Ti oft as the mild evening weeps over the lea, The eet-scented birk shades my Mary and me. Thyystal stream, Afton, how gently it glides, And inds by the cot where my Mary resides: How anton thy waters her snowy feet lave, As, gath'ring sweet flow'rets, she stems thy clear wave. Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays; My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream; Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. O WERE MY LOVE YON LILAC FAIR. O WERE my love yon lilac fair, Wi' purple blossoms to the spring; And I a bird to shelter there, When wearied on my little wing: How I wad mourn, when it was torn O gin my love were yon red rose Into her bonny breast to fa'! Oh! there beyond expression blest, I'd feast on beauty a' the night; Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest, Till fley'd awa' by Phoebus' light. MY AIN KIND DEARIE, O! WHEN o'er the hill the eastern star Tells bughtin-time is near, my jo; And owsen frae the furrow'd field Return sae dowf and wearie, O! Down by the burn, where scented birks Wi' dew are hanging clear, my jo, I'll meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie, O! In mirkest glen, at midnight hour, My ain kind dearie, O! Altho' the night were ne'er sae wild, The hunter lo'es the morning sun, To rouse the mountain deer, my jo, At noon the fisher seeks the glen, Along the burn to steer, my jo; Gie me the hour o' gloamin' gray, It maks my heart sae cheery, O, To meet thee on the lea-rig, My ain kind dearie, O! WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES. 1762-1850. [THE REV. WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES was born at King's Sutton in 1762. His chief work is his Sonnets, first published in 1789. He died at Salisbury in 1850.] THE CLIFF. As slow I climb the cliff's ascending side, Much musing on the track of terror past, When o'er the dark wave rode the howling blast, Pleased I look back, and view the tranquil tide That laves the pebbled shores; and now the beam Of evening smiles on the gray battlement, And yon forsaken tow'r that time has rent: The lifted oar far off with silver gleam Is touched, and the hushed billows seem to sleep. Soothed by the scene e'en thus on sorrow's breast A kindred stillness steals, and bids her rest; Whilst sad airs stilly sigh along the deep, Like melodies that mourn upon the lyre, Waked by the breeze, and as they mourn, expire. BAMBOROUGH CASTLE. YE holy tow'rs that shade the wave-worn steep, Long may ye rear your aged brows sublime, Though hurrying silent by, relentless time Assail you, and the wintry whirlwind sweep. For, far from blazing grandeur's crowded halls, Here Charity has fixed her chosen seat; And think when thou hast dried the bitter tear, That flows in vain o'er all my soul held dear, I may look back on many a sorrow past, And greet life's peaceful evening with a smile As some lone bird, at day's departing hour, Sings in the sunshine of the transient shower, Forgetful, though its wings be wet the while. But ah! what ills must that poor heart endure, Who hopes from thee, and thee alone, a cure. JOANNA BAILLIE. 1762-1851. [BORN at Bothwell Manse, Lanarkshire, Sept. 11, 1762; came to live in London, 1784. Published Plays on the Passions, vol. i., 1798; vol. ii., 1802; vol. iii., 1812; Miscellaneous Dramas, 1804; The Family Legend, 1810; Dramas, 3 vols., 1836; Fugitive Verses, 1840. Died at Hampstead, Feb. 23, 1851.] THE CHOUGH AND CROW. THE Chough and Crow to roost are gone The owl sits on the tree The hush'd winds wail with feeble moan, Like infant charity. The wild fire dances o'er the fen The red star sheds its ray; Uprouse ye then, my merry men, It is our op'ning day. Both child and nurse are fast asleep, Nor board, nor garner own we now, And night is grown our day: SONG. [Version taken from an old song, Woo'd and married and a'. THE bride she is winsome and bonny, Her hair it is snooded sae sleek, And faithfu' and kind is her Johnny, Yet fast fa' the tears on her cheek. Woo'd and married and a'! To be woo'd and married at a'? Her mither then hastily spak, On the day when I was a bride. To be woo'd and married at a'." 1 finery, lace. 2 silly. 3 goods and dowry. |