TAM GLEN.

My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie,
Some counsel unto me come len',

To anger them a' is a pity;

But what will I do wi' Tam Glen?

I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fellow,

In poortith I might mak a fen'; What care I in riches to wallow,

If I maunna marry Tam Glen?

There's Lowrie the laird o' Dumeller,

5

"Guid day to you, brute!" he comes ben:

ΙΟ

Yestreen at the Valentines' dealing,
My heart to my mou gied a sten:
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written, Tam Glen.

The last Halloween I was waukin

My droukit sark sleeve, as ye ken;
His likeness came up the house staukin—
And the very gray breeks o' Tam Glen!

25

Come, counsel, dear Tittie, don't tarry;

Gif

I'll gie you my bonie black hen,

ye will advise me to marry

The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.

30

1 "This is a reunion song, but almost always sung at parting. Allan Ramsay's song with this title suggested nothing to Burns but the opening line and the title" (J. L. Robertson).

2 Is not the Scotch phrase 'auld lang syne' exceedingly expressive?" (BURNS, in a letter to Mrs. Dunlop.)

And here's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o' thine;

And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught

For auld lang syne.

For auld, etc.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp,

And surely I'll be mine;

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

For auld, etc.

20

SONNET,

ON HEARING A THRUSH SING IN A MORNING WALK IN JANUARY, WRITTEN 25TH JANUARY, 1793, THE BIRTHDAY OF THE AUTHOR.

SING on, sweet Thrush, upon the leafless bough;
Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain:
See agèd Winter, 'mid his surly reign,
At thy blythe carol clears his furrow'd brow.

So in lone Poverty's dominion drear

Sits meek Content with light, unanxious heart,
Welcomes the rapid moments, bids them part,
Nor asks if they bring aught to hope or fear.

I thank thee, Author of this opening day!

Thou whose bright sun now gilds the orient skies!
Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys,
What wealth could never give nor take away!

Yet come, thou child of poverty and care;

5

ΙΟ

The mite high Heaven bestow'd, that mite with thee I'll share.