Part 132 (1/2)

SUSANNA BLAMIRE.

This lady was born at Cardew Hall, near Carlisle, and remained there from the date of her birth (1747) till she was twenty years of age, when she accompanied her sister--who had married Colonel Graham of Duchray, Perths.h.i.+re--to Scotland, and continued there some years. She became enamoured of Scottish music and poetry, and thus qualified herself for writing such sweet lyrics as 'The Nabob,' and 'What ails this heart o'

mine?' On her return to c.u.mberland she wrote several pieces ill.u.s.trative of c.u.mbrian manners. She died unmarried in 1794. Her poetical pieces, some of which had been floating through the country in the form of popular songs, were collected by Mr Patrick Maxwell, and published in 1842. The two we have quoted rank with those of Lady Nairne in nature and pathos.

THE NABOB.

1 When silent time, wi' lightly foot, Had trod on thirty years, I sought again my native land Wi' mony hopes and fears.

Wha kens gin the dear friends I left May still continue mine?

Or gin I e'er again shall taste The joys I left langsyne?

2 As I drew near my ancient pile, My heart beat a' the way; Ilk place I pa.s.sed seemed yet to speak O' some dear former day; Those days that followed me afar, Those happy days o' mine, Whilk made me think the present joys A' naething to langsyne!

3 The ivied tower now met my eye, Where minstrels used to blaw; Nae friend stepped forth wi' open hand, Nae weel-kenned face I saw; Till Donald tottered to the door, Wham I left in his prime, And grat to see the lad return He bore about langsyne.

4 I ran to ilka dear friend's room, As if to find them there, I knew where ilk ane used to sit, And hang o'er mony a chair; Till soft remembrance throw a veil Across these een o' mine, I closed the door, and sobbed aloud, To think on auld langsyne!

5 Some pensy chiels, a new-sprung race, Wad next their welcome pay, Wha shuddered at my Gothic wa's, And wished my groves away.

'Cut, cut,' they cried, 'those aged elms, Lay low yon mournfu' pine.'

Na! na! our fathers' names grow there, Memorials o' langsyne.

6 To wean me frae these waefu' thoughts, They took me to the town; But sair on ilka weel-kenned face I missed the youthfu' bloom.

At b.a.l.l.s they pointed to a nymph Wham a' declared divine; But sure her mother's blus.h.i.+ng cheeks Were fairer far langsyne!

7 In vain I sought in music's sound To find that magic art, Which oft in Scotland's ancient lays Has thrilled through a' my heart.

The sang had mony an artfu' turn; My ear confessed 'twas fine; But missed the simple melody I listened to langsyne.

8 Ye sons to comrades o' my youth, Forgie an auld man's spleen, Wha' midst your gayest scenes still mourns The days he ance has seen.

When time has pa.s.sed and seasons fled, Your hearts will feel like mine; And aye the sang will maist delight That minds ye o' langsyne!

WHAT AILS THIS HEART O' MINE?

1 What ails this heart o' mine?

What ails this watery ee?

What gars me a' turn pale as death When I tak leave o' thee?

When thou art far awa', Thou'lt dearer grow to me; But change o' place and change o' folk May gar thy fancy jee.

2 When I gae out at e'en, Or walk at morning air, Ilk rustling bush will seem to say I used to meet thee there.

Then I'll sit down and cry, And live aneath the tree, And when a leaf fa's i' my lap, I'll ca't a word frae thee.

3 I'll hie me to the bower That thou wi' roses tied, And where wi' mony a blus.h.i.+ng bud I strove myself to hide.

I'll doat on ilka spot Where I ha'e been wi' thee; And ca' to mind some kindly word By ilka burn and tree.