Among the beds of lilies I Have sought it oft, where it should lie; Until its lips e'en seem'd to bleed; U And its pure virgin lips to fold In whitest sheets of lilies cold. Had it lived long, it would have been Like to the Summer's rain; Or as the pearls of Morning's dew, Ne'er to be found again. HERRICK. Lament for James, Earl of Glencairn. 0000000000000HE wind blew hollow frae the hills, 0000000000? By fits the sun's departing beam Looked on the fading yellow woods, ing stream; Beneath a craigy steep, a bard, He leaned him to an ancient aik, Whose trunk was mouldering down with years; His locks were bleachèd white wi' time, "Ye scattered birds, that faintly sing, 156 LAMENT FOR JAMES, EARL OF GLENCAIRN. "I am a bending, agèd tree, That long has stood the wind and rain ; But now has come a cruel blast, And last hald of earth is gane, my Nae leaf o' mine shall greet the spring, And ithers plant them in my room. "I've seen sae mony changefu' years, I bear alane my lade o' care, "And last (the sum of a' my griefs!) His country's pride, his country's stay: In weary being now I pine, For a' the life of life is dead, And hope has left my aged ken, "Awake thy last sad voice, my harp! The voice of woe and wild despair! Awake, resound thy latest lay, Then sleep in silence evermair! LAMENT FOR JAMES, EARL OF GLENCAIRN. 157 And thou, my last, best, only friend, That fillest an untimely tomb, Accept this tribute from the bard Thou brought from Fortune's mirkest gloom. "In Poverty's low barren vale, Thick mists obscure involve me round; Though oft I turned the wistful eye, Nae ray of fame was to be found. "Oh! why has worth so short a date, A day to me so full of woe! "The bridegroom may forget the bride That smiles sae sweetly on her knee; But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, And a' that thou hast done for me!" BURNS. |