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

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PANURGI PHILOCABALLI [491-513
Mutua solenni jungebant foedera ritu.
Ipse in concessu medioque sub agmine Gramus
Constitit, et superos vocat haec in foedera testes.
Atque ait, ‘ O prisci Mavortia pectora, Scoti,
Quorum adeo in dubiis virtus spectata procellis
Enituit, totiesque tulit pulso hoste triumphum
Audite, atque animis mea jussa facessite laetis,
Septima cum roseos Aurora reduxerit ortus,
Praecipites in bella viri ferte horrida tela,
Ite et in anna alacres, et acerbo tempore Regi
Promissam servate fidem, et struite ordine campis
Agmina picta croco, fulgentesque aere phalanges.1
Dundius ista prior. Glengarius inde secutus;
‘ Tester1 ait ‘ caelum, et caeli spirabile lumen,
Nulla dies unquam nos foederis arguet hujus
Immemores, non si stagnanti Grampius alto
Exundet, caelumque gravi premat infera lapsu.
Nos, duce te, rigidum clangunt cum classica Martem,
Et fremebunda vocat Bellona in Caesaris hostes
Ibimus, intrepidique viam mucrone corusco
Sternemus. Tua nec quo publica cunque vocat res
Jussa retractamus. Caeli per numina juro,
Per superos, Stygiamque domum stagnantis Averni,
they pledge their mutual faith. In the midst of the assembly
and surrounding troops, the Graham called the gods to witness
these bonds, and thus he speaks, £ O Scots of ancient race ! O
warlike spirits ! whose valour is seen most in the crises of affairs,
you who so often have triumphed in the past, hear, and with
willing minds obey, my commands. When the seventh morning
has brought back the light, gather in force with your dread
weapons of war. Move swift to battle, and preserve your faith to
the King in an evil time. Draw out your clans in their saffron
array upon the plain, and your battalions shining in brass.’ These
words spake Dundee, and Glengarry followed: ‘ I take Heaven to
witness that no day shall prove us forgetful of this league, though
the Grampians sink into th'e sea, or the sky falls upon us. While
you are our leader, when the trumpets sound their notes of war,
and raging Bellona summons us against the enemy of the Caesar,
where the public weal demands, there we shall go, and at your
command open the way with the sword. I swear by the gods of
heaven, and by the powers above, by the Stygian home of dank