 | Lyrical Poems |  |
33
SUNDAY AT ETTRICK KIRK.
I recommend all persons who visit Abbotsford and Melrose To go on to Selkirk, from whence a pleasant pastoral walk of some twenty miles will take them up to the mountain church of Ettrick, where the famous theologian Thomas Boston lies buried. The scenery is full of green, quiet beauty, of a character very similar to the lovely vale of Newlands, between Buttermere and Derwentwater, in the Lake country.
Who has not heard of Boston? I,
When I was young, and lived on books,
Upon his grave theology,
With earnest heart and sober looks,
When I was young, and lived on books,
Upon his grave theology,
With earnest heart and sober looks,
Would pore long hours, while lighter youths
Drew out the sleepy morn; nor now
Hold cheap that form of close-linked truths,
Which I did meekly then allow
Drew out the sleepy morn; nor now
Hold cheap that form of close-linked truths,
Which I did meekly then allow
For sole true gospel. Flippant wits
Sneer, and will sneer; but Calvin's plan
With Scottish temper nicely fits,
To form the iron-purposed man,
Sneer, and will sneer; but Calvin's plan
With Scottish temper nicely fits,
To form the iron-purposed man,
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Who fights for God, when God commands,
Fearing nor frowns, nor smiles, nor tears
Of man, and to light Pleasure's bands
Who sternly stops his practised ears.
Fearing nor frowns, nor smiles, nor tears
Of man, and to light Pleasure's bands
Who sternly stops his practised ears.
So may it be!—soft Southern airs
Belike may breed soft faiths; but, while
The thistle in his cap he wears,
For Calvin's creed on Scottish soil
Belike may breed soft faiths; but, while
The thistle in his cap he wears,
For Calvin's creed on Scottish soil
No Scotsman blush!—In Ettrick glen
I'll pray this day with faith sincere,
And worship with the plaided men,
Who Boston's godly fame revere.
I'll pray this day with faith sincere,
And worship with the plaided men,
Who Boston's godly fame revere.
What though no gilded domes uprise,
Quaint arch, and curious-pillared tower,
No painted lights to charm the eyes;
Here men both preach and pray with power.
Quaint arch, and curious-pillared tower,
No painted lights to charm the eyes;
Here men both preach and pray with power.
What though no organ's skilful chimes
Roll through long aisle or vaulted hall,
The broad-browed shepherd, with grave rhymes
From lusty heart on God doth call.
Roll through long aisle or vaulted hall,
The broad-browed shepherd, with grave rhymes
From lusty heart on God doth call.
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No nice luxurious faith is here;
No cushioned creed for ladies fine;
No silken priest, in dainty ear
Smoothly to lisp the sleepy line.
No cushioned creed for ladies fine;
No silken priest, in dainty ear
Smoothly to lisp the sleepy line.
Here let me worship. Mighty God!
Whom our firm Fathers knew with fear,
Make thou my heart the chaste abode
Of faith, strong, manly, and severe!
Whom our firm Fathers knew with fear,
Make thou my heart the chaste abode
Of faith, strong, manly, and severe!
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