When thro' his dear strathspeys they bore with High land rage; Or when they struck old Scotia's melting airs, While simple melody pour'd moving on the heart. The Genius of the Stream in front appears, A venerable Chief advanc'd in years; His hoary head with water-lilies crown'd, Next came the loveliest pair in all the ring, Next followed Courage with his martial stride, A female form, came from the tow'rs of Stair;" The broken, iron instruments of death: At sight of whom our Sprites forgat their kindling wrath. 8 A compliment to the Montgomeries of Coilsfield, on the Feal or Faile, a tributary of the Ayr. 9 Mrs. Stewart of Stair, an early patroness of the poet. 10 The house of Professor Dugald Stewart. FRAGMENT OF SONG THE night was still, and o'er the hill EPIGRAM ON ROUGH ROADS I'm now arrived-thanks to the gods!— Altho' I'm not wi' Scripture cram'd, That heedless sinners shall be damn'd, PRAYER-O THOU DREAD POWER Lying at a reverend friend's house one night, the author left the following verses in the room where he slept : O THOU dread Power, who reign'st above, I know thou wilt me hear, When for this scene of peace and love, The hoary Sire-the mortal stroke, To bless his little filial flock, And show what good men are. She, who her lovely offspring eyes Their hope, their stay, their darling youth. Bless him, Thou God of love and truth, The beauteous, seraph sister-band- Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand, When, soon or late, they reach that coast, O'er Life's rough ocean driven, FAREWELL SONG TO THE BANKS OF AYR Tune-" Roslin Castle." "I composed this song as I conveyed my chest so far on my road to Greenock, where I was to embark in a few days for Jamaica. I meant it as my farewell dirge to my native land.”—R. B. THE gloomy night is gath'ring fast, I see it driving o'er the plain; The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn She sees the scowling tempest fly:! 'Tis not the surging billow's roar, Farewell, old Coila's hills and dales, Farewell, my friends! farewell, my foes! ADDRESS TO THE TOOTHACHE My curse upon your venom'd stang, Wi' gnawing vengeance, Tearing my nerves wi' bitter pang, Like racking engines! When fevers burn, or agues freeze us, Wi' pitying moan; But thee-thou hell o' a' diseases They mock our groan. Adown my beard the slavers trickle, An', raving mad, I wish a heckle. Were in their doup! In a' the numerous human dools, The tricks o' knaves, or fash o' fools, Where'er that place be priests ca' hell, Thou, TOOTHACHE, surely bear'st the bell, O thou grim, mischief-making chiel, In gore, a shoe-thick, Gie a' the faes o' SCOTLAND'S weal A towmond's toothache! LINES ON MEETING WITH LORD DAER1 THIS wot ye all whom it concerns, I, Rhymer Robin, alias Burns, October twenty-third, A ne'er-to-be-forgotten day, Sae far I sprackl'd up the brae, I dinner'd wi' a Lord. 1 At the house of Professor Dugald Stewart. |