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MUNRO NOVA SCOTIA 'i-^ I COLLECTION U 1 I^H jm m '/j C> " 'i ^ h t h %'j- -K-, r««* ./ * iM LIBRARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAUFAX N. S. 1. SELECTIONS FROM THE LADY OF THE LAKE WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES By A. CAMERON PRINCIPAL COUNTY ACADEMY. YARMOUTH, N. S. J^OVA SCOT I AN A LIBRARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HALIFAX N. & HAUFAX, N. S.: A. & W. MACKINLAY, Ltd. 1900. *" Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1900^ By T. C. Allen and Co. In the Department of Agriculture (Copyright BranchV yV-^ PKEFACE. These Selections from " The Lady of the Lake " contain the part of the poem prescribed this year for the two junior classes in the Academies and High Schools of Nova Scotia. In the complete poem there are 4956 lines ; here there are 2472, — just six lines less than the exact half. The first canto is given in full. The omitted portions of the others are represented by extracts from what Lord Jeffrey calls a short summary of the fable. They are taken from his arfcicle on the poem published in the Edinburgh Review of August 1810. In preparing the text eight different editions of the poem were consulted ; six printed in Scotland or Eng- land, two in the United States. Among them there are several different readings. In Canto I. line 4 (as num- bered here) an edition printed at the University Press, Glasgow, has "long" for "lone." In I. 190, one of the United States editions has " cleft " for " cliff." In I. 244, three of the eight have " to " for " on." In IL 135, three have " the deepmost " for " her deepmost,*' and a ninth edition which was occasionally consulted has "the deepest." In IL 383, five have "heart" against three for " heat," and it seems most likely that Scott wrote "heart." In V. 376, an. edition from the Oxford University Press has " he " for " they." In V. fl PREFACE. 420, four have " in," and the other four " on." There are a few other various readings, many various spell- ings, and very many variations in punctuation, but none of these are of sufficient importance to call for special mention. Tliose noted here have been mentioned be- cause they are of a kind apt to cause trouble in a class where the pupils do not all use the same edition. In tlie Notes it is assumed that the student has access to dictionaries and other common works of reference, and that he has been taught how to use them. For what little of history there is required to understand this poem, no better book can be recoiamcnded than Scott's own "Tales of a Grandfather," especially Chapters 25 to 27. The Notes are not intended to supply information which may be found in such works, nor to deprive the student of the pleasure and profit of thinking and working for himself. What they are in- tended for may be gathered from a perusal of them. It is hoped they will prove suggestive and stimulating. They are rot by any means exhaustive : at best they are only samples of the sort of hints and queries which the editor has found useful in conducting literature classes. It is not expected that they will find favour with the grammar-monger, or with such teachers and students as prefer to be saved the trouble of consulting reference books and of forming opinions for themselves. Such as they are, the Notes shoidd not be looked at by the student — nor should any others — until the poem has been read over and over again, so that he is quite familiar with it as a whole. What Dr. Jolmson says of notes in the immortal Preface to his edition of Shake- speare should be printed in the Preface to every anno- tated edition of all our great writers : — t. m PREFACE ?H " Notes are often necessary, but they are necessary evila. Let him that is yet uiiacquaiiited with the powers of Shakespeare, and who des'res to feel the liighest pleasure that the drama can give, read every play from the first scene to the last, with utter negligence of all his com- mentators. VVheu his fancy .s once on the wing, let it not stoop at correction or explanation. When his attention is strongly engaged, let it disdain alike to turn asidi; to the name of Theobald and Pope. Let him read ou through brightness and obscurity, through integrity and corruption; let him preserve his comprehension of tho .^'alogue and his interest in the fable. And when the pleasures of novelty have ceased, let him attempt ex'i. tnes^^! ; and read the comn'.! titors." The student can easily make for liimsolf thb few changes that are needed to adapt this advice to the reading of Scott. The contractions which occur among thij Notes have their usual meanings : — of. stands for " compare.'* ff. " '•• " and the two or more following lines." V. " " "see." The numerals following the names of works cited denote the line, when there is only one ; when two, the act and scene, or the canto and stanza, or the chapter and verse, as the case may be. All numerals not pre- ceded by the name of a work apply to " The Lady of the Lake ; " and, except when specially indicated other- wise, to the system of line numbers in this edition. SOME DATES AND EVENTS IN SCOTT'S LIFE. 1771. August inth. Born in Edinburgh. 171)-. Was udiiiitted to priictise law. 1790. Published his tirst book. 1799. Was made Sheriff of Selkirkshire. 1804. Moved to Ashestiel. 1805. The Lay of the Last Minstrel. 1808. Mai-niion. 1810. '}.liiy. Thk Lady of the Lake. 1812. ]\roved to Abbotsford. 1814. W;werley. 1815. Tlie Lord of the Isles, and Guy Mannering. 181()-1831. Tlie rest of the Waverley Novels. 1820. Made a Baronet by George IV. Byron wrote of it, '•I shall think higher of knighthood ever after for his being dubbed. By-the-way, he is the first poet titled for his talent in Britain." 1825. B)egi lining of business troubles. L^31-18.')2. Trip to the Mediterranean in a warship. 1S32, September 21st. Died at Abbotsford. 18o2, September 26th. Buried in Dryburgh Abbey (Any biographical dictionary will give a sketcli ot Jus life and works. That in the "Encyclopredia Britannica" may be recommended. Tin-: Life of Scott is the one by his son-in-lawj Lockhart.) THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO FIRST. Harp of the North ! that mouldering long hast hung- On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring, And down the fitful breeze thy numbers Hung, Till envious ivy did around thee cling, Muffling with verdant ringlet every string, — Minstrel Harp, still must thine accents sleep ? Mid rustling leaves and fountains nuirnniring, Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep, Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep ? 10 Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon, Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, When lay of hopeless love, or glory won, Aroused the fearful, or subdued the proud. At each according pause, was heard aloud Thine ardent symphony sublime and high ! Fair damf^s and crested chiefs attention bow'd ; For still the burden of thy minstrelsy Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty's match- less eye. wake once more! how rude soc'er the hand 20 That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray: wake once more! though scarce my skill command Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay: Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away, 2 tup: lady of 'jhe lake. And all unworthy of tliy nobler strain, Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway, The wizard note has not been touch'd in vain. Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again. I. "TThe stag at eve had drunk his fill, "Where danced the moon on Monan's rill And deep his midnight lair had made In lone Glenartney's hazel shade ; But, wlien the sun his beacon red Had kindled on Benvoirlich's head, The deep-mouth'd bloodhound's heavy bay Resounded up the rocky way, And faint, from farther distance bonie, 10 Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. 120 II. As Chief, who hears his warder call, "To arms ! the foemen storm the wall," The antler'd monarch of the waste Sprung from his heathery couch in haste. -But, ere his fleet career he took, The dew-drops from his flanks he shook; liike crested leader proud and high, Toss'd his beam'd frontlet to the sky; A moment gazed adown the dale. A moment snuff'd the tainted gale, A moment listen'd to the cry, That thicken'd as the chase drew nigh ; Then, as the headmost foes appear'd, With one brave bound the copse he cleared, And, stretching forward free and far, Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. IIT. YelPd on the view the opening pack; Rock, glen, and cavern, paid them back; To many a mingled sound at once 30 The awaken'd mountain gave response. THE CHASE. A hundred dogs bay'd deep and strong, Clatter'd a hundred steeds along, Their peal the merry horns rung out, A hundred voices join'd the shout ; With hark and whoop and wild halloo, No rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. Far from the tumult fled the roe, Close in her covert cower'd the doe, The falcon, from her cairn on high, 40 Cast on the rout a wondering eye, Till far beyond her piercing ken The hurricane had swept the glen. Faint, and more faint, its failing din Return'd from cavern, cliff, and linn ; And silence settled, wide and still, On the lone wood and mighty hill. 8 IV. Less loud the sounds of silvan war Disturb'd the heights of Uam-Var, And reused the cavern, where, 'tis told, 30 A giant made his den of old ; For ere that steep ascent was won, High in his pathway hung the sun, And many a gallant, stay'd ])erforce, Was fain to breathe his faltering horse, And of the trackers of the deer, Scarce half the lessening pack was near: So shrewdly on the mountain side, Had the bold burst their mettle tried. V. The noble stag was pausing now, 80 Upon the mountain's southern brow, Where broad extended, far beneath, The varied realms of fair Menteith. With anxious eve he wander'd o'er Mountain and meado^v, moss and moor, And ponder'd refuge' from his toil. By far Lochard or Aberfoyle. But nearer was the copsewood grey, THE LADY OF THE LAKE. That waved and wept on Loch-Achray, And mingled with the pine-trees blue 70 On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. Fresh vigour with the hope returned, With flying foot the heath he spurn'd, Held westward with unwearied race, And left behind the panting chase. VI. 'T were long to tell what steeds gave o'er, As swept the hunt through Cambus-more ; What reins were tighten'd in despair, When rose Benledi's ridge in air ; Who flagg'd upon Bochastle's heath, 80 Who shunn'd to stem the flooded Teitli — For twice that day, from shore to shore, The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. Fe\v were the stragglers, folic wing far, That reach'd the lake of Vennachar ; And when t\e Brigg of Turk was won, The headmost horseman rode alone. VTI. Alone, but with unbated zeal. That horseman plied the scourge and steel ; For jaded now, and spent with toil, 90 Einboss'd with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The labouring stag strain'd full in view. Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, Unmatch'd for courage, breath, and speed, Fast on his flying traces came. And all but won that desperate game ; For, scarce a spear's length from his hauucb, Vindictive toil'd tlie bloodhounds stanch; Nor T^earer might the dogs attain, 100 Nor farther might the quarry strain. Thus up the margin of the lake, Between the precipice and brake. O'er stock and rock their race they take. THE CHASE. VIII. The Hunter mark'd that moaiitain high, The lone lake's western boundary, And deem'd the stag must turn to bay, Where that huge rampart barr'd the way; Already glorying in the prize. Measured his antlers with his eyes; 110 For the death-wound and death-halloo, Muster'd his breath, his whinyard drew ;^ But thundering as he came prepared, With ready arm and weapon bared, The wily quarry shunn'd the shoek. And turn'd him from the opposing rock j Then, dashing down a darksome glen, Soon lost to hound and hunter's ken, In the deep Trosachs' wildest nook His solitary refuge took. 120 There, while close couch'd, the thicket shed Cold dews and wild-flowers on his head, He heard the baffled dogs in vain Rave through the hollow pass amain, Chiding the rocks that yell'd again. IX. Close on the hounds the hunter came, To cheer them on the vanish'd game ; But, stumbling in the rugged dell. The gallant horse exhausted fell. The impatient rider strove in vain 130 To rouse him with the spur and rein, For the good steed, his labours o'er, Stretch'd his stiff limbs, to rise no more ; Then, touch'd with pity and remorse. He sorrow'd o'er the expiring horse. " I little thought, when first thy rein I slack'd upon the banks of Seine, That Highland eagle e'er should feed On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed ! Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, 140 That costs thy life, my gallant grey ! '* 6 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. X. Then through the dell his horn resounds, From vain pursuit to call the hounds. Back limp'd, with slow and crippled pace, The sulky leaders of the chase ; Close to their master's side they press'd, With drooping tail and humbled crest; But still the dingle's hollow throat Prolong'd the swelling bugle-note. The owlets started from their dream, 160 The eagles answer'd with their scream, Round and around the sounds were cast, Till echo seem'd an answering blast; And on the hunter hied his way, To join some comrades of the day ; Yet often paused, so strange the road. So wondrous were the scenes it show'd. if : f w . i 8 i ! I ! XI. The western waves of ebbing day Roll'd o'er the glen their level way ; Each purple peak, each flinty spire, 160 Was bathed in floods of living fire. But not a setting beam could glow Within the dark rav'ines below, Where twined the path in shadow hid, Round many a rocky pyramid, Shooting abruptly from the dell Its thunder-splinter'd pinnacle ; Round many an insulated mass, The native bulwarks of the pass, Huge as the tower which builders vain 170 Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. The rocky summits, split and rent, Form'd turret, dome, or battlement, Or seem'd fantastically set With cupola or minaret. Wild crests as pagod ever deck'd. Or mosque of Eastern architect. Nor were these earth-born castles bare, Nor lack'd they many a banner fair; T THE CHASE. For, from their shiver'd brows display^d^ 180 Far o'er the unfathomable glade, All twinkling with the dewdrops sheen,. The brier-rose fell in streamers green, And creeping shrubs, of thousand dyes, Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs^ XII. Boon nature scatter'd, free and wild, Each plant or flower, the mountain's childL Here eglantine embalm'd the air, Hawthorn and hazel mingled there ; The primrose pale and violet flower 190 Found in each clitf a narrow bower ; Fox-glove and night-shade, side by side^ Emblems of punishment and pride, Group'd their dark hues with every stain The weather-beaten crags retain. With boughs that quaked at every breath, Grey birch and aspen wept beneath ; Aloft, the ash and warrior. oak Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung 200 His shatter'd trunk, and frequent flung, Wliere seem'd the cliifs to meet on high, His boughs athwart the narrow'd sky. Highest of all, where white peaks glanced, Where glist'ning streamers waved and danced. The wanderer's eye could barely view The summer heaven's delicious blue ; So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream. XIII. Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep 210 A narrow inlet, still and deep. Affording scarce such breadth of brim As served the wild-duck's brood to swim. Lost for a space, through thickets veerings But broader when again appearing, Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face- 8 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. Could on the dark-blue mirror trace ; And farther as tlie Hunter strayM, Still broader sweep its channels made. The shaggy mounds no longer stood, 220 Emerging from entangled wood, But, wave-encircled, seem'd to float, Like castle girdled with its moat ; Yet broader floods extending still Divide them from their parent hill, Till each, retiring, claims to be An islet in an inland sea. I' i H . XIV. And now, to issue from the glen. No pathway meets tlie wanderer's ken, Unless he climb, with footing nice, 230 A. far projecting precipice. The broom's toucrh roots his ladder made, The hazel saplings lent their aid ; And thus an airy point he won, Where, gleaming with the setting sun. One burnish'd sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll'd. In all her length far winding lay, With promontory, creek, and bay, And islands that, empurpled bright, 240 Floated amid the livelier light, And mountains, that like giants stand, 'To sentinel enchanted land. High on the south, huge Benvenue Down on the lake in masses threw Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurPd, The fragments of an earlier world ; A wildering forest feather'd o'er His ruin'd sides and summit hoar, While on the north, through middle air, '250 Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. XV. From the steep promontory gazed The stranger, raptured and amazed. BT^^'^'^WIWr THE CHASE. Anc ) " What a scene were here," he cried, " For princely pomp, or churchman's pride ! On this bold brow, a lordly tower ; In that soft vale, a lady's bower ; On yonder meadow, far away, The turrets of a cloister grey; How blithely might the bugle-horn 260 Chide, on the lake, the lingering mom ! How sweet, at eve, the lover's lute Chime, when the groves were still and mute I And, when the midnight moon should lave Her forehead in the silver wave, How solemn on the ear would come The holy matins' distant hum. While the deep peal's commanding tone Should wake, in yonder islet lone, A sainted hermit from his cell, 270 To drop a bead with every knell — And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, Should each bewilder'd stranger call To friendly feast, and lighted hall. XVI. " Blithe were it then to wander here ! But now, — beshrew yon nimble deer, — Like that same hermit's, tiiin and spare, The copse must give my evening fare ; Some mossy bank my couch must be, Some rustling oak my canopy. 280 Yet pass we that; the war and chase Give little choice of resting-place; — A summer night, in green- wood spent. Were but to-morrow's merriment : But hosts may in these wilds abound, Such as are better miss'd than found; To meet with Highland plunderers here Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — I am alone ; — my bugle-strain May call some straggler of the train ; 290 Or, fall the worst that may betide, Ere now this falchion has been tried." 3 10 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. W XVII. But scarce again his horn he wound, When lo ! forth starting at the sound, From underneath an aged oak, That slanted from the islet rock, A damsel guider of its way, A little skiff shot to the bay, That round the promontory ste^p Led its deep line in graceful sweep, 300 Eddying, in almost viewless wave. The weeping willow twig to lave, And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, The beach of pebbles bright as snow. The boat had touched this silver strand, •Just as the Hunter left his stand, And stood conceal'd amid the brake. To view this Lady of the Lake. The maiden paused, as if again She thought to catch the distant strain, ■310 With head up-raised, and look intent, And eye and ear attentive bent, And locks flung back, and lips apart, Like monument of Grecian art, In listening mood, she seem'd to stand, The guardian Naiad of the strand. It • XVIII. And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, Of finer form, or lovelier face ! What though the sun, with ardent frown, 320 Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown j The sportive toil, which, short and light, Had dyed her glowing hue so bright, •Served too in hastier swell to show Short glimpses of a breast of snow : What though no rule of courtly grace *To measured mood had train'd her pace, — A foot more light, a step more true, Ke^er from the heath-flower dashed the dewj THE CHASE. E'en the slight liarebell raised its head, 830 Elastic from her airy tread : What though upon her speech there hung The accents of the mountain tongue ; Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear. The list'ner held his breath to hear! • XIX. A Chieftain's daughter seera'd the maid; Her satin snood, lier silken plaid, Her golden brooch such birth betray'd. And seldom was a snood amid Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, 840 Whose glossy black to shame might bring The plumage of the raven's wing ; And seldom o'er a breast so fair. Mantled a plaid with modest care, And never brooch the folds combined Above a heart more good and kind. Her kindness and her worth to spy, You need but gaze on Ellen's eye ; Not Katrine, in her mirror blue, Gives back the shaggy banks more true, 350 Than every free-born glance confess'd The guileless movements of her breast; Whether joy danced in her dark eye, Or woe or pity claim'd a sigh, Or filial love was glowing there, Or meek devotion pour'd a prayer, Or tale of injury called forth The indignant spirit of the North. One only passion unreveal'd, With maiden pride the maid conceal'd, 360 Yet not less purely felt the flame ; — need I tell that passion's name ? XX. Impatient of the silent horn, Now on the gale her voice was borne : — " Father ! " she cried ; the rocks around Loved to prolong the gr^itle sound. 11 r 12 TME LADY OF THE LAKE. A while she paused, no answer came, — " Malcolm, was thine the blast ? " the name Less resolutely utter'd fell, The echoes could not catch the swell. 370 " A stranger I," the Huntsman said, Advancing from the hazel shade. The maid, alarra'd, with hasty oar, Push'd her light shallop fi'om the shore, And when a space was gain'd between, Closer she drew her bosom's screen; (So forth the startled swan would swing, So turn to prune his ruffled wing.) Then safe, though flutter'd and amazed, She paused, and on the stranger gazed. 380 Not his the form, nor his the eye, That youthful maidens wont to fly. XXI. On his bold visage middle age Had slightly press'd its signet sage, Yet had not quench'd the open truth And fiery vehemence of youth ; Forward and frolic glee was there, The will to do, the soul to dare, The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, Of hasty love, or headlong ire. 390 His limbs were cast in manly mould. For hardy sports or contest bold ; And though in peaceful garb array 'd. And weaponless, except his blade, His stately mien as well implied A high-V)oi'n heart, a martial pride, As if a Baron's crest he wore. And sheathed in armour trode the shore. Slighting the petty need he show'd, He told of his benighted road ; 400 His ready speech flow'd fair and free, In phrase of gentlest courtesy ; Yet seem'd that tone and gesture bland Less used to sue than to command. M" TIIK CHASE. lb XXII. A wliile tho maid tlio stranger eyed, And, reassured, at leii<,'tli rei)Ued, That Higliland balls were open still To wilder'd wanderers of the hill, " Nor think you unexpected eoiue To yon lone isle, our desert home ; 410 I'efore the heath had lost the dew, This morn, a eouch was pull'd for you; On yonder mountain's purple head Have ptarmigan and heath-eoek bled, And our broad nets liave swept the mere, To furnish forth your evening cheer." — "Now, by the rood, my lovely maid, Your courtesy has err'd," he said ; <'No right have I to claim, misplaced, The welcome of expected guest. 420 A wanderer, here by fortune tost. My way, my friends, my courser lost, I ne'er before, believe me, fair, Have ever drawn your mountain air, Till on this lake's romantic strand, I found a fay in fairy land I " — XXIII. "I well believe," the maid replied, As her light skiff approach'd the side, — " I well believe, that ne'er before Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore ; 430 But yet, as far as yesternight, Old Allan-bane foretold your plight, — A grey-hair'u sire, whose eye intent Was on the vision'd future bent. He saw your steed, a dappled grey, Lie dead beneath the birchen wav ; Painted exact your form and mien. Your hunting siit of Lincoln green, That tassell'd he n so gaily gilt. That falchion's rooked blade and hilt, 440 That cap with heron plumage trim, And yon two hounds so dark and grim. |}^^^^^^|iP^ ' u THE LADY OF THE LAKE. He bade that all should ready be, To grace a guest of fair degree ; But light I held his prophecy, And deem'd it was my father's horn, Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." i > 1 XXIV. The stranger smiled : '" Since to your home A destined errant-knight I come. Announced by prophet sooth and old, 460 Doom'd, doubtless, for achievement bold, I '11 lightly front each high emprise. For one kind glance of those bright eyes. Permit me, first, the task to guide Your fairy frigate o'er the tide." The maid, with smile suppress'd and sly, The toil unwonted saw him try ; For seldom sure, if e'er before, His noble hand had grasp'd an oar : Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, 460 And o'er the lake the shallop flew ; With heads erect, and whimpering cry. The hounds behind their passage ply. Nor frequent does the bright oar break The darkening mirror of the lake, Until the rocky isle they reach, And moor their shallop on the beach. >li XXV. The Stranger view'd the shore around ; 'T was all so close with copsewood bound, Nor track nor pathway might declare 470 That human foot frequented there. Until the mountain-maiden show'd A clambering unsuspected road, That winded through the tangled screen, And open'd on a narrow green. Where weeping birch and willow round With their long fibres swept the ground Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, Some chief had framed a rustic bower. THE CHASE. u XXVI. It was a lodge of ample size, 480 But strange of structure and device ; Of such materials, as around The workman's hand had readiest found. Lopp'd of their boughs, their ho, \r trunks bared,. And by the hatchet rudely squared, To give the walls their destined height, Tlie sturdy oak and ash unite ; While moss and clay and leaves combined To fence each crevice from the wind. The lighter pine-trees, over-head, 490 Their slender length for rafters spread^ And wither'd heath au;l rushes dry Supplied a russet canopy. Due westward, fronting to the green^ A rural portico was seen, Aloft on native pillars borne, Of mountain fir with bark unshorn. Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine The ivy and Idaean vine, The clematis, the favour'd flower 600 Which boasts the name of virgfin-bower, And every hardy plant could bear Loch Katrine's keen and searching air. An instant in this porch she staid, And gaily to the Stranger said, " On heaven and on thy lady call, And enter the enchanted hall! " — XXVII. " My hope, my lieaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee " — He cross'd the threshold — and a clang 610 Of angry steel that instant rang. To his bold brow his spirit rush'd, But soon for vain alarm he blush'd. When on the floor he saw display'd, Cause of the din, a naked blade Dropp'd from the sheath, that careless flung Upon a stag's huge antlers swung ; 16; THE LADY OF THE LAKE. For all around, the walls to grace, Hung trophies of the fight or chase : A target there, a bugle here, 620 A battle-axe, a hunting-spear, And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, With the tusk'd trophies of the boar. Here grins the wolf as when he died. And there the wild-cat's brindled hide The frontlet of the elk adorns, Or mantles o'er the bison's horns ; Pennons and flags defaced and stain'd. That blackening streaks of blood retained, And deer-skins, dappled, 'lun, and white, 630 With otter's fur and seal's unite, In rude and uncouth tapestry all, To garnish forth the silvan hall. XXVIII. The wondering Stranger round him gazed. And next the fallen weapon raised : Few were the arms whose .sinewy strength Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. And as the brand he poised and sway'd, " I never knew but one," he said, " Whose stalwart arm might brook to wieM 640 A blade like this in battle-field." She sigh'd, then smiled and took the word ; *' You see the guardian champion's sword: As light it trembles in his hand, As in my grasp a hazel wand ; My sire's tall form might grace the part Of Ferragus, or Ascabart ; But in the absent giant's hold Are women now, and menials old." ! I XXIX. The mistress of the mansion came, WO Mature of age, a graceful dame ; Whose «asy step and stately port Had "well become a princely court, tup: chase. 17 To whom, though more than kindred knew, Young Ellen gave a mother's due. Meet welcome to her guest she made, And every courteous rite was paid, That hospitality could claim, Though all unask'd his birth and name. Such tlien the reverence to a guest, 560 That fellest foe might join the feast. And from his deadliest foeman's door Unquestion'd turn, the banquet o'er. At lengtli his rank the stranger nr.mes, "The Knight of Snowdoun, James Fitz-James; Lord of a barren heritage. Which his brave sires, from age to age, By their good swords had held with toil; His sire had fall'n in such turmoil, And he, God wot, was forced to stand 670 Oft for his right with blade in hand. This morning with Lord Moray's train He chased a stalwart stag in vain, Outstripp'd his comrades, miss'd the deer, Lost his good steed, and wander'd here." XXX. Fain would the Knight in turn require The name and state of Ellen's sire. Well show'd the elder lady's mien. That courts and cities she had seen ; Ellen, though more her looks display'd 580 The simj)le grace of silvan maid, In speech and gesture, form and face, Show'd she was come of gentle race ; 'T were strange in ruder rank to find Such looks, sucli numners. and such mind.. Each hint tiie Knight of Snowdoun gave, Dame Margaret heard with silence grave ;. Or Pollen, innocently gay, Turn'd all inquiry iight away : — " Weird women we ! by dale and down 690 We dwell, afar from tower and town. We stem the flood, we ride the blast, 18 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. On wandering knights our spells we cast ; While viewless minstrels touch the string, 'T is thus our charmed rhymes we sing/' She sung, and still a harp unseen jfill'd up the symphony between. :(■' XXXI. Song. '" Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er. Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; ' Dream of battled fields no more, •600 Days of danger, niglits of waking. In our isle's enchanted hall. Hands unseen thy couch are strewing^ Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. ; Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er: Dream of fighting fields no more : Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, "Morn of toil, nor night of waking. "No rude sound shall reach thine ear, V610 Armour's clang, or war-steed champing, Trump nor pibroch summon here Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. Yet the lark's shrill fife may come At the day-break from the fallow, And the bittern sound his drum, Booming from the sedgy shallow. "Ruder sounds shall none be near, 'Guards nor warders challenge liere. Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, 620 Shouting clans or scpiadrons stamping." . I ji;' XXXII. She paused — then, blushing, led the lay, To grace the stranger of the day. Her mellow notes awhile prolong The cadence of the flowing song. Till, to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse spontaneous came. THE CHASE. 19 ^ong conti'nueti. ** Huntsman, rest ! thy cliase is done ; Wliile our slumbrous spells assail ye, Dream not, with the rising sun, 630 Bugles here shall sound reveille. Sleep, the deer is in his den ; Sleep ! thy hounds are by thee lying ; Sleep! nor dream in yonder glen, How thy gallant steed lay dying. Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done, Think not of the rising sun, For at dawning to assail ye, Here no bugles sound reveille." xxxni. The hall was clear'd — the stranger's bed 640 Was there of mountain heather spread, Where oft a hundred guests had lain, And dream'd their forest sports again. But vainly did the heath-flower shed Its moorland fragrance round his head ; Not Ellen's spell had lullM to rest The fever of his troubled breast. In broken dreams the image rose Of varied perils, pains, and woes ; His steed now flounders in the brake, 650 Now sinks his barge upon the lake ; Now leader of a broken host. His standard falls, his honour's lost. Then, — from my couch may heavenly might Chase that worst phantom of the night ! — Again retiirn'd the scenes of youth, Of conftdent undoubting truth; Again his soul he interchanged With friends whose hearts were long estranged. They come, in dim procession led, 660 The cold, the faithless, and the dead; As warm each liand, each brow as gay, As if they parted yesterday. " And doubt distracts him at the view, 20 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 1:^ r i ; ; I ■ 'f . ' '« 5U were his senses false or true ? Dream'd he of death, or broken vow, Or is it all a vision now ? XXXIV. At length, with Ellen in a grove He seem'd to walk, and speak of love; She listen'd with a blush and sigh, 670 His suit was warm, his hopes were high. He sought her yielded hand to clasp. And a cold gauntlet met his grasp : The phantom's sex was changed and gone, Upon its head a helmet shone; Slowly enlarged to giant size, With darken'd cheek and threatening eyes, The grisly visage, stern and hoar. To Ellen still a likeness bore. — He woke, and, panting with affright, 680 Kecall'd the vision of the night. The hearth's decaying brands were red, And deep and dusky lustre shed, Half showing, half concealing, all The uncouth trophies of the hall. Mid those the Stranger fix'd his eye, Where that huge falchion hung on high, And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, Rush'd, chasing countless thoughts along, Until, the giddy whirl to cure, 690 He rose, and sought the moonshine pure. lii! xxxv. The wild-rose, eglantine, and broom, Wasted around their rich perfume : The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm, The aspens slept beneath the calm : The silver light, with quivering glance, Play'd on the water's still expanse — Wild w^ere the heart whose passions' sway Could rage beneath the sober ray ! He felt its calm, that warrior guest, 700 While thus he communed with his breast: ■ THE CHASE. 21 ** Why is it, at each turn I trace Some lueniory of that exiled race ? Can I not mountain-maiden spy, But she must bear the Douglas eye ? Can 1 not view a Highland brand, But it must match the Douglas hand? Can I not frame a fever'd dream, But still the Douglas is the theme ? — I '11 dream no more — by manly mind 710 Not even in sleep is will resign'd. My midnight orisons said o'er. I '11 turn to rest, and dream no more." His midnight orisons he told, A prayer with every bead of gold, Consign'd to heaven his cares and woes, And sunk in undisturb'd repose ; Until the heath-cock shrilly crew. And morning dawn'd on Benvenue. ng, 22 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO SECOND. Cfje IglantJ. I.-XIV. " The second canto opens witli a fine picture of the aged harper, Allan-bane, sitting on the island beach with the damsel, watching the skiff which carries the stranger back again to land. The min- strel sings a sweet song ; and a conversation ensues, from which the reader gathers that the lady is a daughter of the house of Douglas, and that her father, having been exiled by royal dis- pleasure from the court, has been fain to accept of this asylum from Sir Roderick Dhu, a Highland chieftain, who had long been outlawed for deeds of blood, but still maintained his feudal sov- ereignty in the fastnesses of his native mountains. It appears also, that this dark chief is in love with his fair protegee : but that her affections are engaged to Malcolm (rraeme, a younger and more amiable mountaineer, the companion and guide of her father in his hunting excursions." Roderick is an " odious theme " to Ellen, and she changes the conversation by asking the minstrel, — " What think'st thou of our stranger guest ? *' XV. " What think I of him ? — woe the while That brought such wanderer to our isle! Thy father's battle-brand, of yore For Tine-man forged by fairy lore, What time he leagued, no longer foes, His Border spears with Hotspur's bows, Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshow The footstep of a secret foe. If courtly spy hath harbour'd here, 10 What may we for the Douglas fear ? What for this island, deem'd of old Clan- Alpine's last and surest hold ? ling nin- lich B of dis- lum been sov- )ears that uore T in 3 the THK ISLAND. If neither spy nor foe, I pray What yet may jealous Roderick say ?' — Nay, wave not thy disdainful head,, Bethink thee of the discord dread, That kindled when at Beltane game Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme ;; Still, though thy sire the peace renew'd, 20 Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud. Beware ! — But hark, what sounds are these ? My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, No weeping birch, nor aspens wake,. Nor breath is dimpling in the lake, Still is the canna's hoary beard ; Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — And hark again ! some pipe of war Sends the bold pibroch from afar.'* XVI. Far up the lengthen'd lake were spied ,, ■ 30 Four darkening specks upon the tide, That, slow enlarging on the view. Four mann'd and masted barges grew. And, bearing downwards from Glengyle, Steer'd full upon the lonely isle ; The point of Brianchoil they pass'd. And, to the windward as tliey cast, Against the sun they gave to shine The bold Sir Roderick's banner'd Pine. Nearer and nearer as they bear, 40 Spears, pikes, and axes flash in air. Now might you see the tartans brave. And plaids and plumage dance and wave; Now see the bonnets sink and rise. As his tough oar the rower plies ; See, flashing at each sturdy stroke. The wave ascending into smoke ; See the proud pipers on the bow, And mark the gaudy streamers flow From their loud chanters down, and sweep 60 The furrow'd bosom of the deep. As, rushing through the lake amain, They plied the ancient Highland strain J " ■ 2d , 1 r p 24 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. ■; :\\ XVII. Ever, as on they bore, more loud And louder rung the pibroch proud. At first tlie sound, by distance tame, Mellovv'd along the waters came, And, lingering long by cape and bay, Wail'd every harsher note away, Then bursting bolder on the ear, 60 The clan's shrill Gathering they could hear; Those thrilling sounds, that call the might Of old Clan- Alpine to the fight. . Thick beat the rapid notes, as when The mustering hundreds shake the glen, And hurrying at the signal dread. The batter'd earth returns their tread. Then prelude light, of livelier tone, Express'd their merry marching on, Ere peal of closing battle rose, 70 With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows ; And mimic din of stroke and ward, As broadsword upon target jarr'd ; And groaning pause, ere yet again, Condensed, the battle yell'd amain ; The rapid charge, the rallying shout, Ketreat borne headlong into rout. And bursts of triumph, to declare Clan-Alpine's conquest — all were there. Nor ended thus the strain ; but slow SO Sunk in a moan prolong'd and low. And changed the conquering clarion swell, For wild lament o'er those that fell. XVIII. The war-pipes ceased ; but lake and hill Were busy with their echoes still ; And, when they sle})t, a vocal strain Bade their hoarse chorus wake again, , While loud a hundred clansmen raise Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. Each boatman, bending to his oar, VO With measured sweep the burden bore, THE ISLAND. Tn such v/ild cadence, as the breeze Makes thruugli December's leatless trees. The chorus first coukl Alhui know, " Roderick Vich Alpiue, ho 1 iro I " And near, and nearer as they row'd, Distinct the martial ditty How'd. 25 XIX. Boat ^onQ. Hail to the Cliief who in triumph advances! Honour'd and bless'd be the ever-green Pine I Long may the tree, in liis banner that glances, 100 Flourish, the shelter Jind grace of our line 1 Heaven send it happy dew, Earth lend it sap anew. Gaily to bourgeon, and broadly to grow, While every Highland glen Sends our shout back agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroef " Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain. Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade ; "When the whirlwind has stripp'd every leaf on th& mountain, 110 The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. Moor'd in the rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow ; Menteith and Breadalbane, then, Echo his praise agen, " Roderich Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 120 XX. Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Glen Fruin, And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied ; Glen Luss and Ross-dhn, they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch-Lomond lie dead on her sidew Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid. *26 IHE LADY OF THE LAKE. Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe i Lennox and Leven-glen Shake when they hear agen, " Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroel" Kow, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands I Stretch to your oars, for the ever-green i'ine ! O ! that the rose-bud that graces yon islands, -130 Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine I that ^onie seedling gem, Worthy such noble stem, Honour'd and bless'd in their shadow might grow 1 Loud should Clan-Alpine then King from her deepmost glen, ■" ivoderigh Vich Alpine dhu, hoi ieroe 1 " ! ? XXI. "With all her joyful female band, Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, 140 And high their snowy arms they threw, As echoing back with shrill acclaim, And ehonis wild, the Chieftain's name ; While prompt to please, with mother's art, The darling passion of his heart, The Dame called Ellen to the strand, To greet her kinsman ere he land : " Come, loiterer, come ! a Douglas thou, And shun to wreathe a victor's brow ? '' — Reluctantly and slow, the maid 150 The nn welcome summoning obey'd, And, when a distant bugle rung, Tn the mid-patli aside she sprung : — ^'List, Allan-bane ! From mainland cast, I hear my father's signal blast. Be ours," she cried, " the skiff to guide, And waft him from the mountain-side." Then, like a sunbeam, swift and bright. She darted to her shallop light. And, eagerly while Roderick scann'd, 160 For her dear form, his mother's band. THE ISLAND. The islot far behind her lay, And she had hmded in the bay. XXII. Sonie feelings are to mortals given, Witli less of earth in them than heaven ; And if there be a human tear From passion's dross rehned and clear, A tear so limpid and so meek, It would not stain an angel's eheek, 'T is that which ])ious fathers slied 170 Upon a duteous daughter's head! And as the Douglas to his breast His darling Ellen closely press'd, Such holy drops hf r tresses steep'd, Though *t was an iiero's eye that weep'd. Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue Her filial welcomes crowded hung, Mark'd she, that fear (aifection's proof) Still held a graceful youth aloof ; No ! not till Douglas named his name, 180 Although the youth was ^lalcolm Graeme. 2] XXITI. Allan, with wistful look the while, Mark'd Eoderick landing on the isle ; His master piteously he eyed, Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride. Then dash'd, with hasty hand, away From his dimm'd eye the gathering spray ; And Douglas, as his hand he laid On Malcolm's slioalder, kindly said, "Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy 190 In my poor follower's glistening eye ? I '11 tell thee : — he recalls the day. When in my praise he led the lay O'er the arch'd gate of Both well proud, While many a minstrel answer'd loud. When Percy's Norman pennon, won In bloody field, before me shone, And twice ten knights, the least a name ^8 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. !H As mighty as yon Chief may claim, Gracing my pomp, behind me came. 300 Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud Was I of all that marshall'd crowd, Though the waned crescent own'd my might, And in my train troop'd lord and knight, Though Blantyre hymn'd her holiest lays. And Both well's bards flung back my praise, As when this old man's silent tear. And this poor maid's affection dear, A welcome give more kind and true, Than audit mv better fortunes knew. 210 Forgiv^e, my friend, a father's boast, — ! it out-beggars all I lost ! " XXIV. Delightful praise ! — like summer rose, That brighter in the dew-drop glows, The bashful maiden's cheek appeared, For Douglas s])oke, and Malcolm heard. The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide ; The loved caresses of the maid The dogs with crouch and whimper paid} 220 And, at her whistle, on her hand The falcon took his favourite stand. Closed his dark wing, relax'd his eye, Nor, though unhooded, sought to fly. And, trust, while in such guise she stood, Like fabled Goddess of the Wood, That if a father's partial thought O'erweigli'd her worth, and beauty aught^ W^ell might the lover's judgment fail To balance with a juster scale ; 230 For with each .>pcret glance he stole, The fond enthusiast sent his soul. I ] XXV. Of stature tall, and slender frame, But firmly knit, was Malcolm Graeme. The belted plaid and tartan hose Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose ; liMMi THE ISLAND. His flaxen hair, of sunny hue, CurPd closely round his bonnet blue. Train'd to the chase, his eagle eye The ptarmigan in snow could spy ; 240 Each pass, by mountain, lake, and heath, He knew, through Lennox and Menteith; Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe, When Malcolm bent his sounding bow, And scarce that doe, though wing'd with fear, Outstripp'd in speed the mountaineer: Right up Ben-Lomond could he press, And not a sob his toil (jonfess. His form accorded with a mind Lively and ardent^ frank and kind ; 250 A blither heart, till Ellen came, Did never love nor sorrow tame ; It danced as lightsome in his breast, As play'd the feather on his crest. Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth, His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth, And bards, who saw his features bold. When kindled by the tales of old. Said, were that youth to manhood grown, Not long should Roderick Dim's renown 260 Be foremost voiced by mountain fame. But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. 29 XXVI. Now back they wend their watery way, And, " my sire ! " did Ellen say, " Why urge thy chase so far astray ? And why so late return 'd ? And why" — The rest was in her speaking eye. " My child, the chase I follow far, 'T is mimicrv of nolUe war : And with that gallant pastime reft 270 Were all of Douglas I have left. I met young Malcolm as 1 stray'd Far eastward, in Glenfinlas' shade, Nor stray'd I safe ; for, all around, Hunters and horsemen scour'd the ground. 30 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. This youth, though still a royal ward, Hisk'd life and land to be my guard, And thiough the passes of the wood Guided my steps, not unpursued ; And Roderick shall his welcome make, 280 Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. Then must he seek Strath-Endrick glen, Nor peril aught for me agen." •i ■'fir XXVII. Sir Roderick, who to meet them came, Redden'd at sight of Malcolm Graeme, Yet, not in action, word., or eye, Fail'd aught in hospitality. In talk and sport they whiled away The morning of that summer day ; But at high noon a courier light 390 Held secret parley with the knight, Whose moody aspect soon declared, That evil were the news he heard. Deep thought seem'd toiling in his head; Yet was the evening banquet made, Ere he assembled round the flame. His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, And Ellen, too; then cast aro'ind His eyes, tlien fixed them on the ground, As studying phrase that might avail 300 Best to convey unpleasant tale. Long with his dagger's hilt he play'd, Then raised his haughty brow, and said : 'y '■■ I ; f 310 XXVIII. " Short be my speech ; — nor time affords, Nor my plain temper, glozing words. Kinsman and father, — if such name Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim ; Mine honour'd mother; — Ellen — why, My cousin, turn away thine eye ? — And Graeme, in whom I hope to know Full soon a noble friend or foe, When age shall give thee thy command, THE ISLAND. 81 And leading in thy native land : List all I — The King's vindictive pride Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who came: To share their monarch's silvan game, Themselves in bloody toils were snared ; And when the banquet they ])repHred, And wide their loyal portals Hung, 320 O'er their own gateway struggling hung. Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mead,. From Yarrow braes, and banks of Tweed, Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide. And from the silver Tevlot's side ; The dales, where martial clans did ride, Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. This tyrant af the Scottish throne. So faithless, and so ruthless known. Now hither comes ; his end the same, 330 The same pretext of silvan game. What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye, By fate of Border chivalry. Yet more ; annd Glenfinlas green, Douglas, thy stately form was seen. This by espial sure I know ; Y'our counsel in the streight I show." ,\ XXIX. J'i .e.> and Margaret fearfully Scu^iit comfort in each other's eye, Then tnrn'd their ghastly look, each one, 340 This to her sire, that to htr son. The hasty colour went and came In the bold cheek of Malcolm Gramme ; But from his glance it well appear'd, 'T was but for Ellen that he fear'd ; While, sorrowful, but nndismay'd, The Douglas thus his counsel said : " Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, It may but thunder and pass o'er ; Nor will I here remain an hour, 350 To drav the lightning on thy bower; r^i 32 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. For well thou know'st, at this grey head The royal bolt were fiercest sped. For thee, who, at thy king's comraand, Canst aid him with a gallant band, Submission, homage, humbled pride, Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside. Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart, Ellen and I will seek, apai't, The refuge of some forest cell, 360 There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, Till on the mountain a'ui the moor The stern pursuit be pa -• " ' ' nd o'er." — XXX. "No, by mine honour," Roderick said, " So help me. Heaven, and my good blade I No, never ! Blasted be yon Pine, My father's ancient crest and mine, If from its shade in danger part The lineage of the Bleeding Heart ! Hear my blunt speech : grant me this maid 370 To wife, thy counsel to mine aid; To Douglas, leagued with Roderick Dhu, Will friends and allies flock enow ; Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief Will bind to us each Western Cliief. When the loud pipes my bridal tell, "The Links of Forth shall hear the knell, The guards shall start in Stirling's porch; And, when I light the nuptial torch, A thousand villages in flames 380 Shall scare the slumbers of King James ! — Nay, Ellen, blench not thus awa}'. And, mother, cease these signs, I pray ; I meant not all my heat might say. — Small need of inroad, or of fight, When the sage Douglas may unite Each mountain clan in friendly band, To guard the passes of their land, Till the foil'd king, from pathless glen, Shall bootless turn him home agen." r" THE ISLAND. XXXI. 33 390 There are who have, at midnight hour, In shimber scaled a dizzy tower, And, on the verge that beetled o'er The ocean tide's incessant roar, Dream'd calmly out their dangerous dream, Till waken'd by the morning beam ; When, dazzled by the eastern glow, Such startler cast his glance below. And saw unmeasured depth around. And heard unintermitted sound, 400 And thought the battled fence so frail, It waved like cobweb in the gale ; — Amid his senses' giddy wheel. Did he not desperate impulse feel. Headlong to plunge himself below, And meet the worst his fears foreshow ? — Thus, Ellen, dizzy and astound, As sudden ruin yawn'd around, By crossing terrors wildly toss'd, Still for the Douglas fearing most, 410 Could scarce the desperate thought withstand, To buy his safety with her hand. xxxir. Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, And eager rose to speak — but ere His tongue could liurry forth his fear. Had Douglas mark'd the hectic strife, Where death seem'd combating with life; For to her cheek, in feverish flood. One instant rush'd the throbbing blood, 420 Then ebbing back, with sudden sway, Left its domain as wan as clay. "Roderick, enougli ! enough! " he cried, " My daughter cannot be thy bride ; Not that the blush to wooer dear. Nor paleness that of maiden fear, 9 34 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. It may not be — forgive her, Chief, Nor hazard aught for our relief. Against his sovereign, Douglas ne'er Will level a rebellious spear. 430 'T was I that taught his youthful hand To rein a steed and wield a brand; I see him yet, the princely boy! Not Ellen more my pride and joy ; I love him still, despite my wrongs, By hasty wrath, and slanderous tongues. O seek the grace you well may find, Without a cause to mine combined." XXXIII. Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode; The waving of his tartans broad, 440 And darken'd brow, where wounded pride With ire and disappointment vied, Seem'd, by the torch's gloomy light, Like the ill Demon of the flight, Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway Upon the nighted pilgrim's way : But, unrequited Love! thy dart Plunged deepest its envenom'd smart, And Roderick, with thine anguish stung, At length the hand of Douglas wrung, 450 While eyes, that mock'd at tears before, With bitter drops were running o'er. The death-pangs of long-cherish'd hope Scarce in that ample breast had scope. But, struggling with his spirit proud, Convulsive heaved its chequer'd shroud. While every sob — so mute were all — • Was heard distinctly through the hall. The son's despair, the mother's look, Til might the gentle Ellen brook-, 460 She rose, and to her side there came, To aid her parting steps, the Graeme, iwi n iimp iM l THE ISLAND. 85 ;xxxiv.-xxxvii. *' When Malcolm advances to oifer his services as Ellen rises to retire, Roderick pushes him violently back — and a scuffle ensues, of no very dignified character, which is with difficulty appeased by the giant arm of Douglas. Malcolm then withdraws in proud re- sentment ; and, refusing to be indebted to the surly chief even for the use of his boat, plunges into the water, and swims over bj moonlight to the mainland." Rnl 86 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO THIRD. Cfje Mattering. I I r.iv; I. Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore, Who danced our infancy ujjon their knee, And told our marvelling boyhood legends store, Of their strange ventures happ'd by land or sea, How are they blotted from the things that be ! How few, all weak and wither'd of their force. Wait on the verge of dark eternity, Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, To sweep them from our sight I Time rolls his ceaseless course. 10 Yet live there still who can remember well, How when a mountain chief his bugle blew. Both field and forest, dingle, clitt", and dell, And solitary heath, the signal knew ; And fast the faithful clan aroimd him drew. What time the warning note was keenly wound. What time aloft ^heir kindred banner flew, ^Vhile clamorous war-jnpes yell'd the gatheiin;: sound, And while the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, round. rri II. The summer dawn's reflected hue 20 To purple changed Loch Katrine blue j Mildly and soft the western breeze Just kiss'd the lake, just stirr'd the trees, THE GATHERING. 87 I I And the pleased lake, like maiden coy, Trembled but dimpled not for joy ; The mountain-shadows on her breast Were neither broken nor at rest; In bright uncertainty they lie, Like future joys to Fancy's eye. The water-lily to the light 30 Her chalice rear'd of silver bright ; The doe awoke, and to the lawn, Begemm'd with dewdrops, led her fawn ; The grey mist left the mountain side, The torrent show'd its glistening pride j Invisible in flecked sky. The lark sent down her revelry; The blackbird and the spe' kled thrush Good-morrow gave from brake and bush In answer coo'd the cushat dove 40 Her notes of peace, and rest, and love. ess ■111': eor, I ITI. No thought of peace, no thought of rest, Assuaged the storm in Rodericiv's breast. With sheathed broadsword in his hand. Abrupt he paced the islet strand. And eyed the rising sun, and laid His hand on his impatient blade. Beneath a rock, his vassals' care Was prompt the ritual to prepare, With deep and deathful meaning fraught ; 50 For such Antiquity had taught Was preface meet, ere yet abroad The Cross of Fire should take its road. The shrinking band stood oft aghast At the impatient glance he cast; — Such glance the mountain eagle threw, As, from the cliffs of Benvenue, She spread her dark sails on the wind, And, high in middle heav'n reclined, With her broad shadow on the lake, 60 Silenced the warblers of the brake. (rr 38 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. IV.-XI. In these stan/as \v(! have "a long and rather tedious account of the ceremonies employed l>y Sir llodfrieiv iu prei»ariii<>- for the aummoiiiii}^' or gathering ol' his chin. 'I'his is a(;eomplished by the consecration of a small wooden cross, with its pcjints scorched and dipped in blood." •it I , It XII. Then Roderick, with impatient look, From Brian's hand the symbol took : "Speed, Malise, speed! " he said, and gave The crosslet to his henchman brave. " The muster-place be Lanrick mead — Instant the time — speed, Malise, speed ! " Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue, A barge across Loch Katrine flew ; Pligh stood the henchman on the prow, 70 So rapidly the barge-men row, The bubbles, where they launch'd the boat, Were all unbroken and afloat. Dancing in foam and ripple still. When it had near'd the mainland hill ; And from the silver beach's side Still was the prow three fathom wide, When lightly bounded to the land The messenger of blood and brand. II XIII. Speed, Malise, speed! the dun deer's hide 80 On fleeter foot was never tied. Speed, Malise, speed ! such cause of haste Thine active sinews never braced. Bend 'gainst the steepy hill thy breast, Burst down like torrent from its crest ; With short and springing footstep pass Tlie trembling bog and false morass ; Across the brook like roebuck bound, And thread the brake like questing hound j The crag is high, the scaur is deep, 90 Yet shrink not from the desperate leap: THE GATHERINfJ. Parch'd are thy burning lips and brow, Yet by the fountain pause not now j Herahl of battle, fate, and fear, Stretcli onward in thy tieet career ! The wounded hind thou track'st not now, Pursuest not maid through greenwood bough, Nor pliest thou now thy tiying pace, With rivals in the mountain race: But danger, death, and warrior deed, 100 Are in thy course — speed, MalivSe, speed! XIV. Fast as the fatal symbol flies, In arms the huts and hamlets rise ; From winding glen, from upland brown, They pour'd each hardy tenant down. Nor slack'd the messenger his pace ; He show'd the sign, he nanu d the i)lace, And, pressing forward like the wind, Left clamour and surprise behind. The fisherman forsook the strand, 110 The swarthy smith took dirk and brand; With changed cheer, the mower blithe Left in the half-cut swathe the scythe ; The herds without a keeper stray'd. The plough was in mid-furrow staid. The falc'ner toss'd his hawk away, The hunter left the stag at bay : Prompt at the signal of alarms, Each son of Alpine rush'd to arms; So swept the tumult and affray 120 Along the margin of Achray. Alas, thou lovely lake ! that e'er Thy banks should echo sounds of fear ! The rocks, the bosky thickets, sleep So stilly on thy bosom deep, The lark's blithe carol, from the cloud, Seems for the scene too gaily loud. 39 XV. Speed, Malise, speed ! the lake is past, Duncraggan's huts appear at last, \r ^ 40 TlIK LADY OF THE LAKE. And i)ot*p, like iiioss-j^rown rocks, half seen, 130 Half hidden in the copse so ^reen; There uiayst thou rest, thy labour done, Their Lord shall s{)eed the sij,Mial on. — As stoops the hawk upon his prey, The henchniun shot him down the way. — What woeful accents load the gale? The funeral yell, the female wail ! A gallant hunter's sport is o'er, A valiant warrior tights no more. Who, in the battle or the chase, 140 At Roderick's side shall fill his place I — Within the hall, where torches' ray Supplies the excluded beams of day, Lies Duncan on his lowly bier, And o'er him streams his widow's tear. His stripling son stands mournful by, His youngest weeps, but knows not why ; The village maids and matrons round The dismal coronach resound. XVI. (Horonacfj. He is gone on the mountain, IfiO He is lost to the forest, Like a summer-dried fountain, When our need was the sorest. The font, reappearing, From the rain-drops shall borrow, But to us comes no cheering, To Duncan no morrow! The hand of the reaper Takes the ears that are hoary, But the voice of the weeper 160 Wails manhood in glory. The autumn winds rushing Waft the leaves that are searest, But our flower was in flushing, When blighting was nearest. THK (iATHKUING. Pleet foot oil tlio correi, Sage counsel in (uiniber, Red hand in the foray, How sound is thy slumber! Like the dew on the mountain, 170 Like the foam on the river, Like the bubble on the fountain, Thou art gone, and for ever ! XVII. See Stumah, who, the bier beside, His master's corpse with wonder eyed, Poor Stumah ! whom his least halloo Could send like lightning o'er the dew. Bristles his crest, and points his ears, As if some stranger step he hears. 'T is not a mourner's muffled ts (Uid, 180 Who comes to sorrow o'er the dead, But headlong haste, or deadly fear, Urge the precipitate career. All stand aghast-: — unheeding all. The henchman bursts into the hall ; Before the dead man's bier he stood ; Held forth the Cross besmear'd with blood; " The muster-place is Lanrick mead : Speed forth the signal! clansmen, speed!" 4J I XVIII. Angus, the heir of Duncan's line, 190 Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign. In haste tlie stripling to his side His father's dirk and broadsword tied ; But when he saw his mother's eye Watch him in speechless agony. Back to her open'd arms he tiew, Press'd on her lips a fond adieu — " Alas ! " she sobb'd, — "and yet be gone, And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son ! " One look he cast upon the bier, .200 Dash'd from his eye the gathering tear, i ■*«*ii*p .Ill 42 THE LADY OF THt: LAKE. Breathed deep to (iloar his labouring breast, And tf>ss'd aloft hi& bonnet crest, Then, like the high-bred colt, when, freed, First he essays his tire and speed, He vanish'd, ind o'er moor and moss Sped forward with the Fiery Cross. Suspended wa'i the widow's tear, While yet his footsteps she could hear; And when she niark'd the henchman's eye, 210 Wet with unwonted sympathy, "Kinsman," she said, "his race is run, That should have sped thir^e errand on ; The oak has fall'n, — the sapling bough Is all Duncraggan's shelter now. Yet trust I well, his duty done» The orphan's God will guard my son. — And you, in many a danger true, At Duncan's best your blades that drew, To arms, and guard that orphan's head I 220 Let babes and women wail the dead." Then weapon-clang, and martial call, Hesounded through the funeral hall, VHiile from the walls the attendant band Sixatch'd sword and targe, with hurried hand j And short and flitting energy Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye, As if the sounds to warrior dear Might rouse her Duncan from his bier. F)Ut faded soon that borrowM force ; 230 Grief claim'd his riglit, and tears their course. XIX. Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire. O'er dale and hill the summons flew, Nor rest nor pause young Angus knew^ The tear that gather'd in his eye He Ipft tlu' mountain-breeze to dry ; Until, where Teith's young wnters roll. Betwixt him and a vvooded knoll, That graced the sable strath with green. 'WM' THE GATHERING. 240 The chapel of Saint Bride was seen. Swoln vi , the stream, remote the bridge, But An^us paused not on the edge ; Though the dark waves danced dizzily, Though reel'd his sympathetic eye, He dash'd amid the torrent's roar : His right hand high the (jrosslet bore, His left the pole-axe grasp'd, to guide And stay his footing in the tide. He stumbled twice — the foam splash'd high, 260 With hoarser swell the stream raced by ; And had he fall'n, — for ever there, Farewell Duncraggan's orplian heir! But still, as if in parting life, Firmer he grasp'd the Cross of strife. Until the opposing bank he gain'd, And up the chapel pathway strain'd. XX. A blichesome rout, that morning tide, Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. Her troth Tombea's Mary gave 260 To Norman, heir of Armandave, And, issuing from the Gothic arch, The bridal now resumed their march. In rude, but glad procession, came Bonneted sire and coif-clad dame ; And plai^led youth, with jest and jeer. Which snooded maiden would not hear; And children, that, unwitting "hy. Lent the gay shout their shr^ Uy cry ; And minstrels, that in measures vied 270 Before the young and bonny bride. Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose The tear and blush of morning rose. With virgin step, and bashful hand. She held the 'kerchief's snowy band ; The gallant bridegroom, by her side. Beheld his prize with victor's pride, And the glad mother in her ear Was closely whispering word of cheer. 43 inr 44 THE LADY OF THE LAKE, XX r. "Who meets them at tlie churchyard gate ? 280 The messenger of fear and fate ! Haste in his hurried accent lies, And grief is swimming in iiis eyes. All dripping from the recent flood, Panting and travel -soil'd he stood, The fatal sign of tire and sword Held forth, and spoke the appointed word : " The muster-place is Lanrick mead ; Speed forth the signal ! Norman, speed!" And must he change so soon the h?.nd, 290 Just link'd to his by holy band. For the fell Cross of blood and brand? And must the day, so blithe that rose, And promised rapture in the close, Before its setting hour, divide The bridegroom from the plighted bride ? fatal doom ! — it must ! it must ! Clan-Alpine's cause, her Chieftain's trust, Her summons dread, brook no delay; Stretch to the race — away ! away ! XX ri. 300 Yet slow he laid his plaid aside. And, lingering, eyed his lovely bride, Until he saw the starting tear Speak woe he might not stop to cheer ; Then, trusting not a second look. In haste he hped him u{) the brook, Nor backward glanced, till on the heath Wliere Lubiiaig's lake supplies the Teith. — What in the racer's bosom stirr'd ? The sickening pang of hope deferr'd, 310 And memo!-y, with a torturing train Of all his morning visions vain. Mingled with love's impatience, came The manly thirst for martial fame ; The stormy joy of mountaineers. Ere yet they rush upon the spears ; I s|Silgrim spied, It smiles upon the dreary brow of night, And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide, And lights the fearful path on mountain side ; — Fair as that beam, although the fairest far, Giving to horror grace, to danger pride. Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star, Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of War. IT. 10 That early beam, so fair and sheen, Was tinkling through the hazel screen, When, rousing at its glimmer red, The warriors left their lowly bed, Look'd out upon the dappled sky, Mutter'd their soldier matins by, And then awaked their fire, to steal, As short and rude, their soldier meal. That o'er, the Gnel around him threw His graceful plaid of varied hue, 20 And, true to promise, led the way, By thi(;ket green and n'lountain grey. A wildering path ! — they winded now Along the precipice's brow, Commanding the rich scenes beneath The windings of the Forth and Teith, And all the vales between that lie, ; 64 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 30 Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky ; Then, sunk in copse, their fartliest glance Gain'cl not the length of horseman's lance. 'T was ott so steep, tlie foot was fain Assistanee from the hand to gain ; So tangled oft, that, bursting through, Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew, — That diamond dew, so ])ure and clear, It rivals all but Beauty's tear ! III. At length they came where, stern and steep, The hill sinks down upon the deep. Here Vennachar in silver flows. There, ridge on ridge, Kenledi rose ; 40 Ever the hollow path twined on, Beneath steep bank and threatening stone j An hundred men might hold the post With hardihood against a host. The rugged mountain's scanty cloak Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak, With shingles bare, and cliffs between, And patches bright of bracken green, And heather black, that waved so high, It held the copse in rivalry. 60 But where the lake slept deep and still, Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill ; And oft both path and hill were torn. Where wintry torrents down had borne, And heap'd upon the cumber'd land Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand. So toilsome was the road to trace. The guide, abating of his pace, Led slowly through the pass's jaws, And ask'd Fitz-James, by what strange cause 60 He sought these wilds, traversed by few, Without a pass from Roderick Dhu. IV. " Brave Gael, my pass, in danger tried. Hangs in my belt, and by my side ; r-|: TIIH (M)MHAT. Yet, sooth to tell," the Saxon said, "1 dreamt not now to claim its aid. When here, but three d lys since, I came, Bewilder'd in pursuit of gauie, All seem'd as peaceful and as still As the mist slumbering on von lull; 70 Thy dangerous Chief was tlien afar, Nor soon expected back from war. Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide, Tlumgh deep perchance the vill.'du lied." — " Yet why a second venture try '.' " — ■ ''A warrior thou, and ask me why ! — Moves our free course by such fix'd cause, As gives the poor mechanic laws ? Enough, I sought to drive away The lazy hours of peaceful day ; 80 Slight cause will then sufhce to guide A Knight's free footsteps far and wide, — A falcon flown, a greyhound strny'd. The merry glance of mountain maid ; Or, if a path be dangerous known, The danger's self is lure alone." — 55 I *' Thy secret keep, I urge thee not ; — Yet, ere again ye sought this spot. Say, heard ye nought of Lowland war. Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar ?" 90 — "No, by my word ; — of bands prepared To guard King James's sports I heard ; Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear This muster of the mountaineer. Their pennons will abroad be flung. Which else in Donne had peaceful hung." — *' Free be they flung ! for we were loth Their silken folds should feast the moth. Free be they flung! — as free shall wave Clan- Alpine's pine in banner brave. 100 But, Stranger, peaceful since you came, Bewilder'd in the mountain game. Whence the bold boast by which you show III ^^Q THE LADY OF THE LAKE. Vich-Alpine's vow'd and mortal, foe ? '* " Warrior, bat yester-morn, I knew Nought ot thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, Save as an outlaw'd desperate man, The chief of a rebellious clan, Who, in the Regent's court and sight, With ruffian drg-ger stabb'd a knight j 110 Yet this alone might from his part Sever each true and loyal ^ eart." I ! VI. Wrothful at such arraignment foul, Dark lower'd the clansman's sable scowL A space he paused, then sternly said, " And heard'st thou why he drew his blade ? Heard'st thou that shameful word and blow Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe ? What reck'd the Chieftain if lie stood On Highland heath, or Holy-Rood ? 120 He rights such wrong where it is given, If it vvere in the court of heaven." " Still was it outrage ; — yet, 't is true, Not then claim'd sovereignty his due ; While Albany, with feeble hand. Held borrow'd trunoneon of command. The young King, mew'd in kjtirling tower, Was stranger to respect and power. But then, thy Chieftain's robber li'"'e ! Winning mean prey by causeless strife, 130 Wrenching from ru' n'd Lowland swain His herdp and har^-est rear'd in vain. Methinks a soul, likt; thine, should scorn The spoils from such foul foray oorne." VII. The Gael beheld him grim the while, And answer'd with disdainful smile, — "Saxon, from yonder mountain high, T ir\ark'd thee send delighted eye, F^M to the south and east, where lay, — ^— ^1-: 1 it__.^^ THE COMBAT. Extended in succession gay 140 Deep waving fields and pastui-es green, With gentle slopes and groves between : — These fertile plains, that soften 'd vale, Were oace the birthright of the Gael ; The strange'" came with iron hand, And from our fathers reft the land. Where dwell we now ? See rudely swell Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. Ask we this savage hill we tread, For fatten'd steer or household bread ; 150 Ask we for tiock<» these shingles dry. And well the mountain might reply, — * To you, as .o your sires of yore, Belong the target and claymore ! I give you shelter in my breast, Your owa good blades ir.ust win the rest/ Pent i^-, this fortress of the North, Think'st thou we will not sally forth, To ftpoil the spoiler as we may. And from the robber rend the prey ? 160 Ay, by my soul ! — While on yon plain The Saxon rears one shock of grain ; While, of ten thousand }ierds, there strays But one along yon river's maze, — The Gael, of plain and river heir. Shall, with strong hand, redeem his share. W"here live the mountain Chiefs who hold TJiat plundering Lowland field and fold Ii3 aught but retribution true ? Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu." — 57 VITI. 170 Answer'd Fitz-eTames, — " And, if I sought, Think'st thou no other could be brought? What deem ye of my path waylaid ? My life given o'er to ambuscade ? " — " As of a meed to rashness due : Hadst thou sent warning fair and true, — I seek ray hound, or falcon stray'd, I seek, good faith, a Highland maid, — 58 IHE LADY OF THE LAKE. Free hadst thou been to come and go ; But secret path marks secret foe. 180 Nor yet, for this, even as a spy, Hadst thou, unheard, been doom'd to die,. Save to fulfil an augury." — " Well, let it pass ; nor will I now Fresh cause of enmity avow, To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. Enough, I am by promise tied To match me witli this man of pride : Twice have I sought Clan- Alpine's glen In peace ; but when 1 come agen, 190 I come with banner, brand, and bow, As leader seeks his mortal foe. For love-lorn swain, in lady's bower. Ne'er panted for the appointed hour, As I, until before me stand This rebel Chieftain and his band I", IX. " Have, then, thy wish ! " — He whistled shrilly And he was answer'd from the hill ; Wild as the scream of the curlew. From crag to crag the signal flew. 200 Instant, through copse and heath, arose Bonnets, and spears, and bended bows ; On right, on left, above, below. Sprung up at once the lurking foe; From shingles grey their lances start, The bracken bush sends forth the dart, The rushes and the willow-wand Are bristling into axe and brand. And every tuft of broom gives life To plaided warrior annM for strife. 210 That whistle garrison'd the glen At once with full five hundred men, As if the yawning hill to heaven A subterranean host had given. Watching their leader's beck and will, All slient there they stood, and still. Like the loose crags whose threatening mass. I THE COMBAT. 59 Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass, As if an infant's touch could urge Their headlong passage down the verge, 220 With step and weapon forward flung, Upon the mountain-side they hung. The Mountaineer cast glance of pride Along Benledi's living side, Then lix'd his eye and sable brow Full on Fitz-James — " How say'st thou now ? These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true ; And, Saxon, — I am Roderick Dhu ! " Fitz-James was brave : — Though to his heart The life-blood thrill'd with sudden start, 230 He mann'd himself with dauntless air, Return'd the Chief his haughty stare, His back against a rock he bore. And firmly placed his foot before : — "Come one, come all ! this rock shall fly From its firm base as soon as I." Sir Roderick mark'd — and in his eyco Respect was mingled with surprise, And the stern joy which warriors feel In foemen worthy of their steel. 240 Short space he stood — then waved his hand : Down sunk the disappearing band; Each warrior vanish'd where he stood, In broom or bracken, heath or wood; Sunk brand, and spear, and bended bow, In osiers pale and copses low; It seem'd as if their mother Earth Had swallow'd up her warlike birth. The wind's last breath had toss'd in air, Pennon, and plaid, and plumage fair, — 260 The next but swept a lone hill-side. Where heath and fern were waving wide : The sun's last glance was glinted back. From spear and glaive, from targe and jack, — The next, all unreflected, shone On bracken green, and cold grey stone. 60 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. XT. Fitz-James look'd round — yet scarce believed The witness that his sight received ; Such apparition well might seem Delusion of a dreadful dream. 260 Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed, And to his look the Chief replied, " Fear nought — nay, that I need not say — But — doul>t not aught from mine array. Thou art my gi-iest; — I pledged my word As far as Coilantogle ford : Nor would I call a clansman's brand For aid against one valiant hand, Though on our strife lay every vale Rent by the Saxon from the Gael. 270 So move we on ; — I only meant To show the reed on which you leant, Deeming this path you might pursue Without a pass from Roderick Dhu." They moved ; — I said Fitz-James was brave, As ever knight that belted glaive; Yet dare not say, that now his blood Kept on its wont and temper'd flood, As, following Roderick's stride, he drew That seeming lonesome pathway through, 280 Which yet, by fearful proof, was rife With lances, that, to take his life. Waited but signal from a guide, So late dishonour'd and defied. Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round The vanish'd guardians of the ground. And still, from copse and heather deep, Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep, And in the plover's shrilly strain, The signal wliistle heard again. 290 Xor breathed he free till far behind The pass was left ; for then they wind Along a wide and level green, — Where neither tree nor tuft was seen. Nor rush nor bush of broom was near, To hide a bonnet or a spear. I THE COMBAT. 61 XII. The Chief in silence strode before, And reach'd that torrent's sounding shore, Which, daughter of three mighty lakes, From Vennachar in silver breaks, 300 Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless mines On Bochastle the mouldering lines. Where Kome, the Empress of the world. Of yore her eagle wings unfurl 'd : And here his course the Chieftain staid. Threw down his target and his plaid, And to the Lowland warrior said : — " Bold Saxon ! to his promise just, Vich- Alpine has discharged his trust. This murderous Chief, this ruthless man, jU This head of a rebellious clan. Hath led thee safe, *;hrough watch and ward, Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard. Now, man to man, and steel to steel, A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel. See here, all vantageless I stand, Arm'd, like thyself, with single brand : For this is Coilantogle ford, And thou must keep thee with thy sword." XIII. The Saxon paused : — "I ne'er delay'd, d2C When foeman bade me draw my blade ; Nay more, brave Chief, I vow'd thy death ; Yet sure thy fair and generous faith, And my deep debt for life preserved, A better meed have well deserved : Can nought but blood our feud atone ? Are there no means ? " — " No, Stranger, none I And hear, — to lire thy flagging zeal, — The Saxon cause rests on thy steel ; For thus spoke Fate, by prophet bred 330 Between the living and the dead ; * Who spills the foremost foeman's life, His party conquers in the strife.' " ) 5J 62 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. "Then, by my word," the Saxon said, " The riddle is already read. Seek yonder brake beneath the clifP, — There lies lied Murdoch, stark and stiff. Thus Fate has solved her prophecy, Then yield to Fate, and not to me. To James, at Stirling, let us go, 340 When, if thou wilt be still his foe, Or if the King shall not agree To grant thee gi'a(;e and favour free, I plight mine honour, oath, and word, That, to thy native strengths restored, With each advantage shalt thou stand, That aids thee now to guard thy land." It lit U- \u XIV Dark lightning flash'd from Roderick's eye — "Soars thy presumption, then, so high, Because a wretched kern ye slew, 350 Homage to name to Roderick Dhu ? He yields not, he, to man nor Fate ! Thou add'st but fuel to my hate : — My clansman's blood demands revenge. — Not yet prepared ? — By heaven, I change My thought, and liold thy valour light As that of some vain carpet knight, Who ill deserved my courteous care, And whose best Ixiast is hut to wear A braid of his fair lady's hair." — 360 — "I thank thee, Roderick, for the word ! It nerves my heart, it steels my sword ; For I have sworn this braid to stain In the best blood that warms thy vein. Now, truce, farewell ! and, ruth, begone I Yet think not that by thee alone. Proud Chief! can courtesy be sliown ; Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn, Start at my whistle clansmen stern, Of this small horn one feeble blast 370 Would fearful odds against thee cast. But fear not — doubt not — which thou wilt- THE COMBAT. We try this quarrel hilt to hilt." Then each at once his falchion drew. Each on the ground his scabbard threw, Each look'd to sun, and stream, and plain, As what they ne'er might see again ; Then foot, and point, and eye opposed, In dubious strife they darkly closed. 68 XV. Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu, 380 That on the field his targe he threw, Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide Had death so often dash'd aside ; Eor, train'd abroad his arms to wield, Fitz-Janies's blade was sword and shield. He practised every pass and ward. To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard ; While less expert, though stronger far, The Gael maintain'd unequal war. Three times in closing strife they stood, 390 And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood ; No stinted draught, no scanty tide, The gushing flood the tartans dyed. Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain, And shower'd his blows like wintry rainj And, as firm rock, or castle-roof. Against the winter shower is proof, The foe, invulnerable still, Eoil'd his wild rage by steady skill : Till, at advantage ta'en, his brand 400 Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand, And backward borne upon the lea, Brought the proud Chieftain to his knee. XVI. "Now, yield thee, or by Him who made The world, thy heart's blood dyes ray blade ! " — " Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy ! Let recreant yield, who fenrs to die." — Like adder darting from his coil, ■ Like wolf that dashes through the toil, 04 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. Like mountain-cat who guards her young, 410 Full at Fitz- James's throat he sprung ; Receiv'd, but reck'd not of a wound. And lock'd his arms his foeman round. — Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own ! No maiden's hand is round thee thrown ! That desperate grasp thy frame might feel, Through bars of brass and triple steel ! — They tug, they strain ! down, down they go» The Gael above, Fitz-James below. The Chieftain's gripe his throat compress'd, 420 His knee was planted in his breast ; His clotted locks he backward threw, Across his brow his hand he drew, From blood and mist to clear his sight, Then gleam'd aloft his dagger bright! — — But hate and fury ill supplied The stream of life's exhausted tide. And all too late the advantage came, To turn the odds of deadly game ; For, while the dagger gleam'd on high, 430 Reel'd soul and sense, reel'd brain and eve. Down came the blow ! but in the heath The erring blade found bloodless sheath. The struggling foe may now unclasp The fainting Chief's relaxing grasp ; Un wounded from the dreadful cl e, But breathless all, Fitz-James arose. If -J XVII. He falter'd thanks to Heaven for life, Redeem'd, unhoped, from desperate strife ; Next on his foe his look he cast, 440 Whose every gasp appear 'd his last ; In Roderick's gore he dipp'd the braid, — " Poor Blanche ! thy wrongs are dearly paid ; Yet with thy foe must die, or live, The praise that Faith and Valour give." With that he blew a bugle note. Undid the collar from his throat, Unbonneted, and by the wave THE COMBAT. Sat down his brow and hands to lave. Then faint afar are heard the feet 450 Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet ; The sounds increase, and now are seen Four mounted squires in Lincoln green ; Two who bear lance, and two who lead, By loosen'd rein, a saddled stev^d ; Each onward held his headlong course, And by Fitz-James rein'd up his horse, - With wonder view'd the bloody spot, — " Exclaim not, gallants ! question not. — You, Herbert and Lutfness, alight, 460 And bind the wounds of yonder knight; Let the grey palfrey bear his weight, "We destined for a fairer freight. And bring him on to Stirling straight ; I will before at better speed. To seek fresh horse and fitting weed. The sun rides high ; — I must be boune To see the archer game at noon ; But lightly Bayard clears the lea. ~ De Vaux and Herries, follow me. 65 XVITI. 470 " Stand, Bayard, stand ! " — the steed obeyed, With arching neck and bended head. And glancing eye and quivering ear, As if he loved his lord to hear. No foot Fitz-James in stirrup staid. No grasp upon the saddle laid. But wreath'd his left hand in the mane, And lightly bounded from the plain, Turn'd on the horse his armed heel, And stirr'd his courage with the steel. 480 Bounded the fiery steed in air, The rider sate erect and fair, Then like a bolt from steel crossbow Forth launch'd, along the plain they go. They dash'd that rapid torrent through, And up Carhonie's hill they flew ; Still at the gallop prick'd the Knight, 5 66 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. His merry-men foUow'd as they might. Along thy banks, swift Teith ! they ride. And in the ra(5e they moelc thy tide ; 490 Torry and Lendriek now are past, And Deanstown lies beliind tliem cast ; They rise, the baunerM towers of Doune, They sink in distant woodland soon ; JUair-Druniniond sees the hoofs strike fire, They sweep like breeze through Ochtertyrej They mark just glance and disappear The lofty brow of ancient Kier; They bathe their coursers' sweltering sides, Dark Forth ! amid thy sluggish tides, COO And on the opposing shore take ground, With plash, with scramble, and with bound. Right-hand they leave thy cliff's, Craig "orth!" And soon the bulwark of the North, Grey Stirling, with her towers and town, Upon their lieet career look'd down. XIX. As up the flinty path they strain'd, Sudden his steed the leader rein'd ; A signal to his squire he flung, Who instant to his stirrup sprung: — 610 " Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman grey Who town- ward holds the rocky way, Of stature tall and poor array ? Mark'st tliou the firm, yet active stride, With which he scales the mountain-side ? Know'st thou from whence he comes, or whom ?"■ "No, by my word ; — a burly groom He seems, who in the field or chase A baron's train would nobly grace." — " Out, out, De Vaux ! can fear supply, 620 And jealousy, no sharper eye ? Afar, ere to the hill he drew. That stately form and step I knew ; Like form in Scotland is not seen, Treads not such step on Scottish green. 'T is James of Douglas, by Saint Serle ! THE COMBAT. 67 The uncle of the banisli'tl Earl. Away, away, to court, to show The near approach of dreaded foe : The King must stand upon his guard; 530 Douglas and lie must meet pre{)ared." Then right-hand wheel'd their steeds, and straight They won the castle's postern gate. XX.-XXXIII. " The reader is then told that Douglas had taken the resolution of delivering himself up voluntarily, with a view to save ^laleolm Graeme, and if possible Sir Roderick also, from the impending danger. As he draws near to the castle, he sees the king and his train descenditig to grace the holiday sports of the commonalty, and resolves to mingle in them, and present himself to the eye of his alienated sovereign as victor in those humbler contentions. He wins the prize accordingly, in archery, wrestling, and pitching tlie bar; and receives his reward from the hand of the prince, who does not condescend to recognise his former favourite by one glance of affection. Roused at last by an insult from one of the royal grooms, he proclaims himself aloud; is ordered into custody by the king, and represses a tunuilt of the populace which is ex- cited for his rescue. At this instant, a messenger arrives with tidings of an approaching battle between the clan of Roderick and the king's lieutenant, the Earl of Mar ; and is ordered back to pre- vent the combat, by announcing that both Sir Roderick and Lord Douglas are in the hands of their sovereign." 68 'IIIK I.ADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO SIXTH. 2ri)e ©uartJ-Boom. I.-XXIV. "TiiK sixth canto opens witli a very animated description of the motley mercenaries that t'ormetl the royal guard, as they appeared at early dawn, after a niglit of stern debaucn. While they are quarrelling and singing, the sentinels introduce an old minstrel and a veiled maiden, who had been forwarded by Alar to the royal presence ; and Ellen, disclosing her countenance, awes the ruffian soldiery into respect and pity by her grace and liberality. She is then conducted to a more seemly waiting-place, till the king should be visible ; and Allan-bane, asking to be taken to the prison of hia captive lord, is leil by mistake to tlie sick-chamber of Roderick Dhu, who is dying of his wounds in a gloomy apartment of the castle. The high-souled chieftain inquires eagerly after the for- tunes of his clan, the Douglas, and Ellen ; and, when he learns that a battle has been fought with a doubtful success, entreats the minstrel to soothe his parting spirit with a description of it, and with the victor song of his ckin. Allan-bane complies; and the battle is told in very animated and irregular verse. When the vehement strain is closed, Roderick is found cold; and Allan mourns him in a pathetic lament. In the meantime, Ellen hears the voice of Malcolm Grfeme lamenting his captivity from an ad- joining turret of the palace." XXV. The heart-sick lay was liardly said, The list'ner had not tiirn'd her head, It trickled still, the starting tear, When light a footstep struck her ear, And Snowdoun's graceful Knight was near. She turn'd the hastier, lest again The prisoner should renew his strain. THE GUARD-KOOM. "O welcome, brave Fitz-Jaiues 1 " she said; " How may an almost orphan maid 10 Pay the deep debt " " say not so ! To me no gratitude you owe. Not mine, alas ! the boon to give, And bid thy noble father live ; I ean but be thy guide, sweet maid, With Scotland's King thy suit to aid. No tyrant he, though ire and pride May lay his better mood aside. Come, Ellen, come! — 'tis more than time, He holds his court at morning prime.' 20 With beating heart, and bosom wrung, As to a brother's arm she clung. Gently he dried the falling tear, And gently whisper'd ho])e and cheer; Her faltering steps half led, half staid, Through gallery fair and high arcade, Till, at his touch, its wings of pride A portal arch unfolded wide. 09 xxvr. Within 't was brilliant all and light, A thronging scene of figures bright; 30 It glow'd on Ellen's dazzled sight, As when tlie setting sun has given Ten thousand hues to summer even. And from their tissue, fancy frames Aerial knights and fairy dames. Still by Fitz-James her footing staid; A few faint steps she forward made, Then slow her droo})ing head she raised, And fearful round the presence gazed, For him sh(; sought, who own'd this state, 40 The dreaded prince whose will was fate ! - She gazed on many a princely port Might well have ruled a royal court ; On many a splendid garb she gazed, — Then turn'd bewilder'd and amazed, For all stood bare ; and, in the room, Fitz-James alone wore cap and plume. ■ (0 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. To liim each lady's look was lent ; On him ey.ch courtier's eye was bent ; Midst I'urs and silks and jewels sheen, 50 He stood, in simple Lir.coln green, The centre of the glittering ring, — And Snowdoun's Knigiit is Scotland's King ! XXVII. As wreath of snow, on mountain-breast. Slides from the rock that gave it rest, Poor Ellen glided from her stay, And at the Monarch's feet she lay ; No word her choking voice commands, — She show'd the ring — she clasp'd her hands. O! no"*" a moment could he bi-ook, CO The generous prince, that suppliant look! Gontly he raised her, — and, the while, Check'd with a glance the circle's smilf^; Graceful, but grave, her brow he kiss'd, And bade her terror:', be dismiss'd : — "Yes, Fair; the wandering ])our Fitz-James The fealty of Sv^otland claims. To him thy woes, thy wishes, bring; He will redeem Ids signei ring. A?k nought for Douglas ; — yester even, 70 H.s prihce and he have much forgiven ; Wrong h'lth he hud from slanderous tongue, I, from his rebel kinsi'.jen, wrong. We would not to the vulgar crowd Yield what they craved with clamour loud ; Cahnl}'' we heard and judged his cause, Our council aided, and our laws. I stanch'd thv father's death-feud stern, With stout De Vaux and Grey Glencairn; And Boohwell's Lord h^^nceforth v/e own 80 The friend and bulwark of our Throne. — But, lovely infidel, how now? What clouds thy misbelieving brow? Lord James of Douglas, lend thine aid ; Thou m\X6i conlirm this doubting maid." THE GUARD-ROOM. 71 XXVIII. Then forth the noble Douglas sprung, And on his neck his daughter hung. The Monarch drank, that happy hour, The sweetest, holiest draught of Power, — When it can say, with godlike voice, <)0 Arise, sad Virtue, and rejoice ! Yet would not James tbo general eye (>n Nature's raptures long should pry; He stepp'd between — " Nay, Douglas, nay, Steal not my proselyte away ! The riddle 'tis my right to read. That brought this happy chance to speed. — Yes, Ellen, when disguised I stray In life's more low but hapjjier way, 'T is under name which veils my power, 100 Nor falsely veils — for Stirling's tower Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims, And Normans call me James Fitz-James. Thus watch I o'ev insulted laws, Thus learn to right the injured cause," — Then, in a tone apart and low, — "Alj, little trait'ress ! none must know Wiiat idle dream, what lighter thought. What vanity full dearly bought, Join'd to thine eye's dark witchcraft, drew 110 My spell-bound steps to Benvenue, In dangerous hour, and nil but ; ave Thy Monarch's life to mountain glaive !" — Aloud he spoke — "Thou'still dost hold That little talisman of gold, Pledge of my faith, Fitz-James's ring — What seeks fair Ellen of the King? " XXIX. Full well the conscious maiden guess'd He probed the weakness of her breast ; Put, with that consciousness, there came 120 A lightening of her fears for Graeme, And more she deem'd the Monarch's ire 72 TRK LADY 07 THE LAKE. Kindled 'gainst him, who, for her sire, Kebellious broadsword boldly drew ; And, to her generous feeling true, She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu. — " Forbear thy suit : — The King of kings Alone can stay life's parting wings. I know liis heart, I know his hand, Have shared, his cheer, and proved his brand 130 My fairest earldom would I give To bid Clan- Alpine's Chieftain live! — Hast thou no other boon to crave ? No other captive friend to save ? " Blushing, shr^'turn'd her from the King, And to the Douglas gave the ring, As if she wish'd her sire to speak The suit that stain'd her glowing cheek. •'Nay, then, my pledge has lost irs force, And stubborn justice holds her course. 140 Malcolm, come forth ! " And, at the word, Down kneel'd the Gramme to Scotland's Lord, " For thee, rash youth, no suppliant sues. From thee mav Vengeance claim her dues, Who, nurtured underneath our smile, Hast paid our care by treacherous wile, And sought, amid thy faithful clan, A refuge for an outlaw'd man. Dishonouring thus thy loyal name. — Fetters and warder for the Gramme ! " 150 His chain of gold the King unstrung, The links o'er Mal(;olm's neck he ilung Then gently di;ew the glittering band, And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand. NOTES. CANTO I. The introductory stanzas had better be skipped at first. When you •return to them, keep in mind that the ancient poets used to begin by ask- ing help in their work from what they called the Muse of Poetry. Milton 'mitates this ancient ctistom at the beginning of Paradise Lost, and so does Scott here. Addressing the Muse of Scottish Poesy by the name of ** Harp of the North," he laments the recent decay and neglect of native song, praises the work of the earlier Scottish minstrels, and hopes that he may be favoured with some small share of their inspiration. Witch-elm: — Tlie dictionary will probably tell you that the Witch here has no connection with witchcraft. Note the fact, as to the name ; but note also, as to the object, whether Scott associates anythiug of witch- -craft with it. Still must, etc. : — There are noteworthy points in both the sound and ■the sense of this line. At each according pause, etc.: — If these two lines trouble you, look at the end of stanza 30. Magic maze, Wizard note, Enchantress : — v. note on Witch-elm. 2. Monan's Rill: — Never mind where it is, nor St. Fillan's Spring, .nor any other place seldom mentioned or of little importance, or which you can't find marked on a map. 5-6. Note other instances, throughout the poem and elsewhere, of this •^poetical and natural way of marking time. 7-10. Look up other passages Mliere the sound seems to echo the ■sense ; and the many other examples of aspirate alliteration. 13. Collect all the best specimens of poetic circumlocution, 14. Is Sprang or Rang or Sanc; used at all in this poem? 20. Thomson too has " tainted gale," and Pope speaks of the *' Hound sagacious on the tainted green." 41. Ken: — '7. 117, 228. Scott U5 3s it also as a verb : — ** We are men Who little sense of peril ken." 74 THE LADY OF THE LAKE- 48-50. Scott tells us in a note that the name is prononneed Va-Var, Of irore properly Uaighmor ; and that it '* signifies the great den or cavern, *rom a sort of retreat among the rocks on the south side, said, by tradi- tion, to ha%e been the abode of a giant." 57. Note Shrewdly here, Burst in 58, Bueathi: in 54, Numbers and Burden in the introductory stanzas, and many other special or un- common uses of common words elsewhere. 64. Moor does not rime with o'er according to the rules in the text- boolvs. But just as great kings " are the makers of manners," so great poets are the makers of rimes; and it is belter for the student to observe wii.it rimes they actually do use than to presume to determine what ouea- tliey sliould use. iScott uses all sorts, from identities like Kind — Kind (Lord of tlie Isles, III. 21 ) to mere assonances. Collect samples of the dif- ferent kinds and classify them. 69. Are pine-trees Blue ? Look at 199-202, and 206. 98. Cf. this IStanch with the Stanch'd in VL 77. 102. Brake : — «. ;}(>6, 649, etc., and cf. Bracken in III. 325. 1U4-I05. Look back lor the names, and at the map for the location of the mountain and the lake. v. also 60 and 412. 139. The second halt' of the Hue is a quotation from the Bible. Find it. 147. Dingle: — What else has he called it \ 169-170. Find chapter and verse for this. 181. See V. 10, and \'I. 49. Sheen has been an adjective since Chaucer's time at least. His I'rioresse had " A peire of bedes, gauded ol with grene; And ther-on heng a broche of gold f ul shene-.'* The dictionaries now mark this use as archaic. As a noun the word is probably best known from Byron's line, "And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea." But this use date.a back at le^ust as far as Shakespeare. In Hamlet we find " Thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen." 184. Cf. TIT. 21-22, Try to find .)thfr passages in our British poets- where the west wind has pleasant associations. With what do we fi)id the other winds associated ? 185. Milton calls Nature Boon in a pa.ssage very like this in Paradise Lost TV. 192. Which, and how ? Perhaps Scott had one of Solomon's proverbs in mind. 196. Wept:— (7/: 693 204. What were' these streamers ? What other thiagd doea he call * streamers ' ? 229. Nice : — y. note on 57. 237. How long ? 240. What was " the livelier light *' t 243-245. Cf. 215-216. M! NOTES. 75 847. In V. 22 we have " a wildering path," in I. 407 " derers.** Look also at the use of *' bewildered " in I. 27 Dryden has " Fixed as a pilgrim wilder'd in his way. wilder'd wan» 272 and V. 101. 247. In Enoch Arden, Tennyson uses Feather of a scattered wood as Scott does here, and also of the ripple from the bo.v of a ship. 276-279. If Fitz- James were there now, a mile's tramp would take him to the Trossachs' Hotel where he could dine for 5 shillings, get a room for 4, and breakfast next morning for 3. 310-314. Make a drawing for this. Select other passages puitable for pictorial illustration, and illustrate tliem. 329-330. Look through Tennyson's Talking Oak for a parallel to this. 361. Which ones has he named ? 365. Her voice is gentle, and back a bit he told us it was soft. Look up what King Lear says of Cordelia's. 381. For a commoner use of Wont v. V. 277. 386; Cf. note on Sheen in 181. Among earlier poets who use Fkolio as an adjective, Milton has in L'Allegro tt T The frolic Wind that breathes the spring." Among later ones Tennyson has in Ulysses " Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and fought with mo — That ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and tlie sunshine." 398. What was " the petty need " ? 411. Note the Pull'd. 412. V. note on 104. 431. For the meaning of Bane ??. the next line, and still bett«r the " white-hair'd Allan-bane " in the first stanza of Canto II. Similarly, the Dhu in Roderick's name means ' black,' and the Roy in Rob Roy means 'red.' Such names are common enough yet among Highlanders and their descendants in Canada and elsewhere. 433. Allan had what Gaelic-speaking people call Taishitaraugh, and what we call " Second Sight." It is the " mystical lore " of Campbell's lines, " 'T is the sunset of life gives me mystical Ipre,^^ And coming events cast their shadows before." Tennyson calls it " such refraction of events As ofte!i rises ere they rise." 434. Cf. the " dappled sky " in V 14. 454. t\ note on 13. Note the different names given to Ellen's boatt and note the different things for which Scott uses the word Tide. 461-i62. Would this be good for the dogs after such a severe chase f 464. Cf. 235. m^^f^m ■ 76 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 519. Target : — The thing is called by the same nain in V. 305; bj another form of the same name in V. 380 ; and by our Uhual name for it in V. 384. In the stanza containing the two lines cited last, there is a partial descrijjtion of the weapon. 'I'he frame was of light wood. 521. Store is used again in this peculiar construction in IH. 3. 538. Look ahead for information about the " one." 546. Two giants of the old romances; the first was forty feet high, the other only thirty. 553-554. The construction in the first line is something odd, but the meaning is clear enough. Tlie lady's name and her relationship to KUea and the others will appear by-and-by. 572. Has Stakwart the same meaning here as in 539 ? 593. Viewless is explained two lines below. Cf. " The viewless forms of air" in Tlie Lay of the Last Minstrel I 12, " I must be viewless now" in Milton's Conius 92, "the viewless wmds" in Measure for Measure 3. 1. Shakespeare also uses Sightless in the same sense, 684. Look back at the list of trophies. Why call them " uncouth " ? 713. The next line helps to show what Told means here. Cf. Mil- ton's " Every shepherd tells his tale," CANTO II. Fitz-James calls Ellen's father the in a note that he is an imaginary 4. Scott says " Archibald, the third Earl of Douglas, was so unfortu- nate in all his enterprises, that he acquired the epithet of Tine-man, be- cause he TiNED, or lost, liis followers in every battle which he fought,** This is the Douglas of Shakespeare's Henry IV, He belonged to the elder branch of the family, the * black ' Douglasses as they were called. Other members of this branch were " the good Lord James" of The Lord of the Isles and of Castle Dangerous, the " grim Earl " of The Fair Maid of Perth, and " the dead Douglas" who won the Battle of Otterbourne. The ' red ' Douglasses of the house of Angus were a younger branch. Marnnion's host was one of these, and " the banished Earl " mentioned in the present poem was his grandson, uncle of this earl, but Scott tells us person. 5. What time is often used thus in poetry, v. Ill With stanza 16 rf. the approach of the Tuscan MiU'aulay's Horatius. M. Pick out all the Amain's in the poem and note the different shades of tiieaning. Cf. with Macaulav's use of the w^ord in his La\». 69. V. note on I. 57. Cf. Close in V. 378, 389, 435. 90. Cf this BiTRDEx with that in the introductory stanzas to I. 106. Scott tells us that the line means " Black Roderick, the descend- ant of Alpine." Of the song, he says " It is intended as an imitation of the boat songs of the Highhanders, which were usually composed in honour of a favourite chief. They are so adapted as to keep time with the sweep of the oars." For Dhu, v. note on I. 431, and v. also V, 224. 110. To what does Her refer? And in 120? And He and H.Min 113? And Him in 130? And Their in 133? And Her in 135? 15, 16, armv to Rome in NOTES. 77 117-118. What is the difference between a pibroch and a slogan? Which of them was " the gathering sound " of III. 17? 138. For Lady Margaret v. stanzas 29 and 30 of I. In stanza 13 of II. we :' told that Ellen is Margaret's "sister's child." The present stanza tells the Dame's relation to Koderick. 191 ff. Bothwell, one of the Douglas castles, on the Clyde above Glasgow. Blantyre, an old priory on the opposite side of the river. Hotspur's pennon was won by the Douglas who afterwards fell at Otter- bourne. Of "the waned crescent" Bishop Percy says, "The silver cres- cent is a well-known crest or badge of the Northumberland family. It was probably brought home from the crusades against the Saracens." 211. It is easy to see the meaning of the line as a whole : it is not so easy to pick it out piecemeal from the several members of the sentence. OuT-BEGGAUS seems to be modelled on Hamlet's Uut-Herods, but there is not the same analogy in meaning as in form. 232 ff. V. note on 1. 310. 238-239. Why is an ' eagle eye ' needed for this ? 246-247. Ben Lomond is 3192 feet higli. With a pony and guide it takes from S to 3 hours to ascend it nowadays from the south. Ruskin tells us that to read some of his long sentences we should be " breathed like the Graeme." 266. What was " the rest " i 280, 284. V. stanza 15 and the introductory remarks to the canto. 289. Why " high " ? 292. News " is nothing but a plural," says l^rofessor Skeat. It is rarely used as a plural now, but such is not the case in our older literature. In cases like this the young student should be careful about charging his author with ' graujmatical error.' 313-326. This passage and another in the 6th stanza of V. show that the time of the story is during the reign of James V. Scott gives an account of the expedition against the Border Freebooters in chap. 27 of his Tales of a Grandfather. 336. Many persons are ' in great straits ' to-day. St, Paul was ' in a Strait ' once, — /'. Phil. i. 23. The elliptical construction of the line may lead astray the careless reader who does not allow for the context. 3.57. V. Marmion VL stanza 2. The emblem of the family is associ- ated with the story of ' the good Lord James ' and the heart of Bruce. 372. What do the dictionaries say about tlie pronuncituion of Allies and Enow ? Does Scott always pronounce them as here i 376. r. V. 25-26, 163. There is another kind of links, associated with golf, at Aberdeen, St. Andrews, etc. 381. Note the difference between Blench aiwi Blanch, 383. Many editions of the poem read Heart here, but the meaning is the same for both readings. 389. Very young readers may mistake the meaning of Bootless. 410. How ' desperate ' such a thought must have been to Ellen will be best understood after reading stanzas 13 and 14 in a complete copy of the poem. 421. How much is implied in the simile here? 43&-436. Cf. Fitz-tTames's reminiscences of Douglas in Canto I. 436. V. note on I. 64. Wrongs — Tongues is quite a common sort of rime in our poetry. See if Scoct always rimea Tongues so. T 78 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO IIL S. V. I. 521. 10. How old must these people have been in 1810? 12-13. Find examples of all these in your neighbourhood, if there are »ny. 15,16. y. II. 5. 15. Cf. Scott's use of the pasts Wound and Winded ■^ith ours. 17. V. note on 11. 117-118. IStauza 2. Cf. the sights and sounds at dawn where you live. Look up some other poetic descriptions o£ morning ; also of evening. 20. Macaulay, in The Armada, makes t)ie sea purple at another time of day. 21. i>. note on I. 184. 41-42. Here we have a contrast between the scene and the soul of the man who sees it. Try to find a case of agreement. 89. If Scaur is not in your dictionary, try among the Scar's. With stanza 14 cf. Macaulay's Horatius, stanzas 2 to 8. 111. Look for the ' archaic ' meanings of Chekr. 165. If you can't find Correi, try Corrie or Corry. 166. Look at Cumber'd in V. 54. In an omitted stanza of Canto IV. we have, " Sore did he cumber our retreat." See also St. Luke x. 40. 267-268. Cf. 146. CANTO IV. 15. One Bourne or Bourn means a boundary, as in the famous pas- sage in Hamlet. Another is called Burn in Scotland and means a stream. Some note- makers seem to know that Scott meant the former here, others that he n^eant the latter. 20. How would you say this ? 81-32. Cf. what Brutus says in Julius Caesar, 1.2, — " Set honour in one eye and death i' the other. And I will look on both indifferently." 5,3-!>4. To whom are these lines addressed? What was the 'folly/ and what the ' shame ' ? tt- $ ! 83. We read about * yon wily kern' in 13 to 24. His name is given in V. .336. . rr^,-a^A 116-119 Cf HI. stanza 2, and the opening of Gray s Elegj. 151-152. Is this true of fox-hunting now ? 173. Forms like Spoke and Broke are quite common as pnst partici- ples in En gli.di Literature from Shakespeare to Tennyson. 176. Roderick quotes the augury in V. 331-332. It occurs origiually in one of the omitted stanzas of Canto IV. 181-186. Cy.L 665-562. %'. fl 'W'TC- NOTES. 79 CANTO V. What bearing has the introductory stanza on the subject of the canto 1 14. V. I. 434. 19. Tlie last stanza of III. (omitted here) gives some idea of the ''varied hue.' Roderick's clansmen, wrapped in their plaids and couched on the ground, were Scarce to be kirown by curious eye From the deep heatlier where they lie, So well was matched the tartan screen With heath-bell dark and brackens green. I', also 150 and 204. 27. How far off ? 46. Not our shingles, of course. 66. Is this correct ? 70-71. Cite or quote to show that you remember where he was. 108-109. In one of the early stanzas of II. Allan tells Ellen In Holy-Kood a knight he slew ; I saw, when back the dirk he drew, Courtiers give place before the stride Of the undaunted homicide. 124-127. ?'. note on II. 313. 301-303. On these lines Scott writes, " The torrent which discharges itself from Loch Vennachar, the lowest and eastmost of the three lakes which form the scenery adjoining to the Trosachs, sweeps through a flat and extensive moor, called Bocbastle, Upon a small eminence, called the Dun of Bocbastle, and indeed on the plain itself, are some intreuchments, wliich have been thought Roman." 305. V. note on I. 519. 358-363. One of the locks in the braid was from the head of the mur- dered madwoman mentioned in the summary of IV. xx.-xxviii. on page 50. When FitzJames saw that she was dead A lock from Blanche's tresses fair He blended with her bridegroom's hair; The mingled braid in blood he dyed, And placed it on his bonnet-side: " By Him whose word is truth ! I swear, No other favour will I Avear, Till this aad token I imbrue In the best blood of Roderick Dhu ! " Canto IV. Stanza 28. 369-370. All earlier jiassage helps to explain this, a lat'>r one does so 111 I lie fnllv and tells the ' odds. /Ill VVliv doi'H be speak thus? M7(). At least one editor presumes to put He for Scott's They. An- •ullier Ihinks it worth while to say in a note, "Ungrammatically put for He." I ■ » 80 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. li ,, 378. V. II. 60, and note. 41.'J-416. Who says this? 420. What would this line moan if it stood alone ? Make a drawing to illustrate that meaning, and another for the real one. 441-442. r. :\')8 and note. 4.')2. (^uote an earlier line to «ho\v how they happened to bo at hand, and a later one to show what ior. 4.')4. ( )ne steed only '. Or one to each of the two 1 40;'). In rV. 21, tht! maniac, Blanche, is dre.ssed " in tattered weeds.** For what do we still u.se the word in this sense i 4()()-467. In Scott's Introduction to the edition of 18.'}0, he .says: *' 1 took uncommon j)ains to verify the accuracy of the local circumstances of this story. I recollect, in particular, that to ascertain whether I was tell- ing a jirohable tale, I went into Perthshire, to see whether King James c»)uld actually have ridden from the hanks of Loch Vennachar to Stirling Castle within the time supposed in the I'oem, and had the pleasure to eatisfy myself that it was (piite ]>ractical)le." 474 ff. 6'/- the description of I'rince Harry's horsemanship in Shake- speare's I lienry IV. 4. 1. .516-520. Later on we learn something of the cause of l)e Vaux's fear and jealousy. 525-.526. V. note on II. 4. .Jeffrey calls this " that unhappy couplet, where the king himself is in such distress for a rhyme, as to be obliged to apply to one of the most obscure saints on the calendar." CANTO VL 49. V. note on I. 18L .53-56. This is the last simile in the poem. See how many as good or better you can find Itefore it. 72. "The banished Karl" of Angus (V. .526) had tyrannised over James V. during his minority. See Scott's Tales of a (irandfather. 73-74. This refers to an incident in V. .stanzas 25 to 30. 96. Si'EKO has its old meaning here. In III. 63, V. 464, etc., we have thn usual meaning now. Which is it in ' (lodspeed,' and in Browning's "' (iood speed,' cried the watch as the gate-bolts undrew" ? In Chaucer, only the old meaning is found ; in Shakespeare, both. 129. IK HI. 111. This use of Chkku is not archaic. "lA Ai' >•' * mmmm ,' yr-- ..KJa \A*K \ !f >u v; , 1' r ^ ii J > VJ '' i* (K ^?'^*i'^ ,.^^»^ 5.%?= / ^ JS'^'^ .^^■-!^*sti am a f% FOUNTAIN PENS eUABANTIEIIf Pint-class in ?^^ pwrtjcMlafi Every sbidttif ||Md hp^ Prtcc* froBs il«ii op. A.&W. UMTTED 135 and 137 GMnviOe Strod, HAUFAX, N. & Agents for the isle of theie tines.. ■MiUMparMHrMM mtmmmmmm r*' "STIRLING" i»y. STEEL PENS Msde of n supeiior quality of iled bjr a tatiU modem procen. Pomli to tint eveiyoike : No. 840 FALXX)N Na 010 MK3iIAmm$>m Wi^lllJWl ■"■'•*-««XAi. ll~«>--*'-'H«; iS=-«-is^...^-'**' "^'ii ^?^Jtmu V>W^f* ■''"^; f ^M^ m to 3 WJZ