Classic Poem

I will give you a special discourse
on language and on music:
purest, graphic Gaelic
is best for narrative;
'tis the speech that is full versatile
and has the sweetest croon;
'tis appropriate and eloquent,
and high-toned to a degree.

'Twas the language of the kings
who held this realm by right;
'tis the speech of dukes and earls,
which they would wish for table talk;
it is used by the gentlefolk
and by the honest peasantry;
it was, and is, used by herdsmen,
as they round up the kine.

When the languages diverged
at the great tower of babel,
then Gaelic won supremacy
over every kind of speech:
'tis the best for rhetoric
any man alive commands;
'tis witty, clear, cheery, songful
in the chambers of wassail.

Many a striking tribute
Gaelic gained, in all respects;
it provided the first sacrament
for the Pope that was in Rome;
'tis used by the clergy of these parts,
who daily counsel us;
darling of poets and minstrels
is the natural, guileless speech.

'Tis it we learned from the parents
who nurtured us in youth;
'tis it we would fain leave to
the rising generation;
each detail I might tell of it
would add to its prestige;
'tis the most expressive language—
and for music the pipe is best.

This new pipe that came to town
to receive homage,
is the chief musical instrument of the region,
and of the whole country;
with sinewy fingers on her drones
in rapid impact,
loud would she sound, sweet is her belling,
and neat her design.

Her drones are inlaid with ivory,
a sheath of silk surrounds her neck;
bold, continuous is her skirling
in front of thousands in procession—
imperious incitement to the combat,
in crisis, strife or contention;
no gloom will be in the land where she stays,
fortunate is the one that owns her.

A sunbeam in the estimation of musicians,
in all Scotland and in London,
is the pipe of truest key and shake,
strong and sound, lightsome, lively;
'tis a great delight to her lover
to have her enclasped in his arms;
from the damsel's frame come flowing harmonies,
pure melodies of the mighty instrument.

The first music that was on the earth
is the great pipe of loveliest warble;
she was Fionn's and Goll's and Garadh's
in the blood-shedding heroes' hall;
'twere pity if one witnessed the decline
of the warriors' stirring tunes;
with a blow of her breath she could waken
all the Fiann to speedy exploit.

This gathering is held about
a valuable prize, not purchased;
equitable verdicts are pronounced
that will express the whole truth fairly:
each will receive the award assigned
to the art in which he is a champion;
and 'tis freely open to merit
to win the pipe against all comers.