Page images
PDF
EPUB

But gie me a canny hour at e'en,
My arms about my dearie, O;
An' warly cares, an' warly men,
May a' gae tapsalteerie, O!

Green grow, &c.

For you sae douse, ye sneer at this,
Ye're nought but senseless asses, 0:
The wisest man the warl' e'er saw,
He dearly lov'd the lasses, O.

Green grow, &c.

Auld Nature swears, the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes, 0:
Her prentice han' she try'd on man,
An' then she made the lasses, Q.

Green grow, &c.

SONG.

Tune, Jockey's grey breeks."

AGAIN rejoicing nature sees

Her robe assume its vernal hues,
Her leafy locks wave in the breeze
All freshly steep'd in morning dews.

CHORUS1.

And maun I still on Menie2 doat,

And bear the scorn that's in her e'e!
For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,
An' it winna let a body be!

In vain to me the cowslips blaw,
In vain to me the vi'lets spring;
In vain to me, in glen or shaw,
The mavis and the lintwhite sing.

And maun I still, &c.

The merry ploughboy cheers his team,
Wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks,

But life to me's a weary dream,

A dream of ane that never wauks.

And maun I still, &c.

1 This chorus is part of a song composed by a gentleman in Edinburgh, a particular friend of the author's.

2 Menie is the common abbreviation of Marianne.

The wanton coot the water skims,
Amang the reeds the ducklings cry,
The stately swan majestic swims,
And every thing is blest but I.

And maun I still, &c.

The sheepherd steeks his faulding slap,
And owre the moorlands whistles shill,
Wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step

I meet him on the dewy hill.

And maun I still, &c.

And when the lark, 'tween light and dark,
Blythe waukens by the daisy's side,
And mounts and sings on flittering wings,
A woe-worn ghaist I hameward glide.
And maun I still, &c.

Come, winter, with thine angry howl,
And raging bend the naked tree;
Thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul,
When nature all is sad like me!

CHORUS.

And maun I still on Menie doat,

And bear the scorn that's in her e'e! For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk, An' it winna let a body be,

THE FAREWELL,

TO THE

BRETHREN OF ST. JAMES'S LODGE, TARBOLTON.

Tune, Goodnight, and joy be wi' you a'.'

ADIEU! a heart-warm, fond adieu!
Dear brothers of the mystic tye!
Ye favour'd, ye enlighten'd few,
Companions of my social joy!
Though I to foreign lands must hie,
Pursuing Fortune's slidd❜ry ba',
With melting heart, and brimful eye,
I'll mind you still, though far awa'.

Oft have I met your social band,

And spent the cheerful, festive night;
Oft, honour'd with supreme command,
Presided o'er the sons of light:
And by that hieroglyphic bright,

Which none but craftsmen ever saw;
Strong memory on my heart shall write
Those happy scenes when far awa’.

May freedom, harmony, and love,
Unite you in the grand design,
Beneath th' omniscient eye above,
The glorious architect divine!

That you may keep th' unerring line,
Still rising by the plummet's law,
Till order bright completely shine,
Shall be my pray'r when far awa’.

And you farewell! whose merits claim,
Justly, that highest badge to wear!
Heav'n bless your honour'd, noble name,
To Masonry and Scotia dear!
A last request permit me here,
When yearly ye assemble a',
One round, I ask it with a tear,
To him, the Bard that's far awa'.

ELEGY

ON

CAPT. MATTHEW HENDERSON,

A GENTLEMAN WHO HELD THE PATENT FOR HIS HONOURS IMMEDIATELY FROM ALMIGHTY GOD!

But now his radiant course is run,
For Matthew's course was bright;
His soul was like the glorious sun,
A matchless heavenly light!

O DEATH! thou tyrant fell and bloody!
The meikle devil wi' a woodie

Haurl thee hame to his black smiddie,

O'er hurcheon hides, And like stock-fish come o'er his studdie

Wi' thy auld sides!

VOL. II.

E

« PreviousContinue »