The calendrer, amazed to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here, The calendrer, right glad to find But to the house went in : Whence straight he came with hat and wig; A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn My head is twice as big as yours, "But let me scrape the dirt away, Said John," It is my wedding-day, So, turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; "Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah, luckless speech and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pull'd out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said, The youth did ride, and soon did meet But, not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road, With postboy scamp'ring in the rear, "Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!" And now the turnpike gates again And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopp'd till where he had got up Now let us sing, Long live the King, And when he next doth ride abroad, ROBERT BURNS. 1759-1796. THE COTTER'S SATURDAY-NIGHT. My loved, my honour'd, much respected friend! To you I sing, in simple Scottish lays, The lowly train in life's sequester'd scene; The native feelings strong, the guileless ways: What A**** in a cottage would have been, Ah! though his worth unknown, far happier there, ween. November chill blaws loud wi' angry sugh; This night his weekly moil is at an end, At length his lonely cot appears in view, Beneath the shelter of an aged tree; Th' expectant wee things, toddlin, stacher through To meet their dad, wi' flichterin noise an' glee. His wee bit ingle, blinkin bonnily, His clean hearthstane, his thrifty wifie's smile, The lisping infant prattling on his knee, Does a' his weary, carking cares beguile, Belyve the elder bairns come drapping in, Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman grown, To help her parents dear, if they in hardship be. Wi' joy unfeign'd, brothers and sisters meet, The mother, wi' her needle an' her shears, Gars auld claes look amaist as weel's the new: The father mixes a' wi' admonition due. Their master's an' their mistress's command, An' ne'er, though out o' sight, to jauk or play; An' oh! be sure to fear the Lord alway! An' mind your duty, duly, morn an' night! Lest in temptation's path ye gang astray, Implore his counsel and assisting might: They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright!" But, hark! a rap comes gently to the door; Sparkle in Jenny's e'e and flush her cheek; Wi' kindly welcome Jenny brings him ben; The father cracks of horses, pleughs, and kye. grave; e; Weel pleased to think her bairn's respected like the lave. Oh, happy love! where love like this is found! I've paced much this weary mortal round, |