Wasting, I ween, the live-lang day In am'rous rhime? The hour will come, thou'lt sigh, and say, What loss o' time! Yet, wharfore shou'd nae youth engage To catch the tids o' life is sage, Some joys to save: Wha kens the fights he's doom'd to wage To sport on fancy's flowery brink, Is wiser far, I'm sure, than think O' distant harm, Whan eild and cauld indiff'rence shrink, Frae pleasure's charm. Then strike, sweet muse, the trembling lyre, Though health divine, And youth, and pleasure's fond desire Fast, fast decline! Attune the lay! whan nature's charm Or friendship's guile; Or fortune, wi' uplifted arm, And treach❜rous smile. Attune the lay that should adorn Ilk verse descriptive o' the morn, Whan round Forth's Links o' waving corn, At peep o' dawn, Frae broomy know the whitening thorn Or fragrant whar, at opening day, He'd tak his flight, And towering climb, wi' spirits gay, O grandeur far than Windsor's brow! Through varied grain, Brightening, I ween, wi' glittering glow Strevlina's plain! There raptur'd trace (enthron'd on hie) (A dazzling view!) Corn, meadow, mansion, water, tree, In varying hue. Owre lofty here, ilk charm to trace, That deck, sweet plain! thy cultur'd face; *One of the highest of the Ochil hills that bound the Carse of Stirling to the east. Aft down the steep he'd tak a race, Nor, rinning, flag, Till up he'd climb, wi' rapid pace, Yonabbey craig.' There seated, mark, wi' ardour keen, A fragrant store! And vessels sailing, morn and e'en, To Stirling shore.' But aftner far, he'd late and air, To yonder castled height† repair, Whar youth's gay sports, relax'd frae care, Cheat learning's toils, And round her Doig'st classic chair Fond genius smiles! 'Twas here, O Forth! for luve o' thee, Frae wine, and mirth, and cards he'd flee; Here too, unskill'd, sweet Poesy! He woo'd thy art Alas! nor skill nor guide had he, Save warmth o' heart! Yet feckless as his numbers fell, The wild mustard. + The castle hill of Stirling, from which the finest view of the Carse is seen. Dr. David Doig, master of the Grammar School, where he taught near forty years. A man whose uncommon erudition and genius entitled to a higher station. Whan crooning quiet by himsel, He fram'd the lay On Gowland's whin-beflowered hill And rocky brae. How richly then the landscape glow'd Frae shore to shore! How saft the kye in King's park low'd, And ah! how sweet the murmur rang And echoing spread Owre Castle, Butts, and Knot, alang The Backwalk shade; Dear, peacefu' scenes! how sweet to sing! Whan morn's fresh gales their fragrance bring, Wi' balmy sough, And e'ening paints (how green in spring!) Thebraes o' Tough!' But sweet, thro' a' the varying year That crowns the scene; And Allan water, glittering near Its bleaching green. * The abbey ferry boat. And Blair, half hid in sylvan shade, Where Taste and Home* delighted stray'd; Frae bar and town, To Teath's clear stream, that babbling play'd By Castle Down And Shaw-park, gilt wi' e'ening's ray; 'Mang grove and bower! And rich Clackmannan, rising gay, Wi' woods and tower; These aft he trac'd, fond nature's child! O' Lomond's height The sun in setting glory smil'd Wi' purple light! 'Twas then, by gloaming's sober hour, He'd court some solitude obscure; Or round Cam'skenneth's§ ancient tower, * Henry Home, Lord Kames, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and author of many ingenious and learned performances. + Edinburgh castle, though distant 35 miles from Stirling, is seen from the castle hill in a favourable day. Ben Lomond, the highest of the Grampian mountains that bound the Carse of Stirling to the north-west. The abbey of Cambuskenneth, founded by David I, king of Scotland, anno 1147. |