19
Hame, and a' its fond attractions,
Fast to Will's warm bosom flee;
While the thoughts of dear connections,
Swell his heart and blind his e'e.
Monster! wha could hae neglected
Three sma' infants and a wiſe,
Naked, starving, unprotected,
Them too dearer ance than life
Villain! 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 gat forth,
On a cart or in a waggon,
Hirpling aye towards the north.
Tired at e’ening, stepping hooly,
Pondering on his thraward fate,
In the bonny month of July,
Willie, heedless, tint his gate.
Aft the southland breeze was blawing,
Sweetly sighed the green ake wood,
Loud the din of streams fast fa'ing,
Strack the ear wi' thundering thud.
