tliKtilT 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNtVCRSITV OP 
 CAltrOftNtA 
 
 ^ h 
 
fV*>^^^ 
 
 Mqw^ 
 
RuTHVEN's Revenge 
 
 Other Metrical Tales. 
 
 BY 
 
 LOCHNAGAR, ^^q^a^ 
 
 Maclachlan and Stewart. 
 1862. 
 
lOAN STACK 
 
 Edinlmrgh : Printed by Neill and Company. 
 
/A ii R % 
 
 Contents. 
 
 Page 
 
 RuTHVENS Revenge . . . ^ 
 
 The Pirate, ..... 26 
 
 Strathaven Castle, . . 39 
 
 Massacre OF EiGG, 54 
 
 248 
 
Ruthvens Revenge. 
 
 Y lofty crags which ftem the tide 
 That rolls to Scotia's weftern fide : 
 Crags which conceal the dreary cave 
 Where oft the noble and the brave. 
 By every hope difown'd. 
 As war protra6ted fed diftrefs. 
 And left no fhadow of fuccefs. 
 
 Secure ^fylum found. 
 Here, too, fi:ill fertile in her fiore 
 Of themes, traditionary lore 
 Speaks of a beaming fpectred light. 
 Which floods the difmal cell by night 
 Tells that the Demon of the Storm 
 Sometimes difplays his awful form -, 
 
Ruthver^s Revenge. 
 
 Charging the elements to rife. 
 And battle with the fea and ikies. 
 
 II. 
 
 Nor this alone : of raptured love. 
 
 In female grace difplay'd. 
 Through hoflile ages flie hath llrove 
 
 To fpeak of Gayford's maid. 
 Here virtue lent her every charm 
 Which can the female pallions warm ; 
 In air and manner dignified. 
 She her companions far outvied : 
 How mufical her mellow voice. 
 
 That deep impreffion made 
 On the glad obje6l of her choice. 
 
 As he his amours paid ! 
 Beauty her imprefs fure might trace 
 Upon her well-proportion' d face : 
 Expreffive were her azure eyes. 
 
 And foft the fmile that from her fell : 
 Nobly her forehead feem'd to rife 
 
 Told where intelligence did dwell : 
 Still gently o'er her lovely neck 
 
 The auburn hair in ringlets lay. 
 
 O ! where the youtli, fond reader fay, 
 Who would not fight for Mary's fake ! 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 III. 
 
 She was an only daughter, and 
 
 Her charms were prized throughout the land. 
 
 Though of a noble family fprung. 
 
 In whofe veins ilow'd the Norman blood 
 A race by ancient poets sung. 
 
 By conquering William's fide they flood. 
 Who has not heard Montgomery's name ? 
 Still Wales and Ayr refound his fame. 
 Her branch had felt Hern fortune's rage. 
 And loft its wide-ftretch'd heritage 
 A minor fragment now remain' d 
 To her of all her fatliers gain'd. 
 One grateful parent was no more. 
 
 He fell at BothwelFs dreadful fight ; 
 The fecond Charles' arms he bore. 
 
 And died in gallant Monmouth's fight. 
 In Gayford's cottage on the bafe 
 Of that rude crag where Aufter plays. 
 In cherifh'd folitude ftill ftay'd 
 The mother of the beauteous maid. 
 
 IV. 
 
 There rolls a clear but noify rill. 
 
 Which Gayford's northern fide adorns ; 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 It takes its courfe from yonder hill. 
 
 And by the tower of Craighall turns. 
 The angler, at approach of noon. 
 
 Here lonely may be feen -, 
 And often has the horn'd moon 
 
 'Held Mary on tlie green. 
 In flowing robe flie walk'd alone 
 From Gayford to the Angler's Stone. 
 But hark ! a light Hep greets the ear, 
 
 Fair Mary knows its found : 
 Her darling William doth appear. 
 
 And to her arms dotli bound ! 
 What higher joy can heav'n above 
 
 On human kind beflow. 
 Than lend its fmile in blufhing love. 
 
 Which Hills the jeer of woe ! 
 
 V. 
 
 The handfome form of William Graham 
 
 Scarce twenty winters' fnows had feen 5 
 Vigorous was his hardy frame. 
 
 Striking his hazel eyeballs' gleam ! 
 Pure was his love-entranced heart, 
 
 Vermilion was his laughing cheek ! 
 Here alfo Knowledge feem'd to flart. 
 
 And William for her model feek ! 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 He, as a thinker, in the fhade 
 
 Cafl many of maturer years 3 
 Moral Philofophy, 'tis faid, 
 A favourite ftudy he had made 3 
 
 Loved he tlie grave and learned feers. 
 Oft on the page of hillory 
 The noble youth had cafl his eye -, 
 Admired he each bold Spartan lire 
 
 Admired he the Athenian fage ! 
 O'erjoy'd to mark the Roman fire. 
 
 And Hannibal's vindictive rage 3 
 Or Marcus Brutus raife the knife 
 
 That fiiatch'd the imperial defpot's Hfe. 
 And, like each patriot Scottifli fon. 
 
 The name of Wallace Itirr'd his blood 5 
 He heard how Stirling bridge was won. 
 
 And England's warriors fwell'd the flood. 
 But chief admired the glorious field 
 
 Where Scotland faw her fortunes turn 
 Saw England's hundred thoufand yield 
 
 At the immortal Bannockburn ! 
 Still, William oft on flate affairs 
 
 His prized, his leifsure moments fpent, 
 
 Mufing, as o'er the plains he went. 
 How Alfred father' d England's cares. 
 Conquering the mighty Danes that braved the land ; 
 
Ruthven*s Revenge. 
 
 Maintaining jullice with an able hand ! 
 He loved the principle the Charter gave. 
 
 And forth as freedom's champion Hood ; 
 
 Yet many of the points he w^ould. 
 On gen'rous thought and reafon, waive. 
 Science was tlien in infancy. 
 The rapturous fwell of poefy 
 Recall' d his love of other days : 
 
 Himfelf a poet was. 
 And in foul-flirring magic lays 
 
 Upheld the glorious caufe 
 Of liberty of confcience and 
 Religious freedom in the land ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Such is our hero : fuch tlie fon 
 
 And heir of valiant Henry Graham, 
 The knight whofe prowefs great him won 
 
 In Flemilh fight a deathlefs name ! 
 Supported he Blake's mighty wars. 
 And fpoke indignant of the fears 
 The fire of furious Holland gave. 
 When dark deflru6lion fwept the wave. 
 Though of a branch of famed Montrofe, 
 In youth he Cromwell's caufe upheld ; 
 An en' my was to Claverhoufe 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge. 
 
 Rejoiced he o'er the gory field 
 That laid the victor-hero dead 
 (Ah ! then the hopes of Stuart fled ! ) 
 Craighall was his, whofe feudal fway 
 Three hundred vafTals did obey. 
 
 VII. 
 " But, William," fmiling, Mary faid. 
 
 As on his breafl her head fhe laid, 
 ^^ What forrows prey upon thy mind ? 
 
 Shall galling recoUedions dare 
 To type upon thy forehead care- 
 Alas ! in thee a vidim find ? " 
 " My father, ah ! " was the reply 
 Was follow' d fwiftly by a figh j 
 His throbbing bofom fcarce could tell 
 The fource from which thefe forrows fell. 
 "Enough," confufed, his Mary faid 
 
 " Enough, too well the reft I know -, 
 The unfeeling wretch fome fcheme hath laid 
 
 Wretch ! caufe of fair Montgomery's woe : 
 Alas, alas ! thy father hears 
 
 This plot for our deflrudion laid, 
 I guefs3" and here the falling tears 
 
 A while her fad narration flay'd. 
 " Alas that ere my charms begat. 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 Ruthven, in thee a fuitor keen ; 
 From the beginning well you knew 
 
 1 ne'er could give my love to you. 
 All tliy falfe ways did Mary fpurn. 
 That her intentions thou mightll learn 
 
 Since tliis negle6t, knave, thou haft fet 
 On dire deftru6tion : have I been. 
 
 Have I, and muft I muft I yet 
 Bend low to thy relentlels fpleen ?" 
 
 VIII. 
 She faid j and in a fwoon ilie fell 
 
 While refting on her William's breaft. 
 And while on her fharp anguilli ftole. 
 Array' d witli fell defpondency. 
 He ftrove to foothe her agony. 
 
 And fet her wayward fears to reft : 
 Her wonted fpirits 'gan to rife 
 
 Her rapid fancy gleam' d again 5 
 Catching a glance of William's eyes. 
 
 She rofe revigor'd from the pain 
 An hour flafti'd by : the echo yet 
 
 Of gentle whifpers might be caught 
 Embraces with embraces met. 
 
 With cheerful Heaven's applaufes fraught- 
 Laugh quickly met with amorous fmile. 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge. 
 
 And time feem'd ihort the happy while 
 Lips met with hps a parting fign ! 
 
 Our hero's anxious father waits 
 The arrival of his worthy fon. 
 
 Who ftill with Gay ford's Mary prates : 
 "When Night has hufh'd the twihght's reign. 
 
 And fpread her ftillnefs o*er the plain. 
 By Craighall's woody knoll shall I 
 
 To-morrow wait for thee : 
 O that the bleffed hour fped nigh ! 
 O fad how fad it is to leave 
 The one to whom my heart doth cleave ! 
 But it muft be : my father's found 
 Already rings his hall around 
 
 That mighty found for me ! " 
 
 IX. 
 The lovers part : our hero takes 
 
 The antique road to green Craighall -, 
 On either fide the giant brakes 
 
 High overlook the heavy wall. 
 Here oft hath antiquarian ftrove 
 To point the dark, the facred grove. 
 
 Where Druids kept the fpoils of war. 
 Here, glancing o'er the lofty trees, 
 A tower' d cairn the flranger fees. 
 
lO Ruthven^s Revenge. 
 
 Where oft the infants' rending cries 
 Were heard at Druids' facrifice : 
 The tranfmigration of the foul 
 
 To bright or gloomy regions far. 
 
 The fathers taught with fome regard. 
 Their feeble voice the Britons heard 
 The infamy on fceptic pafl. 
 The fneers at every doubter caft. 
 Awhile fuperior reafon flole. 
 Now onward, and he gains tlie well 
 
 Where fairy elves, 'tis faid. 
 Met with a modefl, beauteous belle. 
 
 Come by the eaflern glade. 
 They carried her to Fairyland, 
 
 Its pleafant fights to view ; 
 Admired fhe Queen of Elfins' wand : 
 Again fhe came to earth transform' d. 
 And many a gallant fquire deform' d 
 
 She once as fuitor knew ! 
 And now a rivulet he gains 
 
 That tells its tragic tale -, 
 Here lufly Robert of the Mains 
 
 In duel boldly fell 
 And here the Wizard's ruffling oak 
 Climbs o'er the bofom of a rock. 
 
Ruthvens Revenge. II 
 
 X. 
 
 Ah ! how uncouth our hero's mood. 
 While pacing through the lonely wood 
 That by the maniion grew. 
 
 In fober, deep foliloquy. 
 The pad he did review. 
 
 And fancied dark futurity. 
 '' What monfter lies are often form'd 
 
 To feoff at fallen greatnefs ! Ah ! 
 How oft is cruel deed perform' d. 
 
 And yet th' offender braves the law ! 
 Oh ! that I faw this daftard bleed. 
 And pay the forfeit of his deed ? 
 That julHce would his name difgrace. 
 And flamp with infamy his race 
 That race ignoble, prone to crime. 
 That thrice diihonour'd hath our time ! 
 
 XI. 
 " Full oft hath dang'rous Ruthven told 
 (That man fo oft to perjury fold ! ) 
 My father lies of Mary's worth 
 A fairer gem ne'er deck'd the north ! 
 He, prone fuch flories to fuflain. 
 Frowns bitterly upon his fon 
 
J 2 Ruthveri^s Revenge, 
 
 Yet all thefe frowns on me are vain ! 
 He from the firft difdain'd this maid, 
 Becaufe her fire gave Stuart aid 
 
 Before his crown he won. 
 In pomp and wealth my father rolls, 
 In Spanifh and in Fleming fpoils ; 
 And overlooks tlie fading name 
 
 Of once renown' d Montgomery : 
 And yet, how true this very fame 
 
 Prefents the higheft charm to me ! 
 Mean is the man who dares to fmile. 
 While frowning fate triumphs the while : 
 Expand thy weapons, jealousy. 
 That worth and gentlenefs would ftain. 
 For manhood doth tliem now difdain. 
 Ruthven, if yet within my reach 
 
 You erejiiould chance toftray, 
 Direful the leffon I will teach 
 
 Thee, coward, of thy way ! 
 Fatlier, I nobly thee forgive ; 
 
 Yet pity thou art led 
 With faithful William thus to ftrive. 
 
 And accept Ruthven's aid. 
 Tlie time fhall come when thou Ihalt fee. 
 
 And pity, ah ! my wrong 3 
 For gen'rous thou haft been to me. 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge. 1 3: 
 
 Except in this alone. 
 And oh ! my Mary, I rejoice 
 
 To think thy wonted fpirits rose. 
 Even when fail'd my faltering voice 
 
 To warn thee of approaching woes. 
 O ! may my prefence ere infpire 
 
 Thy pure, thy rapturous heart with joy -, 
 And never fure fhall forrow dire 
 
 Thy fofter feelings e'er annoy." 
 
 XII. 
 Young Graham hath gain'd the lofty hall : 
 
 In front a maffive pillar flione ; 
 And topp'd upon that column tall, 
 
 A hero's image rofe from ftone. 
 That hero was the poet-king, 
 
 "Who, when in Englifh donjon bound. 
 Of Joan Beaufort's charms did fing. 
 
 And fweet the captive monarch's found. 
 An ancient fpear may here be feen -, 
 
 A weighty lance hangs on the wall. 
 That had at Harlaw's battle been 3 
 Here, too, a maffive fhield is fliown 5 
 
 And here a trumpet, at whofe call 
 The ready valTals' fleps were known. 
 The pictures cheer the gazer's eye 3 
 
14 Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 Nor lels the trophied flatuary : 
 Of Venice polifhed marble, here 
 Ten mighty warriors' busts appear ! 
 
 XIII. 
 * Ruthven, if yet within my reach 
 
 You ereJJiould chance tojiray, 
 Direful the leffon I will teach 
 
 Thee, coward, of thy way /" 
 Such accents from fierce Ruthven broke. 
 Who fhelter'd by a Ihaggy oak ; 
 Relllels was his flender form 3 
 
 Subdued he feem'd by gathering rage 3 
 Madden' d his brain beneath the ftorm 
 
 Of growing fpleen he fought to wage 
 On William Graham : he call'd Hell's aid. 
 And loud a dreadful oath he made ! 
 Then flared around 3 treach'rous his eye 
 
 Hollow' d his pale, death-fpeaking cheek 5 
 Low was his forehead 3 and his cry 
 
 Rough in extreme ; his body weak. 
 
 Though built on ample limbs 3 his talk 
 Was all of felf : the country knew 
 His a6tions, and difdain'd them too ! 
 He refled in anxiety. 
 While mufing pafT'd our hero by 3 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge. 15 
 
 And as he lay the oak beneath. 
 Eager he caught each palling breath 5 
 And as he heard his uncoutli name, 
 Flafh'd from his eye the ireful flame. 
 '^ Revenge on me !" he groaning cried, 
 Turning his refllefs form afide. 
 And ftill more angry turn'd his cry. 
 '' Thanks for your boldnefs : I fhall try 
 The iiTue of a future day. 
 And thus the challenge fhall repay ! 
 ' Revenge on me /' that thought is vain ! 
 
 I've the advantage odds are mine ; 
 Nor, crefted youth, Ihall I refrain 
 
 To try thy father weak in time 
 That he my ftory lifts is plain ! 
 Graham, I have injured thee before. 
 And Ruthven vengeance feeks once more ! 
 Then fpeed thee, pioneer of forrow ! 
 O ! hafte thee, over- welcome morrow ! 
 Then ihall the furies of my foul 
 Vent all my paffion at tliy knoll, 
 Craighall ! That ruler of his heart, 
 
 Mary Montgomery, mine fhould be -, 
 And fubtle was the unworthy art 
 
 Made her eftrange her love from me. 
 'Tis this that makes me ever fad 
 
1 6 Rtithven*s Revenge, 
 
 And lefs hatli driven another mad : 
 'Tis this that robs me of my reft. 
 Was ever mortal fo oppreft ? 
 Depend^ a day of reck'ning's near. 
 When gilded juftice fhall appear. 
 
 hafte thee, time ! . to-morrow come ! 
 
 1 long to fee what may be done." 
 Thus faid, he took the rugged road : 
 
 A lonely houfe appear d in fight 
 Defigning Ruthven's lone abode. 
 
 How picturefque in moonlight night ! 
 'Twas heathery roof d : the fwelling rains 
 Which deluge the adjacent plains 
 Befpoke deftru6lion : fuch a fcene 
 Is feldom fancied in a dream. 
 
 XIV. 
 On Ocean's front tlie purple ray 
 Of dawn foretells approaching day : 
 Still higher rides the folar beam. 
 
 Drinking the dewdrop from the fields 3 
 And now each airy minftrel yields 
 Libation of untutor'd fong. 
 Heard all the dells and crags among. 
 And here the peafant may be feen 
 Watching his herd upon the plain 5 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 1 7 
 
 Heard is the pointed fickle' s noife. 
 
 Falls to the ground the yellow grain. 
 Many the other welcome joys 
 That morning's radiant blufh imparts -, 
 Vig'rous from fleep Creation Harts. 
 
 XV. 
 
 How beautiful the garden's bloom, 
 
 Rounding the lofty maniion s fide : 
 The tulip and the lily's plume 
 
 Welcome the rofe's ruddy pride j 
 Lordly the venerable oaks 
 
 That overlook the circled lakes, 
 Where oft the oarfman's fplafhing ftrokes 
 
 The foft repofe of evening breaks. 
 Still farther, by the avenue. 
 Here may the veering optics view 
 
 A pleafant, bubbling fountain play j 
 Behold a miniature cafcade. 
 Which art for ornament hath made. 
 Yonder an artificial den 
 Attra6ts the wondering ftranger's ken ; 
 
 And there arife the ruins grey 
 Of Abbey, where mafs oft was faid. 
 And pray'rs for Craighall's heroes made. 
 Here oft the aged and the poor 
 
1 8 Ruthven*s Revenge. 
 
 Rejoiced at monkifh charity ; 
 And here the ever open door 
 A refuge to the wanderer gave, 
 To bleeding knight and warrior brave ! 
 
 Here too, mayhap, our annals lay. 
 When ignorance unbluftiing reign' d. 
 And credulity its hold maintained ! 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Away a hunting party rode 
 
 From Craighall to the diftant moor 
 Away by Ruthven's lone abode 
 
 Went Henry and his comrades four. 
 He watch' d the brave knight palling by 
 
 (For William was not there). 
 And bitter, galling was the cry 
 
 That ftung the father's ear ! 
 Immediately his choler rofe. 
 
 And inftantly he fwore. 
 That ne'er a fon, nor one of his. 
 
 Should fpeak Montgomery more ! 
 '' What !" as he foam'd, " my darhng boy 
 Become the mate of fuch a toy ! 
 The heir of all my lands, fhall he 
 Be knit and kneel to poverty ! 
 O that my high ambition ftirr'd 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 1 9 
 
 His brealt, and he had never err'd I 
 Perhaps a channel I may find 
 T' oppofe the current of his mind. 
 I, who have chmb'd the topmaft high 
 When tempells wild diflurb'd the Iky- 
 I, who beheld the raving breeze 
 Raife every turmoil on the feas 
 I who, adventurous, kept the right 
 Of powerful Blake in defp'rate fight 
 I, favour' d by nobility 
 And all the friends of liberty, 
 Survey the actions of my fon,. 
 And wonder at his heart thus won ! 
 This night my feelings I'll explode 
 Witnefs my oath. Almighty God ! 
 
 XVII. 
 He paufed -, but heavier anger came 
 On the enraged Sir Henry Graham. 
 As when intoxication fills 
 The muddy brain, anon it reels -, 
 Such alpe6t the old feaman wore. 
 From all the floods of grief he bore ! 
 The fun his weftern courfe hath made. 
 For daylight now begins to fade 
 Fades in the twilight's borrow' d hue. 
 
20 Ruthvefi^s Revenge. 
 
 And finks in the no6turnal blue. 
 The fport is o'er 3 the hunters' tread 
 On Craighall's avenues are heard : 
 Known is the clamour in the court 
 The clamorous boaft of endless fport. 
 But ah ! the fea-knight's meafured tone 
 Nor boaft had either liftener known ; 
 Still kept his mind this deep dismay 
 Thoughts of his fon on's Ipirits prey. 
 
 XVIII. 
 To Gayford turn. . The mother broke 
 An hour of lilence ; thus fhe fpoke : 
 '' O Mary dear, laft night I dream' d. 
 And ftrange indeed the vilion feem'd 3 
 Such horrors never crolT'd my brain 
 Since Both well faw thy father llain ! 
 Thy fatlier ah ! that gentle friend 
 That model of a feeling mind ! 
 No, lince I my dear hufband loft. 
 Like fcenes my fancy hath not croff'd : 
 And ihall I all the forms name ? 
 No 5 better I conceal the fame. 
 Suffice, my daughter, they forbode 
 
 And Ihadow ills that we muft bear. 
 Oh ! ever Sorrow's dreary load 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 21 
 
 C milling our houle, feems to appear ! 
 Then, Mary, ftay thee for the night, 
 I fear to lend thee from my light. 
 Stay, daughter, flay a mother's pray'r^ 
 Perchance a faithful mother's tear. 
 Shall keep my cherifh'd daughter here !" 
 
 XIX. 
 
 '' Ceafe, mother, with thy terrors ftill 
 
 Above them all is Mary's will. 
 
 Such might the unletter'd villain fway 
 
 The villain born but to obey , 
 
 But ne'er fliall education give 
 
 To augur' d tales attention Nay ! 
 
 Enough they in the fhadow live 
 Enough they vanifh in the day. 
 For fuch, O mother, iliall I ftay. 
 
 While William waits me to receive ? 
 Already he is on his way 
 
 Already, mother, it is eve. 
 
 " Vain, daughter, all thy reafoning yet. 
 Can what is rooted in the mind 
 
 By the fharp iling of furrowing fate- 
 Fate form'd too well fuch thoughts to bind- 
 
 Be thus, my daughter, torn afunder. 
 
 Even although tales of wonder ? 
 
22 Ruthven^s Revenge, 
 
 Say not I try thy loves to fever -, 
 
 Far from my warmefl wifh O never ! 
 
 Admired the youth -, his equal none. 
 
 Yet pray, remember what I faid, 
 Mayhap, before to-morrow come. 
 My old, my weather-worn eyes 
 Shall anguifh vent by many lighs : 
 
 Remember this, beloved maid ! 
 
 XX. 
 
 Here now with true parental love 
 The fofter paffions nobly flrove : 
 " I gave my word 3 that word, I trow. 
 Seems to me folemn as a vow."' 
 Then went flie from the cottage lide. 
 
 And lliarply gain'd the try sting mount 5 
 Here Mary, with becoming pride, 
 
 Rufh'd to her William's arms as wont. 
 A gloom acrofs his mind doth ride. 
 
 Which borrow' d franknefs llrives to hide- 
 Ah vain ! " Fly, Mary ! let us fly. 
 
 The truth no longer I'll conceal : 
 Dillrefling was my father's cry. 
 
 It did his anger ftern reveal ; 
 He rudely to my fludy came 
 
 Two hours ago downcall I left 3 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge. 2^ 
 
 His threat' ning words I cannot name. 
 Indeed he feem'd of fenfe bereft. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Now, bent on wrong within the wood. 
 
 The diaboHc Rutliven flood ! 
 
 A frenzy feized his frantic brain. 
 
 And poignant furely was the pain ! 
 
 Woe to the man who boldly flies 
 
 Within his reach the intruder dies ! 
 
 And to himfelf, in angry mood. 
 
 He fpoke of vengeance and of blood ! 
 
 " Now fliall Refentment fpread its thorns. 
 
 And, hydra-like, difplay its forms 3 
 
 And now fliall Vengeance triumph here. 
 
 And glory that my foe is near ! 
 
 Shall injured Love her wrongs difplay. 
 
 And o'er her trophy fmile flie may ; 
 
 Keen burns in me undying rage 
 
 O ! that I could him now engage ! 
 
 Montgomery, what was love before 
 
 Now flames in me as deadly hate 5 
 Depend that I fliall clear the fcore. 
 
 And rob thee of thy profler'd mate ! " 
 
24 Ruthven^s Revenge. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Fail'd he in iearch of youthful Graham, 
 And nearer to the manfion came ; 
 Rulh'd from the hall an aged man. 
 Who palT'd in anxious hafte the lawn 
 
 Prepared the defperate Ruthven now 
 To execute his bloody plan. 
 
 And thus fulfil his demon vow ; 
 Nor could his eye diftinguifh who 
 Towards the weft fo quickly drew 
 Perhaps the darknefs of the night 
 Excufed the fiery Ruthven' s fight. 
 He thought that William here fhould pals. 
 Prepared his firelock ready now, alas ! 
 He aim'd a fure, a deadly wound. 
 Stretch 'd Henry Graham upon the ground. 
 He cried for help that help was near. 
 For William and the guefis appear ! 
 They heard the noife : dread Ruthven fled, 
 And foon his diftant hamlet made 
 Boafting that William Graham had met 
 An awful and unlook'd for fate. 
 Sir Henry heard his murderer named. 
 The fame who had his fon defamed : 
 "William," the dying feaman cried, 
 
Ruthven^s Revenge, 25 
 
 And, as the gen'rous youth he eyed 
 '' Forgive, forgive/' he mutter' d low. 
 
 The blood flill gufhing from his heart- 
 '^ Forgive," again he faid^ and lo ! 
 
 In this lall fit did life depart. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Scarce need we tell that juftice fought. 
 And to its bar fierce Ruthven brought : 
 A murderer's forfeit foon he paid 
 Was forth unto the fcaflbld led ! 
 The country gloried in his fall. 
 His hated race was fcorn'd by all 3 
 Nor need we fay that William made 
 A wife of Gayford's blooming maid ! 
 
The Pirate. 
 
 EN weaiy years have roll'd away 
 Since red Culloden's dreadful day : 
 The gallant Cavalier* furvives. 
 And flill at old Auchiries lives. 
 
 Stript of his family title, he 
 
 Lives lonely in obfcurity. 
 
 His lands have to a flranger gone. 
 
 Unto the vafTalage unknovv^n j 
 
 Vain all the fearches for him made. 
 
 And all the offers for his head ! 
 
 A dreary cell, fast by the wave,t 
 
 Awhile the warrior refuge gave ; 
 
 * Lord Forbes of Pitfligo. 
 
 t Cowftiaven, in the parifh oi Aberdour, Aberdeen (hi re. 
 
'The Pirate. 27 
 
 But now his manly ftrength is gone^ 
 But not the name his prowefs won ! 
 
 Ere Charles brave his standard raifed. 
 And fiery crofs through Badenoch blazed ; 
 Secluded from the bufy world. 
 The foil a happy peafant turn'd 
 Retainer of Pitiligo was. 
 Who favour' d much the Stuart caufe. 
 He rofe with morning to his toil. 
 And wealth him favour' d for a while j 
 His labour o'er, he loved to tell 
 What in his early days befell : 
 Deep verfed tlie peafant feemed to be 
 In Forbes genealogy ! 
 The flory of his fathers, too. 
 Each vifitant's attention drew. 
 Sometimes, in ruftic meafure flrong. 
 Was heard an ancient rural fong ; 
 The weather was a favourite theme. 
 And flocks and harvefls he had feen. 
 The general topics of the times. 
 He at the smithy learn' d betimes; 
 In his unlearn' d companions' eyes 
 His firm opinions feem'd as wife. 
 How like a vaffal he obey'd 
 
The Pirate, 
 
 All the demands his Baron made ! 
 
 At parifli church on Sunday he 
 
 Appeared with all his family ^ 
 
 A frugal and a virtuous wife 
 
 Cheerful made his ruflic life. 
 
 A gallant fon and blooming daughter, 
 
 Made him a truly happy father. 
 
 Of Helen much he loved to boaft, 
 
 Already was her name a toaft 3 
 
 Many the fuitors that did come 
 
 Unto the jovial harvest-home. 
 
 The wily matron mother's art 
 
 Seems to have fway'd the daughter's heart. 
 
 Young Allan Forbes, the miUer's fon. 
 
 Had oft to Ritchie's cottage come ; 
 
 He fpent his winter evenings there. 
 
 Courting the young, the charming fair. 
 
 The focial glals was handed round. 
 
 And Forbes was a votary found. 
 
 Ritchie was affable and free. 
 
 And kept his own distillery 5 
 
 The many arts the excife tried. 
 
 The cunning farmer all defied ! 
 
 In Helen's breafl the flame of love. 
 Delight for flrapping Allan wove ! 
 
The Pirate, 20 
 
 The youthful pair tryfls often fet. 
 And near the fhore the lovers met. 
 Along the fandy beach they roved. 
 For Allan early ocean loved 
 Admired the brave and gallant men 
 Who venturous plough' d the troubled main- 
 Columbus' life had thus infpired. 
 And all his youthful ardour fired : 
 The ftory of bold Gama, too. 
 The penetrating Forbes knew j 
 And from great Cabot he had learn 'd 
 How wealth and honour might be earn'd. 
 
 A pleafant pi6hire this, till war 
 Did all thefe early pleafures mar. 
 With grief llamp'd on his open face. 
 The youth his Helen did embrace ; 
 The tears ftood watery in his eyes. 
 At length they melted into cries 
 Simply he told that he mull go. 
 And face the Hanoverian foe ^ 
 His Baron at Edina was. 
 There he fupported Charles' caufe 3 
 " I glory, Helen, at the sound. 
 In battle-field is honour found 3 
 And yet I mourn I this muft tell. 
 
30 The Pirate. 
 
 And bid thee, loved one, fad farewell !" 
 Pale now the charming maid appears. 
 Her beauteous cheeks are wet with tears 
 Enough ftern manhood this to bend. 
 And make the female heart his friend ! 
 A flow reply the maiden made : 
 She told her Hal wart brother had 
 Been alfo fummon'd. Much fhe fear'd 
 That he, a brother much endear' d. 
 From his fuperior boldnefs might 
 Fall in the expected bloody fight. 
 She fear'd her Allan's fafety too 
 Pain'd much her heart that word, ^^ adieu 3' 
 He prefT'd her ruby lips her hand 
 He circled with a filver band ; 
 Twice fevenfparkling cairngorms. 
 The filver bracelet's fide adorns ! 
 Pledging to meet again, they fever 
 Would fortune blefs the loved and lover 
 
 The youth at Prestonpans fought well, 
 As Scotland's fiirring annals tell ; 
 In England was his bravery known. 
 And gallant he at Falkirk fiione ! 
 'Twas here his Helen's brother met 
 A worthy Scottifli soldier's fate. 
 
The Pirate. ^I 
 
 The princely Charles' active eye 
 Beheld the valiant peasant die 
 The prince of active Forbes heard, 
 And named him of his body-guard. 
 
 Dreadful Culloden has been fought. 
 And Allan Forbes a refuge fought. 
 
 Still fwell'd his heart with Highland pride, 
 Difgrace the youth could not abide ^ 
 He fwore he ne'er return would home 
 Till fame or fortune he had won ! 
 The greatest hazard he would try. 
 For nought could daunt his bravery. 
 From fearch of piercing Cumberland 
 He with a small but faithful band 
 Escaped : they venturous fought the fea. 
 And there difplay'd their gallantry. 
 
 Ten times the circling earth had run 
 Around that central orb the fun. 
 The braveft of Pitfligo's men 
 Had in this bloody war been flain. 
 The land of mirth and pleafure now 
 Nought but adverlity could fhew. 
 The peafant's ftamp of wretchednefs 
 
32 The Pirate. 
 
 Befpoke a growing wildernefs. 
 Deep melancholy Ritchie fway'd, 
 Damp'd was the mother and the maid- 
 That ftalwart youth, his father's pride 
 And mother's hope, for ever fled ! 
 And, with a feeling heart, he grieves 
 The lofs of many relatives. 
 Deep the laments for Allan made. 
 The gallant youth tliey fancied dead 
 " What caufe have we to ftruggle here 
 Sever' d from all that makes life dear ? '* 
 The deep defponding Ritchie faid : 
 His fpoufe's tears the fadnefs fed 
 " One by one my friends have gone 3 
 Unfriended, I am left alone ! 
 Our mighty lord no more retains 
 An inch of all his native plains. 
 He was a landlord true and kind. 
 And dignified his noble mind ! 
 How different his fucceffors : they 
 Seem Mammon only to obey. 
 And let us, ere our all be gone. 
 And ere our fading flrength is done. 
 O'er wide Atlantic feek a home. 
 There is my elder brother known 
 There prifline pleafures may awake^ 
 
The Pirate, 33 
 
 And happy yet an old man make ^ 
 
 There may our virtuous daughter gain 
 
 The handof Ibme kind, gen'rous fwain. 
 
 In this event, would forrow ceafe 
 
 Would forrow find its vent in peace. 
 
 Your motherly advice I alk. 
 
 To aid me in this weighty task." 
 
 The frugal fpoufe then made replv : 
 
 " Not that 1 have no tender tie 
 
 Wifh I to leave the Scottifh foil. 
 
 And bid farewell to Britain's ifle. 
 
 But that I fee approaching fall 
 
 Poverty's degrading blast : 
 
 An increased rent we cannot pay. 
 
 Nor tyrant landlord ihall obey 3 
 
 Then let us from such vortex fleer. 
 
 While yet our funds can keep us clear. 
 
 Your brother's flation is advanced. 
 
 His wealth and greatnefs much enhanced 
 
 I think, with justice, we may leave. 
 
 Nor at our quick departure grieve." 
 
 The daughter next gave her confent 
 Well was her jufl opinion meant : 
 She fancied that her Allan yet 
 Might on Virginian foil be met. 
 
 c 
 
34 The Pirate. 
 
 Many the offers fhe had fpurn'd. 
 
 For sure her truell, earheft love yet burn d j 
 
 Deep rooted in her bofom, ihe 
 
 Could not conceal its ardency. 
 
 Already hath the veffel fail'd. 
 For favouring winds the while prevail d. 
 Twice twenty emigrants ihe bore. 
 Who look'd for rich Virginia's fliore. 
 Gently the wind begins to rife. 
 When, lo ! a barque the captain eyes : 
 She nears, alas ! a pirate tliis ! 
 " A pirate, feamen, makes for us ! 
 Spread, failors, fpread thy every fail 
 Stretch all thy canvafs to the gale ! - 
 There yet is hope, our fhip is fleet. 
 And may the pirate's aim defeat." 
 Immediately this toil is o'er. 
 The veffel feuds tlie winds before 5 
 The emigrants, witli tremor fraught. 
 Already fancied they were caught 
 That they 'd be made the pirate's ilaves. 
 Or meet with death in ocean's waves. 
 All thoughts of future wealth have fled. 
 Of cherish' d life all are afraid ! 
 Old Ritchie's and his daughter's yells 
 
%he Pirate. 35" 
 
 The terrors of each mind betells ; 
 
 The captain faw their fpirits fade. 
 
 And thus a fhort addrefs he made : 
 
 '' Difpel thy fears, for never yet 
 
 So fleet a vefTel have I met 
 
 As that which thee conveys full oft 
 
 Have I Algerian corfair left 5 
 
 Or, if the worll muft fhortly come. 
 
 Let every man to weapon run. 
 
 For all have fomething now to lofe j 
 
 To yield, I know, no man will choofe. 
 
 What are thefe pirates ? They are men. 
 
 In this you equal are to them 5 
 
 Ours the defence, and boldly, too. 
 
 We'll fhow the mettle of the crew !" 
 
 All terrors now began to fly, 
 Hope brighten' d up each fading eye ; 
 Already fome began to boaft 
 Of how they would maintain their pofl. 
 Aloft his eyes the captain rears. 
 For too much fail his velTel bears. 
 Alas ! now one top-gallant mast bends 
 It breaks, and in the brine defcends 3 
 The topfail, too, is borne away. 
 It alfo greets the dafliing fpray. 
 
36 The Pirate, 
 
 Wonted bravery forfakes 
 
 The crew 3 on them the pirate makes. 
 
 Two hundred yards hath he to run. 
 
 Another treafure may be won ! 
 
 " Yield ! " the gallant rover cried 
 
 To this the captain ne'er replied. 
 
 Gently the wind begins to fade 
 
 Still on the Ihip the corsair made. 
 
 Increased the mafler pirate's ire. 
 
 He on tlie fhip begins to fire -, 
 
 He gains her fide this doth afibrd 
 
 His brother pirates time to board. 
 
 He alfo leaps into the fiiip, 
 
 Alks boldly where the treafiires fleep. 
 
 The captain this difdain'd to tell. 
 
 And in the defp'rate ftruggle fell. 
 
 With dirks the failors vengeance fought- 
 
 With knives the emigrants now fought. 
 
 The pirates 'gan to firip the dead. 
 
 And every fearch for plunder made. 
 
 The females they difdain'd to flay. 
 
 But tore their jewels bright away. 
 
 The mafter pirate boldly fought 
 
 The treafures Helen fair had got 5 
 
 He feized her firmly by the hand 
 
 Call'd loudly to his men to ftand ! 
 
The Pirate. 37 
 
 All of a fudden he did Hart 
 
 Tender the thoughts that pierced her heart : 
 
 The bracelet which^ ten years before, 
 
 He Helen gave, the maid ftill wore ! 
 
 The fofter paffions now awoke. 
 
 And filence thus the pirate broke : 
 
 Helen, entranced, full wond'rous stared. 
 
 And fancied fhe her Allan heard ! 
 
 '^ Thrice charming Helen ! ah ! that 1 
 
 Am father of this butchery ! 
 
 Long years of fad defpondency 
 
 Have made me relifh piracy : 
 
 Wilt thou my feelings now forgive. 
 
 And, long as Allan Forbes lliall Hve, 
 
 You find lliall him an alter 'd man 
 
 A faithful, true companion. 
 
 Here on this bloody deck you fee 
 
 Many who fought for Charles with me. 
 
 The bravest from Pitfligo are. 
 
 All famed in 'Forty-iive's' dread war. 
 
 My love is pure as heaven yet. 
 
 And Helen's like I never met; 
 
 Let memory of the pall depart. 
 
 And take me, Helen, to thy heart." 
 
 Cheer' d and downcaft was fhe by turns. 
 
38 The Pirate. 
 
 For gatherings love and forrow burns ! 
 
 The father and the mother knew 
 
 The event, and near the pirate drew. 
 
 Both were incHned to overlook 
 
 The pall : Allan his courfe forfook ! 
 
 A vow to this efFed he made. 
 
 And generoiity difplay'd ! 
 
 He went and told each bold compeer 3 
 
 Advifed the end of this career ! 
 
 To this they nobly all agreed, 
 
 And of their many crimes were freed. 
 
 The emigrants the oblivion gave. 
 
 Now all admired the pirates brave ; 
 
 In this the failors alio joined 
 
 True friendihip hath both crews combined. 
 
 The pirate treafures were convey' d, 
 
 And fafely in this vefTel laid 3 
 
 The pirate Ihip they allow' d to ride 
 
 Without a helmfman on the tide ! 
 
 The crews and emigrants foon found 
 A home on rich Virginia's ground. 
 
Strathaven Cajile. 
 
 ^ 
 
 HE Ihowfalls of winter had mantled the 
 ground. 
 And fwell'd into torrents Pomillon's dark 
 bed 5 
 At diftance is heard the loud Kype's brawhng found. 
 
 As over the cafcade its waters are led j 
 Roufed is the wild Aven, fo claffic in fong, 
 So varied in themes all exciting of old j 
 Now iTiorn of tlieir herbage the trees that along 
 
 Its lofty banks frown on the precipice bold ; 
 And, lo ! in the diftance, gleams Loudoun's round hill. 
 And plays at its bafe the Irvine's ftretch'd rill. 
 
 II. 
 
 Here the eagles of Rome were outfpread to the fkies. 
 When the laurel' d Agricola fwept our loved Ifle : 
 
40 Strathavefi Ca/lle, 
 
 Now gory the braveft of Caledon lies. 
 
 For the fair fun of fortune has left them the while ! 
 Here the Knights of tlie Temple, from Afia returned, 
 
 The champions who figured in Turkifh crufade, 
 While the flrength and the pride of the Ottoman burn'd; 
 
 In the caufe of the crofs and religion they bled, 
 And the temple of Judah, now faded, maintain'd, 
 Untenured the lordQiip of Darvel obtain'd. 
 
 III. 
 
 Here Wallace the mighty met Scotland's proud foes ; 
 
 With his fmall faithful body the Englilh he foil'd ; 
 For feemly gigantic his prowefs arofe ! 
 
 See there, to his mem'ry, a cairn is piled. 
 Here Pembroke met Bruce with the rude mountaineers ; 
 
 The valley the hoft of great Edward beheld. 
 How deadly the pierce of the fharp Scottifh fpears. 
 
 For Robert triumphant rides firft on the field. 
 Here the rude oaks of Caledon fhelter'd her deer. 
 And fi:ill on the marlhes their huge trunks appear. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Here, elated with vi6tory, fierce Balfour high flood, 
 Deem'd Covenant's hero and Prelbyter's friend ; 
 
 And Hill here the offspring of gentlefl blood 
 On each anniverfary devotions forth fend 
 
Strathaven Cajlle. 4 1 
 
 To the great God of battles, who favour' d the caufe 
 For which our loved fathers in myriads fell. 
 
 On the traveller's keen eye an obelilk draws. 
 Which fimply records on its lide the war tale. 
 
 In priftine limplicity the peafant ftill dwells, 
 
 And boafls of his Scotland, her moors and her hills. 
 
 V. ' 
 Turn now to Pomillon, on whofe weftern edge 
 
 The huge Gothic pile of Strathaven is feen ^ 
 But the full weight of years and the elements' rage 
 
 Have changed to a fragment what fortrefs had been. 
 'Twas Murdoch the Regent that reared the walls. 
 
 And doughty black Douglas held here princely fway. 
 The vaflals of Clydefdale awoke at his call. 
 
 And follow' d the high Earl to battle or fray. 
 Ah ! woe to the foe who beheld his advance. 
 
 For fubjeftion or ruin gleam'd bright on his lance ! 
 
 VI. 
 When the Douglas rebellion was crulh'd by his fire. 
 
 When attainted his titles and wide-circled fields. 
 And extinguifh'd the fpark of his anceflors' fire 
 
 How oft unto juftice ambition thus yields ! 
 To Stewart the rich lordlhip of Aven was given. 
 
 With its cafiie, fo oft by the valiant afiail'd. 
 
i42 ^Strathaven Caftle. 
 
 The valiant lb oft from its ample front driven 3 
 
 By its fide each retainer his rude hamlet held. 
 Adivity triumphs 3 tlie fhuttle and loom. 
 And high found of commerce, betoken the town. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The fair Margaret Stewart in a room lonely fat. 
 
 When enter' d her uncle, great Avendale's lord : 
 High ihone his red count' nance with bright hope elate 3 
 
 Sufpenfe for the while feem'd to hang on his word. 
 " What ! once cherifli'd Margaret," he nervoufly faid j 
 
 '' Wilt thou yet refufe the bold Baron of Clyde ? 
 Lord Netlian, who long to me vilits hath made : 
 
 He is gen'rous and brave ; his dominions are wide 3 
 His vaflals are many all valiant in fight : 
 This, Margaret, he offers he'll wed thee to-night." 
 
 VIII. 
 
 "' What ! wed me to-night ! this is furely a dream. 
 
 What ! wed me to-night ! to the Baron I hate ! 
 No ! never, my uncle ! this madnefs doth feem. 
 
 For never fhall I with that rude warrior mate. 
 Full oft hath he tried my foft pafhons to fway ; 
 
 His conduct's repulfive indeed to my heart. 
 Well knows he my mind : then, idea, away 3 
 
 Let tlie thought of fuch union for ever depart, 
 
Strathaven Cajlle, 43 
 
 For true is the flight my foft paffions now take 
 To another, my uncle, my amours I make." 
 
 IX. 
 
 **^ Another, my niece ! O avaunt fuch a thought ! 
 
 For to-night the great Baron of Nethan comes here. 
 Rejoice, O my Margaret, he falls to thy lot. 
 
 Proceed to thy chamber, and gaily appear 
 In robes of the brighteft that Scotland can Ihow ; 
 
 And the lands of Drumclog I fhall give as thy dower. 
 Already the ladies alTemble 5 and lo ! 
 
 Great Nethan comes quickly. O bleired the hour 
 When the Abbot of Paifley fhall ftand forth in pride. 
 And hail thee, fweet Margaret, as Lord Nethan' s bride!" 
 
 X. 
 
 " Never, never, alas ! I have fworn it O never ! 
 
 My heart is another's, and no longer my own. 
 My uncle, 't were vain me from Walter to fever ; 
 
 More courteous and kind tlian he never was known." 
 Away went the Baron in forrowful mood 5 
 
 The flings that him tortured no pen can exprefs ; 
 Suffice that his brow told a gathering of blood. 
 
 And forrow and anger feem'd llamp'd on his face. 
 '' Another ! how vain ! fhall he fland in the path 
 A vafTal of mine when my word brings him death ?" 
 
44 Strathaven Cajlle, 
 
 XI. 
 
 " What though my fquire, Walter Cochrane, is bold, 
 
 And forth on the red field triumphant did ride. 
 When the death -Ipeaking weapons were vig'roufly 
 roU'd, 
 
 And thoufands rejoiced in tlie downfall of Boyd j 
 Or when civil war dark deftru6lion had fpread, 
 
 And the blood of the nobleft lay fwimming around 5 
 Or when Scotland's high monarch fummon'd my aid, 
 
 Firfl he through the moors to Linlithgow did bound : 
 Of all my great valT'lage, he's greateft by far 
 The gentlefl in peace, and the braveft in war 1 
 
 XII. 
 
 " But my word to Lord Nethan th' a6t juflifies, 
 
 For the heart and the thoughts of the vaflal are mine; 
 Nor the wailing of women, nor all his loud cries. 
 
 Can leflen the deed that muft fhortly be done 5 
 For ne'er Ihall the blood of Aven's chiefs proud 
 
 In the veins of a vafTal contaminate run ! 
 Never yet unto meannels a Stewart hath bow'd. 
 
 And nought but the nobleft a Stewart hath won 
 A Stewart now fits upon Fergus' high throne. 
 And we of a branch of this family are come." 
 
Strathaven Cajlle. 45 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Away went the Baron 3 a villain obtain' d. 
 
 Inured to fell hardfhips, at death feem'd to fmilej 
 The name of a murderer his deeds him obtain' d j 
 
 Long'd he for the blood of young Walter the while ; 
 The Baron's flill whifper high tranfport him gave. 
 
 And the words of reward founded well in his ear. 
 Sought he for colleague a like daftard knave 5 
 
 And now the dark demons as loitering appear 
 The gallant Squire, thoughtlefs, flill paced the hall floor, 
 When heavy the fteps that he heard at the door. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 E-ufh'd now to the hall the wild dealers in blood, 
 
 Whofe looks fan6tion'd fome defp'rate a6l of revenge. 
 As caught by furprife the brave Walter now flood, 
 
 Sufpicious, alas ! of fome heart-rending change. 
 They bore him away to a dark, frowning cell 3 
 
 Ah ! vain was the flruggle for liberty tried. 
 Here the captive doth pine, and defpondency dwell. 
 
 And here are the words of confefTor denied 5 
 When the weapons of death the brave Cochrane here 
 eyed. 
 
 Oft, oft for his Margaret he bitterly figh'd. 
 
46 Strathaven Caftle. 
 
 XV. 
 
 " Tyrannic, the Baron, o'erlooking my worth. 
 
 Who hired thefe aflaffins to th' a6t that iliall ftain 
 (For the world and freedom Ihall herald it forth) 
 
 And with infamy brand tlie Lord Avendale's name. 
 Not even the fierce favage of African wild. 
 
 Nor unbridled Tartar of ravaging horde 
 Of great Tamerlane, who fair Afia defpoil'd. 
 
 Could thus my fidelity unexampled reward ! 
 Can this be the fumma this the price of my faith 
 A cruel, ignominious, and degrading death ! 
 
 X'VI. 
 
 " Unmerited death ! and denied e'en the fight 
 
 Of th' accufer whofe name I fo boldly maintain d ; 
 For him I have conquer' d and flain many wight, 
 
 In fierce Scottilh war and in Border fray famed ; 
 Of the ads unapprifed for which I mufi: die. 
 
 My dear blooming Margaret! how blefled the 
 found ! 
 For one lone embrace, and one only, I figh 3 
 
 For thee, oh my eyeballs are turn'd around 5 
 But turn'd all in vain 5 that our love mufi expire 
 Ere it has expanded its pure virgin fire ! 
 
Strathaven Ca/lle. 47 
 
 XVII. 
 
 "Can this be for love, for thou firfl loved me : 
 
 If so, unto death I would willingly bend. 
 Could I think, my dear Margaret, it Ihelter would thee. 
 
 My head O ! for thee 1 had quickly extend ! 
 I woiild willingly clofe the affairs of this life. 
 
 And long for the future of good and of blifs. 
 Oh ! happy, when Death fets his feal on the llrife. 
 
 And clofes mortality, woe, and diftrefs ! 
 We meet fhall again after few fleeting years. 
 When the bright joys of heaven fhall have dried all thy 
 tears ! 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 A huge fpear is raifed, 'tis all rufly with gore 
 
 The dreadful affaflins feem'd to fmile at the fight : 
 Marble the hue that young Walter now wore. 
 
 While feemly gigantic he fummon'd his might. 
 The name of the murderer is call'd in the hall. 
 
 And the found of the Baron has reach' d his sharp ear. 
 Prepared the dark villain to anfwer the call. 
 
 He hands to his colleague the knife and the fpear. 
 Who flruck the young Cochrane his vigorous arm 
 Defended his breafl, and repulfed the alarm ! 
 
48 Strathaven Calile. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 The Ipear Walter feized from the wavering hand 
 
 Of the defp'rate afTaffin, and him ftretch'd at his foot j 
 And now, as avenger, our hero doth fland 
 
 His once threat' ning en' my is iilent and mute. 
 Such deeds of defpair due defpatch doth require 
 
 The heart of the murd'rer is fever' d in two : 
 Our hero, triumphant, beholds him expire. 
 
 Then quick as the wing'd flieet of lightning he flew. 
 And with one well laid on Vulcanian ftroke. 
 The bars of the old grated window he broke ! 
 
 XX. 
 
 He look'd o'er the wall, and prepared for the leap, 
 
 Pomillon was noify, and favour d his caufe: 
 But what though the mound was wild, rocky, and fteep. 
 
 He ne'er for a moment of fuch thought could paufe. 
 He leapt, and in fafety the grafs gain'd below. 
 
 The evening now told his approach on the Ikies, 
 And tlie breezes of Boreas ftill hoarfely do blow : 
 
 The rain falls in torrents the melted fnow hies 
 To a channel : gay the affemblage that comes 
 How Italwart the knights, bright their daughters and 
 sons! 
 
Strathaven Cajlle 49 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Lord Nethan arrived, and he walk'd near the cell 
 
 So lately the fcene of this favage affray ! 
 When the dallard who left on the noble lord fell 
 
 All of a fudden interrupted his way ! 
 They knew not each other, for Darknefs had fpread 
 
 His covering of fable within the rude walls. 
 Ah ! little dreamt Crawford his colleague lay dead, 
 
 Now, alas ! on the corpfe of that colleague he falls ! 
 He feized the Lord Nethan, enraged, by the throat, 
 As the fpear by the fide of fierce Jackfon he fought! 
 
 XXH. 
 
 Fair Margaret, of young Walter's fafety afraid. 
 Now hies to her chamber all lone in diflrefs 
 
 How rending the cries that the fweet female mads, 
 For her tenderefl ties fhe attempts to confefs ! 
 
 She dreaded her uncle her Walter had found 
 
 That he in the donjon lay fetter d and bound. 
 
50 Strathaven Cajile. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 " To fee him were heaven ! to arrange for our flight 
 
 For to him may all fecrets of Margaret be told ! 
 Chill and unpleafant is the dark frofty night. 
 
 That in camp pains the foldier, fo fearlefs and bold. 
 How welcome to him is die gay glance of morn 
 
 Such unto me is the fight of my Walter ! 
 Since we parted full many the pains I have borne. 
 
 With the fortitude yes of a High Steward's 
 daughter. 
 O give me again the blell object I love, 
 That I with my Walter by Aven may rove ! 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 '^ Again, if that can be but hoped oh ! again 
 
 To think, my dear Walter, of cold feparation ! 
 Down, down with the thought, for its import is vain. 
 
 And pregnant to me with molt poignant vexation. 
 If my fierce uncle's ire can have robb'd thee of life. 
 
 Sure thou with the feraphs art joyful in heaven ! 
 No more curfed earth Ihall behold me in ftrife. 
 
 Since th empower tliee to follow, my Walter, is given. 
 But, oh ! if in donjon thou, loved one, ihould pine, 
 Deprefling the thoughts that mull ever be mine. 
 
Strathaven Cajile. 5 1 
 
 XXV. 
 
 *^ But I'll folve the doubt in a minute's fhort Ipace, 
 
 I '11 forward and eye the dark den's awful mouth. 
 And fee if ray lover I yet may embrace. 
 
 Or meet with lights horrid, unwelcome, uncouth." 
 Thus mufed the bright gem of the wild Aven vale. 
 
 When a found, lo ! like Walter's, caught her fharp 
 ear 3 
 That found was a lover's a lover's fad wail 3 
 
 'Twas the voice that the lady fo oft loved to hear ! 
 She turn'd of a fudden look'd over the fteep 
 And there faw her Walter for her he did weep ! , 
 
 XXVI. 
 The blood feem'd to gufh from his arm and cheek ^ 
 
 He tower' d his bright eyes, and his Margaret beheld 
 He rofe : ah ! his limbs and his body were weak. 
 
 But the bright flufh of joy o'er his fair features roll'd. 
 The lady, full joyful, now leapt in his arms 
 
 No feat, fure, too great for defpair or for love ! 
 Her boldnefs the heart of the gallant fquire warms. 
 
 To open her mind to her lover fhe flrove 
 She fpake, and her words were in favour of flight 3 
 Their caufe was fupported by darknefs of night ! 
 
52 Strathaven Caftle, 
 
 XXVII. 
 With every luxury the tables were fpread 
 
 The attendants were many, and rare to behold ; 
 At Strathaven before fuch difplay ne'er was made, 
 
 The nobles were many, and valiant, and bold 
 They came from the Clyde, from the Nethan, and Ayr j 
 
 And many the knights that in armour bright fhone 
 And many the ladies, all courteous and fair 
 
 To match blooming Margaret there ne'er yet was 
 one ! 
 Full long look'd the party for bridegroom and bride, 
 And loud for his niece the Lord Avendale cried. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 His echoes were vain, for his niece was not there , 
 
 Now crimfon the imprint of rage that he wore. 
 And where is Lord Nethan, the bridegroom ? oh ! where 
 
 Was like difappointment ere witneiT'd before ! 
 Away to the donjon Lord Avendale ran 
 
 Diflrefling the fcene that now fteals on his eye 3 
 For Nethan lies here all fickly and wan. 
 
 And the meffenger pale feems as hovering nigh ! 
 The blood-rufly weapon Lord Avendale found. 
 And the murd'rous vafTal foon died of the wound. 
 
Strathaven Cajlle, 53 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Three years has the mighty Lord Avendale changed 
 
 At the Abbey of Paifley he penance hath paid ; 
 He moum'd for the lady he lately eftranged. 
 
 Now many the friends that his clemency made 
 Was loved by the great and the noble around 
 
 His vafTals long gloried to echo his praife ; 
 The Church, in Lord Avendale, patron now found. 
 
 And long to his mem'ry the monks fhouts did raife. 
 Thus cruelty mirror' d and heralded forth. 
 Is often fubverted to kindnefs and worth I 
 
 XXX. 
 
 From the depth of the wound, and the forrows that prey'd 
 
 On his mind, the rejected Lord Nethan foon died. 
 While Cochrane and Margaret to France were convey' d. 
 
 And there by a father of Rouen were tied. 
 Rode Walter as knight with the famous French iire. 
 
 And the Spaniard and German oft fhrunk from his 
 fword. 
 Oh ! oft has the minftrel, on heart-melting lyre, 
 
 The young fquire of Aven and Margaret adored ! 
 Many the Cochranes on Fame's roll that ftand. 
 And Hill their defcendants are great in that land ! 
 
Majfacre of Eigg. 
 
 [The following ballad is founded on a well-known hiftorical faft.] 
 
 EVERY chieftain of the Ifles 
 Trembles at the princely name 
 
 Of Aliftair, the great M'Leod, 
 
 Who nobly doth our homage claim ! 
 
 Thus cried a bold and forward crew. 
 Faffing rocky Eigg's rude coafl 3 
 
 The fails are flapping in the wind. 
 And on the waves the boat is tofl"d. 
 
 A broken galley beats the furge. 
 And human cries diflurb the fcene : 
 
Maffacre of Eigg. 55 
 
 "Methinks/' the watchful helmfman fpake, 
 " Famihar, fure, that voice did feem. 
 
 '*^ Familiar, yes ! " they lower'd the fails. 
 The weather-beaten boatmen row'd : 
 
 And to that galley chain d they found 
 Three followers of the flern M*Leod. 
 
 " M*Leod ! that infult on our name ! 
 
 Revenge ! revenge ! " the failors cry : 
 " The authors of this bloody work 
 
 By fome ignoble death ihall die. 
 
 " But whence the caufe ?" the boatman alks- 
 " What forced the cowards to this deed ? 
 
 How fweet is vengeance on a foe ! 
 We love to fee our foemen bleed." 
 
 Lies form'd but to conceal the truth. 
 The fierce, inhuman captives framed 5 
 
 The horrors of the pi6lure, fure. 
 Are too degrading to be named ! 
 
 The captives inllant refuge found : 
 
 " Our valiant chief ihall learn this tale," 
 
56 Majfacre of Eigg, 
 
 Was echo'd by the incenfed crew 
 That for Dunvegan's tower fet fail. 
 
 Clanranald's Ifles they quickly clear. 
 And the bleak weftern lliore of Skye ; 
 
 And, paffing through the Tollart's fwell. 
 The ancient Daniih tower draws nigh. 
 
 Dunvegan's huge romantic pile. 
 The work of Scandinavian hands. 
 
 Was rear'd when Eric braved the world. 
 And fought the Pict and Saxon bands. 
 
 Here Ihone in arms the brave M'Leod, 
 Attended by his faithful bard 
 
 Whofe fongs in honour of the clan 
 So oft its warlike members heard. 
 
 Full oft the piper's martial notes 
 Ring in the patriarchal hall -, 
 
 The fquire and gillie here attend. 
 
 And lift the mountain chieftain's call. 
 
 Unmatched for hofpitality 
 
 Is he, fprung from great Rory More 5 
 
Majfacre of Eigg. 57 
 
 Now round he hands the mighty cup 
 That Somerled had quafF'd of yore. 
 
 The captives drown the notes of joy. 
 How melancholy their complaint ! 
 
 The lifl'ning father of the clan 
 
 Thus gave his growing paffion vent : 
 
 '' Go, flaughter now the mountain goat. 
 And burn the crofs of hazel-wood 
 
 Extinguifli then the rifing flame. 
 In the vi6tim's reeking blood. 
 
 *' Send forth this fignal of alarm. 
 To roufe the warlike men of Skye -, 
 
 For by the fword of Hern M^Leod 
 Clanranald's favage tribe fhall die !" 
 
 An hundred hardy Celts appear' d 
 Dunvegan's ample front before ; 
 
 Rejoiced each plaided warrior, 
 Brandifhing his dark claymore. 
 
 " Go, man the boats," the chieftain faid, 
 " And I the noble pomp fhall fwell {' 
 
58 Majfacre of Eigg. 
 
 Ten monftrous galleys cut the tide. 
 And for Eigg s fated ifland fail. 
 
 Fated, alas ! the Iflefmen learn 
 
 The approach of their terrific foe 
 
 " O how fliall we tliis force refift ? 
 Unaided, how repel the blow ? 
 
 " Our daughters ravifh'd in our fight 
 By tliis fierce avenging race 3 
 
 'Twas ours, alas ! to witnefs, too. 
 Augmented fcenes of deep difgrace. 
 
 " O let us to the cavern fly. 
 
 And there evade fi:ern Creloch's wrath, 
 For fure that haughty Gael has fix'd 
 
 On fome unwelcome game of death." 
 
 The counfell'd natives fwiftly rulh'd 
 Unto the vaft, the ample cave 3 
 
 Another rough and hollow' d rock 
 Three aged warriors refuge gave. 
 
 M*Leod arrived : defcending fnows 
 Mantled Scoor Rigg's lofty brow 
 
Majfacre of Eigg. 5p 
 
 Increafed the fury of that chief. 
 In abfence of his timid foe. 
 
 Thrice paced his men the unhappy Ille 
 The muddy huts afcend in flames 3 
 
 The work of plunder is complete. 
 But llaughter Hill the chieftain aims. 
 
 Two days he fearch'd for Francis Cave 
 Two days he fearch'd, but all in vain ! 
 
 Prepared the morning of the third 
 To feek Dunvegan's tower again. 
 
 Uneafy in the dreary den 
 
 The iflanders fent forth a fpy. 
 
 And from a galley's deck his form 
 
 Caught a fharp feaman's glancing eye. 
 
 Fruitlefs tlie attempts M 'Donald made. 
 His treach'rous footprints to conceal. 
 
 Ah, fatal ! for the trodden fnow 
 Doth the vail cavern's front reveal. 
 
 Rejoiced M'Leod : at the den's mouth 
 He alk'd the dallards who had chain d 
 
6o JVlaJfacre of Eigg. 
 
 And fent his followers to the fea, 
 If fuch within its bounds remain'd ? 
 
 Proud of their hold, the anfwer " No" 
 Was fyllabled by every tongue 
 
 " We are the injured," from the cave, 
 Loud as McDonald s war cry rung. 
 
 Glowing with hate the chieftain fpoke 
 " Divert the filvery ftream which flows 
 
 ^Y the cave's moutli, that I may lave 
 On this proud race relentlefs woes." 
 
 'Tis done : bared is the heathery I lie 
 
 Of heath to minifter revenge 
 Choked the den's mouth now lit the fire, 
 
 And fmoke doth tlirough the cavern range. 
 
 Still burns the proud avenger's fire 
 
 The Iflefmen's dying agonies 
 High flowing pleafure did afford 
 
 To their attefled enemies. 
 
 Alas ! that hiflory fhould record 
 
 This fhocking, darTc, barbarian tale 
 
 That fuch atrocity fhould lower 
 Our eflimation of the Gael ! 
 
i^