Classic Poem

AFTER MAKING A CLANDESTINE ENTRANCE THROUGH THE RIVER TILT, THEN VERY LOW: SUMMER 1796 .

Your jealous walls, great Duke, in vain
All access would refuse;
What walls can Highland steps restrain?
What bars keep out the Muse?
Where'er I go I bring with me
" That mountain-nymph, sweet L IBERTY ! "

Would you engross each breathing sweet
Yon violet banks exhale?
Or trees with od'rous blooms replete,
That scent th' enamour'd gale:
Alike they smile on you and me,
Like Nature and sweet Liberty!

While pleasure's fleeting form you trace
In Mona's distant isle,
And leave forlorn your native place
Where rural beauties smile:
Congenial see them smile for me,
Then do not grudge my Liberty.

E NEAS pass'd with branch of gold
The gloomy gates below:
And silver branches, I am told,
Can smooth your porter's brow;
But wand'ring Highland folks like me,
Can seldom purchase Liberty.

While musing by the Tilt I stood,
And view'd its wand'ring tide,
Uprose a Naiad from the flood,
And beckoning, shew'd its side:
I took the kindly hint with glee,
And scrambled hard for Liberty.

Beneath the bridge's bending arch
My vent'rous steps she led;
Till by yon ancient weeping larch
I laid my wearied head:
While birds methought on every tree
Rejoicing hail'd my Liberty!

The leaden gods above the gate
Aghast with wonder stood,
Olympian J OVE , his vixen mate,
And all the heathen brood:
Bravo! cried thievish M ERCURY ,
'Tis right to steal sweet Liberty!