Then thoughts did arise as I gazed on the scene That lay bathed in the silvery light of the moon Of Flanders' torn fields that were once fair and fertile, Made barren and shrouded in sorrow and gloom; Of men who went forth in the pride of their manhood, Aroused, by the call that appeals to the brave, Inspired by the noblest and purest of motives, Who fell on the field or were sunk 'neath the wave. I stood all alone on the Ridge of Glengonar, Alone 'neath the stars that shone bright in the blue; And prayed to the Ruler of men and of nations To strengthen the arms of our gallant and true; To silence for ever the roar of the cannon And sink in oblivion this era of pain, That in peace we might live in the land of our fathers 'Neath harmony, love, and prosperity's reign. A FIS'HIN' SPLORE. Wullie, Sandy, Rab, an' Tam Yae nicht when sittin' owre a dram Agreed when neist the day wad daw Tae tak' their rods an' trudge awa' An' try their skill wi' flee an' worm On bonnie Carron's wimplin' burn. The mornin' broke sae fresh an' fair, New life was in the caller air; Owre Grey Mere's Tail the sun did peep, Tae wake oor fishers frae their sleep. Ilk yin gat up wi' bizzin' croon; Short time had passed since they lay doon. They dressed fu' quick, nae time tae loss, An' sune were skelpin' through the moss; Owre dyke an' fence, through sheuch an' glen, Up, up, they spieled tae Enterkin: An' when at last they did get there A view they had ayont compare. They had nae time the scene tae view, Sae hurried owre the mountain's broo, An' doon the brae they ran pell-mell Tae hae a drink at Katie's Well, "Whaur Black M'Michael's bearded lip Yince fain did dip." Then doon they ran wi' muckle speed, Tae Nature's charms they paid nae heed, An' didna slack their pace a jot Until they reached the Lucky Pot[1]; Sae awfu' keen an' anxious they Tae see if luck was theirs that day. Then walin' steps wi' canny care They gaed alang the hill-side bare, Whaur Kelt,[2], the hound, fell aff his steed When Harkness[3] shot him through the heid; The roarin' pool whaur he fell in Has since been known as Kelty's Linn. There fore-nent them Stey-Guile stood, Defyin' time an' storms an' flood; They gazed upon its steepest side, Doon whaur 'twas said bold Graham[4] did ride, His pony shod wi' deevils' cloots; 'Twas maybe true. "They had some doots." Owre Dalveen Hill an' doon the brae Richt cheerily they held their way; An' when they High Dalveen had passed They reached the Carron Burn at last; Then fast their taikle they gat oot, Their minds fair set on killin' troot. Then Wullie, keen his skill tae test, Got started weel afore the rest; He banged oot yin, syne made it twa; When oot cam' three, lie croose did craw. "Come here, ma callans, gin ye wish, I'll show ye hoo tae catch the fish."