[113] Any one who has heard a native attempt the Lowland tongue for the
first time, is familiar with the personification that turns every
inanimate object into _he_ or _she_. The forest is here happily
personified as a nurse or mother.

[114] Bog-holes.

[115] Stripings.

[116] _Gaelic_--Easan-an-tsith.

[117] Primrose.

[118] St John's wort.

[119] A kind of cress, or marshmallow.

[120] _Anglice_--dark.

[121] _Gaelic_--Caoillt; who, with Cuchullin, makes a figure in
traditional Gaelic poetry.

[122] _Gaelic_--King George.

[123] Literally--"From the barrel of Nic-Coisean." This was the poet's
favourite gun, to which his muse has addressed a separate song of
considerable merit.

THE BARD TO HIS MUSKET.[124]

Macintyre acted latterly as a constable of the City Guard of
Edinburgh, a situation procured him by the Earl of Breadalbane, at
his own special request; that benevolent nobleman having inquired
of the bard what he could do for him to render him independent in
his now advanced years. His salary as a peace-officer was sixpence
a-day; but the poet was so abundantly satisfied with the attainment
of his position and endowments, that he gave expression to his
feelings of satisfaction in a piece of minstrelsy, which in the
original ranks among his best productions. Of this ode we are
enabled to present a faithful metrical translation, quite in the
spirit of the original, as far as conversion of the Gaelic into the
Scottish idiom is practicable. The version was kindly undertaken at
our request by Mr William Sinclair, the ingenious author of "Poems
of the Fancy and the Affections," who has appropriately adapted it
to the lively tune, "Alister M'Alister." The song, remarks Mr
Sinclair, is much in the spirit, though in a more humorous strain,
of the famous Sword Song, beginning in the translation, "Come
forth, my glittering Bride," composed by Theodore Koerner of
Dresden, and the last and most remarkable of his patriotic
productions, wherein the soldier addresses his sword as his bride,
thereby giving expression to the most glowing sentiments of
patriotism. Macintyre addresses as his wife the musket which he
carried as an officer of the guard; and is certainly as
enthusiastic in praise of his new acquisition, as ever was
love-sick swain in eulogy of the most attractive fair one.

Oh! mony a turn of woe and weal