Poems And Songs Of Robert Burns Part 79

"I've seen sae mony changefu' years, On earth I am a stranger grown: I wander in the ways of men, Alike unknowing, and unknown: Unheard, unpitied, unreliev'd, I bear alane my lade o' care, For silent, low, on beds of dust, Lie a'

hat would my sorrows share.

"And last, (the sum of a' my griefs!) My n.o.ble master lies in clay; The flow'r amang our barons bold, His country's pride, his country's stay: In weary being now I pine, For a' the life of life is dead, And hope has left may aged ken, On forward wing for ever fled.

"Awake thy last sad voice, my harp!

The voice of woe and wild despair!

Awake, resound thy latest lay, Then sleep in silence evermair!

And thou, my last, best, only, friend, That fillest an untimely tomb, Accept this tribute from the Bard Thou brought from Fortune's mirkest gloom.

"In Poverty's low barren vale, Thick mists obscure involv'd me round; Though oft I turn'd the wistful eye, Nae ray of fame was to be found: Thou found'st me, like the morning sun That melts the fogs in limpid air, The friendless bard and rustic song Became alike thy fostering care.

"O! why has worth so short a date, While villains ripen grey with time?

Must thou, the n.o.ble, gen'rous, great, Fall in bold manhood's hardy prim Why did I live to see that day-- A day to me so full of woe?

O! had I met the mortal shaft That laid my benefactor low!

"The bridegroom may forget the bride Was made his wedded wife yestreen; The monarch may forget the crown That on his head an hour has been; The mother may forget the child That smiles sae sweetly on her knee; But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, And a' that thou hast done for me!"

Lines Sent To Sir John Whiteford, Bart

With The Lament On The Death Of the Earl Of Glencairn

Thou, who thy honour as thy G.o.d rever'st, Who, save thy mind's reproach, nought earthly fear'st, To thee this votive offering I impart, The tearful tribute of a broken heart.

The Friend thou valued'st, I, the Patron lov'd; His worth, his honour, all the world approved: We'll mourn till we too go as he has gone, And tread the shadowy path to that dark world unknown.

Craigieburn Wood

Sweet closes the ev'ning on Craigieburn Wood, And blythely awaukens the morrow; But the pride o' the spring in the Craigieburn Wood Can yield to me nothing but sorrow.

Chorus.--Beyond thee, dearie, beyond thee, dearie, And O to be lying beyond thee!

O sweetly, soundly, weel may he sleep That's laid in the bed beyond thee!

I see the spreading leaves and flowers, I hear the wild birds singing; But pleasure they hae nane for me, While care my heart is wringing.

Beyond thee, &c.

I can na tell, I maun na tell, I daur na for your anger; But secret love will break my heart, If I conceal it langer.

Beyond thee, &c.

I see thee gracefu', straight and tall, I see thee sweet and bonie; But oh, what will my torment be, If thou refuse thy Johnie!

Beyond thee, &c.

To see thee in another's arms, In love to lie and languish, 'Twad be my dead, that will be seen, My heart wad burst wi' anguish.

Beyond thee, &c.

But Jeanie, say thou wilt be mine, Say thou lo'es nane before me; And a' may days o' life to come I'l gratefully adore thee, Beyond thee, &c.

The Bonie Wee Thing

Chorus.--Bonie wee thing, cannie wee thing, Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine, I wad wear thee in my bosom, Lest my jewel it should tine.

Wishfully I look and languish In that bonie face o' thine, And my heart it stounds wi' anguish, Lest my wee thing be na mine.

Bonie wee thing, &c.

Wit, and Grace, and Love, and Beauty, In ae constellation s.h.i.+ne; To adore thee is my duty, G.o.ddess o' this soul o' mine!

Bonie wee thing, &c.

Epigram On Miss Davies

On being asked why she had been formed so little, and Mrs. A--so big.

Ask why G.o.d made the gem so small?

And why so huge the granite?-- Because G.o.d meant mankind should set That higher value on it.

The Charms Of Lovely Davies

Tune--"Miss Muir."

O how shall I, unskilfu', try The poet's occupation?

The tunefu' powers, in happy hours, That whisper inspiration; Even they maun dare an effort mair Than aught they ever gave us, Ere they rehea.r.s.e, in equal verse, The charms o' lovely Davies.

Each eye it cheers when she appears, Like Phoebus in the morning, When past the shower, and every flower The garden is adorning: As the wretch looks o'er Siberia's sh.o.r.e, When winter-bound the wave is; Sae droops our heart, when we maun part Frae charming, lovely Davies.

Her smile's a gift frae 'boon the lift, That maks us mair than princes; A sceptred hand, a king's command, Is in her darting glances; The man in arms 'gainst female charms Even he her willing slave is, He hugs his chain, and owns the reign Of conquering, lovely Davies.

My Muse, to dream of such a theme, Her feeble powers surrender: The eagle's gaze alone surveys The sun's meridian splendour.

I wad in vain essay the strain, The deed too daring brave is; I'll drap the lyre, and mute admire The charms o' lovely Davies.

What Can A Young La.s.sie Do Wi' An Auld Man

What can a young la.s.sie, what shall a young la.s.sie, What can a young la.s.sie do wi' an auld man?

Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie To sell her puir Jenny for siller an' lan'.

Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie To sell her puir Jenny for siller an' lan'!