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

PANURGI PHILOCABALLI [407-422
Ordine compositis redeunt ad signa maniplis.
Utque in procinctu densae micuere phalanges,
Fulmineus medio victor stetit agmine Gramus,
Jam sublimis equo et fulgentibus arduus armis.
‘ En,’ ait, ‘ auspiciis olim felicibus usi
Regia jam sequimur castra, et pro gente Stuarta
Hostibus eversis, ultricia sumpsimus arma,
Et Perthae insignem spoliis intravimus urbem.
Nunc quocunque vocant laeti data fata sequamur.1
Dixit; et instructis generoso milite turmis,
Signa jubet placido tolli victricia vultu.
Ipse simul campo vestigia figit aperto
Martia heroo praetervolat agmina gressu.
Inde Tai rapidam transmittit fluminis undam,
Stant ubi Regificae turrita palatia Sconae.
Protinus ad sacram Cargillae fertilis aedem
their own ensigns. And as the squadrons formed up in a circle,
Graham, the fiery victor, mounted, and towering aloft in shining
arms, in the midst, thus addresses them: f Again we follow the
Royal camp, and the fortunes of the Stuart, under the happy
auspices of former days. We have taken up avenging arms, and
have entered Perth, a city rich in spoil, the enemy being over¬
thrown. Now let us gladly follow whither the Fates call us.’
He spoke, and the troops being formed under a noble soldier,1
with calm dignity he gives the order to march. He himself at the
same time moved to the open plain, and speeds at the head of his
martial line with heroic mien. Then he passes the rapid Tay, where
stands the turreted palace of royal Scone.2 Quickly he advances to
the Kirk of fertile Cargill,3 and stops at the fair Castle of Stobhall.3
they a special feature of the Orange regiments ? Their meeting with special deri¬
sion would seem to indicate special significance.
1 Probably Lord Dunfermline.
2 The lines here suggest that Dundee passed on in front, leaving the com¬
mand to the noble soldier who hurried on to Stobhall with the troopers.
Dundee himself dined at Scone. Through this dinner Lord Stormont came
under the suspicion of the Convention. He explained that ‘ Dundee had forced
his dinner from him on Saturday last.’ His father-in-law, Scott of Scotstarvet,
and his uncle, Sir John Murray of Drumcairn, were on a visit at Scone at the
time, and had much trouble through the same dinner.—Napier, p. 552.
3 Stobhall, a seat of the Earl of Perth, at this time a prisoner in Stirling
Castle. The Kirk of Cargill is further from Perth than Stobhall; but probably
the advanced party of the troop went on to Cargill, while Claverhouse himself
stayed at Stobhall. The route taken from Perth would be by Scone and the old