"All freakishness of mind is check'd; 66 He tam'd, who foolishly aspires; "While to the measure of his might "Each fashions his desires. "All Kinds, and Creatures, stand and fall By strength of prowess or of wit: "Tis God's appointment who must sway, "And who is to submit. "Since then," said Robin, " 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 liv'd, 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 For Polity was then too strong; Or shall we say an age too soon? Then rents and Factors, rights of chace, Sheriffs, and Lairds and their domains Would all have seem'd but paltry things, Not worth a moment's pains. Rob Roy had never linger'd here, To these few meagre Vales confin'd; But thought how wide the world, the times How fairly to his mind! And to his Sword he would have said, "Do Thou my sovereign will enact "From land to land through half the earth! Judge thou of law and fact ! "Tis fit that we should do our part; "In fatherly concern. "Of old things all are over old, "Of good things none are good enough :“We'll shew that we can help to frame "A world of other stuff. "I, too, will have my Kings that take And, if the word had been fulfill'd, Oh! say not so; compare them not; For Thou, although with some wild thoughts, Wild Chieftain of a Savage Clan! Hadst this to boast of; thou didst love The liberty of Man. And, had it been thy lot to live With us who now behold the light, Thou would'st have nobly stirr'd thyself, For Robin was the poor Man's stay Bear witness many a pensive sigh Of thoughtful Herdsman when he strays And, far and near, through vale and hill, And kindle, like a fire new stirr'd, At sound of ROB ROY's name. |