Classic Poem

Lord, how jubilant I am
at these latest tidings;
my mind has been uplifted
since my countrymen arrived;
I pray you may have victory
wherever you blaze powder,
that happiness attend your friends,
and that your foes be doleful.

When Lord Frederick arrived,
Edinburgh praised him;
he is a hero at the head of troops
when they move off behind him;
a true and valiant chief he is,
far-seeing as he guides them,
marching with the regiment,
and directing them in person.

There are splendid officers
as good as any in the crown's service;
their battle weapons suit them well,
and stylishly they bear them;
'tis a joy to look at those gay lads,
spick and span and hearty,
when they raised pipe and banners
upon the Lowland plains.

And I aver with certitude,
for I knew you from the outset,
however hard a post you chance to hold,
'tis not your nature to retreat a step:
descendants of stalwart warriors
who served in armies that were famous,
to whom others gave the name Argylls,
and their wrath was no matter for jesting.

Success attends the Argyll troops,
they feel no dismay nor concern;
they are strong, assertive, haughty,
strapping, sturdy, brawny;
those bred there are real gentlemen,
who are neither weak nor crooked;
none can elude those warriors
as they drive foes defiantly.

It suits them to don their armour,
and for this there is a reason:
they have most efficient guns
of which none will fail in action;
each man wears his shoulder belt,
with the sharpest backsword slung on it;
useful they were in time of need,
when you would spring to draw them.

Of great breadth across the chest,
they are well-developed, stout men,
with their trim and straight calves,
bulging below the knees;
variegated short hose
is elegantly worn by them;
red garters of the best quality
the shops contain, become them.

There are many smart, grand ladies,
who would ask no more in earnest,
than leave to be in the billets
and those lads to be near them;
who, on request, would give to them
a kiss as sweet as sugar,
and give them thousands of dollars,
with the purses to contain them.

You wear the badge of Scotland,
and you marched off with it gaily;
'tis the stern and prickly thistle—
not awry is the set of its crown;
'tis the fiercest, most unruly plant
ever classed among the flowers;
and you wear the head of the wild boar
that Diarmaid slew in the dark wood.

All those who were watching you
on the day of the review, declared
that your volley was well-timed,
when you pulled the trigger finger;
stirring was your movement
as you fell smartly into line,
and the closed belted-plaid enfolds
the white thighs of the gallant lads.

Of princely bearing are their gentlemen,
each with an air of hardihood;
the soldiers are trim and comely,
and each man so well-instructed;
if there should be stress or peril
who could overcome them?
'Tis the most distinguished regiment
I have seen with my eyes.