442 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



" Maybe when ye '11 gae back, Willie, 



To our hame by the burn. 

 Ye '11 tell them a' the tale, laddie, 



0' him wha'U no return. 

 Ye '11 tell them how I fought, Willie, 



Like sodger true and brave ! 

 'Twill ease my mither's heart, laddie, 



When I am in the grave. 



" There 's ane wha sair will greet, Willie— 



The news, oh ! gently brek. 

 For she was a' in a' to me ; 



Ye '11 lo'e her for my sake ! 

 Oh 'tis sair hard to dee, Willie, 



And leave her a' alone ! 

 It 's but for her I greet, laddie — 



For her when I am gone. 



" Oh dinna mind my words, Willie, 



And dinna, dinna sigh ; 

 I wadna ca' life back again — 



'Tis for my Queen I die I 

 And 'tis a glorious day, Willie, 



As e'er yon sun set on. 

 Ye '11 comfort a' at hame, laddie, 



When I am deid an' gone ! 



" Now fauld me to your heart, Willie, 



The nicht air 's f earf u' keen ! 

 And kiss me ere I gae, laddie ! 



There 's darkness o'er my een. 

 I ken I 'm sinking fast, Willie, 



The cauld strikes to the bone ! 

 Ye '11 comfort a' at hame, laddie, 



When I am deid an' gone ! " 



Close in his brother's arms, 

 Lock'd in his fast embrace. 



