7.

SONNET.

(Composed at ---------!
-Castle.)

Degenerate Douglas! oh, the unworthy Lord! Whom mere despite of heart could so far please, And love of havoc (for with such disease

Fame taxes him) that he could send forth word To level with the dust a noble horde,

A brotherhood of venerable Trees,

Leaving an ancient Dome, and Towers like these,
Beggared and outraged! - Many hearts deplor'd
The fate of those old Trees; and oft with pain
The Traveller, at this day, will stop and gaze
On wrongs, which Nature scarcely seems to heed:
For shelter'd places, bosoms, nooks and bays,
And the pure mountains, and the gentle Tweed,
And the
green silent pastures, yet remain.

8.

ADDRESS

TO THE SONS OF BURNS

after visiting their Father's Grave.
(August 14th, 1803.)

Ye now are panting up life's hill! 'Tis twilight time of good and ill,

And more than common strength and skill Must ye display

If ye would give the better will

Its lawful sway.

Strong bodied if ye be to bear
Intemperance with less harm, beware!

But if

your Father's wit ye share,

Then, then indeed,

Ye Sons of Burns! for watchful care

There will be need.

For honest men delight will take
To shew you favor for his sake,

Will flatter you; and Fool and Rake
Your steps pursue:

And of your Father's name will make A snare for you.

Let no mean hope your souls enslave; Be independent, generous, brave!

Your Father such example gave,

And such revere !

But be admonish'd by his Grave,

And think, and fear!

9.

YARROW UNVISITED.

(See the various Poems the scene of which is laid upon the Banks of the Yarrow; in particular, the exquisite Ballad of Hamilton, beginning

"Busk ye, busk ye my bonny, bonny Bride,.

Busk ye, busk ye my winsome Marrow !”—)

From Stirling Castle we had seen
The mazy Forth unravell❜d;

Had trod the banks of Clyde, and Tay,

And with the Tweed had travell'd;

And, when we came to Clovenford, Then said my "winsome Marrow," "Whate'er betide, we'll turn aside, "And see the Braes of Yarrow."

་་

Let Yarrow Folk, frae Selkirk Town, "Who have been buying, selling,

"Go back to Yarrow, 'tis their own, "Each Maiden to her Dwelling!

"On Yarrow's Banks let herons feed, "Hares couch, and rabbits burrow!

"But we will downwards with the Tweed, "Nor turn aside to Yarrow.

There's Galla Water, Leader Haughs,

"Both lying right before us;

And Dryborough, where with chiming Tweed

"The Lintwhites sing in chorus;

"There's pleasant Tiviot Dale, a land

"Made blithe with plough and harrow;