Ossian Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

90 MODERN GAELIC BARD.s.
Or didst thou, with hard mind,
Thy weak tenantry grind,
And thin their worn hair 'neath thy sway —
With the lafw's cruel mock,
Distraining their stock.
Though their poverty moaned for delay ?
Letting them stand.
With bonnet in hand.
When tliey dared in thy presence appear :
And making so light
Of their locks thin and white.
And the wind that blew aches in their ear.
Now the poor drudge.
Free of rent and of judge,
Unrespecting lies down by thy side :
Great praise be to death,
Wlio so soon stopt thy breath,
Nor 'neath the sod suffered thy pride.
Or once in this head.
Was godly faith fed —
Didst thou walk in the way of the wise?
Then, though thou liest there,
So naked and bare.
Without nose or tongue or eyes.
Be bold, — do not grieve.
For yet thou shalt leave
At the sound of the trumpet blast,
This baseness behind.
With the earth-worm that 's blind,
When the grave and its power is past.