The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

80 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.THE HIGHLAND CEILIDH.BY ALASTAIR OG.[Continued.]On the conclusion of the " Sioell of CadboU" Norman received the heartyand unanimous congratulations of the cu'cle. The frail old bard, pullinghimself together, got up, Avent across the room, and shook him heartilywith both hands. This sj^ecial honour was a most unusual one. It wasclear that Alastair was just in the mood when a little jDcrsuasion wouldsuffice to get him to recite one of his own compositions. This he wasgenerally very chary of doing, but Norman getting the hint from one of hisimmediate neighbours to ask the bard a special favour on this occasionat once begged the honour of hearing one of the bard's compositionsfrom his ovnx lips. The venerable old man bent himself forward,began to work the fingers of both hands and beat time on his leg ason a chanter, humming a quiet cronan. This was liis usual practice whencomposing or reciting poetry, and it was at once seen that he wouldconsent. "I will give you," says he, " a Marhh-rami, or Elegy whichno one ever heard, and which I have recently composed to the late'EaUie Hector' of DingwaU, a son of my late esteemed friend 'Letterewe,'on condition that you. Sir, will give us another story when I am done.Norman at once agreed, and the bard commenced as foUows :MARBHRANN.Do Bhailidh Eachainn, Inbhie-Feotharan, Mac fear Leitir-iugh.Air Fonn—" 'S mi 'm shuidhe 'm ^onar."O 's truagh an sgeula tha 'n diugh ri fheutainn,Thug gal air ceudan a measg an t-shiaigh,Mu Eachainn gleusta 'bha fearail, feumail,Gun da ghlac an t-eug tliu a threun-laoich chruaidh :'S mor bron do Chinnidh, mar eoin na tuinnean ullaidh uathTha 'n cronan duilich 's'S bho nach duisg an gair thu, 's nach cluinn thu 'n gailich,Se chlaoidh do chairdean do bhas cho luath.Tha do chairdean cianal, tha bron da'lionadh,Tha 'n inntinn pianail bho n' ghlac thu 'm bas,'S lad a ghnatli fuidh thiorachd 's nach faigh iad sgial ort,Ach thu bhi iosal an ciste chlarBu tu ceann na riaghailt 'us lamh na fialachd,A sheoid gun fhiaradh, gun ghiamh gun sgath,'Sa nis bho 'n thriall thu, 's sinn Ian dha d' iargan,'S nach eil 's na criochan fear a lionas d' ait.Bha d' aite miaghail 's gach cas an iarrt' thu,A reir mo sgiala bu teiic do hiach :Bha thu pairteach, briathrach, ri ard 's ri iosal,Gun chh^s gun dioghaltas air an tuath.