XIX. BOAT SONG. Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances ! Earth lend it sap anew, Gayly to bourgeon, and broadly to grow, 66 Send our shout back agen, Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!"1 Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. 1 Besides his ordinary name and surname, which were chiefly used in the intercourse with the Lowlands, every Highland chief had an epithet expressive of his patriarchal dignity as head of the clan, and which was common to all his predecessors and successors, as Pharaoh to the kings of Egypt, or Arsaces to those of Parthia. This name was usually a patronymic, expressive of his descent from the founder of the family. Thus the Duke of Argyle is called MacCallum More, or the son of Colin the Great. Sometimes, however, it is derived from armorial distinctions, or the memory of some great feat; thus Lord Seaforth, as chief of the Mackenzies, or Clan-Kenneth, bears the epithet of Caber-fae, or Buck's Head, as representative of Colin Fitzgerald, founder of the family, who saved the Scottish king when endangered by a stag. But Moor'd in the rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow; 66 · Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" XX. Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Glen Fruin, And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied; Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side.1 Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe; Shake when they hear again, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" besides this title, which belonged to his office and dignity, the chieftain had usually another peculiar to himself, which distinguished him from the chieftains of the same race. This was sometimes derived from complexion, as dhu or roy; sometimes from size, as beg or more; at other times, from some peculiar exploit, or from some peculiarity of habit or appearance. The line of the text therefore signifies, Black Roderick, the descendant of Alpine. The song itself is intended as an imitation of the jorrams, or boat-songs of the Highlanders, which were usually composed in honor of a favorite chief. They are so adapted as to keep time with the sweep of the oars, and it is easy to distinguish between those intended to be sung to the oars of a galley, where the stroke is lengthened and doubled, as it were, and those which were timed to the rowers of an ordinary boat. 1 See Appendix, Note E. Row, vassals, row for the pride of the Highlands! Honor'd and blessed in their shadow might grow! 66 Ring from her deepest glen, XXI. With all her joyful female band, 2 Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. The unwelcome summoning obey'd, 1" However we may dislike the geographical song and chorus, half English and half Erse, which is sung in praise of the warrior, we must allow that, in other respects, the hero of a poem has seldom, if ever, been introduced with finer effect, or in a manner better calculated to excite the expectations of the reader, than on the present occasion." - Critical Review. 2 MS.: The chorus to the chieftain's fame." And, when a distant bugle rung, In the mid-path aside she sprung: 66 List, Allan-Bane! From mainland cast, I hear my father's signal blast. Be ours," she cried, "the skiff to guide, And, eagerly while Roderick scann'd, And she had landed in the bay. XXII. Some feelings are to mortals given, From passion's dross refined and clear, 1 MS.: "Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue Mark'd not that awe (affection's proof) Mark'd she, that fear (affection's proof) No! not till Douglas named his name, XXIII. Allan, with wistful look the while, Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride, No! not till Douglas named his name, |