(Ectrantum. 
149 
Gie me a spark o’ Nature’s fire, 
That’s a’ the learning I desire; 
Then tho’ I drudge thro’ dub an’ mire 
At pleugh or cart. 
My muse, tho’ hamely in attire, 
May touch the heart. 
Burns . 
The man who looks around him as he walks 
Sees objects often wonderful and new; 
And he who thinks while his companion talks 
In time may grow the wiser of the two. 
An open eye—a quick, attentive ear 
Will lead the mind into the ways of knowledge; 
Tor all the world’s a universal college, 
And every one may be a learner here. 
Experience is the teacher: dear, indeed, 
Her charges are to thoughtless folks and fools; 
But those who follow carefully her rules 
The various tongues of nature learn to read. 
Who seldom ploughs his mind shall reap but little; 
Weeds quickly overspread the fallow soil; 
The toiler may be wearied by his toil, 
But it shall yield sufficiency of victual, 
Enough for his own use, and much to spare. 
To him who hath, abundance shall be given; 
From him who squanders wastefully his share, 
All that he has shall righteously be riven: 
The world shall make a proverb of his name, 
And he shall fill a sepulchre of shame. 
MacKellar. 
