On the lofty ether borne, SONNET Written January 25, 1793, the Birth-day of the Author, On hearing a Thrush in a Morning Walk, SING on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough; Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain; See aged Winter, 'mid his surly reign, At thy blythe carol clears his furrow'd brow: So in lone Poverty's dominion drear, Sits meek Content with light, unanxious heart, Welcomes the rapid moments, bids them part, Nor asks if they bring aught to hope or fear. I thank thee, Author of this op'ning day! [skies! Thou whose bright sun now gilds yon orient Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys, What wealth could never give nor take away! Yet come, thou child of Poverty and Care; The mite high Heav'n bestow'd, that mite with thee I'll share. VERSES On seeing a wounded Hare limp by me, which a fellow INHUMAN man! curse on thy barb'rous art, No more the thick'ning brakes and verdant plains To thee shall home, or food, or pastime yield. Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest- The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn, THE AULD FARMER'S New-Year Morning Salutation to his Auld Mare Maggie, A GUID new year, I wish thee, Maggie! Thou could hae gaen like onie staggie" . Tho' now thou 's dowie, stiff, an' crazy, He should been tight that daur't to raise thee, Thou ance was i' the foremost rank, An' could hae flown out-owre a stank,d q A handful of unthreshed corn. Sunk in the back. u Diminutive of stag. r Belly. Like knaggs, or points of rocks. x Smooth like glass. y To inflame, or madden. Stout made. c Earth. a Firm, compacted. Stately. d A pool of standing water. It's now some nine-an'-twenty year, Tho' it was sma', 'twas weel won gear, When first I gaed to woo my Jenny, That day ye danc'd wi' muckle pride, Kyle Stewart' I could bragged" wide, Tho' now ye down but hoyte and hobble, For heels an' win'! An' ran them till they a' did wauble, When thou an' I were young an' skeigh, Town's bodies ran and stood abeigh, And ca't thee mad. e A marriage portion. f Stout. g Mother, dam. h Unlucky. A district in Aberdeenshire. o Amble crazily. That turns quickly. m Challenged. r To reel. Tedious, long about it. Town people. n Can Proud, high-mettled. u To scream. z At a shy distance. When thou was corn't,y an' I was mellow, But ev'ry tail thou paid them hollow, The sma', droop-rumpl't,a hunter-cattle, Nae whip nor spur, but just a wattlef Thou was a noble fittie-lan',h Aft thee an' 1, in aught hours gaun, Thou never braindg't," an' fecht," an' fliskit,P Till spritty knowes wad rair't and risket, When frosts lay lang an' snaws were deep, I gied thy cog" a wee bit heap y Well fed with oats. z A race at country weddings, who shall first reach the bridegroom's house on returning from church. a That droops at the crupper. b Perhaps. d A short race. e Made them wheeze. h The near-horse of the hindmost pair in the i Rope. k Eight Reeled forward. o Fought. p Fretted. c Worsted. f A twig. m Six. r Small hills fall of tough rooted plants or weeds. u Wooden Dish. Fell. |