XXIV.

Who leads the van? Green Erin’s son, Mac Iar, Fleet as the roebuck on his native hills; Dauntless as Brian’s sword, through showering fire, He boundeth o’er the seabeach rocks and rills, Impetuous. How his manly figure fills The eyes of thousands! How his dancing plume Of streaming snow enchains his followers’ wills, Doubling their speed, while copes i’ the front with doom That gallant form that seems defiant of the tomb!