ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 71
0 Nanny, Wilt Thou Gang W Me ?
O NANNY, wilt thou gang wis me,
Nor sigh to leave the flaunting town ?
Can silent glens have charms for thee,
The lowly cot and russet gown ?
Nae langer drest in silken sheen,
Nae langer decked wi' jewels rare,
Say, canst thou quit each courtly scene
Where thou wert fairest of the fair ?
0 Nanny, when thou'rt far awa,
Wilt thou not cast a look behind ?
Say, canst thou face the flaky snow,
Nor shrink before the winter wind ?
O can that soft and gentle mien
Severest hardships learn to bear,
Nor, sad, regret each courtly scene
Where thou wert fairest of the fair ?
O Nanny, canst thou love so true
Through perils keen wi* me to gae ?
Or, when thy swain mishap shall rue,
To share with him the pang of wae ?
Say, should disease or pain befall,
Wilt thou assume the nurse's care,
Nor, wishful, those gay scenes recall
Where thou wert fairest of the fair ?
And when at last thy love shall die,
Wilt thou receive his parting breath ?
Wilt thou repress each struggling sigh
And cheer with smiles the bed of death ?
And wilt thou o'er his much-loved clay
* Strew flowers, and drop the tender tear ?
Nor then regret those scenes so gay
Where thou wert fairest of the fair ?
Thomas Percy
The Conqueror or the Crier?
THEMISTOCLES, being asked whether he had rather be Homer or
Achilles, replied, " Would you rather be a conqueror at the
Olympian games or the crier who proclaims the victors ? "
Plutarch
The Difference
A DESCENDANT of Harmodius was taunting Iphicrates with his low
/\ birth, " The difference between us is this," he replied ; " my
family begins with me, and yours ends with you.'* Plittarch