M’Dougall of bright armour,
A noble chief’s thy famous son,
All that I think is true
Of thy fair-formed, prudent child.
’T were better that thy fair head
Were now exposed than mine, kind friend.
Duncan Carrach[189] is his name,
A name that triumphed ever.
Duncan of bravest deeds,
Remember thy first honoured name;
Son of Allan,[190] do not merit,
Reproach thy race did ne’er deserve.
Since now that thou art so well known,
With every reason to esteem thee,
To thee is given the foremost place,
Since thou the favourite art of all.
True it is thou art indeed
The man to take the richest spoil.
Like a bull that’s fierce for fight,
’Tis thus thou goest to make war.
’Tis thou who traversest Cruachan,[191]
Casting thy spear beneath its knolls.
Thy fame is as that of the leopard,
Thou art Duncan of Durinis.
Thou quellest quick thy foe,
Thou stainest both hands with blood.
Thou cheerest us when we are weary,
Thou art the source of all our joy.
He is the man whom ’tis easiest
In song like mine to praise,
Which among heroes I compose,--
The generous dragon of Connal.[192]
Other fame belongs to him,
The art that is in his gun.
The bravery and skill of Erin
Bound firmly up in all his blows.
Whatever skill a king’s son has,
That he has, with no defect.
The purest speech has come to him,
This will in thy son be found.
Now I see thee raise the tax,
Truly out of every homestead,
Noble king of bravest deeds,
Descendant of that martial race.
Macdougall.
[188] We know nothing of this poet. The name is a rare one, although
still existing in the Highlands. He would appear to have been a family
bard of the Macdougalls of Dunolly.
[189] In the Dean’s chronicle of deaths, contained in this MS., is
the following entry in Latin:--1512, Jul. 13. The death of Duncan
M’Dougall, who was slain A.D. 1512, who was the son and heir of
Alexander M’Dougall of Dunolly; and Duncan was buried in Ardchattan
13th July. “Carrach” means a _scald head_, from which he seems to have
got his name in childhood. The poet refers to his head as now more
smooth than his own.
[190] In Innes’ Orig. Par. vol. ii. part 1, p. 115, it is said, on the
authority of the Acts of Council, that, in 1478, Colin Earl of Ergile
was sued by Alane Sorlesone M’Cowle for warrandice of the lands of
Lereage and Wouchtrouch, etc. This is probably the Alan referred to by
the bard.
[191] “Ben Cruachan,” the highest mountain in Lorn, the ancient
territory of the clan Dougall.
[192] Connal Ferry, the remarkable narrow at the mouth of Loch Etive,
where the stream at times becomes a salt-water cascade. The name
“Connal,” “Conthuil,” means a _roaring stream_.