IV. TO THE SONS OF BURNS, AFTER VISITING THE GRAVE OF THEIR FATHER. "The Poet's grave is in a corner of the churchyard. We looked at it with melancholy and painful reflections, repeating to each other his own verses, 'Is there a man whose judgment clear,' &c." Extract from the Journal of my Fellow-traveller. 'MID crowded obelisks and urns I sought the untimely grave of Burns And more would grieve, but that it turns Through twilight shades of good and ill And more than common strength and skill If ye would give the better will Its lawful sway. Hath Nature strung your nerves to bear Like him can speed The social hour, - of tenfold care For honest men delight will take Will flatter you, and fool and rake Your steps pursue; And of your Father's name will make Far from their noisy haunts retire, And add your voices to the choir That sanctify the cottage fire With service meet; There seek the genius of your Sire, Or where, 'mid "lonely heights and hows," Bedewed with toil, While reapers strove, or busy ploughs His judgment with benignant ray Let faith be given; Nor deem that "light which leads astray, Is light from Heaven.” Let no mean hope your souls enslave; Your Father such example gave, But be admonished by his grave, And think, and fear! V. ELLEN IRWIN: OR, THE BRAES OF KIRTLE. FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sat From many knights and many squires By Ellen was rejected. Sad tidings to that noble Youth! For it may be proclaimed with truth, * The Kirtle is a river in the southern part of Scotland, on the banks of which the events here related took place. But what are Gordon's form and face, Proud Gordon, maddened by the thoughts Fair Ellen saw it as it came, And, starting up to meet the same, Did with her body cover The Youth, her chosen lover. And, falling into Bruce's arms, Thus died the beauteous Ellen, Thus from the heart of her True-love The mortal spear repelling. And Bruce, as soon as he had slain But many days, and many months, This wretched Knight did vainly seek So, coming his last help to crave, And there his sorrow ended. Now ye, who willingly have heard By Ellen's side the Bruce is laid; VI. TO A HIGHLAND GIRL. (At Inversneyde, upon Loch Lomond.) SWEET Highland Girl, a very shower Twice seven consenting years have shed Their utmost bounty on thy head : And these gray rocks; that household lawn; Those trees, a veil just half withdrawn ; |