Classic Poem

Woeful to hear is the news
which I have received too soon:
death hath robbed us of the soul
of wisdom and integrity;
there is no leech beneath the sun
that could succour thee now,
all we who survive thee are wretched,
and 'tis futile to proclaim it.

Thy friends are mighty and many
in all the surrounding lands;
'tis this alone hath left their spirits low—
that thy beloved body is in the grave,
while they are like leaky ships,
far from land on ocean's surface;
'tis thou couldst bring them into safety,
though their danger might be dire.

'Tis to-day thou hast been laid
in a wooden casket in the cold bed;
mournful now at thy passing
are the noblest of thy gentlemen;
on thy account each one is doleful,
sore is the distress of thy tenants,
and thy poor dependants are afflicted—
their strong support hath been removed from them.

There were many destitute young orphans,
sickly of hue because of poverty,
aged men and feeble widows,
who received their sustenance from thee;
piteous was their lamentation
with tears raining on their cheeks,
passionate wailing, beating of palms
and pulling down part of their hair.

Dismal to-night is thy country,
thy people are gloomy and sad;
no wonder, 'tis a great disaster
that this upheaval hath come to us so soon:
the man who was wont, with goodwill,
to have them ever in his care,
they have left lying in the mould
where he will not wake till day of doom.

'Twas in the season of Candlemas
came the demise of the worthy sage;
death's raid on us hath stripped us bare—
alas, my loss, untimely is its haste!
The shaft smote the righteous chief
who had shielded us from every hardship;
brief we deem thy sojourn in the land,
though others say thou wast long-lived.

Thou never didst covertly countenance
aught that would depress the peasantry;
thou wast their stay in every place
and didst uphold them constantly;
thou hadst no wish to levy penalties—
that is a practice thou didst abhor:
thou didst receive all men's devotion,
and retain the homage thou hadst won.

Thou wast discerning and affable withal,
and high nobility did flourish in thy breast;
good sense and courage allied to hardiness—
this disposition thou hadst from thy kin;
thou wast experienced, wise, and unwavering,
and thy mind was constant in the right;
since they have borne thee in funeral cortège,
that is a cause that quickened tears.

There is no happiness in Taymouth,
there is neither stir nor music there;
men are doleful, women tearful,
having no melody but grief,
since from the Lowlands thou hast been
carried home in other guise—
the dress thou wast wont to wear, replaced
by coffin, shroud and coverlet of crape.

Had it been men that robbed us of thee,
thousands to pursue them would rise
from Taymouth to Nether Lorn,
which region and beyond was subject to thee;
and there grew up the stainless striplings—
and numerous enough they were,
who would go eagerly to avenge thee,
and not refuse to charge with zest.

But things are really better as they are,
with the firm assurance that thou livest on
among the angels who are in Paradise
in infinite felicity;
and that He who caught thee by the hand
hath given thee a title to a heritage,
in the blest abode of the King of Glory,
better than that thou hast relinquished.

Though he who cometh in thy stead
is meantime beyond the great sea,
I pray with fervour he may come in safety
with a high breeze following each sail;
that he may take possession of that wealth
and heritage which should be rightly his;
and that he may take charge of his estates
and of his people, old and young.