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"Since, then, the rule of right is plain,
"And longest life is but a day;
"To have my ends, maintain my rights,
"I'll take the shortest way."
And thus among these rocks he lived,
Through summer's heat and winter's snow:
The Eagle, he was Lord above,
And Rob was Lord below.
So was it—would, at least, have been
But through untowardness of fate;
For Polity was then too strong;
He came an age too late,
Or shall we say an age too soon?
For, were the bold Man living now,
How might he flourish in his pride,
With buds on every bough!
Then rents and Factors, rights of chase,
Sheriffs, and Lairds and their domains,
Would all have seemed but paltry things,
Not worth a moment's pains.
