John Stanyan Bigg

He came, and no man knew it; no man knew The wondrous boon to Scotland given; That there—beneath that grim and wintry blue— A glorious Poet, strong and true, Had newly dropp'd from heaven!

For him no silver cressets shed their light, No eager joy-bells sounded through the night From city minster, or from village tower; No loud "hurrahs," sent from deep-chested men, Lifted the midnight mist from off the glen In celebration of …

No royal palace was prepared for him; No silken courtiers slid from room to room, Gathering together in the gorgeous gloom Of purple hangings, drooping rich and dim;