

Billy Bell Part 2:  
The Rest of the Redesdale Roadman's Poems

William Bell, Susanne Ellingham

Copyright 2013 Susanne Ellingham

Smashwords Edition

This book is issued as a companion to the selection  
of poems and other articles printed in

Billy Bell, Redesdale Roadman, Border Bard

which is available as a print and ebook.  
An index to those poems is at the end of this book

This second ebook contains  
a glossary to the words used in the poems,  
all the rest of the poems and  
an article on some of the people mentioned in the poems

Published by The Heritage Centre, Bellingham, NE48 2DF  
with support from Northumberland National Park

ebook Edition 2013 ISBN 978-0-9575426-2-4

William Bell enjoyed hearing his poetry recited and sung. Please feel free to perform any of his poems or set them to music. In return, please acknowledge Billy Bell as the author.

Cover photographs courtesy of:

Byrness Memorial Window: Revd Dr Susan Ramsaran

Catcleugh water spillway to River Rede: Susanne Ellingham

There is a photo of Billy Bell on the Bellingham Heritage website

All BB's poems have been numbered in roughly chronological order, based on his hand-written notebooks. Use the Index poem number and the 'Find' facility to go directly to any poem. Spelling and punctuation are as in the typescript. Apologies are offered for any mistranscriptions from 1968 (typing up) or 2011-2012 (digitisation)

Acknowledgements are due to everyone who helped to preserve the poems over the years and who helped, however indirectly, in their publication. Particular appreciation is due to Susan Rogerson who rescued the notebooks in 1951 and to William Butler to whom she lent the notebooks in 1968 so that they could be typed up and thanks also to Ian Roberts who liaised with various people and organisations.

Johnny Handle performs a selection of Billy Bell's poems on his CD: Billy Bell, Redesdale Bard which is available from www.johnnyhandle.co.uk

This ebook is free but all profits from the first book will be shared by the following charities/organisations, without whose essential help Billy Bell's work could not have been published:  
Heritage Centre, Bellingham;

Old Gaol, Hexham,  
Northumberland National Park (to be used for Catcleugh Black House)  
Byrness & Horsley Parish

Table of Contents

.-----1 Glossary of words used in the poems

.-----2 Introduction - Susanne Ellingham

.-----3 People in the Poems Susanne Ellingham

.-----4 The Rest of Poems

.-----5 Index 1 \- alphabetical by title (or first line if no title) and poem number

.-----6 Index 2 \- the selection of poems in Billy Bell, Redesdale Roadman, Border Bard.

1 Glossary

NB words may be local dialect from either side of the Border or from Bible/mythology. Spellings are often phonetic

\--- Agley- awry

\--- Ahint - behind

\--- Ayont - beyond

\--- Bairns/barnies - children

\--- Banes - bones

\--- Bates (nane him bates) - beats

\--- Bent - type of wiry grass

\--- Blate - shy, modest, bashful

\--- Blether - nonsense chatter

\--- Blethert - foolish talker

\--- Boosed - drunk,

\--- Boreas - North Wind

\--- Bos'ell's Fair - major horse trading fair across the Border at St Boswells

\--- Brass nebbed shoon - shoes with metal tips ('noses')

\--- Braw \- handsome,

\--- Brawly deckit - in fine clothes

\--- Brawxy / braxy - internal inflammation in sheep. (Brawxy mutton was eaten if no better meat could be afforded or obtined)

\--- Breeks - trousers

\--- Canny - nice, agreeable (ie the English not the Scots usage)

\--- Canty - lively, merry

\--- Cauldrife - very chilly

\--- Chiel - young man

\--- Chloral - sedative drug (Victorian use)

\--- Chuckies/chookies - hens

\--- Churl - fellow, (not very complimentary)

\--- Claes - clothes

\--- Claggit, claggy - sticky with mud

\--- Clarty - dirty, muddy

\--- Cleeks - hooks

\--- Clegs - horse flies

\--- Cleugh - steepsided river valley

\--- Clyre - diseased glands in cattle

\--- Cowp \- tumble over or tip up

\--- Crack - chat, gossip

\--- Craik - chatter (cf.: gaelic/Irish craic or crack)

\--- Crannim - cranium/skull

\--- Cree \- pigsty - also pigeon cree,

\--- Creel - fishing basket

\--- Croose - cheerful, active, improved

\--- Crowdy - oatmeal porridge

\--- Crummy/crummie - a cow with crooked horns

\--- Curnies - currants

\--- Cushetts - doves or pigeons

\--- Cynthia - the moon

\--- Dander - temper, anger or pacing in a bad mood

\--- Dightin' - clearing up by hand

\--- Dinmont - young ram

\--- Dour- sullen, stern

\--- Drooth - thirst

\--- Duntit - knocked, hit

\--- Dyke - stone wall

\--- Fashious - troublesome

\--- Firkin/ferkin - keg for liquid, wet food or butter

\--- Flitting - moving because of a change in tenancy or employer

\--- Gaberlundsie - tramp, beggar (archaic)

\--- Gan oot - go out

\--- Gey/gay - very

\--- Gimmer - young ewe

\--- Girn \- grimace, complain peevishly

\--- Gleg \- quick, alert

\--- Goss - goshawk

\--- Grane -groan

\--- Grumphie - pig

\--- Haugh - marshy area by river

\--- Heid - head

\--- Hemmel e'e - entrance to open shed

\--- Herd - shepherd

\--- Heugh - rugged hillside or steep slope undercut by river

\--- Hind \- general farm worker

\--- Hinny - term of endearment (cf. honey)

\--- Hint / ahint / hintend - behind, back end

\--- Hirples - limps

\--- Hizzie - hussy, derogatory word for a woman

\--- Hogg \- young female sheep

\--- Hoopled / hooples - hobbled

\--- Hoose - house

\--- Howdy - midwife

\--- Ilka - every

\--- Jades, jads - young girls (can be uncomplimentary)

\--- Jaloose - suspect something, guess

\--- Jethert - Jedburgh

\--- Johnny Mace -, should be Jem Mace, a famous 19th century boxer

\--- Keek \- peek at, steal a glance

\--- Ken / Kent - know / knew

\--- Kekkle - cackle

\--- Kirkyard - cemetery

\--- Kite - stomach

\--- Kittle - puzzling, ticklish

\--- Kittled - had kittens

\--- Knowes - upper hill slopes and tops

\--- Kye - cattle

\--- Landrail - corncrake

\--- Lang nebbed - long nosed/posh

\--- Laverock - skylark.

\--- Leal - loyal

\--- Leister- fish spear

\--- Linn - waterfall

\--- Loof - palm of hand

\--- Looses - lice

\--- Loupin' ill - sheep disease causing spasms

\--- Lowp - leap

\--- Lum - chimney

\--- Lynn - waterfall

\--- Marah - biblical reference to bitterness (in No.143)

\--- Marra - workmate, friend

\--- Masher - fellow who fancies himself as a ladies man or smart dresser

\--- Mask \- letting the tea brew

\--- Mavis - song thrush

\--- Navvy - labourer on large constructions eg canal, road, railway, reservoir

\--- Nibby - walking stick with hooked head

\--- Nid the first - Adam

\--- Nimrod - mighty hunter (Biblical)

\--- Nobby - classy

\--- Oxter - armpit

\--- Pairting - separating (from)

\--- Pawkey - 1) sly, knowing or 2) fussy

\--- Peeler - policeman; after Sir Robert Peel's London Police Force begun in 1829

\--- Peesweep - peewit

\--- Philomel - swallow

\--- Phoebus - sun

\--- Press - cupboard

\--- Pricker - reiver (from his spurs)

\--- Prig (verb) - steal, filch

\--- Pudden cloot - cloth for steamed puddings

\--- Pyke/pike - haycock

\--- Queen - young woman (cf.: Scots quine)

\--- Quench your drooth - quench your thirst

\--- Quey \- calf, young cow

\--- Racker teeth - cross-cut saws have teeth raked alternately to right and left

\--- Rackit - racked, fully stretched

\--- Ramfoosed - ? (possibly made up in order to fit the rhyme)

\--- Riggin stane - stone forming part of roof ridge

\--- Rill - small stream

\--- Rob the Ranter - Rabbie Burns

\--- Sark \- nightshirt

\--- Saut - salt

\--- Scraggit - scraggy

\--- Shanky's nag - on foot

\--- Shiel - summer pasture land

\--- Shoon - shoes

\--- Sic(k)-like - such

\--- Siccar - sure

\--- Smit / smitten, infected (Billy uses it for falling in love)

\--- Snaw - snow

\--- Snell - sharp, biting, fierce

\--- Snooty mou - snout/mouth of animal

\--- Sonsie -friendly, jolly

\--- Soo - sow

\--- Sough / seugh - open ditch for drainage

\--- Spang - leap, jump

\--- Spavin - bony tumour on horse's hock

\--- Spawn - young, especially offish

\--- Speir - ask

\--- Spree - lively outing

\--- Stell - sheep enclosure out on hillside

\--- Streinding post - straining post, strongest post in a length of fencing

\--- Swother - confused, bewildered

\--- Syke \- small stream, often marshy

\--- Tallow - fat (sheep's tallow is used for candles)

\--- Tattie/tattoe - potato

\--- Teem \- pour into, overflow

\--- Theekit - thatched

\--- Tommy - food, especially that supplied in employer-run shops

\--- Tup - ram

\--- Wairsh - lacking savour, insipid

\--- Wame/weam - stomach

\--- Wean \- baby (at weaning stage)

\--- Weary Willie -tramp

\--- Weel cork'd barm - stage of beer making

\--- Whaulps -whelps

\--- Whaup - curlew

\--- Whin - gorse

\--- Wizard of the North - Sir Walter Scott

\--- Yetling - cast iron pot

\--- Yowe \- ewe, female sheep

Extra sources consulted include:

Alnwick dialect list 1870

Daft Laddies by Don Clegg and Clive Dalton  
Dictionary of the Scots Language  
Glossary of North Country Words. Brockett (1846 Ed)  
Northumbriana org uk

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2 Introduction

Billy Bell's life and times are described in the first book (Billy Bell, Redesdale Roadman, Border Bard). His mother was Scottish and his father's family came from south west Northumberland, They were mainly agricultural labourers and shepherds. Although born just over the Scottish Border in Riccarton he lived all the rest of his life in or near Byrness, just south of Carter Bar where the modern A68 crosses the Border. He was christened in 1862 and died in 1941. Most of the poems were written before World War 1, in the years after his first wife died in 1902. For nearly 50 years he worked as the roadmender on the seven miles of road south of the Border. Catcleugh Reservoir was built at this time, changing the character of the River Rede. When he began, horse, foot and, soon, bicycle were the usual means of transport; by the time he retired in the early 30s motor transport had taken over.

As told in the first book about Billy Bell, the original notebooks were saved from being burnt by Susan Rogerson in 1951. Mrs Rogerson made several attempts over the next 20 years to get organisations interested in taking on the publication of the poems. This lead to her lending the notebooks to William Butler who was Director of Tourism for Northumberland and a keen collector of everything to do with Northumberland, especially in relation to local music. At that time publishing was a very labour intensive process. As the first step the poems were typed up by Mr Butler's secretary (who, in an understandable Freudian slip, typed "pressure" for "pleasure" in The Plucking of the Geese). However, the project then stalled, despite the involvement of people like the County Archivist. This was because, although Susan Rogerson undoubtedly owned the notebooks, the copyright in the words belonged to Billy Bell's son, John Nicholas, who could not be traced. Since the copyright therefore could not be assigned, publication would create a potential legal dispute. After Susan Rogerson died no further efforts were made to pursue publication. Some more research into Billy Bell's life was made in 1988 by Border Library staff in Hexham who were given help by several people who had known him when they were young. Following this, a cousin of John Nicholas Bell told the Border Library that their last contact with him had been at a family funeral in 1945.

It was therefore fortunate that it was only in 2011, seventy years after Billy Bell's death, that a typed copy of the poems that had been given to the Border Library, came to my notice when I was a volunteer at the Old Gaol. The poems had just come out of copyright. Modern technology makes it much easier for one person to put in the time and effort needed to prepare something for publication, either in print or as an ebook. Print, while now proportionately less expensive than when all was done manually, still involves costs. Happily the Northumberland National Park recognised that the poems and other papers give an important historical insight into the social history of the Redesdale and North Tyne area and supported the publication of the book Billy Bell, Redesdale Roadman, Border Bard.

Johnny Handle and I choose about 70 poems from the collection of around 360 for the first book. Both our lists were very similar. Some poems were comic, often written in dialect for added effect. Others have more sharply thoughtful observations. Johnny also produced a CD, reciting and singing a selection of the poems. (Available from www.johnnyhandle.co.uk ) This second ebook makes all the rest of Billy Bell's poems available to anyone with an interest in the poetry and lifestyle of the period and the area. While most are not of the standard of those selected for the first book they still give a flavour of the way people lived and died and how they enjoyed themselves in a rural landscape in the years before the First War. They range from Pic Nics in Rochester (89b) and village hall evenings in Noah's Ark Soiree (191b) (a gathering which continued well into the 1920s) to fishing and courting. Maybe, as with The Lass o' Coquetside (253b) and her potential swains, some will take your fancy

Return to Contents List

3 The People in Billy Bell's poems  
Adapted from the article "An Unusual Source for Family History: Poetry" in the Winter 2012 issue of the Journal of the Northumberland & Durham Family History Society.

Poem numbers with 'a' are in the first book; poem numbers with 'b' are in this book.

Unlike more well-known poets, many of whom are creating something philosophical out of a description or imaginary situation, the local poets of an area often mention local events and the real people that they knew. William "Billy" Bell (1862-1941) wrote three poems about Bellingham Show. This tradition was brought up to date in August 2013 when the local schoolchildren performed their modern poem about the show at the Bellingham Show & Country Festival.

The techniques of family history research (eg looking at Censuses and directories) can be used to help pick out which of the subjects in the poems are imaginary - or highly altered - and which concern real people. Many of Billy Bell's poems are about the landscapes he knew, mainly Redesdale but also Tynedale, Irthingdale (around Gilsland) and the Scottish borders around Jedburgh. Others are about imaginary courtships, the seasons and local farming and pastimes. A few are about groups of people eg the navvies who worked on building Catcleugh Reservoir. Several, however, can be linked to named people who lived and worked in North Redesdale or were related to Billy. A few of these poems are, strictly speaking, letters - items that seldom survive when someone dies. However Billy seems to have much preferred versifying to writing prose and he kept copies of some of these letters in his many poetry notebooks. Most of such poems relate to only one person but the example below is interesting in naming several local people. Billy is writing to a friend, Wilkinson Dodd, who had been Clerk of the Reservoir Works at Catcleugh around the turn of the century. He was the same age as Billy who lived nearby at Low Byrness. Billy was the roadman for 48 years on the stretch of the A68 that goes north from Rochester, past Catcleugh and up to the Scottish Border at Carter Bar. Later, after working in Monmouthshire, Edward Wilkinson Dodd moved to Yorkshire and in 1911 he was working as Inspector of Public Works in Barnsley. (170a)

LETTER TO:- MR. WILKIE DODD, Low Birness,  
Beaufort Rise. Monmouthshire. 7th December, 1905

My Dear old Friend,

pray you attend

I will answer your letter in rhyme  
For to write you in prose, Sir great goodness knows  
It would take up too much of my time.

I am glad Sir to hear, as you quite make it clear  
Again you are busy navvy driving  
'Mong the Nobbies and Bens, and th' ring tailed Siens  
And other funny names most surprising.

No doubt the old hands, one quite understands  
Will not like to be "bossed" by a stranger  
Don't show the white feather, and the storm you will weather  
And soon steer your ship clear of danger.

You're now far from the hills, and bonnie bonnie rills  
And far from the friends you hold dear  
Who often think on you, and wish you success  
With hearts that are leal and sincere.

Wilkie's Census entries show he was a Northumbrian, born at Ryal, in Stamfordham parish, after his parents moved from the parish of St John Lee. The next four verses are banter about work and finding a wife. Then it continues:

On Tuesday last, mid the stormy blast  
Your bike passed along on a cart  
To see it go by, Oh! I nearly did cry  
For the sight Sir quite melted my heart.

I thought on the times I had seen it go past  
With good old Dodd it astride  
And the many happy days, and different ways  
We often and merrily did ride.

As his other poems show, cycling was a popular hobby as well as a means of getting around the distances both men will have covered in their jobs.

As to news in the vale there's a not much to detail  
But this much I truly can say  
At Elisha Farm a fire careered in its ire  
And consumed Jimmy Davidsons hay.

But he had it insured, so it can be endured  
As well and verily it should  
For instead of a loss, I believe he'll be close  
Unto twenty pounds to the good.

This is James Davidson of Elishaw Farm, north of Otterburn

Our friend Thomas Brydon, we'll now see astride on  
A hunter and following the hounds  
'Lisha Farm he has taken and soon will awaken  
The vale with his musical sounds.

Thomas Brydon was a "Road Material Contractor" who lived at Tilesheds, Otterburn, south west of the Elishaw farms. His son, also Thomas, was close in age to Billy and Wilkie. He was married and in 1901 was living in Otterburn. The Brydons will have supplied roadstone both for the reservoir paths and the public road.

The Angel of death hath been in our midst  
John Hedley is with us no more  
He sleepeth at rest, and perhaps it is best  
Although we his sad loss deplore.

There are a couple of possible John Hedleys. The nearest to this date and area was only 30 and died in late 1905. The other was aged 78 but had died around 18 months before the letter was written. Both deaths were registered locally at Bellingham.

Whilst some have been sad there's others been glad  
For such are the workings of Fate  
Our neighbour Bill Dagg didn't let his love lag  
But is married to his darling Kate.

In 1901 William Dagg was 23 and living with his parents and siblings at Cottonshopeburnfoot near Byrness.

I have oft been to see, your late landlady  
And Meggie with her eyes bright and blue  
She's expecting you soon, and perhaps the next moon  
May bring you again to her view.

In 1901 Wilkie was living in Hut 7 at Catcleugh. The rest of the household were his brother (working as a general labourer), his sister-in-law (presumably the "landlady" in that she kept house for the brothers) and Wilkie's young niece Margaret - who must be "Meggie".

Don't neglect now and than, a line from your pen  
To convey how your health Sir is keeping  
And may the Great Powers, watch over your hours  
Whether resting or working or sleeping.

Now Sir, I must close, and seek some repose  
In health I may say I am well  
Till I see you again I will constant remain

Yours faithfully.

WILLIAM BELL.

Several of the other poems are addressed to William's family. His cousin Sallie Bell helped her mother run a boarding house for tourists at Dacre House in Gilsland. (See 76b, 80b and 202a) One poem to her mentions her sister Jeannie Moore. Through his first wife, Mary Gray, Billy had several nephews and nieces. The poem Twice Motherless (51a) is about their infant niece Lily Thompson who came to live with them from 1899 until Mary died in 1902. Another sister, Mrs Dunn, had a large family at Willington on Tyneside. Billy wrote several poems to his nephew John Dunn, name-checking all his siblings eg Christmas Greeting (261a) and Letter to Mr John Dunn (68b).

Many other individuals were named in poems or had poems addressed to them. Two of them were fellow poets of a similar age who lived nearby. Lines to J. R. Waitt, Rochester (321b) was written to John Richardson Waitt who was a whinstone breaker for the County Council. He was a few years younger than Billy. In 1911 he was living in Rochester with his parents and brother. The poem An Appeal From the Muses - to Rev H Wright (113b) asks why he has stopped writing poetry. In the 1911 Census the Rev Herbert Wright was living in Byrness Vicarage, with his wife and one servant.

Jacob and Tom Robson farmed locally. Tom Robson of Bridgeford, was MFH (Masters of Foxhounds) for the North Tyne Hunt and Jacob (Jake) Robson was MFH for the Border Hounds at Byrness Their father had employed Billy's father and as young boys they probably all played together and maybe even attended the same local school at Byrness when very young. The Horn of the Huntsman is Silent Today and To the Memory of a Bold Foxhunter (324b & 325b) are both about Tom Robson.

Robert Renwick was a local friend. The poem Roby's Farewell to his old Mare (34a) is about his sorrow when his old horse died. John Steel built the gate to the Catcleugh reservoir on the A68 - see John Steel's Gate (90a). William "Wullie" Amos was a widower aged 36 in 1901. He lived at Whitelee Farm, north of Byrness with his young sons with his aunt, Jane Hunter, as their housekeeper. The poem addressed to him (182a) was banter over a huge walking stick Billy gave him.

The reference to Jeannie Murra' in "To a Friend on his Approaching Marriage" (241a) shows it refers to John Douglas who married Jane Murray at Bellingham in 2nd qtr 1906. In the 1901 census she was living with parents at Whitelee Cottage, Chattlehope, Troughend.

Some poems are obituaries, like the ones for Tom Robson and In Memoriam Richard Oliver, Cottonshopeburnfoot (323b) which commemorated Richard Oliver who died 11th May 1910. The Anvil of Vulcan is Silent Today - Lines on the tragic death of Robert Ormiston, Elsdon 18 Mar 1907 (284a) was written about Robert Ormiston, a blacksmith, who died aged 28. He lived at Jackson's Cottage, Elsdon.

All these people were local or family. One poem, however, is about Billy and his second wife unknowingly hosting Fred Terry, a very famous London actor-manager of the time, who had been caught in a snowstorm in 1917 on his way to Scotland. Both Fred and Billy's versions of this are recounted in Chapter 5 of the first book.

Not all the poems identify their subject so clearly. The Bagpiper (74a), whose tunes were "witching wild", has been identified as an itinerant musician called Donald who travelled over Northumberland around 1900 but no more is known about him. Weary Willie (269a) and The Unknown (220b) are both men reduced to begging. The unknown is an ex-soldier dying friendless on the moors and you can feel Billy's empathy for his plight. Weary Willie, on the other hand, has chosen his lifestyle to avoid working and Billy describes him with some humour but rather less sympathy. They may be amalgams of real people.

Many other individuals are totally imaginary. The Lass o' Coquetside , who is hunting for a man, would certainly have had grounds to sue:  
Her mooth gapes like a hemmel e'e  
Sax o' her teeth are missin'  
No' just the thing it seems tae me  
Ye wad be fond o' kissin'

But Billy always tries to be fair and he ends leaving some hope for her:

But for a' different kinds o' cloot  
There is a matching trimmin'  
And whiles a' think withoot a doot  
It is sae wie the wimmin.

Billy's reputation was such that people would ask him to write a poem for them, especially on the death of a relative as in the case of Lines to Mrs. Lovibond, - written by request. (285b)

The long poem Rochester, Redesdale (89b) describes the villagers and their lives in Rochester, close to where he lived. Mrs Clark, the shopkeeper, is named but the Rev. Newlands of Birdhopecraig was so well known in the area that a description was enough for anyone in the valley to recognise him. He also features in The Bridal Teapot (101a).

The transcript below is taken from an item in the Morpeth Herald of 14th July 1906 about the Rochester Pic-Nic, which is now the Rochester Show. Several of the names listed crop up in the poems. Billy himself was one of the sporting judges (probably for the slow cycle and the serpentine cycle races, given his keenness - see 83a and 310b). He also won a prize for his rhubarb. Lily Thompson (the Twice Motherless child) had gone to live with other relatives when Mary Bell died. She won two of the children's prizes. Thompsons were still living at her old home Sundaysight near Bellingham so W or H Thompson may have been family.

From The Morpeth Herald 14 July 1906

ROCHESTER PIC-NIC AND SPORTS.

The above pic-nic was held in beautiful weather on Saturday, in a field kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. H. Thompson, Cleughbrae and there was a record attendance. Entries were over the average, the greatest interest, perhaps being centred in the sheep clipping competition and the wrestling. Thanks to the president Mr. W. Hodgson, Redesdale Cottage, the Secretary, and his able and energetic committee, the proceedings passed off without a hitch. The ladies once more provided an excellent tea, and the Acomb Brass Band gave great satisfaction both during the afternoon and also at the ball at night. The following were the judges: Sports —. Rev T Newlands; Mr. J. Thompson. Stobbs; Mr. H. Thompson, Cleughbrae; Mr. W. Thompson, Sundaysight; Mr. T Y. Charlton. Whiskerfield; Mr. J. Wood, Silloans; and Mr. W. Bell, Byrness. Skipping: — Mrs Spain, Nether Houses and Miss R. Leighton, Rochester. Bread section: — Mr Rutherford, Bagraw; Mrs. Dixon, Horsley; Mrs Leighton, Rochester; and Miss Amos, Dykehead. Butter and Eggs: Mr. Bickerton. Redesdale Arms, and Mr. T. Y. Charlton. Flowers and vegetables - Mr McDougall, Otterburn Tower. Sewing and knitting — Mrs. Telfer, Woodlaw. and Miss Scott, Byrness. Writing — Mr. Hodgson. Shepherd's section — Messrs. H. and W. Thompson.

The results were as follows: —

SPORTS.

120 Yards. — 1. T. Stobie; 2. J. Brown, Bellingham; 3. J. Quinn, Woodburn. Fell Race: — 1. P. Dodd, Denehouse; 2. G. Thompson,. Ridsdale; 3. J Batey, Otterburn. Sack race — l. W. Tullv, Evistones; 2 W. Mitchell, Catcleugh. Old men's race — 1. J. Wood, Silloans; 2. J. Andreys, Bellingham. Slow bicycle — last man. E. Mitchell, Rowlands Gill. Serpentine bicycle — 1. E. Mitchell; 2. R. Armstrong, Brownrigg. Quoits — l. G. Oliver, Fontburn; 2. R. Pringle, Flotterton. Bowling at wicket — 1. R. Foster, Rochester; 2. J. Hunter, Rochester; Football kick — 1. J. Mitchell, Rowlands Gill; 2. A. McIntosh, Bellingham; Wrestling (open) — 1. W. Robson, Longlea; 2. G. Robson, Longlea; Wrestling (10 stone) — 1. G. Robson, 2. J. Laidler, Otterburn. Tug-of-War — J. Hedley's team won. Ladies' Tug-of war — Miss Mitchell's team won. Ladies' egg and spoon race — 1. Miss Robson, Haining; 2. Miss M. Dixon, Horsley. Ladies race — 1. Miss Armstrong, Birdhopescraig; 2. Miss B. Dixon. Brainshaw.

CHILDRENS SPORTS.

Boys' race — 1, H. Thompson; 2. W. McDougall. Girls' race — 1. Eliza Lawrence; Janet Lawrence; Sack race — 1. Alan Salford; 2. Henry Thompson. Bowling at wicket — 1 W. Corbettt; 2. J. Anderson; 3. R. Pringle. Plain skipping — 1. V Dixon,: 2. Ina Graham; 3. Daisy Dixon. Fancy skipping — 1. Ina Graham;. 2. Daisy Dixon; V. Dixon.

EXHIBITIONS

White bread - 1. Mrs Charlton, Bellingham; 2. Mrs. Pringle, Horsley; Barley cake — 1 Mrs Robson, Byrness; 2. Mrs. Graham, Catcleugh. Singin' hinney — 1. Mrs. Wood, Silloans 2. Mrs. Pringle. Spice tea cake — 1 Miss Potts, Bellingham; 2 Miss M. Hunter, Rochester. Butter (open) — 1. Miss Usher, Catcleugh. Butter (confined) — l. Miss Herdman, Rochester; 2 Miss Robson, Hill Head. White eggs - 1. Ina Wood, Silloans. Brown eggs — 1. John Fletcher, Newbiggin. Rhubarb — 1. Mr Bell, Byrness; 2. Mr A. Crozier. Blakehope. Vegetables — l. E. Hall. Redesdale Cottage. Window plant in bloom - Miss M. Hunter; 2. Jno. Telfer, Hillock. Foliage window plant — 1. Miss E Hunter; 2. Mrs Clark, Rochester. Garden flowers — 1. Miss M. Hunter; 2. Miss Pringle, Horsley. Hardy annual — 1. Ella Tate; 2. J. Pringle 3. R. Pringle; 4. T. Pringle. Handmade shirt — 1. Mrs. Eph. Anderson, Rochester. Socks — 1. Miss Ruby Leighton; 2. Mrs Pringle 3. Miss Pringle. Stockings — 1. Daisy Dixon;. 2 V. Dixon; 3. Eliza Lawrence. Garter — 1. Maggie Telfer; 2. Mary Dixon; 3. Lily Thompson. Walking-sticks — 1. W. Little, Peelanick; 2. W. Crozier, Battleshiel; Collie dog — 1. J. Wood; 2. W. Crozier. Collie bitch — 1. J. Telfer; . 2. J. Wood. Sheep clipping — 1. J. Wood; 2. Jas Wood, Ridlees; 3. J. Wilson, Spithopehaugh. Writing — Ella Tate; John Telfer; Will. Telfer; Lily Thompson.

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4 The Rest of William Bell's Poems

1 18 Mar 1904

JACK HUNTER DEAR ME JO

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
When we were first acquaint  
Ye were a blooming timberman  
And verra little "kent"  
But now y'er gettin on John  
At least they tell me so  
For now you've turned a dentist  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
Am glad to hear folks say  
That ye've taen up the profession  
In a scientific way  
That ye can yank them oot John  
Frae the top side or the low  
By yins or by the dizzens John  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
If right informed I am  
Ye've appointed for your agent  
A man called Ephraham  
That he travels with a sample  
A set to fit each jaw  
Made o the best o Micky's auld beef bones  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
I glad to hear them say  
That ye were called to Otterburn  
In haste the other day  
That ye cured the lady's pain John  
That ye quick her teeth did drow  
Then kissed the place to make it well  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
If ye'll let a friend advise  
Take my advice at once John  
Begin and advertise  
If ye were only kenned John  
If folks did only know  
Your great ability and tact  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
If ever I again  
Should suffer from the toothake  
Or any kindred pain  
I'll come straight off to you John  
Through rain or sleet or snow  
And ye can yank them oot John  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
Ye now are turning auld  
Your beard is gettin white  
And your heid is verry bald  
Near fifty winters now John  
Ye've seen the drifting snow  
But still your unco fresh John  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
There's only yin thing mair  
Get yersel a canny wife John  
She'll keep ye free frae care  
She'll keep ye warm at night John  
Cheery through the day also  
And ca' the auldest laddie John  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

Jack Hunter dear me jo John  
I hear the whistle blaw  
The slasher's coming up the length  
I to my tools mun draw  
I'll bid ye now gude day John  
Care may ye niver know  
Health and prosperity to you  
Jack Hunter dear me jo.

2 No Date

MARTHA AND HER JAKE

Jake is as happy as a King  
And Martha his wife a Queen  
They range the borders up and down  
Both far and near they've been  
By Coquet heed and down the Reed  
Their wandering way they take  
Such sprees and ploys and rambling joys  
Have Martha and her Jake

3 Early

TO R. O'CONNEL, AND RUBERSLAW ON A HEATED DISCUSSION IN THE HAWICK EXPRESS ON POACHING IN 1877

Now take advice O Ruberslaw  
O'Connel do the same  
Let no disputes between you rise  
About fishing and the game.

You must remember time is short  
Now please list what I say  
Improve your time while on you speed  
Through life's rough weary way.

Dispute no more about fishing raids  
Such trifling things neer heed  
For these are not the food wherewith  
The human mind to feed.

But try your talents on some theme  
More noble and more brave  
They'll help you on through life's rough way  
And to an honoured grave.

Come let no more these angry names  
You have given to each other  
Be seen again in public print  
But in their place put brother.

Remember that these foolish names  
You have each other given  
Are written in the Book of God  
That true record in Heaven.

So now farewell for I must go  
I've other work to do  
But when I have some leisure hour  
I'll gladly write to you.

4 10 Nov 1879

A SOLDIERS LETTER TO HIS LOVER

My dearest loving Annie  
I write to let you know  
That I must leave this country  
To face a foreign foe  
To the bloody field of battle  
To share the soldiers lot  
But I never will forget thee  
Believe me I will not.

But promise dearest Annie  
When I am far away  
That you will not forget me  
And often for me pray  
That I may be watched over  
In the perilous time of war  
And to my country safe return  
Without dishonours scar.

Oft I'll think of thee dearest Annie  
When on that distant shore  
Amid the battle's thundering fight  
Amid the cannons roar  
And should I again return  
To dear old England's shore  
Then happy shall our meeting be  
For we shall part no more.

We then in love and unity  
Shall all our lives remain  
O how I wish that day was here  
For waiting gives me pain  
But now I must my letter close  
With my own steadfast love  
And should we never meet on earth  
We'll meet in Heaven above.

5 Early

SCHOOLBOY DAYS

My schoolboy days they now are past  
Those days of happy joys  
O how I wish them back again  
T'would make my heart rejoice  
Oft of the merry games we played  
To think my heart doth swell  
But gone they are alas! Alas  
They've bid me long farewell.

Oft of the shortest day I think  
The best of all the year  
When the master was barred out  
Without dismay or fear  
When raging he came to the door  
And with a thundering knock  
Demanded us to let him in  
But surely we would not.

O sure that was a happy day  
To nearly all who came to school  
And he who shared not in its joys  
Was counted coward, sneek and fool.  
Those happy days they could not last  
As nothing in this world can stay  
Time flies as if on eagle's wings  
Night comes and darkens the bright day.

But now some others fill our place  
And soon they'll from the scene pass on  
They little think of what now pass  
And less of future days to come  
But still I love to watch their games  
To see their happy mirthful play  
And ponder on those happy times  
When I was young and gay as they.

6 Early

LOFTY RUBERSLAW  
To Mr. Hugh McKay a friend

I think you will remember well  
The day when you first saw  
The highest hill around this place  
And that is Ruberslaw.

It was upon the New Year's day  
Just close behind the thaw  
But still the ground was frozen hard  
On lofty Ruberslaw.

You cut your name upon the top  
In letters neat and braw  
And these remain unto this day  
On lofty Ruberslaw.

We saw two rabbits lying dead  
Killed by the frost and snaw  
No doubt poor things they'll have hard times  
On stormy Ruberslaw.

We saw afar the Cheviot Hills  
All lying white with snaw  
And here and there some wreaths were seen  
On stormy Ruberslaw.

We saw likewise the Minto Hills  
Fulton Bedrule and aw  
On these we looked with pleasures gaze  
From lofty Ruberslaw.

We stayed there for near half an hour  
Content with what we saw  
Then bade adieu to all the scenes  
On lofty Ruberslaw.

We then came home by Denholm Hill  
Through leafields, ploughed and aw  
I'll neer forget that happy day  
We spent on Ruberslaw.

7 Early

DENHOLM DEEN

I have viewed the high Hills  
When with bright heather clad  
In summer so fair to be seen  
But there is a place that has my heart won  
And that is fair sweet Denholm Deen.

O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
Of all the fair places, ever I saw  
Undoubtedly thou art their Queen.

Many sweet stories no doubt thou could tell  
For many loving sights thou hast seen  
Tis where sweet lovers meet  
In that quiet retreat  
In the peaceful, beautiful Deen.

O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
Of all the fair places, ever I saw  
Undoubtedly thou art their Queen.

The birds sweetly sing in thy tall leafy trees  
Which gives more delight to the scene  
From thee I hope I never shall part  
Thou beloved thou beautiful Deen.

O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
O fair sweet Denholm Deen  
Of all the fair places ever I saw  
Undoubtedly thou art their Queen.

8 Early

TO REEDSDALE

Once more again the Muse I'll court  
To sing of Reeds sweet flowing stream  
Although far from thee I roam  
Yet often in my fancys dream  
I see thy high and lofty hills  
Thy meadows sweet  
And flowing rills  
Where sportive lambkins often play  
Throughout the long sweet summer day  
And where the restless trout is seen  
Sporting in thy crystal stream  
And oft upon thy mountains side  
When decked in summers lovely dress  
There grows sweet flowers within thy bowers  
Which bloom in all their loveliness  
The daisy and the buttercup are there in all their pride  
And there the lily stately grows  
Along thy limpid side  
And high up on thy mountains brow  
Grows the sweet heather bell  
And in thy sweet and shady nook  
The primrose sweet doth dwell.  
How often in my boyhood's days  
I've wandered by thy side  
And angled in thy living streams  
Where dwell the finny tribe.  
And oft when darkness had set in  
With a heart that grieved me sore  
I've had to quit thy enchanting side  
Until the morning hour.  
But boyhoods days they cannot last  
Alas! Alas! they're gone  
And now I'm in a distant land  
All friendless and alone  
But oft of thee my native vale  
I muse when I'm distressed  
And find within thy bosom still  
A place my mind to rest  
Flow on flow on thou lovely stream  
In never ceasing strain  
Until perhaps in future days  
I'll visit thee again  
And then I'll gaze upon thee  
With a heart well filled with joy  
And hope to find thee still as dear  
As when I was a boy  
Farewell to thee my native vale  
And to those that live in thee  
May joy and happiness and peace  
Flow on continually.  
And where ever I may wander  
Where ever I may roam  
I always will remember  
Redewaters still my home.

9 11 May 1904

IRTHINGDALE

O come with me, to yon bright free  
And lovely health resort  
Its grandeur greet, its scenery sweet  
And beauties you shall court  
Its waterfall, its glories all  
Your pleasure ne'er need fail  
If there you wend, your time to spend  
In charming Irthingdale.

Where Nature fair, smiles everywhere  
Her beauties to display  
Where brightest flowers, in sunny bowers.  
Spring up in summers day  
Majestic trees stand at their ease  
Well sheltered from the gale  
With foliage dressed and ivy pressed  
In lovely Irthingdale.

Where songsters sweet, each charm doth greet  
And pour forth all their lays  
With happy hearts, which know no darts  
They chant their joyful praise  
From morn till night, in sweet delight  
Their music ne'er grows stale  
From theme to theme as pleasing dream  
Flows on through Irthingdale.

Where wild dog rose, in beauty grows  
With honeysuckle sweet  
And hawthorn bush, on which the thrush  
The coming day doth greet.  
And up above, the tall foxglove  
Doth everywhere prevail  
Where busy bees, greet flowery trees  
In smiling Irthingdale.

Where towering rocks, in mighty blocks  
Hang o'er the purling stream  
Where rivers bright laugh with delight  
As on their waters gleam  
Through shady nooks, sweet running brooks  
Whose waters never fail  
Their courses steer, both bright and clear  
All through sweet Irthingdale.

The speckled trout, there glides about  
And darts beneath the ridges  
Where in their glee, the swallows free  
Sweep underneath the bridges  
Where water fowl and tawny owl  
Kingfisher water snail  
Eke out their day, without dismay  
In comely Irthingdale.

The dipper starts, then onward darts  
O'er rippling stream and pool  
To waters bright, dives with delight  
To keep him clean and cool  
The water hen, in yon sweet glen  
To see you'll never fail  
In her retreat, mid bushes sweet  
In happy Irthingdale.

Free from their thrawl, the Roman Wall  
The Northerens kept at bay  
Whose structure groans, among whose stones  
The sporting rabbits play  
Though much distressed, and verdure dressed  
Yet you can see its trail  
As on it wends but never bends  
Through ancient Irthingdale.

If Midnight stroll, should be your role  
Then lit by Natures lamps  
Your way you take, the echo'es wake  
Of far famed Roman Camps  
Where in past days, so history says  
The Legions did prevail  
And held the land, by Irthing's strand  
In old, old, Irthingdale.

Or by the well known, fairy stone  
Where clad in magic shoon  
The happy fairies glanced and danced  
Beneath the glittering moon  
To music sweet, their nimble feet  
To measure ne'er did fail  
All through the night, in glad delight  
In Fairy Irthingdale.

If Cupids dart should pierce your heart  
Then take your charmer fair  
To the popping stone, her there enthrone  
And get your answer there  
How many fates, in past gone dates  
And many a lovers tale  
Around this stone's been told and known  
In Cupid Irthingdale.

Now if for health, the greatest wealth  
You come to this retreat  
Its pure air, its scenery fair  
And sulpher spring you'11 greet  
Without alloy, these you'll enjoy  
Their blessings never fail  
In yon calm sweet, and blest retreat  
In magic Irthingdale.

May blessed peace, still more increase  
And brighter grow her charms  
May plenteous yield each fruitful field  
Around her smiling farms  
Through coming time, may joy combine  
With all who do her hail  
Forever more, may blessings pour  
On all in Irthingdale.

10 20 May 1904

THE BORDER LAND

Hail to the wild mountains, the Borderlands glory  
The scene of the feud and the raid hot and gory  
That the power of the Mosstrooper, often did feel  
As they pillaged and harried each sheltering peel.

When might was right on each side of the Border  
The land steeped in rapine, in crime and disorder  
When the red beacon blazed and the loud slogan rang  
And re-echoed the valleys and mountains among.

Then this custom did over the Borders prevail  
To serve up a spur when the larder did fail  
The reiver well knew he must go on the fray  
To provide for the wants of his home the next day.

Now when the brave Mosstrooper wanted a horse  
He over the Border, did quick steer his course  
And under the cover and darkness of night  
He reived and he stole, whatever he might.

Or should he be wanting a sheep or a nolt  
A good useful cow, a stirk or a colt  
He attended no market a bargain to make  
The custom it was someone elses to take.

When the war slogan rang over hill and through dale  
To call up to arms, its cry ne'er did fail  
Their tried trusty swords at their sides were soon hung  
And into the saddle, in haste they quick sprung.

When A Percy A Percy was heard through the glen  
A Percy, A Percy, re-echoed again  
Each warrior well knew what the wild slogan meant  
With the war spirit filled, to the fray he then went.

In hand to hand conflict, between English and Scot  
The encounter oft raged both bloody and hot  
No mercy was asked and no mercy they gave  
But courted and honoured, grim death and the grave.

Now the reign of black feud and disorder is dead  
No more into battle are Borderers led  
And no more loyal men, in our Empire grand  
Than those who now dwell in our dear Borderland.

11 17 May 1904

TO SPRING

The winter storms are past and gone  
My welcome I now sing  
To thee sweet laughing happy nymph  
Thou bright and joyful Spring  
O'er Hill and dale thy fairy tread  
Awakes from Nature's sleep  
The slumbering beauties of the Earth  
In colours bright and deep  
The emerald grass now greener grows  
The flowers again awake  
The budding trees shoot forth their leaves  
Their Summer garb to take  
The feather tribe now swell their notes  
Both in the air and trees  
And from their Winter's drowsy sleep  
Awake the humming bees  
The flowing rivers slack their floods  
And wander on in peace  
While every day earth fairer grows  
And all her charms increase  
The sporting lambs play o'er the lea  
With nimble little feet  
In antics how they run and play  
And one another greet  
Each bird prepares its needful nest  
In which to rear its young  
Some on the earth some on the trees  
Some on high rocks are hung  
Each species builds to their own plan  
As Nature doth direct  
What instinct up within them springs  
Their treasures to protect.  
The fruit trees now with glory crowned  
In blossom gems are dressed  
By sunbeams nursed, and pearly dew  
Are lovingly caressed  
The swallows skim beneath the trees  
With freedom on the wing  
And in each vale and wooded track  
The cuckoo's notes now ring,  
The landrail's voice again is heard  
Amid the meadows sweet  
And on the rippling rivers breast  
The martins wet their feet  
Again the toiling husbandman  
Casts forth the mother seed  
He sows in faith and trusts that naught  
The harvest will impede.  
The cattle housed from winters storms  
Again are turned afield  
To crop the sweet and verdant grass  
Which mother earth doth yield.  
O, what enchanting joys are thine  
When free from winters cold  
Again to feel thy livening breath  
When sunsets sink in gold  
When showers refreshing from the skies  
Fall gently to the earth  
To nurse the soft and tender stems  
Just newly called to birth  
When days are born in calm serene  
And run their course in joy  
From morn till night in glad delight  
With nothing to annoy.  
When Nature's fondest smiles are seen  
Wherever thou dost reign  
Her charms increase, and run their lease  
Till winter come again  
O sweetest nymph of all the year  
What fetters thou dost break  
What liberties to Nature all  
Come in thy smiling wake  
What loves, what joys, what happiness  
Upon thy mantle cling  
Thou dearest sweetest fairest gem  
Thou soul inspiring Spring.

12 20 May 1904

TO THE SNOWDROP

Sweet flower the first from sleep to wake  
The first to bud and bloom  
The first thy fettered bonds to shake  
And burst the binding tomb  
What joy it is again to look  
On all thy purity  
Thy dress of spotless white to view  
What hopes it brings to me.

Thou speaks again of sunny days  
Though yet far far away  
Yet hope springs up within my breast  
At each now lengthening day  
And as I view thy snowy form  
As white as Angels wing  
My mind exults again with joy  
To think of sweet sweet Spring.

Still higher hopes too, thou dost raise  
Within this heart of mine  
That when comes great Eternal Spring  
In regions blest sublime  
Clad in thy dress of spotless white  
Far, far, beyond the tomb  
I may in that Bright Better Land  
Spring to Eternal Bloom.

13 21 May 1904

A BRAVE BOER BOY

A Boer boy stood upon the veldt  
The sun shone bright o'erhead  
As there approached a band of troops  
By a brave good captain led  
He stood and watched their near approach  
Unto the lonely farm  
While others from the place had fled  
In panic and alarm.

The soldiers came near to the boy  
Still undismayed by fear  
And asked if the Commandant had  
Within short time been here  
The boy then taken off his guard  
As the captain did him press  
Did answer him unthinkingly  
With a rather sullen Yes.

And where is he now gone my boy  
Could you the way us show  
The boy then with suspicion filled  
Said, Sir I do not know.  
But surely you could tell me boy  
The direction which he took  
The boy disdained to answer back  
His head he only shook.

The captain, then strong measures took  
To make the boy reveal  
Although he in his inmost soul  
Did admiration feel  
But with an angry gesture said  
Boy you shall surely die  
If instantly you tell me not  
Where did the Commandant fly.

Against the wall the boy was placed  
His courage failed him not  
E'en when he thought his day had come  
That now he would be shot  
The captain whispered to his men  
For God's sake do not fire  
To make the boy reveal the way  
Is all that I desire.

But turning to the hero boy  
He asked him once again  
If the secret he would reveal  
And thus his life retain  
But even then he faltered not  
With fear or with dismay  
But proudly and unflinchingly  
Said, Sir I will not say.

Then to his men the captain turned  
His patience seemed quite spent  
And gave the order, Steady men  
Your rifles now present.  
Unto the boy again he turned  
And tried him still to sway  
But still he only answered back  
No Sir, I will not say.

But one more chance then you shall have  
Your life I don't desire  
But if you'll not reveal the way  
My men I'll tell to fire  
Each rifle pointed straight at him  
All hope had winged its way  
But still his answer was the same  
No Sir, I will not say.

He raised his head, his eyes shone bright  
And a transforming ray  
Passed o'er his face, again he said  
Sir, I will never say.  
The captain hastened to the boy  
And grasped him by the hand  
And said you are the bravest boy  
In all the Transvaal Land.

O, brave boy may you long be spared  
Now that the war is o'er  
To live in peace and happiness  
Upon that distant shore  
And oft in manhoods coming years  
To think upon the day  
When bravely you answered back  
Sir, I will never say.

14 23 May 1904

THOUGHTS BY THE RIVER

Mighty river flowing onward  
To thy home the distant sea  
What lessons thou dost teach me  
As I fix my gaze on thee  
As I watch thy fleeting waters  
How like this life of mine  
As they wander ever onward  
How like my course to thine.

Mighty river ever flowing  
'Neath the calm and placid sky  
In the smiling days of Summer  
When thy waters sweetly lie  
How like my peaceful moments  
When life flows on serene  
When storms and strife assail not  
And contentment reigns supreme.

Mighty river rushing onward  
When dark Winter storms do roar  
When thy angry waters rush and leap  
And beat from shore to shore  
How like the storms and trials  
Which break heavy o'er my soul  
How like the great temptations  
Which now darkly o'er me roll.

Mighty river onward flowing  
With thy whirlpools strong and deep  
Whose waters seem as tranquil  
As a sweet babe in its sleep  
How like the alluring pleasures  
Which we so little dread  
And which on to destruction  
Hast mankind so often led.

Mighty river sweetly flowing  
Bright with shining summer sun  
Thy glittering waters sparkling  
As they sweetly wander on  
How like the blessed sunshine  
Of Gods great wondrous love  
Which smiles so sweetly on me  
From the Better Land above.

Mighty river ceaseless flowing  
To thy far and distant goal  
Where thy waters shall at last  
With the mighty ocean roll  
So may my course be ended  
In the bright and crystal sea  
Commingling with its glories  
Through all eternity.

15 30 May 1904

THE STARS

High up there in the azure skies, we see the glimmering ray  
Of countless myriads of gems, which sparkle in array  
Whose glistening beams, their lustre shed, in glorious Majesty  
Queens of the night, in grandeur crowned, in space revolving free

What are the mysteries they hold, within their glistening spheres  
I fain would pierce the vastness great, to see what there appears  
Are there within these mighty orbs, a race like to our own  
Of human beings, and have they like us, in arts and wisdom grown.

Do they live in peace, or have they felt, the lust of baneful war  
Doth sin, oppression, bitter grief, their lives there ever mar  
Or is there death within these orbs, do they too feel its sway  
Or have they never known the sin, which turned from bliss away.

Shall men still more in wisdom grow, their mysteries to unfold  
Shall yet a brighter morning break, dark mists be backward rolled  
I cannot grasp these mighty thoughts, my frailty me debars  
Yet oft I ponder as I gaze upon the glistening Stars.

16 No Date

IS THERE A GOD

Is there a God, O who can ever doubt it  
A great Creator, else how came we here  
How came the wonders, all around us  
Tell me ye unbelievers, ye who jeer.

Ye say tis all the work of chance or evolution  
But how or when you cannot say  
But how could chance, make such perfection  
How could chance hold such a mighty sway.

Could chance steer the great orbs in their courses  
Around the sun each one in their way  
Without a halt or deviation  
None e'er turning from their path astray.

Could chance paint the sweet flowers in their beauty  
Their colours blend in such sweet harmony  
Could chance e'er form a single blossom  
Tell me ye believers in infidelity.

Could chance control the mighty ocean  
With all its wondrous ebbs and tides  
Or call to life the teeming myriads  
Which deep down within its depths resides.

Could chance have formed the lowly creatures  
And endowed with instinct every one  
An instinct wondrous great unerring  
Each keeping to their way life first begun.

When I look on all the great works of Nature  
In earth below and in the starry height  
The sun whose splendour shines by day  
The silvery moon which sheds her beams by night.

In wonder filled by such great contemplation  
I ask myself, whence comes it all  
Conviction deep within my inmost bosom  
Expels the doubt which may one then enthral.

I turn to God the mighty great Jehovah  
The God of wondrous power and truth and love.  
To Him the good and great Creator  
Who reigns on earth and in the Heavens above.

17 4 June 1904

GILSLAND

Old Sol sends forth his livening beams, in splendour o'er the scene  
Upon the Irthings dancing waves, high woods abate his beam  
The sky o'erhead is azure blue, without a fleecy cloud  
The birds upon the leafy trees, sing forth their carols loud.

Here Nature in her lavish moods, her choicest charms unfold  
Upon her queenly throne she reigns, unchecked and uncontrolled  
Her shrine bedecked with flowery gems, entwined with ivy green  
Untarnished here by no mans hand, she holds her sway supreme.

Twas here the wizard of the North mused by the purling stream  
Twas here upon the Popping Stone he told his loves young dream  
Twas here his mighty mind conceived the witching wild romance  
Which on through centuries yet unborn, shall still his fame enhance.

Sweet are the many charms which spread, around in fair array  
The verdant fields, the daisied lea's, and woodlands fresh and gay.  
The wild hills in the distance stand, like sentinels o'er the Vale  
Whose wild romantic history teems with legendary tale.

Long may the charms of Nature fair, smile sweetly on the scene  
Through coming ages, may the sun still on the river gleam  
As on it flows with murmuring sound, o'er stones and rocky strand  
May still in fame and honoured name, grow beauteous fair Gilsland.

18 6 July 1904

SUNSET

Old Sol had shone from his throne above, with unabated beams  
Majestically he kissed the earth, the woods, the flowers, the streams  
When nearing to his nightly home, beyond the western hills  
Magnificent the evening sky, with golden splendour fills.

Enraptured by the scene I gazed upon the mass of gold  
I watched each changing tint and hue, their beauties more unfold  
A glorious panoramic view, as of enchanted land  
Or heaven's portals opened wide, revealed the Mystic Strand.

Gradually the tints changed from gold to sombre hue  
Until at last the sky again assumed its azure blue  
The sphere its self again appeared to shed his parting beams  
Before he left the world to night, and me unto my dreams.

19 15 Aug 1904

WHAT ARE THY HOPES

What are thy hopes my soul what are thy aspirations  
Dost thou long for joy and peace and rest  
Dost thou sigh for brighter fairer regions  
Where in harmonious union live the blest.

Here, O here thou hast thy hours of heavy sadness  
No ray of joy at times lights up the gloom  
No happy thoughts, no gleam of blessed sunshine  
No flowery garden, where blest fancies bloom.

And yet again thou hast thy most blissful moments  
On pinioned wings thy joy doth upward soar.  
Ascending to the throne of God thy Maker  
Where angels fall and blessed saints adore.

Yet why shouldst thou e'er be cast down and weary  
Why faint thou and tremble by the way  
Drink deep from Gods great living fountains  
Press onward ever, watch and pray.

And though discouraged oft, beset with dangers  
Though mighty surging billows o'er thee roll  
Transcendent joys forever wait the faithful  
Press onward, Heavenward O my Soul.

21 7 June 1904

TO THE WHIN IN BLOOM

Clothed in a wealth of burnished gold  
How pleasing to the eye  
Yet hid beneath thy blossom gems  
Strong thorns and prickles lie.

Tis so with earths enticing sins  
Clothed in their smiling forms  
We try to pluck their tempting flowers  
And feel their piercing thorns.

22 13 June 1904

TO THE MUSE

What ministering angel art thou, who whispers gently in my ear  
Who lures me on to sweeter thoughts, and makes my fancies wonders hear  
Who bids my mind to giddy heights, majestic soar on pinioned wings  
And from the deepest depths below, draw water from eternal springs.

Tis thou O Muse my nearest friend, companion of my blissful hours  
Tis thou fair charmer, how could I resist thy sweet enamouring powers  
How could I from thy loved embrace break bonds which lightly on me lie  
In such like bondage let me live, in such like bondage let me die.

Thou tak'st away the sting of pain, thou quells my sorrows grief and care  
Thou whisperest comfort in my ear, with me thou dost thy portion share  
Thou opens up great realms of thought, that were once to my vision blind  
I see around fresh beauties now, which were once to my sight confined.

On Nature's page with chasteful care, thou points to all her wonders formed  
The eternal hills, the smiling dales, their mantles with sweet flowers adorned  
The rivers broad the running brooks, the fragrant forests scented shade  
Their beauties all thy fingers trace and point their glories there arrayed.

Up to the highest heights above, my fancies flight is by thee led  
To the silvery moon, which shines by night, to the evening sunset fiery red  
To the diamond stars that sparkle bright, like beacons from a far off land  
To the mighty God who made them all, and guides them with unerring hand.

23 15 June 1904

A PRAYER TO THE MUSE

O wondrous muse do not refuse to lead my fancies ever  
Where Nature smiles, and knows no guiles, by murmuring brook and river  
Where fountains play in the suns bright ray, enshrined in rainbow glory  
Where the paeans ring while the sweet birds sing, on the hawthorn gay and hoary.

Where the mountains rise up to the skies, enthroned in sunsets splendour  
Where the rivers sweet from their retreat, down through the valleys wander  
Where the brightest flowers in sunny hovers, shine forth in all their beauty  
Where the trickling brooks through shady nooks, ne'er fail to do their duty.

Where the skylark springs on his dewy wings, to carol forth his praises  
To the glimmering ray which foretells the day, and Phoebus' brighter gazes  
To the woodlands green with their leafy screen, and clinging ivy dress  
Where the woodbine sweet, the trees doth greet, with many a loved caress.

Where the fruit trees blow in the suns bright glow, with richest blossom gems  
In bright array and in fair display on their many bows and stems  
Where the gossamer flies 'neath the sunny skies and the breezes gently play  
To the flowing rills and the heathy hills, clad in their mantles gay.

To the oceans breast, where the seagulls rest, and the vessels safely ride  
O'er the restless wave, where the waters lave, with the ceaseless ebb and tide  
Where the breakers roar, on the rocky shore in stormy wild array  
Where the wild waves dance and the phosferous glance in lurid bright display.

To enchanted lands with golden strands and wild romantic story  
Where the fairies still reign at their will, in fancied fabled glory.  
To the ruined Keep whose structures weep, o'er past gone regal splendour  
Within whose walls, in grim wars thralls, dwelt many a brave defender.

To ruined sheels and the battlefields, on lonely plain and mountain  
With memories green, as the emerald sheen, unslaking as the fountain  
To past gone days when bloody frays reigned rampant o'er the Border  
When might was right both day and night, the land steeped in disorder.

To flowery dreams by the crystal streams bathed in the moonbeams dancing  
To the waterfall and the ruined hall with stories wild romancing  
To the thunder cloud with its ebony shroud the eye of God revealing  
In the lightnings glance, where the mountains dance with the thunders mighty peeling.

Then O sweet Muse pray me excuse, my long and earnest pleading  
But lead me still, at thy sweet will, not far from me receding  
For by thy powers, what blissful hours, come to the sons of men  
And if thou go, then let me know thou soon will come again.

24 13 June 1904

ELSDON

Old village of the stately hills  
What charms thou dost unfold  
Thou hast a beauty all thy own  
By poet yet untold  
What romance clings around thy wilds  
With purple heather crowned  
Thy Moot Hills and thy ancient Tower  
In history's page renowned.

Sweet was the smiling summers day  
When I strode o'er thy green  
Old Sol resplendent shed his beams  
In glory o'er the scene  
The babbling brook ran on its way  
From yon high towering hill  
In eddys, runs, and rushing leaps  
Down past the pleasant Mill.

The noisy geese roamed o'er the green  
And gabbled at their ease  
The swallows in their lightening flight  
Swept underneath the trees  
And there close by the rustic bridge  
Which tops the murmuring stream  
I stayed my steps to muse awhile  
To ponder and to dream.

I looked upon the hallowed pile  
And on the grassy mounds  
Where safe the village fathers sleep  
In consecrated grounds  
I entered through the open door  
Gazed on each sculptured scroll  
Which told of men who lived and died  
When other centuries on did roll.

I left the sacred house of God  
To read the records of the dead  
A mighty huntsman in his day  
Lay stretched within his narrow bed  
The loving husband, gentle spouse  
The son and daughter, loved ones dear  
All slept in deaths enslaving chains  
Till they the 'wakening trump shall hear.

Then on the Moot Hills verdant mounds  
I sat me down to rest awhile  
A vision o'er me there was cast  
Which did my fancies back beguile  
I saw again the ancient throng  
Come o'er the hills from near and far  
I saw the judges in array  
I saw the prisoners at the Bar.

I heard again the slogans wild  
Resounding over hill and dale  
I heard the gibbets awesome moan  
As it swung in the winters gale  
Again I heard the livening strains  
Of music sweet which filled the air  
I saw again the rousing sights  
Which reigned at Elsdon past gone fair.

The quarrel hot the angry fray  
Again resounded o'er the green  
The noise of mirth and revelry  
Which joyed the heart, or raised the spleen  
The crowing of the cocks I heard  
Which of the royal sport foretold  
The bleating of the timid sheep  
And lowing cattle to be sold.

Again within thy fairy haunts  
Beneath the silent silvery moon  
The fairies and the witches danced  
And o'er their cantrips soft did croon  
Again they held their regal court  
And revelled in their mystic sway  
For one brief space again they reigned  
As they were wont in distant day.

My fleeting vision passed away  
No more I dreamed of days gone by  
The sun was sinking in the west  
Enshrined in splendour in the sky  
I rose from off my grassy couch  
The brook still wandered sweetly on  
I cast around one lingering look  
Then bade adieu to old Elsdon.

25 21 June 1904

TO THE MOUNTAINS

Enraptured I gaze on ye wild rugged mountains  
Enchanted I am on your summits to stand  
To view the wild scenes which stretch out in the distance  
The rocks and the woods and the sweet rivers strand  
The white fleecy sheep which roam over your verdure  
The moor birds that dwell in your quiet retreat  
The sweet warbling songsters which fly ever upward  
In melodious paeans your grandeur to greet.

The clear crystal streamlets in constant meander  
Flow on in their courses from summit to base  
In rippling music, their strains never falter  
Unchanging they ever keep on in their place.  
Sweet wild flowers spring up to deck your fair mantles  
The primrose, the violet and bonnie bluebell  
The cotton grass growing around in profusion  
And forget-me-nots blue by the clear crystal well.

The bright purple heather, your carpets of beauty  
Shine forth in their splendour, so pleasing to see  
Which furnish the treasure, so eagerly courted  
By that slave to industry, the busy brown bee  
The cloud berries red, and the bill berries blue  
And cranberries black as nights darkest eye  
The bright scarlet rowans and deep yellow gowans  
All nursed by Sol's beams from the azure blue sky.

Among your rugged rocks, and your thick wooded covers  
The sly fox doth prowl and makes there his home  
The timid goats browse on your verdure and bushes  
In quiet seclusion they love there to roam  
Silence reigns on, on her throne unattended  
Save the cry of the wild birds, who live their life's lease  
Solitude muses on unmolested  
A dreamland of wonder of joy and of peace.

Not always such peace reigned over your uplands  
How changed now the scene from days long gone by  
When the war slogans echoed from summit to summit  
And the red beacons blaze illumined the sky  
When mens passions roused in frays hot and gory  
Spilled life's stream, in combat on hill and on plain  
Their greatest ambition, their earnest endeavour  
Your pleasing fair mantles with a foes blood to stain.

And there on your high tops keep on in their slumbers  
The ancients who roamed and who followed the chase  
No sculptured monument to tell where they're resting  
But green mounds of earth and grey stones mark the place  
No polished coffins enshrouded these denizens  
But rough slabs of stone encased them around  
At their heads placed their food cups, at their sides placed their weapons  
To still fight their battles in the land whither bound.

O, could ye but speak, ye wild rugged mountains  
O could ye to me your secrets unfold  
What tragedies, changes and strange scenes ye've witnessed  
As the ages have passed, as the world hath grown old.  
But no, ye will never they are safe in your keeping  
Though oftimes I ponder and oftimes surmise  
They are only known to you and another  
The Old and the Great the Good and the Wise.

26 19 June 1904

A PRAYER TO THE MUSE

O Muses great come hear my prayer  
From your throne decked in splendour fair  
O guide and lead me at your will  
And with sweet thoughts my mind instil.

O lead me where the fountains play  
And sparkle in the suns bright ray  
Where the runie rhyme of sweet bells chime  
Their silvery peels in some sunny clime.

Where the rivers wander on in glee  
Through flowery dales to the deep blue sea  
Where the mighty hills in glory stand  
And the sea waves beat on the coral strand.

O lead me where the lillies grow  
With bosoms white as the pearly snow  
O lead me where the roses bloom  
And to Sharon's Rose which knows no doom.

O fix my gaze on the morning star  
Whose splendour shines to the worlds afar  
With its shining beams of glory bright  
May it be my great and guiding light.

O lead my mind to thoughts sublime  
To worlds revolving from all time  
To the golden sun and the silvery moon  
Which light the night and the mornings bloom.

O lead my thoughts to that land of peace  
Where the sad shall from their mourning cease  
To that mystic clime where God doth dwell  
Who made and doeth all things well.

27 23 June 1904

HAIL TO THEE SCOTIA

Hail to thee Scotia the land of the mountains  
High towering and rugged and sweet smiling plains  
The land where freedom still flows as the fountains  
And honour enshrined on her throne ever reigns.

Hail to thee Scotia with thy smiling green verdure  
Thy dells and thy woods dressed in all their fair charms  
The land undiminished in patriots ardour  
The land where still kindling the native heart warms.

Hail to thee Scotia with thy wealth of sweet bowers  
Where fair Nature reigns and smiles with delight  
The land which ne'er failed in her countrys dark hours  
And always maintained her right by her might.

Hail to thee Scotia with thy streams of rare beauty  
Murmuring softly in peace through each charming vale  
The land where the brave never failed in their duty  
Whose deeds still live in immortalitys tale.

Hail to thee Scotia with thy legend and story  
The mother of songsmiths whose fame ever lives  
Their names ever shine in a pillar of glory  
An honour to thee, which fate seldom gives.

Hail to thee Scotia may peace like a river  
Flow constant and ever through each smiling dale  
May troubles and trials come to thee never  
And sweet smiling plenty to thee never fail.

28 23 June 1904

ONWARD EVER ONWARD

Running ever onward smiling little brook  
Over rocks and stones, through the shady nook  
Making rippling music laughing in thy glee  
Flowing ever onward to the distant sea.

Gliding sweetly onward, happy little stream  
Like enchanting story, or a flowery dream  
'Neath the leafy branches romping ever free  
Gliding sweetly onward to the distant sea.

Flowing ever onward, dancing little rill  
Past the pleasant farm and the rural mill  
By the fruitful meadow and the daisied lea  
Flowing ever onward to the distant sea.

Rushing ever onward, rugged mountain burn  
Running in wild antics, round each bend and turn  
Dashing o'er the waterfall in thy mad fury  
Rushing ever onward to the distant sea.

Running ever onward smiling little brook  
Through the leafy woodlands where primroses look  
Where the birds are singing sweetest melody  
Flowing ever onward to the distant sea.

Gliding sweetly onward happy little stream  
Where the sun's rays -lancing on thy waters gleam  
And the moon's beams playing clear and silvery  
Gliding ever onward to the distant sea.

Flowing ever onward dancing little rill  
Through the purple heather on the lofty hill  
Where the sheep are feeding sweet and peacefully  
Flowing ever onward to the distant sea.

Rushing ever onward rugged mountain burn  
Onward ever onward, thy waters ne'er return  
Plunging raging leaping to thy destiny  
Rushing ever onward to the distant sea.

Onward ever onward, onward onward ever  
Keeping on your journey stopping staying never  
Like as time is fleeting to Eternity  
So your flowing waters to the distant sea.

29 26 June 1904

A SUMMERS DAY June 26th. 1904

A calm and placid summers day doth peacefully prevail  
The hills in darkest emerald green stand smiling o'er the vale  
The sheep roam peacefully o'er the haughs and o'er the benty lea  
And every voice in Nature sings in sweetest melody.

The snipe doth beat his quivering wings, the skylark sings his lay  
The starlings o'er the daisied fields now swiftly wing their way  
The pheasant on yon grassy bank sends forth his notes full shrill  
The curlew's voice sounds loud and clear just higher up the hill.

The black rooks roam in search of food across the hill and field  
With watchful eye they scan below to see what fate will yield  
The red shank too close by the stream, there watches o'er her nest  
The peewit flies around to scare the black unwelcome guest.

The sea gull hovers o'er the wave upon his snowy wings  
Darts quickly down then up again his struggling quarry brings  
The landrails voice in meadows sweet is heard both loud and clear  
The stonechat and the pied wagtail, around me linger near.

The meadows now wave in the breeze with many blossoms crowned  
The tall dog daisie o'er the rest doth smile and look around  
The ladys smock rears up its head, the lovely meadow queen  
The hemlock and the clover red and many more between.

How still and peaceful is the scene, beneath the summers sky  
Without a jarring note to mar great Natures lullaby  
Tis pity that the summer days should speed so quick away  
And that dark winter soon will reign and hold its powerful sway.

30 29 June 1904

TO A BROTHER POET

Dear Friend  
and courter of the flame  
No Brother is a worthier name  
Does still the charmer you inspire  
If so tis all that you require  
One smile from her my brother dear  
Dispels all doubts dispels all fear  
Fills mind and heart fills soul and brain  
With longings for her smile again  
But she is fickle sometimes shy  
It matters not how much you try  
You cannot make the poesy rhyme  
Nor catch the ray of light sublime  
She will not let her favours fall  
Nor ever look your way at all  
At other times with every grace  
She puts the right word in its place  
Supplies them with unfailing zeal  
Until in ecstasy you feel  
Leads on by stream and sparkling fountain  
By heathy hill and emerald mountain  
Where waving trees majestic stand  
Re-echoing with music grand  
From all the birds in Natures Choir  
In celestial strains which never tire  
Where Nature her great paean sings  
Whose melodies in concert rings  
From humming bees and insect band  
Which dance upon the rivers strand  
From waves which gently touch the shore  
From rocks whereon the breakers roar  
From sighing woods and rippling streams  
Translucid with the suns bright beams  
Or where e're Nature smiling free  
Sings forth her soothing lullaby  
Then never let this charmer go  
Until she let her blessings flow  
Yet always treat her with respect  
Nor e'er her calling voice neglect  
May she lead to the heights of fame  
And to immortality your name  
In health I hope you're keeping well  
As this leaves Yours truly, W. Bell.

31 29 June 1904

A SUMMER'S EVENING

A Heavenly calm pervades the vale the western breeze is stilled  
Contentment reigns on nature's breast with floral beauties filled  
A silence deep unutterable serenely fills the hills  
Except the wild birds mingled cries, and the murmuring of the rills  
The evening sky smiles sweetly down, upon the peaceful scene  
Upon her throne securely fixed, appears nights silvery Queen  
She casts her ray upon the streams diffusing them with light  
She makes their rippling waters shine in glad translucence bright  
A sweet aroma from the fields to the evening zephyr clings  
The fleeting bat glides to and fro upon its noiseless wings  
Peace smiling peace like a fairy tale hangs o'er the blissful scene  
Embracing to her snowy breast, the hills of stately mein  
The woods the streams the smiling fields all by her are caressed  
Night gathers round her sable folds and lulls the world to rest.

32 1 July 1904

A SUMMERS EARLY MORNING

The eastern sky begins to glow, with a dimly dark grey light  
The herald of the king of day who dethrones the reigning night  
Along the meres a gauzy mist hangs like a silken veil  
Enveloping within its shroud the beauties of the dale  
Stealing softly o'er the scene the morning opes its eye  
Steadily a brighter glow spreads o'er the peaceful sky  
Expectantly the warbling birds all greet the coming day  
At first in faltering cherup notes, then burst to glorious lay  
The morning air is pure and cool, no breezes stir the leaves  
Rejuvenated by her sleep fair Nature's bosom heaves  
The eastern sky now tinged with red foretells the conqueror's sway  
Majestically he mounts his throne and ushers in the day  
The trailing mists before his gaze depart as if dismayed  
Before his warm and kindling eye, earths glories stand arrayed.

33 2 July 1904

GIANT DESPAIR

In a dark cave near the Kings highway  
There lurks in his dismal lair  
A monster well known to humanitys race  
And his name is Giant Despair

For ages he's dwelt in the selfsame abode  
On the watch for those who have care  
Upon such he preys with a ruthless zeal  
For no pity has Giant Despair.

If in great trouble or sorrow you be  
Tis then you need to beware  
For thousands such have been sent to their doom  
By hard-hearted old Giant Despair.

Or if in health you are broken down  
No pity has he to share  
But mockingly jeers at your sorrowful plight  
Cruel-hearted old Giant Despair.

If business troubles oppress your mind  
Or the castles you've built in the air  
Should fall and crumble to the ground  
Then beware of old Giant Despair.

If friends you trusted have been false  
Who to your face were so fair  
Don't let that prey upon your mind  
Or you'll be caught by old Giant Despair.

The young and the old the rich and the poor  
Have all been caught in his snare  
A long black list of great tragedies  
Have been planned by old Giant Despair.

The suicides sad and awful doom  
All truthfully this declare  
That the demon who urged them on to their crime  
Was cold-blooded old Giant Despair.

But if we can keep a cheerful mind  
As we wander here and there  
A heart that's light and a pleasant smile  
Defies old Giant Despair.

35 5 June 1904

RAIN DROPS

Pearly little raindrops falling from the sky  
Softly gently falling from your home on high  
Where the clouds are hanging in their black array  
Speeding on your journey through your aerial way.

Pearly little raindrops falling on the river  
Dancing on its polished breast as it flows on ever  
Softly softly falling with your fairy tread  
Circling ripples wandering from your footsteps spread.

Pearly little raindrops falling on the flowers  
Refreshing their sweet petals after thirsty hours  
Making them look brighter 'neath the sunny sky  
Casting their aroma where the zephyrs fly.

Pearly little raindrops falling on the trees  
Making them look greener, more the eye to please  
Darkening their tall trunks, polishing their leaves  
Cleansing all impurity which upon them cleaves.

Pearly little raindrops falling on the hills  
Quenching all the thirsty grass by the flowing rills  
By the rocks and woodlands and the daisied leas  
Glistening on the velvet bloom of the fair hearts ease.

Pearly little raindrops falling on the fields  
Reviving every treasure, which their bounty yields  
All the roots and grasses, all the growing corn  
Bringing to perfection for the harvest morn.

Pearly little raindrops falling in sunshine  
Linking earth and heaven with the bow divine  
Brightest colours blending, wondrous fair to see  
Token everlasting to Eternity.

Pearly little raindrops falling in the sea  
Adding tiny atoms to immensity  
Little drops of water from Gods hollow hand  
Made the mighty oceans in their vastness grand.

37 7 July 1904

LINES ON THE CHURCHYARD

The grey old church the still churchyard  
Upon the rivers brink  
How often have I paused within  
Their still confines to think  
To muse upon these grassy mounds  
Where sleep in their last bed  
Those whom we loved but who alas!  
Now number with the dead.

Our fathers, mothers, sisters, wives.  
Children and brothers dear  
And many friends whom well we loved  
While they were with us here  
When pressed by sorrow, grief or care  
They oft did comfort give  
Their bodies mouldering in the dust  
But still their memories live.

More than the dead are buried here  
Within these sacred grounds  
What hopes, what loves, what bitter griefs  
Are hid within these mounds  
The mothers hope torn from her breast  
The lover here laid low  
The bitter grief which rent the heart  
No more that heart shall know.

Here in Gods acre 'mong the dead  
No wealth or power is known  
All mankind are equal here  
And equal at the throne  
The rich man and the poor alike  
They each and every one  
Shall be judged according to  
The deeds they here have done.

O what avails earths pomp and state  
In this dark home of death  
Man parts with such as soon as he  
Expels his last drawn breath  
Why should the rich man here below  
At his poor brother flout  
For nothing to this world he brought  
He can take nothing out.

O let us while we journey here  
Not seek for worldly gain  
But rather let us live that we  
The Heavenly prize obtain  
That though in death we here may sleep  
Beneath the grassy sod  
Our spirits far above the skies  
In peace may dwell with God.

That when the trumpets call shall sound  
Its notes of quickening power  
The confines of our tombs we'll break  
And upwards we shall tower  
To reach that blessed home at last  
Upon the Heavenly shore  
And dwell with those we loved below  
In peace forever more.

39 16 July 1904

TO MRS DUNN ON HER RECENT VISIT TO HER NATIVE REDESDALE

Once more I looked on thee my dear native valley  
Once more I roamed over thy high heathy hills  
Enraptured I gazed on the scenes once familiar  
Thy woodlands, thy rocks, and thy sweet flowing rills.  
Land of my childhood, still dear to this bosom  
Though long from thee now, my lot hath been cast  
Yet ever remembered, my fancies have seen thee  
And fondly I've dreamed on the days of the past.

Long years have rolled past, since I left thee dear valley  
But still, still unchanged are thy mountains and dale  
Sweet wandering streamlets still softly meander  
From clear crystal fountains whose waters ne'er fail.  
The skylark still springs from his bed in the morning  
To carol his praises in joy from aloft  
The heather bell blooms, and the blue bell still blossoms  
And the calm evening zephyrs fly gently and soft.

I looked on the spot by the clump of old woodland  
Where stood the dear cottage I fondly called home  
Ah! sad recollections stirred deep in my bosom  
To think of the changes, and friends who are gone  
No loving parents now there to receive me  
No brothers or sisters their welcome to give  
Not even the cottage stood there on the hill side  
But only in memory the old place doth live.

Ah! time how relentless thou knowest no staying  
But onward, still onward thou keeps in thy track  
Days and years speeding each hour makes life shorter  
From youth unto age there is no turning back  
Yet often I ponder upon the old homestead  
And upon these dear forms who are now laid to rest  
O could I recall them, yet why should I wish it  
Our dear Heavenly Father, he knows what is best.

Done with all cares, all sorrow and toiling  
Done with this world, its ambitions and strife  
They have solved the great secret in the land over Jordan  
The secret and joy of a blessed blissful life.  
Then fare thee well Redesdale my dear native valley  
As long as life lasteth and memory remain  
A strong great affection, a love thats undying  
Deep down in my bosom for thee I'll retain.

40 20 July 1904

BONNIE MARY OF THE REDE

Where the green hills stand in the Borderland  
In a rural cottage neat and trim  
Dwells a maiden fair with golden hair  
And a figure perfect, tall and slim  
She has deep blue eyes as the azure skies  
To paint her cheeks there is no need  
For as roses blush on the sweet briar bush  
Are the cheeks of Mary O' the Rede.

She's fresh and gay, as the flowers in May  
And lily white is her velvet skin  
There's no reason why you should not try  
This charming damsels heart to win  
She's full of glee and she's fancy free  
And constant both in word and deed  
Then at her feet, in sweet retreat  
Woo Bonnie Mary O' the Rede.

Where the waters flow, and the sweet flowers grow  
And the songsters swell their melodies  
Where crystal rills from the heathy hills  
Sing soft beneath the leafy trees  
In the evenings glow, when the sun is low  
What other bliss could yours exceed  
Than to plight your troth, by a holy oath  
With bonnie Mary O' the Rede.

In love secure, with a heart so pure  
What happiness your life to spend  
In blissful joy, without alloy  
You'd wish that life should never end  
Then linger not and may your lot  
Be happy and may she concede  
To be your wife, then blest your life  
With bonnie Mary O' the Rede.

41 22 July 1904

THE STARS

Twinkling gems of glory bright  
In the arch of sable night  
Far above this wondrous world  
Is your splendour there unfurled.

Twinkling gems of mystery  
Shining from Eternity  
Round the sun in constant pace  
Never changing from your place.

Twinkling gems your virgils keep  
O'er the world while it doth sleep  
Constant watching there on high  
In the dark high vaulted sky.

Twinkling gems of wonderment  
Lighting up the firmament  
Illumining the heavens above  
Like beacons from the Land of Love.

42 26 July 1904

GODS NECTAR

Where is the drink which God eternal brews  
Not in the simmering still, chocked with poisonous gas  
Nor with the stench of sickening odours vile  
Not from corruptions blasted sickening mass.

But in the green glade and the mossy dell  
Where the white sheep wander and the young lambs play  
There God brews it in eternal fountains  
In streams of beauty never ceasing night or day.

And down low down in the deepest valleys  
Where the rivers wander and the sweet rills sing  
And high up upon the highest mountains  
There Gods sweet nectar, abundantly doth spring.

Where the storm clouds brood, and the thunders clash  
Where the hurricane howls its music in its glee  
There He brews it that health giving water  
That blessing great to mankind flowing free.

Everywhere it is a thing of beauty  
Glistening in the dewdrop like a gem  
Singing in the summer rain its melody  
Clinging to the tender new born stem.

Sporting in the waterfall, sleeping in the glacier  
Dancing in the summer shower, or the pattering hail  
Weaving between earth and Heaven the token to us given  
That Gods great promise to us ne'er shall fail.

No bloodstains mingle in its sweetness  
No widows tears or orphans sighs  
No shrieking demons howl their curses  
No black despair around its margin flies.

O water pure health giving water  
No poisons bubble on its brink  
No evil passions roused within mans bosom  
But only blessings unto those who drink.

43 29 July 1904

THE DYING SOLDIER

Down by the Modder river  
Upon the burning veldt  
A soldier lay a dying  
By whom a comrade knelt  
He wiped his pallid features  
And he bathed his fevered brow  
While the dying soldier whispered  
I am going comrade now.

I am dying, comrade dying  
And O! it grieves me sore  
To think upon dear Mother  
I shall never see her more  
I was her only comfort  
Her poor old heart will break  
Listen to my dying message  
Which to dear old mother take.

I dreamed last night dear comrade  
As in childhoods happy day  
I knelt once more beside her  
Whilst gently she did pray  
I heard her sweet voice pleading  
For blessings on my head  
Now who will comfort mother  
When she hears that I am dead.

Tell her that I'm going  
Where the weary are at rest  
To that home of many mansions  
To the regions of the blest  
Tell her there I'll meet her  
When her pilgrimage is o'er  
To dwell in love and union  
In that land forever more.

And as the light grows brighter  
Upon that dawning shore  
I can see the shadowy forms  
Of our loved ones gone before  
There stands my dear old father  
Who went long years ago  
And there too baby sister  
In dress of whitest snow.

And Oh! the sweetest music  
Floats from that Heavenly strand  
And there the loving Saviour  
Is beckoning with his hand  
I am going now to join them  
Tell my dear old mother so  
I've not forgot the counsels  
She gave me long ago.

No more in faltering accents  
Did this dying soldier speak  
His breath was hard and laboured  
The death dew wet his cheek  
His eyes were fixed and steadfast  
His spirit winged its way  
From scenes of strife and bloodshed  
Where war shall never sway.

In a rural cot in England  
Sat in her old arm chair  
A gentle sweet old lady  
With white and silvery hair  
The tears were swiftly falling  
Whilst a soldier soft and low  
Delivered his sad message  
As his comrade wished him so.

My boy, my boy she faltered  
How oft I think of him  
And many a time my poor old eyes  
With tears are blurred and dim  
Yet what a blessed comfort  
It is to me to know  
He ne'er forgot the counsels  
I gave him long ago.

44 6 Aug 1904

A SOLDIER OF THE TYNE

On the battle field of Belmont  
Amidst the shot and shell  
A noble British soldier  
Pierced mortally wounded fell  
So young, so brave, so active  
In the height of manhoods prime  
Fell this noble gallant soldier  
From the lovely banks of Tyne.

A comrade bent low o'er him  
A helping hand to give  
Ah! friend he faintly faltered  
I have not long to live  
Take this message to my mother  
These dying, words of mine  
And bear them o'er the ocean  
To my home in distant Tyne.

Tell her my dear comrade  
That I'm not afraid to die  
That death is but the pathway  
To that glorious Home on high  
That from these scenes of bloodshed  
My soul shall break supine  
To a brighter fairer region  
Than the lovely Vale of Tyne.

And tell her not with sorrow  
Her dear old heart to break  
But from my dying message  
Some comfort she must take  
And not to weep in anguish  
Nor despondently repine  
For we'll meet in that blest country  
Far from the banks of Tyne.

Tell her, that amidst the fight  
And cannons deafening roar  
My thoughts flew o'er the ocean  
To my far off native shore  
To that homestead in the valley  
My mothers home and mine  
To that dear sweet ivyed cottage  
In the lovely Vale of Tyne.

Then that dying soldier slowly  
For he was racked with pain  
With an effort weak and feeble  
Drew forth his watch and chain  
Take these my dear old comrade  
As a parting gift of mine  
And wear them in remembrance  
Of a soldier from the Tyne,

And take this to my mother  
'Twas her parting gift to me  
The dear old book she gave me  
As she kissed me fervently  
She placed it in my hand  
With a look of love divine  
Saying take this for your guidance  
As you wander far from Tyne.

He drew forth from his bosom  
Of miniature size  
His mothers pictured face on which  
He gazed with streaming eyes  
He pressed it to his lips  
Saying what a fate is mine and thine  
For we'll meet no more forever  
On the lovely banks of Tyne.

And comrade place this gently  
Upon my still cold breast  
Next to this loving heart of mine  
When I am laid to rest  
So in the still and silent grave  
Its dust with mine combine  
For the love of that dear mother  
On the lovely banks of Tyne.

The soldier ceased from speaking  
His head sunk on his breast  
As the sun with golden splendour  
Dipped down into the west  
He'd fought his last great battle  
He'd crossed the border line  
To that Home of many mansions  
Passed that soldier of the Tyne.

And the stars shone out in splendour  
From the arched blue dome of night  
And the silvery moon their consort  
Shed forth her gladsome light  
Majestically and glorious  
Her welcome beams did shine  
As they shone upon the valley  
Of the far and distant Tyne.

In a soldiers grave they laid him  
Where the waters gently lave  
And now the grass is growing  
O'er his low and lonely grave  
Yet oft his mothers fancies  
Soars far across the brine  
Where her soldier son lies sleeping  
Far from the banks of Tyne.

45 8 Aug 1904

FAIR CAMPTOWN

Where sylvan Jed, o'er rocky bed  
Pursues her way to sea  
A village fair, of beauty rare  
Stands, ever dear to me  
Where Nature smiles and knows no guiles  
No angry look or frown  
Among her bowers and lovely flowers  
Is charming fair Camptown.

Near the Borderland, mid scenery grand  
Unrivalled here below  
In garland bright, of glad delight  
The fairest roses grow  
With leafy screen, the pine tree green  
Waves free its mantling crown  
To towering height, they rear their might  
In the woods of fair Camptown.

In her retreat, mid the woodlands sweet  
How pleasant there to stroll  
Or by Jeds side, to watch the tide  
As on her waters roll  
To muse and dream by the purling stream  
All sorrow there to drown  
To taste earths joys, free from alloys  
In the woods of fair Camptown.

To wander free, o'er the daisied lea  
By the clear and sparkling fountain  
To view afar, the Carter Bar  
And Cheviots towering mountain  
To watch the bees, on the flowery trees  
Those toilers small and brown  
Take the honey sweet to their retreat  
To their hives in fair Camptown.

When near lifes close, in calm repose  
No other lot I'd crave  
Than by Jeds stream, the flickering gleam  
Of life there try to save  
And when at last, deaths icy blast  
Shall lay me lonely down  
O let me sleep where the willows weep  
By the bowers of fair Camptown.

46 8 Aug 1904

THE EMIGRANTS MUSINGS ON HOME

I left my native country for a far and distant shore  
I crossed the stormy ocean, where the breakers angry roar  
I bade adieu to Scotland the land still dear to me  
Dear Fatherland my memories oft transported are to thee.

In fancy still I see thee my dear old native land  
I see thy towering mountains rise up majestic, grand  
I see the stately Carter and stormy Cheviot high  
I see thy smiling valleys bathed in the sunshine lie.

I see thee O thou dearest of all the Border streams  
I see thee in the noontide, I see thee in my dreams  
Still flowing sweetly onward, o'er thy red rocky bed  
My heart still beats responsive, to thee dear native Jed.

I see the dear old cottage, where in boyhoods happy day  
My youthful steps did wander and my nimble feet did play  
Ah! how dear to me these memories, now that far from thee I roam  
Fond fancies ever linger on thee my dear old home.

47 11 Aug 1904

FAR AWAY FROM THE HAUNTS OF MEN

Far away from the noisy city, far away from its din and glare  
Up on the mountain tops so free, where the heather blooms so fair  
Let me wander at my will, o'er the mossy moorland fen  
There to woo sweet liberty, far away from the haunts of men.

Where the bright blue bells are blooming violet sweet and tall foxglove  
Where the happy lark is singing, songs of praise, and songs of love  
Where the crystal streams are flowing through each rugged rocky glen  
Let me listen to their music, far away from the haunts of men.

Where the freckled grouse are becking, and the noisy peewits fly  
Where is heard the sable raven, as he wings his way on high  
Where the cuckoos notes are ringing, telling of sweet spring again  
Let my footsteps ever wander, far away from the haunts of men.

Where the whaups and plovers hover, o'er the heathy mountains breast  
Screaming wildly, on to lead me, further from their treasured nest  
Where the vixen fox is lurking in her dark and rocky den  
Let me watch her young cubs playing, far away from the haunts of men.

Let me wander in the greenwood 'neath the tall trees leafy screen  
Watch the squirrels in their antics, on the boughs and branches green  
Let me listen to the music, description baffles my weak pen  
Where the happy birds are singing far away from the haunts of men.

Let me wander by the river, where its waters gently lave  
Watch the plump and nimble fishes, as they quickly cut the wave  
Where beneath the willow bushes, starts the silent water hen  
Where she lives in happy freedom, far away from the haunts of men.

Let me watch the fleeting waters o'er the high and rocky linn  
In their wildest fury leaping, making dolesome noisy din  
Let my fancy spread its pinions o'er the days and years to when  
First these waters formed the cascade far away from the haunts of men.

Let me watch the sunbeams playing on the water as they dance  
Watch the lightning quickly speeding in its bright and lurid glance  
Let me pause with awe and wonder, ponder muse and think and then  
Listen to the thunders peeling far away from the haunts of men.

Let me study wondrous Nature, muse alone in solitude  
Watch her in her different phases, smiling valleys mountains rude  
Woodlands flowers and sparkling fountains, birds from Goss to smallest wren  
Let me watch them all and ponder far away from the haunts of men.

48 No date

YOUTHFUL DAYS

Alas! they are gone now long years ago  
Those days so happy and free  
The days of childhood in the morning of life  
When we romped and ran in our glee  
When from morning till night in happy delight  
With hearts that knew no care  
We chased the bee o'er the daisied lea  
In the sunshine bright and fair.

Alas they are gone now long years ago  
Those days of innocent joy  
When we played around the old homestead  
No care our hearts to annoy  
Where snow white lambs along with their dams  
Roamed o'er the grassy hills  
Who sported and played there undismayed  
Along by the brooks and rills.

Alas they are gone now long years ago  
Those days of frolic and fun  
The games we played the leaps we took  
The races we used to run  
In best endeavour, that tired us never  
We skimmed o'er the hill and plain  
In freedom sweet ran our naked feet  
Those feet shall ne'er run again.

Alas they are gone now long years ago  
Those days when our hearts were young  
Before we felt the stroke of grief  
Before us sorrow had wrung  
No thought of strife or the cares of life  
No thought of sickness or sorrow  
We spent our day in the joys of play  
And planned new games for tomorrow.

52 4 Sept 1904

MORNINGS BLUSHES

O'er the Eastern sky arises mornings first sweet flushes  
The rosette tints which tinge the cheeks of new born day  
Like bashful maiden, as in innocence she blushes  
When some love sick swain upon her red ripe lips doth prey.

All Nature now wakes from their restful slumbers  
Their tribute to sweet Phoebus youthful beasts to pay  
The birds their notes at first in frugal numbers  
Increasing more and more unto harmonious lay.

How pleasant in these early morning hours to wander  
Breathing the cool air beneath the peaceful skies  
Listening to the rills and brooks which on meander  
Singing their soft symphonious lullabys.

To watch the sunbeams as they burst in glorious splendour  
O'er the hill tops with their bright refulgent light  
Listing to earths melodies as they engender  
In one great harmonious note of glad delight.

O, why should not these morning joys by man be tasted  
Why should he not pay his vows unto the morn  
Why in slothful slumber should they e'er be wasted  
The loveliest hour is when the day is born.

53 Sept 1904

AUTUMN DAYS

The wind blows with a colder blast, the Autumn days are here  
Decaying Nature sinks again to rest upon her bier  
To take again her winters sleep, according to the plan  
Which the Creator hath upheld, since first the world began.

The yellow leaves from off the trees, are scattered by the blast  
In springs bright days they burst their buds, but now their bloom is past  
The nipping frost hath sealed their doom, now in decay they fly  
Driven by the wind in fitful gusts beneath the leaden sky.

The birds upon the naked trees now sit both still and mute  
No longer they with happy hearts tune forth their joyful lute  
The cattle by the sheltering wood, no longer care to roam  
But seem to wish themselves once more all snugly housed at home.

The hay and corn stacks have now all, with care been covered o'er  
To shield them through the winters day when tempests wildly roar  
The rivers swollen by the rains career their way to sea  
And madly rush o'er rock and stone, in wild and frantic glee.

O Autumn days what thoughts you raise within the thinking mind  
How like you are to human life with years left far behind  
When done with spring and summer days, our autumn time draws near  
Soon wintry age with killing frost will stretch us on our bier.

54 8 Sept 1904

TO THE FORGET-ME-NOT

Forget-me-not

Though small thy lot

No sweeter flower doth bloom

Blue as the sky

With thy yellow eye

As bright as the golden broom

By the crystal pool

With its waters cool

Thou looks up to the sky

An emblem true

Of lovers who

In the bond of hearts comply

Thy blossoms sweet

In thy retreat

Need no refreshing showers

Thy roots are fed

From the springs deep bed

Thou art one of the Naiad's flowers

Through the summers day

In the sunshine gay

No thirst comes to thy bowers

But thy charming smile

Goes on the while

Through the scorching sunny hours

'Neath the winters sky

When thy blossoms die

Unseen though not forgot

I will think of thee

Of thy purity

Thou little bright blue, sweet

Forget-me-not.

55 9 Sept 1904

THE WIND

O'er the hills from the west, a mighty wind blew  
And louder and stronger and fiercer it grew  
It shrieked and shouted and laughed in its glee  
As it sped on its way over land and o'er sea.

It rushed up the glens with a shout of delight  
And smote on the rocks, in the power of its might  
It scared the moor birds from the high lofty fell  
To the sheltering copse in the deep wooded dell.

Then onward it raced in its angry mood  
And uprooted the trees on the verge of the wood  
It knocked them all down with a conquerors stroke  
The larches, the spruce and the stout sturdy oak.

It tumbled the hayricks, it straggled the corn  
Which made the poor farmer to sigh and to mourn  
Through the orchard it went with a terrible shout  
And scattered the plums and the apples about.

The sheep and the cattle stood still all amazed  
With their tails to the blast in great wonderment gazed  
The turkeys sought shelter behind the stone wall  
And loudly and frantic the peacock did squall.

It howled still amain, as it struck on the lake  
And caused all the boatmen, for the margin to make  
The waves leapt up high on the terrified shore  
As they danced to the tune of its horrible roar.

It swept on its way through the village and city  
It granted no mercy, it showed no pity  
The chimney pots fell and the blue slates did rattle  
And against it the citizens fought a great battle.

With a fanatical shriek it plunged on the ocean  
And churned the blue sea in a horrid commotion  
The tall masts were bent, the white shrouds were all torn  
And it tossed the great steamers about in its scorn.

In the evening hour it sank down to rest  
Just after the sun had dipped into the west  
All nature felt happy and thankful at last  
That the force and power of the wind were past.

56 13 Sept 1904

TO THE MOON

In the sky thou shinest at night magnificent  
Illuminating all the blackness and the gloom  
Like a polished silver shield in brightness  
Art thou O most glorious heavenly moon.

Man hath invented lights, and they are wondrous  
The outcome of great minds and thoughts sublime  
But o'er them all thou reignest still victorious  
Thy Maker, and thine alone - Divine.

Within the confines of great towns and cities  
Mens lights are in all their power unfurled  
But thou, in thy great God made splendour  
Illumes the vastness of the mighty world.

Thou light'st the path of the benighted traveller  
It matters not where e'er the wanderer roam  
From Heavens portals thy glad light thou sendest  
Guiding his weary footsteps till he reaches home.

But though no heat comes from all thy brightness  
No genial ray to warm old mother earth  
Yet 'neath thy gleaming beams of glory  
How many beauties are called forth to birth.

Thou gildest streams in all their nightly splendour  
The hoarfrost like rare gems thou mak'st to shine  
The icicle lengthens 'neath thy brightest gazes  
And shortens as thy morning hours decline.

The ocean waves obey thy wondrous magic  
Advancing and receding at thy will  
Contemplation pauses in its wonder  
It cannot grasp the mighty thoughts thou dost instil

The sun outshines thee in his might and splendour  
In glory brightness majesty and light  
He rules the day in all its different phases  
But thou, ah! thou art monarch of the night.

57 14 Sept 1904

TO THE SUN

High in the highest Heavens thou reignest  
Thou lustrous sphere, thou greatest orb of light  
In mystery enshrouded to us poor mortals  
We cannot grasp thy wondrous powers aright.

God made thee in thy magnificence and splendour  
By his great majesty thou art controlled  
And to Him alone are known thy unknown wonders  
Before none other have they been unrolled.

Thou art the font of life and of existence  
Nothing without thy quickening beams could live  
To all the living things in Nature  
The power of being thou dost to them give.

Thou callest earths beauties to existence  
The foliage upon the green wood trees  
The sweet flowers in all their glorious colours  
The green grass on the fields and leas.

Thou paintest the rainbow in its glorious grandeur  
As thy glad beams doth on the raindrops shine  
Bringing again to forgetful man's remembrance  
The vow of Him who is alone Divine.

Earth's fruits by thee are made both ripe and mellow  
The bearded wheat and all the golden corn  
Thou bringest all to their great good perfection  
In readiness when comes the harvest morn.

The songbirds greet thee at thy mornings coming  
And sing the praises of thy parting beams  
As o'er the hill tops in a flood of glory  
Thou leavest all Nature to her peaceful dreams.

But though at nightime thy sweet smile doth leave us  
To hours of blackness and to gloom  
Yet in some other clime thy glories  
Shine in the splendour of their brightest noon.

Next to God himself thou art in power and wonder  
All other orbs bend to thy great majesty  
Thou rulest o'er all earths great creation  
But God Almighty ruleth over thee.

58 16 Sept 1904

EARTHS MELODIES

Around on every hand are voices singing  
Their songs of triumph and of glee  
Great Nature pours her mighty anthem  
In one sweet burst of melody.

The sighing of the wind amid the greenwoods  
The gentle murmuring of the brooks and rills  
The peaceful laving of the flowing river  
The notes of moorbirds on the quiet hills.

The inspiring strains of happy songbirds  
That swell their notes amid the air and trees  
The murmuring sound of countless insects  
The humming of the busy belted bees.

Rejoice O heart why art thou so unmindful  
Why should'st thou withold thy thankful lay  
Join also in the great hozanna  
No longer sigh and sorrow by the way.

Rise up and sing thy glad hallelujah  
To Him who listens to it all  
Before whose Throne in symphonies of gladness  
Attendant angels ever bend and fall.

59 19 Sept 1904

A MAID OF THE TYNE

On the banks of the Tyne, when the sun was low  
Neath a beech of stately mein  
One summers eve on a rustic seat  
Enthroned sat a village queen.

She had roses woven in her hair  
And a dress of the palest blue  
And her tiny foot clad in fairy shoes  
Of the deepest yellow hue.

Her teeth were as white as pearly snow  
And her cheeks like the rosy morn  
And her voice sounded sweet, as a warbling bird  
Perched high on the fragrant thorn.

Her eyes shone like stars in their splendour bright  
And her hair of the golden sheen  
The breath from her lips like the scented rose  
And her bosom pure white I ween.

No brave belted Knight in the tournament  
E'er fought for a maid more fair  
And the lists ne'er rang with the bright swords clang  
In aid of a gem so rare.

She sang a song twas a song of love  
And she sang it from her heart  
No sweeter voice through the woods e'er rang  
Nor the answering echoes start.

She sang of a soldier far away  
Across the deep blue ocean  
Her eyes became filled with briny tears  
And she wept, in her emotion.

He was her lover and she sighed  
as she thought of that summers morn  
When by wars alarms, he from her arms  
By stern duties call was torn.

They had parted here just two years ago  
With many a plighted vow  
And she wished once more, to old Englands shore  
Her lover was coming now.

She rose from her seat and slowly passed  
To her home in the village street  
But she waits in vain, for ne'er again  
Her lover and she will meet.

In a soldiers grave he now lowly lies  
Away in the far Transvaal  
While through her heart, grief sends its dart  
And black sorrow hangs its pall.

62 24 Sept 1904

O BONNIE HILLS OF REDESDALE

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, far dearer you're to me  
Than all the other mountains, no matter where they be  
They may be far more lofty and of more stately mein  
They may be clad with verdure, in a deeper shade of green  
But still I aye shall love you, wherever I may roam  
And always think upon you, as my dear old native home  
Yet though I far may wander my heart will still be true  
And steer its flight on fancy's wings unerringly to you.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, I've seen your angry frown  
When the gales blew strong in Autumn and the drenching rains came down  
When your burns and sykes grew furious, in their wildest angry glee  
And old Rede filled from bank to bank, rushed madly to the sea  
Or when in cold bleak winter the snowstorms did assail  
And at their hardest, roared and shrieked, the Northern winds and gale  
When the blinding drift swept ruthless, filling air and hills and plain  
How oft I've sighed and longed to see, your green hillsides again.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, I've seen you in the Spring  
And listened to the skylark, as he soared on pinioned wing  
I've watched the grass grow greener and the trees, their leaves put on  
And rejoiced that wintry days at last, once more were past and gone  
The Cuckoo's voice then told me, that summer days drew near  
As in the vale resounding, his notes came loud and clear  
From regions o'er the ocean his instinct ne'er does fail  
To tell him it is time to greet, the hills of fair Redesdale.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, I always loved you best  
In the balmy days of Summer, in your emerald garments drest  
Or when in all your splendour you changed to purple hue  
Your pleasing mantles glistening, in bespanglement with dew  
Then with your glorious grandeur you oft my heart did fill  
With ecstasys of gladness, as I gazed from hill to hill  
From the Carter to wild Wannies, bespatched with mauve and green  
Whilst leafy woodlands lent their charm to all the pleasing scene.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, how swiftly time on glides  
It seems to be but yesterday, a boy I climbed your sides  
With heart both gay and buoyant and step so light and free  
Along with comrades, who were young, and happy then as me  
With shouting and with laughter, we made the echoes sound  
Amid the rugged rifted rocks, where the fell fox doth abound  
Or by the wimpling streamlets and flower begemmed dells  
We plucked the yellow primrose and the bonnie sweet bluebells.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, how things have changed since then  
Our boyhoods days have passed away, and now we're grown up men  
Some far away have wandered and some have crossed the sea  
But often in their musing dreams, their fancies to you flee  
Back to their loved old homesteads, amid their native hills  
Back to your crystal fountains and murmuring peaceful rills  
Their hearts still beat responsive, though their feet far, far have strayed  
Still, still they love the dear old hills, where they in childhood played.

O bonnie Hills of Redesdale, it grieves my heart full sore  
To think upon some comrades, who will never see you more  
Now peacefully they're resting within the still cold grave  
No more they'll climb your rugged sides, nor hear the river lave  
And when my own call cometh, my only prayer will be  
O let me sleep amid the hills, that aye were dear to me  
Where the river flows on gently, down through the peaceful vale  
There lay me down to take my rest, in my own loved Redesdale.

63 26 Sept 1904

A SONNET

WORSHIP

Where can I truly worship God aright  
And render homage justly to Him due  
Shall it be confined to church or pew  
Or shall I on the mountains height  
Lift up my heart in adoration there  
As I gaze on His wondrous beauties lair  
Created by His Majesty and might  
Truly no mans temple can compare  
With such as God himself hath built  
No covering roof but Heavens blue sky  
My thoughts can rise there unconstrained  
And render homage from the heart  
Without mans decorative art  
And truly worship with a joy unfeigned.

64 1 Oct 1904

AUTUMN 1904

The Autumn tints of brown and gold  
Bedeck the forests and the wold  
What beauties now the trees confess  
Clothed in their variegated dress

Sweet Phoebus from the azure height  
Shines forth in all his splendour bright  
Casting around his pleasing beams  
On mountains valleys woods and streams.

Glad summer free from ail mishap  
Yet lingers on in autumns lap  
Still calling forth the bud and bloom  
To wither 'neath cold winters doom.

The songbirds now no longer sing  
With zest as in the joyful spring  
Except the dipper by the stream  
Where he still pours his happy theme.

Soon will the colder breezes sweep  
And cause the trees their leaves to weep  
Then winter with its icy breath  
Will close the scene with cruel death.

65 8 Oct 1904

AUTUMN 1904 - A SONNET

Summer lingers with us in these Autumn days  
And gloriously the sun sends forth his smile  
From early morning until dewy eve, he shines the while  
Invincible he casts on all his loving gaze.  
Now on the threshold of decay all Nature lingers  
The trees the flowers begin to droop and fade  
Changed from green to russet, the woodland and the glade  
Painted by the fairy touch of Autumns fingers  
Pensive sit the songbirds mid the tinted boughs  
As sympathising with them in their sad decay  
No joyful music from them thrills the new born day  
Neglected now their love songs and their vows.  
As Nature droops and sinks beneath the Autumn skies  
So after Summers bloom, man likewise fades and dies.

66 12 Oct 1904

NEVER COMING BACK

Look upon the river broad  
As it sweeps along  
Constantly it onward flows  
With its currents strong  
Speeding always on its way  
In its beaten track  
Waves and billows rushing on  
Never one comes back.

Look upon the river broad  
With its ceaseless flow  
Countless ages it hath swept  
To the sea below  
Sometimes filled from bank to bank  
Sometimes low and slack  
Yet its waters ne'er return  
Not a wave comes back.

Look upon the river broad  
Ponder well and think  
While you gaze upon its tide  
Standing on its brink  
Think how time doth onward glide  
And how much you lack  
Days and hours and moments fly  
Never coming back.

Never waste a moment then  
Strive to do the right  
Always keep the promised goal  
Well within your sight  
Life's swift stream is gliding  
O'er its troubled track  
Passing to Eternity  
Never coming back.

67 14 Oct 1904

LESSONS

Look upon the rivers flow  
Mid the eternal mountains  
Watch its waters onward rush  
From unslaking fountains  
Onward ever is the plea  
Staying pausing never  
Once its waters have swept past  
They have gone forever  
Learn this lesson from the river  
Moments past, are gone forever.

Look upon the woodlands green  
In the morning hours  
Listen to the happy birds  
In their arboured bowers  
How they to the mornings sun  
All their praise express  
While his beams the woods and streams  
Lovingly caress  
Learn from the songbirds lays  
Our hearts in thankfulness to raise.

Look upon the stately mein  
Of the towering pines  
See majestic in their height  
Rise the beech and limes  
How they shoot their branches green  
Towards the azure sky  
Where the sun with pleasing smile  
Invites them to come nigh  
Learn from the tall trees high  
To train our thoughts towards the sky.

Look upon the golden grain  
In the harvest field  
See the reapers bind in sheaves  
The plenty it doth yield  
Glad Abundance standing by  
Watches them discreetly  
Contentment walks across the field  
Smiling on them sweetly  
Learn from the golden sheaves  
Bear good fruit, which ne'er deceives.

Look upon the belted bee  
Humming o'er the flowers  
From the blush of rosy morn  
Till nights dewy hours  
Culling all their nectars sweet  
Laying in its store  
Against the cold and wintry day  
When sunshine comes no more  
Learn a lesson from the bee  
Practise its industry.

Look upon the wonders all  
Of this mighty world  
The sun, the moon, the glittering stars  
In all their might unfurled  
The sky the boundless ocean wide  
And all that they contain  
The vastness and the magnitude  
Mans pen can ne'er explain  
Learn as you contemplate  
God is good and God is great.

68 16 Oct 1904

LETTER TO MR. JOHN DUNN, JUNR.,  
NO. 5 ROSEHILL TERRACE,  
WILLINGTON ON TYNE.

Now just in fun, dear Johnny Dunn  
I pen to you this letter  
Being short of time, I write in rhyme  
Though prose might have been better  
Well to begin, 'twill be no sin  
To ask you how you're living  
I hope that health, the greatest wealth  
Kind Providence is giving.

May I surmise, that you likewise  
Of money are not scanty  
And to your back, you have no lack  
But good clothes, have in plenty  
And that you're fed, and have a bed  
Whereon to rest when sleeping  
And that your heart ne'er has a dart  
But cheerful aye is keeping.

If such are yours and Venus pours  
Her smiles upon you sweetly  
No more you want, you'll ne'er be scant  
Of inward joys completely  
But in this life, with care and strife  
We often are contending  
Yet sunny hope supplies the scope  
The murk and darkness ending.

If e'er your lot with care be fraught  
Ne'er pamper up your sorrow  
The darkest night, when comes daylight  
May bring a bright tomorrow  
E'en hope deferred, should be preferred  
To moodish black despair  
And if the heart play well its part  
Bright flowers may blossom there.

No doubt dear Sir, you yet prefer  
Remaining free and single  
You have no wife, to bless your life  
Nor grace a homely ingle  
Well you will be, just as happy  
If you Cupid's pleadings smother  
You have the friend, which Heaven did rand  
Your dear old darling mother.

May fortune's smile, free from all guile  
Fall on her and the Pater  
With due respect, do not neglect  
To say I'll write them later  
And to Miss Emm, that bonnie gem  
Convey my warmest feeling  
May Providence sweet on her glance  
The brightest joys revealing.

To Mar-gar-et may a coronet  
Rest on her raven tresses  
May she get a lord, who can afford  
Rich sables and silk dresses  
But if her lot, be but a cot  
May contentment smile upon her  
Her husband be, from all vice free  
A man of worth and honour.

How's Mr. Tom, who late did roam  
And crossed the Irish ocean  
Did he find there a coleen fair  
To set his heart in motion  
Or were they all, both great and small  
Conceited and contrary  
Or day and night, does his fancys flight  
Soar to the girls of Tipperary.

Next on the list, if I've none missed  
Will be your brother Robbie  
Like most young men, he now and then  
Will have his favourite hobby  
Whate'er that be, I hope that he  
May find in it enjoyment  
And all his days, may fortunes gaze  
Smile sweet on his employment.

To memorys glance next comes Miss Nance  
With whom I climbed the mountains  
May blessings flow, to her below  
Unslaking as the fountains  
May unconfined, a peaceful mind  
And happiness be given  
May she ne'er know the sting of woe  
Nor by sharp griefs be riven.

To Meggie sweet, will you repeat  
Convey to her my greeting  
I hope that she, in health may be  
And with success is meeting  
She will be tall, she was but small  
The last time that I met her  
Complexion fair, with golden hair  
You see I've not forget her.

Sweet as banana, next comes Hannah  
Though last none less respected  
To the little miss, may earthly bliss  
And joys ne'er be neglected  
Safe may she glide, o'er times rough tide  
Ne'er on rough rocks be stranded  
And when at last, the journey past  
Safe in the Haven be landed.

As for myself, though short of pelf  
Yet why should I e'er grumble  
I don't ride high should Fortune shy  
The less will be the tumble  
And if the Muse do not refuse  
To give me inspiration  
None in this land however grand  
Shall change with me my station.

For by her powers, the sweetest hours  
Spontaneously surrender  
Deep inward joys, free from alloys  
To heart and soul engender  
No earthly bliss, sublime as this  
Though her rewards be scanty  
Not e'en the bread, on which I'm fed  
Nor yet the sheltering shanty.

When young in years, with many jeers  
I scorned the condescendent  
And in my mind, I felt inclined  
To be Sir independent  
But now today, I'll frankly say  
My views have somewhat altered  
With curb and bitt Sir here I sit  
My independence haltered.

Pray me excuse, do not confuse  
I hope you catch my meaning  
A man whose mind soars unconfined  
I to his views am leaning  
But to the man, who never can  
His loftiness surrender  
To such as he it seems to me  
My views will not engender.

No doubt in rhyme it seems sublime  
To boast of independence  
Do not disguise, if you are wise  
A little condescendence  
There's many men who now and then  
Get rather much exalted  
And from their view, you'll find it true  
Think they should ne'er be faulted.

I hope, I trow, with laurelled brow  
The sacred Nine surrender  
And at your feet with favours sweet  
Give thoughts sublime and tender  
Of flowery glades, bewitching maids  
Of rivers, dales and mountains  
Of glittering streams bathed in sunbeams  
Of gurgling rills and fountains.

Ah! what a start, why bless my heart  
The midnight hour is chiming  
Tis time in bed, I laid my head  
And put aside my rhyming  
Accept my love, and from above  
May blessings great descend  
May joy and peace, to you increase  
From your poetic friend.

70 4 Nov 1904

AUTUMN MUSINGS

How fair and bright have been these Autumn days  
And gloriously hath Phoebus shed his kindly beams  
O'er forests decked in russet, brown and gold  
O'er mountaina high o'er valleys, plains and streams.

The gorgeous splendour of the sylvan bowers  
Are left unheeded by the feathered train  
No more as in the Springtides natal hours  
They sing in raptures, their sweet melting strain.

For then their hearts were full of love and joy  
And amorously their notes rang loud and clear  
They knew that winters stormy days were past  
That Summer with spontaneous joys drew near.

But though these Autumn days are warm and bright  
They seem to mourn at Nature's sad decay  
The withering frost will leave their arbours bare  
Bereft of leaves each branch each sprig and spray.

No longer now we hear the cuckoo's voice  
Resounding in the woodland and the plain  
No. She has winged her flight to other climes  
Far o'er the boundless deep blue surging main.

The swallows too, to other lands, remote  
Have steered their flight upon their lightening wing  
No more they'll skim and fly in circles round  
Until again shall come the vernal spring.

How pleasing to the eye the woodlands all aflame  
Yet all their gay colouring but leads the way  
Unto the brink of Natures mournful doom  
For flowers and trees alike must all decay.

And what of man in all his power and might  
Whom God most wonderful hath made  
What is his lot? As doth the flowers and trees  
Tis but to bud, to blossom and to fade.

Soon will the colder northern breezes blow  
Soon will the earth be clothed in garments white  
Yet hope exulting in the heart is born  
Again to hail the Springtide with delight.

71 No date

A RAMBLE

'Twas in the merry month of June  
A pleasant sunny afternoon  
To listen to the birds in tune  
Abroad I strayed  
To where yon rill down through the glen  
In antics played.

The sunbeams on its waters glanced  
Whilst o'er- the rocks the wavelets danced  
The trees its beauties more enhanced  
As dressed in green  
They linked their boughs in sweet embrace  
Across the stream.

The primrose and the violet sweet  
Grew safe within its snug retreat  
Old Sols sweet gazes they did greet  
With opened eye  
And looked with pleasure to the deep  
Blue azure sky.

The fronded ferns in richest green  
Looked out the rifted rocks between  
And up upon their top extreme  
Grew bush and tree  
While clinging ivy round them twined  
Most lovingly.

I wandered on admiring all  
Until I reached the waterfall  
Where wonder held me in its thrall  
As there I gazed  
And at the rushing leaping stream  
Stood much amazed.

To angry foam its waters churned  
To stay their leap the thought e'er spurned  
Nor from their course a moment turned  
But over the lynn  
They sped in haste and in their flight  
Made dolesome din.

The trees o'erhung its rocky side  
And mirrored deep were in its tide  
There down below its waters glide  
On to the sea  
And teach this lesson, moments gone  
No more we see.

The speckled beauties of the deep  
Did eagerly in antics leap  
And watchful eyes above did keep  
To seize their prey  
The thoughtless flies as on they danced  
In sunshine gay.

I saw the bearded mountain goat  
The eager prowling cunning stoat  
The sable raven from his throat  
High in the air  
Sent forth his unmelodious croak  
In freedom there.

A ruined cot and crystal well  
Where once a hermit loan did dwell  
Surrounded by the trackless fell  
In solitude  
Where rocks o'erhang in shapeless mass  
And grandeur rude.

Say not that he was lonely here  
Where Nature's wildest charms appear  
Where oft the storms and mists drew near  
For to the mind  
Who loves to ponder, there the thoughts  
Flow unconfined,

Far o'er the rugged mountain's crest  
The sun the evening hour confessed  
As he sunk down into the west  
In mass of gold  
And left the glen to be wrapped in  
Nights sable fold.

72 12 Nov 1904

DEAD FLOWERS

The flowers are dead no more we see  
The gowans on the dewy lea,  
No more primroses in the vale  
Show their sweet yellow faces pale.

The buttercup and fair blue bell  
No longer deck the rocky dell  
The silver weed and violet sweet  
Are vanished from their late retreat.

The milkwort on the mossy hills  
The scented thyme by crystal rills  
Forget-me-nots by cool springs fed  
Have all now withered and are dead.

The blushing rose on sweet briar bush  
No longer hides the warbling thrush  
The hoary ray upon the thorn  
Ho longer scents the summer's morn.

The honeysuckle on the trees  
No longer charms the belted bees  
The meadow queen now withered brown  
Hath cast aside her regal crown.

The yarrow and the ladies smock  
The tall stemmed dark red flowering dock  
And fair dog daisie's opened eye  
No longer gazes to the sky.

Twas in the natal hours of spring "  
When birds their praises sweet did sing  
These floral gems from sleep did wake  
Their beauteous summer charms to take

Through sunshine gay and vernal showers  
They blossomed in earths pleasant bowers  
With Autumn's breath they all did fade  
On moor in meadow and in glade.

And as these flowers once sweet and gay  
Did bud and blossom, then decay  
So 'tis man's lot to bud and bloom  
And sink at last into the tomb.

75 26 Nov 1904

DAYS BY THE REDE

Where Redes pellucid waters rush  
By bracken bed 'neath birchen bush  
On which in vernal hours the thrush  
In springs bright day  
Pours forth his melodies most sweet  
In tuneful lay.

Below these birchen bowers have I  
Beneath the cloudless summers sky  
Oft watched her waters sweeping by  
On to the sea  
And mused on natures wondrous ways  
So dear to me.

I've watched the slumbering flowers awake  
Their spring and summers charms to take  
And from the springing bent and brake  
I've seen arise  
The bird that charms with music sweet  
The earth and skies.

I've watched the little lambs in glee  
Sport merrily o'er the daisied lea  
Their frisky gambols sweet to see  
As on they ran  
And there fulfilled their little part  
In Natures plan.

How often by Redes magic strand  
I've wandered with my rod in hand  
And brought the beauties to the land  
With practised art  
And deeply drunk the joys that cheer  
The anglers heart.

But now no more her waters pour  
As they were wont in days of yore  
And ruined now forever more  
Her fishing fame  
All that is left of her great past  
Is but a name.

From childhoods years I watched the stream  
In winters storm and sunshines gleam  
In gentle flow and raging mein  
Keep on its way  
Now all her rushing floods have passed  
For aye away.

E'er since the daytime first began  
In freedom hath her waters ran  
Now by the tyrant hand of man  
In bondage held  
Her liberty that blessing great  
From her expelled.

And as our minds we backward cast  
To muse upon the distant past  
We see how times rough troubles blast  
Hath changes made  
How Kingdoms, Empires, Nations rose  
And but to fade.

76 25/11/1904

A LINK THAT BINDS

To Miss Sallie Bell  
Dacre House. Gilsland.

There is a link that binds the heart  
Of friends in distance far apart  
A link from earth to Heaven above  
A God made bond of perfect love.

He forged it in His power and might  
Our hearts in friendship to unite  
And after life hath ceased to roll  
It binds in union soul and soul.

O may this binding link be thine  
In earthly loves and Love Divine  
And never may its bonds be broken  
By idle words, so idly spoken.

But may it bind thee more and more  
In sunshine's gleam, when dark clouds lower  
To earthly friends and Him above  
May thou be bound by chains of Love.

Further into the notebook:

80 No Date

Sent to Miss Sallie Bell, Gilsland, on receiving a parcel of cakes from her with the following inscription on the inside of the box lid:-

A link to bind where circumstances part.

Your present safe did I receive  
A link you called it I believe  
But Cousin mine, what do you think  
I hungry felt - and ate the link.

77 1 Dec 1904

A CHANGING SCENE

Where the red grouse springs, on his whirring wings  
Amid the wild moors grandeur  
Where the white sheep roam, on their mountain home  
Did the Rede in peace meander  
O'er her channely bed, her waters sped  
Bright in the sunbeams dancing  
Or through the night the pale moonlight  
On her waters sweetly glancing.

And by her side as she on did glide  
Hath spectral figures wandered  
And through her glen, the bravest men  
Have borne their battle standard  
But the wraiths are fled and the brave men dead  
Though their fame still lives in story  
But the dear old Rede, she is indeed  
Robbed of her former glory.

A captive held, her floods now quelled  
By ruthless mans oppression  
Now her waters rave, and their maddened wave  
'Gainst their tyranny give expression  
With an angry frown, her waters brown  
Rush wildly on their barrier  
But he heeds them not, for his the lot  
Of a grim and dauntless warrior.

78 3 Dec 1904

TO THE ROBIN SINGING IN A SNOW-STORM

Ah! little robin, is that thou?  
Upon the faded leafless bough  
When cold winds mournfully sigh and sough  
That sings thy lay  
With happy heart, amid the snow  
At close of day.

The earth all round this winters night  
Is clothed in dress of spotless white  
And fainter grows the dim twilight  
Whilst there on high  
The stars begin their silent watch  
Up in the sky.

What makes thy little heart so glad  
Whilst other birds are mute and sad  
What special blessing hast thou had  
That thou should'st be  
The only songster of thy train  
That's filled with glee.

The biting winds are round thee blown  
And mid the branches sadly moan  
No sheltering home to call thine own  
Yet thou dost raise  
Thy little heart in thankfulness  
And songs of praise.

Ah! little bird could I like thee  
Be filled with thankfulness and glee  
O could my heart from care be free  
With joy throbbing  
Teach me thy secret, tender bird  
Dear little robin.

79 11 Dec 1904

THE MONARCH OF THE DAY

He is coming he is coming  
The monarch of the day  
And his heralds of the morning  
Proclaim his glorious sway  
O'er the hill tops he is coming  
In his splendour and his pride  
Dispelling all the darkness  
And the gloom of eventide

He is coming he is coming  
The powerful and the old  
And the gildings of his chariot  
Far eclipse bright burnished gold  
His flashing eye is glancing  
O'er his kingdoms great and wide  
Shedding all around the brightness  
And the life by him supplied.

He is coming he is coming  
The King of countless years  
The greatest among ten thousand  
The Monarch of the spheres  
And his throne is set with glory  
Mid the vastness of the sky  
And around him in their orbits  
Attendant planets fly.

He is coming he is coming  
The Conqueror great and strong  
All the feathered choirs proclaim him  
In one rapturous burst of song  
Let us also greet his coming  
With cheerful hearts and gay  
And Hail him, hail him, hail him  
The Monarch of the day.

80 See after No 76 A link that binds

81 14 Dec 1904

MUSINGS ON THE TEVIOT

Sweet memories of the past return  
Yet dim and dark they seem  
And voices that have long been stilled  
Cone faintly like a dream  
Fond fancies still broods o'er the scenes  
That aye are dear to me  
Where Teviots sparkling waters  
Sweep onward to the sea  
Sweeping onward in their beauty  
Flowing onward to the sea.

How often by her magic side  
In manhoods early years  
I've wandered with a raptured heart  
That knew not grief or fears  
Beneath the shady greenwoods  
Where the birds sang in their glee  
I have watched her waters fleeting  
Fleeting onward to the sea  
Fleeting onward ever onward  
Flowing onward to the sea.

I have seen her in the summer  
As she sweetly on did glide  
When the tall trees in their splendour  
Were deep mirrored in her tide  
And the nimble little fishes  
Sported wantonly and free  
As her waters glided onward  
Ever onward to the sea  
Glided onward sweetly onward  
Ever onward to the sea.

I have seen her in the winter  
When the drenching rains did pour  
Sweeping madly in her fury  
With an angry sullen roar  
Or when her ice bound waters  
From bondage were set free  
I have seen her grinding onward  
Crushing onward to the sea  
Grinding onward crushing onward  
Soaring onward to the sea.

Now though long years have flown  
Since I bade her last adieu  
Yet oft I've hoped and sighed for  
Past pleasures to renew  
And though the faces longed for  
I never more may see  
Still the dear old stream is flowing  
Flowing onward to the sea  
Flowing onward ceaseless onward  
Ever onward to the sea.

82 31 Dec 1904

SWEET ANNA FAIR

Sweet Anna fair with raven hair  
Thy charms are most bewitching  
No sweeter flower in glade or bower  
Earth's edens are enriching  
Thy voice enthrals, as rich music falls  
And with joy the ear enraptures  
And thy sunny smile that knows no guile  
The heart resistless, captures.

Thy eyes are bright as stars at night  
Bespangling heavens blue awning  
Or the suns bright ray at the dawn of day  
On the hill tops sweetly fawning  
Red are thy lips as the regal rose  
And thy teeth of the pearly whitest  
And thy heart of hearts, which thy life blood starts  
The purest and contritest.

But ah! sweet maid thy charms will fade  
Thy voice shall loose its sweetness  
And thy sparkling eyes will I surmise  
Loose their fairy glances fleetness  
But still thy heart may keep its part  
To highest heights arriving  
For a heart thats pure shall aye endure  
All other charms surviving.

85 26 Aug 1904

NO TITLE (Beside the stream)

Where the crystal streams doth wander  
'Neath the spreading branches green  
Where the crimson rowan berries  
Light the dark woods leafy screen  
Where is heard the gentle humming  
Of the ever busy bees  
And where feathered songster choirs  
Chant their sweetest melodies.

How sweet to wander in the gloaming  
By the margin of the stream  
With happy heart in blissful rapture  
Dwelling fondly on loves theme  
Circling with your arms the treasure  
Plighted in the bonds of love  
Sacred vows of fond endearment  
Witnessed in the Heavens above.

O happiest hours of mans existence  
No other bliss can e'er compare  
With reciprocal love unblemished  
Flower of beauty rich and fair  
Sacred bonds of love forever  
Let them reign within your heart  
Growing more as time advances  
Till cold death shall thrust his dart.

86 29 Aug 1904

NIGHT

O'er the hills night comes on silent pinions  
Spreading o'er all its wings of ebony hue  
Bringing the cool hours of rest to Nature  
Besprinkling all with drops of pearly dew.

The stars now trim their lamps of shining beauty  
The moon doth east around her gladsome light  
Enthroned within the sky's blue awning  
They reign the consorts of the restful night.

Grant to mankind rest from all their labours  
To tired limbs and aching weary brain  
Grant sweet sleep to all the heavy laden  
Soothe thou the lot of those who suffer pain.

Grant these to all O night thou great restorer  
That when thou spreadst thy wings to flee away  
We may awake, revived, refreshed and ready  
To battle with the duties of another day.

87 2 Sept 1904

A BORDER MAIDEN

Where the hills in purple splendour  
Rise near to the Borderland  
In their glorious might stupendous  
In their majesty most grand  
Dwells a sweet and lovely maiden  
Queen of all the stately hills  
Light of heart and good and spotless  
Pure as all the crystal rills.

With hair to match the ebony blackness  
Of the darkest sable night  
And eyes of jetty lustre shining  
Like the diamond sparkling bright  
Cheeks to rival mornings beauty  
In the smiling eastern sky  
When Sol's refulgent beams are casting  
Blushes o'er the mountains high.

Her voice as sweet as mavis singing  
Vows unto the coming morn  
Her bosom white as hawthorn blossom  
On the snow white fragrant thorn  
Lips of tempting rosy sweetness  
Teeth of pearly ivory white  
Perfect figure lithe and graceful  
Footsteps falling free and light.

May her lot be cast mid roses  
May she ne'er be crossed in love  
And may blessings fall upon her  
As the dew drops from above  
And as old age creeps upon her  
May her goodness still increase  
And may lasting joys forever  
Crown her future life with peace.

89 13 Apr 1904

ROCHESTER, REDESDALE

Where high the Cheviot Hills stand forth  
In the wild regions of the North  
Here from their top in evenings glow  
I see a village far below  
Rochester it is rightly named  
As for its Roman Camp tis famed.  
Here far removed from scenes of strife  
And far from bustling city's life  
In sweet seclusion it doth stand  
In this romantic wild moorland.  
Down there beside yon purling stream  
Life flows as in a pleasant dream  
There peace and plenty hold their sway  
And something for a rainy day.  
Nature' a sweet charms are here displayed  
In all their great wonderment arrayed  
From flower to wood from wood to hill  
She reigns supremely at her will.  
Here from my seat upon the height  
The village lies well to my sight  
And there close by the rivers side  
The village preacher doth reside  
A man he is of many parts  
Well skilled in all the healing arts  
The languages come to his call  
French, German, Greek he knows them all  
Well can he joke, or put a riddle  
In music too, he shines upon the fiddle  
The gentle art he follows with success  
And many a lordly fish, his bag doth bless  
Yet pastoral work is ne'er neglected  
By all the good man is respected  
Through summers heat or winters snow  
Where duty calls him he doth go  
Across the wild end lonely moor  
To cheer the sick, relieve the poor  
For many a year he's wandered through the vale  
Long may he yet remain. long may his sway prevail  
Long may he at each soiree still preside  
Long may he unite the bridegroom and the bride  
Many may he yet baptize into the fold  
Long may he preach the gospel grand and old  
Long may the spark of life to him be given  
To point and lead the way to Heaven.  
A short way from the preachers door  
There stands the useful village store  
Where every want can be supplied  
To all the neighbouring country side  
If with new clothes, you would be clad  
Or toys to make your children glad  
Groceries tin or earthenware  
You'll get supplied, you'll find them there  
Everything up to the mark  
Presided o'er by Mrs. Clark.  
Now further on along the way  
Profuse with snow, in summer gay  
Along their garden walls is seen  
The workmens dwellings stand serene  
Contentment reigns through one and all  
Poverty holds none in its thrall  
By honest labour they maintain  
What every other man may claim  
An independent honest mind  
With worth and integrity combined  
The village hath its several trades  
Tailors, butchers and dear old maids  
With their great champion, long may he remain  
To defend their honour, and maintain his fame  
Long may he live their great wrongs to redress  
Long, long be spared, each charmer to caress  
Long may his fame be known both far and wide  
Till fate at last, doth send to him his bride.  
My gaze next rests upon yon place  
And backward I the years must trace  
When I a boy was taught the rule  
That children all must go to school  
I see it standing near yon wood  
As there it long and well hath stood  
Presided o'er by men of worth  
Who taught the young to blossom forth  
And to store up within their mind  
What they in after life will find  
Will help them on their several ways  
Until the end of lifes brief day.  
Long may it stand to earn respect  
And bring forth men of intellect  
Long may the joys of childhood's day  
Be heard around its walls in play.  
Now I will leave the village school  
To tell how at the famous Huel  
Upon each happy New Year's day  
The villagers all sport and play  
And round about yon rugged rocks  
They chase the sly and wary fox.  
When "Jake" comes o'er by Birdhope Craig  
Well mounted on his hardy nag  
When from his horn he gives a blast  
When through the burn the dogs are cast  
Then there to them serenely flow  
The joys which huntsmen only know  
Inspired by "spiritual consolation"  
Held specially for this great occasion  
With many a hearty lusty cheer  
They wish each other a good New Year  
Long may these village Nimrods chase  
The fox around yon rugged place  
And as the years come in their track  
There tally ho, the Border Pack.  
The village also plays their game  
Which lately won them mighty fame  
For there in spite of stormy weather  
Her sons pursue the rolling leather  
Some too, prefer the gentle art  
And for some trouting stream they start  
And there with tapering rod and reel  
The beauties soon come to their creel  
Success to every village fisher  
To them I am a great well wisher.  
Now I will tell how on Gluttonshaugh  
With many a happy joyous laugh  
Inspired by music's livening strains  
Is held the Pic, Nic Show and games  
When there upon yon field so green  
The villagers in flocks are seen  
And from the neighbouring country round  
Their friends and neighbours too are found  
The races are contested well  
By the young who in the village dwell  
And strangers too there try their best  
In many a hard and tough contest  
The elders also try their pace  
Right valiantly yon course they grace  
As with fresh energy inspired  
These doughty champions never tired  
But tried their best with might and main  
The old mans honours to obtain.  
Now when the show and games are o'er  
Not on a fine high polished floor  
But on the grassy velvet sward  
Inspiring music sweet is heard  
And on fantastic heel and toe  
The dancing couples happy go  
Long on yon field from youth to age  
In sport may all her sons engage  
And as each Pic Nic day comes round  
May joy and pleasure, there abound.  
Now on the place which I love best  
My loving gaze at last doth rest  
Right over there by Todlaw wood  
Where Rede sends on her rushing flood  
Now o'er yon steps, I hear the din  
Of Windburns roaring rushing lynn  
And there within its arboured shade  
The sweetest harmony is made  
There all the birds in Nature's Choir  
Pour forth their happy hearts desire  
The brightest flowers bloom everywhere  
The daisie sweet, the primrose fair  
The waters from its high crown dash  
The spray its rocky sides doth splash  
The trees are mirrored in its wave  
And everywhere its waters lave  
O let me have yon lovely glen  
Far, far away from haunts of men  
There with fair Nature face to face  
There let me all her beauties trace  
I will not have the rushing strife  
I care not for the city's life  
But far away from every town  
There, there fair Nature I will crown  
And undisturbed by all their glare  
I'll worship there my charmer fair  
I'll crown her there within yon bowers  
Upon her breast I'll place its flowers  
Upon her brow the heather bright  
And clap my hands with glad delight  
And in an ecstasy of joy  
I'll worship her without alloy.  
Down from the height I slowly stray  
And strike the ancient Roman Way  
Then through the sills burn's rocky strand  
Till in the famous Camp I stand  
And gazing on its grassy mounds  
My mind goes back, by leaps and bounds  
To when the Eagle proud did float  
In this wild region so remote  
To when upon these rugged hills  
The Roman Legions did their drills  
To when upon the Watling Street  
Was heard the sound of many feet  
But what a change there is today  
Silence reigns only o'er the way  
The Roman Legions all have gone  
The fortress, wrecked and overthrown  
Now o'er its mounds the grass doth wave  
And hides its greatness in the grave.  
Where is the Rome who in her day  
Throughout this world held mighty sway  
Where is her Empire? It hath fled  
Among the Nations Rome is dead  
And what of Britain? Sirs today  
Around this world her kingdoms sway  
Shall she continue in her power?  
Or shall she see that fatal hour  
When might and greatness all shall fly  
And in the dust, she low shall lie  
I am no prophet, seer or sage  
But looking back o'er historys page  
I see how kingdoms, great have grown  
How quickly they've been overthrown  
And as I the front horizon scan  
There signs predict the coming man  
But for old England, let us pray  
That far off be that evil day.  
The sun now sinks behind yon hills  
The shadows fill the flowing rills  
The wild birds seek their lowly nest  
To take their evenings well won rest  
So from my rouse and dream I wake  
And onward home my way I take.

91 5 Oct 1904

HANDSOME NELL

Young Jimmie climbs the hills at morn  
Out o'er the steeps of Carter Fell  
His heart is light, both day and night  
Since he plighted vows with handsome Nell.

She's winsome and her heart is pure  
Her cheeks pink as the heather bell  
Her eyes shine bright, as stars at night  
And red, red lips has handsome Nell.

Her hair is of the golden hue  
Her bosom white as snow eer fell  
No fairy free, out o'er the lea  
E'er trod with such a grace as Nell.

She's happy as the warbling bird  
Whose music wakes the wooded dell  
No songster sweet, can half compete  
Nor pay his vows, more sweet than Nell.

How happy should young Jimmie be  
And from his heart all care expel  
For if his lot, be but a cot  
Still rich if shared with handsome Nell.

May every blessing to them flow  
And naught their happiness e'er quell  
And no fierce darts e'er pierce the hearts  
Of Jimmie and his handsome Nell.

92 21 Apr 1904

THE REDE AND THE DAM  
OR THE REDES SIGH FOR LIBERTY

The summers eve was warm and bright  
When near the witching hour of night  
Abroad I strayed, soothed by its charm  
And wandered on to Catcleugh Farm  
When resting to enjoy the scene  
I heard a voice or was't a dream  
No. Twas a sweet voice I heard it say  
What monster thou, who stops my way  
Come stand aside and clear my course  
Which for centuries now, down from my source  
I've wandered sweetly through this glen  
A blessing both to beast and men  
Come stand aside and let me free  
Still let me flow towards the sea.

The Dam

Another voice I heard, twas strong  
Borne on the evening air along  
Its tones bespoke both power and pride  
Yet lovingly it thus replied  
Now hold your hand my gentle friend  
Still further blessings you shall lend  
You ask me now to clear the way  
But sister I have come to stay  
Your limpid waters I will tend  
And through my metalled way them send  
Here now on few your blessings pour  
But yonder friend on thousands more  
You'll be yon city's greatest blessing  
Its evils greatly there redressing  
Its sanitation you'll correct  
Its peoples lives you will protect  
In case of wild devasting fire  
You'll quell its baneful, withering ire  
These and other blessings giving  
To man makes life more worth the living  
Now you must be my constant friend  
Our united blessings to extend  
Though no doubt, now your grief is great  
But sister you must bend to fate.

The Rede

A sad sad fate twill be to me  
To be deprived of liberty  
That blessing which for countless time  
Has tasted of the sweet sublime  
Ah! cruel sir why now so fast  
Confine my waters here at last  
All those great interests which you named  
And which so ably you explained  
No doubt for mans good they're devised  
And something must be sacrificed  
Although to me the blow is hard  
Forever thus to be debarred  
From running in my former glee  
My course towards the distant sea.

The Dam

A lake we'll make within this vale  
On which the pleasure boats may sail  
The water fowl will o'er it glide  
And dive deep down, into its tide  
In summer 'neath the smiling sky  
All tranquil shall thy waters lie  
Reflecting in their bosom deep  
The towering hills surrounding steep  
But when the winters storms shall blow  
Thy peaceful breast shall angry grow  
Thy waves upon my brow shall break  
And mournful music they shall make  
In rushing sweeps they'll come and go  
Now up now down, they'll constant flow  
Then from sunrise, till sun goes down  
Upon thy face shall rest a frown.

The Rede

Well, well sir it will have to be  
And much admiration I may see  
But as the serf in slavery's chain  
Oft sighs his freedom to obtain  
So I though only a poor stream  
Oft of sweet liberty will dream.  
But never more above your Dam  
Where oft the lordly fishes swam  
No more upon the White Lee stream  
The salmon through my wave shall gleam  
No more the fisherman shall go  
Upon my breast Jock Scott to throw  
Long, long my fishing fame hath grown  
But now its glorys overthrown.

No more my rushing wave shall flow  
To mingle with the streams below  
Now all my joy and greatness fled.  
And I'm confined to my last bed.  
Now sir you said 'twas fates decree  
Across my path your form should be  
But can you with assurance state  
That you may not be doomed by fate  
That onward now through coming time  
My waters thus you will confine  
No doubt sir you will long remain  
To bring your builders honoured fame  
All their great worth be recognised  
Their name sir e'en immortalised  
Yet perchance in some far distant day  
When for long years you've held your sway  
Upon the Carters towering height  
The brightest day shall turn to night  
The clouds upon its top shall lower  
The waters from their blackness pour  
A mighty wave the valley break  
Your great foundations then shall shake  
And down your mighty mounds shall go  
And through again my wave shall flow  
Again from bondage be set free  
And flow again towards the sea.

The Dam

It may be sister as you say  
But for Rede 'twill be her darkest day  
Think of her cottages and farms  
Her sheep, her fields and village charms  
How many would be swept away  
Believe me I had better stay  
All your great forces to retain  
And to protect Redes smiling plain.

The Rede

Great sir I spoke of fates decree  
Not that I wished that day to see  
Better in bondage here remain  
Than spread destruction on yon plain  
Where since the morning of my birth  
I've been of such influence and worth  
But still for freedom I shall mourn  
And sigh for liberty's return.

The Dam

The Company will tend well to you  
And guard your treasures well I trow  
Will keep your waters unalloyed  
So that their blessings be enjoyed  
No doubt they have their other ends  
They look to useful dividends  
But what are these, the Rede inquired  
As with fresh interest inspired  
But when the Dam began to tell  
The buzzers timely warming fell  
Its piercing sound the spell had broken  
And never since the Dam hath spoken.

95 9 Apr 1904

TO POETRY

O Poetry thou lovely Nymph  
Of all the fairy train the best  
Thy presence now I humbly crave  
To make to thee my bold request  
I will not claim thee wholly mine  
For others court thy winning smile  
But let thy favours on me fall  
I know that thou art free from guile.

I care not for the pomp of kings  
I ask not of this world's domain  
I only seek thy sweet embrace  
To cheer my sorrows, soothe my pain  
If thou dear Nymph thy influence sweet  
Shall round my path thy presence shed  
'Tis all I ask, 'tis all I crave  
Till in the grave I lay my head.

O lead me where fair Nature smiles  
Where all her loveliest charms are seen  
By fertile meadows, flowing rills  
'Neath forests decked with foliage green  
O lead me where the songsters sweet  
Make music ring in every vale  
From humblest bird in Nature's choir  
To great inspiring nightingale.

O lead me where the choicest flowers  
Bedeck the valley hill and plain  
For thee I will a garland weave  
From all the beauteous floral train  
O lead me where the rivers flow  
In peaceful calm and tranquil wave  
Whose murmuring music I may hear  
As on their way their waters lave.

O lead me to the mountains height  
There towering high above the plain  
I may behold the landscape wide  
In all its beauty without stain  
And from its gaze to look aloft  
To the bright blue unclouded sky  
From whence the sunshine Nature's nurse  
To Nature doth her life supply.

O lead me with a reverence deep  
To worship Nature everywhere  
And from Nature turn to Him who has  
All Nature's wonders in His care  
The flowers, the trees, the mighty hills  
The rivers, oceans and the sky  
The sun, the noon and glittering stars  
And all creations great supply.

O leave me not thou sweetest Nymph  
Thou fairest of the fairy train  
Around me still thy pretence shed  
And ever near me now remain  
By thee inspired the world I'll face  
I'll battle o'er its stormy main  
Its pomps its vanities I'll spurn  
If only thee I can retain

96 March 1904

MUSINGS BY THE IRTHING

Deep down in this fair shaded glen  
Far from the busy haunts of men  
Upon the Irthing's rocky strand  
Sweet stands thy village fair Gilsland  
Qnce more I wander by thy stream  
To muse, to ponder and to dream  
Upon long years for aye away  
And view thy scenes afresh today.  
I see thy flowerets gay and bright  
Thy hawthorns deckt with snowy white  
I see the wild rose in its bloom  
The lillie nod its sacred plume  
And there in every sheltered dell  
The yellow primrose safe doth dwell.  
I see thy tall and leafy woods  
I watch thy rivers changing floods  
I list thy birds in music sweet  
The new born day in raptures greet  
I hear the Nightingale at e'en  
Among thy leafy branches green  
Send forth his notes in sweetest lay  
In praise of summer's parting day.  
And there on yon high rising land  
Thy twelve apostles faithful stand  
And as the first twelve in their day-  
Did point to men the Heavenly way  
So these, though mute and silent stand  
Point straight up to that Better Land.  
Now higher up thy glen I stray  
Where Nature holds her mighty sway  
Untarnished there by no man's hand  
She reigns supreme, divinely grand  
High tower aloft thy giddy trees  
Where cawing daws rest at their ease  
And there within thy rifted rocks  
Oft lurks the sly and wary fox  
I gaze aloft with watchful eye  
As to thy spring I now draw nigh  
To drink its waters bright and clear  
Yet gazing upward still in fear  
Lest some loose rock should wend its way  
And nature's debt there make me pay.  
Across thy bridge and through thy wood  
I wander on in thoughtful mood  
Alas! now many years are gone  
Since I first viewed thy Popping stone  
'Twas first in boyhood's happy days  
I on its rounded form did gaze  
In manhoods early years again  
I wandered happy through thy glen  
Enjoying everything in life.  
Accompanied by a loving wife.  
Now in the height of manhoods prime  
I'm left to mourn and to repine:  
For now my dear one's lowly laid.  
To sleep in silence with the dead  
When next I saw thy Popping Stone  
I wandered sadly and alone.  
E'en Nature seemed with me to mourn  
The leaves from every tree were shorn.  
The clouds hung heavy from the sky  
And dropped their tears of sympathy  
The birds in silence sat arrayed  
On branches which the cold wind swayed  
No flowers to my dimmed vision shone  
They slept death's slumber every one  
The river rolled its torrents on  
O'er fallen tree o'er rock and stone  
As on its way it quickly sped  
It sang its dirge to Nature dead.  
But as in Nature so with man  
Death cannot change that wondrous plan  
Which in God's great foreknowledge lay  
Since the first dawn of earth's first day  
For as the flowers in Spring's bright noon  
Again will blossom burst and bloom  
So shall we from our bed of earth  
Spring up again in glorious birth  
No more to wither or decay  
But through that long eternal day  
In that bright Better Land above  
Bloom in the sunshine of God's Love:  
Adieu dear vale my muse is o'er  
I seize again my feeble oar  
But oft of thee I'll fondly dream  
Whilst pulling hard 'gainst lifes rough stream.

97 21 March 1904

THE BANKS OF REDE

High up upon the Carter's brow  
The place that gives thee birth  
Among the bonnie heather bells  
Thou springest from the earth  
A tiny trickling brook thou art  
So very small indeed  
Yet to my mem'ry ever dear  
The birthplace of the Rede.

As onward down the vale thou flows  
Thy many waters meet  
Where all the laws of Nature reign  
In harmony complete  
Thy verdant hills on every -side  
Where fleecy white flocks feed  
Attended by brave shepherd boys  
The native sons of Rede.

Successive centuries still thy stream  
Has flowed towards the sea  
But now great engineering works  
Have thrown their arms round thee  
Now mighty mounds across thy path  
Thy limpid waves impede  
To quench the thirsty thousands  
With the waters of the Rede.

A mighty huntsman dwells in thee  
The loved and honoured Jake  
Who often in the morning  
The slumbering fox doth wake  
His dogs are true as finest steel  
Like all their famous breed  
For foremost always in the chase  
The foxhounds of the Rede.

Oft down by Deadwood's ancient trees  
There have I strayed at e'en  
To cast the fatal luring fly  
Beneath thy branches green  
And many a trout and salmon bold  
To tempt did I succeed  
And stretched their speckl'd shining forms  
Upon the banks of Rede.

There down by Todlaw where thy stream  
In currents wild rush down  
Past Rochester's ancient village  
Of historical renown  
There Roman legions trod thy banks  
There drank the warriors steed  
There proud the Roman standard shone  
Upon the banks of Rede.

On Otterburn's fatal field  
In ages long ago  
There was fought a bloody fight  
With Scotlands fiercest foe  
Beneath the pale moons glimmering light  
There many a noble deed  
Heroic on that field was done  
Upon the banks of Rede.

To Woodburn's village on thy banks  
I now my homage pay  
Its wooded dells its flowery glades  
Its pastures green and gay  
May peace and plenty sweetly smile  
And may no earthly need  
Be ever lacking while it stands  
Upon the banks of Rede.

At Reedsmouth where thou joins the Tyne  
I bid thee now adieu  
From source to mouth I've followed thee  
By all thy windings through  
May joy and peace flow unconfined  
Forever through thy vale  
And Heaven's blessing rest on thee  
My native loved Redesdale.

98 1904

OTTERBURN

Surrounded by high towering hills  
Where wave aloft the heath and fern  
And nestling safe beneath yon trees  
There stands thy village Otterburn  
Thy roseclad walls thy gardens neat  
Where flowers in rich profusion shine  
Queen village on the banks of Rede  
I worship humbly at thy shrine.

Sweet flows thy rippling streamlet on  
Beneath thy leafy bowers  
Where free from toil and free from care  
I've spent such peaceful hours  
Admiring Nature's wondrous way  
As she unfolds her plan  
Fresh beauties all around I see  
As I thy landscape scan.

Drest in their summers lovely garb  
Thy woods wave to the sky  
Bright flowers spring up on every hand  
To please my searching eye  
Thy birds in rapturous music sweet  
Perched on each leafy spray  
Are echoed in each rifted rock  
From dawn till close of day.

The nimble graceful watchful trout  
Darts quickly through thy stream  
The heron from his anxious watch  
Departs with piercing scream  
And there o'erhead the joyous lark  
Whilst mounting on his wing  
In music sweet thy charms doth greet  
And loud thy praise doth sing.

Thy stately castle stands secure  
In this our peaceful day  
No more around its battlements  
Is heard the bloody fray  
The Thistle and the Rose no more  
In deadly feud contend  
No more their swords in conflict clash  
No more their bows shall bend.

No more the Percy shall unfurl  
His pennon on thy field  
No more the Douglass on thy plain  
His battle axe shall wield  
I mark the spot in yonder wood  
Where the brave Douglass fell  
The Percy from thy field was borne  
A prisoner lone to dwell.

The fields around thy village now  
Drest in their emerald green  
Tell little of the former strife  
Which past gone days have seen  
That safe beneath the grassy turf  
By Rede's translucent wave  
Unknown unhonoured and unwept  
Lies many a heroes grave.

O Otterburn fair village sweet  
Long may thou stand upon thy stream  
May all thy sorrows be forgot  
Thy joys flow as a pleasing dream  
As long as Rede's clear waters bright  
Shall murmur through her peaceful glen  
May always in thy homes be found  
The bravest and the best of men.

As long as time and tide shall flow  
As long as day and night appear  
As long as this old world of ours  
Shall roll around its mighty sphere  
So long, may thy sons to their aid  
Be able lovingly to summon  
That God sent blessing unto man  
A virtuous true and noble woman.

99 19 Feb 1905

MY BEAUTIFUL MAID

The sun had gone down in the golden west  
As on through the rural hills I prest  
How sweet was the summer evening's shade  
When first I met my beautiful maid

She was wandering forth on the peaceful hills  
She was gathering flowers by the purling rills  
Her voice rang sweet through the woodland glade  
Beautiful beautiful beautiful maid.

I stept up to this damsel and made my bow  
And deep in my heart I vowed a vow  
As I her many charms surveyed  
That I should win this beautiful maid

The young maid blushed as I asked my way  
And across her face a smile did stray  
Two deep blue eyes with mischief played  
Which spoke the soul of this beautiful maid.

I asked her if her heart was free  
And modestly she looked at me  
My hearts my own she shyly said  
And I knew I had won my beautiful maid.

I asked her if she'd be my own  
To share the lot of a stranger lone  
And her whispered words to me conveyed  
I had my wish from this beautiful maid.

I clasped her to my beating heart  
And I vowed from her I'd never part  
And oft in the summer evening's shade  
I gather flowers with my beautiful maid.

She was wandering forth on the peaceful hills  
She was gathering flowers by the purling rills  
Her voice rang sweet through the woodland glade  
Beautiful beautiful beautiful maid.

102 July 1905

SUMMER CHARMS.

Fair are the fields in the sweet days of Summer  
Enriched with the flowers which abundantly grow  
How enchanting the charms of Floras sweet tributes  
How rich the sweet scents, she doth freely bestow.

Fair are the woods in the sweet days of Summer  
Dressed in their mantles of green foliage  
When the pink and white blossoms the orchyards adorning  
Bespeak of abundance and rich harvestage.

Fair are the dells in the sweet days of Summer  
When the honeysuckle scents the deep rocky defile  
Where the ivy is clinging and the wild rose is blooming  
Whilst cold wintery breezes are held in exile.

Fair are the streams in the sweet days of Summer  
Bright clear and transparent they murmur along  
Unceaseless the flow of their ne'er staying waters  
Symphonious the voice of their ne'er ending song.

Fair are the hills in the sweet days of Summer  
Clad o'er with green herbage and high waving ferns  
Where all is so peaceful as nature reposes  
And teaches her lessons to him who discerns.

103 2 Jan 1905

AROUND THE FIRE

Without all's cold and bleak and chill  
And icy breezes sweep the hill  
Within all's warm and trim and bright  
Around the ingles glowing light.

King Vulcan sits upon his throne  
A welcome monarch all him own  
And pleasant 'tis to muse a while  
And watch his genial kindly smile.

To listen to the crackling coal  
To watch the flames that upward roll  
And conjure up within the mass  
Fantastic visions as they pass.

Tis here we plan our castles high  
And rear them up towards the sky  
Tis here fond memories oft return  
Of those we loved and deeply mourn.

Around the cheery ingle bright  
They shared with us each glad delight  
When merry laugh and jovial tale  
And song or story did prevail.

These joys to them no more return  
Now cold they're sleeping in the urn  
And as we view their vacant chair  
We sometimes wish we too were there.

Tis here we shed the silent tear  
And treasure up these memories dear  
And deeply ponder on the day  
When we too may be called away.

Yet here again fresh hopes are born  
Bright as the sunbeams gild the morn  
Again we rise above the strife  
And feel the pleasures of this life.

But what may ever be our lot  
In gilded hall or lowly cot  
Tis pleasant always to beguile  
An hour 'neath good King Vulcan's smile.

104 5 Jan 1905

WHAT MIGHT ONCE HAVE BEEN

In the Journey of life, mixed with joys and with strife  
How chequered and changing the scene  
And how much we have lost, and known to our cost  
That life is not a mere dream  
What might have been ours, but neglected hours  
Have dispelled what might once have been.

To my minds eye, I before me descry  
A woman once of beauty extreme  
In life's early years, her heart had no fears  
And life flowed calm and serene  
In the meridian of life, she is now filled with strife  
And mourns what might once have been.

In maidenhood fair, with bright golden hair  
In a true heart she once reigned a queen  
Her answer was nay, but now far away  
With wide oceans extending between  
Her thoughts to him fly and she often doth sigh  
And thinks on what might once have been.

In a ricketty chair with snowy white hair  
Sits an old man both haggard and lean  
As his lot he broods o'er, his wrath doth outpour  
For to look back, now raises his spleen  
To opportunities wasted, to Joys left untasted  
The joys that might once have been.

O how many hearts, have played cruel parts  
And by actions deceitful and mean  
Have blighted sweet flowers, in springs happy hours  
Whose future seemed rosy and green  
Now the blast of despair leaves them leafless and bare  
And mourning what might once have been.

What tears have been shed, O how many hearts bled  
O'er lifes bright mornings young dream  
How many hearts broken, by words hastly spoken  
O how sad and mournful the theme  
Tis the lot of the many, ah! friends are there any  
Now what they might once have been.

105 11 Jan 1905

FATHER TAKE MY HAND

The wind howled fierce and wild  
And drenching was the rain  
That beat relentlessly  
Upon the window pane  
My boy from sleep awoke  
Called back from sweet dreamland  
And nestling by my side  
Said father take my hand.

The tempests angry blast  
Brought terror to his mind  
But he thought his hand in mine  
There safety he should find  
And soon in peaceful sleep  
Did his heaving chest expand  
And sweet dreams came again  
While he held his father's hand.

But sleep came not to me  
My mind was backward cast  
And the storm that raged within  
Beat fiercer than the blast  
And the mighty billows rose  
As the sea waves lash the strand  
And I cried like my dear boy  
Father take my hand.

I thought on her who lay  
Within the silent grave  
The true and loving wife  
Who my dear boy to me gave  
She has left us all alone  
At the word of Heaven's command  
O Father bind the wound  
And take me by the hand.

The way seems rough and dark  
My trembling footsteps weak  
And where in all this world  
Shall I for succour seek  
Temptations set me round  
How shall I them withstand  
O Father light the path  
And take me by the hand.

Now on through coming years  
Should they still be my lot  
The lesson I thus learnt  
Shall never be forgot  
Gods ways are not as ours  
Nor can we understand  
May childlike faith be given  
To grasp our Father's hand.

106 14 Jan 1905

ON THE MARGIN OF THE LAKE

Full mirrored deep within the bosom of the lake  
The rugged hills in winters dress appear  
The lonely shepherds cot there shows its form  
Amid its bright transparent waters clear.

The wild fowl glide across its polished breast  
And wantonly dive deep into its tide  
Unconscious of the sportsman's fatal gun  
Concealed their murderous destiny to decide.

The peaceful sheep that graze upon the heights  
Now seem to wander down far down below  
And heavens blue sky and opal clouds  
Their graceful charms to wondrous depths bestow.

And gilded by Sols bright transfusing beams  
Far brighter than the glitter of pure gold  
Such dazzling brightness dares the eye to gaze  
And but one moment we may it behold.

But yesterday how changed this peaceful scene  
When angry tempests raged with sullen roar  
And heaving billows rose before the wind  
Rushed madly in their wrath against the shore.

And so it is with mans life here below  
It hath its days of tempests and of sorrow  
Yet brightest sunshine may again dispel the gloom  
And bring to us a calm and bright tomorrow.

107 16 Jan 1905

IT STINGETH LIKE: A SERPENT AND  
BITETH LIKE AN ADDER

There is a serpent creeping upon us while we're sleeping  
Around on every hand it is pillaging our land  
With its sparkling glittering eyes and its subtle ways it tries  
To tempt men to their doom, to the darkness of the tomb  
To perditions darkest brink, men are lured by strong drink.  
It is blighting youth and age it is blotting historys page  
It is digging early graves, it is making mankind slaves  
It is causing fiercest darts, to pierce through many hearts  
It is lurking in the cottage and bringing men to dottage  
It is lounging in the hall and causing men to fall  
Its reclining in the palace, it is rearing up the gallows  
It is causing many wails, it is filling up our jails  
It is causing many groans, it is undermining thrones  
By its baneful influence driven, man are loosing sight of Heaven  
It is turning them away from the strait and narrow way  
It is ruining our wives, it is blighting many lives  
It is filling earth with hunger, it is driving men to anger  
It is filling earth and hell with the maniac's awful yell  
It has fascinating ways with mankind at first it plays  
Till it gets him in its grasp then its coils around him clasp  
Then it stings him in its glee, and a ruined man is he  
Then old Mother England, united you must stand  
The Church and politician, the people and physician  
An effort you must make the monsters coils to break  
To drive him from your shore both now and evermore.

108 20 Jan 1905

A NOBLE MIND

I worship not earths glittering gold  
I care not for such treasure  
In it there is no sure content  
Nor any fruitful pleasure  
But give to me the mind that soars  
As if on eagles wing  
An independent honest mind  
In which the truth doth ring  
Who cares not for the pomp and gloss  
Of fashions so called joys  
But who with Nature holds commune  
Free from all base alloys  
Who watches all her changing moods  
By river brook and fountain  
And all her rugged grandeur wild  
On towering rocky mountain  
Who in the feathered songsters lays  
Hears angels voices blend  
And whose own soul is wafted up  
Whose praises with theirs wend  
Who watches Natures floral gems  
With all their glory crowned  
Far richer than the rarest sconce  
Throughout the world e'er found  
Who to the lowly creatures look  
Admiring all their ways  
And notes that from fair Natures laws  
Unerring none e'er strays  
I care not for the pomp and wealth  
Which makes a man self glorified  
But let me have the noble mind  
A mind to think well qualified  
Tis more to be desired than gold  
Than all the glare and pomp of state  
A noble mind, a man possessed  
That man is truly, surely great  
Say not to me that vain proud man  
Who my brotherhood doth spurn  
Is any more or truly great  
Than a poor brother worm  
For in the eight of Natures God  
No pomp or wealth avails  
And he who spurns my brotherhood  
Gods Fatherhood assails  
But let me have the noble mind  
Who claims each man his brother  
For if God's Father of us all  
And old earth is our Mother  
Then of a surety every man  
To each man is a brother.

109 1904

CHRISTMAS 1904

With joyful hearts again we hail  
The great the natal morn  
The day on which to all mankind  
A mighty Prince was born  
Than send the tidings far and wide  
Let there be peace this Christmas tide.

Although our Prince was lowly born  
And cradled in a stall  
Now in his Fathers home on high  
Attendant angels fall  
Where ever mankind doth reside  
Let there be peace this Christmas tide.

Then ring the joyful Christmas bells  
And sing with happy cheerful voice  
Yea let the earth be filled with Joy  
And all the nations glad rejoice  
And o'er them all let Him preside  
The Prince of Peace this Christmas tide.

O may the happy time soon come  
When freed from wars grim fears  
To ploughshares men shall beat their swords  
To pruning hooks their spears  
When peace forever on shall glide  
In one great lasting Christmas tide.

110 No date

REPINING

Again thou breaks than morn of sadness  
Again thou comes thou day of woe  
When this poor heart of mine was shattered  
Broken by fates cruel blow  
Another year has run its cycle  
Since by death's cold cruel sway  
Her I loved my dearest treasure  
Ruthlessly was torn away.

Two long years have dragged their courses  
Oh! how slowly they have gone  
Oft I've pondered on that morning  
I was left so sad and lone  
Left to struggle and to battle  
With grim care and worldly strife  
Left without the joy and comfort  
Of an angel and a wife.

O what sorrows have engulfed me  
Secret silent deep my grief  
In the darkest hours of midnight  
They have lurked like prowling thief  
Like as ruthless gales in winter  
Or the maddened oceans roll  
Have the fiercest tempests gathered  
And swept heavy o'er my soul.

Time may dull the pain and sorrow  
But the wound it cannot heal  
To the world I may seem cheerful  
Yet the yearning still I feel  
Years can ne'er efface the image  
Of her dear remembered face  
Through the veil of time spread distance  
I can still its profile trace.

And borne faintly on my fancy  
Still I hear the well known voice  
Sweetly falling in soft measure  
Which did oft my heart rejoice  
And with tear dimm'd eye I ponder  
On the words that from her fell  
When she clasped my hand at parting  
In a long and last farewell.

When she was with me all was sunshine  
And this life with joys was blest  
All the world seemed like a garden  
With the richest blossoms drest  
Now a dreary lonely desert  
Full of storms and drifting sands  
Clouds obscure lifes noon days splendour  
And I grope with outstretched hands.

But sometimes a gleam of sunshine  
Brightens up the hanging gloom  
And my dimmed eyes pierce the distance  
Far beyond the cold dark tomb  
O'er the Jordan's billowy waters  
I can dimly see the shore  
Where at last we'll meet the loved ones  
Who have crossed and gone before.

111 23 Jan 1905

THE SPRING SONGSTER

The vernal springtide's morn awoke

From winters grim and deadening yoke

And music sweet the stillness broke

From happy bird

Above the poplars budding cloak

By breeze unstirred.

.

He'd braved the winters angry frown

When snows relentlessly came down

And King Frost reigned with sparkling crown

Of diamonds bright

That monarch old of stern renown

Who sways by night,

He shook frosts diamonds from his wing

To hail the genial nymph of spring

And trilling makes the woodlands ring

With raptured lay

Where sparkling dewdrops softly cling

Like pearls gay.

He faced the tinted glowing east

As Sols sweet beams the more increased

His heart from every care released

Thrilled through with joy

And melodies that never ceased

Forbade annoy.

The woods re-echoing caught his song

And bore his music sweet along

And in the rifted rocks among

His melody

Reverberated clear and strong

In mimicry.

The sunbeams on his plumage shone

Still sweeter grew his notes in tone

No monarch on his regal throne

Could happier be

Than had this happy songster grown

Perched on a tree.

I listened to his outpoured tale

To touch the heart it could not fail

Nor fire the soul with joy to hail

The springs bright morn

When Natures budding charms prevail

Just newly born.

Dear little songbird chant thy lay

And keep thy heart light while it may

Again will come the winters day

With biting breath

And o'er thee cast its silent sway

And perchance death.

112 26 Jan 1905

MUSINGS ON THE MOUNTAIN

From off the mountains high majestic height  
In wonder oft we gaze upon the scene  
Height upon heights rise in the distance far  
Eternal hills dressed in the deepest green  
The smiling valleys and luxuriant plains  
Watered by streams bathed in the light  
Of Sols transplendent gorgeous beams  
All form a pleasing and imposing sight.

And as we look upon the inspiring scene  
In awe we ask ourselves by what great power  
Were all these wonders to their being brought  
From lofty hill to sweetest tender flower  
And musing thus our minds are filled  
With deep conviction that a mind divine  
Conceived and formed so great and good a work  
So beautiful so glorious and sublime.

And looking to the awning high o'er head  
Where reigns sweet Phoebus in his might and pride  
Who set him on his glorious throne on high  
And who to him did all his powers confide  
Then turning to the teaming life around  
To beast to insect and to feathered tribe  
Who made who guards and watches o'er them all  
And by what hand are all their wants supplied.

How can we doubt but if the thought be born  
That chance could call such wonders to exist  
Then let it perish and may strength be ours  
Such dark and clouded reasoning to resist  
None other than a Being great supreme  
A God omnipotent and full of love  
Made all, rules all, and watches all  
In earth beneath and in the Heavens above.

113 28 Jan 1905

AN APPEAL FROM THE MUSES  
To the Rev. H. Wright

O why is thy harp and thy lyre neglected  
And why hast thou left us forsaken so long  
Return again to our shrine we entreat thee  
We have laurels for thee and we need thy sweet song.

There are beauties unsung mid the dales and the mountains  
The songbirds still trill in their green woodland bowers  
The rivers still flow with their rippling laughter  
Earth's Edens are decked with the brightest of flowers.

From his throne in the heavens sweet Phoebus still glances  
And kindly and genial looks down on the scene  
While bright in her splendour enchanting, endearing  
O'erswaying the darkness reigns nights silvery queen.

And rich in their lustre the bright stars are glistening  
Bespangling the roof of the deep silent night  
While in ceaseless commotion the blue sea is surging  
So great in its wonder so strong in its might.

We have no bright gold or great riches to give thee  
But with tender sweet thoughts thy mind we'll instil  
Round thy brow we will weave thee a garland of blossoms  
And from deep living fountains thy cup we shall fill.

O come back again to the craft of the songsmith  
Work out on thine anvil and forge thee a chain  
Which shall bind thee to us so that time cannot sever  
E'en death may not give thee thy freedom again.

114 No date

TO THE DAISY

Thou little beauteous floral gem  
Tipped crimson blossom velvet stem  
Bedecking all the flowery meads  
Where dewdrops cling like glistening beads.

When daylight spreads across the sky  
Thou opens wide thy yellow eye  
When evening shadows o'er thee creep  
Thou shuts thine eye and goes to sleep.

The happy lark springs from thy side  
Where he has slept at eventide  
And soaring high in songs of praise  
He greets the sunbeams youthful gaze.

Dear little flower thou art so pure  
But ah! thy charms can not endure  
The Spring, the Summer day is thine  
And Autumn sees thy bloom decline.

Then Winter lays thee at his feet  
And o'er thee casts his winding sheet  
Thou's lived thy little day, and then  
To dust thou dost return again.

Ah! tender flower thou teacheth me  
How like is human life to thee  
First comes the springtides natal day  
When life is budding fresh and gay.

Then Summer with meridian pride  
When strength and vigour are supplied  
Then comes the Autumn's mellow morn  
When leaves grow seer and blooms are shorn.

Next comes the Winter's killing day  
When frames are bent and locks are grey  
And like thee sweet and tender flower  
We die at the appointed hour.

116 No date

TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT BURNS

Hear me Muses as I plead  
And to my humble prayer attend  
Before your shrine I lowly bow  
I pray you inspiration lend.

For I would sing of him whom ye  
Gave thoughts both wondrous and sublime  
Whose song shall echo through the years  
Adown the aging march of time.

For as the years speed in their flight  
And as each natal day returns  
More proud grows Scotland that she bore  
A Bard so great as Robert Burns.

A patriot's blood swelled through his veins  
For well he loved his native land  
Her valiant heroes praise he sung  
Their powers to fight and to command.

He walked this earth with opened eye  
He listened with enraptured ear  
He saw what others failed to see  
He heard what others failed to hear.

What great conceptive mind was his  
When he wrote out that wondrous tale  
How Tam O Shanter rode that night  
Amid the thunders fire and gale.

His soaring fancy weird and wild  
Heard old Nick loud his bagpipes skirl  
His double eye saw witches dance  
Their reels and strathspeys in a whirl.

The canine species by his power  
Were made to speak like sages wise  
And e'en the little timorous mouse  
Found favour in his pitying eyes.

Yea e'en with death himself he talked  
And listened to his mournful tale  
How famous Hornbrooks skill at last  
Had made his darts of no avail.

The rippling of the flowing rills  
Sang sweetest poems to his ears  
And oft his powerful mind mused on  
The starry grandeur of the spheres.

And when the feathered songsters trilled  
Their lays of happiness and love  
To him they were the echoing sounds  
Of greater choirs from above.

The flowers with which God decks this earth  
Were gems of countless worth untold  
An honest man he more admired  
Than all this worlds bright glittering gold.

How sweet he sang of her who was  
To him a lover, wife and queen  
And what despondency was his  
When he thought false his peerless Jean.

Sweetly sublime those words addressed  
To her whom Heaven called to depart  
The memories of his Mary's love  
Were treasured deep within his heart.

How oft when sorrow did him press  
And heaving billows wild did roll  
The shrieking winds their solace gave  
And poured their comfort o'er his soul.

Advice to friends he freely gave  
And never seer spoke words more wise  
Yet in his mind he ne'er forgot  
How frail was he who did advise.

A noble mind to him was given  
But Ah! his flesh was doubly weak  
Yet where among the sons of men  
Shall we perfections standard seek.

He sinned as other men have sinned  
Before the God of earth and Heaven  
He sinned yet he his sins confessed  
And who dare state them unforgiven.

Pathetic sad, the closing scene  
His mind oppressed with grief and fears  
Lone and forsaken by mankind  
Our hearts are touched our eyes shed tears.

Pale sickness laid on him her hand  
Stern want and poverty assailed  
Till o'er his poor enfeebled frame  
The Monarch of the grave prevailed.

With hair untinged, with eye undimmed  
With frame unfraught by weight of years  
His deathless soul sought other climes  
Beyond the luminous glistening spheres.

Now sleeping low in the cold earth  
From all his cares and troubles free  
Yet round his glorious name there blooms  
A wreath of Immortality.

117 No date

THE THUNDER CLOUD

With an angered spleen, and an awesome mein  
I march to the battle fields  
With a thundering tread begetting dread  
My legions clash their shields.

I obscure the light and make as night  
The mid-day Summer sky  
With my ebony shroud I cause the proud  
Bright Sun to close his eye.

My bright eyes dance in the lightenings glance  
And my voice in the thunder rolls  
In my wildest mirth I shake the earth  
From equator to the poles.

I send the rains on the hills and plains  
And I rake the earth with my hail  
Such fusilade ne'er hath armies made  
Nor as thick did their balls assail.

The parched earth laughs and my nectar quaffs  
And its throbbing pulse is stilled  
My wrath is o'er and my angry roar  
A wise purpose hath fulfilled.

118 14 March 1905

SPRING

Now o'er the hills she comes  
With a silent fairy tread  
And sweetly Nature hums  
And lifts again her head  
To welcome the lovely nymph  
Who joy to the world doth bring  
And every voice calls forth rejoice

Spring beautiful Spring.

She comes the lovely maid  
Bedecked with budding flowers  
Culled from the sheltered glade  
And the pleasant happy bowers  
Sweet harmony floats round  
Whilst her tuneful minstrels sing  
Their symphonies and happy glees

Spring beautiful Spring.

She comes with her magic wand  
And the conjurors mystic art  
And the touch of her cunning hand  
Brings joy to the eye and heart  
Love beams from her sunny eyes  
And her breath in the dewdrops cling  
To the budding flowers in their natal hours

Spring beautiful Spring.

Rejoice Oh! heart rejoice  
Her charms are all for thee  
Oh! make of her thy choice  
And tune thy minstrelsy  
Drink deep of her nectars sweet  
Let thy voice through the woodlands ring  
With no practiced art but a joyful heart

Hail beautiful Spring.

120 27 March 1905

TO THE RIVER JED

Enchanting lovely Border stream  
How bright thy fleeting waters gleam  
What glorious grandeur clings to thee  
As on thou wanders to the sea  
'Neath red majestic towering rocks  
That long have stood old times rude shocks  
By Castles gray of famed renown  
And by old Jedworths ancient town.

Beneath thy glorious sylvan bowers  
Thy banks and woods bedecked with flowers  
Thy crystal waters onward glide  
To join the Teviots flowing tide  
Thy music falls like symphonies  
Alike the ear and eye to please  
Like an enchanted fairy land  
Or visions of the mystic strand.

Embowered thy fields are from the blast  
Majestic trees their shadows cast  
Where happy birds 'mid branches green  
Greet rosy morn and dewy e'en  
In melodies of happy glee  
Their harmonies float over thee  
Enravishing the listening ear  
By notes divinely sweet and clear.

O! Jed thou first thou queen of streams  
If all thy haughs were countless reams  
And all thy rushing floods were ink  
From which unnumbered pens could drink  
And every twig and blade could write  
Ten thousand years, both day and night  
Thy beauties, they could not unfold  
Nor would thy grandeur half be told.

121 15 April 1905

ONLY A BUNCH OF VIOLETS

Only a bunch of violets  
Yellow and withered with years  
Yet in love I gaze upon them  
And besprinkle them with my tears  
For they seem to whisper to me  
Words that I heard long ago  
Down by the shining river  
In the evenings afterglow.

Only a bunch of violets  
Yet I love, I love my flowers  
For they bring again sweet mem'ries  
Of past gone blissful hours  
When in life's gay springtide morning  
With its bright unclouded skies  
I drank of loves pure nectar  
From my charmers sparkling eyes.

Only a bunch of violets  
Ah! what mem'ries they impart  
Back from the years long perished  
To my tender longing heart  
And I hoard them as a miser  
Hoards up his dazzling gold  
For to me my precious flowers  
Are of countless worth untold.

Only a bunch of violets  
It grieves my heart to behold  
For the hand that plucked my flowers  
Lies lifeless still and cold  
And those eyes that shone so brightly  
As she pinned them on my breast  
Are closed to me forever  
In their long and endless rest.

Only a bunch of violets  
Yet as long as I have life  
I will keep them in remembrance  
Of a lover and a wife  
And when my eyes forever  
Shall close in their last rest  
O! place my treasured flowers  
Upon my still cold breast.

122 6 April 1905

GOD MADE HATH ALL

We gaze around us on this earth  
On all its wonders called to birth  
And up within our mind there springs  
The thought which deep conviction brings  
That by no whim of chance or fate  
They came to such a chaste estate  
But that a great and master mind  
With powers unfettered, unconfined  
A Being powerful, great and wise  
Could such perfection e'er devise

We look upon the mighty hills  
We listen to the rippling rills  
And through our soul the thought then thrills  
God made them all.

We gaze upon this wondrous world  
We see its beauties all unfurled  
The flowers of many different shades  
Which bloom in meadows dales and glades  
The foliage that clothes the trees  
The green grass on the fields and leas  
The heath which decks the mountains old  
The broom and whin bespatched with gold  
The hawthorn clothed with snowy may  
The fruit trees in their blossoms gay.

We look upon the beauteous flowers  
Enriching all earths pleasant bowers  
Conviction then is surely ours  
God made them all.

We look upon the mighty sea  
In all its vast immensity  
We watch its waters rush and roll  
Beyond poor weakly mans control  
We see the breakers lash the shore  
We listen to their sullen roar  
We watch its swelling waters flow  
Then back again receding go  
Till dry again it leaves the land  
A shining space of glittering sand

We look upon the mighty sea  
In all its strength and majesty  
From doubt at last our hearts set free  
God hath made all.

123 15 April 1905

SONNET - THE MOUNTAIN

What mighty monument is this  
Untouched by human hand, 'twas raised on high  
Till in its height it mingled with the sky  
Its only sculpture, hanging precipices  
O'er which eternal fountains play and hiss  
And white eternal snows forever lie  
Where man hath never yet been nigh  
And where unconquered frost imprints its fatal kiss.  
In past gone ages it hath stood the shock  
Of flood, of earthquake and of scorching flame  
And boiling caldrons in its core have hissed  
And shot as spray the adamantine rock  
That buried citys of forgotten name  
Which now can never be revealed through times obscuring mist.

124 No date

RURAL OBSERVATIONS

Now sunny beams, gild crystal streams  
On high the lark is singing  
And from the dove, sweet notes of love  
Sets all the woodlands ringing  
The swallows free, majestically  
On pinions swift are sporting  
And in each bush, the missel thrush  
His lady love is courting.

The sylvan bowers, are decked with flowers  
On high the ferns are waving  
The rippling rills amid the hills  
Are in soft music laving  
And o'er the pools, the dipper rules  
The Monarch of the river  
In summers glow and winters snow  
His throne forsakes he never.

The cuckoos notes now gladsome floats  
The snipe his wings are beating  
The curlew shrill, upon the hill  
Sends forth his summers greeting  
The shy red shank by rivers bank  
His pipe aloud is skirling  
And towards the sky, the black rooks fly  
In graceful antics whirling.

The pied wagtail, the streams doth hail  
The piper mid the rushes  
The willow wren, and water hen  
Are lurking in the bushes  
Mrs. Redbreast hath built her nest  
And Jenny Blackcap's mated  
A truth is this, to single bliss  
These birds were never fated.

The sly peewit, around doth flit  
To guard her nest from danger  
To lead astray, as best she may  
The inexperienced stranger  
With anxious cries, around she flies  
Her instinct great, unbounded  
Until at last, the danger past  
She leaves them there confounded.

The starling speeds, across the meads  
Or on the sheep are perching  
And ne'er neglects the small insects  
For which their eyes are searching  
The squirrel sports, nor evil courts  
Upon the topmost branches  
To those below, he doth bestow  
His sly mischievous glances.

The cunning, trout now glides about  
And in the stream is rising  
With watchful eyes. he marks the flies  
Them in their dance surprising  
And silent stands, by river strands  
The heron anxious watching  
To seize his prey, if once but they  
Should come within his snatching.

The sportive lambs, their peaceful dams  
Are following o'er the mountains  
Or in their glee exultingly  
Run frisking by the fountains  
In joy complete, their nimble feet  
In many a pretty gambol  
The mountains roam from base to dome  
Where they in freedom ramble.

What joy is his, who truly is  
A man with mind discerning  
His every look, in Natures book  
Finds lessons well worth learning  
The singing birds, the flocks and herds  
The blooming flowers and every herb  
And all the streams, in pleasing themes  
Proclaim their Makers work superb.

125 19 April 1905

HIS LAST LOOK

On the hillside stood a young man  
Whose face was thin and pale  
And he cast long loving glances  
Down below into the vale  
Till the tears bedimmed his vision  
And his tender heart felt sore  
Then he cried in broken accents  
Soon I'll view this scene no more.

Ah! dear vale how I love thee  
And I fain would linger here  
But I'm broken down with weakness  
And I feel the end is near  
Life was pleasant in its morning  
By yon rivers peaceful shore  
But alas! dear classic river  
Soon I'll look on thee no more.

And ye mountains where I've wandered  
Tending to my fleecy sheep  
Oh! it rends my heart asunder  
And my eyes the salt tears weep  
Mid the sunny smiles of Summer  
And the Winters angry roar  
I have climbed your rugged grandeur  
But I'll climb your heights no more.

Oh sport ye playful lambkins  
Let me but once again  
See your pleasing little antics  
For to watch you I am fain  
And to carefully tend o'er you  
And your mothers as of yore  
But something softly whispers  
Thou shalt tend thy sheep no more.

And my good old trustful doggie  
Thou whatever might betide  
Wert always true and faithful  
As thou wandered by my side  
Wilt thou break thy heart with sorrow  
When my deathless soul shall soar  
And my feeble voice is silent  
And calleth thee no more.

Tune thy notes thou thrilling songster  
And thy happy paeans sing  
Never more I'll hear thee chanting  
To the vernal morn of Spring  
Swell thy anthems to their sweetest  
All thy loving heart outpour  
For e'er comes another Springtide  
I shall list thy song no more.

He gazed on all intently  
Till his soul drank, in its fill  
From mountain, plain and valley  
From river, brook and rill  
With vision upward turning  
He did fervently implore  
Heavens blessing on that valley  
He would look upon no more.

He turned him slowly homeward  
By a winding path that led  
Down to his lonely cottage  
Where he laid him on his bed  
He'd bid adieu forever  
To the hills he did adore  
For he left his bed of sickness  
A living man no more.

For ere had come the Autumn  
When the sear leaves droop and fall  
His shepherds crook unburdened  
Hung on the cottage wall  
And his poor old faithful collie  
Lay mournfully at the door  
Still waiting for the master  
Whom he now should see no more.

126 29 April 1905

TO THE RAINBOW

O thou sweet messenger of hope  
That brightens up the weeping sky  
Thou arch of Natures smiles and tears  
Thou token for the coming years  
Thou queller of mans inmost fears  
When cloud and storm draw nigh.

The glorious grandeur of thy arch  
Resplendent in its colours deep  
Built 'neath the skies of every clime  
To bridge the years of coming time  
Thy keystone fixed by hand Divine  
The vow of God to keep.

The nations look to thee and know  
No more this earth of theirs shall be  
Left to the sweeping floods control  
That never more shall deluge roll  
Till as a passing fleeting scroll  
This earth shall cease to be.

127 No Date

MORNING JOYS

In the bright summers morning, old Morpheus scorning  
How sweet 'tis to wander and watch the sun rise  
To breathe in the fragrance of dewy wet blossoms  
And list to the lark as he trills in the skies.

'Mid the vernal green mountains, and clear crystal fountains  
To drink in the joys which their glories impart  
To watch the mists trailing fresh beauties unveiling  
Bringing raptures and joys, which delighten the heart.

Where the red grouse is becking and the gay heath bedecking  
The mountains all glistening with bright drops of dew  
Where the curlew is skirling the peewits are whirling  
And the brooklets are singing, their songs ever new.

Where the sweet scented flowers, in the mornings glad hours  
Expand to the charms of old Sols welcome beams  
As o'er the hill tops in splendour, yet kindly and tender  
He calleth all Nature again from their dreams.

To read in the awning, just after the dawning  
The signs which foretell what the noontide may be  
To list to the humming of the first bee thats coming  
To add to the store of its industry.

Mid scenes so entrancing and joys so enhancing  
How sweet 'tis to dwell in this Eden below  
To us her is given, a foretaste of Heaven  
In the beauty and joy of the morns sunny glow.

128 6 May 1905

O THOU BRIGHT ORB

O thou bright orb that casts thy beam  
In glory o'er the Eastern sky  
How oft I fix my thoughts on thee  
And turn on thee a wondering eye.

Thou shinest in the realms above  
A twinkling ray, but what art thou?  
A mystery I fain would solve  
But in my frailty know not how.

Man wondrous men hath looked to thee  
Hath pondered deep and have surmised  
Yet all his knowledge, all his powers  
Hath not thy mysteries realised.

How often 'neath the midnight sky  
The mariner hath looked to thee  
And found his path in safety o'er  
The trackless, boundless, surging sea.

O, was it thy celestial light  
Bespangling Heaven like lustrous gem  
Wert thou the guiding star that led  
The wise men on to Bethlehem.

Was it beneath thy God born ray  
The seraph choir, so sweet did sing  
And in their rapturous joy proclaimed  
The birth of Him, our Prince and King.

The day may come Ah! who can say  
What man through science may evolve  
That even thy great secrets deep  
And many mysteries he may solve.

129 No date

A PRAYER

O God of wisdom, truth and light

We bow before thy throne tonight

Do thou in all thy power and might

Come to us near

And draw our hearts to thee aright

In holy fear.

O Lord thou knowest we are weak

But from thee we would succour seek

O make us truly lowly meek

Like as thou art

May we of thee in reverence speak

And joy of heart.

Our sins to thee we all confess

And own our great unworthiness

We come to thee in our distress

Forgive we cry

And grant us strength to onward press  
To realms on high.

We need thy sunshine every hour

We need thy sweet refreshing shower

As doth the beauteous tender flower

Need shower and shine

O draw us by thy quickening power

Of Love Divine.

And when our winter's day at last

Shall bend us 'neath its killing blast

O give us strength to still hold fast

Till life shall cease

And may we hail when it is past

The Land of Peace.

130 15 May 1905

TO NORTHUMBRIA

Hail dear Northumbria, my hearts in thy keeping  
Thou'rt dearer to me than the whole world wide  
With a soul filled with rapture I give thee my greeting  
And pledge thee still constant whate'er may betide.

Why should I seek lands o'er the blue surging ocean  
Or covet the wealth of their mountains or mine  
Away with such thoughts let me banish the notion  
Contented I am with these glories of thine.

The rare gems bestrewn by the hand of sweet Flora  
The bright purple splendour enriching the wold  
Are mines of contentment from which I can borrow  
That which is not purchased by diamonds or gold.

Though far climes may boast of their birds of rich plumage  
Which brighten their groves, with their gorgeous dyes  
Yet they cannot compete, nor so sweet pay their homage  
As thy more sombre songsters beneath thy grey skies.

Then hail dear Northumbria, to thy woods, streams and mountains  
May peace reign forever in each valley and glen  
May prosperity flow, as unslaked as thy fountains  
And happiness crown thy fair women and men.

As long as the sun shall shine forth in his splendour  
As long as the stars shall bespangle the night  
So long may thy daughters be loving and tender  
Thy sons ever ready to dare for the right.

131 19 May 1905

IN VAIN

In vain my child all all in vain thou callest  
Her whom thou seekest cannot now thee hear  
For on deaf ears thy tender sweet voice fallest  
Thy darling mother peaceful slumbers on her bier.

In vain my child now all in vain thy weeping  
No one now to kiss away these falling tears  
Those eyes that looked on thee with love are sleeping  
To waken up no more through times long coming years.

In vain my child, in vain she cannot now caress thee  
No more those willing hands will curl thy flaxen hair  
No more her pleading voice shall call on Heaven to bless thee  
Nor calm thy childish fears and soothe thy every care.

In vain my child now all in vain thou mournest  
We cannot light again with love those sightless eyes  
Nor call again her soul from whence it ne'er returnest  
From bright celestial realms of bliss beyond the skies.

In vain my child in vain I try to soothe thy sorrow  
Yet time thy young and tender heart may kindly heal  
And new loves bloom to bless thy lifes tomorrow  
Which the great mysteries of the future doth conceal.

132 27 May 1905

THE SUICIDE

She fondled her sleeping babe  
She pressed it to her throat  
But a passion burned within  
She could not lay to rest  
Despair held her in chains  
She could not burst or break  
And demons urged her on  
Her God given life to take.

She left her midnight couch  
And stooping kissed her child  
And at her fond caress  
Its sweet lips played and smiled  
But not that cherubs smile  
Could reason back restore  
And place it on the throne  
It had left forever more.

To the rivers brink she stole  
In the silence of the night  
The stars and moon o'erhead  
Shed their fair celestial light  
And the rivers peaceful lave  
As it gently kissed the shore  
Sang sweet its lullabys  
That she soon should hear no more.

But she heeded not the stream  
Nor its soothing lullaby  
Nor the moon and stars that shed  
Their beams so peacefully  
Her eyes shone fierce and wild  
And dishevelled was her hair  
And the look upon her face  
Was the look of black despair.

Upon the brink she paused  
Gazed on the waters cold  
No guardian angel near  
Her purpose to withold  
She raised her arms on high  
And with one piercing scream  
She sacrificed her life  
In the cold relentless stream.

She rose as the moonbeams shed  
Their ray upon the place  
And the anguish of her soul  
Was revealed in her tortured face  
With a choking noise she sank  
To the depths no more to rise  
But her spirit winged its flight  
To the realms beyond the skies.

And the river ran its course  
In its calm and peaceful flow  
And sang the mournful dirge  
Of her sleeping down below  
And when from her watery grave  
They her still form did release  
The look on that troubled face  
Had changed to a smile of peace.

133 No date

SPRINGTIDE MUSINGS

Symphonious sounds throughout the vale are ringing  
Spontaneous music fills alike the skies  
Enthralling raptures to my glad heart bringing  
And in responsive anthems it replies.

For is this not the time of glad rejoicing  
Is not this the time of new born joys  
When all glad Natures tones are sweetly voicing  
Her triumphs o'er stern winters grim annoys.

Back from the grave have come the leaf and flowers  
Again the primrose decks the glades and dells  
The violet blooms amid the peaceful bowers  
And shrill the curlews cry amid the fells.

Yet amid all these fair scenes so entrancing  
A dark cloud of sadness o'er hangs my soul  
For I am reminded how fleet time is advancing  
And how each springtide on the years doth roll.

And as I gaze on all earths fair elysium grandeur  
Upheld by Heavens great majesty  
My thoughts on to that near springtime wander  
When it shall bloom, alas! but not for me.

134 29 May 1905

TO A DAUGHTER OF IRELAND

O sweet coleen like the golden sheen  
Is the colour of thy hair I ween  
And thy tresses wave as the romping sea  
And caress thy bosom as playfully.

Thy red cheeks bloom, like the rose in June  
And thy sweet breath tells of its rich perfume  
And thy tender eyes like the moonbeams shine  
In the peaceful night on the deep blue brine.

In melodious notes thy sweet voice floats  
As a songbird gay o'er the morning dotes  
And it joys the heart like the sparkling wine  
And thrills it through with a love Divine.

O! If but my arms, might hold thy charms  
And defend thee from all ills and harms  
Then this heart of mine through coming time  
Should only beat for these charms of thine.

135 10 June 1905

THE DISSIPATED LOVER

When looking back o'er past gone years  
Years which I follow with regret  
Dear angel still for thee I mourn  
Though oft I tried thee to forget.

For than wert all the world to me  
For thee alone my heart did beat  
But demons surged within its bounds  
And drove thee from its false retreat.

I cannot blame thee why should I  
A purer heart hath won thy love  
For Ah! I am too vile a wretch  
For one whose aims were fixed above.

Why should'st thou ever think of me  
An outcast and a villain vile  
O'er whose curst lot but angels weep  
And hellish demons nash and smile.

My captive soul is held in chains  
My heart has turned as adamant  
Yet through my madness reason gleams  
And still for liberty I pant.

No power on earth can win me back  
All human aid were useless given  
But if you ever think of me  
O breathe my name in prayer to Heaven.

O may the light of lights be shed  
Around thy path and guard thy lot  
And in the love which fills thy heart  
Forever be the past forgot.

Yet though thou never can'st be mine  
Still in my heart thou reign'st my queen  
And sanest moments now I spend  
In mourning o'er what might have been

137 No date

THE WRAITHS

The Autumn day came to a close  
The sun his daily duty had fulfilled  
Contentment reigned on Natures breast  
Whilst o'er the vale the gathering darkness filled  
The new moon in the sky appeared  
Casting her gleam across the peaceful night  
The twinkling stars now came out one by one  
Like far off beacons in the azure height,

In thoughtful mood my wandering footsteps strayed  
And aimlessly I still kept sauntering on  
Till near the Catcleughs Farm at last  
I sat me down upon a heap of stone  
My musing mind had soared away  
On pinioned wings to heights beyond compare  
When suddenly a sound I heard  
Borne on the balmy evening air.

I looked around, and lo, two wraiths  
Of those who long had left this mortal scene  
Who in the flesh in ages long gone past  
Had lived their day beside the old Reeds stream  
They stood as in great wonderment  
And looked around with puzzled fearful air  
The one a man of powerful mein and build  
His mate a tender lady, sweet and fair.

I recognised the lady at a glance  
As one who often in the days of yore  
Close by the alders bushes green  
There wandered by the rivers peaceful shore  
When day on silent wings had flown  
And sable darkness filled the hours of night  
Oft had her ghostly form been seen  
Clad in her garments of the purest white.

Her consort clad in ancient hunting coat  
Its colour of the brightest Lincoln green  
A hunting horn swung by his side  
The young moon cast upon his gun her sheen  
He spoke and as I listened to his tale  
No other information did I need  
Oft of this ghostly huntsman I had heard  
His name was luckless murdered Percy Reed.

Oft in the lonely bogs of Batinghope  
His spectral form had flitted by the stream  
Though many years had on their courses sped  
Since last his well known ghostly farm was seen  
Or by the bowers of old Deadwood  
In dove like form, where Redes clear waters foam  
In pensive solitude he used to sit  
Perched on the well known feared Dove Stone.

And oft upon their way to Birdhopecraig  
The worshippers in reverence made their bow  
None daring e'er to speak lest harm befell  
To silence each had made a sacred vow  
They well remembered the sad fate of him  
The luckless thatcher at Woolaw  
When once he spoke unto the ghostly bird  
He trembling fell and quick his parting breath did draw.

The huntsman spoke in sad and ghostly tone  
And cast around a glassy lifeless eye  
How changed the scene since that sad day  
I hunted last this vale and mountains high  
With companions that I fancied leal and true  
The buck the hare and grouse fell to each gun  
Ah! little did the thought then cross my mind  
No more again I'd view the rising sun.

No lake then filled this peaceful vale  
And greenwoods waved on yonder naked hill  
And as I passed beneath their leafy shade  
My heart was light, nor dreaded any ill  
But ah! the treachery of man to man  
My comrades proved were traitors all  
For by their base deceitful cowardly means  
I to my cruel enemies did fall.  
'  
When near the foot of yon lone mountain high  
We stayed our tired steeds to feed and rest  
O'er come I laid me down and slept  
By toil and heat and weariness oppressed  
But as I slumbered peacefully the while  
My comrades damped the powder in my gun  
They tampered with my good and trusty sword  
And left me by my foes to be outdone.

They woke me from my peaceful dreams  
Thy foes are close at hand, and I espied  
Five Croziers with whom I was at feud  
Come marching o'er the heathy mountainside  
I dreaded not nor thought my comrades false  
And called on them to give me their best aid  
But soon their base treachery was laid bare  
By the cowardly answer which they to me made.

We dare not stand we will not stand  
We have no feud like unto thee  
And if we fight we shall be slain  
No more our home again we'll see  
The Croziers then came up and cried  
Well met, well met, now Percy Reed  
Too long have we been in thy debt  
Now we will pay thee with all speed.

They fell on me, a poor defenceless man  
My sword was jammed tight in its sheath  
Pierced through with three and thirty wounds  
They left me dead upon the heath  
And ever since that day I've roamed  
A ghostly spectre through this vale  
In shape of huntsman or of dove  
Unrestless I my lot bewail.

Tis long years since I've viewed these scenes  
And O what changes time hath made  
But now I'll look on them no more  
The gathering waters hath my spirit laid.  
I turned me round to view afar the gleam  
Which in the East foretold the coming day  
And when again I looked my ghostly friends  
Had vanished to the spirit world away.

138 1905

APRIL

Now April smiling through her tears  
Again calls forth to birth  
The beauties in their different spheres  
Which deck and clothe this earth.

The sky o'erhead in deepest blue  
Beneath are opal clouds  
Fair Nature bursts her bonds anew  
And casts aside her shrouds.

Her moods are as a little child  
Who alternate laughs and cries  
Sometimes with glee and laughter wild  
Sometimes in tears and sighs.

Around her brow she gaily wears  
Her gilded coronet  
The Iris, woven from her tears  
Lights up her tresses jet.

Sweet Natal month what hopes are thine  
What joys conceived within thy womb  
The Fountain of it all Divine  
New life from resurrected tomb.

139 21 June 1905

MARGARET

Sweet Margaret  
With tresses jet  
Unbound by clasp of coronet  
Yet richer jewel ne'er was set  
Than thy pure heart sweet Margaret.

Sweet Margaret  
Can I forget  
That blissful hour when first we met  
The rich perfume of mignonette  
Clung to the charms of Margaret.

Sweet Margaret  
My one regret  
And oft o'er it I fume and fret  
That fickle fortune my own pet  
Should be so shy sweet Margaret.

Sweet Margaret  
Thy loves a debt  
This heart of mine will pay thee yet  
If only Fortunes smile I get  
That smile will be for Margaret.

140 28 June 1905

SUMMER BEAUTIES

Hills of brightest emerald  
Summers mantle clouds your forms  
Hanging rude rocks grey and bald  
That have braved old Times rough storms  
Murmuring streamlets through the dells  
Send their waters clear and bright  
Sweetest flowerets deck the fells  
Interwoven with delight.

Leafy woodlands hang their tresses  
'Mid where love filled cushets coo  
Each there to his mate confesses  
Summer days were made to woo  
Larks on high are sweetly trilling  
And from sylvan bower and plain  
Music sweet the air is filling  
With the feathered choirs refrain.

Calm and peaceful 'twixt the mountains  
Lies the smooth and glassy lake  
Fed by quenchless crystal fountains  
Thirsty thousands thirst to slake  
Nimble fishes swiftly rising  
Deftly catch the playful flies  
Or perchance the lure enticing  
Which the skilful angler plies.

O Summer sweet thy every charm  
When Nature all seems fain to please  
To thee my inmost soul grows warm  
As on thy many joys I seize  
But Oh! they cannot will not last  
A transient lot is surely thine  
Beneath the winters frigid blast  
Thy glorious grandeur must decline.

143 8 July 1905

MEMORIES OF THE PAST

Darling thou art calmly resting  
In this grave so still and cold  
As I stand here treasured mem'ries  
From the distant past unfold  
And I think again upon thee  
As a sweet and tender maid  
When I first did woo and win thee  
In the pleasant woodland glade.

The rosy light was softly fading  
'Neath the vernal skies of Spring  
In the glen the happy mavis  
Sweet his evensong did sing  
To his love in mellow measure  
Rang his notes clear and divine  
When I told to thee the longing  
That my true heart felt for thine.

Oh! the rapture when thou nestled  
Lovingly upon my breast  
And in accents coy and. tender  
All thy maidens love confessed  
Can I e'er forget that moment  
Not while life and reason last  
Still unslaking as the fountains  
Spring those mem'ries of the past.

Oft I ponder on that evening  
When we kissed our last adieu  
Deep I read loves fondest yearning  
In thine eyes of radiant blue  
Thou hadst named the bridal morning  
When thou'd be my happy wife  
And I felt this world an Eden  
Far removed from care or strife.

But as ruthless gales in Summer  
Oft destroy the fairest bloom  
So the blasting wind of sickness  
Blew on thee its withering doom  
Soon thy strength and beauty faded  
'Neath its cold and chilling breath  
Till the mighty King of Terrors  
Laid on thee his hand of death.

Young and fair as any angel  
Whilst thou lay upon thy bier  
Ah! I thought my heart was breaking  
As I shed dark Marah's tear  
When I kissed thy lips of marble  
Unresponsive now to mine  
O my darling something whispered  
Hers a happier lot than mine.

Now long years have run their courses  
And my hair is turning grey  
Yet I hold thy memory sacred  
Thou art still my queen today  
O'er thy mouldering dust dear loved one  
Fondly tenderly I mourn  
Till I too shall hail that country  
Whence no traveller can return.

144 15 July 1905

LINES ON A SKYLARK KILLED ON THE TELEGRAPH WIRES

Still'd now thy pinions and forever hushed thy song  
That charmed to joy the lonesome moorland fells  
And woke the echoes of the unfrequented dells  
As through the air thy music stole along.

Ah tragic fate that thou should'st cruelly die  
When but thy heartfelt paean thou had'st sung  
Now who will guard and watch thy tender young  
And who to them a mothers place supply.

And who will comfort him thy warbling mate  
His lovesong shall be sung for thee in vain  
Thy little heart can never thrill again  
Nor exulting hail the morns refulgent state.

Uncertain is the life of man, and oft like thee  
He is cut down in the heyday of his prime  
And in one moment bids adieu to time  
And through death's portal enters to eternity.

145 1905

MY NATIVE VALE

Green are thy hills my native vale  
And wild thy legend and thy tale  
My muse were scant if she should fail  
\- With inspiration  
And sadly I my lot should wail  
\- In desolation.

I feel my need, and O I want  
Her my petition now to grant  
And in my feeble mind implant  
\- The words I need  
Thy legends and thy charms to chant  
\- O Vale of Rede.

Haw peaceful are thy mountains green  
Where Nature holds her sway serene  
Amid thy rocks of ragged mein  
\- And flowery dell  
Or where clear brooks through wooded dene  
\- In charms excel.

How pleasant are thy babbling rills  
How rich in floral gems thy hills  
How sweet the fragrance each distils  
\- To vale and fen  
Whilst happy birds with music fills  
\- Each sylvan glen.

And yet amid these blissful scenes  
Amid this fairy land of dreams  
And laughter loving romping streams  
\- In days gone by  
Were heard grim battles' piercing screams  
\- Raised loud and high.

Where now enthroned reigns solitude  
Amid thy rugged grandeur rude  
Where craggs in masses grey and crude  
\- O'er hang  
Resounded oft the bloody feud  
\- And red swords clang.

On Otterburn's gory field  
The bravest bore their battle shield  
And valiant men were doomed to yield  
\- Who scorned to fly  
And deeds of valour there revealed  
\- Which never die.

The flashing blade the pointed lance  
On which the silvery light did glance  
Drank deep man's life stream to menance  
\- Whilst slogans wild  
Rose high their ardour to enhance  
\- There undefiled.

The fearful carnage of that night  
Beneath the pale moons gentle light  
When foe smote foe with all their might  
\- And old Rede's flood :  
Was changed to scarlet's colour bright  
\- With brave men's blood.

Where Roman legions long ago  
Built up their fortress now laid low  
O'er which the emerald grass doth grow  
\- And silence reigns  
Where martial warriors felt wars glow  
\- Course through their veins.

The Carter's towering mountain high  
Its summit mingling with the sky  
Saw treachery of deepest dye  
\- And cowardly deed  
When the false Halls betrayed close by  
\- Bold Percy Reed.

And often in the ages gone  
His ghostly spirit sad and lone  
Sat pensive on the round dove stone  
\- By Pringleshaugh  
Where Redes clear waters dance and foam  
\- Neath birch and saugh.

Each mountain top, each cairn of stones  
Contains some ancient denizens bones  
Round which the wind its dirges moans  
\- In wild refrain  
Like as some restless spirit owns  
\- A load of pain.

Thy sons at one time loved to reive  
Nor thought it was a sin to thieve  
And cunningly they could deceive  
\- With subtle lies  
And e'en thy very priests I grieve  
\- Oft shared a prize.

But Oh! how times are changed, for when  
We draw comparisons, now and then  
Today we find within thy glen  
\- Loyal and true  
A race of honest upright men  
\- Excelled by few.

And Oh! dear Vale through coming years  
May every blessing flow which cheers  
As long as sun and glittering spheres  
\- Shall shine  
May smiling plenty's golden ears  
\- Be fully thine.

146 22 July 1905

THE SHEPHERDS DAUGHTER

She was a fair haired lassie  
The shepherd's only child  
With naked feet and unkempt hair  
She roamed the mountains wild  
The only playmate that she had  
Was a collie dog ca'd Sam  
And every summer time she reared  
A snowy white pet lamb.

Here was a happy pastoral home  
Of which she was the light  
And Jeannies happiest hours were spent  
Some long cold winter's night  
When round the fire they snugly sat  
She on her faithers knee  
Would listen to his fairy tales  
At which she laughed wie glee.

To school sweet Jeannie never went  
Far in the vale below  
Yet she'd been taught to read and write  
To darn, to knit and sew  
And as she grew a bigger lass  
She learnt to milk the cows  
And in a pinch along with Sam  
Could ca' oot the auld yowes.

Often for weeks they never had  
A stranger at their door  
But yet contented wie their lot  
They never wished for more  
Jeannie grew up a strapping lass  
Tender and coy and shy  
Like a' young lasses that are reared  
Amid the hills oot bye.

When she had grown a blushing maid  
Her mother feeble grew  
But aye they hoped wie summer days  
Her strength wad soon renew  
But ere the heather lost its bloom  
Doon in the auld kirkyaird  
Her mother slept and she was left  
Her faither's hoose tae gaird.

And often did her faither plead  
The Lord his hame tae bless  
And wrestled hard as Jacob did  
Oot in the wilderness  
Wie upturned face to God above  
Most earnestly he prayed  
For Heaven's help and guidance to  
His motherless sweet maid.

Her faither's love for Jeannie grew  
And roond her heart entwined  
Wie guid advice and counsels wise  
He stored his lassie's mind  
And Jeannie did the best she could  
To fill her mother's place  
Yet oft she'd see the tear drops steal  
Doon ower her faither's face.

As on the years did swiftly speed  
The guid auld man grew frail  
No longer could he face the fierce  
Cauld northern winds and gale  
A young herd lad he had tae hire  
To help him wie the sheep  
But still the auld man gaed aboot  
Things in their place tae keep.

The young lad's name was Jimmy  
And wie'm Jeannie was fou shy  
Yet oft she'd blush when Jimmy looked  
On her wie love filled eye  
And when he telt a lovers tale  
Jeannie did it weel receive  
Twas the same auld story ower again  
That Adam telt tae Eve.

They asked the auld man's blessing  
And he gave it with guid will  
And said that Jimmy now should have  
His pack sheep on the hill  
And unto Jeannie he did say  
Now thou shalt get the kye  
The twa pet lambs the nanny goats  
And siller lass for bye.

The new year saw them married  
And when it cam' agean  
Upon his knee the auld man nursed  
A bonnie blue eyed wee'an  
A sweet wee little lassie  
Which Heaven to them had sent  
And on the young wifes face did rest  
A look of sweet content.

The little thing soon learnt to creep  
Then next began tae walk  
And bow the auld man laughed wie joy  
When it began tae talk  
And often hand in hand the pair  
On a sunny day were seen  
Gan oot tae see the ducks and hens  
And the sheepies on the green.

Thus wintry age and budding spring  
Spent many happy hours  
Sometimes grandfather smoked his pipe  
While Jeannie gathered flowers  
And as he watched her childish play  
He'd let a saut tear fa'  
As she brought tae mind her mithers ways  
And his guid wife lang awa'.

147 1905

TO THE SKYLARK

O so sweetly overhead with thy quivering pinions spread  
High up towards the sky so bright and blue  
This joyous Springtide morn, with deep inward joys new born  
Again thou dost thy love song sweet renew.

High on these moorlands wild, to thy lot thou'rt reconciled  
And with gladness pours thy song so sweet and thrilling  
From thy soul inspiring glees and thy rapturous melodies  
Deep draughts of gladness all around thou art distilling.

With thy heart all in a glow as thou views the scenes below  
Where Nature her binding bonds hath rudely shaken  
At the magic touch of Spring as thy merry notes doth ring  
The grasses and the flowers from sleep begin to waken.

And as thou sing'st thy song methinks that happy throng  
Of beings round the throne of God are bending  
As if to list thy strain and to join thy glad refrain  
Their joyful voices raised, with thine sweetly blending.

Thou seekest not applause, when thy symphonies doth pause  
But humbly descendest to the ground  
Thy tired wings to rest and to build thy little nest  
O'er which thy mothers joys will soon abound.

Thou art the Queen of song that reigns the moors among  
A paragon to all the warblers of thy train  
For thou fills with joy the fells, and the rocky wooded dells  
And we gladly welcome these sweet notes of thine again.

149 10 Aug 1905

THE MAID OF COQUETDALE

Where the mountains rise, near to the skies  
Clad o'er with dress of deepest green  
Where clear brooks glance, and onward dance  
The stern deep rocky glens between  
Where sunlight plays in summer days  
And winters storms in wrath assail  
Dwelt a maiden fair with sable hair  
The paragon of Coquetdale.

Beauteous was she, as the flowery lea  
With a heart as light as thistle down  
And her comely face, lit with every grace  
Was unsullied by a fret or frown  
Her heart was pure in her love secure  
Not a shadow to her joys curtail  
While her shepherd swain should true remain  
To his plighted maid of Coquetdale.

By the winding stream their loves young dream  
Had budded 'neath soft vernal showers  
And bright sunshine, with its ray divine  
Shone sweetly through these happy hours  
But times rough hand held the falling sand  
And draped the future with a veil  
And grief and woe, laid the bright hopes low  
Of this lovely maid of Coquetdale.

Summer did fade and moor and glade  
Put on their dress of sombre brown  
And as Autumn passed, then Winters blast  
Clothed hill and dale in a soft white gown  
And to tend his sheep on the mountains steep  
Amid the blinding snow and gale  
On duty bent her lover went  
O'er the stormy heights of Coquetda1e.

But the ruthless drift, swept fierce and swift  
Yet manfully he struggled on  
Till his limbs grew weak as he tried to seek  
His wandering sheep that astray had gone  
Fainter he grew, and before he knew  
His strength to him did wane and fail  
Till at last o'ercome with cold, and numb  
Sank this shepherd swain of Coquetdale.

His faithful dogs, o'er the snow clad bogs  
Reached his cottage door after darkness fell  
And scratched and whined there to shelter find  
But dumb they had no tale to tell  
His parents feared, and often peered  
From their cottage door but of no avail  
Were their searching eyes, and their unheard cries  
To him on the wilds of Coquetdale.

An anxious night and then daylight  
The snow had ceased, the wind was still  
And willing men from moor and glen  
Were searching the snow filled stormy hill  
They sought him far o'er bank and scaur  
They sought him over hill and vale  
But he slept below the drifted snow  
On the wild wild moors of Coquetdale.

A long month passed and then at last  
The hills once more were green and bare  
When the searchers found on the frozen ground  
The form of him so strong and fair  
His locks of jet were dripping wet  
And his nostrils did no breath exhale  
And his sightless eyes, to the changing skies  
No more he'd raise in Coquetdale.

O'er the mountain track they bore him back  
To his fathers cot by the rivers aide  
Thence with due regard to the still churchyard  
Where the Coquets crystal waters glide  
As their farewell look, the mourners took  
O'er his grave there arose a womans wail  
Which bespoke the dart that pierced the heart  
Of that sorrowing maid of Coquetdale.

Spring came again, and in its train  
The primrose bloomed in the sheltered dells  
And on quivering wing the lark did sing  
And the whaups and peewits sought the fells  
But this pensive maid did pine and fade  
Her rosy cheeks grew thin and pale  
And her eyes were red, with the tears she'd shed  
For her shepherd swain of Coquetdale.

The physicians art, could not cure her heart  
For a broken heart can not be healed  
Far beyond all aid, was this drooping maid  
Her doom, her destiny, was sealed  
The angel came, and he breathed her name  
Her spirit passed within the vail  
By her lovers side now sleeps the pride  
And the paragon of Coquetdale.

150 11 Aug 1905

JESSIE OF SOUTHDEAN

O! sweetly blooms in yonder bower  
The regal rose of flowers the queen  
But sweeter far than any flower  
Was lovely Jessie of Southdean.

Pensive at eve by winding Jed  
Where oft this charming maid was seen  
The shepherd swain a tear doth shed  
For lovely Jessie of Southdean.

To join her in the social dance  
Each rustic strove upon the green  
And tried to win one cherished glance  
From lovely Jessie of Southdean.

It was beneath the hazels shade  
One Autumns eve of peaceful mein  
When first my eyes beheld the maid  
Fair lovely Jessie of Southdean.

The evening zephyr softly played  
And Cynthia lent her silver sheen  
Whilst hand in hand I onward strayed  
With lovely Jessie of Southdean.

I told to her a lovers tale  
But now I mourn what might have been  
For low she sleeps down in the vale  
My lovely Jessie of Southdean.

Now oft by crystal Jed I stray  
When Sol proclaims the dewy e'en  
To weep and ponder on the day  
I lost my Jessie of Southdean.

The world hath changed I'm lone and sad  
O why should life still intervene  
I'd welcome death and should be glad  
To sleep with Jessie of Southdean.

151 No date

A SPRIG OF HEATHER

A little sprig of heather bright  
From the purple mountains  
Where it grew, begemmed with dew  
By the crystal fountains  
Where the skylark soars aloft  
Sweetest praises singing  
Melodies and happy glees  
From their glad hearts springing.

A little sprig of heather bright  
Telling of the grandeur  
Of the hills where the rills  
Sweetly onward wander  
Bright blue bells, mossy fells  
Where the ferns are waving  
Rivers bright with sunlight  
In soft music laving.

A little sprig of heather bright  
Telling of the treasure  
Which the bee industriously  
Gathers as a measure  
Luscious, sweet and complete  
Natures nectar golden  
Toilers small to you all  
We are much beholden.

A little sprig of heather bright  
Tis the moorlands glory  
By poet sung its praise hath rung  
In many a laurelled story  
Place it gently on your breast  
Wear it as a token  
And bear in mind the message kind  
This little sprig hath spoken.

152 4 Sept 1905

A SHEPHERDS WOOING

The sun was sinking in the west  
As o'er the moors young Jimmy gaed  
Braw buskit in his sunday best  
And round his neck his shepherds plaid.

His lassie lived among the hills  
A damsel blythe and sweet was she  
Unknown to her earths cares and ills  
Her heart was light and full of glee.

A shepherds cottage was her home  
A lonely place away out bye  
Where hardy flocks in freedom roam  
She tended to the house and kye.

Up to the window Jimmy went  
And gently tapped upon the pane  
The lassie well knew what it meant  
And soon an entrance he did gain.

The lovelight shone in Jenny's eyes  
Those eyes so radiant and so blue  
As matched the azure summer skies  
Or deep blue violets gemmed with dew.

One tender long and sweet embrace  
Their hot lips met as lovers will  
Requited love lit up each face  
As Phoebus lightens up the rill.

He kissed her once he kissed her twice  
And to his heart he did her strain  
And those twa lovers thought it nice  
They kissed and then rekissed again.

With lovers talk and plighted vows  
The happy night soon passed away  
Till from the rafters o'er the cows  
The chanticleer proclaimed the day.

Then heart to heart they stood awhile  
With trembling lips they said adieu  
Their hands were clasped and free from guile  
They pledged each other ever true.

The early dawn began to break  
As Jimmy trod across the green  
O'er the wild moors his way to make  
And left behind his hearts true queen.

154 11 Sept 1905

ISOBEL

There lives a pretty maiden  
With many graces laden  
Blue eyes as the skies  
Lips so rosy red  
A parcenor with Venus  
May naught e'er come between us  
And Heaven's hand still screen us  
From every fear and dread.

Her cheeks are like the roses  
When noon their charm discloses  
Beautiful, dutiful  
Is this girl of mine  
She trips along so neatly  
So lightly and discreetly  
And smiles on all so sweetly  
With a charm that is divine.

Her rich bright golden tresses  
Her bosom fair caresses  
Serenely, queenly  
Is her every grace  
Her blue eyes beam so brightly  
Her laughter gay and sprightly  
Her soul shines out contritely  
Reflected in her face,

Ye powers above attend her  
And every blessing send her  
So truthful youthful  
May she aye excel  
In all that makes her dearer  
In all that makes it clearer  
That not a maid sincerer  
There breathes than Isobel.

156 18 Sept 1905

'TWIXT CARTER FELL AND BLAXTER

As I came o'er the Carter Fell  
And viewed the scene I loved so well  
The land of hill and rocky dell  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The sun shone bright that summer's day  
The happy birds charmed every spray  
With many a tuneful heartfelt lay  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The hills in deepest green were drest  
The peewit hovered o'er her nest  
The martins swept the river's breast  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The frisky lambs skipped o'er the leas  
The clover lured the belted bees  
The skylark piped his melodies  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The virgin meads in fresh array  
With flowery garlands all were gay  
And white blooms deckt each woodland spray  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The sunbeams glanced in many a bower  
Where peeped a little mild eyed flower  
Some rich gem from sweet Flora's dower  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

Poised an one leg beside the stream  
The heron watched the fishes gleam  
Or dozing caught them in his dream  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

The old Rede sweetly on did glide  
To seek below his hill born bride  
Whilst fishes wantoned through his tide  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

Land of wild romantic story  
Land of raid and battle gory  
Land of deathless fadeless glory  
'Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter.

157 No date

SONNET - AUTUMN

King Frost hath held his sway throughout the Autumn night  
The sun appears athwart the sombre hills  
Dispersing all the mists which veil the seabound rills  
Whilst from the ash and poplars giddy height  
The yellow leaves are falling underneath  
The Summer's glory now from us hath fled  
The wealth of Flora's tributes all are dead  
And faded is the purple grandeur of the heath  
These tell the tale of Summer's long farewell  
A tale of coming Winter and of drifting snow  
When ruthless gales with frigid breath shall blow  
And sweep the cheerless woodland and the fell  
Time wafts his wings and life once green and gay  
Becomes to man a cheerless winter's day.

158 25 Sept 1905

SONNET - DAWN

Upon the threshold of the sable night  
That fairy nymph the dawn of day draws near  
Grey are her robes and dim the light  
That round her shadowy form appear  
And clinging to her gauzy fold  
Dark night seems loth to let her go  
Yet faint and fainter grows his hold  
And gradually her pale cheeks glow  
Gently her breath bestirs the leaves  
And from their slumbers wake the minstrel train  
A melodious welcome she receives  
And breaks asunder nights last fettering chain  
Adieu to thee O! sable prince she cries  
I herald the daylight to the radiant skies.

159 2 Oct 1905

A VOICE FROM THE WOODS

I looked upon the woods in spring  
When first the bud appears  
I thought upon man's natal hour  
And childhood's budding years.

I walked the woods, ' twas summer now  
Their beauty was sublime  
They spoke of man's meridian strength  
When he is in his prime.

I roved the woods, which autumn's breath  
Had withered brown and sear  
They told me of man's fading bloom  
When age and death draw near.

I roamed the woods and winter cold  
Had slain them with his blast  
And from the forest came a voice  
Such is man's fate at last.

By faith I looked across death's stream  
And from amidst its gloom  
A sweet voice spoke of coming spring  
And summer's endless bloom.

160 3 Oct 1905

A MIDNIGHT RUN WITH THE Bxxxxx HOUNDS

The moon shone bright, that Autumn night  
The stars were brightly beaming  
With pillowed head, upon his bed  
Young Jimmy lay a dreaming  
And at his back, his henchman Jack  
Lay sound asleep and snoring  
While in the byre with rising ire  
The bull began a roaring.

Then from his dreams, with piercing screams  
Young Jimmy was awakened  
With beating heart, he up did start  
And something serious reckoned  
He woke his mate, and did relate  
How all the dogs were howling  
Cries Jack begox! its some old fox  
Come here this night a fowling.

From bed they sprung, and quickly flung  
Their legs into their "britches"  
While Jimmy cries, with sparkling eyes  
Let out both dogs and bitches  
But wait a bit, I have it hit  
We'll give the beggar't hot  
I'll make a vow, just you pop through  
And waken Jimmy Scott.

With noiseless tread, away Jack sped  
To round the place explore  
Then off he trots to Jimmy Scotts  
Where he knocked on the door  
Oh rat tat tat Lo'd what is that  
Cried Jimmy Scotts good wife  
O rise man rise aloud she cries  
And see whats all the strife.

From bed to floor, and to the door  
In haste then Jimmy went  
Who's there he cries and Jack replies  
(With running nearly spent)  
Some old sly fox from 'mong the rocks  
The cocks and hens is stealing  
The terriers growl, the foxhounds howl  
And e'en the pigs are squealing.

'Tis light as day, so come away  
The hunting will be glorious  
A bet I'll take, before day break  
Our dogs will be victorious  
Cries Jimmy Scott, I near forgot  
My spurs are in the press  
Them on I'll slip, and get my whip  
I'll ride my old mare Jess.

With anxious haste, no time they waste  
The hunters soon were saddled  
The dogs set free, and in high glee  
Each horse was nimbly straddled  
Away they went, hot was the scent  
Their music, most inspiring  
Each horse did strain, its bridle rein  
The glorious sport admiring.

Away they strode, across the road  
And towards the Raw Bridge end  
Then turning quite, unto the right  
They up the hill did wend  
Hark, hark away, they never stay  
Hark forward is the cry  
And 'mid the blocks of hanging rocks  
The echoes loud reply.

Now o'er the dyke, and through the syke  
Went hounds and men and nag  
And up the hill, with right good will  
They made for Windy Crag  
Though hot the pace, each kept his place  
No laggard hung behind  
For final rush, and reynards brush  
Each huntsman braced his mind.

Night's silvery queen, her brightest sheen  
Ungrudgingly supplied  
And every hill, and flowing rill  
Could plainly be descried  
But not for streams, bathed in moonbeams  
Did these brave Nimrods care  
Their joy the chase and rugged race  
Across the mountains bare.

They topped the hill and onward still  
They went for Raven Knowe  
And 'cross the moor, fled many a poor  
Amazed and scared old yowe  
On on they went, the guiding scent  
Still strong and stronger grew  
Through mossy bogs these warrior dogs  
Went with a purpose true.

Ho tally ho see how they go  
Through drain through ferns and sedge  
Both dogs and horse, now steer their course  
Right straight for Harden Edge  
They view they view, I'll swear it's true  
Cries Jack now we'll prevail  
While in surprise young Jimmy cries  
The old fox has no tail.

To right again, with might and main  
Our gallant Nimrods sped  
With lightening speed, they came indeed  
Down past the lone Hopehead  
A glorious view, they nearer drew  
To reynards flying form  
Yet gamely he, and valorously  
Great wonders did perform.

Says Jack its rare, how goes the mare  
Cries Scott up to the mark  
My weight is light, for sure this night  
I'm clad in but my sark  
Such glorious fun and such a run  
We never had before  
And I am sure while time endure  
We never shall have more.

Now down the slope towards Cottonshope  
This game old fox did go  
While close behind, rose unconfined  
The huntsman's tally ho  
Young Jimmy swore he'll come no more  
To steal our hens and eggs  
Mein Gott, mein gott, cries Mister Scott  
The deil has but two legs.

And faith 'twas true their closer view  
Could clear the "vermint" scan  
When all cried out, without a doubt  
It's terrible like a man  
What e'er it was, my tale now draws  
Near to an end for sure  
This creature brave, its life did save  
By "holing" at the Doure.

161 7 Oct 1905

AN OLD MAIDS DREAM

Near to the fire an old maid sat  
And snug beside her on the mat  
There sat her only friend, a cat  
. Of stately mein  
His shining body sleek and fat  
. Calm and serene.

He licked his soft and velvet paws  
Wherein were hid his treacherous claws  
Then softly washed his whiskered jaws  
. His ears and chest  
His toilet o'er he then did pause  
. To take a rest.

His mistress sat and watched the flame  
And back again old memories came  
Loves that once set her heart aflame  
. Passed in review  
Her cold heart seemed to fire again  
. With love anew.

She saw again sweet cupid's train  
And many a well remembered swain  
Who'd wooed her and had wooed in vain  
. She heaved a sigh  
And seemed to live years o'er again  
. Long since gone by.

She dozed and in her pleasing dreams  
She roved again by winding streams  
Where suitors dwelt upon their themes  
. As once of yore  
And did with youthful wild extremes  
. Their love outpour.

Her pale face lit up with a glow  
More real her dreams seemed now to grow  
She smiled and murmured soft and low  
. This heart of mine  
Dear love as long as life shall flow  
. Is only thine.

Upon her cheek she felt a beard  
By joy her face was wreathed and cheered  
She woke and in expectance peered  
. For what  
Alas! fond hope had cruelly jeered  
. 'Twas but the cat.

162 21 Oct 1905

A MOORLAND FUNERAL

The cottage lies remote and far away  
Amid the wild sequestered moorland glen  
And in it there is woe and grief today  
For death that mighty enemy of men  
Hath pierced the lonely shepherd of the fen  
Lifeless and cold he lies upon his bier  
To wake no more until that morning when  
The great archangels trumpet he shall hear.

And gathered here today is many a friend  
Their last respects and duty sad to pay  
Each his kind help and sympathy to lend  
To those who mournfully weep and humbly pray  
To Him whose call we soon must all obey  
That He who over death a mighty vict'ry won  
Will give them strength to still with reverence say  
Thy will O God and Thine alone be done.

And standing round this moorland cot today  
We view the care and labour of his hands  
The winters fuel, the rick of new won hay  
Which near the house and in the stackyard stands  
The provender which winter stern demands  
The garden he in Spring did plant with care  
For him in vain its bounteous crop expands  
Some other hand must reap the seeds he scattered there.

One farewell look upon that pale cold face  
In silence we let fall a parting tear  
And memory travels back again through space  
To sweet companionship of many a year  
Yet even now a thought our hearts doth cheer  
The thought that he hath crossed and gone before  
And reached in safety that eternal sphere  
Beyond dark Jordans billowy broken shore.

Now in the cottage all with bowed head  
And solemn thoughts brought near to every heart  
Are listening to the scriptures being read  
To words of comfort they alone impart  
How that through Christ grim death hath lost its dart  
How o'er the grave a conqueror He arose  
Healing again the serpents deadly smart  
Binding in captive chains our great opposing foes.

With bowed head unto the throne of grace  
The patriarchal pastor now draws near  
And by his voice his deep emotion we can trace  
While down his furrowed cheeks there rolls a tear  
For he has lost a friend and brother dear  
A man of goodness piety and worth  
A man with reverence whom his God did fear  
Belov'd abroad revered around his family hearth.

Fervently he prays to that great God above  
That He will comfort those who mourn today  
That He will bless them with his tender love  
And to the widow be a sheltering rock and stay  
To the fatherless a Father be always  
That from His bounteous store may grace be given  
And may all meet where tears are wiped away  
'Mid th' sweet amarantlune joys of Heaven.

Tenderly and solemnly they lift the bier  
And bear it gently through the cottage door  
How often hath he come and gone through here  
But now he'll enter in again no more  
Now all his wanderings here at last are o'er  
No more he'll climb these rugged mountains steep  
With faithful dogs as he was wont of yore  
No more he'll tend his timid peaceful sheep.

The cortege moves at solemn pace and slow  
Along the ill kept rutty mountain road  
Until at last down in the vale below  
Is reached the home of deaths dark stern abode  
Unknown here earths pomp and toils o'erburdened load  
Here equal sleeps the rich man and the poor  
No more shall worldly strife and sorrow goad  
Rest to the weary traveller here is sure.

Sadly we lay the tenant in his house of death  
And view the confines of his lowly bed  
Where he shall sleep till with one powerful breath  
The blast of Gabriel shall awake the dead  
Thence mounting Heavenward unto victory led  
He'll reach that Home of many mansions bright  
Where crowns of glory shall bedeck each saintly head  
In that fair region of unmixed delight.

Such is the faith in which the Christian lives  
Such is the hope at last in which he dies  
Calm in the peace assurance fully gives  
Strong in that strength which Satan's power defies  
Onward he presses towards the Heavenly prize  
Serene amid earths battling storms and strife  
Victorious in death triumphant in the skies  
Through Him the Great Omnipotent Prince of Life.

Earth to Earth we commit his body to the dust  
And o'er him falls the cold and clammy clay  
How soon may we as soon we surely must  
From all these earthly scenes be called away  
Such are our thoughts as we his grave survey  
Then slowly turn and leave him to his rest  
And through the valley homeward musing stray  
With sad feelings that cannot be suppressed.

163 26 Oct 1905

NANCY THE FLOWER O' REDEWATER

My bonnie lassie's gay as a sunny summers day  
And as pure as the sweet vernal morning  
And as the sunny beam lightens up the seabound stream  
So sweet smiles are her fair face adorning.

Chorus

She's young and she's fair with bonnie golden hair  
Not even proud Venus could fau't her  
Her heart is fu' o' glee and a' the world tae me  
Is Nancy the flower O' Redewater.

She lives among the hills, where the bonnie crystal rills  
Flow sweet through the glens filled wie heather  
Where the little lambies play in the joyous springtide day  
And blythly run races together.

The fragrant scented flower, in yon song enraptured bower  
Is na half sae sweet as my jewel  
Wie her een sae bonnie blue, and her heart sae leal and true  
To wish the lassie wrang wad be cruel.

When she fetches hame the cows, o'er the dew bespangled knowes  
Her voice wie the laverock's is vieing  
And when I hear her sing I'm as happy as a king  
For my love for my lassie's undying.

Nae sheep nor land hae I yet for wealth I winna sigh  
I'm rich if blest with my treasure  
For a sweet womans love is a blessing from above  
Far beyond what great riches can measure.

164 October 1905

SONNET - TRAFALGAR DAY CENTENARY

One hundred years have from us fled  
Since England lost her gallant son  
One hundred years he hath been dead  
Yet still as long as Times sands run  
Shall live and be revered the name  
Of him who overthrew our foes  
And won himself undying fame  
In life, and at its glorious close.  
Nelson thy name immortal shines  
Emblazoned on fames laurelled scroll  
And shall inspire brave British lines  
As long as surging billows roll  
Shout ye wild waves across the Bar  
The deathless fame of Trafalgar.

167 29 Nov 1905

CROSSING THE RIVER

Raise me gently mother darling  
Let me take a parting look  
O'er the hill-side down the valley  
On the copse beside the brook  
Let mine eyes but once more mother  
Rest upon the skies so blue  
Ere they close for aye and ever  
In a long and last adieu.

Oh! dear mother life is pleasant  
And 'tis hard to die so young  
Hard to leave you darling mother  
With your heart by sorrow wrung  
Hard to leave my friends and comrades  
And earth's beauties so sublime  
Just when love and life were bursting  
To the bloom of summer time.

Mother lay me on my pillow  
For I feel so weary now  
And I think that I shall slumber  
Place your cool hand on my brow  
Tell to me the same sweet story  
Which you told me when a child  
Of the great and loving Saviour  
Full of pity meek and mild.

Mother dear I see a river  
And 'tis dark and broad and deep  
How its angry troubled waters  
Ceaseless foam, and plunge and leap  
Far across its breakers mother  
Standing on the distant strand  
There I see a shining angel  
Beckoning to me with his hand.

Mother I must pass that river  
Through its waters dark and cold  
But the pilot's crossing for me  
Clearly now mine eyes behold  
One who bids me fear no evil  
He it is who death commands  
Mother dear it is Emmanuel  
I can see his wounded hands.

Kiss me mother I am going  
Let me bid you now goodbye  
Till that blessed morning mother  
When we meet at Home on high  
Where celestial joys aboundeth  
Far beyond the starry spheres  
And where time shall know no ending  
In the bloom of fadeless years.

168 Dec 1905

THE REIGN OF WINTER

With locks of white from the North he came  
And a stern old king is he  
He shrieked and howled he roared and scowled  
In his wild and frantic glee.

The yellow leaves which bestrewed his path  
He scattered with his breath  
The lingering flowers in the sheltered bowers  
By him were doomed to death.

The lips of the rivers he silent sealed  
And their melody rings no more  
As an iron vice, a sheet of ice  
Is stretched from shore to shore.

The cloud packs, white his chariots be  
And his music the winds which croon  
Each shining star, his diamonds are  
And his lamp is the silvery moon.

But afar from the isles of the sunny South  
A fair young queen will appear  
And though strong and bold, this despot cold  
Will fly as she draws near.

169 1905

PEACE AND GOODWILL UNTO MEN

Let us leave all our trouble behind us  
Let us gaze to the eastern sky  
Where shineth a star to remind us  
Where the Wonderful Child did lie  
Let us list to that voice through the ages  
As astonished the shepherds did then  
Recorded in sacred pages  
Peace and goodwill, unto men.  
'Twas the voice of the angels who sang it  
Peace and goodwill unto men.

Let us gaze to the throne where he reigneth  
Triumphant and glorified now  
For those who but look to Him gaineth  
His gift, and a crown to their brow  
For this Wonderful Child of the manger  
Of whom the good angels sang then  
Dispelled all the darkness and danger  
Bringing peace and goodwill unto men  
'Twas the voice of the angels who sang it  
Peace and goodwill unto men.

That orb of the east ever shineth  
The Beautiful Bright Morning Star  
Whose glory and light ne'er declineth  
But gleams to the worlds afar  
And the Christmas bells are a ringing  
Their peals of gladness again  
Whilst the angel hosts are still singing  
Peace and goodwill unto men.  
The voice of the angels are singing  
Peace and goodwill unto men.

171 1905

BY WINDING BROOKS I LOVE TO ROAM

By winding brooks I love to roam  
Where yellow fishes make their home  
Where lilies in the sunshine dream  
And watch their faces in the stream.

Where leafy trees their tresses wave  
And bending kiss the limpid wave  
That faithful mirror all their charms  
From tiny spray to powerful arms.

Upon whose banks in sunny bowers  
There blooms the fair of Flora's flowers  
Forget-me-nots which match the skies  
Smile upward with their yellow eyes.

Where dippers dive in pure delight  
Amid the cooling waters bright  
Or join their mellow mirthful themes  
Unto the music of the streams.

To listen to the blackbird's glee  
As perched upon some lofty tree  
He there proclaims in full detail  
Sweet summer's charms unto the vale.

As round some bend I silent stray  
The watchful heron speeds away  
And in his heavy pinioned flight  
Screams shrill and loud in sore afright.

Amid these peaceful scenes how sweet  
To stray when day and darkness meet  
The purple sunset to behold  
And view the stream transformed to gold.

Then silently o'er yonder hill  
Another light the sky doth fill  
Calmly majestic in her sheen,  
Mounts to her throne nights silvery queen.

And high amidst the vaulted blue  
The stars their nightly watch renew  
Whilst thoughts sublime the mind pervades  
From Jupitor's inspiring maids.

And while they whisper soft and low  
The heart within begins to glow  
The poet feels a world like this  
Is not devoid of joy and bliss.

172 12 Dec 1905

DREAMS OF SUMMER BY THE LAKE

Majestic and calm twixt the hills it lay  
Smiling so sweet to the summers day  
Kissed in its pride by the sunshine bright  
Bathed in the beams of the pale moons light  
Down in its bosom reflected deep  
Lay the azure heavens as if lulled to sleep  
Bejewelled and gemmed by the glittering stars  
From the smallest orb to great wondrous Mars.

Fanned by the cooling summers breeze  
Mirroring deeply the greenwood tree  
'Neath whose welcome shade the fishes rose  
And to the angler did their homes disclose  
And sweet on its margined shore was heard  
The silvery voice of some happy bird  
Mellow the notes of his rapturous tune  
Sung to the flowery nymph of June.

Fair lilies grew by its waved washed shore  
And smiling gazed as they bended o'er  
At their dear little faces so pale and sweet  
In the waters clear as they washed their feet  
'Neath whose shady bowers with rushes prest  
Lay the treasured store of the wild ducks nest  
Whilst out on the lake in her sportive play  
She with pinions lashed up the silvery spray.

Such were my dreams of sweet summer time  
When she reigned in the height of her joy and prime  
But now from the zone of the frigid North  
Stern Winter again hath come marching forth  
And he looks on all with a threatening scowl  
And sends forth his winds in an angry howl  
And the tender lilies so sweet and pale  
Have passed away as a fairy tale.

Now pensive and sad on the naked spray  
Sits the songster that trilled through the summers day  
And the skies once so radiant bright and blue  
Are o'ercast in a sombre hue  
And the lake that was peaceful still and clear  
Sings its dirges harsh that are sad to hear  
Lamenting aloud that have passed away  
The bewitching charms of the summers day.

175 15 Dec 1905

MY KATIE AND ME

With my Katie I wandered when the spring day was young  
When first the white snowdrop from sleep had just sprung  
Sweet Cupid looked on us with loveladen e'e  
And fired the young hearts o' my Katie and me.

Summer came in its splendour, bedeckt with bright flowers  
And often we strayed 'neath the green sylvan bowers  
Where soul stirring songsters sang sweet in their glee  
Their love fired ditties to Katie and me.

All smiling came Autumn with her ripe yellow corn  
And soon by the reapers her plenty was shorn  
Mid the laughing abundance with hearts gay and free  
O'er the moon lighted stubble roamed Katie and me.

Cold came frowning Winter with his snow-laden blast  
And he breathed on my flow'r as he grimly went past  
Now springtide again decks the green daisied lea  
But death hath divided my Katie and me.

Now lonely I wander my heart filled with care  
Unheeded the skylark that trills in the air  
Yet oft on its pinions my fancy doth flee  
To the sad hour which parted my Katie and me.

177 16 Dec 1905

BY YON CLEAR WINDING STREAM

By yon winding stream how pleasant to dream  
To watch its sweet waters pass by  
With its deep glassy pools so peaceful and still  
Reflecting the fair summer's sky.

In youths rosy morn when love was new born  
I here with my Mary did rove  
As happy were we as the nightingale  
Who piped his song in the grove.

The vows we then made, 'neath the pine trees shade  
As we stood with our arms entwin'd  
Were the promptings of two pure young hearts  
And the thoughts of a spotless mind.

When the light did fade and the moonbeams played  
And soft on the stream did shine  
They seemed to match those dreamy eyes  
That in love looked into mine.

But those days are gone and old age creeps on  
Yet our love hath not grown cold  
And oft we stray on the river's brink  
Where we pledged our love of old.

178 19 Dec 1905

THAT LOVE OF OURS

As o'er the hill in Spring's bright morn  
Sweet Phoebus wakes the sleeping flowers  
So Cupid smiled upon us twain  
And smiling woke that love of ours.

Sweet as the Summer day unfolds  
The rose in its meridian hours  
Conjugal sunshine shone on us  
Unfolding more that love of ours.

As Autumn mellows fruit and grain  
Which sprung amid soft vernal showers  
So in the autumn time of life  
Still riper grew that love of ours.

As Winter comes with killing breath  
And darkly the tempest lours  
So cometh Death but even he  
Can not destroy that love of ours.

Love is that power which cannot die  
But living blooms 'mid fadeless bowers  
Where soul and soul are linked and bound  
By love, and such a love is ours.

179 23 Dec 1905

JOSEPHS DREAM

O men of merrie England  
You oft have heard the fame  
O'that awfu' man at Birmingham  
Joe Chamberlain by name  
He used to be a Radical  
But that was long ago  
He's now a' for Protection  
Is wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Since ever we him knew  
He aye has been a shifty dog  
And constant on the screw  
He's changed his coat sae often  
That his mind he doesn't know  
But still he loud his trumpet toots  
O wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Joe has a soople tongue  
And many a poor opponent  
By him's been sairly stung  
He's crafty as the auld chap  
That has his home below  
And slippery as a squirming eel  
Is wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
As sleeping, Joseph dreamed  
He blew a resurrection blast  
And back to life there seemed  
To come a hungry shrunken wight  
With faltering step and slow  
To whose assistance quickly ran  
Great wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Protection was his name  
Whom Joseph tried with all his might  
To bring to power again  
He drest him up in braw new claes  
Weel clad frae head tae toe  
And ca'd him by another name  
O wonder working Joe.

O man of merrie England  
Joe saw this despot crowned  
And by his throne he bent the knee  
In reverence profound  
He hailed him as the saviour  
Who quickly would bestow  
Joy to the land and power again  
To wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Joe dreamed he was the man  
Who in the Nation's politics  
Triumphant led the van  
A heavenly smile stole o'er his face  
He joyed at the o'erthrow  
Of all the forces who had faced  
Great wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Joe spake, his speech thus ran  
(Whilst wondering hosts proclaimed he was  
A god and not a man)  
He cried his only was the arm  
Could strike the mighty blow  
To bring our land prosperity  
O wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Imported wheat I'll tax  
But ah! your poor wee empty weans  
Wie bacon I will rax  
Now every man can feed twa pigs  
But if but one he'll grow  
As big as any elephant  
Cried wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
What spare ribs you'll get then  
Your country will be filled with naught  
But gorged and happy men  
Contentment on you all shall smile  
The poor man rich shall grow  
All through my Fiscal Policy  
Cried wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Joe saw his grunters thrive  
And down to Smithfield Market  
Hodge proud these monsters drive  
He heard loud acclamations  
From hearts fired to a glow  
Behold the mighty miracle  
Of wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
Joe's pleasing vision passed  
And over him a nightmare  
Its fearsome workings cast  
He screamed aloud in sore affright  
His poor mind filled with woe  
Ten thousand hungry Fiscal pigs  
Chased wonder working Joe.

O men of merrie England  
When we go to the poll  
Joe's vaunted Fiscal Policy  
We down the hill must roll  
For if we tax imported wheat  
Our bread will rise also  
And England must not be misled  
By wonder working Joe.

180 24 Dec 1905

STRAY WITH ME LOVE

Stray with me love where the swallows are skimming  
Down by the brook where the wild duck is swimming  
Past the mill wheel where the waters are gushing  
Down through the dell, where the wild rose is blushing  
Come with me sweet I will tell thee loves story  
For deep in my heart there is none there before thee.

Stray with me love where the clear rill is dancing  
Bright on its bosom, the sunbeams are glancing  
Down by the copse, where the woodlark is singing  
Through the defile where the echoes are ringing  
Come with me sweet 'neath the hawthorn hoary  
For deep in my heart there is none there before thee.

Stray with me love, through the sweet scented clover  
Where belted bees hum o'er the blooms as they hover  
Past the hayfields where the landrail is calling  
Down by the lynn where the waters are falling  
Come with me sweet my delight and my glory  
For deep in my heart there is none there before thee.

Stray with me love let us Cupid's train follow  
And journey life's pathway o'er hill and through hollow  
In sunshine or shadow O! ye Powers may there never  
Come anything which can our cherished love sever  
Come with me sweet them hast cast thy spell o'er me  
And deep in my heart there is none there before thee.

181 28 Dec 1905

SONS OF BRITAIN

Sons of Britain yours the name  
Of a great and laurelled fame  
Fan it to a brighter flame  
By your deeds of chivalry.

Fields of blood your fathers trod  
For their country and their God  
Yours to further bear their load  
By your pluck and energy.

O'er your Empire ne'er the sun  
Knoweth when his task is done  
Whilst this Earth it courses run  
In its great velocity.

Nations rise and nations fall  
Fame shall never know a pall  
But eternally it shall  
Shine in bright emblazonry.

Never let its triumphs pause  
By brave deeds for honours cause  
By the freedom of your laws  
By your love for liberty.

By your ships upon the brine  
By each soldier of the line  
By your trust in God Divine  
By your dauntless bravery.

183 12 Jan 1906

THE POSTMAN

Oh! who is he we look for every day  
True tried and constant as the morning sun  
Bearing his load along the dusty way  
Missives of love importance woe or fun  
To meet him at the gate we often run  
A cheerful wight whom wind and sun doth tan  
Who well can take a joke or make a pun  
None other than our good friend - the Postman.

Who brings us messages from o'er the sea  
From those whose footsteps far from home have stray'd  
Words which from doubts our hearts again sets free  
For those round which dark fancies may have play'd  
For whom we oft and earnestly have prayed  
What joy is ours as we their message scan  
And from our inmost hearts should be convey'd  
Thanks to our true friend - the Postman.

Who brings the missive which unlocks the tear  
And to the heart brings pangs of bitter pain  
Tidings of those we cherished and held dear  
But whom alas! we ne'er shall see again  
For they have cross'd deaths dark and stormy main  
Have solved the secret which we never can  
Who brought us tidings of whom death had slain  
'Twas he our true friend - the Postman.

Who bringeth gladness to the maidens face  
And brightens up the lovelight in her eyes  
Whilst o'er her cheeks the tell-tale blushes chase  
As to the quiet of her room she flies  
To read there what to her young heart supplies  
The delicious joys of Cupids flow'ry plan  
'Tis he who summer's heat and Winter's cold defies  
Our true and constant friend the Postman.

Week in week out through all the passing year  
'Mid drenching rain through biting snow or hail  
Beneath the summer sunshine bright and clear  
Or struggling 'gainst the howling angry gale  
How seldom in his duty he doth fail  
For constancy we must place in the van  
And ever ready be to cheerfully hail  
Our true and constant friend the Postman.

186 23 Jan 1906

SONNET TO SPRING

Come thou sweet Spring from the sunny south  
O! come again to the waiting bowers  
Breathe on them the warm breath from thy mouth  
Fill them again with thy blooming flowers.

Whisper softly 'midst the naked trees  
Bedeck them again with thy fairy hand  
Inspire the songsters with melodies  
They are longing to hear thy sweet command.

Soothe Winter's angry floods to rest  
Burnish the rivers with thy bright sunshine  
Smile on the young nurslings at thy breast  
Nurture them all with thy milk divine.

Then come sweet Spring in thy love and pride  
The earth awaits thee its fair young bride.

189 3 Feb 1906

A HAPPY DREAM

I dreamed a dream a happy dream  
A dream of long ago  
Whilst sitting by a murmuring stream  
Which tinkled soft and low  
I dreamt of her who lowly lies  
Beneath the grassy sod  
Whose spirit far above the skies  
Triumphant reigns with God.

I dreamt I heard her low sweet voice  
That she sat by my side  
I felt my heart again rejoice  
As when she was my bride  
I felt her warm breath on my cheek  
I felt her hand in mine  
Again we loving words did speak  
At Cupid's flow'ry shrine.

The soft sweet cadence as she spoke  
My heart with love did tune  
And o'er my soul a gladness broke  
Like bright sunshine in June  
Dispersing all the dark alarms  
That had within found root  
Whilst there enfolded in my arms  
I clasped her to my breast.

The birds sang sweet amid the boughs  
Enravishing each spray  
We joined them in their tuneful vows  
And felt as glad as they  
I plucked a garland of gay flowers  
Forget-me-nots so blue  
The sweetest gems from Flora's bowers  
The lovers emblem true.

I pinned them on her fair young breast  
I placed them in her hair  
And on her lips my kisses prest  
So beautiful and fair  
The endearing words I would have spoke  
Fell hush'd as passed my dream  
The only voice the stillness broke  
Was the murmuring of the stream.

190 No date

EVEN ON THE MOORS

'Twas even the sun had gone to rest  
Behind the hills far in the west  
And left the sky in splendour drest  
. With flashing gold  
As forth I wandered in my quest  
. Across the wold.

Sweet peace reigned on in joy supreme  
O'er mountain, valley, wood and stream  
The skylark sang its evening theme  
. With joyful zest  
Before it sank below to dream  
. Within its nest.

The grouse called loudly to its mate  
The evening moths flew round in state  
The snipe on high in joy elate  
. Drumm'd with his wings  
Whilst off her eggs in terror great  
. The curlew springs.

As fainter grew the afterglow  
And twilight deepened, down below  
In silvery notes so sweet and low  
. The mountain rills  
Sang lullabys as they did flow  
. Down from the hills.

And as I stood and gazed around  
On all this scene of peace profound  
I felt within my heart abound  
. A blessed calm  
Whilst every pleasant tuneful sound  
. Poured in its balm.

My sorrows backward seemed to roll  
A heavenly peace came to my soul  
For here I found the poet's goal  
. Fair Nature's shrine  
Untarnished unconstrained and whole  
. And claimed it mine.

Here with the Muses let me dwell  
In solitude upon the fell  
If but the water from the well  
. My drink supply  
My bread a crust to hunger quell  
. Until I die.

191 Jan 1906

NOAHS ARK SOIREE

O what a crowd of ladies and what a mass of men  
Gather'd round this wondrous structure in old Redesdale Glen  
All full of animation whilst they quickly embark  
To spend a social evening in "Noah's new Ark"

No fierce animals there were in the building at all  
No quadrupeds to roar and no wild fowl to squall  
No dark rushing waters and no hungry shark  
Sought to prey on the offal from "Noah's new Ark".

All seemed as happy as they happy well could be  
Whilst partaking of a truly most excellent tea  
And even that gentlemen the fickle weather clerk  
Favoured all who had journeyed to "Noah's new Ark".

The tables were waited on with elegance and grace  
By ladies who each had a sweet smiling face  
All blooming and bright as the flowers in the park  
And as tender the messdames in "Noah's new Ark".

Mr. Noah himself sat with grace in the chair  
And Shorn, Ham and Japheth his three sons were there  
Their wives and their fam'lies save the man of colour dark  
Who still was a bachelor in "Noah's new Ark".

The speeches were a flow of eloquence and wit  
And charity benignful on her high throne did sit  
Enkindling the hearts with her warm glowing spark  
Of those congregated in "Noah's new Ark".

The music discoursed by Miss Telfers grand choir  
With pathos and sweetness none failed to admire  
Enchanting, enthrilling as the gay warbling lark  
Their melody resounded through "Noah's new Ark".

Sweet Venus was there and her bright eyes did shine  
Whilst many a Romeo bent low at her shrine  
For as Woolaw's little King did truly remark  
There were lots of bonnie lassies in "Noah's new Ark".

At the time of dispersing pale Cynthia's sweet beams  
Shone forth in their splendour o'er mountains and streams  
Enabling each wanderer the pathway to mark  
Which lay between their rooftree and "Noah's new Ark".

If Noah of old felt such raptures sublime  
Twelve months would soon pass on the oiled wheels of time  
With pleasure he'd look back to that wondrous old bark  
As we look to the time spent in "Noah's new Ark".

193 No date

No Title (JEDBURGH MAIDEN)

Where Jed runs wimpling to the sea  
By many a rock and scaur  
There dwells a maid more dear to me  
Than other maidens are.

She's pure and sweet as a summers morn  
All shining bright with dew  
And sweater than the fragrant thorn  
Or ever flower that grew.

The happy lark that sings so sweet  
Above the flowery lea  
In song can not with her compete  
Nor be more gay than she.

Her every grace shines but to win  
And kindle up loves spark  
And deeply smitten I'm within  
Upon the fatal mark.

194 No date

BROTHER WHY LOOK SO DEJECTED

Brother why look so dejected  
Why that frown upon your brow  
Thinkest not thou art neglected  
Make no rash nor solemn vow  
Though you may feel trouble pressing  
Look to Him who sootheth pain  
Whose strong arm all wrongs redressing  
Quickly bringeth peace again.

Though His ways may seen Mysterious  
Blind, we cannot understand  
And our lot may seem most serious  
Take the Fathers proffered hand  
Through deep valleys He may lead us  
Where dark mists of doubt may roll  
Yet his bread of life will feed us  
Bringing courage to the soul.

195 277 No date

No title (A DREAM OF HEAVEN)

I dreamed a dream of Heaven  
That happy Home above  
It filled my soul with boundless Joy  
And tuned my heart with love.

Its brilliant lustrous walls  
In all their splendour shone  
Comingling colours blend  
From every precious atone.

The Jaspers many shades  
The Saffires deepest blue  
The Chalcedonys flashing lights  
Transcendent splendours threw.

A mixture rich divine  
Of Opals white and grey  
Dashed of paler blushing red  
As sunsets close the day.

The Emeralds deepest green  
The Sardonyx of red and white  
The Sardius and then above  
The radiant Chrysolite.

The Beryl like frozen fire  
Flashed brightly to behold  
The Chrysopasus of greenish blue  
Tinged with a tint of gold.

The Jacinth of reddish blue  
And than in splendour shone  
The deep mysterious violet bloom  
Of the Amethysts rich stone.

The streets were all of gold  
And a river sparkled bright  
And the Throne of God was set  
Mid a throng filled with delight.

Who their golden harps did tune  
And waved the victors palm  
Whilst they sang the never ending song  
Of Moses and the Lamb.

196 9 Feb 1906

A ROSEBUD

Within a sun kissed arbour  
A tiny rosebud formed  
Where birds had oft found harbour  
When Boreas fiercely stormed.

Nursed by the pearly dews of night  
And sunny beams by day  
Until at length it blossomed bright  
A gem of rich display.

A lovely maid had watched the flower  
From tiny bud to bloom  
As oft she sat within the bower  
In prime of summers noon.

Her dimpl'd cheeks surpass'd its hue  
Her tender lips likewise  
And deeper than the summers blue  
Her beaming matchless eyes.

One day Angela's lover came  
As she sat in the bower  
And asked the lovely maid to name  
Their happy nuptial hour.

The blushes came to her soft cheeks  
Her eyes with love did shine  
She shyly answered in six weeks  
Dear Edwin I'll be thine.

His joy young Edwin did disclose  
And kissed his bride so fair  
Then lover like he plucked the rose  
And placed it in her hair.

197 6 Feb 1906

SONNET

On the sad death of Lady Grey who met her death  
by being thrown from a trap

Northumbria sadden'd mourns her loss today  
And with her son sheds sad commingling tears  
That sweet, beloved, respected Lady Grey  
Should have been taken in the prime of years  
Keep silence all ye songsters of the Spring  
And all ye streamlets chant your requiems low  
Sing dirges O ye winds and to us bring  
Your doleful music in this time of woe.  
Come down ye clouds upon the Cheviots high  
And clothe them all in mists of sombre grey  
And all ye woods send forth a broken sigh  
For her o'er whom Northumbria weeps today.  
Tis mete that we should mourn one held so dear  
And to her memory shed affections tear.

198 10 Feb 1906

CRUEL ROSE

O! Rose why art thou now so cruel  
Why hast thy love to me grown cold  
I prized it as the richest jewel  
That e'er was set in glittering gold  
When first I viewed those charms of thine  
I loved thee with a love divine.

Thou broughtest Springtime to my heart  
Thou shed bright sunshine o'er my soul  
I felt my joys like fountains start  
And constant as the rivers roll  
As o'er us pass'd these treasured hours  
Which still my hungry heart devours.

But ah! that now thy heart is cold  
My life is as a winters day  
Uncheerless as the snowy wold  
Where Boreas sweeps upon his prey  
O come dear maid some pity show  
Thy love again to me bestow.

199 17 Feb 1906

CONJUGAL HAPPINESS

Thirty years have come and gone  
Since I met my Nancy  
Whose bright eyes upon me shone  
Taking my young fancy  
Twenty-nine she's been my wife  
Still today I love her  
She's the sunshine of my life  
Bright as Sol above her.

Still the magic of her eye  
Sways me with devotion  
Like as Cynthia in the sky  
Ruleth o'er the ocean  
Though her cheeks have lost their bloom  
And her voice its sweetness  
Never till we reach the tomb  
Shall love lack completeness.

Little feet have run and played  
Happy voices sounded  
Which to our knit hearts conveyed  
Happiness unbounded  
Treasured playthings still we keep  
Toys and babys rattle  
Whilst they've gone the world to reap  
And to fight its battle.

Sixty summers we have seen  
The sky by Phoebus ruddied  
Sixty years the Meadow Queen  
To our gaze hath budded  
To us sixty moons hath shone  
O'er the cornfields yellow  
Now our Autumn day creeps on  
We are growing mellow.

200 21 Feb 1906

TO THE SNOWDROP

Welcome little ermine flower  
Blooming in thy snowy bower  
. Decking mother earth  
First of Flora's lovely train  
Pure and spotless without stain  
. Glad we hail thy birth.

From thy cold and snowy bed  
Fair thou raisest up thy head  
. 'Neath the winters sky  
Emblem of purity  
Little flower were I like thee  
. I'd have no cause to sigh.

Though no fragrance thou imparts  
Yet thou fills with joy our hearts  
. And bright hope's doth bring  
Thou the herald who proclaims  
Thou the messenger who names  
. The glad advent of Spring.

But though thou heralds in the Spring  
Thou shalt not hear her minstrels sing  
. Their rapturous melody  
Young Aprils childish tears and shine  
Bright Summer with its joys divine  
. Shall ne'er be known by thee.

Fair little flower in Natures van  
Though short and fleeting is thy span  
. Thou did'st not bloom in vain  
And like thee many s sweet babe born  
Shall never hail life's summer morn  
. But pass to dust again.

201 20 Feb 1906

A CHERUBS SMILE

She sat beside a little cot  
Her eyes with tears were red  
And oft she turned their wistful gaze  
Unto the little bed  
Where lay the thin and wasted form  
Of her only darling child  
At which the tears would start afresh  
Nor could be reconciled.

No animation coursed its veins  
Its rosy bloom had fled  
Its sweet blue eyes forever closed  
Her tender flower was dead  
No more those little toddling feet  
Would cross the cottage floor  
Alas! the merry childish laugh  
To her would sound no more.

No more those tender cherry lips  
Would breathe a mothers name  
No more at even by the gate  
She'd wait till daddy came  
No more those dimpl'd tiny arms  
Round mothers neck would fold  
No more the sunshine play amid  
Those curly locks of gold.

She gazed once more upon its face  
She kissed its pale cold brow  
It seemed to smile and answer back  
I am so happy now  
Weep not for me my mother dear  
Dry up those tearful eyes  
Your little girl and you shall meet  
Beyond the sunny skies.

A blessed peace came to her then  
A heavenly quiet calm  
Whilst o'er her soul an angel hand  
Poured in a healing balm  
A voice spoke comfort in her ear  
The veil was backward riven  
She looked and saw a cherub face  
Smile back to her from Heaven.

203 15 Mar 1906

THE AULD THEEKIT COTTAGE THAT STANDS IN THE SHEIL

I'm far frae my hame o'er the billow swept ocean  
Yet oft in ray heart a great longing I feel  
While my fancy takes flight to the lone heathy mountains  
And the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

And fair is the picture I often have painted  
Of the days of my childhood when with vigour and zeal  
I climbed the high mountains and played by the fountains  
Near the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

And I see my auld faither as he sits by the ingle  
And reads frae the guid book he aye lov'd sae weel  
Then prays for the laddie he rowed in his pladdie  
In the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

By his side sits my mother and her stocking she's knitting  
While doon ower her face a saut tear there dis steal  
As she thinks o' her bairnie who far far has wandered  
Frae the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

And my bonnie fair sister Heaven kens how I've missed her  
For we loved with a love we ne'er tried tae conceal  
But now there's another she loves mair than the brother  
Wha's left the theek't cottage that stands in the shiel.

There yince was another my fair haired young brother  
But now he's awa' tae the Land o' the Leal  
'Neath the green willow weeping he calmly lies sleeping  
Far frae the theek't cottage that stands in the shiel.

Though I live in a clime where the sky is unclouded  
And where endless summer its beauties reveal  
Yet my heart in devotion lies over the ocean  
In the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

God bliss my auld faither, God bliss my dear mother  
And O! unto Thee I make this appeal  
Grant again I may meet them and lovingly greet them  
In the auld theekit cottage that stands in the shiel.

204 17 Mar 1906

THE SOLDIERS BRIDE

Down through the glade where the wild flowers were blooming  
Young Annie went forth at the close of the day  
To meet wie her laddie a brave gallant soldier  
Who was call'd out on duty o'er the seas far away.

They met in the grove 'neath the pines spreading branches  
To pledge themselves constant to each other true  
Their last hours to spend in true lovers fashion  
And to bid to each other a sad tender adieu.

Her brave soldier laddie spake sweet words of comfort  
And kissed the bright tears as they fell from her e'e  
Saying Annie my darling Oh! I love you sae dearly  
And aye will be constant when far gane frae thee.

Oh! Jimmie she cried I ken I can trust ye  
But my hearts like to break at you gan far awa'  
And O unto Heaven each day I'll be praying  
To watch o'er my laddie lest harm him befa'.

Far in the red west the afterglow deepened  
As locked in embrace they said their goodbye  
Whilst the young crescent moon cast her pale virgin glances  
And the gleaming stars peeped from the calm evening sky.

O'er the high foaming billows the ship pass'd in safety  
Which bore Jimmy off with his ardour revealed  
So bravely he fought for his King and his country  
And won himself fame on the red battlefield.

Where mens life stream ebbed in the thick of the battle  
Jimmys courage and bravery never did lag  
He wielded his sword in the great cause of freedom  
And gloried to fight 'neath the dear good old flag.

And oft while he watched in the seige girted city  
Or as bravely he fought in the thick of the fray  
His fancy took flight to his dear native country  
And the lassie who lov'd him so far far away.

Two long years went past and the war being over  
Across the blue ocean the ship quickly came  
Which brought Jimmy back to his faithful young lassie  
Who anxiously waited to welcome him hame.

Oh! their meeting was sacred so loving and tender  
As again in his arms she stood prest to his heart  
While softly he whispered they ne'er should be sundered  
But aye be united till death should them part.

The marriage bells peeled the gay banners were flying  
While from the blue sky the sun shone with pride  
That morning when Jimmy led forth his fair lassie  
Sweet smiling and happy his dear loving bride.

In a neat ivyed cottage Annie now reigns sae queenly  
As sweet a young wife as a man ever had  
And she blesses the day when she first met wie Jimmy  
And gave her young heart to her brave sodger lad.

205 27 Mar 1906

FAIR MAID OF SPRING

Ho she comes from the South in her regal pride  
Bedecked in her robes as a fair young bride  
Her tresses hang from the leafy trees  
And she whispers low in the passing breeze  
Her jewels shine in bright April's showers  
And her breath is felt from the fragrant flowers  
Her radiant eyes are the deep blue skies  
And the sunshine bright her smile supplies  
Her voice is heard while the sweet birds sing  
Thrice welcome we hail thee fair Maid of Spring.

Ho she comes from the South o'er the shining sea  
In the glory and pomp of her majesty  
She calleth aloud in her sweetest voice  
And bids great Nature again to rejoice  
Our hearts grow glad as we feel the thrill  
Which she bringeth to us of her own sweet will  
And we raise our voice and an anthem sing  
To welcome and hail the fair Maid of Spring.

206 2 Apr 1906

TO THE SKYLARK

Queen of all the moorlands minstrel of their beauty  
Singing all their praises in the Springtide gay  
Enchanting enthrilling melody distilling  
Sweet is thy trilling at the break of day.

High o'er the mossy fells high o'er the crystal wells  
Happiness and freedom doth thy song portray  
Bird of the wilderness, bird of the sombre dress  
Sweet is thy trilling at the break of day.

High o'er the rocky dens where the fox is lurking  
High o'er the wooded glens where bright streamlets play  
Bird with the magic throat bird with the cadent note  
Sweet is thy trilling at the break of day.

Skyward thou fliest, thy mellow notes the highest  
Far above the mavis on his woodland spray  
Bird of the quivering wing, thou dost to the angels sing  
Sweet is thy trilling at the break of day.

Oh! had I thy pinions, then high o'er earths dominions  
Sweet little songster I'd join thee in thy lay  
And o'er the moorlands beauty, I would add to thine my duty  
In trilling forth their praises at the break of day.

208 1906

JUST ME

Now Spring once more returning bringeth gladness in her train  
Filling all around with beauty from the moorland to the plain  
Cold winter hath been vanquished from his raving we are free  
And everything rejoices except just me.

I listen to the laverock as he sweetly hails the dawn  
I watch the bright flowers springing on the dew bespangled lawn  
The swallows 'neath the pinewood are sporting in their glee  
And everything rejoices except just me.

I see the squirrel frolic 'mid the green woods' shady sprays  
I watch the lambkins gambol by the streamlets and the braes  
The butterfly is flitting o'er the daisy spangled lea  
And everything seems happy except just me.

I see the sunbeams flashing in their splendour on the rills  
As they leap from crag and cascade on their journey from the hills  
I listen to their laughter as they shout exultantly  
And everything seems cheerful except just me.

Oh weary laden mortal, why is thy heart so sad?  
When everything in Nature today is gay and glad  
Shall I tell thee little songbird shall I tell my tale to thee  
Why everything is joyous except just me.

I will tell thee little songster the secret of my woe  
Her once my summer sunshine in death is lying low  
Had it been thy little wifey who sings on yonder tree  
Thou too would have been pensive and sad like me.

210 1906

THE WHIRLING WHEELS

Summer time in its prime Nature all is joyous  
And there starts from our hearts feelings gay and buoyous  
Merrily we take the road on our horse of steel  
To revel in the pastime of the whirling whirling wheel.

On with joy abounding everything just right  
Grim old care confounding tyres inflated tight  
O'er the stonebound highway silently we steal  
Away from the noisy city on the whirling whirling wheel.

On through the sylvan valley over the moorland hill  
Where the sunbeams lightly kiss the laughing rill  
Listening to the songbirds Oh! what joys we feel  
As mounted astride we gaily ride on the whirling whirling wheel.

On through the rural village over the fertile plain  
Smiling 'neath its tillage then out on the fells again  
Where the gorse bush blooming its golden charms reveal  
As we ride along with a merry song on the whirling whirling wheel.

On where the hawthorn blossoms paint the hedgerows white  
On where Flora's garlands our searching eyes delight  
On where leafy arcades the summer's sky conceal  
And cast their shade o'er man and maid on the whirling whirling wheel.

Pedalling up the incline till we top the ridge  
Rushing the declivity o'er some rustic bridge  
Lungs and chest expanded hearts both light and leal  
Glorious victorious on the whirling whirling wheel.

Shades of evening gather lamps are burning bright  
Flashing road and hedgerows with their silvery light  
Friends and brother cyclists to you I appeal  
Is there not pleasure beyond measure on the whirling whirling wheel.

211 No date

TO THE CUCKOO - 1906

Mysterious bird again we hear  
Thy voice resounding loud and clear  
Thou tellest us that Summer's near  
. Cuckoo.

Thou'rt come across the ocean's foam  
Amid our hills and dales to roam  
And make with us thy Summer's home  
. Cuckoo.

The young and old thy coming mark  
To moorlands wild or sylvan park  
And gladly to thy calling hark  
. Cuckoo.

Yet though thou sing'st no melody  
Thy welcome voice is full of glee  
Whilst calling forth exultantly  
. Cuckoo.

Thou come'st to our sylvan bowers  
When they are rich with brightest flowers  
To revel in the sunny hours  
. Cuckoo.

According to our ancient lore.  
When first we hear thy note outpour  
Our coin for luck we must turn o'er  
. Cuckoo.

Maternal joys ne'er fill thy breast  
Thou builds thyself no little nest  
Nor are thy young by thee caressed  
. Cuckoo.

The tit-lark is thy close handmaid  
Her little home thou dost invade  
And in her nest thine egg is laid  
. Cuckoo.

On some bank side by grass o'erhung  
Tis she who bringeth forth thy young  
While from the nest her own are flung  
. Cuckoo.

E'er Summer's charms have passed away  
Thou bidest us again good day  
Because no longer thou canst say  
. Cuckoo.

212 Apr 1906

A PASTORAL SONG

I will sing you a song of the woodlands  
And the mountains so glorious and green  
Of the rivers which lave o'er the bright sands  
Through the valleys all smiling serene  
Of the music that sweetly is ringing  
From the birds as they sing in their glee  
Perched high o'er the ivy that's clinging  
Entwining the tall greenwood tree.

Men boast of the charms of the city  
But away with its din and its glare  
For unto the theme of my ditty  
It cannot it will not compare  
Then Ho! for the green vernal mountains  
And Ho! for the bright woodland glade  
Let mine be the clear gurgling fountains  
My arbour the white hawthorn's shade.

As I gaze on their grandeur and beauty  
And draw from their wonderful store  
It is no further burden to duty  
Each day that I love them the more  
Men have reared up their temples most glorious  
But to fall 'neath the strong hand of time  
Yet o'er him the hills stand victorious  
The work of their builder sublime.

'Mid these scenes pure joys most aboundeth  
Where Nature reigns gay and supreme  
Where no jarring note e'er confoundeth  
The melodious voice of the stream  
'Tis here that I ever could wander  
Amid all these beauties sublime  
And weave a sweet song to their grandeur  
Were a thousand years plus to my time.

For are there not riches unmeasured  
Oh! are there not gems bright and rare  
Far more than a king ever treasured  
Ah! yes far beyond all compare  
The dewdrops which shine in the morning  
Beglittering the green grassy stems  
And the flowers of sweet Flora's adorning  
Are they not the rarest of gems?

Here I've found a far richer jewel  
Than ever was set in a crown  
And should Fortune's hand strike me cruel  
I'll ne'er meet her fret with a frown  
Oh! rich is the man who hath found it  
'Tis a blessing by high Heaven sent  
As sages of old have expounded  
Tis the virtue of being content.

213 May 1906

SPRINGTIDE AND YOUTH

Through all the woods the virgin buds  
Are bursting into splendour  
From sprig and spray the livelong day  
The birds their praises render  
Their cadent notes low trembling floats  
Across the woodland rill  
While echo sweet in strain complete  
Throws back their joyful trill.

Through all the land sweet Flora's hand  
Bright garlands are bestrewing  
She plays her part with magic art  
Enriching and renewing  
O'er moorland fell through sylvan dell  
By babbling brook and stream  
Her feet hath trod the verdant sod  
With stately step and mein.

Youth like Springtime hath joys sublime  
When hopes like gay flowers springeth  
And life doth seem a pleasant dream  
Where radiant sunshine clingeth  
But 'tis a truth that Spring and Youth  
Long with us cannot stay  
Their bud their bloom falls 'neath the doom  
Of Winter cold and grey.

215 5 May 1906

KITTY

I stood beside a. grassy mound  
My bitter tears were falling  
Yet from them no relief I found  
While past gone days recalling.

My fancy winged its flight away  
On swift and easy pinion  
To when life was a summer's day  
And love held strong dominion.

I saw a pleasant woodland glade  
Where brightest flowers were springing  
Two happy lovers, man and maid  
Sat to each other clinging.

Love shone in their bright sparkling eyes  
As sacred vows were spoken  
Ah! little did they then surmise  
These vows would e'er be broken.

They had met here to say farewell  
For he must cross the ocean  
'Gainst duty love must not rebel  
But bow to its devotion.

The dreaded hour at last drew nigh  
That must these lovers sever  
With sadden'd heart and tearfilled eye  
They pledged themselves forever.

To other climes far o'er the deep  
He went as 'twas his duty  
Yet hid within his heart did keep  
The image of her beauty.

But ah! the maid unfaithful proved  
She listened to another  
Her sacred vows she far removed  
And her hearts love did smother.

He was a cruel heartless wretch  
Who led her to the altar  
And though he did her riches fetch  
Her heart in love did falter.

Two short sad years of wedded life  
Her bloom did fade and wither  
Then this poor young unhappy wife  
Was called to regions thither.

Sharp was the pang of grief to him  
Her first true-hearted lover  
The sunshine of his life grew dim  
Nor ever did recover.

And here today he sheds his tears  
Of sympathy and pity  
Ah! never through the flight of years  
Shall I forget thee Kitty.

216 6 May 1906

PURTY NORAH OF THE EMERALD ISLE SO GREEN

I will sing to you the praises of my charmer sweet and fair  
Whose cheeks are like the roses and golden is her hair  
Her eyes two deep blue violets shine in their lustrous sheen  
And her name is purty Norah from the emerald isle so green.

She used to kape her fathers cot and feed his cow and pig  
And nately and discrately she could dance an Irish jig  
At wake at market or at fair all smiling and serene  
Was purty little Norah from the emerald isle so green.

The first time that I met her 'twas at Balhooly fair  
She wore a wreath of shamrocks entwined amongst her hair  
She looked so nate and so complate just every inch a queen  
That I lost my heart to Norah from the emerald isle so green.

I stept up so gay and lightly and made to her my bow  
Says I my purty charmer I hope you'll me allow  
The pleasure of your company in a drop of rael poteen  
Indade I will cries Norah from the emerald isle so green.

I asked her lave to see her home she said she would be glad  
To have the welcome company of so fine an Irish lad  
Wid my shillalah 'neath my arm I walked with lordly mein  
By the side of purty Norah from the emerald isle so green.

When next again I met her 'twas at Pat Murphy's ball  
I asked her if she'd marry me, bedad she says I shall  
So off to Father Hinnigan's I went wid my coleen  
And he spliced me to sweet Norah from the emerald isle so green.

Now we've a cottage of our own and health to us is sint  
We kape a cow and gintleman that help to pay the rint  
And since the day that we were wed a happy man I've been  
Along wid purty Norah from the emerald isle so green.

217 1906

FISHING SONG (2)

By the flowing river  
Rod in hand we stray  
Trees o'erhead now wither  
For 'tis Autumn day  
Yet how grand and glorious  
Are the tinted woods  
And in strength victorious  
Salmon cut the floods.

Skies overhead are frowning  
West winds stir the trees  
Stagnant pools all crowning  
With an anglers breeze  
Birds now done with singing  
Pensive 'mid the boughs  
Which in Spring were ringing  
With their tuneful vows.

Casting line so lightly  
O'er the swirling stream  
Feeling gay and sprightly  
As we fondly dream  
Of the lordly fishes  
We expect to rise  
Suddenly one swishes  
Past our deadly flies.

There's no need to hurry  
Let him have a rest  
Stay all anxious worry  
Still the beating breast  
O'er him now cast careful  
Back a yard or two  
To the Naiads prayerful  
That they'll succour you.

A swish a swirl a pull  
We feel the line unwind  
With animation full  
Yet of an anxious mind  
Jumping rushing splashing  
His courage does not fail  
Into foam he's lashing  
The water with his tail.

Now our fish is tiring  
Up we reel our line  
Trusty rod admiring  
With its convex fine  
Now we feel elated  
Think we've got our prize  
Otherwise 'twas fated  
He's parted from our flies.

Do not be disheartened  
Lengthen out the line  
Though from him we parted  
Better luck next time  
Cast across the eddy  
Underneath yon stone  
Eye and wrist both ready  
Should he be at home.

Water scarcely moving  
A strong and steady pull  
Tingling nerves approving  
Disappointments lull  
We must do our duty  
Give O! give him line  
Never such a beauty  
Swam the famous Tyne.

Well O! well he battles  
Up and down the pool  
Making for the wattles  
Now again we rule  
Steadily we play him  
Get him well in hand  
Till at last we lay him  
On the shingle strand.

What a lordly beauty  
Scales like silver shine  
Rod did well its duty  
Gaff hook reel and line  
Oh! what sport can measure  
With the anglers art  
Oh! what sport can treasure  
Such joys in the heart.

218 29 May 1906

AN EVENING MUSE

The vale lay hushed in calm and peaceful rest  
The evening sky smiled placid and serene  
Whilst lingering suntints in the distant West  
Shone on the mountain tops so emerald green  
The twilight deepened and did fade  
The daisie closed its eye and went to sleep  
And dreamy shadows filled the flow'ry glade  
Whilst o'er the forest hung nights mantle deep.

A star peeped out amidst the azure sky  
Then silently appeared its shining brother  
Whilst lingering in a last embrace on high  
The virgin moon clung to her dying mother  
A ghostly owl the hallowed stillness broke  
And filled the forest with an eerie sound  
The mocking ravine back its answer spoke  
As if it were a wild enchanted ground.

The corncrake called amidst the vernal meads  
The curlew wakeful seemed upon the fells  
The redshank piped among the sedgy reeds  
The cunning fox prowled through the moorland dells  
The cascade in the distant mountain burn  
Sang clear its silvery music to the night  
A hare did silent from the pathway turn  
And sought the fields with scarlet clover bright.

Amidst these scenes a humble poet strayed  
And drank from all these wondrous sights and sounds  
As in their turn they each to him conveyed  
The thoughts which Nature to the thinking mind propounds  
And as he gazed upon the gleaming spheres  
He felt his spirit wafted far away  
To when old time was in his infant years  
Yea to the dawn of earth's remotest day.

And out of chaos came a strong command  
Let there be light, let the dry land appear  
Than forth was stretched a great Almighty Hand  
And in its place fixed each revolving sphere  
Then to his mind a deep conviction came  
Dark doubt beside his foot did crumbling fall  
With reverence he bowed to God's most holy name  
Who is the Author and the Font of all.

220 2 June 1906

THE UNKNOWN

The rain came down in torrents  
The wind blew strong, and cold  
As o'er the moorland came a man  
Dejected weak and old.

His unkempt hair hung dripping down  
His beard swept o'er his breast  
His faltering footsteps seemed to seek  
Some welcome place to rest.

His dimm'd old eyes looked anxiously  
Across the storm swept moor  
In search of some lone shepherd's cot  
Where shelter would be sure.

Still fast and faster fell the rain  
And stronger blew the wind  
But ne'er a place of refuge could  
This weary traveller find.

Fainter he grew his shrunken form  
Was numbed with cold and rain  
Alternate hope within him died  
Then sprung to life again.

At last exhausted he did fall  
Upon the sodden ground  
And feebly did call for aid  
But heard no answering sound.

My God, he cried shall I die here  
Beneath these angry skies  
With no one near to succour me  
Or close my sightless ayes.

I've served my country and my king  
In regions o'er the sea  
But never did I think that thus  
Grim death should come to me.

Oh! Mother had you known the boy  
You reared in luxury  
Would die a lonely beggar man  
'Twould caused you misery.

If from that far mysterious clime  
Thy spirit now can roam  
Then may it come to me tonight  
And lead the wanderer home.

Delirious he now became  
He thought himself a boy  
Again he heard his mother's voice  
His lace was wreathed with joy.

The monarch of the grave rode past  
Unmerciful was he  
Yet as he took away his life  
He set his spirit free.

Next morning on the lonely moor  
His rigid corpse was found  
And now he fills a pauper's grave  
Within the burial ground.

Unknown, unhonoured and unwept  
One whom the world reviled  
But though his is a nameless grave  
He yet was someones child.

221 No date

SONNET

Dear little songster in the grove  
How sweet thou sing'st thine evening lay  
Hast thou forgot how hard thou strove  
Against the cold and wintry day  
Now love awakes thy power of song  
And bringeth gladness to thine heart  
Thou'll build thy little nest ere long  
And nobly fill a mothers part  
O! could my heart awake like thine  
To share with thee Springs vernal charms  
But it is dark as deepest mine  
And filled with many black alarms  
Oh! come sweet Springtide to my soul  
And back my load of sorrows roll.

222 6 Jun 1906

TO THE MAIDEN WITH WHITE FIRE LADEN  
WHOM MORTALS CALL THE MOON

Sweet Phoebe maid who reigns aloft  
Amid the star bespangled skies  
Thou shed'st thy beams divinely soft  
Upon the world that 'neath thee lies.

Thou gildest oceans lakes and streams  
With thy bright glad transparent light  
And o'er the mountains casts thy beams  
Thou Queen and Empress of the night

Darkness and gloom before thee fly  
When thou dost mount thy regal throne  
Whilst on thee many a wondering eye  
Would fain know of thee what's unknown.

223 No date

TO SUMMER

My love where hast thou tarried, why hast thou lingered  
Anxiously have I looked and sorrowed for thee long  
With saddened hearts have all thy minstrels waited  
And kept for thee the mellow tribute of their song.

The infant flowers have longed for thy sweet sunshine  
Their unnurtured buds and petals to expand  
And all the trees have stood in glad expectation  
To feel the wondrous working of thy magic hand.

But at last thou'rt come my love, the paragon of beauty  
In all thy magnificence, thy splendour and thy pride  
Bedeckt in thy rich robes, adorned with priceless jewels  
Peerless and smiling as a fair young queenly bride.

224 9 Jun 1906

THE RIVER TYNE

'Mid heather bells, and mossy fells  
On yon romantic mountains  
To life there starts, then onward darts  
Fed by ten thousand fountains  
A little stream whose pleasing theme  
Shall form this song of mine  
With joy I hail the lovely vale  
Where flows the river Tyne.

Her infant feet, with pleasure sweet  
'Mid pastoral scenes first wander  
And dance and play the livelong day  
'Mid Nature's wildest grandeur  
Where laverocks sing upon the wing  
Their melodies divine  
And dippers dream along the stream  
Of the young river Tyne.

Past many a farm she casts her charm  
And pleasant rural village  
By fertile plain where golden grain  
Springs 'neath a smiling tillage  
Through sylvan bowers where choicest flowers  
In regal splendour shine  
In majesty and peacefully  
Flows on the river Tyne.

Past many a Hall her waters fall  
And many a lordly Manor  
Where there has dwelt and still there dwells  
A princely entertainer  
Past ancient tower that in the hour  
Of warfare and rapine  
Stood many a siege from lord and liege  
Upon the river Tyne.

The mountains green the pastoral scene  
She soon leaves far behind  
And flows mid strife, and busy life  
Created by mankind  
The ring of steel, the whistle's peel  
Their clarion notes combine  
While ships traverse with rich commerce  
The noble river Tyne.

'Twixt shore and shore 'mid clang and roar  
From toils strong muscled arm  
Mid smoke and grime from every clime  
Her ocean greyhounds swarm  
Where Tynemouth Bar stands wide ajar  
She mingles with the brine  
And in the sea's immensity  
Is lost the river Tyne.

226 June 1906

TO JUNE

Fair Princess of the lunar train  
That speeds along the passing year  
In joy we hail thee once again  
With buoyant hearts leal and sincere.

Tis thou who bringest garlands bright  
Thine are the robes of deepest green  
Thy sunbeams fade in golden light  
And gild the morn with lustrous sheen.

Thine is the magic hand to light  
The wild rose to its brightest glow  
Thou deckest in its ermine white  
The hawthorn tree like scented snow.

Thou bringest us the Summer's prime  
Thy breath the mingling scents of flowers  
All Nature joins the happy rhyme  
Of mellow minstrels 'mid thy bowers.

But Ah! sweet Princess thou shalt fade  
Thy skies grow grey, the wild winds croon  
And dirge thy withered flowers and glade  
In Autumn's closing afternoon.

227 10 July 1906

RESTFUL NIGHT

I come I come over hill and plain  
On silent sable pinions  
O'er all the world is my flag unfurled  
And I reign o'er its vast dominions.

I bring sweet peace to the weary brain  
And rest to the hand of labour  
To the sick of heart I soothe the part  
That's been pierced by sorrow's sabre.

I bring sweet sleep to the heavy eyes  
Tired Nature's great restorer  
I lull her to rest on my peaceful breast  
And throw my mantle o'er her.

I bring sweet dreams from the mystic shore  
Whose guardian angel's bendeth  
And watcheth the smile of the infant while  
They its midnight hours attendeth.

At the break of day I flee away  
And leave no trace behind me  
And no searching eye howe'er much it try  
Can know where to seek and find me.

228 16 July 1906

IN THE STEPS OF "IZAAK"

A dull grey sky  
A westward breeze  
Stirring the foliage  
On the trees  
Where songbirds  
Chant their melodies.

With rod in hand  
I joyfully hie  
Unto the river  
Flowing by  
To cast thereon  
My luring fly.

The palmer red  
The woodcock wing  
And Greenwalls glory  
Round I swing  
Each to the fish  
Temptation bring.

Success is mine  
With cunning hand  
I bring the beauties  
To the land  
For mine's indeed  
A magic wand.

Heavy and heavier  
Grows the creel  
Until at length  
The shadows stea1  
And then my line  
I inward reel.

Homeward \- to bed,  
I fondly dream  
Of fishes, and  
A murmuring stream  
And taste again  
Of joys supreme.

229 20 July 1906

DAY DREAMS BESIDE THE BURN

Beside yon winding mountain stream  
Beneath its birchen cool arcade  
How often have I sat to dream  
As on its sparkling waters played.

And back again to me have come  
Sweet memories of the long ago  
And voices that have long been dumb  
Came whispering to me, soft and low.

And born of Fancy peeled the shout  
Of merry laughter and of glee  
Which made me look around in doubt  
If it were real or fantasy.

The pools that to my childish eyes  
Once looked so large and wondrous deep  
No longer fill me with surprise  
Nor are the rugged rocks so steep.

The little fishes in the stream  
That once were big as mighty whales  
I now know was a boyish dream  
They weigh but ounces in the scales.

The trees that to my fancy looked  
As if they mingled with the sky  
Now seem quite stunted small and crooked  
Scare more than twenty paces high.

The leaps we took from rock to rock  
We thought so wondrous great and wide  
Which gave to heart and nerves a shock  
I now take at an easy stride.

But yet the purple foxgloves grow  
As they were wont in days of yore  
And dragonflies flit to and fro  
On gauzy wings along the shore.

The heather still bedecks the scene  
And honeysuckle scents the air  
The bracken springs up strong and green  
The spleenwort and the maidenhair.

But past have gone sweet childhood's days  
Ah! never, never to return  
Yet round the past fond memory plays  
Beside the wimpling mountain burn.

230 23 July 1906

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Yesterday thou roamed with me  
O'er the purple mountains  
And the sparkle of thine eyes  
Caught the silver fountains  
Yesterday thou promised me  
Always true thy love should be.

Where the heather caught the glint  
Of the sunset's splendour  
There thou promised to be mine  
Coyishly and tender  
But today thy love is dead  
Happiness hath from me fled.

Plaintively I wander now  
For thy lost love sighing  
Winter reigns within my heart  
Happiness defying  
Never more shall trouble cease  
Until death shall me release.

231 4 Aug 1906

A BROKEN HEART

Beneath a wealth of chestnut hair  
Looked out two dreamy deep blue eyes  
Her face was sad though wondrous fair  
Whose features I did analyze.

They told me of a sorrow deep  
Pervading through her heart and soul  
Which time can never backward sweep  
Nor make that wounded spirit whole.

Yet silently she bears her cross  
No murmur e'er escapes her lips  
While strongest billows rave and toss  
And deeper down her frail bark dips.

Sometimes a glistening tear doth fall  
Anon she heaves a heavy sigh  
For past gone days beyond recall  
When love and hope were beating high.

Hers is a secret that she hides  
Deep down within her broken heart  
Yet never she the false wretch chides  
Who pierced her with so sharp a dart.

232 6 Aug 1906

THE TRIAL

He

Fair maid and would'st thou leave me thus  
Mine eyes bedimmed with tears  
What have I done that thou should'st break  
The binding link of years.

Thy love I prized far more than life  
And fondly hoped it was mine own  
Oh! do not tell me that thy heart  
Has bleak and cold as winter grown.

Thou wert the fountain of my joys  
Thou wert my sunshine every hour  
Thy voice I heard in every bird  
Thy beauty shone in every flower.

What bliss was mine to roam with thee  
When moonbeams on the river shone  
To watch the lovelight in thine eyes  
And press my lips upon thine own.

Oh! cruel maid how canst thou change  
From summers heat to winter's cold  
How can thy heart now prove so base  
That once was pure as brightest gold.

She

Ah! sweetheart dry away those tears  
I have but tried that love of thine  
I am not false tis thou alone  
Who reignest in this heart of mine.

234 28 Aug 1906

AUTUMN

Of the beauties of the Springtide, let other poets sing  
When all the happy songbirds, make sweetest carols ring  
But give to me the Autumn, when the mountains grandly loom  
Towards the clear blue awning, when the heather's in its bloom.

The Summer hath its beauties, richly decked with brightest flower  
When the woodlands in their splendour, form cooling shady bowers  
And every green tree waving, rears its glorious leafy plume  
Yet I better love the Autumn, when the heather's in its bloom.

How grand the Autumn sunsets, o'er the deep empurpled wold  
As Phoebus sinks reclining, on his shimmering couch of gold  
When his last sweet parting glances, the mountains crest illume  
In the ripe and mellow Autumn, when the heather's in its bloom.

Oh Autumn plenteous Autumn, how debonair art thou  
Ripe fruit and golden barley, form a tiara for thy brow  
Triumphant the dark mountains, shake off their hanging gloom  
And bid thee gladly welcome, when the heather's in its bloom.

But Ah! thy reign is transient, thou canst not linger here  
And after thee comes frowning, grim Winter cold and drear  
Yet as I watch the snowflakes, from within my cosy room  
I'll long for thee sweet Autumn, when the heather's in its bloom.

235 6 Sept 1906

EXPERTO CREDE

This once was an Eden of joy and of peace  
With the sunshine of love brightly shining  
But ere had come noonday dark clouds did increase  
And left me in sadness repining.

For her whom I loved ah! far dearer than life  
Fell 'neath the cold hand of the reaper  
And left me to weep o'er the loss of a wife  
With a sorrow each day growing deeper.

Now lowly she lies in the cold silent grave  
And stoney and hard in her pillow  
But her spirit hath passed o'er the Jordan's dark wave  
Surmounting the storm and the billow.

Earths beauties are gone ah! I seek them in vain  
All dejected and sad as I wander  
'Twere folly to think, that I'll e'er know again  
The joys of their wonderful grandeur.

Now nightly to moan my dark cavern I seek  
'Mid the haunts of despair and of sorrow  
Where no whispering Angels of comfort e'er speak  
Their hopes of a brighter tomorrow.

Then come thou pale Monarch, why lingering stand  
'Twas thou who my fairest flower blighted  
I seek thy embrace, for again by thy hand  
Through death we should be reunited.

236 No date

A MOORLAND MAIDEN

She was a queen of beauty  
And reigned amid the hills  
A paragon of duty  
As she trod by the rills  
All in the dewy morning  
While bringing home the kye  
When Phoebus first gave warning  
That his approach was nigh.

Unshod unstockinged were her feet  
Her dress she carried high  
Her voice poured forth an anthem sweet  
With the glad lark to vie  
Her eyes shone like the glittering pearls  
She brushed from off the lea  
Her golden tresses waved in curls  
Like as the sunlit sea,

Her step was unconstrained and light  
As the fleet bounding roe  
Her bosom pure and ermine white  
As Greenlands pearly snow  
Unknown to her the artful charms  
Of fashions guileful maid  
Her upturned sleeves showed dimpled arms  
Though sunburnt was their shade.

As innocent and pure was she  
As any mountain lamb  
That ever trod the daisied lea  
Behind its watchful dam  
With the bright pinkest heather bell  
Her laughing cheeks did vie  
Forget-me-nots that deck the dell  
Were pictured in her eye.

The faithful collie at her side  
Was growing old and grey  
Which when a puppy in his pride  
With her did romp and play  
Ten years had gone and she a child  
A lovely maid had grown  
No sweeter nymph had ever smiled  
Amid the mountains lone.

Ah! fair sweet rosebud of the hills  
Long may thy charms endure  
Thy joys flow constant as the rills  
Thy heart be aye as pure  
Oh! may that power who watcheth all  
Still thee from harm defend  
And unto thee I pray it shall  
Abundant blessings send.

237 13 Oct 1906

AN AMOUR OR A MOORLAND COURTSHIP

The shades of evening gathered round  
The rugged Carter's lofty crest  
While golden suntints gaily crowned  
The distant hills far in the West  
As on there sped a shepherd swain  
Well mounted on his iron steed  
Whose heart was light and free from pain  
As he looked down the vale of Reed.

And as he gaily on did ride  
Still near and nearer came the goal  
Where his sweet charmer did reside  
Whom well he loved with heart and soul  
His steed he stabled 'neath a wall  
And up the winding glen he went  
Night hung around its sable pall  
O'er rocky dell and springing bent.

Soon in the distance he espied  
A twinkling ray of golden light  
Which aid his lightsome footsteps guide  
Amid the darkness of the night  
He crossed the burn and climbed the hill  
And soon enfolding in his arms  
He felt anew love's happy thrill  
Whilst holding his sweet Jeannies charms.

Upon her lips he prest a kiss  
And watched her blushes come and go  
While drinking from his cup of bliss  
That nectar lovers only know  
And while around the fire they sat  
She nestling sweetly at his side  
He softly the fair cheeks did pat  
Of her his pledged and plighted bride.

Too soon the happy hours flew past  
The night gave place to early dawn  
The sun his foremost glances cast  
Upon the dew bespangled lawn  
Whilst hand in hand they slowly strayed  
Adown the newly wakened glen  
She felt indeed a joyous maid  
And he the happiest of men.

The newly risen lark sang sweet  
Unto his mate a song of love  
Enravishing with joy complete  
The earth beneath the sky above  
Whilst they in locked embrace stood there  
To take their loving last adieu  
And offer up to Heaven a prayer  
To keep them to each other true.

Their lips did meet their hands did clasp  
They parted by the winding burn  
He loving glances backward cast  
And promised soon he would return  
Again he climbed the lofty height  
And looking back upon the scene  
He blest that happy happy night  
He spent with his sweet loving Jean.

238 13 Oct 1906

A LITTLE BIT OF BLUE

In life's onward journey oft with sorrow prest  
We grow weak and weary saddened and oppressed  
But amid the darkness always keep in view  
That there may be somewhere a little bit of blue.

Adversity may strike us with its angry blast  
And our noonday splendour become overcast  
Tempests howl around us rains may drench us through  
Yet keep ever looking for a little bit of blue.

Though today no sunshine casts on us its beam  
Yet perhaps tomorrow we may catch its gleam  
Shun all dark forebodings they'll not succour you  
Better far keep looking for a little bit of blue.

Always do your duty put your trust in God  
Ask Him still to guide you in the upward road  
Unto him who trusteth He is ever true  
And keep always looking for a little bit of blue.

239 27 Oct 1906

GUARD WELL THE TONGUE

Guard well the tongue, and ever please remember  
If let run wild 'tis an unruly member  
Bitter ah! bitter are the words it can repeat  
And as wild bees' honey are its accents sweet.

By its great power it can make the heart to sing  
Yet beneath it is hid the wasp's sharp sting  
Lives it can embitter, households divide  
Hearts cut asunder as the poles are wide.

It can heal the wounded spirit that it may have rent  
By an unkind word that the heart ne'er meant  
Oh! deceitful and cunning is its serpents guile  
It can draw the tear it can win the smile.

'Tis a power for good, 'tis a power for ill  
Which can be used at its owner's will  
Then guard the tongue Oh! guard it well  
It can make life Heaven it can make life hell.

240 29 Oct 1906

SONNET

There comes unto this earth a peaceful time  
When Natures voices all are hushed and still  
When songbirds cease their mellow rhyme  
And silent is the rippling music of the rill.

'Tis when the evening shadows silent creep  
And Night on sable pinions hovers oer  
When mortals woo the drowsy god of sleep  
Their jaded energies and bodies to restore.

Serene and tranquil comes the evenings rest  
Forgotten all the trials that may heavily press  
In sweet forgetfulness is calmed the troubled breast  
And peace is crowned amid nights quietness.

How sweet it is in dreamlands clime to dwell  
For he who sleepeth it is with him well.

242 4 April 1906

TO "JOSEPH" IN ANSWER TO AN ATTACK ON FOX HUNTING

Dear Brother of the clinking rhyme  
With name that's linked with ancient time  
A name that once in Egypts prime  
. Held powerful sway  
And is in dear old Britain's clime  
. Well known today.

Joseph of old delt large in corn  
Joseph today with plaint forlorn  
Sings decry to the huntsmans horn  
. And sport at large  
While filled with wrath and swelled with scorn  
. He makes his charge.

And on my poor uncultured muse  
He pours his vials of abuse  
'Twas he who did the battle choose  
. And delt the blow  
So now my good sword I unloose  
. To smite the foe.

If reynard has the right to stray  
And on our flocks and herds to prey  
Then Sir to you I straightway say  
. Such right has man  
The prowling thief to justly slay  
. When e'er he can.

If foxes Sir were never killed  
Our Borderland would soon be filled  
With demons that are doubly skilled  
. In cunning sleight  
And by them guiltless blood be spilled  
. Both day and night.

They'd steal our chickens ducks and hens  
They'd steal our young lambs from the pens  
They'd stalk our moorgame on the fens  
. As well you know it  
And even might devour who kens  
. Some tough old "Poet".

I'm not a man that's fond of blood  
I love the songsters of the wood  
The swallows skimming o'er the flood  
. The squirrel free  
But thinned I say Sir foxes should  
. And needs must be.

But let me Sir you undeceive  
And speedily your mind relieve  
No longer for poor reynard grieve  
. For still he lives  
Fresh depredations to achieve  
. When chance him gives.

'Twas phantom dog s who found his place  
'Twas phantom horseman rode the race  
I make confession with best grace  
. And claim excuses  
For Sir it was a bloodless chase  
. Born of the Muses.

While sitting by my ingles glow  
'Twas they who shrill the horn did blow  
'Twas they who raised the tally-ho  
. As reynard f1ed  
'Twas they who whispered soft and low  
. That he was dead.

Now Joseph friend when next brave Jake  
Doth o'er the Borders his dogs take  
Faith Sir, but you may justly quake  
. They'll take your scent  
And if they catch you by their shake  
. You'll know what's meant.

But Jimmy swears that he will strive  
To catch you if he can alive  
This Sir he thinks he can contrive  
. And feel the merrier  
And on you train to tear and rive  
. Some young fox terrier.

Long may our Nimrods hail the morn  
Long may they wind the hunting horn  
Yea though it fill a poet with scorn  
. What does it matter  
Like magpies such I fear are born  
. Men prone to chatter.

245 11 July 1906

MISTER TOM McGUIRE

Cone all my jolly comrades  
I'll sing to you a song  
And if you will attention pay  
I shant detain you long  
'Tis of a man well known to you  
And one we all admire  
A citizen of Glasgow town  
Named Mister T. McGuire.

Tom is a man of many parts  
Who well can drink a glass  
Dance a jig mow a rig  
Or cuddle a sweet lass  
Build a dyke fork a pike  
A man you cannot tire  
As tough as steel and true and leal  
Is Mister T. McGuire.

A gallant soldier in his day  
Our comrade Tom hath been  
And faced the hissing cannon balls  
For Country and for Queen  
To roll of drum, in battles hum  
Midst warfares bloody ire  
In martial strife was risked the life  
Of Mister T. McGuire.

A bachelor Tom yet remains  
But he is willing still  
To marry any decent lass  
Who will not cross his will  
A better husband I am sure  
No woman could desire  
Than the brave hero of my song  
Bold Mister T. McGuire.

Just like the swallows Thomas comes  
Along with the fine weather  
He loves to scent the moorland breeze  
As it blows from the heather  
Before the wintry day blows cold  
To town he doth retire  
Where snug and warm and free from harm  
Lives Mister T. McGuire.

Then fill your glasses every one  
Up to the very brim  
And let us all right merrily  
Drink a good health to him  
And let us hope we yet may see  
Sons of a worthy sire  
Who'll bear the name and win the fame  
Of Mister T. McGuire.

247 1 Aug 1906

BILLY'S WOOING

A Scotchman bold was Billy Hall  
By trade a. roadstone breaker  
In politics - Conservative  
In church affairs a Quaker.

He long had loved a charming girl  
Who was a regular beauty  
But in the matrimonial line  
He had failed in his duty.

But something happened which at once  
Did quicken Willie's wooing  
And made him seek his dear adored  
With billing and with cooing.

He met her 'neath the shady birks  
In Jed's fair sylvan valley  
Where hand in hand confidently  
They down the glen did sally.

She told him that she soon must go  
And leave him far behind her  
But though from him she'd distant be  
True love to him would bind her.

Poor Willie felt his heart grow sad  
And cried my darling jewel  
Oh! if you were to leave me thus  
Indeed it would be cruel.

In three weeks time if you agree  
I'll meet you at the altar  
And happy dear we'll ever be  
Our love shall never falter.

There is my hand my own she cried  
My heart is yours forever  
And may our happiness flow on  
As constant as the river.

He kissed her red ripe rosy lips  
So sweetly and so tender  
And swore his greatest joy should be  
Henceforward to defend her.

No longer in inactive state  
Did happy Willie linger  
But speedily bought the wedding ring  
For his adored one's finger.

His bridal garments he bespoke  
Likewise a tall silk topper  
Just of the pattern that is worn  
By comic "Ally Sloper".

The marriage bells chimed gladly out  
Upon a bright June morning  
While bride and bridegroom went to church  
In all their gay adorning.

Bridesmaid and groomsman stood around  
Their vows were quickly plighted  
Congratulations to them flowed  
From friends all much delighted.

All in a spanking coach and four  
With bagpipes loudly skirling  
The happy pair then took the road  
North, to the town of Stirling.

Around the daintily laden board  
Midst jollity and laughter  
Their healths were drunkand all did wish  
Them happiness hereafter.

248 9 Aug 1906

THE LATEST BORDER RAID

'Twas on one Sunday morning  
In the month of fair July  
The sun was shining brightly  
From a clear unclouded sky  
As from the town of Elsdon  
North westward there essayed  
A gallant little army  
For to ride a Border raid.

Up through the vale of Redesdale  
They speedly made their way  
Each warrior's eye shone brightly  
With martial fire that day  
Fierce slogans wild resounded  
And their standard was displayed  
While with clarion note the bugle  
Led this famous Border raid.

As from the lofty Carter  
They viewed the scene below  
Their gallant Captain cried behold  
The land where dwells the foe  
Who slew our father's fathers  
And on their cattle preyed  
Now on them we'll have vengeance  
In this famous Border raid.

Down through the Jed's fair valley  
They silently did glide  
Each warrior gripped his broad sword  
As it hung by his side  
But the god of war was cruel  
And falsely them betrayed  
As he brought them sore disaster  
In this famous Border raid.

When nearing Camptown's village  
Low lying in the glen  
There suddenly burst on them  
A band of armed men  
Who quickly them surrounded  
From a cunning ambuscade  
And took the company prisoners  
Of this famous Border raid.

They brought then to their trial  
But judged them leniently  
Except their noble Captain  
Whom they doomed to the tree  
His earnest pleading was in vain  
Though humbly he prayed  
That they would take a ransom  
In this famous border raid.

Have mercy O! have mercy  
And grant to me my life  
Think on my little children  
And my beloved wife  
But the Scotchmen were obdurate  
And would not be gainsayed  
So they hanged the gallant Captain  
Of this famous Border raid.

Farewell, farewell my comrades  
Were his parting words to all  
See the ancient town of Elsdon  
Again I never shall  
But bear you back my body  
So that it be lowly laid  
In the old churchyard at Elsdon  
From this famous Border raid.

They bore him back to Elsdon  
And laid him to his rest  
A whiskey bottle on each side  
His good sword on his breast  
And on a slab of marble  
Deep chiselled are portrayed  
The deeds of Captain Telfer  
In this famous Border raid.

In the old tap room at Elsdon  
As comrades gather round  
They drink his immortal mem'ry  
With rev'rance profound  
While every eye is moistened  
Ana many a vow is made  
That they yet shall be avenged  
On this famous Border raid.

249 13 Aug 1906

AMONG THE HAY

See young Jockie 'mong the hay  
Shy young Jenny squeezes  
How she squeals but lawk-a-day  
It the lassie pleases.

Next upon her rosy lips  
He imprints his kisses  
Blushingly she from him slips  
Yet some more she wishes.

Round the pikes of new trailed hay  
Now their tea they're drinking  
Some sly lad in roguish way  
At his lass is winking.

Merrily the song and jest  
Lightens all their labour  
Each one trying at his best  
To outwork his neighbour.

Quickly up the neat pikes go  
And the ropes are tightened  
Provender when with the snow  
All the fields are whitened.

And when comes the winter night  
There will be some courting  
Which began in broad daylight  
'Mid the hayfield's sporting.

253 17 Dec 1906

THE LASS OF COQUETSIDE

There lives a lass on Coquetside  
Wha's onything but bonnie  
Yet she wad like tae be a bride  
Could she but fin' a Johnnie.

Her een are black as Hareshaw coal  
Her hair dark as the raven  
She hirples on each corny sole  
As if she had the spavin.

She has a wart on her left cheek  
Anither on her right an'  
And frae her noose there is a leak  
That keeps her busy dightin'.

Her mooth gapes like a hemmel e'e  
Sax o' her teeth are missin'  
No' just the thing it seems tae me  
Ye wad be fond o' kissin'.

Upon her chin she has a beard  
Her lips are thick and hairy  
Mair like a witch I'm raither feard  
Than a sweet winsome fairy.

Her face is shrunken and her skin  
As buttercups is yellow  
No' just the kind o' lass tae win  
Some handsome smart young fellow.

Her nose is of the Roman mold  
And on it many a pimple  
And with her tongue she is a scold  
Although you'd think her simple.

Her waist is like a streinding post  
That stands baith straight and siccar  
Her laughter wild resembles most  
A wanton horse's nicker.

Her airms are lang and verra thin  
A' wuzzened up and wrinkled  
Her hands a bunch o' dried up skin  
Like pudden cloots a' crinkled.

Her voice is harsh and unrefined  
Just like a whinstone crusher  
Her singing like the howling wind  
That in the storm doth usher.

She dresses in the latest style  
Her hats and goons are stunnin'  
Sent down to her far mony a mile  
Right frae the toon o' Lun'on.

Amang the man she plays her part  
A regular kiss-me-quicker  
But yet I fear wie a' her art  
She's gan tae be a sticker.

But for a' different kinds o' cloot  
There is a matching trimmin'  
And whiles a' think withoot a doot  
It is sae wie the wimmin.

254 25 Oct 1906

MY OWN LOVING JEAN

The Summer had passed and the Autumn was mellow  
As forth I did wander one fair peaceful e'en  
When down in yon glen as the twilight was fading  
I first met that jewel my own loving Jean.

We plighted our vows 'neath the sear yellow branches  
As the full moon arose in her beauty serene  
The pale silent witness of that happy meeting  
'Twixt I and that sweet one my own loving Jean.

She's dearer to me than this whole world's riches  
My heart bears me witness she reigns there my queen  
Exulting with joy and in love for my treasure  
It shall ever beat true to my own loving Jean.

Old friendships may pass 'tis a world of changes  
Dear ones may go as they never had been  
But the love is unchangeless undying eterna1  
That reigns in this heart for my own loving Jean.

The lark may forget his sweet song in the morning  
The mavis sit mute in yon deep wooded Dene  
But a traitor I'd be if for one single moment  
I slighted the charms of my own loving Jean.

255 3 Nov 1906

AT THE CLOSING OF THE DAY

O! its fine to climb the mountains  
When the evening sun is low  
And to watch the smiling fountains  
Catch up his golden glow  
O! its fine to climb the mountains  
And to watch the young lambs play  
With many a graceful gambol  
At the closing of the day.

O! its fine to climb the mountains  
In their quiet peaceful mein  
And to gaze upon the grandeur  
Of their many shades of green  
To revel in the beauty  
Of the heather bright and gay  
And to list the skylark singing  
At the closing of the day.

O! its fine to climb the mountains  
With their gold capped sunlit crests  
As the curlews sink to slumber  
On their treasured lowly nests  
And the peewits loudly crying  
Tries to lead you far astray  
In parental love and duty  
At the closing of the day.

O! its fine to climb the mountains  
In their dreamy solitude  
And to watch the dark rocks frowning  
In their grandeur wild and rude  
To in fancy hear the tumult  
Of the slogan or the fray  
Which often woke their stillness  
At the closing of the day.

Then give to me the mountains  
Those sweet dreamlands of peace  
On a quiet Summer's evening  
From care to seek release  
And if the Muses whisper  
Their favours I'll repay  
With a garland from the mountains  
At the closing of the day.

257 12 Nov 1906

THE SONS OF TOIL

O! the horny hands of the sons of toil  
Are old Englands power and might  
The toilers of the fruitful soil  
And by forge fires blazing bright  
Their sinewy arms and their clanging blows  
To this land of ours its wealth bestows.

O! the blistered hands of the sons of toil  
And their grimed brows damped with sweat  
Round mighty cauldrons that hiss and boil  
Uphold many a coronet  
Yet what is the portion that toil bestows  
A youth of want and an age of woes.

O! the trembling hands of the sons of toil  
Grown feeble by old age  
Though they laboured hard yet unshared the spoil  
That did their strength engage  
Wounded in spirit bent in frame  
They pass to the earth from which they came.

258 12 Nov 1906

FAREWELL DEAR PHYLLIS FARE THEE WELL

Dear Phyllis shall we say farewell  
And must it be forever  
Shall I for thee my true love quell  
If here our ways must sever  
Ah! no dear loved one thou shalt be  
What thou hast always been to me.

How canst thou break the binding tie  
And leave me to my mourning  
Sad and dejected till I die  
My deepest love thus scorning  
Oh1 tell me not that time shall heal  
The pain my inmost heart doth feel.

All, all my joy in life hath fled  
And pensively shall I repine  
No ray of sunshine hope shall shed  
Within this broken heart of mine  
Deep, deep my portion of distress  
And full my cup of bitterness.

Ah! must it be then fare thee well  
And should we never meet again  
Oh! let sometimes thy fancies dwell  
On him who loved thee but in vain  
And who shall worship thee afar  
His beautiful though frigid star.

259 29 Nov 1906

BENEATH THE WAVE

They sleep beneath the ocean's wave  
Old Englands gallant sons  
Those dauntless men, those heroes brave  
Who manned our thundering guns.

The ocean that they loved so well  
Now rocks them to their rest  
Each gentle wave, each rising swell  
Sweeps o'er their manly breast.

In life our Empire they upheld  
'Gainst many a powerful foe  
And years hath not the laurels quelled  
Of those now sleeping low.

Time from our hearts can ne'er efface  
Their deeds of valour done  
Each well fought action still we trace  
Each glorious victory won.

Imperishable shall live their fame  
As centuries grow old  
Immortal be the glorious name  
Of Britain's sailors bold.

260 14 Nov 1906

THE HAPPY STREAM

A little stream ran on its way  
Amid the moorlands grandeur  
In pleasure sweet its nimble feet  
Right merrily did wander.

'Twixt bank and bank it swept along  
With many a swirl and dimple  
And o'er the lynn made merry din  
And through the pools did wimple.

Down through the dell its waters ran  
With shouts of merry laughter  
And as it sped and onward fled  
Fresh volleys followed after.

Neath shady boughs of birchen trees  
With trailing ivy clinging  
From laughter free then in its glee  
It took to sweetly singing.

Then out beneath the trees again  
The sunbeams on it glancing  
With witching grace it changed its pace  
From running into dancing.

And who made music as it danced  
None other than the dipper  
To whose strains sweet, went nimble feet  
In many a fairy slipper.

With dance and song and laughter free  
It dreameth not of sorrow  
While lasts today 'tis blythe and gay  
And calmly waits tomorrow.

O! happy little mountain stream  
As I gaze on thy beauty  
Thou speakst to me of what should be  
To man his daily duty.

Like thee we have our course to run  
Like thee we should be cheerful  
Nor let dull care come unaware  
To make us sad and tearful.

262 8 Dec 1906

FAIR LUCY

Fair Lucy queen of womankind  
Thy many charms enchant me  
Thy nymphlike form thy dreamy eyes  
Amid my visions haunt me.

Before we met this heart of mine  
Ne'er of true love had tasted  
But one regret oftimes I feel  
O'er years without thee wasted.

Each time we meet I love thee more  
And bless the day I met thee  
If e'er our ways should sundered be  
I never will forget thee.

The sun calls forth the slumbering flowers  
The moon attracts the ocean  
But ah! sweet Lucy thou alone  
Draws forth my hearts devotion.

263 8 Dec 1906

TELL ME LOVE O TELL ME THAT YOU WILL BE MINE

Come sweet one let us wander where the waters clear meander  
Down through the groves of the tall and shady pine  
Where the cushats are a cooing let us join them in their wooing  
And tell me Love O! tell me that you will be mine.

With thee dear love beside me I care not what betide me  
I seek not this worlds riches I scorn their glittering shrine  
Thy hearts a richer treasure thy loves a greater measure  
Then tell me Love O! tell me that you will be mine.

For O! my dear I love thee by all the powers above me  
I pledge myself ever only truly thine  
These vows which I have spoken by me shall ne'er be broken  
If only Love you tell me that you will be mine.

As I touch thy hand it thrills me and with love the more instills me  
Thy bright blue eyes bewitch me as so radiantly they shine  
Thy red lips are temptation so I rise to the occasion  
And seal on them our compact since thou now art mine.

264 11 Dec 1906

THE UNION JACK

There's a good old flag which proudly floats  
O'er old England's vast domains  
And there's not a Britain but rightly dotes  
And a love for it retains  
It has stood the brunt of the battles din  
On the oceans boundless track  
For many a fight did our fathers win  
'Neath the dear old Union Jack.

Theres a good old flag that hath laurels won  
On many a battle field  
Whilst sabres flashed and the belching guns  
Their thundering volleys peeled  
When brave mens blood was freely shed  
In many a fierce attack  
Have Britains been to victory led  
'Neath the dear old Union Jack.

Theres a good old flag that has been unfurled  
In every clime and sea  
Whose fame shall live throughout the world  
On to immortality  
From the cause of justice truth and right  
We shall never wander back  
But uphold them still by our power and might  
'Neath the dear old Union Jack.

Theres a good old flag that we will defend  
And around it ever cling  
And our cause shall be to the very end  
For Country and for King  
And as long as this dear old flag shall wave  
There shall never be a lack  
Of heroes dauntless true and brave  
To fight 'neath the Union Jack.

265 12 Dec 1906

HUNTING SONG - HARK TALLY-OO

To saddle to saddle, the morning breaks clear,  
Let us off to the chase, to the hunting band dear,  
Let us 'waken the mountains, and valleys below  
With the soul stirring chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
Our dogs are the truest, our horses the best  
Our hearts are the lightest, by grief unoppressed  
Dull care flies back vanquished confounded is woe  
When they hear our glad chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
To cover to cover, have gone our brave hounds,  
And from his deep slumbers, old reynard astounds,  
While he makes for the open, our beating hearts glow  
And we raise the wild chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
Hark forward hark forward, our dogs are away  
Bold Dashwood and Rally, are leading the fray,  
And we are as eager, so we let the nags go  
And shout the grand chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
O'er fences and ditches, through mosses and bogs  
We follow the wake of our gay gallant dogs  
What sport more entrancing, could mortals here know  
Then waft on the chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
How sweet sounds the music, amid the wild glen  
Which echo repeats from each dark rocky den  
The startled flocks wonder, and run to and fro  
When they hear the loud chorus of Hark Tally-oo.  
On, on ye brave beauties, on, on ye dogs true  
At last your sly quarry, you've fairly in view  
Though he tries his best tactics, you'll soon lay him low  
Hark forward, hark forward, on, on Tally-oo.  
They've got him, they've got him, now for the grand rush  
Its deil tak' the hin'most, the first gets the brush  
The wild whoop is sounding, the shrill horn doth blow  
And finished our chorus, of Hark Tally-oo.

266 Christmas 1906

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Behold a bright star in the East appears  
A herald of peace for the coming years  
. 'Tis the Star of Bethlehem  
And Angel voices in joy proclaim  
The birth of Him of undying Name  
. The great branch of Jesse's stem.

The trembling shepherds gaze to the sky  
And in wonder list to that joyful cry  
. Unto you is born a King  
In Davids city of lowly birth  
Is cradled He who shall save the earth  
. And all salvation bring.

This little child was the son of God  
Who this earth 'mid many sorrows trod  
. Yet always doing good  
He healed the sick restored the blind  
Was loving gentle good and kind  
. And Satans wiles withstood.

Peace sweet peace to this world he brought  
With his precious blood was our ransom bought  
. On the Cross of Calvary  
Where he died in love the world to save  
Then victorious rose from the vanquished grave  
. And set poor sinners free.

267 18 Dec 1906

BEAUTIFUL ROSE

There blooms a sweet maid O! so loving and tender  
Far down in yon glade where the blue violet blows  
So comely so gentle whose waist is so slender  
As fair as young Venus is beautiful Rose.

In a cot where the woodbine and ivy are clinging  
'Mid meadows where kine crop the green grass that grows  
Where the woodlark and mavis in raptures are singing  
Serenely and peerless reigns beautiful Rose.

Though she's sweet as the flowers in the prime of their beauty  
Yet higher there towers her great worth to disclose  
A heart filled with tenderness honour and duty  
Imparting their graces to beautiful Rose.

Blow gently ye breezes from valley and mountains  
Thou cold Frost that freezes when Summer doth close  
O! spare my sweet blossom, sing softly ye fountains  
And hush to her slumbers my beautiful Rose.

O! Heaven to thy keeping I commit my fair jewel  
Whether waking or sleeping may never lifes woes  
From their dark cavern, so mocking and cruel  
Eclipse lifes bright sunshine to beautiful Rose.

268 18 Dec 1906

KITTY OF DUNBAR

Loves flame is brightly burning  
Within my joyous heart  
For Cupids aim unerring  
Hath pierced me with a. dart  
Loves door now stands wide open  
That long hath stood ajar  
Since I met with lovely Kitty  
Sweet Kitty of Dunbar.

Her cheeks are soft and rosy  
Her eyes with love doth shine  
As witchingly and tender  
Their meaning glance meet mine  
As radiant and as beaming  
As yon brilliant evening star  
Are the eyes of lovely Kitty  
Sweet Kitty of Dunbar.

Though of this worlds riches  
Her portion is but small  
Yet a tender womans trustful heart  
Is doubly worth them all  
Yes, such a love I treasure  
Beyond what riches are  
And such a love is Kittys  
Sweet Kittys of Dunbar.

Were choice between a coronet  
And my sweet Kitty's love  
Then by the sun and by the moon  
And gleaming stars above  
One moment I'd not falter  
For it could never par  
With young and peerless Kitty  
Sweet Kitty of Dunbar.

For her I'd toil and labour  
While the sun shone in the sky  
And at eventide light hearted  
To my cottage I would hie  
Her loving smiling welcome  
Without a frown to mar  
Would lighten all my labour  
For Kitty of Dunbar.

Then round the cheery ingle  
Her sitting by my side  
Our secrets to each other  
We would trustingly confide  
Or to me she'd sing so sweetly  
Without a faulty jar  
Which would make this world a Heaven  
With Kitty of Dunbar.

Then haste O! haste our bridal  
Let Old Time oil his wheels  
Lest I be over eager  
And trample on his heels  
The six months still to travel  
Seem centuries afar  
Before I wed with Kitty  
Sweet Kitty of Dunbar.

270 Christmas 1906

A CHRISTMAS DREAM 1906

I sat by the side of my ingle  
Twas a cold stormy Christmas night  
But the yule log I'd brought from the dingle  
Made all within cheery and bright.

And the while I watched the flames 1eaping  
I became a young innocent child  
And a right jolly Christmas was keeping  
With laughter so merry and wild.

I fancied again that good Santa  
Had come with his wonderful toys  
Such blue eyed dolls for the girls  
And horses and carts for the boys.

And me and my dear little sister  
Our stockings hung up on the line  
And how fondly our dear Mother kissed her  
When she cried and would rather had mine.

With what glee we went down to the chapel  
To enjoy the rich cakes and the tea  
Where dollies black horses and dapple  
Made gay the green Christmas tree.

And young voices sweetly were singing  
All blent in a joyful refrain  
How I joined in the cheers that were ringing  
While I lived o'er my childhood again.

By my side sang our dear little Nancy  
Like a seraph as cadent and true  
But Ah! it was only my fancy  
Long, long she'd been lost to my view.

In the grave her small body lay sleeping  
Where comes not the thrill of a song  
But her little soul Christmas was keeping  
Mid a bright and more glorified throng.

The words that were spoke by the pastor  
Of pardon so full and so free  
Re-echoed the words of the Master  
Let the little ones come unto me.

'Twas a wonderful wonderful story  
I believed with the faith of a child  
How he left the bright mansions of glory  
To be crucified mocked and reviled.

Oh! what a sweet flight of my fancy  
On her pinions so airy and light  
That again with my lost sister Nancy  
I spent such a happy yule night.

And who shall not say but her spirit  
Stood o'er me while dreaming my dream  
For we know not what powers they inherit  
Who have passed o'er the Jordans dark stream.

272 10 Jan 1907

NANCY

Meet O! meet me my sweet Nancy  
Meet me when the moonbeams shine  
By the placid flowing river  
'Neath the bowers of fragrant pine.

Meet O! meet me my sweet Nancy  
Tell O! tell me once again  
That thy heart is in my keeping  
That I love thee not in vain.

Meet O! meet me my sweet Nancy  
Let me press thee to my heart  
Promise dearest, dearest maiden  
That thy love shall ne'er depart.

Meet O! meet me my sweet Nancy  
Thou alone art all to me  
Sweetness honour truth and beauty  
Find a paragon in thee.

273 11 Jan 1907

KATE OF OTTERBURN

Say have you seen the morning break  
Across the purple mountains  
Or have you seen the setting sun  
With beauty gild the fountains  
Say have you seen the vernal flowers  
Make gay the Spring's return  
Then look upon the lovely charms  
Of Kate of Otterburn.

Say have you heard the minstrel lark  
His morning paean singing  
Or have you in yon hazel bower  
Heard vocal music ringing  
Say would you hear the nightingale  
Amid the woods sojourn  
Then listen to the silvery voice  
Of Kate of Otterburn.

Say have you seen 'mong womankind  
A queen of grace and beauty  
Or have you met or ever known  
A paragon of duty  
Say would you see perfection smile  
Then let your gaze return  
And rest upon this peerless maid  
Sweet Kate of Otterburn.

274 19 Jan 1907

MY LOST LOVER

When Summer time was in its prime  
My lover climbed the mountains  
To tend his lambs, weaned from their dams  
Close by the wimpling fountains  
Sweet was his song, the whole day long  
While his flock was tending  
So blythe at night, in the twilight  
As homeward he was wending.

Our love was dear, our hearts sincere  
When we met in the gloaming  
And by yon stream pale Cynthia's beam  
Full often found us roaming  
Or hand in hand, we took our stand  
Beneath the hawthorn hoary  
While each again, with fond hearts pain  
Conned o'er love's gladsome story.

The Summer passed Oh! all too fast  
And then came Winter weary  
Whose cold and snow, made all below  
Dejected sad and dreary  
And on the steep, to tend his sheep  
Went my true hearted lover  
But 'mid the drift, so fierce and swift  
No path could he discover.

On, on he went till he was spent  
His efforts unavailing  
O'ercome at last his spirit passed  
Amid the tempests wailing  
Now lone I weep, and virgils keep  
Along with pain and sorrow  
Life's sunshine set in dark regret  
To know no bright tomorrow.

275 22 Jan 1907

LOST LUCY

The smiling hills and woods are gay  
Drest in the wealth and pride of June,  
The happy lark trills through the day  
With willing zest, full many a tune  
But Ah! sweet Lucy, where art thou?  
Who wert so comely and so sweet  
Closed are thine eyes and cold thy brow.  
The grave, thy silent dark retreat.

Twelve months ago, thy cheeks did vie  
The rose that blooms on yonder tree  
Twelve months ago life's summer sky  
Shone radiantly to thou and me  
But ere the sickle touched the corn  
The Reaper came unpityingly  
And thou my darling love wert shorn  
And taken ruthlessly from me.

Now though the summer skies are bright  
Now though the flowers are blooming fair  
Now though the birds sing with delight  
Yet is my young heart filled with care  
For O! sweet Lucy without thee  
This world hath lost its light and joy  
The cup of bliss once sweet to me  
Is bittered with a rank alloy.

277 ND

TO LILLIE WITH A CHRISTMAS BOX 1906

Dear little Lillie long may thou  
Be spared to bloom and shine  
And keep as pure as lillies are  
That little heart of thine.

278 28 Jan 1907

THE HIELANT HERD IN THE LOWLANDS

Nainsel' she is a Hielant man  
Thats wandered tae the sooth man  
But Oh! she disna' like the place  
Its bad tae bide the drooth nan.

In her ain hame far in the North  
There's whusky in galore man  
They keep it stannin in a pail  
Ay handy 'hint the door man.

But here in Ninglan' thats not so  
When she is feelin' dry man  
She has tae draw her purse and pay  
A price that's ower high man.

And then the drap burns a' her mou'  
Her throat it only dries man  
And sends the tears doon ower her cheeks  
Fast rinnin' frae her eyes man.

O for a taste o' the peat reek  
To hear the bagpipes squeel man  
Nainsel' wad dance the Hielan' fling  
As soople as an eel man.

When first she cam' tae Ningeland  
The fo'ks at her did stare man  
She wore the kilts and philabeg  
And a' her houghs war' bare man.

Likewise a bonnie tartan plaid  
And buckles on her shoon man  
A bonnet blue sae jauntily set  
Did hap her toosy croon man.

But Oh! when she tried on the breeks  
Sic things she could na' bide man  
Her legs were grippit like a vice  
And wow she couldna' stride man.

She cam' doon sooth tae herd the sheep  
But Oh! she often mourns man  
She canna grip them as she'd like  
They hanna ony horns man.

She bought hersel' twa bonnie dawgs  
A big price for them paid man  
But Oh! the deils they wadna rin  
They kenned na' what she said man.

But since shes learnt the Ninglish tongue  
Nainsel thinks its a sin man  
She now kens that the Sassenach  
Has Tonald taken in man.

She's had her bonnie dog tae hang  
Her bonnie bitch as well man  
The deil anither ane she'll buy  
She'll rin and bark hersel' man.

But she'll gang back ayont the Clyde  
(She disna' like the Sooth man)  
Where there is whusky and to spare  
Tae slocken a' her drooth man.

279 1907

TO SPRING

Fair nymph of the mountains  
Sweet maid of the groves  
Thou strewest thy garlands  
Wherever thou roves  
At the touch of thy magic  
Cold Winter takes wing  
Thrice welcome we hail thee  
O beautiful Spring.

The primrose is blooming  
In yonder deep dell  
The peewit again  
Seeks his haunts on the fell  
The skylark sings sweetly  
While poised on his wing  
A glad song of welcome  
To beautiful Spring.

And hark to the music  
Enthrilling each bower  
As Phoebus returns  
In his splendour and power  
And 'wakens the mavis  
So sweetly to sing  
A warbling ditty  
To beautiful Spring.

Thrice welcome sweet Spring  
In thy beauty and pride  
Adorned in thy robes  
As a fair lovely bride  
All Hail sweet enchantress  
What joys thou dost bring  
Welcome O! welcome  
Fair beautiful Spring.

280 1907

APRIL

Now April comes with shine and shower  
To wake the bud and sleeping flower  
Whilst sweetly from yon hazel bower  
. The minstrel train  
All herald in the natal hour  
. Of Spring's bright reign.

Exultingly the eye doth rove  
On waking flower and bursting grove  
While Natures breast with life doth hove  
. And rends aside  
The fettering bonds with which she strove  
. In Wintertide.

The iris fair and bright to see  
Cast in its perfect symmetry  
With colours blent in unity  
. Blue, yellow, gold  
A token to eternity  
. All may behold.

Again we note from day to day  
The migrant birds that with us stay  
To revel in the sunshine gay  
. Of Summer bright  
And in our hearts is born a ray  
. Of pure delight.

First comes the little pied wagtail  
The piper next we gladly hail  
The swallow with his long forked tail  
. Peewit curlew  
Blackcap stonechat, meadow rail  
. And the cuckoo.

Glad month what natal joys are thine  
Thou breakest Winters great supine  
Beauteous the garlands thou dost twine  
. Round mother earth  
And wak'st each heart with joy divine  
. To Hail thy birth.

282 1907

TO A WAYSIDE FORGET-ME-NOT

Sweet little flower, by the King's highway,  
Smiling so bright, through the Summer's day,  
Gazing on all, with thy yellow eye,  
Who journey along and pass thee bye.

Sweet little gem, in thy roadside bower,  
Thou dreamest not, of earth's pomp and power,  
Contented art thou to thy lowly lot,  
As contented as I, in my humble cot.

Dear little flower, we see wealth rush bye.  
But it passes unheeded - thou and I,  
Yet we envy it not, we are reconciled  
Thou art Nature's own, I am Nature's child.

Dear little flower, without gloss or art,  
Thou hast touched a poet's tender heart.  
And he looks on thee, with a joy unknown,  
Save unto those whom the Muses own.

Sweet little flower, I would fain entwine,  
Thee, a garland around the Muses shrine,  
And kneeling upon that hallowed spot  
My prayer should be, O forget-me-not.

283 16 Feb 1907

YOUNG JENNIE WAS THE FAIREST QUEEN

Young Jennie was the fairest queen  
That ever danced upon the green  
So light and debonair  
Her two black eyes in lustre bright  
Shone as the sparkling orbs of night  
And raven dark her hair.

So sweet, so tender and so young  
As e'er was maid by poet sung  
To tuneful lute or lyre  
And well her queenly maiden's heart  
Portrayed a noble woman's part  
Young Cupid's son to fire.

Young Jimmie was the blythest lad  
That ever wore a shepherd's pla'd  
Or bore a herdsman's crook  
And as on Jennie's charms he gazed  
Love's kindling fires within him blazed  
And shone in every look.

And she so modest and so shy  
On Jimmie cast a longing eye  
That plainly seemed to say  
My heart were you to ask of me  
I'd yield it to you willingly  
Nor could I say thee nay.

No laggard he, his tale he told  
Whilst in his arms he did her fold  
Like a true hearted swain  
And as she nestled on his breast  
She coyishly to him confessed  
He had not sued in vain.

285 1 May 1907

LINES TO MRS. LOVIBOND, 3 BURDON PLACE  
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE.

On the death of her Mother

Your dear Mother sleeps in the vale she did love  
On the brink of the Rede's crystal river  
But her spirit hath passed to the mansions above  
To dwell there forever and ever.

Now all you have left, is a fragrance sweet,  
Which shall daily and hourly remind you,  
Of the love of a mother, so strong and complete.  
In the years that are soon left behind you.

Ah! oft you will think on the grave where she's laid  
In the midst of your dear native mountains  
Where in childhood you played a sweet winsome maid  
By the gurgling brooks and the fountains.

Fond memories will dwell on the years that are gone  
On the love that ye bore one another  
And deep in your heart you will find there is none  
Who can e'er fill the place of a mother.

And pondering thus there will come to your eye,  
The tear of affection and duty,  
But Hope whispers comfort, you'll again meet on High  
In the realms of Celestial beauty.

Where death cannot come, nor shall bitter tears,  
Ever know the source of their starting,  
And where through the length of Eternity's years,  
There shall ne'er be the pang of a parting.

287 26 Feb 1907

TO A FRIEND ON RECEIVING HIS WEDDING CARD

Losh Danny man I got your card  
And O! it made me vaunty  
To see that you had done the trick  
Sae neatly and sae jaunty.

You've tied yoursel' as firmly up  
Tae Hymen's stately Altar  
As e'er was horse within his stall  
By hempen rope or halter.

And now that you hae got a wife  
I hope you may be happy  
Your meal poke never empty be  
Your butcher meat ne'er scrappy«

Now you will hae the sticks tae buy  
Pans crockery ware and ladle  
And something else my canty cock  
You'll maybe need a cradle.

I'd like tae see the first wee mite  
A handsome little laddie  
And may he aye respected be  
As weel as is his daddie.

I hope that she your bonnie bride  
May prove a loving helpmate  
That she may never pull your hair  
And leave you with a bald pate.

O! may the coming years to you  
Bring sweetest revelations  
And please accept from me dear friend  
Sincere congratulations.

289 1907

SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN

How pleasant is the sunshine, after months of cold and rain  
And the green grass all agrowing, on the mountain and the plain  
Whilst the birds in joyous rapture, all sweetly seem to say  
Strike anew thy rustic lyre, and come chant a happy lay.

I can trace fair Flora's footsteps, where she's coyly dropped a flower  
The little modest daisy, or the primrose in its bower  
The whin with blossoms golden attracts the busy bee  
And the wagtail by the river, sports in glorious liberty.

The martin and the dipper and the piper round me fly  
All telling me their secret, that Summer draweth nigh  
And Ah! I spy a treasure mid the gorse's golden bush  
The nest and eggs all speckled, of a newly married thrush.

The lambkins in the meadows lie abasking in the sun  
Or with graceful little antics, their nimble races run  
But yesterday they shivered, with their backs bent to the rain  
What a blissful blessed blessing is forgetfulness of pain.

The skies above are radiant, all adorned in deepest blue  
And the mystic wood nymphs daily all the sylvan bowers renew  
How pleasant is the sunshine, after months of cold and rain  
When Nature all rejoices, o'er the Springtime come again.

290 7 May 1907

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OLD FRIEND

In the Vale of Redewater, there toils an old man,  
Find a mortal to match him, I'll bet you ne'er can,  
Though you search over Scotland, and England as well,  
You will ne'er find man to our hero excel.

Although he's not tall, nor much flesh on his bones  
His muscles are hard and as tough as the stones  
He lifts with an ease that's a wonder to see  
For as strong as Goliath or Samson is he.

His sturdy old mare he looks on with pride  
She's the best old "Yad" in the countryside  
And though she be slow, yet you surely will find  
She's sound in each leg, and untouched in the wind.

Rob well loves his mare, and to ease her great toil  
Oft greases his cart with cold drawn Castor oil  
The wheels and the backband, each link and each crook  
Every circle and corner, every cranny and nook.

But though she be sound, in her wind and her shanks  
She's a demon to cut up the edge of the banks  
And makes such big holes, in the soughs at the side  
In which the poor roadman, declares he could hide.

If Robbie be asked to take hold of the rein  
And pull to the middle, you would ask him in vain  
He only cries "Hup" that is all he can say  
And after the cart snodges he on his way.

Should you ask of our hero, how he's keeping today  
I can tell you at once, what he's likely to say  
Peculiarities has Rob, like most other men  
His answer will be - that he dis-na ken.

Again should you ask, how many loads he has led  
To a certain heap, Rob scratches his head,  
Rekindles his pipe and he'll answer then  
That he'd lost all count, and he dis-na ken.

When Rob draws his purse, you'll invariably find  
With greasy Scotch notes it is generously lined  
But so mixed up with dust, it would puzzle most men  
To know any difference 'twixt a five and a ten.

A sojourner he's been far over the seas  
Where he spent several years, in our famed colonies  
And to hear him hold forth, on his life over there  
Would fill you with wonder, and make your eyes stare.

Many a good story can old Robbie tall  
But chiefly he loves on the past days to dwell  
When he led meal and coals o'er the Not o' the Gate  
In summer and winter, all hours soon and late.

Rob does not believe in our newfangled ways  
A stickler is he to the good old days  
He thinks that we now are too lazy and slow  
Unlike those who lived fifty long years ago.

In the days of his prime, I have oft heard him say  
He has filled forty yards of road stone in a day  
But someway or other to me it doth seem  
He ate a big supper and 'twas only a dream.

Rob's been a great reader of books in his time  
And varied its course from prose unto rhyme  
Geology, Theology, and of Science today  
He knows quite as much as a learned M.A.

Soft hearted is he and tender and kind  
If you ask him a favour you surely will find  
He is willing to give you his help if he can  
As becoming a true and a Christian man.

Then let's fill our glasses right up to the brim  
And drain them at once in a bumper to him  
Long may he live to go carting road stones  
And ne'er may old Clootie" cremate Robbies bones.

291 May 1907

TO THE MONTH OF MAY

Sweet May I feel thy fragrant breath  
At dawn of day upon my cheek  
When noon proclaims it half the way  
I hear thee in soft cadence speak  
When comes the peaceful dewy eve  
And Phoebus slumbers in the West  
To thee a garland sweet I weave  
And lay my tribute on thy breast.

Oh! would the muse me more inspire  
To sing of thee in songs sublime  
That generations might admire  
Until the very end of Time  
But mine is but a humble part  
Among the tuneful Sons of Song  
Yet they are fountains from the heart  
Of tender feelings true and strung.

The budding groves thy fingers ope  
The flowers awake in glad surprise  
To richly deck each verdant slope  
And smile into thy sunlit eyes  
Fair Lunar Nymph so sweet and young  
So peerless, tender and so gay,  
No heart or lyre is left unstrung  
By thee enchanting winsome May.

292 June 1907

MUSINGS ON THE CARTER FELL JUNE 1907

Serene and fair is this gay June morn  
And I drink in the view contritely  
While I stand an the Carter's summit high  
With a heart that is beating lightly.

Before me is spread an inspiring sight  
As I gaze over hill and valley  
Woodland and plain and glittering streams  
Which on to the ocean sally.

Peace, blessed maid reigns supreme o'er all  
Not a jarring note of disorder  
Though I stand amidst scenes of bloody strife  
Once rampant o'er the Border.

High o'er the field of the Reidswire's fight  
A joyous lark is lilting  
And down by the margin of the infant Reed  
A long legged heron is stilting.

Fancy wings her flight to days long past  
To the fray and the din of battle  
To the tramp of steed, to the reivers raid  
To the lowing of the cattle.

Far down the Vale lies fair Otterburn  
With a name enshrined in glory  
And the springing bent around my feet  
Has been deluged red and gory.

Encoffined here lies in his last long sleep  
Some bold and dauntless warrior  
As if guarding the pass 'twixt the Kingdoms still  
On this rugged mountain barrier.

There is not a hill there is not a glen  
All hushed in the morning's magic  
But has rung with the shout of martial men  
In conflict grim and tragic.

But the fiend of strife and war hath fled  
Before justice right and order  
Yet the bloody past has forever shed  
A lustre o'er the Border.

293 19 Aug 1907

KIND WORDS

Kind words are sweet as honey  
More precious are than gold  
Speak them freely O! my brother  
They have a wealth untold.

Kind words more fragrant are,  
Than the sweetest scented flowers  
More healing than the richest balm  
More lasting in their powers.

Kind words will soothe the pain  
That gnaws the troubled heart  
Will lighten up life's hanging gloom  
And make its clouds depart.

Kind words a comfort give  
To those weary and cast down  
Will wreath the face with happy smiles  
Where there did rest a frown.

Kind words have influence great  
O! what can them outweigh  
Not wealth nor power can give  
A solace such as they.

Kind words, O! speak them oft  
Let them be freely given  
The closer draw the cords of love  
And win the smile of Heaven.

294 27 Aug 1907

SUE

Fair sweet maiden young and gay  
Fresh and pure as early May  
Rosy cheeks and deep blue eyes  
Faultless as the Summer skies.

Lightsome heart and laughter free  
Womans fair divinity-  
True her every grace displays  
In a thousand artless ways.

Fun and Frolic hand in hand  
Dance around at her command  
Sweetness, elegance and grace  
Pictured are upon her face.

Hand in hand with Purity  
Onward may her portion be  
And may blessings as the dew  
Plenteous fall on lovely Sue.

295 2 Sept 1907

A SMILE AND A TEAR

I have seen a maiden smiling  
As she gazed into my eyes  
And the sweetness of its beauty  
Matched the tender summer skies  
I have heard a maiden whisper  
That she'd be my very own  
And I've felt that love enthrill me  
That some have never known.

I have seen a happy morning  
And the sun did brightly shine  
Whilst a sweet bride at the Altar  
Was plighted to be mine.  
The cup of bliss I've tested  
Have tasted and found sweet  
And I've seen the vessel broken  
And lie shattered at my feet.

I have seen a young wife happy  
O'er her first maternal joy  
While she nestled to her bosom  
Her darling little boy  
How she watched its infant footsteps  
And loved it day by day  
But the Angels also loved it  
And bore it far away.

I have seen a mother pining  
And the roses leave her cheek  
I have seen her footsteps falter  
And her frame grow thin and weak  
I have seen a mother dying  
With her face lit up with joy  
For the Angels loved her also  
And took her to her boy.

I have felt my heart grow weary  
And I wrestled long with care  
And oft Ah! very often  
I have breathed to Heaven the prayer  
That the day be not far distant  
When again with those I love  
I shall be ever happy  
In the better Land above.

296 11 Sept 1907

CHATTLEHOPE SPOUT

Hurrah for Chattlehope's rushing Spout  
With noisesome laughter and with shout  
Its seething waters roar and hiss  
Down o'er the rugged precipice  
And in the dark deep pool below  
Tis lashed to foam as white as snow  
Then wimples on through brake and fen  
Adown the lonesome mountain glen.

Hurrah for Chattlehope's rushing Spout  
Where lurks the yellow speckled trout  
And high o'erhead that sable bird  
The croaking raven oft is heard  
And builds its nest in solitude  
High on the rocks so stern and rude  
Leading the life that Nature wills  
The Patriarch of all the hills.

Hurrah for Chattlehope's waterfall  
Where herons soar and plovers call  
Where red grouse beck and blackcocks spring  
And merry skylarks gaily sing  
Where dippers chant their tuneful lay  
Through summers shine and winter gray  
And horny flocks roam at their will  
Athwart the rugged heathy hill.

Hurrah for Chattlehope's mountain lone  
The Castles high, the Girdle Stone  
The rugged Kirk, the Countess Crag  
Where gallant dog and hardy nag  
And Border men all true and staunch  
Oft shake the ground like avalanche  
Whilst they pursue amid the rocks  
The game and hardy mountain fox.

Hurrah for Chattlehope's peaceful glen  
Far from the busy haunts of men  
Far from the City's teeming life  
Far from its turmoil and its strife  
Where Nature reigneth all supreme  
Oer rocky dell o'er crystal stream  
And Freedom with uplifted hand  
Waves wide her Sceptre o'er the land.

297 16 Sept 1907

DAISIE

Daisie, Daisie list to me  
My fond heart is yearning  
Just to tell to thee a tale  
Of my love concerning  
Lend to me a willing ear  
For I love thee Daisie dear.

Daisie, Daisie thou art fair  
Far beyond my telling  
Turn thou not thine heart to stone  
Fondest love repelling  
Such a love as mine shall last  
When all other loves are past.

Daisie, Daisie on thy cheek  
Is the bloom of roses  
And thine eyes the violets blue  
Tenderly discloses  
Can'st thou sweet my love return  
Or forever shall I mourn.

Daisie, Daisie canst thou wed  
One who lacketh riches  
Can it be that dazzling gold  
Thy young heart bewitches  
Wealth may fly on fleetest wings  
But Love's fountain ever springs

Daisie, Daisie but one word  
Whisper to me lowly  
One sweet promise dearest maid  
One sought pledge most holy  
And this world to me shall be  
A haven of felicity.

298 13 Sept 1907

TO THE MEMORY OF AN OLD FRIEND

No more dear friend I'll clasp thy hand  
No more thy cheerful voice I'll hear,  
Sudden and silent was the stroke  
That laid thee on thy chilly bier,  
Now o'er thy loss fair Redesdale mourns  
For thou wert her own darling child  
And well didst love her peaceful glen  
Her rushing streams and mountains wild.

No more by Rede's pellucid stream,  
With lingering footsteps shalt thou stray  
Thine eye alert admiring all,  
Fair Nature's rich and rare display  
The gorgeous drapery of the woods,  
The beauty of the blooming flowers  
And hushed forever to thine ear  
The mellow music of the bowers.

No more when Autumn days have come  
And leaves are withered brown and sear  
Proclaiming truly to us all  
The certain passing of the year  
Again shalt thou with practised art  
The noble salmon tempt to rise  
Nor shall the anglers joy of heart  
E'er light again thy sightless eyes.

No more the infant year thou'lt hail  
Nor feed again the burning fuel  
To scare the skulking fox away  
When the "Bold Border" hunt the Heul  
No more again thy voice thou'lt raise  
In the brave huntsman's Tally-oo  
Nor shall the inspiring wild death whoop  
Enkindling raise its magic glow.

In boyhoods day I learnt of thee  
The gentle art to gaily ply  
To cast a line, to land a fish  
To tie a knot, to dress a fly  
And oft, Ah! often when we met  
Beside the Rede's enchanting stream  
With eyes alight and hearts aglow  
We conned upon the anglers theme.

Those treasured memories of the past  
I reverence with a heart sincere  
While from mine eye with trembling hand  
I brush away the silent tear,  
Still while I linger here below  
Amidst earth's changing chequered scene  
Our converse of these happy hours  
Shall keep thy memory ever green.

299 No Date

WHEN THE FIELDS ARE WHITE WITH DAISIES

When the fields are white with daisies  
And the skylark gaily sings  
Songs of joy, and songs of praises  
Poised upon his dewy wings  
Oh! what joy it is to wander  
Midst Earth's beauties fresh and gay  
And to feel our hearts grow lighter  
Now that Winter's passed away.

When the fields are white with daisies  
And from mountain wood and plain  
Breaking forth in notes of gladness  
Sounds the Cuckoo's voice again  
Whilst the woodland nymphs with beauty  
Gaily deck each sylvan spray  
Oh! we feel our hearts grow lighter  
Now that Winter's passed away.

When the fields are white with daisies  
And the skies o'erhead are blue  
Little sweetheart I am thinking  
Thinking O! so oft of you  
Thinking of the years long perished  
And upon that happy day  
When we sang amidst the daisies  
Glad o'er Winter paused away.

When the fields are white with daisies  
Little sweetheart ne'er again  
Shalt thou look on their sweet petals  
Sing with me the old refrain  
But I'll pluck a bunch of daisies  
Tenderly my tribute lay  
On the grave where thou art sleeping  
Now that Winter's passed away.

300 No Date

COME LITTLE SWEETHEART STRAY WITH ME

Come little sweetheart, stray with me,  
In the early morn, o'er the vernal lea,  
Where the skylark bathes in the sparkling dew  
And the daisie opens its eye to view  
The first bright beams of the sun arise  
To fill with their beauty earth and skies.

Come stray little sweetheart in the noontide clear  
'Neath the shady copse, where the blushing briar  
Scents the deep defile with its fragrance sweet  
And the blue bells spring around our feet  
Where the soft low voice of th'enamoured dove  
Breathes forth to its mate a tale of love.

Come stray little sweetheart when the even has come  
And countless insects their music hum  
When Philomel in his lowly bush  
As the amber skies in beauty blush  
Carols forth his song while our hearts keep time  
As we list to his melody sublime.

Soon little sweetheart youth will pass  
And age with its cares shall us harass  
Our cheeks shall fade and our eyes grow dim  
And perchance thou shalt weep o'er the bier of him  
Who shall love thee as long as life shall last  
And whose love shall endure when life is past.

For O! little sweetheart, love never dies  
Immortal it blossoms, in the skies  
Death cannot hold it in his low supine  
'Tis a God born power, 'tis a gift divine  
'Tis eternal as God himself above  
Who is the source and the font of love.

301 4 Nov 1907

A JEWEL OF A GIRL

She is fair and sweet as the vernal morn  
And as gay as the lark that's singing  
Away on the mossy mountains lone  
Where the clearest streams are springing.

Her flowing locks as the golden West  
When the summer day is closing  
And her dreamy eyes as the moonbeams shine  
On the deep blue sea reposing.

Her cheeks are as red as the blushing rose  
Her parted lips like cherries  
And her teeth are even and dazzling white  
Like the snowy privet berries.

Her voice tinkles sweet as a silvery rill  
Down some sylvan ravine flowing  
She's lithe and graceful as a sportive lamb  
When the summer skies are glowing.

The modest daisie her emblem is  
And although her station's lowly  
Her love is the jewel I mostly prize  
Like the lily pure and holy.

303 15 Nov 1907

CONTEMPLATION OF NATURE

We gaze around upon earth's matchless beauty  
The sweet flowers springing all around our feet  
The green grass clothing every hill and valley  
The sylvan bowers with foliage replete.

The majestic rivers flowing to the ocean  
The mountains as to giddy height they rise  
The sun and moon in glory all resplendent  
The starry grandeur of the orb lit skies.

The mighty seas that fill us alt with wonder  
Ebbing and flowing by some mysterious will  
The teeming life of bird and lowly insect  
The denizens of the forest and the hill.

And as we gaze around in contemplation  
Upon the works of God's almighty hand  
We feel how weak we are with all our wisdom  
How little we can fully understand.

But though so many great mysteries surround us  
So much we cannot fathom or unfold  
Yet will the gloom and darkness all be scatter'd  
When we Jehova's loving face behold.

304 20 Nov 1907

THE SOLDIERS FAREWELL

Farewell, O farewell to the land of my childhood  
Farewell to each mountain, each valley and plain  
Farewell to ye streams, and farewell to the wildwood  
Perchance I may never look on you again.

Farewell to my Father, farewell to my Mother  
Farewell to my sister so loving and true  
Farewell unto thee my much beloved Brother  
This may be a last and a final adieu.

And fare thee well Jenny, my own peerless maiden  
Whose love is so precious, whose heart is so pure,  
Whose form is so perfect, with every grace laden,  
This parting is more than my soul can endure.

To the stern call of duty, I must cross the wide ocean  
And share in the hardships, that warfare may bring  
His Country a soldier must serve with devotion  
With courage and valour must fight for his King.

But though I be far from the friends I hold dearly  
And far from the maiden, whose love I most prize  
I'll never forget you one moment but clearly  
Remembrance shall picture you straight to my eyes.

In the lonely night watch on the grim field of battle  
With the stars looking down from the calm peaceful sky  
In the midst of the fight, and the loud cannons rattle  
When comrades fall wounded and brave heroes die.

But should as a victim the god of war claim me  
And your dear hearts be filled full of anguish and pain  
Take courage and comfort, O bear your loss bravely  
If for my Country, I die not in vain.

Then fare thee well Father farewell my dear Mother  
And fare thee well Sister so loving and true  
Farewell unto thee my much beloved brother  
And Jenny my darling a tender adieu.

One long last embrace and the parting was over  
The anchor was weighed the good ship ploughed the main  
Heaven grant thy guardian Angel may hover  
And bring back the soldier in safety again.

305 No Date

SUNSHINE AND CLOUD

A calm and placid Summer's sky,  
A sun kissed, flowing river,  
A skylark sweetly sang on high  
With heart and wings aquiver.

A quiet nook, an arboured bower,  
A young man and a maiden,  
A treasured gift, a spotless flower,  
And plighted vows, love laden.

A merry peal of marriage bells,  
Two lives in bliss were blended,  
A honeymoon that joy fortells,  
Nor e'er of woe portended.

A happy home, with comfort filled  
A pledge of love was given  
But Ah! too soon its doom was willed  
By the decree of heaven.

A bed of sickness, hopes and fears  
Round which a wife did linger,  
A flood of anguish and of tears,  
When Death upraised his finger.

A slow and solemn funeral knell  
A widowed wife sat weeping  
Beside a tiny little cot  
Wherein a babe lay sleeping.

A still churchyard a grass grown mound  
Where knelt a woman lowly  
On which she laid with love profound  
A lily pure and holy.

306 1907

CHRISTMAS 1907

Hark, the joyful belle are ringing,  
Christmastide has come again,  
And the waits are sweetly singing,  
Down the street their glad refrain,  
Bright above the stars are shining,  
All beneath is white with snow,  
Love's soft arms round all are twining  
Tender feelings to bestow.

Let all strife and envy perish,  
Let all hate and discord cease,  
Every kindly action cherish,  
Wave the olive branch of peace  
Hand clasp hand hearts be united  
Forgive forget with one accord  
Let all wrongs be ever righted  
On the birthday of our Lord.

Hark the joyful bells are peeling  
Hail, all Hail, to Christmastide  
Gloom and darkness backward reeling  
Peace doth wave her sceptre wide  
Shout aloud the proclamation  
Rise each heart with joy and sing  
Every tribe and every nation  
Loud hosanna's to our King.

307 Jan 1908

A NEW YEARS GREETING

My dear old friend and fellow sinner,  
Although I am a late beginner  
To write to you this letter  
But still today 'tis true as ever  
Its better late Sir now than never  
To be discharged your debtor.

But I had hoped your company  
This season of festivity  
And clasped your friendly hand.  
To gaze upon your "soncie" face  
Where Time has scarcely left a trace  
So well you him withstand.

Then first of all let me express  
The wish that you may win success,  
This year of grace just started,  
May Plenty always stand arrayed  
With smiling face and gifts displayed  
And friends be loyal hearted.

May ne'er despair with clouded face  
Within your dwelling find a place  
Nor flirting damsels tease you  
But may the Powers that rule above  
O'er life and death, o'er joy and love  
From such a fate release you.

But if among fair womankind  
You find a darling to your mind.  
Pray do not halt or linger,  
But ask of her to name the day  
And forthwith get without delay  
A ring to suit her finger.

And should you want a trusty friend,  
As groomsman at your side to tend,  
I will not see you stranded.  
But with both dignity and ease  
I'll kiss the bride, so if you please  
I'm yours Sir if commanded.

309 No Date

PAN AND HIS HAMMER

The vivid lightenings streak the sky,  
And Pan sends forth his peeling thunder.  
Rending the inky clouds on high,  
And filling all beneath with wonder.

Down rushes the incessant rain  
The white road and the meadows drenching  
Each flower and herb, the growing grain  
Their thirst with cooling nectars quenching.

The tiny brooks form rivers wide  
The river o'er its bank is breaking  
The trees that grow along its side  
In every limb with fear are shaking.

The cattle in the pasture fields  
Beneath the trees have taken shelter  
And as old Pan his hammer wields  
The young colts scamper helter skelter.

The dark clouds cease to throw their spears  
And Pan lays by his ponderous hammer  
The skies dry up their falling tears  
While we a prayer of thanks do stammer.

310 No Date

TO THE HILLS OF THE BORDERS

O! ye hills of the Borders, as proudly ye stand  
Like sentinels grim, o'er our dear Borderland,  
As I gaze on your grandeur, I feel my heart swell  
O! ye wild rugged mountains I love you so well.

O! ye hills of the Borders, as I gaze on you now  
While the gold of the sunset begildeth your brow  
So wild and romantic, what scenes can excel  
The matchless mountains, my heart loves so well.

O! ye hills of the Borders, I view you with pride  
How oft 'midst your fastness the reiver did ride  
How oft the war slogan, hath 'wakened the dell  
'Midst the wild rugged mountains, my heart loves so well.

O! ye hills of the Borders where Peace reigns supreme  
Where the raiding Mosstrooper hath passed like a dream  
Where English and Scot in true unity dwell  
'Midst the wild rugged mountains my heart loves so well.

O! ye hills of the Borders, what secrets ye hold  
I am fain you would tell me what you've never yet told  
But no, ye can never, silence casts her dumb spell  
Midst the wild rugged mountains my heart loves so well.

O ye hills of the Borders yet fancy can fly  
On her swift easy wing o'er your mountain tops high  
When the wild wind doth shriek through each dark rocky glen  
They seem to re-echo with warfare again  
And the roar and the clash of storms seem to tell  
Your secrets ye mountains my heart loves so well.

311 No date

No Title given: written on cover of notebook  
(DEATH OF A COW)

Ye talk aboot yer cow thats clyred  
I had ane man right weel admired  
And in the market aw'l be bun'  
She'd fetched me aught and twenty pun'  
Today theres no' a happenny in 'er  
When aw gang hame aw'll hae tae skin 'er  
She calved ay just a week the morn  
As fine a calf as e'er was born  
A fine big quey a bonnie roan  
But frien it only gied a groan  
Rolled roond its eyes and raised its heid  
Then gead a blair and it was deid  
The wife said there'd been bigger losses  
For life was full o' sick like crosses  
But when the cow took bad as weel  
A heavier cross we had tae feel  
Aw quickly gat the vet frae Jethert  
He humm'd and haw'd and lang he blethert  
Wie antidotes fu' weel he rubbed 'er  
He feeseked blistered bled and scrubbed 'er  
But a' his efforts war in vain  
She squirmed and sweltered wie the pain  
She roared and routed greaned and flang  
Sic' suffering could na' tarry lang  
Then neebor I will take my aith  
She died at last for want o' braith  
Some lang nebbed ill the vet did ca' it  
I could na' named if e'en aw saw it  
But then it disna matter now  
It wadna bring me back ma cow.  
Says Amos frien' that is a loss  
At which a Christian might feel cross  
Aw need na' ful sae dour and humphie  
At the sma loss o' ma bit grumphie  
Just then across by Pennymoor  
There came a great black sleety shoor  
Losh save us man just look at yon  
Another tempests coming on.

312 No date

TO MY FIRST SKYLARK 1908

Little skylark, little skylark,  
As thou sweetly sing'st thy lay,  
Whilst the East in beauty blushes  
At the dawning of the day  
With the dew upon thy pinions  
And thy heart all in a glow,  
Enthrilling is thy music  
As I list thy song below.

Little skylark, little skylark,  
As thou singest in thy glee  
Thou 'wak'st the sleeping daisie  
And it gazes up to see  
Who it is that trills so sweetly  
In the blushing sky above  
Whose song portrays a heart that's filled  
With happiness and love.

Little skylark, little skylark,  
Thou tellest in thy song,  
Of the Spring's most glorious advent,  
With her flower bejewelled throng,  
Of the violet that is peeping  
From the bent amid the fells,  
Of the fragrant scanted primrose  
In the hazel shaded dells.

Little skylark, little skylark,  
Thou tell'st the mountains brown  
Of the Summer that shall deck them.  
In a rich embroidered gown,  
Of the diamonds that shall sparkle  
Of the jewels that shall shine  
Of the sun begilded fountains  
Whose song shall mingle thine.

Little skylark, little skylark,  
Thy matin song hath ceased  
And old Sol no longer lingers  
On his pillow in the East  
Thy little quivering pinions  
Thou hast folded to thy breast  
And sink'st below to ponder  
On a place to build thy nest.

313 6 Feb 1908

TO W... C... ON HIS MARRIAGE

Od Willie ma auld canty frien'  
And what is this I hear man,  
They tell me ye hae got the "smit"  
Like mony mae this year man.

And O! it is a fell disease  
A thing ye canna mend man,  
When ance it gets ye in its grip,  
'Twill tease ye tae the end man.

The fever is an awfa' thing,  
The measles and the pox man,  
But matrimony's ten times waur  
And that's a paradox man.

Ye'd think that women Angels were,  
Until they div get wed man,  
But speedily sic thoughts as these  
They'll drive oot o' your head man.

Ye will hae read o' Nid the first,  
How he did live alane man  
A canty chiel in Eden's yaird  
And ne'er a care had nane man.

But ance he took himsel' a wife  
His troubles did begin man,  
And left the world doon tae oor day  
A heritage o' sin man.

Ye'll mind o' Soloman the Wise  
How he laid doon the law man,  
Ye'd better ride the riggin stane  
Than bide a womans jaw man.

But though he said this truthful thing  
It still is clear tae me man.  
That even he was no' averse  
Tae haud ane on his knee man.

Next comes the Apostle's guid advice  
That marriet life's no' ill man.  
But those that dinna wed ava  
Clearly dae better still man.

Aye marriet life has mony cares  
As that I weel can vooch man,  
It quickly tak's the siller frae,  
The bottom o' your pooch man.

There's little bairnies wanting claes,  
The wife a braw new goon man,  
And if she dinna hae her way  
She'll quickly bare your croon man.

Then think upon the wakeful nights  
Ye'll hae tae walk the floor man  
And dandle a young squalling mite  
Until your arms are sore man.

Ye'll hae tae sing that auld, auld sang  
Wheesh a babby baaman,  
Frae when the chuckies gang tae bed,  
Until the auld cock craw man.

Ye'd better bide a single man,  
And though it bring disgrace man,  
Just face the music if your wise,  
In a breach o' promise case man.

And though ye hae tae stump her doon  
A hunder pund or twa man,  
Ye'll fin' it cheaper in the end  
Or I'm nae judge ava man.

But if ye will persistant be,  
As I've nae doot ye wull man,  
I hope you, and your canty wife  
May weel taegither pull man.

That length o' days may be your lot,  
That health stand by your side man,  
And happiness the homelife crown,  
Of you and your sweet bride man.

314 29 Feb 1908

SNOW DROPS OR PRETTY LITTLE FAIRIES DREST IN WHITE

Little ermine flowers  
'Neath your leafless bowers  
First of Flora's garlands  
With what pure delight,  
We gaze on your faces  
With their artless graces  
Pretty little fairies  
Drest in white.

Round the snowflakes flying  
And the cold wind sighing  
Bright the stars above you  
Shine throughout the night  
White soft moonbeams gleaming  
On you while you're dreaming  
Pretty little fairies  
Drest in white.

So modest and so tender  
On your stems so slender  
Like a spotless maiden  
With a heart contrite  
So sweet and unassuming  
In the wild woods blooming  
Pretty little fairies  
Drest in white.

In your train will follow  
Decking hill and hollow,  
Fragrant wreaths of blossoms  
Through the Summer's flight  
Yet amid their splendour  
None such thoughts engender  
As pretty little fairies  
Drest in white.

315 29 Feb 1908

No Title (MOTHER)

Mother I am sitting lonely  
By the ingle side  
As I view the vacant places  
O! how oft I've tried  
Just to picture your sweet features  
And your voice to hear,  
Falling softly low and tender  
On my fancy's ear.

Chorus Mother, mother in that region

'Mid the undefiled

Are you watching Mother darling

Watching o'er your child.

No one left to soothe his sorrow  
None to bring him joy  
Not a hope for the tomorrow  
But his absent boy  
Not a friend to give him succour  
Yet he's reconciled  
If you're only watching Mother  
Watching o'er your child.

Mother, mother in that region

'Mid the undefiled

Are you watching Mother darling

Watching o'er your child.

Do you know the many trials  
That he has to bear  
Do you know the self denials  
That come to his share.  
Do you know the great temptations  
Strong and deep and wild  
That beset the trembling footsteps  
Of your darling child.

Mother, mother in that region

'Mid the undefiled

Are you watching Mother darling

Watching o'er your child.

But the night of gloom shall vanish  
And the sun shall shine  
Bright amid the mystic splendour  
Of that Home divine  
When again my darling mother  
That fair morn hath smiled  
You'll forever be united  
To your darling child.

Mother, mother in that region

'Mid the undefiled

Are you watching Mother darling

Watching o'er your child.

316 8 Mar 1908

HOLD THE TRUTH

Buy the truth and sell it not,  
Store it up within your mind  
'Tis a precious jewel which  
Should be held by all mankind.

A lying and deceitful tongue  
Abhor with all your strength and will  
Uphold the truth, the darkest power  
Can ne'er it circumflect or kill.

How rich the man with it possessed  
Though otherwise he may be poor,  
All else may vanish like the dew  
The truth shall flourish and endure.

Hound it a mighty bulwark stands  
Which ne'er shall crumble nor decay  
When earth shall pass as doth a scroll  
And fleeting Time hath sped away.

317 7 Mar 1908

A PROPOSAL

I love thee sweet  
As doth the bee  
The fragrant flowers  
Upon the lea,  
As the gay lark  
That sweetly trills  
Doth love the beauty  
Of the hills.

I love thee sweet  
As thirsty bowers  
The nectar of  
Descending showers  
As yon fair star  
With radiance bright  
Doth love to shed  
Its beams by night.

I love thee sweet  
As doth the sun.  
To shine upon  
The flowers, each one,  
As doth the moon  
With silver beam  
To shed translucence  
O'er the stream.

I love thee sweet  
My sunshine clear  
My guiding star  
When night is near  
I love thee darling  
As my life  
And ask of thee  
To be my wife.

318 No Date

THOUGH SWEET ARE THE CHARMS OF THE SUMMER  
YET MORE SWEET IS MY LOVE UNTO ME

How sweet are the charms of the Summer,  
When Nature reigns gay in her prime  
And each heart pulsates to her music  
Every ear is charmed with her rhyme  
When the sun shines forth in his splendour  
And bright flowers are bedecking the lea,  
But though sweet are the charms of the Summer  
Yet more sweet is my love unto me.

How sweet are the charms of the Summer  
When the skies overhead are deep blue  
And each songbird that flits through the greenwood  
Trills notes that are cadent and true  
When the pale summer moon in her beauty  
Sheds her silvery light on the sea,  
But though sweet are the charms of Summer  
Yet more sweet is my love unto me.

How sweet are the charms of the Summer  
Ah! glorious and beauteous are they  
But her glory will pass as a vision  
Her beauty will fade and decay  
So may youth from the cheeks of my angel  
So may the bright light from her e'e  
Yet a smile from the face of my darling  
Will always bring Summer to me.

320 7 Jan 1909

HAVE YOU HEARD OF BRAVE "JAKE"

Have you heard of brave Jake, that huntsman so bold  
Who chases the fox, o'er the high heathy wold  
Who fears not the wind nor the rain nor the cold  
Whilst a-chasing the fox in the morning.

Chorus

The Border, the Border O where will you find

Such a pack of foxhounds just to your mind

True as steel and as swift as the wind

Are the brave gallant dogs of the Border.

Oh his dogs are the truest that ever fox ran  
Though you search the world over I'll bet you never can  
Find such a pack, and such a huntsman  
A-chasing the fox in the morning.

Chorus

He knows every place in the Borders so wide  
Where sly skulking reynard is likely to hide  
And none is more dauntless or fearless to ride  
While a-chasing the fox in the morning.

Chorus

The Carters wild summit and Cheviot so high  
Have often re-echoed his strong rousing cry  
And caused sly reynard for dear life to fly  
As a-hunting he went in the morning.

Chorus

Then fill up your glasses right up to the brim  
And drain them at once, in a bumper to him  
Long may he live ere his eyes shall grow dim  
To go hunting the fox in the morning.

Chorus The Border, the Border etc.

321 4 Jan 1909

LINES TO J. R. WAITT ROCHESTER

Od Johnnie man I'm fair ramfoosed  
Tae see ye me sae weel has roosed  
I hope that I shall be excused  
This rhyming blether  
But ance my tongue gets fairly loosed  
Its bad tae tether.

Aw ken the likes o' you and me  
Are counted kinda daft awee  
Folks say oor brains are clean agley  
And us mi sca'  
But niver mind we'll bear the gree  
Amang them a'.

But though we may be counted asses  
To try and climb up steep Parnassus  
But having seen the nine fair lassies  
Wie smiling faces  
Wha wad na' risk its lofty passes  
For their sweet graces.

Ye'll mind oor brither "Rob the Ranter"  
Wha wide through Scotland blew his chanter  
And musing oft by Doon wad saunter  
Or winding Ayr  
Or chasing smugglers gaily canter  
On his good mare.

And faith he was a jovial chappie  
Wha liked a lass and liked a drappie  
His care's he drooned amang the nappy  
Sae weel he rooses  
And naething made him half sae happy  
As the sweet muses.

O! were his mantle o'er us thrown  
That we might sing in sweeter tone  
Or wondering hear the witches groan  
Yet fear nae evil  
And even might hear bagpipes blown  
By Nick the Deevil.

But Johnnie my dear rhyming brither  
We canna hope tae be sae clivver  
But till ye ford cauld deaths dark river  
May still sublimer  
Rise your sweet sangs' the wish forever  
O' Will the Rhymer.

As for masel' I'll be nae shammer  
While I a single line can stammer  
I'll toosle up our kittle grammar  
Wie might and main  
Till Death wie swift descending hammer  
Shall snap life's chain.

322 1909

AUTUMN. 1909

Not with the bloom of youth thou com'st  
But with maturer charms  
Thou bearest to us plenteously  
Rich blessings in thine arms.

Nor with the symphony of song  
As did thy merry sister band  
But with a sweet and pensive face  
Thou scatter'st plenty o'er the land.

But yet gay garlands of sweet flowers  
Bedeck thy smiling way  
And luscious fruits with rosy cheeks  
Proclaim thy glorious sway.

With cunning hand to purple hue  
Thou casts thy glamour o'er the wold,  
Beneath thy glance the waving fields  
Stand forth arrayed in shimmering gold.

Grim Winter comes with roaring blast  
The Fairy Spring the flowers recall  
The Magic Summer casts its charm  
But thou art Empress of them all.

323 17 May 1910

IN MEMORIAM RICHARD OLIVER. COTTONSHOPEBURNFOOT  
Died 11th May. 1910

O'er the lone vale of Redesdale, there hangs a black pall,  
We have seen the bare arm of the Reaper,  
With his cold steely gaze, he hath looked in the face.  
And closed the dim eyes of the sleeper.

Revered and respected, the whole Borders wide,  
Beloved by his neighbours around him,  
A cheery companion and helpful withal,  
One of Nature's rarest, we found him.

On him the pale hand of sickness was laid.  
And heavy the load he'd to carry,  
Worn out and weary, no great wish had he,  
In this vale of suffering to tarry.

But the Father of Love, sent an angel from Heaven  
To bear back his soul to his bosom  
Where there's never a sorrow, and never a pain  
Though we felt it a trial to loose him.

Ah! oft we shall miss the dear friend we have lost  
With his presence so genial and kindly  
Yet a wish to recall him, irreverent would seem  
And against God's will to act blindly.

Whilst sadly we stood by his cold lowly grave  
'Midst expressions of sorrow and weeping  
His body again we committed to dust.  
His soul to the dear Saviour's keeping.

In Byrness Churchyard, he lies taking his rest  
Amongst the wild mountains so vernal  
Where he shall sleep, till the trumpet of God  
Shall awake him to glory eternal.

324 7 Oct 1910

THE HORN OF THE HUNTSMAN IS SILENT TODAY

Written on the death of Mr. Tom Robson. Bridge Ford

O! dear, dear Northumbria thy brave son lies sleeping  
And lowly his bed in that cold house of clay,  
O! render thy tribute in sorrow and weeping  
The horn of the Huntsman is silent today.

Never more shall his sweet voice awaken the mountains  
When the cold winter morning breaks cheerless and grey  
The chase is relinquished, its glory extinguished  
The horn of the Huntsman is silent today.

Now the fell fox may roam at his will o'er the moorland  
The streams of the Border the otter o'er sway  
The horse lacks its rider, the brave dogs their master  
The horn of the Huntsman is silent today.

Sigh sadly your dirges ye breezes of Autumn  
Thou sweet warbling songster on yon sylvan spray  
O cease thy te deum, chant low a requiem  
The horn of the Huntsman is silent today.

O! dear, dear Northumbria thy brave son lies sleeping  
And lowly his bed in that cold house of clay,  
O! render thy tribute in sorrow and weeping  
The horn of the Huntsman is silent today.

325 Oct 1910

TO THE MEMORY OF A BOLD FOXHUNTER

Come Borderers mourn with me today,  
And let your heads be bowed with woe,  
Our gallant Huntsman on his bier  
In death's cold arms is sleeping low,  
No more his well known voice shall wake  
The echoes of the moorland glen  
No more his horn resounding clear  
Shall start old reynard from his den.

Ye men of Coquet, Kale and Rede  
Ye gallant men of North Tynedale,  
Sons of brave sires who nobly bled  
When foes your country did assail,  
For him your comrade and your friend  
O! do not think the action weak  
But to his mem'ry let the tear  
Course down the hollow of your cheek.

Ye nimrods brave whilst ye pursue  
The fleeting fox across the fell  
I charge you sometimes think of him  
Who loved the sport, and loved it well,  
Whose gallant dogs in many a chase  
Across the Cheviots mountains wide  
Oft proved behind a better Pack,  
The bold foxhunter ne'er did ride.

Ye Muses on Parnassus' hill  
To whose good care the brave belong  
I charge you keep his prowess green  
Amidst the realms of deathless song'  
Though time may waft his silent wings  
And generations come and go,  
Yet still as blooms the Amaranth  
His fame no blighting season know.

O! dear Northumbria may thy sons  
Be ever like him true and bold,  
May sportsmen rise to fill his place  
Thy great traditions to uphold,  
May they be brave, may they be true,  
And ever courteous, ever kind,  
And leave a fragrance through the years  
To those who follow up behind.

Winter may come with snowy locks,  
Sweet Spring strew garlands o'er the plain,  
The Summer robe the woodlands green,  
And Autumn bring its golden grain,  
The music of the hounds may ring,  
The fleeting fox before them flee,  
But gallant Robson's manly form  
Again we never more shall see.

326 26 Jan 1911

BE YE KIND AND HELPFUL, TO ONE ANOTHER

Should you meet a fellow mortal  
As you Journey on through life,  
Who is weary with the striving  
And the trouble and the strife  
One little word may cheer him  
One kindly action done  
May be the means of helping  
To a victory nobly won.

Never miss the chance of helping  
Some poor brother when he's down  
You cannot tell when Fortune  
On your lot may cast her frown,  
For in this world of changes  
Who can tell what is to be  
Wealth may spread her fleeting pinions  
And right swiftly from us flee.

Just a smile may even succour  
Some poor mortal on his way  
Then never shun an effort  
Do what good you can today  
Let it ever be your maxim  
To give what help you can,  
Prove yourself to be right worthy  
To the title of a man.

327 1 July 1911

A SONG OF THE COUNTRY

Hills of deepest emerald  
Skylarks sing above me  
Seeming from their hearts to say  
O! fair scene I love thee  
Smiling brooklets tread their way  
Peacefully then after  
Dashing o'er the waterfall  
With wild shouts of laughter.

Sweetly blows the wild dog rose  
And the corn is growing  
Contentedly the farmer looks  
On his fruitful sowing  
New shorn flocks all snowy white  
Range across the mountains  
And forget-me-nots so blue  
Gaze into the fountains.

Green and high the bracken waves  
In the playful breezes  
Everywhere the eye doth roam  
Every object pleases  
Not a frown on Nature's face  
But she smiles benignly  
And her smile on all she casts  
With a charm divinely.

O! the lovely Summers day  
What can match its beauty  
If I sung not in its praise  
I should shun my duty  
'Tis the poets sweetest theme  
'Tis his source of gladness  
'Tis to him the antidote  
O'er life's brooding sadness.

328 Jan 1912

I MET HER ONCE AND ONLY ONCE

I met her once and only once,  
In the years long left behind me,  
Yet in my heart, she left a dart  
That ever will remind me  
Of a witching face, of a maidens grace  
That to other charms did blind me.

She was young and sweet as a rose in June  
And tall and fair as Venus,  
Our eyes just met, and I oft regret  
Not a word e'er passed between us,  
She was borne away on that fateful day  
By the will of my evil Genius.

Yes, years have come and years have gone  
I've sought but have not found her,  
And she never knew of the love so true  
That to my life had bound her,  
Of the vacant throne in my heart so lone  
Where I fain my queen would have crowned her.

329 No Date 1912

CHRISTMAS BELLS. 1912

Ring, ring ye merry Christmas bells  
Ring out once more your notes of gladness,  
Drive carking care, dull eyed away  
And fill our hearts anew with gladness,  
Ring in the joyful Natal morn  
That wrought the earths emancipation  
And tidings brought to one and all  
Of Jesus and his great salvation.

Ring, ring ye joyful Christmas bells  
Your message clear from every steeple  
O send the tidings far and wide  
To every kindred every people  
Proclaim as did the Angel Hosts  
Long ages past while earthward bending  
The reign of peace with smiling face  
Whose sway shall never know an ending.

Ring, ring ye merry Festal bells  
Let families sundered be united  
Around the blazing yule log's glow  
With tender feelings all requited  
Bring in the regal Christmas feast  
Bedecked with mistletoe and holly  
Let there be laughter in each heart  
And bid a truce to melancholy.

Ring, ring ye merry Christmas bells  
Ring out the reign of war devasting  
Ring in the reign of peace divine  
And may her away be everlasting  
May her soft arms entwine the world  
The nations to her bosom keeping  
And strife be to the silence borne  
Like a comet star to the distance sweeping.

330 30 Dec 1912

TO MY DEAR DEPARTED  
Lines written by request

Darling, I am sad and lonely,  
And mine eye oft sheds a tear  
When I pensive think upon thee  
Sleeping on thy chilly bier  
Now the snow is lying o'er thee,  
And the cold winds darkly rave,  
But thou knoweslt not their presence  
In the still and silent grave.

Strongest cords of love that bound us  
Heart to heart have severed been  
Holy vows so truly plighted  
Distanced by the gulf between  
But within my memory, dearest.  
Stored are transports of the past  
That I'll ever fondly cherish -  
Yea as long as life shall last.

Sad and sacred was the parting  
When we said our last goodbye -  
I to face the world in sadness  
Thou to brighter realms on high,  
I my heavy cross to carry  
Through the march of coming years  
Thou to where a pain ne'er cometh  
And are wiped away all tears.

But I have a hope within me  
That brings comfort to my soul,  
And by faith my inward vision  
Firmly fixed upon that goal,  
Far beyond the bright stars beaming  
In the clear ethereal sky  
I shall meet thee darling Bella  
In our Father's Home on high.

331 No Date

LIFE'S JOURNEY TOGETHER

She was a child and I a child,  
We children were together  
And many a happy day we spent  
Amongst the blooming heather.

She grew a maid, and I a youth,  
With hearts as light as ether  
And hand in hand we often strayed  
We cared not whence nor whether.

And she did love and I did love  
We both did love each other,  
Sweet Cupid fanned the sacred flame  
We neither tried to smother.

She vowed a vow, and I a vow  
We vowed our vows most tender  
And love most sacred and divine  
Did both our hearts engender.

And she did wed and I did wad  
We wedded were together  
To brave the ills and climb the hills  
Amidst life's changing weather.

A mother she, a father I,  
Parental joys were given  
And oft did we our voices raise  
In thankfulness to Heaven.

And she grew old and I grew old  
For youth we cannot tether,  
But still the cords of love did bind  
Our hearts more close together.

And oft we pray, come when i t ma  
Grim death may not us sever,  
But as in life we've always been  
In death we'll go together.

332 3 Jan 1913

TO A DAISIE IN BLOOM ON 3RD JANUARY, 1913

Grey the skies above thee frown,  
And the wind blows crazy  
Yet so bold thou brav'st the blast  
Modest little daisie.

But three days the young years age  
When I gladly found thee  
Smiling up into my face  
Though the hills around thee.

Covered were in robes of snow  
Of the purest whiteness,  
Not a beam of winter's sun  
Cheered thee with its brightness.

Not, in a low and shelter'd bow'r  
Free from roaring Boreous  
Where the robins daily join  
In a plaintive chorus.

By the margin of the way  
Flora did beguile thee  
Where a passing pilgrims foot  
Easily might defile thee.

Not another bloom but thou,  
Thou alone and only  
Modest little floral gem  
Thou and I art lonely.

But a kinship I've to thee  
Favoured by the Muses  
This wee daisie I would claim  
With my best excuses.

Did not Scotia's noble Bard  
Sing of thee sublimely  
When his ploughshare 'mid the dust  
Crushed to death untimely.

A modest crimson tipped flower,  
A song that through the ages  
Shall give to thee a favoured place  
On Poesy's deathless pages.

High to Parnassus' lofty hill  
The witching Muses bore thee  
And thus it is the Sons of Song  
Forever shall adore thee.

Through Spring and Summer, Autumn ripe  
And Winter dark and hazy  
'Tis thou alone that wreaths the year  
Wee modest little daisie.

333 22 Feb 1913

THE PICTURE THAT HANGS ON THE WALL

I sit in my chair and I gaze on a face,  
A dear pictured face on the wall  
And fancy takes flight through the mist of long years  
That have passed far beyond my recall.

And while I thus gaze on that fair youthful face  
A sweet loving smile I can see  
And the lips seem to speak, as they spoke long ago,  
Such dear tender words unto me.

And again it doth seem that our hands are enclasped  
While we roam by the banks of a stream  
With a start I wake up from my deep reverie  
And find that it's only a dream.

And I think of a grave in the distant Churchyard  
Where the shade of the willow doth fall  
And a tear I let drop from mine eye as I gaze  
On the picture that hangs on the wall.

334 Sept 1913

IN MEMORIUM  
Lines by Request

Tender thoughts are centred round

One small spot of hallowed ground

Where our loved one's sleeping

Round one circling year hath fled

Since we laid her 'midst the dead

Sorrowful and weeping.

We mourn her more than tongue can tell

But He who doeth all things well

Can bind the heart that's riven

Till through Hid great unfathomed love

At last we all shall meet above

Within the Gates of Heaven.

338 11 Apr 1917

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS

Right nobly they responded  
To their Country's need and call  
They came from Town and Village  
From Cottage and from Hall  
They left their homes behind them  
'Midst sighing and 'midst tears  
Each man to do his duty  
In our famous Fusiliers.

The shopman left the counter  
And the miner left his pick  
The ploughman left his horses  
And the herd his dog and stick  
The teacher left his scholars  
And the tailor left his shears  
All fain to fight for glory  
In Northumbrian Fusiliers.

'Neath the good old Flag they rallied  
On the bloody plains of France  
They helped to stem the torrent  
Of the enemy's advance  
They fought with courage glorious  
Meeting death's relentless spears  
O! proud should be Northumbria  
Of her valiant Fusiliers.

They faced the noxious gasses  
The bullets and the guns  
They charged with gory bayonets  
Through the strongholds of the Huns  
They drove them back victorious  
And through Times coming years  
Shall live the deathless valour  
Of our dauntless Fusiliers.

Side by side our boys are fighting  
In the glorious cause of right  
'Gainst the German tyrant's fist of mail  
And the Germans boasted might  
Yet amongst our martial regiments  
None surpasses few compeers  
Thy noble sons Northumbria  
Our gallant Fusiliers.

With the boast of battle ended  
And the War god gone to rest  
With Peace once more enfolding  
The Nations to her breast  
Then back again we'll welcome  
With many rapturous cheers  
These brave and dauntless soldiers  
Our famous Fusiliers.

339 April 1917

THE WARRIOR BOYS OF REDESDALE

When Mars with scowling face did call  
Who into line did bravely fall  
Those hill-bred patriots one and all  
The fearless "Boys" of Redesdale.

Who quickly trained and crossed the sea  
To fight for truth and liberty  
That Europe might indeed be free  
The strapping "Boys" of Redesdale.

Who hath so freely shed their blood  
Faced bullets cannon steel and mud  
Stemm'd back the enemy's rushing flood  
The noble "Boys" of Redesdale.

Who still shall help the fight to win  
To clear the road to famed Berlin  
To tan the tyrant Kaisers skin  
The stalwart "Boys" of Redesdale.

Who shall still strike with muscles strong  
Who shall still dare to right the wrong  
Who shall yet join the victors song  
The gallant "Boys" of Redesdale.

Their deeds on Poesy's page shall shine  
In golden letters every line  
And round our hearts with love entwine  
The warrior "Boys" of Redesdale.

340 22 May 1917

TO OUR VALIANT SOLDIERS

Sons of Empire bravely fighting  
In a just and righteous cause  
Though your task may be stupendous  
Never in your striving pause  
But with your undaunted valour  
Bear your strength upon the foe  
Backward beat the Prussian braggarts  
Lay the false usurpers low.

On them Sons of Caledonia  
On them Sons from Erin's shore  
On them valiant men of England  
Let them feel as oft of yore  
That your muscled arms are powerful  
That your hearts are made of steel  
On them martial sons of Empire  
Make the Hunnish legions reel.

Not for lust or love of battle  
Not to prove your warlike might  
But to show your manly daring  
In the sacred cause of right  
Not for gain or not for plunder  
Not for glory or renown  
But that Liberty may flourish  
And to beat oppression down.

Through red fields of blood and carnage  
Through the sulphurous mouth of Hell  
You must march the road to victory  
E'er the tyrant you can quell  
But with your tenacious courage  
And the help of God divine  
You shall drive the base invaders  
Far beyond the forted Rhine.

343 No Date

THE BRITISH LEGION

Who fought with muscles taut and strong  
Who bravely dared to right the wrong  
Who now join in the victor's song  
The noble British Legion.

Their deeds on Posey's page shall shine  
In golden letters every line  
Around our hearts with love entwine  
The noble British Legion.

344 10 Oct 1919

LINES IN AUTOGRAPH ALBUMS

I  
Dear Jean may skies above thee shine  
May flowers around thee bloom  
And may thou weave life's silken thread  
Upon a golden loom  
May love around thy heart entwine  
Close as the woof and warp combine.

Oh! may the choicest gifts be thine  
That bounteous Heaven doth hold in store  
Until at length this life is merged  
With that which lies beyond Time's shore  
Where joys spontaneous and divine  
Shall crown that higher life of thine.

I I  
Your commands sweetest maiden I haste to obey  
Although from my task I would fain turn away  
But in case you should think such conduct to blame  
I seize on the goose quill and scribble my name

May the worst you've ever seen  
Be the worst you'll ever see  
May the mouse ne'er leave your pantry  
Wie the tear drop in his e'e  
May your lum keep blithely reekin'  
Till you're auld enough tae dee  
May you aye just be as happy  
As we wish you aye tae be.

When on this book you smile  
When on this book you frown  
Think of the girl who spoiled it  
By writing upside down.

You may talk of the signs of the weather  
And the changes the seasons may bring,  
But to sit on a rod-hot poker  
Is the sign of an early Spring.

I I I  
One true lover, only one  
He no laggard tarry  
Pop the question, buy the ring,  
At the Altar marry  
Smiling lips, sparkling eyes  
Orange blooms, confetti  
Blessings like a river flow  
Unto thee dear Betty.

I V  
You ask me dear lady to write in your book  
To do so I truly am willing  
To tell you the truth since the days of my youth  
I have always been fond of inkspllling  
So I wish you success whereever you go  
May you always be happy and jolly  
May ne'er on your face be pictured a trace  
Of dismal dull-eyed melancholy  
Such is the wish of a friend leal and true  
Who will always be willing to show it  
And deep in your heart may you find some regard  
For your well-wishing crony The Poet.

V  
To write my name in Mary's book  
I'm sure I feel delighted  
Far more than if the King himself  
Had asked me to be knighted.

For Mary is a winsome maid  
Whose graces all engender  
To form a type of womanhood  
Supremely sweet and t ender.

Dark as the ravens wing her hair  
Two tempting lips like cherries  
And pearly white are Mary's teeth  
Like snowy privet berries.

Oh! Mary's eyes are violets blue  
And Mary's cheeks are roses  
And Mary take her all complete  
Is just a bunch of posies.

Then come true heartad lovers come  
To woo this witching fairy  
And happy be the swain who wins  
Our bonnie moorland Mary.

(V I)  
We cannot of course all be handsome  
It is sometimes quite hard to be good  
But at least we might often be better  
If we made up our minds that we would  
To boldly face trials and crosses  
Perhaps is a task harder still  
Even then, we may always be pleasant  
If we make up our minds that we will.

345 No Date

LINES TO JEMIMA

To autograph your book dear maid,  
Gives me the greatest pleasure  
May Fortune over on you smile  
In an unstinted measure  
May old friends ever constant prove  
And new loves be cemented  
And may you never know the loss  
Of being discontented.

When Mr. Right with honied words  
Shall at your feet present him  
Then you shall gladly answer, "Yes"  
And bless the Power that sent him  
Oh may you prove his guide by day  
By night his bright Shekinah  
And health and wealth their blessings shower  
Upon you dear Jemima.

346 No Date

THE INFIRMARY - BY REQUEST

I am a country maiden and I wish to do my bit  
In the battle that we're waging for the sick and the unfit  
And your help is greatly needed to win the victory  
And success to crown our efforts for The Infirmary.

So, lend to us a helping hand most earnestly we plead  
For worthy is the object, and greater is the need  
It matters not if it be small if given willingly  
'Twill all be a help to the Infirmary.

There are many broken hearted and with muscles taut and strong  
Who carry all life's burdens with a laugh and with a song  
They would have been death's victims but for skilful surgery  
And treatment duly rendered at the Infirmary.

Now I'll bid you all "Good Evening" with a wish that is sincere  
May you never lack a friend should trouble tarry near  
May Fortune smile upon you from every worry free  
May you never be a patient in the Infirmary.

348 12 Oct 1935

AN INVITATION TO THE ANNUAL HUNT BALL  
AND FOX HUNT AT ROCHESTER

Come! all ye jolly sportsmen,  
Who love to hunt the fox;  
There's a brave one waiting for you  
In the old Huel's rugged rocks.

Oh! his heart is bold and fearless,  
And his limbs are stout and strong;  
And for twenty miles, my hearties  
He will take the chase along.

Will take the chase along my boys  
Then Hark! Hark! away,  
On the twenty sixth October  
Be ye ready for the fray.

349 No Date

NO TITLE (An Old Fox)

An old fox lies on the Dumnock Law  
And he snores both deep and loudly  
Until he'll awake with a start to hear  
The Huntsman's horn blown proudly.

Then away he'll steal and at his brush  
In grand array and order  
Right on his track will come that Pack  
The merry gay dogs of the Border.

Then come ye brave nimrods of the hills  
If you want a time of pleasure  
At Windy Haugh you may sport and laugh  
In an unstinted measure.

350 No Date

NO TITLE (Happy Child)

Rosy cheeked wee happy child  
Sporting with thy laughter wild  
Deep blue eyes so clear and mild

Sweet as rain

Heart by sin yet undefiled

Untouched by care.

As I watch thy childish glee  
Little feet so light and free

352 Oct 1916

NO TITLE

Congratulations Mother dear  
Upon"The Span" completed  
With wishes that the coming year  
May be with joys repleted  
And hopes that you may long be spared  
To cherish those you love,  
Whilst countless blessings fall on you  
Like incense from above.

353 No Date (1932)

LINES WRITTEN FOR HUNTING POSTER. 1932

To saddle, to saddle the morning breaks clear,  
Let us off to the chase to the hunting band dear,  
Let us 'waken the mountains and valleys below  
With the soul stirring chorus of Hark Tallyho.

Hark forward, hark forward, old Reynard's away,  
Right over the valley and on by Cleughbrae,  
Then turning left handed by dingle and glens  
And Oh!, the wise rascal he's making for "Bens".

And Ben just as wise, soon appears at the door,  
With his tray filled with glasses, and he'll quickly bring more,  
Whilst from those assembled in a great crescendo,  
Breaks forth the wild chorus of Hark Tallyo.

354 1 April 1933

TO THE SUN

Earths fruits by thee are made both ripe and mellow  
The bearded wheat and ail the golden corn  
Thou bringest all to its great good perfection  
In readiness when comes the harvest morn.

355 1 April 1933 (on Retiring as a Roadman after 48 years)

Sadly today I quit my tools  
One of the County's April fools

356 29 Sept 1933

LINES WRITTEN FOR A HUNTING POSTER

There are many good Packs in Old England,  
There are huntsmen both loyal and true,  
But there's few can compare with The Border  
When they chase a good fox at the view.  
Over crags, over haggs, and through mosses,  
They career like the fleet bounding roe  
Then here's to the dogs of the Border,  
Hark forward, on, on Tallyho.

Though you've not got a hack, or a hunter,  
You have limbs that are supple and strong.  
And your lungs never fail in their duty  
As they cheer the brave beauties along.  
Then, come for a jolly day's hunting,  
With your strong, healthy hearts in a glow.  
And here's to the dogs of the Border,  
Hark forward, on, on, Tallyho.

357 7 Dec 1936

NO TITLE (Foxhunting)

Come jolly sportsmen who hunt the fox  
Oer hills through valleys and high rugged rocks  
Make for Windy Haugh, and pull up your socks  
Well primed for a day with the Border.

Come join brave Jake and his henchman Si  
Arthur and Walter and Davie McKie  
With twenty yault chiel's from far out bye  
And have a grand day with the Border.

Chorus Hark forward brave dogs, then Hark! Hark! away  
Tooral looral fal al the day  
Fal lal the diddle al the dal lal lay  
The merry merry dogs of the Border.

Though minus a hunter you're stout in the legs  
With the speed of a wild deer thats chased by the clegs  
Then take up your tipple to the bottommost dregs  
And drink to the health of the Border,

Long may our hills and green valleys resound  
With the horn of the huntsman the bay of the hound  
And many a good fox midst their fastness be found  
To bring fame to the dogs of the Border.

358 No Date

NO TITLE (Redesdale)

Land of my birth old wild Redesdale  
Home of my youth I bid thee hail  
The land where romance ever teems  
And mingles with the rippling streams  
Each rock each cairn each hill and tree  
Enshrouded in some mystery.  
There battles grim and gory raged  
With foes in mortal strife engaged  
Where ghosts and fairies once did dwell  
And roamed or flitted oer each fell  
Or when the moons clear silvery beams  
Cast her bright light upon thy streams  
To music wondrous, witching wild  
The long and happy night beguiled  
There stands the Carters lofty hill  
Where foeman foemans blood did spill  
In last encounter with the Scot  
The battle raged both fierce and hot  
The English in defeat most dire  
Fled from the heights of high Reedswire  
Down from the Carters rugged slope  
Lies lone and stormy Batinghope  
Where the false Halls by treacherous deed  
Betrayed their dalesman Percy Reed  
And there on Chattlehopes heathy hill  
The smugglers hid their whiskey still  
And by the roaring rushing spout  
Returning from a rieving bout  
Upon the rocky mountains dome  
Jack Corbit, Barty o£ the Comb  
While driving home their stolen sheep  
Were overtaken on the steep  
By men from cross the Border land  
Who bade them instantly to stand  
And to deliver up their stock  
In mortal combat fast did lock  
And from that fierce and bloody fray  
But Corbit lived to drive away  
The booty over which they fought  
O surely it was dearly bought  
And on his shoulders to his home  
Bore lifeless Barty of the Comb  
And there by Catcleughs peaceful farm  
Where old Reed casts her pleasant charm  
Amid the alders bushes green  
The lady drest in white was seen  
Whose spectre moved with noiseless tread  
A restless spirit of the dead  
And down by Blakehopeburnhaugh  
Was seen and heard a ghostly calf  
And by the bowers of old deadwood  
Where Rede pours on her constant flood  
A spritely dove sat mute and lone  
Perched on a rounded boulder stone  
And as the dalesman of that day  
Sped hastily past along their way  
Each wiped his cold and clammy brow  
And made the fearsome bird a bow.

359 No Date

NO TITLE (River Jed)

At Mossburnford a fairy scene  
Burst on the raptured eye  
No fairer spot of loveliness  
Can this old earth supply  
Rare sylvan draperies richly hung  
Oer lofty rocks deep red  
Superbly cast a glamour oer  
The beauteous banks of Jed.

Down through the haughs of Ferniehirst  
Her waters sweep and bend  
There nature in her lavish mood  
Her choicest gifts doth lend  
The ancient castle moss oergrown  
Where hero's blood was shed  
All weave a witching romance round  
The magic banks of Jed.

Still onward by the Lothian Park  
Then underneath the Bridge  
Upon the left the Abbey stands  
To crown the higher ridge  
Times hand hath marked its stately pile  
While centuries hath fled  
And generations lived and died  
Upon the banks of Jed.

By Camptowns earthly paradise  
Where lofty greenwoods wave  
Deep down in yon sweet shaded glen  
Her crystal waters lave  
Gay garlands of the choicest flowers  
By Flora's hand are spread  
And richly deck the mossy banks  
Of lovely lovely Jed.

360 No Date

LINES TO NANCY

May you always be happy and jolly  
May you never know trouble and care  
May the mouse never visit your cupboard  
And find that provisions are bare  
May you never be wanting a shilling  
Nor friends who are faithful and true  
And may the sweet incense of Heaven  
Dear Nancy fall ever on you.

362 No Date

NO TITLE (Springtide)

A low voice has whispered and Nature hath heard  
And from her long slumber the sleeper has stirred  
There's a twitch in her eyelids there's a smile on her lips  
That so long have been held in a total eclipse.

Ah yes she hath heard from her couch she hath risen  
She burst the strong bars of her frost shackled prison  
And we gaze on her beauty with a joy that enthrills  
Deckt with snowdrop and crocus and fair daffodills.

And to her attendance sweet minstrels have come  
That through the long Winter were silent and dumb  
Each vieing to greet her with rich mellow notes  
Carrolled forth with a zest from their magic filled throats.

The smile from her face lightens river and rill  
From her lap she drops garlands on valley and hill  
Love comes at her call and the glint of her eye  
Gladdens earth and reflects on the ocean and sky.

So youthful so graceful so buoyant and free  
Light hearted and tender o'erbrimming with glee  
Thrice welcome we hail her the lovely springtide  
Bejewelled and begemmed as a beautiful bride.

Index 1 The Poems in Billy Bell, Part 2

Poem Title  
Number  
249 Among the Hay   
237 Amour or a Moorland Courtship, An   
113 Appeal From the Muses, An - to Rev H Wright   
138 April   
280 April   
103 Around the Fire   
255 At the Closing of the Day   
203 Auld Theekit Cottage that stands in the Sheil, The   
234 Autumn   
65 Autumn 1904-A Sonnet   
64 Autumn 1904   
53 Autumn Days   
70 Autumn Musings   
322 Autumn, 1909   
97 Banks of Rede, The   
326 Be Ye Kind and Helpful to one Another   
267 Beautiful Rose   
260 Beneath the Wave   
85 Beside the Stream   
247 Billy's Wooing   
40 Bonnie Mary of the Rede   
10 Border Land, The   
87 Border Maiden, A   
13 Brave Boer Boy, A   
343 British Legion, The   
231 Broken Heart, A   
194 Brother Why Look So Dejected   
171 By Winding Brooks I love to roam   
177 By Yon Clear Winding Stream   
77 Changing Scene, A   
290 Characteristics of an Old Friend, The  
296 Chattlehope Spout   
201 Cherub's Smile, A   
109 Christmas 1904   
306 Christmas 1907   
329 Christmas Bells, 1912   
270 Christmas Dream 1906, A   
300 Come Little Sweetheart Stray With Me   
199 Conjugal Happiness   
303 Contemplation of Nature   
167 Crossing the River   
198 Cruel Rose   
297 Daisie   
229 Day Dreams Beside the Burn   
75 Days by the Rede   
72 Dead Flowers   
7 Denholm Dean   
135 Dissipated Lover, The   
172 Dreams of Summer by the Lake   
43 Dying Soldier, The   
58 Earths Melodies   
24 Elsdon   
46 Emigrants Musings on Home, The   
190 Even on the Moors   
218 Evening Muse, An   
235 Experto Crede   
45 Fair Camptown   
262 Fair Lucy   
205 Fair Maid of Spring   
47 Far Away from the Haunts of Men  
258 Farewell Dear Phyllis Fare Thee Well   
105 Father Take my Hand   
217 Fishing Song (2)  
33 Giant Despair   
17 Gilsland   
122 God Hath Made All   
42 Gods Nectar   
239 Guard well the Tongue  
27 Hail to Thee Scotia  
91 Handsome Nell   
189 Happy Dream, A   
259 Happy Stream, The   
320 Have you Heard of Brave "Jake"   
278 Hielant Herd in the Lowlands, The   
125 His Last Look   
316 Hold the Truth   
324 Horn of the Huntsman is Silent Today, The   
265 Hunting Song - Hark tally-OO   
328 I Met her once and only once   
323 In Memoriam Richard Oliver, Cottonshopeburnfoot   
334 In Memorium   
228 In the Steps of "Isaak"   
131 In Vain   
346 Infirmary by Request, The   
348 Invitation to the Annual Hunt Ball and Fox Hunt at Rochester, An   
9 Irthlngdale   
16 Is there a God   
154 Isobel   
107 It Stingeth Like a Serpent and Biteth Like an Adder   
1 Jack Hunter dear Me Jo  
150 Jessie of Southdean   
301 Jewel of a Girl, A   
179 Joseph's Dream  
208 Just Me  
273 Kate of Otterburn  
293 Kind Words   
215 Kitty   
268 Kitty of Dunbar  
253 Lass of Coquetside, The   
248 Latest Border Raid, The   
67 Lessons   
68 Letter to Mr. John Dunn Jnr, A   
331 Life's Journey Together   
353 Lines Written for a Hunting Poster 1932  
344 Lines in Autograph Albums   
37 Lines on the Churchyard  
144 Lines on a Skylark Killed on the Telegraph Wires   
321 Lines to J. R. Waitt, Rochester   
345 Lines to Jemima   
285 Lines to Mrs. Lovibond,   
360 Lines to Nancy   
356 Lines Written for a Hunting Poster   
76 Link that Binds, A   
238 Little Bit of Blue, A   
6 Lofty Ruberslaw   
275 Lost Lucy   
149 Maid of Coquetdale, The   
59 Maid of the Tyne, A   
139 Margaret   
2 Martha and her Jake   
143 Memories of the Past   
160 Midnight Run with the Bxxxx Hounds, A  
245 Mister Tom McGuire   
79 Monarch of the Day, The   
162 Moorland Funeral, A   
236 Moorland Maiden, A   
127 Morning Joys   
52 Mornings Blushes   
81 Musings on the Teviot   
96 Musings by the Irthing  
292 Musings on the Carter Fell June 1907  
112 Musings on the Mountains   
99 My Beautiful Maid   
175 My Katie and Me   
274 My Lost Lover   
145 My Native Vale   
254 My Own Loving Jean   
272 Nancy   
163 Nancy The Flower O' Redewater   
66 Never Coming Back   
307 New Years Greeting, A   
86 Night   
362 No title Springtide   
195 No title A Dream of Heaven   
349 No title An Old Fox   
359 No title Jed Banks   
315 No title Mother   
352 No title Mother's Birthday Greeting   
358 No title Redesdale   
357 No title Foxhunting   
193 No title Jedburgh Maiden   
311 No title On the Death of a Cow   
350 No title The Happy Child   
191 Noahs Ark Soiree   
108 Noble Mind, A   
338 Northumberland Fusiliers   
62 O Bonnie Hills of Redesdale   
128 O Thou Bright Orb   
161 Old Maids Dream, An   
106 On the Margin of the Lake b  
121 Only a Bunch of Violets   
28 Onward Ever Onward   
98 Otterburn   
309 Pan and His Hammer   
212 Pastoral Song, A   
169 Peace and Goodwill Unto Men   
333 Picture that hangs on the Wall, The   
183 Postman, The   
23 Prayer to the Muse, A   
26 Prayer to the Muse, A   
129 Prayer, A   
317 Proposal, A   
216 Purty Norah of the Emerald Isle so Green  
35 Rain Drops   
71 Ramble, A   
92 Rede and the Dam or the Redes Sigh for Liberty, The   
168 Reign of Winter, The   
110 Repining   
227 Restful Night   
224 River Tyne, The   
89 Rochester, Redesdale   
196 Rosebud, A   
124 Rural Observations   
5 Schoolboy Days   
146 Shepherds Daughter, The   
152 Shepherds Wooing, A   
295 Smile and a Tear, A   
314 Snow Drops or Pretty Little Fairies Drest in White   
44 Soldier of the Tyne, A   
204 Soldiers Bride, The   
304 Soldiers Farewell, The   
4 Soldiers Letter to his Lover, A  
327 Song of the Country, A   
240 Sonnet   
221 Sonnet   
197 Sonnet - On the sad death of Lady Grey etc.   
157 Sonnet - Autumn   
158 Sonnet-Dawn   
123 Sonnet-The Mountain   
164 Sonnet - Trafalgar Day Centenary   
63 Sonnet - Worship, A   
186 Sonnet to Spring   
181 Sons of Britain   
257 Sons of Toil, The   
151 Sprig of Heather, A   
118 Spring   
111 Spring Songster, The   
213 Springtide and Youth   
133 Springtide Musings   
266 Star of Bethlehem, The   
15 Stars, The   
41 Stars, The   
180 Stray With Me Love   
294 Sue   
132 Suicide, The   
140 Summer Beauties   
102 Summer Charms   
29 Summers Day, A   
32 Summer's Early Morning, A   
31 Summer's Evening, A   
18 Sunset.   
289 Sunshine After Rain   
305 Sunshine and Cloud   
82 Sweet Anna Fair   
263 Tell Me Love O Tell me that You will be Mine   
178 That Love of Ours   
318 Though Sweet are the Charms of the Summer  
Yet more Sweet is my Love unto me   
14 Thoughts by the River   
117 Thundercloud, The   
242 To "Joseph" in Answer to an Attack on Fox Hunting   
3 To R. O'Connel and Ruberslaw on a heated discussion etc   
54 To the Forget-me-not   
30 To a Brother Poet   
332 To a Daisie in Bloom on 3rd January, 1913   
134 To a Daughter of Ireland   
287 To a Friend on Receiving His Wedding Card   
282 To a Wayside Forget-Me- Not   
226 To June   
277 To Lillie with a Christmas Box 1906   
39 To Mrs. Dunn on her recent visit to her native Redesdale   
330 To My Dear Departed   
312 To My First Skylark 1908   
130 To Northumbria   
340 To Our Valiant Soldiers   
95 To Poetry   
8 To Reedsdale   
80 To Sallie Bell of Gilsland   
11 To Spring   
279 To Spring   
223 To Summer   
211 To the Cuckoo - 1906   
114 To the Daisy   
310 To the Hills of the Borders   
222 To the Maiden with White Fire Laden whom Mortals call the Moon   
325 To the Memory of a Bold Foxhunter   
298 To the Memory of an Old Friend   
116 To the Memory of Robert Burns   
291 To the Month of May   
56 To the Moon   
25 To the Mountains   
22 To the Muse.   
126 To the Rainbow   
120 To the River Jed   
78 To the Robin Singing in a Snowstorm   
147 To the Skylark   
206 To The Skylark .  
12 To the Snowdrop   
200 To the Snowdrop   
354 To the Sun   
57 To the Sun   
21 To the Whin in Bloom   
313 To W. C. on his Marriage   
232 Trial, The   
156 Twixt Carter Fell and Blaxter   
264 Union Jack, The   
220 Unknown, The   
38 View from Carter Fell, The   
159 Voice from the Woods, A   
339 Warrior "Boys" of Redesdale, The   
19 What are thy Hopes?   
104 What Might Once Have Been   
299 When the Fields are White with Daisies   
210 Whirling Wheels, The   
55 Wind, The   
137 Wraiths, The   
230 Yesterday and Today   
283 Young Jennie was the Fairest Queen   
48 Youthful Days

Return to Contents List

Index 2 The poems in Billy Bell, Redesdale Roadman, Border Bard

Poem No Title

83 Adventures of Three Woodburn Cyclists, The

142 Amid the Hills of Redesdale

243 An A 'd Maid's Adventures at Bellingham Show in search of a Husband, 1906

155 An Old Shepherd's Adventures at Bellingham Show, 1905

284 Anvil of Vulcan is Silent Today, The  
174 Bacchanal's Lament, A

74 Bagpiper, The

88 Bellingham Show 1904

165 Betty McPhee

84 Bonnie Jean of Mervinslaw

101 Bridal Teapot, The

261 Christmas Greeting to Friends at Willington on Tyne, A

93 Cleugh, The

244 Crack Between Two Border Shepherds. A

219 Crack Wie A Collie, A

302 Dosing o' the Hoggs, The

256 Falling Leaves

100 Fancy Motor Cars

347 Fearsome Dream A

136 Fishing Adventure of Jimmy Hastie, The

36 Fishing Song

73 Fox Hunt, A

185 General Election of 1906, The

319 Hev' ye iver been at Elsdon

90 John Steels Gate

361 Lazy County Roadmen, The

170 Letter to :- Mr. Wilkie Dodd

337 Lines attached to a Hidden Bicycle

342 Lines to Rambler

187 Little Girl's Trip to London, A

148 Modern Juggernaut Cars

166 My Bonnie Shepherd Lad

153 Night we spent in Coquet Walter, The

60 Now the Hills are Crowned with Glory

49 Now the Yellow Corn is Waving

250 Old Farmer Brown

286 Pates Hamecoming Frae Otterburn Ball

308 Plucking o' The Geese, The

20 Redewaters Farewell to the Navvies

355 Retirement couplet

34 Roby's Farewell to his old Marc

207 Rooks. The

115 Run with a Salmon, A

184 Saunta Claws

335 Signs of Spring

288 Since Geordie Teuk on to the Beer

336 Snowbound Travellers

233 St. Swithin's Tears

176 Stovey Tattoes

251 Tammy Heslop's Musings at the Peat Stack End

61 Thoughts Beneath an Old Tree

241 To a Friend on his Approaching Marriage

202 To Miss S. Bell, Dacre House,Gilsland

182 To Mr. W. Amos. White Lee, on Presenting him with a Walking Stick of Huge Dimensions

188 To My Auld Bonnet

192 To My Guid Auld Trusty Fishing Wand

281 To Robin at the Window

214 To Scotia From the Carter Fell

246 To See the King at Alnwick

50 To the Collie in Town, reared on the Hills

119 To the Dipper

141 To the First Swallow 1905

209 Tom Ord's Farewell to Redewater

225 Tom Samson

276 Torments of Sciatica

351 Twelfth Prospects

51 Twice Motherless

252 Up to Date Locinvar, An

38 View from Carter Fell, The

269 Weary Willie

173 Wee Bit Cottage O' My Ain, A

94 Whist on the Hunt after the Wolf

69 Winter

271 Winter

341 Winter on the Carter Fell

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