Transcription
LINES WRITTEN ON THE OCCASION OF THE Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, JUNE 24th, 1893. Inscribed to Wallace Bruce, Esq., American Consul at Edinburgh, and Theodore Napier, Esq. of Magdala, President of the Scottish National Association of Victoria, on the occasion of their unfurling the Scottish Standard and British Ensign from the Flagstaff at the Borestone. THE grand June sun with regal sway Has through the solstice gone Four times since on that happy day At this, our old " Borestone," The Scot revered throughout the world The Banner of the Bruce unfurled. And Stirling's Provost Yellowlees With presence brave and strong, And bracing as a mountain breeze Addressed a countless throng With brilliant speech, and with Macrae. Brought down applause from bank and brae. While, who that saw can e'er forget The glories of that day, Those mighty crowds, I see them yet All stretching far away, The martial music still I hear, Filling alike both soul and ear. The years go on, and still we find A true succession here, The patriot heart, the loyal mind Are with us year by year, They gather home from many lands, And join as brothers in our bands. Thus, Wallace Bruce, thy king-like name Comes with a potent spell, Thou Patriot Poet of noble fame Who loves our country well, While Scottish hearts both far and near Accord thee royal welcome here. And Napier, how shall words express In common speech to thee, How Scotland's heart goes forth to bless Her sons far o'er the sea, How mother-love so warm and true Goes from the old world to the new. A mighty host to-day will cheer For Bruce on every side, And our majestic hills shall hear And answer far and wide ; The Abbey Craig shall once again Take up the note in bold refrain. While Stirling Castle once the seat Of Scottish Kings shall fire, The Bruce and Thistle drums shall beat And all our hearts inspire, And martial men shall grandly tread The ground where Bruce to victory led. Come, Wallace Bruce, come Theodore * From countries far away, Your names shall live in classic lore The heroes of this day ; Historians of a future age Shall write your words in history's page. And, oh ! while on these hallow'd heights Inspired by holiest zeal, For dear old Scotia's sacred rights, Her sons and daughters weal, Bless God, that not for battle cry Men gather now to do or die. That peace within our blood bought land Sits throned on every hill, Nor brother falls by brother's hand, But love and best good will Encircle as a golden zone This gathering at our old Borestone. AGNES H. BOWIE. *Theodore Napier.
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