On them gleamed the moon's wan lustre, Rising from their watery grave: I am Hosier's injured ghost, You now triumph free from fears, 'See these mournful spectres, sweeping Ghastly o'er this hated wave, Whose wan cheeks are stained with weeping; 35 Those were once my sailors bold; Lo! each hangs his drooping forehead, 'I, by twenty sail attended, Did this Spanish town affright: I had cast them with disdain, 40 45 And obeyed my heart's warm motion, To have quelled the pride of Spain. 'For resistance I could fear none, But with twenty ships had done 50 What thou, brave and happy Vernon, Had our foul dishonour seen, Of this gallant train had been. ‘Thus, like thee, proud Spain dismaying, And her galleons leading home, 55 Though condemned for disobeying, I had met a traitor's doom; 60 He has played an English part, Had been better far than dying Of a grieved and broken heart. ‘Unrepining at thy glory, Thy successful arms we hail; ‘Hence, with all my train attending We recall our shameful doom, Wander through the midnight gloom. 'O'er these waves for ever mourning Shall we roam, deprived of rest, If to Britain's shores returning, 65 70 75 80 After this proud foe subduing, When your patriot friends you see, And for England shamed in me.' 85 Richard Glover. CXLVII LAMENT FOR FLODden. I've heard them lilting at our ewe-milking, Lasses a' lilting before dawn o' day; But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning- At bughts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning, Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighing and sabbing, In har'st, at the shearing, nae youths now are jeering, At fair or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching— At e'en, in the gloaming, nae younkers are roaming But ilk ane sits drearie, lamenting her dearie— 4 ΙΟ 15 20 'Dool and wae for the order, sent our lads to the Border! N Jane Elliott. CXLVIII WAE'S ME FOR PRINCE CHARLIE. A wee bird came to our ha' door; And aye the o'ercome o' his sang Was 'Wae's me for Prince Charlie!' The tears came drapping rarely; I took my bonnet aff my head, For weel I lo'ed Prince Charlie. 5 Quoth I: 'My bird, my bonny, bonny bird, 10 Or is't some words ye've learned by rote, 'Oh no, no, no,' the wee bird sang, Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie ! 'O'er hills that are by right his ain He roams a lonely stranger; On ilka side by danger. My heart near bursted fairly : For sadly changed indeed was he— 15 20 'Dark night came on; the tempest howled 25 Out owre the hills and valleys; And whare was't that your Prince lay down, He rowed him in a Highland plaid, But now the bird saw some red coats, 'Oh, this is no a land for me— I'll tarry here nae langer.' A while he hovered on the wing, Ere he departed fairly; But weel I mind the farewell strain 'Twas 'Wae's me for Prince Charlie !' 30 35 40 William Glen. CXLIX AN ODE. IN IMITATION OF ALCEUS. What constitutes a State? Not high-raised battlement or laboured mound, Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned; Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. With powers as far above dull brutes endued In forest, brake, or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude; Men, who their duties know, But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain, Prevent the long-aimed blow, And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain: 5 ΙΟ 15 |