XXXVIII. A moment pause they, and each other view Thrice reel'd the Scot, thrice the Hibernian too, And both in death's embrace together clungBut while they struggled thus for death and life, Their clansmen part them, but for future strife. XXXIX. Foil'd, bleeding, furious, through their ranks they ran, With foam and gore their garments deep imbued- "The Scots give way!-they break!-they fly, they fly!" XL. Ill had Macdonald fared upon that day, Had not Macaulay's aid been prompt and true; For just as hopes of wealth and fame decay, They reach the field, and fierce the fight renew "What! do they fly so soon, in wild dismay? Charge! cleave them, spare not, charge, pursue, pursue!" Fatal command! what havoc hast thou made! Rashly 'twas given, blindly 'twas obey'd. XLI. They fly! ay, but to lure thee to thy doom- Lay broad and deep, and at the midnight gloom XLII. Outnumber'd, broken, hopeless, and deprest, His scatter'd gallogloths betake to flight; The eagle's wing is clipp'd, that on his crest Floated so fearful on the field of fight And now he flies, distracted and distress'd, From foes who late the terror of his might Had keenly felt-in turn he's forced to yield, And leave Macdonald conqueror on the field. END OF THE SECOND CANTO. . |