Poem On Sensibility

     Sensibility, how charming,
     Dearest Nancy, thou canst tell;
     But distress, with horrors arming,
     Thou alas! hast known too well!

     Fairest flower, behold the lily
     Blooming in the sunny ray: 
     Let the blast sweep o’er the valley,
     See it prostrate in the clay.

     Hear the wood lark charm the forest,
     Telling o’er his little joys;
     But alas! a prey the surest
     To each pirate of the skies.

     Dearly bought the hidden treasure
     Finer feelings can bestow: 
     Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure
     Thrill the deepest notes of woe.

The Toadeater

     Of Lordly acquaintance you boast,
     And the Dukes that you dined wi’ yestreen,
     Yet an insect’s an insect at most,
     Tho’ it crawl on the curl of a Queen!

Divine Service In The Kirk Of Lamington

     As cauld a wind as ever blew,
     A cauld kirk, an in’t but few: 
     As cauld a minister’s e’er spak;
     Ye’se a’ be het e’er I come back.

The Keekin’-Glass

     How daur ye ca’ me howlet-face,
     Ye blear-e’ed, withered spectre? 
     Ye only spied the keekin’-glass,
     An’ there ye saw your picture.

A Grace Before Dinner, Extempore

     O thou who kindly dost provide
     For every creature’s want! 
     We bless Thee, God of Nature wide,
     For all Thy goodness lent: 
     And if it please Thee, Heavenly Guide,
     May never worse be sent;
     But, whether granted, or denied,
     Lord, bless us with content.  Amen!

A Grace After Dinner, Extempore

     O thou, in whom we live and move—­
     Who made the sea and shore;
     Thy goodness constantly we prove,
     And grateful would adore;
     And, if it please Thee, Power above! 
     Still grant us, with such store,
     The friend we trust, the fair we love—­
     And we desire no more.  Amen!

O May, Thy Morn

     O may, thy morn was ne’er so sweet
     As the mirk night o’ December! 
     For sparkling was the rosy wine,
     And private was the chamber: 
     And dear was she I dare na name,
     But I will aye remember: 
     And dear was she I dare na name,
     But I will aye remember.

     And here’s to them that, like oursel,
     Can push about the jorum! 
     And here’s to them that wish us weel,
     May a’ that’s guid watch o’er ’em! 
     And here’s to them, we dare na tell,
     The dearest o’ the quorum! 
     And here’s to them, we dare na tell,
     The dearest o’ the quorum.