University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Poetical Works of Thomas Pringle

With A Sketch of his Life, by Leitch Ritchie

collapse section 
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
XII. MY COUNTRY.
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
collapse section 
collapse sectionI. 
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
  
  
  
collapse sectionII. 
collapse section 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
collapse section 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
collapse sectionIII. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


70

XII. MY COUNTRY.

My Country! when I think of all I've lost,
In leaving thee to seek a foreign home,
I find more cause the farther that I roam
To mourn the hour I left thy favoured coast;
For each high privilege which is the boast
And birth-right of thy sons, by patriots gained,
Dishonoured dies where Right and Truth are chained,
And caitiffs rule—by sordid lusts engrossed.
I may, perhaps, (each generous purpose crossed,)
Forget the higher aims for which I've strained,
Calmly resign the hopes I prized the most,
And learn cold cautions I have long disdained;
But my heart must be calmer—colder yet—
Ere thee, my Native Land! I can forget.
1825.