  By Sir Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832): A Scotch poet and novelist. "Marmion," "The Lady of the Lake," and "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" are considered the best of his poems; and of his many novels probably "Ivanhoe" and "Kenilworth" are most read. Children enjoy "The Tales of a Grandfather," stories from Scottish history written for his own little grandson. This selection is from "The Lay of the Last Minstrel." 1. Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, "This is my own, my native land!" Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned From wandering on a foreign strand? 2. If such there breathe, go, mark him well! For him no minstrel raptures swell. High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim— Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentered all in self, Living shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonored, and unsung. Strand: shore. Pelf: money; riches. ConÇen´t?red: concentrated; fixed. |
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