Blair Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

210 HEBRIDIAN SKETCHES.
When, with a whirr, the flock together run
At near approach of some stray dog, or man
Who comes to choose a wether, or few sheep,
To eke his stock and bring next summer gain.
That tall stout man, in the grey homespun dressed-
Who moves about with such a manly stride,
And whose large hand, so oily and so tarred,
Picks for the buyer what he wants to take —
Is owner both and keeper of the sheep.
To all and each alike, or high or low,
He speaks sedately in his native tongue,
With easy flow of past'ral rhetoric,
And self-possessed, — in conscious rectitude
Dispenses courtesy and nice regard —
So quick to feel indignity himself.
For though his station bears no glossy show,
Yet, filled with treasured memories of old,
With deeds of valour, gentleness, and birth,
The shepherd holds within his secret soul,
A grace like David's with the pride of Saul.
And thus he feels, though poor the mode of life,
What truly makes the man may yet be great,
Although he owns not much, if he but knows
And acts in self-collected dignity
Unmoved but thus : not what the eye perceives,
But what is felt and living in the mind
Ennobles man, and doth the earth adorn.
So lived the prophets in the days of old —
Long may such spirits permeate our own.
Still further pierce into the deepening crowd,
Cautious you give the frequent steeds, the while,
No chance to make but small bones of your legs ;
Careful to steer between the talking groups
Of busy men and dressed and showy girls,
And as you slowly pass along, you note
Where, in the thoroughfare, the stands are set,
And boys with open mouth and staring eyes,