Ossian Collection > Reliquiae Celticae > Volume 2

THE HOOK OK CLANRANALD. 219
A hero by whom the the board of monks (?) was maintained,
The son of Margaret of the greatest renown ;
No loss more lamentable could be told,
Although it is the final lot of every heir to die.
Allan by whom the plain of the Fingalls was defended,
Of the race of C'olla of smooth skin ;
Until the death of the heir of O'Eachadh occurred
All that departed from us did not concern us.
Ranald departed from the same power,
He assumed the leadership of the Gael,
He received, through death, the respect of c\-ery man,
He was a branch of that bountiful wood.
The lamentation for Ranald of the purple blades
Ls not an agreeable course for my heart's disposition ;
Whatever day he is regretted least,
Our grief for him is a sickness to us.
I am not better off after Allan,
The heir of Ranald, not a pleasing comparison ;
The leaders of our forces, our chieftain clan of warriors.
My sorrow for the family is equal.
The lament for the two is an equal proportion.
It is a trouble for us to treat of their jewels ;
It is not the departure of relatives from her high ])laius,
But the united branches of the valour of Allia that h.i ve died.
The fame of Ranald has gone to decay
After the death of Allan whose manner was noble ;
He spent his time with us in fervor.
Pity it were not we that died first.
Had Ranald depai'ted after Allan,
But in the death of any man I have no liking ;
His fame excelled the deeds of the Gaels,
No man after him is of any concern to them.
In the judgment of death there is no even decision
Over the Clann Colla who took no refusal ;
His death and that of his heir also.
The branch of Moirne is without perfect sight.
Let me sing of you in silence like the swan,
Thou descendant of Rory of the blue blades,
My affection be with thee of the white coloured teeth,
Though thy death now reproves me for it.