YOUNG PEGGY. TUNE-Last time I came o'er the Muir. During the autumn of 1785, Burns had an opportunity of seeing and studying a being in a great measure new to him- a young accomplished lady of the upper classes. Miss Margaret (usually called in old Scottish style, Miss Peggy) K― was the daughter of a land-proprietor in Carrick: Burns met her at the house of a Mauchline friend, where she was paying a visit. The lively conversation of the young lady, which he interpreted into wit, her youth and beauty, deeply impressed the susceptible poet, and in a spirit of respect suitable to her rank and apparent destiny in life, he made her the subject of a song, which he sent to her enclosed in a letter. The song was first published after the poet's death. YOUNG Peggy blooms our bonniest lass, Her lips, more than the cherries bright, They charm th' admiring gazer's sight, Were Fortune lovely Peggy's foe, Ye powers of Honour, Love, and Truth, Still fan the sweet connubial flame 1 A letter to Miss Kappeared, without date, in Cromek's volume; the song of Young Peggy, in Stewart's edition of Burns's Poems. Their connection and date, and the manner of the poet's acquaintance with the lady, are given on the authority of his sister, who has a tolerably clear recollection of the circumstances. The bard could little imagine the sad fate which was in reality in store for Young Peggy. While this blooming creature of seventeen-for she was no SCOTCH DRINK. "Gie him strong drink, until he wink, And liquor guid, to fire his bluid, Till he forgets his loves or debts, And minds his griefs no more." SOLOMON'S PROVERBS, XXXi. 6, 7. We have now to see Burns in a different mood. He was no lover of drink, but his social spirit had invested it with many interesting associations in his mind. Looking round for subjects, the poem of Fergusson, entitled Caller Water, seems to have suggested to him a similar strain on the artificial beverages of his native country. LET other poets raise a fracas 'Bout vines, and wines, and drucken Bacchus, And crabbit names and stories wrack us, And grate our lug: I sing the juice Scotch beare can mak us, In glass or jug. vex ear older - appeared to be followed and wooed by a most eligible lover the youthful representative of the oldest and richest family in Galloway - and thus in the fair way to a dignified position in life, the powers of Honour, Love, and Truth had already been outraged, and a train of circumstances commenced, which was to end in the loss of her good name and her early death. O thou, my Muse! guid auld Scotch drink, jink, Or, richly brown, ream o'er the brink, In glorious faem, Inspire me, till I lisp and wink, To sing thy name! Let husky wheat the haughs adorn, And peas and beans, at e'en or morn, Perfume the plain, curling steal cream valleys bearded Leeze me on thee, John Barley- My delight is in Or tumblin' in the boilin' flood Wi' kail and beef; But when thou pours thy strong heart's blood, There thou shines chief. Food fills the wame, and keeps us livin'; belly The wheels o' life gae down-hill scrievin', gliding Thou clears the head o' doited Lear; stupid Lore Thou even brightens dark Despair Aft clad in massy siller weed, His wee drap parritch, or his bread, Thou art the life o' public haunts; relishest But thee, what were our fairs and rants? Without Even godly meetings,o' the saunts, By thee inspired, When gaping they besiege the tents, That merry night we get the corn in, 1 As ale in silver mugs, at the tables of the wealthy. 2 Brisk small-beer is a favorite relish to porridge in Scotland. This humane passage redeems much that is objectionable in the poem. 8 Sitting round the movable pulpits erected in the open air at parochial celebrations of the communion. - See notes to Holy Fair. |