The Poetical Works of David Gray :: :: University of Virginia Library

Long yearnings had my soul to gaze upon
Fair Italy with atmosphere of fire;
On tawny Spain; on th' immemorial land
Where Time has dallied with the Parthenon
In beautiful affection and desire.
But when last even, effluently bland,
I saw sweet Luggie wind her amber waters
Thro' lawns of dew and glens of glimmering green,
And saw the comeliness of Scotland's daughters,
Their speaking eyes and modest mountain mien,—
I blest the Godhead over all presiding,
Who placed me here, removed from human strife,
Where Luggie, in her clear unwearied gliding,
Is but the image of my inner life.

189

II

The Avon is a famous rivulet,
The mountain Duddon and the “bonnie Doon”
Flow ever-shining in the sun of song,
While plaintive Yarrow moaneth evermore.
But there is one which I must halo yet
With verse, as with a gleam of morning glory;
Must set its woodland murmurings to tune,
As through summer groves it steals along;
Must gather inspiration from its love
Of visible beauty and traditions hoary,
And spiritual presences sublime.
Dear Luggie! thou are mine by right of birth,
And daily brotherhood and poet's rhyme.
O could I make thee famous o'er the earth!

190

III

Pactolus singeth over golden sand;
Scamander, old and blood-empurpled river,
Rolls yet her stream divine; and Castaly
Flows lucid in the light of ancient song;
Whilst thou, sweet Luggie! fairest of this land,
And fair as any of that famous throng,
In pastoral, still loveliness, must be
Bald as a marshy brooket nameless ever!
Nay, by the spirit of beauty and dear pleasure,
Sure I shall sing thee as my first delight,
Nurse of my soul, companion of my leisure!
And if in aftertime thy waters roll
More worthily, more spiritually bright,
It will be sunshine to my perfect soul.