address to the shade of thomson

on crowning his bust at ednam, roxburghshire, with a wreath of bays.

while virgin spring by eden's flood,

unfolds her tender mantle green,

or pranks the sod in frolic mood,

or tunes eolian strains between.

while summer, with a matron grace,

retreats to dryburgh's cooling shade,

yet oft, delighted, stops to trace

the progress of the spiky blade.

while autumn, benefactor kind,