Note 222 — CCLVIII.
Reading edition
“The lines were the third and fourth:
‘Wi’ mony a sweet babe fatherless, And mony a widow mourning.’
As our poet had maintained a long silence, and the first number of Mr. Thomson’s musical work was in the press, this gentleman ventured, by Mr. Erskine’s advice, to substitute for them, in that publication.
‘And eyes again with pleasure beam’d That had been blear’d with mourning.’
Though better suited to the music, these lines are inferior to the original.”—Currie.