But up there came two squires renowned; And they flew upon the Tinkler wight, "Come one to one, ye coward knaves,— Before you could have counted twelve, The Tinkler tied them neck and heel, And mony a biting jest gave he: "O fie, for shame!" said the Tinkler lad; "Siccan fighters I did never see!" He slit one of their bridle reins, O, what disgrace the conquered feels!And he skelpit the squires with that good tawse, Till the blood ran off at baith their heels. The Douglas he was forced to laugh Till down his cheeks the salt tear ran: "I think the deevil be come here In the likeness of a tinkler man!" Then he has to Lord Douglas gone, And he set him on his gallant steed, "Be not cast down, my Lord Douglas, "'Tis true, Jock Johnstone is my name; I'm a right good tinkler, as you see; For I can crack a casque betimes, Or clout one, as my need may be. "Jock Johnstone is my name, 'tis true, Then Douglas strained the hero's hand, And took from it his sword again: "Since thou art the lord of Annandale, Thou hast eased my heart of meikle pain. "I might have known thy noble form In that disguise thou 'rt pleased to wear; All Scotland knows thy matchless arm, And England by experience dear. "We have been foes as well as friends, And jealous of each other's sway; But little can I comprehend Thy motive for these pranks to-day." "Sooth, my good lord, the truth to tell, 'Twas I that stole your love away, And gave her to the lord of Ross An hour before the break of day; "For the lord of Ross is my brother, "But I thought meet to stay behind, "Judging it better some lives to spare,- Than each with our ten thousand men. "God send you soon, my Lord Douglas, To Border foray sound and haill! But never strike a tinkler again, If he be a Johnstone of Annandale." James Hogg. THE VOICES AT THE THRONE. A little child, A little meek-faced, quiet village child, Sat singing by her cottage door at eve A low, sweet Sabbath song. No human ear Beheld the upturned aspect, or the smile That wreathed her innocent lips while they breathed The oft-repeated burden of the hymn, "Praise God! Praise God!" A seraph by the throne. In full glory stood. With eager hand He smote the golden harp-string, till a flood Of harmony on the celestial air Welled forth, unceasing. There, with a great voice Lord God Almighty!" and the eternal courts Angel, and rapt archangel, throbbed and burned Higher yet Rose the majestic anthem, without pause, Higher, with rich magnificence of sound, To its full strength; and still the infinite heavens Till, trembling with excessive awe and love, But even then, While the ecstatic song was at its height, A meek and childlike voice, faint, but how sweet! Of the reverberate thunder. Loving smiles Lit up the beauty of each angel's face At that new utterance, smiles of joy that grew Was heard the simple burden of the hymn, And when the seraph's song Had reached its close, and o'er the golden lyre Still through the abysmal space that wandering voice Still murmured sweet on the celestial air, "Praise God! Praise God!" T. Westwood. LADY CLARE. It was the time when lilies blow, I trow they did not part in scorn: Lovers long-betroth'd were they: "He does not love me for my birth, Nor for my lands so broad and fair; In there came old Alice the nurse, Said, "Who was this that went from thee?” "It was my cousin," said Lady Clare, "To-morrow he weds with me." "O, God be thank'd!" said Alice the nurse, "That all comes round so just and fair; Lord Ronald is heir of all your lands, And you are not the Lady Clare. "Are ye out of your mind, my nurse, my nurse, "The old Earl's daughter died at my breast; "Falsely, falsely have ye done, O mother," she said, "if this be true;- "Nay, now, my child," said Alice the nurse, And all you have will be Lord Ronald's, "If I'm a beggar born," she said, "Nay, now, my child," said Alice the nurse, She said, "Not so; but I will know If there be any faith in man. "Nay, now, what faith?" said Alice the nurse; "The man will cleave unto his right." "And he shall have it," the lady replied, "Though I should die to-night. "Yet give one kiss to your mother dear! |