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It is his darling passion to approve;

More brave for this, that he hath much to love:

"Tis, finally, the Man, who, lifted high,
Conspicuous object in a Nation's eye,
Or left unthought-of in obscurity,—
Who, with a toward or untoward lot,
Prosperous or adverse, to his wish or not,
Plays, in the many games of life, that one
Where what he most doth value must be won:
Whom neither shape of danger can dismay,
Nor thought of tender happiness betray;

Who, not content that former worth stand fast,
Looks forward, persevering to the last,

From well to better, daily self-surpast:

Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth
For ever, and to noble deeds give birth,
Or He must go to dust without his fame,
And leave a dead unprofitable name,

Finds comfort in himself and in his cause;
And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws
His breath in confidence of Heaven's applause :
This is the happy Warrior; this is He

Whom every

"Man in arms should wish to be.

III.

ROB ROY'S GRAVE.

The History of Rob Roy is sufficiently known; his Grave is near the head of Loch Keterine, 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 Rox!

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:
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 ;—
A 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.

Said generous Rob, " What need of Books? "Burn all the Statutes and their shelves:

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They stir us up against our Kind;

"And worse, against Ourselves.

"We have a passion, make a law, "Too false to guide us or control!

"And for the law itself we fight

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"In bitterness of soul.

And, puzzled, blinded thus, we lose

"Distinctions that are plain and few : "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 peace, and peace of mind.

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"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.

"A lesson which is quickly learned,

"A signal this which all can see!

"Thus nothing here provokes the Strong

"To wanton cruelty.

"All freakishness of mind is checked;
"He tamed, who foolishly aspires;
"While to the measure of his might
"Each fashions his desires.

"All Kinds, and Creatures, stand and fall

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By strength of prowess or of wit:

""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, "I'll take the shortest way."

And thus among these rocks he lived,

Through summer's heat and winter's snow: The Eagle, he was Lord above,

And Rob was Lord below.

N

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 chase, Sheriffs, and Lairds and their domains, Would all have seemed but paltry things,

Not worth a moment's pains.

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