Hew Morrison Collection > Sar-obair nam bard gaelach, or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry

AN CIARAN MABACH.
53
AN CIARAN MABACH,
GILLEASPUIG RUADH MAC-DHOMHNUILL.
Archibald M'Donald, commonly called Ciaran Mabach, was an illegitimate son of
Sir Alexander M'Donald, sixteenth baron of Slate. He was contemporary with Iain
ioTw, the Lochaber bard, and his coadjutor in punishing the murderers of the lawful heirs
of Keppoch.
In no one could his father more properly have confided matters of importance, requir-
ing sagacity, zeal, and bravery, than in this son. Accordingly he made use of his ser-
vices when necessary; and put the greatest dependence in his fidelity, prudence, and
activity. Ciaran Mabach was no doubt amply requitted by his father, who allotted him
a portion of land in North Uist. Grants of land were in those times commonly given
to gentlemen of liberal education, but of slender fortune; where amid their rural occupa-
tions they enjoyed pleasures unknown to those who in similar stations of life were less
happily located. Of this our bard was very sensible during his stay in Edinburgh, as
we learn from his poem on that occasion.
It does not appear that our poet was a voluminous writer ; and of his compositions there
are very few extant. It is to be regretted that so few of his poems have been preserved,
as his taste, education, and natural powers, entitle him to a high place among the bards
of his country. Gentlemen of a poetical genius could have resided in no country more
favourable to poetry than in the Highlands of Scotland, where they led the easy life of
the sportsman, or the grazier, and had leisure to cultivate their taste for poetry or romance.
B' ANNSA CADAL AIR FRAOCH.
Ge socrach mo leabaidb,
B' aiinsa cadal air fraoch,
Ann an lagan beag uaigneacb,
A's bad de'n luacbair ri 'rn thaobb,
'Nuair dh'eirinn sa' mbadainn,
Bbi siubhal ghlacagan caol,
Na bbi uiall tbun na h-Abaid,
'G eisdeachd glagraich nan sàor.
'S oil learn càradh na fritbe,
'S mi bbi 'n Lite nan long,
Eadar ceann Saileas Si-pbort,
A's rutha Ghrianaig nan tonn,
Agus Uiginnis riabbacb,
An trie an d'iarr mi damh-donn,
'S a bbi triall than nam bodach,
Dha'ui bu chosnadh cas-chrom.
Cba'n eil agam cù gleusda,
A's cba'n eil feum agam dba,
Cha suidh mi air bacbdan.
Air sliabh fad o cbàcb,
Cba leig mi mo ghaothar,
Cbaidh faogb'd an tuim bain,
'S cba sgaoil mi mo luaidhe.
An Gleann-Huathain gu bràth.