VII. THE pibroch's note, discountenanced or mute; Of quaint apparel for a half-spoilt boy; Then may we ask, though pleased that thought should range Among the conquests of civility, Survives imagination to the change Superior? Help to virtue does it give? If not, O Mortals, better cease to live! VIII. COMPOSED IN THE GLEN OF LOCH ETIVE. "THIS Land of Rainbows (spanning glens whose walls, Of mountains varying momently their crests— The Muse exclaimed; but Story now must hide That make the Patriot-spirit bow her head Where the all-conquering Roman feared to tread. IX. COMPOSED AFTER READING A NEWSPAPER OF THE DAY. "PEOPLE! your chains are severing link by link; Soon shall the Rich be levelled down-the Poor While all lie prostrate, save the tyrant few And mix the poison, they themselves must drink. X. EAGLES. COMPOSED AT DUNOLLIE CASTLE IN THE BAY OF OBAN. DISHONOURED Rock and Ruin! that, by law Light from the fountain of the setting sun. Such was this Prisoner once; and, when his plumes The sea-blast ruffles as the storm comes on, In spirit, for a moment, he resumes His rank 'mong freeborn creatures that live free, His power, his beauty, and his majesty. XI. IN THE SOUND OF MULL. TRADITION, be thou mute! Oblivion, throw Thy veil in mercy o'er the records, hung Round strath and mountain, stamped by the ancient tongue Spots where a word, ghost-like, survives to show From honour misconceived, or fancied wrong, What feuds, not quenched but fed by mutual woe. By civil arts and labours of the pen, Could gentleness be scorned by those fierce Men, . Yon towering Peaks, Shepherds of Etive Glen* ?' In Gaelic, Buachaill Eite. |