Poems (Davidson)/On the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
ON THE
ECUTION OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.
Touch not the heart, for Sorrow's voice Will mingle in the chorus wild;When Scotland weeps, canst thou rejoice? No: rather mourn her murdered child.
Sing how on Carberry's mount of blood, 'Mid foes exulting in her doom,The captive Mary fearless stood, A helpless victim for the tomb.
Justice and Mercy, 'frighted, fled, And shrouded was Hope's beacon blaze,When, like a lamb to slaughter led, Poor Mary met her murderers' gaze.
Calm was her eye as yon dark lake, And changed her once angelic form;No sigh was heard the pause to break, That awful pause before the storm.
'Tis done—and Mary's soul has flown Beyond this scene of blood and death;'Tis done—the lovely saint has gone To claim in heaven a thornless wreath.
But as Elijah, when his car Wheeled on towards heaven its path of light,Dropped on his friend, he left afar, His mantle, like a meteor bright;
So Mary, when her spirit flew Far from this world, so sad, so weary,A crown of fame immortal threw Around the brow of Carberry.
