Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY AIN GATE EN', by JAMES NORVAL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY AIN GATE EN', by                    
First Line: I've climb'd the lofty mountain, I've cross'd the gowling sea
Last Line: We've a' a warm heart-liken to our ain gate en'.
Subject(s): Home


I'VE climb'd the lofty mountain, I've cross'd the gowling sea;
I've rested by the fountain that gushes 'neath the lea;
I've been amang the truly great, alack, but even then,
My heart grew grit wi' yearning for my ain gate en'.

Oh, dear to me the scenes at my ain gate en' --
The wifies and the weans at my ain gate en';
There's no a spot on a' the earth that I sae brawly ken,
As the hamely auld white hoosies at my ain gate en'.

It isna for their grandeur -- they hae nae gaudy show;
It lack's a' dignity o' art, that lowly cottar's row,
Wi' its quaint auld teekit roofs, and ilk cosie butt and ben,
Whaur dwelt the douce and decent at my ain gate en'.

I've had muckle fun and daffin roun' my ain gate en';
Joy and comfort aye gaed lauchin' roun' my ain gate en';
Yet there's a'e bit mournfu' nook, a bonny fairy den,
Whaur I buried a pet Robin, at my ain gate en'.

Oh, I grat owre that wee birdie till I sca'ded baith my een,
And I buskit a' the yirdie wi' the wild flowers frae the green,
And I thocht there was nae loss like mine within a' human ken,
Sae sicker is first sorrow at our ain gate en'.

Hae ye seen a wardless outcast cut aff frae freens and hame,
A-pining for that ingle, wi' its soul-stirring flame;
What can thro' a' his bleeding heart sic thrills o' pleasure sen'
As a weel-kent bairn-time story o' his ain gate en'?

A blink o' sweet remembrance glints owre his scowling broo,
A bygane blue-ee'd lassie is beside him sittin' noo;
Again he wreathes her sunny hair wi' fox-bells doun the glen,
And he hears the waters rushing by his ain gate en'.

O'! an unca witching charm has our ain gate en';
And we shrink frae change as harm to our ain gate en';
Frae the peasant on the lea to the wealthy and the hie,
We've a' a warm heart-liken to our ain gate en'.





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