Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle Edited by Alexander Rodger |
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A CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS,
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 | Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle |  |
A CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS,
TO A CERTAIN FLOCK, ON THEIR GETTING A WORTHY PASTOR.
Ye dowie flock wha've gotten sic a scatter,
Wha starve for lack o' halesome gospel grass—
Wha pant an' gape for waughts o' caller water—
As through this weary wilderness ye pass.
Wha starve for lack o' halesome gospel grass—
Wha pant an' gape for waughts o' caller water—
As through this weary wilderness ye pass.
Lang hae ye wanted a guid herd to lead ye,
An' keep ye frae that wily thief, the Tod,
On halesome caller pasture aye to feed ye,
And keep ye frae gaun down the braid stey road.
An' keep ye frae that wily thief, the Tod,
On halesome caller pasture aye to feed ye,
And keep ye frae gaun down the braid stey road.
Lang hae ye wander'd through the wilds sae dreary,
And strayed afar 'mang grassless barren tracks;
And aft when seeking shades to screen and cheer ye,
The thorns hae torn the woo' frae aff your backs.
And strayed afar 'mang grassless barren tracks;
And aft when seeking shades to screen and cheer ye,
The thorns hae torn the woo' frae aff your backs.
Lang hae ye suffered sair by strifes and troubles,
Bred by some headstrong brutes amang yoursels,
Wha took a pride in vile, contentious squabbles,
And a' about the bearing o' the bells.
Bred by some headstrong brutes amang yoursels,
Wha took a pride in vile, contentious squabbles,
And a' about the bearing o' the bells.
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But cock your lugs, puir things, and quat your sadness,
Nae mair ye'll hunger, thirst, nor gang astray;
Yea, mae aloud, and frisk, and loup for gladness!
Ye'll hae a herd, a trusty herd, this day;
Nae mair ye'll hunger, thirst, nor gang astray;
Yea, mae aloud, and frisk, and loup for gladness!
Ye'll hae a herd, a trusty herd, this day;
A herd wha e'idently will tent and feed ye,
And ca' ye aye to caller shades at noon,—
By bonnie, wimpling, crystal burns he'll lead ye,
And ward ye faithfully baith late and soon.
And ca' ye aye to caller shades at noon,—
By bonnie, wimpling, crystal burns he'll lead ye,
And ward ye faithfully baith late and soon.
Your weak and sickly things he'll kindly foster,
And gently lead your ewies grit wi' lamb;
Your lammies young he'll carry in his oxter,
But tightly creesh ilk ramp unruly ram.
And gently lead your ewies grit wi' lamb;
Your lammies young he'll carry in his oxter,
But tightly creesh ilk ramp unruly ram.
Nae mair through grassless barren muirs ye'll wander,
Nor scattered be on dark and cloudy days,—
Nae mair ye'll quake at Sinai's awfu' thunder,
But snugly feed on Zion's bonnie braes.
Nor scattered be on dark and cloudy days,—
Nae mair ye'll quake at Sinai's awfu' thunder,
But snugly feed on Zion's bonnie braes.
There ye may frisk and loup at will securely,
Nae gully formed against ye e'er shall thrive,
Nor barbarous butcher, wi' his curs sae surly,
Unto the slaughter your young lammies drive.
Nae gully formed against ye e'er shall thrive,
Nor barbarous butcher, wi' his curs sae surly,
Unto the slaughter your young lammies drive.
The clegs and wasps, indeed, may whiles annoy ye,
But wha can keep aff that mischievous brood?
Na, troth, they're ablins sent to prove and try ye,
And sic like ills can only work your good.
But wha can keep aff that mischievous brood?
Na, troth, they're ablins sent to prove and try ye,
And sic like ills can only work your good.
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But mind, now, sheep, when ance ye're a' thegither,
And feeding 'neath your Shepherd's tenty e'e,
O strive nae mair, nor box wi' ane anither,
But like a chosen, precious flock, agree.
And feeding 'neath your Shepherd's tenty e'e,
O strive nae mair, nor box wi' ane anither,
But like a chosen, precious flock, agree.
Prove what ye are by lo'eing ane anither—
By bearing ane anither's toils and cares—
By keeping in the right road aye thegither—
A-back frae sly Tod Lowrie's wiles and snares.
By bearing ane anither's toils and cares—
By keeping in the right road aye thegither—
A-back frae sly Tod Lowrie's wiles and snares.
O never gie that sleekit thief occasion
To triumph owre ye, either night or day,
But aye keep back frae ilka sweet temptation,
Ilk cunning trap that he sets in your way.
To triumph owre ye, either night or day,
But aye keep back frae ilka sweet temptation,
Ilk cunning trap that he sets in your way.
So shall ye thrive, and wax baith fair and lusty,
Your herd wi' pleasure will your thriving view;
And as his just reward for being sae trusty,
Will only fleece ye o' your tait o' woo'.
Your herd wi' pleasure will your thriving view;
And as his just reward for being sae trusty,
Will only fleece ye o' your tait o' woo'.
| Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle | |