" WHY SIT'ST THOU BY THAT RUINED HALL "

" Why sit'st thou by that ruined hall,
Thou aged carle so stern and gray?
Dost thou its former pride recall,
Or ponder how it passed away?"

" Know'st thou not me?" the Deep Voice cried:
" So long enjoyed, so oft misused —
Alternate, in thy fickle pride,
Desired, neglected, and accused!

" Before my breath, like blazing flax,
Man and his marvels pass away!
And changing empires wane and wax,
Are founded, flourish, and decay.

" Redeem mine hours — the space is brief —
While in my glass the sand-grains shiver,
And measureless thy joy or grief,
When Time and thou shalt part forever!"

EPITAPH

Heir lyeth John o' ye Girnell,
Erth has ye nit and heuen ye kirnell.
In hys tyme ilk wyfe's hennis clokit,
Ilka gud mannis herth wi' bairnis was stokit,
He deled a boll o' bear in firlottis fyve,
Four for ye halie kirke and ane for puir mennis wyvis.