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) All colours, and the liveliest streak A foil to his celestial cheek! XX. COMPOSED AT CORA LINN, IN SIGHT OF WALLACE'S TOWER. 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 MS. LORD of the Vale! astounding Flood! The caves reply with hollow moan; And yet how fair the rural scene! Pleased in refreshing dews to steep Hence all who love their country, love Where they thy voice can hear; 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, say to what blind region flee These Shapes of awful phantasy? To what untrodden shore? 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 The man of abject soul in vain That still invests the guardian Pass, Nor deem that it can aught avail For such to glide with oar or sail Beneath the piny wood, 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 Like something fashioned in a dream; When earthly cares are laid asleep! |