When hope within each bosom dies, While heard the drowning seaman's cries, The raving spirit of the storm, I rise!
Now list! with more than mortal fear, The dismal dirge which strikes the ear!
THE DIRGE.
Once we held fair Scotland's throne, Aye, once we claimed that realm our own; Fuimus, non sumus!
Valorous deeds our claymores crowned, We ever were true heroes found. Fuimus, non sumus!
But feuds, dissension, strife arose; Oppressed by ranks of hostile foes. Fuimus, non sumus!
Behold! the last of all our race Is forced to fly his natal place! He bears the vengeful, fatal knife, Deep stained by bloody feudal strife! Fuimus, non sumus![2]
The chant and dirge were audible to the crew, who listened with deep consternation, and were awfully impressed upon the recollection of the Reverend Chaplain.
Every succeeding blast of wind bore increased terror as it swept along, and every startling sound excited suspense and dismay. Again the howling tempest burst forth, and raged with loud and renovated force, what time the stately stranger, or more correctly to speak, Colonel Davidson, in deep apparent despondency, was incontinently observed furiously to pace to and fro the deck, as if in a state of mental aberration. He appeared of more than mortal size to the terrified eyes of the beholders; his action was wild and frantic. At one time he walked with such rapidity as if pursued by an enemy; anon he would suddenly halt, and, folding his arms, gaze upon the troubled deep, which seemed in unison with his troubled mind. Next, loudly he uttered a deep and contrite groan; when having rapidly pushed aside his plaid, he drew forth dirk, sabre, or sword, whatever it might be, which brightly glistened in the lightning flash; and then, with hurried impulse, he at once precipitated it down the side of the vessel into the foaming waves. It sunk with a hissing noise, and its descent was accompanied by a fiend-like laugh, which arose from the billows; while at the moment, in a deep, base, sepulchral tone, the chorus of the dirge again fearfully was chanted from the waves: