And sing delighted of the shoals that swarin
In river, lake, and many a stretch'd sea-arm.
Point out to BRITAIN'S SENATE objects great,
Vast hidden treasures, precious to the state
As to th' industrious, keen in enterprise,
Who reap advantage, and by merit rise—
Be these the varied strains, O Muse of Song,
And strike the harp as swells the theme along?

I. Amid these Alpine wilds remote I roam
From thee, my CLEMENTINA,-far from home
I wander pensive, lonely, and unseen,
As thus I gaze o'er all the altered scene,
Where thy renown'd fore-fathers in the chase
Were wont to speed. How desolate the place
Where erst the hall resounded in high joy;
Where innocently gay thou didst employ
The swift-wing'd moments of life's early dawn,
Along the wooded stream, or flowery lawn,
How sadly changed! How desolate the waste!-
Save where yon shepherd and his dog in haste
Ascend the mountain's brow, the fleecy charge
To toil among, as far they stray at large,
No trace of human step the eye perceives!--
In vain the feeling bosom pining heaves,
Since dire Depopulation's deepening gloom
Spreads all the horrors of a living tomb !—(1)

'Tis vain to murmur, since no powerful arm Is left to save a land from hopeless harm!

II. Where now the guardian Chiefs, humane and just?
Dispersed some wander-many sleep in dust—
While some, to honour lost, mind naught save gain :-
But few, alas! of sterling worth, remain !-

Ah! how unlike the Chiefs, in times of old,
Who, mindful of their kindred, nor for gold,
Nor sordid gain, nor selfish narrow views
The bonds of sacred friendship would unloose!—
How changed of late!-The Chieftains of these times
Behold with apathy to distant climes

Their kinsmen sore oppress'd, deluded go,
But to encounter poverty and woe!—(2)
Oh! with what rapture could the Muse relate
The mild contentment of their former state,
When calm domestic joys beam'd in each eye,
And every heart was glad, and none knew why;

When

every glen, and hill, and mountain's side,

A hardy

race possess'd, proud ALBION's pride! -The times are altered-desolation reigns Amidst these Alpine wilds and narrow plains! The mournful Muse recounts those recent ills

Which

swept around the hoary Grampian hills!

And dost thou, Stranger from afar, enquire Where stood the Chieftain's hall, whose evening fire

Saluted oft the weary traveller's gaze,

As onward hastening to the social blaze ?

Where stood each lowly cottage rang'd around,
Within the cultured in-field's ancient bound : (3)
Beside the streamlet, near the sheltering hill,
Where stood the smithy, where the hamlet's mill, (4)
Whose ringing anvil, and whose clapper told
Their cheering tales of toil to young and old:
Where old and young did usually resort
To loiter gaily,-join some harmless sport,
Or "Tales of other times," with glee rehearse,
Or praises challenge by some new-made verse: (5)
Perchance, some strange or interesting news

Excite the curious rustics, or amuse ;

With keen avidity they still enquire,

And gaze and wonder much,-and more admire.-(6) Where stood the aged OLLAMHAN's hallow'd shed, (7) That shelter'd from the storm his hoary head:

Save heath-spread ridges, or some moss-clad mound, (8)
No trace of ancient times can now be found !—
"More recent evils, Stranger! I deplore,

The GAEL are banish'd from their native shore !
Shepherds a sordid few, their lands possess :—
System accurs'd !-What scenes of dire distress
Hath this not caused?-See yon deserted glen,
Of late the bless'd abode of happy men ;

'Tis now a dreary void !-save where yon tree,
By bleak winds blasted, marks the stern decree
Which doom'd to ruin all the hamlets round,
And chang'd to sheep-walks this devoted ground!
-And is it wise to desolate these hills,
Lay waste those glens-expose to all the ills
Of emigration once a powerful race,
Who felt supremely blest in native place ? 、

III. "Say, whence then shall our ARMIES be supplied
Our NAVY too, proud BRITAIN's boastful pride;
If from our mountains and our sea-girt isles

The GAËL be thence outcast as poor exiles? (9)
In silent anguish, downcast eye, thus driven,
They roam at large,-their lands to strangers given-
Their herds and flocks wide scatter'd, others own,
O'erwhelm'd in woe, with grief familiar grown,
They bid a long farewell to all most dear,

And heave the sigh, and drop the parting tear !—

At length, with lingering look, their native home They leave behind-forlorn they listless roam, Till some far city haply strikes the view, To which they bend their steps, and thus Their wayward fate :-Reluctant having sped Bowed down they toil to gain their daily bread.

pursue

But what a change !-Alas! debile old age, No soothing hope can now its ills assuage!

Though early train'd to turn its native soil,
Youth sinks apace beneath unhealthy toil :
Sweet smiling infancy turn'd sickly, pale,
Droops, and decays: and blooming maidens wail
Their fading beauty, lost to one they love,
Though to their plighted vows they constant prove,
The day far distant,-nay, may never come,
When fate should lead them to some peaceful home!
Some still retreat, though humble be the fare,
Yet, dear domestic sweets would soothe all care.

More bless'd, contented, few were to be found
Than KENNETH once: He on the self-same ground
His sires possess'd for life, from sire to son,
(The meed their valour and their deeds had won),
Long liv'd respected; and revered his name
For truth and honesty, the poor man's fame :
His means were ample for his low estate,
And calm contentment made him truly great :
A wife, two daughters, and an only son,
Shar'd his blest lot: their comforts smoothly run,
Clear, full, and equal on :-till, sad reverse!
Mischance unlook'd for did their means disperse.
-The destin'd day-the dire decree, at last,
That doom'd the Grampians desolate, had pass'd;
Low-country Shepherds, by the Chiefs preferr'd,
Soon dispossess the Gaël, without regard

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