Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 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. | |
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| Gin reft frae friends or crest in love, as whiles nae doubt ye ’ve been, | 5 |
| 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. | |
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| In lang, lang days o’ simmer, when the clear and cloudless sky | |
| Refuses ae wee drap o’ rain to nature parched and dry, | 10 |
| The genial night, wi’ balmy breath, gars verdure spring anew, | |
| And ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew. | |
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| 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, | 15 |
| But ilka blade o’ grass keps its ain drap o’ dew. | | | | |
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