Eliot’s doctrine of poetic impersonality online - ON THE DECADENCE OF THE SCOTS LANGUAGE, MANNERS,
ON THE DECADENCE OF THE SCOTS LANGUAGE, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS.
They’re wearin’ by, the guid auld times Scottish rants and hamet rhymes, In ilka biggin* said or sung In the familiar mither tongue, When lads and lasses were convenin’ Roun’ the wide ingle at the e’enin’.
They’re wearin by, the guicl auld days O’ simple faith an honest phrase Atween the maister an’ the man In ilka corner o’ the Ian’, “When faithfu’ service was a pleasour, An’ faithfu’ servants were a treasour.
They’re wearin’ by, the guid auld lives O’ leal an thrifty men an’ wives ; They’re wearin’ oot, the guid auld creeds That met a simple people’s needs ;