The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Ii Part 147

"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-- He came an age too late;

Or shall we say an age too soon? 65 For, were the bold Man living _now_, How might he flourish in his pride, With buds on every bough!

Then rents and factors, rights of chase, Sheriffs, and lairds and their domains, [12] 70 Would all have seemed but paltry things, Not worth a moment's pains.

Rob Roy had never lingered here, To these few meagre Vales confined; But thought how wide the world, the times 75 How fairly to his mind!

And to his Sword he would have said, "Do Thou my sovereign will enact From land to land through half the earth!

Judge thou of law and fact! 80

"'Tis fit that we should do our part, Becoming, that mankind should learn That we are not to be surpa.s.sed In fatherly concern.

"Of old things all are over old, 85 Of good things none are good enough:-- We'll show that we can help to frame A world of other stuff.

"I, too, will have my kings that take From me the sign of life and death: 90 Kingdoms shall s.h.i.+ft about, like clouds, Obedient to my breath."

And, if the word had been fulfilled, As _might_ have been, then, thought of joy!

France would have had her present Boast, 95 And we our own [13] Rob Roy!

Oh! say not so; compare them not; I would not wrong thee, Champion brave!

Would wrong thee nowhere; least of all Here standing by thy grave. 100

For Thou, although with some wild thoughts Wild Chieftain of a savage Clan!

Hadst this to boast of; thou didst love The _liberty_ of man.

And, had it been thy lot to live 105 With us who now behold the light, Thou would'st have n.o.bly stirred thyself, And battled for the Right.

For thou wert still [14] the poor man's stay, The poor man's heart, the poor man's hand; 110 And all the oppressed, who wanted strength, Had thine at their command. [15]

Bear witness many a pensive sigh Of thoughtful Herdsman when he strays Alone upon Loch Veol's heights, 115 And by Loch Lomond's braes!

And, far and near, through vale and hill, Are faces that attest the same; The proud heart flas.h.i.+ng through the eyes, [16]

At sound of ROB ROY'S name. 120

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1807.

And Scotland boasts of one as good, She has her own Rob Roy. 1803. D.W.]

[Variant 2:

1807.

... Outlaw ... 1803. D.W.]

[Variant 3:

1807.

... daring ... 1803. D.W.]

[Variant 4:

1807.

Stanzas 3 and 4 are thus combined by D.W., and also in a printed (not published) version, given in a copy of the 1807 edition.

Yet Robin was as wise as brave, As wise in thought as bold in deed, For in the principles of things He sought his moral creed.]

[Variant 5:

1827.

... which ... 1807.]

[Variant 6:

1807.

... tyrannous ... 1803. D. W.]

[Variant 7:

1807.

And freakishness ... 1803. D. W.]

[Variant 8: