Made-to his ear attentively applied

A pipe on which the wind would deftly play-
Glasses he had, that little things display,-
The beetle with his radiance manifold,

A mailed angel on a battle-day;

And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold;
And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold.

He would entice that other man to hear
His music, and to view his imagery:

And, sooth, these two did love each other dear,
As far as love in such a place could be;

There did they dwell-from earthly labour free,
As happy spirits as were ever seen:

If but a bird, to keep them company,

Or butterfly sate down, they were,

ween,

As pleased as if the same had been a maiden queen.

VI.

ELLEN IRWIN; OR, THE BRAES OF KIRTLE.*

FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sate

Upon the Braes of Kirtle,

Was lovely as a Grecian maid
Adorned with wreaths of myrtle.

Young Adam Bruce beside her lay;
And there did they beguile the day
With love and gentle speeches,
Beneath the budding beeches.

From many knights and many squires
The Bruce had been selected;

And Gordon, fairest of them all,
By Ellen was rejected.

Sad tidings to that noble youth!

For it may be proclaimed with truth,
If Bruce hath loved sincerely,
That Gordon loves as dearly.

But what is Gordon's beauteous face,
And what are Gordon's crosses

To them who sit by Kirtle's Braes

Upon the verdant mosses?

Alas that ever he was born!

The Gordon, couched behind a thorn,

Sees them and their caressing,

Beholds them blest and blessing.

*The Kirtle is a river in the southern part of Scotland, on whose banks

the events here related took place.