Matheson Collection > Gaelic songs of Mary MacLeod

DIRGE 19
Yesterday my gladness came to a close; my dear knight
departed; I laid aside my harp, music was denied me;^
I and every physician were baffled, and so mine honour
is departed and thou, my king, art dead.
The tree hath fallen headlong, the grain hath showered
to earth; wounded and anguished for thy sake are the
folk over whom thou stoodest pre-eminent, protecting
them at all times; alas, death hath inflicted his bite
upon thee.
What time they sat in thy chamber thy company arrayed
themselves, not in readiness for the joy of thy wedding,
with the daughter of Clan Donald's earl seeking after
thee, as were due; not so, but thou wert bestowed in
the satin shroud beneath thy shirt.
O it is I that am sad and sorrowful, the tinge of weeping
on my cheek! Sore is the bitter pang that I have
suffered; comely rider of swift steeds, prime leader
over a host, alas that thou hast forsaken me in the time
of my need!
But I have found my young dear one without music as
was not wont, wrights a-fashioning thy coffin, the
women plucking grass, the men without music or
chess-playing; grievous it is to hear the sorrow of
my news.
See note.