The Lady Of The Lake - Canto Fifth Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCCDCDE FFGG HHIIJJKKLL MMNNIIOP QQRRSTUUVVFF WXXYYZZA2A2B2C2II I CCGD2E2F2XXDEC C2B2JJCCD2D2T I G2G2E H2I2J2OK2 LLIIF2F2L2 IIM2M2BBN2 O2O2GD2L2L2P2Q2R2 IIZZS2S2IINNY I T2T2IIJJFFU2U2ZZV2V2 GGIIEEW2W2LLJJNNX2X2 PPY2Y2I I Z2Z2D2 IID2D2L2L2II KKKCCA3A3KL2S2S2Z X2 XXXXX2X2XXN2N2B3ZIIA 3A3R2R2XXX2X2C3C3K2K 2CCKKX X2 N2N2PPEEX X2X2XXZZP2P2KXLLPPCC D3D3TT X2 E3E3F3F3CCX2X2I2G3ZZ XXH3I3X IIJ3J3XXIICCK3K3QQNA 3L3L3FFOO X EEXXXXM3M3D2N3GO3O3M 2M2G3P3XXZZG3 X D2D2LLQ3Q3TR2XXGGI GGIIXXXXXXI2G3Z X XXXIR3R3S3T3BBPPXI2G 3NNNNNNNU3U3V3 XXNNW3W3 X IXCCX3X3G3P3DEP2J3CC NNXXXXZZXX X D2D2X XXK2K2K3K3NNXXXXW2W2 XXBBCCF2F2XXLLQQXX X XXU3U3D2D2X Y3Y3XXZ3Z3NNGA4XXG2G 2BBR3R3R3A4A4NNXX X D2GJ2J2D2D2NNXXPPXXX XBBCCU3U3NNS2S2S2S2X XK3K3LLNN X B4B4K2K2S2S2S2CC C4X XXS2S2NNXXXXP3 R3R3 X S2S2XXF2F2XXR3R3NNS2 S2XXGGK3K3ZZC4C4XXZ3 Z3D4D4S2S2XKXS2S2E4E 4E4X X K2K2Z3Z3H3H3S2XXKF2F 2NNS2S2F4F4X BBS2S2NNB4B4NNS2S2N2 N2 X G4G4XXZZXXNNXXBBNNH4 H4XXXBB X ZZXXF2F2S2S2I4I4S2S2 W2W2S2S2S2NNXXE4E4U3 U3S2S2 X J4J4K4L4F4F4NNM4M4M4 GGNNZZN4N4XXF4F4I4I4 L3L3XXX3X3NN X O4O4NNNNCCLLS2S2P4P4 Q4Q4K3K3NNF4F4GGR4R4 F2F2XXCCS2S2XX X NNI4D3Y2Y2S2S2X D2GNNXXS4S4P3G3XXK3 X S2S2F4F4T4T4S2S2QQQS 2S2XXGD2D2NN X XXXXS2S2M4M4XXXXS2S2 XXNNXXXXX X NNXXNNXXXXS2S2XXXXC3 U4 X XXNNXXF2F2XXXXXXNNF3 F3XXI4I4 X XXS2 XXNNIS2XXNNXXX X XXXXXXS2S2XXXXXXXX IN XX X XXM4M4NNS2S2IXX XXXXXS2S2NNNN

The Combat	A
	-
	-
	-
I	-
	-
Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light	B
When first by the bewildered pilgrim spied	C
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night	B
And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide	C
And lights the fearful path on mountain side	C
Fair as that beam although the fairest far	D
Giving to horror grace to danger pride	C
Shine martial Faith and Courtesy's bright star	D
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of War	E
	-
	-
II	-
	-
That early beam so fair and sheen	F
Was twinkling through the hazel screen	F
When rousing at its glimmer red	G
The warriors left their lowly bed	G
Looked out upon the dappled sky	-
Muttered their soldier matins try	-
And then awaked their fire to steal	H
As short and rude their soldier meal	H
That o'er the Gael around him threw	I
His graceful plaid of varied hue	I
And true to promise led the way	J
By thicket green and mountain gray	J
A wildering path they winded now	K
Along the precipice's brow	K
Commanding the rich scenes beneath	L
The windings of the Forth and Teith	L
And all the vales between that lie	-
Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky	-
Then sunk in copse their farthest glance	M
Gained not the length of horseman's lance	M
'Twas oft so steep the foot was as fain	N
Assistance from the hand to gain	N
So tangled oft that bursting through	I
Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew	I
That diamond dew so pure and clear	O
It rivals all but Beauty's tear	P
	-
	-
III	-
	-
At length they came where stern and steep	Q
The hill sinks down upon the deep	Q
Here Vennachar in silver flows	R
There ridge on ridge Benledi rose	R
Ever the hollow path twined on	S
Beneath steep hank and threatening stone	T
A hundred men might hold the post	U
With hardihood against a host	U
The rugged mountain's scanty cloak	V
Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak	V
With shingles bare and cliffs between	F
And patches bright of bracken green	F
And heather black that waved so high	-
It held the copse in rivalry	W
But where the lake slept deep and still	X
Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill	X
And oft both path and hill were torn	Y
Where wintry torrent down had borne	Y
And heaped upon the cumbered land	Z
Its wreck of gravel rocks and sand	Z
So toilsome was the road to trace	A2
The guide abating of his pace	A2
Led slowly through the pass's jaws	B2
And asked Fitz James by what strange cause	C2
He sought these wilds traversed by few	I
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu	I
	-
	-
IV	I
	-
'Brave Gael my pass in danger tried	C
Hangs in my belt and by my side	C
Yet sooth to tell ' the Saxon said	G
'I dreamt not now to claim its aid	D2
When here but three days since	E2
I came Bewildered in pursuit of game	F2
All seemed as peaceful and as still	X
As the mist slumbering on yon hill	X
Thy dangerous Chief was then afar	D
Nor soon expected back from war	E
Thus said at least my mountain guide	C
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	C2
As gives the poor mechanic laws	B2
Enough I sought to drive away	J
The lazy hours of peaceful day	J
Slight cause will then suffice to guide	C
A Knight's free footsteps far and wide	C
A falcon flown a greyhound strayed	D2
The merry glance of mountain maid	D2
Or if a path be dangerous known	T
The danger's self is lure alone '	-
	-
	-
V	I
	-
'Thy secret keep I urge thee not	G2
Yet ere again ye sought this spot	G2
Say heard ye naught of Lowland war	E
Against Clan Alpine raised by Mar '	-
'No by my word of bands prepared	H2
To guard King James's sports I heard	I2
Nor doubt I aught but when they hear	J2
This muster of the mountaineer	O
Their pennons will abroad be flung	K2
Which else in Doune had peaceful hung '	-
'Free be they flung for we were loath	L
Their silken folds should feast the moth	L
Free be they flung as free shall wave	I
Clan Alpine's pine in banner brave	I
But stranger peaceful since you came	F2
Bewildered in the mountain game	F2
Whence the bold boast by which you show	L2
Vich Alpine's vowed and mortal foe '	-
'Warrior but yester morn I knew	I
Naught of thy Chieftain Roderick Dhu	I
Save as an outlawed desperate man	M2
The chief of a rebellious clan	M2
Who in the Regent's court and sight	B
With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight	B
Yet this alone might from his part	N2
Sever each true and loyal heart '	-
	-
	-
VI	-
	-
Wrathful at such arraignment foul	O2
Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowl	O2
A space he paused then sternly said	G
'And heardst thou why he drew his blade	D2
Heardst thou that shameful word and blow	L2
Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe	L2
What recked the Chieftain if he stood	P2
On Highland heath or Holy Rood	Q2
He rights such wrong where it is given	R2
If it were in the court of heaven '	-
'Still was it outrage yet 'tis true	I
Not then claimed sovereignty his due	I
While Albany with feeble hand	Z
Held borrowed truncheon of command	Z
The young King mewed in Stirling tower	S2
Was stranger to respect and power	S2
But then thy Chieftain's robber life	I
Winning mean prey by causeless strife	I
Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain	N
His herds and harvest reared in vain	N
Methinks a soul like thine should scorn	Y
The spoils from such foul foray borne '	-
	-
	-
VII	I
	-
The Gael beheld him grim the while	T2
And answered with disdainful smile	T2
'Saxon from yonder mountain high	I
I marked thee send delighted eye	I
Far to the south and east where lay	J
Extended in succession gay	J
Deep waving fields and pastures green	F
With gentle slopes and groves between	F
These fertile plains that softened vale	U2
Were once the birthright of the Gael	U2
The stranger came with iron hand	Z
And from our fathers reft the land	Z
Where dwell we now See rudely swell	V2
Crag over crag and fell o'er fell	V2
Ask we this savage hill we tread	G
For fattened steer or household bread	G
Ask we for flocks these shingles dry	I
And well the mountain might reply	I
To you as to your sires of yore	E
Belong the target and claymore	E
I give you shelter in my breast	W2
Your own good blades must win the rest	W2
Pent in this fortress of the North	L
Think'st thou we will not sally forth	L
To spoil the spoiler as we may	J
And from the robber rend the prey	J
Ay by my soul While on yon plain	N
The Saxon rears one shock of grain	N
While of ten thousand herds there strays	X2
But one along yon river's maze	X2
The Gael of plain and river heir	P
Shall with strong hand redeem his share	P
Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold	Y2
That plundering Lowland field and fold	Y2
Is aught but retribution true	I
Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu '	-
	-
	-
VIII	I
	-
Answered Fitz James 'And if I sought	Z2
Think'st thou no other could be brought	Z2
What deem ye of my path waylaid	D2
My life given o'er to ambuscade '	-
'As of a meed to rashness due	I
Hadst thou sent warning fair and true	I
I seek my hound or falcon strayed	D2
I seek good faith a Highland maid	D2
Free hadst thou been to come and go	L2
But secret path marks secret foe	L2
Nor yet for this even as a spy	I
Hadst thou unheard been doomed to die	I
Save to fulfil an augury '	-
'Well let it pass nor will I now	K
Fresh cause of enmity avow	K
To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow	K
Enough I am by promise tied	C
To match me with this man of pride	C
Twice have I sought Clan Alpine's glen	A3
In peace but when I come again	A3
I come with banner brand and bow	K
As leader seeks his mortal foe	L2
For love lore swain in lady's bower	S2
Ne'er panted for the appointed hour	S2
As I until before me stand	Z
This rebel Chieftain and his band '	-
	-
	-
IX	X2
	-
'Have then thy wish ' He whistled shrill	X
And he was answered from the hill	X
Wild as the scream of the curlew	X
From crag to crag the signal flew	X
Instant through copse and heath arose	X2
Bonnets and spears and bended bows	X2
On right on left above below	X
Sprung up at once the lurking foe	X
From shingles gray their lances start	N2
The bracken bush sends forth the dart	N2
The rushes and the willow wand	B3
Are bristling into axe and brand	Z
And every tuft of broom gives life	I
'To plaided warrior armed for strife	I
That whistle garrisoned the glen	A3
At once with full five hundred men	A3
As if the yawning hill to heaven	R2
A subterranean host had given	R2
Watching their leader's beck and will	X
All silent there they stood and still	X
Like the loose crags whose threatening mass	X2
Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass	X2
As if an infant's touch could urge	C3
Their headlong passage down the verge	C3
With step and weapon forward flung	K2
Upon the mountain side they hung	K2
The Mountaineer cast glance of pride	C
Along Benledi's living side	C
Then fixed his eye and sable brow	K
Full on Fitz James 'How say'st thou now	K
These are Clan Alpine's warriors true	X
And Saxon I am Roderick Dhu '	-
	-
	-
X	X2
	-
Fitz James was brave though to his heart	N2
The life blood thrilled with sudden start	N2
He manned himself with dauntless air	P
Returned the Chief his haughty stare	P
His back against a rock he bore	E
And firmly placed his foot before	E
'Come one come all this rock shall fly	X
From its firm base as soon as I '	-
Sir Roderick marked and in his eyes	X2
Respect was mingled with surprise	X2
And the stern joy which warriors feel	X
In foeman worthy of their steel	X
Short space he stood then waved his hand	Z
Down sunk the disappearing band	Z
Each warrior vanished where he stood	P2
In broom or bracken heath or wood	P2
Sunk brand and spear and bended bow	K
In osiers pale and copses low	X
It seemed as if their mother Earth	L
Had swallowed up her warlike birth	L
The wind's last breath had tossed in air	P
Pennon and plaid and plumage fair	P
The next but swept a lone hill side	C
Where heath and fern were waving wide	C
The sun's last glance was glinted back	D3
From spear and glaive from targe and jack	D3
The next all unreflected shone	T
On bracken green and cold gray stone	T
	-
	-
XI	X2
	-
Fitz James looked round yet scarce believed	E3
The witness that his sight received	E3
Such apparition well might seem	F3
Delusion of a dreadful dream	F3
Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed	C
And to his look the Chief replied	C
'Fear naught nay that I need not say	X2
But doubt not aught from mine array	X2
Thou art my guest I pledged my word	I2
As far as Coilantogle ford	G3
Nor would I call a clansman's brand	Z
For aid against one valiant hand	Z
Though on our strife lay every vale	X
Rent by the Saxon from the Gael	X
So move we on I only meant	H3
To show the reed on which you leant	I3
Deeming this path you might pursue	X
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu '	-
They moved I said Fitz James was brave	I
As ever knight that belted glaive	I
Yet dare not say that now his blood	J3
Kept on its wont and tempered flood	J3
As following Roderick's stride he drew	X
That seeming lonesome pathway through	X
Which yet by fearful proof was rife	I
With lances that to take his life	I
Waited but signal from a guide	C
So late dishonored and defied	C
Ever by stealth his eye sought round	K3
The vanished guardians of the ground	K3
And stir'd from copse and heather deep	Q
Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep	Q
And in the plover's shrilly strain	N
The signal whistle heard again	A3
Nor breathed he free till far behind	L3
The pass was left for then they wind	L3
Along a wide and level green	F
Where neither tree nor tuft was seen	F
Nor rush nor bush of broom was near	O
To hide a bonnet or a spear	O
	-
	-
XII	X
	-
The Chief in silence strode before	E
And reached that torrent's sounding shore	E
Which daughter of three mighty lakes	X
From Vennachar in silver breaks	X
Sweeps through the plain and ceaseless mines	X
On Bochastle the mouldering lines	X
Where Rome the Empress of the world	M3
Of yore her eagle wings unfurled	M3
And here his course the Chieftain stayed	D2
Threw down his target and his plaid	N3
And to the Lowland warrior said	G
'Bold Saxon to his promise just	O3
Vich Alpine has discharged his trust	O3
This murderous Chief this ruthless man	M2
This head of a rebellious clan	M2
Hath led thee safe through watch and ward	G3
Far past Clan Alpine's outmost guard	P3
Now man to man and steel to steel	X
A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel	X
See here all vantageless I stand	Z
Armed like thyself with single brand	Z
For this is Coilantogle ford	G3
And thou must keep thee with thy sword '	-
	-
	-
XIII	X
	-
The Saxon paused 'I ne'er delayed	D2
When foeman bade me draw my blade	D2
Nay more brave Chief I vowed thy death	L
Yet sure thy fair and generous faith	L
And my deep debt for life preserved	Q3
A better meed have well deserved	Q3
Can naught but blood our feud atone	T
Are there no means ' ' No stranger none	R2
And hear to fire thy flagging zeal	X
The Saxon cause rests on thy steel	X
For thus spoke Fate by prophet bred	G
Between the living and the dead	G
Who spills the foremost foeman's life	I
His party conquers in the strife '	-
'Then by my word ' the Saxon said	G
The riddle is already read	G
Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff	I
There lies Red Murdoch stark and stiff	I
Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy	X
Then yield to Fate and not to me	X
To James at Stirling let us go	X
When if thou wilt be still his foe	X
Or if the King shall not agree	X
To grant thee grace and favor free	X
I plight mine honor oath and word	I2
That to thy native strengths restored	G3
With each advantage shalt thou stand	Z
That aids thee now to guard thy land '	-
	-
	-
XIV	X
	-
Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye	X
'Soars thy presumption then so high	X
Because a wretched kern ye slew	X
Homage to name to Roderick Dhu	I
He yields not he to man nor Fate	R3
Thou add'st but fuel to my hate	R3
My clansman's blood demands revenge	S3
Not yet prepared By heaven I change	T3
My thought and hold thy valor light	B
As that of some vain carpet knight	B
Who ill deserved my courteous care	P
And whose best boast is but to wear	P
A braid of his fair lady's hair ' 'I thank thee	X
Roderick for the word	I2
It nerves my heart it steels my sword	G3
For I have sworn this braid to stain	N
In the best blood that warms thy vein	N
Now truce farewell and rush begone	N
Yet think not that by thee alone	N
Proud Chief can courtesy be shown	N
Though not from copse or heath or cairn	N
Start at my whistle clansmen stern	N
Of this small horn one feeble blast	U3
Would fearful odds against thee cast	U3
But fear not doubt not which thou wilt	V3
We try this quarrel hilt to hilt '	-
Then each at once his falchion drew	X
Each on the ground his scabbard threw	X
Each looked to sun and stream and plain	N
As what they ne'er might see again	N
Then foot and point and eye opposed	W3
In dubious strife they darkly closed	W3
	-
	-
XV	X
	-
Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu	I
That on the field his targe he threw	X
Whose brazen studs and tough bull hide	C
Had death so often dashed aside	C
For trained abroad his arms to wield	X3
Fitz James's blade was sword and shield	X3
He practised every pass and ward	G3
To thrust to strike to feint to guard	P3
While less expert though stronger far	D
The Gael maintained unequal war	E
Three times in closing strife they stood	P2
And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood	J3
No stinted draught no scanty tide	C
The gushing flood the tartars dyed	C
Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain	N
And showered his blows like wintry rain	N
And as firm rock or castle roof	X
Against the winter shower is proof	X
The foe invulnerable still	X
Foiled his wild rage by steady skill	X
Till at advantage ta'en his brand	Z
Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand	Z
And backward borne upon the lea	X
Brought the proud Chieftain to his knee	X
	-
	-
XVI	X
	-
Now yield thee or by Him who made	D2
The world thy heart's blood dyes my blade	D2
'Thy threats thy mercy I defy	X
Let recreant yield who fears to die '	-
Like adder darting from his coil	X
Like wolf that dashes through the toil	X
Like mountain cat who guards her young	K2
Full at Fitz James's throat he sprung	K2
Received but recked not of a wound	K3
And locked his arms his foeman round	K3
Now gallant Saxon hold thine own	N
No maiden's hand is round thee thrown	N
That desperate grasp thy frame might feel	X
Through bars of brass and triple steel	X
They tug they strain down down they go	X
The Gael above Fitz James below	X
The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed	W2
His knee was planted on his breast	W2
His clotted locks he backward threw	X
Across his brow his hand he drew	X
From blood and mist to clear his sight	B
Then gleamed aloft his dagger bright	B
But hate and fury ill supplied	C
The stream of life's exhausted tide	C
And all too late the advantage came	F2
To turn the odds of deadly game	F2
For while the dagger gleamed on high	X
Reeled soul and sense reeled brain and eye	X
Down came the blow but in the heath	L
The erring blade found bloodless sheath	L
The struggling foe may now unclasp	Q
The fainting Chief's relaxing grasp	Q
Unwounded from the dreadful close	X
But breathless all Fitz James arose	X
	-
	-
XVII	X
	-
He faltered thanks to Heaven for life	X
Redeemed unhoped from desperate strife	X
Next on his foe his look he cast	U3
Whose every gasp appeared his last	U3
In Roderick's gore he dipped the braid	D2
'Poor Blanche thy wrongs are dearly paid	D2
Yet with thy foe must die or live	X
The praise that faith and valor give '	-
With that he blew a bugle note	Y3
Undid the collar from his throat	Y3
Unbonneted and by the wave	X
Sat down his brow and hands to rave	X
Then faint afar are heard the feet	Z3
Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet	Z3
The sounds increase and now are seen	N
Four mounted squires in Lincoln green	N
Two who bear lance and two who lead	G
By loosened rein a saddled steed	A4
Each onward held his headlong course	X
And by Fitz James reined up his horse	X
With wonder viewed the bloody spot	G2
'Exclaim not gallants' question not	G2
You Herbert and Luffness alight	B
And bind the wounds of yonder knight	B
Let the gray palfrey bear his weight	R3
We destined for a fairer freight	R3
And bring him on to Stirling straight	R3
I will before at better speed	A4
To seek fresh horse and fitting weed	A4
The sun rides high I must be boune	N
To see the archer game at noon	N
But lightly Bayard clears the lea	X
De Vaux and Herries follow me	X
	-
	-
XVIII	X
	-
'Stand Bayard stand ' the steed obeyed	D2
With arching neck and bended head	G
And glancing eye and quivering ear	J2
As if he loved his lord to hear	J2
No foot Fitz James in stirrup stayed	D2
No grasp upon the saddle laid	D2
But wreathed his left hand in the mane	N
And lightly bounded from the plain	N
Turned on the horse his armed heel	X
And stirred his courage with the steel	X
Bounded the fiery steed in air	P
The rider sat erect and fair	P
Then like a bolt from steel crossbow	X
Forth launched along the plain they go	X
They dashed that rapid torrent through	X
And up Carhonie's hill they flew	X
Still at the gallop pricked the Knight	B
His merrymen followed as they might	B
Along thy banks swift Teith they ride	C
And in the race they mock thy tide	C
Torry and Lendrick now are past	U3
And Deanstown lies behind them cast	U3
They rise the bannered towers of Doune	N
They sink in distant woodland soon	N
Blair Drummond sees the hoofs strike fire	S2
They sweep like breeze through Ochtertyre	S2
They mark just glance and disappear	S2
The lofty brow of ancient Kier	S2
They bathe their coursers' sweltering sides	X
Dark Forth amid thy sluggish tides	X
And on the opposing shore take ground	K3
With plash with scramble and with bound	K3
Right hand they leave thy cliffs Craig Forth	L
And soon the bulwark of the North	L
Gray Stirling with her towers and town	N
Upon their fleet career looked clown	N
	-
	-
XIX	X
	-
As up the flinty path they strained	B4
Sudden his steed the leader reined	B4
A signal to his squire he flung	K2
Who instant to his stirrup sprung	K2
'Seest thou De Vaux yon woodsman gray	S2
Who townward holds the rocky way	S2
Of stature tall and poor array	S2
Mark'st thou the firm yet active stride	C
With which he scales the mountain side	C
Know'st thou from whence he comes or whom '	-
'No by my word a burly groom	C4
He seems who in the field or chase	X
A baron's train would nobly grace '	-
'Out out De Vaux can fear supply	X
And jealousy no sharper eye	X
Afar ere to the hill he drew	S2
That stately form and step I knew	S2
Like form in Scotland is not seen	N
Treads not such step on Scottish green	N
'Tis James of Douglas by Saint Serle	X
The uncle of the banished Earl	X
Away away to court to show	X
The near approach of dreaded foe	X
The King must stand upon his guard	P3
Douglas and he must meet prepared '	-
Then right hand wheeled their steeds and straight	R3
They won the Castle's postern gate	R3
	-
	-
XX	X
	-
The Douglas who had bent his way	S2
From Cambus kenneth's abbey gray	S2
Now as he climbed the rocky shelf	X
Held sad communion with himself	X
'Yes all is true my fears could frame	F2
A prisoner lies the noble Graeme	F2
And fiery Roderick soon will feel	X
The vengeance of the royal steel	X
I only I can ward their fate	R3
God grant the ransom come not late	R3
The Abbess hath her promise given	N
My child shall be the bride of Heaven	N
Be pardoned one repining tear	S2
For He who gave her knows how dear	S2
How excellent but that is by	X
And now my business is to die	X
Ye towers within whose circuit dread	G
A Douglas by his sovereign bled	G
And thou O sad and fatal mound	K3
That oft hast heard the death axe sound	K3
As on the noblest of the land	Z
Fell the stern headsmen's bloody hand	Z
The dungeon block and nameless tomb	C4
Prepare for Douglas seeks his doom	C4
But hark what blithe and jolly peal	X
Makes the Franciscan steeple reel	X
And see upon the crowded street	Z3
In motley groups what masquers meet	Z3
Banner and pageant pipe and drum	D4
And merry morrice dancers come	D4
I guess by all this quaint array	S2
The burghers hold their sports to day	S2
James will be there he loves such show	X
Where the good yeoman bends his bow	K
And the tough wrestler foils his foe	X
As well as where in proud career	S2
The high born filter shivers spear	S2
I'll follow to the Castle park	E4
And play my prize King James shall mark	E4
If age has tamed these sinews stark	E4
Whose force so oft in happier days	X
His boyish wonder loved to praise '	-
	-
	-
XXI	X
	-
The Castle gates were open flung	K2
The quivering drawbridge rocked and rung	K2
And echoed loud the flinty street	Z3
Beneath the coursers' clattering feet	Z3
As slowly down the steep descent	H3
Fair Scotland's King and nobles went	H3
While all along the crowded way	S2
Was jubilee and loud huzza	X
And ever James was bending low	X
To his white jennet's saddle bow	K
Doffing his cap to city dame	F2
Who smiled and blushed for pride and shame	F2
And well the simperer might be vain	N
He chose the fairest of the train	N
Gravely he greets each city sire	S2
Commends each pageant's quaint attire	S2
Gives to the dancers thanks aloud	F4
And smiles and nods upon the crowd	F4
Who rend the heavens with their acclaims	X
'Long live the Commons' King King James '	-
Behind the King thronged peer and knight	B
And noble dame and damsel bright	B
Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay	S2
Of the steep street and crowded way	S2
But in the train you might discern	N
Dark lowering brow and visage stern	N
There nobles mourned their pride restrained	B4
And the mean burgher's joys disdained	B4
And chiefs who hostage for their clan	N
Were each from home a banished man	N
There thought upon their own gray tower	S2
Their waving woods their feudal power	S2
And deemed themselves a shameful part	N2
Of pageant which they cursed in heart	N2
	-
	-
XXII	X
	-
Now in the Castle park drew out	G4
Their checkered bands the joyous rout	G4
There morricers with bell at heel	X
And blade in hand their mazes wheel	X
But chief beside the butts there stand	Z
Bold Robin Hood and all his band	Z
Friar Tuck with quarterstaff and cowl	X
Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl	X
Maid Marian fair as ivory bone	N
Scarlet and Mutch and Little John	N
Their bugles challenge all that will	X
In archery to prove their skill	X
The Douglas bent a bow of might	B
His first shaft centred in the white	B
And when in turn he shot again	N
His second split the first in twain	N
From the King's hand must Douglas take	H4
A silver dart the archers' stake	H4
Fondly he watched with watery eye	X
Some answering glance of sympathy	X
No kind emotion made reply	X
Indifferent as to archer wight	B
The monarch gave the arrow bright	B
	-
	-
XXIII	X
	-
Now clear the ring for hand to hand	Z
The manly wrestlers take their stand	Z
Two o'er the rest superior rose	X
And proud demanded mightier foes	X
Nor called in vain for Douglas came	F2
For life is Hugh of Larbert lame	F2
Scarce better John of Alloa's fare	S2
Whom senseless home his comrades bare	S2
Prize of the wrestling match the King	I4
To Douglas gave a golden ring	I4
While coldly glanced his eye of blue	S2
As frozen drop of wintry dew	S2
Douglas would speak but in his breast	W2
His struggling soul his words suppressed	W2
Indignant then he turned him where	S2
Their arms the brawny yeomen bare	S2
To hurl the massive bar in air	S2
When each his utmost strength had shown	N
The Douglas rent an earth fast stone	N
From its deep bed then heaved it high	X
And sent the fragment through the sky	X
A rood beyond the farthest mark	E4
And still in Stirling's royal park	E4
The gray haired sires who know the past	U3
To strangers point the Douglas cast	U3
And moralize on the decay	S2
Of Scottish strength in modern day	S2
	-
	-
XXIV	X
	-
The vale with loud applauses rang	J4
The Ladies' Rock sent back the clang	J4
The King with look unmoved bestowed	K4
A purse well filled with pieces broad	L4
Indignant smiled the Douglas proud	F4
And threw the gold among the crowd	F4
Who now with anxious wonder scan	N
And sharper glance the dark gray man	N
Till whispers rose among the throng	M4
That heart so free and hand so strong	M4
Must to the Douglas blood belong	M4
The old men marked and shook the head	G
To see his hair with silver spread	G
And winked aside and told each son	N
Of feats upon the English done	N
Ere Douglas of the stalwart hand	Z
Was exiled from his native land	Z
The women praised his stately form	N4
Though wrecked by many a winter's storm	N4
The youth with awe and wonder saw	X
His strength surpassing Nature's law	X
Thus judged as is their wont the crowd	F4
Till murmurs rose to clamours loud	F4
But not a glance from that proud ring	I4
Of peers who circled round the King	I4
With Douglas held communion kind	L3
Or called the banished man to mind	L3
No not from those who at the chase	X
Once held his side the honoured place	X
Begirt his board and in the field	X3
Found safety underneath his shield	X3
For he whom royal eyes disown	N
When was his form to courtiers known	N
	-
	-
XXV	X
	-
The Monarch saw the gambols flag	O4
And bade let loose a gallant stag	O4
Whose pride the holiday to crown	N
Two favorite greyhounds should pull down	N
That venison free and Bourdeaux wine	N
Might serve the archery to dine	N
But Lufra whom from Douglas' side	C
Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide	C
The fleetest hound in all the North	L
Brave Lufra saw and darted forth	L
She left the royal hounds midway	S2
And dashing on the antlered prey	S2
Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank	P4
And deep the flowing life blood drank	P4
The King's stout huntsman saw the sport	Q4
By strange intruder broken short	Q4
Came up and with his leash unbound	K3
In anger struck the noble hound	K3
The Douglas had endured that morn	N
The King's cold look the nobles' scorn	N
And last and worst to spirit proud	F4
Had borne the pity of the crowd	F4
But Lufra had been fondly bred	G
To share his board to watch his bed	G
And oft would Ellen Lufra's neck	R4
In maiden glee with garlands deck	R4
They were such playmates that with name	F2
Of Lufra Ellen's image came	F2
His stifled wrath is brimming high	X
In darkened brow and flashing eye	X
As waves before the bark divide	C
The crowd gave way before his stride	C
Needs but a buffet and no more	S2
The groom lies senseless in his gore	S2
Such blow no other hand could deal	X
Though gauntleted in glove of steel	X
	-
	-
XXVI	X
	-
Then clamored loud the royal train	N
And brandished swords and staves amain	N
But stern the Baron's warning	I4
'Back Back on your lives ye menial pack	D3
Beware the Douglas Yes behold	Y2
King James The Douglas doomed of old	Y2
And vainly sought for near and far	S2
A victim to atone the war	S2
A willing victim now attends	X
Nor craves thy grace but for his friends '	-
'Thus is my clemency repaid	D2
Presumptuous Lord ' the Monarch said	G
'Of thy misproud ambitious clan	N
Thou James of Bothwell wert the man	N
The only man in whom a foe	X
My woman mercy would not know	X
But shall a Monarch's presence brook	S4
Injurious blow and haughty look	S4
What ho the Captain of our Guard	P3
Give the offender fitting ward	G3
Break off the sports ' for tumult rose	X
And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows	X
'Break off the sports ' he said and frowned	K3
'And bid our horsemen clear the ground '	-
	-
	-
XXVII	X
	-
Then uproar wild and misarray	S2
Marred the fair form of festal day	S2
The horsemen pricked among the crowd	F4
Repelled by threats and insult loud	F4
To earth are borne the old and weak	T4
The timorous fly the women shriek	T4
With flint with shaft with staff with bar	S2
The hardier urge tumultuous war	S2
At once round Douglas darkly sweep	Q
The royal spears in circle deep	Q
And slowly scale the pathway steep	Q
While on the rear in thunder pour	S2
The rabble with disordered roar	S2
With grief the noble Douglas saw	X
The Commons rise against the law	X
And to the leading soldier said	G
'Sir John of Hyndford 'twas my blade	D2
That knighthood on thy shoulder laid	D2
For that good deed permit me then	N
A word with these misguided men	N
	-
	-
XXVIII	X
	-
'Hear gentle friends ere yet for me	X
Ye break the bands of fealty	X
My life my honour and my cause	X
I tender free to Scotland's laws	X
Are these so weak as must require	S2
'Fine aid of your misguided ire	S2
Or if I suffer causeless wrong	M4
Is then my selfish rage so strong	M4
My sense of public weal so low	X
That for mean vengeance on a foe	X
Those cords of love I should unbind	X
Which knit my country and my kind	X
O no Believe in yonder tower	S2
It will not soothe my captive hour	S2
To know those spears our foes should dread	X
For me in kindred gore are red	X
'To know in fruitless brawl begun	N
For me that mother wails her son	N
For me that widow's mate expires	X
For me that orphans weep their sires	X
That patriots mourn insulted laws	X
And curse the Douglas for the cause	X
O let your patience ward such ill	X
And keep your right to love me still I'	-
	-
	-
XXIX	X
	-
The crowd's wild fury sunk again	N
In tears as tempests melt in rain	N
With lifted hands and eyes they prayed	X
For blessings on his generous head	X
Who for his country felt alone	N
And prized her blood beyond his own	N
Old men upon the verge of life	X
Blessed him who stayed the civil strife	X
And mothers held their babes on high	X
The self devoted Chief to spy	X
Triumphant over wrongs and ire	S2
To whom the prattlers owed a sire	S2
Even the rough soldier's heart was moved	X
As if behind some bier beloved	X
With trailing arms and drooping head	X
The Douglas up the hill he led	X
And at the Castle's battled verge	C3
With sighs resigned his honoured charge	U4
	-
	-
XXX	X
	-
The offended Monarch rode apart	X
With bitter thought and swelling heart	X
And would not now vouchsafe again	N
Through Stirling streets to lead his train	N
'O Lennox who would wish to rule	X
This changeling crowd this common fool	X
Hear'st thou ' he said 'the loud acclaim	F2
With which they shout the Douglas name	F2
With like acclaim the vulgar throat	X
Strained for King James their morning note	X
With like acclaim they hailed the day	X
When first I broke the Douglas sway	X
And like acclaim would Douglas greet	X
If he could hurl me from my seat	X
Who o'er the herd would wish to reign	N
Fantastic fickle fierce and vain	N
Vain as the leaf upon the stream	F3
And fickle as a changeful dream	F3
Fantastic as a woman's mood	X
And fierce as Frenzy's fevered blood	X
Thou many headed monster thing	I4
O who would wish to be thy king	I4
	-
	-
XXXI	X
	-
'But soft what messenger of speed	X
Spurs hitherward his panting steed	X
I guess his cognizance afar	S2
What from our cousin John of Mar '	-
'He prays my liege your sports keep bound	X
Within the safe and guarded ground	X
For some foul purpose yet unknown	N
Most sure for evil to the throne	N
The outlawed Chieftain Roderick Dhu	I
Has summoned his rebellious crew	S2
'Tis said in James of Bothwell's aid	X
These loose banditti stand arrayed	X
The Earl of Mar this morn from Doune	N
To break their muster marched and soon	N
Your Grace will hear of battle fought	X
But earnestly the Earl besought	X
Till for such danger he provide	X
With scanty train you will not ride '	-
	-
	-
XXXII	X
	-
'Thou warn'st me I have done amiss	X
I should have earlier looked to this	X
I lost it in this bustling day	X
Retrace with speed thy former way	X
Spare not for spoiling of thy steed	X
The best of mine shall be thy meed	X
Say to our faithful Lord of Mar	S2
We do forbid the intended war	S2
Roderick this morn in single fight	X
Was made our prisoner by a knight	X
And Douglas hath himself and cause	X
Submitted to our kingdom's laws	X
The tidings of their leaders lost	X
Will soon dissolve the mountain host	X
Nor would we that the vulgar feel	X
For their Chief's crimes avenging steel	X
Bear Mar our message Braco fly '	-
He turned his steed 'My liege I hie	I
Yet ere I cross this lily lawn	N
I fear the broadswords will be drawn '	-
The turf the flying courser spurned	X
And to his towers the King returned	X
	-
	-
XXXIII	X
	-
Ill with King James's mood that day	X
Suited gay feast and minstrel lay	X
Soon were dismissed the courtly throng	M4
And soon cut short the festal song	M4
Nor less upon the saddened town	N
The evening sunk in sorrow down	N
The burghers spoke of civil jar	S2
Of rumoured feuds and mountain war	S2
Of Moray Mar and Roderick Dhu	I
All up in arms the Douglas too	X
They mourned him pent within the hold	X
'Where stout Earl William was of old '	-
And there his word the speaker stayed	X
And finger on his lip he laid	X
Or pointed to his dagger blade	X
But jaded horsemen from the west	X
At evening to the Castle pressed	X
And busy talkers said they bore	S2
Tidings of fight on Katrine's shore	S2
At noon the deadly fray begun	N
And lasted till the set of sun	N
Thus giddy rumor shook the town	N
Till closed the Night her pennons brown	N

Walter Scott (sir)

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