I doubt na, lass, but ye may think, That ye can please me wi' a wink, O Tibby, I hae, &c. But sorrow take him that's sae mean, Altho' a lad were e'er sae smart, But if he hae the name o' gear, Tho' hardly he for sense or lear, O Tibby, I hae, &c. But, Tibby, lass, take my advice, There lives a lass in yonder park, For thee wi' a' thy thousand mark,-- Q Tibby, I hae, &c, XXXI. O CEASE, YE HOWLING WINDS, TO BLOW. O cease, ye howling winds, to blow, Anguish most keen o'erwhelms my soul. Go, fell Despair, I seek not thee, Who paints so black things that might be. Thro' silent midnight's solemn hour, Come, gentle Hope, assume thy reign, XXXII. TO LAURA. Maid of the cold suspicious heart, Oh! wherefore doubt thy Henry's love? Imputing thus to practised art The signs that real passion prove. While through the sleepless night I sigh, While harmony my soul disdains, While I in fix'd attention gaze, And while, though others loudly praise, While I reject thy offer'd hand, And shun the touch which others seek, Alone with thee in silence stand, Nor dare, though chance befriend me, speak→ Ah! Laura, while I thus impart The ardent love in which I pine, While all these symptoms speak my heart, XXXIII. MAISUNA *. The russet suit of camel's hair, With spirits light, and eye serene, Is dearer to my bosom far Than all the trappings of a queen. Maisuna was a daughter of the tribe of Calab, and was married whilst y young to the Khaliph Mowiah. This exalted situation, however, by na E The humble tent, and murmuring breeze Better than towers and splendid halls, The attendant colts that bounding fly, Than gorgeous mules in all their pride. The watch-dog's voice that bays, whene'er Than yonder trumpet's long-drawn note. The rustic youth, unspoil'd by art, Son of my kindred, poor but free, Will ever to Maisuna's heart Be dearer, pamper'd fool, than thee. means suited the disposition of Maisuna; and, amidst all the pomp and splendour of Damascus, she languished for the simple pleasures of her native desert. These feelings gave birth to the preceding simple stanzas, which she took delight in singing, whenever she could find an opportunity to indulge her melancholy in private.-She was overheard one day by Mowiah, who, as a punishment, ordered her to retire from court.-Maisuna immediately obeyed, and taking her infant son, Yezid, with her, returned to Yeman, her native place, to enjoy what" was dearer to her bosom far than all the trappings of a queen." |