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] |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
The Emigrant.
|
|
|
| 1. |
|
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd |  |
The Emigrant.
May morning had shed her red streamers on high,
O'er Canada, frowning all pale on the sky;
Still dazzling and white was the robe that she wore,
Except where the mountain-wave dash'd on the shore.
Far heav'd the young sun, like a lamp, on the wave,
And loud scream'd the gull o'er his foam-beaten cave,
When an old lyart swain on a headland stood high,
With the staff in his hand, and the tear in his eye.
O'er Canada, frowning all pale on the sky;
Still dazzling and white was the robe that she wore,
Except where the mountain-wave dash'd on the shore.
Far heav'd the young sun, like a lamp, on the wave,
And loud scream'd the gull o'er his foam-beaten cave,
When an old lyart swain on a headland stood high,
With the staff in his hand, and the tear in his eye.
His old tartan plaid, and his bonnet so blue,
Declar'd from what country his lineage he drew;
His visage so wan, and his accents so low,
Announc'd the companion of sorrow and woe.
“Ah welcome, thou sun, to thy canopy grand,
And to me! for thou com'st from my dear native land!
Again dost thou leave that sweet isle of the sea,
To beam on these winter-bound valleys and me!
Declar'd from what country his lineage he drew;
His visage so wan, and his accents so low,
Announc'd the companion of sorrow and woe.
“Ah welcome, thou sun, to thy canopy grand,
And to me! for thou com'st from my dear native land!
Again dost thou leave that sweet isle of the sea,
To beam on these winter-bound valleys and me!
How sweet in my own native valley to roam!
Each face was a friend's and each house was a home;
To drag our live thousands from river or bay;
Or chase the dun deer o'er the mountain so gray.
Here daily I wander to sigh on the steep,
My old bosom friend was laid low in yon deep;
My family and friends, to extremity driven,
Contending for life both with earth and with heaven.
Each face was a friend's and each house was a home;
To drag our live thousands from river or bay;
Or chase the dun deer o'er the mountain so gray.
Here daily I wander to sigh on the steep,
My old bosom friend was laid low in yon deep;
My family and friends, to extremity driven,
Contending for life both with earth and with heaven.
286
My country, they said—but they told me a lie—
Her valleys were barren, inclement her sky;
Even now in the glens, 'mong her mountains so blue
The primrose and daisy are blooming in dew.
How could she expel from those mountains of heath
The clans who maintain'd them in danger and death!
Who ever were ready the broad-sword to draw
In defence of her honour, her freedom, and law.
Her valleys were barren, inclement her sky;
Even now in the glens, 'mong her mountains so blue
The primrose and daisy are blooming in dew.
How could she expel from those mountains of heath
The clans who maintain'd them in danger and death!
Who ever were ready the broad-sword to draw
In defence of her honour, her freedom, and law.
We stood by our Stuart, till one fatal blow
Loos'd ruin triumphant, and valour laid low:
Our chief, whom we trusted, and liv'd but to please,
Then turn'd us adrift to the storms and the seas.
O gratitude! where did'st thou linger the while?
What region afar is illum'd with thy smile?
That orb of the sky for a home will I crave,
When yon sun rises red on the Emigrant's grave.”
Loos'd ruin triumphant, and valour laid low:
Our chief, whom we trusted, and liv'd but to please,
Then turn'd us adrift to the storms and the seas.
O gratitude! where did'st thou linger the while?
What region afar is illum'd with thy smile?
That orb of the sky for a home will I crave,
When yon sun rises red on the Emigrant's grave.”
| The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd | |