A Song to Clanranald
My thousand blessings on thee Brewer John, thou didst wake me with thy rigmarole; 'twas a crone's dream according to her wish I ween thou sawest; thou wast diligent enough to think it out if thou couldst, and what thou thyself didst leave without putting in order, the rest shall not be lacking to it.
Why, after undertaking the task, didst thou not fashion part of it? If thou wert a bard who could compose a lay, I'll warrant a ditty would take shape for thee about men courageous, doughty, and excellent, generous, welcoming, and courteous, for on day of battle the foe never saw their heels on the field of strife.
The subject of my tale is the youthful lord — thy noisy praise will not make a dirge for him; 'tis not impediment in speech or halting tongue would make a verse to that man, who has friends, numerous and strong for gathering in every quarter, who oft made a gap in their foes and their number would be short-lived.
Should Clanranald stand in need well do I know his succour, that will satisfy his want in every chase and pursuit that would cause him hindrance or grief; in Alba itself there is a host that will not yield and several hundreds of many tribes who would not refuse to rise in time of conflict, and from Ireland will come many.
When thy silk is shown on flagstaff pipes and drums are heard; an emblem pleasing enough would the MacDonalds have, the heroes: heath of rugged hills on spirited warrior, and a tree whose foliage will not wither, a ship and salmon and red hand, and a fierce watchful lion.
With thee is thine own clan first of all, strong and doughty and honoured, donning their garb to strike blows, hard is their stroke and venomous; in the plying of blades they are not faint — many a gage have they won, sweeping heads from the bodies of the Saxons, and thirst in quest of blood on them.
A thing not strange, with thee is Clan Donald, the stout heroic champions, rough in combat, bitter in pursuit, fierce like lions with whelps, lopping ears, splintering shoulders, cleaving heads and pates, who will join eagerly in the chase, who are not soft but hard — 'tis one not long-lived who waits for them.
The men of Knoydart will come like hawks taught to swoop, strong and knowing when anger faces them — they can injure dangerously; savagely and keenly will they wound — no leech will be surety for them; mad conflict is (presaged) in the countenance of every hero — who may go to contend with them?
Clan Iain will come with thee in order — terrors they who will gain respect; blood will be spilt by the lions and flesh will be in shreds; with their swords of steel ever smiting, they are the restless heroes; without wound or weariness, never will they return until the gages are won by them.
The men of Keppoch will come, 'tis I will not overlook them: good are they in place of danger, manly, handsome, stout, and strong — never did they suffer insult; every champion with a step forward, well-versed are they in gunnery; the others will be swiftly destroyed even to death by the arms of the heroes.
Clan Duncan will join thee in a body — spirited is that honoured race — the laird of Struan and of Lude with their straight comely men; good sharp London steel will fearlessly go to pursue Spanish blades; they will bring to earth with the enduring edges all who come against them.
The Stewarts, noble and healthy saplings, will rise to slaughter, the Earl of Bute with his fair-famed companies — bitter is he when roused; there will come from Atholl the fierce men, brisk and spoiling for strife, every one from Appin in the west, and when they set out they will have the victory.
With thee are the MacLeods, rich in store, a people who would not spare blows to bring about the rout in thine aid, slashing and expert and steadfast; full of hardihood as was their wont, they will not flee — nothing of the kind will be said of them; bodies will grow cold without a grave because of the swift lead of your guns.
Alpin's tribe are thine for sure — 'tis no wonder they should gather to protect thee from ill-wishers — in time of conflict they cannot be overcome. Strong and bold is each generous hero who will not listen to thy dispraise; when they all collect together there will be more than enough.
Why, after undertaking the task, didst thou not fashion part of it? If thou wert a bard who could compose a lay, I'll warrant a ditty would take shape for thee about men courageous, doughty, and excellent, generous, welcoming, and courteous, for on day of battle the foe never saw their heels on the field of strife.
The subject of my tale is the youthful lord — thy noisy praise will not make a dirge for him; 'tis not impediment in speech or halting tongue would make a verse to that man, who has friends, numerous and strong for gathering in every quarter, who oft made a gap in their foes and their number would be short-lived.
Should Clanranald stand in need well do I know his succour, that will satisfy his want in every chase and pursuit that would cause him hindrance or grief; in Alba itself there is a host that will not yield and several hundreds of many tribes who would not refuse to rise in time of conflict, and from Ireland will come many.
When thy silk is shown on flagstaff pipes and drums are heard; an emblem pleasing enough would the MacDonalds have, the heroes: heath of rugged hills on spirited warrior, and a tree whose foliage will not wither, a ship and salmon and red hand, and a fierce watchful lion.
With thee is thine own clan first of all, strong and doughty and honoured, donning their garb to strike blows, hard is their stroke and venomous; in the plying of blades they are not faint — many a gage have they won, sweeping heads from the bodies of the Saxons, and thirst in quest of blood on them.
A thing not strange, with thee is Clan Donald, the stout heroic champions, rough in combat, bitter in pursuit, fierce like lions with whelps, lopping ears, splintering shoulders, cleaving heads and pates, who will join eagerly in the chase, who are not soft but hard — 'tis one not long-lived who waits for them.
The men of Knoydart will come like hawks taught to swoop, strong and knowing when anger faces them — they can injure dangerously; savagely and keenly will they wound — no leech will be surety for them; mad conflict is (presaged) in the countenance of every hero — who may go to contend with them?
Clan Iain will come with thee in order — terrors they who will gain respect; blood will be spilt by the lions and flesh will be in shreds; with their swords of steel ever smiting, they are the restless heroes; without wound or weariness, never will they return until the gages are won by them.
The men of Keppoch will come, 'tis I will not overlook them: good are they in place of danger, manly, handsome, stout, and strong — never did they suffer insult; every champion with a step forward, well-versed are they in gunnery; the others will be swiftly destroyed even to death by the arms of the heroes.
Clan Duncan will join thee in a body — spirited is that honoured race — the laird of Struan and of Lude with their straight comely men; good sharp London steel will fearlessly go to pursue Spanish blades; they will bring to earth with the enduring edges all who come against them.
The Stewarts, noble and healthy saplings, will rise to slaughter, the Earl of Bute with his fair-famed companies — bitter is he when roused; there will come from Atholl the fierce men, brisk and spoiling for strife, every one from Appin in the west, and when they set out they will have the victory.
With thee are the MacLeods, rich in store, a people who would not spare blows to bring about the rout in thine aid, slashing and expert and steadfast; full of hardihood as was their wont, they will not flee — nothing of the kind will be said of them; bodies will grow cold without a grave because of the swift lead of your guns.
Alpin's tribe are thine for sure — 'tis no wonder they should gather to protect thee from ill-wishers — in time of conflict they cannot be overcome. Strong and bold is each generous hero who will not listen to thy dispraise; when they all collect together there will be more than enough.
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