Lines on Reading the Scottish-Emigrant’s Farewell.

LINES

THERE’S something wrong at home, O Scotland!
When such brave hearts are torn from thee,
And bid farewell, once and forever,
To seek a home beyond the sea.

Wouldst thou tear up thy mountain-daisy?
Thy blooming heather, hare-bell blue?
Ah! then why crush or rend asunder
Hearts to thy soil so leal and true.

Oh! ye whom Fortune’s smile hath favored,
Who hold the power to curse or bless,
Withdraw no more your kind protection,
But save your children from distress.

The heart that loves thy hills and valleys,
The music of thy feathered choir,
Deserves thy care and preservation,
And should thy noblest zeal inspire.

Already they whose sires of old-time
Stood by your sires in battlefield,
Are scattered through our western wide-world,
And find protection ‘neath our shield.

The Ægis of our state extendeth
Its guardian power o’er all who seek
A safe asylum, and a welcome,
Refusing neither strong nor weak.

Still unto thee, O valiant Scotland!
The land of Wallace, Bruce, and Burns!
My muse would ask from harm to shelter
The heart that to thy bosom turns.

No longer may thy sons be mourning
For “bonnie-Doon,” or “gurgling” Ayr,
But from thy ample stores returning,
Find for their toil a liberal share.

But if thy peasantry destroyed,
Like Erin’s once her nation’s pride,
As sang “sweet Auburn’s” tuneful poet,
They ne’er again can be supplied.

Oh! may such fate ne’er fall upon thee!
Forefend thee Heaven from such dire harm!
And mayst thou take thy struggling children
In love unto thy bosom warm.

Then shall thy soil rejoice in blessings,
Then shall thy realm in peace abound,
Thy muse shall swell her song of praises,
And music fill the air around.