Few, few shall part where many meet! Shall be a soldier's cemetery ! 58. THE SOLDIER'S RETURN. WHEN wild war's deadly blast was blawn, Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless, A leal,1 light heart was in my breast, I thought upon the banks o'Coil, At length I reach'd my bonnie glen, I pass'd the mill, and trysting thorn, Wha' spied I but my ain dear maid, And turn'd me round to hide the flood That in my was swelling. 1 loyal, true. 2 eyes. Campbell. ! Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, “Sweet lass, Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me, Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo’ed, Forget him shall I never: "Our humble cot, and hamely fare "Ye freely shall partake it; “That gallant badge, the dear cockade, "Ye're welcome for the sake o't." She gaz'd—she redden'd like a rose— She sank within my arms and cried, "Art thou my ain dear Willie ? 66 By Him Who made yon sun and sky By Whom true love's regarded, “I am the man ; and thus may still "True lovers be rewarded! "The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame, "And find thee still true-hearted! "Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love, "And mair, we'se ne'er be parted." Quo' she, "My grandsire left me gowd, "A mailen plenish'd fairly; 4 "And come, my faithfu' sodger lad, "Thou'rt welcome to it dearly." For gold the merchant ploughs the main, But glory is the sodger's prize, In day and hour of danger. 59.-A PLAIN DIRECTION. IN London once I lost my way In faring to and fro, And ask'd a little ragged boy The way that I should go ; He gave a nod, and then a wink, "Straight down the Crooked Lane, I box'd his little saucy ears, And then away I strode; But since I've found that weary path Is quite a common road— Utopia is a pleasant place, But how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, "And all round the Square." I've read about a famous town Where Whittington walk'd up and found A fortune ready made. The very streets are paved with gold; Burns. But how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, "And all round the Square." I've read about a Fairy Land, In some romantic tale, Where Dwarfs if good, are sure to thrive, And wicked Giants fail. My wish was great, my shoes were strong, But how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane "And all round the Square." I've heard about some happy Isle, Where ev'ry man is free, And none can lie in bonds for life For want of L. S. D. Oh that's the land of Liberty! But how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, I've dreamt about some blessed spot, Where Bread and Justice never rise It's cheaper than the Ward of Cheap, "Straight down the Crooked Lane, “And all round the Square." They say there is an Ancient House, As pure as it is old, Where Members always speak their minds, And votes are never sold. "Straight down the Crooked Lane, They say there is a Royal Court Where ev'ry able man, and good, I'm very fond of seeing sights, They say there is a Temple too O! that's the parish church for me! But how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, "And all round the Square." They say there is a garden fair, That's haunted by the dove, Where love of gold doth ne'er eclipse The golden light of love The place must be a Paradise, But how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, "And all round the Square." I've heard there is a famous Land Whose Patriots love its interests Much better than their own. The Land of Promise sure it is! But how shall I get there? 'Straight down the Crooked Lane "And all round the Square." |