[92] The Culdees were the primitive clergy of Scotland, and apparently her only clergy from the sixth to the eleventh century. They were of Irish origin, and their monastery on the island of Iona, or Icolmkill, was the seminary of Christianity in North Britain. Presbyterian writers have wished to prove them to have been a sort of Presbyters, strangers to the Roman Church and Episcopacy. It seems to be established that they were not enemies to Episcopacy;—but that they were not slavishly subjected to Rome like the clergy of later periods, appears by their resisting the Papal ordonnances respecting the celibacy of religious men, on which account they were ultimately displaced by the Scottish sovereigns to make way for more Popish canons. [93] Ireland. [94] Denmark. [95] Striking the shield was an ancient mode of convocation to war among the Gael. ODE TO THE GERMANS. The Spirit of Britannia Invokes across the main, Her sister Allemania To burst the Tyrant’s chain: By our kindred blood she cries, Rise, Allemanians, rise, And hallowed thrice the band Of our kindred hearts shall be, When your land shall be the land Of the free—of the free! With Freedom’s lion-banner Britannia rules the waves; Whilst your BROAD STONE OF HONOUR[96] Is still the camp of slaves. For shame, for glory’s sake, Wake, Allemanians, wake, And the tyrants now that whelm Half the world, shall quail and flee, When your realm shall be the realm Of the free—of the free! MARS owes to you his thunder[97] That shakes the battle-field, Yet to break your bonds asunder No martial bolt has pealed Shall the laurelled land of art Wear shackles on her heart? No! the clock ye framed to tell By its sound, the march of time; Let it clang oppression’s knell O’er your clime—o’er your clime! The press’s magic letters, That blessing ye brought forth,— Behold! it lies in fetters On the soil that gave it birth: But the trumpet must be heard, And the charger must be spurred; For you father Armin’s Sprite Calls down from heaven, that ye Shall gird you for the fight, And be free!—and be free! [96] “Ehrenbreitstein” signifies, in German, “_the broad stone of honour_.” [97] Gunpowder. FLORINE.[98] Could I bring back lost youth again, And be what I have been, I’d court you in a gallant strain, My young and fair Florine. But mine’s the chilling age that chides Devoted rapture’s glow, And Love—that conquers all besides— Finds Time a conquering foe. Farewell! we’re severed by our fate, As far as night from noon; You came into the world too late, And I depart so soon. [98] Florine was the beautiful Miss O’Bryen. She married Mr. Huntley Gordon—Scott’s amanuensis for the MS of the Waverley Novels—and died soon after her wedding. TRANSLATIONS. SONG OF HYBRIAS THE CRETAN.