 | Poems (1905) |  |
440
LINES.
(Edinburgh, August 15, 1822.)
Of old, when a Monarch of England appear'd
In Scotland, he came as a foe;
There was war in the land, and around it were heard
Lamentation, and mourning and woe.
In Scotland, he came as a foe;
There was war in the land, and around it were heard
Lamentation, and mourning and woe.
In the bordering land, which the Muses love best,
Was one whom they favour'd of old;
With a view of the future his mind they impress'd,
And gave him the power to unfold.
Was one whom they favour'd of old;
With a view of the future his mind they impress'd,
And gave him the power to unfold.
“Come, strike me the harp, and my spirit sustain,
“That these visions of glory annoy;
“While I to the Chieftains of Scotland explain
“What their Sons shall hereafter enjoy!
“That these visions of glory annoy;
“While I to the Chieftains of Scotland explain
“What their Sons shall hereafter enjoy!
“I see, but from far—I behold, but not near—
“When war on the Border shall cease,
“New cities will rise, and the triumphs appear
“Of Riches, and Science, and Peace.
“When war on the Border shall cease,
“New cities will rise, and the triumphs appear
“Of Riches, and Science, and Peace.
“O give me to breathe, while this scene I describe:
“A Monarch in Scotland I see,
“When she pours from her Highlands and Lowlands each tribe,
“Who are loyal, and happy, and free.
“A Monarch in Scotland I see,
“When she pours from her Highlands and Lowlands each tribe,
“Who are loyal, and happy, and free.
“The Islands at rest in their Sovereign rejoice;
“Lo, the power and the wealth they display!
“And there comes from the lands and the waters a voice,
“From the Shannon, the Thames, and the Tay.
“Lo, the power and the wealth they display!
“And there comes from the lands and the waters a voice,
“From the Shannon, the Thames, and the Tay.
“‘All hail to our King!’ is the shout of the crowd;
“I see them, a shadowy throng;
“They are loyally free, are respectfully proud,
“And Joy to their King is their song.
“I see them, a shadowy throng;
“They are loyally free, are respectfully proud,
“And Joy to their King is their song.
“Yet bear up, my soul, 'tis a theme of delight,
“That thousands hereafter shall sing;
“How Scotland, and England, and Ireland unite
“In their Glory, their Might, and their King.
“That thousands hereafter shall sing;
“How Scotland, and England, and Ireland unite
“In their Glory, their Might, and their King.
441
“Aloud strike the harp, for my bosom is cold
“And the sound has a charm on my fears—
“A City new-clothed as a Bride I behold,
“And her King as her Bridegroom appears.
“And the sound has a charm on my fears—
“A City new-clothed as a Bride I behold,
“And her King as her Bridegroom appears.
“'Tis he whom they love, and who loves them again,
“Who partakes of the joy he imparts;
“Who over three nations shall happily reign,
“And establish his throne in their hearts.”
“Who partakes of the joy he imparts;
“Who over three nations shall happily reign,
“And establish his throne in their hearts.”
| Poems (1905) | |