Land of crows, and kites, and frogs, Land of cats, and rats, and mice, Land of curry and of rice, Land of lawyers without wigs, Land of political intrigues, Land of riches and distress, Land of hovels-palaces! Land of ladies and of dancing, Land of singular financing, Land of browns, and blacks, and whites All deprived of their just rights, All the ills of life we share, While others, should they chance to live, But suppose we put in rhyme All the blessings of the clime, Thunder, lightning, storms, and rains, Cholera, rheumatic pains, Head-ach, heart-ach, stomach-ach, All disorders man can take, Doctors recipes and pills, Liver twinges-most expressive, Hope deferred our hearts to blight, Injuries we dare not right, Damp that blots, and spoils, and stains, Nora's book for all my pains, Such is India-such its plan, Oh, who would live in Hindoostan? THE DREAM OF CALDERWOOD. SWEET vision of life's morning stay, Let fitful fancy have her way, While back to Calderwood I stray Through glade and glen so green. Scene to happy childhood dear, Friends whose smile that scene could cheer, Sleep's witching wand will waft you near, Though oceans roll between. From yonder cliffs, see, Calder throws Bright thoughts of happy moments past Still may they beam on yon gray towers, Stay, lovely vision, yet a while, And, for a moment, try to wile It back to what has been! J. A. PRINGLE. |