Hew Morrison Collection > Elegy on the late Reverend John Kennedy of Redcastle, and other poems

E L E G Y.
M R S. M A C L E D,
CLAIGEAN, ISLE OF SKYE.
Impell'd by all the praises which I hear,
Fain -vvould I sing, tho' simple be my lay ;
But what have I from any one to fear,
If genuine virtue guide me on the way ?
You who canjudge of what is truly fame,
Say, who are they should waken up the lyre ?
Say, what it is should be the Poet's theme ?
Sure it is virtues every one admire.
Shall such be then unheeded by the muse,
While there's a ray of genius wai-ms the breast ?
No ; I will sing — tho' limited my vìews —
Of her that was a model to^the rest.
Twas she ìn Claigean, in the Isle of Skye,
(Ye gentle muses give me now your aid,)
Whose sudden death made many a bosom sigh,
Whose deeds on earth made many a bosom glad
Ye piteous crew, whom fortune had forsook,
Who seek from door to door your daily bread ;
Now where, ah ! where for comfort will ye look ?
The queen of sweet benevolence is fled.