The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 70

CXLVI.

TO CHLORIS.

[Chloris was a Nithsdale beauty. Love and sorrow were strongly mingled in her early history: that she did not look so lovely in other eyes as she did in those of Burns is well known: but he had much of the taste of an artist, and admired the elegance of her form, and the harmony of her motion, as much as he did her blooming face and sweet voice.]

'Tis Friends.h.i.+p's pledge, my young, fair friend, Nor thou the gift refuse, Nor with unwilling ear attend The moralizing muse.

Since thou in all thy youth and charms, Must bid the world adieu, (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms) To join the friendly few.

Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast, Chill came the tempest's lower; (And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast Did nip a fairer flower.)

Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Still much is left behind; Still n.o.bler wealth hast thou in store-- The comforts of the mind!

Thine is the self-approving glow, On conscious honour's part; And, dearest gift of heaven below, Thine friends.h.i.+p's truest heart.

The joys refin'd of sense and taste, With every muse to rove: And doubly were the poet blest, These joys could he improve.

CXLVII.

POETICAL INSCRIPTION

FOR AN ALTAR TO INDEPENDENCE.

[It was the fas.h.i.+on of the feverish times of the French Revolution to plant trees of Liberty, and raise altars to Independence. Heron of Kerroughtree, a gentleman widely esteemed in Galloway, was about to engage in an election contest, and these n.o.ble lines served the purpose of announcing the candidate's sentiments on freedom.]

Thou of an independent mind, With soul resolv'd, with soul resign'd; Prepar'd Power's proudest frown to brave, Who wilt not be, nor have a slave; Virtue alone who dost revere, Thy own reproach alone dost fear, Approach this shrine, and wors.h.i.+p here.

CXLVIII.

THE HERON BALLADS.

[BALLAD FIRST.]

[This is the first of several party ballads which Burns wrote to serve Patrick Heron, of Kerroughtree, in two elections for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, in which he was opposed, first, by Gordon of Balmaghie, and secondly, by the Hon. Montgomery Stewart. There is a personal bitterness in these lampoons, which did not mingle with the strains in which the poet recorded the contest between Miller and Johnstone. They are printed here as matters of poetry, and I feel sure that none will be displeased, and some will smile.]

I.

Whom will you send to London town, To Parliament and a' that?

Or wha in a' the country round The best deserves to fa' that?

For a' that, and a' that; Thro Galloway and a' that; Where is the laird or belted knight That best deserves to fa' that?

II.

Wha sees Kerroughtree's open yett, And wha is't never saw that?

Wha ever wi' Kerroughtree meets And has a doubt of a' that?

For a' that, and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that, The independent patriot, The honest man, an' a' that.

III.

Tho' wit and worth in either s.e.x, St. Mary's Isle can shaw that; Wi' dukes and lords let Selkirk mix, And weel does Selkirk fa' that.

For a' that, and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that!

The independent commoner Shall be the man for a' that.

IV.

But why should we to n.o.bles jouk, And it's against the law that; For why, a lord may be a gouk, Wi' ribbon, star, an' a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that!

A lord may be a lousy loun, Wi' ribbon, star, an' a' that.

V.

A beardless boy comes o'er the hills, Wi' uncle's purse an' a' that; But we'll hae ane frae 'mang oursels, A man we ken, an' a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that!

For we're not to be bought an' sold Like naigs, an' nowt, an' a' that.

VI.

Then let us drink the Stewartry, Kerroughtree's laird, an' a' that, Our representative to be, For weel he's worthy a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that, A House of Commons such as he, They would be blest that saw that.

CXLIX.

THE HERON BALLADS.

[BALLAD SECOND.]