David Gray

Long Yearnings Had My Soul To Gaze Upon

Long yearnings had my soul to gaze upon

Fair Italy with atmosphere of fire ;

On tawny Spain; on th'immemorial land

Where Time has dallied with the Parthenon

 

In beautiful affection and desire.

But when last even, effluently bland,

I saw sweet Luggie wind her amber waters

Thro'lawns of dew and glens of glimmering green,

 

And saw the comeliness of Scotland's daughters,

Their speaking eyes and modest mountain mien,

I blest the Godhead over all presiding,

 

Who placed me here, removed from human strife,

Where Luggie, in her clear, unwearied gliding,

Is but the image of my inner life.