BOOK III. FAMILIAR AND EPISTOLARY. TO MISS L With Beattie's Poems as a New-Year's Gift,' January 1, 1787. AGAIN the silent wheels of time No gifts have I from Indian coasts I send you more than Indía boasts, Our sex with guile and faithless love VOL. I.-N ΤΟ MISS CRUICKSHANKS, A VERY YOUNG LADY, Written on the blank leaf of a Book, presented to her by the Author. BEAUTEOUS rose-bud, young and gay, Never may'st thou, lovely flow'r, Nor even Sol too fiercely view 1 May'st thou long, sweet crimson gem, nd resign to parent earth loveliest form she e'er gave birth. VERSES ON A YOUNG LADY, Residing on the banks of the small river Devon, in Clackmannanshire, but whose infant years were spent in Ayrshire. How pleasant the banks of the clear-winding Devon With green-spreading bushes, and flow'rs blooming fair; Bat the boniest flower on the banks of the Devon Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr. Mild be the sun on this sweet-blushing flower, That steals on the evening each leaf to renew. O spare the dear blossom, ye orient breezes, With chill hoary wing as ye usher the dawn! And far be thou distant, thou reptile that seizes The verdure and pride of the garden and lawn. Let Bourbon exult in his gay gilded lilies, And England triumphant display her proud rose; A fairer than either adorns the green vallies Where Devon, sweet Devon, meandering flows. VERSES To a Young Lady, with a present of Songs. HERE, where the Scottish muse immortal lives, So may no ruffian-feeling in thy breast Or pity's notes, in luxury of tears, As modest want the tale of wo reveals; While conscious virtue all the strain endears, And heav'n born piety her sanction seals. VERSES, Written on the blank leaf of a copy of his Poems, presented to a Lady, whom he had often celebrated under the name of Chloris. "TIs Friendship's pledge, my young fair friend, Nor thou the gift refuse, Nor with unwilling ear attend The moralizing muse. Since thou, in all thy youth and charms, (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms) Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast, Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Thine is the self-approving glow, The joys refin'd of sense and taste, VERSES, Written on the blank leaf of a copy of his Poems, presented to an old Sweetheart, then married. ONCE fondly lov'd, and still remember'd dear, |