Page:Pleasant Memories.pdf/122

    Yet shouldst thou not have chose
    Thy latest couch at fair Melrose,
Whence burst thy first, most ardent song,
And swept with murmuring force along,
    Where Tweed in silver flows?
There the young moonbeam quivering faint,
O'er mural tablet sculptured quaint,
    Reveals a lordly race,
While knots of roses richly wrought,
And tracery light as poet's thought,
    The clustered columns grace.
There good king David's rugged mien
Fast by his faithful spouse is seen,
    And'neath the stony floor
Lie chiefs of Douglas' haughty breast,
Contented now to take their rest,
    And rule their kings no more.
There, if we heed thy witching strain,
The fearless knight of Deloraine
Achieved his purpose strange and bold,
At rifled tomb and midnight cold;
And there amid the roofless wall,
Where blended shower and sunlight fall,
With stealthy step and half afraid,
The lambkin crops the scanty blade;
While near is seen the seat of stone,
    Whereon thou oft didst rest,
When thou hadst tower and transept shown
    To many a grateful guest,