The complete poetical works of Thomas Campbell Oxford edition: Edited, with notes by J. Logie Robertson |
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 | The complete poetical works of Thomas Campbell |  |
Fair fields of Roslin—memorable name!
Attest my words, and speak my country's fame!
Soft, as yon mantling haze of distance broods
Around thy waterfalls and agèd woods,
The south sun chequers all thy birchen glade
With glimmering lights and deep-retiring shade—
Fresh coverts of the dale, so dear to tread
When morn's wild blackbird carols overhead,
Or when the sunflower shuts her bosom fair,
And scented berries breathe delicious air.
Dear is thy pastoral haunt to him that woos
Romantic nature, silence, and the Muse;
But dearer still when that returning time
Of fruits and flowers, the year's Elysian prime,
Invites—one simple festival to crown—
Young social wanderers from the sultry town.
Attest my words, and speak my country's fame!
Soft, as yon mantling haze of distance broods
Around thy waterfalls and agèd woods,
The south sun chequers all thy birchen glade
With glimmering lights and deep-retiring shade—
Fresh coverts of the dale, so dear to tread
When morn's wild blackbird carols overhead,
Or when the sunflower shuts her bosom fair,
And scented berries breathe delicious air.
Dear is thy pastoral haunt to him that woos
Romantic nature, silence, and the Muse;
But dearer still when that returning time
Of fruits and flowers, the year's Elysian prime,
Invites—one simple festival to crown—
Young social wanderers from the sultry town.
Ah me! no sumptuous revelry to share
The cheerful bosom asks or envies there;
Nor sighs for gorgeous splendours, such as wait
On feasts of wealth and riots of the great.
Far sweeter seems the livelong summer-day
With loved companions on these walks to stray,
And lost in joys of more enchanting flow
Than tasteless art or luxury bestow.
Here in auspicious moments to impart
The first fond breathings of a proffered heart
Shall favoured love repair; and smiling youth
To gentle beauty vow the vows of truth.
The cheerful bosom asks or envies there;
263
On feasts of wealth and riots of the great.
Far sweeter seems the livelong summer-day
With loved companions on these walks to stray,
And lost in joys of more enchanting flow
Than tasteless art or luxury bestow.
Here in auspicious moments to impart
The first fond breathings of a proffered heart
Shall favoured love repair; and smiling youth
To gentle beauty vow the vows of truth.
| The complete poetical works of Thomas Campbell | |