Forced, passive as the musket in my hand,
I marched—when, feigning royalty’s command,
Against the clan Macdonald, Stairs’s lord
Sent forth exterminating fire and sword;
And troops at midnight through the vale defiled,
Enjoined to slaughter woman, man, and child.
My clansmen many a year had cause to dread
The curse that day entailed upon their head;
Glenlyon’s self confessed the avenging spell—
I saw it light on him.