And to domestic bounds confined, Though duly from my hand he took He did it with a jealous look, And, when he could, would bite. His diet was of wheaten bread, With sand to scour his maw. On twigs of hawthorn he regaled, And, when his juicy salads failed, A Turkey carpet was his lawn, His frisking was at evening hours, But most before approaching showers, Or when a storm drew near. Eight years and five round rolling moons He thus saw steal away, Dozing out all his idle noons, And every night at play. INFANT JOY I kept him for his humor's sake, My heart of thoughts that made it ache, But now beneath his walnut shade He, still more aged, feels the shocks Must soon partake his grave. AT SEA A WET sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast And fills the white and rustling sail Oh, for a soft and gentle wind! But give to me the snoring breeze There's tempest in yon hornèd moon, And lightning in yon cloud; Our heritage the sea. Allan Cunningham. LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER 7 LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER A CHIEFTAIN to the Highlands bound "Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, This dark and stormy water?" "Oh, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. "And fast before her father's men "His horsemen hard behind us ride, Out spoke the hardy Highland wight, "And by my word! the bonny bird So though the waves are raging white, By this the storm grew loud apace, But still as wilder blew the wind, "O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries, The boat has left a stormy land, When, oh, too strong for human hand! The tempest gather'd o'er her. And still they row'd amidst the roar Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore, His wrath was changed to wailing. For, sore dismay'd, through storm and shade His child he did discover: One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid, And one was round her lover. "Come back! come back!" he cried in grief, "Across this stormy water, |