Ossian Collection > Reliquiae Celticae > Volume 2

THE liOOK OF CLANRAXALD. ^l >
To be recounting, though loth I am,
And there is not half to recount ;
Short was the life of the valiant descendant of Colla and ( 'onu,
The pure protector is now a want to us.
The descendant of Ranald has followeil them.
He has been put to dwell in the earth :
It has penetrated my heart with anguish
And my eyes are full of tears and without sleep.
One comparing with him in magnanimity and esteem
Gained nothing by it but debasement :
He retired from the contest without protest —
For by descent lie could l)e reputed elegant.
Often he paid our tithes
Until he lay under a flag in the grave ;
This has sent our blood [or grievances] to the bone
Because of our goodwill to them and their faces from us.
Macdonald loved not his praises ;
On his going to be luider earth,
Every one was seized with dread
When the King of Heaven visited him.
The anguish of lamenting iam was all over tlie lands,
Which was not less than that expressed in my verses ;
He had the advantage of being a Gael with clear brown hair,
Pure was his skin from the sole to the head.
A man of sufhcient clemency with honoi-,
According to the disposition of the tribe of which he was ;
He attached himself aflfectiouately to his kindred people
i>y which he gained the good will of every man.
A man who displayed superior knowledge in every cause,
In every good science his acquirement was perfect ;
The King of Grace granted him his reward,
And he obtained a deserving life through death.
In St Mary's Churchyard they buried iiis cofhn.
The fair bold piece is lying there ;
His pillow is eartli under a flag,
And the frost encloses him all romid.
As every man must prepare to go,
According to the rule of the King from whom we aresprunu
Let us submit to the fate as is customary.
Since near unto us is death that carries us awav.