I LINGER in the autumn noon, I listen to the partridge call, I watch the yellow leaflets fall And drift adown the dimpled Doon. I lean me o'er the ivy-grown Auld brig, where Vandal tourists' tools Have ribb'd out names that would be known, Are known-known as a herd of fools. Down Ailsa Craig the sun declines, O braes of Doon! so fond, so fair! Beyond the mellow bells of Ayr! I hear the milk-maid's twilight song Come bravely through the storm-bent oaks; Beyond, the white surf's sullen strokes Beat in a chorus deep and strong; I hear the sounding forge afar, The steady tinkle of the bell O Burns! where bide? where bide ye now? Where are you in this night's full noon, Great master of the pen and plough? Might you not on yon slanting beam Of moonlight, kneeling to the Doon, Descend once to this hallow'd stream? Sure yon stars yield enough of light For heaven to spare your face one night. O Burns! another name for song, Another name for passion-pride; For love and poesy allied; For strangely blended right and wrong. I picture you as one who kneel'd A stranger at his own hearthstone; One knowing all, yet all unknown, One seeing all, yet all conceal'd; The fitful years you linger'd here, A lease of peril and of pain; And I am thankful yet again The gods did love you, ploughman! peer! In all your own and other land, A touch of tenderness is shown In this unselfish love of Ayr, And it is well, you earn'd it fair; You proved a ploughman's honest claim O sad, sweet singer of a Spring! Yours was a chill, uncheerful May, And you knew no full days of June; You ran too swiftly up the way, |