^(1^' LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Chap..} Copyright No. 8helf..._.5.31 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. » Wm^ fm) CHEEP WORE YE GAISG s^ j^t^C{^Ju^.£^£^ {:^§'^Cyi^. FORE YE ©ANG dA San| o' |4ame, hix^i ar\' preedom BY John Freeland Robertson 3nu5trateb WITH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR AND ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY C. F. GREVES also (glossary of Scotch (Terms Useb NEW YORK : J. B. COWDIN, 111 BROADWAY BROOKI^YN BOROUGH 1898 •ECOND COPY, 50433 COPYRIGHTED, 1897, BY J. F, ROBERTSON. u COPI£c> RhCriVED, ( APR 15 1899 ] 4-,. ..^/ '(Even tt^en a luisb, 3 miiib its poipcr, a unst] that to my latest t]our St^all stiongly t]care mij breast, Ct^at 3 for poor aulb Scotlanb's sake Some useful plan or book ipoulb make, 0r shig a sang at least /" pert]aps it may turn out a sang, pert]aps turn out a sermon. —BURNS. CREEP AFORE YE GANG. From grave to gay, from liuely to severe. —Pope. L OO'S a' the day wee callan ? — gay ? Yer Faither wants tae ken ! Whisht ! — haud yer skirlin^ tongue I Yer ear a minit len^ ! Jist dinna be sae skeigh will ye^ But hearkin mither^s sang ! Stan weel abeigh^ glowr in her eV An^ ''Creep afore ye Gang V* [say ;— IL |0 ! — cannie noo^ ma bonnie doo, An' haud on till the chair ; Yer legs are shouglie yet I trew,- Ye'se mat get hurtit sair ! Sic rantin' owre the fluir sae bauld Is dJ thegither wrang ; Sae min' yer mammie's owrecome auld An^ ''Creep afore ye gang !'' For ye maun ken, my winsome wean, We aince were bairnies a* ; An' aft, whan toddlin but and ben, Were fain tae tak the wa' ! Jist bide yer time, — the warld's young. An' ye're but lately sprang ! There's fa's unsung life's snares among, Sae Creep, afore ye Gang. IV. IN first the wee bit Burdie hies Tae lea its wee bit nest^ He, fidgin fain tae cleave the skies, Fu' brawly kens whuts best ! He maks tae flee, but in a trice Doun birls wi' unca bang ! — An, ye be wise ye^I jist think twice An^ Creep, afore ye gang. V. Weel, weel I min^ the canty sport I had whan wee mysel ; The lang, lang days were faur owre short ! Sic joys ! nae tongue cou'd tell : Yet, mither aye wi' me wad flyte For bein '^sae heid-strang,'^ Yaum Yaum' rin gin I gat a clyte : *7ist creep afore ye gang !'' VL E time, guid faith, I gat my fill — That's true as ye stan' there ! I thocht 'twad ablins fill the bill Tae hirple up the stair ! Awa I warstled wi' guid speed Till hauf way up an' mae, Whan doun I rowed an' cloured ma heid ! The scaur is there the day. VIL I mind ae day, in close confab, (Belike 'twas sae ordained), My mither said tae faither, '^Rab, The wean maun sune be speaned !" Ere owre ma heid ae short week gat, I heard my Faither say : ''He'll sune be fit to scart the Pat, An' lick the Spurtle tai !" 12 VIIL wunnert at th' uncanny scheme, An' racket my noddle sair Tae mak it oot — an' brocht it hame- They'd let me sook nae mair! Thinks I, ''Auld wife, gin that's the case A'm gaun tae help mysel, Let saunt or sinner say the grace !'' — Fm here, the tale tae telL IX. At lang an' length I crawed sae crouse Maist onything Fd dare ; I flate, an' hirselt roun the hoose — Fand faut wi' mammie's care ! But, gif I tried tae staun owre heigh. Or owre a Creepie dang. She'd flee up in a lowe an' skreigh : "Jist creep afore ye gang!" 13 E morn I gade tae leuk i^ the Press For something guid tae eat, But, raxin aff a chair, wi^ stress^ Gat whummelt aff ma feet ! Clean heels owre heid i' the '^Bine^' I dook't 'Mang sapples, claes an' a' ! Some ane ran in an' fish't me oot, Jist like a droukit craw ! XL Aince, mither made (the sleekit elf), A crock O' Grozet Jam ; An' hid it (?) on the tapmast shelf Behin' a Smeekit Ham ! Tae speel up three big stules sae spry Was easy, — I wes shure ! They cowpit owre — but whaur gade I ? Jist sprauchelin on the fluir. Ae morn 1 gade tae leuk i' the Press For something guid tae eat. Stanza X. xn E sud hae seen my minnie's throes As, braingin^ but the hoose She catch^t me dicht ma bluidy nose (I kep^ as mim's a Moose:) — She placed the stules (the fearsome wight !) Gied me twa spitefu^ tugs; Syne — bletherin^ as if she^d gane gyte, She vowM sheM ^^clout ma lugs !'' — XIII She rantit roon the hoose — declared '^As shure as she was born/^ She^d '^mak O^me — gin she were spared- A Spune !— or spile a Horn V^ Thinks I, ^'ma lass, gin thafs yer gate, Yer heid's faur up a close !! — FII gang my gate, be't air or late. Or whether gain or loss/^ XIV. UT, bairn, whan mammy made me breeks, I clean gade daft wi^ glee ! (That duify weel micht coont the steeks Wes plain — withoot a lee !) I min' she made them braw an' wide Tae rant, an' stride an' thraw ; Forby big pouches at ilk side Tae baud my playthings a' ! XV. I filled thae pouches tae the tap Wi' Babbins, Buttons, Bools; — Maist onything tae fill the gap, — An' some O' Father's Tools ! Tae shaw them aff syne oot I gade But, hadna stappit faur, Whan slidderin i' the shuch I laid A' jaup't wi' dawds O' glaur ! i6 XVL HUS^ owre this yearth we play oor pairts In childhood, youth an^ age ; Oor seF assertive, stuburn heVts, Staw sinner, saunt and sage : Blindly we brainge thro^ thick an^ thin, Nor halt tae coont the cost; An^ (sud we be na saved frae sin), Oor fuilish souls are lost. XVIL Ae nicht, I glowred i' the Ingle Cheek Tae see the cinner^s bleeze ! whan, frae the ribs some skailed sae sleek Plump, on ma twa bare knees ! Ower Poker, Shule an^ Tangs I lowp't Fu fast (ye'd best believe) Afear^t an brunt ; — an^ Faither ^'howp^t Fd a' the neebors deave V^ 17 XVIIL here!! — Oh! but ye^re a senseless loon Tae tummel doun like that ! A^m gled ye didna crack yer croun Again' that big Kail Pat! Losh ! — Canna ye leuk whaur yer gaun^ An' no be aye sae thrang In haurlin' at the Stules? — ye maun Jist Creep, afore ye gang. Doubtless, there's aulder pows as toom Bit Jock ! — lang luggit loons, Wha'II hae their ain way ''sink or soom'^ An' ac' like big Baboons ! They Stan' in meikle need O' grace Or Whups, their hides tae whang ! Sic ram-stam tykes maun curb their pace An' ''Creep/' afore they "Gang/' OU^D we but see oorsels awee, (Nor staun in oor ain licht), Jist as we be in Heav'n^s e'e^ We^d see a waefu sicht: O^ Vanitie, an^ Sel-Conceit, We'd d! get sic'n a staw, As'd mak the vera Angels greet: An' fast we'd steel awa '! XXL Faur bigger fowk than we, a sicht, Fu' aften get a fa'; In fechtin faur aboon their micht Ambitious tae be braw ! An ' aft enew like them, we chap, In strivin' tae be Strang, Ye'II miss ye're stap an' doun ye'II flap ! Sae creep, afore ye gang, 19 XXIL UT oh, kind Heaven ! shield oor wean, Frae snares at ilka turn ; A' gilded vice, wi^ prood disdain Through life Lord, let him spurn: An^ grant he ne^er mat stoop sae low As God, his stay, forget : While yet a pilgrim here below. His heart on Thee be set. XXIIL An' Brither's ! — as ye daunner through This warl O' wae an' pain, Ye'II meet, nae dou't, an honest few, — Faur mae wha are a bane ! Jist haud God's Truth an' shame the Deil, Whan ihae kin' come alang; — They'll hing their heids (I ken fu weel). An' creep, whaur ye maun gang. XXIV. hile Fortune smiles, wi^ d! her wiles, (The wanton, fickle jade), YeVe kent by a' aroon for miles ; An^ muckle O^ ye^re made: They'se flatter, fawn, an' '^knickle doun,'' An' hie their thrapples raise, Ti' ilk auld Carlin i' the toun Is blawin' up ye're praise ! XXV. But ca' let Poortith snell an' doure — Ye're 'Triens" flit fast awa' ; Whan wanted maist, they're aff like stoure ! They hear ye're at the wa : They reck na their ain turn micht come, (Maybee it wull ere lang); An' shou'd it come, they'se feel fu' glum An' creep, whaur noo they gang. XXVL 1 kins' O' fowk mak up this warl : (O mundane sphere O' ills): — Ye ken Carlyle (the crusty carl), He ca's us ^'Maistly Fuils V Like geese we gether in a heap Gif only yell say ^^hae V Or rin ae airt like stipit Sheep, Gin ane but lead the way ! XXVIL ^ammortal WilF' fu' aply saith That ''all the world's a stage :'' (Hoo aft alas, the actors, skaith Wi' ane anither wage !) Or like Kaleidoscope's revolve, O' ever changing hue ; At ilk dissolve new forms evolve An' pose, within our view. XXVIIL OO see ! — you sanctimonious fo^ks Wha, i' *'Thc Kirk'' stan' hie ; They're shure tae help — theirsels (the mokes) Tae turn the ^'broun bawbee:'' Ye'II fin' them ''circumspeck/' an' ''soun/' Whaur Carnal things belang !— 'Twad pay them mae tae chinge their tune An' ^'Creep, afore they Gang/' XXIX. The plaintive CuckoO; sait an' meek^ Wi' mellow, dulcet voice, In Ither's Nest a Hame wad seek. In Ither's Gear rejoice. An' rav'nous wolves, the lambs tae fleece^ '^The Faith" don, as a cloak ; — O' Righteousness, an' Godliness,, They canna thole the yoke. 23 XXX. EIST, come yir **bizzic bodie^' gawks: They like tae try their han^ At settlin' flytes O' Ither fo'ks ; (Their bisnes it maun stan) : Fm shure they'd better min' their ain Affairs — gie in they Ve wrang ; An' learn frae e'en the soukin wean Tae creep, afore they gang ! XXXI. An' wae's me ! — there's yer ^Maurin deils/' Wha dinna gie a plack Aboot their neighbor's waes or weals — ^'At hame^' whan ^'on the mak !" They'd skin ye tae yer teeth (ye ken), Ne'er reck'nin' O' the wrang ; But oh ! sad ruin i' the en', They'se ''creep" whaur they shu'd ''gang/' 24 XXXIL HEN, there's yir coofs wha ken sae much O' d! thing under heaven ; Their share O' sagest lear is such As scarce to mortal giv'n ! An' should ye no the Biter Bite — Transfix him on the spot, He'll e'en aver that black is white, An' threep it doun yer throat ! XXXIIL Anither cless O' non'-scrip' chiels Pit on sae monie airs, A bodie but compassion feels For them, an' their forbears ! For jist as sune's they 'gin, forsooth, Tae lay ye doun the Law, They pit their fit square i' their mooth, An' %\z theirsels awa' ! 25 XXXIV. WA^ wi' the hael clashin' pack ! — Auld Clootie bag them d! ! TheyM mak a hell O'heav'n, alack, Wi^ their infernal jaw. Or let them pou the Rape fu' stent, An' sune Themsels they'll hang ! Or steek their gab — reflec', repent An' creep, till fit tae gang ! XXXV. Hae charitie, wi' trummelin' fear My chiels, for a' sick folk ; The warld micht snicker, sneer an' sweer- Staun aff ! — jist let it mock: The hapless, puir, benichtit crew. By ragin' passions flang. Their daurin' deeds will sairly rue Ere they can hope tae gang. 26 XXXVI, ITHOUT the fold, or e'en within, Or black or white the sheep, Or whether faith, or whether sin His recompense shall reap. That '^Virtue is its own reward^' Without the saying goes : Syne cling to't wi' profound regard An^ 'scape O' Vice the woes, XXXVIL Ye Whited sepulchres unhung ! — Mausaleums O' deceit ! Gae smear wi' fause an' sland'rous tongue Ye're 'Triens," — tae you 'tis meat ! Pursue them still, nor tent ye, that They canna thole the prang ; Vile reptile ! — poison !-hiss, an' squat. An' creep; — Ye daurna' gang! 27 XXXVIIL H me ! ah me ! — this perfidie, The human race amang; Man's lack O' bare Humanitie Owre aft, cause monie a pang. Be't oor's O then, oor bretherin Tae win, — the time's sae short ! — Tae strive an' spen' tho' ane 'gainst ten, Owrecome, an' — *'haud the Fort/' XXXIX. Oh ! blessed be the Pouers Abune For a' the blessin' s give'n ; (Whaur sma is gien, sae sma's the sin. This side the gate O' heav'n.) The rich an' slee wi' a' their glee Sud trummel i' their shune ! — Like Camel through a needle's e'e. They'll har'Iy enter in. 28 > o ? h: ^ I?? iT O .M^"l;< ^ HE luve O^ Lucre blast's the sauI Wr chilly, balefu' breath; The fountains O' the heart dry all, An' seals our moral death : Ev'n as ill fated, foundVin Bark O' Pilot, Rudder reft; Or high on sea-girt rock sae stark A Hopeless Hulk is left ! XLL To ev'ry human sympathy This monster is a foe ; He lauchs at frail Humanity, An' temp's baith high an' low- Till, conscience seared wi' selfish lusts, And powerless to retreat. The victims O' his venom'd thrusts Lie prostrate at his feet ! 29 XLIL AE mark yon Niggard lanely sit His Siller gloatin' o^er ! (Rung frae puir human hearts O' grit By Toils Incessant Pour:) He canna tak it tae that bourn Whence we must d! repair ! An' 'ts heft, heap't on his soul forlorn, Maun sink him i' despair. XLIIL Why sud ae deein' mortal thus, Anither lord it o'er ? — His dirty dross cause such a fuss On Time's swift shiftin' shore ? Lifes lease mayhap scarce worth a preen, Wi' a' its hoarded pelf, (A broken reed on whilk to lean); An' deid tae a' but Self! 30 wAi Wtlfiftilfi ^^:;^ife;^--^gt^;^iA.^^y|j^ be O _bc . XLIV, H, Gold ! — ah tainted, cursed Gold ! Such fiends to make of Men ! ►3 Fell source artThou of woes untold, And crimes beyond our ken ! The demon first Thy brazen face Did'st launch upon this sphere Must, from High Heaven have fallen from grace To tempt frail mortals here: XLV. Good Lord ! — ^that Man should e'er descend So far beneath the brute ! — Thine Image reach such awful end ! — Thine evVy law refute ! Let fa' the scales frae aff oor e'en Thy Light that we micht see: Oor licht is darkness drear I ween : Thine, Thine shall set us free. 31 XLVL O scan the ^^Honcst Man'' now pause! He, in his envied sphere! Yields fealty to his Maker's cause, His Kind, his Country dear : Th' oppressed and weak he ever spares By Kindness, deep and broad; And proves what all the world declares : The noblest work of God. " XLvn. Nor groveling Greed nor carking Care Disturbs his soul, nor guile ; To beard the haunts of Wrong he dare; Nor vain his thoughts the while: With conscience clear as skies at noon Faith, Hope and Love he binds ; An' soars serene, far, far aboon The ken O' wee bit minds ! 32 XLvm, E Just, if yeM be strong and great : Oh noblest band and true I The vilest at your beck doth wait To heed, — to dare and do. Be Loving if ye^d fain be loved ! All Nature sings the song: O ! who can hear with soul unmoved, As swells the notes along? XLIX. Be happy in the Common Weal ! — In seeds of Kindness sown In hearts for Other's thus may feel And shield, foul wrong t' atone. Rejoice with those that do rejoice, And comfort them who mourn : Regard the bumble's plaintive voice And ne'er, their pleadings spurn. 33 AITH^S Vital Spark possess your soul An^ burst into a flame ; Syne dare with All Mankind condole — Mak for Yersel' a Name ! Tho' no inscribed on scroll O^ Fame (Through carnage aft attained), Be your^s the aim, aye Valid Claim : O'er Self the conquest gained. LL Thus, only thus, may man incline His God in Bliss to see ; — A kindlin' spark O' luve divine Reflecting Charitie ! Oh Worldlin' ! while yer f lickerin' licht Is fanned by pityin' grace. Fling doun ye're idols while ye micht. An' seek yer Father's face. 34 LIL E'VE struggled sair an^ wearily Whan friendship's were but sma'; Jist ca' on this frien cheerily, An' dinna fash at a' ! He'll mak the heavy burthen licht, Smooth doun the rouchest way; An' oh ! ye're he'rt's feel young an' bricht An' biythe, the lee-Iang day» LIIL Nor let the saut tear dim yer e'e In broodin' ower the past; Yon happy days ('tween you an' me), Were faur owre guid tae last. Heedless O' joys, O' ills gane by, Press on towards the Prize; An' chockin doun ilk bitter sigh To Present Duties rise, 35 LIV. jfiY Heaven Alane maun rest oor Hope: A^ ither hope^s are vain : (Tho' maist^ e^cn yet, in darkness grope — In fetters hug their chain.) O fallow man ! — in age or youth, Owre a* this warld wide, Ye're motto be : ''God ; Justice ; Truth :''— Ye're glory an^ ye^re pride ! In Him ye^U fin^ True peace an' rest, Guid cheer, an' sweet content ! Wi' gled, soul- satisfy in' zest — A' by Kind Heaven sent. Or here below, shou'd toil an' woe Ye're best endeavors croun. Pure rivers flow, joys to bestow. An' droun a' grief's aboon ! 36 LVL YNE, whan yer race on earth is run, Cares, hopes an' fears at rest, The battle focht, the victory won, Eternal Life Possessed ! Yer memVy lang let flourish green. In honor held by dJ ; — A halo bricht i' beautie's sheen Whan ye are wede awa\ LVIL Whaur else neath heaven, in wae or weel, Sal man rest, if not here ? The ne'er-daeweel an' Infidel Let scoff — they'se quake wi' fear Whan comes the day O' rec'onin' Wi' di its visions dreed ! — Whan grim Realities sal' 'gin Tae fa' upo' their heid. I 37 LVIIL , OD'S faithfu/ leal, guid-he'rted Puir, Ower sic maun bear the gree ! Their meek, unselfish life (mak shure), Regard will Heaven^s e'e : But sma' they hae O' warldly gear Tae haud them in its snare; An^ leevin^ maist by faith an^ fear, The lade is licht tae bear, LIX. Thrice blest in ignorance and Peace, The happy, lowly clown ; From countless ills he gains release — The meed of Earth^s renown. The worldly great let ride in state, And air their empty pride; — The meek await a better fate Who, in Their Lord confide, 38 The vjQrldiy great let ride In state, And air ihelT empty pride, —Stanza LIX. LX. ND lifers spring tide sweeps madly on In swift, tumultuous flood ; And sore its breast doth heave and moan Deep dyed in lifers heart blood ! And men pass from the stage of life, And other's take their place ; — Of men alas, this world is rife, Its devious paths to trace. LXL And still the Idler reaps the fruits Of Other's Honest Toil; Of Vested Wrongs the vile offshoots ! — Proud Masters of the Soil ! And Might doth still the Right down-tread, Its brutal ends to gain : — Of ^^Christians'' must it yet be said That, ^'Christ hath died in vain." 39 LXIL WAKE, O Faithful !— dare to do All to mere mortal giv^n ! — Prove Alpine Steeps of Duty true, But golden steps to heaven ! For in this world of joys and woes, Or high, or lowly born, Who find, midst all life's fitful throes A Rose, without its Thorn ? LXIIL ''Man^s inhumanity to man,^* In cruel, fierce despite. On all that^s just hath placed a ban His fellow to requite ! ^^Am I my brother^s keeper ,^^ saith His lustful, envious soul; — Deep sunk in Self, and void of Faith Plays thus, the wretch, his role* 40 LXIV, man^s a man'^ tho' crushed to earth, Ev'n by his brother worm ; To noblest themes may^s soul give birth While struggling thro^ life's storm : Barred out from Opportunity, His Willing Hands to Use ; Whilst land '^lords'' with impunity, Their ^Trivileges^' abuse^ LXV. The rich, in This world's goods, may lay On bed of softest down; From virtue's paths they may not stray — On ev'ry Crime may frown; Yet, vainest thoughts will fill the heart Not anchored upon Thee; Who have not chose the * ^Better part" — Thy Truth, which makes us Free» 41 LXVL HY lounge in idleness and vice, God^s Poor down-trod.the while? Why play the Fool and throw the dice Your ^^leisure'' to beguile? That unto Labor rest belongs Is the decree of Heaven : — Who loll in ease his Brother wrongs, Unless for Service giv^n. * * * * * LXVIL How fleet the smile of summer^s scene Is changed for winter's woe! (Let mellow autumn intervene With ambient afterglow*) Life's cares our joys full soon destroy, Or rob of pow'r to please; — Compounded of Earth's base alloy They fail, the soul t' appease* 42 c be ^> LXVIIL ARTH'S joys! oh what are they at best, Divorced from Love, and God? An aching void! a longed for rest ! A heavy, weary load : With hollow, soulless Vanity Our minds, our hearts are riv^n ; From paths of peace led far astray ; All, all is false but Heaven ! LXIX. Contemplate well God's Won'drous Word — The Book of Nature through! ITS pages aye new joys afford As they unfold to view^ His Works through all Creation trace : — Did man but see or hear, With Him he'd commune face to face ! For God is everywhere. 43 LXX ^ RUE joy in Self was never found : — It withers up the soul ! It fills this fair creation round With woe, from pole to pole, Oh then for God ! for Truth and Right ! For faith and love combined; ^Gainst Lust^s dread powV to wage the fight, True joys that we might find. LXXL Did man do by his fellow man As he'd be done unto; — The Golden Rule his happy plan ! Then, each wad hae his due : But Giant Might stalks thro' the land, Wi' dire Oppression's Rod ; 'Gainst fenseless right a fellon band ! — Nor dreads a Righteous God ! 44 LXXIL HO is^t cheap charity that wants? — The miserable dole ! — The Sop which guilty conscience flaunts To ease the wretched soul ! ^Tis Love the hungry heart most craves To warm the chilly breast; 'Tis Love^ not '^Charity'^ that saves, And lulls to envied rest. LXXIIL Chill Poverty is Slavery Of Body, Heart and Soul; — Fell scourge of Vilest Knavery On Greed^s most hideous scrolL Nor need of lash, nor auction block To sever kindred dear ; Starvation is the galling yoke Wage SlavVy^s Million's fear! 45 LXXIV. HO owns the Land owns all there is Of Human Life and Toil ; ^S^^3 Their energies he claims as His ! — Their ev^ry effort foil Of striving after Happiness^ ( Gods kind intent to all ) ; The Landless gain but heartlessness, Grief, wretchedness and gall. LXXV. How long O Lord ? — Father of Love! How long must such things be ? — Send forth Thy Fiat from above, And bid th^ enslaved gae free! An^ hurl the thunders O' thy wrath ^Gainst despot-tyrants all ; The memVy O' their gastly path Enshroud, as with a pall! 46 LXXVL HY Kingdom come : Thy Will be done On earth, as ^tis in heav'n : To evVy creature neath the sun Thy benisons be giv'n. O bare thine arm ; and stay the powV Of mammon, and of woe: Let tyranny Itself devour, That all Thy Love may know* * * * * * LXXVIL Ye guides, who lead your flocks astray And mistranslate God^s Word; — Who's Common Fatherhood betray Where'er His name is heard : Blind : Leaders of the blind : ye all In Stygian Darkness grope : Repent ! — let His Light stay your fall E'er in the ditch ye drop ! 47 Lxxvm. Paradise would be this earth Did Justice but prevail ; Sic blissfu' scenes ^twad ca' tae birth !— Nor man his lot bewail : Ilk heVt wad fill wi' licht an' luve, Sma' cause there'd be for wae ; Fa' richest blessings frae above ! Come ; for't^ let's work an' pray. LXXIX. His Kingdom ne'er can come on earth While Mammon's Sway Obtains ; Whilst Hopeless Millions, Robbed of Hearth And Home, still here remains : The Few (by powers of hell possessed) The Many's Rights forstall;— Of love, and light and life unblest !^ — Of Vampire's held in thrall ! 48 LXXX. HIS orb, our Common Mother is Our Common Wants to fill ; (The great Creator and Allwise, Has Thus decreed His wilL) Her ever fruitful, welcome breast, Responsive to our call, Invites us to partake and — rest : — Exhaustless still for all. LXXXL Why then should mortal want for aught Kind Nature can supply ? — The Land, with untold blessings fraught Lies Waste, while sad we sigh ! How long must God's world vacant lay ?- His creatures starve from birth ? How long withheld from Use, O say, By Blackest Crime of Earth ? — 49 Lxxxn. O traffic in the lives of men ! Aye^ confiscate life's source ; — To herd them up in squalid den To gorge the filthy purse ? Great Heaven ! what stifling tyranny ! — To hound their kind to death ; — Bereft of all Humanity, TheyM stop their Brother's breath* LXXXIIL In sweat and blood poor Human Toil Forgets She hath a soul ! — Remains for Her but Ceaseless Moil ! No pow'r to help — console. Taxed Industry still downward tends Earth's ^^Owners" to deprave; Whilst weak, Disfranchised Labor, ends Her heart throes in the grave. 50 11 4) ■'-' LXXXIV. H bretherin !-fooIs-fools and blind : How long refuse to see ? How long reject God^s Laws, so kind, So bountuous and so free ? Together stand ! — your rights demand ! (The Lord is ever just;) Join heart and hand — Possess the Land ! — To right your wrongs ye must. LXXXV. Did He intend that man should slave From Infancy to Age ? — His Will to crush, oppress, deprave,- Relentless warfare wage Against the children of His Hand, Made in His Form Divine, Or, on His Footstool Free to stand And, In His Love to shine ? 51 LXXXVL BLASPHEMY ! to heap on Him The crimes neath which we groan ! — The Lord of Light the author grim Of ev^ry grief and moan ! The God of Grace, th' almighty ONE, Who gave us life, disowned ! — Our sense of His Great Love so gone, That Reason's Self's dethroned ! LXXXVIL Insensate Man ! 'tis man made *^Iaws," Not the All Father's Will, Of man's enslavement is the cause. His cup of Death to fill. Return ! — return to Nature's laws, Return to Nature's God, If ye of Life would find The cause. And 'scape His Wrath the load. 52 Lxxxvin. E hung the spheres which o^er us blaze, And guides the radiant train ; Harmonious they discourse his praise — His Will to haste amain ! While thro' heavens boundless realms they soar, Resounds the glad refrain, From each to each, from shore to shore: ''ONE, o'er us all doth reign V LXXXIX. The Teeming Earth impatiently Awaits Our Human Aid ; To yield Her stores abundantly. Deep in her bowels hid. Why then not access to the land By Mother Nature giv'n To all alike with lavish hand. That earth become a heav'n ? 53 xc I IS vain to prate of 'lights divine'' — Mere sophistry and cant ; While o'er God's world His Children pine In penury and want. He wills His gifts to all I ween — Land, Water, Air and Light ; Wrong, Monster Wrong steps in between, And robs Man, of His Right. XCL Lord ! cease the dreadful Fear of Want That weighs on Human Hearts ! — Pales ev'n the cheek of Childhood gaunt And stings like poisoned darts ! Fierce Hunger knaws the vitals through Of millions, aid who craves; — While Plenty smiles in easy view. They fill unnumbered graves. 54 IS XCIL REAK fell Monop'I/s Iron Back, And sweep it from the earth ! — Thine Ire pursue its soulless track !- To Freedom True give birth : Till, round this sphere from pole to pole, While ebb and flows the tide ; Sublime, in one harmonious whole Truth, Justice, Love abide^ 55 xcni. B H for the names of by-gone days ! — Of Bruce !— of Wallace wight ! S^ In life's youth who descried the rays Of Liberty's fond light! Who fought and bled that light to spread, New Hope in ev'ry blow ! Who, in the van heroic led, And laid the tyrant low! — XCIV. Our glorious Covenanting Sires Who, foremost in the breach, Relit anew Faith's sacred fires, Their God Direct to reach ! John Knox ; who censured vice and crime Tho' high enthroned in sway ! — Overthrew ^*Idolatrie'' betime. And glorified his day* — xcv. F Emmett who for Freedom died Ere life had scarce begun ! Proud England^s Tyranny defied With face toward the sun ! — Of Milton, and the galaxy Who championed Human Right ! George Washington, who gained the day, ^Gainst haughty Britain^s Might I — XCVL Of Tell, who dared the tyrants yoke ! Of Poland^s doughty son ! — Lincoln ! Black Slav^ry^s Chains who broke, And died to see it done I The true and brave of evVy clime. Lifers race who faithful ran; — Essayed their Duty in their time. Nor feared the face of man. 57 XCVII. I HUS, they who well have played their parts Will haunt the mind by turns ; — And foremost in His Country^s hearts The Ploughman^ Robert Burns ! O Deathless Bard ! we honor thee^ And keep thy memory green ; For man to man shall brothers be, Let oceans roll between ! XCVIIL Thy name a Living PowV shall be In lowly cot and hall ; While waves wild flowVet o^er the lea Thy presence to recalL Thy songs, the old old story weave While lovers fondly sigh; Or while thy mountains hoary, heave Their peaks unto, the sky ! 58 The wee bit mouse, an' wounded hare, I'll favor'd on the wild, His heart felt sympathies did share ; Stanza C. XCIX. E banks an' braes O' bonnie Doon, Bloom ever fresh an' fair; — There, Robbie, wha's at rest aboon, Aft lingered, fu' O' care^ Ye little birds ! sing saft an' sweet Thro' a' the flow'ring thorn ; Methinks ye chant His dirge, sae meet. Wham a' the wide warld mourn ! An' you, ye mountain daisies sweet, Wha scent the caller air ; Your snaw-white faces, dewy weet, Kent aye his tend'rest care ! The wee bit mouse, an' wounded hare, III favor'd on the wild. His heartfelt sympathy's did share ; For Rob was Nature's child^ 59 CL S droops the flower that fades and dies Beside its parent stem ; That brighter life might yet arise Of beautie^s soul the gem ! So die must we for other's here, Is Nature's stern decree ; — Thus may we soar to higher sphere, From death forever free* CIL Maintain fair Freedom's fight : — be Men ! Hope's Smile shall cheer ye on : Oppression's lang drear nicht will en', An' merge in Day's bright dawn* To Ploughshares men shall beat their swords, To Pruning Hooks their spears; No more uphold mere creature ^^lords;" No more shed blood and tears* 60 CIIL HE nations all confederate In 'Teace, Good Will'' combine; While wee bird warbles to his mate> The strains O' ''Auld langsyne/' Syne struggle bravely i' yer time, Nor cringe tae aucht that's wrang; And in His time, in fairer clime, On Gowden Streets ye'll gang! CIV. Come, O Thou ^'Christ that is to be," And lighten Labor's load : Come ! set both soul and body free. And bring us nearer God. Come reason Thou 'twixt man and man, And bid oppression cease : O Come ! the good of all to plan ; And thus bring joy and peace. 61 cv. ONG, long hast thou been crucified By thy professing friends ; Long, long Thy Boundless Love defied. For SelPs unholy ends. This fair green earth, and all therein To all is freely giv'n : — Free to the feast let all come in, And share the Smile of Heaven. CVL Of One Blood are the nations made — One God created all. Then never more let it be said That He hath raised a wall Or barrier 'gainst Honest Worth, To fend a pampered few ; His love extends to all on earth Free, as from heav'n the dew. 62 CVIL NE is your master, heavens Great Lord, !^^ And all ye bretheren are ; Then haste, O Brothers ! — be implored To end th^ inglorious war — Plot, scheme and fraud 'gainst man and God ! 'Gainst all that's good and true; Your Loving Deeds let Justice laud. Held ever up to view ! CVIIL Let faithless Fate, on Bat-like wing. This yearth gae flound'rin' oer ; His leather lugs owre heavy hing Creation's Depths to soar ! Content to drive thro' darkness black, Nor long the light to see ; While legions send the echo back : — ''My faith looks up to Thee." CIX, YE lippen on His Providence, An^ dinna be cast doon; — Trusting His Great Beneficence His Glory sal ye croon ! An^, whan at length yer weary heid On earth's cauld lap ye lay, Yer name i' tW '*Book O' Life''(blest meed)t Sal gleam a gem for aye ! 64 ex. PEED, speed that blessed time O Lord, The glad Millennial Day ; When sufferings wail shall cease be heard : — Almighty Love bear sway. Dispel this night of mortal strife, Thy Grace give us the sum ; Until through death, to Endless Life We reach our heavenly home. CXL RAE virtue's neuks jouk monie crooks : Tae jink them, let's d! try ! — To find e'en ^^Books in running brooks/' Aye passing Evil by. Come; turn a new leaf owre, my frien, An' sing that '^guid auld sang;" — Mither's refrain, e'en till her wean : 7IST CREEP AFORE YE GANG ! i^' 66 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT ■• TT TTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTl LiAiiiiXAia.i^lA^XiliiiAAli.XAAl^Xi.i„i^AlXll.AXJ_tAXiJLi^ GLOSSARY OF SCOTCH TERMS USED IN THIS WORK. A' all Aboon above Abeigh aloof Aiblins perhaps Ac' act Ae, ane one Aft oft Aff off Aften often Again' against Ain own Airt point of compass Aince once Air early Aroon around An, . .if — An' . . .and Audit anything Awee a little while Awa' away A'thing everything Bairn child Baith both Bairnies children Bauld bold Benichted. . .benighted Ben in tier apartment Belike likely, perhaps Bisnes business Bine wash-tub Bools marbles Braw handsome Brainge rush Braingin rushing But inner apartment Brunt. burned Callan boy Caller fresh Canty merry Canna cannot Carl old man Carlin woman Cauld cold Chinge change Chiels young fellows Cinners cinders Clashin' idle talk Claes clothes Cloured bruised Clyte fall Coont count Creepie stool Cronn crown Coofs, Cuifs. .blockheads Daurna dare not Dannner saunler Deave deafen Doo dove '^Erior— should be oiiLer apartment. Dook*t ducked Droon drown Doun down Duify dunce Dicht wipe Dinna do not B'e eye Enew enough En' end Fand found Faut fault Fause false Faur far Fash worry Flap flop Flate scolded Flyte scold Flytes disputes Fechtin' fighting Fit foot Fluir floor Forby besides Fowk folk Frae from Fuil fool Fuilish foolish Gade went Gang walk Gae go Gaun going^ Gear riches Gie give Gied gave Gien given Gif if Gled glad Gree palm Greet .weep Grozet gooseberry Guid good Gyte daft, crazy GLOSSARY Hae have, accept Hael whole Hame home Hand hold Haurlin' hauling Heid head Heidstrang . . .headstrong Heigh, hie. . .high Hirple shuffle Hirsel't. . . . .wriggled Hoo how Howp't hoped Ilk each Ilka every Jist just Jouk hide, stoop Ken know Kent known Lade load Lanely lonely Leal true Lear learning Lee-lang.. ..livelong Leuk look Lippen rely, trust Lowe flame Losh ! an exclamation Mae more Maist most Maistly mostly Maun must Mat, Micht. . .might Meikle, Muckle. .great, much Moose mouse Monie many Na not Neuk nook Nicht night Niest next Noo now O' of Oot out Oor our Owre, ower..over Pit put Plack old Scotch Pou pull Pouches pockets Pows heads Prang prong Press cupboard Preen pin Prood proud Puir poor Rant play Raxin' reaching Roun' round Sae so Sairly sorely Sair sore Sal shall Sapples soapsuds Saul soul Saut salt Sel' self Shaw show Sheugh, shuch . .gutter Shoughlie shaky Siller money Sic such Sicht sight Skaith injury Skailed spilled Skeigh proud Skr^iejh scream Skirlin' shrieking Sleekit slee. .sly Slidderin' slipping GLOSSARY I Smeekit smoked I Snaw snow Soom swim Soun' sound Souk nurse Soukin' nursing Speaned weaned Spee.l climb Sprauchelin' .sprawling Spune spoon Spurtle porridge stick Staw surfeit Stap step Stappit stepped Stan', staun.. stand Stent taut Steeks stitches Stoure dust Stipit stupid Strang strong Stules stools Sud should Svne then, since, ago Tap top Tai besides, likewise Teut heed Thae those Thrapples throats Thraw twist Thrang busy Threep maintain Thole bear Toom empty Trummelin' . trembling Unca great Vera very Wae woe Waefu' woeful Wad would Warstled wrestled Wean child GLOSSARY. Wee. ....... .small Wham whom Whilk which Whaur where Whummelt . .upset Wight. ..... .stout, enduring Wi' with Wunnert wondered Wull will Yer. y< Auld Clootie. .The devil Broon Bawbee, .brown half-penny But an' ben . .kitchen and parlor Cloot ma lug's, .box my ears Cowpit owre . tipped over Crawed sae crouse. .crowed so bold Daurin' Diels. .daring devils Dawds o' glaur. .lumps of mud Droukit craw, .drenched crow Fand faut. .found fault Fidgin' fain . .very anxious Hoo's a' ?. .how's all ? Ingle cheek, .fireside Lang luggit. .long eared Pooriith, snell and doure. .poverty, cold and stubborn Pouers abune . . Powers above Kail Pat.. broth pot Sic'n a staw. .such a surfeit Soukin' wean . .nursing child Steek their gab. .shut their mouth 8ud trummel i' their shune. .should tremble in their shoes Wede awa. .weeded away Yaum yaumrin' . .harp harping, repeating vShule an' Tangs, .shovel and tongs Yer heid's faur up a closs ! . .your head's far up a narrow passage— you're beside yourself Or let them pu' the rape fu' stent . .or let them pnll the rope full taut ^M^ii(i'- fc^-'ii^