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And when they smiled because he deem'd it near,
His heart more truly knew that peal too well
Which stretch'd his father on a bloody beir,
And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell:
He rush'd into the field; and foremost fighting, fell!
Ah! then and there was hurrying too and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress,
And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago
Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness;
And there were sudden partings, such as press
The life from out young hearts, and choking sighs
Which ne'er might be repeated: who could guess
If cvermore should meet those mutual eyes,
Sinee upon nights so sweet such awful morn eould rise!
And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed,
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car,
Went pouring forward with impetious speed,
And swiftly forming in the ranks of war:
And the deep thunder, peal on peal, afar;
And near, the beat of the alarming drum
Roused up the soldier ere the morning star;
While throng'd the citizens, with terror dumb,
Or whispering, with white lips— 'The foc! they come! they come!
And wild and high the 'Cameron’s gathering' rose!
The war-note of Lochiel, which Alhyn's hills
Have heard—and heard too have her Saxon foes:
How in the noon of night that pibroch thrills,
Savage and shrill! But with the breath which fills
Their mountain-pipe, so fill the mountaineers
