Classic Poem

The toast of the Earl
swiftly submit to us;
if we get it brimful
we shall leave it empty;
when it doth reach us
we shall have music,
and sing songs as we drink it
with acclamation.

'Tis the gracious hero
did march from Taymouth with us,
and with him, at his shoulder,
were real gentlemen;
since a host hath risen with thee
to serve in danger,
true to thy heritage,
in spite of foes, thou wilt have victory.

An able young man
at the head of youths art thou;
thou wilt not be daunted
by the face of foreigners.
with thy virile fighters,
and thou directing them,
and the men of thy homeland,
for surety, backing thee.

Expert in ruling,
thou art wise and generous;
the men who marched with thee
are a goodly company;
'tis thou did raise hundreds
of Fiann descendants,
and, in time of action,
swift in the strife were they.

If the Frenchmen come
across to this country,
we will soon give them
cause for ruefulness;
some of them will be slain,
and others drowned,
ere they find a boat
and depart across from us.

Since we got muskets,
they are quick and handy,
and there is none of them
but will respond with fire for us;
the warriors will not regard
a charge as perilous;
they are loyal and honoured
for avenging treachery.

When each stalwart donneth
his proud accoutrement,
with their sharpened weapons
keen as we want them,
by their smashing blows
many will be wounded,
no leech can heal them
or keep them living.

'Tis a rugged banner
that marched from home with us,
'tis the men of Breadalbane
will surely follow it —
vigorous, stout men
who are brawny, mettlesome;
if their wrath be stirred up,
pity him that toucheth them.

With us are noted fighters
from Glen Falloch brae,
who, everywhere they were arrayed,
have gained the victory;
with the weight of their volley
Against the foe's front,
bodies on the field of battle
Will be stiff upon the ground.

Others of the company,
bold in their manliness,
will march in force and with power,
Where they will pledge to go —
those lively, handsome men
from the soil of Argyll,
who will not hesitate in battles
and are alert with fusillade.

The comely Glen Orchy men
with their crashing gunshots
will fire off bullets
that were never heard to be off the mark;
triumphant, strenuous,
and not prone to panic,
they would not retire from pursuing,
and they are stern with their blades.

Nor would island gentlemen
remain aloof from us;
they are mountain rangers
and ocean navigators;
they are hard-hitting men
who gained this distinction,
and the crack of their gunfire
is swift as lightning.

Foolish indeed are our foes
at this time, considering
the high courage that is ours
and will endure with us;
the king doth trust that we
will settle argument
by the army's effort
as our sires did demonstrate.

When they raised the standard,
and the tall men rallied to it,
and since they have mastered
the training, rapidly —
of the youthful heroes
in, King George's army,
there is not seen gathered
one group surpassing them.

'Tis the warm summer,
now that spring hath left us;
if we go campaigning
it will be only health for us;
in the vales are cattle,
we shall not lack for them;
and there is many a Lowlander
who provideth bread for us.

'Tis exhilaration
as fine as I know of,
to be in the king's retinue
and not strive with drudgery;
we do not ask for
increase of riches,
food will not fail us
while we live in garrison.