18
Hame and a’ its fond attractions
Fast to Will's warm bosom flee;
While the thoughts o’ dear connexions
Swell his heart and blind his e’e.
“Monster! wha could leave neglected
Three sma’ infants and a wife,
Naked—starving—unprotected!
Them, too, dearer auce than life.
Villian! wha wi’ graceless folly
Ruined her he ought to save.
Changed her joys to melancholy,
Beggary, and—perhaps a grave!"
Starting, wi’ remorse distracted,
Crushed wi’ grief’s increasing load.
Up he banged; and, sair afflicted,
Sad and silent took the road.
Sometimes briskly, sometimes flaggin',
Sometimes helpit, Will got forth;
On a cart, or in a waggon,
Hirpliu’ aye towards the north.
Tired ae e’enin’, stepping hooly,
Pondering on his thrawart fate.
In the bonnie month o’ July,
Willie, heedles, tint his gate.
Soft the southlin breeze was blawin’.
Sweetly aughed the green aik wood;
Loud the din o’ streams fast fa’ing,
Strak the ear wi’ thundering thud.
Ewes and lambs on brae ran bleeting,
Linties chirped on ilka tree;
Frae the west, the sun, near setting.
Flamed on Roslin’s towers❋ sae hie.
❋Roslin Castle.
