Woman-pearl of priceless worth! To make Earth almost a Heaven! Earth her sweetest songs would miss ; Were poorer still, but that it has The inspiration following The wish to win fair Jennie's praise. Never in this book be penned Dullards. pray keep distance wide; Aught that ye might have to spare her, Type of infancy ere yet Thought has its impression set On the brow that may be found Yet with the proud laurel crowned, Joyful as a mother may Watch the dawn of reason's ray Growing into perfect day, Thus may thy fair mistress see VERSES ADDRESSED TO A FAIR FRIEND ON HER BIRTHDAY. SOME love the Springtime's promise bright, Some Summer's fuller joys; Some most in Autumn's charms delight, But winter most I prize: For thou in winter had thy birth Thou whose fair hand to own I'd count a gift of rarer worth 'Tis true, no scent of flowers nor hymn Of forest songsters free, Nor aught of beauty marks the time Of thy nativity,— Yet, in thy presence dear, to me 'Tis summer all the while; Yea, more than all its charms I see In thy love-lighted smile, Scarce did'st thou reach thy teens, sweet one, When it was plain to see That Beauty meant her chosen throne And now that thou'rt a woman grown, All honour then to that blest day May ever thus its advent gay Find loving friends around thee. May all thy life, beloved one, be And my reward for this brief lay 23rd Nov., 1845. THE MINSTREL TO HIS HARP. I'VE learned to look on fame as The crown poetic never To beauty's smile is given My worship now no more; Sad thoughts are all my store; TRANSLATIONS. LOCH-DUICH. (From the Author's "Clàrsach Nam Beann.") LOCH-DUICH, hail! O thou scene resplendent ! While storms are often o'er ocean sweeping, Well may the skiff of the fisher daring, Ye hills that soar in stern beauty yonder, How grand the sight when, with night advancing, Brown nuts and berries may 'mong them grow! The herd boy near them, with no less wonder DUN-DONNAN !* tow'ring there grim and hoary— Thou seem'st like Ossian, alone, lamenting * More properly Caisteal Donnain, once the residence of the "Stern son of Lord Kenneth, high Chief of Kintail!" |