A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

375
THE FARMER'S INGLE.
*' Et muKo in primis hllaratis convlvia Bacclio-,
Ante focum, si frigus erit."
ViRG. Buc.
fThe cleaiT and comfortable appearance of a httH-home m
a winter evening, with its horaely fare and innocent con-
versa'tion of its inhabitants, are represented in hvely na-
tural colours in this poem, which suggested to Burns the
idea of the Cotter s Saturday Night. His habits of life,
joined to his acuteness of observation, gave Burns a su-
periority over Fergusson in the requisites necessary for
the composition of a poem in which country manners are
the subject, and accordingly in that poem which im-
mortalises his name, he has surpassed the elder bard;
but without detracting from his great merits, or withhold-
ing from him any praise^ it ought not to be overlooked
that the claim of originality rests with Fergusson.]
"^Vhan gloamm grey out-owre the welkin keeks
Whan Batie Ca's his owsen to the byre
Whan Thrasher John, sair dung, his barn-door steeks^
And lusty lasses at the dightin tire
What bangs fu' leal the e'enings coming cauld.
And gars snaw-tappit Winter freeze in vain
Gars dowie mortals look baith blithe and bauld>
Nor fley'd wa' a' the poortith o' the plain;
Begin^ my Muse ! and chant iji hamely strain.
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