"Hence, old fanatic, from my sight! "Alas, my son! the generous spark "How canst thou rend that aged heart That yearns thy woes to share? Thou still hast been my only grief, My only hope and care. "Ere I had been one month a bride, With Craigie, on the banks of Sark, "I nurs'd thee on my tender breast, With mickle care and pain; And saw, with pride, thy heart expand, Without one sordid stain. "With joy, each night, I saw thee kneel Before the throne of grace; And on thy Saviour's blessed day "But all is gone! the vespers sweet Which from our castle rose Are silent now, and sullen pride In hand with envy goes! "Thy wedded wife has sway'd thy hear "Then stay at home, my only son! He turn'd about, and hasted out, She slipt beneath his saddle lap And when she came to yon kirk-yard, Where graves are green and low, She saw full thirty coal-black steeds All standing in a row. Her Willie's was the tallest steed, She laid her hand upon his side; She laid her hand upon the next, An' ay she reach'd, and ay she stretch'd- It was a mere delusive form Of films and sulphry wind; And every wave she gave her hand She pass'd through all those stately steeds, But whiles she felt a glowing heat, Then for her darling desperate grown, But what she saw, and what she heard, But yells, and moans, and heavy groans, Did fast abound; for every hound Of hell seem'd there to be. And after many a horrid rite, "A book! a book!" they loudly howl'd; "Our spells are all in vain. "Hu! tear him, tear him limb from limb," Resounded through the pile, "Hu! tear him, tear him straight, for he Has mocked us all this while." The tender matron, desperate grown, "Ha! that's my frantic mother's voice! My life or peace must end: O take her! take her !" loud he cried, "Take her, and spare thy friend!" The riot rout then sallied out, Each angry shade endeavours made Whether the wretched mortal there His filial hands imbrued, Or if the ruler of the sky The scene with pity view'd And sent the streaming bolt of heaven, To take her life, and save her soul, No man can tell, how it befell; But thence she never more returned, And Willie Wilkin's noble steed |