A ngling in Burns. 1 89 



and a joy. Now lie tracks the burnie to the up- 

 land solitudes its cradle in the mountain's lap, 

 where, though its sweet infant babbling awakes no 

 murmured response save the distant bleating of the 

 fold or the whistle of the wild curlew, its bright 

 and yet unsullied face is kissed into rippling smiles 

 by the gentle breath of heaven. There, far above 

 the sordid atmosphere of mart or shop, 



" the fretful stir 

 Unprofitable, and the fever of the world," 



the scorn of selfish men and the mockery of friend- 

 ship insincere, his spirit is soothed and chastened 

 in presence of that calm beauty and restful peace 

 that link earth with the sky. His thoughts are 

 won from cares below and rise to loftier heights 

 with wider range, for now his soul has caught the 

 glow of heaven, and his heart beats high with fuller 

 life. And when the shadows are lengthening in 

 the vale below, exulting in the consciousness of 

 renovated strength, he turns his steps towards home, 

 " owing no man hate, envying no man's happiness " ; 

 and even if fortune have denied him a heavy 

 basket, she has at least granted him serenity un- 

 clouded, a mind ennobled, and a frame invigorated. 

 In thankfulness and hope and high resolve he re- 

 turns to dreary daily toil, physically, intellectually, 

 and morally, a stronger and better man. 



