Classic Poem

The Royal Gaelic Society
now promotes the observance
of the custom of the heroes
who were wont to speak the language;
'tis the speech those men taught you
that you have always used;
you have preserved the language stock,
nor will it pass from us enfeebled.

Blithesome is the gathering—
chieftains and gentlemen,
the aristocracy of the clans
of every place around;
the native sense of honour
is expressed in new resolve—
that you will cherish the pipe, as of yore,
and ready, polished Gaelic.

'Tis the speech used in the Garden—
Adam left it to mankind;
'tis the language spoken by the prophets
who transmitted heavenly lore to us;
'tis the speech talked in the wilderness,
at the time the Red Sea ebbed,
and 'tis current in the generation
existing at this hour.

'Tis the sweetest of all to list to,
that mouth uttered or ear heard;
Scotland, Ireland, and even England
declare its worth is great;
no one who makes use of it
will betray it for a bribe;
the best point is that it revived,
after being dormant.

'Twere a great disaster if the language
of sterling worth should die:
'tis the most trenchant for a bout of wit,
wherever it is spoken;
'tis the best for jocularity,
it has the sweetest, warmest sound;
'tis the music of the pipes and harps,
of minstrels and composers of songs.

'Tis the best to raise one's spirits,
with sweet tones of kindly talk;
'tis the most scathing for reviling,
and the most tender to show love;
what time thousands are assembled
by pipe for wielding blades,
'tis the speech to rouse youths to daring,
when the banner is hoisted on pole.

'Tis the pipe of fluent chanters
would win honour in the camp,
leading on virile warriors,
while lithe fingers steadily race;
the charming, lively, martial tune
had its natural setting there;
'tis now quite common once again,
though at one time it was rare.

London is full at present
of the activity of Highland friends,
who are exalting Gaelic,
each day as it comes round;
and because of the excellence with which
the heroes make frequent use of it,
every man in England
would fain have it in their midst.

The kindly, pleasing, eloquent,
delicious, sparkling speech
has many honours linked with it,
popularity and esteem;
informed exponents of tradition
are studying throughout the Roughbounds
the music and Gaelic of Scotland,
and being put to the test at Falkirk.