Poems, on sacred and other subjects and songs, humorous and sentimental: By the late William Watt. Third edition of the songs only--with additional songs |
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The Waes o' Ambition;
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 | Poems, on sacred and other subjects |  |
The Waes o' Ambition;
Or, THE RUIN O' GLENMUIR.
CANTO FIRST.
While autumn tinges a' the woods wi' yellow,
And summer hies far southward o'er the lea,
While winter's prelude rises, wild but mellow,
Frae birds in hazle, row'n, and birken tree;
While Scotia sits, wi' tear bedazzled e'e,
On Goatfell's tap, and views the vessels glide,
Bearing her sons, wha ranged her hills ance free,
To toil in lands beyond the Atlantic tide—
I choose the season sad to wail the Waes o' Pride.
And summer hies far southward o'er the lea,
While winter's prelude rises, wild but mellow,
Frae birds in hazle, row'n, and birken tree;
While Scotia sits, wi' tear bedazzled e'e,
On Goatfell's tap, and views the vessels glide,
Bearing her sons, wha ranged her hills ance free,
To toil in lands beyond the Atlantic tide—
I choose the season sad to wail the Waes o' Pride.
I sing not how, 'mong bright seraphic powers,
The syren sprang, and millions then beguiled;
Nor how she enter'd Eden's rosy bowers,
And, by her wiles, man frae his bliss exiled;
But how, o'er Scotia's dells, where sweetly smiled
Blithe faced content, o' conscience ever pure,
Ambition rages, like a fury wild!
Spreadin', baith far and wide, her balefu' lure;
And spill'd the peace at last o' happy gay Glenmuir.
The syren sprang, and millions then beguiled;
Nor how she enter'd Eden's rosy bowers,
And, by her wiles, man frae his bliss exiled;
But how, o'er Scotia's dells, where sweetly smiled
Blithe faced content, o' conscience ever pure,
Ambition rages, like a fury wild!
Spreadin', baith far and wide, her balefu' lure;
And spill'd the peace at last o' happy gay Glenmuir.
Glenmuir was lang the seat o' joy and peace,
The patrimony o' sage Robin Roy,
Whase sire it left him, at his ain decease,
Without mortgage or bond him to annoy.
Pure independence was his boast and joy,
And likewise o' his umquhile brave forbears,
Wha lent a han' vile popery to destroy,
When Knox's nervous reas'ning struck their ears,
And, Calvin's cause to prop, they wielded swords and spears.
The patrimony o' sage Robin Roy,
Whase sire it left him, at his ain decease,
Without mortgage or bond him to annoy.
Pure independence was his boast and joy,
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Wha lent a han' vile popery to destroy,
When Knox's nervous reas'ning struck their ears,
And, Calvin's cause to prop, they wielded swords and spears.
In aftertimes too, when, o'er brae and bog,
Monmouth and Graham their fiend-like forces led,
Glenmuir his braid-sword wielded at Drumclog,
And was at Bothwell-brig the last that fled;
But met that nicht a cauld and bluidy bed;
On Earnock field he slept amang the slain:
His friends at hame lang listen'd for his tread,
But his blithe face they never saw again:
He fell a martyr there, to close life's troublous scene.
Monmouth and Graham their fiend-like forces led,
Glenmuir his braid-sword wielded at Drumclog,
And was at Bothwell-brig the last that fled;
But met that nicht a cauld and bluidy bed;
On Earnock field he slept amang the slain:
His friends at hame lang listen'd for his tread,
But his blithe face they never saw again:
He fell a martyr there, to close life's troublous scene.
Such was good Robin's ancient pedigree;
Men wise, religious, and, in danger, brave,
Who served their God with true fidelity,
But spurn'd, ilk ane, to be a tyrant's slave.
And Robin was in noucht behind the lave,
Which could man's real value aggrandise;
To vice's tale no listening ear he gave;
Her wanton gait he ever did despise,
For still his mind was fix'd on themes beyond the skies.
Men wise, religious, and, in danger, brave,
Who served their God with true fidelity,
But spurn'd, ilk ane, to be a tyrant's slave.
And Robin was in noucht behind the lave,
Which could man's real value aggrandise;
To vice's tale no listening ear he gave;
Her wanton gait he ever did despise,
For still his mind was fix'd on themes beyond the skies.
Heaven had him bless'd wi' plenty, and a heart
That ne'er unmoved could witness misery;
Want never frae his door was let depart
Withouten joy bright beamin' frae her e'e:
But the rude voice o' bedlam revelry
Was ne'er heard ring beneath his peacefu' roof;
The vicious still did frae his presence flee,
For sin frae wisdom ever stands aloof;
But, should they e'er intrude, they met his fell reproof.
That ne'er unmoved could witness misery;
Want never frae his door was let depart
Withouten joy bright beamin' frae her e'e:
But the rude voice o' bedlam revelry
Was ne'er heard ring beneath his peacefu' roof;
The vicious still did frae his presence flee,
For sin frae wisdom ever stands aloof;
But, should they e'er intrude, they met his fell reproof.
The war-worn soldier, hirplin o'er the lea,
When low the sun sets in the crimson'd west,
Rejoices when Glenmuir's wide-spread ash tree
He sees, assured he's still a welcome guest;
For ofttimes has he there got food and rest,
In summer hot and winter raging chill,
And tauld sic tales o' war, when danger press'd,
As gart their hearts wi' sympathy aft thrill,
And aft the glitt'ring tear their guileless een wad fill.
When low the sun sets in the crimson'd west,
Rejoices when Glenmuir's wide-spread ash tree
He sees, assured he's still a welcome guest;
For ofttimes has he there got food and rest,
In summer hot and winter raging chill,
And tauld sic tales o' war, when danger press'd,
As gart their hearts wi' sympathy aft thrill,
And aft the glitt'ring tear their guileless een wad fill.
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But spaewives, skill'd in mystic glamour fell,
Met here nae countenance to their black art;
Still were they deem'd the instruments o' hell,
And without alms were ever bid depart:
But blind, and lame, and orphans, ne'er did smart
'Neath hunger wan, or Boreas' bitter blast;
Here food and shelter cheer'd the drooping heart,
By pallid woe's bleak howling storm o'ercast,
And bade the present smile at troubles o' the past.
Met here nae countenance to their black art;
Still were they deem'd the instruments o' hell,
And without alms were ever bid depart:
But blind, and lame, and orphans, ne'er did smart
'Neath hunger wan, or Boreas' bitter blast;
Here food and shelter cheer'd the drooping heart,
By pallid woe's bleak howling storm o'ercast,
And bade the present smile at troubles o' the past.
If cheerfu' virtue can impart delight,
When by the female bosom-friend display'd,
In this was Robin bless'd; for never wight
Could boast, through life's rough maze, o' sweeter aid.
Hers was the heart where nae base passion sway'd
The iron sceptre—all was heavenly mild;
The wife, the mother, without vain parade,
Still shone conspicuous, and wi' joy beguiled
Care frae the husband's brow, and pleased the fretting child.
When by the female bosom-friend display'd,
In this was Robin bless'd; for never wight
Could boast, through life's rough maze, o' sweeter aid.
Hers was the heart where nae base passion sway'd
The iron sceptre—all was heavenly mild;
The wife, the mother, without vain parade,
Still shone conspicuous, and wi' joy beguiled
Care frae the husband's brow, and pleased the fretting child.
This made his hame an ever lovely scene
O' bliss—frae which noucht e'er could him allure;
Nae market revel ever could detain,
Till midnight hour, the laird o' sweet Glenmuir:
Its inmates ever could to him secure
Such blinks o' earthly joy as beam on man,
Since sunk in sin's deep baleful slough impure;
And still through Robin's soul that pleasure ran
Which only's felt by those who follow virtue's plan.
O' bliss—frae which noucht e'er could him allure;
Nae market revel ever could detain,
Till midnight hour, the laird o' sweet Glenmuir:
Its inmates ever could to him secure
Such blinks o' earthly joy as beam on man,
Since sunk in sin's deep baleful slough impure;
And still through Robin's soul that pleasure ran
Which only's felt by those who follow virtue's plan.
To train his children in the fear of God
Was ever his endeavour late and air;
Nor did his conduct mark a counter road,
For all his actions show'd the sire sincere.
His only son, his namesake and his heir,
A father's future joy did clear bespeak;
His only daughter—virtuous and fair,
The lure o' beauty smilin' on her cheek,
Show'd all her mother's grace—was modest, mild, and meek.
Was ever his endeavour late and air;
Nor did his conduct mark a counter road,
For all his actions show'd the sire sincere.
His only son, his namesake and his heir,
A father's future joy did clear bespeak;
His only daughter—virtuous and fair,
The lure o' beauty smilin' on her cheek,
Show'd all her mother's grace—was modest, mild, and meek.
Next to religion, 'twas his greatest care
To burnish bright their intellectual powers
Wi' a judicious course o' human lare,
Which decks the mental field wi' bloomin' flowers:
And aften wad he pass his leisure hours,
In sultry summers, on the verdant sward,
Instructing them, beneath the shady bowers
O' bourtree that surround the auld grass yard,
Or heark'nin' if for school their lessons were prepared.
To burnish bright their intellectual powers
Wi' a judicious course o' human lare,
Which decks the mental field wi' bloomin' flowers:
And aften wad he pass his leisure hours,
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Instructing them, beneath the shady bowers
O' bourtree that surround the auld grass yard,
Or heark'nin' if for school their lessons were prepared.
Thus rose his fam'ly charming to his mind,
The boast and envy o' the country roun',
By education's glorious power refined,
To shine conspicuous in life's fervid noon.
But, ah! how little thought he, all the boon
On them bestow'd contain'd the seeds o' woe!
Refinement often fosters pride, which soon
To boundless-soul'd ambition rank doth grow:
Then fareweel evermair to joy's ecstatic glow!
The boast and envy o' the country roun',
By education's glorious power refined,
To shine conspicuous in life's fervid noon.
But, ah! how little thought he, all the boon
On them bestow'd contain'd the seeds o' woe!
Refinement often fosters pride, which soon
To boundless-soul'd ambition rank doth grow:
Then fareweel evermair to joy's ecstatic glow!
How little think the wistful parents kind
What griefs they seek, when, fond, they long to see
To manhood grown their children dear! but blind
Is human hope to future destiny.
The prattlin' child, placed on the father's knee
In health's sweet bloom, beguiles his cares away;
Or, gaily sporting on the flowery lea,
Ere harlot vice can lure his heart astray,
Yields to his parents joys that with his years decay.
What griefs they seek, when, fond, they long to see
To manhood grown their children dear! but blind
Is human hope to future destiny.
The prattlin' child, placed on the father's knee
In health's sweet bloom, beguiles his cares away;
Or, gaily sporting on the flowery lea,
Ere harlot vice can lure his heart astray,
Yields to his parents joys that with his years decay.
As fades the lovely charms o' summer morn,
When clouds arise and dim the lamp of heaven;
As reels the vessel, o'er rude ocean borne,
When for the calm the scowling tempest's given:
So wanes parental bliss, when youth is driven
By passion's tide or adverse fortune's blast,
Till every joy on earth be from them riven,
And on the sterile shore o' want they're cast,
Where ever gath'ring gloom o'erwhelms the soul at last.
When clouds arise and dim the lamp of heaven;
As reels the vessel, o'er rude ocean borne,
When for the calm the scowling tempest's given:
So wanes parental bliss, when youth is driven
By passion's tide or adverse fortune's blast,
Till every joy on earth be from them riven,
And on the sterile shore o' want they're cast,
Where ever gath'ring gloom o'erwhelms the soul at last.
Arrived at manhood, wi' a burnish'd mind,
Young Robin ill could brook a rustic's toil;
Some other business, o' a gentler kind,
He long'd to try, where ease and splendour smile:
Hence to his father, wi' ilk cautious wile,
He by degrees his specious plan disclosed—
Whose honest soul, unskill'd in trade's sly guile,
His loving son's intention ne'er opposed;
The mother too warm hail'd the phantom now proposed.
Young Robin ill could brook a rustic's toil;
Some other business, o' a gentler kind,
He long'd to try, where ease and splendour smile:
Hence to his father, wi' ilk cautious wile,
He by degrees his specious plan disclosed—
Whose honest soul, unskill'd in trade's sly guile,
His loving son's intention ne'er opposed;
The mother too warm hail'd the phantom now proposed.
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Soon execution follow'd the design,
While glitt'ring grandeur rode the car of hope;
So he in Glasgow town, where knaves aft shine,
Set up a gaudy weel-fill'd grocery shop:
And here his active mind got rowth o' scope,
For village hucksters soon found out his dwellin';
Yet they ere lang proved but a faithless prop,
When on his han' accounts and bills were swellin',
And they, for goods received, 'gainst payment were rebellin'.
While glitt'ring grandeur rode the car of hope;
So he in Glasgow town, where knaves aft shine,
Set up a gaudy weel-fill'd grocery shop:
And here his active mind got rowth o' scope,
For village hucksters soon found out his dwellin';
Yet they ere lang proved but a faithless prop,
When on his han' accounts and bills were swellin',
And they, for goods received, 'gainst payment were rebellin'.
His sister Mary too did fond aspire
To taste the gay allurements o' the town,
To leave the labour o' the field and byre,
And learn to wake the sweet piano's soun'.
This new establishment, sae quick brocht roun',
Form'd a new era sad to guid Glenmuir;
For rapid hurl'd the bolt of ruin down
On that calm scene o' pleasure, ance sae pure,
And blighted a' the joy that hope seem'd to secure.
To taste the gay allurements o' the town,
To leave the labour o' the field and byre,
And learn to wake the sweet piano's soun'.
This new establishment, sae quick brocht roun',
Form'd a new era sad to guid Glenmuir;
For rapid hurl'd the bolt of ruin down
On that calm scene o' pleasure, ance sae pure,
And blighted a' the joy that hope seem'd to secure.
The anxious parents now were left alane
In rural dulness, but in heart unite,
Withouten care their bosoms kind to pain,
Save for their children's weal, their sole delight;
For whom was mony a prayer, frae hearts upright,
Sent heavenward, warm on faith's fleet-bounding wing,
That grace would screen them from sin's fatal blight,
Which galls the soul wi' torture's keenest sting,
And turns to winter's gloom the cheerfu' joys o' spring.
In rural dulness, but in heart unite,
Withouten care their bosoms kind to pain,
Save for their children's weal, their sole delight;
For whom was mony a prayer, frae hearts upright,
Sent heavenward, warm on faith's fleet-bounding wing,
That grace would screen them from sin's fatal blight,
Which galls the soul wi' torture's keenest sting,
And turns to winter's gloom the cheerfu' joys o' spring.
CANTO SECOND.
As, on her nuptial morn, the blooming bride
Awakes wi' joy bright beaming in her eye,
And thinks the fleeting hours reluctant glide,
That waft on wings of love the sacred tie;
So hope, on speculation's summits high,
Shows golden visions to her vot'ries vain,
For which they long, wi' mony an ardent sigh,
Possession o' the glitterin' toy to gain,
And fret at tardy fate, and burn wi' inward pain.
Awakes wi' joy bright beaming in her eye,
And thinks the fleeting hours reluctant glide,
That waft on wings of love the sacred tie;
So hope, on speculation's summits high,
Shows golden visions to her vot'ries vain,
For which they long, wi' mony an ardent sigh,
Possession o' the glitterin' toy to gain,
And fret at tardy fate, and burn wi' inward pain.
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Life has its joys, though mingled still wi' care:
Could blind humanity the path pursue,
She might obtain o' those her ample share,
And shun the thorns that pierce her bosom through;
But base ambition, unopposed by few,
Inserts her Vampire fangs to drain the heart,
Then, quick, the fated victim bids adieu
To pleasure's thrill, for now he's left to smart
'Neath the corrosive pangs o' his envenom'd dart.
Could blind humanity the path pursue,
She might obtain o' those her ample share,
And shun the thorns that pierce her bosom through;
But base ambition, unopposed by few,
Inserts her Vampire fangs to drain the heart,
Then, quick, the fated victim bids adieu
To pleasure's thrill, for now he's left to smart
'Neath the corrosive pangs o' his envenom'd dart.
And now young Robin may take leave o' a'
That can gi'e lasting joy to man below,
Since borne by pride's propelling gale awa'
Frae calm Glenmuir to scenes o' polish'd woe:
Here affectation's garnish'd cheek may glow,
Here learning's sentimental e'e may smile,
Here wealth may dazzle wi' his gaudy show,
Yet scarce be fit the moments to beguile,
For deep within the core may torture reign the while.
That can gi'e lasting joy to man below,
Since borne by pride's propelling gale awa'
Frae calm Glenmuir to scenes o' polish'd woe:
Here affectation's garnish'd cheek may glow,
Here learning's sentimental e'e may smile,
Here wealth may dazzle wi' his gaudy show,
Yet scarce be fit the moments to beguile,
For deep within the core may torture reign the while.
Nae mair to him can rural scenery bring
The tide o' raptures, or delight his e'e;
Nae mair to him the mavis sweet doth sing,
At morn or eve, within the birken tree;
Nae mair the fragrance o' the clover lea,
Or hawthorns sweet, or honeysuckles please,
Or soothing murmurs o' the eident bee,
Saft swelling 'mang the foliage o' the trees,
Or glens o' yellow broom, that scent the fanning breeze.
The tide o' raptures, or delight his e'e;
Nae mair to him the mavis sweet doth sing,
At morn or eve, within the birken tree;
Nae mair the fragrance o' the clover lea,
Or hawthorns sweet, or honeysuckles please,
Or soothing murmurs o' the eident bee,
Saft swelling 'mang the foliage o' the trees,
Or glens o' yellow broom, that scent the fanning breeze.
Scarce dares he mention, 'midst his fellows gay,
His birthplace, or his hamely parents own,
Lest notions mean his lineage should betray,
Amang the belles and beaus throughout the town,
Till he his sire persuaded to pu' down
The ivy shaded mansion, stained by time,
That despicable to his sight had grown,
Though deem'd for lang to be of ernes the prime,
And raise a villa gay, to suit his views sublime.
His birthplace, or his hamely parents own,
Lest notions mean his lineage should betray,
Amang the belles and beaus throughout the town,
Till he his sire persuaded to pu' down
The ivy shaded mansion, stained by time,
That despicable to his sight had grown,
Though deem'd for lang to be of ernes the prime,
And raise a villa gay, to suit his views sublime.
Razed frae its site, it soon in rubbish lay,
The clasping woodbine frae its roots uptorn,
And nought to mark its boundary is let stay,
Except the bourtree, row'n, and ancient thorn.
Its very name can now nae mair be borne,
So much it savours o' the barren wild;
To please the fancy, and elude a' scorn,
Rosebank its gay successor now is styled,
At whase fair form our youth wi' inward pleasure smiled.
The clasping woodbine frae its roots uptorn,
And nought to mark its boundary is let stay,
Except the bourtree, row'n, and ancient thorn.
Its very name can now nae mair be borne,
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To please the fancy, and elude a' scorn,
Rosebank its gay successor now is styled,
At whase fair form our youth wi' inward pleasure smiled.
The auld folk likewise found their dwellin' new,
Though costly, mair adapted to their ease;
Nae driftin' snaws through doors and windows blew,
Nor chillin' frosts, that maist the blood wad freeze.
Adown futurity the sire now sees
His branchin' offspring high in honour rise;
E'en linked in close connection wi' grandees;
And sic like pageantry as fancy spies,
When through her airy bounds ambition's meteor flies.
Though costly, mair adapted to their ease;
Nae driftin' snaws through doors and windows blew,
Nor chillin' frosts, that maist the blood wad freeze.
Adown futurity the sire now sees
His branchin' offspring high in honour rise;
E'en linked in close connection wi' grandees;
And sic like pageantry as fancy spies,
When through her airy bounds ambition's meteor flies.
Commercial labours now haud a' asteer;
Wide ramifies his trade, and eke his fame,
And village hucksters to his shop draw near,
Proud to be ranked debtors to the same.
Rosebank's hale produce here doth shelter claim—
Potatoes, barley, meal, eggs, butter, cheese—
A's here deposited, but naught sent hame,
Whilk kindles up suspicion by degrees,
And trade's vague phantom false fu' clear the auld man sees.
Wide ramifies his trade, and eke his fame,
And village hucksters to his shop draw near,
Proud to be ranked debtors to the same.
Rosebank's hale produce here doth shelter claim—
Potatoes, barley, meal, eggs, butter, cheese—
A's here deposited, but naught sent hame,
Whilk kindles up suspicion by degrees,
And trade's vague phantom false fu' clear the auld man sees.
But still the younkers' fancies soar sublime,
As yet they bask in joy's bright gilded morn,
And pleasure's tinkling strings concordant chime,
While plenty waves her full ambrosial horn.
On speculation's fairy wings upborne,
They deem all meet that glitters a-la-mode;
Those who think else are subject to their scorn,
And shunn'd as cannibals, grotesque and odd;
Ne'er named but wi' disdain in their superb abode.
As yet they bask in joy's bright gilded morn,
And pleasure's tinkling strings concordant chime,
While plenty waves her full ambrosial horn.
On speculation's fairy wings upborne,
They deem all meet that glitters a-la-mode;
Those who think else are subject to their scorn,
And shunn'd as cannibals, grotesque and odd;
Ne'er named but wi' disdain in their superb abode.
O' a' the nymphs that gaily trip the street,
Attended by the Cyprian archer boy,
Nane wore the attractin' smile o' love mair sweet,
Amang them a', than bonnie Mary Roy.
The rest o' mony youths she did destroy,
Smit by the glances o' her dark-blue een;
Nae concert, ball, or festival o' joy
Took place, but she in peerless light was seen,
Chaste as Diana fair, gay as the Cyprian queen.
Attended by the Cyprian archer boy,
Nane wore the attractin' smile o' love mair sweet,
Amang them a', than bonnie Mary Roy.
The rest o' mony youths she did destroy,
Smit by the glances o' her dark-blue een;
Nae concert, ball, or festival o' joy
Took place, but she in peerless light was seen,
Chaste as Diana fair, gay as the Cyprian queen.
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But well she knew her charms, and still aspired
To higher steps on grandeur's slipp'ry scale;
Yet, though in gorgeous robes ilk day attired,
Less joy she felt than when she trode the vale
Wi' gowans clad, while she the milkin' pail,
At morn or eve, bore frae the bught or shiel;
Or liltit owre in sang the lover's tale,
Beside the cheery ingle, at her wheel,
Unknown to envious pride, which peace doth ever steal.
To higher steps on grandeur's slipp'ry scale;
Yet, though in gorgeous robes ilk day attired,
Less joy she felt than when she trode the vale
Wi' gowans clad, while she the milkin' pail,
At morn or eve, bore frae the bught or shiel;
Or liltit owre in sang the lover's tale,
Beside the cheery ingle, at her wheel,
Unknown to envious pride, which peace doth ever steal.
Blithe was the beau wha, for a Sunday jaunt,
Permission gain'd sweet Mary to escort
To gay Rosebank, and a' day idly flaunt
Amang the groves and streams o' that resort.
At first the sire view'd sic unhallow'd sport
Wi' inward grief, and on his brow a frown;
But ne'er could he sic reverence extort
Frae them as he to heaven was wont to own—
Which when neglected still draws retribution down.
Permission gain'd sweet Mary to escort
To gay Rosebank, and a' day idly flaunt
Amang the groves and streams o' that resort.
At first the sire view'd sic unhallow'd sport
Wi' inward grief, and on his brow a frown;
But ne'er could he sic reverence extort
Frae them as he to heaven was wont to own—
Which when neglected still draws retribution down.
Changed is the scene frae what it was in yore,
When on the Sabbath he, by break of day,
The Bible's sacred pages to explore,
Retired beneath the hawthorn's flowery spray—
While saft the streamlet murmur'd on its way,
And shrill the lark sang o'er the dewy dale—
As he frae Ur with Abram wide did stray,
Or heard the weeping prophet sore bewail
For Zion's dreadful doom, through guilt that did prevail.
When on the Sabbath he, by break of day,
The Bible's sacred pages to explore,
Retired beneath the hawthorn's flowery spray—
While saft the streamlet murmur'd on its way,
And shrill the lark sang o'er the dewy dale—
As he frae Ur with Abram wide did stray,
Or heard the weeping prophet sore bewail
For Zion's dreadful doom, through guilt that did prevail.
But rattlin' gigs, and troops o' hackney steeds,
And talk profane, sae void o' ought that's holy,
Aft made auld Robin rue some bypast deeds,
And heave the burden'd sigh of melancholy;
The sermon barter'd for vain tales o' folly,
And private duties lost in sinfu' cookin';
Although austere amidst thae merchants jolly,
Much err'd he in sic conduct not rebukin',
When his ain fam'ly's wae lay in sic deeds o'erlookin'.
And talk profane, sae void o' ought that's holy,
Aft made auld Robin rue some bypast deeds,
And heave the burden'd sigh of melancholy;
The sermon barter'd for vain tales o' folly,
And private duties lost in sinfu' cookin';
Although austere amidst thae merchants jolly,
Much err'd he in sic conduct not rebukin',
When his ain fam'ly's wae lay in sic deeds o'erlookin'.
This blazing meteor soon its lustre spent,
And ruin waved his desolating arm;
Losses and luxury, quite headlong, sent
To trustees' hands Rosebank's weel plenish'd farm.
Auld Robin, thunderstruck at the alarm
O' this mishap, in silent sorrow grieved;
Nae ray o' hope appear'd, wi' soothin' charm,
To reinstate them, thus sae sair deceived
By trade's delusive glare, which they for truth believed.
And ruin waved his desolating arm;
Losses and luxury, quite headlong, sent
To trustees' hands Rosebank's weel plenish'd farm.
Auld Robin, thunderstruck at the alarm
145
Nae ray o' hope appear'd, wi' soothin' charm,
To reinstate them, thus sae sair deceived
By trade's delusive glare, which they for truth believed.
The shop's now shut, and sequestration made—
Nae mercy has the law's black menial gang—
And grim oblivion shores her deepest shade
To throw out-owre the name o' Roy ere lang.
Nae mair again to them the mavis' sang,
Frae their ain trees, at morn or e'en shall ring;
Nae mair they'll tent their flocks the broom amang,
While list'ning to the lark's sweet carolling,
Where, tinklin' frae its source, clear flows the caller spring.
Nae mercy has the law's black menial gang—
And grim oblivion shores her deepest shade
To throw out-owre the name o' Roy ere lang.
Nae mair again to them the mavis' sang,
Frae their ain trees, at morn or e'en shall ring;
Nae mair they'll tent their flocks the broom amang,
While list'ning to the lark's sweet carolling,
Where, tinklin' frae its source, clear flows the caller spring.
But indigence appears in blackest hue,
Ilk future scene of being to pervade;
How sad to them, wha want before ne'er knew,
To sit obscurely 'neath her balefu' shade!
'Tween debts and property a balance made,
What yet remain'd their ain did clearly show.
With grief in every feature deep pourtray'd
Rosebank they leave—heart-rending scene of woe!
And o'er th' Atlantic waves to Canada they go.
Ilk future scene of being to pervade;
How sad to them, wha want before ne'er knew,
To sit obscurely 'neath her balefu' shade!
'Tween debts and property a balance made,
What yet remain'd their ain did clearly show.
With grief in every feature deep pourtray'd
Rosebank they leave—heart-rending scene of woe!
And o'er th' Atlantic waves to Canada they go.
O Scotia! why desert thy wonted ways?
Why barter peace for vague uncertain gain?
Oh cast an e'e on thy departed days,
When in thy children's manners was no stain—
When independence roam'd the hill and plain,
Unknown to every vice—and fear'd nae foe!
May they yet frae Ambition's wiles refrain:
Hence deathless wealth shall through thy regions flow,
And every heart shall feel true pleasure's ardent glow.
Why barter peace for vague uncertain gain?
Oh cast an e'e on thy departed days,
When in thy children's manners was no stain—
When independence roam'd the hill and plain,
Unknown to every vice—and fear'd nae foe!
May they yet frae Ambition's wiles refrain:
Hence deathless wealth shall through thy regions flow,
And every heart shall feel true pleasure's ardent glow.
| Poems, on sacred and other subjects | |