- Performer Name:
- Performance Venue:
- Performance Date:
- Author:
- Scott, Walter
- Date Written:
- Language:
- English
- Publication Title:
- Waverley; or, ‘Tis Sixty Years Since
- Article Title:
- Page Numbers:
- 103-04,397
- Additional Info:
- Ed. Claire Lamont
- Publisher:
- Clarendon
- Place of Publication:
- Oxford
- Date Published:
- 1981
Text:
[103] "The recitation," she said, "of poems, recording the feats of heroes, the complaints of lovers, and the wars of contending tribes, forms the chief amusement of a winter fire-side in the Highlands. Some of these are said to be very ancient, and, if they are ever translated into any of the languages of civilized Europe, cannot fail to produce a deep and general sensation. Others are more modern, the composition of those family bards whom the chieftains of more distinguished name and power retain as the poets and historians of their tribes. These, of course, possess various degrees of merit; but much of it must evaporate in translation, or be lost on those who do not sympathise with the feelings of the poet."
"And your bard, whose effusions seemed to produce such effect upon the company to-day, is he reckoned among the favourite poets of the mountains?"
"That is a trying question. His reputation is high among his countrymen, and you must not expect me to depreciate it."*
"But the song, Miss Mac-Ivor, seemed to awaken all these warriors, both young and old."
[104] "The song is little more than a catalogue of names of the Highland clans under their distinctive peculiarities, and an exhortation to them to remember and to emulate the actions of their forefathers."
"And am I wrong in conjecturing, however extraordinary the guess appears, that there was some allusion to me in the verses which he recited?"
"You have a quick observation, Captain Waverley, which in this instance has not deceived you. The Gaelic language, being uncommonly vocalic, is well adapted for sudden and extemporaneous poetry; and a bard seldom fails to augment the effect of a premeditated song, by throwing in any stanzas which may be suggested by the circumstances attending the recitation."
[397] *The Highland poet almost always was an improvisatore. Captain Burt met one of them at Lovat's table. [Scott's note]
Notes:
- Collected by:
- DP