Lei-gha-Lei-gha "-he then cried out, And what he meant was, "Keep away, Alas! and when he felt their hands- So all his dreams-that inward light To him, a heavy bitter loss, As he had ever known. But hark! a gratulating voice, 'Tis from the crowd, who tremblingly Have watched the event, and now can see And then, when he was brought to land, And in the general joy of heart But most of all, his Mother dear, She led him home, and wept amain, Thus after he had fondly braved The perilous Deep, the Boy was saved; Yet he was pleased and reconciled - And in the lonely Highland dell Of the blind Boy's adventurous feat, And how he was preserved.2 [NOTE. It is recorded in Dampier's Voyages, that a boy, son of the captain of a Man-of-War, seated himself in a Turtle-shell, and floated in it from the shore to his father's ship, which lay at anchor at the 1 1832. She could not blame him, or chastise. 2 This stanza not in edition 1807. 1807. distance of half a mile. In deference to the opinion of a Friend, I have substituted such a shell for the less-elegant vessel in which my blind Voyager did actually entrust himself to the dangerous current of Loch Leven, as was related to me by an eye-witness.] The Loch Leven referred to is a sea-loch in Argyllshire, into which the tidal water flows with some force from Loch Linnhe at Ballachulish. By night and day The great Sea-water finds its way Through long, long windings of the hills. The "friend" referred to, in the preceding note, was doubtless his sister.-ED. One might believe that natural miseries Spot rich in all things that can soothe and please! Of Liberty that yet remains on earth! THERE IS A BONDAGE WORSE, FAR WORSE, TO BEAR. There is a bondage worse, far worse, to bear1 Than his who breathes, by roof, and floor, and wall, 'Tis his who walks about in the open air, 1 1827. which is worse to bear 1807. One of a Nation who, henceforth, must wear Their fetters in their souls. For who could be, Who, even the best, in such condition, free From self-reproach, reproach that he must share 1 To see the sun how brightly it will shine, These times strike monied worldlings with dismay: What do we gather hence but firmer faith That every gift of noble origin Is breathed upon by Hope's perpetual breath; That virtue and the faculties within Are vital, and that riches are akin To fear, to change, to cowardice, and death? 1 1836. which he must share 1807. ENGLAND! THE TIME IS COME WHEN THOU SHOULD'ST WEAN. England! the time is come when thou should'st wean The truth should now be better understood; Old things have been unsettled; we have seen Fair seed-time, better harvest might have been But for thy trespasses; and, at this day, If for Greece, Egypt, India, Africa, Aught good were destined, thou would'st step between. But worse, more ignorant in love and hate, Far-far more abject, is thine Enemy: Therefore the wise pray for thee, though the freight Oh grief that Earth's best hopes rest all with Thee ! When, looking on the present face of things, I see one Man, of men the meanest too! So that a doubt almost within me springs And tremble, seeing whence proceeds the strength 1 1 1827. seeing, as I do, the strength 1807. |