THICKEST 1 night, oerhang my dwelling!
Howling tempests, oer me rave!
Turbid torrents, wintry swelling,
Roaring by my lonely cave!
Crystal streamlets gently flowing,
Busy haunts of base mankind,
Western breezes softly blowing,
Suit not my distracted mind.
In the cause of Right engaged,
Wrongs injurious to redress,
Honours war we strongly waged,
But the Heavens denied success.
Ruins wheel has driven oer us,
Not a hope that dare attend,
The wide world is all before us
But a world without a friend.
Note 1. Burns confesses that his Jacobtism was merely sentimental except when my passions were heated by some accidental cause, and a tour through the country where Montrose, Claverhouse, and Prince Charles had fought, was cause enough. Strathallan fell gloriously at Culloden.Lang. [back]
