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

SCOTI GRAMEIDOS LIB. III.
Vertitur accensum ter circum pendulus ignem.
Gensque haec picta croco, glastoque infecta tremendos
Hostibus attollit duro in certamine vultus;
Oris et horribiles ostentat in arma figuras.
Gorgonei vultus hominum, cava lumina torvo
Fronts micant, priscos aequant et mole gigantes;
Immanesque Scythas referunt, pictosque Agathyrsos.
Nudi humeris, nudique pedes, non vulnera terrent,
Non ferrum, chalybesque feri, non machina glauco
Fulgure, non certam sclopeta 3 minantia mortem
Pectora prosternunt, sed et ipsa in vulnera gestant
Corda immota metu, statque imperterrita virtus
Rebus in adversis, et quando in proelia ventum est
Pugnae ardent studio, flagrantque cupidine praedae
Captandae, raptimque ruunt per tela per enses
Intrepidi invalidis fiducia sola lacertis,
Aut superare hostem, mediove occumbere campo.
Olim siderea cum nondum sede potitus
Jupiter, aut patrio pulsus Saturnus Olympo,
Fama refert vacuos sine tecto errasse per agros
Semiferum genus hoc hominum, et si credere dignum,
is turned thrice round a fire, mid Stygian murmurs and words of
incantation. This race, in yellow and blue,1 presents a fearful
front to the enemy in face and form. The deep-set eyes of the
Gorgon visage sparkle in the savage faces of the men, and in
height they equal the giants of ancient days, and recall the
Scythians and the painted Agathyrsi.2 Though naked as to feet
and shoulders, no wounds affright them, nor do they flinch from
sword or bullet or any hardship. Eager for battle and for booty,
they rush headlong against spear and sword, and, trusting to
strength of arm alone, they conquer or die.
The story goes, that before Jupiter possessed the throne, or
1 ‘ Picta croco glastoque infecta. ’ This must refer to their garments, though
the author from time to time suggests tattooing. Yellow and blue were common
dyes in the Highlands, obtained from the ragweed and madder respectively.
2 Picti Agathyrsi. Virgil, Aen. iv. 146. A painted or tattooed people of
European Sarmatia. Sacheveril, in 1688, says they—the Highlanders—remind
him of the ancient Piets ; ‘ . their thighs are bare, with brawny muscles,
... a thin brogue on their feet, a short buskin of various colours on the leg,
tied above the calf with a striped pair of garters.’ Camden says they remind
him ‘ of the Scythian and Goth.’ See Preface.
3 See Notes at end of volume.