The Douglas and the Heron's name, We set nought to their score : The Douglas and the Heron's name Had felt our weight before. 490 SONGS. [1795. But Douglases o* weiglit had we, A pair o' trusty lairds, For building cot-houses sae famed. And christening kail-yards. And by our banners march'd Muirhead, And Buittle wasna slack ; Whose haly priesthood nane can stain, For wha can dye the black ? THE DUMFRIES VOLUNTEERS. Tone — " Pusli about the jomm." Bums having joined the Dumfries Volunteers when they were formed early in 1795, signalised that patriotic event by the com])Osition of the following bal- lad, which afterwards became very popular throughout the district. It was first given to the rublic through the columns of the Dumfries Journal, in May of the same year, and did more, says Cunningham, "to right the mind of the rustic part of the population than all the speeches of Pitt and Duu- das, or the chosen Pive-and-Forty." Does haughty Gaul invasion threat? Then let the louns beware, sir ; There 's wooden walls upon our seas, And volunteers on sliore, sir. The Nith shall rin to Corsincon, The Crilf el sink in Solway, Ere we permit a foreign foe On British ground to rally ! We '11 ne'er permit a foreign foe On British gi'ound to rally. Oh, let us not, like snarling ouia, In wrangling be divided ; Till, slap ! come in an unco loun. And wi' a rung^ decide it. Be Britain still to Britain true, Amang oursels united ; For never but by British hands Maun British wraugs be righted ! For never, &c. The kettle o' the kirk and state, Perhaps a clout may fail in 't ; But deil a foreign tinkler loun Shall ever ca' a nail in 't. Our fathers' bluid the kettle bought, And wha wad dare to spoil it ? By heavens ! the sacrilegious dog Shall fuel be to boil it ! By heavens, &c. 1 Cuilgel. mr, 37.] SONGS. 491 The wretch that wad a tyrant own, And the wretch, his true-sworn brother, Wha would set the mob aboon the throne, May they be damn'd together ! Wha will not sing "God save the King" Shall hang as high 's the steeple ; But while we sing "God save the King," We '11 ne'er forget the People. But while we sing, &c. OH, WAT YE WHA'S IN YON TOWN? Tune — "I'll aye ca' in by yon town." Miss Lucy Johnston, in celebration of whose beauty and accomplishments the poet wrote this song, was the daughter of Wynne Johnston, Esq., of Hilton. Having married Kichard Alexander Oswald of Auchincruive, in the county ot Ayr, the poet first met her while residing with her liusband in the neigh- boui-hood of Dumfries, and in his character, and out of compliment to him, sought to do her honour. All her beauty and accomplishments, however, could not save her from an untimely and lamented death. Having gone to Lisbon in search of health, she died there of consumption a few years after her marriage. Now haply do^vn yon gay green shaw She wanders by yon spreading tree : How blest ye flowers that round her blaw, Ye catch the glances o' her ee ! Oh, wat ye wha 's in yon town, Ye see the e'enin' sun ujion ? The fairest dame 's in yon town. That e'enin' sun is shining on. How blest ye birds that round her sing. And welcome in the blooming year i And doubly welcome be the S2)ring, The season to my Lucy dear. The sun blinks blithe on yon town, And on yon bonny braes of Ayr ; But my delight in yon town, And dearest bliss is Lucy fair. Without my love, not a' the charms O' Paradise could yield me joy; But gie me Lucy in my arms, And welcome Lapland's dreary sky I My cave wad be a lover's bower, Though raging winter rent the air; And she a lovely little flower. That I wad tent and shelter there. 492 S0N(7S. [1795. Oh, sweet is she in yon town The sinking sun 's gane down upon , A fairer than 's in yon town His setting beam ne'er shone upon. If angry fate is sworn ray foe, And suffering I am doom'd to bear, I careless quit aught else below, But spare me — spare me, Lucy, dear ! For while life's dearest blood is warm Ae thought frae her shall ne'er depart, And she — as fairest is her form ! She has the truest, kindest heart ! Oh, wat ye wha's in yon town, Ye see the e'enin' sun upon ? The fairest dame 's in yon town That e'enin' sun is shining on. ADDRESS TO THE WOODLARK. Tune— "Where '11 bonny Ann lie;" or, " Loch-Eroch Side.'* Oh, stay, sweet warbling woodlark, stay, Nor quit for me the trembling spray ; A hapless lover courts thy lay, Thy soothing, fond complaining. Again, again that tender part. That I may catch thy melting art ; For surely that wad touch her heart Wha kills me wi' disdaining. Say, was thy little mate unkind. And heard thee as the careless wind? Oh, nocht but love and sorrow join'd, Sic notes o' woe could wauken. Thou tells o' never-ending care, O' speechless grief and dark despair : For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair ! Or my poor heart is broken ! ON CHLORJS BEING ILL. Tune— "Aye wakin', 0." rhis and the four following pieces are four of the eleven lyrics for which we are indebted to the beauty and charms of Miss Jeau Lorimei', as mentioned at p. 451. ^.T. 37.] SONGS. 493 Can I cease to care ? Can I cease to languisli, While my darling fair Is on the couch of anguish? Long, long the night, Heavy comes the morrow. While my soul's delight Is on her bed of sorrow. Every hope is fled, Every fear is terror ; Slumber even I dread, Every dream is horror. Hear me, Powers divine ! Oh, in pity hear me ! Take aught else of mine. But my Chloris sjDare me ! forlor:n-, my love, no comfort near. Tune— "Let me in this ae night" Forlorn, my love, no comfort near, Far, far from thee, I wander here ; Far, far from thee, the fate severe At which I most repine, love. \ Oh, wert thou, love, but near me ; I But near, near, near me ; j How kindly thoa wouldst cheer me, i And mingle sighs with mine, love ! Around me scowls a wintry sky. That blasts each bud of hope and joy ; And shelter, sliade, nor home have I, Save in those arms of thine, love. Cold, alter'd Friendship's cruel part. To i)oison iortune's ruthless dart — Let me not break thy faithful heart, And say that fate is mine, love. But dreary though the moments fleet, Oh, let me think we yet shall meet ! That only ray of solace sweet Can oil thy Chloris shine, love. 494 SONGS. [1795. FilAGMIJlNT— CHLORIS. TuxE— " Caledonian Hunt's Delight." "Why, why tell thy lover, Bliss he never must enjoy ? Why, why undeceive him, And give all his hopes the lie ? Oh why, while Fancy, raptured, slumbers, Chloris, Chloris all the theme ; Why, why wouldst thou, cruel, Wake thy lover from his dream ? MAEK YONDER POMP. Tune— "Deil tak the Wars." Ma UK yonder pomp of costly fashion, Round the wealthy, titled bride : But when compared with real passion, Poor is all that princely i)ride. What are the showy treasures ? What are the noisy pleasures ? The gay gaudy glare of vanity and art The polish'd jewel's blaze May draw the wondering gaze, And courtly grandeur bright The fancy may delight, But never, never can come near the heart. But did you see my dearest Chloris In simplicity's array, Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower is, Shrinking from the gaze of day ; Oh then, the heart alarming, And all resistless charming. In Love's delightful fetters she chains the willing soul J Ambition would disown The world's imperial crown, Even Avarice would deny His worshipp'd deity. And feel through every vein Love's raptures roll. OH, BONNY WAS YON ROSY BRIER. Oh, bonny was yon rosy brer. That blooms sae far frae haunt o man ; And bonny she, and ah, how dear ! It shaded frae the e'enin' sun. /ETo 37.1 SOA^GS, 495 Yon rosebuds in the morning dew, How pure amang the leaves sae green ; But purer was the lover's vow They witness'd in their shade yestreen. All in its rude and prickly bower, That crimson rose, how sweet and fak I But love is far a sweeter flower Amid life's thorny path o' care. The pathless wild and wimpling burn, Wi' Chloris in my arms, be mine ; And I the world, nor wish, nor scorn, Its joys and griefs alike resign. CALEDONIA. Tune—" Humours of Grlen." ' The heroine of this song," says Cunningham, " was Mrs Burns, who so charmed the poet by singing it with taste and feeling, that he declared it to be one oi liiS luckiest lyrics." Their groves o' sweet myrtle let foreign lands reckon. Where bright-beaming summers exalt their perfume ; Far dearer to me yon lone glen o' green breckan,^ Wi' the burn stealing under the laug yellow broom ; Far dearer to me are yon humble broom bowers, Where the blue-bell and go wan lurk lowly uuseen ; For there, lightly tripping amang the wild flowers, A-listening the linnet, aft wanders my Jean. Though rich is the breeze in their gay sunny valleys, And cauld Caledonia's blast on the wave ; Their sweet-scented woodlands that skirt the proud palnce, What are they? — The haimt o' the tyrant and slave I The slave's spicy forests, and gold-bubbliug fountains, The brave Caledonian views wi' disdain ; He wanders as free as the winds of his mountains, Save Love's willing fetters — the chains o' his Jean, 'TWAS NA HER BONNY BLUE EB. Tune — "Laddie, lie near me." 'TwAS na her bonny blue ee was my ruin ; Fair though she be, that was ne'er my undoing 1 Fern, 49^ SONGS. [1795 *Twas the dear smile when naehody did mind us, *Twas the bewitching, sweet, stown glance o' kindness. Sair do I fear that to hope is denied me, Sair do I fear that despair maun abide me ! But though fell Fortune should fate us to sever, Queen shall she be in my bosom for ever. Mary, I 'm thine wi' a passion sincerest, And thou hast i)lighted me love o' the dearest ! And thou'rt the angel that never can alter — Sooner the sun in his motion would falter. HOW CRUEL ARE THE PARENTS! ALTERED FROM AN OLD ENGLISH SONG. TuNB— " John Anderson, my Jo." How cruel are the parents Who riches only prize, And to the wealthy booby Poor woman sacrifice ! Meanwhile the hajjless daugliter Has but a choice of strife — To shun a tyrant father's hate, Become a wretched wife. The ravening hawk pursuing. The trembling dove thus flies, To shun impelling ruin A while her pinion tries ; Till of escape despairing, No shelter or retreat. She trusts the ruthless falconer. And drops beneath his feet ! LAST MAY A BRAW WOOER. Tune—" The Lothian Lassie." Last May a braw wooer cam down the lang glen. And sair wi' his love he did deave me ; I said there was naething I hated like men, The deuce gae wi 'm, to believe, believe me, The deuce gae wi 'm, to believe me ! He spak o' the darts in my bonny black een, And vow'd for my love he was dying ; I said he might die when he liked for Jean, The Lord forgie me for lying, for lying, Tlie Lord forgie me for lying ! y&T. 37.] SONGS. 497 A weel-stocked mailen^ — laimsel for the laird — And marriage aff-hand, were his proffers : I never loot on that I kenn'd it, or cared, But thought I might hae waur offers, waur offers, But thought I might hae waur offers. But what wad ye think ? in a fortnight or less — The deil tak his taste to gae near her! He up the lang loan to my black cousin Bess, Guess ye how, the jad ! I could bear her, could bear her, Guess ye how, the jad ! I could bear her. But a' the neist week, as I fretted wi' care, I gaed to the tryst o' Dalgarnock, And wha but my fine fickle lover was there ! I glower'd^ as I 'd seen a warlock, a warlock, I glower'd as I'd seen a warlock. But owre my left shouther I gae him a blink, Lest neebors might say I was saucy ; My wooer he caper'd as he 'd been in drink. And vow'd I was his dear lassie, dear lassie, A.nd vow'd I was his dear lassie. I spier'd^ for my cousin fu' couthy and sweet. Gin she had recover'd her hearin', And how her new shoon fit her auld shachl't * feet. But, heavens ! how he fell a swearin', a swearin', But, heavens ! how he fell a swearin' ! He begg'd, for guidsake, I wad be his wife, Or else I wad kill him wi' sorrow ; Sae e'en to preserve the poor body his life, I think I maun wed him to-morrow, to-morrovr, I think I maun wed him to-morrow. THIS IS NO MY AIN LASSIE. Tdnb — "This is no my ain house.'* I SEE a form, I see a face. Ye weel may wi' the fairest place ; It wants to me the witching grace, The kind love that 's in her ee. Oh, this is no my ain lassie, Fail- tho^ijKJ: the lassie be ; Oh, ^ cx;j: Ken I my ain lassie^ Kind love is in her ee. ifann. 2 starea. 8 Inquired. * Distorted. __ 49^ SONGS. [1705. She's bonny, blooming, straight, and tall. And lang has had my heart in thrall j And aye it charms my very sanl, The kind love that 's in her ee. A thief sae pawkie^ is my Jean, To steal a blink, by a' unseen ; But gleg^ as light are lovers' een. When kind love is in the ee. It may escape the courtly sparks, It may escape the learned clerks ; But weel the watching lover marks The kind love that 's in her ee. NOW SPRIN-G IIAS CLAD THE GROVE IN GREEN. A SCOTTISH SONG. rLis gong wag written by the poet to soothe the wounded feelings of his friend, Mr Alexander Cunningham, writer to the signet, who, as stated at p. 433, had Buffered, and to all appearance deeply, from the heartless conduct of a jilt. Now spring has clad the grove in green. And strew'd the lea wi' flowers : The furrow'd, waving com is seen Rejoice in fostering showers ; "While ilka thing in nature join Their sorrows to forego, Oh, why thus all alone are mine The weary steps of woe ? The trout within yon wimpling burn Glides swift, a silver dart, And, safe beneath the shady thorn. Defies the angler's art : My life was ance that careless stream, That wanton trout was I ; But love, wi" unrelenting beam. Has scorch'd my fountains dry. The little floweret's peaceful lot. In yonder cliff that gi'ows, Which, save the linnet's flight, I wot, Nae ruder visit knows, Was mine ; till love has o'er me past, And blighted a' my bloom, And now, beneath the withering blast, My youth and joy consume. The waken'd laverock, warbling, springs, And climbs the early sky, 1 giy. 2 Quick. .ET. 37] SONGS, 49^ ■Winnowing blithe her dewy wings In morning's rosy eye ; As little reckt I sorrow's power, Until the flowery snare O' witching love, in luckless hour, Made me the thrall o' care. Oh, had my fate been Greenland snows, Or Afrio's burning zone, Wi' man and nature leagued my foes, So Peggy ne'er I 'd known ! The wretch whase doom is, " Hope nae mair,*' What tongue his woes can tell ! Within whase bosom, save despair, Nae kinder spirits dwell. THE DEAN OF FACULTY. A BALLAD. Tune—" The Dragon of Wantley." tn 1795, a season of great national suffering had given rise to a spirit of disccn- tent, which manifested itself in public meetings, mobbings, and other unmis- takable indications of a period of fierce political excitement. Amongst the many gatherings of tlie time, one of the most important was held at Edinburgh, at which the Honourable Henry Erskine, Dean of the i'aculty of Advocates, presided. But the Tory members of the Scottish bar, considering their chief, while thus engaged, as "agitating the giddy and ignorant multitude, and cherishing such humours and dispositions as directly tended to overturn the laws," were mortally offended, and determined at the next election to the deanship to oppose his return. Accordingly, on the 12th of Januaiy 1796, Mr Erskine, although universally popular with all parties, and one of fur ablest men at the Scottish bai*, was rejected by a majority of 123 — 38 only hav ing voted for him— and Mr Dundas of Arniston, then Lord Advocate, elected in his stead. On this subject, therefore, and out of feelings of regard for his old friend and patron, Erskine, the poet composed the following satirical ballad. Tiie "pious Bob" of this piece was the sou of the Lord President Dundas, who took no notice of a certain elegy which the poet had composed and sent to him on his father's death, as mentioned at p. 153. Dire was the hate at old Harlaw, That Scot to Scot did carry ; And dire the discord Langside saw For beauteous, hapless Mary : But Scot with Scot ne'er met so hot, Or were more in fury seen, sir. Than 'twixt Hal* and Bob t for the famous job— Who should be Faculty's Dean, sii*. This Hal for genius, wit, and lore. Among the lirst was number'd ; * The Hon. Heniy Erskine. t Robert Dundas, Esq., of Arniston. 500 SONGS. [i79(x But pious Bob, 'mid learning's store, Commandment tenth remember'd. Yet simple Bob the victory got, And won his heart's desire ; Which shows that Heaven can boil the pot, Though the devil in the fire. Squire Hal, besides, had in this case Pretensions rather brassy. For talents to deserve a place Are qualifications saucy ; So their worships of the Faculty, Quite sick of merit's rudeness, Chose one who should owe it all, d'ye see, To their gratis grace and goodness. As once on Pisgah purged was the sight Of a son of Circumcision, So may be, on this Pisgah height, Bob's purblind, mental vision : Nay, Boljby's mouth may be open'd yet Till for eloquence you hail him. And swear he has the Angel met That met the Ass of Balaam. In your heretic sins may ye live and die, Ye heretic eight-and- thirty ! But accept, ye sublime Majority, My congratulations hearty. A7it]i your Honours and a certain King, In your servants this is striking — The more incapacity they bring. The more they 're to your liking. HEY FOR A LASS WP A TOCHER. Tune — "Balinamona Ora." AWA* wi' your witchcraft o' beauty's alarms, The slender bit beauty you grasp in your arms; Oh, gie me the lass that has acres o' charms. Oh, gie me the lass wi' the weel-stockit farms. Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher. Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher ; Then hey for a lass Avi' a tocher. The nice yellow guineas for me. Your beauty 's a flower in the morning that blows. And withers the faster the faster it grows ; But the rapturous charm o' the bonny green knowes. Ilk spring they're new deckit wi' bonny white yowes. ^T. 3S.] SONGS. 501 And e'en when this beauty your bosom has blest ; The brightest o' beauty may Cxoy when possest; But the sweet yellow darlings wi' Geordie imprest, The langer ye hae them the mair they 're carest. JESSY. Tune—" Here 's a health to them that 's awa'." The heroine of this song was Miss Jessy Lewars, a kind-hearted, amiable young creature, whom we have had occasion to mention once or twice ah*eady. Her tender and assiduous attentions to the poet during his last illness, it is well known, greatly soothed his fretted spirit and eased his shattered frame. Here 's a health to ane I lo'e dear ! Here 's a health to ane I lo'e dear ! Tliou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet. And soft as their parting tear — Jessy ! Although thou maun never be mine. Although even hope is denied ; 'Tis sweeter for thee despairing Than aught in the world beside — Jessy ! I mourn through the gay, gaudy day. As, hopeless, I muse on thy charms ; But welcome the dream o' sweet slumber, For then I am lockt in thy arms — Jessy ! I guess by the dear angel smile, I guess by the love-rolling ee ; But why urge the tender confession, 'Gainst Fortune's fell cruel decree ! — Jessy ! Here 's a health to ane I lo'e dear ! Here 's a health to ane I lo'e dear ! Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet, And soft as their parting tear— Jessy ! OH, WEET THOU IN THE CAULD BLAST. Tune — " The Lass o' Livingstone.'* This fine song is another tribute of the poet's Muse to his ministering angel, Miss Jessy Lewars. According to the lady's statement, as related by Mr Chambers, the poet having called upon her one morning, said, if she would play him any favourite air for which she might wish new words, he would endeavour to produce something that should please her. She accordingly sat down to the piano, and played once or twice the air of an old ditty beginning with the words- 502 SONGS. [1796. "The robin cam to the wren's nest, And keekit in, and keekit in ; Oh, weel's me on your auld pow, Wad ye be in, wad ye be in," &c. Anil, after a few minutes' abstraction, the poet produced the following beautv ful lines :— Oh, wert thou in tlie cauld blast On yonder lea, on yonder lea, My plaidie to the angry airt, I 'd shelter thee, I 'd shelter thee : Or did Misfortune's bitter storms Ai'ound thee blaw, around thee blaw, Thy bield^ should be my bosom, To share it a', to share it a*. Or were I in the wildest waste, Sae bleak and bare, sae bleak and bare. The desert were a jiaradise, If thou wert there, if thou wert there : Or were I monarch o' the globe, "Wi* thee to reign, wi' thee to reign, The brightest jewel in my crown Wad be my queen, wad be my queen. AN EXCELLENT NEW SONG. Tune — "Buy Broom Besoms." A dissolution of Parliament having taken place in May of this year, a fresh con- test (see p. 484) took place for the Stewartry of kirkcud))right, Mr Heron being on this occasion opposed by the Hon. Montgomery Stewart, a younger son of the Earl of G-alloway's. And the poet, although prostrate from sicknes.^ and confined to his chamber, once more took up the pen in the cause of his friend Mr Heron, and produced the following satirical ballad against his opponents. A great many years ago, a set of vagrant dealers called Troggers^ used to travel about the country districts of Scotland, disposing of various kinds oi wares, which were known by the general name of Troggin. In the ballad, the poet has imagined a Trogger to be perambulating the countiy, offering r.he characters of the Tory or Galloway party for sale as Troggin. Mr Heron again succeeded in beating his opponents, but not till death had placed the poor poet beyond the reach of all earthly joy or sorrow. Wha will buy my troggin, Fine election ware ; Broken trade o' Broughton, A' in high rej^air. Buy bi-aw trogG:in, i'rae the banks o' Dee ; Wha wants troggin Let liim come to me, 1 Shelter. ^T. 38.] SONGS, 5^3 There 's a noble eaiTs Fame and high, renown,* For an auld san^ — It 's thought the guids were stowii. Buy braw troggin, &;c. Here 's the worth 0' Broughtonf In a needle's ee ; Here 's a reputation Tint^ by Balmaghie. % Buy braw troggin, &c. Here 's an honest conscience Might a prince adorn ; Frae the downs o' Tinwald — Sae was never born.§ Buy braw troggin, &c. Here's the stuff and lining O' Cardoness's head ; H Fine for a sodger, A' the wale^ o' lead. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here 's a little wadset,^ Buittle's scrap o' truth,^ Pawn'd in a gin-shop, Quenching holy drouth. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here 's armorial bearings Frae the manse o' Urr ; The crest, an auld crab-applOj** Rotten at the core. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here is Satan's picture, Like a bizzard gled,* Pouncing poor Eedcastle,'|*t' Sprawlin' like a taed.^ Buy braw troggin, &c. Here 's the font where Douglaa Stane and mortar names ; Lately used at Gaily Christening Murray's crimes. Buy braw troggin, &c. 1 Lost. 2 ciioica 3 Mortgage. * Kite. fi Toad. ♦ The Earl of Galloway. t Mr Murray of Broughton. X Gordon of Balmaghie. § A sneering allusion to Mr Bushby. \ Maxwell of Cardoness. ^ Rev. George Maxwell, minister of Buittle. ** An allusion to the Rev. Dr Muirhead, minister of Urr, in Galloway. tt W. S.^Lawrie of Redcastle. 504 SOJVGS. [1796. Here 's the wortli and wisdoir CoUieston* can boast ; Bj a thievish midge ^ They had been nearly lost. Buy braw troggin, &c. Here is Murray's fragments O' the ten commands ; Gifted Vy black Jock, To get them aff his hands, Buy braw troggin, &c. Saw ye e'er sic troggin ? If to buy ye 're slack, Homie 's ^ turnin' chapman — He '11 buy a' the pack. Buy braw troggin, Frae the banks o' Dee ; "Wha wants troggin Let him come to me. FAIREST MAID ON" DEVON BANKS. Tune—" Rothemurche." In this song — composed during the last months of his life, when prostrate with illness and oppressed with poverty — liis mind wandered to the banks of the Devon, where he had spent some happy days, when in the full flush of fame, in the company of the lovely Charlotte Haniilton mentioned at p. 338. Fairest maid on Devon banks, Crystal Devon, winding Devon, Wilt thou lay that frown aside, And smile as thou wert wont to do ? Full well thou know'st I love thee, dear ! C/Ouldst thou to malice lend an ear ? Oh, did not love exclaim, " Forbear, Nor use a faithful lover so." Then come, thou fairest of the fair. Those wonted smiles, oh, let me share ; And by thy beauteous self I swear No love but thine my heart shall know. 1 Gnat. 2 Satan. * Copland of Collieston. ET. 38.] SOjVGS. 505 OH, THAT I HAD NE'ER BEEN MAREIED. The last verse only of this song is Burns's— the first is old. Oh, that I had ne'er been married, I wad never had nae care ; Now I 've gotten wife and bairns, And they cry crowdie ^ ever mair. Ance crowdie, twice crowdie, Three times crowdie in a day, Gin ye crowdie ony mair. Ye 11 crowdie a' my meal away. "Waefu' want and. hunger fley^ me, Glowering by the hallan en' ; Sair I fecht them at the door. But aye I 'm eerie ^ they come ben. THE RUINED MAID'S LAMENT. These lines first appeared in Hogg and Motherwell's edition of the poet's works Oh, meikle do I rue, fause love, Oh, sairly do I rue. That e'er I heard your flattering tongue, That e'er your face I knew. Oh, I hae tint * my rosy cheeks, Likewise my waist sae sma' ; And I hae lost my lightsome heart That little wist a fa'. Now I maun thole ^ the scomfu' sneer O' mony a saucy quean ; When, gin the truth were a' but kent, Her life's been waur than mine. Whene'er my father thinks on me. He stares into the wa' ; My mither, she has ta'en the bed Wi' thinkin on my fa'. Whene'er I hear my father's foot, Mv heart wad burst wi' pain ; Whene'er I meet my mither's ee, My tears rin down like rain. Alas ! sae sweet a tree as love Sic bitter fruit should bear ! 1 Gruel. 2 Fright. * Afraid. * Lost. * Bear. SoO SOJVGS, [1796. Alas ! that e'er a bonny fa,c« Should draw a sauty tear 1 But Heaven's curse will bhist the man Denies the bairn he got ; Or leaves the painf u' lass he loved To wear a ragged coat. KATHERINE JAFFRAY. This song first appeared in Pickering's edition of the poet's works printed in 1833, and is ^jaid to liave been copied irom a manuscript in liis own tiand. There lived a lass in yonder dale, And down in yonder glen, O ! And Katheiine Jaffi'ay was her name, Weel known to many men, O I Out came the Lord of Lauderdale, Out frae the south countrie, O ! All for to court this pretty maid. Her bridegroom for to be, O ! He 's tell'd her father and mother baith. As I hear sundry say, O ! But he hasna tell'd the lass hersel, Till on her wedding day, O ! Tlien came the Laird o' Lochinton, Out frae the English Border, All for to court this pretty maid, All mounted in good order. ROBIN SHURE IN HAIRST. CHOEUS. Robin shure in hairst,^ I shure wi' him ; Fient a heuk^ had I, Yet I stack by him. I gaed up to Dunse, To warp a wab o' plaiden; At his daddie's yett,^ Wha met me but Robin ? I Reaped in harvest. 2 gickle. s Qaio, «' . 3S.] SONGS, 507 "Was na Hobin bauld, Though I was a cotter ; Play'd me sic a trick, And me the eller's dochter ? ^ Robin promised me A' my winter vittle ; Fient haet^ had he but three Goose feathers and a whittle. SWEETEST MA.Y. Sweetest May, let love inspire thee ; Take a heart which he desires thee ; As thy constant slave regard it ; For its faith and truth reward it. Proof o' shot to birth or money, Not the wealthy, but the bonny ; Not high-born, but noble-minded. In love's silken band can bind it ! Y^HEN I THINK ON THE HAPPY DAFS. When I think on the happy days I spent wi' you, my dearie ; And now what lands between us lie, How can I be but eerie ! How slow ye move, ye heavy hours, As ye were wae and weary ! It was na sae ye glinted by When I was wi' my dearie. HUNTING SONG. Tune— "I rede you beware at the huntinj?." The heather was blooming, the meadows were mawn, Our lads gaed a-hunting ae day at the dawn, O'er moors and o'er mosses, and mony a glen, At length they discover'd a bonny moor-hen. 1 Elder's daughter. - Nu thing. 5o8 SONGS. [1796. I rede you howare ab the himting, young men ; I rede you beware at the hunting, young men ; Tak some on the wing, and some as they spring ; But cannilj' steal on a bonny moor-hen. Sweet brushing the dew from the brown heather bells, Her colours betray'd her on yon mossy fells ; Her plumage outlustred the pride o' the spring, And oh, as she wanton'd gay on the wing. Auld Phoebus himsel, as he peep'd o'er the hill, In spite, at her plumage he tried his skill ; He levell'd his rays where she bask'd on the brae — His rays were outshone, and but mark'd where she lay. They hunted the valley, they hunted the hill, The best of our lads wi' the best o' their skill ; But still as tlie fairest she sat in their sight, Then, whiiT ! she was over a mile at a flight. OH, AYE MY WIFE SHE DANG ME. Tune— "My wife she dang me." Oh, aye my wife she dang me, And aft my wife did bang me ; If ye gie a woman a' her will, Guid faith, she '11 soon o'ergang ye. On peace and rest my mind was bent. And fool I was I married ; But never honest man's intent As cursedly miscarried. Some sairie comfort still at last. When a' their days are done, man ; My pains o' hell on earth are past, I 'm sure o' bliss aboon, man. Oh, aye my wife she dang me. And aft my wife did bang me ; If ye gie a woman a' her will, Guid faith, she '11 soon o'ergang ye. BROSE AND BUTTER. Oh, gie my love brose, brose, Gie my love brose and butter 5 For nane in Carrick or Kyle Can please a lassie better. .^T. 3S.] SONGS. ^ 509 Tlie laverock lo'es the grass, The moor-hen lo'es the heather ; But gie me a braw moonlight, Me and my love together. OH, WHA IS SHE THAT LO'ES ME? TuxE — "IMorag.'* Oh, wha is she that lo'es me. And has my heart a-keeping ? Oh, sweet is she that lo'es me, As dews o' simmer weeping. In tears the rosebuds steeping ! Oh, that 's the lassie o* my heart, My lassie ever dearer ; Oh, that 's the queen of womankind. And ne'er a ane to peer her. If thou shalt meet a lassie. In grace and beauty charming, That e'en thy chosen lassie, Erewhile thy breast sae warming, Had ne'er sic powers alarming ; If thou hadst heard her talking. And thy attentions plighted, That ilka body talking, But her by thee is slighted. And thou art all delighted ; If thou hast met this fair one ; When frae her thou hast parted. If every other fair one. But her, thou hast deserted. And thou art broken-hearted. DAMON AND SYLVIA. TuKE— "The tither morn, as I forlorn." Yon wandering rill that marks the hill, And glances o'er the "Brae, sir. Slides by a bower, where mony a flower Sheds fragrance on the day, sir. 510 SONGS. [1795 There Damon lay, with Sylvia gay, To love they thought nae crime, sir ; The wild-hirds sang, the echoes rang, AVhile Damon's heart beat time, sir. SHELAH O'NEIL. When firet I began for to sigh and to' woo her. Of many fine things I did say a great deal, But, above all the rest, that which pleased her the best Was, Oh, will you marry me, Shelah O'Neil ? My point I soon carried, for straight we were married, Then the weight of my burden I soon 'gan to feel,— For she scolded, she fisted, oh, then I enlisted. Left Ireland, and whisky, and Shelah 0'!N"eU. Then, tired and duU-hearted, oh, then I deserted, And fled into regions far distant from home ; To Frederick's army, where none e'er could harm me, Save Shelah herself, in the shape of a bomb. I fought every battle, where cannons did rattle. Felt sharp shot, alas ! and the sharp-pointed steel ; But in all my wars round, thank my stars, I ne'er found Aught so sharp as the tongue of cursed Shelah O'JS^eil THERE'S NEWS, LASSES, NEWa There *s news, lasses, news, Guid news I have to tell ; There 's a boatfu' o' lads Cone to our town to sell. OHOEUS. The wean^ wants a cradle. And the cradle wants a cod,'' And I '11 no gang to my bed Until I get a nod. Father, quo* she, Mither, quo' she. Do what you can ; I '11 no gang to my bed Till I get a man. I hae aa guid a craft rig As made o' yird and stane ; And waly fa' the ley-crap. For I maun till'd again. » Child. « Pillow. TiiT. 38.] SONGS. SIX THERE WAS A WIFE. There was a wife wonn'd in Cockjjen, Scroggam ; She brew'd guid ale for gentlemen. Sing, auld Cowl, lay you down by me, Scroggam, my dearie, ruffum. The guidwife's dochter fell in a fever, Scroggam ; The priest o' the parish fell in anither. Sing, auld Cowl, lay you down by me, Scroggam, my dearie, ruff am. They laid the twa i' the bed thegither, Scroggam ; That the heat o' the tane might cool the tither. Sing, auld Cowl, lay you down by me, Scroge;am, my dearie, ruffum. INDEX OF FIRST LINES OP POEMS, EPISTLES, EPIGRAMS, &c. Accept the gift a friend sincere Admiring Nature in her wildest grace . Ae day, as Death, that gruesome carl . Again the silent wheels of time A guid New- Year I wish thee, Maggie . A little, upright, pert, tart, tripping wight All devil as I am, a damned wretch All hail ! inexorable lord Among the heathy hills and ragged woods An honest man here lies at rest As cauld a wind as ever blew As Father Adam first was fool'd Ask why Grod made the gem so small . As Maillie and her lambs thegither As on the banks o' wandering Nith As Tarn the Chapman on a day . At Brownhill we always get dainty good cheer Auld chuckle Reekie's sair distrest Auld comrade dear, and brither sinner A' ye wha live by sowps o' drink , Beauteous rosebud, young and gay, Before I saw Clarinda's face . v . Below thir stanes lie Jamie's banes Bless the Redeemer, Cardoness . Blest be M'Murdo to his latest day I Bright ran thy line, Galloway . But rarely seen since nature's birth Cense, ye prudes, your envious railing . Clarinda, mistress of my soul . Curse on ungrateful man, that can be pleased Cursed be the man, the poorest wretch in life Dear , I'll gie ye some advice Dear Peter, dear Peter, ... Dear Smith, the sleest, paukie thief , Dweller ia yon dungeon dark , . PAOK . 120 . 146 . 202 . 137 . 75 . 143 1 . 98 . 149 . 291 . 296 . 293 . 279 6 . 215 . 292 . 285 . 257 . 262 . 112 . 151 . 155 . 292 . 291 . 280 . 284 277 154 275 294 273 281 244 1«1 2 K 5 J 4 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. PAGB Earth'd up here lies an imp o' hell . , , , . 288 Edina ! Scotia's darling seat . . , 134 Expect na, sir, in this narration 114 Fair empress of the poet's soul . 155 Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face 138 Fair maid, you need not take tlie hint . , 274 Fair tlie face of orient day 165 Farewell, dear friend! may guid luck hit you 273 Farewell, old Scotia's bleak domains . . lis Fate gave the word, the arrow sped . 159 Fill me with the rosy wine . 293 Fintry, my stay in wo-ldly strife 2G6 For lords or kings I dinna mourn, . 159 Friday first's the day appointed 118 Friend of the poet, tried and leal . 217 From those drear solitudes and frowsy cells . 206 Grant me, indulgent Heaven, that I may lire . 2S6 Gude pity me, because I 'm little 201 Guid-morniu' to your Majesty . 101 Guid speed and fui-der to you, Johnny . 239 Hail, Poesie 1 thou nymph reserved ! . . 209 Hail, thairm-inspirin', rattlin' Willie ! . . 253 Has auld Kilmarnock seen the deil 123 Ha ! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin' ferlie . 84 Health to the Maxwells' veteran chief . 199 Heard ye o' the tree C France . . 212 Hear, Land o' Cakes, and brither Scots . 172 He clench'd his pamphlets in his fist . 275 Here am 1, Johnny Peep . 294 Here brewer Gabriel's fire's extinct 2S3 Here cursmg swearing Burton lies . 281 Here Holy Willie's sair worn clay 23 Here lie Willie Michie's banes . . 275 Here lies a mock Marquis, whose titles were shamm' [1 280 Here lies a rose, a budding rose . 290 Here lies John Bushby, honest man ! . . 2L<7 Here lies Johnny Pigeon . 272 Here lies, now a prey to insulting neglect 286 Here lies with Death auld Grizzel Grim 281 Here souter Hood in death does sleep . . 292 Here Stuarts ouce in glory reign'd 277 Here's a bottle and an honest friend! . 299 Here, where the Scottish Muse immortal live.?, 211 He who of Rankine sang lies stiff and dead 297 Honest Will's to heaven gane . 295 How cold is that bosom which folly once fired 208 How daur ye ca' me howlet-faced 2^5 How shall i sing Drumlanrig's Grace ? 180 How wisdom and folly meet, mix, and unite . 163 Humid seal of soft affections . 205 T am a keeper of the law 282 "I burn, I burn, as when through ripen'd corn 156 I call no goddess to inspire my strains . 27i If ye gae up to yon hill-tap 2 If you rattle along like your mistress's tongue 287 I gat your letter, winsome Willie . - 234 1 hold it. sir, my bound en duty 248 I lans hae thought, my youLhfu' friend ! . 250 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 5^5 El-fated genius ! Heaven-taught Eergusson ! I mind it weel, in early date I'm three times doubly o'er your debtor Inhuman man ! curse on thy barb'rous art In Mauchline there dwells six proper young belles In politics if thou wouldst mix . In se'enteen hunder and forty-nine In this strange land, this uncouth clime In Torbolton, ye ken, there are proper young Innocence looks gaily-smiling on Instead of a song, boys, I '11 give you a toast In wood and wild, ye warbling throng . I sing of a whistle, a whistle of worth , Is there a whim inspired fool , Kemble, thou cur'st my unbelief Ken ye ought o' Captain Grose ? Kilmarnock wabsters, fidge and claw . Kind sir, I've read your paper through Know thou, stranger to the fame Lament him, Mauchline husbands a' . Late crippled of an arm, and now a leg Let other heroes boast their scars Let other poets raise a fracas Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize Light lay the earth on Billy's breast Lone on the bleaky hills the straying flocks Long life, my lord, and health be yours Lord, we thank Thee and adore Maxwell, if merit here you crave My blessings on you, sonsie wife My blessin's upon thy sweet wee lippie My curse upon thy venom'd stang, My honour'd colonel, deep I feel My lord, I know your noble ear . My loved, my honour'd, much-respected friend Nae heathen name shall I prefix No more of your guests, be they titled or not, No more of your titled acquaintances boast No more, ye warblers of the wood, no more ! No song nor dance I bring from yon great city No Stewart art thou, Galloway . Now health forsakes that angel face Now Kennedy, if foot or horse . Now Nature hangs her mantle green Now Robin lies in his last lair . , Death, hadst thou but spared his life Death ! thou tyrant fell and bloody ! . Of all the numerous ills that hurt our pence O Goudie ! terror of the Whigs . Oh, a' ye pious godly flocks Oh, could I give thee India's wealth , OhI had each Scot of ancient times Oh, had the malt thy strength of mind Oh, leave novels, ye Mauchline belles . Oh, sweet be thy sleep in the land of the grav Old Winter with his frosty beard Lord, when hunger pinches sore , 5^6 INDEX OF FIRST IINES, Once fondly loved, and still rcmember'd dear One Queen Artemisia, as old stories tell Oppress'd with grief, oppress' (^ with care, Orthodox, orthodox rough, rude, ready-witted Rankine O Thou dread Power, who reign'st above Thou great Being ! what Thou art Thou, in whom we live and move O thou pale orb, that silent shines Tliou, the first, the greatest friend . Thou unknown, Almighty Cause Thou, wha in the heavens dost dwell thou 1 whatever title suit thee Thou, who kindly dost provide O thou, whom Poesy abhors I O why the deuce should 1 repine O ye wha are sae guid yoursel . ye whose cheek the tear of pity stains Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare . Rash mortal, and slanderous poet, thy name Revered defender of beauteous Stuart, Right, sir I your text I '11 prove it true Pad bird of night, what sorrows call thee forth Sad thy tale, thou idle page Say, sages, what 's the charm on earlh Searching auld wives' barrels . Sensibility, how charming Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan came Sic a reptile was Wat Sing on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bougli Sir, as your mandate did request Sir, o'er a gill I gat your card . Some books are lies fra end to end Some hae meat, and canna eat . Spare me thy vengeance, Galloway Still anxious to secure your partial favour Stop, thief 1 Dame Nature cried to Death Streams that glide in orient plains Sweet floweret, pledge o' raeikle love . Sweet naivete of feature . Talk not to me of savages That there is falsehood in his looks The black-headed eagle . . ■ . The devil got notice that Grose was a-dying Thee, Caledonia, thy wild heaths among The friend whom wild from wisdom's way The graybeard, old Wisdom, may boast of his The king's most humble servant, I The lamp of day, with ill-presaging glare The man, in life wherever placed The poor man weeps— here Gavin sleeps There 's death in the cup — sae bewaye . The simple bard, rough at the rustic plough The sun had closed the winter day The wind blew hollow frae the hills The wintry west extends his blast Thine be the volumes, Jessy fair This day, Time winds the exhausted chain, INDEX OF FIRST LINES, 5^7 PAGH This wot ye all whom it concerns . . . . . .132 Thou bed, in which I first began . 181 Thou flattering mark of friendship kind . , . 136 Though fickle Fortune has deceived me . 272 Thou of an independent mind .... . 289 Thou's welcome, wean ! mishanter fa' me . 136 Thou, who thy honour as thy God reverest, , . 198 Thou whom chance may hither lead . 157 Thou whom chance may hither lead . 157 Through and through the inspired leaves . 285 'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair friend . 214 To Riddel, much-lamented man . 287 *Twas in that place o' Scotland's isle . . 78 'Twas where the birch and sounding thong are plied , . 200 Fpon a simmer Sunday morn . . 106 Upon that night, when fairies light . 26 Wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf . 119 Was e'er puir poet sae befitted . . 282 We cam na here to view your warks . . 276 Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower . . 93 Wee, sleekit, cowrin', tim'rous beastie . . 24 What ails ye now, ye lousie bitch . C8 "What dost thou in that mansion fair? . . 284 What needs this din about the town o' Lon'on, . 179 "When biting Boreas, fell. and doure . 61 When by a generous public's kind acclaim . 139 When chapman billies leave the street . 187 When chill November's surly blast . 33 When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er . 276 When lyart leaves bestrew the yird . 45 When Nature her great masterpiece design'd . . 2C0 While at the stock the shearers cower . . 240 While briers and woodbines budding green . 21Q While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things, . 203 While new-ca'd kye rowte at the stake . 230 While virgin Spring, by Eden's flood . . 198 While winds frae aff Ben Lomond blaw . 223 Whoe'er he be that sojourns here . 278 Whoe'er thou art, reader, know . 293 Whoe'er tliou art, these lines now reading . 142 Whose is that noble, dauntless brow . 137 Why am I loath to leave this< earthly scene . 10 Why, ye tenants of the lake . 150 Wi' braw new branks in mickle pride , . 12] With Pegasus upon a day . 162 Wow, but your letter made me vauntie . 264 Ye holy walls, that, still sublime . 178 Ye hypocrites ! are these your pranks ? . 296 Ye Irish lords, ye knights and squires , . 70 Ye men of wit and wealth, why all this sneering . 287 Ye true "Loyal Natives" attend to my song . . 291 Your news and review, sir, I 've read through and through, sir . 160 If ours this moment I unseal , . 274 INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF SONGS. PAGE Adieu I a heart-wnrm, fond adieu I . . , . , . o25 Adovvn winding Nilh I did wander 435 Ac fond kiss, and tlien we sever 387 Again rejoicing nature sees 319 Ah, Cliloris J since it mayna be 455 A Higliliind lad my love was born 48 Although my back be at the wa' 471 Alth ugh my bed were in yon muir 309 Amang the trees, where humming bees ..... 471 Ance mair I hail thee, thou gloomy December I . . . . S88 And oh for ane-and-twenty, Tam I ..... . o99 And oh ! my Eppie ........ 378 Anna, thy charms my bosom fire ...... 447 A rosebud by my early walk ....... 336 As I came in by our gate end . . . . . . .411 As I gaed down the water-side ....... 382 As I stood by yon roofless tower ...... 442 As I was a-waudering ae midsummer e'ening .... 41 ti As I was a-wandering ae morning in spring ..... 4G5 As I was walking up the street ...... 448 A' the lads C Thorniebank 334 Awa' wi' your witchcraft o' beauty's alarms ..... 500 Bannocks o' bear-meal ........ 472 Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows ...... 301 Behold the hour, the boat arrive ...... 389 Blithe, blithe, and merry was she ...... 334 Blithe hae I been on yon hill . . . . . . .429 Bonny lassie, will ye go . . . . . . . . 332 Bonny wee thing, cannie wee thing ...... 386 Braw, braw lads of Gala Water . . . . . . .352 But lately seen in gladsome green ...... 465 By Allan stream I chanced to rove ...... 434 By yon castle wa', at the close of the day . . • . . 384 Can I cease to care ? . . . . . . . .493 Ca' the yowes to the knowes ....... 450 Cauld is the e'enin' blast ....... 470 Come boat me o'er, come row me o'er ...... 357 Come, let me take thee to my breast . . . r . . 436 Come rede me, dame, come tell me, danie ..... 377 Coming through the rye, poor body ...... 481 Contented wi' little, and cantie wi' mair . . . . .460 Could aught of song declare my pains ...... 445 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Sf9 PAGB Deluded swain, the pleasure ....•- . 439 Dire was the hate at old Ilarlaw .... . 4<>9 Does haughty Gaul invasion threat ? . . . • . 490 Donald Brodie met a lass . . , , . 479 Duncan Gray cam here to woo ..... . 410 Fairest maid on Devon banks ..... . 504 Farewell, thou fair day, thou green earth, and ye skies . 381 Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame .... . 421 Farewell, thou stream that winding flows . 458 Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong . 339 First when Maggy was my care . . , . . 381 Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes . 321 Forlorn, my love, no comiort near .... . 493 Frae the fiiends and land I love .... . 394 From thee, Eliza, I must go . . 323 Fy, let us a' to Kirkcudbright ..... ; 486 Gane is the day, and mirk 's the night « ,. 380 Gat ye me, oh, gat ye me . 476 Go fetch to me a pint o' wine .... . 350 Green grow the rashes, ! , . . . . 312 Guid e'en to you, kimmer ..... . 479 Had I a cave on some wild, distant shore . 433 Had I the wyte, had I the wyte .... . 467 Hee balou ! my sweet wee Donald .... . 4T0 Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad . . 352 Here around the ingle bleezing .... . 413 Here awa', there awa', wandering Willie . 391 Here is the glen, and here the bower .... . 449 Here's a health to ane I lo'e lear .... . 501 Here's a health to them that's awa' .... . 421 Her flowing locks, the raven's wing .... . 473 Here 's to thy health, my bonny lass .... . 445 Hey, the dusty miller . . . 353 How can my poor heart be glad .... . 449 How cruel are the parents ..... . 496 How long and dreary is the night .... . 456 How pleasant the banks of the clear-winding Devon . 338 Husband, husband, cease your strife .... . 439 I am a bard of no regard ..... . 52 I am a son of Mars, who have been in many wars . 46 I am my mammy's ae bairn ..... . 359 I bought my wife a Stan e o' lint .... . 417 I coft a stane o' haslock woo ...... . 463 I do confess thou art sae fair ..... . 397 I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing . 301 I gaed a waefu' gate yestreen ..... . J-^i5 I hae a wife o' my ain ...... . 3^9 I '11 aye ca' in by yon town ..... . 465 I '11 kiss thee yet, yet ...... . 343 I married with a scolding wife ..... . 335 I once was maid, though I cannot tell when . . 47 In coming by the brig o' Dye ..... . 353 In simmer, when the hay was mawn .... . 401 I see a form, I see a face ..... . 497 Is there, for honest poverty ..... . 482 Is this thy plighted, fond reward . . . , . 462 It is na, Jean, thy bonny face ..... . 382 It was a' for our rightfu' king .... . 469 5 2 o INDEX OF FIRST LINES. WGK It was in sweet Senegal that my foes did me enthral .... 417 It was the charming month of May- . 457 It was upon a Lammas night . . SIO Jamie, come try me . . . . 379 Jenny M'Craw, she has ta'en to the heather . 464 Jockey's ta'en the parting kiss . 447 John Anderson, my jo, John . 369 Landlady, count the lawin . 356 Lass, when your mither is frae hame . . 348 Last May a braw wooer cam down the lang gle u . 496 Let me ryke up to dight that tear . 49 Let not woman e'er complain . . 457 Loud blaw the frosty breezes . 341 Louis, what reck I by thee . 443 Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion . 494 Musing on tlie roaring ocean . 342 My bonny lass, I work in brass . 50 My Chloris, mark how green the groves . 453 My father was a farmer . . 306 My Harry was a gallant gay . 368 My heart is a-breaking, dear tittie . 373 My heart is sair— I dare na tell — . 443 Jty heart is wae, and unco wae . 333 l\Iy heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here . 372 ^ly heart was ance as blithe and free . . 351 My lady's gown, tliere 's gairs upon 't . . 446 My love she 's but a lassie yet . . 3S2 My Peggy's face, my Peggy's form . 338 Nae gentle dames, though e'er sae fair . 322 No churclimau am I for to rail and to wi-ite . 313 Now bank and brae are claithed in green . 472 Now haply down yon gay green shaw . . 491 Now in her green mantle blithe nature arrays . 390 Now nature deeds the flowery lea . 458 Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers . 4C6 Now spring has clad the grove in green . 498 Now westlin winds and slaught'ring guns . 311 O'er the mist-shrouded cliffs of the lone mountain straying . 320 Of a' the airts the wind can blaw . 344 Oh, aye my wife she dang me . . 608 Oh, bonny was yon rosy brier . . 494 Oh, cam ye here the fight to shun . 370 Oh, can ye labour lea, young man . . 381 Oh, gie my love brose, brose . 508 O'p, guid ale comes, and guid ale goes . . 478 Oh, how can I be blithe and glad . 396 Oh, how shall I, unskilfu' try . . 385 Oh ! I am come to the low countrie . 477 Oh, Kenmure 's on and awa', Willie . 419 Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten ? . . 427 Oh, keu ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten . 480 Oil, Lady Mary Ann .... . 418 Oh, lay thy loof in mine, lass . 448 Oh leeze me on my spinning-wheel . 399 Oh, luve will venture in , , , . 403 Oh, meikle do I rue, fause love , , . 605 Oh. meikle thinks my luve o' my beauty . . 395 INDEX OF FIRST LINES, 5 2 1 PJIGB Oti, meny hae I been teethin' a heckle . . . . .377 Oh, mirk, mirk is this midnight hour . . 424 Oh, mount and go . . . • . 377 Oh, my luve's like a red, red rose , 441 Oh, once I loved a bonny lass . . 300 Oh, open the door, some pity to show • . 425 Oh, poortith cauld and restless love . 422 Oh, sad and heavy should I part . 473 Oh, saw ye bonny Lesley . 392 Oh, saw ye my dearie, my Eppie M'Nab . 414 Oh, saw ye my dear, my Phely ? . 455 Oh, stay, sweet warbling woodlark, stay . 492 Oh, steer her up and baud her gaun — . . 469 Oh that I had ne'er been married . 505 Oh, wat ye what my minnie did . 478 Oh, were I on Parnassus' hill . . 345 Oh, were my love yon lilac fair . . 440 Oh, wert thou in the cauld blast . 502 Oh, wha is she that lo'es me . . 509 Oh, wha my babie-clouts will buy,? . 318 Oh, whare did ye get that hauver-meal bannock f . 335 Oh, whare live ye, my bonny lass ? . 420 Oh, wha will to Saint Stephen's house . . 846 Oh, wliistle, and I'll come to you, my lad . 434 Oh, whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad . 340 Oh, Willie brew'd a peck 0' maut . 3C0 Oh, wile thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar ? . 367 lassie, art thou sleeping yet ? . 483 Logan, sweetly didst thou glide . 450 Mary, at thy window be . . . . 310 May, thy morn was ne'er sae sweet . . . 389 lovely Polly Stewart .... . 444 On a bank of flowers, in a summer day . 371 On Cessnock banks there lives a lass . . 304 One night as I did wander . 314 Philly, happy be that day . . 459 raging Fortune's withering blast . 316 rattlin', roarin' Willie . 357 Tibbie, I hae seen the day . . 302 Our thrissles flourish'd fresh and fair . . 376 Out over the Forth I look to the north . . 442 Powers celestial ! whose protection . , . 323 Raving winds around her blowing • , . 342 Robin shure in hairst . . , , . 606 Sae flaxen were her ringlets . . , . 452 Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled . 437 See ! the smoking bowl before us . 63 She is a winsome wee thing .... . 407 She 's fair and fause that causes my smart , . 406 Should auld acquaintance be forgot . 350 Simmer's a pleasant time . 384 Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou . . , . 47 Sleep'st thou, or wakest thou, fairest creature ? . 453 Stay, my charmer, can you leave me . . 340 Sweet closes the evening on Craigie-burn Wood . SD3 Sweetest May, let love inspire thee . 50T The bairns gat out wi' an nnco shout . , 412 The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw . . 356 52 2 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. PAUB The bonniest lad that e'er I saw ...... aV4 The Catrine woods were yellow seen 0X6 The cooper o' Cuddie cam here awa' 47G The day returns, my bosom burns . 348 The deil cam fiddling through the town 3j1 The gloomy night is gathering fast 328 The heatiier was blooming, the meadows were mawn 607 Their groves o' sweet myrtle let foreign lands reckon 49.5 The laddies by the banks o' Nith . 302 The last braw bridal that I was at . . . 404 The last time I came o'er the moor 4:29 The lazy mist hangs from the brow of the hill . 349 The lovely lass of Inverness .... 441 The noble Maxwells and their powers . 400 The ploughman he's a bonny lad . 355 There came a piper out o' Fife .... 404 There lived a carle in Kellyburn braes 414 There lived a lass in yonder dale 506 There's auld Rob Morris that wons in yon glen 409 Tliere 's a youth in this city .... 375 There 's braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes 4-_'3 There's news, lasses, news .... 510 There was a bonny lass ..... 477 There was a lad was born in Kyle 315 There was a lass, and she was fair 4;l There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg 320 There was a wife wonn'd in Cockpen . 511 There was once a day— but old Time then was young- 4 468 There were five carlines in the south . 363 There were three kings into the east . 308 The small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning 344 The smiling Spring comes in rejoicing 405 The sun he is sunk in the west 3i!6 The tailor fell through the bed, thimbles and a' 374 The Thames flows proudly to the sea . 373 The tither morn ...... 411 The winter it is past, and the summer's come at last 359 Thickest night, o'erhang my dwelling! 341 Thine am I, my faithful fair .... 307 Though cruel fate should bijj us part . 314 Though women's minds, like winter winds Tlion hast left me ever, Jamie! 381 438 Thou ling'ring star, with less'ning ray 361 Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair friend 454 True-hearted was he, the sad swain o' the Yarrow 425 Turn again, thou fair Eliza .... 402 Twas even— the dewy fields were green 327 'Twas in the seventeen hundred year . 4S8 'Twas ua her bonny blue ee was my ruin 494 TTp in the morning's no for me 358 Up wi' the carles o' Dysart .... 482 "Wae iP my heart, and the tear's in my ee 415 Weary fa' you, Duncan Gray .... 354 Wee Willie Gray, and his leather wallet 379 Wha is that at my bower-door t . 463 Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad? ScO What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie . 395 What will I do gin my lioggie die ? . 358 Wlien clouds in skies do come together 313 V/iiti will buy my troggin .... . &UJ INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 5 23 PAGE When first I began for to sijrh and to woo her .... 510 When first I came to Stewart Kyle . 316 When first I saw fair Jeanie's face . 366 When first my brave Johnnie lad . 411 When Guildford good our pilot stood . . 330 When I think on the happy days . 607 When Januai-* wind was blawing cauld . 474 When o'er the hill the eastern star . 407 When rosy May comes in wi' flowers . . 368 When wild war's deadly blast was blawn . 426 Where are the joys I have met in the mornng . 438 Where, braving angry Winter s storms . 337 Where Cart rins rowin' to the sea . 406 While larks with little wing . 432 Whom will you send to London town . . 484 Why, why tell thy lover . 494 Willie Was Je dwalt on Tweed . . 404 Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary . 323 Wilt thou be my dearie ? . . . . 444 Ye banks, and braes, and streams around . 408 Ye banks and braes 0' bonny Doon . 404 Ye flowery banks of bonny Doon . 329 Ye gallants bright, I rede ye right . 36G Ye hae lien a' wrang, lassie .... . 37.5 Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, give an ear . 41G Ye sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie . 325 Yestreen I had a pint 0' wine . . 466 yon wandering rill that marks the hill . 509 STon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wid? . 398 Young Jamie, pride of a' the plain . 481 Young Jockey was the blithest lad . 378 Young Peggy blooms our bonniest lass . 317 1 ou 're welcome to despots, Dumoui-ier . 428 THE END. 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A series of entertaining and instructive volumes, profusely Illustrated wiik original Engravings by the first Artists, choicely pHnted on superfine paper, and elegantly bound in cloth and gold, and, gilt edges, crown Svo, price Bs. 6d. each. 1. Okristian Osborne's Priends. By Mrs. Harriet Miller Davidson, Author of * Isobel Jardine's History,' and Daughter of the late Hugh Miller. 2. Eound tlie Grange Farm ; or, Good Old Times. By Jean L. Watson, Author of ' Bygone Days in our Village,' etc. 3. Stories abont Boys. By Ascott R. Hope, Author of 'Stories of School Life,' 'My Schoolboy Friends,' etc. etc. 4. George's Enemies : A Sequel to ' My Schoolboy Friends.' By Ascott E. Hope, Author of 'Stories about Boys,' etc. etc. 5. Violet Eivers; or, Loyal to Duty. A Tale for Girls. By Winifred Taylor, Author of ' Story of Two Lives,' etc. 6. Wild Animals and Birds : Curious and Instructive Stories about their Habits and Sagacity. With numerous Illustrations. 7. The Twins of Saint-Marcel : A Tale of Paris Incendie. By Mrs. A. S. Orr, Author of ' The Eoseville Family,' etc. etc. 8. Rupert Rochester, the Banker's Son. A Tale. By Winifred Taylor, Author of ' Story of Two Lives,' etc. 9. The Story of Two Lives ; or. The Trials of Wealth and Poverty. By Winifred Taylor, Author of ' Rupert Roches- ter,' etc. 10. The Lost Pather ; or, Cecilia's Triumph. A Story of our own Day. By Daryl Holme. 1 1. Friendly Fairies ; or, Once upon a Time. 12. The Young Mountaineer ; or, Frank Miller's Lot in Life. The Story of a Swiss Boy. By Daryl Holme. 13. Stories from over the Sea. With Illustrations. 14. The Story of a Noble Life ; or, Zurich and its Reformer Ulric Zwingle. By Mrs. Hardy (Janet Gordon), Author of ' The Spanish Inquisition,' ' Champions of the Reformation,' etc. etc. 15. Stories of Whitminster. By Ascott R. Hope, Author of 'My Schoolboy Friends,' 'Stories about Boys,' etc. etc. *^* Tbe object steadily kept in view in preparing the above series has been to give a collection of works of a thoroughly healthy moral tone, agreeably blending entertainment and instruction. It is believed this end has been attained, and that the several volumes will be found eminently suitable as Gift Books and School Prizes, besides proving of permanent value in the Home Library. NIMMO'8 HALF-CROWN REWARD BOOKS. Extra foolscap 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, Illustrated, price 28. 6d. each. 1. Memorable Wars of Scotland. By Patrick Fraser Tytler, F.R.S.E., Author of ' The History of Scotland,' etc. 2. Seeing the World i A Young Sailor's own Story, By Gharles Nordhoff, Author of * The Young Man-of-WarV Man.' 3. The Martyr Missionary: Five Years in Ohina. By Rev. Charles P. Bush, M.A. 4. My New Home : A Woman's Diary. 5. Home Heroines: Tales for Grirls. By T. S. Arthur, Author of * Life's Crosses,' etc. 6. Lessons from Women's Lives. By Sarah J. Hale. 7. The Koseville Family. A Historical Tale of the Eighteenth Century. By Mrs. A. S. Orr, Author of ' Mountain Patriots,* etc. 8. Leah. A Tale of Ancient Palestine. Illustrative of the Story of Naaman the Syrian. By Mrs. A. S. Orr. 9. Champions of the Keformation: The Stories of their Lives. By Janet Gordon. The History of Two Wanderers ; or, Oast Adrift. Beattie's Poetical Works. The Vicar of Wakefield. By Oliver Qoldsmith. Edgar Allan Poe's Poetical Works. The Miner's Son, and Margaret Vernon. By M. M. Pollard, Author of ' The Minister's Daughter,' etc. etc. How Frank began to Olimb the Ladder, and the Friends who lent him a hand. By Charles Bruce, Author of ' Lame Felix,' etc. Oonrad and Oolumbine. A Fairy Tale. By James Mason. Aunt Ann's Stories. Edited by Louisa Loughborough, The Snow- Sweepers' Party, and the Tale of Old Tubbins* By R. St. John Corbet, Author of 'Mince Pie Island,' etc. etc. The Story of Elise Marcel. A Tale for Girls. 8 gookf irttbUfl^tb bg iSiUiam |p, |l[hittnoi« N IM MO'S Foolscap 8w, Illustrated^ elegantly hound in cloth extra, bevelled boards, gilt bach and side, gilt edges^ price 2s. each. 1. The Far North : Explorations in the Arctic Regions. By Elisha Kent Kane, M.D. 2. Great Men of European History. From the Beginning of the Christian Era till the Present Time. By David Pryde, M.A. 3. The Young Men of the Bible. A Series of Papers, Bio- graphical and Suggestive. By Rev. Joseph A. Collier. 4. The Blade and the Ear : A Book for Young Men. 5. Monarchs of Ocean: Columbus and Cook. 6. Life's Crosses, and How to Meet them. By T. S. Arthur. 7. A Father's Legacy to his Daughters, etc. A Book for Young Women. By Dr. Gregory. 8. Mountain Patriots. A Tale of the Reformation in Savoy. By Mrs. A. S. Orr. 9. Labours of Love : A Tale for the Young. By Winifred Taylor. 10. Mossdale : A Tale for the Young. By Anna M. De longh. 11. The Standard-Bearer. A Tale of the Times of Constantino the Great. By Ellen Palmer. 12. Jacqueline. A Story of the Reformation in Holland. By Mrs. Hardy (Janet Gordon). N I M MO'S "^omt aub Srlj00l S>txm of ^lefoartr §00ks. Foohcap ^i'O, Illustrated, elegantly bound in cloth extra, bevelled boards, gilt back and side, gilt edges, price 25. each. 1. Lame Felix. A Book for Boys. By Charles Bruce. 2. Picture Lessons by the Divine Teacher ; or, Illustrations of the Parables of our Lord. By Peter Grant, D.D. 3. Nonna : A Story of the Days of Julian the Apostate. By Ellen Palmer. 4. Philip Walton ; or. Light at Last. By the Author of ' Meta Frantz,' etc. 5. The Minister's Daughter, and Old Anthony's Will. Tales for the Yoixng. By M. M. Pollard, Author of ' The Miner's Son,' etc. ere. 6. The Two Sisters. By M. M. Pollard. 7. A Needle and Thread : A Tale for Girls. By Emma J. Barnes, Author of ' Faithful and True, or the Mother's Legacy.' 8. Taken Up : A Tale for Boys and Girls. By A. Whymper. 9. An Earl's Daughter. By M. M. Pollard. 10. Life at Hartwell ; or, Frank and his Friends. By Katharine E. ^NIat, Author of ' Alfred and his Mother,' etc. etc. 11. Stories Told in a Fisherman's Cottage. By Ellen Palmer, Author of ' Nonna,' 'The Standard-Bearer,' etc. etc. 12. Max Wild, the Merchant's Son; and other Stories for the Young. gooks publis^eb bg !®Hlia:nt ^. |fimm0. N I M M O'S Foolscap Syo, cloth extra, gilt edges, Illustrated, price Is. 6d. each. 1. Bible Blessings. By Rev. Richard Newton. 2. One Hour a Week : Fifty -two Bible Lessons for the Yonng. 3. The Best Things. By Rev. Richard Newton. 4. The Story of John Heywood : An Historical Tale of the Time of Harry vm. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'How Frank began to Climb,' etc. 5. Lessons from Rose Hill ; and Little Nannette. 6. Great and Good Women : Biographies for Girls. By Lydia H. Sigourney. 7. At Home and Abroad; or, Uncle William's Adventures. 8. Alfred and his Mother ; or, Seeking the Kingdom. By Katharine E. Mat 9. Asriel ; or. The Crystal Cup. A Tale for the Young. By Mrs. Henderson 10. The Kind Governess; or. How to make Home Happy. 11. Percy and Ida. By Katharine E. May. 12. Three Wet Sundays with the Book of Joshua. By Ellen Palmer, Author of 'Christmas at the Beacon,' etc. etc. NIMMO'S SUNDAY AND WEEK-DAY Foolscap 8vo, cloth extra, gilt edges, Illustrated, price Is. Gd. each. 1. The Sculptor of Bruges. By Mrs. W. G. Hall. 2. From Cottage to Castle; or, Faithful in Little. A Tale founded on Fact. By M, H., Author of 'The Red Velvet Bible,' etc. 3. Christmas at the Beacon: A Tale for the Young. By Ellen Palmer. 4. The Sea and the Savages: A Story of Adventure. By Harold Lincoln. 5. The Swedish Singer ; or, The Story of Vanda Bosendahl. By Mrs. W. G. Hall. 6. My Beautiful Home ; or, Lily's Search. By Chas. Bruce. 7. The Story of a Moss Rose ; or, Ruth and the Orphan Family. By Charles Bkuce. ^ 8. Summer Holidays at Silversea. By E. Rosalie Salmon. 9. Fred Graham's Resolve. By the Author of ' Mat and Sofie,' etc. etc. 10. Wilton School; or, Harry Campbell's Revenge. . A Tale. By F. E. Weatherly. 11. Grace Harvey and her Cousins. 12. Blind Mercy; and other Tales for the Young. By Gertrude Crockford. 1 3. Evan Lindsay. By Margaret Fraser Tytler, Author of ' Tales of Good and Great Kings,' ' Tales of the Great and Brave,' etc. goofes publbl^^b bg William ^. ^hnmo. Nimmo's Eighteenpenny Favourite Reward Books. Demy 18nio, Illustrated, cloth extra, gilt edges, price Is. 6d. each. 1. The Vicar of Wakefield. Poems and Essays. By Oliver Goldsmith. 2. .ffisop's Fables, with Instructive Applications. By Dr. Croxall. 3. Bnnyan's Pilgrim's Progress. 4. The Young Man-ol'-War's-Man : A Boy's Voyage round the World. By Ciiaki.es Nokdhoff, Author of 'Seeing the World.' 5. The Treasury of Anecdote: Moral and Religious. 6. The Boy's Own Workshop ; or, The Young Carpenters. By Jacob Abbott. 7. The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. 8. The History of Sandford and Merton. A Moral and Instruc- tive Lesson for Young Persons. 9. Evenings at Home ; or, The Juvenile Budget Opened. Con- sisting of a variety of Miscellaneous Pieces for the Instruction and Amuse- ment of Young Persons. By Dr. Aikin and Mrs. Barbauld. 10. Unexpected Pleasures ; or. Left alone in the Holidays. By Mrs. George Cupples, Author of 'Norrie Seton,' etc. •** The above Series of elegant and useful books is specially prepared for the entertainment and instrnction of young persons. ^rmm0's ^opitkr ^leliginits CStft §00ks. liimo, finely printed on toned paper, handsomely bound In cloth extrb, price Is. each. 1. Across the River: Twelve Views of Heaven. By Norman MACLEOD, D.D. ; R. W. Hamilton, D.D. ; Robert S. Candlish, D.D.; James Hamilton, D.D. ; etc. etc. 2. Emblems of Jesus ; or, Illustrations of Emmanuel's Character and Work. 3. Life Thoughts of Eminent Christians. 4. Comfort for the Desponding ; or, Words to Soothe and Cheer Troubled Hearts. 5. The Chastening of Love: Words of Consolation for the Christian Mourner. By Joseph Parker, D.D., Manchester. 6. The Cedar Christian, and other Practical Papers. By the Rev. Theodore L. Cutler. 7. Consolation for Christian Mothers Bereaved of Little Children. By A Friend of Mourners. 8. The Orphan; or, Words of Comfort for the Fatherless and Motherless. 9. Gladdening Streams; or, The Waters of the Sanctuary. A Book for Fragments of Time on each Lord's Day of the Y'car. io. Spirit of the Old Divines. ri. Choice Gleanings from Sacred V/riters. 12. Direction in Prayer; or, The Lord's Prayer Illustrated in a Series of Expositions. By Peter Grant, D.D., Author of 'Emblems of Jesus,' etc. 13. Scripture Imagery. By Peter Grant, D.D., Author of 'Emblems of Jesus,' etc. NIMMO'8 ONE SHILLING ILLUSTRATED^ JUVENILE BOOKS. Foolscap 8vo, Coloured Frontispieces, handsomely bound in cloth, Illuminated, price Is. each. 1. Four Little People and their Friends. 2. Elizabeth; or, The Exiles of Siberia. A Tale from the French of Madame Oottin. 3. Paul and Virginia. From the French of Bernardin Saint-Pierre. 4. Little Threads : Tangle Thread, Golden Thread, and Silver Thread. 5. Benjamin Franklin, the Printer Boy. 6. Barton Todd, and The Young Lawyer. 7 The Perils of Greatness : The Story of Alex- ander Menzikoff. 8. Little Crowns, and How to Win them. By Rev. Joseph A. Collier. 9. Great Riches : Nelly Rivers' Story. By Aunt Fanny. 10. The Right Way, and The Contrast. 11. The Daisy's First Winter. And other Stories. By Harriet Beecher Stowk. 12. The Man of the Mountain. And other Stories. 13. Better than Rubies. Stories for the Young, Illustrative of Familiar Proverbs. With 62 Illustrations. [^Continued on next jxj^e. NIMMO'S ONE SHILLING ILLUSTRATED JUVENILE BOOKS, CONTINUED, M- Experience Teaches. And other Stories for the Young, Illustrative of Familiar Proverbs. With 39 Illus- trations. 15- The Happy Recovery. And other Stories for the Young. With 26 Illustrations. i6. Gratitude and Probity. And other Stories for the Young. With 21 Illustrations. 17. The Two Brothers. And other Stories for the Young. With 13 Illustrations. 18. The Young Orator. And other Stories for the Young. With 9 Illustrations. 19- Simple Stories to Amuse and Instruct Young Readers. With Illustrations. 20. The Three Friends. And other Stories for the Young. With Illustrations. 21 Sybil's Sacrifice. And other Stories for the Young. With 12 Illustrations. 22. The Old Shepherd. And other Stories for the Young. With Illustrations. 23. The Young Ofiicer. And other Stories for the Young. With Illustrations. 24. The False Heir. And other Stories for the Young. With Illustrations. 25. The Old Farmhouse; or, Alice Morton's Home. And other Stories. By M. M. Pollard. 26. Twyford Hall; or, Rosa's Christmas Dinner, and what she did with it. By Charles Bruce. 27. The Discontented Weathercock. And other Stories for Children. By M. Jones. 28. Out at Sea, and other Stories. By Two Authors. 29. The Story of Waterloo; or, The Fall of Napoleon. 30. Sister Jane's Little Stories. Edited by Louisa Loughborough. §aoU (tnblis^tb bg SStlliam f^. JSmmo. 13 NIMMO'S NINEPENNY SERIES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. In demy 18mo, with Illustrations, elegantly hound in clofh. This Series of Books will be found unequalled for genuine interest and value, and it is believed they will be eagerly welcomed by thoughtful children of both sexes. Parents may rest assured that each Volume teaches some noble lesson, or enforces some valuable truth. 1. In the Brave Days of Old ; or, The Story of the Spanish Armada. For Boys and Girls. 2. The Lost Kuby. By the Author of ' The Basket of Flowers,' etc. 3. Leslie Boss ; or, Fond of a Lark. By Oharles Bmce. 4. My First and Last Voyage. By Benjamin Olarke. 5. Little Katie : A Fairy Story. By Oharles Bmce. 6. Being Afraid. And other Stories for the Young. By Oharles Stuart. 7. The Toll-Keepers. And other Stories for the Young, By Benjamin Clarke. 8. Dick Barford: A Boy who would go down Hill, By Oharles Bruce. 9. Joan of Arc ; or, The Story of a Noble Life, Written for Girls. 10. Helen Siddal: A Story for Ohildren. By Ellen Palmer. 1 1. Mat and Sofle : A Story for Boys and Oirls. 12. Peace and War, By the Author of *The Basket of Flowers,' etc. 1 3. Perilous Adventures of a French Soldier in Algeria, 14. The Magic Glass ; or, The Secret of Happiness. 15. Hawks' Dene : A Tale for Ohildren, By Katharine E. Mat. t6. Little Maggie. And other Stories. By the Author of ' The Joy of Well-Doing/ etc. etc. 17. The Brother's Legacy ; or. Better than Gold, By M. M. Pollard. 18. The Little Sisters ; or. Jealousy. And other Stories for the Young. By the Author of ' Little Tales for Tiny Tots,' etc, 19. Kate's New Home. By Oecil Scott, Author of ' Ohryssie Lyle,' etc. 14 SooKf (Titblis^tb bg SR^iIIiam ^. ^immo* NIMMO'8 SIXPENNY JUVENILE BOOKS. Demy 18mo, Illustrated, handsomely botmd in cloth, price fid. eJioh. Pearls for Little People. 17, Great Lessons for Little ' People, I Reason in Rhyme : A Poetry 18. Hook for the Youne:. ^ffisop's Little Fahle Book. ^g Grapes from the Great Vine. 6. The Pot of Gold. 7. StoryPictures from the Bible. 8. The Tables of Stone : Illus- trations of the Commandments. 9. Ways of Doing Good. 10. Stories about our Dogs. By ^-, Harrift Rkkcher Stowk. The Red-Winged Goose. The Hermit of the Hills. , 23. Effie's Christmas, and other 1 stories. By Adklaidk Austen. ' 24. A Visit to Grandmother, and i other Stories for the Young, ; 15. Bible Stories for Young ! 25. People. By Adklaide Austen, | 16. The Little Woodman and his i 26. DogCajsar. By Mrs, Sherwood. ! 4- 5. II. 12. 13. 14. Among the Mountains : Tales for the Young. By Adel- aide Austen, Little Gems for Little Readers, Do your Duty, come what will, and other Stories for the Young, Noble Joe : A Tale for Chil- dren, By Adklaidr Austen. Lucy Vernon, and other Stories for the Young. Anecdotes of Favourite Animals told for Children By Adelaide Austen, Little Henry and his Bearer. I^y Mrs. Sherwood. The Holidays at Wilton, and other Stories. By Adelaide Austen. Chryssie Lyle : A Tale for the Young. By Cecil Scott. Little Elsie among the Quarrymen. By Ellen Pa lmkr NEW VOLUMES JUST ADDED TO THIS SERIES. 27. The Lesson of Obedience. By the Rev. Richard Xewton, D.D 28. The Lesson Of Diligence. By the Rev. Richard Newton, D.D. 29. Fergus: A Tale by Jacob Abbott, 30. Gilbert and his Mother. By Jacob Abbott, 31. The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain. By Hannah More. 32. Emily Barton, and other Stories. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Elizabeth ViUiers, and other Stories. By Chakles and Mary Lamb. 34- 35' The Grateful Negro. Maria Edgeworth. Forgive and Forget. Maria Edgeworth, By By By 36, Waste Not, Want Not. Maria Edgeworth, ^7. The False Key. By Maria Edgeworth. 38. The Bracelets. By Maria Edgeworth. NIMMO'8 FOURPENNY JUVENILE BOOKS. The above 8eri««i of Books is also kept in embosjsed and inutninatprl Paper Cover, beautifully printed in gold from entirely new Designs, price 4d. each. *,* The distinctive features of the Sixpenny, Ninepenny, and One Shilling Juvenile Books are: The Subjects of each Volume have been selected with a due retrard to Instruction and Entertainment; they are well printed on fine paper; they are Illustrated with Coloured Frontispieces and beautiful EngraviniErs; and they are elegantly bound. NEW WORKS. NEW EDITION OF THE EDINA BURNS. In crown 4to, price 12s. 6d., elegantly bound in cloth, extra gilt and gilt edges, also in Turkey morocco antique, very handsome, 42s., the poimlar Drawing- room Edition of the Poems and Songs by Robert Burns. With Illus- trations by E. Heudmax, Waller H. Paton, Sa^ni. Bough, GouRLAY Steell, D. 0. HiLL, J. M'Whirter, and other eminent Scottish Artists. Third Edition. Ill demy 8vo, cloth elegant, richly gilt, price 7s. 6d. , or in Turkey morocco antique, 21s., Things a Lady would Like to Know, concerning Domestic Management and Expenditure, arranged for Daily Eeference. By Henry Southgate, Author of * Many Thoughts of Many Minds, ' * Noble Thoughts in Noble Lan- guage,' * Gone Before,' * The Bridal Bouquet,' etc. etc. Tenth Thousand. hi crown 8vo, beautifully bound in cloth extra, full of Engravings and Coloured Pictures, price 3s. 6d., or gilt edges price 4s., Three Hundred Bible Stories and Three Hundred Bible Pictures. A Pictorial Sunday Book for the Young. \v Edition, just ready, in small crown 8vo, fancy paper boards, price 2s. , or in cloth extra, bevelled boards, x)rice 2s. 6d. , Jessie Melville; or, The Double Sacrifice. An Edinburgh Tale. Xcw Edition, just ready, in crown 8vo, choicely printed and elegantly bound, price 3s. 6d., The Life of Flora M'Donald. Written by her Grand-Daughter. ' The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour.' — Doctor Johnson. 1 6 gcob pulxiiisfetb bg SKUliam ^» ^xmma. NIMMO'S^^ATIONAL LIBRARY. Just ready, in crown 8vo, with Steel Frontispiece and Vignette, liandsoniely bound, cloth extra, price 5s. each ; also in full gilt side, back, and edges, price 6s. each. The English Circumnavigators : The most re- markable Voyages round the AVorld by English Sailors. (Drake, Dampier, Anson, and Cook's Voyages.) With a Preliminary Sketch of their Lives and Discoveries. Edited. with Notes, Maps, etc., by David Laing Purves. 'Compared with a good deal of the literature for young folks which is poured upon the market, these narratives are as gold t( wortliless clay. . . . The book is a good book in a handsom^ shape. '—Scotsman. ' We do not think a boy's book of equal worth and equal cheap- ness was ever previously published.' — Ayi^ Observer. Uniform in size and price with the above, with Steel Frontispiece and Vignette, and Eight Illustrations, The Book of Adventure and Peril. A Record of Heroism and Endurance on Sea and Land. Compiled and Edited by Charles Bruue, Editor of ' Sea Songs and Ballads/ ' The Birtliday Book of Proverbs,' etc. The Great Triumphs of Great Men. Edited by James Mason. Illustrated. Great Historical Mutinies, comprising the Story of the Mutiny of the ' Bounty, ' the Mutiny at Spithead and the Nore, the Mutinies of the Highland Regiments, and the Indian Mutiny, etc. Edited by David Herbert, M.A. Famous Historical Scenes from Three Centuries. Pictures of celebrated events from the Reformation to the end of the French Revolution. Selected from the works of Standard Authors by A. R. Hope Moncrieff. Coiiipanion volume to the English Circumnavigators. The English Explorers ; comprising details of the more fimious Travels by Mandeville, Bruce, Park, and Liviug- stone. "With Map of Africa and Chapter on Arctic Exploration. 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WfflCH BORROWED LOAN DEPT. This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. m m^^K DZhD 1 \ \ LD 21A-50m-4,'60 l^ni^fJ^J^cIufL-nif, ( A9562S10 ) 476B ^ ^'^^"gj^g^^^***^""