The Poems of Robert Fergusson Edited by Matthew P. McDiarmid |
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Lines written to Collector Charles Lorimer.
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 | The Poems of Robert Fergusson |  |
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Lines written to Collector Charles Lorimer.
When teased with vapors, urged with spleen,
And clouds of gloomy thoughts conveen;
When youthful blood, once child of fun,
Weeps o'er the mirthful glass that's run,
With Nature fading from his sight,
He views the day by candle light:
And clouds of gloomy thoughts conveen;
When youthful blood, once child of fun,
Weeps o'er the mirthful glass that's run,
With Nature fading from his sight,
He views the day by candle light:
What then can cheer the forlorn breast
Of him whose mind's unknown to rest,
If friendship can't extort a smile,
And dissipate his grief the while?
Of him whose mind's unknown to rest,
If friendship can't extort a smile,
And dissipate his grief the while?
When I my friend had cause to blame,
Straight to my aid his letter came
With quantity of precious ore,
That's made me happy heretofore.
But now these airy dreams are past—
Nor could the golden aera last:
From Coin then Dissipation rose,
My cruelest and worst of foes.
Straight to my aid his letter came
With quantity of precious ore,
That's made me happy heretofore.
But now these airy dreams are past—
Nor could the golden aera last:
From Coin then Dissipation rose,
My cruelest and worst of foes.
Thanks to the donor, though his present
Shine not as erst with aspect pleasant;
But let my breast be tied to care,
And I be plunged in worst despair,
When gratitude shall this forsake,
Nor thanks for friendly favours wake.
Shine not as erst with aspect pleasant;
But let my breast be tied to care,
And I be plunged in worst despair,
When gratitude shall this forsake,
Nor thanks for friendly favours wake.
My compliments to all the folks
With whom I've drunk and cracked my jokes:
Tell them, O tell, too sadly true,
That lips in wine I scarce embrue.
Nor dare I join the list with Bachus,
Afraid new horrors should attack us,
Till health again with winning face
My brain shall clear, my nerves shall brace;
Then will I with indulgent vein
By blyth and crack my jokes again.
With whom I've drunk and cracked my jokes:
Tell them, O tell, too sadly true,
That lips in wine I scarce embrue.
Nor dare I join the list with Bachus,
Afraid new horrors should attack us,
221
My brain shall clear, my nerves shall brace;
Then will I with indulgent vein
By blyth and crack my jokes again.
| The Poems of Robert Fergusson | |