Pleasant as roses in the thickets blown,
And pure as dew bathing their crimson leaves.

Mount slowly, sun! and may our journey lie Awhile within the shadow of this hill, This friendly hill, a shelter from thy beams! Such is the summer pilgrim's frequent wish; And as that wish, with prevalence of thanks For present good o'er fear of future ill, Stole in among the morning's blither thoughts, 'Twas chased away, for towards the western side Of the broad vale, casting a casual glance, We saw a throng of people ;-wherefore met? Blithe notes of music, suddenly let loose On the thrilled ear, did to the question yield Prompt answer; they proclaim the annual Wake, Which the bright season favours. Tabor and pipe

In purpose joined to hasten and reprove

The laggard Rustic; and repay with boons

Of merriment a parti-coloured knot,
Already formed upon the village-green.
Beyond the limits of the shadow cast

By the broad hill, glistened upon our sight

That gay assemblage. Round them and above,
Glitter, with dark recesses interposed,

Casement, and cottage roof, and stems of trees
Half-veiled in vapoury cloud, the silver steam
Of dews fast melting on their leafy boughs.
By the strong sunbeams smitten. Like a mast
Of gold, the Maypole shines; as if the rays
Of morning, aided by exhaling dew,
With gladsome influence could re-animate
The faded garlands dangling from its sides.

Said I, "The music and the sprightly scene
Invite us; shall we quit our road, and join
These festive matins ?" He replied, "Not loth
Here would I linger, and with you partake,
Not one hour merely, but till evening's close,
The simple pastimes of the day and place.
By the fleet Racers, ere the sun be set,
The turf of yon large pasture will be skimmed;
There, too, the lusty Wrestlers will contend;
But know we not that he who intermits

Th' appointed task and duties of the day,
Untunes full oft the pleasures of the day,

Checking the finer spirits that refuse

To flow, when purposes are lightly changed?

We must proceed; a length of journey yet Remains untraced." Then, pointing with his staff

Towards those craggy summits, his intent

He thus imparted:

"In a spot that lies

Among yon mountain fastnesses concealed,
You will receive, before the hour of noon,
Good recompense, I hope, for this day's toil,

From sight of One who lives secluded there,
Lonesome and lost of whom, and whose past life

(Not to forestall such knowledge as may be

More faithfully collected from himself),

This brief communication shall suffice.

66

Though now sojourning there, he, like myself,

Sprang from a stock of lowly parentage

Among the wilds of Scotland; in a tract

Where many a sheltered and well-tended plant,

Upon the humblest ground of social life,
Doth at this day, I trust, the blossoms bear

Of piety and simple innocence.

Such grateful promises his youth displayed;

And, as he showed in study forward zeal,

All helps were sought, all measures strained, that he, By due scholastic discipline prepared,

Might to the Ministry be called; which done,

Partly through lack of better hopes—and part,
Perhaps, incited by a curious mind,

In early life he undertook the charge

Of Chaplain to a military troop,

Cheered by the Highland bagpipe, as they marched

In plaided vest-his fellow-countrymen.

This office filling, and by native power,
And force of native inclination, made

An intellectual ruler in the haunts

Of social vanity, he walked the world,
Gay, and affecting graceful gaiety;

Lax, buoyant-less a pastor with his flock

Than a soldier among soldiers-lived and roamed
Where Fortune led: and Fortune, who oft proves
The careless wanderer's friend, to him made known
A blooming Lady-a conspicuous flower,
Admired for beauty, for her sweetness praised,

Whom he had sensibility to love,

Ambition to attempt, and skill to win.

66

For this fair Bride, most rich in gifts of mind,

Nor sparingly endowed with worldly wealth,