HERE sits he throned, where men and gods behold His domelike brow -- a good man simply great; Here in this highway proud, that arrow-straight Cleaves at one stroke the new world from the old. On this side, Commerce, Fashion, Progress, Gold; On that, the Castle Hill, the Canongate, A thousand years of war and love and hate There palpably upstanding fierce and bold. Here sits he throned; beneath him, full and fast, The tides of Modern Life impetuous run. O Scotland, was it well and meetly done? For see! he sits with back turned on the Past -- He whose imperial edict bade it last While yon grey ramparts kindle to the sun. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TASTING THE EARTH by JAMES OPPENHEIM THE WHITE COMRADE (AFTER W.H. LEATHAM'S 'THE COMRADE IN WHIRE') by ROBERT HAVEN SCHAUFFLER THE GUEST OF PHINEUS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET IN MY LADY'S PRAISE by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |