You seize the flow’r—its bloom is shed;

Or like the snow, falls in the river,

A moment white—then melts for ever;

Or like the Borealis race,

That flit ere you can point their place;

Or like the rainbow’s lovely form,

Evanishing amid the storm.—

Nae man can tether time or tide,

The hour approaches, Tam maun ride;

That hour o’ night’s black arch the key-stane,