Written at Edinburgh

EVEN thus, methinks, a city rear’d should be, 
Yea, an imperial city, that might hold 
Five times an hundred noble towns in fee, 
And either with their might of Babel old, 
Or the rich Roman pomp of empery 
Might stand compare, highest in arts enroll’d, 
Highest in arms; brave tenement for the free, 
Who never crouch to thrones, or sin for gold. 
Thus should her towers be rais’d—with vicinage 
Of clear bold hills, that curve her very streets,
As if to vindicate, ’mid choicest seats 
Of art, abiding Nature’s majesty; 
And the broad sea beyond, in calm or rage 
Chainless alike, and teaching Liberty.