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diff --git a/3011-h/3011-h.htm b/3011-h/3011-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..525d3d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/3011-h/3011-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13550 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lady of the Lake + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Commentator: William J. Rolfe + +Editor: William J. Rolfe + +Release Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3011] +Last Updated: November 6, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY OF THE LAKE *** + + + + +Produced by J.C. Byers, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LADY OF THE LAKE + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited with Notes By William J. Rolfe, + </h3> + <h4> + Formerly Head Master of the High School, Cambridge, Mass. + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Boston + </h3> + <h2> + 1883 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> Preface </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> ARGUMENT. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <b>THE LADY OF THE LAKE.</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> CANTO FIRST. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> CANTO SECOND. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> CANTO THIRD. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> CANTO FOURTH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> CANTO FIFTH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> CANTO SIXTH. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_NOTE"> <b>NOTES.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> Introduction. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> Canto First. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> Canto Second. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> Canto Third. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> Canto Fourth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> Canto Fifth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> Canto Sixth. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> Addendum. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_FOOT"> FOOTNOTES: </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Preface + </h2> + <p> + When I first saw Mr. Osgood's beautiful illustrated edition of The Lady of + the Lake, I asked him to let me use some of the cuts in a cheaper + annotated edition for school and household use; and the present volume is + the result. + </p> + <p> + The text of the poem has given me unexpected trouble. When I edited some + of Gray's poems several years ago, I found that they had not been + correctly printed for more than half a century; but in the case of Scott I + supposed that the text of Black's so-called "Author's Edition" could be + depended upon as accurate. Almost at the start, however, I detected sundry + obvious misprints in one of the many forms in which this edition is + issued, and an examination of others showed that they were as bad in their + way. The "Shilling" issue was no worse than the costly illustrated one of + 1853, which had its own assortment of slips of the type. No two editions + that I could obtain agreed exactly in their readings. I tried in vain to + find a copy of the editio princeps (1810) in Cambridge and Boston, but + succeeded in getting one through a London bookseller. This I compared, + line by line, with the Edinburgh edition of 1821 (from the Harvard + Library), with Lockhart's first edition, the "Globe" edition, and about a + dozen others English and American. I found many misprints and corruptions + in all except the edition of 1821, and a few even in that. For instance in + i. 217 Scott wrote "Found in each cliff a narrow bower," and it is so + printed in the first edition; but in every other that I have seen "cliff" + appears in place of clift,, to the manifest injury of the passage. In ii. + 685, every edition that I have seen since that of 1821 has "I meant not + all my heart might say," which is worse than nonsense, the correct reading + being "my heat." In vi. 396, the Scottish "boune" (though it occurs twice + in other parts of the poem) has been changed to "bound" in all editions + since 1821; and, eight lines below, the old word "barded" has become + "barbed." Scores of similar corruptions are recorded in my Notes, and need + not be cited here. + </p> + <p> + I have restored the reading of the first edition, except in cases where I + have no doubt that the later reading is the poet's own correction or + alteration. There are obvious misprints in the first edition which Scott + himself overlooked (see on ii. 115, 217,, Vi. 527, etc.), and it is + sometimes difficult to decide whether a later reading—a change of a + plural to a singular, or like trivial variation—is a misprint or the + author's correction of an earlier misprint. I have done the best I could, + with the means at my command, to settle these questions, and am at least + certain that the text as I give it is nearer right than in any edition + since 1821 As all the variae lectiones are recorded in the Notes, the + reader who does not approve of the one I adopt can substitute that which + he prefers. + </p> + <p> + I have retained all Scott's Notes (a few of them have been somewhat + abridged) and all those added by Lockhart. <a href="#linknote-1" + name="linknoteref-1" id="linknoteref-1"><small>1</small></a> My own I have + made as concise as possible. There are, of course, many of them which many + of my readers will not need, but I think there are none that may not be of + service, or at least of interest, to some of them; and I hope that no one + will turn to them for help without finding it. + </p> + <p> + Scott is much given to the use of Elizabethan words and constructions, and + I have quoted many "parallelisms" from Shakespeare and his contemporaries. + I believe I have referred to my edition of Shakespeare in only a single + instance (on iii. 17), but teachers and others who have that edition will + find many additional illustrations in the Notes on the passages cited. + </p> + <p> + While correcting the errors of former editors, I may have overlooked some + of my own. I am already indebted to the careful proofreaders of the + University Press for the detection of occasional slips in quotations or + references; and I shall be very grateful to my readers for a memorandum of + any others that they may discover. + </p> + <p> + Cambridge, June 23, 1883.. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARGUMENT. + </h2> + <p> + The scene of the following Poem is laid chiefly in the vicinity of Loch + Katrine, in the Western Highlands of Perthshire. The time of Action + includes Six Days, and the transactions of each Day occupy a Canto. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE LADY OF THE LAKE. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO FIRST. + </h2> + <h3> + The Chase. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Harp of the North! that mouldering long hast hung + On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring + And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung, + Till envious ivy did around thee cling, + Muffling with verdant ringlet every string,— + O Minstrel Harp, still must thine accents sleep? + Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmuring, + Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep, + Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep? + + Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon, <a href="#linknote-10" + name="linknoteref-10" id="linknoteref-10">10</a> + Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, + When lay of hopeless love, or glory won, + Aroused the fearful or subdued the proud. + At each according pause was heard aloud + Thine ardent symphony sublime and high! + Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bowed; + For still the burden of thy minstrelsy + Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty's matchless eye. + + O, wake once more! how rude soe'er the hand + That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray; + O, wake once more! though scarce my skill command + Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay: + Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away, + And all unworthy of thy nobler strain, + Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway, + The wizard note has not been touched in vain. + Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + The stag at eve had drunk his fill, + Where danced the moon on Monan's rill, + And deep his midnight lair had made + In lone Glenartney's hazel shade; + But when the sun his beacon red + Had kindled on Benvoirlich's head, + The deep-mouthed bloodhound's heavy bay + Resounded up the rocky way, + And faint, from farther distance borne, + Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + As Chief, who hears his warder call, + 'To arms! the foemen storm the wall,' + The antlered monarch of the waste + Sprung from his heathery couch in haste. + But ere his fleet career he took, + The dew-drops from his flanks he shook; + Like crested leader proud and high + Tossed his beamed frontlet to the sky; + A moment gazed adown the dale, + A moment snuffed the tainted gale, + A moment listened to the cry, + That thickened as the chase drew nigh; + Then, as the headmost foes appeared, + With one brave bound the copse he cleared, + And, stretching forward free and far, + Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + Yelled on the view the opening pack; + Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back; + To many a mingled sound at once + The awakened mountain gave response. + A hundred dogs bayed deep and strong, + Clattered a hundred steeds along, + Their peal the merry horns rung out, + A hundred voices joined the shout; + With hark and whoop and wild halloo, + No rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. + Far from the tumult fled the roe, + Close in her covert cowered the doe, + The falcon, from her cairn on high, + Cast on the rout a wondering eye, + Till far beyond her piercing ken + The hurricane had swept the glen. + Faint, and more faint, its failing din + Returned from cavern, cliff, and linn, + And silence settled, wide and still, + On the lone wood and mighty hill. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + Less loud the sounds of sylvan war + Disturbed the heights of Uam-Var, + And roused the cavern where, 't is told, + A giant made his den of old; + For ere that steep ascent was won, + High in his pathway hung the sun, + And many a gallant, stayed perforce, + Was fain to breathe his faltering horse, + And of the trackers of the deer + Scarce half the lessening pack was near; + So shrewdly on the mountain-side + Had the bold burst their mettle tried. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + The noble stag was pausing now + Upon the mountain's southern brow, + Where broad extended, far beneath, + The varied realms of fair Menteith. + With anxious eye he wandered o'er + Mountain and meadow, moss and moor, + And pondered refuge from his toil, + By far Lochard or Aberfoyle. + But nearer was the copsewood gray + That waved and wept on Loch Achray, + And mingled with the pine-trees blue + On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. + Fresh vigor with the hope returned, + With flying foot the heath he spurned, + Held westward with unwearied race, + And left behind the panting chase. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + 'T were long to tell what steeds gave o'er, + As swept the hunt through Cambusmore; + What reins were tightened in despair, + When rose Benledi's ridge in air; + Who flagged upon Bochastle's heath, + Who shunned to stem the flooded Teith,— + For twice that day, from shore to shore, + The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. + Few were the stragglers, following far, + That reached the lake of Vennachar; + And when the Brigg of Turk was won, + The headmost horseman rode alone. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + Alone, but with unbated zeal, + That horseman plied the scourge and steel; + For jaded now, and spent with toil, + Embossed with foam, and dark with soil, + While every gasp with sobs he drew, + The laboring stag strained full in view. + Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, + Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed, + Fast on his flying traces came, + And all but won that desperate game; + For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, + Vindictive toiled the bloodhounds stanch; + Nor nearer might the dogs attain, + Nor farther might the quarry strain + Thus up the margin of the lake, + Between the precipice and brake, + O'er stock and rock their race they take. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + The Hunter marked that mountain high, + The lone lake's western boundary, + And deemed the stag must turn to bay, + Where that huge rampart barred the way; + Already glorying in the prize, + Measured his antlers with his eyes; + For the death-wound and death-halloo + Mustered his breath, his whinyard drew:— + But thundering as he came prepared, + With ready arm and weapon bared, + The wily quarry shunned the shock, + And turned him from the opposing rock; + Then, dashing down a darksome glen, + Soon lost to hound and Hunter's ken, + In the deep Trosachs' wildest nook + His solitary refuge took. + There, while close couched the thicket shed + Cold dews and wild flowers on his head, + He heard the baffled dogs in vain + Rave through the hollow pass amain, + Chiding the rocks that yelled again. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + Close on the hounds the Hunter came, + To cheer them on the vanished game; + But, stumbling in the rugged dell, + The gallant horse exhausted fell. + The impatient rider strove in vain + To rouse him with the spur and rein, + For the good steed, his labors o'er, + Stretched his stiff limbs, to rise no more; + Then, touched with pity and remorse, + He sorrowed o'er the expiring horse. + 'I little thought, when first thy rein + I slacked upon the banks of Seine, + That Highland eagle e'er should feed + On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed! + Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, + That costs thy life, my gallant gray!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + Then through the dell his horn resounds, + From vain pursuit to call the hounds. + Back limped, with slow and crippled pace, + The sulky leaders of the chase; + Close to their master's side they pressed, + With drooping tail and humbled crest; + But still the dingle's hollow throat + Prolonged the swelling bugle-note. + The owlets started from their dream, + The eagles answered with their scream, + Round and around the sounds were cast, + Till echo seemed an answering blast; + And on the Hunter tried his way, + To join some comrades of the day, + Yet often paused, so strange the road, + So wondrous were the scenes it showed. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + The western waves of ebbing day + Rolled o'er the glen their level way; + Each purple peak, each flinty spire, + Was bathed in floods of living fire. + But not a setting beam could glow + Within the dark ravines below, + Where twined the path in shadow hid, + Round many a rocky pyramid, + Shooting abruptly from the dell + Its thunder-splintered pinnacle; + Round many an insulated mass, + The native bulwarks of the pass, + Huge as the tower which builders vain + Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. + The rocky summits, split and rent, + Formed turret, dome, or battlement. + Or seemed fantastically set + With cupola or minaret, + Wild crests as pagod ever decked, + Or mosque of Eastern architect. + Nor were these earth-born castles bare, + Nor lacked they many a banner fair; + For, from their shivered brows displayed, + Far o'er the unfathomable glade, + All twinkling with the dewdrop sheen, + The briar-rose fell in streamers green, + kind creeping shrubs of thousand dyes + Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII. + + Boon nature scattered, free and wild, + Each plant or flower, the mountain's child. + Here eglantine embalmed the air, + Hawthorn and hazel mingled there; + The primrose pale and violet flower + Found in each cliff a narrow bower; + Foxglove and nightshade, side by side, + Emblems of punishment and pride, + Grouped their dark hues with every stain + The weather-beaten crags retain. + With boughs that quaked at every breath, + Gray birch and aspen wept beneath; + Aloft, the ash and warrior oak + Cast anchor in the rifted rock; + And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung + His shattered trunk, and frequent flung, + Where seemed the cliffs to meet on high, + His boughs athwart the narrowed sky. + Highest of all, where white peaks glanced, + Where glistening streamers waved and danced, + The wanderer's eye could barely view + The summer heaven's delicious blue; + So wondrous wild, the whole might seem + The scenery of a fairy dream. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep + A narrow inlet, still and deep, + Affording scarce such breadth of brim + As served the wild duck's brood to swim. + Lost for a space, through thickets veering, + But broader when again appearing, + Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face + Could on the dark-blue mirror trace; + And farther as the Hunter strayed, + Still broader sweep its channels made. + The shaggy mounds no longer stood, + Emerging from entangled wood, + But, wave-encircled, seemed to float, + Like castle girdled with its moat; + Yet broader floods extending still + Divide them from their parent hill, + Till each, retiring, claims to be + An islet in an inland sea. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + And now, to issue from the glen, + No pathway meets the wanderer's ken, + Unless he climb with footing nice + A far-projecting precipice. + The broom's tough roots his ladder made, + The hazel saplings lent their aid; + And thus an airy point he won, + Where, gleaming with the setting sun, + One burnished sheet of living gold, + Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled, + In all her length far winding lay, + With promontory, creek, and bay, + And islands that, empurpled bright, + Floated amid the livelier light, + And mountains that like giants stand + To sentinel enchanted land. + High on the south, huge Benvenue + Down to the lake in masses threw + Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurled, + The fragments of an earlier world; + A wildering forest feathered o'er + His ruined sides and summit hoar, + While on the north, through middle air, + Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + From the steep promontory gazed + The stranger, raptured and amazed, + And, 'What a scene were here,' he cried, + 'For princely pomp or churchman's pride! + On this bold brow, a lordly tower; + In that soft vale, a lady's bower; + On yonder meadow far away, + The turrets of a cloister gray; + How blithely might the bugle-horn + Chide on the lake the lingering morn! + How sweet at eve the lover's lute + Chime when the groves were still and mute! + And when the midnight moon should lave + Her forehead in the silver wave, + How solemn on the ear would come + The holy matins' distant hum, + While the deep peal's commanding tone + Should wake, in yonder islet lone, + A sainted hermit from his cell, + To drop a bead with every knell! + And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, + Should each bewildered stranger call + To friendly feast and lighted hall. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + 'Blithe were it then to wander here! + But now—beshrew yon nimble deer— + Like that same hermit's, thin and spare, + The copse must give my evening fare; + Some mossy bank my couch must be, + Some rustling oak my canopy. + Yet pass we that; the war and chase + Give little choice of resting-place;— + A summer night in greenwood spent + Were but to-morrow's merriment: + But hosts may in these wilds abound, + Such as are better missed than found; + To meet with Highland plunderers here + Were worse than loss of steed or deer.— + I am alone;—my bugle-strain + May call some straggler of the train; + Or, fall the worst that may betide, + Ere now this falchion has been tried.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + But scarce again his horn he wound, + When lo! forth starting at the sound, + From underneath an aged oak + That slanted from the islet rock, + A damsel guider of its way, + A little skiff shot to the bay, + That round the promontory steep + Led its deep line in graceful sweep, + Eddying, in almost viewless wave, + The weeping willow twig to rave, + And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, + The beach of pebbles bright as snow. + The boat had touched this silver strand + Just as the Hunter left his stand, + And stood concealed amid the brake, + To view this Lady of the Lake. + The maiden paused, as if again + She thought to catch the distant strain. + With head upraised, and look intent, + And eye and ear attentive bent, + And locks flung back, and lips apart, + Like monument of Grecian art, + In listening mood, she seemed to stand, + The guardian Naiad of the strand. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII. + + And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace + A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, + Of finer form or lovelier face! + What though the sun, with ardent frown, + Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown,— + The sportive toil, which, short and light + Had dyed her glowing hue so bright, + Served too in hastier swell to show + Short glimpses of a breast of snow: + What though no rule of courtly grace + To measured mood had trained her pace,— + A foot more light, a step more true, + Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew; + E'en the slight harebell raised its head, + Elastic from her airy tread: + What though upon her speech there hung + The accents of the mountain tongue,—- + Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear, + The listener held his breath to hear! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid; + Her satin snood, her silken plaid, + Her golden brooch, such birth betrayed. + And seldom was a snood amid + Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, + Whose glossy black to shame might bring + The plumage of the raven's wing; + And seldom o'er a breast so fair + Mantled a plaid with modest care, + And never brooch the folds combined + Above a heart more good and kind. + Her kindness and her worth to spy, + You need but gaze on Ellen's eye; + Not Katrine in her mirror blue + Gives back the shaggy banks more true, + Than every free-born glance confessed + The guileless movements of her breast; + Whether joy danced in her dark eye, + Or woe or pity claimed a sigh, + Or filial love was glowing there, + Or meek devotion poured a prayer, + Or tale of injury called forth + The indignant spirit of the North. + One only passion unrevealed + With maiden pride the maid concealed, + Yet not less purely felt the flame;— + O, need I tell that passion's name? +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XX. + + Impatient of the silent horn, + Now on the gale her voice was borne:— + 'Father!' she cried; the rocks around + Loved to prolong the gentle sound. + Awhile she paused, no answer came;— + 'Malcolm, was thine the blast?' the name + Less resolutely uttered fell, + The echoes could not catch the swell. + 'A stranger I,' the Huntsman said, + Advancing from the hazel shade. + The maid, alarmed, with hasty oar + Pushed her light shallop from the shore, + And when a space was gained between, + Closer she drew her bosom's screen;— + So forth the startled swan would swing, + So turn to prune his ruffled wing. + Then safe, though fluttered and amazed, + She paused, and on the stranger gazed. + Not his the form, nor his the eye, + That youthful maidens wont to fly. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + On his bold visage middle age + Had slightly pressed its signet sage, + Yet had not quenched the open truth + And fiery vehemence of youth; + Forward and frolic glee was there, + The will to do, the soul to dare, + The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, + Of hasty love or headlong ire. + His limbs were cast in manly could + For hardy sports or contest bold; + And though in peaceful garb arrayed, + And weaponless except his blade, + His stately mien as well implied + A high-born heart, a martial pride, + As if a baron's crest he wore, + And sheathed in armor bode the shore. + Slighting the petty need he showed, + He told of his benighted road; + His ready speech flowed fair and free, + In phrase of gentlest courtesy, + Yet seemed that tone and gesture bland + Less used to sue than to command. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Awhile the maid the stranger eyed, + And, reassured, at length replied, + That Highland halls were open still + To wildered wanderers of the hill. + 'Nor think you unexpected come + To yon lone isle, our desert home; + Before the heath had lost the dew, + This morn, a couch was pulled for you; + On yonder mountain's purple head + Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled, + And our broad nets have swept the mere, + To furnish forth your evening cheer.'— + 'Now, by the rood, my lovely maid, + Your courtesy has erred,' he said; + 'No right have I to claim, misplaced, + The welcome of expected guest. + A wanderer, here by fortune toss, + My way, my friends, my courser lost, + I ne'er before, believe me, fair, + Have ever drawn your mountain air, + Till on this lake's romantic strand + I found a fey in fairy land!'— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + 'I well believe,' the maid replied, + As her light skiff approached the side,— + 'I well believe, that ne'er before + Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore + But yet, as far as yesternight, + Old Allan-bane foretold your plight,— + A gray-haired sire, whose eye intent + Was on the visioned future bent. + He saw your steed, a dappled gray, + Lie dead beneath the birchen way; + Painted exact your form and mien, + Your hunting-suit of Lincoln green, + That tasselled horn so gayly gilt, + That falchion's crooked blade and hilt, + That cap with heron plumage trim, + And yon two hounds so dark and grim. + He bade that all should ready be + To grace a guest of fair degree; + But light I held his prophecy, + And deemed it was my father's horn + Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV. + + The stranger smiled:—'Since to your home + A destined errant-knight I come, + Announced by prophet sooth and old, + Doomed, doubtless, for achievement bold, + I 'll lightly front each high emprise + For one kind glance of those bright eyes. + Permit me first the task to guide + Your fairy frigate o'er the tide.' + The maid, with smile suppressed and sly, + The toil unwonted saw him try; + For seldom, sure, if e'er before, + His noble hand had grasped an oar: + Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, + And o'er the lake the shallop flew; + With heads erect and whimpering cry, + The hounds behind their passage ply. + Nor frequent does the bright oar break + The darkening mirror of the lake, + Until the rocky isle they reach, + And moor their shallop on the beach. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + The stranger viewed the shore around; + 'T was all so close with copsewood bound, + Nor track nor pathway might declare + That human foot frequented there, + Until the mountain maiden showed + A clambering unsuspected road, + That winded through the tangled screen, + And opened on a narrow green, + Where weeping birch and willow round + With their long fibres swept the ground. + Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, + Some chief had framed a rustic bower. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + It was a lodge of ample size, + But strange of structure and device; + Of such materials as around + The workman's hand had readiest found. + Lopped of their boughs, their hoar trunks bared, + And by the hatchet rudely squared, + To give the walls their destined height, + The sturdy oak and ash unite; + While moss and clay and leaves combined + To fence each crevice from the wind. + The lighter pine-trees overhead + Their slender length for rafters spread, + And withered heath and rushes dry + Supplied a russet canopy. + Due westward, fronting to the green, + A rural portico was seen, + Aloft on native pillars borne, + Of mountain fir with bark unshorn + Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine + The ivy and Idaean vine, + The clematis, the favored flower + Which boasts the name of virgin-bower, + And every hardy plant could bear + Loch Katrine's keen and searching air. + An instant in this porch she stayed, + And gayly to the stranger said: + 'On heaven and on thy lady call, + And enter the enchanted hall!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + 'My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, + My gentle guide, in following thee!'— + He crossed the threshold,—and a clang + Of angry steel that instant rang. + To his bold brow his spirit rushed, + But soon for vain alarm he blushed + When on the floor he saw displayed, + Cause of the din, a naked blade + Dropped from the sheath, that careless flung + Upon a stag's huge antlers swung; + For all around, the walls to grace, + Hung trophies of the fight or chase: + A target there, a bugle here, + A battle-axe, a hunting-spear, + And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, + With the tusked trophies of the boar. + Here grins the wolf as when he died, + And there the wild-cat's brindled hide + The frontlet of the elk adorns, + Or mantles o'er the bison's horns; + Pennons and flags defaced and stained, + That blackening streaks of blood retained, + And deer-skins, dappled, dun, and white, + With otter's fur and seal's unite, + In rude and uncouth tapestry all, + To garnish forth the sylvan hall. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVIII. + + The wondering stranger round him gazed, + And next the fallen weapon raised:— + Few were the arms whose sinewy strength + Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. + And as the brand he poised and swayed, + 'I never knew but one,' he said, + 'Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield + A blade like this in battle-field.' + She sighed, then smiled and took the word: + 'You see the guardian champion's sword; + As light it trembles in his hand + As in my grasp a hazel wand: + My sire's tall form might grace the part + Of Ferragus or Ascabart, + But in the absent giant's hold + Are women now, and menials old.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + The mistress of the mansion came, + Mature of age, a graceful dame, + Whose easy step and stately port + Had well become a princely court, + To whom, though more than kindred knew, + Young Ellen gave a mother's due. + Meet welcome to her guest she made, + And every courteous rite was paid + That hospitality could claim, + Though all unasked his birth and name. + Such then the reverence to a guest, + That fellest foe might join the feast, + And from his deadliest foeman's door + Unquestioned turn the banquet o'er + At length his rank the stranger names, + 'The Knight of Snowdoun, James Fitz-James; + Lord of a barren heritage, + Which his brave sires, from age to age, + By their good swords had held with toil; + His sire had fallen in such turmoil, + And he, God wot, was forced to stand + Oft for his right with blade in hand. + This morning with Lord Moray's train + He chased a stalwart stag in vain, + Outstripped his comrades, missed the deer, + Lost his good steed, and wandered here.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXX. + + Fain would the Knight in turn require + The name and state of Ellen's sire. + Well showed the elder lady's mien + That courts and cities she had seen; + Ellen, though more her looks displayed + The simple grace of sylvan maid, + In speech and gesture, form and face, + Showed she was come of gentle race. + 'T were strange in ruder rank to find + Such looks, such manners, and such mind. + Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave, + Dame Margaret heard with silence grave; + Or Ellen, innocently gay, + Turned all inquiry light away:— + 'Weird women we! by dale and down + We dwell, afar from tower and town. + We stem the flood, we ride the blast, + On wandering knights our spells we cast; + While viewless minstrels touch the string, + 'Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing.' + She sung, and still a harp unseen + Filled up the symphony between. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXI. + + Song. + + Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, + Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; + Dream of battled fields no more, + Days of danger, nights of waking. + In our isle's enchanted hall, + Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, + Fairy strains of music fall, + Every sense in slumber dewing. + Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, + Dream of fighting fields no more; + Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, + Morn of toil, nor night of waking. + + 'No rude sound shall reach thine ear, + Armor's clang or war-steed champing + Trump nor pibroch summon here + Mustering clan or squadron tramping. + Yet the lark's shrill fife may come + At the daybreak from the fallow, + And the bittern sound his drum + Booming from the sedgy shallow. + Ruder sounds shall none be near, + Guards nor warders challenge here, + Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, + Shouting clans or squadrons stamping.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXII. + + She paused,—then, blushing, led the lay, + To grace the stranger of the day. + Her mellow notes awhile prolong + The cadence of the flowing song, + Till to her lips in measured frame + The minstrel verse spontaneous came. + + Song Continued. + + 'Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done; + While our slumbrous spells assail ye, + Dream not, with the rising sun, + Bugles here shall sound reveille. + Sleep! the deer is in his den; + Sleep! thy hounds are by thee lying; + Sleep! nor dream in yonder glen + How thy gallant steed lay dying. + Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done; + Think not of the rising sun, + For at dawning to assail ye + Here no bugles sound reveille.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXIII. + + The hall was cleared,—the stranger's bed, + Was there of mountain heather spread, + Where oft a hundred guests had lain, + And dreamed their forest sports again. + But vainly did the heath-flower shed + Its moorland fragrance round his head; + Not Ellen's spell had lulled to rest + The fever of his troubled breast. + In broken dreams the image rose + Of varied perils, pains, and woes: + His steed now flounders in the brake, + Now sinks his barge upon the lake; + Now leader of a broken host, + His standard falls, his honor's lost. + Then,—from my couch may heavenly might + Chase that worst phantom of the night!— + Again returned the scenes of youth, + Of confident, undoubting truth; + Again his soul he interchanged + With friends whose hearts were long estranged. + They come, in dim procession led, + The cold, the faithless, and the dead; + As warm each hand, each brow as gay, + As if they parted yesterday. + And doubt distracts him at the view,— + O were his senses false or true? + Dreamed he of death or broken vow, + Or is it all a vision now? +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXIV. + + At length, with Ellen in a grove + He seemed to walk and speak of love; + She listened with a blush and sigh, + His suit was warm, his hopes were high. + He sought her yielded hand to clasp, + And a cold gauntlet met his grasp: + The phantom's sex was changed and gone, + Upon its head a helmet shone; + Slowly enlarged to giant size, + With darkened cheek and threatening eyes, + The grisly visage, stern and hoar, + To Ellen still a likeness bore.— + He woke, and, panting with affright, + Recalled the vision of the night. + The hearth's decaying brands were red + And deep and dusky lustre shed, + Half showing, half concealing, all + The uncouth trophies of the hall. + Mid those the stranger fixed his eye + Where that huge falchion hung on high, + And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, + Rushed, chasing countless thoughts along, + Until, the giddy whirl to cure, + He rose and sought the moonshine pure. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXV. + + The wild rose, eglantine, and broom + Wasted around their rich perfume; + The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm; + The aspens slept beneath the calm; + The silver light, with quivering glance, + Played on the water's still expanse,— + Wild were the heart whose passion's sway + Could rage beneath the sober ray! + He felt its calm, that warrior guest, + While thus he communed with his breast:— + 'Why is it, at each turn I trace + Some memory of that exiled race? + Can I not mountain maiden spy, + But she must bear the Douglas eye? + Can I not view a Highland brand, + But it must match the Douglas hand? + Can I not frame a fevered dream, + But still the Douglas is the theme? + I'll dream no more,—by manly mind + Not even in sleep is will resigned. + My midnight orisons said o'er, + I'll turn to rest, and dream no more.' + His midnight orisons he told, + A prayer with every bead of gold, + Consigned to heaven his cares and woes, + And sunk in undisturbed repose, + Until the heath-cock shrilly crew, + And morning dawned on Benvenue. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO SECOND. + </h2> + <h3> + The Island. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + At morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, + 'T is morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, + All Nature's children feel the matin spring + Of life reviving, with reviving day; + And while yon little bark glides down the bay, + Wafting the stranger on his way again, + Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel gray, + And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, + Mixed with the sounding harp, O white-haired Allan-bane! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + Song. + + 'Not faster yonder rowers' might + Flings from their oars the spray, + Not faster yonder rippling bright, + That tracks the shallop's course in light, + Melts in the lake away, + Than men from memory erase + The benefits of former days; + Then, stranger, go! good speed the while, + Nor think again of the lonely isle. + + 'High place to thee in royal court, + High place in battled line, + Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport! + Where beauty sees the brave resort, + The honored meed be thine! + True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, + Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, + And lost in love's and friendship's smile + Be memory of the lonely isle! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + Song Continued. + + 'But if beneath yon southern sky + A plaided stranger roam, + Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, + And sunken cheek and heavy eye, + Pine for his Highland home; + Then, warrior, then be thine to show + The care that soothes a wanderer's woe; + Remember then thy hap erewhile, + A stranger in the lonely isle. + + 'Or if on life's uncertain main + Mishap shall mar thy sail; + If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, + Woe, want, and exile thou sustain + Beneath the fickle gale; + Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, + On thankless courts, or friends estranged, + But come where kindred worth shall smile, + To greet thee in the lonely isle.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + As died the sounds upon the tide, + The shallop reached the mainland side, + And ere his onward way he took, + The stranger cast a lingering look, + Where easily his eye might reach + The Harper on the islet beach, + Reclined against a blighted tree, + As wasted, gray, and worn as he. + To minstrel meditation given, + His reverend brow was raised to heaven, + As from the rising sun to claim + A sparkle of inspiring flame. + His hand, reclined upon the wire, + Seemed watching the awakening fire; + So still he sat as those who wait + Till judgment speak the doom of fate; + So still, as if no breeze might dare + To lift one lock of hoary hair; + So still, as life itself were fled + In the last sound his harp had sped. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + Upon a rock with lichens wild, + Beside him Ellen sat and smiled.— + Smiled she to see the stately drake + Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, + While her vexed spaniel from the beach + Bayed at the prize beyond his reach? + Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows, + Why deepened on her cheek the rose?— + Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! + Perchance the maiden smiled to see + Yon parting lingerer wave adieu, + And stop and turn to wave anew; + And, lovely ladies, ere your ire + Condemn the heroine of my lyre, + Show me the fair would scorn to spy + And prize such conquest of her eve! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + While yet he loitered on the spot, + It seemed as Ellen marked him not; + But when he turned him to the glade, + One courteous parting sign she made; + And after, oft the knight would say, + That not when prize of festal day + Was dealt him by the brightest fair + Who e'er wore jewel in her hair, + So highly did his bosom swell + As at that simple mute farewell. + Now with a trusty mountain-guide, + And his dark stag-hounds by his side, + He parts,—the maid, unconscious still, + Watched him wind slowly round the hill; + But when his stately form was hid, + The guardian in her bosom chid,— + 'Thy Malcolm! vain and selfish maid!' + 'T was thus upbraiding conscience said,— + 'Not so had Malcolm idly hung + On the smooth phrase of Southern tongue; + Not so had Malcolm strained his eye + Another step than thine to spy.'— + 'Wake, Allan-bane,' aloud she cried + To the old minstrel by her side,— + 'Arouse thee from thy moody dream! + I 'll give thy harp heroic theme, + And warm thee with a noble name; + Pour forth the glory of the Graeme!' + Scarce from her lip the word had rushed, + When deep the conscious maiden blushed; + For of his clan, in hall and bower, + Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + The minstrel waked his harp,—three times + Arose the well-known martial chimes, + And thrice their high heroic pride + In melancholy murmurs died. + 'Vainly thou bidst, O noble maid,' + Clasping his withered hands, he said, + 'Vainly thou bidst me wake the strain, + Though all unwont to bid in vain. + Alas! than mine a mightier hand + Has tuned my harp, my strings has spanned! + I touch the chords of joy, but low + And mournful answer notes of woe; + And the proud march which victors tread + Sinks in the wailing for the dead. + O, well for me, if mine alone + That dirge's deep prophetic tone! + If, as my tuneful fathers said, + This harp, which erst Saint Modan swayed, + Can thus its master's fate foretell, + Then welcome be the minstrel's knell.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + 'But ah! dear lady, thus it sighed, + The eve thy sainted mother died; + And such the sounds which, while I strove + To wake a lay of war or love, + Came marring all the festal mirth, + Appalling me who gave them birth, + And, disobedient to my call, + Wailed loud through Bothwell's bannered hall. + Ere Douglases, to ruin driven, + Were exiled from their native heaven.— + O! if yet worse mishap and woe + My master's house must undergo, + Or aught but weal to Ellen fair + Brood in these accents of despair, + No future bard, sad Harp! shall fling + Triumph or rapture from thy string; + One short, one final strain shall flow, + Fraught with unutterable woe, + Then shivered shall thy fragments lie, + Thy master cast him down and die!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + Soothing she answered him: 'Assuage, + Mine honored friend, the fears of age; + All melodies to thee are known + That harp has rung or pipe has blown, + In Lowland vale or Highland glen, + From Tweed to Spey—what marvel, then, + At times unbidden notes should rise, + Confusedly bound in memory's ties, + Entangling, as they rush along, + The war-march with the funeral song?— + Small ground is now for boding fear; + Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. + My sire, in native virtue great, + Resigning lordship, lands, and state, + Not then to fortune more resigned + Than yonder oak might give the wind; + The graceful foliage storms may reeve, + 'Fine noble stem they cannot grieve. + For me'—she stooped, and, looking round, + Plucked a blue harebell from the ground,— + 'For me, whose memory scarce conveys + An image of more splendid days, + This little flower that loves the lea + May well my simple emblem be; + It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose + That in the King's own garden grows; + And when I place it in my hair, + Allan, a bard is bound to swear + He ne'er saw coronet so fair.' + Then playfully the chaplet wild + She wreathed in her dark locks, and smiled. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + Her smile, her speech, with winning sway + Wiled the old Harper's mood away. + With such a look as hermits throw, + When angels stoop to soothe their woe + He gazed, till fond regret and pride + Thrilled to a tear, then thus replied: + 'Loveliest and best! thou little know'st + The rank, the honors, thou hast lost! + O. might I live to see thee grace, + In Scotland's court, thy birthright place, + To see my favorite's step advance + The lightest in the courtly dance, + The cause of every gallant's sigh, + And leading star of every eye, + And theme of every minstrel's art, + The Lady of the Bleeding Heart!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + 'Fair dreams are these,' the maiden cried,— + Light was her accent, yet she sighed,— + 'Yet is this mossy rock to me + Worth splendid chair and canopy; + Nor would my footstep spring more gay + In courtly dance than blithe strathspey, + Nor half so pleased mine ear incline + To royal minstrel's lay as thine. + And then for suitors proud and high, + To bend before my conquering eye,— + Thou, flattering bard! thyself wilt say, + That grim Sir Roderick owns its sway. + The Saxon scourge, Clan-Alpine's pride, + The terror of Loch Lomond's side, + Would, at my suit, thou know'st, delay + A Lennox foray—for a day.'— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII.. + + The ancient bard her glee repressed: + 'Ill hast thou chosen theme for jest! + For who, through all this western wild, + Named Black Sir Roderick e'er, and smiled? + In Holy-Rood a knight he slew; + I saw, when back the dirk he drew, + Courtiers give place before the stride + Of the undaunted homicide; + And since, though outlawed, hath his hand + Full sternly kept his mountain land. + + Who else dared give—ah! woe the day, + That I such hated truth should say!— + The Douglas, like a stricken deer, + Disowned by every noble peer, + Even the rude refuge we have here? + Alas, this wild marauding + Chief Alone might hazard our relief, + And now thy maiden charms expand, + Looks for his guerdon in thy hand; + Full soon may dispensation sought, + To back his suit, from Rome be brought. + Then, though an exile on the hill, + Thy father, as the Douglas, still + Be held in reverence and fear; + And though to Roderick thou'rt so dear + That thou mightst guide with silken thread. + Slave of thy will, this chieftain dread, + Yet, O loved maid, thy mirth refrain! + Thy hand is on a lion's mane.'— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + Minstrel,' the maid replied, and high + Her father's soul glanced from her eye, + 'My debts to Roderick's house I know: + All that a mother could bestow + To Lady Margaret's care I owe, + Since first an orphan in the wild + She sorrowed o'er her sister's child; + To her brave chieftain son, from ire + Of Scotland's king who shrouds my sire, + A deeper, holier debt is owed; + And, could I pay it with my blood, Allan! + Sir Roderick should command + My blood, my life,—but not my hand. + Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell + A votaress in Maronnan's cell; + Rather through realms beyond the sea, + Seeking the world's cold charity + Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word, + And ne'er the name of Douglas heard + An outcast pilgrim will she rove, + Than wed the man she cannot love. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + 'Thou shak'st, good friend, thy tresses gray,— + That pleading look, what can it say + But what I own?—I grant him brave, + But wild as Bracklinn's thundering wave; + And generous,—save vindictive mood + Or jealous transport chafe his blood: + I grant him true to friendly band, + As his claymore is to his hand; + But O! that very blade of steel + More mercy for a foe would feel: + I grant him liberal, to fling + Among his clan the wealth they bring, + When back by lake and glen they wind, + And in the Lowland leave behind, + Where once some pleasant hamlet stood, + A mass of ashes slaked with blood. + The hand that for my father fought + I honor, as his daughter ought; + But can I clasp it reeking red + From peasants slaughtered in their shed? + No! wildly while his virtues gleam, + They make his passions darker seem, + And flash along his spirit high, + Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. + While yet a child,—and children know, + Instinctive taught, the friend and foe,— + I shuddered at his brow of gloom, + His shadowy plaid and sable plume; + A maiden grown, I ill could bear + His haughty mien and lordly air: + But, if thou join'st a suitor's claim, + In serious mood, to Roderick's name. + I thrill with anguish! or, if e'er + A Douglas knew the word, with fear. + To change such odious theme were best,— + What think'st thou of our stranger guest? '— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + 'What think I of him?—woe the while + That brought such wanderer to our isle! + Thy father's battle-brand, of yore + For Tine-man forged by fairy lore, + What time he leagued, no longer foes + His Border spears with Hotspur's bows, + Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshow + The footstep of a secret foe. + If courtly spy hath harbored here, + What may we for the Douglas fear? + What for this island, deemed of old + Clan-Alpine's last and surest hold? + If neither spy nor foe, I pray + What yet may jealous Roderick say?— + Nay, wave not thy disdainful head! + Bethink thee of the discord dread + That kindled when at Beltane game + Thou least the dance with Malcolm Graeme; + Still, though thy sire the peace renewed + Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud: + Beware!—But hark! what sounds are these? + My dull ears catch no faltering breeze + No weeping birch nor aspens wake, + Nor breath is dimpling in the lake; + Still is the canna's hoary beard, + Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard— + And hark again! some pipe of war + Sends the hold pibroch from afar.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + Far up the lengthened lake were spied + Four darkening specks upon the tide, + That, slow enlarging on the view, + Four manned and massed barges grew, + And, bearing downwards from Glengyle, + Steered full upon the lonely isle; + The point of Brianchoil they passed, + And, to the windward as they cast, + Against the sun they gave to shine + The bold Sir Roderick's bannered Pine. + Nearer and nearer as they bear, + Spears, pikes, and axes flash in air. + Now might you see the tartars brave, + And plaids and plumage dance and wave: + Now see the bonnets sink and rise, + As his tough oar the rower plies; + See, flashing at each sturdy stroke, + The wave ascending into smoke; + See the proud pipers on the bow, + And mark the gaudy streamers flow + From their loud chanters down, and sweep + The furrowed bosom of the deep, + As, rushing through the lake amain, + They plied the ancient Highland strain. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + Ever, as on they bore, more loud + And louder rung the pibroch proud. + At first the sounds, by distance tame, + Mellowed along the waters came, + And, lingering long by cape and bay, + Wailed every harsher note away, + Then bursting bolder on the ear, + The clan's shrill Gathering they could hear, + Those thrilling sounds that call the might + Of old Clan-Alpine to the fight. + Thick beat the rapid notes, as when + The mustering hundreds shake the glen, + And hurrying at the signal dread, + 'Fine battered earth returns their tread. + Then prelude light, of livelier tone, + Expressed their merry marching on, + Ere peal of closing battle rose, + With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows; + And mimic din of stroke and ward, + As broadsword upon target jarred; + And groaning pause, ere yet again, + Condensed, the battle yelled amain: + The rapid charge, the rallying shout, + Retreat borne headlong into rout, + And bursts of triumph, to declare + Clan-Alpine's congest—all were there. + Nor ended thus the strain, but slow + Sunk in a moan prolonged and low, + And changed the conquering clarion swell + For wild lament o'er those that fell. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII. + + The war-pipes ceased, but lake and hill + Were busy with their echoes still; + And, when they slept, a vocal strain + Bade their hoarse chorus wake again, + While loud a hundred clansmen raise + Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. + Each boatman, bending to his oar, + With measured sweep the burden bore, + In such wild cadence as the breeze + Makes through December's leafless trees. + The chorus first could Allan know, + 'Roderick Vich Alpine, ho! fro!' + And near, and nearer as they rowed, + Distinct the martial ditty flowed. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + Boat Song + + Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances! + Honored and blessed be the ever-green Pine! + Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, + Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line! + Heaven send it happy dew, + Earth lend it sap anew, + Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow, + While every Highland glen + Sends our shout back again, + 'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!' + + Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, + + Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; + When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the mountain, + The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. + Moored in the rifted rock, + Proof to the tempest's shock, + Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow; + Menteith and Breadalbane, then, + Echo his praise again, + 'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XX. + + Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin, + And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied; + Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, + And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. + Widow and Saxon maid + Long shall lament our raid, + Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe; + Lennox and Leven-glen + Shake when they hear again, + 'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!' + + Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands! + Stretch to your oars for the ever-green Pine! + O that the rosebud that graces yon islands + Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine! + O that some seedling gem, + Worthy such noble stem, + Honored and blessed in their shadow might grow! + Loud should Clan-Alpine then + Ring from her deepmost glen, + Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + With all her joyful female band + Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. + Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, + And high their snowy arms they threw, + As echoing back with shrill acclaim, + And chorus wild, the Chieftain's name; + While, prompt to please, with mother's art + The darling passion of his heart, + The Dame called Ellen to the strand, + To greet her kinsman ere he land: + 'Come, loiterer, come! a Douglas thou, + And shun to wreathe a victor's brow?' + Reluctantly and slow, the maid + The unwelcome summoning obeyed, + And when a distant bugle rung, + In the mid-path aside she sprung:— + 'List, Allan-bane! From mainland cast + I hear my father's signal blast. + Be ours,' she cried, 'the skiff to guide, + And waft him from the mountain-side.' + Then, like a sunbeam, swift and bright, + She darted to her shallop light, + And, eagerly while Roderick scanned, + For her dear form, his mother's band, + The islet far behind her lay, + And she had landed in the bay. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Some feelings are to mortals given + With less of earth in them than heaven; + And if there be a human tear + From passion's dross refined and clear, + A tear so limpid and so meek + It would not stain an angel's cheek, + 'Tis that which pious fathers shed + Upon a duteous daughter's head! + And as the Douglas to his breast + His darling Ellen closely pressed, + Such holy drops her tresses steeped, + Though 't was an hero's eye that weeped. + Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue + Her filial welcomes crowded hung, + Marked she that fear—affection's proof— + Still held a graceful youth aloof; + No! not till Douglas named his name, + Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + Allan, with wistful look the while, + Marked Roderick landing on the isle; + His master piteously he eyed, + Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride, + Then dashed with hasty hand away + From his dimmed eye the gathering spray; + And Douglas, as his hand he laid + On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said: + 'Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy + In my poor follower's glistening eye? + I 'll tell thee:—he recalls the day + When in my praise he led the lay + O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud, + While many a minstrel answered loud, + When Percy's Norman pennon, won + In bloody field, before me shone, + And twice ten knights, the least a name + As mighty as yon Chief may claim, + Gracing my pomp, behind me came. + Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud + Was I of all that marshalled crowd, + Though the waned crescent owned my might, + And in my train trooped lord and knight, + Though Blantyre hymned her holiest lays, + And Bothwell's bards flung back my praise, + As when this old man's silent tear, + And this poor maid's affection dear, + A welcome give more kind and true + Than aught my better fortunes knew. + Forgive, my friend, a father's boast,— + O, it out-beggars all I lost!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV. + + Delightful praise!—like summer rose, + That brighter in the dew-drop glows, + The bashful maiden's cheek appeared, + For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard. + The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, + The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide; + The loved caresses of the maid + The dogs with crouch and whimper paid; + And, at her whistle, on her hand + The falcon took his favorite stand, + Closed his dark wing, relaxed his eye, + Nor, though unhooded, sought to fly. + And, trust, while in such guise she stood, + Like fabled Goddess of the wood, + That if a father's partial thought + O'erweighed her worth and beauty aught, + Well might the lover's judgment fail + To balance with a juster scale; + For with each secret glance he stole, + The fond enthusiast sent his soul. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + Of stature fair, and slender frame, + But firmly knit, was Malcolm Graeme. + The belted plaid and tartan hose + Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose; + His flaxen hair, of sunny hue, + Curled closely round his bonnet blue. + Trained to the chase, his eagle eye + The ptarmigan in snow could spy; + Each pass, by mountain, lake, and heath, + He knew, through Lennox and Menteith; + Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe + When Malcolm bent his sounding bow, + And scarce that doe, though winged with fear, + Outstripped in speed the mountaineer: + Right up Ben Lomond could he press, + And not a sob his toil confess. + His form accorded with a mind + Lively and ardent, frank and kind; + A blither heart, till Ellen came + Did never love nor sorrow tame; + It danced as lightsome in his breast + As played the feather on his crest. + Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth + His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth + And bards, who saw his features bold + When kindled by the tales of old + Said, were that youth to manhood grown, + Not long should Roderick Dhu's renown + Be foremost voiced by mountain fame, + But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + Now back they wend their watery way, + And, 'O my sire!' did Ellen say, + 'Why urge thy chase so far astray? + And why so late returned? And why '— + The rest was in her speaking eye. + 'My child, the chase I follow far, + 'Tis mimicry of noble war; + And with that gallant pastime reft + Were all of Douglas I have left. + I met young Malcolm as I strayed + Far eastward, in Glenfinlas' shade + Nor strayed I safe, for all around + Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground. + This youth, though still a royal ward, + Risked life and land to be my guard, + And through the passes of the wood + Guided my steps, not unpursued; + And Roderick shall his welcome make, + Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. + Then must he seek Strath-Endrick glen + Nor peril aught for me again.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + Sir Roderick, who to meet them came, + Reddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme, + Yet, not in action, word, or eye, + Failed aught in hospitality. + In talk and sport they whiled away + The morning of that summer day; + But at high noon a courier light + Held secret parley with the knight, + Whose moody aspect soon declared + That evil were the news he heard. + Deep thought seemed toiling in his head; + Yet was the evening banquet made + Ere he assembled round the flame + His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, + And Ellen too; then cast around + His eyes, then fixed them on the ground, + As studying phrase that might avail + Best to convey unpleasant tale. + Long with his dagger's hilt he played, + Then raised his haughty brow, and said:— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVIII. + + 'Short be my speech;—nor time affords, + Nor my plain temper, glozing words. + Kinsman and father,—if such name + Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim; + Mine honored mother;—Ellen,—why, + My cousin, turn away thine eye?— + And Graeme, in whom I hope to know + Full soon a noble friend or foe, + When age shall give thee thy command, + And leading in thy native land,— + List all!—The King's vindictive pride + Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, + Where chiefs, with hound and trawl; who came + To share their monarch's sylvan game, + Themselves in bloody toils were snared, + And when the banquet they prepared, + And wide their loyal portals flung, + O'er their own gateway struggling hung. + Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mead, + From Yarrow braes and banks of Tweed, + Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide, + And from the silver Teviot's side; + The dales, where martial clans did ride, + Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. + This tyrant of the Scottish throne, + So faithless and so ruthless known, + Now hither comes; his end the same, + The same pretext of sylvan game. + What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye + By fate of Border chivalry. + Yet more; amid Glenfinlas' green, + Douglas, thy stately form was seen. + This by espial sure I know: + Your counsel in the streight I show.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + Ellen and Margaret fearfully + Sought comfort in each other's eye, + Then turned their ghastly look, each one, + This to her sire, that to her son. + The hasty color went and came + In the bold cheek of Malcohm Graeme, + But from his glance it well appeared + 'T was but for Ellen that he feared; + While, sorrowful, but undismayed, + The Douglas thus his counsel said: + 'Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, + It may but thunder and pass o'er; + Nor will I here remain an hour, + To draw the lightning on thy bower; + For well thou know'st, at this gray head + The royal bolt were fiercest sped. + For thee, who, at thy King's command, + Canst aid him with a gallant band, + Submission, homage, humbled pride, + Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside. + Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart, + Ellen and I will seek apart + The refuge of some forest cell, + There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, + Till on the mountain and the moor + The stern pursuit be passed and o'er,'— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXX. + + 'No, by mine honor,' Roderick said, + 'So help me Heaven, and my good blade! + No, never! Blasted be yon Pine, + My father's ancient crest and mine, + If from its shade in danger part + The lineage of the Bleeding Heart! + Hear my blunt speech: grant me this maid + To wife, thy counsel to mine aid; + To Douglas, leagued with Roderick Dhu, + Will friends and allies flock enow; + Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief, + Will bind to us each Western Chief + When the loud pipes my bridal tell, + The Links of Forth shall hear the knell, + The guards shall start in Stirling's porch; + And when I light the nuptial torch, + A thousand villages in flames + Shall scare the slumbers of King James!— + Nay, Ellen, blench not thus away, + And, mother, cease these signs, I pray; + I meant not all my heat might say.— + Small need of inroad or of fight, + When the sage Douglas may unite + Each mountain clan in friendly band, + To guard the passes of their land, + Till the foiled King from pathless glen + Shall bootless turn him home again.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXI. + + There are who have, at midnight hour, + In slumber scaled a dizzy tower, + And, on the verge that beetled o'er + The ocean tide's incessant roar, + Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream, + Till wakened by the morning beam; + When, dazzled by the eastern glow, + Such startler cast his glance below, + And saw unmeasured depth around, + And heard unintermitted sound, + And thought the battled fence so frail, + It waved like cobweb in the gale; + Amid his senses' giddy wheel, + Did he not desperate impulse feel, + Headlong to plunge himself below, + And meet the worst his fears foreshow?— + Thus Ellen, dizzy and astound, + As sudden ruin yawned around, + By crossing terrors wildly tossed, + Still for the Douglas fearing most, + Could scarce the desperate thought withstand, + To buy his safety with her hand. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXII. + + Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy + In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, + And eager rose to speak,—but ere + His tongue could hurry forth his fear, + Had Douglas marked the hectic strife, + Where death seemed combating with life; + For to her cheek, in feverish flood, + One instant rushed the throbbing blood, + Then ebbing back, with sudden sway, + Left its domain as wan as clay. + 'Roderick, enough! enough!' he cried, + 'My daughter cannot be thy bride; + Not that the blush to wooer dear, + Nor paleness that of maiden fear. + It may not be,—forgive her, + Chief, Nor hazard aught for our relief. + Against his sovereign, Douglas ne'er + Will level a rebellious spear. + 'T was I that taught his youthful hand + To rein a steed and wield a brand; + I see him yet, the princely boy! + Not Ellen more my pride and joy; + I love him still, despite my wrongs + By hasty wrath and slanderous tongues. + O. seek the grace you well may find, + Without a cause to mine combined!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXIII. + + Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode; + The waving of his tartars broad, + And darkened brow, where wounded pride + With ire and disappointment vied + Seemed, by the torch's gloomy light, + Like the ill Demon of the night, + Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway + Upon the righted pilgrim's way: + But, unrequited Love! thy dart + Plunged deepest its envenomed smart, + And Roderick, with thine anguish stung, + At length the hand of Douglas wrung, + While eyes that mocked at tears before + With bitter drops were running o'er. + The death-pangs of long-cherished hope + Scarce in that ample breast had scope + But, struggling with his spirit proud, + Convulsive heaved its checkered shroud, + While every sob—so mute were all + Was heard distinctly through the ball. + The son's despair, the mother's look, + III might the gentle Ellen brook; + She rose, and to her side there came, + To aid her parting steps, the Graeme. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXIV. + + Then Roderick from the Douglas broke— + As flashes flame through sable smoke, + Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low, + To one broad blaze of ruddy glow, + So the deep anguish of despair + Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. + With stalwart grasp his hand he laid + On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid: + 'Back, beardless boy!' he sternly said, + 'Back, minion! holdst thou thus at naught + The lesson I so lately taught? + This roof, the Douglas, and that maid, + Thank thou for punishment delayed.' + Eager as greyhound on his game, + Fiercely with Roderick grappled Graeme. + 'Perish my name, if aught afford + Its Chieftain safety save his sword!' + Thus as they strove their desperate hand + Griped to the dagger or the brand, + And death had been—but Douglas rose, + And thrust between the struggling foes + His giant strength:—' Chieftains, forego! + I hold the first who strikes my foe.— + Madmen, forbear your frantic jar! + What! is the Douglas fallen so far, + His daughter's hand is deemed the spoil + Of such dishonorable broil?' + Sullen and slowly they unclasp, + As struck with shame, their desperate grasp, + And each upon his rival glared, + With foot advanced and blade half bared. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXV. + + Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, + Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, + And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream, + As faltered through terrific dream. + Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword, + And veiled his wrath in scornful word:' + Rest safe till morning; pity 't were + Such cheek should feel the midnight air! + Then mayst thou to James Stuart tell, + Roderick will keep the lake and fell, + Nor lackey with his freeborn clan + The pageant pomp of earthly man. + More would he of Clan-Alpine know, + Thou canst our strength and passes show.— + Malise, what ho!'—his henchman came: + 'Give our safe-conduct to the Graeme.' + Young Malcolm answered, calm and bold:' + Fear nothing for thy favorite hold; + The spot an angel deigned to grace + Is blessed, though robbers haunt the place. + Thy churlish courtesy for those + Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. + As safe to me the mountain way + At midnight as in blaze of day, + Though with his boldest at his back + Even Roderick Dhu beset the track.— + Brave Douglas,—lovely Ellen,—nay, + Naught here of parting will I say. + Earth does not hold a lonesome glen + So secret but we meet again.— + Chieftain! we too shall find an hour,'— + He said, and left the sylvan bower. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXVI. + + Old Allan followed to the strand— + Such was the Douglas's command— + And anxious told, how, on the morn, + The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn, + The Fiery Cross should circle o'er + Dale, glen, and valley, down and moor + Much were the peril to the Graeme + From those who to the signal came; + Far up the lake 't were safest land, + Himself would row him to the strand. + He gave his counsel to the wind, + While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind, + Round dirk and pouch and broadsword rolled, + His ample plaid in tightened fold, + And stripped his limbs to such array + As best might suit the watery way,— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXVII. + + Then spoke abrupt: 'Farewell to thee, + Pattern of old fidelity!' + The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed,— + 'O, could I point a place of rest! + My sovereign holds in ward my land, + My uncle leads my vassal band; + To tame his foes, his friends to aid, + Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade. + Yet, if there be one faithful Graeme + Who loves the chieftain of his name, + Not long shall honored Douglas dwell + Like hunted stag in mountain cell; + Nor, ere yon pride-swollen robber dare,— + I may not give the rest to air! + Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him naught, + Not tile poor service of a boat, + To waft me to yon mountain-side.' + Then plunged he in the flashing tide. + Bold o'er the flood his head he bore, + And stoutly steered him from the shore; + And Allan strained his anxious eye, + Far mid the lake his form to spy, + Darkening across each puny wave, + To which the moon her silver gave. + Fast as the cormorant could skim. + The swimmer plied each active limb; + Then landing in the moonlight dell, + Loud shouted of his weal to tell. + The Minstrel heard the far halloo, + And joyful from the shore withdrew. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO THIRD. + </h2> + <h3> + The Gathering. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore, + Who danced our infancy upon their knee, + And told our marvelling boyhood legends store + Of their strange ventures happed by land or sea, + How are they blotted from the things that be! + How few, all weak and withered of their force, + Wait on the verge of dark eternity, + Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, + To sweep them from out sight! Time rolls his ceaseless course. + + Yet live there still who can remember well, + How, when a mountain chief his bugle blew, + Both field and forest, dingle, cliff; and dell, + And solitary heath, the signal knew; + And fast the faithful clan around him drew. + What time the warning note was keenly wound, + What time aloft their kindred banner flew, + While clamorous war-pipes yelled the gathering sound, + And while the Fiery Cross glanced like a meteor, round. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + The Summer dawn's reflected hue + To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; + Mildly and soft the western breeze + Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, + And the pleased lake, like maiden coy, + Trembled but dimpled not for joy + The mountain-shadows on her breast + Were neither broken nor at rest; + In bright uncertainty they lie, + Like future joys to Fancy's eye. + The water-lily to the light + Her chalice reared of silver bright; + The doe awoke, and to the lawn, + Begemmed with dew-drops, led her fawn; + The gray mist left the mountain-side, + The torrent showed its glistening pride; + Invisible in flecked sky The lark sent clown her revelry: + The blackbird and the speckled thrush + Good-morrow gave from brake and bush; + In answer cooed the cushat dove + Her notes of peace and rest and love. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + No thought of peace, no thought of rest, + Assuaged the storm in Roderick's breast. + With sheathed broadsword in his hand, + Abrupt he paced the islet strand, + And eyed the rising sun, and laid + His hand on his impatient blade. + Beneath a rock, his vassals' care + Was prompt the ritual to prepare, + With deep and deathful meaning fraught; + For such Antiquity had taught + Was preface meet, ere yet abroad + The Cross of Fire should take its road. + The shrinking band stood oft aghast + At the impatient glance he cast;— + Such glance the mountain eagle threw, + As, from the cliffs of Benvenue, + She spread her dark sails on the wind, + And, high in middle heaven reclined, + With her broad shadow on the lake, + Silenced the warblers of the brake. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + A heap of withered boughs was piled, + Of juniper and rowan wild, + Mingled with shivers from the oak, + Rent by the lightning's recent stroke. + Brian the Hermit by it stood, + Barefooted, in his frock and hood. + His grizzled beard and matted hair + Obscured a visage of despair; + His naked arms and legs, seamed o'er, + The scars of frantic penance bore. + That monk, of savage form and face + The impending danger of his race + Had drawn from deepest solitude + Far in Benharrow's bosom rude. + Not his the mien of Christian priest, + But Druid's, from the grave released + Whose hardened heart and eye might brook + On human sacrifice to look; + And much, 't was said, of heathen lore + Mixed in the charms he muttered o'er. + The hallowed creed gave only worse + And deadlier emphasis of curse. + No peasant sought that Hermit's prayer + His cave the pilgrim shunned with care, + The eager huntsman knew his bound + And in mid chase called off his hound;' + Or if, in lonely glen or strath, + The desert-dweller met his path + He prayed, and signed the cross between, + While terror took devotion's mien. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. + His mother watched a midnight fold, + Built deep within a dreary glen, + Where scattered lay the bones of men + In some forgotten battle slain, + And bleached by drifting wind and rain. + It might have tamed a warrior's heart + To view such mockery of his art! + The knot-grass fettered there the hand + Which once could burst an iron band; + Beneath the broad and ample bone, + That bucklered heart to fear unknown, + A feeble and a timorous guest, + The fieldfare framed her lowly nest; + There the slow blindworm left his slime + On the fleet limbs that mocked at time; + And there, too, lay the leader's skull + Still wreathed with chaplet, flushed and full, + For heath-bell with her purple bloom + Supplied the bonnet and the plume. + All night, in this sad glen the maid + Sat shrouded in her mantle's shade: + She said no shepherd sought her side, + No hunter's hand her snood untied. + Yet ne'er again to braid her hair + The virgin snood did Alive wear; + Gone was her maiden glee and sport, + Her maiden girdle all too short, + Nor sought she, from that fatal night, + Or holy church or blessed rite + But locked her secret in her breast, + And died in travail, unconfessed. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + Alone, among his young compeers, + Was Brian from his infant years; + A moody and heart-broken boy, + Estranged from sympathy and joy + Bearing each taunt which careless tongue + On his mysterious lineage flung. + Whole nights he spent by moonlight pale + To wood and stream his teal, to wail, + Till, frantic, he as truth received + What of his birth the crowd believed, + And sought, in mist and meteor fire, + To meet and know his Phantom Sire! + In vain, to soothe his wayward fate, + The cloister oped her pitying gate; + In vain the learning of the age + Unclasped the sable-lettered page; + Even in its treasures he could find + Food for the fever of his mind. + Eager he read whatever tells + Of magic, cabala, and spells, + And every dark pursuit allied + To curious and presumptuous pride; + Till with fired brain and nerves o'erstrung, + And heart with mystic horrors wrung, + Desperate he sought Benharrow's den, + And hid him from the haunts of men. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + The desert gave him visions wild, + Such as might suit the spectre's child. + Where with black cliffs the torrents toil, + He watched the wheeling eddies boil, + Jill from their foam his dazzled eyes + Beheld the River Demon rise: + The mountain mist took form and limb + Of noontide hag or goblin grim; + The midnight wind came wild and dread, + Swelled with the voices of the dead; + Far on the future battle-heath + His eye beheld the ranks of death: + Thus the lone Seer, from mankind hurled, + Shaped forth a disembodied world. + One lingering sympathy of mind + Still bound him to the mortal kind; + The only parent he could claim + Of ancient Alpine's lineage came. + Late had he heard, in prophet's dream, + The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream; + Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast + Of charging steeds, careering fast + Along Benharrow's shingly side, + Where mortal horseman ne'er might ride; + The thunderbolt had split the pine,— + All augured ill to Alpine's line. + He girt his loins, and came to show + The signals of impending woe, + And now stood prompt to bless or ban, + As bade the Chieftain of his clan. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + 'T was all prepared;—and from the rock + A goat, the patriarch of the flock, + Before the kindling pile was laid, + And pierced by Roderick's ready blade. + Patient the sickening victim eyed + The life-blood ebb in crimson tide + Down his clogged beard and shaggy limb, + Till darkness glazed his eyeballs dim. + The grisly priest, with murmuring prayer, + A slender crosslet framed with care, + A cubit's length in measure due; + The shaft and limbs were rods of yew, + Whose parents in Inch-Cailliach wave + Their shadows o'er Clan-Alpine's grave, + And, answering Lomond's breezes deep, + Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep. + The Cross thus formed he held on high, + With wasted hand and haggard eye, + And strange and mingled feelings woke, + While his anathema he spoke:— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + 'Woe to the clansman who shall view + This symbol of sepulchral yew, + Forgetful that its branches grew + Where weep the heavens their holiest dew + On Alpine's dwelling low! + Deserter of his Chieftain's trust, + He ne'er shall mingle with their dust, + But, from his sires and kindred thrust, + Each clansman's execration just + Shall doom him wrath and woe.' + He paused;—the word the vassals took, + With forward step and fiery look, + On high their naked brands they shook, + Their clattering targets wildly strook; + And first in murmur low, + Then like the billow in his course, + That far to seaward finds his source, + And flings to shore his mustered force, + Burst with loud roar their answer hoarse, + 'Woe to the traitor, woe!' + Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew, + The joyous wolf from covert drew, + The exulting eagle screamed afar,— + They knew the voice of Alpine's war. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + The shout was hushed on lake and fell, + The Monk resumed his muttered spell: + Dismal and low its accents came, + The while he scathed the Cross with flame; + And the few words that reached the air, + Although the holiest name was there, + Had more of blasphemy than prayer. + But when he shook above the crowd + Its kindled points, he spoke aloud:— + 'Woe to the wretch who fails to rear + At this dread sign the ready spear! + For, as the flames this symbol sear, + His home, the refuge of his fear, + A kindred fate shall know; + Far o'er its roof the volumed flame + Clan-Alpine's vengeance shall proclaim, + While maids and matrons on his name + Shall call down wretchedness and shame, + And infamy and woe.' + Then rose the cry of females, shrill + As goshawk's whistle on the hill, + Denouncing misery and ill, + Mingled with childhood's babbling trill + Of curses stammered slow; + Answering with imprecation dread, + 'Sunk be his home in embers red! + And cursed be the meanest shed + That o'er shall hide the houseless head + We doom to want and woe!' + A sharp and shrieking echo gave, + Coir-Uriskin, thy goblin cave! + And the gray pass where birches wave + On Beala-nam-bo. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + Then deeper paused the priest anew, + And hard his laboring breath he drew, + While, with set teeth and clenched hand, + And eyes that glowed like fiery brand, + He meditated curse more dread, + And deadlier, on the clansman's head + Who, summoned to his chieftain's aid, + The signal saw and disobeyed. + The crosslet's points of sparkling wood + He quenched among the bubbling blood. + And, as again the sign he reared, + Hollow and hoarse his voice was heard: + 'When flits this Cross from man to man, + Vich-Alpine's summons to his clan, + Burst be the ear that fails to heed! + Palsied the foot that shuns to speed! + May ravens tear the careless eyes, + Wolves make the coward heart their prize! + As sinks that blood-stream in the earth, + So may his heart's-blood drench his hearth! + As dies in hissing gore the spark, + Quench thou his light, Destruction dark! + And be the grace to him denied, + Bought by this sign to all beside! + He ceased; no echo gave again + The murmur of the deep Amen. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII. + + Then Roderick with impatient look + From Brian's hand the symbol took: + 'Speed, Malise, speed' he said, and gave + The crosslet to his henchman brave. + 'The muster-place be Lanrick mead— + Instant the time—-speed, Malise, speed!' + Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue, + A barge across Loch Katrine flew: + High stood the henchman on the prow; + So rapidly the barge-mall row, + The bubbles, where they launched the boat, + Were all unbroken and afloat, + Dancing in foam and ripple still, + When it had neared the mainland hill; + And from the silver beach's side + Still was the prow three fathom wide, + When lightly bounded to the land + The messenger of blood and brand. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + Speed, Malise, speed! the dun deer's hide + On fleeter foot was never tied. + Speed, Malise, speed! such cause of haste + Thine active sinews never braced. + Bend 'gainst the steepy hill thy breast, + Burst down like torrent from its crest; + With short and springing footstep pass + The trembling bog and false morass; + Across the brook like roebuck bound, + And thread the brake like questing hound; + The crag is high, the scaur is deep, + Yet shrink not from the desperate leap: + Parched are thy burning lips and brow, + Yet by the fountain pause not now; + Herald of battle, fate, and fear, + Stretch onward in thy fleet career! + The wounded hind thou track'st not now, + Pursuest not maid through greenwood bough, + Nor priest thou now thy flying pace + With rivals in the mountain race; + But danger, death, and warrior deed + Are in thy course—speed, Malise, speed! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + Fast as the fatal symbol flies, + In arms the huts and hamlets rise; + From winding glen, from upland brown, + They poured each hardy tenant down. + Nor slacked the messenger his pace; + He showed the sign, he named the place, + And, pressing forward like the wind, + Left clamor and surprise behind. + The fisherman forsook the strand, + The swarthy smith took dirk and brand; + With changed cheer, the mower blithe + Left in the half-cut swath his scythe; + The herds without a keeper strayed, + The plough was in mid-furrow staved, + The falconer tossed his hawk away, + The hunter left the stag at hay; + Prompt at the signal of alarms, + Each son of Alpine rushed to arms; + So swept the tumult and affray + Along the margin of Achray. + Alas, thou lovely lake! that e'er + Thy banks should echo sounds of fear! + The rocks, the bosky thickets, sleep + So stilly on thy bosom deep, + The lark's blithe carol from the cloud + Seems for the scene too gayly loud. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + Speed, Malise, speed! The lake is past, + Duncraggan's huts appear at last, + And peep, like moss-grown rocks, half seen + Half hidden in the copse so green; + There mayst thou rest, thy labor done, + Their lord shall speed the signal on.— + As stoops the hawk upon his prey, + The henchman shot him down the way. + What woful accents load the gale? + The funeral yell, the female wail! + A gallant hunter's sport is o'er, + A valiant warrior fights no more. + Who, in the battle or the chase, + At Roderick's side shall fill his place!— + Within the hall, where torch's ray + Supplies the excluded beams of day, + Lies Duncan on his lowly bier, + And o'er him streams his widow's tear. + His stripling son stands mournful by, + His youngest weeps, but knows not why; + The village maids and matrons round + The dismal coronach resound. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + Coronach. + + He is gone on the mountain, + He is lost to the forest, + Like a summer-dried fountain, + When our need was the sorest. + The font, reappearing, + From the rain-drops shall borrow, + But to us comes no cheering, + To Duncan no morrow! + + The hand of the reaper + Takes the ears that are hoary, + But the voice of the weeper + Wails manhood in glory. + The autumn winds rushing + Waft the leaves that are searest, + But our flower was in flushing, + When blighting was nearest. + + Fleet foot on the correi, + Sage counsel in cumber, + Red hand in the foray, + How sound is thy slumber! + Like the dew on the mountain, + Like the foam on the river, + Like the bubble on the fountain, + Thou art gone, and forever! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + See Stumah, who, the bier beside + His master's corpse with wonder eyed, + Poor Stumah! whom his least halloo + Could send like lightning o'er the dew, + Bristles his crest, and points his ears, + As if some stranger step he hears. + 'T is not a mourner's muffled tread, + Who comes to sorrow o'er the dead, + But headlong haste or deadly fear + Urge the precipitate career. + All stand aghast:—unheeding all, + The henchman bursts into the hall; + Before the dead man's bier he stood, + Held forth the Cross besmeared with blood; + 'The muster-place is Lanrick mead; + Speed forth the signal! clansmen, speed!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII, + + Angus, the heir of Duncan's line, + Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign. + In haste the stripling to his side + His father's dirk and broadsword tied; + But when he saw his mother's eye + Watch him in speechless agony, + Back to her opened arms he flew + Pressed on her lips a fond adieu,— + 'Alas' she sobbed,—'and yet be gone, + And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son!' + One look he cast upon the bier, + Dashed from his eye the gathering tear, + Breathed deep to clear his laboring breast, + And tossed aloft his bonnet crest, + Then, like the high-bred colt when, freed, + First he essays his fire and speed, + He vanished, and o'er moor and moss + Sped forward with the Fiery Cross. + Suspended was the widow's tear + While yet his footsteps she could hear; + And when she marked the henchman's eye + Wet with unwonted sympathy, + 'Kinsman,' she said, 'his race is run + That should have sped thine errand on. + The oak teas fallen?—the sapling bough Is all + Duncraggan's shelter now + Yet trust I well, his duty done, + The orphan's God will guard my son.— + And you, in many a danger true + At Duncan's hest your blades that drew, + To arms, and guard that orphan's head! + Let babes and women wail the dead.' + Then weapon-clang and martial call + Resounded through the funeral hall, + While from the walls the attendant band + Snatched sword and targe with hurried hand; + And short and flitting energy + Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye, + As if the sounds to warrior dear + Might rouse her Duncan from his bier. + But faded soon that borrowed force; + Grief claimed his right, and tears their course. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, + It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire. + O'er dale and hill the summons flew, + Nor rest nor pause young Angus knew; + The tear that gathered in his eye + He deft the mountain-breeze to dry; + Until, where Teith's young waters roll + Betwixt him and a wooded knoll + That graced the sable strath with green, + The chapel of Saint Bride was seen. + Swoln was the stream, remote the bridge, + But Angus paused not on the edge; + Though the clerk waves danced dizzily, + Though reeled his sympathetic eye, + He dashed amid the torrent's roar: + His right hand high the crosslet bore, + His left the pole-axe grasped, to guide + And stay his footing in the tide. + He stumbled twice,—the foam splashed high, + With hoarser swell the stream raced by; + And had he fallen,—forever there, + Farewell Duncraggan's orphan heir! + But still, as if in parting life, + Firmer he grasped the Cross of strife, + Until the opposing bank he gained, + And up the chapel pathway strained. + A blithesome rout that morning-tide + Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. + Her troth Tombea's Mary gave + To Norman, heir of Armandave, + And, issuing from the Gothic arch, + The bridal now resumed their march. + In rude but glad procession came + Bonneted sire and coif-clad dame; + And plaided youth, with jest and jeer + Which snooded maiden would not hear: + And children, that, unwitting why, + Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry; + And minstrels, that in measures vied + Before the young and bonny bride, + Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose + The tear and blush of morning rose. + With virgin step and bashful hand + She held the kerchief's snowy band. + The gallant bridegroom by her side + Beheld his prize with victor's pride. + And the glad mother in her ear + Was closely whispering word of cheer. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + Who meets them at the churchyard gate? + The messenger of fear and fate! + Haste in his hurried accent lies, + And grief is swimming in his eyes. + All dripping from the recent flood, + Panting and travel-soiled he stood, + The fatal sign of fire and sword + Held forth, and spoke the appointed word: + 'The muster-place is Lanrick mead; + Speed forth the signal! Norman, speed!' + And must he change so soon the hand + Just linked to his by holy band, + For the fell Cross of blood and brand? + And must the day so blithe that rose, + And promised rapture in the close, + Before its setting hour, divide + The bridegroom from the plighted bride? + O fatal doom'—it must! it must! + Clan-Alpine's cause, her Chieftain's trust, + Her summons dread, brook no delay; + Stretch to the race,—away! away! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Yet slow he laid his plaid aside, + And lingering eyed his lovely bride, + Until he saw the starting tear + Speak woe he might not stop to cheer: + Then, trusting not a second look, + In haste he sped hind up the brook, + Nor backward glanced till on the heath + Where Lubnaig's lake supplies the Teith,— + What in the racer's bosom stirred? + The sickening pang of hope deferred, + And memory with a torturing train + Of all his morning visions vain. + Mingled with love's impatience, came + The manly thirst for martial fame; + The stormy joy of mountaineers + Ere yet they rush upon the spears; + And zeal for Clan and Chieftain burning, + And hope, from well-fought field returning, + With war's red honors on his crest, + To clasp his Mary to his breast. + Stung by such thoughts, o'er bank and brae, + Like fire from flint he glanced away, + While high resolve and feeling strong + Burst into voluntary song. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + Song. + + The heath this night must be my bed, + The bracken curtain for my head, + My lullaby the warder's tread, + Far, far, from love and thee, Mary; + To-morrow eve, more stilly laid, + My couch may be my bloody plaid, + My vesper song thy wail, sweet maid! + It will not waken me, Mary! + + I may not, dare not, fancy now + The grief that clouds thy lovely brow, + I dare not think upon thy vow, + And all it promised me, Mary. + No fond regret must Norman know; + When bursts Clan-Alpine on the foe, + His heart must be like bended bow, + His foot like arrow free, Mary. + + A time will come with feeling fraught, + For, if I fall in battle fought, + Thy hapless lover's dying thought + Shall be a thought on thee, Mary. + And if returned from conquered foes, + How blithely will the evening close, + How sweet the linnet sing repose, + To my young bride and me, Mary! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV. + + Not faster o'er thy heathery braes + Balquidder, speeds the midnight blaze, + Rushing in conflagration strong + Thy deep ravines and dells along, + Wrapping thy cliffs in purple glow, + And reddening the dark lakes below; + Nor faster speeds it, nor so far, + As o'er thy heaths the voice of war. + The signal roused to martial coil + The sullen margin of Loch Voil, + Waked still Loch Doine, and to the source + Alarmed, Balvaig, thy swampy course; + Thence southward turned its rapid road + Adown Strath-Gartney's valley broad + Till rose in arms each man might claim + A portion in Clan-Alpine's name, + From the gray sire, whose trembling hand + Could hardly buckle on his brand, + To the raw boy, whose shaft and bow + Were yet scarce terror to the crow. + Each valley, each sequestered glen, + Mustered its little horde of men + That met as torrents from the height + In Highland dales their streams unite + Still gathering, as they pour along, + A voice more loud, a tide more strong, + Till at the rendezvous they stood + By hundreds prompt for blows and blood, + Each trained to arms since life began, + Owning no tie but to his clan, + No oath but by his chieftain's hand, + No law but Roderick Dhu's command. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + That summer morn had Roderick Dhu + Surveyed the skirts of Benvenue, + And sent his scouts o'er hill and heath, + To view the frontiers of Menteith. + All backward came with news of truce; + Still lay each martial Graeme and Bruce, + In Rednock courts no horsemen wait, + No banner waved on Cardross gate, + On Duchray's towers no beacon shone, + Nor scared the herons from Loch Con; + All seemed at peace.—Now wot ye wily + The Chieftain with such anxious eye, + Ere to the muster he repair, + This western frontier scanned with care?— + In Benvenue's most darksome cleft, + A fair though cruel pledge was left; + For Douglas, to his promise true, + That morning from the isle withdrew, + And in a deep sequestered dell + Had sought a low and lonely cell. + By many a bard in Celtic tongue + Has Coir-nan-Uriskin been sung + A softer name the Saxons gave, + And called the grot the Goblin Cave. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + It was a wild and strange retreat, + As e'er was trod by outlaw's feet. + The dell, upon the mountain's crest, + Yawned like a gash on warrior's breast; + Its trench had stayed full many a rock, + Hurled by primeval earthquake shock + From Benvenue's gray summit wild, + And here, in random ruin piled, + They frowned incumbent o'er the spot + And formed the rugged sylvan "rot. + The oak and birch with mingled shade + At noontide there a twilight made, + Unless when short and sudden shone + Some straggling beam on cliff or stone, + With such a glimpse as prophet's eye + Gains on thy depth, Futurity. + No murmur waked the solemn still, + Save tinkling of a fountain rill; + But when the wind chafed with the lake, + A sullen sound would upward break, + With dashing hollow voice, that spoke + The incessant war of wave and rock. + Suspended cliffs with hideous sway + Seemed nodding o'er the cavern gray. + From such a den the wolf had sprung, + In such the wild-cat leaves her young; + Yet Douglas and his daughter fair + Sought for a space their safety there. + Gray Superstition's whisper dread + Debarred the spot to vulgar tread; + For there, she said, did fays resort, + And satyrs hold their sylvan court, + By moonlight tread their mystic maze, + And blast the rash beholder's gaze. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + Now eve, with western shadows long, + Floated on Katrine bright and strong, + When Roderick with a chosen few + Repassed the heights of Benvenue. + Above the Goblin Cave they go, + Through the wild pass of Beal-nam-bo; + The prompt retainers speed before, + To launch the shallop from the shore, + For 'cross Loch Katrine lies his way + To view the passes of Achray, + And place his clansmen in array. + Yet lags the Chief in musing mind, + Unwonted sight, his men behind. + A single page, to bear his sword, + Alone attended on his lord; + The rest their way through thickets break, + And soon await him by the lake. + It was a fair and gallant sight + To view them from the neighboring height, + By the low-levelled sunbeam's light! + For strength and stature, from the clan + Each warrior was a chosen man, + As even afar might well be seen, + By their proud step and martial mien. + Their feathers dance, their tartars float, + Their targets gleam, as by the boat + A wild and warlike group they stand, + That well became such mountain-strand. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI + + Their Chief with step reluctant still + Was lingering on the craggy hill, + Hard by where turned apart the road + To Douglas's obscure abode. + It was but with that dawning morn + That Roderick Dhu had proudly sworn + To drown his love in war's wild roar, + Nor think of Ellen Douglas more; + But he who stems a stream with sand, + And fetters flame with flaxen band, + Has yet a harder task to prove,— + By firm resolve to conquer love! + Eve finds the Chief, like restless ghost, + Still hovering near his treasure lost; + For though his haughty heart deny + A parting meeting to his eye + Still fondly strains his anxious ear + The accents of her voice to hear, + And inly did he curse the breeze + That waked to sound the rustling trees. + But hark! what mingles in the strain? + It is the harp of Allan-bane, + That wakes its measure slow and high, + Attuned to sacred minstrelsy. + What melting voice attends the strings? + 'Tis Ellen, or an angel, sings. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + Hymn to the Virgin. + + Ave. Maria! maiden mild! + Listen to a maiden's prayer! + Thou canst hear though from the wild, + Thou canst save amid despair. + Safe may we sleep beneath thy care, + Though banished, outcast, and reviled— + Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; + Mother, hear a suppliant child! + Ave Maria! + + Ave Maria! undefiled! + The flinty couch we now must share + Shall seem with down of eider piled, + If thy protection hover there. + The murky cavern's heavy air + Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled; + Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer, + Mother, list a suppliant child! + Ave Maria! + + Ave. Maria! stainless styled! + Foul demons of the earth and air, + From this their wonted haunt exiled, + Shall flee before thy presence fair. + We bow us to our lot of care, + Beneath thy guidance reconciled: + Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer, + And for a father hear a child! + Ave Maria! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXX. + + Died on the harp the closing hymn,— + Unmoved in attitude and limb, + As listening still, Clan-Alpine's lord + Stood leaning on his heavy sword, + Until the page with humble sign + Twice pointed to the sun's decline. + Then while his plaid he round him cast, + 'It is the last time—'tis the last,' + He muttered thrice,—'the last time e'er + That angel-voice shall Roderick hear'' + It was a goading thought,—his stride + Hied hastier down the mountain-side; + Sullen he flung him in the boat + An instant 'cross the lake it shot. + They landed in that silvery bay, + And eastward held their hasty way + Till, with the latest beams of light, + The band arrived on Lanrick height' + Where mustered in the vale below + Clan-Alpine's men in martial show. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXI. + + A various scene the clansmen made: + Some sat, some stood, some slowly strayed: + But most, with mantles folded round, + Were couched to rest upon the ground, + Scarce to be known by curious eye + From the deep heather where they lie, + So well was matched the tartan screen + With heath-bell dark and brackens green; + Unless where, here and there, a blade + Or lance's point a glimmer made, + Like glow-worm twinkling through the shade. + But when, advancing through the gloom, + They saw the Chieftain's eagle plume, + Their shout of welcome, shrill and wide, + Shook the steep mountain's steady side. + Thrice it arose, and lake and fell + Three times returned the martial yell; + It died upon Bochastle's plain, + And Silence claimed her evening reign. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO FOURTH. + </h2> + <h3> + The Prophecy. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + The rose is fairest when 't is budding new, + And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears; + The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew + And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears. + O wilding rose, whom fancy thus endears, + I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave, + Emblem of hope and love through future years!' + Thus spoke young Norman, heir of Armandave, + What time the sun arose on Vennachar's broad wave. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + Such fond conceit, half said, half sung, + Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue. + All while he stripped the wild-rose spray, + His axe and bow beside him lay, + For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood + A wakeful sentinel he stood. + Hark!—on the rock a footstep rung, + And instant to his arms he sprung. + 'Stand, or thou diest!—What, Malise?—soon + Art thou returned from Braes of Doune. + By thy keen step and glance I know, + Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe.'— + For while the Fiery Cross tried on, + On distant scout had Malise gone.— + 'Where sleeps the Chief?' the henchman said. + 'Apart, in yonder misty glade; + To his lone couch I'll be your guide.'— + Then called a slumberer by his side, + And stirred him with his slackened bow,— + 'Up, up, Glentarkin! rouse thee, ho! + We seek the Chieftain; on the track + Keep eagle watch till I come back.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + Together up the pass they sped: + 'What of the foeman?' Norman said.— + 'Varying reports from near and far; + This certain,—that a band of war + Has for two days been ready boune, + At prompt command to march from Doune; + King James the while, with princely powers, + Holds revelry in Stirling towers. + Soon will this dark and gathering cloud + Speak on our glens in thunder loud. + Inured to bide such bitter bout, + The warrior's plaid may bear it out; + But, Norman, how wilt thou provide + A shelter for thy bonny bride?''— + 'What! know ye not that Roderick's care + To the lone isle hath caused repair + Each maid and matron of the clan, + And every child and aged man + Unfit for arms; and given his charge, + Nor skiff nor shallop, boat nor barge, + Upon these lakes shall float at large, + But all beside the islet moor, + That such dear pledge may rest secure?'— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + ''T is well advised,—the Chieftain's plan + Bespeaks the father of his clan. + But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu + Apart from all his followers true?' + 'It is because last evening-tide + Brian an augury hath tried, + Of that dread kind which must not be + Unless in dread extremity, + The Taghairm called; by which, afar, + Our sires foresaw the events of war. + Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew,'— + + Malise. + + 'Ah! well the gallant brute I knew! + The choicest of the prey we had + When swept our merrymen Gallangad. + His hide was snow, his horns were dark, + His red eye glowed like fiery spark; + So fierce, so tameless, and so fleet, + Sore did he cumber our retreat, + And kept our stoutest kerns in awe, + Even at the pass of Beal 'maha. + But steep and flinty was the road, + And sharp the hurrying pikeman's goad, + And when we came to Dennan's Row + A child might scathless stroke his brow.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + Norman. + + 'That bull was slain; his reeking hide + They stretched the cataract beside, + Whose waters their wild tumult toss + Adown the black and craggy boss + Of that huge cliff whose ample verge + Tradition calls the Hero's Targe. + Couched on a shelf beneath its brink, + Close where the thundering torrents sink, + Rocking beneath their headlong sway, + And drizzled by the ceaseless spray, + Midst groan of rock and roar of stream, + The wizard waits prophetic dream. + Nor distant rests the Chief;—but hush! + See, gliding slow through mist and bush, + The hermit gains yon rock, and stands + To gaze upon our slumbering bands. + Seems he not, Malise, dike a ghost, + That hovers o'er a slaughtered host? + Or raven on the blasted oak, + That, watching while the deer is broke, + His morsel claims with sullen croak?' + + Malise. + + 'Peace! peace! to other than to me + Thy words were evil augury; + But still I hold Sir Roderick's blade + Clan-Alpine's omen and her aid, + Not aught that, gleaned from heaven or hell, + Yon fiend-begotten Monk can tell. + The Chieftain joins him, see—and now + Together they descend the brow.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + And, as they came, with Alpine's Lord + The Hermit Monk held solemn word:—. + 'Roderick! it is a fearful strife, + For man endowed with mortal life + Whose shroud of sentient clay can still + Feel feverish pang and fainting chill, + Whose eye can stare in stony trance + Whose hair can rouse like warrior's lance, + 'Tis hard for such to view, unfurled, + The curtain of the future world. + Yet, witness every quaking limb, + My sunken pulse, mine eyeballs dim, + My soul with harrowing anguish torn, + This for my Chieftain have I borne!— + The shapes that sought my fearful couch + A human tongue may ne'er avouch; + No mortal man—save he, who, bred + Between the living and the dead, + Is gifted beyond nature's law + Had e'er survived to say he saw. + At length the fateful answer came + In characters of living flame! + Not spoke in word, nor blazed in scroll, + But borne and branded on my soul:— + WHICH SPILLS THE FOREMOST FOEMAN'S LIFE, + THAT PARTY CONQUERS IN THE STRIFE.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + 'Thanks, Brian, for thy zeal and care! + Good is thine augury, and fair. + Clan-Alpine ne'er in battle stood + But first our broadswords tasted blood. + A surer victim still I know, + Self-offered to the auspicious blow: + A spy has sought my land this morn,— + No eve shall witness his return! + My followers guard each pass's mouth, + To east, to westward, and to south; + Red Murdoch, bribed to be his guide, + Has charge to lead his steps aside, + Till in deep path or dingle brown + He light on those shall bring him clown. + But see, who comes his news to show! + Malise! what tidings of the foe?' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + 'At Doune, o'er many a spear and glaive + Two Barons proud their banners wave. + I saw the Moray's silver star, + And marked the sable pale of Mar.' + 'By Alpine's soul, high tidings those! + I love to hear of worthy foes. + When move they on?' 'To-morrow's noon + Will see them here for battle boune.' + 'Then shall it see a meeting stern! + But, for the place,—say, couldst thou learn + Nought of the friendly clans of Earn? + Strengthened by them, we well might bide + The battle on Benledi's side. + Thou couldst not?—well! Clan-Alpine's men + Shall man the Trosachs' shaggy glen; + Within Loch Katrine's gorge we'll fight, + All in our maids' and matrons' sight, + Each for his hearth and household fire, + Father for child, and son for sire Lover + for maid beloved!—But why + Is it the breeze affects mine eye? + Or dost thou come, ill-omened tear! + A messenger of doubt or fear? + No! sooner may the Saxon lance + Unfix Benledi from his stance, + Than doubt or terror can pierce through + The unyielding heart of Roderick Dhu! + 'tis stubborn as his trusty targe. + Each to his post!—all know their charge.' + The pibroch sounds, the bands advance, + The broadswords gleam, the banners dance' + Obedient to the Chieftain's glance.— + I turn me from the martial roar + And seek Coir-Uriskin once more. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + Where is the Douglas?—he is gone; + And Ellen sits on the gray stone + Fast by the cave, and makes her moan, + While vainly Allan's words of cheer + Are poured on her unheeding ear. + 'He will return—dear lady, trust!— + With joy return;—he will—he must. + Well was it time to seek afar + Some refuge from impending war, + When e'en Clan-Alpine's rugged swarm + Are cowed by the approaching storm. + I saw their boats with many a light, + Floating the livelong yesternight, + Shifting like flashes darted forth + By the red streamers of the north; + I marked at morn how close they ride, + Thick moored by the lone islet's side, + Like wild ducks couching in the fen + When stoops the hawk upon the glen. + Since this rude race dare not abide + The peril on the mainland side, + Shall not thy noble father's care + Some safe retreat for thee prepare?' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + Ellen. + + 'No, Allan, no' Pretext so kind + My wakeful terrors could not blind. + When in such tender tone, yet grave, + Douglas a parting blessing gave, + The tear that glistened in his eye + Drowned not his purpose fixed and high. + My soul, though feminine and weak, + Can image his; e'en as the lake, + Itself disturbed by slightest stroke. + Reflects the invulnerable rock. + He hears report of battle rife, + He deems himself the cause of strife. + I saw him redden when the theme + Turned, Allan, on thine idle dream + Of Malcolm Graeme in fetters bound, + Which I, thou saidst, about him wound. + Think'st thou he bowed thine omen aught? + O no' 't was apprehensive thought + For the kind youth,—for Roderick too— + Let me be just—that friend so true; + In danger both, and in our cause! + Minstrel, the Douglas dare not pause. + Why else that solemn warning given, + 'If not on earth, we meet in heaven!' + Why else, to Cambus-kenneth's fane, + If eve return him not again, + Am I to hie and make me known? + Alas! he goes to Scotland's throne, + Buys his friends' safety with his own; + He goes to do—what I had done, + Had Douglas' daughter been his son!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + 'Nay, lovely Ellen!—dearest, nay! + If aught should his return delay, + He only named yon holy fane + As fitting place to meet again. + Be sure he's safe; and for the Graeme,— + Heaven's blessing on his gallant name!— + My visioned sight may yet prove true, + Nor bode of ill to him or you. + When did my gifted dream beguile? + Think of the stranger at the isle, + And think upon the harpings slow + That presaged this approaching woe! + Sooth was my prophecy of fear; + Believe it when it augurs cheer. + Would we had left this dismal spot! + Ill luck still haunts a fairy spot! + Of such a wondrous tale I know— + Dear lady, change that look of woe, + My harp was wont thy grief to cheer.' + + Ellen. + + 'Well, be it as thou wilt; + I hear, But cannot stop the bursting tear.' + The Minstrel tried his simple art, + Rut distant far was Ellen's heart. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII. + + Ballad. + + Alice Brand. + + Merry it is in the good greenwood, + When the mavis and merle are singing, + When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are in cry, + And the hunter's horn is ringing. + + 'O Alice Brand, my native land + Is lost for love of you; + And we must hold by wood and word, + As outlaws wont to do. + + 'O Alice, 't was all for thy locks so bright, + And 't was all for thine eyes so blue, + That on the night of our luckless flight + Thy brother bold I slew. + + 'Now must I teach to hew the beech + The hand that held the glaive, + For leaves to spread our lowly bed, + And stakes to fence our cave. + + 'And for vest of pall, thy fingers small, + That wont on harp to stray, + A cloak must shear from the slaughtered deer, + To keep the cold away.' + + 'O Richard! if my brother died, + 'T was but a fatal chance; + For darkling was the battle tried, + And fortune sped the lance. + + 'If pall and vair no more I wear, + Nor thou the crimson sheen + As warm, we'll say, is the russet gray, + As gay the forest-green. + + 'And, Richard, if our lot be hard, + And lost thy native land, + Still Alice has her own Richard, + And he his Alice Brand.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + Ballad Continued. + + 'tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood; + So blithe Lady Alice is singing; + On the beech's pride, and oak's brown side, + Lord Richard's axe is ringing. + + Up spoke the moody Elfin King, + Who woned within the hill,— + Like wind in the porch of a ruined church, + His voice was ghostly shrill. + + 'Why sounds yon stroke on beech and oak, + Our moonlight circle's screen? + Or who comes here to chase the deer, + Beloved of our Elfin Queen? + Or who may dare on wold to wear + The fairies' fatal green? + + 'Up, Urgan, up! to yon mortal hie, + For thou wert christened man; + For cross or sign thou wilt not fly, + For muttered word or ban. + + 'Lay on him the curse of the withered heart, + The curse of the sleepless eye; + Till he wish and pray that his life would part, + Nor yet find leave to die.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + Ballad Continued. + + 'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood, + Though the birds have stilled their singing; + The evening blaze cloth Alice raise, + And Richard is fagots bringing. + + Up Urgan starts, that hideous dwarf, + Before Lord Richard stands, + And, as he crossed and blessed himself, + 'I fear not sign,' quoth the grisly elf, + 'That is made with bloody hands.' + + But out then spoke she, Alice Brand, + That woman void of fear,— + 'And if there 's blood upon his hand, + 'Tis but the blood of deer.' + + 'Now loud thou liest, thou bold of mood! + It cleaves unto his hand, + The stain of thine own kindly blood, + The blood of Ethert Brand.' + + Then forward stepped she, Alice Brand, + And made the holy sign,— + 'And if there's blood on Richard's hand, + A spotless hand is mine. + + 'And I conjure thee, demon elf, + By Him whom demons fear, + To show us whence thou art thyself, + And what thine errand here?' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + Ballad Continued. + + "Tis merry, 'tis merry, in Fairy-land, + When fairy birds are singing, + When the court cloth ride by their monarch's side, + With bit and bridle ringing: + + 'And gayly shines the Fairy-land— + But all is glistening show, + Like the idle gleam that December's beam + Can dart on ice and snow. + + 'And fading, like that varied gleam, + Is our inconstant shape, + Who now like knight and lady seem, + And now like dwarf and ape. + + 'It was between the night and day, + When the Fairy King has power, + That I sunk down in a sinful fray, + And 'twixt life and death was snatched away + To the joyless Elfin bower. + + 'But wist I of a woman bold, + Who thrice my brow durst sign, + I might regain my mortal mould, + As fair a form as thine.' + + She crossed him once—she crossed him twice— + That lady was so brave; + The fouler grew his goblin hue, + The darker grew the cave. + + She crossed him thrice, that lady bold; + He rose beneath her hand + The fairest knight on Scottish mould, + Her brother, Ethert Brand! + + Merry it is in good greenwood, + When the mavis and merle are singing, + But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray, + When all the bells were ringing. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + Just as the minstrel sounds were stayed, + A stranger climbed the steepy glade; + His martial step, his stately mien, + His hunting-suit of Lincoln green, + His eagle glance, remembrance claims— + 'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, 'tis James Fitz-James. + Ellen beheld as in a dream, + Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream: + 'O stranger! in such hour of fear + What evil hap has brought thee here?' + 'An evil hap how can it be + That bids me look again on thee? + By promise bound, my former guide + Met me betimes this morning-tide, + And marshalled over bank and bourne + The happy path of my return.' + 'The happy path!—what! said he naught + Of war, of battle to be fought, + Of guarded pass?' 'No, by my faith! + Nor saw I aught could augur scathe.' + 'O haste thee, Allan, to the kern: + Yonder his tartars I discern; + Learn thou his purpose, and conjure + That he will guide the stranger sure!— + What prompted thee, unhappy man? + The meanest serf in Roderick's clan + Had not been bribed, by love or fear, + Unknown to him to guide thee here.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + 'Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be, + Since it is worthy care from thee; + Yet life I hold but idle breath + When love or honor's weighed with death. + Then let me profit by my chance, + And speak my purpose bold at once. + I come to bear thee from a wild + Where ne'er before such blossom smiled, + By this soft hand to lead thee far + From frantic scenes of feud and war. + Near Bochastle my horses wait; + They bear us soon to Stirling gate. + I'll place thee in a lovely bower, + I'll guard thee like a tender flower—' + 'O hush, Sir Knight! 't were female art, + To say I do not read thy heart; + Too much, before, my selfish ear + Was idly soothed my praise to hear. + That fatal bait hath lured thee back, + In deathful hour, o'er dangerous track; + And how, O how, can I atone + The wreck my vanity brought on!— + One way remains—I'll tell him all— + Yes! struggling bosom, forth it shall! + Thou, whose light folly bears the blame, + Buy thine own pardon with thy shame! + But first—my father is a man + Outlawed and exiled, under ban; + The price of blood is on his head, + With me 't were infamy to wed. + Still wouldst thou speak?—then hear the truth! + Fitz-James, there is a noble youth— + If yet he is!—exposed for me + And mine to dread extremity— + Thou hast the secret of my bears; + Forgive, be generous, and depart!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII. + + Fitz-James knew every wily train + A lady's fickle heart to gain, + But here he knew and felt them vain. + There shot no glance from Ellen's eye, + To give her steadfast speech the lie; + In maiden confidence she stood, + Though mantled in her cheek the blood + And told her love with such a sigh + Of deep and hopeless agony, + As death had sealed her Malcolm's doom + And she sat sorrowing on his tomb. + Hope vanished from Fitz-James's eye, + But not with hope fled sympathy. + He proffered to attend her side, + As brother would a sister guide. + 'O little know'st thou Roderick's heart! + Safer for both we go apart. + O haste thee, and from Allan learn + If thou mayst trust yon wily kern.' + With hand upon his forehead laid, + The conflict of his mind to shade, + A parting step or two he made; + Then, as some thought had crossed his brain + He paused, and turned, and came again. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + 'Hear, lady, yet a parting word!— + It chanced in fight that my poor sword + Preserved the life of Scotland's lord. + This ring the grateful Monarch gave, + And bade, when I had boon to crave, + To bring it back, and boldly claim + The recompense that I would name. + Ellen, I am no courtly lord, + But one who lives by lance and sword, + Whose castle is his helm and shield, + His lordship the embattled field. + What from a prince can I demand, + Who neither reck of state nor land? + Ellen, thy hand—the ring is thine; + Each guard and usher knows the sign. + Seek thou the King without delay; + This signet shall secure thy way: + And claim thy suit, whate'er it be, + As ransom of his pledge to me.' + He placed the golden circlet on, + Paused—kissed her hand—and then was gone. + The aged Minstrel stood aghast, + So hastily Fitz-James shot past. + He joined his guide, and wending down + The ridges of the mountain brown, + Across the stream they took their way + That joins Loch Katrine to Achray. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XX + + All in the Trosachs' glen was still, + Noontide was sleeping on the hill: + Sudden his guide whooped loud and high— + 'Murdoch! was that a signal cry?'— + He stammered forth, 'I shout to scare + Yon raven from his dainty fare.' + He looked—he knew the raven's prey, + His own brave steed: 'Ah! gallant gray! + For thee—for me, perchance—'t were well + We ne'er had seen the Trosachs' dell.— + Murdoch, move first—-but silently; + Whistle or whoop, and thou shalt die!' + Jealous and sullen on they fared, + Each silent, each upon his guard. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + Now wound the path its dizzy ledge + Around a precipice's edge, + When lo! a wasted female form, + Blighted by wrath of sun and storm, + In tattered weeds and wild array, + Stood on a cliff beside the way, + And glancing round her restless eye, + Upon the wood, the rock, the sky, + Seemed naught to mark, yet all to spy. + Her brow was wreathed with gaudy broom; + With gesture wild she waved a plume + Of feathers, which the eagles fling + To crag and cliff from dusky wing; + Such spoils her desperate step had sought, + Where scarce was footing for the goat. + The tartan plaid she first descried, + And shrieked till all the rocks replied; + As loud she laughed when near they drew, + For then the Lowland garb she knew; + And then her hands she wildly wrung, + And then she wept, and then she sung— + She sung!—the voice, in better time, + Perchance to harp or lute might chime; + And now, though strained and roughened, still + Rung wildly sweet to dale and hill. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Song. + + They bid me sleep, they bid me pray, + They say my brain is warped and wrung— + I cannot sleep on Highland brae, + I cannot pray in Highland tongue. + But were I now where Allan glides, + Or heard my native Devan's tides, + So sweetly would I rest, and pray + That Heaven would close my wintry day! + + 'Twas thus my hair they bade me braid, + They made me to the church repair; + It was my bridal morn they said, + And my true love would meet me there. + But woe betide the cruel guile + That drowned in blood the morning smile! + And woe betide the fairy dream! + I only waked to sob and scream. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + 'Who is this maid? what means her lay? + She hovers o'er the hollow way, + And flutters wide her mantle gray, + As the lone heron spreads his wing, + By twilight, o'er a haunted spring.' + ''Tis Blanche of Devan,' Murdoch said, + 'A crazed and captive Lowland maid, + Ta'en on the morn she was a bride, + When Roderick forayed Devan-side. + The gay bridegroom resistance made, + And felt our Chief's unconquered blade. + I marvel she is now at large, + But oft she 'scapes from Maudlin's charge.— + Hence, brain-sick fool!'—He raised his bow:— + 'Now, if thou strik'st her but one blow, + I'll pitch thee from the cliff as far + As ever peasant pitched a bar!' + 'Thanks, champion, thanks' the Maniac cried, + And pressed her to Fitz-James's side. + 'See the gray pennons I prepare, + To seek my true love through the air! + I will not lend that savage groom, + To break his fall, one downy plume! + No!—deep amid disjointed stones, + The wolves shall batten on his bones, + And then shall his detested plaid, + By bush and brier in mid-air stayed, + Wave forth a banner fail and free, + Meet signal for their revelry.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV + + 'Hush thee, poor maiden, and be still!' + 'O! thou look'st kindly, and I will. + Mine eye has dried and wasted been, + But still it loves the Lincoln green; + And, though mine ear is all unstrung, + Still, still it loves the Lowland tongue. + + 'For O my sweet William was forester true, + He stole poor Blanche's heart away! + His coat it was all of the greenwood hue, + And so blithely he trilled the Lowland lay! + + 'It was not that I meant to tell... + But thou art wise and guessest well.' + Then, in a low and broken tone, + And hurried note, the song went on. + Still on the Clansman fearfully + She fixed her apprehensive eye, + Then turned it on the Knight, and then + Her look glanced wildly o'er the glen. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + 'The toils are pitched, and the stakes are set,— + Ever sing merrily, merrily; + The bows they bend, and the knives they whet, + Hunters live so cheerily. + + It was a stag, a stag of ten, + Bearing its branches sturdily; + He came stately down the glen,— + Ever sing hardily, hardily. + + 'It was there he met with a wounded doe, + She was bleeding deathfully; + She warned him of the toils below, + O. so faithfully, faithfully! + + 'He had an eye, and he could heed,— + Ever sing warily, warily; + He had a foot, and he could speed,— + Hunters watch so narrowly.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + Fitz-James's mind was passion-tossed, + When Ellen's hints and fears were lost; + But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought, + And Blanche's song conviction brought. + Not like a stag that spies the snare, + But lion of the hunt aware, + He waved at once his blade on high, + 'Disclose thy treachery, or die!' + Forth at hell speed the Clansman flew, + But in his race his bow he drew. + The shaft just grazed Fitz-James's crest, + And thrilled in Blanche's faded breast.— + Murdoch of Alpine! prove thy speed, + For ne'er had Alpine's son such need; + With heart of fire, and foot of wind, + The fierce avenger is behind! + Fate judges of the rapid strife— + The forfeit death—the prize is life; + Thy kindred ambush lies before, + Close couched upon the heathery moor; + Them couldst thou reach!—it may not be + Thine ambushed kin thou ne'er shalt see, + The fiery Saxon gains on thee!— + Resistless speeds the deadly thrust, + As lightning strikes the pine to dust; + With foot and hand Fitz-James must strain + Ere he can win his blade again. + Bent o'er the fallen with falcon eye, + He grimly smiled to see him die, + Then slower wended back his way, + Where the poor maiden bleeding lay. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + She sat beneath the birchen tree, + Her elbow resting on her knee; + She had withdrawn the fatal shaft, + And gazed on it, and feebly laughed; + Her wreath of broom and feathers gray, + Daggled with blood, beside her lay. + The Knight to stanch the life-stream tried,— + 'Stranger, it is in vain!' she cried. + 'This hour of death has given me more + Of reason's power than years before; + For, as these ebbing veins decay, + My frenzied visions fade away. + A helpless injured wretch I die, + And something tells me in thine eye + That thou wert mine avenger born. + Seest thou this tress?—O. still I 've worn + This little tress of yellow hair, + Through danger, frenzy, and despair! + It once was bright and clear as thine, + But blood and tears have dimmed its shine. + I will not tell thee when 't was shred, + Nor from what guiltless victim's head,— + My brain would turn!—but it shall wave + Like plumage on thy helmet brave, + Till sun and wind shall bleach the stain, + And thou wilt bring it me again. + I waver still.—O God! more bright + Let reason beam her parting light!— + O. by thy knighthood's honored sign, + And for thy life preserved by mine, + When thou shalt see a darksome man, + Who boasts him Chief of Alpine's Clan, + With tartars broad and shadowy plume, + And hand of blood, and brow of gloom + Be thy heart bold, thy weapon strong, + And wreak poor Blanche of Devan's wrong!— + They watch for thee by pass and fell... + Avoid the path... O God!... farewell.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVIII. + + A kindly heart had brave Fitz-James; + Fast poured his eyes at pity's claims; + And now, with mingled grief and ire, + He saw the murdered maid expire. + 'God, in my need, be my relief, + As I wreak this on yonder Chief!' + A lock from Blanche's tresses fair + He blended with her bridegroom's hair; + The mingled braid in blood he dyed, + And placed it on his bonnet-side: + 'By Him whose word is truth, I swear, + No other favour will I wear, + Till this sad token I imbrue + In the best blood of Roderick Dhu!— + But hark! what means yon faint halloo? + The chase is up,—but they shall know, + The stag at bay 's a dangerous foe.' + Barred from the known but guarded way, + Through copse and cliffs Fitz-James must stray, + And oft must change his desperate track, + By stream and precipice turned back. + Heartless, fatigued, and faint, at length, + From lack of food and loss of strength + He couched him in a thicket hoar + And thought his toils and perils o'er:— + 'Of all my rash adventures past, + This frantic feat must prove the last! + Who e'er so mad but might have guessed + That all this Highland hornet's nest + Would muster up in swarms so soon + As e'er they heard of bands at Doune?— + Like bloodhounds now they search me out,— + Hark, to the whistle and the shout!— + If farther through the wilds I go, + I only fall upon the foe: + I'll couch me here till evening gray, + Then darkling try my dangerous way.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + The shades of eve come slowly down, + The woods are wrapt in deeper brown, + The owl awakens from her dell, + The fox is heard upon the fell; + Enough remains of glimmering light + To guide the wanderer's steps aright, + Yet not enough from far to show + His figure to the watchful foe. + With cautious step and ear awake, + He climbs the crag and threads the brake; + And not the summer solstice there + Tempered the midnight mountain air, + But every breeze that swept the wold + Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold. + In dread, in danger, and alone, + Famished and chilled, through ways unknown, + Tangled and steep, he journeyed on; + Till, as a rock's huge point he turned, + A watch-fire close before him burned. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXX. + + Beside its embers red and clear + Basked in his plaid a mountaineer; + And up he sprung with sword in hand,— + 'Thy name and purpose! Saxon, stand!' + 'A stranger.' 'What dost thou require?' + 'Rest and a guide, and food and fire + My life's beset, my path is lost, + The gale has chilled my limbs with frost.' + 'Art thou a friend to Roderick?' 'No.' + 'Thou dar'st not call thyself a foe?' + 'I dare! to him and all the band + He brings to aid his murderous hand.' + 'Bold words!—but, though the beast of game + The privilege of chase may claim, + Though space and law the stag we lend + Ere hound we slip or bow we bend + Who ever recked, where, how, or when, + The prowling fox was trapped or slain? + Thus treacherous scouts,—yet sure they lie + Who say thou cam'st a secret spy!'— + 'They do, by heaven!—come Roderick Dhu + And of his clan the boldest two + And let me but till morning rest, + I write the falsehood on their crest.' + If by the blaze I mark aright + Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight.' + 'Then by these tokens mayst thou know + Each proud oppressor's mortal foe.' + 'Enough, enough; sit down and share + A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXI.. + + He gave him of his Highland cheer, + The hardened flesh of mountain deer; + Dry fuel on the fire he laid, + And bade the Saxon share his plaid. + He tended him like welcome guest, + Then thus his further speech addressed:— + 'Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu + A clansman born, a kinsman true; + Each word against his honour spoke + Demands of me avenging stroke; + Yet more,—upon thy fate, 'tis said, + A mighty augury is laid. + It rests with me to wind my horn,— + Thou art with numbers overborne; + It rests with me, here, brand to brand, + Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand: + But, not for clan, nor kindred's cause, + Will I depart from honour's laws; + To assail a wearied man were shame, + And stranger is a holy name; + Guidance and rest, and food and fire, + In vain he never must require. + Then rest thee here till dawn of day; + Myself will guide thee on the way, + O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward, + Till past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard, + As far as Coilantogle's ford; + From thence thy warrant is thy sword.' + 'I take thy courtesy, by heaven, + As freely as 'tis nobly given!' + Well, rest thee; for the bittern's cry + Sings us the lake's wild lullaby.' + With that he shook the gathered heath, + And spread his plaid upon the wreath; + And the brave foemen, side by side, + Lay peaceful down like brothers tried, + And slept until the dawning beam + Purpled the mountain and the stream. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO FIFTH. + </h2> + <h3> + The Combat. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light, + When first, by the bewildered pilgrim spied, + It smiles upon the dreary brow of night + And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide + And lights the fearful path on mountain-side,— + Fair as that beam, although the fairest far, + Giving to horror grace, to danger pride, + Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star + Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of War. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + That early beam, so fair and sheen, + Was twinkling through the hazel screen + When, rousing at its glimmer red, + The warriors left their lowly bed, + Looked out upon the dappled sky, + Muttered their soldier matins try, + And then awaked their fire, to steal, + As short and rude, their soldier meal. + That o'er, the Gael around him threw + His graceful plaid of varied hue, + And, true to promise, led the way, + By thicket green and mountain gray. + A wildering path!—they winded now + Along the precipice's brow, + Commanding the rich scenes beneath, + The windings of the Forth and Teith, + And all the vales between that lie. + Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky; + Then, sunk in copse, their farthest glance + Gained not the length of horseman's lance. + 'Twas oft so steep, the foot was as fain + Assistance from the hand to gain; + So tangled oft that, bursting through, + Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew,— + That diamond dew, so pure and clear, + It rivals all but Beauty's tear! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + At length they came where, stern and steep, + The hill sinks down upon the deep. + Here Vennachar in silver flows, + There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose; + Ever the hollow path twined on, + Beneath steep hank and threatening stone; + A hundred men might hold the post + With hardihood against a host. + The rugged mountain's scanty cloak + Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak + With shingles bare, and cliffs between + And patches bright of bracken green, + And heather black, that waved so high, + It held the copse in rivalry. + But where the lake slept deep and still + Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill; + And oft both path and hill were torn + Where wintry torrent down had borne + And heaped upon the cumbered land + Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand. + So toilsome was the road to trace + The guide, abating of his pace, + Led slowly through the pass's jaws + And asked Fitz-James by what strange cause + He sought these wilds, traversed by few + Without a pass from Roderick Dhu. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + 'Brave Gael, my pass, in danger tried + Hangs in my belt and by my side + Yet, sooth to tell,' the Saxon said, + 'I dreamt not now to claim its aid. + When here, but three days since, + I came Bewildered in pursuit of game, + All seemed as peaceful and as still + As the mist slumbering on yon hill; + Thy dangerous Chief was then afar, + Nor soon expected back from war. + Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide, + Though deep perchance the villain lied.' + 'Yet why a second venture try?' + 'A warrior thou, and ask me why!— + Moves our free course by such fixed cause + As gives the poor mechanic laws? + Enough, I sought to drive away + The lazy hours of peaceful day; + Slight cause will then suffice to guide + A Knight's free footsteps far and wide,— + A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed, + The merry glance of mountain maid; + Or, if a path be dangerous known, + The danger's self is lure alone.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + 'Thy secret keep, I urge thee not;— + Yet, ere again ye sought this spot, + Say, heard ye naught of Lowland war, + Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar?' + 'No, by my word;—of bands prepared + To guard King James's sports I heard; + Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear + This muster of the mountaineer, + Their pennons will abroad be flung, + Which else in Doune had peaceful hung.' + 'Free be they flung! for we were loath + Their silken folds should feast the moth. + Free be they flung!—as free shall wave + Clan-Alpine's pine in banner brave. + But, stranger, peaceful since you came, + Bewildered in the mountain-game, + Whence the bold boast by which you show + Vich-Alpine's vowed and mortal foe?' + 'Warrior, but yester-morn I knew + Naught of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, + Save as an outlawed desperate man, + The chief of a rebellious clan, + Who, in the Regent's court and sight, + With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight; + Yet this alone might from his part + Sever each true and loyal heart.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + Wrathful at such arraignment foul, + Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowl. + A space he paused, then sternly said, + 'And heardst thou why he drew his blade? + Heardst thou that shameful word and blow + Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe? + What recked the Chieftain if he stood + On Highland heath or Holy-Rood? + He rights such wrong where it is given, + If it were in the court of heaven.' + 'Still was it outrage;—yet, 'tis true, + Not then claimed sovereignty his due; + While Albany with feeble hand + Held borrowed truncheon of command, + The young King, mewed in Stirling tower, + Was stranger to respect and power. + But then, thy Chieftain's robber life!— + Winning mean prey by causeless strife, + Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain + His herds and harvest reared in vain,— + Methinks a soul like thine should scorn + The spoils from such foul foray borne.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + The Gael beheld him grim the while, + And answered with disdainful smile: + 'Saxon, from yonder mountain high, + I marked thee send delighted eye + Far to the south and east, where lay, + Extended in succession gay, + Deep waving fields and pastures green, + With gentle slopes and groves between:— + These fertile plains, that softened vale, + Were once the birthright of the Gael; + The stranger came with iron hand, + And from our fathers reft the land. + Where dwell we now? See, rudely swell + Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. + Ask we this savage hill we tread + For fattened steer or household bread, + Ask we for flocks these shingles dry, + And well the mountain might reply,— + "To you, as to your sires of yore, + Belong the target and claymore! + I give you shelter in my breast, + Your own good blades must win the rest." + Pent in this fortress of the North, + Think'st thou we will not sally forth, + To spoil the spoiler as we may, + And from the robber rend the prey? + Ay, by my soul!—While on yon plain + The Saxon rears one shock of grain, + While of ten thousand herds there strays + But one along yon river's maze,— + The Gael, of plain and river heir, + Shall with strong hand redeem his share. + Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold + That plundering Lowland field and fold + Is aught but retribution true? + Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + Answered Fitz-James: 'And, if I sought, + Think'st thou no other could be brought? + What deem ye of my path waylaid? + My life given o'er to ambuscade?' + 'As of a meed to rashness due: + Hadst thou sent warning fair and true,— + I seek my hound or falcon strayed, + I seek, good faith, a Highland maid,— + Free hadst thou been to come and go; + But secret path marks secret foe. + Nor yet for this, even as a spy, + Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die, + Save to fulfil an augury.' + 'Well, let it pass; nor will I now + Fresh cause of enmity avow + To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. + Enough, I am by promise tied + To match me with this man of pride: + Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine's glen + In peace; but when I come again, + I come with banner, brand, and bow, + As leader seeks his mortal foe. + For love-lore swain in lady's bower + Ne'er panted for the appointed hour + As I, until before me stand + This rebel Chieftain and his band!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + 'Have then thy wish!'—He whistled shrill + And he was answered from the hill; + Wild as the scream of the curlew, + From crag to crag the signal flew. + Instant, through copse and heath, arose + Bonnets and spears and bended bows + On right, on left, above, below, + Sprung up at once the lurking foe; + From shingles gray their lances start, + The bracken bush sends forth the dart, + The rushes and the willow-wand + Are bristling into axe and brand, + And every tuft of broom gives life + 'To plaided warrior armed for strife. + That whistle garrisoned the glen + At once with full five hundred men, + As if the yawning hill to heaven + A subterranean host had given. + Watching their leader's beck and will, + All silent there they stood and still. + Like the loose crags whose threatening mass + Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass, + As if an infant's touch could urge + Their headlong passage down the verge, + With step and weapon forward flung, + Upon the mountain-side they hung. + The Mountaineer cast glance of pride + Along Benledi's living side, + Then fixed his eye and sable brow + Full on Fitz-James: 'How say'st thou now? + These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true; + And, Saxon,—I am Roderick Dhu!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + Fitz-James was brave:—though to his heart + The life-blood thrilled with sudden start, + He manned himself with dauntless air, + Returned the Chief his haughty stare, + His back against a rock he bore, + And firmly placed his foot before:— + 'Come one, come all! this rock shall fly + From its firm base as soon as I.' + Sir Roderick marked,—and in his eyes + Respect was mingled with surprise, + And the stern joy which warriors feel + In foeman worthy of their steel. + Short space he stood—then waved his hand: + Down sunk the disappearing band; + Each warrior vanished where he stood, + In broom or bracken, heath or wood; + Sunk brand and spear and bended bow, + In osiers pale and copses low; + It seemed as if their mother Earth + Had swallowed up her warlike birth. + The wind's last breath had tossed in air + Pennon and plaid and plumage fair,— + The next but swept a lone hill-side + Where heath and fern were waving wide: + The sun's last glance was glinted back + From spear and glaive, from targe and jack,— + The next, all unreflected, shone + On bracken green and cold gray stone. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + Fitz-James looked round,—yet scarce believed + The witness that his sight received; + Such apparition well might seem + Delusion of a dreadful dream. + Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed, + And to his look the Chief replied: + 'Fear naught—nay, that I need not say + But—doubt not aught from mine array. + Thou art my guest;—I pledged my word + As far as Coilantogle ford: + Nor would I call a clansman's brand + For aid against one valiant hand, + Though on our strife lay every vale + Rent by the Saxon from the Gael. + So move we on;—I only meant + To show the reed on which you leant, + Deeming this path you might pursue + Without a pass from Roderick Dhu.' + They moved;—I said Fitz-James was brave + As ever knight that belted glaive, + Yet dare not say that now his blood + Kept on its wont and tempered flood, + As, following Roderick's stride, he drew + That seeming lonesome pathway through, + Which yet by fearful proof was rife + With lances, that, to take his life, + Waited but signal from a guide, + So late dishonored and defied. + Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round + The vanished guardians of the ground, + And stir'd from copse and heather deep + Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep, + And in the plover's shrilly strain + The signal whistle heard again. + Nor breathed he free till far behind + The pass was left; for then they wind + Along a wide and level green, + Where neither tree nor tuft was seen, + Nor rush nor bush of broom was near, + To hide a bonnet or a spear. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII. + + The Chief in silence strode before, + And reached that torrent's sounding shore, + Which, daughter of three mighty lakes, + From Vennachar in silver breaks, + Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless mines + On Bochastle the mouldering lines, + Where Rome, the Empress of the world, + Of yore her eagle wings unfurled. + And here his course the Chieftain stayed, + Threw down his target and his plaid, + And to the Lowland warrior said: + 'Bold Saxon! to his promise just, + Vich-Alpine has discharged his trust. + This murderous Chief, this ruthless man, + This head of a rebellious clan, + Hath led thee safe, through watch and ward, + Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard. + Now, man to man, and steel to steel, + A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel. + See, here all vantageless I stand, + Armed like thyself with single brand; + For this is Coilantogle ford, + And thou must keep thee with thy sword.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + The Saxon paused: 'I ne'er delayed, + When foeman bade me draw my blade; + Nay more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death; + Yet sure thy fair and generous faith, + And my deep debt for life preserved, + A better meed have well deserved: + Can naught but blood our feud atone? + Are there no means?'—' No, stranger, none! + And hear,—to fire thy flagging zeal,— + The Saxon cause rests on thy steel; + For thus spoke Fate by prophet bred + Between the living and the dead:" + Who spills the foremost foeman's life, + His party conquers in the strife."' + 'Then, by my word,' the Saxon said, + "The riddle is already read. + Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff,— + There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff. + Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy; + Then yield to Fate, and not to me. + To James at Stirling let us go, + When, if thou wilt be still his foe, + Or if the King shall not agree + To grant thee grace and favor free, + I plight mine honor, oath, and word + That, to thy native strengths restored, + With each advantage shalt thou stand + That aids thee now to guard thy land.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye: + 'Soars thy presumption, then, so high, + Because a wretched kern ye slew, + Homage to name to Roderick Dhu? + He yields not, he, to man nor Fate! + Thou add'st but fuel to my hate;— + My clansman's blood demands revenge. + Not yet prepared?—By heaven, I change + My thought, and hold thy valor light + As that of some vain carpet knight, + Who ill deserved my courteous care, + And whose best boast is but to wear + A braid of his fair lady's hair.' 'I thank thee, + Roderick, for the word! + It nerves my heart, it steels my sword; + For I have sworn this braid to stain + In the best blood that warms thy vein. + Now, truce, farewell! and, rush, begone!— + Yet think not that by thee alone, + Proud Chief! can courtesy be shown; + Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn, + Start at my whistle clansmen stern, + Of this small horn one feeble blast + Would fearful odds against thee cast. + But fear not—doubt not—which thou wilt— + We try this quarrel hilt to hilt.' + Then each at once his falchion drew, + Each on the ground his scabbard threw + Each looked to sun and stream and plain + As what they ne'er might see again; + Then foot and point and eye opposed, + In dubious strife they darkly closed. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu, + That on the field his targe he threw, + Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide + Had death so often dashed aside; + For, trained abroad his arms to wield + Fitz-James's blade was sword and shield. + He practised every pass and ward, + To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard; + While less expert, though stronger far, + The Gael maintained unequal war. + Three times in closing strife they stood + And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood; + No stinted draught, no scanty tide, + The gushing flood the tartars dyed. + Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain, + And showered his blows like wintry rain; + And, as firm rock or castle-roof + Against the winter shower is proof, + The foe, invulnerable still, + Foiled his wild rage by steady skill; + Till, at advantage ta'en, his brand + Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand, + And backward borne upon the lea, + Brought the proud Chieftain to his knee. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + Now yield thee, or by Him who made + The world, thy heart's blood dyes my blade!; + 'Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy! + Let recreant yield, who fears to die.' + Like adder darting from his coil, + Like wolf that dashes through the toil, + Like mountain-cat who guards her young, + Full at Fitz-James's throat he sprung; + Received, but recked not of a wound, + And locked his arms his foeman round. + Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own! + No maiden's hand is round thee thrown! + That desperate grasp thy frame might feel + Through bars of brass and triple steel! + They tug, they strain! down, down they go, + The Gael above, Fitz-James below. + The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed, + His knee was planted on his breast; + His clotted locks he backward threw, + Across his brow his hand he drew, + From blood and mist to clear his sight, + Then gleamed aloft his dagger bright! + But hate and fury ill supplied + The stream of life's exhausted tide, + And all too late the advantage came, + To turn the odds of deadly game; + For, while the dagger gleamed on high, + Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye. + Down came the blow! but in the heath + The erring blade found bloodless sheath. + The struggling foe may now unclasp + The fainting Chief's relaxing grasp; + Unwounded from the dreadful close, + But breathless all, Fitz-James arose. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + He faltered thanks to Heaven for life, + Redeemed, unhoped, from desperate strife; + Next on his foe his look he cast, + Whose every gasp appeared his last + In Roderick's gore he dipped the braid,— + 'Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly paid; + Yet with thy foe must die, or live, + The praise that faith and valor give.' + With that he blew a bugle note, + Undid the collar from his throat, + Unbonneted, and by the wave + Sat down his brow and hands to rave. + Then faint afar are heard the feet + Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet; + The sounds increase, and now are seen + Four mounted squires in Lincoln green; + Two who bear lance, and two who lead + By loosened rein a saddled steed; + Each onward held his headlong course, + And by Fitz-James reined up his horse,— + With wonder viewed the bloody spot,— + 'Exclaim not, gallants' question not.— + You, Herbert and Luffness, alight + And bind the wounds of yonder knight; + Let the gray palfrey bear his weight, + We destined for a fairer freight, + And bring him on to Stirling straight; + I will before at better speed, + To seek fresh horse and fitting weed. + The sun rides high;—I must be boune + To see the archer-game at noon; + But lightly Bayard clears the lea.— + De Vaux and Herries, follow me. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII. + + 'Stand, Bayard, stand!'—the steed obeyed, + With arching neck and bended head, + And glancing eye and quivering ear, + As if he loved his lord to hear. + No foot Fitz-James in stirrup stayed, + No grasp upon the saddle laid, + But wreathed his left hand in the mane, + And lightly bounded from the plain, + Turned on the horse his armed heel, + And stirred his courage with the steel. + Bounded the fiery steed in air, + The rider sat erect and fair, + Then like a bolt from steel crossbow + Forth launched, along the plain they go. + They dashed that rapid torrent through, + And up Carhonie's hill they flew; + Still at the gallop pricked the Knight, + His merrymen followed as they might. + Along thy banks, swift Teith! they ride, + And in the race they mock thy tide; + Torry and Lendrick now are past, + And Deanstown lies behind them cast; + They rise, the bannered towers of Doune, + They sink in distant woodland soon; + Blair-Drummond sees the hoofs strike fire, + They sweep like breeze through Ochtertyre; + They mark just glance and disappear + The lofty brow of ancient Kier; + They bathe their coursers' sweltering sides + Dark Forth! amid thy sluggish tides, + And on the opposing shore take ground + With plash, with scramble, and with bound. + Right-hand they leave thy cliffs, Craig-Forth! + And soon the bulwark of the North, + Gray Stirling, with her towers and town, + Upon their fleet career looked clown. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + As up the flinty path they strained, + Sudden his steed the leader reined; + A signal to his squire he flung, + Who instant to his stirrup sprung:— + 'Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman gray, + Who townward holds the rocky way, + Of stature tall and poor array? + Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride, + With which he scales the mountain-side? + Know'st thou from whence he comes, or whom?' + 'No, by my word;—a burly groom + He seems, who in the field or chase + A baron's train would nobly grace—' + 'Out, out, De Vaux! can fear supply, + And jealousy, no sharper eye? + Afar, ere to the hill he drew, + That stately form and step I knew; + Like form in Scotland is not seen, + Treads not such step on Scottish green. + 'Tis James of Douglas, by Saint Serle! + The uncle of the banished Earl. + Away, away, to court, to show + The near approach of dreaded foe: + The King must stand upon his guard; + Douglas and he must meet prepared.' + Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and straight + They won the Castle's postern gate. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XX. + + The Douglas, who had bent his way + From Cambus-kenneth's abbey gray, + Now, as he climbed the rocky shelf, + Held sad communion with himself:— + 'Yes! all is true my fears could frame; + A prisoner lies the noble Graeme, + And fiery Roderick soon will feel + The vengeance of the royal steel. + I, only I, can ward their fate,— + God grant the ransom come not late! + The Abbess hath her promise given, + My child shall be the bride of Heaven;— + Be pardoned one repining tear! + For He who gave her knows how dear, + How excellent!—but that is by, + And now my business is—to die.— + Ye towers! within whose circuit dread + A Douglas by his sovereign bled; + And thou, O sad and fatal mound! + That oft hast heard the death-axe sound. + As on the noblest of the land + Fell the stern headsmen's bloody hand,— + The dungeon, block, and nameless tomb + Prepare—for Douglas seeks his doom! + But hark! what blithe and jolly peal + Makes the Franciscan steeple reel? + And see! upon the crowded street, + In motley groups what masquers meet! + Banner and pageant, pipe and drum, + And merry morrice-dancers come. + I guess, by all this quaint array, + The burghers hold their sports to-day. + James will be there; he loves such show, + Where the good yeoman bends his bow, + And the tough wrestler foils his foe, + As well as where, in proud career, + The high-born filter shivers spear. + I'll follow to the Castle-park, + And play my prize;—King James shall mark + If age has tamed these sinews stark, + Whose force so oft in happier days + His boyish wonder loved to praise.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + The Castle gates were open flung, + The quivering drawbridge rocked and rung, + And echoed loud the flinty street + Beneath the coursers' clattering feet, + As slowly down the steep descent + Fair Scotland's King and nobles went, + While all along the crowded way + Was jubilee and loud huzza. + And ever James was bending low + To his white jennet's saddle-bow, + Doffing his cap to city dame, + Who smiled and blushed for pride and shame. + And well the simperer might be vain,— + He chose the fairest of the train. + Gravely he greets each city sire, + Commends each pageant's quaint attire, + Gives to the dancers thanks aloud, + And smiles and nods upon the crowd, + Who rend the heavens with their acclaims,— + 'Long live the Commons' King, King James!' + Behind the King thronged peer and knight, + And noble dame and damsel bright, + Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay + Of the steep street and crowded way. + But in the train you might discern + Dark lowering brow and visage stern; + There nobles mourned their pride restrained, + And the mean burgher's joys disdained; + And chiefs, who, hostage for their clan, + Were each from home a banished man, + There thought upon their own gray tower, + Their waving woods, their feudal power, + And deemed themselves a shameful part + Of pageant which they cursed in heart. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Now, in the Castle-park, drew out + Their checkered bands the joyous rout. + There morricers, with bell at heel + And blade in hand, their mazes wheel; + But chief, beside the butts, there stand + Bold Robin Hood and all his band,— + Friar Tuck with quarterstaff and cowl, + Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl, + Maid Marian, fair as ivory bone, + Scarlet, and Mutch, and Little John; + Their bugles challenge all that will, + In archery to prove their skill. + The Douglas bent a bow of might,— + His first shaft centred in the white, + And when in turn he shot again, + His second split the first in twain. + From the King's hand must Douglas take + A silver dart, the archers' stake; + Fondly he watched, with watery eye, + Some answering glance of sympathy,— + No kind emotion made reply! + Indifferent as to archer wight, + The monarch gave the arrow bright. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + Now, clear the ring! for, hand to hand, + The manly wrestlers take their stand. + Two o'er the rest superior rose, + And proud demanded mightier foes,— + Nor called in vain, for Douglas came.— + For life is Hugh of Larbert lame; + Scarce better John of Alloa's fare, + Whom senseless home his comrades bare. + Prize of the wrestling match, the King + To Douglas gave a golden ring, + While coldly glanced his eye of blue, + As frozen drop of wintry dew. + Douglas would speak, but in his breast + His struggling soul his words suppressed; + Indignant then he turned him where + Their arms the brawny yeomen bare, + To hurl the massive bar in air. + When each his utmost strength had shown, + The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone + From its deep bed, then heaved it high, + And sent the fragment through the sky + A rood beyond the farthest mark; + And still in Stirling's royal park, + The gray-haired sires, who know the past, + To strangers point the Douglas cast, + And moralize on the decay + Of Scottish strength in modern day. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV. + + The vale with loud applauses rang, + The Ladies' Rock sent back the clang. + The King, with look unmoved, bestowed + A purse well filled with pieces broad. + Indignant smiled the Douglas proud, + And threw the gold among the crowd, + Who now with anxious wonder scan, + And sharper glance, the dark gray man; + Till whispers rose among the throng, + That heart so free, and hand so strong, + Must to the Douglas blood belong. + The old men marked and shook the head, + To see his hair with silver spread, + And winked aside, and told each son + Of feats upon the English done, + Ere Douglas of the stalwart hand + Was exiled from his native land. + The women praised his stately form, + Though wrecked by many a winter's storm; + The youth with awe and wonder saw + His strength surpassing Nature's law. + Thus judged, as is their wont, the crowd + Till murmurs rose to clamours loud. + But not a glance from that proud ring + Of peers who circled round the King + With Douglas held communion kind, + Or called the banished man to mind; + No, not from those who at the chase + Once held his side the honoured place, + Begirt his board, and in the field + Found safety underneath his shield; + For he whom royal eyes disown, + When was his form to courtiers known! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + The Monarch saw the gambols flag + And bade let loose a gallant stag, + Whose pride, the holiday to crown, + Two favorite greyhounds should pull down, + That venison free and Bourdeaux wine + Might serve the archery to dine. + But Lufra,—whom from Douglas' side + Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide, + The fleetest hound in all the North,— + Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth. + She left the royal hounds midway, + And dashing on the antlered prey, + Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank, + And deep the flowing life-blood drank. + The King's stout huntsman saw the sport + By strange intruder broken short, + Came up, and with his leash unbound + In anger struck the noble hound. + The Douglas had endured, that morn, + The King's cold look, the nobles' scorn, + And last, and worst to spirit proud, + Had borne the pity of the crowd; + But Lufra had been fondly bred, + To share his board, to watch his bed, + And oft would Ellen Lufra's neck + In maiden glee with garlands deck; + They were such playmates that with name + Of Lufra Ellen's image came. + His stifled wrath is brimming high, + In darkened brow and flashing eye; + As waves before the bark divide, + The crowd gave way before his stride; + Needs but a buffet and no more, + The groom lies senseless in his gore. + Such blow no other hand could deal, + Though gauntleted in glove of steel. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + Then clamored loud the royal train, + And brandished swords and staves amain, + But stern the Baron's warning: + 'Back! Back, on your lives, ye menial pack! + Beware the Douglas.—Yes! behold, + King James! The Douglas, doomed of old, + And vainly sought for near and far, + A victim to atone the war, + A willing victim, now attends, + Nor craves thy grace but for his friends.—' + 'Thus is my clemency repaid? + Presumptuous Lord!' the Monarch said: + 'Of thy misproud ambitious clan, + Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man, + The only man, in whom a foe + My woman-mercy would not know; + But shall a Monarch's presence brook + Injurious blow and haughty look?— + What ho! the Captain of our Guard! + Give the offender fitting ward.— + Break off the sports!'—for tumult rose, + And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows, + 'Break off the sports!' he said and frowned, + 'And bid our horsemen clear the ground.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + Then uproar wild and misarray + Marred the fair form of festal day. + The horsemen pricked among the crowd, + Repelled by threats and insult loud; + To earth are borne the old and weak, + The timorous fly, the women shriek; + With flint, with shaft, with staff, with bar, + The hardier urge tumultuous war. + At once round Douglas darkly sweep + The royal spears in circle deep, + And slowly scale the pathway steep, + While on the rear in thunder pour + The rabble with disordered roar + With grief the noble Douglas saw + The Commons rise against the law, + And to the leading soldier said: + 'Sir John of Hyndford, 'twas my blade + That knighthood on thy shoulder laid; + For that good deed permit me then + A word with these misguided men.— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVIII, + + 'Hear, gentle friends, ere yet for me + Ye break the bands of fealty. + My life, my honour, and my cause, + I tender free to Scotland's laws. + Are these so weak as must require + 'Fine aid of your misguided ire? + Or if I suffer causeless wrong, + Is then my selfish rage so strong, + My sense of public weal so low, + That, for mean vengeance on a foe, + Those cords of love I should unbind + Which knit my country and my kind? + O no! Believe, in yonder tower + It will not soothe my captive hour, + To know those spears our foes should dread + For me in kindred gore are red: + 'To know, in fruitless brawl begun, + For me that mother wails her son, + For me that widow's mate expires, + For me that orphans weep their sires, + That patriots mourn insulted laws, + And curse the Douglas for the cause. + O let your patience ward such ill, + And keep your right to love me still!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + The crowd's wild fury sunk again + In tears, as tempests melt in rain. + With lifted hands and eyes, they prayed + For blessings on his generous head + Who for his country felt alone, + And prized her blood beyond his own. + Old men upon the verge of life + Blessed him who stayed the civil strife; + And mothers held their babes on high, + The self-devoted Chief to spy, + Triumphant over wrongs and ire, + To whom the prattlers owed a sire. + Even the rough soldier's heart was moved; + As if behind some bier beloved, + With trailing arms and drooping head, + The Douglas up the hill he led, + And at the Castle's battled verge, + With sighs resigned his honoured charge. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXX. + + The offended Monarch rode apart, + With bitter thought and swelling heart, + And would not now vouchsafe again + Through Stirling streets to lead his train. + 'O Lennox, who would wish to rule + This changeling crowd, this common fool? + Hear'st thou,' he said, 'the loud acclaim + With which they shout the Douglas name? + With like acclaim the vulgar throat + Strained for King James their morning note; + With like acclaim they hailed the day + When first I broke the Douglas sway; + And like acclaim would Douglas greet + If he could hurl me from my seat. + Who o'er the herd would wish to reign, + Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain? + Vain as the leaf upon the stream, + And fickle as a changeful dream; + Fantastic as a woman's mood, + And fierce as Frenzy's fevered blood. + Thou many-headed monster-thing, + O who would wish to be thy king?— +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXI.. + + 'But soft! what messenger of speed + Spurs hitherward his panting steed? + I guess his cognizance afar— + What from our cousin, John of Mar?' + 'He prays, my liege, your sports keep bound + Within the safe and guarded ground; + For some foul purpose yet unknown,— + Most sure for evil to the throne,— + The outlawed Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, + Has summoned his rebellious crew; + 'Tis said, in James of Bothwell's aid + These loose banditti stand arrayed. + The Earl of Mar this morn from Doune + To break their muster marched, and soon + Your Grace will hear of battle fought; + But earnestly the Earl besought, + Till for such danger he provide, + With scanty train you will not ride.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXII. + + 'Thou warn'st me I have done amiss,— + I should have earlier looked to this; + I lost it in this bustling day.— + Retrace with speed thy former way; + Spare not for spoiling of thy steed, + The best of mine shall be thy meed. + Say to our faithful Lord of Mar, + We do forbid the intended war; + Roderick this morn in single fight + Was made our prisoner by a knight, + And Douglas hath himself and cause + Submitted to our kingdom's laws. + The tidings of their leaders lost + Will soon dissolve the mountain host, + Nor would we that the vulgar feel, + For their Chief's crimes, avenging steel. + Bear Mar our message, Braco, fly!' + He turned his steed,—'My liege, I hie, + Yet ere I cross this lily lawn + I fear the broadswords will be drawn.' + The turf the flying courser spurned, + And to his towers the King returned. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXXIII. + + Ill with King James's mood that day + Suited gay feast and minstrel lay; + Soon were dismissed the courtly throng, + And soon cut short the festal song. + Nor less upon the saddened town + The evening sunk in sorrow down. + The burghers spoke of civil jar, + Of rumoured feuds and mountain war, + Of Moray, Mar, and Roderick Dhu, + All up in arms;—the Douglas too, + They mourned him pent within the hold, + 'Where stout Earl William was of old.'— + And there his word the speaker stayed, + And finger on his lip he laid, + Or pointed to his dagger blade. + But jaded horsemen from the west + At evening to the Castle pressed, + And busy talkers said they bore + Tidings of fight on Katrine's shore; + At noon the deadly fray begun, + And lasted till the set of sun. + Thus giddy rumor shook the town, + Till closed the Night her pennons brown. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CANTO SIXTH. + </h2> + <h3> + The Guard-room. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + The sun, awakening, through the smoky air + Of the dark city casts a sullen glance, + Rousing each caitiff to his task of care, + Of sinful man the sad inheritance; + Summoning revellers from the lagging dance, + Scaring the prowling robber to his den; + Gilding on battled tower the warder's lance, + And warning student pale to leave his pen, + And yield his drowsy eyes to the kind nurse of men. + + What various scenes, and O, what scenes of woe, + Are witnessed by that red and struggling beam! + The fevered patient, from his pallet low, + Through crowded hospital beholds it stream; + The ruined maiden trembles at its gleam, + The debtor wakes to thought of gyve and jail, + 'The love-lore wretch starts from tormenting dream: + The wakeful mother, by the glimmering pale, + Trims her sick infant's couch, and soothes his feeble wail. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + At dawn the towers of Stirling rang + With soldier-step and weapon-clang, + While drums with rolling note foretell + Relief to weary sentinel. + Through narrow loop and casement barred, + The sunbeams sought the Court of Guard, + And, struggling with the smoky air, + Deadened the torches' yellow glare. + In comfortless alliance shone + The lights through arch of blackened stone, + And showed wild shapes in garb of war, + Faces deformed with beard and scar, + All haggard from the midnight watch, + And fevered with the stern debauch; + For the oak table's massive board, + Flooded with wine, with fragments stored, + And beakers drained, and cups o'erthrown, + Showed in what sport the night had flown. + Some, weary, snored on floor and bench; + Some labored still their thirst to quench; + Some, chilled with watching, spread their hands + O'er the huge chimney's dying brands, + While round them, or beside them flung, + At every step their harness rung. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + These drew not for their fields the sword, + Like tenants of a feudal lord, + Nor owned the patriarchal claim + Of Chieftain in their leader's name; + Adventurers they, from far who roved, + To live by battle which they loved. + There the Italian's clouded face, + The swarthy Spaniard's there you trace; + The mountain-loving Switzer there + More freely breathed in mountain-air; + The Fleming there despised the soil + That paid so ill the labourer's toil; + Their rolls showed French and German name; + And merry England's exiles came, + To share, with ill-concealed disdain, + Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain. + All brave in arms, well trained to wield + The heavy halberd, brand, and shield; + In camps licentious, wild, and bold; + In pillage fierce and uncontrolled; + And now, by holytide and feast, + From rules of discipline released. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + 'They held debate of bloody fray, + Fought 'twixt Loch Katrine and Achray. + Fierce was their speech, and mid their words + 'Their hands oft grappled to their swords; + Nor sunk their tone to spare the ear + Of wounded comrades groaning near, + Whose mangled limbs and bodies gored + Bore token of the mountain sword, + Though, neighbouring to the Court of Guard, + Their prayers and feverish wails were heard,— + Sad burden to the ruffian joke, + And savage oath by fury spoke!— + At length up started John of Brent, + A yeoman from the banks of Trent; + A stranger to respect or fear, + In peace a chaser of the deer, + In host a hardy mutineer, + But still the boldest of the crew + When deed of danger was to do. + He grieved that day their games cut short, + And marred the dicer's brawling sport, + And shouted loud, 'Renew the bowl! + And, while a merry catch I troll, + Let each the buxom chorus bear, + Like brethren of the brand and spear.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + Soldier's Song. + + Our vicar still preaches that Peter and Poule + Laid a swinging long curse on the bonny brown bowl, + That there 's wrath and despair in the jolly black-jack, + And the seven deadly sins in a flagon of sack; + Yet whoop, Barnaby! off with thy liquor, + Drink upsees out, and a fig for the vicar! + + Our vicar he calls it damnation to sip + The ripe ruddy dew of a woman's dear lip, + Says that Beelzebub lurks in her kerchief so sly, + And Apollyon shoots darts from her merry black eye; + Yet whoop, Jack! kiss Gillian the quicker, + Till she bloom like a rose, and a fig for the vicar! + + Our vicar thus preaches,—and why should he not? + For the dues of his cure are the placket and pot; + And 'tis right of his office poor laymen to lurch + Who infringe the domains of our good Mother Church. + Yet whoop, bully-boys! off with your liquor, + Sweet Marjorie 's the word and a fig for the vicar! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VI. + + The warder's challenge, heard without, + Stayed in mid-roar the merry shout. + A soldier to the portal went,— + 'Here is old Bertram, sirs, of Ghent; + And—beat for jubilee the drum!— + A maid and minstrel with him come.' + Bertram, a Fleming, gray and scarred, + Was entering now the Court of Guard, + A harper with him, and, in plaid + All muffled close, a mountain maid, + Who backward shrunk to 'scape the view + Of the loose scene and boisterous crew. + 'What news?' they roared:—' I only know, + From noon till eve we fought with foe, + As wild and as untamable + As the rude mountains where they dwell; + On both sides store of blood is lost, + Nor much success can either boast.'— + 'But whence thy captives, friend? such spoil + As theirs must needs reward thy toil. + Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp; + Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp! + Get thee an ape, and trudge the land, + The leader of a juggler band.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VII. + + 'No, comrade;—no such fortune mine. + After the fight these sought our line, + That aged harper and the girl, + And, having audience of the Earl, + Mar bade I should purvey them steed, + And bring them hitherward with speed. + Forbear your mirth and rude alarm, + For none shall do them shame or harm.— + 'Hear ye his boast?' cried John of Brent, + Ever to strife and jangling bent; + 'Shall he strike doe beside our lodge, + And yet the jealous niggard grudge + To pay the forester his fee? + I'll have my share howe'er it be, + Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee.' + Bertram his forward step withstood; + And, burning in his vengeful mood, + Old Allan, though unfit for strife, + Laid hand upon his dagger-knife; + But Ellen boldly stepped between, + And dropped at once the tartan screen:— + So, from his morning cloud, appears + The sun of May through summer tears. + The savage soldiery, amazed, + As on descended angel gazed; + Even hardy Brent, abashed and tamed, + Stood half admiring, half ashamed. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VIII. + + Boldly she spoke: 'Soldiers, attend! + My father was the soldier's friend, + Cheered him in camps, in marches led, + And with him in the battle bled. + Not from the valiant or the strong + Should exile's daughter suffer wrong.' + Answered De Brent, most forward still + In every feat or good or ill: + 'I shame me of the part I played; + And thou an outlaw's child, poor maid! + An outlaw I by forest laws, + And merry Needwood knows the cause. + Poor Rose,—if Rose be living now,'— + He wiped his iron eye and brow,— + 'Must bear such age, I think, as thou.— + Hear ye, my mates! I go to call + The Captain of our watch to hall: + There lies my halberd on the floor; + And he that steps my halberd o'er, + To do the maid injurious part, + My shaft shall quiver in his heart! + Beware loose speech, or jesting rough; + Ye all know John de Brent. Enough.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IX. + + Their Captain came, a gallant young,— + Of Tullibardine's house he sprung,— + Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight; + Gay was his mien, his humor light + And, though by courtesy controlled, + Forward his speech, his bearing bold. + The high-born maiden ill could brook + The scanning of his curious look + And dauntless eye:—and yet, in sooth + Young Lewis was a generous youth; + But Ellen's lovely face and mien + Ill suited to the garb and scene, + Might lightly bear construction strange, + And give loose fancy scope to range. + 'Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid! + Come ye to seek a champion's aid, + On palfrey white, with harper hoar, + Like errant damosel of yore? + Does thy high quest a knight require, + Or may the venture suit a squire?' + Her dark eye flashed;—she paused and sighed:— + 'O what have I to do with pride!— + Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife, + A suppliant for a father's life, + I crave an audience of the King. + Behold, to back my suit, a ring, + The royal pledge of grateful claims, + Given by the Monarch to Fitz-James.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + X. + + The signet-ring young Lewis took + With deep respect and altered look, + And said: 'This ring our duties own; + And pardon, if to worth unknown, + In semblance mean obscurely veiled, + Lady, in aught my folly failed. + Soon as the day flings wide his gates, + The King shall know what suitor waits. + Please you meanwhile in fitting bower + Repose you till his waking hour. + Female attendance shall obey + Your hest, for service or array. + Permit I marshal you the way.' + But, ere she followed, with the grace + And open bounty of her race, + She bade her slender purse be shared + Among the soldiers of the guard. + The rest with thanks their guerdon took, + But Brent, with shy and awkward look, + On the reluctant maiden's hold + Forced bluntly back the proffered gold:— + 'Forgive a haughty English heart, + And O, forget its ruder part! + + The vacant purse shall be my share, + Which in my barrel-cap I'll bear, + Perchance, in jeopardy of war, + Where gayer crests may keep afar.' + With thanks—'twas all she could—the maid + His rugged courtesy repaid. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XI. + + When Ellen forth with Lewis went, + Allan made suit to John of Brent:— + 'My lady safe, O let your grace + Give me to see my master's face! + His minstrel I,—to share his doom + Bound from the cradle to the tomb. + Tenth in descent, since first my sires + Waked for his noble house their Iyres, + Nor one of all the race was known + But prized its weal above their own. + With the Chief's birth begins our care; + Our harp must soothe the infant heir, + Teach the youth tales of fight, and grace + His earliest feat of field or chase; + In peace, in war, our rank we keep, + We cheer his board, we soothe his sleep, + Nor leave him till we pour our verse— + A doleful tribute!—o'er his hearse. + Then let me share his captive lot; + It is my right,—deny it not!' + 'Little we reck,' said John of Brent, + 'We Southern men, of long descent; + Nor wot we how a name—a word— + Makes clansmen vassals to a lord: + Yet kind my noble landlord's part,— + God bless the house of Beaudesert! + And, but I loved to drive the deer + More than to guide the labouring steer, + I had not dwelt an outcast here. + Come, good old Minstrel, follow me; + Thy Lord and Chieftain shalt thou see.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XII. + + Then, from a rusted iron hook, + A bunch of ponderous keys he took, + Lighted a torch, and Allan led + Through grated arch and passage dread. + Portals they passed, where, deep within, + Spoke prisoner's moan and fetters' din; + Through rugged vaults, where, loosely stored, + Lay wheel, and axe, and headsmen's sword, + And many a hideous engine grim, + For wrenching joint and crushing limb, + By artists formed who deemed it shame + And sin to give their work a name. + They halted at a Iow-browed porch, + And Brent to Allan gave the torch, + While bolt and chain he backward rolled, + And made the bar unhasp its hold. + They entered:—'twas a prison-room + Of stern security and gloom, + Yet not a dungeon; for the day + Through lofty gratings found its way, + And rude and antique garniture + Decked the sad walls and oaken floor, + Such as the rugged days of old + Deemed fit for captive noble's hold. + 'Here,' said De Brent, 'thou mayst remain + Till the Leech visit him again. + Strict is his charge, the warders tell, + To tend the noble prisoner well.' + Retiring then the bolt he drew, + And the lock's murmurs growled anew. + Roused at the sound, from lowly bed + A captive feebly raised his head. + The wondering Minstrel looked, and knew— + Not his dear lord, but Roderick Dhu! + For, come from where Clan-Alpine fought, + They, erring, deemed the Chief he sought. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIII. + + As the tall ship, whose lofty prore + Shall never stem the billows more, + Deserted by her gallant band, + Amid the breakers lies astrand,— + So on his couch lay Roderick Dhu! + And oft his fevered limbs he threw + In toss abrupt, as when her sides + Lie rocking in the advancing tides, + That shake her frame with ceaseless beat, + Yet cannot heave her from her seat;— + O, how unlike her course at sea! + Or his free step on hill and lea!— + Soon as the Minstrel he could scan,— + 'What of thy lady?—of my clan?— + My mother?—Douglas?—tell me all! + Have they been ruined in my fall? + Ah, yes! or wherefore art thou here? + Yet speak,—speak boldly,—do not fear.'— + For Allan, who his mood well knew, + Was choked with grief and terror too.— + 'Who fought?—who fled?—Old man, be brief;— + Some might,—for they had lost their Chief. + Who basely live?—who bravely died?' + 'O, calm thee, Chief!' the Minstrel cried, + 'Ellen is safe!' 'For that thank Heaven!' + 'And hopes are for the Douglas given;— + The Lady Margaret, too, is well; + And, for thy clan,—on field or fell, + Has never harp of minstrel told + Of combat fought so true and bold. + Thy stately Pine is yet unbent, + Though many a goodly bough is rent.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIV. + + The Chieftain reared his form on high, + And fever's fire was in his eye; + But ghastly, pale, and livid streaks + Checkered his swarthy brow and cheeks. + 'Hark, Minstrel! I have heard thee play, + With measure bold on festal day, + In yon lone isle,—again where ne'er + Shall harper play or warrior hear!— + That stirring air that peals on high, + O'er Dermid's race our victory.— + Strike it!—and then,—for well thou canst,— + Free from thy minstrel-spirit glanced, + Fling me the picture of the fight, + When met my clan the Saxon might. + I'll listen, till my fancy hears + The clang of swords' the crash of spears! + These grates, these walls, shall vanish then + For the fair field of fighting men, + And my free spirit burst away, + As if it soared from battle fray.' + The trembling Bard with awe obeyed,— + Slow on the harp his hand he laid; + But soon remembrance of the sight + He witnessed from the mountain's height, + With what old Bertram told at night, + Awakened the full power of song, + And bore him in career along;— + As shallop launched on river's tide, + 'That slow and fearful leaves the side, + But, when it feels the middle stream, + Drives downward swift as lightning's beam. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XV. + + Battle of Beal' An Duine. + + 'The Minstrel came once more to view + The eastern ridge of Benvenue, + For ere he parted he would say + Farewell to lovely loch Achray + Where shall he find, in foreign land, + So lone a lake, so sweet a strand!— + There is no breeze upon the fern, + No ripple on the lake, + Upon her eyry nods the erne, + The deer has sought the brake; + The small birds will not sing aloud, + The springing trout lies still, + So darkly glooms yon thunder-cloud, + That swathes, as with a purple shroud, + Benledi's distant hill. + Is it the thunder's solemn sound + That mutters deep and dread, + Or echoes from the groaning ground + The warrior's measured tread? + Is it the lightning's quivering glance + That on the thicket streams, + Or do they flash on spear and lance + The sun's retiring beams?— + I see the dagger-crest of Mar, + I see the Moray's silver star, + Wave o'er the cloud of Saxon war, + That up the lake comes winding far! + + To hero boune for battle-strife, + Or bard of martial lay, + 'Twere worth ten years of peaceful life, + One glance at their array! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVI. + + 'Their light-armed archers far and near + Surveyed the tangled ground, + Their centre ranks, with pike and spear, + A twilight forest frowned, + Their barded horsemen in the rear + The stern battalia crowned. + No cymbal clashed, no clarion rang, + Still were the pipe and drum; + Save heavy tread, and armor's clang, + The sullen march was dumb. + There breathed no wind their crests to shake, + Or wave their flags abroad; + Scarce the frail aspen seemed to quake + That shadowed o'er their road. + Their vaward scouts no tidings bring, + Can rouse no lurking foe, + Nor spy a trace of living thing, + Save when they stirred the roe; + The host moves like a deep-sea wave, + Where rise no rocks its pride to brave + High-swelling, dark, and slow. + The lake is passed, and now they gain + A narrow and a broken plain, + Before the Trosachs' rugged jaws; + And here the horse and spearmen pause + While, to explore the dangerous glen + Dive through the pass the archer-men. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVII. + + 'At once there rose so wild a yell + Within that dark and narrow dell, + As all the fiends from heaven that fell + Had pealed the banner-cry of hell! + Forth from the pass in tumult driven, + Like chaff before the wind of heaven, + The archery appear: + For life! for life! their flight they ply— + And shriek, and shout, and battle-cry, + And plaids and bonnets waving high, + And broadswords flashing to the sky, + Are maddening in the rear. + Onward they drive in dreadful race, + Pursuers and pursued; + Before that tide of flight and chase, + How shall it keep its rooted place, + The spearmen's twilight wood?—" + "Down, down," cried Mar, "your lances down' + Bear back both friend and foe! "— + Like reeds before the tempest's frown, + That serried grove of lances brown + At once lay levelled low; + And closely shouldering side to side, + The bristling ranks the onset bide.—" + "We'll quell the savage mountaineer, + As their Tinchel cows the game! + They come as fleet as forest deer, + We'll drive them back as tame." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XVIII. + + 'Bearing before them in their course + The relics of the archer force, + Like wave with crest of sparkling foam, + Right onward did Clan-Alpine come. + Above the tide, each broadsword bright + Was brandishing like beam of light, + Each targe was dark below; + And with the ocean's mighty swing, + When heaving to the tempest's wing, + They hurled them on the foe. + I heard the lance's shivering crash, + As when the whirlwind rends the ash; + I heard the broadsword's deadly clang, + As if a hundred anvils rang! + But Moray wheeled his rearward rank + Of horsemen on Clan-Alpine's flank,— + "My banner-man, advance! + I see," he cried, "their column shake. + Now, gallants! for your ladies' sake, + Upon them with the lance!"— + The horsemen dashed among the rout, + As deer break through the broom; + + Their steeds are stout, their swords are out, + They soon make lightsome room. + Clan-Alpine's best are backward borne— + Where, where was Roderick then! + One blast upon his bugle-horn + Were worth a thousand men. + And refluent through the pass of fear + The battle's tide was poured; + Vanished the Saxon's struggling spear, + Vanished the mountain-sword. + As Bracklinn's chasm, so black and steep, + Receives her roaring linn + As the dark caverns of the deep + Suck the wild whirlpool in, + So did the deep and darksome pass + Devour the battle's mingled mass; + None linger now upon the plain + Save those who ne'er shall fight again. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XIX. + + 'Now westward rolls the battle's din, + That deep and doubling pass within.— + Minstrel, away! the work of fate + Is bearing on; its issue wait, + Where the rude Trosachs' dread defile + Opens on Katrine's lake and isle. + Gray Benvenue I soon repassed, + Loch Katrine lay beneath me cast. + The sun is set;—the clouds are met, + The lowering scowl of heaven + An inky hue of livid blue + To the deep lake has given; + Strange gusts of wind from mountain glen + Swept o'er the lake, then sunk again. + I heeded not the eddying surge, + Mine eye but saw the Trosachs' gorge, + Mine ear but heard that sullen sound, + Which like an earthquake shook the ground, + And spoke the stern and desperate strife + That parts not but with parting life, + Seeming, to minstrel ear, to toll + The dirge of many a passing soul. + Nearer it comes—the dim-wood glen + The martial flood disgorged again, + But not in mingled tide; + The plaided warriors of the North + High on the mountain thunder forth + And overhang its side, + While by the lake below appears + The darkening cloud of Saxon spears. + At weary bay each shattered band, + Eying their foemen, sternly stand; + Their banners stream like tattered sail, + That flings its fragments to the gale, + And broken arms and disarray + Marked the fell havoc of the day. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XX. + + 'Viewing the mountain's ridge askance, + The Saxons stood in sullen trance, + Till Moray pointed with his lance, + And cried: "Behold yon isle!— + See! none are left to guard its strand + But women weak, that wring the hand: + 'Tis there of yore the robber band + Their booty wont to pile;— + My purse, with bonnet-pieces store, + To him will swim a bow-shot o'er, + And loose a shallop from the shore. + Lightly we'll tame the war-wolf then, + Lords of his mate, and brood, and den." + Forth from the ranks a spearman sprung, + On earth his casque and corselet rung, + He plunged him in the wave:— + All saw the deed,—the purpose knew, + And to their clamors Benvenue + A mingled echo gave; + The Saxons shout, their mate to cheer, + The helpless females scream for fear + And yells for rage the mountaineer. + 'T was then, as by the outcry riven, + Poured down at once the lowering heaven: + A whirlwind swept Loch Katrine's breast, + Her billows reared their snowy crest. + Well for the swimmer swelled they high, + To mar the Highland marksman's eye; + For round him showered, mid rain and hail, + The vengeful arrows of the Gael. + In vain.—He nears the isle—and lo! + His hand is on a shallop's bow. + Just then a flash of lightning came, + It tinged the waves and strand with flame; + I marked Duncraggan's widowed dame, + Behind an oak I saw her stand, + A naked dirk gleamed in her hand:— + It darkened,—but amid the moan + Of waves I heard a dying groan;— + Another flash!—the spearman floats + A weltering corse beside the boats, + And the stern matron o'er him stood, + Her hand and dagger streaming blood. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXI. + + "'Revenge! revenge!" the Saxons cried, + The Gaels' exulting shout replied. + Despite the elemental rage, + Again they hurried to engage; + But, ere they closed in desperate fight, + Bloody with spurring came a knight, + Sprung from his horse, and from a crag + Waved 'twixt the hosts a milk-white flag. + Clarion and trumpet by his side + Rung forth a truce-note high and wide, + While, in the Monarch's name, afar + A herald's voice forbade the war, + For Bothwell's lord and Roderick bold + Were both, he said, in captive hold.'— + But here the lay made sudden stand, + The harp escaped the Minstrel's hand! + Oft had he stolen a glance, to spy + How Roderick brooked his minstrelsy: + At first, the Chieftain, to the chime, + With lifted hand kept feeble time; + That motion ceased,—yet feeling strong + Varied his look as changed the song; + At length, no more his deafened ear + The minstrel melody can hear; + His face grows sharp,—his hands are clenched' + As if some pang his heart-strings wrenched; + Set are his teeth, his fading eye + Is sternly fixed on vacancy; + Thus, motionless and moanless, drew + His parting breath stout Roderick Dhu!— + Old Allan-bane looked on aghast, + While grim and still his spirit passed; + But when he saw that life was fled, + He poured his wailing o'er the dead. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXII. + + Lament. + + 'And art thou cold and lowly laid, + Thy foeman's dread, thy people's aid, + Breadalbane's boast, Clan-Alpine's shade! + For thee shall none a requiem say?— + For thee, who loved the minstrel's lay, + For thee, of Bothwell's house the stay, + The shelter of her exiled line, + E'en in this prison-house of thine, + I'll wail for Alpine's honored Pine! + + 'What groans shall yonder valleys fill! + What shrieks of grief shall rend yon hill! + What tears of burning rage shall thrill, + When mourns thy tribe thy battles done, + Thy fall before the race was won, + Thy sword ungirt ere set of sun! + There breathes not clansman of thy line, + But would have given his life for thine. + O, woe for Alpine's honoured Pine! + + 'Sad was thy lot on mortal stage!— + The captive thrush may brook the cage, + The prisoned eagle dies for rage. + Brave spirit, do Dot scorn my strain! + And, when its notes awake again, + Even she, so long beloved in vain, + Shall with my harp her voice combine, + And mix her woe and tears with mine, + To wail Clan-Alpine's honoured Pine.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIII. + + Ellen the while, with bursting heart, + Remained in lordly bower apart, + Where played, with many-coloured gleams, + Through storied pane the rising beams. + In vain on gilded roof they fall, + And lightened up a tapestried wall, + And for her use a menial train + A rich collation spread in vain. + The banquet proud, the chamber gay, + Scarce drew one curious glance astray; + Or if she looked, 't was but to say, + With better omen dawned the day + In that lone isle, where waved on high + The dun-deer's hide for canopy; + Where oft her noble father shared + The simple meal her care prepared, + While Lufra, crouching by her side, + Her station claimed with jealous pride, + And Douglas, bent on woodland game, + Spoke of the chase to Malcolm Graeme, + Whose answer, oft at random made, + The wandering of his thoughts betrayed. + Those who such simple joys have known + Are taught to prize them when they 're gone. + But sudden, see, she lifts her head; + The window seeks with cautious tread. + What distant music has the power + To win her in this woful hour? + 'T was from a turret that o'erhung + Her latticed bower, the strain was sung. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIV. + + Lay of the Imprisoned Huntsman. + + 'My hawk is tired of perch and hood, + My idle greyhound loathes his food, + My horse is weary of his stall, + And I am sick of captive thrall. + I wish I were as I have been, + Hunting the hart in forest green, + With bended bow and bloodhound free, + For that's the life is meet for me. + + I hate to learn the ebb of time + From yon dull steeple's drowsy chime, + Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl, + Inch after inch, along the wall. + The lark was wont my matins ring, + The sable rook my vespers sing; + These towers, although a king's they be, + Have not a hall of joy for me. + + No more at dawning morn I rise, + And sun myself in Ellen's eyes, + Drive the fleet deer the forest through, + And homeward wend with evening dew; + A blithesome welcome blithely meet, + And lay my trophies at her feet, + While fled the eve on wing of glee,— + That life is lost to love and me!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXV. + + The heart-sick lay was hardly said, + The listener had not turned her head, + It trickled still, the starting tear, + When light a footstep struck her ear, + And Snowdoun's graceful Knight was near. + She turned the hastier, lest again + The prisoner should renew his strain. + 'O welcome, brave Fitz-James!' she said; + 'How may an almost orphan maid + Pay the deep debt—' 'O say not so! + To me no gratitude you owe. + Not mine, alas! the boon to give, + And bid thy noble father live; + I can but be thy guide, sweet maid, + With Scotland's King thy suit to aid. + No tyrant he, though ire and pride + May lay his better mood aside. + Come, Ellen, come! 'tis more than time, + He holds his court at morning prime.' + With heating heart, and bosom wrung, + As to a brother's arm she clung. + Gently he dried the falling tear, + And gently whispered hope and cheer; + Her faltering steps half led, half stayed, + Through gallery fair and high arcade, + Till at his touch its wings of pride + A portal arch unfolded wide. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVI. + + Within 't was brilliant all and light, + A thronging scene of figures bright; + It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight, + As when the setting sun has given + Ten thousand hues to summer even, + And from their tissue fancy frames + Aerial knights and fairy dames. + Still by Fitz-James her footing staid; + A few faint steps she forward made, + Then slow her drooping head she raised, + And fearful round the presence gazed; + For him she sought who owned this state, + The dreaded Prince whose will was fate!— + She gazed on many a princely port + Might well have ruled a royal court; + On many a splendid garb she gazed,— + Then turned bewildered and amazed, + For all stood bare; and in the room + Fitz-James alone wore cap and plume. + To him each lady's look was lent, + On him each courtier's eye was bent; + Midst furs and silks and jewels sheen, + He stood, in simple Lincoln green, + The centre of the glittering ring,— + And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King! +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVII. + + As wreath of snow on mountain-breast + Slides from the rock that gave it rest, + Poor Ellen glided from her stay, + And at the Monarch's feet she lay; + No word her choking voice commands,— + She showed the ring,—she clasped her hands. + O, not a moment could he brook, + The generous Prince, that suppliant look! + Gently he raised her,—and, the while, + Checked with a glance the circle's smile; + Graceful, but grave, her brow he kissed, + And bade her terrors be dismissed:— + 'Yes, fair; the wandering poor + Fitz-James The fealty of Scotland claims. + To him thy woes, thy wishes, bring; + He will redeem his signet ring. + Ask naught for Douglas;—yester even, + His Prince and he have much forgiven; + Wrong hath he had from slanderous tongue, + I, from his rebel kinsmen, wrong. + We would not, to the vulgar crowd, + Yield what they craved with clamor loud; + Calmly we heard and judged his cause, + Our council aided and our laws. + I stanched thy father's death-feud stern + With stout De Vaux and gray Glencairn; + And Bothwell's Lord henceforth we own + The friend and bulwark of our throne.— + But, lovely infidel, how now? + What clouds thy misbelieving brow? + Lord James of Douglas, lend thine aid; + Thou must confirm this doubting maid.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXVIII. + + Then forth the noble Douglas sprung, + And on his neck his daughter hung. + The Monarch drank, that happy hour, + The sweetest, holiest draught of Power,— + When it can say with godlike voice, + Arise, sad Virtue, and rejoice! + Yet would not James the general eye + On nature's raptures long should pry; + He stepped between—' Nay, Douglas, nay, + Steal not my proselyte away! + The riddle 'tis my right to read, + That brought this happy chance to speed. + Yes, Ellen, when disguised I stray + In life's more low but happier way, + 'Tis under name which veils my power + Nor falsely veils,—for Stirling's tower + Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims, + And Normans call me James Fitz-James. + Thus watch I o'er insulted laws, + Thus learn to right the injured cause.' + Then, in a tone apart and low,— + 'Ah, little traitress! none must know + What idle dream, what lighter thought + What vanity full dearly bought, + Joined to thine eye's dark witchcraft, drew + My spell-bound steps to Benvenue + In dangerous hour, and all but gave + Thy Monarch's life to mountain glaive!' + Aloud he spoke: 'Thou still dost hold + That little talisman of gold, + Pledge of my faith, Fitz-James's ring,— + What seeks fair Ellen of the King?' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + XXIX. + + Full well the conscious maiden guessed + He probed the weakness of her breast; + But with that consciousness there came + A lightening of her fears for Graeme, + And more she deemed the Monarch's ire + Kindled 'gainst him who for her sire + Rebellious broadsword boldly drew; + And, to her generous feeling true, + She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu. + 'Forbear thy suit;—the King of kings + Alone can stay life's parting wings. + I know his heart, I know his hand, + Have shared his cheer, and proved his brand; + My fairest earldom would I give + To bid Clan-Alpine's Chieftain live!— + Hast thou no other boon to crave? + No other captive friend to save?' + Blushing, she turned her from the King, + And to the Douglas gave the ring, + As if she wished her sire to speak + The suit that stained her glowing cheek. + 'Nay, then, my pledge has lost its force, + And stubborn justice holds her course. + Malcolm, come forth!'—and, at the word, + Down kneeled the Graeme to Scotland's Lord. + 'For thee, rash youth, no suppliant sues, + From thee may Vengeance claim her dues, + Who, nurtured underneath our smile, + Hast paid our care by treacherous wile, + And sought amid thy faithful clan + A refuge for an outlawed man, + Dishonoring thus thy loyal name.— + Fetters and warder for the Graeme!' + His chain of gold the King unstrung, + The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung, + Then gently drew the glittering band, + And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand. + + Harp of the North, farewell! The hills grow dark, + On purple peaks a deeper shade descending; + In twilight copse the glow-worm lights her spark, + The deer, half seen, are to the covert wending. + Resume thy wizard elm! the fountain lending, + And the wild breeze, thy wilder minstrelsy; + Thy numbers sweet with nature's vespers blending, + With distant echo from the fold and lea, + And herd-boy's evening pipe, and hum of housing bee. + + Yet, once again, farewell, thou Minstrel Harp! + Yet, once again, forgive my feeble sway, + And little reck I of the censure sharp + May idly cavil at an idle lay. + Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way, + Through secret woes the world has never known, + When on the weary night dawned wearier day, + And bitterer was the grief devoured alone.— + That I o'erlive such woes, Enchantress! is thine own. + + Hark! as my lingering footsteps slow retire, + Some Spirit of the Air has waked thy string! + 'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire, + 'Tis now the brush of Fairy's frolic wing. + Receding now, the dying numbers ring + Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell; + And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring + A wandering witch-note of the distant spell— + And now, 'tis silent all!—Enchantress, fare thee well! +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES. + </h2> + <p> + Cf. (confer), compare. F.Q., Spenser's Faerie Queene. Fol., following. Id. + (idem), the same. Lockhart, J. G. Lockhart's edition of Scott's poems + (various issues). P.L., Milton's Paradise Lost. Taylor, R. W. Taylor's + edition of The Lady of the Lake (London, 1875). Wb., Webster's Dictionary + (revised quarto edition of 1879). Worc., Worcester's Dictionary (quarto + edition). The abbreviations of the names of Shakespeare's plays will be + readily understood. The line-numbers are those of the "Globe" edition. + </p> + <p> + The references to Scott's Lay of the Last Minstrel are to canto and line; + those to Marmion and other poems to canto and stanza. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_NOTE" id="link2H_NOTE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NOTES. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Introduction. + </h2> + <p> + The Lady of the Lake was first published in 1810, when Scott was + thirty-nine, and it was dedicated to "the most noble John James, Marquis + of Abercorn." Eight thousand copies were sold between June 2d and + September 22d, 1810, and repeated editions were subsequently called for. + In 1830, the following "Introduction" was prefixed to the poem by the + author:— + </p> + <p> + After the success of Marmion, I felt inclined to exclaim with Ulysses in + the Odyssey: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Greek Letters] Odys. X. 5. + + "One venturous game my hand has won to-day— + Another, gallants, yet remains to play." +</pre> + <p> + The ancient manners, the habits and customs of the aboriginal race by whom + the Highlands of Scotland were inhabited, had always appeared to me + peculiarly adapted to poetry. The change in their manners, too, had taken + place almost within my own time, or at least I had learned many + particulars concerning the ancient state of the Highlands from the old men + of the last generation. I had always thought the old Scottish Gael highly + adapted for poetical composition. The feuds and political dissensions + which, half a century earlier, would have rendered the richer and + wealthier part of the kingdom indisposed to countenance a poem, the scene + of which was laid in the Highlands, were now sunk in the generous + compassion which the English, more than any other nation, feel for the + misfortunes of an honourable foe. The Poems of Ossian had by their + popularity sufficiently shown that, if writings on Highland subjects were + qualified to interest the reader, mere national prejudices were, in the + present day, very unlikely to interfere with their success. + </p> + <p> + I had also read a great deal, seen much, and heard more, of that romantic + country where I was in the habit of spending some time every autumn; and + the scenery of Lock Katrine was connected with the recollection of many a + dear friend and merry expedition of former days. This poem, the action of + which lay among scenes so beautiful and so deeply imprinted on my + recollections, was a labour of love, and it was no less so to recall the + manners and incidents introduced. The frequent custom of James IV., and + particularly of James V., to walk through their kingdom in disguise, + afforded me the hint of an incident which never fails to be interesting if + managed with the slightest address or dexterity. + </p> + <p> + I may now confess, however, that the employment, though attended with + great pleasure, was not without its doubts and anxieties. A lady, to whom + I was nearly related, and with whom I lived, during her whole life, on the + most brotherly terms of affection, was residing with me at the time when + the work was in progress, and used to ask me, what I could possibly do to + rise so early in the morning (that happening to be the most convenient to + me for composition). At last I told her the subject of my meditations; and + I can never forget the anxiety and affection expressed in her reply. "Do + not be so rash," she said, "my dearest cousin. <a href="#linknote-2" + name="linknoteref-2" id="linknoteref-2"><small>2</small></a> You are + already popular,—more so, perhaps, than you yourself will believe, + or than even I, or other partial friends, can fairly allow to your merit. + You stand high,—do not rashly attempt to climb higher, and incur the + risk of a fall; for, depend upon it, a favourite will not be permitted + even to stumble with impunity." I replied to this affectionate + expostulation in the words of Montrose,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'He either fears his fate too much, + Or his deserts are small, + Who dares not put it to the touch + To gain or lose it all.' +</pre> + <p> + "If I fail," I said, for the dialogue is strong in my recollection, "it is + a sign that I ought never to have succeeded, and I will write prose for + life: you shall see no change in my temper, nor will I eat a single meal + the worse. But if I succeed, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Up with the bonnie blue bonnet, + The dirk, and the feather, and a'!'" +</pre> + <p> + Afterwards I showed my affectionate and anxious critic the first canto of + the poem, which reconciled her to my imprudence. Nevertheless, although I + answered thus confidently, with the obstinacy often said to be proper to + those who bear my surname, I acknowledge that my confidence was + considerably shaken by the warning of her excellent taste and unbiased + friendship. Nor was I much comforted by her retraction of the unfavourable + judgment, when I recollected how likely a natural partiality was to effect + that change of opinion. In such cases, affection rises like a light on the + canvas, improves any favourable tints which it formerly exhibited, and + throws its defects into the shade. + </p> + <p> + I remember that about the same time a friend started in to "heeze up my + hope," like the "sportsman with his cutty gun," in the old song. He was + bred a farmer, but a man of powerful understanding, natural good taste, + and warm poetical feeling, perfectly competent to supply the wants of an + imperfect or irregular education. He was a passionate admirer of + field-sports, which we often pursued together. + </p> + <p> + As this friend happened to dine with me at Ashestiel one day, I took the + opportunity of reading to him the first canto of The Lady of the Lake, in + order to ascertain the effect the poem was likely to produce upon a person + who was but too favourable a representative of readers at large. It is of + course to be supposed that I determined rather to guide my opinion by what + my friend might appear to feel, than by what he might think fit to say. + His reception of my recitation, or prelection, was rather singular. He + placed his hand across his brow, and listened with great attention through + the whole account of the stag-hunt, till the dogs threw themselves into + the lake to follow their master, who embarks with Ellen Douglas. He then + started up with a sudden exclamation, struck his hand on the table, and + declared, in a voice of censure calculated for the occasion, that the dogs + must have been totally ruined by being permitted to take the water after + such a severe chase. I own I was much encouraged by the species of revery + which had possessed so zealous a follower of the sports of the ancient + Nimrod, who had been completely surprised out of all doubts of the reality + of the tale. Another of his remarks gave me less pleasure. He detected the + identity of the King with the wandering knight, Fitz-James, when he winds + his bugle to summon his attendants. He was probably thinking of the + lively, but somewhat licentious, old ballad, in which the denouement of a + royal intrigue takes place as follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He took a bugle frae his side, + He blew both loud and shrill, + And four and twenty belted knights + Came skipping over the hill; + Then he took out a little knife, + Let a' his duddies fa', + And he was the brawest gentleman + That was amang them a'. + And we'll go no more a roving," etc. +</pre> + <p> + This discovery, as Mr. Pepys says of the rent in his camlet cloak, was but + a trifle, yet it troubled me; and I was at a good deal of pains to efface + any marks by which I thought my secret could be traced before the + conclusion, when I relied on it with the same hope of producing effect, + with which the Irish post-boy is said to reserve a "trot for the avenue." + </p> + <p> + I took uncommon pains to verify the accuracy of the local circumstances of + this story. I recollect, in particular, that to ascertain whether I was + telling a probable tale, I went into Perthshire, to see whether King James + could actually have ridden from the banks of Loch Vennachar to Stirling + Castle within the time supposed in the poem, and had the pleasure to + satisfy myself that it was quite practicable. + </p> + <p> + After a considerable delay, The Lady of the Lake appeared in June, 1810; + and its success was certainly so extraordinary as to induce me for the + moment to conclude that I had at last fixed a nail in the proverbially + inconstant wheel of Fortune, whose stability in behalf of an individual + who had so boldly courted her favours for three successive times had not + as yet been shaken. I had attained, perhaps, that degree of reputation at + which prudence, or certainly timidity, would have made a halt, and + discontinued efforts by which I was far more likely to diminish my fame + than to increase it. But, as the celebrated John Wilkes is said to have + explained to his late Majesty, that he himself, amid his full tide of + popularity, was never a Wilkite, so I can, with honest truth, exculpate + myself from having been at any time a partisan of my own poetry, even when + it was in the highest fashion with the million. It must not be supposed + that I was either so ungrateful, or so superabundantly candid, as to + despise or scorn the value of those whose voice had elevated me so much + higher than my own opinion told me I deserved. I felt, on the contrary, + the more grateful to the public, as receiving that from partiality to me, + which I could not have claimed from merit; and I endeavoured to deserve + the partiality, by continuing such exertions as I was capable of for their + amusement. + </p> + <p> + It may be that I did not, in this continued course of scribbling, consult + either the interest of the public or my own. But the former had effectual + means of defending themselves, and could, by their coldness, sufficiently + check any approach to intrusion; and for myself, I had now for several + years dedicated my hours so much to literary labour that I should have + felt difficulty in employing myself otherwise; and so, like Dogberry, I + generously bestowed all my tediousness on the public, comforting myself + with the reflection that, if posterity should think me undeserving of the + favour with which I was regarded by my contemporaries, "they could not but + say I had the crown," and had enjoyed for a time that popularity which is + so much coveted. + </p> + <p> + I conceived, however, that I held the distinguished situation I had + obtained, however unworthily, rather like the champion of pugilism, <a + href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" id="linknoteref-3"><small>3</small></a> + on the condition of being always ready to show proofs of my skill, than in + the manner of the champion of chivalry, who performs his duties only on + rare and solemn occasions. I was in any case conscious that I could not + long hold a situation which the caprice, rather than the judgment, of the + public, had bestowed upon me, and preferred being deprived of my + precedence by some more worthy rival, to sinking into contempt for my + indolence, and losing my reputation by what Scottish lawyers call the + negative prescription. Accordingly, those who choose to look at the + Introduction to Rokeby, will be able to trace the steps by which I + declined as a poet to figure as a novelist; as the ballad says, Queen + Eleanor sunk at Charing Cross to rise again at Queenhithe. + </p> + <p> + It only remains for me to say that, during my short pre-eminence of + popularity, I faithfully observed the rules of moderation which I had + resolved to follow before I began my course as a man of letters. If a man + is determined to make a noise in the world, he is as sure to encounter + abuse and ridicule, as he who gallops furiously through a village must + reckon on being followed by the curs in full cry. Experienced persons know + that in stretching to flog the latter, the rider is very apt to catch a + bad fall; nor is an attempt to chastise a malignant critic attended with + less danger to the author. On this principle, I let parody, burlesque, and + squibs find their own level; and while the latter hissed most fiercely, I + was cautious never to catch them up, as schoolboys do, to throw them back + against the naughty boy who fired them off, wisely remembering that they + are in such cases apt to explode in the handling. Let me add, that my + reign <a href="#linknote-4" name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4"><small>4</small></a> + (since Byron has so called it) was marked by some instances of good-nature + as well as patience. I never refused a literary person of merit such + services in smoothing his way to the public as were in my power; and I had + the advantage, rather an uncommon one with our irritable race, to enjoy + general favour without incurring permanent ill-will, so far as is known to + me, among any of my contemporaries. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + W.S. + Abbotsford, April, 1830. +</pre> + <p> + Our limits do not permit us to add any extended selections from the many + critical notices of the poem. The verdict of Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh + Review, on its first appearance, has been generally endorsed:— + </p> + <p> + "Upon the whole, we are inclined to think more highly of The Lady of the + Lake than of either of its author's former publications [the Lay and + Marmion]. We are more sure, however, that it has fewer faults than that it + has greater beauties; and as its beauties bear a strong resemblance to + those with which the public has been already made familiar in these + celebrated works, we should not be surprised if its popularity were less + splendid and remarkable. For our own parts, however, we are of opinion + that it will be oftener read hereafter than either of them; and that, if + it had appeared first in the series, their reception would have been less + favourable than that which it has experienced. It is more polished in its + diction, and more regular in its versification; the story is constructed + with infinitely more skill and address; there is a greater proportion of + pleasing and tender passages, with much less antiquarian detail; and, upon + the whole, a larger variety of characters, more artfully and judiciously + contrasted. There is nothing so fine, perhaps, as the battle in Marmion, + or so picturesque as some of the scattered sketches in the Lay; but there + is a richness and a spirit in the whole piece which does not pervade + either of those poems,—a profusion of incident and a shifting + brilliancy of colouring that reminds us of the witchery of Ariosto, and a + constant elasticity and occasional energy which seem to belong more + peculiarly to the author now before us." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto First. + </h2> + <p> + Each canto is introduced by one or more Spenserian stanzas, <a + href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5" id="linknoteref-5"><small>5</small></a> + forming a kind of prelude to it. Those prefixed to the first canto serve + as an introduction to the whole poem, which is "inspired by the spirit of + the old Scottish minstrelsy." + </p> + <p> + 2. Witch-elm. The broad-leaved or wych elm (Ulmus montana), indigenous to + Scotland. Forked branches of the tree were used in the olden time as + divining-rods, and riding switches from it were supposed to insure good + luck on a journey. In the closing stanzas of the poem (vi. 846) it is + called the "wizard elm." Tennyson (In Memoriam, 89) refers to + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Witch-elms that counterchange the floor + Of this flat lawn with dusk and bright." +</pre> + <p> + Saint Fillan was a Scotch abbot of the seventh century who became famous + as a saint. He had two springs, which appear to be confounded by some + editors of the poem. One was at the eastern end of Loch Earn, where the + pretty modern village of St. Fillans now stands, under the shadow of Dun + Fillan, or St. Fillan's Hills, six hundred feet high, on the top of which + the saint used to say his prayers, as the marks of his knees in the rock + still testify to the credulous. The other spring is at another village + called St. Fillans, nearly thirty miles to the westward, just outside the + limits of our map, on the road to Tyndrum. In this Holy Pool, as it is + called, insane folk were dipped with certain ceremonies, and then left + bound all night in the open air. If they were found loose the next + morning, they were supposed to have been cured. This treatment was + practised as late as 1790, according to Pennant, who adds that the + patients were generally found in the morning relieved of their troubles—by + death. Another writer, in 1843, says that the pool is still visited, not + by people of the vicinity, who have no faith in its virtue, but by those + from distant places. Scott alludes to this spring in Marmion, i. 29: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thence to Saint Fillan's blessed well, + Whose springs can frenzied dreams dispel, + And the crazed brain restore." +</pre> + <p> + 3. And down the fitful breeze, etc. The original MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And on the fitful breeze thy numbers flung, + Till envious ivy, with her verdant ring, + Mantled and muffled each melodious string,— + O Wizard Harp, still must thine accents sleep?" +</pre> + <p> + 10. Caledon. Caledonia, the Roman name of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + 14. Each according pause. That is, each pause in the singing. In Marmion, + ii. 11, according is used of music that fills the intervals of other + music: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Soon as they neared his turrets strong, + The maidens raised Saint Hilda's song, + And with the sea-wave and the wind + Their voices, sweetly shrill, combined, + And made harmonious close; + Then, answering from the sandy shore, + Half-drowned amid the breakers' roar, + According chorus rose." +</pre> + <p> + The MS. reads here: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "At each according pause thou spokest aloud + Thine ardent sympathy sublime and high." +</pre> + <p> + 28. The stag at eve had drunk his fill. The metre of the poem proper is + iambic, that is, with the accent on the even syllables, and octosyllabic, + or eight syllables to the line. + </p> + <p> + 29. Monan's rill. St. Monan was a Scotch martyr of the fourth century. We + can find no mention of any rill named for him. + </p> + <p> + 31. Glenartney. A valley to the north-east of Callander, with Benvoirlich + (which rises to the height of 3180 feet) on the north, and Uam-Var (see 53 + below) on the south, separating it from the valley of the Teith. It takes + its name from the Artney, the stream flowing through it. + </p> + <p> + 32. His beacon red. The figure is an appropriate one in describing this + region, where fires on the hill-tops were so often used as signals in the + olden time. Cf. the Lay, iii. 379: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And soon a score of fires, I ween, + From height, and hill, and cliff, were seen, + Each with warlike tidings fraught; + Each from each the signal caught," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 34. Deep-mouthed. Cf. Shakespeare, 1 Hen. VI. ii. 4. 12: "Between two + dogs, which hath the deeper mouth;" and T. of S. ind. 1. 18: "the + deep-mouthed brach" (that is, hound). + </p> + <p> + The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The bloodhound's notes of heavy bass + Resounded hoarsely up the pass." +</pre> + <p> + 35. Resounded... rocky. The poet often avails himself of "apt + alliteration's artful aid," as here, and in the next two lines; most + frequently in pairs of words. + </p> + <p> + 38. As Chief, etc. Note here, as often, the simile put BEFORE that which + it illustrates,—an effective rhetorical, though not the logical, + arrangement. + </p> + <p> + 45. Beamed frontlet. Antlered forehead. + </p> + <p> + 46. Adown. An instance of a purely poetical word, not admissible in prose. + </p> + <p> + 49. Chase. Here put for those engaged in the chase; as in 101 and 171, + below. One of its regular meanings is the OBJECT of the chase, or the + animal pursued. + </p> + <p> + 53. Uam-Var. "Ua-Var, as the name is pronounced, or more properly + Uaigh-mor, is a mountain to the north-east of the village of Callander, in + Menteith, deriving its name, which signifies the great den, or cavern, + from a sort of retreat among the rocks on the south side, said, by + tradition, to have been the abode of a giant. In latter times, it was the + refuge of robbers and banditti, who have been only extirpated within these + forty or fifty years. Strictly speaking, this stronghold is not a cave, as + the name would imply, but a sort of small enclosure, or recess, surrounded + with large rocks and open above head. It may have been originally designed + as a toil for deer, who might get in from the outside, but would find it + difficult to return. This opinion prevails among the old sportsmen and + deer-stalkers in the neighborhood" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 54. Yelled. Note the emphatic force of the inversion, as in 59 below. Cf. + 38 above. + </p> + <p> + Opening. That is, barking on view or scent of the game; a hunting term. + Cf. Shakespeare, M. W. iv. 2. 209: "If I bark out thus upon no trail never + trust me when I open again." + </p> + <p> + The description of the echo which follows is very spirited. + </p> + <p> + 66. Cairn. Literally, a heap of stones; here put poetically for the rocky + point which the falcon takes as a look-out. + </p> + <p> + 69. Hurricane. A metaphor for the wild rush of the hunt. + </p> + <p> + 71. Linn. Literally, a deep pool; but often = cataract, as in Bracklinn, + ii. 270 below (cf. vi. 488), and sometimes = precipice. + </p> + <p> + 73. On the lone wood. Note the musical variation in the measure here; the + 1st, 3d, and 4th syllables being accented instead of the 2d and 4th. It is + occasionally introduced into iambic metre with admirable effect. Cf. 85 + and 97 below. + </p> + <p> + 76. The cavern, etc. See on 53 above. + </p> + <p> + 80. Perforce. A poetical word. See on 46 above. + </p> + <p> + 84. Shrewdly. Severely, keenly; a sense now obsolete. Shrewd originally + meant evil, mischievous. Cf. Shakespeare, A. Y. L. v. 4. 179, where it is + said that those + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "That have endur'd shrewd days and nights with us + Shall share the good of our returned fortune." +</pre> + <p> + In Chaucer (Tale of Melibocus) we find, "The prophete saith: Flee + shrewdnesse, and do goodnesse" (referring to Ps. xxxiv. 14). + </p> + <p> + 89. Menteith. The district in the southwestern part of Perthshire, watered + by the Teith. + </p> + <p> + 91. Mountain and meadow, etc. See on 35 above. Moss is used in the + North-of-England sense of a boggy or peaty district, like the famous Chat + Moss between Liverpool and Manchester. + </p> + <p> + 93. Lochard. Loch Ard is a beautiful lakelet, about five miles south of + Loch Katrine. On its eastern side is the scene of Helen Macgregor's + skirmish with the King's troops in Rob Roy; and near its head, on the + northern side, is a waterfall, which is the original of Flora MacIvor's + favorite retreat in Waverley. Aberfoyle is a village about a mile and a + half to the east of the lake. + </p> + <p> + 95. Loch Achray. A lake between Loch Katrine and Loch Vennachar, lying + just beyond the pass of the Trosachs. + </p> + <p> + 97. Benvenue. A mountain, 2386 feet in height, on the southern side of + Loch Katrine. + </p> + <p> + 98. With the hope. The MS. has "with the THOUGHT," and "flying HOOF" in + the next line. + </p> + <p> + 102. 'Twere. It would be. Cf. Shakespeare, Macb. ii. 2. 73: "To know my + deed, 't were best not know myself." + </p> + <p> + 103. Cambusmore. The estate of a family named Buchanan, whom Scott + frequently visited in his younger days. It is about two miles from + Callander, on the wooded banks of the Keltie, a tributary of the Teith. + </p> + <p> + 105. Benledi. A mountain, 2882 feet high, northwest from Callander. The + name is said to mean "Mountain of God." + </p> + <p> + 106. Bochastle's heath. A moor between the east end of Loch Vennachar and + Callander. See also on v. 298 below. + </p> + <p> + 107. The flooded Teith. The Teith is formed by streams from Loch Voil and + from Loch Katrine (by way of Loch Achray and Loch Vennachar), which unite + at Callander. It joins the Forth near Stirling. + </p> + <p> + 111. Vennachar. As the map shows, this "Lake of the Fair Valley" is the + most eastern of the three lakes around which the scenery of the poem lies. + It is about five miles long and a mile and a half wide. + </p> + <p> + 112. The Brigg of Turk. This brig, or bridge (cf. Burns's poem of The + Brigs of Ayr), is over a stream that comes down from Glenfinlas and flows + into the one connecting Lochs Achray and Vennachar. According to Graham, + it is "the scene of the death of a wild boar famous in Celtic tradition." + </p> + <p> + 114. Unbated. Cf. Shakespeare, M. of V. ii. 6. 11: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where is the horse that doth untread again + His tedious measures with the unbated fire + That he did pace them first?" +</pre> + <p> + 115. Scourge and steel. Whip and spur. Steel is often used for the sword + (as in v. 239 below: "foeman worthy of their steel"), the figure being of + the same sort as here—"the material put for the thing made of it." + Cf. v. 479 below. + </p> + <p> + 117. Embossed. An old hunting term. George Turbervile, in his Noble Art of + Venerie or Hunting (A.D. 1576), says: "When the hart is foamy at the + mouth, we say, that he is emboss'd." Cf. Shakespeare, T. of S. ind. 1. 17: + "Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is emboss'd;" and A. and C. iv. 13. 3: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "the boar of Thessaly + Was never so emboss'd." +</pre> + <p> + 120. Saint Hubert's breed. Scott quotes Turbervile here: "The hounds which + we call Saint Hubert's hounds are commonly all blacke, yet neuertheless, + the race is so mingled at these days, that we find them of all colours. + These are the hounds which the abbots of St. Hubert haue always kept some + of their race or kind, in honour or remembrance of the saint, which was a + hunter with S. Eustace. Whereupon we may conceiue that (by the grace of + God) all good huntsmen shall follow them into paradise." + </p> + <p> + 127. Quarry. The animal hunted; another technical term. Shakespeare uses + it in the sense of a heap of slaughtered game; as in Cor. i. 1. 202: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, + And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry + With thousands of these quarter'd slaves," etc. +</pre> + <p> + Cf. Longfellow, Hiawatha: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Seldom stoops the soaring vulture + O'er his quarry in the desert." +</pre> + <p> + 130. Stock. Tree-stump. Cf. Job, xiv. 8. + </p> + <p> + 133. Turn to bay. Like stand at bay, etc., a term used when the stag, + driven to extremity, turns round and faces his pursuers. Cf. Shakespeare, + 1. Hen. VI. iv. 2. 52, where it is used figuratively (as in vi. 525 + below): + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel, + And make the cowards stand aloof at bay;" +</pre> + <p> + and T. of S. v. 2. 56: "'T is thought your deer does hold you at a bay," + etc. + </p> + <p> + 137. For the death-wound, etc. Scott has the following note here: "When + the stag turned to bay, the ancient hunter had the perilous task of going + in upon, and killing or disabling, the desperate animal. At certain times + of the year this was held particularly dangerous, a wound received from a + stag's horn being then deemed poisonous, and more dangerous than one from + the tusks of a boar, as the old rhyme testifies: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'If thou be hurt with hart, it bring thee to thy bier, + But barber's hand will boar's hurt heal, therefore thou + need'st not fear.' +</pre> + <p> + At all times, however, the task was dangerous, and to be adventured upon + wisely and warily, either by getting behind the stag while he was gazing + on the hounds, or by watching an opportunity to gallop roundly in upon + him, and kill him with the sword. See many directions to this purpose in + the Booke of Hunting, chap. 41. Wilson, the historian, has recorded a + providential escape which befell him in the hazardous sport, while a + youth, and follower of the Earl of Essex: + </p> + <p> + 'Sir Peter Lee, of Lime, in Cheshire, invited my lord one summer to hunt + the stagg. And having a great stagg in chase, and many gentlemen in the + pursuit, the stag took soyle. And divers, whereof I was one, alighted, and + stood with swords drawne, to have a cut at him, at his coming out of the + water. The staggs there being wonderfully fierce and dangerous, made us + youths more eager to be at him. But he escaped us all. And it was my + misfortune to be hindered of my coming nere him, the way being sliperie, + by a falle; which gave occasion to some, who did not know mee, to speak as + if I had falne for feare. Which being told mee, I left the stagg, and + followed the gentleman who [first] spake it. But I found him of that cold + temper, that it seems his words made an escape from him; as by his denial + and repentance it appeared. But this made mee more violent in the pursuit + of the stagg, to recover my reputation. And I happened to be the only + horseman in, when the dogs sett him up at bay; and approaching near him on + horsebacke, he broke through the dogs, and run at mee, and tore my horse's + side with his hornes, close by my thigh. Then I quitted my horse, and grew + more cunning (for the dogs had sette him up againe), stealing behind him + with my sword, and cut his hamstrings; and then got upon his back, and cut + his throate; which, as I was doing, the company came in, and blamed my + rashness for running such a hazard' (Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, ii. 464)." + </p> + <p> + 138. Whinyard. A short stout sword or knife; the same as the whinger of + the Lay of Last Minstrel, v. 7: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And whingers, now in friendship bare + The social meal to part and share, + Had found a bloody sheath." +</pre> + <p> + 142. Turned him. In Elizabethan, and still more in earlier English, + personal pronouns were often used reflexively; and this, like many other + old constructions, is still used in poetry. + </p> + <p> + 145. Trosachs. "The rough or bristled territory" (Graham); the wild + district between Lochs Katrine and Vennachar. The name is now especially + applied to the pass between Lochs Katrine and Achray. + </p> + <p> + 147. Close couched. That is, as he lay close couched, or hidden. Such + ellipses are common in poetry. + </p> + <p> + 150. Amain. With main, or full force. We still say "with might and main." + </p> + <p> + 151. Chiding. Not a mere figurative use of chide as we now understand it + (cf. 287 below), but an example of the old sense of the word as applied to + any oft-repeated noise. Shakespeare uses it of the barking of dogs in M. + N. D. iv. 1. 120: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "never did I hear + Such gallant chiding;" +</pre> + <p> + of the wind, as in A. Y. L. ii. 1. 7: "And churlish chiding of the + winter's wind;" and of the sea, as in 1 Hen. IV. iii. 1. 45: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "the sea + That chides the banks of England;" +</pre> + <p> + and Hen. VIII. iii. 2. 197: "the chiding flood." + </p> + <p> + 163. The banks of Seine. James visited France in 1536, and sued for the + hand of Magdalen, daughter of Francis I. He married her the following + spring, but she died a few months later. He then married Mary of Guise, + whom he had doubtless seen while in France. + </p> + <p> + 166. Woe worth the chase. That is, woe be to it. This worth is from the A. + S. weorthan, to become. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 6. 32: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Wo worth the man, + That first did teach the cursed steele to bight + In his owne flesh, and make way to the living spright!" +</pre> + <p> + See also Ezek. xxx. 2. + </p> + <p> + 180. And on the hunter, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And on the hunter hied his pace, + To meet some comrades of the chase;" +</pre> + <p> + and the 1st ed. retains "pace" and "chase." + </p> + <p> + 184. The western waves, etc. This description of the Trosachs was written + amid the scenery it delineates, in the summer of 1809. The Quarterly + Review (May, 1810) says of the poet: "He sees everything with a painter's + eye. Whatever he represents has a character of individuality, and is drawn + with an accuracy and minuteness of discrimination which we are not + accustomed to expect from mere verbal description. It is because Mr. Scott + usually delineates those objects with which he is perfectly familiar that + his touch is so easy, correct, and animated. The rocks, the ravines, and + the torrents which he exhibits are not the imperfect sketches of a hurried + traveller, but the finished studies of a resident artist." See also on 278 + below. + </p> + <p> + Ruskin (Modern Painters, iii. 278) refers to "the love of color" as a + leading element in Scott's love of beauty. He might have quoted the + present passage among the illustrations he adds. + </p> + <p> + 195. The native bulwarks, etc. The MS. has "The mimic castles of the + pass." + </p> + <p> + 196. The tower, etc. Cf. Gen. xi. 1-9. + </p> + <p> + 198. The rocky. The 1st ed. has "Their rocky," etc. + </p> + <p> + 204. Nor were, etc. The MS. reads: "Nor were these mighty bulwarks bare." + </p> + <p> + 208. Dewdrop sheen. Not "dewdrops sheen," or "dewdrops' sheen," as + sometimes printed. Sheen = shining, bright; as in v. 10 below. Cf. + Spenser, F. Q. ii. 1. 10: "So faire and sheene;" Id. iii. 4. 51: "in top + of heaven sheene," etc. See Wb. The MS. has here: "Bright glistening with + the dewdrop sheen." + </p> + <p> + 212. Boon. Bountiful. Cf. Milton, P. L. iv. 242: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice art + In beds and curious knots, but nature boon + Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain." +</pre> + <p> + See also P. L. ix. 793: "jocund and boon." + </p> + <p> + 217. Bower. In the old sense of chamber, lodging-place; as in iv. 413 and + vi. 218 below. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. iii. 1. 58: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Eftesoones long waxen torches weren light + Unto their bowres to guyden every guest." +</pre> + <p> + For clift (= cleft), the reading of the 1st ed. and unquestionably what + Scott wrote, every other edition that we have seen reads "cliff." + </p> + <p> + 219. Emblems of punishment and pride. See on iii. 19 below. + </p> + <p> + 222, 223. Note the imperfect rhyme in breath and beneath. Cf. 224-25, + 256-57, 435-36, 445-46 below. Such instances are comparatively rare in + Scott's poetry. Some rhymes that appear to be imperfect are to be + explained by peculiarities of Scottish pronunciation. See on 363 below. + </p> + <p> + 227. Shaltered. The MS. has "scathed;" also "rugged arms athwart the sky" + in 229, and "twinkling" for glistening in 231. The 1st ed. has "scattered" + for shattered; corrected in the Errata. + </p> + <p> + 231. Streamers. Of ivy or other vines. + </p> + <p> + 238. Affording, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Affording scarce such breadth of flood + As served to float the wild-duck's brood." +</pre> + <p> + 247. Emerging, etc. The MS. has "Emerging dry-shod from the wood." + </p> + <p> + 254. And now, to issue from the glen, etc. "Until the present road was + made through the romantic pass which I have presumptuously attempted to + describe in the preceding stanzas, there was no mode of issuing out of the + defile called the Trosachs, excepting by a sort of ladder, composed of the + branches and roots of trees" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 263. Loch Katrine. In a note to The Fair Maid of Perth, Scott derives the + name from the Catterans, or Highland robbers, that once infested the + shores of the lake. Others make it "the Lake of the Battle," in memory of + some prehistoric conflict. + </p> + <p> + 267. Livelier. Because in motion; like living gold above. + </p> + <p> + 270. Benvenue. See on 97 above. + </p> + <p> + 271. Down to. Most editions misprint "down on." + </p> + <p> + 272. Confusedly. A trisyllable; as in ii. 161 below, and in the Lay, iii. + 337: "And helms and plumes, confusedly tossed." + </p> + <p> + 274. Wildering. Bewildering. Cf. Dryden, Aurungzebe, i. 1: "wilder'd in + the way," etc. See also 434 and v. 22 below. + </p> + <p> + 275. His ruined sides, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "His ruined sides and fragments hoar, + While on the north to middle air." +</pre> + <p> + 277. Ben-an. This mountain, 1800 feet high, is north of the Trosachs, + separating that pass from Glenfinlas. + </p> + <p> + 278. From the steep, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "From the high promontory gazed + The stranger, awe-struck and amazed." +</pre> + <p> + The Critical Review (Aug. 1820) remarks of this portion of the poem (184 + fol.): "Perhaps the art of landscape-painting in poetry has never been + displayed in higher perfection than in these stanzas, to which rigid + criticism might possibly object that the picture is somewhat too minute, + and that the contemplation of it detains the traveller somewhat too long + from the main purpose of his pilgrimage, but which it would be an act of + the greatest injustice to break into fragments and present by piecemeal. + Not so the magnificent scene which bursts upon the bewildered hunter as he + emerges at length from the dell, and commands at one view the beautiful + expanse of Loch Katrine." + </p> + <p> + 281. Churchman. In its old sense of one holding high office in the church. + Cf. Shakespeare, 2 Hen. VI. i. 3. 72, where Cardinal Beaufort is called + "the imperious churchman," etc. + </p> + <p> + 285. Cloister. Monastery; originally, the covered walk around the inner + court of the building. + </p> + <p> + 287. Chide. Here, figuratively, in the modern sense. See in 151 above. + </p> + <p> + 290. Should lave. The 1st ed. has "did lave," which is perhaps to be + preferred. + </p> + <p> + 294. While the deep peal's. For the measure, see on 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 300. To friendly feast, etc. The MS. has "To hospitable feast and hall." + </p> + <p> + 302. Beshrew. May evil befall (see on shrewdly, 84 above); a mild + imprecation, often used playfully and even tenderly. Cf. Shakespeare, 2 + Hen. IV. ii. 3. 45: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Beshrew your heart, + Fair daughter, you do draw my spirits from me + With new lamenting ancient oversights!" +</pre> + <p> + 305. Some mossy bank, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And hollow trunk of some old tree + My chamber for the night must be." +</pre> + <p> + 313. Highland plunderers. "The clans who inhabited the romantic regions in + the neighborhood of Loch Katrine were, even until a late period, much + addicted to predatory excursions upon their Lowland neighbors" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 317. Fall the worst. If the worst befall that can happen. Cf. Shakespeare, + M. of V. i. 2. 96: "an the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make + shift to go without him." + </p> + <p> + 319. But scarce again, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The bugle shrill again he wound, + And lo! forth starting at the sound;" +</pre> + <p> + and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A little skiff shot to the bay. + The hunter left his airy stand, + And when the boat had touched the sand, + Concealed he stood amid the brake, + To view this Lady of the Lake." +</pre> + <p> + 336. Strain. The 1st ed. has a comma after strain, and a period after art + in 340. The ed. of 1821 points as in the text. + </p> + <p> + 342. Naiad. Water nymph. + </p> + <p> + 343. And ne'er did Grecian chisel, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A finer form, a fairer face, + Had never marble Nymph or Grace, + That boasts the Grecian chisel's trace;" +</pre> + <p> + and in 359 below, "a stranger tongue." + </p> + <p> + 353. Measured mood. The formal manner required by court etiquette. + </p> + <p> + 360. Dear. This is the reading of the 1st ed. and almost every other that + we have seen. We are inclined, however, to believe that Scott wrote + "clear." The facsimiles of his handwriting show that his d's and cl's + might easily be confounded by a compositor. + </p> + <p> + 363. Snood. The fillet or ribbon with which the Scotch maidens bound their + hair. See on iii. 114 below. It is the rich materials of snood, plaid, and + brooch that betray her birth. + </p> + <p> + The rhyme of plaid with maid and betrayed is not imperfect, the Scottish + pronunciation of plaid being like our played. + </p> + <p> + 385. One only. For the inversion, cf. Shakespeare, J. C. i. 2. 157: "When + there is in it but one only man;" Goldsmith, D. V. 39: "One only master + grasps the whole domain," etc. + </p> + <p> + 393. Awhile she paused, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A space she paused, no answer came,— + 'Alpine, was thine the blast?' the name + Less resolutely uttered fell, + The echoes could not catch the swell. + 'Nor foe nor friend,' the stranger said, + Advancing from the hazel shade. + The startled maid, with hasty oar, + Pushed her light shallop from the shore." +</pre> + <p> + and just below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "So o'er the lake the swan would spring, + Then turn to prune its ruffled wing." +</pre> + <p> + 404. Prune. Pick out damaged feathers and arrange the plumage with the + bill. Cf. Shakespeare, Cymb. v. 4. 118: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "his royal bird + Prunes the immortal wing," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 408. Wont. Are wont, or accustomed; now used only in the participle. The + form here is the past tense of the obsolete won, or wone, to dwell. The + present is found in Milton, P. L. vii. 457: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "As from his lair the wild beast, where he wons + In forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den." +</pre> + <p> + Cf. Spenser, Virgil's Gnat: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Of Poets Prince, whether we woon beside + Faire Xanthus sprincled with Chimaeras blood, + Or in the woods of Astery abide;" +</pre> + <p> + and Colin Clouts Come Home Againe: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I weened sure he was out God alone, + And only woond in fields and forests here." +</pre> + <p> + See also iv. 278 and 298 below. + </p> + <p> + 409. Middle age. As James died at the age of thirty (in 1542), this is not + strictly true, but the portrait in other respects is quite accurate. He + was fond of going about disguised, and some of his freaks of this kind are + pleasantly related in Scott's Tales of a Grandfather. See on vi. 740 + below. + </p> + <p> + 425. Slighting, etc. "Treating lightly his need of food and shelter." + </p> + <p> + 432. At length. The 1st ed. has "at last." + </p> + <p> + 433. That Highland halls were, etc. The MS. has "Her father's hall was," + etc. + </p> + <p> + 434. Wildered. See on 274 above. + </p> + <p> + 438. A couch. That is, the heather for it. Cf. 666 below. + </p> + <p> + 441. Mere. Lake; as in Windermere, etc. + </p> + <p> + 443. Rood. Cross, or crucifix. By the rood was a common oath; so by the + holy rood, as in Shakespeare, Rich. III. iii. 2. 77, iv. 4. 165. Cf. the + name of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. See ii. 221 below. + </p> + <p> + 451. Romantic. The MS. has "enchanting." + </p> + <p> + 457. Yesternight. We have lost this word, though we retain yesterday. Cf. + yester-morn in v. 104 below. As far = as far back as. + </p> + <p> + 460. Was on, etc. The MS. reads: "Is often on the future bent." If force + of evidence could authorize us to believe facts inconsistent with the + general laws of nature, enough might be produced in favor of the existence + of the second-sight. It is called in Gaelic Taishitaraugh, from Taish, an + unreal or shadowy appearance; and those possessed of the faculty are + called Taishatrin, which may be aptly translated visionaries. Martin, a + steady believer in the second-sight, gives the following account of it:— + </p> + <p> + 'The second-sight is a singular faculty of seeing an otherwise invisible + object without any previous means used by the person that uses if for that + end: the vision makes such a lively impression upon the seers, that they + neither see nor think of any thing else, except the vision, as long as it + continues; and then they appear pensive or jovial, according to the object + that was represented to them. + </p> + <p> + 'At the sight of a vision, the eyelids of the person are erected, and the + eyes continue staring until the object vanish. This is obvious to others + who are by when the persons happen to see a vision, and occurred more than + once to my own observation, and to others that were with me.... + </p> + <p> + 'If a woman is seen standing at a man's left hand, it is a presage that + she will be his wife, whether they be married to others, or unmarried at + the time of the apparition. + </p> + <p> + 'To see a spark of fire fall upon one's arm or breast is a forerunner of a + dead child to be seen in the arms of those persons; of which there are + several fresh instances.... + </p> + <p> + 'To see a seat empty at the time of one's sitting in it, is a presage of + that person's death soon after' (Martin's Description of the Western + Islands, 1716, 8vo, p. 300, et seq.). + </p> + <p> + "To these particulars innumerable examples might be added, all attested by + grave and credible authors. But, in despite of evidence which neither + Bacon, Boyle, nor Johnson were able to resist, the Taish, with all its + visionary properties, seems to be now universally abandoned to the use of + poetry. The exquisitely beautiful poem of Lochiel will at once occur to + the recollection of every reader" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 462. Birchen. Shaded by birches. Cf. Milton's "cedarn alleys" in Comus, + 990. + </p> + <p> + 464. Lincoln green. A cloth made in Lincoln, much worn by hunters. + </p> + <p> + 467. Heron. The early eds. have "heron's." + </p> + <p> + 475. Errant-knight. Knight-errant. + </p> + <p> + 476. Sooth. True. We find soothest in Milton, Comus, 823. The noun sooth + (truth) is more common, and still survives in soothsayer (teller of hidden + truth). Cf. v. 64 below. + </p> + <p> + 478. Emprise. Enterprise. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 7. 39: "But give me leave + to follow my emprise," etc. + </p> + <p> + 485. His noble hand. The MS. has "This gentle hand;" and in the next line, + "the oars he drew." + </p> + <p> + 490. Frequent. Often; one of the many instances of the adjective used + adverbially in the poem. + </p> + <p> + 492. The rocky isle. It is still known as Ellen's Isle. "It is rather + high, and irregularly pyramidal. It is mostly composed of dark-gray rocks, + mottled with pale and gray lichens, peeping out here and there amid trees + that mantle them,—chiefly light, graceful birches, intermingled with + red-berried mountain ashes and a few dark-green, spiry pines. The landing + is beneath an aged oak; and, as did the Lady and the Knight, the traveller + now ascends 'a clambering unsuspected road,' by rude steps, to the small + irregular summit of the island. A more poetic, romantic retreat could + hardly be imagined: it is unique. It is completely hidden, not only by the + trees, but also by an undergrowth of beautiful and abundant ferns and the + loveliest of heather" (Hunnewell's Lands of Scott). + </p> + <p> + 500. Winded. Wound; used for the sake of the measure, as in v. 22 below. + We find the participle winded in Much Ado, i. 1. 243; but it is = blown. + The verb in that sense is derived from the noun wind (air in motion), and + has no connection with wind, to turn. Cf. Wb. + </p> + <p> + 504. Here for retreat, etc. Scott has the following note here: "The Celtic + chieftains, whose lives were continually exposed to peril, had usually, in + the most retired spot of their domains, some place of retreat for the hour + of necessity, which, as circumstances would admit, was a tower, a cavern, + or a rustic hut, in a strong and secluded situation. One of these last + gave refuge to the unfortunate Charles Edward, in his perilous wanderings + after the battle of Culloden. + </p> + <p> + "It was situated in the face of a very rough, high, and rocky mountain, + called Letternilichk, still a part of Benalder, full of great stones and + crevices, and some scattered wood interspersed. The habitation called the + Cage, in the face of that mountain, was within a small thick bush of wood. + There were first some rows of trees laid down, in order to level the floor + for a habitation; and as the place was steep, this raised the lower side + to an equal height with the other: and these trees, in the way of joists + or planks, were levelled with earth and gravel. There were betwixt the + trees, growing naturally on their own roots, some stakes fixed in the + earth, which, with the trees, were interwoven with ropes, made of heath + and birch twigs, up to the top of the Cage, it being of a round or rather + oval shape; and the whole thatched and covered over with fog. The whole + fabric hung, as it were, by a large tree, which reclined from the one end, + all along the roof, to the other, and which gave it the name of the Cage; + and by chance there happened to be two stones at a small distance from one + another, in the side next the precipice, resembling the pillars of a + chimney, where the fire was placed. The smoke had its vent out here, all + along the fall of the rock, which was so much of the same color, that one + could discover no difference in the clearest day' (Home's History of the + Rebellion, Lond. 1802, 4to, p. 381)." + </p> + <p> + 525. Idoean vine. Some have taken this to refer to the "red whortleberry," + the botanical name of which is Vaccinium vitis Idoea; but as that is not a + climber, it is more probably that the common vine is here meant. Idoean is + from Ida, a mountain near ancient Troy (there was another in Crete), + famous for its vines. + </p> + <p> + 526. Clematis. The Climatis vitalba, one of the popular English names of + which is virgin-bower. + </p> + <p> + 528. And every favored plant could bear. That is, which could endure. This + ellipsis of the relative was very common in Elizabethan English. Cf. + Shakespeare, M. for M. ii. 2. 23: "I have a brother is condemned to die;" + Rich. II. ii. 2. 128: "The hate of those love not the king," etc. See also + John, iii. 11, etc. + </p> + <p> + 532. On heaven and on thy lady call. This is said gayly, or sportively, as + keeping up the idea of a knight-errant. Cf. 475 above. + </p> + <p> + 542. Careless. See on 490 above. + </p> + <p> + 546. Target. Buckler; the targe of iii. 445, etc. See Scott's note on v. + 380 below. + </p> + <p> + 548. Store. Stored, laid up; an obsolete adjective. Cf. iii. 3 below, and + see also on vi. 124. + </p> + <p> + 551. And there the wild-cat's, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There hung the wild-cat's brindled hide, + Above the elk's branched brow and skull, + And frontlet of the forest bull." +</pre> + <p> + 559. Garnish forth. Cf. furnish forth in 442 above. + </p> + <p> + 566. Brook. Bear, endure; now seldom used except with reference to what is + endured against one's will or inclination. It seems to be a favorite word + with Scott. + </p> + <p> + 573. Ferragus or Ascabart. "These two sons of Anak flourished in romantic + fable. The first is well known to the admirers of Ariosto by the name of + Ferrau. He was an antagonist of Orlando, and was at length slain by him in + single combat.... Ascapart, or Ascabart, makes a very material figure in + the History of Bevis of Hampton, by whom he was conquered. His effigies + may be seen guarding one side of the gate at Southampton, while the other + is occupied by Bevis himself" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 580. To whom, though more than kindred knew. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To whom, though more remote her claim, + Young Ellen gave a mother's name." +</pre> + <p> + She was the maternal aunt of Ellen, but was loved as a mother by her, or + more than (such) kindred (usually) knew (in way of affection). + </p> + <p> + 585. Though all unasked, etc. "The Highlanders, who carried hospitality to + a punctilious excess, are said to have considered it as churlish to ask a + stranger his name or lineage before he had taken refreshment. Feuds were + so frequent among them, that a contrary rule would in many cases have + produced the discovery of some circumstance which might have excluded the + guest from the benefit of the assistance he stood in need of" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 591. Snowdoun. An old name of Stirling Castle. See vi. 789 below. + </p> + <p> + 592. Lord of a barren heritage. "By the misfortunes of the earlier + Jameses, and the internal feuds of the Scottish chiefs, the kingly power + had become little more than a name. Each chief was a petty king in his own + district, and gave just so much obedience to the king's authority as + suited his convenience" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 596. Wot. Knows; the present of the obsolete wit (the infinitive to wit is + still use in legal forms), not of weet, as generally stated. See Matzner, + Eng. Gram. i. 382. Cf. Shakespeare, Rich. III. ii. 3. 18: "No, no, good + friends, God wot." He also uses wots (as in Hen. V. iv. 1. 299) and a + participle wotting (in W. T. iii. 2. 77). + </p> + <p> + 602. Require. Request, ask; as in Elizanethan English. Cf. Shakespeare, + Hen. VIII. ii. 4. 144: "In humblest manner I require your highness," etc. + </p> + <p> + 603. The elder lady's mien. The MS. has "the mother's easy mien." + </p> + <p> + 606. Ellen, though more, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ellen, though more her looks betrayed + The simple heart of mountain maid, + In speech and gesture, form and grace, + Showed she was come of gentle race; + 'T was strange, in birth so rude, to find + Such face, such manners, and such mind. + Each anxious hint the stranger gave, + The mother heard with silence grave." +</pre> + <p> + 616. Weird women we, etc. See on 35 above. Weird here = skilled in + witchcraft; like the "weird sisters" of Macbeth. Down = hill (the Gaelic + dun). + </p> + <p> + 622. A harp unseen. Scott has the following note here: "'"They [the + Highlanders] delight much in musicke, but chiefly in harps and clairschoes + of their own fashion. The strings of the clairschoes are made of brasse + wire, and the strings of the harps of sinews; which strings they strike + either with their nayles, growing long, or else with an instrument + appointed for that use. They take great pleasure to decke their harps and + clairschoes with silver and precious stones; the poore ones that cannot + attayne hereunto, decke them with christall. They sing verses prettily + compound, contayning (for the most part) prayses of valiant men. There is + not almost any other argument, whereof their rhymes intreat. They speak + the ancient French language, altered a little." <a href="#linknote-6" + name="linknoteref-6" id="linknoteref-6"><small>6</small></a> + </p> + <p> + "The harp and chairschoes are now only heard of in the Highlands in + ancient song. At what period these instruments ceased to be used, is not + on record; and tradition is silent on this head. But, as Irish harpers + occasionally visited the Highlands and Western Isles till lately, the harp + might have been extant so late as the middle of the present century. Thus + far we know, that from remote times down to the present, harpers were + received as welcome guests, particularly in the Highlands of Scotland; and + so late as the latter end of the sixteenth century, as appears by the + above quotations, the harp was in common use among the natives of the + Western Isles. How it happened that the noisy and inharmonious bagpipe + banished the soft and expressive harp, we cannot say; but certain it is, + that the bagpipe is now the only instrument that obtains universally in + the Highland districts' (Campbell's Journey through North Britain. London, + 1808, 4to, i. 175). + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Gunn, of Edinburgh, has lately published a curious Essay upon the + Harp and Harp Music of the Highlands of Scotland. That the instrument was + once in common use there, is most certain. Cleland numbers an acquaintance + with it among the few accomplishments which his satire allows to the + Highlanders:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'In nothing they're accounted sharp, + Except in bagpipe or in harm.'" +</pre> + <p> + 624. Soldier, rest! etc. The metre of this song is trochaic; that is, the + accents fall regularly on the odd syllables. + </p> + <p> + 631. In slumber dewing. That is, bedewing. For the metaphor, cf. + Shakespeare, Rich. III. iv. 1. 84: "the golden dew of sleep;" and J. C. + ii. 1. 230: "the honey-heavy dew of slumber." + </p> + <p> + 635. Morn of toil, etc. The MS. has "noon of hunger, night of waking;" and + in the next line, "rouse" for reach. + </p> + <p> + 638. Pibroch. "A Highland air, suited to the particular passion which the + musician would either excite or assuage; generally applied to those airs + that are played on the bagpipe before the Highlanders when they go out to + battle" (Jamieson). Here it is put for the bagpipe itself. See also on ii. + 363 below. + </p> + <p> + 642. And the bittern sound his drum. Goldsmith (D. V. 44) calls the bird + "the hollow-sounding bittern;" and in his Animated Nature, he says that of + all the notes of waterfowl "there is none so dismally hollow as the + booming of the bittern." + </p> + <p> + 648. She paused, etc. The MS. has "She paused—but waked again the + lay." + </p> + <p> + 655. The MS. reads: "Slumber sweet our spells shall deal ye;" and in 657: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let our slumbrous spells| avail ye + | beguile ye." +</pre> + <p> + 657. Reveille. The call to rouse troops or huntsmen in the morning. + </p> + <p> + 669. Forest sports. The MS. has "mountain chase." + </p> + <p> + 672. Not Ellens' spell. That is, not even Ellen's spell. On the passage, + cf. Rokeby, i. 2: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Sleep came at length, but with a train + Of feelings true and fancies vain, + Mingling, in wild disorder cast, + The expected future with the past." +</pre> + <p> + 693. Or is it all a vision now? Lockhart quotes here Thomson's Castle of + Indolence: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ye guardian spirits, to whom man is dear, + From these foul demons shield the midnight gloom: + Angels of fancy and love, be near. + And o'er the blank of sleep diffuse a bloom: + Evoke the sacred shades of Greece and Rome, + And let them virtue with a look impart; + But chief, awhile, O! lend us from the tomb + Those long-lost friends for whom in love we smart, + and fill with pious awe and joy-mixt woe the heart. + + "Or are you sportive?—bid the morn of youth + Rise to new light, and beam afresh the days + Of innocence, simplicity, and truth; + To cares estranged, and manhood's thorny ways. + What transport, to retrace our boyish plays, + Our easy bliss, when each thing joy supplied; + The woods, the mountains, and the warbling maze + Of the wild books!" +</pre> + <p> + The Critical Review says of the following stanza (xxxiv): "Such a strange + and romantic dream as may be naturally expected to flow from the + extraordinary events of the day. It might, perhaps, be quoted as one of + Mr. Scott's most successful efforts in descriptive poetry. Some few lines + of it are indeed unrivalled for delicacy and melancholy tenderness." + </p> + <p> + 704. Grisly. Grim, horrible; an obsolete word, much used in old poetry. + Cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 5. 30: "her darke griesly looke;" Shakespeare, 1 + Hen. VI. i. 4. 47: "My grisly countenance made others fly," etc. See also + iv. 322, etc. below. + </p> + <p> + 723. Played, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Played on/ the bosoms of the lake, + / Lock Katrine's still expanse; + The birch, the wild rose, and the broom + Wasted around their rich perfume... + The birch-trees wept in balmy dew; + The aspen slept on Benvenue; + Wild were the heart whose passions' power + Defied the influence of the hour." +</pre> + <p> + 724. Passion's. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; some recent + eds. have "passions'." + </p> + <p> + 738. Orisons. The 1st ed. has "orison" both here and in 740 (the ed. of + 1821 only in the latter); but the word is almost invariably plural, both + in poetry and prose—always in Shakespeare and Milton. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto Second. + </h2> + <p> + 7. A minstrel gray. "That Highland chieftains, to a late period, retained + in their service the bard, as a family officer, admits of very easy proof. + The author of the Letters from the North of Scotland, an officer of + engineers, quartered at Inverness about 1720, who certainly cannot be + deemed a favorable witness, gives the following account of the office, and + of a bard, whom he heard exercise his talent of recitation:—'The + bard is killed in the genealogy of all the Highland families, sometimes + preceptor to the young laird, celebrates in Irish verse the original of + the tribe, the famous warlike actions of the successive heads, and sings + his own lyricks as an opiate to the chief, when indisposed for sleep; but + poets are not equally esteemed and honored in all countries. I happened to + be a witness of the dishonour done to the muse, at the house of one of the + chiefs, where two of these bards were set at a good distance, at the lower + end of a long table, with a parcel of Highlanders of no extraordinary + appearance, over a cup of ale. Poor inspiration! They were not asked to + drink a glass of wine at our table, though the whole company consisted + only of the great man, one of his near relations, and myself. After some + little time, the chief ordered one of them to sing me a Highland song. The + bard readily obeyed, and with a hoarse voice, and in a tune of few various + notes, began, as I was told, one of his own lyricks; and when he had + proceeded to the fourth of fifth stanza, I perceived, by the names of + several persons, glens, and mountains, which I had known or heard of + before, that it was an account of some clan battle. But in his going on, + the chief (who piques himself upon his school-learning) at some particular + passage, bid him cease, and cryed out, "There's nothing like that in + Virgil or Homer." I bowed, and told him I believed so. This you may + believe was very edifying and delightful'" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 15. Than men, etc. "It is evident that the old bard, with his + second-sight, has a glimmering notion who the stranger is. He speaks below + {311} of 'courtly spy,' and James's speech had betrayed a knowledge of the + Douglas" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 20. Battled. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "battle" in most + others. Cf. i. 626 above. + </p> + <p> + 22. Where beauty, etc. The MS. has "At tourneys where the brave resort." + The reference is to the tournaments, "Where," as Milton says (L'Allegro, + 119), + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "throngs of knights and barons bold. + In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold, + With store of ladies, whose bright eyes + Rain influence, and judge the prize + Of wit or arms, while both contend + To win her grace whom all commend." +</pre> + <p> + Cf. 87 below. + </p> + <p> + 26. Love's. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; most eds. have + "love." + </p> + <p> + 29. Plaided. The plaid was properly the dress of a Highlander, though it + was worn also in the Lowlands. + </p> + <p> + 51. The Harper on the islet beach. "This picture is touched with the hand + of the true poet" (Jeffrey). + </p> + <p> + 56. As from. As if from. Cf. 64 and 83 below. This ellipsis was common in + Elizabethan English. Cf. Shakespeare, Macb. ii. 2. 28: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other, + As they had seen me with these hangman's hands." +</pre> + <p> + 65. In the last sound. For the measure, see on i. 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 69. His fleet. That is, of ducks. Cf. i. 239 above. + </p> + <p> + 80. Would scorn. Who would scorn. See on i. 528 above. + </p> + <p> + 84. Turned him. See on i. 142 above, and cf. 106 below. + </p> + <p> + 86. After. Afterwards; as in Shakespeare, Temp. ii. 2. 10: "And after bite + me," etc. The word is not now used adverbially of time, though we may say + "he followed after," etc. The 1st ed. reads "that knight." + </p> + <p> + 94. Parts. Departs; as often in poetry and earlier English. Cf. Goldsmith, + D. V. 171: "Beside the bed where parting life was laid;" Gray, Elegy, 1: + "the knell of parting day," etc. On the other hand, depart was used in the + sense of part. In the Marriage Service "till death us do part" is a + corruption of "till death us depart." Wiclif's Bible, in Matt. xix. 6, has + "therfor a man departe not that thing that God hath ioyned." + </p> + <p> + 103. Another step, etc. The MS. has "The loveliest Lowland fair to spy;" + and the 1st ed. reads "The step of parting fair to spy." + </p> + <p> + 109. The Graeme. Scott has the following note here: "The ancient and + powerful family of Graham (which, for metrical reasons, is here smelled + after the Scottish pronunciation) held extensive possessions in the + counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families can boast of more + historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable characters + in the Scottish annals. Sir John the Graeme, the faithful and undaunted + partaker of the labors and patriotic warfare of Wallace, fell in the + unfortunate field of Falkirk, in 1298. The celebrated Marquis of Montrose, + in whom De Retz saw realized his abstract idea of the heroes of antiquity, + was the second of these worthies. And, not withstanding the severity of + his temper, and the rigor with which he executed the oppressive mandates + of the princes whom he served, I do not hesitate to name as the third, + John Graeme, of Claverhouse, Viscount of Dundee, whose heroic death, in + the arms of victory, may be allowed to cancel the memory of his cruelty to + the non-conformists, during the reigns of Charles II. and James II." + </p> + <p> + 112. Bower. The word meant a chamber (see on i. 217 above), and was often + used of the ladies' apartments in a house. In hall and bower = among men + and women. The words are often thus associated. Cf. Spenser, Astrophel, + 28: "Merily masking both in bowre and hall," etc. + </p> + <p> + 115. Arose. The 1st ed. misprints "Across;" not noted in the Errata. + </p> + <p> + 126. And the proud march. See on i. 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 131. Saint Modan. A Scotch abbot of the 7th century. Scott says here: "I + am not prepared to show that Saint Modan was a performer on the harp. It + was, however, no unsaintly accomplishment; for Saint Dunstan certainly did + play upon that instrument, which retaining, as was natural, a portion of + the sanctity attached to its master's character, announced future events + by its spontaneous sound. 'But labouring once in these mechanic arts for a + devout matrone that had sett him on work, his violl, that hung by him on + the wall, of its own accord, without anie man's helpe, distinctly sounded + this anthime: Gaudent in coelis animae sanctorum qui Christi vestigia sunt + secuti; et quia pro eius amore sanguinem suum fuderunt, ideo cum Christo + gaudent aeternum. Whereat all the companie being much astonished, turned + their eyes from beholding him working, to looke on that strange + accident.... Not long after, manie of the court that hitherunto had born a + kind of fayned friendship towards him, began now greatly to envie at his + progresse and rising in goodness, using manie crooked, backbiting meanes + to diffame his vertues with the black markes of hypocrisie. And the better + to authorise their calumnie, they brought in this that happened in the + violl, affirming it to have been done by art magick. What more? this + wicked rumour encreased, dayly, till the king and others of the nobilitie + taking hould thereof, Dunstan grew odious in their sight. Therefore he + resolued to leaue the court, and goe to Elphegus, surnamed the Bauld, then + bishop of Winchester, who was his cozen. Which his enemies understanding, + they layd wayte for him in the way, and hauing throwne him off his horse, + beate him, and dragged him in the durt in the most miserable manner, + meaning to have slaine him, had not a companie of mastiue dogges, that + came unlookt uppon them, defended and redeemed him from their crueltie. + When with sorrow he was ashamed to see dogges more humane than they. And + giuing thankes to Almightie God, he sensibly againe perceaued that the + tunes of his violl had giuen him a warning of future accidents' (Flower of + the Lives of the most renowned Sainets of England, Scotland, and Ireland, + by the R. Father Hierome Porter. Doway, 1632 4to. tome i. p. 438). + </p> + <p> + "The same supernatural circumstance is alluded to by the anonymous author + of Grim, the Collier of Croydon: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + '——-[Dunstant's harp sounds on the wall.] + 'Forrest. Hark, hark, my lord, the holy abbot's harp + Sounds by itself so hanging on the wall! + 'Dunstan. Unhallow'd man, that scorn'st the sacred rede, + Hark, how the testimony of my truth + Sounds heavenly music with an angel's hand, + To testify Dunstan's integrity, + And prove thy active boast of no effect.'" +</pre> + <p> + 141. Bothwell's bannered hall. The picturesque ruins of Bothwell Castle + stand on the banks of the Clyde, about nine miles above Glasgow. Some + parts of the walls are 14 feet thick, and 60 feet in height. They are + covered with ivy, wild roses, and wall-flowers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The tufted grass lines Bothwell's ancient hall, + The fox peeps cautious from the creviced wall, + Where once proud Murray, Clydesdale's ancient lord, + A mimic sovereign, held the festal board." +</pre> + <p> + 142. Ere Douglases, to ruin driven. Scott says: "The downfall of the + Douglases of the house of Angus, during the reign of James V., is the + event alluded to in the text. The Earl of Angus, it will be remembered, + had married the queen dowager, and availed himself of the right which he + thus acquired, as well as of his extensive power, to retain the king in a + sort of tutelage, which approached very near to captivity. Several open + attempts were made to rescue James from this thraldom, with which he was + well known to be deeply disgusted; but the valor of the Douglases, and + their allies, gave them the victory in every conflict. At length, the + king, while residing at Falkland, contrived to escape by night out of his + own court and palace, and rode full speed to Stirling Castle, where the + governor, who was of the opposite faction, joyfully received him. Being + thus at liberty, James speedily summoned around him such peers as he knew + to be most inimical to the domination of Angus, and laid his complaint + before them, says Pitscottie, 'with great lamentations: showing to them + how he was holding in subjection, thir years bygone, by the Earl of Angus, + and his kin and friends, who oppressed the whole country, and spoiled it, + under the pretence of justice and his authority; and had slain many of his + lieges, kinsmen, and friends, because they would have had it mended at + their hands, and put him at liberty, as he ought to have been, at the + counsel of his whole lords, and not have been subjected and corrected with + no particular men, by the rest of his nobles: Therefore, said he, I + desire, my lords, that I may be satisfied of the said earl, his kin, and + friends; for I avow, that Scotland shall not hold us both, while [i.e. + till] I be revenged on him and his. + </p> + <p> + 'The lords hearing the king's complaint and lamentation, and also the + great rage, fury, and malice, that he bure toward the Earl of Angus, his + kin and friends, they concluded all and thought it best, that he should be + summoned to underly the law; if he fand not caution, nor yet compear + himself, that he should be put to the horn, with all his kin and friends, + so many as were contained in the letters. And further, the lords ordained, + by advice of his majesty, that his brother and friends should be summoned + to find caution to underly the law within a certain day, or else be put to + the horn. But the earl appeared not, nor none for him; and so he was put + to the horn, with all his kin and friends: so many as were contained in + the summons, that compeared not, were banished, and holden traitors to the + king.'" + </p> + <p> + 159. From Tweed to Spey. From the Tweed, the southern boundary of + Scotland, to the Spey, a river far to the north in Invernessshire; that + is, from one end of the land to the other. + </p> + <p> + 170. Reave. Tear away. The participle reft is still used, at least in + poetry. Cf. Shakespeare, V. and A. 766: "Or butcher-sire that reaves his + son of life" (that is, bereaves); Spenser, F. Q. i. 3. 36: "He to him + lept, in minde to reave his life;" Id. ii. 8. 15: "I will him reave of + arms," etc. + </p> + <p> + 178. It drinks, etc. The MS. has "No blither dewdrop cheers the rose." + </p> + <p> + 195, 196. To see... dance. This couplet is not in the MS. + </p> + <p> + 200. The Lady of the Bleeding Heart. The bleeding heart was the cognizance + of the Douglas family. Robert Bruce, on his death-bed, bequeathed his + heart to his friend, the good Lord James, to be borne in war against the + Saracens. "He joined Alphonso, King of Leon and Castile, then at war with + the Moorish chief Osurga, of Granada, and in a keen contest with the + Moslems he flung before him the casket containing the precious relic, + crying out, 'Onward as thou wert wont, thou noble heart, Douglas will + follow thee.' Douglas was slain, but his body was recovered, and also the + precious casket, and in the end Douglas was laid with his ancestors, and + the heart of Bruce deposited in the church of Melrose Abbey" (Burton's + Hist. of Scotland). + </p> + <p> + 201. Fair. The 1st ed. (and probably the MS., though not noted by + Lockhart) has "Gay." + </p> + <p> + 203. Yet is this, etc. The MS. and 1st ed. read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This mossy rock, my friend, to me + Is worth gay chair and canopy." +</pre> + <p> + 205. Footstep. The reading of the 1st and other early eds.; "footsteps" in + recent ones. + </p> + <p> + 206. Strathspey. A Highland dance, which takes its name from the strath, + or broad valley, of the Spey (159 above). + </p> + <p> + 213. Clan-Alpine's pride. "The Siol Alpine, or race of Alpine, includes + several clans who claimed descent from Kenneth McAlpine, an ancient king. + These are the Macgregors, the Grants, the Mackies, the Mackinnans, the + MacNabs, the MacQuarries, and the Macaulays. Their common emblem was the + pine, which is now confined to the Macgregors" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 214. Loch Lomond. This beautiful lake, "the pride of Scottish lakes," is + about 23 miles in length and 5 miles in its greatest breadth. At the + southern end are many islands, one of which, Inch-Cailliach (the Island of + Women, so called from a nunnery that was once upon it), was the + burial-place of Clan-Alpine. See iii. 191 below. + </p> + <p> + 216. A Lennox foray. That is, a raid in the lands of the Lennox family, + bordering on the southern end of Loch Lomond. On the island of + Inch-Murrin, the ruins of Lennox Castle, formerly a residence of the Earls + of Lennox, are still to be seen. There was another of their strongholds on + the shore of the lake near Balloch, where the modern Balloch Castle now + stands. + </p> + <p> + 217. Her glee. The 1st ed. misprints "his glee;" not noted in the Errata. + </p> + <p> + 220. Black Sir Roderick. Roderick Dhu, or the Black, as he was called. + </p> + <p> + 221. In Holy-Rood a knight he slew. That is, in Holyrood Palace. "This was + by no means an uncommon occurrence in the Court of Scotland; nay, the + presence of the sovereign himself scarcely restrained the ferocious and + inveterate feuds which were the perpetual source of bloodshed among the + Scottish nobility" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 223. Courtiers give place, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Courtiers give place with heartless stride + Of the retiring homicide." +</pre> + <p> + 227. Who else, etc. The MS. has the following couplet before this line: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who else dared own the kindred claim + That bound him to thy mother's name?" +</pre> + <p> + 229. The Douglas, etc. Scott says here: "The exiled state of this powerful + race is not exaggerated in this and subsequent passages. The hatred of + James against the race of Douglas was so inveterate, that numerous as + their allies were, and disregarded as the regal authority had usually been + in similar cases, their nearest friends, even in the most remote part of + Scotland, durst not entertain them, unless under the strictest and closest + disguise. James Douglas, son of the banished Earl of Angus, afterwards + well known by the title of Earl of Morton, lurked, during the exile of his + family, in the north of Scotland, under the assumed name of James Innes, + otherwise James the Grieve (i.e. reve or bailiff). 'And as he bore the + name,' says Godscroft, 'so did he also execute the office of a grieve or + overseer of the lands and rents, the corn and cattle of him with whom he + lived.' From the habits of frugality and observation which he acquired in + his humble situation, the historian traces that intimate acquaintance with + popular character which enabled him to rise so high in the state, and that + honorable economy by which he repaired and established the shattered + estates of Angus and Morton (History of the House of Douglas, Edinburgh, + 1743, vol. ii. p. 160)." + </p> + <p> + 235. Guerdon. Reward; now rarely used except in poetry. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. + i. 10. 59: "That glory does to them for guerdon graunt," etc. + </p> + <p> + 236. Dispensation. As Roderick and Ellen were cousins, they could not + marry without a dispensation from the Pope. + </p> + <p> + 251. Orphan. Referring to child, not to she, as its position indicates. + </p> + <p> + 254. Shrouds. Shields, protects. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 1. 6: "And this + faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain" (that is, from the rain). + So the noun = shelter, protection; as in Shakespeare, A. and C. iii. 13. + 71: "put yourself under his shroud," etc. See also on 757 below. + </p> + <p> + 260. Maronnan's cell. "The parish of Kilmaronock, at the eastern extremity + of Loch Lomond, derives its name from a cell, or chapel, dedicated to + Saint Maronock, or Marnock, or Maronnan, about whose sanctity very little + is now remembered" (Scott). Kill = cell; as in Colmekill (Macb. ii. 4. + 33), "the cell of Columba," now known as Icolmkill, or Iona. + </p> + <p> + 270. Bracklinn's thundering wave. This beautiful cascade is on the Keltie, + a mile from Callander. The height of the fall is about fifty feet. "A few + years ago a marriage party of Lowland peasants met with a tragic end here, + two of them having tumbled into the broken, angry waters, where they had + no more chance of life than if they had dropped into the crater of Hecla" + (Black). + </p> + <p> + 271. Save. Unless; here followed by the subjunctive. + </p> + <p> + 274. Claymore. The word means "a large sword" (Gaelic claidheamh, sword, + and more, great). + </p> + <p> + 294. Shadowy plaid and sable plume. Appropriate to Roderick Dhu. See on + 220 above. + </p> + <p> + 303. Woe the while. Woe be to the time, alas the time! Cf. Shakespeare, J. + C. i. 3. 82: "But, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead," etc. See + also on i. 166 above. + </p> + <p> + 306. Tine-man. "Archibald, the third Earl of Douglas, was so unfortunate + in all his enterprises, that he acquired the epithet of 'tine-man,' + because he tined, or lost, his followers in every battle which he fought. + He was vanquished, as every reader must remember, in the bloody battle of + Homildon-hill, near Wooler, where he himself lost an eye, and was made + prisoner by Hotspur. He was no less unfortunate when allied with Percy, + being wounded and taken at the battle of Shrewsbury. He was so + unsuccessful in an attempt to beseige Roxburgh Castle, that it was called + the 'Foul Raid,' or disgraceful expedition. His ill fortune left him + indeed at the battle of Beauge, in France; but it was only to return with + double emphasis at the subsequent action of Vernoil, the last and most + unlucky of his encounters, in which he fell, with the flower of the + Scottish chivalry, then serving as auxiliaries in France, and about two + thousand common soldiers, A.D. 1424" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 307. What time, etc. That is, at the time when Douglas allied himself with + Percy in the rebellion against Henry IV. of England. See Shakespeare, 1 + Hen. IV. + </p> + <p> + 309. Did, self unscabbarded, etc. Scott says here: "The ancient warriors, + whose hope and confidence rested chiefly in their blades, were accustomed + to deduce omens from them, especially from such as were supposed to have + been fabricated by enchanted skill, of which we have various instances in + the romances and legends of the time. The wonderful sword Skofnung, + wielded by the celebrated Hrolf Kraka, was of this description. It was + deposited in the tomb of the monarch at his death, and taken from thence + by Skeggo, a celebrated pirate, who bestowed it upon his son-in-law, + Kormak, with the following curious directions: '"The manner of using it + will appear strange to you. A small bag is attached to it, which take heed + not to violate. Let not the rays of the sun touch the upper part of the + handle, nor unsheathe it, unless thou art ready for battle. But when thou + comest to the place of fight, go aside from the rest, grasp and extend the + sword, and breathe upon it. Then a small worm will creep out of the + handle; lower the handle, that he may more easily return into it." Kormak, + after having received the sword, returned home to his mother. He showed + the sword, and attempted to draw it, as unnecessarily as ineffectually, + for he could not pluck it out of the sheath. His mother, Dalla, exclaimed, + "Do not despise the counsel given to thee, my son." Kormak, however, + repeating his efforts, pressed down the handle with his feet, and tore off + the bag, when Skofung emitted a hollow groan; but still he could not + unsheathe the sword. Kormak then went out with Bessus, whom he had + challenged to fight with him, and drew apart at the place of combat. He + sat down upon the ground, and ungirding the sword, which he bore above his + vestments, did not remember to shield the hilt from the rays of the sun. + In vain he endeavored to draw it, till he placed his foot against the + hilt; then the worm issued from it. But Kormak did not rightly handle the + weapon, in consequence whereof good fortune deserted it. As he unsheathed + Skofnung, it emitted a hollow murmur' (Bartholini de Causis Contemptae a + Danis adhuc Gentilibus Mortis, Libri Tres. Hafniae, 1689, 4to, p. 574). + </p> + <p> + "To the history of this sentient and prescient weapon, I beg leave to add, + from memory, the following legend, for which I cannot produce any better + authority. A young nobleman, of high hopes and fortune, chanced to lose + his way in the town which he inhabited, the capital, if I mistake not, of + a German province. He had accidentally involved himself among the narrow + and winding streets of a suburb, inhabited by the lowest order of the + people, and an approaching thunder-shower determined him to ask a short + refuge in the most decent habitation that was near him. He knocked at the + door, which was opened by a tall man, of a grisly and ferocious aspect, + and sordid dress. The stranger was readily ushered to a chamber, where + swords, scourges, and machines, which seemed to be implements of torture, + were suspended on the wall. One of these swords dropped from its scabbard, + as the nobleman, after a moment's hesitation, crossed the threshold. His + host immediately stared at him with such a marked expression, that the + young man could not help demanding his name and business, and the meaning + of his looking at him so fixedly. 'I am,' answered the man, 'the public + executioner of this city; and the incident you have observed is a sure + augury that I shall, in discharge of my duty, one day cut off your head + with the weapon which has just now spontaneously unsheathed itself.' The + nobleman lost no time in leaving his place of refuge; but, engaging in + some of the plots of the period, was shortly after decapitated by that + very man and instrument. + </p> + <p> + "Lord Lovat is said, by the author of the Letters from Scotland (vol. ii. + p. 214), to have affirmed that a number of swords that hung up in the hall + of the mansion-house, leaped of themselves out of the scabbard at the + instant he was born. The story passed current among his clan, but, like + that of the story I have just quoted, proved an unfortunate omen." + </p> + <p> + 311. If courtly spy hath, etc. The 1st ed. has "If courtly spy, and + harbored," etc. The ed. of 1821 reads "had harbored." + </p> + <p> + 319. Beltane. The first of May, when there was a Celtic festival in honor + of the sun. Beltane = Beal-tein, or the fire of Beal, a Gaelic name for + the sun. It was celebrated by kindling fires on the hill-tops at night, + and other ceremonies, followed by dances, and merry-making. Cf. 410 below. + See also The Lord of the Isles, i. 8: "The shepherd lights his + belane-fire;" and Glenfinlas: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But o'er his hills, in festal day, + How blazed Lord Ronald's beltane-tree!" +</pre> + <p> + 323. But hark! etc. "The moving picture—the effect of the sounds—and + the wild character and strong peculiar nationality of the whole + procession, are given with inimitable spirit and power of expression" + (Jeffrey). + </p> + <p> + 327. The canna's hoary beard. The down of the canna, or cotton-grass. + </p> + <p> + 335. Glengyle. A valley at the northern end of Lock Katrine. + </p> + <p> + 337. Brianchoil. A promontory on the northern shore of the lake. + </p> + <p> + 342. Spears, pikes, and axes. The 1st ed. and that of 1821 have Spears, + but all the recent ones misprint "Spear." The "Globe" ed. has "Spear, + spikes," etc. + </p> + <p> + 343. Tartans. The checkered woollen cloth so much worn in Scotland. + Curiously enough, the name is not Gaelic but French. See Jamieson or Wb. + </p> + <p> + Brave. Fine, beautiful; the same word as the Scottish braw. Cf. + Shakespeare, Sonn. 12. 2: "And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;" + Ham. ii. 2. 312: "This brave o'erhanging firmament," etc. It is often used + of dress, as also is bravery (= finery); as in T. of S. iv. 3. 57: "With + scarfs and fans and double change of bravery." See also Spenser, Mother + Hubberds Tale, 858: "Which oft maintain'd his masters braverie" (that is, + dressed as well as his master). + </p> + <p> + 351. Chanters. The pipes of the bagpipes, to which long ribbons were + attached. + </p> + <p> + 357. The sounds. Misprinted "the sound" in the ed. of 1821, and all the + more recent eds. that we have seen. Cf. 363 below. + </p> + <p> + 363. Those thrilling sounds, etc. Scott says here: "The connoisseurs in + pipe-music affect to discover in a well-composed pibroch, the imitative + sounds of march, conflict, flight, pursuit, and all the 'current of a + heady fight.' To this opinion Dr. Beattie has given his suffrage, in that + following elegant passage:—'A pibroch is a species of tune, + peculiar, I think, to the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland. It is + performed on a bagpipe, and differs totally from all other music. Its + rhythm is so irregular, and its notes, especially in the quick movement, + so mixed and huddled together, that a stranger finds it impossible to + reconcile his ear to it, so as to perceive its modulation. Some of these + pibrochs, being intended to represent a battle, begin with a grave motion, + resembling a march; then gradually quicken into the onset; run off with + noisy confusion, and turbulent rapidity, to imitate the conflict and + pursuit; then swell into a few flourishes of triumphant joy; and perhaps + close with the wild and slow wailings of a funeral procession' (Essay on + Laughter and Ludicrious Composition, chap. iii. note)." + </p> + <p> + 367. Hurrying. Referring to their, or rather to the them implied in that + word. + </p> + <p> + 392. The burden bore. That is, sustained the burden, or chorus, of the + song. Cf. Shakespeare, Temp. i. 2. 381: "And, sweet sprites, the burden + bear." + </p> + <p> + 399. Hail to the Chief, etc. The metre of the song is dactylic; the + accents being on the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th syllables. It is little used + in English. Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade and Longfellow's + Skeleton in Armor are familiar examples of it. + </p> + <p> + 405. Bourgeon. Bud. Cf. Fairfax, Tasso, vii. 76: When first on trees + bourgeon the blossoms soft;" and Tennyson, In Memoriam, 115: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now burgeons every maze of quick + About the flowering squares," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 408. Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu. "Besides his ordinary name and surname, + which were chiefly used in the intercourse with the Lowlands, every + Highland chief had an epithet expressive of his patriarchal dignity as + head of the clan, and which was common to all his predecessors and + successors, as Pharaoh to the kings of Egypt, or Arsaces to those of + Parthia. This name was usually a patronymic, expressive of his descent + from the founder of the family. Thus the Duke of Argyll is called + MacCallum More, or the son of Colin the Great. Sometimes, however, it is + derived from armorial distinctions, or the memory of some great feat; thus + Lord Seaforth, as chief of the Mackenzies, or Clan-Kennet, bears the + epithet of Caber-fae, or Buck's Head, as representative of Colin + Fitzgerald, founder of the family, who saved the Scottish king, when + endangered by a stag. But besides this title, which belonged to his office + and dignity, the chieftain had usually another peculiar to himself, which + distinguished him from the chieftains of the same race. This was sometimes + derived from complexion, as dhu or roy; sometimes from size, as beg or + more; at other times, from some peculiar exploit, or from some peculiarity + of habit or appearance. The line of the text therefore signifies, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Black Roderick, the descendant of Alpine. +</pre> + <p> + "The song itself is intended as an imitation of the jorrams, or boat + songs, of the Highlanders, which were usually composed in honor of a + favorite chief. They are so adapted as to keep time with the sweep of the + oars, and it is easy to distinguish between those intended to be sung to + the oars of a galley, where the stroke is lengthened and doubled, as it + were, and those which were timed to the rowers of an ordinary boat" + (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 410. Beltane. See on 319 above. + </p> + <p> + 415. Roots him. See on i. 142 above. + </p> + <p> + 416. Breadalbane. The district north of Loch Lomond and around Loch Tay. + The seat of the Earl of Breadalbane is Taymouth Castle, near the northern + end of Loch Tay. + </p> + <p> + For Menteith, see on i. 89 above. + </p> + <p> + 419. Glen Fruin. A valley to the southwest of Loch Lomond. The ruins of + the castle of Benuchara, or Bannochar (see on 422 just below), still + overhang the entrance to the glen. + </p> + <p> + Glen Luss is another valley draining into the lake, a few miles from Glen + Fruin, and Ross-dhu is on the shore of the lake, midway between the two. + Here stands a tower, the only remnant of the ancient castle of the family + of Luss, which became merged in that of Colquhoun. + </p> + <p> + 422. The best of Loch Lomond, etc. Scott has the following note here: + </p> + <p> + "The Lennox, as the district is called which encircles the lower extremity + of Loch Lomond, was peculiarly exposed to the incursions of the + mountaineers, who inhabited the inaccessible fastnesses at the upper end + of the lake, and the neighboring district of Loch Katrine. These were + often marked by circumstances of great ferocity, of which the noted + conflict of Glen Fruin is a celebrated instance. This was a clan-battle, + in which the Macgregors, headed by Allaster Macgregor, chief of the clan, + encountered the sept of Colquhouns, commanded by Sir Humphry Colquhoun of + Luss. It is on all hands allowed that the action was desperately fought, + and that the Colquhouns were defeated with slaughter, leaving two hundred + of their name dead upon the field. But popular tradition has added other + horrors to the tale. It is said that Sir Humphry Colquhoun, who was on + horseback, escaped to the Castle of Benechra, or Bannochar, and was next + day dragged out and murdered by the victorious Macgregors in cold blood. + Buchanan of Auchmar, however, speaks of his slaughter as a subsequent + event, and as perpetrated by the Macfarlanes. Again, it is reported that + the Macgregors murdered a number of youths, whom report of the intended + battle had brought to be spectators, and whom the Colquhouns, anxious for + their safety, had shut up in a barn to be out of danger. One account of + the Macgregors denies this circumstance entirely; another ascribes it to + the savage and bloodthirsty disposition of a single individual, the + bastard brother of the Laird of Macgregor, who amused himself with this + second massacre of the innocents, in express disobedience to the chief, by + whom he was left their guardian during the pursuit of the Colquhouns. It + is added that Macgregor bitterly lamented this atrocious action, and + prophesied the ruin which it must bring upon their ancient clan. ... + </p> + <p> + "The consequences of the battle of Glen Fruin were very calamitous to the + family of Macgregor, who had already been considered as an unruly clan. + The widows of the slain Colquhouns, sixty, it is said, in number, appeared + in doleful procession before the king at Stirling, each riding upon a + white palfrey, and bearing in her hand the bloody shirt of her husband + displayed upon a pike. James VI. was so much moved by the complaints of + this 'choir of mourning dames,' that he let loose his vengeance against + the Macgregors without either bounds or moderation. The very name of the + clan was proscribed, and those by whom it had been borne were given up to + sword and fire, and absolutely hunted down by bloodhounds like wild + beasts. Argyll and the Campbells, on the one hand, Montrose, with the + Grahames and Buchanans, on the other, are said to have been the chief + instruments in suppressing this devoted clan. The Laird of Macgregor + surrendered to the former, on condition that he would take him out of + Scottish ground. But, to use Birrel's expression, he kept 'a Highlandman's + promise;' and, although he fulfilled his word to the letter, by carrying + him as far as Berwick, he afterwards brought him back to Edinburgh, where + he was executed with eighteen of his clan (Birrel's Diary, 2d Oct. 1903). + The clan Gregor being thus driven to utter despair, seem to have renounced + the laws from the benefit of which they were excluded, and their + depredations produced new acts of council, confirming the severity of + their proscription, which had only the effect of rendering them still more + united and desperate. It is a most extraordinary proof of the ardent and + invincible spirit of clanship, that notwithstanding the repeated + proscriptions providently ordained by the legislature, 'for the timeous + preventing the disorders and oppression that may fall out by the said name + and clan of Macgregors, and their followers,' they were, in 1715 and 1745, + a potent clan, and continue to subsist as a distinct and numerous race." + </p> + <p> + 426. Leven-glen. The valley of the Leven, which connects Loch Lomond with + the Clyde. + </p> + <p> + 431. The rosebud. That is, Ellen. "Note how this song connects Allan's + forebodings with Roderick's subsequent offer" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 444. And chorus wild, etc. The MS. has "The chorus to the chieftain's + fame." + </p> + <p> + 476. Weeped. The form is used for the rhyme. Cf. note on i. 500 above. + </p> + <p> + 477. Nor while, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue + Her filial greetings eager hung, + Marked not that awe (affection's proof) + Still held yon gentle youth aloof; + No! not till Douglas named his name, + Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. + Then with flushed cheek and downcast eye, + Their greeting was confused and shy." +</pre> + <p> + 495. Bothwell. See on 141 above. + </p> + <p> + 497. Percy's Norman pennon. Taken in the raid which led to the battle of + Otterburn, in Northumberland, in the year 1388, and which forms the theme + of the ballads of Chevy Chase. + </p> + <p> + 501. My pomp. My triumphal procession; the original meaning of pomp. + </p> + <p> + 504. Crescent. The badge of the Buccleuch family (Miss Yonge). + </p> + <p> + 506. Blantyre. A priory, the ruins of which are still to be seen on a + height above the Clyde, opposite Bothwell Castle. + </p> + <p> + 521. The dogs, etc. The MS. has "The dogs with whimpering notes repaid." + </p> + <p> + 525. Unhooded. The falcon was carried on the wrist, with its head covered, + or hooded, until the prey was seen, when it was unhooded for flight. Cf. + vi. 665 below. + </p> + <p> + 526. Trust. Believe me. + </p> + <p> + 527. Like fabled Goddess. The MS. has "Like fabled huntress;" referring of + course to Diana. + </p> + <p> + 534. Stature fair. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "stature + tall" in most of the other eds. + </p> + <p> + 541. The ptarmigan. A white bird. + </p> + <p> + 543. Menteith. See on i. 89 above. + </p> + <p> + 548. Ben Lomond. This is much the highest (3192 feet) of the mountains on + the shores of Loch Lomond. The following lines on the ascent were + scratched upon the window-pane of the old inn at Tarbet a hundred years or + more ago: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Trust not at first a quick adventurous pace; + Six miles its top points gradual from its base; + Up the high rise with panting haste I past, + And gained the long laborious steep at last; + More prudent thou—when once you pass the deep, + With cautious steps and slow ascend the steep." +</pre> + <p> + 549. Not a sob. That is, without panting, or getting out of breath, like + the degenerate modern tourist. + </p> + <p> + 574. Glenfinlas. A wooded valley between Ben-an and Benledi, the entrance + to which is between Lochs Achray and Vennachar. It is the scene of Scott's + ballad, Glenfinlas, or Lord Ronald's Coronach. A mile from the entrance + are the falls of the Hero's Targe. See iv. 84 below. + </p> + <p> + 577. Still a royal ward. Still under age, with the king for guardian. + </p> + <p> + 583. Strath-Endrick. A valley to the southeast of Loch Lomond, drained by + Endrick Water. + </p> + <p> + 584. Peril aught. Incur any peril. Milton uses the verb intransitively in + Reason of Church Government, ii. 3: "it may peril to stain itself." + </p> + <p> + 587. Not in action. The 1st ed. has "nor in action." + </p> + <p> + 594. News. Now generally used as a singular; but in old writers both as + singular and as plural. Cf. Shakespeare, K. John, iii. 4. 164: "at that + news he dies;" and Id. v. 7. 65: "these dead news," etc. + </p> + <p> + 601. As. As if. See on 56 above. + </p> + <p> + 606. Glozing. That glosses over the truth, not plain and outspoken. + Sometimes it means to flatter, or deceive with smooth words; as in + Spenser, F. Q. iii. 8. 14: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For he could well his glozing speeches frame + To such vaine uses that him best became;" +</pre> + <p> + Smith, Sermons (A. D. 1609): "Every smooth tale is not to be believed; and + every glosing tongue is not to be trusted;" Milton, P. L. iii. 93: "his + glozing lies;" Id. ix. 549: "So glozed the Tempter;" Comus, 161: + "well-placed words of glozing courtesy," etc. + </p> + <p> + 615. The King's vindictive pride, etc. Scott says here: "In 1529, James + made a convention at Edinburgh, for the purpose of considering the best + mode of quelling the Border robbers, who, during the license of his + minority, and the troubles which followed, had committed many + exorbitances. Accordingly he assembled a flying army of ten thousand men, + consisting of his principal nobility and their followers, who were + directed to bring their hawks and dogs with them, that the monarch might + refresh himself with sport during the intervals of military execution. + With this array he swept through Ettrick Forest, where he hanged over the + gate of his own castle Piers Cockburn of Henderland, who had prepared, + according to tradition, a feast for his reception. He caused Adam Scott of + Tushiclaw also to be executed, who was distinguished by the title of King + of the Border. But the most noted victim of justice during that expedition + was John Armstrong of Gilnockie, famous in Scottish song, who, confiding + in his own supposed innocence, met the King, with a retinue of thirty-six + persons, all of whom were hanged at Carlenrig, near the source of the + Teviot. The effect of this severity was such, that, as the vulgar + expressed it, 'the rush-bush kept the cow,' and 'thereafter was great + peace and rest a long time, wherethrough the King had great profit; for he + had ten thousand sheep going in the Ettrick Forest in keeping by Andrew + Bell, who made the king as good count of them as they had gone in the + bounds of Fife' (Pitscottie's History, p. 153)." + </p> + <p> + 623. Meggat's mead. The Meggat, or Megget, is a mountain stream flowing + into the Yarrow, a branch of the Etrrick, which is itself a branch of the + Tweed. The Teviot is also a branch of the Tweed. + </p> + <p> + 627. The dales, etc. The MS. has "The dales where clans were wont to + bide." + </p> + <p> + 634. By fate of Border chivalry. Scott says: "James was, in fact, equally + attentive to restrain rapine and feudal oppression in every part of his + dominions. 'The King past to the isles, and there held justice courts, and + punished both thief and traitor according to their demerit. And also he + caused great men to show their holdings, wherethrough he found many of the + said lands in non-entry; the which he confiscate and brought home to his + own use, and afterwards annexed them to the crown, as ye shall hear. Syne + brought many of the great men of the isles captive with him, such as + Mudyart, M'Connel, M'Loyd of the Lewes, M'Neil, M'Lane, M'Intosh, John + Mudyart, M'Kay, M'Kenzie, with many other that I cannot rehearse at this + time. Some of them he put in ward and some in court, and some he took + pledges for good rule in time coming. So he brought the isles, both north + and south, in good rule and peace; wherefore he had great profit, service, + and obedience of people a long time hereafter; and as long as he had the + heads of the country in subjection, they lived in great peace and rest, + and there was great riches and policy by the King's justice' (Pitscottie, + p. 152)." + </p> + <p> + 638. Your counsel. That is, give me your counsel. Streight = strait. + </p> + <p> + 659. The Bleeding Heart. See on 200 above. + </p> + <p> + 662. Quarry. See on i. 127 above. + </p> + <p> + 672. To wife. For wife. Cf. Shakespeare, Temp. ii. 1. 75: "such a paragon + to their queen;" Rich. II. iv. 1. 306: "I have a king here to my + flatterer," etc. See also Matt. iii. 9, Luke, iii. 8, etc. + </p> + <p> + 674. Enow. The old plural of enough; as in Shakespeare, Hen. V. iv. 1. + 240: "we have French quarrels enow," etc. + </p> + <p> + 678. The Links of Forth. The windings of the Forth between Stirling and + Alloa. + </p> + <p> + 679. Stirling's porch. The gate of Stirling Castle. + </p> + <p> + 683. Blench. Start, shrink. + </p> + <p> + 685. Heat. Misprinted "heart" in many eds. + </p> + <p> + 690. From pathless glen. The MS. has "from hill and glen." + </p> + <p> + 692. There are who have. For the ellipsis, cf. Shakespeare, Temp. ii. 1. + 262: "There be that can rule Naples," etc. See also iii. 10 below. + </p> + <p> + 694. That beetled o'er. Cf. Hamlet, i. 4. 71: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles o'er his +base into the sea." +</pre> + <p> + 696. Their dangerous dream. The MS. has "their desperate dream." + </p> + <p> + 702. Battled. Battlemented; as in vi. 7 below. + </p> + <p> + 703. It waved. That it waved; an ellipsis very common in Elizabethan and + earlier English. Cf. 789 below. + </p> + <p> + 708. Astound. Astounded. This contraction of the participle (here used for + the sake of the rhyme) was formerly not uncommon in verbs ending in d and + t. Thus in Shakespeare we find the participles bloat (Ham. iii. 4. 182), + enshield (M. for M. ii. 4. 80), taint (1 Hen. VI. v. 3. 183), etc. + </p> + <p> + 710. Crossing. Conflicting. + </p> + <p> + 716. Ere. The 1st ed. misprints "e'er." + </p> + <p> + 731. Level. Aim; formerly a technical term. Cf. 2 Hen. IV. iii. 2. 286: + "The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife," etc. + </p> + <p> + 747. Nighted. Benighted. It is to be regarded as a contraction of that + word; like lated for belated in Macbeth, iii. 3. 6, etc. Nighted (= dark, + black) in Hamlet, i. 2. 68 ("thy nighted colour") is an adjective formed + from the noun night. + </p> + <p> + 757. Checkered shroud. Tartain plaid. The original meaning of shroud (see + Wb.) was garment. + </p> + <p> + 763. Parting. Departing. See on 94 above. + </p> + <p> + 768. So deep, etc. According to Lockhart, the MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The deep-toned anguish of despair + Flushed, in fierce jealousy, to air;" +</pre> + <p> + but we suspect that "Flushed" should be "Flashed." + </p> + <p> + 774. So lately. At the "Beltane game" (319 above). + </p> + <p> + 781. Thus as they strove, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thus, as they strove, each better hand + Grasped for the dagger or the brand." +</pre> + <p> + 786. I hold, etc. Scott has the following note on the last page of the 1st + ed.: "The author has to apologize for the inadvertent appropriation of a + whole line from the tragedy of Douglas: 'I hold the first who strikes my + foe.'" + </p> + <p> + 789. His daughter's hand, etc. For the ellipsis of that, see on 703 above. + Deemed is often misprinted "doomed." + </p> + <p> + 791. Sullen and slowly, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Sullen and slow the rivals bold + Loosed at his hest their desperate hold, + But either still on other glared," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 795. Brands. A pet word with Scott. Note how often it has been used + already in the poem. + </p> + <p> + 798. As faltered. See on 601 above. + </p> + <p> + 801. Pity 't were, etc. Scott says here: "Hardihood was in every respect + so essential to the character of a Highlander, that the reproach of + effeminacy was the most bitter which could be thrown upon him. Yet it was + sometimes hazarded on what we might presume to think slight grounds. It is + reported of old Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, when upwards of seventy, that + he was surprised by night on a hunting or military expedition. He wrapped + him in his plaid, and lay contentedly down upon the snow, with which the + ground happened to be covered. Among his attendants, who were preparing to + take their rest in the same manner, he observed that one of his grandsons, + for his better accommodation, had rolled a large snow-ball, and placed it + below his head. The wrath of the ancient chief was awakened by a symptom + of what he conceived to be degenerate luxury. 'Out upon thee,' said he, + kicking the frozen bolster from the head which it supported, 'art thou so + effeminate as to need a pillow?' The officer of engineers, whose curious + Letters from the Highlands have been more than once quoted, tells a + similar story of Macdonald of Keppoch, and subjoins the following remarks: + 'This and many other stories are romantick; but there is one thing, that + at first thought might seem very romantick, of which I have been credibly + assured, that when the Highlanders are constrained to lie among the hills, + in cold dry weather, they sometimes soak the plaid in some river or burn + (i.e. brook), and then holding up a corner of it a little above their + heads, they turn themselves round and round, till they are enveloped by + the whole mantle. They then lay themselves down on the heath, upon the + leeward side of some hill, where the wet and the warmth of their bodies + make a steam, like that of a boiling kettle. The wet, they say, keeps them + warm by thickening the stuff, and keeping the wind from penetrating. I + must confess I should have been apt to question this fact, had I not + frequently seen them wet from morning to night, and, even at the beginning + of the rain, not so much as stir a few yards to shelter, but continue in + it without necessity, till they were, as we say, wet through and through. + And that is soon effected by the looseness and spunginess of the plaiding; + but the bonnet is frequently taken off, and wrung like a dishclout, and + then put on again. They have been accustomed from their infancy to be + often wet, and to take the water like spaniels, and this is become a + second nature, and can scarcely be called a hardship to them, insomuch + that I used to say, they seemed to be of the duck kind, and to love water + as well. Though I never saw this preparation for sleep in windy weather, + yet, setting out early in a morning from one of the huts, I have seen the + marks of their lodging, where the ground has been free from rime or snow, + which remained all round the spot where they had lain' (Letters from + Scotland, Lond. 1754, 8vo, ii. p. 108)." + </p> + <p> + 809. His henchman. Scott quotes again the Letters from Scotland (ii. 159): + "This officer is a sort of secretary, and is to be ready, upon all + occasions, to venture his life in defence of his master; and at + drinking-bouts he stands behind his seat, at his haunch, from whence his + title is derived, and watches the conversation, to see if any one offends + his patron. An English officer being in company with a certain chieftain, + and several other Highland gentlemen, near Killichumen, had an argument + with the great man; and both being well warmed with usky [whisky], at last + the dispute grew very hot. A youth who was henchman, not understanding one + word of English, imagined his chief was insulted, and thereupon drew his + pistol from his side, and snapped it at the officer's head; but the pistol + missed fire, otherwise it is more than probable he might have suffered + death from the hand of that little vermin. But it is very disagreeable to + an Englishman over a bottle with the Highlanders, to see every one of them + have his gilly, that is, his servant, standing behind him all the while, + let what will be the subject of conversation." + </p> + <p> + 829. On the morn. Modifying should circle, not the nearer verb had sworn. + </p> + <p> + 831. The Fiery Cross. See on iii. 18 below. + </p> + <p> + 846. Point. Point out, appoint. Cf. Shakespeare, Sonn. 14. 6: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell, + Pointing to each his thunder, rain, and wind." +</pre> + <p> + The word in this and similar passages is generally printed "'point" by + modern editors, but it is not a contraction of appoint. + </p> + <p> + 860. Then plunged, etc. The MS. has "He spoke, and plunged into the tide." + </p> + <p> + 862. Steered him. See on i. 142 above. + </p> + <p> + 865, 866. Darkening... gave. In the 1st ed. these lines are joined to what + precedes, as they evidently should be; in all the more recent eds. they + are joined to what follows. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto Third. + </h2> + <p> + 3. Store. See on i. 548 above. + </p> + <p> + 5. That be. in old English, besides the present tense am, etc., there was + also this form be, from the Anglo-Saxon beon. The 2d person singular was + beest. The 1st and 3d person plural be is often found in Shakespeare and + the Bible. + </p> + <p> + 10. Yet live there still, etc. See on ii. 692 above. + </p> + <p> + 15. What time. Cf. ii. 307 above. + </p> + <p> + 17. The gathering sound. The sound, or signal, for the gathering. The + phrase illustrates the difference between the participle and the verbal + noun (or whatever it may be called) in -ing. Cf. "a laboring man" and "a + laboring day" (Julius Caesar, i. 1. 4); and see our ed. of J. C. p. 126. + </p> + <p> + 18. The Fiery Cross. Scott says here: "When a chieftain designed to summon + his clan, upon any sudden or important emergency, he slew a goat, and + making a cross of any light wood, seared its extremities in the fire, and + extinguished them in the blood of the animal. This was called the Fiery + Cross, also Crean Tarigh, or the Cross of Shame, because disobedience to + what the symbol implied, inferred infamy. It was delivered to a swift and + trusty messenger, who ran full speed with it to the next hamlet, where he + presented it to the principal person, with a single word, implying the + place of rendezvous. He who received the symbol was bound to send it + forward, with equal despatch, to the next village; and thus it passed with + incredible celerity through all the district which owed allegiance to the + chief, and also among his allies and neighbours, if the danger was common + to them. At sight of the Fiery Cross, every man, from sixteen years old to + sixty, capable of bearing arms, was obliged instantly to repair, in his + best arms and accoutrements, to the place of rendezvous. He who failed to + appear suffered the extremities of fire and sword, which were + emblematically denounced to the disobedient by the bloody and burnt marks + upon this warlike signal. During the civil war of 1745-6, the Fiery Cross + often made its circuit; and upon one occasion it passed through the whole + district of Breadalbane, a tract of thirty-two miles, in three hours. The + late Alexander Stewart, Esq., of Invernahyle, described to me his having + sent round the Fiery Cross through the district of Appine, during the same + commotion. The coast was threatened by a descent from two English + trigates, and the flower of the young men were with the army of Prince + Charles Edward, then in England; yet the summons was so effectual that + even old age and childhood obeyed it; and a force was collected in a few + hours, so numerous and so enthusiastic, that all attempt at the intended + diversion upon the country of the absent warriors was in prudence + abandoned, as desperate." + </p> + <p> + 19. The Summer dawn's reflected hue, etc. Mr. Ruskin says (Modern + Painters, iii. 278): "And thus Nature becomes dear to Scott in a threefold + way: dear to him, first, as containing those remains or memories of the + past, which he cannot find in cities, and giving hope of Praetorian mound + or knight's grave in every green slope and shade of its desolate places; + dear, secondly, in its moorland liberty, which has for him just as high a + charm as the fenced garden had for the mediaeval;... and dear to him, + finally, in that perfect beauty, denied alike in cities and in men, for + which every modern heart had begun at last to thirst, and Scott's, in its + freshness and power, of all men's most earnestly. + </p> + <p> + "And in this love of beauty, observe that the love of colour is a leading + element, his healthy mind being incapable of losing, under any modern + false teaching, its joy in brilliancy of hue. ... In general, if he does + not mean to say much about things, the one character which he will give is + colour, using it with the most perfect mastery and faithfulness." + </p> + <p> + After giving many illustrations of Scott's use of colour in his poetry, + Ruskin quotes the present passage, which he says is "still more + interesting, because it has no form in it at all except in one word + (chalice), but wholly composes its imagery either of colour, or of that + delicate half-believed life which we have seen to be so important an + element in modern landscape." + </p> + <p> + "Two more considerations," he adds, "are, however, suggested by the above + passage. The first, that the love of natural history, excited by the + continual attention now given to all wild landscape, heightens + reciprocally the interest of that landscape, and becomes an important + element in Scott's description, leading him to finish, down to the + minutest speckling of breast, and slightest shade of attributed emotion, + the portraiture of birds and animals; in strange opposition to Homer's + slightly named 'sea-crows, who have care of the works of the sea,' and + Dante's singing-birds, of undefined species. Compare carefully the 2d and + 3d stanzas of Rokeby. + </p> + <p> + "The second point I have to note is Scott's habit of drawing a slight + moral from every scene,... and that this slight moral is almost always + melancholy. Here he has stopped short without entirely expressing it: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The mountain-shadows.. + ..................... lie + Like future joys to Fancy's eye.' +</pre> + <p> + His completed thought would be, that these future joys, like the + mountain-shadows, were never to be attained. It occurs fully uttered in + many other places. He seems to have been constantly rebuking his own + worldly pride and vanity, but never purposefully: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The foam-globes on her eddies ride, + Thick as the schemes of human pride + That down life's current drive amain, + As frail, as frothy, and as vain.'" +</pre> + <p> + Ruskin adds, among other illustrations, the reference to "foxglove and + nightshade" in i. 218, 219 above. + </p> + <p> + 28. Like future joys, etc. This passage, quoted by Ruskin above, also + illustrates what is comparatively rare in figurative language—taking + the immaterial to exemplify the material. The latter is constantly used to + symbolize or elucidate the former; but one would have to search long in + our modern poetry to find a dozen instances where, as here, the relation + is reversed. Cf. 639 below. We have another example in the second passage + quoted by Ruskin. Cf. also Tennyson's + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "thousand wreaths of dangling water-smoke, + That like a broken purpose waste in air;" +</pre> + <p> + and Shelly's + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Our boat is asleep on Serchio's stream; + Its sails are folded like thoughts in a dream." +</pre> + <p> + 30. Reared. The 1st ed. has "oped." + </p> + <p> + 32. After this line the MS. has the couplet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Invisible in fleecy cloud, + The lark sent down her matins loud," +</pre> + <p> + which reappears in altered form below. + </p> + <p> + 33. Gray mist. The MS. has "light mist." + </p> + <p> + 38. Good-morrow gave, etc. Cf. Byron, Childe Harold: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "and the bills + Of summer-birds sing welcome as ye pass." +</pre> + <p> + 39. Cushat dove. Ring-dove. + </p> + <p> + 46. His impatient blade. Note the "transferred epithet." It is not the + blade that is impatient. + </p> + <p> + 47. Beneath a rock, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Hard by, his vassals' early care + The mystic ritual prepare." +</pre> + <p> + 50. Antiquity. The men of old; "the abstract for the concrete." + </p> + <p> + 59. With her broad shadow, etc. Cf. Longfellow, Maidenhood: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Seest thou shadows sailing by, + As the dove, with startled eye, + Sees the falcon's shadow fly?" +</pre> + <p> + 62. Rowan. The mountain-ash. + </p> + <p> + 71. That monk, of savage form and face. Scott says here: "The state of + religion in the middle ages afforded considerable facilities for those + whose mode of life excluded them from regular worship, to secure, + nevertheless, the ghostly assistance of confessors, perfectly willing to + adapt the nature of their doctrine to the necessities and peculiar + circumstances of their flock. Robin Hood, it is well known, had his + celebrated domestic chaplain Friar Tuck. And that same curtal friar was + probably matched in manners and appearance by the ghostly fathers of the + Tynedale robbers, who are thus described in an excommunication fulminated + against their patrons by Richard Fox, Bishop of Durham, tempore Henrici + VIII.: 'We have further understood, that there are many chaplains in the + said territories of Tynedale and Redesdale, who are public and open + maintainers of concubinage, irregular, suspended, excommunicated, and + interdicted persons, and withal so utterly ignorant of letters, that it + has been found by those who objected this to them, that there were some + who, having celebrated mass for ten years, were still unable to read the + sacramental service. We have also understood there are persons among them + who, although not ordained, do take upon them the offices of priesthood, + and, in contempt of God, celebrate the divine and sacred rites, and + administer the sacraments, not only in sacred and dedicated places, but in + those which are prophane and interdicted, and most wretchedly ruinous, + they themselves being attired in ragged, torn, and most filthy vestments, + altogether unfit to be used in divine, or even in temporal offices. The + which said chaplains do administer sacraments and sacramental rites to the + aforesaid manifest and infamous thieves, robbers, depredators, receivers + of stolen goods, and plunderers, and that without restitution, or + intention to restore, as evinced by the act; and do also openly admit them + to the rites of ecclesiastical sepulchre, without exacting security for + restitution, although they are prohibited from doing so by the sacred + canons, as well as by the institutes of the saints and fathers. All which + infers the heavy peril of their own souls, and is a pernicious example to + the other believers in Christ, as well as no slight, but an aggravated + injury, to the numbers despoiled and plundered of their goods, gear, + herds, and chattels.'" + </p> + <p> + 74. Benharrow. A mountain near the head of Loch Lomond. + </p> + <p> + 77. Brook. See on i. 566 above. + </p> + <p> + 81. The hallowed creed. The Christian creed, as distinguished from heathen + lore. The MS. has "While the blest creed," etc. + </p> + <p> + 85. Bound. That is, of his haunts. + </p> + <p> + 87. Glen or strath. A glen is the deep and narrow valley of a small + stream, a strath the broader one of a river. + </p> + <p> + 89. He prayed, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He prayed, with many a cross between, + And terror took devotion's mien." +</pre> + <p> + 91. Of Brian's birth, etc. Scott says that the legend which follows is not + of his invention, and goes on to show that it is taken with slight + variation from "the geographical collections made by the Laird of + Macfarlane." + </p> + <p> + 102. Bucklered. Served as a buckler to, shielded. + </p> + <p> + 114. Snood. Cf. i. 363 above. Scott has the following note here: "The + snood, or riband, with which as Scottish lass braided her hair, had an + emblematical signification, and applied to her maiden character. It was + exchanged for the curch, toy, or coif, when she passed, by marriage, into + the matron state. But if the damsel was so unfortunate as to lose + pretensions to the name of maiden, without gaining a right to that of + matron, she was neither permitted to use the snood, nor advanced to the + graver dignity of the curch. In old Scottish songs there occur many sly + allusions to such misfortune; as in the old words to the popular tune of + 'Ower the muir amang the heather:' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Down amang the broom, the broom, + Down amang the broom, my dearie, + The lassie lost her silken snood, + That gard her greet till she was wearie.'" +</pre> + <p> + 120. Or... or. For either... or, as often in poetry. + </p> + <p> + 131. Till, frantic, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Till, driven to frenzy, he believed + The legend of his birth received." +</pre> + <p> + 136. The cloister. Here personified as feminine. + </p> + <p> + 138. Sable-lettered. "Black-letter;" the technical term for the "old + English" form of letter, used in the earliest English manuscripts and + books. + </p> + <p> + 142. Cabala. Mysteries. For the original meaning of the word, see Wb. + </p> + <p> + 144. Curious. Inquisitive, prying into hidden things. + </p> + <p> + 148. Hid him. See on i. 142 above. + </p> + <p> + 149. The desert gave him, etc. Scott says here: "In adopting the legend + concerning the birth of the Founder of the Church of Kilmallie, the author + has endeavored to trace the effects which such a belief was likely to + produce, in a barbarous age, on the person to whom it related. It seems + likely that he must have become a fanatic or an impostor, or that mixture + of both which forms a more frequent character than either of them, as + existing separately. In truth, mad persons are frequently more anxious to + impress upon others a faith in their visions, than they are themselves + confirmed in their reality; as, on the other hand, it is difficult for the + most cool-headed impostor long to personate an enthusiast, without in some + degree believing what he is so eager to have believed. It was a natural + attribute of such a character as the supposed hermit, that he should + credit the numerous superstitions with which the minds of ordinary + Highlanders are almost always imbued. A few of these are slightly alluded + to in this stanza. The River Demon, or River-horse, for it is that form + which he commonly assumes, is the Kelpy of the Lowlands, an evil and + malicious spirit, delighting to forebode and to witness calamity. He + frequents most Highland lakes and rivers; and one of his most memorable + exploits was performed upon the banks of Loch Vennachar, in the very + district which forms the scene of our action: it consisted in the + destruction of a funeral procession, with all its attendants. The + 'noontide hag,' called in Gaelic Glas-lich, a tall, emaciated, gigantic + female figure, is supposed in particular to haunt the district of + Knoidart. A goblin dressed in antique armor, and having one hand covered + with blood, called, from that circumstance, Lham-dearg, or Red-hand, is a + tenant of the forests of Glenmore and Rothiemurcus. Other spirits of the + desert, all frightful in shape and malignant in disposition, are believed + to frequent different mountains and glens of the Highlands, where any + unusual appearance, produced by mist, or the strange lights that are + sometimes thrown upon particular objects, never fails to present an + apparition to the imagination of the solitary and melancholy mountaineer." + </p> + <p> + 161. Mankind. Accented on the first syllable; as it is almost invariably + in Shakespeare, except in Timon of Athens, where the modern accent + prevails. Milton uses either accent, as suits the measure. We find both in + P. L. viii. 358: "Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher." + </p> + <p> + 166. Alpine's. Some eds. misprint "Alpine;" also "horsemen" in 172 below. + </p> + <p> + 168. The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The fatal Ben-Shie's dismal scream, + And seen her wrinkled form, the sign + Of woe and death to Alpine's line." +</pre> + <p> + Scott has the following note here: "Most great families in the Highlands + were supposed to have a tutelar, or rather a domestic, spirit, attached to + them, who took an interest in their prosperity, and intimated, by its + wailings, any approaching disaster. That of Grant of Grant was called May + Moullach, and appeared in the form of a girl, who had her arm covered with + hair. Grant of Rothiemurcus had an attendant called Bodach-an-dun, or the + Ghost of the Hill; and many other examples might be mentioned. The + Ben-Shie implies the female fairy whose lamentations were often supposed + to precede the death of a chieftain of particular families. When she is + visible, it is in the form of an old woman, with a blue mantle and + streaming hair. A superstition of the same kind is, I believe, universally + received by the inferior ranks of the native Irish. + </p> + <p> + "The death of the head of a Highland family is also sometimes supposed to + be announced by a chain of lights of different colours, called Dr'eug, or + death of the Druid. The direction which it takes marks the place of the + funeral." [See the Essay on Fairy Superstitions in Scott's Border + Minstrelsy.] + </p> + <p> + 169. Sounds, too, had come, etc. Scott says: "A presage of the kind + alluded to in the text, is still believed to announce death to the ancient + Highland family of M'Lean of Lochbuy. The spirit of an ancestor slain in + battle is heard to gallop along a stony bank, and then to ride thrice + around the family residence, ringing his fairy bridle, and thus intimating + the approaching calamity. How easily the eye as well as the ear may be + deceived upon such occasions, is evident from the stories of armies in the + air, and other spectral phenomena with which history abounds. Such an + apparition is said to have been witnessed upon the side of Southfell + mountain, between Penrith and Keswick, upon the 23d June, 1744, by two + persons, William Lancaster of Blakehills, and Daniel Stricket his servant, + whose attestation to the fact, with a full account of the apparition, + dated the 21st of July, 1745, is printed in Clarke's Survey of the Lakes. + The apparition consisted of several troops of horse moving in regular + order, with a steady rapid motion, making a curved sweep around the fell, + and seeming to the spectators to disappear over the ridge of the mountain. + Many persons witnessed this phenomenon, and observed the last, or last but + one, of the supposed troop, occasionally leave his rank, and pass, at a + gallop, to the front, when he resumed the steady pace. The curious + appearance, making the necessary allowance for imagination, may be perhaps + sufficiently accounted for by optical deception." + </p> + <p> + 171. Shingly. Gravelly, pebbly. + </p> + <p> + 173. Thunderbolt. The 1st ed. has "thunder too." + </p> + <p> + 188. Framed. The reading of the 1st ed.; commonly misprinted "formed," + which occurs in 195. + </p> + <p> + 190. Limbs. The 1st ed. has "limb." + </p> + <p> + 191. Inch-Cailliach. Scott says: "Inch-Cailliach, the Isle of Nuns, or of + Old Women, is a most beautiful island at the lower extremity of Loch + Lomond. The church belonging to the former nunnery was long used as the + place of worship for the parish of Buchanan, but scarce any vestiges of it + now remain. The burial-ground continues to be used, and contains the + family places of sepulture of several neighboring clans. The monuments of + the lairds of Macgregor, and of other families claiming a descent from the + old Scottish King Alpine, are most remarkable. The Highlanders are as + zealous of their rights of sepulture as may be expected from a people + whose whole laws and government, if clanship can be called so, turned upon + the single principle of family descent. 'May his ashes be scattered on the + water,' was one of the deepest and most solemn imprecations which they + used against an enemy." [See a detailed description of the funeral + ceremonies of a Highland chieftain in the Fair Maid of Perth.] + </p> + <p> + 203. Dwelling low. That is, burial-place. + </p> + <p> + 207. Each clansman's execration, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Our warriors, on his worthless bust, + Shall speak disgrace and woe;" +</pre> + <p> + and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Their clattering targets hardly strook; + And first they muttered low." +</pre> + <p> + 212. Stook. One of the old forms of struck. In the early eds. of + Shakespeare, we find struck, stroke, and strook (or strooke) for the past + tense, and all these, together with stricken, strucken, stroken, and + strooken, for the participle. Cf. Milton, Hymn of Nativity, 95: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When such music sweet + Their hearts and ears did greet + As never was by mortal finger strook;" +</pre> + <p> + where, as here, it used for the sake of the rhyme. + </p> + <p> + 214. Then, like the billow, etc. The repetition of the same rhyme here + gives well the cumulative effect of the rising billow. + </p> + <p> + 217. Burst, with load roar. See on i. 73 above; and cf. 227 below. + </p> + <p> + 228. Holiest name. The MS. has "holy name." + </p> + <p> + 245. Mingled with childhood's babbling trill, etc. "The whole of this + stanza is very impressive; the mingling of the children's curses is the + climax of horror. Note the meaning of the triple curse. The cross is of + ancestral yew—the defaulter is cut off from communion with his clan; + it is sealed in the fire—the fire shall destroy his dwelling; it is + dipped in blood—his heart's blood is to be shed" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 253. Coir-Uriskin. See on 622 below. + </p> + <p> + 255. Beala-nam-bo. "The pass of the cattle," on the other side of Benvenue + from the Goblin's Cave; "a magnificent glade, overhung with birch-trees, + by which the cattle, taken in forays, were conveyed within the protection + of the Trosachs" (Black). + </p> + <p> + 279. This sign. That is, the cross. To all, which we should not expect + with bought, was apparently suggested by the antithetical to him in the + preceding line; but if all the editions did not read bought, we might + suspect that Scott wrote brought. + </p> + <p> + 281. The murmur, etc. The MS. has "The slowly muttered deep Amen." + </p> + <p> + 286. The muster-place, etc. The MS. reads "Murlagan is the spot decreed." + </p> + <p> + Lanrick Mead is a meadow at the northwestern end of Loch Vennachar. + </p> + <p> + 300. The dun deer's hide, etc. Scott says: "The present brogue of the + Highlanders is made of half-dried leather, with holes to admit and let out + the water; for walking the moors dry-shod is a matter altogether out of + the question. The ancient buskin was still ruder, being made of undressed + deer's hide, with the hair outwards,—a circumstance which procured + the Highlanders the well-known epithet of Red-shanks. The process is very + accurately described by one Elder (himself a Highlander), in the project + for a union between England and Scotland, addressed to Henry VIII.: 'We go + a-hunting, and after that we have slain red-deer, we flay off the skin by + and by, and setting of our barefoot on the inside thereof, for want of + cunning shoemakers, by your grace's pardon, we play the cobblers, + compassing and measuring so much thereof as shall reach up to our ankles, + pricking the upper part thereof with holes, that the water may repass + where it enters, and stretching it up with a strong thong of the same + above our said ankles. So, and please your noble grace, we make our shoes. + Therefore, we using such manner of shoes, the rough hairy side outwards, + in your grace's dominions of England, we be called Rough-footed Scots' + (Pinkerton's History, vol. ii. p. 397)." + </p> + <p> + Cf. Marmion, v. 5: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The hunted red-deer's undressed hide + Their hairy buskins well supplied." +</pre> + <p> + 304. Steepy. For the word (see also iv. 374 below) and the line, cf. + Shakespeare, T. of A. i. 1. 75: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Bowing his head against the steepy mount + To climb his happiness." +</pre> + <p> + 309. Questing. Seeking its game. Bacon (Adv. of Learning, v. 5) speaks of + "the questing of memory." + </p> + <p> + 310. Scaur. Cliff, precipice; the same word as scar. Cf. Tennyson's Bugle + Song: "O sweet and far, from cliff and scar;" and in the Idyls of the + King: "shingly scaur." + </p> + <p> + 314. Herald of battle, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Dread messenger of fate and fear, + Herald of danger, fate and fear, + Stretch onward in thy fleet career! + Thou track'st not now the stricken doe, + Nor maiden coy through greenwood bough." +</pre> + <p> + 322. Fast as the fatal symbol flies, etc. "The description of the starting + of the Fiery Cross bears more marks of labor than most of Mr. Scott's + poetry, and borders, perhaps, on straining and exaggeration; yet it shows + great power" (Jeffrey). + </p> + <p> + 332. Cheer. In its original sense of countenance, or look. Cf. + Shakespeare, M. N. D. iii. 2. 96: "pale of cheer;" Spenser, F. Q. i. 1. 2: + "But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad;" Dryden, Hind and Panther, + iii. 437: "Till frowning skies began to change their cheer," etc. + </p> + <p> + 333. His scythe. The reading of the 1st and other early eds.; "the scythe" + in more recent ones. + </p> + <p> + 342. Alas, thou lovely lake! etc. "Observe Scott's habit of looking at + nature, neither as dead, nor merely material, nor as altered by his own + feelings; but as having an animation and pathos of its own, wholly + irrespective of human passion—an animation which Scott loves and + sympathizes with, as he would with a fellow creature, forgetting himself + altogether, and subduing his own humanity before what seems to him the + power of the landscape.... Instead of making Nature anywise subordinate to + himself, he makes himself subordinate to HER—follows her lead simply—does + not venture to bring his own cares and thoughts into her pure and quiet + presence—paints her in her simple and universal truth, adding no + result of momentary passion or fancy, and appears, therefore, at first + shallower than other poets, being in reality wider and healthier" + (Ruskin). + </p> + <p> + 344. Bosky. Bushy, woody. Cf. Milton, Comus, 313: "And every bosky bourn + from side to side;" Shakespeare, Temp. iv. i. 81: "My bosky acres and my + unshrubb'd down," etc. + </p> + <p> + 347. Seems for the scene, etc. The MS. has "Seems all too lively and too + loud." + </p> + <p> + 349. Duncraggan's huts. A homestead between Lochs Achray and Vennachar, + near the Brigg of Turk. + </p> + <p> + 355. Shot him. See on i. 142 above. Scott is much given to this + construction. + </p> + <p> + 357. The funeral yell, etc. The MS. has "'T is woman's scream, 't is + childhood's wail." + </p> + <p> + Yell may at first seem too strong a word here, but it is in keeping with + the people and the times described. Besides Scott was familiar with old + English poetry, in which it was often used where a modern writer would + choose another word. Cf. Surrey, Virgil's AEneid: "With wailing great and + women's shrill yelling;" and Gascoigne, De Profundis: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "From depth of doole wherein my soule dooth dwell, + ........... + O gracious God, to thee I crie and yell." +</pre> + <p> + 362. Torch's ray. The 1st ed. reads "torches ray" and supply;" corrected + in the Errata to read as in the text. Most eds. print "torches' ray." + </p> + <p> + 369. Coronach. Scott has the following note here: "The Coronach of the + Highlanders, like the Ululatus of the Romans, and the Ululoo of the Irish, + was a wild expression of lamentation, poured forth by the mourners over + the body of a departed friend. When the words of it were articulate, they + expressed the praises of the deceased, and the loss the clan would sustain + by his death. The following is a lamentation of this kind, literally + translated from the Gaelic, to some of the ideas of which the text stands + indebted. The tune is so popular that it has since become the war-march, + or gathering of the clan. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Coronach on Sir Lauchlan, Chief of Maclean. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Which of all the Senachies + Can trace thy line from the root, up to Paradise, + But Macvuirih, the son of Fergus? + No sooner had thine ancient stately tree + Taken firm root in Albin, + Than one of thy forefathers fell at Harlaw.— + 'T was then we lost a chief of deathless name. + + ''T is no base weed—no planted tree, + Nor a seedling of last Autumn; + Nor a sapling planted at Beltain; <a href="#linknote-7" name="linknoteref-7" + id="linknoteref-7">7</a> + Wide, wide around were spread its lofty branches— + But the topmost bough is lowly laid! + Thou hast forsaken us before Sawaine. <a href="#linknote-8" + name="linknoteref-8" id="linknoteref-8">8</a> +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Thy dwelling is the winter house;— + Loud, sad, and mighty is thy death-song! + Oh! courteous champion of Montrose! + Oh! stately warrior of the Celtic Isles! + Thou shalt buckle thy harness on no more!' +</pre> + <p> + "The coronach has for some years past been suspended at funerals by the + use of the bagpipe; and that also is, like many other Highland + peculiarities, falling into disuse, unless in remote districts." + </p> + <p> + 370. He is gone, etc. As Taylor remarks, the metre of this dirge seems to + be amphibrachic; that is, made up of feet, or metrical divisions, of three + syllables, the second of which is accented. Some of the lines appear to be + anapestic (made up of trisyllabic feet, with the last syllable accented); + but the rhythm of these is amphibrachic; that is, the rhythmic pause is + after the syllable that follows the accent. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "(He) is gone on | the mountain, + {Like) a summer- | dried fountain." +</pre> + <p> + Ten lines out of twenty-four are distinctly amphibrachic, as + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To Duncan | no morrow." +</pre> + <p> + So that it seems best to treat the rest as amphibrachic, with a + superfluous unaccented syllable at the beginning of the line. Taylor adds: + "The song is very carefully divided. To each of the three things, + mountain, forest, fountain, four lines are given, in the order 3, 1, 2." + </p> + <p> + 384. In flushing. In full bloom. Cf. Hamlet, iii. 3. 81: "broad blown, as + flush as May." + </p> + <p> + 386. Correi. A hallow in the side of a hill, where game usually lies. + </p> + <p> + 387. Cumber. Trouble, perplexity. Cf. Fairfax, Tasso ii. 73: "Thus fade + thy helps, and thus thy cumbers spring;" and Sir John Harrington, + Epigrams, i. 94: "without all let [hindrance] or cumber." + </p> + <p> + 388. Red. Bloody, not afraid of the hand-to-hand fight. + </p> + <p> + 394. Stumah. "Faithful; the name of a dog" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 410. Angus, the heir, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Angus, the first of Duncan's line, + Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign, + And then upon his kinsman's bier + Fell Malise's suspended tear. + In haste the stripling to his side + His father's targe and falchion tied." +</pre> + <p> + 439. Hest. Behest, bidding; used only in poetry. Cf. Shakespeare, Temp. + iii. 1. 37: "I have broke your hest to say so;" Id. iv. 1. 65: "at thy + hest," etc. + </p> + <p> + 452. Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, etc. Scott says here: "Inspection of + the provincial map of Perthshire, or any large map of Scotland, will trace + the progress of the signal through the small district of lakes and + mountains, which, in exercise of my imaginary chieftain, and which, at the + period of my romance, was really occupied by a clan who claimed a descent + from Alpine,—a clan the most unfortunate and most persecuted, but + neither the least distinguished, least powerful, nor least brave of the + tribes of the Gael. + </p> + <p> + "The first stage of the Fiery Cross is to Duncraggan, a place near the + Brigg of Turk, where a short stream divides Loch Achray from Loch + Vennachar. From thence, it passes towards Callander, and then, turning to + the left up the pass of Leny, is consigned to Norman at the Chapel of + Saint Bride, which stood on a small and romantic knoll in the middle of + the valley, called Strath-Ire. Tombea and Arnandave, or Adrmandave, are + names of places in the vicinity. The alarm is then supposed to pass along + the Lake of Lubnaig, and through the various glens in the district of + Balquidder, including the neighboring tracts of Glenfinlas and + Strath-Gartney." + </p> + <p> + 453. Strath-Ire. This valley connects Lochs Voil and Lubnaig. The Chapel + of Saint Bride is about half a mile from the southern end of Loch Lubnaig, + on the banks of the River Leny, a branch of the Teith (hence "Teith's + young waters"). The churchyard, with a few remains of the chapel, are all + that now mark the spot. + </p> + <p> + 458. Until, where, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And where a steep and wooded knoll + Graced the dark strath with emerald green." +</pre> + <p> + 465. Though reeled his sympathetic eye. That is, his eye reeled in + sympathy with the movement of the waters—a poetic expression of what + every one has felt when looking into a "dizzily dancing" stream. + </p> + <p> + 478. That morning-tide. That morning time. Tide in this sense is now used + only in a few poetic compounds like eventide, springtide, etc. See iv. 59 + below. For its former use, cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 2. 29: "and rest their + weary limbs a tide;" Id. iii. 6. 21: "that mine may be your paine another + tide," etc. See also Scott's Lay, vi. 50: "Me lists not at this tide + declare." + </p> + <p> + 483. Bridal. Bridal party; used as a collective noun. + </p> + <p> + 485. Coif-clad. Wearing the coif, or curch. See on 114 above; as also for + snooded. + </p> + <p> + 488. Unwitting. Unknowing. Cf. 367 above. For the verb wit, see on i. 596 + above. + </p> + <p> + 495. Kerchief. Curch, which is etymologically the same word, and means a + covering for the head. Some eds. print "'kerchief," as if the word were a + contraction of handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + 508. Muster-place. The 1st ed. has "mustering place;" and in 519 "brooks" + for brook. + </p> + <p> + 510. And must he, etc. The MS. reads: "And must he then exchange the + hand." + </p> + <p> + 528. Lugnaig's lake. loch Lubnaig is about four miles long and a mile + broad, hemmed in by steep, and rugged mountains. The view of Benledi from + the lake is peculiarly grand and impressive. + </p> + <p> + 530. The sickening pang, etc. Cf. The Lord of the Isles, vi. 1: "The + heartsick faintness of the hope delayed." See Prov. xiii. 12. + </p> + <p> + 531. And memory, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And memory brought the torturing train + Of all his morning visions vain; + But mingled with impatience came + The manly love of martial fame." +</pre> + <p> + 541. Brae. The brow or side of a hill. + </p> + <p> + 545. The heath, etc. The metre of the song is the same as that of the + poem, the only variation being in the order of the rhymes. + </p> + <p> + 546. Bracken. Fern; "the Pteris aquilina" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 553. Fancy now. The MS. has "image now." + </p> + <p> + 561. A time will come, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A time will come for love and faith, + For should thy bridegroom yield his breath, + 'T will cheer him in the hour of death, + The boasted right to thee, Mary." +</pre> + <p> + 570. Balquidder. A village near the eastern end of Loch Voil, the + burial-place of Rob Roy and the scene of many of his exploits. The Braes + extend along the north side of the lake and of the Balvaig which flows + into it. + </p> + <p> + Scott says here: "It may be necessary to inform the Southern reader that + the heath on the Scottish moorlands is often set fire to, that the sheep + may have the advantage of the young herbage produced, in room of the tough + old heather plants. This custom (execrated by sportsmen) produces + occasionally the most beautiful nocturnal appearances, similar almost to + the discharge of a volcano. This simile is not new to poetry. The charge + of a warrior, in the fine ballad of Hardyknute, is said to be 'like fire + to heather set.'" + </p> + <p> + 575. Nor faster speeds it, etc. "The eager fidelity with which this fatal + signal is hurried on and obeyed, is represented with great spirit and + felicity" (Jeffrey). + </p> + <p> + 577. Coil. Turmoil. Cf. Shakespeare, Temp. i. 2. 207: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil + Would not infect his reason?" +</pre> + <p> + C. of E. iii. 1. 48: "What a coil is there, Dromio?" etc. + </p> + <p> + 579. Loch Doine. A lakelet just above Loch Voil, and almost forming a part + of it. The epithets sullen and still are peculiarly appropriate to this + valley. "Few places in Scotland have such an air of solitude and + remoteness from the haunts of men" (Black). + </p> + <p> + 582. Strath-Gartney. The north side of the basin of Loch Katrine. + </p> + <p> + 583. Each man might claim. That is, WHO could claim. See on i. 528 above. + </p> + <p> + 600. No law but Roderick Dhu's command. Scott has the following note here: + </p> + <p> + "The deep and implicit respect paid by the Highland clansmen to their + chief, rendered this both a common and a solemn oath. In other respects, + they were like most savage nations, capricious in their ideas concerning + the obligatory power of oaths. One solemn mode of swearing was by kissing + the dirk, imprecating upon themselves death by that, or a similar weapon, + if they broke their vow. But for oaths in the usual form, they are said to + have had little respect. As for the reverence due to the chief, it may be + guessed from the following odd example of a Highland point of honour: + </p> + <p> + 'The clan whereto the above-mentioned tribe belongs, is the only one I + have heard of which is without a chief; that is, being divided into + families, under several chieftains, without any particular patriarch of + the whole name. And this is a great reproach, as may appear from an affair + that fell out at my table, in the Highlands, between one of that name and + a Cameron. The provocation given by the latter was, "Name your chief." The + return of it at once was, "You are a fool." They went out next morning, + but having early notice of it, I sent a small party of soldiers after + them, which, in all probability, prevented some barbarous mischief that + might have ensued; for the chiefless Highlander, who is himself a petty + chieftain, was going to the place appointed with a small-sword and pistol, + whereas the Cameron (an old man) took with him only his broadsword, + according to the agreement. + </p> + <p> + 'When all was over, and I had, at least seemingly, reconciled them, I was + told the words, of which I seemed to think but slightly, were, to one of + the clan, the greatest of all provocations' (Letters from Scotland, vol. + ii. p. 221)." + </p> + <p> + 604. Menteith. See on i. 89 above. + </p> + <p> + 607. Rednock. The ruins of Rednock Castle are about two miles to the north + of Loch Menteith, on the road to Callander. Cardross Castle (in which + Robert Bruce died) was on the banks of the Clyde, a few miles below + Dumbarton. Duchray Castle is a mile south of Lochard. Loch Con, or Chon, + is a lakelet, about three miles northwest from Lochard (into which it + drains) and two miles south of Loch Katrine. + </p> + <p> + 611. Wot ye. Know ye. See on i. 596 above. + </p> + <p> + 622. Coir-nan-Uriskin. Scott has the following note here: "This is a very + steep and most romantic hollow in the mountain of Benvenue, overhanging + the southeastern extremity of Loch Katrine. It is surrounded with + stupendous rocks, and overshadowed with birch-trees, mingled with oaks, + the spontaneous production of the mountain, even where its cliffs appear + denuded of soil. A dale in so wild a situation, and amid a people whose + genius bordered on the romantic, did not remain without appropriate + deities. The name literally implies the Corri, or Den, of the Wild or + Shaggy Men. Perhaps this, as conjectured by Mr. Alexander Campbell + (Journey from Edinburgh, 1802, p. 109), may have originally only implied + its being the haunt of a ferocious banditti. But tradition has ascribed to + the Urisk, who gives name to the cavern, a figure between a goat and a + man; in short, however much the classical reader may be startled, + precisely that of the Grecian Satyr. The Urisk seems not to have + inherited, with the form, the petulance of the silvan deity of the + classics; his occupation, on the contrary, resembled those of Milton's + Lubbar Fiend, or of the Scottish Brownie, though he differed from both in + name and appearance. 'The Urisks,' says Dr. Graham, 'were a sort of + lubberly supernaturals, who, like the Brownies, could be gained over by + kind attention to perform the drudgery of the farm, and it was believed + that many families in the Highlands had one of the order attached to it. + They were supposed to be dispersed over the Highlands, each in his own + wild recess, but the solemn stated meetings of the order were regularly + held in this Cave of Benvenue. This current superstition, no doubt, + alludes to some circumstance in the ancient history of this country' + (Scenery on the Southern Confines of Perthshire, p. 19, 1806). It must be + owned that the Coir, or Den, does not, in its present state, meet our + ideas of a subterraneous grotto or cave, being only a small and narrow + cavity, among huge fragments of rocks rudely piled together. But such a + scene is liable to convulsions of nature which a Lowlander cannot + estimate, and which may have choked up what was originally a cavern. At + least the name and tradition warrant the author of a fictitious tale to + assert its having been such at the remote period in which this scene is + laid." + </p> + <p> + 639. With such a glimpse, etc. See on 28 above. + </p> + <p> + 641. Still. Stillness; the adjective used substantively, for the sake of + the rhyme. + </p> + <p> + 656. Satyrs. "The Urisk, or Highland satyr" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 664. Beal-nam-bo. See on 255 above; and for the measure of the first half + of the line, on i. 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 667. 'Cross. Scott (1st ed.) prints "cross," as in 750 below. + </p> + <p> + 672. A single page, etc. Scott says: "A Highland chief, being as absolute + in his patriarchal authority as any prince, had a corresponding number of + officers attached to his person. He had his body-guards, called + Luichttach, picked from his clan for strength, activity, and entire + devotion to his person. These, according to their deserts, were sure to + share abundantly in the rude profusion of his hospitality. It is recorded, + for example, by tradition, that Allan MacLean, chief of that clan, + happened upon a time to hear one of these favorite retainers observe to + his comrade, that their chief grew old. 'Whence do you infer that?' + replied the other. 'When was it,' rejoined the first, 'that a solider of + Allan's was obliged, as I am now, not only to eat the flesh from the bone, + but even to tear off the inner skin, or filament?' The hint was quite + sufficient, and MacLean next morning, to relieve his followers from such + dire necessity, undertook an inroad on the mainland, the ravage of which + altogether effaced the memory of his former expeditions for the like + purpose. + </p> + <p> + "Our officer of Engineers, so often quoted, has given us a distinct list + of the domestic officers who, independent of Luichttach, or gardes de + corps, belonged to the establishment of a Highland chief. These are, 1. + The Henchman. 2. The Bard. See preceding notes. 3. Bladier, or spokesman. + 4. Gillie-more, or sword-bearer, alluded to in the text. 5. + Gillie-casflue, who carried the chief, if on foot, over the fords. 6. + Gillie-comstraine, who leads the chief's horse. 7. Gillie-Trushanarinsh, + the baggage-man. 8. The piper. 9. The piper's gillie, or attendant, who + carries the bagpipe (Letters from Scotland, vol. ii. p. 158). Although + this appeared, naturally enough, very ridiculous to an English officer, + who considered the master of such a retinue as no more than an English + gentleman of £500 a year, yet in the circumstances of the chief, whose + strength and importance consisted in the number and attachment of his + followers, it was of the last consequence, in point of policy, to have in + his gift subordinate offices, which called immediately round his person + those who were most devoted to him, and, being of value in their + estimation, were also the means of rewarding them." + </p> + <p> + 693. To drown, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To drown his grief in war's wild roar, + Nor think of love and Ellen more." +</pre> + <p> + 713. Ave Maria! etc. "The metrical peculiarity of this song is that the + rhymes of the even lines of the first quatrain (or set of four lines) are + taken up as those of the odd lines in the second, and that they are the + same in all three stanzas" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 722. We now must share. The MS. has "my sire must share;" and in 725 "The + murky grotto's noxious air." + </p> + <p> + 733. Bow us. See on i. 142, and cf. 749 below. + </p> + <p> + 754. Lanrick height. Overlooking Lanrick Mead. See on 286 above. + </p> + <p> + 755. Where mustered, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where broad extending far below, + Mustered Clan-Alpine's martial show." +</pre> + <p> + On the first of these lines, cf. i. 88 above. + </p> + <p> + 773. Yell. See on 357 above. + </p> + <p> + 774. Bochastle's plain. See on i. 106 above. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto Fourth. + </h2> + <p> + 2. And hope, etc. The MS. has "And rapture dearest when obscured by + fears." + </p> + <p> + 5. Wilding. Wild; a rare word, used only in poetry. Cf. Tennyson, Geraint + and Enid: "And like a crag was gay with wilding flowers." Spenser has the + noun (= wild apples) in F. Q. iii. 7. 17: "Oft from the forrest wildings + he did bring," etc. Whom is used on account of the personification. + </p> + <p> + 9. What time. Cf. ii. 307 and iii. 15 above. + </p> + <p> + 19. Braes of Doune. The undulating region between Callander and Doune, on + the north side of the Teith. The Doune of 37 below is the old Castle of + that name, the ruins of which still form a majestic pile on the steep + banks of the Teith. It figures in Waverley as the place where the hero was + confined by the Highlanders. + </p> + <p> + 36. Boune. Prepared, ready; a Scottish word. Cf. 157 and vi. 396 below. + </p> + <p> + 42. Bide. Endure; not to be printed 'bide, as if a contraction of abide. + Cf. Shakespeare, Lear, iii. 4. 29: "That bide the pelting of this pitiless + storm," etc. + </p> + <p> + Bout. Turn (of fortune). + </p> + <p> + 47. Repair. That is, to repair. + </p> + <p> + 55. 'T is well advised. Well thought of, well planned. Cf. advised + careful, well considered; as in M. of V. i. 1. 142: "with more advised + watch," etc. + </p> + <p> + The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Tis well advised—a prudent plan, + Worthy the father of his clan." +</pre> + <p> + 59. Evening-tide. See on iii. 478 above. + </p> + <p> + 63. The Taghairm. Scott says here: "The Highlanders, like all rude people, + had various superstitious modes of inquiring into futurity. One of the + most noted was the Taghairm, mentioned in the text. A person was wrapped + up in the skin of a newly-slain bullock, and deposited beside a waterfall, + or at the bottom of a precipice, or in some other strange, wild, and + unusual situation, where the scenery around him suggested nothing but + objects of horror. In this situation, he revolved in his mind the question + proposed; and whatever was impressed upon him by his exalted imagination, + passed for the inspiration of the disembodied spirits, who haunt these + desolate recesses. In some of the Hebrides they attributed the same + oracular power to a large black stone by the sea-shore, which they + approached with certain solemnities, and considered the first fancy which + came into their own minds, after they did so, to be the undoubted dictate + of the tutelar deity of the stone, and, as such, to be, if possible, + punctually complied with." + </p> + <p> + 68. Gallangad. We do not find this name elsewhere, but it probably belongs + to some part of the district referred to in Scott's note inserted here: "I + know not if it be worth observing that this passage is taken almost + literally from the mouth of an old Highland kern, or Ketteran, as they + were called. He used to narrate the merry doings of the good old time when + he was follower of Rob Roy MacGregor. This leader, on one occasion, + thought proper to make a descent upon the lower part of the Loch Lomond + district, and summoned all the heritors and farmers to meet at the Kirk of + Drymen, to pay him black-mail; i.e., tribute for forbearance and + protection. As this invitation was supported by a band of thirty or forty + stout fellows, only one gentleman, an ancestor, if I mistake not, of the + present Mr. Grahame of Gartmore, ventured to decline compliance. Rob Roy + instantly swept his land of all he could drive away, and among the spoil + was a bull of the old Scottish wild breed, whose ferocity occasioned great + plague to the Ketterans. 'But ere we had reached the Row of Dennan,' said + the old man, 'a child might have scratched his ears.' The circumstance is + a minute one, but it paints the time when the poor beeve was compelled + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'To hoof it o'er as many weary miles, + With goading pikemen hollowing at his heels, + As e'er the bravest antler of the woods' (Ethwald)." +</pre> + <p> + 73. Kerns. The Gaelic and Irish light-armed soldiers, the heavy-armed + being known as gallowglasses. The names are often associated; as in + Macbeth, i. 2. 13: "kerns and gallowglasses;" 2 Hen. VI. iv. 9. 26: + "gallowglasses and stout kerns;" Drayton, Heroical Epist.: "the Kerne and + Irish Galliglasse," etc. + </p> + <p> + 74. Beal'maha. "The pass of the plain," on the east of Loch Lomond, + opposite Inch-Cailliach. In the olden time it was one of the established + roads for making raids into the Lowlands. + </p> + <p> + 77. Dennan's Row. The modern Rowardennan, on Loch Lomond at the foot of + Ben Lomond, and a favorite starting=point for the ascent of that mountain. + </p> + <p> + 82. Boss. Knob; in keeping with Targe. + </p> + <p> + 83. Verge. Pronounced varge, as the rhyme shows. In v. 219 below it has + its ordinary sound; but cf. v. 812. + </p> + <p> + 84. The Hero's Targe. "There is a rock so named in the Forest of + Glenfinlas, by which a tumultuary cataract takes its course. This wild + place is said in former times to have afforded refuge to an outlaw, who + was supplied with provisions by a woman, who lowered them down from the + brink of the precipice above. His water he procured for himself, by + letting down a flagon tied to a string into the black pool beneath the + fall" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 98. Broke. Quartered. Cf. the quotation from Jonson below. Scott says + here: "Everything belonging to the chase was matter of solemnity among our + ancestors; but nothing was more so than the mode of cutting up, or, as it + was technically called, breaking, the slaughtered stag. The forester had + his allotted portion; the hounds had a certain allowance; and, to make the + division as general as possible, the very birds had their share also. + 'There is a little gristle,' says Tubervile, 'which is upon the spoone of + the brisket, which we call the raven's bone; and I have seen in some + places a raven so wont and accustomed to it, that she would never fail to + croak and cry for it all the time you were in breaking up of the deer, and + would not depart till she had it.' In the very ancient metrical romance of + Sir Tristrem, that peerless knight, who is said to have been the very + deviser of all rules of chase, did not omit the ceremony: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The rauen he yaue his yiftes + Sat on the fourched tre.' <a href="#linknote-9" name="linknoteref-9" + id="linknoteref-9">9</a> +</pre> + <p> + "The raven might also challenge his rights by the Book of St. Albans; for + thus says Dame Juliana Berners: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'slitteth anon + The bely to the side, from the corbyn bone; + That is corbyns fee, at the death he will be.' +</pre> + <p> + Jonson, in The Sad Shepherd, gives a more poetical account of the same + ceremony: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Marian. He that undoes him, + Doth cleave the brisket bone, upon the spoon + Of which a little gristle grows—you call it + Robin Hood. The raven's bone. + Marian. Now o'er head sat a raven + On a sere bough, a grown, great bird, and hoarse, + Who, all the while the deer was breaking up, + So croaked and cried for 't, as all the huntsmen, + Especially old Scathlock, thought it ominous.'" +</pre> + <p> + 115. Rouse. Rise, stand erect. Cf. Macbeth, v. 5. 12: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The time has been, my senses would have cool'd + To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair + Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir + As life were in 't." +</pre> + <p> + 119. Mine. Many eds. have "my." + </p> + <p> + 128. Fateful. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "fatal" in some + recent eds. + </p> + <p> + 132. Which spills, etc. The MS. has "Which foremost spills a foeman's + life." + </p> + <p> + "Though this be in the text described as a response of the Taghairm, or + Oracle of the Hide, it was of itself an augury frequently attended to. The + fate of the battle was often anticipated, in the imagination of the + combatants, by observing which party first shed blood. It is said that the + Highlanders under Montrose were so deeply imbued with this notion, that on + the morning of the battle of Tippermoor, they murdered a defenceless + herdsman, whom they found in the fields, merely to secure an advantage of + so much consequence to their party" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 140. A spy. That is, Fitz-James. For has sought, the 1st ed. has "hath + sought." + </p> + <p> + 144. Red Murdoch, etc. The MS. has "The clansman vainly deemed his guide," + etc. + </p> + <p> + 147. Those shall bring him down. For the ellipsis of who, see on i. 528 + above. The MS. has "stab him down." + </p> + <p> + 153. Pale. In the heraldic sense of "a broad perpendicular stripe in an + escutcheon." See Wb. + </p> + <p> + 155. I love to hear, etc Cf. v. 238 below. + </p> + <p> + 156. When move they on? etc. The MS reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'When move they on?' |'This sun | at noon + |'To-day | + 'T is said will see them march from Doune.' + 'To-morrow then |makes| meeting stern.'" + |sees | +</pre> + <p> + 160. Earn. That is, the district about Loch Earn and the river of the same + name flowing from the lake. + </p> + <p> + 164. Shaggy glen. As already stated, Trosachs means bristling. + </p> + <p> + 174. Stance. Station; a Scottish word. + </p> + <p> + 177. Trusty targe. The MS. has "Highland targe." + </p> + <p> + 197. Shifting like flashes, etc. That is, like the Northern Lights. Cf. + the Lay, ii. 86: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And red and bright the streamers light + Were dancing in the glowing north. + ....... + He knew by the streamers that shot so bright + That spirits were riding the northern light." +</pre> + <p> + The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thick as the flashes darted forth + By morrice-dancers of the north; + And saw at morn their |barges ride, + |little fleet, + Close moored by the lone islet's side. + Since this rude race dare not abide + Upon their native mountain side, + 'T is fit that Douglas should provide + For his dear child some safe abode, + And soon he comes to point the road." +</pre> + <p> + 207. No, Allan, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "No, Allan, no! His words so kind + Were but pretexts my fears to blind. + When in such solemn tone and grave + Douglas a parting blessing gave." +</pre> + <p> + 212. Fixed and high. Often misprinted "fixed on high." + </p> + <p> + 215. Stroke. The MS. has "shock," and in the next line "adamantine" for + invulnerable. + </p> + <p> + 223. Trowed. Trusted, believed. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. v. 2. 34: "So much is + more then [than] just to trow." See also Luke, xvii. 9. + </p> + <p> + 231. Cambus-kenneth's fane. Cambus-kenneth Abbey, about a mile from + Stirling, on the other side of the Forth. The massive tower is now the + only part remaining entire. + </p> + <p> + 235. Friends'. Many recent eds. misprint "friend's." + </p> + <p> + 250. Sooth. True. See on i. 476 above. + </p> + <p> + 261. Merry it is, etc. Scott says: "This little fairy tale is founded upon + a very curious Danish ballad which occurs in the Kaempe Viser, a + collection of heroic songs first published in 1591, and reprinted in 1695, + inscribed by Anders Sofrensen, the collector and editor, to Sophia, Queen + of Denmark." + </p> + <p> + The measure is the common ballad-metre, the basis of which is a line of + eight syllables followed by one of six, the even syllables accented, with + the alternate lines rhyming, so as to form a four-line stanza. It is + varied by extra unaccented syllables, and by rhymes within the longer + lines (both of which modifications we have in 263 and 271), and by "double + rhymes" (like singing and ringing). + </p> + <p> + 262. Mavis and merle. Thrush and blackbird. + </p> + <p> + 267. Wold. Open country, as opposed to wood. Cf. Tennyson, In Memoriam, + 11: "Calm and deep peace on this high wold," etc. See also 724 below. + </p> + <p> + 274. Glaive. Broadsword. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. iv. 7. 38: "laying both his + hands upon his glave," etc. See also v. 253 below. + </p> + <p> + 277. Pall. A rich fabric used for making palls, or mantles. Cf. F. Q. i. + 7. 16: "He gave her gold and purple pall to weare." + </p> + <p> + 278. Wont. Were accustomed. See on i. 408 above. + </p> + <p> + 282. 'Twas but, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Twas but a midnight chance; + For blindfold was the battle plied, + And fortune held the lance." +</pre> + <p> + 283. Darkling. In the dark; a poetical word. Cf. Milton, P. L. iii. 39: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "as the wakeful bird + Sings darkling;" +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare, Lear, i. 4. 237: "So out went the candle, and we were left + darkling," etc. See also 711 below. + </p> + <p> + 285. Vair. The fur of the squirrel. See Wb. + </p> + <p> + 286. Sheen. See on i. 208 above. + </p> + <p> + 291. Richard. Here accented on the final syllable. Such license is not + unusual in ballad poetry. + </p> + <p> + 298. Woned. Dwelt. See on i. 408 above. Scott has the following note here: + </p> + <p> + "In a long dissertation upon the Fairy Superstitions, published in the + Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, the most valuable part of which was + supplied by my learned and indefatigable friend, Dr. John Leyden, most of + the circumstances are collected which can throw light upon the popular + belief which even yet prevails respecting them in Scotland. Dr. Grahame, + author of an entertaining work upon the Scenery of the Perthshire + Highlands, already frequently quoted, has recorded with great accuracy the + peculiar tenets held by the Highlanders on this topic, in the vicinity of + Loch Katrine. The learned author is inclined to deduce the whole mythology + from the Druidical system—an opinion to which there are many + objections. + </p> + <p> + 'The Daoine Shi', or Men of Peace, of the Highlanders, though not + absolutely malevolent, are believed to be a peevish, repining race of + beings, who, possessing themselves but a scanty portion of happiness, are + supposed to envy mankind their more complete and substantial enjoyments. + They are supposed to enjoy, in their subterraneous recesses, a sort of + shadowy happiness,—a tinsel grandeur; which, however, they would + willingly exchange for the more solid joys of mortality. + </p> + <p> + 'They are believed to inhabit certain round grassy eminences, where they + celebrate their nocturnal festivities by the light of the moon. About a + mile beyond the source of the Forth, above Loch Con, there is a placed + called Coirshi'an, or the Cove of the Men of Peace, which is still + supposed to be a favorite place of their residence. In the neighborhood + are to be seen many round conical eminences, particularly one near the + head of the lake, by the skirts of which many are still afraid to pass + after sunset. It is believed that if, on Hallow-eve, any person, alone, + goes round one of these hills nine times, towards the left hand + (sinistrorsum) a door shall open, by which he will be admitted into their + subterraneous abodes. Many, it is said, of mortal race have been + entertained in their secret recesses. There they have been received into + the most splendid apartments, and regaled with the most sumptuous banquets + and delicious wines. Their females surpass the daughters of men in beauty. + The seemingly happy inhabitants pass their time in festivity, and in + dancing to notes of the softest music. But unhappy is the mortal who joins + in their joys or ventures to partake of their dainties. By this indulgence + he forfeits for ever the society of men, and is bound down irrevocably to + the condition of Shi'ich, or Man of Peace.'" + </p> + <p> + 301. Why sounds, etc. "It has been already observed that fairies, if not + positively malevolent, are capricious, and easily offended. They are, like + other proprietors of forests, peculiarly jealous of their rights of vert + and venison.... This jealousy was also an attribute of the northern + Duergar, or dwarfs; to many of whose distinctions the fairies seem so have + succeeded, if, indeed, they are not the same class of beings. In the huge + metrical record of German chivalry entitled the Helden-Buch, Sir + Hildebrand, and the other heroes of whom it treats, are engaged in one of + their most desperate adventures, from a rash violation of the rose-garden + of an Elfin or Dwarf King. + </p> + <p> + "There are yet traces of a belief in this worst and most malicious order + of fairies among the Border wilds. Dr. Leyden has introduced such a dwarf + into his ballad entitled The Cout of Keeldar, and has not forgot his + characteristic detestation of the chase. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The third blast that young Keeldar blew, + Still stood the limber fern, + And a wee man, of swarthy hue, + Upstarted by a cairn. + + 'His russet weeds were brown as heath + That clothes the upland fell, + And the hair of his head was frizzy red + As the purple heather-bell. + + 'An urchin, clad in prickles red, + Clung cow'ring to his arm; + The hounds they howl'd, and backward fled, + As struck by fairy charm. + + '"Why rises high the staghound's cry, + Where staghound ne'er should be? + Why wakes that horn the silent morn, + Without the leave of me?"— + + '"Brown Dwarf, that o'er the muirland strays, + Thy name to Keeldar tell!"— + "The Brown Man of the Muirs, who stays + Beneath the heather-bell. + + '"'T is sweet beneath the heather-bell + To live in autumn brown; + And sweet to hear the lav'rock's swell, + Far, far from tower and town. + + '"But woe betide the shrilling horn, + The chase's surly cheer! + And ever that hunter is forlorn + Whom first at morn I hear."' +</pre> + <p> + "The poetical picture here given of the Duergar corresponds exactly with + the following Northumberland legend, with which I was lately favored by my + learned and kind friend, Mr. Surtees of Mainsforth, who has bestowed + indefatigable labor upon the antiquities of the English Border counties. + The subject is in itself so curious, that the length of the note will, I + hope, be pardoned: + </p> + <p> + 'I have only one record to offer of the appearance of our Northumbrian + Duergar. My narratrix is Elizabeth Cockburn, and old wife of Offerton, in + this country, whose credit, in a case of this kind, will not, I hope, be + much impeached when I add that she is by her dull neighbors supposed to be + occasionally insane, but by herself to be at those times endowed with a + faculty of seeing visions and spectral appearances which shun the common + ken. + </p> + <p> + 'In the year before the great rebellion, two young men from Newcastle were + sporting on the high moors above Eldson, and after pursuing their game + several hours, sat down to dine in a green glen near one of the mountain + streams. After their repast, the younger lad ran to the brook for water, + and after stooping to drink, was surprised, on lifting his head again, by + the appearance of a brown dwarf, who stood on a crag covered with + brackens, across the burn. This extraordinary personage did not appear to + be above half the stature of a common man, but was uncommonly stout and + broad-built, having the appearance of vast strength. His dress was + entirely brown, the color of the brackens, and his head covered with + frizzled red hair. His countenance was expressive of the most savage + ferocity, and his eyes glared like a bull. It seems he addressed the young + man first, threatening him with his vengeance for having trespassed on his + demesnes, and asking him if he knew in whose presence he stood? The youth + replied that he now supposed him to be the lord of the moors; that he + offended through ignorance; and offered to bring him the game he had + killed. The dwarf was a little mollified by this submission, but remarked + that nothing could be more offensive to him than such an offer, as he + considered the wild animals as his subjects, and never failed to avenge + their destruction. He condescended further to inform him that he was, like + himself, mortal, though of years far exceeding the lot of common humanity, + and (what I should not have had an idea of) that he hoped for salvation. + He never, he added, fed on anything that had life, but lived in the summer + on whortleberries, and in winter on nuts and apples, of which he had great + store in the woods. Finally, he invited his new acquaintance to accompany + him home and partake his hospitality, an offer which the youth was on the + point of accepting, and was just going to spring across the brook (which + if he had done, says Elizabeth, the dwarf would certainly have torn him in + pieces), when his foot was arrested by the voice of his companion, who + thought he had tarried long, and on looking round again, "the wee brown + man was fled." The story adds that he was imprudent enough to slight the + admonition, and to sport over the moors on his way homewards, but soon + after his return he fell into a lingering disorder, and died within the + year'" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 302. Our moonlight circle's. The MS. has "Our fairy ringlet's." + </p> + <p> + 306. The fairies' fatal green. "As the Daoine Shi', or Men of Peace, wore + green habits, they were supposed to take offence when any mortals ventured + to assume their favorite color. Indeed, from some reason, which has been, + perhaps originally a general superstition, green is held in Scotland to be + unlucky to particular tribes and counties. The Caithness men, who hold + this belief, allege as a reason that their bands wore that color when they + were cut off at the battle of Flodden; and for the same reason they avoid + crossing the Ord on a Monday, being the day of the week on which their + ill-omened array set forth. Green is also disliked by those of the name of + Ogilvy; but more especially it is held fatal to the whole clan of Grahame. + It is remembered of an aged gentleman of that name that when his horse + fell in a fox-chase, he accounted for it at once by observing that the + whipcord attached to his lash was of this unlucky color" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 308. Wert christened man. Scott says: "The Elves were supposed greatly to + envy the privileges acquired by Christian initiation, and they gave to + those mortals who had fallen into their power a certain precedence, + founded upon this advantageous distinction. Tamlane, in the old ballad, + describes his own rank in the fairy procession: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'For I ride on a milk-white steed, + And aye nearest the town; + Because I was a christen'd knight, + They give me that renown.'" +</pre> + <p> + 312. The curse of the sleepless eye. Cf. Macbeth, i. 3. 19: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Sleep shall neither night nor day + Hang upon his pent-house lid," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 313. Part. Depart. See on ii. 94 above. + </p> + <p> + 322. Grisly. See on i. 704 above. + </p> + <p> + 330. Kindly. Kindred, natural. See Wb., and cf. Shakespeare, Much Ado, iv. + 1. 75: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "that fatherly and kindly power + That you have in her," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 345. All is glistening show. "No fact respecting Fairy-land seems to be + better ascertained than the fantastic and illusory nature of their + apparent pleasure and splendour. It has been already noticed in the former + quotations from Dr. Grahame's entertaining volume, and may be confirmed by + the following Highland tradition:—'A woman, whose new-born child had + been conveyed by them into their secret abodes, was also carried thither + herself, to remain, however, only until she should suckle her infant. She + one day, during this period, observed the Shi'ichs busily employed in + mixing various ingredients in a boiling caldron, and as soon as the + composition was prepared, she remarked that they all carefully anointed + their eyes with it, laying the remainder aside for future use. In a moment + when they were all absent, she also attempted to anoint her eyes with the + precious drug, but had time to apply it to one eye only, when the Daoine + Shi' returned. But with that eye she was henceforth enabled to see + everything as it really passed in their secret abodes; she saw every + object, not as she hitherto had done, in deceptive splendour and elegance, + but in its genuine colours and form. The gaudy ornaments of the apartment + were reduced to the walls of a gloomy cavern. Soon after, having + discharged her office, she was dismissed to her own home. Still, however, + she retained the faculty of seeing, with her medicated eye, everything + that was done, anywhere in her presence, by the deceptive art of the + order. One day, amidst a throng of people, she chanced to observe the + Shi'ich, or man of peace, in whose possession she had left her child, + though to every other eye invisible. Prompted by maternal affection, she + inadvertently accosted him, and began to inquire after the welfare of her + child. The man of peace, astonished at being thus recognized by one of + mortal race, demanded how she had been enabled to discover him. Awed by + the terrible frown of his countenance, she acknowledged what she had done. + He spat in her eye, and extinguished it for ever.' + </p> + <p> + "It is very remarkable that this story, translated by Dr. Grahame from + popular Gaelic tradition, is to be found in the Otia Imperialia of Gervase + of Tilbury. [FN #10] A work of great interest might be compiled upon the + original of popular fiction, and the transmission of similar tales from + age to age, and from country to country. The mythology of one period would + then appear to pass into the romance of the next century, and that into + the nursery tale of the subsequent ages. Such an investigation, while it + went greatly to diminish our ideas of the richness of human invention, + would also show that these fictions, however wild and childish, possess + such charms for the populace as enable them to penetrate into countries + unconnected by manners and language, and having no apparent intercourse to + afford the means of transmission. It would carry me far beyond my bounds + to produce instances of fable among nations who never borrowed from each + other any thing intrinsically worth learning. Indeed the wide diffusion of + popular factions may be compared to the facility with which straws and + feathers are dispersed abroad by the wind, while valuable metals cannot be + transported without trouble and labour. There lives, I believe, only one + gentleman whose unlimited acquaintance with this subject might enable him + to do it justice,—I mean my friend Mr. Francis Douce, of the British + Museum, whose usual kindness will, I hope, pardon my mentioning his name + while on a subject so closely connected with his extensive and curious + researches" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 355. Snatched away, etc. "The subjects of Fairy-land were recruited from + the regions of humanity by a sort of crimping system, which extended to + adults as well as to infants. Many of those who were in this world + supposed to have discharged the debt of nature, had only become denizens + of the 'Londe of Faery'" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 357. But wist I, etc. But if I knew, etc. Wist is the past tense of wit + (Matzner). See on i. 596 above. + </p> + <p> + 371. Dunfermline. A town in Fifeshire, 17 miles northwest of Edinburgh. It + was long the residence of the Scottish kings, and the old abbey, which + succeeded Iona as the place of royal sepulture, has been called "the + Westminster of Scotland." Robert Bruce was the last sovereign buried here. + </p> + <p> + 374. Steepy. Cf. iii. 304 above. + </p> + <p> + 376. Lincoln green. See on i. 464 above. + </p> + <p> + 386. Morning-tide. Cf. iii. 478 above. + </p> + <p> + 387. Bourne. Bound, limit. Cf. the quotation from Milton in note on iii. + 344 above. + </p> + <p> + 392. Scathe. Harm, mischief. Spenser uses the word often; as in F. Q. i. + 12, 34: "To worke new woe and improvided scath," etc. Cf. Shakespeare, K. + John, ii. 1. 75: "To do offence and scathe in Christendom;" Rich. III. i. + 3. 317: "To pray for them that have done scathe to us," etc. + </p> + <p> + 393. Kern. See on 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 395. Conjure. In prose we should have to write "conjure him." + </p> + <p> + 403. Yet life I hold, etc. Cf. Julius Caesar, i. 2. 84: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "If it be aught toward the general good, + Set honor in one eye and death i' the other, + And I will look on both indifferently; + For let the gods so speed me as I love + The name of honor more than I fear death." +</pre> + <p> + 411. Near Bochastle. The MS. has "By Cambusmore." See on i. 103 and 106 + above. + </p> + <p> + 413. Bower. Lodging, dwelling. See on i. 217 above. + </p> + <p> + 415. Art. Affectation. + </p> + <p> + 417. Before. That is, at his visit to the Isle. Cf. ii. 96 fol. above. + </p> + <p> + 418. Was idly soothed, etc. The MS. has "Was idly fond thy praise to + hear." + </p> + <p> + 421. Atone. Atone for. Shakespeare uses the verb transitively several + times, but in the sense of reconcile; as in Rich. II. i. 1. 202: "Since we + cannot atone you," etc. Cf. v. 735 below. + </p> + <p> + 433. If yet he is. If he is still living. + </p> + <p> + 437. Train. Lure; as in Macbeth, iv. 3. 118: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Devilish Macbeth + By many of these trains hath sought to win me + Into his power." +</pre> + <p> + Cf. the use of the verb (= allure, entice); as in C. of E. iii. 2. 45: "O, + train me not, sweet mermaid, with thy note;" Scott's Lay, iii. 146: "He + thought to train him to the wood," etc. James was much given to gallantry, + and many of his travels in disguise were on adventures of this kind. See + on i. 409 above and vi. 740 below. + </p> + <p> + 446. As death, etc. As if death, etc. See on ii. 56 above, and cf. 459 + below. + </p> + <p> + 464. This ring. The MS. has "This ring of gold the monarch gave." + </p> + <p> + 471. Lordship. Landed estates. + </p> + <p> + 473. Reck of. Care for; poetical. + </p> + <p> + 474. Ellen, thy hand. The MS. has "Permit this hand;" and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Seek thou the King, and on thy knee + Put forth thy suit, whate'er it be, + As ransom of his pledge to me; + My name and this shall make thy way.' + He put the little signet on," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 492. He stammered, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He stammered forth confused reply: + 'Saxon, | I shouted but to scare + 'Sir Knight, | + Yon raven from his dainty fare.'" +</pre> + <p> + 500. Fared. Went; the original sense of the word. Cf. farewell (which was + at first a friendly wish for "the parting guest"), wayfarer, thoroughfare, + etc. + </p> + <p> + 506. In tattered weeds, etc. The MS. has "Wrapped in a tattered mantle + gray." Weeds is used in the old sense of garments. Cf. Shakespeare, M. N. + D. ii. 1. 256: "Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in;" Id. ii. 2. 71: + "Weeds of Athens he doth wear;" Milton L'Allegro, 120: "In weeds of + peace," etc. See also v. 465 below. + </p> + <p> + 523. In better time. That is, in better times or days; not in the musical + sense. + </p> + <p> + 524. Chime. Accord, sing; a poetical use of the word. Cf. vi. 592 below. + </p> + <p> + 531. Allan. "The Allan and Devan are two beautiful streams—the + latter celebrated in the poetry of Burns—which descend from the + hills of Perthshire into the great carse, or plain, of Stirling" + (Lockhart). + </p> + <p> + 548. 'T is Blanche, etc. The MS. has: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'A Saxon born, a crazy maid— + T is Blanche of Devan,' Murdoch said." +</pre> + <p> + 552. Bridegroom. Here accented on the second syllable. In 682 below it has + the ordinary accent. + </p> + <p> + 555. 'Scapes. The word may be so printed here, but not in Elizabethan + poetry. We find it in prose of that day; as in Bacon, Adv. of L. ii. 14. + 9: "such as had scaped shipwreck." See Wb., and cf. state and estate, etc. + </p> + <p> + 559. Pitched a bar. That is, in athletic contests. Cf. v. 648 below. + </p> + <p> + 562. See the gay pennons, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "With thee these pennons will I share, + Then seek my true love through the air; + But I'll not lend that savage groom, + To break his fall, one downy plume! + Deep, deep, mid yon disjointed stones, + The wolf shall batten his bones." +</pre> + <p> + 567. Batten. Fatten; as in Hamlet, iii. 4. 67: "Batten on this moor." + Milton uses it transitively in Lycidas, 29: "Battening our flocks with the + fresh dews of night." + </p> + <p> + 575. The Lincoln green. "The Lowland garb" (520). Cf. also 376 above. + </p> + <p> + 578. For O my sweet William, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Sweet William was a woodsman true, + He stole poor Blanche's heart away; + His coat was of the forest hue, + And sweet he sung the Lowland Lay." +</pre> + <p> + 590. The toils are pitched. The nets are set. Cf. Shakespeare, L. L. L., + iv. 3. 2: "they have pitched a toil," etc. "The meaning is obvious. The + hunters are Clan-Alpine's men; the stag of ten is Fitz-James; the wounded + doe is herself" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 594. A stag of ten. "Having ten branches on his antlers" (Scott). Nares + says that antlers is an error here, the word meaning "the short brow + horns, not the branched horns;" but see Wb. Cf. Jonson, Sad Shepherd, i. + 2: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Aud a hart of ten, + Madam, I trow to be;" +</pre> + <p> + and Massinger, Emperor of the East, iv. 2: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He'll make you royal sport; he is a deer + Of ten, at least." +</pre> + <p> + 595. Sturdily. As Taylor notes, the "triple rhymes" in this song are "of a + very loose kind." + </p> + <p> + 609. Blanche's song. Jeffrey says: "No machinery can be conceived more + clumsy for effecting the deliverance of a distressed hero than the + introduction of a mad woman, who, without knowing or caring about the + wanderer, warns him by a song to take care of the ambush that was set for + him. The maniacs or poetry have indeed had a prescriptive right to be + musical, since the days of Ophelia downwards; but it is rather a rash + extension of this privilege to make them sing good sense, and to make + sensible people be guided by them." + </p> + <p> + To this Taylor well replied: "This criticism seems unjust. The cruelty of + Roderick's raids in the Lowlands has already been hinted at, and the sight + of the Lowland dress might well stir associations in the poor girl's mind + which would lead her to look to the knight for help and protection and + also to warn him of his danger. It is plain, from Murdoch's surprise, that + her being out of her captors' sight is looked on as dangerous, from which + we may infer that she is not entirely crazed. Her song is not the only + hint that Fitz-James follows. His suspicions had already twice been + excited, so that the episode seems natural enough. As giving a distinct + personal ground for the combat in canto v., it serves the poet's purpose + still further. Without it, we should sympathize too much with the robber + chief, who thinks that 'plundering Lowland field and fold is naught but + retribution true;' but the sight of this sad fruit of his raids wins us + back to the cause of law and order." + </p> + <p> + 614. Forth at full speed, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Forth at full speed the Clansman went, + But in his race his bow he bent, + Halted—and back an arrow sent." +</pre> + <p> + 617. Thrilled. Quivered. + </p> + <p> + 627. Thine ambushed kin, etc. The MS. transposes this line and the next, + and goes on thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Resistless as the lightning's flame, + The thrust betwixt his shoulder came." +</pre> + <p> + Just below it reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The o'er him hung, with falcon eye, + And grimly smiled to see him die." +</pre> + <p> + 642. Daggled. Wet, soaked. Cf. the Lay, i. 316: "Was daggled by the + dashing spray." + </p> + <p> + 649. Helpless. The MS. has "guiltless." + </p> + <p> + 657. Shred. Cut off; a sense now obsolete. Cf. Withal's Dictionary (ed. + 1608): "The superfluous and wast sprigs of vines, being cut and shreaded + off are called sarmenta." + </p> + <p> + 659. My brain, etc. The MS. has "But now, my champion, it shall wave." + </p> + <p> + 672. Wreak. Avenge. Cf. Shakespeare, R. and J. iii. 5. 102: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To wreak the love I bore my cousin + Upon his body that hath slaughter'd him;" +</pre> + <p> + Spenser, F. Q. ii. 3. 13: "to wreak so foule despight;" etc. + </p> + <p> + 679. God, in my need, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "God, in my need, to me be true, + As I wreak this on Roderick Dhu." +</pre> + <p> + 686. Favor. The token of the next line; referring to the knightly custom + of wearing such a gift of lady-love or mistress. Cf. Rich. II. v. 3. 18: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And from the common'st creature pluck a glove, + And wear it as a favour," etc. +</pre> + <p> + See also the Lay, iv. 334: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "With favor in his crest, or glove, + Memorial of his layde-love." +</pre> + <p> + 691. At bay. See on i. 133 above; and for the dangerous foe, cf. the note + on i. 137. + </p> + <p> + 698. Couched him. Lay down. See on i. 142 above. + </p> + <p> + 700. Rash adventures. See on 437 above. + </p> + <p> + 701. Must prove. The 1st ed. has "will prove." + </p> + <p> + 705. Bands at Doune. Cf. 150 above. + </p> + <p> + 711. Darkling. See on 283 above. + </p> + <p> + 722. Not the summer solstice. Not even the heat of the summer. + </p> + <p> + 724. Wold. See on 267 above. + </p> + <p> + 731. Beside its embers, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "By the decaying flame was laid + A warrior in his Highland plaid." +</pre> + <p> + For the rhyme here, see on i. 363 above. Cf. 764 below. + </p> + <p> + 741. I dare, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I dare! to him and all the swarm + He brings to aid his murderous arm." +</pre> + <p> + 746. Slip. A hunter's term for letting loose the greyhounds from the + slips, or nooses, by which they were held until sent after the game. + Tubervile (Art of Venerie) says: "We let slip a greyhound, and we cast off + a hound." Cf. Shakespeare, Cor. i. 6. 39: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, + Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, + To let him slip at will;" +</pre> + <p> + and for the noun, Hen. V. iii. 1. 31: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, + Straining upon the start." +</pre> + <p> + 747. Who ever recked, etc. Scott says: "St. John actually used this + illustration when engaged in confuting the plea of law proposed for the + unfortunate Earl of Strafford: 'It was true, we gave laws to hares and + deer, because they are beasts of chase; but it was never accounted either + cruelty or foul play to knock foxes or wolves on the head as they can be + found, because they are beasts of prey. In a word, the law and humanity + were alike: the one being more fallacious, and the other more barbarous, + than in any age had been vented in such an authority' (Clarendon's History + of the Rebellion)." + </p> + <p> + 762. The hardened flesh of mountain deer. "The Scottish Highlanders, in + former times, had a concise mode of cooking their venison, or rather of + dispensing with cooking it, which appears greatly to have surprised the + French, whom chance made acquainted with it. The Vidame of Chartres, when + a hostage in England, during the reign of Edward VI., was permitted to + travel into Scotland, and penetrated as far as to the remote Highlands (au + fin fond des Sauvages). After a great hunting-party, at which a most + wonderful quantity of game was destroyed, he saw these Scottish savages + devour a part of their venison raw, without any farther preparation than + compressing it between two batons of wood, so as to force out the blood, + and render it extremely hard. This they reckoned a great delicacy; and + when the Vidame partook of it, his compliance with their taste rendered + him extremely popular. This curious trait of manners was communicated by + Mons. de Montmorency, a great friend of the Vidame, to Brantome, by whom + it is recorded in Vies des Hommes Illustres, lxxxix. 14.... After all, it + may be doubted whether la chaire nostree, for so the French called the + venison thus summarily prepared, was anything more than a mere rude kind + of deer ham" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 772. A mighty augury. That of the Taghairm. + </p> + <p> + 777. Not for clan. The 1st ed. has "nor for clan." + </p> + <p> + 785. Stock and stone. Cf. i. 130 above. + </p> + <p> + 787. Coilantogle's ford. On the Teith just below its exit from Loch + Vennachar. + </p> + <p> + 791. The bittern's cry. See on i. 642 above. + </p> + <p> + 797. And slept, etc. The MS. has "streak" and "lake" for beam and stream. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto Fifth. + </h2> + <p> + 1. Fair as the earliest beam, etc. "This introductory stanza is well + worked in with the story. The morning beam 'lights the fearful path on + mountain side' which the two heroes of the poem are to traverse, and the + comparison which it suggest enlists our sympathy for Roderick, who is to + be the victim of defeat" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 5. And lights, etc. The MS. has "And lights the fearful way along its + side." + </p> + <p> + 10. Sheen. See on i. 208. + </p> + <p> + 14. The dappled sky. Cf. Milton, L'Allegro, 44: "Till the dappled dawn + doth rise;" and Shakespeare, Much Ado, v. 3. 25: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "and look, the gentle day, + Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about + Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray." +</pre> + <p> + 15. By. The word is used for the rhyme, but perhaps gives the idea of a + hurry—muttered off the prayers. + </p> + <p> + 16. Steal. The word here is expressive of haste. + </p> + <p> + 18. Gael. "The Scottish Highlander calls himself, Gael, or Gaul, and terms + the Lowlanders Sassenach, or Saxons" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 22. Wildering. Bewildering. See on i. 274 above. For winded, see on i. + 500. + </p> + <p> + 32. Bursting through. That is, as it burst through—"a piece of loose + writing" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 36. At length, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "At length they paced the mountain's side, + And saw beneath the waters wide." +</pre> + <p> + 44. The rugged mountain's scanty cloak, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The rugged mountain's stunted screen + Was dwarfish | shrubs | with cliffs between." + | copse | +</pre> + <p> + 46. Shingles. Gravel or pebbles. See on iii. 171 above. + </p> + <p> + Taylor says: "Note how the details of this description are used in stanza + ix.—shingles, bracken, broom." + </p> + <p> + 51. Dank. Damp, moist. Cf. Shakespeare, R. and J. ii. 3. 6: "and night's + dank dew;" Milton, Sonnet to Mr. Lawrence: "Now that the fields are dank, + and ways are mire," etc. + </p> + <p> + 64. Sooth to tell. To tell the truth. See on i. 476 above. Sooth to say, + to say sooth, in sooth, in good sooth, etc., are common in old writers. + Cf. the Lay, introd. 57: "the sooth to speak." + </p> + <p> + 65. To claim its aid. The MS. has "to draw my blade." + </p> + <p> + 78. Enough. Suffice it that. + </p> + <p> + 81. A knight's free footsteps, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "My errant footsteps | far and wide." + A Knight's bold wanderings | +</pre> + <p> + 86. I urge thee not. The MS. has "I ask it not," and in 95 "hall" for + Doune. + </p> + <p> + 106. Outlawed. The 1st ed. has "exiled." + </p> + <p> + 108. In the Regent's court, etc. Cf. ii. 221 above. + </p> + <p> + 124. Albany. The Regent of 108 above. He was the son of a younger brother + of James III., who had been driven into exile by his brother's attempts on + his life. He took refuge in France, where his son was made Lord High + Admiral. On the death of James IV. he was called home by the Scottish + nobles to assume the regency. + </p> + <p> + 126. Mewed. Shut up. The word seems originally to have meant to moult, or + shed the feathers; and as a noun, "the place, whether it be abroad or in + the house, in which the hawk is put during the time she casts, or doth + change her feathers" (R. Holmes's Academy of Armory, etc.). Spenser has + both noun and verb; as in F. Q. i. 5. 20: "forth comming from her darksome + mew;" and Id. ii. 3. 34: "In which vaine Braggadocchio was mewd." Milton + uses the verb in the grand description of Liberty in Of Unlicensed + Printing: "Methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her mighty youth, and + kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam." In England the noun + is still used in the plural to denote a stable for horses. Pennant says + that the royal stables in London were called mews from the fact that the + buildings were formerly used for keeping the king's falcons. + </p> + <p> + Scott says here: "There is scarcely a more disorderly period of Scottish + history than that which succeeded the battle of Flodden, and occupied the + minority of James V. Feuds of ancient standing broke out like old wounds, + and every quarrel among the independent nobility, which occurred daily, + and almost hourly, gave rise to fresh bloodshed. 'There arose,' said + Pitscottie, 'great trouble and deadly feuds in many parts of Scotland, + both in the north and west parts. The Master of Forbes, in the north, slew + the Laird of Meldrum, under tryst' (that is, at an agreed and secure + meeting). 'Likewise, the Laird of Drummelzier slew the Lord Fleming at the + hawking; and, likewise, there was slaughter among many other great lords.' + Nor was the matter much mended under the government of the Earl of Angus; + for though he caused the King to ride through all Scotland, 'under the + pretence and color of justice, to punish thief and traitor, none were + found greater than were in their own company. And none at that time durst + strive with a Douglas, nor yet a Douglas's man; for if they would, they + got the worst. Therefore none durst plainzie of no extortion, theft, + reiff, nor slaughter done to them by the Douglases or their men; in that + cause they were not heard so long as the Douglas had the court in + guiding." + </p> + <p> + 150. Shingles. Cf. 46 above. + </p> + <p> + 152. As to your sires. The target and claymore were the weapons of the + Ancient Britons. Taylor quotes Tacitus, Agricola: "ingentibus gladiis et + brevibus cetris." + </p> + <p> + 161. Rears. Raises. The word was formerly less restricted in its + application than at present. Cf. Shakespeare's "rear my hand" (Temp. ii. + 1. 295, J. C. iii. 1. 30), "rear the higher our opinion" (A. and C. ii. 1. + 35), etc.; Milton's "he rear'd me," that is, lifted me up (P. L. viii. + 316), "rear'd her lank head" (Comus, 836), etc. Spenser uses it in the + sense of take away (like the cant lift = steal); as in F. Q. iii. 10. 12: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "She to his closet went, where all his wealth + Lay hid; thereof she countlesse summes did reare;" +</pre> + <p> + and Id. iii. 10. 53: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "like as a Beare, + That creeping close among the hives to reare + An hony-combe," etc. +</pre> + <p> + Wb. does not give this sense, which we believe is found only in Spenser. + </p> + <p> + 165. Shall with strong hand, etc. Scott has the following note here: "The + ancient Highlanders verified in their practice the lines of Gray (Fragment + on the Alliance of Education and Government): + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'An iron race the mountain cliffs maintain, + Foes to the gentler genius of the plain; + For where unwearied sinews must be found, + With side-long plough to quell the flinty ground, + To turn the torrent's swift descending flood, + To tame the savage rushing from the wood, + What wonder if, to patient valor train'd, + They guard with spirit what by strength they gain'd; + And while their rocky ramparts round they see + The rough abode of want and liberty + (As lawless force from confidence will grow), + Insult the plenty of the vales below?' +</pre> + <p> + "So far, indeed, was a Creagh, or foray, from being held disgraceful, that + a young chief was always expected to show his talents for command so soon + as he assumed it, by leading his clan on a successful enterprise of this + nature, either against a neighboring sept, for which constant feuds + usually furnished an apology, or against the Sassencach, Saxons, or + Lowlanders, for which no apology was necessary. The Gael, great + traditional historians, never forgot that the Lowlands had, at some remote + period, been the property of their Celtic forefathers, which furnished an + ample vindication of all the ravages that they could make on the + unfortunate districts which lay within their reach. Sir James Grant of + Grant is in possession of a letter of apology from Cameron of Lochiel, + whose men had committed some depredation upon a farm called Moines, + occupied by one of the Grants. Lochiel assures Grant that, however the + mistake had happened, his instructions were precise, that the party should + foray the province of Moray (a Lowland district), where, as he coolly + observes, 'all men take their prey.'" + </p> + <p> + 177. Good faith. In good faith, bona fide; as often in old writers. + </p> + <p> + 192. Bower. See on i. 217 above. + </p> + <p> + 195. This rebel Chieftain, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This dark Sir Roderick | and his band;" + This savage Chieftain | +</pre> + <p> + and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "From copse to copse the signal flew. + Instant, through copse and crags, arose;" +</pre> + <p> + and in 205 "shoots" for sends. + </p> + <p> + 208. And every tuft, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And each lone tuft of broom gives life + To plaided warrior armed for strife. + That whistle manned the lonely glen + With full five hundred armed men;" +</pre> + <p> + and below (214): + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "All silent, too, they stood, and still, + Watching their leader's beck and will, + While forward step and weapon show + They long to rush upon the foe, + Like the loose crag whose tottering mass + Hung threatening o'er the hollow pass." +</pre> + <p> + 219. Verge. See on iv. 83 above. + </p> + <p> + 230. Manned himself. Cf. Addison's "manned his soul," quoted by Wb. + </p> + <p> + 238. The stern joy, etc. Cf. iv. 155 above. + </p> + <p> + 239. Foeman. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "foeman" in many + recent eds. + </p> + <p> + 246. Their mother Earth, etc. Alluding to the old myths of the earth-born + Giants and of Cadmus. + </p> + <p> + 252. Glinted. Flashed; a Scottish word. Jamieson defines glint "to glance, + gleam, or pass suddenly like a flash of lightning." + </p> + <p> + 253. Glaive. See on iv. 274 above. The jack was "a horseman's defensive + upper garment, quilted and covered with strong leather" (Nares). It was + sometimes also strengthened with iron rings, plates, or bosses. Cf. Lyly, + Euphues: "jackes quilted, and covered over with leather, fustian, or + canvas, over thick plates of yron that are sowed to the same." Scott, in + the Eve of St. John, speaks of "his plate-jack." For spear the 1st ed. has + "lance." + </p> + <p> + 267. One valiant hand. The MS. has "one brave man's hand." + </p> + <p> + 268. Lay. Were staked. + </p> + <p> + 270. I only meant, etc. Scott says: "This incident, like some other + passages in the poem, illustrative of the character of the ancient Gael, + is not imaginary, but borrowed from fact. The Highlanders, with the + inconsistency of most nations in the same state, were alternately capable + of great exertions of generosity and of cruel revenge and perfidy. The + following story I can only quote from tradition, but with such an + assurance from those by whom it was communicated as permits me little + doubt of its authenticity. Early in the last century, John Gunn, a noted + Cateran, or Highland robber, infested Inverness-shire, and levied + black-mail up to the walls of the provincial capital. A garrison was then + maintained in the castle of that town, and their pay (country banks being + unknown) was usually transmitted in specie under the guard of a small + escort. It chanced that the officer who commanded this little party was + unexpectedly obliged to halt, about thirty miles from Inverness, at a + miserable inn. About nightfall, a stranger in the Highland dress, and of + very prepossessing appearance, entered the same house. Separate + accommodations being impossible, the Englishman offered the newly-arrived + guest a part of his supper, which was accepted with reluctance. By the + conversation he found his new acquaintance knew well all the passes of the + country, which induced him eagerly to request his company on the ensuing + morning. He neither disguised his business and charge, nor his + apprehensions of that celebrated freebooter, John Gunn. The Highlander + hesitated a moment, and then frankly consented to be his guide. Forth they + set in the morning; and in travelling through a solitary and dreary glen, + the discourse again turned on John Gunn. 'Would you like to see him?' said + the guide; and without waiting an answer to this alarming question, he + whistled, and the English officer, with his small party, were surrounded + by a body of Highlanders, whose numbers put resistance out of question, + and who were all well armed. 'Stranger,' resumed the guide, 'I am that + very John Gunn by whom you feared to be intercepted, and not without + cause; for I came to the inn last night with the express purpose of + learning your route, that I and my followers might ease you of your charge + by the road. But I am incapable of betraying the trust you reposed in me, + and having convinced you that you were in my power, I can only dismiss you + unplundered and uninjured.' He then gave the officer directions for his + journey, and disappeared with his party as suddenly as they had presented + themselves." + </p> + <p> + 277. Flood. Flow; used for the sake of the rhyme, like drew just below. + Wont = wonted. + </p> + <p> + 286. And still, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And still, from copse and heather bush, + Fancy saw spear and broadsword ruch." +</pre> + <p> + 298. Three mighty lakes. Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar. Scott says: "The + torrent which discharges itself from Loch Vennachar, the lowest and + eastmost of the three lakes which form the scenery adjoining to the + Trosachs, sweeps through a flat and extensive moor, called Bochastle. Upon + a small eminence called the Dun of Bochastle, and indeed on the plain + itself, are some intrenchments which have been thought Roman. There is + adjacent to Callander a sweet villa, the residence of Captain Fairfoul, + entitled the Roman Camp." + </p> + <p> + 301. Mouldering. The MS. has "martial." + </p> + <p> + 309. This murderous Chief, etc. Cf. 106 above. + </p> + <p> + 315. All vantageless, etc. Scott says: "The duellists of former times did + not always stand upon those punctilios respecting equality of arms, which + are not judged essential to fair combat. It is true that in formal combats + in the lists the parties were, by the judges of the field, put as nearly + as possible in the same circumstances. But in private duel it was often + otherwise. In that desperate combat which was fought between Quelus, a + minion of Henry III. of France, and Antraguet, with two seconds on each + side, from which only two persons escaped alive, Quelus complained that + his antagonist had over him the advantage of a poniard which he used in + parrying, while his left hand, which he was forced to employ for the same + purpose, was cruelly mangled. When he charged Antraguet with this odds, + 'Thou hast done wrong,' answered he, 'to forget thy dagger at home. We are + here to fight, and not to settle punctilios of arms.' In a similar duel, + however, a young brother of the house of Aubayne, in Angoulesme, behaved + more generously on the like occasion, and at once threw away his dagger + when his enemy challenged it as an undue advantage. But at this time + hardly anything can be conceived more horridly brutal and savage than the + mode in which private quarrels were conducted in France. Those who were + most jealous of the point of honor, and acquired the title of Ruffines, + did not scruple to take advantage of strength, numbers, surprise, and + arms, to accomplish their revenge." + </p> + <p> + 329. By prophet bred, etc. See iii. 91 fol. above; and for the expression + cf. iv. 124. + </p> + <p> + 347. Dark lightning, etc. The MS. has "In lightning flashed the Chief's + dark eye," which might serve as a comment on Dark lightning. + </p> + <p> + 349. Kern. See on iv. 73 above. + </p> + <p> + 351. He yields not, etc. The MS. has "He stoops not, he, to James nor + Fate." + </p> + <p> + 356. Carpet knight. Cf. Shakespeare, T. N. iii. 4. 257: "He is knight, + dubbed with unhatched rapier and on carpet consideration." + </p> + <p> + 364. Ruth. Pity; obsolete, though we still have ruthless. Cf. Spenser, F. + Q. i. 1. 50: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "to stirre up gentle ruth + Both for her noble blood, and for her tender youth;" +</pre> + <p> + Milton, Lycidas, 163: "Look homeward, Angel, now, and melt with ruth," + etc. + </p> + <p> + 380. His targe. Scott says: "A round target of light wood, covered with + strong leather and studded with brass or iron, was a necessary part of a + Highlander's equipment. In charging regular troops they received the + thrust of the bayonet in this buckler, twisted it aside, and used the + broadsword against the encumbered soldier. In the civil war of 1745 most + of the front rank of the clans were thus armed; and Captain Grose + (Military Antiquities, vol. i. p. 164) informs us that in 1747 the + privates of the 42d regiment, then in Flanders, were for the most part + permitted to carry targets. A person thus armed had a considerable + advantage in private fray. Among verses between Swift and Sheridan, lately + published by Dr. Barrett, there is an account of such an encounter, in + which the circumstances, and consequently the relative superiority of the + combatants, are precisely the reverse of those in the text: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'A Highlander once fought a Frenchman at Margate, + The weapons, a rapier, a backsword, and target; + Brisk Monsieur advanced as fast as he could, + But all his fine pushes were caught in the wood, + And Sawny, with backsword, did slash him and nick him, + While t'other, enraged that he could not once prick him, + Cried, "Sirrah, you rascal, you son of a whore, + Me will fight you, be gar! if you'll come from your door."'" +</pre> + <p> + 383. Trained abroad. That is, in France. See on i. 163 above. Scott says + here: "The use of defensive armor, and particularly of the buckler, or + target, was general in Queen Elizabeth's time, although that of the single + rapier seems to have been occasionally practised much earlier (see Douce's + Illustrations of Shakespeare, vol. ii. p. 61). Rowland Yorke, however, who + betrayed the fort of Zutphen to the Spaniards, for which good service he + was afterwards poisoned by them, is said to have been the first who + brought the rapier-fight into general use. Fuller, speaking of the + swash-bucklers, or bullies, of Queen Elizabeth's time, says, 'West + Smithfield was formerly called Ruffian's Hall, where such men usually met, + casually or otherwise, to try masteries with sword or buckler. More were + frightened than hurt, more hurt than killed therewith, it being accounted + unmanly to strike beneath the knee. But since that desperate traitor + Rowland Yorke first introduced thrusting with rapiers, sword and buckler + are disused.' In The Two Angry Women of Abingdon, a comedy, printed in + 1599, we have a pathetic complaint: 'Sword and buckler fight begins to + grow out of use. I am sorry for it; I shall never see good manhood again. + If it be once gone, this poking fight of rapier and dagger will come up; + then a tall man and a good sword and buckler man will be spitted like a + cat or rabbit.' But the rapier had upon the Continent long superseded, in + private duel, the use of sword and shield. The masters of the noble + science of defence were chiefly Italians. They made great mystery of their + art and mode of instruction, never suffered any person to be present but + the scholar who was to be taught, and even examined closets, beds, and + other places of possible concealment. Their lessons often gave the most + treacherous advantages; for the challenged, having the right to choose his + weapons, frequently selected some strange, unusual, and inconvenient kind + of arms, the use of which he practised under these instructors, and thus + killed at his ease his antagonist, to whom it was presented for the first + time on the field of battle. See Brantome's Discourse on Duels, and the + work on the same subject, 'si gentement ecrit,' by the venerable Dr. Paris + de Puteo. The Highlanders continued to use broadsword and target until + disarmed after the affair of 1745-6." + </p> + <p> + 385. Ward. Posture of defence; a technical term in fencing. Cf. Falstaff's + "Thou knowest my old ward" (1 Hen. IV. ii. 4. 215), etc. + </p> + <p> + 387. While less expert, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Not Roderick thus, though stronger far, + More tall, and more inured to war." +</pre> + <p> + 401, 402. And backward, etc. This couplet is not in the MS.; and the same + is true of 405, 406. + </p> + <p> + 406. Let recreant yield, etc. The MS. has "Yield they alone who fear to + die." Scott says: "I have not ventured to render this duel so savagely + desperate as that of the celebrated Sir Ewan of Lochiel, chief of the clan + Cameron, called, from his sable complexion, Ewan Dhu. He was the last man + in Scotland who maintained the royal cause during the great Civil War, and + his constant incursions rendered him a very unpleasant neighbor to the + republican garrison at Inverlochy, now Fort William. The governor of the + fort detached a party of three hundred men to lay waste Lochiel's + possessions and cut down his trees; by in a sudden and desperate attack + made upon them by the chieftain with very inferior numbers, they were + almost all cut to pieces. The skirmish is detailed in a curious memoir of + Sir Ewan's life, printed in the Appendix of Pennant's Scottish Tour (vol. + i. p. 375): + </p> + <p> + 'In this engagement Lochiel himself had several wonderful escapes. In the + retreat of the English, one of the strongest and bravest of the officers + retired behind a bush, when he observed Lochiel pursuing, and seeing him + unaccompanied with any, he leapt out and thought him his prey. They met + one another with equal fury. The combat was long and doubtful: the English + gentleman had by far the advantage in strength and size; but Lochiel, + exceeding him in nimbleness and agility, in the end tript the sword out of + his hand; they closed and wrestled, till both fell to the ground in each + other's arms. The English officer got above Lochiel, and pressed him hard, + but stretching forth his neck, by attempting to disengage himself, + Lochiel, who by this time had his hands at liberty, with his left hand + seized him by the collar, and jumping at his extended throat, he bit it + with his teeth quite through, and kept such a hold of his grasp, that he + brought away his mouthful; this, he said, was the sweetest bit he ever had + in his lifetime.'" + </p> + <p> + 435. Unwounded, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Panting and breathless on the sands, + But all unwounded, now he stands;" +</pre> + <p> + and just below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Redeemed, unhoped, from deadly strife: + Next on his foe his look he | cast, + | threw, + Whose every breath appeared his last." +</pre> + <p> + 447. Unbonneted. Past tense, not participle. + </p> + <p> + 449. Then faint afar. The MS. has "Faint and afar." + </p> + <p> + 452. Lincoln green. See on i. 464 above. + </p> + <p> + 462. We destined, etc. Cf. iv. 411 above. + </p> + <p> + 465. Weed. Dress. See on iv. 506 above. + </p> + <p> + 466. Boune. Ready. See on iv. 36 above. + </p> + <p> + 479. Steel. Spur. Cf. i. 115 above. + </p> + <p> + 485. Carhonie's hill. About a mile from the lower end of Loch Vennachar. + </p> + <p> + 486. Pricked. Spurred. It came to mean ride; as in F. Q. i. 1. 1: "A + gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine," etc. Cf. 754 below. + </p> + <p> + 490. Torry and Lendrick. These places, like Deanstown, Doune (see on iv. + 19 above), Blair-Drummond, Ochtertyre, and Kier, are all on the banks of + the Teith, between Callander and Stirling. Lockhart says: "It may be worth + noting that the poet marks the progress of the King by naming in + succession places familiar and dear to his own early recollections—Blair-Drummond, + the seat of the Homes of Kaimes; Kier, that of the principal family of the + name of Stirling; Ochtertyre, that of John Ramsay, the well-known + antiquary, and correspondent of Burns; and Craigforth, that of the + Callenders of Craigforth, almost under the walls of Stirling Castle;—all + hospitable roofs, under which he had spent many of his younger days." + </p> + <p> + 494. Sees the hoofs strike fire. The MS. has "Saw their hoofs of fire." + </p> + <p> + 496. They mark, etc. The to of the infinitive is omitted in glance, as if + mark had been see. + </p> + <p> + 498. Sweltering. The 1st ed. has "swelling." + </p> + <p> + 506. Flinty. The MS. has "steepy;" and in 514 "gains" for scales. + </p> + <p> + 525. Saint Serle. "The King himself is in such distress for a rhyme as to + be obliged to apply to one of the obscurest saints in the calendar" + (Jeffrey). The MS. has "by my word," and "Lord" for Earl in the next line. + </p> + <p> + 534. Cambus-kenneth's abbey gray. See on iv. 231 above. + </p> + <p> + 547. By. Gone by, past. + </p> + <p> + 551. O sad and fatal mound! "An eminence on the northeast of the Castle, + where state criminals were executed. Stirling was often polluted with + noble blood. It is thus apostrophized by J. Johnston: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Discordia tristis + Heu quotis procerum sanguine tinxit humum! + Hoc uno infelix, et felix cetera; nusquam + Laetior aut caeli frons geniusve soli.' +</pre> + <p> + "The fate of William, eighth Earl of Douglas, whom James II. stabbed in + Stirling Castle with his own hand, and while under his royal safe-conduct, + is familiar to all who read Scottish history. Murdack Duke of Albany, + Duncan Earl of Lennox, his father-in-law, and his two sons, Walter and + Alexander Stuart, were executed at Stirling, in 1425. They were beheaded + upon an eminence without the Castle walls, but making part of the same + hill, from whence they could behold their strong Castle of Doune and their + extensive possessions. This 'heading hill,' as it was sometimes termed, + bears commonly the less terrible name of Hurly-hacket, from its having + been the scene of a courtly amusement alluded to by Sir David Lindsay, who + says of the pastimes in which the young King was engaged: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Some harled him to the Hurly-hacket;' +</pre> + <p> + which consisted in sliding—in some sort of chair, it may be supposed—from + top to bottom of a smooth bank. The boys of Edinburgh, about twenty years + ago, used to play at the hurly-hacket on the Calton Hill, using for their + seat a horse's skull" (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 558. The Franciscan steeple. The Greyfriars Church, built by James IV. in + 1594 on the hill not far from the Castle, is still standing, and has been + recently restored. Here James VI. was crowned on the 29th of July, 1567, + and John Knox preached the coronation sermon. + </p> + <p> + 562. Morrice-dancers. The morrice or morris dance was probably of Spanish + (or Moorish, as the name implies) origin, but after its introduction into + England it became blended with the Mayday games. A full historical account + of it is given in Douce's Illustrations of Shakespeare. The characters in + it in early times were the following: "Robin Hood, Little John, Friar + Tuck, Maid Marian (Robin's mistress and the queen or lady of the May), the + fool, the piper, and several morris-dancers habited, as it appears, in + various modes. Afterwards a hobby-horse and a dragon were added" (Douce). + For a description of the game, see Scott's Abbot, ch. xiv., and the + author's note. See also on 614 below. + </p> + <p> + 564. The burghers hold their sports to-day. Scott has the following note + here: + </p> + <p> + "Every burgh of Scotland of the least note, but more especially the + considerable towns, had their solemn play, or festival, when feats of + archery were exhibited, and prized distributed to those who excelled in + wrestling, hurling the bar, and the other gymnastic exercises of the + period. Stirling, a usual place of royal residence, was not likely to be + deficient in pomp upon such occasions, especially since James V. was very + partial to them. His ready participation in these popular amusements was + one cause of his acquiring the title of the King of the Commons, or Rex + Plebeiorum, as Lesley has latinized it. The usual prize to the best + shooter was a silver arrow. Such a one is preserved at Selkirk and at + Peebles. At Dumfries a silver gun was substituted, and the contention + transferred to firearms. The ceremony, as there performed, is the subject + of an excellent Scottish poem, by Mr. John Mayne, entitled the Siller Gun + 1808, which surpasses the efforts of Fergusson, and comes near those of + Burns. + </p> + <p> + "Of James's attachment to archery, Pitscottie, the faithful though rude + recorder of the manners of that period, has given us evidence: + </p> + <p> + 'In this year there came an ambassador out of England, named Lord William + Howard, with a bishop with him, with many other gentlemen, to the number + of threescore horse, which were all able men and waled [picked] men for + all kind of games and pastimes, shooting, louping, running, wrestling, and + casting of the stone, but they were well sayed [essayed or tried] ere they + past out of Scotland, and that by their own provocation; but ever they + tint: till at last, the Queen of Scotland, the King's mother, favoured the + English-men, because she was the King of England's sister; and therefore + she took an enterprise of archery upon the Englishmen's hands, contrary + her son the King, and any six in Scotland that he would wale, either + gentlemen or yeomen, that the Englishmen should shoot against them either + at pricks, revers, or buts, as the Scots pleased. + </p> + <p> + 'The King, hearing this of his mother, was content, and gart her pawn a + hundred crowns and a tun of wine upon the English-men's hands; and he + incontinent laid down as much for the Scottish-men. The field and ground + was chosen in St. Andrews, and three landed men and three yeomen chosen to + shoot against the English-men,—to wit, David Wemyss of that ilk, + David Arnot of that ilk, and Mr. John Wedderburn, vicar of Dundee; the + yeomen, John Thomson, in Leith, Steven Taburner, with a piper, called + Alexander Bailie; they shot very near, and warred [worsted] the + English-men of the enterprise, and wan the hundred crowns and the tun of + wine, which made the King very merry that his men wan the victory.'" + </p> + <p> + 571. Play my prize. The same expression occurs in Shakespeare, T. A. i. 1. + 399: "You have play'd your prize." Cf. also M. of V. iii. 2. 142: "Like + one of two contending in a prize," etc. + </p> + <p> + 575. The Castle gates. The main entrance to the Castle, not the postern + gate of 532 above. + </p> + <p> + 580. Fair Scotland's King, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "King James and all his nobles went... + Ever the King was bending low + To his white jennet's saddle-bow, + Doffing his cap to burgher dame, + Who smiling blushed for pride and shame." +</pre> + <p> + 601. There nobles, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Nobles who mourned their power restrained, + And the poor burgher's joys disdained; + Dark chief, who, hostage for his clan, + Was from his home a banished man, + Who thought upon his own gray tower, + The waving woods, his feudal bower, + And deemed himself a shameful part + Of pageant that he cursed in heart." +</pre> + <p> + 611. With bell at heel. Douce says that "the number of bells round each + leg of the morris-dancers amounted from twenty to forty;" but Scott, in a + note to The Fair Maid of Perth, speaks of 252 small bells in sets of + twelve at regular musical intervals. + </p> + <p> + 612. Their mazes wheel. The MS. adds: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "With awkward stride there city groom + Would part of fabled knight assume." +</pre> + <p> + 614. Robin Hood. Scott says here: "The exhibition of this renowned outlaw + and his band was a favorite frolic at such festivals as we are describing. + This sporting, in which kings did not disdain to be actors, was prohibited + in Scotland upon the Reformation, by a statute of the 6th Parliament of + Queen Mary, c. 61, A. D. 1555, which ordered, under heavy penalties that + 'na manner of person be chosen Robert Hude, nor Little John, Abbot of + Unreason, Queen of May, nor otherwise.' But in 1561, the 'rascal + multitude,' says John Knox, 'were stirred up to make a Robin Hude, whilk + enormity was of mony years left and damned by statute and act of + Paliament; yet would they not be forbidden.' Accordingly they raised a + very serious tumult, and at length made prisoners the magistrates who + endeavored to suppress it, and would not release them till they extorted a + formal promise that no one should be punished for his share of the + disturbance. It would seem, from the complaints of the General Assembly of + the Kirk, that these profane festivities were continued down to 1592 (Book + of the Universal Kirk, p. 414). Bold Robin was, to say the least, equally + successful in maintaining his ground against the reformed clergy of + England; for the simple and evangelical Latimer complains of coming to a + country church where the people refused to hear him because it was Robin + Hood's day, and his mitre and rochet were fain to give way to the village + pastime. Much curious information on this subject may be found in the + Preliminary Dissertation to the late Mr. Ritson's edition of the songs + respecting this memorable outlaw. The game of Robin Hood was usually acted + in May; and he was associated with the morrice-dancers, on whom so much + illustration has been bestowed by the commentators on Shakespeare. A very + lively picture of these festivities, containing a great deal of curious + information on the subject of the private life and amusements of our + ancestors, was thrown, by the late ingenious Mr. Strutt, into his romance + entitled Queen-hoo Hall, published after his death, in 1808." + </p> + <p> + 615. Friar Tuck. "Robin Hood's fat friar," as Shakespeare calls him (T. G. + of V. iv. 1. 36), who figures in the Robin Hood ballads and in Ivanhoe. + Scarlet and Little John are mentioned in one of Master Silence's snatches + of song in 2 Hen. IV. v. 3. 107: "And Robin, Scarlet, and John." + Scathelocke is a brother of Scarlet in Ben Jonson's Sad Shepherd, which is + a "Tale of Robin Hood," and Mutch is a bailiff in the same play. + </p> + <p> + 626. Stake. Prize. + </p> + <p> + 627. Fondly he watched, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Fondly he watched, with watery eye, + For answering glance of sympathy, + But no emotion made reply! + Indifferent as to unknown | wight, + Cold as to unknown yeoman | + The King gave forth the arrow bright." +</pre> + <p> + 630. To archer wight. That is, to any ordinary archer. Scott has the + following note here: + </p> + <p> + "The Douglas of the poem is an imaginary person, a supposed uncle of the + Earl of Angus. But the King's behavior during an unexpected interview with + the Laird of Kilspindie, one of the banished Douglases, under + circumstances similar to those in the text, is imitated from a real story + told by Hume of Godscroft. I would have availed myself more fully of the + simple and affecting circumstances of the old history, had they not been + already woven into a pathetic ballad by my friend Mr. Finlay. <a + href="#linknote-11" name="linknoteref-11" id="linknoteref-11"><small>11</small></a> + </p> + <p> + 'His [the King's] implacability [towards the family of Douglas] did also + appear in his carriage towards Archibald of Kilspinke, whom he, when he + was a child, loved singularly well for his ability of body, and was wont + to call him his Gray-Steill. <a href="#linknote-12" name="linknoteref-12" + id="linknoteref-12"><small>12</small></a> Archibald, being banished into + England, could not well comport with the humor of that nation, which he + thought to be too proud, and that they had too high a conceit of + themselves, joined with a contempt and despising of all others. Wherefore, + being wearied of that life, and remembering the King's favor of old + towards him, he determined to try the King's mercifulness and clemency. So + he comes into Scotland, and taking occasion of the King's hunting in the + park at Stirling he casts himself to be in his way, as he was coming home + to the Castle. So soon as the King saw him afar off, ere he came near, he + guessed it was he, and said to one of his courtiers, "Yonder is my + Gray-Steill, Archibald of Kilspindie, if he be alive." The other answered + that it could not be he, and that he durst not come into the King's + presence. The King approaching, he fell upon his knees and craved pardon, + and promised from thenceforward to abstain from meddling in public + affairs, and to lead a quiet and private life. The King went by without + giving him any answer, and trotted a good round pace up the hill. + Kilspindie followed, and though he wore on him a secret, or shirt of mail, + for his particular enemies, was as soon at the Castle gate as the King. + There he sat him down upon a stone without, and entreated some of the + King's servants for a cup of drink, being weary and thirsty; but they, + fearing the King's displeasure, durst gave him none. When the King was set + at his dinner, he asked what he had done, what he had said, and whither he + had gone? It was told him that he had desired a cup of drink, and had + gotten none. The King reproved them very sharply for their discourtesy, + and told them that if he had not taken an oath that no Douglas should ever + serve him, he would have received him into his service, for he had seen + him sometime a man of great ability. Then he sent him word to go to Leith, + and expect his further pleasure. Then some kinsman of David Falconer, the + cannonier, that was slain at Tantallon, began to quarrel with Archibald + about the matter, wherewith the King showed himself not well pleased when + he heard of it. Then he commanded him to go to France for a certain space, + till he heard further from him. And so he did, and died shortly after. + This gave occasion to the King of England (Henry VIII.) to blame his + nephew, alleging the old saying, That a king's face should give grace. For + this Archibald (whatsoever were Angus's or Sir George's fault) had not + been principal actor of anything, nor no counsellor nor stirrer up, but + only a follower of his friends, and that noways cruelly disposed' (Hume of + Godscroft, ii. 107)." + </p> + <p> + 637. Larbert is a town about ten miles to the south of Stirling, and Alloa + another seven miles to the east on the north side of the Forth. + </p> + <p> + 641. To Douglas gave a golden ring. Scott says: "The usual prize of a + wrestling was a ram and a ring, but the animal would have embarrassed my + story. Thus, in the Cokes Tale of Gamelyn, ascribed to Chaucer: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'There happed to be there beside + Tryed a wrestling; + And therefore there was y-setten + A ram and als a ring." +</pre> + <p> + Again, the Litil Geste of Robin Hood: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'By a bridge was a wrestling, + And there taryed was he + And there was all the best yemen + Of all the west countrey. + A full fayre game there was set up, + A white bull up y-pight, + A great courser with saddle and brydle, + With gold burnished full bryght; + A payre of gloves, a red golde ringe, + A pipe of wine, good day; + What man bereth him best, I wis, + The prise shall bear away.'" +</pre> + <p> + 648. To hurl the massive bar. Cf. iv. 559 above. + </p> + <p> + 658. Scottish strength. The MS. has "mortal strength." + </p> + <p> + 660. The Ladies' Rock. A point in the "valley" between the Castle and the + Greyfriars Church. It was formerly the chief place for viewing the games, + which were held in this "valley," or depression in the hill on which the + Castle stands. It must not be confounded with the Ladies' Lookout, a + favorite point of view on the Castle walls. + </p> + <p> + 662. Well filled. The MS. has "weighed down;" and in 664, "Scattered the + gold among the crowd." + </p> + <p> + 674. Ere Douglas, etc. The MS. has "Ere James of Douglas' stalwart hand;" + and in 677, "worn" for wrecked. + </p> + <p> + 681. Murmurs. Some eds. have "murmur." + </p> + <p> + 685. The banished man. The MS. has "his stately form." + </p> + <p> + 724. Needs but a buffet. Only a single blow is needed. + </p> + <p> + 728. Then clamored, etc. The MS. and 1st ed. have "Clamored his comrades + of the train;" and in 730 the MS. has "warrior's" for Baron's. + </p> + <p> + 735. Atone. See on iv. 421 above. + </p> + <p> + 744. But shall a Monarch's presence, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But in my court injurious blow, And bearded thus, and +thus out-dared? What, ho!" etc. +</pre> + <p> + 747. Ward. Guarding, confinement under guard. Cf. Gen. xl. 3. + </p> + <p> + 752. Misarray. Disorder, confusion. Neither Wb. nor Worc. gives the word. + </p> + <p> + 754. Pricked. Spurred, rode. See on 486 above. + </p> + <p> + 755. Repelled, etc. The MS. has "Their threats repelled by insult loud." + </p> + <p> + 768. Hyndford. A village on the Clyde, a few miles above Lanark. + </p> + <p> + 790. Widow's mate expires. An instance of prolepsis, or "anticipation" in + the use of a word. He must expire before she can be a widow. Cf. Macbeth, + iii. 4. 76: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, + Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal;" +</pre> + <p> + that is, purged it and made it gentle. + </p> + <p> + 794. Ward. Ward off, avert. + </p> + <p> + 796. The crowd's wild fury, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The crowd's wild fury ebbed amain + In tears, as tempests sink in rain." +</pre> + <p> + The 1st ed. reads as in the text, but that of 1821 has "sunk amain." + </p> + <p> + The figure here is a favorite one with Shakespeare. Cf. R. of L. 1788: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This windy tempest, till it blow up rain, + Held back his sorrow's tide, to make it more; + At last it rains, and busy winds give o'er;" +</pre> + <p> + 3 Hen. VI. i. 4. 146: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For raging wind blows up incessant showers, + And, when the rage allays, the rain begins;" +</pre> + <p> + Id. ii. 5. 85: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "see, see, what showers arise, + Blown with the windy tempest of my heart;" +</pre> + <p> + T. and C. iv. 4. 55: "Where are my tears? rain, to lay this wind, or my + heart will be blown up by the root;" and Macbeth, i. 7. 25: "That tears + shall down the wind." + </p> + <p> + 808. The rough soldier. Sir John of Hyndford (768 above). + </p> + <p> + 811. He led. The 1st ed. has "they led," and "their" for his in 813. + </p> + <p> + 812. Verge. Note the rhyme with charge, and see on iv. 83 above. + </p> + <p> + 819. This common fool. Cf. Shakespeare's "fool multitude" (M. of V. ii. 9. + 26). Just below Lockhart quotes Coriolanus, i. 1. 180: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who deserves greatness + Deserves your hate; and your affections are + A sick man's appetite, who desires most that + Which would increase his evil. He that depends + Upon your favors swims with fins of lead + And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? + With every minute you do change a mind, + And call him noble that was now your hate, + Him vile that was your garland." +</pre> + <p> + 821. Douglas. The reading of the 1st ed., as in 825 below; not "Douglas'," + as in some recent eds. + </p> + <p> + 830. Vain as the leaf, etc. The MS. has "Vain as the sick man's idle + dream." + </p> + <p> + 838. Cognizance. "The sable pale of Mar." See on iv. 153 above. + </p> + <p> + 853. With scanty train, etc. The MS. has "On distant chase you will not + ride." + </p> + <p> + 856. Lost it. Forgot it. + </p> + <p> + 858. For spoiling of. For fear of ruining. Cf. Shakespeare, Sonn. 52. 4: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The which he will not every hour survey, + For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure; +</pre> + <p> + T. G. of V. i. 2. 136: "Yet here they shall not lie for catching cold;" + Beaumont and Fletcher, Captain, iii. 5: "We'll have a bib for spoiling of + thy doublet," etc. + </p> + <p> + 887. Earl William. The Douglas who was stabbed by James II. See on 551 + above. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Canto Sixth. + </h2> + <p> + "Lord Jeffrey has objected to the guard-room scene and its accompanying + song as the greatest blemish in the whole poem. The scene contrasts + forcibly with the grace which characterizes the rest; but in a poem which + rests its interest upon incident, such a criticism seems overstrained. It + gives us a vigorous picture of a class of men who played a very important + part in the history of the time, especially across the Border; men who, + many of them outlaws, and fighting, not for country or for king, but for + him who paid them best, were humored with every license when they were not + on strict military duty. The requirements of the narrative might have been + satisfied without these details, it is true; but the use which Sir Walter + has made of them—to show the power of beauty and innocence, and the + chords of tenderness and goodness which lie ready to vibrate in the + wildest natures—may surely reconcile us to such a piece of realism. + </p> + <p> + "The scene of Roderick's death harmonizes well with his character. The + minstrel's account of the battle the poet himself felt to be somewhat + long, and yet it is difficult to see how it could be curtailed without + spoiling it. It is full of life and vigor, and our only cause of surprise + is that the lay should only come to a sudden stand when it is really + completed" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 6. Scaring, etc. The 1st ed. reads: "And scaring prowling robbers to their + den." + </p> + <p> + 7. Battled. Battlemented; as in ii. 702 above. + </p> + <p> + 9. The kind nurse of men. Cf. 2 Hen. IV. iii. 1. 5: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O sleep, O gentle sleep, + Nature's soft nurse," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 23. Through narrow loop, etc. The MS. has "Through blackened arch," etc.; + and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The lights in strange alliance shone + Beneath the arch of blackened stone." +</pre> + <p> + 25. Struggling with. Some recent eds. misprint "struggling through." + </p> + <p> + 47. Adventurers they, etc. Scott says: "The Scottish armies consisted + chiefly of the nobility and barons, with their vassals, who held lands + under them for military service by themselves and their tenants. The + patriarchal influence exercised by the heads of clans in the Highlands and + Borders was of a different nature, and sometimes at variance with feudal + principles. It flowed from the Patria Potestas, exercised by the chieftain + as representing the original father of the whole name, and was often + obeyed in contradiction to the feudal superior. James V. seems first to + have introduced, in addition to the militia furnished from these sources, + the service of a small number of mercenaries, who formed a body-guard, + called the Foot-Band. The satirical poet, Sir David Lindsay (or the person + who wrote the prologue to his play of the Three Estaites), has introduced + Finlay of the Foot-Band, who after much swaggering upon the stage is at + length put to flight by the Fool, who terrifies him by means of a sheep's + skull upon a pole. I have rather chosen to give them the harsh features of + the mercenary soldiers of the period, than of this Scottish Thraso. These + partook of the character of the Adventurous Companions of Froissart, or + the Condottieri of Italy." + </p> + <p> + 53. The Fleming, etc. The soil of Flanders is very fertile and productive, + in marked contrast to the greater part of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + 60. Halberd. A combination of spear and battle-axe. See Wb. + </p> + <p> + 63. Holytide. Holiday. For tide = time, see on iii. 478 above. + </p> + <p> + 73. Neighboring to. That is, lying in adjacent rooms. + </p> + <p> + 75. Burden. Alluding to the burden, or chorus, of a song. Cf. ii. 392 + above. The MS. has "jest" for joke; and in the next line "And rude oaths + vented by the rest." + </p> + <p> + 78. Trent. the English river of that name. Cf. 231 below. + </p> + <p> + 84. That day. Modifying cut shore, not grieved. + </p> + <p> + 87. A merry catch, I troll. Cf. Shakespeare, Temp, iii. 2. 126: "will you + troll the catch," etc. + </p> + <p> + 88. Buxom. Lively, brisk; as in Hen. V. iii. 6. 27: "of buxom valour," + etc. Its original sense was yielding, obedient; as in F. Q. i. 11. 37: + "the buxome aire" (see also Milton, P. L. ii. 842); and Id. iii. 2. 23: + "Of them that to him buxome are and prone." For the derivation, see Wb. + </p> + <p> + 90. Poule. Paul; an old spelling, found in Chaucer and other writers. The + measure of the song is anapestic (that is, with the accent on every third + syllable), with modifications. + </p> + <p> + 92. Black-jack. A kind of pitcher made of leather. Taylor quotes Old + Mortality, chap. viii.: "The large black-jack filled with very small + beer." + </p> + <p> + 93. Sack. A name applied to Spanish and Canary wines in general; but + sometimes the particular kind was specified. Cf. 2 Hen. IV. iv. 3. 104: + "good sherris-sack" (that is, sherry wine); and Herrick, Poems: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "thy isles shall lack + Grapes, before Herrick leaves Canarie sack." +</pre> + <p> + 95. Upsees. "Bacchanalian interjection, borrowed from the Dutch" (Scott). + Nares criticises Scott for using the word as a noun. It is generally found + in the phrases "upsee Dutch" and "upsee Freeze" (the same thing, Frise + being = Dutch), which appear to mean "in the Dutch fashion." Cf. Ben + Jonson, Alchemist, iv. 6: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I do not like the dullness of your eye, + It hath a heavy east, 't is upsee Dutch;" +</pre> + <p> + that is, looks like intoxication. See also Beaumont and Fletcher, Beggar's + Bush, iv. 4: "The bowl... which must be upsey English, strong, lusty, + London beer." + </p> + <p> + 98. Kerchief. See on iii. 495 above. + </p> + <p> + 100. Gillian. A common old English name (according to Coles and others, a + corruption of Juliana), often contracted into Gill of Jill, and used as a + familiar term for a woman, as Jack was for a man. The two are often + associated; as in the proverbs "Every Jack must have his Jill," and "A + good Jack makes a good Jill." + </p> + <p> + 103. Placket. Explained by some as = stomacher; by others as = petticoat, + or the slit or opening in those garments. Cf. Wb. It is often used + figuratively for woman, as here. Placket and pot = women and wine. + </p> + <p> + 104. Lurch. Rob. Cf. Shakespeare, Cor. ii. 2. 105: "He lurch'd all swords + of the garland;" that is, robbed them all of the prize. + </p> + <p> + 112. The drum. The 1st ed. has "your drum." + </p> + <p> + 116. Plaid. For the rhyme, see on i. 363 above. + </p> + <p> + 124. Store of blood. Plenty of blood. Cf. Milton, L'Allegro, 121: "With + store of ladies," etc. See also on the adjective, i. 548 above. + </p> + <p> + 127. Reward thy toil. The MS. goes on thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Get thee an ape, and then at once + Thou mayst renounce the warder's lance, + And trudge through borough and through land, + The leader of a juggler band." +</pre> + <p> + Scott has the following note here: "The jongleurs, or jugglers, as we + learn from the elaborate work of the late Mr. Strutt, on the sports and + pastimes of the people of England, used to call in the aid of various + assistants, to render these performances as captivating as possible. The + glee-maiden was a necessary attendant. Her duty was tumbling and dancing; + and therefore the Anglo-Saxon version of Saint Mark's Gospel states + Herodias to have vaulted or tumbled before King Herod. In Scotland these + poor creatures seem, even at a late period, to have been bondswomen to + their masters, as appears from a case reported by Fountainhall: 'Reid the + mountebank pursues Scot of Harden and his lady for stealing away from him + a little girl, called the tumbling-lassie, that dance upon his stage; and + he claimed damages, and produced a contract, whereby he bought her from + her mother for £30 Scots. But we have no slaves in Scotland, and mothers + cannot sell their bairns; and physicians attested the employment of + tumbling would kill her; and her joints were now grown stiff, and she + declined to return; though she was at least a 'prentice, and so could not + run away from her master; yet some cited Moses's law, that if a servant + shelter himself with thee against his master's cruelty, thou shalt surely + not deliver him up. The Lords, renitente cancellario, assoilzied Harden on + the 27th of January (1687)' (Fountainhall's Decisions, vol. i. p. 439)." + </p> + <p> + 136. Purvey. Provide. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. v. 12. 10: "He all things did + purvay which for them needfull weare." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +147. Bertram, etc. The MS. has "Bertram | his | + | such | violence withstood." +</pre> + <p> + 152. The tartan screen. That is, the tartan which she had drawn over her + head as a veil. + </p> + <p> + 155. The savage soldiery, etc. The MS. has "While the rude soldiery, + amazed;" and in 164 below, "Should Ellen Douglas suffer wrong." + </p> + <p> + 167. I shame me. I shame myself, I am ashamed. The very was formerly used + intransitively in this sense. Cf. Shakespeare, R. of L. 1143: "As shaming + any eye should thee behold;" A. Y. L. iv. 3. 136: "I do not shame to tell + you what I was," etc. + </p> + <p> + 170. Needwood. A royal forest in Staffordshire. + </p> + <p> + 171. Poor Rose, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'My Rose,'—he wiped his iron eye and brow,— + 'Poor Rose,—if Rose be living now.'" +</pre> + <p> + 178. Part. Act; used for the rhyme. The expression is not unlike "do the + part of an honest man" (Much Ado, ii. 1. 172), or "act the part," as we + should now put it. + </p> + <p> + 183. Tullibardine. The name of an old seat of the Murray family, about + twenty miles from Stirling. + </p> + <p> + 199. Errant damosel. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 1. 19: "Th' adventure of the + Errant damozell." + </p> + <p> + 209. Given by the Monarch, etc. The MS. has "The Monarch gave to James + Fitz-James." + </p> + <p> + 218. Bower. Chamber. See on i. 217 above. + </p> + <p> + 222. Permit I marshal you the way. Permit that I conduct you thither. + </p> + <p> + 233. The vacant purse, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The silken purse shall serve for me, + And in my barret-cap shall flee""— +</pre> + <p> + a forced rhyme which the poet did well to get rid of. + </p> + <p> + 234. Barret-cap. Cloth cap. Cf. the Lay, iii. 216: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Old England's sign, St. George's cross, + His barret-cap did grace." +</pre> + <p> + He puts the purse in his cap as a favor. See on iv. 686 above. + </p> + <p> + 242. Master's. He means the Douglas, but John of Brent takes it to refer + to Roderick. See 305 below. + </p> + <p> + 261. Wot. Know, understand. See on i. 596 above. + </p> + <p> + 276. Rugged vaults. The MS. has "low broad vaults;" and in 279, + "stretching" for crushing. + </p> + <p> + 291. Oaken floor. The MS. and 1st ed. have "flinty floor;" and below: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'thou mayst remain;' + And then, retiring, bolt and chain, + And rusty bar, he drew again. + Roused at the sound," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 292, 293. Such... hold. This couplet is not in the 1st ed., and presumably + not in the MS., though the fact is not noted by Lockhart. + </p> + <p> + 295. Leech. Physician. Cf. F. Q. iii. 3. 18: "Yf any leaches skill," etc.; + and in the preceding stanza, "More neede of leach-crafte hath your + Damozell," etc. + </p> + <p> + 306. Prore. Prow (Latin prora); used only in poetry. + </p> + <p> + 309. Astrand. On strand (cf. ashore), stranded. + </p> + <p> + 316. At sea. The MS. has "on main," and "plain" for lea in the rhyme. The + 1st ed. and that of 1821 have "on sea." + </p> + <p> + 334. Has never harp, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Shall never harp of minstrel tell + Of combat fought so fierce and well." +</pre> + <p> + 348. Strike it! Scott says: "There are several instances, at least in + tradition, of persons so much attached to particular tunes, as to require + to hear them on their death-bed. Such an anecdote is mentioned by the late + Mr. Riddel of Glenriddel, in his collection of Border tunes, respecting an + air called the 'Dandling of the Bairns,' for which a certain Gallovidian + laird is said to have evinced this strong mark of partiality. It is + popularly told of a famous freebooter, that he composed the tune known by + the name of Macpherson's Rant while under sentence of death, and played it + at the gallows-tree. Some spirited words have been adapted to it by Burns. + A similar story is recounted of a Welsh bard, who composed and played on + his death-bed the air called Dafyddy Garregg Wen. But the most curious + example is given by Brantome of a maid of honor at the court of France, + entitled Mademoiselle de Limeuil: 'Durant sa maladie, dont elle trespassa, + jamais elle ne cessa, ainsi causa tousjours; car elle estoit fort grande + parleuse, brocardeuse, et tres-bien et fort a propos, et tres-belle avec + cela. Quand l'heure de sa fin fut venue, elle fit venir a soy son valet + (ainsi que les filles de la cour en ont chacune un), qui s'appelloit + Julien, et scavoit tres-bien jouer du violon. "Julien," luy dit elle, + "prenez vostre violon, et sonnez moy tousjours jusques a ce que vous me + voyez morte (car je m'y en vais) la Defaite des Suisses, et le mieux que + vous pourrez, et quand vous serez sur le mot, 'Tout est perdu,' sonnez le + par quatre ou cing fois, le plus piteusement que vous pourrez," ce qui fit + l'autre, et elle-mesme luy aidoit de la voix, et quand ce vint "tout est + perdu," elle le reitera par deux fois; et se tournant de l'autre coste du + chevet, elle dit a ses compagnes: "Tout est perdu a ce coup, et a bon + escient;" et ainsi deceda. Voila une morte joyeuse et plaisante. Je tiens + ce conte de deux de ses compagnes, dignes de foi, qui virent jouer ce + mystere' (OEuvres de Brantome, iii. 507). The tune to which this fair lady + chose to make her final exit was composed on the defeat of the Swiss of + Marignano. The burden is quoted by Panurge in Rabelais, and consists of + these words, imitating the jargon of the Swiss, which is a mixture of + French and German: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Tout est verlore, + La Tintelore, + Tout est verlore bi Got.'" +</pre> + <p> + 362. With what, etc. This line is not in the MS. + </p> + <p> + 369. Battle of Beal' au Duine. Scott has the following note here: + </p> + <p> + "A skirmish actually took place at a pass thus called in the Trosachs, and + closed with the remarkable incident mentioned in the text. It was greatly + posterior in date to the reign of James V. + </p> + <p> + 'In this roughly-wooded island <a href="#linknote-13" name="linknoteref-13" + id="linknoteref-13"><small>13</small></a> the country people secreted + their wives and children and their most valuable effects from the rapacity + of Cromwell's soldiers during their inroad into this country, in the time + of the republic. These invaders, not venturing to ascend by the ladders + along the lake, took a more circuitous road through the heart of the + Trosachs, the most frequented path at that time, which penetrates the + wilderness about half way between Binean and the lake by a tract called + Yea-chilleach, or the Old Wife's Bog. + </p> + <p> + 'In one of the defiles of this by-road the men of the country at that time + hung upon the rear of the invading enemy, and shot one of Cromwell's men, + whose grave marks the scene of action, and gives name to that pass. <a + href="#linknote-14" name="linknoteref-14" id="linknoteref-14"><small>14</small></a> + In revenge of this insult, the soldiers resolved to plunder the island, to + violate the women, and put the children to death. With this brutal + intention, one of the party, more expert than the rest, swam towards the + island, to fetch the boat to his comrades, which had carried the women to + their asylum, and lay moored in one of the creeks. His companions stood on + the shore of the mainland, in full view of all that was to pass, waiting + anxiously for his return with the boat. But just as the swimmer had got to + the nearest point of the island, and was laying hold of a black rock to + get on shore, a heroine, who stood on the very point where he meant to + land, hastily snatching a dagger from below her apron, with one stroke + severed his head from the body. His party seeing this disaster, and + relinquishing all future hope of revenge or conquest, made the best of + their way out of their perilous situation. This amazon's great grandson + lives at Bridge of Turk, who, besides others, attests the anecdote' + (Sketch of the Scenery near Callander, Stirling, 1806, p. 20). I have only + to add to this account that the heroine's name was Helen Stuart." + </p> + <p> + 376. No ripple on the lake. "The liveliness of this description of the + battle is due to the greater variety of the metre, which resembles that of + Marmion. The three-accent lines introduced at intervals give it lightness, + and the repetition of the same rhyme enables the poet to throw together + without break all that forms part of one picture" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 377. Erne. Eagle. See Wb. + </p> + <p> + 392. I see, etc. Cf. iv. 152 above. + </p> + <p> + 396. Boune. See on iv. 36 above. Most eds. misprint "bound." + </p> + <p> + 404. Barded. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "corrected" in + all the recent ones into "barbed." Scott doubtless wrote barded (= + armored, or wearing defensive armor; but applied only to horses), a word + found in many old writers. Cf. Holinshed (quoted by Nares): "with barded + horses, all covered with iron," etc. See also Wb. Scott has the word again + in the Lay, i. 311: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Above the foaming tide, I ween, + Scarce half the charger's neck was seen; + For he was barded from counter to tail, + And the rider was armed complete in mail." +</pre> + <p> + 405. Battalia. Battalion, army. The word is not a plural of battalion, as + some have seemed to think. See Wb. + </p> + <p> + 414. Vaward. In the vanward, or vanguard; misprinted "vanward" in some + editions. Shakespeare has the noun several times; as in Hen. V. iv. 3. + 130: "The leading of the vaward;" Cor. i. 6. 53: "Their bands i' the + vaward;" and figuratively in M. N. D. iv. 1. 110: "the vaward of the day," + etc. + </p> + <p> + 419. Pride. Some eds. misprint "power." + </p> + <p> + 429. As. As if. See on ii. 56 above. + </p> + <p> + 434. Their flight they ply. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821. + Most of the eds. have "plight" for flight, and Taylor has the following + note on Their plight they ply: "The meaning of this is not very clear. + Possibly 'they keep up a constant fire,' but they seem in too complete a + rout for that." Cf. iii. 318 above. + </p> + <p> + 438. The rear. The 1st ed. has "their rear." + </p> + <p> + 443. Twilight wood. Cf. 403 above. "The appearance of the spears and pikes + was such that in the twilight they might have been mistaken at a distance + for a wood" (Taylor). + </p> + <p> + 449-450. And closely shouldering, etc. This couplet is not in the MS. + </p> + <p> + 452. Tinchel. "A circle of sportsmen, who, by surrounding a great space, + and gradually narrowing, brought immense quantities of deer together, + which usually made desperate efforts to breach through the Tinchel" + (Scott). + </p> + <p> + 459. The tide. The 1st ed. has "their tide." + </p> + <p> + 473. Now, gallants! etc. Cf. Macaulay, Battle of Ivry: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now by the lips of those ye love, + Fair gentlemen of France, + Charge for the golden lilies,— + Upon them with the lance!" +</pre> + <p> + 483. And refluent, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And refluent down the darksome pass + The battle's tide was poured; + There toiled the spearman's struggling spear, + There raged the mountain sword." +</pre> + <p> + 488. Linn. Here the word is = cataract. See on i. 71 and ii. 270 above. + </p> + <p> + 497. Minstrel, away! The MS. has "Away! away!" + </p> + <p> + 509. Surge. Note the imperfect rhyme. See on i. 223 above. + </p> + <p> + 511. That sullen. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "the + sullen" in many eds. + </p> + <p> + 514. That parts not, etc. Lockhart quotes Byron, Giaour: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "the loveliness in death + That parts not quite with parting breath." +</pre> + <p> + 515. Seeming, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And seemed, to minstrel ear, to toll + The parting dirge of many a soul." +</pre> + <p> + For part = depart, see on ii. 94 above. + </p> + <p> + 523. While by the lake, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "While by the darkened lake below + File out the spearmen of the foe." +</pre> + <p> + 525. At weary bay. See on i. 133 above. + </p> + <p> + 527. Tattered sail. The 1st ed. has "shattered sail;" not noted in the + Errata. + </p> + <p> + 532. Saxons. Some eds. misprint "Saxon." + </p> + <p> + 538. Wont. See on i. 408 above. + </p> + <p> + 539. Store. See on i. 548 above. Bonnet-pieces were gold coins on which + the King's head was represented with a bonnet instead of a crown. + </p> + <p> + 540. To him will swim. For the ellipsis, see on i. 528 above. + </p> + <p> + 556. Her billows, etc. The 1st ed. has "Her billow reared his snowy + crest," and "its" for they in the next line. + </p> + <p> + 564. It tinged, etc. The MS. has "It tinged the boats and lake with + flame." + </p> + <p> + Lines 561-568 are interpolated in the MS. on a slip of paper. + </p> + <p> + 565. Duncraggan's widowed dame. Cf. iii. 428 fol. above. + </p> + <p> + 567. A naked dirk. The 1st ed. has "Her husband's dirk." + </p> + <p> + 592. Chime. Music. Cf. iv. 524 above. + </p> + <p> + 595. Varied his look, etc. The MS. has "Glowed in his look, as swelled the + song;" and in 600, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "his | glazing | eye." + | fiery | +</pre> + <p> + 602. Thus, motionless, etc. Cf. the Introduction to Rob Roy; "Rob Roy, + while on his death-bed, learned that a person, with whom he was at enmity, + proposed to visit him. 'Raise me from my bed,' said the invalid; 'throw my + plaid around me, and bring me my claymore, dirk, and pistols: it shall + never be said that a foeman saw Rob Roy MacGregor defenceless and + unarmed.' His foeman, conjectured to be one of the MacLarens, entered and + paid his compliments, inquiring after the health of his formidable + neighbor. Rob Roy maintained a cold, haughty civility during their short + conference; and so soon as he had left the house, 'Now,' he said, 'all is + over—let the piper play Ha til mi tulidh' [we return no more], and + he is said to have expired before the dirge was finished." + </p> + <p> + 605. Grim and still. Originally "stern and still." In a note to the + printer, sent with the final stanzas, Scott writes: "I send the grand + finale, and so exit the Lady of the Lake from the head she has tormented + for six months. In canto vi. stanza 21,—stern and still, read grim + and still; sternly occurs four lines higher. For a similar reason, stanza + 24,—dun deer read fleet deer." + </p> + <p> + 608. And art thou, etc. The MS. has "'And art thou gone,' the Minstrel + said." + </p> + <p> + 609. Foeman's. Misprinted "foeman's" in some eds. + </p> + <p> + 610. Breadalbane. See on ii. 416 above. + </p> + <p> + 614. The shelter, etc. The MS. has "The mightiest of a mighty line." + </p> + <p> + 631. Even she. That is, Ellen. + </p> + <p> + 638. Storied. Referring to the scenes depicted on the painted glass. Cf. + Milton, Il Penseroso, 159: "And storied windows, richly dight." The change + of tense in fall is of course for the rhyme; but we might expect "lighten" + for lightened. + </p> + <p> + 643. The banquet, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The banquet gay, the chamber's pride, + Scarce drew one curious glance aside;" +</pre> + <p> + and in 653, "earnest on his game." + </p> + <p> + 665. Of perch and hood. That is, of enforced idleness. See on ii. 525 + above. In some eds. this song is printed without any division into + stanzas. + </p> + <p> + 670. Forest. The 1st ed. and that of 1821 have "forests," but we suspect + that Scott wrote forest. + </p> + <p> + 672. Is meet for me. The MS. has "was meant for me." For the ellipsis, cf. + 540 above. + </p> + <p> + 674. From yon dull steeple's," etc. The MS. has "From darkened steeple's" + etc. See on v. 558 above. + </p> + <p> + 677. The lark, etc. The MS. has "The lively lark my matins rung," and + "sung" in the rhyme. The omission of to with ring and sing is here a + poetic license; but in Elizabethan English it is common in many cases + where it would not now be admissible. Cf. Othello, ii. 3. 190: "you were + wont be civil;" F. Q. i. 1. 50: "He thought have slaine her," etc. + </p> + <p> + 680. A hall, etc. The MS. has "a hall should harbor me." + </p> + <p> + 683. Fleet deer. See on 605 above. + </p> + <p> + 707. At morning prime. Early in the morning. Prime is properly the first + canonical hour of prayer, or 6 a.m. For its looser use here, cf. F. Q. ii. + 9. 25: "at evening and at prime." + </p> + <p> + 712. Stayed. Supported; not to be printed "staid," as in some editions. + </p> + <p> + 716. Within, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Within 't was brilliant all, and bright + The vision glowed on Ellen's sight." +</pre> + <p> + 726. Presence. Presence-chamber. Cf. Rich. II. i. 3. 289: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Suppose the singing birds musicians, + The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd" +</pre> + <p> + (that is, strewn with rushes); Hen. VIII. iii. 1. 17: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "the two great cardinals + Wait in the presence," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 727. For him, etc. The MS. reads: "For him who owned this royal state." + </p> + <p> + 737. Sheen. Bright. See on i. 208 above. + </p> + <p> + 740. And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King. Scott says: "This discovery + will probably remind the reader of the beautiful Arabian tale of Il + Bondocani. Yet the incident is not borrowed from that elegant story, but + from Scottish tradition. James V., of whom we are treating, was a monarch + whose good and benevolent intentions often rendered his romantic freaks + venial, if not respectable, since, from his anxious attention to the + interests of the lower and most oppressed class of his subjects, he was, + as we have seen, popularly termed the King of the Commons. For the purpose + of seeing that justice was regularly administered, and frequently from the + less justifiable motive of gallantry, he used to traverse the vicinage of + his several palaces in various disguises. The two excellent comic songs + entitled The Gaberlunzie Man and We'll gae nae mair a roving are said to + have been founded upon the success of his amorous adventures when + travelling in the disguise of a beggar. The latter is perhaps the best + comic ballad in any language. + </p> + <p> + "Another adventure, which had nearly cost James his life, is said to have + taken place at the village of Cramond, near Edinburgh, where he had + rendered his addresses acceptable to a pretty girl of the lower rank. Four + or five persons, whether relations or lovers of his mistress is uncertain, + beset the disguised monarch as he returned from his rendezvous. Naturally + gallant, and an admirable master of his weapon, the King took post on the + high and narrow bridge over the Almond river, and defended himself bravely + with his sword. A peasant who was thrashing in a neighboring barn came out + upon the noise, and, whether moved by compassion or by natural gallantry, + took the weaker side, and laid about with his flail so effectually as to + disperse the assailants, well thrashed, even according to the letter. He + then conducted the King into his barn, where his guest requested a basin + and a towel, to remove the stains of the broil. This being procured with + difficulty, James employed himself in learning what was the summit of the + deliverer's earthly wishes, and found that they were bounded by the desire + of possessing, in property, the farm of Braehead, upon which he labored as + a bondsman. The lands chanced to belong to the Crown; and James directed + him to come to the palace of Holyrood and inquire for the Guidman (that + is, farmer) of Ballenguich, a name by which he was known in his + excursions, and which answered to the Il Bondocani of Haroun Alraschid. He + presented himself accordingly, and found, with due astonishment, that he + had saved his monarch's life, and that he was to be gratified with a crown + charter of the lands of Braehead, under the service of presenting a ewer, + basin, and towel for the King to wash his hands when he shall happen to + pass the bridge of Cramond. This person was ancestor of the Howisons of + Braehead, in Mid-Lothian, a respectable family, who continue to hold the + lands (now passed into the female line) under the same tenure. <a + href="#linknote-15" name="linknoteref-15" id="linknoteref-15"><small>15</small></a> + </p> + <p> + "Another of James's frolics is thus narrated by Mr. Campbell from the + Statistical Account: 'Being once benighted when out a-hunting, and + separated from his attendants, he happened to enter a cottage in the midst + of a moor, at the foot of the Ochil hills, near Alloa, where, unknown, he + was kindly received. In order to regale their unexpected guest, the + gudeman desired the gudewife to fetch the hen that roosted nearest the + cock, which is always the plumpest, for the stranger's supper. The King, + highly pleased with his night's lodging and hospitable entertainment, told + mine host, at parting, that he should be glad to return his civility, and + requested that the first time he came to Stirling he would call at the + Castle, and inquire for the Gudeman of Ballenguich. Donaldson, the + landlord, did not fail to call on the Gudeman of Ballenguich, when his + astonishment at finding that the King had been his guest afforded no small + amusement to the merry monarch and his courtiers; and to carry on the + pleasantry, he was thenceforth designated by James with the title of King + of the Moors, which name and designation have descended from father to son + ever since, and they have continued in possession of the identical spot, + the property of Mr. Erskine of Mar, till very lately, when this gentleman + with reluctance turned out the descendant and representative of the King + of the Moors, on account of his Majesty's invincible indolence, and great + dislike to reform or innovation of any kind, although, from the spirited + example of his neighbor tenants on the same estate, he is convinced + similar exertion would promote his advantage.' + </p> + <p> + "The author requests permission yet farther to verify the subject of his + poem, by an extract from the genealogical work of Buchanan of Auchmar, + upon Scottish surnames (Essay upon the Family of Buchanan, p. 74): + </p> + <p> + 'This John Buchanan of Auchmar and Arnpryor was afterwards termed King of + Kippen [a small district of Perthshire] upon the following account: King + James V., a very sociable, debonair prince, residing at Stirling, in + Buchanan of Arnpryor's time, carriers were very frequently passing along + the common road, being near Arnpryor's house, with necessaries for the use + of the King's family; and he, having some extraordinary occasion, ordered + one of these carriers to leave his load at his house, and he would pay him + for it; which the carrier refused to do, telling him he was the King's + carrier, and his load for his Majesty's use; to which Arnpryor seemed to + have small regard, compelling the carrier, in the end, to leave his load; + telling him, if King James was King of Scotland, he was King of Kippen, so + that it was reasonable he should share with his neighbor king in some of + these loads, so frequently carried that road. The carrier representing + these usage, and telling the story as Arnpryor spoke it, to some of the + King's servants, it came at length to his majesty's ears, who shortly + thereafter, with a few attendants, came to visit his neighbor king, who + was in the meantime at dinner. King James, having sent a servant to demand + access, was denied the same by a tall fellow with a battle-axe, who stood + porter at the gate, telling there could be no access till dinner was over. + This answer not satisfying the King, he sent to demand access a second + time; upon which he was desired by the porter to desist, otherwise he + would find cause to repent his rudeness. His Majesty finding this method + would not do, desired the porter to tell his master that the Goodman of + Ballangeigh desired to speak with the King of Kippen. The porter telling + Arnpryor so much, he, in all humble manner, came and received the King, + and having entertained him with much sumptuousness and jollity, became so + agreeable to King James, that he allowed him to take so much of any + provision he found carrying that road as he had occasion for; and seeing + he made the first visit, desired Arnpryor in a few days to return him a + second to Stirling, which he performed, and continued in very much favor + with the King, always thereafter being termed King of Kippen while he + lived.' + </p> + <p> + "The readers of Ariosto must give credit for the amiable features with + which James is represented, since he is generally considered as the + prototype of Zerbino, the most interesting hero of the Orlando Furioso." + </p> + <p> + 743. Glided from her stay. The MS. has "shrinking, quits her stay." + </p> + <p> + Ruskin asks us to "note the northern love of rocks" in this passage, and + adds: "Dante could not have thought of his 'cut rocks' as giving rest even + to snow. He must put it on the pine branches, if it is to be at peace." + Taylor quotes Holmes, Autocrat of Breakfast Table: "She melted away from + her seat like an image of snow." + </p> + <p> + 780. Pry. Look pryingly or curiously. In prose on would not be used with + pry. + </p> + <p> + 784. To speed. To a fortunate issue; unless speed be the verb, and = pass. + </p> + <p> + 786. In life's more low but happier way. The MS. has "In lowly life's more + happy way." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +789. The name of Snowdoun. Scott says: "William of Worcester, who +wrote about the middle of the fifteenth century, calls Stirling Castle +Snowdoun. Sir David Lindsay bestows the same epithet upon it in his +Complaint of the Papingo: + + 'Adieu, fair Snawdoun, with thy towers high, Thy chaple-royal, park, and table round; May, June, and July, would I +dwell in thee, Were I a man, to hear the birdis sound, Whilk doth agane +thy royal rock rebound.' +</pre> + <p> + "Mr. Chalmers, in his late excellent edition of Sir David Lindsay's works, + has refuted the chimerical derivation of Snawdoun from snedding, or + cutting. It was probably derived from the romantic legend which connected + Stirling with King Arthur, to which the mention of the Round Table gives + countenance. The ring within which justs were formerly practised in the + Castle park, is still called the Round Table. Snawdoun is the official + title of one of the Scottish heralds, whose epithets seem in all countries + to have been fantastically adopted from ancient history or romance. + </p> + <p> + "It appears from the preceding note that the real name by which James was + actually distinguished in his private excursions was the Goodman of + Ballenguich; derived from a steep pass leading up to the Castle of + Stirling, so called. But the epithet would not have suited poetry, and + would besides at once, and prematurely, have announced the plot to many of + my country men, among whom the traditional stories above mentioned are + still current." + </p> + <p> + 798. My spell-bound steps. The MS. has + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thy sovereign back | to Benvenue." + Thy sovereign's steps | +</pre> + <p> + 800. Glaive. Sword. See on iv. 274 above. + </p> + <p> + 803. Pledge of my faith, etc. The MS. has "Pledge of Fitz-James's faith, + the ring." + </p> + <p> + 808. A lightening. Some eds. have "A lightning." + </p> + <p> + 809. And more, etc. The MS. reads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And in her breast strove maiden shame; + More deep she deemed the Monarch's ire + Kindled 'gainst him, who, for her sire, + Against his Sovereign broadsword drew; + And, with a pleading, warm and true, + She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu." +</pre> + <p> + 813. Grace. Pardon. + </p> + <p> + 825. Stained. Reddened. + </p> + <p> + 829. The Graeme. Jeffrey says: "Malcolm Graeme has too insignificant a + part assigned him, considering the favor in which he is held both by Ellen + and the author; and in bringing out the shaded and imperfect character of + Roderick Dhu as a contrast to the purer virtue of his rival, Mr. Scott + seems to have fallen into the common error of making him more interesting + than him whose virtues he was intended to set off, and converted the + villain of the piece in some measure into its hero. A modern poet, + however, may perhaps be pardoned for an error of which Milton himself is + thought not to have kept clear, and for which there seems so natural a + cause in the difference between poetical and amiable characters." + </p> + <p> + 837. Warder. Guard, jailer. + </p> + <p> + 841. Lockhart quotes here the following extract from a letter of Byron's + to Scott, dated July 6, 1812: + </p> + <p> + "And now, waiving myself, let me talk to you of the Prince Regent. He + ordered me to be presented to him at a ball; and after some saying, + peculiarly pleasing from royal lips, as to my own attempts, he talked to + me of you and your immoralities: he preferred you to every bard past and + present, and asked which of your works pleased me most. It was a difficult + question. I answered, I thought the Lay. He said his own opinion was + nearly similar. In speaking of the others, I told him that I thought you + more particularly the poet of princes, as they never appeared more + fascinating than in Marmion and The Lady of the Lake. He was pleased to + coincide, and to dwell on the description of your James's as no less royal + than poetical. He spoke alternately of Homer and yourself, and seemed well + acquainted with both." + </p> + <p> + 842. Harp of the North, farewell! Cf. the introduction to the poem. + </p> + <p> + 846. Wizard elm. See on i. 2 above. + </p> + <p> + 850. Housing. Returning to the hive. + </p> + <p> + 858. The grief devoured. For the figure, cf. Ps. xlii. 3, lxxx. 5, and + Isa. xxx. 20. + </p> + <p> + 859. O'erlive. Several eds. misprint "o'erlived." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Addendum. + </h2> + <p> + Since our first edition appeared we have had the privilege of examining a + copy of Scott's 2d ed. (1810), belonging to Mr. E. S. Gould, of Yonkers, + N. Y. This 2d ed. is in smaller type than the 1st, and in octavo form, the + 1st being in quarto. A minute collation of the text with that of the 1st + ed. and our own shows that Scott carefully revised the poem for this 2d + ed., and that the changes he afterwards made in it were few and + unimportant. For instance, the text includes the verbal changes which we + have adopted in i. 198, 290, 432, ii. 103, 201, 203, 534, iii. 30, 173, + 190, 508, v. 106, 253, 728, 811, iv. 6, 112, 527, 556, 567, etc. In vi. + 291 fol. it reads (including the omissions and insertions) as in our text. + In i. 336, 340, the pointing is the same as in the 1st ed.; and in i. 360, + the reading is "dear." In ii. 865, 866, it varies from the pointing of the + 1st ed.; but we are inclined to regard this as a misprint, not a + correction. In ii. 76 this 2d ed. has "lingerewave" for "lingerer wave," + and in ii. 217 it repeats the preposterous misprint of "his glee" from the + 1st ed. If Scott could overlook such palpable errors as these, he might + easily fail to detect the misplacing of a comma. We have our doubts as to + i. 336, 340, where the 1st and 2d eds. agree; but there a misprint may + have been left uncorrected, as in ii. 217. + </p> + <p> + Jan. 25, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_FOOT" id="link2H_FOOT"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOOTNOTES: + </h2> + <p> + <a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linknoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ One of Scott's (on vi. 47) + has suffered badly in Lockhart's edition. In a quotation from Lord + Berners's Froissart (which I omit) a whole page seems to have dropped out, + and the last sentence, as it now stands, is made up of pans of the one + preceding and the one following the lost matter. It reads thus (I mark the + gap): "There all the companyons made them[... ] breke no poynt of that ye + have ordayned and commanded.,' This is palpable nonsense, but it has been + repeated without correction in every reprint of Lockhart's edition for the + last fifty years.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linknoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ Lockhart says: "The lady + with whom Sir Walter Scott held this conversation was, no doubt, his aunt, + Miss Christian Rutherford; there was no other female relation DEAD when + this Introduction was written, whom I can suppose him to have consulted on + literary questions. Lady Capulet, on seeing the corpse of Tybalt, + exclaims,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother's child!'"] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linknoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ Lockhart quotes Byron, Don + Juan, xi. 55: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "In twice five years the 'greatest living poet,' + Like to the champion in the fisty ring, + Is called on to support his claim, or show it, + Although 't is an imaginary thing," etc.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linknoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ "Sir Walter reigned before + me," etc. (Don Juan, xi. 57).] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linknoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ The Spenserian stanza, + first used by Spenser in his Faerie Queene, consists of eight lines of ten + syllables, followed by a line of twelve syllables, the accents throughout + being on the even syllables (the so-called iambic measure). There are + three sets of rhymes: one for the first and third lines; another for the + second, fourth, fifth, and seventh; and a third for the sixth, eighth, and + ninth.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#linknoteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ Vide Certayne Matters + concerning the Realme of Scotland, etc., as they were Anno Domini 1597. + London, 1603.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#linknoteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ See on ii. 319 above.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#linknoteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ Hallowe'en.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-9" id="linknote-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#linknoteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ To the raven that sat on + the forked tree he gave his gifts.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#linknoteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ "This story is still + current in the moors of Staffordshire, and adapted by the peasantry to + their own meridian. I have repeatedly heard it told, exactly as here, by + rustics who could not read. My last authority was a nailer near Cheadle" + (R. Jamieson).] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#linknoteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ See Scottish Historical + and Romantic Ballads, Glasgow, 1808, vol. ii. p. 117.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-12" id="linknote-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#linknoteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ A champion of popular + romance; see Ellis's Romances, vol. iii.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-13" id="linknote-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#linknoteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ "That at the eastern + extremity of Loch Katrine, so often mentioned in the text."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-14" id="linknote-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#linknoteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ "Beallach an duine."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-15" id="linknote-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#linknoteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ "The reader will find + this story told at greater length, and with the addition in particular of + the King being recognized, like the Fitz-James of the Lady of the Lake, by + being the only person covered, in the First Series of Tales of a + Grandfather, vol. iii, p. 37. The heir of Braehead discharged his duty at + the banquet given to King George IV. in the Parliament House at Edinburgh, + in 1822" (Lockhart).] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY OF THE LAKE *** + +***** This file should be named 3011-h.htm or 3011-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/1/3011/ + +Produced by J.C. Byers, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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