VII.

Long ages roll away in vain,

When minds are bound in slavish bands; When free, strong energies they gain,

And spread new life o'er desert lands. The mind's etherial spirit conquering flies,

When free, round ocean, earth, and thro' the boundless skies.

MUNGO'S WELL.

I.

Twelve hundred years have pass'd away Since Mungo tasted this pure stream, That springs as clear and free to-day, When they've all vanish'd like a dream.This limpid rill creeps onward to the sea, And man's pure spirit to eternity.

II.

To preach glad tidings of great joy,
First heard within these pagan lands,
The holy Mungo's sole employ,

While teaching rude untutor'd bands

Of Britons, Saxons, Picts, and Scotland's boors, And his lov'd name thro' time's dark roll endures

III.

Tho' hostile robbers prowl'd around,
And adverse parties lived on spoil,
The holy Mungo safety found,

And pass'd unharm'd thro' every broil.
What Mungo preach'd, he practis'd-then
He gain'd the favour of these lawless men.

IV.

His heavenly doctrine and unspotted life
Produc'd, in time, a happy change
Among these warlike sons of strife;

Thro' all the northern country's range
Peace and good will succeeded lawless war;
His bright example shin'd a heavenly star.

V.

Marauding thieves reform'd their ways;
The humble cottage stood secure ;
Children and females, in those days,

Slept fearless in its fragile bower.
Edwin, a christian prince, then rul'd supreme,
And his reign yields a soul inspiring theme. P

VI.

Bromfield's old church stands sacred to the name
Of Mungo-or Kentigern-anciently
Synonymous-they meant the same

In Pictish lingo; and old history
Describes this sage, of more than earthly grace,
His lineage royal, in the Pictish race.

VII.

And this spring well supplied the sage—

Pure element-the sweetest drink.

Here often thro' life's pilgrimage

He mus❜d, reclining on its hallow'd brink.

The strongest health-the firmest nerves are brac'd By this pure rill, of coolest, sweetest taste

VIII.

Why Mungo's creed of peace and love
Hath failed, thro' time's progressing years,
To yield its richest fruits, that move

To charity man through his vale of tears,
Seems wonderful; but temporal cares destroy
Religion's blossom-blighting heavenly joy.

IX.

Arts flourish-science plumes her wings,
The mind soars high in learning's sphere;
And each revolving season brings

New lights, and fresh discoveries appear;
Religion droops, and moral movements stand
Themes of reproach, to sages of the land.

X.

Luxurious wealth-the thirst for gold
Engross mankind-excess prevails-
Health pines-love's energies wax cold—
And struggling virtue's labour fails.

Oh! sainted Mungo! can thy spirit fly

To earth once more, and charm hope's weeping eye?

XI.

Descend, and throw thy sacred mantle o'er

The sons of discord, smooth each bigot's brow, The spirit of sweet charity restore,

The fainting christian's steadfast faith renew, Then heavenward take thy last aerial flight, While sordid bigotry expires in endless night.

BURROW CASTLE, SEATON.

I.

On Seaton's verdant breast of flowers
Aurora's early radiance falls,

As if to mock the ancient towers

Of Burrow Castle's mouldering walls, Where once Black Tom, a warrior bold, Against all foes kept his stronghold.

II.

The stormy waves roll'd on the west;
Strong battlements, on every side,
Secur'd the lawless chieftain's nest,

O'er looking Solway's dangerous tide.

Oppos'd to foes, still victory he gain'd,
"Black Tom o' north," the title he obtain❜d.

III,

And thro' the country, in that age,

When might was right, he rang'd a foe; Unrivall❜d-none durst Tom engage;

Mosstrooper thieves he kept in awe,

They shunn'd a circuit round the warrior's hoard, Where Tom rul'd sole controller by the sword,