Ossian Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

ALEXANDER MACDONALD. 11
Let your fists' broad grasp be wliiteiiing
In your rowing I
Ye lusty, heavy, stalwart youngsters!
Stretch your full length ;
With shoulders knotty, nervy, hairy,
Hard with strength ;
See you raise and drop together
With one motion
Your grey and beamy shafts, well ordered,
Sweeping ocean.
Thou stout surge-wrangler on the foremost oar,
Shout loudly, "Suas orr!"*
The song that wakes the arm's best vigour
In each cruiser.
And hurls the Birliun through the cold glens,
Loudly snoring;
Or climbing, cleaving the swollen surges,
Hoarsely roaring.
When hill-waves thus are flung behind.
By your stout shoulders ;
"Hugan" will the ocean wailing shouting say.
And "Heig" groan the oar holders.
From the strong surge a thud — a dash of spray,
Goes o'er each timber.
But still oars creak, though blisters rise on fingers,
Strong and limber.
For the stout, stiff, manly heroes
Must work untiring,
Should every board of her be quivering,
Round oaken post and iron ;
* " Suas orr," " Up with her " — i. «., the Birlinn. " Suas e," is a com-
mon cry of encouragement. Whoever has seen the Highlanders dance
their reels, must have witnessed the inspiring effect of "Suas e."