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diff --git a/18396.txt b/18396.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..306f6eb --- /dev/null +++ b/18396.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12883 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Modern Scottish Minstrel , Volume I., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Modern Scottish Minstrel , Volume I. + The Songs of Scotland of the past half century + +Author: Various + +Editor: Charles Rogers + +Release Date: May 15, 2006 [EBook #18396] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MODERN SCOTTISH MINSTREL *** + + + + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: + +THE + +MODERN SCOTTISH MINSTREL; + +BY + +CHARLES ROGERS, LL.D. +F.S.A. SCOT. + +VOL. I. + + +THE AULD HOUSE O' GASK. +_THE BIRTH PLACE OF LADY NAIRN._ +_(Copied by permission of Patterson & Sons)_ + +EDINBURGH: +ADAM & CHARLES BLACK, NORTH BRIDGE, +BOOKSELLERS AND PUBLISHERS TO THE QUEEN.] + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: + +SIR WALTER SCOTT BART. + +Lithographed for the Modern Scottish Minstrel, by Schenck & McFarlane.] + + * * * * * + + + + +THE + +MODERN SCOTTISH MINSTREL; + +OR, + +THE SONGS OF SCOTLAND OF THE +PAST HALF CENTURY. + +WITH + +Memoirs of the Poets, + +AND + +SKETCHES AND SPECIMENS +IN ENGLISH VERSE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED +MODERN GAELIC BARDS. + +BY + +CHARLES ROGERS, LL.D. +F.S.A. SCOT. + + +IN SIX VOLUMES; + +VOL. I. + + +EDINBURGH: + +ADAM & CHARLES BLACK, NORTH BRIDGE, +BOOKSELLERS AND PUBLISHERS TO HER MAJESTY. + +M.DCCC.LV. + + +EDINBURGH: +PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY, +PAUL'S WORK. + + + + +TO + +WILLIAM STIRLING, ESQ. OF KEIR, M.P., + +AN ENLIGHTENED SENATOR, AN ACCOMPLISHED SCHOLAR, AND AN INGENIOUS POET, + +THIS FIRST VOLUME + +OF + +The Modern Scottish Minstrel + +IS, + +WITH HIS KIND PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, + +BY + +HIS VERY OBEDIENT, FAITHFUL SERVANT, + +CHARLES ROGERS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Scotland has probably produced a more patriotic and more extended +minstrelsy than any other country in the world. Those Caledonian +harp-strains, styled by Sir Walter Scott "gems of our own mountains," +have frequently been gathered into caskets of national song, but have +never been stored in any complete cabinet; while no attempt has been +made, at least on an ample scale, to adapt, by means of suitable +metrical translations, the minstrelsy of the Gael for Lowland melody. +The present work has been undertaken with the view of supplying these +deficiencies, and with the further design of extending the fame of those +cultivators of Scottish song--hitherto partially obscured by untoward +circumstances, or on account of their own diffidence--and of affording a +stimulus towards the future cultivation of national poetry. + +The plan of the work is distinct from that of every previous collection +of Scottish song--the more esteemed lyrical compositions of the various +bards being printed along with the memoirs of the respective authors, +while the names of the poets have been arranged in chronological order. +Those have been considered as _modern_ whose lives extend into the past +half-century; and the whole of these have consequently been included in +the work. Several Highland bards who died a short period before the +commencement of the century have, however, been introduced. Of all the +Scottish poets, whether lyrical or otherwise, who survived the period +indicated, biographical sketches will be supplied in the course of the +publication, together with memoirs of the principal modern collectors, +composers and vocalists. The memoirs, so far as is practicable, will be +prepared from original materials, of which the Editor, after a very +extensive correspondence, has obtained a supply more ample and more +interesting than, he flatters himself, has ever been attained by any +collector of northern minstrelsy. The work will extend to six volumes, +each of the subsequent volumes being accompanied by a dissertation on a +distinct department of Scottish poetry and song. Each volume will be +illustrated with two elegant engravings. In the course of the work, many +original compositions will be presented, recovered from the MSS. of the +deceased poets, or contributed by distinguished living bards. + +For the department of the "Modern Gaelic Minstrelsy," the Editor has +obtained the assistance of a learned friend, intimately familiar with +the language and poetry of the Highlands. To this esteemed co-adjutor +the reader is indebted for the revisal of the Gaelic department of this +work, as well as for the following prefatory observations on the +subject:-- + + "Among the intelligent natives of the Highlands, it is well known + that the Gaelic language contains a quantity of poetry, which, how + difficult soever to transfuse into other tongues and idioms, never + fails to touch the heart, and excite enthusiastic feelings. The + plan of 'The Modern Scottish Minstrel' restricts us to a period + less favourable to the inspirations of the Celtic muse than remoter + times. If it is asked, What could be gained by recurring to a more + distant period? or what this unlettered people have really to shew + for their bardic pretensions? we answer, that there is extant a + large and genuine collection of Highland minstrelsy, ranging over a + long exciting period, from the days of Harlaw to the expedition of + Charles Edward. The 'Prosnachadh Catha,' or battle-song, that led + on the raid of Donald the Islander on the Garioch, is still sung; + the 'Woes of the Children of the Mist' are yet rehearsed in the + ears of their children in the most plaintive measures. Innerlochy + and Killiecrankie have their appropriate melodies; Glencoe has its + dirge; both the exiled Jameses have their paean and their lament; + Charles Edward his welcome and his wail;--all in strains so varied, + and with imagery so copious, that their repetition is continually + called for, and their interest untiring. + + "All that we have to offer belongs to recent times; but we cannot + aver that the merit of the verses is inferior. The interest of the + subjects is certainly immeasurably less; but, perhaps, not less + propitious to the lilts and the luinneags, in which, as in her + music and imitative dancing, the Highland border has found her best + Lowland acceptation. + + "We are not aware that we need except any piece, out of the more + ancient class, that seems not to admit of being rivalled by some of + the compositions of Duncan Ban (Macintyre), Rob Donn, and a few + others that come into our own series, if we exclude the pathetic + 'Old Bard's Wish,' 'The Song of the Owl,' and, perhaps, Ian Lom's + 'Innerlochy.' + + "But, while this may be so far satisfactory to our readers, we are + under the necessity of claiming their charitable forbearance for + the strangers of the mountain whom we are to introduce to their + acquaintance. The language, and, in some respects, the imagery and + versification, are as foreign to the usages of the Anglo-Saxon as + so many samples of Orientalism. The transfusion of the Greek and + Latin choral metres is a light effort to the difficulty of + imitating the rhythm, or representing the peculiar vein of these + song-enamoured mountaineers. Those who know how a favourite ode of + Horace, or a lay of Catullus, is made to look, except in mere + paraphrase, must not talk of the poorness or triteness of the + Highlander's verses, till they are enabled to do them justice by a + knowledge of the language. We disdain any attempt to make those + bards sing in the mere English taste, even if we could so translate + them as to make them speak or sing better than they do. The fear of + his sarcasms prevented Dr Johnson from hearing one literal version + during his whole sojourn in the Highlands. Sir Walter Scott wished + that somebody might have the manliness to recover Highland poetry + from the mystification of paraphrase or imposture, and to present + it genuine to the English reader. In that spirit we promise to + execute our task; and we shall rejoice if even a very moderate + degree of success should attend our endeavours to obtain for the + sister muse some share of that popularity to which we believe her + entitled." + +In respect of the present volume of "The Modern Scottish Minstrel," the +Editor has to congratulate himself on his being enabled to present, for +the first time in a popular form, the more esteemed lays of Carolina, +Baroness Nairn, author of "The Laird o' Cockpen," "The Land o' the +Leal," and a greater number of popular lyrics than any other Caledonian +bard, Burns alone excepted. Several pieces of this accomplished lady, +not previously published, have been introduced, through the kindness of +her surviving friends. The memoir of the Baroness has been prepared from +original documents entrusted to the Editor. For permission to engrave +"The Auld House o' Gask," Lady Nairn's birth-place, the Editor's thanks +are due to Mr Paterson, music-seller in Edinburgh. + +While the present volume of "The Modern Scottish Minstrel" is offered to +the public with becoming diffidence, the Editor is not without a faint +ray of hope that, if health and sufficient leisure are afforded him, the +present publication may be found the most ample and satisfactory +repository of national song which has at any period been offered to the +public. + + ARGYLE HOUSE, STIRLING, + _April 18, 1855._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE +JOHN SKINNER, 1 + Tullochgorum, 11 + John o' Badenyon, 13 + The ewie wi' the crookit horn, 17 + O! why should old age so much wound us? 20 + Still in the wrong, 22 + Lizzy Liberty, 24 + The stipendless parson, 28 + The man of Ross, 31 + A song on the times, 33 + +WILLIAM CAMERON, 35 + As o'er the Highland hills I hied, 37 + +MRS JOHN HUNTER, 39 + The Indian death-song, 41 + My mother bids me bind my hair, 41 + The flowers of the forest, 42 + The season comes when first we met, 43 + Oh, tuneful voice! I still deplore, 44 + Dear to my heart as life's warm stream, 44 + The lot of thousands, 45 + +ALEXANDER, DUKE OF GORDON, 46 + Cauld kail in Aberdeen, 48 + +MRS GRANT OF CARRON, 50 + Roy's wife of Aldivalloch, 52 + +ROBERT COUPER, M.D., 53 + Kinrara, 55 + The sheeling, 55 + The ewe-bughts, Marion, 56 + +LADY ANNE BARNARD, 58 + Auld Robin Gray, 64 + " " Part II., 65 + Why tarries my love? 68 + +JOHN TAIT, 70 + The banks of the Dee, 72 + +HECTOR MACNEILL, 73 + Mary of Castlecary, 82 + My boy, Tammy, 83 + Oh, tell me how for to woo, 85 + Lassie wi' the gowden hair, 87 + Come under my plaidie, 89 + I lo'ed ne'er a laddie but ane, 90 + Donald and Flora, 92 + My luve's in Germany, 95 + Dinna think, bonnie lassie, 96 + +MRS GRANT OF LAGGAN, 99 + Oh, where, tell me where? 104 + Oh, my love, leave me not, 106 + +JOHN MAYNE, 107 + Logan braes, 110 + Helen of Kirkconnel, 111 + The winter sat lang, 113 + My Johnnie, 114 + The troops were embarked, 115 + +JOHN HAMILTON, 117 + The rantin' Highlandman, 118 + Up in the mornin' early, 119 + Go to Berwick, Johnnie, 121 + Miss Forbes' farewell to Banff, 121 + Tell me, Jessie, tell me why? 122 + The hawthorn, 123 + Oh, blaw, ye westlin' winds! 124 + +JOANNA BAILLIE, 126 + The maid of Llanwellyn, 132 + Good night, good night! 133 + Though richer swains thy love pursue, 134 + Poverty parts good companie, 134 + Fy, let us a' to the wedding, 136 + Hooly and fairly, 139 + The weary pund o' tow, 141 + The wee pickle tow, 142 + The gowan glitters on the sward, 143 + Saw ye Johnnie comin'? 145 + It fell on a morning, 146 + Woo'd, and married, and a', 148 + +WILLIAM DUDGEON, 151 + Up among yon cliffy rocks, 152 + +WILLIAM REID, 153 + The lea rig, 154 + John Anderson, my jo (a continuation), 155 + Fair, modest flower, 157 + Kate o' Gowrie, 157 + Upon the banks o' flowing Clyde, 159 + +ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, 161 + Now winter's wind sweeps, 165 + The hawk whoops on high, 166 + +MRS DUGALD STEWART, 167 + The tears I shed must ever fall, 168 + Returning spring, with gladsome ray, 169 + +ALEXANDER WILSON, 172 + Connel and Flora, 179 + Matilda, 179 + Auchtertool, 182 + +CAROLINA, BARONESS NAIRN, 184 + The ploughman, 194 + Caller herrin', 195 + The land o' the leal, 196 + The Laird o' Cockpen, 198 + Her home she is leaving, 200 + The bonniest lass in a' the warld, 201 + My ain kind dearie, O! 202 + He 's lifeless amang the rude billows, 202 + Joy of my earliest days, 203 + Oh, weel's me on my ain man, 204 + Kind Robin lo'es me 205 + Kitty Reid's house, 205 + The robin's nest, 206 + Saw ye nae my Peggy? 208 + Gude nicht, and joy be wi' ye a'! 209 + Cauld kail in Aberdeen, 210 + He 's ower the hills that I lo'e weel, 211 + The lass o' Gowrie, 213 + There grows a bonnie brier bush, 215 + John Tod, 216 + Will ye no come back again? 218 + Jamie the laird, 219 + Songs of my native land, 220 + Castell Gloom, 221 + Bonnie Gascon Ha', 223 + The auld house, 224 + The hundred pipers, 226 + The women are a' gane wud, 227 + Jeanie Deans, 228 + The heiress, 230 + The mitherless lammie, 231 + The attainted Scottish nobles, 232 + True love is watered aye wi' tears, 233 + Ah, little did my mother think, 234 + Would you be young again? 235 + Rest is not here, 236 + Here's to them that are gane, 237 + Farewell, O farewell! 238 + The dead who have died in the Lord, 239 + +JAMES NICOL, 240 + Blaw saftly, ye breezes, 242 + By yon hoarse murmurin' stream, 242 + Haluckit Meg, 244 + My dear little lassie, 246 + +JAMES MONTGOMERY, 247 + "Friendship, love, and truth," 253 + The Swiss cowherd's song in a foreign land, 254 + German war-song, 254 + Via Crucis, via Lucis, 255 + Verses to a robin-redbreast, 257 + Slavery that was, 258 + +ANDREW SCOTT, 260 + Rural content, or the muirland farmer, 263 + Symon and Janet, 265 + Coquet water, 268 + The young maid's wish for peace, 269 + The fiddler's widow, 271 + Lament for the death of an Irish chief, 272 + The departure of summer, 273 + +SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART., 275 + It was an English ladye bright, 289 + Lochinvar, 290 + Where shall the lover rest, 292 + Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, 294 + Hail to the chief who in triumph advances, 295 + The heath this night must be my bed, 297 + The imprisoned huntsman, 298 + He is gone on the mountain, 299 + A weary lot is thine, fair maid, 300 + Allen-a-Dale, 300 + The cypress wreath, 302 + The cavalier, 303 + Hunting song, 304 + Oh, say not, my love, with that mortified air, 315 + + * * * * * + +METRICAL TRANSLATIONS FROM THE MODERN GAELIC MINSTRELSY. + +ROBERT MACKAY (ROB DONN), 309 + The song of winter, 311 + Dirge for Ian Macechan, 315 + The song of the forsaken drover, 315 + Isabel Mackay--the maid alone, 318 + Evan's Elegy, 321 + +DOUGAL BUCHANAN, 322 + A clagionn--the skull, 326 + Am bruadar--the dream, 330 + +DUNCAN MACINTYRE, 334 + Mairi bhan og (Mary, the young, the fair-haired), 335 + Bendourain, the Otter Mount, 336 + The bard to his musket, 347 + +JOHN MACODRUM, 351 + Oran na h-aois (the song of age), 352 + +NORMAN MACLEOD (TORMAID BAN), 355 + Caberfae, 357 + + * * * * * + +GLOSSARY, 363 + + + + +THE + +MODERN SCOTTISH MINSTREL + + + + +JOHN SKINNER. + + +Among those modern Scottish poets whose lives, by extending to a +considerably distant period, render them connecting links between the +old and recent minstrelsy of Caledonia, the first place is due to the +Rev. John Skinner. This ingenious and learned person was born on the 3d +of October 1721, at Balfour, in the parish of Birse, and county of +Aberdeen. His father, who bore the same Christian name, was parochial +schoolmaster; but two years after his son's birth, he was presented to +the more lucrative situation of schoolmaster of Echt, a parish about +twelve miles distant from Aberdeen. He discharged the duties of this +latter appointment during the long incumbency of fifty years. He was +twice married. By his first union with Mrs Jean Gillanders, the relict +of Donald Farquharson of Balfour, was born an only child, the subject of +this memoir. The mother dying when the child was only two years old, the +charge of his early training depended solely on his father, who for +several years remained a widower. The paternal duties were adequately +performed: the son, while a mere youth, was initiated in classical +learning, and in his thirteenth year he became a successful competitor +for a bursary or exhibition in Marischal College, Aberdeen. At the +University, during the usual philosophical course of four years, he +pursued his studies with diligence and success; and he afterwards became +an usher in the parish schools of Kemnay and Monymusk. + +From early youth, young Skinner had courted the Muse of his country, and +composed verses in the Scottish dialect. When a mere stripling, he could +repeat, which he did with enthusiasm, the long poem by James I. of +"Christ-kirk on the Green;" he afterwards translated it into Latin +verse; and an imitation of the same poem, entitled "The Monymusk +Christmas Ba'ing," descriptive of the diversions attendant on the annual +Christmas gatherings for playing the game of foot-ball at Monymusk, +which he composed in his sixteenth year, attracting the notice of the +lady of Sir Archibald Grant, Bart. of Monymusk, brought him the favour +of that influential family. Though the humble usher of a parish school, +he was honoured with the patronage of the worthy baronet and his lady, +became an inmate of their mansion, and had the uncontrolled use of its +library. The residence of the poet in Monymusk House indirectly conduced +towards his forming those ecclesiastical sentiments which exercised such +an important influence on his subsequent career. The Episcopal clergyman +of the district was frequently a guest at the table of Sir Archibald; +and by the arguments and persuasive conversation of this person, Mr +Skinner was induced to enlist his sympathies in the cause of the +Episcopal or non-juring clergy of Scotland. They bore the latter +appellation from their refusal, during the existence of the exiled +family of Stewart, to take the oath of allegiance to the House of +Hanover. In 1740, on the invitation of Mr Robert Forbes, Episcopal +minister at Leith, afterwards a bishop, Mr Skinner, in the capacity of +private tutor to the only son of Mr Sinclair of Scolloway, proceeded to +Zetland, where he acquired the intimate friendship of the Rev. Mr +Hunter, the only non-juring clergyman in that remote district. There he +remained only one year, owing to the death of the elder Mr Sinclair, and +the removal of his pupil to pursue his studies in a less retired +locality. He lamented the father's death in Latin, as well as in English +verse. He left Scolloway with the best wishes of the family; and as a +substantial proof of the goodwill of his friend Mr Hunter, he received +in marriage the hand of his eldest daughter. + +Returning to Aberdeenshire, he was ordained a presbyter of the Episcopal +Church, by Bishop Dunbar of Peterhead; and in November 1742, on the +unanimous invitation of the people, he was appointed to the pastoral +charge of the congregation at Longside. Uninfluenced by the soarings of +ambition, he seems to have fixed here, at the outset, a permanent +habitation: he rented a cottage at Linshart in the vicinity, which, +though consisting only of a single apartment, besides the kitchen, +sufficed for the expenditure of his limited emoluments. In every respect +he realised Goldsmith's description of the village pastor:-- + + "A man he was to all the country dear, + And passing rich with forty pounds a-year; + Remote from towns he ran his godly race, + Nor e'er had changed, nor wish'd to change his place." + +Secluded, however, as were Mr Skinner's habits, and though he never had +interfered in the political movements of the period, he did not escape +his share in those ruthless severities which were visited upon the +non-juring clergy subsequent to the last Rebellion. His chapel was +destroyed by the soldiers of the barbarous Duke of Cumberland; and, on +the plea of his having transgressed the law by preaching to more than +four persons without subscribing the oath of allegiance, he was, during +six months, detained a prisoner in the jail of Aberdeen. + +Entering on the sacred duties of the pastoral office, Mr Skinner appears +to have checked the indulgence of his rhyming propensities. His +subsequent poetical productions, which include the whole of his popular +songs, were written to please his friends, or gratify the members of his +family, and without the most distant view to publication. In 1787, he +writes to Burns, on the subject of Scottish song:--"While I was young, I +dabbled a good deal in these things; but on getting the black gown, I +gave it pretty much over, till my daughters grew up, who, being all +tolerably good singers, plagued me for words to some of their favourite +tunes, and so extorted those effusions which have made a public +appearance, beyond my expectations, and contrary to my intentions; at +the same time, I hope there is nothing to be found in them +uncharacteristic or unbecoming the cloth, which I would always wish to +see respected." Some of Mr Skinner's best songs were composed at a +sitting, while they seldom underwent any revision after being committed +to paper. To the following incident, his most popular song, +"Tullochgorum," owed its origin. In the course of a visit he was making +to a friend in Ellon (not Cullen, as has been stated on the authority of +Burns), a dispute arose among the guests on the subject of Whig and Tory +politics, which, becoming somewhat too exciting for the comfort of the +lady of the house, in order to bring it promptly to a close, she +requested Mr Skinner to suggest appropriate words for the favourite air, +"The Reel of Tullochgorum." Mr Skinner readily complied, and, before +leaving the house, produced what Burns, in a letter to the author, +characterised as "the best Scotch song ever Scotland saw." The name of +the lady who made the request to the poet was Mrs Montgomery, and hence +the allusion in the first stanza of the ballad:-- + + "Come gie 's a sang, Montgomery cried, + And lay your disputes all aside; + What signifies 't for folks to chide + For what was done before them? + Let Whig and Tory all agree," &c. + +Though claiming no distinction as a writer of verses, Mr Skinner did not +conceal his ambition to excel in another department of literature. In +1746, in his twenty-fifth year, he published a pamphlet, in defence of +the non-juring character of his Church, entitled "A Preservative against +Presbytery." A performance of greater effort, published in 1757, excited +some attention, and the unqualified commendation of the learned Bishop +Sherlock. In this production, entitled "A Dissertation on Jacob's +Prophecy," which was intended as a supplement to a treatise on the same +subject by Dr Sherlock, the author has established, by a critical +examination of the original language, that the words in Jacob's prophecy +(Gen. xlix. 10), rendered "sceptre" and "lawgiver" in the authorised +version, ought to be translated "tribeship" and "typifier," a difference +of interpretation which obviates some difficulties respecting the exact +fulfilment of this remarkable prediction. In a pamphlet printed in 1767, +Mr Skinner again vindicated the claims and authority of his Church; and +on this occasion, against the alleged misrepresentations of Mr Norman +Sievewright, English clergyman at Brechin, who had published a work +unfavourable to the cause of Scottish Episcopacy. His most important +work, "An Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, from the first appearance +of Christianity in that kingdom," was published in the year 1788, in two +octavo volumes. This publication, which is arranged in the form of +letters to a friend, and dedicated, in elegant Latin verse, "Ad Filium +et Episcopum," (to his son, and bishop), by partaking too rigidly of a +sectarian character, did not attain any measure of success. Mr Skinner's +other prose works were published after his death, together with a Memoir +of the author, under the editorial care of his son, Bishop Skinner of +Aberdeen. These consist of theological essays, in the form of "Letters +addressed to Candidates for Holy Orders," "A Dissertation on the +Sheckinah, or Divine Presence with the Church or People of God," and "An +Essay towards a literal or true radical exposition of the Song of +Songs," the whole being included in two octavo volumes, which appeared +in 1809. A third volume was added, containing a collection of the +author's compositions in Latin verse, and his fugitive songs and ballads +in the Scottish dialect--the latter portion of this volume being at the +same time published in a more compendious form, with the title, +"Amusements of Leisure Hours; or, Poetical Pieces, chiefly in the +Scottish dialect." + +Though living in constant retirement at Linshart, the reputation of the +Longside pastor, both as a poet and a man of classical taste, became +widely extended, and persons distinguished in the world of letters +sought his correspondence and friendship. With Dr Gleig, afterwards +titular Bishop of Brechin, Dr Doig of Stirling, and John Ramsay of +Ochtertyre, he maintained an epistolary intercourse for several years. +Dr Gleig, who edited the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_, consulted Mr Skinner +respecting various important articles contributed to that valuable +publication. His correspondence with Doig and Ramsay was chiefly on +their favourite topic of philology. These two learned friends visited Mr +Skinner in the summer of 1795, and entertained him for a week at +Peterhead. This brief period of intellectual intercourse was regarded by +the poet as the most entirely pleasurable of his existence; and the +impression of it on the vivid imagination of Mr Ramsay is recorded in a +Latin eulogy on his northern correspondent, which he subsequently +transmitted to him. A poetical epistle addressed by Mr Skinner to Robert +Burns, in commendation of his talents, was characterized by the Ayrshire +Bard as "the best poetical compliment he had ever received." It led to a +regular correspondence, which was carried on with much satisfaction to +both parties. The letters, which chiefly relate to the preparation of +Johnson's _Musical Museum_, then in the course of publication, have been +included in his published correspondence. Burns never saw Mr Skinner; he +had not informed himself as to his locality during the prosecution of +his northern tour, and had thus the mortification of ascertaining that +he had been in his neighbourhood, without having formed his personal +acquaintance. To Mr Skinner's son, whom he accidentally met in Aberdeen +on his return, he expressed a deep regret for the blunder, as "he would +have gone twenty miles out of his way to visit the author of +'Tullochgorum.'" + +As a man of ingenuity, various acquirements, and agreeable manners, Mr +Skinner was held in much estimation among his contemporaries. Whatever +he read, with the assistance of a commonplace-book, he accurately +remembered, and could readily turn to account; and, though his library +was contained in a closet of five feet square, he was abundantly well +informed on every ordinary topic of conversation. He was fond of +controversial discussion, and wielded both argument and wit with a power +alarming to every antagonist. Though keen in debate, he was however +possessed of a most imperturbable suavity of temper. His conversation +was of a playful cast, interspersed with anecdote, and free from every +affectation of learning. As a clergyman, Mr Skinner enjoyed the esteem +and veneration of his flock. Besides efficiently discharging his +ministerial duties, he practised gratuitously as a physician, having +qualified himself, by acquiring a competent acquaintance with the +healing art at the medical classes in Marischal College. His pulpit +duties were widely acceptable; but his discourses, though edifying and +instructive, were more the result of the promptitude of the preacher +than the effects of a painstaking preparation. He abandoned the aid of +the manuscript in the pulpit, on account of the untoward occurrence of +his notes being scattered by a startled fowl, in the early part of his +ministry, while he was addressing his people from the door of his house, +after the wanton destruction of his chapel. + +In a scene less calculated to invite poetic inspiration no votary of the +muse had ever resided. On every side of his lonely dwelling extended a +wild uncultivated plain; nor for miles around did any other human +habitation relieve the monotony of this cheerless solitude. In her +gayest moods, Nature never wore a pleasing aspect in _Long-gate_, nor +did the distant prospect compensate for the dreary gloominess of the +surrounding landscape. For his poetic suggestions Mr Skinner was wholly +dependent on the singular activity of his fancy; as he derived his chief +happiness in his communings with an attached flock, and in the endearing +intercourse of his family. Of his children, who were somewhat numerous +he contrived to afford the whole, both sons and daughters, a superior +education; and he had the satisfaction, for a long period of years, to +address one of his sons as the bishop of his diocese. + +The death of Mr Skinner's wife, in the year 1799, fifty-eight years +after their marriage, was the most severe trial which he seems to have +experienced. In a Latin elegy, he gave expression to the deep sense +which he entertained of his bereavement. In 1807, his son, Bishop +Skinner, having sustained a similar bereavement, invited his aged father +to share the comforts of his house; and after ministering at Longside +for the remarkably lengthened incumbency of sixty-five years, Mr Skinner +removed to Aberdeen. But a greater change was at hand; on the 16th of +June 1807, in less than a week after his arrival, he was suddenly seized +with illness, and almost immediately expired. His remains were interred +in the churchyard of Longside; and the flock to which he had so long +ministered placed over the grave a handsome monument, bearing, on a +marble tablet, an elegant tribute to the remembrance of his virtues and +learning. At the residence of Bishop Skinner, he had seen his +descendants in the fourth generation. + +Of Mr Skinner's songs, printed in this collection, the most popular are +"Tullochgorum," "John o' Badenyon," and "The Ewie wi' the Crookit Horn." +The whole are pervaded by sprightliness and good-humoured pleasantry. +Though possessing the fault of being somewhat too lengthy, no +song-compositions of any modern writer in Scottish verse have, with the +exception of those of Burns, maintained a stronger hold of the Scottish +heart, or been more commonly sung in the social circle. + + + + +TULLOCHGORUM. + + + I. + + Come gie 's a sang, Montgomery cried, + And lay your disputes all aside, + What signifies 't for folks to chide + For what was done before them: + Let Whig and Tory all agree, + Whig and Tory, Whig and Tory, + Whig and Tory all agree, + To drop their Whig-mig-morum; + Let Whig and Tory all agree + To spend the night wi' mirth and glee, + And cheerful sing alang wi' me + The Reel o' Tullochgorum. + + + II. + + O Tullochgorum 's my delight, + It gars us a' in ane unite, + And ony sumph that keeps a spite, + In conscience I abhor him: + For blythe and cheerie we'll be a', + Blythe and cheerie, blythe and cheerie, + Blythe and cheerie we'll be a', + And make a happy quorum; + For blythe and cheerie we'll be a' + As lang as we hae breath to draw, + And dance, till we be like to fa', + The Reel o' Tullochgorum. + + + III. + + What needs there be sae great a fraise + Wi' dringing dull Italian lays? + I wadna gie our ain Strathspeys + For half a hunder score o' them; + They're dowf and dowie at the best, + Dowf and dowie, dowf and dowie, + Dowf and dowie at the best, + Wi' a' their variorum; + They're dowf and dowie at the best, + Their _allegros_ and a' the rest, + They canna' please a Scottish taste, + Compared wi' Tullochgorum. + + + IV. + + Let warldly worms their minds oppress + Wi' fears o' want and double cess, + And sullen sots themsells distress + Wi' keeping up decorum: + Shall we sae sour and sulky sit, + Sour and sulky, sour and sulky, + Sour and sulky shall we sit, + Like old philosophorum? + Shall we sae sour and sulky sit, + Wi' neither sense, nor mirth, nor wit, + Nor ever try to shake a fit + To th' Reel o' Tullochgorum? + + + V. + + May choicest blessings aye attend + Each honest, open-hearted friend, + And calm and quiet be his end, + And a' that's good watch o'er him; + May peace and plenty be his lot, + Peace and plenty, peace and plenty, + Peace and plenty be his lot, + And dainties a great store o' them: + May peace and plenty be his lot, + Unstain'd by any vicious spot, + And may he never want a groat, + That 's fond o' Tullochgorum! + + + VI. + + But for the sullen, frumpish fool, + That loves to be oppression's tool, + May envy gnaw his rotten soul, + And discontent devour him; + May dool and sorrow be his chance, + Dool and sorrow, dool and sorrow, + Dool and sorrow be his chance, + And nane say, Wae 's me for him! + May dool and sorrow be his chance, + Wi' a' the ills that come frae France, + Wha e'er he be that winna dance + The Reel o' Tullochgorum. + + + + +JOHN O' BADENYON + + + I. + + When first I cam to be a man + Of twenty years or so, + I thought myself a handsome youth, + And fain the world would know; + In best attire I stept abroad, + With spirits brisk and gay, + And here and there and everywhere + Was like a morn in May; + No care I had, nor fear of want, + But rambled up and down, + And for a beau I might have past + In country or in town; + I still was pleased where'er I went, + And when I was alone, + I tuned my pipe and pleased myself + Wi' John o' Badenyon. + + + II. + + Now in the days of youthful prime + A mistress I must find, + For _love_, I heard, gave one an air + And e'en improved the mind: + On Phillis fair above the rest + Kind fortune fix'd my eyes, + Her piercing beauty struck my heart, + And she became my choice; + To Cupid now, with hearty prayer, + I offer'd many a vow; + And danced and sung, and sigh'd and swore, + As other lovers do; + But, when at last I breathed my flame, + I found her cold as stone; + I left the girl, and tuned my pipe + To John o' Badenyon. + + + III. + + When _love_ had thus my heart beguiled + With foolish hopes and vain; + To _friendship's_ port I steer'd my course, + And laugh'd at lovers' pain; + A friend I got by lucky chance, + 'Twas something like divine, + An honest friend 's a precious gift, + And such a gift was mine; + And now whatever might betide + A happy man was I, + In any strait I knew to whom + I freely might apply. + A strait soon came: my friend I try'd; + He heard, and spurn'd my moan; + I hied me home, and tuned my pipe + To John o' Badenyon. + + + IV. + + Methought I should be wiser next, + And would a _patriot_ turn, + Began to doat on Johnny Wilkes + And cry up Parson Horne.[1] + Their manly spirit I admired, + And praised their noble zeal, + Who had with flaming tongue and pen + Maintain'd the public weal; + But e'er a month or two had pass'd, + I found myself betray'd, + 'Twas _self_ and _party_, after all, + For a' the stir they made; + At last I saw the factious knaves + Insult the very throne, + I cursed them a', and tuned my pipe + To John o' Badenyon. + + + V. + + What next to do I mused awhile, + Still hoping to succeed; + I pitch'd on _books_ for company, + And gravely tried to read: + I bought and borrow'd everywhere, + And studied night and day, + Nor miss'd what dean or doctor wrote + That happen'd in my way: + Philosophy I now esteem'd + The ornament of youth, + And carefully through many a page + I hunted after truth. + A thousand various schemes I tried, + And yet was pleased with none; + I threw them by, and tuned my pipe + To John o' Badenyon. + + + VI. + + And now, ye youngsters everywhere, + That wish to make a show, + Take heed in time, nor fondly hope + For happiness below; + What you may fancy pleasure here, + Is but an empty name, + And _girls_, and _friends_, and _books_, and so, + You 'll find them all the same. + Then be advised, and warning take + From such a man as me; + I 'm neither Pope nor Cardinal, + Nor one of high degree; + You 'll meet displeasure everywhere; + Then do as I have done, + E'en tune your pipe and please yourselves + With John o' Badenyon. + + +[1] This song was composed when Wilkes, Horne, and others, were exciting +a commotion about liberty. + + + + +THE EWIE WI' THE CROOKIT HORN. + + + I. + + Were I but able to rehearse + My Ewie's praise in proper verse, + I 'd sound it forth as loud and fierce + As ever piper's drone could blaw; + The Ewie wi' the crookit horn, + Wha had kent her might hae sworn + Sic a Ewe was never born, + Hereabout nor far awa'; + Sic a Ewe was never born, + Hereabout nor far awa'. + + + II. + + I never needed tar nor keil + To mark her upo' hip or heel, + Her crookit horn did as weel + To ken her by amo' them a'; + She never threaten'd scab nor rot, + But keepit aye her ain jog-trot, + Baith to the fauld and to the cot, + Was never sweir to lead nor caw; + Baith to the fauld and to the cot, &c. + + + III. + + Cauld nor hunger never dang her, + Wind nor wet could never wrang her, + Anes she lay an ouk and langer + Furth aneath a wreath o' snaw: + Whan ither ewies lap the dyke, + And eat the kail, for a' the tyke, + My Ewie never play'd the like, + But tyc'd about the barn wa'; + My Ewie never play'd the like, &c. + + + IV. + + A better or a thriftier beast + Nae honest man could weel hae wist, + For, silly thing, she never mist + To hae ilk year a lamb or twa': + The first she had I gae to Jock, + To be to him a kind o' stock, + And now the laddie has a flock + O' mair nor thirty head ava'; + And now the laddie has a flock, &c. + + + V. + + I lookit aye at even' for her, + Lest mishanter should come o'er her, + Or the fowmart might devour her, + Gin the beastie bade awa; + My Ewie wi' the crookit horn, + Well deserved baith girse and corn, + Sic a Ewe was never born, + Hereabout nor far awa'; + Sic a Ewe was never born, &c. + + + VI. + + Yet last ouk, for a' my keeping, + (Wha can speak it without _greeting_?) + A villain cam' when I was sleeping, + Sta' my Ewie, horn, and a': + I sought her sair upo' the morn, + And down aneath a buss o' thorn + I got my Ewie's crookit horn, + But my Ewie was awa'; + I got my Ewie's crookit horn, &c. + + + VII. + + O! gin I had the loon that did it, + Sworn I have as well as said it, + Though a' the warld should forbid it, + I wad gie his neck a thra': + I never met wi' sic a turn + As this sin' ever I was born, + My Ewie, wi' the crookit horn, + Silly Ewie, stown awa'; + My Ewie wi' the crookit horn, &c. + + + VIII. + + O! had she died o' crook or cauld, + As Ewies do when they grow auld, + It wad na been, by mony fauld, + Sae sair a heart to nane o's a': + For a' the claith that we hae worn, + Frae her and her's sae aften shorn, + The loss o' her we could hae born, + Had fair strae-death ta'en her awa'; + The loss o' her we could hae born, &c. + + + IX. + + But thus, poor thing, to lose her life, + Aneath a bleedy villain's knife, + I 'm really fleyt that our guidwife + Will never win aboon 't ava: + O! a' ye bards benorth Kinghorn, + Call your muses up and mourn, + Our Ewie wi' the crookit horn + Stown frae 's, and fell'd and a'! + Our Ewie wi' the crookit horn, &c. + + + + +O! WHY SHOULD OLD AGE SO MUCH WOUND US? + +TUNE--_"Dumbarton Drums."_ + + + I. + + O! why should old age so much wound us?[2] + There is nothing in it all to confound us: + For how happy now am I, + With my old wife sitting by, + And our bairns and our oys all around us; + For how happy now am I, &c. + + + II. + + We began in the warld wi' naething, + And we 've jogg'd on, and toil'd for the ae thing; + We made use of what we had, + And our thankful hearts were glad, + When we got the bit meat and the claithing; + We made use of what we had, &c. + + + III. + + We have lived all our lifetime contented, + Since the day we became first acquainted: + It 's true we 've been but poor, + And we are so to this hour, + But we never yet repined or lamented; + It 's true we 've been but poor, &c. + + + IV. + + When we had any stock, we ne'er vauntit, + Nor did we hing our heads when we wantit; + But we always gave a share + Of the little we could spare, + When it pleased a kind Heaven to grant it; + But we always gave a share, &c. + + + V. + + We never laid a scheme to be wealthy, + By means that were cunning or stealthy; + But we always had the bliss-- + And what further could we wiss?-- + To be pleased with ourselves, and be healthy; + But we always had the bliss, &c. + + + VI. + + What though we cannot boast of our guineas? + We have plenty of Jockies and Jeanies; + And these, I 'm certain, are + More desirable by far + Than a bag full of poor yellow steinies; + And these, I am certain, are, &c. + + + VII. + + We have seen many wonder and ferly, + Of changes that almost are yearly, + Among rich folks up and down, + Both in country and in town, + Who now live but scrimply and barely; + Among rich folks up and down, &c. + + + VIII. + + Then why should people brag of prosperity? + A straiten'd life we see is no rarity; + Indeed, we 've been in want, + And our living 's been but scant, + Yet we never were reduced to need charity; + Indeed, we 've been in want, &c. + + + IX. + + In this house we first came together, + Where we 've long been a father and mither; + And though not of stone and lime, + It will last us all our time; + And I hope we shall ne'er need anither; + And though not of stone and lime, &c. + + + X. + + And when we leave this poor habitation, + We 'll depart with a good commendation; + We 'll go hand in hand, I wiss, + To a better house than this, + To make room for the next generation; + We 'll go hand in hand, I wiss, &c. + + Then why should old age so much wound us? &c. + + +[2] This tune requires O to be added at the end of each of the long +lines, but in reading the song the O is better omitted. + + + + +STILL IN THE WRONG. + + + I. + + It has long been my fate to be thought in the _wrong_, + And my fate it continues to be; + The wise and the wealthy still make it their song, + And the clerk and the cottar agree. + There is nothing I do, and there 's nothing I say, + But some one or other thinks wrong; + And to please them I find there is no other way, + But do nothing, and still hold my tongue. + + + II. + + Says the free-thinking Sophist, "The times are refined + In sense to a wondrous degree; + Your old-fashion'd faith does but fetter the mind, + And it 's _wrong_ not to seek to be free." + Says the sage Politician, "Your natural share + Of talents would raise you much higher, + Than thus to crawl on in your present low sphere, + And it 's _wrong_ in you not to aspire." + + + III. + + Says the Man of the World, "Your dull stoic life + Is surely deserving of blame? + You have children to care for, as well as a wife, + And it 's _wrong_ not to lay up for them." + Says the fat Gormandiser, "To eat and to drink + Is the true _summum bonum_ of man: + Life is nothing without it, whate'er you may think, + And it 's _wrong_ not to live while you can." + + + IV. + + Says the new-made Divine, "Your old modes we reject, + Nor give ourselves trouble about them: + It is manners and dress that procure us respect, + And it 's _wrong_ to look for it without them." + Says the grave peevish Saint, in a fit of the spleen, + "Ah! me, but your manners are vile: + A parson that 's blythe is a shame to be seen, + And it 's _wrong_ in you even to smile." + + + V. + + Says the Clown, when I tell him to do what he ought, + "Sir, whatever your character be, + To obey you in this I will never be brought, + And it 's _wrong_ to be meddling with me." + Says my Wife, when she wants this or that for the house, + "Our matters to ruin must go: + Your reading and writing is not worth a souse, + And it 's _wrong_ to neglect the house so." + + + VI. + + Thus all judge of me by their taste or their wit, + And I 'm censured by old and by young, + Who in one point agree, though in others they split, + That in something I 'm still in the _wrong_. + But let them say on to the end of the song, + It shall make no impression on me: + If to differ from such be to be in the _wrong_, + In the _wrong_ I hope always to be. + + + + +LIZZY LIBERTY. + +TUNE--_"Tibbie Fowler i' the Glen."_ + + + I. + + There lives a lassie i' the braes, + And Lizzy Liberty they ca' her, + When she has on her Sunday's claes, + Ye never saw a lady brawer; + So a' the lads are wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, there 's ow'r mony wooing at her! + + + II. + + Her mither ware a tabbit mutch, + Her father was an honest dyker, + She 's a black-eyed wanton witch, + Ye winna shaw me mony like her: + So a' the lads are wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, wow, sae mony 's wooing at her! + + + III. + + A kindly lass she is, I 'm seer, + Has fowth o' sense and smeddum in her, + And nae a swankie far nor near, + But tries wi' a' his might to win her: + They 're wooing at her, fain would hae her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, there 's ow'r mony wooing at her! + + + IV. + + For kindly though she be, nae doubt, + She manna thole the marriage tether, + But likes to rove and rink about, + Like Highland cowt amo' the heather: + Yet a' the lads are wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, wow, sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + V. + + It 's seven year, and some guid mair, + Syn Dutch Mynheer made courtship till her, + A merchant bluff and fu' o' care, + Wi' chuffy cheeks, and bags o' siller; + So Dutch Mynheer was wooing at her, + Courting her, but cudna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty has ow'r mony wooing at her. + + + VI. + + Neist to him came Baltic John, + Stept up the brae, and leukit at her, + Syne wear his wa', wi' heavy moan, + And in a month or twa forgat her: + Baltic John was wooing at her, + Courting her, but cudna get her; + Filthy elf, she 's nae herself, wi' sae mony wooing at her. + + + VII. + + Syne after him cam' Yankie Doodle, + Frae hyne ayont the muckle water; + Though Yankie 's nae yet worth a boddle, + Wi' might and main he would be at her: + Yankie Doodle 's wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, wow, sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + VIII. + + Now Monkey French is in a roar, + And swears that nane but he sall hae her, + Though he sud wade through bluid and gore, + It 's nae the king sall keep him frae her: + So Monkey French is wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty has ow'r mony wooing at her. + + + IX. + + For France, nor yet her Flanders' frien', + Need na think that she 'll come to them; + They 've casten aff wi' a' their kin, + And grace and guid have flown frae them; + They 're wooing at her, fain wad hae her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, wow, sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + X. + + A stately chiel they ca' John Bull + Is unco thrang and glaikit wi' her; + And gin he cud get a' his wull, + There 's nane can say what he wad gi'e her: + Johnny Bull is wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Filthy Ted, she 'll never wed, as lang 's sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + XI. + + Even Irish Teague, ayont Belfast, + Wadna care to speir about her; + And swears, till he sall breathe his last, + He 'll never happy be without her: + Irish Teague is wooing at her, + Courting her, but canna get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty has ow'r mony wooing at her. + + + XII. + + But Donald Scot 's the happy lad, + Though a' the lave sud try to rate him; + Whan he steps up the brae sae glad, + She disna ken maist whare to set him: + Donald Scot is wooing at her, + Courting her, will maybe get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, wow, sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + XIII. + + Now, Donald, tak' a frien's advice-- + I ken fu' weel ye fain wad hae her; + As ye are happy, sae be wise, + And ha'd ye wi' a smackie frae her: + Ye 're wooing at her, fain wad hae her, + Courting her, will maybe get her; + Bonny Lizzy Liberty, there 's ow'r mony wooing at her. + + + XIV. + + Ye 're weel, and wat'sna, lad, they 're sayin', + Wi' getting leave to dwall aside her; + And gin ye had her a' your ain, + Ye might na find it mows to guide her: + Ye 're wooing at her, fain wad hae her, + Courting her, will maybe get her; + Cunning quean, she 's ne'er be mine, as lang 's sae mony 's wooing at her. + + + + +THE STIPENDLESS PARSON. + +TUNE--_"A Cobbler there was,"_ &c. + + + I. + + How happy a life does the Parson possess, + Who would be no greater, nor fears to be less; + Who depends on his book and his gown for support, + And derives no preferment from conclave or court! + Derry down, &c. + + + II. + + Without glebe or manse settled on him by law, + No stipend to sue for, nor vic'rage to draw; + In discharge of his office he holds him content, + With a croft and a garden, for which he pays rent. + Derry down, &c. + + + III. + + With a neat little cottage and furniture plain, + And a spare room to welcome a friend now and then; + With a good-humour'd wife in his fortune to share, + And ease him at all times of family care. + Derry down, &c. + + + IV. + + With a few of the Fathers, the oldest and best, + And some modern extracts pick'd out from the rest; + With a Bible in Latin, and Hebrew, and Greek, + To afford him instruction each day of the week. + Derry down, &c. + + + V. + + What children he has, if any are given, + He thankfully trusts to the kindness of Heaven; + To religion and virtue he trains them while young, + And with such a provision he does them no wrong. + Derry down, &c. + + + VI. + + With labour below, and with help from above, + He cares for his flock, and is bless'd with their love: + Though his living, perhaps, in the main may be scant, + He is sure, while they have, that he 'll ne'er be in want. + Derry down, &c. + + + VII. + + With no worldly projects nor hurries perplex'd, + He sits in his closet and studies his text; + And while he converses with Moses or Paul, + He envies not bishop, nor dean in his stall. + Derry down, &c. + + + VIII. + + Not proud to the poor, nor a slave to the great, + Neither factious in church, nor pragmatic in state, + He keeps himself quiet within his own sphere, + And finds work sufficient in preaching and prayer. + Derry down, &c. + + + IX. + + In what little dealings he 's forced to transact, + He determines with plainness and candour to act; + And the great point on which his ambition is set, + Is to leave at the last neither riches nor debt. + Derry down, &c. + + + X. + + Thus calmly he steps through the valley of life, + Unencumber'd with wealth, and a stranger to strife; + On the bustlings around him unmoved he can look, + And at home always pleased with his wife and his book. + Derry down, &c. + + + XI. + + And when, in old age, he drops into the grave, + This humble remembrance he wishes to have: + "By good men respected, by the evil oft tried, + Contented he lived, and lamented he died!" + Derry down, &c. + + + + +THE MAN OF ROSS. + +TUNE--_"Miss Ross's Reel."_ + + + I. + + When fops and fools together prate, + O'er punch or tea, of this or that, + What silly poor unmeaning chat + Does all their talk engross! + A nobler theme employs my lays, + And thus my honest voice I raise + In well-deserved strains to praise + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + II. + + His lofty soul (would it were mine!) + Scorns every selfish, low design, + And ne'er was known to repine, + At any earthly loss: + But still contented, frank, and free, + In every state, whate'er it be, + Serene and staid we always see + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + III. + + Let misers hug their worldly store, + And gripe and pinch to make it more; + Their gold and silver's shining ore + He counts it all but dross: + 'Tis better treasure he desires; + A surer stock his passion fires, + And mild benevolence inspires + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + IV. + + When want assails the widow's cot, + Or sickness strikes the poor man's hut, + When blasting winds or foggy rot + Augment the farmer's loss: + The sufferer straight knows where to go, + With all his wants and all his woe; + For glad experience leads him to + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + V. + + This Man of Ross I 'll daily sing, + With vocal note and lyric string, + And duly, when I 've drank the king, + He 'll be my second toss. + May Heaven its choicest blessings send + On such a man, and such a friend; + And still may all that 's good attend + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + VI. + + Now, if you ask about his name, + And where he lives with such a fame, + Indeed, I 'll say you are to blame, + For truly, _inter nos_, + 'Tis what belongs to you and me, + And all of high or low degree, + In every sphere to try to be + The worthy Man of Ross. + + + + +A SONG ON THE TIMES. + +TUNE--_"Broom of the Cowdenknows."_ + + + I. + + When I began the world first, + It was not as 'tis now; + For all was plain and simple then, + And friends were kind and true: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! + The times that I now see; + I think the world 's all gone wrong, + From what it used to be. + + + II. + + There were not then high capering heads, + Prick'd up from ear to ear; + And cloaks and caps were rarities, + For gentle folks to wear: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c. + + + III. + + There 's not an upstart mushroom now, + But what sets up for taste; + And not a lass in all the land, + But must be lady-dress'd: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c. + + + IV. + + Our young men married then for love, + So did our lasses too; + And children loved their parents dear, + As children ought to do: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c. + + + V. + + For oh, the times are sadly changed-- + A heavy change indeed! + For truth and friendship are no more, + And honesty is fled: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c. + + + VI. + + There 's nothing now prevails but pride, + Among both high and low; + And strife, and greed, and vanity, + Is all that 's minded now: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c. + + + VII. + + When I look through the world wide, + How times and fashions go, + It draws the tears from both my eyes, + And fills my heart with woe: + Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! + The times that I now see; + I wish the world were at an end, + For it will not mend for me! + + + + +WILLIAM CAMERON. + + +William Cameron, minister of Kirknewton, in the county of Edinburgh, was +educated in Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he was a pupil of Dr +Beattie, "who ever after entertained for him much esteem." A letter, +addressed to him by this eminent professor, in 1774, has been published +by Sir William Forbes;[3] and his name is introduced at the beginning of +Dr Beattie's "Letter to the Rev. Hugh Blair, D.D., on the Improvement of +Psalmody in Scotland. 1778, 8vo:"--"The message you lately sent me, by +my friend Mr Cameron, has determined me to give you my thoughts at some +length upon the subject of it." + +He died in his manse, on the 17th of November 1811, in the 60th year of +his age, and the 26th year of his ministry. He was a considerable writer +of verses, and his compositions are generally of a respectable order. He +was the author of a "Collection of Poems," printed at Edinburgh in 1790, +in a duodecimo volume; and in 1781, along with the celebrated John Logan +and Dr Morrison, minister of Canisbay, he contributed towards the +formation of a collection of Paraphrases from Scripture, which, being +approved of by the General Assembly, are still used in public worship +in the Church of Scotland. A posthumous volume of verses by Mr Cameron, +entitled "Poems on Several Occasions," was published by subscription in +1813--8vo, pp. 132. The following song, which was composed by Mr +Cameron, on the restoration of the forfeited estates by Act of +Parliament, in 1784, is copied from Johnson's "Musical Museum." It +affords a very favourable specimen of the author's poetical talents. + + +[3] Forbes's "Life of Beattie," vol. i. p. 375. + + + + +AS O'ER THE HIGHLAND HILLS I HIED. + +TUNE--_"As I came in by Auchindoun."_ + + + I. + + As o'er the Highland hills I hied, + The Camerons in array I spied; + Lochiel's proud standard waving wide, + In all its ancient glory. + The martial pipe loud pierced the sky, + The bard arose, resounding high + Their valour, faith, and loyalty, + That shine in Scottish story. + + No more the trumpet calls to arms, + Awaking battle's fierce alarms, + But every hero's bosom warms + With songs of exultation. + While brave Lochiel at length regains, + Through toils of war, his native plains, + And, won by glorious wounds, attains + His high paternal station. + + Let now the voice of joy prevail, + And echo wide from hill to vale; + Ye warlike clans, arise and hail + Your laurell'd chiefs returning. + O'er every mountain, every isle, + Let peace in all her lustre smile, + And discord ne'er her day defile + With sullen shades of mourning. + + M'Leod, M'Donald, join the strain, + M'Pherson, Fraser, and M'Lean; + Through all your bounds let gladness reign, + Both prince and patriot praising; + Whose generous bounty richly pours + The streams of plenty round your shores; + To Scotia's hills their pride restores, + Her faded honours raising. + + Let all the joyous banquet share, + Nor e'er let Gothic grandeur dare, + With scowling brow, to overbear, + A vassal's right invading. + Let Freedom's conscious sons disdain + To crowd his fawning, timid train, + Nor even own his haughty reign, + Their dignity degrading. + + Ye northern chiefs, whose rage unbroke + Has still repell'd the tyrant's shock; + Who ne'er have bow'd beneath his yoke, + With servile base prostration;-- + Let each now train his trusty band, + 'Gainst foreign foes alone to stand, + With undivided heart and hand, + For Freedom, King, and Nation. + + + + +MRS JOHN HUNTER. + + +Anne Home was born in the year 1742. She was the eldest daughter of +Robert Home, of Greenlaw, in Berwickshire, surgeon of Burgoyne's +Regiment of Light Horse, and afterwards physician in Savoy. By +contracting an early marriage, in which affection overcame more +prudential considerations, both her parents gave offence to their +relations, who refused to render them pecuniary assistance. Her father, +though connected with many families of rank, and himself the son of a +landowner, was consequently obliged to depend, in the early part of his +career, on his professional exertions for the support of his family. His +circumstances appear subsequently to have been more favourable. In July +1771, Miss Home became the wife of John Hunter, the distinguished +anatomist, to whom she bore two children. She afforded evidence of her +early poetical talent, by composing, before she had completed her +twenty-third year, the song beginning, "Adieu! ye streams that smoothly +glide." This appeared in the _Lark_, an Edinburgh periodical, in the +year 1765. In 1802, she published a collection of her poems, in an +octavo volume, which she inscribed to her son, John Banks Hunter. + +During the lifetime of her distinguished husband, Mrs Hunter was in the +habit of receiving at her table, and sharing in the conversation of, the +chief literary persons of her time. Her evening _conversazioni_ were +frequented by many of the more learned, as well as fashionable persons +in the metropolis. On the death of her husband, which took place in +1793, she sought greater privacy, though she still continued to reside +in London. By those who were admitted to her intimacy, she was not more +respected for her superior talents and intelligence, than held in esteem +for her unaffected simplicity of manners. She was the life of her social +parties, sustaining the happiness of the hour by her elegant +conversation, and encouraging the diffident by her approbation. Amiable +in disposition, she was possessed of a beautiful countenance and a +handsome person. She wrote verses with facility, but she sought no +distinction as a poet, preferring to be regarded as a good housewife and +an agreeable member of society. In her latter years, she obtained +amusement in resuming the song-writing habits of her youth, and in +corresponding with her more intimate friends. She likewise derived +pleasure in the cultivation of music: she played with skill, and sung +with singular grace. + +Mrs Hunter died at London, on the 7th January 1821, after a lingering +illness. Several of her lyrics had for some years appeared in the +collections of national poetry. Those selected for the present work have +long maintained a wide popularity. The songs evince a delicacy of +thought, combined with a force and sweetness of expression. + + + + +THE INDIAN DEATH-SONG. + + + The sun sets in night, and the stars shun the day, + But glory remains when their lights fade away. + Begin, ye tormentors, your threats are in vain, + For the son of Alknomook will never complain. + + Remember the arrows he shot from his bow; + Remember your chiefs by his hatchet laid low. + Why so slow? Do you wait till I shrink from the pain? + No! the son of Alknomook shall never complain. + + Remember the wood where in ambush we lay, + And the scalps which we bore from your nation away: + Now the flame rises fast; ye exult in my pain; + But the son of Alknomook can never complain. + + I go to the land where my father is gone; + His ghost shall rejoice in the fame of his son. + Death comes, like a friend, to relieve me from pain, + And thy son, O Alknomook! has scorn'd to complain. + + + + +MY MOTHER BIDS ME BIND MY HAIR. + + + My mother bids me bind my hair + With bands of rosy hue, + Tie up my sleeves with ribbons rare, + And lace my boddice blue. + + "For why," she cries, "sit still and weep, + While others dance and play?" + Alas! I scarce can go or creep, + While Lubin is away. + + 'Tis sad to think the days are gone, + When those we love were near; + I sit upon this mossy stone, + And sigh when none can hear. + + And while I spin my flaxen thread, + And sing my simple lay, + The village seems asleep or dead, + Now Lubin is away. + + + + +THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST.[4] + + + Adieu! ye streams that smoothly glide, + Through mazy windings o'er the plain; + I 'll in some lonely cave reside, + And ever mourn my faithful swain. + + Flower of the forest was my love, + Soft as the sighing summer's gale, + Gentle and constant as the dove, + Blooming as roses in the vale. + + Alas! by Tweed my love did stray, + For me he search'd the banks around; + But, ah! the sad and fatal day, + My love, the pride of swains, was drown'd. + + Now droops the willow o'er the stream; + Pale stalks his ghost in yonder grove; + Dire fancy paints him in my dream; + Awake, I mourn my hopeless love. + + +[4] Of the "Flowers of the Forest," two other versions appear in the +Collections. That version beginning, "I've heard the lilting at our +yow-milking," is the composition of Miss Jane Elliot, the daughter of +Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, Lord Justice-Clerk, who died in 1766. She +composed the song about the middle of the century, in imitation of an +old version to the same tune. The other version, which is the most +popular of the three, with the opening line, "I 've seen the smiling of +fortune beguiling," was also the composition of a lady, Miss Alison +Rutherford; by marriage, Mrs Cockburn, wife of Mr Patrick Cockburn, +advocate. Mrs Cockburn was a person of highly superior accomplishments. +She associated with her learned contemporaries, by whom she was much +esteemed, and died at Edinburgh in 1794, at an advanced age. "The +forest" mentioned in the song comprehended the county of Selkirk, with +portions of Peeblesshire and Lanarkshire. This was a hunting-forest of +the Scottish kings. + + + + +THE SEASON COMES WHEN FIRST WE MET. + + + The season comes when first we met, + But you return no more; + Why cannot I the days forget, + Which time can ne'er restore? + O! days too sweet, too bright to last, + Are you, indeed, for ever past? + + The fleeting shadows of delight, + In memory I trace; + In fancy stop their rapid flight, + And all the past replace; + But, ah! I wake to endless woes, + And tears the fading visions close! + + + + +OH, TUNEFUL VOICE! I STILL DEPLORE. + + + Oh, tuneful voice! I still deplore + Those accents which, though heard no more, + Still vibrate in my heart; + In echo's cave I long to dwell, + And still would hear the sad farewell, + When we were doom'd to part. + + Bright eyes! O that the task were mine, + To guard the liquid fires that shine, + And round your orbits play-- + To watch them with a vestal's care, + And feed with smiles a light so fair, + That it may ne'er decay! + + + + +DEAR TO MY HEART AS LIFE'S WARM STREAM.[5] + + + Dear to my heart as life's warm stream, + Which animates this mortal clay; + For thee I court the waking dream, + And deck with smiles the future day; + And thus beguile the present pain, + With hopes that we shall meet again! + + Yet will it be as when the past + Twined every joy, and care, and thought, + And o'er our minds one mantle cast, + Of kind affections finely wrought. + Ah, no! the groundless hope were vain, + For so we ne'er can meet again! + + May he who claims thy tender heart, + Deserve its love as I have done! + For, kind and gentle as thou art, + If so beloved, thou 'rt fairly won. + Bright may the sacred torch remain, + And cheer thee till we meet again! + + +[5] These lines were addressed by Mrs Hunter to her daughter, on the +occasion of her marriage. + + + + +THE LOT OF THOUSANDS. + + + When hope lies dead within the heart, + By secret sorrow close conceal'd, + We shrink lest looks or words impart + What must not be reveal'd. + + 'Tis hard to smile when one would weep, + To speak when one would silent be; + To wake when one should wish to sleep, + And wake to agony. + + Yet such the lot by thousands cast, + Who wander in this world of care, + And bend beneath the bitter blast, + To save them from despair. + + But Nature waits her guests to greet, + Where disappointments cannot come, + And Time guides, with unerring feet, + The weary wanderers home. + + + + +ALEXANDER, DUKE OF GORDON. + + +Alexander, the fourth Duke of Gordon, was born in the year 1743, and +died on the 17th of January 1827, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. +Chiefly remembered as a kind patron of the poet Burns, his name is +likewise entitled to a place in the national minstrelsy as the author of +an excellent version of the often-parodied song, "Cauld Kail in +Aberdeen." Of this song, the first words, written to an older tune, +appeared in the second volume of Herd's "Collection," in 1776. These +begin-- + + "Cauld kail in Aberdeen, + And castocks in Strabogie; + But yet I fear they 'll cook o'er soon, + And never warm the cogie." + +The song is anonymous, as is the version, first published in Dale's +"Scottish Songs," beginning-- + + "There 's cauld kail in Aberdeen, + And castocks in Strabogie, + Where ilka lad maun hae his lass, + But I maun hae my cogie." + +A third version, distinct from that inserted in the text, was composed +by William Reid, a bookseller in Glasgow, who died in 1831. His song is +scarcely known. The Duke's song, with which Burns expressed himself as +being "charmed," was first published in the second volume of Johnson's +"Musical Museum." It is not only gay and animating, but has the merit of +being free of blemishes in want of refinement, which affect the others. +The "Bogie" celebrated in the song, it may be remarked, is a river in +Aberdeenshire, which, rising in the parish of Auchindoir, discharges its +waters into the Deveron, a little distance below the town of Huntly. It +gives its name to the extensive and rich valley of Strathbogie, through +which it proceeds. + + + + +CAULD KAIL IN ABERDEEN. + + + There 's cauld kail in Aberdeen, + And castocks in Strabogie; + Gin I hae but a bonnie lass, + Ye 're welcome to your cogie. + And ye may sit up a' the night, + And drink till it be braid daylight; + Gi'e me a lass baith clean and tight, + To dance the reel o' Bogie. + + In cotillions the French excel, + John Bull loves country dances; + The Spaniards dance fandangoes well; + Mynheer an all'mande prances; + In foursome reels the Scots delight, + At threesomes they dance wondrous light, + But twasomes ding a' out o' sight, + Danced to the reel o' Bogie. + + Come, lads, and view your partners weel, + Wale each a blythesome rogie; + I'll tak this lassie to mysel', + She looks sae keen and vogie. + Now, piper lads, bang up the spring, + The country fashion is the thing, + To pree their mou's ere we begin + To dance the reel o' Bogie. + + Now ilka lad has got a lass, + Save yon auld doited fogie, + And ta'en a fling upon the grass, + As they do in Strabogie. + But a' the lasses look sae fain, + We canna think oursel's to hain, + For they maun hae their come again, + To dance the reel o' Bogie. + + Now a' the lads hae done their best, + Like true men o' Strabogie, + We 'll stop a while and tak' a rest, + And tipple out a cogie. + Come now, my lads, and tak your glass, + And try ilk ither to surpass, + In wishing health to every lass, + To dance the reel o' Bogie. + + + + +MRS GRANT OF CARRON. + + +Mrs Grant of Carron, the reputed author of one song, which has long +maintained a favoured place, was a native of Aberlour, on the banks of +the Spey, in the county of Banff. She was born about the year 1745, and +was twice married--first, to her cousin, Mr Grant of Carron, near +Elchies, on the river Spey, about the year 1763; and, secondly, to Dr +Murray, a physician in Bath. She died at Bath about the year 1814. + +In his correspondence with George Thomson, Burns, alluding to the song +of Mrs Grant, "Roy's Wife," remarks that he had in his possession "the +original words of a song for the air in the handwriting of the lady who +composed it," which, he adds, "are superior to any edition of the song +which the public has seen." He subsequently composed an additional +version himself, beginning, "Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie?" but +this, like others of the bard's conversions of Scottish songs into an +English dress, did not become popular. The verses by his female friend, +in which the lady is made to be the sufferer by misplaced affection, and +commencing, "Stay, my Willie, yet believe me," though published, remain +likewise in obscurity. "Roy's Wife" was originally written to an old +tune called the "Ruffian's Rant," but this melody is now known by the +name of its favourite words. The sentiment of the song is peculiarly +pleasing. The rejected lover begins by loudly complaining of his wrongs, +and the broken assurances of his former sweetheart: then he suddenly +recalls what were her good qualities; and the recollection of these +causes him to forgive her marrying another, and even still to extend +towards her his warmest sympathies. + + + + +ROY'S WIFE OF ALDIVALLOCH. + + + Roy's wife of Aldivalloch, + Roy's wife of Aldivalloch, + Wat ye how she cheated me + As I cam' o'er the braes of Balloch! + + She vow'd, she swore she wad be mine, + She said she lo'ed me best o' onie; + But, ah! the fickle, faithless quean, + She 's ta'en the carl, and left her Johnnie! + Roy's wife, &c. + + Oh, she was a canty quean, + An' weel could dance the Hieland walloch! + How happy I, had she been mine, + Or I been Roy of Aldivalloch! + Roy's wife, &c. + + Her hair sae fair, her e'en sae clear, + Her wee bit mou' sae sweet and bonnie! + To me she ever will be dear, + Though she's for ever left her Johnnie! + Roy's wife, &c. + + + + +ROBERT COUPER, M.D. + + +Dr Couper was born in the parish of Sorbie, in Wigtonshire, on the 22d +of September 1750. His father rented the farm of Balsier in that parish. +With a view towards the ministry in the Scottish Church, he proceeded to +the University of Glasgow in 1769; but being deprived of both his +parents by death before the completion of the ordinary period of +academical study, and his pecuniary means being limited, he quitted the +country for America, where he became tutor to a family in Virginia. He +now contemplated taking orders in the Episcopal Church, but on the +outbreak of the War of Independence in 1776 he returned to Britain +without fulfilling this intention. He resumed his studies at Glasgow +preparatory to his seeking a surgeon's diploma; and he afterwards +established himself as a medical practitioner in Newton-Stewart, a +considerable village in his native county. From this place he removed to +Fochabers, about the year 1788, on being recommended, by his friend Dr +Hamilton, Professor of Anatomy at Glasgow, as physician to the Duke of +Gordon. Before entering on this new sphere of practice, he took the +degree of M.D. At Fochabers he remained till the year 1806, when he +again returned to the south. He died at Wigton on the 18th January +1818. From a MS. Life of Dr Couper, in the possession of a gentleman in +Wigton, and communicated to Dr Murray, author of "The Literary History +of Galloway," these leading events of Dr Couper's life were first +published by Mr Laing, in his "Additional Illustrations to the Scots +Musical Museum," vol. iv. p. 513. + +Dr Couper published "Poetry, chiefly in the Scottish Language" +(Inverness, 1804), 2 vols. 12mo. Among some rubbish, and much tawdry +versification, there is occasional power, which, however, is +insufficient to compensate for the general inferiority. There are only a +few songs, but these are superior to the poems; and those following are +not unworthy of a place among the modern national minstrelsy. + + + + +KINRARA. + +TUNE--_"Neil Gow."_ + + + Red gleams the sun on yon hill-tap, + The dew sits on the gowan; + Deep murmurs through her glens the Spey, + Around Kinrara rowan. + Where art thou, fairest, kindest lass? + Alas! wert thou but near me, + Thy gentle soul, thy melting eye, + Would ever, ever cheer me. + + The lav'rock sings among the clouds, + The lambs they sport so cheerie, + And I sit weeping by the birk: + O where art thou, my dearie? + Aft may I meet the morning dew, + Lang greet till I be weary; + Thou canna, winna, gentle maid! + Thou canna be my dearie. + + + + +THE SHEELING. + +TUNE--_"The Mucking o' Geordie's Byre."_ + + + Oh, grand bounds the deer o'er the mountain, + And smooth skims the hare o'er the plain; + At noon, the cool shade by the fountain + Is sweet to the lass and her swain. + The ev'ning sits down dark and dreary; + Oh, yon 's the loud joys of the ha'; + The laird sings his dogs and his dearie-- + Oh, he kens na his singin' ava. + + But oh, my dear lassie, when wi' thee, + What 's the deer and the maukin to me? + The storm soughin' wild drives me to thee, + And the plaid shelters baith me and thee. + The wild warld then may be reeling, + Pride and riches may lift up their e'e; + My plaid haps us baith in the sheeling-- + That 's a' to my lassie and me. + + + + +THE EWE-BUGHTS, MARION.[6] + + + Oh, mind ye the ewe-bughts, my Marion? + It was ther I forgather'd wi' thee; + The sun smiled sweet ower the mountain, + And saft sough'd the leaf on the tree. + + Thou wast fair, thou wast bonnie, my Marion, + And lovesome thy rising breast-bane; + The dew sat in gems ower thy ringlets, + By the thorn when we were alane. + + There we loved, there thou promised, my Marion, + Thy soul--a' thy beauties were mine; + Crouse we skipt to the ha' i' the gloamin', + But few were my slumbers and thine. + + Fell war tore me lang frae thee, Marion, + Lang wat'ry and red was my e'e; + The pride o' the field but inflamed me + To return mair worthy o' thee. + + Oh, aye art thou lovely, my Marion, + Thy heart bounds in kindness to me; + And here, oh, here is my bosom, + That languish'd, my Marion, for thee. + + +[6] These verses form a modernised version of the old and popular song, +"Will ye gae to the ewe-bughts, Marion?" The air is extremely beautiful. + + + + +LADY ANNE BARNARD. + + +Lady Anne Lindsay was the eldest of a family of eight sons and three +daughters, born to James, Earl of Balcarres, by his spouse, Anne +Dalrymple, a daughter of Sir Robert Dalrymple, of Castleton, Bart. She +was born at Balcarres, in Fife, on the 8th of December 1750. Inheriting +a large portion of the shrewdness long possessed by the old family of +Lindsay, and a share of talent from her mother, who was a person of +singular energy, though somewhat capricious in temper, Lady Anne +evinced, at an early age, an uncommon amount of sagacity. Fortunate in +having her talents well directed, and naturally inclined towards the +acquisition of learning, she soon began to devote herself to useful +reading, and even to literary composition. The highly popular ballad of +"Auld Robin Gray" was written when she had only attained her +twenty-first year. According to her own narrative, communicated to Sir +Walter Scott, she had experienced loneliness on the marriage of her +younger sister, who accompanied her husband to London, and had sought +relief from a state of solitude by attempting the composition of song. +An old Scottish melody,[7] sung by an eccentric female, an attendant on +Lady Balcarres, was connected with words unsuitable to the plaintive +nature of the air; and, with the design of supplying the defect, she +formed the idea of writing "Auld Robin Gray." The hero of the ballad was +the old herdsman at Balcarres. To the members of her own family Lady +Anne only communicated her new ballad--scrupulously concealing the fact +of her authorship from others, "perceiving the shyness it created in +those who could write nothing." + +While still in the bloom of youth, the Earl of Balcarres died, and the +Dowager Countess having taken up her residence in Edinburgh, Lady Anne +experienced increased means of acquainting herself with the world of +letters. At her mother's residence she met many of the literary persons +of consideration in the northern metropolis, including such men as Lord +Monboddo, David Hume, and Henry Mackenzie. To comfort her sister, Lady +Margaret Fordyce, who was now a widow, she subsequently removed to +London, where she formed the acquaintance of the principal personages +then occupying the literary and political arena, such as Burke, +Sheridan, Dundas, and Windham. She also became known to the Prince of +Wales, who continued to entertain for her the highest respect. In 1793, +she married Andrew Barnard, Esq., son of the Bishop of Limerick, and +afterwards secretary, under Lord Macartney, to the colony at the Cape of +Good Hope. She accompanied her husband to the Cape, and had meditated a +voyage to New South Wales, that she might minister, by her benevolent +counsels, towards the reformation of the convicts there exiled. On the +death of her husband in 1807, she again resided with her widowed sister, +the Lady Margaret, till the year 1812, when, on the marriage of her +sister to Sir James Burges, she occupied a house of her own, and +continued to reside in Berkeley Square till the period of her death, +which took place on the 6th of May 1825. + +To entire rectitude of principle, amiability of manners, and kindliness +of heart, Anne Barnard added the more substantial, and, in females, the +more uncommon quality of eminent devotedness to intellectual labour. +Literature had been her favourite pursuit from childhood, and even in +advanced life, when her residence was the constant resort of her +numerous relatives, she contrived to find leisure for occasional +literary _reunions_, while her forenoons were universally occupied in +mental improvement. She maintained a correspondence with several of her +brilliant contemporaries, and, in her more advanced years, composed an +interesting narrative of family Memoirs. She was skilled in the use of +the pencil, and sketched scenery with effect. In conversation she was +acknowledged to excel; and her stories[8] and anecdotes were a source of +delight to her friends. She was devotedly pious, and singularly +benevolent: she was liberal in sentiment, charitable to the indigent, +and sparing of the feelings of others. Every circle was charmed by her +presence; by her condescension she inspired the diffident; and she +banished dulness by the brilliancy of her humour. Her countenance, it +should be added, wore a pleasant and animated expression, and her +figure was modelled with the utmost elegance of symmetry and grace. Her +sister, Lady Margaret Fordyce, was eminently beautiful. + +The popularity obtained by the ballad of "Auld Robin Gray" has seldom +been exceeded in the history of any other metrical composition. It was +sung in every fashionable circle, as well as by the ballad-singers, from +Land's-end to John o' Groat's; was printed in every collection of +national songs, and drew tears from our military countrymen both in +America and India. With the exception of Pinkerton, every writer on +Scottish poetry and song has awarded it a tribute of commendation. "The +elegant and accomplished authoress," says Ritson, "has, in this +beautiful production, to all that tenderness and simplicity for which +the Scottish song has been so much celebrated, united a delicacy of +expression which it never before attained." "'Auld Robin Gray,'" says +Sir Walter Scott, "is that real pastoral which is worth all the +dialogues which Corydon and Phillis have had together, from the days of +Theocritus downwards." + +During a long lifetime, till within two years of her death, Lady Anne +Barnard resisted every temptation to declare herself the author of the +popular ballad, thus evincing her determination not to have the secret +wrested from her till she chose to divulge it. Some of those inducements +may be enumerated. The extreme popularity of the ballad might have +proved sufficient in itself to justify the disclosure; but, apart from +this consideration, a very fine tune had been put to it by a doctor of +music;[9] a romance had been founded upon it by a man of eminence; it +was made the subject of a play, of an opera, and of a pantomime; it had +been claimed by others; a sequel had been written to it by some +scribbler, who professed to have composed the whole ballad; it had been +assigned an antiquity far beyond the author's time; the Society of +Antiquaries had made it the subject of investigation; and the author had +been advertised for in the public prints, a reward being offered for the +discovery. Never before had such general interest been exhibited +respecting any composition in Scottish verse. + +In the "Pirate," published in 1823, the author of "Waverley" had +compared the condition of Minna to that of Jeanie Gray, in the words of +Lady Anne, in a sequel which she had published to the original ballad:-- + + "Nae langer she wept, her tears were a' spent; + Despair it was come, and she thought it content; + She thought it content, but her cheek it grew pale, + And she droop'd like a snowdrop broke down by the hail!" + +At length, in her seventy-third year, and upwards of half a century +after the period of its composition, the author voluntarily made avowal +of the authorship of the ballad and its sequel. She wrote to Sir Walter +Scott, with whom she was acquainted, requesting him to inform his +_personal friend_, the author of "Waverley," that she was indeed the +author. She enclosed a copy to Sir Walter, written in her own hand; and, +with her consent, in the course of the following year, he printed "Auld +Robin Gray" as a contribution to the Bannatyne Club. + +The second part has not acquired such decided popularity, and it has not +often been published with it in former Collections. Of the fact of its +inequality, the accomplished author was fully aware: she wrote it +simply to gratify the desire of her venerable mother, who often wished +to know how "the unlucky business of Jeanie and Jamie ended." The +Countess, it may be remarked, was much gratified by the popularity of +the ballad; and though she seems, out of respect to her daughter's +feelings, to have retained the secret, she could not resist the frequent +repetition of it to her friends. + +In the character of Lady Anne Barnard, the defective point was a certain +want of decision, which not only led to her declining many distinguished +and advantageous offers for her hand, but tended, in some measure, to +deprive her of posthumous fame. Illustrative of the latter fact, it has +been recorded that, having entrusted to Sir Walter Scott a volume of +lyrics, composed by herself and by others of the noble house of Lindsay, +with permission to give it to the world, she withdrew her consent after +the compositions had been printed in a quarto volume, and were just on +the eve of being published. The copies of the work, which was entitled +"Lays of the Lindsays," appear to have been destroyed. One lyric only +has been recovered, beginning, "Why tarries my love?" It is printed as +the composition of Lady Anne Barnard, in a note appended to the latest +edition of Johnson's "Musical Museum," by Mr C. K. Sharpe, who +transcribed it from the _Scots Magazine_ for May 1805. The popular song, +"Logie o' Buchan," sometimes attributed to Lady Anne in the Collections, +did not proceed from her pen, but was composed by George Halket, +parochial schoolmaster of Rathen, in Aberdeenshire, about the middle of +the last century. + + +[7] The name of this old melody is, "The Bridegroom greets when the Sun +gangs down."--See Stenhouse's Notes to Johnson's "Musical Museum," vol. +iv. p. 280; the "Lives of the Lindsays," by Lord Lindsay, vol. ii., pp. +314, 332, 392. Lond. 1849, 3 vols., 8vo. + +[8] "She was entertaining a large party of distinguished guests at +dinner, when a hitch occurred in the kitchen. The old servant came up +behind her and whispered, 'My lady, you must tell another story--the +second course won't be ready for five minutes!'"--Letter of General +Lindsay to Lord Lindsay, "Lives of the Lindsays," vol. ii. p. 387. + +[9] The Rev. William Leeves, of Wrington, to whose tune the ballad is +now sung.--See an account of Mr Leeves' claims to the authorship of the +tune, &c., in Johnson's "Musical Museum;" Stenhouse's Notes, vol. iv. p. +231. + + + + +AULD ROBIN GRAY. + +PART I. + + + When the sheep are in the fauld, and the kye 's come hame, + And a' the warld to rest are gane, + The waes o' my heart fa' in showers frae my e'e, + Unkent by my gudeman, wha sleeps sound by me. + + Young Jamie lo'ed me weel, and he sought me for his bride, + But saving a crown-piece, he had naething beside; + To make the crown a pound, my Jamie gaed to sea, + And the crown and the pound they were baith for me. + + He hadna been gane a twelvemonth and a day, + When my father brake his arm, and the cow was stown away; + My mither she fell sick--my Jamie at the sea; + And auld Robin Gray came a-courting me. + + My father couldna wark, and my mither couldna spin; + I toil'd day and night, but their bread I couldna win;-- + Auld Rob maintain'd them baith, and, wi' tears in his e'e, + Said, "Jeanie, oh, for their sakes, will ye no marry me?" + + My heart it said na, and I look'd for Jamie back; + But hard blew the winds, and his ship was a wrack; + The ship was a wrack--why didna Jamie dee? + Or why am I spared to cry, Wae is me? + + My father urged me sair--my mither didna speak; + But she look'd in my face till my heart was like to break; + They gied him my hand--my heart was in the sea-- + And so Robin Gray he was gudeman to me. + + I hadna been his wife a week but only four, + When, mournfu' as I sat on the stane at my door, + I saw my Jamie's ghaist, for I couldna think it he, + Till he said, "I'm come hame, love, to marry thee." + + Oh, sair, sair did we greet, and mickle say of a'; + I gied him a kiss, and bade him gang awa';-- + I wish that I were dead, but I'm nae like to dee; + For though my heart is broken, I'm but young, wae is me! + + I gang like a ghaist, and carena much to spin; + I darena think o' Jamie, for that wad be a sin; + But I'll do my best a gude wife to be, + For oh, Robin Gray, he is kind to me! + + +PART II. + + The spring had pass'd over, 'twas summer nae mair, + And, trembling, were scatter'd the leaves in the air; + "Oh, winter," cried Jeanie, "we kindly agree, + For wae looks the sun when he shines upon me." + + Nae langer she wept, her tears were a' spent; + Despair it was come, and she thought it content; + She thought it content, but her cheek was grown pale, + And she droop'd like a snow-drop broke down by the hail. + + Her father was sad, and her mother was wae, + But silent and thoughtfu' was auld Robin Gray; + He wander'd his lane, and his face was as lean + As the side of a brae where the torrents have been. + + He gaed to his bed, but nae physic would take, + And often he said, "It is best, for her sake!" + While Jeanie supported his head as he lay, + The tears trickled down upon auld Robin Gray. + + "Oh, greet nae mair, Jeanie!" said he, wi' a groan; + "I 'm nae worth your sorrow--the truth maun be known; + Send round for your neighbours--my hour it draws near, + And I 've that to tell that it 's fit a' should hear. + + "I 've wrang'd her," he said, "but I kent it o'er late; + I 've wrang'd her, and sorrow is speeding my date; + But a 's for the best, since my death will soon free + A faithfu' young heart, that was ill match'd wi' me. + + "I lo'ed and I courted her mony a day, + The auld folks were for me, but still she said nay; + I kentna o' Jamie, nor yet o' her vow;-- + In mercy forgi'e me, 'twas I stole the cow! + + "I cared not for crummie, I thought but o' thee; + I thought it was crummie stood 'twixt you and me; + While she fed your parents, oh! did you not say, + You never would marry wi' auld Robin Gray? + + "But sickness at hame, and want at the door-- + You gi'ed me your hand, while your heart it was sore; + I saw it was sore, why took I her hand? + Oh, that was a deed to my shame o'er the land! + + "How truth, soon or late, comes to open daylight! + For Jamie cam' back, and your cheek it grew white; + White, white grew your cheek, but aye true unto me. + Oh, Jeanie, I 'm thankfu'--I 'm thankfu' to dee! + + "Is Jamie come here yet?" and Jamie he saw; + "I 've injured you sair, lad, so I leave you my a'; + Be kind to my Jeanie, and soon may it be! + Waste no time, my dauties, in mournin' for me." + + They kiss'd his cauld hands, and a smile o'er his face + Seem'd hopefu' of being accepted by grace; + "Oh, doubtna," said Jamie, "forgi'en he will be, + Wha wadna be tempted, my love, to win thee?" + + * * * * * + + The first days were dowie, while time slipt awa'; + But saddest and sairest to Jeanie of a' + Was thinking she couldna be honest and right, + Wi' tears in her e'e, while her heart was sae light. + + But nae guile had she, and her sorrow away, + The wife of her Jamie, the tear couldna stay; + A bonnie wee bairn--the auld folks by the fire-- + Oh, now she has a' that her heart can desire! + +In an earlier continuation of the original ballad, there are some good +stanzas, which, however, the author had thought proper to expunge from +the piece in its altered and extended form. One verse, descriptive of +Robin Gray's feelings, on observing the concealed and withering grief of +his spouse, is beautiful for its simplicity:-- + + "Nae questions he spier'd her concerning her health, + He look'd at her often, but aye 'twas by stealth; + When his heart it grew grit, and, sighin', he feign'd + To gang to the door to see if it rain'd." + + + + +SONG. + + + Why tarries my love? + Ah! where does he rove? + My love is long absent from me. + Come hither, my dove, + I 'll write to my love, + And send him a letter by thee. + + To find him, swift fly! + The letter I 'll tie + Secure to thy leg with a string. + Ah! not to my leg, + Fair lady, I beg, + But fasten it under my wing. + + Her dove she did deck, + She drew o'er his neck + A bell and a collar so gay; + She tied to his wing + The scroll with a string, + Then kiss'd him and sent him away. + + It blew and it rain'd, + The pigeon disdain'd + To seek shelter; undaunted he flew, + Till wet was his wing, + And painful his string, + So heavy the letter it grew. + + It flew all around, + Till Colin he found, + Then perch'd on his head with the prize; + Whose heart, while he reads, + With tenderness bleeds, + For the pigeon that flutters and dies. + + + + +JOHN TAIT. + + +John Tait was, in early life, devoted to the composition of poetry. In +Ruddiman's _Edinburgh Weekly Magazine_ for 1770, he repeatedly published +verses in the Poet's Corner, with his initials attached, and in +subsequent years he published anonymously the "Cave of Morar," "Poetical +Legends," and other poems. "The Vanity of Human Wishes, an Elegy, +occasioned by the Untimely Death of a Scots Poet," appears under the +signature of J. Tait, in "Poems on Various Subjects by Robert Fergusson, +Part II.," Edinburgh, 1779, 12mo. He was admitted as a Writer to the +Signet on the 21st of November 1781; and in July 1805 was appointed +Judge of Police, on a new police system being introduced into Edinburgh. +In the latter capacity he continued to officiate till July 1812, when a +new Act of Parliament entrusted the settlement of police cases, as +formerly, to the magistrates of the city. Mr Tait died at his house in +Abercromby Place, on the 29th of August 1817. + +"The Banks of the Dee," the only popular production from the pen of the +author, was composed in the year 1775, on the occasion of a friend +leaving Scotland to join the British forces in America, who were then +vainly endeavouring to suppress that opposition to the control of the +mother country which resulted in the permanent establishment of American +independence. The song is set to the Irish air of "Langolee." It was +printed in Wilson's Collection of Songs, which was published at +Edinburgh in 1779, with four additional stanzas by a Miss Betsy B----s, +of inferior merit. It was re-published in "The Goldfinch" (Edinburgh, +1782), and afterwards was inserted in Johnson's "Musical Museum." Burns, +in his letter to Mr George Thomson, of 7th April 1793, writes--"'The +Banks of the Dee' is, you know, literally 'Langolee' to slow time. The +song is well enough, but has some false imagery in it; for instance-- + + "'And sweetly the nightingale sung from the tree.' + +In the first place, the nightingale sings in a low bush, but never from +a tree; and, in the second place, there never was a nightingale seen or +heard on the banks of the Dee, or on the banks of any other river in +Scotland. Creative rural imagery is always comparatively flat." + +Thirty years after its first appearance, Mr Tait published a new edition +of the song in Mr Thomson's Collection, vol. iv., in which he has, by +alterations on the first half stanza, acknowledged the justice of the +strictures of the Ayrshire bard. The stanza is altered thus: + + "'Twas summer, and softly the breezes were blowing, + And sweetly the _wood-pigeon coo'd from the tree_; + At the foot of a rock, where the _wild rose was growing_, + I sat myself down on the banks of the Dee." + +The song, it may be added, has in several collections been erroneously +attributed to John Home, author of the tragedy of "Douglas." + + + + +THE BANKS OF THE DEE. + + + 'Twas summer, and softly the breezes were blowing, + And sweetly the nightingale sung from the tree, + At the foot of a rock where the river was flowing, + I sat myself down on the banks of the Dee. + Flow on, lovely Dee, flow on, thou sweet river, + Thy banks' purest stream shall be dear to me ever, + For there first I gain'd the affection and favour + Of Jamie, the glory and pride of the Dee. + + But now he 's gone from me, and left me thus mourning, + To quell the proud rebels--for valiant is he; + And, ah! there's no hope of his speedy returning, + To wander again on the banks of the Dee. + He 's gone, hapless youth! o'er the rude roaring billows, + The kindest and sweetest of all the gay fellows, + And left me to wander 'mongst those once loved willows, + The loneliest maid on the banks of the Dee. + + But time and my prayers may perhaps yet restore him, + Blest peace may restore my dear shepherd to me; + And when he returns, with such care I 'll watch o'er him, + He never shall leave the sweet banks of the Dee. + The Dee then shall flow, all its beauties displaying, + The lambs on its banks shall again be seen playing, + While I with my Jamie am carelessly straying, + And tasting again all the sweets of the Dee. + + + + +HECTOR MACNEILL. + + +Hector Macneill was born on the 22d of October 1746, in the villa of +Rosebank, near Roslin; and, to to use his own words, "amidst the murmur +of streams and the shades of Hawthornden, may be said to have inhaled +with life the atmosphere of a poet."[10] Descended from an old family, +who possessed a small estate in the southern district of Argyllshire, +his father, after various changes of fortune, had obtained a company in +the 42d Regiment, with which he served during several campaigns in +Flanders. From continued indisposition, and consequent inability to +undergo the fatigues of military life, he disposed of his commission, +and retired, with his wife and two children, to the villa of Rosebank, +of which he became the owner. A few years after the birth of his son +Hector, he felt necessitated, from straitened circumstances, to quit +this beautiful residence; and he afterwards occupied a farm on the banks +of Loch Lomond. Such a region of the picturesque was highly suitable for +the development of those poetical talents which had already appeared in +young Hector, amidst the rural amenities of Roslin. In his eleventh +year, he wrote a drama, after the manner of Gay; and the respectable +execution of his juvenile attempts in versification gained him the +approbation of Dr Doig, the learned rector of the grammar-school of +Stirling, who strongly urged his father to afford him sufficient +instruction, to enable him to enter upon one of the liberal professions. +Had Captain Macneill's circumstances been prosperous, this counsel might +have been adopted, for the son's promising talents were not unnoticed by +his father; but pecuniary difficulties opposed an unsurmountable +obstacle. + +An opulent relative, a West India trader, resident in Bristol, had paid +the captain a visit; and, attracted by the shrewdness of the son Hector, +who was his namesake, offered to retain him in his employment, and to +provide for him in life. After two years' preparatory education, he was +accordingly sent to Bristol, in his fourteenth year. He was destined to +an adventurous career, singularly at variance with his early +predilections and pursuits. By his relative he was designed to sail in a +slave ship to the coast of Guinea; but the intercession of some female +friends prevented his being connected with an expedition so uncongenial +to his feelings. He was now despatched on board a vessel to the island +of St Christopher's, with the view of his making trial of a seafaring +life, but was provided with recommendatory letters, in the event of his +preferring employment on land. With a son of the Bristol trader he +remained twelvemonths; and, having no desire to resume his labours as a +seaman, he afterwards sailed for Guadaloupe, where he continued in the +employment of a merchant for three years, till 1763, when the island was +ceded to the French. Dismissed by his employer, with a scanty balance of +salary, he had some difficulty in obtaining the means of transport to +Antigua; and there, finding himself reduced to entire dependence, he was +content, without any pecuniary recompense, to become assistant to his +relative, who had come to the town of St John's. From this unhappy +condition he was rescued, after a short interval. He was possessed of a +knowledge of the French language; a qualification which, together with +his general abilities, recommended him to fill the office of assistant +to the Provost-Marshal of Grenada. This appointment he held for three +years, when, hearing of the death of his mother and sister, he returned +to Britain. On the death of his father, eighteen months after his +arrival, he succeeded to a small patrimony, which he proceeded to invest +in the purchase of an annuity of L80 per annum. With this limited +income, he seems to have planned a permanent settlement in his native +country; but the unexpected embarrassment of the party from whom he had +purchased the annuity, and an attachment of an unfortunate nature, +compelled him to re-embark on the ocean of adventure. He accepted the +office of assistant-secretary on board Admiral Geary's flag-ship, and +made two cruises with the grand fleet. Proposing again to return to +Scotland, he afterwards resigned his appointment; but he was induced, by +the remonstrances of his friends, Dr Currie, and Mr Roscoe, of +Liverpool, to accept a similar situation on board the flag-ship of Sir +Richard Bickerton, who had been appointed to take the chief command of +the naval power in India. In this post, many of the hardships incident +to a seafaring life fell to his share; and being present at the last +indecisive action with "Suffrein," he had likewise to encounter the +perils of war. His present connexion subsisted three years; but Macneill +sickened in the discharge of duties wholly unsuitable for him, and +longed for the comforts of home. His resources were still limited, but +he flattered himself in the expectation that he might earn a subsistence +as a man of letters. He fixed his residence at a farm-house in the +vicinity of Stirling; and, amidst the pursuits of literature, the +composition of verses, and the cultivation of friendship, he contrived, +for a time, to enjoy a considerable share of happiness. But he speedily +discovered the delusion of supposing that an individual, entirely +unknown in the literary world, could at once be able to establish his +reputation, and inspire confidence in the bookselling trade, whose +favour is so essential to men of letters. Discouraged in longer +persevering in the attempt of procuring a livelihood at home, Macneill, +for the fourth time, took his departure from Britain. Provided with +letters of introduction to influential and wealthy persons in Jamaica, +he sailed for that island on a voyage of adventure; being now in his +thirty-eighth year, and nearly as unprovided for as when he had first +left his native shores, twenty-four years before. On his arrival at +Kingston, he was employed by the collector of customs, whose +acquaintance he had formed on the voyage; but this official soon found +he could dispense with his services, which he did, without aiding him in +obtaining another situation. The individuals to whom he had brought +letters were unable or unwilling to render him assistance, and the +unfortunate adventurer was constrained, in his emergency, to accept the +kind invitation of a medical friend, to make his quarters with him till +some satisfactory employment might occur. He now discovered two intimate +companions of his boyhood settled in the island, in very prosperous +circumstances, and from these he received both pecuniary aid and the +promise of future support. Through their friendly offices, his two sons, +who had been sent out by a generous friend, were placed in situations of +respectability and emolument. But the thoughts of the poet himself were +directed towards Britain. He sailed from Jamaica, with a thousand plans +and schemes hovering in his mind, equally vague and indefinite as had +been his aims and designs during the past chapter of his history. A +small sum given him as the pay of an inland ensigncy, now conferred on +him, but antedated, sufficed to defray the expenses of the voyage. + +Before leaving Scotland for Jamaica, Macneill had commenced a poem, +founded on a Highland tradition; and to the completion of this +production he assiduously devoted himself during his homeward voyage. It +was published at Edinburgh in 1789, under the title of "The Harp, a +Legendary Tale." In the previous year, he published a pamphlet in +vindication of slavery, entitled, "On the Treatment of the Negroes in +Jamaica." This pamphlet, written to gratify the wishes of an interested +friend, rather than as the result of his own convictions, he +subsequently endeavoured to suppress. For several years, Macneill +persevered in his unsettled mode of life. On his return from Jamaica, he +resided in the mansion of his friend, Mr Graham of Gartmore, himself a +writer of verses, as well as a patron of letters; but a difference with +the family caused him to quit this hospitable residence. After passing +some time with his relatives in Argyllshire, he entertained a proposal +of establishing himself in Glasgow, as partner of a mercantile house, +but this was terminated by the dissolution of the firm; and a second +attempt to succeed in the republic of letters had an equally +unsuccessful issue. In Edinburgh, whither he had removed, he was seized +with a severe nervous illness, which, during the six following years, +rendered him incapable of sustained physical exertion. With a little +money, which he contrived to raise on his annuity, he retired to a small +cottage at St Ninians; but his finances again becoming reduced, he +accepted of the hospitable invitation of his friends, Major Spark and +his lady, to become the inmate of their residence of Viewforth House, +Stirling. At this period, Macneill composed the greater number of his +best songs, and produced his poem of "Scotland's Skaith, or the History +of Will and Jean," which was published in 1795, and speedily gained him +a wide reputation. Before the close of twelvemonths, it passed through +no fewer than fourteen editions. A sequel, entitled "The Waes o' War," +which appeared in 1796, attained nearly an equal popularity. The +original ballad was composed during the author's solitary walks along +the promenades of the King's Park, Stirling, while he was still +suffering mental depression. It was completed in his own mind before any +of the stanzas were committed to paper. + +The hope of benefiting his enfeebled constitution in a warm climate +induced him to revisit Jamaica. As a parting tribute to his friends at +Stirling, he published, in 1799, immediately before his departure, a +descriptive poem, entitled "The Links of Forth, or a Parting Peep at the +Carse of Stirling," which, regarded as the last effort of a dying poet, +obtained a reception fully equal to its merits. + +On the oft-disappointed and long unfortunate poet the sun of prosperity +at length arose. On his arrival in Jamaica, one of his early friends, Mr +John Graham, of Three-Mile-River, settled on him an annuity of L100 +a-year; and, in a few months afterwards, they sailed together for +Britain, the poet's health being essentially improved. Macneill now +fixed his permanent residence in Edinburgh, and, with the proceeds of +several legacies bequeathed to him, together with his annuity, was +enabled to live in comparative affluence. The narrative of his early +adventures and hardships is supposed to form the basis of a novel, +entitled "The Memoirs of Charles Macpherson, Esq.," which proceeded from +his pen in 1800. In the following year, he published a complete edition +of his poetical works, in two duodecimo volumes. In 1809, he published +"The Pastoral, or Lyric Muse of Scotland," in a thin quarto volume; and +about the same time, anonymously, two other works in verse, entitled +"Town Fashions, or Modern Manners Delineated," and "Bygone Times and +Late-come Changes." His last work, "The Scottish Adventurers," a novel, +appeared in 1812, in two octavo volumes. + +The latter productions of Hector Macneill, both in prose and verse, +tended rather to diminish than increase his fame. They exhibit the +sentiments of a querulous old man, inclined to cling to the habits of +his youth, and to regard any improvement as an act of ruthless +innovation. As the author of some excellent songs, and one of the most +popular ballads in the Scottish language, his name will continue to be +remembered. His songs, "Mary of Castlecary," "My boy, Tammie," "Come +under my plaidie," "I lo'ed ne'er a laddie but ane," "Donald and Flora," +and "Dinna think, bonnie lassie," will retain a firm hold of the popular +mind. His characteristic is tenderness and pathos, combined with unity +of feeling, and a simplicity always genuine and true to nature. Allan +Cunningham, who forms only a humble estimate of his genius, remarks that +his songs "have much softness and truth, an insinuating grace of +manners, and a decorum of expression, with no small skill in the +dramatic management of the stories."[11] The ballad of "Scotland's +Skaith" ranks among the happiest conceptions of the Scottish Doric muse; +rural life is depicted with singular force and accuracy, and the +debasing consequences of the inordinate use of ardent spirits among the +peasantry, are delineated with a vigour and power, admirably adapted to +suit the author's benevolent intention in the suppression of +intemperance. + +During his latter years, Macneill was much cherished among the +fashionables of the capital. He was a tall, venerable-looking old man; +and although his complexion was sallow, and his countenance somewhat +austere, his agreeable and fascinating conversation, full of humour and +replete with anecdote, rendered him an acceptable guest in many social +circles. He displayed a lively, but not a vigorous intellect, and his +literary attainments were inconsiderable. Of his own character as a man +of letters, he had evidently formed a high estimate. He was prone to +satire, but did not unduly indulge in it. He was especially impatient of +indifferent versification; and, among his friends, rather discouraged +than commended poetical composition. Though long unsettled himself, he +was loud in his commendations of industry; and, from the gay man of the +world, he became earnest on the subject of religion. For several years, +his health seems to have been unsatisfactory. In a letter to a friend, +dated Edinburgh, January 30, 1813, he writes:--"Accumulating years and +infirmities are beginning to operate very sensibly upon me now, and +yearly do I experience their increasing influence. Both my hearing and +my sight are considerably weakened, and, should I live a few years +longer, I look forward to a state which, with all our love for life, is +certainly not to be envied.... My pen is my chief amusement. Reading +soon fatigues, and loses its zest; composition never, till over-exertion +reminds me of my imprudence, by sensations which too frequently render +me unpleasant during the rest of the day." On the 15th of March 1818, in +his seventy-second year, the poet breathed his last, in entire +composure, and full of hope. + + +[10] We quote from an autobiography of the poet, the original of which +is in the possession of one of his surviving friends. We have likewise +to acknowledge our obligations to Dr Muschet, of Birkhill, near +Stirling, for communicating some interesting letters of Macneill, +addressed to his late father. The late Mr John Campbell, Writer to the +Signet, had undertaken to supply a memoir for this work, partly from his +own recollections of his deceased friend; but, before he could fulfil +his promise, he was called to rest with his fathers. We have, however, +taken advantage of his reminiscences of the bard, orally communicated to +us. An intelligent abridgment of the autobiography appears in +_Blackwood's Magazine_, vol. iv. p. 273. See likewise the _Encyclopaedia +Britannica_, vol. xv. p. 307. + +[11] "The Songs of Scotland, Ancient and Modern," by Allan Cunningham, +vol. i. p. 242. London, 1825; 4 vols. 12mo. + + + + +MARY OF CASTLECARY.[12] + +TUNE--_"Bonnie Dundee."_ + + + "Oh, saw ye my wee thing? saw ye my ain thing? + Saw ye my true love, down on yon lee? + Cross'd she the meadow yestreen at the gloamin'? + Sought she the burnie whare flow'rs the haw-tree? + Her hair it is lint-white; her skin it is milk-white; + Dark is the blue o' her saft rolling e'e; + Red, red her ripe lips, and sweeter than roses: + Whare could my wee thing wander frae me?" + + "I saw na your wee thing, I saw na your ain thing, + Nor saw I your true love, down on yon lea; + But I met my bonnie thing, late in the gloamin', + Down by the burnie whare flow'rs the haw-tree. + Her hair it was lint-white; her skin it was milk-white; + Dark was the blue o' her saft rolling e'e; + Red were her ripe lips, and sweeter than roses: + Sweet were the kisses that she ga'e to me!" + + "It was na my wee thing, it was na my ain thing, + It was na my true love, ye met by the tree: + Proud is her leal heart--modest her nature; + She never lo'ed ony till ance she lo'ed me. + Her name it is Mary; she 's frae Castlecary; + Aft has she sat, when a bairn, on my knee;-- + Fair as your face is, were 't fifty times fairer, + Young bragger, she ne'er would gi'e kisses to thee." + + "It was, then, your Mary; she 's frae Castlecary; + It was, then, your true love I met by the tree;-- + Proud as her heart is, and modest her nature, + Sweet were the kisses that she ga'e to me." + Sair gloom'd his dark brow, blood-red his cheek grew; + Wild flash'd the fire frae his red rolling e'e-- + "Ye 's rue sair, this morning, your boasts and your scorning; + Defend, ye fause traitor! fu' loudly ye lie." + + "Awa' wi' beguiling," cried the youth, smiling;-- + Aff went the bonnet; the lint-white locks flee; + The belted plaid fa'ing, her white bosom shawing-- + Fair stood the lo'ed maid wi' the dark rolling e'e. + "Is it my wee thing? is it mine ain thing? + Is it my true love here that I see?" + "Oh, Jamie, forgi'e me! your heart 's constant to me; + I 'll never mair wander, dear laddie, frae thee!" + + +[12] This song was first published, in May 1791, in _The Bee_, an +Edinburgh periodical, conducted by Dr James Anderson. + + + + +MY BOY, TAMMY.[13] + + + "Whare hae ye been a' day, + My boy, Tammy? + Whare hae ye been a' day, + My boy, Tammy?" + "I 've been by burn and flow'ry brae, + Meadow green, and mountain gray, + Courting o' this young thing, + Just come frae her mammy." + + "And whare got ye that young thing, + My boy, Tammy?" + "I gat her down in yonder howe, + Smiling on a broomy knowe, + Herding a wee lamb and ewe + For her poor mammy." + + "What said ye to the bonnie bairn, + My boy, Tammy?" + "I praised her een, sae bonny blue, + Her dimpled cheek, and cherry mou'; + I pree'd it aft, as ye may true;-- + She said she 'd tell her mammy. + + "I held her to my beating heart, + My young, my smiling lammie! + 'I hae a house, it cost me dear; + I 've wealth o' plenishin' and gear;-- + Ye 'se get it a', were 't ten times mair, + Gin ye will leave your mammy.' + + "The smile gaed aff her bonnie face-- + 'I maunna leave my mammy; + She 's gi'en me meat, she 's gi'en me claise, + She 's been my comfort a' my days; + My father's death brought mony waes-- + I canna leave my mammy.'" + + "We 'll tak her hame, and mak her fain, + My ain kind-hearted lammie; + We 'll gi'e her meat, we 'll gi'e her claise, + We 'll be her comfort a' her days." + The wee thing gi'es her hand and says-- + "There! gang and ask my mammy." + + "Has she been to kirk wi' thee, + My boy, Tammy?" + "She has been to kirk wi' me, + And the tear was in her e'e; + But, oh! she 's but a young thing, + Just come frae her mammy." + + +[13] This beautiful ballad was first printed, in 1791, in _The Bee_. It +is adapted to an old and sweet air, to which, however, very puerile +words were attached. + + + + +OH, TELL ME HOW FOR TO WOO![14] + +TUNE--_"Bonnie Dundee."_ + + + "Oh, tell me, bonnie young lassie! + Oh, tell me how for to woo! + Oh, tell me, bonnie sweet lassie! + Oh, tell me how for to woo! + Say, maun I roose your cheeks like the morning? + Lips, like the roses, fresh moisten'd wi' dew; + Say, maun I roose your een's pawkie scorning? + Oh, tell me how for to woo! + + "Far hae I wander'd to see thee, dear lassie! + Far hae I ventured across the saut sea; + Far hae I travell'd ower moorland and mountain, + Houseless and weary, sleep'd cauld on the lea. + Ne'er hae I tried yet to mak love to onie, + For ne'er lo'ed I onie till ance I lo'ed you; + Now we 're alane in the green-wood sae bonnie-- + Oh, tell me how for to woo!" + + "What care I for your wand'ring, young laddie? + What care I for your crossing the sea? + It was na for naething ye left poor young Peggie; + It was for my tocher ye cam' to court me. + Say, hae ye gowd to busk me aye gaudie? + Ribbons, and perlins, and breast-knots enew? + A house that is canty, with wealth in 't, my laddie? + Without this ye never need try for to woo." + + "I hae na gowd to busk ye aye gaudie; + I canna buy ribbons and perlins enew; + I 've naething to brag o' house, or o' plenty, + I 've little to gi'e, but a heart that is true. + I cam' na for tocher--I ne'er heard o' onie; + I never lo'ed Peggy, nor e'er brak my vow: + I 've wander'd, puir fule! for a face fause as bonnie: + I little thocht this was the way for to woo." + + "Our laird has fine houses, and guineas o' gowd + He 's youthfu', he 's blooming, and comely to see. + The leddies are a' ga'en wud for the wooer, + And yet, ilka e'ening, he leaves them for me. + Oh, saft in the gloaming, his love he discloses! + And saftly, yestreen, as I milked my cow, + He swore that my breath it was sweeter than roses, + And a' the gait hame he did naething but woo." + + "Ah, Jenny! the young laird may brag o' his siller, + His houses, his lands, and his lordly degree; + His speeches for _true love_ may drap sweet as honey, + But trust me, dear Jenny, he ne'er lo'ed like _me_. + The wooin' o' gentry are fine words o' fashion-- + The faster they fa' as the heart is least true; + The dumb look o' love 's aft the best proof o' passion; + The heart that feels maist is the least fit to woo." + + "Hae na ye roosed my cheeks like the morning? + Hae na ye roosed my cherry-red mou'? + Hae na ye come ower sea, moor, and mountain? + What mair, Johnnie, need ye to woo? + Far ye wander'd, I ken, my dear laddie; + Now that ye 've found me, there 's nae cause to rue; + Wi' health we 'll hae plenty--I 'll never gang gaudie; + I ne'er wish'd for mair than a heart that is true." + + She hid her fair face in her true lover's bosom, + The saft tear o' transport fill'd ilk lover's e'e; + The burnie ran sweet by their side as they sabbit, + And sweet sang the mavis aboon on the tree. + He clasp'd her, he press'd her, and ca'd her his hinny; + And aften he tasted her honey-sweet mou'; + And aye, 'tween ilk kiss, she sigh'd to her Johnnie, + "Oh, laddie! weel can ye woo." + + +[14] Mr Graham, of Gartmore, an intimate friend of Hector Macneill, +composed a song, having a similar burden, the chorus proceeding thus:-- + + "Then, tell me how to woo thee, love; + Oh, tell me how to woo thee! + For thy dear sake nae care I'll take, + Though ne'er another trow me." + +This was published by Sir Walter Scott, in the "Minstrelsy of the +Scottish Border," as a production of the reign of Charles I. + + + + +LASSIE WI' THE GOWDEN HAIR. + + + Lassie wi' the gowden hair, + Silken snood, and face sae fair; + Lassie wi' the yellow hair, + Thinkna to deceive me. + Lassie wi' the gowden hair, + Flattering smile, and face sae fair, + Fare ye weel! for never mair + Johnnie will believe ye. + Oh, no! Mary Bawn, Mary Bawn, Mary Bawn; + Oh, no! Mary Bawn, ye 'll nae mair deceive me. + + Smiling, twice ye made me troo, + Twice, poor fool! I turn'd to woo; + Twice, fause maid! ye brak your vow; + Now I 've sworn to leave ye. + Twice, fause maid! ye brak your vow; + Twice, poor fool! I 've learn'd to rue; + Come ye yet to mak me troo? + Thrice ye 'll ne'er deceive me. + No, no! Mary Bawn, Mary Bawn, Mary Bawn; + Oh, no! Mary Bawn; thrice ye 'll ne'er deceive me. + + Mary saw him turn to part; + Deep his words sank in her heart; + Soon the tears began to start-- + "Johnnie, will ye leave me?" + Soon the tears began to start, + Grit and gritter grew his heart; + "Yet a word before we part, + Love could ne'er deceive ye. + Oh, no! Johnnie doo, Johnnie doo, Johnnie doo; + Oh, no! Johnnie doo--love could ne'er deceive ye." + + Johnnie took a parting keek; + Saw the tears drap owre her cheek; + Pale she stood, but couldna speak-- + Mary 's cured o' smiling. + Johnnie took anither keek-- + Beauty's rose has left her cheek; + Pale she stands, and canna speak. + This is nae beguiling. + Oh, no! Mary Bawn, Mary Bawn, dear Mary Bawn; + Oh, no; Mary Bawn--love has nae beguiling. + + + + +COME UNDER MY PLAIDIE. + +TUNE--_"Johnnie M'Gill."_ + + + "Come under my plaidie, the night 's gaun to fa'; + Come in frae the cauld blast, the drift, and the snaw; + Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me, + There 's room in 't, dear lassie, believe me, for twa. + Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me, + I 'll hap ye frae every cauld blast that can blaw: + Oh, come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me! + There 's room in 't, dear lassie, believe me, for twa." + + "Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie, auld Donald, gae 'wa, + I fear na the cauld blast, the drift, nor the snaw; + Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie, I 'll no sit beside ye; + Ye may be my gutcher;--auld Donald, gae 'wa. + I 'm gaun to meet Johnnie, he 's young and he 's bonnie; + He 's been at Meg's bridal, fu' trig and fu' braw; + Oh, nane dances sae lightly, sae gracefu', sae tightly! + His cheek 's like the new rose, his brow 's like the snaw." + + "Dear Marion, let that flee stick fast to the wa'; + Your Jock 's but a gowk, and has naething ava; + The hale o' his pack he has now on his back-- + He 's thretty, and I am but threescore and twa. + Be frank now and kindly; I 'll busk ye aye finely; + To kirk or to market they 'll few gang sae braw; + A bein house to bide in, a chaise for to ride in, + And flunkies to 'tend ye as aft as ye ca'." + + "My father 's aye tauld me, my mither and a', + Ye 'd mak a gude husband, and keep me aye braw; + It 's true I lo'e Johnnie, he 's gude and he 's bonnie; + But, waes me! ye ken he has naething ava. + I hae little tocher; you 've made a gude offer; + I 'm now mair than twenty--my time is but sma'; + Sae gi'e me your plaidie, I 'll creep in beside ye-- + I thocht ye 'd been aulder than threescore and twa." + + She crap in ayont him, aside the stane wa', + Whare Johnnie was list'ning, and heard her tell a'; + The day was appointed, his proud heart it dunted, + And strack 'gainst his side as if bursting in twa. + He wander'd hame weary, the night it was dreary; + And, thowless, he tint his gate 'mang the deep snaw; + The owlet was screamin' while Johnnie cried, "Women + Wad marry Auld Nick if he 'd keep them aye braw." + + + + +I LO'ED NE'ER A LADDIE BUT ANE.[15] + + + I lo'ed ne'er a laddie but ane, + He lo'ed ne'er a lassie but me; + He 's willing to mak' me his ain, + And his ain I am willing to be. + He has coft me a rokelay o' blue, + And a pair o' mittens o' green; + The price was a kiss o' my mou', + And I paid him the debt yestreen. + + Let ithers brag weel o' their gear, + Their land and their lordly degree; + I carena for aught but my dear, + For he 's ilka thing lordly to me: + His words are sae sugar'd and sweet! + His sense drives ilk fear far awa'! + I listen, poor fool! and I greet; + Yet how sweet are the tears as they fa'! + + "Dear lassie," he cries, wi' a jeer, + "Ne'er heed what the auld anes will say; + Though we 've little to brag o', near fear-- + What 's gowd to a heart that is wae? + Our laird has baith honours and wealth, + Yet see how he 's dwining wi' care; + Now we, though we 've naething but health, + Are cantie and leal evermair. + + "O Marion! the heart that is true, + Has something mair costly than gear! + Ilk e'en it has naething to rue, + Ilk morn it has naething to fear. + Ye warldlings! gae hoard up your store, + And tremble for fear aught ye tyne; + Guard your treasures wi' lock, bar, and door, + While here in my arms I lock mine!" + + He ends wi' a kiss and a smile-- + Wae 's me! can I tak' it amiss? + My laddie 's unpractised in guile, + He 's free aye to daut and to kiss! + Ye lasses wha lo'e to torment + Your wooers wi' fause scorn and strife, + Play your pranks--I hae gi'en my consent, + And this nicht I 'm Jamie's for life! + + +[15] The first stanza of this song, along with a second, which is +unsuitable for insertion, has been ascribed, on the authority of Burns, +to the Rev. John Clunie, minister of Borthwick, in Mid-Lothian, who died +in 1819, aged sixty-two. Ritson, however, by prefixing the letters "J. +D." to the original stanza would seem to point to a different author. + + + + +DONALD AND FLORA.[16] + + + I. + + When merry hearts were gay, + Careless of aught but play, + Poor Flora slipt away, + Sadd'ning to Mora;[17] + Loose flow'd her yellow hair, + Quick heaved her bosom bare, + As to the troubled air + She vented her sorrow. + + + II. + + "Loud howls the stormy wist, + Cold, cold is winter's blast; + Haste, then, O Donald, haste, + Haste to thy Flora! + Twice twelve long months are o'er, + Since on a foreign shore + You promised to fight no more, + But meet me in Mora." + + + III. + + "'Where now is Donald dear?' + Maids cry with taunting sneer; + 'Say, is he still sincere + To his loved Flora?' + Parents upbraid my moan, + Each heart is turn'd to stone: + 'Ah, Flora! thou 'rt now alone, + Friendless in Mora!' + + + IV. + + "Come, then, O come away! + Donald, no longer stay; + Where can my rover stray + From his loved Flora! + Ah! sure he ne'er can be + False to his vows and me; + Oh, Heaven!--is not yonder he, + Bounding o'er Mora!" + + + V. + + "Never, ah! wretched fair!" + Sigh'd the sad messenger, + "Never shall Donald mair + Meet his loved Flora! + Cold as yon mountain snow + Donald thy love lies low; + He sent me to soothe thy woe, + Weeping in Mora. + + + VI. + + "Well fought our gallant men + On Saratoga's plain; + Thrice fled the hostile train + From British glory. + But, ah! though our foes did flee, + Sad was such victory-- + Truth, love, and loyalty + Fell far from Mora. + + + VII. + + "'Here, take this love-wrought plaid,' + Donald, expiring, said; + 'Give it to yon dear maid + Drooping in Mora. + Tell her, O Allan! tell + Donald thus bravely fell, + And that in his last farewell + He thought on his Flora.'" + + + VIII. + + Mute stood the trembling fair, + Speechless with wild despair; + Then, striking her bosom bare, + Sigh'd out, "Poor Flora! + Ah, Donald! ah, well-a-day!" + Was all the fond heart could say: + At length the sound died away + Feebly in Mora. + + +[16] This fine ballad was written by Macneill, to commemorate the death +of his friend, Captain Stewart, a brave officer, betrothed to a young +lady in Athole, who, in 1777, fell at the battle of Saratoga, in +America. The words, which are adapted to an old Gaelic air, appear with +music in Smith's "Scottish Minstrel," vol. iii. p. 28. The ballad, in +the form given above, has been improved in several of the stanzas by the +author, on his original version, published in Johnson's "Museum." See +the "Museum," vol. iv. p. 238. + +[17] Mora is the name of a small valley in Athole, so designated by the +two lovers. + + + + +MY LUVE'S IN GERMANY.[18] + +TUNE--_"Ye Jacobites by name."_ + + + My luve 's in Germanie, send him hame, send him hame; + My luve 's in Germanie, send him hame; + My luve 's in Germanie, + Fighting brave for royalty: + He may ne'er his Jeanie see-- + Send him hame. + + He 's as brave as brave can be--send him hame, send him hame; + He 's as brave as brave can be--send him hame; + He 's as brave as brave can be, + He wad rather fa' than flee; + His life is dear to me-- + Send him hame. + + Your luve ne'er learnt to flee, bonnie dame, bonnie dame, + Your luve ne'er learnt to flee, bonnie dame; + Your luve ne'er learnt to flee, + But he fell in Germanie, + In the cause of royalty, + Bonnie dame. + + He 'll ne'er come ower the sea--Willie 's slain, Willie 's slain; + He 'll ne'er come ower the sea--Willie 's gane! + He 'll ne'er come ower the sea, + To his love and ain countrie: + This warld 's nae mair for me-- + Willie 's gane! + + +[18] This song was originally printed on a single sheet, by N. Stewart +and Co., Edinburgh, in 1794, as the lament of a lady on the death of an +officer. It does not appear in Macneill's "Poetical Works," but he +asserted to Mr Stenhouse his claims to the authorship.--Johnson's +"Museum," vol. iv. p. 323. + + + + +DINNA THINK, BONNIE LASSIE.[19] + +TUNE--_"Clunie's Reel."_ + + + "Oh, dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee! + Dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee; + Dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee; + I 'll tak a stick into my hand, and come again and see thee." + + "Far 's the gate ye hae to gang; dark 's the night, and eerie; + Far 's the gate ye hae to gang; dark 's the night, and eerie; + Far 's the gate ye hae to gang; dark 's the night, and eerie; + Oh, stay this night wi' your love, and dinna gang and leave me." + + "It 's but a night and hauf a day that I 'll leave my dearie; + But a night and hauf a day that I 'll leave my dearie; + But a night and hauf a day that I 'll leave my dearie; + Whene'er the sun gaes west the loch, I 'll come again and see thee." + + "Dinna gang, my bonnie lad, dinna gang and leave me; + Dinna gang, my bonnie lad, dinna gang and leave me; + When a' the lave are sound asleep, I 'm dull and eerie; + And a' the lee-lang night I 'm sad, wi' thinking on my dearie." + + "Oh, dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee! + Dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee; + Dinna think, bonnie lassie, I 'm gaun to leave thee; + Whene'er the sun gaes out o' sight, I 'll come again and see thee." + + "Waves are rising o'er the sea; winds blaw loud and fear me; + Waves are rising o'er the sea; winds blaw loud and fear me; + While the winds and waves do roar, I am wae and drearie; + And gin ye lo'e me as ye say, ye winna gang and leave me." + + "Oh, never mair, bonnie lassie, will I gang and leave thee! + Never mair, bonnie lassie, will I gang and leave thee; + Never mair, bonnie lassie, will I gang and leave thee; + E'en let the world gang as it will, I 'll stay at hame and cheer ye." + + Frae his hand he coost his stick; "I winna gang and leave thee;" + Threw his plaid into the neuk; "Never can I grieve thee;" + Drew his boots, and flang them by; cried, "My lass, be cheerie; + I 'll kiss the tear frae aff thy cheek, and never leave my dearie." + + +[19] The last verse of this song was added by John Hamilton. The song, +on account of this addition, was not included by Macneill in the +collected edition of his "Poetical Works." One of Miss Blamire's songs +has the same opening line; and it has been conjectured by Mr Maxwell, +the editor of her poems, that Macneill had been indebted to her song for +suggesting his verses. + + + + +MRS GRANT OF LAGGAN. + + +Mrs Anne Grant, commonly styled of Laggan, to distinguish her from her +contemporary, Mrs Grant of Carron, was born at Glasgow, in February +1755. Her father, Mr Duncan Macvicar, was an officer in the army, and, +by her mother, she was descended from the old family of Stewart, of +Invernahyle, in Argyllshire. Her early infancy was passed at +Fort-William; but her father having accompanied his regiment to America, +and there become a settler, in the State of New York, at a very tender +age she was taken by her mother across the Atlantic, to her new home. +Though her third year had not been completed when she arrived in +America, she retained a distinct recollection of her landing at +Charlestown. By her mother she was taught to read, and a well-informed +serjeant made her acquainted with writing. Her precocity for learning +was remarkable. Ere she had reached her sixth year, she had made herself +familiar with the Old Testament, and could speak the Dutch language, +which she had learned from a family of Dutch settlers. The love of +poetry and patriotism was simultaneously evinced. At this early period, +she read Milton's "Paradise Lost" with attention, and even +appreciation; and glowed with the enthusiastic ardour of a young heroine +over the adventures of Wallace, detailed in the metrical history of +Henry, the Minstrel. Her juvenile talent attracted the notice of the +more intelligent settlers in the State, and gained her the friendship of +the distinguished Madame Schuyler, whose virtues she afterwards depicted +in her "Memoirs of an American Lady." + +In 1768, along with his wife and daughter, Mr Macvicar returned to +Scotland, his health having suffered by his residence in America; and, +during the three following summers, his daughter found means of +gratifying her love of song, on the banks of the Cart, near Glasgow. The +family residence was now removed to Fort-Augustus, where Mr Macvicar had +received the appointment of barrack-master. The chaplain of the fort was +the Rev. James Grant, a young clergyman, related to several of the more +respectable families in the district, who was afterwards appointed +minister of the parish of Laggan, in Inverness-shire. At Fort-Augustus, +he had recommended himself to the affections of Miss Macvicar, by his +elegant tastes and accomplished manners, and he now became the +successful suitor for her hand. They were married in 1779, and Mrs +Grant, to approve herself a useful helpmate to her husband, began +assiduously to acquaint herself with the manners and habits of the +humbler classes of the people. The inquiries instituted at this period +were turned to an account more extensive than originally contemplated. +Mr Grant, who was constitutionally delicate, died in 1801, leaving his +widow and eight surviving children without any means of support, his +worldly circumstances being considerably embarrassed. + +On a small farm which she had rented, in the vicinity of her late +husband's parish, Mrs Grant resided immediately subsequent to his +decease; but the profits of the lease were evidently inadequate for the +comfortable maintenance of the family. Among the circle of her friends +she was known as a writer of verses; in her ninth year, she had essayed +an imitation of Milton; and she had written poetry, or at least verses, +on the banks of the Cart and at Fort-Augustus. To aid in supporting her +family, she was strongly advised to collect her pieces into a volume; +and, to encourage her in acting upon this recommendation, no fewer than +three thousand subscribers were procured for the work by her friends. +The celebrated Duchess of Gordon proved an especial promoter of the +cause. In 1803, a volume of poems appeared from her pen, which, though +displaying no high powers, was favourably received, and had the double +advantage of making her known, and of materially aiding her finances. +From the profits, she made settlement of her late husband's liabilities; +and now perceiving a likelihood of being able to support her family by +her literary exertions, she abandoned the lease of her farm. She took up +her residence near the town of Stirling, residing in the mansion of +Gartur, in that neighbourhood. In 1806, she again appeared before the +public as an author, by publishing a selection of her correspondence +with her friends, in three duodecimo volumes, under the designation of +"Letters from the Mountains." This work passed through several editions. +In 1808, Mrs Grant published the life of her early friend, Madame +Schuyler, under the designation of "Memoirs of an American Lady," in two +volumes. + +From the rural retirement of Gartur, she soon removed to the town of +Stirling; but in 1810, as her circumstances became more prosperous, she +took up her permanent abode in Edinburgh. Some distinguished literary +characters of the Scottish capital now resorted to her society. She was +visited by Sir Walter Scott, Francis Jeffrey, James Hogg, and others, +attracted by the vivacity of her conversation. The "Essays on the +Superstitions of the Highlanders of Scotland" appeared in 1811, in two +volumes; in 1814, she published a metrical work, in two parts, entitled +"Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen;" and, in the year following, she +produced her "Popular Models and Impressive Warnings for the Sons and +Daughters of Industry." + +In 1825, Mrs Grant received a civil-list pension of L50 a-year, in +consideration of her literary talents, which, with the profits of her +works and the legacies of several deceased friends, rendered the latter +period of her life sufficiently comfortable in respect of pecuniary +means. She died on the 7th of November 1838, in the eighty-fourth year +of her age, and retaining her faculties to the last. A collection of her +correspondence was published in 1844, in three volumes octavo, edited by +her only surviving son, John P. Grant, Esq. + +As a writer, Mrs Grant occupies a respectable place. She had the happy +art of turning her every-day observation, as well as the fruits of her +research, to the best account. Her letters, which she published at the +commencement of her literary career, as well as those which appeared +posthumously, are favourable specimens of that species of composition. +As a poet, she attained to no eminence. "The Highlanders," her longest +and most ambitious poetical effort, exhibits some glowing descriptions +of mountain scenery, and the stern though simple manners of the Gael. Of +a few songs which proceed from her pen, that commencing, "Oh, where, +tell me where?" written on the occasion of the Marquis of Huntly's +departure for Holland with his regiment, in 1799, has only become +generally known. It has been parodied in a song, by an unknown author, +entitled "The Blue Bells of Scotland," which has obtained a wider range +of popularity. + + + + +OH, WHERE, TELL ME WHERE? + + + "Oh, where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone? + Oh, where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone?" + "He 's gone, with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done, + And my sad heart will tremble till he come safely home. + He 's gone, with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done, + And my sad heart will tremble till he come safely home." + + "Oh, where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie stay? + Oh, where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie stay?" + "He dwelt beneath the holly-trees, beside the rapid Spey, + And many a blessing follow'd him, the day he went away. + He dwelt beneath the holly-trees, beside the rapid Spey, + And many a blessing follow'd him, the day he went away." + + "Oh, what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear? + Oh, what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear?" + "A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war, + And a plaid across the manly breast that yet shall wear a star; + A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war, + And a plaid across the manly breast that yet shall wear a star." + + "Suppose, ah, suppose, that some cruel, cruel wound, + Should pierce your Highland laddie, and all your hopes confound!" + "The pipe would play a cheering march, the banners round him fly; + The spirit of a Highland chief would lighten in his eye; + The pipe would play a cheering march, the banners round him fly, + And for his king and country dear with pleasure he would die!" + + "But I will hope to see him yet, in Scotland's bonny bounds; + But I will hope to see him yet, in Scotland's bonny bounds. + His native land of liberty shall nurse his glorious wounds, + While, wide through all our Highland hills, his warlike name resounds; + His native land of liberty shall nurse his glorious wounds, + While, wide through all our Highland hills, his warlike name resounds." + + + + +OH, MY LOVE, LEAVE ME NOT![20] + +AIR--_"Bealach na Gharraidh."_ + + + Oh, my love, leave me not! + Oh, my love, leave me not! + Oh, my love, leave me not! + Lonely and weary. + + Could you but stay a while, + And my fond fears beguile, + I yet once more could smile, + Lightsome and cheery. + + Night, with her darkest shroud, + Tempests that roar aloud, + Thunders that burst the cloud, + Why should I fear ye? + + Till the sad hour we part, + Fear cannot make me start; + Grief cannot break my heart + Whilst thou art near me. + + Should you forsake my sight, + Day would to me be night; + Sad, I would shun its light, + Heartless and weary. + + +[20] From Albyn's "Anthology," vol. i. p. 42. Edinburgh, 1816, 4to. + + + + +JOHN MAYNE. + + +John Mayne, chiefly known as the author of "The Siller Gun," a poem +descriptive of burgher habits in Scotland towards the close of the +century, was born at Dumfries, on the 26th of March 1759. At the grammar +school of his native town, under Dr Chapman, the learned rector, whose +memory he has celebrated in the third canto of his principal poem, he +had the benefit of a respectable elementary education; and having chosen +the profession of a printer, he entered at an early age the printing +office of the _Dumfries Journal_. In 1782, when his parents removed to +Glasgow, to reside on a little property to which they had succeeded, he +sought employment under the celebrated Messrs Foulis, in whose printing +establishment he continued during the five following years. He paid a +visit to London in 1785, with the view of advancing his professional +interests, and two years afterwards he settled in the metropolis. + +Mayne, while a mere stripling, was no unsuccessful wooer of the Muse; +and in his sixteenth year he produced the germ of that poem on which his +reputation chiefly depends. This production, entitled "The Siller Gun," +descriptive of a sort of _walkingshaw_, or an ancient practice which +obtained in his native town, of shooting, on the king's birth-day, for a +silver tube or gun, which had been presented by James VI. to the +incorporated trades, as a prize to the best marksman, was printed at +Dumfries in 1777, on a small quarto page. The original edition consisted +of twelve stanzas; in two years it increased to two cantos; in 1780, it +was printed in three cantos; in 1808, it was published in London with a +fourth; and in 1836, just before his death, the author added a fifth. +The latest edition was published by subscription, in an elegant +duodecimo volume. + +In 1780, in the pages of Ruddiman's _Weekly Magazine_, Mayne published a +short poem on "Halloween," which suggested Burns's celebrated poem on +the same subject. In 1781, he published at Glasgow his song of "Logan +Braes," of which Burns afterwards composed a new version. + +In London, Mayne was first employed as printer, and subsequently became +joint-editor and proprietor, along with Dr Tilloch, of the _Star_ +evening newspaper. With this journal he retained a connexion till his +death, which took place at London on the 14th of March 1836. + +Besides the humorous and descriptive poem of "The Siller Gun," which, in +the opinion of Sir Walter Scott, surpasses the efforts of Ferguson, and +comes near to those of Burns,[21] Mayne published another epic +production, entitled "Glasgow," which appeared in 1803, and has passed +through several editions. In the same year he published "English, Scots, +and Irishmen," a chivalrous address to the population of the three +kingdoms. To the literary journals, his contributions, both in prose and +verse, were numerous and interesting. Many of his songs and ballads +enriched the columns of the journal which he so long and ably conducted. +In early life, he maintained a metrical correspondence with Thomas +Telford, the celebrated engineer, who was a native of the same county, +and whose earliest ambition was to earn the reputation of a poet.[22] + +Possessed of entire amiability of disposition, and the utmost amenity of +manners, John Mayne was warmly beloved among the circle of his friends. +Himself embued with a deep sense of religion, though fond of innocent +humour, he preserved in all his writings a becoming respect for sound +morals, and is entitled to the commendation which a biographer has +awarded him, of having never committed to paper a single line "the +tendency of which was not to afford innocent amusement, or to improve +and increase the happiness of mankind." He was singularly modest and +even retiring. His eulogy has been pronounced by Allan Cunningham, who +knew him well, that "a better or warmer-hearted man never existed." The +songs, of which we have selected the more popular, abound in vigour of +expression and sentiment, and are pervaded by a genuine pathos. + + +[21] See Note to "Lady of the Lake." + +[22] See the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_, vol. xxi. p. 170. + + + + +LOGAN BRAES.[23] + + + By Logan's streams, that rin sae deep, + Fu' aft wi' glee I've herded sheep, + I've herded sheep, or gather'd slaes, + Wi' my dear lad, on Logan braes. + But, waes my heart! thae days are gane, + And I wi' grief may herd alane; + While my dear lad maun face his faes, + Far, far frae me and Logan braes. + + Nae mair at Logan kirk will he + Atween the preachings meet wi' me, + Meet wi' me, or, whan it's mirk, + Convoy me hame frae Logan kirk. + I weel may sing thae days are gane-- + Frae kirk and fair I come alane, + While my dear lad maun face his faes, + Far, far frae me and Logan braes. + + At e'en, when hope amaist is gane, + I daunder dowie and forlane; + I sit alane, beneath the tree + Where aft he kept his tryste wi' me. + Oh, could I see thae days again, + My lover skaithless, and my ain! + Beloved by friends, revered by faes, + We'd live in bliss on Logan braes. + + +[23] This song originally consisted of two stanzas, the third stanza +being subsequently added by the author. It is adapted to a beautiful old +air, "Logan Water," incongruously connected with some indecorous +stanzas. Burns deemed Mayne's version an elder production of the +Scottish muse, and attempted to modernise the song, but his edition is +decidedly inferior. Other four stanzas have been added, by some +anonymous versifier, to Mayne's verses, which first appeared in Duncan's +"Encyclopaedia of Scottish, English, and Irish Songs," printed at Glasgow +in 1836, 2 vols. 12mo. In those stanzas the lover is brought back to +Logan braes, and consummates his union with his weeping shepherdess. The +stream of Logan takes its rise among the hills separating the parishes +of Lesmahago and Muirkirk, and, after a flow of eight miles, deposits +its waters into the Nethan river. + + + + +HELEN OF KIRKCONNEL.[24] + + + I wish I were where Helen lies, + For night and day on me she cries; + And, like an angel, to the skies + Still seems to beckon me! + For me she lived, for me she sigh'd, + For me she wish'd to be a bride; + For me in life's sweet morn she died + On fair Kirkconnel-Lee! + + Where Kirtle waters gently wind, + As Helen on my arm reclined, + A rival with a ruthless mind + Took deadly aim at me. + My love, to disappoint the foe, + Rush'd in between me and the blow; + And now her corse is lying low, + On fair Kirkconnel-Lee! + + Though Heaven forbids my wrath to swell, + I curse the hand by which she fell-- + The fiend who made my heaven a hell, + And tore my love from me! + For if, when all the graces shine, + Oh! if on earth there 's aught divine, + My Helen! all these charms were thine, + They centred all in thee! + + Ah! what avails it that, amain, + I clove the assassin's head in twain? + No peace of mind, my Helen slain, + No resting-place for me. + I see her spirit in the air-- + I hear the shriek of wild despair, + When murder laid her bosom bare, + On fair Kirkconnel-Lee! + + Oh! when I 'm sleeping in my grave, + And o'er my head the rank weeds wave, + May He who life and spirit gave + Unite my love and me! + Then from this world of doubts and sighs, + My soul on wings of peace shall rise, + And, joining Helen in the skies, + Forget Kirkconnel-Lee. + + +[24] During the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, a young lady, of great +personal attractions and numerous accomplishments, named Helen Irving, +daughter of Irving of Kirkconnel, in Annandale, was betrothed to Adam +Fleming de Kirkpatrick, a young gentleman of fortune in the +neighbourhood. Walking with her lover on the banks of the Kirtle, she +was slain by a shot which had been aimed at Fleming by a disappointed +rival. The melancholy history has been made the theme of three different +ballads, two of these being old. The present ballad, by Mr Mayne, was +inserted by Sir Walter Scott in the Edinburgh _Annual Register_ of 1815. + + + + +THE WINTER SAT LANG. + + + The winter sat lang on the spring o' the year, + Our seedtime was late, and our mailing was dear; + My mither tint her heart when she look'd on us a', + And we thought upon those that were farest awa'. + Oh, were they but here that are farest awa'! + Oh, were they but here that are dear to us a'! + Our cares would seem light and our sorrow but sma', + If they were but here that are far frae us a'! + + Last week, when our hopes were o'erclouded wi' fear, + And nae ane at hame the dull prospect to cheer; + Our Johnnie has written, frae far awa' parts, + A letter that lightens and hauds up our hearts. + He says, "My dear mither, though I be awa', + In love and affection I 'm still wi' ye a'; + While I hae a being ye 'se aye hae a ha', + Wi' plenty to keep out the frost and the snaw." + + My mither, o'erjoy'd at this change in her state, + By the bairn she doated on early and late, + Gi'es thanks night and day to the Giver of a', + There 's been naething unworthy o' him that 's awa'! + Then here is to them that are far frae us a', + The friend that ne'er fail'd us, though farest awa'! + Health, peace, and prosperity wait on us a'; + And a blithe comin' hame to the friend that 's awa'! + + + + +MY JOHNNIE. + +AIR--_"Johnnie's Gray Breeks."_ + + + Jenny's heart was frank and free, + And wooers she had mony, yet + The sang was aye, "Of a' I see, + Commend me to my Johnnie yet. + For ear' and late, he has sic gate + To mak' a body cheerie, that + I wish to be, before I dee, + His ain kind dearie yet." + + Now Jenny's face was fu' o' grace, + Her shape was sma' and genty-like, + And few or nane in a' the place, + Had gowd or gear mair plenty, yet + Though war's alarms, and Johnnie's charms, + Had gart her oft look eerie, yet + She sung wi' glee, "I hope to be + My Johnnie's ain dearie yet. + + "What though he's now gane far awa', + Whare guns and cannons rattle, yet + Unless my Johnnie chance to fa' + In some uncanny battle, yet + Till he return my breast will burn + Wi' love that weel may cheer me yet, + For I hope to see, before I dee, + His bairns to him endear me yet." + + + + +THE TROOPS WERE EMBARKED. + + + The troops were all embark'd on board, + The ships were under weigh, + And loving wives, and maids adored, + Were weeping round the bay. + + They parted from their dearest friends, + From all their heart desires; + And Rosabel to Heaven commends + The man her soul admires! + + For him she fled from soft repose, + Renounced a parent's care; + He sails to crush his country's foes, + She wanders in despair! + + A seraph in an infant's frame + Reclined upon her arm; + And sorrow in the lovely dame + Now heighten'd every charm: + + She thought, if fortune had but smiled-- + She thought upon her dear; + But when she look'd upon his child, + Oh, then ran many a tear! + + "Ah! who will watch thee as thou sleep'st? + Who 'll sing a lullaby, + Or rock thy cradle when thou weep'st, + If I should chance to die?" + + On board the ship, resign'd to fate, + Yet planning joys to come, + Her love in silent sorrow sate + Upon a broken drum. + + He saw her lonely on the beach; + He saw her on the strand; + And far as human eye can reach + He saw her wave her hand! + + "O Rosabel! though forced to go, + With thee my soul shall dwell, + And Heaven, who pities human woe, + Will comfort Rosabel!" + + + + +JOHN HAMILTON. + + +Of the personal history of John Hamilton only a few particulars can be +ascertained. He carried on business for many years as a music-seller in +North Bridge Street, Edinburgh, and likewise gave instructions in the +art of instrumental music to private families. He had the good fortune +to attract the favour of one of his fair pupils--a young lady of birth +and fortune--whom he married, much to the displeasure of her relations. +He fell into impaired health, and died on the 23d of September 1814, in +the fifty-third year of his age. To the lovers of Scottish melody the +name of Mr Hamilton is familiar, as a composer of several esteemed and +beautiful airs. His contributions to the department of Scottish song +entitle his name to an honourable place. + + + + +THE RANTIN' HIGHLANDMAN. + + + Ae morn, last ouk, as I gaed out + To flit a tether'd ewe and lamb, + I met, as skiffin' ower the green, + A jolly, rantin' Highlandman. + His shape was neat, wi' feature sweet, + And ilka smile my favour wan; + I ne'er had seen sae braw a lad + As this young rantin' Highlandman. + + He said, "My dear, ye 're sune asteer; + Cam' ye to hear the lav'rock's sang? + Oh, wad ye gang and wed wi' me, + And wed a rantin' Highlandman? + In summer days, on flow'ry braes, + When frisky are the ewe and lamb, + I 'se row ye in my tartan plaid, + And be your rantin' Highlandman. + + "Wi' heather bells, that sweetly smell, + I 'll deck your hair, sae fair and lang, + If ye 'll consent to scour the bent + Wi' me, a rantin' Highlandman. + We 'll big a cot, and buy a stock, + Syne do the best that e'er we can; + Then come, my dear, ye needna fear + To trust a rantin' Highlandman." + + His words, sae sweet, gaed to my heart, + And fain I wad hae gi'en my han'; + Yet durstna, lest my mither should + Dislike a rantin' Highlandman. + But I expect he will come back; + Then, though my kin should scauld and ban, + I 'll ower the hill, or whare he will, + Wi' my young rantin' Highlandman. + + + + +UP IN THE MORNIN' EARLY.[25] + + + Cauld blaws the wind frae north to south; + The drift is drifting sairly; + The sheep are cow'rin' in the heuch; + Oh, sirs, it 's winter fairly! + Now, up in the mornin's no for me, + Up in the mornin' early; + I'd rather gae supperless to my bed + Than rise in the mornin' early. + + Loud roars the blast amang the woods, + And tirls the branches barely; + On hill and house hear how it thuds! + The frost is nippin' sairly. + Now, up in the mornin's no for me, + Up in the mornin' early; + To sit a' nicht wad better agree + Than rise in the mornin' early. + + The sun peeps ower yon southland hills, + Like ony timorous carlie; + Just blinks a wee, then sinks again; + And that we find severely. + Now, up in the mornin's no for me, + Up in the mornin' early; + When snaw blaws in at the chimley cheek, + Wha 'd rise in the mornin' early? + + Nae linties lilt on hedge or bush: + Poor things! they suffer sairly; + In cauldrife quarters a' the nicht, + A' day they feed but sparely. + Now, up in the mornin's no for me, + Up in the mornin' early; + A pennyless purse I wad rather dree, + Than rise in the mornin' early. + + A cosie house and canty wife + Aye keep a body cheerly; + And pantries stowed wi' meat and drink, + They answer unco rarely. + But up in the mornin'--na, na, na! + Up in the mornin' early! + The gowans maun glint on bank and brae + When I rise in the mornin' early. + + +[25] Burns composed two verses to the same tune, which is very old. It +was a favourite of Queen Mary, the consort of William III. In his +"Beggar's Opera," Gay has adopted the tune for one of his songs. It was +published, in 1652, by John Hilton, as the third voice to what is called +a "Northern Catch" for three voices, beginning--"I'se gae wi' thee, my +sweet Peggy." + + + + +GO TO BERWICK, JOHNNIE.[26] + + + Go to Berwick, Johnnie; + Bring her frae the Border; + Yon sweet bonnie lassie, + Let her gae nae farther. + English loons will twine ye + O' the lovely treasure; + But we 'll let them ken + A sword wi' them we 'll measure. + + Go to Berwick, Johnnie, + And regain your honour; + Drive them ower the Tweed, + And show our Scottish banner. + I am Rob, the King, + And ye are Jock, my brither; + But, before we lose her, + We 'll a' there thegither. + + +[26] These stanzas are founded on some lines of old doggerel, +beginning-- + + "Go, go, go, + Go to Berwick, Johnnie; + Thou shalt have the horse, + And I shall have the pony." + + + + + + +MISS FORBES' FAREWELL TO BANFF. + + + Farewell, ye fields an' meadows green! + The blest retreats of peace an' love; + Aft have I, silent, stolen from hence, + With my young swain a while to rove. + Sweet was our walk, more sweet our talk, + Among the beauties of the spring; + An' aft we 'd lean us on a bank, + To hear the feather'd warblers sing. + + The azure sky, the hills around, + Gave double beauty to the scene; + The lofty spires of Banff in view-- + On every side the waving grain. + The tales of love my Jamie told, + In such a saft an' moving strain, + Have so engaged my tender heart, + I 'm loth to leave the place again. + + But if the Fates will be sae kind + As favour my return once more, + For to enjoy the peace of mind + In those retreats I had before: + Now, farewell, Banff! the nimble steeds + Do bear me hence--I must away; + Yet time, perhaps, may bring me back, + To part nae mair from scenes so gay. + + + + +TELL ME, JESSIE, TELL ME WHY? + + + Tell me, Jessie, tell me why + My fond suit you still deny? + Is your bosom cold as snow? + Did you never feel for woe? + Can you hear, without a sigh, + Him complain who for you could die? + If you ever shed a tear, + Hear me, Jessie, hear, O hear! + + Life to me is not more dear + Than the hour brings Jessie here; + Death so much I do not fear + As the parting moment near. + Summer smiles are not so sweet + As the bloom upon your cheek; + Nor the crystal dew so clear + As your eyes to me appear. + + These are part of Jessie's charms, + Which the bosom ever warms; + But the charms by which I 'm stung, + Come, O Jessie, from thy tongue! + Jessie, be no longer coy; + Let me taste a lover's joy; + With your hand remove the dart, + And heal the wound that 's in my heart. + + + + +THE HAWTHORN. + + + Last midsummer's morning, as going to the fair, + I met with young Jamie, wh'as taking the air; + He ask'd me to stay with him, and indeed he did prevail, + Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- + That blooms in the valley, that blooms in the vale, + Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale. + + He said he had loved me both long and sincere, + That none on the green was so gentle and fair; + I listen'd with pleasure to Jamie's tender tale, + Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- + That blooms in the valley, &c. + + "Oh, haste," says he, "to hear the birds in the grove, + How charming their song, and enticing to love! + The briers that with roses perfume the passing gale, + And meet the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale"-- + That blooms in the valley, &c. + + His words were so moving, and looks soft and kind, + Convinced me the youth had nae guile in his mind; + My heart, too, confess'd him the flower of the dale, + Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- + That blooms in the valley, &c. + + Yet I oft bade him go, for I could no longer stay, + But leave me he would not, nor let me away; + Still pressing his suit, and at last did prevail, + Beneath the pretty hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- + That blooms in the valley, &c. + + Now tell me, ye maidens, how could I refuse? + His words were so sweet, and so binding his vows! + We went and were married, and Jamie loves me still, + And we live beside the hawthorn that blooms in the vale-- + That blooms in the valley, that blooms in the vale, + We live beside the hawthorn that blooms in the vale. + + + + +OH, BLAW, YE WESTLIN' WINDS![27] + + + Oh, blaw, ye westlin' winds, blaw saft + Amang the leafy trees! + Wi' gentle gale, frae muir and dale, + Bring hame the laden bees; + And bring the lassie back to me, + That 's aye sae neat and clean; + Ae blink of her wad banish care, + Sae lovely is my Jean. + + What sighs and vows, amang the knowes, + Hae pass'd atween us twa! + How fain to meet, how wae to part, + That day 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. + + +[27] These verses were written as a continuation to Burns's "Of a' the +airts the wind can blaw." Other two stanzas were added to the same song +by W. Reid.--See _postea_. + + + + +JOANNA BAILLIE. + + +Joanna Baillie was born on the 11th of September 1762, in the manse of +Bothwell, in Lanarkshire. Her father, Dr James Baillie, was descended +from the old family of Baillie of Lamington, and was consequently +entitled to claim propinquity with the distinguished Principal Robert +Baillie, and the family of Baillie of Jerviswood, so celebrated for its +Christian patriotism. The mother of Joanna likewise belonged to an +honourable house: she was a descendant of the Hunters of Hunterston; and +her two brothers attained a wide reputation in the world of science--Dr +William Hunter being an eminent physician, and Mr John Hunter the +greatest anatomist of his age. Joanna--a twin, the other child being +still-born--was the youngest of a family of three children. Her only +brother was Dr Matthew Baillie, highly distinguished in the medical +world. Agnes, her sister, who was eldest of the family, remained +unmarried, and continued to live with her under the same roof. + +In the year 1768, Dr Baillie was transferred from the parochial charge +of Bothwell to the office of collegiate minister of Hamilton,--a town +situate, like his former parish, on the banks of the Clyde. He was +subsequently elected Professor of Divinity in the University of +Glasgow. After his death, which took place in 1778, his daughters both +continued, along with their widowed mother, to live at Long Calderwood, +in the vicinity of Hamilton, until 1784, when they all accepted an +invitation to reside with Dr Matthew Baillie, who had entered on his +medical career in London, and had become possessor of a house in Great +Windmill Street, built by his now deceased uncle, Dr Hunter. + +Though evincing no peculiar promptitude in the acquisition of learning, +Joanna had, at the very outset of life, exhibited remarkable talent in +rhyme-making. She composed verses before she could read, and, before she +could have fancied a theatre, formed dialogues for dramatic +representations, which she carried on with her companions. But she did +not early seek distinction as an author. At the somewhat mature age of +twenty-eight, after she had gone to London, she first published, and +that anonymously, a volume of miscellaneous poems, which did not excite +any particular attention. In 1798, she published, though anonymously at +first, "A Series of Plays: in which it is attempted to delineate the +stronger Passions of the Mind, each Passion being the subject of a +Tragedy and a Comedy." In a lengthened preliminary dissertation, she +discoursed regarding the drama in all its relations, maintaining the +ascendency of simple nature over every species of adornment and +decoration. "Let one simple trait of the human heart, one expression of +passion, genuine and true to nature," she wrote, "be introduced, and it +will stand forth alone in the boldness of reality, whilst the false and +unnatural around it fades away upon every side, like the rising +exhalations of the morning." The reception of these plays was sufficient +to satisfy the utmost ambition of the author, and established the +foundation of her fame. "Nothing to compare with them had been produced +since the great days of the English drama; and the truth, vigour, +variety, and dignity of the dramatic portraits, in which they abound, +might well justify an enthusiasm which a reader of the present day can +scarcely be expected to feel. This enthusiasm was all the greater, when +it became known that these remarkable works, which had been originally +published anonymously, were from the pen of a woman still young, who had +passed her life in domestic seclusion."[28] Encouraged by the success of +the first volume of her dramas on the "Passions," the author added a +second in 1802, and a third in 1812. During the interval, she published +a volume of miscellaneous dramas in 1804, and produced the "Family +Legend" in 1810,--a tragedy, founded upon a Highland tradition. With a +prologue by Sir Walter Scott, and an epilogue by Henry Mackenzie, the +"Family Legend" was produced at the Edinburgh theatre, under the +auspices of the former illustrious character; and was ably supported by +Mrs Siddons, and by Terry, then at the commencement of his career. It +was favourably received during ten successive performances. "You have +only to imagine all that you could wish to give success to a play," +wrote Sir Walter Scott to the author, "and your conceptions will still +fall short of the complete and decided triumph of the 'Family Legend.' +The house was crowded to a most extraordinary degree; many people had +come from your native capital of the west; everything that pretended to +distinction, whether from rank or literature, was in the boxes; and in +the pit, such an aggregate mass of humanity as I have seldom, if ever, +witnessed in the same space." Other two of her plays, "Count Basil" and +"De Montfort," brought out in London, the latter being sustained by +Kemble and Siddons, likewise received a large measure of general +approbation; but a want of variety of incident prevented their retaining +a position on the stage. In 1836, she produced three additional volumes +of dramas; her career as a dramatic writer thus extending over the +period of nearly forty years. + +Subsequent to her leaving Scotland, in 1784, Joanna Baillie did not +return to her native kingdom, unless on occasional visits. On the +marriage of her brother to a sister of the Lord Chief-Justice Denman, in +1791, she passed some years at Colchester; but she subsequently fixed +her permanent habitation at Hampstead. Her mother died in 1806. At +Hampstead, in the companionship of her only sister, whose virtues she +has celebrated in one of her poems, and amidst the society of many of +the more distinguished literary characters of the metropolis, she +continued to enjoy a large amount of comfort and happiness. Her +pecuniary means were sufficiently abundant, and rendered her entirely +independent of the profits of her writings. Among her literary friends, +one of the most valued was Sir Walter Scott, who, being introduced to +her personal acquaintance on his visit to London in 1806, maintained +with her an affectionate and lasting intimacy. The letters addressed to +her are amongst the most interesting of his correspondence in his Memoir +by his son-in-law. He evinced his estimation of her genius by frequently +complimenting her in his works. In his "Epistle to William Erskine," +which forms the introduction to the third canto of "Marmion," he thus +generously eulogises his gifted friend:-- + + "Or, if to touch such chord be thine, + Restore the ancient tragic line, + And emulate the notes that wrung + From the wild harp, which silent hung + By silver Avon's holy shore, + Till twice a hundred years roll'd o'er; + When she, the bold Enchantress, came, + With fearless hand and heart on flame! + From the pale willow snatch'd the treasure, + And swept it with a kindred measure, + Till Avon's swans, while rung the grove + With Montfort's hate and Basil's love, + Awakening at the inspired strain, + Deem'd their own Shakspeare lived again." + +To Joanna, Scott inscribed his fragmental drama of "Macduff's Cross," +which was included in a Miscellany published by her in 1823. + +Though a penury of incident, and a defectiveness of skill in sustaining +an increasing interest to the close, will probably prevent any of her +numerous plays from being renewed on the stage, Joanna Baillie is well +entitled to the place assigned her as one of the first of modern +dramatists. In all her plays there are passages and scenes surpassed by +no contemporaneous dramatic writer. Her works are a magazine of eloquent +thoughts and glowing descriptions. She is a mistress of the emotions, +and + + "Within _her_ mighty page, + Each tyrant passion shews his woe and rage." + +The tragedies of "Count Basil" and "De Montfort" are her best plays, and +are well termed by Sir Walter Scott a revival of the great Bard of Avon. +Forcible and energetic in style, her strain never becomes turgid or +diverges into commonplace. She is masculine, but graceful; and powerful +without any ostentation of strength. Her personal history was the +counterpart of her writings. Gentle in manners and affable in +conversation, she was a model of the household virtues, and would have +attracted consideration as a woman by her amenities, though she had +possessed no reputation in the world of letters. She was eminently +religious and benevolent. Her countenance bore indication of a superior +intellect and deep penetration. Though her society was much cherished by +her contemporaries, including distinguished foreigners who visited the +metropolis, her life was spent in general retirement. She was averse to +public demonstration, and seemed scarcely conscious of her power. She +died at Hampstead, on the 23d of February 1851, at the very advanced age +of eighty-nine, and a few weeks after the publication of her whole Works +in a collected form. + +The songs of Joanna Baillie immediately obtained an honourable place in +the minstrelsy of her native kingdom. They are the simple and graceful +effusions of a heart passionately influenced by the melodies of the +"land of the heath and the thistle," and animated by those warm +affections so peculiarly nurtured in the region of "the mountain and the +flood." "Fy, let us a' to the wedding," "Saw ye Johnnie comin'?" "It +fell on a morning when we were thrang," and "Woo'd, and married, and +a'," maintain popularity among all classes of Scotsmen throughout the +world. Several of the songs were written for Thomson's "Melodies," and +"The Harp of Caledonia," a collection of songs published at Glasgow in +1821, in three vols. 12mo, under the editorial care of John Struthers, +author of "The Poor Man's Sabbath." The greater number are included in +the present work. + + +[28] _Literary Gazette_, March 1851. + + + + +THE MAID OF LLANWELLYN. + + + I 've no sheep on the mountain, nor boat on the lake, + Nor coin in my coffer to keep me awake, + Nor corn in my garner, nor fruit on my tree-- + Yet the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. + + Soft tapping, at eve, to her window I came, + And loud bay'd the watch-dog, loud scolded the dame; + For shame, silly Lightfoot; what is it to thee, + Though the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me? + + Rich Owen will tell you, with eyes full of scorn, + Threadbare is my coat, and my hosen are torn: + Scoff on, my rich Owen, for faint is thy glee + When the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. + + The farmer rides proudly to market or fair, + The clerk, at the alehouse, still claims the great chair; + But of all our proud fellows the proudest I 'll be, + While the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. + + For blythe as the urchin at holiday play, + And meek as the matron in mantle of gray, + And trim as the lady of gentle degree, + Is the maid of Llanwellyn who smiles upon me. + + + + +GOOD NIGHT, GOOD NIGHT! + + + The sun is sunk, the day is done, + E'en stars are setting one by one; + Nor torch nor taper longer may + Eke out the pleasures of the day; + And since, in social glee's despite, + It needs must be, Good night, good night! + + The bride into her bower is sent, + And ribbald rhyme and jesting spent; + The lover's whisper'd words and few + Have bade the bashful maid adieu; + The dancing-floor is silent quite-- + No foot bounds there, Good night, good night! + + The lady in her curtain'd bed, + The herdsman in his wattled shed, + The clansman in the heather'd hall, + Sweet sleep be with you, one and all! + We part in hope of days as bright + As this now gone--Good night, good night! + + Sweet sleep be with us, one and all! + And if upon its stillness fall + The visions of a busy brain, + We 'll have our pleasure o'er again; + To warm the heart, to charm the sight, + Gay dreams to all! Good night, good night! + + + + +THOUGH RICHER SWAINS THY LOVE PURSUE. + + + Though richer swains thy love pursue, + In Sunday gear and bonnets new; + And every fair before thee lay + Their silken gifts, with colours gay-- + They love thee not, alas! so well + As one who sighs, and dare not tell; + Who haunts thy dwelling, night and noon, + In tatter'd hose and clouted shoon. + + I grieve not for my wayward lot, + My empty folds, my roofless cot; + Nor hateful pity, proudly shown, + Nor altered looks, nor friendship flown; + Nor yet my dog, with lanken sides, + Who by his master still abides; + But how wilt thou prefer my boon, + In tatter'd hose and clouted shoon? + + + + +POVERTY PARTS GUDE COMPANIE.[29] + +AIR--_"Todlin' Hame."_ + + + When white was my owrelay as foam of the linn, + And siller was chinking my pouches within; + When my lambkins were bleating on meadow and brae, + As I gaed to my love in new cleeding sae gay-- + Kind was she, and my friends were free; + But poverty parts gude companie. + + How swift pass'd the minutes and hours of delight! + The piper play'd cheerly, the cruisie burn'd bright; + And link'd in my hand was the maiden sae dear, + As she footed the floor in her holiday gear. + Woe is me! and can it then be, + That poverty parts sic companie? + + We met at the fair, and we met at the kirk; + We met in the sunshine, we met in the mirk; + And the sound of her voice, and the blinks of her een, + The cheering and life of my bosom have been. + Leaves frae the tree at Martinmas flee, + And poverty parts sweet companie. + + At bridal and in fair I 've braced me wi' pride, + The _bruse_ I hae won, and a kiss of the bride; + And loud was the laughter, gay fellows among, + When I utter'd my banter, or chorus'd my song. + Dowie to dree are jesting and glee, + When poverty parts gude companie. + + Wherever I gaed the blythe lasses smiled sweet, + And mithers and aunties were mair than discreet, + While kebbuck and bicker were set on the board; + But now they pass by me, and never a word. + So let it be; for the worldly and slie + Wi' poverty keep nae companie. + + But the hope of my love is a cure for its smart; + The spaewife has tauld me to keep up my heart; + For wi' my last sixpence her loof I hae cross'd, + And the bliss that is fated can never be lost. + Cruelly though we ilka day see + How poverty parts dear companie. + + +[29] This song was written for Thomson's "Melodies." "Todlin' Hame," the +air to which it is adapted, appears in Ramsay's "Tea-Table Miscellany" +as an old song. The words begin--"When I hae a saxpence under my thum." +Burns remarks that "it is perhaps one of the first bottle-songs that +ever was composed." + + + + +FY, LET US A' TO THE WEDDING.[30] + + + Fy, let us a' to the wedding, + For they will be lilting there; + For Jock's to be married to Maggie, + The lass wi' the gowden hair. + And there will be jilting and jeering, + And glancing of bonnie dark een; + Loud laughing and smooth-gabbit speering + O' questions, baith pawky and keen. + + And there will be Bessy, the beauty, + Wha raises her cock-up sae hie, + And giggles at preachings and duty; + Gude grant that she gang nae ajee! + And there will be auld Geordie Tanner, + Wha coft a young wife wi' his gowd; + She 'll flaunt wi' a silk gown upon her, + But, wow! he looks dowie and cowed. + + And braw Tibby Fowler, the heiress, + Will perk at the top o' the ha', + Encircled wi' suitors, whase care is + To catch up the gloves when they fa'. + Repeat a' her jokes as they 're cleckit, + And haver and glower in her face, + When tocherless Mays are negleckit-- + A crying and scandalous case. + + And Mysie, whase clavering aunty + Wad match her wi' Jamie, the laird; + And learns the young fouk to be vaunty, + But neither to spin nor to caird. + And Andrew, whase granny is yearning + To see him a clerical blade, + Was sent to the college for learning, + And cam' back a coof, as he gaed. + + And there will be auld Widow Martin, + That ca's hersel' thretty and twa! + And thrawn-gabbit Madge, wha for certain + Was jilted by Hab o' the Shaw. + And Elspy, the sewster, sae genty-- + A pattern of havens and sense-- + Will straik on her mittens sae dainty, + And crack wi' Mess John in the spence. + + And Angus, the seer o' ferlies, + That sits on the stane at his door, + And tells about bogles, and mair lies + Than tongue ever utter'd before. + And there will be Bauldy, the boaster, + Sae ready wi' hands and wi' tongue; + Proud Paty and silly Sam Foster, + Wha quarrel wi' auld and wi' young. + + And Hugh, the town-writer, I 'm thinking, + That trades in his lawyerly skill, + Will egg on the fighting and drinking, + To bring after grist to his mill. + And Maggie--na, na! we 'll be civil, + And let the wee bridie abee; + A vilipend tongue it is evil, + And ne'er was encouraged by me. + + Then fy, let us a' to the wedding, + For they will be lilting there, + Frae mony a far-distant ha'ding, + The fun and the feasting to share. + For they will get sheep's-head and haggis, + And browst o' the barley-mow; + E'en he that comes latest and lagis + May feast upon dainties enow. + + Veal florentines, in the o'en baken, + Weel plenish'd wi' raisins and fat; + Beef, mutton, and chuckies, a' taken + Het reekin' frae spit and frae pat. + And glasses (I trow 'tis nae said ill) + To drink the young couple gude luck, + Weel fill'd wi' a braw beechen ladle, + Frae punch-bowl as big as Dumbuck. + + And then will come dancing and daffing, + And reelin' and crossin' o' han's, + Till even auld Lucky is laughing, + As back by the aumry she stan's. + Sic bobbing, and flinging, and whirling, + While fiddlers are making their din; + And pipers are droning and skirling, + As loud as the roar o' the linn. + + Then fy, let us a' to the wedding, + For they will be lilting there; + For Jock 's to be married to Maggie, + The lass wi' the gowden hair. + + +[30] This song is a new version of "The Blythesome Bridal," beginning, +"Fy, let us a' to the bridal," which first appeared in Watson's +Collection, in 1706, and of which the authorship was generally assigned +to Francis Semple of Beltrees, in Renfrewshire, who lived in the middle +of the seventeenth century, though more recently it has been attributed +to Sir William Scott of Thirlestane, in Selkirkshire, who flourished in +the beginning of last century. The words of the original song are +coarse, but humorous. + + + + +HOOLY AND FAIRLY.[31] + + + Oh, neighbours! what had I to do for to marry? + My wife she drinks posset and wine o' Canary; + And ca's me a niggardly, thrawn-gabbit cairly. + O gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly! + + She sups, wi' her kimmers, on dainties enow, + Aye bowing, and smirking, and wiping her mou'; + While I sit aside, and am helpit but sparely. + O gin my wife wad feast hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad feast hooly and fairly! + + To fairs, and to bridals, and preachings an' a', + She gangs sae light-headed, and buskit sae braw, + In ribbons and mantuas, that gar me gae barely. + O gin my wife wad spend hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad spend hooly and fairly! + + I' the kirk sic commotion last Sabbath she made, + Wi' babs o' red roses, and breast-knots o'erlaid; + The dominie stickit the psalm very nearly. + O gin my wife wad dress hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad dress hooly and fairly! + + She 's warring and flyting frae mornin' till e'en, + And if ye gainsay her, her een glower sae keen; + Then tongue, neive, and cudgel, she 'll lay on me sairly. + O gin my wife wad strike hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad strike hooly and fairly! + + When tired wi' her cantrips, she lies in her bed-- + The wark a' negleckit, the chalmer unred-- + While a' our gude neighbours are stirring sae early. + O gin my wife wad wark timely and fairly! + Timely and fairly, timely and fairly; + O gin my wife wad wark timely and fairly! + + A word o' gude counsel or grace she 'll hear none; + She bandies the elders, and mocks at Mess John; + While back in his teeth his own text she flings sairly. + O gin my wife wad speak hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + O gin my wife wad speak hooly and fairly! + + I wish I were single, I wish I were freed; + I wish I were doited, I wish I were dead; + Or she in the mouls, to dement me nae mairly. + What does it 'vail to cry, Hooly and fairly! + Hooly and fairly, hooly and fairly; + Wasting my health to cry, Hooly and fairly. + + +[31] The style of this song and the chorus are borrowed from "The +Drucken Wife o' Gallowa'," a song which first appeared in the "Charmer," +a collection of songs, published at Edinburgh in 1751, but the +authorship of which is unknown. + + + + +THE WEARY PUND O' TOW. + + + A young gudewife is in my house, + And thrifty means to be, + But aye she 's runnin' to the town + Some ferlie there to see. + The weary pund, the weary pund, the weary pund o' tow, + I soothly think, ere it be spun, I 'll wear a lyart pow. + + And when she sets her to her wheel, + To draw her threads wi' care, + In comes the chapman wi' his gear, + And she can spin nae mair. + The weary pund, &c. + + And then like ony merry May, + At fairs maun still be seen, + At kirkyard preachings near the tent, + At dances on the green. + The weary pund, &c. + + Her dainty ear a fiddle charms, + A bagpipe 's her delight, + But for the crooning o' her wheel + She disna care a mite. + The weary pund, &c. + + "You spake, my Kate, of snaw-white webs + Made o' your hinkum twine, + But, ah! I fear our bonnie burn + Will ne'er lave web o' thine. + The weary pund, &c. + + "Nay, smile again, my winsome mate, + Sic jeering means nae ill; + Should I gae sarkless to my grave, + I'll loe and bless thee still." + The weary pund, &c. + + + + +THE WEE PICKLE TOW.[32] + + + A lively young lass had a wee pickle tow, + And she thought to try the spinnin' o't; + She sat by the fire, and her rock took alow, + And that was an ill beginnin' o't. + Loud and shrill was the cry that she utter'd, I ween; + The sudden mischanter brought tears to her een; + Her face it was fair, but her temper was keen; + O dole for the ill beginnin' o't! + + She stamp'd on the floor, and her twa hands she wrung, + Her bonny sweet mou' she crookit, O! + And fell was the outbreak o' words frae her tongue; + Like ane sair demented she lookit, O! + "Foul fa' the inventor o' rock and o' reel! + I hope, gude forgi'e me! he 's now wi' the d--l, + He brought us mair trouble than help, wot I weel; + O dole for the ill beginnin' o't! + + "And now, when they 're spinnin' and kempin' awa', + They 'll talk o' my rock and the burnin' o't, + While Tibbie, and Mysie, and Maggie, and a', + Into some silly joke will be turnin' it: + They 'll say I was doited, they 'll say I was fu'; + They 'll say I was dowie, and Robin untrue; + They 'll say in the fire some luve-powther I threw, + And that made the ill beginning o't. + + "O curst be the day, and unchancy the hour, + When I sat me adown to the spinnin' o't! + Then some evil spirit or warlock had power, + And made sic an ill beginnin' o't. + May Spunkie my feet to the boggie betray, + The lunzie folk steal my new kirtle away, + And Robin forsake me for douce Effie Gray, + The next time I try the spinnin' o't." + + +[32] "The Wee Pickle Tow" is an old air, to which the words of this song +were written. + + + + +THE GOWAN GLITTERS ON THE SWARD. + + + The gowan glitters on the sward, + The lav'rock's in the sky, + And collie on my plaid keeps ward, + And time is passing by. + Oh, no! sad and slow, + And lengthen'd on the ground; + The shadow of our trysting bush + It wears so slowly round. + + My sheep-bells tinkle frae the west, + My lambs are bleating near; + But still the sound that I lo'e best, + Alack! I canna hear. + Oh, no! sad and slow, + The shadow lingers still; + And like a lanely ghaist I stand, + And croon upon the hill. + + I hear below the water roar, + The mill wi' clacking din, + And lucky scolding frae the door, + To ca' the bairnies in. + Oh, no! sad and slow, + These are nae sounds for me; + The shadow of our trysting bush + It creeps sae drearily! + + I coft yestreen, frae chapman Tam, + A snood o' bonnie blue, + And promised, when our trysting cam', + To tie it round her brow. + Oh, no! sad and slow, + The mark it winna pass; + The shadow o' that dreary bush + Is tether'd on the grass. + + O now I see her on the way! + She 's past the witch's knowe; + She 's climbing up the brownie's brae-- + My heart is in a lowe. + Oh, no! 'tis not so, + 'Tis glamrie I hae seen; + The shadow o' that hawthorn bush + Will move nae mair till e'en. + + My book o' grace I 'll try to read, + Though conn'd wi' little skill; + When collie barks I 'll raise my head, + And find her on the hill. + Oh, no! sad and slow, + The time will ne'er be gane; + The shadow o' our trysting bush + Is fix'd like ony stane. + + + + +SAW YE JOHNNIE COMIN'? + + + "Saw ye Johnnie comin'?" quo' she; + "Saw ye Johnnie comin'? + Wi' his blue bonnet on his head, + And his doggie rinnin'. + Yestreen, about the gloamin' time, + I chanced to see him comin', + Whistling merrily the tune + That I am a' day hummin'," quo' she; + "I am a' day hummin'. + + "Fee him, faither, fee him," quo' she; + "Fee him, faither, fee him; + A' the wark about the house + Gaes wi' me when I see him: + A' the wark about the house + I gang sae lightly through it; + And though ye pay some merks o' gear, + Hoot! ye winna rue it," quo' she; + "No; ye winna rue it." + + "What wad I do wi' him, hizzy? + What wad I do wi' him? + He 's ne'er a sark upon his back, + And I hae nane to gi'e him." + "I hae twa sarks into my kist, + And ane o' them I 'll gi'e him; + And for a merk o' mair fee, + Oh, dinna stand wi' him," quo' she; + "Dinna stand wi' him. + + "Weel do I lo'e him," quo' she; + "Weel do I lo'e him; + The brawest lads about the place + Are a' but hav'rels to him. + Oh, fee him, father; lang, I trow, + We 've dull and dowie been: + He 'll haud the plough, thrash i' the barn, + And crack wi' me at e'en," quo' she; + "Crack wi' me at e'en." + + + + +IT FELL ON A MORNING.[33] + + + It fell on a morning when we were thrang-- + Our kirn was gaun, our cheese was making, + And bannocks on the girdle baking-- + That ane at the door chapp'd loud and lang; + But the auld gudewife, and her Mays sae tight, + Of this stirring and din took sma' notice, I ween; + For a chap at the door in braid daylight + Is no like a chap when heard at e'en. + + Then the clocksie auld laird of the warlock glen, + Wha stood without, half cow'd, half cheerie. + And yearn'd for a sight of his winsome dearie, + Raised up the latch and came crousely ben. + His coat was new, and his owrelay was white, + And his hose and his mittens were coozy and bein; + But a wooer that comes in braid daylight + Is no like a wooer that comes at e'en. + + He greeted the carlin' and lasses sae braw, + And his bare lyart pow he smoothly straikit, + And looked about, like a body half glaikit, + On bonny sweet Nanny, the youngest of a': + "Ha, ha!" quo' the carlin', "and look ye that way? + Hoot! let nae sic fancies bewilder ye clean-- + An elderlin' man, i' the noon o' the day, + Should be wiser than youngsters that come at e'en." + + "Na, na," quo' the pawky auld wife; "I trow + You 'll fash na your head wi' a youthfu' gilly, + As wild and as skeigh as a muirland filly; + Black Madge is far better and fitter for you." + He hem'd and he haw'd, and he screw'd in his mouth, + And he squeezed his blue bonnet his twa hands between; + For wooers that come when the sun 's in the south + Are mair awkward than wooers that come at e'en. + + "Black Madge she is prudent." "What 's that to me?" + "She is eident and sober, has sense in her noddle-- + Is douce and respeckit." "I carena a boddle; + I 'll baulk na my luve, and my fancy 's free." + Madge toss'd back her head wi' a saucy slight, + And Nanny run laughing out to the green; + For wooers that come when the sun shines bright + Are no like the wooers that come at e'en. + + Awa' flung the laird, and loud mutter'd he, + "All the daughters of Eve, between Orkney and Tweed, O: + Black and fair, young and old, dame, damsel, and widow, + May gang, wi' their pride, to the wuddy for me." + But the auld gudewife, and her Mays sae tight, + For a' his loud banning cared little, I ween; + For a wooer that comes in braid daylight + Is no like a wooer that comes at e'en. + + +[33] This song was contributed by Miss Baillie to "The Harp of +Caledonia." + + + + +WOO'D, AND MARRIED, AND A'.[34] + + + The bride she is winsome and bonnie, + Her hair it is snooded sae sleek; + And faithful and kind is her Johnnie, + Yet fast fa' the tears on her cheek. + New pearlings are cause o' her sorrow-- + New pearlings and plenishing too; + The bride that has a' to borrow + Has e'en right muckle ado. + Woo'd, and married, and a'; + Woo'd, and married, and a'; + And is na she very weel aff, + To be woo'd, and married, and a'? + + Her mither then hastily spak-- + "The lassie is glaikit wi' pride; + In my pouches I hadna a plack + The day that I was a bride. + E'en tak to your wheel and be clever, + And draw out your thread in the sun; + The gear that is gifted, it never + Will last like the gear that is won. + Woo'd, and married, an' a', + Tocher and havings sae sma'; + I think ye are very weel aff + To be woo'd, and married, and a'." + + "Toot, toot!" quo' the gray-headed faither; + "She 's less of a bride than a bairn; + She 's ta'en like a cowt frae the heather, + Wi' sense and discretion to learn. + Half husband, I trow, and half daddy, + As humour inconstantly leans; + A chiel maun be constant and steady, + That yokes wi' a mate in her teens. + Kerchief to cover so neat, + Locks the winds used to blaw; + I 'm baith like to laugh and to greet, + When I think o' her married at a'." + + Then out spak the wily bridegroom, + Weel waled were his wordies, I ween,-- + "I 'm rich, though my coffer be toom, + Wi' the blinks o' your bonnie blue een; + I 'm prouder o' thee by my side, + Though thy ruffles or ribbons be few, + Than if Kate o' the Craft were my bride, + Wi' purples and pearlings enew. + Dear and dearest of ony, + I 've woo'd, and bookit, and a'; + And do you think scorn o' your Johnnie, + And grieve to be married at a'?" + + She turn'd, and she blush'd, and she smiled, + And she lookit sae bashfully down; + The pride o' her heart was beguiled, + And she play'd wi' the sleeve o' her gown; + She twirl'd the tag o' her lace, + And she nippit her boddice sae blue; + Syne blinkit sae sweet in his face, + And aff like a maukin she flew. + Woo'd, and married, and a', + Married and carried awa'; + She thinks hersel' very weel aff, + To be woo'd, and married, and a'. + + +[34] Of the song, "Woo'd, and married, and a'," there is another +version, published in Johnson's "Musical Museum," vol. i. p. 10, which +was long popular among the ballad-singers. This was composed by +Alexander Ross, schoolmaster of Lochlee, author of "Helenore, or the +Fortunate Shepherdess." A song, having a similar commencement, had +previously been current on the Border. + + + + +WILLIAM DUDGEON. + + +Though the author of a single popular song, William Dudgeon is entitled +to a place among the modern contributors to the Caledonian minstrelsy. +Of his personal history, only a very few facts have been recovered. He +was the son of a farmer in East-Lothian, and himself rented an extensive +farm at Preston, in Berwickshire. During his border tour in May 1787, +the poet Burns met him at Berrywell, the residence of the father of his +friend Mr Robert Ainslie, who acted as land-steward on the estate of +Lord Douglas in the Merse. In his journal, Burns has thus recorded his +impression of the meeting:--"A Mr Dudgeon, a poet at times, a worthy, +remarkable character, natural penetration, a great deal of information, +some genius, and extreme modesty." Dudgeon died in October 1813, about +his sixtieth year. + + + + +UP AMONG YON CLIFFY ROCKS. + + + Up among yon cliffy rocks + Sweetly rings the rising echo, + To the maid that tends the goats + Lilting o'er her native notes. + Hark, she sings, "Young Sandy 's kind, + An' he 's promised aye to lo'e me; + Here 's a brooch I ne'er shall tine, + Till he 's fairly married to me. + Drive away, ye drone, Time, + And bring about our bridal day. + + "Sandy herds a flock o' sheep; + Aften does he blaw the whistle + In a strain sae saftly sweet, + Lammies list'ning daurna bleat. + He 's as fleet 's the mountain roe, + Hardy as the Highland heather, + Wading through the winter snow, + Keeping aye his flock together; + But a plaid, wi' bare houghs, + He braves the bleakest norlan' blast. + + "Brawly can he dance and sing, + Canty glee or Highland cronach; + Nane can ever match his fling, + At a reel or round a ring, + In a brawl he 's aye the bangster: + A' his praise can ne'er be sung + By the langest-winded sangster; + Sangs that sing o' Sandy, + Seem short, though they were e'er sae lang." + + + + +WILLIAM REID. + + +William Reid was born at Glasgow on the 10th of April 1764. His father, +a baker by trade, was enabled to give him a good education at the school +of his native city. At an early age he was apprenticed to Messrs Dunlop +and Wilson, booksellers; and in the year 1790, along with another +enterprising individual, he commenced a bookselling establishment, under +the firm of "Brash and Reid." In this business, both partners became +eminently successful, their shop being frequented by the _literati_ of +the West. The poet Burns cultivated the society of Mr Reid, who proved a +warm friend, as he was an ardent admirer, of the Ayrshire bard. He was +an enthusiastic patron of literature, was fond of social humour, and a +zealous promoter of the interests of Scottish song. Between 1795 and +1798, the firm published in numbers, at one penny each, "Poetry, +Original and Selected," which extended to four volumes. To this +publication, both Mr Reid, and his partner, Mr Brash, made some original +contributions. The work is now very scarce, and is accounted valuable by +collectors. Mr Reid died at Glasgow, on the 29th of November 1831, +leaving a widow and a family. + + + + +THE LEA RIG.[35] + + + Will ye gang o'er the lea rig, + My ain kind dearie, O! + And cuddle there fu' kindly + Wi' me, my kind dearie, O! + At thorny bush, or birken tree, + We 'll daff and never weary, O! + They 'll scug ill een frae you and me, + My ain kind dearie, O! + + Nae herds wi' kent or colly there, + Shall ever come to fear ye, O! + But lav'rocks, whistling in the air, + Shall woo, like me, their dearie, O! + While ithers herd their lambs and ewes, + And toil for warld's gear, my jo, + Upon the lea my pleasure grows, + Wi' thee, my kind dearie, O! + + At gloamin', if my lane I be, + Oh, but I'm wondrous eerie, O! + And mony a heavy sigh I gie, + When absent frae my dearie, O! + But seated 'neath the milk-white thorn, + In ev'ning fair and clearie, O! + Enraptured, a' my cares I scorn, + When wi' my kind dearie, O! + + Whare through the birks the burnie rows, + Aft hae I sat fu' cheerie, O! + Upon the bonny greensward howes, + Wi' thee, my kind dearie, O! + I've courted till I've heard the craw + Of honest chanticleerie, O! + Yet never miss'd my sleep ava, + Whan wi' my kind dearie, O! + + For though the night were ne'er sae dark, + And I were ne'er sae weary, O! + I'd meet thee on the lea rig, + My ain kind dearie, O! + While in this weary world of wae, + This wilderness sae dreary, O! + What makes me blythe, and keeps me sae? + 'Tis thee, my kind dearie, O! + + +[35] The two first stanzas of this song are the composition of the +gifted and unfortunate Robert Fergusson. It is founded on an older +ditty, beginning, "I'll rowe thee o'er the lea-rig." See Johnson's +"Musical Museum," vol. iv. p. 53. + + + + +JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO.[36] + + + John Anderson, my jo, John, + I wonder what ye mean, + To rise sae early in the morn, + And sit sae late at e'en; + Ye 'll blear out a' your een, John, + And why should you do so? + Gang sooner to your bed at e'en, + John Anderson, my jo. + + John Anderson, my jo, John, + When Nature first began + To try her canny hand, John, + Her masterpiece was man; + And you amang them a', John, + Sae trig frae tap to toe-- + She proved to be nae journeyman, + John Anderson, my jo. + + John Anderson, my jo, John, + Ye were my first conceit; + And ye needna think it strange, John, + That I ca' ye trim and neat; + Though some folks say ye 're auld, John, + I never think ye so; + But I think ye 're aye the same to me, + John Anderson, my jo. + + John Anderson, my jo, John, + We 've seen our bairns' bairns; + And yet, my dear John Anderson, + I 'm happy in your arms; + And sae are ye in mine, John, + I 'm sure ye 'll ne'er say, No; + Though the days are gane that we have seen, + John Anderson, my jo. + + +[36] These stanzas are in continuation of Burns's song, "John Anderson, +my jo." Five other stanzas have been added to the continuation by some +unknown hand, which will be found in the "Book of Scottish Song," p. 54. +Glasgow, 1853. + + + + +FAIR, MODEST FLOWER. + +TUNE--_"Ye Banks and Braes o' bonnie Doon."_ + + + Fair, modest flower, of matchless worth! + Thou sweet, enticing, bonny gem; + Blest is the soil that gave thee birth, + And bless'd thine honour'd parent stem. + But doubly bless'd shall be the youth + To whom thy heaving bosom warms; + Possess'd of beauty, love, and truth, + He 'll clasp an angel in his arms. + + Though storms of life were blowing snell, + And on his brow sat brooding care, + Thy seraph smile would quick dispel + The darkest gloom of black despair. + Sure Heaven hath granted thee to us, + And chose thee from the dwellers there; + And sent thee from celestial bliss, + To shew what all the virtues are. + + + + +KATE O' GOWRIE.[37] + +TUNE--_"Locherroch Side."_ + + + When Katie was scarce out nineteen, + Oh, but she had twa coal-black een! + A bonnier lass ye wadna seen + In a' the Carse o' Gowrie. + Quite tired o' livin' a' his lane, + Pate did to her his love explain, + And swore he 'd be, were she his ain, + The happiest lad in Gowrie. + + Quo' she, "I winna marry thee, + For a' the gear that ye can gi'e; + Nor will I gang a step ajee, + For a' the gowd in Gowrie. + My father will gi'e me twa kye; + My mother 's gaun some yarn to dye; + I 'll get a gown just like the sky, + Gif I 'll no gang to Gowrie." + + "Oh, my dear Katie, say nae sae! + Ye little ken a heart that 's wae; + Hae! there 's my hand; hear me, I pray, + Sin' thou 'lt no gang to Gowrie: + Since first I met thee at the shiel, + My saul to thee 's been true and leal; + The darkest night I fear nae deil, + Warlock, or witch in Gowrie. + + "I fear nae want o' claes nor nocht, + Sic silly things my mind ne'er taught; + I dream a' nicht, and start about, + And wish for thee in Gowrie. + I lo'e thee better, Kate, my dear, + Than a' my rigs and out-gaun gear; + Sit down by me till ance I swear, + Thou 'rt worth the Carse o' Gowrie." + + Syne on her mou' sweet kisses laid, + Till blushes a' her cheeks o'erspread; + She sigh'd, and in soft whispers said, + "Oh, Pate, tak me to Gowrie!" + Quo' he, "Let 's to the auld folk gang; + Say what they like, I 'll bide their bang, + And bide a' nicht, though beds be thrang; + But I 'll hae thee to Gowrie." + + The auld folk syne baith gi'ed consent; + The priest was ca'd: a' were content; + And Katie never did repent + That she gaed hame to Gowrie. + For routh o' bonnie bairns had she; + Mair strappin' lads ye wadna see; + And her braw lasses bore the gree + Frae a' the rest o' Gowrie. + + +[37] See _postea_, in this volume, under article "Lady Nairn." + + + + +UPON THE BANKS O' FLOWING CLYDE.[38] + + + Upon the banks o' flowing Clyde + The lasses busk them braw; + But when their best they hae put on, + My Jeanie dings them a'; + In hamely weeds she far exceeds + The fairest o' the toun; + Baith sage and gay confess it sae, + Though drest in russit goun. + + 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, o' clearest hue, + Is like her shining een; + In shape and air wha can compare, + Wi' my sweet lovely Jean. + + +[38] These two stanzas were written as a continuation of Burns's popular +song, "Of a' the airts the wind can blaw." Two other stanzas were added +by John Hamilton. See _ante_, p. 124. + + + + +ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. + + +A miscellaneous writer, a poet, and a musical composer, Alexander +Campbell first saw the light at Tombea, on the banks of Loch Lubnaig, in +Perthshire. He was born in 1764, and received such education as his +parents could afford him, which was not very ample, at the parish school +of Callander. An early taste for music induced him to proceed to +Edinburgh, there to cultivate a systematic acquaintance with the art. +Acquiring a knowledge of the science under the celebrated Tenducci and +others, he became himself a teacher of the harpsichord and of vocal +music, in the metropolis. As an upholder of Jacobitism, when it was +scarcely to be dreaded as a political offence, he officiated as organist +in a non-juring chapel in the vicinity of Nicolson Street; and while so +employed had the good fortune to form the acquaintance of Burns, who was +pleased to discover in an individual entertaining similar state +sentiments with himself, an enthusiastic devotion to national melody and +song. + +Mr Campbell was twice married; his second wife was the widow of a +Highland gentleman, and he was induced to hope that his condition might +thus be permanently improved. He therefore relinquished his original +vocation, and commenced the study of physic, with the view of obtaining +an appointment as surgeon in the public service; but his sanguine hopes +proved abortive, and, to complete his mortification, his wife left him +in Edinburgh, and sought a retreat in the Highlands. He again procured +some employment as a teacher of music; and about the year 1810, one of +his expedients was to give lessons in drawing. He was a man of a fervent +spirit, and possessed of talents, which, if they had been adequately +cultivated, and more concentrated, might have enabled him to attain +considerable distinction; but, apparently aiming at the reputation of +universal genius, he alternately cultivated the study of music, poetry, +painting, and physic. At a more recent period, Sir Walter Scott found +him occasional employment in transcribing manuscripts; and during the +unhappy remainder of his life he had to struggle with many difficulties. + +One of his publications bears the title of "Odes and Miscellaneous +Poems, by a Student of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh," +Edinburgh, 1790, 4to. These lucubrations, which attracted no share of +public attention, were followed by "The Guinea Note, a Poem, by Timothy +Twig, Esquire," Edinburgh, 1797, 4to. His next work is entitled, "An +Introduction to the History of Poetry in Scotland, with Illustrations by +David Allan," Edinburgh, 1798, 4to. This work, though written in a +rambling style, contains a small proportion of useful materials very +unskilfully digested. "A Dialogue on Scottish Music," prefixed, had the +merit of conveying to Continental musicians for the first time a correct +acquaintance with the Scottish scale, the author receiving the +commendations of the greatest Italian and German composers. The work +likewise contains "Songs of the Lowlands," a selection of some of the +more interesting specimens of the older minstrelsy. In 1802 he published +"A Tour from Edinburgh through various parts of North Britain," in two +volumes quarto, illustrated with engravings from sketches executed by +himself. This work met with a favourable reception, and has been +regarded as the most successful of his literary efforts. In 1804 he +sought distinction as a poet by giving to the world "The Grampians +Desolate," a long poem, in one volume octavo. In this production he +essays "to call the attention of good men, wherever dispersed throughout +our island, to the manifold and great evils arising from the +introduction of that system which has within these last forty years +spread among the Grampians and Western Isles, and is the leading cause +of a depopulation that threatens to extirpate the ancient race of the +inhabitants of those districts." That system to which Mr Campbell +refers, he afterwards explains to be the monopoly of sheep-stores, a +subject scarcely poetical, but which he has contrived to clothe with +considerable smoothness of versification. The last work which issued +from Mr Campbell's pen was "Albyn's Anthology, a Select Collection of +the Melodies and Vocal Poetry Peculiar to Scotland and the Isles, +hitherto Unpublished." The publication appeared in 1816, in two parts, +of elegant folio. It was adorned by the contributions of Sir Walter +Scott, James Hogg, and other poets of reputation. The preface contains +"An Epitome of the History of Scottish Poetry and Music from the +Earliest Times." His musical talents have a stronger claim to +remembrance than either his powers as a poet or his skill as a writer. +Yet his industry was unremitted, and his researches have proved +serviceable to other writers who have followed him on the same themes. +Only a few lyrical pieces proceeded from his pen; these were first +published in "Albyn's Anthology." From this work we have extracted two +specimens. + +Mr Campbell died of apoplexy on the 15th of May 1824, after a life much +chequered by misfortune. He left various MSS. on subjects connected with +his favourite studies, which have fortunately found their way into the +possession of Mr Laing, to whom the history of Scottish poetry is +perhaps more indebted than to any other living writer. The poems in this +collection, though bearing marks of sufficient elaboration, could not be +recommended for publication. Mr Campbell was understood to be a +contributor to _The Ghost_, a forgotten periodical, which ran a short +career in the year 1790. It was published in Edinburgh twice a week, and +reached the forty-sixth number; the first having appeared on the 25th of +April, the last on the 16th of November. He published an edition of a +book, curious in its way--Donald Mackintosh's "Collection of Gaelic +Proverbs, and Familiar Phrases; Englished anew!" Edinburgh, 1819, 12mo. +The preface contains a characteristic account of the compiler, who +described himself as "a priest of the old Scots Episcopal Church, and +last of the non-jurant clergy in Scotland." + + + + +NOW WINTER'S WIND SWEEPS. + + + Now winter's wind sweeps o'er the mountains, + Deeply clad in drifting snow; + Soundly sleep the frozen fountains; + Ice-bound streams forget to flow: + The piercing blast howls loud and long, + The leafless forest oaks among. + + Down the glen, lo! comes a stranger, + Wayworn, drooping, all alone;-- + Haply, 'tis the deer-haunt Ranger! + But alas! his strength is gone! + He stoops, he totters on with pain, + The hill he 'll never climb again. + + Age is being's winter season, + Fitful, gloomy, piercing cold; + Passion weaken'd, yields to reason, + Man feels _then_ himself grown old; + His senses one by one have fled, + His very soul seems almost dead. + + + + +THE HAWK WHOOPS ON HIGH. + + + The hawk whoops on high, and keen, keen from yon' cliff, + Lo! the eagle on watch eyes the stag cold and stiff; + The deer-hound, majestic, looks lofty around, + While he lists with delight to the harp's distant sound; + Is it swept by the gale, as it slow wafts along + The heart-soothing tones of an olden times' song? + Or is it some Druid who touches, unseen, + "The Harp of the North," newly strung now I ween? + + 'Tis Albyn's own minstrel! and, proud of his name, + He proclaims him chief bard, and immortal his fame!-- + He gives tongue to those wild lilts that ravish'd of old, + And soul to the tales that so oft have been told; + Hence Walter the Minstrel shall flourish for aye, + Will breathe in sweet airs, and live long as his "Lay;" + To ages unnumber'd thus yielding delight, + Which will last till the gloaming of Time's endless night. + + + + +MRS DUGALD STEWART. + + +Helen D'Arcy Cranstoun, the second wife of the celebrated Professor +Stewart, is entitled to a more ample notice in a work on Modern Scottish +Song than the limited materials at our command enable us to supply. She +was the third daughter of the Hon. George Cranstoun, youngest son of +William, fifth Lord Cranstoun. She was born in the year 1765, and became +the wife of Professor Dugald Stewart on the 26th July 1790. Having +survived her husband ten years, she died at Warriston House, in the +neighbourhood of Edinburgh, on the 28th of July 1838. She was the sister +of the Countess Purgstall (the subject of Captain Basil Hall's "Schloss +Hainfeld"), and of George Cranstoun, a senator of the College of +Justice, by the title of Lord Corehouse. + +The following pieces from the pen of the accomplished author are replete +with simple beauty and exquisite tenderness. + + + + +THE TEARS I SHED MUST EVER FALL. + +TUNE--_"Ianthe the Lovely."_ + + + The tears I shed must ever fall: + I mourn not for an absent swain; + For thoughts may past delights recall, + And parted lovers meet again. + I weep not for the silent dead: + Their toils are past, their sorrows o'er; + And those they loved their steps shall tread, + And death shall join to part no more. + + Though boundless oceans roll'd between, + If certain that his heart is near, + A conscious transport glads each scene, + Soft is the sigh and sweet the tear. + E'en when by death's cold hand removed, + We mourn the tenant of the tomb, + To think that e'en in death he loved, + Can gild the horrors of the gloom. + + But bitter, bitter are the tears + Of her who slighted love bewails; + No hope her dreary prospect cheers, + No pleasing melancholy hails. + Hers are the pangs of wounded pride, + Of blasted hope, of wither'd joy; + The flattering veil is rent aside, + The flame of love burns to destroy. + + In vain does memory renew + The hours once tinged in transport's dye; + The sad reverse soon starts to view, + And turns the past to agony. + E'en time itself despairs to cure + Those pangs to every feeling due: + Ungenerous youth! thy boast how poor, + To win a heart, and break it too! + + No cold approach, no alter'd mien, + Just what would make suspicion start; + No pause the dire extremes between-- + He made me blest, and broke my heart:[39] + From hope, the wretched's anchor, torn, + Neglected and neglecting all; + Friendless, forsaken, and forlorn, + The tears I shed must ever fall. + + +[39] The four first lines of the last stanza are by Burns. + + + + +RETURNING SPRING, WITH GLADSOME RAY.[40] + + + Returning spring, with gladsome ray, + Adorns the earth and smoothes the deep: + All nature smiles, serene and gay, + It smiles, and yet, alas! I weep. + + But why, why flows the sudden tear, + Since Heaven such precious boons has lent, + The lives of those who life endear, + And, though scarce competence, content? + + Sure, when no other bliss was mine + Than that which still kind Heaven bestows, + Yet then could peace and hope combine + To promise joy and give repose. + + Then have I wander'd o'er the plain, + And bless'd each flower that met my view; + Thought Fancy's power would ever reign, + And Nature's charms be ever new. + + I fondly thought where Virtue dwelt, + That happy bosom knew no ill-- + That those who scorn'd me, time would melt, + And those I loved be faultless still. + + Enchanting dreams! kind was your art + That bliss bestow'd without alloy; + Or if soft sadness claim'd a part, + 'Twas sadness sweeter still than joy. + + Oh! whence the change that now alarms, + Fills this sad heart and tearful eye, + And conquers the once powerful charms + Of youth, of hope, of novelty? + + 'Tis sad Experience, fatal power! + That clouds the once illumined sky, + That darkens life's meridian hour, + And bids each fairy vision fly. + + She paints the scene--how different far + From that which youthful fancy drew! + Shews joy and freedom oft at war, + Our woes increased, our comforts few. + + And when, perhaps, on some loved friend + Our treasured fondness we bestow, + Oh! can she not, with ruthless hand, + Change even that friend into a foe? + + See in her train cold Foresight move, + Shunning the rose to 'scape the thorn; + And Prudence every fear approve, + And Pity harden into scorn! + + The glowing tints of Fancy fade, + Life's distant prospects charm no more; + Alas! are all my hopes betray'd? + Can nought my happiness restore? + + Relentless power! at length be just, + Thy better skill alone impart; + Give Caution, but withhold Distrust, + And guard, but harden not, my heart! + + +[40] These tender and beautiful verses are transcribed from Johnson's +"Musical Museum," in a note to which they were first published by the +editor, Mr David Laing. He remarks that he "has reason to believe" that +they are from the pen of Mrs Stewart. (See Johnson's "Musical Museum," +vol. iv. p. 366, _new edition_. Edinburgh, 1853.) + + + + +ALEXANDER WILSON. + + +The author of the celebrated "American Ornithology" is entitled to an +honourable commemoration as one of the minstrels of his native land. +Alexander Wilson was born at Paisley on the 6th of July 1766. His father +had for some time carried on a small trade as a distiller; but the son +was destined by his parents for the clerical profession, in the National +Church--a scheme which was frustrated by the death of his mother in his +tenth year, leaving a large family of children to the sole care of his +father. He had, however, considerably profited by the instruction +already received at school; and having derived from his mother a taste +for music and a relish for books, he invoked the muse in solitude, and +improved his mind by miscellaneous reading. His father contracted a +second marriage when Alexander had reached his thirteenth year; and it +became necessary that he should prepare himself for entering upon some +handicraft employment. He became an apprentice to his brother-in-law, +William Duncan, a weaver in his native town; and on completing his +indenture, he wrought as a journeyman, during the three following years, +in the towns of Paisley, Lochwinnoch, and Queensferry. But the +occupation of weaving, which had from the first been unsuitable to his +tastes, growing altogether irksome, he determined to relinquish it for a +vocation which, if in some respects scarcely more desirable, afforded +him ample means of gratifying his natural desire of becoming familiar +with the topography of his native country. He provided himself with a +pack, as a pedlar, and in this capacity, in company with his +brother-in-law, continued for three years to lead a wandering life. His +devotedness to verse-making had continued unabated from boyhood; he had +written verses at the loom, and had become an enthusiastic votary of the +muse during his peregrinations with his pack. He was now in his +twenty-third year; and with the buoyancy of ardent youth, he thought of +offering to the public a volume of his poems by subscription. In this +attempt he was not successful; nor would any bookseller listen to +proposals of publishing the lucubrations of an obscure pedlar. In 1790, +he at length contrived to print his poems at Paisley, on his own +account, in the hope of being able to dispose of them along with his +other wares. But this attempt was not more successful than his original +scheme, so that he was compelled to return to his father's house at +Lochwinnoch, and resume the obnoxious shuttle. His aspirations for +poetical distinction were not, however, subdued; he heard of the +institution of the _Forum_, a debating society established in Edinburgh +by some literary aspirants, and learning, in 1791, that an early subject +of discussion was the comparative merits of Ramsay and Fergusson as +Scottish poets, he prepared to take a share in the competition. By +doubling his hours of labour at the loom, he procured the means of +defraying his travelling expenses; and, arriving in time for the debate +in the _Forum_, he repeated a poem which he had prepared, entitled the +"Laurel Disputed," in which he gave the preference to Fergusson. He +remained several weeks in Edinburgh, and printed his poem. To Dr +Anderson's "Bee" he contributed several poems, and a prose essay, +entitled "The Solitary Philosopher." Finding no encouragement to settle +in the metropolis, he once more returned to his father's house in the +west. He now formed the acquaintance of Robert Burns, who testified his +esteem for him both as a man and a poet. In 1792, he published +anonymously his popular ballad of "Watty and Meg," which he had the +satisfaction to find regarded as worthy of the Ayrshire Bard. + +The star of the poet was now promising to be in the ascendant, but an +untoward event ensued. In the ardent enthusiasm of his temperament, he +was induced to espouse in verse the cause of the Paisley hand-loom +operatives in a dispute with their employers, and to satirise in strong +invective a person of irreproachable reputation. For this offence he was +prosecuted before the sheriff, who sentenced him to be imprisoned for a +few days, and publicly to burn his own poem in the front of the jail. +This satire is entitled "The Shark; or, Long Mills detected." Like many +other independents, he mistook anarchy in France for the dawn of liberty +in Europe; and his sentiments becoming known, he was so vigilantly +watched by the authorities, that he found it was no longer expedient for +him to reside in Scotland. He resolved to emigrate to America; and, +contriving by four months' extra labour, and living on a shilling +weekly, to earn his passage-money, he sailed from Portpatrick to +Belfast, and from thence to Newcastle, in the State of Delaware, where +he arrived on the 14th July 1794. During the voyage he had slept on +deck, and when he landed, his finances consisted only of a few +shillings; yet, with a cheerful heart, he walked to Philadelphia, a +distance of thirty-three miles, with only his fowling-piece on his +shoulder. He shot a red-headed woodpecker by the way,--an omen of his +future pursuits, for hitherto he had devoted no attention to the study +of ornithology. + +He was first employed by a copperplate-printer in Philadelphia, but +quitted this occupation for the loom, at which he worked about a year in +Philadelphia, and at Shepherdstown, in Virginia. In 1795, he traversed a +large portion of the State of New Jersey as a pedlar, keeping a +journal,--a practice which he had followed during his wandering life in +Scotland. He now adopted the profession of a schoolmaster, and was +successively employed in this vocation at Frankford, in Pennsylvania, at +Milestown, and at Bloomfield, in New Jersey. In preparing himself for +the instruction of others, he essentially extended his own acquaintance +with classical learning, and mathematical science; and by occasional +employment as a land-surveyor, he somewhat improved his finances. In +1801, he accepted the appointment of teacher in a seminary in +Kingsessing, on the river Schuylkill, about four miles from +Philadelphia,--a situation which, though attended with limited +emolument, proved the first step in his path to eminence. He was within +a short distance of the residence of William Bartram, the great American +naturalist, with whom he became intimately acquainted; he also formed +the friendship of Alexander Lawson, an emigrant engraver, who initiated +him in the art of etching, colouring, and engraving. Discovering an +aptitude in the accurate delineation of birds, he was led to the study +of ornithology; with which he became so much interested, that he +projected a work descriptive, with drawings, of all the birds of the +Middle States, and even of the Union. About this period he became a +contributor to the "Literary Magazine," conducted by Mr Brockden Brown, +and to Denny's "Portfolio." + +Along with a nephew and another friend, Wilson made a pedestrian tour to +the Falls of Niagara, in October 1804, and on his return published in +the "Portfolio" a poetical narrative of his journey, entitled "The +Foresters,"--a production surpassing his previous efforts, and +containing some sublime apostrophes. But his energies were now chiefly +devoted to the accomplishment of the grand design he had contemplated. +Disappointed in obtaining the co-operation of his friend Mr Lawson, who +was alarmed at the extent of his projected adventure, and likewise +frustrated in obtaining pecuniary assistance from the President +Jefferson, on which he had some reason to calculate, he persevered in +his attempts himself, drawing, etching, and colouring the requisite +illustrations. In 1806, he was employed as assistant-editor of a new +edition of Rees' Cyclopedia, by Mr Samuel Bradford, bookseller in +Philadelphia, who rewarded his services with a liberal salary, and +undertook, at his own risk, the publication of his "Ornithology." The +first volume of the work appeared in September 1808, and immediately +after its publication the author personally visited, in the course of +two different expeditions, the Eastern and Southern States, in quest of +subscribers. These journeys were attended with a success scarcely +adequate to the privations which were experienced in their prosecution; +but the "Ornithology" otherwise obtained a wide circulation, and, +excelling in point of illustration every production that had yet +appeared in America, gained for the author universal commendation. In +January 1810, his second volume appeared, and in a month after he +proceeded to Pittsburg, and from thence, in a small skiff, made a +solitary voyage down the Ohio, a distance of nearly six hundred miles. +During this lonely and venturous journey he experienced relaxation in +the composition of a poem, which afterwards appeared under the title of +"The Pilgrim." In 1813, after encountering numerous hardships and +perils, which an enthusiast only could have endured, he completed the +publication of the seventh volume of his great work. But the sedulous +attention requisite in the preparation of the plates of the eighth +volume, and the effect of a severe cold, caught in rashly throwing +himself into a river to swim in pursuit of a rare bird, brought on him a +fatal dysentery, which carried him off, on the 23d of August 1813, in +his forty-eighth year. He was interred in the cemetery of the Swedish +church, Southwark, Philadelphia, where a plain marble monument has been +erected to his memory. A ninth volume was added to the "Ornithology" by +Mr George Ord, an intimate friend of the deceased naturalist; and three +supplementary volumes have been published, in folio, by Charles Lucien +Bonaparte, uncle of the present Emperor of the French. + +Amidst his extraordinary deserts as a naturalist, the merits of +Alexander Wilson as a poet have been somewhat overlooked. His poetry, it +may be remarked, though unambitious of ornament, is bold and vigorous in +style, and, when devoted to satire, is keen and vehement. The ballad of +"Watty and Meg," though exception may be taken to the moral, is an +admirable picture of human nature, and one of the most graphic +narratives of the "taming of a shrew" in the language. Allan Cunningham +writes: "It has been excelled by none in lively, graphic fidelity of +touch: whatever was present to his eye and manifest to his ear, he +could paint with a life and a humour which Burns seems alone to +excel."[41] In private life, Wilson was a model of benevolence and of +the social virtues; he was devoid of selfishness, active in beneficence, +and incapable of resentment. Before his departure for America, he waited +on every one whom he conceived he had offended by his juvenile +escapades, and begged their forgiveness; and he did not hesitate to +reprove Burns for the levity too apparent in some of his poems. To his +aged father, who survived till the year 1816, he sent remittances of +money as often as he could afford; and at much inconvenience and +pecuniary sacrifice, he established the family of his brother-in-law on +a farm in the States. He was sober even to abstinence; and was guided in +all his transactions by correct Christian principles. In person, he was +remarkably handsome; his countenance was intelligent, and his eye +sparkling. He never attained riches, but few Scotsmen have left more +splendid memorials of their indomitable perseverance.[42] FOOTNOTES: + +[41] The "Songs of Scotland," by Allan Cunningham, vol. i. p. 247. + +[42] The most complete collection of his poems appeared in a volume +published under the following title:--"The Poetical Works of Alexander +Wilson; also, his Miscellaneous Prose Writings, Journals, Letters, +Essays, &c., now first Collected: Illustrated by Critical and +Explanatory Notes, with an extended Memoir of his Life and Writings, and +a Glossary." Belfast, 1844, 18vo. A portrait of the author is prefixed. + + + + +CONNEL AND FLORA. + + + Dark lowers the night o'er the wide stormy main, + Till mild rosy morning rise cheerful again; + Alas! morn returns to revisit the shore, + But Connel returns to his Flora no more. + + For see, on yon mountain, the dark cloud of death, + O'er Connel's lone cottage, lies low on the heath; + While bloody and pale, on a far distant shore, + He lies, to return to his Flora no more. + + Ye light fleeting spirits, that glide o'er the steep, + Oh, would ye but waft me across the wild deep! + There fearless I'd mix in the battle's loud roar, + I'd die with my Connel, and leave him no more. + + + + +MATILDA. + + + Ye dark rugged rocks, that recline o'er the deep, + Ye breezes, that sigh o'er the main, + Here shelter me under your cliffs while I weep, + And cease while ye hear me complain. + + For distant, alas! from my dear native shore, + And far from each friend now I be; + And wide is the merciless ocean that roars + Between my Matilda and me. + + How blest were the times when together we stray'd, + While Phoebe shone silent above, + Or lean'd by the border of Cartha's green side, + And talk'd the whole evening of love! + + Around us all nature lay wrapt up in peace, + Nor noise could our pleasures annoy, + Save Cartha's hoarse brawling, convey'd by the breeze, + That soothed us to love and to joy. + + If haply some youth had his passion express'd, + And praised the bright charms of her face, + What horrors unceasing revolved though my breast, + While, sighing, I stole from the place! + + For where is the eye that could view her alone, + The ear that could list to her strain, + Nor wish the adorable nymph for his own, + Nor double the pangs I sustain? + + Thou moon, that now brighten'st those regions above, + How oft hast thou witness'd my bliss, + While breathing my tender expressions of love, + I seal'd each kind vow with a kiss! + + Ah, then, how I joy'd while I gazed on her charms! + What transports flew swift through my heart! + I press'd the dear, beautiful maid in my arms, + Nor dream'd that we ever should part. + + But now from the dear, from the tenderest maid, + By fortune unfeelingly torn; + 'Midst strangers, who wonder to see me so sad, + In secret I wander forlorn. + + And oft, while drear Midnight assembles her shades, + And Silence pours sleep from her throne, + Pale, lonely, and pensive, I steal through the glades, + And sigh, 'midst the darkness, my moan. + + In vain to the town I retreat for relief, + In vain to the groves I complain; + Belles, coxcombs, and uproar, can ne'er soothe my grief, + And solitude nurses my pain. + + Still absent from her whom my bosom loves best, + I languish in mis'ry and care; + Her presence could banish each woe from my heart, + But her absence, alas! is despair. + + Ye dark rugged rocks, that recline o'er the deep; + Ye breezes, that sigh o'er the main-- + Oh, shelter me under your cliffs while I weep, + And cease while ye hear me complain! + + Far distant, alas! from my dear native shore, + And far from each friend now I be; + And wide is the merciless ocean that roars + Between my Matilda and me. + + + + +AUCHTERTOOL.[43] + + + From the village of Leslie, with a heart full of glee, + And my pack on my shoulders, I rambled out free, + Resolved that same evening, as Luna was full, + To lodge, ten miles distant, in old Auchtertool. + + Through many a lone cottage and farm-house I steer'd, + Took their money, and off with my budget I sheer'd; + The road I explored out, without form or rule, + Still asking the nearest to old Auchtertool. + + At length I arrived at the edge of the town, + As Phoebus, behind a high mountain, went down; + The clouds gather'd dreary, and weather blew foul, + And I hugg'd myself safe now in old Auchtertool. + + An inn I inquired out, a lodging desired, + But the landlady's pertness seem'd instantly fired; + For she saucy replied, as she sat carding wool, + "I ne'er kept sic lodgers in auld Auchtertool." + + With scorn I soon left her to live on her pride; + But, asking, was told there was none else beside, + Except an old weaver, who now kept a school, + And these were the whole that were in Auchtertool. + + To his mansion I scamper'd, and rapp'd at the door; + He oped, but as soon as I dared to implore, + He shut it like thunder, and utter'd a howl + That rung through each corner of old Auchtertool. + + Deprived of all shelter, through darkness I trode, + Till I came to a ruin'd old house by the road; + Here the night I will spend, and, inspired by the owl, + My wrath I 'll vent forth upon old Auchtertool. + + +[43] We have ventured to omit three verses, and to alter slightly the +last line of this song. It was originally published at Paisley, in 1790, +to the tune of "One bottle more." Auchtertool is a small hamlet in +Fifeshire, about five miles west of the town of Kirkcaldy. The +inhabitants, whatever may have been their failings at the period when +Wilson in vain solicited shelter in the hamlet, are certainly no longer +entitled to bear the reproach of lacking in hospitality. We rejoice in +the opportunity thus afforded of testifying as to the disinterested +hospitality and kindness which we have experienced in that +neighbourhood. + + + + +CAROLINA, BARONESS NAIRN. + + +Carolina Oliphant was born in the old mansion of Gask, in the county of +Perth, on the 16th of July 1766. She was the third daughter and fifth +child of Laurence Oliphant of Gask, who had espoused his cousin Margaret +Robertson, a daughter of Duncan Robertson of Struan, and his wife a +daughter of the fourth Lord Nairn. The Oliphants of Gask were cadets of +the formerly noble house of Oliphant; whose ancestor, Sir William +Oliphant of Aberdalgie, a puissant knight, acquired distinction in the +beginning of the fourteenth century by defending the Castle of Stirling +against a formidable siege by the first Edward. The family of Gask were +devoted Jacobites; the paternal grandfather of Carolina Oliphant had +attended Prince Charles Edward as aid-de-camp during his disastrous +campaign of 1745-6, and his spouse had indicated her sympathy in his +cause by cutting out a lock of his hair on the occasion of his accepting +the hospitality of the family mansion. The portion of hair is preserved +at Gask; and Carolina Oliphant, in her song, "The Auld House," has thus +celebrated the gentle deed of her progenitor:-- + + "The Leddy too, sae genty, + There shelter'd Scotland's heir, + An' clipt a lock wi' her ain hand + Frae his lang yellow hair." + +The estate of Gask escaped forfeiture, but the father of Carolina did +not renounce the Jacobite sentiments of his ancestors. He named the +subject of this memoir Carolina, in honour of Prince Charles Edward; and +his prevailing topic of conversation was the reiterated expression of +his hope that "the king would get his ain." He would not permit the +names of the reigning monarch and his queen to be mentioned in his +presence; and when impaired eyesight compelled him to seek the +assistance of his family in reading the newspapers, he angrily reproved +the reader if the "German lairdie and his leddy" were designated +otherwise than by the initial letters, "K. and Q." This extreme +Jacobitism at a period when the crime was scarcely to be dreaded, was +reported to George III., who is related to have confessed his respect +for a man who had so consistently maintained his political sentiments. + +In her youth, Carolina Oliphant was singularly beautiful, and was known +in her native district by the poetical designation of "The Flower of +Strathearn." She was as remarkable for the precocity of her intellect, +as she was celebrated for the elegance of her person. Descended by her +mother from a family which, in one instance,[44] at least, had afforded +some evidence of poetical talents, and possessed of a correct musical +ear, she very early composed verses for her favourite melodies. To the +development of her native genius, her juvenile condition abundantly +contributed: the locality of her birthplace, rich in landscape scenery, +and associated with family traditions and legends of curious and +chivalric adventure, might have been sufficient to promote, in a mind +less fertile than her own, sentiments of poesy. In the application of +her talents she was influenced by another incentive. A loose ribaldry +tainted the songs and ballads which circulated among the peasantry, and +she was convinced that the diffusion of a more wholesome minstrelsy +would essentially elevate the moral tone of the community. Thus, while +still young, she commenced to purify the older melodies, and to compose +new songs, which were ultimately destined to occupy an ample share of +the national heart. The occasion of an agricultural dinner in the +neighbourhood afforded her a fitting opportunity of making trial of her +success in the good work which she had begun. To the president of the +meeting she sent, anonymously, her verses entitled "The Ploughman;" and +the production being publicly read, was received with warm approbation, +and was speedily put to music. She was thus encouraged to proceed in her +self-imposed task; and to this early period of her life may be ascribed +some of her best lyrics. "The Laird o' Cockpen," and "The Land o' the +Leal," at the close of the century, were sung in every district of the +kingdom. + +Carolina Oliphant had many suitors for her hand: she gave a preference +to William Murray Nairn, her maternal cousin, who had been Baron Nairn, +barring the attainder of the title on account of the Jacobitism of the +last Baron. The marriage was celebrated in June 1806. At this period, Mr +Nairn was Assistant Inspector-General of Barracks in Scotland, and held +the rank of major in the army. By Act of Parliament, on the 17th June +1824, the attainder of the family was removed, the title of Baron being +conferred on Major Nairn. This measure is reported to have been passed +on the strong recommendation of George IV.; his Majesty having learned, +during his state visit to Scotland in 1822, that the song of "The +Attainted Scottish Nobles" was the composition of Lady Nairn. The song +is certainly one of the best apologies for Jacobitism. + +On the 9th of July 1830, Lady Nairn was bereaved of her husband, to whom +she had proved an affectionate wife. Her care had for several years been +assiduously bestowed on the proper rearing of her only child William, +who, being born in 1808, had reached his twenty-second year when he +succeeded to the title on the death of his father. This young nobleman +warmly reciprocated his mother's affectionate devotedness; and, making +her the associate of his manhood, proved a source of much comfort to her +in her bereavement. In 1837, he resolved, in her society, to visit the +Continent, in the hope of being recruited by change of climate from an +attack of influenza caught in the spring of that year. But the change +did not avail; he was seized with a violent cold at Brussels, which, +after an illness of six weeks, proved fatal. He died in that city on the +7th of December 1837. Deprived both of her husband and her only child, a +young nobleman of so much promise, and of singular Christian worth, Lady +Nairn, though submitting to the mysterious dispensations with becoming +resignation, did not regain her wonted buoyancy of spirit. Old age was +rapidly approaching,--those years in which the words of the inspired +sage, "I have no pleasure in them," are too frequently called forth by +the pressure of human infirmities. But this amiable lady did not sink +under the load of affliction and of years: she mourned in hope, and wept +in faith. While the afflictions which had mingled with her cup of +blessings tended to prevent her lingering too intently on the past,[45] +the remembrance of a life devoted to deeds of piety and virtue was a +solace greater than any other earthly object could impart, leading her +to hail the future with sentiments of joyful anticipation. During the +last years of her life, unfettered by worldly ties, she devoted all her +energies to the service of Heaven, and to the advancement of Christian +truth. Her beautiful ode, "Would you be young again?" was composed in +1842, and enclosed in a letter to a friend; it is signally expressive of +the pious resignation and Christian hope of the author. + +After the important era of her marriage, she seems to have relinquished +her literary ardour. But in the year 1821, Mr Robert Purdie, an +enterprising music-seller in Edinburgh, having resolved to publish a +series of the more approved national songs, made application to several +ladies celebrated for their musical skill, with the view of obtaining +their assistance in the arrangement of the melodies. To these ladies was +known the secret of Lady Nairn's devotedness to Scottish song, enjoying +as they did her literary correspondence and private intimacy; and in +consenting to aid the publisher in his undertaking, they calculated on +contributions from their accomplished friend. They had formed a correct +estimate: Lady Nairn, whose extreme diffidence had hitherto proved a +barrier to the fulfilment of the best wishes of her heart, in effecting +the reformation of the national minstrelsy, consented to transmit +pieces for insertion, on the express condition that her name and rank, +and every circumstance connected with her history, should be kept in +profound secrecy. The condition was carefully observed; so that, +although the publication of "The Scottish Minstrel" extended over three +years, and she had several personal interviews and much correspondence +with the publisher and his editor, Mr R. A. Smith, both these +individuals remained ignorant of her real name. She had assumed the +signature, "B. B.," in her correspondence with Mr Purdie, who appears to +have been entertained by _the discovery_, communicated in confidence, +that the name of his contributor was "Mrs Bogan of Bogan;" and by this +designation he subsequently addressed her. The _nom de guerre_ of the +two B.'s[46] is attached to the greater number of Lady Nairn's +contributions in "The Scottish Minstrel." + +The new collection of minstrelsy, unexceptionable as it was in the words +attached to all the airs, commanded a wide circulation, and excited +general attention. The original contributions were especially commended, +and some of them were forthwith sung by professed vocalists in the +principal towns. Much speculation arose respecting the authorship, and +various conjectures were supported, each with plausible arguments, by +the public journalists. In these circumstances, Lady Nairn experienced +painful alarm, lest, by any inadvertence on the part of her friends, the +origin of her songs should be traced. While the publication of the +"Minstrel" was proceeding, her correspondents received repeated +injunctions to adopt every caution in preserving her _incognita_; she +was even desirous that her sex might not be made known. "I beg the +publisher will make no mention of a _lady_," she wrote to one of her +correspondents, "as you observe, the more mystery the better, and +_still_ the balance is in favour of the lords of creation. I cannot +help, in some degree, undervaluing beforehand what is said to be a +feminine production." "The Scottish Minstrel" was completed in 1824, in +six royal octavo volumes, forming one of the best collections of the +Scottish melodies. It was in the full belief that "Mrs Bogan" was her +real name, that the following compliment was paid to Lady Nairn by +Messrs Purdie and R. A. Smith, in the advertisement to the last volume +of the work:--"In particular, the editors would have felt happy in being +permitted to enumerate the many original and beautiful verses that adorn +their pages, for which they are indebted to the author of the +much-admired song, 'The Land o' the Leal;' but they fear to wound a +delicacy which shrinks from all observation." + +Subsequent to the appearance of "The Scottish Minstrel," Lady Nairn did +not publish any lyrics; and she was eminently successful in preserving +her _incognita_. No critic ventured to identify her as the celebrated +"B. B.," and it was only whispered among a few that she had composed +"The Land o' the Leal." The mention of her name publicly as the author +of this beautiful ode, on one occasion, had signally disconcerted her. +While she was resident in Paris, in 1842, she writes to an intimate +friend in Edinburgh on this subject:--"A Scottish lady here, Lady----, +with whom I never met in Scotland, is so good as, among perfect +strangers, to _denounce_ me as the origin of 'The Land o' the Leal!' I +cannot trace it, but very much dislike as ever any kind of publicity." +The extreme diffidence and shrinking modesty of the amiable author +continued to the close of her life; she never divulged, beyond a small +circle of confidential friends, the authorship of a single verse. The +songs published in her youth had been given to others; but, as in the +case of Lady Anne Barnard, these assignments caused her no uneasiness. +She experienced much gratification in finding her simple minstrelsy +supplanting the coarse and demoralising rhymes of a former period; and +this mental satisfaction she preferred to fame. + +The philanthropic efforts of Lady Nairn were not limited to the +purification of the national minstrelsy; her benevolence extended +towards the support of every institution likely to promote the temporal +comforts, or advance the spiritual interests of her countrymen. Her +contributions to the public charities were ample, and she + + "Did good by stealth, and blush'd to find it fame." + +In an address delivered at Edinburgh, on the 29th of December 1845, Dr +Chalmers, referring to the exertions which had been made for the supply +of religious instruction in the district of the West Port of Edinburgh, +made the following remarks regarding Lady Nairn, who was then recently +deceased:--"Let me speak now as to the countenance we have received. I +am now at liberty to mention a very noble benefaction which I received +about a year ago. Inquiry was made at me by a lady, mentioning that she +had a sum at her disposal, and that she wished to apply it to charitable +purposes; and she wanted me to enumerate a list of charitable objects, +in proportion to the estimate I had of their value. Accordingly, I +furnished her with a scale of about five or six charitable objects. The +highest in the scale were those institutions which had for their design +the Christianising of the people at home; and I also mentioned to her, +in connexion with the Christianising at home, what we were doing at the +West Port; and there came to me from her, in the course of a day or two, +no less a sum than L300. She is now dead; she is now in her grave, and +her works do follow her. When she gave me this noble benefaction, she +laid me under strict injunctions of secrecy, and, accordingly, I did not +mention her name to any person; but after she was dead, I begged of her +nearest heir that I might be allowed to proclaim it, because I thought +that her example, so worthy to be followed, might influence others in +imitating her; and I am happy to say that I am now at liberty to state +that it was Lady Nairn of Perthshire. It enabled us, at the expense of +L330, to purchase sites for schools, and a church; and we have got a +site in the very heart of the locality, with a very considerable extent +of ground for a washing-green, a washing-house, and a play-ground for +the children, so that we are a good step in advance towards the +completion of our parochial economy." + +After the death of her son, and till within two years of her own death, +Lady Nairn resided chiefly on the Continent, and frequently in Paris. +Her health had for several years been considerably impaired, and +latterly she had recourse to a wheeled chair. In the mansion of Gask, on +the 27th of October 1845, she gently sunk into her rest, at the advanced +age of seventy-nine years. + +Some years subsequent to this event, it occurred to the relatives and +literary friends of the deceased Baroness that as there could no longer +be any reason for retaining her _incognita_, full justice should be done +to her memory by the publication of a collected edition of her works. +This scheme was partially executed in an elegant folio, entitled "Lays +from Strathearn: by Carolina, Baroness Nairn. Arranged with Symphonies +and Accompaniments for the Pianoforte, by Finlay Dun." It bears the +imprint of London, and has no date. In this work, of which a new edition +will speedily be published by Messrs Paterson, music-sellers, Edinburgh, +are contained seventy songs, but the larger proportion of the author's +lyrics still remain in MS. From her representatives we have received +permission to select her best lyrics for the present work, and to insert +several pieces hitherto unpublished. Of the lays which we have selected, +several are new versions to old airs; the majority, though unknown as +the compositions of Lady Nairn, are already familiar in the drawing-room +and the cottage. For winning simplicity, graceful expression, and +exquisite pathos, her compositions are especially remarkable; but when +her muse prompts to humour, the laugh is sprightly and overpowering. + +In society, Lady Nairn was reserved and unassuming. Her countenance, +naturally beautiful, wore, in her mature years, a somewhat pensive cast; +and the characteristic by which she was known consisted in her +enthusiastic love of music. It may be added, that she was fond of the +fine arts, and was skilled in the use of the pencil. + + +[44] Robertson of Struan, cousin-german of Lady Nairn's mother, and a +conspicuous Jacobite chief, composed many fugitive verses for the +amusement of his friends; and a collection of them, said to have been +surreptitiously obtained from a servant, was published, without a date, +under the following title:--"Poems on various Subjects and Occasions, by +the Honourable Alexander Robertson of Struan, Esq.--mostly taken from +his own original Manuscripts." Edinburgh, 8vo. + +[45] Writing to one of her correspondents, in November 1840, Lady Nairn +thus remarks--"I sometimes say to myself, 'This is no me,' so greatly +have my feelings and trains of thought changed since 'auld lang syne;' +and, though I am made to know assuredly that all is well, I scarcely +dare to allow my mind to settle on the past." + +[46] A daughter of Baron Hume was one of the ladies who induced Lady +Nairn to become a contributor to "The Scottish Minstrel." Many of the +songs were sent to the Editor through the medium of Miss Hume. She thus +expresses herself in a letter to a friend:--"My father's admiration of +'The Land o' the Leal' was such, that he said no woman but Miss Ferrier +was capable of writing it. And when I used to shew him song after song +in MS., when I was receiving the anonymous verses for the music, and ask +his criticism, he said--'Your unknown poetess has only _one_, or rather +_two_, letters out of taste, viz., choosing "B. B." for her signature.'" + + + + +THE PLEUGHMAN.[47] + + + There 's high and low, there 's rich and poor, + There 's trades and crafts enew, man; + But, east and west, his trade 's the best, + That kens to guide the pleugh, man. + Then, come, weel speed my pleughman lad, + And hey my merry pleughman; + Of a' the trades that I do ken, + Commend me to the pleughman. + + His dreams are sweet upon his bed, + His cares are light and few, man; + His mother's blessing 's on his head, + That tents her weel, the pleughman. + Then, come, weel speed, &c. + + The lark, sae sweet, that starts to meet + The morning fresh and new, man; + Blythe though she be, as blythe is he + That sings as sweet, the pleughman. + Then, come, weel speed, &c. + + All fresh and gay, at dawn of day + Their labours they renew, man; + Heaven bless the seed, and bless the soil, + And Heaven bless the pleughman. + Then, come, weel speed, &c. + + +[47] This seems to have been the author's first composition in Scottish +verse. See the Memoir. + + + + +CALLER HERRIN'.[48] + + + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? + They 're bonnie fish and halesome farin'; + Wha 'll buy caller herrin', + New drawn frae the Forth? + + When ye were sleepin' on your pillows, + Dream'd ye ought o' our puir fellows, + Darkling as they faced the billows, + A' to fill the woven willows. + Buy my caller herrin', + New drawn frae the Forth. + + Wha 'll buy my caller herrin'? + They 're no brought here without brave daring; + Buy my caller herrin', + Haul'd thro' wind and rain. + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? &c. + + Wha 'll buy my caller herrin'? + Oh, ye may ca' them vulgar farin'! + Wives and mithers, maist despairin', + Ca' them lives o' men. + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? &c. + + When the creel o' herrin' passes, + Ladies, clad in silks and laces, + Gather in their braw pelisses, + Cast their heads, and screw their faces. + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? &c. + + Caller herrin 's no got lightlie; + Ye can trip the spring fu' tightlie; + Spite o' tauntin', flauntin', flingin', + Gow has set you a' a-singin'. + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? &c. + + Neebour wives, now tent my tellin', + When the bonny fish ye 're sellin', + At ae word be in yer dealin'-- + Truth will stand when a' thing 's failin'. + Wha 'll buy caller herrin'? &c. + + +[48] This song has acquired an extensive popularity, for which it is +much indebted, in addition to its intrinsic merits, to the musical +powers of the late John Wilson, the eminent vocalist, whose premature +death is a source of regret to all lovers of Scottish melody. Mr Wilson +sung this song in every principal town of the United Kingdom, and always +with effect. + + + + +THE LAND O' THE LEAL.[49] + + + I 'm wearin' awa', John, + Like snaw wreaths in thaw, John; + I 'm wearin' awa' + To the land o' the leal. + There 's nae sorrow there, John; + There 's neither cauld nor care, John; + The day 's aye fair + I' the land o' the leal. + + Our bonnie bairn 's there, John; + She was baith gude and fair, John; + And, oh! we grudged her sair + To the land o' the leal. + But sorrows sel' wears past, John, + And joy 's a-comin' fast, John-- + The joy that 's aye to last + In the land o' the leal. + + Sae dear 's that joy was bought, John, + Sae free the battle fought, John, + That sinfu' man e'er brought + To the land o' the leal. + Oh, dry your glist'ning e'e, John! + My saul langs to be free, John; + And angels beckon me + To the land o' the leal. + + Oh, haud ye leal and true, John! + Your day it 's wearin' thro', John; + And I 'll welcome you + To the land o' the leal. + Now, fare ye weel, my ain John, + This warld's cares are vain, John; + We 'll meet, and we 'll be fain, + In the land o' the leal. + + +[49] This exquisitely tender and beautiful lay was composed by Lady +Nairn, for two married relatives of her own, Mr and Mrs C----, who had +sustained bereavement in the death of a child. Such is the account of +its origin which we have received from Lady Nairn's relatives. + + + + +THE LAIRD O' COCKPEN.[50] + + The Laird o' Cockpen he 's proud and he 's great, + His mind is ta'en up with the things o' the state; + He wanted a wife his braw house to keep, + But favour wi' wooin' was fashious to seek. + + Down by the dyke-side a lady did dwell, + At his table-head he thought she 'd look well; + M'Clish's ae daughter o' Claverse-ha' Lee, + A penniless lass wi' a lang pedigree. + + His wig was weel pouther'd, and as gude as new; + His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue; + He put on a ring, a sword, and cock'd hat, + And wha' could refuse the Laird wi' a' that? + + He took the gray mare, and rade cannily-- + And rapp'd at the yett o' Claverse-ha' Lee; + "Gae tell Mistress Jean to come speedily ben, + She 's wanted to speak to the Laird o' Cockpen." + + Mistress Jean was makin' the elder-flower wine, + "And what brings the Laird at sic a like time?" + She put aff her apron, and on her silk gown, + Her mutch wi' red ribbons, and gaed awa' down. + + And when she cam' ben, he bowed fu' low, + And what was his errand he soon let her know; + Amazed was the Laird when the lady said "Na;" + And wi' a laigh curtsie she turned awa'. + + Dumbfounder'd he was, nae sigh did he gie; + He mounted his mare--he rade cannily; + And aften he thought, as he gaed through the glen, + She 's daft to refuse the Laird o' Cockpen. + + And now that the Laird his exit had made, + Mistress Jean she reflected on what she had said; + "Oh! for ane I 'll get better, it 's waur I 'll get ten, + I was daft to refuse the Laird o' Cockpen." + + Next time that the Laird and the Lady were seen, + They were gaun arm-in-arm to the kirk on the green; + Now she sits in the ha' like a weel-tappit hen, + But as yet there 's nae chickens appear'd at Cockpen. + + +[50] This humorous and highly popular song was composed by Lady Nairn +towards the close of the last century, in place of the older words +connected with the air, "When she came ben, she bobbit." The older +version, which is entitled "Cockpen," is exceptional on the score of +refinement, but was formerly sung on account of the excellence of the +air. It is generally believed to be a composition of the reign of +Charles II.; and the hero of the piece, "the Laird of Cockpen," is said +to have been the companion in arms and attached friend of his sovereign. +Of this personage an anecdote is recorded in some of the Collections. +Having been engaged with his countrymen at the battle of Worcester, in +the cause of Charles, he accompanied the unfortunate monarch to Holland, +and, forming one of the little court at the Hague, amused his royal +master by his humour, and especially by his skill in Scottish music. In +playing the tune, "Brose and Butter," he particularly excelled; it +became the favourite of the exiled monarch, and Cockpen had pleasure in +gratifying the royal wish, that he might be lulled to sleep at night, +and awakened in the morning by this enchanting air. At the Restoration, +Cockpen found that his estate had been confiscated for his attachment to +the king, and had the deep mortification to discover that he had +suffered on behalf of an ungrateful prince, who gave no response to his +many petitions and entreaties for the restoration of his possessions. +Visiting London, he was even denied an audience; but he still +entertained a hope that, by a personal conference with the king, he +might attain his object. To accomplish this design, he had recourse to +the following artifice:--He formed acquaintance with the organist of the +chapel-royal, and obtained permission to officiate as his substitute +when the king came to service. He did so with becoming propriety till +the close of the service, when, instead of the solemn departing air, he +struck up the monarch's old favourite, "Brose and Butter." The scheme, +though bordering on profanity, succeeded in the manner intended. The +king proceeding hastily to the organ-gallery, discovered Cockpen, whom +he saluted familiarly, declaring that he had "almost made him dance." "I +could dance too," said Cockpen, "if I had my lands again." The request, +to which every entreaty could not gain a response, was yielded to the +power of music and old association. Cockpen was restored to his +inheritance. The modern ballad has been often attributed to Miss +Ferrier, the accomplished author of "Marriage," and other popular +novels. She only contributed the last two stanzas. The present Laird of +Cockpen is the Marquis of Dalhousie. + + + + +HER HOME SHE IS LEAVING. + +AIR--_"Mordelia."_ + + + In all its rich wildness, her home she is leaving, + In sad and tearful silence grieving, + And still as the moment of parting is nearer, + Each long cherish'd object is fairer and dearer. + Not a grove or fresh streamlet but wakens reflection + Of hearts still and cold, that glow'd with affection; + Not a breeze that blows over the flowers of the wild wood, + But tells, as it passes, how blest was her childhood. + + And how long must I leave thee, each fond look expresses, + Ye high rocky summits, ye ivy'd recesses! + How long must I leave thee, thou wood-shaded river, + The echoes all sigh--as they whisper--for ever! + Tho' the autumn winds rave, and the seared leaves fall, + And winter hangs out her cold icy pall-- + Yet the footsteps of spring again ye will see, + And the singing of birds--but they sing not for me. + + The joys of the past, more faintly recalling, + Sweet visions of peace on her spirit are falling, + And the soft wing of time, as it speeds for the morrow, + Wafts a gale, that is drying the dew-drops of sorrow. + Hope dawns--and the toils of life's journey beguiling, + The path of the mourner is cheer'd with its smiling; + And there her heart rests, and her wishes all centre, + Where parting is never--nor sorrow can enter. + + + + + +THE BONNIEST LASS IN A' THE WARLD. + + + The bonniest lass in a' the warld, + I 've often heard them telling, + She 's up the hill, she 's down the glen, + She 's in yon lonely dwelling. + But nane could bring her to my mind + Wha lives but in the fancy, + Is 't Kate, or Shusie, Jean, or May, + Is 't Effie, Bess, or Nancy? + + Now lasses a' keep a gude heart, + Nor e'er envy a comrade, + For be your een black, blue, or gray, + Ye 're bonniest aye to some lad. + The tender heart, the charming smile, + The truth that ne'er will falter, + Are charms that never can beguile, + And time can never alter. + + + + +MY AIN KIND DEARIE, O![51] + + + Will ye gang ower the lea-rig, + My ain kind dearie, O? + Will ye gang ower the lea-rig, + My ain kind dearie, O? + Gin ye'll tak heart, and gang wi' me, + Mishap will never steer ye, O; + Gude luck lies ower the lea-rig, + My ain kind dearie, O! + + There 's walth ower yon green lea-rig, + My ain kind dearie, O! + There 's walth ower yon green lea-rig, + My ain kind dearie, O! + Its neither land, nor gowd, nor braws-- + Let them gang tapsle teerie, O! + It 's walth o' peace, o' love, and truth, + My ain kind dearie, O! + + +[51] The first two lines of this song are borrowed from the "Lea-Rig," a +lively and popular lyric, of which the first two verses were composed by +Robert Fergusson, the three remaining being added by William Reid of +Glasgow. (See _ante_, article "William Reid.") + + + + +HE'S LIFELESS AMANG THE RUDE BILLOWS. + +AIR--_"The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre."_ + + + He 's lifeless amang the rude billows, + My tears and my sighs are in vain; + The heart that beat warm for his Jeanie, + Will ne'er beat for mortal again. + My lane now I am i' the warld, + And the daylight is grievous to me; + The laddie that lo'ed me sae dearly + Lies cauld in the deeps o' the sea. + + Ye tempests, sae boist'rously raging, + Rage on as ye list--or be still; + This heart ye sae often hae sicken'd, + Is nae mair the sport o' your will. + Now heartless, I hope not--I fear not,-- + High Heaven hae pity on me! + My soul, tho' dismay'd and distracted, + Yet bends to thy awful decree. + + + + +JOY OF MY EARLIEST DAYS. + +AIR--_"I'll never leave thee."_ + + + Joy of my earliest days, + Why must I grieve thee? + Theme of my fondest lays, + Oh, I maun leave thee! + Leave thee, love! leave thee, love! + How shall I leave thee? + Absence thy truth will prove, + For, oh! I maun leave thee! + + When on yon mossy stane, + Wild weeds o'ergrowin', + Ye sit at e'en your lane, + And hear the burn rowin'; + Oh! think on this partin' hour, + Down by the Garry, + And to Him that has a' the pow'r, + Commend me, my Mary! + + + + +OH, WEEL'S ME ON MY AIN MAN. + +AIR--_"Landlady count the lawin'."_ + + + Oh, weel's me on my ain man, + My ain man, my ain man! + Oh, weel's me on my ain gudeman! + He 'll aye be welcome hame. + + I 'm wae I blamed him yesternight, + For now my heart is feather light; + For gowd I wadna gie the sight; + I see him linking ower the height. + Oh, weel's me on my ain man, &c. + + Rin, Jamie, bring the kebbuck ben, + And fin' aneath the speckled hen; + Meg, rise and sweep about the fire, + Syne cry on Johnnie frae the byre. + For weel's me on my ain man, + My ain man, my ain man! + For weel's me on my ain gudeman! + I see him linkin' hame. + + + + +KIND ROBIN LOE'S ME.[52] + + + Robin is my ain gudeman, + Now match him, carlins, gin ye can, + For ilk ane whitest thinks her swan, + But kind Robin lo'es me. + To mak my boast I 'll e'en be bauld, + For Robin lo'ed me young and auld, + In summer's heat and winter's cauld, + My kind Robin lo'es me. + + Robin he comes hame at e'en + Wi' pleasure glancin' in his e'en; + He tells me a' he 's heard and seen, + And syne how he lo'es me. + There 's some hae land, and some hae gowd, + Mair wad hae them gin they could, + But a' I wish o' warld's guid, + Is Robin still to lo'e me. + + +[52] The author seems to have composed these stanzas as a sequel to a +wooing song of the same name, beginning, "Robin is my only jo," which +first appeared in Herd's Collection in 1776. There are some older words +to the same air, but these are coarse, and are not to be found in any of +the modern Collections. + + + + +KITTY REID'S HOUSE. + +AIR--_"Country Bumpkin."_ + + + Hech, hey! the mirth that was there, + The mirth that was there, + The mirth that was there; + Hech, how! the mirth that was there, + In Kitty Reid's house on the green, Jo! + There was laughin' and singin', and dancin' and glee, + In Kitty's Reid's house, in Kitty Reid's house, + There was laughin' and singin', and dancin' and glee, + In Kitty Reid's house on the green, Jo! + + Hech, hey! the fright that was there, + The fright that was there, + The fright that was there; + Hech, how! the fright that was there, + In Kitty Reid's house on the green, Jo! + The light glimmer'd in through a crack i' the wa', + An' a'body thocht the lift it wad fa', + And lads and lasses they soon ran awa' + Frae Kitty's Reid's house on the green, Jo! + + Hech, hey! the dule that was there, + The dule that was there, + The dule that was there; + The birds and beasts it wauken'd them a', + In Kitty Reid's house on the green, Jo! + The wa' gaed a hurley, and scatter'd them a', + The piper, the fiddler, auld Kitty, and a'; + The kye fell a routin', the cocks they did craw, + In Kitty Reid's house on the green, Jo! + + + + +THE ROBIN'S NEST. + +AIR--_"Lochiel's awa' to France."_ + + + Their nest was in the leafy bush, + Sae soft and warm, sae soft and warm, + And Robins thought their little brood + All safe from harm, all safe from harm. + The morning's feast with joy they brought, + To feed their young wi' tender care; + The plunder'd leafy bush they found, + But nest and nestlings saw nae mair. + + The mother cou'dna leave the spot, + But wheeling round, and wheeling round, + The cruel spoiler aim'd a shot, + Cured her heart's wound, cured her heart's wound. + She will not hear their helpless cry, + Nor see them pine in slavery! + The burning breast she will not bide, + For wrongs of wanton knavery. + + Oh! bonny Robin Redbreast, + Ye trust in men, ye trust in men, + But what their hard hearts are made o', + Ye little ken, ye little ken. + They 'll ne'er wi' your wee skin be warm'd, + Nor wi' your tiny flesh be fed, + But just 'cause you 're a living thing, + It 's sport wi' them to lay you dead. + + Ye Hieland and ye Lowland lads, + As birdies gay, as birdies gay, + Oh, spare them, whistling like yoursel's, + And hopping blythe from spray to spray! + Their wings were made to soar aloft, + And skim the air at liberty; + And as you freedom gi'e to them, + May you and yours be ever free! + + + + +SAW YE NAE MY PEGGY?[53] + + + Saw ye nae my Peggy? + Saw ye nae my Peggy? + Saw ye nae my Peggy comin' + Through Tillibelton's broom? + I 'm frae Aberdagie, + Ower the crafts o' Craigie, + For aught I ken o' Peggie, + She 's ayont the moon. + + 'Twas but at the dawin', + Clear the cock was crawin', + I saw Peggy cawin' + Hawky by the brier. + Early bells were ringin', + Blythest birds were singin', + Sweetest flowers were springin', + A' her heart to cheer. + + Now the tempest's blawin', + Almond water 's flowin', + Deep and ford unknowin', + She maun cross the day. + Almond waters, spare her, + Safe to Lynedoch bear her! + Its braes ne'er saw a fairer, + Bess Bell nor Mary Gray. + + Oh, now to be wi' her! + Or but ance to see her + Skaithless, far or near, + I 'd gie Scotland's crown. + Byeword, blind 's a lover-- + Wha 's yon I discover? + Just yer ain fair rover, + Stately stappin' down. + + +[53] Another song with the same title, "Saw ye nae my Peggy?" is +inserted in the Collections. It first appeared in Herd's Collection, in +1769, though it is understood to be of a considerably older date. Allan +Ramsay composed two songs to the same air, but they are both inferior. +The air is believed to have originally been connected with some +exceptionable words, beginning, "Saw ye my Maggie?" + + + + +GUDE NICHT, AND JOY BE WI' YE A'! + + + The best o' joys maun hae an end, + The best o' friends maun part, I trow; + The langest day will wear away, + And I maun bid fareweel to you. + The tear will tell when hearts are fu', + For words, gin they hae sense ava, + They 're broken, faltering, and few: + Gude nicht, and joy be wi' you a'! + + Oh, we hae wander'd far and wide, + O'er Scotia's lands o' frith and fell! + And mony a simple flower we 've pu'd, + And twined it wi' the heather-bell. + We 've ranged the dingle and the dell, + The cot-house, and the baron's ha'; + Now we maun tak a last farewell: + Gude nicht, and joy be wi' you a'! + + My harp, fareweel! thy strains are past, + Of gleefu' mirth, and heartfelt care; + The voice of song maun cease at last, + And minstrelsy itsel' decay. + But, oh! whar sorrow canna win, + Nor parting tears are shed ava', + May we meet neighbour, kith, and kin, + And joy for aye be wi' us a'! + + + + +CAULD KAIL IN ABERDEEN.[54] + + + There 's cauld kail in Aberdeen, + There 's castocks in Strabogie; + And morn and e'en, they 're blythe and bein, + That haud them frae the cogie. + Now, haud ye frae the cogie, lads; + O bide ye frae the cogie! + I 'll tell ye true, ye 'll never rue, + O' passin' by the cogie. + + Young Will was braw and weel put on, + Sae blythe was he and vogie; + And he got bonnie Mary Don, + The flower o' a' Strabogie. + Wha wad hae thocht, at wooin' time, + He 'd e'er forsaken Mary, + And ta'en him to the tipplin' trade, + Wi' boozin' Rob and Harry? + + Sair Mary wrought, sair Mary grat, + She scarce could lift the ladle; + Wi' pithless feet, 'tween ilka greet, + She 'd rock the borrow'd cradle. + Her weddin' plenishin' was gane, + She never thocht to borrow: + Her bonnie face was waxin' wan-- + And Will wrought a' the sorrow. + + He 's reelin' hame ae winter's nicht, + Some later than the gloamin'; + He 's ta'en the rig, he 's miss'd the brig, + And Bogie 's ower him foamin'. + Wi' broken banes, out ower the stanes, + He creepit up Strabogie; + And a' the nicht he pray'd wi' micht, + To keep him frae the cogie. + + Now Mary's heart is light again-- + She 's neither sick nor silly; + For auld or young, nae sinfu' tongue, + Could e'er entice her Willie; + And aye the sang through Bogie rang-- + "O had ye frae the cogie; + The weary gill 's the sairest ill + On braes o' fair Strabogie." + + +[54] This excellent ballad is the fourth version adapted to the air, +"Cauld Kail in Aberdeen." Some notice of the three former will be found +_ante_, p. 46. + + + + +HE'S OWER THE HILLS THAT I LO'E WEEL. + + + He 's ower the hills that I lo'e weel, + He 's ower the hills we daurna name; + He 's ower the hills ayont Dunblane, + Wha soon will get his welcome hame. + + My father's gane to fight for him, + My brithers winna bide at hame; + My mither greets and prays for them, + And 'deed she thinks they 're no to blame. + He 's ower the hills, &c. + + The Whigs may scoff, the Whigs may jeer; + But, ah! that love maun be sincere + Which still keeps true whate'er betide, + An' for his sake leaves a' beside. + He 's ower the hills, &c. + + His right these hills, his right these plains; + Ower Hieland hearts secure he reigns; + What lads e'er did our laddies will do; + Were I a laddie, I'd follow him too. + He 's ower the hills, &c. + + Sae noble a look, sae princely an air, + Sae gallant and bold, sae young and sae fair; + Oh, did ye but see him, ye 'd do as we've done! + Hear him but ance, to his standard you 'll run. + He 's ower the hills, &c. + + Then draw the claymore, for Charlie then fight; + For your country, religion, and a' that is right; + Were ten thousand lives now given to me, + I 'd die as aft for ane o' the three. + He 's ower the hills, &c. + + + + +THE LASS O' GOWRIE.[55] + +AIR--_"Loch Erroch Side."_ + + + 'Twas on a summer's afternoon, + A wee afore the sun gaed down, + A lassie, wi' a braw new gown, + Cam' ower the hills to Gowrie. + The rose-bud, wash'd in summer's shower, + Bloom'd fresh within the sunny bower; + But Kitty was the fairest flower + That e'er was seen in Gowrie. + + To see her cousin she cam' there, + An', oh, the scene was passing fair! + For what in Scotland can compare + Wi' the Carse o' Gowrie? + The sun was setting on the Tay, + The blue hills melting into gray; + The mavis' and the blackbird's lay + Were sweetly heard in Gowrie. + + Oh, lang the lassie I had woo'd! + An' truth and constancy had vow'd, + But cam' nae speed wi' her I lo'ed, + Until she saw fair Gowrie. + I pointed to my faither's ha', + Yon bonnie bield ayont the shaw, + Sae loun' that there nae blast could blaw; + Wad she no bide in Gowrie? + + Her faither was baith glad and wae; + Her mither she wad naething say; + The bairnies thocht they wad get play + If Kitty gaed to Gowrie. + She whiles did smile, she whiles did greet, + The blush and tear were on her cheek; + She naething said, an' hung her head; + But now she's Leddy Gowrie. + + +[55] There are several other versions of this highly popular song. One +of these, the composition of William Reid of Glasgow, has already been +adduced. See _ante_, p. 157. Another, which is one of the most +celebrated, in the first two verses is nearly the same with the opening +stanzas of Lady Nairn's version, the sequel proceeding as follows:-- + + I praised her beauty loud an' lang, + Then round her waist my arms I flang, + And said, "My dearie, will ye gang + To see the Carse o' Gowrie? + + "I'll tak ye to my father's ha', + In yon green field beside the shaw; + I'll mak you lady o' them a'-- + The brawest wife in Gowrie." + + Soft kisses on her lips I laid, + The blush upon her cheek soon spread; + She whisper'd modestly, and said, + "I'll gang wi' you to Gowrie." + + The auld folks soon ga'e their consent, + Syne for Mess John they quickly sent, + Wha tied them to their heart's content, + And now she's Lady Gowrie. + +Mr Lyle, in his "Ancient Ballads and Songs" (Lond. 1827, 12mo, p. 138), +presents an additional version, which we subjoin. Mr Lyle remarks, that +he had revised it from an old stall copy, ascribed to Colonel James +Ramsay of Stirling Castle. + + THE BONNIE LASS O' GOWRIE. + + A wee bit north frae yon green wood, + Whar draps the sunny showerie, + The lofty elm-trees spread their boughs, + To shade the braes o' Gowrie; + An' by yon burn ye scarce can see, + There stan's a rustic bowerie, + Whar lives a lass mair dear to me + Than a' the maids in Gowrie. + + Nae gentle bard e'er sang her praise, + 'Cause fortune ne'er left dowrie; + The rose blaws sweetest in the shade, + So does the flower o' Gowrie. + When April strews her garlands roun', + Her bare foot treads the flowerie; + Her sang gars a' the woodlands ring, + That shade the braes o' Gowrie. + + Her modest blush an' downcast e'e, + A flame sent beating through me; + For she surpasses all I've seen, + This peerless flower o' Gowrie. + I've lain upon the dewy green + Until the evening hourie, + An' thought gin e'er I durst ca' mine + The bonnie lass o' Gowrie. + + The bushes that o'erhang the burn, + Sae verdant and sae flowerie, + Can witness that I love alane + The bonnie lass o' Gowrie. + Let ithers dream an' sigh for wealth, + An' fashions fleet and flowery; + Gi'e me that heav'nly innocence + Upon the braes o' Gowrie. + + + + +THERE GROWS A BONNIE BRIER BUSH.[56] + + + There grows a bonnie brier bush in our kail-yard, + And white are the blossoms o't in our kail-yard, + Like wee bit white cockauds to deck our Hieland lads, + And the lasses lo'e the bonnie bush in our kail-yard. + + An' it 's hame, an' it 's hame to the north countrie, + An' it 's hame, an' it 's hame to the north countrie, + Where my bonnie Jean is waiting for me, + Wi' a heart kind and true, in my ain countrie. + + "But were they a' true that were far awa? + Oh! were they a' true that were far awa'? + They drew up wi' glaikit Englishers at Carlisle Ha', + And forgot auld frien's that were far awa. + + "Ye 'll come nae mair, Jamie, where aft ye 've been, + Ye 'll come nae mair, Jamie, to Atholl's green; + Ye lo'ed ower weel the dancin' at Carlisle Ha', + And forgot the Hieland hills that were far awa'." + + "I ne'er lo'ed a dance but on Atholl's green, + I ne'er lo'ed a lassie but my dorty Jean, + Sair, sair against my will did I bide sae lang awa', + And my heart was aye in Atholl's green at Carlisle Ha'." + + * * * * * + + The brier bush was bonnie ance in our kail-yard; + The brier bush was bonnie ance in our kail-yard; + A blast blew ower the hill, that gae Atholl's flowers a chill, + And the bloom 's blawn aff the bonnie bush in our kail-yard. + + +[56] The present is an amended version of an old song, entitled "The +Bonnie Brier Bush," altered and added to by Burns for the "Musical +Museum." + + + + +JOHN TOD. + + + He 's a terrible man, John Tod, John Tod, + He 's a terrible man, John Tod; + He scolds in the house, + He scolds at the door, + He scolds on the vera hie road, John Tod, + He scolds on the vera hie road. + + The weans a' fear John Tod, John Tod, + The weans a' fear John Tod; + When he 's passing by, + The mithers will cry,-- + Here 's an ill wean, John Tod, John Tod, + Here 's an ill wean, John Tod. + + The callants a' fear John Tod, John Tod, + The callants a' fear John Tod; + If they steal but a neep, + The callant he 'll whip, + And it 's unco weel done o' John Tod, John Tod, + It 's unco weel done o' John Tod. + + An' saw ye nae wee John Tod, John Tod? + Oh, saw ye nae wee John Tod? + His bannet was blue, + His shoon maistly new, + An' weel does he keep the kirk road, John Tod, + Oh, weel does he keep the kirk road. + + How is he fendin', John Tod, John Tod? + How is he wendin', John Tod? + He 's scourin' the land, + Wi' his rung in his hand, + An' the French wadna frighten John Tod, John Tod, + An' the French wadna frighten John Tod. + + Ye 're sun-brunt and batter'd, John Tod, John Tod + Ye 're tantit and tatter'd, John Tod; + Wi' your auld strippit coul, + Ye look maist like a fule, + But there 's nouse i' the lining,[57] John Tod, John Tod, + But there 's nouse i' the lining, John Tod. + + He 's weel respeckit, John Tod, John Tod, + He 's weel respeckit, John Tod; + He 's a terrible man, + But we 'd a' gae wrang + If e'er he sud leave us, John Tod, John Tod, + If e'er he sud leave us, John Tod. + + +[57] A familiar Scottish phrase for good sense. + + + + +WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN? + + + Bonnie Charlie 's now awa', + Safely ower the friendly main; + Mony a heart will break in twa + Should he ne'er come back again. + Will ye no come back again? + Will ye no come back again? + Better lo'ed ye canna be-- + Will ye no come back again? + + Ye trusted in your Hieland men, + They trusted you, dear Charlie! + They kent your hiding in the glen, + Death or exile braving. + Will ye no, &c. + + English bribes were a' in vain, + Tho' puir, and puirer, we maun be; + Siller canna buy the heart + That beats aye for thine and thee. + Will ye no, &c. + + We watch'd thee in the gloamin' hour, + We watch'd thee in the mornin' gray; + Though thirty thousand pound they gi'e, + Oh, there is none that wad betray! + Will ye no, &c. + + Sweet 's the laverock's note, and lang, + Lilting wildly up the glen; + But aye to me he sings ae sang, + Will ye no come back again? + Will ye no, &c. + + + + +JAMIE THE LAIRD. + +AIR--_"The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow."_ + + + Send a horse to the water, ye 'll no mak him drink, + Send a fule to the college, ye 'll no mak him think; + Send a craw to the singin', an' still he will craw, + An' the wee laird had nae rummulgumshion ava. + Yet is he the pride o' his fond mother's e'e, + In body or mind, nae fau't can she see; + "He 's a fell clever lad, an' a bonny wee man," + Is aye the beginnin' an' end o' her sang. + An' oh! she 's a haverin' lucky, I trow, + An' oh! she 's a haverin' lucky, I trow; + "He 's a fell clever lad, an' a bonny wee man," + Is aye the beginnin' an' end o' her sang. + + His legs they are bow'd, his een they do glee, + His wig, whiles it 's aff, and when on, it 's ajee; + He 's braid as he 's lang, an' ill-faur'd is he, + A dafter-like body I never did see. + An' yet for this cratur' she says I am deein', + When that I deny, she 's fear'd at my leein'; + Obliged to put up wi' this sair defamation, + I'm liken to dee wi' grief an' vexation. + An' oh! she 's a haverin' lucky, &c. + + An' her clishmaclavers gang a' through the toun, + An' the wee lairdie trows I 'll hang or I 'll droun. + Wi' his gawky-like face, yestreen he did say, + "I 'll maybe tak you, for Bess I 'll no hae, + Nor Mattie, nor Effie, nor lang-legged Jeanie, + Nor Nelly, nor Katie, nor skirlin' wee Beenie." + I stappit my ears, ran aff in a fury-- + I 'm thinkin' to bring them afore judge an' jury. + For oh! what a randy auld luckie is she, &c. + + Freen's! gi'e your advice!--I 'll follow your counsel-- + Maun I speak to the Provost, or honest Toun Council, + Or the writers, or lawyers, or doctors? now say, + For the law on the lucky I shall an' will hae. + The hale toun at me are jibin' and jeerin', + For a leddy like me it 's really past bearin'; + The lucky maun now hae dune wi' her claverin', + For I 'll no put up wi' her nor her haverin'. + For oh! she 's a randy, I trow, I trow, + For oh! she 's a randy, I trow, I trow; + "He 's a fell clever lad, an' a bonny wee man," + Is aye the beginnin' an' end o' her sang. + + + + +SONGS OF MY NATIVE LAND. + +AIR--_"Happy Land."_ + + + Songs of my native land, + To me how dear! + Songs of my infancy, + Sweet to mine ear! + Entwined with my youthful days, + Wi' the bonny banks and braes, + Where the winding burnie strays, + Murmuring near. + + Strains of my native land, + That thrill the soul, + Pouring the magic of + Your soft control! + Often has your minstrelsy + Soothed the pang of misery, + Winging rapid thoughts away + To realms on high. + + Weary pilgrims _there_ have rest, + Their wand'rings o'er; + There the slave, no more oppress'd, + Hails Freedom's shore. + Sin shall then no more deface, + Sickness, pain, and sorrow cease, + Ending in eternal peace, + And songs of joy! + + There, when the seraphs sing, + In cloudless day; + There, where the higher praise + The ransom'd pay. + Soft strains of the happy land, + Chanted by the heavenly band, + Who can fully understand + How sweet ye be! + + + + +CASTELL GLOOM.[58] + + + Oh, Castell Gloom! thy strength is gone, + The green grass o'er thee growin'; + On hill of _Care_ thou art alone, + The _Sorrow_ round thee flowin'. + Oh, Castell Gloom! on thy fair wa's + Nae banners now are streamin', + The houlet flits amang thy ha's, + And wild birds there are screamin'. + Oh! mourn the woe, oh! mourn the crime, + Frae civil war that flows; + Oh! mourn, Argyll, thy fallen line, + And mourn the great Montrose. + + Here ladies bright were aften seen, + Here valiant warriors trod; + And here great Knox has aften been, + Wha fear'd nought but his God! + But a' are gane! the guid, the great, + And naething now remains, + But ruin sittin' on thy wa's, + And crumblin' down the stanes. + Oh! mourn the woe, &c. + + Thy lofty Ochils bright did glow, + Though sleepin' was the sun; + But mornin's light did sadly show, + What ragin' flames had done. + Oh, mirk, mirk was the misty cloud, + That hung o'er thy wild wood! + Thou wert like beauty in a shroud, + And all was solitude. + Oh! mourn the woe, &c. + + +[58] Castle Gloom, better known as Castle Campbell, was a residence of +the noble family of Argyll, from the middle of the fifteenth till the +middle of the seventeenth century, when it was burnt by the Marquis of +Montrose--an enterprise to which he was excited by the Ogilvies, who +thus sought revenge for the destruction, by the Marquis of Argyll, of +the "bonnie house of Airlie." The castle is situated on a promontory of +the Ochil hills, near the village of Dollar, in Clackmannanshire, and +has long been in the ruinous condition described in the song. Two hill +rivulets, designated _Sorrow_ and _Care_, proceed on either side of the +castle promontory. John Knox, the Reformer, for some time resided in +Castle Gloom, with Archibald, fourth Earl of Argyll, and here preached +the Reformed doctrines. + + + + +BONNIE GASCON HA'. + + + Lane, on the winding Earn there stands + An unco tow'r, sae stern an' auld, + Biggit by lang forgotten hands, + Ance refuge o' the Wallace bauld. + + Time's restless fingers sair hath waur'd + And rived thy gray disjaskit wa', + But rougher hands nor Time's hae daur'd + To wrang thee, bonnie Gascon Ha'! + + Oh, may a muse unkent to fame + For this dim greesome relic sue, + It 's linkit wi' a patriot's name, + The truest Scotland ever knew. + + Just leave in peace each mossy stane + Tellin' o' nations' rivalry, + An' for succeeding ages hain + Remains o' Scottish chivalry. + + * * * * * + + What though no monument to thee + Is biggit by thy country's hand; + Engraved are thy immortal deeds + On every heart o' this braid land. + + Rude Time may monuments ding doun, + An' tow'rs an' wa's maun a' decay; + Enduring, deathless, noble chief, + Thy name can never pass away! + + Gi'e pillar'd fame to common men,-- + Nae need o' cairns for ane like thee; + In every cave, wood, hill, and glen, + "WALLACE" remember'd aye shall be. + + + + +THE AULD HOUSE. + + + Oh, the auld house, the auld house! + What though the rooms were wee? + Oh, kind hearts were dwelling there, + And bairnies fu' o' glee! + The wild-rose and the jesamine + Still hang upon the wa'; + How mony cherish'd memories + Do they, sweet flowers, reca'! + + Oh, the auld laird, the auld laird! + Sae canty, kind, and crouse; + How mony did he welcome to + His ain wee dear auld house! + And the leddy too, sae genty, + There shelter'd Scotland's heir, + And clipt a lock wi' her ain hand + Frae his lang yellow hair. + + The mavis still doth sweetly sing, + The blue bells sweetly blaw, + The bonnie Earn 's clear winding still, + But the auld house is awa'. + The auld house, the auld house, + Deserted though ye be, + There ne'er can be a new house, + Will seem sae fair to me. + + Still flourishing the auld pear tree + The bairnies liked to see, + And oh, how aften did they speir + When ripe they a' wad be! + The voices sweet, the wee bit feet + Aye rinnin' here and there, + The merry shout--oh! whiles we greet + To think we 'll hear nae mair. + + For they are a' wide scatter'd now, + Some to the Indies gane, + And ane, alas! to her lang hame; + Not here we 'll meet again. + The kirkyaird, the kirkyaird, + Wi' flowers o' every hue, + Shelter'd by the holly's shade, + An' the dark sombre yew. + + The setting sun, the setting sun, + How glorious it gaed down; + The cloudy splendour raised our hearts + To cloudless skies aboon! + The auld dial, the auld dial, + It tauld how time did pass; + The wintry winds hae dung it down,-- + Now hid 'mang weeds and grass. + + + + +THE HUNDRED PIPERS.[59] + +AIR--_"Hundred Pipers."_ + + + Wi' a hundred pipers, an' a', an' a', + Wi' a hundred pipers, an' a', an' a', + We 'll up, and we 'll gi'e them a blaw, a blaw, + Wi' a hundred pipers, an' a', an' a'. + It is ower the border, awa', awa', + It is ower the border, awa', awa', + Oh, we 'll on, an' we 'll march to Carlisle ha', + Wi' its yetts, its castel, an' a', an' a'. + + Oh, our brave sodger lads look'd braw, an' braw, + Wi' their tartans, their kilts, an' a', an' a', + Wi' bannets an' feathers, an' glittrin' gear, + An' pibrochs soundin' sae sweet an' clear. + Will they a' come hame to their ain dear glen? + Will they a' return, our brave Hieland men? + Oh, second-sighted Sandie look'd fu' wae, + An' mithers grat sair whan they march'd away. + Wi' a hundred pipers, &c. + + Oh, wha is the foremaist o' a', o' a'? + Wha is it first follows the blaw, the blaw? + Bonnie Charlie, the king o' us a', us a', + Wi' his hundred pipers, an' a', an' a'. + His bannet and feather, he 's waving high, + His prancin' steed maist seems to fly; + The nor' wind plays wi' his curly hair, + While the pipers blaw up an unco flare! + Wi' his hundred pipers, &c. + + The Esk was swollen sae red an' sae deep, + But shouther to shouther the brave lads keep; + Twa thousand swam ower to fell English ground, + An' danced themselves dry to the pibroch sound. + Dumfounder'd the English were a', were a', + Dumfounder'd they a' heard the blaw, the blaw, + Dumfounder'd they a' ran awa', awa', + Frae the hundred pipers, an' a', an' a'. + Wi' a hundred pipers, &c. + + +[59] "Charles Edward entered Carlisle preceded by a hundred pipers. Two +thousand Highlanders crossed the Esk, at Longtown; the tide being +swollen, nothing was seen of them but their heads and shoulders; they +stemmed the force of the stream, and lost not a man in the passage: when +landed, the pipers struck up, and they danced reels until they were dry +again."--_Authentic Account of Occupation of Carlisle, by George G. +Monsey._ + + + + +THE WOMEN ARE A' GANE WUD.[60] + + + The women are a' gane wud, + Oh, that he had biden awa'! + He 's turn'd their heads, the lad, + And ruin will bring on us a'. + George was a peaceable man, + My wife she did doucely behave; + But now dae a' that I can, + She 's just as wild as the lave. + + My wife she wears the cockade, + Tho' I 've bidden her no to do sae, + She has a true friend in her maid, + And they ne'er mind a word that I say. + The wild Hieland lads as they pass, + The yetts wide open do flee; + They eat the very house bare, + And nae leave 's speer'd o' me. + + I 've lived a' my days in the Strath + Now Tories infest me at hame, + And tho' I tak nae side at a', + Baith sides will gae me the blame. + The senseless creturs ne'er think + What ill the lad wad bring back; + The Pope we 'd hae, and the d--l, + And a' the rest o' his pack. + + +[60] These verses are printed from a MS. in possession of one of Lady +Nairn's friends, and are, the Editor believes, for the first time +published. + + + + +JEANIE DEANS.[61] + + + St Leonard's hill was lightsome land, + Where gowan'd grass was growin', + For man and beast were food and rest, + And milk and honey flowin'. + A father's blessing follow'd close, + Where'er her foot was treading, + And Jeanie's humble, hamely joys + On every side were spreading wide, + On every side were spreading. + + The mossy turf on Arthur's Seat, + St Anthon's well aye springin'; + The lammies playing at her feet, + The birdies round her singin'. + The solemn haunts o' Holyrood, + Wi' bats and hoolits eerie, + The tow'ring crags o' Salisbury, + The lowly wells o' Weary, O[62] + The lowly wells o' Weary. + + But evil days and evil men, + Came ower their sunny dwellin', + Like thunder-storms on sunny skies, + Or wastefu' waters swellin'. + What aince was sweet is bitter now, + The sun of joy is setting; + In eyes that wont to glame wi' glee, + The briny tear is wetting fast, + The briny tear is wetting. + + Her inmost thoughts to Heaven is sent, + In faithful supplication; + Her earthly stay 's Macallummore, + The guardian o' the nation. + A hero's heart--a sister's love-- + A martyr's truth unbending; + They 're a' in Jeanie's tartan plaid-- + And she is gane, her leefu' lane, + To Lunnon toun she 's wending! + + +[61] The romantic scenery depicted in this song is in the immediate +vicinity of the Queen's Drive, Edinburgh. + +[62] The wells of Weary are situated near the Windyknowe, beneath +Salisbury Crags. + + + + +THE HEIRESS.[63] + +GAELIC AIR--_"Mo Leannan Falnich."_ + + + I 'll no be had for naething, + I 'll no be had for naething, + I tell ye, lads, that 's ae thing, + So ye needna follow me. + Oh, the change is most surprising, + Last year I was plain Betty Brown, + Now to me they 're a' aspiring,-- + The fair Elizabeth I am grown! + + What siller does is most amazing, + Nane o' them e'er look'd at me, + Now my charms they a' are praising, + For my sake they 're like to dee. + The Laird, the Shirra, and the Doctor, + Wi' twa three Lords o' high degree; + Wi' heaps o' Writers I could mention-- + Oh, surely this is no me! + But I 'll no, &c. + + The yett is now for ever ringing, + Showers o' valentines aye bringing, + Fill'd wi' Cupids, flames, and darts, + Fae auld and young, wi' broken hearts. + The siller, O the weary siller! + Aft in toil and trouble sought, + But better far it should be sae, + Than that true hearts should e'er be bought. + Sae I 'll no, &c. + + But there is ane, when I had naething, + A' his heart he gi'ed to me; + And sair he toil'd for a wee thing, + To bring me when he cam frae sea. + If ever I should marry ony, + He will be the lad for me; + For he was baith gude and bonny, + And he thought the same o' me. + Sae I 'll no, &c. + + +[63] This song is printed from an improved version of the original, by a +literary friend of the author. + + + + +THE MITHERLESS LAMMIE. + + + The mitherless lammie ne'er miss'd its ain mammie, + We tentit it kindly by night and by day, + The bairnies made game o't, it had a blithe hame o't, + Its food was the gowan--its music was "_mai_." + + Without tie or fetter, it couldna been better, + But it would gae witless the world to see; + The foe that it fear'd not, it saw not, it heard not, + Was watching its wand'ring frae Bonnington Lea. + + Oh, what then befell it, 't were waefu' to tell it, + Tod Lowrie kens best, wi' his lang head sae sly; + He met the pet lammie, that wanted its mammie, + And left its kind hame the wide world to try. + + We miss'd it at day-dawn, we miss'd it at night-fa'in', + Its wee shed is tenantless under the tree, + Ae dusk i' the gloamin' it wad gae a roamin'; + 'T will frolic nae mair upon Bonnington Lea. + + + + +THE ATTAINTED SCOTTISH NOBLES.[64] + + + Oh, some will tune their mournfu' strains, + To tell o' hame-made sorrow, + And if they cheat you o' your tears, + They 'll dry upon the morrow. + Oh, some will sing their airy dreams, + In verity they're sportin', + My sang 's o' nae sic thieveless themes, + But wakin' true misfortune. + + Ye Scottish nobles, ane and a', + For loyalty attainted, + A nameless bardie 's wae to see + Your sorrows unlamented; + For if your fathers ne'er had fought + For heirs of ancient royalty, + Ye 're down the day that might hae been + At the top o' honour's tree a'. + + For old hereditary right, + For conscience' sake they stoutly stood; + And for the crown their valiant sons + Themselves have shed their injured blood; + And if their fathers ne'er had fought + For heirs of ancient royalty, + They 're down the day that might hae been + At the top o' honour's tree a'. + + +[64] This song having become known to George IV., it is said to have +induced his Majesty to award the royal sanction for the restitution of +the title of Baron to Lady Nairn's husband.--(See Memoir.) + + + + +TRUE LOVE IS WATERED AYE WI' TEARS.[65] + + + True love is water'd aye wi' tears, + It grows 'neath stormy skies, + It 's fenced around wi' hopes and fears + An' fann'd wi' heartfelt sighs. + Wi' chains o' gowd it will no be bound, + Oh! wha the heart can buy? + The titled glare, the warldling's care, + Even absence 'twill defy, + Even absence 'twill defy. + + And time, that kills a' ither things, + His withering touch 'twill brave, + 'Twill live in joy, 'twill live in grief, + 'Twill live beyond the grave! + 'Twill live, 'twill live, though buried deep, + In true heart's memorie-- + Oh! we forgot that ane sae fair, + Sae bricht, sae young, could dee, + Sae young could dee. + + Unfeeling hands may touch the chord + Where buried griefs do lie-- + How many silent agonies + May that rude touch untie! + But, oh! I love that plaintive lay-- + That dear auld melodie! + For, oh, 'tis sweet!--yet I maun greet, + For it was sung by thee, + Sung by thee! + + They may forget wha lichtly love, + Or feel but beauty's chain; + But they wha loved a heavenly mind + Can never love again! + A' my dreams o' warld's guid + Aye were turn'd wi' thee, + But I leant on a broken reed + Which soon was ta'en frae me, + Ta'en frae me. + + 'Tis weel, 'tis weel, we dinna ken + What we may live to see, + 'Twas Mercy's hand that hung the veil + O'er sad futurity! + Oh, ye whose hearts are scathed and riven, + Wha feel the warld is vain, + Oh, fix your broken earthly ties + Where they ne'er will break again, + Break again! + + +[65] Here first printed. + + + + +AH, LITTLE DID MY MOTHER THINK.[66] + + + Ah, little did my mother think + When to me she sung, + What a heartbreak I would be, + Her young and dautit son. + + And oh! how fond she was o' me + In plaid and bonnet braw, + When I bade farewell to the north countrie, + And marching gaed awa! + + Ah! little did my mother think + A banish'd man I 'd be, + Sent frae a' my kith and kin, + Them never mair to see. + + Oh! father, 'twas the sugar'd drap + Aft ye did gi'e to me, + That has brought a' this misery + Baith to you and me. + + +[66] These verses are here first printed. + + + + +WOULD YOU BE YOUNG AGAIN?[67] + +AIR--_"Ailen Aroon."_ + + + Would you be young again? + So would not I-- + One tear to memory given, + Onward I 'd hie. + Life's dark flood forded o'er, + All but at rest on shore, + Say, would you plunge once more, + With home so nigh? + + If you might, would you now + Retrace your way? + Wander through stormy wilds, + Faint and astray? + Night's gloomy watches fled, + Morning all beaming red, + Hope's smiles around us shed, + Heavenward--away. + + Where, then, are those dear ones, + Our joy and delight? + Dear and more dear though now + Hidden from sight. + Where they rejoice to be, + There is the land for me; + Fly, time, fly speedily; + Come, life and light. + + +[67] This song was composed in 1842, when the author had attained her +seventy-sixth year. The four lays following, breathing the same +devotional spirit, appear to have been written about the same period of +the author's life. The present song is printed from the original MS. + + + + +REST IS NOT HERE. + + + What 's this vain world to me? + Rest is not here; + False are the smiles I see, + The mirth I hear. + Where is youth's joyful glee? + Where all once dear to me? + Gone, as the shadows flee-- + Rest is not here. + + Why did the morning shine + Blythely and fair? + Why did those tints so fine + Vanish in air? + Does not the vision say, + Faint, lingering heart, away, + Why in this desert stay-- + Dark land of care! + + Where souls angelic soar, + Thither repair; + Let this vain world no more + Lull and ensnare. + That heaven I love so well + Still in my heart shall dwell; + All things around me tell + Rest is found there. + + + + +HERE'S TO THEM THAT ARE GANE. + +AIR--_"Here 's a health to ane I lo'e weel."_ + + + Here 's to them, to them that are gane; + Here 's to them, to them that are gane; + Here 's to them that were here, the faithful and dear, + That will never be here again--no, never. + But where are they now that are gane? + Oh, where are the faithful and true? + They 're gane to the light that fears not the night, + An' their day of rejoicing shall end--no, never. + + Here 's to them, to them that were here; + Here 's to them, to them that were here; + Here 's a tear and a sigh to the bliss that 's gane by, + But 'twas ne'er like what 's coming, to last--for ever. + Oh, bright was their morning sun! + Oh, bright was their morning sun! + Yet, lang ere the gloaming, in clouds it gaed down; + But the storm and the cloud are now past--for ever. + + Fareweel, fareweel! parting silence is sad; + Oh, how sad the last parting tear! + But that silence shall break, where no tear on the cheek + Can bedim the bright vision again--no, never. + Then, speed to the wings of old Time, + That waft us where pilgrims would be; + To the regions of rest, to the shores of the blest, + Where the full tide of glory shall flow--for ever. + + + + +FAREWEEL, O FAREWEEL! + +GAELIC AIR. + + + Fareweel, O fareweel! + My heart it is sair; + Fareweel, O fareweel! + I 'll see him nae mair. + + Lang, lang was he mine, + Lang, lang--but nae mair; + I mauna repine, + But my heart it is sair. + + His staff 's at the wa', + Toom, toom is his chair! + His bannet, an' a'! + An' I maun be here! + + But oh! he 's at rest, + Why sud I complain? + Gin my soul be blest, + I 'll meet him again. + + Oh, to meet him again, + Where hearts ne'er were sair! + Oh, to meet him again, + To part never mair! + + + + +THE DEAD WHO HAVE DIED IN THE LORD.[68] + + + Go, call for the mourners, and raise the lament, + Let the tresses be torn, and the garments be rent; + But weep not for him who is gone to his rest, + Nor mourn for the ransom'd, nor wail for the blest. + The sun is not set, but is risen on high, + Nor long in corruption his body shall lie-- + Then let not the tide of thy griefs overflow, + Nor the music of heaven be discord below; + Rather loud be the song, and triumphant the chord, + Let us joy for the dead who have died in the Lord. + + Go, call for the mourners, and raise the lament, + Let the tresses be torn, and the garments be rent; + But give to the living thy passion of tears + Who walk in this valley of sadness and fears, + Who are press'd by the combat, in darkness are lost, + By the tempest are beat, on the billows are toss'd. + Oh, weep not for those who shall sorrow no more, + Whose warfare is ended, whose combat is o'er; + Let the song be exalted, be triumphant the chord, + And rejoice for the dead who have died in the Lord. + + +[68] These stanzas are printed for the first time. The MS. is not in +Lady Nairn's handwriting, but there is every reason to assign to her the +authorship. + + + + +JAMES NICOL. + + +James Nicol, the son of Michael Nicol and Marion Hope, was born at +Innerleithen, in the county of Peebles, on the 28th of September 1769. +Having acquired the elements of classical knowledge under Mr Tate, the +parochial schoolmaster, he was sent to the University of Edinburgh, +where he pursued study with unflinching assiduity and success. On +completing his academical studies, he was licensed as a probationer by +the Presbytery of Peebles. His first professional employment was as an +assistant to the minister of Traquair, a parish bordering on that of +Innerleithen; and on the death of the incumbent, Mr Nicol succeeded to +the living. On the 4th of November 1802, he was ordained to the +ministerial office; and on the 25th of the same month and year, he +espoused Agnes Walker, a native of Glasgow, and the sister of his +immediate predecessor, who had for a considerable period possessed a +warm place in his affections, and been the heroine of his poetical +reveries. He had for some time been in the habit of communicating verses +to the _Edinburgh Magazine_; and he afterwards published a collection of +"Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," Edinburgh, 1805, 2 vols. 12mo. +This publication, which was well received, contains some lyrical +effusions that entitle the author to a respectable rank among the modern +cultivators of national poetry; yet it is to be regretted that a deep +admiration of Burns has led him into an imitation, somewhat servile, of +that immortal bard. + +At Traquair Mr Nicol continued to devote himself to mental improvement. +He read extensively; and writing upon the subject of his studies was his +daily habit. He was never robust, being affected with a chronic disorder +of the stomach; and when sickness prevented him, as occasionally +happened, from writing in a sitting posture, he would for hours together +have devoted himself to composition in a standing position. Of his prose +writings, which were numerous, the greater number still remain in MS., +in the possession of his elder son. During his lifetime, he contributed +a number of articles to the _Edinburgh Encyclopaedia_, among which are +"Baptism," "Baptistry," "Baptists," "Bithynia," and "Cranmer." His +posthumous work, "An Essay on the Nature and Design of Scripture +Sacrifices," was published in an octavo volume in the year 1823. + +Mr Nicol was much respected for his sound discernment in matters of +business, as well as for his benevolent disposition. Every dispute in +the vicinity was submitted to his adjudication, and his counsel checked +all differences in the district. He was regularly consulted as a +physician, for he had studied medicine at the University. From his own +medicine chest he dispensed gratuitously to the indigent sick; and +without fee he vaccinated all the children of the neighbourhood who were +brought to him. After a short illness, he died on the 5th of November +1819. Of a family of three sons and three daughters, the eldest son +predeceased him; two sons and two daughters still survive. The elder +son, who bears his father's Christian name, is Professor of Civil and +Natural History in Marischal College, Aberdeen, and is well known as a +geologist. Mrs Nicol survived her husband till the 19th of March 1845. + + + + +BLAW SAFTLY, YE BREEZES. + + + Blaw saftly, ye breezes, ye streams, smoothly murmur, + Ye sweet-scented blossoms, deck every green tree; + 'Mong your wild scatter'd flow'rets aft wanders my charmer, + The sweet lovely lass wi' the black rollin' e'e. + For pensive I ponder, and languishin' wander, + Far frae the sweet rosebud on Quair's windin' stream! + + Why, Heaven, wring my heart wi' the hard heart o' anguish? + Why torture my bosom 'tween hope and despair? + When absent frae Nancy, I ever maun languish!-- + That dear angel smile, shall it charm me nae mair? + Since here life 's a desert, an' pleasure 's a dream, + Bear me swift to those banks which are ever my theme, + Where, mild as the mornin' at simmer's returnin', + Blooms the sweet lovely rosebud on Quair's windin' stream. + + + + +BY YON HOARSE MURMURIN' STREAM. + + + By yon hoarse murmurin' stream, 'neath the moon's chilly beam, + Sadly musin' I wander, an' the tear fills my e'e; + Recollection, pensive power, brings back the mournfu' hour, + When the laddie gaed awa' that is dear, dear to me. + + The tender words he said, and the faithfu' vows he made, + When we parted, to my bosom a mournfu' pleasure gie; + An' I lo'e to pass the day where we fondly used to stray, + An' repeat the laddie's name that is dear, dear to me. + + Though the flow'rets gem the vales, an' scent the whisperin' gales, + An' the birds fill wi' music the sweetly-bloomin' tree; + Though nature bid rejoice, yet sorrow tunes my voice, + For the laddie 's far awa' that is dear, dear to me! + + When the gloamin' brings alang the time o' mirth an' sang, + An' the dance kindles joy in ilka youthfu' e'e, + My neebours aften speir, why fa's the hidden tear? + But they kenna he's awa' that is dear, dear to me. + + Oh, for the happy hour, when I shall hae the power, + To the darlin' o' my soul, on wings o' love, to flee! + Or that the day wad come, when fortune shall bring home, + The laddie to my arms that is dear, dear to me. + + But if--for much I fear--that day will ne'er appear, + Frae me conceal in darkness the cruel stern decree; + For life wad a' be vain, were I ne'er to meet again, + Wi' the laddie far awa' that is dear, dear to me. + + + + +HALUCKIT MEG. + + + Meg, muckin' at Geordie's byre, + Wrought as gin her judgment was wrang; + Ilk daud o' the scartle strake fire, + While loud as a lavrock she sang. + Her Geordie had promised to marry, + An' Meg, a sworn fae to despair, + Not dreamin' the job could miscarry, + Already seem'd mistress an' mair. + + "My neebours," she sang, "aften jeer me, + An' ca' me daft haluckit Meg, + An' say they expect soon to hear me, + I' the kirk, for my fun, get a fleg. + An' now, 'bout my marriage they 'll clatter, + An' Geordie, puir fallow, they ca' + An auld doited hav'rel,--nae matter, + He 'll keep me aye brankin an' braw. + + "I grant ye, his face is kenspeckle, + That the white o' his e'e is turn'd out, + That his black beard is rough as a heckle, + That his mou' to his lug 's rax'd about; + But they needna let on that he 's crazie, + His pikestaff will ne'er let him fa'; + Nor that his hair 's white as a daisy, + For fient a hair has he ava'. + + "But a weel-plenish'd mailin has Geordie, + An' routh o' gude gowd in his kist, + An' if siller comes at my wordie, + His beauty I never will miss 't. + Daft gowks, wha catch fire like tinder, + Think love-raptures ever will burn? + But wi' poortith, hearts het as a cinder, + Will cauld as an iceshugle turn. + + "There 'll just be ae bar to my pleasures, + A bar that 's aft fill'd me wi' fear, + He 's sic a hard near-be-gawn miser, + He likes his saul less than his gear. + But though I now flatter his failin', + An' swear nought wi' gowd can compare, + Gude sooth! it shall soon get a scailin', + His bags sall be mouldie nae mair! + + "I dreamt that I rode in a chariot, + A flunkie ahint me in green; + While Geordie cried out he was harriet, + An' the saut tear was blindin' his een. + But though 'gainst my spendin' he swear aye, + I'll hae frae him what ser's my turn; + Let him slip awa' whan he grows wearie; + Shame fa' me, gin lang I wad mourn!" + + But Geordie, while Meg was haranguin', + Was cloutin' his breeks i' the bauks; + An' whan a' his failin's she brang in, + His strang hazel pikestaff he taks, + Designin' to rax her a lounder, + He chanced on the lather to shift, + An' down frae the bauks, flat 's a flounder, + Flew like a shot starn frae the lift! + + + + +MY DEAR LITTLE LASSIE. + + + My dear little lassie, why, what 's a' the matter? + My heart it gangs pittypat--winna lie still; + I 've waited, and waited, an' a' to grow better, + Yet, lassie, believe me, I 'm aye growin' ill! + My head 's turn'd quite dizzy, an' aft, when I 'm speakin', + I sigh, an' am breathless, and fearfu' to speak; + I gaze aye for something I fain would be seekin', + Yet, lassie, I kenna weel what I would seek. + + Thy praise, bonnie lassie, I ever could hear of, + And yet, when to ruse ye the neebour lads try-- + Though it 's a' true they tell ye--yet never sae far off + I could see 'em ilk ane, an' I canna tell why. + When we tedded the hayfield, I raked ilka rig o't, + And never grew weary the lang simmer day; + The rucks that ye wrought at were easiest biggit, + And I fand sweeter scented around ye the hay. + + In har'st, whan the kirn-supper joys mak us cheerie, + 'Mang the lave o' the lasses I preed yer sweet mou'; + Dear save us! how queer I felt whan I cam' near ye-- + My breast thrill'd in rapture, I couldna tell how. + When we dance at the gloamin', it 's you I aye pitch on; + And gin ye gang by me, how dowie I be! + There 's something, dear lassie, about ye bewitching, + That tells me my happiness centres in thee. + + + + +JAMES MONTGOMERY. + + +James Montgomery, the spiritual character of whose writings has gained +him the honourable designation of the Christian Poet, was born at +Irvine, in the county of Ayr, on the 4th of November 1771. His father, +John Montgomery, was a missionary of the Moravian Brethren, and in this +capacity came to Irvine from Ireland, only a few days before the birth +of James, his eldest son. In his fourth year he returned to Ireland with +his parents, and received the rudiments of his education from the +village schoolmaster of Grace Hill, a settlement of the Moravian +Brethren in the county of Antrim. In October 1777, in his seventh year, +he was placed by his father in the seminary of the Moravian settlement +of Fulneck, near Leeds; and on the departure of his parents to the West +Indies, in 1783, he was committed to the care of the Brethren, with the +view of his being trained for their Church. He was not destined to see +his parents again. His mother died at Barbadoes, in November 1790, and +his father after an interval of eight months. + +In consequence of his indolent habits, which were incorrigible, young +Montgomery was removed from the seminary at Fulneck, and placed in the +shop of a baker at Mirfield, in the vicinity. He was then in his +sixteenth year; and having already afforded evidence of a refined +taste, both in poetry and music, though careless of the ordinary routine +of scholastic instruction, his new occupation was altogether uncongenial +to his feelings. He, however, remained about eighteen months in the +baker's service, but at length made a hasty escape from Mirfield, with +only three shillings and sixpence in his pocket, and seemingly without +any scheme except that of relieving himself from an irksome employment. +But an accidental circumstance speedily enabled him to obtain an +engagement with a shopkeeper in Wath, now a station on the railway +between London and Leeds; and in procuring this employment, he was +indebted to the recommendation of his former master, whose service he +had unceremoniously quitted. But this new situation had few advantages +over the old, and he relinquished it in about a year to try his fortune +in the metropolis. He had previously sent a manuscript volume of poetry +to Harrison, the bookseller of Paternoster Row, who, while declining to +publish it, commended the author's talents, and so far promoted his +views as now to receive him into his establishment. But Montgomery's +aspirations had no reference to serving behind a counter; he only +accepted a place in the bookseller's establishment that he might have an +opportunity of leisurely feeling his way as an author. His literary +efforts, however, still proved fruitless. He composed essays and tales, +and wrote a romance in the manner of Fielding, but none of his +productions could find a publisher. Mortified by his failures, he +quitted London in eight months, and returned to the shop of his former +employer at Wath. After the interval of another year, he proceeded to +Sheffield, to occupy a situation under Mr Joseph Gales, a bookseller, +and the proprietor of the _Register_ newspaper. + +Montgomery was now in his twenty-first year, and fortune at length +began, though with many lowering intervals, to smile upon his youthful +aspirations. Though he occupied a subordinate post in Mr Gales' +establishment, his literary services were accepted for the _Register_, +in which he published many of his earlier compositions, both in prose +and verse. This journal had advocated sentiments of an ultra-liberal +order, and commanding a wide circulation and a powerful influence among +the operatives in Sheffield, had been narrowly inspected by the +authorities. At length the proprietor fell into the snare of +sympathising in the transactions of the French revolutionists; he was +prosecuted for sedition, and deemed himself only safe from compulsory +exile by a voluntary exit to America. This event took place about two +years after Montgomery's first connexion with Sheffield, and he had now +reverted to his former condition of abject dependence unless for a +fortunate occurrence. This was no less than his being appointed +joint-proprietor and editor of the newspaper by a wealthy individual, +who, noticing the abilities of the young shopman, purchased the +copyright with the view of placing the management entirely in his hands. + +The first number of the newspaper under the poet's care, the name being +changed to that of _The Sheffield Iris_, appeared in July 1794; and +though the principles of the journal were moderate and conciliatory in +comparison with the democratic sentiments espoused by the former +publisher, the jealous eye of the authorities rested on its new +conductor. He did not escape their vigilance; for the simple offence of +printing for a ballad-vender some verses of a song celebrating the fall +of the Bastile, he was libelled as "a wicked, malicious, seditious, and +evil-disposed person;" and being tried before the Doncaster Quarter +Sessions, in January 1795, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment +in the Castle of York. He was condemned to a second imprisonment of six +months in the autumn of the same year, for inserting in his paper an +account of a riot in the place, in which he was considered to have cast +aspersions on a colonel of volunteers. The calm mind of the poet did not +sink under these persecutions, and some of his best lyrics were composed +during the period of his latter confinement. During his first detention +he wrote a series of interesting essays for his newspaper. His "Prison +Amusements," a series of beautiful pieces, appeared in 1797. In 1805, he +published his poem, "The Ocean;" in 1806, "The Wanderer in Switzerland;" +in 1808, "The West Indies;" and in 1812, "The World before the Flood." +In 1819 he published "Greenland, a Poem, in Five Cantos;" and in 1825 +appeared "The Pelican Island, and other Poems." Of all those +productions, "The Wanderer in Switzerland" attained the widest +circulation; and, notwithstanding an unfavourable and injudicious +criticism in the _Edinburgh Review_, at once procured an honourable +place for the author among his contemporaries. He became sole proprietor +of the _Iris_ in one year after his being connected with it, and he +continued to conduct this paper till September 1825, when he retired +from public duty. He subsequently contributed articles for different +periodicals; but he chiefly devoted himself to the moral and religious +improvement of his fellow-townsmen. A pension of L150 on the civil list +was conferred upon him as an acknowledgment of his services in behalf of +literature and of philanthropy; a well-merited public boon which for +many years he was spared to enjoy. He died at his residence, The Mount, +Sheffield, on the 30th of April 1854, in the eighty-second year of his +age. He bequeathed handsome legacies to various public charities. His +Poetical Works, in a collected form, were published in 1850 by the +Messrs Longman, in one octavo volume; and in 1853 he gave to the world +his last work, being "Original Hymns, for Public, Private, and Social +Devotion." Copious memoirs of his life are now in the course of +publication. + +As a poet, Montgomery is conspicuous for the smoothness of his +versification, and for the fervent piety pervading all his compositions. +As a man, he was gentle and conciliatory, and was remarkable as a +generous promoter of benevolent institutions. The general tendency of +his poems was thus indicated by himself, in the course of an address +which he made at a public dinner, given him at Sheffield, in November +1825, immediately after the toast of his health being proposed by the +chairman, Lord Viscount Milton, now Earl Fitzwilliam:-- + + "I sang of war--but it was the war of freedom, in which death was + preferred to chains. I sang the abolition of the slave trade, that + most glorious decree of the British Legislature at any period since + the Revolution, by the first Parliament in which you, my Lord, sat + as the representative of Yorkshire. Oh, how should I rejoice to + sing the abolition of slavery itself by some Parliament of which + your Lordship shall yet be a member! This greater act of righteous + legislation is surely not too remote to be expected even in our own + day. Renouncing the slave trade was only 'ceasing to do evil;' + extinguishing slavery will be 'learning to do well.' Again, I sang + of love--the love of country, the love of my own country; for, + + 'Next to heaven above, + Land of my fathers! thee I love; + And, rail thy slanderers as they will, + With all thy faults I love thee still.' + + I sang, likewise, the love of home--its charities, endearments and + relationships--all that makes 'Home sweet Home,' the recollection + of which, when the air of that name was just now played from yonder + gallery, warmed every heart throughout this room into quicker + pulsations. I sang the love which man ought to bear towards his + brother, of every kindred, and country, and clime upon earth. I + sang the love of virtue, which elevates man to his true standard + under heaven. I sang, too, the love of God, who _is_ love. Nor did + I sing in vain. I found readers and listeners, especially among the + young, the fair, and the devout; and as youth, beauty, and piety + will not soon cease out of the land, I may expect to be remembered + through another generation at least, if I leave anything behind me + worthy of remembrance. I may add that, from every part of the + British empire, from every quarter of the world where our language + is spoken--from America, the East and West Indies, from New + Holland, and the South Sea Islands themselves--I have received + testimonies of approbation from all ranks and degrees of readers, + hailing what I had done, and cheering me forward. I allude not to + criticisms and eulogiums from the press, but to voluntary + communications from unknown correspondents, coming to me like + voices out of darkness, and giving intimation of that which the ear + of a poet is always hearkening onward to catch--the voice of + posterity." + + + + +"FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH." + + + When "Friendship, Love, and Truth" abound + Among a band of brothers, + The cup of joy goes gaily round, + Each shares the bliss of others. + Sweet roses grace the thorny way + Along this vale of sorrow; + The flowers that shed their leaves to-day + Shall bloom again to-morrow. + How grand in age, how fair in youth, + Are holy "Friendship, Love, and Truth!" + + On halcyon wings our moments pass, + Life's cruel cares beguiling; + Old Time lays down his scythe and glass, + In gay good-humour smiling: + With ermine beard and forelock gray, + His reverend part adorning, + He looks like Winter turn'd to May, + Night soften'd into Morning. + How grand in age, how fair in youth, + Are holy "Friendship, Love, and Truth!" + + From these delightful fountains flow + Ambrosial rills of pleasure; + Can man desire, can Heaven bestow, + A more resplendent treasure? + Adorn'd with gems so richly bright, + Will form a constellation, + Where every star, with modest light, + Shall gild its proper station. + How grand in age, how fair in youth, + Are holy "Friendship, Love, and Truth!" + + + + +THE SWISS COWHERD'S SONG IN A FOREIGN LAND. + +IMITATED FROM THE FRENCH. + + + Oh, when shall I visit the land of my birth-- + The loveliest land on the face of the earth? + When shall I those scenes of affection explore, + Our forests, our fountains, + Our hamlets, our mountains, + With pride of our mountains, the maid I adore? + Oh, when shall I dance on the daisy-white mead, + In the shade of an elm, to the sound of a reed? + + When shall I return to that lowly retreat, + Where all my fond objects of tenderness meet,-- + The lambs and the heifers, that follow my call, + My father, my mother, + My sister, my brother, + And dear Isabella, the joy of them all? + Oh, when shall I visit the land of my birth?-- + 'Tis the loveliest land on the face of the earth. + + + + +GERMAN WAR-SONG.[69] + + + Heaven speed the righteous sword, + And freedom be the word; + Come, brethren, hand in hand, + Fight for your fatherland. + + Germania from afar + Invokes her sons to war; + Awake! put forth your powers, + And victory must be ours. + + On to the combat, on! + Go where your sires have gone; + Their might unspent remains, + Their pulse is in our veins. + + On to the battle, on! + Rest will be sweet anon; + The slave may yield, may fly,-- + We conquer, or we die! + + O Liberty! thy form + Shines through the battle-storm. + Away with fear, away! + Let justice win the day. + + +[69] The simple and sublime original of these stanzas, with the fine air +by Huemmel, became the national song of Germany, and was sung by the +soldiers especially, during the latter campaigns of the war, when +Buonaparte was twice dethroned, and Europe finally delivered from French +predominance. + + + + +VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. + + + Night turns to day:-- + When sullen darkness lowers, + And heaven and earth are hid from sight, + Cheer up, cheer up; + Ere long the opening flowers, + With dewy eyes, shall shine in light. + + Storms die in calms:-- + When over land and ocean + Roll the loud chariots of the wind, + Cheer up, cheer up; + The voice of wild commotion, + Proclaims tranquillity behind. + + Winter wakes spring:-- + When icy blasts are blowing + O'er frozen lakes, through naked trees, + Cheer up, cheer up; + All beautiful and glowing, + May floats in fragrance on the breeze. + + War ends in peace:-- + Though dread artillery rattle, + And ghostly corses load the ground, + Cheer up, cheer up; + Where groan'd the field of battle, + The song, the dance, the feast, go round. + + Toil brings repose:-- + With noontide fervours beating, + When droop thy temples o'er thy breast, + Cheer up, cheer up; + Gray twilight, cool and fleeting, + Wafts on its wing the hour of rest. + + Death springs to life:-- + Though brief and sad thy story, + Thy years all spent in care and gloom, + Look up, look up; + Eternity and glory + Dawn through the portals of the tomb. + + + + +VERSES TO A ROBIN RED-BREAST, +WHICH VISITS THE WINDOW OF MY PRISON EVERY DAY. + + + Welcome, pretty little stranger! + Welcome to my lone retreat! + Here, secure from every danger, + Hop about, and chirp, and eat: + Robin! how I envy thee, + Happy child of Liberty! + + Now, though tyrant Winter, howling, + Shakes the world with tempests round, + Heaven above with vapours scowling, + Frost imprisons all the ground: + Robin! what are these to thee? + Thou art bless'd with liberty. + + Though yon fair majestic river[70] + Mourns in solid icy chains, + Though yon flocks and cattle shiver + On the desolated plains: + Robin! thou art gay and free, + Happy in thy liberty. + + Hunger never shall disturb thee, + While my rates one crumb afford; + Colds nor cramps shall ne'er oppress thee; + Come and share my humble board: + Robin! come and live with me-- + Live, yet still at liberty. + + Soon shall Spring, in smiles and blushes, + Steal upon the blooming year; + Then, amid the enamour'd bushes, + Thy sweet song shall warble clear: + Then shall I, too, join with thee-- + Swell the hymn of Liberty. + + Should some rough, unfeeling dobbin, + In this iron-hearted age, + Seize thee on thy nest, my Robin, + And confine thee in a cage, + Then, poor prisoner! think of me-- + Think, and sigh for liberty. + + +[70] The Ouse. + + + + +SLAVERY THAT WAS. + + + Ages, ages have departed, + Since the first dark vessel bore + Afric's children, broken-hearted, + To the Caribbean shore; + She, like Rachel, + Weeping, for they were no more. + + Millions, millions, have been slaughter'd, + In the fight and on the deep; + Millions, millions more have water'd, + With such tears as captives weep, + Fields of travail, + Where their bones till doomsday sleep. + + Mercy, Mercy, vainly pleading, + Rent her garments, smote her breast, + Till a voice from Heaven proceeding, + Gladden'd all the gloomy west,-- + "Come, ye weary, + Come, and I will give you rest!" + + Tidings, tidings of salvation! + Britons rose with one accord, + Purged the plague-spot from our nation, + Negroes to their rights restored; + Slaves no longer, + _Freemen,--freemen_ of the _Lord_. + + + + +ANDREW SCOTT. + + +Andrew Scott, known as the author of the popular ballad of "Symon and +Janet," has claims to a wider reputation. He was born of humble +parentage, in the parish of Bowden, Roxburghshire, in the year 1757. He +was early employed as a cowherd; and he has recorded, in a sketch of his +own life prefixed to one of his volumes, that he began to compose verses +on the hill-sides in his twelfth year. He ascribes this juvenile +predilection to the perusal of Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd," a pamphlet +copy of which he had purchased with some spare halfpence. Towards the +close of the American war, he joined the army as a recruit, and soon +thereafter followed his regiment across the Atlantic. His rhyming +propensities continued; and he occupied his leisure hours in composing +verses, which he read for the amusement of his comrades. At the +conclusion of the American campaigns, he returned with the army to +Britain; and afterwards procuring his discharge, he made a settlement in +his native parish. For the period of seventeen years, according to his +own narrative, he abandoned the cultivation of poetry, assiduously +applying himself to manual labour for the support of his family. An +intelligent acquaintance, who had procured copies of some of his +verses, now recommended him to attempt a publication--a counsel which +induced him to print a small volume by subscription. This appeared in +1805, and was reprinted, with several additions, in 1808. In 1811 he +published "Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," Kelso, 18mo; another +duodecimo volume of poems, at Jedburgh, in 1821; and his last work, +entitled "Poems on Various Subjects," at Edinburgh, in 1826. This last +volume was inscribed, with permission, to the Duchess of Roxburghe. + +The poet's social condition at Bowden was little favourable to the +composition of poetry. Situated on the south side of the Eildon hills, +the parish is entirely separated from the busy world, and the +inhabitants were formerly proverbial for their rustic simplicity and +ignorance. The encouragement desiderated at home, the poet, however, +experienced elsewhere. He visited Melrose, at the easy distance of two +miles, on the day of the weekly market, and there met with friends and +patrons from different parts of the district. The late Duke of +Roxburghe, Sir Walter Scott, Mr Baillie of Jerviswoode, Mr John Gibson +Lockhart, and Mr G. P. R. James, the novelist, who sometimes resided in +the neighbourhood, and other persons of rank or literary eminence, +extended towards him countenance and assistance. + +Scott shared the indigent lot of poets. He remained in the condition of +an agricultural labourer, and for many years held the office of beadle, +or church-officer, of the parish. He died on the 22d of May 1839, in the +eighty-second year of his age; and his remains were interred in the +churchyard of Bowden, where his name is inscribed on a gravestone which +he had erected to the memory of his wife. His eldest son holds the +office of schoolmaster of that parish. + +The personal appearance of the bard appears to have been prepossessing: +his countenance wore a highly intellectual aspect. Subsequent to the +publication of the first volume of his poems, he was requested to sit +for his portrait by the late Mr George Watson, the well-known +portrait-painter; and who was so well satisfied with the excellence of +his subject, that he exhibited the portrait for a lengthened period in +his studio. It is now in the possession of the author's son at Bowden, +and has been pronounced a masterpiece of art. A badly executed engraving +from it is prefixed to Scott's last two volumes. In manner, the poet was +modest and unassuming, and his utterance was slow and defective. The +songs selected for this work may be regarded as the most favourable +specimens of his muse.[71] + + +[71] We have to acknowledge our obligations for several particulars of +this sketch to Mr Robert Bower, Melrose, the author of a volume of +"Ballads and Lyrics," published at Edinburgh in 1853. + + + + +RURAL CONTENT; OR, THE MUIRLAND FARMER. + +AIR--_"The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow."_ + + + I 'm now a guid farmer, I 've acres o' land, + And my heart aye loups light when I 'm viewing o't, + And I hae servants at my command, + And twa dainty cowts for the plowin' o't. + My farm is a snug ane, lies high on a muir, + The muircocks and plivers aft skirl at my door, + And whan the sky low'rs I 'm aye sure o' a show'r, + To moisten my land for the plowin' o't. + + Leeze me on the mailin that 's fa'n to my share, + It taks sax muckle bowes for the sawin' o't; + I 've sax braid acres for pasture, and mair, + And a dainty bit bog for the mawin' o't. + A spence and a kitchen my mansionhouse gies, + I 've a cantie wee wifie to daut whan I please, + Twa bairnies, twa callans, that skelp o'er the leas, + And they 'll soon can assist at the plowin' o't. + + My biggin' stands sweet on this south slopin' hill, + And the sun shines sae bonnily beamin' on 't, + And past my door trots a clear prattlin' rill, + Frae the loch, whare the wild-ducks are swimmin' o't; + And on its green banks, on the gay simmer days, + My wifie trips barefoot, a-bleachin' her claes, + And on the dear creature wi' rapture I gaze, + While I whistle and sing at the plowin' o't. + + To rank amang farmers I hae muckle pride, + But I mauna speak high when I 'm tellin' o't, + How brawlie I strut on my shelty to ride, + Wi' a sample to shew for the sellin' o't. + In blue worset boots that my auld mither span, + I 've aft been fu' vanty sin' I was a man, + But now they 're flung by, and I 've bought cordivan, + And my wifie ne'er grudged me a shillin' o't. + + Sae now, whan to kirk or to market I gae-- + My weelfare what need I be hiddin' o't?-- + In braw leather boots shinin' black as the slae, + I dink me to try the ridin' o't. + Last towmond I sell'd off four bowes o' guid bear, + And thankfu' I was, for the victual was dear, + And I came hame wi' spurs on my heels shinin' clear, + I had sic good luck at the sellin' o't. + + Now hairst time is o'er, and a fig for the laird, + My rent 's now secure for the toilin' o't; + My fields are a' bare, and my crap 's in the yard, + And I 'm nae mair in doubts o' the spoilin' o't. + Now welcome gude weather, or wind, or come weet, + Or bauld ragin' winter, wi' hail, snaw, or sleet, + Nae mair can he draigle my crap 'mang his feet, + Nor wraik his mischief, and be spoilin' o't. + + And on the douf days, whan loud hurricanes blaw, + Fu' snug i' the spence I 'll be viewin' o't, + And jink the rude blast in my rush-theekit ha', + Whan fields are seal'd up from the plowin' o't. + My bonny wee wifie, the bairnies, and me, + The peat-stack, and turf-stack our Phoebus shall be, + Till day close the scoul o' its angry ee, + And we 'll rest in gude hopes o' the plowin' o't. + + And whan the year smiles, and the lavrocks sing, + My man Jock and me shall be doin' o't; + He 'll thrash, and I 'll toil on the fields in the spring, + And turn up the soil at the plowin' o't. + And whan the wee flow'rets begin then to blaw, + The lavrock, the peasweep, and skirlin' pickmaw, + Shall hiss the bleak winter to Lapland awa, + Then we 'll ply the blythe hours at the sawin' o't. + + And whan the birds sing on the sweet simmer morn, + My new crap I 'll keek at the growin' o't; + Whan hares niffer love 'mang the green-bairdit corn, + And dew draps the tender blade shewin' o't, + On my brick o' fallow my labours I 'll ply, + And view on their pasture my twa bonny kye, + Till hairst-time again circle round us wi' joy, + Wi' the fruits o' the sawin' and plowin' o't. + + Nor need I to envy our braw gentle focks, + Wha fash na their thumbs wi' the sawing o't, + Nor e'er slip their fine silken hands in the pocks, + Nor foul their black shoon wi' the plowin' o't: + For, pleased wi' the little that fortune has lent, + The seasons row round us in rural content; + We 've aye milk and meal, and our laird gets his rent, + And I whistle and sing at the plowin' o't. + + + + +SYMON AND JANET. + +AIR--_"Fy, let us a' to the Bridal."_ + + + Surrounded wi' bent and wi' heather, + Whare muircocks and plivers are rife, + For mony lang towmond thegither, + There lived an auld man and his wife. + + About the affairs o' the nation, + The twasome they seldom were mute; + Bonaparte, the French, and invasion, + Did saur in their wizens like soot. + + In winter, when deep are the gutters, + And night's gloomy canopy spread, + Auld Symon sat luntin' his cuttie, + And lowsin' his buttons for bed. + + Auld Janet, his wife, out a-gazin', + To lock in the door was her care; + She seein' our signals a-blazin', + Came runnin' in, rivin' her hair. + + "O Symon, the Frenchmen are landit! + Gae look man, and slip on your shoon; + Our signals I see them extendit, + Like red risin' blaze o' the moon!" + + "What plague, the French landit!" quo' Symon, + And clash gaed his pipe to the wa', + "Faith, then there's be loadin' and primin'," + Quo' he, "if they 're landit ava. + + "Our youngest son 's in the militia, + Our eldest grandson 's volunteer: + O' the French to be fu' o' the flesh o', + I too in the ranks shall appear." + + His waistcoat pouch fill'd he wi' pouther, + And bang'd down his rusty auld gun; + His bullets he put in the other, + That he for the purpose had run. + + Then humpled he out in a hurry, + While Janet his courage bewails, + And cried out, "Dear Symon, be wary!" + And teughly she hang by his tails. + + "Let be wi' your kindness," quo' Symon, + "Nor vex me wi' tears and your cares, + For now to be ruled by a woman, + Nae laurels shall crown my gray hairs." + + Quo' Janet, "Oh, keep frae the riot! + Last night, man, I dreamt ye was dead; + This aught days I tentit a pyot + Sit chatt'rin' upo' the house-head. + + "And yesterday, workin' my stockin', + And you wi' the sheep on the hill, + A muckle black corbie sat croakin'; + I kend it foreboded some ill." + + "Hout, cheer up, dear Janet, be hearty, + For ere the next sun may gae down, + Wha kens but I 'll shoot Bonaparte, + And end my auld days in renown?" + + "Then hear me," quo' Janet, "I pray thee, + I 'll tend thee, love, living or dead, + And if thou should fa' I 'll die wi' thee, + Or tie up thy wounds if thou bleed." + + Syne aff in a fury he stumpled, + Wi' bullets, and pouther, and gun; + At 's curpin auld Janet too humpled, + Awa to the next neighb'rin' town. + + There footmen and yeomen paradin', + To scour aff in dirdum were seen, + Auld wives and young lasses a-sheddin' + The briny saut tears frae their een. + + Then aff wi' his bannet gat Symon, + And to the commander he gaes; + Quo' he, "Sir, I mean to gae wi' ye, man, + And help ye to lounder our faes. + + "I 'm auld, yet I 'm teugh as the wire, + Sae we 'll at the rogues have a dash, + And, fegs, if my gun winna fire, + I 'll turn her butt-end, and I 'll thrash." + + "Well spoken, my hearty old hero," + The captain did smiling reply, + But begg'd he wad stay till to-morrow, + Till daylight should glent in the sky. + + Whatreck, a' the stour cam to naething; + Sae Symon, and Janet his dame, + Hale skart frae the wars, without skaithing, + Gaed bannin' the French again hame. + + + + +COQUET WATER. + +AIR--_"Braw Lads of Gala Water."_ + + + Whan winter winds forget to blaw, + An' vernal suns revive pale nature, + A shepherd lad by chance I saw, + Feeding his flocks by Coquet water. + + Saft, saft he sung, in melting lays, + His Mary's charms an' matchless feature, + While echoes answer'd frae the braes, + That skirt the banks of Coquet water. + + "Oh, were that bonnie lassie mine," + Quoth he, "in love's saft wiles I'd daut her; + An' deem mysel' as happy syne, + As landit laird on Coquet water. + + "Let wealthy rakes for pleasure roam, + In foreign lands their fortune fritter; + But love's pure joys be mine at home, + Wi' my dear lass on Coquet water. + + "Gie fine focks wealth, yet what care I, + Gie me her smiles whom I lo'e better; + Blest wi' her love an' life's calm joy, + Tending my flocks by Coquet water. + + "Flow fair an' clear, thou bonnie stream, + For on thy banks aft hae I met her; + Fair may the bonnie wild-flowers gleam, + That busk the banks of Coquet water." + + + + +THE YOUNG MAID'S WISH FOR PEACE. + +AIR--_"Far frae Hame," &c._ + + + Fain wad I, fain wad I hae the bloody wars to cease, + An' the nations restored again to unity an' peace; + Then mony a bonnie laddie, that 's now far owre the sea, + Wad return to his lassie, an' his ain countrie. + + My lad was call'd awa for to cross the stormy main, + An' to face the battle's bray in the cause of injured Spain; + But in my love's departure hard fate has injured me, + That has reft him frae my arms, an' his ain countrie. + + When he bade me adieu, oh! my heart was like to break, + An' the parting tear dropp'd down for my dear laddie's sake; + Kind Heavens protect my Willie, wherever he be, + An' restore him to my arms, an' his ain countrie. + + Yes, may the fates defend him upon that hostile shore, + Amid the rage of battle, where thund'ring cannons roar; + In the sad hour of danger, when deadly bullets flee, + Far frae the peacefu' plains of his ain countrie. + + Wae 's me, that vice had proven the source of blood an' war, + An' sawn amang the nations the seeds of feud an' jar: + But it was cruel Cain, an' his grim posterity, + First began the bloody wark in their ain countrie. + + An' oh! what widows weep, an' helpless orphans cry! + On a far foreign shore now, the dear, dear ashes lie, + Whose life-blood stain'd the gowans of some far foreign lea, + Far frae their kith an' kin, an' their ain countrie. + + Hail the day, speed the day, then, when a' the wars are done! + An' may ilk British laddie return wi' laurels won; + On my dear Willie's brows may they flourish bonnily, + An' be wi' the myrtle twined in his ain countrie. + + But I hope the time is near, when sweet peace her olive wand + To lay the fiend of war shall soon stretch o'er every land, + When swords turn'd into ploughshares and pruning-hooks shall be, + An' the nations a' live happy in their ain countrie. + + + + +THE FIDDLER'S WIDOW. + + + There was a musician wha play'd a good stick, + He had a sweet wife an' a fiddle, + An' in his profession he had right good luck + At bridals his elbow to diddle. + + But ah! the poor fiddler soon chanced to die, + As a' men to dust must return; + An' the poor widow cried, wi' the tear in her e'e, + That as lang as she lived she wad mourn. + + Alane by the hearth she disconsolate sat, + Lamenting the day that she saw, + An' aye as she look'd on the fiddle she grat, + That silent now hang on the wa'. + + Fair shane the red rose on the young widow's cheek, + Sae newly weel washen wi' tears, + As in came a younker some comfort to speak, + Wha whisper'd fond love in her ears. + + "Dear lassie," he cried, "I am smit wi' your charms, + Consent but to marry me now, + I 'm as good as ever laid hair upon thairms, + An' I 'll cheer baith the fiddle an' you." + + The young widow blush'd, but sweet smiling she said, + "Dear sir, to dissemble I hate, + If we twa thegither are doom'd to be wed, + Folks needna contend against fate." + + He took down the fiddle as dowie it hung, + An' put a' the thairms in tune, + The young widow dighted her cheeks an' she sung, + For her heart lap her sorrows aboon. + + Now sound sleep the dead in his cauld bed o' clay, + For death still the dearest maun sever; + For now he 's forgot, an' his widow's fu' gay, + An' his fiddle 's as merry as ever. + + + + +LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF AN IRISH CHIEF. + + + He 's no more on the green hill, he has left the wide forest, + Whom, sad by the lone rill, thou, loved dame, deplorest: + We saw in his dim eye the beam of life quiver, + Its bright orb to light again no more for ever. + + Loud twang'd thy bow, mighty youth, in the foray, + Dread gleam'd thy brand in the proud field of glory; + And when heroes sat round in the Psalter of Tara, + His counsel was sage as was fatal his arrow. + + When in war's loud commotion the hostile Dane landed, + Or seen on the ocean with white sail expanded, + Like thee, swoll'n stream, down our steep vale that roarest, + Fierce was the chieftain that harass'd them sorest. + + Proud stem of our ancient line, nipt while in budding, + Like sweet flowers' too early gem spring-fields bestudding, + Our noble pine 's fall'n, that waved on our mountain,-- + Our mighty rock dash'd from the brink of our fountain. + + Our lady is lonely, our halls are deserted-- + The mighty is fallen, our hope is departed-- + Loud wail for the fate from our clan that did sever, + Whom we shall behold again no more for ever. + + + + +THE DEPARTURE OF SUMMER. + + + Adieu, lovely Summer! I see thee declining, + I sigh, for thy exit is near; + Thy once glowing beauties by Autumn are pining, + Who now presses hard on thy rear. + + The late blowing flowers now thy pale cheek adorning, + Droop sick as they nod on the lea; + The groves, too, are silent, no minstrel of morning + Shrill warbles his song from the tree. + + Aurora peeps silent, and sighs a lorn widow, + No warbler to lend her a lay, + No more the shrill lark quits the dew-spangled meadow, + As wont for to welcome the day. + + Sage Autumn sits sad now on hill, dale, and valley, + Each landscape how pensive its mien! + They languish, they languish! I see them fade daily, + And losing their liv'ry of green. + + O Virtue, come waft me on thy silken pinions, + To where purer streamlets still flow, + Where summer, unceasing, pervades thy dominions, + Nor stormy bleak wint'ry winds blow. + + + + +SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. + + +Sir Walter Scott, the most chivalrous of Scottish poets, and the most +illustrious of British novelists, was born in Edinburgh, on the 15th of +August 1771. His father, Walter Scott, Writer to the Signet, was +descended from a younger branch of the baronial house of the Scotts of +Harden, of which Lord Polwarth is the present representative. On his +mother's side his progenitors were likewise highly respectable: his +maternal grandfather, Dr John Rutherford, was Professor of the Practice +of Physic in the University of Edinburgh, and his mother's brother, Dr +Daniel Rutherford, an eminent chemist, afterwards occupied the chair of +Botany. His mother was a person of a vigorous and cultivated mind. Of a +family of twelve children, born to his parents, six of whom survived +infancy, Walter only evinced the possession of the uncommon attribute of +genius. He was born a healthy child, but soon after became exposed to +serious peril by being some time tended by a consumptive nurse. When +scarcely two years old he was seized with an illness which deprived him +of the proper use of his right limb, a loss which continued during his +life. With the view of retrieving his strength, he was sent to reside +with his paternal grandfather, Robert Scott, who rented the farm of +Sandyknowe, in the vicinity of Smailholm Tower, in Roxburghshire. +Shortly after his arrival at Sandyknowe, he narrowly escaped destruction +through the frantic desperation of a maniac attendant; but he had +afterwards to congratulate himself on being enabled to form an early +acquaintance with rural scenes. No advantage accruing to his lameness, +he was, in his fourth year, removed to Bath, where he remained twelve +months, without experiencing benefit from the mineral waters. During the +three following years he chiefly resided at Sandyknowe. In his eighth +year he returned to Edinburgh, with his mind largely stored with border +legends, chiefly derived from the recitations of his grandmother, a +person of a romantic inclination and sprightly intelligence. At this +period, Pope's translation of Homer, and the more amusing songs in +Ramsay's "Evergreen," were his favourite studies; and he took delight in +reading aloud, with suitable emphasis, the more striking passages, or +verses, to his mother, who sought every incentive to stimulate his +native propensity. In 1778 he was sent to the High School, where he +possessed the advantage of instruction under Mr Luke Fraser, an able +scholar, and Dr Adam, the distinguished rector. His progress in +scholarship was not equal to his talents; he was already a devotee to +romance, and experienced greater gratification in retiring with a friend +to some quiet spot in the country, to relate or to listen to a +fictitious tale, than in giving his principal attention to the +prescribed tasks of the schoolroom. As he became older, the love of +miscellaneous literature, especially the works of the great masters of +fiction, amounted to a passion; and as his memory was singularly +tenacious, he accumulated a great extent and variety of miscellaneous +information. + +On the completion of his attendance at the High School, he was sent to +reside with some relations at Kelso; and in this interesting locality +his growing attachment to the national minstrelsy and legendary lore +received a fresh impulse. On his return to Edinburgh he entered the +University, in which he matriculated as a student of Latin and Greek, in +October 1793. His progress was not more marked than it had been at the +High School, insomuch that Mr Dalziel, the professor of Greek, was +induced to give public expression as to his hopeless incapacity. The +professor fortunately survived to make ample compensation for the +rashness of his prediction. + +The juvenile inclinations of the future poet were entirely directed to a +military life; but his continued lameness interposed an insuperable +difficulty, and was a source of deep mortification. He was at length +induced to adopt a profession suitable to his physical capabilities, +entering into indentures with his father in his fourteenth year. To his +confinement at the desk, sufficiently irksome to a youth of his +aspirations, he was chiefly reconciled by the consideration that his +fees as a clerk enabled him to purchase books. + +Rapid growth in a constitution which continued delicate till he had +attained his fifteenth year, led to his bursting a blood-vessel in the +second year of his apprenticeship. While precluded from active duty, +being closely confined to bed, and not allowed to exert himself by +speaking, he was still allowed to read; a privilege which accelerated +his acquaintance with general literature. To complete his recovery, he +was recommended exercise on horseback; and in obeying the instructions +of his physician, he gratified his own peculiar tastes by making himself +generally familiar with localities and scenes famous in Scottish story. +On the restoration of his health, he at length became seriously engaged +in the study of law for several continuous years, and, after the +requisite examinations, was admitted as an advocate, on the 10th of July +1792, when on the point of attaining his twenty-first year. + +In his twelfth year, Scott had composed some verses for his preceptor +and early friend Dr Adam, which afforded promise of his future +excellence. But he seems not to have extensively indulged, in early +life, in the composition of poetry, while his juvenile productions in +prose wore a stiff formality. On being called to the bar, he at first +carefully refrained, according to his own statement, from claiming the +honour of authorship, lest his brethren or the public should suppose +that his habits were unsuitable to a due attention to the duties of his +profession. He was relieved of dependence on professional employment by +espousing, in December 1797, Miss Carpenter, a young French gentlewoman, +possessed of a considerable annuity, whose acquaintance he had formed at +Gilsland, a watering-place in Cumberland. In 1800 he was appointed +Sheriff of Selkirkshire, with a salary of L300 a year. While he +continued in his father's office he had made himself familiar with the +French and Italian languages, and had read many of their more celebrated +authors, especially the writings of Tasso and Ariosto. Some years after +he came to the bar, he was induced to acquaint himself with the ballad +poetry of Germany, then in vogue, through the translations of Mr Lewis, +whose friendship he had recently acquired. In 1796 he made his first +adventure as an author by publishing translations of "Lenore," and "The +Wild Huntsman" of Buerger. The attempt proved unsuccessful; but, +undismayed, he again essayed his skill in translation by publishing, in +1799, an English version of Goethe's "Goetz of Berlichingen." His +success as an author was, however, destined to rest on original +performances, illustrative of the chivalry of his own land. + +Towards the recovery and publication of the ancient ballads and songs of +the Scottish borders, which had only been preserved by the recitations +of the peasantry, Scott had early formed important intentions. The +independence of his circumstances now enabled him to execute his +long-cherished scheme. He made periodical excursions into Liddesdale, a +wild pastoral district on the Scottish border, anciently peopled by the +noted Elliots and Armstrongs, in quest of old ballads and traditions; +and the fruits of his research, along with much curious information, +partly communicated to him by intelligent correspondents, he gave to the +world, in 1802, in two volumes octavo, under the title of "Minstrelsy of +the Scottish Border." He added in the following year a third volume, +consisting of imitations of ancient ballads, composed by himself and +others. These volumes issued from the printing-press of his early friend +and school-fellow, Mr James Ballantyne of Kelso, who had already begun +to indicate that skill in typography for which he was afterwards so +justly celebrated. In 1804 he published, from the Auchinleck Manuscript +in the Advocates' Library, the ancient metrical tale of "Sir Tristrem;" +and, in an elaborate introduction, he endeavoured to prove that it was +the composition of Thomas of Ercildoune, better known as Thomas the +Rhymer. He published in 1805 "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," an original +ballad poem, which, speedily attaining a wide circulation, procured for +him an extensive reputation, and the substantial reward of L600. + +The prosperity of the poet rose with his fame. In the year following +that which produced the "Lay," he received his appointment as a +principal clerk of the Court of Session, an office which afterwards +brought him L1200 a-year. To literary occupation he now resolved to +dedicate his intervals of leisure. In 1808 he produced "Marmion," his +second great poem, which brought him L1000 from the publisher, and at +once established his fame. During the same year he completed the heavy +task of editing the works of Dryden, in eighteen volumes. In 1809 he +edited the state papers and letters of Sir Ralph Sadler, and became a +contributor to the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, conducted by Southey. +"The Lady of the Lake," the most happily-conceived and popular of his +poetical works, appeared in 1810; "Don Roderick," in 1811; "Rokeby," in +1813; and "The Lord of the Isles," in 1814. "Harold the Dauntless," and +"The Bridal of Triermain," appeared subsequently, without the author's +name. + +As a poet, Scott had now attained a celebrity unrivalled among his +contemporaries, and it was in the apprehension of compromising his +reputation, that, in attempting a new species of composition, he was +extremely anxious to conceal the name of the author. The novel of +"Waverley," which appeared in 1814, did not, however, suffer from its +being anonymous; for, although the sale was somewhat heavy at first, the +work soon afterwards reached the extraordinary circulation of twelve +thousand copies. Contrary to reasonable expectation, however, the author +of "Waverley" did not avow himself, and, numerous as was the catalogue +of prose fictions which, for more than twenty years, proceeded from his +pen, he continued as desirous of retaining his secret as were his female +contemporaries, Lady Nairn and Lady Anne Barnard, to cast a veil over +their poetical character. The rapidity with which the "Great Unknown" +produced works of fiction, was one of the marvels of the age; and many +attempts were made to withdraw the curtain which concealed the +mysterious author. Successive years produced at least one, and often +two, novels of a class infinitely superior to the romances of the past +age, all having reference to the manners and habits of the most +interesting and chivalrous periods of Scottish or British history, +which, in these works, were depicted with a power and vivacity +unattained by the most graphic national historians. Subsequently to the +publication of "Guy Mannering" and "The Antiquary," in 1815 and 1816, +and as an expedient to sustain the public interest, Scott commenced a +new series of novels, under the title of "Tales of my Landlord," these +being professedly written by a different author; but this resort was +abandoned as altogether unnecessary for the contemplated object. Each +successive romance by the author of "Waverley" awakened renewed ardour +and enthusiasm among the public, and commanded a circulation +commensurate with the bounds in which the language was understood. Many +of them were translated into the various European languages. In the year +1814 he had published an edition of the works of Swift, in nineteen +volumes octavo. + +For some years after his marriage, Scott had occupied a cottage in the +romantic vicinity of Lasswade, near Edinburgh; but in 1804 he removed to +Ashestiel, an old mansion, beautifully situated on the banks of the +Tweed, seven miles above Selkirk, where, for several years, he continued +to reside during the vacation of the Court. The ruling desire of his +life was, that by the proceeds of his intellectual labour he might +acquire an ample demesne, with a suitable mansion of his own, and thus +in some measure realise in his own person, and in those of his +representatives, somewhat of the territorial importance of those olden +barons, whose wassails and whose feuds he had experienced delight in +celebrating. To attain such distinction as a Scottish _laird_, or +landholder, he was prepared to incur many sacrifices; nor was this +desire exceeded by regard for literary reputation. It was unquestionably +with a view towards the attainment of his darling object, that he taxed +so severely those faculties with which nature had so liberally endowed +him, and exhibited a prolificness of authorship, such as has rarely been +evinced in the annals of literary history. In 1811 he purchased, on the +south bank of the Tweed, near Melrose, the first portion of that estate +which, under the name of Abbotsford, has become indelibly associated +with his history. The soil was then a barren waste, but by extensive +improvements the place speedily assumed the aspect of amenity and +beauty. The mansion, a curious amalgamation, in questionable taste, of +every species of architecture, was partly built in 1811, and gradually +extended with the increasing emoluments of the owner. By successive +purchases of adjacent lands, the Abbotsford property became likewise +augmented, till the rental amounted to about L700 a-year--a return +sufficiently limited for an expenditure of upwards of L50,000 on this +favourite spot. + +At Abbotsford the poet maintained the character of a wealthy country +gentleman. He was visited by distinguished persons from the sister +kingdom, from the Continent, and from America, all of whom he +entertained in a style of sumptuous elegance. Nor did his constant +social intercourse with his visitors and friends interfere with the +regular prosecution of his literary labours: he rose at six, and +engaged in study and composition till eleven o'clock. During the period +of his residence in the country, he devoted the remainder of the day to +his favourite exercise on horseback, the superintendence of improvements +on his property, and the entertainment of his guests. In March 1820, +George IV., to whom he was personally known, and who was a warm admirer +of his genius, granted to him the honour of a baronetcy, being the first +which was conferred by his Majesty after his accession. Prior to this +period, besides the works already enumerated, he had given to the world +his romances of "The Black Dwarf," "Old Mortality," "Rob Roy," "The +Heart of Midlothian," "The Bride of Lammermoor," "A Legend of Montrose," +and "Ivanhoe." The attainment of the baronetcy appears to have +stimulated him to still greater exertion. In 1820 he produced, besides +"Ivanhoe," which appeared in the early part of that year, "The +Monastery" and "The Abbot;" and in the beginning of 1821, the romance of +"Kenilworth," being twelve volumes published within the same number of +months. "The Pirate" and "The Fortunes of Nigel" appeared in 1822; +"Peveril of the Peak" and "Quentin Durward," in 1823; "St Ronan's Well" +and "Redgauntlet," in 1824; and "The Tales of the Crusaders," in 1825. + +During the visit of George IV. to Scotland, in 1822, Sir Walter +undertook the congenial duty of acting as Master of Ceremonies, which he +did to the entire satisfaction of his sovereign and of the nation. But +while prosperity seemed to smile with increasing brilliancy, adversity +was hovering near. In 1826, Archibald Constable and Company, the famous +publishers of his works, became insolvent, involving in their +bankruptcy the printing firm of the Messrs Ballantyne, of which Sir +Walter was a partner. The liabilities amounted to the vast sum of +L102,000, for which Sir Walter was individually responsible. To a mind +less balanced by native intrepidity and fortified by principle, the +apparent wreck of his worldly hopes would have produced irretrievable +despondency; but Scott bore his misfortune with magnanimity and manly +resignation. He had been largely indebted to both the establishments +which had unfortunately involved him in their fall, in the elegant +production of his works, as well as in respect of pecuniary +accommodation; and he felt bound in honour, as well as by legal +obligation, fully to discharge the debt. He declined to accept an offer +of the creditors to be satisfied with a composition; and claiming only +to be allowed time, applied himself with indomitable energy to his +arduous undertaking, at the age of fifty-five, in the full +determination, if his life was spared, of cancelling every farthing of +his obligations. At the crisis of his embarrassments he was engaged in +the composition of "Woodstock," which shortly afterwards appeared. The +"Life of Napoleon," which had for a considerable time occupied his +attention, was published in 1827, in nine vols. octavo. In the course of +its preparation he had visited both London and Paris in search of +materials. In the same year he produced "Chronicles of the Canongate," +_first series_; and in the year following, the second series of those +charming tales, and the first portion of his juvenile history of +Scotland, under the title of "Tales of a Grandfather." A second portion +of these tales appeared in 1829, and the third and concluding series in +1830, when he also contributed a graver History of Scotland in two +volumes to _Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia_. In 1829 likewise appeared +"Anne of Geierstein," a romance, and in 1830 the "Letters on Demonology +and Witchcraft." In 1831 he produced a series of "Tales on French +History," uniform with the "Tales of a Grandfather," and his novels, +"Count Robert of Paris," and "Castle Dangerous," as a fourth series of +"Tales of My Landlord." Other productions of inferior mark appeared from +his pen; he contributed to the _Edinburgh Review_, during the first year +of its career; wrote the articles, "Chivalry," "Romance," and "Drama," +for the sixth edition of the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_; and during his +latter years contributed somewhat copiously to the _Quarterly Review_. + +At a public dinner in Edinburgh, for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund, +on the 23d of February 1827, Sir Walter made his first avowal as to the +authorship of the Waverley Novels,--an announcement which scarcely took +the public by surprise. The physical energies of the illustrious author +were now suffering a rapid decline; and in his increasing infirmities, +and liability to sudden and severe attacks of pain, and even of +unconsciousness, it became evident to his friends, that, in the +praiseworthy effort to pay his debts, he was sacrificing his health and +shortening his life. Those apprehensions proved not without foundation. +In the autumn of 1831, his health became so lamentably broken, that his +medical advisers recommended a residence in Italy, and entire cessation +from mental occupation, as the only means of invigorating a constitution +so seriously dilapidated. But the counsel came too late; the patient +proceeded to Naples, and afterwards to Rome, but experiencing no benefit +from the change, he was rapidly conveyed homewards in the following +summer, in obedience to his express wish, that he might have the +satisfaction of closing his eyes at Abbotsford. The wish was gratified: +he arrived at Abbotsford on the 11th of July 1832, and survived till +the 21st of the ensuing September. According to his own request, his +remains were interred in an aisle in Dryburgh Abbey, which had belonged +to one of his ancestors, and had been granted to him by the late Earl of +Buchan. A heavy block of marble rests upon the grave, in juxtaposition +with another which has been laid on that of his affectionate partner in +life, who died in May 1826. The aisle is protected by a heavy iron +railing. + +In stature, Sir Walter Scott was above six feet; but his personal +appearance, which had otherwise been commanding, was considerably marred +by the lameness of his right limb, which caused him to walk with an +awkward effort, and ultimately with much difficulty. His countenance, so +correctly represented in his numerous portraits and busts, was +remarkable for depth of forehead; his features were somewhat heavy, and +his eyes, covered with thick eyelashes, were dull, unless animated by +congenial conversation. He was of a fair complexion; and his hair, +originally sandy, became gray from a severe illness which he suffered in +his 48th year. His general conversation consisted in the detail of +chivalric adventures and anecdotes of the olden times. His memory was so +retentive that whatever he had studied indelibly maintained a place in +his recollection. In fertility of imagination he surpassed all his +contemporaries. As a poet, if he has not the graceful elegance of +Campbell, and the fervid energy of Byron, he excels the latter in purity +of sentiment, and the former in vigour of conception. His style was well +adapted for the composition of lyric poetry; but as he had no ear for +music, his song compositions are not numerous. Several of these, +however, have been set to music, and maintain their popularity.[72] But +Scott's reputation as a poet is inferior to his reputation as a +novelist; and while even his best poems may cease to be generally read, +the author of the Waverley Novels will only be forgotten with the disuse +of the language. A cabinet edition of these novels, with the author's +last notes, and illustrated with elegant engravings, appeared in +forty-eight volumes a short period before his decease; several other +complete editions have since been published by the late Mr Robert +Cadell, and by the present proprietors of the copyright, the Messrs +Black of Edinburgh. + +As a man of amiable dispositions and incorruptible integrity, Sir Walter +Scott shone conspicuous among his contemporaries, the latter quality +being eminently exhibited in his resolution to pay the whole of his +heavy pecuniary liabilities. To this effort he fell a martyr; yet it was +a source of consolation to his survivors, that, by his own extraordinary +exertions, the policy of life insurance payable at his death, and the +sum of L30,000 paid by Mr Cadell for the copyright of his works, the +whole amount of the debt was discharged. It is, however painfully, to be +remarked, that the object of his earlier ambition, in raising a family, +has not been realised. His children, consisting of two sons and two +daughters, though not constitutionally delicate, have all departed from +the scene, and the only representative of his house is the surviving +child of his eldest daughter, who was married to Mr John Gibson +Lockhart, the late editor of the _Quarterly Review_, and his literary +executor. This sole descendant, a grand-daughter, is the wife of Mr +Hope, Q.C., who has lately added to his patronymic the name of Scott, +and made Abbotsford his summer residence. The memory of the illustrious +Minstrel has received every honour from his countrymen; monuments have +been raised to him in the principal towns--that in the capital, a rich +Gothic cross, being one of the noblest decorations of his native city. +Abbotsford has become the resort of the tourist and of the traveller +from every land, who contemplate with interest and devotion a scene +hallowed by the loftiest genius. + + "The grass is trodden by the feet + Of thousands, from a thousand lands-- + The prince, the peasant, tottering age, + And rosy schoolboy bands; + All crowd to fairy Abbotsford, + And lingering gaze, and gaze the more; + Hang o'er the chair in which _he_ sat, + The latest dress _he_ wore."[73] + + +[72] We regret that, owing to the provision of the copyright act, we are +unable, in this work, to present four of Sir Walter Scott's most popular +songs, "The Blue Bonnets over the Border," "Jock o' Hazeldean," +"M'Gregor's Gathering," and "Carle, now the King's come." These songs +must, however, be abundantly familiar to the majority of readers. + +[73] From "The Grave of Sir Walter Scott," a poem by Thomas C. Latto +(see "The Minister's Kail-yard, and other Poems." Edinburgh, 1845, +12mo). To explain an allusion in the last line of the above stanza, it +should be noticed, that the last dress of the poet is exhibited to +visitors at Abbotsford, carefully preserved in a glass case. + + + + +IT WAS AN ENGLISH LADYE BRIGHT.[74] + + + It was an English ladye bright + (The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall), + And she would marry a Scottish knight, + For Love will still be lord of all. + + Blithely they saw the rising sun, + When he shone fair on Carlisle wall; + But they were sad ere day was done, + Though Love was still the lord of all. + + The sire gave brooch and jewel fine, + Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall; + Her brother gave but a flask of wine, + For ire that Love was lord of all. + + For she had lands, both meadow and lea, + Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall, + And he swore her death, ere he would see + A Scottish knight the lord of all. + + That wine she had not tasted well + (The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall), + When dead in her true love's arms she fell, + For Love was still the lord of all. + + He pierced her brother to the heart, + Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall-- + So perish all would true love part, + That Love may still be lord of all! + + And then he took the cross divine + (Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall), + And died for her sake in Palestine, + So Love was still the lord of all. + + Now all ye lovers, that faithful prove, + (The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall) + Pray for their souls who died for love, + For Love shall still be lord of all! + + +[74] This song appears in the sixth canto of "The Lay of the Last +Minstrel." "It is the author's object in these songs," writes Lord +Jeffrey, "to exemplify the different styles of ballad-narrative which +prevailed in this island at different periods, or in different +conditions of society. The first (the above) is conducted upon the rude +and simple model of the old border ditties, and produces its effect by +the direct and concise narrative of a tragical occurrence." + + + + +LOCHINVAR.[75] + + + Oh, young Lochinvar is come out of the west, + Through all the wide border his steed was the best; + And save his good broadsword he weapons had none, + He rode all unarm'd, and he rode all alone. + So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, + There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. + + He stay'd not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, + He swam the Eske river where ford there was none; + But ere he alighted at Netherby gate, + The bride had consented, the gallant came late: + For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, + Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. + + So boldly he enter'd the Netherby Hall, + Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all: + Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword, + (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word) + "Oh, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, + Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?" + + "I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied;-- + Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide-- + And now am I come, with this lost love of mine, + To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine; + There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far, + That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar." + + The bride kiss'd the goblet; the knight took it up, + He quaff'd off the wine, and he threw down the cup; + She look'd down to blush, and she look'd up to sigh, + With a smile on her lips, and a tear in her eye. + He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar-- + "Now tread we a measure!" said young Lochinvar. + + So stately his form, and so lovely her face, + That never a hall such a galliard did grace; + While her mother did fret, and her father did fume, + And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume; + And the bride-maidens whisper'd, "'Twere better, by far, + To have match'd our fair cousin with young Lochinvar." + + One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, + When they reach'd the hall-door, and the charger stood near; + So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, + So light to the saddle before her he sprung! + "She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur; + They 'll have fleet steeds that follow," quoth young Lochinvar. + + There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan; + Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran: + There was racing, and chasing, on Cannobie Lea, + But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. + So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, + Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar? + + +[75] This song occurs in the fifth canto of "Marmion." It is founded on +a ballad entitled "Katharine Janfarie," in the "Minstrelsy of the +Scottish Border." + + + + +WHERE SHALL THE LOVER REST.[76] + + + Where shall the lover rest, + Whom the fates sever + From his true maiden's breast, + Parted for ever? + Where, through groves deep and high, + Sounds the far billow; + Where early violets die + Under the willow. + Eleu loro, &c. + Soft shall be his pillow. + + There, through the summer day, + Cool streams are laving; + There, while the tempests sway, + Scarce are boughs waving; + There, thy rest shalt thou take, + Parted for ever; + Never again to wake, + Never, O never! + Eleu loro, &c. + Never, O never! + + Where shall the traitor rest, + He, the deceiver, + Who could win maiden's breast, + Ruin, and leave her? + In the lost battle, + Borne down by the flying, + Where mingle war's rattle + With groans of the dying. + Eleu loro, &c. + There shall he be lying. + + Her wing shall the eagle flap + O'er the false-hearted; + His warm blood the wolf shall lap + Ere life be parted. + Shame and dishonour sit + By his grave ever; + Blessing shall hallow it,-- + Never, O never! + Eleu loro, &c. + Never, O never! + + +[76] From the third canto of "Marmion." + + + + +SOLDIER, REST! THY WARFARE O'ER.[77] + + + Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, + Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; + Dream of battle-fields no more, + Days of danger, nights of waking. + In our isle's enchanted hall, + Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, + Fairy strains of music fall, + Every sense in slumber dewing. + Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, + Dream of fighting fields no more; + Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, + Morn of toil, nor night of waking. + + No rude sound shall reach thine ear, + Armour's clang, or war-steed champing; + Trump nor pibroch summon here, + Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. + Yet the lark's shrill fife may come + At the daybreak from the fallow; + And the bittern sound his drum, + Booming from the sedgy shallow. + Ruder sounds shall none be near, + Guards nor wardens challenge here; + Here 's no war-steed's neigh and champing, + Shouting clans, or squadrons' stamping. + + Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done; + While our slumbrous spells assail ye, + Dream not, with the rising sun, + Bugles here shall sound reveille. + Sleep! the deer is in his den; + Sleep! nor dream in yonder glen, + How thy gallant steed lay dying. + Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done, + Think not of the rising sun, + For at dawning to assail ye, + Here no bugles sound reveille. + + +[77] The song of Lady Margaret in the first canto of "The Lady of the +Lake." + + + + +HAIL TO THE CHIEF WHO IN TRIUMPH ADVANCES![78] + + + Hail to the chief who in triumph advances! + Honour'd and bless'd be the ever-green pine! + Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, + Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line! + Heaven send it happy dew, + Earth lend it sap anew, + Gaily to bourgeon, and broadly to grow, + While every Highland glen + Sends our shout back agen, + Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe! + + Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, + Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; + When the whirlwind has stripp'd every leaf on the mountain, + The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade; + Moor'd in the rifted rock + Proof to the tempest shock, + Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow; + Menteith and Breadalbane, then, + Echo his praise agen, + Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe! + + Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Glen Fruin, + And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied; + Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, + And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. + Widow and Saxon maid + Long shall lament our raid, + Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe; + Lennox and Leven-Glen + Shake when they hear agen, + Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe! + + Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands! + Stretch to your oars for the ever-green pine! + Oh, that the rosebud that graces yon islands + Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine! + O that some seedling gem, + Worthy such noble stem, + Honour'd and bless'd in their shadow might grow! + Loud should Clan-Alpine then + Ring from the deepmost glen, + Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe! + + +[78] The "boat song" in the second canto of "The Lady of the Lake." It +may be sung to the air of "The Banks of the Devon." + + + + +THE HEATH THIS NIGHT MUST BE MY BED.[79] + + + The heath this night must be my bed, + The bracken curtains for my head, + My lullaby the warder's tread, + Far, far from love and thee, Mary. + + To-morrow eve, more stilly laid, + My couch may be the bloody plaid, + My vesper song, thy wail, sweet maid! + It will not waken me, Mary! + + I may not, dare not, fancy now + The grief that clouds thy lovely brow, + I dare not think upon thy vow, + And all it promised me, Mary. + + No fond regret must Norman know; + When bursts Clan-Alpine on the foe, + His heart must be like bended bow, + His foot like arrow free, Mary. + + A time will come with feeling fraught, + For if I fall in battle fought, + Thy hapless lover's dying thought + Shall be a thought on thee, Mary. + + And if return'd from conquer'd foes, + How blithely will the evening close, + How sweet the linnet sing repose + To my young bride and me, Mary! + + +[79] Song of Norman in "The Lady of the Lake," canto third. + + + + +THE IMPRISONED HUNTSMAN.[80] + + + My hawk is tired of perch and hood, + My idle greyhound loathes his food, + My horse is weary of his stall, + And I am sick of captive thrall; + I wish I were as I have been, + Hunting the hart in forest green, + With bended bow and bloodhound free, + For that 's the life is meet for me. + + I hate to learn the ebb of time + From yon dull steeple's drowsy chime, + Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl, + Inch after inch, along the wall. + The lark was wont my matins ring, + The sable rook my vespers sing: + These towers, although a king's they be, + Have not a hall of joy for me. + + No more at dawning morn I rise + And sun myself in Ellen's eyes, + Drive the fleet deer the forest through, + And homeward wend with evening dew; + A blithesome welcome blithely meet + And lay my trophies at her feet, + While fled the eve on wing of glee-- + That life is lost to love and me! + + +[80] "The Lady of the Lake," canto sixth. + + + + +HE IS GONE ON THE MOUNTAIN.[81] + + + He is gone on the mountain, + He is lost to the forest, + Like a summer-dried fountain, + When our need was the sorest. + The font re-appearing, + From the rain-drops shall borrow; + But to us comes no cheering, + To Duncan no morrow! + + The hand of the reaper + Takes the ears that are hoary, + But the voice of the weeper + Wails manhood in glory. + The autumn winds rushing + Wafts the leaves that are searest, + But our flower was in flushing + When blighting was nearest. + + Fleet foot on the corrie, + Sage counsel in cumber, + Red hand in the foray, + How sound is thy slumber! + Like the dew on the mountain, + Like the foam on the river, + Like the bubble on the fountain, + Thou art gone, and for ever. + + +[81] "The Lady of the Lake," canto third. + + + + +A WEARY LOT IS THINE, FAIR MAID.[82] + + + "A weary lot is thine, fair maid, + A weary lot is thine! + To pull the thorn thy brow to braid, + And press the rue for wine! + A lightsome eye, a soldier's mien, + A feather of the blue, + A doublet of the Lincoln green, + No more of me ye knew, my love! + No more of me ye knew. + + "This morn is merry June, I trow, + The rose is budding fain; + But she shall bloom in winter snow, + Ere we two meet again." + He turn'd his charger as he spake, + Upon the river shore, + He gave his bridle-reins a shake, + Said, "Adieu for evermore, my love! + And adieu for evermore." + + +[82] "Rokeby," canto third. + + + + +ALLEN-A-DALE.[83] + + + Allen-a-Dale has no faggot for burning, + Allen-a-Dale has no furrow for turning, + Allen-a-Dale has no fleece for the spinning, + Yet Allen-a-Dale has red gold for the winning; + Come, read me my riddle! come, hearken my tale! + And tell me the craft of bold Allen-a-Dale. + + The Baron of Ravensworth prances in pride, + And he views his domains upon Arkindale side, + The mere for his net, and the land for his game, + The chase for the wild, and the park for the tame; + Yet the fish of the lake and the deer of the vale + Are less free to Lord Dacre than Allen-a-Dale. + + Allen-a-Dale was ne'er belted a knight, + Though his spur be as sharp, and his blade be as bright; + Allen-a-Dale is no baron or lord, + Yet twenty tall yeomen will draw at his word; + And the best of our nobles his bonnet will vail, + Who at Rere-cross on Stanmore meets Allen-a-Dale. + + Allen-a-Dale to his wooing is come; + The mother she asked of his household and home; + "Though the castle of Richmond stand fair on the hill, + My hall," quoth bold Allen, "shows gallanter still; + 'Tis the blue vault of heaven, with its crescent so pale, + And with all its bright spangles," said Allen-a-Dale. + + The father was steel and the mother was stone, + They lifted the latch, and they bade him be gone; + But loud, on the morrow, their wail and their cry, + He had laugh'd on the lass with his bonny black eye, + And she fled to the forest to hear a love-tale, + And the youth it was told by was Allen-a-Dale. + + +[83] "Rokeby," canto third. + + + + +THE CYPRESS WREATH.[84] + + + Oh, lady! twine no wreath for me, + Or twine it of the cypress-tree! + Too lively glow the lilies' light, + The varnish'd holly 's all too bright, + The mayflower and the eglantine + May shade a brow less sad than mine; + But, lady, weave no wreath for me, + Or weave it of the cypress-tree! + + Let dimpled mirth his temples twine + With tendrils of the laughing vine; + The manly oak, the pensive yew, + To patriot and to sage be due; + The myrtle bough bids lovers live + But that Matilda will not give; + Then, lady, twine no wreath for me, + Or twine it of the cypress-tree! + + Let merry England proudly rear + Her blended roses, bought so dear; + Let Albin bind her bonnet blue + With heath and harebell dipp'd in dew. + On favour'd Erin's crest be seen + The flower she loves of emerald green; + But, lady, twine no wreath for me, + Or twine it of the cypress-tree! + + Strike the wild harp while maids prepare + The ivy meet for minstrel's hair; + And, while his crown of laurel-leaves, + With bloody hand the victor weaves, + Let the loud trump his triumph tell; + But when you hear the passing-bell, + Then, lady, twine a wreath for me, + And twine it of the cypress-tree! + + Yes, twine for me the cypress bough; + But, O Matilda, twine not now! + Stay till a few brief months are past + And I have look'd and loved my last! + When villagers my shroud bestrew + With pansies, rosemary, and rue,-- + Then, lady, weave a wreath for me, + And weave it of the cypress-tree! + + +[84] "Rokeby," canto fifth. + + + + +THE CAVALIER.[85] + + + While the dawn on the mountain was misty and gray, + My true love has mounted his steed and away, + Over hill, over valley, o'er dale, and o'er down;-- + Heaven shield the brave gallant that fights for the crown! + + He has doff'd the silk doublet the breastplate to bear, + He has placed the steel cap o'er his long flowing hair, + From his belt to his stirrup his broadsword hangs down-- + Heaven shield the brave gallant that fights for the crown! + + For the rights of fair England that broadsword he draws, + Her king is his leader, her church is his cause, + His watchword is honour, his pay is renown,-- + God strike with the gallant that strikes for the crown! + + They may boast of their Fairfax, their Waller, and all + The roundheaded rebels of Westminster Hall; + But tell these bold traitors of London's proud town, + That the spears of the north have encircled the crown. + + There 's Derby and Cavendish, dread of their foes; + There 's Erin's high Ormond, and Scotland's Montrose! + Would you match the base Skippon, and Massey, and Brown, + With the barons of England that fight for the crown? + + Now joy to the crest of the brave cavalier, + Be his banner unconquer'd, resistless his spear, + Till in peace and in triumph his toils he may drown, + In a pledge to fair England, her church, and her crown! + + +[85] "Rokeby," canto fifth. + + + + +HUNTING SONG.[86] + + + Waken, lords and ladies gay, + On the mountain dawns the day, + All the jolly chase is here, + With hawk, and horse, and hunting-spear! + Hounds are in their couples yelling, + Hawks are whistling, horns are knelling, + Merrily, merrily, mingle they-- + "Waken, lords and ladies gay." + + Waken, lords and ladies gay, + The mist has left the mountain gray, + Springlets in the dawn are steaming, + Diamonds on the brake are gleaming: + And foresters have busy been + To track the buck in thicket green; + Now we come to chant our lay, + "Waken, lords and ladies gay." + + Waken, lords and ladies gay, + To the green-wood haste away; + We can shew you where he lies, + Fleet of foot and tall of size; + We can shew the marks he made + When 'gainst the oak his antlers fray'd; + You shall see him brought to bay, + "Waken, lords and ladies gay." + + Louder, louder chant the lay, + Waken, lords and ladies gay! + Tell them youth, and mirth, and glee, + Run a course as well as we; + Time, stern huntsman! who can baulk, + Stanch as hound, and fleet as hawk? + Think of this, and rise with day, + Gentle lords and ladies gay. + + +[86] First published in the continuation of Strutt's Queenhoohall, 1808, +inserted in the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, of the same year, and set +to a Welsh air in Thomson's _Select Melodies_, vol. iii., 1817. + + + + +OH, SAY NOT, MY LOVE, WITH THAT MORTIFIED AIR. + + + Oh, say not, my love, with that mortified air, + That your spring-time of pleasure is flown; + Nor bid me to maids that are younger repair, + For those raptures that still are thine own. + + Though April his temples may wreathe with the vine, + Its tendrils in infancy curl'd; + 'Tis the ardour of August matures us the wine, + Whose life-blood enlivens the world. + + Though thy form, that was fashion'd as light as a fay's, + Has assumed a proportion more round, + And thy glance, that was bright as a falcon's at gaze, + Looks soberly now on the ground-- + + Enough, after absence to meet me again, + Thy steps still with ecstacy move; + Enough, that those dear sober glances retain + For me the kind language of love. + + + + + * * * * * + + +METRICAL TRANSLATIONS + +FROM + +The Modern Gaelic Minstrelsy. + + + * * * * * + + + + +ROBERT MACKAY (ROB DONN). + + +Robert Mackay, called _Donn_, from the colour of his hair, which was +brown or chestnut, was born in the Strathmore of Sutherlandshire, about +the year 1714. + +His calling, with the interval of a brief military service in the +fencibles, was the tending of cattle, in the several gradations of herd, +drover, and bo-man, or responsible cow-keeper--the last, in his pastoral +county, a charge of trust and respectability. At one period he had an +appointment in Lord Reay's forest; but some deviations into the +"righteous theft"--so the Highlanders of those parts, it seems, call the +appropriation of an occasional deer to their own use--forfeited his +noble employer's confidence. Rob, however, does not appear to have +suffered in his general character or reputation for an _unconsidered +trifle_ like this, nor otherwise to have declined in the favour of his +chief, beyond the necessity of transporting himself to a situation +somewhat nearer the verge of Cape Wrath than the bosom of the deer +preserve. + +Mackay was happily married, and brought up a large family in habits and +sentiments of piety; a fact which his reverend biographer connects very +touchingly with the stated solemnities of the "Saturday night," when the +lighter chants of the week were exchanged at the worthy drover's +fireside for the purer and holier melodies of another inspiration.[87] +As a pendant to this creditable account of the bard's principles, we are +informed that he was a frequent guest at the presbytery dinner-table; a +circumstance which some may be so malicious as to surmise amounted to +nothing more than a purpose to enhance the festive recreations of the +reverend body--a suspicion, we believe, in this particular instance, +totally unfounded. He died in 1778; and he has succeeded to some rather +peculiar honours for a person in his position, or even of his mark. He +has had a reverend doctor for his editorial biographer,[88] and no less +than Sir Walter Scott for his reviewer.[89] + +The passages which Sir Walter has culled from some literal translations +that were submitted to him, are certainly the most favourable specimens +of the bard that we have been able to discover in his volume. The rest +are generally either satiric rants too rough or too local for +transfusion, or panegyrics on the living and the dead, in the usual +extravagant style of such compositions, according to the taste of the +Highlanders and the usage of their bards; or they are love-lays, of +which the language is more copious and diversified than the sentiment. +In the gleanings on which we have ventured, after the illustrious person +who has done so much honour to the bard by his comments and selections, +we have attempted to draw out a little more of the peculiar character of +the poet's genius. + + +[87] Songs and Poems of Robert Mackay, p. 38. (Inverness, 1829. 8vo.) + +[88] The Rev. Dr Mackintosh Mackay, successively minister of Laggan and +Dunoon, now a clergyman in Australia. + +[89] _Quarterly Review_, vol. xlv., April 1831. + + + + +THE SONG OF WINTER. + + This is selected as a specimen of Mackay's descriptive poetry. It + is in a style peculiar to the Highlands, where description runs so + entirely into epithets and adjectives, as to render recitation + breathless, and translation hopeless. Here, while we have retained + the imagery, we have been unable to find room, or rather rhyme, for + one half of the epithets in the original. The power of alliterative + harmony in the original song is extraordinary. + + + I. + + At waking so early + Was snow on the Ben, + And, the glen of the hill in, + The storm-drift so chilling + The linnet was stilling, + That couch'd in its den; + And poor robin was shrilling + In sorrow his strain. + + + II. + + Every grove was expecting + Its leaf shed in gloom; + The sap it is draining, + Down rootwards 'tis straining, + And the bark it is waning + As dry as the tomb, + And the blackbird at morning + Is shrieking his doom. + + + III. + + Ceases thriving, the knotted, + The stunted birk-shaw;[90] + While the rough wind is blowing, + And the drift of the snowing + Is shaking, o'erthrowing, + The copse on the law. + + + IV. + + 'Tis the season when nature + Is all in the sere, + When her snow-showers are hailing, + Her rain-sleet assailing, + Her mountain winds wailing, + Her rime-frosts severe. + + + V. + + 'Tis the season of leanness, + Unkindness, and chill; + Its whistle is ringing, + An iciness bringing, + Where the brown leaves are clinging + In helplessness, still, + And the snow-rush is delving + With furrows the hill. + + + VI. + + The sun is in hiding, + Or frozen its beam + On the peaks where he lingers, + On the glens, where the singers,[91] + With their bills and small fingers + Are raking the stream, + Or picking the midstead + For forage--and scream. + + + VII. + + When darkens the gloaming + Oh, scant is their cheer! + All benumb'd is their song in + The hedge they are thronging, + And for shelter still longing, + The mortar[92] they tear; + Ever noisily, noisily + Squealing their care. + + + VIII. + + The running stream's chieftain[93] + Is trailing to land, + So flabby, so grimy, + So sickly, so slimy,-- + The spots of his prime he + Has rusted with sand; + Crook-snouted his crest is + That taper'd so grand. + + + IX. + + How mournful in winter + The lowing of kine; + How lean-back'd they shiver, + How draggled their cover, + How their nostrils run over + With drippings of brine, + So scraggy and crining + In the cold frost they pine. + + + X. + + 'Tis hallow-mass time, and + To mildness farewell! + Its bristles are low'ring + With darkness; o'erpowering + Are its waters, aye showering + With onset so fell; + Seem the kid and the yearling + As rung their death-knell. + + + XI. + + Every out-lying creature, + How sinew'd soe'er, + Seeks the refuge of shelter; + The race of the antler + They snort and they falter, + A-cold in their lair; + And the fawns they are wasting + Since their kin is afar. + + + XII. + + Such the songs that are saddest + And dreariest of all; + I ever am eerie + In the morning to hear ye! + When foddering, to cheer the + Poor herd in the stall-- + While each creature is moaning, + And sickening in thrall. + + +[90] "Birk-shaw." A few Scotticisms will be found in these versions, at +once to flavour the style, and, it must be admitted, to assist the +rhymes. + +[91] Birds. + +[92] The sides of the cottages--plastered with mud or mortar, instead of +lime. + +[93] Salmon. + + + + +DIRGE FOR IAN MACECHAN. + +A FRAGMENT. + + Mackay was entertained by Macechan, who was a respectable + store-farmer, from his earliest life to his marriage. According to + his reverend biographer,[94] the last lines of the elegy, of which + the following is a translation, were much approved. + + + I see the wretch of high degree, + Though poverty has struck his race, + Pass with a darkness on his face + That door of hospitality. + + I see the widow in her tears, + Dark as her woe--I see her boy-- + From both, want reaves the dregs of joy; + The flash of youth through rags appears. + + I see the poor's--the minstrel's lot-- + As brethren they--no boon for song! + I see the unrequited wrong + Call for its helper, who is not. + + You hear my plaint, and ask me, why? + You ask me _when_ this deep distress + Began to rage without redress? + "With Ian Macechan's dying sigh!" + + +[94] "Poems," p. 318. + + + + +THE SONG OF THE FORSAKEN DROVER. + + During a long absence on a droving expedition, Mackay was deprived of + his mistress by another lover, whom, in fine, she married. The discovery + he made, on his return, led to this composition; which is a sequel to + another composed on his distant journey, in which he seems to + prognosticate something like what happened. Both are selected by Sir + Walter Scott as specimens of the bard, and may be found paraphrastically + rendered in a prose version, in the _Quarterly Review_, vol. xlv., p. + 371, and in the notes to the last edition of "The Highland Drover," in + "Chronicles of the Canongate." With regard to the present specimen, it + may be remarked, that part of the original is either so obscure, or so + freely rendered by Sir Walter Scott's translator, that we have attempted + the present version, not without some little perplexity as to the sense + of one or two allusions. We claim, on the whole, the merit of almost + literal fidelity. + + + I. + + I fly from the fold, since my passion's despair + No longer must harbour the charms that are there; + Anne's[95] slender eyebrows, her sleek tresses so long, + Her turreted bosom--and Isabel's[96] song; + What has been, and is not--woe 's my thought! + It must not be spoken, nor can be forgot. + + + II. + + I wander'd the fold, and I rambled the grove, + And each spot it reported the kiss of my love; + But I saw her caressing another--and feel + 'Tis distraction to hear them, and see them so leal. + What has been, and is not, &c. + + + III. + + Since 'twas told that a rival beguil'd thee away, + The dreams of my love are the dreams of dismay; + Though unsummon'd of thee,[97] love has captured thy thrall, + And my hope of redemption for ever is small. + Day and night, though I strive aye + To shake him away, still he clings like the ivy. + + + IV. + + But, auburn-hair'd Anna! to tell thee my plight, + 'Tis old love unrequited that prostrates my might, + In presence or absence, aye faithful, my smart + Still racks, and still searches, and tugs at my heart-- + Broken that heart, yet why disappear + From my country, without one embrace from my dear? + + + V. + + She answers with laughter and haughty disdain-- + "To handle my snood you petition in vain; + Six suitors are mine since the year thou wert gone, + What art _thou_, that thou should'st be the favourite one? + Art thou sick? Ha, ha, for thy woe! + Art thou dying for love? Troth, love's payment was slow."[98] + + + VI. + + Though my anger may feign it requites thy disdain, + And vaunts in thy absence, it threatens in vain-- + All in vain! for thy image in fondness returns, + And o'er thy sweet likeness expectancy burns; + And I hope--yes, I hope once more, + Till my hope waxes high as a tower[99] in its soar. + + +[95] "Anne"--Rob's first love, the heroine of the piece. "Similar in +interest to the Highland Mary of Burns, is the yellow-haired Anne of Rob +Donn."--"Life," p. 18. + +[96] "Isabel"--the daughter of Ian Macechan, the subject of other +verses. + +[97] "Unsummon'd of thee." The idea is rather quaintly expressed in the +original thus--"Though thou hast sent me no summons, love has, of his +own accord, acted the part of a catchpole (or sheriff's officer), and +will not release me." Such are the homely fancies introduced into some +of the most passionate strains of the Gaelic muse. + +[98] Alluding to his absence, and delay in his courtship. + +[99] Rather more modest than the classic's "feriam sidera vertice." + + + + +ISABEL MACKAY--THE MAID ALONE. + +TO A PIOBRACH TUNE. + + This is one of those lyrics, of which there are many in Gaelic poetry, + that are intended to imitate pipe music. They consist of three parts, + called Urlar, Siubhal, and Crunluath. The first is a slow, monotonous + measure, usually, indeed, a mere repetition of the same words or tones; + the second, a livelier or brisker melody, striking into description or + narrative; the third, a rapid finale, taxing the reciter's or + performer's powers to their utmost pitch of expedition. The heroine of + the song is the same Isabel who is introduced towards the commencement + of the "Forsaken Drover;" and it appears, from other verses in Mackay's + collection, that it was not her fate to be "alone" through life. It is + to be understood that when the verses were composed, she was in charge + of her father's extensive pastoral _manege_, and not a mere milk-maid or + dairy-woman. + + + URLAR. + + Isabel Mackay is with the milk kye, + And Isabel Mackay is alone; + Isabel Mackay is with the milk kye, + And Isabel Mackay is alone, &c. + Seest thou Isabel Mackay with the milk kye, + At the forest foot--and alone? + + + SIUBHAL. + + By the Virgin and Son![100] + Thou bride-lacking one, + If ever thy time + Is coming, begone, + The occasion is prime, + For Isabel Mackay + Is with the milk kye + At the skirts of the forest, + And with her is none. + By the Virgin and Son, &c. + + Woe is the sign! + It is not well + With the lads that dwell + Around us, so brave, + When the mistress fine + Of Riothan-a-dave + Is out with the kine, + And with her is none. + O, woe is the sign, &c. + + Whoever he be + That a bride would gain + Of gentle degree, + And a drove or twain, + His speed let him strain + To Riothan-a-dave, + And a bride he shall have. + Then, to her so fain! + Whoever he be, &c. + + And a bride he shall have, + The maid that's alone. + Isabel Mackay, &c. + Oh, seest not the dearie + So fit for embracing, + Her patience distressing, + The bestial a-chasing, + And she alone! + + 'Tis a marvellous fashion + That men should be slack, + When their bosoms lack + An object of passion, + To look such a lass on, + Her patience distressing, + The bestial a-chasing, + In the field, alone. + + + CRUNLUATH (FINALE). + + Oh, look upon the prize, sirs, + That where yon heights are rising, + The whole long twelvemonth sighs in, + Because she is alone. + Go, learn it from my minstrelsy, + Who list the tale to carry, + The maiden shuns the public eye, + And is ordain'd to tarry + 'Mid stoups and cans, and milking ware, + Where brown hills rear their ridges bare, + And wails her plight the livelong year, + To spend the day alone. + + +[100] A common Highland adjuration. + + + + +EVAN'S ELEGY. + + Mackay was benighted on a deer-stalking expedition, near a wild hut + or shealing, at the head of Loch Eriboll. Here he found its only + inmate a poor asthmatic old man, stretched on his pallet, + apparently at the point of death. As he sat by his bed-side, he + "crooned," so as to be audible, it seems, to the patient, the + following elegiac ditty, in which, it will be observed, he alludes + to the death, then recent, of Pelham, an eminent statesman of + George the Second's reign. As he was finishing his ditty, the old + man's feelings were moved in a way which will be found in the + appended note. This is one of Sir Walter Scott's extracts in the + _Quarterly_, and is now attempted in the measure of the original. + + + How often, Death! art waking + The imploring cry of Nature! + When she sees her phalanx breaking, + As thou'dst have all--grim feature! + Since Autumn's leaves to brownness, + Of deeper shade were tending, + We saw thy step, from palaces, + To Evan's nook descending. + Oh, long, long thine agony! + A nameless length its tide; + Since breathless thou hast panted here, + And not a friend beside. + Thine errors what, I judge not; + What righteous deeds undone; + But if remains a se'ennight, + Redeem it, dying one! + + Oh, marked we, Death! thy teachings true, + What dust of time would blind? + Such thy impartiality + To our highest, lowest kind. + Thy look is upwards, downwards shot, + Determined none to miss; + It rose to Pelham's princely bower, + It sinks to shed like this! + Oh, long, long, &c.! + So great thy victims, that the noble + Stand humbled by the bier; + So poor, it shames the poorest + To grace them with a tear. + Between the minister of state + And him that grovels there, + Should one remain uncounselled, + Is there one whom dool shall spare? + Oh, long, long, &c.! + The hail that strews the battle-field + Not louder sounds its call, + Than the falling thousands round us + Are voicing words to all. + Hearken! least of all the nameless; + Evan's hour is going fast; + Hearken! greatest of earth's great ones-- + Princely Pelham's hour is past. + Oh, long, long, &c.! + Friends of my heart! in the twain we see + A type of life's declining; + 'Tis like the lantern's dripping light, + At either end a-dwining. + Where was there one more low than thou-- + Thou least of meanest things?[101] + And where than his was higher place + Except the throne of kings? + Oh, long, long, &c.! + + +[101] At this humiliating apostrophe, the beggar is reported to have +instinctively raised his staff--an action which the bard observed just +in time to avoid its descent on his back. + + + + +DOUGAL BUCHANAN. + + +Dougal Buchanan was born at the Mill of Ardoch, in the beautiful valley +of Strathyre, and parish of Balquhidder, in the year 1716. His parents +were in circumstances to allow him the education of the parish school; +on which, by private application, he so far improved, as to be qualified +to act as teacher and catechist to the Highland locality which borders +on Loch Rannoch, under the appointment of the Society for Propagating +Christian Knowledge. Never, it is believed, were the duties of a calling +discharged with more zeal and efficiency. The catechist was, both in and +out of the strict department of his office, a universal oracle,[102] and +his name is revered in the scene of his usefulness in a degree to which +the honours of canonization could scarcely have added. Pious, to the +height of a proverbial model, he was withal frank, cheerful, and social; +and from his extraordinary command of the Gaelic idiom, and its poetic +phraseology, he must have lent an ear to many a song and many a +legend[103]--a nourishment of the imagination in which, as well as in +purity of Gaelic, his native Balquhidder was immeasurably inferior to +the Rannoch district of his adoption. + +The composition of hymns, embracing a most eloquent and musical +paraphrase of many of the more striking inspirations of scriptural +poetry, seems to have been the favourite employment of his leisure +hours. These are sung or recited in every cottage of the Highlands where +a reader or a retentive memory is to be found. + +Buchanan's life was short. He was cut off by typhus fever, at a period +when his talents had begun to attract a more than local attention. It +was within a year after his return from superintending the press of the +first version of the Gaelic New Testament, that his lamented death took +place. His command of his native tongue is understood to have been +serviceable to the translator, the Rev. James Stewart of Killin, who had +probably been Buchanan's early acquaintance, as they were natives of the +same district. This reverend gentleman is said to have entertained a +scheme of getting the catechist regularly licensed to preach the gospel +without the usual academical preparation. The scheme was frustrated by +his death, in the summer of 1768. + +We know of no fact relating to the development of the poetic vein of +this interesting bard, unless it be found in the circumstance to which +he refers in his "Diary,"[104] of having been bred a violent Jacobite, +and having lived many years under the excitement of strong, even +vindictive feelings, at the fate of his chief and landlord (Buchanan of +Arnprior and Strathyre), who, with many of his dependents, and some of +the poet's relations, suffered death for their share in the last +rebellion. While he relates that the power of religion at length +quenched this effervescence of his emotions, it may be supposed that +ardent Jacobitism, with its common accompaniment of melody, may have +fostered an imagination which every circumstance proves to have been +sufficiently susceptible. It may be added, as a particular not unworthy +of memorial in a poet's life, that his remains are deposited in perhaps +the most picturesque place of sepulture in the kingdom--the peninsula of +Little Leny, in the neighbourhood of Callander; to which his relatives +transferred his body, as the sepulchre of many chiefs and considerable +persons of his clan, and where it is perhaps matter of surprise that his +Highland countrymen have never thought of honouring his memory with some +kind of monument. + +The poetic remains of Dougal Buchanan do not afford extensive materials +for translation. The subjects with which he deals are too solemn, and +their treatment too surcharged with scriptural imagery, to be available +for the purposes of a popular collection, of which the object is not +directly religious. The only exception that occurs, perhaps, is his poem +on "The Skull." Even in this case some moral pictures[105] have been +omitted, as either too coarsely or too solemnly touched, to be fit for +our purpose. A few lines of the conclusion are also omitted, as being +mere amplifications of Scripture--wonderful, indeed, in point of +vernacular beauty or sublimity, but not fusible for other use. Slight +traces of imitation may be perceived; "The Grave" of Blair, and some +passages of "Hamlet," being the apparent models. + + +[102] "Statistical Account of Fortingall."--Stat. Acc., x., p. 549. + +[103] The same account observes that though none of his works are +published but his sacred compositions, he composed "several songs on +various subjects." + +[104] Published at Glasgow, 1836. + +[105] These are his descriptions of "The Drunkard," "The Glutton," and +"The Good and Wicked Pastor." + + + + +A CLAGIONN. + +THE SKULL. + + + As I sat by the grave, at the brink of its cave + Lo! a featureless skull on the ground; + The symbol I clasp, and detain in my grasp, + While I turn it around and around. + Without beauty or grace, or a glance to express + Of the bystander nigh, a thought; + Its jaw and its mouth are tenantless both, + Nor passes emotion its throat. + No glow on its face, no ringlets to grace + Its brow, and no ear for my song; + Hush'd the caves of its breath, and the finger of death + The raised features hath flatten'd along. + The eyes' wonted beam, and the eyelids' quick gleam-- + The intelligent sight, are no more; + But the worms of the soil, as they wriggle and coil, + Come hither their dwellings to bore. + No lineament here is left to declare + If monarch or chief art thou; + Alexander the Brave, as the portionless slave + That on dunghill expires, is as low. + Thou delver of death, in my ear let thy breath + Who tenants my hand, unfold; + That my voice may not die without a reply, + Though the ear it addresses is cold. + Say, wert thou a May,[106] of beauty a ray, + And flatter'd thine eye with a smile? + Thy meshes didst set, like the links of a net, + The hearts of the youth to wile? + Alas every charm that a bosom could warm + Is changed to the grain of disgust! + Oh, fie on the spoiler for daring to soil her + Gracefulness all in the dust! + Say, wise in the law, did the people with awe + Acknowledge thy rule o'er them-- + A magistrate true, to all dealing their due, + And just to redress or condemn? + Or was righteousness sold for handfuls of gold + In the scales of thy partial decree; + While the poor were unheard when their suit they preferr'd, + And appeal'd their distresses to thee? + Say, once in thine hour, was thy medicine of power + To extinguish the fever of ail? + And seem'd, as the pride of thy leech-craft e'en tried + O'er omnipotent death to prevail? + Alas, that thine aid should have ever betray'd + Thy hope when the need was thine own; + What salve or annealing sufficed for thy healing + When the hours of thy portion were flown? + Or--wert thou a hero, a leader to glory, + While armies thy truncheon obey'd; + To victory cheering, as thy foemen careering + In flight, left their mountains of dead? + Was thy valiancy laid, or unhilted thy blade, + When came onwards in battle array + The sepulchre-swarms, ensheathed in their arms, + To sack and to rifle their prey? + How they joy in their spoil, as thy body the while + Besieging, the reptile is vain, + And her beetle-mate blind hums his gladness to find + His defence in the lodge of thy brain! + Some dig where the sheen of the ivory has been, + Some, the organ where music repair'd; + In rabble and rout they come in and come out + At the gashes their fangs have bared. + + * * * * * + + Do I hold in my hand a whole lordship of land, + Represented by nakedness, here? + Perhaps not unkind to the helpless thy mind, + Nor all unimparted thy gear; + Perhaps stern of brow to thy tenantry thou! + To leanness their countenances grew-- + 'Gainst their crave for respite, when thy clamour for right + Required, to a moment, its due; + While the frown of thy pride to the aged denied + To cover their head from the chill, + And humbly they stand, with their bonnet in hand, + As cold blows the blast of the hill. + Thy serfs may look on, unheeding thy frown, + Thy rents and thy mailings unpaid; + All praise to the stroke their bondage that broke! + While but claims their obeisance the dead. + + * * * * * + + Or a head do I clutch, whose devices were such, + That death must have lent them his sting-- + So daring they were, so reckless of fear, + As heaven had wanted a king? + Did the tongue of the lie, while it couch'd like a spy + In the haunt of thy venomous jaws, + Its slander display, as poisons its prey + The devilish snake in the grass? + That member unchain'd, by strong bands is restrain'd, + The inflexible shackles of death; + And, its emblem, the trail of the worm, shall prevail + Where its slaver once harbour'd beneath. + And oh! if thy scorn went down to thine urn + And expired, with impenitent groan; + To repose where thou art is of peace all thy part, + And then to appear--at the Throne! + Like a frog, from the lake that leapeth, to take + To the Judge of thy actions the way, + And to hear from His lips, amid nature's eclipse, + Thy sentence of termless dismay. + + * * * * * + + The hardness of iron thy bones shall environ, + To brass-links the veins of thy frame + Shall stiffen, and the glow of thy manhood shall grow + Like the anvil that melts not in flame! + But wert thou the mould of a champion bold + For God and his truth and his law? + Oh, then, though the fence of each limb and each sense + Is broken--each gem with a flaw-- + Be comforted thou! For rising in air + Thy flight shall the clarion obey; + And the shell of thy dust thou shalt leave to be crush'd, + If they will, by the creatures of prey. + + +[106] Maiden or virgin--_orig._ + + + + +AM BRUADAR. + +THE DREAM. + + We submit these further illustrations of the moral maxims of "The + Skull." In the original they are touched in phraseology scarcely + unworthy of the poet's Saxon models. + + + As lockfasted in slumber's arms + I lay and dream'd (so dreams our race + When every spectral object charms, + To melt, like shadow, in the chase), + + A vision came; mine ear confess'd + Its solemn sounds. "Thou man distraught! + Say, owns the wind thy hand's arrest, + Or fills the world thy crave of thought? + + * * * * * + + "Since fell transgression ravaged here + And reft Man's garden-joys away, + He weeps his unavailing tear, + And straggles, like a lamb astray. + + "With shrilling bleat for comfort hie + To every pinfold, humankind; + Ah, there the fostering teat is dry, + The stranger mother proves unkind. + + "No rest for toil, no drink for drought, + For bosom-peace the shadow's wing-- + So feeds expectancy on nought, + And suckles every lying thing. + + "Some woe for ever wreathes its chain, + And hope foretells the clasp undone; + Relief at handbreadth seems, in vain + Thy fetter'd arms embrace--'tis gone! + + "Not all that trial's lore unlearns + Of all the lies that life betrays, + Avails, for still desire returns-- + The last day's folly is to-day's. + + "Thy wish has prosper'd--has its taste + Survived the hour its lust was drown'd; + Or yields thine expectation's zest + To full fruition, golden-crown'd? + + "The rosebud is life's symbol bloom, + 'Tis loved, 'tis coveted, 'tis riven-- + Its grace, its fragrance, find a tomb, + When to the grasping hand 'tis given. + + "Go, search the world, wherever woe + Of high or low the bosom wrings, + There, gasp for gasp, and throe for throe, + Is answer'd from the breast of kings. + + "From every hearth-turf reeks its cloud, + From every heart its sigh is roll'd; + The rose's stalk is fang'd--one shroud + Is both the sting's and honey's fold. + + "Is wealth thy lust--does envy pine + Where high its tempting heaps are piled? + Look down, behold the fountain shine, + And, deeper still, with dregs defiled! + + "Quickens thy breath with rash inhale, + And falls an insect[107] in its toil? + The creature turns thy life-blood pale, + And blends thine ivory teeth with soil. + + "When high thy fellow-mortal soars, + His state is like the topmost nest-- + It swings with every blast that roars, + And every motion shakes its crest. + + "And if the world for once is kind, + Yet ever has the lot its bend; + Where fortune has the crook inclined, + Not all thy strength or art shall mend. + + "For as the sapling's sturdy stalk, + Whose double twist is crossly strain'd, + Such is thy fortune--sure to baulk + At this extreme what there was gain'd. + + "When Heaven its gracious manna hail'd, + 'Twas vain who hoarded its supply, + Not all his miser care avail'd + His neighbour's portion to outvie. + + "So, blended all that nature owns, + So, warp'd all hopes that mortals bless-- + With boundless wealth, the sufferer's groans; + With courtly luxury, distress. + + "Lift up the balance--heap with gold, + Its other shell vile dust shall fill; + And were a kingdom's ransom told, + The scales would want adjustment still. + + "Life has its competence--nor deem + That better than enough were more; + Sure it were phantasy to dream + With burdens to assuage thy sore. + + "It is the fancy's whirling strife + That breeds thy pain--to-day it craves, + To-morrow spurns--suffices life + When passion asks what passion braves? + + "Should appetite her wish achieve, + To herd with brutes her joy would bound; + Pleased other paradise to leave, + Content to pasture on the ground. + + "But pride rebels, nor towers alone + Beyond that confine's lowly sphere-- + Seems as from the Eternal Throne + It aim'd the sceptre's self to tear. + + "'Tis thus we trifle, thus we dare; + But, seek we to our bliss the way, + Let us to Heaven our path refer, + Believe, and worship, and obey. + + "That choice is all--to range beyond + Nor must, nor needs; provision, grace, + In these He gives, who sits enthroned, + Salvation, competence, and peace." + + The instructive vision pass'd away, + But not its wisdom's dreamless lore; + No more in shadow-tracks I stray, + And fondle shadow-shapes no more. + + +[107] _Orig._--The venomous red spider. + + + + +DUNCAN MACINTYRE. + + +Duncan Macintyre (Donacha Ban) is considered by his countrymen the most +extraordinary genius that the Highlands in modern times have produced. +Without having learned a letter of any alphabet, he was enabled to pour +forth melodies that charmed every ear to which they were intelligible. +And he is understood to have had the published specimens of his poetry +committed to writing by no mean judge of their merit,--the late Dr +Stewart of Luss,--who, when a young man, became acquainted with this +extraordinary person, in consequence of his being employed as a kind of +under-keeper in a forest adjoining to the parish of which the Doctor's +father was minister. + +Macintyre was born in Druimliart of Glenorchy on the 20th of March 1724, +and died in October 1812. He was chiefly employed in the capacity of +keeper in several of the Earl of Breadalbane's forests. He carried a +musket, however, in his lordship's fencibles; which led him to take +part, much against his inclination, in the Whig ranks at the battle of +Falkirk. Later in life he transferred his musket to the Edinburgh City +Guard. + +Macintyre's best compositions are those which are descriptive of forest +scenes, and those which he dedicated to the praise of his wife. His +verses are, however, very numerous, and embrace a vast variety of +subjects. From the extraordinary diffusiveness of his descriptions, and +the boundless luxuriance of his expressions, much difficulty has been +experienced in reproducing his strains in the English idiom. + + + + +MAIRI BHAN OG. + +MARY, THE YOUNG, THE FAIR-HAIR'D. + + + My young, my fair, my fair-hair'd Mary, + My life-time love, my own! + The vows I heard, when my kindest dearie + Was bound to me alone, + By covenant true, and ritual holy, + Gave happiness all but divine; + Nor needed there more to transport me wholly, + Than the friends that hail'd thee mine. + + * * * * * + + 'Twas a Monday morn, and the way that parted + Was far, but I rivall'd the wind, + The troth to plight with a maiden true-hearted, + That force can never unbind. + I led her apart, and the hour that we reckon'd, + While I gain'd a love and a bride, + I heard my heart, and could tell each second, + As its pulses struck on my side. + + * * * * * + + I told my ail to the foe that pain'd me, + And said that no salve could save; + She heard the tale, and her leech-craft it sain'd me, + For herself to my breast she gave. + + * * * * * + + Forever, my dear, I 'll dearly adore thee + For chasing away, away, + My fancy's delusion, new loves ever choosing, + And teaching no more to stray. + I roam'd in the wood, many a tendril surveying, + All shapely from branch to stem, + My eye, as it look'd, its ambition betraying + To cull the fairest from them; + One branch of perfume, in blossom all over, + Bent lowly down to my hand, + And yielded its bloom, that hung high from each lover, + To me, the least of the band. + I went to the river, one net-cast I threw in, + Where the stream's transparence ran, + Forget shall I never, how the beauty[108] I drew in, + Shone bright as the gloss of the swan. + Oh, happy the day that crown'd my affection + With such a prize to my share! + My love is a ray, a morning reflection, + Beside me she sleeps, a star. + + +[108] Gaelic, "gealag"--descriptive of the salmon, from its glossy +brightness. + + + + +BENDOURAIN, THE OTTER MOUNT. + + +Bendourain is a forest scene in the wilds of Glenorchy. The poem, or +lay, is descriptive, less of the forest, or its mountain fastnesses, +than of the habits of the creatures that tenant the locality--the +dun-deer, and the roe. So minutely enthusiastic is the hunter's +treatment of his theme, that the attempt to win any favour for his +performance from the Saxon reader, is attended with no small +risk,--although it is possible that a little practice with the rifle in +any similar wilderness may propitiate even the holiday sportsman +somewhat in favour of the subject and its minute details. We must commit +this forest minstrel to the good-nature of other readers, entreating +them only to render due acknowledgment to the forbearance which has, in +the meantime, troubled them only with the first half of the performance, +and with a single stanza of the finale. The composition is always +rehearsed or sung to pipe music, of which it is considered, by those who +understand the original, a most extraordinary echo, besides being in +other respects a very powerful specimen of Gaelic minstrelsy. + + + URLAR. + + The noble Otter hill! + It is a chieftain Beinn,[109] + Ever the fairest still + Of all these eyes have seen. + Spacious is his side; + I love to range where hide, + In haunts by few espied, + The nurslings of his den. + In the bosky shade + Of the velvet glade, + Couch, in softness laid, + The nimble-footed deer; + To see the spotted pack, + That in scenting never slack, + Coursing on their track, + Is the prime of cheer. + Merry may the stag be, + The lad that so fairly + Flourishes the russet coat + That fits him so rarely. + 'Tis a mantle whose wear + Time shall not tear; + 'Tis a banner that ne'er + Sees its colours depart: + And when they seek his doom, + Let a man of action come, + A hunter in his bloom, + With rifle not untried: + A notch'd, firm fasten'd flint, + To strike a trusty dint, + And make the gun-lock glint + With a flash of pride. + Let the barrel be but true, + And the stock be trusty too, + So, Lightfoot,[110] though he flew, + Shall be purple-dyed. + He should not be novice bred, + But a marksman of first head, + By whom that stag is sped, + In hill-craft not unskill'd; + So, when Padraig of the glen + Call'd his hounds and men, + The hill spake back again, + As his orders shrill'd; + Then was firing snell, + And the bullets rain'd like hail, + And the red-deer fell + Like warrior on the field. + + + SIUBHAL. + + Oh, the young doe so frisky, + So coy, and so fair, + That gambols so briskly, + And snuffs up the air; + And hurries, retiring, + To the rocks that environ, + When foemen are firing, + And bullets are there. + Though swift in her racing, + Like the kinsfolk before her, + No heart-burst, unbracing + Her strength, rushes o'er her. + 'Tis exquisite hearing + Her murmur, as, nearing, + Her mate comes careering, + Her pride, and her lover;-- + He comes--and her breathing + Her rapture is telling; + How his antlers are wreathing, + His white haunch, how swelling! + High chief of Bendorain, + He seems, as adoring + His hind, he comes roaring + To visit her dwelling. + 'Twere endless my singing + How the mountain is teeming + With thousands, that bringing + Each a high chief's[111] proud seeming, + With his hind, and her gala + Of younglings, that follow + O'er mountain and beala,[112] + All lightsome are beaming. + When that lightfoot so airy, + Her race is pursuing, + Oh, what vision saw e'er a + Feat of flight like her doing? + She springs, and the spreading grass + Scarce feels her treading, + It were fleet foot that sped in + Twice the time that she flew in. + The gallant array! + How the marshes they spurn, + In the frisk of their play, + And the wheelings they turn,-- + As the cloud of the mind + They would distance behind, + And give years to the wind, + In the pride of their scorn! + 'Tis the marrow of health + In the forest to lie, + Where, nooking in stealth, + They enjoy her[113] supply,-- + Her fosterage breeding + A race never needing, + Save the milk of her feeding, + From a breast never dry. + Her hill-grass they suckle, + Her mammets[114] they swill, + And in wantonness chuckle + O'er tempest and chill; + With their ankles so light, + And their girdles[115] of white, + And their bodies so bright + With the drink of the rill. + Through the grassy glen sporting + In murmurless glee, + Nor snow-drift nor fortune + Shall urge them to flee, + Save to seek their repose + In the clefts of the knowes, + And the depths of the howes + Of their own Eas-an-ti.[116] + + + URLAR. + + In the forest den, the deer + Makes, as best befits, his lair, + Where is plenty, and to spare, + Of her grassy feast. + There she browses free + On herbage of the lea, + Or marsh grass, daintily, + Until her haunch is greased. + Her drink is of the well, + Where the water-cresses swell, + Nor with the flowing shell + Is the toper better pleased. + The bent makes nobler cheer, + Or the rashes of the mere, + Than all the creagh that e'er + Gave surfeit to a guest. + Come, see her table spread; + The _sorach_[117] sweet display'd + The _ealvi_,[118] and the head + Of the daisy stem; + The _dorach_[119] crested, sleek, + And ringed with many a streak, + Presents her pastures meek, + Profusely by the stream. + Such the luxuries + That plump their noble size, + And the herd entice + To revel in the howes. + Nobler haunches never sat on + Pride of grease, than when they batten + On the forest links, and fatten + On the herbs of their carouse. + Oh, 'tis pleasant, in the gloaming, + When the supper-time + Calls all their hosts from roaming, + To see their social prime; + And when the shadows gather, + They lair on native heather, + Nor shelter from the weather + Need, but the knolls behind. + Dread or dark is none; + Their 's the mountain throne, + Height and slope their own, + The gentle mountain kind; + Pleasant is the grace + Of their hue, and dappled dress, + And an ark in their distress, + In Bendorain dear they find. + + + SIUBHAL. + + So brilliant thy hue + With tendril and flow'ret, + The grace of the view, + What land can o'erpower it? + Thou mountain of beauty, + Methinks it might suit thee, + The homage of beauty + To claim as a queen. + What needs it? Adoring + Thy reign, we see pouring + The wealth of their store in + Already, I ween. + The seasons--scarce roll'd once, + Their gifts are twice told-- + And the months, they unfold + On thy bosom their dower, + With profusion so rare, + Ne'er was clothing so fair, + Nor was jewelling e'er + Like the bud and the flower + Of the groves on thy breast, + Where rejoices to rest + His magnificent crest, + The mountain-cock, shrilling + In quick time, his note; + And the clans of the grot + With melody's note, + Their numbers are trilling. + No foot can compare, + In the dance of the green, + With the roebuck's young heir; + And here he is seen + With his deftness of speed, + And his sureness of tread, + And his bend of the head, + And his freedom of spring! + Over corrie careers he, + The wood-cover clears he, + And merrily steers he + With bound, and with fling,-- + As he spurns from his stern + The heather and fern, + And dives in the dern[120] + Of the wilderness deep; + Or, anon, with a strain, + And a twang of each vein + He revels amain + 'Mid the cliffs of the steep. + With the burst of a start + When the flame of his heart + Impels to depart, + How he distances all! + Two bounds at a leap, + The brown hillocks to sweep, + His appointment to keep + With the doe, at her call. + With her following, the roe + From the danger of ken + Couches inly, and low, + In the haunts of the glen; + Ever watchful to hear, + Ever active to peer, + Ever deft to career,-- + All ear, vision, and limb. + And though Cult[121] and Cuchullin, + With their horses and following, + Should rush to her dwelling, + And our prince[122] in his trim, + They might vainly aspire + Without rifle and fire + To ruffle or nigh her, + Her mantle to dim. + Stark-footed, lively, + Ever capering naively + With motion alive, aye, + And wax-white, in shine, + When her startle betrays + That the hounds are in chase, + The same as the base + Is the rocky decline-- + She puffs from her chest, + And she ambles her crest + And disdain is express'd + In her nostril and eye;-- + That eye--how it winks! + Like a sunbeam it blinks, + And it glows, and it sinks, + And is jealous and shy! + A mountaineer lynx, + Like her race that 's gone by. + + + CRUNLUATH (FINALE). + + Her lodge is in the valley--here + No huntsman, void of notion, + Should hurry on the fallow deer, + But steal on her with caution;-- + With wary step and watchfulness + To stalk her to her resting place, + Insures the gallant wight's success, + Before she is in motion. + The hunter bold should follow then, + By bog, and rock, and hollow, then, + And nestle in the gulley, then, + And watch with deep devotion + The shadows on the benty grass, + And how they come, and how they pass; + Nor must he stir, with gesture rash, + To quicken her emotion. + With nerve and eye so wary, sir, + That straight his piece may carry, sir, + He marks with care the quarry, sir, + The muzzle to repose on; + And now, the knuckle is applied, + The flint is struck, the priming tried, + Is fired, the volley has replied, + And reeks in high commotion;-- + Was better powder ne'er to flint, + Nor trustier wadding of the lint-- + And so we strike a telling dint, + Well done, my own Nic-Coisean![123] + + +[109] Anglicised into _Ben_. + +[110] The deer. + +[111] Stag of the first head. + +[112] Pass. + +[113] Any one who has heard a native attempt the Lowland tongue for the +first time, is familiar with the personification that turns every +inanimate object into _he_ or _she_. The forest is here happily +personified as a nurse or mother. + +[114] Bog-holes. + +[115] Stripings. + +[116] _Gaelic_--Easan-an-tsith. + +[117] Primrose. + +[118] St John's wort. + +[119] A kind of cress, or marshmallow. + +[120] _Anglice_--dark. + +[121] _Gaelic_--Caoillt; who, with Cuchullin, makes a figure in +traditional Gaelic poetry. + +[122] _Gaelic_--King George. + +[123] Literally--"From the barrel of Nic-Coisean." This was the poet's +favourite gun, to which his muse has addressed a separate song of +considerable merit. + + + + +THE BARD TO HIS MUSKET.[124] + + Macintyre acted latterly as a constable of the City Guard of + Edinburgh, a situation procured him by the Earl of Breadalbane, at + his own special request; that benevolent nobleman having inquired + of the bard what he could do for him to render him independent in + his now advanced years. His salary as a peace-officer was sixpence + a-day; but the poet was so abundantly satisfied with the attainment + of his position and endowments, that he gave expression to his + feelings of satisfaction in a piece of minstrelsy, which in the + original ranks among his best productions. Of this ode we are + enabled to present a faithful metrical translation, quite in the + spirit of the original, as far as conversion of the Gaelic into the + Scottish idiom is practicable. The version was kindly undertaken at + our request by Mr William Sinclair, the ingenious author of "Poems + of the Fancy and the Affections," who has appropriately adapted it + to the lively tune, "Alister M'Alister." The song, remarks Mr + Sinclair, is much in the spirit, though in a more humorous strain, + of the famous Sword Song, beginning in the translation, "Come + forth, my glittering Bride," composed by Theodore Koerner of + Dresden, and the last and most remarkable of his patriotic + productions, wherein the soldier addresses his sword as his bride, + thereby giving expression to the most glowing sentiments of + patriotism. Macintyre addresses as his wife the musket which he + carried as an officer of the guard; and is certainly as + enthusiastic in praise of his new acquisition, as ever was + love-sick swain in eulogy of the most attractive fair one. + + + Oh! mony a turn of woe and weal + May happen to a Highlan' man; + Though he fall in love he soon may feel + He cannot get the fancied one; + The first I loved in time that 's past, + I courted twenty years, ochone! + But she forsook me at the last, + And Duncan then was left alone. + + To Edinbro' I forthwith hied + To seek a sweetheart to my mind, + An', if I could, to find a bride + For the fause love I left behind; + Said Captain Campbell of the Guard, + "I ken a widow secretly, + An' I 'll try, as she 's no that ill faur'd, + To put her, Duncan, in your way." + + As was his wont, I trow, did he + Fulfil his welcome promise true, + He gave the widow unto me, + And all her portion with her too; + And whosoe'er may ask her name, + And her surname also may desire, + They call her Janet[125]--great her fame-- + An' 'twas George who was her grandsire. + + She 's quiet, an' affable, an' free, + No vexing gloom or look at hand, + As high in rank and in degree + As any lady in the land; + She 's my support and my relief, + Since e'er she join'd me, any how; + Great is the cureless cause of grief + To him who has not got her now! + + Nic-Coisean[126] I 've forsaken quite, + Altho' she liveth still at ease-- + An' allow the crested stags to fight + And wander wheresoe'er they please, + A young wife I have chosen now, + Which I repent not any where, + I am not wanting wealth, I trow, + Since ever I espoused the fair. + + I pass my word of honour bright-- + Most excellent I do her call; + In her I ne'er, in any light, + Discover'd any fault at all. + She is stately, fine, an' straight, an' sound, + Without a hidden fault, my friend; + In her, defect I never found, + Nor yet a blemish, twist, or bend. + + When needy folk are pinch'd, alas! + For money in a great degree; + Ah, George's daughter--generous lass-- + Ne'er lets my pockets empty be; + She keepeth me in drink, and stays + By me in ale-houses and all, + An' at once, without a word, she pays + For every stoup I choose to call! + + An' every turn I bid her do + She does it with a willing grace; + She never tells me aught untrue, + Nor story false, with lying face; + She keeps my rising family + As well as I could e'er desire, + Although no labour I do try, + Nor dirty work for love or hire. + + I labour'd once laboriously, + Although no riches I amass'd; + A menial I disdain'd to be, + An' keep my vow unto the last. + I have ceased to labour in the lan', + Since e'er I noticed to my wife, + That the idle and contented man + Endureth to the longest life. + + 'Tis my musket--loving wife, indeed-- + In whom I faithfully believe, + She 's able still to earn my bread, + An' Duncan she will ne'er deceive; + I 'll have no lack of linens fair, + An' plenty clothes to serve my turn, + An' trust me that all worldly care + Now gives me not the least concern. + + +[124] The "Auld Town Guard" of Edinburgh, which existed before the +Police Acts came into operation, was composed principally of +Highlandmen, some of them old pensioners. Their rendezvous, or place of +resort, was in the vicinity of old St Giles's Church, where they might +generally be found smoking, snuffing, and speaking in the true Highland +vernacular. Archie Campbell, celebrated by Macintyre as "Captain +Campbell," was the last, and a favourable specimen of this class of +civic functionaries. He was a stout, tall man; and, dressed in his "knee +breeks and buckles, wi' the red-necked coat, and the cocked hat," he +considered himself of no ordinary importance. He had a most thorough +contempt for grammar, and looked upon the Lord Provost as the greatest +functionary in the world. He delighted to be called "the Provost's +right-hand man." Archie is still well remembered by many of the +inhabitants of Edinburgh, as he was quite a character in the city. In +dealing with a prisoner, Archie used to impress him with the idea that +he could do great things for him by merely speaking to "his honour the +Provost;" and when locking a prisoner up in the Tolbooth, he would say +sometimes--"There, my lad, I cannot do nothing more for you!" He took +care to give his friends from the Highlands a magnificent notion of his +great personal consequence, which, of course, they aggrandised when they +returned to the hills. + +[125] A byeword for a regimental firelock. + +[126] A favourite fowling-piece, alluded to in Bendourain, and +elsewhere. + + + + +JOHN MACODRUM. + + +Jan Macodrum, the Bard of Uist, was patronised by an eminent judge of +merit, Sir James Macdonald of Skye,--of whom, after a distinguished +career at Oxford, such expectations were formed, that on his premature +death at Rome he was lamented as the Marcellus of Scotland. + +Macodrum's name is cited in the Ossianic controversy, upon Sir James's +report, as a person whose mind was stored with Ossianic poetry, of which +Macpherson gave to the world the far-famed specimens. A humorous story +is told of Macodrum (who was a noted humorist) having trifled a little +with the translator when he applied for a sample of the old Fingalian, +in the words, "Hast thou got anything of, or on, (equivalent in Gaelic +to _hast thou anything to get of_) the Fingalian heroes?" "If I have," +quoth Macodrum, "I fear it is now irrecoverable." + +Macodrum, whose real patronymic is understood to have been Macdonald, +lived to lament his patron in elegiac strains--a fact that brings the +time in which he flourished down to 1766. + +His poem entitled the "Song of Age," is admired by his countrymen for +its rapid succession of images (a little too mixed or abrupt on some +occasions), its descriptive power, and its neatness and flow of +versification. + + + + +ORAN NA H-AOIS, + +THE SONG OF AGE. + + + Should my numbers essay to enliven a lay, + The notes would betray the languor of woe; + My heart is o'erthrown, like the rush of the stone + That, unfix'd from its throne, seeks the valley below. + The _veteran of war_, that knows not to spare, + And offers us ne'er the respite of peace, + Resistless comes on, and we yield with a groan, + For under the sun is no hope of release. + 'Tis a sadness I ween, how the glow and the sheen + Of the rosiest mien from their glory subside; + How hurries the hour on our race, that shall lower + The arm of our power, and the step of our pride. + As scatter and fail, on the wing of the gale, + The mist of the vale, and the cloud of the sky, + So, dissolving our bliss, comes the hour of distress, + Old age, with that face of aversion to joy. + Oh! heavy of head, and silent as lead, + And unbreathed as the dead, is the person of Age; + Not a joint, not a nerve--so prostrate their verve-- + In the contest shall serve, or the feat to engage. + To leap with the best, or the billow to breast, + Or the race prize to wrest, were but effort in vain; + On the message of death pours an Egypt of wrath,[127] + The fever's hot breath, the dart-shot of pain. + Ah, desolate eld! the wretch that is held + By thy grapple, must yield thee his dearest supplies; + The friends of our love at thy call must remove,-- + What boots how they strove from thy bands to arise? + They leave us, deplore as it wills us,--our store, + Our strength at the core, and our vigour of mind; + Remembrance forsakes us, distraction o'ertakes us, + Every love that awakes us, we leave it behind. + Thou spoiler of grace, that changest the face + To hasten its race on the route to the tomb, + To whom nothing is dear, unaffection'd the ear, + Emotion is sere, and expression is dumb; + Of spirit how void, thy passions how cloy'd, + Thy pith how destroy'd, and thy pleasure how gone! + To the pang of thy cries not an echo replies, + Even sympathy dies--and thy helper is none. + We see thee how stripp'd of each bloom that equipp'd + Thy flourish, till nipp'd the winter thy rose; + Till the spoiler made bare the scalp of the hair, + And the ivory[128] tare from its sockets' repose. + Thy skinny, thy cold, thy visageless mould, + Its disgust is untold, and its surface is dim; + What a signal of wrack is the wrinkle's dull track, + And the bend of the back, and the limp of the limb! + Thou leper of fear--thou niggard of cheer-- + Where glory is dear, shall thy welcome be found? + Thou contempt of the brave--oh, rather the grave, + Than to pine as the slave that thy fetters have bound. + Like the dusk of the day is thy colour of gray, + Thou foe of the lay, and thou phantom of gloom; + Thou bane of delight--when thy shivering plight, + And thy grizzle of white,[129] and thy crippleness, come + To beg at the door; ah, woe for the poor, + And the greeting unsure that grudges their bread; + All unwelcome they call--from the hut to the hall + The confession of all is, "_'Tis time he were dead_!" + +The picturesque portion of the description here terminates. With respect +to the moral and religious application, it is but just to the poet to +say, that before the close he appeals in pathetic terms to the young, +warning them not to boast of their strength, or to abuse it; and that he +concludes his lay with the sentiment, that whatever may be the ills of +"age," there are worse that await an unrepenting death, and a suffering +eternity. + + +[127] Alluding to the plagues. + +[128] The teeth. + +[129] _Gaelic_--Matted, rough, gray beard. + + + + +NORMAN MACLEOD; + +OR, TORMAID BAN. + + +Single-speech Hamilton may be said to have had his _marrow_ in a +Highland bard, nearly his contemporary, whose one effort was attended +with more lasting popularity than the sole oration of that celebrated +person. The clan song of the Mackenzies is the composition in question, +and its author is now ascertained to have been a gentleman, or farmer of +the better class, of the name of Norman Macleod, a native of Assynt[130] +in Sutherland. The most memorable particular known of this person, +besides the production of his poetic effort, is his having been the +father of a Glasgow professor,[131] whom we remember occupying the chair +of Church History in the university in very advanced age, about 1814, +assisted by a helper and successor; and of another son, who was the +respected minister of Rogart till towards the end of last century. + +The date of "Caberfae" is not exactly ascertained. It was composed +during the exile of Lord Seaforth, but, we imagine, before the '45, in +which he did not take part, and while Macshimei (Lord Lovat) still +passed for a Whig. In Mackenzie's excellent collection (p. 361), a +later date is assigned to the production. + +The Seaforth tenantry, who (after the manner of the clans) privately +supported their chief in his exile, appear to have been much aggrieved +by some proceedings of the loyalist, Monro of Fowlis, who, along with +his neighbour of Culloden and Lovat, were probably acting under +government commission, in which the interests of the crown were seconded +by personal or family antagonism. The loyal family of Sutherland, who +seem by grant or lease to have had an interest in the estates, also come +in for a share of the bard's resentment. + +All this forms the subject of "Caberfae," which, without having much +meaning or poetry, served, like the celebrated "Lillibulero," to animate +armies, and inflame party spirit to a degree that can scarcely be +imagined. The repetition of "the Staghead, when rises his cabar on," +which concludes every strophe, is enough at any time to bring a +Mackenzie to his feet, or into the forefront of battle,--being a simple +allusion to the Mackenzie crest, allegorised into an emblem of the stag +at bay, or ready in his ire to push at his assailant. The cabar is the +horn, or, rather, the "tine of the first-head,"--no ignoble emblem, +certainly, of clannish fury and impetuosity. The difficulty of the +measure compels us to the use of certain metrical freedoms, and also of +some Gaelic words, for which is craved the reader's indulgence. + + +[130] In Stat. Ac. said to be of Lochbroom, vol. xiv., p. 79. + +[131] Hugh Macleod. + + + + +CABERFAE, + +THE STAGHEAD.[132] + + + A health to Caberfae, + A toast, and a cheery one, + That soon return he may, + Though long and far his tarrying. + The death of shame befal me, + Be riven off my eididh[133] too, + But my fancy hears thy call--we + Should all be _up and ready, O_! + 'Tis I have seen thy weapon keen, + Thine arm, inaction scorning, + Assign their dues to the Munroes, + Their _welcome_ in the morning. + Nor stood the Catach[134] to his bratach[135] + For dread of a belabouring, + When up gets the Staghead, + And raises his cabar on. + + Woe to the man of Folais,[136] + When he to fight must challenge thee; + Nor better fared the Roses[137] + That lent _Monro_ their valiancy. + The Granndach[138] and the Frazer,[139] + They tarried not the melee in; + Fled Forbes,[140] in dismay, sir, + Culloden-wards, undallying. + Away they ran, while firm remain, + Not one to three, retiring so, + The earl,[141] the craven, took to haven, + Scarce a pistol firing, O! + Mackay[142] of Spoils, his heart recoils, + He cries in haste his cabul[143] on, + He flies--as soars the Staghead, + And raises his cabar on. + + Like feather'd creatures flying, + That in the hill-mist shiver, + In haste for refuge hieing, + To the meadow or the river-- + So, port they sought, and took to boat, + Bewailing what had happened them, + To trust was rash, the missing flash + Of the rusty guns that weapon'd them. + The coracle of many a skull, + The relics of his neighbour, on, + Monro retreats[144]--for Staghead + Is raising his cabar on. + + I own my expectation,-- + 'Tis this has roused my apathy, + That He who rules creation + May change the dismal hap of thee, + And hasten to restore thee + In safety from thy danger, + To thine own, in joy and glory, + To save us from the stranger. + With princely grace to give redress, + Nor a taunt to suffer back again; + The fell Monro has felt thy blow, + And should he dare attack again, + Then as he flew, he 'll run anew, + The flames to quench he 'll labour on, + Of castle fired--when Staghead + High raises his cabar on! + + I 've seen thee o'er the lowly, + A gracious chieftain ever, + The Catach[145] self below thee, + And the Gallach[145] cower'd for cover; + But ever more their striving, + When claim'd respect thine eye, + Thy scourge corrected, driving + To other lands to fly. + Thy loyal crew of clansmen true, + No panic fear shall turn them, + With steel-cap, blade, and _skene_ array'd, + Their banning foes they spurn them. + Clan-Shimei[146] then may dare them, + They 'll fly, had each a sabre on, + Needs but a look--when Staghead + Once raises his cabar on. + + Mounts not the wing a fouler thing, + Than thy vaunted crest, the eagle,[147] O! + Inglorious chief! to boast the thief, + That forays with the beagle, O! + For shame! preferr'd that ravening bird![148] + My song shall raise the mountain-deer; + The prey he scorns, the carcase spurns, + He loves the cress, the fountain cheer. + His lodge is in the forest;-- + While carion-flesh enticing + Thy greedy maw, thou buriest + Thou kite of prey! thy claws in + The putrid corse of famish'd horse, + The greedy hound a-striving + To rival thee in gluttony, + Both at the bowels riving. + Thou called the _true bird_![149]--Never, + Thou foster child of evil,[150] ha! + How ill match with thy feather[151] + The talons[152] of thy devilry! + But when thy foray preys on + Our harmless flocks, so dastardly, + How often has the shepherd + With trusty baton master'd thee; + Well in thy fright hast timed thy flight, + Else, not alone, belabouring, + He 'd gored thee with the Staghead, + Up-raising his cabar on.[153] + + Woe worth the world, deceiver-- + So false, so fair of seeming! + We 've seen the noble Siphort[154] + With all his war-notes[155] screaming; + When not a chief in Albain, + Mac-Ailein's[156] self though backing him, + Could face his frown--as Staghead + Arose with his cabar on. + + To join thy might, when call'd the right, + A gallant army springing on, + Would rise, from Assint to the crags + Of Scalpa, rescue bringing on. + Each man upon, true-flinted gun, + Steel glaive, and trusty dagaichean; + With the Island Lord of Sleite,[157] + When up rose thy cabar on! + + Came too the men of Muideart,[158] + While stream'd their flag its bravery; + Their gleaming weapons, blue-dyed,[159] + That havock'd on the cavalry. + Macalister,[160] Mackinnon, + With many a flashing trigger there, + The foemen rushing in on, + Resistless shew'd their vigour there. + May fortune free thee--may we see thee + Again in Braun,[161] the turreted, + Girt with thy clan! And not a man + But will get the scorn he merited. + Then wine will play, and usquebae + From flaggons, and from badalan,[162] + And pipers scream--when Staghead + High raises his cabar on. + + +[132] Applicable both to the chief and his crest. + +[133] Literally, "_the dress_," (pron. _eidi_,) _i.e._, Highland garb, +not yet abolished. + +[134] Sutherlanders, or Caithness men. + +[135] Banner. + +[136] Monro of Fowlis. + +[137] Rose of Kilravock and his clan. + +[138] Grant of Grant. + +[139] Lovat. + +[140] Of Culloden. + +[141] Of Sutherland. + +[142] Lord Reay. + +[143] Steed. The Celtic "Cabul" and Latin "Caballus" correspond. + +[144] Here the bard is a little obscure; but he seems to mean that the +Monroes made their escape over the skulls of the dead, as if they were +boats or coracles by which to cross or get away from danger. + +[145] The Caithness and Sutherland men. + +[146] Lovat's men. + +[147] The eagle being the crest of the Monro. + +[148] The _eagle_; the crest of Monro of Fowlis. The filthy and cruel +habits of this predatory bird are here contrasted with the +forest-manners of the stag in a singular specimen of clan vituperation. + +[149] _Fioreun_, the name of the eagle, signifying true bird. + +[150] Literally--Accursed by Moses, or the Mosaic law. + +[151] The single eagle's feather crested the chieftain's bonnet. + +[152] Literally--If thy feather is noble, thy claws are (of) the devil! + +[153] This picture of the eagle is not much for edification--nor another +hit at the lion of the Macdonalds, then at feud with the Seaforth. The +former is abridged, and the latter omitted; as also a lively detail of +the _creagh_, in which the Monroes are reproached with their spoilages +of cheese, butter, and winter-mart beef. + +[154] Seaforth. + +[155] Literally--Bagpipes. + +[156] Macallammore: Argyle. + +[157] Macdonald of Sleat. + +[158] Clanranald's country. + +[159] Literally--Of blue steel. + +[160] Mac-Mhic-Alister, the patronymic of Glengary. + +[161] Castle Brahan, Seaforth's seat. + +[162] _Gaelic_--Barrels of liquor, properly _buidealan_. + + +END OF VOL. I. + + + + +GLOSSARY. + + +_A-low_, on fire. + +_Ava_, at all. + +_Ayont_, beyond. + +_Ban_, swear. + +_Bang_, to change place hastily. + +_Bangster_, a violent person. + +_Bawks_, the cross-beams of a roof. + +_Bein_, good, suitable. + +_Bicker_, a dish for holding liquor. + +_Boddle_, an old Scottish coin--value the third of a penny. + +_Boggie_, a marsh. + +_Brag_, vaunt. + +_Braw_, gaily dressed. + +_Busk_, to attire oneself. + +_Buss_, bush. + +_Cantie_, cheerful. + +_Castocks_, the pith of stalks of cabbages. + +_Caw_, to drive. + +_Chat_, talk. + +_Chuckies_, chickens. + +_Chuffy_, clownish. + +_Clavering_, talking idly. + +_Cleeding_, clothing. + +_Clishmaclavers_, idle talk. + +_Clocksie_, vivacious. + +_Cock-up_, a hat or cap turned up before. + +_Coft_, purchased. + +_Cogie_, a hollow wooden vessel. + +_Coozy_, warm. + +_Cosie_, snug, comfortable. + +_Cowt_, cattle. + +_Creel_, a basket. + +_Croft_, a tenement of land. + +_Croon_, to make a plaintive sound. + +_Crouse_, brisk. + +_Crusie_, a small lamp. + +_Cuddle_, embrace. + +_Curpin_, the crupper of a saddle. + +_Cuttie_, a short pipe. + +_Daff_, sport. + +_Daut_, caress. + +_Daud_, blow. + +_Daunder_, to walk thoughtlessly. + +_Dautit_, fondled. + +_Dirdum_, tumult. + +_Disjasket_, having appearance of decay. + +_Doited_, stupid. + +_Dool_, grief. + +_Dorty_, a foolish urchin. + +_Douf_, dull. + +_Dowie_, sad. + +_Draigle_, draggle. + +_Dringing_, delaying. + +_Drone_, sound of bagpipes. + +_Dung_, defeated. + +_Eerie_, timorous. + +_Eident_, wary. + +_Elf_, a puny creature. + +_Fashious_, troublesome. + +_Fauld_, a fold. + +_Ferlies_, remarkable things. + +_Fleyt_, frightened. + +_Fogie_, a stupid old person. + +_Foumart_, a pole-cat. + +_Fraise_, flattery. + +_Frumpish_, crumpled. + +_Gabbit_, a person prone to idle talk. + +_Gart_, compelled. + +_Giggle_, unmeaning laughter. + +_Gin_, if. + +_Girse_, grass. + +_Glaikit_, stupid. + +_Glamrie_, the power of enchantment. + +_Glower_, stare. + +_Grusome_, frightful. + +_Grist_, the fee paid at the mill for grinding. + +_Gutchir_, grandfather. + +_Gutters_, mud, wet dust. + +_Hain_, save, preserve. + +_Hap_, cover. + +_Havens_, endowments. + +_Henny_, honey, a familiar term of affection among the peasantry. + +_Hinkum_, that which is put up in hanks or balls, as thread. + +_Howe_, a hollow. + +_Hyne_, hence. + +_Kail_, cabbages, colewort. + +_Kebbuck_, a cheese. + +_Keil_, red clay, used for marking. + +_Ken_, know. + +_Kenspeckle_, having a singular appearance. + +_Leal_, honest, faithful. + +_Leese me_, pleased am I with. + +_Lyart_, gray-haired. + +_Loof_, the palm of the hand. + +_Lowin_, warm. + +_Lucky, A_, an old woman. + +_Luntin_, smoking. + +_Mailin_, a farm. + +_Maukin_, a hare. + +_Mirk_, dark. + +_Mishanter_, a sorry scrape. + +_Mittens_, gloves without fingers. + +_Mouldie_, crumbling. + +_Mouls_, the earth of the grave. + +_Mows_, easy. + +_Mutch_, a woman's cap. + +_Neip_, a turnip. + +_Neive_, the closed fist. + +_Nippen_, carried off surreptitiously. + +_Ouk_, week. + +_Owerlay_, a cravat. + +_Perk_, push. + +_Perlins_, women's ornaments. + +_Poortith_, poverty. + +_Preed_, tasted. + +_Randy_, a scold, a shrew. + +_Rate_, slander. + +_Rink_, run about. + +_Routh_, abundance. + +_Rummulgumshin_, common sense. + +_Sabbit_, sobbed. + +_Scant_, scarce. + +_Scartle_, a graip or fork. + +_Scrimply_, barely. + +_Scug_, shelter. + +_Seer_, sure. + +_Shaw_, a plantation. + +_Shiel_, a sheep shed. + +_Skeigh_, timorous. + +_Skiffin_, moving lightly. + +_Smeddum_, sagacity. + +_Snooded_, the hair bound up. + +_Spaewife,_ a female fortune-teller. + +_Spence_, a larder. + +_Steenies_, guineas. + +_Sud_, should. + +_Sumph_, a soft person. + +_Swankie_, a clever young fellow. + +_Sweir_, indolent. + +_Syne_, then. + +_Tabbit_, benumbed. + +_Tapsle-teerie_, topsyturvy. + +_Ted_, toad. + +_Thairms_, strings. + +_Thowless_, thoughtless. + +_Thraw_, twist. + +_Tint_, lost. + +_Tirl_, to uncover. + +_Tocher_, dowry. + +_Toss_, toast. + +_Towmond_, a year. + +_Trig_, neat, trim. + +_Tryst_, appointment. + +_Tyced_, made diversion. + +_Vauntit_, boasted. + +_Weel_, will. + +_Whigmigmorum_, political ranting. + +_Wile_, choice. + +_Wist_, wished. + +_Wizen_, the throat. + +_Wow_, vow. + + +EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Modern Scottish Minstrel , Volume +I., by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MODERN SCOTTISH MINSTREL *** + +***** This file should be named 18396.txt or 18396.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/3/9/18396/ + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright 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