VIII. STEPPING WESTWARD. [Composed between 1803-1805.-Published 1807.] While my Fellow-traveller and I were walking by the side of Loch Ketterine, one fine evening after sunset, in our road to a Hut where, in the course of our Tour, we had been hospitably entertained some weeks before, we met, in one of the loneliest parts of that solitary region, two well-dressed Women, one of whom said to us, by way of greeting, "What, you are stepping westward?" "WHAT, you are stepping westward?" "Yea." Alone she cuts and binds the grain, No Nightingale did ever chaunt A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard Will no one tell me what she sings?- Or is it some more humble lay, Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain, X. ADDRESS TO KILCHURN CASTLE, [Composed II. 1-3, 1803; finished "long after."- 20 All that he holds in common with the stars, Now, while a farewell gleam of evening Is fondly lingering on thy shattered front, Do thou, in turn, be paramount; and rule 26 Over the pomp and beauty of a scene Whose mountains, torrents, lake, and woods, unite "From the top of the hill a most impressive scene opened upon our view,—a ruined Castle on an Island (for an Island the flood had made it) at some distance from the shore, backed by a Cove of the Mountain Cruachan, down which came a foaming stream. The Castle occupied every foot of the Island that was visible to us, To pay thee homage; and with these are appearing to rise out of the water,-mists rested upon the mountain side, with spots of sunshine; there was a mild desolation in the low grounds, a solemn grandeur in the mountains, and the Castle was wild, yet stately-not dismantled of turrets-nor the walls broken down, though obviously a ruin."-Extract from the Journal of my Companion. joined, In willing admiration and respect, 30 Youthful as Spring.-Shade of departed Skeleton of unfleshed humanity, Into the compass of distinct regard 35 Yon foaming flood seems motionless as ice; 40 And quieted in character-the strife, XI. ROB ROY'S GRAVE. [Composed between September, 1803-April, 1805. -Published 1807.] The history of Rob Roy is sufficiently known; A FAMOUS man is Robin Hood, 1 The tradition is, that the Castle was built by a Lady during the absence of her Lord in Palestine. "All freakishness of mind is checked; 45 He tamed, who foolishly aspires; While to the measure of his might 66 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, the rule of right is plain, And longest life is but a day; To have my ends, maintain my rights, 55 I'll take the shortest way." And thus among these rocks he lived, Through summer heat and winter snow: The Eagle, he was lord above, And Rob was lord below. So was it would, at least, have been Or shall we say an age too soon? 60 65 That they should take, who have the Becoming that mankind should learn power, And they should keep who can. "A lesson that is quickly learned, 40 That we are not to be surpassed "Of old things all are over old, Of good things none are good enough:We'll show that we can help to frame A world of other stuff. 85 YARROW UNVISITED. [Composed 1803.-Published 1807.] See the various Poems the scene of which is laid Had trod the banks of Clyde, and Tay, On Yarrow's banks let herons feed, 5 IO But we will downward with the Tweed, 15 Nor turn aside to Yarrow. "There's Galla Water, Leader Haughs, Both lying right before us; And Dryborough, where with chiming Tweed The lintwhites sing in chorus; 20 Enough if in our hearts we know There's such a place as Yarrow. "Be Yarrow stream unseen, unknown! It must, or we shall rue it: 50 We have a vision of our own; Ah! why should we undo it? The treasured dreams of times long past, 56 "If Care with freezing years should come, Should life be dull, and spirits low, 1 See Hamilton's Ballad as above. XV. THE MATRON OF JEDBOROUGH [Composed between 1803-1805.-Published 1807.] And call a train of laughing Hours; 60 If not, make merry in despite That there is One who scorns thy power:- |