Degenerate Douglas! oh, the unworthy Lord! Whom mere despite of heart could so far please, And love of havoc (for with such disease Fame taxes him) that he could send forth word To level with the dust a noble horde, A brotherhood of venerable Trees, Leaving an ancient Dome, and Towers like these, Beggared and outraged!--Many hearts deplor'd The fate of those old Trees; and oft with pain The Traveller, at this day, will stop and gaze On wrongs, which Nature scarcely seems to heed: For shelter'd places, bosoms, nooks and bays, And the pure mountains, and the gentle Tweed, And the green silent pastures, yet remain. 8. ADDRESS _TO THE SONS OF BURNS_ after visiting their Father's Grave (August 14th, 1803.) Ye now are panting up life's hill! 'Tis twilight time of good and ill, And more than common strength and skill Must ye display If ye would give the better will Its lawful sway. Strong bodied if ye be to bear Intemperance with less harm, beware! But if your Father's wit ye share, Then, then indeed, 10 Ye Sons of Burns! for watchful care There will be need. For honest men delight will take To shew you favor for his sake, Will flatter you; and Fool and Rake Your steps pursue: And of your Father's name will make A snare for you. Let no mean hope your souls enslave; Be independent, generous, brave! 20 Your Father such example gave, And such revere! But be admonish'd by his Grave, And think, and fear! 9. _YARROW UNVISITED_. (See the various Poems the scene of which is laid upon the Banks of the Yarrow; in particular, the exquisite Ballad of Hamilton, beginning: "Busk ye, busk ye my bonny, bonny Bride, Busk ye, busk ye my winsome Marrow!"--) From Stirling Castle we had seen The mazy Forth unravell'd; Had trod the banks of Clyde, and Tay, And with the Tweed had travell'd; And, when we came to Clovenford, Then said my '_winsome Marrow_', "Whate'er betide, we'll turn aside, And see the Braes of Yarrow." "Let Yarrow Folk, _frae_ Selkirk Town, Who have been buying, selling, 10 Go back to Yarrow, 'tis their own, Each Maiden to her Dwelling! On Yarrow's Banks let herons feed, Hares couch, and rabbits burrow! But we will downwards with the Tweed, Nor turn aside to Yarrow." "There's Galla Water, Leader Haughs, Both lying right before us; And Dryborough, where with chiming Tweed The Lintwhites sing in chorus; 20 There's pleasant Tiviot Dale, a land Made blithe with plough and harrow; Why throw away a needful day To go in search of Yarrow?"