Volume Ii Part 167 (2/2)

Haste, haste thee home unto thy mountain dwelling, Haste, as a bird unto its peaceful nest!

Haste, as a skiff, through tempests wide and swelling, Flies to its haven of securest rest!

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A WIFE'S SONG

O well I love the Spring, When the sweet, sweet hawthorn blows; And well I love the Summer, And the coming of the rose; But dearer are the changing leaf, And the year upon the wane, For O, they bring the blessed time That brings him home again.

November may be dreary, December's days may be As full of gloom to others As once they were to me; But O, to hear the tempest Beat loud against the pane!

For the roaring wind and the blessed time That brings him home again.

William c.o.x Bennett [1820-1895]

THE SAILOR'S WIFE

And are ye sure the news is true?

And are ye sure he's weel?

Is this a time to talk o' wark?

Ye jauds, fling by your wheel!

Is this a time to spin a thread, When Colin's at the door?

Rax down my cloak--I'll to the quay, And see him come ash.o.r.e.

For there's nae luck aboot the house, There's nae luck ava', There's little pleasure in the house, When our gudeman's awa'.

And gi'e to me my bigonet, My bishop's satin gown; For I maun tell the baillie's wife That Colin's in the town.

My Turkey slippers maun gae on, My stockins pearly blue; It's a' to pleasure our gudeman, For he's baith leal and true.

Rise, la.s.s, and mak' a clean fireside, Put on the muckle pot; Gi'e little Kate her b.u.t.ton gown, And Jock his Sunday coat.

And mak' their shoon as black as slaes, Their hose as white as snaw; It's a' to please my own gudeman, He likes to see them braw.

There's twa hens upon the bauk, Hae fed this month and mair; Mak' haste and thraw their necks about That Colin weel may fare!

And spread the table neat and clean, Gar ilka thing look braw; For wha can tell how Colin fared, When he was far awa'?

Sae true his heart, sae smooth his speech, His breath like caller air; His very foot has music in't As he comes up the stair.

And will I see his face again, And will I hear him speak?

I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought, In troth I'm like to greet!

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