From marking wildly-scatter'd flowers, ADDRESS TO THE SHADE OF THOMSON, ON CROWNING HIS BUST, AT EDNAM, ROXBURGHSHIRE, WITH BAYS. [Written by desire of the poet's friend, the Earl of Buchan.] WHILE virgin Spring, by Eden's flood, Or pranks the sod in frolic mood, The hills whence classic Yarrow flows, Or sweeping wild, a waste of snows: So long, sweet Poet of the Year, Shall bloom that wreath thou well hast won; While SCOTIA, with exulting tear, Proclaims that THOMSON was her son. THOU's welcome, wean, mishanter fa' me, If aught of thee or of thy mammy, 1 This poem is chiefly remarkable for the grand stanzas on the castle and Holyrood with which it concludes.—Lockhart. 2 This “ Address" is omitted by Dr. Currie, and as its contents are rather of too indelicate a complexion to need elucidation, the commentator has withheld his pen. Shall ever danton me or awe me, My sweet wee lady, Or if I blush when thou shalt ca' me Wee image of my bonnie Betty, As a' the priests had seen me get What tho' they ca' me fornicator, An auld wife's tongue's a feckless matter Sweet fruit o' monie a merry dint, Sin' thou came to the warl' asklent, Which fools may scoff at; An' if thou be what I wad hae thee, If thou be spared; Thro' a' thy childish years I'll e'e thee, Gude grant that thou may ay inherit 13* TO A HAGGIS.1 FAIR fa' your honest, sonsie2 face, 4 Painch, tripe, or thairm:" Weel are ye wordy of a grace As lang's my arm. The groaning trencher there ye fill, While thro' your pores the dews distil His knife see rustic labor dight," And then, O what a glorious sight, Warm-reeking rich! Then horn for horns they stretch an' strive: Then auld guidman, maist like to rive,“ Is there that o'er his French ragout, Or fricassee wad make her spew Wi' perfect sconner, Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view Poor devil! see him owre his trash, 4 1 A kind of pudding boiled in the stomach of a cow, or sheep.-2 Engaging, pleasing.-3 Above. - Paunch.-5 A small gut.-6 Worthy.-7 Wipc clean.- A spoon made of horn.-9 Bellies.-10 By and by.-11 To split.12 Grace after meat.-13 Surfeit.-14 Loathing.-15 Puny, weak. His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash, Thro' bloody flood or field to dash, But mark the rustic, haggis-fed, He'll mak it whissle; An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned,* Ye Powers wha mak mankind your care, But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer, ADDRESS TO THE TOOTHACHE. My curse upon thy venom'd stang, When fevers burn, or ague freezes, But thee-thou hell o' a' diseases, Ay mocks our groan! Adown my beard the slavers trickle! I throw the wee stools o'er the mickle," 1 The fist.-2 Nut.-3 Large, ample.-4 To lop off-5 Tops of thistles.• Small portions.—7 A jerk of waters, or a thin potion that will jerk or quash like water.8 A small wooden dish with a handle. Ears. 10 The greater. .3 As round the fire the giglets1 keckle2 8 9 O' a' the numerous human dools," The tricks o' knaves, or fash" o' fools, Where'er that place be priests ca' hell, Thou, Toothache, surely bear'st the bell O thou grim, mischief-making chiel', Gie a' the faes o' Scotland's weal A towmond's16 Toothache! TO A POSTHUMOUS CHILD, BORN IN PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF DISTRESS. SWEET floweret, pledge o' meikle” love, November hirples18 o'er the lea, - Fools.-2 Laugh.-3 Leap, jump. * A board in which are driven a number of sharp iron pins, used for dressing hemp, flax, &c. 5 Backside.—6 Sorrows.—7 Bad harvests.-8 Foolish bargains.—9 Stool of repentance.-10 Laid in the grave.-11 Trouble.-12 The victory.-13 Row. —14 Above. -15 Makes,-16 A twelvemonth. -17 Much.-18 Creeps, or limps. |