Page:The Book of Scottish Song.djvu/441

Rh This thought will cheer the minstrel's heart,—

Forget though others may,

That thou wilt sing the song, sweet child,

When I am far away.

Unknown to wealth and friendship too

Though oft the minstrel sings,

Give him his "fame," though small the due,

He'll laugh at crowns and kings,

Ev'n I—the thought is heaven to me—

Ev'n I my meed shall ha'e,

Since thou wilt sing the song, sweet child!

When I am far away.

[ "The Storm, and other Poems, by ," London, 1841.]

, on Cample's bonnie flood,

The summer moon was shining;

While, on a bank in Crichope wood,

Two fond hearts were reclining:

They spak' o' youth an' hoary age,

O' time, how swiftly fleeting;

Of ilka thing, in sooth, but ane,—

The reason of their meeting!

When Willie thocht his heart was firm,

An' micht declare its feeling,

A glance frae Bessie's starry een

Sent a' his senses reeling;

For aye when he essay'd to speak,

An' she prepared to hear him,

The thochts in crimson dyed his cheek,

An' words would no' come near him!

But nature, gentle mither, came

In pity to assist him;

She whisper'd what he ought to do—

'Twas her advice that bless'd him!

He flung his arm around her neck,

Nor did the maid resent it;

Syne kiss'd her ripe and rosy lip—

A deed he ne'er repented.

'Tis ever thus that love is taught

By his divinest teacher;

He silent adoration seeks,

But shuns the prosy preacher.