The sun upon the Weirdlaw hill1
In Ettrick’s vale is sinking sweet ;2
The westland wind is hushed and still,3
The lake lies sleeping at my feet—4
Yet not the landscape to mine eye5
Bears those bright hues that once it bore,6
Though evening, with her richest dye,7
Flames o’er the hills of Ettrick’s shore,8
With listless lock along the plain9
I see Tweed’s silver current glide,10
And coldly mark the holy fane11
Of Melrose rise in ruined pride.12
The quiet lake, the balmy air,13
The hill, the stream, the tower, the tree,14
Are they still such as once they were,15
Or is the dreary change in me ?16
Alas, the warp’d and broken board,17
How can it bear the painter’s dye !18
The harp of strained and tuneless chord19
How to the minstrel’s skill reply !20
To aching eyes each landscape lowers,21
To feverish pulse each gale blows chill,22
And Araby’s or Eden’s bowers23
Were barren as this moorland hill.24