K>^ l"^ 
 
THE 
 
 SPIRITUAL SONGS 
 
 OF 
 
 DuGALD Buchanan 
 
 EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION 
 NOTES, AND VOCABULARY 
 
 BY • . . „ ,o , 
 
 Rev. DONALD MACLEAN • ' 
 
 Author of ^^ The Highlands before the Reformation*^ ^^ Duthil : Past and 
 Present^' *' The Literature of the Scottish Gael^" etc. 
 
 NEW EDITION 
 
 EDINBURGH: JOHN GRANT 
 
 31 GEORGE IV. BRIDGE 
 I913 
 
PREFACE 
 
 In view of the distinct revival of interest in the Gaelic 
 language and literature, the time seemed opportune for a 
 new edition of these classic poems. This new edition is 
 edited from the first edition of 1767, now very rare. The 
 Maclagan (MacL.) MS. in the University of Glasgow was 
 carefully read, and the variants found there are given in the 
 Notes. The variants in the McNicol MS. are not given, 
 but these can be found in a recent volume of the transactions 
 of the Gaelic Society of Inverness. But as Buchanan saw 
 the first edition through the press himself, that edition 
 constitutes the only really authoritative source. In dealing 
 with the Text, the "traditional script," of which Buchanan 
 himself was one of the originators, is closely followed, and 
 only such changes as are necessary, in view of the results of 
 modern research, are introduced, and these, one is warranted 
 to believe, Buchanan himself, if he were alive to-day, would 
 effect. The model followed throughout is that of the current 
 Greek and Latin Classics for Schools and Universities. In 
 the Notes syntactical and grammatical difficulties that 
 occur in the Text are faced, and a solution offered. In 
 order to arrive at the correct meaning of the poetry, words 
 are historically considered, with literary references from the 
 earliest writers to the beginning of the nineteenth century, 
 when the meaning of the words appears to have become 
 fixed. Quotations are also given from English poets who 
 seem to have influenced Buchanan. It may be protested 
 
 iii A 2 
 
Preface 
 
 that occasionally explanations are given of what seems 
 obvious. But I proceeded on the assumption that what is 
 obvious to one may not be obvious to another. Most of the 
 books and authors referred to are mentioned in the Notes. 
 A Vocabulary is added which will serve also as an index to 
 the Notes. 
 
 This first serious attempt to place this classic on a level 
 with other classics, is sent on its journey with the hope that 
 it may help students of Gaelic to study more closely the 
 beauty and richness of that ancient speech, and its affinity 
 with other old languages, and that the serious vehemence 
 of the Bard's deep thoughts on the world that is, and the 
 mysteries of the world unseen, in themselves sublime proofs 
 of his undeniable genius, may appeal to them as worthy of 
 consideration. 
 
 I gratefully acknowledge the encouragement given me by 
 many friends in my effort to discharge a self-imposed and 
 difficult duty. Especially do I thank Professor MacKinnon, 
 my former teacher and kind friend, for reading proofs of 
 the Text and Notes, and for valuable suggestions; Mr 
 John A. MacKenzie, M.A., a promising young Celtic student, 
 for helpful assistance in the laborious work of research in 
 Old Gaelic — a term which covers all the recognised 
 periods ; and Dr Watson of the Royal High School, Edin- 
 burgh, a widely known Celtic scholar, for reading proofs 
 of the Introduction and Vocabulary. 
 
 D. Maclean. 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 February 191 3. 
 
 IV 
 

 CONTENTS 
 
 Introduction 
 
 MORACHD Dhe 
 FULANGAS CHRIOSD 
 
 La A' Bhreitheanais 
 Am Bruadar 
 An Gaisgeach 
 An Claigeann 
 An Geamhradh 
 Urnuigh . 
 Notes 
 
 Appendix I. — 
 
 The Vocalic Auslaut 
 
 Appendix II.— 
 
 The Nasal Auslaut 
 
 Vocabulary 
 
 PAGK 
 
 vii 
 I 
 5 
 
 15 
 33 
 37 
 41 
 51 
 59 
 . 63 
 
 103 
 
 105 
 . 109 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 DuGALD Buchanan was born at Ardoch, Strathyre, Perth- 
 shire, in 1716. He was a relative, and, in early Hfe, a 
 contemporary, of the famous Rob Roy. His father, a 
 miller and farmer, was a religious man. His mother, 
 Janet Ferguson, was an intelligent and pious woman. She 
 died when Dugald was only six years old, but the memory 
 of her devout life, and of her earnest entreaties, haunted him 
 throughout his chequered experiences. Having received 
 the elements of education that his native parish provided, 
 he, in his twelfth year, became a tutor in a neighbouring 
 family composed of members blatantly irreligious. The 
 mother of the household was a zealous Christian. The 
 conflicting parties under this roof-tree were a visible 
 illustration of the opposing forces that were ranging them- 
 selves for mastery in his youthful heart. Having abandoned 
 tutoring in 1730, when he was fourteen years of age, he 
 proceeded to Stirling with the view of advancing his 
 education. There he remained for two years, and there- 
 after, with six months' stay at Edinburgh, his education 
 was considered to be completed. His father, now that 
 the boy was eighteen years of age, apprenticed him first 
 to a carpenter at Kippen, and later to another at Dum- 
 barton. With the former he picked a quarrel, and left 
 before the expiry of the stipulated term of engagement, and 
 the routine of work under the latter, setting too severe a 
 restraint on his recklessness, was forsaken. During these 
 
 vii 
 
Introduction 
 
 years his escapes from serious peril were phenomenal. 
 He recovered from what was expected to be a fatal attack 
 of fever. Twice he was rescued from drowning, and once 
 he came within a hairbreadth of being dispatched by the 
 bayonet of a drunken soldier. In 1749 Buchanan married 
 Margaret Brisbane, a daughter of the land-steward of the 
 Earl of Louden, and settled on his father's farm at Ardoch. 
 In 1750 he, however, abandoned this occupation, to which 
 apparently he was ill-adapted by disposition and training, 
 for itinerant teaching. In 1753 he was given a permanent 
 appointment as teacher at Kinloch Rannoch. Two 
 years later he was appointed Catechist, and the duties 
 of the dual office he discharged efficiently to the end. 
 While Catechist at Rannoch, his influence as an 
 evangelist was so great, and his attainments so con- 
 spicuous, that the Presbytery of Dunkeld was approached 
 to license him as a preacher and pastor in the parish. But 
 the technical and ecclesiastical difficulties which circum- 
 scribe the pathway to the ministry in Scotland stood as a 
 barrier, and the wishes of the people of Rannoch, like 
 those of the Gaelic-speaking people of Edinburgh at a later 
 date, were thwarted, so that one who might have been an 
 ornament in the ranks of the ministry, had to serve his 
 Master with his dedicated talents in the humbler but 
 honourable sphere of Catechist. On account of his profi- 
 ciency in Gaelic scholarship, he was chosen, along with the 
 Rev. James Stewart of Killin, to superintend the passing of 
 the first edition of the Gaelic New Testament through the 
 press, and the excellence of that translation is in part due to 
 the ability of the poet-catechist of Rannoch. When dis- 
 charging this duty in Edinburgh, he published the first 
 edition of his own poems in 1767, and attended the classes 
 for natural philosophy, astronomy, and anatomy at the 
 University. He came in contact with many of the literary 
 celebrities of the city, and among them David Hume. His 
 
 viii 
 
Introduction 
 
 interview with the famous sceptic is interesting, as illustrat- 
 ing by its dramatic sequel the religious fortitude of the 
 poet. Hume challenging the poet to quote anything so 
 impressive and sublime as the words in Shakespeare's 
 Tempest^ Act IV. Sc. i, 148-158, Buchanan forthwith 
 quoted from memory Rev. xx. 11-13, the solemn grandeur 
 of which the philosopher admitted. 
 
 Two years after this, in 1 768, Buchanan was called home 
 to attend to his fever-stricken family. He caught the 
 virulent infection, and died in his fifty-second year. His 
 death, at a comparatively early age, made a deep impression 
 on his countrymen, and it was only from reverence for the 
 dead, and for the sake of peace, that the men of Rannoch 
 allowed the men of Balquhidder to carry the mortal remains 
 of the tall, black-haired, dark complexioned, and large-eyed 
 poet for interment among the dust of his fathers, in the 
 churchyard of Little Leny. Only a few years ago there died 
 at Fortingal a man whose father had witnessed the funeral 
 procession crossing the Lyon at Linne Lonaidh. 
 
 Buchanan kept a diary from 1741 to 1750. This 
 autobiography, which is modelled on the "Confes- 
 sions" of Augustine, in brilliance of style and vivid- 
 ness of narrative, as well as in the sincerity of its 
 self-disclosures and the keenness of its self-analysis, 
 is wonderfully similar to that great masterpiece. Like 
 the Bishop of Hippo, he does not recoil from writing hard 
 things against himself. His recklessness, irreligion, 
 profanity, and vice during his earlier years; his fits of 
 remorse, the violence of his mental agony, the intensity of 
 his soul anguish, and the dreaded judgment of God, are 
 depicted with such a wealth of detail as makes the whole 
 vividly realistic. He emerged from the great struggle by 
 a process of intellectual as well as spiritual conversion, 
 and attained to such a consciousness of the mercy and 
 goodness of God as raised him to a high level of spiritual 
 
 ix 
 
Introduction 
 
 power. In all this we have the key to his "Songs." 
 Like Dante, he was under the dominion of an over- 
 mastering passion for the salvation of men. His motive 
 is to awaken his countrymen to a sense of the magnitude, 
 the infinite variety, and awful demerit of sin (see The 
 Day of Judgment), the omnipotence of God and the 
 wanton folly of defying Him (see The Greatness of God), 
 the madness of trifling with eternal interests (see Winter), 
 and the all-sufficiency of Christ's Atonement (see The 
 Sufferings of Christ, and Prayer). His teaching is ethical 
 as well as spiritual (see The Skull). Moral abuses and 
 cruel oppression are vigorously condemned (see The Skull). 
 Success obtained at the expense of true nobility of character 
 is deemed worthless. Self-control is inculcated (see The 
 Hero). With grand bursts of feeling and imagination, he 
 appeals to the sense of fear in the wicked, but the aim is 
 reformative. Underlying all his vehement appeals, his 
 vivid and harrowing pictures of the miseries of the lost, 
 and the terrifying grandeur of the last great catastrophy, 
 is a passionate yearning for the regeneration of the people. 
 There is no hint of self-satisfied complacency, no indication 
 of morbid delight in the suffering of others. Stern and 
 terrible as the application of his doctrines may be at times, 
 any criticism is unjust if it does not take full account of 
 his long-drawn-out spiritual struggle, whence issued his 
 conception of the enormity of sin, the righteousness of 
 God, and the greatness of the sacrifice of Christ. Here, 
 too, was a man full of tender sympathy, a pacifier of inter- 
 clan feuds, and one who entered with zest into the 
 innocent frolics of his happy school children. With the 
 exception of the Bible and the Catechism, no Gaelic book 
 was printed so frequently as these poems, and no book 
 outside those mentioned exercised such a profound 
 influence among all classes of the Gaelic-speaking 
 Highlanders, from the eminent Indian Missionary, Dr 
 
 X 
 
Introduction 
 
 Duff, to the widow who breaks the monotonous whirr 
 of her spinning-wheel with the melody of those sublime 
 pieces. It has been well said that " What the sublime 
 conceptions of Milton and John Bunyan were to the 
 devout thought of England, those of the sacred Bard 
 of Rannoch have been to that of Gaelic Scotland." 
 
 However opinions may differ as to his applications of 
 his doctrines, there can be no difference of opinion as to 
 the terseness of his language, the excellence of his idioms, 
 the sweet cadence of his lines, and the even flow of his 
 utterances. The language he finds elastic, and he bends 
 it at his will. His eye is open to the wonders of the 
 physical world and the variety of external nature. He 
 claims the right to borrow from every phase of nature and 
 life the associations and images that he wants, and he has 
 shown that these borrowed images do not lose their 
 beauty and meaning by being expressed with literal reality. 
 He personifies abstractions with the utmost ease. The 
 proverbs of the people he summons to his aid, and he 
 utters his own reflections in such epigrammatic forms as 
 to become in turn proverbs for the people. His primary 
 aim is not to delight, but to teach and impress. Yet the 
 sublime grandeur of his vivid imagery delights by the 
 felicity of style when it may not teach, and his sustained 
 earnestness borne on the bosom of forcible and apt 
 expressions, impresses when it may not convince. The 
 secular bards loaded their lines with high-sounding 
 adjectives. They were caught by the music of words, and 
 though their chime may be sweet, the thought is not clear. 
 Lucidity is a feature of Buchanan's poetry, and he has 
 shown that melody and lucidity are not impossible com- 
 panions. That itself was a great gain, and a distinct 
 advance. 
 
 An eminent authority has written : " Than Buchanan 
 no greater blessing was bestowed on the Highlanders of 
 
 xi 
 
Introduction 
 
 his day. When the poet superintended Stewart's trans- 
 lation of the New Testament (1767) through the press, 
 another era in Highland life and literature had begun." 
 It is no disparagement, therefore, of his many editors to 
 say that Buchanan knew Gaelic better than most of them. 
 Some of these, with the view of bringing the poet's script 
 into line with dialectal peculiarities, seriously invaded the 
 original. They gave abraded forms of the old verb 
 particles, which destroyed the swing of the verses, and 
 in many instances effected changes that were not gram- 
 matically correct. A current cheap edition of the poems 
 has given misreadings of the original, dropped some 
 lines, and is interspersed with typographical and other 
 errors. 
 
 On the 17th November 1875 a granite monument, with 
 suitable inscriptions, was unveiled with fitting ceremonial at 
 Kinloch-Rannoch to perpetuate the memory of the poet- 
 catechist. The obelisk, which was erected by money 
 collected chiefly by Alexander MacBain, then a student 
 at Aberdeen, is symbolic of the poet, as well as com- 
 memorative of his Christian usefulness; but the real 
 memorial of his intellectual power is the rhythmic form, 
 with almost faultless artistry, of the deep aspirations of his 
 heart called by himself his " Spiritual Songs." 
 
 xu 
 
Morachd Dhe, 
 
 O ! ciOD e Dia, no ciod e ainm ? 
 Cha tuig na h-aingle 's aird' an glbir ; 
 E 'n solus dealrach foluicht' uath', 
 Far nach ruig suil no smuain 'na choir. 
 
 Uaith fein ata a bhith a' sruth' ; 5 
 
 Neo-chruthaichte ta uile bhuaidh'n ; 
 Neo-chriochnaichte 'nan nadur fein, 
 'S f^in-dhiongmhaltas 'gan cumail suas. 
 
 Cha robh e 6g, is sean cha bhi ; 
 
 O shior gu sior gun chaochladh staid ; 10 
 
 Cha tomhais grian no gealach aois, 
 
 Oir 's nithe caochlach iad air fad. 
 
 'N uair thaisbeanas e ghloir no ghras, 
 
 Bidh la neo-bhasmhor teachd o shiiil; 
 
 'S grad chuiridh sluagh nan neamhan ard, 15 
 
 Le 'n sgiathaibh sgaile air an gnuis. 
 
 'S ma thaisbeanas e ghnuis an gruaim, 
 
 Grad sgaoilidh uamhunn feadh nan speur ; 
 
 Roimh achmhasan-sa teichidh 'n cuan, 
 
 'S le geilt-chrith gluaisidh 'n cruinne-ce. 20 
 
 I A 
 
Morachd Dhe 
 
 Tp.' bibre naduir searg' 's a' fas, 
 O chaochla taid gu caochla ruith ; 
 Ach uije thionnsgain-s' taid 'nan aon, 
 Gun traogh' no lionadh air a bhith. 
 
 Ta aingle 's daoin' do neo-ni dliith, 25 
 
 A' bhrii o'n d' thainig sinn gu leir, 
 Ach iomlaineachd o shiorr'achd ta, 
 Neo-chriochanach 'na nadur fein. 
 
 'N uair chuala neo-ni guth a bheil, 
 
 Ghrad leum 'na bith a' chruitheachd mhbr, 30 
 
 An cruinne so le uile Ian, 
 
 'S na neamhan ard le'n uile shlbigh. 
 
 'N sin dhearc air 'oibrichibh gu leir, 
 
 'S gach creutair bheannaich e 'nan staid, 
 
 'S cha d'fheum ath-leasachadh air ni, 35 
 
 Am measg a ghniomharra air fad. 
 
 Air clar a dhearn' tha dol mu'n cuairt, 
 
 Gach reul a ghluaiseas anns an speur ; 
 
 An cruthach' gu leir tha stigh 'na ghlaic, 
 
 'S a' deanamh thaic d'a ghairdean treun. 40 
 
 Co chuartaicheas do bhith, a Dhe ? 
 An doimhne shluig gach reusan suas ; 
 'Nan oidhirpibh tha aingle 's daoin' 
 Mar shligean maoraich glacadh chuain. 
 
 O bhith-bhuantachd tha thus' ad Righ, 45 
 
 'S ni bheil san t-saogh'1-s' ach ni o'n de ; 
 O ! 's beag an eachdraidh chualas diot, 
 'S cha mhor de d' ghniomh ata fo'n ghrein. 
 
 Ge d' thionndadh ghrian gu neo-ni ris, 
 
 'S gach ni fa chuairt a soluis mhbir ; 50 
 
Morachd Dhe 
 
 'S CO beag bhiodh t' oibre 'g ionndrain uath', 
 'S bhiodh 'n cuan ag ionndrain sile mhe6ir. 
 
 An cruthach' cha dean le uile ghlbir, 
 Lan-fhoillseachadh air Dia nam feart ; 
 Cha'n'eil 'sna h-oibre ud gu leir, 55 
 
 Ach taisbean earlais air a neart. 
 
 Le 'r tuigse thana 's diomhain duinn 
 
 Bhi sgriidadh chuain ata gun chrioch ; 
 
 An litir 's lugha dh'ainm ar De, 
 
 Is tuille 's luchd d' ar reusan i. 60 
 
 Oir ni bheil dadum cosmhuil riut 
 
 Am measg na chruthaich thu gu leir ; 
 
 'S am measg nan daoine ni bheil cainnt 
 
 A labhras t' ainm ach t' fhocal fein. 64 
 
Fulangas Chriosd, 
 
 'S e fulangas mo Shlanuighear 
 
 A bhios mo dhan a' luaidh, 
 
 Mbr-irioslachd an ard-Righ sin 
 
 'Na bhreith 's 'na bhas ro chruaidh ; 
 
 'S e 'n t-iongantas bu mhiorbhuilich' 5 
 
 Chaidh innse riamh do shluagh, 
 
 An Dia bha ann o shiorruidheachd, 
 
 Bhi fas 'na chiochran truagh. 
 
 'N uair ghabht' am broinn na h-bighe e, 
 
 Le cbmhnadh Spiorad Dh^, 10 
 
 A chum an Nadur Daonna sin, 
 
 A dheanamh aon ris fein ; 
 
 Ghabh e sgail mu Dhiadhaidheachd, 
 
 'S de'n Bhriathar rinneadh febil, 
 
 Is dh' fhoillsich' an rim diomhair sin, 15 
 
 Am pearsa Chriosd le glbir. 
 
 Rugadh 'n stabull diblidh e. 
 
 Mar dhilleachdan gun trebir, 
 
 Gun neach a dheanadh cairdeas ris. 
 
 No bheireadh fardoch dhb ; 20 
 
 Gun mhuinntir bhi 'ga fhrithealadh, 
 
 No uidheam mar bu chbir, 
 
 Ach eich is daimh 'ga chuartachadh, 
 
 D'an dual gach uile ghlbir. 
 
 5 A2 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 Mu'n gann bha fios gu'n d'thainig e, 25 
 
 Do dhuisg' dha naimhde mbr ; 
 
 B' fheudar teich' do'n Eiphit leis, 
 
 Roimh Herod bh'air a thoir ; 
 
 Is e cho naimhdeil dioghaltach 
 
 Chum losa chur gu has, 30 
 
 'S gu'n mharbhadh leis gach ciocharan 
 
 A bha na riogh'chd gun dail. 
 
 Bha tuill aig na sionnachaibh 
 
 Gu'm falachadh o theinn ; 
 
 Bha nid aig na h-eunlaithe 35 
 
 An geugaibh ard nan crann ; 
 
 Ach esan a rinn uile iad, 
 
 'S gach ni sa' chruinne-che, 
 
 Bha e fein 'na fhbgarrach, 
 
 Gun ch6mhnuidh aig' fo'n ghrein. 40 
 
 Am feadh 's a ghabh an Slanuighear 
 
 Mar ionad taimh an saogh'l, 
 
 Mar l^igh ro iochdmhor fabharach 
 
 Bha leigheas chlann nan daoin' ; 
 
 'N aon eucail riamh bu ghabhaidh bh'ann, 45 
 
 'S gach galar craiteach geur, 
 
 Do thionndadh e chum slanachaidh 
 
 'N uair labhradh e o bheul. 
 
 Thug teanga do na balbhanaibh, 
 'S do'n bhacach mhall a Idth, 50 
 
 Do'n bhodhar thug e chlaistinneachd, 
 'S do dhaoine dall an iiil ; 
 Na lobhair bhreun do ghlanadh leis, 
 Cur fallaineachd 'nam fe5il, 
 'S leighis gach eucail anma e, 55 
 
 'S na mairbh do thug e bed. 
 6 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 Do shearmonaicheadh an soisgeul leis 
 
 Do dhaoine bochda, truagh, 
 
 Is gheall e saorsa shiorruidh dhoibh, 
 
 Bha 'n glais fo chis ro chruaidh ; 60 
 
 Na'n gabhte' ris an fhirinn leo, 
 
 Le creideamh fiorghlan beb, 
 
 'S gu'm biodh iad air an iompachadh 
 
 O ghniomharraibh na fe61'. 
 
 Lean buidhean tur do'n fMsach e, 65 
 
 Is dh' fhan tri laith' 'na choir, 
 
 Cuig mile bha de dh' aireamh ann 
 
 Bh' air failneachadh chion loin ; 
 
 'N ro bheagan fhuair iad bheannaich e, 
 
 'N da iasg 's cuig arain ebrn', 70 
 
 'S do dh' ith iad gus 'na shasuich' iad, 
 
 Is dh' fhag iad ni bu lebir. 
 
 Do chaisgeadh onf hadh chuantan leis, 
 
 'S an tonnan uaibhreach mbr, 
 
 A' ghaoth ro laidir, bhuaireasach, 75 
 
 Do chuartaich e 'na dhbrn : 
 
 Ach aithris air gach miorbhuile, 
 
 Rinn losa anns an fhebil, 
 
 Cha chumadh 'n saogh'l de sgriobhannaibh 
 
 Na dh'innseadh e gu lebir. 80 
 
 Ach 'n uair bha'n t-am a' dluthach' ris 
 
 Gu'n siubhladh e chum glbir, 
 
 Ghairm e chuige dheisciobuil, 
 
 Is dheasaich e dhoibh Ion ; 
 
 Chuir e sios 'nan suidhe iad, 85 
 
 'S gach uidheam air a' bhbrd ; 
 
 Aran 's f ion do riaraich orr' 
 
 Bha ciallach' f hoi' is fhebl'. 
 
 7 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 Is thug e sin mar ordugh dhoibh 
 
 Bhi 'n cbrahnuidh ac' gu bvkth, 90 
 
 A dh' f hoillseachadh mhor-fhulangais, 
 
 A dh' f bulling air an sgkth : 
 
 Gu'n itheadh is gu'n bladh iad 
 
 De dh' f heartaibh mbr a ghraidh, 
 
 'S gu'm bitheadh e mar chuimhne aig 95 
 
 A mhuinntir air a bhas. 
 
 'N uair thainig chum a gharaidh e, 
 
 Do bhi a chrMh ro mh6r, 
 
 'N uair f huair e 'n cupan feirge sin, 
 
 Bha oillteil searbh r'a 61 ; 100 
 
 Air ghoil bha chuisle craobhach-san 
 
 Tre chorp ro naomh 'ga fh^sg', 
 
 'Na f hallas fola braonadh mach 
 
 Tre aodach air an lar. 
 
 'N sin thuit e air a ghlCiinibh sios 105 
 
 A' deanamh tirnuigh gh^ir : 
 
 "O Athair chaoimh ma's comas e, 
 
 An deoch so cuir uam f^in ; 
 
 Ach so a' chrioch mu'n d'thkinig mi, 
 
 Gu'n sabhalainn mo threud, no 
 
 Mar sin ni iarram f^bhar, ach 
 
 Do thoil gu brath bhi deant'." 
 
 B'e sud an cupan uamhannach, 
 A f huair e ann a laimh ; 
 
 Peacadh 'n t-saogh'l 'ga chuartachadh, 115 
 
 'S gach duais a bhuineadh dhk ; 
 Na dh' f huil'geadh 'n saoghal gu siorruidheachd 
 De phiantaibh is de chradh, 
 Chaidh sud a leigeadh cbmhla air, 
 'S an deoch ud dh'61 'nan ait. 120 
 
 8 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 B'e 'n diabh'l a shealbhaich ludas sin, 
 
 Le chridhe diibailt' fiar, 
 
 An cealgair sanntach, liibach ud, 
 
 A chuir du-chul ri Dia : 
 
 An troiteir reic e Shl^nuighear, 125 
 
 'S a mhaighstir gradhach f^in, 
 
 Is bhrath da nMmhde bksmhor e, 
 
 Fo chairdeas pbg a bh^il. 
 
 An sin do rinn iad priosanach 
 
 De dh' losa gun chionfath, 130 
 
 Is thug iad dh' ionnsuidh Philat e, 
 
 Gu'n diteadh e chum bMs : 
 
 Is dhit am breitheamh eucorach 
 
 Le fianuis bhreig' an Ti, 
 
 Bha choguis fein ag innse dha 135 
 
 Bhi dith-chiontach is f ior. 
 
 Do cheangail agus sgi^rs iad e 
 
 Le buillibh dr{iiteach geur, 
 
 An f he6il o'n chnaimh do rtiisgeadh leo 
 
 'Na meallaibh bruit' gu leir, 140 
 
 A chorp ro naomh do mhilleadh leo, 
 
 'S a chreuchda sileadh sios ; 
 
 An f huil le'n ceannaicht' an saoghal so, 
 
 Gun sgoinn bhi dhith no pris. 
 
 Do rinneadh crtm de'n sgitheach leo, 145 
 
 Is dh' f high iad e gu teann, 
 Chur tuille pein is naire air, 
 Do spkrr iad e mu cheann ; 
 'Na cheann a steach do bhuaileadh leo 
 Na biora cruaidh ro gheur, 150 
 
 Is aghaidh ghlbrmhor dh' fholuich iad 
 L«e'n sile salach, breun. 
 9 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 'N uair chuir iad an crtin nkrach air, 
 
 Ro chraiteach goirt do bhi, 
 
 Do sgeudaich iad le sgarlaid e, 155 
 
 'S chuir colbh 'na laimh mar Righ ; 
 
 Is labhair iad gu sgallaiseach, 
 
 A' fanoid air an Ti : — 
 
 " Failte, 'Righ nan Itidhach, dhuit," 
 
 Le'n glun 'ga chromadh sios. 160 
 
 Le'm f6irneart mbr do dh'eignich e 
 
 Chrann ceusaidh thogail suas, 
 
 Ach ge bu chruaidh sud b'fheudar e 
 
 Bhi geilleadh dhoibh san uair : 
 
 A chuisle chaomh a' traoghadh as, 165 
 
 'S a neart 'ga fhasgadh uaith', 
 
 A' direadh 'n t-sleibh 'ga sharach', gus 
 
 An d'fh^lnich e fo'n chuail. 
 
 Sios air an leabaidh dhoruinnich, 
 
 Le dhebin do luidh e fein ; 170 
 
 RCiisgt' air a chrann do shineadh e, 
 
 'S gach alt dheth spion o cheil' ; 
 
 A chorp ro naomha beannaichte, 
 
 Do cheangail iad gu teann, 
 
 Le tkirnibh 's ord 'gan sparradh sud 175 
 
 Gu daingean ris a chrann. 
 
 An crann an sin do dhirich iad, 
 Is losa thog air suas, 
 Is air na tairnibh chrochadh e 
 Le dochann tha do-luaidh ; 180 
 
 A chudthrom f^in a' reubadh as 
 Gach creuchd 'na chois 's 'na Ikimh, 
 Is fhuil ro phrlseil naomha-san 
 'Ga taomadh sios gu Ikr. 
 IP 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 Ge bu mhaslach crai teach leis 185 
 
 Am bas a dheilbheadh led ; 
 
 Aon ghearan riamh cha d' thainig uaith', 
 
 'N aghaidh 'naimhde mbr ; 
 
 Ach 's ann a ghabh e'n leith-sgeul-san, 
 
 'Gan teasairginn gu f ior : 190 
 
 " O Athair thoir dhoibh maitheanas, 
 
 Taid aineolach 'nan gniomh." 
 
 Chaidh dibh-fhearg Dhe a thaomadh air, 
 
 Gach uile thaobh mu'n cuairt, 
 
 Bha gnCiis a ghraidh air fholach air, 195 
 
 Is thionndadh soluis uaith' ; 
 
 Is dh' eigh e fo na piantan sin : 
 
 " Mo Dhia ! Mo Dhia na treig ! 
 
 Na ceil do ghnuis ro fhabharach, 
 
 'S na fag mi ann am fheum." 200 
 
 Na'n rachadh an trom-dhioghaltas 
 
 A ghiulain los' e fein, 
 
 Leag' air a chinne-dhaonna sin, 
 
 'S na h-ainglean naomh le cheil', 
 
 Do chasgradh ann a momaint bhig, 205 
 
 Na sloigh ud leis gu leir : 
 
 Am braon bu lugh' d'a fhulangas 
 
 Loisgeadh e 'n cruinne-ce. 
 
 Dh' brduich Dia nan sluagh an sin, 
 lad theachd mu'n cuairt do'n t-sliabh, 210 
 
 Gach uile nadur reusanta, 
 A rinn e fein o chian ; 
 'S gu'm faicte' ghaol d'a chreutairibh, 
 'S do bheusaibh pheacaidh fhuath, 
 Anns an fheirg a thaomaich e 215 
 
 Air Mac a ghaoil san uair. 
 II 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 'S e so bu chainnt d'a fhulangas : 
 
 " Nis tuigibh uile shluagh, 
 
 Nadur sgreitidh pheacaidh ud, 
 
 'S am dh6ruinn faicibh dhuais ; 220 
 
 Is nkdur teann a' cheartais sin, 
 
 A ghlac mi as leth ch^ich, 
 
 Nach maith dhomh bonn d'am fiachan-san, 
 
 'S nach diol mi ach le m' bhas." 
 
 Bha'm bas ud mallaicht', piantachail, 225 
 
 Ro ghuineach, dioltach doigh, 
 
 Ro chraiteach, narach, fadalach, 
 
 'S e teachd neo-ghrad 'na choir : 
 
 Bu ni ro oillteil, uamhasach, 
 
 Seachd uair' bhi 'n crochadh beb, 230 
 
 Air feith' a chuirp 'gan spionadh as, 
 
 Bha brigh a chuirp air tiormachadh 
 
 An amhuinn feirge Dhe, 
 
 'S a chridhe cairdeil firinneach 235 
 
 A' leaghadh sios mar cheir ; 
 
 A theanga lean r'a ghialaibh-san, 
 
 Bha riamh am pairt a shluaigh, 
 
 Is foirneart nan geur-phiantan sin 
 
 A' sniomhadh anama uaith'. 240 
 
 A f hradharc glan do dh' f hailnich air 
 'S mar ghlaine dh' f has a shuil ; 
 Bha feith' a chridhe bristeadh aig', 
 'S a bhraghad clisgeadh dluth ; 
 A ghnuis b' aillidh snuadh is dreach, 245 
 
 Air tionndadh uaine li ; 
 Ar leam gu faic mi 'n ealghris air, 
 Cur a chath sheirbh gu crich ; 
 12 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 Ar learn gu faic mi chreuchda-san, 
 
 Mar a reub na tairnean fh^oil ; 250 
 
 An f huil f ^s dubh a' ragadh ump' ; 
 
 Sior lagach' air a threoir ; 
 
 Breach a' bhais a' tional uim', 
 
 'S e dealachadh r'a sgiamh ; 
 
 Air leam gu'n cluinn mi 'g osnaich e, 255 
 
 'S a' phlosgail bha 'na chliabh. 
 
 Fa dheireadh labhair losa riu : 
 
 "Tha mi an iota mhoir." 
 
 Ghabh domblas agus f ion geur iad, 
 
 'S deocii shin iad dha r'a h-61, 260 
 
 'N sin thubhairt : " Tha e criochnaichte 
 
 Gach ni ghabh mi os Ikimh ; " 
 
 'S le sgairteachd gheur do ghlaodh e mach, 
 
 Is chlaon e cheann gu b^s. 
 
 Be sud an glaodh bha cruadalach, 265 
 
 Do chual e 'n cruinne-ce ; 
 
 Gach creag air talamh sgealbadh leis, 
 
 'S na mairbh ghrad chlisg gu leir : 
 
 Do thionndadh ghrian gu dorchadas, 
 
 Is chaochail colg gach ni, 270 
 
 Bha chruitheachd mar gu'm bks'cheadh i 
 
 'S i tarrainn chum a crich. 
 
 Na flaitheas bha riamh s61asach, 
 'S na sloigh bha subhach shuas, 
 San am sin rinneadh bronach iad, 275 
 
 'S an cebl do leig iad uath', 
 Ri faicinn dhoibh an Ughdair ac' 
 San uir 'ga leagadh sios, 
 Am bas a bhi 'ga cheangal-san 
 Thug anam do gach ni. 23q 
 
 13 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais. 
 
 Am feadh ta chuid as mb de'n t-saogh'l 
 Gun ghaol do Chriosd, gun sgoinn d'a reachd, 
 Gun chreideamh ac' gu'n tig e ris 
 Thoirt breith na firinn air gach neach. 
 
 An cadal peacaidh taid 'nan suain, 5 
 
 A' bruadar pailteis de gach ni, 
 Gun umhail ac' 'n uair thig am bas, 
 Nach meal iad Parras o'n ard Righ. 
 
 Le cumhachd t'fhocail Dhe tog suas 
 
 An sluagh chum aithreachais 'na thra, 10 
 
 Is beannaich an Dan so do gach neach, 
 
 Bheir seachad eisdeachd dha le gradh. 
 
 Mo smuaintean talmhaidh Dhe tog suas, 
 
 'S mo theanga fuasgail ann mo bheul, 
 
 A chum gu'n labhrainn mar bu choir, 15 
 
 Mu ghlbir 's mu uamhunn latha Dhe. 
 
 Air meadhon oidhch' 'n uair bhios an saogh'l 
 
 Air aomadh thairis ann an suain, 
 
 Grad dhiiisgear suas an cinne-daonn' 
 
 Le glaodh na trompaid 's airde fuaim. 20 
 
 Air neul ro ard ni fhoillseach' fein, 
 Ard-aingeal treun le trompaid mhoir. 
 Is gairmidh air an t-saogh'l gu leir 
 lad a ghrad eirigh chum a' mhoid : 
 15 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 "O cluinnibh-s' uile chlann nan daoin', 25 
 
 Nis thainig ceann an t-saogh'l gu beachd ; 
 Leumaibh 'nur beatha sibhs' ta marbh, 
 Oir gu dearbh ta los' air teachd." 
 
 Seididh e le sgal cho cruaidh, 
 
 'S gu'n cuir e sleibhte 's cuan 'nan ruith ; 30 
 
 Clisgidh na bhios marbh 's an uaigh, 
 
 Is na bhios be6 le h-uamhunn crith. 
 
 Le h-osaig dhoinionnaich a bh^il 
 
 An saogh'l so reubaidh e gu garg, 
 
 'S mar dhun an t-seangain dol 'na ghluas' 35 
 
 Grad bhrtichdaidh 'n uaigh a nios a mairbh. 
 
 'N sin cruinnichidh gach cas is lamh 
 
 Chaidh chur san araich fad o ch^iF, 
 
 'S bidh farum mbr am measg nan cnamh, 
 
 Gach aon diubh dol 'na aite fein. 40 
 
 Mosglaidh na fireanaich an tiis, 
 Is diiisgear iad gu leir o'n suain ; 
 An anamaibh tuirlingidh o ghlbir, 
 Gu'n cbmhlachadh aig beul na h-uaigh'. 
 
 Le aoibhneas togaidh iad an ceann, 45 
 
 Tha am am fuasglaidh orra dluth ; 
 
 Is mar chraoibh-mheas fo iomlan blath, 
 
 Tha dreach an Slanuighear 'nan gnuis. 
 
 Tha obair Spiorad Naomh nan gras 
 
 Air glanadh 'n naduir o 'n taobh steach ; 50 
 
 'S mar thrusgan glan ta umhlachd Chriosd, 
 
 'Gan deanamh sgiamhach o'n taobh mach. 
 
 Duisgear na h-aingidh suas 'nan deigh, 
 Mar bheisdean gairisneach as an t-sloc ; 
 16 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 'S o ifrinn thig an anama truagh 55 
 
 Thoirt coinneamh uamhasach d'an corp. 
 
 'N sin labhraidh 'n t-anam brbnach, truagh, 
 
 R'a chollainn oillteil, uamhar, bhreun : 
 
 " Mo chlaoidh ! ciod uim' an d'eirich thu 
 
 Thoirt peanas dubailt oirn' le ch^il' ? 60 
 
 " O ! 'n ^igin dbmhsa dol a ris 
 Am priosan ne6-ghlan steach ad chre ? 
 Mo thruaighe mi, gu'n d'aontaich riamh, 
 Le t' ana-mianna bruideil fein ! 
 
 " O ! 'm faigh mi dealach' riut gu brath, 65 
 
 No 'n tig am bas am feasd ad choir ? 
 An driiigh tein' air do chnamhaibh iairn', 
 No dibh-fhearg Dhe an struidh i t'fhebil ? " 
 
 Eiridh na righrean 's daoine mbr' 
 Gun smachd gun brdugh bhi 'nan laimh, 70 
 
 'S cha' n aithn'ear iad am measg an t-sluaigh, 
 O'n duine thruagh bha ac' 'na thraill. 
 
 'S na daoine uaibhreach leis nach b' fhiii, 
 
 Gu 'n umhlaicheadh iad fein do Dhia ; 
 
 O ! faic a nis iad air an glun 75 
 
 A' deanamh urnuigh ris gach sliabh : 
 
 " O chreagan, tuitibh air ar ceann 
 
 Le sgairnich ghairbh de chlachan cruaidh. 
 
 Is sgriosaibh sinn a tir nam beb, 
 
 A chum 's nach faic sinn glbir an Uain ! " 80 
 
 Am mach as uamha gabhaidh thriall 
 An diabhul 's a chuid aingle fein ; 
 Ge cruaidh e 's eigin teachd a l^th'r, 
 A' slaodadh shlabhraidh air a dh^igh. 
 
 17 B 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 'N sin fasaidh rudhadh anns an speur, 85 
 
 Mar fhair na maidne 'g eirigh dearg, 
 
 Ag innse gu bheil losa fein, 
 
 A' teachd 'na dh^igh le latha garbh. 
 
 Grad fhosglaidh as a cheil' na ne6il, 
 
 Mar dhorus se6mair an ^rd Righ, 90 
 
 Is foillsichear am Breitheamh m6r, 
 
 Le gl6ir is greadhnachas gun chrich. 
 
 Tha 'm bogha-frois mu'n cuairt d'a cheann, 
 
 'S mar thuil nan gleann tha fuaim a ghuth ; 
 
 'S mar dhealanach tha sealladh shiil, , 95 
 
 A' sputadh as na neulaibh tiugh. 
 
 A ghrian, ard-16charan nan speur, 
 
 Do ghl6ir a phearsa geillidh grad ; 
 
 An dealradh drillseach thig o ghntiis, 
 
 A solus muchaidh e air fad. 100 
 
 Cuiridh i uimpe culaidh bhr6in, 
 
 'S bidh ghealach mar gu'n d6irt' oirr' fuil ; 
 
 Is crathar cumhachdan nan speur, 
 
 A' tilgeadh nan reult' as am bun. 
 
 Bidh iad air uideal anns an speur, 105 
 
 Mar mheas air geig ri h-anradh garbh, 
 Tuiteam mar bhraona dh' uisge dluth, 
 'S an gl6ir mar shiiilean duine mhairbh. 
 
 Air charbad teine suidhidh e, 
 
 'S mu'n cuairt da beucaidh 'n tairneanach, no 
 
 A' dol le ghairm gu crioch na neamh, 
 
 'S a' reub' nan neul gu doinionnach. 
 
 O chuidhlibh charbaid thig a mach 
 Sruth m6r de theine laist' le feirg, 
 18 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 Is sgaoilidh 'n tuil ud air gach taobh, 115 
 
 A' cur an t-saogh'l 'na lasair dheirg. 
 
 Leaghaidh na diiile nuas le teas, 
 
 Ceart mar a leaghas teine ceir ; 
 
 Na cnuic 's na sleibhtean lasaidh suas, 
 
 'S bidh teas-ghoil air a' chuan gu leir. 120 
 
 Na beannta iargalt' nach d' thug seach 
 An st6ras riamh do neach d'an de6in, 
 Ta iad gu fialaidh taosgadh mach 
 An ionmhais leaght' mar abhuinn mh6ir. 
 
 Gach neach bha sgriobadh cruinn an 6ir 125 
 
 Le sannt, le d6-bheart, no le full, 
 Lan chaisgibh 'nis bhur 'n iota m6r, 
 'S a nasgaidh 61aibh dheth o'n tuil. 
 
 O sibhse rinn 'ur bun de'n t-saogh'l ! 
 
 Nach tig sibh 's caoinibh e gu geur? 130 
 
 'N uair tha e gleacadh ris a' bhas, 
 
 Mar dhuine laidir dol do'n eug. 
 
 A' chuisle chleachd bhi fallan, fuar, 
 
 Ri mireag uaibhreach feadh nan gleann, 
 
 Tha teas a chleibh 'ga smuidreadh suas, 135 
 
 Le goilibh buaireis feadh nam beann. 
 
 Nach faic sibh chrith tha air mu'n cuairt, 
 
 'S gach creag a' fuasgladh anns gach sliabh ? 
 
 Nach cluinn sibh osnaich throm a bhais, 
 
 *S a chridhe sgaineadh stigh 'na chliabh ? 140 
 
 An cMrtean gorm tha nunn o'n ghrein, 
 'S mu'n cuairt do'n chruinne-che mar chlebc, 
 Crupaidh an lasair e r'a cheil'. 
 Mar bheilleig air na h-eibhlibh beo. 
 19 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 Tha 'n t-adhar 'ga thachd' le neula tiugh, 145 
 
 'S an toit 'na meallaibh dubh dol suas, 
 'S an teine millteach sp^tadh mach, 
 'Na dhualaibh caisreagach mu'n cuairt. 
 
 TimchioU a' chruinne so gu leir 
 
 Borb bheucaidh 'n tairneanach gu bras; 150 
 
 'S bidh 'n lasair lomadh gloir nan speur, 
 
 Mar f halaisg ris na sleibhtibh cas. 
 
 'S a chum an doinionn atadh suas, 
 
 O cheithir ^irdibh gluaisidh ghaoth, 
 
 'Ga sgiurs' le neart nan aingle treun, 155 
 
 Luathach' an leir-sgrios o gach taobh. 
 
 Tha obair nan s^ Ik rinn Dia, 
 
 Le lasair dhian 'ga chur ma sgaoil ; 
 
 Cia mor do shaoibhreas Righ nam feart 
 
 Nach ionndrain casgradh mhile saogh'l ! 160 
 
 'M feadh tha gach ni an glacaibh 'n eig, 
 'S a' chruitheachd gu leir dol bun-os-cionn, 
 Teannaidh am Breitheamh oirnne dliith, 
 A chum gach ciiis a chur gu ceann. 
 
 'N sin gluaisidh e o Mrd nan speur, 165 
 
 Air cathair a Mhorachd fein a nuas, 
 
 Le greadhnachas nach facas riamh, 
 
 'S le Dhiadhachd sgeudaichte mu'n cuairt. 
 
 Ta mile tkirneanach 'na Ikimh, 
 
 A chum a nkimhde sgrios am feirg, 170 
 
 Is fonn-chrith orr' gu dol an greim. 
 
 Mar choin air eill ri h-^m na seilg. 
 
 Ta aingle gun Mreamh ann a ch^irt, 
 Le 'n siiilean suidhicht' air an Righ, 
 20 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 Chum ruith le brdugh-san gun dail, 175 
 
 'S a h-uile kit gu'n cur an gniomh. 
 
 O ludais ! thig a nis a lath'r, 
 
 'S gach neach rinn braithreas riut ad ghniomh ; 
 
 An dream a dh'aicheadh creideamh Chriosd, 
 
 No reic e air son ni nach b'fhiach. 180 
 
 A shluagh gun chiall thug miann do'n or, 
 Roimh ghlbir is aoibhneas flaitheis De, 
 Bhur malairt ghbrach faicibh nis, 
 'S an sgrios a thug sibh oirbh fein. 
 
 'S a' mhuinntir uaibhreach leis 'm bu nar, 185 
 
 Gu 'n cluinnte crabhadh dha 'nur teach, 
 Faicibh a ghloir 's na b' ioghnadh leibh, 
 Ged dhruid e sibh a riogh'chd a mach. 
 
 O Herod ! faic a nis an Righ, 
 
 D' an d'thug thu spid is masladh mbr, 190 
 
 'Ga sgeudach^dh le trusgan ruadh, 
 
 Mar shuai'neas sgallais air a ghlbir. 
 
 Nach faic thu Breitheamh 'n t-saogh'l gu leir, 
 
 'S mar eudach uime 'n lasair dhearg, 
 
 A' teachd thoirt duals do dhaoine coir, 195 
 
 'S a sgrios luchd-d6-bheirt ann am feirg ? 
 
 Is thusa Philat ! tog do shuil, 
 
 'S gu faic thu nis am muthadh mor ; 
 
 An creid thu gur e sud an Ti 
 
 A rinn thu dhiteadh air do mhbd ? 200 
 
 An creid thu gur e sud an ceann, 
 
 Mu'n d' iadh gu teann an sgitheach geur ? 
 
 No idir gur i sud a' ghn^is. 
 
 Air 'n thilg na h-Iudhaich sileadh breun ? 
 
 21 B 2 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 'M bu le6ir gu'n theich a' ghrian air chill, 205 
 
 A' diultadh fianuis thoirt d'an gniomh ? 
 Ciod uim' nach d'f huair a' chruitheachd bas, 
 'N uair cheusadh air a' chrann a triath ? 
 
 Cuiridh e aingle mach gach taobh 
 
 Chum ceithir ghaothaibh 'n domhain mh6ir, 210 
 
 A chuartachadh gach aon de'n t-sluagh, 
 
 A steach gu luath a dh'ionnsuidh mh6id. 
 
 Gach neach a dh' aitich colunn riamh, 
 
 O'n ear 's o'n iar tha nis a' teachd, 
 
 Mar sgaoth de bheachaibh tigh'n mu gheig 215 
 
 An deis dhoibh eirigh mach o'n sgeap 
 
 'N sin togaidh aingeal gl6rmhor suas, 
 
 Ard bhratach Chriosd d'an suai'neas fuii ; 
 
 A chruinneachadh na ghluais sa' ch6ir 
 
 'S d'a fhulangas rinn d6igh is bun. 220 
 
 D'a h-ionnsaidh cruinnichibh mo naoimh. 
 
 Is tionailibh gach aon de'n dream, 
 
 A rinn gu dileas is gu dliith, 
 
 Le creideamh 's umhlachd ceangal learn. 
 
 'N sin tionnsgnaidh 'm Breith' air ciiis an 1^, 225 
 
 A chum a naimhde chur fo bhinn ; 
 
 Is fosglaidh e na leabhrainn suas, 
 
 Far bheil peacadh an t-sluaigh air chuimhn'. 
 
 Fosglaidh e 'n cridhe mar an ceudn'. 
 
 Air dh6igh 's gur leir do'n h-uile neach, 230 
 
 Gach uamharrachd bha gabhail t^imh 
 
 Air feadh an ^rois ud a steach. 
 
 'N uair chi 'd an sealladh so dhiubh fein, 
 Is dearbh gur leir dhoibh ceartas De ; 
 22 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 'S bidh 'n gruaidh a leaghadh as le nair 235 
 
 Nach lugha cradh na teine dian. 
 
 Togaidh an trompaid ris a fuaim, 
 
 " Na labhradh is na gluaiseadh neach, 
 
 Air chor gu'n cluinn gach beag is m6r, 
 
 A' bhreth thig air gach se6rsa mach. 240 
 
 " A dhaoine sanntach threig a' ch6ir, 
 
 'S a leag bhur d6chas ann bhur toic, 
 
 A ghlais gu teann bhur cridhe suas, 
 
 'S a dhruid bhur cluas ri glaodh nam bochd. 
 
 " An lomnochd cha do dhion o'n f huachd, 245 
 
 'S do'n acrach thruagh cha d' thug sibh biadh, 
 Ged Hon mi fein bhur cisd' de 16n, 
 'S bhur treuda chuir a m5id gach bliadhn'. 
 
 " Ni bheil sibh iomchuidh air mo riogh'chd, 
 As eugmhais firinn, iochd, is graidh; 250 
 
 'S o reub sibh m' iomhaigh dhibh gu leir, 
 Agraibh sibh fein 'nur sgrios gu brath. 
 
 " Is sibhs' bha guidheachan gu dian, 
 
 Gu'n glacadh ^n DiabhH bhur n-anamfiin ; 
 
 'S mithich bhur n-iirnuigh fhreagradh dhuibh, 255 
 
 'S na h-abraibh chaoidh Gur cruaidh a* bhinn. 
 
 " Is sibhse rinn bhur teanga fein, 
 
 A gheurachadh chum uilc mar sgian, 
 
 Le tuaileas, cul-chainnt, agus breug, 
 
 'S le blas-bheum tabhairt beum do Dhia. 260 
 
 " A nathraiche millteach 's oillteil greann, 
 Cha bhinn leam ce61 bhur srannraich aird ; 
 'S cha 'n eisd o'r teangaidh ghobhlaich cliu 
 Le drtichd a' phuinnsein air a barr. 
 23 
 
La A' Bhrcitheanais 
 
 " Is sibhs' thug fuath do m' 6rdugh naomh, 265 
 Is leis nach b'ionmhuinn caomh mo theach, 
 Leis am bu bhliadhna suidhe uair 
 Am ^os tabhairt cluais do m' reachd. 
 
 " Cionnus a mhealas sibh gu brMh 
 
 Am sheirbhis Sabaid shiorruidh bhuan? 270 
 
 Na cionnus bheir bhur n-anam grMh, 
 
 Do'n ni d'an thug bhur nadur fuath ? 
 
 " Luchd-mi-ruin agus farmaid mh6ir 
 
 D'an d6ruinn iomlan sonas chaich, 
 
 Le doilghios geur a' cnkmh bhur ere 275 
 
 Mu aon neach oirbh fein bheir barr. 
 
 " Cionnus a dh' f heudas sibh gu br^th 
 
 L^n shonas Mteach' ann an glbir, 
 
 Far am faic sibh milte dream 
 
 'G an ardach' os 'ur cionn gu m6r? 280 
 
 " Am fad 's bu leir dhuibh feadh mo riogh'chd, 
 Neach b' Mrde inbhe na sibh fein, 
 Nach fadadh mi-run 's farmad cuirt, 
 Tain' ifrinn dhuibh am flaitheas De ? 
 
 " Is sibhs' an sligh' na neo-ghloin' ghluais, 285 
 
 'S gu s6nraicht' thruaill an leaba ph6sd ; 
 Gach neach a thug do m' naomhachd fuath, 
 'G an tabhairt suas do thoil na febl'. 
 
 ** Mar b' ionmhuinn leibh bhi losgadh 'n teas 
 Bhur n-uabhair, dheasaich mi dhuibh fearg, 290 
 
 Leabaidh theth 'san luidh sibh sios. 
 Am brachaibh-lin de lasair dheirg. 
 
 " Ged bheirinn sibh gu riogh'chd mo ghl6ir', 
 Mar mhucaibh steach gu se6mar righ, 
 24 
 
La A' Bhrcithcanais 
 
 Bhur n^dur neoghlan bhiodh 'ga chrkdh, 295 
 
 Le'r miannaibh b^sachadh chion bidh. 
 
 " Gach neach tha iomchuidh air mo rlogh'chd, 
 
 Teannaibh sibhse chum mo dheis, 
 
 Is cruinnichibh seachad chum mo chli, 
 
 A' chrionach o na crannaibh meas. " 300 
 
 'N sin tearbainidh e chum gach taobh, 
 Na caoraich o na gobhraibh lom, 
 Ceart mar ni 'm buachaille an treud, 
 'N uair chuartaicheas e spreidh air tom. 
 
 'N sin labhraidh e ri luchd a dheis : 305 
 
 " Sibhse ta deasaichte le m' ghr^s, 
 Thigibh, sealbhaichibh an rioghachd, 
 Nach faic a sonas crioch gu brath. 
 
 " Spealg mise 'n geat' bha oirbhse dtiint', 
 
 Le m' ^mhlachd 's m' fhulangas ro-gheur ; 310 
 
 'S dh' f hosgail an t-sleagh gu farsuing suas 
 
 Am leth-taobh dorus nuadh dhuibh fein. 
 
 " Chum craobh na beath' ta 'm Pkrrais De, 
 
 Le h-eibhneas teannaibh steach d'a c6ir ; 
 
 'S a feartan iongantach gu leir, 315 
 
 Dearbhadh bhur n-uile chreuchd 's bhur le6n. 
 
 " An claidheamh bha ruisgte laisf 'ga dlon, 
 
 O laimh bhur sinnsir Adhamh 's Eubh, 
 
 Rinn mise truaill de m' chridhe dha, 
 
 'S a lasair bhath mi le m' fhuil fein. 320 
 
 " Fo dosraich ^rar suidhibh sios, 
 Nach searg 's nach crion am feasd a bl^th ; 
 'S mar smeoraichean am measg nan geug, 
 Chum molaidh gleusaibh binn bhur c^il. 
 25 
 
La A* Bhreitheanais 
 
 " Le 'maise sasaichibh bhur stiil, 325 
 
 Is oirbh fo 'sgail cha druidh an teas ; 
 O 'duilleach chCibhraidh olaibh slMnt', 
 Is bithibh neo-bhismhor le a meas. 
 
 " Gach uile mheas tha 'm Parrais De, 
 
 Ta nis gu leir neo-thoirmisgt' dhuibh ; 330 
 
 Ithibh gun eagal o gach geig, 
 
 An nathair-nimh' cha teum a chaoidh. 
 
 " As uile mhiann bhur n-anma fein, 
 
 Lan shasaichibh gu leir an Dia, 
 
 Tobar na firinn, iochd, is graidh, 335 
 
 A mhaireas lan gu cian nan cian. 
 
 " M6r-innleachd iongantach na slaint', 
 
 Sior rannsaichibh air aird 's air leud, 
 
 'S feadh oibriche mo rioghachd mh6ir, 
 
 Bhur n-e61as ciocrach cuiribh meud. 340 
 
 " Bhur n-aoibhneas, mais', bhur tuigs', 's bhur gr^dh, 
 Bitheadh gu siorruidh fas na 's m6 ; 
 'S ni 'n coinnich sibh aon ni gu br^th, 
 Bheir air bhur n-anam cradh no le6n. 
 
 " Cha 'n f haca suil, 's cha chuala cluas, 345 
 
 Na thaisg mi suas de shonas duibh, 
 Imichibh, 's biodh bhur dearbhachd fein 
 Sior innse sgeul duibh air a chaoidh." 
 
 Ach ris a' mhuinntir th'air a chli, 
 
 Labhraidh e 'na dhioghaltas cruaidh : 350 
 
 " A chuideachd nach d' thug gradh do Dhia, 
 
 A chum an diabhuil sitibhlaibh uam. 
 
 " 'S mo mhallachd maille ribh gu brMh, 
 A chum bhur crkdh 's bhur cur fo phian ; 
 26 
 
La A* Bhreitheanais 
 
 Gluaisibh-se chum an teine mhdir, 355 
 
 G'ur r6sdadh ann gu cian nan cian." 
 
 Mar sgain an talamh as a' ch^il', 
 
 'N uair ghabh e teaghlach Ch6rah steach, 
 
 Ceart IMmh riu fosglaidh 'n uaigh a beul ; 
 
 'S i miananaich air son a creich. 360 
 
 Is mar a shluig mhuc-mhara mh6r 
 I6nah 'n uair chaidh thilgeadh mach, 
 Ni slugan dubh an dara bais, 
 A charbad iadhadh umpa steach. 
 
 'San uamhaidh taobhaidh iad r'a cheil', 365 
 
 A ghluais 'n am beath' gu h-eucorach, 
 Luchd-mhionn is mortaidh is fianuis-bhreig', 
 Luchd-misg is reubainn 's adhaltrais. 
 
 Mar chualaig dhris an ceangal teann, 
 Air slabhraidh tha gach dream leo fein ; 370 
 
 'S an comunn chleachd bhi 'n caidreamh dluth, 
 Mar bhioraibh ruisgte dol 'nan ere. 
 
 Mar ledmhan garg fo chuibhreach cruaidh, 
 
 Le thosgaibh reubadh suas a ghlais, 
 
 An slabhraidh cagnaidh iad gu dian, 375 
 
 'S gu brath cha ghearr am fiaclan prais. 
 
 Bidh iad gu siorruidh 'n glacaibh bhais 
 
 'S an cridh' 'ga f hasgadh asd' le br5n, 
 
 Ceangailt air cuan de phronnasg laist', 
 
 'S a dheatach uaine tachd' an sr6n. 380 
 
 Mar bh^irnich fuaighte ris an sgeir, 
 Tha iad air creagaibh goileach teann ; 
 Is dlbh-fhearg Dhe a' seideadh chuain, 
 'Na thonnaibh buaireis thar an ceann. 
 27 
 
La A* Bhreithcanais 
 
 'N uair dhdineas cadal cruaidh an sdil, 385 
 
 Teas feirg' 's an-d6chas diiisgidh iad, 
 A' chnuimh nach b^saich 's ^ibhle bed, 
 A* cur an d6ruinn shiorruidh meud. 
 
 Air ifrinn 'n uair a gheibh iad sealbh, 
 
 'S l^n-dearbhadh co d'an toir iad cis ; 390 
 
 Faodaidh sinn an gearan truagh 
 
 Chur anns na briathraibh cruaidh so sios : 
 
 " O staid na neo-ni 'n robh mi 'm thamh, 
 
 Ciod uime dh'ardaich Dia mo cheann ? 
 
 Mo mhile mallachd aig an la 395 
 
 'N do ghabh mo mhathair mi 'na broinn. 
 
 " Ciod uime f huair mi tuigse riamh ? 
 
 No ciall is reusan chum mo sti^r' ? 
 
 Ciod uim' nach d'rinn thu cuileag dhiom, 
 
 No durrag dhiblidh anns an uir ? 400 
 
 "Am mair mi 'n so gu saogh'l nan saogh'l? 
 'N tig crioch no caochla orm gu brath ? 
 A bheil mi nis 'san t-siorruidh'chd bhuain, 
 A' snamh a' chuain ata gun traigh ? " 
 
 " Ged air'mhinn uile reulta neimh, 405 
 
 Gach feur is duilleach riamh a dh'f has, 
 
 Mar ris gach braon ata sa' chuan, 
 
 'S gach gaineamh chuartaicheas an traigh. 
 
 " Ged chuirinn mile bliadhna seach. 
 As leth gach aon diubh sud gu leir, 410 
 
 Cha d'imich seach de'n t-siorruidh'chd mh6ir, 
 Ach mar gu 'n tbisicheadh i 'n de, 
 28 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 " Ach O ! 'n do theirig tr6cair Dhe ? 
 
 'S am plan e mi gu saogh'l nan saogh'l ? 
 
 Mo shlabhraidh 'n lasaich e gu br^th ? 415 
 
 No glas mo l^mh an dean e sgaoil' ? 
 
 " 'M bi 'm beul a dh'orduich Dia chum seinn 
 
 Air feadh gach linn a chliti gun sgios, 
 
 Mar bhalgan-seididh fadadh suas 
 
 Na lasrach uain' an ifrinn shios ? 420 
 
 " Ged chaidh mo thruaighe thar mo neart, 
 Gu deimhin fein is ceart mo bhinn ; 
 Ach c'fhada bhios mi 'n so 'gam chrMh, 
 Mu'm bi do cheartas saitheach dhiom ? 
 
 " No 'm bi thu diolte dhiom gu brMh, 425 
 
 'N deach lagh an naduir chur air chiil ? 
 Mo thruaighe mi ! 'n e so am bas 
 A bhagair thu air Adhamh 'n tiis ? 
 
 " Air sgkth do dhioghl'tais 'm bi thu snlomh 
 Snathain mo bheath' gu siorruidh caol ? 430 
 
 Nach le6ir bhi mile bliadhn' 'gam losg' 
 As leth gach lochd rinn mi 'san t-saogh'l ? 
 
 " Ged lean do dhiogh'ltas mi gu m' chM, 
 
 Cha 'n ardaich e do chlih, a Dh6, 
 
 'S cha'n fhiti do d' Mh6rachd t'fhearg a chosd, 435 
 
 Air comharra cho bochd rium fein. 
 
 " O Dhia ! nach sgrios thu mi gu tiir ? 
 'S le d' chumhachd cuir air m' anam crioch, 
 'S gu staid na neo-ni tilg mi uait, 
 Far nach 'eil fulang, smuain, no gniomh. 440 
 
 29 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 " Ach O ! 's e so mo thoillt'neas fein, 
 Is ni bheil eucoir buntainn rium ; 
 Oil dhiult mi tairgse shaor do Chriosd, 
 S nior ghabh mi d'a fhuil phriseil suim. 
 
 " Mo choguis ditidh mi gu brath, 445 
 
 An fhianuis bha 'g am chaineadh riamh ; 
 An-iochd no eucoir ann mo bhas, 
 Cha leig i charadh 'm feasd' air Dia. 
 
 " Do thilg mi aitheanta air mo ch^l, 
 
 Is ruith mi dCirachdach gu m' sgrios ; 450 
 
 Is fhianuis fein am chridhe mhiich, 
 
 A' druid' mo shiiilean roimh mo leas. 
 
 *' Cia meud an diogh'ltais tha dhomh dual 
 
 As leth mo pheacaidh uamharr d^n ? 
 
 Am peac' thug diilan do fhuil Chriosd, 455 
 
 'S a dh'fh^g gun eifeachd brigh a bhais. 
 
 " Gidheadh, nach 'eil do bhuaidhean fein 
 
 Neo-chriochanach gu leir o chian ? 
 
 'S an toir mo chiont' air iochd 's air gradh 
 
 Gu fks iad criochnaicht' ann an Dia ? 460 
 
 " An comas duit mo thilgeadh uat 
 Far nach cluinn do chluas mo sgreud ? 
 'Bheil dorchadas an ifrinn fein 
 Far nach leir do Dhia mo staid ? 
 
 " At aoibhneas iomlan, 'n eisd do chluas 465 
 
 Ri creutair truagh a rinn do lamh, 
 Ag eigheach, — "-^ Athair ! gabh dhiom truas, 
 'S leig fuarach do ghoil smear mo chn^mh ? 
 30 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 " Eisd o mo Dhia ! mo thagradh bochd, 
 
 'S gach osna ghoirt ta teachd o m' chliabh, 470 
 
 'S aon achanaich nis iarram ort, 
 
 Air son gach lochd a rinn mi riamh : 
 
 " 'N uair ghuileas mi deich mile bliadhn' 
 
 'San lasair dhian so fein 'gam chrMh, 
 
 'N uair sgith'cheas deamhain bhi 'gam phian', 475 
 
 O debnaich, ^Dhia^ gu faigh mi bhs 1 
 
 " Ge truagh mo ghuidhe cha'n eisdear e, 
 
 Is fois no feath cha'n fhaigh mi chaoidh, 
 
 Ach beath' neo-bhasmhor teachd as iir 
 
 Gum' neartach' ghiiilan tuille claoidh." 480 
 
 Ach stad mo rann is pill air t'ais, 
 O shloc na casgraidh dhein a nios, 
 Is feuch cionnus a bheir thu se61, 
 Do'n dream tha be6 nach teid iad sios. 
 
 A leughadair, a bheil e fior, 485 
 
 Na chuir mi cheana sios am dhan ? 
 Ma 's e 's gu bheil, thig 's lub do ghlun 
 Le urnuigh 's aithreachas gun dail. 
 
 A dh' ionnsuidh losa teich gu luath, 
 
 A' gabhail grain is fuath do d' pheac', 490 
 
 Le creideamh fior thoir umhlachd dha, 
 
 An uil' aitheanta naomh a reachd. 
 
 Gabh ris 'na oifigibh gu l^ir, 
 'S ri h-aon diubh na cuir fein do chCil ; 
 Mar Fh^dh, mar Shagart, is mar Righ, 495 
 
 Chum slainte, didein, agus iCiil. 
 31 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 Biodh eiseimpleir am beachd do shul, 
 
 Chum t' uile ghluasad stiur' da reir, 
 
 'S gach meadhon dh' 6rduich e chum slaint' 
 
 Bi fein 'gan gnathachadh gu leir. 500 
 
 As fhireantachd dean bun a mhkin, 
 'S na taic gu brath ri d' thoilltneas fein ; 
 'S ma's aill leat eifeachd bhi 'na ghras, 
 Na h-altrum peacadh daimh ad chre. 
 
 Mar sin ged robh do chionta mor, 505 
 
 Chum gl6ir do Thighearn' saorar thu, 
 Is chum do shonais shiorruidh fein 
 Air feadh gach re a' seinn a chliCi. 
 
 32 
 
Am Bruadar. 
 
 Air bhi dhomhsa ann am shuain 
 A' bruadar diomhain mar tha each, 
 Bhi glacadh sonais o gach ni, 
 Is e 'gam dhibreadh anns gach ait'. 
 
 Ar leam gu'n d'thainig neach am choir, 5 
 
 'S gu'n d' thuirt e rium gur gorach mi, 
 Bhi smuainteach greim a ghlei'dh de'n ghaoith, 
 No gu'n lion an saogh'l mo chri'. 
 
 " Is diomhain duit bhi 'g iarraidh saimh, 
 
 'N aon ni, no'n ait' air bith fo 'n ghrein; 10 
 
 Cha Chios do d' chorp an taobh so 'n uaigh. 
 
 No t' anam 'n taobh so shuaimhneis De. 
 
 *' An tra dh'ith Adhamh meas an tus, 
 
 Am peacadh dhruidh e air gach ni, 
 
 Lion e a h-uile ni le saothair, 15 
 
 Is dh'fhag e 'n saogh'l 'na bhriste' cri'. 
 
 " Air sonas anma chaill e choir, 
 
 Mar ris gach s61as bha sa' ghar' : 
 
 O sin ta shliochd 'nan de6raibh truagh, 
 
 Mar uain am mearachd air a mathair. 20 
 
 " Ri meilich chruaidh taid ruith gach ni. 
 An duil gu faigh an inntinn clos ; 
 
 33 c 
 
Am Bruadaf 
 
 Ach dhoibh ta 'n saogh'l gun iochd no truas, 
 Mar mhuime choimhich fhuair gun tlus. 
 
 " Mar sin tha iad gun fhois no tamh, 25 
 
 'Gan sarach' glacadh faileas breig', 
 
 'S a' deb'l toil-inntinn o gach ni, 
 
 Is iad mar chiochan seasg 'nam beul. 
 
 " Bidh teanndachd eigin ort am feasd, 
 
 'S do dh6chas faicinn fuasgladh t'fheum, 30 
 
 An c6mhnuidh dhuit mar fhad na laimh' ; 
 
 Ach gu brath cha'n fhaigh dheth greim. 
 
 " Cha teagaisg t'fheu chain 's dearbhadh thu, 
 
 O dhuil is earbsa chuir sa' bhreig, 
 
 A rinn do mhealladh mile uair, 35 
 
 'S CO fhada uait an diugh 's an de. 
 
 " An ni bu mh6 d'an thug thu miann, 
 
 Nach d'fhag a mhealtainn riamh e searbh ? 
 
 Tha tuilleadh sonais ann an duil, 
 
 Na th'ann an crun le bhi 'na shealbh. 40 
 
 " Ceart mar an r6s ata sa' ghar', 
 Seargaidh a bhl^th 'n uair theid a bhuain, 
 Mu'n gann a ghlacas tu e 'd laimh, 
 Treigidh aile e is a shnuadh. 
 
 " Ni bheil neach o thrioblaid saor, 45 
 
 Am measg a* chinne-daonn' air fad ; 
 'S CO lionmhor osna aig an righ, 
 Is aig an neach as isle staid. 
 
 " Tha smCidan fein as ceann gach f 6id, 
 Is d6ruinn ceangailt' ris gach maith ; 50 
 
 Tha'n r6s a' fas air drisibh geur ; 
 'S an taic' a cheil' tha mhil 's an gath. 
 34 
 
Am Bruadar 
 
 " Ged chi thu neach an saibhreas mor 
 
 Na meas a sh61as bhi thar chach ; 
 
 An tobar 's glaine chi do shuil, 55 
 
 Tha ghrCiid 'na iochdar gabhail tamh. 
 
 "'S ma chuireas t' anail e 'na ghluais, 
 
 Le tarrainn chabhaig suas ad bheul, 
 
 Diiisgidh an ruadhan dearg a nios, 
 
 S le gaineamh lionaidh e do dheud. 60 
 
 " 'S ged chi thu neach an inbhe aird, 
 Tha e mar nead am barr na craoibh' ; 
 Gach stoirm a' bagradh thilgeadh nuas, 
 'S e air a luasgadh leis gach gaoith. 
 
 " An neach as fearr tha 'n saogh'] a' riar', 65 
 
 Tha fiaradh eigin ann a staid, 
 Nach dean a she61tachd is a stri, 
 Am feasd a dhireachadh air fad. 
 
 " Mar bhata fiar an aghaidh cheil', 
 
 Ata o shuidheach' fein do-chur ; 70 
 
 A reir mar dhir'eas tu a bharr, 
 
 'S cho cinnteach ni thu cam a bhun. 
 
 " Na h-Iudhaich thionail beag no m6r, 
 
 De'n Mhana dhbirteadh orra nuas ; 
 
 'N uair chuir gach neach a chuid sa' chlar, 75 
 
 Cha robh air barr no dadum uaith' : 
 
 " Mar sin ata gach sonas saogh'lt', 
 
 Ata thu faotainn ann ad laimh, 
 
 Fa chomhair saoibhreis 's inbhe cuirt, 
 
 Tha caitheamh, curam, agus cradh. 80 
 
 " Ged charn thu 6r ad shlige suas, 
 Fa chomhair f asaidh 'n luaidh' da reir ; 
 35 
 
Am Bruadar 
 
 Is ge do chuir thu innte riogh'chd 
 A' mheidh cha dirich i 'na d6igh. 
 
 " Tha cuibhrionn iomchuidh aig gach neach, 85 
 'S ged tha thu meas gur tuille b' f hearr, 
 Cha toir an t-anabharr th'ann an sud, 
 Am feasd an cudthrom as a' chradh. 
 
 " O iomluas t' inntinn tha do phian, 
 
 A' ditiltadh 'n diugh na dh'iarr thu 'n de ; 90 
 
 Cha chomasach do'n t-saogh'l do riar', 
 
 Le t' anamianna 'n aghaidh cheil'. 
 
 " Na faigheadh toil na febV a rtin, 
 
 D'a mianna brCiideil dh'iarradh s^th ; 
 
 Flaitheas a b' aird' cha'n iarradh i, 95 
 
 Na annta sud bhi siorruidh 'snamh. 
 
 " Ach ged a b' ionmhuinn leis an f he6il 
 
 Air talamh c6mhnachadh gach re, 
 
 Bhiodh durachd t' ardain agus t' uaill' 
 
 Cho ard a suas ri cathair Dhe. 100 
 
 " Ach na'm b' aill leat sonas buan, 
 Do shlighe tabhair suas do Dhia, 
 Le dCirachd, creideamh, agus grkdh, 
 Is sasuichidh e t' uile mhiann. 
 
 "Tha 'n cuideachd sud gach ni 'san t-saogh'l, 105 
 Tha 'n comas dhaoine shealbhach' fior ; 
 Biadh, is aodach, agus slMnt', 
 Is saorsa, ckirdeas, agus sith." 
 
 An sin do mhosgail as mo shuain, 
 
 Is dh'fh^g mo Bhruadar mi air fad; no 
 
 Is leig mi dhiom bhi ruith gach sg^l, 
 
 Is dh'fhas mi toilichte le m' staid. 
 
 36 
 
An Gaisgeach, 
 
 Cha bu ghaisgeach Alasdair m6r, 
 
 No Caesar thug an R6imh gu geill ; 
 Oir ged a thug iad buaidh air each, 
 
 Dh' f han iad 'nan traill' d'a miannaibh fein. 
 
 Cha ghaisg' an ni bhi liodairt dhaoin', 5 
 
 'S cha chliti bhi ann an caonnaig trie ; 
 Cha 'n uaisle inntinn ardan borb, 
 
 'S cha treubhantas bhi garg gun iochd. 
 
 Ach 's gaisgeach esan a bheir buaidh 
 
 Air eagal beatha, 's uamhunn bais, 10 
 
 'S a chbmh'laicheas le misnich cri', 
 
 A h-uile ni ata dha 'n dan. 
 
 Le gealtachd ciont' cha teich air %ix\ 
 
 'S an am an duisg a chogais fein, 
 A tagradh eisdidh e gu ciuin, 15 
 
 'S an ceartas duinidh e a beul. 
 
 'S e 'n gaisgeach esan bheir fo chis, 
 A thoil chum striochd' do reusan ceart, 
 
 'S a smuaintean ceannairceach gu leir, 
 
 Bhi 'n 6rdugh geilleachduinn d'a smachd. 20 
 
 A mhianna brCiideil saltraidh sios, 
 'S mar bhuill a chuirp fo chis ataid, 
 
 37 C2 
 
An Gaisgeach 
 
 S cha'n irioslaich e fein d'an riar, 
 O nach gu riaghladh rugadh iad. 
 
 San oidhch 'n uair luidheas e chum suain, 25 
 
 Bidh shubhailcean mu'n cuairt d'a fein, 
 
 Mar shaighdearan mu thiomchioll righ, 
 'Ga dhidean o gach namhaid treun. 
 
 Sa' mhadainn 'n uair a dh'eireas suas, 
 
 Cruinnichidh smuaintean as gach ait', 30 
 
 'S e fein 'nan ceann mar chaiptin seolt', 
 
 'Gan suidheachadh an brdugh blair : 
 
 Chum cogaidh 'n aghaidh miann na feol', 
 Gach bochdainn, 's doruinn ta san t-saogh'l, 
 
 Gach ribe is gach innleachd bais, 35 
 
 Ta 'n deamhan gnathach' 'n aghaidh dhaoin'. 
 
 Tha inntinn daingean mar a' chreag, 
 
 Cha charaich eagal e no fiamh ; 
 Tha shuilean furachair is geur, 
 
 Is leir dha 'n dubhan crom troi 'n bhiadh. 40 
 
 Gu diomhain nochdaidh 'n saogh'l a ghl6ir, 
 
 Gach 6r is inbhe ata ann ; 
 Ta saoibhreas aig' cho pailt 'na chri', 
 
 'S gur truagh leis righ is crun mu cheann. 
 
 Is ge do sgaoil an striopach lion, 4$ 
 
 Gu ghlac' le innleachdaibh a mais', 
 Cha drCiidh air dealanach a sCil, 
 
 'S cha leagh i 'run le 'miannaibh laist'. 
 
 A namh cha choisinn air gu brath, 
 
 Ged gheibh e sarachadh ri h-uair ; 50 
 
 'S e neart 's a shlainte cridhe briiit', 
 
 Is air a ghluinibh bheir e buaidh. 
 38 
 
An Gaisgeach 
 
 'S i 'n f hirinn ghlan as clogad da, 
 
 Is gras a' chreideamh aig' mar sgiath ; 
 'S e 'n sgriobtur naomh a chlaidheamh geur, 55 
 
 'S a mhisneach ta gu leir an Dia. 
 
 Tha siothchaint aig' 'na inntinn fein, 
 
 'S a chogais reidh ris anns gach ni ; 
 Ta saoibhreas aig' nach leir do dhaoin', 
 
 Is air nach cuir an saoghal crioch. 60 
 
 Ri miodal tla cha 'n eisd a chluas, 
 
 Is sgainneal ghrannd cha bhuair a shith, 
 
 Cha ghabh e eagal a droch-sgeul, 
 Is tuaileas breig' cha lot a chri'. 
 
 O m' anam ! duisg is deasaich t' airm, 65 
 
 'S gabh farmad ris a' ghaisgeach threun, 
 
 Is t' anamianna cuir fo chis, 
 
 Chum riogh'chd a cheannsach' annad fein. 
 
 Biodh t' inntinn ard os cionn nan speur, 
 
 Cha 'n 'ail fo 'n ghrein ach p6rsan truagh ; 70 
 
 Mar tholman uire faic an saogh'l, 
 
 Is daoin' mar sheangain air mu'n cuairt : 
 
 A null 's a nail gun fhois gun tamh, 
 
 A' cruinneach' as gach ait' d'an cist, 
 Gu lionmhor marcachd thar a cheil', 75 
 
 'S a' trod gu geur mu bhioran brist'. 
 
 'N uair chi thu 'n sealladh so de'n t-sluagh 
 
 Do smuainte cruinnich riut gu leir, 
 A shealbhach' saoibhreis, sonais, 's sith. 
 
 Air nach tig crioch ad anam fein. 80 
 
 39 
 
An Claigeann. 
 
 'S mi 'm shuidh' aig an uaigh, 
 
 Ag amharc mu bruaich, 
 Feuch claigeann gun snuadh air lar ; 
 
 Do thog mi e suas, 
 
 A' tiomach' gu truagh, 5 
 
 'Ga thionndadh mu 'n cuairt am laimh. 
 
 Gun aille gun dreach, 
 
 Gun aithne gun bheachd 
 Air duine theid seach 'na dhMl ; 
 
 Gun fhiacail 'na dheud, 10 
 
 No teanga 'na bheul, 
 No slugan a ghleusas cail. 
 
 Gun rudha 'na ghruaidh, 
 
 'S e rtiisgte gun ghruaig, 
 Gun eisdeachd 'na chluais do m' dhan ; 1 5 
 
 Gun anail 'na shr6in, 
 
 No aile de'n fh6id, 
 Ach lag far 'm bu ch6ir bhi krd. 
 
 Gun dealradh 'na shtiil, 
 
 No rosg uimpe diin', 20 
 
 No fradharc ri h-iCil mar b' abh'st, 
 
 Ach durragan crom, 
 
 A chleachd bhi 'san torn, 
 Air cladhach da thoU 'nan kit'. 
 41 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Tha'n t-eanachainn bha 'd chM, 25 
 
 Air tionndadh gu smCir, 
 Gun tionnsgal no surd air d'fheum ; 
 
 Gun smuainteach' ad dhail, 
 
 Mu philleadh gu brath, 
 A cheartach' na dh'fliag thu 'd dheigh. 30 
 
 Cha 'n innis do ghntiis, 
 
 A nise co thu, 
 Ma's righ no ma's diiic thu fein ; 
 
 'S ionann Alasdair m6r, 
 
 Is trail! a dhith 16in, 35 
 
 A dh' eug air an otrach bhreun. 
 
 Fhir chladhaich na h-uaigh* 
 
 Nach cagair thu 'm chluais, 
 Co 'n claigeann so fhuair mi 'm laimh ? 
 
 'S gu 'n cuirinn ris ceist, 40 
 
 Mu ghnath's mu 'n do theasd ; 
 Ged nach freagair e 'm feasd mo dhan. 
 
 'M bu mhaighdean deas thu, 
 
 Bha sgiamhach ad ghniiis, 
 'S deagh shuidheach' ad shuil da reir, 45 
 
 Le d' mhaise mar lion, 
 
 A ribeadh mu chri', 
 Gach 6ganaich chi'dh tu fein ? 
 
 Tha nise gach agh, 
 
 Bha cosnadh dhuit grMdh, 50 
 
 Air tionndadh gu grain gach neach ; 
 
 Marbhaisg air an uaigh, 
 
 A chreach thu de'n bhuaidh, 
 Bha ceangailt' ri snuadh do dhreach. 
 
 No 'm breitheamh ceart thu, 55 
 
 Le tuigs' agus iCil, 
 Bha reiteach gach ctiis do'n t-sluagh ; 
 42 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Gun aomadh le pairt, 
 Ach diteadh gu bas, 
 Na h-eucoir bha daicheil cruaidh ? 60 
 
 No 'n d' reic thu a' chdir, 
 
 Air ghlacaid de'n 6r, 
 O 'n dream d'an robh st6ras pailt ? 
 
 Is bochdan an t-sluaigh, 
 
 Fo fh6irneart ro chruaidh, 65 
 
 A' fulang le cruas na h-airc. 
 
 'S mur robh thusa tior, 
 
 A t'oifig am binn, 
 'S gu'n d'rinn thu an direach fiar ; 
 
 'S CO cinnteach an ni, 70 
 
 'N uair thainig do chrioch, 
 Gu 'n deachaidh do dhit' le Dia. 
 
 No 'n robh thu ad leigh, 
 
 A' leigheas nan creuchd, 
 'S a' deanamh gach eucail slan ; 75 
 
 Ad ioc-shlaintibh m6r, 
 
 A' deanamh do bh6sd, 
 Gu 'n dibreadh tu ch6ir o'n bhas ? 
 
 Mo thruaighe gu'n threig, 
 
 Do leigheas thu fein, 80 
 
 'N uair bha thu fo eucail chruaidh ; 
 
 Gun fhoghnadh gun sta, 
 
 Am purgaid no 'm plasd, 
 Gu d' chumail aon trath o'n uaigh ! 
 
 No 'n seanalair thu, 85 
 
 A choisinn mor-chliu 
 Le d' sheoltachd a' stiuradh airm ; 
 
 Air naimhde toirt buaidh, 
 
 'Gan cur anns an ruaig, 
 'S 'gam fagail nan cruachaibh marbh ? 90 
 
 43 
 
An Claigcann 
 
 'N robh do chlaidheamh gun bheairt, 
 
 No 'n d' fhag thu do neart, 
 'N uair choinnich thu feachd na h-uaigh' ; 
 
 'N uair b' eigin duit geill', 
 
 A dh'aindeoin do dheud, 95 
 
 Do dh' armailt de bheistibh truagh ? 
 
 Tha na durrag' gu treun, 
 
 Ri d' choluinn cur seisd, 
 'S a' cosnadh ort feisd gach la ; 
 
 Is claigeann do chinn, 100 
 
 'Na ghearasdan dion, 
 Aig daolagan diblidh 'n tamh : 
 
 Cuid a' cladhach do dheud, 
 
 A steach ann ad bheul, 
 'S cuid eile a' reub' do chluas ; 105 
 
 Cuid eile nan sgiid, 
 
 Tigh'n mach air do shuil, 
 A spuinneadh 's a' riisg' do ghruaidh. 
 
 No 'm fear thu bha p6it, 
 
 Gu trie san tigh-6sd, no 
 
 'S tu cridheil ag 61 nan dram ? 
 
 Nach iarradh dhuit fein, 
 
 De fhlaitheanas De, 
 Ach beirm bhi 'g eirigh ad cheann ? 
 
 Nach iarradh tu chebl, 115 
 
 Ach mionnan mu'n bhord, 
 Is feuchainn co 'n d6rn bu chruaidh' ; 
 
 Mar bh6 no mar each. 
 
 Gun tuigse gun bheachd, 
 'S tu bruchdadh 's a' sgeith mu'n chuaich? 120 
 
 No 'n duin' thu bha gluas'd 
 Gu ceanalta, suairc, 
 Gu measarra, stuam', mu d' bhdrd, 
 44 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Le miannaibh do chre, 
 
 Fo chuibhreachadh geur, 125 
 
 'N am suidhe gu feisd 's gu s6gh ? 
 
 No 'n ge6caire m6r, 
 
 Bha gionach air 16n, 
 Mar choin ann am fe61ach dearg: 
 
 A' toileach' do mhiann, 130 
 
 Bha duilich a riar, 
 'S tu geilleadh mar dhia do d' bholg ? 
 
 Tha nise do bhrii, 
 
 D'an robh thu a' Itib', 
 De ghaineamh 's de dh' uir gle Ian ; 135 
 
 'S do dheudach air glas', 
 
 Mu d' theangaidh gun bhlas, 
 Fo gheimhlichibh prais a' bhMs. 
 
 No 'm morair ro mh6r, 
 
 A thachair am dh6rn, 140 
 
 Neach aig an robh c6ir air tir ; 
 
 Bha iochdmhor ri bochd, 
 
 A' cluthadh nan nochd, 
 Reir pailteis a thoic 's a ni ? 
 
 No 'n robh thu ro chruaidh 145 
 
 A' feannadh do thuath, 
 'S a tanach' an gruaidh le mh\ ; 
 
 Le h-agartas geur 
 
 A' glacadh an spreidh, 
 'S am bochdainn ag eigheach dail? 150 
 
 Gun chridh' aig na daoin', 
 
 Bh'air lomadh le h-aois, 
 Le 'n claiginnibh maola truagh, 
 
 Bhi seasamh ad ch6ir, 
 
 Gun bhoineid 'nan d6rn, 155 
 
 Ged tholladh gaoth re6t' an cluas. 
 45 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Tha nise do thraill, 
 
 Gun urram ad dhail, 
 Gun ghearsom, gun mhhl, gun mhod ; 
 
 M6r mholadh do'n bhas, i6o 
 
 A chasgair thu tra, 
 'S nach d' f hulling do strkic fo 'n f h6id ! 
 
 No 'm ministear thCi, 
 
 Bha tagradh gu dliith, 
 Ri pobuU an tighdarras De; 165 
 
 'Gam pilleadh air ais, 
 
 Bha 'g imeachd gu bras, 
 Gu h-ifrinn na casgraidh dh^in ? 
 
 No 'n robh thu gun sgoinn, 
 
 Mar mhuime mu chloinn, 170 
 
 Gun churam do dh'oighreachd Dh^ ; 
 
 N'a faigheadh tu 'n rdsg, 
 
 Bha coma co dhiu, 
 Mu'n t-sionnach bhi stiCiradh 'n treud? 
 
 Learn 's cinnteach gu'n d' fhuair, 175 
 
 Do dheanadas duais, 
 'N uair rainig thu 'm Buachaill' m6r ; 
 
 'N uair chuartaich am b^s, 
 
 A steach thu 'na lath'r, 
 Thoirt cunntas a d' thalant d6. 180 
 
 No 'n ceann thu bha Ian, 
 
 De dh' innleachdan bkis, 
 Gu se61ta 'gan tath'dh r'a cheil' ; 
 
 'Gan cuir ann an gniomh, 
 
 Gun umhail gun fhiamh, 185 
 
 A freagradh do Dhia 'nan deigh ? 
 
 'N robh teanga nam breug. 
 Gun chuibhreach fo d' dheud, 
 A' togail droch sg^il air each ; 
 46 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Gath puinnsein do bheil, 190 
 
 Mar nathair a' teum', 
 'S a' lotadh nan ceud gach la ? 
 
 Tha i nis 'na tamh, 
 
 Fo cheangal a' bhais, 
 Gun sgainneal o phlaigh na dCithch', 195 
 
 Is durragan grannd, 
 
 Air lobhadh 'na h-ait', 
 An deigh dhoibh a cnamh gu 'cul. 
 
 'S ma lean thu do ghnath's, 
 
 Gu leabaidh do bhais, 200 
 
 Gun tionndadh 'na thra ri c6ir ; 
 
 Car tamuill na h-uair', 
 
 Dean flaitheas de'n uaigh, 
 Gus an gairmear thu suas gu m6d. 
 
 Mar losgann dubh grannd, 205 
 
 Ag iomairt a smag, 
 Gu 'n eirich thu 'n aird o'n t-sloc, 
 
 Thoirt coinneamh do Chriosd, 
 
 'Na thigheachd a ris, 
 A dh' fhaotainn Ian diol a t' olc. 210 
 
 'N uair theid thu fo bhinn, 
 
 Ni cheartas do dhit', 
 'Ga t' f h6gradh gu siorruidh uaith', 
 
 Gu lasair gu d' phian', 
 
 Chaidh a dheasach' do'n Diabh'l, 215 
 
 'S a mhallachd gu dian 'gad ruag'. 
 
 'N sin cruaidhichidh Dia 
 
 Do chnamhan mar iar'n, 
 Is t' f heithean mar iallaibh prais ; 
 
 Is teannaichidh t' fhe6il, 220 
 
 Mar innein nan 6rd, 
 Nach cnamh i le moid an teas. 
 47 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 No 'n ceann thu 'n robh ciall, 
 
 Is e61as air Dia, 
 'S gun d' rinn thu a riar sa' ch6ir? 225 
 
 Ged tha thu 'n diugh riiisgt', 
 
 Gun aithne, gun ih\, 
 Gun teanga, gun stiil, gun sron. 
 
 Gabh misneach san uaigh, 
 
 Oir eiridh tu suas, 230 
 
 'N uair chluinneas tu fuaim an stuic ; 
 
 'S do thruailleachd gu leir, 
 
 Shios fagaidh tu d' dheigh, 
 Aig durraga breun an t-sluic. 
 
 'N sin deasaichidh Dia, 235 
 
 Do mhaise mar ghrian, 
 Bhiodh ag eirigh o sgiath nam beann, 
 
 A' cur fradharc ro gheur, 
 
 'S na suilean so fein, 
 'S iad a' dealradh mar reul ad cheann. 240 
 
 Do theanga 's do chail, 
 
 Ni ghleusadh gun dail, 
 A chantainn 'na aros cHu, 
 
 Is fosglaidh do chluas, 
 
 A dh'eisdeachd ri fuaim 245 
 
 A' mholaidh th' aig sluagh a chuirt. 
 
 'N uair dhealraicheas Criosd, 
 
 'Na thigheachd a ris, 
 A chruinneach' nam firean suas, 
 
 'N sin bheir thu do leum, 250 
 
 Thoirt coinneamh dha fein, 
 Mar iolair nan speur aig luath's. 
 
 'N uair dh'^ireas tu 'n aird, 
 Grad chuiridh ort f^ilt, 
 A mhealtainn a chairdeis fein, 255 
 
 48 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 Gun dealach' gu brath, 
 R'a chomunn no ghradh, 
 A steach ann am P^rrais De. 
 
 Fhir chluinneas mo Dhan, 
 
 Dean aithreachas tra, 260 
 
 'M feadh mhaireas do shlaint' 's do bheachd; 
 
 Mu'n tig ort am has 
 
 Nach leig thu gu brath, 
 Air geata nan gras a steach. 
 
 49 
 
An Geamhradh, 
 
 Do theirig an samhradh, 
 
 'S tha 'n geamhradh teachd dluth oirnn, 
 Fior namhaid na chinneas, 
 
 Teachd a mhilleadh ar diithcha, 
 'Ga saltairt fo chasaibh, 5 
 
 'S d'a maise 'ga riisgadh ; 
 Gun iochd ann ri dadum, 
 
 Ach a' sladadh 's a' pliinndrainn. 
 
 Sgaoil oirnne a sgiathan, 
 
 'S chuir e ghrian air a chCilaibh, lo 
 
 As an nead thug e 'n t-alach, 
 
 Neo-bhaigheil 'g ar sgiursadh ; 
 Sneachd iteagach gle gheal, 
 
 O na speuraibh teachd dliith oirnn, 
 Clacha-meallain 's gaoth thuathach, 15 
 
 Mar luaidhe 's mar fh^idar. 
 
 'N uair sheideas e anail, 
 
 Cha 'n fhag anam am fliiran \ 
 Tha bhilean mar shiosar, 
 
 Lomadh lios de gach iir-ros ; 20 
 
 Cha bhi sgeudach' air coille, 
 
 No doire nach rCiisg e, 
 No sruthan nach tachd e, 
 
 Fo leacannan dCi-ghorm. 
 51 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Fead re6ta a chleibhe, 25 
 
 Tha s^ideadh na doininn, 
 A chuir beirm anns an fhairge, 
 
 'S a dh' at garbh i 'na tonnan : 
 S a bhinntich an clkmhuin, 
 
 Air ^irde gach monaidh, 30 
 
 'S ghlan sgtir e na reultan, 
 
 D' ar peile le'n solus. 
 
 Tha gach beathach is duine, 
 
 Nach d' ullaich 'na sh^ason, 
 'Gan sgi^rsadh le gaillinn, 35 
 
 Gun talla gun eudach ; 
 'S an dream a bha gniomhach, 
 
 Fas iargalt mi-dheirceil ; 
 Nach toir iasad do'n leisgean, 
 
 Anns an t-sneachda ged eug e. 40 
 
 Tha 'n seillean 's an seangan, 
 
 A bha tional an stdrais, 
 Le gHocas gun mhearachd, 
 
 A' toirt aire do'n d6ruinn : 
 'G ithe bidh 's ag 61 meala, 45 
 
 Gun ghainne air 16n ac', 
 Fo dhion anns an talamh, 
 
 O anail an re6ta. 
 
 Tha na cuileagan ciatach, 
 
 Bha diomhain san t-samhradh, 50 
 
 *S na gathanaibh gr^ine, 
 
 Gu h-^ibhinn a' dannsa, 
 Gun deasach gun chtiram, 
 
 Roi' dhtidlachd a' gheamhraidh, 
 Tha iad nise a' bksach', 55 
 
 Anns gach Mte le teanndachd. 
 52 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Ach eisd rium a sheann-duin', 
 
 'S tuig an samhla tha 'm stori^ 
 Tha 'm bas a' teachd teann ort, 
 
 Sud an geamhradh tha 'm 6ran ; 60 
 
 'S ma gheibh e thu ad leisgein, 
 
 Gun deasach' fa ch6mhail, 
 Cha dean aithreachas criche, 
 
 Do dhionadh o'n d6ruinn. 
 
 Gur mithich fas diadhaidh, 65 
 
 'S do chiabhan air glasadh, 
 'Na bearnaibh do dheudach, 
 
 Is t' eudan air casadh ; 
 Do bhathais air rusgadh, 
 
 'S do shiiilean air prabadh, 70 
 
 Agus croit ort air lubadh, 
 
 Chum na h-uire do leaba. 
 
 Tha na sruthanan craobhach 
 
 Bha sgaoileadh ad bhallaibh, 
 Gu mireagach, buailteach, 75 
 
 CHs, gluasadach, tana, 
 A nise air traoghadh 
 
 O'n taomachadh thairis, 
 O'n a ragaich 's a dh' fhuaraich 
 
 Teas uamharr' na fala. 80 
 
 Balg-seididh na beatha, 
 
 Tha air caitheamh gun fheum ann, 
 'S o chrup ann ad chliabh e, 
 
 Gur h-e phian bhi 'ga sh^ideadh ; 
 Tha 'n corp, a' chruit chitiil ud, 85 
 
 Air ditiltadh dhuit gleusadh ; 
 'S comharr' cinnt' air a thasgaidh, 
 
 Bhi lasach' a theudan. 
 
 53 i>2 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Theich maduinn na h-6ige, 
 
 Is tre6ir a' mheadhon latha, 90 
 
 Tha 'm feasgar air ciaradh, 
 
 'S tha ghrian ort a' luidhe ; 
 'S ma bha thusa diomhain, 
 
 Gun ghniomh is gun mhaitheas, 
 Gu h-ealamh bi 'd dhiisgadh, 95 
 
 Mu'n duinear ort flaitheas. 
 
 Reir caithe na beatha, 
 
 'S trie leatha gu'n crioch i ; 
 Bidh an cleachda fas laidir, 
 
 Do-fhasach o'n inntinn : 100 
 
 Na labhair an sean-fhocal, 
 
 'S deimhin learn 's fior e, 
 " An car th^id san t-sean-mhaid' 
 
 Gur h-ainmig leis direadh." 
 
 Ach 6ganaich threubhaich, 105 
 
 Thoir-s' ^isdeachd do m' 6ran, 
 'S leig dhiot bhi mi-cheillidh, 
 
 Ann an ceitean na h-6ige ; 
 Tha aois agus easlaint, 
 
 Air do dheigh ann an t6ir ort, no 
 
 'S ma ni h-aon aca greim ort, 
 
 Pillidh t' aoibhneas gu br6n duit. 
 
 An aois ata 'n t6ir ort, 
 
 Bheir i le6n ort nach saoil thu, 
 Air do shCiilibh bheir ceathach, 1 1 5 
 
 Is treabhaidh i t' aodann ; 
 Bheir i crith-reodh' mu d' ghruaig, 
 
 Is neul uaine an aoig leis, 
 'S cha tig aiteamh na grian ort, 
 
 Bheir an liath-reodh' a chaoidh dhiot. 120 
 
 54 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Bheir na's measa na sud ort, 
 
 Failinn tuigs' agus reusain ; 
 Dith leirsinn ad inntinn ; 
 
 Dlth cuimhn' agus gdire ; 
 Dith gliocais chum gnothaich ; 125 
 
 Dith mothaich ad cheudfath ; 
 'S gu fas thu mar leanabh, 
 
 Dhith spionnaidh is ceille. 
 
 Fasaidh 'n cridhe neo-aithreach, - 
 
 'S neo-ealamh chum tionndadh, 130 
 
 Aon tagradh cha driiidh air, 
 
 'S cha Itib e d'a ionnsuidh : 
 Ceart mar tha 'n talamh, 
 
 'N ^m gaillinn is teanndachd ; 
 Ged robh miltean dol thairis, 135 
 
 Cha dean aile sa' chabhsair. 
 
 Faic season na bliadhna, 
 
 'S dean ciall uaithe tharruing, 
 S ma's ^ill leat gu'm buain thu, 
 
 Dean ruathar san earrach ; 140 
 
 Dean connadh san t-samhradh, 
 
 Ni sa' gheamhradh do gharadh ; 
 'S ma dhibreas tu 'n season, 
 
 Dhuit 's eigin bhi falamh. 
 
 'S mur cuir thu siol fallan, i45 
 
 Ann an earrach na h-6ige, 
 Cho chinnteach 's am bas duit, 
 
 Cuiridh Satan droch ph6r ann ; 
 A dh' f hksas 'na dhubhailc, 
 
 'S 'na luibheannan fe61mhor; 150 
 
 'S bidh do bhuain mar a chuir thu, 
 
 Ma's subhailc no d6-bheart. 
 55 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Ma bhios t' oige gun riaghladh, 
 
 'S t' ana-mianna gun taod riu, 
 Gu fas iad cho fiadhaich, 155 
 
 'S nach srian thu ri t' aois iad ; 
 Am meangan nach sniomh thu, 
 
 Cha spion thu 'na chraoibh e, 
 Mar shineas e gheugan, 
 
 Bidh a fhreumhan a' sgaoileadh. 160 
 
 Tha do bheatha neo-chinnteach 
 
 O 'n teinn a bheir bas ort, 
 Uime sin bi ri dichioll 
 
 Do shith dheanamh trathail ; 
 'S e milleadh gach cuise 165 
 
 Bhi gun churam cur dail annt' ; 
 'S ionann aithreachas criche, 
 
 'S bhi cur sil mu Fheill-Martainn. 
 
 Tha ghrian anns na speuraibh 
 
 A' ruith reise gach latha ; 1 70 
 
 'S i 'giorrach' do shaoghail, 
 
 Gach oidhche a luidheas : 
 'S dliith ruitheas an spala, 
 
 Troi' shnath'naibh do bheatha ; 
 Tha figheadh dhuit leine, 175 
 
 'Ni beisdean a chaitheamh. 
 
 'S ma ghoideas e dluth ort, 
 
 Gun do dhuil bhi r'a thighinn ; 
 'N sin fosglaidh do shuilean, 
 
 'S chi thu chuis thar a mithich ; 180 
 
 Bidh do choguis 'gad phianadh. 
 
 Mar sgian ann ad chridhe ; 
 *S co-ionann a giulan, 
 
 'S luidhe rCiisgt' ann an sgitheach. 
 
 56 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 Faic a' chuileag 'ga diteadh 185 
 
 Le sionntaibh an naduir, 
 'S o dhibir i 'n season, 
 
 Gur h-eigin di basach' ; 
 Faic gliocas an t-seangain, 
 
 'Na thional cho trathail, 190 
 
 'S dean eiseimpleir leanail, 
 
 Chum t' anam a' shabhal'. 
 
 57 
 
JJrnuigh. 
 
 O ! Thighearn' is a Dhia na gl6ir, 
 
 An t-Ard-Righ mor os cionn gach sluaigh, 
 
 Cia dana ni air t' ainm ro mh6r 
 Le bilibh ne5-ghlan bhi 'ga luaidh ? 
 
 Na h-aingle 's ^irde rinneadh leat, 5 
 
 Cia lag an neart, 's cia dall an iiil ? 
 Cia aineolach air t'oibre m6r ? 
 
 'S cia goirid air do ghl6ir an cliu ? 
 
 Am beachd do shtiilean fiorghlan fein, 
 
 Cha 'n 'eil na reulta 's airde glan ; lo 
 
 'S cha 'n 'eil na h-aingle 's naomha 'n gl6ir, 
 
 An lathair do Mh6rachd-sa gun smal. 
 
 Ach O ! an dean thu t' isleach' f^in, 
 A dh'eisdeachd cnuimhe anns an dir? 
 
 Fo st61 do chos a' gabhail t^imh, 1 5 
 
 'S nach faic ach sgaile beag de d' ghnCiis. 
 
 Na lasadh t' f hearg, O Dhia nan dul ! 
 
 Am feadh a dheanam urnuigh riut ; 
 'S mo pheacadh aidicheam le nair, 
 
 'S an truailleachd ghraineil anns 'na thuit. 20 
 
 Mo chiont' tha mar na sl^ibhte m6r, 
 
 Is le6n iad mi le iomadh lot ; 
 Ta m'anam bochd le'n cudthrom brilit', 
 
 'S o m' shtiilibh f^sg' nan deura goirt. 
 59 
 
Urnuigh 
 
 An comas duit, a Dhia nam feart, 25 
 
 Mo shaor' gun cheartas chur air ctil ? 
 'S ma shaorar le do thr6cair mi, 
 
 'Bheil neach san t-saogh'l a dhiteas tu ? 
 
 Nach eigin duit mo sgrios gu brath, 
 
 Mur aicheadh thu do cheartas geur ? 30 
 
 Le m' chionta oillteil, 's gann a dh' fhag 
 
 Mi iochd, no gras, ad roghainn fein. 
 
 Gach uile mhallachd ata sgriobht' 
 
 Ad fhocal fior le bagradh teann, 
 O Thighearn' thoill mi aig do laimh, 35 
 
 Gu'm biodh iad cirnaichf air mo cheann. 
 
 Ged fhas' na neamhan dubh le gruaim, 
 'S mo bhual' le tairneanaich do neirt, 
 
 Ged thilg' thu mi gu ifrinn shios, 
 
 Gu siorruidh aidicheam do cheart. 40 
 
 Gidheadh am faod an lasair threun 
 
 A sgoilteas as a chdil' an tuil, 
 Drtidhadh orm troi' timhlachd Chriosd, 
 
 'S mi gabhail dion a steach fo f huil ? 
 
 An fhuil a dhiol do cheartas teann, 45 
 
 'S a dh6irteadh air a' chrann gu lar, 
 'S ann aisd' tha m' earbsa, O mo Righ ! 
 
 Nach dit thu m'anam air a sgath. 
 
 Dean m' ionnlad glan, O Dhia na sith ! 
 
 San tobar ioc-shlaint bhrCichd a thaobh : 50 
 
 A bheir dhomh beatha as a bhas, 
 
 Is o mo thrkilleachd ni mi saor. 
 60 
 
Urnuigh 
 
 Daingnich mo chreideamh ann a bhas, 
 
 Is beothaich gr^dh am chridhe stigh, 
 Is neartaich mi chum timhlachd dha, 55 
 
 An uir aitheanta naomh a lagh. 
 
 O dean mo phlanndach' ann an Criosd ! 
 
 'S mo chrionach bristidh mach le blath, 
 Is bidh gach subhailc 's naomha gleus, 
 
 Mar mheas a' lub mo gheug gu lar. 60 
 
 Gach inbhe 'n cuir thu mi san t-saogh'l 
 Dean daonnan toilicht' mi le m' staid ; 
 
 Ma's bochd no beartach, tinn no slan, 
 Do thoil gu brath biodh deant' air fad. 
 
 O ! 's grasmhor Dia 'n uair bheir e seach', 65 
 
 'S gu beachd tha dhiultadh Ian de ghradh ; 
 
 ^ S fior-bheannachd ann an atharrach dreach^ 
 Gach CROis is creach a thtg laimh. 
 
 O ! buidheachas do Dhia nan gras 
 
 Chuir thugam Slanuighear nam buadh ; 70 
 
 Eiric mo shaorsa chi 'na bhas, 
 
 'S an luach a phaidh air m' anam truagh. 
 
 'S e fein a chlaon a dhruim fo m' chuail, 
 Chum m'anam dhireadh suas gu Dia ; 
 
 Chosd gach tiodhlac th' agam uaith, 75 
 
 Geur chr^dh is osna chruaidh d'a chliabh. 
 
 Mo smuaintean talmhaidh tog gu neamh, 
 Is thoir dhomh earlais air do ghradh, 
 
 A dh' fh6gras m' eagal uile uam, 
 
 *S a shaoras mi o uamhunn bais. 80 
 
 61 
 
Urnuigh 
 
 *N sin atadh tonnan borb a chuain, 
 
 Is beuchdadh torann chruaidh nan speur ; 
 
 Thigeadh crith-thalmhuinn, gort, is plaigh, 
 Bhios roinn a' bhais gach taobh a theid. 
 
 Bi thus' ad Dhia do m'anam fein, 85 
 
 'S bidh iad gu leir dhomh 'n cairdeas graidh ; 
 
 Cha loisg an tein' gun 6rdugh uait, 
 
 Cha sluig an cuan, 's cha sgrios a' phlaigh. 
 
 Am feadh bhios cumhachd ann ad laimh, 
 
 Bidh mise sabhailt' o gach olc ; 90 
 
 'S cha 'n eagal learn gu 'm bi mi 'n dith, 
 Gu siorruidh, no gu 'm fas thu bochd. 
 
 Mo dhurachd, m* eagal, 's m' uile mhiann, 
 
 Am Dhia tha comhlachadh gu leir ; 
 Oil neamh, is talamh, 's ifrinn shios, "95 
 
 Ata iad do mo Righ-sa geill'. 
 
 a' chrioch. 
 
 62 
 
NOTES 
 
 MORACHD DHE 
 
 DUGALD Buchanan had passed through a severe mental 
 conflict. He first reached an intellectual belief in God by 
 observing Design in the symmetry of the skull of a horse he saw 
 in a field. From this he reasoned that there must be a 
 Designer. But intellectual belief did not give him rest. From 
 the conflict he, however, emerged victorious over doubt, and 
 his first effort in poetry was his great poem on the glory and 
 majesty of God. He is here, unquestionably, influenced by 
 Isaac Watts. He was deeply imbued with evangelical theology, 
 and could scarcely help making use of what came to his hand. 
 Sometimes the thought is expanded and improved ; at other 
 times he gives a fairly free translation. In any case his 
 imitations detract nothing from the excellence of the poem. 
 It would be well to compare the poem with Isaac Watts' Lyric 
 Poems, bk. i., "The Infinite," "The Creator and the Creatures." 
 MacL. MS. heads this poem with the text Is. xl. i8. 
 
 The verse is Iambic octosyllables in quatrains. He follows 
 this pattern throughout the poem. There are some irregular 
 verses which help to give variety and interest to the 
 composition. 
 
 'Nuair thais | bSanas | e ghI6ir | no ghrks 
 
 METRES 
 
 According to Professor Kuno Meyer (see Meyer's Primer of 
 Irish Metrics, and also appendix iv. to Calder's Songs of Duncan 
 Maclntyre) there are three successive periods in the history of 
 
 63 
 
Morachd Dhe 
 
 Gaelic versification: (i) A period of rhythmical alliterative 
 poetry (Early Gaelic to the eighth century) ; (2) a period (eighth 
 to seventeenth century) of unrhythmical syllabic poetry requiring 
 (a) a fixed number of syllables in each line, and (d) rhyme or 
 consonance in the final word of each verse or couplet ; and (3) a 
 period of rhythmical poetry (from the seventeenth century 
 onwards) requiring a sequence of vowels in the stressed syllables 
 of each verse. The one period runs into the other. The 
 metres of (i) are found in Old Sagas. The metres of (2) 
 developed, according to Thurneysen, under the influence of the 
 Latin poetry of the fifth and sixth centuries, and those of (3) are 
 largely the result of the influence of English poetry. The first 
 Scottish Gaelic poet to run away from the exceedingly intricate 
 metres of the second period was Mary Macleod (1650-1720). 
 Yet they are observed most clearly in her songs ; but c/. Fernaig 
 MS. Iain Lom, etc. She was illiterate, and the spontaneity of 
 her versification does not suggest outside influence. But the 
 frame-work of the earlier metres can be traced through the 
 verses of the great poets down to the beginning of the nineteenth 
 century. In the first period alliteration was sporadic. In the 
 twelfth century and onwards it is regular and obligatory. In 
 the syllabic poetry of the middle period we have rhyme which 
 consists in the agreement of all vowels, both in quantity and 
 quality, while rhyming consonants must belong to the same 
 class (classified later according to strict rules). Rhyme is 
 internal as well as terminal. For metrical purposes a word 
 begins with the stressed syllable, so that proclitics, such as 
 verbal prefixes, etc., do not count as part of the words to which 
 they are prefixed, but pronominal sufiixes always count. 
 Dugald Buchanan was a student of the English poets. He is 
 familiar with Shakespeare^ Milton^ Youngs Watts^ etc., and 
 while some of the above rules can be applied to his poems with 
 interesting results, his metres are nevertheless after the 
 English model. 
 
 Line \, O ! ciod e Dia . . . ainm. The first edition reads <:^^«<^ for 
 «W, a compound of ce (ia) and rud^ stereotyped in Ross's Psalms. It is 
 peculiar to modern Irish. Ciod is ce ed^ equivalent to Lat. Quid 7 The 
 old interrogative pronouns were ce^ cia. These early combined with 
 the personal pronoun as ce he, quis ? Ce si {cisi) quae ? Ced, cid {ce ed) 
 
 64 
 
Notes 
 
 quid? Cisi has disappeared, and we have now only co^ day and ctod. 
 Ciod has attached to it the pars, pro, e^ so that we have now di do 
 naidfuachd f for ciod i . . .f Co and Ciod are still quite distinct, the 
 former applied to a person and the latter to a thing, e.g. cofear tha sin f 
 what man is there ? Naturally, then, we might expect this poem to 
 begin Co e Dia f But as the poet asks not who is God, but what is God, 
 he refers to a "concept," "idea" ; the idiom therefore is grammatically 
 correct (see also, Celt. Rev. vi. 300). 
 
 4. 'Na choir, near Him, in His vicinity. The phrase, which is 
 common, is fully ann a choir. Coir and Jior^ Lat. verus^ are from a 
 common root ver. 
 
 8. Fein-dhiongmhaltas, His own perfection ; diongmhalta is from 
 diong^ worthy, and molta ; cf. Old Gaelic dingbala, worthy, pleased ; e.g., 
 ag edarguidhe Muire banntigerna gumad dinghala^ "... interceding the 
 Lady Mary that she would be pleased . . ." (Mackinnon's Catalogue 
 of Manuscripts^ p. 74). 
 
 10. gun chaochladh staid, lit. without change of state ; caochla^ cf. 
 Old Gaelic, coem-chloim^ gentle change ; coimhchlod, inf. of con-imchloim^ 
 I change, retained in chaochail <?, he died (changed gently). 
 
 14. la is here rather "light of day," than "day." The correspond- 
 ing root in other languages has often the significance of brightness or 
 radiance. For teachd MacL. MS. reads bris. 
 
 16. sgiathaibh, from sgiath : sciath (i) a wing, e.g. sciath an ete^ and 
 (2) a shield. 
 
 Sgkile, shade, shadow ; cf.y^ sgail do sgeith, Ps. xvii. 3. 
 
 18. uamhunti, dread, terror ; Old Gaelic omun^ oman^ fear. 
 
 19. achmhasan. Old Gaelic Ath-chomsan^ rebuke ; e.g., gan aenguth 
 achmhosain^ without a word of murmuring {Annals of Ulster^ p. 482). 
 
 20. geilt chrith, a trembHng fear ; cf Ps. Iv. 5. 
 
 Cruinne-ce, either part of this compound signifies globe or 
 world, e.g. — 
 
 '6* learn an cruinne domhanda 
 
 Is na bfuil ann le cheil. — (Kirk's Ps. 1. 12.) 
 
 t/, cf. Old Gaelic ce meaning (i) " this," e.g.yfor bith che{Irische Texte, 
 iii. 10), on this earth ; (2) " earth," " world," e.g.,^ bron bethad ce {Book 
 of Leinster^ 192), under the sorrow of the life of this world ; cf. Gr. 7^. 
 The compound cruinne-cS is analogous to orbis terrarum. 
 
 23. thionnsgan-s', iionnsgainn^ devising, beginning ; Old Gaelic 
 ttxscnaim, I begin. 
 
 25. dlilth (l) close, compact, near ; (2) the warp of a web ; Gr. &\dw, 
 crush, e.g., lean gii dluth ri cliu do shinnsreachd (Gillies' collection, 
 1786, p. 34). 
 
 65 E 
 
Morachd Dhe 
 
 27. iomlaineachd, manifold fulness ; from iom^ Old Gaelic iomad^ 
 abundance, and Ian full, cognate with 'LzX.plenus^ Gr. TrKrjpyjs. 
 
 shiorr'achd, dissyllabic here to meet metrical exigencies : with 
 collective suffix rad ; sior^ long, cf. tnacrad^ echrad ; rad is connected 
 with reuth^ cf. Old Gaelic ind-red^ once. 
 
 29. Neoni, neo^ Old Gaelic neb^ negative «o«, and ni^ a thing. 
 Here the abstraction is personified, lit. when nothingness heard the 
 voice of his mouth. 
 
 33. dhearc, (ist ed. dK fheucK)^ look at, behold, gaze ; Old Gaelic 
 dercaim^ I see, Gr. dipKOfJiai. 
 
 35. Ath-leasachadh, re-formation ; ai^ and leasaich^ from leas^ Old 
 Gaelic less^ profit, advantage, cf. phrase, Cha ruig thu leas, you need not, 
 i.e., you will not attain to any benefit. 
 
 37-40. This striking passage is strongly analogous to some of the 
 beautiful doxologies of the prophets, cf. Is. xl. 12. 
 
 37. dearn', the palm of the hand ; Old Gaelic derna, cf. Gr. bGipov, 
 palm — 
 
 Feuch do ghrean me thu ar chlar mo dhearnainne. 
 
 (Kirk's Bible, Is. xUx. 16.) 
 
 38. reul(t), now more commonly reul, but pi. reulta{ti) ; metathized 
 from Old GaeUc retla, a star. 
 
 41-45. i.e., men and angels in their effort to comprehend the being 
 of God are as shells attempting to hold the ocean. 
 
 45. bhith-bhuantachd, everlasting ; from bith, world, and buan, 
 lasting, lit. "world-lasting"; e.g., as bee ani as buaine 'nan duine 
 (Meyer) : cha robh e buan. 
 
 46-48. i.e., the work revealed to mortals is but small compared with 
 the hidden works of the Eternal One. 
 
 52. sile mheoir, an expressive phrase meaning drops falling 
 from finger-tips ; sil, drop, Lat. siillo, I drop ; seile, saliva, cf, 
 Abhainn Seile. The antithesis " sun " and " drop " is bold. 
 
 56. earlas, a pledge, earnest, i.e., a revelation to indicate His 
 power ; Scotch arks from Lat through French. 
 
 57. tuigse thana, lit. thin understanding ; tana means (i) shallow, 
 as here, and (2) lean, e.g. — 
 
 Eglusfuar 
 
 '6* cleirech tana, truagh. 
 
 (Mackinnon's Catalogue of Manuscripts, p. 93.) 
 cf. Lat. tenuis and Gr. ro.va.L'i, where Gr., as often, agrees with Gaelic 
 in vowel. 
 
 58. sgriidadh, Sgrild, examine, search ; Old Gaelic scrutaim, I 
 search, from Lat. scrutor^ cf. Rev. ii. 23, sgrudas na h-airnean, 
 
 66 
 
Notes 
 
 6l. dadum, usual form is dad^ an3rthing ; Old Gaelic dadamh^ 
 a mote. 
 63. z.<f., only the Bible can declare God's name. 
 
 I 
 FULANGAS CHRIOSD 
 
 This is an account of the Passion of Christ. John Rose in 
 his Metrical Reliques (185 1) states that Andrew and Alexander 
 Ross, soldiers in the Sutherlandshire militia who were stationed 
 at Dunkeld in .1746, used to recite the poems of John Mackay 
 of Mudale to Dugald Buchanan. Buchanan, so says Rose, 
 was thereby moved to " compose the excellent hymns of which 
 he was author." This poem bears a strong resemblance to 
 Mackay's "An Tearnadh Miorbhuileach " (^Metrical Reliques^ 
 p. no) in melody, but not in literary content or idiom. The 
 poem is in ballad measure of eights and sixes, on the Iambic 
 pattern, though somewhat irregular — 
 
 An sin | do rinn | iad prios | anach 
 
 DS dh' To I sa gun | chionfkth. 
 
 2. dkn, a poem, a lay ; Old Gaelic art, skill, trade, an allotted 
 task, destiny, e.g. amal robui a nddn do chach (Meyer) ; also, bha e san 
 dan dha^ it was in the incantation to him, i.e.^ it was destined so to be. 
 
 luadh, mention ; Old Gaelic luad^ cf. Lat. laus^ praise, hence mo 
 luaidh, my beloved one. 
 
 5. iong^antas, wonder, cf. iongnadh ; Old Gaelic ingnad, in-gnath, 
 "not customary." 
 
 Miorbhuileach, marvellous ; from mirbael from Lat. mirabile. 
 
 8. ciochran, suckling ; from cioch^ Old Gaelic cich^ a breast. 
 
 9. na h-6ighe, of the Virgin. The h is the shade of the lost s in 
 which the gen. sg. fem. of the article must have ended. This relic of 
 the old case-ending survives and prevents elision. 
 
 10. comhnadh, help ; Old Gaelic congnam^ verbal noun of con-gniu^ 
 a helping, assisting, e.g., do chongnum ocus do chobair doib, to help and 
 to assist them {Togail Troi^ 1687). 
 
 14. Cf. John, i. 3. 
 
 1 5. riin, mystery ; run-diomhair^ secret, mystery ; the term is now 
 one of endearment, e.g., mo run geal dileas. 
 
 17. diblidh, abject; Old GaeHc deblide^ cf. "LzX, debilis ; cf. Sluagh 
 anshocrach agus diblidh {Seph. iii. 12). 
 
 67 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 i8. dilleachdan, orphan, derelict ; Old Gaelic dilechtu from di 
 and Uig. 
 
 20-25. C/.— 
 
 A needless, helpless, unaccounted guest, 
 And but a second to the fodder'd beast. 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts,") 
 24. dual, lit. a hereditary right, what goes in the blood ; cf.— 
 Biodh acafios gur riaghluidh Dia 
 Tigh Jacob mar bu dual. — (Kirk's Ps. lix. 13.) 
 
 Bu dual da sin, said of a chip of the old block. 
 
 27. B' fheudar, less properly, b' eidear, it was necessary. Feudar is 
 pres. pass, oi feud^ may: positively /Jrz^^ar has the force of necessity, 
 e.g., Is fheudar dhomh bhi falbh, I must go ; negatively it only denotes 
 probability as, chan fheudar nach tig mi, I may come. In the phrase ni 
 fheudar we have a survival of the deponent verb, cf, Lat. loquor. This 
 deponent r which appeared early in Gaelic began to disappear in the 
 tenth century, and disappeared wholly in the eleventh century, except in 
 certain instances (Strachan). 
 
 28. air a thoir, on his track ; cf. Old Gaelic toireacht, pursuit, 
 ioruighe, pursuer, e.g., bha an toir air ; Eng. Tory. 
 
 33-35« Cf, Matt. viii. 20. 
 
 teinn, a noun, from teann, tight. 
 
 35. eunlaithe : an improper pi. formed, for metrical purposes, upon 
 the collective noun eunlaith, birds. 
 
 39. fogarrach, outcast, fugitive, from fogair, to banish ; cf. Old 
 Gditlxc focairim, I proclaim; e.g., Gen. iv. 12. 
 
 43. iochdmhor, from iochd, kindliness, clemency. 
 
 45. eucail, from an, negative prefix, and cail, appetite, vigour (means 
 unfitness). 
 
 49. balbhanaibh, to the dumb ; dat. pi. of balbhan from Old Gaelic 
 balb — (i) dumb, co mbrig balb ; (2) stammering, co mbrethir balb 
 (Meyer) ; and (3) silent, calm, eirigh tonn air uisge balbh {Seann Fhocail 
 by Duncan Lothian, J. 797) ; balbh bhios na linnte lana (MS. xxxvi. 
 Adv. Lib.). The word is probably borrowed from Lat. balbus. 
 
 50. lilth, strength ; cf Old Gaelic luth, fleetness of foot. 
 
 52. itil, lit. guidance, probably connected with eolas, knowledge ; cf. 
 Matt. XV. 14, Is cinn iuil dhall nan dall iad. 
 
 54. fallaineachd, health ; [vom fallan : fo, and slan, healthy. 
 57-60. Cf. Luke, iv. 18. 
 
 Soisgeul, Old Gaelic soscel, good tidings ; cf. Gospel. 
 Carswell in his prayer-book uses soiscel for gospel and suibhisceul for 
 
 68 
 
Notes 
 
 erangelist ; suibhisceul is used in the same sense in Ephes. iv. ll, 
 Kirk's Bible ; suibhisceul is a compound of subha. Old Gaelic subae^ 
 gladness, and sceul^ tidings. Subha has been expelled by the derivative 
 subhachas^ exactly as dubae has given place to dubhachas^ sadness. On 
 the analogy of airde for arda^ and buige for buga^ and duibhe for dubha^ 
 the form suibhe can be assumed. 
 
 60. Lit. who were in bondage (locks) under a tax so hard. 
 CIS, a tax, tribute ; Lat. census, 
 
 62. creideamh, belief, faith ; Old Gaelic cr<?/i>«, I believe ; Lat. credo. 
 The word is formed of cridhe^ heart, and do, give : lit. giving heart to. 
 
 65. buidhean tur, a company altogether ; Old Gaelic buden, buiden, 
 a troop, band, quantity, number, buden coic cet dec (Book of Leinster, 97) ; 
 tur, altogether, is connected with torr, a heap. So tur aineolach, *' entirely 
 ignorant," aran tur = dry bread, i.e., bread without any seasoning : 
 Piobaireachd is aran tur ; so turadh, cessation of rain : tha turadh ann, 
 
 68. chion loin, want of food ; the aspiration is due to the suppressed 
 preposition before cion ; Ion, food, substance ; Old Gaelic loon, supply, 
 
 69. fhuair, from fuar, I found, connected etymologically probably 
 with eiipiaKO) (Stokes). 
 
 70. arain eorn', cf. Ata buachoill beag airighe ann so aig bhfhuilid 
 cuig arain eorna (Kirk's Bible, John, vi. 9). All later translators use 
 builionnan instead of arain. We use aran now as = bread ; bonnach 
 arain. 
 
 71. gus'na, with nach gu[r) of 1st ed., cf. no co, a common idiom in 
 Middle Gaelic = until. Vide also infra, nach gum fas thu bochd — until 
 you grow poor. In Middle Gaelic this would read no co fas. The r in 
 the first case (gur^ is the tense particle ro. 
 
 73. chaisgeadh onfhadh, from Old Gaelic cose, to check, stop ; 
 onfhadh an-fhadh, not calm ; an-feth, excess wind, cf. Feth na fairrce^ 
 the calm of the ocean (Columba's Hymn). 
 
 80-95. Of' Matt. xxvi. 17-36. 
 
 87. do riaraich, from riar, " wish," " desire," meaning (i) to satisfy, 
 please, cf. i Kings, v. 9, and (2) to serve, distribute, as here. 
 
 90. comhnuidh, from Old Gaelic comnaide, a dwelling ; e.g., is innte 
 bis comnaide rig na nludaide (^Leabhar Breac, p. 137) ; an comhnuidh^ as 
 here, means "in continuous waiting," i.e., always. 
 
 91. dh'fhoillseachadh. Old Gaelic foillsigim irom folks, connected 
 with solus, light ; cf. Gr. o-Aas, light. 
 
 92. air an sgli,th, for their sake ; the idea is substitutionary 
 atonement. 
 
 94. fheartaibh, feart, power, virtue, efficacy ; cf. Lat. virius. 
 100. oillteil, hideous, disgusting. 
 
 69 E 2 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 lOl. Cf. Agus do bhi a alias mar bkraona fola ag tuitim air talatnh 
 (Kirk's Bible, Luke, xxiii. 44). 
 
 109. mu'n d' thainigf mi, about which I came, and not, before I 
 came ; mu^ prep, about ; Old Gaelic imb^ imm, Lat ambi^ Gr. d/t0^ 
 
 113. uamhunnach, dreadful, awful (vide 18, supra). 
 
 114. do fhuair ; doisz. relic of the Old Gaelic verbal prefix. Z)o, «o, 
 and ro were the three usual prefix particles of the verb. We would 
 now use the abraded form a ( = do), vide 69, supra. 
 
 119. COmhla, together, from com and lamh ; Old Gaelic, comla. 
 
 124. du-chul, more common is dubh-bhron, deep (black) sorrow ; so 
 here the meaning is very emphatic — completely turned his back, or 
 blackly turned his back, Cf. dubh-ghamhnach^ a cow three years farrow. 
 Chuir e du chul ris is quite common in colloquial speech, and means he 
 repudiated him utterly ; cf. Ogha, iar-ogha, {f)ionn-ogha, dubh-ogha. 
 
 128. p6g, Old Gaelic poc, derived from Lat. pax, peace ; cf, dare 
 pacem, to give a kiss. 
 
 13a cionfath, cion, gun, without, and ^/^, reason; ceann zxAfath, 
 with gun preceding, is probably the true reading. 
 
 136. di-chiontach, the more usual form is neo-chiontach, without 
 guilt, innocent. 
 
 137-144. Observe the acute realism of these lines. They suffer by 
 translation. 
 
 1 39. riiisgeadh, from rusg, a fleece, skin ; Old Gaelic ruse. 
 
 142. creuchda, wounds ; this word is often used in a spiritual as 
 well as a physical sense ; cf. crechta na hanma^ the wounds of the soul 
 {Leabhar Breac, p. 257). 
 
 I4S' sgitheach, haw-thorn ; cf. Kirk's Bible, John, xix. 5. 
 
 146. dh' fhigh, from figh. Old Gaelic yf^w, I weave ; teann, tight, 
 Lat. tentus. 
 
 148. spkrr, thrust ; from sparr, a beam, joist. 
 
 152. breun, rancid, putrid; Old Gaelic bren, brene, rottenness, 
 stench, e.g., brine na marb cen adnocul (Leabhar Breac, p. 155) I ^^so, Do 
 lobh mo chreuchdan chinn iad breun (Kirk's Ps. xxxviii. 5, and also Kirk's 
 Bible, Is. i. 7). 
 
 153. criin nkrach, crown of shame ; narach also means bashful, 
 modest. 
 
 157. colbh, a reed, sceptre, pillar ; allied to Lat. columnus, culmus. 
 For the incident see Matt, xxvii. 29, 30. 
 
 162. crann ceusaidh, cross, but lit tree of crucifixion ; ceus is from 
 Old Gaelic cessaim, I suffer, torture. 
 
 167. shiirach(adh), from sar, Old Gaelic saragaim, I oppress. 
 
 168. chuail, from cual, a faggot, bundle, burden. 
 
 70 
 
Notes 
 
 169. leabaidh dh6ruinnich, bed of anguish ; doruinn^ Old Gaelic 
 dogra^ anguish, pain, cf, — 
 
 'Sminig saoifo dhoruinn. 
 
 Is daoi gun mhoran pein. — (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 170. Le dheoin, of his own accord, cf. proverb dheoin no dh'aindeoin^ 
 willing or unwilling ; also, Gun piiachan air ach deoin (Mackay of 
 Mudale). 
 
 172. alt, a joint, e.g. dialt^ one-syllable word. 
 
 175. le tairnibh, with nails ; nom. tarrang^ Old Gaelic tairnge, 
 
 180. With injury unspeakable ; dochann, probably from do and root of 
 Old Gaelic conach, success, prosperity ; do luaidh^ from do and luaidh^ not 
 to be expressed, cf. tiodhlac dolabhairty unspeakable gift (2 Cor. ix. 15). 
 
 181. cudthrom, weight ; Old Gaelic cutrumma, of equal weight. 
 186. dheilbheadh, planned ; from Old Gaelic delb^ to form. Modern 
 
 dealbh^ "picture." 
 
 189. leth sgeul, more commonly leisgeul^ leih^ half, and sgeul^ story, 
 half- story, hence excuse. The reference is to Luke, xxiii. 34. 
 
 190. teasairginn, saving, delivering ; Old Gaelic tesurc^ I save. 
 193. dibh-fhearg, excessive wrath ; Old Gaelic diberg^ brigandage, 
 
 from diim)^ "excessive," zxAferg^ wrath. 
 
 196. solus, light, brightness ; cf, Lat. sol^ the sun. 
 197-200. Cf, Matt, xxvii. 46. 
 
 197. A's, in 1st Ed. is meant as a contraction of agus. The proper 
 word is is, which is = Lat. et ; agus is = Lat atque. Is is oftenjused like 
 Lat. suffix que to connect words closely connected in their signification, 
 e.g., ruith is hum e, but agus connects clauses rather than words and 
 suggests contrast— ^<far is bean, man and woman, y^ar agus bean, a man 
 and a woman as well. Is is also used as a conjunction of a concessive 
 character, where agus is not allowable, with a meaning equal to "seeing 
 that," e.g., tha mi sgith is mi learn fhein, I am weary because I am alone. 
 
 199. ceil, hide ; Old Gaelic celim, Lat. celo^ Gr. koK^tttw^ Eng. 
 conceal. 
 
 203. cinne-daonn', human race ; a compound word formed of noun 
 cinne, from Old Gaelic ciniud, and adj. daonna. 
 
 205. casgradh, from casgair^ slay, butcher ; cf. cosgrach {Book of 
 Deer), Old Gaelic con-scaraim, I sever, break up, destroy ; e.g., nach den 
 conscara eclais De {Leabhar Breac, p. 12), cf, — 
 
 Mar chaoiribh fos do mheasar sin 
 
 Do chaisgaireadh gu geur. — (Kirk's Ps. xliv. 22, also Is. liii. 7.) 
 214. bheusaibh, habits, conduct ; from beus, Old Gaelic bes; cf. 
 Truailidh droch comhraite beusa maithe (Kirk's Bible, i Cor, xv. 33). 
 
 71 
 
Fulangas Chriosd 
 
 215. thaomaich, pour; from taom^ to pour out, Old Gaelic toem ; 
 taom^ the verb, is to pour out, to empty, and taom^ a flood, a torrent, is 
 a secondary, extended meaning. 
 
 217. fhulangas, suffering ; from fulang^fuilig. Old G2,t\\c Jiilangim^ 
 I sufifer, undertake. 
 
 222. as leth, analogous to air an sgatk^ with the same substitutionary 
 meaning ; leth means side, half, cf. Lat. latus ; as mo leth^ on my behalf. 
 
 226. guineach, from guin^ a severe wound ; gonim^ I wound ; doigh 
 is here an adj. meaning "certain," *'sure." 
 
 227. fadalach, dragging, ixoxa. fadal; jad and dail^ lit. long-time, 
 Old Gaelic/o/, long, and dail^ meeting ; for dail^ cf. — 
 
 A dhuine cuimhnich am has 
 Sa dhail ag teach t gach aon la. 
 
 Remember Death, O man, 
 You witness his presence daily. 
 
 (Mackinnon's Catalogue^ p. 91.) 
 
 233. brigh, power, pith ; Old Gaelic brig, e.g., ni tdinic for ialmain 
 fin bud ferr bias ocus brig inds : brigh is also used with a secondary 
 meaning " for that reason," " because," e.g., da bhrigh sin^ for that reason 
 (Meyer) ; also, do bhrigh gu bheil mo latth* mar cheo (Ps, cii. 3). 
 
 234. kmhuinn, furnace, Eng. oven ; cf. nuamhain air dearglasadh 
 (Kirk's Bible, Matt. xiii. 42). 
 
 240. This is a very powerful metaphor. 
 
 244. braghad, throat ; Old Gaelic brage^ now extended to mean 
 upper slope-lands, e.g.^ The Braids. 
 
 246. uaine li, green colour ; for //, colour, cf. Lat. lividus^ Eng. 
 livid. 
 
 247. Ar learn, methinks, a common colloquial expression ; (d)ar 
 leam^ cf. Old Gaelic etir-lem, lit. ^^ potest apud me" I am able ; so, also, 
 mas etir let; cinnus bud eter leis f Eidir and feidir {feudam-ar), 
 " possible," " may," " can," with the loss of [s-eidir^ f-eidir\ and the 
 shortening of the e resulted from the verb being here a proclitic 
 (Stokes). 
 
 ealghris, a deadly paleness (H.S.D.), formed of ealadh a 
 creeping motion, and gr\s, horror, tremor, e.g., chuir e gris orm ; ealadh 
 is from root /a, ela, eUd, Gr. k\a.<)vw, to set in motion (Strachan). 
 
 249-256. The poet feels so intensely here that the very words have 
 pain in them. 
 
 254. sgiamh, beauty ; Old Gaelic sgiam, cf. Is. liii. 2. 
 256. plosgail, beating, throbbing ; from pbsc^ Old Gaelic blosc^ 
 
 72 
 
Notes 
 
 hloscaim^ I make a noise, eg., ri blosgadh ocus ri borh-gair {Book of 
 LeimUr^ p. 409), cf. — 
 
 Mar sin bhi tnanam ploscartaigh 
 
 Dhia a ngeal ortfein. — (Kirk's Ps. xlii. I.) 
 
 cliabh, cliabh (i) man's chest ; (2) a basket, creel ; Old Gaelic 
 cliah^ e.g., CO roihregda a chridi 'na chliab (O'Grady). 
 
 258. Cf. John, xix. 28, 29. 
 
 iota, thirst ; cf also Ross's Ps. and Synod of Argyle's Ps. 
 (17 1 5), chosgnC itaidh thug fion geur ; pathadh is the common word for 
 thirst in the South ; tart^ sustained thirst and disease resulting therefrom ; 
 tart is now the commoner word for thirst ; for iota^ Old Gaelic, itu^ cf. 
 Gr, ^6x175, wish. 
 
 259. domhlas, do-m-blas, bad taste, gall ; e.g., domblas ae puicce^ a 
 he-goat's gall, also Drong ga bfuil dobhlas mor na nglaic (Kirk's Ps. 
 xxvi. 10, also Iv. 10). 
 
 262. OS laimh, in hand ; dat. case oflamh^ cf. os ciondy ctann ; lamh 
 is frequently used in phrases such as this, e.g., cha laimh, I cannot, lit. 
 I have no hand for it. 
 
 263. sg^airteachd, sharp crying ; connected with sgairt, diaphragm 
 or caul ; e.g., Reubaidh mi sgairt an cridhe (Hos. xiii. 8). 
 
 264. chlaon, inclined ; Old Gaelic cloin, oblique ; also, squint, e.g., 
 suit chlaon, squint eye. 
 
 265. cruadalach, cruel, hard, enduring ; cf Lat. crudclis, Old 
 Gaelic cruaid, hard. 
 
 273. flaitheas, heaven. In the old language the word meant 
 dominion, sovereignty, the sphere of iht faith, lord, or ruler. It is now 
 the usual word for heaven, and the common form is flaitheanas^ for 
 flaithe{mh)nas ixomflaithem, lord, ruler. 
 
 Do fhlaitheanas nanflathfeile^ 
 
 ! eibhinn doibhsan an treis. — (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 Na flaitheanais is airde dhiubh 
 
 Leis rinneadh iad air thos, 
 
 Dachaidh naoimh a's aingle 
 
 'Sam bheil aoibhneas agus ceoL — (Mackay of Mudale.) 
 
 LA A' BHREITHEANAIS 
 
 This is by common consent the greatest achievement of the 
 poet's imaginative genius. It has left a deeper impression on 
 his countrymen than any other of his poems. Here he shows 
 
 73 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 intimate acquaintance, not merely with the hymns of Watts, 
 but with the poetry of Milton and Young. He utilizes scripture 
 thought and language, and frequently borrows his images from 
 nature. The measure is Iambic octosyllables and quatrains ; — 
 
 Am feadh | ta chuid | Is mo | dS'n t-saogh'l. 
 
 2. reacht, law, testimony, commandment ; Old Gaelic rechty from 
 root regy Lat. rectum^ right, cf. — 
 
 Sharuigh mo chiall na seanoireach 
 
 choimhead me do reachd. — (Kirk's Ps. cxix. lOO.) 
 
 also, an reacht dochumadar daoine roimhaind^ to obey the commandments 
 of men. 
 
 5. taid, ata tad, they are. 
 
 suan, sleep ; Old Gaelic suan^ cognate with Lat. sopor^ somnus^ 
 sleep, and Gr. iiirvos. 
 
 7. umhail, heed, thought ; cf. umhail^ obedient, i.e.^ paying heed to ; 
 Old Gaelic umal^ from Lat. humilis. 
 
 10. aithreachas, repentance ; derivative of aithreach^ probably from 
 root prek in LsLt.precor^ ate-(^p')rek. 
 
 'na thrk, for an tra^ in due time ; from trath^ season, Lat. trans^ 
 cf. mu thrath/heasgair (Gen. xx.\v. Ii), and Tha am air an achmhasan is 
 trath air a cheilidh^ there is a time for reproof and a time for gossiping 
 (Mackintosh's Proverbs, 1785, p. 62). It has as a secondary meaning 
 "diet," "meal." 
 
 12. ^isdeachd, hearing, attention ; from eisd^ Old Gaelic ttsim.^ I 
 listen, from root sta in Lat. insto. 
 
 13. talmhaidh, earthly ; from talamh^ earth, the root idea being 
 " flatness " ; Old Gaelic talam^ cf. Lat. tellus^ earth. 
 
 14. Fuasgail, loosen ; Old GditMc fuas-(Jb-as')-leicimy I untie. 
 
 17. meadhon. Old Gaelic medon^ the middle; cf. Lat. medius, and 
 Eng. mean. It is used also in a secondary sense as ** means," " service," 
 e.g., meadhon beathachaidhy means of livelihood. 
 
 18. aomadh, lit. inclining, from aom incline. 
 
 20. g^laodh, cry, call ; cf. glaodhar-aich^ a'ringing sound ; gleadhraich, 
 " a clattering (sound) '' \ cf also Old Gaelic adgladur^ I address. 
 
 24. mhoid, mod, meeting, court, trial ; Norse mot, a meeting, Eng. 
 meet ; e.g., Cha'n e h-uile la bhios mod aig Mac-an-toisich, it is not every 
 day Mackintosh holds a court (Mackintosh's Proverbs, p. 13). 
 
 29. sgal, blast, shriek ; Old Gaelic seal, from root skal^ sound. 
 
 30. 'nan ruith, ann an ruiih^ lit. " in their running " ; ?>., melt, flow, 
 or rush about, cf, thainig e 'na ruith, he came running. 
 
 74 
 
Notes 
 
 33, le h>osaigf, h is the echo of the old consonantal (/) ending of /<f, 
 osag^ blast, allied to osnadh^ sigh, from oSy up, and a«, the root of anail^ 
 lit. an up-breath. 
 
 35. an t-seangain, ant ; Old Gaelic segon, from seang^ slender. 
 
 37-40. Cf.— 
 
 ** Now charnels rattle ; scattered limbs, and all 
 The various bones, obsequious to the call. 
 Self-moved advance ; the neck perhaps to meet 
 The distant head ; the distant legs the feet." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.') 
 
 38. ^aich, ar-fhaich, field of battle ; lit. slaughter field, compound 
 of ar^ slaughter, and faiche^ a green ; cf. agus bha ar ro tnhor ann 
 (l Sam. iv. lo), ^S as gach araich, *san aom na seoid (Dr James 
 M'Gregor). 
 
 39. farum, fathrom^ a vigorous, energetic sound. The word is a 
 compound of^ and toirm. 
 
 41. An tus, an toiseach, tus with long vowel and the old tbiseach^ 
 "chief" (whence Macan-tdisich, "Mackintosh"). The modern toisech^ 
 " first," "front," has the vowel short ; Old Gaelic tos^ tossach, first, front, 
 so modern toiseach, chief, or front man. 
 
 43. tuirling^dh, will descend ; from ling^ to leap, cf, Agus do thuirling 
 an fhearthainn (Kirk's Bible, Matt. vii. 27) ; acus ra toirling as a charpat^ 
 and alighted from his chariot (Thebaid oi Statius — C.R. viii. no). 
 
 44. comhlachadh, from comhla^ co and lamh^ together with. 
 
 47. chraoibh-mheas, a compound, meaning fruit-tree. There are 
 three classes of such compounds (i) as, Ard-shagart^ where ard causes 
 aspiration of noun, but does not otherwise change it or itself; (2) where 
 the second part qualifies the first as cinne^daonna ; (3) two substantives, 
 the second being governed in the genitive case by the first, e.g., craoibh- 
 mheas. Here craobh declines but not meas. The declining part of a 
 compound noun is less ready to decline than if the noun had no quali- 
 fying epithet. 
 
 iomlan-blath, full-flower ; a peculiar but expressive phrase. 
 
 49. obair Spiorad Naomh, a double genitive. The practice now 
 is that the first is left in the nominative. 
 
 51. trusgan, apparel ; cf. trousseau, cf. also duine aig nach raibh 
 truscan na bainnse uime (New Testament, 1767, Matt. xxii. ii). 
 
 53. na h-aingidh, the wicked ; Old Gaelic, angid^ wicked. 
 
 54. gairisneach, disgusting ; from gairisinn^ disgust, e.g., chuir e 
 gairisinn air^ it disgusted him. 
 
 55. ifrinn, hell ; from Lat. infernum^ Old Gaelic ifern. Note the 
 Lat. n has disappeared before/ Dialectally iuiharn. 
 
 75 
 
La A* Bhreitheanais 
 
 58. chollainn, body ; Old Gaelic colinn, 
 uabhax, from uathmar^ uath^ fear. 
 
 59. mo chlaoidh 1 exclamatory phrase meaning " my destruction " ; 
 cf. mo chreach ! my destitution, rno leireadh ! mo thruaighe ! mo 
 sgaradh ! etc, etc 
 
 62. chre, cre^ clay, body ; Old Gaelic cri. 
 
 66. am feasd, ever; Old Gaelic fecht^ time, so fechUsa^ hence- 
 forward. 
 
 68. struidh, prodigality ; probably borrowed from Eng., «f, strew ; 
 cf. also le beatha struidheasaich (Luke, xv. 13). 
 
 73. fhiii, fiu^ means here worth, but is commonly used to mean 
 "even." Fiu (even) stands for feadh^ as feadh ar nearta (Carswell's 
 Prayer Book, p. 236). It is used in the same sense diS gu feadh ^ go fiu a 
 gcumhachta^ so far as in them is (Carswell's Prayer Book, p. 116), A 
 similar use of uiread^ a word akin in meaning to fu^ indicates the 
 connection of the latter with feadh, e.g., Gu*m b^ ni ana-minic /' uiread 
 (John M orison) ; uiread as air an ainmeachadh (Eph. v. 3). Fiu may 
 either be a survival of a dative y?«a% oi feadh, or more probably the 
 result of the attraction of y?«, '* worth," to which fu^ " even " had 
 become assimilated in pronunciation as in spelling (see Bergin in 
 Gadelica i. p. 63). For examples of this use of yf«, cf Luke, xviii. 1 3 ; 
 Romans iii. 10, 12 ; Heb. xii. 20 ; eadhon, a peculiar literary anglicism, 
 is now almost entirely used to render "even." In the old language 
 eadhon, ed 6n was used chiefly to mean "viz.," "to wit," which is still 
 the proper idiom. Y ox fiu, " even," cf. — 
 
 'S nach' eil agaibh de shaorsa 
 
 Fiu an aodaich a chleachd sibh. — (Rob. Donn.) 
 
 78. sgairaeach, Old Gaelic scaraim, I sever, may mean either 
 (i) loosened rocks, or (2) sound of such rocks falling. Here it has the 
 second meaning. 
 
 81. thriall, trial!, departure, journey, has now in some districts a 
 secondary meaning, "baggage." 
 
 82. diabhul, devil ; Old Gaelic diabul, Lat. diabolus^ Gr. 5taj8o\6s. 
 For 81-85. ^f'— 
 
 " The foe of God and man 
 From his dark den, blaspheming drags his chains." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts^ 
 
 85. rudhadh, flushing, confusion of face ; Old Gaelic ruiduid, 
 connected with ruadh, red, cf. rudhadh gruaidhe. 
 
 90. seomair, chamber ; Lat. camera, through Eng. chamber. 
 
 / 76 
 
Notes 
 
 ga. greadhnachas, magnificence, joyfulnesg ; from greadhan^ a 
 happy, joyous crowd. 
 
 93. bogha-frois, rainbow ; from bogha, a bow, and fras, a ihower ; 
 cf. Rev. iv. 3 and x. i. 
 
 99. drillseach, sparkling, with collective suffix from dril, a sparkle. 
 
 loi. culaidh bhroin, garment of grief; cf. Achd mis' ghabh umam 
 culuidh bhroin {Kir^h Ps. xxxv. 13). In the North Highlands culaidh 
 also means a boat. 
 
 105. air uideal, tossed about, from udail, to shake ; Old Gaelic 
 utmall^ unstable ; e.g., udal cuain, tossed by the sea, also derivative 
 uda/an, a swivel. 
 
 106. ri h-anradh garbh, fierce tempest ; from an, with negative 
 force, and raiA, luck ; ill-luck, distress, wandering, e.g. — 
 
 Siu dhaireamhas muil annro thruagh. — (Kirk's Ps. Ivi. 8.) 
 
 and 
 
 Feuch shiubhlainn fos air anradh fad. 
 
 Chum taimh amfasach chruaidh. — (Ps. Iv. 7.) 
 
 101-4. Cf. — 
 
 By yon moon in blood, 
 
 The rocking firmament, the falling stars. 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.") 
 
 109. charbad, carbad, chariot ; Old Gaelic carpat, e.g., carpat 
 cethri n-ech {Book of Leinster, p. 19), four-horse chariot ; Carbantorigon^ 
 in south of Scotland probably means ruighe nan carbad. 
 
 no. beucaidh, roared ; beuc, Old Gaelic beccem, e.g., bkcis asa 
 mbronnaib, rozx from their bellies (^Tripartite Life, p. 466). 
 
 tairneanach, thunder. In some place tairneach occurs, which 
 is closer to the Old Gaelic toirneach ; Taranis, a Gaulish god ; Gr. 
 rbpQ'i, sound ; also torrunn, toirm, e.g., Thig tein-adhair thig torunn na 
 dheigh (A. M'Donald). 
 
 114. laist, flaming, from las, a flame ; Old Gaelic lassaim. 
 
 117. dMle, elements ; an old word, with a pre-Christian meaning, 
 introduced to Christian thought and Hterature ; cf. Et do cim co follus 
 CO leanaid na cuirp duilita gluasacht nan dul tighearnaigheas inntu, now 
 I see clearly that created bodies follow the movements of the elements 
 which govern them (MacKinnon's Catalogue, pp. 38-9) ; also — 
 
 Croidh brista bruii\ a Dhia na ndul 
 
 Cha chuir tu uait le grain, — (Kirk's Ps. li. 17.) 
 
 131. iarg^alt, unkindly, frowning ; connected with iargail^ the west, 
 strife, storm. 
 
 77 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 123. taosgadh, pouring out ; from Old Gaelic toesca^ spilling. 
 126. do-bheart, evil designs ; beart^ machine, e.g., heart fhighe^ 
 weaving machine, loom, also scheme or plan ; cf, — 
 
 Beart chlaon na spiorad aig nach b/uily 
 
 Sligh chealgoireachd nach djarr, — (Kirk's Ps. xxzii. 2.) 
 
 128. nasgaidh, for an asgaidh, in a gift, from the root in the word 
 taisg ; Old Gaelic ascid^ gift, i n-ascid, gratis, for nothing (Meyer). 
 
 134. mireag, sporting ; now mostly applied to the playfulness of the 
 young, e.g,^ kittens, children, etc. ; allied to mear^ mad, and mearachd 
 error. 
 
 144. eibhlibh beo, live coals ; eibkleag, from Old Gaelic oibell^ fire ; 
 of. agus 'na laimh eibhleag bheo (Is. vi. 6). 
 
 148. 'na dhualaibh caisreagach, in curling folds ; from caisreag^ a 
 little curl ; cas, curly. 
 
 152. mar fhalaisg, like heather burning, a familiar sight in early 
 spring ; from/b and loisg. 
 
 156. leir-sgrios, complete destruction. 
 
 158. dian, vehement, persistent ; cf. dian-ruith. 
 
 162. bun-os-cionn, lopsy-turvy ; lit. root above head, an expressive 
 phrase still used ; for os-cionn^ cf. Sin labhraidh breitheamh os n-aird 
 (Fernaig MS.) ; os iosa/ the converse is also still used. 
 
 166. cathair, throne, also chief city ; Old Gaelic ca/hir ; cathair has 
 been expelled by baile^ which originally meant "a spot," hence "a 
 stead." 
 
 171. fonn-chrith, irom/onn^ a desire, longing, and cnM, trembling. 
 It is a strong and expressive phrase. 
 
 172. ^ill, dat. of w//, a thong, leash. 
 
 173-6. c/.- 
 
 They stand with wings outspread, 
 
 Listening to catch the master's least command. 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts^ 
 
 178. brkithreas, brotherliness, friendship ; from brathair^ Old Gaelic 
 brathir^ brother ; cf. braithreachas^ brotherhood, as, the masonic order. 
 
 179. dh'kicheadh, ist edition reads dKaichean^ denied ; cf. Old 
 Gaelic, atchuia^ atcjiad, I told. 
 
 180. nach b'fhiach, worthless, without value ; Jiach^ value, or debt 
 in a religious sense. It is used in the Bible with such a meaning, e.g., 
 Lord's Prayer. 
 
 183. malairt, exchange ; from Old Gaelic malairt^ destruction. 
 78 
 
Notes 
 
 1 86. crkbhadh, worship, devotion ; Old Gaelic crabud^ religious 
 practice, e.g., crabud cen sets, tireless devotion ; c/, also — 
 
 Taihas mo shean^atkair liathy 
 
 ^Nonor Dhe is na aintn, 
 
 Deanam crabhadh trom 
 
 Togamaid form nan salm. — (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 and 
 
 A naoimh, biodh oirbh eagal Dh 
 A mfeast oir cho bhi di 
 A it dhruing dan eagal e gu ceart 
 Fior-chrabhadh dho do nu 
 
 (Kirk's Ps. xxxiv. 9, and subsequent Psalm Books.) 
 
 teach, house ; more stately because more rarely used than 
 ttgh, the common form ; from Old Gaelic tech, i^gi^^i Lat. tectum, 
 covered. 
 
 188. dhruid, shut out, close ; Old Gaelic druit, firm, close. 
 
 192. shuai'neas sgallais, emblem of insult; from suaicheantas, 
 ensign ; cf. slat shuaicheantais do righeachd mhoir (Kirk's Ps. xlv. 8, 
 and subsequent Psalm Books). 
 
 195. coir, originally " fitting," later upright, just ; Old Gaelic coir. 
 It is also used to mean "kind," "hospitable" ; cf. coir^ justice, and 
 coir, portion. The adjective is the equivalent of "honest," "good," 
 e.g., duine coir. 
 
 198. mMhadh, change, from Lat. muto, I change ; cf. Agus muthaibh 
 bhur n-eudach (Gen. xxxv. 2). 
 
 202. mun d' iadh, encompass, encircle, close round ; Old Gaelic 
 iadaim, probably from root ei, to go ; cf. an saoghal mu'n iadh a'ghrian, a 
 phrase for the whole world. 
 
 208. Triath, the classic word for *' lord," " chief." 
 
 212. dh' ionnsuidh, towards, from noun ionnsuidh, an attempt, 
 approach, or attack ; Old Gaelic insagid, in and sagaid, seeking out, 
 visiting. 
 
 213. dh* ^tich, from aiteach, to plant, cultivate, hence phrase 
 teamhair aitich, planting time, i.e., springtime. 
 
 215. bheachaibh, from beach, a bee ; Old Gaelic bech, e.g., is e thuc 
 beich Alban i nEirinn (Meyer) and 'j beachan gheug ri srannraich (A. 
 M 'Donald). 
 
 216. An d6is, after ; an deigh, now in common use; cf. Old Gaelic 
 tar eis, di eis ; eis, being a footstep, path, or track. 
 
 79 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 213-216. Cf,— 
 
 " So swarming bees that, on a summer day 
 In airy rings and wild meanders play, 
 Charmed with the brazen sound, their wanderings end, 
 And, gently circling, on a bough descend." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts^ 
 
 221-224. Cf. Ps. I. 5. 
 
 227. leabhrainn, booklets ; cf. Rev. x. 2, diminutive of leabhar^ Old 
 Gaelic lebor^ Lat. liber ^ a book. But it may be for leabhraichean. 
 
 232. ^ois, aros^ house, the root idea being rest ; cf. aros nan seol^ a 
 harbour ; aros De^ house of God, Ps. Ixxxiv. 10 ; also — 
 
 lonad iha aighearach^ aoibhneach 
 
 Thair gach aros. — (Dr James MacGregor.) 
 
 234. gu'r l^ir, lit. that it is clear to them ; leir, Old Gaelic Uir^ 
 conspicuous, cf. Cha leir dhomh. 
 
 242. toic, wealth, goods ; same root idea as taic^ cf. — 
 
 Don tsult a dhat an suite mach 
 
 *Smo ntoic no dhiarradh croidh. — (Kirk's Ps. Ixxiii. 7.) 
 
 245. lomnochd, lorn and nochd, bare, naked ; Old Gaelic lomnocht. 
 fuachd, cold ; Old Gaelic, uacht. 
 
 247. Ion, food, sustenance ; a phrase with similar meaning is teachd- 
 an-tir^ a phrase formed, like tir-mor^ when tir was still neuter ; lit. 
 outcome of the land, but with a secondary metaphorical meaning of 
 subsistence, living, e.g. — 
 
 *Ndeigh sinfhuair e teachd-an~tir 
 Lan shonas do gach ni a baill. 
 
 (Robert Stewart's Poems, 1802, p. 169.) 
 
 akin in meaning is tighinn beo ; beo-shlaind, 
 
 248. chur a moid, lit. put in greatness (number) ; moid is the so- 
 called 2nd comparative of mor^ cf. do I an daoiread, getting dearer. 
 
 249. iomchuidh, fit for ; iom and cubhaidh^ Old Gaelic cubaid^ 
 harmonious ; cubaid itself is confid^fid being Old Gaelic word for letter, 
 lit. wood. 
 
 250. eugmhais, without ; Old Gaelic ecmais^ absence. 
 
 251. m'iomhaigh, wo ww>4fli^^, my image ; h^it. imago. 
 
 252. agraibh, agair^ plead, sue ; Old Gaelic acra, e.g., d'acra a dala^ 
 to prosecute his case (Laws, i. 6). 
 
 255. 's mithich, it is proper ; Old Gaelic mithich^ mithig, e.g., in tan 
 
 80 
 
Notes 
 
 tanic a mithtg^ when the proper time arrived ; cf. Is mithich hhi bogadh 
 nan gad^ a proverb — it is high time to steep the withes. 
 
 260. blas-bheum, lit. sweet insult ; insult covered over with feigned 
 friendliness, cf. Gr. pXaacprj/jda, evil-speaking, insult ; Eng. blasphemy. 
 
 266. Here as a noun, generally an adjective, meaning kind, gentle. 
 
 269-272. Observe the inexoi-able logic. 
 
 273. farmaid, farmad^ envy ; Old Gaelic, format^ e.g., format t 
 n-agaid Isu^ envy against Jesus ; cf. dearmad^ despising, forsaking ; 
 Diarmad. 
 
 280. 'gan ardach', being exalted. 
 
 282. inbhe, quality, status. 
 
 283. farmad ciiirt, envy of the courts (of God), jealousy of place. 
 289. mar b'ionmhuinn, as it was your delight ; ionmhuinn^ Old 
 
 Gaelic, inmain^ dear, e.g., is inmain leis hi^ she is dear to him. 
 
 292. brachaibh-lin, rotting linen ; from brach^ to rot, decay, e.g., 
 tha e air brachadh^ it is decayed or decomposed ; possibly there may 
 have been a species of linen sheets so named. 
 
 296. Lit. with your desires dying for want of food. 
 
 298. dheis, right ; deas is not frequently used as a noun, but more 
 generally as an adjective ; deas lamh, right hand. 
 
 300. chrionach, withered, dry ; cf. cha chuirin mo thuath bheirneach^ 
 ann do choillf chrionaich, I would not put my notched axe in your 
 rotten wood (Mackintosh's Proverbs). 
 
 301. tearbainibh, from tearb^ Old Gaelic tearbaim^ I separate, to 
 separate as lambs from their mothers ; but also used in a religious sense, 
 e.g., tearbaid a noemu fris na peachdachu^ he will separate the saints from 
 the sinners. 
 
 312. leth-taobh, lit. half-side, with secondary meaning, cf. " aside," 
 as in "winning over" or "aside." Here the idea is theological, 
 «>., Christ's sufferings opened up a way to heaven for them, referring 
 to the spear thrust into His side. 
 
 314. le h-eibhneas, joy ; most commonly aoibhneas, cf. — 
 
 ! eibkinn doibhsan an treis, 
 Eibhinn doibhsan gach ni chi ; 
 Eibhinn bhi {^rC) cathair nan gras ; 
 Eibhinn bhi lathair a Bhreiiheimh, 
 
 (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 315. dearbhadh, confirming, testing; used here in the sense of 
 testing for healing. 
 
 319-20. Lit. I made a sheath for it of my heart, and its flame I 
 drowned with my blood. The metaphor is bold, but emphatic as an 
 expression of the poet's theological thought. 
 
 81 y 
 
La A^ Bhreitheanais 
 
 321. dosraich iirar, green, fresh foliage, or, luxuriance of its foliage ; 
 dosrach is from dos^ a branch, tuft, Old Gaelic doss ; also applied to the 
 front part of the hair of the head, now dosan^ front lock, e.g. — 
 
 An droch dhuinn chunnaic me gu trie 
 
 An mart *sa ninmhe mhoir^ 
 
 Mar chraoibh bhios fas gu dosrach ur 
 
 Ga sgaoileadh fein gu lor, — (Kirk's Ps, xxxvii. 35.) 
 
 also. 
 
 Tuirseach dhuinn riport ; 
 
 Cha^n ioghnadh mo dhos bhi Hath. — (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 327-8. chiibhraidh, fragrant, sweet ; lit. from its fragrant leafage 
 drink in health, and be deathless with its fruit ; Old Gaelic, cumra, 
 e.g., / n-aballgort chumra, in a fragrant orchard {Book of Leinster^ 
 p. 253). 
 
 328. A nathair-nimh, the serpent ; lit. serpent of poison ; nimh^ Old 
 Gaelic nem, whence a number of derivatives. 
 
 335. SU cian nan cian, for ever and ever, in saecula saeculorum ; Old 
 Gaelic cian^ remote, in time or place, hence derivatives, cianail — as 
 lonely, loneliness, or sad feeling, cf. — 
 
 O chian nan cian do bhi siad ann, 
 
 San aimsir fad o'n la. — (Ross's Ps. xxv. 6, and others.) 
 
 336- mor-innleachd, the great scheme ; from inneal, an instrument ; 
 Old Gaelic indell^ a yoke, hence the lit. meaning is, the wondrous scheme 
 of salvation. 
 
 343. *s ni'n coinnich. This is the Irish negative form for cha 
 chainnichy you will not meet ; Old Gaelic «/, Lat. ne, and co-an, co being 
 Lat. ad and an^ ace of relative. 
 
 345-6. Cf. I Cor. ii. 9, and— 
 
 Eibhneas e nachfaca suil ; 
 
 Eibhneas e nach cuala cluas ; 
 
 Eibhneas e nach teid air chul 
 
 Dhoibh-san d'an toirear mar dhuais, — (Fernaig MS.) 
 
 taisg, to store ; from root seq^ follow, as in seach^ past, i.e.^ to push 
 past. 
 
 348. a chaoidh, ist ed. chaoidhch^ for ever; Old Qiz.€i\c coidchi lox 
 coaidche, gu oidhche, till night, hence, to the last long night, for ever, cf. 
 gu dilinn^ etc; e.g., is Dia nama choidche in t-Athair ocus in Spirut 
 
 82 
 
Notes 
 
 Hoem, God is ever Father and Holy Spirit. William Gordon, in his 
 Poems published 1802, regularly uses the older form choidhch^ e.g. — 
 O cum mi^ cum mi ann do shith 
 
 Is a choidhch na leig air f alb h mi. — (W, G., Poems, p. Id.) 
 357-60. See Num. xvi. 31-2. 
 
 360. miananaich . . . creich, gaping wide for her prey ; miananaich 
 from meanan, a yawn ; Old Gaelic men scalim^ I part the mouth. 
 361-2. See Jonah i. 17. 
 
 363. ni slugan dubh, the black orifice of the gullet will do ... ; 
 also, the motion of swallowing, as, an dean thu slugan ? can you swallow 
 (anything) ? ni is from gniu^ gnim cognate with facit ; an dara dais, 
 cf. cAa chiurar leis an dara has e (Rev. ii. Il) ; an dara, Old Gaelic 
 indala, the other, ind, article, and ala, ala being connected with eile, 
 which is itself cognate with alius, another, cf. oil-thireach, other-lander, 
 i.e., pilgrim ; also, an dala taobh 'san taobh eile, the one side and the other, 
 as, alius . . . alius. 
 
 364. charbad, carabad, carbad, here the jaws, as in carbad uachdair 
 agus carbad iochdair, upper and lower jaw. 
 
 371. caidreabh, affinity, fellowship, co-habitation, from co and 
 aitreabh ; con-trebia, co-dwelling, vicinity; atreabh is ad-trebia, cf. 
 Atrebates, treabhair, buildings; treabh, plough, dithreb, untilled, 
 dithreabh, wilderness ; zi. As ced liumsa ar Maisi na rab nathair tria 
 bithu sir is in ferand an aithreaband in mac so ecus a sil, it is my will, 
 said Moses, that, through all time, there shall be no serpent in the land 
 which this boy and his race inhabit (Mackinnon's Catalogue, p. 78) ; 
 and 
 
 Bha mi '0 na rugadh riamh 
 A nn afi caidribh fhiadh is earb. 
 
 373. chuibhreach, bonds, chains ; Old Gaelic cuimrech, cumrech, 
 cuibrech, e.g., ech cen cuibrich cech tratha, a horse without a chain each 
 hour. 
 
 375' cagnadh, chewing ; Old Gaelic cocnam, enclitic form of con- 
 cnaim, together chewing, e.g. — 
 
 Na drochrig, na drochepscuip 
 Cagendait cella is tiiatha. 
 
 {Book ofFenagh^ 100). 
 
 381-5. In this and other tremendous bursts of feeling and imagina- 
 tion, observe how the poet draws his metaphors and similies from 
 nature, and with what forcible effect. 
 
 bhairneach ; isted., reads sparneig. 
 
 cruaidh has here the suggestion of hard-to-gety troublesome 
 
 83 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 391-2. Cf.— 
 
 " That woe, those pangs, which from the guilty breast. 
 In these, or words like these, shall be expressed." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.) 
 394' ciod uime, now c'uime, why ? uimey about, or on, him, it, from 
 mu^ Old Gaelic «w, m, imbi, on him, 
 393-6. Cf.- 
 
 " Father of mercies ! why from silent earth 
 Didst Thou awake, and curse me into birth." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.) 
 
 404. The poet's thought is expressed in flawless language, and the 
 line is, from a poetic viewpoint, exceedingly beautiful. An excellent 
 imitation of these lines is found in Marbhrann air an Ollamh Dhornhnu- 
 llach U Eachann Macilleathain^ 1872 : — 
 
 Ged bu phaipeirean na speuran ard, 
 
 Is ged bu dubh na cuain, 
 
 Is ged bu pheann gach beileag fheoir 
 
 A chuir an talamh uaith\ 
 
 'S ged bu chleirichean na naoimh gu leir^ 
 
 'iS" na h-aingle treun tha shuas^ 
 
 Troimh '« t-siorruidheachd cha sgriobhadh tad 
 
 Mu mheud a sholais bhuain. 
 
 408. gaineamh, sand ; Old GditWc ganem. In the northern districts 
 the more common form now is the oblique case gainmheach^ Old 
 Gaelic ganmech. 
 
 410. As leth, to the account of ; cf, air leth^ aside, apart. 
 
 411. cha d'imich seach, did not pass by ; imich. Old Gaelic im- 
 thechty with intensive im and techt^ modern teachd ; cf, MacBain on 
 imich. 
 
 413-4. Cf.— 
 
 •* Ah mercy ! mercy ! art thou dead above ? 
 Is love extinguished in the Source of Love ? " 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.^ 
 
 416. g^las mo lamb, the chain or lock of my hand ; the same as 
 glas-laimhcy the word used for handcuff. 
 
 421. thar mo neart, exceeding my strength ; thar beyond. Old 
 Gaelic /ar, Lat. trans. This word is often confused with «;>, ar, ante^ 
 tropter^ in numerals. 
 
 84 
 
Notes 
 
 421-2. The sentiment here is very similar to that expressed in 
 Pennaid Adaim (the penance of Adam) — ni h-e roba chintach ach sinn 
 fein^ and it was through no fault of His (God), but our own 
 (MacKinnon's Catalogue^ p. 94). 
 
 422. Gu deimhin, in very sooth, a strong form of assertion. It is 
 the usual word for "verily, verily " of Scripture. 
 
 428. a bhagair . . . tus ; bhagair from bagair, bagradh, Old Gaelic 
 bacur^ a threat. The a here is a good example of what the modern 
 grammarians call the relative pronoun. The a, however, is not a pro- 
 noun at all, but the relic of the tense particle do found so frequently 
 in Kirk's Bible and Psalms, and Ross's Psalms. Relativity in Gaelic 
 sentences is not expressed as in Teutonic languages by a pronoun, but 
 (i) by the verb particle as here, or by the initial syllable of the verb, 
 e.g. am fear (do) a chaidh thairis^ the a being the at initial syllable of 
 the old word atchiu ; (2) by the rel. an^ am, after a preposi- 
 tion, e.g.y ge b'e ait am hi mi; (3) in negative sentences with nach^ 
 e.g., ^Smi deanamh a ni nach h'aill leam (John Morison) ; (4) by a 
 special use of is properly as, which of old was the relative form of the 
 copula w, e.g., '.S* gun mi'g amharc air ni 's leir dhomh (Morison). Many 
 of the relative clauses in Gaelic are really consecutive clauses, and fully 
 developed relative clauses such as we have in other languages are 
 generally awanting both in Old and Modern Gaelic. 
 
 429-30. " Wilt Thou be spinning the thread of my life ever thinly ? " 
 The conception is classical ; cf. the idea of the Fates in ancient times, 
 and Milton's — 
 
 " Comes the blind Fury with the abhorred shears, 
 and slits the thin-spun life." 
 
 435. chosg, waste ; better cosd^ Eng. cost. 
 
 436. comharra, mark, object ; Old Gaelic comarde, con^ and airde, a 
 signal. 
 
 442. buntainn, beantainn, touching ; from bean^ to touch. 
 
 448. chkradh, caraidh^ mend ; Old Gaelic coraigim, I arrange ; so 
 caradh has various meanings, e.g., air a charadh measgnan cnoc, laid out 
 in death amid the hills ; caradh lion, mending nets. 
 
 455. diilan, i.e. dubhlan, a challenge ; from dubh and slan, 
 
 453-6. The reasoning of the theological thought here is, that the 
 sinner, who rejected the efficacy of the blood of Christ, rendered 
 Christ's death of no avail to him. 
 
 457. Gidheadh. This is one of the words in Modern Gaelic where 
 the old neuter still survives, cid ed^ though, it is ; ed eadh is the 3rd 
 pers. sing, of the pers. pro., cf, mas eadh. The old neuter has been 
 
 85 F2 
 
La A' Bhreitheanais 
 
 merged in the masc. and fem., causing no small confusion in gender in 
 grammars. We have still many traces of the old neuter in phrases 
 and place-names, e.g., teachd-an-tir^ not teachd-na-tir ^ which would be 
 the correct form according to the modern gender of tir. We have it 
 also in phrases connected with muir^ traigh, etc., e.g., ach-an-traid^ 
 inbhear^ etc. Its influence is also visible in the fluctuation in gender of 
 many words, such as muir^ muileann^ magh^ etc. 
 
 462. sgreud, a sharp cry ; more intensive than scriach. 
 
 467-8. " Father ! have pity on me and let cool the boiling marrow of 
 my bones." 
 
 471. achanaich, supplication, from achain^ a dialectic form of 
 athchuinge^ prayer ; Old Gaelic athchuingim^ cuzngtm, I seek, I pray, e.g., 
 doe'si Dm rana edarguidhib ocus ren athchuinnchib {The Annals of 
 Tigernach^ 583). 
 
 469-76. Cf.- 
 
 " Forbid it ! and oh ! grant, great God ! at least 
 This one, this slender, almost no request ; 
 When I have wept a thousand lives away, 
 When Torment is grown weary of its pray, 
 When I have rav'd ten thousand years in fire. 
 Ten thousand thousands, let me then expire." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts^ 
 
 deamhahiy Old Gaelic, demon, Lat. daemon^ Eng. demon. 
 
 477-80. Cf.— 
 
 " As our dire punishment for ever strong, 
 Our constitution, too, for ever, young, 
 Curs'd with returns of vigour, still the same. 
 Powerful to bear, and satisfy the flame ; 
 Still to be caught, and still to be pursued ! 
 To perish still, and still to be renewed ! " 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts^ 
 
 483-4. cionnus . . . nach, note the peculiar idiom, which is strongly 
 analogous to the Gr. ^Trws . . . fxr}. 
 
 485. The author now comes to the epilogue, the ceangal, or binding 
 of the poem. He makes a strong appeal in the light of his previous 
 arguments. 
 
 486. cheana, already ; from Old Gaelic chena, which meant indeed, a 
 meaning which the word still retains ; e.g.. An d' fhuair thue f Fhuair 
 cheanuy Did you find it ? Indeed I have ; also, do macoibh eagailsi ar 
 cheanoy to young clerics generally (Mackinnon's Catalogue^ p. 96). 
 
 86 
 
Notes 
 
 495-6. The functions of the mediatorial offices of Christ are not 
 given here in their usual order, probably on account of verse exigencies, 
 and not because of any theological confusion of thought. 
 
 503. aill, desire ; Old Gaelic ail^ e.g., ler ail impid chum creidim^ 
 who desire to turn to the faith {Book of Lismore). 
 
 504. peacadh daimh, a pet, or darling sin, a sin of relationship, 
 f>., one to which by your constitution you are inclined ; e.g.^ hot temper, 
 etc. Is this the " besetting sin " of English ? 
 
 AM BRUADAR 
 
 Here we have the ^^o^K^s philosophy of life. In this didactic 
 poem he is strongly advocating religious contentment, by 
 showing the futility of avarice and unholy ambition. The 
 measure is Iambic octosyllables in quatrains. 
 
 Tha smu | dan fein | a ceann | gach foid. 
 
 6-8. Cf,— 
 
 In vain we lavish out our lives 
 
 To gather empty wind. — (Watts.) 
 9. s^imh, rest ; gen. of samh^ from which samhach, Old Gaelic 
 satnkchaid. 
 
 11. Chios, clos^ sleep, stillness ; connected with claoidh^ to overcome ; 
 
 manam till dad'' chlos, oir Dta 
 Rinn sochair dhuit gu caoin. 
 
 (Kirk's Ps. cxvi. 7.) 
 
 12. shuaimhneas, suaimhneas^ Old Gaelic su memna^ Lat. mens^ 
 rest, e.g., agus bheir mise suaimhneas dhuibh (Matt, xi. 28). 
 
 15. saothair, labour ; Old Gaelic saothar^ trouble. 
 
 16. 'na bhriste' cri', bristeadh cridhe, a heart-break ; it is still a 
 common colloquial phrase. The dropping of the final syllable of words 
 seen here and elsewhere throughout the poems is characteristic of 
 Perthshire Gaelic ; cf. — 
 
 Sa dh'fhag an am peac e (Robert Stewart's Poems, p. 165.) 
 
 19. deoraibh, pilgrim, exile ; probably a borrowed Brittonic word ; 
 
 Togaidh e '« deoradh truagh o'n dus 
 
 'Sam bochd dn otrach bhreun. — (Ps. cxiii. 7.) 
 
 27-28. deo'l (for deoghal) toil-inntinn . . . sucking pleasures. . . , 
 This strong metaphor admirably suits the poet's thought. 
 
 87 
 
Am Bruadar 
 
 29-36. A striking attack on the vanity of pleasures, in which the 
 poet is supported by many previous passages, sacred and secular. 
 41-52. Cf.— 
 
 '* Sweet is the rose, but grows upon a brier ; 
 Sweet is the juniper, but sharp his bough ; 
 Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh near ; 
 Sweet is the fir-bloom, but his branches rough ; 
 So every sweet with sour is tempered still, 
 That maketh it be coveted the more." — (Spenser.) 
 
 and 
 
 and 
 
 "0 Life J how pleasant is thy morning, 
 Young fancy's rays the hills adorning ; 
 Cold-pausing Caution's lesson scorning : 
 We wander there, we wander here, 
 We eye the rose upon the brier, 
 Unmindful that the thorn is near." — (Burns.) 
 
 "Pleasures are like poppies spread." 
 
 49. The MacL. MS, reads os cionn for asceann. 
 
 49-52. The idea seems to be that every person has his own particular 
 characteristic. The poet wishes to teach that people of roughened 
 character and appearance may have many noble qualities, while under 
 an exterior of polish and affability may lurk the sting of evil. He 
 approaches very near to the conception of the Greek philosophers that 
 Good and Evil are interdependent and not absolutely separate. Traces 
 of this dualism are also found in Rob Bonn's poetry. 
 
 56. ghriiid, griiid^ dregs, lees, sediment. The root is probably 
 gru^ gritty, found in words such as gruthan^ liver, grudair, a brewer, 
 and is allied with Eng. grit. It is also found in many place-names 
 (see Watson's Place-Names of Ross and Cromarty). 
 
 59. ruadhan dearg, the red sediment in mineral and other wells ; 
 the phrase is very emphatic. 
 
 60. dheud, deud, teeth, also mouth ; cf. Lat. dens. 
 
 66. fiaradh, twisting, crookedness, off the direct straight line ; 
 fiaradh na linne, " tacking " ; f. a^ bhruthaich, " ascending zigzag " ; 
 {rom far. It is also used in an ethical sense to imply moral obliquity, 
 e.g., du ine gun fh iaradh . 
 
 73-76. The MacL. MS. does not give these lines. 
 
 75-76. ».<?., it was exactly filled and no more. 
 
 79. fa chomhair, in the presence of ; cf. Old Gaelic comair^ comh and 
 air / also, comhla^ comh and lamh ; Lat. comminus, 
 
 88 
 
Notes 
 
 83-84. The idea is that, however great the treasure, there is a 
 corresponding want to satisfy ; meidh^ balance ; Old Gaelic med^ Lat. 
 modius. 
 
 87. anabharr, excess ; a«(a), having often an intensive meaning. 
 
 99. diirachd, diligence ; Old Gaelic duracht. 
 
 106. 'fior, here the word has an adverbial force ; gu^ Lat. ad^ and 
 fior, 
 
 AN GAISGEACH 
 
 There is strong probability that this poem was occasioned by 
 the execution of a number of his countrymen after the surrender 
 of Carlisle in 1745. Though not a Jacobite, he, in common 
 with most of his countrymen, abhorred the slaughtering 
 incidental to the Rising, and here he dilates on true courage 
 and bravery by the means of graphic literary contrasts. The 
 measure is, as in the previous poem, Iambic octosyllables in 
 quatrains. 
 
 Cha ghaisg | an ni | bhi liod | airt dhaoin'. 
 
 The poem should be compared with Isaac Watts' hymns, 
 " 1701 " and "True Courage." 
 
 1. Alasdair Mor, Alexander the Great, the famous Greek General 
 and Conqueror of the Eastern world ; more commonly Alastair 
 Uaibhreach. 
 
 2. Caesar, Julius Caesar, the Roman warrior, general, and statesman. 
 The poet selects these two heroes of the popular imagination, and 
 taking certain traits for granted, makes these the subject of his powerful 
 verses. 
 
 5. liodairt, tormenting, tearing in pieces ; cf. — 
 
 Ag deanamh liodairt dhe gu mion 
 
 Ganfhear dofhuasgladh tneis, — (Kirk's Ps. vii. 2.) 
 
 also, 
 
 G'an liodairt le teas agusfuachd^ 
 
 SudVn duais ciafadan afat/.— (M'Kellar, 1752.) 
 
 6. caonnaig, strife, tumult; the root idea is "heat," probably 
 connected with caoir. 
 
 7-8. ?>., fierce pride is not nobility of mind, nor is merciless cruelty, 
 bravery. 
 
 89 
 
An Gaisgeach 
 
 8. treubhantas, bravery ; treubhack, brave, a good tribesman ; 
 from treubh^ a tribe, Lat. tribuSy c/. — 
 
 Smo a tha do threunas 
 A nn a* smachd chuir air do nadur, 
 Na ann a' smachdachd rioghachd 
 A dhiobhras aig a' bhas thu. 
 
 (William Gordon's Poems, 1802, p. 153.) 
 
 12. a h-uile . . . 'n d^, lit. all there was for him in the incanta- 
 tion. This is apparently a relic of pagan religious terminology. The 
 incantation was the strong weapon of the Druidic priest. With it he 
 had power of life and death. The phrase, which is still in use, is now 
 applied to the purposes of God, or God's providential order. 
 
 13. gealtachd ciont, sinful cowardice. 
 
 26. shubhailcean, virtues ; Old Gaelic sualig, perhaps su and alim, 
 well-nurtured. 
 
 28. dhidean, didean^ protection ; Old Gaelic ditiu^ diten. 
 
 39. furachair, also furachail^ attentive, watchful ; connected with 
 fuirichy fuirighinn ; Old Gaelic, Juirigim, fuirset^ the root idea being to 
 
 stretch, Lat. rego ; cf. — 
 
 aom do chluas gu furachar -^ 
 
 Refuaim mo ghearain fein. 
 
 (Kirk's Ps. cxxx. 2.) 
 
 40. />., he sees the hidden danger. The simile is forcible and 
 natural. 
 
 47. dealanach, lightening, flashing ; a strong and striking use of 
 the word. The word is connected with At'a, Dia^ the name of Zeus 
 being synonymous with the firmament. 
 
 49. nkmh, enemy, now namhaid^ the oblique case in the nom. ; 
 the old nom. is not now in common use ; Old Gaelic nama, 
 
 50. sarachadh, oppression ; Old Gaelic saraigim, I violate ; the root 
 idea being to spurn, e.g. — 
 
 RV sarachadh nan deoradh truagh 
 Ri osnaich dhaoine bochd. 
 
 (Ps. xii. 5.) 
 53. For this line MacL. MS, reads : — 
 
 Tha ghliocas fein mar chaisteal da, 
 
 clog^ad, a helmet ; Old Gaelic clocat^ e.g., clogad cruaidiarainn 
 fana chenn (O'Grady), a helmet of stout iron on his head, 
 
 55. chlaidheamh, sword ; Old Gaelic claideb is cognate wiih Lat. 
 gladius {cladius'), 
 
 9Q 
 
Notes 
 
 53-56. Cf. Eph. vi. 14-17. 
 
 57. siochaint, peace ; sith and caint, 
 
 64. tuaileas breig', a scandalous lie. 
 
 68. ?.<?., to control a kingdom within thyself. This poem in the 
 MacL. MS. ends here. 
 
 69. OS cionn, prep. 05, above and dat. of ceann^ above ; cf. os 
 iosal. This is one of the few Gaelic phrases where the Old Gaelic 
 prep, os^ uaSf above, still survives. The corresponding is, under, is 
 found in nios, sios, iosal^ irios. 
 
 76. trod, wrangle; the root idea is "distress," "bother," Eng. 
 threat ; cf. — 
 
 Laoich mheanmich na dean trod 
 Na ob ma's eigin duit, — (Fernaig MS.) 
 and 
 
 Ann an coga trod no tuasaid 
 Cha teid sinn a bhuala namhatd. 
 
 (Robert Stewart's Poems, p. 49.) 
 
 The word is also used in a higher sense as applicable to Divine 
 wrath, e.g. — 
 
 Cha troid e rinn do ghna. — (Kirk's Ps. ciii. 9.) 
 
 70-76. This familiar scene is beautifully adapted by the poet to 
 enforce the uselessness of the unceasing labours of a struggling and 
 restless world, in view of eternity. 
 
 80. ad anam, for ann do anam ; ann. Old Gaelic /«, in, and do^ 
 thy ; Lat. tuus ; do became d' /, and the n of the preposition was then 
 dropped. The two words have now become one. 
 
 AN CLAIGEANN 
 
 There is no doubt the poet was a reader of Shakespeare, 
 but it is not so probable that the reading of Hamlet suggested 
 to him the composing of this poem, as the burial of the daughter 
 of the Laird ojf Dalchosnie. The tradition is (see also Rev. 
 John Sinclair's Schiehallion) that while he attended the inter- 
 ment of the amiable and beautiful young daughter of the Laird 
 at Lassintullich, he saw the skull which inspired his muse. The 
 vision in the solemn surroundings haunted him, and so he 
 proceeded to moralise, addressing himself with great moral 
 earnestness to the varieties of life and character which go to 
 
 91 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 form the community, and which he depicts with grim and 
 graphic details. This, perhaps the most popular of his poems, 
 begins each verse with the first two lines of Iambus and 
 Anapaest, followed by a line of a Dactyl and two Iambi. This 
 scheme is repeated in the second half of the stanza. 
 
 Giin ail | IS gun dreach 
 Gun aith | n6 gun bheachd 
 
 Air duine | theid seach | 'na dhail. 
 
 5. A tiomach', tiomacH! for tiomachadh^ pres. part, of tiomaich^ from 
 tiom^ soft, timid ; Old Gaelic tiin^ Lat, timeoy fear ; cf. — 
 
 A caoidh a lathaireachd^ tiomach^ *sfo thurs*. — (John Morison.) 
 7. aille, beauty ; cf. alainn, beautiful, handsome ; e.g. — 
 
 '5* alainn a beinnean *s a srathan, 
 ^S eibhinn dath a gleanntan. — (A. M 'Donald.) 
 also, 
 
 Eamhair alainn fholt-ghrinn, 
 
 dreach, aspect, appearance ; e.g. — 
 
 ^S a gruaidh air dhreach nan caor. — (A. M'Donald.) 
 
 9. *na dhkil, near it ; Old Gaelic dal^ cf. nom dail^ near me, and 
 td truagh as taise ad dhail^ since by Thee there is mercy and 
 compassion (Meyer). 
 
 12. a ghleusas clul, to whet the appetite, i.e.y trim ; cf. gleus a' 
 phiob ; caily root guap, Lat. capio. 
 
 18. kile, aileadh, scent, smell, atmosphere ; Lat. aura^ Gr, aijp. 
 
 32. crom, bent, horned, crooked ; MacL. MS. reads dotin (brown), 
 and Rev. Allan Sinclair records that the poet wakened his sleeping bed- 
 companion, Kennedy, with a request for his opinion as to the choice of 
 word. The opinion was in favour of crom^ which appears in the first 
 edition, and must have been deliberately chosen. The word is some- 
 times used in the sense of moral crookedness, e.g, — 
 
 Ach theid aineolas nis as an tir 
 
 * S gach cleachdadh neo dhireach^ crom. 
 
 (Dr James M'Gregor.) 
 92 
 
Notes 
 
 25. 'n t-eanachainn, the brain. The ^ is a survival of the old 
 article, and is commonly used in masc. words beginning with a vowel 
 or s, followed by vowel or liquid consonant ; eanchann^ Old Gaelic 
 inchind. 
 
 27. Lit. without initiative, ingenuity, or activity about thy need, i.e.^ 
 not actively devising what you need. 
 
 34. lonnan, equal, alike ; Old Gaelic inon, cf. Lat. idem. 
 
 36. chladhaich, MacL. MS. and ist ed. read dheanamh, 
 
 37. cagair, won't you whisper in my ear ; cogar na ian-ghrudair^ 
 the ale-wife's whisper (Mackintosh's Proverbs) ; Old Gaelic cairche, a 
 sound, a musical instrument ; cairche ciuil, melody, harmony ; grith 
 cairchi na cethharr ic a crothad {Book of Leinster^ 236) ; root kar^ cf. 
 Lat. carmen^ Gr. Kijpv^, herald (Stokes). 
 
 41. theasd, before he died ; Old Gaelic ^esia, fails ; also, ieasd 
 teasdail, wanting, deficiency (Stokes). 
 
 43. 'M bu mhaighdean deas thu, Wert thou a sprightly maid ? 
 maighdean^ Anglo-Saxon maegden^ maiden ; deas (i) right (dexter), 
 southern ; (2) just ; (3) well arranged, suitable, neat, proper, fair, 
 becoming, pleasant, agreeable ; (4) an arrangement (Meyer). A modem 
 example of its third use is — 
 
 Gu deas^ calma^ mar churaidh, — (John Morison.) 
 
 bu is a form of the verb " to be." This verb in the Old Gaelic has been 
 arranged into (l) substantive verb and ta ; (2) copula is (Strachan). 
 The various forms of the substantive are : attau^ biuyjel^jile^fail^ now 
 tha, bi^ bidh, bu^ and bheil^ and copula am^ at, is, as, which have been 
 largely retained. 
 
 45. da reir, to its correspondence ; a reir is common as a pre- 
 positional phrase, reir being the dat. of riar, pleasure, will ; MacL. 
 MS. reads ghnuis instead of shuil. 
 
 49. agh, for adh, good-luck, success, prosperity ; cf. Old Gaelic 
 dd mor in t-ddh, ni dreirig ddh nd amhantur dhoibh (Meyer). 
 
 52. marbhaisg, or marbhphaisg, used as an interjection, and 
 means " malediction befall thee ! " " may a death shroud be yours ! " 
 Here it means " curse on the grave " ; cf. — 
 
 Ach mile marbhaisg air na breugan. 
 
 (Angus Campbell's Songs, 1785, p. 7.) 
 
 60. na h-eucoir . . . daicheil . . . injustice that was strong 
 and stubborn ; daicheil commonly means graceful, handsome, 
 
 93 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 connected with cruaidh ; here, however, it means strenuous, strong ; 
 ./- 
 
 Feuchaidh mi dhuit dearbhadh eile^ 
 
 Us chi thufein gu bheil e daicheil. 
 (Duncan Lothian, The Pope and the Reformation^ 1797) P* lO*) 
 also, 
 
 ^Sair na creidmhich bu daicheil 
 
 A lean an aithne o thus, — (Dr James M'Gregor.) 
 
 65. fhoirneart, y^r, excessive, and nearly strength, i.e.^ oppression. 
 
 76. Ad iocshlaintibh, your medicines ; from ioc^ Old Gaelic icc^ 
 cure, healing, icaim^ heal, and slainte^ a healing remedy. 
 
 82. Gun fhoghnadh, without efficiency; Old Gaelic fognam^ 
 service. 
 
 84. trath, used for the canonical hours, also, periods of service ; now, 
 as conj., it means "time," air an trath mhaduinn, at the morning period ; 
 an trath so^ an drasda^ now, at this period ; also " meals." ( Vide supra.") 
 
 85. no means "or," Lat. vel^ and is connected with negative neo^ 
 which is itself Old Gaelic neb. This negative is very common. It 
 is suggested by Zimmer that the b{o) is a survival of the subjunctive 
 form of bu (see also note, MacBain's Dictionary). 
 
 90. cruach, a heap, stack ; e.g., cruach-mhona^ cruach-arbhair ^ cognate 
 with Norse hruga or hrauker^ heap, small stack. 
 
 91. Gun bheairt, without action. The beairt here is the beairt in 
 beairt fhighe, vide supra. It can be translated by action. The birt^ 
 birth, now breith^ is ultimately from the same root beir. Old Gaelic 
 hirty birth, glan ab-beirt, pure her birth (Saltair na Rann, 5371); Gr. 
 (f)6pTos, burden. 
 
 93. feachd, host, army ; Old Gaelic/rf/5/; cf.— 
 
 Ged champaicheadh a^m^ aghaidh feachd 
 Cha^n eagal le mo chridh\ — (Ps. xxvii. 3.) 
 
 This word is often confounded vf'ith. feachd^ time, e.g., is an dara feacht^ 
 in the second time. 
 
 96. armailt, from Lat. armamentum. Words of this class were 
 formed first by dropping the suffix — um^ armament. Then in a three- 
 syllabled word the second syllable was unstressed, and dropped out, 
 and the n before the t became an /, cf. firmamentum^ now iarmailt. Cf 
 the parasitic / after / in Germailt, Edailt. 
 
 97. gu treun, gu^ to ; Lat. ad, and treun, means '* vigorously." The 
 phrase is here used adverbially ; cf. gu slan^ well. 
 
 4urra^', for scansion purposes. The proper pi. durraga{n) is 
 
 94 
 
Notes 
 
 in lines 196, 234. ; worms, maggots ; probably connected with durrada^ a 
 particle, mote, and used as a side form with specialised meaning. 
 
 98. cur s^isd, besieging. 
 
 99. feisd, feast ; Old Gaelicy^w, late Lz.t./estia. 
 
 102. daolagan, beetles ; Old Gaelic dae/, daol^ e.g., dub-dam i daol 
 (Meyer); cf.— 
 
 Gun bhi ro chaitheach no nam dhaolaig 
 
 CruinneacK or^ no ga sgaoileadh. — (Fear Srath-Mhathaisidh.) 
 
 106. sghd, a cluster ; in some places, sgrud» 
 
 109. poit, drinking ; h^t.potare. 
 
 1 10. tigh-osd, host-house, hostel. 
 115. For tu MacL. MS. reads do, 
 12a briichdadh, rifting, belching. 
 
 For 'sa MacL. MS. reads do. 
 
 122. ceanalta, kindly, mild ; Old Gaelic cinelta^ from cenily e.g., 
 cinelta in t-ech ona munad a cenn a bliadna (Meyer). 
 
 123. measarra, measured, temperate ; Old Gaelic mesurda, probably 
 borrowed from Lat. mensura (Stokes). 
 
 126. SOg^h, feast, riot ; Old Gaelic suaig^ flourishing ; cf. Cha bhi 
 'm bockd soghar saibhir^ the poor inclined to luxury will never be rich 
 (Mackintosh's Proverbs). 
 
 127. geocaire, glutton; d,duine geocach agus poiteir fiona (Matt, 
 xi. 19). 
 
 130. feolach, carcase ; iroxa.feoil^ flesh, + (5ac^, from bongim, 
 
 132. bholg, bolg^ belly ; Old Gaelic bolg, e.g., dombert for a sine-bolg 
 
 in tsod (Meyer) ; cf. TAa da chinneach a' d^ bholg (Gen. xxv. 23). 
 
 139. morair, lord, chief; for mormaer which occurs in the Book of 
 
 Deer. 
 
 143. A' cluthadh nan nochd, clothing the naked ; Old Gaelic 
 clithaigim^ I shelter, e.g., ca altram ocus ca chlithugud in t-sotha {Book of 
 LeinsUr^ 160) ; for nochd ci. Lat. nudus. 
 
 144. toic . . . ni, wealth . . . goods, cattle ; allied to taic^ support ; 
 Old Gaelic aice^ a foster-father or fosterage (Stokes) ; cf. — 
 
 Mise an Uamadan gorach 
 
 Cost mo storais 'smo ni. — (Rob Donn.) 
 
 146. tuath, tenantry; in Old Gaelic tuaih meant "people*'; cf. 
 Lat. toius; also Teuton. 
 
 147. mkl, tax, rent ; Eng. mail, as in blackmail. 
 
 1 5 1-5. A fine poetic description of the existing social conditions. 
 95 
 
An Claigeann 
 
 153- Claigeannan, skulls ; Old Gaelic cloccenn, e.g., clocem lorn ind 
 oirci (Meyer) ; cf, — 
 
 Thig^ aimhleas air a chloigionn fein 
 
 Is fhoirneart air a cheann. — (Ps. vii. l6.) 
 
 159. gun ghearsom . . . mhod. Here we have the three forms 
 of rent paid by a tenant — (i) gearsom is the entry fee, or gtassum; 
 (2) mal^ the rent proper ; (3) mod^ rent in kind or work, Q.g., flaitk mod 
 milchon, the lord has the work of the hunting dog (Stokes). 
 
 162. strkic, arrogance, pride, ue.^ who did not suffer your arrogance 
 (to assert itself) under the sod. 
 
 168. For dhein MacL. MS. reads geur. 
 
 1 70. mhuime, stepmother, nurse, foster-mother ; root mud^ Lat. 
 mulier^ mamma; cf. Ancella ondi is anda is de issberar and chain 
 duchainn air muime (Stokes). For the sentiment in the passage cf. 
 cha '« oil leam cnead mo leas mhathar^ I pity not the sigh of my step- 
 mother (Mackintosh's Proverbs). 
 
 172-4. If you get the fleece, you care not, though a fox lead the 
 flock. This statement bears a strong resemblance to Milton's words ; 
 "Or care aught else the least than how to scramble at the shearer's 
 feast" 
 
 181. thklant, talent ; Old Gaelic tallend, Lat. talentum. 
 
 195. phlaigh, plague ; Old Gaelic //a^, Lzt./>laga, disaster. 
 
 197. air lobhadh . . . putrefying in its place ; Old Gaelic loiad^ 
 to waste, neglect, fail. 
 
 198. After eating it down to the root ; gu cul is often used, as 
 here, adverbially to mean " altogether," " entirely " ; cnamh^ digest, 
 pulverise, petrify : cha chnamh e na dh'itheas e ; a' cnamh an cir^ 
 " chewing their cud." Cnamhan, " bones," but cnamhag (diminutive), 
 refuse, remains, debris of eatables, etc. 
 
 202. car tamuill na h-uair, lit. while the space of the hour goes 
 round ; car^ twist, turn ; Old Gaelic curn^ Lat. curvus^ Gr. KvprSSj 
 curved ; tamull, Gr. fx^XKoj, linger, cf. tamull beag agus cha*n fhaic 
 sibh »;i(John, xvi. 16). 
 
 209. thigheachd, the form used for two reasons (i) to provide the 
 necessary additional syllable ; (2) to assonate with Criosd. But tighinn 
 would suit as well. It is an uncommon verbal noun for the more 
 common theachd. 
 
 210. Ikn diol, full pay, satisfaction, reward ; Old Gaelic dilaitn^ 
 e.g.— 
 
 Anois dilatm in aechmaid, 
 
 Mor dhiol se otrm ar lochd. — (Kirk's Ps. ciii, 10.) 
 
 96 
 
Notes 
 
 223. moid, noun formed of the comparative of mb^ the greater; 
 vide supra, moid for meud^ as here. 
 
 225. riar, pleasure, will ; riar^ always a noun, riaraicA, the 
 denominative verb from it Here riar is in ace. The dat reir in the 
 phrase a (^=ido) reir {Mhatc^ etc.). 
 
 231. stoc {stuic\ used often in the old language, and in M'Pherson's 
 Ossiaftf as here, for trumpet. 
 
 248. chantainn, sing ; from canntainn^ Old Gaelic canim, sing, 
 recite ; canaim, cainnt^ etc., Gaelic ; canntaireachd from Lat. cantare. 
 The cantaic of Kirk and Kennedy may however be from Canticle, e.g., 
 canfaithir *gum thuathaib : Laoidhe agus chantaicibh spioradai/ (Kennedy, 
 1786). In the north can is the most common word for say, recite, and 
 thus retains traces of the old meaning, e.g., can oran, recite a song. 
 
 257. luath's. The suffix-cj- forms abstract nouns from nouns and 
 adjectives as maiih^ maitheas^ caird^ cairdeas (see line 260). 
 
 263. A steach. The modern a steack, a stigh^ a mack, a muigh^ 
 illustrate the meaning of in{ann')^ with ace. and dat. i{n) sain) tech, 
 insantig ; i{n) sairi) mag, i{n) sa{n) maig. If the original signification 
 were retained we would have stigh here ; stigh denotes rest in, am bheil 
 e stigh ? is he inside ? steach denotes motion towards ; thig a steach, 
 come inside, where a faint trace of the original i still survives in a ; cf. 
 mach and muigh. 
 
 271. MacL. MS. reads here : — 
 
 Mu^n dig ort am has gu do sgrios, 
 
 's dain eile do Leigh 
 
 A leithid do sgeul 
 Mu chloigionn iaruis do sgrios. 
 
 AN GEAMHRADH 
 
 This poem is also didactic, and in it the poet continues 
 instructing his countrymen on the transitoriness of life. The 
 weakness of an ebbed life he compares with nature around him 
 in the relentless grip of winter snows and frosts, and emphasises 
 the futility of then endeavouring to make preparation for the 
 life beyond. He seems to have been influenced by the great 
 Hebrew " Preacher" (see Ecclesiastes). The measure is Iambic 
 anapaest and a terminal syllable : — 
 
 Tha'n seil | leSn 'sSn scan | gSn 
 
 Bha tio I nal an stor | ais. 
 
 97 G 
 
An Geamhradh 
 
 3. fior . . . chinneas, true enemy of all that grows ; cinn, grow, 
 Old Gaelic cininiy I am born, spring, descend. 
 
 8. plunndruinn, plundering, from the English. 
 
 II. Asannead . . . t-klach, he brought the brood out of the 
 nest ; alach used figuratively is from al, brood, litter, e.g., ar scdth a h-ail^ 
 and is bu an alach tad (A. M 'Donald). 
 
 II-16. Cf.— 
 
 "Above the northern nest of feathered snow." 
 
 (Young's Night Thoughts.') 
 and 
 
 *' Magazine of hail."— (Young's Night Thoughts.") 
 15. clacha-meallain, lit. little lumped stones, meallan being a 
 diminutive of meall^ a lump, a common word in our topography. 
 gaoth-thuathach, wind in the north, northerly wind. 
 20. lies, now a garden, but in Old Gaelic liss meant the enclosed 
 space around a fortified castle, frequently tilled as a garden, and so 
 the fort itself ; allied to leathan^ broad. 
 
 24. For this line MacL. MS. reads : Fo ghlasaichilh duinnte. 
 
 28. bhinntich, curdle ; from binity rennet, e.g., binituain. 
 
 29. monaidh, mountain, a Pictish word ; Welsh, mynydd ; Cornish, 
 menet ; the old name for St Andrews is Rig-monath^ from monadh 
 (MacBain) ; cf. Lat. mons^ mont-is, 
 
 36. talla . . . eudach, without hall or clothing ; used figuratively. 
 
 38. mi-dheirceil, uncharitable ; deircy alms, e.g., an uair a bheir thu 
 do dheirc (Matt. vi. 2) ; Old Gaelic de-serc^ charity, love of Go^^forleithi 
 na disseirce. 
 
 iargalt, wild, savage = iargalta^ vide supra, na heanntan i. 
 
 48. anail, breath ; this is an uncommon use of the word. It is a 
 good metaphor. 
 
 54. dhiidlachd, gloom, from udail^ churlish, inhospitable ; cf. Norse 
 utlagiy an outlaw. 
 
 57. Here the poet begins his moral application of the lessons from 
 his beautifully drawn pictures from nature. The poem forms an 
 interesting comparison with A. M'Donald's poem on the same subject. 
 Buchanan lays the greater emphasis on the personal touch and the 
 human significance of the piece, Macdonald on description and word- 
 painting. 
 
 63-64. MacL. MS, reads : — 
 
 Ni e t-adhlac gu-hiosal 
 A m priosan an doruinn, 
 
 63. This is a proverb ; see Mackintosh's Proverbs, 
 
 98 
 
Notes 
 
 67. For casadh MacL. MS. r&z.ds preasadh, 
 
 76. clis, active ; Old Gaelic cliste^ clistecht^ skill ; the word is quite 
 common in the south, and though uncommon in the north, i« not 
 obsolete (see MacBain's Further Gaelic Words and Etymologies). It is 
 found in the phrase, 7?r-<:^/w«/t^ / fir-chlis^ "merry dancers." 
 
 8 1 . balg-s^ididh, lit. bellows, blowing bag, but here used figuratively 
 to mean "lungs," cf. — 
 
 'Sa bhuilg sheididh ard-ghaothach. — (A. M'Donald.) 
 89. MacL. MS. reads dhjhalbh for theich, 
 
 91. The evening is becoming dusky ; ciar^ dusky, din cliaill cheivy 
 in winter {Book of Leinster, 356). 
 
 95, Gu h-eaJamh, Quick, waken up ; ealamh^ quick, active, with the 
 idea of handy, and in part connected with lamh^ hand ; Old Gaelic 
 athlonty aiih-lam{h\ cf. ullamh. 
 
 98. *s trie leatha, a common and neat Gaelic idiom ; lit. often with 
 her ; cf. Is trie leat bhi tighinn^ you are a frequent visitor. 
 
 100. do-fhasach, do, difficult, and root fas, empty. 
 
 103-4. Cf— 
 
 An car a bhios san t-sean mhaide 
 
 'S duilich a thoirt as. — (Mackintosh's Proverbs.) 
 
 108. In the May day of youth. 
 
 1 14. nach saoil thu, which you do not anticipate ; nach is used 
 here with a relative force, lit. " that not " from na, not, Lat. ne, Gr. v-r), 
 the c being the same a5 the k in ovk ; saoil, Old Gaelic sailim, I think ; 
 another saoil (jseul) is used in the phrase cuiridh e saoil art, he will 
 smack you, he will hurt you. 
 
 117. crith-reo(dha)dh, what? liath-reodhadh (120); hoar frost is 
 common. He does not use crann-reodhadh, which must have been the 
 origin of Burn's cranreuch. 
 
 134. teanndachd, strait, difficulty; but here frost or hardness 
 produced by frost. 
 
 136, ailej commonly aileadh, impression ; chabhsair, from Eng. 
 causeway. 
 
 140. dean ruathar, make spade work ; this is a frequent and 
 expressive idiom in Gaelic, cf. dean suidhe, lit. make a sitting, i.e., sit 
 down. 
 
 149. dhubhailc, wickedness ; opposite of subhailc, virtue, goodness ; 
 cf. similar opposites — 
 
 mhaduinn skubhach 'sfeasgar dubhach.—(R6btxi Stewart.) 
 99 G2 
 
Urnuigh 
 
 154. ana-miann. Observe force of an^aymiann, "desire/* ana- 
 miann^ not strong desire but desire put to ill use. So, cainnt^ 
 "speech," ana-cainnt, "railing," etc., etc. 
 
 taod, a halter, cognate with teud, used commonly to tie horses 
 and cattle in pastures ; but here it is used metaphorically. 
 
 156. nach srian . . . ri t'aois, that you won't bridle ... in 
 (old) age ; srian is used here as a verb, which is uncommon ; ri faois^ 
 lit. at your old age, cf. ri f bheo^ as long as you live. 
 
 157. MacL. MS. reads gad for meangan. 
 
 162. teinn, sickness ; note how fond the poet is of the most terse 
 and emphatic words. 
 167-8. Cf.— 
 
 Is ionnan aithreachas criche is a bhi 
 
 Cuir sil mafheil Martain, — (Mackintosh's Proverbs.) 
 
 173-6. C/.- 
 
 " How swift the shuttle flies that 
 Weaves thy shroud." — (Young's Night Thoughts.') 
 
 This is the same sentiment as in lines 169-72, but more ingeniously 
 introduced. 
 
 180. thar a mithich, beyond or across its time, i.e.^ when it is 
 too late. 
 
 185, With these happy illustrations from nature, given in perfect 
 diction, he enforces his lesson. 
 
 URNUIGH 
 
 This, the last of the poems, is full of devotional feeling, and 
 is rich in evangelical thought. The doctrine of the Atonement 
 is here set forth in language of devout adoration. This 
 doctrine is the poet's stay in his need, and his great aim is to 
 teach its excellency and sufficiency. The measure is in Iambic 
 octosyllables. 
 
 nS h-ain | gl6 's air | de rmn | eadh leat. 
 
 4. bilibh, from bil, a lip ; Old Gaelic bil^ rim, border, edge, 
 e.g., sech bil ichtaraig an sceith (Stokes). So, bile na creige^ bile an lain^ 
 etc., etc. 
 
 luaidh, mention, praise ; Old Gaelic luad^ Lat. laus^ Eng. 
 laud. 
 
 100 
 
Notes '"' ' '• ' '^' ' 
 
 8. cliii, fame, praise ; Old Gaelic clti^ Gr. Ai^os, e!g.* 'c)u n-ingnad 
 (Saltair na Rann) ; clu i. urdairc^ i.e.^ famous (Stokes). 
 
 5-12. The intense humility of these lines magnifies the glory of the 
 Creator by the force of opposites, and such glorifying of God is the 
 poet's chief aim. 
 
 12. gun smal, without spot, unblemished. 
 
 15-16. Cf.— 
 
 '* Beneath thy feet we lie so far, 
 And see but shadows of thy face." — (Watts.) 
 
 17. dill, gen. pi. of duil; Old Gaelic duil^ an element, duUm, a lord 
 and Duilem, the Creator (Stokes). (See 117, supra.) 
 
 24. shiiilibh. The dat. pi. ibh is now hardly ever retained in 
 prose composition. It still survives, however, in parts of Ireland and 
 Scotland, in dat. and by error in voc. Of the voc. there are such 
 fixed examples as fhearaibh^ for fheara ! a form of exclamation, "look 
 men : " sin sibh fhearaibh ! lit. there to you, men, ?>., well done, men, or 
 " go at it." 
 
 27. ma, if ; cf. mur^ unless, from rna and ni^ z.<?., "if not" ; the r 
 probably is for the n of the old ma ni^ Old Gaelic mani^ still in Islay, 
 mana^ and elsewhere, by interchange of n and r, mara^ r and n being 
 easily interchangeable. 
 
 32. roghainn, choice ; Old Gaelic rogu or iogu^ as in tagh^ choose. 
 
 36. Gu'm, (-*«), that ; Gr. ^tl. Windisch and Cameron think this 
 to be the prep, con with, and co to, while Zimmer and Thurneysen 
 take it from co to, ad; and n being the relative. 
 
 carnaicht, heaped on ; part. pass. ; a denominative verb from 
 earn. 
 
 38. mo bhual, for mo bhualadh^ i.e., (jed-do") bhualadh mi. 
 
 41-44. This is clearly and beautifully expressive of the sufficiency 
 of the Atonement of Christ to protect from dreaded wrath. 
 
 49-50. Cf. Ps. li. 7. 
 
 53. daingnich . . . , strengthen my faith in his death, ?>., in the 
 efficacy of it ; from daingean^ Old Gaelic daingen, steadfast, compared by 
 Bezzenberger with Norse tengja^ fasten, and connected by MacBain with 
 dyngjay an apartment. 
 
 57. phlanndach' . . . , lit. oh make me to be planted in Christ. 
 The phrase is peculiar. The word is borrowed from Eng. plant. 
 
 67. atharrach dreach, a different shape or foim ; Old Gaelic 
 aitherrechy analysed by Stokes into ati-ex-rego or ath eirich, 
 
 68. gach crois, every affliction, trouble. The poet would scarcely 
 say "misfortune" (coming from God), although that is the current 
 term for crois as used here. 
 
 19? 
 
Urnuigh 
 
 70. Slanuighear, i.e., slanukh-fhear^ healing one; the fh being 
 practically silent was dropped, and the c was hardened into g. 
 
 75. tiodhlac, gift ; Old Gaelic tindnacul^ Lat. nanciscor^ obtain ; 
 hence the verb tiodhlaic^ to bury, /.<?., to gift to mother earth. 
 torann, crashing thunder (see no, supra), 
 
 91-93. Cf. Ps. xxiii. I — Cha bhi mi ami an dith. 
 
 92. no gu'm, the ist edition reads nach giim ; where nach connected 
 with cha^n in the previous line must be used to express an afhrmative idea. 
 The nach gu'nt here is on all fours with the nach gur already noted. In 
 both cases nach git is for the literary no co. The r in gur in the first 
 case is the tense particle ro ; the m in the gu'nt of the second case is the 
 auslaut n (becoming nt before / of fas according to D. B.'s mode 
 of writing, but by the rule of the nasal, it ought to disappear before/"). 
 It is met with occasionally where we now use no ; but very rarely nach 
 co{n) = no co(n) = until. The meaning of both passages is clear. 
 Here, "until you become poor," i.e.y never. 
 
 95. C/. Ps. cxxxix. 8, 9 — 
 
 Nan rachainn suas air neamh nan speur 
 A ta thu fein an sud ; 
 Nan luidhinn ann an ifrinn shios 
 Tha thu san ionad ud. Etc. 
 
 It is at once noticeable that throughout these poems 
 Buchanan's noblest sentiments and most daring conceptions 
 are based on scriptural passages ; and, further, it must be 
 admitted that he escaped the danger against which Dr Johnson 
 w^arned poets indulging in Bible themes, viz., of being over- 
 whelmed by their weight. Instead of failing under the strain, 
 Buchanan has succeeded in impressing on his reader the 
 grandeur of the themes he handles. 
 
 102 
 
APPENDIX I 
 
 THE VOCALIC AUSLAUT 
 
 The prevalence of h in Gaelic words requires some explanation. 
 The h or its sound shows the aspiration. Aspiration prevails 
 in all Gaelic districts, though the tendency in that direction and 
 in vocalising aspirated sounds is more prevalent in the north 
 than in the south. Aspiration takes place in the beginning, 
 the middle, and the end of a word. Medial and final aspira- 
 tions are common to other languages, but the Gaelic initial 
 aspiration is limited to the Celtic dialects. The rule affecting 
 aspiration is that a single consonant, or a consonant followed 
 by a liquid, standing between two vowels aspirates : e.g., 
 claidheamh. Old Gaelic claideb, where d is flanked by vowels ; 
 or athatr, pater, ceithir, quatuor, where the / is and always has 
 been between two vowels. In the end of the word we find the 
 same rule operating ; e.g., deich, dec-em, faidh, vatis, peacadh, 
 peccatum. In borrowed words such as the last, the flexion 
 syllable was dropped and the stem with its sound retained, thus 
 peccatum became peccat, and, according to rule, / became d 
 and then dk. The same rule is also applicable to the initial 
 part of the word, but its application is more difficult to observe, 
 as it has to do, not with a single word, but a phrase of two or 
 more words sounded as if they were one word, as, team for le 
 and mz, ribh for ri and sibhj e.g., (i) mhathair, where m 
 preceded by vocative breathing (a, o) as in Greek and Latin, 
 and followed by a vowel puts the general rule into operation ; 
 
 (2) do phiuthar, where ^ is influenced by the of the pronoun ; 
 
 (3) bhuail mi e for do bhuail mi e, where b is influenced by the 
 verb particle do ; (4) prepositions as, de, do, fo, o {bho), mu 
 cause aspiration of the noun following as, de dhaoine, mu cheud 
 
 103 2 G 2 
 
Appendix I 
 
 pearsaj (5) conjunctions as, mar as, ma if, and o since, 
 aspirate the verb following as, mar thachair^ ma bhuaily o 
 thainig. Masc. proper names, but not fern, names, e.g. tigh 
 Dhomhnuill^ and words with vocalic ending, whether now 
 visible or not, aspirate the succeeding word in the speech, unit, 
 or phrase. To this general rule, as to nearly all rules, there 
 are, however, many exceptions. 
 
 104 
 
APPENDIX II 
 
 THE NASAL AUSLAUT 
 
 Many of the apparent anomalies in Gaelic idioms and 
 constructions can be explained by the application of well- 
 established phonetic rules. The Old Gaelic and Modern Irish, 
 as being less disintegrated than the Modern Gaelic, show 
 the regular operation of those laws. In Modern Gaelic, 
 however, we have still archaic expressions and peculiar con- 
 structions which have survived the general decay, and which 
 will admit of the test of these laws, and are explained by 
 them. Modem orthography does not exactly represent pro- 
 nunciation, but when the word is written phonetically we have 
 it exhibited as it is pronounced, and pronunciation being 
 older than orthography, and unhampered by it, we have 
 preserved for us in it elements of the old language, and the 
 varying tendencies that have gone to effect our present-day 
 dialects. The Fernaig MS. {Reliq. Celt^ vol. ii.), written 
 phonetically, will furnish us with many examples of the 
 operations of the laws applicable to a nasal termination with 
 their influence on Scottish Gaelic. For a fuller account of these 
 laws see Reliq. Celt., vol. ii., pp. 590-609. The medial n 
 disappears, as a general rule, before j,/, and the tenues ^,/, /, 
 e.g. cis^ Lat. census; ifrin^ Lat. znfernumj coig^ Lat. quinquej 
 ceud^ Lat. centum; it is also assimilated by the immediately 
 adjoining liquid. The influence of the terminal n is well 
 marked, and operates according to the following rules : — 
 
 (i) When in a unit of speech a word which originally ended with n is 
 followed by a word beginning with a vowel or b^ d^ g, the nasal 
 auslaut is prefixed to its initial letter ; and before b it becomes 
 w, and the tenues are eclipsed by their medial sounds. 
 105 
 
Appendix II 
 
 (2) The nasal auslaut is dropped before words beginning with the 
 
 letters j, /, and the tenues <:, /, /, and /, and the tenues are 
 reduced to their corresponding medial sounds,/ to hh^ c to g^ 
 p to by and / to d. 
 
 (3) The nasal auslaut is assimilated with the initial letter in the 
 
 following word, provided that letter is a liquid, and not 
 unfrequently the n coalesces with the liquid. 
 
 (i) n preserved before vowels and b, d, g. 
 
 n before a — 
 
 a nasgaidh for an -{■ asgaidh ; a naisling pronounced for an 
 aisling ; ar ji-aran lailheil (Luke, xi. 3) ; meud ewnish i 
 nayt vouyn = meud aoibhneis an aite bhuain (Fernaig MS.) ; 
 iochd air nachd, 
 
 n before e — 
 
 i negglish for an eaglais (Fernaig MS.). 
 
 si neoil for *sanfheoil (Fernaig MS.). 
 
 i neolis for an eolais, 
 
 n-eireachdamhuil ; am Ve is an e^ and cha'n e is cha ne. 
 n before i — 
 
 gu'n innis sin dha ; 
 
 gun imich e ; 
 
 gu'n ionnlaid ; in all which the n is pronounced attached to the 
 succeeding vowel. 
 n before — 
 
 ar n-uachdaran n-og. 
 
 a noil for an oik (Fernaig MS.). 
 
 n before u — 
 
 chuirrig he si nouhj for chuireadh losa *san uaimh (Fernaig 
 
 MS.). 
 uaidh air nuaidh. 
 W uair for an and uair. 
 
 an nine ; here the n is pronounced attached to u. 
 anns an uir, where the auslaut is carried forward in pro- 
 nunciation. 
 In fact a nasal sound is given to all vowels except ao by 
 contact with n. 
 
 n before b — 
 
 In a number of phrases this law is clearly in operation as 
 gu n buy now gu mu fada beo thu ; gu mo h-anamach ; gu mo slan ; 
 the n also covers the b^ as na meann for nam beann^ a mata for am 
 106 
 
The Nasal Auslaut 
 
 bata^ a mard for am bard^ a maile for am baile^ a miadh for 
 am biadh ; e.g. — 
 
 Fuarag eortC a beul mo bhroige 
 
 ^ Miadh a b^ fhtarr afhuair mi riainh, 
 
 (Mackintosh's Proverbs.) 
 n before d — 
 
 An diugh = i ndiu, 
 
 an d* thainig e ? an d' fhalbh e ? etc. Before </, n does not 
 become m but eclipses it and silences it completely ; 
 starsach an doruis becomes a noruis, 
 n before g — 
 
 an guth is ang guth. 
 an gealladh is ang gealladh. 
 Numerous examples of these can be found in Kirk's Bible and 
 Psalms, 
 
 (2) n dropped before s, f, and tenues. 
 n before s — 
 
 a steach for in + san + tech. 
 a stigh ; ma seach, etc. 
 Nj ir choist i shin for an sin (Fernaig MS.). 
 a seann duine ; a seasgach ; a spealadair lorn (Beauties of Gaelic 
 Poetry), etc. 
 n before/— 
 
 gu bheil = gun fuil, gu'n feil ; the n of the preposition (co«) 
 
 being found in the bh which eclipses^. 
 gufaighinn^ gu faicinn, gu fiosraichinn are further examples. 
 ifairke reuh ; i feist (Fernaig MS.). 
 n before c — 
 
 gu cuireadh ; gu cuir ; smj kais ; dan koir (Fernaig MS.). 
 n before/ — 
 
 n is here changed into m. 
 
 qu^m peacaichean ; it disappears in lea dursainn i Phoipe ; 
 i Parais (Fernaig MS.). 
 n before t — 
 
 gus a tig e ; i trumpait (an trompaid) ; i talla (an talamK); 
 i treish (an treas") ; i tolc (an t-olc), (Fernaig MS.). 
 
 (3) Auslaut n assimilated with 1, m, n, r. 
 n before / — 
 
 gu leth {con and /eth); gu labhair (gu*n labhair) ; tha e a 
 lathair (an lathair) ; gu leir (con and leir). 
 
 107 
 
Appendix II 
 
 n before nt — 
 
 a mach {in and macK) ; a meadhon {in and medon). 
 n before n — 
 
 a nis (an and nois) ; a nochd {an and nochd) ; gu naomhaichear 
 {£u'n naomhaichear); gu neiph {gu'n neamh) ; i nayt ; 
 i Nolaind (an Olaind)^ (Fernaig MS.). 
 n before ;' — 
 
 a reir (an (do) and reir) ; a risd (an and rithisd) ; i ratrejt 
 (an ratraii); i Rankigh {nj Rithin\ (Fernaig MS.). 
 
 The following are words and forms which ended originally in «, and 
 whose surviving remains affect the initial letter of the immediately 
 succeeding words, according to the above rules : — 
 
 (i) The article in nom. sg. neut. and in the ace. sg. and gen. pi. of 
 the three genders. 
 
 (2) The a stems in the same cases, and the same cases in other neut. 
 nouns which follow the analogy of the neut. a stems. 
 
 (3) Generally the ace. sg. of all masc. and fem. nouns, and the gen. 
 pi. of all nouns. 
 
 (4) The numeral da in the nom. dual neut. and in the dat. pi. of the 
 three genders. 
 
 (5) The poss. pronouns a, arn (our) ; far^ farn (yours) ; a, an 
 (their). 
 
 (6) The preps, con (with) ; in (in) ; iar^ iarn (after) ; re^ ren 
 (before), 
 
 (7) The numerals secht (seven) ; ocht (eight) ; naoi (nine) ; deich 
 (ten). 
 
 (8) The rel. pronoun a, and poss. pron. an (their). 
 
 (9) The infixed pronoun a, da (him, eum)^ and s (her, eam^ and 
 them, eos). 
 
 108 
 
VOCABULARY 
 
 [Numerals refer to pages and Imes of Notes.] 
 
 a, rely who, 85, 428 
 
 ach, conj. but 
 
 achanaich, s.f. supplication, 86, 471 
 
 achmhasan, s.m. rebuke, 65, 19 
 
 kgh, s.m. success, 93, 49 
 
 aile, s.m. scent, 92, 18 
 
 aill, s.f, desire, 87, 503 
 
 aille, s.f. beauty, 92, 7 
 
 ainm, s.m. name 
 
 air i prep, on 
 
 aireamh, s.f. number 
 
 aithreachas, s.m, repentance, 74, 
 
 10 
 aitich, v.a. inhabit, till, 79, 213 
 ^ach, s.m. brood, 98, 1 1 
 ^mhuinn, s.f. furnace, 72, 234 
 an ^ prep, in 
 
 anabarr, s.m. excess, 89, 87 
 anamiann, s.m. lust, 100, 154 
 knradh, s.m. tempest, 77, 106 
 aoibhneas, s.m. joy, 81, 314 
 aois, s.f. age 
 
 lu-aich, s.f. battlefield, 75, 58 
 aran, s.m. bread, 69, 70 
 armailt, s.f armament, 94, 96 
 aros, s.m. and/", habitation, 80, 232 
 ath-leasachadh, s.m. re-formation, 
 
 66,35 
 
 bacach, adj. lame 
 bairneach, s.m. limpet, 83, 381 
 
 balbhan, s.m. dumb person, 68, 
 
 49 
 beach, s.m. bee, 79, 215 
 beannaich, v.a. bless 
 heart, s.f. instrument, design, 78, 
 
 126 
 beuc, v.n. roar, 77, no 
 beus, s.m. conduct, 71, 214 
 bil, s.f. lip, 100, 4 
 binntich, v.a. curdle, 98, 28 
 bior, s.m. prickle 
 bith, s.f. being 
 bith-bhuantachd, s.f. everlasting, 
 
 66,45 
 bodhar, adj. deaf 
 braghad, s.m. throat, 72, 244 
 braon, v.a. dropping 
 breun, adj. filthy, 70, 152 
 brigh, s.f. pith, 72, 233 
 brii, s.f belly 
 buadh, s.f. attribute 
 buaireasach, adj. turbulent 
 buidhean, s.m. company, 69, 65 
 buille, s.m. blow 
 
 cagar, s.m. and v. whisper, 93, 37 
 cagnadh, verbal n. chewing, 83, 
 
 375 
 caidreamh, s.m. fellowship, 83, 371 
 cail, s.f. appetite, 92, 12 
 Ccim, adj, squint 
 
 [09 
 
Vocabulary 
 
 cainnt, s.f. language 
 
 cairdeas, s.m. kindness 
 
 caisg, v.a. check, 69, 73 
 
 caisreagach, adj. curling, 78, 144 
 
 can, v.a. recite, 97, 248 
 
 caochladh, v. pres, part, changing, 
 65,10 
 
 caomh, adj. loving, kind 
 
 caonnag, s.f. strife, 89, 6 
 
 car, s.m. turn, 96, 202 
 
 c^radh, v.a. mend, charge, 85, 448 
 
 carbad,-^.^. chariot, 77, 109 
 
 carnaicht, part. pass, heaped on, 
 loi, 36 
 
 casgair, v.a. slaughter, 71, 205 
 
 cealgair, s.m. deceiver 
 
 ceanalta, adj. kindly, 95, 122 
 
 ceil, v.a. conceal, 71, 199 
 
 chaoidh, adv. eternally, 82, 348 
 cheana, adv. already, 86, 486 
 choir, s.f. vicinity, 65, 4 
 cian, s.m. far, ever, 82, 335 
 cinneas, verbal n.m. growth, 98, 3 
 ciochran, s.m. suckling, 67, 8 
 ciod, inter. prn. what? 64, I 
 cion-fath, s.m. occasion 
 cis, s.f, tax, 69, 60 
 claidheamh, s.m. sword, 90, 55 
 claigean, s.m. skull, 96, 153 
 claistinneachd, s.f. hearing 
 claon, v.a. incline, 73, 264 
 cl^, s.m. smooth surface 
 cliabh, s.m. chest, 73, 256 
 ciis, adj. active, 99, 76 
 cliii, s.m. praise, loi, 8 
 clogad, s.f. helmet, 90, 53 
 clos, s.m. stillness, 87, 1 1 
 cliithadh, verbal n. clothing, 95, 
 
 143 
 coir, adj. upright, 79, 195 
 colbh, ^.»?. reed, 70, 157 
 comharra, s»m, mark, 85, 436 
 
 comhla, adv. together, 70, 119 
 
 comhnadh, s.m. help, 67, 10 
 
 comhnuidh, adv. habitually, 69, 90 
 
 cosmhuil, adj. like 
 
 crkbhadh, s.m. worship, 79, 186 
 
 cr^dh, s.m. pain, sorrow 
 
 crkiteach, adj. racking 
 
 crann, s.m. tree 
 
 creideamh, s.m, faith, 69, 62 
 
 creuchd, sf. wound, 70, 142 
 
 creutair, s.m. creature 
 
 crionach, s.f, and adj. withered, 
 81, 300 
 
 crois, 5^/ affliction, loi, 68 
 
 crom, adj, bent, 92, 22 
 cruach, s.f. heap, 94, 90 
 cruadalach, adj. energetic, 73, 265 
 cruaidh, adj. hard, distressful 
 cruinne-ce, s.tn. globe, 65, 20 
 cruitheachd, s.f. creation 
 cuairtich, v. encompass 
 cual, s.f. faggot, burden, 70, 168 
 cuan, s.m. ocean 
 
 cubhraidh, adj, fragrant, 82, 327 
 cudthrom, s.m, weight, 70, 181 
 cuibhreach, s.m. bonds, 83, 373 
 cuiridh, v.a.fut. will put 
 cuisle, sf. blood-vessel 
 cul, s.m. back, 70, 124 
 cumail, v. pres. part, holding 
 
 dadum, s.m, anything, 67, 61 
 daicheil, adj. strenuous, 94, 60 
 d^l, s.m, nearness, 92, 9 
 dall, adj. blind 
 damh, s.m. ox 
 
 dan, s.m. a lay, 67, 2 ; 90, 12 
 daolag, s.f. beetle, 95, 102 
 dealanach, s.m. lightning, 90, 47 
 dealbh, v.a. plan, 71, 186 
 dealrach, adj, bright 
 dearc, v.a, look at, 66, 33 
 
 no 
 
Vocabulary 
 
 d^arn, s.f. palm of the hand, 66, 37 
 deas, adj. neat, 93, 43 
 deasaich, v.a. prepare 
 d^irceil, adj. charitable, 98, 38 
 deis, adv. after, 79, 2 16 
 deoin, s.f. assent, 70, 170 
 deo'l, V. pres. part, sucking, 87, 27 
 deoradh, s.m. pilgrim, 87, 19 
 dian, adj. vehement, 78, 158 
 diblidh, adj. mean, 67, 17 
 didean, s.m. defence, 90, 28 
 dilleachdan, s.m. orphan, 68, 18 
 dioghalbach, adj. revengeful 
 diol, s.m. satisfaction, 96, 210 
 diongmhaltas, s.m. perfection, 65, 
 
 8 
 dirich, v.a. erect 
 
 dldth, adj. close ; s.m. warp, 65, 25 
 dochann, s.m. injury, 71, 180 
 doimhne, s.f. the deep 
 doire, s.f. grove 
 domblas, s.m. gall, 73, 259 
 doruinneach, adj. excruciating, 71, 
 
 169 
 dosrach, j-.w. foliage, 82, 321 
 dreach, s.f. appearance, 92, 7 
 drillseach, adj. sparkling, 77, 99 
 druiteach, adj. penetrating 
 duals, s.f. reward 
 dual, s.m. hereditary right, 68, 24 
 dubhailc, s.f. vice, 99, 149 
 duil, s.m. elements, 77, 117 
 duisg, v,n. awake 
 dWan, s.m. challenge, 85, 455 
 durachd, s.m. diligence, 89, 99 
 durrag^, s.f. worm, 94, 97 
 
 eachdraidh, s.f history 
 ealamh, adj. quick, handy, 99, 95 
 ealghris, s.f. death's pallor, 72, 247 
 eanachainn, sf. brain, 93, 25 
 earlas, s.m. pledge, 66, 56 
 
 eibhleag, s.f. live coal, 78, 144 
 ^ig^n, s.f force 
 disdeachd, s.f. hearing, 74, 12 
 eugail, sf. disease, 68, 45 
 eunlaith, s. coll.f birds, 68, 35 
 
 f^bharach, adj. benign 
 fadalach, adj. dragging, 72, 227 
 failneachadh, v. pan. failing 
 falachadh, v. part, hiding 
 falaisg, s.f. heather-burning, 78, 
 
 152 
 fallanachd, sf. soundness, 68, 54 
 fallas, s.m. sweat 
 far, adv. where 
 fardoch, s.f home 
 farmad, s.m. envy, 81, 273 
 f^s, v.a. grow 
 
 fksach, s.m. an J/, wilderness 
 f^sg", v.a. wring 
 feachd, s.m. host, 94, 83 
 feadh, s.m. extent 
 feart, s.m. might, action, 69, 94 
 feolach, s.f. carcase, 95, 130 
 fheudar, dep. v. must, 68, 27 
 fhuair, v.a. find, 69, 69 
 fiach, s.f. debt, worth, 78, 180 
 fiaradh, s.m. crook, 88, 66 
 figh, v.a. weave, 70, 146 
 fiorghlan, adj. pure 
 fios, s.m. knowledge 
 fill, s.m. and aflfv. worth, even, 76, 73 
 flaitheas, s.m. heaven, 73, 273 
 focal, s.m. word 
 fogarrach, s.m. outcast, 68, 39 
 foillseachadh,/r<?j/./flr/. v. declar- 
 ^ ing, 69, 91 
 
 foirneart, s.m. oppression, 94, 65 
 f oluicht, pret. part, hidden 
 fulangas, i.w. suffering, 71, 217 
 furachair, adj. watchful, 90, 39 
 
 III 
 
Vocabulary 
 
 gabhaidh, adj. dangerous 
 gaineamh, s.f. sand, 84, 408 
 gairdean, s.m. arm 
 gairisneach, adj. disgusting, 75, 
 
 54 
 gaisgeach, s.m. hero 
 galar, s.f. disease, distemper 
 garadh, s.m. garden 
 gealach, s.f. moon 
 gealtachd, s.f. cowardice, 90, 13 
 gearsam, s.m. entry fee, 96, 159 
 geill, v.a, yield 
 geilt-chrith, s.f. trembling fear 65, 
 
 20. 
 geocaire, s.m. glutton, 95, 127 
 geug, sf. branch 
 geur, adj. sharp 
 gidheadh, conj. though, 85, 457 
 glac, s.f. hollow of the hand 
 glaodh, s.m. cry, 74, 20 
 glas, v.a. and s.f. lock 
 gnuis, s.f face 
 grad, adv. quickly 
 greadhnachas, s.m. magnificence, 
 
 77,92 
 grian, s.f. sun 
 griiaim, sf. gloom 
 gruid, s. pi. lees, 88 56 
 guineach, adj. certain, 72, 226 
 gu'ra, conj. that, 102, 36 
 %\xn^prep. without 
 g^th, s.m. voice 
 
 iadh, v.n. encompass, 79, 202 
 iall, 5./. leash, 78, 172 
 iargalt, adj. frowning, 77, 121 
 ifrinn, sf. hell, 75, 55 
 inbhe, s.f. status, 81, 282 
 innleachd, s.f. scheme, 82, 336 
 iochdmhor, adj. merciful, 68, 43 
 iocshlaint, sf. medicine, 94, 76 
 iomchuidh, adj. fit for, 80, 249 
 
 iomlaineachd, s.f. manifold fulness 
 iomluas, s.m. fickleness 
 iompaich, v.a. convert 
 ionad, s.m. place 
 iongantas, s.m. wonder, 67, 5 
 ionnan, adj. like, 93, 34 
 ionn drain, verbal n. a missing 
 ioroslachd, s.m. humbling, humilia- 
 tion 
 iota, ^./ thirst, 73, 25, 8 
 ith, v.a. eat 
 iM, s.m. sight, 68, 52 
 
 la, s.m. day, 65, 1 4 
 lan-fhoillseachadh, past. v. com- 
 plete revealing 
 l^igh, s.m. physician 
 leon, s.m. hurt 
 H, s.f. hue, 72, 246 
 liodairt, s.m. tearing in pieces, 89, 5 
 lionadh, v.a. flowing, filling 
 lies, s.f. garden, 98, 20 
 lobhar, s.m. leper, 96, 197 
 lomnochd, s.f. nakedness, 80, 245 
 Ion, s.m. food, 69, 68 ; 80, 247 
 \\xsi\d^., pres. part, praising, 100, 4 
 luasgadh, v. pres. part, tossing 
 
 about 
 luchd, s.m. burden 
 luth, s.m, strength, 68, 50 
 
 ma, conj. cf. Id, 27 
 mkl, s.m. rent, 95, 147 
 malairt, s.f. exchange, 78, 183 
 mall, adj. slow 
 maorach, s.m. shellfish 
 marbhaisg, s.f. curse, 93, 52 
 meall, s.m. lump 
 meas, s.m. fruit, 75, 47 
 measarra, adj. temperate, 95, 123 
 meidh, s.f. balance 
 miananaich, s.f. yawning, 83, 360 
 
 113 
 
Vocabulary 
 
 miorbhuileach, adj. marvellous, 67, 
 
 5 
 mireag, v.n. sport, 78, 134 
 mlthich, s.f. proper, 80, 255 
 mod, s,m. court, 74, 24 
 monadh, s.m. mountain, 98, 29 
 morair, s.m. chief, 95, 139 
 muime, s.f. stepmother, 96, 1 70 
 muinntir, s.f. coll. people 
 miith, v.a. change, 79, 198 
 
 nach, conj. that not, until, 99, 1 14 ; 
 
 102, 92 
 nkdur, s.m. nature 
 narach, a^'. shameful, 70, 153 
 nasgaidh, adv. freely, 78, 128 
 'n uair, adv. when 
 nead, s.m. nest 
 
 neo-bhasmhor, adj. deathless 
 neo-chriochnaichte, adj. unlimited 
 neo-chruthaichte, adj. uncreated 
 neo-ni> s.m. nothingness, 66, 29 
 
 obair, s.f. work 
 6g, adj. young 
 oidhirp, s.f. attempt 
 oigh, sf. virgin, 67, 9 
 oillteil, adj. horrible 
 61, v.a. drink 
 
 onfhadh, s.m. storm, 69, 73 
 osag, s.f. blast, 75, 33 
 
 pearsa, s.m. and/ person 
 plaigh, s.f. plague, 96, 195 
 plosg, v.n. throb, 72, 256 
 p6g, s.f. kiss, 70, 128 
 poit, verbal n. drinking, 95, 109 
 
 reachd, s.m. law, 74, 82 
 reodhadh, s.m. frost, 99, 117 
 reul, s.f. star, 66, 38 
 riaraich, v.a. serve, 69, 87 
 
 roghainn, s.f. choice, loi, 32 
 roivah^prep. before 
 ruadhan, s.m. sediment, 88, 59 
 rudhadh, s.m. flushing, 76, 85, 97, 
 
 225 
 ruig, irreg. v. reach 
 ruith, v.n. run, 74, 30 
 run, s.m. mystery, 67, 15 
 
 samh, s.m. rest, 87, 9 
 sanntach, adj. greedy 
 saothar, s.f. labour, 87, 15 
 skrachadh, s.m. sore trial, 90, 50 
 seangan, s.m. ant, 75, 35 
 searg, v.a. wither 
 seisd, s.m. siege, 95, 98 
 sgaile, s.m. shade, 65, 16 
 sgairnich, s.f. sound, 76, 78 
 sgairteachd, s.f sharp cry, 73, 263 
 Sgal, s.m. shriek, 74, 29 
 sgallaiseach, adj. disdainful 
 sgallas, s.m. insult, 79, 192 
 sgaoilidh, v.a.fut. will spread 
 sgath, s.m, sake, 69, 92 
 sgiamh, s.f beauty, 72, 254 
 sgiath, s.f, wing, 65, 16 
 sgitheach, s.m. haw-thorn, 70, 145 
 sgoinn, s.f. heed 
 sgrild, v.a. scrutinize, 66, 58 
 sgud, s.m. cluster, 95, 106 
 sile, s.m. drop, spit, 66, 52 
 siochaint, s.f peace, 91, 57 
 sionnach, s.m. fox 
 sior, adj. everlasting 
 slige, s.f. a shell 
 sluagh, s.m. people 
 slugan, s.m. gullet, 83, 363 
 sluig, v.a, swallow 
 smal, s.m. spot 
 smuain, s.f. thought 
 sn^mh, v.n. swim 
 sogh, s.f. feast, 95, 126 
 
 13 
 
Vocabulary 
 
 soisgeul, s.m, gospel, 68, 57 ; 71, 
 
 189 
 solus, s.m. light 
 sparr, v.a. thrust, 70, 148 
 speur, s.m. firmament 
 srian, s.f. bridle, 100, 156 
 sruth, V. flow 
 staid, s.f. state, 65, 10 
 steach, adv. inside, 97, 263 
 stoc, s.m. trumpet, 97, 231 
 Straic, s.f. arrogance, 96, 162 
 Stniidh, s.f. prodigality, waste, 76, 
 
 58 
 siiain, s.f. sleep, 74, 5 
 subhailc, s.f. virtue, 90, 26 
 suil, sf. eye 
 
 taic, sf. support 
 
 tairneanach, s.m. thunder, 77, 1 10 ; 
 
 102, 75 
 taisbean, v.a. reveal 
 taisg, v.a. store, 82, 346 
 talla, s.f. hall, home, 98, 36 
 talmhaidh, adj. earthly, 74, 1 3 
 tamh, s.m. rest 
 taod, s.m. halter, ico, 154 
 taom, v.a. pour out, 71,215 
 taosg, v.a. deplete, 78, 123 
 teachd, v. pres.part. coming 
 teann, ad), and s.f. tight, tightness, 
 
 68, 34 
 tearb, v.a. separate, 81, 301 
 teasairg, v.a. deliver, 71, 190 
 teich, v.n. escape 
 teichidh, v.a. fut. will flee 
 
 theasd, verbal n. death, 93, 41 
 tiodhlac, s.f. gift, 102, 75 
 tiomaich, v. a. and n. move to tears, 
 
 92,5 
 tionnsgainn, s.m. devising, 65, 23 
 toic, s.f. wealth, 80, 242 ; 95, 144 
 toir, sf. track, pursuit, 68, 28 
 toll, s.m. hole 
 tomhais, v.a. measure 
 tonn, s.m. wave 
 traogh, v.a. ebb 
 trath, s.m. due time, 74, 10 
 treud, s.f. flock 
 treun, adj. powerful 
 trial!, s.m, departure, 76, 81 
 trod, s.m. wrangle 
 troiteir, s.m. traitor 
 truagh, adj. uncared for 
 trusgan, s.m. apparel, 75, 51 
 tuaileas, s.m. slander, 91, 64 
 tuath, s. coll. m. tenantry, 95, 146 
 tuig, v,a. understand 
 tuigse, s.f. understanding, 66, 57 
 tuirling, v.n. descend, 75, 43 
 tur, adv. altogether, 69, 65 
 tiiS, s.m. beginning, first, 75, 41 
 
 uaibhreach, adj. proud 
 uaine, adj. green, 72, 246 
 uaith, /r^/. from 
 uamhunn, s.f. horror, 65, 18 
 iidlachd, sf. gloom, 98, 54 
 uideal, s.m. tossing about, 77, 105 
 uidheam, s.f, equipage 
 umhail, sf. heed, 74, 7 
 
 114 
 
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