Cauld blew the bitter-biting north Scarce rear'd above the parent-earth The flaunting flow'rs our gardens yield, High shelt'ring woods and wa's maun shiela, But thou, beneath the random bield O' clod or stane, Adorns the histie stibble-field, There, in thy scanty mantle clad, But now the share uptears thy bed, Such is the fate of artless Maid, Sweet flow'ret of the rural shade! By love's simplicity betray'd, And guileless trust, 15 20 25 30 Who long with wants and woes has striv'n, By human pride or cunning driv'n To mis'ry's brink, Till wrench'd of ev'ry stay but Heav'n, He, ruin'd, sink! 45 What tho' on hamely fare we dine, Wear hodden-grey, and a' that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, IC COLERIDGE. THE ANCIENT MARINER. PART I. IT is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three. "By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me? "The bridegroom's doors are opened wide, And I am next of kin; 5 The guests are met, the feast is set: May'st hear the merry din." He holds him with his skinny hand, "There was a ship," quoth he. ΙΟ "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!" Eftsoons his hand dropt he. |