Selected Poetry.

Evening Star, Issue 3391, 3 January 1874, Page 3

Selected Poetry.

THE LAY OF ST. ANDREW. {From the Mount Alexander Mail.) Old England boasts of good St. George, That knight of fame and glory, Whoso deeds of valor oft are told In legendary story. While shamrocks grow, and rivers flow, X heir flov/ry banks cafersing, St. Patrick’s name in Erin’s isle Shall be its choicest blessing. But long before St Patrick’s smile, Or e’en Columba’s psalters, Had banish’d from lona’s isle The immolating altars, St. Andrew’s blessing from afar Had gone to Scotland’s mountains, — Rejoicing hearts in midst of war, Like dry land fed by fountains ! And Scotia’s daughters erst that hour Had painted limbs and faces, — Thereafter grew like fairest flower, And equalled all the graces! The moorfowl screamed with merry glee. Among the bushy heather, Declaring there their home would be In autumn’s golden weather! The salmon leapt each waterfall, As, darting tip the river. They gave to their descendants all An heritage for ever. The thistle waved o’er hill and lea, Grand emblem of defiance— Bidding the noble and the free In strength to put reliance. And far o’er mountain, plain, and sea Wbcre’er-the eye could wander, Dame Nature seems rejoiced that she Could m.ike her work look grander. There is an ancient legend rife, And sung in many a ditty, How on the eastern neuk of Fife, Where stands St. Andrew’s city, A goodly ship was nobly steer’d, Tho’ tossed and tempest driven— And the good monk Regains appear’d Like messenger from heaven. He brought the Patron’s relics safe, And ’neath the far-famed steeple He laid his burden as he gave His blessings to the people. And aye since then on battle-field, In hall, or lowly dwelling. Engraven on each Scottish shield, Tho tyrant’s power repelling, “ St. Andrew and our right” has been Old Scotland’s boast and honor, And' while her hills and woods are green His fame shall rest upon her! _ , Tam Rattiiat. Cnstlemaine, March, 1873.