Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GOWK by WILLIAM SOUTAR

Poet Analysis

First Line: HALF DOUN THE HILL, WHAUR FA'S THE LINN
Last Line: CUCKOO, CUCKOO.
Subject(s): BIRDS; CUCKOOS;
HALF doun the hill, whaur fa's the linn
Far frae the flaught o' fowk,
I saw upon a lanely whin
A lanely singin' gowk:
@3Cuckoo, cuckoo@1;
And at my back
The howie hill stude up and spak:
@3Cuckoo, cuckoo.@1

There was nae soun': the loupin' linn
Hung frostit in its fa':
Nae bird was on the lanely whin
Sae white wi' fleurs o' snaw:
@3Cuckoo, cuckoo@1;
I stude stane still;
And saftly spak the howie hill:
@3Cuckoo, cuckoo.@1



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