“A lesson that [5] is quickly learned,
  A signal this which all can see! 
  Thus nothing here provokes the strong
    To wanton [6] cruelty.

  “All freakishness [7] of mind is checked; 45
  He tamed, who foolishly aspires;
  While to the measure of his might [8]
    Each fashions his desires. [9]

  “All kinds, and creatures, stand and fall
  By strength of prowess or of wit:  50
  ’Tis God’s appointment who must sway,
    And who is to submit.

  “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 surpassed
    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 shift 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.