Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A REAL INCIDENT OF THE PERSECUTING TIMES IN SCOTLAND, by JANET HAMILTON Poet's Biography First Line: She lay within that lonely cot Last Line: He rose, and scotland left for aye. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Death; God; Persecution; Religion; Scotland; Dead, The; Theology | ||||||||
THE SCENEA LONELY LOW THATCHED COTTAGE NEAR AIRDRIE BURN, NEW MONKLAND. SHE lay within that lonely cot, And seemed by all, save God, forgot, And one who, when the shadows fell, With stealthy step came up the dell To minister, to soothe, and tend Her dying hours. She was the friend Still dearest, nearest to her side As child, as maid, as blooming bride. Their matron cares they shared together, Together sat upon the heather To hear the words of truth and life, Each a beloved and loving wife. When Scotland's Covenanted men, On moor and hill, in cave and glen, For Christ and conscience stood to arms; When mansions, cottages, and farms Were scenes of terror, spoil, and wrong, And not a dog dared move his tongue, She entered, saw through gathering tears The fast fulfilling of her fears; The cold, grey shadow on her face That could not quench the light of grace. "Welcome," she said, with failing breath, "My friend in life, my friend in death. My hands are chill, my eyes are dim, Take thou my last farewell to him Who now has long in hiding been, And dares not near his home be seen. Tell him on earth we never more Shall meet; yet he to Canaan's shore, To which I haste, shall shortly come And dwell with me in ' heaven our home.' Say that I pray with parting breath That he be faithful to the death, When God to him a crown of life Will give: so prays his dying wife. And now, though all of earth recedes From mind and eye, to help the needs Of him I leave in want behind, Say that beneath the hearth he'll find A treasure small when he shall come By stealth to his deserted home." She ceased. Her friend stooped o'er the bed, Her lips were cold, her spirit fled. She sought no help, she made no moan. She laid her out, and watched alone Till daybreak, then she closed the door And sped her o'er the lonely moor To where, in shelter of the wood, His hiding-place, the husband stood. She told his loss. He bowed his head "The will of God be done," he said. "His mercy called my dear one home To shelter her from woes to come." She told him he must not come near- To 'tend the funeralthere was fear; For spies were placed, and watch was set, Assured the rebel they would get. "Beside the bier, if God me spare," He solemn said, "I will be there. Yes; I will see my dearest, best, Laid in the sheltering grave to rest. Be calm, my friend, fear not the foe, My presence there they shall not know." By night he watchfully approached The churchyard path, and lowly crouched Behind the hedge amongst the heather, Saw friends and foes pass on together Beside the bier. The burial rite Was o'er, he watched the live-long night Beside the graveere break of day He rose, and Scotland left for aye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A BALLAD FOUNDED ON A REAL INCIDENT WHICH OCCURED IN HIGH LIFE by JANET HAMILTON |
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