I enclose you, a For a' that and a' that, which was never in print: it is a much superior song to mine. I have been told that it was composed by a lady. To MR. CUNNINGHAM. SCOTTISH SONG. Now spring has clad the grove in green, The trout within yon wimpling burn And safe beneath the shady thorn My life was ance that careless stream, But love, wi' unrelenting beam, The The little flow'ret's peaceful lot, Which, save the linnet's flight, I wot, Nae ruder visit knows, Was mine; till love has o'er me past, The waken'd lav'rock warbling springs, In morning's rosy eye; O' witching love, in luckless hour, O had my fate been Greenland snows, Wi' man and nature leagu'd my foes, The wretch whase doom is, "hope nae mair," VOL, IV. R SCOTTISH SCOTTISH SONG. O BONNIE was yon rosy brier, That blooms sae far frae haunt o' man; And bonnie she, and ah, how dear! Yon rosebuds in the morning dew, They witness'd in their shade yestreen. All in its rude and prickly bower, That crimson rose, how sweet and fair!, But love is far a sweeter flower Amid life's thorny path o' care. The pathless wild, and wimpling burn, Written on the blank leaf of a copy of the last edition of my poems, presented to the lady, whom, in so many fictitious reveries of passion, but but with the most ardent sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of Chloris. 'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair Friend, Nor thou the gift refuse, Nor with unwilling ear attend The moralizing muse. Since thou, in all thy youth and charms, Must bid the world adieu, (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms) To join the friendly few. Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast, Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Still much is left behind; Still nobler wealth hast thou in store, The comforts of the mind! Thine is the self-approving glow, On conscious honour's part; And, dearest gift of heaven below, Thine friendship's truest heart. The joys refin'd of sense and taste, And doubly were the poet blest THIS will be delivered to you by a Dr. Brianton, who has read your works, and pants for the honour of your acquaintance, I do not know the gentleman; but his friend, who applied to me for this introduction, being an excellent young man, I have no doubt he is worthy of all acceptation. My |