Volume V Part 5 (1/2)

Then when the toils of the day are all over, Gathered, delighted, set round in a ring-- Youth, with its mirthfulness--age, with its cheerfulness, Brimful of happiness, cheerily sing, ”Bright may our spirits be-- Happy and ever free.

Blest are the joys that from innocence spring.”

GOOD MORROW.[3]

Good morrow, good morrow! warm, rosy, and bright, Glow the clouds in the east, laughing heralds of light; Whilst still as the glorious colours decay, Full gushes of music seem tracking their way.

Hark! hark!

Is it the sheep-bell among the ling, Or the early milkmaid carolling?

Hark! hark!

Or is it the lark, As he bids the sun good-morrow?-- Good-morrow; Though every day brings sorrow.

The daylight is dying, the night drawing near, The workers are silent; yet ringing and clear, From the leafiest tree in the shady bowers, Comes melody falling in silvery showers.

Hark! hark!

Is it the musical chime on the hill, That sweetly ringeth when all is still?

Hark! hark!

Oh, sweeter than lark, Is the nightingale's song of sorrow, Of sorrow; But pleasure will come to-morrow.

FOOTNOTES:

[3] One of the stanzas of this song is the composition of the late Mary Russell Mitford and appears in her tale of Atherton. The other stanza was composed by Mr Bennoch, at the urgent request of his much loved friend.

OH, WAE'S MY LIFE.

Oh, wae's my life, and sad my heart, The saut tears fill my e'e, Willie, Nae hope can bloom this side the tomb, Since ye hae gane frae me, Willie.

O' warl's gear I couldna' boast, But now I'm poor indeed, Willie; The last fond hope I leant upon, Has fail'd me in my need, Willie.

For wealth or fame ye've left your Jean, Forgat your plighted vow, Willie; Can honours proud dispel the cloud, That darkens on your brow, Willie?

Oh, was I then a thing sae mean, For nought but beauty prized, Willie; Caress'd a'e day, then flung away, A fading flower despised, Willie?

Sin' love has fled, and hope is dead, Soon my poor heart maun break, Willie; As your ain life, oh, guard your wife-- I 'll love her for your sake, Willie.

Through my despair, oh, mony a prayer, Will rise for her and ye, Willie; That ye may prove to her, in love, Mair faithfu' than to me, Willie.

HEY, MY BONNIE WEE La.s.sIE.

Hey, my bonnie wee la.s.sie, Blythe and cheerie wee la.s.sie, Will ye wed a canty carle, Bonnie, bonnie wee la.s.sie?

I ha'e sheep, an' I ha'e kye, I ha'e wheat, an' I ha'e rye, An' heaps o' siller, la.s.s, forbye, That ye shall spen' wi' me, la.s.sie!

Hey, my bonnie wee la.s.sie, Blythe and cheerie wee la.s.sie, Will ye wed a canty carle, Bonnie, bonnie wee la.s.sie?

Ye shall dress in damask fine, My goud and gear shall a' be thine, And I to ye be ever kin'.