address to edinburgh

edina! scotia's darling seat!

all hail thy palaces and tow'rs,

where once, beneath a monarch's feet,

sat legislation's sov'reign pow'rs:

from marking wildly scatt'red flow'rs,

as on the banks of ayr i stray'd,

and singing, lone, the lingering hours,

i shelter in they honour'd shade.

here wealth still swells the golden tide,

as busy trade his labours plies;

there architecture's noble pride

bids elegance and splendour rise:

here justice, from her native skies,

high wields her balance and her rod;

there learning, with his eagle eyes,

seeks science in her coy abode.

thy sons, edina, social, kind,

with open arms the stranger hail;

their views enlarg'd, their liberal mind,

above the narrow, rural vale:

attentive still to sorrow's wail,

or modest merit's silent claim;

and never may their sources fail!

and never envy blot their name!

thy daughters bright thy walks adorn,

gay as the gilded summer sky,

sweet as the dewy, milk-white thorn,

dear as the raptur'd thrill of joy!

fair burnet strikes th' adoring eye,

heaven's beauties on my fancy shine;

i see the sire of love on high,

and own his work indeed divine!