Poems (Davidson)/On the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots

by Lucretia Maria Davidson

ON THE

 

ECUTION OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Touch not the heart, for Sorrow's voice
 Will mingle in the chorus wild;
When Scotland weeps, canst thou rejoice?
 No: rather mourn her murdered child.

Sing how on Carberry's mount of blood,
 'Mid foes exulting in her doom,
The captive Mary fearless stood,
 A helpless victim for the tomb.

Justice and Mercy, 'frighted, fled,
 And shrouded was Hope's beacon blaze,
When, like a lamb to slaughter led,
 Poor Mary met her murderers' gaze.

Calm was her eye as yon dark lake,
 And changed her once angelic form;
No sigh was heard the pause to break,
 That awful pause before the storm.

'Tis done—and Mary's soul has flown
 Beyond this scene of blood and death;
'Tis done—the lovely saint has gone
 To claim in heaven a thornless wreath.

But as Elijah, when his car
 Wheeled on towards heaven its path of light,
Dropped on his friend, he left afar,
 His mantle, like a meteor bright;

So Mary, when her spirit flew
 Far from this world, so sad, so weary,
A crown of fame immortal threw
 Around the brow of Carberry.