BOAT SONG. Hail to the chief who in triumph advances, Earth lend it sap anew, Gayly to bourgeon, and broadly to glow, Sends our shout back agen, Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, The more shall Clan Alpine exult in her shade. Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow: Menteith and Bredalbane, then, Echo his praise agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin, Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with wo; Shake when they hear agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands ! Worthy such noble stem, Honoured and blessed in their shadow might grow! Loud should Clan-Alpine then Ring from her deepest glen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" THE CASTLE OF INDOLENCE. The castle hight of indolence And its false luxury; Where for a little time, alas! I. O MORTAL MAN, who livest here by toil! Do not complain of this thy hard estate; That like an emmet thou must ever moil, Is a sad sentence of an ancient date; And, certes, there is for it reason great; For, tho' sometimes it makes thee weep and wail, And curse thy star, and early drudge and late, Withouten that would come an heavier bale, Loose life, unruly passions, and diseases pale. II. In lowly dale, fast by a river's side, With woody hill o'er hill encompass'd round, Than whom a fiend more fell is no where found. It was, I ween, a lovely spot of ground; And there a season atween June and May, Half prankt with spring, with summer half imbrown'd, A listless climate made, where sooth to say, No living wight could work, ne cared even for play. III. Was naught around but images of rest: Sleep soothing groves, and quiet lawns between; And flowery beds that slumbrous influence kest, From poppies breath'd; and beds of pleasant green, Where never yet was creeping creature seen. Meantime unnumber'd glittering streamlets play'd, And hurled every where their waters sheen; That, as they bicker'd through the sunny glade, Though restless still themselves, a lulling murmur made. IV. Join'd to the prattle of the purling rills, Were heard the lowing herds along the vale, V. Full in the passage of the vale above, Where nought but shadowy forms were seen to move, And up the hills, on either side, a wood The murmuring main was heard, and scarcely heard to flow. VI. A pleasing land of drowsy-head it was, Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye; VII. The landskip such, inspiring perfect ease, And labour harsh, complain'd, lamenting man's estate. |