Book xvii
. The Widow._
FOOTNOTES:
[443-5] See Young, page 311.
[444-1] See Appendix, page 858.
[444-2] 'T is better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all.
TENNYSON: _In Memoriam, xxvii._
[444-3] For right is right, since God is God.--FABER: _The Right must win._
[444-4] See Goldsmith, page 394.
[444-5] To sigh, yet feel no pain.--MOORE: _The Blue Stocking._
[444-6] See Appendix, page 394.
[445-1] Touch us gently, Time.--B. W. PROCTER: _Touch us gently, Time._
Time has laid his hand Upon my heart, gently.
LONGFELLOW: _The Golden Legend, iv._
GEORGE BARRINGTON. 1755- ----.
True patriots all; for be it understood We left our country for our country's good.[445-2]
_Prologue written for the Opening of the Play-house at New South Wales, Jan. 16, 1796._
FOOTNOTES:
[445-2] See Farquhar, page 305.
HENRY LEE. 1756-1816.
To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
_Memoirs of Lee. Eulogy on Washington, Dec. 26, 1799._[445-3]
FOOTNOTES:
[445-3] To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.--_Resolutions presented to the United States' House of Representatives, on the Death of Washington, December, 1799._
The eulogy was delivered a week later. Marshall, in his "Life of Washington," vol. v. p. 767, says in a note that these resolutions were prepared by Colonel Henry Lee, who was then not in his place to read them. General Robert E. Lee, in the Life of his father (1869), prefixed to the Report of his father's "Memoirs of the War of the Revolution," gives (p. 5) the expression "fellow-citizens;" but on p. 52 he says: "But there is a line, a single line, in the Works of Lee which would hand him over to immortality, though he had never written another: 'First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen' will last while language lasts."
J. P. KEMBLE. 1757-1823.
Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But--why did you kick me down stairs?[445-4]
_The Panel. Act i. Sc. 1._
FOOTNOTES:
[445-4] Altered from Bickerstaff's "'T is Well 't is no Worse." The lines are also found in Debrett's "Asylum for Fugitive Pieces," vol. i. p. 15.
HORATIO NELSON. 1758-1805.
In the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Nelson gave orders for boarding the "San Josef," exclaiming "Westminster Abbey, or victory!"
_Life of Nelson_ (Southey). _Vol. i. p. 93._
England expects every man to do his duty.[446-1]
_Life of Nelson_ (Southey). _Vol. ii. p. 131._
FOOTNOTES:
[446-1] This famous sentence is thus first reported: "Say to the fleet, England confides that every man will do his duty." Captain Pasco, Nelson's flag-lieutenant, suggested to substitute "expects" for "confides," which was adopted. Captain Blackwood, who commanded the "Euryalis," says that the correction suggested was from "Nelson expects" to "England expects."
ROBERT BURNS. 1759-1796.
Auld Nature swears the lovely dears Her noblest work she classes, O; Her 'prentice han' she tried on man, And then she made the lasses, O![446-2]
_Green grow the Rashes._
Some books are lies frae end to end.
_Death and Dr. Hornbook._
Some wee short hours ayont the twal.
_Death and Dr. Hornbook._
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley; And leave us naught but grief and pain For promised joy.
_To a Mouse._
When chill November's surly blast Made fields and forests bare.
_Man was made to Mourn._
Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn.
_Man was made to Mourn._
Gars auld claes look amaist as weel 's the new.
_The Cotter's Saturday Night._
Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the evening gale.
_The Cotter's Saturday Night._
He wales a portion with judicious care; And "Let us worship God," he says with solemn air.
_The Cotter's Saturday Night._
Perhaps Dundee's wild-warbling measures rise, Or plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name.
_The Cotter's Saturday Night._
From scenes like these old Scotia's grandeur springs, That makes her loved at home, revered abroad: Princes and lords are but the breath of kings, "An honest man 's the noblest work of God."[447-1]
_The Cotter's Saturday Night._
For a' that, and a' that, And twice as muckle 's a' that.
_The Jolly Beggars._
O Life! how pleasant is thy morning, Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning! Cold-pausing Caution's lesson scorning, We frisk away, Like schoolboys at th' expected warning, To joy and play.
_Epistle to James Smith._
Misled by fancy's meteor ray, By passion driven; But yet the light that led astray Was light from heaven.
_The Vision._
And like a passing thought, she fled In light away.
_The Vision._
Affliction's sons are brothers in distress; A brother to relieve,--how exquisite the bliss!
_A Winter Night._
His locked, lettered, braw brass collar Showed him the gentleman and scholar.
_The Twa Dogs._
And there began a lang digression About the lords o' the creation.
_The Twa Dogs._
Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel's as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us, And foolish notion.
_To a Louse._
Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman; Though they may gang a kennin' wrang, To step aside is human.[448-1]
_Address to the Unco Guid._
What 's done we partly may compute, But know not what 's resisted.
_Address to the Unco Guid._
Stern Ruin's ploughshare drives elate Full on thy bloom.[448-2]
_To a Mountain Daisy._
O life! thou art a galling load, Along a rough, a weary road, To wretches such as I!
_Despondency._
Perhaps it may turn out a sang, Perhaps turn out a sermon.
_Epistle to a Young Friend._
I waive the quantum o' the sin, The hazard of concealing; But, och! it hardens a' within, And petrifies the feeling!
_Epistle to a Young Friend._
The fear o' hell 's a hangman's whip To haud the wretch in order;[448-3] But where ye feel your honour grip, Let that aye be your border.
_Epistle to a Young Friend._
An atheist's laugh 's a poor exchange For Deity offended!
_Epistle to a Young Friend._
And may you better reck the rede,[448-4] Than ever did the adviser!
_Epistle to a Young Friend._
Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes; Flow gently, I 'll sing thee a song in thy praise.
_Flow gently, sweet Afton._
Oh whistle, and I 'll come to ye, my lad.[449-1]
_Whistle, and I 'll come to ye._
If naebody care for me, I 'll care for naebody.[449-2]
_I hae a Wife o' my Ain._
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' lang syne?
_Auld Lang Syne._
We twa hae run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine.
_Auld Lang Syne._
Dweller in yon dungeon dark, Hangman of creation, mark! Who in widow weeds appears, Laden with unhonoured years, Noosing with care a bursting purse, Baited with many a deadly curse?
_Ode on Mrs. Oswald._
To make a happy fireside clime To weans and wife,-- That 's the true pathos and sublime Of human life.
_Epistle to Dr. Blacklock._
If there 's a hole in a' your coats, I rede ye tent it; A chiel 's amang ye takin' notes, And, faith, he 'll prent it.
_On Captain Grose's Peregrinations through Scotland._
John Anderson my jo, John, When we were first acquent, Your locks were like the raven, Your bonny brow was brent.
_John Anderson._
My heart 's in the Highlands, my heart is not here; My heart 's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer.[450-1]
_My Heart 's in the Highlands._
She is a winsome wee thing, She is a handsome wee thing, She is a bonny wee thing, This sweet wee wife o' mine.
_My Wife 's a Winsome Wee Thing._
The golden hours on angel wings Flew o'er me and my dearie; For dear to me as light and life Was my sweet Highland Mary.
_Highland Mary._
But, oh! fell death's untimely frost That nipt my flower sae early.
_Highland Mary._
It 's guid to be merry and wise,[450-2] It 's guid to be honest and true, It 's guid to support Caledonia's cause, And bide by the buff and the blue.
_Here 's a Health to Them that 's Awa'._
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, Welcome to your gory bed, Or to victory! Now 's the day and now 's the hour; See the front o' battle lour.
_Bannockburn._
Liberty 's in every blow! Let us do or die.[450-3]
_Bannockburn._
In durance vile[450-4] here must I wake and weep, And all my frowsy couch in sorrow steep.
_Epistle from Esopus to Maria._
Oh, my luve 's like a red, red rose, That 's newly sprung in June; Oh, my luve 's like the melodie That 's sweetly played in tune.
_A Red, Red Rose._
Contented wi' little, and cantie wi' mair.
_Contented wi' Little._
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame, Gathering her brows like gathering storm, Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
_Tam o' Shanter._
Ah, gentle dames! it gars me greet To think how monie counsels sweet, How monie lengthened sage advices, The husband frae the wife despises.
_Tam o' Shanter._
His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony; Tam lo'ed him like a vera brither,-- They had been fou for weeks thegither.
_Tam o' Shanter._
The landlady and Tam grew gracious Wi' favours secret, sweet, and precious.
_Tam o' Shanter._
The landlord's laugh was ready chorus.
_Tam o' Shanter._
Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious.
_Tam o' Shanter._
But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or, like the snow-fall in the river, A moment white, then melts forever.
_Tam o' Shanter._
Nae man can tether time or tide.[451-1]
_Tam o' Shanter._
That hour, o' night's black arch the keystane.
_Tam o' Shanter._
Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn, What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
_Tam o' Shanter._
As Tammie glow'red, amazed and curious, The mirth and fun grew fast and furious.
_Tam o' Shanter._
But to see her was to love her,[452-1] Love but her, and love forever.
_Ae Fond Kiss._
Had we never loved sae kindly, Had we never loved sae blindly, Never met or never parted, We had ne'er been broken-hearted!
_Ae Fond Kiss._
To see her is to love her, And love but her forever; For Nature made her what she is, And never made anither!
_Bonny Lesley._
Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon, How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair? How can ye chant, ye little birds, And I sae weary fu' o' care?
_The Banks of Doon._
Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure Thrill the deepest notes of woe.
_Sweet Sensibility._
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man 's the gowd for a' that.[452-2]
_For a' that and a' that._
A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that; But an honest man 's aboon his might, Guid faith, he maunna fa' that.[452-3]
_For a' that and a' that._
'T is sweeter for thee despairing Than aught in the world beside,--Jessy!
_Jessy._
Some hae meat and canna eat, And some would eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit.
_Grace before Meat._
It was a' for our rightfu' King We left fair Scotland's strand.
_A' for our Rightfu' King._[452-4]
Now a' is done that men can do, And a' is done in vain.
_A' for our Rightfu' King._
He turn'd him right and round about Upon the Irish shore, And gae his bridle reins a shake, With, "Adieu for evermore, my dear, And adieu for evermore."[453-1]
_A' for our Rightfu' King._
FOOTNOTES:
[446-2] Man was made when Nature was But an apprentice, but woman when she Was a skilful mistress of her art.
_Cupid's Whirligig_ (1607).
[447-1] See Fletcher, page 183.
[448-1] See Pope, page 325.
[448-2] See Young, page 309.
[448-3] See Burton, page 193.
[448-4] See Shakespeare, page 129.
[449-1] See Beaumont and Fletcher, page 198.
[449-2] See Bickerstaff, page 427.
[450-1] These lines from an old song, entitled "The Strong Walls of Derry," Burns made a basis for his own beautiful ditty.
[450-2] See Heywood, page 9.
[450-3] See Fletcher, page 183.
[450-4] Durance vile.--W. KENRICK (1766): _Falstaff's Wedding, act i. sc. 2._ BURKE: _The Present Discontents._
[451-1] See Heywood, page 10.
[452-1] To know her was to love her.--ROGERS: _Jacqueline, stanza 1._
[452-2] I weigh the man, not his title; 't is not the king's stamp can make the metal better.--WYCHERLEY: _The Plaindealer, act. i. sc. 1._
[452-3] See Southerne, page 282.
[452-4] This ballad first appeared in Johnson's "Museum," 1796. Sir Walter Scott was never tired of hearing it sung.
[453-1] Under the impression that this stanza is ancient, Scott has made very free use of it, first in "Rokeby" (1813), and then in the "Monastery" (1816). In "Rokeby" he thus introduces the verse:--
He turn'd his charger as he spake, Upon the river shore, He gave his bridle reins a shake, Said, "Adieu for evermore, my love, And adieu for evermore."
WILLIAM PITT. 1759-1806.
Necessity is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.[453-2]
_Speech on the India Bill, November, 1783._
Prostrate the beauteous ruin lies; and all That shared its shelter perish in its fall.
_The Poetry of the Anti-Jacobin. No. xxxvi._
FOOTNOTES:
[453-2] See Milton, page 232.
ANDREW CHERRY. 1762-1812.
Loud roared the dreadful thunder, The rain a deluge showers.
_The Bay of Biscay._
As she lay, on that day, In the bay of Biscay, O!
_The Bay of Biscay._
GEORGE COLMAN, THE YOUNGER. 1762-1836.
On their own merits modest men are dumb.
_Epilogue to the Heir at Law._
And what 's impossible can't be, And never, never comes to pass.
_The Maid of the Moor._
Three stories high, long, dull, and old, As great lords' stories often are.
_The Maid of the Moor._
Like two single gentlemen rolled into one.
_Lodgings for Single Gentlemen._
But when ill indeed, E'en dismissing the doctor don't always succeed.
_Lodgings for Single Gentlemen._
When taken, To be well shaken.
_The Newcastle Apothecary._
Thank you, good sir, I owe you one.
_The Poor Gentleman. Act i. Sc. 2._
O Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey!
_Love laughs at Locksmiths. Act ii. Song._
'T is a very fine thing to be father-in-law To a very magnificent three-tailed Bashaw!
_Blue Beard. Act ii. Sc. 5._
I had a soul above buttons.
_Sylvester Daggerwood, or New Hay at the Old Market. Sc. 1._
Mynheer Vandunck, though he never was drunk, Sipped brandy and water gayly.
_Mynheer Vandunck._
JAMES HURDIS. 1763-1801.
Rise with the lark, and with the lark to bed.[454-1]
_The Village Curate._
FOOTNOTES:
[454-1] To rise with the lark, and go to bed with the lamb.--BRETON: _Court and Country_ (1618; reprint, p. 183).
SAMUEL ROGERS. 1763-1855.
Sweet Memory! wafted by thy gentle gale, Oft up the stream of Time I turn my sail.
_The Pleasures of Memory.