The Modern Scottish Minstrel Volume Ii Part 14

FIFE, AN' A' THE LAND ABOUT IT.[70]

TUNE--_"Roy's Wife o' Aldivalloch."_

Fife, an' a' the land about it, Fife, an' a' the land about it; May health, an' peace, an' plenty glad, Fair Fife, an' a' the land about it.

We 'll raise the song on highest key, Through every grove till echo shout it; The sweet enchantin' theme shall be, Fair Fife, an' a' the land about it.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

Her braid an' lang extended vales Are clad wi' corn, a' wavin' yellow; Her flocks an' herds crown a' her hills; Her woods resound wi' music mellow.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

Her waters pastime sweet afford To ane an' a' wha like to angle; The seats o' mony a laird an' lord, Her plains, as stars the sky, bespangle.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

In ilka town an' village gay, Hark! Thrift, her wheel an' loom are usin'; While to an' frae each port an' bay, See wealthy Commerce briskly cruisin'.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

Her maids are frugal, modest, fair, As lilies by her burnies growin'; An' ilka swain may here repair, Whase heart wi' virt'ous love is glowin'.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

In peace, her sons like lammies mild, Are lightsome, friendly, an' engagin'; In war, they 're loyal, bauld, an' wild, As lions roused, an' fiercely ragin'.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, &c.

May auld an' young hae meat an' claes; May wark an' wages aye be plenty; An' may the sun to latest days See Fife an' a' her bairnies canty.

Fife, an' a' the land about it, Fife, an' a' the land about it; May health, an' peace, an' plenty glad, Fair Fife, an' a' the land about it.

[70] A song of this t.i.tle was composed by Robert Fergusson.

WILLIAM M'LAREN.

William M'Laren, a poet of some merit, and an a.s.sociate and biographer of Robert Tannahill, was born at Paisley about 1772. He originally followed the occupation of a handloom weaver, but was more devoted to the pursuits of literature than the business of his trade. Possessing a considerable share of poetical talent, he composed several volumes of verses, which were published by him on his own account, and very frequently to considerable pecuniary advantage. In 1817, he published, in quarto, a poetical tale, ent.i.tled, "Emma; or, The Cruel Father;" and another narrative poem in 1827, under the t.i.tle of "Isabella; or, The Robbers." Many of his songs and lyrical pieces were contributed to provincial serials. His genius as a poet was exceeded by his skill as a prose writer; he composed in prose with elegance and power. In 1815, he published a memoir of Tannahill--an eloquent and affectionate tribute to the memory of his departed friend--to which is appended an _eloge_ on Robert Burns, delivered at an anniversary of that poet's birthday. In 1818, he published, with a memoir, the posthumous poetical works of his relative, the poet Scadlock. His other prose writings consist of pamphlets on a diversity of subjects.

At one period, M'Laren established himself as a manufacturer in Ireland; but, rendering himself obnoxious by the bold expression of his political opinions, he found it necessary to make a hasty departure for Scotland.

He latterly opened a change-house in Paisley, and his circ.u.mstances became considerably prosperous. He died in 1832, leaving a family. He is remembered as a person of somewhat singular manners, and of undaunted enterprise and decision of character. He was shrewd and well-informed, without much reading; he purchased no books, but was ingenious and successful in recommending his own.[71]

[71] Mr James Bowie, of Paisley, to whom we are under obligations for supplying curious and interesting information regarding several of the bards of the west, kindly furnished the particulars of the above memoir.

NOW SUMMER SHINES WITH GAUDY PRIDE.

Now summer shines with gaudy pride, By flowery vale and mountain side, And shepherds waste the sunny hours By cooling streams, and bushy bowers; While I, a victim to despair, Avoid the sun's offensive glare, And in sequester'd wilds deplore The perjured vows of Ella More.

Would Fate my injured heart provide Some cave beyond the mountain tide, Some spot where scornful Beauty's eye Ne'er waked the ardent lover's sigh; I 'd there to woods and rocks complain, To rocks that skirt the angry main; For angry main, and rocky sh.o.r.e, Are kinder far than Ella More.

AND DOST THOU SPEAK SINCERE, MY LOVE?

TUNE--_"Lord Gregory."_

And dost thou speak sincere, my love?

And must we ever part?

And dost thou unrelenting see The anguish of my heart?

Have e'er these doating eyes of mine, One wandering wish express'd?

No; thou alone hast ever been Companion of my breast.

I saw thy face, angelic fair, I thought thy form divine, I sought thy love--I gave my heart, And hoped to conquer thine.

But, ah! delusive, cruel hope!

Hope now for ever gone!

My Mary keeps the heart I gave, But with it keeps her own.

When many smiling summer suns Their silver light has shed, And wrinkled age her h.o.a.ry hairs Waves lightly o'er my head; Even then, in life's declining hour, My heart will fondly trace The beauties of thy lovely form, And sweetly smiling face.

SAY NOT THE BARD HAS TURN'D OLD.

Though the winter of age wreathes her snow on his head, And the blooming effulgence of summer has fled, Though the voice, that was sweet as the harp's softest string, Be trem'lous, and low as the zephyrs of spring, Yet say not the Bard has turn'd old.

Though the casket that holds the rich jewel we prize Attracts not the gaze of inquisitive eyes; Yet the gem that 's within may be lovely and bright As the smiles of the morn, or the stars of the night; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.

When the tapers burn clear, and the goblet shines bright, In the hall of his chief, on a festival night, I have smiled at the glance of his rapturous eye, While the brim of the goblet laugh'd back in reply; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.

When he sings of the valorous deeds that were done, By his clan or his chief, in the days that are gone, His strains then are various--now rapid, now slow, As he mourns for the dead or exults o'er the foe; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.

When summer in gaudy profusion is dress'd, And the dew-drop hangs clear on the violet's breast, I list with delight to his rapturous strain, While the borrowing echo returns it again; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.

But not summer's profusion alone can inspire His soul in the song, or his hand on the lyre, But rapid his numbers and wilder they flow, When the wintry winds rave o'er his mountains of snow; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.

I have seen him elate when the black clouds were riven, Terrific and wild, by the thunder of heaven, And smile at the billows that angrily rave, Incessant and deep o'er the mariner's grave; Then say not the Bard has turn'd old.