The treasures are squandered again; And here in the grave are all metals forbid, The first tabernacle to Hope we will build, The second to Faith, which insures it fulfilled; And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, Who bequeathed us them both when He rose to the skies. Robert Gilfillan. { Born 1798. A NATIVE of Dunfermline, he was for some time a clerk in Leith, and subsequently collector of poors-rates there. THE EXILE'S SONG. OH! why left I my hame? The palm-tree waveth high, Wi' its tassels on the lea, Oh! here no Sabbath bell Awakes the Sabbath morn, Nor song of reapers heard Amang the yellow corn: There's a hope for every woe, James Hislop. { Born 1798. BORN in Kirkconnel, near Sanquhar, in July 1798. In early life he was occupied as a shepherd in the neighbourhood of Airsmoss, interesting for its Covenanting associations. Here, at the grave of one of the Covenanters, he composed "The Cameronian's Dream." He is also the author of several other beautiful poems. Hislop afterwards became a teacher, and, through the influence of Lord Jeffrey, he was appointed schoolmaster in a man-of-war. He died of fever at St Jago, 4th December 1827. THE CAMERONIAN'S DREAM. In a dream of the night I was wafted away, And far up in heaven near the white sunny cloud, But, oh! there were hearts cherished far other feelings, Who drank from the scenery of beauty but sorrow, 'Twas the few faithful ones who with Cameron were lying, Their faces grew pale, and their swords were unsheathed, But the vengeance that darkened their brow was unbreathed; With eyes turned to heaven in calm resignation, The hills with the deep mournful music were ringing, Though in mist and in darkness and fire they were shrouded, The muskets were flashing, the blue swords were gleaming, When the righteous had fallen, and the combat was ended, A seraph unfolded its doors bright and shining, On the arch.of the rainbow the chariot is gliding, Thomas Hood. Born 1798. Died 1845. THIS poet, humorist, and accomplished writer, was born in London, his father being a bookseller there. Hood was sent to a merchant's office early in life, but his health failing, he was sent to Dundee to recruit, and on his return to London was apprenticed to an engraver, under whom he learned much of the art which was useful to him in his after career. In 1821 he adopted literature as a profession, and was appointed to the editorship of the London Magazine, which he held till its discontinuance. Hood was a busy writer, and enlivened the weeklies and monthlies with his wit and humour. He is the author of several volumes of poetry and prose; but the piece by which he is best known is "The Song of the Shirt," which first appeared in "Punch." It struck home to the sympathies of man's nature, and aroused the feelings of a benevolent public in favour of the poor seamstress. After a long and wasting illness, Hood died 3d May 1845. THE SONG OF THE SHIRT. WITH fingers weary and worn, In poverty, hunger, and dirt; She sang "Work-work-work! While the cock is crowing aloof! And work-work-work! Till the stars shine through the roof! It's oh! to be a slave, Along with the barbarous Turk, "Work-work-work! Till the brain begins to swim; Till the eyes are heavy and dim! Seam, and gusset, and band, And sew them on in a dream! "O men, with sisters dear! O men, with mothers and wives, It is not linen you're wearing out! But human creatures' lives! Stitch-stitch-stitch! In poverty, hunger, and dirt; Sewing at once, with a double thread, A shroud as well as a shirt. "Work-work-work! My labour never flags; And what are its wages? A bed of straw, That shattered roof-and this naked floor A table-a broken chair; And a wall so blank, my shadow I thank "Oh! but to breathe the breath Of the cowslip and primrose sweet— And the grass beneath my feet, "Oh, but for one short hour! No blessed leisure for love or hope, A little weeping would ease my heart, My tears must stop, for every drop With fingers weary and worn, In poverty, hunger, and dirt; Would that its tone could reach the rich! She sang this "Song of the Shirt!" |