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Oft did we see him driving full in view

At mid-day when the sun was shining bright;
What ill was on him, what he had to do,

A mighty wonder bred among our quiet crew.

Ah! piteous sight it was to see this man

When he came back to us, a withered flower,-
Or like a sinful creature, pale and wan.

Down would he sit; and without strength or power
Look at the common grass from hour to hour:
And oftentimes, how long I fear to say,

Where apple-trees in blossom made a bower,
Retired in that sunshiny shade he lay;

And, like a naked Indian, slept himself away.

Great wonder to our gentle Tribe it was
Whenever from our Valley he withdrew;
For happier soul no living creature has
Than he had, being here the long day through.

Some thought he was a lover, and did woo:

Some thought far worse of him, and judged him wrong:

But Verse was what he had been wedded to;

And his own mind did like a tempest strong

Come to him thus, and drove the weary Wight along.

With him there often walked in friendly guise
Or lay upon the moss by brook or tree
A noticeable Man with large grey eyes,
And a pale face that seemed undoubtedly
As if a blooming face it ought to be;

- Heavy his low-hung lip did oft appear

Deprest by weight of musing Phantasy;

Profound his forehead was, though not severe;

Yet some did think that he had little business here:

Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right;
Noisy he was, and gamesome as a boy;

His limbs would toss about him with delight

Like branches when strong winds the trees annoy.

Nor lacked his calmer hours device or toy
To banish listlessness and irksome care;

He would have taught you how you might employ
Yourself; and many did to him repair,—
And, certes, not in vain; he had inventions rare.

Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried:

Long blades of grass, plucked round him as he lay,

Made-to his ear attentively applied

A Pipe on which the wind would deftly play;
Glasses he had, that little things display,-
The beetle with hisradiance manifold,

A mailed angel on a battle day;

And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold; And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold.

He would entice that other Man to hear
His music, and to view his imagery:

And, sooth, these two did love each other dear,

As far as love in such a place could be;

There did they dwell-from earthly labour free,
As happy spirits as were ever seen;

If but a bird, to keep them company,

Or butterfly sate down, they were, I ween,

As pleased as if the same had been a Maiden Queen.

VI.

ELLEN IRWIN,

OR

THE BRAES OF KIRTLE.*

FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sate

Upon the Braes of Kirtle,

Was lovely as a Grecian Maid
Adorned with wreaths of myrtle.

Young Adam Bruce beside her lay;
And there did they beguile the day
With love and gentle speeches,
Beneath the budding beeches.

From many Knights and many Squires

The Bruce had been selected;

And Gordon, fairest of them all,

By Ellen was rejected.

Sad tidings to that noble Youth!

For it may be proclaimed with truth,

* The Kirtle is a River in the Southern part of Scotland, on whose banks the events here related took place.

If Bruce hath loved sincerely,

That Gordon loves as dearly.

But what is Gordon's beauteous face?

And what are Gordon's crosses

To them who sit by Kirtle's Braes

Upon the verdant mosses ?

Alas that ever he was born!

The Gordon, couched behind a thorn,

Sees them and their caressing,

Beholds them blest and blessing.

Proud Gordon cannot bear the thoughts
That through his brain are travelling,—
And, starting up, to Bruce's heart
He launched a deadly javelin!

Fair Ellen saw it when it came,

And, stepping forth to meet the same,

Did with her body cover

The Youth, her chosen lover.

And, falling into Bruce's arms,

Thus died the beauteous Ellen,

Thus from the heart of her True-love

The mortal spear repelling.

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