I gang like a ghaist, and I carena to spin;

I daurna think on Jamie, for that wad be a sin;

But I’ll do my best a gude wife to be,

For auld Robin Gray he is kind unto me.

HENRIETTA, LADY O’NEILL

1758-1793

80. On Seeing Her Two Sons at Play

Sweet age of blest delusion! blooming boys,

Ah! revel long in childhood’s thoughtless joys,

With light and pliant spirits, that can stoop