It is very difficult to give satisfactory translations of any poetry, but Gaelic measures and turns of expression present peculiar difficulties. I have endeavoured in what follows to give renderings of some verses of all the poems of MacLauchlan that have come down to us. The longest is the “Elegy” on Macphail of Resolis; but much of his poetry is said to have been lost. After committing several of his poems to writing, the author, forming but a low estimate of his own abilities, committed the MS. to the flames.
We first give a few verses of the “Elegy” above referred to, although it cannot be said to be the best specimen of the poet’s productions—
MACPHAIL’S “ELEGY.”
Well may Resolis deeply mourn;
We share her sorrow o’er his urn;
Our holy feasts shall ne’er henceforth
Enjoy the great Light of the North.
No more we see that guiding Light;
Oft did he tell in words of might
The danger great to Albin nigh