Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo',
Her reason tint beneath the blow,
And desolate her hame!
Then through this warld where e'er I stray,
In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray;
I'll sigh for a' wha far awa'
Like me regret their hame!
Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. Here the minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the most predominant.
It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, good Cormac!"
"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you."