THE MARQUIS OF LORNE AS A POET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4591, 7 December 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MARQUIS OF LORNE AS A POET.

The Marquis of Lome enters the literary arena as a poet. He has a long poem in Good TFoi-ds for July, entitled “ A Legend of Mull.” The story opens with preparations for the chase around Loch Buy’s Hall, and the first part ends with the punishment by stripes of a faithful huntsman, Eachan, at the hands of his master, whose wrath has been excited by the deer having l-een allowed to go by. The humiliation of 1 Eaohan makes him throw his fidelity to the winds and thirsts for vengeance. The second part opens with the birth of a boy to the old chief Loch Buy, and again there is depicted a hunting morning, when father and son, guests and kinsmen, “ Hidden o’er a coppiced glen,” are preparing for the chase. Deep within its oaken thickets Ban its waters to the sea : On the hill the chief lay careless. While the child watched eagerly. ’Neath them, on the shining ocean. Island beyond island lay. Whore the peaks of Jura’s bosom Bose o’er holy Oronsay. Where the greener fields of Islay Pointed to the far Kintyre— Fruitful lands of after ages— Wasted then with sword and fire. For tile spoil, that once had gathered All the chiefs beneath the sway Of the ancient loyal sceptre Of the Isles had passed away. Once, from Bathrin to the southward. Westward to the low- Tyree, Northward passed the Alps of Cuchullan, Someried ruled land and sea; Colonsay, Llsmore, and Scarba, Bute and Oumbrae, Mnll and Skye, Arran, Jura, Lows, and Islay, Shouted then one battle-cry. But those Isles, that still united, Fought at Harlaw Scotland’s might. Broken by their fierce contention, Singly waged disastrous fight. And the teaching of Forgiveness— Grey lonia’s creed—became Not a sign for men to reverence, Bat a burling brand of shame. During the hunt, the old chief’s boy is seized by a rough hand that had apparently waited its opportunity, and is carried off. It is Eachan ! who has, wolflike, Seized upon a helpless prey ! Furiously and fast he bears him Where a cliff o’erhangs the bay. There, while sea-birds scream around them, Holding by his throat the boy, Eachan turns, and to the father Shouts in scorn and mocking joy: ‘ Take the punishment thou gavost— Give before all there a pledge For ray freedom, or thy darling. Dying, falls from yonder ledge 1 ‘ Take the strokes in even number As thou gavest—blow for blow— Then, dishonored, on thy honor. Swear to let me freely go.’ Stroke for stroke is given, while the chief and his people can only look on. ' Then again the voice of vengeance Pealed from Eaohan’s Ups in bate," and he hurls the boy “ downward, headlong through the ail - .” Eachan yells with laughter, and, springing from the' cliff, follows his victim.