94
CLYDE;
When, fierce in arms, the Scot, by Carron's shore,
Resigned, for war, the chace and mountain boar;
As the chaffed lion, on his homeward way,
Returns for vengeance, and forgets the prey.
By Camelon's towers, with Pictish splendor crowned,
And ancient grandeur, stretched the mighty mound;
Swept with broad trench o'er Falkirk's fatal plain,
Still red with gore of Scotian heroes slain; 310
Where dauntless Bute, with his brave Brandons, stood,
Till the wide plain was slippery with their blood;
Where gallant Graham, devoted, scorned to fly;
And Wallace saw his fairest laurels die.
But Carron's bank a fairer fame may crave,
Than from a chieftain's death, or hero's grave.
For Eastern wealth shall here with Western meet,
And both the Indies load the bending fleet;
The English tar shall, frowning, turn his eye,
From fields of battle where his fathers lie; 320
Dread Bannockburn, to Scots the dearest boast,
Of fields most fatal to an English host;
Where Bruce claimed freedom, or a glorious grave;
Nor victory could desert a band so brave;
And Norman Edward saw his standards fall,
Like Rome's proud trophies, on the Roman wall;
Resigned, for war, the chace and mountain boar;
As the chaffed lion, on his homeward way,
Returns for vengeance, and forgets the prey.
By Camelon's towers, with Pictish splendor crowned,
And ancient grandeur, stretched the mighty mound;
Swept with broad trench o'er Falkirk's fatal plain,
Still red with gore of Scotian heroes slain; 310
Where dauntless Bute, with his brave Brandons, stood,
Till the wide plain was slippery with their blood;
Where gallant Graham, devoted, scorned to fly;
And Wallace saw his fairest laurels die.
But Carron's bank a fairer fame may crave,
Than from a chieftain's death, or hero's grave.
For Eastern wealth shall here with Western meet,
And both the Indies load the bending fleet;
The English tar shall, frowning, turn his eye,
From fields of battle where his fathers lie; 320
Dread Bannockburn, to Scots the dearest boast,
Of fields most fatal to an English host;
Where Bruce claimed freedom, or a glorious grave;
Nor victory could desert a band so brave;
And Norman Edward saw his standards fall,
Like Rome's proud trophies, on the Roman wall;
