Rokeby: Canto V. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABBCDEEFFGGHHBBIIDJ AKKLLMMNNFFOOPPQQRRL LSTUUVV AWWGGXXGGYBZZJJA2A2A AB2B2 TC2C2D2D2E2E2D2D2DJF 2F2G2G2XXH2I2YYTTJJJ 2J2GGGB2B2NNK2L2 TM2M2N2O2P2P2AAH2H2E 2E2Q2Q2D2D2R2R2S2S2T 2C2XXD2D2 AQQU2U2V2V2UUH2H2A2A 2IIW2W2NNIIAAH2H2J2J 2PP AH2H2X2X2Y2Y2 Z2 WWGGA3A3 TTIB3C2T2 C3D3D3E3E3F3F3 PPY2Y2 TV2V2EEG3H3I3I3HHP2P 2W2W2D2D2DDJ3J3T2T2 J3C3 NND2D2GG M2M2TTA3A3 O2O2Y2Y2A3A3 K3K3IJ3PPL3L3M3M3A3A 3TTXX J3TJ3D2D2F3F3A3A3TTX XTTGGTTRRJJJ3J3N3O3X XF2JP3TXX TAAXXXXDUXXJ3J3XXXTT TTJ3J3DDJ3J3DDP3T J3Q3Q3XXXXM2M2CDJ3J3 XXAAXXTTJ3J3TTEEGGXX R3R3 S3 TTXXTTTTTT T3T3TTTT UUT3T3TTTT D2D2J3J3Y2Y2TT TTXXTTTT TTTGGTTXXU3U3XXXXQ3Q 3XXTTTTTTTTV3V3 TM2M2B2B2XXTTIIW2W2J 3J3TTR3R3GG TTTJ3J3XXJ3J3AARRV2V 2XXXXTTB2W3 TTTB2B2XXTJ3TTTTTTXX XX TK3TTTTTT XXXTXT TTTTTT XXXTXT IIITIT XXXTXT EEETET J3XXG2G2R2R2TTXXZ2Z2 EETTV2V2TT J3T GGTT TTTT J3J3TT B2B2TT J3J3TT TTTT J3TTXXXTTTTJ3J3XXJ3J 3TTB2B2 J3V2V2XXXXXTTTTEETTX XGGM2M2M2W2W2XX J3XXXXTTTTXXJ3J3 Y2TZ2TZ2XGXG XXXXTY2TY2 TT IGXGXITITTXTXXTXT IXXTTTXTTXXTTXXTXXXT TTTXXXX IXXTTJ3J3X3Y3TTXXIIX XTTTTJ3J3W2W2II X TJ3TJ3 XZ3XZ3 J3XXX XTXT TM2B2M2 TY2J3Y2 J3XJ3X IJ3J3TTV2V2TTXXXXJ3J 3TTXXIIJ3J3TTTTM2M2X X J3TTJ3J3XXXXIIXXXXTT TTJ3J3J3J3XXXXXX J3V2V2TTTTIIXXTTTT J3TTB2B2XXXXEEXXTTM2 M2TTIIA4A4XX J3XXJ3J3TTB2B2TTTTXX J3J3TTXXB4B4Y3Y3J3J3 Y2Y2 J3XXXXJ3J3IIXXTTXXXX R3R3XXM2M2TTXXR3R3G3 G3XXTTTTXX IXXIIXXM2M2TTXXA4A4X XTTXXXXTTXXZ2Z2TTXXT T ITTIITTJ3J3XXXXR3R3X XTT IIIJ3J3XXTTA4A4J3J3X XXXR3R3J3J3XX ITTXXTTTTXXTTIIXXXXT TXXJ3J3XXXXB2B2XXJ3J 3TT

I	A
The sultry summer day is done	B
The western hills have hid the sun	B
But mountain peak and village spire	C
Retain reflection of his fire	D
Old Barnard's towers are purple still	E
To those that gaze from Toller hill	E
Distant and high the tower of Bowes	F
Like steel upon the anvil glows	F
And Stanmore's ridge behind that lay	G
Rich with the spoils of parting day	G
In crimson and in gold array'd	H
Streaks yet awhile the closing shade	H
Then slow resigns to darkening heaven	B
The tints which brighter hours had given	B
Thus aged men full loth and slow	I
The vanities of life forego	I
And count their youthful follies o'er	D
Till Memory lends her light no more	J
	-
II	A
The eve that slow on upland fades	K
Has darker closed on Rokeby's glades	K
Where sunk within their banks profound	L
Her guardian streams to meeting wound	L
The stately oaks whose sombre frown	M
Of noontide made a twilight brown	M
Impervious now to fainter light	N
Of twilight make an early night	N
Hoarse into middle air arose	F
The vespers of the roosting crows	F
And with congenial murmurs seem	O
To wake the Genii of the stream	O
For louder clamour'd Greta's tide	P
And Tees in deeper voice replied	P
And fitful waked the evening wind	Q
Fitful in sighs its breath resign'd	Q
Wilfrid whose fancy nurtured soul	R
Felt in the scene a soft control	R
With lighter footstep press'd the ground	L
And often paused to look around	L
And though his path was to his love	S
Could not but linger in the grove	T
To drink the thrilling interest dear	U
Of awful pleasure check'd by fear	U
Such inconsistent moods have we	V
Even when our passions strike the key	V
	-
III	A
Now through the wood's dark mazes past	W
The opening lawn he reach'd at last	W
Where silver'd by the moonlight ray	G
The ancient Hall before him lay	G
Those martial terrors long were fled	X
That frown'd of old around its head	X
The battlements the turrets gray	G
Seem'd half abandon'd to decay	G
On barbican and keep of stone	Y
Stern Time the foeman's work had done	B
Where banners the invader braved	Z
The harebell now and wallflower waved	Z
In the rude guard room where of yore	J
Their weary hours the warders wore	J
Now while the cheerful fagots blaze	A2
On the paved floor the spindle plays	A2
The flanking guns dismounted lie	A
The moat is ruinous and dry	A
The grim portcullis gone and all	B2
The fortress turn'd to peaceful Hall	B2
	-
IV	T
But yet precautions lately ta'en	C2
Show'd danger's day revived again	C2
The court yard wall show'd marks of care	D2
The fall'n defences to repair	D2
Lending such strength as might withstand	E2
The insult of marauding band	E2
The beams once more were taught to bear	D2
The trembling drawbridge into air	D2
And not till question'd o'er and o'er	D
For Wilfrid oped the jealous door	J
And when he entered bolt and bar	F2
Resumed their place with sullen jar	F2
Then as he cross'd the vaulted porch	G2
The old grey porter raised his torch	G2
And view'd him o'er from foot to head	X
Ere to the hall his steps he led	X
That huge old hall of nightly state	H2
Dismantled seem'd and desolate	I2
The moon through transom shafts of stone	Y
Which cross'd the latticed oriels shone	Y
And by the mournful light she gave	T
The Gothic vault seem'd funeral cave	T
Pennon and banner waved no more	J
O'er beams of stag and tusks of boar	J
Nor glimmering arms were marshall'd seen	J2
To glance those sylvan spoils between	J2
Those arms those ensigns borne away	G
Accomplish'd Rokeby's brave array	G
But all were lost on Marston's day	G
Yet here and there the moonbeams fall	B2
Where armour yet adorns the wall	B2
Cumbrous of size uncouth to sight	N
And useless in the modern fight	N
Like veteran relic of the wars	K2
Known only by neglected scars	L2
	-
V	T
Matilda soon to greet him came	M2
And bade them light the evening flame	M2
Said all for parting was prepared	N2
And tarried but for Wilfrid's guard	O2
But then reluctant to unfold	P2
His father's avarice of gold	P2
He hinted that lest jealous eye	A
Should on their precious burden pry	A
He judged it best the castle gate	H2
To enter when the night wore late	H2
And therefore he had left command	E2
With those he trusted of his band	E2
That they should be at Rokeby met	Q2
What time the midnight watch was set	Q2
Now Redmond came whose anxious care	D2
Till then was busied to prepare	D2
All needful meetly to arrange	R2
The mansion for its mournful change	R2
With Wilfrid's care and kindness pleased	S2
His cold unready hand he seized	S2
And press'd it till his kindly strain	T2
The gentle youth return'd again	C2
Seem'd as between them this was said	X
Awhile let jealousy be dead	X
And let our contest be whose care	D2
Shall best assist this helpless fair	D2
	-
VI	A
There was no speech the truce to bind	Q
It was a compact of the mind	Q
A generous thought at once impress'd	U2
On either rival's generous breast	U2
Matilda well the secret took	V2
From sudden change of mien and look	V2
And for not small had been her fear	U
Of jealous ire and danger near	U
Felt even in her dejected state	H2
A joy beyond the reach of fate	H2
They closed beside the chimney's blaze	A2
And talk'd and hoped for happier days	A2
And lent their spirits' rising glow	I
Awhile to gild impending woe	I
High privilege of youthful time	W2
Worth all the pleasures of our prime	W2
The bickering fagot sparkled bright	N
And gave the scene of love to sight	N
Bade Wilfrid's cheek more lively glow	I
Play'd on Matilda's neck of snow	I
Her nut brown curls and forehead high	A
And laugh'd in Redmond's azure eye	A
Two lovers by the maiden sate	H2
Without a glance of jealous hate	H2
The maid her lovers sat between	J2
With open brow and equal mien	J2
It is a sight but rarely spied	P
Thanks to man's wrath and woman's pride	P
	-
VI	A
While thus in peaceful guise they sate	H2
A knock alarm'd the outer gate	H2
And ere the tardy porter stirr'd	X2
The tinkling of a harp was heard	X2
A manly voice of mellow swell	Y2
Bore burden to the music well	Y2
	-
SONG	Z2
	-
Summer eve is gone and past	W
Summer dew is falling fast	W
I have wander'd all the day	G
Do not bid me farther stray	G
Gentle hearts of gentle kin	A3
Take the wandering harper in	A3
	-
But the stern porter answer gave	T
With Get thee hence thou strolling knave	T
The king wants soldiers war I trow	I
Were meeter trade for such as thou	B3
At this unkind reproof again	C2
Answer'd the ready Minstrel's strain	T2
	-
SONG RESUMED	C3
Bid not me in battle field	D3
Buckler lift or broadsword wield	D3
All my strength and all my art	E3
Is to touch the gentle heart	E3
With the wizard notes that ring	F3
From the peaceful minstrel string	F3
	-
The porter all unmoved replied	P
Depart in peace with Heaven to guide	P
If longer by the gate thou dwell	Y2
Trust me thou shalt not part so well	Y2
	-
VIII	T
With somewhat of appealing look	V2
The harper's part young Wilfrid took	V2
These notes so wild and ready thrill	E
They show no vulgar minstrel's skill	E
Hard were his task to seek a home	G3
More distant since the night is come	H3
And for his faith I dare engage	I3
Your Harpool's blood is sour'd by age	I3
His gate once readily display'd	H
To greet the friend the poor to aid	H
Now even to me though known of old	P2
Did but reluctantly unfold	P2
blame not as poor Harpool's crime	W2
An evil of this evil time	W2
He deems dependent on his care	D2
The safety of his patron's heir	D2
Nor judges meet to ope the tower	D
To guest unknown at parting hour	D
Urging his duty to excess	J3
Of rough and stubborn faithfulness	J3
For this poor harper I would fain	T2
He may relax Hark to his strain	T2
	-
IX	J3
SONG RESUMED	C3
	-
I have song of war for knight	N
Lay of love for lady bright	N
Fairy tale to lull the heir	D2
Goblin grim the maids to scare	D2
Dark the night and long till day	G
Do not bid me farther stray	G
	-
Rokeby's lords of martial fame	M2
I can count them name by name	M2
Legends of their line there be	T
Known to few but known to me	T
If you honour Rokeby's kin	A3
Take the wandering harper in	A3
	-
Rokeby's lords had fair regard	O2
For the harp and for the bard	O2
Baron's race throve never well	Y2
Where the curse of minstrel fell	Y2
If you love that noble kin	A3
Take the weary harper in	A3
	-
Hark Harpool parleys there is hope	K3
Said Redmond that the gate will ope	K3
For all thy brag and boast I trow	I
Nought know'st thou of the Felon Sow	J3
Quoth Harpool nor how Greta side	P
She roam'd and Rokeby forest wide	P
Nor how Ralph Rokeby gave the beast	L3
To Richmond's friars to make a feast	L3
Of Gilbert Griffinson the tale	M3
Goes and of gallant Peter Dale	M3
That well could strike with sword amain	A3
And of the valiant son of Spain	A3
Friar Middleton and blithe Sir Ralph	T
There were a jest to make us laugh	T
If thou canst tell it in yon shed	X
Thou'st won thy supper and thy bed	X
	-
X	J3
Matilda smiled Cold hope said she	T
From Harpool's love of minstrelsy	J3
But for this harper may we dare	D2
Redmond to mend his couch and fare	D2
O ask me not At minstrel string	F3
My heart from infancy would spring	F3
Nor can I hear its simplest strain	A3
But it brings Erin's dream again	A3
When placed by Owen Lysagh's knee	T
The Filea of O'Neale was he	T
A blind and bearded man whose eld	X
Was sacred as a prophet's held	X
I've seen a ring of rugged kerne	T
With aspects shaggy wild and stern	T
Enchanted by the master's lay	G
Linger around the livelong day	G
Shift from wild rage to wilder glee	T
To love to grief to ecstasy	T
And feel each varied change of soul	R
Obedient to the bard's control	R
Ah Clandeboy thy friendly floor	J
Slieve Donard's oak shall light no more	J
Nor Owen's harp beside the blaze	J3
Tell maiden's love or hero's praise	J3
The mantling brambles hide thy hearth	N3
Centre of hospitable mirth	O3
All undistinguish'd in the glade	X
My sires' glad home is prostrate laid	X
Their vassals wander wide and far	F2
Serve foreign lords in distant war	J
And now the stranger's sons enjoy	P3
The lovely woods of Clandeboy	T
He spoke and proudly turn'd aside	X
The starting tear to dry and hide	X
	-
XI	T
Matilda's dark and soften'd eye	A
Was glistening ere O'Neale's was dry	A
Her hand upon his arm she laid	X
It is the will of heaven she said	X
And think'st thou Redmond I can part	X
From this loved home with lightsome heart	X
Leaving to wild neglect whate'er	D
Even from my infancy was dear	U
For in this calm domestic bound	X
Were all Matilda's pleasures found	X
That hearth my sire was wont to grace	J3
Full soon may be a stranger's place	J3
This hall in which a child I play'd	X
Like thine dear Redmond lowly laid	X
The bramble and the thorn may braid	X
Or pass'd for aye from me and mine	T
It ne'er may shelter Rokeby's line	T
Yet is this consolation given	T
My Redmond 'tis the will of heaven	T
Her word her action and her phrase	J3
Were kindly as in early days	J3
For cold reserve had lost its power	D
In sorrow's sympathetic hour	D
Young Redmond dared not trust his voice	J3
But rather had it been his choice	J3
To share that melancholy hour	D
Than arm'd with all a chieftain's power	D
In full possession to enjoy	P3
Slieve Donard wide and Clandeboy	T
	-
XII	J3
The blood left Wilfrid's ashen cheek	Q3
Matilda sees and hastes to speak	Q3
Happy in friendship's ready aid	X
Let all my murmurs here be staid	X
And Rokeby's Maiden will not part	X
From Rokeby's hall with moody heart	X
This night at least for Rokeby's fame	M2
The hospitable hearth shall flame	M2
And ere its native heir retire	C
Find for the wanderer rest and fire	D
While this poor harper by the blaze	J3
Recounts the tale of other days	J3
Bid Harpool ope the door with speed	X
Admit him and relieve each need	X
Meantime kind Wycliffe wilt thou try	A
Thy minstrel skill Nay no reply	A
And look not sad I guess thy thought	X
Thy verse with laurels would be bought	X
And poor Matilda landless now	T
Has not a garland for thy brow	T
True I must leave sweet Rokeby's glades	J3
Nor wander more in Greta's shades	J3
But sure no rigid jailer thou	T
Wilt a short prison walk allow	T
Where summer flowers grow wild at will	E
On Marwood chase and Toller Hill	E
Then holly green and lily gay	G
Shall twine in guerdon of thy lay	G
The mournful youth a space aside	X
To tune Matilda's harp applied	X
And then a low sad descant rung	R3
As prelude to the lay he sung	R3
	-
XIII THE CYPRESS WREATH	S3
	-
Lady twine no wreath for me	T
Or twine it of the cypress tree	T
Too lively glow the lilies light	X
The varnish'd holly's all too bright	X
The May flower and the eglantine	T
May shade a brow less sad than mine	T
But Lady weave no wreath for me	T
Or weave it of the cypress tree	T
Let dimpled Mirth his temples twine	T
With tendrils of the laughing vine	T
	-
The manly oak the pensive yew	T3
To patriot and to sage be due	T3
The myrtle bough bids lovers live	T
But that Matilda will not give	T
Then Lady twine no wreath for me	T
Or twine it of the cypress tree	T
	-
Let merry England proudly rear	U
Her blended roses bought so dear	U
Let Albin bind her bonnet blue	T3
With heath and harebell dipp'd in dew	T3
On favour'd Erin's crest be seen	T
The flower she loves of emerald green	T
But Lady twine no wreath for me	T
Or twine it of the cypress tree	T
	-
Strike the wild harp while maids prepare	D2
The ivy meet for minstrel's hair	D2
And while his crown of laurel leaves	J3
With bloody hand the victor weaves	J3
Let the loud trump his triumph tell	Y2
But when you hear the passing bell	Y2
Then Lady twine a wreath for me	T
And twine it of the cypress tree	T
	-
Yes twine for me the cypress bough	T
But Matilda twine not now	T
Stay till a few brief months are past	X
And I have look'd and loved my last	X
When villagers my shroud bestrew	T
With pansies rosemary and rue	T
Then Lady weave a wreath for me	T
And weave it of the cypress tree	T
	-
XIV	T
O'Neale observed the starting tear	T
And spoke with kind and blithesome cheer	T
No noble Wilfrid ere the day	G
When mourns the land thy silent lay	G
Shall many a wreath be freely wove	T
By hand of friendship and of love	T
I would not wish that rigid Fate	X
Had doom'd thee to a captive's state	X
Whose hands are bound by honour's law	U3
Who wears a sword he must not draw	U3
But were it so in minstrel pride	X
The land together would we ride	X
On prancing steeds like harpers old	X
Bound for the halls of barons bold	X
Each lover of the lyre we'd seek	Q3
From Michael's Mount to Skiddaw's Peak	Q3
Survey wild Albin's mountain strand	X
And roam green Erin's lovely land	X
While thou the gentler souls should move	T
With lay of pity and of love	T
And I thy mate in rougher strain	T
Would sing of war and warriors slain	T
Old England's bards were vanquish'd then	T
And Scotland's vaunted Hawthornden	T
And silenced on Iernian shore	T
M'Curtin's harp should charm no more	T
In lively mood he spoke to wile	V3
From Wilfrid's wo worn cheek a smile	V3
	-
XV	T
But said Matilda ere thy name	M2
Good Redmond gain its destined fame	M2
Say wilt thou kindly deign to call	B2
Thy brother minstrel to the hall	B2
Bid all the household too attend	X
Each in his rank a humble friend	X
I know their faithful hearts will grieve	T
When their poor Mistress takes her leave	T
So let the horn and beaker flow	I
To mitigate their parting wo	I
The harper came in youth's first prime	W2
Himself in mode of olden time	W2
His garb was fashion'd to express	J3
The ancient English minstrel's dress	J3
A seemly gown of Kendal green	T
With gorget closed of silver sheen	T
His harp in silken scarf was slung	R3
And by his side an anlace hung	R3
It seem'd some masquer's quaint array	G
For revel or for holiday	G
	-
XVI	T
He made obeisance with a free	T
Yet studied air of courtesy	T
Each look and accent framed to please	J3
Seem'd to affect a playful ease	J3
His face was of that doubtful kind	X
That wins the eye but not the mind	X
Yet harsh it seem'd to deem amiss	J3
Of brow so young and smooth as this	J3
His was the subtle look and sly	A
That spying all seems nought to spy	A
Round all the group his glances stole	R
Unmark'd themselves to mark the whole	R
Yet sunk beneath Matilda's look	V2
Nor could the eye of Redmond brook	V2
To the suspicious or the old	X
Subtile and dangerous and bold	X
Had seem'd this self invited guest	X
But young our lovers and the rest	X
Wrapt in their sorrow and their fear	T
At parting of their Mistress dear	T
Tear blinded to the Castle hall	B2
Came as to bear her funeral pall	W3
	-
XVII	T
All that expression base was gone	T
When waked the guest his minstrel tone	T
It fled at inspiration's call	B2
As erst the demon fled from Saul	B2
More noble glance he cast around	X
More free drawn breath inspired the sound	X
His pulse beat bolder and more high	T
In all the pride of minstrelsy	J3
Alas too soon that pride was o'er	T
Sunk with the lay that bade it soar	T
His soul resumed with habit's chain	T
Its vices wild and follies vain	T
And gave the talent with him born	T
To be a common curse and scorn	T
Such was the youth whom Rokeby's Maid	X
With condescending kindness pray'd	X
Here to renew the strains she loved	X
At distance heard and well approved	X
	-
XVIII	T
SONG THE HARP	K3
I was a wild and wayward boy	T
My childhood scorn'd each childish toy	T
Retired from all reserved and coy	T
To musing prone	T
I woo'd my solitary joy	T
My Harp alone	T
	-
My youth with bold Ambition's mood	X
Despised the humble stream and wood	X
Where my poor father's cottage stood	X
To fame unknown	T
What should my soaring views make good	X
My Harp alone	T
	-
Love came with all his frantic fire	T
And wild romance of vain desire	T
The baron's daughter heard my lyre	T
And praised the tone	T
What could presumptuous hope inspire	T
My Harp alone	T
	-
At manhood's touch the bubble burst	X
And manhood's pride the vision curst	X
And all that had my folly nursed	X
Love's sway to own	T
Yet spared the spell that lull'd me first	X
My Harp alone	T
	-
Wo came with war and want with wo	I
And it was mine to undergo	I
Each outrage of the rebel foe	I
Can aught atone	T
My fields laid waste my cot laid low	I
My Harp alone	T
	-
Ambition's dreams I've seen depart	X
Have rued of penury the smart	X
Have felt of love the venom'd dart	X
When hope was flown	T
Yet rests one solace to my heart	X
My Harp alone	T
	-
Then over mountain moor and hill	E
My faithful Harp I'll bear thee still	E
And when this life of want and ill	E
Is wellnigh gone	T
Thy strings mine elegy shall thrill	E
My Harp alone	T
	-
XIX	J3
A' pleasing lay Matilda said	X
But Harpool shook his old grey head	X
And took his baton and his torch	G2
To seek his guard room in the porch	G2
Edmund observed with sudden change	R2
Among the strings his fingers range	R2
Until they waked a bolder glee	T
Of military melody	T
Then paused amid the martial sound	X
And look'd with well feign'd fear around	X
None to this noble house belong	Z2
He said that would a Minstrel wrong	Z2
Whose fate has been through good and ill	E
To love his Royal Master still	E
And with your honour'd leave would fain	T
Rejoice you with a loyal strain	T
Then as assured by sign and look	V2
The warlike tone again he took	V2
And Harpool stopp'd and turn'd to hear	T
A ditty of the Cavalier	T
	-
XX	J3
SONG THE CAVALIER	T
	-
While the dawn on the mountain was misty and gray	G
My true love has mounted his steed and away	G
Over hill over valley o'er dale and o'er down	T
Heaven shield the brave Gallant that fights for the Crown	T
	-
He has doff'd the silk doublet the breast plate to bear	T
He has placed the steel cap o'er his long flowing hair	T
From his belt to his stirrup his broadsword hangs down	T
Heaven shield the brave Gallant that fights for the Crown	T
	-
For the rights of fair England that broadsword he draws	J3
Her King is his leader her Church is his cause	J3
His watchword is honour his pay is renown	T
GoD strike with the Gallant that strikes for the Crown	T
	-
They may boast of their Fairfax their Waller and all	B2
The roundheaded rebels of Westminster Hall	B2
But tell these bold traitors of London's proud town	T
That the spears of the North have encircled the Crown	T
	-
There's Derby and Cavendish dread of their foes	J3
There's Erin's high Ormond and Scotland's Montrose	J3
Would you match the base Skippon and Massey and Brown	T
With the Barons of England that fight for the Crown	T
	-
Now joy to the crest of the brave Cavalier	T
Be his banner unconquer'd resistless his spear	T
Till in peace and in triumph his toils he may drown	T
In a pledge to fair England her Church and her Crown	T
	-
XXI	J3
Alas Matilda said that strain	T
Good harper now is heard in vain	T
The time has been at such a sound	X
When Rokeby's vassals gather'd round	X
An hundred manly hearts would bound	X
But now the stirring verse we hear	T
Like trump in dying soldier's ear	T
Listless and sad the notes we own	T
The power to answer them is flown	T
Yet not without his meet applause	J3
Be he that sings the rightful cause	J3
Even when the crisis of its fate	X
To human eye seems desperate	X
While Rokeby's Heir such power retains	J3
Let this slight guerdon pay thy pains	J3
And lend thy harp I fain would try	T
If my poor skill can ought supply	T
Ere yet I leave my fathers' hall	B2
To mourn the cause in which we fall	B2
	-
XXII	J3
The harper with a downcast look	V2
And trembling hand her bounty took	V2
As yet the conscious pride of art	X
Had steel'd him in his treacherous part	X
A powerful spring of force unguess'd	X
That hath each gentler mood suppress'd	X
And reign'd in many a human breast	X
From his that plans the red campaign	T
To his that wastes the woodland reign	T
The failing wing the blood shot eye	T
The sportsman marks with apathy	T
Each feeling of his victim's ill	E
Drown'd in his own successful skill	E
The veteran too who now no more	T
Aspires to head the battle's roar	T
Loves still the triumph of his art	X
And traces on the pencill'd chart	X
Some stern invader's destined way	G
Through blood and ruin to his prey	G
Patriots to death and towns to flame	M2
He dooms to raise another's name	M2
And shares the guilt though not the tame	M2
What pays him for his span of time	W2
Spent in premeditating crime	W2
What against pity arms his heart	X
It is the conscious pride of art	X
	-
XXIII	J3
But principles in Edmund's mind	X
Were baseless vague and undefined	X
His soul like bark with rudder lost	X
On Passion's changeful tide was tost	X
Nor Vice nor Virtue had the power	T
Beyond the impression of the hour	T
And O when Passion rules how rare	T
The hours that fall to Virtue's share	T
Yet now she roused her for the pride	X
That lack of sterner guilt supplied	X
Could scarce support him when arose	J3
The lay that mourn'd Matilda's woes	J3
	-
SONG THE FAREWELL	Y2
The sound of Rokeby's woods I hear	T
They mingle with the song	Z2
Dark Greta's voice is in mine ear	T
I must not hear them long	Z2
From every loved and native haunt	X
The native Heir must stray	G
And like a ghost whom sunbeams daunt	X
Must part before the day	G
	-
Soon from the halls my fathers rear'd	X
Their scutcheons may descend	X
A line so long beloved and fear'd	X
May soon obscurely end	X
No longer here Matilda's tone	T
Shall bid those echoes swell	Y2
Yet shall they hear her proudly own	T
The cause in which we fell	Y2
	-
The Lady paused and then again	T
Resumed the lay in loftier strain	T
	-
XXIV	I
Let our halls and towers decay	G
Be our name and line forgot	X
Lands and manors pass away	G
We but share our Monarch's lot	X
If no more our annals show	I
Battles won and banners taken	T
Still in death defeat and wo	I
Ours be loyalty unshaken	T
Constant still in danger's hour	T
Princes own'd our fathers' aid	X
Lands and honours wealth and power	T
Well their loyalty repaid	X
Perish wealth and power and pride	X
Mortal boons by mortals given	T
But let Constancy abide	X
Constancy's the gift of Heaven	T
	-
XXV	I
While thus Matilda lay was heard	X
A thousand thoughts in Edmund stirr'd	X
In peasant life he might have known	T
As fair a face as sweet a tone	T
But village notes could ne'er supply	T
That rich and varied melody	X
And ne'er in cottage maid was seen	T
The easy dignity of mien	T
Claiming respect yet waving state	X
That marks the daughters of the great	X
Yet not perchance had these alone	T
His scheme of purposed guilt o'erthrown	T
But while her energy of mind	X
Superior rose to griefs combined	X
Lending its kindling to her eye	T
Giving her form new majesty	X
To Edmund's thought Matilda seem'd	X
The very object he had dream'd	X
When long ere guilt his soul had known	T
In Winston bowers he mused alone	T
Taxing his fancy to combine	T
The face the air the voice divine	T
Of princess fair by cruel fate	X
Reft of her honours power and state	X
Till to her rightful realm restored	X
By destined hero's conquering sword	X
	-
XXVI	I
Such was my vision Edmund thought	X
And have I then the ruin wrought	X
Of such a maid that fancy ne'er	T
In fairest vision form'd her peer	T
Was it my hand that could unclose	J3
The postern to her ruthless foes	J3
Foes lost to honour law and faith	X3
Their kindest mercy sudden death	Y3
Have I done this I who have swore	T
That if the globe such angel bore	T
I would have traced its circle broad	X
To kiss the ground on which she trode	X
And now O would that earth would rive	I
And close upon me while alive	I
Is there no hope Is all then lost	X
Bertram's already on his post	X
Even now beside the Hall's arch'd door	T
I saw his shadow cross the floor	T
He was to wait my signal strain	T
A little respite thus we gain	T
By what I heard the menials say	J3
Young Wycliffe's troop are on their way	J3
Alarm precipitates the crime	W2
My harp must wear away the time	W2
And then in accents faint and low	I
He falter'd forth a tale of wo	I
	-
XXVII BALLAD	X
	-
And whither would you lead me then	T
Quoth the Friar of orders gray	J3
And the Ruffians twain replied again	T
By a dying woman to pray	J3
	-
I see he said a lovely sight	X
A sight bodes little harm	Z3
A lady as a lily bright	X
With an infant on her arm	Z3
	-
Then do thine office Friar gray	J3
And see thou shrive her free	X
Else shall the sprite that parts to night	X
Fling all its guilt on thee	X
	-
Let mass be said and trentrals read	X
When thou'rt to convent gone	T
And bid the bell of St Benedict	X
Toll out its deepest tone	T
	-
The shrift is done the Friar is gone	T
Blindfolded as he came	M2
Next morning all in Littlecot Hall	B2
Were weeping for their dame	M2
	-
Wild Darrell is an alter'd man	T
The village crones can tell	Y2
He looks pale as clay and strives to pray	J3
If he hears the convent bell	Y2
	-
If prince or peer cross Darrell's way	J3
He'll beard him in his pride	X
If he meet a Friar of orders gray	J3
He droops and turns aside	X
	-
XXVIII	I
Harper methinks thy magic lays	J3
Matilda said can goblins raise	J3
Wellnigh my fancy can discern	T
Near the dark porch a visage stern	T
E'en now in yonder shadowy nook	V2
I see it Redmond Wilfrid look	V2
A human form distinct and clear	T
God for thy mercy it draws near	T
She saw too true Stride after stride	X
The centre of that chamber wide	X
Fierce Bertram gain'd then made a stand	X
And proudly waving with his hand	X
Thunder'd Be still upon your lives	J3
He bleeds who speaks he dies who strives	J3
Behind their chief the robber crew	T
Forth from the darken'd portal drew	T
In silence save that echo dread	X
Return'd their heavy measured tread	X
The lamp's uncertain lustre gave	I
Their arms to gleam their plumes to wave	I
File after file in order pass	J3
Like forms on Banquo's mystic glass	J3
Then halting at their leader's sign	T
At once they form'd and curved their line	T
Hemming within its crescent drear	T
Their victims like a herd of deer	T
Another sign and to the aim	M2
Levell'd at once their muskets came	M2
As waiting but their chieftain's word	X
To make their fatal volley heard	X
	-
XXIX	J3
Back in a heap the menials drew	T
Yet even in mortal terror true	T
Their pale and startled group oppose	J3
Between Matilda and the foes	J3
haste thee Wilfrid Redmond cried	X
Undo that wicket by thy side	X
Bear hence Matilda gain the wood	X
The pass may be awhile made good	X
Thy band ere this must sure be nigh	I
speak not dally not but fly	I
While yet the crowd their motions hide	X
Through the low wicket door they glide	X
Through vaulted passages they wind	X
In Gothic intricacy twined	X
Wilfrid half led and half he bore	T
Matilda to the postern door	T
And safe beneath the forest tree	T
The Lady stands at liberty	T
The moonbeams the fresh gale's caress	J3
Renew'd suspended consciousness	J3
Where's Redmond eagerly she cries	J3
Thou answer'st not he dies he dies	J3
And thou hast left him all bereft	X
Of mortal aid with murderers left	X
I know it well he would not yield	X
His sword to man his doom is seal'd	X
For my scorn'd life which thou hast bought	X
At price of his I thank thee not	X
	-
XXX	J3
The unjust reproach the angry look	V2
The heart of Wilfrid could not brook	V2
Lady he said my band so near	T
In safety thou mayst rest thee here	T
For Redmond's death thou shalt not mourn	T
If mine can buy his safe return	T
He turn'd away his heart throbb'd high	I
The tear was bursting from his eye	I
The sense of her injustice press'd	X
Upon the Maid's distracted breast	X
Stay Wilfrid stay all aid is vain	T
He heard but turn'd him not again	T
He reaches now the postern door	T
Now enters and is seen no more	T
	-
XXXI	J3
With all the agony that e'er	T
Was gender'd'twixt suspense and fear	T
She watch'd the line of windows tall	B2
Whose Gothic lattice lights the Hall	B2
Distinguish'd by the paly red	X
The lamps in dim reflection shed	X
While all beside in wan moonlight	X
Each grated casement glimmer'd white	X
No sight of harm no sound of ill	E
It is a deep and midnight still	E
Who look'd upon the scene had guess'd	X
All in the Castle were at rest	X
When sudden on the windows shone	T
A lightning flash just seen and gone	T
A shot is heard Again the flame	M2
Flash'd thick and fast a volley came	M2
Then echo'd wildly from within	T
Of shout and scream the mingled din	T
And weapon clash and maddening cry	I
Of those who kill and those who die	I
As fill'd the Hall with sulphurous smoke	A4
More red more dark the death flash broke	A4
And forms were on the lattice cast	X
That struck or struggled as they past	X
	-
XXXII	J3
What sounds upon the midnight wind	X
Approach so rapidly behind	X
It is it is the tramp of steeds	J3
Matilda hears the sound she speeds	J3
Seizes upon the leader's rein	T
O haste to aid ere aid be vain	T
Fly to the postern gain the Hall	B2
From saddle spring the troopers all	B2
Their gallant steeds at liberty	T
Run wild along the moonlight lea	T
But ere they burst upon the scene	T
Full stubborn had the conflict been	T
When Bertram mark'd Matilda's flight	X
It gave the signal for the fight	X
And Rokeby's veterans seam'd with scars	J3
Of Scotland's and of Erin's wars	J3
Their momentary panic o'er	T
Stood to the arms which then they bore	T
For they were weapon'd and prepared	X
Their Mistress on her way to guard	X
Then cheer'd them to the fight O'Neale	B4
Then peal'd the shot and clash'd the steel	B4
The war smoke soon with sable breath	Y3
Darken'd the scene of blood and death	Y3
While on the few defenders close	J3
The Bandits with redoubled blows	J3
And twice driven back yet fierce and fell	Y2
Renew the charge with frantic yell	Y2
	-
XXXIII	J3
Wilfrid has fall'n but o'er him stood	X
Young Redmond soil'd with smoke and blood	X
Cheering his mates with heart and hand	X
Still to make good their desperate stand	X
Up comrades up In Rokeby halls	J3
Ne'er be it said our courage falls	J3
What faint ye for their savage cry	I
Or do the smoke wreaths daunt your eye	I
These rafters have return'd a shout	X
As loud at Rokeby's wassail rout	X
As thick a smoke these hearths have given	T
At Hallow tide or Christmas even	T
Stand to it yet renew the fight	X
For Rokeby's and Matilda's right	X
These slaves they dare not hand to hand	X
Bide buffet from a true man's brand	X
Impetuous active fierce and young	R3
Upon the advancing foes he sprung	R3
Wo to the wretch at whom is bent	X
His brandish'd falchion's sheer descent	X
Backward they scatter'd as he came	M2
Like wolves before the levin flame	M2
When mid their howling conclave driven	T
Hath glanced the thunderbolt of heaven	T
Bertram rush'd on but Harpool clasp'd	X
His knees although in death he gasped	X
His falling corpse before him flung	R3
And round the trammell'd ruffian clung	R3
Just then the soldiers fill'd the dome	G3
And shouting charged the felons home	G3
So fiercely that in panic dread	X
They broke they yielded fell or fled	X
Bertram's stern voice they heed no more	T
Though heard above the battle's roar	T
While trampling down the dying man	T
He strove with volley'd threat and ban	T
In scorn of odds in fate's despite	X
To rally up the desperate fight	X
	-
XXXIV	I
Soon murkier clouds the Hall enfold	X
Than e'er from battle thunders roll'd	X
So dense the combatants scarce know	I
To aim or to avoid the blow	I
Smothering and blindfold grows the fight	X
But soon shall dawn a dismal light	X
Mid cries and clashing arms there came	M2
The hollow sound of rushing flame	M2
New horrors on the tumult dire	T
Arise the Castle is on fire	T
Doubtful if chance had cast the brand	X
Or frantic Bertram's desperate hand	X
Matilda saw for frequent broke	A4
From the dim casements gusts of smoke	A4
Yon tower which late so clear defined	X
On the fair hemisphere reclined	X
That pencill'd on its azure pure	T
The eye could count each embrazure	T
Now swath'd within the sweeping cloud	X
Seems giant spectre in his shroud	X
Till from each loop hole flashing light	X
A spout of fire shines ruddy bright	X
And gathering to united glare	T
Streams high into the midnight air	T
A dismal beacon far and wide	X
That waken'd Greta's slumbering side	X
Soon all beneath through gallery long	Z2
And pendant arch the fire flash'd strong	Z2
Snatching whatever could maintain	T
Raise or extend its furious reign	T
Startling with closer cause of dread	X
The females who the conflict fled	X
And now rush'd forth upon the plain	T
Filling the air with clamours vain	T
	-
XXXV	I
But ceased not yet the Hall within	T
The shriek the shout the carnage din	T
Till bursting lattices give proof	I
The flames have caught the rafter'd roof	I
What wait they till its beams amain	T
Crash on the slayers and the slain	T
The alarm is caught the drawbridge falls	J3
The warriors hurry from the walls	J3
But by the conflagration's light	X
Upon the lawn renew the fight	X
Each straggling felon down was hew'd	X
Not one could gain the sheltering wood	X
But forth the affrighted harper sprung	R3
And to Matilda's robe he clung	R3
Her shriek entreaty and command	X
Stopp'd the pursuer's lifted hand	X
Denzil and he alive were ta'en	T
The rest save Bertram all are slain	T
	-
XXXVI	I
And where is Bertram soaring high	I
The general flame ascends the sky	I
In gather'd group the soldiers gaze	J3
Upon the broad and roaring blaze	J3
When like infernal demon sent	X
Red from his penal element	X
To plague and to pollute the air	T
His face all gore on fire his hair	T
Forth from the central mass of smoke	A4
The giant form of Bertram broke	A4
His brandish'd sword on high lie rears	J3
Then plunged among opposing spears	J3
Round his left arm his mantle truss'd	X
Received and foil'd three lances' thrust	X
Nor these his headlong course withstood	X
Like reeds he snapp'd the tough ash wood	X
In vain his foes around him clung	R3
With matchless force aside he flung	R3
Their boldest as the bull at bay	J3
Tosses the ban dogs from his way	J3
Through forty foes his path he made	X
And safely gain'd the forest glade	X
	-
XXXVII	I
Scarce was this final conflict o'er	T
When from the postern Redmond bore	T
Wilfrid who as of life bereft	X
Had in the fatal Hall been left	X
Deserted there by all his train	T
But Redmond saw and turn'd again	T
Beneath an oak he laid him down	T
That in the blaze gleam'd ruddy brown	T
And then his mantle's clasp undid	X
Matilda held his drooping head	X
Till given to breathe the freer air	T
Returning life repaid their care	T
He gazed on them with heavy sigh	I
I could have wish'd even thus to die	I
No more he said for now with speed	X
Each trooper had regain'd his steed	X
The ready palfreys stood array'd	X
For Redmond and for Rokeby's Maid	X
Two Wilfrid on his horse sustain	T
One leads his charger by the rein	T
But oft Matilda look'd behind	X
As up the Vale of Tees they wind	X
Where far the mansion of her sires	J3
Beacon'd the dale with midnight fires	J3
In gloomy arch above them spread	X
The clouded heaven lower'd bloody red	X
Beneath in sombre light the flood	X
Appear'd to roll in waves of blood	X
Then one by one was heard to fall	B2
The tower the donjon keep the hall	B2
Each rushing down with thunder sound	X
A space the conflagration drown'd	X
Till gathering strength again it rose	J3
Announced its triumph in its close	J3
Shook wide its light the landscape o'er	T
Then sunk and Rokeby was no more	T

Walter Scott (sir)

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