text: a : ftfol.71.-2.oo Wmh National Library of Scotland i mini mi urn urn urn mil mil iifii urn urn mi mi •B000079949* . >* B °* % l9 79 '# DEDICATED to the memory of DR. HECTOR MACLEAN, of Grulin, and JOHN MACLEAN, THE POET, The loyal Collectors and Preservers of the valuable Productions of the Old Maclean Bards. Contributors. The following sums have been given to help to pay the cost of publishing this volume : The Chief of the Clan Gillean, - - $25.00 Mrs. Hamilton-Dundas, daughter* of the last Maclean of Coll, - - 2.55 Neil Maclean, Esq., Breda, - - 25.00 Dr. Magnus Maclean, Glasgow University, 5.00 The Clan Maclean Association, Glasgow, 5.10 John Maclean, Mitchell St., Glasgow, 1.22 J. A. Maclean, Esq , Forfar, - - 9.74 Professor J. P. MacLean, Ohio, IT. S. A ., 5.00 Mrs. H Maclean Kimball, Washington, 2 00 D. T. Macdonald, Esq., Michigan, nephew of Lachainn na Gaidhlig, - 5 00 Hector Maclean, Esq., Bridgetown, N. S., 5.00 Rev. A. Maclean, D. D., Hopewell, N. S., 5 01 Major John Bayne viaclean, Montreal, 5.00 PREFACE. The poems contained in this work have been taken almost wholly from the manu- script collections of Dr. Hector Maclean and John Maclean, the Poet. Dr. Hector Maclean was the only son of Lachlan Maclean of Grulin, in the Isle of Mull. He was a well-educated and well-read man. He married Cath- erine, daughter of Donald Maclean of Coll, by whom he had a daughter named Mary. He lived during the latter part of his life on the farm of Erray, near Tobermory. He collected a number of valuable Gaelic poems about the year 1768. They are written in a strongly bound volume of foolscap size. They cover 128 pages. The writing is small, but neat and plain. The whole of the long elegy at page 116 of this work occupies only two pages and a half. Dr. Maclean died about the year 1785. Mary Maclean, Dr. Hector's daughter, was an exceedingly clever girl. Dr. Johnson, who had spent a ^night at her father's house in 1773, pronounced her the most accomplished lady that he had (B) 6 met in the Highlands. She fell in love with a man named Duncan Mackenzie, who was in every respect her inferior. Rather than displease her father she remained unmarried for a long time. Shortly after his death she became the wife of the man she loved. They lived in Tobermory. They may have been happy, but they were in poor circum- stances. After the death of her husband, which took place in 1800, the accomplished Mary, Mairi nigh'n an Dotair, as she was called, was supported by Alexander Mac- lean of Coll. She gave her father's col- lection to John Maclean, the Poet. She told him that she had been anxious to publish it, but that poverty had kept her from carrying out her wish. She ex- pressed the hope that it might appear in print some day. She died in 1826, and was buried at Kilraore. She may not have loved wisely ; but she was a woman whose memory deserves to be held in respect. John Maclean, the Poet, was born in Tiree, Argyle-shire, January 8th, 1787. He belonged to the Treshnish branch of the Macleans of Ardgour. He was known in Scotland as Bard Thighearna Chola, or the Laird of Coil's Poet, and in this country as Am Bard Mac-Gilleain, or the Poet Maclean. He collected a large number of valuable Gaelic poems about the year 1816. His manuscript, which is of foolscap size, contains 641 pages. The first 94 pages contain poems by him- self. The remaining pages, 547 in num- ber, contain poems by others. He was a good Gaelic scholar and a good penman, and wrote a large and legible hand. Each page of his manuscript contains about 28 lines. There are thus about 15,316 lines of collected poetry in it. The poet came to Nova Scotia in 1819, and settled at Barney's River, in Pictou County. He removed to Glenbard, in the County of Antigonish, in January, 1831. He died on Wednesday, the 26th of January, 1848. I may state that my mother was a daughter of John Maclean, the Poet, and that through her influence — and indeed the influence of all my surroundings — I have been led from my youth upwards to take an interest in Gaelic literature. So far as the history and poetry of the Macleans are concerned, I could scarcely help having at least an elementary ac- quaintance with them. I rejoice, then, to see poems with which I have been 8 familiar from my boyhood now collected and published, I do not feel called upon to thank those who have contributed towards pay- ing the cost of printing this work. From my point of view they have simply done what they ought to do. I am exceedingly thankful, however, that in this money- grabbing age there are men and women in existence who take a genuine interest in the history of their ancestors and the poems which celebrate their virtues and noble deeds. It is well known that there were magnificent fighters among the Mac- leans. I trust that this work will help to show that they could also boast of men of brains, and heart, and poetic genius. A. Maclean Sinclaie. Belfast, Prince Edward Island, January '26th, 1898. An Clar-innse, Clann-Ghileeain, 13 Rard Mhic-Gilleain, - - ... 18 TlGHEARNA CHOEA ,.---- 93 Na deich àitheantan, -' - - - : 24 Caismeachd Ailein nan Sop, ... 25 Eachnn Bacach, 28 A Lachainn òig, guninnsinn umad, - - 29 A Shir Lachainn na fèile, - - - - 32 'S ann Di-ciadain, a shàir, .... 35 Thriall ar bunadh gu Pàras, .... 37 Gur a.h-oil learn an sgeula, 41 Gur bochd naidheachd ar dùthcha, - - 4S Is beag aobhar mo shùgraidh, - - - 49 Catriqna Nic-Gilleain, - - - - 5L 'S ann Ui-Sathairn a chualas, ... 51 Ged a dh' fhkg thu ri port mi, 54 'N sgeul a thkinig do 'n duthaich,; - - 57 Tha mi 'falbh an cois tuinne, 60 Gur h-e mise 'tha pràmhail, - - - 62 Lachainn Mac-Mhic-Iain, ... 65 Marbphàisa- air an t-saoghal chruaidli, - 65 'Ghilleasbuig, mo mhallachd ri m 1 bheo, - 69 Anndra Mac-an-Easbuig, - - - 72 Gun dug mi gaol nach failinneach, - - 73 'S bochd an sgeula so 'thàinig, - - - 75 Gur a crkiteach ari othail, - - - - 77 Bhuams' tha 'n ràitinn, - ... 79 Iain Mac Ailein, - - - - - - 82 Is ged nach d' fhaodadh mo thogail suas, 84 Thuirt Mairearadnigh'n Domhnaill, - - 85 'Ghilleasbuig, mo liheannachd ri m' bheo, 89 Beir fios leat bhuam do Chearnaburg, - 91 'N" am 'dhol 'sios, 'n am 'dhol 'sios, - - 93 Mu'u sgeul so a chualas ac', 96 B'e m' aighear gum b' fhior, ... 98 Xan digeadh Sir Iain, 100 An sgeula so 'th' aca, ------ 103 10 Thoir fios bhuam gu Anndra, - - - 107 Tha mi 'm chadal, 110 'S an Dreallain tha air iomad fàth, - - 114 Iomchairrao bheannachd, - - 116 Beir an t-soraidh so bhuarnsa, - - - 125 Air sgeith na maidne 's luaithe, - - - 128 'Shil Olaghair gun ainnis, - - - - 131 Eachdraidh Thuatha De Danann, - - 133 Fogradh Thuatha De Danann, - - - 139 Cath Alphuirt, 141 Fàilt ort, a Shir Cailein reachdmhor, - - 149 Crosanachd Fhir nan Drimnean, - - 152 Cleirsinneachd Fhir nan Drimnean, - - 156 Turragan Fhir nan Drimneam, 157 Bha trileumannan Mhic Lèig, - - - 159 'S beag m' fhaoilt a tigh'nn daonnan, - 159 Thoir an t-soraidh so bhuamsa, - . - 160 Gabhaidh mi sgeula de m' shagairt, - - 161 'S coir dhuinn fkiit 'chur air an leann, - - 162 Nach innis sibh dhòmhs', a ehairdean, - 132 Fàilt air taigh mor nan seachd uinneag, - 163 Fàilte do bhur n-imrich Luain, 164 Tha gach cnocan orm na 'chuith, - - - 165 Gu dè bheir dhuit bhith falbh gàgach, - 165 O marbhphaisg ort, a sfeaoghail, - - - 168 Air leam feiu gur truagh do dhaoine, - 170 'Thi chumhachdaich nan cumhachdau, - 173 MAIKEAKAD NlGH'N LACHAINN, - - 177 Gur he mis' 'th 'air mo leonadli, - - 180 Gur h-e 'mheudaich mo chràdh, - - 183 Gun d' fhuair mi sgeul, ----- 187 Dh' fhalbh mo chadal a smaointinn, - 189 Ged is stoc mi 'n dèidh crionadh, - - 191 'S goirt leam gaoir nam ban Muileach, - 192 'Fhir, 'tha 'ncathair an Fhreasdail, - 205 Chunnaic mise thu, 'Ailein, - - - - 199 Mo eheist an Leathanach mòdhar, - - 210 Mo run Ailein, nan lann tana, - - - 215 DOMKNALL BaX MAC-GILLEAIN, - - 217 II 'N tùs an t-sanshraidb so, 'bha, - - - -17 Mk. Iai>* Mac-Gileatn', .... -2-21 Ged is grianacb an latha, - 239 Aiv reioM a 'n Spain, 226 Tha tarnull on sgair mi de'n dàn, - - - 229 'X aisling ebnnnaie mi 'ni chadal, - - -231 TS am dusgadn dbomh as mo chadal, - 233 CA&UM A GHLEJTN'E, - - - - - 235 Mo chaìlin donn og, 235 Sud mar dh-iomair mi 'n t-eaeh odhar, - 237 Iaix Mac Theaklaich OlG, 239 Is annleam naeb b-t'heil tlachdmhor, - - 239 Cha'n e goirteas mo shroine, 211 EOGHA>' MaC-GH-LEAIX A BAKKA, - - 244 Fhuair mi naidheaehd thar fasàieh, - - 244 A Thèarlaich òìg, oiad làilte dhuit, - - 246 Am t-aikeach Muileach, 24? An Cahnbenlach Dubh, ----- 24S Cba deic ibad 's a tba mi 'g eisdea;hd, - 249 'S mairg a mbol a Mbòrtbir robacb, - - 251 Feak as Lagaix, 252 O, a nigbean donn nan gobhar, - - - 252 O 's mis' 'tb' air mo lagadb, - - - 253 Cha'n fheil fenm anns a mbulad, - - - 255 AILIS NlC-GlLLEArs-, 256 Maiki Nigh'n Eoghaix, - 257 IALS MAC-EOGHAEJf, 259 Nan digeadb rus'. a Tbèarlaieh, 259 BaIRD XEO-AIXMICHTE, .... 2òl 'Dbeag'n Mhie-Coinnieb a Brarhainn, - 231 'Kigb, nach èireadhi tuath, - 283 Acb ge grianaeh anlatba, 266 Guxhe mis' a tba gamlatbadb, - - - 268 12 Errors and Corrections. Page 15, 28, Morairn', Mhorairn'. " 19, 26, so ghardh, so-ghràdh. 26,;16, chlièth, chlèith. " 41, 21, mar tha sin, mar tha sinn. " 52, 4, gach sgìos, gach stri. 64, 13, ghlèidh, glèidh. " 67, 10, cèlith, clèith. " 75, 11, dùrachdach, gu dùrachdach. " 76, 28, Luthainn, Luthais. .-" £6, 29, freum, freumh. " 101, 17, 'Toirt duinn, 'Toirt dinn. " 101, 30, the second of the following lines has been omitted: Nan tilleadh a chuibhle Bharr iomrall a seoil. Page 111, 34, daigne, daingne. 127, 21, n'a ghualainn, m' a ghualainn. 131, 19, air a chlù ladh, air a chiùdadh. 140, 19, Bafanaid, Ba-Fànait. 144, 20, an fhairc, an fhaire. 170, 8, a bhein, a bheir. 175, 34„Gu 'sglugadh, Gu 'shlugadh. 202, 32, Clan Gilleain, Clann Ghilleain. 207, 6, àithe, àite. 210, 32, luiuge, luinge. 225, 8, caoincadh, ga 'chaoineadh. 240, 4, àirid', àird'. 13 Clann-Ghilleain. Leis an Fhear-dheasachaidh. Form :— Miosa deireannach an fhoghair. Co bho 'n dàinig an dream chalm' ud, 'Bu mhor ainm am measg nan Gaidheal? Clann-Ghilleain mhòrail, mhùirneach, D'am bu du 'bhith bras 'san àraich. Thainig iad, a reir luchd-sgeula, Bho'n fhear gnleusd ud, Dùghall Sgàinne; Seann laoch uasal d'am bu chleachdadh Eialachd, ceartas, agus bàigheachd. Bha Gileeain treun de 'shiol-san, 'S b' ard mar thriath e 'n Earra-Ghaidheal; 'S iomadh la a rinn e sgathadh Le thuaigh-chatha 'n teas nam blàraibh, Lean an sliochd a tbainig bhuaithe Ri ainm uasal, mor, gu laidir; 'S 01ai;ii-Ghilleain linn air linn iad, Cinneadu rioghail nan glonn arda- Sheas Gilliosa, mac Ghilltain, Gun cheum meathaidh riamh le 'dhùthaich, 'S am blar Lairge nan cruaidh bhuillean Dhearbh e 'churantachd mar bhiùthaidh. Rinn a mhac san, Gillecaeum, Gniomhan arronta le dùthrachd Am blar ainmeil Allt-a-bhonnaich, Le 'loinn shoilleir, ghuinich, dhrùidhtich. Dh' fhag Iain Dtjbh, macgasd' an laoich sin, Da mhac aobhach, fhearail, euchdach; Lachainn Lubanach an eagnaidh, 'S Eachann Reaganach nan geur lant . Uhlac iad Domhnallach nan Eilein, 'S thug iad air, an I nan clèire, Còir a thabhairt daibh air fearainn, 'S geallidh claingeann air buan rèite. (c; 14 Thug e 'nighean mluiseach. uasal, Ogha Ruairidh shaibhir, mhòrail, Air a h-iarrtas fèin do Lachainn, 'S bu bhean thaitneach air gach doigh i. Thug e dha an drèachd a b' airde Na 'chùirt aghmhoir an Aird-Thòirnis; 'S b'e 'cheann-feachd e 'n am 'bhith gluasad Le 'fhir fhuasgailteach do'n chòmhrag. Eachanu Reaganach Loch-Buidhe, Bu cheann-uidhe math roimh shlògh e; 'S dh' fhag e mic 'bha mar an athair, Guineach, sgathach, anns an tòrachd. Is ann bhuaithe 'bha Clann-Thèarlaich, Na fir dhàna, reachmhor, chròdha; 'S Mac-Mhic-Eachainn, an triath gaisgeil 'Chumadh smachd air luchd an fhòirneìrt. Bha mac Lachainn na 'thriath buadhail, Eachann Buadh nan cruaidh chath gailbh- each; •Sgaoil a chliu air sgiathaibh laidir Do gach kit an rioghachd Alba. Thogadh creachan Ma an Eirinn, 'S rirmeadh euchdan leis air fairge;. Thuit e, 's gum b' e 'n t-aobhar bròin e, Latha doruinneach Oath Gharbhaich. Bha a mhac-san, LaohaiKn Bronnach, Na 'fhear somalta gun mhorchuis. Cha bu toil leis stri n > buaireas, Bu duin' uasal e na 'dhòighean. Oh' fhag e mic 'bha fearail, calma, 'S a bha sealbhach fhad 's bu bheo iad; Lachainn Og, an triath 'bha ciallach, Domhnall, Niàll 'a Tain Garbh nan comhrag. Shanntaich Domhnall cnoic Aird-Ghobhar, Fhuair e fotha beagan chòmhlan, '3 chuir e as do Chlann-a-Mhaigbstir, 15 Ged nach d' rinn iad riamh air foirneart. Ghabh e seilbh air an cuid fearainn, 'S cha do dhealaich e ri òirleach Ged 's ann bhuaithe 'bha mo mhàthair Cha mhol mi gu h-ard a dhòighean. Kho Niall treun 'san Ros 'bha f uireach Shiolaich curaidhnean gun fhòtus, Sliochd a chlaidhibh laidir iarainn, ' Dhcanadh riadadh anns a chòmhdhail Fhuair Iain Garbh, an connspunn corrach, Còir air Cola, 's Cùimhnis comhl' ris. Dhearbh e 'gbaisge mar shàr mhilidh Ann an Grìsibul na dòruinn . Bha mac Lachainn, Eachann Odhar, Na 'laoch foghainteach, deas, eolach; Thuit e 'm blar nan gathan guineach, Floden f uileach nan trom leontan . Co nach cuala sgeul mu 'mhac-pan, Lachainn Catanach na seoltachd? "Rba ( caoimhnell ri 'luchrl-dàimhe, Ach ri 'naimhdean garg mar leoghann. Dh' fhag e mic nach seachnarih còmhstri, Eachann Mok an òir 's a bhiuthais; 'S Ailein ainmeil nan sop lasrach, Nan long astarach, '8 an spuinnidh. Bha da mhac aig Eachann loghmhor. Eachann Og a sgap a chùinneadh, Is Iain Dubh a bha 'sa Morairn', Gaisgeach colsrarra nach lùbadh. Bha mac Eachainn Oig nor ainmeil, Cha robh 'n Albainn fear ri 'fhaotuinn 'Bha na 'choimeas da 'n àm tarruinn Nan lann tana 'du gheur faobhar. 'S iomadh blàr anns an robh buaidh leis, 'SJomadh ruaig a lean a dhaoine; 16 Mar bheithir ghuinich an adhair, Bhiodh a chlaidheabh anns a chaonnaig. Thuit Sir Lachainn Moe an sàr ad, Ann am blàr le saighid mhilltich ; Ach thug Eachann Og gu gaisgeil Am mach aichinheil mar mhac (tileas. Thuir e 'n ruaig air feachd Mhic-Dhomhnaill, Lean e 'n tòir le uile dhicheall, 'S loisg e as gun truas, gun trocair Gach taigh eomhnuidh a bha *n lie Aig Sir Lachainn bha mac eile Nach biodh deireannach 'pan tòrachd, Lachainn Og a bha 'n Torloisgte Nam fear oscarach, neo-etròdhail Ged a b' og e latha 'chruadail, An la 'bhuaileadh athair morail, Chuireadh iomadh treun-fhèar dàna 'Thalia 'bhais le 'ghairdein cròdha. Bha aig Eachann Og r>a gaisge Ceathrar mhac 'bu taitneach dòighean ; Eachann Moe a chleachd an uaisle, 'S nach robh bruailleineach no pròiseil; Deagh Shir Lachainn, am fear euchdach 'Bu mhor feum an Inbhir-Lòchaidh; Dòmhnall Bhròlais, cridh' an t suairceis, 'S Iain Suaineach an deas chòmhraidh. An Sir Eachann Ruadh, mac Lachainn, Bha sàr ghaisgeach 9machdail, gleusda; Ach bha 'nàdar mar an lasair, 'S chuir sin as da 'n Inbhirchèitein Sheas e nuair bu choir dha teicheadh Le 'fhir dheas am mach bho 'n teugmhail ; 'S dh' fhàg sin lag a chinnearih cliuiteach 'Dhion an duthcharotmh luchd-reubainn. B'ea bhrathair og, Sir Ailein, Am fear allail 'bu mhath gluasad, 17 A bha 'n nis an Dubhairt ghreadhnaich Na 'cheann-feadhn' air laoich a chruadail. Bha Sir Iain, mac Shir Ailein, Na 'thriath barraichte, flor uasal, 'S na 'laoch foghainteach fo 'armaibh Mar a dhearbh e an Raon-Ruairidh. Chaill e 'fhearann le 'chuid goraich', Is le seòltachd a luchd-fuatha, 'S dh' fheum e dol do 'n Fhraing air fogradh Ann an dochas ri la f uasglaidh. Sheas e latha Sliabh-an-t-Siorra Le 'ard chinneadh mar bu dual da, A sgrios as nan gaisgeach coimheach A bha roimhe, 's gan dian ruagadh. Learn is duilich mar a lean^e, An righ amaideach ud, Seumas, Nach robh dileas do na daoine 'Bhiodh ri 'thaobh an am gach eiginn ; 'S mar a lean e 'mhac a rithisd Le run cridhe gu luath, eibhinn,— Prionnsa nach do choisinn urram Mar dheaghxlhuine no mar threun-fhear. Cha lean mi na's fhaide 'n eachdraidh Aig na sraisgich sgairteil, mheanmnach. Bha iad clis le 'n clàidhean gionach; AnLS an iomairt cha bhiodh cearb orr' ; Bha iad flughantach, flor aoibheil, Bha iad caoimhneil ri 'n luchd-leanmhuinn, Bha iad seasmhach, duineil, dileas, 'S bha iad rìoghail le Ian dearbhadh. October 10, 1887. Glonn, a deed of yalor. Biuthaidh, a hero. Lubanach, twisty, crafty. Reaganach, stiff, in- flexible, stern. Eagnadb, prudence, wisdom. Lòghmhor, famous. Oscarach, bold, intrepid. Cròdha, valiant. Teugmhail, battle. The names in small capitals are those of the chiefs. 18 Bard Mhic-Gilleain. The poem known as "An Duanag Ullamh " was published in Ranald Mac- donald's Collection, in 1776, and is ascribed to Maclean's bard. If the elegy on Lachlan Cattanach's wife is really genuine, we may safely conclude that it was composed by the author of the poem in Ranald Macdonald's book, and that he was a Maclean. We are not, however, in a position to affirm with certainty that the elegy was actually composed in Lach- lan Cattanach's time. Cumha Baintighearna Dhubh- airt. Le Bakd Mhic-Gilleain. 'S cianail, gruamach, coimheach, guarach, Dh' fhas na fuar chnoic arda; 'N caol tha salach, molach, bailceach, On dh' eug an ainnir ghradhach. Friarah na gloire, geug na loinne, 'Dh' fhas gu lurach, aillidh, Thug frae dhunaidh uainn gun fhuireach, Eadar bhun is bhàrr i. 'S cruadalach am beum a thainig, Nuair bu laidir dùil duinn ; Bha sinncridheil sunndach, smiorail, Gun bhraon snigh' a bruchdadh; 19 'Chlarsach a toirt ciuil le aiteas, 'S fir aig cleasachd lùthmhor. 'N tulaeh ait le toirni an gàire, 'S baird a seinn an cliutha. Nuair a chi sinn neoil an aonaich 'Teachd gu caochladh fiatnhachd, Saoilidh sinn gum bi ann feith, Ach thig gu geur an t-sian oirnn. Nuair bha dochas teann 's gach cridh' Gum biodh gach nigu 'r miaun duinn, Bhmchd an tuil le toirm gnu àbhachd, 'S dh' fhalbh ar n-àgh air sgiathaibh, Cha'n iogbn', a Lachainn, thu bhith deurach, Chaill thu reul nan oighean ; Chaill tbu ionnas mor do-ctieannach, Chaill thu tuigs' a chomhraidh, Cbaill tliu sgiath a chaidribh shàr mhath, Chaill thu airde 'n fhoghluim; 'S chain thu iul na fairge ghàbhaidh Nuair a b' airde dò-shian. Thainig i mar bhoillsgeadh grèine Air rèidh an oidhche cheothair; Sgap i uainn gach dubhlachd catha 'Bha cur smail air oigridh, Cheangail i ar creuchdan ruidh teach, 'S thug i guin gu sò-ghràdh ; Thug i dhinu ar n-airm 's ar n-eideadh, 'S reitich i gach dò-bheart Nam b' e ìnnleachdan ar Damhad A bhri8deadh barr ar còisre, 'S iomadh claidheabh tana, glas A leumadh grad gu feolacb ; 'S iomadh gaisgeach armach, treubhach 'Bheireadh beum 'sa chomhstri, Eadar rudha caol Chinntire, 'S rinn an eilein cheothaich. 20 l>h' eireadh Leathanaich's Clann-Domhnaill. Mar shruth mor nan ard bheann; D' eireadh Stiubhartaich 's Clann-Chatain, 'Bu mbor neart 'sna blaraibh; Thigeadh Dùibhnich nimheil, chlaoidhteach, 'Bheireadh tuinns' gu sàthadh. Cha bhiodh an aicheamhail gun iarraidh, 'S fireoin chiar' an airde. Air an iubhar mhaiseach, ùrail, Laigh an dubhlachd chranndaidh; Ghlac am has an ribhinn aillidh 'S thaisg e 'n ros teann i. Ceann gach seoil tha fo na fòidibh, Gnuis gun cheo, gun sgraing oirr'; Beus gun sgod air, cridh' gun gho, Lamh fhialthoirt òir gun taing bhuaip'. Thog iad tuaileas le mor f huarachd, 'S iad gun truas nar call ruinn, Gun do chuir sinn air sgeir mara A bhean cheanalt', bhaindidh, Gu bheil i beo, 's le lùths is treoir A dusgadh oran lann duinn . Ach 's mis' a chuala fuaim nam bord Nuair chaidh fo'n fhòid a ceann-se. 'S beag an t-ionghnadh an t-larl' Aorach A bhith caoin is brònach, Is gach buille 'fhuair an crann 'Bu trom le geugan boidheach, Chaill e 'n drasd am meangan ard Nach d' fhas fo bhlàth gu 'r deoin-ne, Thuifc e sios am plathadh sùla, 'S shearg a shùgh fo fhoidibh. Gabh an nis gu tamh, a chlarsach, Is grain fonn do cheoil learn, 'S nach dig bean a chomhraidh thlaith A chluinntinn failte beoil bhuam, 21 Dh' eisdeaclid tormain bhinn nan teud, 'S a thoirt cuaich deine 'ni dhorn domh. Cha dig is' ach falbhaidh mise, 'S bidh sinn fhathasd comhla. Sian, storm. Ionnas, ionmhas, treasure. Rèidh, a plain. Nàmhaid, genitive nàmhad, an enemy. Coisir, a festive party. Dh' eireadh stiubh- artaich; her mother was a Stewart. Tùinnse, a rush, a blow. Nach d' fhas fo bhlath ; she had no children. Cuaeh deine, a cup of eager- ness, a cup that would rouse to ardor, an inspir- ing cup. This elegy was in possession of Dr. Irvine, of Little Dunkelcl, in 1810. It was sent to the Gael by John F. Camp- bell, of Islay, in 1873. We give it sub- stantially as it appeared in that excellent monthly. Dr. Irvine and Mr. Campbell were both of the opinion that it was really composed in Lachlan Cattanach's time ; and it may have been. Of course no one supposes that it has come down to us as it was made. It may have been sung by several generations before it was committed to writing. The following is a translation of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 9th verses : The cold, high hills look sad, gloomy, surly and bristling ; whilst the strait is muddy, rough, and ridgy since the fair beloved one died. A shower of affliction has taken suddenly away from us the 22 root of purity and the graceful branch which grew up in loveliness and beauty. It is no wonder, Lachlan, that your tears should flow. You have lost the pole-star of the virgins. You have lost an un- purchaseable treasure. You have lost the shield of the best friendship. You have lost her whose education was of the highest order. And you have lost the guide of the terrible sea when the storm was at its greatest height. She came like a burst of sunshine on the plain in a foggy night. She dispersed the threat- ening battle-storm, which cast a gloom upon our young people. She bound up our ruddy wounds, and changed hatred to love. She took off us our weapons and war-dress, and settled every trouble. Those who felt not for us in our loss raised with bitter coldness a slanderous tale. They said that we placed the ami- able and modest wife on a rock in the sea, and that she is alive, actively and energetically awakening against us the song of swords. But I myself heard the sound of her coffin when her head was placed under the sods. According to a current tradition, Lach- lan Cattanach of Duart caused his wife, 23 Elizabeth Campbell, to be placed on a low rock in the sea, where she would be overwhelmed by the tide and drowned. She was rescued from her perilous posi- tion and sent home to Inverary. In 1810 Joanna Baillie published "The Family Legend," a tragedy founded upon this tradition. It is also the subject of Campbell's Glenara. According to the author of the Gaelic elegy the story of Lachlan Cattanach's cruel treatment of his wife is utterly false. Tighearna Chola. Hector Maclean, second son of John Abrach of Coll, was born about the year 1490. He was known as Eachann Mac Iain, or Hector the son of John. He was also known as An Cleireach Beag, or the Little Clerk. He was married twice. By his first wife, Meve, daughter of John Macdonald of Islay, Alasdair Mac Iain Chathanaich, he had one son, Hector Roy, his successor. By his second wife, Finvola, daughter of Godfrey Macallis- ter of Loup, he had two sons ; Allan, first Maclean of Achanasaul in Mull, and 24 John, first Maclean of Grishpool, in Coll. He succeeded his brother John as laird of Coll in 1558. He died some time after the year 1559. He was a good man and was well-educated. He was the author of a number of poems, some of them written in Gaelic and some in Latin. Na Deich Aithntean. Creid direacli an Righ nan dùl, 'S cuir air chùl umhlachd do dhealbh Na tabhair ainm Righ nan righ 'N diomhanas, oir bidh sin searbh. Domhnach Righ nèimh nan nial Dean le d' chridhe 'chumail saor T' athair 's do nihathair gach uair Fo onair bhuait biodh araon, Na dean marbhadh 's cum bho thnù, Adhaltrannas na cuir an gniomh. Gaduigheachd no goid na dean, 'S na tog fianuis ach gu flor. Na sanntaich thusa dhuit f ein. Taigh fir eile no a bhean, No ni de 'eairneis gu lèir; A staigh bi-sa direach glan. Sìd deich àithntean Dè dhuit. Tuig iad gu fior agus creid; Ma ni thu uile d' an rèir Cha 'n eagal dhuit fein no dha d' thaigh. Ars' an Cleireach Beag, Triath Chola. 25 Caismeachd Ailein nan Sop. 'S niithich dhuinne mar bhun umhlachd Dan burdain a chasgairt dhuit, A fhleasgaich bhrioghmhoir 'fhliuchas piosan Le d' dhibh spiosair, neartmhoraich. 'N nochd. nar cbeilteadh fion na Fraingo Nad theach meanmnach, masgalach, A shil uaibhrich nach biodh uaigneach, 'S o 'm biodh sluagh gu cadaltach. '3 iomad geocacb ann ad chòsan, Agus deoiridh aigeantach Nuair 'leigeadh iad am mach am bàrca Thar an caball ro ghasda. Ceanglar uimpe mar bhur n-àbhaist, Cuan a b' aird' do chasgairt leo, 'S nitear sin a reir a cheiie Gun fheum 'bhith air ath-dheanamh, Beirt chaol righinn, lionmhor, chainbe, Gun aon snaim marcachd oirr', 'N ceangal ri failbheagaibh iarainn, ©roineab nach iarr acarachd. Sin air dbeanarnh lùthach, laidir, Le spionnadh ard 'sa cheart uair sin, Gus an dugadh air a crannaibh claonadh Taobh na gaoith' a cheart-eiginn. Nuair 'shuidheadh iad air a craDn-ceille Gach f ear fein ri dreapaireachd, A liuthad sodar muir onfhaidh, 'S e gu ceanngheal, gorm, caiteineacb. A brisdeadh gach taobh de 'brànnradh, 'S e 'n coi-ruith ri 'baidealaibh. Fad bhur fad-fhradhairc 'sna neulaibh, 'Slad o 'beul ri 'fhaicinn leo. A dol tirnchioll sruth no sàilein, '8 i ga leanabhail, tartarach, 'S iomad luireach an ceangal ri 'h-earraich '» bogha dearg Sasunnach. Crainn air an loeradh o rinn gu dosaibh, Le 'n cinn dhoideach, fhad-ghaineach. Nuair a chunnacadar am fad bhuait Na criochan ris an robh fuath acasan, Glacadar na f uirbi righne Nan dòidibh min', ladarna; Rinn iad an t-iomram teann teth Tobhtach, laidir, eolach, acuinneach. Thug iad cudrom air na liaghaibh, 'S raimh gam pianadh acasan ; Chuir iad a beoil mhor ri 'cheile, 'S a da chlièth an taice sin. Dan burdain, a bantering song, a song com- posed in good humor, but containing some gentle touches of sarcasm. Pios, a silver cup. Masgalach, flattering. Beirt, shrouds, tackling of a ship. Droineab, tackling. Acarachd, mod- eration, gentleness. Lùthach, strong, well- jointed. Crann-ceille, helm. Scdar, a trotting, a trotting horse, a wave trotting or rushing on. Onfhadh, a blast, a storm, Caiteineach, rough, surly. Brànnradh, a urop, a support, a stand. Baideal, the upoer part of a sail, an ensign, a tower. Slad, fagging, making* havoc, plunder- ering. Sàilein, a little inlet, gulf, or arm of the sea. Tartarach, noisy, clamorous, bold. Doid- each, strong. Fad - ghainech, long -darted. Dòid, the hand, grasp. Tobhtach, furnished with benches for rowers. Liagh, the blade of an oar. Cliath, or cliath-ramh, a set of oars. Ailein nan Sop was a man of courage and ability. He got a small fleet under his command and made plundering ex- 27 cursions to Ireland, the Lowlands, and parts of the Highlands. He received the name Ailein nan Sop from the fact that he frequently set wisps of burning straw to the buildings of the districts invaded by him, and reduced them to ashes. He killed the laird of Lethir and took pos- session of his lands. He killed Malcolm Macneill of Gigha in 1530, and seized his estate. The Earl of Argyll secured his non-interference by a gift of the lands of Cille-Charmaig in Knapdale, and Mac- donald of Islay by a gift of Tarbert Castle. He died in 1551, and was buried in Iona. He had two natural sons, Hector and John. They were both legitimated in August, 1547. According to tradition Hector Maclean, the bard, afterwards laird of Coll, made some remarks about Ailein nan Sop's con- duct that were not very complimentary. Allan, provoked by these remarks, went to Coll, seized the poet, and took him away as a prisoner to Tarbert Castle. The bard composed a poem about Allan, which pleased him so much that he set his prisoner at liberty with a friendly warning to be more guarded about his tongue for the future. Dr. Maclean states 28 that Caismeachd Ailein nan Sop was composed about the year 1537- It is in all probability the very poem which pro- cured his liberty for the scholarly bard of Coll. Eachann Bacach. Hector Maclean was a native of Mull. He was known as Eachann Bacach an t-A.aosdana, or Lame Hector the Poet. There is a tradition to the effect that he belonged to the Macleans of Ross, that he fought at the battle of Inverkeithing, and that a wound received there Was the cause of his lameness. Tradition also relates that he had seven brothers, that they were all killed at Inverkeithing de- fending their chief, and that one of them, Neil Buie, Niall Buidhe, was a very prominent warrior. Hector Bacach was an excellent poet. 29 Oran Do Shir Lachainx Mac-Gii/leain. LUINNEAG. A. Lacbainn oig, gum faic mi thu; B' e m' aiteas a bhith lamh-riut; Gum faic mi fo cheann seachdain tbu Mur glac am fiabhras ard mi. A ghnuis cbiuin, mhàlda, sbolta, Is am beul o 'n socrach gàire; Do dbeud gun stòr, o 'm binn 'thig gloir, 'S o 'm faight' le solas fàilte. A Lacbaiun oig, gun innsinn umad Sgeul a 's binn ri 'aireamh, An nis on ritin e craobb-sgaoileadb 'S na bheil an tiobh so 'db-fbairge. Tba tbu cbo Ian de dh-fhiuealtachd, 'S a rih'innsear ann an seanchas. Gur roacan garg d' a rireadh tbu An a n dol sios an garbh-chath. Is e cennnard Cblann-Ghilleain A dh' tiias flatbasacb le cruadal; Cbraobhsgauil e feadh gach tighearnais Gun d' gbleidh thu dligheil t' uaisle. Is iomadb neacb bu shugradh leis Rbitb crubadh ann an truailleacbd; Einn thusa beart 'bu chliuiticb' Air an duchas mar bu dual dhuit. Is e na chuir mi 'dh-eolas ort A dh' fbag an ceo mu m' sbuilibb. 'S ann aig a mbeud 's a fhuair mi dbeth, A leig mi ruaig an tus ort. Dh' aithnichinn air an fhaiche thu, A lub nan cas-chiabh urghlan, Gum b' ursann-cath' air gaisgich thu, Nan digeadh creach ad dhuthaich. 30 B'e sud an gasan leis 'm bu taitneach Piceau datht' a lubadh; Ant-iubhar nuadh nuair thairnt' ri cluais Am beithe bhuait bu shiubhlacb. Cèir is ioiseid bhiodh fo t' ordaig, Is it' an eoin gu h-ur-ghlan. Mu chul an fheidh mu 'n geàrrteadh leum, Bhiodh 'fhuil na 'leine bruite. Is sud na h airm a ghlacainn duit A dhol air sraid an fhudair, Caol chuilbheir a ghleois shniomhanaich, '8 a bheoil o 'n cinnteach cuimse, Geur spàinteach laidir, iulangach An laimh a churaidb chliuitich, 'S an sgiath 'bu trie an taisbeanadh Air ghairdean deas nan luth-chleas. Mo ghaol ant-oigear caiteineach A leugh a chairt 's 'rinn gual d' i; Le'n eireadh suas na brataichean A steach o ghlaienam fuar-bheann. 'N am dusgadh as an cadal daibh Gun d' bbuail thu pais mu'n chluais orr': Ts tbilg thu 'steach an teachdaireachd, Le eeart air bhac an gualainn, Is iomadh bratach shuaicheant' 'S an robh smuais, is cruas, is cairdeas A dh' eireadh ri am cruadail leat 'Tboirt buaidh'' am mach 'san àraich. Dh' eireadh a Aird-ghobhar leat Fir fhogbainteach neo-sgàthach ; 'S dh' earbainn fhin gun geilleadh dhuit Fir ghleusda o Bhraigh-charnaig. Ghrad ghluaiseadh leat'sna h-eileinibh Dream dhian nach ceil angradh ort; Is thigeadh ort a Mo^-innis A bhratach leoghant', laidir. 31 Gum faicteadh sud gu follaiseach Fir fhoinnidh ami an Aros; Naflr ura ghasd' nach diultadh Sgiurs 'thoirt air an namhaid. Gun èireadh seoid o 'n Mhoidhe leat, > ach cuireadh bruthach spàirn orr, Le 'nceanua-bheirtean cruaidh', glana, 'S le 'n lannan geala marbhtach. Bhiodh cuilbheirean caol acuinneach Aig gaisgich nan gniomh gailbbeach, A dheanadh luaidh a chaisleachadh Nuair dh' eireadh srad bho theanchair. A bhratach aig Clarin-Domhnaill Nam biodh ann ad choir gum b' iheairde; Fir dheas 'bha seasmhach, cruadalach, Nuair ghluaiseadh iad fo 'n armaibh; Is ann an gliocas firinneach, Oho math 'a a sgriobh an seanchas. Is sud an dieam bha innsgineach, Ri 'n innseadh nach robh leanabail. An ti b' fhearr feum air chuantaibh reidh, '6 e Lachainn fein mo run-sa. 'N treun laoch gasda 'dh' fhks gu spracail, Is d'an robh 'n cleachdadh cuirteil. Tha mi airtnealach am aigneadh Bho nach faic mi 'n diunlach; Dh' fhag sud acaid fad fo m' aisnibh, Is leig mi 'mach an tùrs' i. Stòr, a broken or decayed tooth. Beart or beirt, a deed, work, or exploit. Caiteineach, shaggy, rough. Caislich, shake, stir up. Tnns- gineach, lively, energetic. 32 Iorram Do Shir Lachainn Mac-Gilleain. A Shir Lachainn na fèile, Nan each craitheach '9 nan geurlann, Is tu m' aighear, is m' eudail, 's mo threoir. Greas a nail ugainn dhachaidh. Oighi*e dhlighich na h-aitribh, Is nam pioban 's nam brataichean sròil. An Duneideann nan caisteal, Tha triath gleusd na mor aitim; 'S ann de d' bheus a bhith sgapadh an òir, 'S gann gum b' urrainn do dhuthaich 'Chur ad lamhaibh de chùinneadh, 'Mheud 's a chosgadh tu 'chrùintibh mu'n bhord. Gur a buidheach gu leir dhiot Do chuid uaislean nan eideadh, Leat gun guidh iad buaidh threun anns gach tòir. 'Chuid de 'n chlèir s' a chaidh seachad, Mu do rèidhlein gum faight' iad; 'S fad 'a is cian 'thug luchd-astair ort sgeoil. Crann gun doicheall, gun èuradh, 'S trie a chosgas na ceudan, Dh' am bi dorsaireachd fèile trath nòin. Bhiodh fir Mhuile mu d' bhrataich, Mu do e;huailibh gum faicf iad : Bu ni duilich a glacadh 's do leon. 'S luath a chruinnicheadh aig t' fhacal Na fior churaidhnean gasda. 'Bheireadh fuil nuaira chasteadh ri'n sroin. 33 Bhiodh ac' boghachan dathte A chùil bbuidb thig a Sasunn, 'Ghabbadh lùbadli 's nach spealtadh 'san dorn ; Piubhaidb chinnteacb, chruaidh, fballain, 'S i gun fhiaradh, 's gacb geal laimh, 'Dheanadb reubadb nuair 'bbeanadb i 'dh- f beoil ; Be na gallain 'bu daoire Cruaidh, sgalanta, caoineil Glac earr' oirr' '9 ceann làdhrach o'n ord ; Ts pic dhireach nam meallan, Mar a gbrian 's i gun smal oirr', 'Chuireadh naimbdean gu talamh fo leon. 'S matb do bharantan daoine, 'S iad gan aiseag tbar cbaoiltean, Clann barail, deas, aobbaidh Mhic-Leoid. Deagb Mhac-Coinnich bu leat e, Bba e dileas dha d' pbearsa; Bba sud sgriobbt' ann an cairt Chlann- Ghilleoin. Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart was the second son of Hector Og of Duart by his first wife, a daughter of Mackenzie of Kin tail. He succeeded his brother Hec- tor Mor, as Lord of Duart and chief of his clan, in 1626. He was created a baronet by Charles I., September 30, 1631. Leaving his brother, Donald of 34 Broias, to raise his followers, he made haste with thirty of his kinsmen to join Montrose. He arrived just in time to take part in the battle of Inverlochy, February 2, 1645. He had 1,100 men, 750 being Macleans and 350 Macquarries, Macneils, and others, at the battle of Kilsyth, August 15th, 1645. His brother Donald, Domhnall mac Eachainn Oig, was Lieutenant-Colonel under him. Gen- eral David Leslie and Argyll invaded Mull with a force of 5,000 men in 1647, and ravaged a great part of the island. In the same year Argyll bought up all the debts, both public and private, that he could find against Sir Lachlan, seized himself and imprisoned him in the castle of Carrick. He was in prison about a year. He lived only a few months after his liberation. He died at Duart Castle, April 18th, 1648. He was buried at Iona. By his wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Roderick Mor Macleod of Dunvegan, he left two sons, Hector Roy and Allan. 35 Oran Do Shir Lachainn Mac-Gilleain. '3 ann Diciadain, a shàir, 'Ghabh mi cead dhiot air tràigh ; 'fiigh, gum faiceam thu slàn neo-airsnealach. A Shir Lachainn nam bare, 'Cbuireadh luingeas air sail', Leis an togar an cabhlach acuinneach. Gur tu oighr' Eachainn Oig, Leis an eireadh na sloigh; Nuair a leumadh do shron cha b' aircleach thu. Clann-Ghilleain cha tlàth 'Dhol an cogadh nan arm; 'S trie a bhuannaich sibh blar/'s e b' fhasan duinh. 'S fada 'ehluinnteadh bhur foirm Agus fa L um bhur gleois 'Togail chreach o na chrò 's a ghlasanach. Nuair a spreigeadh sibh piob, 'S fuaim bhur creich' ga 'cur sios, Gum biodh crith air an tir 'san tachradh sibh. Nuair a nochdadh sibh srol Els na caol chrannaibh stoir, 'S mairg a thachradh ga 'dheoin roimh 'r lasraichean. An dùirn laochraidh gun leon Bhiodh caol chuilbheirean gorm, Agus sradag nan ord 'toirt lasain daibh. 36 Fnad '9 a bhitheas tu beo Cum an stiuir ann ad dhorn, Is na mealladh fear-sgoid no beirte thu. Chluinnt' ad thalla f uaim theud An am laighe do 'n ghrein, 'S mnachan grinne 'cur grèis air fasanan. 'S mi bhiodb cinnteach a t' fheum Ann am beanntaibh na seilg', 'S do choiE earbsach air èill roimh 'n chamh- anaich. Namhaid eilid Dan gleann, Agus bradain nan allt; Sgiobair fairg 1 tbu 's muir ard 's an lang- anaich Slàn gun till thu a rithisd, Air reothart an lionaidh, Gu Lubhairt 'bu rioghail, aigeannach. Ochain, ocbain, mo cliràdh! 'Chloinn-'Illeain nam bare, 'S e mo chreach mar 'tha 'n tràghadh seachad oribh. 37 A Chno Shamhna ; Marbhrann do Shir Lachainn Mac-Gil - leain, triath dhubhairt, a chaochail 'sa bhliadhna, 1648. Thriall ar bunadb gu Pàras ; Co a b'urrainn a sheanachas Ach Mac-Mhuirich mac Fhearghuis, Craobh a thuioich re aimsir', 'Fhriamhaich bun arm an Albainn; Chuidich fear dbiu Cath Gbairbbeich ; Fhuairsinn ulaidh fear-ainm' atheacbd bao. Fbuair sinn ulaidh, etc. Cha chraobh chura, cha phlannta, Cba chno 'n uiridh o'n d'fhas thu, Cha bhlàth chuirteadh mu bhealltainn, Ach fas duillich is mheanglan, Am meur mullaich so 'dh' fhag sinn : Criosd 'chur tuilleadh an aite na dh' fhalbh. Is mor puthar an raidhe s', 'S trom an dubhadh so 'dh' fhas oirnn, Gur a cumhann leinn t' fhardach, Leaba lùthaidh nan claran ;— 'S fad is cuimhne leinn càradh nam bord. Cba do bhrisd thu 'chno shamhna, Chaidh do chist' an taigh-geamhraidh, Misneach fir Innse-Gall thu; 'S mor a 's misde do ranntaibh Nach clisg thu roimh armailt; 'High, bu mheasail thu 'n campa Mhontròis. 'Fhir 'bu rioghaile cleachdadh, 'S tu 'bu bhioganta faicinn; A dol 'sios ann am machair Bhiodh leat mile mu d' bhrataich, 'Chuid 'bu phriseil' de 'n eachraidh; Luchd do mhioruin nan caist' ort, 38 'S ann a dh' innsteadh leo t' fhasan Nuair 'bu sgith leo cur sgapaidh 'nam feoil. Cha bu bhuannachd do d' namhaid "Tbigh'un a db' fbuasgladh uait làmhain; Bha thu buadbacb 's gach aite; Cba b' e fuath mhic a mhàile Fear do shnnaidh 'tbigb'nn do dh-fbardaich ; Cba datb uaine 'bu bblatb dbuit Nuair a bhuaileadh an t-ardan do pbor. Cha b'e sin mo luan-caisge Nuair a bhuail do gbatb bàis thu; 'S truagb a dh 'f hag thu do chairdean ; Mar ghàir sheillean an gàradh, 'N deidh am mealannan fhagail, No uain earraich gun mhathair, 'S fad a chluinnear an gàirich mu 'n chro. Bhuineadh dhinne na ùr ros, Fear ar taighe 's ar crun-fhear; Ghabh e 'n rathad air thus uainn; 'S iomad latha r'a chùnntas, A bh' aig maithibu do dhuthcha, Meud an aighir 's am muirne; Bha mi tathaich do chuirte Seal mu'mb'unainnmi'nt-urlaraic'fhalbh. Gum b' aithriseach t' fheum-s' dha, 'N am na crannan a bheumadh, 'Chum an deannal a sheideadh; Bhiodh lann thana, chruaidh, gheur ort, 'S tu fad la air an t-seirm sin, 'S cha bhiodh lag bhuille mheirbh o do dhorn. Till ri t' fhochal, a Dhebhi, Tha i nis 'na clkr reidh dhuit, O nach maireann t' fhear-streupa; Dh' imich Alasdair fhein bhuainn, 'Thuit le baran an Eirinn, 39 'S cha b'e mala na reit' e; Do dh-fhearabh Dhuneideann, No 'Mhac-Cailein cha gheilleadh r' a bheo. Nàile chunnaic mi aimsir, 'S tu ri siubhal na sealga, Nacb bu chuith ort an garbhlach ; Pìc de 'n iubhar cha d' f has i | 'Chuireadh pudhar n© spairn ort; Cha bhiodh fuidheal nach tairnteadh, Nam biodh Iùthadh 'na crann-ghail 'Chuireadh siubhal fo èarr-it' an eoin. Glac chomhnard an càradh Am bian ròineach na h-earba, Cinn storach o 'n cheardaich; Cha bhiodh oirleach gun bhathadh, Eadar smeoirn agus gàine, Le neart corcaich a Flànras ; Cha bhiodh feolach an tearmad Air an seoladh tu 'n crann sin ad dheoin. B' eol dhomh innseadh na bh' aca;— B' ann de bheusaibh Sbir Lachainn 'Bhitb 'g ol flon an taigh farsuinn, Mnathan riomhach ri fasain A cur siod' agus pasmuinn, Glòir bhinn agus macnas, Anns an am 'sam bu chleachd leibh 'bhith pòit. Gum bu mhath do dhiol freasdail, An taigh mor am bial feasgair Uisge beatha nam feadan Bhiodh am piosan ga leigeil; Sin 's a chlarsach ga spreigeadh ri ceol. 'N am do 'n fhàire bhi 'glasadh Bhiodh a chlarsach ga creachadh ; Cha bhiodh ceol innt' an tasgaidh 40 Ach n a meoir ga thoirt aiste, Gun leon laimhe, gun laigse, Gus 'm bu mhiannacti leibh cadal gu foil. Cnaip na h-araich ri braise, Iomairt tailisgmu seach orr', Fir feoirue ri tartraich, Toirm is màthadh air chairtean ; Dolair Spainteach is tasdain ; Bhiodh gan dioladii gun lasan 'nan iorg. Thug each teist air do bheusan Nach robh ceist ort mar threun f hear ; Bha aoidh deiseachd is deilbh ort, Bha fàth seirc' aig do chèil' ort, Bha gradh is eagal Mhic Dè ort; Bhiodh an sgriobtair ga leughadh Ann ad thalla mua eireadh do bhòrd. Ged bu lioBmhor ort frasachd, Chum thu direach do d' mhac e, Breid dionach gun sracadh, Cha do dhiobair ceann-slait' thu, On 's e Criosd a b' fhear-beirt dhuit; Sin an Ti a leig leat an taod-sgoid. 'Mhic, ma ghlacas tu "n stiuir so, Cha bu fhlathas gun dùthchas Dhuit bhith grathunu air t-urnigh, Cuir ga caithearah an triuir so ; Cuir an t-Athair air thus ann, Biodh am Mac mar fhear-iuil oirr', 'S an Spiorad Naomha ga stiuireadh gu : Mac-Mhuirich mac Fhearghuis, the registrar of the monastery of Iona. Fear-ainme; Hector Roy of Duart fought at Harlaw in 1411. Sir Lachlan's heir was also called Hector Roy. Debhi; General David Leslie. Alasdair, the 41 famous Alasdair Mac Cholla, fear tholladh nan taighean. Bunadh, the stock of a tree; applied here to a chief as the stock which supported the branches of the clan. Uladh, a treasure. Pudhar, loss, damage, hurt. Fuath, a spectre, a scarecrow. Luan-caisge, Easter Monday. Cuith, a snow bank. Lùthadh, strength. Crann- ghail, a bow. Smeoirn, the end of the arrow next the bow-string. Gaine, an arrow, a dart. Fochall, dirt. (Jnaip na h-araich ri braise is in Ranalc Macdonald'sversion.Bhiodh na ceararich ri braise. Fear-feoirne, a chessman. Flathas, dominion, the position of a chief. .Nòs, custom, correct habit ; nos luingis, a ship dock. Blar Inbhircheitein. LUTNNEAG. Fail il an u, Ml an u, hil an o ro ; Fail il an u, hil an u, hil an o ro ; Fail il an u, hil an u, hil an o ro ; Fail il an o, ho 's och nan och mar tha sin. Gur a h-oil learn an sgeula so A dh-eisd mi Di-domhnaich; Gun bhith tuilledh ga fhaighneachd, Gur h-e 'n fhoill so 'chaith Hòbron, Dh' fhag iad shios Mac-Gilleain, 'Cur a chatha 'na onar, 'S theich iad fhein troimh a cheile, 'S bha ratreut ann mar ordagh. 'S mor bha 'dh-uireasbhuidh lamb, ort, Ged thug ardan ort fuireach, Agus tuilleadh 's an t-anabarr 'Theachd an nail air an luingeas. 'S mise 'chuireadh an geall sin 42 Mur biodh ann ach na h-nrad, Nach buaileadh iad banga Anns a champa le aulas Chuir thu grabhailte cruadhach ort, Air ghruag nan ciabh amlach, Claidbeabh tan' air a liobhadh, Is e direach gu 'bharr-dheis, Sgiath dhaingeann ran cruaidb. shnaim, Agus dual nam breac meanmnach, 'S paidbir dbagachan sgriosail Air chrios nam ball airgid. Cha bu shlacbdan aig òinid Culaidb cbomhraig a ghaisgich ; 'Dol an coinnimh do nambad, Cba chrith-mhanntain a gblac thu. Nuair a bhuail thu beum-sgeithe Dh iarraidh ceile co-chath' riut, Is a thug thu 'nan comhail, Theich Hòbron 's a mharc'Shluagh. 'S ann a thug thu do dhualohas O 'n fhear 'bhuaileadh an Gruinneart; Cha robh'n iomairt gun fhuathas, Cha, robh 'bhuannachd gun chunnart. Gun robh torrunn an lamhaich Agus tairneanach ghunna, ? Ri deas laimh mo ghraidh-sa 'Cur a chairdean gu fulang. Cha b' i ruaig ud fir Mhuile Gu traigh Ghruinneirt a chreach sinn ; Gur h-e mheudaich mo mhulad, Sar mhac urrant Shir Lachainn 'Bhith fo bhinn aig luchd-Beurla, 'S nach do dh-fheud e dol as orr'. B' e sin connspunn na troide 'Chuir an cogadh an cleachdadh. 43 Nuair a thogteadh leat bratach Gheibht' fir ghasd air a mharg leat; 'Mhoire, 's iomad bean baile Dh 'fhag sud taraull 'na banntraich, Agus leanabh beag ciche 'Na dhilleachdan anfhann. Ach ge duilich do mhuinntir, Cha 'n ann ump' 'tha ar dearmail. Gur a h-iomadh laoch dorn-gheal 'Chaidh an ordagh mu d' bhrataich, Agus òganach sgiamhach 'Bha ga riasladh fo eachaibh. Agus spailp de dh-fhear taigbe Nach dug athadh dha phearsa, 'Toirt a chlaidhibh a duille Cheart cho guineach ri ealtuinn. Nuair a thogamaid feachdan, Gum bu ghasd ar ceann-armailt; Ge b'e tbigeadn air eachdraidh, Ghabh iad tlachd dhiot air 'Ghalltachd. Bha thu 'd charaid do 'n Mharcus A bha 'n Sasunn gun cheann air; 'S bu tu co-ainm Eachainn Leis 'n do ghlacadh an cabhlach. Nuair a thug e 'nan cinnseal Leag e dinneir an Iarla ; Ghlacadh luingeas an righ leis, 'S rinn e diobhail air bianaibh. Air teachd dha an deidh sin Chuir e crioch air na dh' iarr e; 'S thug e turas a 'rioghachd Gus 'n do striochd Baile-Cliath dha. 'S fad on dh' imich am fear ud, 'S cha 'n ann ga ghearan a tha sinn; Ach ma dh' fhagadh gun sealladh Suil mheallach an àrmuinn. 44 Och,— gum maith an taon Dia dhuinn,— Gur he 'iargaia a chraldh sinn ; Gub robh aoidh fir an domhain 'Na co-sheis a fas riut. Ge b' i 'thug an cion falaich, 'Cur gu h-ealanta litreach, Ged b' i nighean Mhic-Cailein, Bu diol mairiste dh' is' tbu. Gur a mairg i 'thug gaol dhuit Ma chaochlas i 'nis e, Is nach faic i air thalamh Do mhac samhailt am misnich. Mu dheireadh an t-samhraidh Cha robh meanmn no deagh sgeul oirnn ; •S beag an t-ionghnadh do ranntachd 'Bhith fo champar as t' eugmhais, Agus muinntir do dhuthcha 'Bhith fo churam mu d' dheibhinn; Gun robh 'n t-aobhar sud aca Gu ruige leas agus creubhag. Tha ionndraichinn bhuainne 'S cha bu shuarach an call e; Gum bu mhor an luach-taisgeil, Ma tha 'n taisgealadh dearbhte, A bheireadh daoin' uaisle As an uachdaran ainmeil, As ar tighearna smachdail,— 'S cha bu lapach an ceanntard. Cait an robh e air thalamh Boinne fala a b' aille, Na oighre sin Dhubhairt, D' am bu chubhaidh bhi statail? Gur a h iomad bean bheul-dearg A bha 'breid air dhroch càradh, Nuair a fhuair iad beachd sgeula Gun do chreuchdadh 'sa bhlar thu. 45 Tha do phàirc air a dunadh, lonad-luchairt nan Gaidheal. Gur a deacair sud innseadh, Aig ro dhillseachd do phairtidh; Tha a chraobh a b' fhearr ùbhlan Air a rusgadh an drast diu. Och, a Mb. aire, mo dhiubhail, Chaidh am tìùr bharr a ghàraidh ! Ach ma 's auine 'chaidh dbinn e, Guidhibh Criosd leis na th' agaibh : Thoiribh aire mar 's eoir dhuibh Do chainnt lob mu na macaibh Agus liubhraibh e 'n Aon-fhear, Ma 's e ehuibhreach an caisteal; No ma ghearradh a laithean, 'S ann fo 'ràidh-san a thachair. This poem was composed immediately after the news of the sad result of the battle of Inverkeithing had reached Mull. It is evident from several expressions in it, especially from the last verse, that the author had a faint hope that Sir Hector, though severely wounded and a prisoner, was not dead. The chief referred to in the tenth verse is Eachann Ruadh nan Cath, who was killed at the battle of Harlaw in 1411. The saying by Job about his sons, to which reference is made in the last verse, is this : "Naked came I out of my (o), 46 mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither, the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord." The sixth and tenth verses are now published for the first time. In a note in his collection John Maclean says : — 4 'Tha an t-oran so ann an co-chruinneach- adh Raonaill Dhomhnallaich, agus 's e 'thug dhomhsa, 'chur san fhear so gun d' fhuair mi da rann deth nach h-'eil anns an leabhar sin." The Marquis referred to in the ninth verse is James, third Marquis, and first Duke, of Hamilton. His mother, Anne Cunningham, was a daughter of James, seventh Earl of Glencairn. Sir Lachlan Mor's mother was a daughter of William, sixth Earl of Glencairn. Thus Sir Lach- lan Mor and Anne Cunningham were first cousins. Hector Roy was the great- grandson of Sir Lachlan Mor. The Duke of Hamilton was beheaded in London on Friday, March 9th, 1649. The battle of Inverkeithing was fought on Sunday, July 20th, 1651. Lambert, Cromwell's general, had 4,000 men, and his opponent, Holburn of Menstrie, about 3,500. Holburn's force consisted 47 of 1,000 horse under his own immediate command, 1,500 Highland infantry under Sir Hector Maclean ot Duart, and about 1,000 Lowland infantry under Sir John Brown of Fordel. Of the Highland in- fantry 800 were followers of Sir Hector, and 700 followers of Sir George Buchanan, chief of his clan. The followers of Sir Hector were nearly all Macleans. They were all killed except forty. We have no admiration for Sir Hector. He simply acted the part of a mad man. It is true that he was brave, but it is just as true that he lacked common sense. By foolishly continuing the unequal tight, he nearly ruined his clan. A few of the 800 men who followed Sir Hector must have been Macquarries. Donald Macquarrie, twelfth of Ulva, married Christy, daughter of Lachlan Og, first of Torloisk, and had Allan, his successor, Hector of Ormaig, Lachlan of Laggan, and John of Baile-ghartain. Allan was killed at Inverkeithing. Holborn fled at the beginning of the battle. He was evidently a traitor. 48 Gur Bochd Naidheachd Ar Duthcha ; Oran do Shir Eachann Mac-Gileeain , a mharbhadh ann an inbhir- cheitein. Gur bochd naidheachd ar duthcha 'S cha 'n e taighean gan spuinneadh ; Ach Mac-Gilleain, mo churadh, gun eirigh. Gur bochd, etc. Gu bheil maithean do thire Arins a mhachair 'nan sineadh Fo chasan nam miltean each eitidh. B' fhiu a ghibht a bha bhuatha, Cha b' e deireadh na cuaine, Ach an t-ailleagan uasal, ard, euchdach. Bu tu 'n t-oighre 's an t-armunn, Is a marcaich' deas, daicheil, Is an t-ailleagan alainn, ur, eibhinn. Bu tu sgàthan na glaine, 'N airde 'n Iar riut gun teannadh An am cruinneachadh gu carraid nan geur- iann. Bu tu seabhag na h-uaisle, 'S ceann-seanachais gach duanachd, 'Bheireadh trusgan is duais do luchd- theuaan. Moch 'sa mhaduinn 'sna ghluais thu, Rinn thu iomrall buchruaidh leam, Nach do chuimhnich thu uaislean na Feinne. Thainig Cromwel ad choinnimh, Dh' at do chridhe le corruich, 'S leum thu 'staigh le d' lainn sholuis do'n teugmhail. 49 Mac-Mhic-Eoghain na h- Airde, Agus Tighearn Chinn-Ghearrloch, Rinn iad fuireach 'san nadar 'bu bheus daibh. Bha Mac Cailein fo aiteaa Nach do thill thu gu d' dhachaidb ; Gun robb uileann 'sa mbacan gbeal, threubh- acb. Gun robb taigb ia leitb He, Am bann daingeann dbuit sgriobhte, 'S bha na feariann sin striochdte gu reidh dhuit. Bho thir-unga sin Bhreatail Thun na Carragh 's cha bheag i, Bha na fearaina sin eagnaidh fo d' staoileadh. Eagnaidh is explained in a note as "clnnteach no dearbhte." Tir-unga, literally ounce-land, unga being from the Latin word unkia. Is Beag Aobhar Mo Shugraidh, Is beag aobhar mo shugraidh, 'S cha 'n fheil sunnd orm ri macnas, 'N diu cha tadhail mi 'n Fbadhail, Ged 's i mheadhail a chleachd mi. Tha mi sealltainn air Dubhairt, Leam is dubhach a faicinn. 50 Gar a minig a bha mi 'Na taighibh ard' arms a mhaduinn, 'S mi ri sealltainn Earraghaidheal 'S barr dearg air a h- aitreabh Cait am faic mi ri m' shaoghal Fear aogaisg Shir Lachainn? 'Dol an coinnimh do namhad Bu neo-ràtanach, bras thu. 'Togail suas am bragàda Bu neo-sgathach air each thu. Ge b' e chitheadh do dhaoine, 'Righ, bu ghreadhnach am faicinn, Le 'm musgaidean dubh-ghorm, 'S iad gun suidh orr, gun deatach. De na ghrabhailte shoilleir. Nach bu doilieir r'a fhaicinn. Thug sibh iiathas na h-eireann Leibh air èiginn le tapachd. Ged a dh-fhag mi mo bhraithrean Anns an araich gan casgairt, Cha 'n e sud 'tha mi 'g aireamh, Ach sar mhac Shir Lachainn, A bhith 'n laimh aig luchd-Beurla, Is nach d' fheud e dhol as orr'; Sàr chonspunn nan coigreach, 'Chuir an cogadh an cleachdadh. 51 Catriona Nic-Gilleain. Catherine Maclean lived in Coll. She was known as Catriona nighean Eogbain mhic Lachainn. It is probable that she belonged to the Coll branch of the Mac- leans. Her poems show much tenderness of feeling. Cumha Do Lachainn Mac-Gicleain, Triath Chola, A CHAIDH A BHATHADH AN ABHAINN LOCHAIDH 'SA BHLIADHNA 1687. 'S ann Di-sathuirn a chualas Sgeul an f huathais nacli gann ; Gun robh mnathan gam buaireadh 'S flr gan gualadh eu teann ; Bu bheag an t-ionghnadb dhaibh fein sud, B' ur an Rudail a bh 'ann; Lamh a a;hlacadh na miltean An am rùsgadh nan lann. 'S moch a chuala mi 'n t-eigheach, 'S cha b e teirlm mu'n mfcàl; Ach m' aiteas is m' eibhneas A thigh'nn 'na eidedh gu bagh. Tha mi cinnteach a m' sgeula, Gun robh do cheile ara cradh, 'Dol a dh-amharc na gibhte 'Bh' ann an ciste nan clar. Aeh a Lachainn mbic Eachainn, Nam bratach 's nam piob, Gur a trom learn do shac-sa, Is nach h-acain tbu sgios 52 Thainig iucliair a ghaisgich Fo ghlasaibh do 'n tir; Crann gun tiomidh, gun tais' thu, 'S tu gun eaisgeadh gach agios. Gu bheil maithean do dhuthcha Fo throm churam an drasd, Mu 'n uachdaran chliuteacfc , Marcaich' ùr nan steud ard; Chaidh thu tamull do dh-Eiiinn, Do 'n Eipheit 's do 'n Spain; 'S nuair a cliaidh thu do Lunnainn, Fhuair thu 'n t-urram thar chaich. Cait an robh ann an Albainn Beachd-meanmna mo ruin? Laoch gasda, deas, dealbhach, 'S trie a dhearbh thu do chliu. Corp bu ghile na maghar Bha fo 'n aghaidh gun smur; 'S e dh-fhag mise fo leatrom Am ball-seirce 'bha 'd ghnuis. Cait an robh e r' a innseadh 'N taobh so 'chrich Innse-Gall, Aon oighre 'bu phriseile? Gur dith leinn do chall. Bu tu 'n ceannachadair fior ghlic De 'n fhion-fhuil gun mheang, Leis an deant' an t-ol farsuinn Ann am bailtean nan Gall. Bu tu 'n ceannachadair sar mhath, 'S trie a phaigh thu na buinn, 'S bu tu sa;iobair a bhàta 'S trie a sharaich na croinn. Bu leat ragha gach ardraich 'Chur a hearrlainn air tuinn, 53 . . Ged a rinneadh do b v athadh Leis an ràdh air a bhurn. Tha an t-oighre s' 'th' air Dubhairt Fo phudhar gu leoir; Tha Clann-Domhnaill fo athall Agus maithean Mhic-Leoid. Bu leat cairdeas Mhic-Cailein Bho charraig nan seol. Gnr a h-iomad fuil phriseil A bha direadh mu d' phroin. Gur h-e mis' tha gun aighear, Tha do thaighean gun aird, Bhon a fhroiseadh an t-abhall, Is a chrathadli a bharr, 'Chraobh a b' uire de 'n fhion-fhuil, 'Bha 'cumail dion' oirnn is blàiths. Gur a bron leis gach tighearn Thu bhi tighinn gu bà'gh. 'Dheagh Mhic- ain o 'n Chorpaich, Gur a fad 'tha thu bhuainn. Do dhream sheasadh mo làrach Ann an aite gle chruaidh. 'S ann diu Iain is Domhnall, 'Tha 'n diugh br orach, bochd, truagh. 'Righ nan dul is nan aingeal, Cum ampersahnan 'suas. Mac-Iain o 'n chorpaich, or Mac-Iain- Abraich is a term frequently applied to the laird of Coll. Lachlan was succeeded by his only son, John. The next heir was Donald, Lachlan's brother. Hence the earnest wish expressed for the pre- servation of John and Donald. (H) 54 Ged a Dh'fhag thu ri Port mi. Dh'fhag Domhnall Mac-Gilleain, Tia:hearna Chola, a bhana-bhard ri port an ann Tirithe. Nuair a rainig e-fein a null chuir e a bhàta agus a ghillean ga h-iarraidh-se Mun do thill am bàta bha 'n t-oran so aice air a dheanamh. Ged a dh' fhag thu ri port mi, Cha 'n fheil mi dheth socrach no slàn ; 'S cha 'n e curam an aisig so A chum mi gun chadal, gun tamh; Ach nach grunnaich mo chasan, Is nach d' fheghluim mi 'n toiseach an Gus an ruiginn an talla Far an trie am biodh caithream nam bard. A Thighearn Oig, tha mo run ort, Criosd gad choimhead bho thuirling nan stuadh ; Ged a dh' fhag thu ri port mi, Cha'n fheil mi dha d' chorp ann am fuath. Bha mo chridhe ga thàladh Nuair a chunnaic mi 'm bàta 'dol 'suas, Fo a h-uidhim gu socrach, Is mi guidhe dhuit fortain is buaidh. Gu bheil lànain na feile Nan laighe le cheil' anns an tur; Gun d' fhuair sibh gu 'r n-iarrtas, Cuid de dh-aighear 's de mhiannaibh ur sul. Gur h-e chobhartach aghmhor Air a bhliadhna so thainig nar luib, Mac-Gilleain 's a cheile A bhith caitheamh na feusda le muirn. Ged a b' fhad' as an t-eilein Cha 'n fhaca mi gainn' air ur cul; Gum faight' ann a t' fhardaich Fion dathte na Spain' air na buird, 55 Aran cruinneachd geal, sòghar, Ga chàradh an ordagh gu dluth ;— Sar bhiadhannan gasda Mar gun tarladh tu 'n taice ri buth. Is a Thighearn oig Chola, 'S tu m' eudail, is m' anam, 's mo run; Cuim' nach bi mi gad mholadh, 'S gum bu mhiann leat mu d' choinnimh luchd-ciuil? Bu tu 'n curaidh sar ghasda, Air mo laimh-sa gun sgapadh tu cruin. B' i do cheile 'n seud ainmeil Is a bhean dba 'm bu toirbheartach cliu. 'S beag an t-ionghnadh mor cheutachd Bhith air ogha Shir Seumas o 'n tur; I bhith furbhailteacn, fialaidh, 'Sin a b' fhasan d' i riamh is bu du. Fhuair i urram nan Leodach, Ann am misnich, am morchuis, 's an cliu, Chaidh an naidheachd sin fad' ort Aig gach aon a ghabh beachd air do ghnuis. Nighean Buairidh nam bratach, Gur a maiseaeh r'a faicinn 'measg mhna. 'Bhean dha'n robh i mar asaid, Aice fhein a bha 'n t-achlasan aigh. Gur h-i baintighearna Chola Bis am faca mi 'n sonas a fas; 'S fhuair i mairiste priseil Leis am buannaichteadh sith agus baigh. - A Dhomhnaill Mhic-Eachainn, Gun guidhinn-sa leatsa deagh bhuaidh, A mhic dalta mo sheanar, A fhuair urram, 's tu 'd leanabh, air sluagh. Latna buadhach sin Lochaidh, 'S e a b' urrainn an tòrachd a ruag; 56 Le a luaidhe 's le 'lanuaibh Gum biodh aire am h air chennaibh gu uaigh. Tha mi guidh' air an Ard-Righ Gun cumadh e 'n t-àlach so 'suas, Do mhac oighre 'bhith 't aite, Mar bu chubhaidh, 'na àilleagan sluaigh, 'Bbith 'na shuidh ann a t' ionad Ri toirt suidheachaidh inich d' a thuath, Gu socracb 'na 'theaghiach, Is e 'freasdal nam feomach 's nan truagh. Is trie aobhar mo mhulaid, Is cha 'n f h'eil mi dheth ullamb an drasd, Bhon a dhealaich ruinn Lachainn Bheireadh dhomhsa feum fearainn gun mhàl; An sar churaidh 'bha 'n Lochaidh 'Chaidh le aighear nam bord airan t-snamh ; Is da Lacbainn 'san Innis, Is air learn nach robh 'n i©mairt-san cearr. Deanaibh fuireacb beag fhathast Agus bitheadh ur faiaidinn ciuin, 'S gun ag gheibh sibh deagh latha, Ge nach biodh dhibh air fhaighinn ach triuir. O gun deanadh sibh eirigh Mar chaoin aiteal na grein' air an driuchd 'S nuair a bhruchdas bhur snodhach, Gun grad chuir sibh sluagh coimheach an cuil. Donald of Coll was born shortly before the battle of Inverlochy in 1645. Da Lachainn ; Lachlan of Brolas and Lach- lan of Torloisk. 57 Oran Do dh-Dhomhnall Mac-Gilleain, Tighearna Chola, agus na Caimbeulaich a suidh- eacbadh fearainn Mhic Gilleain Dhubhairt. 'N sgeul a timing do 'n duthaich 'Sea dhuraich dhomh mulad, Gun robh uachdaran lùra, 'Cumail cuirt ann am Muile, 'S iad ri ropainn 's ri eigheach Co a's gleusda 'ni buidhinn, ...-.:•■ 'S na fir dhligbeach air fogradh, 'S iad gun choir, gun chead fuireach. Cha 'n e duthchas bhur n-athar ; 'Tha sibh a labhairt 'san am air, No oighreachd bhur seanar 'Tha sibh a ceangal mu Chaingis, Ach staid. dheagh Mhic-Gilleain A tha grathunh air chall bhuainn ;— , 'S sinne chrean air bhi rioghail •'N nis blion striochd sinn gar n-antoii. Cha 'n e cumha fear lie 'Tha mi-fhin a siòr acainn; No chuir smal air mo. shugradh No chuir mo shuilean gu frasachd ; Ach an naidheachcl so 'f huair. mi 'N am dhuit gluasad air mharcachd, Nach do dh-iarr iad nan cuirt thu,— 'S cha b' e 'n cùbaire 'bh' aca. Cha bu sgrubaire clàir thu 'N tus paighidh no iomairt, Ach fear misneachail suaii-ce, A bha uasal ri shireadh. Is fear ceannsgalach, dàn, thu, Is tu laidir an spionnadh ; 58 'Dol an coinnimh do namhad Cha bu tlath thu ri d' thilleadh. Taing do Dhia mar a tha tbu, Nach do tharl thu 'nam freasdal, Gu bheil Col' agus Cuimhnis Fo do chuimse gu beagnaich, Is Rum riabiach na sithne Ri a direadh 'bu cbreagach; 'S gur a trie air a b-ard chnoic, 'Dh' fbag thu 'n laD-damh fo leatrom. Is gum b' airidh air tuilleadh An duin' 'tha mi 'g raitinn, D' a bheil morchuis is misneach, Moran gliocais is arrìain. Gu bheil seirc ad ghnuis aobhaidh, 'S moran gaoil air do chairdean ; 'S b' fhearr dhaibh falbh na bhith fuireacb, Seal mu 'm buidhinn am bas thu. A dheagh Thighearna Chola, Fhuair thu onair 's bu dual dhuit, 'S tu a shliochd nam fear gasda, Nach bu tais an am cruadail. Cha dug or o'rt no eagal Gun thu sheasamh ri d' dhualchas ; Gloir do Chriosd mar a thachair, Nach h-fheil smachd aig luchd-fuath' ort. Gur tu 'n t-uachdaran cliuiteach, Cha b' fhear spùinnidh air tuath thu; Tha thu faighidneach, iochdmhor, 'S tha thu measail aig uaislean. 'S tu ceann-uidhe nan deoaraidh 'Thoirt an lòin air bheag duais dhaibh; 'S ann an comunn nan aingeal Bidh aig t'anam-sa suaimhneas. 'S i mo cheist do ghnuis shiobhalt A 's glan fiamhachd is faicinn; 59 Gruaidh dhearg mar na caoran, Suil air aogasg na dearcaig; Deud air chuma na disne, 'S beul o'n cinntiche facal ; Nuair a bhiodh tu 's taigh-bhinne, 'S tu gun innseadh an ceartas. Gur a nior a chuis uallaich 'Th' air mo luaidh-sa mar churam; 'S ann d'i clann Mhie-Gilleain, 'Chaill an aighear 's an sugradh; Clann an t-saoidh sin, Fear Bhròlais ♦Tha fo 'n fhoid gun chead tionndadh; Is clann Mnurchaidh na Maighe, Cuis gun aighear sud dhuinne. 'S iomad aon 'tha fo aimheal 'S Mac-Gillean as aite; 'S ann diu oighre na Cuile, 'S iad bhith 'n tùs de shliochd bhraithrean . Chaidh an saoghal air chuibhlibh, Bonn os-cionn a nis tha e; Ach, a Righ 'th' anns a chathair, Cuir caoin dhreach ann ad ghradh air. 'N dreach 'bu mhiann learn air fhaicinn Seal mu'n glacadh am bàs mi, Mo mhuinntir a thilleadh As gach ion ad 'sna thamh iad, Na h-oganaich ghasda Chul-chleachdach, dheas, dhàicheil, 'S iad a thabhairt ruaig mhanaidh Far an ainid le each e. Aimheal, grief. Manadh, chance, luck. Ainid, vexing, galling. 60 ' ^; Oran . ■ .j Do Chatkìona Nic-Gilleaist, - Nighean iPjar, >Bhiolais, .a, bha pòsd% àig Lachainn MacThighearna Chola, air dh'i'a bhi 'na laighe 'san Iunls am Muile. Tha ml 'falbh an cois tuinne, 'S tha mo shuil air na grunnaibh 'Dh-fheuch an faicear leam culaidh fq.sheol, Tha mi falbh, etc. 'Bheir dhomh sgeul air mo leanabh, Bèan cniufn nan rosg mal.la, Suil dhubh-'ghbrm a 's glan sealladfi gun sgleo. Beul min-dearg an fhosaidh Fo 'n inntinn 'tha socrach; Chà bu duthchas dnuit broagal no bosd. Gruaidh mar ròs air a tharruinn '. Tha fo chaoile na mala; Deud dluth a 's math gearradh gun sgod. Thu bhith 'd laighe 'san Innis, Gecl is duthchasach t' ionad, 'Chuir mo shuilean a shileadh nan deoir. Nighean Dhomhnaill mhic Lachainn, A tha mise 'n diu 'g acainn, 'S ogha Dhomhnaill mhic Eachainn nan srol. Nighean athair mo ruin-sa Craobh dhion' d'a luchd-muinntir, 'S e nach leigeadh an cuis dheth gun toir. Chuala mis' iad ag raitinn, Nuair a bha thu 'sna blaraidh, Gum b' fhear misneachail, dan thu, le foirm. 61 Ged bha comharr ad shiubhal, Rinn tbu gniomh bu mho pudhar, 'S dh' fhag thu luchd nan ad dubha fo Icon. Dhuinne dh-eirich an diombuaidh, Gun do dh-fhalbh ar ceann-cinnidh, Gun do thaoitear 'bhith 't ionad 'nad lorg. Tha do mhuinntir fo imcheist, 'S do mhac fhathast og leanabail, Bho dhubh sheachdain na Caingis so 'dh'- fhalbh. The wife of Lachlan, son and heir of Maclean of Coll, was a daughter of Don- ald Maclean, third of Brolas. Donald received two severe wounds on the head in the battle of Sheriffmuir. It is to his wounds that the expression, "Ged bha 'n comharr' ad shiubhal," refers. His grandfather, Domhnall Mac Eachainn Oig, was a son of Hector Og ot Duart, and a grandson of Sir Lachlan Mor. He died in 1725. (i) 62 Cumha DO SHEUMAS M4C-GIEEEAIN, A FEAR. Gur h-e mise 'tha pràmhail 'S fhuair mi fàth air 'bhi dubhach. Tha mi 'feitheamh an kite Far 'm bu ghnàs dhuit 'bhith 'd shuidhe, 'S gun do ghunn' ann air ealachainn, 'Chuireadh earba bho shiubhal.— Mo chreach dhuilich gun d'eug thu, Nàmhaid fèidh anns a bhruthach. Nuair a bha mi gad chàradh, Ged bu shàr-mhath mo mhisneach, Gun robh saighead am airnean, '3 i gam shàthadh gu 'h-iticb, Mu 'n fhear churanta, làidir, Nacb robh fàilinn 'na ghliocas. Cha robh 'n saoghal mar chks ort Nam biodh t' àilleas f o t' iochd dheth. Cha do rinn mi riut fàilte Ged a thaiuig thu, Sheumais. Gur h-e mise 'tha cràiteach, Is cha slanaich an leigh mi. Bho nach fheil thusa maireann, 'Fhir 'bu cheanalt' 's bu bheusaich'; Gur h-e mise nach sòradh Ni bu deonach le d' bheul-sa. Ormsa thainig am fuathas O 'n Di-luain so 'chaidh tharam; Bhon a chunnaic mo shùilean Thu gad ghiulan aig fearaibh, Gun robh mnai air bheag cèille, 'S flr gu deurach gad ghearan. Bhon a dh' fhag iad 'sa chill thu, Och, mo dhiobhail, 's trom m' eallach. 63 Nuair a thug iad gu tilleadh. Gun robh 'n iomairt udcruaidh leam, 'S tus', a ruin, air do chàradh Ann an càrnaich na fuarachd. Com cho geal ris a chanach Fo chul clannach, cas, dualach; 'S truagh nach robh mise mar-riut, 'S mi gun anam, 's an fhuar leab' ! Nuair a rainig mi 'n clachan Chaidh am braisid mo dheuraibh; Bho nach d' leigeadh a steach mi 'Dh-ionnr,' na leap' an robh m' eudail. Ach nam bitheadh tu maireann, Chaoidh cha dhealaicheadh tu-fhèin sinn. Ochain, ochain, mo sgaradh! 'S i mo bharail a threig mi. Air Di-domhnaich 'sa chlachan, Och ! cha 'n f haic mi mo ghradh ann. Bìdh gach aon tè gu h-eibhinn. Is a cèile f hein lamh-r' i ; Ach bidh mise gad ghearan-s', 'Fhir 'bu cheanalta nàdar. Mo theinn thruagh 'bhith gad chumhadh, 'S tu 'n leab' chumhainn nan claran. Tha mi 'm ònrachd 's an fheasgar, 'Ghaoil, cha deasaich mit' àite. 'S gun mo dhùil ri thu 'thighinn; 'S e, 'fhir cridhe, so 'chraidh mi. Do chorp gle gheal th' air dubhadh, 'S do chul buidh' th' air dhroch càradh. Ged a dh' fhàg mi thu 'm dheoghainn, B' e mo roghainn bhith lamh-riut. Nam biodh flos air mo smaointinn Aig gach aon dha bheil cèile, *S fad mun deanadh iad gearan, Fhad 's a dh' fhanadh iad-fhein daibh. 64 Ged a gheibhinn de dh-òig' Air achd 's gum pòsadh dha-dheug mi 'S dearbh noch faicinu bho thoiseach Aon bu docha ua 'n ceud fhear. Nan do ghabhadh leat fògar, 'S barail bheo bhith aig each ort, 'S grad a rachainn an toil' ort; B' e sin solas mo shlainte, 'N dùil gun deanadh tu tilleadh 'Dh-ionns' an iònaid a dh' fhag thu — 'S fheudar fhulang mar thachair; •S ann a ghlais iad fo 'n chlàr thu. Och a High, ghleidh mo chiall dhomh, 'S mi ga t' iargainn-s', a ghràidhein. 'Fhir 'bu tuigsich' 's bu chiallaich', 'S mor 'bha 'chiatabh 'co-fhàs riut.— Tha mi 'nis mar mhaolciaran, Gad ghnàth-iarraidh 's mi craìteach. Math mo laigsinn, à Dhia, dhomh; Gur h-e t' iasad a chraidh mi. 65 LACHAINN MAC-MHIC IAIN. Lachlan Maclean, known as Lachainn Mac-Mhic-Iain, was of the family of Coll. He was probably a grandson of John Garve, 8th of Coll, and apparently a son of John of Totaranald. Cumha Do Lachainn Mac-Gilleain, Triath Cholla, a bhathadh 'sa bhliadhna 1687. Marbhphaisg air an t-saoghal chruaidh, 'S laidir buan an caraich' e; Cba 'n fheil mionaid anns an uair Nach bi 'ghluasad mearachdacb; Aig fheabhas 's a bhios a sgeinih Bbeir luchd-bleid an aire dha ; 'S gun d' aithnich mis' orm fein Gum bu bhreug a gbeallaidhnean. 'N ni sin sbaoileas tu bbith 'd laimh, 'S e gun dàil, gun mhearachd ann, Ma 's ni glaiste 'san taigh stòir, Ge b'e or no eallach e, No duine masgulaca og 'SaD cuir tbu dochas barantais ; Sud e seachad mar am feur, 'S ochain ! threig mo bharail mi. Tha fear 'sa chaibeal so shuas '!>' fhag mo shnuadh-sa malartach. A righ, bu dreachmhor do ghruaidh 66 'N am bhith 'bualadh chrannanan. Bu ghlan do rughadh 's do ghrìs Ri ol fion' an tallachan; Gheibhinn do chaidreamh 's do run, 'S gun d'fhalbh mo shunnd bho'n chailleadh thu. Cba bhi mi tigheachd air do bheus, Bhonach gniomhan balaich iad; Cha robh thu taisgeil air seud, 'S thug luchd-teud an aire dhuit. Bha thu macanta ri mnaoi, 'S ri aos-dana carthannach; '3 ged bu chruadalach do lamh, 'Righ, bu tlath ri leanabh thu. Bu mhath laimhsicheadh tu pìc, Ceannard piob' is brataich thu; Bha thu 'd mharbhadair air feidh, 'S b' fhear dha 'n geilleadh bradan tbu : Bha thu 'd mharcaich' anns a chuirt Air each cruitheach, aigeannach, 'S bha thu 'd sgiobair onfhaidh fhuair, Bu trie 'sa chuan Shas'nach thu. Ni mi do shloinneadh gu fòil, Cha btii strò no barrachd ann; Thainig thu bho LachainnMor, Mac-Gilleoin a b' allaile; 'S do shloinneadh direach r'a lorg Gu Sir Eoin Mac Ailein so; 'S an am comhairle no gleois Gun thu bhith beo gum fairich iad. Thainig thu air sliochd Iain Mhoir, 'S bho Mheubh oig 'bu bhanaile; An t- Iarla sin a bh' air an Rut' Bha e dluth 'na charaid dhuit. Car thu Dhomhnall Gorm bho 'n tur, 'Chosgadh cruin gu sgaireapach, 67 'S do dh- Iain Muideartach nan ceud, A thug ceile clannail dhuit. 'S car thu Dhùghall og nan steud, A dhiult beum luchd-ealanta, 'Rinn do phairt ri Morair Mar 'Thaobh na mna bha 'n ceangal ris. Seonaid mathair Lachainn Mhoir, 'S nigh'n Mhic-Leoid na Hearradh ud; Bhon thainig thus' as an ere Chur sin an celith Mhic-Cailein thu. Mac- Leoid 's a chinneadh gu lèir Tha gu geur gad ghearan-sa; Chaill iad iteach as an sgeith Bho 'n la threig an anail thu. Bho 'n Chaisteal Tioi am 'san Aird Thoisich am pairt barantail, 'S bha 'n cairdeas sin druim air dhruim 'Tigh 'nn air linn gun charachadh. Nan tuiteadh tus' ann am blar, No'n comhrag garbh ri fear-eiginn, Le Mac- Coinnich is Mac-Neill Dheanteadh eirigh bhearraideach; Mac-Mhic-Alasdair bho 'n Troim Dheanadh torachd ealamh ort; 'S bhiodh Mac-an-Toisich 's a rann 'Bualadh lann gu faru.i ach. A Thi 'chruthaich e bho thus 'S a thug dhuinn an sealladh s' dheth, Dean sinn umhal dha d' thoil fhein Anns gach gleus 'am bean Thu ruinn, Bhon thig am bas air gach feoil, 'S theid an fhoid 'chur thairis orr', 'S an spiorad a dh-ionnsaidh Dhe, Bhon 's E-fein a chennaich e. Eallach, cattle of any kind, a burden. Malar - tach, variable, changeable. Gris, reddish look. 68 Lachlan, ninth Maclean of Coll, was a brave soldier, and a kind man. He served several years under General Mac- kay in Holland. He was married to Marion, daughter of John Macdonald, Captain of the Clanranald. He was drowned in the water of Lochy in Loch- aber, in August, 1687. Hector, fifth Maclean of Coll, mar- ried Meve, daughter of Alexander Mac- donald of Islay and the Glens, and sister of Souihairle Buidhe, father of the first Earl of Antrim. She was descended from Iain Mor Tanaistear, son of the first Lord of the Isles. Hector's son, Hector Roy, married Marion, daughter of Hector Og of Duart, and granddaughter of the Earl of Argyll. Hector Roy's son, Lachlan, married Florence, daughter of Norman Macleod of Harris, and grand- daughter of the Earl of Argyll. Lach- lan's son, John Garbh, married Florence, daughter of Sir Dugall Campbell of Achanambrec by his wife, Mary Erskine, granddaughter of the Earl of Mar. John Garbh's son, Hector Roy, married Marion, daughter of Hector ot Torloisk, son of Lachainn Og, of Torloisk, son of the celebrated Lachainn Mor Dhubhairt, 69 son of Hector Og of Duart, by his wife, Seonaid nighean Mhic-Cailein. Hector Roy died before his father. Lachlan, the subject of the lament, was his son. Diomoladh na Pioba. 'Ghilleasbuig, mo mhallachd ri m' bheo 'Dh-fhear aithris do ghniomh', 'Chionn de na chual thu de cheol Gun dug thu 'n t- urram do 'n phiob. Mur cualaluchd-teud sgainneal do bheoil, 'S tu 'bu dona gu'n diol; Gum b' fhearr thu 'dh-ith aranris mharag is fheol', A bhalaich nach b' fhiach. 'S iomadh iarl' ann an Albainn an nochd 'Na leaba, tha fios, An deidh a bhrù 'lionadh le cabhruich a poit, 'S e 'tionndadh gu trie, Nan digeadh i teann orra anmoch no moch, A ghlagaid gun mheas, A bheireadh mar dhuais do 'n fhear 'bhiodh 'na cois Na coin a chur ris. Ge b' e glagaire 'thoisich an toiseach ri ceol A thoirt as a bian. 'S dearbh gun robh bruadar is breisleach ro mhor (J) 70 'Na chlaigeann re cian; Cha dig ceol ioraltach, drithleannach, luath A tollaibh a miar; 'S ann a bhios i ri stadail 's ri glagail gun fhonn, Mar ghagail nan giadh. A cliu air glagarsaich mhoir Is fad on a chtìal, Ga tarruinn am mach a t' achlais gun doigh, A mhaidearlach thruaerh. Cuiridh i smaointinnean taiseachd is gealt- acbd gu leoir An aigneadh 'g a chruas ; Gum b' fbearr i mar chlach-bhalg 'cbur nan each bharr an f heoir Na bhrosnachadh sluaigh. Gur h-e 's beus d'i na breugan le 'neart, 'S breun i 'n a t' ucbd ; Ged bhiodh tu ga seideadh gus am b' eiginn dhuit stad Cha seian i dhuit puirt ; Bu cho math 'bhith cur salain is t' anail a steach An goile na muic'. 'S mi nach h-iarradh gu brath a dhol faisg Air earradh a cuirp. 'S fad on a fhuair sinn taisbeanadh sul' Gum bu ghealtach a gnàths; Ri am dol 'nam braise gu tapadh do shluagh, 'S ann a dheanadh i tamh. Aig Sliabh-an-t-Siorra beag dona so shuas, An cuala sibh e? Thug i leum air muin gille bhig ruaidh, Gu teieheadh o 'n bhlar. 71 An t- urram de na chunnaic mo shuil, Gu cur fras cail, Do Chonnduili 'bha 'm Muile ann an cuil, 'S gu aire 'thoirt da. Aig Mac-Leoid a bha'n duine, Mac-.Cruimein a chiuil, Bha ainm air 's gach ait; Ach Padruig is Iain mac Uilleim na muisg, Da sglimeach nan cart ! When the firing began at the battle of Sheriffmuir the boy that carried Conduli's pipe got frightened and ran away. He took the pipe with him. 72 Anndra Mac-an-Easbuig. Bishop Hector Maclean was born in 1605. He graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1628. He was for a long time Minister of Morvern. He became minister of Eastwood in 1679. He was appointed Bishop of Argyll, June 29th, 1680. He died in 1687. He belonged to the Lochbuie branch of the Macleans. He was probably a son of Mr. Angus Maclean, first minister of Morvern. He was married to Jean, daughter of Mr. Thomas Boyd, minister of Eaglesham, eldest son of Andrew Boyd, Bishop of Argyll. He had four sons, Andrew, Angus, Alexander and John. He had two daughters. Janet, the elder, was married to Lachan Og, seventh son of Lachlan Maclean of Ardgour. The younger was married to William Camp- bell of Wester Kames. ' Angus, the second son of Bishop Hector, graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1661, and became minister of Kilfinchan in 1666. Alexander, the third son, is known in history as Sir Alexander Maclean of Otter. He fought at the battle of Killie- crankie. He entered the French service some time afterwards, and was a Lieu- 73 tenant- Colonel. He died at Aix-la- Chapelle. John, the fourth son of Bishop Hector, was a Lieutenant in the Earl of Portmore's regiment of Foot. He was killed at Ka^zerswerth, probably in 1702. Bishop Hector's widow died in 1704. Andrew, Bishop Hector's eldest son, Anndra Mac-an-Easbuig, was born about the year 1635. He was a captain in the army. He resided at Knock, in Mor- vern. Owing to the depredations of the Camerons he had to sell Knock and leave Morvern. He seems to have spent his latter days in Mull. He married Florence, daughter of Charles Maclean of Ardnacross, Tearlach Mac Ailein, and had one son by her, Sir Angus, a Major in the Spanish army. Sir Angus had a son named Andrew, who died without issue in 1780. Captain Andrew was an excel- lent poet. The year of his death is not known. Oran Do Bharbara nighean an Easbutg FULARTON. Gun dug mi gaol nach fàilinneach Do ribhinn nan cuach fainneagach; Gur boidheach, dualach, àrbhuidh iad Mar aiteal dearrsadh theud. 74 A ghruaidh a chruthaich nàdar dh'i 'S tuis ratha 's ragha dealbha sin, 'S gach buaidh oirr' mar a b' fhearr a bh' air Diana a chaidh eug. Gur maiseach, min-gheal, tàbtaachdach, Gur cuimir, direach, daicheil i, Le aigneadh seimh, neo-ardanach, Gun fhailinn 'tha fo 'n ghrein. Is sùgach an am manrain i, 'S i cuirteil mar a's abhaaist dh'i; Is math thig fàite gaire dh'i Bho chlaragaibh a bèil. Gur mills' a pog na mealannan, 'S i 's cinntich' gloir gun amaideachd; Bheir brigh a beoil 's a h-analach Neach anacrach bho 'n eug. Air uchd nach crion ri 'thaisbeanadh Tha an da chich a's tlachdmhoire ; Bhuin i gach cridh le 'taitneasaibh Fo ghlasaibh aice fein. Is caoin fo 'gùn a seang chorpan, 'S i 's maoile glun is calbannan; Troigh chuimirbheag gun gharacalachd, Nach saltair garbh air feur. Chaidh cliu na tè s' a Albainn uainn, Aig glainead bheus 's aig leanabanachd ; Cha d'f han e anns a Ghearmailte, Gun del gu dearbh do 'n Ghreig. O, b' fhearr gur mis' a bhuadhaicheadh Mìn fhàil le 'n cuirteadh cruaidh shnaim ort; Cha b' fhear gun àgh 'san uair sin mi, Nuair bhuannaichinn thu-fein. 75 Ach 's cruaidh an càs ma 's fuatharachd A gheibh uii 'n aite truacantachd; Gum b' fhearr dhonih mur a buannaich mi A bhith 'san uaigh a pèin. Co 'chuala riamh no 'chunnaic e, No 'fhuair 'san nadar duine-sa, Gach uaisl' 'tha 'm Bàbi Fularton An cruinneachadb 'na ere? Ge b' e do thoil-sa diultadh rium Cha'n onair dhomh bhi diubhaltach ; Mo shoraidh-sa durachdach Do d' bhroilleach cubhraidh fein. Marbhrann Do dh-Alasdair Mac-an-Easbitig, 'S bochd an sgeula so 'thainig, 'S ole a chreuchdadh ar n-armuinn, Osna dheui'ach an drasd a rug oirnn. 'S bochd, etc. 'S trom mo cheum, gun fath gaire, 'S trom neo-eibhinn a tha mi, 'S gur h-e cumha do bhàis 'rinn mo leon. 'S bochd a chraidh thu mi 'm chridhe, Sprochd do bhàis th' air mo ruighinn, Spot nach slanaich aon lighich' tha beo. Tha mo ghruaidhean air siaradh Agus m' oisnean air liathadh; 'S deacair dhomhsa 'nis strian chur ri m' fheoil. 76 'S mi mar choltas maolciarain, :No mar Oisein ga t' iarraidh; 'S gum bi mise ga t' iargainn ri m' bheo. 'S mor m' ànradh is m' allaban On a threig thu mi Alasdair, 'S i so 'bhairlinn a chreanaioh mi 'm fheoil. Is nam faighinn learn m' inntinn Dheannainn soilleir ort innseadh, Nach robh 'd chinneadh ri m' Jinn-sa na's mo. Fear cruaidh, curant', gun ghiorag, 'N am na tuasaid nachtilleadh, 'S tu buidhinn urram gach spionnaidh le seol. Nuair a bhiodh tu 'sna blaraibh 'BMth air thus 's e bu ghnaths leat; 'S i do shuil nach biodh sgàthach roimh ghleos. 'N am dhuit dol do 'n taigh-thàirne, Bhiodh a chuideachd a b' fhearr leat, 'S cha bu sgrubaire clair thu mu 'n bhord. Cha b' fhear fuath' thu no fabhair, 'S tu gum fuasg'leadh gach ceangal, 'S tu bhi shuas ann an cathair a mhòid. Cha dean uisge na fairge, No maoidheadh na h-armailte, Mo mhuinntir-sa mharbhadh na's mo. Ann an campa sin Ludhainn, Cha robh meang ann ad ghiulan, 'S cha robh failinn an uirghioll do bheoil. Dh' fhag mi thu anns a bhothaig, 'S do chorp niin-gheal air breothadh, Is gun sùgh ann ad chnamhan, ach còs. 77 Iorram Le Amdra Mac-an-Easbuig, an uair a shiubhail a bhean agus a fhuair e naidheachd bàis a dhithisd bhràithrean, Sir Alasdair a chaochaial ann am Aix la Chapell, agusCaiptein Iain a mharbhadh ann an Keyzerwerts. Gur a cràiteach an othail 'Tha an drasd a tigh'nn fotham Ann an daaihair an fhoghair 's na buana. Gur a tùrsach mi '2: èirigh 'S mi gun fhuran o m' chèile, 'S cha 'n e 'cumha gu ìèir tha gam bhuaireadh. Gur hi'n naidheachd so leugh mi 'Tha gam chaitheadh fo m' lèine, 'S a chuir snaidheadh gu geur orm mu 'n cuairt domh. Ohòirt orm tonn mu mo mhullach Dh' fhàs 'na throm-bhuille muineil, 'S a dh' thàg lorn mi gun lunnach, gun suanach. Cha b' i lochdair an t-saoir A rinn mo let air gach taobh dhiom ; Acb a chros-tuagh bu daoire gun d' fhuaras Bidh m' fhear-fuattia 'sior-thàir orm, 'S gur heart bhuan dha mo thàmailt 'Sea bagradh gu dàna mo bhualadh. Nàile chunnaic mi maduinn Nach bu chunnarach cladaich Do dh' fhear eile 'bhi bagradh no chluaise. Fhad 's bu bheò iad le chèile Na ghabh fògradh le Seumaa, Na fir oga bu trèine ri m' ghualainn. 78 B' iad mo ghradh na fir chridhe 'Bhadha 'n càirdean gun slighe, 'S nach robh tàireil air dlighe dhaoin'-uaisle. Gum bu tais ris na dàimh sibh, Gum bu mbacant' ri mnaoi sibh, 'S gum bu sgaiteach le 'r naimhdean 'ur cruadal. Gum b' airidh luchd-tbeud sibh Anu an argiod no 'n èideadh; Is aois-dàna cha 'n euradb sibh duais dhaibh . 'S mi craobh cboimbeach na coire, A bba roimbe so 'n coille, 'S cha bu doimhtheamh an doire as na bhuaineadh. Is truagh duine mar tha mi A sior f hulang gach sàraich ; Mo chruas duilich, gun bhràthair, gun ghual-fhear. Acb ma rinn sibh bhuam imeachd 'S gun 'ur n-oighre 'nur n-ionad, 'S e mo roinn-sa de 'n iomairt a's cruaidhe. Suanach, a coarse covering. Slighe, craft. Cha'n euradh sibh, you would not refuse. 79 Oran LeAKNDEA Mac-an-Easbuig, an uair a reic e an Cnoc Morairneach, a dh' fheum e fhagail! a chionn 's gun robh na Camaranaich a goid a chuid cruidh is each, agus nach d' fhag iad ni aige. Bhuam-s' tha 'n ràitinn Bi tuar m' fhaillinn, 'S buan dhomh amhghar, 'S fuar tha m' aite còmhnuidh. 'N drasd, mar aisling A bha 'n cadal, Tha na bh' agairn; Gun d'tharladh fad' air falbh e. Maghan farsuinn 'Bu shar ghasd aitreabh, Gun dion, gun fhasgadh, Gun sparr, gun at, gun chòmhla ; Gun cheol pioba, Gun ol fiona; Cor an gniomha, *S leoir dhomh 'mhiad de 'dhoruinn; 'Chùirt 'n do chleachd mi 'N tus bhi 'faicinn Muirn is macnais, Gun sniuid deatach sheombar; 'N luchairt laghach 'M bu dluth tathaich, Cùirt Mhic-Gilleain, Cùis gun aighear dhomh-s' e; 'N t-aite 'm faightcadh Baigh is pailteas, •S gradh ga sgapadh, Gu n^irach, taitneach, ordail; 80 Gach bì 'b' aill leat, Dinneir àraidh Gun sion dàlach, 'S bu chinnt do 'n daibhear comhdach. Am preas cubhraidh 'Bu cleas cumhdach Gun chleas ùmbaidh, Maiseach, ubhlach, boidheach; Craobb an abhaill Ga sior-sgathadh 'Sios gun athadh Le flor chaitheadh foirneirt; Fo mhèin mhèirleach Nach seimh cèirdean, Gun dàimh cairdis ; Saobhaidh Dhatain 's Chora ; 'Bha riamh bristeach, Gun sion 'ghibhtean, Achciallglioeais; B'e 'n ceann-shift do m' sheor&' iad. 'S e bàigh Ailein Air gradh caraid 'S a bhàs ealamh 'Dh 'fhag fas ar fearann mor duinn. Sach beart fhollais An staid shoilleir s' A ghrad thoinneamh 'N ar ceart choinnimh òirnne. Bhuain sinn fein i Le uaisle eifeachd, 'S le cruas meine; Bhuail i geur 's an t-sroln sinn. 81 Ged tha ar fearann An drasd fo'r gearradh, Cha 'n e bhur ceannas Bhuin dhinn le lannaibh còir' e. Bu bhuan stri dbuinn Ri sluagh rioghachd ; Cha tuath chrion A fhuair dhinn striochdadh comhla. Mur biodh ach uiread 'Toirt dhinn le buillibh Cis ar inuineil Sgriobht' am fuil ar fogradh. A Righ fhlathais, Dhe d' shaor mhathas, Sith-thaimh tabhair; Brigh ar n-achain deonaich. On gheall Thu f ein Gum biodh Tu 'd leigh A thoirt a pein A bhrathar fheumaich bhrònaich, Thoir dhninn fhathast, Mac-Gilleain 'N aite 'n athar, Mar cheannard rath 'san Dreallainn. Spàrr, a joist, a beam. At, atuinn, a rafter. Daibbear, needy, destitute. Saobhaidh, a litter, a den. Dreallainn, a name applied to the island of Mull. 82 IAIN MAC AILEIN. John McLean, commonly called Iain Mac Ailein, and sometimes Iain Mac Ailein Mhic Iain Mhic Eoghain, belonged to the Ardgour branch of the Macleans. Ewen, 6th Maclean of Àrdgour, Eoghan na h- Iteige, married a daughter of Stewart of Appin, and had two sons by her, Allan, his successor, and John. He was living in 1587. John, his second son, had a son named Allan. This Allan was the poet's father. Iain Mac Ailein was thus a great-grandaon of Eoghan na h- Iteige. Iain Mac Ailein lived in Mull. His place of residence seems to have been near Aros. He was a young man in the time of Sir Allan Maclean of Duart. We may assume then that he was born at least as early as the year 1665. He was married, and lived to be an old man. Dr. Johnson, who visited the Western Islands in 1773, speaks of him as a famous Mull bard, who had died only a few years before that date. He also says that he could neither read nor write. We are inclined to think that the poet must have died before the stirring events 83 of 1745. At any rate there is no refer- ence in any of his poems to those events. Besides, he would be at least ninety years of age in 1745. The latest event to which he refers in his poems occurred in 1738. All that we can confidently assert then regarding the time of his death is that it took place some time after 1738. Iain Mac Ailein was evidently an in- telligent, good-natured and well-informed man. He was intimately acquainted with the history of his own clan, and possessed a good knowledge of the history of the Highland clans in general. He was an ardent Jacobite, and was thoroughly familiar with the political events of his own day. He was well versed in the Bible. He seems to have been a man of genuine piety. He was a true poet, a man who described in poetic language men and things just as he saw them. He is fairly entitled to a hisjh rank among the bards of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. 84 Oran Gaoil. Bha dithisd nighean a.labhairt mu'n Bhard. Bha te dhiu ga dhiomoladh 's ag radh nach robh ard-fhoghlum aige. Bha 'n te eile ga mholadh, 's ag radh gun robh ni a b' fhearr aige, moran de thuigse nadair. LTJINNEG. Failliloro, faillilo, Faill il o ro, faill il o, Faill il o ro,hul il o ro, Faill il o ro, fail il o. Is ged nach d' fhaodadh mo thogail suas, Ach teaga3g nadair 'thoirt dhomh le buaidh ; An tè 'tha 'graitinu gu bheil mi trailleil Cha'n fheil mi 'g aicheadh nach faigh i m' fhuath. -Is mor an caochladh a rinn a cridh' Mur he 's gun d' thoill mise bhuaip' an gniomh ; An caiin daonta d' an robh mo shaor-ghradh Gum faic an saoghal mur toil learn i. Och, och, a dhaoine nach creid sibh bhuam, 'S mi 'toirt mar fhaosaid dhuibh anns gach uair, Nach mo mo ghaol air a chailin shaor so Na gaol an fhaol-choin air fuil an uain. Ged theireadh each gum bu toil learn thu, Is f ada tha sud o bhith 'nam run : Tha mi cho seachantach air thus' fhaicinn Is a tha 'm bradan air linge bhuirn. Nuair a bhios each ann an cadal seimh Gur trie le m' aigneadh 'bhith rium ag radh Nach mo mo thlachd air a dhol na fasgadh Na th' aig an lach air a dhol air snamh. 85 A chailin mhodhar a's moiteil dealbh, Ged tha do ghruaidh mar an corcur dearg, Tha nii cho suarach mu d' gbaol 's cho fuathach 'S tha cat na luatha air luch a shealg. A chailin bhaindidh a labhradh ciuin, Ge fada cam-bhuidbe reidh do chul, Cha'n fheil mo gheall-sa airt' uaigneas cainnte Ach mar tha n dall air a leirsinn shul. Ma their mi 'n fhirinn am brigh mo sgeoil, 'Thaobh t' eol is f uai-de 's do shuairceas beoil, Cha'n fheil mi 'n tromchion, a ghruagach dhonn ort, Ach mar tha 'n drongair air bhith ag ol. 'S ann 'bha mo chairdean am barail diom Gum b' e do ghradh-sa mo namhaid chlaoidh : Do phog le failte cha dean i stàth dhomh Ach mar ni 'n t-slainte do 'n duine thinn. Comhradh, Mar gum b' ann eadar dithisd nighean Dhomh- naill, mac Mhic-Dhomhnaill Dùibh. MAIREARAD. Thuirt Mairearad nigh'n Domhnaill, 'S i tòiseachadh gu ciuin, A phiuthar ciod an t-ordagh, An nis mu'n deonach thu? Ma 's ionnan duit is dhòmhsa, Bi 't oigh is gheibh thu cliu; 'S na iarr dhuit fèin de shòlas Ach bhith pòsda ris an Mr. Marsaijli. 'Sin nuair labhair Marsaili, 'S bu taitneach learn a gloir ; (D A phiuthar, 's beag mo chiatadh De bhriathraibh sin do bheoil. Gum b' fhearr learn seal de mhacnas Ri mac mhic Eachainn Oig, Na bhith cràbhadh mar-ri sagairt Agus paidearan 'nam dhorn. Mairearad. Ochoin ! 's truagh an fhaosaid sin, A pbiuthar ghaolach og, Meud do thoirt do 'n t-saoghaltachd, 'S nach bi sinn daonnan beo. Bu ghniomh bu mhò gu cobhair riut Do leabhar a bhith 'd dhorn, Na bhith falbh air ghleanntan fasaich Gun sailm ach gàirich bhò. Marsaili. Mun gabh thu fearg le ardan rium, Bidh m' aicheadh dhuit gu mall; Ach 's- truagh an beachd a dh' fhàs annad, 'S gun t' àrach am measg Ghall. Gabh fein sgeul an easbuig 'Th' air ar creideamh-ne mar cheaian, Dh' fheuch an sinne 'n t-ordagh so Na 'm pòsadh a bhith ann. Mairearad. Tlia iomad ni ga chleachdadh Le lagh eaglais anns gach àit, Nach faigh thu anns a Bhiobull, Ged 's e freum gach firinn' e. 'S fearrposadh, ge b' e thogras e, Na losgadh is cuis bhàis; Ach ge b'e 'thig gun aon diu, Bi cinnteach gur h-e 's fearr. Marsaili. B' fhearr learn bhith gu càtanach 87 Le tàintibh is le etòr; A bliith gu taisgeach, tairbheartach, Le airgiod le is or; Bhith gu riomhach, fasanta Le pasmunn is le srol, Na bhith seargadh ri claich chrabhaidh Gun flu a ghàir', ach bron. MAlREARAD. 'S àite-glèidhte diomain 'San do chuir thu t' uile stor, 'S gun ann ach seorsa phigeachan, 'S gum brisdear iad gu foil. 'N t-àit 'sa bheil mo thasgaidh-sa Tha glasan air do-leoint'; On tha mo stiubhart saibhir Bheir e làthail domh mo Ion. Marsaili. B' fhearr learn bhith gu daonnachdach Ri feomaichibh gach la A bhith gu f eusdach, furanach, Mar bhuineadh roimh luch-dàimh', On 's e sin doigh bu trice Bh' aig gach mnaoi bu ghlice gnaths, Na bhith air an gluin ag eadarghuidh' Ri Peadar no ri Pàl. M AIRE ARAB. A bharail a th' aig each ort, 'S e aobhar nair' a 's mo, Gur h-e a chum o 'n chràbhadh thu Ro mheud do ghraidh air poig. Nam biodh tu uirnceach, mosguineaeh, 'Cumail troid ris an fheoil, Bu deimhinn duit gun coisneadh tu An rioghachd 's momha gloir. Marsaili. 'N rud nach creid mo chairdean, Cha'n fheil fkth dhomh bhith ga run, 'S gur math le mnaoi ga beusaichead A ceile fein ri 'glun. 'N neach nach ith an solus rud, An conaltradh no 'n cuirt, Cha chreid na daoine glice Nach ith e rud 'sa chuil. Mairearad. 'S olc an smuaintinn aignidh 'Th' aig mnaoi aigeallaidh do bhèil, 'S a liuthad neach 'tha 'n cairdeas Do nach ionnan nadar bheus. Bidh barail aig a phòitear, 'Bhios ag ÒJ gach uair ga 'm feud, Gum bi gach ti an gradh air An dibh mar tha e-fein. Marsaili. Bha gach neach o'n dkinig sinn Gle stkthail 'nan am fein; Cha bu luchd thoirt dklach iad, A bhkrd, no dhkimh, no dh-eisg, Bu mheasail ri am nkistinn iad, An iiàire riamh do ghlèidh. Cha 'n iarrainn fein a dh-àilgheas Ach bhith san kit 'sam bi iad fein. Mairearad. 'S deacair dhòmh-s' a raitinn riut Nach nkdarra do bheus, 'S far am bi na ckirdean Gur a stkthail 'bhith d' an reir. Gluais thusa mar a th' agad Dh' fheuch an taitinn e riut fein, 'S cha toill mise mòran cliumba. Airson dol ri ùin' acl dhèidh. The foregoing poem was translated to Dr. Johnson by Mary Maclean in her father's house. It was published in Ranald Macdonald's collection. Moladh, Do Ghilleasbuig ka Ceapaich 's do 'n Phiob. 'Ghilleasbuig mo bheannachd ri m' bheò, Do dh-fhear aithris do ghniomh', 'Bhrigh os cionn na chual' thu de cheòl Gun dug thu 'n t-nrram do 'n phiob. Cna chuala luchd-teud sgainneal do bheoil, 'S tu bu ro mnath gu 'n diol, Ach b' fhearr leat culaidh a bhrosnaicheaoih toir Na sochair gach sìth'. 'S iomad iarl' ann an Albainn an nochd, 'S dearbhte leam sud, Ri am togail armailt air chois, Na oircheas, tha flos, A chionn a cluinntinn anmoch is moch, Bean chaidreach am meas, 'Bheireadh mar dhuais do dhararaich a dos Airgiod gun fhios. Is dearbh gun robh stuidear gu trom, Is su sbainte ghiar, 'Sa chiad fhear 'rim piob nan dos loin 90 Gus fhortan do dhean, 'S gach lanphort gan cumail fo fhonn, Gun smid as a bhial, Ach gan gearradh, gach siolladh is pong, Le buillibh a mhiar. A cliu airson abuchadh gleois Is fada do chuaidh; Sar ionnsramaid mhaidean nach mor, Is coitchionta buaidh ! Cuiridh i smaointinnean gaisge gu leoir A n gealtair ga thruas ; Thogadh a crunluath le bras bbuillibh mheoir. Aigneadh gach sluaigh. Gur h-e 's beus d' i eirlgh le ceart, Is eibhinn a stuirt, An tus teugmhail èighidh i sgairt, Nach breugaich a puirt. Le sèideig de dh-anail a steach An èarrach a cuirp, Cuirear ceol binn, iorallach, ait, An ribheid a stuic. 'S fada bhon fhuair sinn taisbeanadh shul Nach gealtach a gnaths ; Gu bheil mi dearbh nach rachadh i 'n cuil Ga falach gu bràth. 'N tus gach cath' bidh fear brath' air a cul, 'Deanamh fabhair do chaoh; Laoch borb agus gaisge 'na run, Is bratach na laimh. 'N t-urram de na chunnaic mo shuil Tha 'm Muile dhiu 'n drast; Ach airson Mhic-Cruimein on bhuidhinn cliu, Leig do 'n duinne sin tàmh; 91 De 'n aireamh Connduili air thus, Iain Mac Uilleim a dha, A gus Padruig an treas dnin' an triuir, Nach uireasach làmh. Niall Mor Mac-Mhuirich composed a poem against the bag-pipe. Gilleashuig na Ceapaich composed a poem in praise of it. Iain Mac Ailein composed the foregoing poem in praise of Gilleasbuig na Ceapaich and the pipe. Lachainn Mac Mhic-Iain composed a poem in reply, which will be found on page 69. It is not to be supposed that he had any- unpleasant recollection of Gilleasbuig na Ceapaich or any unking feelings towards Iain Mac Ailein ; he was merely exercis- ing his power of satirizing. Iain Mac Ailein and himself seem to have been on very friendly terms. Oran A rinneadh an uair a bha Sir Iain Mac- Gilleain, triath Dhubhairt, ann an Cearnaburg. Beirflos leat bhuam do Chearnaburg Uu triath nan gaisgach sàr-ghasda, Ged rinn mi caochladh maighistir, Nach feairrde mi mu m' mhiadh e. 92 Ge trie a dol a dh- Iros mi A dh'ol gach boinne 'tharas mi, Cha 'd ionnan's mar a b'abhaist domh, Cha bhi mo ghair' air m' fhiacail. Na mionnan 'thug sinn thalla-sin, Nuair a bha camp Mhic Cailein ann, 'Dheoin De cha mhisd' ar n-anam iad, Ach b' aindeonach an ghniomh e. Nan cluinninn fhin am Bacach 'Thigh 'nn le chabhlach laidir acuinneach, Cha dearbhadh neach thar fasdaidh orm Gum b'fhear protection riamh mi. Nam faicinn duine flrinneach A chomhdaicheadh na dh' innseadh dhomh Gheibhteadh 's an Leth Iochdraich mi 'S mi comhclach mo phios iaruinn. Ged nach robh mi riamh cho tapaidh 'S gun deanainn sealg no tacar leis, Is leoir learn fhad 's a chaidil e Fo 'n leabaidh far 'n do liath e. Tacar, provision, plenty. Shortly after the battle of Killiecrankie the Earl of Argyll obtained a commission of fire and sword against the Macleans, and invaded Mull with a force of 2,500 men. Sir John Maclean retired to the fortified island of Cain burgh, and advised his followers to take the oath of allegiance to the new government, and accept pro- tection from Argyll. He remained in Cainburgh until 1692. 93 Coille-Chragaidh. 'N àm 'dhol 'sios, 'n km dhol 'sios, 'N am 'dhol 'sios bu deònach, Luchd nam breacan, luchd nam breacan A leathad le mòintich; A falbh gu dian, a falbb gu dian, Gun stad ri pris an ordaigh ; An deagb ghunna, 'n claidheabh ullamh, Gun dad tuilleadh mòiseaD . Mhaighstir Cailein ta mi deimhinn Gun d' fhuair thu barrachd fòghluim : 'S flor gun blieum do neach fo 'n ghrèin A dh' fhàg do bheul an t òran. Cha b' fhearr do bheus na tràill do bèisd Mur b' oil leat Seumas f ^ògar 'S a thricead 's 'dh' òrdaich e gun dearmad Airgiod agus or dhuit. 'S iomadh neach dha 'n robh e ceart Nach d' rinn a bheart bu choir daibh : Ri àm fheuma Sasunn thrèig e, Albainn 's Eirinn còmhla. Armailt rioghail, laidir, lionmhor, Dha 'n robh na cisean mora, Cho luath 's a chunnaic iad Righ Uilleam Cha d' rinn iad tuilleadh còmhraig. Cha b' e 'ghealtachd 'thug dhaibh snasadh, 'S cha b' e neart Phrionns' Orains' Ach dearmad direach thigh'nn nan inntinn O'n do chinn iad deònach An righ dùthcha fhèin a dhiuchradh Airson Prionns' na h-Olaind.— Ach facal soitheamh 'thuirt neach roimhe, Gum bi gach nodha ro-gheal. (M) Ma theid an Act s' an leud no 'm farsuinn, Cha 'n fheàrr gach neach na òglach : 94 Coir aig lag cha diong i dad Mur faigh e neart ga chomhnadh. Am mac 'bhith gabhail brath air athair Leis a chlaidheabh chòmhraig, Chualas riamhgum b' arn de 'n ghniomh sin Nach robh Dia ag òrd'chadb. Ge b' e aca, nighean no mac, Leugh gum bu cheart an seòl daibh Crùn an athar fein 's a chataair A ghabhail le fòirneart, Is sgainneal bhreug a chur an gèill A chaoidh nach feudt' a chòmhdach, Tha Ti ga 'n lèir; ma 's i so 'n eucoir, 'S soirbh dha fèin a tòireachd. Gu m' bharail fèin, ge beag mo reusan Gheibb mi ceud ga cbòmhdacb Ge b' e ti dhe 'n dean Dia righ Gur coir 'bhith striochdte dhòsan; 'S ged theid e ceum de làn-toil fèin 'S gun e 'cur eiginn òirnne, 'N saoil sibh fèin an lagh no reusan Dol a leum 'na sgròban ! Sgeula bhuamsa mu Raon-Ruairidh, An robh na sluaigh a comhrag; Chuid bu luaithe ghabh an ruaig dhiubh, 'S bu daoin' uaisle còir iad : Nan cumteadh suas riuth' tein' is luaidhe Ris an d' fhuair iad foghlum, 'S tearc a chruinnich riamh a» urrad 'Gheibheadh urram beò dhiubh. Ach luchd a chunnairt 'chleachd na buillean 'S nach d' fhuair tuilleadh foghluim, Cha d' leugh air achd mar dhion do 'm pearsa Gum b'e stad bu choir daibh. Gach ti nach tuit bhith shios 'nan uchd An còmhrag uilc bu nòs daibh.— 95 , Mun d' thill na gillean 'a iomadh pinne 'Thug sgeanan biorach Thdmais. Air each gle-mhor, cruidheach, ceumach, Fuainineach, steudmhor, mòdhar, Cha bu lapach an aois macaibh Ceannard feachd na Dreallainn. Le bhuidhinn threunfhear nach tais èirigh Ga 'n robh cridh' treun mar leòghann :— 'S iad a dh' elbh a chiad ratreut | An dèidh luchd Beurla 's chleòca. Bha ri 'n sgèith-san buidheann èiginn, 'Dh 'fhalbh a Eirinn còmhla, Ri mionaid eile phàigh an èirig Fein le gleusdachd còmhraig : Bu bhinn an sgeul 'bhith seal gan èisdeachcl 'S iad ri èigheach crònain, 'S a liuthad fear air bheagan ceannaich A fhuair malairt còta. Cha bu ghealtachd 'bhith gan seachnadh, Cha robh 'm faicinn boidheach; An lèintean paisgte fo 'n da achlais 'S an casan gun bhrogan; Boineid dhathte 'dion an claiginn 'S an gruag 'na pasgan foithe. Bu chosmhuile 'n gleus ri trotan bhèistean Na ri luchd-cèille còire. Mòisean, motion. Sasunn threig e; airson Threig Sasunn e. 96 Freagairt Eoin Ghairnealair do dh-Eoin Balbhan. Mu 'n sgeul so a chualas ac' Ga luaidb air Eoin Manntach, Is mu 'n fhreagairt a fhuair e Ann am bruadar a bhalbhain, Ged nach digeadh le m' gheire-s' 'N tnigse threun sin a leanmhuinn, 'S feairrde sgeula ga threisead Moran teistis is dearbhaidh. Chi ml 'n saoghal air chuibhlibh 'S gun e aig aon chor a f uireach ; Acha direadh 's a tearnadh War roth amhuilteach muilinn. Am fear a thachair 'na airde 'S e 's mo àbhar gu mulad; 'S gum faod mise 'th' air tearnadh 'Bhith 'na aite mun sguir e. Gu de 'n gliocas no 'n tàbhachd 'Th' ann do ghairnealair eolach Craobh thorach a ghàraidh, 'Dhol le ailgheas ga fogradh, Gu craobh ur chur 'na h-aite, 'S gun e mu 'nadar leth-eolach, 'S a mheud 's a gheibh e ga h-àrach Seal mun tàr e deagh phòr dh' i? H Ach an crann s' bho chionn tamuill ' Bha fo thoradh gun easbhuidh, 'S cian bhon chraobh-sgaoil a chomain Air gach comunn am Breatunn. Ged a rachadh càil dhuathair Air a chauasachd re treise, 'S mairg a loisgeadh a thiomban his a mhuinntir a chreic e. Is beag m' ionghnadh an dream sin 'Bha gun daimh ris ga threigsinn; 97 'S gum b' e 'n àbhar thun fhogradh 'Thaobh nach b'ann de 'm por fein e; Acb Alba bheag dhona Bha gun onair fo 'n ghrein aic', Nuair a chaidh i ga fhagail, 'S gura b'e àrach a geig e. B'e bbiir glioeas 'san àbhar s' Anns na càsanaibh ceudna, A bhith carthannach. cairdeil, Is mar bhràithrean d'a cheile; An rigb sin 'bh' air mhaireann 'Chumail slàn mar a dh' ffeeudteadh, 'S gun do dh-ordaich ar Slanaighear Dhuinn a chain 'thoirt do Cheusar. Ach 's e 'n ni 'tha mi 'raghainn Gun dol air m' aghaidh na 's daine, Bbon tha 'n t-àth so cho domhain Is nach tomhais cas ghearr e. Ach an Eigh dha bheil feartan, 'S a ni gach beart mar a's aill leìs, 'Cbur na còrach 'na suidhe Mar a's cubhaidh 's gach aite. This poem is a reply to a poem by the Rev. John Beaton. The poet himself is Eoin Gairnealair, or John the Gardener, and Mr. Beaton, Eoin Balbhan, or John the Dumb. Mr. Beaton is called by this name owing to the fact that he had been silenced or deposed. A chraobh thorach is King James, and a chraobh ur, King William. 98 Sgeul an Eibhneis. Oran a rinn am Bard nuafr a chual e gun robin Sir Iain Mac-Gilleain beo. LUINNEAG. B'e m' aighear gum b'fhior, B'e m' aighear gum b'fhior, B'e m' aighear gum b'fhior, Sgeul dearbhte sin. Bu mhire mi-fhin Na caitean beag mios' Nan digeadh gu erich An tairgineachd, An neach so 'chaidh eug Am barai] gach lèigh 'Thigh'nn ugainn 'Na threun-fhear Albanach; Mar thaice ri 'r cùl, 'Sa chath mar cheann-iuil; 'N sin thogamaid suil Bho 'r plangaidean; Gun eireadh deagh fhonn 'S gach cridhe 'tha trom, 'S cha 'n fhaicteadh cinn chrom Neo-mheanmnach oirnn. Gun tilgeamaid clach Ri 'r nkbaidh cho ceart, Gus an ruigeamaid stap An t-seann duine; Gun cuireamaid bailc Air oiribh ar cas; Cha leanadh aon drap De 'r dranndan ruinn. 99 'S gun tilleamaid breug Air ar coimpire fein, Nuair 'chuireadh e 'u eucoir Dhalmarr' oirnn. Le fabhar a chruin, 'S le rathad an Diuc, Nam faighinn do cliùls A dhainghneachadh, 'Sa chinneadh so fòs Chit' iongantas mor, Gum bu mhacanaibh og' Na seann daoine, 'S na sgiiotachain mhios' 'Dol 'n airdead 's am miad. 'S bliiodh iad aithghearr aig linn An leanabalachd; 'S gach bean dba'm bu trie Clann nighean mar shlioc, Gum biodh aca mic Gu toirbheartach. Mar nach d'fhas e 'nad dheidh An airdead no 'm meud, 'S ro mhath chinneadh am feur 'S na garbh-chriochaibh. 'S bulionmhor na feidh Nam frìtheanaibh fein 'Dh-aindheoin tapachd is trèinid Shealgairean. Dheanadh raachairis coill Gair lachainn ri d' chloinn, 'Stu 'thigh'nn dachaidh fo staoileadh Ainmealachd Tha mi guidhe gu dur Air an Ti 'th' air an stiuir 100 'Ur cur sabhailt' o'n chunnart Chaillteaeh so, Gu cala gun ghuais, Gun bhairlinn, gun stuadh, Gun trioblaid, gun luasgan Iiaimhrige, Gu tearuinteaehd nòis Gun uireasbhuidh gleoia, Far nach tuairg'neadh an ròd No 'n t-anfhadh sibh. 'N sìn bu mhire mi-fhin Na caitean beag mios', Nam faicinn gum b'fhior sgeul Dearbhte sin. Tairgineachd, prediction. Guais, danger. Laimhrig, a landing-place, a wharf. Stap, a step. Drap, a drop. Rod, sea-weed. Nan Digeadh Sir Iain. Oran a rinn am Bard nuair a chual e gun robh Sir Iain MacGilleain an Sasunn, . LUINNEAG. Nan digeadh, nan digeadh, Nan digeadh do sgeul, 'S gum faodainn 'bhith cinnteach As na dh' innseadh dhomh 'n de, Gun tilginn as m' fhochair An cochull gun fheum, 'S gum faicteadh mi fhathast Air atharrach gleus'. Nan digeadh Sir Iain Mo chridhe 's mo chleibh, Gum b'eibhinn ar n-aigneadh, 101 Mar bhradan a leum. Thogadh cridhe do inhulnntreach 'Tha 'n cunnart dol eug, 'S gun digeadh do m' ionnsuidhs' Mo shugradh beag fein. Do chinneadh 's do dhualchas 'Bha cruadalach treun, 'S bu mhath an Raon-Ruairidh Mu d'ghuailnibh 's an fheum, Tha 'nis 'nam fath truaighe, Marchuagair' tha 'm beus; Oed gheibh iad am bualadh Cha gbluais iad am beul. Ged tha sinn fo dhochair, Mar mholtaibli mu chrò, Aig naimhdean fo bhaoghal 'Toirt duinn faobhar ar beòin, 'S luchd-spuillidh ri tair oirnn Mar thraill na spàin bhrog, Cha'n aithnicht' an teas la sinn Aig airdead ar croic'. An ealta ro ghleusd' An robh eifeachd gu leoir, 'Bhuidh'neadh geall air gach tulaich. Far an cruinnicheadh eoin, Le'n itean còrr sgeithe, Le'n treine 's le 'n treoir, Cha 'n fhearr iad air coinnimh Na cromanan-lòin. Nan tilleadh a chuibhle S gun iompadh i deiseil 'N taobh deas mar bu choir, 'S iomadh neach tha fo mhùiseag, 'S a cheann lùbte 'na sgròb, 'Chuireadh bailc air a chasaibh An taisbeanadh shron.  a gabhaibh iomadaidh sannta Air 'bhith Galita bhon dh' fheudas, 128 'S na biodh bhur dùil ris gach seorsa 'Bhios air bhordaibh Dhuneideann. Ma bhios bias meal' air gach aon mhir, Is gach aon deoch d'a reir sin, 'S gann nach faicear gun toghaidh Gum bi 'n t ogha air ann deiric. It is almost certain that the poet meant by Bard Ruadh Thota-Raonaill is Lachainn Mac-Mhic-Iain. This makes it probable that Lachainn Mac-Mhic-Iain was a son of John Roy of Totaranald, sec- ond son of John Garbh, eighth of Coll. Oran Do dh-Fheak Thalasgaie. Air sgèith na maidne 's luaithe, Gu tuath thoir mo bheannachd bhuam A dh-ionnsuidh 'n fhir nach fuath leam Gu 'uaisle, Fear Thalasgair, 'S e mheudaich dhomh mo ghradh ort Do ghnaths 'dhol ri t' ath'realachd; 'S gum faic do mhuinntir fein, Ann am dheidh-s', thu bhith maireannach, Gheibht' a t' f hardaich mùirn is manran 'S piob da laimh gu callanach ; Flath is feusda 's ol d'a reir sin Aig luchd feum' is aithnichean. Bhiodh gleadhraich stop ri lionadh chorn Is fion ga ol a searragaibh ; Re seal duinn air a ghleus sin 129 Bhìodh dith ceill air fear-eiginn. Bhiomaid mar sud, bhiomaid mar sud, Bhiomaid mar sud is deimhinn learn; Ag ol gu trie, ag ol gu tiic Gun ol, gun mhisg, gun mhearaichinn Gun sgainneal bhreug ga chur an geill, Gun chomradh breun no balachail; 'S bu trie a liubhairt phog iad Le ro ghradh 's le carthannacbd. Fhuair thu ragha ceile Do d' reir fein 's gur math leam sin; Anns a bheil beachd is geire Le cèill is le banalachd. Cha dean mi facal breigp, B' e m' eudach is m' anart i; Is fhad 's a rinn mi cuairt leat A grnaman cha d' fhairich mi. Gu bheil thu glic air iomad beachd, Cha'n fhaod mi mheas gur amaid thu; Tha thu baigheil, caoimhneil, cairdeil, Tlusmhor, daimheil, carthannach. Beud no loctad cha'n aiream ort, 'S gur airidh bhoch is bheannachd thu; 'S gur cridheil ri am feum' thu Gu feusd' thoirt do dh-aithnichean. Bhiomaid mar sud, etc. Tha mulad mor no dha orm, Tha f àth dhomh 'bhith gearanach ; Tha mi gun long, gun bhàta, Gun ardraich bheir thairis mi. Nam biodh a chuis mar b' fhearr leam 'S ron I'tiur 'san kit 'bu mhath leam 'bhith, Gum iaicinn bho thrath nòna An Domhnall sin 's leannan dhomh. Is ann san am 's an ruiginn thall Gun cuirinn geall 's cha chaillinn e, Nuair rachainn suas do 'n t-seombar uachd- rach 130 An deidh fuachd is allabain, Gun d' thoirteadh lamh air botull Ian A dh' fhagadh blath gn h-ealamh mi; Cha'n fhaicteadk neach fo mhuig Ad taigh muirneach Fear Thalasgair. Bhiomaid mar sud, etc. Dh' fhag mi anns an kite sin Plannta de leanabh beag; S gur trie a's smaointinn broin dhomh A ghloir an km deaiachadh. Mur h-lheil breug 'nam fhaistneachd Bidh pairtean a sheanar ann; 'S ma 's a duine beo e M 'n seol sin fear ainneamh dheth. Tha uaisle 'bheus a cur an gèill Gar cruineachd dèise ro mhath e, Gun robh a sheors' fo mheas ro mhor 'S gach aite coir 'am fanadh iad, Nuair 'bba iad thall an cùirfc na Frainge Ann an am na carraide; '3 dhearbh iad do righ Teaiiach An gradh nuair a lean iad e. Bhiomaid mar sud, etc. Airidh bhoch, a person worthy of a joyful welcome. Sir Roderick Macleod, first of Talisker, fought in behalf of Charles II., at the battle of Worcester in 1651. He was succeeded by his son John, and John by his son Donald. Donald, third of Talis- ker, married Christina, second daughter of John Macleod, second of Bernera and first of Contullich. He is the Fear 131 Thai isgair of the poem. John, his eldest son and successor, was born in 1718, and is probably the leanabh beag referred to. Siol Olaghair. 'Shil Olaghair gun ainnis, B' aim d' ur cliu 's d' ur deagh alia 'Bhith caoimhneil d' ur caraid 'S bhith arrant' ri 'r fuathaibh. Thng na h-uaislean so 'dhealaich rium Aithn' agus earail dkomh Mi 'dh-iomchar am beannachd Gu'r bannal 's gu'r n-uaislibh. Gun robh e orr' aithnicht' Mheud 'sa fhuair iad de'r carthannaclid, 'Reir cleachdadh nan sean daoine Ceanalt' mu'n cualas. Ged tha na brait ùra Ro sgiarahacb le suilibh, 'S e 'm brat air a chhiiadh 'Bheir dubhlan do'n fhuachd duinn. Fhuair mise seol ainneamh Gu giulan am beannachd A dh-ionnsuidh an leannan, Ge tamull leo uath iad; Gu comunn gun aineolas, Caoimhneasach, carthannach, Gun fhochaid, gun fhanaid, Gun charraid, gun tuasaid. Tha sean-fhacal laghach 'Thuirt na daoine gu seaghach, Nach facas riamh meadhail 'Na deaghaidh gun ghruaman ; Cainnt eile cho flor ris, 132 Is dh'fhaithrich mi fhin e, Nach b'e 'n rathad gu cinneachduinn An imric ro uaibhreach. Nuair 'thainig mi dhachaidh, 'S rinn mi caileiginn stada, B' fhkth ionndrainn do m' phearsa Gach cleachdadh a fnuair mi, Na bha mi a seachnadh De shaibhreas 'ur pailtis Bba mi 'g ordacbadb agam Gach maduinn 'n am gluasad; 'S mi ri cknran gun chaidreàmh Ri ceile nio leapa, 'Cur an geill gur li-e staid-se Thug dhachaidh mi uatha, 'S nam bithinn air fuireach Leis na fhuair mi de chuireadh Gum bithinn gun mhulad, Gun uireasbhuidh fhuathaich. Nam biodh feum anns na beannachdan 'S gum fuasg'leadh iad fearann 'S ann a chuirinn gu deamhainn Le dealas gu tuath iad. Bheirinn àithn' aerus earail daibh Tadhal an Talasgair Aig 'n fhear 'chomhnadh mi 'm ainnis Gu carthannach, uasal. 'S an ceile tha maille ria 'S beus d'i 'bhith mathasach, 'S feile na mala, Cha 'n aithne dh'i gruaman. Gur h-alainn 'na bail' i, Le surd is le aealas, 'Thoirt feusda gun ainnis Do luchd ealain is cuairte. Siol Olaghair, the descendants of Olafr or Olave, the Macleods. 133 Eachdraidh Thuatha de Danann. According to the legendary history of Ireland, the first people that settled in that country came from Greece. They were under a leader named Partholan. They had three druids among them : Fios, Eolas and Fochmarc, or Intelli- gence, Knowledge and Enquiry. The Partholanian colony was almost wholly destroyed by a pestilence. The second people that settled in Ireland came from Scythia. The name of their leader was Nemid or Nemidius. They were of the race of Magog, son of Japhet. They suffered terribly from the attacks of sea robbers, called Fomorians. The greater part of them left the country. Simeon Breac and his clan went to Thrace, Beothach and his clan went to Greece, and Britan Maol and his clan went to the Island of Mona or Anglesea. The third people that settled in Ireland were the Fir-Bolgs. They were descended from Simeon Breac and his followers. They ruled over the country thirty-six years. The fourth people that settled in Ireland were the Tuatha De Danann. .They were descended from Beothach and his followers. They wandered from (R) 134 Greece to Germany, from Germany to Scandinavia, from Scandinavia to Scot- land, and from Scotland to Ireland. They were necromancers. They could raise storms, heal the sick and restore the dead to life. They had four talismanic articles of wondrous powers with them, namely, the Lia-fail or stone of Destiny, Lugaidh's sword and spear, and the cal- dron of their king, the Dagda Mor. They conquered theFir-Bolgs, Fomorians and other inhabitants of Ireland with- out much difficulty. They ruled over the country about one hundred and ninety - seven years. The fifth and last people that settled in Ireland, previous to the beginning of the Chris- tian era, were the Milesians or Gaidels. They are descended from Gaidheal Glas, or Gathelus. Fenius Farsa, King of Scythia, was an eminent patron of learn- ing. His second son, Niul, was the most accomplished scholar of his day. This Niul, who was married to Scota, a daughter of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, was the father of Gaidheal Glas. The descendants of Gaidheal Glas went from Egypt to Crete, and thence to Scythia. They finally settled in Spain. Their most renowned hero was Milidh or 135 Milesius, who ruled over the greater part of Spain. It was under the leader- ship of the sons of this Milidh that the Gaidels went to Ireland. The following account of the landing of the Milesians in Ireland, of the manner in which they obtained possession of the country, and of the vengeance taken upon them by the Tuatha De Danann, is by Iain Mac Ailein, the poet : Thainig Clanna Milidh as an Spain do dh-Eirinn, rioghachd a bha fo gheasaibh. Air do sgioba naoi longan diu teachd gu tir chruinnich sluagh na duthcha, do 'm b' ainm Tuatha De Danann, gu comh- dhail a thabhairt daibh. Thubhairt iad ri Clanna Milidh nach robh annta ach gealtairean agus baoth- oglaichean a thaobh is gun dainig iad air tir gun fhios. Fhreagair Clanna Milidh, gun digeadh iad air tir le fios daibh. Thubhairt Tuath De Danann iad a dhol 'nan loingeas, agus naoi tonnan a chur eadar iad agus tir, agus nan digeadh iad air tir an deidh sin gum faigheadh iad leth Eirinn gun tuill- eadh cogaidh. An deidh do Chlanna Milidh so a dheanamh thugadh Eirinn as am fradhare le druidheachd Thuatha De Danainn air achd's nach robh iad a faicinn ach aon ghroban creige ann an dealbh 136 muice, ni a dh' aobharaich gun goirear de dh-Eirinn Muc-Innis. Bha am measg Clanna Milidh druidh, a bha na dheagh dhuine ealain. Thubhairt e-san riufha nach robh iad ach amaideach do bhrigh is nach robh iad a tabhairt fainear gur h-ann ri luchd-druidheachd a bha 'n gnothach ; gum b'i a chreag a bha iad a faicinn Eirinn, agus ge b'e a bhiodh an sin gum biodh e an Eirinn. Leig Clanna Milidh an sin uchd nan naoi longan ris a chreig, mu'n robh stuadhau awabarrach a bristeadh. Bhathadh seiseirde 'n cinn- iuil, air chor is nach deachaidh air tir ach a triuir dhiu. B'e ainm nan triuir Eremhon, Eibher Fionn, agus Colpa 'Chlaidhibh. Thagair CJanna Milidh a nis an cumhnant air Tuath De Danann. Dh'aontaich Tuath De Danann leth Eirinn a thabhairt daibh, ach ceannas na duthcha uile a bhith aca fein. Cha doireadh Clanna Milidh so dhaibh, agus mar sin thoisich an cogadh. Thubhairt an druidh a bha maille ri Clann Milidh gum bu ghorach dhaibh a dhol a chogadh ri luchd-druidheachd ; gum b' i a chomh- airle-san dhaibh iad a bhith oidhche 's an aon bhaile ri Tuath De Danann, agus iad a dh'fhaotuinn mar gheasaihh do- fhuasgladh orra, gun leigeadh iad breith 137 na cuise a dh-ionnsuidh a cheud fhir a thachradh orra an deidh dhaibh falbh le 'cheile as a bhaile sin. Rinneadh so. Air do Chlanna Milidh agns do Thuath De Danann falbh as a bhaile, 'se a cheud duine a thachair orra an druidh. Thubh- airt Aonghus Mac an Daogha, righ Thuatha De Danann, ris, "S mora tha agadsa ri 'dheanamh an diugh, a dheagh fhir ealain." " Ciod a tha agam ri 'dheanamh an diugh?" ars an druidh, "ach falbh le m' chruit 'dh' fheuch co a 's fearr a bheir duais dhomh airson mo chiuil." " Thabarrachd is sin agad ri 'dheanamh " ars' Aonghus ; " tha agad ri Eirinn a roinn na da leth." Nam biodh sibh air gach taobh toileach, ars' an druidh, dheanainn-sa an ni a tha sibh ag iarraidh a dh-aon fhacal. Dh'innis iad dha gun robh iad toileach. An sin thubhairt an druidh is e t,o mo bhreitheanas-sa : " Bhon a bha 'n leth os cionn talaimh de dh-Eirinn agaibh-se, a Thuatha De Danann, o chionn greise, agus gur luchd- druidheachd sibh, bithidh an nis an leth a tha fo'n talamh agaibh, agus an leth os cionn talaimh aig Clanna Milidh ; agus dhuitsa, Aonghuis Mhic-an-Daogha, bhon is tu righ Thuatha De Danann, tha mi ag ordachadh a bhrugh a's fearr a tha 'n 138 Eirinn, brugh barraghealna Boinne, agus a thaobh chaich biodh gach neach a faigh- inn bruighne dha fein. An sin chruinn ich Tuath De Danann a dh-fheuchainn ciamar a dhioladh iad iad-fein air Clanna Milidh. Thubhairt Aonghus Mac-an- Daogha gun dioladh mar a b' abhaist daibh, le druidheachd agus le eadar- mhanadh ; gun rachadh iad an riochd dheochannan laidir a bhiodh a cur dith ceille agus call codach air Clanna Milidh anns gach aite 's an tachradh iad riutha ; gun gabhadh e-san air fein a bhith 'n riochd fiona 's an Spain bhon is ann as a sin a thainig Clanna Milidh ; agus gum biodh Cliodhna nighean Mhan- annain, a bhanruinn, lamh ris ann an riochd branndaidh 's an Fhraing. Ohaidh comhairle an righ a ghabhail. Thainig triuir mhacEarmuinn Mhoir do dh-Alba. Chuir an ceud fhear e-fein ann riochd uisge-beatha Ghlaschu ; chuir an darna fear e-fein ann an riochd uisge-beatha Rois Chlann Ghill-Anndrais ; agus chuir an treas fear e-fein ann an riochd uisge- beatha Fhioghabhaidh, ris an abrar a nis Tirithe. Tha sliochd Earmuinn Mhoir an Alb- ainn gus an latha an diugh. Sloinnear 139 na cinn-fheadhna a thainig bhuaithe mar so : — Ghin Earmunn Mor Ruaimle, Aodh, agus Fiachraidh. Ghin Ruaimle Glas- rach, ghin Glasrach Siream-Suain, ghin Siream-Suain Bristeadh - Spuaice, ghin Bristeadh-Spuaice Streup-ri-Uaisle, ghin Streup-ri-Uaisle Milleadh-Bracha, ghin Milleadh-Bracha Casgairt, agus ghin Cas- gairt Lag-a-Oheobain. Ghin Aodh Aig- neadh Corrach, ghin Aigneadh-Corrach Sruladh - Sporan, ghin Sruiadh - Sporan Milleadh-Tanach, agus ghin Milleadh- Tanach Cas air Braghad. Gain Fiach- raidh Blialum - Blialum, ghin Blialum- Blialum Seasamh-Miapaidh, ghin Seas- amh-Miapaidh Lamh air-Sgeanaibh, ghin Lamh air-Sgeanaibh Daor-ri-Cheannach, agus ghin Daor-ri-Cheannach Garbh-na- Nollaig. Fogradh Thuatha r> e Danann. Fògradh Thuatha De Danann A crich an ceannais, a Fòdhla; 'tì ann de chruadhas an sgeula A bhith a Eirinn gam fògradh. Chaidh Aonghua og Mac-an-Daogha, Na fhion hraonach 'chum tàladh, Gu oighreachd a bhuannachd An crich uasail na Spàine. 140 Do chaidh Manannain neartmhor Do chrich bheairtich na Frainge, 'S rinn deoch bhrioghmhor do Chliodhna Do'n ainm staoilidh a bhranndaidh, Chaidh triuir mhac Earmuinn Mhoir A criochaibh Fhòdhla do dh-Alba, Gu 'bhith dioghailt a 'm fògradh Air sliochd Scòta nan garbh-ehath. Toiseach suidhe do Ruaimle An cois Chluaidhe aig Glàschu, Air an dig sliochd raatharach Leis am buairear na claignean. Do chaidh Aodh am measg thuathach Do Ros shuas Chloinn GhilP-Anndrais; Leis an t-sliochd a thig bhuaithe Fagar uaislean gle mheanmnach. An deidh sin do chaidh Fiachraidh Do 'n airde 'n iar a chrich Fhioghabhaidh : 'S tha 'shliochd aig tobar Bafanaid 'Nan cuis chànrain is iorghuill. Na tri fineacban lòghmhor s' 'S tearc 's an Eorpa 'tha 'n samhailt; Ni iad bog an ti 's cruaidhe 'S ni iad cruaidh am fear sleamhuinn. Ni iad cas am fear ciallach, 'S ni iad flat am fear nàrach; Ni iad neo-shanntach acrach, 'S ni iad lag am fear laidir. Bheir iad cruadal do 'n ghealtair, 'S bheir iad beairtea3 do 'n daibhear; Bheir iad fionnfhuachd gu sò-ghradh, 'S bheir iad comhradh 'n fhear shàmhach. 141 Bheir iad gruaim bharr a mbuigein, 'S ni iad sunndach fear tosdach. 'Sin na buadhannan falaich 'Th' air Tuatli De Danann mar choltas. Geas, a charm, a spell. Fo gheasaibli, under spells. Fòdhla, an ancient name of Ireland. Cluaidh, the river Clyde. Ruatharach, making a sudden or violent attack. Eadar-mhanadh, enchantment. Cath Alphuirt. Sir Colin Campbell of Ardkinglass, Sheriff-depute of Argyle, sent James Campbell of Stoneiield, Sheriff substi- tute, to hold a court of justice at Aros in Mull. The court lasted about six weeks. All the neighboring gentlemen were present. According to the poet, Sir Colin Camp- bell, as king and commander-in-chief of the fair Gaidels, sent James Campbell to A.ros, the Alfort of the poem, to fight against the Tautha De Danann. General James had for his principal officers Cor- mac Saor-chridheach or Murdoch og Mac- laine of Lochbuy, An Donn Dochaisg or Donald Maclean of Coll, lollain (s) 142 Iomsgaoilteach or Maclean of Brolas, Eochaidh Amhuilteach or Cameron of Glendessary, Doidim Dana or Maclean of Ardgour, Laogh righ Lore or Mac- qaarrie of Ulva, an sonn bho Dhun- Amhlaidh or Lachlan Maclean of Calgary, Domhnall Deonach, and Cailein Sochair. He destroyed all the Tuatha De Danann in Mull. The following notes explain the origin of the battle of Alfort and the tight at Dun Dubh-linn : " 'S e 's mathair-aobhair do chath Al- phuirt gun dainig Seumas Cairabeul, fear Achanaclaiche, na fhear-ionaid Siorraim, a chumail moid an Aros am Muile. Bha a h-uile duine eadar ceann Loch-Iall agus Barradhubh h-Aidhnis an Tirithe ri freagairt aig a mhod so. Chumadh e re shia seachduinnean, agus rinneadh ol cho mor aige's a bha ri cuimhne dhaoine anns na h-aiteachaibh so." " An deidh do dh - Fhear Achana- claiche Aros fhagail thachair oifigich a ghearasdain air aig Dubhairt agus chum iad e comhla riutha. Thug e-fein 's iad- fein tri lathan air an ol. 'S ann ri caisteal Dhubhairt a tha 'm bard ag radh Dun Dubhllnn." Air mothachadh do righ Fionn-Ghaidh- 143 eal do 'n chron 's do 'n chall a bha Tuath De Danann a deanamh air muinntir a rioghachd,chuire am mach aonde'ridiribh do 'm b' aintn Seanailear Seumas, a dh'- iarraidh air uaislean na h-airde 'n iar eirigh leis a chur as do Thuatha De Danann. Rinn iad aite coinnimh agus comhlachaidh an Alphort 'san Dreallainn. B'e Borb righ Bhioghabhaidh, aon de dh-uaislean na Dreallainn, bu riaghladair anns an aite sin. Ghabh e Tuath De Danann air iochd agus air ineach gu gleidheadh agus tearraad a dheanamh orra. Air do na h-uaislean cruinneachadh, thubhairt Seanailear Seumas riutha gum feumadh iad a thabhairt faineargur h-ann ri luchd-druidheachd a bha an gnothach, agus gun leigeadh leotha am mealladh. Dh'aithn e dhaibh gearasdan a thogail eadar iadsan agus iad-fein. Thubhairt e cuideachd nach b' aithne dha co d'an digeadh e a dhol a chumail faire air a cheud oidhche. Fhreagair na h-uaislean a bha fotha e ag radh bho nach robh ard- righ na Dreallainn aig baile gur h-e Cormac Saor-chridheach na Maighe fear ionaid a b'fhaisge dha, agus gun deanadh e deagh fhear-faire. Thugadh an sin aithne dha faire a chumail air an oidhche sin. Thubhairt Seanailear Seumas, tha 144 iad ag radh gu bheil iad-san ris a bheil ar gnothach nan luchd - cuideachd math ; ciod bu mhisde sinn caiptin agus bratach de shliochd Lag-a-Cheobain 'fhaotuinn maille-ruinn '? Chomh-aontaich na h-uais- lean uile leis. Chuireadh gu grad iarrtas gu riaghladair Alphuirb e a chur caiptin agus brataich de shliochd Lag-a-Cheobain g'an ionnsuidh. Gheall iad dha gum paigheadh iad 's a mhaduinn eirig gach aoin nach rachadh dachaidh dhiu. Thainig na chuir iad a dh-iarraidh de Thuath De Danann, 's thug iad Ian thoileachadh inntinn do na h-uaislean le feabhas am fearas-chuideachd. Nuair a chunnaic Seanailear Seumas so thubhairt e, cha mhath dhuinn Cormac Saor-chridheach a bhith bhuainn. Chuir e tìos air agus dh' fhaighneachd e dheth an robh aon aige >na bhrataich ris an earbadh e an fhairc fhad 's a bhiodh e-fein a gabhail greis de chuideachd Thuatha De Danann. Fhreagair e-san gun robh aon aige nach d' rinn mealladh riamh air, a Thoil Fein. Dh'-fhag e an toil ri faire, agus chaidh e-fein a ghabhail aighear Thuath De Danann. Cha robh aon de dh-uaislibh na h-airde 'n iar nach robh bratach de dhilsean^fein aige ga dhion 's ga theas- ruiginn bho Thuath De Danann ; gi 145 dheadh fhuair Tuath De Danann a staigh orra. Nuair a dh'iarradh iad ciall 's e 'gheibheadh iad michiall, nuair a dh'iarr- adh iad cuimhne 's e 'gheibheadh iad di-chuimhne, nuair ■ a dh' iarradh iad briathran glice 's e 'gheibheadh iad briathran amaideach, agus nuair a dh'iarradh iad neart 's e 'gheibheadh iad laigse. Mar so dh'aithnich iad nach h-i am muinntir fein a bha aca. Fhuair Tuath De Danann an gearasdan fopa fein an oidhche sin. Moch 'sa mhaduinn thainig fear de a bhrataich, d'am b'ainm Cuimhne, gu Cormac Saor-chridheach, agus thubhairt e ris gun do ghlacadh an gearasdan an raoir le droch fhurachras agus gun robh e gu beul an latha gu buileach fo chumhachd an naimhdean. Ach, ars' e-san, tha Tuath De Danann an drasd air tuiteam gu neo-ni ; tha iad gan nigheadh fein le 'n eadar-mhanadh ann am pigeachan creadha ■ agus ma bhitheas sinn tapaidh faodaidh sinn an tilgeadh am mach thar baidealan a bhaile. Rinneadh so mar leasachadh airna thachair. Nuair a dh'innseadh gach ni do Sheanailear Seumas thug e maitheanas do Chormac Saor-chridheach 'na f hailinn airson a thap- achd mu dheireadh. Mhol Seanailear Seumas a n fhearaschuid- 146 eachd a rinn Tuath De Danann daibh air an oidhche a chaidh seachad. Thubh- airt e gun robh dream eile dhiu, Stiochd Chois'-air Bhraghad a b'fhearr gu mor gu fearas-chuideachd na Sliochd Lag-a- Cheobain. Chomh-aontaich na h-uais- lean gun cuirteadh fios air Caiptin agus brataich dhiu. 'S ann air an Donn Do- chaisg, righ nan Colach, a thainig an dor- saireachd air an oidhche so. Chuir e-san na aite fein ris an dorsaireachd a Mhiann- an, agus chaidh e-fein a ghabhail aighear Thuatha De Danann. Ged a bha sliochd Lag-a-Cheobain math, cha robh cleasachd cheart ann gus an nis. Chuir sliochd Chois'-air Bhraghad cuid a ghal, cuid a ghaireachdainn, cuid a leum, 's cuid a chadal le 'n druidheachd 's le 'n eadar- mhanadh. Co a thainig a dh-ionnsuidh an dorvu^ ma mheadhon oidhche ach Tuath De Danann ! Leis an eolas a bha aca-fein agu» Mian nan an Donn Dochaisg air a cheile tuite arann an cudrom gaoil air gach taobh. Fhuair tuilleadh de Thuath De Danann a staigh na fhuair a staigh a cheud oidhche. Dh'fhaithrich an Seanailear agus na h-uaislean am brataich- ean fhein gan tabhairt bhuapa, agus Tuath De Danann a teachd 'nan aite. Nuair a bha an Seanailear a dol a thabh- 147 airt acbmhasain do 'n Donn Dochaisg thubhairt an Donn Dochaisg ris gun robh eolas aig Tuath De Danann air a mhiannaibh-san, agus gun robh gealladh aca orra nach biodh iad mu am fogradh bho aite 's am bith anns am bitheadh iad. Nuair a chual an Seanail- ear so thug e maitheanas da. Air an treas oidhche thug Seanailear Seumas taing do wa-h-uaislean airson mar bha iad a cur as do Thuath De Danann ; ach, ars' e-san, tha dream ro bhorb ann diu fhathast Garbh-na-Nollaig. Chuir- eadh fios air caiptin agus air brataich dhiu. Thainig iad gun dail, agus rinn iad a chleasachd a b' aigeannaiche a chual- as riamh. Thubhairt an Seanailear gum bu choir an geard a dhublachadh. Chaidh Doidim Dan, righ na Foraise Bige, agus Eochaidh Amhuilteach o'n Iospairn a chumail faire an oidhche sin. Chuir Doidim Dan Misneach 'na aite fein, agus Eochaidh Gliocas, agus bha an dorsair- eachd a dol leotha gu math. Nuair a chunnaic Cormac Saor-chridheach agus an Donn Dochaisg mar a bha iad a faighinn air aghaidh thubhairt iad gum bu mhas- ladh dhaibh-san an dorsaireachd a dhol leotha so 's gun i'dhol leotha fein, agus thigear agus cuirear ceangal nan tri chaol 148 air na dorsairibh 's leigeara staigh sliochd Gharbh-na-Nollaig mar a thogradh iad tighinn. Ann an uine ghoirid chuireadh an seanailear agus na h-uaislean gu h-iom- lan air ruaig do 'n t-Suain. Nuair a fhuaradh air ais o'n t-Suain iad thainig Borb righ Bhioghabhaidh a thagairt eirig Thuatha De Danann bho nach robh a h-aon alathair diu. Fhuair e sin. Chuir Seanailear Seumas air fhacal e nach robh a h-aon diu am falach aige. Thubhairt e nach robh innse-sgeoil no tuairisgeul ri 'fhaotuinn orra anns a bhaile. Ghabh Seanailear Seumas an nis cead de dh-uais- libh na h-airde 'n iar agus ghluais e gu dhol dachaidh. Air a thuras da thachair riaghladair Dhun Dubh-linn ris agus dh'- innis e dha gun robh bratach no dha de shliochd Thuatha De Danann a staigh aige-san, agus mur cuirteadh as daibh gum faodadh iad siolachadh 's an riogh- achd. Chaidh e staigh gun chuideachadh ach a gheard, agus b'e sin latha cho teth 's a fhuair e re a thurais, ach bhuadh- aich e. Nuair a chaidh Seanailear Seumas dachaidh thug e Ian chunntas mu 'thuras agus mu 'shoirbheachadh do Shir Cailsin, an t ard sheanailear. Gheibhear an cunntas sin anns na rannan a'leanas : — 149 SEUMAS. Failt ort, a Shir Caileiii reachdmhor, Saoidh oa fèile; Fear ionadais righ nan Gaidheal, Triath dha'n geilleani. SIR CAILEIN. An t-aon ceudna dhuit-sa, Sheumais, An deidh do chomhraig ; Feuch gun robh do thuras buadhach An tir na Dreallainn. SEUMAS. Buadhach mo thuras ri aithri-*, Ghlaodh mi siochaint Eadar ard Thuath Oe Danana 'S Clanna Milidh. SIR CAILEIN. Gach lamh 'bu. chruaidhe 's an iorghuill, Dean dhomh aithris, Chum 's nach bi an duais a's miosa Aig an t-sluagh bu bhraise. SEUMAS. Mar fhuaitn chruit fo aon ghutn teud Le ceol labhar, Sin mar bhiodh an stoirm le 'cheiP Gu borb 'cur catha. SIR CAILEIN. Air gradh t' einich ianis, a Sheumais. Air snas firinn', Cia gach neach 'bu chruaidhe lamh An àr nam miltean. SEUMAS. Cormac Saor-chridheach na Maighe, Le sar dhichioll, (T) 150 Mharbhadh leis-san cle shliochd Ruaimle Tuairmeas mile. An Donn Dochaisg anns an iorghuill Bu gharbh doinionn; Chuir e as do dh-fhine Fhiachraidh, 'S flach e 'mholadh. Iollain Ionisgaoilteach sin eile; Mac righ Dreallainn, Mharbh e ceud gach la catha, S e-fein an comhlan. Eochaidh Amhuilteach o'n Iospairn, 'S Doidim dana, Chuir iad as do dh-fhine lionmhoir Chois' air-Bhraghad. Laogh righ Lore, righ nan abheaid Fhuair e tàirann; Mharbhadh leis bratach no dha Air Milleadh Tànach. An sonn solta bho Dhùn Amhlaidh Le 'lainn ullaimh, 'S trie a thug e 'Thuath De Danann Cath no cuniasg. Mac-Aisgibhir, Domhnall Deonach, Connspunn eile, Gheibhteadh 's gach cearn de'n chruaidh chomhrag Stoirm a lainne. Cailein Sochair a Port Onaghaill, 'B ann de'chleachdadh 'Bhith 'na namhaid do ahlioehd Ruainile Ri uair aisig. Cha robh dhomhsa an Cath Alphuirt Cas no cuianart 151 Seach an deannal a thug each dhomh A if lar Dun Dubhlinn. 'S deagh sheirbheisich Tuath De Danann, Ealamh cùirteil, Ach mar mhaighstirean tha iad suarach, Buailteach, bruiteach. Ma thogas iad, a Chailein reachdmhoir, Ceann an dèidh so, So mo lamb, gum faigh sinn seol Gum fogradh 'dh-Eirinn. Ineach, hospitality, generosity. Na tri caoil, the neck, the wrist and the ankles. Eineach, a good name, bounty, generosity. Comhlan, a hero. Abhcaid, a jest. 152 Crosanachd Fhirnan Drimnean. Tha bith ur an tir na Dreallainn, 'S coir dhuinn aisneis; Tha moran deth 'tigh 'nn am bitheant'. Ri gnaths Shasuinn. Ni bheil duin' nasal no iosal, No fear fearainn, Leis nach b'aill, gu moran buinig, Ceird a bharrachd. Tha ceird ur aig Pear nan Drimnean 'Th' air leinn cronail; B'aill leis fein a dhol an aite Mhaighstir-sgoile ; An t-oide sin fein a rinn fhoghlum Le gloir Laidinn, Ghlacadh leis, gun chead a chairdean, 'Cheird a bh'aige. 'Se 'n t-aobhar a thug do dhaoine aire a thoirt do shannt an sgoileir so, an uair a rahiannaich e a cheird a bha aig oide- foghluim, naeh laimhsicheadh e i mar laimhsicheadh an t-oide-foghluim i ; oir, an uair a ghabhadh an t-oide-foghluim air a dhaltachan 's ann a ghabhadh e air na leanabanan, ach 's ann a ghabhadh an sgoileir sanntach so air na daoine arsaidh ; agus an uair a ghabhadh an t-oide-fogh- luim air a dhaltachan *s ann a ghabhadh e air na ciontaich, ach is ann a ghabhadh an sgoileir sanntach so air na neo-chiont- aich. Is ann uaithe sin a dubhradh, — " Saoilidh am fear a bhios na thamh gur 153 h-e e-fein a's fhear lamh air an stiuir ; " ach cha mho gur h-e. Cha'n iounsaich e clann no leanabain, Mar bu choir dha, Gus am bi iad nan claoin' arsaidh Fo 'n Ian fheosaig. Cha dugadh an Cill-ma-Cheallaig Breith 'bu chlaoine Na 'n ni rinn an ceann a b' airde 'M mas ga dhioladh. Gabhail le crios as aois arsaidh Air mas sean-duin', 'S fada mu'n iounsaich an gniomh sin Ciall do theanga. Ge b'e labhras ris an fhear ud Còir no eucoir, Gabhar air a ghiort le stràcaibh De chrios lèiridh. Agus b'fhior do'n duine sin. Cha d' fhuaradh riamh rud, a dh'ionnsachadh teanga droeh mhuinte, 'bu mheasa na gabhail ùr na masaibh ann an aobhar na teanga, agus an teanga bhith tuigsinn gur h-ann 'na h-aobhar-se e fhuair am mas am mor ghleusadh sin. Mur deanadh sin a ciall na bu mheasa cha dheanadh e idir na b'fhearr e. Uaithe sin a dubhradh, — "Am fear nach ionnsaich lamh-ri glun cha 'n ionnsaich lamh-ri uileann." Crosanachd, a poem in which two or more persons are represented as speaking. Bith, custom habit. Aisneis, aithris, to relate, to make known. Arsaidh, old. Giort, buttocks. Lèireadh, inflicting pain. 154 This poem is published in "The High- land Bards " by the Stewarts, where it is correctly ascribed to Iain Mac Ailein. It appears in Sar-Obair nam Bard, but is incorrectly ascribed to Iain Dubh Mac Iain mhic Ailein. Bha Tearlach Mac-Gilleain, Fear nan Drimnean greis air luing-chogaidh ann an laithibh oige. Bha e 'na dhuine crosda. Chuir e am maighstir-sgoile a bha aige 'na theaghlach uair adh'iarraidh paidhir bhrog air a ghreusaiche. Thuirt an greusaiche ris nach deach a phaigheadh airson nam brogan mu dheireadh a rinn e dha. Dh'- innis am maighstir-sgoile so dha. Thu g e am maighstir-sgoile leis, agus dh'fhalbh e far an robh an greusaiche. Mhionnaich is bhoidich an greusaiche nach dubhairt e riamh an ni a bha am maighstir-sgoile a cur air. Chreid fear nan Drimnean e. Rug e air a mhaighstir-sgoile, thog e am feileadh-beag aige, agus ghabh e air le crios a ghreusaiche. Bha an " cion- tach sabhailte, ach an neochiontach bu chraiteach e." Bhuail fear nan Drimnean uair eile dorn air Mac-Leoid air sraid Dhuneideann. Ged a bha Tearlach nan Drimnean cho crosda agus a bha e, bha e na dhuine meas- ail. Thuit e ann am blar Chuil-Fhodair 155 a cogadh air taobh Thearlaich. Anns an leabhar thaitneach sin, Eachdraidh a Phrionnsa le Iain Mac-Uoinnich, tha an t-iomradh a leanas againn air a bhas: — "Nuairabha fear nan Drimnean air ti teicheadh le 'bheatha as an araich chunn- aic e dithisd de a chuid mac air an leon agus chaidh innseadh dha gun robh an treas fear 'na laighe marbh air a bhlar. " Cha bhi sin gun dioladh," ars' e-san, agus ged a bha an t-uasal so cho aosda is nach robh roine fuilt air a cheann, ruith e air ais thun na h-araich, mharbh e aon trupair agus leon e fear eile, ach ann an tiotadh an deidh sin thuit e fein gun eirigh tuilleadh le lainn thri trupairean sathte 'na chorp." S i nighean do Thearlach nan Drimnean 'bu mhathalr do dh-Ailein an Earrachd. 156 Cleirsirmeachd Fhir nan Drim- nean. Beir fios bhuam 'dh-ionnsuidh Thearlaich Gu torn taimh na da pheighinn deuga, Gu bheil mis' air mo nàrachadb Mar bhios e 'ghnath ri leumraich. Gun iomaireadh fear aosmboireachd Tigh'nn an nis gu caochladh ceille; 'S gunbhith leanntuinn air na gnàthaicbean 'Rinn brathair do Mbac-Lèig dheth. 'S iomadh ceird a'r 'n do thoisich o Bho 'n la a b' oighear gleusd e; Re treis' bu mbaighstir-sgoile e, 'S cha robh onair dha 's a cheum sin. Bhiodh an ciontach sà'jhailte Cha bheanadh càs no beud dha; Ach an ueochiontacli bu chraiteach e Le stràcaibh de cbrios lèiridb. Cuid eile de'chuid ghniomharan Cba deid mi fhin a dh-eigheacb, Mun gabb e fearg no miotblachd riura 'S mi tìtbeach air bbitb reidh ris, Gur sgeul nacb d' fhan os 'n iosal air, Gun cuala mile ceud e 'S gun d' theap e dhol 's na gàsaidibh, A gniomb air sraid Dhuneideann. Chluinn mi 'nis gun d'thionnsgainn e, Gun churam air mu dbeibbinn, Air lamh a chur le danadas Am pairt de chuid na cleire Gun d' tbog e a leoir dioghaltais An umhladh Mbic-a-Chleirieh, 'S gun bbith de chomhdacb cuise ann Ach gun d' bhean a ghlun d'a h-eudach. 157 Carson nach robh thu riimail Gu ceartas cùirte eigheach, Is foirbhich ghlice shuil-bheachclach ann Gus a chuis a reiteach'. Thuirt parson na Leith Iochdaraich 'M© mhile beannachd fein air A chionn gun robh e dioghaltach Mu'n ghniomh a bha 's an eucoir. Ma tha 'n sgeul so 'dh' innseadh air 'Xa fhirinn is nach breug e, Ge b'e 'bhios ann am niiorun ris, Cha bhi mi-fhin 'an deidh air; Bheirinn pairt de m' stiopuinn bhuam, Ge priseil mi mudheibhinn, 'Chionn coslas fear a ghniomharan 'Bhith agam fhin 'na chleireach." Umhladh or ùbhla, a flue, a penalty Foirbh- each or foirfeach, an elder. Turragan Fhir Nan Drimnean, Tha mi 'g innseadh do gach duine An turas a thug mi o'n bhaile, Dh' fhaotuinn aisig air Chaol Muile Thoirt freagairt a chuiridh do'n Bharan. Thuirt òglach a thachair shios rium Cha 'n fheil thu crionnta 's tu'd sheanduin' 'S dòcha dhuit amas ri turraig No buidhinn thoirt as a charaibh. Thuirt mi ris gun robh e miomhail; 'S nach robh bonn firinn' 'na bharai' ; (u) 158 Gur mi fhin a b'eolaich'mu'nadar Eadar bhith arsaidh 's 'na leanabh; . Gun dugainn-sa dheth ie 'shliogadh Pairt de gach aon ni 'bu mhath learn ; Gum faireadh e-san ri 'sgriobadh A cheart cho miomhail ri gearran. So fein an t-aite 'n robh'shinnsreadh A f albh f 6 gniomharan allail ; Bhiodh iad caoimhneasach ri'n càirdibh Ach dh'fhaireadh an naimhdean iad fearail. Nam biodh e-san air an reir-san Dheanadh e 'n ceumanan na leanachd; 'S b' fhearr leis na tamailte fhulang Dol an cmnart 'na luath-dheannaibh. Cha 'n fheil iad buidheach de 'ghiulan, Aon dùil tha de shliochd a sheanar, Nach biodh e faìghidseach rèimeil, '* reir 's mar a bba na sean daoin'. Ach thainig iomadh rud na luibsan A bha ga dhnsgadh gu carraid ; Mur faireadh iad air bhith 'na dhuine, Mo mhionnaibh-sa chailleadh e 'fhearann Tha e 'nis a tabhairt bairlinh, Eadar brhaidhealaibh is Ghadaibh, lad a sgur de bhith ga sgriobadh 'S gur siochaint an ni 'bu mhath leis. Mum faigheadh iad leud na h-àra De'n fhearann a dh'fhag a sheanair, Bu ni cho cinnteach 'sam bàs dhaibh Gum biodh a chàrnan-sa mar-ris. Turrag. an accident, a mishap. Arsaidh, old. Allail, illustrious. Eeimeil, even-tempered. Bàirlinn, warning, summons of removal. Ar or àra, a kidney. Cam, pile of stones raised over a man's grave. 159 Rann. Bha tri leumannan Mhic-Lèig Ann am shuilibh fein fior olc, Ach dh'iomair fear na da pheighinn deiu Air an doigh cheudna a Dhrop Ohuir e a chairdean an cruaidh chas Ga shabhaladh fein o spot; Bhuail e bocsa air Mac-Leoid, S ruisg e màs an duine bhochd. An Salachadh-Fuinn. Cbuireadh ni air chor-eiginn a chaidh a ghoid air fonn no talamh Mhic-Cuaire, an dochas gun rachadb a choire a chur airsan. 'S beag m' fhaoilt a tigh'nn daonnan Do'n chuid so de n' tir; Cha tadhail mi 'n Aros Far 'm bu mhuirneanach mi; Cha chluinn 'mi 's cha 'n fhaic mi Na thaitneadh ri m' chridh' ; Mur falbh thu gu teàraint' Bidh seàrsadh ad ni. Ma 's e so an ceart milis 'Thug an siorra do'n fcir, Cha mhor gur a fearr e Na'n gnaths 'bh' againn fhin. Ma thogas e paigheadh '5 na dh'aireamh e 'sios, Gur h-iomadh fear toice Air bhochdainn a bhios. Tha lagh Chill-ma-Cheallaig Ga leanailt gu nuadh, 160 Nuair chroch iad an gearrara Gu h-amaideach truagh, 'S Mac-Cuaire 'bha 'n Ulbha. Gun chuilbheirt, gun ghuad, Dol 'dh-fhulang a chreachadh Le neartmhoracbd sluaigh ; Is siochaint ga nasgadh 'N fhear bhracairneach ruadh 'Bha shios an Aird-Tuna Lan chuireid is chuag. 'S a's trie a rinn innleachd 'Cur liontan mu'n cuairt, Nuair 'nihatbadh an ni dha, Bu bhinn sin bha cruaidh. Faoilt, delight, cheerfulness. Toic, wealth, riches. Bracairneach, dusky, Cuireid, trick, wile. Do dh-Anndra Mac an Easbuig. Thoir an t-soraidh so bhuamsa Gu h-uaigneach do 'n lagan ud shios; Gu fear ionaid Mhic-Cuaire Ris na shuathadh am breamas tha 's tir; Gun am bardan beag, beadaidh, A bhith tilgeadh a cheapaig a nios; 'S nach bu choir dha 'bhith 'tathaich r"Air an fheill air nach faigheadh e sion. Cha b'i comhairle 'cheartais A chinn agaibh 's an lagan so shios; Nuair bha sionnaeh na foill' ann Dh'fhag e coir an fhir eile 's an lion ; Dh'fhag e t' aghaidh ri comhrag 'S gun do chlaidheabh air doigh gu do dhion ; 161 'S dh'fhag e sud air bun t' fheamain Mar nòs mhadadh-alluidh mu'n ìm. Mise tha fiosrach mar dh'fhàs thu; Bha mi treis air do chàirdibh an rùn; Cha b'i Sine do mhathair, 'S cha mhac Easbuig no sàr-dhuine thu ; Cheil a bhan-altrum dhàn orr' An leanabh 'bha ailleachd na ghnuis; 'S thilg i thusa 'na aite 'S cha chomhnard a dh'fhag i do shuil. Soraidh, compliments, a blessing, also a fare- well. Ceapag, a verse or verses composed im- promptu. Sine, Bishop Hector's wife. Gearan Air Fear-Teagaisg. Gabhaidb mi sgeula de 'm shagairt Ged nach geill e dh'aidmheil a phàpa, 'Bheil moran cron' ann do dh-anam An f Mr f halaimh dol air f aighe ; Is cionnas is còir do'n fhear bheairtea^h A chleachdadh ri staid an fhir dhaibhir, A bheil e laghail da bhith na mhùigean Is dorn dùinte 'dheanamh ri 'bhrathair. 'S ann a dh' fhairich mi 'm fear-teagaisg 'Na fhcar-leatruim' orm 's gach kite; 'S cian bhon thòisich e ri m' thagar Mu'n chulaidh aisig a thug each dhomh, 'S eiginn dhomh 'n dochair so innseadh Do sheanadh fior ghlic Earaghaidheal, Gun dug mo mhinistir sgh'eachd Dhiom mo chisean le laitnh laidir. 162 Cha bhuin e do mhinistir pupait, Mur a glutair air bheag nàir' e, 'Bhith 'g iarraidh gn biadhannan sultmhor, Mar tha mucan is buntàta, Feumaidh luchd-teagaisg 'bhith faicleach, 'S iomadh neach dhaibh 'na f hior-namhaid ; Cha'n fheil annt' ach daoine feolmhor, Ged tha 'm fòghlum na's leoir àirde. Faighe, an asking of aid in corn, wool, and sometimes cattle. Pupait, pulpit. Glutair, a glutton. Rann A rinneadh leis a bhàrd air da cuach de cheud leann na bliadhna 'fhaotuinn. Is còir dhuinn fàilte 'chur air an leann, Meanmna cridhe 'm fear a th'ann ; Gun cuirinn gu h-i^nealt an suim Gur h-e s' ceann-cinnidh do 'n dram An t-oganach so 'thainig do 'n tir, 'Tha còrr is bliadhna bhuainn air chall; 'S math learn t' fhaicinn, an crann-coill', 'S do scop geal maiseach mu d' cheann. Rann A rinneadh leis a bhard air da gloione de dh-uisge beatha 'fhaotuinn agus siucar ann. Nach innis sibh dhòmhsa, 'chairdean, Ciamar a ni mi so ceart Tha'n gloinne so luchdmhor lionte Ach 's ann 's a chuid a 's isle tha 'm bias. 163 Ma dh'olas mi 'chuid a's airde 'S aobhar nàire sin air achd; 'S mar faigh mi a chuid a's isle Cha'n fhaod mi mo mhiann a chasg. Beannachadh Taighe. Fàilt air taigh mor nan seachd uinneag 'Rinneadh le oghi Thearlaich mhic Ailein Mòr-thaigh a's fearr air a chuinadh Eadar uinneag, stuadh, is bhalla; Far am faigh luchd falbhain cuireadh Fial gun chrine, gun ainnis . Gheibh iad ol le ceol 's le furan Mar bu dual dha o bheus ath'reil. Chum a chèird ris na chuir e 'Dhol am buidhinu le gràdh caraid; Cha chuir e dorn dhiot air uiliun Thu thoirt dhuinne rud beag drama; Ach ma thionndas tu rium uile Is do lanih rium cruaidh an ceangal Cha deid mi na's fhaid' air m' aghaidh; 'S ro mhath m' urrainn nighean Chailein. Cha chuir mi a màthair an duileachd, B'fheairrd' i-fein a beus a leanailt; Cha dug i dram riamh do dhuine Gun a thuladh a bhith mar-ris. Sud mar a dh' iarras mi cuireadh Nuair a bhios mo phòca falamh; Gach aon ni'dh-fheumas mo mhuineal 'Bhith ga bhuidhinn leis an teanga. Tuladh, bread and cheese given with a dram. 164 John Maclean of Pennigoun, son of Allan of Grulin, son of Tearlach mac Ailein, married Isabel, daughter of Colin Campbell. John and his wife are evi- dently the persons referred to by the poet. Imrich Fear Threisinnis. Failte do bhur nimrich Luain, Eaclar fhearaibh, chuain, is chlann; Slainte dhaoine 's rath air buar Thugaibh sin mar bhuaidh a nail. Thig so gu 'r buidhinn ri uair, Cha'n imrich uaibhreach a th'anh; Ach fearann 'ur sinnsre 'thoirt bhuaibh; Le mioran, 's cha chruadal lann. '3 oil leam sgapadh 'dhol 's a bhuain Do nach bu dual 'bhith meata mall; Cuid de 'n airde deas daibh bhuainn, 'S cuid de 'n airde tuath a nail. Ma's cead leat, a Bhrithimh an t-sluaigh, A chùidhticheas gach guais na am Cum slat ar smacbdachaidh 'd laimh fein, 'S na fag sinn am meinn muinntir feall. Cuain, a litter. Buar, cattle. Oil, vexation, grief, pain. John, 10th and last Maclean of Treis- innis, was dispossessed of his property by the Duke of Argyll in 1738. The 165 foregoing stanzas must have been com- posed about that time. Rann. Tha gach cnocan orra na shuith, '6 tha gach uchdan orm na mhàm ; Tha fuitean air mo cheann-tiar Le olcas riiollaid an eich bliàin. Fhuair mi ròn an so mar bhiadh Is leighis e mo chliabh gu h-arcl; '3 gu de 'm fios nach deanadh avn bian An ni ciadna ri mo mhà- Fuifean, or fuithein, a galling, a blister. Ealain an Eich Bhain. AM BARB. Gu de bheir dhuit 'bhith 'falbh gàgach, Eich bhàin, 'nuair bhios sinn air choiseachd: Carson nach cum thu mi samhach 'S gun dean beagan spairn mo dhochann? 'S mise gad bheathachadh sasta, 'Cumail a lom-lan ad chorpan, Nam foghnadh feur fada fasaich, 'S gun aon duine 'chach ga dhoicheall. AN TEACH BAN. 'S ann ort fhein 'bu choir dhuit àrach, Aon sarachadh 'rinn mi ort-sa, Cha chum thu mar eachaibh chaich mi, (V) 166 'S gar, sar mhath 'tha mi ga chosnadh; Cha chum thu rud fo ra'  . Ma 's e sin do ghearan air m' fhailinn, Chaill thu do naire 'san droch-uair; Nach faic thu mo phòc' gun fhairdinn 'Ghleidheadh dhomh m' fhardaich gun choich- eid ! 'S e 'n ni tha mo thuath ag raitinn 'Tha 'toirt làthail dhomh mo phortion, Nach bu diochd leo mi-fhin àrach, Gun dragh an eich bhain mar ghooan. AN TEACH BAN. Cha bhi sin aca ri raitinn, Air eagal naire 'chur oit-sa; Dealaichidh miseriut am màireach, 'S cha-n fhag sin do chks sa socrach. Ma gheibh thu each gealtach sgathach Nach tuig aL fhailinn )& tha ort-s a, 'S ro bheag a bhuille de spàgaibh Le 'm faod e t' fhagail ad thoitein. AM BA.RD. 'Fhir chridhe, cha dealaichinn gu bikth riut. Mur bhith each bhi ' cur orm coichiid, 'Graitinn gu bheil thusa dkna 'S nach ball sar-mhath 'dhuine bochd thu, Gum brist thu cuith agus gàradh 'G iarraidh gach ni 's fearr dha d' chorpin, 'S air an rathad am measg nabaidh Nach h-aill leat gun bhith air thoiseach. 165 AN T-E4.CH BAN. 'S mairg mis' 'tha fuireach 'san aite An d^antar orm tail* le fochaid, B' olc an urrainn fear mo chnamhan 'Dhol roimh eachaibh chaich air thoiseach; Ach air eagal thus bhith trailleil, 'S gun iadsan a gabbhail toirt dhiot, Dheanainn dhuit mo dhichioll daonnan Dh' fheuch am faodainn bhith 'nam fochair. Tha 'm ministir 'na dhuine sar mhath Gu la bhiàth' oha'n iarr gu di*och-bheirt; '8 trie a ^hug e earail laidir Air pein a bhais gun mo dhochann. Nuair chuirt' do 'u mhuileann le gràn mi Mur falbhainn gu sar mhath 'm throtan, Gheibhteadh do shlat air mo mhasaibh Le deariadas Iain Bhain na poite. AM BARD. 'Mine chridhe, f uirich mar tha thu Dhe mhiad 's gan dean each de d' dhoichioll ; Cha dirich mis' uchd no ardan Aig an fhailinn a tha 'm chaiseiu. Rinn sinn an so cheana 'dhànachd Na chuir ar nàire fo 'r casan ; Chaidh dhuinn mar a chaidh do 'n sgeul sin, Mar a du'irt an t Q mu 'n t-sopan. 168 Oran do Mhac-Lucais, Air riha maoidheadh air a Bhard gun cumadh e 'suas ceann an amuill ris. O marbbphaisg ort, a shaoghail, 'S mairg aon dha bheil thu mar leannan I? ann dhe t' abhaist dacnnan 'Bhith blaomannach, caochlach, carach. Thug mise mo sheal fein as Mar dhèideig a bhiodh aig leanabh, Is chunnaic mi le m' shùiilibh Gun deacbaidh mi dluth am mearachd. Nan tuigeadh tu mo nadar, 'Fhir ghraidh cba 'n fheil thu na t' airidh ; Is coltach pairt de d' ghiulan Ri stiubhart gun sùilbheacha ra mbath; Gun toir thu cuibhrionn dhubailt Do 'n umba'dh gun iul, gun aithne, 'S air learn gur h-olc ain seol ein 'S an duine coir a chumail falamh. Nach seall thu air Mac-Lucais, Cha sùgair e mar mo bharail; Cha robh e riamh cho gòrach 'S gun deanadh e oran no ealaidh. Ge bout Mac- 178 leans. Whilst these arguments, and especially the fact that Lachlan is a rare name among the Macdonalds, have some force they are not conclusive. It is maintained by some that whilst her mother was a Maclean her father's name was Lachlan Macdonald, and not Lachlan Maclean. Two arguments may be advanced in support of this view. In the first place, Margaret nin Lachlan's compositions seem to show that she was a Macdonald. In "Gaoirnam Ban Muil- each " she laments the death of Allan Macdonald of Moidart and especially the death of Sir John Maclean of Duart, and tells us that she was without a chief either on her father's side or her mother's. In " Chunnaic mise thu, Ailein," she asks the following question : Where, in Scotland or over in Holland, is there the like of my mother's clan apart from the pride of the Clan Donald ? In " Mo cheist an Leathanach modhar," she makes the following statement : — I was not near my father's clan since the Macleans were expelled from their country and their seat. It is certain that she lived in Mull, and that she was as near the Mac- leans as she could be. If, then, she was a Maclean, how could she say she was 179 not near her father's clan since the ex- pulsion of the Macleans. The second argument which tends to show that Mar- garet nin Lachlan was a Macdonaid is the fact that John Maclean, the poet, de- scribed her in his manuscript in 1816 as "Mairearad Dhomhnallach, do 'm bu cho-ainm Mairearnd nigh'n Lachainn," or Margaret Macdonaid who was also known as Margaret nin Lachlan. It is certain that John Maclean believed that she was a Macdonaid. It is equally certain that there was a tradition to that effect among some Argyleshire men in 1816. At the same time it is also certain that the common belief is, and has been for a long time, that Mairearad was a Maclean. Of course those who adhere to this view may say that some of the poems ascribed to her may not have been actually composed by her. They may also say that her poems have not come down to us as they were made. 180 Cumha do Lachainn Mac-Gill- eain. Gnr he mis' th'airmo leonadh Mu dheibhinn na h-oigridh ! An am dol do 'n taigh-òsda Gum bu learn na fir oga : — Tha mo dhiubhail 'na fheoil fo na beistean. Mo cheist ogh' bhrath'r mo sheanar 'S e 'tha mis' an diu; 'gearan; 'S e mo dhith 'thug thu 'Chana; Bu tu^sgiobair'na mara Ged'nach^dainig thu fallain no glèidhteach. Och, mo thruaighe do mhathair! 'S daor a cheannaich i phairtidn, Nuair a bhristeadh do bhkta 'S a bha bloigh air gach tràigh dh'i :— Bha mo dhiubhail mu 'n charn gun chead eirigh. Och, mo thruaigh' i 's thus Eachainn, Le do mhocheirigh mhaduinn, Ri siubhal gach claclaich, 'S nach d'fhuaras leat Lachainn; Og ùr a chuil chleachdaich mar theudan. 'S ann aig bun na dubh sgeire Chaill thu 'n coisiche beinne, Air nach d'fhuaras riamh deireadh :— Bu ro chinnteach do pheileir; Gum bu mharbhadair eilid is fèidh thu. Mur bhith dhomhs' 'bhith og, leanabail, Is nach h-eol dhomh do sheanachas Bheirinn umad Ian iomradh; Ach cha b'fhuilear dhomh aimoir 'Chur do ranntachd, oig mheaumnaich r 'cheile. 181 Gur a cairdeach mo run-sa 'MhacGilleain nan luireach Leis an eireadh na fiurain, Is do dh' Iarla sin Antruim, Marcach allail nan curs-each a Eirinn . Tha do sheanachas ri 'labhairt Ri Murchadh na Maighe, 'S ri Mac'Fhionghain an t-Sratha, 'S tu ro dhileas 'tliaobh t' athar Do Chlann Eoghain o'n leathad le 'cheile. Tha do chairdeas ri 'rusgadh Ri tighearna Mhuideart, Ri Mac-Neill o na turaibh Aig am biodh na fir ura, 'S gur dearbh charaid mo run do Shir Seumas. Gur a cairdeach thu 'Lachainn, Bho Ros riabhach nam badan, 'Dh'fhag fir lie nan eadai, 'S a thug dith orr' an Asgaig; Thug e dioladh 's na bh'ac' anns an eucoir. Gur a h-iar-ogh' thu 'dh-Ailein 'Thug an long o Mhac-Cailein Ris an oidhche ghil ghealaich, Is a luchd innt' 'chrodh ballach, Ged nach b'ann gu crò earraich a gheum- raich. It is slightly probable that the fore- going lines were composed about Lachlan, son of Hector, son of Charles of A.rdna- cross. Lachlan s grandmother was a daughter of Maclean of Ardgour. Hector Mor of Duart married Mary, (x) 182 daughter of Alasdair mac Iain Chathan- aich, father of Sorley Buy, whose son Randal was created Earl of Antrim in 1620. Hector Mor had Hector Og,- John Dubh of Morvern, Mary, and other chil- dren. Hector Og was the father of Sir Lachlan Mor, father of Hector Og, father oi Lachlan, whose daughter Mary was married to Lachlan Mor MacKinnon. John Dubh was the father of Hector of Kinlochaline, Charles of Ardnacross, and Janet, wife of Macneil of Barra. Mary, Hector Mor's daughter, was mar- ried to Donald Macdonald of Sleat, father of Archibald, father of Sir Donald, father of Sir James, who died in 1678. By " Clann Eoghainn le 'cheile " are meant the Macleans of Ardgour and Boreray. ''Lachainn bho Ros riabhach nam badan '' is Lachainn Odhar, a distinguished war- rior who lived in Sir Lachlan Mor's time. 183 Gur h-e 'Mheudaich mo Chradh. Gur h-e 'mheudaich mo chradh, Is a lughdaich mo chail , 'Liuthad latha 's a bha Mis 's tus' air an tràigh— Gur a diombach mi 'n bhàs 'Thug an fheoil dhiom o 'n chnaimh; Gur h-ann againn a bha na treun-laoich Gur h-ann againn a bha, &c. Luchd a dh' iomairfc an òir; 'S iad a dhioladh an t-ol, 'Leanadh fad air an tòir Ann an cumasg nan srol ; 'S co a chuireadh orr' gleo Ann am mùiseadh an t-sloigh;— Ach de 'm fàth dhomh bhith bron mu 'r deibhiun? Mo cheist an Leathanach ur, Bu ghlan sealladh do shul, Fo amharc gun smur; Càit am faicteadh an cùirt Fear t' fhasain gun tulg? Bha thu seasmhach 's gach cuis, 'S ann ri t' fhacal a b 'fhiu dhulnn eisd- eachd. 'S anns an'eaglais so shuas, 'N ciste ghiubhais nacb gluais, 'Tha ùr cheannard an t-sluaigh, Agus marcaich nan stuadh Ki la frionasach, fuar; 'S tu gu'n iarradh i 'suas Ged a bhiodh i 'n sàs cruaidh 'na h-eiginn. Och a Mhoire, mo chall! Thu 'bhith 'n ciste nan crann, 184 Air a sparradh gu teann, 'Fhir bu shiobhalta cainnt; Ach nuair 'dhuisgeadh iad t'fhearg Cha bu shugracih sud daibh; 'S mor gar dith fear do rann bhon dh' èug thu. Marcaich deas nan each seang', 'Bheireadh roid asd' is srann; Beart nach b' iougantach leam Thu thu 'bhith uasal, is t' ainm; Làmh thu 'dh' iomairt nan arm Gu treun, cruadalach, garg; 'S ogha 'dh-Aileen nan lann 's nan steud thu. 'S car thu 'dh'- Mleen nan ruag 'Chreach a Chorea da uair; Thug e Rùt' air le buaidh, 'S co a b' urramn 'thoirt uaith', An am cruinneachadh sluaigh ; Cha robh athadh 'na ghruaidh Nuair a chaidh e air chuairt do dh-Eiriun Is gur car thu 'Mhac-Leoid, 'Mhic mhic Ailein mhic Eoin; 'Dh-Eachann Ruadh nach h-fheil beò 'Dha 'm biodh tàileasg air bord. 'S flon is braandaidh gan ol. Aig na fir 'bu chruaidh gleo, Agus bualadh nam bròg gan teumadh. Ach nam bidhinn 'sa bhuth, Is ra h-airm ann a b' fhiu, Nàile thaghainn do m' run Sgiath bhreac nam ball dluth, Clàidheabh sgaiteach geur cuil, Is da dhaga nach diult; 'S cha bu chladhaire thu 'thoirt feum'asd'. 185 Iar-ogh' dileas mo ghradh Do clh-Iain Dubh' a bha 'n laimh; Sliochd nan iarlachan ard, 'S fad on thriall sibh o 'n Spain; 'S ann bho Lachainn a bha An ionndraichinn chraidh; — Fear do cV oltais gu bràtb cha leir dhomh. Gar a cairdeach mo luaidh Do Chlann-Domhnaill nam buadh.— 'Mhic mhic Ailein nan ruag, Thu bhith 'd laigbe 'san uaigh Ann an eaglais nan stuadh, Och, a Mhoire, mo chruas; Ghabh na fìr dhiot cead buan nacli b' eibhinn. 'Fbir 'bu tighearnail gnaths; Beart 'bu dligbeach sud da; Mo cbreacb do nighean gun aird, 'S e na leith-sgeul aig each Nach do gbabh iad a pairt, A liuthad oinnseach a tha 'Faotuinn ionaid is àite feisdeil 'Fbir a cheannaicheadh am fion, Is a b' urrainn a dbiol, 'S tu a b' airiclh air pìc, 'S bogha glaic nan ceann liobht' ; Och, a M noire, mo dhìtb, Bha mi romhad air tir 'Nuair a thug iad thu 'dh-I na cleire. Dhomhsa dh' eirch an call Nuair a thug iad thu 'nail Gu reilig nam marbh Mu 'n robh chaiseamachc shearbh, Bualadh bhasan gu teann, 'S gun do chluasag fo d' cheann ; A ruin, cha fhreagair thu 'n t-àm gu eirigh 186 Tha do cheile fo leon, 'S trie i 'snigheadh nan deoir, Is do dhilleachdain og' Gun aird, no gun doigh, Mu na lochanan mòr; Ph' fhag tbu sinne fo bhroti, 'S chaill sinn tuilleadh 's a choir mu t' èirig. 'S ann tha sinne air ar claoidh, Gar sàrach' a caoidh Bhon a dh' fhalbh bhuainn gach saoidh 'Dheanadh feum is stath dhuinn; An nis shracadh ar siuil, Dh' fhalbh ar cairt, bhrisd ar stiuir;— Dia 'thoirt rathaid g'a ionnsuidh fein dhuinn. Gleo, a fight. Tulg, a lurch, tossing, rocking. Rann, portion, a pedigree. "Ailein nan ruag a chreach a Chorea da uair " must be Aileen nan Sop, and "Iain Dubh a bha 'n laimh " must be his nephew, John Dubh of Morvern, who was imprisoned and executed by Angus Macdonald, of Islay, about the year 1586. John Dubh had four sons, Donald Glas, Allan of Ardtornish, John Garbh and Charles. Allan of Ardtornish was a very prominent man and an active war- rior from his youth. He is probably the Allan referred to in the words, "A mhic mhic Ailein nan ruag." He had three sons, Hector, first Maclean of Kinlocha- 187 line, Charles of Ardnacross, commonly called Tearlach mac Ailein, and Donald, who died unmarried. Hector, first of Kinlochaline, had two sons, John, second of Kinlochaline, and Lachlan, who died without issue. Charles of Ardnacross, had six sons, Allan, first Maclean of Drimnin, Lachlan of Calgary, Allan of Grulin, Donald of Aros, Hector and Ewen. We have no means of determining who the subject of the lament was. It seems, however, to have been composed about a grandson of Allan of Ardtornish, pos- sibly about Hector, son of Charles of Ardnacross. Oran Do Shir Iain Mac-Gilleain. Gun d'fhuair mi sgeul 's cha'n aicheam e; Gu bheil e dhomh toirt gairdeachais, Gur binne learn na clarsaichean 'Bnith 'g innse mar a thàinig sibh, Gu bheil Sir Iain sabhailte, S gun dug a Bhanruinn cuirt dha. Nam b' fhiosrach Bànruinn Anna Mar a dh' fhogradli ann ad leanabh thu, Is mar a tbugadh t' fhearann bhuait, Gum biodh i aoidheil, geanail riut, Is nach robh cron ri aithris ort Ach leantail do righ duthchais. 188 Gur truagh gun mi cho beachdail Is gum faighinn èisdeachd facail dh' i; Nan labhrainn beurla Shasunnach, No Fraingis mhin gu fasanta, Gur innsinn gun clol seachad dh' i Mar riuT.eadh ort do dhiuchradh. Na Leathanaich bu phriseil iad, Bu mhoralach nan inotinn iad; 'N diugh crcm-cheannach 's ann 'chitear iad, 'S e teann lagh a thug strioclidadh asd'; Is mai--g a bha cho dileas riutha Riamh do righ no 'phrionnsa. Gum b' fhearr bhith cealgach, innleachdach, Mar bha 'ur naimhdean miorunach; 'S e 'dh' fhagadh laidir, lionmhor sibh, 'S e 'dheanadh gnothach cinnteach dhuibh, A bhith cho faicleach, crionnta Is gum b' fhiach leibh a bhith tionndadh. Chuala ini, 's mi 'm phaisdeachan. Mun d' ghlacadh tuigse nadair learn, Na bha fo thuath, ge laidir iad, Gur sibh a ghnath 'bu bhkghan daibh ; 'S beag ionghnadh learn mar tha iad Anns a Ghaidhealtachd gur n-ionndrainn. An fhine mhor 'bha ardanach! Bha urram is buaidh-larach leibh. Bu deas a dh' iomairt chlàidhean sibh, Cha mheirgeadh iad nan sgàbartan; Is cha bu gheilt no sgàthachas A leughadh iad an cùnnart. 'N am togail dhuith le gairdeachas A chaiseamachd bu ghnathach leibh Bhiodh sluagh gu leoir a màrsal leibh, Fir sgairteil throm' neofhailinneach, 'S bhiodh brataichean gan skthadh Aig sliochd Mhànuis Oig gan rùsgadh. 189 Is iomadh luireach mhàilleach 'Bhiodh air ealaehainnean 'nur fardaichean; Cha togadh sibh na ràpairean, Gum b' fhearr a chratbt'an spàinteach leibb A dh' fheuchadh spionnadh gbairdeauan, 'S am bogb a b' fhearr a lùbadh. Cuid eiie de bhur n-abhaUtean Mun do chaireadh sgànnradh annaibh, Puirt is fctuicis standachan, Is bualadh bhrog air dhearnachan, 'S gach neàch dhibh mar a dh'fhasadh e Bhith foglum dha gach lùth-chleas. A righ! gur dubhach, cianail mi A caoidh nap laoch a b' f hiachaile ; Gun d' eirich cleas Mhae'-Ciarain daibh, (Jha'n fheil ri 'inns' ach sgial orra; Mo thruaighe! gun do thriall iad bhuainn. Fir threun nan sgiath 's nan luireach. Mànus Og, Magnus M orison. The Morisons we e baunermen to the Vlacleans of Duart. Oran Do Shir Iain Mac-Gilleain, Triath Dhubhurt. Dh'fhalbh mo chadal a smaointinn 'S mi ri tigh'nn air na daoine Nacb h fheil againn air faotuinn; Chuir sin mise air faontrath 's air fògradh Chur sin mise, &c. Sir Iain cha d' fhuirich; Cha do dh-fhaodadh a chum ail CTJ 190 Air bhord ann an Lunnainn, No a feitheamh air furan righ Deor?a. 'S beag an t-ioghnadh e 'thachairt, Thu 'bhith ardanacd, beachdail, Nuair a lionteadh le reachd thu, Is a liuthad fuil bhras a bha 'd phòraibh. Bu tu ogha Shir Lachainn, Iar-ogh' Ruairidh nam bratach 'Th' annsa chiste chaoil ghlaiste, 'S fionn-ogh' Chailein nan lasgairean cròdha. 'S ann a tha do luchd-muinntir' Mar ghaoir sheillean ga t' ionndrainn ; Tha iad iargaineach, tùrsach; Cuin a thig thu gan ionnpuidh le còmhnadh? Luchd nan leadanan cul bhuidhe, Nan clogad 's nan luireach, 'S nan sgiath bhreac air dheagh chuineadh, Aig am b' iomadach ionntas is storas. 'S iomadh bean agus nighean A thogadh e 'n cridhe, Nan deanadh tu tighinn Mar a b' ait leinn a rithisd le solas. Mur a deachaidh mi 'm mearachd, Bu tu dalta mo sheanar 'S nighean Ruairidh 's na h-Earadh; Cha b'e anaghlas a bhainne a dhol thu. Och, a Dhe, dean ruinn tionndadh; Thoir dhuinn fabhar gun diultadh, 'S sinn ri feitheamh do chuirte, Ged nach h-fheil sian cho mùinte 's h\n choir dhuinn. 191 Ged ^s Scochd mi 'n deigh Crionadh ; oran do Shir Iain Mac-Gilleain. Ged is stochd mi 'n deidh crionadh, Cha 'n fheil miorun air m' aire Do na flr a bha 'n ruaig err', Dh'an robh 'n cruadal aig baile. An ceann-cinnblh 'bu phriseile, De 'n fhior fhuil 'bu ghlaine Asa choill a b'fhearr cnuasach, Riuneadh fhuadach thar mara. Tha do chinneadh an cruaidh chàs, Tha iad truagh dheth gad ghearan ; Bha iad roimhe so sar mhath, Nuair a dh'fhagadh thu 'd leanabh. 'Nuair a thug thu dhaibh solas, Ghabh thu fogradh a t' fhearann ; Tha do dhuthchannan bochd dheth, Lan de ghort is de dh'-ainnis. Gur he m' aighear is m' eudail, Marcaich ur Lan steud meara. Gur mac-samhailt do 'n reul thu, Do na ghrein no do 'n ghealaich. Laigh dubh-smal air na criochan O 'n la 'striochd thu o'n bhaile. Bu tu iuchair nan Gaidheal Ann an gàradh 's an dain^inn. Gur h-e aona mhac Shir Ailein, Am flath ceanalta daicheil; Cha bu chularaibh coimheach 'Bhiodh mu d' chomhair an sgàthan; Ach gruag ehlèiteagach, chleachdach, Mughruaidh mhaisich 's math dearrsadh; Fiamh an òir air a h-uachdar, 'S i na cuachagaibh fàinneach. 192 '6 e do thalla 'bha rioghail, Gheibhteadh fion ann air bhordaibh,- Agus feadagan fiadhaich, Is gacb ianlaith ga choir sin. Bhiodh ann sar nisge-beatha Ga chur seachad gu h-or laol na b-Oigh' an lie. Thuirt iad nach b' airidh air mnaoi thu ; ' i ann aea nach robh an fhirinn. 'S math 'thig dhuit an claidheabh liomhte, '•> bu mhor t 1 fheum an am na stri leia. Nam bu mhis' a bhiodh cur binne Air gach aon 'tha ort ri dimeas, 'San culaidh-fharmaid cha bhiodh iad, '& nach h-ann de chaolach an t- sil thu, No demhosgan, node chrionaich. I s slat ard thu 'n abhall phriseil. B' ùr a choill 'san d' rinn thu cinntinn, 'S bu ghlan uchd do mhuime-chiche. Gur he mis' a th' asad cinnteach, Nan tachradh tu "n kite diomhair Air chomas do làmh a shineadh, Gum biodh do luchd-diumb' gun fhiaclan, Gun charbad uachdair no iochdair, liun neart a ghluasad an ciobhlao, ^airdean a tagairt an dilib, 'S an èirig fada gun dioladh. •1) 214 Gur h-e mis' a th' air mo leonadh, 'S beag mo shurmd ri gabhail orain, Mi mar chomhachaig gun solas, Mar ian am brughach 'na onrachd. Gun duin' a sheasamh mo chòrach, Bhon a dhealaieh Hum na connspuinn, Sir Eachann tha thall air fogradh, Is Ailein nach h-fheil air m »rthir. 'S mis' a chòrr an deidh a dathadh, 'S mi 'm onrachd air cheann an rathaid; Mi gun cheol, gun ol, gun aighear, Ach fo bh on gun solas beatha, 'S nach robh mi "choir ciuneadh m' atha  taileasg, Cha'n fheil m' fhiodhull ach tàrcach. '3 cha d id teud ann am chlarsaich ri m bheo 'S tea re mo ghruaidhean-sa tioram, Ach, mar alltan ga mhirid, Tha mo shuilean ri sileadh nan deoir.  ch, rii«> thruaigh-s' an fhine Tha gun choir, gun cheann-cinnidh, Gun kite, gun ionad, gun treoir. lad mar luing a bha gleusda 'N deidh a h-aeuinn a reubadh Is gach aona mhuir a leumraich r'a bord; 'Chaill a cabull 's a h-acair, 'S 'tha gun stiuir, gun bhuill-beirte, Gun chaitt-iuil, gun rhul-tacs' anns a cheO' Tha bhur n-abhall air crionadh Eadar ard agus iseal ; Gach aon latha dol sios mar an smeoir. 'Shliochd Ghilleain na Tnaighe, Bu mhor ainm ann an cruadal, Cha bhi cuimhn' air bhur >1 ualchas na 's mo. Cha bu laigse bu dual duibh Ach a ghnath a bhith 'n uachdar; 'S ann a dh' imich gach buaidh a bha oirbh 223 t3u mhor riamh 'bha 'ur n- Air each dream air 'm bu bheag sibh, Gus an d' fhuair sibh bhui leagail fa- dheoidh. 'S mor bhur truaighe 's bhur leatrom, 'S olc a bhuiidh, is cha bheag i, Nach h-fheil duin' a ghabh ceist oiri-h nach d 1 fhalbh. An nis faodaidh Mac-Cailein, Ni 'bha cruaidh air re tamuill, A dhubhan a sparradh 'nar sroin. Ach biodh cuimhn' air Sir Eachanu, 'Thuit le cruadal 's le tapadh 'N Ionarcheitein 'sna chasgradh na sloigh; Agus fos air Sir Laehainn, A bha rioshail, ro bheaehdail, 'Bu mhath gniomh 's bn mhor feachd aig Montròs; Is air Eachann nah dian chath, 'Ritin a chorp mar sgeith dhidinn 'Choimhead pearsa a righe bko leoin. Anns an tung tha Righ Tearlach, Agus Seumas a bhrathair, 'S cha'n e 'n sliochd no 'n luchd-pairt 'tha nan lorg. 'S olc a choir a th' aig Uilleam , Bho Olaint nan currachd, Air comhnadh bho dhuine d' ur seors'. B' fhad o 'cheil' an da lkraich 'S an robh esan is iadsan; 'S mo bhur caoimh ris a phàp 'tha 'san Ròimh. Cha b' ann idir d' a shinnsribh 'Bha sinn 'dearbhadh ar gniomha 224 Ach do theaghlach nan righrean a dh' fhalbh. Gur h-e bhuineadh do dh- A.lba 'Chathair rioghail aic t arbsa Ri fear de shliochd Fhearghui-> nan corn. De shliochd Shimein an Eirinn, Bho Gbaidheal Glas gleusda 'Choisinn cliu ann an Eipheit an òir B' fhada cuimhn' air bhur seanachas, 'Shliochd nan curaidhnean calma, Ged a rinneadh le ainneart bhnr leon A Shir Iain, mo thruaighe, 'S tu 'tha ormsa mar chrnaidh chàs; "'S goirt a bhuille so 'fhuair thu gu h-og. Chaill thu seilbh air do dhuthaich, 'Chionn bhith seasamh le durachd; 'S be bhith rioghail a chiurr thu gu borb Is beag solais do chairdibh, Ge b' e rioghachd Van tamh thu, Ann san Fhraing no 'san Spain no 'n tir Phòil. 'S mairg a chailleadh a dhaoine, Le a righ no na aobhar, Is gun fhios gu de 'n taobh thig an stoirm. Cha b'e e spionnadh na pairtidh, Cha b'e 'n lann no lamh laidir, Thug am ball dhaibh fo shàilibh am bròg. Gur h-e 'n Righ 'tha 'sna neamhan, A ni seal no ard ineach, Thug a chuibhle so 'n drasd mu'n cuairt oirnn. Nuair a bha i a tionndadh, 'S i 'cur char gu ro iomluath, Thilg i sinne fo 'h-iomlaibh 'san Ion. 225 Leis an roth sin a thllg sine , Co 'tha fiorsach no cinnteach, Nach faodamaid direadh gu foil? DhA f haodadh bàs nan triuir Lachainn, 'S an aon bhliadhna 'rinn tachairt, 'Chur an areill gun robh 'n car po 'nar còir. Car de charaibli an t-saoghail Gu de a bhrigh 'bhitb caoineadh, 'S gearr an uair gus an caochail sinn fod. Ged tha 'n staid so ro dhuilich Gidheadh 's feudar a fulang; . 'S trie an silean a cruinneachadh pòir. 'S iomadh craobh 'chaidh a gearradh Cheart cho iseal 's an talamh As an siolaicheadh faillean is meoir 'Fhir tha dhninn ann a 1 t' athair, Tha ar dùil ann ad mhathas, 'Ms on fhuaradh leinn crathadh na 's leoir; 'Fhir a chlaoidh sinn le annradh A mhuir-làin is an traghaidh, Seid deagh shoirbheas do grais an ar seol 'Fhir a leag sinn gu h-iseal. Tha sinn uil' ort a griosadh, Tog a suas sinn mar chitear gu d' ghloir. Tba ar cridheachan craiteacb, Tha sian muladach saraicht', Chuireadh bior ann am àirnibh s mi og. !3 e.dol sios Chloinn-Ghillealn, ' Bu mhath gniomh air a chlaidhibh, A dh' fhàg mise gun aighear, gun tieoir. Eachann nan dian chath ; Hector Odhar, who was killed at Flodden in 226 1513, defending the person of his king from the arrows of the English. Feargh- us nan Corn; Fergus Mor Mac Earc, a petty king in Argyleshire about the year 503. Simean; Simon Breac, an imagin- ary Irish king who is said to have reign- ed at Tara. He was descended from Milesius, who was descended from Gaidh- eal Glas, the fictitious progenitor of the Gaidel? of Scotland and Ireland. Na tri Lachainnean; Lachlan, second of Brolas, who died in 1686; Lachlan, third o Torloisk, who died in 1687; and Lachlan, ninth of Coll, who also died in 1687. There were not twelve months between the death of the first and the last of these. Dan Molaidh Do 'n Ghaidhlig 's do 'n Fhaclair Ghaidhlig a chuireadh am mach le Eideàrd Lùid 'sa bhbadhnal704. Airteachdo 'n Spain do shliochd a Ghaidhil ghlais, Do shliochd nam Milidh, 'n fhine nach bu tais, Bu mhor an sgleo 's gach fòd air cruas an lann, •S air filidheachd le foghlum nach bu gbann. Nuair 'dh 1 fhas am pòr ud mor a bhos is th.all Bha meas is prìs fo 'n Ghaidhlig anns gach ball. 227 An teanga lioninhor, bhrioghmhor, bhlasda bhinn, *S a chànain thartrach, liobhte, ghasda ghrinn ! An cuirt nan righ tri mile bliadhn' iatreall Do bha i 'n tus muD d' thog cainiat Dhubh-Ghall ceann. Gach filidh 'a bard, gach leigh, aoadana 'a diaoidh, Drùibhnich is seanachaidh, foa gach ealain ahaor Do thug Gatèlua leia o 'n Eiph't a nail, 'Sa Ghaidhlisr sgriobh iad sud le gniomh am peann. Na diadhairean mor' 'bu chliu 'a bu gloir do 'n chleir 'S ann leath' gu tarbhach 'labhair iad briathran Dhe. 'S i labhair Pàdruig 'n Innisfàil nan risrh, 'S am f aid he caomh sin Calum naomh an I. B' i 'b' oide-muint' do luchd gach duthch 1 is teang' ; Chuir Gaill is Dubh-Ghaill uic' an iul 's an clann. Na Frangaich liobht' a lean gach tir am beus, O I nan deoraidh ghabh am foghlum freumh. 'tfis dh' fhalbh i bhuainn gu tur, mo nuar 's mo chreach ! 'S tearc lucha a gaoil;— b' e sud an saogh'l fa seach Reic iad 's a chulrt i air cainnt uir o 'n dè, 'S do threig le tàir, 's bu. nàr leo 'n cànain fein: Thuit i 'san uir araon le h-nghdaraibh geur', 'S na fiaith da 'n dù i ghabh d' a cumhdach speia. Air Eideard Lùid biodh àgh |is cuimhn' ia buaidh, A rinn gu h-ur a duagadh aa a h-uaigh. 228 Gach neach 'ta 'fhreamh o 'n Ghaidheal gha3da gharg, 'S gach dream dha 'n dù a chanain xid mar chainnt, S gach aon do chinn air treubh 's air linn an 8guit An duais a's flach thu 's coir gun ioc iad dhuit, On bhanruinn air an tràth-s' a bheil an an crun. Gu ruig am bochd do 'n kit an nochd an dun. Bba 'n ainm 's an euchd o linn nan ceudan àl Tre mheath na Gaidhlig 'dol a cuimhne chaich. 'Nis 'n uile ghniomh chluinn criochan fada thall; 'S  gus 'na chuimhne, 's grheibh thu 'cha idh uam fein Beannachd is failt' le m' chridh', le m' laimh, 's le ra' bheal. Edward Lhuyd was a native of Wales. He was a distinguished Keltic scholar. His Archaeologia Britannica, a work of great value, appeared in 1704. It con- tained a Gaelic-English vocabulary. 229 Oran Gaoil. Thatamull on sguir mi de 'n dan. Ge he so km 'sam b' fhearr 'fheum ; 'S diomhain a a leig mi mo chù Seal mun d' chuir mi high 'san t-seilg An tin m' aim sir' bha mi baotli, Mar a gùaoth air feadh nan speur, 'Cosg mo laithean air bheag stk, 'S gur soilleir a bhlàth orm fein. 'Nis on thuig mi m' eucoir mhor, Cliu is gloir do dh-aon Mhac De; Mo run fheadh 's a bhios mi beo Gun teachainn mi gloir gun fheum. Ri diomhanas thug mi mo bhòid, 'Chaoidh de m' dheoin cha dean mi breug; Labhram gun bharrachd, gun bbosd, Air ribhinn oig an òr-fhuilt reidh. '3 iomadh laigs' a tha 'san f neoil, Fheadh 's a bhios sinn beo 'sa chre; 'S ma 's ann de 'n ghnè sin an gradh Gur lionte, Ian dheth 'thà mi fein. 'S e mo bharail, fà bhreith chaich, Gur a laghail gradh gun bheud; Mur a soailinn sud 's gach uair Dheanainn strì gu 'bhuain a 'fhreumh. Seal mun d' fhas thu ach gu hog, 'S tu *t fhaillein beag, boidheaeh, reidh, B' e barail gach aoin dha 'm b' poI Nach bu chno thu bharr bun gèig. 'S iomadh buaidh ri mealladh graidh Eadar do bnràghad 's do chul; Suil mhìogach, mhiochuiseach, bheo, Mheallach, choir, mar dhearc fo dhruchd (D-lj 230 Gle gheal do bhràghad 's d« bhae, Gle gheal do chas is do dheud, Gle gheai do chneas 'tha sliora, ur, Mar am flur no 'n canach slèibh. Beul min-dearg, meachair, mar ròs, O 'n dig gloir gu socair, reidh, Is mò mo mhiann air do phoig, Na air na*tha 'dh-or fo 'n ghrein. A t' àilleaohd ge dearbha mi, Is mo mo mhiann air do bheus ; 'S tu ceanalta, ceillidh. suairc', Socair, nasal, modhail, seimh. Ged tha àilleachd ort mar bhuaidh, 'S dreach snuaidh do nach coimeas each, Na dean uaill a sgèimh na h-oig' Mar bharr feoir a 's diombuain blath. Bheir mios' de dh-euslaint' a nuas An snuadh a's dreachmhoire fas; Dreach àlainn is dealbh gach dùil lompar gu uir leis a bhàs. Cuimhnich do Chruithear 'tha shuas, 'S cuir uigh gu h-iomlan na 'srhras; 'S gum b' e do ghliocas 's do chiall A riar a dheanamh do ghnath. 'Slionmhor laoch tha ort an tòir. Sud na sgeoil nach binn learn fein; Cuid diu 'tha camadh nan beoil, 'S cuid 'tha 'n sron fo 'n aon ghleus. Cha'n fhas ubhlan air an dris, No deagh mheas air coille chrin, 'S ni 'n creideam gur cridhe cruaidh 'Tha fo 'n ghruaidh a 's maisich' sgèimh. 231 'T ainm ni a'threach learn a luaidh, 'S gur ionnan d' a fhuaim 's d' a glinè, JSigh 'n Dhomhnaill o Chuil nan sonn; Sud am fonn 'san robh ar freumh. So dhuit-s', a chailin nam buadh, Tiodhlac de shuairceas mo bheoil, Is thoir na 'chomain an duais A 's cubhaldh dba t' uaisle nihoir. Phos nigheaa Dhomhnaill fear eile, a reir coltais Caimbeulach no Camaranach, Mìochuis- each, bewitching. Oran Gaoil. Le Iain Mac-Gilleain, do dh'-Anna Mc-Gilleain, a leannan agus i air pòsadh fir eile. 'N aisling chunnaic mi 'm chadal B' fheàrr gum faieinn am dhùsgadh, Thn 'bhith eadar mo ghlacaibh Ga do thatadh gu dlùth rium. Nuair a dhùisg mi 'sà mhaduinn Is nach d' fhuarae tu again Thàinig deòir air mo rasgaibh, Shil orr' frasach 's bu dlùth i. Shil orr' frasach 's bu dlùth i, Mu 'n ghèig ùir a dh' fhas alainn; Gura guirme do shùilean Na an drùchd air bhàrr fàsaich. Gu bheil maise ann a' t' ùrla Dh' fhàg mo chridhe-sa brùite Gus an d' rinn i a mhùchadh, 'S trom a dhrùidh i air m' àirnean. 232 'S trom a clhrùidh i air m' àirnean, 'S cha 'n fheil stà ann an lèigh dhomh, Ged a chluinn mi guth mànrain Cha dig gàire le èibhneas. On is duine gun stà mi 'Chaidli a mhilleadh le d' ghràdh-sa, 'S e thu fein a bhith làmh-rium Obeanadb slan mi o m' chreuchdan. Gur h e 'dh' fhàgadh gun chreuckd mi Pòg no dhà o d' bheul cùbhraidh; Gu bheil maise na feucaig' Ann ad eudan ga 'giulan, 'S mi nach iarradh d-> spièidh leat; Bhithinn aighearach, èibhinn Ga do ghabhail ad lèine Le toil clèir agus dùthcha. Cuid de bhuadhan na h-ing ghinn' A bhith binn-fharlach ^eiil-dhearg : Tha do ghruaidh mar bher mill ion Is cha tillear bho 'n fheill thu. Gun do sharaich thu sinne Le do bhkcharan tioram; 'S e do ghradh 'th' air mo mhilleadh 'S mi ìi sireadh beachd-sgèil ort. Ochain, Anna'nighn 'n Dòmhnaill, 'S i do dhòigh 'tha cur eud orm ; Gur a binne do chòmhradh learn Na 'n smeòrach air gheugan. 'S mor gum b' fhearr bhith riut pòsda Na bhith thall anns an Olaint, Ged bu leamsa de dh-òr Na bha an seombar Righ Seimas. Nuair a bha mi 'san Olaint. Is s mi thall ann am shaighdeav, Gur a h-iomadh te àlainn Le 'cuid fhàinneachan daoimein 233 Thigeadh ealamh am chomhdhail, Le lan-fhuran a pòige : — 'S mor gum b' anns a nigh'n Domhnaill Ged nachbu bheo mi ach oidhche. Marbhrann D' A MHNAOI, ISEABAL NIC-GILLEAIN. 'N am dusgadh dhomh as mo chadal Tha smaointeachadh m' aignidh goirt, 'S mi aa ionndrainn nach h fheil asam Bean chaomh a chaidrimh nach b' olc. Fhuair mis' an coingheaH o Dhia thu Da fhichead biiadhna 's a h-ochd; 'S chaith sinn an nine gun chànran, 'S cha chuala each sinn a trod Ach chionn nach h-ann agam-s' sa fhuaradh, "S nach robh m' aont' dh' i buan ^ un chrich, Nuair 'thagair an Ti a thug bhuaith' i, Leig raise bhuam i gun stri. 'S uaigneach leam-pa 'bhith leam fein, Ach 's eiginn dhomh fuireach am thosd; Ordagh Righ nan sluagh gu lèir Gu de 'm feum 'bhith ris a trod? Tha do leaba leam cumhann, fuar, Ach bhlaitich Criosd an uaigh le blàths; Is as a bhàs gun dug e 'n gatti, Sgeula math 's cùis aigl ir e. Gu de 'm feum dhomh 'bhith gad chaoidh. 'S nach faigh mi a chaoidh thu air ais ! 234 Theid mise ri uine nad dheidh, 'S cinnteach mi gun deid an cais. Tha do chadal sàmhach, buan, Gu aiseirigh an t-slnaigh o 'n bhàs; 'S aghmhor a chobhair a rug ort O anshocair ghoirt 's o chradh. Tha mo dhòchas ann an Criosd, 'N Ti 'dhiol airson peacadh chaich, 'The 's trie a riaraich am bochd Gu bheil t' anam an nochd 'na bhJaths. Cuid eile 'chuis m' aoibhnis mhoir, 'S nach d' t'haod gum b'e bhith beo do chàs Thu bhith foirfe an naomhachd gun spot, Gun pheacadh, gun lochd, gu bràth. Comhdhail sholasach le 'cheile, Tna mi 'guidhe Dhe de 'ghràs', 'Bhith agamsa 's agad 'fein An talla 'n eibhris 's an aigh. An creideamh na puinge so fèin, An dial eisdeachd anns a chàs, Tha mo rnn-sa tuireach ri m' re, Gun mhonmhor, gun eis, gun chradh. Cha robh do theanga-sa math; Co de 'n t-sluagh d' an dug i beu^n? TV fhurasd dhomh cliu a thoirt ort Nach coisneadh a h-uile tè. Ach o nach h-fheil m' Mdh-s ann an sgleo, 'S nach mo 'tha' agad s' air feum, Fanaidh mi tuilleadh am thàmh; Ach mo bheannachd gu brath ad dheidh. 235 Calum a GMinne. Malcolm Maclean, Calum a Ghlinne, was a native of Kinlochewe, in Ross- shire. He enlisted in the army when quite a young man. He retired with a pension. It is likely that after his return he lived for some time in his native dis- trict. He spent the latter part of his days in Glensgaith, at the foot of Benwy- vis, Beinn-fhuathais, where he had a small piece of land, and grazing for two or three cows. He was married, and had a daughter. He was a good-natured, cheerful man, but was too fond of a dram. He had an excellent wife, a wo- man who never said a cross word to him, whether he was drunk or sober. He died about the year 1764. His daughter was married. Her husband and herself were living in the parish of Contin in 1769. Mo Chailin Donn Og. LUINNEG. Mo chailin donn og, 's mo nighean dubhthog- arrach, Thogainn ort fonn 's neo-throm gun togainn, Mo nigh 'n dubh gun iarraidh, mo bhriathar gun togainn, 'S gun innsinn an t-aobhar nach h-'fheileas gad thogradh, Mo chailin donn 02;. 236 Gu bheil thu gu boidheach, baindidh, banaiT, Uun chron ort fo 'n ghrein, gun bheum, gun sgainnir; Gur gil' thu fo d' lein' na èiteag na mara, 'S tha choir' agam fein gun cheile 'bhith mar- riut. Gur muladach mi 's mi dhith na 's math leam ; Na dheanadh dhomh stàth th' aig each ga mhalairt. Ridh t' athair an comhnuidh 'gol le caithveam ; 'S e eolas nan corn a dh' f bag mi cho falamh. Nam bithinn sa 'gol mu bhord na dibhe, 'S gum faicinn mo mhiann 'a mo cMall a tisrhinn, 'S e 'n copan beag donn 'thogadh fonn air mo chridhe, 'S cha dugainn mo bhriathar nach iarrainn e rithisd. Ridh bodaich na duttach' rl bùrt 's ri fanaid, A cantuinu rium fein nach geill mi 'dh ainnis. Ged tha mi gun spreidh tha teud ri 'tharruinn, 'S cha sgair mi de 'n ol ri m' bheo air thalamh. 'S iomadh bodachan gnu nach duraig m' aithris, Le 'thional air spreidh '8 iad ga 'threigsinn 's t-earrach, Nach cosg anns a bhliadhn' blaigh trian a ghallain, 'S cha doir e fo 'n uir na 'a mù na bheir Calum. Nam bithinn air feill 's na ceudan mar-rium De chuideachda choir a dh' òladh drama, Gun suidhinn mu 'n bhord 's gun traighinn mo shearrag ; 'S cha duirt mo bhean riamh rium ach Dia leat a Chaluim. Ged tha mi gun stoi le ol 's le iomairt, Air bheagan de ni le pris na mine, Tha m' fhortan aig Dia 's Elflalaidh uime, 237 'S ma gheibh mi mo shlaint gum pàigh mi na shireas. Ge mor e le each na tha mi 'mill^adh, Oha dugainn mo bhoi^ nach òlainn tuilleadh ; Gur h-e a bhith mor tha 'n fheoil a sireadh ; Tha 'n sgeul ud ri aithris air Oalum a Ghlinne. An T-F.ach Odhar. LTTINNEAG. Sud mar 'dh' iomair mi 'n t-each odhar, 'Thug mi thun na feille fotham ; 'Nuair a shaoil mi 'chur air theadhair, 'S ann a gheibhinn dram dheth. Thug mi 'n sgriob ud bho Cheann-Locba Leis an each 'bu mhath gu obair; 'S gu de 'thachair rium gu h-obann Ach stop sgobaig 's dram ann. Ghabh mi cairtealan an toiseach, 'S thuirt bean-an-taighe gun doicheall, B' fhèairrd thu rud an deiclh na coiseachd, 'S thug i deoch is dram dhomh. Dh 1 fhosgail mi dorus an t-seombair; Bha cairdean annisluchd-eolais, 'S thuirt iad rium le briathran mora. Gun olainn gun taing dhomh. Bhon a fhuair mi iad cho cridheil Ghlaodh mi-fhin air stop a rithisd; Saoil sibh fein nach b' fhèairrd sinn dithsid, 'S mi 'thighinn cho anmoch! Shuidh mi gu somalt am chathair, 'S ghlaodh mi 'suas ri bean-an-taighe, Bhon their ig solus an lath a I dh' fhaiginn duinn choinnlean. -1) 238 Thug mis' an oidhche gu latha BA sior ol an uisge-bheatha 'S airgiocl mo ghearrain ga 'chrathadh Ri aighear 's ri dannsa. Nuair a shaoil mi gum b' e 'n lath' e, Dh' fhosgail mi dorus a,chadha, 'S chunnaio mi 'n talamh, 's an>adhar, 'S ball' an taighe 'dannsa. Chuir mac-na-bracha air mhisg mi,' Chaidh e ann am cheann a chlisgeadh, 'S thug e bhuam mo chainnt a thiotadh Le liotaich' iuo theanga. Nuair a dh' èirinn ann am sheasamh, 'S ann a dh' fhalbhainn air mo leth-taobh; Gun do bhagair e mo leagadh — Cuid de 'n chleas a rinn e. Cha dug mise bharr na ièille, Air son m ' eich a b' airde 'leumadh, Ach da fhacal de dhroeh Bheurla; 'S bha mi-fein an call deth. 'S e bu chiall daibh taig, a nighean, 'S lion a suas an stop a rithisd.— Cha robh guth air màl an tighearn', Mo air dlighe maighstir, Bho Cheann-Locha is in the MS. do Cheann-Locha, and may be correct. It is said, however, that it was at Dingwall that Malcolm sold the horse. Sud mar 'dh iomair mi 'n t-each odhar is what is in the MS., and is more expressive than the words generally sung, Sud mar 'bhuilich mi 'n t-each odhar. 239 Iain Mac Thearlaich Oig. John Maclean, Iain mac Thearlaich Oig, was the second son of Charles Mac- lean of Inverscadell. He was born about the year 1700. He removed from Ard- gour, and went to reside in Mull at a place called Sorn. He married Mary, daughter of Allan Maclean of Ardgour, and granddaughter of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, by whom he had two chil- dren, John and Florence. He was the author of several songs. Is an Learn nach h-fheil Tlachdmhor. Is aura learn nach h-fheil tlachdmhor An t-achd a rinn Deorsa, 'Thug ar n-airm bhuainn 's ar n-aodach A bha daonnan gar còmhdach; 'N aite hreacain an fhèile As'mba ghleusaa fir oga, G"n ach brigis is casag, Agus bata 'nar domaibh. Cha b' e cadal 'san 8mùr '3 an d' chuir mi ùidh an tus m' ©ige, Ach eirigh gu sunndach Air an drùchd 's breith air mor-ghath. Bhiodh a choill air gach laimh dhomh, 'Cur deagh fhàilidh am phoraibh, 'S mi 'direadh nan creachann;— 'S trie a leag mi 'n damh cròic' ann . 240 'S nuair a thigeadh an dàmhair Cha b' i 'chlarsach 'bu cheol domh, Ach buirich nan làn damh Ann an àirid' nam beann mora. Bhiodh ar mialchoin 's ar gadhair A curfaghaid an Conaghleann; Bu trie agh is damh cabrach Mu na h-aisridhean gorma. Ohluinnteadh cuach ann ad choille, 'S bu bhinn a ghoireadh an smùdan; A toirt teisteinis laidir Mar bha nadar gan stiuradh. Gheibhteadh liath-chearc 'san doire, Is bu toil leam a ciùchran, Is a coileach mu 'coinnimh Air toman a durdail. Gheibhteadh broc ann is taghan, Capull-coille 's boc earba; 'S bhiodh am bradan gle lionmnor Air na linntichean garbha, 'Snamh airbninne sruth flor uisg', 'S e gu h-inntinueach, tarragheal, Is gn crom-ghobach, ullamh, 'Leum ri cuileig 'san anmoch. Och, 's e 'dh' fhag mi mar Oisein, Is mar choltas maol-ciarain, 'Dh' fhag mo chridh' air a dhoehnadh Is mo dhosan air liathadh, 'Bhith gun ghiubhsaich ri 'choiseachd, Is am fochair an fhiadaich, 'S eun de dh-airm chum mo chosnaidh Ach corcag bheag iaruinn, Ann an kite na daga A chlaidheabh ' 3 na sgèithe, Is a chuilbheir chaoll ghlaice 'Chuireadh stad air mac èilde; 241 Is nach cluinn mi guth aca De dh-eachdraidh, no sgenlachd, Ach cuibhlichean 's factori, Beirtean Is Beurla. Cha'n fheil iomradh air dualchas, No air cruadal no tapaclh ; Chuir a chuibheall mu 'n cuairt d' i Car tuathal is tarsuinn ; Sliochd nam bodachan giugach, 'Bha 'sna dùnaibh gan cartadh, 'Seoladh ard os ar cionn-ne Bhon a thionndaidh a chairt oirnn. O marbhpbaisg ort, a shaoghail, Tha thu caochlaideach, cealgach; Bha mi uair nach do shaoil leam Teachd as aogais a gharbhlaich. Mis' a chleachd 'bhith 'n Airdghobar, ' M bu trie gleadhar bhoc earba, Tha an diugh an Sorn odhar Air todhar a mheanbh-chruidh. Oran Do Dhonnachadh Mac-Aonghuis, d'am bu cho- ainm Donnachadh na Beurla. Cha 'n e goirteas mo shroine, Gedtha doruinn na 'mullach, A chuir m' aigneadh cho bronach, Is mo chomhradh fo mhulad : Ach sar oigear na Beurla, Air gach fèill a fhuair urram, 'N dèidh a bhristeadh le beisdean 'S trie 'bha 'geumnaich am Muile. 242 Ruigidh bristeadh a chaiptin Cluasan claisteachd a Phrionnsa, ' 41 fear a fhreasdail na 'aire e, 'S cha bu tais e mar dhiulnach. Nuair a theich ni bha aige Is a sgap iad gach aon taobh, Sin nuair mhearsail an gaisgeach Le 'fhir ghasda g' a ionnsuidh. Tba thu 'shliochd nam fear gasda A bha 'n slachdraich Cath Gharbhfhaich; A rinn tiomnadli gun taise, Agus gaisge le 'n armaibh, Nuair a thog iad corp Eachainn Eho cbasan an naimhdean, Air an tuaghannaibh sgaiteacli Gu 'thoirt daehaidh troimh 'n Ghalldachd. Nuair a spreigteadh piob rnhnr leat, '3 tu 'cur 'n òrdaigh do bhrataich, Bhiodh tu togradh gu còmhrag, 'Dhol an còmhail nam marcach. Nuair a ruisgeadh tu 'n spòlta, Nach robh lòdail r'a faicinn Cha bu shlachdan aig oinnsi^h Claidheabh mòr aig a ghaisgeach. 'S math thig boineid le fkbhar Mild' chul fainneach donn socai'-, 'Dol an coinnimh do namhaaid, Air each ard na sar choiseachd, Cha b' e fuath Mhic-a-Mhàillidh Fear do ghnath is do choltais; An am suidhe 's taigh thairne 'H tugum pàigheadh na botnill. Nam biodh Uilleam, an Diuca, 'S tus an tus a chruaidh thoiteil, ' Deanamh casgairt le 'r luth-chleas 'S tus' a bhuidhneadh an trod ud. 243 Nan d' fhuairthu g' a ionnsuidh Le d' chlaidheat»h cuil an ceann sociar, Gun robh Uilleam le d' shugradh 'Call a lùth an Cuil-fhodair. Sud na h-airm dhuit a thaghainn. 'Dholairt' aghaidh gu meanmnach, Gunna, sgiath, agus clogad 'S elaidheabh socrach an ceanna-bheirt. Ged cbuirt' ceud de luchd-brochain 'S nan droch chasagap dearga, Ann a' t' aghaidh a chogadh Cha bhiodh gog dhiu nach marbht' leat. Hector Roy Maclean of Duart, Eachann Ruadh nan Cath, was killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. His body was carried home to Mull by the Macinnesses and Morisons. 244 Eoghan Mac-Gilleain. Ewen Maclean lived in Barra. He was evidently a man of good poetic gifts. OKAN DO MHAC-NEILL BHAREA. Fhuair mi naidheachd thar fasaich Mu chuis gràn da gun tuigse; Tha mo smaointinnean gkbhaidh, 'S bualadh gairicù am chuislean. Learn is cruaidh a bhith diteadh An f hir phriseil gun tuisleadh ; Slat de 'n abhall gun chrine 'Dh'fhas cho direach ri cuidseal. Sar cheann-uidhe nan dèirceach. Gnuis na feile 's an tlachda. Nam bu bhàs dhuit 'sa cheum sin BMomaid fein dheth gun taice. 'S iomad dilleachdan bronach 'Bhiodh gun chomhnadh gun tacsa, Ga 'shior ghreadadh 's ga 'leonadh, 'S ar tighearn' og ga 'thoirt seachad. Càit 'n do sheas e air urlar No'n do lub e na' phearsa Aon 'thuar barr ort an cùirteas, 'Fhir bu luth-chleasaich' fasan? Tha mi cinnteach gu leoir dheth, Cha 'n e 'm bosd 'tha mi cantainn, Nach lùbadh tu 'm feoirnein Fo do bhroig air an fhaiche. Càit am faicteaclh fo armaibh Aon bu dealbhaiche pearsa? Bhiodh ort claidheabh chinn airgid 245 'S daga mheanbh-bhreac na leapa, Sgìath charraigneacb bhreac, philleach, 'S biocìag bhiorach gbeur sgaiteach. Bu tu 'm fiuran deas moralach, 'rf an cunnspunn treun smachdail. Bu tu sealgair na sìtline Anns na fritbibb 'gan caisead, Le gunna 'bheoil chinntich, 'Bheireadh dith air an ealtainn. Nuair a cbaogadh tu 'nihiogshuil Is a cbiteadh do lasair, Bhiodh d') pheileir a giuasad Troimh dbamb uallach an astair. Bu tu'n sgiobair neo-chearbach Air muir gbailbheich nan cas-shruth : Bha thu mioQ-shuileach, cinnteach, Foinnidh, innsgineacb, tapaidh; Bha tbu fearaìl ri t' innse, S bba thu fior ghasd' ri t' fhaicinn; 'S air nàile bhuidhneadb tu cìs Air iomairt dhisnean nam breacbhaìl. Cuim' an ceilinn an fhirinn? Dh'fhaoduinn innse gun sgrubadh Nach robb idir 'sna criochan s' Aon nach b'fhiach leis bhith 'd chu deachd, Nuair a thairngteadh do sbitb, 'S an am do mhi-run tigh'nn ugad, 'S tu nach sòradb am flon oirnn No aon ni bbiodb am buideal. Cuidseal, a cudgel. Tacsa, supoort, substance jlidity. Innsgineacb, sprightly, lively. (F-l) 246 Failte Thearlaich na Sgurra ; Oran do Thearlach Mor Mac Gilleain, Fear na Sgurra. Fonn: "Nuair thig an samhradh geugach oirnn." A Thearlaich òig, ciad fàilte dhuit, '8 do bheath' air tràigh na duthcha so; Gur tamull sgrion do phòige orm, Tha dearg mo bheoil air rusgadh leath 1 . Nan cuhinn diom an eislein so, 'S gun èirinn as a chruban so Gum faicinn fhin am maireach thu, 'S gu deanainn gaire sunndach riut. Is fad o 'n la a dhealaich sinn 'N am carraid ris na Tuathaichibh; Gun d' ghabh mi dhiot cead carthannach, 'S gu deimhin gum bu luath leam e. Thug mi ceuvn ad dheagbainn, Agus t' aghaidh rie na fuar bheannaibh, 'S gun d' fhag sud m' inntinn cànranach, Is trei^ de m' nadar bruailleineach. Gur math am measg na cuideachd thu, 'S neo-thuiteamach an comhradh thu ; Cha d' chuir thu suil an sgrubaireachd, 'S cha b' fhasan duit 'bhith mòralach. Cha d' chuir thu suil am miodhoireachd, S a bhribearachd cha d' fhoghluim thu, 'N am sgur de dh-ol an fhiona Cha bhiodh cunntas crion mu 'n bhord againn. C'àit am faigh mi leannan dhuit, No mairist 'theid ad chòmhail-sa. Cha 'n fheil i anns an fhearann so Na 's airidh air an oighear ud, Nam bu mhise thaghadh i, 'S mo raghainn a bhith deonach ort, Gur te gun ghiamh, gun fhailinn innt', A bhiodh am màireach pòsda riut- 247 Ach on is ni nach faodar sin, Gur faoin duinn a bhith comhradh air. Bi fiosrach far an iarr thu te, Bi sgialach air a seoltaichean, 'S nach liutha te gun ghiamh innte Na eala chiar air lointeanaibh, Bidh cuid dm 's f aicinn bhreagh' orra, Ach 's fearr dhuit ciall na boidhchead aic'. Gur math a thig an armachd ort, 'S neo-leanabail an tus cònmhraig thu ; Bidh daga nam ball airgid ort, Gu boidheach, dealbhach, or-ghleusach. Bhiodh gunn' ad làirnh gu curamach, Is t' fhudar ann am pòcaidean ; 'S gun deant' aR t-ord a rùsgadh leat, Nach diultadh an am còmhalach. Gur math a thig an claidheabh Air crios laghach nam ball boidheach ort; '8 cha chlaidheabh air leas gàrlaich e Nuair chàirear ann an ordaghe; Ach slachdan leathan dias fhada Gun mheirig, gun ghiamh, gun fhòtus ann : An laimh a churaidh chruadalaich Gum buidh'nnteadh buaidh air moran leis. ' 3 an nis on rinn thu tilleadh As gach ionad anns na thàrlaidh thu, Gun bheud, gun phudhar pearsa ort, Ach mar a b" ait le d' chaudej-n thu, Ge b' e neach a tha 'm miorun dhuit, Gu bheil mi-fhin mar dh' fhag thu mi, 'S air son thu thigh'nn do 'n tir ugainn , Gun lion 's gun ol mi 'n t-slàinte so. This song must have been composed abo-ut 1750. 248 An T-Aireach Muileach. The Aireach Muileach was a Maclean. He was, as his name imports, a herds- man, and lived in Mull. It is said that he was in the employ of Maclaine of Lochbui. He had a clear head and a sharp tongue, and was a bitter satirist. A man named Colin Campbell, An Caimbeulach Dubh, stole some cows from Lochbui. The Aireach took vengeance upon the thief by composing a song about him. When Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair heard the song he composed a reply in praise of Campbell and abused the Aireach in it. This led to a war of words between them. Whilst the Aireach was by no means the equal of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair in poetic ability, he was more than a match for him as a cutting, sting- ing satirist. It is said that the Aireach's baptismal name was John, and that he was known as Iain Mac Dhomhnaill. His productions have perished, except a few stanzas. An Caimbeaulach Dubh. An Caimbeulach Dubh a Cinntailc, Iar-ogh 1 'mhortair 's ogh' a mheirlich Am Braid- Albainn fhuair e rach,— Siol na ceilge 's meirleach a chruidh. 249 'S odhar ciar an Caimbeulach Dubh, 'S oillteil, fiadhaich 'aruharc 's a cWiith, 'S lachdunn, lianh-ghlas, d'ubh"; cha'n fhiaeh e; 'S fear gun mhiadh an Caimbeulach Dubh, Cuiream tuath e, cuiream deas e, Cuiream siar e, cuiream sear e, Cuiream fios gu baird gach fearainn, Gus an caill e 'n craiceann na T shruth. 'S odhar ciar an Caimbeulach Dubh, 'S oillteil, fiadhaich 'amharc 's a chruth, 'S lachdunn, liath-ghlas, dubh; cha'n fhiache; 'S fear gun mhiadh an Caimbeulach Dubh. Aoir Air Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir AlasdAir. Cha deic fhad 's a tha mi 'g èisdeachd Ris an isg a tha gam chain eadh. Cuim' nach innsinn pàirt de 'n fhirinn, Ged nach d' rugadh am f hior bhard mi ? Tha suilean agam gu faicinn, 'S cluasan gu claìsdeachd mu d' ghnàthan ; 'S fhuair mi mar theisteanas riamh ort Gum b' fhearr thu nach b'f hiach ad nadar. 'S tu màgan cealgach na dige, 'S tu an losgan lìtheach, tàrr-ghlas, 'S tu an t-seilcheig shleamhuinn, stigeach, 'S tu snag mhillteach, dhsn' a chànrain, 'S tu famh gionach an dian bhùraich, 'S tu bratag lùbach an fhàsaich ; 'S tu 'm partan o'n duilich a spionadh Aon ni a' V ingnean a tharras- Thar gach èisg 's tu 'n dallag mhùgach, 'S tu bhiast-shiubhlach, 's tu mac-làmhaich ; 250 'S tu am broc, air loin a bhreuntais, 'Bhiodh a shron na 'chèir tri ràidhean ; 'S gur tu mhail do 'n ainm a gheur-lann ; 'S olc an treiid a tha dhuit cairdeach. 'S mur bhith grain do chàirdean fhèm ort, Cha deanainn-sa, 'bhèist, do chaineadh, Cha'n ionghnadh ged bhoidh ort gorta. 'S nach ann gad chosnadh a tha thu. 'S trie thu gun bhiadh, gun aodach, A. donnalaich air aodann chairdean. 'S iomadh la on bha iad sgith dhiot ; Gur a trie thu ssriobadh pairt diu ; 'S iad a guidhe bàis gun lochd dhuit, Mun dèid do chrochadh mu'n mhèirle. Rinn thu 'd chridh' air t' athair dimeas, 'S dh' amhairc thu sios air do mhathair ; Bhrisd thu 'n seanachas a tha sgriobhte, 'N dèidh a dhionachadh 'sna h-àithntean. Thug thu mionnan air a Bhiobull, Nach b' fhearr do shinnsir na Satan ; 'S bhrath thu iad air bheagan cùinnidh, Mar rinn Iùdas air ar Slànuighear. 'Bhliadhna sin thainig am Prionnsa, Bu shiubhlacb thu anns gach kite ; Ad chlach-bhalg air feadh na duthcha ; 'G iarraidh orr' tiemndadh le Tearlach. Ach eho luath 's a thug e chul riut ; Thionndaidh an cu ri sheann nàdar. Cha b' e 'n creideamh ach am brosgul 'Chuir a ghiulan crois a phàp thu, So far as known to us there is no ground for the insinuation that Mac 251 Mhaighstir Alasdair turned against Prince Charles. He was a born Jacobite and could never become anything else. Diomoiadh na Morthir. 'S mairg a mhol a Mhòrthir robach Airson stobaich challtuiim Heitirinn àirinn, uirinn, oboro, Heitirinn, àirinn hò rò. Fearann mosacb 's olc r'a cboiseacbd, Cha chirm molt nomeann air. Mnathan binneacb air bheag grinneas, 'S iad ri inisg cbainnteacb. We have not seen any more of this song. It is a reply to Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair beautiful descriptive poem, Faille na Morthir. 252 Fear an Lagain, Archibald Maclean resided in Laggan in the Isle of Mull. He was the fourth son of Donald Maclean of Torloisk and his wife, Mary, daughter of Campbell of Sunderland. He was a kind-hearted and pleasant man. He died in 1800, and was buried in Kilninian churchyard. There were eight pipers at his funeral. Nighean Donn nan Gobhar. LlUNNEAG. O, a nighean donn nan gobhar, E. a nighean donn nan gobhar ; Dh' òlainn bhuait bainne fo chobhar, 'S gheibheadh tu gleadhar o 'n truimb. Lion am botul, lion a dha dhiu, Lion a tri dhiu mar a b' àbhaist ; Gun dean ginichean am pàigheadh ; Seasaiclh a bhò bhàn a pris. Gur a h-i mo run is m' annsachd, An nigh'n donn 'tha ris na gamhna; Nuair a theid thu do 'n bhàl dannsaidh Cha bhi rio shamhladh 'san tir. Nuair a theid thu ad Ian chomhdach, 'S bhios do ribinnean an ordagh, Cha'n f heil fleasgach 'san Roinn Korpa Nach bi 'g 61 ort ann am fion, Nuair a theid thu mu na bruachan, 'S bhios do ribinnean mu'n cuairt dhuit, 253 'M fear a bhios da mhile shuas bhuait, Cuiridh tu bruaillean na 'chrìdh'. Ise A FReagairt. Cha phòs mise 'chaoidh fear suarach, Is cha ni leam bbith ga' luaidh rium ; 'S ann bhios agam skr dhuin' uasal Nach cuir gruaman orm a chaoidh. Am Bard. 'S a nigh'n donn 'tha 'd shuidhe làmh-rium Gur a mor a thug mi 'ghràdh dhuit ; Is ma gheibh mi toil do chàirdean, 'S mi nach dean ort tàir a chaoidh, 'S beag mo dhèidh air tè le storas, No air tè 'bhiodh uaibhreach, pròiseil ; Tè mo rùin, a chaileag bhoideach A tha 'n coinhnuidh laghach, grinn. Biomaid cridheil, biomaid ceòlmhor, Deanamaid gach ni mar 's còir dhuinn; Gheibh sinn pailteas fhad 's is beo sinn, 'S gn de 'n còrr a bhiodh gar dith ? Oran Le Fear an Lagain, an dèidh Lagh na Glaise. Luinneag. O 's mis' 'th' air mo lagadh, 'S mi'n so am measg Ghallaibh, 'S nach faigh mi lochd cadail le dòruinn. Nuair chaidh thu gam dhiteadh, Thng thu leat Cairstine, * 'S chaidh coitse gle riomhach na 'comhdail (G-U 'S e turus na breislich Thug mi dh' fhaicinn Miss Katie, 254 'S gun d' fhuair mi mu dheireadh gu leoir dh'i. 'S e turus gun bhuannachd 'Thug mi dh' fhaicinn na gruagaich ; Gun d' thuit mi le bruaich 'san robh stòiridh. Ged tha mise for eislein, Tha 'n gobhainn gle eibhinn Bhon thachair e-fhèin is Fear Chòrnaig. Ged thigeadh Mac-Cuaire 'S na bh' aige de dh-uaislean, Cha'n fhuiliginn 'san uair s' ann am choir e 'M fear ruadh ud de m' chinneadh, Gur suarach mi uime, Ged thigeadh e Mhingeiridh 'chomhuuidh. Nan digeàdh Sir Ailein Lechòmhlanaibh glana, Gum fanadh e tamullam chòir-sa. Thoir mo shoraidh 'n tir ìseal Gu uaislean 's gu ìslean, 'S thoir uìread ri tri dhiu gu Domhnall. Cha'n èirich mi 'm sheasamh, Cha'n èirich am feasda, Bhon fhuair mi mo ghreadadn 's mo leonadh. Nam bithinn-s' am Muile, An dùthaich na tuinne, Gun :digeadh gach duin' ann am chomh- dhail, An gobhainn, the man who made the locks which occasioned the Lawsuit of the Locks. Mac Cuaire, Macquarrie of Ulva. Am fear ruadh, Hector Maclean of Ensay. Sir Ailein, Sir Allan Maclean of Bròlas Womhnall, Donald, son and heir of Hugh Maclean of Coll. He was drowned in 1774. 255 Duanag. Le Fear an Lagain, an uair a bha e air leab- aidh a bhàis. LUINNEAG. Cha 'n fheil feum anns a mhulad, Cha 'n fheil treun ris nach cuir e, Cha 'n fheil feum anns a mhulad. Ailis dhonn gur mor mo ghradh ort; Gruaidh na nàire 's beul an fhuarain. Tha mi 'n dòchas dhiot nach taobh thu Giullan faoin nach dean do chumail. 'Iain, bi gu math do dh-Ailis, Thoir do ghràdh dh' i mar a bhuineas. Tha mi 'n so an seòmbar clàraidh, 'S ge fad an dàil thig an cuireadh. Tha mo dhotair ann am Bròlas, 'S cha dig e earn choir-sa tuilleadh. ]Sam biodh fios aige mar tha mi, Mharcaicheadh e 'm màm gu h-ullamh. 'S mithich dhomhsa sgur de m' oran, Bhon tha 'n crònan s' ann am mhuineai. 'S mor mo pheacaidhean r' an leughadh, 'S lionmhor iad seach feur is duilleach. 'S lionmhoire na ghaineamh ghlas iad; Och, mo chreach, cha 'n fhaodar fuireach. Tha mo dhòchas uil' an trocair An Ti ghloirmhoir sin a dh' fhuiling. Ailis, a nighean Iain, a mhac. Cha robh e pòsda; ach bha e math d'a chuid cloinne. Cha bu trudar gun diu e a bhòidicheadh nàch bu leis ad, agus nach deanadh ni air an son. 256 Ailis Nic-Gilleain. Alice Maclean was a daughter of Don- ald Maclean of Torloisk and a sister of Archibald of Laggan. She was married to Lachlan Macquarrie of Ulva, by whom she had several children. She died at a comparatively early age. She was a woman of ability, and evidently a real poetess. We give a tradition with regard to Alice Maclean and her husband, which may be correct. We trust, however, for the sake of her husband that it is not correct. Tt is this. Alice was engaged to be married to Campbell of Ballinaby in Islay. Lachlan Macquarrie forged a let- ter in Campbell's name and sent it to her. In the letter the writer stated that he was on the way to Edinburgh to get mar- ried. A few days afterwards Macquarrie went to see Alice, proposed to her, and was accepted. She was married only a short time when she found out that she had been cruelly deceived. It is scarcely necessary to say that she was never happy with her husband. The decep- tion practised upon her was the cause of the following song: 257 A Bhean Mhuladach. LTJINNEAG. Seinn o horo seinn, Seinn o horo 'leannain, Seinn o horo seinn. Gur a muladach 'tha mi, 'S mi air àiridh 'chruidh bhainne. Gur a a muladach sgith mi, 'S mi learn fhin an tir m' aineol. Ged nach bi mi ga 'innseadh, 'S ann an IF tha mo leannan. Ged nach bimi ga 'ràitinu, Thugfmi gradh dha 's mi 'm leanabh. 'Thighearn' òig Bhail-an-aba, 'S tu mo ghradh de na fearaibh. Ach ma chaidh thu 'Dhuneideann, Guidheam fein thu thigh'nn fallain. Lamh a stiuradh a bhàta, 'S muir a gàirich ri 'darach. 'S tu gun stiuradh i direach Troimh Chaol He na 'deannaibh. 'S tu gun stiuradb i tioram, 'S muir a mire ri 'darach. Ged 's e 'm Muileach a 'e ni dhomb, 'S e an t-Ileach mo leannan. Mairi Nign'n Eoghain. Mary Maclean, Mairi Nighean Eoghain, was a daughter of Hugh Maclean, 14th laird of Coll. She was married, July 258 31st, 1761, to the Rev. Malcolm Mac- askill, minister of Eigg, Muck, Rum, and Canna, and had seven children. Of her songs we have only a few bits. Duanag d'a Rrathair. Is a thlghearn' oig chola, Guidheam sonas is àgh ort. Hao ill o roho ho, 'Ghaoil gum faiceam slaiiTlhu; Hao ill o roho ho. Riut a thogadh mo chridhe, 'S tu a tighinn fo d' mhàileid. Saoghal fad dhuit 'n deagh bheatha, 'N deidh do mhnatha 's do mhàthar. Bi math ad cheann tuatha; 'S dòcha buaidh thigh'nn air àl sud. Donald, her brother, went to see Mrs. Macaskill. She met him as he came up from the boat to the manse, and wel- comed him in the poetic lines just given. Donald was drowned in the Sound of Ulva in 1774. Rannan. Chuir mi suas mo ghùn bainnse, 'Dhol a shealltuinn mo sheann leannain, Hug o rin o 's mi air m' aineol. 'S truagh nach robh te eile 'm sheombar, Is mi-fhin 's Mac-Leoid am Manain. 259 Iain Mac Eoghain. John Maclean, known as Iain mac Eoghain, lived in Lane;amull in the Isle of Mull. He was a firm Jacobite, and an excellent swordsman. He was at one time insulted by the Campbells, for whom he had certainly no great love. He chal- lenged any man of the name to meet him in a duel with swords, but his challenge was not accepted. He was born probably about the year 1745. He married Mary Maclean, by whom he had four sons and five daughters. He was the author of several songs, but they have all perished except a few stanzas. Nan Digeadh Tus', a Thearlaich, Nan digeadh tus' a Thearlaich, Le d' mhath 's le d' mhisnich laidir, Gu 'r togail as na càsan s', Gum b' àrd 'bhiodh ar ceann. 'S iomadh fear 'thug gradh dhuit, Nach leasaich thu gu brath e, Ged a bhiodh tu 'm màireach 'S na b' kill leat fo d' laimh. 'S e 'n leasachadh a b' fhearr leinn, Air son na chaidh gu bàs leat, Gum faiceamaid na Gàidheil Le 'n clàidhean an camp' ; Ar Tearlach 'bhith ga 'chrùnadh, Is Breatànn 'bhith fo 'umhlachd, Is Seoras 'del gu 'dhùthaich, Le rusgadh nan lann. Gur mora chulaidh mhùisig, Sibh fein 's ar trudar Diuca, 260 'Bhith 'nis ag iarraidh umhlachd An cùirt Innse-Gall. Cha b'e meud bhur diulnais A dh' fhàg bhur fearann dumhail, Ach innleachdan is lùban, 'S gach cuis a dhol cam. Tha agam air a chul sin De'r droch bheartan ri chunntas, Gun d' chroch sibh Seumas Stiubhart, 'S cha chliu dhuibh a bh'ann. Ach dh' fhaoidt' a bhith ri ùine Gum pàighear sin leibh dubailt' ; 'S ged chithinn e le m' shuilean, 'S ann learn nach bu chall. B' fhearr leam fhin na 'n dùthaich, Is tuilleadh mor na b' fhiu i, Gun digeadh Tearlach Stiubhart Fo shiuil gu Whitehall. Nan digeadh tu ecu 'r n-ionnsuidh Le fictead mile diùlnach, Gun càramaid gu surdail An crùn air do cheann. Sin nuair bhiomaid sunndach, Cha chaidleamaid 'san luirich, Cha bhiodb ar ceann 'san smuraich, 'S bhiodh sùghadh narcainnt; Claidheabh air chuldùirn againn, 'Bag'radh dol ga 'rùsgadh, 'S gur teann nach rachadh sgiursadh Air criu nam beul cam. The duke referred to is the Duke of Argyll. Colin Campbell of Glenure was shot dead by Allan Breac Stewart on the 14th of May, 1752. James Stewart, a man who had nothing to do with the murder, was arrested, condemned and hanged for it. 261 Orain le Baird Neo Ainmichte. Oran do Shir Tain Mac-Giixeain, Triath Dhubhairt 'Dheagh Mhic-Coinnich a Brathainn, 'S cian 's gur fad' 'tha thu 'd laighe, 'S nach do dh-eirich thu fhathast, 'Chur le deagh Mhac Gilleain, 'S cha mho 'chaidh tu roimh latha 'thoirt àir 'S a Mhic-Neill o'n tir thuathaich, Is beirt neanach a bhuail thu. Càit an robh thu nach cual thu Mac-Gilleain a-a 'fhuartach Far nach faight' ach siol fuarairson bàidse; So an tir a tha bochd dheth Le luchd reubainn is cosgraidh ; Mnathan pgith , 's iad ri osnaich, Fir nan sineadh fo lotaibh Agus fithich a rocail cam bi àghad. Mnathan fionna gan rùsgadh, 'S fir gan losgadh le f udar, Is gam marbhadh le fiùi'haidh, A n cuid dorsan gan dunadh, 'S an cuirp gheala na'n smùraich 'n taigh dàite. Bha a-* 1 clann, ged bu bheag iad, Fo gheur shàthadh nam biodag, lad a rànaich 's a clisgeadh. Am fuil bhlkth gu dlu shilteach, 'S iad gun sùil ri beul iochda bho 'n naimhdean. 'Chlann ud Ailein ri Una, ?.S fad bhur cadal gun dùsgadh ' (H)-l 262 Leis an ridire chiiuiteach.— 'S car e 'db-iarla na cùile, Do Mhac Aonghuis an Dùin 's do dhà bhrathair. Ach nan tUleadh e fallain, 'S fhad a staigh 'rachadh 'alladh Ann an dùthaich Mhic-'Jailein; Bhiodh bà bogha gan gearradh, 'S iad a fagail na fol' air na blàraibh. Tha Innse-Gall 'nis air striochdadh, Air a ceangal am priosan. Cuim an ceilinn an ni sin? Cuim nach gabhteadh casgrigh leinn, ' - grain ne mullaich nan crioch air ar fàgail? Ru tu 'ntreun-fhear air thoiseach, 'Dhol a ghabhail a bbrosnaidh. 'N km do namhaid bhith nochdadh Bbiodh do rò-seoil ana portaibh, 'Sibhiodh do bhiataichean rompa an skthadh. Gur a Jionmhor fo mbulad Fiuran ovr is seann ohuraidh, 'S nacb h-fheil ceanntart fir Mhuile Mar a b' àbhaist, 's bu chubhaidh : Gur a he mo chreach uil' a chruaidh chàradh. Rrosnadh, the same as brosnachadh. ftò- seol, top-gallants. In 1691 — the year before the mas- sacre of Glencoe took place — the Earl of Argyll succeeded in obtaining from King William a commission to bring the Mac- leans to obedience. He invaded Mull at 263 the head of 2,500 men, and proceeded to carry out the Kind's orders with tire and sword. Sir John and some of his follow- ers had retired to Cairnburgh. Thus the invaders met with no opposition, ac- cording to the poem they set fire to houses, shot down men, stripped women naked, and slew little children with their daggers. Of course it is possible tha the author had the second-sight and that he was really describing the butcheries of the Turks in Armenia at the present ; day. r s iorram Ho dh-Iain Garbh, Triath Chola. 'Righ nach èireadh i tuath, '3 i bhith siobhalta, buan, Is gun togadh na h-uaislean breid rith'. A liigh fheartaich nan dùl, Cum an soirbheas sin ciùin, Nuair a ghabhas mo run na dheidh e. Ceist mo chridhe-sa 'n t-ainm L,eis 'n do bhaisteadh Iain Garbh; 'S ©g a rinn mi leat leanabas deideig. Mac na lknaine ceart, 'Dheonaicli Dia 'san aon ghlaic; Fhuair sibh dioladh gu pailt d'a reir sin. 264 Gur he ogha sin Eoin Ri nighinn Mhic-Leoid, 'S mac na deagh mhna o'n Mòrthir m' eudail. Gun robh freagradh ad cheann, Agus deasbad na 'lorg 'N Gaidhlig, "Laidinn, is Fraingis 's Beurla. Gun robh susbain ad chorp, Agus uaislegun spot, ' Fhir a b' urrainn ' s gach cnoc an reiteach, Craobh de'n abhall a b' fhearr, Bu mhath luthadh ri sks, As a choille a b' airde geugan. 'S ann duit a b' fhasan o thus A bhith dileas do 'n chrùn, Gun bhith' foilleil an cùis to 'n ghrein da. Tha mi tamull gun suain, Agus m' aigneadh fo ghruaim, '8 mor 'tha 'dh-ionndraichinn nam a's leir dhomh. 'N cai&teal tubaisteach 'bh' ann, Alu'n robh chaiseamachd shearbh, A Righ, bu shoilleir ar call rau 'deibhinn. Ceist mo chridhe-sa 'n geard ' Bha mu d' thimchioll 'san àit; B' ann de dh abhall do ghàraidh fein e ; Mo chreach an tanaistear og, Leia an rachadh tu 'd dheoin, 'Bhith ga t' fhaicinn gun deo bhith 'd chreabhaig. Ceann mo thaighe gu ceart, Fear a's urranta smachd: 265 'N Righ, ga 'choimhead 's gach feachd 'an dèid e. 'S mairg do 'n uachdaran og 'Bhith ga t' fhaicinn fo leon ; Ged a thuit thu bu chonnspull cheud thu. 'Bhith ga t' fhaicinn gun deo Ann an ciste nam bòrd, 'Fhir a leanadh an tòir 's nach geilleadh. Tha do chinneadh fo sproc O 'n la 'rinneadh do lot; 'S ann bha'n diubhaltas * oirt fo d' leine. Gu bheil susbain ad chorp, A gns uaisle gun spot, 'Fhir a b' urrainn 's gach cnoc an reiteach. Lachlan, 9th of Coll, married Marion, daughter of John Dubh of Moydart and his wife Marion Macleod, who was a daughter or Sir Rory Mor of Dunvegan. John, his only son, was accidentally killed in Edinburgh, whilst pursuing his studies. He was standing near the castle looking at a riotous mob, when a splinter from a grenade struck him. He was succeeded by Donald, his uncle and tutor. He was only about eighteen years of age at the time of his death. 266 Oran Do dh-Eachann Mac-Gilleain, triath Dhubh- airt, a mharbhadh an Inbhircheitein. Ach ge grianach an latha, Gur a cianail an rathad So, 'tha mise ga 'ghabhail, 'Dh-fhios an tùir an robh m' aighear, Is mac mor Mhic-Gilleain, 'S e gun sùgradh na 'laigbe, 'S naoh fbeil e ri fhaighinn na 'shlàinte. Cba bu cbruaidh learn mo cbairdean An la ud ga m' fhàgail; Cha n, iad 'tba mi 'g aireamh, Ach mo bharanta laidir Agus t' fhea ann gun àiteach, 'Fhir 'thug fortan le cairdeas gun sgraing dhomh. Dhomh bu deacair toirt thairis 1 ùb ùr nan sul meallach Is nan calbannar geala, Is na deudaich chubhr 1 anail, Tha thu 'shinnsribh nam fear nach robh sgàthach. Mac thu b' uaisl' o Shir Lachainn O nighinn Ruairidh nam bratach. Chuir thu buaireadh air m' aigneadh, Agus deoir air mo rasgaibh ; Chuir mi m' uaislean an capaichean tàmha. Ceann mo loin ri uair m 1 ainnis ! Bha diol gruaig air mo lean abb, Cùl grinn cuacbach nan camag, 'S e mar fheoirnein na charaibh; 'S tu 'bu mhor-chuiseach sealladh.— Gum bu righ thu 'measg barrach fir Alba. 267 'S iomad tlachd bh' ort rì 'àireamh : Aghaidh shiobhaita, bhan gheal, 'S gnnis fhlathail, ghlan, mhàlda; Gun robh gruaidhean an armuinn, Cheart~cho dearg lis an sgàrlaid, D'an robh gliocasìs cairdeas gunanamoich' 'Mhic an àrmuinn a Muile, On a rinneadh leat fuireach Anns a bhlar 'san robh 'n cumasg, . Do thaobh mìn-gheal làn bhuillean, 'S do luchd-leaninhuinn a fulang, 'S lag is sgith mi ri tuireadh mo chairdean. Thuit mo cho-dhalta tapaidh Tball fo bhaile na faiche, Làn de chruadal 's de ghaisge; 'S ged bu chraiteach mar thachair, Cba 'n e sin tha mi 'g acain Ach an sgiurs a fhuair Eachann roimh 'naimhdean. Càit an d' rugadh no d' araicheadh, No 'n do ghineadh mac armuinn, Pearsa duin' a thug bàrr ort Nuair a ghlacadh tu 'n spainteach Liobhte churanta, laidir, Ts a cbuireadh tu fàilt' air do champa? Ged a thigeadh fir tìhùineirt, Is Clann-Iain o 'n Rùta, fs Clann-Chamarain nach diultadh Le 'm boghaichibh cùl-bhuidh', Is le 'n saighdibh 'bu shiubhlaeh, Bbiodh gach boineid a Jùbadh do m' luaidh-sa„ Ged bu dumhail am feachd ud, Ts iad cruinn a'r aon fhaiche, Ts mo gràdh a theachd seachad 268 Bu leis urram gach maise. — Is mairg mathair do 'm mac thu, Is mairg muime 'rinn t' altrum, No a chunnaic cur seachad na n-uir' ort. Gur h-e mis' 'th' air mo sgaradh Mu na chuirt 'th' aig na Gallaibh, 'S ogha Ruairidh na, leanabh, Dalta dileas mo sheanar. — Bha thu 'n cairdeas Mhic-Cailein, Is an righ a bh' air Manain 'Bhagu cialladeach.carraideach, ainmeil. An righ a bh' air Manain; Olave the Red. Clann-Iain; sliochd Iain Mhoir, an tanaistear. It is probable that the lament for Sir Hector was composed by a woman. It expresses the genuine feelings of the heart. It was published by Ranald Macdonald in his collection in 1776, and appeared in the first Inyerness collection in 1806. An Cronan Muil^ach. LUINNEAG. E ho i o hu o èileadh, E ho i o hù orin o; E ho i o hu o èileadh, Hi ri hù na hùrabh o ho, Gur he mise 'tha gam lathadh, Tha mo shuil na 'bìrn 's na 'ceathach, 'S mi gu T > cheol, gun ol, gun aighear, Mu'n dol fìos 'th' air siol an taighe. Mu'n dol sios 'th' air siol an taighe; Lachainn a dh' fhalbh bhuainn mu Fheill- Eathain, 269 Mo sheachd rùin chaidh dhiu mu shamhainn, 'S ceann mo mhuirn an cunnart fhathast. Ceann mo mhùirn an cunnart fhathast; Mac na deagh mhna 'chinneadh m' athar; Mathair warn mac min-gheal, flathail, Nach d' fhuair beum air ghleus g' am faighear. Nach d' fhuair heum air ghleus g' am faighear, Am fairg', an doire, no 'n abhainn. Tha 'n ddbhrah fo lorg bhur n-abhag, 'S bheir sibh leum a ceil' an aighe. Gur he mis* a fhuair an clisgeadh lad a dh' f halbh an tus am pisich ; Comunn nan gruag 's nan com slios-gheal, O 'n taigh mhòr 'sam biodh am briotal. O 'n taigh mhòr 'sam biodh am briotal, Toirm air thàileasg, clàir gam piocadh, 'S iad ag òl gu pòiteil, misgeil, Le beul an t-sùgraidh s a ghliocais. Gur he mise 'th' air mo chuaradh Mu shliochd nam fear o 'n Leth Uachdraich ; Siol Mlein duiua, ckòraaich, chuachaich, Rho rugha ciar na h-àirde fuaraidh; Bho rugha ciar na h-àirde f uaraidh, 'S bho Chaol Muile 'n luingis luainich 'Sheoladh gu Dubhairt na stuaidhe, Tur ard 'sam biodh bàird air bhuannachd. Gheibhteadh an Dubhairt na stuaidhe Leathanaich, Camaranaich, Tuathaich, Stiubhartaich o 'n ghleannan uachdrach, 'S Mac-Dhughaill a thur nan clach uaiae. (i-l) 270 Ach co 'n neach air nach dig muthadh, Mar na neoil 'sna speuraibh dubh-ghorm ! Cinneadh laidir nan lann ruiagte, 'S truagh mar tha iad roimh na Duibhnieh. Nuair 'thanig aibh siar an toiseach, Bha sibh buadhail anns gach cogadh, Lannan cruaidh' dhuibh 'a bhuailteadh goirt iad; Chuirteadh fèum air leigh dh' an lotaibh An am dol 'sios do 'n dream Dhuibhneach. Tol suas le buaidh 'bu dual dhuibhae; '3 fada chluinnteadh gàbh bhur muinntir "Togail fhaobh air taobh gach tulachain. Bu taitneach leam fhin co dhiu sin, Aon mhac Shir Ailein nan luireach, Cuilein leoghainn nan long siubhlach 'Bhith 'curlasraoh ri aitreabh Dhuibhneach. Ach 'Fhir ris an deanam m' uirnigh, 'S mi mar Oiseia 'n dèidli an rusgaidh, Tionndaidh an roth mar bu dù dha, 'S cuir an tir so 'n ord tgh dhuinne. Gu bheil m inntinn-sa fo snvilan, Is mo shuilean gum bi galach Gua am ffcic mi riad an latha 'Am bi dol auaa air siol an taighe. 271 Speculations in Orthography. We should spell words, so lar as practicable, j ust as they are pronounced. According to this rule we should write, not tig, tug. toir, tèid, tàinig, but d' thig, d' thug, d' thoir, d' thèid, d' thàinig, or simply dig dug, doir, dèid, dkinig We should preserve the oldest form of words, so far as that can be done without violation to the present mode of pronouncing them. This rule gives us claidheabh, caidreabh, seagh, traigh or troigh, laigh, pàigh, fheil, iarann. Domhnall and an dèidh in place of claidheamh, caidreamh, seadh, traidh or troidh, laidh, pàidh, 'eil, iarunn, Domhnall, and an dèigh. When two words are welded together so as to be pronounced as one word they should, as a general rule, be written as such. We see no reason for writing 'g am or ga m' instead of 'gam or gam'. Why should we write 't was, can 't, don't, and not 'twas, can't, don't? The apostrophe indicates the omission of a letter which is generally sounded, a J in maid' for maide. It is also used to denote the omission in a sentence ("f a word which is commonly used, as in am fear 'bha in place of am fear a bha. The way in which a originated is a natter of no consequenee, except to the philologist. If it is not generally used in speaking betweea fear and bha, the apostrophe is not needed. But if it is generally used, the apostrophe should be inserted. In a', the, o'n, since, mu'n, ere, gu'n, that, c'àite, where, and c'arson, why, the omitted letters are never sounded. It is unnecessary, then, to write these words with an apostrophe . It would be absurd to say that we should place an apos- trophe after a, the, to show that it is a shortened foim of an. A in English is a shortened form 272 of an, but we never think of writing it a". It may be said that we should write the article a in Gaelic a' to distinguish it from the relative pro- noun a, his or her. This would be sound reas- oning if we used any sign in speaking, such as a Chinese tone or a Hottentot click, to distin- guish the one of these words from the other; but we use no such sign. Why, then, should we use a sign in writing? It will of course be said that the apostrophe should be retaiued in gu'n, that, to distinguish it from gun, without. If both these words belonged to the same part of speech there would be force in this argument; but as they do not it is an utteily groundless argument. As we hear 'nuair, when, and c'uime, why, more frequently than an uair and cia uime, we think the apostrophe might be omitted without any loss either to the eyes or the understanding of the reader. Whether we derive ga from g-a in 'g-a-m', or conveniently regard it as ag inverted, there can be no linguistic necessity for placing an apos- trophe before it. 'Ga is a preposition and nothing more. The mere fact that there is an apostrophe before it does not convert it into ga a. If we consider it desirable to indicate the omis- sion of a, his or her, in ga bhualadh or ga bualadh, we must write ga 'bnualadh, ga 'bualadh. Na should be written in the same way as ga. As there are several na's, how- ever, and only one ga, the apostrophe would be missed much more before na than it would be before ga. A' m' and a' d', which stand for an mo and an do, should be written am and ad. Ann am and ann ad stand for ann a' m' and ann a' d'. When a, in, is used by itself, it bhould be written a' to distinguish it from a, out of; as in a' t' uchd, in your breast, a t» ucbd, out of your breast. 273 Cha'n and anns are not monosyllables except to the eye. In cha'n the n stands for no, and is invariably pronounced along with the word Which follows it, as in cha n'òl, Anns an taigh is pronounced in ordinary conversation, an san taigh. Should we not, then, write an san taigh, especially when we know that the preposition anns exists only in books, and that san is an old form of the article and still exists in the spoken language? Corrections and Notes. Page 25, line 7, Fra,ingo, Frainge; ?8, 9, Aaos- dana, Aosdana; 37, 2, Gil-leain, 'Gill-eain; 37,7, put an interrogation point after Fhearghuis; 37, 22,lùthaidh,luthaidh; 39, 12, lùthadh, luthadh; 41, 12, ceararich, cèarraich; 33, aa nail, a nail; 48, 21, geur iann, geur lann, 51, 23, 'na eidedh, na'èideadh; 55,30, Mhic Eachainn, mhic Each- ainn; 60, 12, ^a's glan, 's glan; 31, blàraidh. blàraibh; 63, 14, dhealaicheadh, dealaicheadh ; 64, 10, iònaid, ionaid; 6J, 35, Malar -tach, Malart- ach; 70, 18, 'n a t', a' t'; 74, 11, abhaaist, àbhaist; 77, 5, chaochaial,chaochail; 82,2, McLean Mac- lean, 84, 20, caiin, cailin; 86, 19, an, am; 91,15, unking, unkind; 92, 27, Cainburgh, Cairnburgh; 109, 11, iorghnadh, ionghnadh, 110, 21, mi am, mi 'm; 116, 1, Gum, gun; 117, 31, Eber, Eibhear; 32, Eremon, Eiremhan or Eireamhan; 120, 12, nache, nach e; 124, 29, Muideratach, Mùideart- ach; i27, 25, luchde, luchd; 128, 23, a t', a' t'; 129, 7, chomradh, chòrnhradh; 131, 3, b , beag, 9,,thng,thug; 132, 1, dh' fhaithrich, dh' fhairich; 133, 1, de, be; 138, 21, ann riochd, an riochd; 146, 23", tuite arann, tuitear ann; 146, 2«, dh' fhaithrich, dh' fhairich; 158, 12, ceumanan na cèumannan a; 161, 20, 'na fhcar, na 'fhear; 1(3! 274 23, leanail, ieanailt; 166,3, clachaibh, clochaibh 168, 18, ain, an; 27, bonnach, bannach; 35, bhonn aich, bhannaieh; 173, 1, Laoid, Laoidh; 175 31, chriedeamh, chreideamh; 183. 24, dhuln, dhuinu; 184, 13, Aileen, Ailein; 185, 30 eirch, èirich; 186, 19, Aileen, Ailein; 189, 20 wee, were; 190, 17, chuineadh, chuinneadh 192,32, Aileen, Ailein; 196, 8, Bkon, Bho 'n; 199 ? waa, was, 206, 25, bhell, bheil; 207, 3, faodainn faotuinn; 210, 6, Aileen, Ailein, 212, 13,chleachd iach, chleachdaich. 27, Ui^ne, Uisnich. But Uisne and Uisneachan are also used; 213, 1, ar- ogba, iar-ogha; 214, 12, bh on, bhron; 215, 20, Aileen, Ailein; 217 8 bhlths, bhlàths; 221, 6, at Kilmorl, and Kilmore; 223, 19, nab, nan; 224,17, be b' e; 224, 32. seal, iseal; 225, 19, anuradh, ànradh; 226,12, o, of; 227, 33, fiaitb, flaitb; 228, 13, Bho, Bba; 231, 1, a'thrtach, aithreach, 232, 17, b-ing ghinn, h ighinn, 233, 15, sa, a; 16, un, gun, 234, 23, uath, luatb; 236, 5, choir, choir'; 238, 17, èille, fèille; 240, 4, àirid', àird; 34, cblaidheabh, chlaidhibh; 35, chaoll, chaoil; 241, 2, sgenlachd, sgeulachd; 243, 2, sociar, socair; 245, 25, chu deachd, chuideachd; 246, 7, sgrion, sgriob; 12, gu, gun; 247, 10, cònmhraig, còmh- raig; 22, mheirig, mbeirg; 249, 16, isg, èisg; 22, lhearr, fhear; 250, 3, mhail, mhial; 7, bhoidh, bhiodh; 251, 10, nomeann, no meann; 253, 16, coinhnuidh, còmhnuidh; 28, Oairstine, Cairis- tine; 254, 7, for, fo; 255, 9, fhuarain, fhuiain; 258, 6, thlghearn', thig-hearn'; 261, 24, smùraich, smurach; 262, 1, chiiuiteach, cliuiteach; 263,16, èireadh, èireadh; 266, 15, f'hea ann, fhearann; 19, ùb, Lùb; 28, capaichean, leapaicbean; 267, 6, guna namoich', gun anmoiche; 268, 7, na, leanabh, na 'leanabh. P. 44, 28.— Ceanntard should be ceanntart. Dr. Maclean writes the word centort. The fact that ceann was originally cend may account for 275 the middle t. The last t has sprung -p in the same way as the t in Dubhairt, which is from Dubh aird P. 56 —Taken in connection with what follows the line, A fhuair urram 's tu 'd leanabh air sluag'.i, implies that Donald of Coll was a child when his father fought at Inverlochy in 1645. But the Ardgour MS., which is probably cor- rect, states that Donald died in April, 1729, in the 72nd year of his age A fhuair urram 's tu 'd leanabh air sluagh must, then, be taken as a general assertion which has no reference to the battle of Inverlochy. Page 68. The explanatory note on this page was written eight years ago In publishing it in this work, I overlooked the words " and a kind man." I should have deleted them. It would be perfectly correct to say that the Mac- leans of Coll were, as a general rule, kind men and good lairds; but I am, at the present time, somewhat afraid that Lachlan was an exception. It is said that he u^ed a good deal of force in raising the company which he took with him to Holland. Page 110,— Tha mi 'm chadal 's gur tim dhomh dusgadh. Delete the words, Fotn: — Fhir a bhata no ho ro eile. They are not in Dr. Mac- lean's MS. Page 121.— \ch an dearbhadh mi fhortain. These are the words in Dr. Maclean's MS. Per haps, however, he should have written, Ach an dearbha mhi-fhortan Page 128 — Air sgèith na maidne 's luaithe. It is probable that the air of this song was com- posed by one of the Mac crimmons. Page 132.— 'S mi ri cànran gun chaidreabh Ri cèile mo leapa, 'Cur an gèill gur h-e staid-se 'Thug dhachaidh mi uatha. 276 It is evident from the second line that Iain Mac Ailein was married, and probable from the third line that he had children. Page 226.— Lachlan, ninth of C dl— The word ninth is correct. In the published histories of the Macleans the name of one of the chieftains of the Coll family has been omitted. Conse- quently I-achlan is erroneously described as the eighth laird of Coll. - There is no great pleasure in correcting proof s as they come fresh from the hands of a man who does T>ot understand what he is printing. There is a good deal of quiet enjoyment, how- ever, to be derived from correcting a book, as a man has an opportunity of showi n g how much he Knows about little things. As this work was printed in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, it took the proofs three days to come to me and three days to go back The printers are not book-publishers and had not as large a quantity of spare type as would be needed to print the book in three or four months if they would send me proof s twice. There are thus more typographical errors than one would wish to see. At the same time 1 would rather have all these errors than have the work dragging its way through the press during five or six months. Àsa general rule the errors are not of very much importance. They mar the beauty ofthepages.it is true; but they do hot render them unintelligible, it is some consolation, however, to know that all the good things in the woi Id are not beautiful to the eye. " Kidh sinn beo an dòchas ra-math, Gum bi 'chùis na's fhearr an ath la." The songs and bits of songs by Fear an Lag- ain, Alice Maclean, and Iain Mac Eoghain, and a^o Piomoladh na Morthir have been sent to me 277 by Counndullie Morison, Esq., Aintuim, Mull. Perhaps there may be some one who can send me a few additional verses. It is a pity that a part of " Nan digeadh tus', a Thèarlaich " should be lost. The Maclean Bards from 1775 to 1898. I have paid all the expenses connected with the publication of this volume. The free contri- butions sent me have helped to pay these ex- penses, but they are far from meeting them in full. The retail price of the book is fixed at two shillings and six pence,— so low a price that any one who takes the slightest interest in Gaelic poetry can afford to buy it. If. 250 copies of it will be sold, I shall have no pecuniary loss by it. If the Macleans have any regard at all for the productions of their unsaxonised fore- fathers, or any real interest in themselves as a clan, that number should be sold in a very few weeks. The poems are readable and intelligible. They are also of historical value, if not to the world, at least to the Macleans. The second volume is ready for publication. It contains all the valuable secular poems and songs that have been composed by Macleans during the last hundred years If 2 copies of this volume shall be sold, and if the small sum of seventy-five dollars will be sent to me to assist in paying the cost of publishing the second volume, that volume will be issued in a very short time. (J-U I ; cÀtrc mJt^ '■■■■:■■ . ' • 1 \v>v.: MmW ■ ■ill™ WBBBÈ WDSÈk illlll§l§ ■■■■ 1 ■■■ 1111111 - 1 111 IllliliilL V I 11 mm siss^^^^g WBmwBm §111 i ■