The Lady Of The Lake: Canto Iv. - The Prophecy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDDEFEE AGGHHIIGGJJJ JJKL MNJO AKKPQJJDDRRSSM TTJJUUUV EJJJ MMWWPQ DJXXYYXXZJXXJN WJXXDDA2A2B2B2HHC2C2 D2E2DDXXF2F2 DWHXXG2G2N EXXEEH2H2DDXXI2I2JJJ 2J2XXK2K2L2L2M2M2E EHHXXJJJJN2N2XXJJJ EEEH DDJ JJJXXJJXXHHEEHHDDHJA 2 DDDHH DJJJHHXXHHO2O2XXP2P2 XXJJXXH DJ XXEEEEQ2R2F2S2EEC2C2 XXXXXXDDJ JJJJJJ DHHJJL2L2XXT2T2JJHHX XJJ JX XX DX XXU2EU2 XXXX XXXX J2EXE V2HH XDXD HJHJ XXX DX XU2XU2 U2H2J2H2 F2JHJHJ JJEJ XEX EX XU2DU2 EDEE XHX XXX XJXJ EHE EX XU2XU2 XJC2J C2W2C2W2 HHHHH XJX DEJE XXXX XU2HU2 EXXJJDDC2C2H DDXXJ XXX2 JJHHJJH EDDY2Y2DDXXHHXXHHXXH HOOJJV2Z2L2L2JJXXA3A 3DDD EJJJEEXXEDB3B3EDXXXX J XXXJJ DXXXEEL2L2XXXXXXJJHH D JJXXJJHH DH2H2E H HHG2G2D XX DA2A2O2O2HHEEEB3B3U2 U2XXXXHHGGC3C3H2H2 DD3 HGHGDDHH XHXHT2T2C2C2 DHHHU2 XXXXXXA2A2DJH XXHHB3B3DDXXD E H2JJU2U2 HHHH G2 JJG2EJJ EXG2XG2 JG2JG2 JG2G2G2 XG2X EXXXXHHE G2G2XXXXXXEEHHG2G2G2 XXJJEEHH EG2G2XXHHXXHHHHEEJJH HJJXXEEJJXXJJJJB3B3U 2U2G2 EDDHHE HHXXHHHHG2G2 HHU2U2E3E3HHXXXXJJXX G2G2H DJJG2G2XXG2G2U2U2HHX XJJJXX DHHX HX X L2L2XXJJG2 HG2X X G2 H DHHXXXXHG2U2U2XXJJXX DDL2L2HHXXXXX J G2 F3F3XXC2C2

I	A
The rose is fairest when 't is budding new	B
And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears	C
The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew	B
And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears	D
O wilding rose whom fancy thus endears	D
I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave	E
Emblem of hope and love through future years '	F
Thus spoke young Norman heir of Armandave	E
What time the sun arose on Vennachar's broad wave	E
	-
II	A
Such fond conceit half said half sung	G
Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue	G
All while he stripped the wild rose spray	H
His axe and bow beside him lay	H
For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood	I
A wakeful sentinel he stood	I
Hark on the rock a footstep rung	G
And instant to his arms he sprung	G
'Stand or thou diest What Malise soon	J
Art thou returned from Braes of Doune	J
By thy keen step and glance I know	J
Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe '	-
For while the Fiery Cross tried on	J
On distant scout had Malise gone	J
'Where sleeps the Chief ' the henchman said	K
'Apart in yonder misty glade	L
To his lone couch I'll be your guide '	-
Then called a slumberer by his side	M
And stirred him with his slackened bow	N
'Up up Glentarkin rouse thee ho	J
We seek the Chieftain on the track	O
Keep eagle watch till I come back '	-
	-
III	A
Together up the pass they sped	K
'What of the foeman ' Norman said	K
'Varying reports from near and far	P
This certain that a band of war	Q
Has for two days been ready boune	J
At prompt command to march from Doune	J
King James the while with princely powers	D
Holds revelry in Stirling towers	D
Soon will this dark and gathering cloud	R
Speak on our glens in thunder loud	R
Inured to bide such bitter bout	S
The warrior's plaid may bear it out	S
But Norman how wilt thou provide	M
A shelter for thy bonny bride ''	-
'What know ye not that Roderick's care	T
To the lone isle hath caused repair	T
Each maid and matron of the clan	J
And every child and aged man	J
Unfit for arms and given his charge	U
Nor skiff nor shallop boat nor barge	U
Upon these lakes shall float at large	U
But all beside the islet moor	V
That such dear pledge may rest secure '	-
	-
IV	E
''Tis well advised the Chieftain's plan	J
Bespeaks the father of his clan	J
But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu	J
Apart from all his followers true '	-
'It is because last evening tide	M
Brian an augury hath tried	M
Of that dread kind which must not be	W
Unless in dread extremity	W
The Taghairm called by which afar	P
Our sires foresaw the events of war	Q
Duncraggan's milk white bull they slew '	-
	-
Malise	D
'Ah well the gallant brute I knew	J
The choicest of the prey we had	X
When swept our merrymen Gallangad	X
His hide was snow his horns were dark	Y
His red eye glowed like fiery spark	Y
So fierce so tameless and so fleet	X
Sore did he cumber our retreat	X
And kept our stoutest kerns in awe	Z
Even at the pass of Beal 'maha	J
But steep and flinty was the road	X
And sharp the hurrying pikeman's goad	X
And when we came to Dennan's Row	J
A child might scathless stroke his brow	N
	-
V	W
Norman	J
'That bull was slain his reeking hide	X
They stretched the cataract beside	X
Whose waters their wild tumult toss	D
Adown the black and craggy boss	D
Of that huge cliff whose ample verge	A2
Tradition calls the Hero's Targe	A2
Couched on a shelf beneath its brink	B2
Close where the thundering torrents sink	B2
Rocking beneath their headlong sway	H
And drizzled by the ceaseless spray	H
Midst groan of rock and roar of stream	C2
The wizard waits prophetic dream	C2
Nor distant rests the Chief but hush	D2
See gliding slow through mist and bush	E2
The hermit gains yon rock and stands	D
To gaze upon our slumbering bands	D
Seems he not Malise dike a ghost	X
That hovers o'er a slaughtered host	X
Or raven on the blasted oak	F2
That watching while the deer is broke	F2
His morsel claims with sullen croak '	-
	-
Malise	D
'Peace peace to other than to me	W
Thy words were evil augury	H
But still I hold Sir Roderick's blade	X
Clan Alpine's omen and her aid	X
Not aught that gleaned from heaven or hell	G2
Yon fiend begotten Monk can tell	G2
The Chieftain joins him see and now	N
Together they descend the brow '	-
	-
VI	E
And as they came with Alpine's Lord	X
The Hermit Monk held solemn word	X
'Roderick it is a fearful strife	E
For man endowed with mortal life	E
Whose shroud of sentient clay can still	H2
Feel feverish pang and fainting chill	H2
Whose eye can stare in stony trance	D
Whose hair can rouse like warrior's lance	D
'Tis hard for such to view unfurled	X
The curtain of the future world	X
Yet witness every quaking limb	I2
My sunken pulse mine eyeballs dim	I2
My soul with harrowing anguish torn	J
This for my Chieftain have I borne	J
The shapes that sought my fearful couch	J2
A human tongue may ne'er avouch	J2
No mortal man save he who bred	X
Between the living and the dead	X
Is gifted beyond nature's law	K2
Had e'er survived to say he saw	K2
At length the fateful answer came	L2
In characters of living flame	L2
Not spoke in word nor blazed in scroll	M2
But borne and branded on my soul	M2
Which spills the foremost foeman's life	E
That party conquers in the strife '	-
	-
VII	E
'Thanks Brian for thy zeal and care	H
Good is thine augury and fair	H
Clan Alpine ne'er in battle stood	X
But first our broadswords tasted blood	X
A surer victim still I know	J
Self offered to the auspicious blow	J
A spy has sought my land this morn	J
No eve shall witness his return	J
My followers guard each pass's mouth	N2
To east to westward and to south	N2
Red Murdoch bribed to be his guide	X
Has charge to lead his steps aside	X
Till in deep path or dingle brown	J
He light on those shall bring him clown	J
But see who comes his news to show	J
Malise what tidings of the foe '	-
	-
VIII	E
'At Doune o'er many a spear and glaive	E
Two Barons proud their banners wave	E
I saw the Moray's silver star	H
And marked the sable pale of Mar '	-
'By Alpine's soul high tidings those	D
I love to hear of worthy foes	D
When move they on ' 'To morrow's noon	J
Will see them here for battle boune '	-
'Then shall it see a meeting stern	J
But for the place say couldst thou learn	J
Nought of the friendly clans of Earn	J
Strengthened by them we well might bide	X
The battle on Benledi's side	X
Thou couldst not well Clan Alpine's men	J
Shall man the Trosachs' shaggy glen	J
Within Loch Katrine's gorge we'll fight	X
All in our maids' and matrons' sight	X
Each for his hearth and household fire	H
Father for child and son for sire Lover	H
for maid beloved But why	E
Is it the breeze affects mine eye	E
Or dost thou come ill omened tear	H
A messenger of doubt or fear	H
No sooner may the Saxon lance	D
Unfix Benledi from his stance	D
Than doubt or terror can pierce through	H
The unyielding heart of Roderick Dhu	J
'tis stubborn as his trusty targe	A2
Each to his post all know their charge '	-
The pibroch sounds the bands advance	D
The broadswords gleam the banners dance'	D
Obedient to the Chieftain's glance	D
I turn me from the martial roar	H
And seek Coir Uriskin once more	H
	-
IX	D
Where is the Douglas he is gone	J
And Ellen sits on the gray stone	J
Fast by the cave and makes her moan	J
While vainly Allan's words of cheer	H
Are poured on her unheeding ear	H
'He will return dear lady trust	X
With joy return he will he must	X
Well was it time to seek afar	H
Some refuge from impending war	H
When e'en Clan Alpine's rugged swarm	O2
Are cowed by the approaching storm	O2
I saw their boats with many a light	X
Floating the livelong yesternight	X
Shifting like flashes darted forth	P2
By the red streamers of the north	P2
I marked at morn how close they ride	X
Thick moored by the lone islet's side	X
Like wild ducks couching in the fen	J
When stoops the hawk upon the glen	J
Since this rude race dare not abide	X
The peril on the mainland side	X
Shall not thy noble father's care	H
Some safe retreat for thee prepare '	-
	-
X	D
Ellen	J
	-
'No Allan no ' Pretext so kind	X
My wakeful terrors could not blind	X
When in such tender tone yet grave	E
Douglas a parting blessing gave	E
The tear that glistened in his eye	E
Drowned not his purpose fixed and high	E
My soul though feminine and weak	Q2
Can image his e'en as the lake	R2
Itself disturbed by slightest stroke	F2
Reflects the invulnerable rock	S2
He hears report of battle rife	E
He deems himself the cause of strife	E
I saw him redden when the theme	C2
Turned Allan on thine idle dream	C2
Of Malcolm Graeme in fetters bound	X
Which I thou saidst about him wound	X
Think'st thou he bowed thine omen aught	X
O no' 't was apprehensive thought	X
For the kind youth for Roderick too	X
Let me be just that friend so true	X
In danger both and in our cause	D
Minstrel the Douglas dare not pause	D
Why else that solemn warning given	J
'If not on earth we meet in heaven '	-
Why else to Cambus kenneth's fane	J
If eve return him not again	J
Am I to hie and make me known	J
Alas he goes to Scotland's throne	J
Buys his friends' safety with his own	J
He goes to do what I had done	J
Had Douglas' daughter been his son '	-
	-
XI	D
'Nay lovely Ellen dearest nay	H
If aught should his return delay	H
He only named yon holy fane	J
As fitting place to meet again	J
Be sure he's safe and for the Graeme	L2
Heaven's blessing on his gallant name	L2
My visioned sight may yet prove true	X
Nor bode of ill to him or you	X
When did my gifted dream beguile	T2
Think of the stranger at the isle	T2
And think upon the harpings slow	J
That presaged this approaching woe	J
Sooth was my prophecy of fear	H
Believe it when it augurs cheer	H
Would we had left this dismal spot	X
Ill luck still haunts a fairy spot	X
Of such a wondrous tale I know	J
Dear lady change that look of woe	J
My harp was wont thy grief to cheer '	-
	-
Ellen	J
'Well be it as thou wilt	X
I hear But cannot stop the bursting tear '	-
The Minstrel tried his simple art	X
Rut distant far was Ellen's heart	X
	-
XII	D
Ballad	X
	-
Alice Brand	X
Merry it is in the good green wood	X
When the mavis and merle are singing	U2
When the deer sweeps by and the hounds are in cry	E
And the hunter's horn is ringing	U2
	-
'O Alice Brand my native land	X
Is lost for love of you	X
And we must hold by wood and word	X
As outlaws wont to do	X
	-
'O Alice 't was all for thy locks so bright	X
And 't was all for thine eyes so blue	X
That on the night of our luckless flight	X
Thy brother bold I slew	X
	-
'Now must I teach to hew the beech	J2
The hand that held the glaive	E
For leaves to spread our lowly bed	X
And stakes to fence our cave	E
	-
'And for vest of pall thy fingers small	V2
That wont on harp to stray	H
A cloak must shear from the slaughtered deer	H
To keep the cold away '	-
	-
'O Richard if my brother died	X
'T was but a fatal chance	D
For darkling was the battle tried	X
And fortune sped the lance	D
	-
'If pall and vair no more I wear	H
Nor thou the crimson sheen	J
As warm we'll say is the russet gray	H
As gay the forest green	J
	-
'And Richard if our lot be hard	X
And lost thy native land	X
Still Alice has her own Richard	X
And he his Alice Brand '	-
	-
XIII	D
Ballad Continued	X
	-
'tis merry 'tis merry in good greenwood	X
So blithe Lady Alice is singing	U2
On the beech's pride and oak's brown side	X
Lord Richard's axe is ringing	U2
	-
Up spoke the moody Elfin King	U2
Who woned within the hill	H2
Like wind in the porch of a ruined church	J2
His voice was ghostly shrill	H2
	-
'Why sounds yon stroke on beech and oak	F2
Our moonlight circle's screen	J
Or who comes here to chase the deer	H
Beloved of our Elfin Queen	J
Or who may dare on wold to wear	H
The fairies' fatal green	J
	-
'Up Urgan up to yon mortal hie	J
For thou wert christened man	J
For cross or sign thou wilt not fly	E
For muttered word or ban	J
	-
'Lay on him the curse of the withered heart	X
The curse of the sleepless eye	E
Till he wish and pray that his life would part	X
Nor yet find leave to die '	-
	-
XIV	E
Ballad Continued	X
	-
'Tis merry 'tis merry in good greenwood	X
Though the birds have stilled their singing	U2
The evening blaze cloth Alice raise	D
And Richard is fagots bringing	U2
	-
Up Urgan starts that hideous dwarf	E
Before Lord Richard stands	D
And as he crossed and blessed himself	E
'I fear not sign ' quoth the grisly elf	E
'That is made with bloody hands '	-
	-
But out then spoke she Alice Brand	X
That woman void of fear	H
'And if there 's blood upon his hand	X
'Tis but the blood of deer '	-
	-
'Now loud thou liest thou bold of mood	X
It cleaves unto his hand	X
The stain of thine own kindly blood	X
The blood of Ethert Brand '	-
	-
Then forward stepped she Alice Brand	X
And made the holy sign	J
'And if there's blood on Richard's hand	X
A spotless hand is mine	J
	-
'And I conjure thee demon elf	E
By Him whom demons fear	H
To show us whence thou art thyself	E
And what thine errand here '	-
	-
XV	E
Ballad Continued	X
	-
Tis merry 'tis merry in Fairy land	X
When fairy birds are singing	U2
When the court cloth ride by their monarch's side	X
With bit and bridle ringing	U2
	-
'And gayly shines the Fairy land	X
But all is glistening show	J
Like the idle gleam that December's beam	C2
Can dart on ice and snow	J
	-
'And fading like that varied gleam	C2
Is our inconstant shape	W2
Who now like knight and lady seem	C2
And now like dwarf and ape	W2
	-
'It was between the night and day	H
When the Fairy King has power	H
That I sunk down in a sinful fray	H
And 'twixt life and death was snatched away	H
To the joyless Elfin bower	H
	-
'But wist I of a woman bold	X
Who thrice my brow durst sign	J
I might regain my mortal mould	X
As fair a form as thine '	-
	-
She crossed him once she crossed him twice	D
That lady was so brave	E
The fouler grew his goblin hue	J
The darker grew the cave	E
	-
She crossed him thrice that lady bold	X
He rose beneath her hand	X
The fairest knight on Scottish mould	X
Her brother Ethert Brand	X
	-
Merry it is in good greenwood	X
When the mavis and merle are singing	U2
But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray	H
When all the bells were ringing	U2
	-
XVI	E
Just as the minstrel sounds were stayed	X
A stranger climbed the steepy glade	X
His martial step his stately mien	J
His hunting suit of Lincoln green	J
His eagle glance remembrance claims	D
'Tis Snowdoun's Knight 'tis James Fitz James	D
Ellen beheld as in a dream	C2
Then starting scarce suppressed a scream	C2
'O stranger in such hour of fear	H
What evil hap has brought thee here '	-
'An evil hap how can it be	D
That bids me look again on thee	D
By promise bound my former guide	X
Met me betimes this morning tide	X
And marshalled over bank and bourne	J
The happy path of my return '	-
'The happy path what said he naught	X
Of war of battle to be fought	X
Of guarded pass ' 'No by my faith	X2
Nor saw I aught could augur scathe '	-
'O haste thee Allan to the kern	J
Yonder his tartars I discern	J
Learn thou his purpose and conjure	H
That he will guide the stranger sure	H
What prompted thee unhappy man	J
The meanest serf in Roderick's clan	J
Had not been bribed by love or fear	H
Unknown to him to guide thee here '	-
	-
XVII	E
'Sweet Ellen dear my life must be	D
Since it is worthy care from thee	D
et life I hold but idle breath	Y2
When love or honor's weighed with death	Y2
Then let me profit by my chance	D
And speak my purpose bold at once	D
I come to bear thee from a wild	X
Where ne'er before such blossom smiled	X
By this soft hand to lead thee far	H
From frantic scenes of feud and war	H
Near Bochastle my horses wait	X
They bear us soon to Stirling gate	X
I'll place thee in a lovely bower	H
I'll guard thee like a tender flower'	H
'O hush Sir Knight 't were female art	X
To say I do not read thy heart	X
Too much before my selfish ear	H
Was idly soothed my praise to hear	H
That fatal bait hath lured thee back	O
In deathful hour o'er dangerous track	O
And how O how can I atone	J
The wreck my vanity brought on	J
One way remains I'll tell him all	V2
Yes struggling bosom forth it shall	Z2
Thou whose light folly bears the blame	L2
Buy thine own pardon with thy shame	L2
But first my father is a man	J
Outlawed and exiled under ban	J
The price of blood is on his head	X
With me 't were infamy to wed	X
Still wouldst thou speak then hear the truth	A3
Fitz James there is a noble youth	A3
If yet he is exposed for me	D
And mine to dread extremity	D
Thou hast the secret of my bears	D
Forgive be generous and depart '	-
	-
XVIII	E
Fitz James knew every wily train	J
A lady's fickle heart to gain	J
But here he knew and felt them vain	J
There shot no glance from Ellen's eye	E
To give her steadfast speech the lie	E
In maiden confidence she stood	X
Though mantled in her cheek the blood	X
And told her love with such a sigh	E
Of deep and hopeless agony	D
As death had sealed her Malcolm's doom	B3
And she sat sorrowing on his tomb	B3
Hope vanished from Fitz James's eye	E
But not with hope fled sympathy	D
He proffered to attend her side	X
As brother would a sister guide	X
'O little know'st thou Roderick's heart	X
Safer for both we go apart	X
O haste thee and from Allan learn	J
If thou mayst trust yon wily kern '	-
With hand upon his forehead laid	X
The conflict of his mind to shade	X
A parting step or two he made	X
Then as some thought had crossed his brain	J
He paused and turned and came again	J
	-
XIX	D
'Hear lady yet a parting word	X
It chanced in fight that my poor sword	X
Preserved the life of Scotland's lord	X
This ring the grateful Monarch gave	E
And bade when I had boon to crave	E
To bring it back and boldly claim	L2
The recompense that I would name	L2
Ellen I am no courtly lord	X
But one who lives by lance and sword	X
Whose castle is his helm and shield	X
His lordship the embattled field	X
What from a prince can I demand	X
Who neither reck of state nor land	X
Ellen thy hand the ring is thine	J
Each guard and usher knows the sign	J
Seek thou the King without delay	H
This signet shall secure thy way	H
And claim thy suit whate'er it be	D
As ransom of his pledge to me '	-
He placed the golden circlet on	J
Paused kissed her hand and then was gone	J
The aged Minstrel stood aghast	X
So hastily Fitz James shot past	X
He joined his guide and wending down	J
The ridges of the mountain brown	J
Across the stream they took their way	H
That joins Loch Katrine to Achray	H
	-
XX	D
All in the Trosachs' glen was still	H2
Noontide was sleeping on the hill	H2
Sudden his guide whooped loud and high	E
'Murdoch was that a signal cry '	-
He stammered forth 'I shout to scare	H
Yon raven from his dainty fare '	-
He looked he knew the raven's prey	H
His own brave steed 'Ah gallant gray	H
For thee for me perchance 't were well	G2
We ne'er had seen the Trosachs' dell	G2
Murdoch move first but silently	D
Whistle or whoop and thou shalt die '	-
Jealous and sullen on they fared	X
Each silent each upon his guard	X
	-
XXI	D
Now wound the path its dizzy ledge	A2
Around a precipice's edge	A2
When lo a wasted female form	O2
Blighted by wrath of sun and storm	O2
In tattered weeds and wild array	H
Stood on a cliff beside the way	H
And glancing round her restless eye	E
Upon the wood the rock the sky	E
Seemed naught to mark yet all to spy	E
Her brow was wreathed with gaudy broom	B3
With gesture wild she waved a plume	B3
Of feathers which the eagles fling	U2
To crag and cliff from dusky wing	U2
Such spoils her desperate step had sought	X
Where scarce was footing for the goat	X
The tartan plaid she first descried	X
And shrieked till all the rocks replied	X
As loud she laughed when near they drew	H
For then the Lowland garb she knew	H
And then her hands she wildly wrung	G
And then she wept and then she sung	G
She sung the voice in better time	C3
Perchance to harp or lute might chime	C3
And now though strained and roughened still	H2
Rung wildly sweet to dale and hill	H2
	-
XXII	D
Song	D3
	-
They bid me sleep they bid me pray	H
They say my brain is warped and wrung	G
I cannot sleep on Highland brae	H
I cannot pray in Highland tongue	G
But were I now where Allan glides	D
Or heard my native Devan's tides	D
So sweetly would I rest and pray	H
That Heaven would close my wintry day	H
	-
'Twas thus my hair they bade me braid	X
They made me to the church repair	H
It was my bridal morn they said	X
And my true love would meet me there	H
But woe betide the cruel guile	T2
That drowned in blood the morning smile	T2
And woe betide the fairy dream	C2
I only waked to sob and scream	C2
	-
XXIII	D
'Who is this maid what means her lay	H
She hovers o'er the hollow way	H
And flutters wide her mantle gray	H
As the lone heron spreads his wing	U2
By twilight o'er a haunted spring '	-
''Tis Blanche of Devan ' Murdoch said	X
'A crazed and captive Lowland maid	X
Ta'en on the morn she was a bride	X
When Roderick forayed Devan side	X
The gay bridegroom resistance made	X
And felt our Chief's unconquered blade	X
I marvel she is now at large	A2
But oft she 'scapes from Maudlin's charge	A2
Hece brain sick fool ' He raised hisbow	D
'Now if thou strik'st her but one blow	J
I'll pitch thee from the cliff as far	H
As ever peasant pitched a bar '	-
'Thanks champion thanks' the Maniac cried	X
And pressed her to Fitz James's side	X
'See the gray pennons I prepare	H
To seek my true love through the air	H
I will not lend that savage groom	B3
To break his fall one downy plume	B3
No deep amid disjointed stones	D
The wolves shall batten on his bones	D
And then shall his detested plaid	X
By bush and brier in mid air stayed	X
Wave forth a banner fail and free	D
Meet signal for their revelry '	-
	-
XXIV	E
'Hush thee poor maiden and be still '	-
'O thou look'st kindly and I will	H2
Mine eye has dried and wasted been	J
But still it loves the Lincoln green	J
And though mine ear is all unstrung	U2
Still still it loves the Lowland tongue	U2
	-
'For O my sweet William was forester true	H
He stole poor Blanche's heart away	H
His coat it was all of the greenwood hue	H
And so blithely he trilled the Lowland lay	H
	-
'It was not that I meant to tell	G2
But thou art wise and guessest well '	-
Then in a low and broken tone	J
And hurried note the song went on	J
Still on the Clansman fearfully	G2
She fixed her apprehensive eye	E
Then turned it on the Knight and then	J
Her look glanced wildly o'er the glen	J
	-
XXV	E
'The toils are pitched and the stakes are set	X
Ever sing merrily merrily	G2
The bows they bend and the knives they whet	X
Hunters live so cheerily	G2
	-
It was a stag a stag of ten	J
Bearing its branches sturdily	G2
He came stately down the glen	J
Ever sing hardily hardily	G2
	-
'It was there he met with a wounded doe	J
She was bleeding deathfully	G2
She warned him of the toils below	G2
O so faithfully faithfully	G2
	-
'He had an eye and he could heed	X
Ever sing warily warily	G2
He had a foot and he could speed	X
Hunters watch so narrowly '	-
	-
XXVI	E
Fitz James's mind was passion tossed	X
When Ellen's hints and fears were lost	X
But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought	X
And Blanche's song conviction brought	X
Not like a stag that spies the snare	H
But lion of the hunt aware	H
He waved at once his blade on high	E
'Disclose thy treachery or die '	-
Forth at hell speed the Clansman flew	G2
But in his race his bow he drew	G2
The shaft just grazed Fitz James's crest	X
And thrilled in Blanche's faded breast	X
Murdoch of Alpine prove thy speed	X
For ne'er had Alpine's son such need	X
With heart of fire and foot of wind	X
The fierce avenger is behind	X
Fate judges of the rapid strife	E
The forfeit death the prize is life	E
Thy kindred ambush lies before	H
Close couched upon the heathery moor	H
Them couldst thou reach it may not be	G2
Thine ambushed kin thou ne'er shalt see	G2
The fiery Saxon gains on thee	G2
Resistless speeds the deadly thrust	X
As lightning strikes the pine to dust	X
With foot and hand Fitz James must strain	J
Ere he can win his blade again	J
Bent o'er the fallen with falcon eye	E
He grimly smiled to see him die	E
Then slower wended back his way	H
Where the poor maiden bleeding lay	H
	-
XXVII	E
She sat beneath the birchen tree	G2
Her elbow resting on her knee	G2
She had withdrawn the fatal shaft	X
And gazed on it and feebly laughed	X
Her wreath of broom and feathers gray	H
Daggled with blood beside her lay	H
The Knight to stanch the life stream tried	X
'Stranger it is in vain ' she cried	X
'This hour of death has given me more	H
Of reason's power than years before	H
For as these ebbing veins decay	H
My frenzied visions fade away	H
A helpless injured wretch I die	E
And something tells me in thine eye	E
That thou wert mine avenger born	J
Seest thou this tress O still I 've worn	J
This little tress of yellow hair	H
Through danger frenzy and despair	H
It once was bright and clear as thine	J
But blood and tears have dimmed its shine	J
I will not tell thee when 't was shred	X
Nor from what guiltless victim's head	X
My brain would turn but it shall wave	E
Like plumage on thy helmet brave	E
Till sun and wind shall bleach the stain	J
And thou wilt bring it me again	J
I waver still O God more bright	X
Let reason beam her parting light	X
O by thy knighthood's honored sign	J
And for thy life preserved by mine	J
When thou shalt see a darksome man	J
Who boasts him Chief of Alpine's Clan	J
With tartars broad and shadowy plume	B3
And hand of blood and brow of gloom	B3
Be thy heart bold thy weapon strong	U2
And wreak poor Blanche of Devan's wrong	U2
They watch for thee by pass and fell	G2
Avoid the path O God farewell '	-
	-
XXVIII	E
A kindly heart had brave Fitz James	D
Fast poured his eyes at pity's claims	D
And now with mingled grief and ire	H
He saw the murdered maid expire	H
'God in my need be my relief	E
As I wreak this on yonder Chief '	-
A lock from Blanche's tresses fair	H
He blended with her bridegroom's hair	H
The mingled braid in blood he dyed	X
And placed it on his bonnet side	X
'By Him whose word is truth I swear	H
No other favour will I wear	H
Till this sad token I imbrue	H
In the best blood of Roderick Dhu	H
But hark what means yon faint halloo	G2
The chase is up but they shall know	G2
The stag at bay 's a dangerous foe '	-
Barred from the known but guarded way	H
Through copse and cliffs Fitz James must stray	H
And oft must change his desperate track	U2
By stream and precipice turned back	U2
Heartless fatigued and faint at length	E3
From lack of food and loss of strength	E3
He couched him in a thicket hoar	H
And thought his toils and perils o'er	H
'Of all my rash adventures past	X
This frantic feat must prove the last	X
Who e'er so mad but might have guessed	X
That all this Highland hornet's nest	X
Would muster up in swarms so soon	J
As e'er they heard of bands at Doune	J
Like bloodhounds now they search me out	X
Hark to the whistle and the shout	X
If farther through the wilds I go	G2
I only fall upon the foe	G2
I'll couch me here till evening gray	H
Then darkling try my dangerous way '	-
	-
XXIX	D
The shades of eve come slowly down	J
The woods are wrapt in deeper brown	J
The owl awakens from her dell	G2
The fox is heard upon the fell	G2
Enough remains of glimmering light	X
To guide the wanderer's steps aright	X
Yet not enough from far to show	G2
His figure to the watchful foe	G2
With cautious step and ear awake	U2
He climbs the crag and threads the brake	U2
And not the summer solstice there	H
Tempered the midnight mountain air	H
But every breeze that swept the wold	X
Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold	X
In dread in danger and alone	J
Famished and chilled through ways unknown	J
Tangled and steep he journeyed on	J
Till as a rock's huge point he turned	X
A watch fire close before him burned	X
	-
XXX	D
Beside its embers red and clear	H
Basked in his plaid a mountaineer	H
And up he sprung with sword in hand	X
'Thy name and purpose Saxon stand '	-
'A stranger ' 'What cost thou require '	-
'Rest and a guide and food and fire	H
My life's beset my path is lost	X
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	X
He brings to aid his murderous hand '	-
'Bold words but though the beast of game	L2
The privilege of chase may claim	L2
Though space and law the stag we lend	X
Ere hound we slip or bow we bend	X
Who ever recked where how or when	J
The prowling fox was trapped or slain	J
Thus treacherous scouts yet sure they lie	G2
Who say thou cam'st a secret spy '	-
'They do by heaven come Roderick Dhu	H
And of his clan the boldest two	G2
And let me but till morning rest	X
I write the falsehood on their crest '	-
If by the blaze I mark aright	X
Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight '	-
'Then by these tokens mayst thou know	G2
Each proud oppressor's mortal foe '	-
'Enough enough sit down and share	H
A soldier's couch a soldier's fare '	-
	-
	-
XXXI	D
He gave him of his Highland cheer	H
The hardened flesh of mountain deer	H
Dry fuel on the fire he laid	X
And bade the Saxon share his plaid	X
He tended him like welcome guest	X
Then thus his further speech addressed	X
'Stranger I am to Roderick Dhu	H
A clansman born a kinsman true	G2
Each word against his honour spoke	U2
Demands of me avenging stroke	U2
Yet more upon thy fate 'tis said	X
A mighty augury is laid	X
It rests with me to wind my horn	J
Thou art with numbers overborne	J
It rests with me here brand to brand	X
Worn as thou art to bid thee stand	X
But not for clan nor kindred's cause	D
Will I depart from honour's laws	D
To assail a wearied man were shame	L2
And stranger is a holy name	L2
Guidance and rest and food and fire	H
In vain he never must require	H
Then rest thee here till dawn of day	X
Myself will guide thee on the way	X
O'er stock and stone through watch and ward	X
Till past Clan Alpine's outmost guard	X
As far as Coilantogle's ford	X
From thence thy warrant is thy sword '	-
'I take thy courtesy by heaven	J
As freely as 'tis nobly given '	-
Well rest thee for the bittern's cry	G2
Sings us the lake's wild lullaby '	-
With that he shook the gathered heath	F3
And spread his plaid upon the wreath	F3
And the brave foemen side by side	X
Lay peaceful down like brothers tried	X
And slept until the dawning beam	C2
Purpled the mountain and the stream	C2

Walter Scott (sir)

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