Poems in Two Volumes, Volume 2

Excerpt

ROB ROY's GRAVE.

The History of Rob Roy is sufficiently known; his Grave is near the head of Loch Ketterine, in one of those small Pin-fold-like Burial-grounds, of neglected and desolate appearance, which the Traveller meets with in the Highlands of Scotland.

  A famous Man is Robin Hood,
  The English Ballad-singer's joy!
  And Scotland has a Thief as good,
  An Outlaw of as daring mood,
  She has her brave ROB ROY!
  Then clear the weeds from off his Grave,
  And let us chaunt a passing Stave
  In honour of that Hero brave!

  Heaven gave Rob Roy a dauntless heart,
  And wondrous length and strength of arm: 10
  Nor craved he more to quell his Foes,
  Or keep his Friends from harm.

  Yet was Rob Roy as wise as brave;
  Forgive me if the phrase be strong;—
  Poet worthy of Rob Roy
  Must scorn a timid song.

  Say, then, that he was wise as brave;
  As wise in thought as bold in deed:
  For in the principles of things
  He sought his moral creed. 20

  Said generous Rob, "What need of Books?
  Burn all the Statutes and their shelves:
  They stir us up against our Kind;
  And worse, against Ourselves."

  "We have a passion, make a law,
  Too false to guide us or controul!
  And for the law itself we fight
  In bitterness of soul."

  "And, puzzled, blinded thus, we lose
  Distinctions that are plain and few: 30
  These find I graven on my heart:
  That tells me what to do."

  "The Creatures see of flood and field,
  And those that travel on the wind!
  With them no strife can last; they live
  In peace, and peace of mind."

  "For why?—because the good old Rule
  Sufficeth them, the simple Plan,
  That they should take who have the power,
  And they should keep who can." 40

  "A lesson which is quickly learn'd,
  A signal this which all can see!
  Thus nothing here provokes the Strong
  To wanton cruelty."

  "All freakishness of mind is check'd;
  He tam'd, who foolishly aspires;
  While to the measure of his might
  Each fashions his desires."

  "All Kinds, and Creatures, stand and fall
  By strength of prowess or of wit: 50
  Tis God's appointment who must sway,
  And who is to submit."

  "Since then," said Robin, "right is plain,
  And longest life is but a day;
  To have my ends, maintain my rights,
  I'll take the shortest way."

  And thus among these rocks he liv'd,
  Through summer's heat and winter's snow:
  The Eagle, he was Lord above,
  And Rob was Lord below. 60

  So was it—would, at least, have been
  But through untowardness of fate:
  For Polity was then too strong;
  He came an age too late,

  Or shall we say an age too soon?
  For, were the bold Man living now,
  How might he flourish in his pride,
  With buds on every bough!

  Then rents and Factors, rights of chace,
  Sheriffs, and Lairds and their domains 70
  Would all have seem'd but paltry things,
  Not worth a moment's pains.

  Rob Roy had never linger'd here,
  To these few meagre Vales confin'd;
  But thought how wide the world, the times
  How fairly to his mind...!