MONODY ON A LADY. 187 EXTEMPORE, ON MR. WILLIAM SMELLIE, AU- SHREWD Willie Smellie to Crochallan1 came, His heart was warm, benevolent, and good. INSCRIPTION FOR AN ALTAR TO INDEPEND THOU of an independent mind, Thy own reproach alone dost fear, MONODY ON A LADY FAMED FOR HER CAPRICE. How cold is that bosom which folly once fir'd; How pale is that cheek where the rouge lately glisten'd! How silent that tongue which the echoes oft tir'd; How dull is that ear which to flattery so listen'd! If sorrow and anguish their exit await, From friendship and dearest affection remov'd; How doubly severer, Eliza, thy fate! Thou diedst unwept, as thou livedst unlov'd. 1 There was a club in Edinburgh-the Crochallan Fencibles-of which Burns and Smellie were members. The lady was the Mrs. Riddel, whose name so often occurs in the Poet's history. Loves, Graces, and Virtues, I call not on you; And flowers let us cull for Eliza's cold bier. We'll search thro' the garden for each silly flower, For none e'er approach'd her but rued the rash deed. We'll sculpture the marble, we'll measure the lay; There keen Indignation shall dart on her prey, THE EPITAPH. HERE lies, now a prey to insulting neglect, Want only of goodness denied her esteem. SONNET, ON THE DEATH OF ROBERT RIDDEL No more, ye warblers of the wood-no more! The strain flows round th' untimely tomb where Ridde! lies. Yes, pour, ye warblers, pour the notes of woe! Thee, Spring, again with joy shall others greet; EXTEMPORE TO MR. SYME. IMPROMPTU, ON MRS. RIDDEL'S BIRTH-DAY, OLD Winter, with his frosty beard, Give me Maria's natal day! That brilliant gift will so enrich me, 189 Spring, Summer, Autumn, cannot match me. 'Tis done! says Jove; so ends my story, And Winter once rejoic'd in glory. TO MISS JESSY LEWARS, DUMFRIES, WITH BOOKS WHICH THE BARD PRESENTED HER. THINE be the volumes, Jessy fair, And with them take the Poet's prayer- EXTEMPORE TO MR. SYME, ON REFUSING TO No more of your guests, be they titled or not, TO MR. SYME, WITH A PRESENT OF A DOZEN OF PORTER. O, HAD the malt thy strength of mind, Jerusalem Tavern, Dumfries. SONNET, ON HEARING A THRUSH SING IN A SING on, sweet Thrush, upon the leafless bough; So in lone Poverty's dominion drear Sits meek Content with light unanxious heart, I thank thee, Author of this opening day! Thou whose bright sun now gilds the orient skies! What wealth could never give, nor take away! Yet come, thou child of poverty and care; The mite high Heav'n bestow'd, that mite with thee POEM, ADDRESSED TO MR. MITCHELL, COLLEC FRIEND of the Poet, tried and leal, Wi' a' his witches Are at it, skelpin! jig and reel, In my poor pouches. 191 APOLOGY TO An offended friend. I modestly fu' fain wad hint it, If wi' the hizzie down ye sent it, It would be kind; And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted,' So may the auld year gang out moaning To thee and thine; Domestic peace and comforts crowning The hale design. POSTSCRIPT. Ye've heard this while how I've been licket, And sair me sheuk; But by guid luck I lap a wicket, And turn'd a neuk. But by that health, I've got a share o't, Then farewell folly, hide and hair o't. SENT TO A GENTLEMAN WHOM HE HAD OFFENDED. THE friend whom wild from wisdom's way The fumes of wine infuriate send; (Not moony madness more astray;) Who but deplores that hapless friend? Mine was th' insensate frenzied part, 'Tis thine to pity and forgive. Beat. Waistcoat. Wiser. |