The Poems of Sir William Watson | ||
46
THE SCOTT MONUMENT, PRINCE'S STREET, EDINBURGH
Here sits he throned, where men and gods beholdHis domelike brow—a good man simply great;
Here in this highway proud, that arrow-straight
Cleaves at one stroke the new world from the old.
On this side, Commerce, Fashion, Progress, Gold;
On that, the Castle Hill, the Canongate,
A thousand years of war and love and hate
There palpably upstanding fierce and bold.
Here sits he throned; beneath him, full and fast,
The tides of Modern Life impetuous run.
O Scotland, was it well and meetly done?
For see! he sits with back turned on the Past—
He whose imperial edict bade it last
While yon grey ramparts kindle to the sun.
The Poems of Sir William Watson | ||