let us chant a passing stave,
In honour of that Hero [2] brave!

Heaven gave Rob Roy a dauntless [3] heart
And wondrous length and strength of arm: [A] 10
Nor craved he more to quell his foes,
Or keep his friends from harm.

Yet was Rob Roy as _wise_ as brave;
Forgive me if the phrase be strong;--
A Poet worthy of Rob Roy 15
Must scorn a timid song.

Say, then, that he was wise as brave;
As wise in thought as bold in deed:
For in the principles of things
_He_ sought his moral creed. [4] 20

Said generous Rob, "What need of books?
Burn all the statutes and their shelves:
They stir us up against our kind;
And worse, against ourselves.

"We have a passion--make a law, 25
Too false to guide us or control!
And for the law itself we fight
In bitterness of soul.

"And, puzzled, blinded thus, we lose
Distinctions that are plain and few: 30
These find I graven on my heart:
_That_ tells me what to do.

"The creatures see of flood and field,
And those that travel on the wind!
With them no strife can last; they live 35
In peace, and peace of mind.

"For why?--because the good old rule
Sufficeth them, the simple plan,
That they should take, who have the power,
And they should keep who can. 40

"A lesson that [5] is quickly learned,
A signal this which all can see!
Thus nothing here provokes the strong
To wanton [6] cruelty.

"All freakishness [7] of mind is checked; 45
He tamed, who foolishly aspires;
While to the measure of his might [8]
Each fashions his desires. [9]

"All kinds, and creatures, stand and fall
By strength of prowess or of wit: 50
'Tis God's appointment who must sway,
And who is to submit.

"Since, then, the rule of right is plain, [10]
And longest life is but a day;
To have my ends, maintain my rights, 55
I'll take the shortest way."

And thus among these rocks he lived,
Through summer heat and winter snow: [11]
The Eagle, he was lord above,
And Rob was lord below. 60

So was it--_would_, at least, have been
But through untowardness of fate;
For Polity was then too strong--