[See Martin's Voyage among the Western Isles.[923]] Here on their knees men swore; the stones were black,[924] Black in the people's minds and words,[925] yet they Were at that time, as now, in colour grey. But what is colour, if upon the rack Of conscience souls are placed by deeds that lack 5 Concord with oaths? What differ night and day Then, when before the Perjured on his way Hell opens, and the heavens in vengeance crack Above his head uplifted in vain prayer To Saint, or Fiend,[926] or to the Godhead whom 10 He had insulted--Peasant, King, or Thane? Fly where the culprit may, guilt meets a doom; And, from invisible worlds at need laid bare, Come links for social order's awful chain. FOOTNOTES: [923] _Description of the Western Islands of Scotland; including an account of the Manners, Customs, Religion, Language, Dress, etc., of the Inhabitants_, by M. Martin, 1703.--ED. [924] In Johnson's _Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland_ the following occurs in the section on "Icolmkill:"--"The place is said to be known where the Black Stones lie concealed, on which the old Highland chiefs, when they made contracts and alliances, used to take the oath, which was considered more sacred than any other obligation, and which could not be violated without the blackest infamy. In these days of violence and rapine, it was of great importance to impose upon savage minds the sanctity of an oath, by some particular and extraordinary circumstances--they would not have recourse to the Black Stones upon small or common occasions; and when they had established their faith by this tremendous sanction, inconstancy and treachery were no longer feared."--ED. [925] 1835. Here on their knees, they swore, the stones were black, Black in men's minds and words, ... MS. [926] 1835. To saints, to fiends, ... MS. XXXV "HOMEWARD WE TURN. ISLE OF COLUMBA'S CELL" Homeward we turn. Isle of Columba's Cell, Where Christian piety's soul-cheering spark (Kindled from Heaven between the light and dark Of time) shone like the morning-star, farewell!-- And fare thee well, to Fancy visible, 5 Remote St. Kilda, lone and loved sea-mark[927] For many a voyage made in her swift bark,[928] When with more hues than in the rainbow dwell Thou a mysterious intercourse dost hold, Extracting from clear skies and air serene, 10 And out of sun-bright waves, a lucid veil, That thickens, spreads, and, mingling fold with fold, Makes known, when thou no longer canst be seen, Thy whereabout, to warn the approaching sail. FOOTNOTES: [927] St. Kilda is sixty miles to the north-west of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides.--ED. [928] 1837.