Poems on different occasions [by Cuthbert Shaw] |
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WRITTEN IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND. |
 | Poems on different occasions |  |
107
WRITTEN IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
Ye mountains of the north ascending steep,
That to the skies advance your summits proud,
On whose high top their seat the tempests keep,
From whose dark sides descend the torrents loud,
That to the skies advance your summits proud,
On whose high top their seat the tempests keep,
From whose dark sides descend the torrents loud,
Ah! not in vain your lofty heads ye rear,
The torrents rush not from your sides in vain,
Nor yet in vain around your tops appear
The gathering tempests darkening wide the plain.
The torrents rush not from your sides in vain,
Nor yet in vain around your tops appear
The gathering tempests darkening wide the plain.
108
For ye entrusted by high Heaven of old
From thraldom base the Scottish race to save,
Have still repelled each invader bold
That sought your much-lov'd inmates to enslave.
From thraldom base the Scottish race to save,
Have still repelled each invader bold
That sought your much-lov'd inmates to enslave.
The mighty Roman, who with lawless pride
Bound fiercest tyrants in his iron chain,
Even in his noon of power ye could deride,
And make his boast to conquer Albion vain.
Bound fiercest tyrants in his iron chain,
Even in his noon of power ye could deride,
And make his boast to conquer Albion vain.
The Saxon nurst in woods to deeds of spoil,
The hardy Dane with giant-strength supply'd,
Whose dauntless lance in bloody fight could foil
The might of gallant princes, ye defy'd.
The hardy Dane with giant-strength supply'd,
Whose dauntless lance in bloody fight could foil
The might of gallant princes, ye defy'd.
Hail northern hills, thro' whose rude bounds the ire
Of armed bands has vainly strove to pierce,
Whose craggy tops that to the skies aspire,
Disdain the sway of an invader fierce.
Of armed bands has vainly strove to pierce,
Whose craggy tops that to the skies aspire,
Disdain the sway of an invader fierce.
109
Behold a milder train of pilgrims meek,
Whose feet have never trod your rough domain,
The gentle arts, with suppliant accents seek
Your solitudes and deep retreats to gain.
Whose feet have never trod your rough domain,
The gentle arts, with suppliant accents seek
Your solitudes and deep retreats to gain.
Fearless of wintry storms the gentle crew
With painful steps ascend your rugged side,
And flying fairer climes, the wanderers sue
Amidst your cliffs and desarts to abide.
With painful steps ascend your rugged side,
And flying fairer climes, the wanderers sue
Amidst your cliffs and desarts to abide.
No banner fierce, no hostile lance they wave,
Nor on their journey clad in steel they haste,
They bear no galling fetters to enslave
The ancient tenants of the silent waste.
Nor on their journey clad in steel they haste,
They bear no galling fetters to enslave
The ancient tenants of the silent waste.
The simple native they will not betray,
Or spoil him of his wealth with guile unmeet,
Nor will they not his courtesy repay
If he in friendly wise their coming greet.
Or spoil him of his wealth with guile unmeet,
Nor will they not his courtesy repay
If he in friendly wise their coming greet.
110
For they the power by sacred charter hold
To bless the swain who to their sway will yield,
To store his cot with still encreasing gold,
And crown with fruitful crops his barren field.
To bless the swain who to their sway will yield,
To store his cot with still encreasing gold,
And crown with fruitful crops his barren field.
O, may ye not, hills of the north restrain
These gentle strangers, or their steps oppose;
O, may ye soon receive the peaceful train
Into the vales which your steep rocks inclose.
These gentle strangers, or their steps oppose;
O, may ye soon receive the peaceful train
Into the vales which your steep rocks inclose.
So shall they with rich crops and forests green
Array your naked sides and desarts drear,
And at your feet in lonely woods unseen
The dome and chearful village shall they rear.
Array your naked sides and desarts drear,
And at your feet in lonely woods unseen
The dome and chearful village shall they rear.
So shall they chace away these horrid forms
Which have not yet your rugged cliffs forsook,
Discord, whose voice is louder than the storms,
And shivering Want and Rapine's ruffian look.
Which have not yet your rugged cliffs forsook,
Discord, whose voice is louder than the storms,
And shivering Want and Rapine's ruffian look.
111
And in their place I ween a nobler band
They soon shall bring your rude seats to adorn,
The Muses with their harps, the Graces bland,
And smiling Peace, and Plenty's fruitful horn.
They soon shall bring your rude seats to adorn,
The Muses with their harps, the Graces bland,
And smiling Peace, and Plenty's fruitful horn.
| Poems on different occasions | |