The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise to know, And keenly felt the friendly glow, And softer flame; But thoughtless follies laid him low, And stain’d his name! Reader, attend! whether thy soul Soars fancy’s flights beyond the pole, Or darkling grubs this earthly hole, In low pursuit; Know prudent cautious self-control Is wisdom’s root. THE BRAES O’ BALLOCHMYLE The Catrine woods were yellow seen, The flowers decayed on Catrine lee, Nae lav’rock sang on hillock green, But nature sickened on the e’e. Thro’ faded groves Maria sang, Hersel in beauty’s bloom the whyle, And aye the wild-wood echoes rang, ‘Fareweel the braes o’ Ballochmyle! ‘Low in your wintry beds, ye flowers, Again ye’ll flourish fresh and fair; Ye birdies dumb, in withering bowers, Again ye’ll charm the vocal air. But here, alas! for me nae mair Shall birdie charm, or floweret smile; Fareweel, the bonnie banks of Ayr, Fareweel, fareweel, sweet Ballochmyle!’ [Illustration: Thro’ faded groves Maria sang, . . . . . . . . Fareweel the braes o’ Ballochmyle.] AY WAUKIN, O Simmer’s a pleasant time, Flow’rs of ev’ry colour; The water rins o’er the heugh, And I long for my true lover. Ay waukin, O, Waukin still and wearie: Sleep I can get nane For thinking on my dearie. When I sleep I dream, When I wauk I’m eerie; Sleep I can get nane For thinking on my dearie. Lanely night comes on, A’ the lave are sleepin’, I think on my bonnie lad, And I bleer my een wi’ greetin’. Ay waukin, O, Waukin still and wearie: Sleep I can get nane For thinking on my dearie. IN EVIL DAYS (FROM A LETTER TO GRAHAM OF FINTRY, 1791) I dread thee, Fate, relentless and severe, With all a poet’s, husband’s, father’s fear! Already one strong-hold of hope is lost, Glencairn, the truly noble, lies in dust— Fled, like the sun eclips’d as noon appears, And left us darkling in a world of tears. Oh! hear my ardent, grateful, selfish pray’r! Fintry, my other stay, long bless and spare! Thro’ a long life his hopes and wishes crown, And bright in cloudless skies his sun go down! THE POETIC DAYSPRING (FRAGMENT FROM A LETTER)