Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BAIRNS A' AT REST, by JAMES M. NEILSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BAIRNS A' AT REST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There was din, as ye ne'er heard the like
Last Line: To a bed in the grave taen awa'?
Subject(s): Children; Childhood


From Good Words.

THERE was din, as ye ne'er heard the like,
'Mang our bairns the nicht roun' the fire-en';
A' were busy as bees in a bike;
A' were blithe as the birds in the glen.
What wi' castles an' kirks built wi' stools,
What wi' rhyming at spellings a' roun',
What wi' playing at ball an' at bools, --
But there's peace noo, they're a' cuddled doun.

Now, the bairns are asleep, and a calm
Has fa'n roun' like a saft gloaming shade,
And a kind hand unseen sheds a balm
O'er their wee limbs in weariness laid.
On their fair chubby faces we see
Sic an evenly sweetness o' rest,
That ye'd doubt but they borrow'd a wee
Frae the far-awa' realms o' the blest.

Like wee birds in a nest do they cow'r
By ilk other so cozy and kin';
O, their bed's like a rose-bed in flow'r,
And our glances o' love on it shine!
Awa' wi' your glairy gowd crown,
Frae the cunning cauld fingers o' Art!
But, hurrah for the bairns that hae grown
Like a living love-wreath roun' the heart!

Ha, let's wheesht. As we warm in their praise,
We micht waken some flaxen-hair'd loon;
See, already shot out frae the claes
Just as lithe a wee limb's in the toon!
Hap it o'er, hap it o'er. Bonnie bairn,
Whaur awa' may that wee footie pace?
The richt gait o' the world's ill to learn,
And fair Fortune is fickle to chase.

There are hid 'neath these lashes so long,
The full een that are stars o' the day;
There lies silent the nursery song,
On these lips fresh as morning in May;
And there beats in these bosoms a life
Mair o' promise than Spring-buds are giv'n,
That must meet the world's favour or strife,
And shall make them or mar them for heav'n.

Will ye guard them, ye angels o' Peace,
In this haven, in the curtains o' night?
Will ye guide them when dangers increase,
Heaving out in their day-ocean fight?
For O, whaur, frae the bairnie so wee
To the bairnie the biggest of a',
Is the ane we'd first part wi' and see
To a bed in the grave taen awa'?





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