WINTER
A Dirge
I
The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw;
Or the stormy north sends driving forth
The blinding sleet and snaw:
Wild-tumbling brown, the burn comes down,
And roars frae bank to brae:
While bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.
II
‘The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,’
The joyless winter day
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May:
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;
The leafless trees my fancy please,
Their fate resembles mine!
III
Thou Pow'r Supreme, whose mighty scheme
These woes of mine fulfill,
Here, firm I rest, they must be best,
Because they are Thy will!
Then all I want (O, do Thou grant
This one request of mine!):
Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.
