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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)
  
[dedication]

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PREFACE.
  
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.
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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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154

Pyrrhine Bell: Hughie's old Valentine.

“Quis nunc te fruitur credulus aurea?”
—Car. i. 5.

I

Dear Bell,—the name at least is dear,
The love was lost langsyne!—
Whaur won ye noo? if ane may speer;
An' wha's your valentine?
That some brisk Donald o' the braes,
Or Jockie o' the glen,—
That some ane some gate ca's ye his,
(God bless the bairn!) I ken.

II

I'm wae for him, the witless youth,
That tak's her passin' whim;
An' yet, if I maun speak the truth,
I halflins could be him!
157

For wha wad guess a cruel heart
Controll'd that witchin' ee?
Or that those gleesome airs were airt?
But cuissen lads like me!

III

That some ane some gate has her heart,
(God save the mark!) I ken;
There never yet was handsome flirt
But had her wale o' men.
An', troth! if truth were in her kiss,
An' true love in her smile,
She weel micht merit—what she hiz,
The livin' warld to wyle!

IV

Puir unkent brither, whustlin' blithe
Wi' firm belief in Bell,
As lang as simmer-glances kythe,
Enjoy them for theirsel'!
158

An' bide the winter when it comes
As bravely as ye may!
What needs a man forecast the glooms
To tak' them ere their day?
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