Now on the bard, now on his Lord, So Edward glared and grasp'd his sword— 1 The character of the Highland bards, however high in an earlier period of society, seems soon to have degenerated. The Irish affirm, that in their kindred tribes severe laws became necessary to restrain their avarice. In the Highlands they seem gradually to have sunk into contempt, as well as the orators, or men of speech, with whose office that of family poet was often united.-" The orators, in their language called Isdane, were in high esteem both in these islands and the continent; until within these forty years, they sat always among the nobles and chiefs of families in the streah, or circle. Their houses and little villages were sanctuaries, as well as churches, and they took place before doctors of physick. The orators, after the Druids were extinct, were brought in to preserve the genealogy of families, and to repeat the same at every succession of chiefs; and upon the occasion of marriages and births, they made epithalamiums and panegyricks, which the poet or bard pronounced. The orators, by the force of their eloquence, had a powerful ascendant over the greatest men in their time; for if any orator did but ask the habit, arms, horse, or any other thing belonging to the greatest man in these islands, it was readily granted them, sometimes out of respect, and sometimes for fear of being exclaimed against by a satyre, which, in those days, was reckoned a great dishonour. But these gentlemen becoming insolent, lost ever since both the profit and esteem which was formerly due to their character; for neither their panegyricks nor satyres are regarded to what they have Yet something might thy song have told To speak more nobly of the Bruce.". been, and they are now allowed but a small salary. I must not omit to relate their way of study, which is very singular: They shut their doors and windows for a day's time, and lie on their backs, with a stone upon their belly, and plads about their heads, and their eyes being covered, they pump their brains for rhetorical encomium or panegyrick; and indeed they furnish such a style from this dark cell as is understood by very few; and if they purchase a couple of horses as the reward of their meditation, they think they have done a great matter. The poet, or bard, had a title to the bridegroom's upper garb, that is, the plad and bonnet; but now he is satisfyed with what the bridegroom pleases to give him on such occasions."-MARTIN'S Western Isles. [The MS. has not this couplet.] 2 [MS." When breathless Lorn had left the strife."] XV. "Now, by Columba's shrine, I swear, No slaughter-house for shipwreck'd guest."— XVI. Then up sprung many a mainland Lord, Barcaldine's arm is high in air, And Kinloch-Alline's blade is bare, Black Murthok's dirk has left its sheath, Onward they press with weapons high, But XVII. Brave Torquil from Dunvegan high, Duart, of bold Clan Gillian's strain, Soon as they saw the broadswords glance, More prompt, that many an ancient feud, Full oft suppress'd, full oft renew'd, Glow'd 'twixt the chieftains of Argyle, And many a lord of ocean's isle. Wild was the scene-each sword was bare, Back stream'd each chieftain's shaggy hair, 1[For these four lines the MS. has, "But stern the Island Lord withstood The vengeful Chieftain's thirst of blood."] In gloomy opposition set, Eyes, hands, and brandish'd weapons met; XVIII. While thus for blows and death prepared, Ere bursts the thunder on the hill. As wanting still the torch of life, To wake the marble into strife. 1 [MS." While thus for blood and blows prepared Rais'd was each hand," &c.] 2 [MS. -"each Chieftain rude, Like that fam'd Swordsman's statue stood."] 8 [MS." To waken him to deadly strife."] |