Ossian Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

246 IIEBRIDIAN SKETCHES.
The yielding to temptation's power
Through haste, or through delay.
Or any of the many things
Which strive with God on high,
And sink mankind in suffering,
And turn their course awry.
Great passions, accusations stern,
And heart-consuming blame,
By fitful gleams flash o'er that face.
Like mingling smoke and flame.
Till with pressed lip and knitted brow,
"It shall be so," is said.
As a vexed flush of grief and pride
The speaker's face o'erepread.
"It shall be so, and I will quit
This vain and fruitless toil,
And yield, since such is Heaven's high wil
This dear blood-spattered soil
" To the tyrant and oppressor,
Then wing my course away
Unto the Blessed Sepulchre
Where Christ, my Saviour, lay.
" The purpose that is right and true
It prospers not with me ;
Thy freeborn honours to renew
Is not my destiny.
"0! my much-wasted native land.
For sin, so heavy lies
About my heart, it slacks my hand,
And dims my anxious eyes.