When the sky it was mirk, and the winds they were wailing, I sate on the beach wi' the tear in my e'e, And thought o' the bark where my Willie was sailing, And wished that the tempest could a' blaw on me. Now that thy gallant ship rides at her mooring, That ere o'er Inch Keith drove the dark ocean faem. When the lights they did blaze, and the guns they did rattle, And blithe was each heart for the great victory, In secret I wept for the dangers of battle, And thy glory itself was scarce comfort to me. But now shalt thou tell, while I eagerly listen, And, trust me, I'll smile, though my e'en they may glisten; And oh, how we doubt when there's distance 'tween lovers, When there's naething to speak to the heart through the e'c. How often the kindest and warmest prove rovers, And the love of the faithfullest ebbs like the sea. Till, at times, could I help it? I pined and I pondered, Welcome, from sweeping o'er sea and through channel, Furnishing story for glory's bright annal, Enough now thy story in annals of glory Has humbled the pride of France, Holland, and Spain; No more shalt thou grieve me, no more shalt thou leave me, I never will part with my Willie again. THE MAID OF NEIDPATH. THERE is a tradition in Tweeddale that, when Neidpath Castle, near Peebles, was inhabited by the Earls of March, a mutual passion subsisted between a daughter of that noble family and a son of the laird of Tushielaw, in Ettricke Forest. As the alliance was thought unsuitable by her parents, the young man went abroad. During his absence the lady fell in a consumption; and at length, as the only means of saving her life, her father consented that her lover should be recalled. On the day when he was expected to pass through Peebles, on the road to Tushielaw, the young lady, though much exhausted, caused herself to be carried to the balcony of a house in Peebles, belonging to the family, that she might see him as he rode past. Her anxiety and eagerness gave such force to her organs. that she is said to have distinguished his horse's footsteps at an incredible distance. But Tushielaw, unprepared for the change in her appearance, and not expecting to see her in that place, rode on, without recognising her, or even slackening his pace. The lady was unable to support the shock, and, after a short struggle, died in the arms of her attendants. There is an incident similar to this traditional tale in Count Hamilton's "Fleur d'Epine." O LOVERS' eyes are sharp to see, Can lend an hour of cheering. All sunk and dim her eyes so bright, Across her cheek was flying; Yet keenest powers, to see and hear, Ere scarce a distant form was kenned, He came he passed-a heedless gaze, THE BARD'S INCANTATION. WRITTEN UNDER THE THREAT OF INVASION, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1801. Published in the Edinburgh Annual Register, 1808. THE Forest of Glenmore is drear, It is all of black pine, and the dark oak-tree; The moon looks through the drifting storm, There is a voice among the trees That mingles with the groaning oakThat mingles with the stormy breeze, And the lake-waves dashing against the rock ;There is a voice within the wood, The voice of the Bard in fitful mood, His song was louder than the blast, As the Bard of Glenmore through the forest passed. "Wake ye from your sleep of death, Souls of the mighty! wake and say, To what high strain your harps were strung, And on your shores her Norsemen flung? Mute are ve all? No murmurs strange Mute are ye now?-Ye ne'er were mute, When Murder with his bloody foot, And Rapine with his iron hand, Were hovering near your mountain strand. O yet awake the strain to tell, By every chief who fought or fell, For Albion's weal in battle bold ;- By all their swords, by all their scars, For fiercer than fierce Hengist's strain, The wind is hushed, and still the lake- At the dread voice of other years- TO A LADY. WITH FLOWERS FROM A ROMAN WALL. Published in the Edinburgh Anuual Register for 1808, TAKE these flowers, which, purple waving, Warriors from the breach of danger THE VIOLET. Published in the Edinburgh Annual Register for 1808. THE Violet in her green-wood bower, Where birchen boughs with hazels mingle, May boast itself the fairest flower In glen, or copse, or forest dingle. Though fair her gems of azure hue, Beneath the dew-drop's weight reclining; I've seen an eye of lovelier blue, More sweet through watery lustre shining. The summer sun that dew shall dry, Ere yet the day be passed its morrow; Nor longer in my false love's eye Remained the tear of parting sorrow. HUNTING SONG. Published in the Edinburgh Annual Register for 1808. WAKEN lords and ladies gay, On the mountain dawns the day, All the jolly chase is here, With hawk, and horse, and hunting-spear; Hounds are in their couples yelling, Hawks are whistling, horns are knelling, Merrily, merrily, mingle they, "Waken lords and ladies gay." Waken lords and ladies gay, The mist has left the mountain grey, Waken lords and ladies gay, Louder, louder chant the lay, Tell them youth, and mirth, and glee, Time, stern huntsman! who can balk, Stanch as hound, and fleet as hawk; THE RESOLVE. IN IMITATION OF AN OLD ENGLISH POEM. Published in the Edinburgh Annual Register for 1808. My wayward fate I needs must plain, I loved, and was beloved again, |