"I know they're under safe direction,
"Beneath fair CHARLOTTE's kind protection:
"Yet I'm in such a trepidation,
"I can't describe my perturbation."
My dear, what signifies this flurry,
• Haste oftentimes is marr'd by hurry;
The yellow horse, our fellow-creature,
Though on a lower scale in nature,
So long enjoying our protection,
Has sure some title to affection;
Then if you do not mean outright
To kill him, sojourn here to-night."
To council, ANGUS we admitted,
And to his casting vote submitted:
He prais'd the stables, corn, and hay,
And swore he would not stir till day.
Beside the cheerful blaze we sat,
And pass'd an hour in social chat :
Then wearied nature sought repose,
The friendly balm of human woes.
AURORA thinks she rises early,
But we this morning beat her fairly;
Thro' Dalnacardoch we were groping
Three hours before her eyes were open :
Pale CYNTHIA saw our doleful case,
And shew'd thro' clouds her silver face;
And oft we bless'd LATONA's daughter
For lighting us safe thro' Drumochter *.
In solemn prospect stretch'd before ye,
The mountains rise sublime and hoary;
Th' inconstant blast the clouds dividing,
On which old heroes ghosts seem'd riding;
While straggling moon-beams point their graves,
And roaring streams thro' echoing caves.
Resounding, fill the soul with terror,
While slave to superstitious error:
Not so with souls refin'd, exalted,
And with true Attic pickle salted,
In whose light brains, imagination
Still holds a buoyant lofty station;
They, like the angel ADDISON
Once pilfer'd from th' apostle JoHN,
Delight to ride the stormy wind,
And leave the sons of earth behind!
'Twas thus the willing Muse and I
High tow'ring thro' the troubled sky,
Found out the highest peak, and on it
Produc'd another flaming sonnet!
ALL hail! ye frowning terrors of my way,
Rude Grampian mountains! crown'd with last-
No flow'ry vales, or plains with verdure gay,
Could bid my soul with purer joy o'erflow. Barriers of holy freedom! your stern brow With guardian frown o'erlooks her last retreat, When tyrant rapine roam'd the plains below, Among your winding glens she found a seat Beyond those dark defiles, thy narrow vale, Green Laggan! soon shall cheer my weary sight
* The name of the parish in which the Author lived, one of the wildest and most remote districts in Scotland,
Young voices sounding on the mountain gale,
Shall fill this anxious bosom with delight,
While ruddy innocence with raptur'd smile
Shall cling to this fond heart, by absence torn
erewhile!
kerchief'd in a comely cloud,
While rocking winds are piping loud,"
Above Dalwhinnie Morning grey
Began to chase the stars away;
But VENUS linger'd in the skies,
In hopes to see fair PHOEBUS rise;
At which AURORA growing jealous,
Bade her not stay to gaze on fellows,
But point her radiant beams so clear
To glad the other hemisphere.
Thro' the wide open'd friendly door,
The careful pastor march'd before,
And heap'd with fire the glowing gratè
To warm his ever-chilly mate:
Our hostess kind, with social glee
Prepares the toast and pours
And eke her varied conversation,
With much amusing information,
Tells how my neighbours round about me
Had somehow try'd to live without me;
How much the greater part succeeded,
But some who bark and pity needed,
For my long absence broken-hearted,
In that sad interval departed * ;
How regularly things were carried,
How some were born, and some were married;
And cows would calve, and geese would roam,
As though I still had been at home.
The bill we call'd, found nought to pay,
And pleas'd and thankful came away.
The demon of the storm on high
Now growl'd thro' all the darkening sky;
And from the bleak ungenial north
Sharp icy winds came blustering forth:
Fir'd with the pleasing thought of home,
Our eager steeds impatient, foam,
Like fleetest racers in the course,
Impetuous starts the yellow horse ;
Bold ANGUS mounts his course to steer,
Like some Olympian charioteer ;
While studious of to-morrow's text,
The thoughtful pastor follow'd next :
* The pastor was wont to rally his mate on her quackery, and tell her she would undertake to cure every thing with bark and sympathy.
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