Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 1, 1893

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
had hardly arrived when it was announced that
John Gordon, the man for whom the corn was
thrashed, and another man wished to see him
on urgent business. "Tell them to come in
here," said the farmer to the person who spoke
to him, for he hud some notion what they
wished to see him for. Gordon and his com-
panion, whose head was wrapped in a plaid,
immediately appeared in presence of the Ear
mer and his family. Gordon's companion
stood behind him, so that he could nut be seen.
Addressing the farmer. Gordon said that their
business did not admit of delay ; that his friend
who stood behind him was placed in a terrible
position ; that he (the farmer) had it in his
power to relieve him, and he hoped he would
do so immediately. The man with the muffled
head now stepped forward and said —
" I have done my utmost to injure you, sir.
My desire for revenge surpassed the' lines of
honour and discretion to my shame and hurt.
I n< iw 1 >eg your forgiveness, and hope you will
extricate me from my awful position."
The wizard then, for it was he, exhibited his
head, the sight of which filled the farmer and
his family, especially the younger members,
with wonder and awe, for on each side of it
was a large he-goat's horn ! The astonish-
ment which this sight produced among the
young people was beyond description — they
screamed and laughed in rapid succession
alternately for some time. At length the
farmer asked both Gordon and the wizard
what they proposed doing. Gordon answered
that he preferred not to get any fodder than to
see a fellow-being wearing horns like a be-goat.
The wizard again begged to be allowed to
resume his original form.
The farmer then said that if he would be
permitted to act in the fodder matter as he
should think proper, and if the wizard pro-
mised never again to interfere with him or his,
he would plead with the wise woman to remove
the horns from his head next day. To tlu's
Gordon and the wizard readily agreed, and
forthwith left the farmer's house. The roars
of laughter which prevailed in the farmer's
house for hours afterwards could be heard a
considerable distance away. Some members
of the family hardly slept any all night with
thinking about the wizard's head with the lit
goat's horns on it. The farmer went to the
wise woman as promised, and she removed the
objectionable horns. A. B. M'Lennan.
Lochtioiidale.
THE MEETING.
Translated B* "Fionn." (Fa
zl see page 172).
is due tin cj edit
ilaml harp,
p, or
To Lord Archibald I ' i
of re\ Li in" the' use oi I
i in ■" ft, at tin Oban Mbd. It isalsointere itlng to
aoti i li.it in .1 i he time of Queen Maa j ,
took Inn harper into battle to animate the tr<
Rp|HE following is a translation of some
"Rk ^ ae ' ic verses written on Margaret
°=*=> Ritchie, a young woman who lived in
Fass. She was held in high esteem for her piety,
although she was believed to be a little weak in
the mind. She often told her parents that she
had to meet the angels on the mountain top, and
would sometimes he days from home. At last
she went away as usual, but was found dead a
few days afterwards, on the top of Schihallion.
it is over thirty years since the incident
happened : —
As the evening shadows closed
O'er each fertile strath and glen,
And the night's dark shades reposed
On the peak of yonder ben —
Said the maiden young and fair,
"1 must climb the mountain height,
And hold sweet communion there,
With a band of angels bright."
"Come and join our happy choir,
Come and strike our harps of gold,
Here partake your heart's desire —
Bliss no mortal can unfold."
Thou a voice fell on her ear
Full of sweetness and repose, —
"Come and taste the water clear,
By the Tree of Life which flows."
Quick she climbed with footstep light,
Bade farewell to earth and sea,
And beheld a glorious sight
Far above earth's misery.
Who are these now drawing nigh,
Through the clouds with rapid flight!
Angels from the heavens high,
Shining mid the stars of night.
On their harps they sweetly play,
Hark the glorious refrain,
"Glory be to God for aye,
Peace on earth, goodwill to men."
Raptured by this lofty strain
To the ground she fainting fell,
Never to awake again,
Till she hears the judgment knell.
Roaming o'er the mountain steep
There the wondering huntsman found
In a snowy winding sheet,
Her fair form upon the ground.
A i he gentle zephers blow
Soft they chant her requiem,
Sighing winds in whispers low
Love her virtues to proclaim.