Original Poetry.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2645, 9 August 1871, Page 3

Original Poetry.

DRY BURGH ABBEY. Twas morn-but not the ray which falls the summer boughs among, When beauty walks in gladness forth, with all her light and song. ’Twas morn—but mßt and cloud bung deep upon the lovely vale, And shadows, like the wings of death, were out upon the gale. For he whose spirit woke the dust of nations into life— , That o’er the waste and barren earth spread ■flowers and fruitage rife ; Whose genius, like the sun, illumed the mighty realms of mind, Had fled f. r ever from the fame, love, friendship of mankind !. To wear a wreath, in glory wrought, his spirit swept afar . Beyond the soaring wing of thought, the * light of moon or star ; To drink immortal waters, free from every taint of earth— . To breathe be r ore the shrine of life, the source whence worlds had birth. There was wailing on the early breeze, and darkness in the sky, When/with sable plume, and cloak, and pall, the funeral train swept by ; Methought—St. Mary, sliielc\us well!-—that other forms moved there Than those of mortal brotherhood, the noble, young, and fair 1 Was it a dream ?—bow oft, in sleep, vyo ask, “Can this be true ? ” Whilst warpi imagination paints the marvels , to our view—; . ' Earth’s, glory seems a tarnish d crown, to that which we behold When dreams enchant our sight with things meanest garb is gold ! Was it a dream?— methought the “dauntless Harold ” passed me by— The proud “ Eire James,” with martial step, and dark, intrepid eye ; That “ Marmion’s ’’ haughty crest was there, a raoui n r for his sake ; And she, the bold, the beautiful, sweet “ Lady of the .Lake. ’ The “ Minstrel ” whose Last Lay was o’er, whose brokqu harp lay low, And with him glorious “Waverly, with glance and step of wo ; And “Stuarts” voice rose there; as when, midst fate’s disastrous war, He led the wild, ambitious, proud, and brave “ Ich lan Yphr.” Next, marvelling at bis sable suit, the •< Dominie ” stalked past, With “Bertram,” “Julia” by his side, whose tears were flowing fast; j PQuy Mannering,” too, moved there, oerpowered by that afflicting sight, Ellangowan’s height. Solemn and grave, “ Monkbaru’s ” approached, amidst that burial line ; And “Ochil ree” leant o’er bis staff, and mourned for “ Auld Lang Syne !” Slow marched the gallant “M‘lntyre, whilst “ Lovel ” mused alone ; For once, “Miss Wardour’s” image left that bosoms faithful tbrene ! With coronach, and arms reversed, forth came “ M ‘Gregor’s ” clan Red“Dougal’s” cry pealed shrill and wild —Hob Roy’s bold brow look’d wan ; The fair “Diana” kissed her cross, and blessed its sainted ray ; And “Wao is me!” the “Bailie” sighed, tfcat “ 1 should gee this day 1 ” Next rode, in melancholy guise, with sombre vest and scarf, Sir Edward, Lord of Ellislaw, the far-re-nowned “ Black Dwarf ” ; Upon his left, in bonnet blue, and white locks flowing free The pituis sculptor of the grave—stood “Old Mortality !” “Balfour of Burley,” “ Clavcrhousc,” the “ Lord of Evaudalc,” And stately “ Lady Margaret,” W’hose woe might nought avail; _ Fierce “ Botbwdl ” on bis charger black, as from the conflict won ; And pale “Habakknk Mqok 1 0 wrath, 11 who cpied f ‘ God's Will be done ! ” And like a rose, a young white rose, that blooms ’mid wildest scenes, Passed she—the modest, eloquent, and virtuous “ Jeanic Deans ” ; And " Dumbiedikcs,” that silent laird, with love too deep to smile, And “ Effie,” with her noble friend, the good “Duke of Argyle.” With lofty brow, and bearing high, dark “ Ravenswood ” advanced, Who 011 the false “ Lord Keeper’s ” mien with eye indignant glanced ; Whilst graceful as a lonely fawn, ’neath covert.close and. sure, Approached the beauty of all hearts—the “ Bride of Larrmiermpor. ” . Th«n ‘S Aunot Lyle,” the fairy queen of light and song, stepped near, The “Knight of„,Ard« nvoghr,” and he, the gifted Hicland seer ; “ Dalgetty,’ r -‘ v Duncan,” “Lord Monteitb,” and “Ranald ” met my view— The hapless “children of the mist” and bold “ Mich-Cbimel Dim.” ‘ On swept ‘-‘■Boisr ’Gnilbert,” “Front de Bceuf,” “ De Brncy’s ” plume of wo ; And “Gecur,:do:Lion's” crest shone near the valiant “ Ivanfioe ”;

While, soft as glides a summer cloud, “Rowena” closer drew, With beautiful “Rebecca,” peerless daughter of the Jew. , Still onward, like the gathering night advanced that funeral train— Like billows when the tempest sweeps across the shadowy main : Where’er the eager gaze might reach, in noble ranks were seen Dark plume, and glittering mail and crest, and woman’s beauteous mien. A sound thrilled through that lengthening host.— Methought the vault was closed. Where, in his glory and renown, fair Scotia’s bard reposed ! A sound thrilled through that lengthened host, and forth ray vision tied ! • But, ah ! that mournful dream proved true —the immortal Scott was dead !