352
NOTES TO CANTO THIRD.
But Macvuirih, the son of Fergus?
No sooner had thine ancient stately tree
Taken firm root in Albin,
Than one of thy forefathers fell at Harlaw.—
'Twas then we lost a chief of deathless name!—
No sooner had thine ancient stately tree
Taken firm root in Albin,
Than one of thy forefathers fell at Harlaw.—
'Twas then we lost a chief of deathless name!—
'Tis no base weed—no planted tree,
Nor a seedling of last autumn;
Nor a sapling planted at Beltain;[1]
Wide, wide around, were spread its lofty branches———
But the topmost bough is lowly laid!
Thou hast forsaken us before Sawaine.[2]
Nor a seedling of last autumn;
Nor a sapling planted at Beltain;[1]
Wide, wide around, were spread its lofty branches———
But the topmost bough is lowly laid!
Thou hast forsaken us before Sawaine.[2]
Thy dwelling is the winter house;—
Loud, sad, and mighty is thy death song!—
Oh! courteous champion of Montrose!
Oh! stately warrior of the Celtic Isles!
Thou shalt buckle thy harness on no more!
Loud, sad, and mighty is thy death song!—
Oh! courteous champion of Montrose!
Oh! stately warrior of the Celtic Isles!
Thou shalt buckle thy harness on no more!
The coronach has for some years past been superseded at funerals by the use of the bag-pipe, and that also is, like many other Highland peculiarities, falling into disuse, unless in rcmote districts.
Note XI.
Benledi saw the Cross of Fire,
It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire.—St. XVIII. p. 122.
It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire.—St. XVIII. p. 122.
A glance at the provincial map of Perthshire, or at any large map of Scotland, will trace the progress of the signal through the small district of lakes and mountains, which, in exercise
