with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

114
THE HIGHLAND LASSIE, O.
This was a composition of mine in uery early
life, before I was known at all in the world. My
Highlajid Lassie was a warm-hearted, charming
young creature as ever blessed a man with generous
love. After a pretty long tract of the most ardent
reciprocal attachment, we met by appointment, on
the second Sunday of May, in a sequestered spot by
the Banks of Ayr, where we spent the day in taking
afarewel, before she should embark for the West-
Highlands, to arrange matters among herfriends
for our projected change of life. At the close of
Autumn following she crossed the sea to meet me at
Greenock, where she had scarce landed when she was
seized with a malignant fever, which hurried my
dear girl to the grave in a few days, before I could
even hear of her illness.^
* There are events in this transitory scene of existence, sea-
sons of joy or of sorrow, of despair or of hope, which as they
powerfully affect us at the time, serve as epochs to the history
of our lives. They may be termed the trials of the heart.—We
treasure them deeply in our memory, and as time glides silently
away, they help us to number our days. Of this character was
the parting of Burns with his Highland Mary, that interesting
female,