The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd Centenary Edition. With a Memoir of the Author, by the Rev. Thomas Thomson ... Poems and Life. With Many Illustrative Engravings [by James Hogg] |
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 | The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd |  |
But time there was no more to say,
The boats were gather'd in the bay,
And the decisive hour drew near
When Hynde must in the lists appear.
On board she went in joyless mood:
An hundred barges plough'd the flood;
While many a bold and warlike strain
Of music peal'd along the main,
That seem'd to say, in daring tone,
“Here comes the Queen of Caledon!
Who dares her royal rights gainsay?
Hie, braggarts, to your wastes away,
For, fume and banter as you will,
Old Albyn shall be Albyn still!”
Alas! what variance God hath seen
Between man's heart and outward mien!
The boats were gather'd in the bay,
And the decisive hour drew near
When Hynde must in the lists appear.
On board she went in joyless mood:
An hundred barges plough'd the flood;
While many a bold and warlike strain
Of music peal'd along the main,
That seem'd to say, in daring tone,
“Here comes the Queen of Caledon!
Who dares her royal rights gainsay?
Hie, braggarts, to your wastes away,
For, fume and banter as you will,
Old Albyn shall be Albyn still!”
253
Between man's heart and outward mien!
| The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd | |