Rural love, a tale In the Scotish dialect. To which is added a glossary, or Alphabetical Explanation of the Scotish Words and Phrases. [by Francis Douglas] |
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RURAL LOVE, A TALE.
In the SCOTISH DIALECT.
Oh happy state! when souls each other draw,
When love is liberty, and nature, law:
All then is full, possessing, and possess'd,
No craving void left aking in the breast:
Ev'n thought meets thought, e'er from the lips it part,
And each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.
This sure is bliss, if bliss on earth there be—
Pope.
When love is liberty, and nature, law:
All then is full, possessing, and possess'd,
No craving void left aking in the breast:
Ev'n thought meets thought, e'er from the lips it part,
And each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.
This sure is bliss, if bliss on earth there be—
Pope.
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When merry Charles the sceptre sway'd,
And none through force or fear obey'd;
There liv'd a man in Waterairn ,
A widower, with ae lass bairn.
Twa hunder marks he had to gie 'er,
Brought men and lads afouth to see 'er.
And none through force or fear obey'd;
There liv'd a man in Waterairn ,
A widower, with ae lass bairn.
Twa hunder marks he had to gie 'er,
Brought men and lads afouth to see 'er.
The first we mention was a schollar,
Who ne'er had grace to save a dollar;
Tho' deemt a wonder for his wit,
And for the mony sangs he writ.
Deep learn'd in Greek and Latin reading
And famous for his skill in bleeding.
Ten years he taught the parish-school,
And all he did was done by rule.
Who ne'er had grace to save a dollar;
Tho' deemt a wonder for his wit,
And for the mony sangs he writ.
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And famous for his skill in bleeding.
Ten years he taught the parish-school,
And all he did was done by rule.
With ev'ry classick name acquainted,
No art or science e'er invented,
But he cou'd trace it to the source,
And talk distinctly of its course.
Sometimes when o'er a pot of ale,
What wondrous wonders wou'd he tell!
Of Hector and the walls of Troy;
Of Venus and her fav'rite boy;
Of Priam, Paris, and Leander;
Of Nile, Ilissus, and Scamander;
Of Jason and the golden fleece;
And all the states of antient Greece;
With joy and admiration heard,
And as an oracle rever'd,
If what he said was e'er disputed,
The brutes, in Latin were confuted;
While by his parts and learning fir'd,
Each farmer's son at fame aspir'd;
For Dispauter forsook the trade,
For which by Nature he was made.
No art or science e'er invented,
But he cou'd trace it to the source,
And talk distinctly of its course.
Sometimes when o'er a pot of ale,
What wondrous wonders wou'd he tell!
Of Hector and the walls of Troy;
Of Venus and her fav'rite boy;
Of Priam, Paris, and Leander;
Of Nile, Ilissus, and Scamander;
Of Jason and the golden fleece;
And all the states of antient Greece;
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And as an oracle rever'd,
If what he said was e'er disputed,
The brutes, in Latin were confuted;
While by his parts and learning fir'd,
Each farmer's son at fame aspir'd;
For Dispauter forsook the trade,
For which by Nature he was made.
His only fault was amat potum,
To ev'ry other vice ignotum.
Solemn, as it became his place,
And just a model in his dress;
Still clad in rev'rend black or blue,
The eyes of haf the kirk he drew.
How gracefully he read the line,
And how he rais'd the air divine,
Is not in language to express,
So those who do not know, must guess.
To ev'ry other vice ignotum.
Solemn, as it became his place,
And just a model in his dress;
Still clad in rev'rend black or blue,
The eyes of haf the kirk he drew.
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And how he rais'd the air divine,
Is not in language to express,
So those who do not know, must guess.
In person he had often tried
To gain the father to his side,
At last resolv'd to write a letter,
Tho' well he spake, he wrote still better.
The kind epistle thus begun—
“There is not, Sir, beneath the sun,
“A man that loves your daughter more,
“I swear by Jove whom all adore.
“Struck by the lightning of her eyes,
“My heart like Salamander fries;
“My soul transfix'd by Cupid's dart,
“Forever feels the keenest smart;
“Nor can I longer hope to live,
“Unless to me, ye Peggy give.
“Ignoble souls might court your pelf,
“For me, I only love herself.”
To gain the father to his side,
At last resolv'd to write a letter,
Tho' well he spake, he wrote still better.
The kind epistle thus begun—
“There is not, Sir, beneath the sun,
“A man that loves your daughter more,
“I swear by Jove whom all adore.
“Struck by the lightning of her eyes,
“My heart like Salamander fries;
“My soul transfix'd by Cupid's dart,
“Forever feels the keenest smart;
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“Unless to me, ye Peggy give.
“Ignoble souls might court your pelf,
“For me, I only love herself.”
This, carefully seal'd up, he sent him,
In haste, lest others should prevent him.
He knew the stile and sense were good,
And thought it cou'd not be withstood.
Ah! what avails it to be wise,
If paltry riches fate denies!
Reader! with indignation burn,
If thou peruse the vile return.
In haste, lest others should prevent him.
He knew the stile and sense were good,
And thought it cou'd not be withstood.
Ah! what avails it to be wise,
If paltry riches fate denies!
Reader! with indignation burn,
If thou peruse the vile return.
“Good master James, I had your letter,
“And humbly think you can't do better,
“Than take a pint to cool your liver;
“Take this advice, and thank the giver.”
Mess James affronted, drew his pass,
And swore the carl was an ass.
“And humbly think you can't do better,
“Than take a pint to cool your liver;
“Take this advice, and thank the giver.”
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And swore the carl was an ass.
Proceed we next to Johny Smart,
The farest ben in Meggy's heart;
Since they had kept the sheep together,
They had a love for ane anither.
Then mony a blythsome hour had they,
The very langest simmer's day,
Seem'd short to them wi' harmless play.
The farest ben in Meggy's heart;
Since they had kept the sheep together,
They had a love for ane anither.
Then mony a blythsome hour had they,
The very langest simmer's day,
Seem'd short to them wi' harmless play.
He aft wad say, “My dearest Megg,
“With thee, I vow I'd rather beg,
“Than wed the richest lass alive;
“As I speak true, sae may I thrive.”
While she, wha kentna pride nor guile,
Wad gladly hear, then with a smile
Mak answer thus, “My dearest Johny,
“I'm neither bra, nor rich, nor bony,
“These wants repining never mends,
“There's nane has mair then heav'n lends.
“But let me boast an honest heart,
“With it for a' I wadna part,
“And hear me vow ye watchfu' pow'rs!
“Who tak delight in love like ours;
“That heart to Johny sall be true,
“And never think of lover new.
“If I be fase, nae mair protect me,
“Fame, health, and friends, at anes forsake me.”
“With thee, I vow I'd rather beg,
“Than wed the richest lass alive;
“As I speak true, sae may I thrive.”
While she, wha kentna pride nor guile,
Wad gladly hear, then with a smile
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“I'm neither bra, nor rich, nor bony,
“These wants repining never mends,
“There's nane has mair then heav'n lends.
“But let me boast an honest heart,
“With it for a' I wadna part,
“And hear me vow ye watchfu' pow'rs!
“Who tak delight in love like ours;
“That heart to Johny sall be true,
“And never think of lover new.
“If I be fase, nae mair protect me,
“Fame, health, and friends, at anes forsake me.”
Then wad he tak her in his arms,
(Sic innocence has pow'rfu' charms)
Hard press her cheek, and warmly say,
‘Ye pow'rs aboon! baith night and day
“I'll gie ye praise, for this your gift,
“The dearest lass beneath the lift.
“O! as she's guid from ill preserve 'er
“And mak me better to deserve 'er.”
(Sic innocence has pow'rfu' charms)
Hard press her cheek, and warmly say,
‘Ye pow'rs aboon! baith night and day
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“The dearest lass beneath the lift.
“O! as she's guid from ill preserve 'er
“And mak me better to deserve 'er.”
With sic discourse they past the time,
And aften pat their thoughts in rhime,
The words for pleasing sounds made meet,
Young Peggy sang, with voice sae sweet,
That all the list'ning flocks drew nigh,
And ev'n the lavrocks left the sky.
And aften pat their thoughts in rhime,
The words for pleasing sounds made meet,
Young Peggy sang, with voice sae sweet,
That all the list'ning flocks drew nigh,
And ev'n the lavrocks left the sky.
But John, alas! had not the ready,
So durst not ask her of her daddy.
Eleven sheep, and ae beast hog,
A horse, a cow, a cat and dog,
A house and pantry thinly plenish'd,
A wob his mother left unfinish'd,
Twa site of clais, ane double blew,
And ane of tartan, maist split new;
A sword, a pistol, and a gun
Which mony a youl the prize had won;
A new blew bonnet and cockade,
A shouder belt, and tartan plaid;
Was a' the gear that Johny had.
So durst not ask her of her daddy.
Eleven sheep, and ae beast hog,
A horse, a cow, a cat and dog,
A house and pantry thinly plenish'd,
A wob his mother left unfinish'd,
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And ane of tartan, maist split new;
A sword, a pistol, and a gun
Which mony a youl the prize had won;
A new blew bonnet and cockade,
A shouder belt, and tartan plaid;
Was a' the gear that Johny had.
We name nae mair, but Peter Shaw,
Her daddy's choice aboon them a'.
A batchellor, baith warm and wealthy,
Tho' turn'd of fifty, stout and healthy.
Her daddy's choice aboon them a'.
A batchellor, baith warm and wealthy,
Tho' turn'd of fifty, stout and healthy.
His father was a zealous saint,
Who fought for kirk and covenant ;
Till ae day on the muir of Affort
He got a maist uncanny sclaffort.
The antichristian aim'd sae sicker,
He made his head ring like a bicker;
The haf his beard hung owr his chin,
And wae befel the teeth within.
Backward he fell, with hideous roar,
(His bleed he never saw before;)
In this sad plight, in dread he lay,
Till Bailie's men had lost the day.
Who fought for kirk and covenant ;
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He got a maist uncanny sclaffort.
The antichristian aim'd sae sicker,
He made his head ring like a bicker;
The haf his beard hung owr his chin,
And wae befel the teeth within.
Backward he fell, with hideous roar,
(His bleed he never saw before;)
In this sad plight, in dread he lay,
Till Bailie's men had lost the day.
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Then thrice he tried, at last arose,
And round the bleedy field he goes,
Not to lament the dead, or dying,
For neither kirk, nor country crying;
But sick of fighting, thus he pray'd,
“O be my zeal at length repaid!—
“A purse I need.”—His pray'r was heard:
He found a youth without a beard;
Just in the agonies of death,
Him, kindly he depriv'd of breath;
Then from his fob a purse he drew,
With fifty pounds, if fame says true.
Slow from the field, with this he sped,
And mony a waefu face he made.
Sair bent upon his sword he lay,
And scarce made out three miles a day.
And round the bleedy field he goes,
Not to lament the dead, or dying,
For neither kirk, nor country crying;
But sick of fighting, thus he pray'd,
“O be my zeal at length repaid!—
“A purse I need.”—His pray'r was heard:
He found a youth without a beard;
Just in the agonies of death,
Him, kindly he depriv'd of breath;
Then from his fob a purse he drew,
With fifty pounds, if fame says true.
Slow from the field, with this he sped,
And mony a waefu face he made.
Sair bent upon his sword he lay,
And scarce made out three miles a day.
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His wife, who past the day in pain,
And doubtless thought her dear was slain;
Flew to the door in haste, to meet 'im,
And thus, fu glad, began to greet 'im,
“His name be prais'd ye're safe come hame!
“Last night I had the oddest dream;
“Methought I saw our ain mess John
“The stirrup had till ye lap on,
“But ere ye parted words arose,
“And after words ye came to blows.”
Quo John, “Your dream was partly true,
“He set me on the job I rue,
“But frae this day, I'll fight nae mair,
“Nor in kirk quarrels tak a share.”
The carl strictly kept his word,
And in the hen-roost stuck his sword;
Nor cou'd mess John with a' his logicks
Again engage him in sic projects.
The purse, however fairly come,
In time accress'd to twice the sum;
And Peter was his only heir,
For childer he had never mair.
And doubtless thought her dear was slain;
Flew to the door in haste, to meet 'im,
And thus, fu glad, began to greet 'im,
“His name be prais'd ye're safe come hame!
“Last night I had the oddest dream;
“Methought I saw our ain mess John
“The stirrup had till ye lap on,
“But ere ye parted words arose,
“And after words ye came to blows.”
Quo John, “Your dream was partly true,
“He set me on the job I rue,
“But frae this day, I'll fight nae mair,
“Nor in kirk quarrels tak a share.”
The carl strictly kept his word,
And in the hen-roost stuck his sword;
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Again engage him in sic projects.
The purse, however fairly come,
In time accress'd to twice the sum;
And Peter was his only heir,
For childer he had never mair.
Now on a day when Pate was there,
Auld Gilbert took the gardy-chair,
Megg was cried ben, then quoth her dad,
“My chiel, ye're shortly to be wed,
“To Peter here, my honest friend;
“My day, God help me, 's near an end;
“And Megg, fan I'm laid i'the grafe,
“To leave you single were not safe;
“Heaven only kens fan that may be,
“Neist Reed-day I'm threescore and three;
“Sae what nig-naes a bride wad need
“Provide yoursel with a' your speed.”
Auld Gilbert took the gardy-chair,
Megg was cried ben, then quoth her dad,
“My chiel, ye're shortly to be wed,
“To Peter here, my honest friend;
“My day, God help me, 's near an end;
“And Megg, fan I'm laid i'the grafe,
“To leave you single were not safe;
“Heaven only kens fan that may be,
“Neist Reed-day I'm threescore and three;
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“Provide yoursel with a' your speed.”
“Doe sae, quo Peter, want for naething,
“But get frae tap to tae new claithing;
“My lad's gaen in to Aberdeen,
“I'se gar him buy ye heigh heel'd sheen.
“And if the bear sells well, a ring,
“A ribbon belt, and mony a thing.
“Ye's want for naething I can gie ye,
“For be my contens Megg, I loo ye;
“Ye's live with me as guid a life
“As ever yet liv'd marry'd wife;
“And if I happen first to die,
“There's nane sall heir me Megg, bat ye.”
“But get frae tap to tae new claithing;
“My lad's gaen in to Aberdeen,
“I'se gar him buy ye heigh heel'd sheen.
“And if the bear sells well, a ring,
“A ribbon belt, and mony a thing.
“Ye's want for naething I can gie ye,
“For be my contens Megg, I loo ye;
“Ye's live with me as guid a life
“As ever yet liv'd marry'd wife;
“And if I happen first to die,
“There's nane sall heir me Megg, bat ye.”
“Gae keep your heirships, answer'd Megg,
“When young I'll sere, when auld I'll beg,
“Afore I marry sic as ye,
“Ye're maist three times as auld as me.
“When young I'll sere, when auld I'll beg,
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“Ye're maist three times as auld as me.
“Quo Gilbert, if he's auld or young,
“I counsel you to had your tongue;
“I makna doubt the airy foel
“Who maista danc'd you dead at youl,
“Wad please ye mair, but dame, trust me,
“Him ye sall wed and nane but he.
“I counsel you to had your tongue;
“I makna doubt the airy foel
“Who maista danc'd you dead at youl,
“Wad please ye mair, but dame, trust me,
“Him ye sall wed and nane but he.
“Troth then quo Megg, I'll never lie,
“I loo a lad, and he loes me;
“And ye sall as sein tak my life,
“As mak me ony ither's wife”—
She said,—then sob'd and grat fu sair—
“O ho, quo Peter, greet nae mair!
“Troth lass I'm nae sae daft about ye,
“But I can live fellwell without ye—
“And dorty Megg, to tell ye mair,
“If't hadna been for Gibbie's gear,
“I hadna speer'd for sic as you—
“I loo a lad, and he loes me;
“And ye sall as sein tak my life,
“As mak me ony ither's wife”—
She said,—then sob'd and grat fu sair—
“O ho, quo Peter, greet nae mair!
“Troth lass I'm nae sae daft about ye,
“But I can live fellwell without ye—
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“If't hadna been for Gibbie's gear,
“I hadna speer'd for sic as you—
“Quo Gilbert, carl if that be true,
“Out o' my house!—shame o' your greed,
“If ye were ane that stood in need
“Of gear, I wadna think sae muckle,
“March aff, with her ye sanna buckle.
“I thought a' cheatin twa fac'd loons,
“Had liv'd in courts and borrowstowns,
“But now I plainly see by ye,
“There's nae place frae sic vermin free.
“Out o' my house!—shame o' your greed,
“If ye were ane that stood in need
“Of gear, I wadna think sae muckle,
“March aff, with her ye sanna buckle.
“I thought a' cheatin twa fac'd loons,
“Had liv'd in courts and borrowstowns,
“But now I plainly see by ye,
“There's nae place frae sic vermin free.
“Quo Peter, ye may flyt your fill,
“Of what I said I think nae ill;
“I own the lassie's well enough,
“But beauty winna mend the pleugh.
“A pox! d'ye think a chap like me,
“Who's fifty winters seen, and three,
“Wad enter on debate and strife,
“For sic a joke's a bony wife?
“Tho' love on beardless boys works wonders,
“We auld fouk seldom mak sic blunders.
“Wiest Megg, I didna mean to vex ye;
“Mayhaps, the sight of me affects ye.
“Sae Gilbert I'll bid guid be wi' you—
“Of what I said I think nae ill;
“I own the lassie's well enough,
“But beauty winna mend the pleugh.
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“Who's fifty winters seen, and three,
“Wad enter on debate and strife,
“For sic a joke's a bony wife?
“Tho' love on beardless boys works wonders,
“We auld fouk seldom mak sic blunders.
“Wiest Megg, I didna mean to vex ye;
“Mayhaps, the sight of me affects ye.
“Sae Gilbert I'll bid guid be wi' you—
“Quo Gilbert let me never see you
“Within my dore—Gae hugg your pelf,
“Or court some dottard like yourself.
“Within my dore—Gae hugg your pelf,
“Or court some dottard like yourself.
Megg's heart was then as blyth and light
As ever a bride's on bridal night;
But ay she grat—nor wad she still,
Till Gilbert said, “Ye's hae your will;
“Tak wha ye like, if 'tis your ruin,
“Mind, it's a browst of your ain browin.
As ever a bride's on bridal night;
But ay she grat—nor wad she still,
Till Gilbert said, “Ye's hae your will;
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“Mind, it's a browst of your ain browin.
Just as he spake, John Smart came in,
“God sens! quo' he, why a' this din,
“What ails ye Megg, to sigh and sob?—
“Mayhaps the wobster's spoil'd your wob.”—
Then Gilbert tald him a' the story,
Frae tap to tail—Quo John, “I'm sorry
“That ye sud be sae fain o' gear,
“To sell your dother like a mare.
“If I might be sae bauld's advise
“A man like you, baith auld and wise;
“Your dother ye sud gie to nane,
“Who wadna tak her gown-alane.
“Nor wad I hae their age unev'n,
“Can twenty 'gree with fifty seven?
“Owr aft we see what weary lives
“Are led, twish auld men and young wives;
“For auld fouk bein maistly fretfu,
“A' that's nae grave, to them seems hatefu;
“Contrair to that, young things are wantin,
“Their tongues ay gaen, their hearts ay pantin
“For something new—While these tak pleasure
“In naething earthly but their treasure.
“Nae seiner are they help'd to bed,
“And a' the shankers larums laid,
“Then dead asleep—their grating snore
“Bids wakriff wives their fate deplore.
“God sens! quo' he, why a' this din,
“What ails ye Megg, to sigh and sob?—
“Mayhaps the wobster's spoil'd your wob.”—
Then Gilbert tald him a' the story,
Frae tap to tail—Quo John, “I'm sorry
“That ye sud be sae fain o' gear,
“To sell your dother like a mare.
“If I might be sae bauld's advise
“A man like you, baith auld and wise;
“Your dother ye sud gie to nane,
“Who wadna tak her gown-alane.
“Nor wad I hae their age unev'n,
“Can twenty 'gree with fifty seven?
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“Are led, twish auld men and young wives;
“For auld fouk bein maistly fretfu,
“A' that's nae grave, to them seems hatefu;
“Contrair to that, young things are wantin,
“Their tongues ay gaen, their hearts ay pantin
“For something new—While these tak pleasure
“In naething earthly but their treasure.
“Nae seiner are they help'd to bed,
“And a' the shankers larums laid,
“Then dead asleep—their grating snore
“Bids wakriff wives their fate deplore.
Quo Gilbert, “John ye speak fu well,
“I doubt ye're preachin for yoursel.
“Come tell me dame, wha 'tis ye loo?”
Megg rubb'd her een, and said, “It's he—
“He's lood me lang, he loes me well;
“We baith thought shame and durstna tell.
“Gie me your blessin, keep your gear,
“If I get him, I'll seek nae mair.
“I'll work ungrudg'd frae morn till night,
“And doe my best to keep things right,
“But sic a carl I wadna wed,
“Nae tho' he were in scarlet clad.
“Alas! what's a' the warld to me,
“Except I get the lad I loo?
“With him I dinna fear its care,
“We'll ane anither's sorrows share.”
“I doubt ye're preachin for yoursel.
“Come tell me dame, wha 'tis ye loo?”
Megg rubb'd her een, and said, “It's he—
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“We baith thought shame and durstna tell.
“Gie me your blessin, keep your gear,
“If I get him, I'll seek nae mair.
“I'll work ungrudg'd frae morn till night,
“And doe my best to keep things right,
“But sic a carl I wadna wed,
“Nae tho' he were in scarlet clad.
“Alas! what's a' the warld to me,
“Except I get the lad I loo?
“With him I dinna fear its care,
“We'll ane anither's sorrows share.”
John's heart bet sair the while, for fear
He sud be cast for want of gear;
But Gilbert, weighing the event,
Said, “Childer if ye're baith content
“With ane anither, I'se no break ye;
“God bless ye baith, and happy make ye.”—
He sud be cast for want of gear;
But Gilbert, weighing the event,
Said, “Childer if ye're baith content
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“God bless ye baith, and happy make ye.”—
“Content! quo John,—I canna speak—
“O me!—for joy my heart will break”—
“O me!—for joy my heart will break”—
“Then tak her John, and wi' her a'
“My guids and gear, baith great and sma'.
“If she be haf as guid's her mither,
“Ye'll baith be blest in ane anither.
“Ay John, she was as guid a wife
“As ever blest a poer man's life:
“She didna waste what I had won!—
“Na, ev'ry year the wobs she spun,
“Near paid the laird—On her death-bed,
“She laid her hand on Meggy's head;
“And said, my chiel I'm gaen to die,
“Alas my heart! to part with thee;
“Fear God; and thou needst fear nae ill;
“Thy father love, and doe his will.
“If ever thou lead'st a married life,
“Be an obedient kindly wife,
“Nor gie ill words, to kindle strife.
“Let nought but death your love divide—
“Sein after, 'las my fell she died!”—
The auld man sigh'd and ended here,
And frae ilk eye he drapt a tear.
“My guids and gear, baith great and sma'.
“If she be haf as guid's her mither,
“Ye'll baith be blest in ane anither.
“Ay John, she was as guid a wife
“As ever blest a poer man's life:
“She didna waste what I had won!—
“Na, ev'ry year the wobs she spun,
“Near paid the laird—On her death-bed,
“She laid her hand on Meggy's head;
“And said, my chiel I'm gaen to die,
“Alas my heart! to part with thee;
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“Thy father love, and doe his will.
“If ever thou lead'st a married life,
“Be an obedient kindly wife,
“Nor gie ill words, to kindle strife.
“Let nought but death your love divide—
“Sein after, 'las my fell she died!”—
The auld man sigh'd and ended here,
And frae ilk eye he drapt a tear.
Quo John, “May God be your reward,
“'Cause to our love ye've had regard;
“I have nae ither way to pay ye,
“But ay to honour and obey ye,
“And that I'll doe, wi' hand and heart,
“As lang's I live; and guid my part.
“And what I want in gear and siller,
“Sall be made up in kindness till 'er.
“'Cause to our love ye've had regard;
“I have nae ither way to pay ye,
“But ay to honour and obey ye,
“And that I'll doe, wi' hand and heart,
“As lang's I live; and guid my part.
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“Sall be made up in kindness till 'er.
“Thanks, gracious pow'rs!—ye've heard my pray'r,
“Put up sae aft, baith late and air,
“To grant me Meggy for my wife—
“Come to me dearer than my life!”—
Then in his arms he caught, and prest 'er
Close to his beatin heart, and kist 'er.
Nane can conceive the joy they tasted,
While mutual embraces lasted;
Their very sauls each other kist
Ne're pair were happier since the first.
“Put up sae aft, baith late and air,
“To grant me Meggy for my wife—
“Come to me dearer than my life!”—
Then in his arms he caught, and prest 'er
Close to his beatin heart, and kist 'er.
Nane can conceive the joy they tasted,
While mutual embraces lasted;
Their very sauls each other kist
Ne're pair were happier since the first.
Gilbert the tender scene beheld,
With eyes that tears of joy had fill'd;
Those happy days it brought to mind,
When he was young, and Jannet kind;
When he was fond, and she was fair,
And love took off the edge of care.
With eyes that tears of joy had fill'd;
Those happy days it brought to mind,
When he was young, and Jannet kind;
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And love took off the edge of care.
Then thus—“My childer, human life,
“Made up of pleasures, cares, and strife,
“The same appearance keeps not long;
“What now seems right, seem'd lately wrong;
“The view of all your wishes crown'd,
“Has ev'ry boist'rous passion drown'd,
“But trust me, time will make them rise,
“Then learn to rule them, and be wise.
“In friendship live, tho' fondness cease,
“And trust to prudence for your peace;
“To peace let all your wishes tend,
“For both through frailty must offend.
“Believe experience, perfect bliss
“Exists not in a world like this;
“Thus think—nor blame the heav'nly pow'rs;
“The lot of mortals must be yours.”
“Made up of pleasures, cares, and strife,
“The same appearance keeps not long;
“What now seems right, seem'd lately wrong;
“The view of all your wishes crown'd,
“Has ev'ry boist'rous passion drown'd,
“But trust me, time will make them rise,
“Then learn to rule them, and be wise.
“In friendship live, tho' fondness cease,
“And trust to prudence for your peace;
“To peace let all your wishes tend,
“For both through frailty must offend.
“Believe experience, perfect bliss
“Exists not in a world like this;
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“The lot of mortals must be yours.”
With rev'rend awe, th' advice was taken,
Tho' both believ'd the man mistaken:
They could not think that time or chance,
Their bliss could lessen or enhance.
Tho' both believ'd the man mistaken:
They could not think that time or chance,
Their bliss could lessen or enhance.
A few weeks after they were wed,
And happy was the life they led;
His constant care was how to please 'er,
No toil he counted hard, cou'd ease 'er;
They both with emulation strove,
Who most shou'd serve and dearest love.
Kind heav'n to heighten all their joys,
In seven years, sent seven boys.
Auld Gilbert liv'd till aughty seven,
Then slept on earth, to wake in heav'n.
And happy was the life they led;
His constant care was how to please 'er,
No toil he counted hard, cou'd ease 'er;
They both with emulation strove,
Who most shou'd serve and dearest love.
Kind heav'n to heighten all their joys,
In seven years, sent seven boys.
Auld Gilbert liv'd till aughty seven,
Then slept on earth, to wake in heav'n.
FINIS.
The Solemn League and Covenant, the great bone of contention in the unfortunate reign of King Charles I.
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