"Grandfather is beaten—is beaten at the totum" cried Mary as her father and mother at length arrived. "He showed us how to play, and look at the pins we have gained."
"May you always be as happy with your gains," said the old man resuming his paternal attitude. "Now you know how we spent our Old New Years. Sooans and shinty, and the totum—they were all simple maybe, but there was pleasure in them all. Many a heart was lost at the 'sooans'; many a hand made strong at shinty; and many a little head got its first notion of worldly competition from the totum. Take your seats, boys and girls, for here's the tea!"
KNOCKFIN.
CUMHA—MHIC-AN-TOISICH.
Why shrouded in gloom is Clan Chattan?
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
Tears circle the crest of Clan Chattan!
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
Ochone! our light is reft,
Burning too brief,
Ochone! the darkness left,
Fills us with grief.
Streamlets are singing woe,
Torrents in sorrow flow,
Flow'rets on ev'ry leaf,
Bear the red dew of grief.
Ochone! the Beam of Clan Chattan is low.—
Deep-bosomed the woe of Clan Chattan!
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
Far rings the lament of Clan Chattan!
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
Ochone! our joy-lit star,
Sunk in the night.
Ochone! his soul afar,
Swiftly took flight:
Hero-sires welcomed him,
Pealing their deathless hymn,
Loud on their happy shore,
Angels the pæan bore:
Ochone! the Pride of Clan Chattan sleeps on.—
Still brightly he smiles on Clan Chattan!
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
His spirit is guarding Clan Chattan!
Clan Chattan! Clan Chattan!
Ochone! his mem'ry lives,
Ever in bloom.
Ochone! its beauty gives
Light to his tomb:
Matrons and maidens mourn,
Life in its glory shorn,
Stalwart sons, fathers grey,
Dash the sad tear away.
Ochone! the Love[A] of Clan Chattan ne'er dies.