7. _SONNET_.
(Composed at ---- Castle.)


Degenerate Douglas! oh, the unworthy Lord!
Whom mere despite of heart could so far please,
And love of havoc (for with such disease
Fame taxes him) that he could send forth word
To level with the dust a noble horde,
A brotherhood of venerable Trees,
Leaving an ancient Dome, and Towers like these,
Beggared and outraged!--Many hearts deplor'd
The fate of those old Trees; and oft with pain
The Traveller, at this day, will stop and gaze
On wrongs, which Nature scarcely seems to heed:
For shelter'd places, bosoms, nooks and bays,
And the pure mountains, and the gentle Tweed,
And the green silent pastures, yet remain.




8. ADDRESS _TO THE SONS OF BURNS_
after visiting their Father's Grave (August 14th, 1803.)


Ye now are panting up life's hill!
'Tis twilight time of good and ill,
And more than common strength and skill
Must ye display