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 But Finlayston demands the choicest lays;
A generous muse's theme in former days, 400
When soft Montgomery poured the rural lay;
Whether he sung the vermeil dawn of day,
Or, in the mystic wreath, to soothe his woe,
Twined the red Cherry with the sable sloe;
Each charming sound resistless love inspired;
Soft love, resistless, every bosom fired;
Of love the waters murmured in their fall;
And echo sounds of love returned to all:
Trembling with love, the beauteous scene imprest
Its amorous image on the Firth's fair breast; 410
The scene, ennobled by the lofty dome,
Where great Glencairn has fixed his splendid home;
Whose breast the firm integrity inspires,
And scorn of slavery, that adorned his fires.
 When daring Becket, with rebellious pride,
The English Henry's majesty defied,
The power of Rome against his sovereign led,
Aiming her thunders at his sacred head;
Then, near the throne, to guard the monarch, stood
A youth of Scotish Morville's lofty blood: 420
From his bold hand the felon found his doom;
And when the monarch meanly bent to Rome,