Alas! how aft in haughty mood, Baith careless, and fearless Of either heav'n or hell! It's a' an idle tale! VII. Then let us cheerfu' acquiesce; And, even should misfortunes come, The real guid and ill. Tho' losses, and crosses, Be lessons right severe, There's wit there, ye'll get there, Ye'll find nae other where. VIII. But tent me, Davie, ace o' hearts! (To say aught less wad wrang the cartes, And flatt'ry I detest) And joys that riches ne'er could buy ;: And joys the very. best. There's a' the pleasures o' the heart, Ye hae your Meg, your dearest part, It warms me, it charms me, It heats me, it beets me, And sets me a' on flame! IX. O all ye Pow'rs who rule above! → Thou, whose very self art love Thou know'st my words sincere ! Her dear idea brings relief X. All hail, ye tender feelings dear! Long since, this world's thorny ways Had it not been for you! Fate still has blest me with a friend, A tie more tender still. It lightens, it brightens To meet with, and greet with XI. O, how that name inspires my style! The ready measure rins as fine, And then he'll hilch, and stilt, and jimp, An' rin an' unco fit; But lest then, the beast then, Should rue this hasty ride, THE LAMENT, OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE OF A FRIEND'S AMOUR, Alas! how oft does Goodness wound itself, HOME. Ι. O THOU pale orb, that silent shines, I II. I joyless view thy rays adorn The faintly marked distant hill; My sad, love-lorn lamentings claim ! No fabled tortures, quaint and tame; IV. Encircl'd in her clasping arms, How have the raptur'd moments flown! How have I wished for fortune's charms, For her dear sake, and her's alone! And must I think it! is she gone, My secret heart's exulting boast? And does she heedless hear my groan? And is she ever, ever lost ? V.. O! can she bear so base a heart, The plighted husband of her youth! |