1781

winter: a dirge

the wintry west extends his st,

and hail and rain does w;

or the stormy north sends driving forth

the blinding sleet and snaw:

while, tumbling brown, the burn es down,

and roars frae bank to brae;

and bird and beast in covert rest,

and pass the heartless day.

“the sweeping st, the sky o'ercast,”

the joyless winter day

let others fear, to me more dear

than all the pride of may: