Classic Poem

There is news at present in the country,
and it has cheered us greatly:
that our friends have obtained permission to live,
as of yore, in their own habitations;
every estate that was confiscated
from the time of the ill-advised rising,
the fathers lost, but the children
have been granted their rights thereto.

A great satisfaction to the kingdom
is the loyalty of young men,
who rose to serve, shoulder to shoulder,
and all of them so eager:
chiefs of strong clans bring their own men,
and each regiment is marshalled;
of honest repute and proved good-will,
they would fain join George's service.

To the gallant heroes who rallied to thee,
of the real pure blood of Clan Donald,
many a valiant, stalwart warrior
came out to give assistance;
triumph and might in their routs and hosts,
they had as a racial tradition;
they went forward with dash, showing fleetness of foot,
with their grey, steel blade in their fists.

Many a gay lad comes from Appin,
with pipes and silken banners;
trim, sturdy men, with weapons grasped,
as well equipped as they should be;
lead would spurt at the trigger-heads' click,
as they struck flints on hammers,
in the hands of men accustomed to real risk,
and trained to it in youth.

Lively, mettled, valiant, famous
are the Camerons from Lochy:
strong, guileless men, in manner fierce,
and this they proved abundantly;
the locks of their guns would be ember red,
and keen, true blade would supplement them;
after being chased, rebels would be slain
when the wrath of the youths was excited.

Useful, ready, well-arrayed
come many warriors from Drummond
— between the Mill of Turret Water
and the peak of Morven —
who are not averse to running risks
by land, and sailing ocean;
they won respect for striking blows
in every engagement.

There is a true chief, strong in support,
who will come from Castle Leod,
with a goodly band, high in resolve,
handsomely grown, and disciplined;
ample is the draft that would rise with thee,
to increase the effect of thy power;
the pipe would be tuned, and the deer's head
would have a staff silk-bannered.

Out of Lovat come fierce fighters
who fall in with a swagger,
chock-full of bold aggressive spirit —
violent is that breed's fury;
donning armour quickly, stern when tested,
they are prudent, proud in bearing,
success attends the indomitable host,
and their own nobility confirms it.

From Kinnell come matchless heroes —
high is their aim for glory;
however great the conflict, those men's code
is keenness in the path of duty;
while those lads live, the fame attached
to their forbears will not perish:
they are loyal, faithful, steadfast men,
true to their spoken pledges.

Clan Gregor comes, superb in courage,
respected as they ought to be,
beloved, triumphant, numerous, mighty,
kingly, stately, haughty;
men who always keenly joined in battles
everywhere, and gave proof of their prowess;
they are high at court with their name restored,
though in Glen Fruin they lost it.

From Cluny come real gentlemen
who draw up ranks expertly;
'twas heard long since that their tradition
was to win battle triumph;
fire, lead, and nimble hands will be
where they march together;
then flight of rout forced on their foes,
who are driven off lamenting.

From Struan come the virile men,
strong, muscular and skilful —
who from the Black Fir Wood swiftly go
to the forefront of danger:
now lead and powder would be fired,
and blood be spilt in torrent;
then the unsheathing of backswords,
and the tense race in pursuing.

Hotfoot come Buchanans gathering,
men who will do right in crisis;
a source of strength to their ally
is the clan of manful confidence;
whoever started a feud with them
would be foolish in his judgment:
pity those who encountered on the warpath
the full brunt of those warriors.

Equipped and powerful is the Scottish host,
and ample success would attend them;
they may go freely with their arms
and pretty, chequered raiment;
since all rage at every treachery is spent
— 'twas an old dispute began it —
devotion is proved, and trust may be placed
in George's staunch adherents.

Great credit belongs to the king
who made henchmen of his exiles,
and, in every district known to me,
restored to them each well loved place,
that was under tribute to their forbears,
and lost to them through tyranny;
'tis with sincerity every region
gives praise unto His Majesty.

Best of wise men beneath the sun
are those who spontaneously began
to commend in full the needful act,
and to proclaim it unreservedly,
with liberal lords who stated argument
for maintenance of fundamental right;
all heirs obtained their gear and titles,
their riches and their property.

Right has come and wrong departed,
and our hearts leaped with gladness;
valiant nobles at this moment
are gay, light-hearted, cheerful;
and tenants are setting bonfires ablaze
upon the lofty mountains:
this is the year that set the seal on concord,
and that is a proven story.