Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
177 . Elegy on the Death of Sir James Hunter Blair
T
Dim, cloudy, sank beneath the western wave;
Th’ inconstant blast howl’d thro’ the dark’ning air,
And hollow whistled in the rocky cave.
Once the lov’d haunts of Scotia’s royal train; Or mus’d where limpid streams, once hallow’d well, Or mould’ring ruins mark the sacred fane. The clouds swift-wing’d flew o’er the starry sky, The groaning trees untimely shed their locks, And shooting meteors caught the startled eye. And ’mong the cliffs disclos’d a stately form In weeds of woe, that frantic beat her breast, And mix’d her wailings with the raving storm ’Twas Caledonia’s trophied shield I view’d: Her form majestic droop’d in pensive woe, The lightning of her eye in tears imbued. Reclined that banner, erst in fields unfurl’d, That like a deathful meteor gleam’d afar, And brav’d the mighty monarchs of the world. With accents wild and lifted arms—she cried; “Low lies the hand oft was stretch’d to save, Low lies the heart that swell’d with honest pride. The helpless poor mix with the orphan’s cry; The drooping arts surround their patron’s bier; And grateful science heaves the heartfelt sigh! I saw fair Freedom’s blossoms richly blow: But ah! how hope is born but to expire! Relentless fate has laid their guardian low. While empty greatness saves a worthless name? No; every muse shall join her tuneful tongue, And future ages hear his growing fame. Thro’ future times to make his virtues last; That distant years may boast of other Blairs!”— She said, and vanish’d with the sweeping blast.