TO MR. THOMSON.
[Burns allowed for the songs which Wolcot wrote for Thomson a degree of lyric merit which the world has refused to sanction.]
December, 1794.
It is, I assure you, the pride of my heart to do anything to forward or add to the value of your book; and as I agree with you that the jacobite song in the Museum to “There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame,” would not so well consort with Peter Pindar’s excellent love-song to that air, I have just framed for you the following:—
Now in her green mantle, &c.[274]
How does this please you? As to the point of time for the expression, in your proposed print from my “Sodger’s Return,” it must certainly be at—“She gaz’d.” The interesting dubiety and suspense taking possession of her countenance, and the gushing fondness, with a mixture of roguish playfulness, in his, strike me as things of which a master will make a great deal. In great haste, but in great truth, yours,
R. B.