Honor's war we strongly waged, Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us, THE CHEVALIER'S LAMENT. THE small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning; The murmuring streamlet winds clear thro' the vale; The hawthorn trees blow in the dews of the morning, And wild-scatter'd cowslips bedeck the green dale: But what can give pleasure, or what can seem fair, While the lingering moments are number'd by care? No flow'rs gayly springing, nor birds sweetly singing Can soothe the sad bosom of joyless despair. The deed that I dar'd, could it merit their malice, His right are these hills, and his right are these valleys, But 'tis not my sufferings, thus wretched, forlorn, — THE gloomy night is gath'ring fast, II. The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn She sees the scowling tempest fly: III. 'Tis not the surging billows' roar, These bleed afresh, those ties I tear, IV. 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. FAREWELL TO AYRSHIRE. SCENES of wo and scenes of pleasure, Bonie Doon, sae sweet and gloamin, Bow'rs, adieu, whare Love, decoying, First inthrall'd this heart o' mine, There the safest sweets enjoying, 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, Could I think I did deserve it, Scenes of wo and scenes of pleasure, THE FAREWELL TO THE BRETHREN OF ST. JAMES'S LODGE, TARBOLTON. TUNE "Good night, and joy be wi' you a'!" I. ADIEU! a heart-warm, fond adieu! fl. Oft have I met your social band, And spent the cheerful, festive night; Oft, honor'd with supreme command, Which none but craftsmen ever saw! Strong mem'ry on my heart shall write Those happy scenes, when far awa'. III. May freedom, harmony, and love, IV. And you, farewell! whose merits claim, To him-the Bard that's far awa'' |