Blair Collection > Celtic gleanings, or, Notices of the history and literature of the Scottish Gael

148 LECTURE lY.
the most cordial kind, as exhibited in the epi-
thets he applies to them, and in the savage joy
he expresses over their defeat and severe losses
at the battle of Inverlochy. It is said that, being
on one occasion at Inverary Castle, protected
by the sacred character of a bard, he met the
Marquis of Argyll, who showed him much
attention and kindness, and brought him to see
many objects of interest in the neighbourhood
of the castle. Among other things, he pointed
out a number of dead ravens hung up by the
huntsmen as trophies of their skill, and asked
the bard if he ever saw so much dead vermin
l)efore. " Yes, my Lord," replied the resolute
})ard. "Where?" asked the Marquis. "At In-
verlochy, my Lord," said John, referring to the
Campbells slain there. " Strange, John," said
tlie Marquis, " that you can never cease chew-
ing* the Campbells. What evil have they done
you?" " I only regret," replied the bard, " that
I cannot swallow them as well." Here is a
specimen of his invective : —
Air leth taobh Eeinne bhuidlie
Sheas a bhuidheann nach gann
Luchd dhearcadh an iubhair
'Sa chur siubhal fo chrann
• * A strong Haelic expression for vihiperatinf^.