Poems about Lady Colin Campbell

A new poem has just been published about Lady Colin Campbell by blogger JZ Knowles-Smith (http://digbig.com/5bgjrt ). “Reflections on Lady Colin Campbell” expresses the thoughts of the poet on viewing her portrait by Boldini. I thought it interesting to compare today’s “reflections” with those of Lady Colin’s peers in two poems from the 1880’s. The first reproduced below was published in 1883. It praises her beauty, the Irishwoman amongst Scotswomen, and ironically her “cheeks and lips more sweet with hues of health” at a time when she was still sick and bedridden after a serious bout of illness, consequent to the venereal disease, she had contracted from Lord Colin. (The author of this poem, C.C.B. is possibly Charles Dickens, Jr, born Charles Culliford Boz Dickens.)

The second poem reproduced below is more a favourite of mine. Written by Wilfrid Meynell under the pen name of John Oldcastle in 1886, “On hearing her praised for her repartee” does not only look at her physical beauty but also at her wit.

LADY COLIN CAMPBELL

By C.C.B.

Life, 26 April 1883

In the gallery, long and splendid,

Of the Campbells' ancient clan,

That with history's march was blended

Ere more mushroom growths began,

Thronged are many chiefs and sages,

Hands to strik and heads to think,

Names on Time's recording pages

Writ in blood or ink.

Turn we from those warriors famous,

From those seers, the council's pride -

Find a livelier gandeamus

In the ladies by their side!

Fairest faces smile, resplendent

With all charms that men adore,

Near each haughty-browed descendant

Of Mac Callum More.

Scottish damsels, blithe and blooming,

Out from ilka vale and glen

Brought their name and fame illluming

Lineage a' the world must ken.

Guest from lowland home or highland

Ne'er did Campbell lovlier hail,

Than this stranger from the island

Of far Innisfail.

Though the Bruce and Stuart Mary

Each was fairest of her line,

Ne'er looked gates of Inverary

On girl-eyes mre bright than shine,

Nor on cheeks and lips more sweet with

Hues of health and Heaven's own air,

Than it now's their pride to meet with

In the belle of Clare.

ON HEARING HER PRAISED FOR HER REPARTEE

By John Oldcastle

Merry England, March 1886

"When thou the sun for the sun's spots dost praise;

Dost deem that beauty lies in its defects;

Dost love the Church as mother of the sects -

And these spring breezes for the dust they raise"

"When thou dost count the forest and the sea

Made for mere sport and merchandise of men;

Dost seek light for its shadow - not til then

Praise thou Belinda for her repartee."

"She is a Woman: that alone is awe.

Beauty and youth are hers.  And the dread law

Of Womanhood she duteously obey."

"And when I think what she is, and these are

Whose laughter greets her sallies, - her tongue's care

I would rein up, save when she sings and prays."