Lays of the Highlands and Islands By John Stuart Blackie |
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 | Lays of the Highlands and Islands |  |
67
STENNIS.
II.
These old grey stones, what are they?—pillars reared
By men who lived and died in Orkney land,
Long ere the footsteps shod with peace appeared,
To plant the Cross on this surf-beaten strand;
Pillars that preach high thought and mightful hand
Of men that bravely through grim ocean steered,
And stoutly followed what they proudly planned
Through sweat and blood, nor from their purpose veered.
What men?—Celt or the Teut?—I nothing care,
My loves are with the living, not the dead;
But for strong men who knew to do and dare
I drop the loyal tear and bow the head.
Let gentle moons glide o'er the dumb grey stones
That guard their graves!—I would not vex their bones.
| Lays of the Highlands and Islands | |