Classic Poem

Ere year's end arrive again
we shall not all be at Torr Mhuilt;
we will go across the hill passes
to the country where mildness reigned,
where dwell our kinsfolk
in the land wherein our portion lies,
the place where 'tis meet our end should come,
and our bodies be interred.

And in Kirkton of Dysart
it were fine to be to-day
seated in a marvellous church,
in a pew of splendid setting,
hearkening to all that he
of the gentlest voice would tell us,
as he gave us the Bible story
and the moral derived therefrom.

Warm, little glen of cosiness,
where grain crop grows full well;
where the little haugh plots are,
in which the seed is sown;
spreading corn will flourish there,
as ripe-white as the curds,
luxuriant, fruitful, substantial,
heavy, fertile, full, profuse.

'Twas blithe to be in winter there,
at weddings one had fun:
the pibroch's fluent harmony —
none wearied for its close;
then sound of strings from fiddlers,
who played the bars all through;
and their own lilt from maidens
of the most tuneful and sweet voice.

Fresh water salmon was found there,
heading up each stream;
moorland birds in multitudes,
and thousands of black-cock;
the ever-pawing little roe,
the tiny fawns and the bucks —
in the glen where the deer forests are,
and the gamekeepers keep ward.

Since I came into this region
not even a bird can I get;
nor is there occasion to discuss
the yellow antler-bearer;
'tis different from being, as I was wont,
on the brae of Doire Chro,
where there are aye the full-grown stags,
that mate within the mist.

My greeting to Glen Orchy
of the green, grassy knolls,
where dwell the hunters, who have gained
a name for excellence,
who would climb the rugged uplands
where a red herd is in strength;
then lads would be laden with burdens,
that would leave a table well-stocked.

Then, after coming home with them,
you carried on in style,
by sitting in the tavern,
and joining in dance and song,
being cordial to each other
while the pelts are spent in drink;
and no matter was regarded as urgent
when the shout went up for stoups.