Page:Irish minstrelsy, vol 2 - Hardiman.djvu/155

Rh To crush the strong—the resolute to quell, Daun sweeps the battle-field, a deadly spell; Begirt with hosts, a terrible array; Blood paints his track—and havock strews his way— The Lion's courage, and the Light'ning's speed. His might combines—from each adventurous deed, With haughtier swell dilates the Conqueror's soul; Like volum'd thunders deep'ning as they roll— Bards from his prowess learn a loftier song— And glory lights him through the ranks along.

In politics, Mac Donnell was a "rank" Jacobite, and on more occasions than one he saved his life by hasty retreats from his enemies, the Bard-hunters. He moreover inherited all the hatred of his race for the "Saxon Churls." The treatment of the brave Irish General, Mac Donnell, better known by the name of Mac Allistrum, (whose march is yet remembered in Munster,) of our poet's name and family, who was basely murdered in 1647, at Knockrinoss, near Mallow, by the troops of the brutal renegade, Inchiquin, helped to embitter the poet's mind against the English. His muse never seemed so delighted as when holding them up to the scorn and derision of his Countrymen. His poem on James Dawson is a chef d'œuvre in the bitter and sarcastic style. Among other productions, the present verses to the air of Grana Uile, and the "Lament," which follows, have been always admired. It may be necessary here to observe, that a custom prevailed among our modern bards, to supply stanzas, particularly of a political nature, for the finest national tunes; and these compositions, in general, supplanted the older words, which fell into disuse and were soon forgotten. This was the case with respect to Grana Uile. The original words of this far-famed song I have, however, recovered, and here present them to the Irish reader.