Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/788

 Cold inhumanity, Burning insanity, Into her rest.— Cross her hands humbly As if praying dumbly, Over her breast!

Owning her weakness, Her evil behaviour, And leaving, with meekness, Her sins to her Saviour!

WILLIAM THOM

1798-1848

655. The Blind Boy's Pranks

Men grew sae cauld, maids sae unkind, Love kentna whaur to stay: Wi' fient an arrow, bow, or string— Wi' droopin' heart an' drizzled wing, He faught his lonely way.

'Is there nae mair in Garioch fair Ae spotless hame for me? Hae politics an' corn an' kye Ilk bosom stappit? Fie, O fie! I'll swithe me o'er the sea.'

He launch'd a leaf o' jessamine, On whilk he daur'd to swim, An' pillow'd his head on a wee rosebud, Syne laithfu', lanely, Love 'gan scud Down Ury's waefu' stream.

655. kentna] knew not. wi' fient an arrow] i. q. with deuce an arrow. swithe] hie quickly. laithfu'] regretful.