late in life by Sir James Foulis in the following terms:—“who, late in advanced years, has learned to read and write it, and now drinks of the Pierian spring untainted by reading fragments of poetry in Fingal’s own language.” Shaw was delighted with the patronage which his aristocratic friends bestowed on Gaelic. The following verses, translated by Sir James, found a place in his Grammar:— _CLAIDHEAMH_ GUTH-ULLIN, OR _The SWORD of_ GUCHULLIN. Chuir e an claidheamh, fada, fiorchruaidh, Fulanach, tean, tainic, geur, ’So chean air a chuir ann gu socair, Mar chuis mholta gan dochair lein, ’Se gu dirach, diasadach, dubh-ghorm, ’Se cultuidh, cumtadh, conolach, Go leathan, liobhadh, liobharadh, Go socair, sasdadh, so-bhuailte, Air laimh-chli a’ ghaisgaich; Gur aisaiche do naimhdan a sheachnadh, No tachairt ris ’san am sin; Cho bu lughe no cnoc sleibh, Gach ceum a dheanadh an gaisgach. TRANSLATION BY SIR JAMES FOULIS, BARONET. He seized his sword, thick, broad, and long, Well-forged, well-hammered, tempered strong, Polished, of purest metal made, Like lightning blazed the shining blade; Jagged like a saw, it tore and hewed, Inured to slaughter, blood-embrued; Dire horror, and destructive fate, On the full age attentive wait; ’Twas certain death its stroke to feel; Strength-withering, life-devouring steel, Even valiant foes, struck at the sight, Durst hope no safety but by flight; Their ranks wide-scattering all abroad From hill to hill the hero strode. [Illustration: (decorative end-of-chapter icon)] CHAPTER XII. SACRED BARDS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. “Land where Religion paves her heavenward road! Land of the temple of the living God! Yet, dear to feeling, Scotland, as thou art, Shouldst thou that temple e’er desert, I would disclaim thee, seek the distant shore Of Christian isle, and thence return no more.”