Original Poety.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 10, 10 September 1874, Page 5

Original Poety.

THE BATTLE OF THE OLANS,

„ Ur A YOTOG t APT. - H abt ever seen the Clutha In the golden summer pride— The bills ablaze, with similght, - ' And the valley spreading wide. With .rich green fields and pleasant homes, Where regal waters glide ? B[as eyer seen the Clutha When the mellow twilight throws A peace upon its beauty ■ .'■ • As It murmurs, as It flows $ . , • _ When the sun's last kiss h.ath left the wesf c As crimson as the rose ?

Hast ever seen the Clutha When the fair moon leans her brow, As a bride, upon its bosom, To hear a. wbisper'd vow ; Where the dark MU» rise from yondeijside ? Oh come, love, with me no\f ,

Over the gleaming waters, Trembling waters, soft and clear, , A tale, so wild and warlike, I will tell thee ; should'at thou fear, Lenore,— remember that I love thee, Remember 1 am near,

On tho evening that followed the day of the war, • When the plain was a waste, and eaoh timorous star Had trembled and vanished lv terror afar, Sadly I drew in my chair, and Ut a cigar. Put my feet on the fender, and solemnly, then, I thought of the horrible warfare of men * Defacing our city, our beautiful city— My heart was one tumult of horror and pity • For the yellß of victory, and howls of defeat, ' Might have pierced c'en the stones on our spacious main Btreet. 'Mid din of chariots and trampling of horses Mingled with shouting and mustering of forces, Clan Grigor's brave cha.rn.pion. stood, anxious and Yet erect as a pine in a westerly gale, . And how little his generous opponent knew, >• > Of all his great army, how wond'rously few . '* Were true at the heart as their leader was true Hither and thither, in wild exultation, Some drove, and some rode ; some of lower creation. Homeward, by fond, faithful partners, were guided ; Some waited, more calm, till the day was decided Pj?* th ?£ a ? that P recea> ed, I marked!, 'mid the storm Of fast- falling snow, a tall, straight, muffled form— 'Twas a brave cavalier, a stranger to fear ; In defiance erect, his charger did bear, Wrapped up in his cloak, haughty, silent, and grim i Hia helmet waa battered, Mb good sword was dim— » From an ancestor great they were handed to him: Madly he plunged up Balclutha's main street, Unheeding the wind, and unheeding the sleet Bound -iv search of reinforcements, where'er they might be, * But first where the Molyneux meeteth the aea. Though cold was the night, and though ghostly winds blew, ' Warm beat the brave hearts of the gallant and true. When the young morn awoke with a dolorous face, : Nor bright locks, nor blue eyes, nor bloom could wa trace In the grey-hooded maiden that stooped to embrace The cold wintry earth, with a cold wintry gaise. Twas then that J. saw, when the conflict began, A great leading man, with anxiety wan ; Through the mud and the snow all wildly he ran— 'Tis wond'rouH to see how the placid and grave Can burst from their fetters, fight, or die with the brave. And one princely youth, with imperious voice. That seemed in the midst of the. storm to rejoice ; By magnificent greys" was bis chariot' drawn. Onward they bounded over fresh springing lawn— At least, it was said to be some sort of grain, That promised to brighten with verdure the plain. Along the same path a sweet enemy flew,-* Nor barrier stayed them, though their mission they knew "Was to tear from their loved ones the dauntless and true. Then forth did the aged Lord Colonsay* ride, In love and in warfare a chieftain well tried ; With ardour of youth did his proud spirit burn ; To the battle he rode— did he ever return 1 Then forth went a nobleman, portly and tall, And seizing with strong arm the great and this small. - '■'"' .-: '..r y His mandate to fight was obeyed by them all. But where, 'mid the commotion and horrible jar, 'Mid the surging, the tumult, and thunder of war, Where were the leaders?— 'Twas arrange, yet 'twas true, - - . ■■?..; Both had followed in search of a soldier they knew. The G-RIGOR came first, worn, weary /and spent, Enfeebled by fasting, on his-broad- sword he leant ; Kind hands brought him food, when, oh horrible t lo At the chamber-door, Btood his rival, GiiENcOB, But one moment he stood, then turning away, O'er the snow sped in terror that bleak, wintry day. 'Mid war shouts still echoing over the plain, The valiant were falling Jike full-ripened grain. Almost equal the contest, till nearing our view pame the. Knight of the Helmet, and galloping through, With reinforcements behind him. The Clan of Glencoe Grew livid with anguish, and shrieked loud in their woe. The hour is approaching, the warfare is done, Now the day is decided— the Grigor has won. Then uprose the victor and looked on the crowd, And his brave army thanked, in tones measured and loud. Oh ! for a Motley, a M'Aulay, or Froude, To tell of the triumph— but hush there is woe Mingled with victory, for some lieth low. Oh 1 alas, for the conquered, the fallen GlwqQß, Soft o'er the sombre hill. Soft o'er vale and rill, Soft from the river chill, White mists arise ; Thy dark hair, bright with dew, Veileth thy cheeks' changed hue, . Aye. and I know it, too, Dew in thine eyeß. Fast through the arches wide, Fast in their stately pride, Onward the waters glide, ■ Onward they flow. Shall we return, Lbworb, ' . Now that my tale Is o'er. Fair night is changed and hoarLove, let us go. * Balelutha, Sept. 8, 1874. ■ ' '■' > ' I . ' I m— mmmmm » u W