Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GATHERING SONG OF DONALD [OR, DONUI DHU] THE BLACK, by WALTER SCOTT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GATHERING SONG OF DONALD [OR, DONUI DHU] THE BLACK, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pibroch of donuil dhu
Last Line: Knell for the onset!
Variant Title(s): Pibroach Of Donuil Dhu
Subject(s): Balloch, Donald (15th Century); Scotland; War


PIBROCH Of Donuil Dhu,
Pibroch of Donuil,
Wake thy wild voice anew,
Summon Clan Conuil.
Come away, come away,
Hark to the summons!
Come in your war array,
Gentles and commons.

Come from deep glen, and
From mountains so rocky;
The war-pipe and pennon
Are at Inverlochy.
Come every hill-plaid, and
True heart that wears one,
Come every steel blade, and
Strong hand that bears one.

Leave untended the herd,
The flock without shelter;
Leave the corpse uninterred,
The bride at the altar;
Leave the deer, leave the steer,
Leave nets and barges;
Come with your fighting gear,
Broadswords and targes.

Come as the winds come, when
Forests are rended;
Come as the waves come, when
Navies are stranded;
Faster come, faster come,
Faster and faster,
Chief, vassal, page and groom,
Tenant and master.

Fast they come, fast they come;
See how they gather!
Wide waves the eagle plume
Blended with heather.
Cast your plaids, draw your blades,
Forward each man set!
Pibroch of Donuil Dhu,
Knell for the onset!




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