ADVERTISEMENT.
The following very beautiful and pathetic Poem, the pro-
duction of the Honourable Henry Erskine was written
upon occafion of the frequent emigrations from Scotland, more
especially from the Highlands.
That the publication of it may tend to heighten and to dif-
fuse that spirit of benevolence and humanity, towards our
distressed countrymen, which seems at present to be awakened,
is the design o its present publication.—And it is earnestly to
be wished, that it may promote the good end for which it is
now presented to the public.
Copies of it appeared some time ago in a mutilated form;
the present is printed from that done with permission of the
amiable and distinguished author, and it will afford the read-,
er more pleasure, when he is assured that it is entire.
THE EMIGRANT.
"Nos-patriae fines, et dulcia linquimus arva,
So parriam fugimus—” VIRGIL.
"We leave our country and our native plains."
Fast by the margin of a mossy rill,
That' wander’d, gurgling, down a heath-clad hill,
An ancient shepherd stood, oppress’d with woe,
And ey’d the ocean’s flood that foam’d below
Where gently rocking on the rifing tide,
A ship’s unwonted form was seen to ride.
Unwonted, well I ween ; for ne’er before,
Had touch’d one keel, the solitary shore ;
Nor had the swain’s rude footsteps ever stray’d,
Beyond the shelter of his native shade.
His few remaining hairs were sliver grey,
And his rough face had seen a better day.
