We understood that he had selected these
noisy apartments in order that they might distract his mind from the fears
and melancholy thoughts which at that time distressed him.
It was soon after the publication of the joint volume that Charles
chronicles the different tastes of himself and his friend. "Burns," he
says, "is the god of my idolatry, as Bowles of yours." Posterity has
universally joined in the preference of Lamb. Burns, indeed, was always
one of his greatest favorites. He admired and sometimes quoted a line or
two from the last stanza of the "Lament for James, Earl of Glencairn,"
"The bridegroom may forget his bride," &c.; and I have more than once
heard him repeat, in a fond, tender voice, when the subject of poets or
poetry came under discussion, the following beautiful lines from the
Epistle to Simpson of Ochiltree:
"The Muse, nae poet ever fand her,
Till by himsel he learn'd to wander,
Adown some trotting burn's meander
An' no think't lang."
These he would press upon the attention of any one present (chanting them
aloud), and would bring down the volume of Burns, and open it, in order
that the page might be impressed on the hearer's memory.
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