ODE VIII. THE SAILOR.
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The author expresses grateful feelings to an honest landlady and
her daughter, for kind attentions during his short stay with
them near Hamilton, in Argyleshire; but pleads against their
solicitations for his longer continuance. He wore the dress
of a Sailor at this time, and writes under that character.
My dame, you view a sailor brave,
Hastening far hence to plough the seas,
To quit for the rude boisterous wave,
The babbling bourn, the whispering trees:
The mavis calls; the laverocks ring
Their music thro' the heav'ns so clear;
Nature's full chorus seems to sing,
Still, happy loiterer, linger here.
But, dame, you view a sailor brave,
And he must plough the ocean wave.
Yon dainty palace charms his eye,
Where Avon's waters gaily glide,
Fair Bircleugh's flowery terrace nigh,
Hastening to meet the bonny Clyde:
Ah! pleasing scene! in musing mood,
How near those braes he still could stray!
How range yon wild romantic wood!
How linger there the live-long day!
But, dame, you view a sailor brave,
Hastening to plough the ocean wave.
Your Peggy's eye is dew-drop bright;
Her smiling cheek as lily fair;
Her feet as hare's move soft and light;
Her voice as blackbird's loud and clear:
Oh! she goes near to wound my heart,
As oft she sings her “Highland Laddie:”
So quickly, dame, must I depart,
And keep my heart still tight and steady:
For, dame, you view a sailor brave;
Quick he must plough the ocean wave.
But, when on ocean's restless bed,
The ship rolls rocking to the wind,
When shores, and clifts, and hills are fled,
Thy kindness will I call to mind.
When dowie droops this head with grief,
When from my eyelid steals a tear,
In grateful thoughts I'll find relief,
And Peggy's song my breast shall cheer.
But, dame, farewell! a sailor brave
Hastens to plough the ocean wave.
