Series 1 > Grameid: an heroic poem descriptive of the campaign of Viscount Dundee in 1689, and other pieces

47
173-192] SCOTT GRAMEIDOS LIB. II.
Interea arctois M‘Kaius appulit oris,
Jussus ad extremes boreae penetrare recessus,
Stemeret ut fidum magno certamine Gramum.
Jam prius invictos circumdat milite muros
Arcis Edineae, atque alto satis undique ducto
Aggere, ferratas tormenta rotantia glandes
Collocat, atque arcis jam propugnacula bombis
Concutit ignivomis, quae dux pro Rege tenebat
Gordonius; verum ille armis inglorius arcem
Tradidit, amissa aeternum cum nomine fama.
Ergo iter aggreditur magnis dux Belgicus orsis
Dira fremens, cinctusque ingenti milite, et armis
Jam rapit adductos diversis partibus orbis
Sub sua signa duces, durique in praelia Martis
Explicat ingentes equitum peditumque catervas;
Monticolisque necem, Gramoque extrema minatur.
Nec mora; jam validas certatim utrinque phalanges
Instaurant, totisque in praelia viribus acrem
Martem acuunt, strictoque parant decernere ferro.
Dundius at campo primus se immittit aperto,
Meanwhile Mackay1 advances towards the North, with orders to
penetrate to its utmost bounds and defeat the Graham in a deci¬
sive battle. He already surrounds the hitherto invincible walls
of Edinburgh Castle. Having led his works round it, and raised
them sufficiently high on every side, he planted his cannon and
shook the bulwarks of the fortress with iron balls. Gordon held
it for the King, but, inglorious in arms, he yielded the stronghold,
losing name and fame for ever. The Belgic general, elated with
these great beginnings,2 and surrounded by a strong force, hastens
forward, threatening terrible things. He hurries up his officers
from various quarters to his standard, and parades great companies
of horse and foot for the war. He vows death and destruction to
the Highlanders and the Graham. Gathering their strength on
both sides, they make ready without delay to decide the matter
with the drawn sword. Dundee first takes the field, and leaves
his lofty towers. His beloved wife,3 too, he leaves, though she had
1 See Preface.
2 Mackay hastened forward before the Castle was surrendered ; it was yielded
to Sir John Lanier, who had succeeded Mackay in the conduct of the siege.
* She was Lady Jean Cochrane, daughter of William, Lord Cochrane, grand¬
daughter of Lord Dundonald. Her mother was a daughter of the Earl of
Cassilis, and strong in Whig sympathies. They were married at Paisley, June