Of pain anew to writhe; Stretch'd in disease's shapes abhorr'd Ev'n I am weary in yon skies My lips that speak thy dirge of death- The eclipse of Nature spreads my pall,-- This spirit shall return to Him No! it shall live again, and shine Who captive led captivity, Who robb'd the grave of Victory,- Go, Sun, while Mercy holds me up To drink this last and bitter cup Of grief that man shall taste Go, tell the night that hides thy face, On Earth's sepulchral clod, Or shake his trust in God! LINES WRITTEN ON VISITING A SCENE IN ARGYLESHIRE. AT the silence of twilight's contemplative hour, I have mused in a sorrowful mood, On the wind-shaken weeds that embosom the bower, Where the home of my forefathers stood. All ruin'd and wild is their roofless abode, And lonely the dark raven's sheltering tree: And travell'd by few is the grass-cover'd road, Where the hunter of deer and the warrior trode, To his hills that encircle the sea. Yet wandering, I found on my ruinous walk, One rose of the wilderness left on its stalk, Sweet bud of the wilderness! emblem of all The fabric of bliss to its centre may fall, But patience shall never depart! Though the wilds of enchantment, all vernal and bright, With the vanishing phantoms of love and delight, And leave but a desert behind. Be hush'd my dark spirit! for wisdom condemns Be strong as the rock of the ocean that stems Through the perils of chance, and the scowl of disdain, Yea! even the name I have worshipp'd in vain To bear is to conquer our fate. ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. 1784-1842. THIS poet, novelist, and miscellaneous writer, was born of comparatively humble parentage in Dumfries-shire. He began life as a stone mason; but his early literary ability was such that, being introduced to Cromek, the editor of "Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song," and undertaking to procure contributions to that work, he sent to the editor, as genuine remains, compositions of his own. These form the bulk of Cromek's collection. The cheat was long unsuspected; but the suspicious sagacity of the Ettrick Shepherd and others, especially Professor Wilson (see Blackwood's Magazine, Dec. 1819), ultimately demonstrated the imposition, much to the reputation of the real author. Mr. Cunningham repaired in 1810 to London, and, obtaining an appointment of trust in the sculptor Chantrey's studio, he settled himself here for life. In this congenial position of comfort and independence, he possessed opportunities for the employment of his active pen, and for intercourse with men of kindred genius. His warm heart, his honest, upright and independent character, attracted the affectionate esteem and respect of all who enjoyed his acquaintance. |