23
Hae ye marked the dews of morning
Glittering in the sunny ray,
Quickly fa, whan, without warning,
Rough blasts cam and shook the spray.
Hae ye seen the bird fast fleeing
Drap when pierced by Death mair fleet?
Then see Jean, wi colour deeing,
Senseless drap at Willie's feet.
After three lang years' afiliction
(A’ their ways now hushed to rest)
Jean ance mair, in fond affection
Clasps her Willie to her breast.
Tells him a' her sad, sad suffering,
How she wandered, starving poor,
Gleaming Pity's scanty offerings;
Wi' three bairns, frae door to door.
How she served ---and toiled,---and fevered.
Lost her health and syne her bread;
How that grief, when scarce recovered,
Took her brain and turned her head.
How she wandered round the country
Mony a live-lang night her lane;
Till at last an angel's bounty
Brought her senses back again.
Gae her meat---and claise---and siller,
Gae her bairnie's wark and lear;
Lastly, gae this cot-house till her,
Wi' four sterling pounds a year.
