Classic Poem

The lamp of day, with ill-presaging glare,
Dim, cloudy, sunk beyond the western wave:
Th' inconstant blast howl'd thro' the darkening air,
And hollow whistled in the rocky cave.

Lone as I wander'd by each cliff and dell,
Once the lov'd haunts of Scotia's royal train;
Or mus'd where limpid streams, once hallow'd, well;
Or mouldering ruins mark the sacred Fane.

Th' increasing blast roar'd round the beetling rocks;
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. —

The paly moon rose in the livid east,
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. —

Wild to my heart the filial pulses glow;
'Twas Caledonia's trophy'd shield I view'd;
Her form majestic droop'd in pensive woe,
The lightening of her eye in tears embu'd. —

Revers'd that spear, redoubtable in war,
Reclin'd that banner, erst in fields unfurl'd,
That like a deathful meteor gleam'd afar,
And brav'd the mighty monarchs of the world. —

" My patriot-Son fills an untimely grave!"
With accent wild and lifted arms she cry'd;
" Low lies the hand that oft was stretch'd to save,
" Low lies the heart that swell'd with honor's pride. —

" A weeping Country joins a Widow's tear,
" The helpless Poor mix with the Orphans' cry;
" The drooping arts surround their Patron's bier,
" And grateful Science heaves the heart-felt sigh. —

" I saw my Sons resume their ancient fire;
" I saw fair Freedom's blossoms richly blow:
" But ah, how hope is born but to expire!
" Relentless Fate has laid their Guardian low. —

" My Patriot falls — but shall he lie unsung,
" While empty Greatness saves a worthless name?
" No: every Muse shall join her tuneful tongue,
" And future ages hear his growing fame. —

" And I will join a Mother's tender cares,
" 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.