Poem by William Thom

Ravenscraig

A Ruin on the Banks of Ugie, 
near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

YON ’s Ravenscraig, wi’ riven ha’,
A thousand winters shook its wa’—
Tired Time let scythe an’ san’glass fa’,
      To breathe awhile at Ugie.

For here, by brake, by burn an’ lea,
Fair Nature freaks sae changefullie!
Now lauchin’ daft, syne greets to see
      Yon grim, gray towers at Ugie.

An’ wha can mark yon dungeon dour,
Unmindfu’ o’ the waesome hour,
When man o’er man, wi’ fiendish power,
      Made sick the tremblin’ Ugie.

Bring ivy wi’ its peacefu’ green,
Gae hide ilk hoar, unhallowed stane;
They maunna bloat yon bonnie een
      That watch the gushin’ Ugie.

For yonder ’s she, in love’s loved dress,
In youth, in truth, in tenderness,—
Sure Heaven lent that bonnie face
      To bless the tearfu’ Ugie.

’T is sic a face, ’t is sic a mien,
An’ O, sic wylie, witchin’ een,
Gars Time upon his elbow lean,
      An’ sich to cross the Ugie.

1. The Lass o’ Kintore
2. The Wedded Waters
3. Address to the Don

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