University of California • Berkeley 
 
 Gift of 
 
 EYVIND FAYE 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 BY W. S. IRVING. 
 
 A mightier monument command 
 The mountains of their native land ; 
 There points thy muse to strangers' eye 
 The graves of those that cannot die, 
 
 Bveon's Giaouk. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 Printed by Abemethy ^ Walkert 
 
 FOR ANDREW WALLACE & CO 56. PR1NCE*S STREET, 
 
 EDINBURGH. 
 
 1814. 
 
p 
 
 TO THE MOST NOBLE 
 
 THE 
 
 MARCHIONESS OF QUEENSBERRY, 
 THIS POEM 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Edikburgh, 7 
 March 14. 1814. J 
 
m 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The romantic and highly dramatic incident upon which the 
 Poem is founded, is as follows: 
 
 Helen Irving, a young Lady of the most exquisite beauty and ac- 
 complishment, daughter of William Irving, Laird of KirkconneU 
 •was beloved by two Gentlemen, chiefs of their respective clans, viz, 
 Fleming of Redhall, and Bell of Blackett-house. Fleming, on ac- 
 count of his virtues and valour, became at once the favourite of the 
 Lady ; while Bell, for his bloody and ferocious deeds, was univer- 
 sally abhorred. 
 
 Jealous of this preference, and the marked disdain of his rival. 
 Bell became the inveterate foe of Fleming, vowing upon him and 
 Helen the most implacable revenge. For this purpose, having traced 
 the Lovers, in one of their nocturnal rambles, along a sweet seques- 
 tered valley, upon the banks of the Kirtle, sprang on a sudden from 
 behind a bush, levelled his deadly tube at Fleming* s breast. Helen, 
 hearing his well-known voice, as he exclaimed, with a hellish tone, 
 '■^ Die, Traitor, die /" threw herself into his arms, received the con- 
 tents in her bosom, and died upon the spot. A desperate and mor- 
 tal combat ensued between Fleming and the murderer, in which the 
 latter was cut to pieces. 
 
 A large cairn of stones was reared over the spot where Bell was 
 slain, a memorial cwnmon to mott nations, as a token of abhorrence, 
 
Vlll ARGUMENT. 
 
 either of some deed committed, or of those whose relics were moul- 
 dering below. 
 
 The grave of the Lovers is yet to be seen in the church-yard of 
 Kirhconnel, near Springkell, the elegant seat of Sir J. H. Maxwell^ 
 Baronet. Upon the tombstone may still be read the following in" 
 scription : " Hie jacet Adamus Fleming.^* A cross and sword is 
 likewise sculptured upon the stoiie. 
 
 The above catastrophe took place during the reign of that beauti- 
 ful, but unfortunate Princess, Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots, 
 
 The scenes of the following Poem are laid partly upon the pic- 
 turesque and romantic banks of the Kirtle in JDumfriesshiref and 
 partly Among the Lakes of Cumberland. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Canto I 1 
 
 II 49 
 
 -III 87 
 
 -IV 137 
 
 - V... 179 
 
 - VI 217 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 4, line 18, for sing read ring 
 
 7, 10,yc;r or read on 
 
 1 3, 1 5, for viewless read fairy 
 
 97, 1, dele s at roars 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
PROGEMIUM. 
 
 OAY who shall, :wake the charmed tyre of old. 
 
 Fraught with eternal numbers, 
 Shall burst the Muse's magic slumbers, 
 
 And smite their harps of gold ; 
 Shall pause at silent midnight dread 
 As his footsteps ring above the dead, 
 Wliere fancy pictures, amid the gloom, 
 A dim ghost bending o'er the tomb, 
 Guarding the warrior's hallowed grave, 
 The dust, — the ashes of the brave ; 
 Lest the unhallowed hand should clasp 
 Their wreaths with sacrilegious grasp ; 
 Lest the profane should dare intrude 
 On glory's awfiil solitude ; 
 Where shrouded in their battle-blood 
 The mighty of the nations lie ; 
 Those who in freedom's conflict stood, 
 The immortal throngs of chivalry ? 
 
4- PROCEMIUM. 
 
 That task be mine, to wake again, 
 By haunted flood and fountain, 
 Beside that dimly- visioned mountain. 
 
 The wild romantic strain; 
 Where the gifted bard is seated high, 
 Waking a lay of years gone by ; 
 There snatch with bold adventurous hand 
 The legend harp of Border-land, 
 And wake with all the minstreVs ire 
 The flash of its inherent fire; 
 Till nations hail the mighty flame 
 Flickering around its hoary frame. 
 Whose rays shall penetrate the gloom. 
 The sunless silence of the tomb. 
 Yes ! mine shall be that venturous hand, 
 Shall dare to thrill its magic string, 
 Record the deeds of southern land. 
 And love, and war, and glory sing. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 1 HE setting sun of summer even 
 Beaconed with gold the western heaven, 
 And bathed in fronds of hving fire 
 Each hoary mound and towering spire. 
 The balmy winds, with whispering breath, 
 Dimpled the lake that stretched beneath. 
 And circled round yon ruined dome 
 The gentle billows edged with foam, 
 That hghtly rocked the wild duck's brood 
 Upon the bosom of the flood, 
 
6 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I, 
 
 When wearied from the mountain chace, 
 A youth of Fleming's warlike race, 
 Amid Kirkconnel's wild-wood bowers 
 Reposed him on the fragrant flowers. 
 The breeze, that softly whispered by, 
 The murmuring of the water nigh, 
 Threw o'er his mind sensations mild 
 That every trait of grief beguiled. 
 His bugle-horn beside him hung. 
 His bow upon the wild flower flung. 
 And propt against an oak-bough sere 
 His dagger bright, and ashen spear. 
 His hunting garb, of forest green. 
 Was bound with zone of purple sheen ; 
 And soft the sighing summer air 
 Wantoned amid his golden hair. 
 
 Deep was that darkly-piercing eye 
 As eaele-tenant of the sky ; 
 And curled in many a wanton fold 
 His locks around his helm of gold. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 
 
 Played the strong flush and burning streak 
 
 Of vigour on his manly cheek, 
 
 Where health and youth displayed the rose 
 
 That to the sun of manhood ojlows. 
 
 Firm knit his pliant limb, to bound 
 
 On heathy wold or upland mound ; 
 
 To drive through distant mountains drear, 
 
 With horn and hound, the forest deer ; 
 
 Raise the halloo upon the wind 
 
 To cheer his blood-hounds, or the hind ; 
 
 Or marshal, firm as ocean rock. 
 
 Amid the battle's swell and shock. 
 
 Nor felt his soul the thrill of fear ; 
 
 When rolled the cloud of carnage near 
 
 Bravely he stood, — of noble race, 
 
 And shook his spear with gallant grace. 
 
 Around KirkconnePs forests rdse. 
 Of towering oak, and dark yew-boughs. 
 The mountain-ash her rowans hung, 
 Contrasted with the leaves, that flung 
 
8 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Their chequered zone of light and shade Si i 
 Through which the setting sun-beams played. 
 The wild bird whistled through the trees, 
 And paused and sobbed the fragrant breeze ; 
 And Kirtle water murmured by 
 Heard blending in the west wind's sigh. 
 'Tis sung on harps of high acclaim 
 That here the Irwings, mighty name, 
 Erst held, in all the pride of yore. 
 Their wide domain from fell and shore; 
 That glory starred their battle-crown. 
 That honour wove their high renown ; 
 For oft across the Solway flood, 
 When ran its tide-wave black with blood. 
 The bold moss-trooper fled afar 
 Before the rush of feudal war. 
 And to their wilds and fastness hie, 
 From Irwing's warriors turned to fly. 
 
 Chief of their clans. Sir Edward bold. 
 The bravest of their knights of old. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN." 
 
 Led on their dread determined host 
 To battle, far on distant coast. 
 His was the arm the sword to wield 
 Made bare on Gilead's conflict field, 
 When Paynim thousands fled, or fell, 
 And Jordan rung their parting knell. 
 
 One daughter blessed his wedded reign, 
 The flower of Kirtle's virgin train. 
 For grace and beauty well might vie 
 With one of princely dignity. 
 The glossy ringlets of her hair 
 Curled gently round her forehead bare, 
 That gave a more than mortal grace 
 To the fine features of her face. 
 'Twas heaven the lambent light to spy 
 Glowed on her sparkling hazel eye. 
 When to her harp she sweetly sung 
 Of joys in memory's visions young. 
 That form might angel throngs inspire 
 As rose her white hand on the lyre ; 
 
10 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I, 
 
 When fell lier soft subduing tear 
 Mid strains to youth and virtue dear. 
 And gracefully that form was bowed, 
 Like spirit bending from the cloud, 
 When half revealed it sweetly smiles 
 Upon the warrior's pangs and toils. 
 
 The winds of evening whispered round. 
 And waved the fox-glove on the mound ; 
 The busy hum of man was still ; 
 The wild fowl fled to heath and bill ; 
 The lonely river's swells and falls 
 Died through the rude romantic walls ; 
 Bathed in the dews of summer even 
 The musk-rose shed its balm to heaven ; 
 While through the groves around Springkell 
 Was heard the wood-lark's last farewell. 
 On such a night their charge to tend. 
 The angels of the just descend ; 
 Around the couch of virtue stand. 
 To guard their rest with viewless brand. 
 
GANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 11 
 
 Their sufferings and their sighs allay 
 And wipe the tear of woe away. 
 
 Led by the holy hand of love 
 " Fair Helen" sought the silent grove. 
 To taste the balmy sweets of even, 
 To pay her vesper vows to heaven, 
 And with the virtuous and the bold 
 Of other times high converse hold. 
 Around her waist a silken zone. 
 Of azure hue, so careless thrown ; 
 The cross that on her bos(Mn swung. 
 In chain link of the gold was hung. 
 And passed she on to Kirtle's strand 
 Her lute and rosary in hand. 
 
 She sought the lonely fairy bower 
 Her hand had wove with sweetest flower. 
 The wild rose and the jonquil there 
 Perfumed the sighing summer air ; 
 The daisy and the primrose pale 
 Bowed their fine petals to the gale. 
 
12 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 And chequered, 'neath the wanderer's feet. 
 The eglantine and cowslip sweet, 
 Displayed their brilliancy and bloom, 
 A carpet wove in Nature's loom. 
 Dark, overhead, the twisted boughs 
 Of fragrant birch and alder rose ; 
 The weeping willow's festoons hung, 
 The wilding from the rude rock sprung, 
 And rearing high above their stems 
 Their never-fading diadems. 
 
 Amid this sweet sequestered bower, 
 At Nature's holy Sabbath hour, 
 Fair Helen sat : The night winds round 
 Came on her ear with soothing sound. 
 Adown the valley, flickering far. 
 Was seen the brilliant Evening star 
 Bright glancing from her aerial urn. 
 Like lamps that high in splendour burn ; 
 Each sound and sense was hushed to rest, 
 A holy calm pervades her breast. 
 And visions of the world on high 
 Nigh spheres her soul in ecstacy. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 1 3 
 
 The lute, companion of the hour, 
 Was stolen to pass in secret bower, 
 She tuned, and to the Star of Even 
 Awoke the Song of Hope and Heaven. 
 
 Co tfte OBtiening @)tat. 
 
 How mild thy beams, sweet Star of Eve, 
 That faintly fall on yonder wave. 
 Where viewless harps are heard to weave 
 The requiem of the brave. 
 
 As rolls the fleecy clouds of night 
 Athwart the summer-even sky. 
 Fair through their folds thy twinkling light, 
 Steals on the pilgrim's eye. 
 
 4 
 
 Say does thy bright etherial ray 
 Illume the green isles of the west, 
 Where viewless harps are heard to play 
 To charm the warrior's rest? 
 
lif FAIR HELEN. CANTO I'i 
 
 Or dost thou shine a beacon bright, 
 A cynosure to lover's eyes ; 
 To guide them through the shades of night 
 To where their Eden hes ? 
 
 No ; rather shine, thou brilliant gem, 
 To chace the cloud of deepest gloom ; 
 To light the cheerless path of them 
 Wlio ponder on the tomb. 
 
 Where sleeps the dust of other years, 
 The hand, the heart of finer form, 
 Embalmed in fond affection's tears, 
 The sister of the worm. 
 
 Ha ! sinks thy orb in darkening gloom ; 
 Yes ! transient is thy splendid reign ; 
 A brighter star shall gild the tomb, 
 And light its drear domain. 
 
CANTO I, FAIR HELEN. 15 
 
 The morning star of life arise, 
 Whose glories never shall decline, 
 But, mid the renovated skies. 
 In Heaven eternal shine. 
 
 She ceased : the dying echoes still 
 Lingered around by glen and rill ; 
 When Fleming, on whose ravished ear 
 The minstrelsy came soft and clear, 
 Peemed it the anthem of the brave, 
 Night-chaunted o'er the warrior's grave 
 By angels from their sacred ^here. 
 To consecrate their bloody bier 
 Who stood against their country's foes, 
 And now upon her breast repose. 
 As died the sound along the plain, 
 Athwart the barrows of the slain. 
 He turned his steps to trace the way 
 That winded round the ruins grey ; 
 A rude, uaornamented pile, 
 A hoary Gothic burial aisle. 
 Where many a dark sepulchral cave 
 Rung to the dashing of the wave •, 
 
16 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Where cypress trees, with moaning sound, 
 Rows behind rows, the spot surround ; 
 That not a wandering moon-beam's glance 
 May strike the mouldering tombs askance, 
 And scarce at mid-day may you read 
 The requiescat of the dead. 
 
 O sweet are those scenes, where the dark waters 
 flowing, 
 
 Chime softly and sad through those time-hallowed 
 caves ; 
 
 Where the flowers of the desert in beauty are 
 blowing, 
 
 A coronal starred on my forefathers' graves; 
 
 Where softly the dews on the mountains descend, 
 
 Where the winds and the waters in lullaby blend ; 
 
 Where come, mid the twilight, through grove 
 and through tree, 
 
 The songs of the spirits that ghde o*er the sea ; 
 
 Where fall mid those scenes, with a tremor di- 
 vine. 
 
 The fine filmy fronds of the silver moonshine : 
 
CANTO r. FAIR HELEN. 17 
 
 Where sigh the night breezes through brakes and 
 
 through bowers, 
 Where wave the wild weeds on those ramparts and 
 
 towers, 
 Where Nature in glory her throne hath unfurled, 
 And love, youth, and rapture, descend on the world. 
 
 Those beauties of Nature, Enthusiast, are thine. 
 And thine are the glories of Ocean and Heaven; 
 When liere, mid the fall of the silver moonshine, 
 Where the foam waves are trembling in longlevel line. 
 And the dew on the flowers of the even, 
 Those scenes to thy visions in ecstacy given 
 Each charm of delight to thy mind shall recall ; 
 Shall picture those moments by misery driven, 
 Now fled like the beam on the dark torrent-fall : 
 Yes I sad are those scenes, as a father's farewell, 
 But sweet as the tales which such fond lovers tell. 
 
 The moon was bright on her throne of light, 
 The breeze sighed softly through the bowers ; 
 The night-bird's song died the grove along, 
 And the bell tolled slow from the Blackett's towers : 
 
J 8 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 When Fleming past that haunted spot, 
 
 By all forgotten and forgot, 
 
 Where the mighty moulder low in dust, 
 
 Where blend the ashes of the just, 
 
 Where the owl sits on her ruined throne. 
 
 Hooting o'er many an unearthed bone, 
 
 Where the wild weeds of the desert wave, 
 
 / 
 With moaning sigh, o*er the maniac's grave. 
 
 That strain again ! 'tis Heaven to hear ; 
 
 It falls like rapture on mine ear; 
 
 I scarce can stay the trembling tear. 
 
 Repress the soul-subduing sigh, 
 
 So sadly sweet its echoes die ; 
 
 So mournfully it swells and falls 
 
 Aroimd these hoary-ruined walls. 
 
 Blent with the river's lapsing tone 
 
 Through rocks and pine-trees murmuring on. 
 
 Tve heard of holy pilgrim throng 
 Lingering Judea's groves among, 
 Charmed with the sound of heavenly song : 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 19 
 
 I've heard of Lords and Ladies bright. 
 Listening, mid bowers of high delight, 
 The unimagined songs of night, 
 Floating amid the branching palm, 
 Soothing the universal calm. 
 But never, sure, did holier strain 
 Diffuse its influence o'er the main, 
 When Nature sung her storms to sleep 
 Rocked on the cradle of the deep ; 
 When beauty from destruction rose, 
 And discord heard her portals close. 
 
 But, hark ! I hear that well-known strain ; 
 It meets my tranced ear again ; 
 That strain I oft have sat to hear 
 Where Kirtle murmured down her wear, 
 And fell my love-elancing tear ; 
 When bending o'er her graceful form. 
 She smiled, a sun amid the storm, 
 I felt sensations rise and die 
 Beneath the magic of her eye; 
 
20 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 All earthly passion ceased to be, 
 And beauty seemed the world to me. 
 
 The magic music, shrill and clear. 
 
 Still seemed to tingle in his ear. 
 
 And turned he round, as through the trees 
 
 Rustled the light wing of the breeze, 
 
 To view the minstrel form divine 
 
 Behind him in his glories shine ; 
 
 For but he thought to son of heaven 
 
 Might such enchanting powers be given, 'nu. 
 
 Nor that a mortal's bounded hand 
 
 Such melody might e'er command. 
 
 And passed he on by lake and stream 
 
 Tinted with day's departing beam ; 
 
 By many a clump of pine-trees tall. 
 
 By many an elfin waterfall, , 
 
 That down the western crevice rolled 
 
 In streamlet of the living gold ; 
 
 Till guided by a secret power 
 
 He found this wild romantic bower : 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 21 
 
 And, pillowed on its velvet breast, 
 A fairer flower than those she prest, 
 With book and lute Fair Helen lay, 
 Her cross hung on a jessamine spray, 
 Her cheeks the jrising moon-beam showed 
 In all the charms of beauty glowed. 
 
 As one who mid the twilight grove, 
 
 When flames the beauteous star of even. 
 
 Beholds in glory from above, 
 
 A Seraph lingering from his heaven ; 
 
 He bends the knee, he folds his hands, 
 
 In act of adoration stands : 
 
 So Fleming stood, and viewed the Maid, 
 
 In all the charms of youth arrayed : 
 
 He strove to speak, but love's controul 
 
 Unmanned his dignity of soul ; 
 
 For love, like fear that thrills the brain. 
 
 Binds every sense in potent chain ; 
 
 And but from sighs, that mock at art, 
 
 Is heard the language of the heart. 
 
32 FAIR HELEN. CANTO T. 
 
 Stood Helen mid the wild-wood bower, 
 A lovely agitated flower : 
 Her raven locks disordered flow. 
 Her cheeks assume a deeper glow ; 
 The rapture of emotion's flame , 
 Upon her visage went and came ; 
 The covering o'er her bosom drawn, 
 The finer folds of snowy lawn, 
 But ill the inward strife concealed 
 The heaving of her breast revealed ; 
 'Twas nature struggling to be free, 
 *Twas the fine throb of ecstacy. " 
 
 Not Perils sons, to whom are given 
 Such visions of their prophet's heaven ; 
 Not Allah's self, in gardens bright, 
 Amid his Houries of delight, 
 Ere felt such transport thrill his soul 
 As that through Fleming's bosom stole, 
 When Helen, mid her mild alarms. 
 Sprang to her lover's outstretched arms, 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 9$ 
 
 Clasped him in ecstacy of bliss, 
 
 And, blushing, gave the hallowed kiss. 
 
 sweet to me, as angel's form 
 
 That walks and calms the raging water, 
 Fair as the bow that spans the storm 
 Art thou, my leader's lovely daughter ; 
 Sweet as the fountain's welling wave, 
 The cool retirement of the cave, 
 To those who roam the desert strath 
 'Neath burning suns on fiery path. 
 
 1 loved thee from my earliest days, 
 Thy beauty prompted still my praise ; 
 And loved by thee, this joy to know 
 Was more than heaven to me below. 
 
 Fair as the eldest born of heaven 
 Upon the young earth's bosom smiling ; 
 Fair as the radiant forms of even 
 The soul of penitence beguiling; 
 Lovely as seraph's form in vision 
 Around the couch of beauty bending. 
 Painting the raptures of that blest Elysian 
 To which her hallowed thoughts are tending; 
 
24 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Sweet as the memory of years 
 
 Of buried love, embalmed in tears, 
 
 Was she, in that celestial hour, 
 
 When love stood guardian of her bower. 
 
 " Why lingers Helen mid the grove 
 
 What time descends the cloud of even ?" — 
 
 " To sing the Sabbath song of love, 
 
 And hold high intercourse with heaven ; 
 
 For dear to me this tranquil scene. 
 
 These dewy walks and alleys green. 
 
 Where sighs the breeze around the bower, i 
 
 And lightly waves the wild-wood flower ; 
 
 But dearer still." — A pause expressed 
 
 The thought that reigned within her breast : 
 
 Her bosom beat, her colour fled, 
 
 Upon his arm decHned her head ; 
 
 While Fleming felt resistless dart 
 
 The joys of love across his heart; 
 
 Clasped the loved form in rapture dear, 
 
 Whilst on his eyelids glowed a tear. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 23 
 
 Say have you seen two forest flowers 
 In mutual sympathy incline ; 
 Around each other's stem entwine, 
 The pride, the gloiy of the bowers ; 
 The summer's sun their beauties nourish. 
 In holy harmony they flourish? 
 So blent this fond and faithful pair, 
 In innocence beyond compare ; 
 No turbulence of soul arose. 
 No half prognosticated woes ; 
 But Uke the eldest born of earth. 
 Upon the morning of their birth. 
 When harmony diffused around, 
 And love and innocence were found. 
 
 " The distant bells of the tower are tinkling; 
 The moon ascends her throne on high ; 
 The dews of night the flowers are sprinkling. 
 That waver in the west wind's sigh ; 
 And here and there the glow-worm fly. 
 Across the church-yard gloom is twinkling. 
 'Tis heaven such beauteous scene to spy. 
 Hark ! hear those solemn echoes die, 
 
■26 PAIR HEWIN. CAKTO I, 
 
 So soft, SO cleai:, so mild, they swell. 
 
 Then lade across this wooded dell ; 
 
 Sweet as the memory of saint forgiven. 
 
 Or sound of harps woke by the blest in heaven/* 
 
 O come, my love, and, drunk with bliss, 
 Those vows of innocence renew ; 
 Come, let us seal with sacred kiss 
 Those raptures ever, ever new. 
 Soon must I breathe a long adieu. 
 To thee, — to all mid Kirtle's bowel's ; 
 My stay is transient as the dew 
 That bathes the bosom of the flowers. 
 Lord of my life ! my heart is thine ; 
 My days I consecrate to thee ; 
 Here let us kneel, on Nature's shrine, 
 And breathe the vows of unity, 
 That we shall henceforth live as one, 
 While time, resistless, hurries on. — 
 Clasped in each other's straining arms. 
 High beat to love the throbbing breast ; 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 27 
 
 Hiey knelt, — ^they vowed,-.in all the heaven of 
 
 charms, 
 Unmindful of those vain alarms, 
 Fair Helen stood, an angel shape confessed ; 
 Beauty and virtue, grace and truth, 
 Adorned the finished form of youth, 
 While Fleming felt his bosom rise 
 With bursting joy, with ravished sighs, 
 And drunk enchantment from her eyes ; 
 Clasped her in high emotion dear. 
 And mingled with the kiss a tear. 
 
 My Helen, might I now presume 
 
 To beg one favour for my plume. 
 
 That token of a Lady's love 
 
 For which Td every danger prove, 
 
 Till sanctified by deeds divine 
 
 That Lady's fate should blend with mine?— 
 
 A rose-bud bathed in silver dew 
 
 She plucked to grace his bonnet blue ; 
 
 And as the token waved on high 
 
 The smile of love was in her eye. 
 
28 FAIR HELEN. CANTO 
 
 But now the fading tints of day 
 On Blackett's hoary turrets lay, 
 Each giant oak and mountain pine 
 Bathed in the golden sun's decline ; 
 The star-beam trembled on the sky. 
 The rose assumed a deeper dye, 
 The sounding of the curfew bell 
 Was heard across the distant deU, 
 And o'er the forest's leafy boughs 
 The eastern moon majestic rose, 
 Threw on the waves a radiant smile 
 Tinging the grey walls of the aisle, 
 Where many a tombstone, ghastly white, 
 Lay in the moonshine's silvery light ; 
 And forest, mound, and ruin hoar 
 That stood on Kirtle's silent shore. 
 Seemed like to clouds round evening rolled. 
 Dark, but their skirts were edged with gold. 
 
 Through Kirtle's vale they hold their walk, 
 And much of love and virtue talk, 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 2& 
 
 Play with the foliage of the boughs, 
 
 Or whisper soul-endearing vows ; 
 
 While leaning on her hunter's arm, 
 
 She pictured every fleeting charm, 
 
 That love, that fancy may combine, 
 
 When round the heart their tendrils twine. 
 
 Soul of my soul ! we now must part, 
 
 But Helen's image in this heart 
 
 Shall live while light or life remains. 
 
 While throbs my life-blood through my veins. 
 
 No, Helen ! Hear ye Powers above. 
 
 Thy charms I never cease to love. 
 
 But time and distance stronger bind 
 
 The golden chain around my mind , 
 
 Then knelt, while tears of rapture start. 
 
 And pressed her hand unto his heart. 
 
 O turn, my love, to yonder walls ; 
 The dewy shroud of twilight falls ; 
 The momitain forrayers are abroad. 
 Beset with them the forest road ; 
 
3(!> FAIR HELEN. 
 
 There rest thee till the dawn of day ; 
 Thy castle halls are &r away, 
 O come, and I will guide thee home. 
 Nor mid the winds of midnight roam ; 
 My hand for thee the feast shall spread 
 My hand shall smooth thy downy bed. 
 With lute and song shall Helen play, 
 To chase the fiends of woe away. 
 
 O could my bosom e'er withstand 
 Such winning look, such accent bland ; 
 Say, could a mortal cease to love, 
 A Being from the realms above ; 
 Or holy Pilgrim e*er repine, 
 To journey to his Prophet's shrine, 
 When by archangel voice from heaven, 
 In vision of the midnight given. 
 The high command before the tomb 
 To bow at twilight's holy gloom ? 
 So thou, my love, art all to me ; 
 My heart, my soul, I jaeld to thee. 
 
 CANTO I, 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 31 
 
 Behold the moon with dewy ray 
 Shines bright to light us on our way ; 
 The wood-lark pours her last fe,rewell^ 
 The black-bird answers from the dell. 
 These all conspire to cheer the hours 
 We pass, my love, amid these bowers. 
 But heardst thou not how Lowther's clan 
 Beset our friends, both horse and man ; 
 The glory of our race laid low, 
 And stained with blood his saddle-bow ? 
 The brave Sir Ewin of the Hall 
 Lies shrouded in his purple pall, 
 Around the brethren of his host. 
 Buried on Solway's stormy coast. 
 From dark Loch-skene to Kirtle's flood 
 The country lies a scene of blood ; 
 And smoking huts o*er all the land. 
 Burnt by the plunderer's deadly band. 
 This morn the warder's beacon blazed, 
 The ensign of distress was raised ; 
 The muster trumpet loudy rung ; 
 The mass in holy chapel sung, 
 
J 
 
 32 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 And various heralds speed around 
 The Nith, the Esk, and Annai^'s bound. 
 To rouse the Border warrior stern 
 In vengeance 'gainst the Cumbrian kerne. 
 Kirkconnel is the muster place, — 
 My father leads the warlike race ; 
 And second in command, they tell. 
 The brave, but bloody minded Bell ; 
 And lo ! they march from every part, 
 With whistle shrill, and dauntless heart. 
 
 Now, by the holy cross and rood, 
 And by this bosom's kindling blood, 
 I vow and swear your flower to stain 
 In that which warms the Lowther's vein ; 
 Tinge it in that which swells his breast, 
 Then bid it shine upon my crest. 
 Under the banners of his love. 
 What arm shall not victorious prove ? — 
 He said, then stept indignant forth. 
 Fraught with the spirit of the north. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN* 33 
 
 Faint token that of love I ween ; 
 Nay ! take this scarf of silken sheen. 
 Embroidered by my mother's hand. 
 To grace the hero of our band ; 
 To me the scarf she did bequeath 
 Upon the morning of her death ; 
 And bade me never let it twine 
 Round Chieftain save of noble liiEie. 
 Then, who shall grace its silken fold 
 More than a Knight in fame extolled ? 
 Come, let me wind it round thy breast, 
 A warrior's arm becomes it best. 
 Now, when you stand amid the fight, 
 And rolls the war-cloud deep as night, 
 May Helen's token prove a shield 
 To guard thee mid the battle field ; 
 A ray of victory inspire. 
 And warm thy heart with valour's ire. 
 
 Yes ! glorious shall its efforts prov^, 
 Omnipotent the arms of love ; 
 
34? FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Nor death nor desolation's frown 
 May dim the cpnqueror*s battle crown, 
 Who fights for beauty's angel prize, 
 And nobly stands, or bravely dies. 
 
 Such converse brought them to the place, 
 
 From whence the varying charms you trace, 
 
 Of open alley, dark arcade, 
 
 Of winding path, or secret glade, 
 
 Where chiming down a little hill 
 
 Soft fell the waters of a rill. 
 
 Where o'er this prattling waterfall 
 
 Declined an oak and aspin tall ; 
 
 And seen amid the distant bound 
 
 A rural temple on a mound ; 
 
 Beneath a yew-tree's solemn gloom 
 
 Appeared a little rustic tomb. 
 
 Set round with sweet ephemeral flowers, 
 
 An emblem of our mortal powers ; 
 
 For frail is man's mortahty, 
 
 Like yonder flowers he blooms to die. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 55 
 
 Each winding walk or avenue 
 Gave some fine prospect to the view, 
 While pine and birch trees, overhead, 
 Wove their dark drapery of shade ; 
 And, seen beneath the leafy boughs, 
 Kirkconnel's walls romantic rose. 
 
 And now the Gothic dome appears, 
 A rock amid the tide of years ; 
 Its fretted walls were crusted grey ; 
 The ivy wove its sickly spray 
 Around the columns, sculptured o*er 
 With rude device and mystic lore ; 
 The narrow lattices arose^ 
 Like twisted fronds of forest-boughs. 
 And dark the weighty cornice hung, 
 Far o'er the walls projecting flung ; 
 The massy gateway frowning stood. 
 Its arch bestrode the fosse's flood. 
 That round the moated donjon-keep 
 Stood dank and still, a stagnant deep; 
 
36 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Its awful turrets, reared sublime, 
 Bore evidence of elder time, 
 When Barons dared the threats withstand 
 Of tyrants who despoiled the land. 
 Their castle-holds were proof to arms, 
 Their hearts unfearful of alarms. 
 The southern entrance boldly rose, 
 In dark festoons its arches close, 
 Adorned with fret-work richly wrought, 
 Above the reach of modem thought. 
 A noble flight of steps was there. 
 Of marble was the princely stair ; 
 A gentle slope of easy tread. 
 To room and hall of grandeur led. 
 And passed they through the winding wood, 
 Across the bridge that spanned the flood ; 
 The marble-stair ascended soon 
 That led them to the grand saloon, 
 Where Squires of Knights were seen to stand, 
 >With head declined and cap in hand ; 
 And flamed along the passage bright 
 The intermingling hue of light. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 37 
 
 « Father," the lovely Helen said, 
 " I found this knight in yonder glade. 
 Wearied and faint, frpm wiW m^ waste, 
 And brought him here yq\ix cheer to taste." 
 
 " Welcome," the noble c}ii|ef replied, 
 
 " Son of my friend in battle tried, 
 
 Our joys and pastimes to partake, 
 
 More, for my lovely Helen's sake. ^ 
 
 Then, let me your conductor be 
 
 To where the Border (ihivalry 
 
 In mirth and revel pass the night, 
 
 And wait the morning's dawning light. 
 
 Summoned by heralds to my aid. 
 
 Vengeance to take for Border raid 
 
 On Lowther and the Howard Clan ; 
 
 Their swords in bloody fcrray drawn ^ 
 
 Have laid my followers' halls in flame, 
 
 And dared me to the lists of fame. 
 
 Onward we march at morning hour, 
 
 To brave the mountain plunderer's power." 
 
38 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 " O grant the humble boon I crave. 
 To lead my father's vassals brave, 
 In rear of this your chosen band, 
 Against the enemies of our land ; 
 For, young as yet in rolls of fame, 
 I long to dare the conflict flame." 
 The Chieftain bowed, as proud to gain, 
 So- brave a leader to his train. 
 
 And now they enter mid the hall. 
 Where lady bright and warrior tall 
 Around this noble mansion sat 
 In all the pomp of feudal state ; 
 Where gold and gem in proud array 
 Displayed the pageant of their day ; 
 And as the Fleming entered there, 
 Rose every warrior from his chair ; 
 Gave to the Knight their welcome bow, 
 The ladies smiled and curtsied low. 
 
 The Fleming, flushed in manhood's bloom, 
 With bonnet blue and purple plume, 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 39 
 
 The silken scarf, around him flung. 
 So graceful o'er his shoulders hung, 
 With silver-hilted falchion clear, 
 Shaped like the antler of the deer, 
 In all the pride of valour stood, 
 The peerless Knight of Kirtle's flood. 
 
 High flamed the lustres round the room. 
 Their lights were mixed with sweet perfume ; 
 In varied form their splendour shone, 
 Round pillared shaft and sculptured stone, 
 Flashed to the castle's distant bound, 
 And lightened the storied arras round. 
 
 Then came their father's minstrels, old. 
 Arrayed in cloth of green and gold ; 
 Around each veteran's hoary brow. 
 Was wreathed the holly's vernal bough ; 
 And on their heads a silver crown. 
 The badges of their high renown ; 
 A silver crescent on their arm, « 
 Stamped with a cabalistic charm, 
 
40 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 To emblem forth their lineage high, 
 
 Sons of immortal minstrelsy ; 
 
 Down from their shoulders boldly flung, 
 
 Their harps in glittering chains were hung; 
 
 Those harps, whose dread emphatic strain 
 
 Might renovate the dead again ; 
 
 Roll back the shade that gloomed the grave, 
 
 And rouse in wrath the perished brave. 
 
 And led in by a little page 
 Advanced a bard of aspect sage, 
 Of stature tall, of mighty mind. 
 By age and suffering bowed, and blind ; 
 Tho' quenched his orb in de%)est night. 
 Still flashed his intellectual light ; 
 Pierced the dread boundaries of the world, 
 And saw the rolls of fate unfurled ; 
 Beheld the coming tide of time. 
 And gazed on beings dread, sublime. 
 The silver tresses, thinly ^read, 
 Adorned his venerable head, 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 41 
 
 Like icicles of spangled frore 
 That fringe the mountain-forests hoar, 
 When pendent from the leafless trees 
 They quiver in the noontide breeze, 
 Till one by one they fade away 
 And vanish from the shattered spray. 
 
 The hoary harp became his hand. 
 Graced with the emblems of the land ; 
 The thistle shone in golden pi:*ide, 
 And flung its burnished glories wide ; 
 That harp, ef st rung in evil day, 
 When Scotland's flowers were wed away, 
 And wailed in sad and dolefril story 
 O'er Etterick forest's faded glory. 
 Oft had it rung to deeds of fame. 
 To the Wallace, and the Bbuce's name ; 
 Pealed its sad echoes round that urn. 
 Where sleep the brave on Bannockburn ; 
 And hailed the warlike and the free 
 From the glorious plains of Luncarty. 
 
42 FAIR HELEtf. CANTO I. 
 
 The minstrePs seat on high was raised, 
 Where many a proud device emblazed, 
 Pourtrayed the pomp and lineage high 
 Of famed romance and chivalry ; 
 And round his head in glory shone, 
 " Fame lives from minstrelsy alone." 
 There seated 'bove the minstrel throng, 
 The mighty master of the song, 
 While ladies smile and warriors gaze 
 Upon the form of other days. 
 And feel a reverend awe divine 
 As he lifts the chased shell of wine, 
 And pledges with a solemn tone 
 Their fathers' spirits past and gone. 
 
 A moment o'er his harp inclined. 
 That rung responsive to the wind, 
 He bent, revolving in his soul 
 The mighty theme of song, 
 And caught the vision rolled along 
 In innate high controul; 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 43 
 
 For his spirit pierced the shade of time, 
 And soared to the source of deeds sublime ; 
 To the bounded region of the grave, 
 To the future state of the good, the brave, 
 And stamped on phantoms fleeting by 
 The holier spell of minstrelsy. 
 
 At once he rose and cast aside 
 The embroidered mantle's golden pride ; 
 With eye sublime and soul of fire 
 He struck the renovating wire, 
 And woke in many a magic strain 
 The memory of the dead again ; 
 Called back the shadow from the grave, 
 The glorious actions of the brave. 
 
 (KHar DDe. 
 
 Ye warriors of the years of old, 
 Sons of the mighty and the bold, 
 0*er whose dark sepulchres has rolled 
 The battle dirge of bravery ; 
 
4f4 FAIR HELEN. CANTO 
 
 O burst the barriers pf tjie grave. 
 Your blood-dj^ed banners proudly wave. 
 Aid ! aid the efforts of the brave, 
 
 Who fight for Ufe, for Hberty. 
 
 Hark ! heard you not that deadly drum ? 
 Hark ! heard you not that rushing hum, 
 Where from their storm-clad mountains come 
 The 3ons of independency ? 
 
 Lo ! these are they, who fought, who bled, 
 By Patriot Bruce, by Wallace led, 
 When slavery's co^mtless millions fled 
 Before their Scottish Chivalry. 
 
 On Scotland's mountain throne shall dawn 
 The morn of freedom and of man. 
 When glory, marching in the van, 
 
 Shall lead to death, or victory. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 45 
 
 Haste, don the glittering helm and mail ; 
 Unfurl your petinons to the gale ; 
 Rush forth, the Cumbrian to assail. 
 Who dares you to the revelry. 
 
 Freedom divine ! we hail our God, 
 Thy courts, by tyrant never trod, 
 Thy home, thy rest, the battle sod, 
 
 Moist with the blood of slavery. 
 
 And ours shall be that bloody bed, 
 That mountain heather, proudly red ; 
 Our canopy the war-cloud spread ; 
 
 Our joy, the thunder's revelry. 
 
 Hushed was the song, yet still the sound 
 Lingered the distant vaults around, 
 Then sadly solemn died away, 
 As fade6 the breeze at shut of day ; 
 Died, through the lonely captive*s cell, 
 And Uke a sigh o'er Kirtle fell. 
 
46 FAIR HELEN. CANTO I. 
 
 Still as the moon-beam on the tower, 
 Still as the dew-drop on the flower, 
 When not a light wing wanders by, 
 So still the Border chivalry, 
 In all the pomp of ancient state. 
 Amid Kirkconnel's mansions sat. 
 And forward bent the strain to hear. 
 That seemed to vibrate on the ear ; 
 So much the entrancing spell had bound, 
 Their souls in ecstacy of sound. 
 Nor wist they that the lay was done. 
 Till all its quivering tones were gone. 
 
 Then burst the loud applaudings forth, 
 
 To hail the minstrel of the north, 
 
 And many a noble largesse gave. 
 
 The gift of beauty, and the brave ; 
 
 For never sure did minstrel claim. 
 
 From wit and worth such well-earned fame. 
 
 As that was paid in rapture high 
 
 To Dermid's Border minstrelsy. 
 
CANTO I. FAIR HELEN. 47 
 
 In golden vases flowed the wine, 
 Through crystal jars the liquors shine, 
 And silver, massy, large and clear, 
 Served up the mirth-enlivening cheer ; 
 The feast was high, the jest was free, 
 And flowed the minstreFs soul in glee. 
 The ladies in the chorus join. 
 With silver lute and voice divine; 
 Tune high their songs to Helen's charms. 
 The glory of their Knight in arms ; 
 Or eye, with many a conscious glance. 
 Their warriors mingling in the dance; 
 And thus in revel, and in song, 
 Wing the swifl; hours their flight along. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
 1 HE day is past, the night is gone, 
 
 The stream of ages ever flows, 
 
 Its confines, boundless and unknown, 
 
 Nor man its dread duration knows. 
 
 To whence it tends, from whence it rose ; 
 
 Still swelling, rolling, hurrying on, 
 
 Eternity its awful close ! 
 
 Where reason's day-star never shone. 
 
 Where all is dark, and dismal as the wave, 
 
 The flood that bounds the barriers of the grave. 
 
52 FAIR HELEN. 
 
 'Tis past, and thousands who had stood 
 Like Gods immortal in their pride, 
 Now rolled upon the funeral flood. 
 Mid wrecks and ruins glide. 
 This mortal race, though but a span, 
 Is fraught with woe, and death to man. 
 
 Morning, and bright the eastern heaven, 
 The sun is beaconing the ocean ; 
 The billows flash in high commotion ; 
 Aside the clouds are driven ; 
 The winds sigh through the ruined towers ; 
 The dew-drops tremble on the bowers ; 
 The wild flowers of the forest bend 
 Their purple beauties to the wave ; 
 Amid the blushing waters blend, 
 And in those golden vases lave, 
 While flickering to the orient gleam, 
 Dance on the waters of the stream ; 
 The morning mist is on the vale, 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
€ANTO n. FAIR HELEN. 
 
 It circles Wintrope's lonely mountain ; 
 
 Fantastic forms upon its bosom sail, 
 
 Varying with every breathing gale 
 
 That lightly stirs the stagnant fountain ; 
 
 The roebuck bells from the upland fells, 
 
 The heathcock crows from height and hold ; 
 
 The pheasant stirs the purple bells. 
 
 Its plumage starred with' green and gold. 
 
 All nature smiles serenely round, 
 
 And peace and pleasure swell the sound. 
 
 The stir is loud through room; and- hall ; 
 The steeds are neighing in the stall; 
 The warrior girds his iron mail, 
 And gives his bannei? to the gale : 
 While from the battled courts advance 
 The bearers of the shield and lance. 
 They who on fiery coursers prance; 
 Their leaders come, with unsheathed brands 
 Far gleaming in their strong right hands ; 
 High beat their hearts in martial pride 
 To see their vassals mustering wide, 
 
54} FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Their gonfalons are wreathed and rolled, 
 Studded with clasp of gem and gold. 
 Theirs is the dauntless soul of flame, 
 That burns to dare, and grasps at fame, 
 Too mighty for their mortal frame. 
 While doubling, ever and anon, 
 Is heard the trumpet's kindling tone ; 
 The drum's recoil, its hollow rattle 
 Marshalling the mighty to the battle. 
 
 What warriors bold 'twere long to tell ; 
 Aroused them at the bugle's knell ; 
 What chieftain knights from fell and flood 
 Mustered amid Kirkconnel's wood, 
 Led on in battle's dread defile, 
 The flower of Scotia's mountain isle. 
 While loud resounds their minstrelsy, 
 " The land of Freedom shall he free" 
 
 Chief of these mighty warriors bold. 
 Sir Edward drew his glaive, 
 Son of a Border baron brave 
 Renowned in days of old ; 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 55 
 
 Whose race had seen a thousand years 
 
 Flash on their victor brands and spears. 
 
 'Twas theirs to stem the torrent flood, 
 
 When chaffing its shores with their foemen's blood ; 
 
 'Twas theirs to curb with sword and spear 
 
 The inroad of the mountaineer ; 
 
 And theirs to guard from deadly fray 
 
 Both hall and bower, and lady gay. 
 
 Bright glancing o'er the forest field, 
 
 In the sun-beam gloriously 
 
 Appeared the bay leafy three times three *, 
 
 The proud device of their father's shield. 
 
 The award of a royal pilgrim given, 
 
 When he stayed him from the blasts of heaven. 
 
 The Bell, a warrior bold and true 
 As ever brand or arrow drew, 
 Of stature tall, of manly form. 
 As cliff that overtowers the storm ; 
 
 * The well-known cognisance of the Irvings of Drnm. 
 
56 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 As some huge rock, resisting, braves 
 
 The dashing of the winds and waves; 
 
 So long the fury he withstood 
 
 Of fprrayers a-thirst for blood, 
 
 Nor shrunk before their boldest clan, 
 
 A savage, but a fearless man. 
 
 A hundred knights and barons brave 
 
 As ever belted sword or glaive, 
 
 Led on their dread determined band, " 
 
 Beneath their Chieftain's high command; 
 
 And marched they to their ancient strain, 
 
 " The Bells of Middlebie arm again *." 
 
 The Maxwell from Caerlaverock's towers, 
 Lord Warden of the Border powers ; 
 With Johnstons, chiefs of Annandale, 
 From Lochwood, and from Moffat vale. 
 The ARMSTRolirG, from the Esk*s dark wave, 
 Led on his warriors bold and brave. 
 
 The gathering word of the clan Bell. 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. S7 
 
 Carruthebs, Douglas, and the Scott, 
 Whose deeds shall never be forgot, 
 All armed for battle, richly dight, 
 Displayed a proud and warlike sight. 
 Waving their swords, they loudly cry, 
 " For Scotland's weal we stand or die." 
 
 The leaders in their bold array 
 Rode forth the muster to survey; 
 Each glorying in his father's clan, 
 Their quivers slung, their sabres drawn. 
 And bright across the dun expanse 
 Their fcbished helms and hauberks glance. 
 While pranced their chieftain's steed before, 
 Proud of the burden that he bore. 
 
 The ladies on the turret's height 
 Beheld with joy the warlike sight , 
 Where mid the dark and gloomy boughs 
 The furbished spear, and helm arose ; 
 There many a parting farewell gave 
 To youth beloved, to warrior brave ; 
 
58 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Waved their silk 'kerchiefs from afar, 
 And hailed them as they marched to \^ar. 
 
 But Helen's heart strange fears o'ercast, 
 
 Like stars that shrink amid the blast ; 
 
 Or like the dread prelusive form, 
 
 Rolled mid the gloomy tempest storm ; 
 
 For a cold and deathlike feeling fell 
 
 On her soul, with a dread foreboding knell. 
 
 She quits her father's princely home 
 
 Amid the spangled waste to roam, 
 
 To brush the dew-drop from the flower, 
 
 To list the wild bird from the bower, 
 
 To seek the solitary dell, 
 
 The pilgrim's hermitage and cell. 
 
 There wake with him the matin song, 
 
 Still heard yon Abbey walls along ; 
 
 Where bent in penitence divine, 
 
 They hymn their God by cell and shrine. 
 
 Amid this dark and dreary dell, 
 Where down the rocks a torrent fell, 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 59 
 
 Where rose above the cataract bright 
 The halo of celestial light ; 
 Where pine and oak, and birch subMme, 
 Coeval with the birth of time, 
 Their broad expanse of shadow cast, 
 That moaned to every passing blast ; 
 Blent with the hollow dashing roar 
 Of waters tumbling on the shore. 
 
 There by the margin of the flood 
 The hermit's lonely dwelling stood ; 
 Behind the gloomy forest rose. 
 Before the foaming cataract glows, 
 0*er which was flmig the smi of even 
 In glory from the western heaven ; 
 And towering 'bove the snow-like foam, 
 Appeared the Abbey's gothic dome. 
 
 Who save the Scottish Minstrel's pen 
 Could pa^t this wild romantic glen, 
 Dash the rude torrent down the steep, 
 Eddy the gulfy waters deep, 
 
60 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Hang the red rowaii. from on high, 
 Shoot the dark pine-tree to the akj ; 
 O'er arch, with* many a rugged rock. 
 The channel where the river broke, 
 Then wind the torrent flood along, 
 From steep to steep in fury strong, 
 Could sketch the Abbey's ruined dome. 
 That frowns amid the moonlight foam, 
 Encircled by the rolling flood, 
 Its spires just seen* above die wood ; 
 Then scoop the holy hermit's cell 
 Far up this solitary deU>; 
 Paint him with feelings ardent, strong- 
 And Helen listening to his song? 
 
 There wrapt in meditation sat 
 The hermit pondering^on his fate ; 
 The hope that^lightened on his eye 
 Held converse with: the blest on high, 
 While faith with power almighty furled 
 The shroud that veiled a future world; 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 61 
 
 And bade T£%ious truth unfold 
 The arcana with her key of goM. 
 
 Against a mossy trunk he bent, 
 
 The boughs were shattered round and rent ; 
 
 Upon a bending branch was thrown 
 
 His amice grey and leathern zone ; 
 
 His harp neglected by him lay. 
 
 Flung careless on the withering spray ; 
 
 And sad at times the wild wind*s winfj 
 
 Swept lightly o'er its trembling string, 
 
 That woke its plaintive minstrelsy, 
 
 To guide his spirit to the sky. 
 
 His reverend locks, that white as snow. 
 
 And thinly scattered o'er his brow, 
 
 Were tossed amid the moaning wind ; 
 
 His head upon his hand reclined ; 
 
 And now, and then, a bursting sigh, 
 
 Dashed the bright tear-drop from his»eye. 
 
 That form might such a shape beseem 
 Rose imaged to the patriarch's dream. 
 
62 FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 When wandering with his household train 
 On Canaan's lonely desart plain, 
 At midnight hour he saw descend. 
 And o'er his rushy pallet bend, 
 His guardian angel, sent from God, 
 To warn him of his destined road. 
 
 And turned he round, as rustling near, 
 
 Fair Helen's footstep struck his ear ; 
 
 For heard he not the chiming bell 
 
 Was rung before his holy cell. 
 
 And heard he not the wild-bird's wing 
 
 That upward flurred with sudden spring ; 
 
 So much his heavenly thoughts were tranced 
 
 Till Helen's form before him glanced ; 
 
 Then burst the spell of virtuous train, 
 
 His mind returns to earth again. 
 
 His countenance, with effulgence mild, 
 
 So sweetly on the mourner smiled. 
 
 That smile which mercy's charm bestows 
 
 On virtue's sigh and beauty's woes ; 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 6S 
 
 Then led her to his lonely cell, 
 
 And wiped the tear that trembling fell. 
 
 The seat was covered with the moss 
 Where stood a pilgrim's crook and cross; 
 The book of life was spread beside, 
 His heavenly comforter and guide ; 
 Aroimd the sparry walls were hung 
 The harp his great forefathers rung, 
 A rusty hauberk in a chain, 
 A sword with many a flaw and stain, 
 And there the staff, the scallop lay, 
 With which he journeyed far away ; 
 Around the entrance fell the screen 
 Of wild-briar rose, and lichen green ; 
 And seen atkwart the shade and brake 
 The dimpling waters of the lake. 
 Where sailed along in quest of food 
 The water-coot and widgeon-brood. 
 
 And wherefore comes my Helen dear, 
 And why that pensive sigh and tear, 
 
64? FAIlt HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 What vision of unearthly kind 
 
 Hath haped to mar thy |>eace of mind ? 
 
 He said, then sweetly on her smiled, 
 
 Like an angel o'er a slumbering child ; 
 
 When the red light fails with obtrusive beam, 
 
 And it moans, and murmurs, in its dream. 
 
 My thoughts are sad ; for far away 
 My father marched at dawn of day, 
 Against the Cumbrian kerne to stand 
 The avenger of his injured land ; 
 And much I fear. — Thy fears are vain ; 
 Around him on the battle plain 
 The virtues of his soul shall stand. 
 Inspire his heart and nerve his hand ; 
 Shall turn the falchion's edge aside, . 
 And guard him 'mid the carnage tide. 
 Dismiss thy fears ; safe to thine arms. 
 Arrayed in valour's godlike charms^ 
 He shall return. — But what may prove 
 Subversive of Q. daughter's love^ 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 65 
 
 Or dearer still, and faltering said, 
 Her blushes half her thoughts betrayed ; 
 For love o'er every feeling sprung, 
 And Fleming trembled on her tongue. 
 
 Amid such converse and reply 
 
 The tear was bright in Helen's eye, 
 
 Struggled her bosom to disclose 
 
 The secret of her recent woes ; 
 
 For, but since marched her noble sire, 
 
 Had sorrow lighted up its fire ; 
 
 A tear to him 'twas nature's claim, 
 
 A sigh to valour and to fame ; 
 
 But something deeper lay concealed 
 
 That would not, could not be revealed. 
 
 O Hubert, wake thy harp and lay 
 To wile my morning grief away ; 
 Some tale of love, of valour sing, 
 Let glory warble from the string ; 
 Peal high that energetic strain 
 That rung on Logan's battle plain, 
 
66 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 When Fosters from the conflict fletl, 
 
 When Fenwick's bravest warriors bled. 
 
 And dale-men stood with spear and shield, 
 
 The dread and terror of the field ; 
 
 Strike it, for well I know thou canst ; — 
 
 The minstrel's eye inspiring glanced ; — 
 
 Seized with bold hand the pregnant lyre, 
 
 And struck with energy the wire ; 
 
 The sparkles of heroic flame 
 
 From the dark lyre indignant came ; 
 
 Then melancholy died away, 
 
 As fades the breeze at shut of day ; 
 
 And o'er the sadly quivering wire 
 
 A tear-drop fell that quenched its fire. 
 
 What mighty hand shall dare to hold 
 The high heroic harp of old ; 
 Awake the battle-kindling strain. 
 To bid the dead revive again ; 
 Burst the dark barriers of the grave, 
 And renovate the perished brave ? 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 67 
 
 The hand is low, the heart is cold, 
 That dared the lyre immortal hold ; 
 Oft on yon islet mid the bay 
 IVe sat to hear the minstrel play ; 
 A holy, sacred raptured fire 
 Breathed inspiration o'er his lyre, 
 And cast a wild and moon-like hue 
 On scenes prophetic fancy drew* 
 
 Ah ! fled the day, nor jnay return 
 
 The mighty Modred from his urn ; 
 
 The blast of heaven with icy wings 
 
 Sweeps o'er his wild harp's trembling strings, 
 
 And oft at midnight's starless gloom 
 
 I hear it wailing o'er his tomb. 
 
 There is but one, whose mighty hand 
 
 The harp of Modred may command; 
 
 Awake the glory of its shell, 
 
 The high renown, the fame to tell, 
 
 Of those who stand for liberty, 
 
 Of those who for their countiy die. 
 
68 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 His lay of freedom and of truth, 
 Dear to the aged and the youth, 
 Has called the tear on beauty*s eye, 
 Has heaved their bosoms with the sigh ; 
 His songs are dear to generous fame; 
 Need I the Minstrel's name proclaim ? 
 
 My harp, alas ! rings sadly shrill. 
 Like winds of Autumn on the hill ; 
 Not mine the renovating breath 
 To break the tranced spell of death ; 
 Arrest the soul on heaven-ward wings, 
 Unlock the source of rapture's springs ; 
 'Tis but, what awful virtue loves. 
 What beauty hears, and worth approves. 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 69 
 
 C|)e $)ermft'g ©ong. 
 I. 
 
 " Then, wherefore should the Minstrel sing 
 
 Of love or fame ;" he thus began : 
 
 " No, rather warble from my string 
 
 The miseries of man ; 
 
 The night of death to friend, to foe ; 
 
 The bloody shroud that wraps the brave ; 
 
 The shades that deepen round the grave. 
 
 Where weeds of desolation wave, 
 
 Mid winds that wildly blow 
 
 Around the warrior's bloody bed, 
 
 The mournful requiem of the dead. 
 
 II. 
 
 The virgin kneeling on the sod 
 That wraps her lover's breast, 
 Who imprecates the battle God 
 To bid his spirit rest ; 
 
70 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 The sigh, the bursting tear ; 
 
 The hand that crops the filneral flower, 
 
 At twilight's holy vesper hour, 
 
 With fond regard around to shower 
 
 Upon his lonely bier ; 
 
 Emblem of virtue, and of truth. 
 
 The pledge of an immortal youth. 
 
 III. 
 
 The mother bearing to the tomb, 
 
 With bursting heart, her lovely boy. 
 
 Torn from her arms in opening bloom, 
 
 Her future hope and joy ; 
 
 Fixed in the anguish of despair, 
 
 She sees him lowered mid the ground. 
 
 She hears the bones that fall around 
 
 Beat on his breast with hollow sound ; 
 
 She rends her flowing hair ; 
 
 Then turns to heaven her streaming eyes 
 
 To bless the sod that o'er him lies. 
 
CANTO II. FAIB HELEN. 71 
 
 IV. 
 
 There is a rest prepared on high 
 For those who for their country fall ; 
 Enshrined in peace their ashes lie, 
 And glory weaves their pall ; 
 Around the warrior's tomb 
 Shall ring the harps of heaven. 
 Woke from the golden cloud of even, 
 Sweet as the sacred vision given 
 To cheer the lonelv «:loom 
 That deepens round yon ruined walls, 
 Where penitence for mercy calls. 
 
 V. 
 
 The trump's alarm to battle calls, 
 The sound of woe is in the drum ; 
 The glory of the morning falls, 
 And all to dust must come. 
 Yes ! beauty's smile and tear 
 Must feel the icy hand of death ; 
 Yea, all must yield the vital breath. 
 And tread the dark, the dreary path. 
 The desert realm of fear ; 
 
72 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Virtue shall like the Phoenix shine. 
 Her form immortal is divine. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Transcendent glory shines for those 
 
 Who every pang of suffering brave, 
 
 Their country's wrongs, their country's foes. 
 
 Resist, and triumph o'er the grave : 
 
 They rise in heaven a brilliant star, 
 
 Encircled by a flame divine ; 
 
 Immortal splendours round them shine. 
 
 Unconscious of the least decline, 
 
 Or cloud their joys to mar. 
 
 They bathe amid the great abyss, 
 
 That vast eternity of bliss 1" 
 
 He ceased ; for Helen's starting tear 
 Trembled like dew-drop on the flower, 
 As died the anthem on her ear 
 Of sad assuasive power ; 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 
 
 She thought of warriors low in blood, 
 And quenched in death their rising glory, 
 And blighted every opening bud 
 Should shine in Border story. 
 Oh Heaven ! she cried, my father shield, 
 And guard him on the battle field ; 
 Be thou the warrior's stay and crown. 
 Emblaze his banners with renown. 
 And safe return from war's alarms 
 Each lover to his lady's arms.— 
 Amen ! the holy seer replied. 
 And forth they wend by Kirtle side. 
 
 How sweet to sit, at twilight fall. 
 Beneath yon hoary Abbey wall, 
 Where gently shelves the wild wood steep 
 Bounding the dark waves of the deep ; 
 To watch beneath the evening star, 
 On Solway's heaving breast of foam. 
 The sea-skiiFs softly sweep afar, 
 Where halcyon exiles pile their home ; 
 
74i FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Where sleeps the swan upon her pillow, 
 Rocked on the bosom of the billow. 
 
 There all alone to list the song 
 That sadly floats by isle and strand. 
 That dies the haunted grove along, 
 The legend strain of Border land ; 
 Woke on the hai-p by charmed hand. 
 The sufferings and the sighs to tell 
 Of those who lived, who loved so well. 
 Whose joys were but a transient breath, 
 Whose memories triumph over death. 
 Man's life is but a fleeting form, 
 The ruins of distempered dream, 
 The ray that penetrates the storm. 
 The wreck upon the desert stream ; 
 The uncorrupted, endless flame. 
 Unchanged, in glory shines the same. 
 
 Hubert, and may I boldly crave 
 The story of thy life to hear ? 
 The sword becomes thy bearing brave, 
 More than the cloak or cowl to wear : 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 75 
 
 Thy looks bespeak the soul of fire, 
 Though seeming quenched in deeds austere, 
 And blend the tones upon thy lyre 
 The sound of war, the thrill of fear. 
 Oft have I marked the starting tear 
 Burst from its cold and coral cell, 
 When tuned to love the warblings drear 
 Pourtrayed the hidden warrior well ; 
 For time may chill, but seldom move 
 The rooted sympathies of love. 
 
 True love is like the lava's flame 
 That rolls resistless from on high. 
 Darting across the stubborn fi-ame. 
 And flashing from the kindling eye ; 
 Its power, yon mountain-wave in flood, 
 Its efforts, godlike and sublime; 
 It melts the polar pilgrim's blood. 
 And boils it 'neath the burning clime. 
 'Tis not that cold, that sterile smile, 
 Like dim suns on a winter's day. 
 May urge the trembling torrent's toil 
 Around the giddy soul to play. 
 
76 l^Ain HELEN, CAUTO II, 
 
 I cannot bend the stubborn knee, 
 I cannot bow my heart to thee. 
 Proud, selfish, haughty, stately form. 
 An ice-rock frowning mid the storm, 
 Round which the innocuous lightnings dart. 
 But never melt its frozen heart. 
 
 l^o I 'tis that pensive rolling eye, 
 That heaving bosom's trembling sigh. 
 That half-resisting, yielding charm, 
 Bending upon my circling arm ; 
 That soft swell of the budding breast, 
 That beats to mine, when gently pressed ; 
 That glory lightening from the eye ; 
 For such I'd stand, for such I'd die. 
 My highest heaven, my all of bliss, 
 That melting soul, that burning kiss. 
 
 " Lady ! the tale is sad and drear. 
 Of days to be remembered ever. 
 Of moments dear as beauty's tear. 
 Moments to be forgotten, never. 
 
CANTO ir. FAIR HELEN. 77 
 
 'Twas mine in other years to dwell 
 In gilded stat^, a warrior proud. 
 To wake the echoes of the dell, 
 With war-drum pealing loud 
 To pierce the deepening battle cloud, 
 Where front to front, and man to man 
 Stood in the bloody bannered van, 
 What time the deepening trumpet's toll 
 Fell like a bolt on Hubert's soul. 
 Kindling the mind to fiercest flame. 
 The radiance of the shrine of fame. 
 
 I loved ; nay, weep not ; sad the tale 
 
 Of sufferings to my sorrows given ; 
 
 Her form, the violet of the vale ; 
 
 Her smile, the flush of heaven. 
 
 Of Howard's race, a noble dower, 
 
 Fit pageant for her state, prepared 5 
 
 'Twas night, we wandered through the bower. 
 
 All underneath the green- wood shade ; 
 
 The star of love above us played. 
 
78 . FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 The songs of viewless minstrels died. 
 When, hark ! where dashed the wild cascade 
 Three helmed warriors ride. 
 
 save me, save me ! shrieked my love,— . 
 In vain ; the sword is gleaming bright 
 Above my head. — I durst not move ; 
 
 It fell ; she sunk in endless night. 
 
 Unmindful of my wounds and woes, 
 
 1 clasped her to my burning breast ; 
 The stream of blood resistless flows. 
 Dark welling o'er her snow-white vest. 
 Twice to my bursting heart I pressed 
 That lovely, bleeding, mangled form ; 
 I gazed, and saw the fiery crest 
 Evanish like the levin stoim. 
 
 A moment's space my ruin wrought ; 
 My all, a shipwreck in a thought ; 
 But whence, or where, that vengeful brand. 
 That scowl of Hell, that clenched hand, 
 
CANTO n. FAIR HELEN. 7S 
 
 I know not Years are past and gone, 
 Yet this dark fate I've never known. 
 My Agnes sleeps beside the wave, 
 The sod is green that wraps her grave, 
 And springing there a little bud 
 As if it drained her purer blood. 
 So melancholy sighs and bends. — 
 My tale is told. — My suffering ends ; 
 For mercy bids the wretch be blest, 
 And soon with her my miseries rest" 
 
 Stood the bright tear on beauty's eye. 
 
 Rose pity's soft subduing sigh. 
 
 For Helen felt the thrilling dart 
 
 Of love, and fear, pei-vade her heart. 
 
 Her head declined upon her hand; 
 
 She gazed upon the dark blue water. 
 
 That sweetly kissed the opposing strand. 
 
 Where waved the limber willow wand. 
 
 And thought she of the battle's slaughter. 
 
 " Thy flower, my Father ! bloomed and died. 
 
 But where thy ancient halls of pride ? 
 
80 FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Or why amid these ravines roam ?" 
 " Because I'm left without a home. 
 For me, nor friend, nor foe remains, 
 Nor kindred blood in human veins ; 
 Outcast, erased from roll of life 
 To wage with grief an endless strife ; 
 To mourn o'er Nature's dread decay, 
 Amd watch and weep my hour away." 
 
 The words from Hubert's bosom broke, 
 A tear the maiden's grief bespoke ; 
 Still mutely gazed she on the flood 
 That wandered slowly down the wood ; 
 Then on his face her eye she turned, 
 That face her inward sorrow mourned ; 
 But still alarmed, she knew not why. 
 Her heart beat deep, and burst the sigh : 
 Yet speak she must. Her changing cheek 
 Declared her heart must ope, or break. — 
 " My fate is thine : Like thine this flower ; 
 For know I am not less unblest, 
 A weed upon my father's tower 
 Waved in the night winds of the west. 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 81 
 
 Oh, Fleming ! to my bosom dearest, 
 Still to my midnight vision nearest, 
 Return, and sing me into rest, 
 As fondly clasped unto thy breast ; 
 O come ! for sad the tale I tell, 
 Kirkconnel's maid must wed the Bell." 
 
 " I know thy sire, nor fierce nor fell, 
 Will never force with rude command 
 Thy hand to clasp the tyrant Bell 
 With altar rite of ring and brand : 
 The serpent pairs not with the dove, 
 Nor vengeance, with the form of love." 
 " *Twere vain, with ill dissembled art, 
 To give my hand without my heart ; 
 That pledge beneath the Star of Even 
 To him my souFs delight was given. 
 The tree may fall, the rock decay. 
 True love can never wane away : 
 Though timid as the mountain hind 
 Is woman's soul, is woman's mind ; 
 
 F 
 
88 rAlE HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 Yet when aroused, in hour of fear, 
 She scorns the chains of sloth to wear, 
 And bursting every feebler tie 
 Spurns this low state^ and seeks the sky." 
 
 Fleming I love; she breathed, she felt. 
 As if her throbbing heart would melt ; 
 As if her bosom's core would burst 
 The fibres to the soul that bound it ; 
 As if an angePs hand had first 
 Diffused the charms of light around it. 
 
 The stream of the desert plays softly and sweet ; 
 The moon-beam reposes afar on the billow ; 
 The wild swan is oaring, where round yon retreat 
 Hangs the foam of the wave on ^the soft bending 
 
 willow; 
 But neither the sound of the murmuring stream, 
 The waves of the desart reflecting the beam 
 Of the soft silver moon as she wanders on high, 
 Her crescent enchased on the breast of the sky, 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. 83 
 
 Ere threw on the soul such emotions refined 
 As those when the maiden unfolded her mind, 
 When the accents of love in delirium fell. 
 And her bosom responded the sentence of Bell* 
 
 The hour is past, the host is gone, 
 Wending around yon upland cone ; 
 The sun-beam flashes bright and clear 
 Around their helms and golden gear. 
 I see them climb yon ravine's brow, 
 Now sheltered by the shading bough. 
 Dark waves the pine-tree from afar, 
 But bright the moving files of war ; 
 They're gone, the meanest hind is fled 
 As the cloud that o'er the mountains sped 
 When poised upon the moaning wind, 
 And the sun-beam decked the scene behind. 
 
 The sound is hushed in Irwin's Hall ; 
 The blood-hounds bask around the waU, 
 Starting amid the unbroken sleep 
 To trace their footsteps on the steep. 
 
84? FAIR HELEN. CANTO II. 
 
 So still the scene, you scarce could say 
 
 That morning saw such proud array, 
 
 That rung such loud and clamorous fray ; 
 
 So still, as if the hand of death 
 
 Had hushed on earth each being's breath ; 
 
 For, but the cooling wild cascade 
 
 That fell amid the rustHng glade. 
 
 For, but the sighing of the trees. 
 
 Or hollow whisper of the breeze. 
 
 All else was nought, as life had fled. 
 
 And time's last sand on earth was shed. 
 
 Yes ! here no more shall mortal voice 
 
 Be heard, to wake the vesper plaint ; 
 
 No more at twilight hour rejoice. 
 
 When caroling the song of saint. 
 
 For desolate now the silent scene, 
 
 As if its dwellers ne'er had been ; 
 
 The fire is quenched upon the hearth. 
 
 And hushed for aye, the voice of mirth ; 
 
 The reptile riots mid the bowers. 
 
 And the wild weeds wave upon the towers. 
 
CANTO II. FAIR HELEN. s» 85 
 
 'Twas now the grand descent of even ; 
 The living gold had fringed the heaven; 
 Had edged the clouds that deeply loured 
 Where RedhalPs battled summits towered ; 
 Had flashed on waters, heaved and rolled 
 Around its walls in sheets of gold : 
 And shone the Kirtle's distant stream 
 Like emerald mid the western gleam. 
 Each warrior hailed the parting light 
 With raptures of renewed delight, 
 For weariness from march and toil, 
 0*er moor and moss, and rugged soil. 
 Their aching heads and hearts oppressed ; 
 And when the signal rung around. 
 Each hailed with joy the welcome sound ; 
 Flung down his arms, prepared for rest ; 
 But ere they sunlc in slumber deep. 
 Ere the dews their parched bosoms steep, 
 Circled the cheerful vats of ale, 
 Foaming in ample quaigh and pail, 
 With flesh of Bison and of Boar, 
 And bread- in baskets, welcome store ; 
 
86 FAIR HELEN. tANTO II, 
 
 Deeply they drank ; while Fleming stood 
 And smiled to see their merry mood. 
 
 The Chiefs are gone at the midnight hour 
 
 To the grand saloon in the Fleming's tower ; 
 
 They are gone to the council-hall of state 
 
 To form the future plan of fate ; 
 
 For ere the sun with glories red 
 
 Hath lapt Hellvellyn's mighty head, 
 
 Hath girdled Tinnel's ample cone, 
 
 And bright on Minscow's mountain shone 
 
 In awful pride, a steely band, 
 
 They shall tread the Solway's shifting sand. 
 
 Form on its beach in dread defile. 
 
 Prepared for the coming conflict's toil. 
 
 There let them wait in dread divan 
 
 Till the morning of destruction dawn ; 
 
 Till we meet them ranged by Solway's flood, 
 
 Burning to shed their foemen's blood ; 
 
 Burning to avenge their country. 
 
 Resolved alike to do or die. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO THIRD. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO THIJID. 
 
 1 HE soul alive to other's woes 
 
 Is like the Phoenix girt by fire, 
 
 That on her spicy altar glows, 
 
 While round the flames their victim close, 
 
 And glory lights the pyre. 
 
 Self-immolated, lo ! she dies 
 
 To give a fairer being birth : 
 
 She soars, she shines amid the skies ; 
 
 Her course through suns and systems lies ; 
 
 Spurning the back-receding earth. 
 
 Bright is her wing mid clouds afar. 
 
 While nations hail the new-born star. 
 
90 FAIR HELEN. CANTO HI. 
 
 Even thus the virtuous sufferer shines 
 Above the world's tempestuous form, 
 As bursts the bright flash from the mines 
 In all the majesty of storm ; 
 Rolls to the heaven in car of fire 
 Whose glories never shall expire. 
 But live from ruined time beneath 
 And rise progressive over death. 
 
 The wind is whispering mid the trees 
 That circle Leithan's sloping lawn, 
 And sighs the solitary breeze 
 Round Castle Irwin's lofty bawn ; 
 And beautiful to see withdrawn 
 The grey mist from the mountain's side, 
 "Where sport the wild sea-mew and swan 
 Upon the bright unfolding tide. 
 And here and there, in golden pride, 
 The western waves and waters run, 
 Where boats and skiffs are seen to glide. 
 Their white sails flapping in the sun ; 
 
CANTO irr. FAIR HELEN, 91 
 
 Now fading mid the bending sky 
 Like time amid eternity. 
 
 The aerial calm, the morning blest 
 Found not their mate in Helen's breast, 
 But floated dark and undefined 
 Visions of misery o'er her mind. 
 The lapsing murmur of the stream 
 Sighed like a sound across her dream ; 
 The beauteous scene, the fleckered sky, 
 Fell vague upon her aimless eye : 
 Nor marked she, where in blushing hue 
 The flowers spontaneous round her grew ; 
 Where fell the stream with giddy flow. 
 Rolling its breast of foam below ; 
 Where bent the moss-rose, soft: and sweet, 
 To kiss the pressure of her feet. 
 Stood she beneath the forest leaf 
 The soft similitude of grief. 
 
 To her who blushes, weeps, and fears, 
 A moment seems the waste of years ; 
 
92 FAIR HELEN. CANTO HI. 
 
 A dreary, dark, destructive void, 
 As if it Nature ne'er enjoyed ; 
 A fleeting evanescent dream, 
 A bubble bursting in the beam. 
 For boundless as the gulf of space 
 The mind that knows no resting place ; 
 A sea with dark and dismal strand, 
 Circling that wilderness of sand, 
 Where all to desolation tend, 
 And being shrinks at fear, and end. 
 
 Her eye is turned to yonder towers, 
 That frown above the rugged scaur ; 
 Her thoughts are wandering mid the bowers, 
 Witli him, the Border's battle star ; 
 Where hours of bliss had past and gone, 
 While heaven and earth appeared their own. 
 Beside her, by the chiming flood. 
 Old Hubert wan and wasted stood ; 
 His thin white locks are on the breeze 
 That softly stirs the whispering trees ; 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 93 
 
 His harp is ringing sad and shrill, 
 Like spirits on the midnight hill ; 
 And ever mid its plaintive tone 
 Was heard his solitary moan ; 
 For much he thought on virtue's fate, 
 On Helen's sad forsaken state. 
 He wiped away the obtrusive tear ; 
 " My Helen ! ever welcome here ; 
 More than existence to me dear ; 
 Sweet as the light to opening eye 
 Long doomed in darkest cell to lie 
 Art thou, my all, my bosom's child ; 
 Then cease these lonely musings wild. 
 The night wind wanders o'er the flowers. 
 They bend their bosoms to the west, 
 The frost gale penetrates the bowers, 
 And all their beauties sink to rest. 
 So grief corrodes the virgin's breast. 
 It chills, it changes Nature's powers. 
 But love in native charms confessed 
 Shall cherish life's elysian hours. 
 
54? FAIR HELEN. CANTO itU 
 
 Come listen to the wood-lark's lay, 
 *Twill sing such gloomy thoughts away." 
 
 *« To solitude the mind is prone, 
 When all its pictured hopes are flown ; 
 It ever loves its watch to keep 
 In sunless silence, dark and deep, 
 Where memory, brooding on the past, 
 Views life with gloomy clouds o'ercast. 
 The heart that feels for grief below 
 Drinks deepest of the cup of woe ; 
 As earth dissolves before the shock 
 That idly chafes the ocean rock. 
 And snows that brave the tepid ray 
 The latter rain-drop wastes away." 
 
 A sigh from Helen's bosom broke, 
 A sigh the Minstrel's soul bespoke, 
 As gazing on that pensive face, 
 Fraught with a melancholy grace, 
 Where love had sown his heavenly streak 
 On ruby lip and vermeil cheek, 
 
CANTO HI. FAIR HELEN. 9J 
 
 And blended on that pensive eye 
 The fading softness of the sky. 
 
 She gazed where round in beauty set 
 
 The finest flowers in order grew : 
 
 <* They charmed that heart — may charm it yet. 
 
 Fresh blushing in their zones of dew. 
 
 I'll twine a wreath of varying hue 
 
 To grace my warrior from the fight. 
 
 Hubert, haste pluck that violet blue, 
 
 It bends to court my saddened sight j 
 
 That rose, in brilliant beauty bright, 
 
 Sweet emblem of my love," sighed she; 
 
 « That lily pale, my soul's delight, 
 
 That waving sprig of rosemary ; — 
 
 'Tis silly sooth," the mourner breathed 
 
 Ere half the flowers were plucked and wreathed. 
 
 " Give me thy harp, of minstrel fame, 
 I'll twine this wreath around its frame ; 
 And should those friends for whom I mourn 
 From feudal conflict ne'er return, 
 
S6 FAIR HELEN. CANTO 11?. 
 
 There let it wither and decay." 
 
 " That emblem fair shall bloom for aye j 
 
 A sad response shall Hubert fling 
 
 Unto the wild winds murmuring, 
 
 The memory of those fi'iends to tell, 
 
 Who loved thee long, and loved thee well. 
 
 Then mid the bloody battle fell. 
 
 And ever mid its thrill ings dear 
 
 Shall beauty bend, to drop the tear 
 
 Upon the wild weeds of the grave, 
 
 Whispering above the buried brave." 
 
 " Why linger here thou peerless fair, 
 To waste thy moments in despair ? 
 A Chieftain's bride ! it may not be ; 
 Come roam these wild wood walks with me, 
 I'll be thy comforter, and guide 
 Thy steps along the river's side ; 
 Beneath the Blackett's hoary walls. 
 Beside her dark and doubling falls, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 97 
 
 Where roars the waters of the flood 
 Down the deep vistas of the wood ; 
 Around yon hoary, Gothic keep, 
 Where wailing sprites are heard to weep 
 What time the star is on the wave, 
 TrembHng through gloomy dell and cave ; 
 For bold, romantic, wild and grand, 
 The scenery of this southern strand." 
 
 " By Blackett's walls I dare not wend, 
 The ghost of other years is there, 
 And stifled groans and shrieks ascend 
 In all the horror of despair. 
 I dare not go, thou knowest full well ; 
 I tremble at the name of Bell." 
 
 " The Bell is gone to lead his clan, 
 Resistless in the battle's van ; 
 The dog sleeps silent in the hall ; 
 The peasant eyes his hated wall ; 
 And loud the steed neighs in the stall ; 
 
 Gr 
 
98 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 The doves fly twittering round the tower ; 
 The wild birds chaunt from brake and bower : 
 Then wipe the tear, repress the sigh. 
 Already the sun rides bright and high ; 
 The scene will soothe thy bosom's pain, 
 And give thee to thyself again." 
 
 " In lonely glen I love to roam, 
 
 Where innocence hath piled her home 
 
 Beside the cataract of foam ; 
 
 Where oft is heard at eve to rise 
 
 The aerial spirits' symphonies. 
 
 In long drawn melancholy wail 
 
 Along the windings of the vale ; 
 
 Where mid the sea winds, shrill and drear, 
 
 Is tost the oak-leaf, sad and sere, 
 
 Floating upon the water's bed, 
 
 Or rustling to the woodman's tread ; — 
 
 Frail leaf, thy fate resembles me. 
 
 Soon must I sleep in dust with thee." 
 
 With such a smile as angels give 
 
 To bid the dying sufferer live, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 99 
 
 Old Hubert gazed ; 'twas partly fear 
 Called on his furrowed cheek a tear. 
 For Helen to his charge was given, 
 To learn the way, and rise to heaven ; 
 Oft had she conned, beneath his care, 
 At evening's fall, the holy prayer ; 
 Or pensive sat, the song to hear 
 Was wildly warbled in her ear. 
 O shield my child ! the mother cried, 
 Clasped her in ecstacy and died. 
 
 In reverence bowed the hermit's head, 
 His dim eye quivered through a tear ; 
 His soul with heaven in silence pled. 
 As flushed his cheek from wan to red ; 
 The sob of anguish met her ear. 
 And fell a dark foreboding fear 
 Upon his heart ; with throb of death, 
 Burst from his breast the struggling breath, 
 As rose his anguished prayer on high, 
 Imploring safety from the sky. 
 
100 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 -Fair Helen, loveliest Border flower 
 That ever sprung by mead or mountain, 
 Is gone to tread the wild wood bower 
 That circles Blackett's hoary tower, 
 Wliere chimes the fairy's haunted fountain. 
 The ringlets o'er her bosom fell 
 Were crisped and curled in graceM fold ; 
 The robe that caught the breezes swell 
 Was starred and striped with hue of gold. 
 Her finer form, and yielding waist 
 With zone of silver sheen was braced ; 
 And rich the ermine cinctured vest 
 That tightly laced her budding breast ; 
 Seemed she, beneath the milk-white thorn, 
 The lingering spirit of the morn. 
 She gazed on Blackett's hoary wall, 
 High towering o'er the shingly scaur ; 
 She heard no sound within its hall, 
 She only heard the echoes jar. 
 That rung responsive to the breeze. 
 Moaning around those towers and trees. 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. IGl 
 
 She Stood to gaze ; she thought with joy 
 On scenes more dear, the haunts of love : 
 Ku'kconnel met her glowing eye, 
 Her Abbey walks, and fragrant grove ; 
 " Yes, Fleming ! happier as thy bride 
 Than fettered to that fiend of pride. 
 
 " My Father says I wed the Bell, 
 It must not, may not, cannot be. 
 Fierce as the pard, as tyger fell. 
 Disgrace to courtly chivalry. 
 And what his wide domain to me, 
 His vassals, splendid hall and dome. 
 Far bounded by the southern sea. 
 Where Solway rolls her waste of foam ? 
 And what at morning's golden hour, 
 His feudal flag on donjon tower ; 
 His mailed Barons by his side, 
 With gonfalon and scarf of pride ? 
 Yet dream not these are potent charms. 
 To win a lady to his arms, 
 
 
102 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IIL 
 
 Or wind with soul-subduing art, 
 The golden links around the heart ; 
 Ah, no ! far different is the power 
 Of lover in his lady's bower ; 
 Like that fine essence and perfume 
 That lives within the rose's bloom ; 
 Though reft the flower by storm away, 
 It smells, it blossoms from decay. 
 
 " What time the trembling star of eve 
 Shone on the silent silver sea, 
 My love began his song to weave 
 All underneath the green-wood tree ; 
 " Come leave thy Father's lordly towers, 
 These moonlight walks ; O come with me I 
 I'll build for thee the loveUest bowers, 
 All by the sofl swell of the sea. 
 And sweet shall be thy summer pillow 
 Of down beneath the weeping willow, 
 Where lightly wandering from the west 
 The breeze shall s'mh. us into rest ; 
 
 ^0 
 
 Ife 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 103 
 
 Shall hymn our holier lullaby, 
 Blent with the hummings of the bee; 
 Then come !"- but loud the bugle rung, 
 From love to war my hero sprung ; 
 Yet true as magnet to the pole, 
 Is Fleming to his Helen's soul." 
 
 Of Blackett's towers strange tales are told. 
 
 The legendary lore of old, — 
 
 That dread belief, whose mystic spell 
 
 Could people Gothic vault or cell 
 
 With being of terrific form. 
 
 And superstition bound the charm. 
 
 'Tis said, that here, at the night's high noon. 
 
 When broad and red the eastern moon 
 
 Beams through the chinks of its vast saloon, 
 
 A ghastly phantom takes its stand 
 
 On the wall that frowns o'er wear and strand, 
 
 A bloody dagger in its hand, 
 
 And ever and ay on the hollow gale 
 
 Is heard its honorie and wail 
 
 Dying along the distant vale. 
 
104 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IIL 
 
 The nighted peasant starts aghast 
 To hear its shriekings on the blast ; 
 Turns him to brave the wintery wind, 
 Nor dares he lingering look behind, 
 But hurries across the moaning flood, 
 And deems its waters swollen with blood. — 
 Such are the tales at Lyke-wake drear, 
 When the unholy hour of night draws near, 
 When the ban-dog howls, and the lights burn blue, 
 And the phantom fleets before the view ; 
 When " Red-cap" wakes his eldritch cry, 
 And the winds of the wold come moaning by. 
 
 And passed she down the vale afar. 
 Where Ellerbeck's romantic glade 
 Hath seen the beacon-kindled star 
 On distant mountain fade ; 
 Down by the lonely hermitage. 
 That silent scene by wood and shore. 
 Where roamed the pilgrim foot of age 
 Musing on days of yore ; 
 
 mt 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 105 
 
 Where many a huntsman starts to hear 
 The fox-hounds yell upon his ear, 
 The music of the wilderness, 
 To him a heaven of happiness ; 
 Where beauty, to the evening star. 
 The saddest song of sorrow sings ; 
 And down the wandering waters far. 
 The anthem of her Fathers flings. 
 While listening angels bend to hear 
 And sanctify those scenes so dear. 
 
 Her boundless fancy, winged for future flight, 
 Beholds those hoary turrets with delight. 
 Round which the bat her wheeling circle wings. 
 The wild dove coos, the speckled wood-lark sings ; 
 Beholds the groves through which her footsteps 
 
 strayed. 
 The bower where oft in infancy she prayed, 
 Tlie flowers her youthful hands had taught to blow, 
 The pebbles piled upon the beach below ; 
 Still fondly dreams, she sees in memory's eye, 
 The self-same bubbles on the water die ; 
 
106 ' FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO III, 
 
 And heaves her heart, the distant sounds to hear, 
 The well-known sheep-bell tingling in her ear ; 
 Then turns to gaze upon that rural home. 
 Old Allan's cottage by the river foam ; 
 Its antique walls with honeysuckle twined. 
 Where o'er the window-arch the binweeds wmd. 
 Through which appears, in brightest crimson sheen, 
 The wild rose blushing from her bed of green. 
 There many a night, what time the storm blew high, 
 And swept the hurried rack across the sky ; 
 When loud and shrill the aerial spirit mourned, 
 And brighter still the crackling faggot burned, 
 Ideal sounds at times were heard to die. 
 The long-drawn sob, the melancholy sigh ; 
 There would she sit, and, pensive, smile to hear 
 The lay of other times, still doubly dear ; 
 Or bend with awe, as he, the reverend sire. 
 Breathed the rapt spirit of the prophet's lyre. 
 When Tadmor's fall in strains of horror rung, 
 And Babylon's doom at holy midnight sung. 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 107 
 
 Yes ! they return, in all the charms of truth, 
 ITiose blest illusions of her earlier youth, 
 When love and hope, as yet without a name. 
 Glowed in her breast, or fluttered in her frame ; 
 Her highest aim, to win the good man's smile, 
 Press the loved tale, and give a pause to toil. 
 She climbs the steep, she winds around the tower, 
 Then stoops to pluck the well-remembered flower ; 
 Shakes from its leaves the drops that on it rest. 
 And folds it gently on her throbbing breast ; 
 " Fairest of flowers," 'tis thus I hear her sigh, 
 " Emblem of man, like thee he blooms to die ; 
 Plucked by the ruthless hand, then tossed away, 
 See youth and beauty mouldering in decay ; 
 Cropped by untimely fate, the wasting storm 
 Consigns their virtues to an earthly form, 
 Son of the dust, from whom no feelings flow, 
 To cheer the female heart, and ward her woe ; 
 But happy she, for whom the heavens ordain 
 A kindred mind to mitigate her pain. 
 Whose only wish, to see her ever blest. 
 To pour the balm into her wounded breast; 
 
108 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 Explore her look, or read her asking eye. 
 And half anticipate the anxious sigh ; 
 Soothe her sad bosom in the hour of fear, 
 And wipe with tender hand the trembling tear/* 
 
 Tlie Bonshaw towers are stout and strong, 
 
 Their high walls frown o'er wood and wave ; 
 
 The tempest whirls the leaves along, 
 
 Or round their hoary turrets rave ; 
 
 Of Irwin's race, the stay, the pride. 
 
 Their boast in war, their prop of glory. 
 
 Gone like the foam upon the tide. 
 
 Their being but in story ; 
 
 But every rock, and tower, and tree. 
 
 Bear witness of their ancestry. 
 
 Her step is turned to yonder grove 
 That winds along the waters bay. 
 She hears the ring-dove's coo of love, 
 Blent with the warbliiigs of the spray ; 
 " O sweet those scenes, more sweet to rove 
 The beauteous walks 'neath mid-day sky, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 109 
 
 Than list the anthem from above 
 
 In all its charms united die. 
 
 There blooms the blue-bell by the stream, 
 
 Brightened by many a passing beam 
 
 That Robgill's lovely woods illume, 
 
 Breaking the horrors of their gloom ; 
 
 There twines the rose-bud with the brier, 
 
 Glowing amid the aerial fire. 
 
 Clasped round with leaves of varying form, 
 
 That shield its beauties from the storm : 
 
 Around the rugged ravines rise, 
 
 From cleft to cleft the west wind sighs. 
 
 And murmur gently down the vale 
 
 The waters rippling to the gale." 
 
 Her angel form, 'twere vain to tell ; 
 Her eye, the diamond of the dell ; 
 And blushing, deep, with crimson streak, 
 The charms that glowed on lip and cheek ; 
 Glanced forth, in rapture unconfined, 
 The soul that moved her melting mind. 
 
110 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 While beauty flung her finished grace 
 On every feature of her face. 
 Such was that idol of the bower 
 Sat high upon the Robgill's tower. 
 Watching the shadowy vapour sail 
 Across the peaks of Borrowdale ; 
 Her eye is turned to Fleming's hall. 
 Where flaunts the standard on its wall ; 
 'Twas partly love, 'twas partly fear. 
 Awoke sensations sadly dear ; 
 For there her gallant knight had gone, 
 And left his love to sigh alone ; 
 To wake the vesper song of sorrow, 
 And dread the battle's bloody morrow. 
 
 Fair Isabel, the sweetest flower 
 That ever graced a Baron's bower. 
 Blooms bonny on this Border tower. 
 Pride of the Border ! bloom for ay. 
 Till time be past, and worlds decay. 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. Ill 
 
 Then mid the smiles of seraphs rise 
 
 The loveliest flower in paradise. 
 
 The opening spring its glories strew, 
 
 In blushing beauty ever new, 
 
 Around the RobgilPs princely halls. 
 
 Her woods and high romantic falls. 
 
 Where bound the wild-deer's timorous fawns, 
 
 Where stately row the river swans. 
 
 Whose waters roll so cool and clear 
 
 0*er level sands and rustic pier, 
 
 Reflecting bright, in vernal pride. 
 
 The scenes on their romantic side. 
 
 But who are they that coldly sleep 
 In death's embraces dark and deep, 
 Where pensive beauty sits to weep ; 
 Around whose rude unlettered stone 
 The night winds of the desart moan ; 
 Where clasps the weed, with lifeless hold, 
 The unburied bone and crumbling mold : 
 Wliere friend meets friend, with plighted faith, 
 And bosoms blend to part in death ? 
 
112 FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 The lovely pilgrim sat her down 
 
 Upon the warrior's lonely grave, 
 
 And wove a little civic crown 
 
 To hang above the murdered brave ; 
 
 For there the noblest, proudest heart, 
 
 That ever quelled the scowl of art, 
 
 The soul that felt for other's woe 
 
 Lay shrouded in the dust below. 
 
 The tale is long; why need I tell, 
 
 How Maxwell bled, how basely fell, 
 
 Fell by a ruthless villain's hand, 
 
 The victim of his father's band. 
 
 But while the flower blooms fair to see 
 
 On Robgill's-howm, or Woodhouseleee, 
 
 While shines the sun on Merkland's height. 
 
 Or Kirtle's waters murmur bright ; 
 
 So long shall live thy meed of fame. 
 
 Thou Chief of an illustrious name. 
 
 High towering mid the tide of years, 
 Lo 1 Woodhouse from afar appears, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 113 
 
 The wild weeds wreathe round step and stone, 
 
 Its arches with the moss o'ergrown ; 
 
 Around its dreary dungeons spread 
 
 The lichens that adorn the dead ; 
 
 And plashing through the time-worn cell 
 
 The rain-drops fall with hollow knell. 
 
 There lie within this haunted spot, 
 
 Alike forgetting and forgot. 
 
 The relicks of the battle-field, — 
 
 The rusty helm, the shattered shield; 
 
 Seen mid the dim and dusky light, 
 
 That blends the hue of day with night, 
 
 There severed brands, with brazen hilt, 
 
 Still red with blood in forray spilt ; 
 
 But buried, 'mid destruction deep, 
 
 In moss and mould for ever sleep, 
 
 For innocence still lingers here 
 
 Where feudal Barons lanced the spear, 
 
 And virtue loves at eve to tread 
 
 Where rung the wailings of the dead. 
 
 H 
 
114? FAIR HELEN. CANTO III* 
 
 She reached at last a lonely cave, 
 
 Enlarged and scooped by Pictish hand, 
 
 Its entrance high above the wave. 
 
 That far beneath is heard to rave, 
 
 Along the forest-girdled strand ; 
 
 'Tis hewn from out the solid rock. 
 
 And into various windings broke, 
 
 Hid mid the deep embowering wood 
 
 That darkens Kirtle's sluggish flood. 
 
 Where moans the spirit of the rill. 
 
 And the broad-leaves flap when the gust is shrill. 
 
 Oft has the pensive Minstrel roamed 
 Through Cove*s green bowers at shut of even, 
 What time the mountain torrent foamed, 
 And rose the moon of heaven ; 
 Oft has he roamed, to list the song 
 From yonder cave by beauty sung. 
 And deemed he heard, the groves along, 
 The warblings of an angel's tongue ; — 
 So much does worth, when void of art, 
 Enchant the musing Minstrel's heart, 
 
CANTO in. FAIR HELEN. 115 
 
 The feast is o'er in Flemino's hall, 
 The beacon fired upon the wall, 
 And, chaunting many a ruthless hymn, 
 The warder moves with giant limb. 
 Of aspect lowering, fierce and grim. — 
 The feast is o'er, the Fleming's gone, 
 To roam those solitudes alone ; 
 The beacon blaze but dimly threw 
 A ray of black and bloodlike hue 
 Upon the bosom of the wave, 
 Roaring around that ghastly grave, 
 Where Fleming's murdered kindred lie 
 Beneath the yews that o'er them sigh. 
 
 The warrior's soul was reft and wrung, 
 As chill the blast of summer sung 
 Around the turrets of his tower. 
 Through many a shattered brake and bower, 
 And fell the big drop of the shower ; 
 Roared through the woods the coming storm. 
 The clouds rolled forth in awful form, 
 
116 rAlR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 And burst aloud the pealing sound, 
 The rattling thunder's dread rebound; 
 
 His soul was sad ; for mid that dell 
 
 A feeling on his bosom fell, 
 
 A feeling aimless, undefined, 
 
 As that which throbs the maniac's mind ; 
 
 For, rising with the rising gale. 
 
 Was heard the voice of woman's wail ; 
 
 In modulations sad, yet faint. 
 
 As sobbings of the wandering saint : 
 
 Ere the strong light of grace be given. 
 
 And error shrouds the gates of heaven. 
 
 Again he drew his glittering brand. 
 
 And flew to where the opening strand 
 
 Afforded space, to pierce the glade ; 
 
 " By Heaven ! 'tis she, my plighted maid, 
 
 Ho ! Helen ! turn thee, turn, nor fly. 
 
 My angel stay ! thy Fleming I." 
 
 Her fluttering heart, and throbbing breast 
 
 Are wildly to his bosom prest, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. II7 
 
 O'erpowered amid her souFs alarms, 
 Lifeless she sank into his arms. 
 
 " O ! wherefore here, my Helen dear ? 
 Why roam these gloomy dells forlorn ; 
 The storm is high, the moon-beams die. 
 And hiss the blast athwart the thorn ?" 
 " By Bonshaw's towers I wished to stray, 
 But night descended on my way ; 
 The shades of darkness round me fell 
 Whilst wandering mid this dreary dell." 
 " Enough, I must convey thee hence, 
 My sword is bared in thy defence ;" 
 " O say not so, with thee I'll stay, 
 Beneath this rock, till dawn of day." 
 " It must not be, thy tender form 
 Would ill contend with such a storm ; 
 See where the sheeted lightning driven 
 Is vollying down the depths of heaven ; 
 While ever and anon the sound 
 Of thunder shakes the solid ground." 
 
118 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 " Old Hubert wanders on the wild, 
 Seeking his lost, benighted child, 
 Whilst I in thy deliverance prove 
 The highest ecstacies of love." 
 
 He wound his bugle loud and long, 
 He wound it thrice with might. 
 When instants the groaning woods among, 
 Appeared a mailed Knight ; 
 Fierce was the high curvetting steed 
 That crashed the lacing briars at speed, 
 Sprang from his seat with courtesie. 
 And bent at Fleming's foot the knee. 
 The Fleming grasped his charger*s mane, 
 And lightly to the saddle sprung; 
 Behind him placed, with ardent strain. 
 The lady round her lover clung ; 
 He gives his steed the spur and rein ; 
 They're gone, they're vanished on the plain. 
 Braving the dashing wind and rain ; 
 They're gone, they're vanished on the steep, 
 Like a vision hurrying on in sleep ; 
 Broad is the river, dark and deep, 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 119 
 
 While the sound of the horse-hoof, wild and drear. 
 Rings faint, more faint, now dies upon the ear. 
 
 The winds are loud on Annan's wave', 
 Are chafing Kirtle's stormy water ; 
 The skiff shoots lightly to the Cave, 
 Fraught with the beautiful, the brave 
 Young Fleming and Kirkconnel's daughter. 
 The moon-beams fall on the snowy foam 
 That eddied round yon ruined dome, 
 Fringing the rolling tempest cloud. 
 And trembling on the flapping shroud ; 
 The beacon star is flashing bright. 
 The clouds descend on the vast of night, 
 And the moon withdraws her silvery light ; 
 The winds sigh through the lonely bower, 
 The night owl hoots from tree and tower ; 
 Yet still the skiff pursues her way 
 Mid warring winds and dashing spray, 
 Till the boatman anchors on the strand. 
 And the youthful lovers spring to land. 
 
120 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 The winds are high on Kirtle's wave, 
 Her mountain billows hurrying on ; 
 The foam is eddying round the Cave 
 Where Fleming and his Helen gone, 
 Repose them on the mossy stone, 
 Listening the dash and swell of water ; 
 But mid the night storm's hollow moan. 
 They hear a more than mortal tone, 
 The lullaby of Irwin's daughter, 
 Sweet as the song of saints above. 
 Or seraph harps when tuned to love. 
 
 ^Twas Hubert lingering from his cell. 
 Wandering along the lonely dell. 
 Thus bade the sounds of rapture swell ; 
 A moment rung, then died away. 
 As the passing sigh of departing day ; 
 It died away on the hollow wind. 
 But left a solemn trait behind, 
 That deepened on Fair Helen's mind. 
 
CANTO III* FAIR HELEN. 121 
 
 The warrior heard her pensive sigh. 
 
 And clasped the lovely pensive maid ; 
 
 He wiped the tear that gemmed her eye, 
 
 A kiss her gentler fears repaid. 
 
 " My Helen cease to be afraid, 
 
 The hour of rapture dawns for thee. 
 
 Let not thy trembling tears upbraid 
 
 My seeming pride ; my constancy 
 
 Thou knowest. My followers anxious stand, 
 
 The leader of their host demand, 
 
 With braced mail and buckled brand, 
 
 Nor deem that here I waste the hours 
 
 With beauty mid her lonely bowers ; 
 
 Thy safety, dearer than mine own. 
 
 Lured me to brave these wilds alone. 
 
 To give thee safe to Hubert's arms, 
 
 And soothe thy bosom's mild alarms, 
 
 *« I must not, may not linger long, 
 The cloud of night withdraws ; the morrow 
 Beams on these walls and ramparts strong, 
 So hope and peace arise from sorrow : 
 
I2f2 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 Time, like the Sc3rthian's winged arrow. 
 
 For man, nor mortal stops nor stays ; 
 
 Within their dreamless bed, so narrow, 
 
 Shall thousands sleep for whom these rays 
 
 That gild Kirkconnel's forest sprays 
 
 May never, never more arise 
 
 To chequer the clouds to light the skies. 
 
 One last embrace \ the moment flies, 
 
 The moment we may call our own ; 
 
 Suppress that sigh, nor weep when I am goneJ^ 
 
 <« Come let me lead thee to that spot 
 Still hallowed by our dream of love." 
 " More dear to me this silent grot 
 Than all the beauties of the grove ; 
 Here will I ever muse or rove. 
 Beneath the trembling star of even, 
 And ask the guardian powers above 
 To leave their golden thrones in heaven. 
 To shield thee mid the battle driven, 
 When long and loud the conflict rages. 
 That glory to thy arms be given, 
 
CANTO ni. FAIR HELEN. 128 
 
 And triumph to the host that wages 
 The war that maiden's wrong assuages." 
 
 *<^ One kiss !" he tore himself away, 
 For his heart was burning to the battle ; 
 She saw him cross the stormy bay, 
 She heard him shouting mid the spray, 
 And loud his flashing armour's rattle ; 
 She saw him mount his fiery steed. 
 Then vanish with the lightning's speed. 
 
 Wrapt in his weeds and leathern zone 
 
 Came Hubert wandering forth alone ; 
 
 His face the hue of mercy bore, 
 
 His cheek the smile of welcome wore. 
 
 His mind seemed lost in reverie 
 
 On what the joys of heaven might be ; 
 
 His faith high fixed on scenes of bhss, 
 
 Beyond this world its vast abyss. 
 
 No evil surely ere befel 
 
 The soul with him designed to dwell. 
 
124* FAIR HELEN. CANTO 11 T. 
 
 *' Sweet pilgrim of the nightly wold, 
 Why stray thy steps amid these bowers ? 
 The wreck is on the torrent rolled, 
 The wind is on the flowers. 
 Loud is the blast, fast fall the showers. 
 Thy lover hies him far from thee ; 
 Then come, and in thy father's towers 
 Enjoy repose, from sorrow free." 
 
 « Oh 1 Hubert seek thy silent cell, 
 All by the waters' dashing swell. 
 Where blaze the crackling faggots high, 
 For cold the storm that sweeps the sky. 
 There let us sit and weave a song, 
 A song of melancholy joy. 
 Of those who low in silence lie. 
 These gloomy groves among. 
 Yes ! come, 'twill give my mind relief; 
 For dear to me the joy of grief." 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 125 
 
 " Lady, I must not, may not sing 
 
 That sadly melancholy dole ; 
 
 Its plaintive tones would only fling 
 
 A silent stupor on the soul." 
 
 " What 1 not a strain my tears to move 
 
 Of early, unrequited love ? 
 
 O sing to me that song of sorrow ; 
 
 Sing of the conflict's toil and trouble. 
 
 That dreamless night without a morrow. 
 
 Those joys that fleet Hke bursting bubble ; 
 
 Sing of a maniac mother's tears, 
 
 But dash the theme with lovers* tears." 
 
 « O Fairest of Ladies ! my harp strings are low ; 
 Their echoes repeat but the thrillings of woe. 
 All sad as the visions that moan through the grove, 
 For never, ah never, my theme was of love. 
 The winds howl aloud, the dark waters run high. 
 But the waters subside, and the loud winds blow 
 by; 
 
126 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 So the passion that blends with a love-melting 
 
 mind. 
 It falls like the water, it fleets like the wind : 
 Then wherefore should Hubert prelude to the 
 
 moon " 
 
 That strain, when his harp is so sadly in tune. 
 Fair Lady I'll sing thee, how love set in sorrow 
 That beautiful flower on the banks of the Yarrow. 
 
 Cl)e lag of t!)e jFlotoer of garroto. 
 I. 
 
 How brightly shone the twilight stav 
 On lone St Mary's mere and mountain. 
 And gurgled down her rocks afar 
 The waters of the fountain. 
 The moon was rising from the wave 
 Arrayed in all her softened glory, 
 And fell her beam on isle and cave. 
 On keep and ruin hoary. 
 
CANTO HI. , FAIR HELEN. 127 
 
 The white surge rose and fell agaiii 
 As it circled Hubert's proud domain, 
 And far upon the moonlight foam 
 The mountain spirits reared their home ; 
 While mid the waters' surge and swell. 
 Came o'er the deep the enchanted bell. 
 Then died in eddying tones away 
 Like Elfland harps at shut of day, 
 
 C ^^• 
 
 Alone, beside the mountain flood 
 O'er-canopied with the vast of heaven, 
 The Minstrel of the Border stood 
 Amid the fall of even. 
 The dew was bright on field and flower, 
 The night bird woke its song of sadness, 
 And rung from many a wild wood bower 
 The voice of mirth and gladness. 
 But not the moon in splendour bright. 
 The rolling world, the dome of night; 
 No, not the lake in grandeur rolled, 
 The distant mountain tipt with gold. 
 
12$ FAIR HELEN. CANTO HI. 
 
 Could charm the Minstrel's burstmg tears, 
 As rose the scene of other years ; 
 His plaintive harp was dashed with sorrow. 
 For the loveliest flower was fallen on Yarrow. 
 
 III. 
 
 He sat him down upon the shore. 
 
 Amid the dark rocks high and hoary. 
 
 And there he woke a lay of yore, 
 
 A sad and doleful story. 
 
 And flashed his eyes in splendour bright. 
 
 The corruscating ray of wildness. 
 
 Then softened down, they sank like night 
 
 Descending in her mildness. 
 
 His song ai'ose across the wave 
 
 Sad as the ave of the brave. 
 
 When o'er the warrior's dust it sweeps. 
 
 And dies where martyred virtue sleeps ; 
 
 And ever mid its plaintive tone 
 
 "Was heard the Harper's sigh and moan : 
 
 For oh 1 his heart was big with sorrow 
 
 Whene'er he sung of the Flower of Yarrow. 
 
CANTO III* FAIR HELEN. 129 
 
 IV. 
 
 'Twas night, the whirlwind's blast blew loud ; 
 
 The water-wraith was wildly shrieking ; 
 
 The woods on Pencrake Cross were bowed, 
 
 On Gala's Bannet creaking. 
 
 Red from the scaur * and fell came down 
 
 The torrent of the midnight foaming ; 
 
 When far from castle, tower, or town, 
 
 The brave Sir Hugh was roaming. 
 
 He spurred his barb, the warlike steed 
 
 Rushed forward with the lightning's speed. 
 
 Plunged through the wave, the waters dashed, 
 
 Through tangling briar and copse wood crashed ; 
 
 Till through the groaning woods afar 
 
 He saw his Mary's trembling star. 
 
 And loudly rose the forest thorough 
 
 The distant roaring of the Yarrow. 
 
 * Scaur, a precipitous bank of earth bordering upon a water. 
 
130 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 V. 
 
 He turned his eye to Etterick pen, 
 
 The flames of death were round it gleaming ; 
 
 He listened from the deepening den, 
 
 Nought heard he but the night owl screaming. 
 
 Faint grew his heart, his bosom beat, 
 
 And rose the unbidden sob of sorrow ; 
 
 For ah ! the angel of his fate 
 
 Stood to receive his soul on Yarrow. 
 
 Press on, my steed, he sadly sighed, 
 
 Press on, and stem the torrent tide; 
 
 Breast the red mountain wave of foam, 
 
 I long to reach my true love's dome. 
 
 For cold, alas ! my nerveless hand 
 
 That faintly grasps the battle brand. 
 
 And quells my soul in sighs of sorrow 
 
 To hear the doubling roars of Yarrow. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " No ! never ! never ! shrieked a voice, 
 Shalt thou behold thy true love's dwellirig ,* 
 The water-spirits loud rejoice 
 To hear thy lyke-dirge swelling. 
 
CANtO III. FAIR HELEN. 131 
 
 It comes amid the roar of floods^ 
 
 It dies around yon ruins hoary, 
 
 Sighs in the conflict of the floods 
 
 And weaves thy bloody story." 
 
 It said ; then past with shriek and wail, 
 
 Sir Hugh became as ashes pale, 
 
 Turned to his God, and asked from heaven 
 
 A shield might to his soul be given. 
 
 For loud, more loud was heard the roar 
 
 Of waters fighting with the shore, 
 
 And louder rose the shriek of sorrow 
 
 As plunged his steed mid the rush of Yarrow. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Now grasp thy struggling charger's mane, 
 Brave with despair the fated billow ; 
 Alas I Sir Hugh, thy toils are vain. 
 The foam must shortly be thy pillow. 
 Ha ! Heaven ! that overwhelming wave : 
 That wreck rolled on its stormy bosom 
 Must sweep the mighty to the grave, 
 Must snap this transitory blossom. 
 
132 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 Oh ! horror ! horror ! hear that shriek, 
 That flash amid its dark meanders ; 
 The surge is chafing on his cheek 
 As down the wave his body wanders. 
 And still are heard amid the blast 
 The awful sounds of woe and sorrow ; 
 For there the warrior's spirit past, 
 And rolled his corpse adown the Yarrow. 
 
 VIII. 
 It past away ; the darkness past. 
 The clouds across the hills were driven. 
 And sunk the bowlings of the blast ; 
 Burst forth the moon in heaven. 
 The lady hastened from her tower. 
 Arrayed her in the weeds of sorrow ; 
 Passed onward to her lonely bower 
 That overlooked the waves of Yarrow. 
 She sat and sighed, then sadly wept. 
 As faint and low the breezes swept ; 
 For still upon her throbbing ear 
 Arose a voice, 'twas death to hear ; 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 133 
 
 And aye that voice was heard with sorrow, 
 Tliy lover's corpse is wrecked on Yarrow. 
 
 IX. 
 
 O wherefore were my brothers stern, 
 
 wherefore was my mother sorry 
 To see me rescued by his kerne 
 From rievers fierce and gory ? 
 
 And wherefore was my father's gloom 
 When I beheld Sir Hugh with pleasure ? 
 He's gone, he's wedded to his tomb, 
 My last delight, my soul's best treasure. 
 But nor the swords of brothers fierce. 
 No not the fi-own of parents wild, 
 Can bar me from my true love's hearse. 
 From his embraces, meek and mild. 
 
 1 come, my love, thy aid to crave, 
 I come to share thy watery grave : 
 
 Thus said ; then plunged with shriek of sorrow, 
 And joined her lover's corpse in Yarrow. 
 
134 PAIR HELEN. CANTO III, 
 
 X. 
 
 The Yarrow stream rolls darkly red, 
 
 It roars through wood and den so dreary ; 
 
 But on its banks, mid heather spread. 
 
 The pilgrim rests when he is weary ; 
 
 He rests him till the dawn of day, 
 
 Ere he presumes to pass its water ; 
 
 For still he thinks on Osmond*s Lay, 
 
 That told the fate of Dryhope's daughter. 
 
 And often mid his dream by night. 
 
 When deep the moon withdraws her light -, 
 
 He hears a low funereal wail 
 
 Die on the hollow moaning gale ; 
 
 He starts, and tiwrns him round to sleep ; 
 
 Again is heard its echoes deep, 
 
 Singing in strains of saddest sorrow 
 
 Tlie fate of those were drowned in Yarrow. 
 
 That Minstrel oft at twilight's hour 
 Hath sat 'neath Blacket's ruined tower, 
 Gazed with a wild delirious eye 
 On the visioned forms that fleeted by ; 
 
CANTO III. FAIR HELEN. 135 
 
 Beheld the glory and renown 
 Of Middlebie's Chieftains mouldered down ; 
 Where scarce a flower remained to tell 
 Here sprung the grandeur of the " Bell ;" 
 And while beneath its frowning tower, 
 He sang of Dryhope's peerless flower, 
 Bold knights and dames dissolved in sorrow 
 To hear this " Lay of the Flower of Yarrow." 
 
 O Blackett scenes, sublimely wild, 
 Nurse of my dreams while yet a child ; 
 Nurse of that bold chivalric spell. 
 That long I loved, still love so well 
 Where viewless horsemen's tramp and tread 
 Rung o'er the tomb-stones of the dead. 
 And fancy gave, at midnight still, 
 Her wildest wailings from the hill ; 
 Thy hoary form, of elder time, 
 Inspired my soul with awe sublime. 
 As gleamed upon my visioned eye 
 The banners from thy turrets high ; 
 
136 FAIR HELEN. CANTO III. 
 
 The bugle from thy portals rung, 
 The pall upon thy gateway flung. 
 The ghost that guarded still thy tower 
 Inspired my soul with magic power. 
 To mould the wreck of time and storms 
 With superstition's awful forms, 
 And blend them on my transient page, 
 A picture for the coming age. 
 
 O when the Bard his tale is done, 
 And set in death his mortal sun ; 
 When all his wayward cares and woe^ 
 In silence of the dead repose ; 
 Let some kind friend his relics bear 
 Where Kirtle sadly murmurs near, 
 And all beneath yon ruined tower 
 Lay him to rest at twilight's hour ; 
 Plant the green holly on his breast, 
 An emblem of his fathers' crest ; 
 Grave on his stone these notes of woe, 
 " The child of sorrow lies below," 
 
c^^ 
 
 FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BOPtDER. 
 
 CANTO FOURTH. 
 
» 
 
 •FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO FOURTH. 
 
 1 HE leaves are rustling in the gale. 
 The floods are chafing bank and scaur, 
 And whirling down the distant vale 
 The wood- wreck rolls afer ; 
 The foam is flashing in the ray 
 That trembles on the watery way ; 
 Red from the mountain heights descend 
 The thundering torrents wildly grand, 
 Shooting across the bounded strand ; 
 While cloud-involved on either hand 
 The rugged ravines bend ; 
 
140 iFAIR HELEN. CANTO IV. 
 
 And roar the rude oaks reft and riven, 
 Amid the rushing winds of heaven. 
 Oft have I stood at twilight lone, 
 When high the crescent of the moon. 
 In silent glory, softly shone 
 Round Watenlath's * tremendous throne. 
 Fringing each dark festoon 
 Of wreathed clouds so rudely rolled. 
 Inlaid with streak of living gold : 
 Oft have I stood to list the gale 
 Howl through the pass of Borrowdale ; 
 War on the Eagle's f giant form, 
 Frowning above the deepening storm. 
 Wafting the sere-leaves to and fro. 
 Churning the flood to mound of snow ; 
 Or watched the bells of silvery frore 
 Light dancing round the pebbled shore ; 
 
 * Watenlath is that tract of mountainous country, which coming 
 boldly forward, breaks down abruptly from the south upon the vale 
 of Keswick. 
 
 f Eagle, an immense rock in Borrowdale. 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 14-1 
 
 Pass like those fleeting forms away. 
 That fade amid the rainbow's ray. 
 Yes i still I loved to trace the foam 
 That rose and fell upon the flood. 
 And deemed each bell an emerald dome 
 Reared by the Genii of the wood ; 
 *And ay as they rolled in splendour past, 
 I heard their voices on the blast. 
 
 Ah ! little did the Enthusiast dream 
 His fate was imaged on the stream. 
 That all life's future charms should die 
 Like the water-bells that floated by ; 
 That love and hope should fade away 
 As the foam upon the eddying spray, 
 And woe and want the heart assail 
 Like the leaf contending with the gale. 
 
 Be mine alone, at midnight drear. 
 High seated by yon haunted spring, 
 To list the sea blasts, shrill and clear. 
 The death-song of the seasons sing, 
 
142 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV, 
 
 When from the lonely heights around 
 Is heard a more than mortal sound, 
 That in mysterious wailing sings 
 Of the reproductive state of things. 
 
 The river rolls in mighty force 
 
 Its waters to the main, 
 
 These waters never more again 
 
 May fill the parent source ; 
 
 But still the Eternal, greatly wise^ 
 
 The fountains of the deep supplies* 
 
 The flowers in transient glory die. 
 
 Their race is but an hour ; 
 
 The winds of winter round them sigh. 
 
 And all their beauties fleeting fly 
 
 Before the icy shower. 
 
 Anon the breath of being blows. 
 
 The flowers revive in all their bloom. 
 
 And bursting from its wintery tomb 
 
 The new creation glows ; 
 
 Expands in glory to the even, 
 
 And scents the wandering winds of heaven. 
 
CANTO lY. FAIR HELEN. 143 
 
 So man descends unto the tomb, 
 To death's dark dreary urn, 
 No second spring shall round him bloom, 
 No ray to light the starless gloom. 
 Or bid its glories burn. 
 Till that blest morning dawn above, 
 The day-spring of eternal love ; 
 Then purified, sublimed, refined, 
 Warmed by the imperishable mind. 
 The deathless form aloft shall spring. 
 Girt with an angeFs zone and wing, 
 To heaven's immortal kingdom soar. 
 And be what millions were before. 
 
 *' Turn, Pilgrim, turn thine aching eye 
 
 To yon distant mountain height ; 
 
 What seest thou there ?" — " The chequered sky 
 
 Reflecting the morning's light, 
 
 While a thousand varying hues unfold 
 
 That fringe the robe of heaven with gold." 
 
 '* What, seest thou not you brigandine 
 
 In the kindling beam of morning shine ? 
 
144? FAIlt HELEN. CANTO ir> 
 
 Dost thou not matk, on that upland drear, 
 A moving grove of helm and spear ; 
 How each blazoned banner proudly glows 5 
 How each silken fold so freely flows ; 
 While many a sabre brightly swings 
 In its furbished chain of twisted rings, 
 And the scutcheoned streamers rustling fly. 
 Flouting the glories of the sky ? 
 
 They are mustering, marching, hurrying on, 
 
 They are climbing that ravine one by one, 
 
 Struggling that mountain height to gain, 
 
 Where it spreads into an ample plain ; 
 
 Struggling to grasp that shattered oak 
 
 Depending from the rifi:ed rock ; 
 
 While loosened at times the rocks rebound. 
 
 High leaping o'er the opposing mound. 
 
 Then with a loud resounding plash 
 
 Are heard mid the parted waves to dash ; 
 
 Rises the white spray on the gale 
 
 Blown back on the warrior's glancing mail ; 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 145 
 
 Their plumes are dancing on the view, 
 Like the wavering wings of the white sea-mew, 
 When it soars above the rolling cloud, 
 Seen through the fissures of its shroud. 
 
 These are the brave, shall never keep 
 
 The night-watch of eternal sleep ; 
 
 Their moonless dwellings ne'er shall have 
 
 In dark oblivion's dreary grave ; 
 
 Nor round them, death that shroud shall fold 
 
 May never, never be unrolled ; 
 
 Or wrapt in endless stupor lie. 
 
 Till the chymic flash that fires the sky; 
 
 Till this goodly frame, this earth shall roll, 
 
 Shrivelled and blackened as a scroll." 
 
 Who leads that mighty mountain clan. 
 Who draws his broad-sword in the van ; 
 Who reins his charger on that steep, 
 Jading him to the venturous leap, 
 Where fright^lly beneath him yawns, 
 The gulf where morning never dawns ? 
 
lis FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV 
 
 'Tis LowTHER, pride of the Border band, 
 Lord Warden of the western strand. 
 The bravest hero of the land ; 
 Sprung from a lineage great and bold. 
 Renowned in war in days of old ; 
 Whose sires had ever sternly stood 
 True to the last with breath and blood. 
 The sabre at his girdle swings, 
 Slung in a chain of wreathed rings ; 
 And braced upon his manly breast 
 The golden cuirass tightly pressed ; 
 With silver scales the greaves are bound 
 That wrap his sinewy thighs around. 
 The fire of fame is on his eye, 
 The power to do is \n his hand. 
 Seems he the chosen of the sky. 
 To lead, to fight, or to command. 
 
 The Howard, sun of high renown. 
 And worthy of the feudal crown, 
 Steady in field, of mind and might. 
 The Border boast in camp and fight. 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. U? 
 
 Under his banners fight the brave, 
 
 The bowmen from the Irthing*s wave. 
 
 The twisted chains of his hobileer 
 
 Are wreathed in many a gorgeous fold ; 
 
 His aventayle so bright and clear 
 
 Is the burnished brass and gold ; 
 
 And high above his polished brow 
 
 Floats the bright wreath of the downy snow ; 
 
 And the plume that waves around his head 
 
 Is the eagle's pinion tinted red. 
 
 And proudly robed in war's attire. 
 Of soul inflamed to the conflict's ire, 
 De Vipont comes from the distant wave. 
 Where frowns the giant's haunted cave. 
 Where Emont winds in silvery maze 
 Around the towers of ancient days, 
 Sweeping those high and hoary walls, 
 And circling Brougham's lordly halls. 
 'Tis his in feudal pomp to ride. 
 With an himdred horsemen by his side ; 
 
 _ A 
 
 K 
 
148 FAIR HELEN. CANTO -|V. 
 
 To chace the deer, to drive the doe, 
 To fight in forray of the foe ; 
 To fire the distant beacon star, 
 And rouse the Border bounds in war. 
 
 And there the Baron of Dalemain 
 Leads on his father's hackbut train, 
 From where the mildly breathing gale 
 Strays round the summer's sweetest flowers ; 
 That star, that lowly sheltered vale, 
 " The Queen of Valleys" and of bowers, 
 
 But who is he, with barbed horse, 
 Who fiercely stems the torrent's force ; 
 His bridle-bits are white with foam. 
 Spurring beneath yon ruined dome ; 
 His plume is like the hue of heaven 
 Rolled round the hvid cloud of even ? 
 'Tis Dacre, Lord of yon moimtain strand 
 That circles Ulva's silver sand, 
 A warrior fierce as ocean's shock, 
 But stedfast as the Eagle rock *, 
 
Canto ir. fair heiew. 149 
 
 Whose bosom never felt the glow 
 Of fear to meet the proudest foe ; 
 And on his face the scowl is seen 
 Of haughty and indignant mein. 
 A nobler Chief ne'er lanced the dart ; 
 But passion thrills his mighty heart. 
 
 " Who thundering comes on his battle steedj 
 
 With spur of fire and hoof of speed;" 
 
 The distant echoes ring around 
 
 As his horse's footsteps spurn the ground 5 
 
 His saddle-laps are streaked with red. 
 
 And the froth upon its shoulders spread ; 
 
 Around Dunmallard's height he wends. 
 
 His course to Water Millock tends ; 
 
 Like the meteor's flash he hurries by ? 
 
 'Tis Greystock of the fiery eye, 
 
 A braver Baron never drew 
 
 The twanging string of his deadly yew ; 
 
 The dress he ever deigns to wear 
 
 Is the belted-mail of a forestere ; 
 
150 t'AlR HELEN. CANTO IV. 
 
 And a prouder sight is never seen 
 
 Than his merry men robed in their forest green. 
 
 And there Sir Hugh, a hardy wight. 
 
 Inured to all the foils of fight ; 
 
 War is his glory, war his pride. 
 
 The stateliest Peer on the Border side, 
 
 'Tis his to wield the bloody brand, 
 
 To carve the chine with gloved hand ; 
 
 Quaff the deep bowl of generous wine, 
 
 And deem its pleasures all divine ; 
 
 Well known to him each dangerous pass 
 
 By fell or flood or deep morass, 
 
 That lie mid Scotland's mountains rude, 
 
 Her bosky brakes and solitude ; 
 
 He has driven the herd of Hoddam home. 
 
 He has dyed with blood the Annan's foam j 
 
 Has stayed upon his bold career 
 
 The sleuth-hound as he tracked the deer ; 
 
 Of aspect noble, free and bland, 
 
 Well fitted for such high command. 
 
 Mid Keswick's lake his castle stands. 
 
 The pride of these romantic strands, 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. Ipl 
 
 Where Derwent water proudly rolled 
 Around it lies a sheet of gold. 
 Circled with promontories and woods 
 That bound those wild enchanting floods. 
 
 Tear from the eternal roll of fame 
 
 That haughty Venal villain's name^ 
 
 That hireling son of pomp and pride, 
 
 FeU scourge of the weak on the Border side ; 
 
 Rend the green laurel from his helm^ 
 
 And his deeds mid the wreck of destruction whelm. 
 
 What ! shall the meed of a glorious toil 
 
 Be stained by this weed of ignoble soil ? 
 
 No ! lop the shattered bough away. 
 
 That renown may shine on the parent spray. 
 
 But strike, my Harp ! peal high the strain, 
 
 To the glory of the gallant Graeme, 
 
 Recall from distant time again 
 
 The warrior's deathless fame. 
 
 Let glory swell the Minstrel lyre, 
 
 And sing of the deeds may ne'er expire, 
 
152 FAIR HELEN, 
 
 CANTO IV. 
 
 For never sure did a nobler Knight 
 Ere poise his shield in the van of &ght, 
 Or meet the dread decisive glance 
 Of a rival Chief with spear and lance. 
 Boldly he treads the battle plain, 
 Baptized the Lion of his train. 
 Beside the Esk, mid his fragrant bowers, 
 Arise his princely halls and towers ; 
 Each vagrant breeze from moor or fell 
 Waves on his banks the purple-beU j 
 Pleasant the site, on charmed strand, 
 Netherby, pride of the Border land. 
 
 Lord Clifford hath left his stately towers 
 
 Mid the mountains of the north ; 
 
 He hath left Pendragon's forest bowers 
 
 To lead his warriors forth : 
 
 He hath left the Stanemore's heathy side, 
 
 Where the broom-flowers wave in golden pride, 
 
 Where ancient Huna * rolls her flood 
 
 Through rifted rocks and hanging wood. 
 
 • Huna, the river Eden, so called by Ptolemy. 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 153 
 
 On his warlike eye plays a stream of fire 
 
 Kindled to flame at his country's ire. 
 
 And glory and valour have deepened the streak 
 
 That dawns on this youthful warrior's cheek. 
 
 His steed, a better was ne'er bestrode, 
 
 Or braved the mountain's flinty road, 
 
 Coal-black, while a bold and martial grace 
 
 Plays deep on his arched neck and face ; 
 
 A circle of fire is round his eyes, 
 
 And his mane like a wave o'er his shoulders flies. 
 
 Now, where is the Knight, unknown to fear, 
 
 Will ride to merry Carlisle ; 
 
 Will pass by wood and water wear. 
 
 Where the Caldew murmurs soft and clear 
 
 Round yon lone deserted pile ; 
 
 Will blow his bugle loud and long 
 
 From the postern proudly high. 
 
 To rouse the Howard's martial throng 
 
 From their castle ramparts stem and strong, 
 
 Resolved to do, or die? 
 
154 FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO IVj 
 
 What ! is there none of all this host, 
 
 No Border Baron brave. 
 
 May dare to scout the Eden's coast. 
 
 Secure that long determined post. 
 
 And on its towers my standard wave ? — 
 
 What ! is there none ? — ^" My noble Lord^" 
 
 Replied a warrior stepping forth, 
 
 *' Are these unknown ? Hath not each sword 
 
 Been renowned in the conflicts of the North ? 
 
 We all are brave ; then choose thy Knight, 
 
 And though it were with hell to fight 
 
 He would not shrink ; but this appeal 
 
 Strikes on each warrior's soul of steel, 
 
 And pride is the haughty glow they feel.'' — 
 
 " Well hast thou said ; I've been to blame, 
 
 I ought to have called my Knight by name 5 
 
 Thine be that charge, my gallant Graeme, 
 
 For known to thee each dangerous pass 
 
 Through trackless wood, o'er dark morass 5 
 
 Then go and rouso the western strand 
 
 To fight in the battles of their land. 
 
 'Tis LowTHER calls ; let all obey ; 
 
 We'll meet thee ere the dawn of day; 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 155 
 
 We*ll range our phalanx, dark and dread, 
 "Where Solway's waters widely spread ; 
 Where Eden rolls in silent pride, 
 Where mountain Esk is seen to glide 
 Commingling with the parent tide ; 
 Away ! St Sweethin * be thy trust," — 
 He said ; — ^his charger spurns the dust. 
 Sprung forward with a sudden bound, 
 Stirred by his armour's gingling sound. 
 
 He is gone ! he is vanished from the sight, 
 Like the trackless path of the levin light ; 
 His horse's tramp has died away, 
 No sound is heard from yon ruins grey^ 
 Save the shout of the peasant lingering nigh, 
 Hailing him as he hurries by. 
 
 Scarce had he ridden a mile but three. 
 Poised on his stirrups he turned him round. 
 In hopes the distant camp to see 
 Circling the Carrick-fells around ; 
 
 St Sweethin, the tutelary Saint of Cumbcrlatid. 
 
156 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV* 
 
 Had gazed on the clump of pine-trees tall^ 
 On the towers of Greystock frowning far ; 
 Had bidden farewell to force and fall, 
 As he thought on the coming storm of war ; 
 When from an overhanging rock 
 His gallant steed received a stroke, 
 Sprung on aside with sudden bound 
 And dashed his rider to the ground. 
 
 '' Now God thee save !" cried a recreant Knight j 
 
 As he rushed on Graeme in his woful plight ; 
 
 *« Now God thee save ! this hour's thy last," 
 
 And a ponderous stroke at his helmet past. 
 
 Aware of the traitor's coming blow. 
 
 The Graeme retreated from his foe j 
 
 Sprung to his feet, an effort made. 
 
 And quickly drew his burnished blade ; 
 
 " Thy name, and whence, I pray thee tell ?" 
 
 " From Kirtle side, my name is Bell ;" 
 
 « A noble youth, now by my faith, 
 
 I never did thy kindred scaith ; 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 157 
 
 Then wherefore lurk a secret foe, 
 
 To level my steed with unerring blow ?" 
 
 " In war each stratagem is just ;" 
 
 " True ;" and he aimed a deadly thrust, 
 
 Which warded by a skilful hand 
 
 Turned from its point the erring brand. 
 
 Graeme seemed to feel the unequal fight, 
 
 Nor trusted his sinewy arm of might ; 
 
 " Hold B^LL, I yield to thee the strife. 
 
 This fall hath nearly reft my life ; 
 
 Why should we stand in deadly fray. 
 
 Let us pause till me meet on the battle day ; 
 
 Till we fight in the fated field of fame, 
 
 Wliere renown shall mark the victor's name 5 
 
 For here who falls 'neath his foeman's blows 
 
 Must feed the dogs or the carrion-crows.'* 
 
 " Agreed ; I scorn the unequal strife, 
 I lurk not for a mortal's life ; 
 To horse ! to horse ! and speed thy flight. 
 To-morrow I crave thine arm in fight. 
 
158 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV. 
 
 Adieu ;" then turned with whistle shrill 
 By the lonely bank of the bubbling rill. 
 •« Plague on my steed ;" the Graeme replied. 
 As he dashed the rowels in his side ; 
 Smote his broad-sword across his neck, 
 And gave him many a surly check ; 
 Till spent his baffled pride and ire, 
 And his soul began of her rage to tire ; 
 Then calmly yielded his courser's rein,. 
 And darted adown the distant plain. 
 
 Who comes with fiery pace and speed. 
 
 Spurring along his snorting steed ; 
 
 His iron greaves are red with blood. 
 
 And his plume the foam that wreathes the flood ; 
 
 His eye-balls flash indignant fire, 
 
 And his bosom beats with bursting ire, 
 
 Whilst the distant echoes ring arpund 
 
 To the clattering hoof and the clanging sound ? 
 
 'Tis he ! 'tis Graeme ! I see his horse 
 Plunge headlong mid the torrent's force ; 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN, 159 
 
 I see him bound across the tide, 
 
 Toiling to gain the nigged side. 
 
 On ! on ! he hastens, afar behind 
 
 The forests of the valleys wind ; 
 
 The mountain-pass he nears, and now 
 
 Spurs his fleet charger to the brow 5 
 
 My God ! his shadow moves along 
 
 On yon swollen water, dark and strong ; 
 
 And rings upon my aching ear 
 
 His courser's iron hoof of fear. 
 
 He's gone ; he's vanished from the sight ; 
 
 Again he climbs yon rugged height; 
 
 The rocks are rattling down the steep, 
 
 Plunging amid that rolling deep ; 
 
 He's gone; the eagle wakes her cry 
 
 From the eerie height, as he hurries by. 
 
 ***** 
 
 The Carlisle walls are stout and strong, 
 Her battled turrets frown afar ; 
 Her trump^s ring both loud and long 
 Rousing her sons to war; 
 
160 FAIR HELEN. €ANTO IT. 
 
 In every alley, lane, and street, 
 Warriors with warriors justling meet, * 
 Hurrying along, with ponderous mail, 
 To join the host in Eden's vale. 
 
 I have seen Proud Man, in his morning-hour, 
 
 More fair than the garden's fairest flower ; 
 
 I have seen him move a God on earth, 
 
 His heart beat high to the voice of nairth : 
 
 Anon, this proud majestic form 
 
 Was tost Hke the down before the storm 5 
 
 His strength was marred, his vigour gone, 
 
 A wearied wight remained alone ; 
 
 The cares of life had bowed his head, 
 
 And he sighed for his rest in the narrow bed. 
 
 I have seen the Warrior gird his brand. 
 And poise the shield with mighty hand ; 
 I have marked him rush, with proud delight, 
 To the conflict's rage, to the van of fight : 
 A moment, and this warhke form 
 Was wasted by the battle-storm ; 
 
eANTO IVi FAIR HELEN. 161 
 
 Pale, bleeding, mid the wreck he lay, 
 And the sun of morn was a clod of clay. 
 
 How beautiful the face of even 
 Lingering amid this western heaven. 
 When round her azure throne are rolled 
 The dark clouds edged with living gold ; 
 When, like a lovely faerie form, 
 She smiles above the passing storm ; 
 In her right hand a diamond star 
 Flaming upon her white symar ; 
 And in her left a waning moon, 
 Fringing that beautiful saloon 
 That round the world of being bends. 
 And with eternal motion blends. 
 
 Hushed are the wandering waters deep, 
 The winds within their caverns sleep, 
 No softly sighing swell or breeze 
 Ripples the lake or stirs the trees. 
 Waves the blue-bell on Cocker tower, 
 WhjUe over head a partial shower 
 
16^ FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV* 
 
 Is heard to patter mid the leaves. 
 Blent with the sound the water weaves. 
 
 High on a mound the Cocker rears 
 Her ruins mid the tide of years, 
 Surrounded with the forests hoar 
 That gloom the Derwent*s lonely shore* 
 The huge buttresses frowning brave 
 The fury of the wasting wave, 
 When down in awful fury sweeps 
 The melted snow from hills and steeps, 
 Bearing upon this mighty dome, 
 Chafing its walls with the whirHng foam, 
 Mining its course with hollow roar. 
 And fighting with the opposing shore. 
 
 Is there no tale of other time, 
 
 No legend of descending years. 
 
 May wake the Minstrelsie sublime, 
 
 The plaintive dirge of tears ? 
 
 For green the weed on Cock6r*s walls, 
 
 The snail around its crevice crawls. 
 
©ANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 163 
 
 And builds the bat within the court, 
 Wliere Gleemen held their ancient sport- — 
 Yes ! woke on many a harp and lyre 
 The lay of other times is given. 
 The awful night of fear and fire, 
 Destruction's wasting levin ; 
 *Tis a lay of woe and misery, 
 The fate of the pride of the North Countrie, 
 
 A CUMBRIAN LEGEND. 
 I. 
 
 The night had sunk on Derwehfs tide, 
 Had girdled Whinlater around. 
 And swept the storm along its side 
 Across the castle's gloomy bound ; 
 The water chafed the proud ravines, 
 Frowning beneath the cliff of pines, 
 
164 ITAHl lliiLEN. CANTO IV,^ 
 
 Dashed on its wails with hideous jar^ 
 Roaring from Skiddaw fells afar ; 
 While now and then, the midnight ray 
 Streamed through its oriel vast and gay, 
 Then flitted on the racking cloud. 
 Folding her mid the sombrous shroud. 
 
 11. 
 
 The feast was high in Cocker towerj 
 
 The song of Minstrelsie arose, 
 
 And bright the light at midnight hour 
 
 Around the storied arras glows. 
 
 The feast was high, the soul was strung 
 
 To themes of love, and war, and glory, 
 
 As down the castle-alleys rung 
 
 The harp to Minstrel story. 
 
 For there, in all the pomp of pride, 
 
 The Percie weds his princely bride, 
 
 Fair Neville of the lily hand. 
 
 The loveUest flower in Cumberland ; 
 
 And there came Lord and Lady gay. 
 
 Robed in their splendid bridal ray, 
 
CANTO IV. FAIE HELEN. 165 
 
 To swell the dance, to raise the song, 
 The Cocker's gorgeous halls along. 
 
 III. 
 
 Ha ! who is she, like seraph form, 
 
 Lapt in the dark folds of the storm, 
 
 Whose raven locks so freely flow 
 
 In curls around her arched brow. 
 
 Bound by a twisted thread of gold 
 
 To clasp each ringlet to its fold ; 
 
 On whose bright cheeks' unfading hue. 
 
 The rose-bud bursts in blushes new ; 
 
 Her eye the diamond spark of even. 
 
 Starred on the azure breast of heaven ; 
 
 Her neck the loveliest mountain swan 
 
 That ever rowed on Killergawn ? 
 
 Arrayed in glory, " who is she ?" 
 
 " Fair Neville, pride of the North Country.'' 
 
 IV. 
 
 «* Wake, Minstrels, wake," Lord Neville cried, 
 :^' The song in praise of Percie's bride 5 
 
166 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV 
 
 Let youth and beauty be the theme, 
 Let sorrow vanish as a dream. 
 And as the songs of rapture swell. 
 Brim the wine cup, and pledge the shell ; 
 For never were bridal fetters wound 
 Two nobler, lovelier hearts around." 
 
 V. 
 
 Each roused him at his Chief's command^ 
 The chords obey the potent hand ; 
 Of Percie's deeds the Minstrels sung, 
 The harp in praise of Hotspur rung; 
 And bold the loud emphatic strain 
 That told of Alnwick's princely train ; 
 How, mid the Saracen afar, 
 They led the embattled file of war. 
 And gained in honour's highest noon 
 Their crescent, yonder silver moon. 
 
 VL 
 
 The theme is changed ; they weave in story 
 The Neville's ancient house of glory ; 
 
CANTO lY. FAIR HEI.EN. iflY 
 
 Peal high the war denouncing sound 
 That rung on Bosworth's battle-bound ; 
 Where valour beamed around the name, 
 And Nevilles gained iminortal fame^ 
 
 yii. 
 
 A moment thus ; what hideous sound 
 Re-echoes jfrom the forest bound ? 
 ^« Ho ! fire ! fire ! the castle falls. 
 The flames ascend its hoary walls !" 
 Like thunder-peal the shrieks aris^ 
 The vollying flash illumes the skies ; 
 « Let fall the bridge ; ho ! fire ! fire I" 
 Hushed is the Minstrel's harp and lyre : 
 The castle bells are backward tolled, 
 The fire-drum from the ramparts rolled, 
 The windows start amid the heat^ 
 Trtie melted lead descends in sheet, 
 Like cataract from the rocky pjrre 
 Tinted with summer's latest fire. 
 Beneath the Derwent hoarsely flows, 
 Jts water like a furnace glows. 
 
1%8 FAIR HELEN, CA^TO IT. 
 
 Vax down the gloomy forest rolled 
 A mighty mass of molten gold. 
 
 VIIL 
 
 The frowning fells are redly bright 
 Amid the castle's beaconing light ; 
 The eagle starts amid her dream^ 
 Rocked high above the torrent stream. 
 The wild-fox, as he hastes to prowl, 
 Turns romid with fierce emphatic howl; 
 Scared at the flash that lights the glen, 
 Flies back affrighted to his den. 
 
 IX. 
 
 The moon shines dim through her eclipse, 
 Shorn of her beams, mid smoke and fire; 
 The sulphury blaze the turret tips 
 Like Indians awful funeral pyre. 
 The trumpets clang, the dead-drums beat. 
 The tocsin flings its sullen sound ; 
 " My God ! the raging burning heat 
 Hath lapt the bridal chamber round ^ 
 
CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. ' 169 
 
 Haste ! burst that door ! though dark beneath 
 
 Yawn the dread sepulchres of death ; 
 
 Haste ! force it back ! why do you stand 
 
 With phrenzied glare, and folded hand 2-r- 
 
 A moment, and your life is nought ! 
 
 Descend, your all is but a thought ; 
 
 The smoke is curling dense and deep ; 
 
 The flames in hidden fury sweep. 
 
 See through that shattered lattice where 
 
 The bridal maidens rend their hair ; 
 
 As one by one the rafters fall. 
 
 And red behind them glows the wall. 
 
 They shriek ; they sink ; the blaze is bright ; 
 
 'Tis gone, and all is blank as night.'* 
 
 X. 
 
 Ha ! who is she mid yonder wood, -; 
 Beside that lonely haunted cave ; 
 Like a star ascending from the grave 
 She wanders by the flood ? 
 The bridal chains in glory deck 
 The graces of her lovely neck ; 
 
170 • FAIR HELEN. CANTO lY, 
 
 Seen mid the gleam that lights the pyre 
 Like wreathed fronds of phosphor fire : 
 She wrings her hands, she lifts her eye, 
 «« He's dead 1 he's dead ! I saw him die I 
 My pERciE ! Oh 1 my Percie's gone ! 
 And I, alas ! am left alone ; 
 The flames of death around him spread ; 
 These flames shall be my bridal bed.'* 
 
 XI. 
 
 What warlike knight, what frantic form 
 Is bounding cross that gloomy gorge ? 
 'Tis Percie braving the rushing storm 
 Where flames the fiery forge. 
 He is dashing the twisted shrubs aside. 
 He is plunging amid the torrent tide. 
 Red is that river, high in foam ; 
 « But redder still my true love's home. 
 What vision lingers by that wave, 
 W^rapt in the glories of the grave ? 
 My Adelaide ! ha ! 'tis she !" 
 Then rushed in trembling ecstacy ; 
 
CANTO VI. FAIE HELEN. 171 
 
 Clasped her within his trembling arms, 
 
 Blooming in resurrection's charms ; 
 
 Felt what that soul may only feel 
 
 Free^ from the burning crown and wheel : — 
 
 " Eternal heaven 1 my fate be thine, 
 
 To triumph and adore be mine ;" 
 
 Then knelt upon the dewy sod, 
 
 And poured his soul in praise to God. 
 
 XII. 
 'Tis morn ; the clouds in splendour roll 
 Above the form of yesterday ; 
 But where the mind, the kindling soul 
 That lightened beauty with its ray ? 
 Ah ! fled beyond the scene of things. 
 Where angels wave their golden wings ; 
 But the closed eye and the mangled form 
 Must bleach beneath the winter's storm. 
 Till the Derwent roll her waters past, 
 And yon glorious sun hath shone his last. 
 
Its FAIR HELEN. CANTQ IV. 
 
 How glorious on yon summit high. 
 Commanding the dome of the distant skj^ 
 To stand entranced ; as far around 
 The prospect lies devoid of bound. 
 But fading upon the wearied sight. 
 Amid the immensity of light, 
 Tar in the sea is seen to smile 
 The azure heights of Mona's isle, 
 Rearing her promontories and caves 
 Like emeralds mid the ocean waves ; 
 The grand receptacle, of yore. 
 Of bardic and druidic lore. 
 There Sol way rolls in glory wide 
 Her river like a golden tide, 
 Around old Sweetheart's ruined towers, 
 Where Caerlaverock's castle lours ; 
 Where like a line of silver falls 
 The Nith around Lincluden's walls; 
 Sweeping the Creefells ample base. 
 And circling Locher's ruined space*-^ 
 Then fancy flies, disdaining rest. 
 To where the Green Isles of the west 
 
CANTO IV. TAIR HELEN. 173 
 
 In distant darkness dimly lie^ 
 Like a faint streak drawn across the sky ; 
 Where the clouds in gloomy grandeur frowy 
 On the mountain heights of Erin Down. — 
 Now wheeling eastward, dares to roam 
 Where Durham braves the ocean foam ; 
 Where Cheviot rears her summits hoar 
 0*er lonely Till's romantic shore ; 
 And Stanemore heaves her giant forra 
 O'er Greta, moaning to the storm.— 
 Far to the South, the prospect lies 
 O'er mountains girdled by the skies ; 
 With mighty crags and rocks embossed 
 Like waves amid a tempest tost. 
 There Windermere from hence we hail 
 O'er the dark fells of Borrowdale, 
 That like a grey mist seems to glide 
 Along the mountain's shingly side. — 
 And stretching still, the view expands 
 •Beyond Lancastria's dreary sands $ 
 
174? FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV* 
 
 Where faintly seen, the fading tide 
 Gleams like a line along their side. — 
 More to the west High Furiiess rears 
 Her fells above the flood of years ; 
 Shagged with the relics of the storms 
 Bleaching upon their naked forms. 
 When falls the summer's setting sun 
 Upon their ravines dark and dun ; 
 Tlie awful darkness flies apace, 
 And glory lightens up the space ; 
 Each rock appears a burnished spire. 
 Glowing amid the furnace fire ; 
 And where a trickling rill descends, 
 The light of a thousand brilliants blends. 
 
 'Twas night ; the moon had just begun 
 To hold the place of the parted sun. 
 With a mild and softened lustre shone, 
 Afar on Skiddaw's ample cone ; 
 And o'er the brow of Walla hung 
 Like a lovely silver bow unstrung. 
 
CAl^O IV, FAIR HELEN. !75 
 
 While dark and deep the shadows lay 
 
 On the distant lake its isle and bay ; 
 
 No wind swept o'er the dun expanse^ 
 
 Upheaving the wave in airy dance ; 
 
 No tempest shook the forest trees. 
 
 No aspin quivered mid the breeze, 
 
 But fell the dews like a heavenly balm 
 
 Amid this universal calm : 
 
 The rocks that rose amid the beam 
 
 Of the night, appeared like rifted spires. 
 
 Or towers of bright and silvery gleam 
 
 Edged with etherial fires. 
 
 From whence the stars inhaled their ray. 
 
 And journeyed fortlx on their heavenly way. 
 
 As settled deep the transient gloom. 
 Around on mere and mountain coombe; 
 Seemed it as surging forth again, 
 On the morning dawn from chaotic reign ; 
 For here 'twas beautiful and grand, 
 Circled with light on either hand; 
 
It6 FAIR HELEN. C^NTO IV. 
 
 While vague and undefined, lay spread 
 Some mighty mountain's ample head. 
 Round which the silvery radiance fell. 
 Throwing its shade across the dell, 
 Where stretched the lake in ample fold 
 Of sable studded with gems of gold, 
 Refleoting from its placid breast 
 The stars in all their splendour dressed^ 
 
 Still dark aad deep the forests Jay, 
 
 Kor drunk one evanescent ray. 
 
 But buried in the gloom profound 
 
 That wrapt these awful scenes around j 
 
 While towering mid the blaze of even 
 
 The circle of the mountain rose, 
 
 Above the world a mass of snows. 
 
 Like clouds confusedly driven ; 
 
 Their bases hid in tenfold night, 
 
 While their towering summits flash in light. 
 
 Q. 
 
(CANTO IV. FAIR HELEN. 177 
 
 Where throned in vast gigantic form. 
 Rides forth the spirit of the storm. 
 The mist that formed on the distant tide, 
 Rolled to and fro in fancied pride, 
 A thousand varied forms assumed, 
 Of a thousand brilliant colours bloomed ; 
 Now like a column of smoke it spread 
 In gyres around Hellvyllyn's head ; 
 Then far above the fells it towered, 
 Through which the aerial lustre showered; 
 Flamed like a car of glory wove. 
 To waft the souls of the blest above. 
 
 Farewell ! the warrior turned and sighed, 
 As he marched along the mountain's side : 
 Farewell each lovely lake and plain. 
 Scenes we shall ne'er behold again ; 
 Sweet as a dream, when past and gone.— 
 We wander to a fate unknown ; 
 Perchance to swell the wreck of things. 
 O'er which the vultures flap their wings ; 
 
 M 
 
178 FAIR HELEN. CANTO IV, 
 
 Perchance immured in living tomb 
 To brave the noxious dungeon gloom : 
 Where'er I go, where'er I roam, 
 I'll think on thee, my Fathers' home ; 
 For there my Fathers' relics lie. 
 And there was spent my infancy. 
 Sweet scenes, adieu ! then turned aside 
 To dry the tear he strove to hide. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER, 
 
 CANTO FIFTH. 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE/ BORDER. 
 CANTO FIFTH. 
 
 1 IS said that the fete o^mortal man 
 Is but the boundary of a span ; 
 That time rolls on witi whelming wave 
 The nations of the ea/th away ; 
 That fame and freedom's passing ray 
 Shine but to gild Ijie's Httle day. 
 Then vanish in thft grave. 
 This is a tale mi/tit throb the ear 
 Of desolation's ^If to hear^ 
 
182 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V* 
 
 As he sits upon yon ruins lone, 
 Where sighs and sorrows pile his throne ; 
 Where weaves the blind worm, slow and dull, 
 Her chaplets round the warrior's skull ; 
 And howls the wild fox from the wall, 
 That bending, totters to its fall. 
 
 Yes ! graven on living tablets high 
 
 This legend long hath stood ; 
 
 " The way that leads beyond the sky. 
 
 Where the realms of ksting greatness lie 
 
 Across that awful flood, 
 
 Is through a life of peril and pain. 
 
 Through the woes and brdls of the battle plain. 
 
 For never may those aspire to tread 
 
 The courts of their God in lesLwen, 
 
 Whose courage quells mid thsi thunder's levin. 
 
 Beaconing the dark descending even, 
 
 In conflict of the dead ; 
 
 For the flame that burns on freedom's shrine^ 
 
 Must first on the battle'? bannat sLine." 
 
/ 
 
 £ANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 183 
 
 The morning's rays are on the flood. 
 
 Are trembling on the heaving wave ; 
 
 The Esk rolls red, a sea of blood, 
 
 Seen through the alleys of the woqd 
 
 From yon cool retired cave. 
 
 The Sol way's tide is high and wide, 
 
 Grand in her glory to behold, / 
 
 Where forms the host upon h^r coast, 
 
 Their armour bright as burnished gold. 
 
 Far to the right, a mighty band 
 
 Winds, steady, round the ocean strand. 
 
 Conspicuous in the iron vAn, 
 
 With plumed helm, andiabre drawn. 
 
 The Douglas comes fiom his ancient home. 
 
 Reared by the shores W the dark sea foam : 
 
 On his banner shines with costliest art. 
 
 The golden star and bleeding heart ; 
 
 While his merry Minstrels loudly play, 
 
 *« Bright is our ^r on the battle-day." 
 
 The drums on/Carlisle's walls are beat^ 
 The standard^ flaunt in feudal state, 
 
18^ ^AIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 The shrill fife's wild melodious tone 
 Dies on the hollow breeze's moan ; 
 The fishers pause on the silent oar. 
 To list the sounds by Wave and shore ; 
 For born afar on the rolling blast, 
 The pealing tones of destruction past. 
 The dun roe started from her dream, 
 And dashed the light foam from the stream j 
 Turned on the lonely height inclined, 
 Her nostrils broad to the moaning wind ; 
 Then nimbly bounding, sought the dell, 
 By the lonely steeps of Skiddaw's fell. 
 
 But never may yon blazing sun. 
 From his throne of clouds en high, 
 Ere shoot one ray across the sky 
 On her ravines dark and dun ; 
 For lonely still the shadow falls 
 On Carlisle's black embattled walls ; 
 Those walls where rolling dread and drear 
 The watch-fires through the night appear ; 
 
CANTO V, FAIR HELEN. 18$ 
 
 Those walls where the fleeting meteors play 
 On her battled turrets dark and grey, 
 Where the centinel so huge and grim 
 Leans on his torch and ch aunts his hymn ; 
 For the beacon-blaze is kindling round, 
 And ring the muster-shout and sound. 
 
 And why on Carlisle's battled walls. 
 
 On her ramparts dark and dread. 
 
 Is heard the warder's tramp and tread. 
 
 The battle-drums recalls ? 
 
 And why on her ramparts dark and dun, 
 
 Where never blazed the mid-day sun. 
 
 Is heard the bugle's loud reveiUe, 
 
 Blown from the mountain-pass and dale, 
 
 Where Keswick spreads her bosom wide. 
 
 And Ulva rolls her torrent tide ? — 
 
 That drum is pealed to rouse to the battle 
 
 The warlike mountaineer, 
 
 To rush with furbished helm and spear 
 
 Amid the conflict's rattle ; 
 
^86 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V, 
 
 To wake the bold undaunted kerne, 
 
 From their rocky keeps, from their forests derne; 
 
 That bugle blast is loudly blown. 
 
 To shake the mountain spirit's throne ; 
 
 To rouse from his almighty sleep 
 
 The Avenger of the world ; 
 
 And lo ! on Skiddaw's fells unfurled. 
 
 Their ensigns dark and deep 
 
 Are floating like wreaths of the burning levin, 
 
 Mid sulphury smoke and darkness driven. 
 
 Afar on Bassenthwaite they form 
 As clouds that herald winter's storm ; 
 In awful pomp they circling stand. 
 On her shores, a dread undaunted band ; 
 Kevenge is lightning rear and van ; 
 Their hearts are firm, their sabres drawn. 
 And loudly peals from the heights around 
 The desolating trumpet's sound. 
 
€ANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 137 
 
 But never, never may the flash 
 
 Of the battle star be nigh, 
 
 To light thy hoary turrets high, 
 
 Shot through the clouds of victory 
 
 From the thunder's awful crash ; 
 
 No, never may the choral strain 
 
 Of the stoled choir or the virgin train, 
 
 Ere roll by Eden's silent wave, 
 
 To hail the conquering battle brave ; 
 
 For the night of woe and wrath is nigh. 
 
 When the sons of thy fame must bleed and die. 
 
 <« Now ye who delight to meet the tread 
 
 Of the mighty 'bove the unburied dead ; 
 
 Who love to grapple hand to hand. 
 
 To justle shield, to measure brand ; 
 
 To whom the sound of the trumpet speaks 
 
 A joy the glowing bosom streaks ; 
 
 Let him lift his poldron proudly high. 
 
 Let his battle-bugle ring reply. 
 
 For our course is held through perils great, 
 
 Through the wreck and wrongs of a plundered $tate, 
 
18:S ^AIR HELEN. CANTO V, 
 
 And the guerdon that we boldly crave 
 Is our country's freedom or a grave, 
 
 *^ Say, is there one whose courage quells 
 
 When he hears the sound of the deadly drum, 
 
 Or whose eye the tear of terror swells 
 
 When he hears the war-denouncing yells, 
 
 Its rushing shout and hum ; 
 
 Trembles like aspine leaf or fern, 
 
 When he hears the roar of their tygers stern ? — 
 
 Let him turn to the land of his fathers free, 
 
 To his home beneath the forest-tr^e ; 
 
 Let him turn to his pathless mountains high, 
 
 With a coward we scorn to stand or die : 
 
 No ! glory alone shall gild the shield, 
 
 Where honour and valour tread the field. 
 
 " Sound, sound the charge ! for flashing near, 
 I see the helm of the mountaineer ; 
 Proudly their warlike hordes advance, 
 High rings the shield and flames the lance ; 
 
CANTO T. PAIR HELEN. 189 
 
 Slowly yet firm your plialanx form, 
 
 To meet the shock of the coming storm : 
 
 Circle around in stern array ; 
 
 But pause on the eve of this mortal fray. 
 
 Then lift your helmed brows to heaven, 
 
 And ask of your God to be forgiven ; 
 
 For never may those warriors stand 
 
 In the battle storm that sweeps their land, 
 
 Who proudly buckle shield and sword. 
 
 Nor bend the knee to their leading Lord/' 
 
 All still as death on the Solway sand 
 
 The mighty of the Border stand j^ 
 
 The fire of freedom lits each eye, 
 
 And their deadly spears on a level lie, 
 
 Invulnerable as the rock, 
 
 To brave the hideous battle shock. 
 
 Behind them rolls the Solway flood. 
 
 Whose waves shall be tinged with the warriqrs' 
 
 blood ; 
 Their left is a rocky rugged mound, 
 Before them lies an ample bounds 
 
190 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V» 
 
 Fit space to form their dread arra}', 
 And give their foemen room to play. 
 
 Down from the distant wold they come 
 With sounding trump and beating drum ; 
 Their heavy armed battalions dread 
 Advance with measured tramp and tread. 
 Bright in the van the ensigns blaze, 
 Kindling amid the orient rays, 
 That tremble from the fells afar. 
 Deepening around the files of war. 
 
 Their march to the conflict of the brave 
 Is like the course of a wintery wave. 
 When from the ocean of the North 
 Before the storm it issues forth ; 
 Roars, swells and boils round isle and dome, 
 Its long dark bosom decked with foam : 
 So dreadful rings the battle swell ; 
 So loud their armours clang and knell. 
 
CANTO V. 
 
 TAIR HELEN. 191 
 
 Tliey halt ; they shout ; then silent stand, 
 In awful pause, with grasped brand ; 
 Glare on their foemen, forming near. 
 And burn to lance, the deadly spear ; 
 To bend for fight the unerring bow, 
 And rush impetuous on the foe. 
 
 A moment, this awfiil pause is given ; 
 
 So still, you might hear the winds of heaven 
 
 In softest whispers wander by, 
 
 Though they scarcely stirred the lichens nigh ; 
 
 So still, you might hear a foot-fall pass 
 
 On the bosom of the bending grass, 
 
 Or hum of the lonely mountain bee 
 
 Wandering its way on the flowery lee. 
 
 'Tis broke ; the trumpet knell is rung, 
 
 And the bandiliers on high are swung 5 
 
 From front to front, from line to line. 
 
 The unsheathing swords terrific shine. 
 
 Their flash is like the flickering levin, 
 
 And the death- whoop sweeps the vault of heaven, 
 
19^ FAIR HELEN. CANT6 V; 
 
 Brave Douglas spurs his fiery steed, 
 
 He falls on their flank with the lightning's speed, 
 
 Whirls his proud lance resistless round, 
 
 And deals no vain ignoble wound ; 
 
 For the brave Sir Hubert hath met its stroke, 
 
 And the twisted rings on his gorget broke ; 
 
 Smote through his iron circled breast. 
 
 And sent his soul to its endless rest. 
 
 The omened wound is loudly hailed. 
 
 And already in thought the Scots prevailed ; 
 
 Rushed on impetuous to the strife. 
 
 Though every step was a warrior's life ; 
 
 Dashed the steel ranks of their foes aside, 
 
 And broke the van of their mountain pride. 
 
 Now gleam the deadly brands on high ; 
 The comets clang, and the arrows fly ; 
 And gored and gashed upon the plain 
 Lies many a gallant warrior slain ; 
 Who ne'er shall rein his battle horse, 
 Nor stem the tide of the conflict's force. 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 1$3 
 
 While sternly lours the serried band. 
 Like an ice rock on the ocean strand, 
 Whose front the dashing storm-surf laves. 
 And it proudly towers o'er winds and waves. 
 
 Howard, thou bold undaunted knight. 
 
 Why is thy sword undrawn ? 
 
 Haste, wave it in yon warrior's sight. 
 
 Ward back his brand's destroying might 
 
 That smites thy iron van ; 
 
 For his arm deals desolation round. 
 
 And the chief of thy bowmen strew the ground. 
 
 There was a glow on that warrior's eye 
 That kindled the soul to daring high ; 
 He flung his mace at the Douglas's head. 
 But it fell like a bolt mid the recent dead : 
 His sword descends with erring force, 
 But it clove the brain of his battle horse ; 
 Sheer through the charger's neck it sped. 
 And dyed his chanfron ghastly red ; 
 
191* lAlIl HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 Plunging he reared, then backward fell, 
 While his arms resound with a hollow knell. 
 
 Rising, the Douglas foamed with ire. 
 And swam his eyes in their cells of fire ; 
 Snatched his soiled helmet from the dust. 
 And levelled his spear for a deadly thrust ; 
 Crash through the Howard's side it past, 
 He fell on his horse's mane, 
 His life blood spouted on the plain : 
 Charge ! charge ! it was his last ; 
 Half formed the sounds dissolved away. 
 And fell the Howard a form of clay. 
 
 Brave Douglas saw the warrior fall. 
 
 He saw the pride of his country low, 
 
 He bade his archers spread the pall. 
 
 To shield a generous foe ; 
 
 Then bear him safe from the crashing tread-, 
 
 .For the mighty war not with the dead : 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN, l&$ 
 
 They bare him safe from the bloody field, 
 
 And laid him at rest by the murmuring wave, 
 
 Placed on his breast his shattered shield, 
 
 The relics of the brave ; 
 
 For a nobler pile may none attain. 
 
 Than that is raised on the battle plain. 
 
 Ah ! who is she beneath yon thorn, 
 That waves its sere boughs to the wind. 
 O'er her warrior's bleeding form inclined, 
 Like a vision of the morn ; 
 Who bathes his wounds with many a tear. 
 And clasps his bosom doubly dear ; 
 She hath loosed his barred aventayle, 
 Unclasped the ring of his twisted mail ; 
 She hath wiped the blood drop from his brow, 
 And kissed the stain from his breast of snow ; 
 She hath lifted her pensive eye to heaven 
 That shone like the parting ray of even. 
 To trace mid the golden clouds above 
 The ransomed form of her bleeding love ; 
 
196' FAIR HELEN. CANTO V- 
 
 For, ah ! her heart is throbbed with pain, 
 As the dream of the past returns again, 
 
 'Tis lovely Mey, the Cumbrian's pride, 
 The Howard's beauteous blushing bride ; 
 Firm in her love she had roamed afar, 
 To share with her Lord the woes of war : 
 She had traced the lion crest of pride. 
 O'er the sons of his fathers waving wide ; 
 Had marked his bearing with eagle eye. 
 The collared bull, as he frowned on high ; 
 Saw his white plume mid the darkness dance, 
 And the pledge on his barred helmet glance ; 
 Pursued it as it rose and fell. 
 And drunk with joy his bugle knell. 
 Till rolled the deadly battle cloud. 
 And wrapt his glories in its shroud. 
 
CANTO V: PAIR HELEN. 19? 
 
 Dirge. 
 I- 
 
 O I long, long, may she sit and mourn, 
 
 Beside his bleeding clay ; 
 Bedew with tears his funeral urn, 
 
 And weep her bloom away. 
 
 II. 
 
 Long, long, bedew the wild weed green 
 That grows above his grave •, 
 
 But never, never, wake again 
 Her Lord, her lover brave. 
 
 IIL 
 
 No I when the spring hath breathed mild 
 
 On nature's perished mold, 
 And waked to life each field flower wild 
 
 From winter's icy fold ; 
 
198 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 IV. 
 
 His dust, unconscious of the same, 
 
 Shall ever mouldering lie, 
 Till breathes the renovating flame 
 
 Of being from on high ; 
 
 V. 
 
 Then shall the morning of the grave 
 In glowing charms unfold, v . . . : . 
 
 And man's corrupted form shall spring 
 Refined as purest gold* 
 
 :.v.r- r,-:v^ ^riv/ . : , 
 
 The glow of pride was on Fleming's eye 
 As he heard the Douglas's welUcnown cry ; 
 As he saw transfixed with many a dart, 
 The bannered folds of the bleeding heart ; 
 " On ! Warriors; oh I my Country, on 4 
 On to the strife of death ; 
 Lo ! glory shines on our battle-paj;b, 
 And freedom stands alone, ^ - f ^ •' [ 
 Poised in her hand the meed of glory, 
 "Whose fame shall live in future story/' 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 199 
 
 He said ; then burst resistless forth 
 
 A thousand by h^, sjklej 
 
 Rolled back the war like the tempest tide 
 
 That shakes the sounding north; 
 
 Their hors^* l^jdks dyed with blood, 
 
 As they splashed through the black and burning 
 
 flood; 
 Horrid and wild the dying groan, 
 The crashing shield, the breaking bone, 
 Where the battle rolled its terrors red, 
 Treading the dying and the dead ; 
 Where bacnets rung against the ground, 
 And ay the war^irum's deepening sound 
 Came slow and sullen down the heath, 
 To drown the wail, the jshriek of death. 
 
 Accursed be he, yon coward slave, 
 
 Who stems the foam of the rushing wave. 
 
 Whose proudly prancing battle horse 
 
 Snorts as he breasts the torrent's force ; 
 
 The foam is flowing wildly grand, 
 
 And the surge is chafing his buckled brand : 
 
200 FAIR HELEK. CANTO V. 
 
 The blood of a foeman darkly red 
 Is not on that coward's banner ^read ; 
 His saltier glitters in golden pride, 
 But its star is not in the conflict dyed ; 
 He hastes, he hurries with speed away. 
 Nor turns to look on the deadly fray. 
 
 That chief is the bough of an ancient tree, 
 The remains of a noble pedigree ; 
 Gone to the dust his great forbears, 
 But their fame is rolled on the tide of years ; 
 'Tis rolled like the Solway's surge away, 
 Like the beam that trembles on the bay, 
 And shall I shrink the name to tell ? 
 My country knows the Cuming well. 
 
 The Ikwin saw the traitor fly, 
 
 And redly rolled his eagle eye j 
 
 A transient flush of that innate flame 
 
 Glowed on his cheek for a brother's shame ; 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 201 
 
 A brother ! No. Detested slave, 
 I rase thee from the rolls of the brave, 
 And let disgrace with her fiendish fame 
 Still blazon forth thy eternal shame. 
 
 Where fight the clans of the brown heath dun. 
 
 The Armstrongs and the Elliots brave; 
 
 Their helms are glancing in the sun, 
 
 And red the spear and glaive ? 
 
 They fight mid the battle's rudest shock, 
 
 They stand like an ocean-girdled rock ; 
 
 * 
 Revenge the watch-word and reply 
 
 Heard mid their battled files to die : 
 
 Their step is not on the heath flower wild. 
 
 On the limber fern on the mountain piled ; 
 
 'Tis not on the slope of the greensward hill, 
 
 By the chiming brook or the babbling rill ; 
 
 Ah 1 no ; 'tis the slippery tramp and tread 
 
 Mid the blood of the dying and the dead ; 
 
 For they have stood 'gainst the brave clan Gray, 
 
 Whose glory hath waned like the moon away. 
 
202 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 What ! ho, ye Chiefs of the Annan's course, 
 
 Johnston and JardIne, and bold Dalziel ; 
 
 Haste, stem the Cumbrian's rushing force, 
 
 Bear back the Lowther's ring of horse. 
 
 Peal high the Reaver's knell ; 
 
 For rushing on like a mighty tide, 
 
 Jjike a torrent from the red scaur's side. 
 
 The savage chiefs of the wold descend, 
 
 In moony force round your phalanx bend j 
 
 Their sabres gleam with a deadly sweep. 
 
 And the brave are the prize that in blood they reap : 
 
 Like demons hurrying on in wrath. 
 
 They come in the harvest day of death. 
 
 Prepare for the attack; joust shield to shield. 
 
 Press foot to foot, and hand to hand ; 
 
 Firm as the rock of the desart stand ; 
 
 Tho' your blood should die the parched sand, 
 
 O scorn, ye Brave, to yield. 
 
 Like a wall of fire surround the grave 
 
 Where your fathers' bones their dwellings have ; 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 203 
 
 For there your fathers' relics lie, 
 
 Where the sea-blasts o'er them sadly sigh. 
 
 'Tis done : Borne backward on his Course, 
 
 Lies many a spurning battle horse ; 
 
 His rider plunged amid the flood. 
 
 The awful tide of woe and blood. 
 
 That round their shattered relics rolls 
 
 A passage to a thousand souls. 
 
 For the strife is high, and the conflict's fire 
 
 Is flashing wide in its deadly ire ; 
 
 Their helmets ring against the ground. 
 
 And the mail returns a hollow sound ; 
 
 Destruction sits on the carnage wave. 
 
 Mocking the groans of the wounded brave^ 
 
 Who lie o'erthrown in the conflict's course, 
 
 Their bosoms crushed by the prancing horse. 
 
 But who may dare of the strife to tell, 
 Of the conflict where the mighty fell ; 
 When valour closed her iron van. 
 When horse lo horse, and man to man 
 
204* FAIR HELEN. GANTO V. 
 
 Rushed onward with decisive tread, 
 Trampling the dying and the dead ; 
 When not a sound was heard to roll 
 Save the lonely bugle's dying toll, 
 Or the hollow roul of the deadly drum, 
 To drown the groan or the plaintive hum ; 
 Where flashing down the heavens afar 
 Appeared the bomb's descending star, 
 VoUying amid the darkness driven. 
 In awful clouds round the vault of heaven; 
 And the shattered pennon to and fro 
 Waving amid the lightning's glow ? 
 
 As rolls the river, swoln with rain, 
 Adown the rugged cliffs afar, 
 Sweltering and whirling o'er the plain 
 In elemental war ; 
 As two contending currents meet 
 In eddying whirl, and rude turmoil. 
 When high is blown the foamy sheet 
 Where deep the black waves boil ; 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN* 205 
 
 Their long dark heads upheave and roar, 
 And shake the sounding flood and shore : 
 Even thus the war troops fiercely join, 
 Their bucklers ring, their sabres shine. 
 The fireflaughts flash from deadly dint, 
 As bursts the hidden blaze from flint* 
 Now long and loud it rages nigh. 
 Now seems amid the dell to die ; 
 The shriek of death, the groan afar 
 Tell of the bloody deeds of war. 
 
 Though small the column mustering near, 
 Theirs is the heart unknown to fear ; 
 Theii's is the bold undaunted scowl. 
 Where terror never thrills the soul ; 
 When poised upon their stirrups* hold 
 They swing the javelin's point of gold, 
 Or aim with rancorous vengeful thrust 
 The stroke that hurls them to the dust ; 
 Who love to grapple fierce in fight, 
 And strain and struggle firm in might ; 
 
206 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 Despise their foeman*s furious wrath. 
 And smile in the embrace of death. 
 
 Thrice Irwin dashed with furious shock 
 His war steed 'gainst the opposing rock ; 
 And thrice repulsed, he trode their gore, 
 As ocean ebbing flies the shore. 
 Again returned with onset dread, 
 tie strewed the battle-field with dead ; 
 Buried his sword in many a breast. 
 And sent them to eternal rest. — 
 Eternal I No. From the realms on high 
 An angel's trumpet yet shall ring, 
 When dawning o'er the perished sky 
 The glorious morning of the spring ; 
 Whose power shall burst the wintry grave. 
 Shall wake the millions of the brave, 
 Who have nobly dared, in the battle's strife, 
 Their foes, at the forfeit of their life. 
 
 The Dacres rushed, where mid the bound 
 His arm dealt desolation round ; 
 
^AlTTO r, ^AIR HELEN. 207 
 
 Across the wedged files he pressed. 
 With axe in hand, and spear at rest ; 
 Mowed down the thickest of their ranks, 
 And turned the Johnstons* furious flanks; 
 Then full before the Irwin stood, 
 Who paused amid his toil of blood ; 
 And cried, " Now, Freedom, nerve my arm, 
 Inspire my soul with potent charm 
 To brave the glory of their host, 
 Their present fame and former boast." 
 Then drew his hand across his brow 
 To wipe the di'ops that freely flow. 
 
 They spur their steeds with furious shock. 
 Their spears in thousand splinters broke; 
 The fireflaughts flash from either shield 
 Like lightning down the distant field ; 
 Then drew their swords, that gleamed afm*. 
 Like coruscations of the star. 
 Kindled on lofty Withrop's brow, 
 To light the gloomy dells below. 
 
20S FAIR HELEN* 
 
 CANTO Vr 
 
 They fought full sore with might and main. 
 
 Till blood ran down like drops of rain ; 
 
 Reared their proud steeds o'er many a tomb. 
 
 And champed their bridles white with foam, 
 
 ^The Dacres furious onward prest, 
 
 Gashed his broad sword through Irwin's breast ; 
 
 So deadly was the swing and stroke 
 
 The blade within the body broke. 
 
 When Irwin saw his life blood flow, 
 
 He rushed impetuous on the foe ; 
 
 Aimed well his stroke with dread design, 
 
 He clove his foeman to the chine ; 
 
 Prone fell he from his saddle-bow. 
 
 And his heart's blood dyed the sand below. 
 
 Twice through the fight the wai'rior rode. 
 Though red and dread the torrent flowed; 
 His knights to animate, command. 
 And waving round his bloody brand, 
 *« Press on, my Veterans ! ours the day ; 
 Lo ! glory shines to light our way. 
 
CANTO T. FAIR HELEN. 209 
 
 Who shall not fight when freedom leads? 
 Who shall not stand when virtue pleads ? 
 Know, they who fall where freemen lie, 
 Know, they who bleed where freemen die, 
 Shall shine in ray of glory given, 
 Shall rise upon its fire to heaven." 
 Spent in the glorious task his breath, 
 And fell in honourable death. 
 
 What ! is there none of all the throng 
 
 Of the mighty sons of Minstrelsy, 
 
 May dare to raise one sacred song 
 
 To the memory of the free ? 
 
 May dare at hallowed eve to tread 
 
 O'er the sod that wraps the mighty dead, 
 
 And wake a bold, a lasting theme. 
 
 The renown of the warrior's cherished name ; 
 
 Rend the dark ivy from his grave. 
 
 And sing to the shades of the perished brave ? 
 
 'Tis partial still, for a thousand names 
 
 Are ushering forth their deathless claims, 
 
210 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 Are bending in wrath from their thrones on high. 
 
 And claiming the meed shall never die. 
 
 For they have fought ; yes, they have bled, 
 
 For their country's right was their life-blood shed ; 
 
 Have stood in the conflict's serried van, 
 
 Where the swords of the brave were proudly 
 
 drawn ; 
 Where the high resolve was the fame of the free> 
 And the shout was death or victory. 
 
 Yes ! they the eternal meed shall have, 
 
 When the battle's last retreat is blown : 
 
 I pause not now. Lo ! the sons of the brave 
 
 In awful wrath are hurrying on ; 
 
 Are dying their battle sabres red ; 
 
 Are wading amid the blood of the dead ; 
 
 While loud the shuddering shriek and yell 
 
 Is echoed back from field and fell. 
 
 The LowTHER leads his mighty band 
 The whelming fury to withstand 
 
GANTOV. FAIR HELEN. 211 
 
 Of Sharp, of Herries, of bold Dalziel, 
 Led on by the brave Sir Ewin Bell ; 
 A nobler chief ne'er trode the field, 
 Or poised on his arm the embattled shield ; 
 Sprung from a lineage proud and high, 
 And graced with feats of chivalry. 
 
 He rode across the martial line, 
 
 Shouted the charge and gave the sign, 
 
 Then rushed impetuous on the foe ; 
 
 Their weapons gave no second blow. 
 
 As tygers mid their native dell, 
 
 When they hear the savage hunters' yell, 
 
 Their eye-balls roll in deadly ire, 
 
 They roar, they foam, then burst the fire ; 
 
 Fall on the hunters circling near, 
 
 And gride with their teeth the deadly spear : 
 
 So rushed they forth. By Heaven ! the star 
 
 Is set mid the rolling clouds of war ; 
 
 The bannered cross, the shield, and Bell 
 
 Are hid mid the battle's darkening swell. 
 
212 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V, 
 
 Whose steed is that flies fast and far. 
 Scared by the thunders of the war ? 
 My Country ! 'tis the Herries bold ; 
 I know by his chanfron cased in gold ; 
 I know by the dove on his azure crest ; 
 My God ! declined on his bleeding breast 
 His severed head ! a horrid sight. 
 And his bloody trunk is fixed upright ; 
 It bends ; it totters *, now down it falls, 
 And low lies the pride of the Hoddam walls. 
 
 Amid the battle's rolling surge. 
 The Flemings still the conflict urge ; 
 Till sunk the race of the gallant Graeme, 
 And ruin hovered o'er his fame. 
 For gashed beneath the bloody fray 
 The bravest of his warriors lay ; 
 While slowly, fighting 'neath the shield, 
 Withdrew the wreck of the battle-field. 
 
 The drums of death are loudly beat 
 The trumpets ring for the host's retreat 
 
CANTO V. FAIR HELEN. 213 
 
 Kindling aloft on the rocky spires 
 
 Are seen the solitary fires, 
 
 To mark the bloody battle-bound. 
 
 To guard from the wolf the sacred ground. 
 
 The watch is set ; the charge is given ; 
 
 And the word is " Confidence in heaven." 
 
 For a thousand of these veterans brave 
 
 Must rest this night in the silent grave ; 
 
 And a thousand of their leaders lie 
 
 Where the winds of death shall o'er them sigh. 
 
 The Minstrels tuned their harps sublime. 
 
 And sung of the brave of their meed of time ; 
 
 Their nobler fame in glory given, 
 
 Their homes prepared in the realms of heaven. 
 
 And still as the choral minstrelsy 
 
 Ascended and died mid the distant sky, 
 
 The wounded warrior raised his head 
 
 To catch the sounds ere they parting fled ; 
 
 Dropt on his shield the farewell tear, 
 
 And sadly sighed the strains to hear ; 
 
214 FAIR HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 For his heart was waxing faint and cold, 
 And his life-blood dewed the parched mold. 
 
 Co tiie ^oon. 
 I, 
 
 O thou who ridest in yon cloudless sky, 
 
 Circling the vast of heaven ; 
 
 Where worlds on worlds unnumbered lie. 
 
 And the songs of the blest are heard to die 
 
 From their golden harps at even : 
 
 Thou beacon-star of the realm of night 
 
 O smile not now in thy glory bright ; 
 
 But wrap thy pure etherial form 
 
 In the lapse of the dark destroying storm j 
 
 For woe and desolation hurled 
 
 Are treading the shores of a wasted world ; 
 
 Are shrouding in blood the battle van, 
 
 ^nd piling the wreck of man on man. 
 
CANTO V. PAIll HELEN. 21, 
 
 11. 
 
 No ! from the first of ages given, 
 From the march of day on high ; 
 Since the era of thy birth in heaven 
 Hath woe and ruin, and warfare driven. 
 Rushed on beneath the sky ; 
 Hath rolled the deadly carnage stream 
 In the glories of thy midnight beam. 
 Then shroud not thy bright celestial frame 
 In the clouds of the deepening storm ; 
 Thou still shalt shine a heavenly form, 
 A constellated flame. 
 Till the morning of the just ascend, 
 And the day-spring dawn shall never end. 
 
 III. 
 
 Thou lookest on man firom thy throne on high 
 
 As thou roUest in thy light ; 
 
 He is great in the pride of his eagle eye ; 
 
 Anon the death winds round him sigh. 
 
 He sinks mid the clouds of night ^ 
 
216 TAin HELEN. CANTO V. 
 
 Thy cold ray trembles above his head, 
 In the silent mansions of the dead. 
 
 Yes ! thou shalt see them fade away 
 
 Like the foam or the wreck on the ocean spray ; 
 
 They shall fade from thy vision one by one, 
 
 Like the snow-drop on the mountain stone ; 
 
 Yet still shall thy circle be on high^ 
 
 Thy crescent gem the azure sky, 
 
 Till time hath rolled on his whirlwinds past 
 
 The millions of the brave, 
 
 And o'er the warrior's bloody grave 
 
 His ponderous shroud hath cast ; 
 
 But thy golden path shall ever tend, 
 
 And around these mighty mountains bend 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER, 
 
 CANTO SIXTH, 
 
FAIR HELEN, 
 
 A TALE OF THE BORDER. 
 
 CANTO SIXTH. 
 
 1 HE moon arose, in all her pomp arrayed, 
 The clouds of night far to the westward rolled, 
 And flung the hue of heaven on grove and glade, 
 Striped with the blending streak of light and gold; 
 Solemn and slow the bell of twilight tolled. 
 Whose dying echoes lingered on the flood 
 That swept the relics of the great, the bold, 
 Down the dark vistas of the moaning wood, 
 Its snowy foam distained with many a warrioi^s 
 blood. 
 
220 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 IL 
 
 Ah jne ! what ghastly scenes unfold around, 
 The dead, the dying, friend and foe are there, 
 The long drawn sob, the melancholy sound 
 Of victim writhing in the cold night air -, 
 The rending shriek, the anguish of despair, 
 Of parent plaining o*er her mangled child. 
 The lovely maniac's half connected prayer. 
 Bent o'er yon shattered corpse in vision wild. 
 Her lover once, but now to death's dark home ex- 
 iled. 
 
 III. 
 
 Sadly the music of the burial dies, 
 
 With solemn sound and holy pause between. 
 
 To waft the suffering spirit to the skies. 
 
 And wear away the thought of what had been; 
 
 For now, alas ! a dark and dreary scene 
 
 On widowed wives and orphan children stole. 
 
 They whom the sun had ever happy seen. 
 
 Still moved and cherished by a kindred soul. 
 
 Now feel the joys of time diverge to misery's goaL 
 
CANTO VI. 
 
 FAIR HELEN. ^221 
 
 IV. 
 
 And as the shovelled earth, with hollow knell, 
 Beat on the breast a heart-appalling sound, 
 From Fleming's eye the tear unweeting fell, 
 His bended knee unconscious pressed the ground ; 
 Stern Barons bowed the helmed head around, 
 Propt on the shattered lance; while heavenward 
 
 wind, 
 The holy anthems of the just profound, 
 A requiem chaunted to the lingering mind, 
 That checked its aerial flight, and wept and looked 
 
 behind. 
 
 V. 
 
 The day is past ; the power of death is done. 
 The last sad rites of sepulture are given -, 
 Dark that abode, nor moon, nor star, nor sun 
 Shall pierce its chambers from their thrones in 
 
 heaven : 
 There shall they sleep beneath the fall of even, 
 
2'J2 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VT. 
 
 Till loud and long the judgment trumpets ring, 
 Till heaven and earth in endless ruin driven, 
 And man immortal from the dust shall spring, 
 Pass the dread bounds of death, and soar on seraph 
 wing, 
 
 VI. 
 
 Farewell ! a long farewell ! the Warrior sigrhed 
 To them reposing in the silent clay ; 
 Farewell ! I go to meet my plighted bride, 
 And strive to win her anguished thoughts away ; 
 For sad to her hath been this battle-day ; 
 Her noble Sire, her bosom's friend, her Brother, 
 Are vanished as the morning's fleeting ray. 
 Gone to the mouldering dust that wraps her Mo- 
 ther, 
 Clasped, coldly clasped for ay, in arms of one 
 another. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELE^. 223 
 
 But Helen's image on his soul 
 In all the charms of sorrow stole ; 
 He saw her pale and pensive face 
 Fraught with a melancholy grace ; 
 But ah ! the rending pangj the dart 
 That quivered in his aching heart : 
 How could he say, how could he tell 
 Her father bled, her brother fell, 
 Gashed mid the bloody battle's sweU ? 
 It could not be ; his soul was wrung, 
 The ave faultered on his tongue ; 
 His bosom beat, his warlike form 
 Was tossed like aspen in the storm ; 
 For love and pity when combined 
 Swell like the torrent on the mind ; 
 Hate smiles at fear, rage laughs at faith. 
 But pity welcomes love in death. 
 
 The night hath girdled Solway's tide, 
 The moon on Tindel-fell is shining. 
 The star that rose on Skiddaw's side 
 Is faintly down the heavens declining. 
 
224« FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI, 
 
 The winds are lown, and Solwa^s tide 
 Flows soft and smoothly to the main. 
 Save where those shattered relics glide, 
 Washed from the level sandy plain ; 
 Save where the Esk's dark current dashes, 
 And brightly in the moonshine flashes. 
 
 The Fleming wound his bugle knell, 
 
 That rung through bosky den and dell ; 
 
 Awoke the warrior from his dream, 
 
 Musing beside the murmuring stream. 
 
 Haste ! gird the helm and brace the sword ; 
 
 Go, cross the waters of the ford ; 
 
 Away for Kirtle's vale we hie, 
 
 Bright shines the night-star on the sky. 
 
 Beaming in heaven a splendid lamp, 
 
 To cheer the moss-fog hovering damp ; 
 
 For sailing like a snowy cloud. 
 
 It wraps the moor-fell in its shroud. 
 
 They march along the river's side. 
 Where the Sark her silent eddies glide. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 225 
 
 Trailing her long black sinous fold, , 
 From the heathy moor and the mossy wold. 
 No fragrant birch is weeping there, 
 No wild flower scents the summer air, 
 But hoary bearded cannachs stand. 
 Whitening the lonely desart strand ; 
 Their light and downy forms are driven 
 Around on the slightest breeze of heaven, 
 That slowly wavering to and fro ' ' ' 
 Appear to the eye a shower of snow. 
 The lichens pale, and the glossy fern, 
 Are fringing the ravines dull and stern. 
 Where the lapwing wakes her wildest ciy, 
 And the owl of the desart rustles by. 
 
 For here 'twould seem, on this boundless plain. 
 Stern desolation hath fixed her reign, 
 Blasted with her pernicious breath 
 Both shrub and flower on hill and heath ; 
 Given to the wild winds of the wold 
 The moor-bell streaked with leafy gold, 
 
$26 TAlJk «ELEN. CANTO V^, 
 
 And flung the horrors of the sky 
 
 On the shattered palm-trees bleachhig nigh. 
 
 The light burns bright fi'om the Priorie, 
 And the bell tolls loud on the Canonbye ; 
 The black cock crows in his hue of pride 
 From the rushy heights of Howelside ; 
 Gleams a blue flame round the ruined cross. 
 That sinks mid the wreck of the Gillshaw moss ; 
 Comes the loud shout from the hunters' peels, 
 Reared by the bounds of the daj'k Sark shiels, { 
 And dies on the passing gale away, 
 Round Wiseby-hill and Woodhouse grey. 
 
 They reach Kirkconncl's woods at last ; 
 A glance of fear the Fleming cast, 
 For fell upon his wildered mind 
 A feeling dark and undefined ; 
 Then quickly fleeting, fled the brain. 
 While transport faintly glowed agaui. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEJN. 227 
 
 « O sweet to nie tliis lonely bower, 
 This rose in native grandeur bending, 
 'Twas here I first beheld my flower 
 In all her charms and beauty blending. 
 This forest-flower, it was the first 
 That ere my tranced emotions drew ; 
 My tears and smiles its blushes nurst. 
 As blooms that rose mid sun and dew ; 
 And here the ring-dove's plaintive voice 
 Bore witness to my earliest choice ; 
 And yonder pale but lovely star 
 That gems the western heaven's symar, 
 So softly shone on tower and tree 
 To cheer my forest^flower and me." — 
 " That forest flower may ne'er be thine. 
 Its plighted charms have long been mine' 
 Replied the haughty Chief of Bell, 
 As stem he strode across the dell. 
 Thinkst thou, the form of yesterday, 
 To reave my purposed right away ? 
 Sooner thy heart shall glut my steel : 
 Hence ! ere my injured pride thou feel." — 
 
228 FAIR HELEN. GANTO Vf. 
 
 " I ever scorned the bravo's word ; 
 
 My answer here !"-^he grasped his sword ; 
 
 ** On this my future hopes rely, 
 
 By this I win my bride or die :" 
 
 Then back he stepped, made bare his brand. 
 
 And lightly poised it in his hand. — 
 
 " What ! beard the tyger in his den ? 
 
 Thee I meanest of the sons of men 1 
 
 I from a race of heroes sprung. 
 
 Whose warlike actions live in story ; 
 
 Must I be braved by stripling tongue ? 
 
 I more respect my father's glory 
 
 Than crop thee, silly shrivelled bud, 
 
 Or stain my broad-sword with thy blood." 
 
 " The Fleming's hall is known to all, 
 Then why these hints of basely born ? 
 Know, Fleming's bride, his house of pride 
 Alike despise thy rage and scorn." 
 
 " Tis well ; to-morrow sees this strife 
 Or quenched in Bell or Fleming's life ; 
 
CANTO Vr. FAIR HELEjJV 229 
 
 Her heart may fondly throb to thine, 
 But know her joy is dashed by mine ; 
 I'll pile the fire-flame round the tree 
 To light this bridal jubilee ; 
 All other passions ebb and swell, 
 But jealousy is fixed as hell; 
 That hell, ere vespers shalt thou feel, 
 Go, crop thy flower, but dread my steel !" 
 He said, then turned indignant round, 
 Soon hid by the opposing mound. 
 
 " Ho ! Allen !" the warlike Fleming cried; 
 
 " To wile my mood away, 
 
 Awake a long forgotten lay. 
 
 Some Border Baron's pride ; 
 
 Let the song be wild, yet sadly grand, 
 
 As may suit the genius of the land ; 
 
 For well I know thy power to ring 
 
 The hoary harp's responding string ; 
 
 To wake with all the Minstrel's art 
 
 A theme may touch the throbbing heart ; 
 
230 • FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI' 
 
 O wake the melody of grief 
 
 To give my bursting soul relief." 
 
 The Minstrel drooped his head and sighed 
 When he spoke of a Border Baron's pride, 
 For well, I ween, that Minstrel true 
 The wrongs of his great forefathers knew ; 
 When Reavers from the Border came 
 And wrapt his father's halls in flame ; 
 When, all, save himself and his hoary sire, 
 Were smouldered amid the sacking fire. 
 
 The memory of these days again 
 Passed hke a vision o'er his brain ; 
 And as he thought on those awful years 
 His withered cheek was wet with tears ; 
 And rose his bosom's sob and sigh 
 For the ruin of days long past and by. 
 " O wearied and faint, and woe begone," 
 The hoary harper sighed, 
 '« And feeble, alas ! my Minstrel tone 
 To sing of the Border pride. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELKN. 231 
 
 But I will wake a legend kiy 
 
 Oft to tliy fathers sung, 
 
 And many a time, in life's distant day, 
 
 Has this plaintive measure riing : 
 
 'Tis soothly sad ; 'tis a tale of old. 
 
 Of a gay Lady and a Warrior bold." 
 
 goung DouglaiG? auD Jfair Margaret, 
 
 A BALLAD. 
 I. 
 
 '^ O tell me, good Palmer, O haste thee and tell. 
 What Knights of renown mid the dark conflict fell; 
 What sons of the mighty, what bands of the bra\ e 
 Are now shrouded at rest in the realms of the grave? 
 
 II. 
 
 ^« For alone as I sat on yon battlements high, 
 And turned to the Sol way my tear-dropping eye ; 
 I saw the red flash of destruction afar. 
 And loud was the slogan arousing to war." 
 
232 FAIR HELEN. CANTO Vi- 
 
 lli. 
 
 *< Fair Lady, 'twas morning ; I journeyed alone 
 By the towers of the Kirtle, yon crossleted stone, 
 Where the Maxwell is low in his mouldering a- 
 
 bode, 
 And the wild weed and night flower are darken- 
 ing the sod. 
 
 IV. 
 
 '' And there I espied, 'neath the walls of yon tower, 
 Whose battlements dark o'er the Kirtle waves 
 
 lour, 
 A gallant young Chieftain at rest on the ground. 
 But his armour was red from the blood of his 
 
 wound. 
 
 V. 
 
 " In his hand was a portrait inlaid with the gold, 
 And the form on that portrait was fair to behold ; 
 'Twas the semblance, I ween, of an angel above ; 
 'Twas the image, Fair Lady, of her he did love. 
 
GANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 233 
 
 VL 
 
 *< Fair Lady, that knight from the battle-field fled, 
 
 For glory and honour had blazoned his bed; 
 
 He had fled with the speed of the wind-winged 
 
 dove 
 To share his renown with the maid of his love. 
 
 VII. 
 
 " But never, alas ! by the walls of his tower 
 May he bend with delight o'er his beautiful 
 
 flower ; 
 Ah ! never again shall his mansions behold, 
 For that heart once so warm is now low in the 
 
 mould." 
 
 VIII. 
 
 ** O Palmer, good Palmer, now tell unto me. 
 Of the scarf that was wound round this son of the 
 
 free ; A\ / 
 
 If the smile on his cheek was the blush of the sky, 
 If the glance of the eagle played deep on his eye. 
 
234 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 IX. 
 
 " For my true love is gone to the battle afar ; 
 Like a sun mid the storm is my Chieftain in wai' ; 
 His sword is the ensign to marshal the brave. 
 And renown is enchased on the blade of his glaive." 
 
 X. 
 
 " And who is this Chieftain, Fair Lady, I pray, 
 And what are his bearings and battle array ? 
 And the plume that is starred on his bonnet of blue. 
 Say is it the eagle's or soaring sea-mew ?" 
 
 XL 
 
 " The helmet that grace my warrior so bold 
 Is wrought of the sea-green, is purfled with gold j 
 And the feather and coldur that graces his plume 
 Is the heron's wing dipt in the red rosy bloom. 
 
 XIL 
 
 « His scarf is the crimson, with silver imbound, 
 Wkh ll trescent of diamond 'tis belted ar6und ; 
 And the falchion that glitters and swings by his side 
 In a baldric of chain-work around him is tied." 
 
CANTO VI. 
 
 FAIR HELEN. 235 
 
 XIII. 
 
 O dark grew the cheek of that Palmer I ween, 
 And fast fell the tears on his amice of green. 
 And struggled his bosom with sob and with sigh, 
 For that was the knight he had blessed to die. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 '« O Palmer, good Palmer, my sins are forgiven, 
 Thy prayers and aves my spirit hath shriven ; 
 But there is a secret lies deep at my heart. 
 And its strings they must burst ere that secret depart" 
 
 XV. 
 
 " Thus said the young warrior as bent by the flood. 
 While fast o'er his hauberk distilled his life blood ; 
 Then forth from his bosom this portrait he drew, 
 Kissed it thrice, heaved a sigh, and then murmur- 
 ed adieu. Iwii 
 
 XVI. 
 
 '^' Adieu ! my loved Margaret ! for ev^ and ay, 
 Till we meet in the realms of eternal day'*^'^' 
 Farewell till that morning, when bright to the skies 
 Our spirits together in rapture shall rise. 
 
23b FAIR HELEN. CANTO VIv 
 
 XVII. 
 
 *« And thee, holy Father, to thee I consigu 
 This emblem of love and of vhtue divine ; 
 This pkdge which I hallow in life's dying hoiir^ 
 O bear it as such to yon fair forest tower : 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 " To the halls of Caerlaverock that rise in their 
 
 pride, 
 Where the blue waves of Nith down their dark 
 
 channels glide ; 
 For there a young lady thou quickly shalt see, 
 Sadly singing of love 'neath the green holly 
 
 tree, 
 
 XIX. 
 
 " Then give her this portrait, and soothingly tell 
 How her Douglas embraced it, and wept as he 
 
 feU; 
 How he bent o*er its image while flowed his heart's 
 
 tide. 
 And breathing out blessings upon it, he died." 
 
CANTO VI, FAIR HELEN. 23T 
 
 XX. 
 
 " Fair Lady, this portrait and crosier he gave; 
 They are hallowed with tears, with the blood of 
 
 the brave ;" 
 Then lowly the Pilgrim he bent on his knee, 
 " Receive them, Fair Lady, receive them from me." 
 
 XXL 
 
 The Lady she gazed with a wild stedfast eye ; 
 She shed not a tear, and she heaved not a sigh ; 
 But fi'anticly clasped them with joy to her breast. 
 Then sank to the dead, to the home of her rest. 
 
 XXIL 
 
 Her dust it is- shrouded at peace in the grave. 
 Where beside her reposes young Douglas the 
 
 brave ; 
 The saltier and cross are engraved on their tomb, 
 And the winged-heart * entwined with a rose in its 
 
 bloom. 
 
 * The Winged Heart, the well-known cognisance of the Dou- 
 glas family. 
 
238 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 And many a Minstrel still cliaunts o'er the grave, 
 Where beauty was laid in the arms of the brave ; 
 And still o'er their relics they harp and they play 
 *< Young Douglas and Maxwell, the pride of 
 their day." 
 
 As died the plaintive sounds away 
 
 Through the forest alleys dark and grey, 
 
 Was heard the slow responsive sigh, 
 
 Was seen the tear on every eye ; 
 
 For every bosom bore a part 
 
 In the woes of the Knight of the bleeding heart, 
 
 And many a secret vow was given 
 
 For these lovers' rest in the realms of heaven. 
 
 * * * * * 
 
 The night was calm, the moon-beam glowed 
 
 Across the murmuring waters foam, 
 
 When Helen sought the forest road. 
 
 In peace and solitude to roam. 
 
 The dew descended on the flower, 
 
 That starred each opening glade and bower, 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 239 
 
 Threw all ai^ound theii' sweet perfume, 
 
 The wild briar-rose and beau-field bloom ; 
 
 And dyed upon the tranced ear 
 
 The songs of night, 'twas heaven to hear. 
 
 Such scenes each rapt emotion wrought. 
 
 Inspired the luxury of thought. 
 
 Breathed mildness o'er the chastened mind., 'loli 
 
 That conversed with the angelic kind ; 
 
 Prompted the soul-subduing tear, 
 
 That flows mid scenes of virtue dear : 
 
 And turned the intellectual eye 
 
 On heaven and all its charms on high. 
 
 The walls of Kirtle Abbey rose 
 Amid this paradise of boughs, 
 Darked with the high embowering trees 
 That waved their foliage in the breeze ; 
 Trembled the moon-beam*s silvery ray, 
 Shot through the twisted forest spray, 
 And light and shade alternate made, 
 As o'er the abbey walls it played. 
 
240 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 She turned her round the path to trace 
 That wmded through this ruined place ; 
 The scene was solemn and sublime, 
 Around the mortal hand of time 
 Had piled the warrior's stone and tomb, 
 That frowned amid the partial gloom ; 
 Hollow and wild the river breeze 
 Sighed through the rifted walls and trees ; 
 Waved on the donjon keep and tower 
 The ivy and the faded flower. 
 While many a wild weed hid the grave 
 Where slept the mighty and the brave. 
 
 Amid this sacred cemetery, 
 Where Irwin's great forefathers lie; 
 A noble piece of sculpture placed, 
 The relics of a warrior graced*; 
 Of whitest parian marble made, 
 Each fine expressive form displayed ; 
 Two figures op a tablet lay, 
 The warrior clad in battle ray. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 241 
 
 The helm was wrought of burnished gold ; 
 
 The drapery fell in graceful fold ; 
 
 And wove each warlike trophy near. 
 
 The drum, the ensign, and the spear : 
 
 The lady's features lovely shone, 
 
 And breathed expression even in stone, — 
 
 So well the sculptor had taught to blow 
 
 The rose upon the marble snow, 
 
 And still the cheated eye believed 
 
 The lip unclosed, the bosom heaved : 
 
 Encircled in each other's arms. 
 
 And graced with more than mortal charmfc. 
 
 Around their heads a halo played. 
 By radiant coruscations made ; 
 Emblems of fortitude ajid love 
 Embraced, the falcon and the dove : 
 And green the hoU/s drapery fell. 
 Of virtue's lasting charms to tell ; 
 The motto wrought in waving line, 
 " True greatness shall eternal shine.'' 
 
242 FAlit HELEN. CANTO VI, 
 
 Helen beheld these emblems dear 
 With many a pensive sigh and tear, 
 And bowed before the sacred shrine 
 To pour the prayer to love divine ; 
 And knelt she on the flowery sod 
 Before the majesty of God, 
 Who influenced such lasting faith, 
 Thus undissevered in their death : 
 " Hail Virtue ! Fortitude divine ! 
 Thine is the crown, the kingdom thine ; 
 And thine the golden rod and key 
 That opens immortality ; 
 That tunes the harps of glory high, 
 The eternal guardian of the sky. 
 Who stands in flaming cincture given 
 Before the Lord of Earth and Heaven."— 
 
 When, rustling through the forest-boughs 
 That round this gloomy church-yard rose, 
 She heard a foot approaching near •, 
 Her bosom throbbed, but not with fear ; 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 2iS 
 
 For ere she could depict alarms, 
 
 Fast locked she stood in Fleming's arms. 
 
 The blushes on her cheek grew bright, 
 
 Seen in the moonshine's silvery light ; 
 
 And heaved her breast, and glowed her eye, 
 
 And burst her bosom's trembling sigh ; 
 
 For hope and fear alternate wrought 
 
 The chequered shroud of dubious thought. 
 
 " My Fleming !" but her voice was faint, 
 
 For grief o'er-ruled, with forced constraint, 
 
 Each struggling thought, each word and sigh, 
 
 Mute, all except her earnest eye, 
 
 That spoke the eloquence of love ; 
 
 Its charms but seldom silent prove. 
 
 At length with sigh, and half-formed word, 
 
 " My Fleming ! O my life, my lord. 
 
 And wherefore here at midnight dun ? 
 
 Say, is the battle fought and won ? 
 
 Hath glory lightened on the foe, 
 
 Or sink their hosts by Solway low ?*— 
 
2't4; FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI, 
 
 " The battle-hour is past and gone, 
 
 That sun is set so brightly shone ; 
 
 Glory and honour guard the grave 
 
 Where sleep the mighty and the brave."— « 
 
 <' And who are they that silent sleep, 
 
 Whose ladies sit to sigh and weep ? 
 
 For never trumpet-knell was rung, 
 
 For never victor-hymn was sung, 
 
 But came upon the moaning wind 
 
 Fraught with despair to many a mind : 
 
 O Fleming ! say my fears are vain ; 
 
 O whisper that my Father lives; 
 
 Yes ! give such hope as virtue gives ; 
 
 Returning from the battle plain. 
 
 Say, but Oh say, my father lies 
 
 Wounded, o'ercome, but not he dies," 
 
 « He dies, my Helen, dies to save 
 
 The glory of a mighty name. 
 
 His country from the whelming wave, 
 
 His great forefathers' fame ; 
 
 Yes ! he is low ; with tears I tell. 
 
 For <« hope deferred makes anguish swell j" 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 24-5 
 
 His sword was red with valour's blood, 
 His right arm triumphed where he stood ; — 
 Then wipe that tear, repress that sigh, 
 For died he not as heroes die T* 
 
 The Fleming stood with grief oppressed 
 To see the tumult of her breast ; 
 The anguished look was fixed on high, 
 The rending sob, the bursting sigh ; 
 The hues that flitted o*er her cheek, 
 In many a faint and fading streak, 
 Spake not one word to ease the dart 
 Was rankling at her burning heart ; 
 For well he knew the tide of grief 
 Must find from sighs and tears relief. 
 
 When fled the tempest of her breast. 
 Like the storm-clouds rolling to the west ; 
 And hope returning 'gan to glow, 
 Like a sunbeam on the watery bow ; 
 Begun she with a pensive tone, 
 <' Since now my kindred all are gone 
 
246 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VL 
 
 Nor arm remains, my virtue's shield, 
 The sword of innocence to wield. 
 Wilt thou a father, brother prove. 
 Repaid by a poor maiden's love ?" 
 Trembling she said, her gentler fears 
 Pled in the eloquence of tears. 
 
 " My Helen ! dearer to this heart 
 Than that which warms its vital part ; 
 Yes ! dearer than those ties that bind 
 This mortal with the immortal mind, 
 Than light, than life, thy love to me ; 
 Then wherefore doubt my love to thee ? 
 Say, can the orchis change its hue. 
 The withered flower its bloom renew. 
 The faded rose-bud spring again. 
 Adorned with beauty's hue and stain j 
 More difficult the task to prove. 
 To part from those we dearly love. 
 Full well thou knowest those sacred vows 
 I swore amid yon conscious boughs. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 247 
 
 And called in attestation given, 
 
 The registrating hand of heaven, 
 
 To write within his sacred roll 
 
 The eternal purpose of my soul. 
 
 That Helen ever should be mine, 
 
 And all I had be only thine; 
 
 Then wherefore doubt?"— " Oh ! spare my tears. 
 
 They spring from woman's weakest fears ; 
 
 For like the aspen mid the wind 
 
 Is woman's finely featured mind ; 
 
 It thrills to every pictured form, 
 
 It quivers mid the breeze and storm ; 
 
 Then bear with me, for love confessed 
 
 Hath bound me to thy faithful breast :" — 
 
 With beating heart she blushing said, 
 
 And Fleming clasped the lovely maid. 
 
 » * * * * 
 
 His threshold Bell indignant passed 
 And a glance of rage around him cast ; 
 For rung at times from the festal crowd 
 The voice of mirth and laughter loud. 
 
248 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 He staid not, but resistless flew 
 
 Where the revel burst upon his view ; 
 
 He struck the table with his hand ; 
 
 Astonished sat the shrinking band* 
 
 " Begone !" they vanish one and all, 
 
 And silence reigns throughout the hall. 
 
 He undid the helmet's iron clasp, 
 
 And released his neck from the gorgefs grasp. 
 
 Unslung his sword, drew from his waist 
 
 The pistols in his girdle braced. 
 
 <* Who waits ?" a trembling menial came, 
 
 With look abashed, and shuddering frame : 
 
 <« Go, fill that bowl with the richest wine. 
 
 And bid Sir Arthur carve this chine. 
 
 Bid Allen in attendance wait. 
 
 And the porter doubly guard the gate." 
 
 He bowed obsequious, and retired. — 
 
 A glow of pride his bosom fired, 
 
 And dawned upon his moody mind 
 
 A hope, though vague and undefined ; 
 
 What might it be, he could not tell. 
 
 But he felt suspense was worse than hell. 
 
CANTO VI, S'AIR HELEN. 249 
 
 The feast is spread, the wine cup flows, 
 
 And bright the cresset's splendour glows ; 
 
 Fit scene to wear despair away, 
 
 But the hand of fear on his bosom lay. 
 
 His fiendish scoul what eye may dare, 
 
 Or the searching of his glances bear ? 
 
 He rose, and sullenly withdrew. 
 
 Rage mingling with his brief — " Adieu.'* 
 
 The midnight sound from the turret rung, 
 
 The dreamer from his slumber sprung ; 
 
 " Tve need of rest, but that glumlie bell, 
 
 Why tolls it ? sure all is not well. 
 
 Rest, did I say ? vain dreamer rest, 
 
 This night thy last, and his brow he pressed ;" 
 
 A moment stood, his passion's strife 
 
 Bore like a wave on the seat of life ; 
 
 Then smote upon his bosom sore, 
 
 And sternly strode across the floor. 
 
 " My Lord," — « Thy tale from whence to where ?' 
 
 " From Yeacre's vale."— «« The tidings there ?" 
 
 " The Fleming roams these walks alone." 
 
 " What ! all his friends and followers gone ?" 
 
250 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 « Yea, all :" " And Helen, loveliest flower?' 
 
 *' Is with him, mid that wild-wood bower." 
 
 ** 'Tis well. By Heaven ! to-morrow's sun 
 
 Shall see this work of vengeance done ; 
 
 Go, bid Sir Arthur rouse my band, 
 
 And take his sharpest sword in hand ; 
 
 Bid the groom lead forth my battle steed. 
 
 And array him with my armour red ; 
 
 My aventayle and helmet bring ; 
 
 Gird on my sword, my bugle sling; 
 
 My fire arms brace ; reach me that brand. 
 
 It never failed my stedfast hand. 
 
 Now go ;" and his red contemptuous eye 
 
 Forbade delay, rebuked reply. 
 
 Robed in his black and battered mail 
 Rushed forth the savage chief of Bell. 
 His horse's hoof is on the gale, 
 Like some unearthly victim's knell. 
 A dagger, on whose diamond hilt 
 Appeared the blood was recent spilt, 
 With pistol stuck at his left waist. 
 Are tightly round liis body braced ; 
 
CANTO VI, FAia HELEN. 251 
 
 The deadly carabine in his hand. 
 He spurs along the moonlight strand, 
 Breathing, in all the rage of ire. 
 Revenge and death by flood or fire. 
 Checking his ardent courser's pace, 
 " What I Dare me I Brave me to my face ! 
 And scorn alike my power and race ? 
 By Heaven ! the jest must be repaid. 
 V\\ tame that heart, thou haughty maid ; 
 To-morrow's dawn, its blushing sun 
 Shall see thee humbled or undone. 
 I yield not in my passion's strife 
 The contest, though it cost me life ; 
 Such my resolve." — So said the Bell, 
 And quickly vanished mid the dell. 
 
 Sweet is the silent summer scene 
 As Nature's morn of jubilee ; 
 When rung on hai-ps of golden sheen 
 The opening birth of star and sea. 
 Sweet as that lovely twilight hour 
 First closed on Eden's rosy bower ; 
 
^52 FAIR HELEN. CANTO \l. 
 
 When seraphs lingering from above 
 
 Unfolded paradise to love ; 
 
 Around his couch their watches kepty 
 
 And fondly hailed him as he slept. 
 
 Love reigned in heaven ere time began 
 
 And love shall never cease to be 
 
 Star of the hemisphere of man. 
 
 Its era immortality ; 
 
 It tunes the harps of joy above, 
 
 For all are influenced by love. 
 
 The moon is high on Kirtle*s stream. 
 Her radiance beacons isle and sea. 
 And slumbering in her silent beam 
 The lonely heights of Caudredlee. 
 No sound is heard, save from the coom, 
 Or rushy marsh, the bittern's boom ; 
 The chiding of the restless rill, 
 Or wild fox howling from the hill. 
 All Nature's hushed, as mortal breath 
 Contending betwixt life and death. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 253 
 
 Is there on earth a sensual slave, a soul 
 That feels not, yields not to that high controul, 
 When love almighty sways with potent power 
 Man's all of life, that being of an hour ? 
 'Twere vain to tell how feebly words impart 
 Tlie joys, thje fears, that agitate the heart. 
 When beauty moves before the tranced eye ; 
 Prompts the warm tear, or stimulates the sigh ; 
 When angel-like, she bends ^ heavenly form. 
 Smiles on the tumujt, a^d allays the storm. 
 
 'Twere vain to tell how thoughts but ill essay 
 To fix the diamond spark of beauty's ray ; 
 To stamp its image lovely and refined 
 On the warm bosom, on the glowing mind 5 
 Where rapture dawns above the reign of fear, 
 And virtue dries the soul-subduing tear. 
 
 That nameless grace, unaided and alone ; 
 Those charms that beautify her seraph throne ; 
 The melting thrill, the passion undefined. 
 That breathes a holy calm upon the mind ; 
 
^54: JAin HELEN. 
 
 CANTO VJ. 
 
 That soothes the jarring tumults of the soul. 
 And turns its ardour to that heavenly goal. 
 Where youth and beauty evermore shall prove. 
 In lasting charms, the ecstasies of love. 
 
 Her lovely arms around him bending. 
 
 She clasped him to her throbbing breast ; 
 
 A kiss ; — the warrior's anns extending, 
 
 With ecstacy her bosom pressed. 
 
 Not seraph's self in being blest 
 
 More rapt emotions ever felt ; 
 
 His glowing heart at times would melt. 
 
 Then throb, then freeze, for still there came 
 
 An unknown horror through his frame; 
 
 And ever mid that inward storm 
 
 His eye is fixed on Helen's form : 
 
 Sweet form of Beauty ! thine the charm 
 
 To hush that bosom's wild alarm ; 
 
 For beauty's smile, and virtue's art, 
 
 Can soothe and soften sorrow's heart. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEBT. 255 
 
 " Again I vow, my Life, my Love, 
 If there be hope in heaven above. 
 To love thee till the day of death 5 
 Thy name, the last sigh of my breath ; 
 For time may yet emotions bring 
 Sweet as the light, upon his wing." 
 " What boots it, Fleming, thus to swell 
 My heart with joys I know full well ? 
 Thinkst thou I doubt thy future faith ? 
 Ah I no, thy love is strong as death ; 
 And but till death we laugh at fear, 
 AH else is but a transient tear. 
 Come, let us seek that loved retreat. 
 
 Repose will make the hours more sweet." 
 
 #■ 
 
 They turned their footsteps down the way 5 
 Tlie star was trembling on the spray ; 
 The wild deer started from her lair. 
 And fleeted past the affrighted hare ; 
 When loudly rung across the bound 
 The voice of men and bugles' sound. 
 
256 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 " Hark ! hear those echoes loud and shrill 
 That ring from Albie's piny hill ; 
 'Tis he ! the bloody-minded Bell, 
 I hear his whistle from the dell ; 
 I hear his charger snort and tramp, 
 Hurrying across the bosky swamp ; 
 I hear his blood-hounds' heavy breath 
 Pant on mine ear like the throb of death. 
 Again ! and yet again ! they die 1 
 
 God ! the murderer hastens nigh. 
 Where shall we go ? my Helen, where ? 
 My soul is tortured by despair : 
 
 Thee safe, I scorn my mortal foe." 
 
 « And leave thee here ? ray Fleming ! No. 
 
 Firm in my love, I dare to stand. 
 
 And give my bosom to the brand. 
 
 1 leave thee not ! Vain these alarms, 
 We die in one another's arms." 
 
 " Then die," a voice re-echoed loud, 
 " Traitor avaunt I" rushed forth the crowd, 
 The menial hirelings of the Bell. 
 What ^ound is that awakes the dell ? 
 
CANTO VI. FAin HELEN. 25' 
 
 'Tis the dread carabine's loud alarms ; 
 
 Fair Helen bounds to Fleming's arms ; 
 
 Bounds to defend his faithful heart : 
 
 In vain ; her own hath met the dart ; 
 
 For sure as fate, the death-bolt flies ; 
 
 She shrieks ! my God ! she bleeds ! she dies ! 
 
 She bleeds, a murderer's wrath to prove 
 
 The victim of disastrous love. 
 
 " So perish Fleming ; vengeance mine ; 
 
 Red is thy cup, but not with wine." 
 
 Whose voice was that ? whose death-shot sped ? 
 'Twas his, false Bell ; his flying tread 
 Hath roused the Fleming in his wrath. 
 He placed the victim on the flowers ; 
 Pursued him down the gloomy path, 
 Through rocks, and dells, and bowers. 
 Eager he strains, he gains the strand. 
 His eyes are lightning in their ire ; 
 His sword is trembling in his hand. 
 Flickering like flaught of fire ; 
 
2'5S FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 The foremost of his horde is low j 
 
 His severed head rolls on the water ; 
 
 Another, and another blow, 
 
 Has thinned their ranks with vengeful slaughter. 
 
 They fight, they toil with vigour brave, 
 
 Struggling to pass that barrier wave ; 
 
 But bloodier yet that wreathed foam, 
 
 And bloodier yet that torrent boiling ; 
 
 For, yielding like the mined dome^ 
 
 They fly back from his arm, recoiling ; 
 
 They fly to where the billows dash 
 
 The rugged rocks with hideous crash ; 
 
 There firmly fixed, resolved they stand, 
 
 To brave the fury of his brand ; 
 
 In vain each struggling bosom cleft. 
 
 Their shattered helmets rent and reft, 
 
 They fight ; they fall ; the red light glowing 
 
 Beams on their best blood, wildly flowing. 
 
 Safe from his foes ; unwounded, fierce. 
 Stood Fleming mid the waters dashing. 
 Whose brand is that just aimed to pierce 
 His bosom, in the moonlight flashing? 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 259 
 
 'Tis thine, false Knight ; I know thee well ; 
 One sacrifice I still may crave, 
 My vow was, never name of Bell 
 Should 'scape my vengeance 5 mid this dell 
 I pile thy hated cairn and grave." 
 
 " 'Tis well, I scorn to turn or fly ; 
 Alike to me, to stand or die ; 
 My soul hath drunk above her measure 
 That cup of momentary pleasure. 
 My joy akin to that of hell ; 
 Thy bride is gone ; I loved her well ; 
 But dearer still to me, when lying, 
 Smote by my hand, in anguish dying. 
 Dread proof how jealous rage and hate 
 Bind in one chain the frowns of fate. 
 To see thee curst, ray highest aim ; 
 I scorn alike the fiend and flame. 
 Death never frowned on bloody Bell, 
 Alike the birth, or burial knell." 
 
^260 FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 He pointed with his sword, where lay 
 
 His followers mid the stained spray ; 
 
 " These were my friends by blood and breath ; 
 
 Linked to me still in deeds of death ; 
 
 But they are past, their beings gone ;" 
 
 " Yet thou reraainest in life alone." 
 
 Then fierce he dashed amid the bay, 
 
 The waters to his tread give way ; 
 
 Their sabres glitter ; firm the stroke 
 
 As miners warring with the rock ; 
 
 He bears him back against the strand 
 
 The Bell hath reached the jutting land ; 
 
 Entangled mid the weeds and slaughter, 
 
 He stumbles forward ; fierce the thrust 
 
 That rolls his fabric to the dust. 
 
 " O God ! my heartVblood dyes the water ; 
 
 Curse on the hand that seals my fate ; 
 
 Mayest thou experience heaven's dread hate ; 
 
 A wanderer live, an outcast die. 
 
 Nor hope in death, even such as I." 
 
 Red from his breast, the water troubling. 
 
 His heart*s-blood mid the foam-wave bubbling ; 
 
CANTO VI, FAIR HELEK. 261 
 
 He heaves the sob ; 'tis past ; 'tis gone ; 
 The billows o'er him hurrying on. 
 
 Dark lichen fronds, and hemlock wave 
 
 Above the Baron's bloody grave ; 
 
 And there the toad, the lizard creeps, 
 
 The desert serpent o'er it sweeps ; 
 
 Blows not a flower upon the sod 
 
 That wraps his dreary, dark abode. 
 
 The songsters of the twilight vale 
 
 Turn from the spot with shriek and wail j 
 
 And there the wild fox wakes its howl ; 
 
 Its only visitant the owl. 
 
 The spot, the cairn is to be seen, 
 
 Still covered o'er with nettles green ; 
 
 The dock and hemlock weave their shade 
 
 Where erst the Baron's bones were laid ; 
 
 There his unholy relics rest, 
 
 By priest or penitent unblest. 
 
 No wanderer of the midnight's tread 
 
 E'er sounds above the unholy dead ; 
 
262 FAIR HELEN. CANTO Vf , 
 
 No village maiden meets her love 
 Amid this lonely hamited grove, 
 For there, they say, a bloody sprite. 
 Robed in the ghastly hue of night, 
 With shriek and wail amid the gloom 
 Guards the recesses of the tomb. 
 
 Back he returned where bleeding lay 
 
 That lovely, that seraphic form. 
 
 Pale as the lily by the bay, 
 
 That bends its beauties to the storm. 
 
 Down from her bosom, white as snow. 
 
 The purple drops of life are welling ; 
 
 Within his heart the pangs of woe 
 
 In deepest agony are swelling : 
 
 He dashed his sword upon the strand, 
 
 And by the lovely victim knelt. 
 
 Pressed to his breast that quivering hand, 
 
 Unfeeling and unfelt ; 
 
 Tore the red scarf that wrapt him round. 
 
 And strove to staunch the bleeding wound, 
 
CANTO VI. VAIR HELEUT, 2(>5 
 
 In vain ; the seat of life is riven : 
 
 « My Fleming ! such the will of heaven>" 
 
 The sufferer said, with sob and sigh, 
 
 « Adieu, my love ! for thee I die ; 
 
 But dry those tears, we meet again. 
 
 When time with Nature's conflict's o'er, 
 
 Eternal pleasures to obtain. 
 
 Where death shall rend the heart no more. 
 
 Weep not, my Love 5 weep not for me, 
 
 I glory that I bleed for thee. 
 
 This wound my faithfulness shall prove, 
 
 By this I've gained the heaven of love ; 
 
 Let this, my Fleming, be thy stay and trust. 
 
 When Helen moulders in the silent dust : 
 
 Oh ! Heaven assuage his anguished heart, "she cried, 
 
 Dropped on his throbbing breast, and died. 
 
 He felt not, saw not. Nature seems 
 To him, as when a madman dreams 5 
 All thought is fled, reflection gone, 
 And his form stiffens into stone. 
 
264? FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 " She's dead !*' he sighed ; her icy touch 
 
 In frantic agony he pressed 
 
 Upon his burning bursting breast ; 
 
 *« My God ! IVe drunk of woe too much." 
 
 The tears of terror backward rushed, 
 
 And now they sprung, then freely gushed, 
 
 Fell on his cheek like hail on fire, 
 
 *« To die is now my last desire ; 
 
 To seal my anguish with my breath. 
 
 And win my bride from the arms of death." 
 
 His hand against his heart is driven, 
 
 His eyes are wildly raised to heaven. 
 
 Now fixed on her pale clouded eye. 
 
 Till his gaze it froze on vacancy. 
 
 " she's gone ! she's dead ! ah, wretch forlorn ! 
 
 My heart, my soul, is rent and torn. 
 
 " O draw not o'er that beamless eye 
 The pall of death, the snowy shroud ; 
 She is not dead ; she could not die ; 
 •Ah ! yes; I hear her from yon cloud; 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 265 
 
 Sweet is her voice from heaven above. 
 In the holier ecstacies of love, 
 Singing beyond this world of wrath 
 The resurrection songs of death, 
 O lay her gentle limbs at rest 
 All by the muranurs of the wave ; 
 And plant the red-rose on her breast, 
 The last sad boon your lord shall crave 5 
 Since she is gone, what joy beside 
 
 May this poor heart on earth betide/* 
 
 # * * * 
 
 By Kirtle's stream upon the gale 
 Is heard the voice of woman's wail. 
 So sad, so soft, so sweet the tone. 
 Like music in a land unknown ; 
 When by the beach at shut of day 
 Is sung the wild emphatic lay, 
 Strain of that home now far away ; 
 Yes ! sad the song the mourner sings. 
 But sweeter than prophetic strings. 
 
26& FAIR HELEN. 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 Nine white-robed virgins bore the maid, 
 
 In all the pomp of death arrayed ; 
 
 The snowy shroud is folded round, 
 
 And on her brow with love-knots bound \ 
 
 A golden cross from her neck is hung. 
 
 And the fairest flowers on her features flung, 
 
 To emblem forth this lasting truth, 
 
 That virtue exists in eternal youth ; 
 
 That moulded of heavenly fire hei* form, 
 
 Shall rise and shine o'er each mortal storm. 
 
 And a white-rose placed on her breast to prove 
 
 The stainless nature of lasting love. 
 
 Around the bier in vernal sheen 
 
 Fell a wreath of the holly's beauteous green, 
 
 The semblance of her father's arms, 
 
 Of her spotless mind, of her heavenly charms. 
 
 For the holly leaves undecaying bloom ; 
 
 And virtue triumphs fiom the tomb« 
 
CANTO VI. 
 
 FAIR HELEN, , 267 
 
 And as the virgins moved, they sung 
 
 A slow and melancholy dole, 
 
 A requiem for their sister's soul ; 
 
 The hoary ruins rung ; 
 
 And thus in anthem sad and drear 
 
 Came the last ave on the ear. 
 
 Cfje Begiuiem. 
 I. 
 
 Rest, sainted Shade, in hallowed earth. 
 Till that blest morning shall arise. 
 That gives a new creation birth. 
 That renovates the skies ; 
 And from the dust, from woes and fear$, 
 The eternal form of beauty rears. 
 
 11. 
 
 Till loud the almighty trump of doom 
 Shall through the vast of being ring j 
 Shall burst the cearments of the tomb. 
 And from its ruins bring 
 
SeS FAIR HELEN. GANTO VI. 
 
 Each ransomed, holy, heavenly form, 
 Saved from the wreck of Nature's storm. 
 
 III. 
 
 Then cradled on the golden cloud» 
 That rolls around the throne of heaven^ 
 Wrapt in the pure seraphic shroud 
 To suffering virtue given ; 
 Thou there shalt smite the golden lyre. 
 And sing the song that saints inspire^ 
 
 IV. 
 
 All hail to thee ! thy voice shall rise. 
 My soul's delight, to realms above ; 
 Our home^the temple of the skies, 
 TTie last reward of love ; 
 There shall we every bliss enjoy, 
 Immortal as the mind on high. 
 
 Ave ! ave ! repose in peace. 
 Till ages fade and nature cease ; 
 
 Ave ! ave I 
 
 * * » # 
 
CANTO Vr. FAIR HELEN. 269 
 
 The fairest flowers are weeping, where 
 
 The relics of the maid repose ; 
 
 They gently court the summer ah*, 
 
 But shrink when autumn's sea-breeze blows. 
 
 And there the lone Enthusiast lores 
 
 To muse beside her home of clay ; 
 
 The pensive child of sorrow roves. 
 
 To mourn o'er beauty in decay. 
 
 But aye is seen, at twilight's gloom, 
 
 When all around is hush'd to rest ; 
 
 A figure bending o'er her tomb. 
 
 Like an angel from his home of rest. 
 
 The moon-beam bursting through the cloud, 
 
 With silver streaks her purple shroud ; 
 
 And shines with pale uncertain hue 
 
 The night-star on her locks of dew. 
 
 Poor Maniac ! still she lingers there, 
 
 To list in fancied vision round 
 
 The blest inhabitants of air. 
 
 Smiting their harps of soothing sound : 
 
270 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI, 
 
 Singing, amid this silent grove, 
 The woes and wounds of bleeding love ; 
 So sweet the spot, she may not leave, 
 But nightly linger there, and grieve. 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 271 
 
 C|)e Stuieu. 
 
 To a Friend* 
 
 1 HE lay is sung ; the tale is done ; 
 
 But where is he, the Fleming, gone ? 
 
 To brave the world of solitude. 
 
 O'er which the shattered feelings brood ; 
 
 To live the victim of despair, 
 
 And be what misery's children are. 
 
 Even so the Minstrel must retreat 
 Back to his former fears and fate, 
 To brave chill penury's controul, 
 And feel those strugglings of the soul, 
 When warring with the day of grief. 
 Like autumn's sere and blighted leaf; 
 S 
 
272 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 Perchance ere night to be that form, 
 Consigned to silence and the worm, 
 O'er which the unholy night winds sweep ; 
 Low laid within that earth bed deep, 
 Where never breathed the Minstrel's breath 
 Upon the still fixed ear of death ; 
 For life is but an empty dream. 
 The night-ray darlcing on the stream. 
 
 But deeply graven on this heart 
 Thy goodness never shall depart, 
 Till memory's evolutions cease. 
 And all her charms depart in peace. 
 For thine the hand extended forth 
 To shelter sorrowing, suffering worth ; 
 When chilled by mercenary scowl, 
 Those death-blasts of the aspiring soul. 
 Oh ! why should genius ever feel 
 The searchings of the Stoic's steel, 
 Like victim by his nod decreed 
 On error's altar doomed to bleed ; 
 
CANTO VI. FAIR HELEN. 273 
 
 My hours of bliss on earth have been. 
 Like days of grace, how far between ; 
 Yet still those hours foredoomed to joy 
 Were often mingled with alloy ; 
 And seldom did my musitigs flow 
 Save to the melody df Woe. 
 Those tones were sadly tnarred and wild. 
 As best befitted sorrow's child ; 
 For where the man may sing by art 
 The sufferings of a broken heart, 
 May wake the melody of heaven 
 When all his hopes a wreck are driven ? 
 
 As well may he presume to scan 
 The future by the past of man ; 
 Say to the raging winds and waves, 
 " Be still, be silent as those graves. 
 O'er which your heaving bosoms sweep, 
 The sea-boys' dwellings in the deep." 
 The world may praise the warrior's state 
 For laying empires desolate ; 
 
274 FAIR HELEN. CANTO VI. 
 
 May pour their pealings to the skies, 
 
 To him who bids a nation rise : 
 
 But nobler far that inward glow 
 
 Reflecting from a brother's woe ; 
 
 When Mercy bids the sufferer live, 
 
 And with a smile she deigns to give 
 
 That glorious lenitive of mind, 
 
 That charm from all, of self refined. 
 
 This be thy praise ; 'twere vain to tell 
 
 The source from whence such virtues swell. 
 
 Each son of sorrow knows it well ; 
 
 And registered in worlds on high 
 
 These holier traits shall never die, 
 
 Shall live while ages roll along, 
 
 And death has quenched the MinstreFs song. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 i - 
 
ELOGIORUM 
 SEPULCHRALIUM 
 
 EDINENSIUM 
 DELECTUS. 
 
 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS, 
 
 SELECTED FROM BURIAI.-GROUNDS 
 AT EDINBURGH, 
 
 By ANDREW DUNCAN senior, M. D. & P. 
 
 Paulum sepulta distat inertiiB, 
 Cclata virtus. Non ego te meis 
 Chartis inomatum silebo. 
 
 HORAT. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 PRINTED BY NEILL ^ CO. 
 JOLD BY ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO. PRICE 7s. 
 
 1815.- 
 
 Subscribers will be furnished with their Copies by E, PicKEii, 
 Teacher of Languages^ Bristo Street, at 5s, each Copy* 
 
o^'j .0 ' 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To Lord Robertson, Br James Hamiltoj^ sen. 
 and Henry Jarbine^ Esq. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 JLou are descended from Eminent Men, who 
 well deserve to be recorded among the worthies of 
 the City of Edlnbu7^gh. And although my ea- 
 perience of Mankind prevents me from adopting 
 without any exception, the Horatian maxim. 
 Fortes creantiir Fortibus et Bonis, yet your pu- 
 blic reputation and private virtues^ serve to denwii" 
 sirate, that it is not zvithout foundation. Moral, 
 however^ as well as physical causes, have assured- 
 ly a certain influence in producing a resemblance 
 between Parents and their Children* 
 
 In forming the Human Mind, in teaching 
 the young idea how to shoot, xvhile Nature 
 
IV 
 
 and Precept do mucky E.vample does still more, 
 1 trusty therefore, that the ei'amples here re- 
 corded, oj men eminently distinguished and useful, 
 will have some influence on their posterity, even 
 on many who are yet unboi^n. 
 
 To you, therefore, and to the Descendants of 
 those other worthy Characters, whose Elogia 
 are here presented to the Public, this Selection is 
 dedicated, by 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 ANDREW DUNCAN. 
 
 Edinburgh, \ 
 tOth November L8U. i 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 KJf the motives which have led to this pu- 
 blication, it is perhaps unnecessary to say 
 any thing. The Editor shall only observe, 
 that although Gratitude was not ranked by 
 the ancients among the cardinal virtues, yet 
 he has ever held it, whether exercised to 
 our all-bountiful Creator, — ^to our Fellow 
 Mortals, — or even to the brute creation, — 
 as the First of Virtues ; and, to motives of 
 gratitude, the present publication, in some 
 degree, owes its origin. 
 
 Since the death of an amiable Son, the 
 Editor has made it a religious duty to pay 
 a visit to his Grave every Christmas Day, 
 the period of his death. This visit he hai^ 
 also extended to other Church-yards, where 
 the dust of several of his best Friends is now 
 
VI 
 
 deposited. His meditations during these 
 mournful visits, have led him to imagine, 
 that he was invited by the calls of Grati- 
 tude, to take this method of promulgating 
 commemorations of departed worth.. 
 
 It was not, however, consistent with his 
 other engagements, to spend many hours in 
 copying Inscriptions from Grave-stones. He 
 has therefore done little more than to se- 
 lect those that are here printed, and to put 
 a list of them into the hands of an able 
 Scholar, who, depressed by accidental mis- 
 fortunes in the mercantile line, now sup- 
 ports a young family by his knowledge of 
 ancient and modern Languages. 
 
 If any profit shall arise from the present 
 Publication, it will be entirely appropriated 
 to his benefit. Those gentlemen, therefore, 
 who have encouraged the design, by subscri- 
 bing for copies, may have some satisfaction 
 in reflecting, that, while they are paying 
 honour to departed worth, they are at the 
 same time aiding a Man of Genius, — an un- 
 fortunate Trader, but a respectable Poet. 
 
vu 
 
 The arrangement of the Epitaphs, each 
 being an entire production, independent of 
 every other, did not seem to be material. 
 They might, without much trouble, have 
 been printed., either in alphabetical or chro- 
 nological order. But the Editor, consult- 
 ing his own convenience, has classed them 
 from proximity of situation in the diffe- 
 rent burial-grounds in which they are to be 
 found. 
 
 CONTENTS, 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapd of Ease St CutliherCs. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 1. The Reverend Dr Robert Hamilton, Professor 
 
 of Divinity, - - - - 9 
 
 2. The Reverend Dr Thomas Blacklock, - 10 
 
 3. Dr Alexander Adam, rector of the High School, 1 1 
 
 4. The Reverend Mr Nicolas Vilant, - 12 
 
 5. Mr Charles Darwin, student of medicine, 13 
 
 6. Mr Jacob Pattison, student of medicine, 14 
 
 7. Mr Francis Foulke, student of medicine, 15 
 
 8. Mr Johij Dobson, and Mr James Percival, stu- 
 
 dents of medicine, - - - 16 
 
 9. Mr Lionel Brown, student of medicine, - 17 
 
 10. Mr Henry Duncan, student of philosophy, 18 
 
 11. Mr David Herd, writer, - - 19 
 
 12. Mr William Swanston, writing-master, * 20 
 
 13. Mrs Catharine Macgregor, - - 21 
 
 Grayfriars Church-yard, 
 
 14. George Heriot, founder of Heriofs Hospi- 
 
 tal, - - - - - 22 
 
 15. Mr John Milne, - - - 23 
 
X CONTiiNTS. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 16. Professor Maclaurin, - - - 24 
 
 17. Dr Archibald Pitcairn, - - - 25 
 
 18. Archibald Lamont, Esq. of Knockdow, - 26 
 
 19. Mr Thomas Aery, student of medicine, - 27 
 
 20. Thomas Innes, Esq. of Monellie, - 28 
 
 21. Charles Innes, Esq. of Tobago, - 29 
 
 22. Sir George Mackenzie, King"*s Advocate, 30 
 
 23. The Reverend Mr Alexander Henderson, rector 
 
 of the University, - - - 31 
 
 24. The Reverend Dr William Robertson, Princi- 
 
 pal of the University of Edinburgh, - 33 
 
 25. The Reverend Dr Hugh Blair, Professor of 
 
 Rhetoric, _ _ - . 
 
 26. The Reverend Mr James Struthers, 
 
 27. Archibald Burnet, Esq. 
 
 28. Mr John Fairbaim, bookseller, 
 
 29. John Davie, Esq. of Gavicside, 
 
 30. The Reverend Mr James Hall, 
 
 31. The Rev. Mr Joseph Robertson Macgregor, 
 
 32. Mr John Carmichael, - - - - 
 
 33. Mr John Barnct, student of medicine, 
 34-. The Marquly of Argyle, . - - 
 
 35. The Edinburgh IMartyrs, - - - 
 
 36. The Marquis of Montrose, - - - 
 
 37. William and Clement Little, Esq. 
 
 38. Archibald Tod, Esq., 
 
 39. Charles Mackintosh, Esq. 
 
 40. Isaac Grant, Esq. .. . - - 
 
 41. The Reverend Mr Adam Gib, 
 
 42. William Oliphant, Esq. Lord Advocate, 
 
 43. Mr Thomas Ruddiraan;, keeper of the Advocates 
 
 Library, *.,-.. 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 44. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Mackenzie, 54 
 
 45. George Goldie, Esq. . . . 55 
 
 46. Colonel James Abercromby, - - 56 
 
 47. James Sholto Douglas, Esq. - - 57 
 
 48. Richard Dobie, Esq. - . ^. 58 
 
 Canongate ChurcJiyard. 
 
 49. George Drummond, Esq. - - - 59 
 
 50. The Reverend Dr John Jardine, - 60 
 
 51. Dr Adam Smith, - - 61 
 
 52. Mr Robert Fergusson, poet, - - 62 
 
 53. Mr Robert Burns, poet, - i - 64 
 
 54. The Reverend Dr William Lothian, - 65 
 
 55. Dr Charles Alston, - . , 66 
 
 Caltonhill Burial Ground. 
 
 56. David Hume, Esq. - - , 67 
 
 57. Mr William Gibson, - - - 69 
 
 58. Mr William Smith, - - - 70 
 
 59. Mr Henry Manning, - - - 71 
 
 60. Mr John Urquhart, - • - 72 
 
 61. Mrs Barbara Nicolson, _ « . 73 
 63. Major Archibald Argyle Campbell, - 74 
 
 St C%ithherCs Churchward. 
 63. Professor James Robertson, - - T5 
 
Xll CONTENTS. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 64. The Reverend Mr James Macdonald, - 76 
 
 65. Mr Alexander Matheson, - - '77 
 
 66. Peter Raeburn, Esq. - - ' - 78 
 
 67. Mrs Lumsdaine, ... 79 
 
 68. Mrs Tod, - - ^ . 80 
 
 69. The Reverend Mr Robert Ure, ^ - 81 
 
 70. Richard Douglas, Esq. ... 82 
 
 71. The Reverend Mr David Black, - - 83 
 
 72. The Reverend Mr William Paul, - 84 
 
 73. Mrs Elizabeth Jones, - - - 85 
 
 74. Earl of Glencairn, - - - 86 
 
 75. James Stevenson, Esq. _ . 97 
 
 76. Mr John Mackay, botanist, - ^ 88 
 
 77. Dr Macknight, - - 89 
 
 78. John Grant, Esq. ^ - 00 
 
 79. James, Earl of Moray, Regent of Scotland, 91 
 
 80. Sir Hugh MaccuUoch, r - 93 
 
 81. George Drummond, Esq. - . 94, 
 
 82. The Right Honourable Duncan Forbes, - 95 
 
 83. Thomas Tod, Esq. ... 95 
 
 84. James Gillespie, Esq. - - 97 
 
 85. Drs Monro and Cullen, - . 99 
 
 86. The Reverend Dr William Robertson, - 102 
 
 87. Lord Nelson, - - - 103 
 
 88. Lord Melville, - ^ - J 04 
 
ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 EDINBURGENA. 
 
 CHAPEL OF EASE, St CUTHBERTS. 
 
 Dr Robert Hamilton, Professor of Divinity. 
 
 Viri Pii et admodum Reverend! 
 ROBERTI HAMILTON 
 
 Hie conduntur ossa. 
 
 Qui morum simplicitate clarus, 
 
 in Uteris sacris apprime eruditus, 
 
 In re critica sacra celeberrimus, 
 
 Sanctam Christi Doctrinam 
 
 Annos triginta tres 
 
 In Academia Edinensi 
 
 Publicis praelectionibus illustravit, 
 
 Per totum vitce decursum 
 
 Probitate integerrima exornavit: 
 
 Tandem Octogenarius, 
 
 Terrestribus muneribus honorifice perfunctis, 
 
 Tertio Nonas Aprilis, Anno post Christum natum 
 
 Millesimo septrngentesimo octogesimo septimo, 
 
 Diem obiit supremum* 
 
10 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Dr Blacklock. 
 
 II. 
 
 Viro Reverendo, 
 THOMiE BLACKLOCK, S. S. Theol. I>. 
 
 Probo, Pio, Benevolo, 
 
 Omnigena doctrina erudito, 
 
 Poetae sublimi ; 
 
 Ab incunabilis usque 
 
 Oculis capto ; 
 
 At hilari, faceto, 
 Amicisque semper carissimo. 
 
 Qui natus xxi. Novembris 1721, 
 Obiit VII. Julii I79L 
 
 Vidua ejus Sara Johnston, 
 Mcerens posuit* 
 
EDINBURGENA. H 
 
 Dr Adam. 
 
 III. 
 
 Memoriae Sacrum 
 
 ALEXANDRI ADAM, 
 
 Florentissiraae Scholae Regiae Edinensis, 
 
 Per annos xl. et amplius 
 
 Rectoris indefessi, meritissimi ; 
 
 Viro ingenio, doctrina, industria, 
 
 JLiterarum suavitate penitus imbuti insignis, 
 
 Quas ipse et praeceptis, et exemplo, 
 
 Mira felicitate 
 
 Discipulis suis commendavit. 
 
 Natus VIII. Calendas Julii 1741, 
 
 Obiit XV. Januarii 1810; 
 
 Eodem die 
 
 Quo filius ejus natu maximus 
 
 EfFerebatur, 
 
1$ ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Reverend Mr iV. Filant. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Memoriae 
 NICOLAI VILANT, V. D. M. 
 
 Qui supremum obiit diem 
 Anno ^tatis centesimo sexto. 
 
 Alma dedit cunas mihi mater Gallia ; sponsani 
 Scotia foecundara, hospita fida dedit ; 
 Sexaginta et sex coelebs, denps quatuor annos 
 Sponsus erara ; genui pignora bina quater ; 
 Sobrietas morbos, et in ipsa morte fugavit. 
 Ut morbus, sic mors ipsa senecta fuic, 
 Castus amor, candor, pietas, mens sobria prudens. 
 En justas exuvias hie posuere suas. 
 
 Hoc elogium sepulchrale scripsit Gulielmus 
 Vilant, CollegicC Marianas, apud Fanum An- 
 dreas quondam Praefectus, Nicolai filius natu 
 minimus. 
 
 Atavo suo, banc lapidem posuit, 
 ANDREAS DUNCAN, M. D. & P. 
 
3EDINBURGBNA, 13 
 
 Mr Charles Darwin, Med. Stud. 
 
 V. 
 
 CHARLES DARWIN 
 
 Was born at Litchfield, September 3. 1758, 
 And died at Edinburgh, May 15. 1778. 
 
 Possessed of uncommon abilities and activity, 
 
 He had acquired knowledge in every department 
 
 Of medical and philosophical science, 
 
 Much beyond his years. 
 
 He gained the first Medal 
 
 Offered by the ^sculapian Society, 
 
 For a criterion to distinguish matter from mucus ; 
 
 And had prepared a thesis for his graduation, 
 
 On the retrograde motions of the lymphatic vessels 
 
 in some diseases. 
 
 He cultivated, with success. 
 
 The friendship of ingenious Men ; 
 
 And was interred, by favour of Dr A. Duncan, 
 
 in this burying- ground. 
 
 Fame's boastful chisel. Fancy's silver plume, 
 Mark but the mould'ring urn, or deck the tomb. 
 
14 ELOGIA SEPULGHRALIA 
 
 M}' Jacob Patiison, Med, Stud. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Hoc in agello funesto sepultae sunt reliquiae 
 
 JACOB. PATTISON de Witham, in Comitatu 
 de Essex ; 
 
 Qui in Academia Edinensi, 
 
 Non minus fauste quam diligenter 
 
 in rem medicam incumbebat. 
 
 riorentem aetate, 
 
 Ob ingenii acumen, moresque imprimis amabiles, 
 
 Omnibus quibus notus carissimum, 
 
 Febris lethalis aggressa, 
 
 Procul patria domo, inter lachrymas et suspiria 
 
 sociorum, 
 
 Subito oppressit. 
 
 Hoc monumentum tres Societates, 
 
 Regia Medica nempe, Speculativa, et Physica, 
 
 Quarum omnium simul Praeses fuit, 
 Non ut famae ejus consulerent, quippe pkrum 
 
 indigo opis, 
 
 Sed ut animos, nee amicitiae, nee meriti insignis, 
 
 immemores ostenderent, 
 
 Conjunctim exstruendum qurarunt. 
 
 Obiit III. Idus Martii, A. D. 1782, 
 Anno aetat, ^3- 
 
EDINBURGENA. 15 
 
 Mr Francis Foulke, Med, Stud. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Memoriae Sacrum 
 
 FRANCISCI FOULKE, Armigeri, Hibernv 
 
 egregiae spei juvenis, 
 
 A. B. Trin. Col. Dub. 
 
 Triennium quasi in Acad. Edin. medicinae studio 
 operam dedit ; 
 Ibique liberis Sociorum sufFragiis, - 
 munere honorifico Praesidis annui 
 
 Societal. Reg. Med. necnon Nat. Studios. Edin. 
 
 auctus fuit. 
 
 Amicis vixit carus, a Professoribus AcademicB 
 
 honoratus, 
 
 jam brevi in Patriam reversurus, 
 
 Immatura morte anno aetatis vicesimo septimo,- 
 
 e medio sublatus est, 
 
 Decembris die vicesimo secundo, 
 
 Annoque Gratiae 1789. 
 
 Posuit Mater moestissima,. 
 Anna Foulke. 
 
l6 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Messrs Dobson and Perciml, Med. Stud. 
 
 VIII, 
 
 H. S; §. 
 
 Juvenes in vita amicissimi, 
 
 nunc etiam 
 
 Post fata conjuncti, 
 
 JOANNES DOBSON de Hull(^ 
 
 et 
 
 JACOBUS PERCIVAL, Macuniensi^^ 
 
 Col. S. Joann. apud Cantab. 
 
 necnon 
 
 Academiae Edinburgenae 
 
 Alumni ; 
 
 Moribus, Ingenio, Scientia 
 
 ornati ; 
 
 Qui Artis Hippocraticae studio,= 
 
 Aliorum saluti consulentes, . 
 
 Heu! 
 
 Contagione mortifera, 
 
 ipsi fuerunt oppressi. 
 
 Ille obiit 27mo Dec, 1787, 
 Anno aetatis 23tio ; 
 
 Hie spiritum efflavit 23tio Feb, 119^ 
 Anno aetatis 24to. 
 
iDINBURGENA. 17 
 
 Mr Lionel Browne, Med. Stud. 
 
 Ix. 
 
 Hanc Lapidemj 
 
 Gui nomen baud paucis memoratum inscribitur, 
 
 Amici praedilecti Reliquias munire, 
 
 Moerentes cognati posuerunt. 
 
 LIONEL BROWNE, 
 
 In Schola Medicinae Edinburgensi 
 
 nuper Alumnus, 
 
 Spes magnas praebens, 
 
 i^atus fuit Bridporti in Comitatu Dorsettiae* 
 
 Obiit quinto die Calendarum Maii, 
 Anno Ghristi 1785, aetatis suae 28 vo^ 
 
 Lector, 
 jam te premet nox, fabulaeque manes» 
 
is ELCJGIA sepulchralia 
 
 Mr H. Duncan, Lit, Hum. Slud. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 HENRY FRANCIS DUNCAN, 
 
 Who died on the 24th of December 1805^ 
 In the 14th year of his age, 
 
 1. 
 If rising virtues claim the Poet's tear^ 
 If worth, if genius, wake soft Pity's sigh, 
 Who will not weep o'er Henry's youthful bier? 
 Who will not grieve that worth like his should die^ 
 
 Sweet youth, farewell ! Yet long we'll mourn thy 
 
 doom, 
 Long kindle incense at Affection's shrine * 
 And oft we'll wander to thy early tomb. 
 And oft, in sorrow, read this tender line : 
 
 S. 
 ** Here Henrt rests, a youth beloved by all ; 
 ** His Parents hope, amid declining years." — 
 More could I say, but friendship's sacred call^ 
 Demands the tribute of my bursting tears. 
 
 Written by Jo, Wharton, M. D, 
 
EDtNBURGENA. 19 
 
 Mr David Herd, IVriter. 
 
 XL 
 
 Near this Stone • 
 aiie interred the remains of 
 
 Mr DAVID HERD, Writer; 
 
 A Man of Probity, 
 
 Of a kind and friendly disposition. 
 
 Mild tolerant principles. 
 
 And a taste in anciedt Scottish Literature. 
 
 Not solicitous to shine, 
 
 Nor anxious to become rich, 
 
 He lost ^Q-w friends. 
 
 And made few enemies. 
 
 These qualities had their influence ; 
 
 For they averted many of the wants and evils 
 
 of declining years. 
 
 He died a Bachelor, aged 8^, 
 Upon the 10th of June 1810. 
 
20 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr JVilliam Swanson. 
 
 xii. 
 
 To the Memory 
 
 of 
 
 WILLIAM SWANSON, Esq, 
 
 of Leith Head, 
 
 Late writing-master in Edinburgh \ 
 
 who 
 
 having honourably discharged 
 
 the duties of his Profession 
 
 for fifty-one years, 
 
 pied on the 11th of October 18Ip, 
 
 Aged 76? 
 
 ^ 
 
EDINBURGENA. $1 
 
 ■» 
 
 Mn Catharine Macgregor. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Sacred to the Memory 
 
 of 
 
 CATHARINE ROBERTSON, 
 
 Spouse of 
 
 Malcolm Macgregor, Printer, 
 
 Who died March 5. 1810; 
 
 Also 
 
 MARY and MARGARET, 
 
 And their other Children who died ^oung. 
 
 Aig taobh na Clofche so 
 
 Tha Bean mo Graidh agus mo Mheas 
 
 Agus mo Sheachdnar Chlojnne Nan Luidhe, 
 
 Agus 
 
 Sianear an Ckogh nan Sagart Glas, 
 
 CALLUM MAC GHRIGAIR, 
 
 # 
 
22. EtOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 GREYFRIARS CHURCH- YARD. 
 
 According to Maitland's History of Edin- 
 burgh, when the Greyfriars Gardens were con- 
 verted into a Cemetery, over the gateway was 
 put the following inscription. 
 
 Remember Man, as thou goes by, 
 As thou art now, so once was I. 
 As I am now, so shalt thou be ; 
 Remember Man, that thou must die. 
 
 XIV. 
 On the Monument of George Heriofy Founder 
 
 A 
 
 of a princely Hospital for the education of 
 Boys, 
 
 Viator, qui sapis, unde sies, quid sis, quidquj^ 
 futurus sis, hinc nosce. 
 
 Vita mihi mortis, Mors vitae janua facta est^ 
 Solaque Mors mortis vivere posse dedit ; 
 
 Ergo, quisquis adhuc mortali vesceris aura, 
 Dum licet, ut possis vivere, disce mori* 
 
EDINBURGENA. S3 
 
 Mr John Milru. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Bina quater ac trina past repetita lustra peracta, 
 Vitae hujus lubricae, 
 > Hie dormienti molliter, 
 
 JOANNI MILNE, 
 
 Regio, de Milneorum stirpe, sexto 
 Protofabro murario, 
 Artis'architectonicas 
 
 Eximie perito, > 
 
 Artificum Edinorum saepius Archidecano, 
 
 PubliGis in regni comitiis 
 
 Metropolis non semel delegate ; 
 
 Considerato, fido ; 
 
 Viro animi dotibus supra sortem exculto. 
 
 Corporis forma spectabili, 
 
 Probo, cordato, pio. 
 
 Omnibus colendo ; 
 
 Monumentum hoc qualecunque, 
 
 Robert us ex fratre nepos, 
 
 Patruo virtutum et officii 
 
 -^mulus successor, 
 Gratitudinis ergo, posuic. 
 
 Obiit !24to Decembris, anno 1667, 
 iEtatis suee 56, 
 
24 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Professor Madaurin* 
 
 XVI- 
 
 infra situs est 
 COLIN MACLAURIN, 
 
 Matheseos olim in Acad. Edin. Profi. 
 Electus ipso Newtono suadente. 
 
 H L. P. F. 
 
 Non ut nomini paterno consulate 
 
 Nam tali auxilio nil eget, 
 
 Scd Ut in hoc infelici campo, 
 
 Ubi luctus regnant et paver, 
 
 Mortalibus prorsus non absit solatium ; 
 
 Hujus enim scripta evolve, 
 
 Mentemque tantarum rerum capa6em^ 
 
 Corpore caduco superstitem crede. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 25 
 
 Dr Archibald Pitcairn, 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Here lies 
 
 Doctor ARCHIBALD PITCAIRN, 
 
 Who died 26th October 1713, 
 
 Aged 61. 
 
 ELIZABETH STEVENSON, his Widow, 
 
 died 5th October 1734.. 
 
 JANET PITCAIRN, Countess of Kellie, 
 
 his Daughter, 
 
 Died 7th June 1770; and 
 
 Lady ANN ERSKINE, 
 
 His last surviving Grandchild, 
 
 , One of the best of Women, 
 
 Died 18th March 1803. 
 
 Ecce mathematicum, vatem, medicumque, sophumque, 
 PiTCARNUM Magnum, haec urnula parva tenet. 
 Ergo, vale, lux Scotigenura, princepsque medentum, 
 Musarum columen deliciseque, Vale. 
 
 Sodalitas Edinburgena filiorum ^sculapii 
 
 Anno 177^ instituta, 
 
 Hoc monumentum reficiendum curabat, 
 
 Prid. Id. Junii 1800; 
 
 Praeside Alex. Wood, Col. Reg. Chir. Ed. Dec. Em, 
 
 Andrea Duncan, M. D. & P, a Secretis. 
 
26 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Archibald Lamont, Esq. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Hie jacet, 
 In aetatis flore abreptus, 
 
 ARCHIBALDUS LAMONT junior, 
 
 de Knockdow, 
 Iji Comitatu Argatheliense ; 
 
 Bonarum literarum fautor, 
 
 Socius jucundus. 
 
 Amicus generosus, 
 
 Frater benevolus, 
 
 Filius pius ; 
 
 Maritus eheu ! vix sesquimensis. 
 
 Cujus memoriae saerum 
 
 Pater et Vidua, 
 
 Hanc lapidem 
 
 Moerentes posuerunt. 
 
EDINBURGENA* 27 
 
 Mr Thomas Aery^ Med. Stud. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Near this place 
 are deposited the remains of 
 
 Mr THOMAS AERY, 
 
 of the County of Cumberland, 
 Student of Physic in this University. 
 
 Beloved by his Teachers, 
 
 And esteemed by his Companions, 
 
 he died 
 
 on the 27th of December I769. 
 
 This Monument to his Memory, 
 
 is placed here 
 
 by his sorrowful Sister 
 
 EntABETH Aery, 
 
28 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Thomas InneSf Esq. of Monellie, 
 
 XX. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 THOMAS INNES of Monellie, Esq, 
 
 Clerk to his Majesty's Signet, 
 
 Who was born 15th November If 30, 
 
 And died 6th September 1779- 
 
 Distinguished in his Profession, 
 
 For 
 
 Probity, Knowledge, and Accuracy. 
 
 He was no less beloved in private life, 
 
 in his characters of 
 
 Husband, Father, Friend. 
 
 This monument was erected 
 
 By his Widow Elizabeth Innes, 
 
 And his Brother John Innes, Esq. 
 
EDINBURGENA. ^9 
 
 Charles Innes, Esq. of Tobago. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Sacred to the Memory 
 of 
 CHARLES INNES, Esq. of Tobago, 
 Who died 11th April 1*799. 
 
 A tender and affectionate Husband, 
 
 Benevolent Friend, 
 
 And kind Master. 
 
 His mortal remains rest here. 
 
 His Spirit enjoys the reward 
 Of a Life of the strictest integrity. 
 
30 ELOGIA SEPULGHRALIA 
 
 Sir George Mackenzie. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Reliquae sacrae, D, G. MACKENZIE a Valle 
 Rosarum, equitis aurati, Simonis filii, Calenr 
 Comit. de Seafort Nepot. Natus aerae Christi 
 anno 1636. Per annos xxxi. foro in supremo 
 causarum Patronus. Ab anno 1677 Regius 
 Advocatus ; Regibus Carolo II. et Jacob o VII., 
 k Secretoribus Conciliis. Patriae decus, Reli- 
 gionis vindex, Justitiae propagator, juris regii 
 assertor strenuus ct indefessus. 
 
 Collegii Juridicae sive prudentiam summam, 
 sive eloquentiam eximiam, sive instruenda ju- 
 risconsultorum bibliotheca curam, et locuple- 
 tanda munificentiam spectes, ornamentum im- 
 primis illustre, comitatis exemplar, eruditorum 
 M^cenas eruditissimus, omnibus carus, si per- 
 duellium colluviem excipias. 
 
 A quorum violentia, patriam, patriaeque pa- 
 trem, cum ore cum calamo accerrime vindica- 
 vit ; virulentiam jure et justitia temperavitj 
 ferociam rationis viribus retulit, ac tantum non 
 domuit. Monarchiae genius tutillaris, fama, elo- 
 quio, morum integritate, factis et scriptis clarus. 
 Ecclesiae, Reipublicae, Liberis et Amicis vixit. 
 Maii 8vo 1691, in Domino obiit desideratissi- 
 mus. 
 
EDINBURGENA. $1 
 
 The Reverend Mr A. Henderson, 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Memoriae sacrum D. ALEXANDRI HEN- 
 DERSON, Regi a sacris, Edinburgensis eccle- 
 siae Pastoris, ibidem Academiae Rectoris, Aca- 
 demiae Andreanae Alumni, Amplificatoris, Pa- 
 tron i. 
 
 Qui contra grassantes per fraudem et tjran- 
 nidem praslatos, libertatis et disciplinee eccle- 
 siasticae propugnator fuit acerrimus, supersti- 
 tionis juxta ac succrescentium seclarum mal- 
 leus religionis, cultusque divini purioris vindex 
 et assertor constantissimus ; in quae cum omni 
 cura et cogitatione incumbens, assiduos, cum in 
 patria tum in vicino Angliae regno, labores ec- 
 clesiae utiles sibi gloriosos excultavit. Extre- 
 pium spiritum efFudit die 19no Augusti 1646, 
 jetatis 63, 
 
 Hanc quisquis urnara transiens spectaverisj, 
 
 Ne negligenter aspice, 
 Hie busta magni cernis Hendersonit, 
 
 Pietatis hoc bustum vides. 
 
B2 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Remrend Dr William Rohertson, 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 In the Greyfriars Church-yard, a small but 
 elegant Monument is creeted, on the ground 
 where the remains of Dr Robertson, long 
 Principal of the University of Edinburgh, were 
 deposited. It is said to have been built from a 
 design of the late Robert Adam, Esq. architect, 
 and is very similar to that which he erected 
 over the burying- ground of his own father. 
 There is a space, within the monument, evi- 
 dently intended for a Bust and Monumental 
 Inscription. But although it be now several 
 years since the monument was erected, both the 
 one and the other are wanting. 
 
 What follows has been recommended as a 
 monumental inscription for Dr Robertson, by 
 one of his sincere admirers. 
 
EDINBURGENA. SS 
 
 The Reverend Dr TVilUam Robertson. 
 
 "^ if?- 
 
 Infra humatus est, 
 
 GULIELMUS ROBERTSON, SS. Th. D. 
 
 Academiae Edinburgenae per annos xxx. 
 
 et amplius, 
 
 Praefectus indefessus, ornatissimus, 
 
 meritissimusque ; 
 
 Inter scriptores sui saeculi 
 
 De rebus historicis, 
 
 Nemini secundus, 
 
 Natus anno Mnccxxi. 
 
 Supremum halitum expiravit, 
 
 XI. Junii MDCCxciii. 
 
 Grates persolvere dignas 
 
 Non opus est nostra. Sed, Vir Clarissime^ 
 Semper honos, nomcnque tuum^ laiidesque maneffunt. 
 
54 ILOGIA SEPULGHRALIA 
 
 The Reverend Dr Hugh Blair, 
 
 m 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Dr Hugh Blair is interred in the Greyfriars 
 Church yard, not far from the grave of his in- 
 timate friend Dr Robertson. No monument 
 has been erected to his memory. But the fol- 
 lowing inscription has been proposed. 
 
 Tnfelici hoc in Campo, 
 
 Ubi effunduntur suspiria et lacrymae, 
 
 Sepultus est 
 
 HUGO BLAIR, SS. Theol. Doctor; 
 
 Ecclesiae Scoticae et Academiae Edinburgenae 
 
 Per annos pene sexaginta 
 
 Decus et Tutamen. 
 
 In Cathedra Academica Criticus eximius, 
 
 In rostro Templi Orator perelegans ; 
 
 Maritus amantissimus, 
 
 Amicus fid el is, 
 
 Vir bonus. 
 
 Natus 7"^° April is 171 8 ; 
 
 Terram cum Coelo crmmutavit 
 
 27^0 Decembris 1 800, 
 
 Anno as talis S'o^K 
 
iDINBURGENA. 35 
 
 The Reverend Mr James Struthers. 
 
 XXVI- 
 
 A Tribute 
 
 Of admiration, affection and regret, 
 
 To the memory of the late 
 
 Reverend JAMES STRUTHERS; 
 
 A man of superior understanding, 
 intelligence and worth : 
 
 Whose talents and success 
 
 as a pulpit Orator, 
 
 were not excelled, and scarcely equalled, 
 
 in the place and period which were honoured 
 
 by his short but distinguished 
 
 mortal existence. 
 
 He was born at Glasford, on the 
 31st of October 1775; 
 
 Educated at Glasgow ; ordained Minister 
 
 of the First Relief Chapel, College Street, Edin, 
 
 28th July 1791; 
 
 And died ISch July 1807. 
 
36 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Archibald Burnet, Esq: 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 ARCHIBALD BURNET, Esq. 
 
 who, 
 after having, for several years, 
 
 fulfilled all the duties 
 
 of an upright and honest man, 
 
 in the Civil Service 
 
 cif the Honourable East India Company 
 
 in Bengal, 
 
 returned to his native country, 
 
 to be the friend of Virtue, 
 
 and the patron of Distress : 
 
 To be the Founder 
 (if the House of Industry in this City ; 
 
 and, in the midst of plans 
 
 of public and private beneficence, 
 
 to die, on the 11th of September 1803^ 
 
 with the resignation of Piety, 
 
 in the 49th year of his age. 
 
 This simple monument of aflfection, 
 is inscribed by his Widow, 
 
 EUPHEMIA BURNEX; 
 
 in the humble hope, 
 
 that of such spirits is the 
 
 Kingdom of Heaven 
 
EDINBURGENA* 37 
 
 Mr John Fairbairny Bookseller. 
 
 XXVIIL 
 
 Sacred to the Memorj 
 of 
 
 JOHN FAIRBAIRN, 
 
 Bookseller in Edinburgh ; 
 
 whose uniformity of conduct 
 
 as a Christian, 
 
 and Member of Society, 
 
 rendered him conspicuous through life ; 
 
 And whose many good qualities 
 
 will be long in the recollection 
 
 of his numerous Friends. 
 
 He died in the 72d year of his age. 
 
58 ELOeiA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 John Davie, Esq. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of 
 JOHN DAVIE, Esq. of Gavieside, 
 
 who was born 25th December 1733, 
 and died 21st August 1803. 
 
 In tender remembrance of whose worth, 
 As a Husband, a Father, and a Friend, 
 
 This monument is erected 
 by his Widow and surviving Children. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 39 
 
 The Reverend Mr James Hall. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 To the Memory 
 
 Of the Reverend Mr JAMES HALL, 
 
 who died 8th December 1781, 
 
 aetat. suae 55, 
 
 Blameless in Life, even in his early Youth, 
 Unknown to wander from the paths of Truth, 
 He lived ; but did not live on bread alone, 
 The word of God his comfort. Heaven his home. 
 His constant aim the love of Christ to win, 
 A friend to Sinners, yet abhorr'd their Sin. 
 Firm to the Truth, by sacred influence mov'd, 
 Mild, yet severe ; even in reproof belov'd. 
 This to thine honour, more than this thy due. 
 On earth the Christian's life was shewn in you. 
 
40 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Reverend Mr Joseph Robertson Macgregor^ 
 
 XXXL 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of 
 Thd Reverend 
 
 Mr JOSEPH ROBERTSON MACGREGOR, 
 
 who died at Edinburgh 
 
 on the 2 1 St of January 1801^ 
 
 Minister of 
 
 The Gaelic Congregation there. 
 
 This stone was erected by his Son, 
 Captain Macgregor, 88th Regiment. 
 
 Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit, 
 NuUi flebilior quam mih.u 
 
tDINBURG^NA. 41 
 
 Mr John Carmkhael, 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 iOANNI CARMICHAEL, Edinburgensi, 
 
 Viro probo, Civi optimOj 
 
 Collegii a Gi^ORoio HePvIot munifice fundati^ 
 
 Curator! fideli ; 
 
 Qui 
 
 inter rumores de re male administrata 
 
 jamdiu pervulgatos, 
 
 Et litem forelisem inter Curatores 
 
 acerrime intentam, 
 
 Quaestoris Collegii officium, 
 
 Quamvis tantae iriVidiae tunc obnoxium^ 
 
 Suscipere non recusavit ; 
 
 Sed ejus rem pecuniariam, 
 
 Difficultatibus gravissimis implicitam. 
 
 Per multos annos dum valetudo sineret, 
 
 Indefesse administravit, resiituit, auxit. 
 
 Hoc Marmor, 
 
 exile quidem sed honorificum, 
 
 Publicae existimationis monumentumj 
 
 posuerunt 
 Reliqui ejusdem Collegii Curatores. 
 Obiit die S8vo Mensis Julii 17b^^ 
 setatis suae Lxxiv. 
 
42 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr John Bar?2€t, Med. Stud. 
 
 XXXIIL 
 
 Here lieth interred, 
 
 JOHN BARNET, Student of Physic: 
 
 Who was born on the 15th of March 1733, 
 
 and departed this life on the 1st of April 175.^. 
 
 Peace, gentle Shade I This from a Brother's hand, 
 
 Who must not say what justice might demand : 
 
 Yet this I must, not each proud marble can, 
 
 The dust beneath was truly once a Man. 
 
 From Virtue's pleasing paths he never rov'd y 
 
 Of Man a Lover, and by Man belov'd. 
 
 For others ills he griev'd, contemn'd his own ; 
 
 To none severe, save to himself alone. 
 
 To him fair Science ope'd her useful page, 
 
 Rich with experience, and the spoils of age. 
 
 Too early lost ; lamented here he lies, 
 
 Nip't like a rose-bud, ere it blows it dies. 
 
 Death, lest mankind he from the tomb should save. 
 
 Snatched him thus early to the peaceful grave. 
 
 Quisquis hoc sustulerit aut jusserit, 
 Ultimus suorum moriatur. 
 
 Repaired by the jEsculaptan Club of Edinburgh, 
 
 1785. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 45 
 
 The Marquis of Argyk, 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Epitaphium 
 
 CoMiTis Argathali^, 
 
 quod ipse sibi posuit. 
 
 Audi hospes, quicunque venis tumulumque revisis, 
 
 Et rogitas quali crimine tinctus eram ; 
 
 Non me crimen habet, iion me malus abstulit error ; 
 
 Et vitium nullum me pepulit patria. 
 
 Solus amor Patriae, Verique immensa cupido, 
 
 Desuetas jussit sumere tela nianus. 
 
 Opprimor en rediens vi sola et fraude meorum. 
 
 Hostibus et sa?vis victima terna cado. 
 
 Sit licet hie noster labor irritus, baud Deus sequus, 
 
 Destituet populum secula cuncta suum. 
 
 Ast alius veniet, fatis melioribus ortus, 
 
 Qui totius ruptum fine beabit opus. 
 
 Sat mihi crede datur, quamvis caput ense secetur, 
 
 Hinc petere cetherei lucida templa poli. 
 
4i4i ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Edinburgh Alavtyrs. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Halt, passenger, take heed what thou do'st see. 
 This tomb doth shew for what some men did die. 
 Here lies interr'd the dust of those who stood 
 'Gainst perjury, resisting unto blood. 
 Adhering to the Covenants and Laws, 
 Establishing the same ; which was the cause 
 Their lives are sacrificed, unto the lust 
 Of Prelatists abjured. Tho' here their dust 
 Lies mix'd with murderers, and other crew, 
 Whom justice, justly, did to death pursue. 
 But as for these, in them no cause was found 
 Worthy of death ; but only they were found 
 Constant and stedfast ; zealous witnessing 
 For the prerogative of Christ, their King. 
 Which truths were seal'd by famous Guthrie's 
 
 head ; 
 And all along to Mr Ren wick's blood, 
 
EDINBURGENA. 45 
 
 Thej did endure the wrath of Enemies, 
 Reproaches, Torments, Deaths, and Injuries. 
 But yet they're these, who from such troubles 
 
 came, 
 And now triumph in glory, with the Lamb. 
 
 ^ 
 
 From May 27- 1^61, when the Noble Marquis 
 of Argyle suffered, to the 17th of February 1688, 
 that Mr James Renwick suffered, there were 
 executed at Edinburgh about One Hundred of 
 Noblemen, Gentlemen, Ministers, and others, 
 noble Martyrs for Jesus Christ. Most of them 
 lie here. 
 
46 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Marquis of Montrose, 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 In JACOBUM Montisrosarum Marchionem 
 Magnum. 
 
 Hunc furor immanis Plebis jugulavit aperte, 
 Hunc amor immanis Regis tumulavit aperte. 
 In Patriam, Regem, Leges, ceu perfidus hostis. 
 Pro Patria, Lege et Legibus occubui. 
 Legibus antiquis Patriae, Regique fidelis, 
 A Rege et Patria, et Legibus intumulor. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 47 
 
 JVilUam and Clement Little, Esqs. 
 
 XXXVIL 
 
 Memoriae proavi sui Paterni, 
 
 GULIELMI LITTLE, a Superiore Liberton, 
 
 Edinburgi quondam Prsefecti, 
 Pronepos posuit anno 1683. 
 
 Hie etiam, apud fratrem, 
 
 Magister CLEMENS, Consule natu major, 
 
 in Metropole Commissarius, 
 
 manet resurrectionem. 
 
 (Xialis at ille Clemens, quam magnus et ille 
 
 LlTTELIUS, 
 
 Hoc Cives, illud Bibliotheca docet. 
 
 Nobile par fratrum I Meritis certatur utrinque^ 
 Metropolin, Musis, hie fovet, ille favet. 
 
4S ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Archibald Tod, Esq, 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Quod caducum habuit 
 hie deponi jussit, 
 
 ARCHIBALDUS TOD, 
 
 tJrbis Edinburgenae a natalibus Civis, 
 
 Vir procul omni fuco, 
 
 et sine fastu probus, 
 
 Quater Matrimonio junctus, 
 
 at ex prima tantum conjuge Helena, 
 
 filia JoANNis Jackson, civis praeclari, 
 
 tanicam natam superstitem reliquit Katharinam,' 
 
 uxorem Davidis Wilkii-, civis honorifici, 
 
 et hoc anno 1655 aedilis. 
 
 Ipse vero, 
 
 seu pace juvante, seu bello adversante. 
 
 Pro Patria et Urbe 
 
 semper idem ; 
 
 Ter Praetor, bis ^dilis, septies urbis Praefectusy 
 
 Et per sex lustra BsXgyr;?^. 
 
 Ob lit multum desideratus 
 
 ^to X(j^ Februarii 1656, 
 
 setatis lxxi. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 49 
 
 Charles Macintosh^ Esq. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 This Tribute of 
 
 Affection, Gratitude and Duty, 
 
 is placed in Memory of 
 
 CHARLES MACINTOSH, Esq. W. S. 
 
 Who died in Edinburgh 
 
 on the 26th of November 1812, 
 
 aged 71 years. 
 
 He was highly esteemed 
 
 by those connected with him 
 
 by the ties of Blood or Friendship, 
 
 as well from his abilities 
 
 and honourable conduct as a Man, 
 
 as from his happy talents 
 
 for Society and Conversation. 
 
 This stone was erected by his Brother, 
 John Macintosh of Aberarder, in the County of Inverness. 
 
50 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Isaac Grant, Esq, 
 
 XL, 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of 
 
 ISAAC GRANT, Esq. of Hilton, 
 
 Writer to the Signet, 
 
 who died J27th December 179^, 
 
 aged 70 years, 
 
 universally esteemed, and much regarded 
 
 by all who knew him. 
 
 In him the Poor lost a Friend, 
 The Rich a cheerful and facetious Companioq, 
 And the World an honest Man. 
 
 This stone was erected 
 
 at the request of his eldest Son 
 
 Isaac Grant, 
 
 February 2. A. D. 1 798- 
 
EDINBURGENA. S I 
 
 The Reverend Mr Adam Gib. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Sacred to the Memory 
 
 of the Reverend ADAM GIB, 
 
 an able and faithful Minister of Christ : 
 
 Endowed with a large share of natural talent, 
 
 improved by Education, Study and Use : 
 
 In language concise, clear, nervous and expressive, 
 
 with freedom, acuteness, zeal, and assiduity, 
 
 he long preached the pure doctrines 
 
 of the Gospel ; 
 
 and contended 
 to instruct, warn, and reprove, 
 a degenerate and declining age. 
 
 Born 15th of April 1714; 
 
 he died on the Hth of June 1788, 
 
 aetatis 74. 
 
52 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 TVilUam Oliphaiit, Esq. Lord Advocate. 
 
 XLIL 
 
 Nonpraesse sedprodesse, vera laus, 
 
 Clarissimi viri 
 
 . Domini GULIELMI OLIPHANT, 
 Advocati Regii ; 
 integerrimi et fidelissimi consiliarii, 
 quod claudi potuit hie jacet ; 
 Gujus victurae famae, et virtutis memorise^. 
 
 hunc cippum 
 * moestissimus filius posuit. 
 
 Obiit Idibus Aprilis 1 628; 
 
 Per annos 77 vixit 
 
 Deo, Principi, ac Patriae. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 53 
 
 Thomas Ruddiman, A, Mf 
 
 XLIIIJ 
 
 Sacred to the Memory 
 of that celebrated Scholar and worthy Man, 
 
 THOMAS RUDDIMAN, A. M. 
 
 Keeper of the Advocates' Library near fifty years. 
 
 Born October 1674, 
 
 within three miles of the town of Banff; 
 
 Died at Edinburgh, l^th January 1757, 
 
 In his eighty-third year. 
 
 Post obitum benefacta manent, aeternaque vittus, 
 Non metuit Stygiis ne rapiatur aquis* 
 
 This Tablet is erected as a respectful tribute, 
 by^his relative William Ruddiman, M. D, 
 
 MDCGCI. 
 
54 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Lieutenant -Colonel Mackenzie. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Consecrated to the Memory of 
 Lieut-Colonel ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, 
 
 of the 21st Regiment of Light Dragoons, 
 eldest Son of 
 Mr Alexander Mackenzie, Writer to the Signet. 
 
 He was born on the 8th of August 1768, 
 
 And died on the 3d of July 1 796, 
 
 at Cape Mole St Nicholas, 
 
 in St Domingo, 
 
 where his remains lie interred. 
 
 ** Dulce et decorum est pro Patria mori." 
 
 Such were the sentiments which actuated his 
 
 conduct as a Soldier : 
 
 Such the expression of it which he wished to 
 
 be inscribed on his tomb. 
 
 Funus sine im.aginibus et pompa, per laudes e^ 
 memoriam virtutum ejus ceiebre fuit 
 
EDINBURGENA. 65 
 
 George Goldie, Esq, 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Near this stone is interred 
 
 GEORGE GOLDIE, Esq. 
 
 Manager of the British Linen Company. 
 
 Truly 
 Esteemed and regretted by all who knew him 
 Beloved and lamented by his Friends. 
 
 After a painful and lingering illness, 
 
 which he bore with the Patience 
 
 and resignation of a Christian, 
 
 He departed this life 
 
 on the 26th of September 1783, 
 
 aged 49 years. 
 
56 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Colonel Aberc?'07nbi/., 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Beneath this stone are deposited 
 the Remains of 
 
 Colonel JAMES ABERCROMBY, 
 
 who died 2d January 1804«. 
 
 During two eventful wars, 
 
 he served his King and Country, 
 
 with courage and approbation ; 
 
 Endeared to a circle of numerous friends, 
 
 by Sociability, Benevolence, Integrity, 
 
 and other Virtues. 
 
 Charlotte Gordon, his Widow, 
 consecrates this last tribute 
 
 of duty and affection 
 
 to the worth of a Husband 
 
 whose Demise she deplores, 
 
 and 
 whose Memory she reveres. 
 
ZDINBURGENA^ 4i7 
 
 Sholto DotfglaSy Etq. 
 
 " XLVII. 
 
 JACOBUS SHOLTO DOUGLAS, 
 Jurisconsultus ; 
 
 Filiorum minimus 
 
 Caroli Ayton Douglas, 
 
 de Kinglassie. 
 
 Vixit annos xxxviii. 
 
 Obiit 4*® Nonas Sextilis, 
 1768. 
 
 H 
 
5d ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Richard Dobie, Esq. 
 
 XLVIII. ^■ 
 M. S. 
 RICARDI DOBIE. 
 
 Bis Quaestor, toties -^dilis, turn quater urbis 
 Propraetor, senas Consul Olympiadas, 
 Consiliis juvi, illustravi, censibus auxi, 
 Hanc magis ecce meis plus et amavi oculis. 
 
 Obiit 20. Novembris, An. Dom. I6l9, 
 -^Etatis Lxixi. 
 
EDINBURGENA* 59 
 
 CANONGATE CHURCH- YARD. 
 
 George Drummondj Esq, 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 GEORGE DRUMMOND, Esq. 
 
 One of the Honourable Commissioners 
 
 of his Majesty's Revenues of 
 
 ^'\ Customs and Excise 
 
 in Scotland, 
 
 And six times Lord Provost 
 
 of the City of Edinburgh ; 
 
 Who died the 4th of December 176^, 
 aged 79 years. 
 
 This monument was erected by 
 
 Archibald Drummonb of Rudgeway, Esq. M. D. 
 
 his eldest Son, 
 
 1797. 
 
60 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Reverend Dr John Jardinc, 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 The Reverend JOHN JARDINE, D. D. , 
 
 Dean of the most ancient order of the Thistle^ 
 
 And one of his Majesty's Chaplains 
 
 for Scotland, 
 
 who died 30th May 1766, 
 
 aged 5 1 years ; 
 
 and of 
 
 JEAN DRUMMOND, his Wife, 
 
 who died S7th September 1766, 
 aged 44 years. 
 
 This monument was erected 
 
 by Henry Jardine, Writer to the Signet, 
 
 their only surviving Son. 
 
EPINBURGENA. ^1 
 
 Dr Adam Smith. 
 
 LI. 
 
 Here are deposited 
 the remains of 
 
 ADAM SMITH, 
 
 Author 
 
 of the 
 
 Theory of Moral Sentiments, 
 
 and 
 
 Wealth of Nations, 
 
 8sc. 8sc. <§-c. 
 
 He was born 5th June 179,3^ 
 And he died 17th July 1790. 
 
62 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr Robert Fergusson, Poet. 
 
 LIL 
 
 Here lies 
 
 ROBERT FERGUSSON, Poet- 
 
 ^ Born 5th September 1751, 
 died October 16. 1774. 
 
 No sculptur'd marble here, nor pompous lay. 
 No storied Urn, nor animated Bust ; 
 This simple Stone directs pale Scotia's way. 
 To pour her sorrows o'er her Poet's dust. 
 
 By special grant from the Managers to Ro- 
 bert Burns, this Stone is to remain for ever 
 sacred to the Memory of 
 
 Robert Fergusson. ' 
 
EDINBURGENA. 63 
 
 From inattention in the mason employed to 
 erect this monument, the foundation soon gave 
 way, and it was in danger of falling. When 
 this was observed, as Burns as w^ell as Fer- 
 gus son was then also nurnbered with the dead, 
 some Members of the ^scul apian Club, ani- 
 mated by that pious zeal for departed meri^ 
 which had before led them to prevent some 
 other Sepulchral Monuments from going to ruin, 
 applied for liberty to repair this tribute from 
 one Poet to the memory of another. And per- 
 mission being granted, they took that opportu- 
 nity of affixing to it an Additional Inscription, 
 commemorating the genius of Burns. The 
 poetical part of it, is taken, almost "oerhatim^ 
 from the Elegy written by Burns hnnself on 
 Captain Mathew Henderson. 
 
 J)ignum laude virum Musa vetat moru 
 
 Lo Genius, proudly, wliile to Fame she turns, 
 Twines Currie''s Laurels, with the wreath of Burns. 
 
 KOSCQE, 
 
6'h ELOGJA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Robert Burns, Poet, 
 
 LIII. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 ROBERT BURNS, the Ayrshire Bard; 
 
 who was born at Doonside 
 
 ^ the 29th of January 17^9, 
 
 and died at Dumfries 
 
 on the 22dof July ij 96. 
 
 O Robbie Burns, the Man, the Brither, 
 And art thou gone, — and gone for ever ; 
 And hast thou cross'd that unknown river, 
 
 Life's dreary bound ? 
 Like thee^ where shall we find anither, 
 
 The world around. 
 
 Go to your sculptur'd tombs, ye Great, 
 In a' the tinsel trash of state; 
 But by thy honest turf I'll wait, 
 
 Thou man of worth. 
 And weep the sweetest Poet's fate, 
 
 'E'er liv'd on Earth. 
 
£DTNBURGENA. 65 
 
 The Reverend Dr JVilliam Lothian, 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Memorice sacrum 
 
 GULIELMI LOTHIAN, S T. D. & S. R. S. Ed- 
 
 Hujus ecclesiae per annos xix. 
 
 Pastoris Prima rii, 
 
 Verbi divini Praeconis egregii ; 
 
 in Ciiriis ecclesiasticis, 
 
 Oratoris acris et diserti ; 
 
 Qui 
 
 Recti conscius ac propositi tenax, 
 
 Quanquam aurem popularem mini me captaret, 
 
 Gregi tamen suae probatissimus, 
 
 Amicis, Conjugi, Liberis dilectissimus, 
 
 vixit ; 
 
 Et postquam 
 
 Pectore constante, 
 
 Animoque vere Christiana, 
 
 Saevissimi morbi cruciatus, 
 
 diu tolerasset, 
 
 Vitam tandem cum Morte beat!ssima 
 
 commutavit, 
 
 XVI. Cal. Jan. 1783, 
 
 anno aetatis xliii. 
 
 Hoc Marmot 
 Vidua moestissima, 
 ponendum curavit* 
 
6^ ELOGIA SEPULCHRAirA 
 
 Dr Charles Alston. 
 
 IN. 
 
 CHARLES ALSTON, 
 
 King's Botanist in Scotland ; 
 
 Fellow of the Royal College of PhysicianSj 
 
 Professor of Medicine 
 
 and of Botany 
 
 in the University of Edinburgh, 
 
 Died November 22. 1T60. 
 
 His merit 
 
 as one of the distinguished Founders^^ 
 
 of the Medical School at Edinburgh^^ 
 
 ought never to be forgotten 
 
 by the City and the College. 
 
 Post Funera Virtus, 
 
EDINBU.RGENA. 67 
 
 BURIAL-GROUND 
 
 ON THB 
 
 CALTON HILL. 
 
 David Hume, Esq. 
 
 LVI. 
 
 A very conspicuous Monument, in a style of 
 architecture rather singular, is placed over the 
 grave of David Hume, Esq. In the front of 
 it, immediately a'bove the door, is a niche, pro- 
 bably intended for a statue. The only inscrip- 
 tion it contains is, 
 
 DAVID HUME, Esq. 
 Born 26th April 17 11, died 26th August 1776. 
 
68 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 David Hume, Esq. 
 
 It has been proposed by one of his many 
 admirers, that the following Lines should be 
 added. 
 
 In this Sepulchral Monument 
 
 is deposited 
 
 The mortal part 
 
 of an immortal Philosopher, 
 
 DAVID HUME, Esq. 
 
 whose reputation will never die : 
 
 For his Writings 
 
 will cease only to be admired 
 
 when the English Language 
 
 ceases to be understood. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 69 
 
 Mr TVilliam Gibson. 
 
 LVII. 
 
 In Memory of 
 
 WILLIAJVI GIBSON, 
 
 Assistant Superintendant of Mail Coaches, 
 
 who departed this life 
 
 19th September 1807, 
 
 aged 57 years. 
 
 A bright example of a generous mind. 
 Whose godlike impulse was to serve mankind. 
 
70 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr William Smith, Architect, 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 M. S. 
 
 GULIELMI SMITH, 
 
 Architectonis. 
 
 Quid sumus, O I miseri, nisi pulvis motus ab 
 
 aura, 
 Et fragili vitro similis umbraque fugace ; 
 
 Nunc vivi atque hilares, paulo post vermibus 
 esca; 
 
 Nunc pulchri et validi, paulo post turpe cada- 
 ver. 
 
EDINBURGENA, 71 
 
 Mr Henry Mannings Med, Stud. 
 
 LIX. 
 
 Here lies 
 
 The body of HENRY MANNING, 
 
 Student of Physic, 
 
 Son of Nath. Manning, Esq. 
 
 of Danheston, 
 
 Ck)unty of Lowth, Ireland ; 
 
 who departed this life 
 
 l6th June 1782, 
 
 aged 23 years. 
 
 Eternal things his Faith had still in view, 
 God's holy law his mind did close pursue. 
 Did health permit, his constant aim was good ; 
 Did sickness press him, firm his patience stood. 
 Pleasant in temper : Virtue's paths he trod ; 
 Now rob'd in white, before his Saviour Goi>. 
 
7^ ilLOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr John Urquhart, Surgeon. 
 
 XL. 
 
 JOANNI URQUHART, Armigero> 
 
 Chirurgo Classis Regii ; 
 
 Qui, 
 
 ut Filius, Amicus, Civis, 
 
 Nemini erat secundus. 
 
 Die v*° Octobris 1785 
 
 natus, 
 
 supremum obiit diem 
 
 1"^«> Octobris 18 JO. 
 
 Hanc lapidem posuit Pater, 
 
 GULIELMUS UKQaHART. 
 
EDINiURGEi^A. 73 
 
 M7's Barbai^a Nicohon. 
 
 LXI* 
 BARBARA NIGOLSON, 
 
 Daughter of 
 Arthur Nicolson, Esq. of Lochend, 
 
 and Wife to 
 
 John Scott, Esq. of Melby, Shetland, 
 
 Died 12th March 1813, aged 1 9 years. 
 
 Her mind was endowed 
 
 with all. those accomplishments 
 
 which adorn the female character, 
 
 and which interest and sweeten domestic life. 
 
 She was gentle in her disposition, 
 
 Amiable in her deportment. 
 
 Kind and charitable to all : 
 
 A pattern of maternal tenderness, 
 
 and conjugal fidelity. 
 
 If a firm belief in the doctrines of Christianitv, 
 
 and a constant practice of the duties 
 
 which religion inculcates, 
 
 be pleasing in the sight of the Almighty, 
 
 and estimable among Mankind, 
 
 She now enjoys 
 
 the blessings of immortal felicity. 
 
 And her memory will long be cherished, 
 
 in the pensive recollection of those 
 
 who shared her confidence ; 
 
 While a husband and two infant children 
 
 can never sufficiently deplore 
 
 their early and irreparable loss. 
 
f^ gLOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Major Archibald A r gyle CampbelL 
 
 LXII. 
 
 This monument was erected 
 
 by the Officers of the 4^d R. H. Regiment^ 
 
 to the Memory of 
 
 Major ARCHIBALD ARGYLE CAMPBELL, 
 
 who, during 24 years' service, 
 
 was an ornament to his profession, 
 
 and to the 42d Regiment ; 
 
 by the Officers and Soldiers of which 
 
 he was regarded 
 
 as a Brother and a Father. 
 
 In him were united 
 
 the heroic virtues of the military character, 
 
 with those benevolent and amiable dispositions^ 
 
 which excited 
 
 general esteem and admiration. 
 
 The hardships of War 
 
 undermined his constitution, 
 
 but did not subdue his spirit. 
 
 He finished his military career 
 
 ' in the Spanish Peninsula, 
 
 fighting for the oppressed. 
 
 And having distinguished himself 
 
 in the battle of Corunna, 
 
 Died at Plymouth 
 
 on the 27th of January J 809^ 
 
 aged 40 years. 
 
 J 
 
JECINBURGINA. 75 
 
 BURIAL-GROUND 
 
 AT 
 
 6T CUTHBERrS CHURCH. 
 
 Professor James Robertson, 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 JACOBUS ROBERTSON, S. T. D. 
 
 Ling. Orient, in Acad. Edin. 
 Professor ; 
 
 Jlruditione, Pietate, Benevolentia, 
 Spectatissimus ; 
 
 Studiosorum at Egenorum, 
 
 Patronus eximius. 
 
 Obiit 2&^ Novembris 17W, 
 
 JEtatis 82. 
 
7^ ELOGIA SEPULCHKALIA 
 
 The Reverend Mr James Macdonald^ 
 
 Hie situs est, 
 in amici sui sepulchre, 
 
 Reverendus JACOBUS MACDONALD, 
 
 nuper Ecclesiae apud Anstruther 
 Pastor ; 
 
 %^ Vir sodalibus jucundus, 
 
 Doctrina liberali ornatus. 
 
 Obiit 18^° Aprilis 1810, 
 iEtatis 38. 
 
TiDINBURGENA. 77 
 
 Mr Aied'ander Matheson. 
 
 LXV. 
 
 Infra situs est 
 ALEXANDER MATHESON, 
 
 Vir magoo ingenii acumjne praeditus, 
 
 Accurata Latinitatis cognitione insignis, 
 
 qui Scholae Regiae Edinensi, 
 
 per complures annos, 
 
 summa cum laude 
 
 praefuit ; 
 
 donqc longinquo morbo implicitus, 
 officium deponere coactus est. 
 
 Valetudine autcm iniqua diu conflictatus, 
 
 ambulando ultra fidem indefessus, 
 
 exercitatione saepe vehementi, 
 
 ac duriter se habendo, 
 
 tandem convaluit. 
 
 Dehinc adolescentibus Uteris humanioribus, 
 
 ad annum aetatis usque 81™"P, 
 
 privatim instituendis, operam dedit. 
 
 Discipulis carus, 
 
 Amicis jucundus ; 
 
 Idibus Aprilis decessit. 
 
 Anno Domini 
 
 1799. 
 
78 ELOGIA SZPULCHRALIA 
 
 Peter Raeburn^ Esq, 
 
 LXVI. 
 
 M.S. 
 
 PETRI RAEBURN, 
 
 Filii natu maximi 
 
 Henrici Raeburn 
 
 et 
 
 Annje Edgar ; 
 
 Qui ingenii dotibus insignis, 
 
 necnon 
 
 Ingenua verecundia ornatus, 
 
 omnibus suis carys, 
 
 Parentibus vero eximie delectus ; 
 
 quos nuUo dolore, 
 
 ne vel minima quidem sgritudine, 
 
 unquam afficiebat, 
 
 nisi quum 
 
 Flore juventutis abreptum, 
 
 acerbe lugerent : 
 
 Anno aetatis n^^. 
 
 Heu I nimium cito, 
 
 supremum obiit diem, 
 
 ^to Februarii, A. D. 1798. 
 
tDINBURGENA. 79 
 
 Mrs Lumsdaine, 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 Sacred 
 
 to the Mmeory of 
 
 JACOBIN CAARTER, 
 
 Spouse of 
 
 Archibald Lumsdaine, Esqo 
 
 at Bell's Mills ; 
 
 who departed this life 
 
 upon the 8th day of April i 803^ 
 
 aged 38 years, 
 
 much regretted. 
 
 Hark ! from the tomb a solemn sound, 
 " Prepare, Prepare," it cries, 
 
 " To drop your body in the Dust, 
 ** Your Soul to mount the Skies/' 
 
80 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mrs Tod, 
 
 LXVIIL 
 
 ELIZA DUNBAR, 
 
 Wife of Captain Tod, 
 
 late of the 40th Regiment, 
 
 died on the 22d of January 1804, 
 
 aged 24 years. 
 
 Ah ! whither fled, ye dear illusions say ? 
 iiO ! pale and silent lies the lovely clay. 
 How are the roses on that cheek decay'd, 
 Which beauty's bloom to 6very eye displayed ? 
 Health on her form each sprightly grace bestow'd ; 
 With Life and Thought each speaking feature glow'd. 
 Tair was the blossom, soft the vernal sky ; 
 Elate with Hope, we deem'd no tempest nigh : 
 When, lo ! a whirlwind's instantaneous gust. 
 Left all its beauties withering in the dust 
 
£DINBURGENA. 81 
 
 The Reverend Mr Robert lire. 
 
 LXIX. 
 
 Sacred 
 to the Memory of 
 
 The Reverend ROBERT URE junior, M. A. 
 
 Minister of the Gospel at Airth, 
 
 who was cut off by a Fever, 
 
 in the vigour of Life, 
 
 on the 27th of December 1 803, 
 
 in the 32d year of his age, 
 
 and the 10th of his Ministry. 
 
 He was a dutiful Son, 
 
 An affectionate Brother, 
 
 And a faithful Servant of Christ. 
 
 His death 
 
 is regretted by his parish, 
 
 and lamented by all. 
 
 Reader I mark the uncertainty of time, 
 
 and follow those, who, by faith and patience, 
 
 now inherit the promises. 
 
82 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Richard Douglas, Esq. 
 
 LXX. 
 
 Erected 
 
 by Richard Douglas, Esq. 
 
 Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, 
 
 in Memory of 
 
 Mrs MARY CAMPBELL, 
 
 his Spouse, 
 
 who died 18th May 1801, 
 9ged 59. 
 
 Sacred also, 
 to the Memory of the above 
 
 RICHARD DOUGLAS, Esq, 
 
 whose Integrity, 
 
 Benevolence, 
 
 and other estimable qualities, 
 
 must long secure for him 
 
 the affectionate remembrance 
 
 of his Friends. 
 
 He died 2 1st October 1803, 
 aged 75. 
 
EDINBURGENA* &3 
 
 The Reverend Mr David Black. 
 
 LXXL 
 
 Here are deposited 
 the remains of 
 
 The Reverend DAVID BLACK, 
 
 Minister of Lady Tester's Parish^ 
 
 Edinburgh ; 
 
 who died on the 25th February 1806, 
 
 in the 44th year of his age. 
 
 He walked with God ; 
 
 and was 
 A Man greatly beloved. 
 
8i ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The Reverend Mr William Paul. 
 
 LXXII. 
 
 In Memory of 
 The Reverend WILLIAM PAUL, 
 
 who, 
 
 to the regret of his whole parish, 
 
 died on the 27th of October 1802, 
 
 in the year of his age 48, 
 
 and of his Ministry 22 ; 
 
 and of 
 
 DAVID PAUL, 
 
 his fourth Son, 
 
 cut off in the bloom of youth 
 
 29th of September 1813, 
 
 aged 22 years. 
 
 ^ . 
 
EDINBURGENA. 85 
 
 Mrs Elizabeth Jones. 
 
 LXXIII. 
 
 Beneath 
 
 is all that is mortal 
 
 of 
 
 ELIZABETH JONES, 
 
 wife of 
 
 T. S. Jones, Minister of the Gospel, 
 
 who early obtained mercy 
 
 to choose the good part, 
 
 and was honoured through life, 
 
 to shew out of a good conversation 
 
 her works, with meekness of wisdom ; 
 
 till, at the age of 26, 
 
 having finished her course with joy, 
 
 beloved and lamented. 
 
 She entered into rest, 
 
 on the evening of the Lord's Day, 
 
 10th September 1780. 
 
 
86? ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Earl ofGlmcairn* 
 
 LXXIV. 
 
 The Right Honourable 
 and Right Reverend 
 
 JOHN, 
 Earl of Glencairn, 
 
 was interred here 
 
 on the 2.9th of September 
 
 179^, 
 
 aged 46 years. 
 
 Di^esne prisco natus ab Inacho, 
 Nil interest, an pauper, et infinia 
 De gente, sub dio moreris, 
 Victima nil miserantis Orci. 
 
 Omnes eodem cogimur : Omnium 
 Versatur urna. 
 
EDINBURGZNA. &7 
 
 James Stevenson^ Esq. 
 
 hXXV. 
 
 M. S. 
 JACOBO STEVENSON, Armigero, 
 
 integritate vitae, 
 
 munificentia in suos, 
 
 fide in amicos, 
 
 benevolentia in omnes, 
 
 valdc praestanti, 
 
 Archibaldus Stevenson, 
 
 Fratris filius, 
 
 moerens posuit. 
 
 Obiit IX. ante Cal. Julii, 
 A. D. 1790. 
 
SS ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Mr John Mackay, Botanist, 
 
 LXXVI. 
 
 Sacrum memoriae 
 
 JOANNIS MACKAY, 
 
 qui XVIII. Cal. Maii, 
 
 anno post Christum natum 1802, 
 
 viginti novem annos natus, 
 
 diem defietus obiit supremum, 
 
 mortalitate quidem expleta, 
 
 at nondum multiferae Naturae amcenitatum studio. 
 
 Quique vivus, 
 
 ut ingenii bonitate, 
 
 sua modestia, morumque suavitate, 
 
 erat amicis unice carus, 
 
 sic hortensias Florae deliciolas, 
 
 et rurigenam prolem, 
 
 tarn indefesso pernosccndi ardore, 
 
 quam rara discernendi, disponendique peritia, 
 
 riorilegis Herbariisque acceptus. 
 
 Posuit Frater J. T. Mackay, 
 
 1805. 
 
IDINBURGENA. 89 
 
 Dr Machiight, 
 
 Lxxyii. 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of 
 Dr JAMES MACKNIGHT, 
 
 one of the Ministers of the Old Church, 
 Edinburgh ; 
 
 Author of the Harmony 
 
 of the Gospels, 
 
 the Truth of the Gospel History, 
 
 and a Translation and Commentary 
 
 upon the Apostolic Epistles. 
 
 He was born on the 17th of September 1722, 
 ^nd died on the 13th of January 1800. 
 
 u 
 
90 . ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 John Grant y Esq. 
 
 LXXVIII. 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 JOHN GRANT of Kilgraston, Esq. 
 
 who died at Edinburgh 
 
 on the 29th of March 1 7^3. 
 
 He was for several years a Member of the 
 
 Assembly, 
 
 and an Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court, 
 
 in the Island of Jamaica ; 
 
 where he obtained the office of Chief-Justice, 
 in June 1783. 
 
 His w^orth and virtue as a Man, 
 ^ endeared him to the affections, 
 and survived in the regret, 
 
 of many friends. 
 
 The integrity and abilities 
 
 which raised him to that station, 
 
 will long be remembered 
 
 in the Island in which he filled it, 
 
 and by the Profession who witnessed their exercise 
 
 in the discharge of its duties. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 91 
 
 James, Earl of Moray ^ 
 Regent of Scotland^ 1570. 
 
 " 
 
 LXXIX. 
 
 Pietas sine vindice luget^ 
 
 Jus exarmatum est, 
 
 23 Januarii 1569, 
 
 JACOBO STUARTO, Moravia Comiti^ 
 
 Scotiae Pro-Regi, 
 
 Viro aetatis suae longe Optimo, 
 
 Ab inimicis omnis memoriae deterrimis, 
 
 ex insidiis cxtincto ; 
 
 ceu Patri communi, 
 
 Patria moerens 
 
 posuit. 
 
92 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 The preceding Epitaph is said to have been 
 written by Buchanan, one of the most elegant 
 Latin scholars whom any nation has produced 
 since the revival of Literature in Europe. To 
 the pen of Buchanan we are also indebted for 
 the following Epigram on 2^he Good Regent^ as 
 he was very generally denominated. 
 
 JACOBO STUARTO, Scotorum Pro-Regi. 
 
 Qiiamvis flere nefas te coelo Jacobe receptum, 
 
 Tot populis nunquam, mors fuit una dolor ; 
 Nullo unquam tantam, se ingessit pectore virtus, 
 
 Signa nee ostendit, tarn manifesta sui. 
 Nullo unquam impietas, gavisa est funere tantunip 
 
 Nee sibi plus juris credidit esse nefas. 
 Ictu licet tanto genetrix sit Scotia luctu, 
 
 Tarn genitum gaudet, quam periiss^ dolet. 
 
BDINBURGENA* 
 
 Sir Hmh MaccuUoch 
 
 LXXX, 
 
 D. HUGO MACCULLOCH, 
 
 a Pilton Eques, 
 
 ab anti(|ua familia 
 Maccullorum a Catboll oriundas^; 
 
 Qui multa cum laudc 
 
 tiullius dispendio, omnium vero approbationCp 
 
 lautam et opuientam fortunam 
 
 sibi quaesivit. 
 
 Moribus gravis, societate inoccuus, 
 
 Civis ccquissimus. 
 
 Pietate in Deum, honestate in proximum, 
 
 nemini secundus. 
 
 Ac tandem, satur annornm, 
 
 6*« Augusti 1688, 
 
 peregrinationis anno 70"^**, 
 
 Fatis cessit. 
 
 In cujus memoriam, 
 meritisque dilectissimae conjugis, 
 
 D. jANNiE Gibson, 
 
 Jacobus Macculloch a Pilton, 
 
 haeres ex asse, 
 
 exstrui curavit* 
 
gr% ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 George Drummondy Esq, 
 
 LXXXI. 
 
 In the saloon of the Royal Infirmary is placed 
 a bust of George Drummond, Esq.: on the 
 pedestal of which is the following inscription. 
 
 GEORGE DRUMMOND ; 
 
 to whom 
 his country is indebted 
 
 for all the benefits 
 which it derives from 
 
 the Royal Infirmary. 
 
EDINBHRGENA. ^5 
 
 The Right Honourable Duncan Forbes. 
 
 LXXXII. 
 
 In the Hall of the Court of Session, formcrlj 
 the Parliament House of Scotland, is placed a 
 statue of President Forbes ; on the pedestal of 
 which is the following inscription. 
 
 DUNCANO FORBES de Culloden, 
 
 Supremae in Civilibus Curiae Praesidi^j 
 judici integerrimo, 
 
 Civi Optimo, 
 Priscae virtutis Viro. 
 
 Facultas libens posuit, 
 
 ^nno post obitum quint o, 
 
 C. N. 1752. 
 
96 ZLOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 Thomas Tod^ Esq. 
 
 LXXXIII. 
 
 In the Board-room of the Orphan Hospital is 
 placed a bust of Thomas Tod, Esq. ; on the 
 base of which is the following inscription. 
 
 THOMAS TOD, Esq. 
 
 who filled the office of Treasurer 
 
 to the Orphan Hospital, 
 
 from the 13th of August I78I, 
 
 till his death, 
 
 31st March 1796, 
 
 Was not more remarkable 
 
 for his zeal and unremitting endeavours 
 
 to extend the benefits 
 
 of this valuable Institution ; 
 
 than for his condescension and tenderness 
 
 towards the helpless objects of it. 
 
 He was followed to his grave 
 
 by more than one hundred of them, 
 
 bewailing with tears 
 
 the loss they had sustained, 
 
 as if again bereft of ^ 
 
 Parent. 
 
IDINBURCENA. ff7 
 
 James Gillespie, Esq, 
 
 LXXXIV. 
 
 In an Hospital in the neighbourhood of Edin- 
 burgh, endowed by James Gillespie, Esq. a 
 respectable citizen, there is placed a Bust, which 
 is universally allowed to be a striking likeness 
 of the Founder. It was cut a few years ago 
 hy an ingenious Edinburgh Statuary, Mr Mar- 
 shall, whose future productions, if properly 
 encouraged, may do honour to his native City. 
 
 This Bust is placed in the dining-hali of the 
 Hospital ; and the only inscription under it is 
 the name of the Founder. It has been propo- 
 sed that the following short account of his me- 
 ritorious conduct should be added. 
 
 N 
 
98 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 JAMES GILLESPIE, 
 
 Tobacconist in Edinburgh, 
 'by 
 Virtue and Industry 
 deservedly acquired a large fortune^ 
 
 After making ample provision 
 
 for his near relations, 
 
 he bequeathed his estate of Spylaw, 
 
 to be employed under the administration 
 
 of the Merchant Company, 
 
 for promoting the success of Youth, 
 
 by giving them a good education ; 
 
 and for alleviating the calamities of Age, 
 
 by providing a comfortable Asylum 
 
 for Poverty 
 
 in the evening of Life. 
 
 *' Non fasces non purpuram, non exstructas 
 in altum divitias, non ingenium artibus atque 
 scientiis utcunque ornatum et imbutum, sed 
 Animum communi utilitati inservientem, I>ig- 
 nitas sequitur." 
 
EDINBURGENA. 99 
 
 Drs Monro and Cullen. 
 
 LXXXV. 
 
 in the Library of the University of Edin- 
 burgh two Busts are placed ; one to ^^the me- 
 mory of Dr Alexander Monro primus, the 
 other of Dr WiLliam Cullen. 
 
 On the pedestal of Dr Monro's, bust is the 
 following inscription : 
 
 ALEXANDRI MONRO Primi, 
 
 Anatomiae per annos xl. 
 
 Professoris meritissimi, 
 
 Florentissimae Scholae Medicse^ 
 
 in hac Academia 
 
 Conditoris ; 
 
 Discipuli quidam jam consenescentes^ 
 
 ct plures Filii et Nepotis ipsius 
 
 Discipulorum Discipuli, 
 
 summi viri memoriam venefatij 
 
 banc ejus imaginem statuerunt^ 
 
 anno post obitum xlv* 
 
 A. D. 1812. 
 
 On the pedestal of Dr Cullen's is inscribed : 
 
 GULIELMUS CULLEN, 
 
 Natus XI. Dec. mdccxii. 
 
 Qbiit V. Feb. moccxg. 
 
too XLOOIA SEPULCHK.ALIA 
 
 Drs Menro and Cullen. 
 
 Stucco casts from busts of Dr Monro j&ri- 
 mus and Dr Cullen, are placed in the Library 
 of the Royal College of Physicians at Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 Under Dr Monro's is the following inscrip- 
 tion: 
 
 ALEXANDER MONRO, 
 
 Academiae Medicae Edinburgenae 
 
 Condi tor, 
 
 ct per annos xlvii. 
 
 Professor meritissimus. 
 
 ■i 
 
 Natusxii. Cal. Octobris 1696^ 
 
 Terram cum Coelo commutavit 
 
 VI. Non. Julii 1767. 
 
 Vita ejus bene acta, 
 
 hominibus caducis et morituris 
 
 clare monstrat 
 
 Post Funera Virtus. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 101 
 
 Drs Monro aiid Culkn. , 
 
 Under Dr Cullen's is the following inscrip- 
 tion : 
 
 GULIELMUS CULLEN, 
 
 Medic inae Prof, in Acad. Edinburgena, 
 
 per annos xxxiv. 
 
 extremum efflavit halitum, 
 
 Pridie Nonas Februarii 1790, 
 
 anno setatis lxxvii. 
 
 CoUegii suique famam 
 
 dum vivebat 
 
 prselectionibus firmabat, 
 
 post mortem 
 
 scriptis adhuc ornat, 
 
 ct apud seros etiam nepotes 
 
 ocnabit. 
 
102 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA 
 
 i The Reverend Dr William Robertson. 
 LXXXVI. 
 
 Since the inscription inserted in this work at p. 33. was print- 
 ed, the Editor has received from Lord Robertson, the eldest 
 Son of the respectable Principal, the following inscription, which 
 it is his intention to place in his Father's sepulchre. 
 
 In hoc conduntur sepulchro, 
 
 reliquiae summi Viri, 
 
 ingenio, judicio, doctrina praestantis, 
 
 suavissima indole, puris moribus, 
 
 assidua benignitate, omnibusque privatis virtutibus *- 
 
 suis quam maxime cari ; 
 
 Sacrosanct i Evangelii 
 
 Ministri fidelis, praedicatoris eloquentis ; 
 
 in Ecclesia Scotiae administranda, 
 
 Presbyteri mitis, prudentis, felicis ; 
 
 Academias Edinburgenae Praefecti meritissimi ^ 
 
 Historic! 
 
 gravis, diserti, candidi, sagacis. 
 
 Cujus memoriam, 
 
 , non exigua base et ruitura mOnumenta, 
 
 sed scripta ipsius aere perenniora, 
 
 vetabunt mori, 
 
 atque in omne asvum testabuntur, 
 
 tale sui seculi et patriae, 
 
 artibus ingenuis, et scientia frugifera, 
 
 literisque elegantibus, 
 
 jam turn florentissimse, 
 
 decus et lumen, 
 
 extitisse, 
 
 GULIELMUM ROBERTSON, S.S. T. P. 
 
 Natus est A. D, mdccxxi. Obiit A, D. mdccxciii. 
 
EDINBURGENA. 103 
 
 Lord Nelson, 
 
 LXXXVII. 
 
 An elegant Monumental Tower, on which it is 
 said near Three Thousand pounds have been ex- 
 pended, has been erected on one of the summits 
 of the Calton Hill, to the memory of Lord Nel- 
 son. Over the door is the following inscription. 
 
 To the Memory 
 
 of Vice- Admiral 
 
 HORATIO, Lord Viscount NELSON, 
 
 and of the great Victory of TRAFALGAR, 
 
 too dearly purchased with his blood ; 
 
 the grateful Citizens of Edinburgh, 
 
 have erected this Monument : 
 
 not to express their unavailing sorrow 
 
 for his Death, 
 
 nor yet to celebrate the matchless glories 
 
 of his Life ; 
 
 but, by his noble example, 
 
 to teach their Sons 
 
 to emulate and admire, 
 
 and, like him, 
 
 when duty requires it, 
 
 to die for their Country. 
 
 A. D. 1805. 
 
104 ELOGIA SEPULCHRALIA. 
 
 Lord Mekillc, 
 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 A subscription is at present going on, patronised by- 
 some of the most distinguished Officers of the British 
 Navy, for erecting a monument on the top of Arthur"*? 
 Seat, to the Memorj of Lord Melville, v^^ho, for se- 
 veral years, during a War which was extended over 
 every quarter of the Globe, filled the office of First 
 Lord of the Admiralty, with no less honour to himself 
 than benefit to his country. 
 
 The following inscription has been proposed : 
 
 Viro perhonorabili, 
 
 HENRICO DUNDAS, 
 
 Vicecomiti de Melville, 
 
 Rerum navalium Britannix, 
 
 per multos annos 
 
 Gubernatori sagacissimo, felicissimoque. 
 
 Nautarum Amico, 
 
 Hoc grati animi monumentum, 
 
 Nautae Britannici invictissimi, 
 
 post obitum posuerunt. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A 
 
 Abercromby, Colonel James, * - 56 
 
 Adam, Dr Alexander, - - n 
 
 Aery, Mr Thomas, - . g7 
 
 Alston, Dr Charles, - - - 66 
 
 Argjle, the Marquis of, - . . 43 
 
 B 
 
 Barnet, Mr John, - ^ 42 
 
 Black, the Reverend Mr David, - m^Mk. 83 
 
 Blacklock, Dr Thomas, . Si 5 10 
 
 Blair, Dr Hugh, - . - - 34. 
 
 Brown, Mr Lionel, - * ij 
 
 Burnet, Archibald, Esq. - * 36 
 
 Burns, Mr Robert, poe^ - - . 64, 
 
 Campbell, Mrs Mary, - - . gg 
 
 Major Archibald Argyle, JBHI 74, 
 
 Carmichael, Mr John - T''' 41 
 
 Carter, Mrs Jacobina, . - 79 
 
 Cullen, Dr William, University Library, - 99 
 
 College of Physicians, 101 
 
 Iki 
 
105 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 D 
 
 Darwin, Mr Oharles, 
 Davie, John, Esq. 
 Dobie, Richard, Esq. 
 Dobson, Mr tfohn, 
 Douglas, Riaiard, Esq. 
 
 ShJito, Esq. 
 
 Drummond,teeorge, Esq. 
 
 Dunbar, Mis Eliza, 
 Duncan, Mf Henry, 
 
 Royal Infirmary J 
 
 13 
 38 
 .58 
 16 
 82 
 57 
 59 
 94 
 80 
 18 
 
 Fairbairn,Mr John, - - 37 
 
 l^crgusson/ Mr Robert, poet, - 62 
 
 Forbes, Dpncan, of Culloden, Parliament House, 95 
 
 I'oulke, Mr Francis, - - 15 
 
 Gib, Rcwrend Mr Adam, 
 
 Gibson, Mr William, 
 
 Gillesplt^ James, Esq. Hospital, Bruntsfield, 
 
 Glen cairn, Earl of, 
 
 Goldie, beorge, Esq. 
 
 Grant, Isaac, Esq. of Hilton, 
 
 John, Esq. of Kilgraston, 
 
 \ H 
 
 Hail, Ihe Reverend Mr James, 
 Hamillon, Dr Robert, 
 IIenda"son, Mr Alexander, 
 Herd,JMr David, 
 Heriot, George, Esq. r 
 
 Hume, David, Esq. 
 
 51 
 
 09 
 97 
 86 
 b5 
 51 
 90 
 
 39 
 
 9 
 
 31 
 
 19 
 
 22 
 
INDEX. 
 
 107 
 
 Innes, Charles, Esq. 
 
 Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Jardine, the Reverend Dr John, 
 Jones, Mrs Elizabeth, 
 
 29 
 
 28 
 60 
 
 85 
 
 Lamont, Archibald, Esq. - - 26 
 
 Little, William, Esq. of Liberton, - 47 
 
 Mr Clement, - - ib. 
 
 Lothian, the Reverend Dr William, - 65 
 
 Lumsdaine, Mrs, - - 79 
 
 M 
 
 Macculloch, Sir Hugh, - - 93 
 
 Mackintosh, Charles, Esq. - - 49 
 
 Macgregor, Mrs Catharine, - - 21 
 
 The Rev. Mr Joseph Robertson, 40 
 
 Mackay, Mr John, botanist, - - 88 
 
 Mackenzie, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander, 54 
 
 Sir George, - - , 30 
 
 Macknight, The Reverend Dr James, - 89 
 
 Maclaurin, Professor Colin, _ ! - 24 
 
 Manning, Mr Henry, ^ - 71 
 
 Martyrs, The Edinburgh, - - 44 
 
 Matheson, Mr Alexander, - - 77 
 
 Macdonald, The Reverend Mr James, - 76 
 
 Melville, Henry, Lord Viscount, - 104 
 
 Milne, Mr John, . - . 23 
 
 Monro, Dr Alexander primus, - 99 
 
 ^{lontrose. The Marquis of, - - 46 
 
 ^loray, James, Earl of, - - 91 
 
 N 
 
 Nelson, Horatio, Lord Viscount, - 103 
 Nicolson, Mrs Barbara, - .^11^ ,^111^ 73 
 
1©8 INDEX. 
 
 O 
 
 Oliphant, Willianj, Esq. Lord Advocate, 62 
 
 I ^ 
 
 Pattison, Mr Jac4b, . - 14 
 
 Paul, The Reverend Mr William, - 84 
 
 Percival, Mr James, - - 16 
 
 Pitcairn, Br Arciibald, - - 25 
 
 i 
 
 I R 
 
 Raeburn, Peter, Esq. - - 7S 
 
 Robertson, Dr Vtilliam, - - 33 
 
 Jam^, Professor, - * t5 
 
 The jleverend Dr William, - 103 
 
 Ruddiman, Thoifias, A. M. • 53 
 
 S 
 
 Scott, Mrs of Melbj, - - 73 
 
 Smith, Dr Adan^ - - 61 
 
 MrWilli^ - - - '70 
 
 Stevenson, Jami, Esq. - - 87 
 
 Struthers, The Ileverend Mr James, - 35 
 
 Stuart, James, The good Regent, - 92 
 
 Swanston, Mr AVilliam, - -^ 20 
 
 T 
 
 Tod, Archibald,. Esq. - - 48 
 
 Mrs CaAi^n, - - - 80 
 
 Thomas, !f sq. Orphan Hospital^ - 96 
 
 U 
 
 XJre, The Revorend Mr Robert, - - 81 
 
 Urquhart, Mr John - - . 7^ 
 
 V . ^ 
 
 Vjlant, The Reverend Mr Nicolas, - IS 
 
PR482i 
 X6 F3S- 
 
 1314- 
 
"if