THE FLOWER O' GLENCOE.
Oh! dear to my heart are my heather-clad mountains,
An' the echoes that burst from their caverns below,
The wild woods that darken the face of their fountains—
The haunts of the wild deer an' fleet-footed roe;
But dearer to me is the bower o' green bushes
That flowers the green bank where the Tay gladly gushes,
For there, all in tears, an' deep crimson'd wi' blushes,
I won the young heart o' the Flower o' Glencoe.
Contented I lived in my canty auld biggin',
'Till Britain grew wud wi' the threats o' a foe;
Then I drew my claymore frae the heather-clad riggin',
My forefathers wielded some cent'ries ago.
An' though Mary kent weel that my heart was nae ranger,
Yet the thoughts o' my wa'-gaun, the dread an' the danger
O' famine and death in the land o' the stranger,
Drave the bloom frae the cheek o' the Flower o' Glencoe.
But success crown'd our toils—ye hae a' heard the story,
How we beat the proud French, an' their eagles laid low—
I've walth o' war's wounds, an' a share o' its glory,
An' the love o' auld Scotland wherever I go.
Come, now fill the wine cup! let love tell the measure;
Toast the maid of your heart, an' I'll pledge you with pleasure;
Then a bumper I claim to my heart's dearest treasure—
The fair-bosom'd, warm-hearted Flower o' Glencoe.
MRS JANE C. SIMPSON.
Jane Cross Bell, better known by her assumed name of "Gertrude," is the daughter of the late James Bell, Esq., Advocate, and was born in Glasgow. Her first effusions, written in early youth, were published in the Greenock Advertiser, while her father for a short time resided in that town, as assessor to the Magistrates. To the pages of the Edinburgh Literary Journal she afterwards contributed numerous poetical compositions, and subsequently various articles in prose and verse to the Scottish Christian Herald, then under the able editorship of the Rev. Dr Gardner. In 1836, "Gertrude" published a small volume of tales and sketches, entitled, "The Piety of Daily Life;" and, in 1838, a duodecimo volume of lyric poetry, named, "April Hours." Her latest work, "Woman's History," appeared in 1848.
In July 1837, Miss Bell was married to her cousin, Mr J. B. Simpson, and has since resided chiefly in Glasgow. Amidst numerous domestic avocations in which she has latterly been involved, Mrs Simpson continues to devote a considerable portion of her time to literary pursuits. She is at present engaged in a poetical work of a more ambitious description than any she has yet offered to the public.