The Poetry Corner

James Hogg.

By James McIntyre

The wondrous shepherd James Hogg Was happy with his good sheep dog, Meditating o'er his sweet lays While his fleecy flocks did graze. His education it came late After he reached to man's estate, While his flocks were busy feeding His favourite authors he was reading. Wondrous tales he did rehearse Of witches both in prose and verse, And he in fairy tales did glory Traditions of each shepherd's story. The shepherd he sang late and early Of the deeds of bold Prince Charley, And how the charming bonnie Flora Soothed the Prince when in his sorrow. Few songs possess so much vigor As his gathering of McGregor, The lover's heart is all aflame To meet lassie when the kye comes hame. But one who loved the shepherd's songs And sang them unto countless throngs, Great Kennedy has passed away Now mournful is our Scottish lay.