Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

IV. Comfort and Cheer

“Ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew”

James Ballantine (1808–1877)

CONFIDE ye aye in Providence, for Providence is kind,

And bear ye a’ life’s changes, wi’ a calm and tranquil mind,

Though pressed and hemmed on every side, ha’e faith and ye ’ll win through,

For ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew.

Gin reft frae friends or crest in love, as whiles nae doubt ye ’ve been,

Grief lies deep hidden in your heart or tears flow frae your een,

Believe it for the best, and trow there ’s good in store for you,

For ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew.

In lang, lang days o’ simmer, when the clear and cloudless sky

Refuses ae wee drap o’ rain to nature parched and dry,

The genial night, wi’ balmy breath, gars verdure spring anew,

And ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew.

Sae, lest ’mid fortune’s sunshine we should feel owre proud and hie,

And in our pride forget to wipe the tear frae poortith’s ee,

Some wee dark clouds o’ sorrow come, we ken na whence or hoo,

But ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew.