< Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu
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JAMES BEATTIE

472. An Epitaph

f IKE thee I once have stemm'd the sea of life,

  • -' Like thee have languished after empty joys,

Like thee have laboured in the stormy strife, Been grieved for trifles, and amused with toys.

Forget my frailties ; thou art also frail :

Forgive my lapses ; for thyself may'st fall :

Nor read unmoved my artless tender tale I was a friend, O man, to thee, to all.

��ISOBEL PAGAN

473. Ca' the Towes to the Knowes

  • the yowes to the knowes,

Ca' them where the heather grows, Ca' them where the burnie rows, My bonnie dearie.

As I gaed down the water side, There I met my shepherd lad ; He row'd me sweetly in his plaid, And he ca'd me his dearie.

'Will ye gang down the water side, And see the waves sae sweetly glide Beneath the hazels spreading wide ? The moon it shines fu' clearly.'

473. yowes] ewes. knowes] knolls, little hills. rows] rolls, row'd] rolled, wrapped.

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