A POEM.
51
Thus the sure fates to good Sir James declared,
Of his unrivalled worth the high reward,
When with strong arm he razed his native owers,
In scorn of Edward and his southern powers. 330
For this they lengthened out the mansion's date,
Till the supporting earth should yield to fate:
Or if it fell, propitiously decreed,
A nobler fabric always should succeed.
In vain may time, may foes their rage renew,
No earthly power shall Douglas e'er subdue.
As Scotia's sons, in every clime, excelled
In hardy feats, on every dangerous field,
Among the Scots supreme in martial grace,
Bright shone the valiant chiefs of Sholto's race. 340
When Scotia's king, oppressed with speechless woe,
Viewed his spent squadrons yielding to the foe;
Before the van he saw the hero dart,
Scorn on his brow, and vengeance in his heart;
Fresh to the charge the fainting troops he led;
By his wide-wasting sword the foemen bled;
His single arm restored the doubtful day,
And tore from foes the laurel and the prey.
The battle won, when Scotia's Prince inquired
What arm performed the deed by all admired; 350
Of his unrivalled worth the high reward,
When with strong arm he razed his native owers,
In scorn of Edward and his southern powers. 330
For this they lengthened out the mansion's date,
Till the supporting earth should yield to fate:
Or if it fell, propitiously decreed,
A nobler fabric always should succeed.
In vain may time, may foes their rage renew,
No earthly power shall Douglas e'er subdue.
As Scotia's sons, in every clime, excelled
In hardy feats, on every dangerous field,
Among the Scots supreme in martial grace,
Bright shone the valiant chiefs of Sholto's race. 340
When Scotia's king, oppressed with speechless woe,
Viewed his spent squadrons yielding to the foe;
Before the van he saw the hero dart,
Scorn on his brow, and vengeance in his heart;
Fresh to the charge the fainting troops he led;
By his wide-wasting sword the foemen bled;
His single arm restored the doubtful day,
And tore from foes the laurel and the prey.
The battle won, when Scotia's Prince inquired
What arm performed the deed by all admired; 350
