History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

Poetry on or About the MacLeans.
435
In snowy, furrowed waves appeared,
And gave a charm unto his face,
Which glowed with patriarchal grace,
His eyes beamed with the soul-repose
Which years of happiness disclose;
His broad brow showed in sundrj- scars
The valor-emblems of his wars;
His countenance was calm, benio;n,
His smile was fatherly, divine.
Of stalwart mien unbowed by years.
His voice dispelled the maiden's fears,
And as she heard his gentle tone,
She gazed with reverence upon
The hoary chief, the island lord,
Who welcomed her unto his board.
Ere seated round the table all,
Young Hector strode into the hall.
One hurried bow he gave the maid,
Whose simultaneous glance betrayed
The strange confusion, unexpressed,
Which bodes a maiden's feelings best,
As on her savior she gazed
Love's tumult in her bosom blazed.
Her meed of thanks refused to come.
Her eyes spoke now, her lips were dumb,
She heard of Hector as of one
Blood-thirsty, cruel, scarce a man.
Who drove her father from the shore,
In battle, nigh two months before;
Her father's ire she deemed unjust,
She saw in Hector one to trust.
As Hector gazed upon the maid.
His heart from every theme was swayed.
His morning meal before him lay
Untouched, save in a listless way,
A feast of fire o'erfilled him now,
He knew not why, he felt not how.
With truthful ej'e the chief divined
The thoughts which racked the maiden's mind.
And ere the simple meal was o'er.
He sent his henchman to the shore
To launch his boat, to bend the sail,
To spread his banner to the gale.
"Sweet Maid of Lorn, thou must away,
Though welcome here, thou must not stay;
Thy father's grief none can reveal.
Thou can'st alone his anguish heal ;
Hector shall steer thee o'er the sea.
And thy deliverer shall be.
Farewell, sweet maid, our prayers are thine.
May future joys around thee shine!"
IX.
Kight well MacLean had read her heart.
The maid was anxious to depart;
Her earnest gratitude of soul,
O'erpowering rushed beyond control ;
She sobbing bade them all adieu!
And from the castle slowly drew.
Young Hector lightsome led the way.
Where in the cove the galley lay;
Then as a gallant courtier lord
He placed the weeping maid on board.
With skillful hands he plied the oars.
And shot beyond the sheltering shores;
Then hoisted up the broad, brown sail.
Which filled unto the gentle gale,
With favoring tide and favoring wind.
Grey Diiard soon was left behind.
liight merrily the boat sped on,
And now they felt they were alone.
They spoke! 'neath Hector's voice the maid
The hidden mystery obej'ed —
Her world, erst fair, seemed fairer now.
Her eyes beheld life's heaven below;
And yielding to the conqueror's sway.
They pledged eternal love that day. —
There is a music in the sen,
An everlasting melody,
An earnest chant of throbbing love,
An echo of God's voice above.
Which gives unto our hearts the peace
That bids our mutual loves increase.
The little dancing waves rejoice
To hear a maiden's love-fraught voice;
They leap with frenzied mirth and glee.
As fall her vows of constancy.
And fain their foamy crests would bless.
Affection's sacred, primal kiss.
They sang with joy when Hector brave
His heart unto the maiden gave ;
They leapt with smiles on every crest.
To hear the maiden's vow expressed.
With hand in hand, eye fixed on eye,
The lovers kissed, and seemed to die
'Neath the enfaptured bliss divine,
Which springs when Love's great fountains
join.—
They neared Kerrera's rocky shore,
And round its northern headland bore;
Swift for DunoUy's curving bay,
The galley bounded on its way.
They saw upon the glistening sand
One solitary warrior stand,
Who marked MacLean's dread banner fly
Upon the nodding mast on high —
A whistle loud and shrill he blew,
Then from the cliffs MacDougalls Hew;
But ere they bent a single bow,
He spied his daughter on the prow;