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 scatter'd coveys meet secure,
While here I wander, prest with care,
Along the lonely banks of Ayr.
The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn
By early Winter's ravage tòrn;
Across her placid azure sky
She sees the scowling tempest fly:
Chill runs my blood to hear it rave,
I think upon the stormy wave,
Where many a danger I must dare,
Far from the bonie banks of Ayr.
"Tis not the surging billows' 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;
These bleed afresh, those ties I tear,
To leave the bonie banks of Ayr.
Farewell! old Coila's hills and dales, Her heathy moors and winding vales, The scenes where wretched fancy roves, Pursuing past, unhappy loves!
Farewell, my friends! farewell, my foes! My peace with these, my love with those; The bursting tears my heart declare, Farewell the bonie banks of Ayr.
SCENES of wo and scenes of pleasure,
Scenes that former thoughts renew,
Scenes of wo and scenes of pleasure,
Now a sad and last adieu!
Bonie Doon, sae sweet and gloamin,
Fare thee weel before I gang!
Bonie Doon, whare, early roaming,
First I weav'd the rustic sang!
Bow'rs, adieu, whare Love, decoying,
First inthrall'd this heart o' mine,
There the safest sweets enjoying,
Sweets that Mem'ry ne'er shall tyme!
Friends, so near my bosom ever,
Ye hae render'd moments dear
But, alas! when forc'd to sever,
Then the stroke, O how severe !
Friends! that parting tear, reserve it,
Tho' 'tis doubly dear to me;
Could I think I did deserve it,
How much happier would I be!
Scenes of wo and scenes of pleasure,
Scenes that former thoughts renew,
Scenes of wo and scenes of pleasure,
Now a sad and last adieu !
THE FAREWELL TO THE BRETHREN OF ST JAMES'S LODGE, TARBOLTON.
"Good night, and joy be wử you a'!”
ADIEU! a heart-warm, fond adieu!
Dear brothers of the mystic tye!
Ye favor'd, ye enlighten'd few,
Companions of my social joy!
Tho' I to foreign lands must hie,
Pursuing fortune's sliddery ba',
With melting heart, and brimful eye,
I'll mind you still, tho' far awa'.
Oft have I met your social band,
And spent the cheerful, festive night;
Oft, honor'd with supreme command,
Presided o'er the suns of light:
And by that hieroglyphic bright,
Which none but craftsmen ever saw! Strong mem'ry on my heart shall write Those happy scenes, when far awa'.
May freedom, harmony, and love,
Unite you in the grand design,
Beneath the Omniscient Eye above,
The glorious Architect divine!
That you may keep the unerring line,
Still rising by the plummet's law,
Till order bright completely shine,
Shall be my pray'r when far awa'.
And you, farewell! whose merits claim,
Justly, that highest badge to wear!
Heav'n bless your honor'd, noble name,
To Masonry and Scotia dear!
A last request permit me here,
When yearly ye assemble a',
One round, I ask it with a tear,
To him—the Bard that's far awa’!
FAREWELL TO ELIZA.
TUNE — “
“Gilderoy.”
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,
Between my love and me,
They never, never can divide
My heart and soul from thee.
Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear,
The maid that I adore!
A boding voice is in mine ear,
We part to meet no more.
But the last throb that leaves my heart,
While death stands victor by,
That throb, Eliza, is thy part,
And thine that latest sigh'
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