The Battle Of Sheriffmuir Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AAAA BBAA CCDD EFAA AAGG AAAA HHAA IHAA HHJJ KKHH LLAA AAMM AAAA LLNN AAAA AAOO NNPQ

'Twas in the year and on the th of NovemberA
Which the people of Scotland have cause to rememberA
On that day the Earl of Mar left Perth bound for SheriffmuirA
At the same time leaving behind a garrison under Colonel BalfourA
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Besides leaving a force of about three thousand men quartered in different parts of FifeB
To protect the people's property and quell party strifeB
The army along with him amounted to three thousand foot and twelve hundred cavalryA
All in the best of order a most pleasant sight to seeA
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The two armies bivouacked near Sheriffmuir during the nightC
And around their camp fires they talked concerning the coming fightC
The Duke of Argyle's English army numbered eight thousand strongD
Besides four hundred horse posted in the rear all alongD
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And the centre of the first line was composed of ten battalions of footE
Consisting of about four thousand under the command of Clanranald and Glengarry to bootF
And at the head of these battalions Sir John Maclean and Brigadier OgilvieA
And the two brothers of Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat all in high gleeA
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The Marquis of Huntly's squadron of horse was also thereA
Likewise the Stirling squadron carrying the Chevalier's standard I do declareA
And the Perthshire squadron formed the left wingG
And with their boisterous shouts they made the welkin ringG
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The centre of the second line consisted of eight battalions of infantryA
And three of the Earl of Seaforth's foot famous for their braveryA
There were also two battalions of the Marquis of HuntlyA
Besides the Earl of Panmure's battalion all men of high degreeA
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And those of the Marquis of Tullibardine commanded by the Viscount of StrathallanH
And of Logie Almond and likewise Robertson of StrowanH
Besides two squadrons of horse under the Earl MarischalA
And the Angus squadron was on the left these include them allA
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During this formation the Duke of Argyle was watching all the timeI
But owing to the ground occupied by them he couldn't see their lineH
Which was unfortunately obstructed by the brow of a hillA
At the thought thereof the Duke's heart with fear did fillA
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The hill was occupied by a party of Earl Mar's troops looking towards DunblaneH
Which the Earl of Mar no doubt resolved to maintainH
Then the Duke returned to the army and ordered the drums to beatJ
But an hour elapsed before his army were ready Mar's to meetJ
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As soon as the Earl of Mar perceived Argyle's line was partially formedK
He gave orders that Argyle's army should be instantly stormedK
Then Mar placed himself at the head of the clans and led forward his menH
As a noble hero would do which no one can condemnH
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Then he pulled off his hat which he waved in his right handL
And when he arrived within pistol shot the Highlanders made a bold standL
And they poured in a volley upon the English infantryA
And to the dismay of the Highlanders the English returned fire instantlyA
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And to the horror of the Highlanders Alan Muidartach was wounded mortallyA
Then he was carried off the field a most pitiful sight to seeA
And as his men clustered around him they stood aghastM
And before he died he told them to hold their posts fastM
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While lamenting the death of the Captain of Clanranald most pitifullyA
Glengarry at this juncture sprang forward right manfullyA
And throwing his bonnet into the air he cried heroicallyA
Revenge revenge revenge to day and mourning to morrow ye shall seeA
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No sooner had he pronounced these words than the Highlanders rushed forward sword in handL
Upon the royal battalions with the utmost fury which they could not withstandL
And with their broadswords among the enemy they spread death and dismayN
Until the three battalions of Argyle's left wing instantly gave wayN
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Then a complete rout ensued and the Earl of Mar pursued them half a mileA
Then he ordered his men to halt and rest a whileA
Until he should put them into order right speedilyA
Then follow the enemy at the double march and complete the victoryA
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Then the Highlanders chased them and poured in a volleyA
Besides they hewed them down with their broadswords mercilesslyA
But somehow both armies got mixed together and a general rout ensuedO
While the Highlanders eagerly the English army hotly pursuedO
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The success on either side is doubtful to this dayN
And all that can be said is both armies ran awayN
And on whichsoever side success lay it was toward the GovernmentP
And to allay all doubts about which party won we must feel contentQ

William Topaz Mcgonagall



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