Ilka sound and charm delighting, Will (though hardly fit to gang,)[114] Wandered on through scenes inviting, Listening to the mavis' sang. Faint at length, the day fast closing, On a fragrant strawberry steep, Esk's sweet dream to rest composing, Wearied nature drapt asleep. 'Soldier, rise!--the dews o' e'ening, Gathering fa' wi' deadly skaith!-- Wounded soldier! if complaining, Sleep na here, and catch your death.' [Footnote 107: Limping.] [Footnote 108: Carefully.] [Footnote 109: Untoward.] [Footnote 110: Lost.] [Footnote 111: Way.] [Footnote 112: Sighed.] [Footnote 113: High.] [Footnote 114: Walk.] Accepting an invitation to take shelter in a neighboring cottage, slowfully and painfully he followed his guide. Silent stept he on, poor fellow! Listening to his guide before, O'er green knowe, and flowery hollow, Till they reached the cot-house door. Laigh[115] it was, yet sweet and humble: Decked wi' honeysuckle round; Clear below Esk's waters rumble, Deep glens murmuring back the sound. Melville's towers sae white and stately, Dim by gloaming glint[116] to view; Through Lasswade's dark woods keek[117] sweetly, Skies sae red and lift sae blue. Entering now in transport mingle, Mother fond, and happy wean,[118] Smiling round a canty[119] ingle, Bleezing on a clean hearth-stane. 'Soldier, welcome! Come, be cheery! Here ye'se[120] rest, and tak' your bed-- Faint, waes me! ye seem and weary, Pale's your cheek, sae lately red!' 'Changed I am,' sighed Willie till[121] her; 'Changed nae doubt, as changed[122] can be; Yet, alas! does Jeanie Miller Naught o' Willie Gairlace see?' Hae ye mark'd the dews o' morning, Glittering in the sunny ray, Quickly fa' when, without warning, Rough blasts came and shook the spray? Hae ye seen the bird fast fleeing, Drap when pierced by death mair fleet? Then see Jean, wi' color deeing,[123] Senseless drap at Willie's feet. After three lang years' affliction, A' their waes now hush'd to rest, Jean ance mair, in fond affection, Clasps her Willie to her breast. [Footnote 115: Low.] [Footnote 116: Gleam.] [Footnote 117: Peep.] [Footnote 118: Child.] [Footnote 119: Merry.] [Footnote 120: You shall.] [Footnote 121: To.] [Footnote 122: As much as possible.] [Footnote 123: Dying.] But hark! the first bell rings for the cars; so let us be off, and get our places. The sun has slipped down behind the trees yonder, and it will be gloaming, if not ''tween and supper time,' before we get to Edinburgh.