LACHIN Y GAIR AWAY, ye gay landscapes, ye gardens of rose3 ! Restore me the rocks, where the snow-flake reposes, Round their white summits though elements war; Though cataracts foam 'stead of smooth-flowing foun POEMS Ah! there my young footsteps in infancy wander'd; My cap was the bonnet, my cloak was the plaid; On chieftains long perish'd my memory ponder'd, II As daily I strode through the pine-cover'd glade ; I sought not my home till the day's dying glory Gave place to the rays of the bright polar star; For fancy was cheer'd by traditional story, Disclosed by the natives of dark Loch na Garr. tains, I sigh for the valley of dark Loch na Garr. "" Shades of the dead! have I not heard your voices Rise on the night-rolling breath of the gale? Surely the soul of the hero rejoices, 19 And rides on the wind, o'er his own Highland vale. Round Loch na Garr while the stormy mist gathers, Winter presides in his cold icy car: They dwell in the tempests of dark Loch na Garr. Ill-starr'd, though brave, did no visions foreboding Tell you that fate had forsaken your cause?" Ah! were you destined to die at Culloden, Victory crown'd not your fall with applause : B Still were you happy in death's earthly slumber, You rest with your clan in the caves of Braemar ; The pibroch resounds, to the piper's loud number, Your deeds on the echoes of dark Loch na Garr. 31 Years have roll'd on, Loch na Garr, since I left you, Yet still are you dearer than Albion's plain. To one who has roved o'er the mountains afar: Oh for the crags that are wild and majestic ! The steep frowning glories of dark Loch na Garr. 40 They know not I knew thee, In secret we met- After long years, WELL! THOU ART HAPPY WELL! thou art happy, and I feel That I should thus be happy too; For still my heart regards thy weal Warmly, as it was wont to do. Thy husband's blest-and 'twill impart Would hate him if he loved thee not! When late I saw thy favourite child, I thought my jealous heart would break; I kiss'd it, and repress'd my sighs Mary, adieu! I must away: While thou art blest I'll not repine; But near thee I can never stay ; My heart would soon again be thine. 30 1808. ΤΟ 20 |