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 |  |
On the return of morning light,
Full grievous was that army's plight,
Without a general of respect,
Or prince, or leader, to direct,
Save one was qualified the least—
Odin's most high and potent priest.
At board, at muster, or in field,
No warrior council Eric held;
Through life he suffer'd no cabal;
King, general, he was all and all.
But this bluff priest, in wondrous way,
Held over him perpetual sway;
While his last hest, “the gods to appease,”
Made this old fox's powers increase;
Save him, the host would list to none:
They ran to him, and him alone.
Full grievous was that army's plight,
Without a general of respect,
Or prince, or leader, to direct,
Save one was qualified the least—
Odin's most high and potent priest.
At board, at muster, or in field,
No warrior council Eric held;
Through life he suffer'd no cabal;
King, general, he was all and all.
But this bluff priest, in wondrous way,
Held over him perpetual sway;
While his last hest, “the gods to appease,”
Made this old fox's powers increase;
Save him, the host would list to none:
They ran to him, and him alone.
| The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd | |