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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

By William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585–1649)

INSTALLED on hills, her head near starry bowers,

Shines Edinburgh, proud of protecting powers.

Justice defends her heart; Religion east

With temples, Mars with towers doth guard the west;

Fresh nymphs and Ceres serving, wait upon her,

And Thetis tributary doth her honor.

The sea doth Venice shake, Rome Tiber beats,

Whilst she but scorns her vassal water’s threats.

For sceptres nowhere stands a town more fit,

Nor place where town world’s queen may fairer sit.

But this thy praise is, above all, most brave,

No man did e’er defame thee but a slave.