Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

THE SCOTTISH BORDER. 413
Surrounded by terror, disgrace, and defeat,
From the rocks of Kintaii the M 'Donalds recoil'd ;
No order was seen in their hasty retreat.
And their looks with dismay and confusion were wild.
While thine eyes wander oft from the green plains of Slate,
In pursuit of thy lord, O M'Donald's fair dame.
Ah ! little thou know'st 'tis the hour, mark'd by Fate,
To close his ambition, and tarnish his fame.
On the shore of Ardelve, far from home, is his grave,
And the news of his death swiftly fly o''er the sea
Thy grief, O fair dame ! melts the hearts of the brave.
Even the bard of Kintaii wafts his pity to thee.
And thou, Ellandonan ! shall thy tow'rs e'er again
Be insulted by any adventurous foe.
While the tale of the band, whom thy heroes have slain.
Excites in their sons an inherited glow !
Alas ! thou fair isle ! my
soul's darling and pride !
Too sure is the presage that tells me thy doom,
Tho' noAv thy proud towers all invasion deride.
And thy fate lies far hid in futurity's gloom.
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