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University of Virginia Library

Poems by Robert Nicoll

Second edition: with numerous additions, and a memoir of the author

Nicoll, Robert (1814-1837)

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I.

PART I. POEMS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, AND OF THE CONDITION AND FEELINGS, OF THE SCOTTISH PEASANTRY.

THE TOUN WHERE I WAS BORN.

YOUTH'S DREAMS.

THE PLACE THAT I LOVE BEST.

THE FOLK O' OCHTERGAEN.

THE SPINNING-WHEEL.

OUR AULD HEARTHSTANE.

WE'LL A' GO PU' THE HEATHER.

MY GRANDFATHER.

OUR AULD GUDEMAN.

BONNIE BESSIE LEE.

FIDDLER JOHNNY.

THE HOPES OF AGE.

THE BATTLE WORD.

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II.

PART II. SONGS, CHIEFLY SCOTTISH.

THE MUIR O' GORSE AND BROOM.

THE BELOVED ONE.

THE MAKING O' THE HAY.

DOWN BY THE WOOD.

MY AULD GUDEWIFE.

THE COURTIN' TIME.

THE BONNIE HIELAND HILLS.

THE HEATHER OF SCOTLAND.

THE HIELAND PLAID.

WHAT SHALL I DO?

THE LAMENT OF BENEDICK THE MARRIED MAN.

THERE'S NEVER AN END O' HER FLYTIN AN' DIN.

A MAIDEN'S MEDITATIONS.

MY MINNIE MAUNA KEN.

THE MAID I DAURNA NAME.

THE BONNIE ROWAN BUSH.

THE AULD BEGGAR MAN.

YE WINNA LET ME BE.

THE BANKS OF TAY.

THE LASS OF TURRIT HA'.

THE PRISONER'S SONG.

WE ARE BRETHREN A'.

THE HONEST AND TRUE.

THE WARLD'S FU' O' SKAITH AND TOIL.

THE SHEPHERDESS.

BE STILL, BE STILL, THOU BEATING HEART.

TO THE LADY OF MY HEART.

A CASTLE IN THE AIR.

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III.

PART III. POEMS, CHIEFLY IN THE SCOTTISH DIALECT, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE FEELINGS OF THE INTELLIGENT AND RELIGIOUS AMONG THE WORKING-CLASSES OF SCOTLAND.

STANZAS ON THE BIRTHDAY OF BURNS.

WE'LL MAKE THE WORLD BETTER YET.

THE BURSTING OF THE CHAIN.

WE ARE FREE.

THE BACCHANALIAN.

THE POOR MAN'S DEATH-BED.

I DARE NOT SCORN.

THE PEOPLE'S ANTHEM.

THE QUESTIONER.

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IV.

PART IV. SERIOUS AND PATHETIC POEMS.

THOUGHTS OF HEAVEN.

AROUSE THEE, SOUL!

THE HERD LASSIE.

TIME'S CHANGES.

THE THOUGHT SPIRIT.

FOREST MUSINGS.

THE SICK CHILD'S DREAM.

THE GRAVE OF BURNS.

THE VILLAGE CHURCH.

MY AULD GUDEWIFE.

GOD IS EVERYWHERE.

MY ONLY SISTER.

A DAY AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

THE WIDOW'S CHILD.

THE MOUNTAIN ORPHAN.

THE MOTHER'S MONODY.

THE NAMELESS RIVULET.

THE DYING MAIDEN.

A WOODLAND WALK.

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V.

PART V. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

THOMAS CLARKSON.

THOUGHTS AND FANCIES.

DESPONDENCY. A SONNET.

THE MORNING STAR.

THE EXILE'S SONG.

THE DEATH-SONG OF HOFER.

THE SWISS MOTHER TO HER SON.

THE GERMAN BALLAD-SINGER.

THE MOTHER'S MEMORIES OF HER INFANT CHILD.

THE MOSSY STANE.

THE RUINED MANOR-HOUSE.

THE SAXON CHAPEL.

LIFE'S PILGRIMAGE.

SONG FOR A SUMMER EVENING.

IT'S NAE FUN, THAT!

SONNET TO MR. J. R. F.

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120

WE ARE FREE.

Like lightning's flash,
Upon the foe
We burst, and laid
Their glories low!
Like mountain-floods
We on them came—
Like withering blast
Of scorching flame,
Like hurricane
Upon the sea,—
Shout—shout again—
Shout, We are Free!

We struck for God—
We struck for life—
We struck for sire—
We struck for wife—
We struck for home—
We struck for all
That man doth lose
By bearing thrall!
We struck 'gainst chains,
For liberty!
Now, for our pains,
Shout, We are Free!

121

Give to the slain
A sigh—a tear;—
A curse to those
Who spoke of fear!
Then eat your bread
In peace; for now
The Tyrant's pride
Is lying low!
His strength is broken—
His minions flee—
The Voice hath spoken—
Shout, We are Free!