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WINTER.

HE wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth The blinding sleet and snaw :

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,
And roars frae bank to brae;
And bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"

The joyless winter-day,

Let others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join:

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Pow'r Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfil,

Here, firm, I rest, they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want (O, do thou grant
This one request of mine!)
Since to enjoy thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.

MAN WAS MADE TO MOURN.

HEN chill November's surly blast
Made fields and forests bare,
One ev'ning, as I wander'd forth

Along the banks of Ayr,

I spy'd a man, whose aged step

Seem'd weary, worn with care;

His face was furrow'd o'er with years,
And hoary was his hair.

Young stranger, whither wand'rest thou?

Began the rev'rend sage;
Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain,
Or youthful pleasure's rage?

Or, haply, prest with cares and woes,
Too soon thou hast began

To wander forth, with me, to mourn
The miseries of Man.

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The sun that overhangs yon moors,
Outspreading far and wide,
Where hundreds labour to support
A haughty lordling's pride;
I've seen yon weary winter-sun
Twice forty times return;
And ev'ry time has added proofs
That Man was made to mourn.

O man! while in thy early years,
How prodigal of time!
Mis-spending all thy precious hours,
Thy glorious youthful prime!
Alternate follies take the sway;
Licentious passions burn;

Which tenfold force give nature's law,
That Man was made to mourn.

Look not alone on youthful prime,
Or manhood's active might;
Man then is useful to his kind,
Supported is his right.

But see him on the edge of life,

With cares and sorrows worn;

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