Honour to Scotland and to Burns! In him she stands collected. A thousand streams one river make— Thus Genius, heaven-directed, Conjoins all separate veins of power In one great soul-creation; And blends a million men to make The Poet of the nation. XIX. Honour to Burns! and her who first Let loose the abounding river Of music from the Poet’s heart, Borne through all lands for ever! How much to her mankind has owed Of song’s selectest treasures! Unsweetened by her kiss, his lips Had sung far other measures. XX. Be green for aye, green bank and brae Around Montgomery’s Castle! Blow there, ye earliest flowers! and there, Ye sweetest song-birds, nestle! For there was ta’en that last farewell In hope, indulged how blindly; And there was given that long last gaze “That dwelt” on him “sae kindly.” XXI. No word of thine recorded stands; Few words that hour were spoken: Two Bibles there were interchanged, And some slight love-gift broken. And there thy cold faint hands he pressed, Thy head by dewdrops misted; And kisses, ill-resisted first, At last were unresisted. XXII. Ah cease!—she died. He too is dead. Of all her girlish graces Perhaps one nameless lock remains: The rest stern Time effaces— Dust lost in dust. Not so: a bloom Is hers that ne’er can wither; And in that lay which lives for aye The twain live on together. MY PENINSULAR MEDAL. BY AN OLD PENINSULAR. PART IV.—CHAPTER X. Next morning, I commenced my regular attendance at the office; all hands employed in counting money. “Well, Mr Y—,” said my commanding officer, “I fear you find the gentleman with whom you lodge rather dull company.” “Particularly lively, sir; never met with a more pleasant person.” “Thought he was rather morose,” replied Mr Q—. “That’s the character he bears amongst his acquaintance here.” “Quite cheerful and obliging, sir; sings a good song. Yesterday he invited a couple of friends to meet me at dinner. Does all he can to make me comfortable, even to his own inconvenience. Last night, as we were short of blankets, he forced me to take his greatcoat, which he generally puts upon his own bed. Offered, as a favour, to sell it me, as I am going up to the army. Only asks ten dollars.”