Volume Ii Part 27 (2/2)

And when life's path grows dark and strait, And pressing ills on ills await, Then friends.h.i.+p, sorrow to abate, The helping hand will offer.

Taste life's, &c.

She dries his tears, she strews his way, E'en to the grave, with flow'rets gay, Turns night to morn, and morn to day, And pleasure still increases.

Taste life's, &c.

Of life she is the fairest band, Joins brothers truly hand in hand, Thus, onward to a better land, Man journeys light and cheerly.

Taste life's, &c.

[101] These verses, which form a translation of _Freut euch des Libens_, were written at Leipsig in 1795, when the author was on his continental tour. He was then in his twentieth year.

GOOD NIGHT, AND JOY BE WI' YE A'.

Good night, and joy be wi' ye a', Your harmless mirth has cheer'd my heart; May life's fell blasts out o'er ye blaw; In sorrow may ye never part!

My spirit lives, but strength is gone, The mountain-fires now blaze in vain; Remember, sons, the deeds I 've done, And in your deeds I 'll live again!

When on yon muir our gallant clan, Frae boasting foes their banners tore; Wha shew'd himself a better man, Or fiercer waved the red claymore?

But when in peace--then mark me there-- When through the glen the wand'rer came, I gave him of our lordly fare, I gave him here a welcome hame.

The auld will speak, the young maun hear; Be cantie, but be gude and leal; Your ain ills aye hae heart to bear, Anither's aye hae heart to feel.

So, ere I set, I 'll see ye s.h.i.+ne; I 'll see ye triumph ere I fa'; My parting breath shall boast you mine-- Good night, and joy be wi' ye a'!

OLD AND NEW TIMES.[102]

AIR--_”Kellyburn Braes.”_

Hech! what a change hae we now in this town!

The lads a' sae braw, the la.s.ses sae glancin', Folk maun be dizzie gaun aye in the roun'

For deil a haet 's done now but feastin' and dancin'.

Gowd 's no that scanty in ilk siller pock, When ilka bit laddie maun hae his bit staigie; But I kent the day when there was nae a Jock, But trotted about upon honest shank's naigie.

Little was stown then, and less gaed to waste, Barely a mullin for mice or for rattens; The thrifty housewife to the flesh-market paced, Her equipage a'--just a gude pair o' pattens.

Folk were as good then, and friends were as leal, Though coaches were scant, wi' their cattle a-cantrin'; Right air we were tell 't by the housemaid or chiel', Sir, an' ye please, here 's your la.s.s and a lantern.

The town may be clouted and pieced, till it meets A' neebours benorth and besouth, without haltin'; Brigs may be biggit ower lums and ower streets, The Nor' Loch itsel' heaped heigh as the Calton.

But whar is true friends.h.i.+p, and whar will you see, A' that is gude, honest, modest, and thrifty?

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