No  doubt  they  feel  much  happier  than  those
Poor  toil-worn  labourers.     Their  minds  must  be
More  easy  when  the  wind  of  winter  blows  ;
When  from  the  warm  and  cheery  fire  they  see
The  sleety  showers  driving  o'er  the  plain,
And  all  without  is  desolate  and  dark  ;
When  fields  look  dreary,  and  the  days  are  short,
And  nature's  face  no  longer  charms  the  heart.
Content  and  snug  at  home,  where  friendship  smiles.
Rejoicing  in  their  happy  boys  and  girls.
Whose  prattling  sports  the  evening  beguiles  ;
And  surely  many  a  hope  the  mind  employs
That  they  may  rise  to  honour  and  renown.
Until  their  country  glories  in  the  name.
Handing  it  down  to  many  a  distant  age —
Such  dear,  consoling  dreams  men's  hearts  engage.
WAYSIDE  THOUGHTS.  19

And  if  some  favourite  book  they  wish  to  read,

They  can  retire  into  a  silent  room

At  liberty,  from  all  annoyance  freed,

Perhaps  a  while  with  Milton's  muse  to  roam,

Or  Cowper's  "Task,"  or  Pollock's  «  Course  of  Time,"

Perhaps  to  sing,  with  Burns  and  Tannahill,

According  as  the  mind  may  chance  to  be,

In  thoughtful  mood,  or  easy,  light,  and  free.  ■


And  then  in  summer,  when  the  fields  are  green.
And  all  is  beautiful  beneath  the  sun.
To  range  at  liberty  amidst  the  scene.
Viewing  the  swell  of  plenty  all  their  own.
Dazzling  rich  and  teeming  with  delight ;
And  wealth  commands  respect  from  all  around—
By  servants  honoured  and  by  friends  beloved,
By  whom  their  very  failings  are  approved  ;


And  many  things  I  have  not  time  to  state.
The  voice  of  praise  is  grateful  to  the  ear.
Pleasure  flows  from  the  lifting  of  a  hat  ;
But  such,  you  see,  I  need  not  mention  here ;


20  WATSIDE  TnOUGHTS.
