Wild Relique! beauteous as the chosen spot In Nysa's isle, the embellished Grot; Whither, by care of Lybian Jove, (High Servant of paternal Love) Young Bacchus was conveyed- to lie All colours, and the liveliest streak A foil to his celestial cheek! XX. COMPOSED AT CORA LINN, IN SIGHT OF WALLACE'S TOWER. 66 How Wallace fought for Scotland, left the name Of Wallace to be found, like a wild flower, All over his dear Country; left the deeds To people the steep rocks and river banks MS. LORD of the Vale! astounding Flood! The caves reply with hollow moan; And yet how fair the rural scene! For thou, O Clyde, hast ever been Beneficent as strong; Pleased in refreshing dews to steep The little trembling flowers that peep Hence all who love their country, love To look on thee delight to rove Where they thy voice can hear ; And, to the Patriot-warrior's Shade, Along thy banks, at dead of night, Aloft, beneath the moon's pale beam, But clouds and envious darkness hide A Form not doubtfully descried : Their transient mission o'er, O say to what blind region flee Less than divine command they spurn; But this we from the mountains learn, And this the valleys show, That never will they deign to hold To human weal and woe. The man of abject soul in vain Shall walk the Marathonian Plain; That still invests the guardian Pass, Nor deem that it can aught avail For such to glide with oar or sail Where Tell once drew, by Uri's lake, His vengeful shafts- prepared to slake Their thirst in Tyrants' blood! XXI. TO A HIGHLAND GIRL. (At Inversneyde, upon Loch Lomond.) SWEET Highland Girl, a very shower Twice seven consenting years have shed And these gray Rocks; this household Lawn ; This fall of water, that doth make A murmur near the silent Lake; This little Bay, a quiet Road That holds in shelter thy Abode; Like something fashioned in a dream; |