EPISTLE TO JAMES SMITH The magic-wand then let us wield; Wi' wrinkl'd face, Comes hostin', hirplin' owre the field, When ance life's day draws near the gloamin' An' fareweel dear, deluding woman, O Life! how pleasant, in thy morning. Like school-boys, at th' expected warning, We wander there, we wander here, Among the leaves; And tho' the puny wound appear, Some, lucky, find a flow'ry spot, For which they never toil'd nor swat; But care or pain; And haply eye the barren hut With steady aim, some fortune chase, Then cannie, in some cozie place, They close the day. And others, like your humble servan', Poor wights! nae rules nor roads observin' To right or left eternal swervin', They zig-zag on; Till, curst with age, obscure an' starvin', They aften groan. Alas! what bitter toil an' straining- E'en let her gang! Beneath what light she has remaining, My pen I here fling to the door, And kneel, ye Pow'rs! and warm implore, "Tho' I should wander Terra o'er, In all her climes, Grant me but this, I ask no more, Aye rowth o' rhymes. EPISTLE TO JAMES SMITH 'Gie dreepin' roasts to countra lairds An' yill an' whisky gie to cairds, 'A title, Dempster1 merits it; A garter gie to Willie Pitt; Gie wealth to some be-ledger'd cit, But give me real, sterling wit, And I'm content. 'While ye are pleas'd to keep me hale, As lang's the Muses dinna fail To say the grace.' An anxious e'e I never throws Sworn foe to sorrow, care, and prose, O ye douce folk that live by rule, Grave, tideless-blooded, calm an' cool, Compar'd wi' you-O fool! fool! fool! 1A conspicuous orator in Parliament, and a true patriot. How much unlike! Your hearts are just a standing pool, Nae hare-brain'd, sentimental traces Ye never stray; But gravissimo, solemn basses Ye hum away. Ye are sae grave, nae doubt ye're wise; The hairum-scairum, ram-stam boys, I see ye upward cast your eyes- Whilst I-but I shall haud me there, Wi' you I'll scarce gang ony whereThen, Jamie, I shall say nae mair, But quat my sang, Content wi' you to mak a pair, Whare'er I gang. WRITTEN IN FRIARS CARSE HERMITAGE WRITTEN IN FRIARS CARSE HERMITAGE, ON NITHSIDE THOU whom chance may hither lead, Be thou clad in russet weed, Be thou deckt in silken stole, Grave these counsels on thy soul. Life is but a day at most, Fear not clouds will always lour. As Youth and Love, with sprightly dance, Pleasure with her siren air May delude the thoughtless pair; Let Prudence bless Enjoyment's cup, As thy day grows warm and high, Life's meridian flaming high, Dost thou spurn the humble vale? Life's proud summits wouldst thou scale? Check thy climbing step, elate, Evils lurk in felon wait: |