Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

HISTORICAL NOTICES. 5
had grown up, in point of daring and muscular
strength, the model of his warlike father ; that
by some bold exploit against a neighbouring
chief he proved himself " worthy to be called
his father's son ;" that he married some powerful
baron's daughter to extend his influence and
strengthen his hands ; that he left a son and
heir ; and that he at last fell, gloriously fighting
an enemy, somewhere, after having dispatched,
with his own hand, two or three dozen or so of
his enemies ; the bard sung his Marbh-Rann
(death dirge) ; the seneachie recorded the facts,
and completed his labours by adding, finally,
that Eachuinn Mor na'n Cath (Great Hector of
the battles) was carried to I-Colum-Kill, and
buried there. This was enough for the unso-
phisticated seneachie of ancient days ; no notion
of dwelling upon the mental qualifications of his
patron entered his thoughts : if his chief was
"brave, bold, and resolute ;" if his sword "glanced
from the scabbard with the quickness of the
lightning round the summit of Bein-M6r," to
resent every real or imaginary wrong; these
constituted the only praiseworthy qualities in the
estimation of the glory-loving seneachie ; all gifts
else were deemed of very minor consideration.
It is, however, fortunate for our purpose that
the name of Maclean had met with honour-
able mention from other hands : the name be-
longed to history generally, and it had from age
b 3