.LANJOCKEY

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I have remembered the following poem from my school days...... A ROBIN REDBREAST(Which Visits the Window of My Prison Every Day)..... Welcome, pretty little stranger! Welcome to my lone retreat! Here, secure from every danger, Hop about, and chirp, and eat: Robin! how I envy thee, Happy child of Liberty! ......Now, though tyrant Winter, howling, Shakes the world with tempests round, Heaven above with vapours scowling, Frost imprisons all the ground: Robin! what are these to thee? Thou art bless'd with liberty...... Though yon fair majestic river Mourns in solid icy chains, Though yon flocks and cattle shiver On the desolated plains: Robin! thou art gay and free, Happy in thy liberty..... Hunger never shall disturb thee, While my rates one crumb afford; Colds nor cramps shall ne'er oppress thee; Come and share my humble board: Robin! come and live with me - Live, yet still at liberty...... Soon shall Spring, in smiles and blushes, Steal upon the blooming year; Then, amid the enamour'd bushes, Thy sweet song shall warble clear: Then shall I, too, join with thee - Swell the hymn of Liberty...... Should some rough, unfeeling dobbin, In this iron-hearted age, Seize thee on thy nest, my Robin, And confine thee in a cage, Then, poor prisoner! think of me - Think, and sigh for liberty..... James Montgomery (1771-1854) born in Ayrshire