Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG, by DAVID MACBETH MOIR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Long, long ere the thistle was twined with the rose
Last Line: For the thistle—her thistle!—shall ever be green!
Alternate Author Name(s): Delta
Subject(s): Farewell; Ramsay, James. 1st Marquis Of Dalhousie; Parting; Ramsay, James Andrew Broun (1812-186)


DINNER GIVEN TO THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE AT EDINBURGH, 14th SEPTEMBER 1847, BEFORE
HIS PROCEEDING TO INDIA AS GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

I.

LONG, long ere the thistle was twined with the rose,
And the firmest of friends now were fiercest of foes,
The flag of Dalwolsey aye foremost was seen;
Through the night of oppression, it glitter'd afar,
To the patriot's eye 'twas a ne'er-setting star,
And with Bruce and with Wallace it flash'd thro' the fray,
When "Freedom or Death" was the shout of the day,
For the thistle of Scotland shall ever be green!

II.

A long line of chieftains! from father to son,
They lived for their country—their purpose was one—
In heart they were fearless—in hand they were clean;
From the hero of yore, who, in Gorton's grim caves,
Kept watch with the band who disdain'd to be slaves,
Down to him with the Hopetoun and Lynedoch that vied,
Who should shine like a twin star by Wellington's side,
That the thistle of Scotland might ever be green!

III.

Then a bumper to him in whose bosom combine
All the virtues that proudly ennoble his line,
As dear to his country, as stanch to his Queen!
Nor less that Dalhousie a patriot we find,
Whose field is the senate, whose sword is the mind,
And whose object the strife of the world to compose,
That the shamrock may bloom by the side of the rose,
And the thistle of Scotland for ever be green!

IV.

It is not alone for his bearing and birth,
It is not alone for his wisdom and worth,
At this board that our good and our noble convene.
But a faith in the blessings which India may draw
From science, from commerce, religion and law;
And that all who obey Britain's sceptre may see
That knowledge is power—that the truth makes us free:
For rose, thistle, and shamrock, shall ever be green!

V.

A hail and farewell! it is pledged to the brim,
And drain'd to the bottom in honour of him
Who a glory to Scotland shall be and hath been:
Untired in the cause of his country and crown,
May his path be a long one of spotless renown;
Till the course nobly rounded, the goal proudly won,
Fame, smiling on Scotland, shall point to her son—
For the thistle—Her thistle!—shall ever be green!





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