Laird. And when the day's hot work of war was done,
Each fight-tir'd soldier leaning on his gun,
I sought my brave deliverer, and made
An offer, with what influence I had,
To raise his fortune ; but he shunned reward :
Yet warmly thank'd me for my kind regard ;
Then, as in warmth I prais'd his good behaviour,
He modestly besought me this one favour,
That, if surviving when the war was o'er,
And safe return'd to Scotia once more,
I'd ask your will for him to wed your daughter ;
A manly, virtuous heart he home hath brought her.
Gaf. Wi a my heart, he has my free consent,
Wife, what say ye ? I hope ye're weel content.
Mir. A mither's word stan's neither here nor there ;
Tak him or no, I'm sure I dinna care.
Laird. Accept this trifle as young Harry's wife.
(Gives his purse to JEAN.)
Money is no equivalent for life;
And take this ring,—good mistress, here's another,
With this I 'nlist you for young Harry's mother.
Jean. Excuse me, sir,—my lips cannot impart
The warm emotions of my gratefu heart.
Mir. It's goud, it's goud ! O yes, sir—I agree.
Gaffer. it's goud! Yes, “LUVE shou'd aye be free!” [1]
Gaf. Daft woman, cease.
Laird………………. And as for you, good Gaffer,
My steward will inform what's in your favour.
Meantime, prepare the WEDDING to your wills,
Invite my tenants from the neighb'ring hills, [2]
Then feast, drink, dance till each ane tynes his senses,
And spare no cost, for I shall pay the expenses.
Harry. Most gen'rous sir ! to tell how much I owe,
I'm weak in words—let time and actions show.
Laird. My dearest friend—I pray, no more of this,
Would I could make you happy as I wish ;
From him most benefited most is due,
And sure the debt belongs from me to you.—
Attend the mansion, soon as morning's light—
And now my friends, I wish you all good night. [Exit.
Harry. Great is his soul ! soft be his bed of rest,
Whose only wish is to make others blest!
Mir. I'll gang to kirk neist Sunday, odd's my life !
This gouden ring will vex Glen Craigie's wife. [3]
Gaf. Wife—fy ! let pride an envy gang thegither,
This house, I hope, will ne'er be fasht wi either ;
Ay be content wi what ye hae yoursel,
An never grudge tae see a neibour weel—
But Harry, man, I lang tae hear you sing,
Ye wont tae mak oor glens an plantin's ring.
[1] This quotation is also used in the 1st and 13th lines of the Interlude. The parallel passage on the volatility of love are the celebrated lines from Pope's “Heloise to Abelard,”—
“Love, free as air, at sight of human ties
Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.”
[2] Hartfield estate and Craigmuir.
[3] This was Mrs. Mary Gardner, wife of John Lochhead, farmer, tenant in Craigmuir. Lady Craigmuir dressed very gay in the fashionable female attire of the period. She wore a heavy plain gold ring and a gold stoned ring, and was envied by all the other farmers' wives in the neighbourhood. John Lochhead was proprietor of “Craigmuir Town House,” 29 High Street, Paisley. He died on 26th July, 1826, aged sixty-six ; and his wife died in June, 1836, also aged sixty-six.