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University of Virginia Library

Horace in Homespun by Hugh Haliburton [i.e. J. L. Robertson]

A New Edition with Illustrations by A. S. Boyd

Robertson, J. Logie (1846-1922)

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Hughie's Advice to Dauvit to Enjoy the Fine Weather.

Hughie refuses to Emigrate.

Hughie's Reply to the Laird's Intimation of a Visit.

Hughie's Anxiety for Davy on the Seas.

Hughie sympathises with Jocky on his well-earned Rest.

Hughie at the Maiden's Well.

Hughie's Waddin' Gift to his friend Jame.

The White Winter: Hughie dreads the Return of the Ice Age.

Hughie's Delight in the Return of Spring.

Hughie's Bachelor Party.

Hughie's Winter Excuse for a Dram.

Hughie Consoles and Counsels young Nannie in the Absence of Davie.

Hughie takes his Ease in his Inn.

Hughie Visits a Sick Friend.

Hughie on War and Sport.

Hughie's Early Memories.

A Stormy Night: Hughie hobnobbing at Home.

Hughie in Murnins: he Laments the Loss o' his Frien' Andro.

Hughie's Appraisement of the Ochils.

The Dog-Days: Hughie's Invitation to a Weaver Friend.

Hughie's Dedication.

Hughie's Advice to auld Tammy to tak' the Use o' his Savings.

Hughie driven in by a Tempest: he Defies the Elements from behind a Jorum.

Hughie Flatters Saunders with an Ironical Description of Himself.

Hughie's Advice to his Brother John.

Hughie's Flight as an Eagle.

Hughie Remonstrates with Davie— a Dour Critic.

Hughie in Love with a Shrew.

Hughie's Spring Sunshine dashed wi' Shadow.

A Weet Hairst: Hughie condoles wi' Saundie.

Hughie's Advice to Tammie to live less for the Future and more for the Present.

Hughie Lectures a Vain Old Maid.

Autolycus in Glendevon: Hughie falls in with Shakespeare.

Hughie's Views on Soldiering.

Hughie thinks himself now too old for Love.

Hughie's Indignation at the Conduct of the Absconding Elder.

Hughie's Anticipation of Hogmanay Night.

Hughie upon Human Conduct.

Hughie's Invitation to a Friend in the City.

Hughie's Belief in Present Duty.

Pyrrhine Bell: Hughie's old Valentine.

Hughie's Enjoyment of Summer in Glendevon.

Hughie seeks to console a Brother Shepherd, over-grieving for the Loss of his Son.

Hughie at the Smiddy—A Dramatic Idyll.

Hughie moralises on the Value of Life.

Hughie on Evictions: he Lectures a Greedy Landlord.

Hughie marks with delight the Return of Spring.

Hughie's Friend, the Farmer of Westerha'.

Hughie's Letter of Invitation to the Laird, Entangled by Business or Pleasure in the Town.

Hughie Watches the Growth of the Grain.

Hughie Celebrates his Fiftieth Year.

Hughie's Song in Praise of the Simple Joys of Boyhood.

Hughie's Letter to a Prosperous Friend.

Hughie Directs the Rejoicings for the Queen's Jubilee.

Hughie Lectures the Local Editor, gone abroad on Leave and enjoying himself.

A Wet Day: Hughie's Pity for the Tinklers.

Hughie's Version of the Sitting Member's Address.

Hughie in Praise of the Native Brew.

Hughie's Monument.

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18

Hughie at the Maiden's Well.

“Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium.”
—Car. iii. 13.

Thou bonnie modest mountain spring,
That tinkles oot aneth a stane,
An' seems to thy ainsel' to sing—
For listener near is nane—
There's neither birk nor rowan tree
Bends owre thy brink to shelter thee,
An' but ae gowan fra the lea
Has wander'd here its lane.

I thocht nae cretur near e'en-noo,
Till, as I loutit doun to drink,

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Awa' wi' flichterin' flurry flew
A lintie fra the brink.
I'm dootfu' if it was a bird,
Sae still it sat afore it stirr'd,
Then, swifter than I'll say the wird,
Gaed by me in a blink.

Was it the fairy o' the fount
Disturbit in her maiden dream,
That, takin' fricht on my account,
Was startled fra her hame?
Thou lovely Thocht o' Solitude!
Nae mair will I wi' footstep rude,
An' harsh an' hasty wirds, intrude
Upon thy haly stream.

Sae fare-thee-weel, sweet Maiden's Well!
Baith sun and weet thy waters spare!
Thou minds me o' a maid thysel',
Sae meek thy modest air.

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Thy siller thread is hardly seen
Winding the solemn hills between,
Yet a' the way the banks o' green
Give proof that thou art there.

[_]

Note.—The Maiden's Well lies on the edge of the old bridle-path over the hills, about two miles behind Castle Campbell. Its beauty is in itself—cool, clear, and copious; sine floribus, yet not without its wreath of pastoral legend.