["The following Poem will by many readers be well enough understood; but for the sake of those who are unacquainted with the manners and traditions of the country where the scene is cast, notes are added to give some account of the principal charms and spells of that night, so big with prophecy to the peasantry in the west of Scotland. The passion of prying into futurity makes a striking part of the history of human nature, in its rude state, in all ages and nations; and it may be some entertainment to a philosophic mind if any such should honor the author with a perusal, to see the remains of it, among the more unenlightened in our own" (R. B.). NOTES.]

I.

See

UPON that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans 2 dance,
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the route is taen,

Beneath the moon's pale beams;
There, up the Cove, to stray and rove,
Amang the rocks and streams
To sport that night:

II.

Amang the bonie winding banks, Where Doon rins, wimplin, clear; Where Bruce ance ruled the martial 4 ranks,

An' shook his Carrick spear; Some merry, friendly, country-folks Together did convene,

To burn their nits, an' pou their stocks,

An' haud their Halloween

Fu' blythe that night.

III.

The lasses feat an' cleanly neat,
Mair braw than when they're fine;

Their faces blythe fu' sweetly kythe

Hearts leal, an' warm, an' kin': The lads sae trig, wi' wooer-babs Weel-knotted on their garten; Some unco blate, an' some wi' gabs Gar lasses' hearts gang startin Whyles fast at night.