rses of natural description. _John Anderson My Jo_ is the
classical expression of love in age, inimitable in its simplicity and
tenderness. The two following poems supply a humorous contrast.

BESSY AND HER SPINNIN'-WHEEL

O leeze me on my spinnin'-wheel, [Blessings on]
O leeze me on my rock and reel; [distaff]
Frae tap to tae that deeds me bien, [top to toe, clothes, comfortably]
And haps me fiel and warm at e'en! [wraps, well]
I'll set me down and sing and spin,
While laigh descends the simmer sun, [low]
Blest wi' content, and milk and meal--
O leeze me on my spinnin'-wheel.

On ilka hand the burnies trot, [every, brooklets]
And meet below my theekit cot; [thatched]
The scented birk and hawthorn white [birch]
Across the pool their arms unite,
Alike to screen the birdie's nest,
And little fishes' caller rest: [cool]
The sun blinks kindly in the biel', [shelter]
Where blythe I turn my spinnin'-wheel.

On lofty aiks the cushats wail, [oaks, pigeons]
And Echo cons the doolfu' tale; [repeats, doleful]
The lintwhites in the hazel braes, [linnets]
Delighted, rival ither's lays:
The craik amang the claver hay, [corn-crake, clover]
The paitrick whirrin' o'er the ley. [partridge, meadow]
The swallow jinkin' round my shiel, [dodging, cot]
Amuse me at my spinnin'-wheel.

Wi' sma' to sell, and less to buy,
Aboon distress, below envy, [Above]
O wha wad leave this humble state,
For a' the pride of a' the great?
Amid their flaring, idle toys,
Amid their cumbrous, dinsome joys, [noisy]
Can they the peace and pleasure feel
Of Bessy at her spinnin'-wheel?

JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO

John Andersen my jo, John, [sweetheart]
When we were first acquent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent; [straight]
But now your brow is beld,