A POEM.
99
His brave avenger sought his native plain,
Where dauntless freedom holds eternal reign:
From him the faithful Cunninghams descend;
Still first their country's freedom to defend.
See, old Alclutha to the sight displays
Her rock, impregnable in ancient days;
Frowns like old Ilium, mid her waters placed,
Its base by Clyde and Leven's tide embraced: 430
From the broad stream its whitening summits rise,
Like famed Parnassus, towering to the skies.
And here, remote, the Latian muses came,
When Italy had lost her former fame.
As on this new Parnassus they repose,
Their sacred spring between its summits rose;
They bade the rock that far-famed thistle yield,
Which glorious shines in Scotia's warlike shield;
And on the margin of Levina's flood,
Their temple, famed for ancient learning, stood. 440
Buchanan sweeps the sweet Horatian lyre,
With Latian softness, and with Grecian fire;
Or, while historic themes his soul engage,
Shines forth the Livy of each modern age.
In later days, here dauntless Smollett rose,
Who sung with filial ardour Scotia's woes:
Where dauntless freedom holds eternal reign:
From him the faithful Cunninghams descend;
Still first their country's freedom to defend.
See, old Alclutha to the sight displays
Her rock, impregnable in ancient days;
Frowns like old Ilium, mid her waters placed,
Its base by Clyde and Leven's tide embraced: 430
From the broad stream its whitening summits rise,
Like famed Parnassus, towering to the skies.
And here, remote, the Latian muses came,
When Italy had lost her former fame.
As on this new Parnassus they repose,
Their sacred spring between its summits rose;
They bade the rock that far-famed thistle yield,
Which glorious shines in Scotia's warlike shield;
And on the margin of Levina's flood,
Their temple, famed for ancient learning, stood. 440
Buchanan sweeps the sweet Horatian lyre,
With Latian softness, and with Grecian fire;
Or, while historic themes his soul engage,
Shines forth the Livy of each modern age.
In later days, here dauntless Smollett rose,
Who sung with filial ardour Scotia's woes:
