Matheson Collection > Gaelic songs of Mary MacLeod

MACLEOD'S LILT 41
Thou of form so fair, without flaw of fashioning, thou
heart manly and generous, well do red and white be-
come thee; thy clear-seeing eye blue as the blaeberry,
set by thy cheek ruddy as the berry of the dog-rose.
Thy cheek is ruddy as the berry of the dog-rose, and
under the choicest head of hair thy curling locks
entwine. In thy dwelling would be found, ranged
upon the weapon-rack, powder-horn and shot-horn
and the pick of every armoury.
Powder-horn and shot-horn and the pick of every armoury,
and sword-blades slender-tapering from hilt to tip;
would be found on each side of them rifle and carabine,
and bows tough and sound with their bowstrings of
hemp.
Bows tough and sound with their bowstrings of hemp,
and narrow culverins would be bought though they
be dear; a handful of polished arrows thrust down
into quivers, fledged from the plumage of the eagle
and the silk of Gal way.