Page:The Family Legend.pdf/23

Rh

Yes, we know it.

Who dar'd, unpunish'd, a Maclean to injure? Yea; he who dared but with a scornful lip Our name insult, I thought it feeble vengeance If steed or beast within his walls were left, Or of his holds one tower unruined stood.

Ay; who dared then to brave us?

Thus dealt Benlora e'en with common foes; But in the warfare of our deadly feud, When rang the earth beneath our bloody strife. And brave Macleans brave Campbells boldly fronted, (Fiends as they are, I still must call them brave,) What sword more deeply drank the hated blood Than this which now I grasp—but idly grasp!

There's ne'er a man of us that knows it not, That swears not by thy valour.

Until that fatal day, by ambush ta'en,