That tracks the shallop's course in light, Melts in the lake away, Than men from memory erase The benefits of former days; Then, stranger, go! good speed the while, "High place to thee in royal court, Good hawk and hound for silvan sport, I happened to be a witness of the dishonour done to the muse, at the house of one of the chiefs, where two of these bards were set at a good distance, at the lower end of a long table, with a parcel of Highlanders of no extraordinary appearance, over a cup of ale. Poor inspiration! They were not asked to drink a glass of wine at our table, though the whole company consisted only of the great man, one of his near relations, and myself. After some little time, the chief ordered one of them to sing me a Highland song. The bard readily obeyed, and with a hoarse voice, and in a tune of few various notes, began, as I was told, one of his own lyricks: and when he had proceeded to the fourth or fifth stanza, I perceived, by the names of several persons, glens, and mountains, which I had known or heard of before, that it was an account of some clan battle. But in his going on, the chief (who piques himself upon his school-learning) at some particular passage, bid him cease, and cried out, "There's nothing like that in Virgil or Homer." I bowed and told him I believed so. This you may believe was very edifying and delightful.—Letters, ii. 167. 1 MS.-At tourneys where the brave resort. III. Song continued. "But if beneath yon southern sky Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, Then, warrior, then be thine to show A stranger in the lonely isle. "Or if on life's uncertain main Mishap shall mar thy sail; If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, But come where kindred worth shall smile, To greet thee in the lonely isle." IV. As died the sounds upon the tide, The shallop reach'd the mainland side, Reclined against a blighted tree, His reverend brow was raised to heaven, So still he sate, as those who wait Till judgment speak the doom of fate; So still, as life itself were fled, V. Upon a rock with lichens wild, Smiled she to see the stately drake Perchance the maiden smiled to see You parting lingerer wave adieu, VI.. While yet he loiter'd on the spot, And after, oft the knight would say, On the smooth phrase of southern tongue; 1 MS. The loveliest Lowland fair to spy. 2 The ancient and powerful family of Graham (which, for metrical reasons, is here spelt after the Scottish pronunciation) held extensive possessions in the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families can boast of more historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable characters in the Scottish annals. Sir John the Græme, the faithful and undaunted |