KILLIECRANKIE (The Burial-March of Dundee) WILLIAM EDMONDSTOUNE AYTOUN THE children of James II. were two daughters, Mary and Anne, both Protestants. Men hoped that the death of the king would bring the Romanizing policy to an end. But when (1688) a prince was born, this hope was frustrated, and the leading English statesmen determined to depose James and place his daughter Mary on the throne. They appealed to William of Orange, Mary's husband, to come to their aid. The Revolution of 1688 was accomplished without bloodshed so far as England was concerned. The Toleration Act, allowing freedom of worship to all but Roman Catholics, was a satisfactory settlement of the religious controversy. There was little enthusiasm for the obstinate old king, and James, remembering his father's fate, made revolution easy by fleeing to France. But in Scotland, the slight put upon the Stuart king was hotly resented. Under the inspiring leadership of the Viscount of Dundee, the Highlanders fought and won the battle of Killiecrankie. The death of Dundee was a fatal blow to James's cause, for there was no other man who could unite the jealous Scotch clans in his support. On the heights of Killiecrankie From their lair amidst the broom. And our bonnets down we drew, And we prayed the prayer of soldiers, And we cried the gathering-cry, And we clasped the hands of kinsmen, And we swore to do or die! Then our leader rode before us On his war-horse black as night Well the Cameronian rebels Knew that charger in the fight!And a cry of exultation From the bearded warriors rose; For we loved the house of Claver'se, And we thought of good Montrose. But he raised his hand for silence Soldiers! I have sworn a vow: Shall have died in battle-harness For his country and King James! Think upon the Royal Martyr Think of what his race endure Think of him whom butchers murdered On the field of Magus Muir: By his sacred blood I charge ye, By the ruined hearth and shrine- Be they covenanting traitors, Where the dead are lying thickest Search for him that was Dundee!" Loudly then the hills reëchoed With our answer to his call, For the lands of wide Breadelbane And the voices of the foe: Down we crouched amid the bracken, Till the Lowland ranks drew near, Panting like the hounds in summer, When they scent the stately deer. From the dark defile emerging, Next we saw the squadrons come, Till they gained the plain beneath; Horse and man went down like driftwood In the Garry's deepest pool. Horse and man went down before us On the field of Killiecrankie, When that stubborn fight was done! And the evening star was shining Stretched upon the cumbered plain, As he told us where to seek him, Pealed the joyful note of triumph, And the clansmen's clamorous cheer; Shot, and steel, and scorching flame, In the glory of his manhood Passed the spirit of the Græme! THE JACOBITE ON TOWER HILL GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY THE Revolution was hardly accomplished when the men who were friendly to James or were disappointed in William and Mary, began plotting for the restoration of the Stuart line. In 1696, a conspiracy was formed to assassinate the king. The plot was betrayed, however, and the leaders arrested and executed. He tripp'd up the steps with a bow and a smile, |