TAM SAMSON'S* ELEGY An honest man's the noblest work of God. POPE Has auld K********* seen the Deil ? To preach an' read? • Tam Samson's dead!' 6 * When this worthy old sportsman went out last muirfowl season, he supposed it was to be, in Ossian's phrase, the last of his fields;' and expressed an ardent wish to die and be buried in the muirs. On this hint the author composed his elegy and epitaph. + A certain preacher, a great favourite with the mil lion. Vide the Ordination, stanza II. † Another preacher, an equal favourite with the few, who was at that time ailing. For him see also the Ordi. nation, stanza IX. **** K* lang may grunt an' grane, An' sigh, an' sab, an' greet her lane, An' cleed her bairns, man, wife, an' wean, In mourning weed; To death, she's dearly paid the kane, Tam Samson's dead! The brethren of the mystic level Like ony Death's gien the lodge an unco devel, Tam Samson's dead! bead; When winter muffles up his cloak, And binds the mire like a rock; When to the loughs the curlers flock, Wi' gleesome speed; Wha will they station at the cock? Tam Samson's dead! He was the king o' a' the core, To guard, or draw, or wick a bore, Or up the rink like Jehu roar In time of need; But now he lags on death's hog-score, Tam Samson's dead! Now Now safe the stately sawmont sail, And trouts bedropp'd wi' crimson hail, And eels weel ken'd for souple tail, And geds for greed, Since dark in death's fish-creel we wail, Tam Samson dead! Rejoice ye birring paitricks a'; Withouten dread; Tam Samson's dead! / That woefu' morn be ever mourn'd Saw him in shootin graith adorn'd, While pointers round impatient burn'd, Frae couples freed; But, Och! he gaed and ne'er return'd! Tam Samson's dead! In vain auld age his body batters; An acre braid ! Tam Samson's dead! Owre Owre many a weary hag he limpit, An'ay the tither shot he thumpit, 'Till coward death behind him jumpit, Wi' deadly feide ; Now he proclaims, wi' tout o' trumpet, Tam Samson's dead! When at his heart he felt the dagger, He reeld his wonted bottle-swagger, But yet he drew the mortal trigger Wi' weel-aim'd heed; · L-d, five! he cry'd, an' owre did stagger; Tam Samson's dead! 6 a Ilk hoary hunter mourn'd a brither; Ilk sportsman youth bemoan'd a father; Yon auld gray stane, amang the heather, Marks out his head, Whare Burns has wrote, in rhyming blether, Tam Samson's dead! There low he lies, in lasting rest ; Perhaps upon his mould'ring breast Some spitefu' muirfowl bigs her nest, To hatch an' breed; Alas! nae mair he'll them molest! Tam Samson's dead! When August winds the heather wave, And sportsmen wander by yon grave, Three vollies let his mem'ry crave O' pouther an' lead, "Till Echo answer frae her cave, Tam Samson's dead! Heav'n rest his saul, whare'er he be! Yet what remead ? Tam Samson's dead! THE EPITAPH. . Tam Samson's weel-worn clay here lies, Ye canting zealots spare him! If honest worth in heaven rise, Ye'll mend or ye win near him. PER |
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