His only son for Hornbook sets, The lad, for twa guid gimmer pets,1 "A bonnie lass, ye kenn'd her name, Horn sent her aff to her lang hame, "That's just a swatch o' Hornbook's way; Yet stops me o' my lawfu' prey, "But, hark! I'll tell you of a plot, As dead's a herrin'; Niest time we meet, I'll wad a groat, But just as he began to tell, The auld kirk-hammer strak the bell I took the way that pleased mysel, 1 Ewe lambs.-2 Swelled her belly.-3 A sample.-4 By sending his pa tients to the church-yard.—5 Next.-6 The hour of one. 7 So irresistible was the tide of ridicule, on the publication of this poem, that John Wilson, alias Dr. Hornbook, was not only compelled to shut up shup as an apothecary, or druggist rather, but to abandon his school also, as his pupils one by one deserted him. THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT. INSCRIBED TO R. AIKEN, ESQ. Let not ambition mock their useful toil, The short and simple annals of the poor.-Gray. My loved, my honor'd, much respected friend! My dearest meed, a friend's esteem and praise: The lowly train in life's sequester'd scene; November chill blaws loud wi' angry sugh;' The shortening winter-day is near a close; The miry beasts retreating frae the pleugh; The blackening trains o' craws to their repose; The toil-worn Cotter frae his labor goes, This night his weekly moil is at an end, Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes, Hoping the morn in ease and rest to spend, And weary, o'er the moor, his course does hameward bend. At length his lonely cot appears in view, 2 3 Th' expectant wee-things, todlin, stacher thro', His clean hearth-stane, his thriftie wifie's smile, The lisping infant prattling on his knee, Does a' his weary, carking cares beguile, An' makes him quite forget his labor and his toil. 1 The continued rushing noise of a strong wind.-2 Little children. Tottering.-4 Stagger.-5 Fluttering. Small fireplace. belyve1 the elder bairns come drappin' in, Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman grown, To help her parents dear, if they in hardship be. Wi' joy unfeign'd brothers and sisters meet, Their masters' and their mistresses' command, An' mind your duty, duly, morn an' night! But hark! a rap comes gently to the door: Sparkle in Jenny's e'e, and flush her cheek; Weel pleased the mother hears, it's nae wild, worthless rake. 1 By and by.-2 Carefully.-3 To inquire.-4 Strange sights, tales, or stories. -5 Makes.-6 Almost.-7 Diligent.-8 Dally, or trifle - Go.-10 Partly. Wi' kindly welcome Jenny brings him ben ;' The father cracks of horses, pleughs, and kye; What makes the youth sae bashfu' and sae grave; Weel pleased to think her bairn's respected like the lave.' O happy love! where love like this is found! 'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair, In other's arms breathe out the tender tale, Is there in human form that bears a heart- Betray sweet Jenny's unsuspecting youth? Is there no pity, no relenting ruth, 6 Points to the parents fondling o'er their child? Then paints the ruin'd maid, and their distraction wild! But now the supper crowns their simple board! That 'yont the hallan" snugly chows her cud: The frugal wifie, garrulous will tell, How 'twas a towmond auld," sin' lint was i' the bell." In the country parlor.-2 Bashful.-3 Sheepish.—4 Child.—6 The rest, the others.-6 Sorrow.-7 Wholesome porridge.-8 Cow.- Beyond.-10 A partition-wall in a cottage, or a seat of turf at the outside.-11 Well-saved or well-kept cheese.-12 Well-savored, of good relish.-19 A twelvemonth old.14 Since flax was in the flower. The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face, 2 The big Ha'-Bible, ance his father's pride: His lyart haffets' wearin' thin and bare; And "Let us worship God!" he says with solemn air. With Amalek's ungracious progeny; Or, how the royal bard did groaning lie Or other holy seers that tune the sacred lyre. Perhaps the Christian volume is the theme, How guiltless blood for guilty man was shed; Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand, And heard great Bab'lon's doom pronounced by Heaven's command. 1 Fireplace.-2 The large hall-Bible.-3 Gray, or of a mixed color.- Temples, side of the head.-5 Chooses, selects.- Dundee, Martyrs, Elgin, names of sacred melodies used in singing psalms.-7 Adds fuel to or increases de votion. |