II. TO THE SONS OF BURNS, AFTER VISITING THE GRAVE OF THEIR FATHER. "The Poet's grave is in a corner of the church-yard. We "looked at it with melancholy and painful reflections, re"peating to each other his own verses "Is there a man whose judgment clear, &c." Extract from the Journal of my Fellow-traveller. MID crowded Obelisks and Urns I sought the untimely grave of Burns; And more would grieve, but that it turns Through Twilight shades of good and ill And more than common strength and skill If ye would give the better will Its lawful sway. Hath Nature strung your nerves to bear The social hour for tenfold care There will be need. Even honest Men delight will take Your steps pursue; And of your Father's name will make Far from their noisy haunts retire, your voices to the quire And add That sanctify the cottage fire With service meet; There seek the genius of your Sire, Or where, mid ❝ lonely heights and hows, He paid to Nature tuneful vows; Or wiped his honourable brows Bedewed with toil, While reapers strove, or busy ploughs His judgment with benignant ray Nor deem that "light which leads astray, Let no mean hope your souls enslave; But be admonished by his grave, III. ELLEN IRWIN, OR THE BRAES OF KIRTLE. FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sate Upon the Braes of Kirtle, Was lovely as a Grecian Maid From many Knights and many Squires And Gordon, fairest of them all, By Ellen was rejected. Sad tidings to that noble Youth! For it may be proclaimed with truth, If Bruce hath loved sincerely, That Gordon loves as dearly. *The Kirtle is a River in the Southern part of Scotland, on whose banks the events here related took place. But what is Gordon's beauteous face, To them who sit by Kirtle's Braes Alas that ever he was born! The Gordon, couched behind a thorn, Sees them and their caressing; Beholds them blest and blessing. Proud Gordon cannot bear the thoughts And, stepping forth to meet the same, Did with her body cover The Youth, her chosen lover. And, falling into Bruce's arms, Thus died the beauteous Ellen, The mortal spear repelling. And Bruce, as soon as he had slain And fought with rage incessant |