The war pipes ceased; but lake and hill Were busy with their echoes still; And, when they slept, a vocal strain Bade their hoarse chorus wake again, While loud a hundred clansmen raise Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. Each boatman, bending to his oar, With measured sweep the burden[123] bore, In such wild cadence as the breeze Makes through December's leafless trees. The chorus first could Allan know, "Roderick Vich Alpine, ho! iro!" And near, and nearer as they row'd, Distinct the martial ditty flow'd. [123] Chorus. XIX. BOAT SONG. Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances! Honor'd and bless'd be the ever-green Pine! Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line! Heaven send it happy dew, Earth lend it sap anew, Gayly to bourgeon,[124] and broadly to grow, While every Highland glen Sends our shout back agen,[125] "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu,[126] ho! ieroe!" Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; When the whirlwind has stripp'd every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. Moor'd in the rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow; Menteith and Breadalbane,[127] then, Echo his praise agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" [124] (_Bûr´jŭn._) Sprout. [125] Again. [126] Black Roderick, a descendant of Alpine. [127] The district north of Loch Lomond. XX. Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Glen Fruin,[128] And Bannochar's[129] groans to our slogan[130] replied; Glen Luss[131] and Ross-dhu,[132] they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe; Lennox and Leven-glen Shake when they hear agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands! Stretch to your oars, for the ever-green Pine! Oh that the rosebud that graces yon islands Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine! Oh that some seedling gem, Worthy such noble stem, Honor'd and bless'd in their shadow might grow! Loud should Clan-Alpine then Ring from her deepmost glen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" [128] A valley and localities about Loch Lomond. [129] A valley and localities about Loch Lomond. [130] Battle cry. [131] A valley and localities about Loch Lomond. [132] A valley and localities about Loch Lomond. XXI.