The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
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THE BALLOT. |
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 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
THE BALLOT.
The sky had no voice, and the ocean was still—
A power and a terror chain'd valley and hill;
For the spirit of Burns, upon thunder-clouds borne,
Look'd down on his country in pity and scorn;
Because the descendants of Wallace were slow,
The bonds they had loosen'd to break at a blow.
A power and a terror chain'd valley and hill;
For the spirit of Burns, upon thunder-clouds borne,
Look'd down on his country in pity and scorn;
Because the descendants of Wallace were slow,
The bonds they had loosen'd to break at a blow.
87
“What! give back their souls to these freemen enthrall'd?
Then give them the ballot!” o'er Scotland he call'd;
“Concede it, proud traitors! obtain it, thou thrall—
Thou robb'd of the land which the Lord made for all!
Obtain it, ye millions, who labour for drones!
Concede it, ye despots, who feast on their groans!”
Then give them the ballot!” o'er Scotland he call'd;
“Concede it, proud traitors! obtain it, thou thrall—
Thou robb'd of the land which the Lord made for all!
Obtain it, ye millions, who labour for drones!
Concede it, ye despots, who feast on their groans!”
The Lords of Misrule and their Master turn'd pale;
The tyrant-eyed viper seem'd weak as the snail;
The bones of the murder'd for freedom came forth
From their far-sever'd graves, with a growl like the north;
Of millions awaking the murmur was deep;
And the face of the bard was like lightning asleep.
The tyrant-eyed viper seem'd weak as the snail;
The bones of the murder'd for freedom came forth
From their far-sever'd graves, with a growl like the north;
Of millions awaking the murmur was deep;
And the face of the bard was like lightning asleep.
So hovers the eagle o'er summits of light,
Which, touch'd by his shadow, start up in affright;
While, girt by the peaks where the storm sinks to rest,
Loch Oich sees Ben Nevis sink down in the west,
When o'er the dark glare of the sky-painted lake,
Frown Coryuragen and Coriaraick.
Which, touch'd by his shadow, start up in affright;
While, girt by the peaks where the storm sinks to rest,
Loch Oich sees Ben Nevis sink down in the west,
When o'er the dark glare of the sky-painted lake,
Frown Coryuragen and Coriaraick.
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |