The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/Address to the Shade of Thomson, on crowning his Bust at Ednam

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The Poetical Works of Robert Burns
by Robert Burns
Address to the Shade of Thomson, on crowning his Bust at Ednam
109040The Poetical Works of Robert Burns — Address to the Shade of Thomson, on crowning his Bust at EdnamRobert Burns (1759-1796)

ADDRESS TO THE SHADE OF THOMSON,

ON CROWNING HIS BUST AT EDNAM, ROXBURGH-SHIRE, WITH BAYS.

While virgin Spring, by Eden's flood,
Unfolds her tender mantle green,
Or pranks the sod in frolic mood,
Or tunes Eolian strains between;

While Summer with a matron grace
Retreats to Dryburgh's cooling shade,
Yet oft, delighted, stops to trace
The progress of the spiky blade;

While Autumn, benefactor kind,
By Tweed erects his aged head,
And sees, with self-approving mind,
Each creature on his bounty fed;

While maniac Winter rages o'er
The hills whence classic Yarrow flows,
Rousing the turbid torrent's roar,
Or sweeping, wild, a waste of snows;

So long, sweet Poet of the year,
Shall bloom that wreath thou well hast won;
While Scotia, with exulting tear,
Proclaims that Thomson was her son.