Classic Poem

To encourage bagpipe playing
I would partially describe it:
first, the tuning of it, when its bag
is wind-inflated;
gleeful then the tall drones, harmonising
with each other;
'tis a sheer delight to the audience
that hears it.

Sprightly pipe of timber shafts,
smooth and bone-tipped,
of hardwood that comes from Jamaica,
the best that grows there,
turned round and straight, inlaid
with ivory, ring-mounted;
with mouthpiece and chanter, exquisite
in melodious character.

Its inward parts are suitable,
and its exterior is handsome, comely,
plaided, ribboned and resplendent,
with silken tassel rustling round
the neck of precious properties,
protecting its smooth throat;
in its gullet, a reed that fills it
is tightly packed with threads.

The new pipe that is in Edinburgh
is the Gaels' delight;
'tis the best musical instrument beneath the sun,
for special reason:
'tis elegant, beautiful, graceful,
dainty, handsome, wind-tight, powerful,
melodious, pretty, stately, goodly,
tuneful, lively, joyful, lovely.

Pipe that would put in mood for mirth,
cheer and revel,
each duke, high chief of clan,
and heir of lands;
every gentleman will seek it,
to raise his people for the conflict,
in time of mustering each clan
to go a-smiting with hard blades.

The most majestic and most ancient music
of whose existence on earth we have heard,
the most expressive, sweetest, finest music
that fingers extracted from wood wands;
none was ever heard to disparage
the damsel's looks and her performance,
while she had praise from the mouth of every bard
in the realm, of any account in verse-making.

The whole nation is full of gladness,
often thinking of Edinburgh,
and how many stalwarts are there upholding
the rule and reason of the gathering:
the wittiest speech that man has heard—
honoured is every mouth that speaks
the language that is flowing, facile,
chaste, courteous, and most resourceful.

An honour to Gaeldom is the visit
of those who have come to town at present,
to uphold in esteem the tradition
of which the Lowlanders are envious:
Scottish Gaelic, warriors' language,
and the pipe, mistress of all song—
music and speech that gained all honour,
that existed first, and will last longest.