OCCASIONAL POEMS. 603 



" I'VE HEARD THE RUSHING." 



Aberdeen, 1858. 



I'VE heard the rushing of mountain torrents, gushing 

 Down through the rocks, in a cataract of spray, 



Onward to the ocean ; 



Swift seemed their motion, 

 Till, lost in the desert, they dwindled away. 



I've learnt the story of all human glory, 



I've felt high resolves growing weaker every day, 

 Till cares, springing round me, 

 With creeping tendrils bound me, 

 And all I once hoped for was wearing fast away. 



I've seen the river rolling on for ever, 



Silent and strong, without tumult or display. 



In the desert arid, 



Its waters never tarried, 

 Till far out at sea we still found them on their way. 



Now no more weary we faint in deserts dreary, 

 Toiling alone till the closing of the day ; 

 All now is righted, 

 Our souls flow on united, 

 Till the years and their sorrows have all died away. 



" WILL YOU COME ALONG WITH ME ? " 



Aberdeen, 1858. 

 I. 



WILL you come along with me, 



In the fresh spring-tide, 

 My comforter to be 



Through the world so wide ? 

 Will you come and learn the ways 

 A student spends his days, 

 On the bonny, bonny braes 



Of our ain burnside ? 



