literature. The Scotch critics of the last century delighted in comparing Ramsay's masterpiece with the pastorals of the Italian masters, and giving him the palm over these competitors. But the kind of composition is so different that a fair basis of comparison can hardly be said to exist. The Gentle Shepherd must be judged on its merits as a picture of real rustic life. Its fidelity to nature is attested by the welcome it received from the people whose life it described, and who saw themselves reflected there as they wished that others should see them-the harshness of their struggle for existence forgotten, and all their simple joys gathered up in the poet's imagination. WILLIAM MINTO. 1 [From The Gentle Shepherd.] JENNY AND PEGGY. Jenny. But, poortith, Peggy is the warst of a', Gif o'er your heads ill chance should beggary draw; 1 Frae duddy2 doublets and a pantry toom3. Troth, it's nae mows to be a married wife. May sic ill luck befa' that silly she Wha has sic fears, for that was never me. Let fowk bode weel, and strive to do their best ; That lads should a' for wives that's virtuous pray; cheerful. bankrupt. Syne a' behind's our ain. Thus without fear, With love and rowth1 we thro' the warld will steer; Jenny. But what if some young giglit on the green Peggy. Nae mair of that. Dear Jenny, to be free, 2 Has blest them with solidity of mind; 3 They'll reason calmly and with kindness smile, 4 A dish of married love right soon grows cauld, But we'll grow auld together, and ne'er find 1 plenty. -2 wonder. 8 mates. 5 dwindles. See yon twa elms that grow up side by side, Suppose them some years syne bridegroom and bride; Till wide their spreading branches are increas'd, Sic as stand single (a state sae liked by you), I've done. I yield dear lassie, I maun yield; Lies dern'd' within my breast this mony a day. PATIE AND PEGGY. Patie. By the delicious warmness of thy mouth 3 And rowing eye, which smiling tells the truth, You're made for love, and why should ye deny? But ken ye, lad, gin we confess o'er soon, Patie. But when they hing o'er lang upon the tree, And I have tholed and wooed a lang half-year. Peggy. Then dinna pu' me; gently thus I fa' Into my Patie's arms for good and a'. But stint your wishes to this kind embrace, And mint 5 nae farther till we've got the grace. 1 quarter. 2 hidden. • rolling. ✦ suff. red. 5 aim. Patie. O charming armfu'! Hence, ye cares away. Sun, gallop down the westling skies, [From The Tea-Table Miscellany.] THROUGH THE WOOD, Laddie. O Sandy, why leaves thou thy Nelly to mourn? When naething could please me, Now dowie I sigh on the bank of the burn, Ere through the wood, laddie, until thou return. Though woods now are bonny, and mornings are clear, And primroses springing, Yet nane of them pleases my eye or my ear, When through the wood, laddie, ye dinna appear. That I am forsaken some spare no to tell; Baith evening and morning; Their jeering aft gae; to my heart wi' a knell, Then stay, my dear Sandie, nae langer away, But quick as an arrow, Haste here to thy marrow, Wha's living in languor till that happy day, When through the wood, laddie, we'll dance, sing, and play. |