82
CLYDE;
Where late gay Hamilton's facetious lay,
In rustic numbers hailed returning May;
And bade the brakes of Ardrie long resound
The plaintive dirge, that graced his favourite hound.
Old Rutherglen his designation brings
From Reuther, famed among our earliest kings: 20
Where numerous miners dwell, who fly the day,
Through central darkness urge their downward way;
Where, slumbering in their secret beds, retire
The sable stores which nurse the rage of fire.
To try the vigour of the generous horse,
The level lawn expands the racer's course;
Where, on the days to sestal games assigned,
The sprightly horsemen crowd from every wind;
While gazing crowds admire the courser's speed,
The graceful rider, and the governed steed. 30
More skilful horsemen Græcia ne'er could grace
With wreathing laurel, in Olympia's race;
Nor fleeter coursers swept the Pythian plain,
Renowned in daring Pindar's deathless strain.
See, how they shift, and paw, with trembling heart,
And lose a thousand steps before they start.
When, robed in emerald vest, awakening spring
Invites the flowers to spread, and birds to sing,
In rustic numbers hailed returning May;
And bade the brakes of Ardrie long resound
The plaintive dirge, that graced his favourite hound.
Old Rutherglen his designation brings
From Reuther, famed among our earliest kings: 20
Where numerous miners dwell, who fly the day,
Through central darkness urge their downward way;
Where, slumbering in their secret beds, retire
The sable stores which nurse the rage of fire.
To try the vigour of the generous horse,
The level lawn expands the racer's course;
Where, on the days to sestal games assigned,
The sprightly horsemen crowd from every wind;
While gazing crowds admire the courser's speed,
The graceful rider, and the governed steed. 30
More skilful horsemen Græcia ne'er could grace
With wreathing laurel, in Olympia's race;
Nor fleeter coursers swept the Pythian plain,
Renowned in daring Pindar's deathless strain.
See, how they shift, and paw, with trembling heart,
And lose a thousand steps before they start.
When, robed in emerald vest, awakening spring
Invites the flowers to spread, and birds to sing,
