70 



Indiana University Studies 



imitations. Doubtless the latter' s failed as imitations just be- 

 cause his greater genius of personality would assert itself. While 

 Hogg, on the other hand, unhampered by any ambition except 

 what was prompted by the wish to do as well as another, suc- 

 ceeded better. In other words, Scott's literary task was on 

 the highest plane and he reached its elevation ; Hogg's was on 

 a lower level, which he likewise traversed with unerring foot- 

 steps. 



I have disclaimed the intention of belittling the literary ex- 

 cellence of the Ettrick Shepherd, and his achievements as an 

 imitator may profitably be contrasted with his success in 

 another field. A contemporary critic of estimation often em- 

 phasizes the assertion that a single poetic outburst constitutes 

 a claim to be called a poet. If a single poem like ''I wandered 

 lonely as a cloud", is sufficient to establish Wordsworth's repu- 

 tation as a poet, and who would deny the claim in spite of the 

 fact that he did not always write up to this excellence, then 

 The Witch of Fife or Kilmeny is sufficient to place Hogg among 

 the elect. But, tho no poet, except, perhaps, Wordsworth, 

 would gain more by selection exercised by a skilful editor, 

 these two poems do not alone constitute Hogg's claim to true 

 poetical creation. In one field he invariably rose above him- 

 self and became almost the equal of Burns. In his own day, 

 and in ours, the songs of the Ettrick Shepherd were sung by 

 the firesides of Yarrow. Close examination of his verse fully 

 justifies the verdict of the rustic singers. An enthusiast need 

 fear no contradiction to the assertion that Burns wrote noth- 

 ing more beautiful than the following : 



THE SKYLARK 



Bird of the wilderness, 



Blithesome and cumberless, 

 Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and lea I 



Emblem of happiness, 



Blest is thy dwelling- place — 

 Oh, to abide in the desert with thee! 



Wild is thy lay and loud. 



Far in the downy cloud, 

 Love gives it energy, love gave it birth. 



Where, on thy dewy wing, 



Where art thou journeying? 

 Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. 



