Matheson Collection > Modern Gaelic bards

LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN MACGREGOR, M.D. 43
From the Scotsman of 7th February, 1903.
THE BATTLE OF GLENFRUIN.
A COMMEMORATION ODE on the 300th anni-
versary of the Battle of Glenfruin. Dedicated
to Lieutentant Sir Malcolm Macgregor of
Macgregor, Bart., Royal Navy (Chief of the Clan),
and to the Clangregor Society, by their Honorary Bard.
This was the famous Clan battle fought on the 7th
February, 1603, the victory of which by the Macgregors,
over greatly superior numbers, led to the cruel
persecution of the Clan, and the abolition of their name
under penalty of death, till it was finally revived by a
special Act of Parliament in 177-i. It is probably the
only name in the annals of history that ever rose from
the dead, after being buried, so to speak, for nearly two
hundred years ; as it is also the only one in the United
Kingdom privileged to carry the crown on its crest in
recognition of ancient royalty : —
I.
With mingled thoughts of joy and woe
We hail once more that stormy day,
When, three long hundred years ago,
Was fought Glenfruin's fateful fray ;
That doomed Clan-Alpine's royal line
To be deprived of name and land,
Betrayed by traitors' dark design,
And vile usurpers' ruthless hand.
II.
Though few they were, compared with those
Who gloried in their hoped-for fall.
Our fearless fathers faced their foes.
And there opposed them one and all ;
And if in self-defence they drew
The sword, and slew with might and main.
Not theirs the crime— but of the crew
That on Glenfruin's field were slain.