II. In vain to me the cowslips blaw, III. The merry ploughboy cheers his team, A dream of ane that never wauks. IV. The wanton coot the water skims, And maun I still, &c. V. The sheep-herd steeks his faulding slap, And owre the moorlands whistles shill, Wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step And maun I still, &c. VI. And when the lark, 'tween light and dark, VII. Come winter, with thine angry howl, And raging bend the naked tree; And maun I still on Menie doat, And bear the scorn that's in her e'e! For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk, An' it winna let a body be. We cannot presume to alter any of the poems of our bard, and more especially those printed under his own direction; yet it is to be regretted that this chorus, which is not of his own composition, should be attached to these fine stanzas, as it perpetually interrupts the train of sentiment which they excite. SONG VI. THE GLOOMY NIGHT, &c. AIR-ROSLIN CASTLE. I. THE gloomy night is gath'ring fast, Loud roars the wild inconstant blast, Yon murky cloud is foul with rain, I see it driving o'er the plain; The hunter now has left the moor, The scatt'red coveys meet secure, While here I wander prest wi' care, Along the lonely banks of Ayr. II. The autumn mourns her rip'ning corn Chill runs my blood to hear it rave, III. 'Tis not the surging billow's roar, 'Tis not that fatal, deadly shore; Though death in ev'ry shape appear, The wretched have no more to fear : But round my heart the ties are bound, That heart transpierc'd with many a wound; Those bleed afresh, those ties I tear, To leave the bonnie banks of Ayr. IV. Farewell, old Coila's hills and dales, SONG VII. FROM THEE, ELIZA, I MUST GO. AIR. GILDEROY. I. FROM thee, Eliza, I must go, And from my native shore: The cruel fates between us throw A boundless ocean's roar: But boundless oceans, roaring wide, My heart and soul from thee: A boding voice is in mine ear, But the last throb that leaves my heart, |