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

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCCDCEE F GCGGCHIJJ KLKKLMMJJ N O OPPJJ EJEEJQQJ RRSSTTUUVVWWXXYYZZA2 A2 U B2B2C2C2TTD2D2UUE2E2 F2F2 G2G2H2H2CCZZJJRRJJI2 I2 I2J2J2 I2I2K2K2W I2I2XX L2L2I2I2 I2EEI2I2JJI2I2M2M2I2 I2J I2I2 N2N2JJVVJJZZBBJJ L2 O2O2M2M2DDL2L2FFMP2I 2I2I2I2 I2I2L2L2UUL2L2ZZ I2I2 L2 CCJJI2I2I2I2L2L2L2L2 I2 U I2I2UUCULL CCI2I2C C I2I2I2I2E2E2I2I2I2I2 CCMMP2B I2I2I2I2JJMMI2I2E C JJJI2I2F2XI2VI2I2JJC CI2I2 CC I2I2I2I2JJBBI2I2I2I2 I2I2I2I2K2K2 JJQ2Q2ZZWWXMI2 J JJR2R2CCTJP2MI2I2CCI 2I2WWI2I2CCC2C2I2I2R 2 J I2I2JJJJI2I2LLZZJJCC S2S2T2JUULL J I2I2WWCCP2P2I2I2LLI2 I2LLCCI2I2LLI2I2ZZJJ JJ J JJLLCCR2R2CCJ I2I2 C F CLCLJJJLL L I2LI2U2U2JLL C LI2LI2I2I2JLL CLCLV2V2JLL C I2I2JJWWI2I2I2I2T2 I2I2J2J2I2I2I2 I2I2I2I2CC C LLZMW2W2I2I2I2I2I2I2 J2J2JJWW C JJI2I2CCI2I2 CCI2I2LLWWWI2I2I2I2C CZMJJI2 J CCI2I2I2I2I2I2I2I2 I2I2I2I2JJJJ J WWCCJJ X2X2I2T2MMCCI2I2WWI2 I2X2X2I2I2LLWW J CCC Y2R2I2I2I2I2I2I2I2I2 I2I2C2C2L J WW I2CCI2I2I2I2I2I2WWI2 I2JJI2I2 J CCWW I2I2I2I2I2I2WWI2I2J2 J2I2I2I2I2I2I2LLWWI2 I2LLI2 C J LLWWI2I2I2I2R2XXXI2I 2I2I2I2I2I2I2JJZ2 C I2I2LLI2I2I2I2JLJJJJ TTCCCCCI2I2I2I2L C XXXR2K2K2JJI2I2JJJJJ TI2I2I2I2I2I2 C ZMJJI2I2CCI2I2MMXJZM I2I2A3A3CCI2 C I2I2I2I2I2I2CCI2I2J2 J2R2XUUI2I2JJSSWW J S2S2JJZZI2I2I2I2I2I2 WWI2 I2I2CCJJY2Y2J UUI2I2 J J2J2K2K2I2 XZJJLLJJW I2CCCCCCB3B3CCLL X J I2I2LLXZ2WWI2I2I2I2I 2I2CC J I2 I2I2I2I2I2I2WWJJZZI2 I2 I2R2R2 JJC3C3JJJJ

The Island	A
	-
	-
I	-
	-
At morn the black cock trims his jetty wing	B
'T is morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay	C
All Nature's children feel the matin spring	B
Of life reviving with reviving day	C
And while yon little bark glides down the bay	C
Wafting the stranger on his way again	D
Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel gray	C
And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain	E
Mixed with the sounding harp O white haired Allan bane	E
	-
	-
II	-
	-
Song	F
	-
'Not faster yonder rowers' might	G
Flings from their oars the spray	C
Not faster yonder rippling bright	G
That tracks the shallop's course in light	G
Melts in the lake away	C
Than men from memory erase	H
The benefits of former days	I
Then stranger go good speed the while	J
Nor think again of the lonely isle	J
	-
'High place to thee in royal court	K
High place in battled line	L
Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport	K
Where beauty sees the brave resort	K
The honored meed be thine	L
True be thy sword thy friend sincere	M
Thy lady constant kind and dear	M
And lost in love's and friendship's smile	J
Be memory of the lonely isle	J
	-
	-
III	-
	-
Song Continued	N
	-
'But if beneath yon southern sky	-
A plaided stranger roam	O
Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh	-
And sunken cheek and heavy eye	-
Pine for his Highland home	O
Then warrior then be thine to show	P
The care that soothes a wanderer's woe	P
Remember then thy hap erewhile	J
A stranger in the lonely isle	J
	-
'Or if on life's uncertain main	E
Mishap shall mar thy sail	J
If faithful wise and brave in vain	E
Woe want and exile thou sustain	E
Beneath the fickle gale	J
Waste not a sigh on fortune changed	Q
On thankless courts or friends estranged	Q
But come where kindred worth shall smile	J
To greet thee in the lonely isle '	-
	-
	-
IV	-
	-
As died the sounds upon the tide	R
The shallop reached the mainland side	R
And ere his onward way he took	S
The stranger cast a lingering look	S
Where easily his eye might reach	T
The Harper on the islet beach	T
Reclined against a blighted tree	U
As wasted gray and worn as he	U
To minstrel meditation given	V
His reverend brow was raised to heaven	V
As from the rising sun to claim	W
A sparkle of inspiring flame	W
His hand reclined upon the wire	X
Seemed watching the awakening fire	X
So still he sat as those who wait	Y
Till judgment speak the doom of fate	Y
So still as if no breeze might dare	Z
To lift one lock of hoary hair	Z
So still as life itself were fled	A2
In the last sound his harp had sped	A2
	-
	-
V	U
	-
Upon a rock with lichens wild	B2
Beside him Ellen sat and smiled	B2
Smiled she to see the stately drake	C2
Lead forth his fleet upon the lake	C2
While her vexed spaniel from the beach	T
Bayed at the prize beyond his reach	T
Yet tell me then the maid who knows	D2
Why deepened on her cheek the rose	D2
Forgive forgive Fidelity	U
Perchance the maiden smiled to see	U
Yon parting lingerer wave adieu	E2
And stop and turn to wave anew	E2
And lovely ladies ere your ire	F2
Condemn the heroine of my lyre	F2
Show me the fair would scorn to spy	-
And prize such conquest of her eve	-
	-
	-
VI	-
	-
While yet he loitered on the spot	G2
It seemed as Ellen marked him not	G2
But when he turned him to the glade	H2
One courteous parting sign she made	H2
And after oft the knight would say	C
That not when prize of festal day	C
Was dealt him by the brightest fair	Z
Who e'er wore jewel in her hair	Z
So highly did his bosom swell	J
As at that simple mute farewell	J
Now with a trusty mountain guide	R
And his dark stag hounds by his side	R
He parts the maid unconscious still	J
Watched him wind slowly round the hill	J
But when his stately form was hid	I2
The guardian in her bosom chid	I2
'Thy Malcolm vain and selfish maid '	-
'T was thus upbraiding conscience said	I2
'Not so had Malcolm idly hung	J2
On the smooth phrase of Southern tongue	J2
Not so had Malcolm strained his eye	-
Another step than thine to spy '	-
'Wake Allan bane ' aloud she cried	I2
To the old minstrel by her side	I2
'Arouse thee from thy moody dream	K2
I 'll give thy harp heroic theme	K2
And warm thee with a noble name	W
Pour forth the glory of the Graeme '	-
Scarce from her lip the word had rushed	I2
When deep the conscious maiden blushed	I2
For of his clan in hall and bower	X
Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower	X
	-
	-
VII	-
	-
The minstrel waked his harp three times	L2
Arose the well known martial chimes	L2
And thrice their high heroic pride	I2
In melancholy murmurs died	I2
'Vainly thou bidst O noble maid '	-
Clasping his withered hands he said	I2
'Vainly thou bidst me wake the strain	E
Though all unwont to bid in vain	E
Alas than mine a mightier hand	I2
Has tuned my harp my strings has spanned	I2
I touch the chords of joy but low	J
And mournful answer notes of woe	J
And the proud march which victors tread	I2
Sinks in the wailing for the dead	I2
O well for me if mine alone	M2
That dirge's deep prophetic tone	M2
If as my tuneful fathers said	I2
This harp which erst Saint Modan swayed	I2
Can thus its master's fate foretell	J
Then welcome be the minstrel's knell '	-
	-
	-
VIII	-
	-
'But ah dear lady thus it sighed	I2
The eve thy sainted mother died	I2
And such the sounds which while I strove	-
To wake a lay of war or love	-
Came marring all the festal mirth	N2
Appalling me who gave them birth	N2
And disobedient to my call	J
Wailed loud through Bothwell's bannered hall	J
Ere Douglases to ruin driven	V
Were exiled from their native heaven	V
O if yet worse mishap and woe	J
My master's house must undergo	J
Or aught but weal to Ellen fair	Z
Brood in these accents of despair	Z
No future bard sad Harp shall fling	B
Triumph or rapture from thy string	B
One short one final strain shall flow	J
Fraught with unutterable woe	J
Then shivered shall thy fragments lie	-
Thy master cast him down and die '	-
	-
	-
IX	L2
	-
Soothing she answered him 'Assuage	O2
Mine honored friend the fears of age	O2
All melodies to thee are known	M2
That harp has rung or pipe has blown	M2
In Lowland vale or Highland glen	D
From Tweed to Spey what marvel then	D
At times unbidden notes should rise	L2
Confusedly bound in memory's ties	L2
Entangling as they rush along	F
The war march with the funeral song	F
Small ground is now for boding fear	M
Obscure but safe we rest us here	P2
My sire in native virtue great	I2
Resigning lordship lands and state	I2
Not then to fortune more resigned	I2
Than yonder oak might give the wind	I2
The graceful foliage storms may reeve	-
'Fine noble stem they cannot grieve	-
For me' she stooped and looking round	I2
Plucked a blue harebell from the ground	I2
'For me whose memory scarce conveys	L2
An image of more splendid days	L2
This little flower that loves the lea	U
May well my simple emblem be	U
It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose	L2
That in the King's own garden grows	L2
And when I place it in my hair	Z
Allan a bard is bound to swear	Z
He ne'er saw coronet so fair '	-
Then playfully the chaplet wild	I2
She wreathed in her dark locks and smiled	I2
	-
	-
X	L2
	-
Her smile her speech with winning sway	C
Wiled the old Harper's mood away	C
With such a look as hermits throw	J
When angels stoop to soothe their woe	J
He gazed till fond regret and pride	I2
Thrilled to a tear then thus replied	I2
'Loveliest and best thou little know'st	I2
The rank the honors thou hast lost	I2
O might I live to see thee grace	L2
In Scotland's court thy birthright place	L2
To see my favorite's step advance	L2
The lightest in the courtly dance	L2
The cause of every gallant's sigh	-
And leading star of every eye	-
And theme of every minstrel's art	I2
The Lady of the Bleeding Heart '	-
	-
	-
XI	U
	-
'Fair dreams are these ' the maiden cried	I2
Light was her accent yet she sighed	I2
'Yet is this mossy rock to me	U
Worth splendid chair and canopy	U
Nor would my footstep spring more gay	C
In courtly dance than blithe strathspey	U
Nor half so pleased mine ear incline	L
To royal minstrel's lay as thine	L
And then for suitors proud and high	-
To bend before my conquering eye	-
Thou flattering bard thyself wilt say	C
That grim Sir Roderick owns its sway	C
The Saxon scourge Clan Alpine's pride	I2
The terror of Loch Lomond's side	I2
Would at my suit thou know'st delay	C
A Lennox foray for a day '	-
	-
	-
XII	C
	-
The ancient bard her glee repressed	I2
'Ill hast thou chosen theme for jest	I2
For who through all this western wild	I2
Named Black Sir Roderick e'er and smiled	I2
In Holy Rood a knight he slew	E2
I saw when back the dirk he drew	E2
Courtiers give place before the stride	I2
Of the undaunted homicide	I2
And since though outlawed hath his hand	I2
Full sternly kept his mountain land	I2
	-
Who else dared give ah woe the day	C
That I such hated truth should say	C
The Douglas like a stricken deer	M
Disowned by every noble peer	M
Even the rude refuge we have here	P2
Alas this wild marauding	B
Chief Alone might hazard our relief	-
And now thy maiden charms expand	I2
Looks for his guerdon in thy hand	I2
Full soon may dispensation sought	I2
To back his suit from Rome be brought	I2
Then though an exile on the hill	J
Thy father as the Douglas still	J
Be held in reverence and fear	M
And though to Roderick thou'rt so dear	M
That thou mightst guide with silken thread	I2
Slave of thy will this chieftain dread	I2
Yet O loved maid thy mirth refrain	E
Thy hand is on a lion's mane '	-
	-
	-
XIII	C
	-
Minstrel ' the maid replied and high	-
Her father's soul glanced from her eye	-
'My debts to Roderick's house I know	J
All that a mother could bestow	J
To Lady Margaret's care I owe	J
Since first an orphan in the wild	I2
She sorrowed o'er her sister's child	I2
To her brave chieftain son from ire	F2
Of Scotland's king who shrouds my sire	X
A deeper holier debt is owed	I2
And could I pay it with my blood Allan	V
Sir Roderick should command	I2
My blood my life but not my hand	I2
Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell	J
A votaress in Maronnan's cell	J
Rather through realms beyond the sea	C
Seeking the world's cold charity	C
Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word	I2
And ne'er the name of Douglas heard	I2
An outcast pilgrim will she rove	-
Than wed the man she cannot love	-
	-
	-
XIV	-
	-
'Thou shak'st good friend thy tresses gray	C
That pleading look what can it say	C
But what I own I grant him brave	-
But wild as Bracklinn's thundering wave	-
And generous save vindictive mood	I2
Or jealous transport chafe his blood	I2
I grant him true to friendly band	I2
As his claymore is to his hand	I2
But O that very blade of steel	J
More mercy for a foe would feel	J
I grant him liberal to fling	B
Among his clan the wealth they bring	B
When back by lake and glen they wind	I2
And in the Lowland leave behind	I2
Where once some pleasant hamlet stood	I2
A mass of ashes slaked with blood	I2
The hand that for my father fought	I2
I honor as his daughter ought	I2
But can I clasp it reeking red	I2
From peasants slaughtered in their shed	I2
No wildly while his virtues gleam	K2
They make his passions darker seem	K2
And flash along his spirit high	-
Like lightning o'er the midnight sky	-
While yet a child and children know	J
Instinctive taught the friend and foe	J
I shuddered at his brow of gloom	Q2
His shadowy plaid and sable plume	Q2
A maiden grown I ill could bear	Z
His haughty mien and lordly air	Z
But if thou join'st a suitor's claim	W
In serious mood to Roderick's name	W
I thrill with anguish or if e'er	X
A Douglas knew the word with fear	M
To change such odious theme were best	I2
What think'st thou of our stranger guest '	-
	-
	-
XV	J
	-
'What think I of him woe the while	J
That brought such wanderer to our isle	J
Thy father's battle brand of yore	R2
For Tine man forged by fairy lore	R2
What time he leagued no longer foes	C
His Border spears with Hotspur's bows	C
Did self unscabbarded foreshow	T
The footstep of a secret foe	J
If courtly spy hath harbored here	P2
What may we for the Douglas fear	M
What for this island deemed of old	I2
Clan Alpine's last and surest hold	I2
If neither spy nor foe I pray	C
What yet may jealous Roderick say	C
Nay wave not thy disdainful head	I2
Bethink thee of the discord dread	I2
That kindled when at Beltane game	W
Thou least the dance with Malcolm Graeme	W
Still though thy sire the peace renewed	I2
Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud	I2
Beware But hark what sounds are these	C
My dull ears catch no faltering breeze	C
No weeping birch nor aspens wake	C2
Nor breath is dimpling in the lake	C2
Still is the canna's hoary beard	I2
Yet by my minstrel faith I heard	I2
And hark again some pipe of war	R2
Sends the hold pibroch from afar '	-
	-
	-
XVI	J
	-
Far up the lengthened lake were spied	I2
Four darkening specks upon the tide	I2
That slow enlarging on the view	J
Four manned and massed barges grew	J
And bearing downwards from Glengyle	J
Steered full upon the lonely isle	J
The point of Brianchoil they passed	I2
And to the windward as they cast	I2
Against the sun they gave to shine	L
The bold Sir Roderick's bannered Pine	L
Nearer and nearer as they bear	Z
Spears pikes and axes flash in air	Z
Now might you see the tartars brave	J
And plaids and plumage dance and wave	J
Now see the bonnets sink and rise	C
As his tough oar the rower plies	C
See flashing at each sturdy stroke	S2
The wave ascending into smoke	S2
See the proud pipers on the bow	T2
And mark the gaudy streamers flow	J
From their loud chanters down and sweep	U
The furrowed bosom of the deep	U
As rushing through the lake amain	L
They plied the ancient Highland strain	L
	-
	-
XVII	J
	-
Ever as on they bore more loud	I2
And louder rung the pibroch proud	I2
At first the sounds by distance tame	W
Mellowed along the waters came	W
And lingering long by cape and bay	C
Wailed every harsher note away	C
Then bursting bolder on the ear	P2
The clan's shrill Gathering they could hear	P2
Those thrilling sounds that call the might	I2
Of old Clan Alpine to the fight	I2
Thick beat the rapid notes as when	L
The mustering hundreds shake the glen	L
And hurrying at the signal dread	I2
'Fine battered earth returns their tread	I2
Then prelude light of livelier tone	L
Expressed their merry marching on	L
Ere peal of closing battle rose	C
With mingled outcry shrieks and blows	C
And mimic din of stroke and ward	I2
As broadsword upon target jarred	I2
And groaning pause ere yet again	L
Condensed the battle yelled amain	L
The rapid charge the rallying shout	I2
Retreat borne headlong into rout	I2
And bursts of triumph to declare	Z
Clan Alpine's congest all were there	Z
Nor ended thus the strain but slow	J
Sunk in a moan prolonged and low	J
And changed the conquering clarion swell	J
For wild lament o'er those that fell	J
	-
	-
XVIII	J
	-
The war pipes ceased but lake and hill	J
Were busy with their echoes still	J
And when they slept a vocal strain	L
Bade their hoarse chorus wake again	L
While loud a hundred clansmen raise	C
Their voices in their Chieftain's praise	C
Each boatman bending to his oar	R2
With measured sweep the burden bore	R2
In such wild cadence as the breeze	C
Makes through December's leafless trees	C
The chorus first could Allan know	J
'Roderick Vich Alpine ho fro '	-
And near and nearer as they rowed	I2
Distinct the martial ditty flowed	I2
	-
	-
XIX	C
	-
Boat Song	F
	-
Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances	C
Honored and blessed be the ever green Pine	L
Long may the tree in his banner that glances	C
Flourish the shelter and grace of our line	L
Heaven send it happy dew	J
Earth lend it sap anew	J
Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow	J
While every Highland glen	L
Sends our shout back again	L
'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu ho ieroe '	-
	-
Ours is no sapling chance sown by the fountain	L
	-
Blooming at Beltane in winter to fade	I2
When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the mountain	L
The more shall Clan Alpine exult in her shade	I2
Moored in the rifted rock	U2
Proof to the tempest's shock	U2
Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow	J
Menteith and Breadalbane then	L
Echo his praise again	L
'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu ho ieroe '	-
	-
	-
XX	C
	-
Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin	L
And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied	I2
Glen Luss and Ross dhu they are smoking in ruin	L
And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side	I2
Widow and Saxon maid	I2
Long shall lament our raid	I2
Think of Clan Alpine with fear and with woe	J
Lennox and Leven glen	L
Shake when they hear again	L
'Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu ho ieroe '	-
	-
Row vassals row for the pride of the Highlands	C
Stretch to your oars for the ever green Pine	L
O that the rosebud that graces yon islands	C
Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine	L
O that some seedling gem	V2
Worthy such noble stem	V2
Honored and blessed in their shadow might grow	J
Loud should Clan Alpine then	L
Ring from her deepmost glen	L
Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu ho ieroe '	-
	-
	-
XXI	C
	-
With all her joyful female band	I2
Had Lady Margaret sought the strand	I2
Loose on the breeze their tresses flew	J
And high their snowy arms they threw	J
As echoing back with shrill acclaim	W
And chorus wild the Chieftain's name	W
While prompt to please with mother's art	I2
The darling passion of his heart	I2
The Dame called Ellen to the strand	I2
To greet her kinsman ere he land	I2
'Come loiterer come a Douglas thou	T2
And shun to wreathe a victor's brow '	-
Reluctantly and slow the maid	I2
The unwelcome summoning obeyed	I2
And when a distant bugle rung	J2
In the mid path aside she sprung	J2
'List Allan bane From mainland cast	I2
I hear my father's signal blast	I2
Be ours ' she cried 'the skiff to guide	I2
And waft him from the mountain side '	-
Then like a sunbeam swift and bright	I2
She darted to her shallop light	I2
And eagerly while Roderick scanned	I2
For her dear form his mother's band	I2
The islet far behind her lay	C
And she had landed in the bay	C
	-
	-
XXII	C
	-
Some feelings are to mortals given	L
With less of earth in them than heaven	L
And if there be a human tear	Z
From passion's dross refined and clear	M
A tear so limpid and so meek	W2
It would not stain an angel's cheek	W2
'Tis that which pious fathers shed	I2
Upon a duteous daughter's head	I2
And as the Douglas to his breast	I2
His darling Ellen closely pressed	I2
Such holy drops her tresses steeped	I2
Though 't was an hero's eye that weeped	I2
Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue	J2
Her filial welcomes crowded hung	J2
Marked she that fear affection's proof	J
Still held a graceful youth aloof	J
No not till Douglas named his name	W
Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme	W
	-
	-
XXIII	C
	-
Allan with wistful look the while	J
Marked Roderick landing on the isle	J
His master piteously he eyed	I2
Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride	I2
Then dashed with hasty hand away	C
From his dimmed eye the gathering spray	C
And Douglas as his hand he laid	I2
On Malcolm's shoulder kindly said	I2
'Canst thou young friend no meaning spy	-
In my poor follower's glistening eye	-
I 'll tell thee he recalls the day	C
When in my praise he led the lay	C
O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud	I2
While many a minstrel answered loud	I2
When Percy's Norman pennon won	L
In bloody field before me shone	L
And twice ten knights the least a name	W
As mighty as yon Chief may claim	W
Gracing my pomp behind me came	W
Yet trust me Malcolm not so proud	I2
Was I of all that marshalled crowd	I2
Though the waned crescent owned my might	I2
And in my train trooped lord and knight	I2
Though Blantyre hymned her holiest lays	C
And Bothwell's bards flung back my praise	C
As when this old man's silent tear	Z
And this poor maid's affection dear	M
A welcome give more kind and true	J
Than aught my better fortunes knew	J
Forgive my friend a father's boast	I2
O it out beggars all I lost '	-
	-
	-
XXIV	J
	-
Delightful praise like summer rose	C
That brighter in the dew drop glows	C
The bashful maiden's cheek appeared	I2
For Douglas spoke and Malcolm heard	I2
The flush of shame faced joy to hide	I2
The hounds the hawk her cares divide	I2
The loved caresses of the maid	I2
The dogs with crouch and whimper paid	I2
And at her whistle on her hand	I2
The falcon took his favorite stand	I2
Closed his dark wing relaxed his eye	-
Nor though unhooded sought to fly	-
And trust while in such guise she stood	I2
Like fabled Goddess of the wood	I2
That if a father's partial thought	I2
O'erweighed her worth and beauty aught	I2
Well might the lover's judgment fail	J
To balance with a juster scale	J
For with each secret glance he stole	J
The fond enthusiast sent his soul	J
	-
	-
XXV	J
	-
Of stature fair and slender frame	W
But firmly knit was Malcolm Graeme	W
The belted plaid and tartan hose	C
Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose	C
His flaxen hair of sunny hue	J
Curled closely round his bonnet blue	J
Trained to the chase his eagle eye	-
The ptarmigan in snow could spy	-
Each pass by mountain lake and heath	X2
He knew through Lennox and Menteith	X2
Vain was the bound of dark brown doe	I2
When Malcolm bent his sounding bow	T2
And scarce that doe though winged with fear	M
Outstripped in speed the mountaineer	M
Right up Ben Lomond could he press	C
And not a sob his toil confess	C
His form accorded with a mind	I2
Lively and ardent frank and kind	I2
A blither heart till Ellen came	W
Did never love nor sorrow tame	W
It danced as lightsome in his breast	I2
As played the feather on his crest	I2
Yet friends who nearest knew the youth	X2
His scorn of wrong his zeal for truth	X2
And bards who saw his features bold	I2
When kindled by the tales of old	I2
Said were that youth to manhood grown	L
Not long should Roderick Dhu's renown	L
Be foremost voiced by mountain fame	W
But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme	W
	-
	-
XXVI	J
	-
Now back they wend their watery way	C
And 'O my sire ' did Ellen say	C
'Why urge thy chase so far astray	C
And why so late returned And why '	-
The rest was in her speaking eye	-
'My child the chase I follow far	Y2
'Tis mimicry of noble war	R2
And with that gallant pastime reft	I2
Were all of Douglas I have left	I2
I met young Malcolm as I strayed	I2
Far eastward in Glenfinlas' shade	I2
Nor strayed I safe for all around	I2
Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground	I2
This youth though still a royal ward	I2
Risked life and land to be my guard	I2
And through the passes of the wood	I2
Guided my steps not unpursued	I2
And Roderick shall his welcome make	C2
Despite old spleen for Douglas' sake	C2
Then must he seek Strath Endrick glen	L
Nor peril aught for me again '	-
	-
	-
XXVII	J
	-
Sir Roderick who to meet them came	W
Reddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme	W
Yet not in action word or eye	-
Failed aught in hospitality	I2
In talk and sport they whiled away	C
The morning of that summer day	C
But at high noon a courier light	I2
Held secret parley with the knight	I2
Whose moody aspect soon declared	I2
That evil were the news he heard	I2
Deep thought seemed toiling in his head	I2
Yet was the evening banquet made	I2
Ere he assembled round the flame	W
His mother Douglas and the Graeme	W
And Ellen too then cast around	I2
His eyes then fixed them on the ground	I2
As studying phrase that might avail	J
Best to convey unpleasant tale	J
Long with his dagger's hilt he played	I2
Then raised his haughty brow and said	I2
	-
	-
XXVIII	J
	-
'Short be my speech nor time affords	C
Nor my plain temper glozing words	C
Kinsman and father if such name	W
Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim	W
Mine honored mother Ellen why	-
My cousin turn away thine eye	-
And Graeme in whom I hope to know	I2
Full soon a noble friend or foe	I2
When age shall give thee thy command	I2
And leading in thy native land	I2
List all The King's vindictive pride	I2
Boasts to have tamed the Border side	I2
Where chiefs with hound and trawl who came	W
To share their monarch's sylvan game	W
Themselves in bloody toils were snared	I2
And when the banquet they prepared	I2
And wide their loyal portals flung	J2
O'er their own gateway struggling hung	J2
Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mead	I2
From Yarrow braes and banks of Tweed	I2
Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide	I2
And from the silver Teviot's side	I2
The dales where martial clans did ride	I2
Are now one sheep walk waste and wide	I2
This tyrant of the Scottish throne	L
So faithless and so ruthless known	L
Now hither comes his end the same	W
The same pretext of sylvan game	W
What grace for Highland Chiefs judge ye	I2
By fate of Border chivalry	I2
Yet more amid Glenfinlas' green	L
Douglas thy stately form was seen	L
This by espial sure I know	I2
Your counsel in the streight I show '	-
	-
	-
XXIX	C
	-
Ellen and Margaret fearfully	J
Sought comfort in each other's eye	-
Then turned their ghastly look each one	L
This to her sire that to her son	L
The hasty color went and came	W
In the bold cheek of Malcohm Graeme	W
But from his glance it well appeared	I2
'T was but for Ellen that he feared	I2
While sorrowful but undismayed	I2
The Douglas thus his counsel said	I2
'Brave Roderick though the tempest roar	R2
It may but thunder and pass o'er	X
Nor will I here remain an hour	X
To draw the lightning on thy bower	X
For well thou know'st at this gray head	I2
The royal bolt were fiercest sped	I2
For thee who at thy King's command	I2
Canst aid him with a gallant band	I2
Submission homage humbled pride	I2
Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside	I2
Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart	I2
Ellen and I will seek apart	I2
The refuge of some forest cell	J
There like the hunted quarry dwell	J
Till on the mountain and the moor	Z2
The stern pursuit be passed and o'er '	-
	-
	-
XXX	C
	-
'No by mine honor ' Roderick said	I2
'So help me Heaven and my good blade	I2
No never Blasted be yon Pine	L
My father's ancient crest and mine	L
If from its shade in danger part	I2
The lineage of the Bleeding Heart	I2
Hear my blunt speech grant me this maid	I2
To wife thy counsel to mine aid	I2
To Douglas leagued with Roderick Dhu	J
Will friends and allies flock enow	L
Like cause of doubt distrust and grief	J
Will bind to us each Western Chief	J
When the loud pipes my bridal tell	J
The Links of Forth shall hear the knell	J
The guards shall start in Stirling's porch	T
And when I light the nuptial torch	T
A thousand villages in flames	C
Shall scare the slumbers of King James	C
Nay Ellen blench not thus away	C
And mother cease these signs I pray	C
I meant not all my heat might say	C
Small need of inroad or of fight	I2
When the sage Douglas may unite	I2
Each mountain clan in friendly band	I2
To guard the passes of their land	I2
Till the foiled King from pathless glen	L
Shall bootless turn him home again '	-
	-
	-
XXXI	C
	-
There are who have at midnight hour	X
In slumber scaled a dizzy tower	X
And on the verge that beetled o'er	X
The ocean tide's incessant roar	R2
Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream	K2
Till wakened by the morning beam	K2
When dazzled by the eastern glow	J
Such startler cast his glance below	J
And saw unmeasured depth around	I2
And heard unintermitted sound	I2
And thought the battled fence so frail	J
It waved like cobweb in the gale	J
Amid his senses' giddy wheel	J
Did he not desperate impulse feel	J
Headlong to plunge himself below	J
And meet the worst his fears foreshow	T
Thus Ellen dizzy and astound	I2
As sudden ruin yawned around	I2
By crossing terrors wildly tossed	I2
Still for the Douglas fearing most	I2
Could scarce the desperate thought withstand	I2
To buy his safety with her hand	I2
	-
	-
XXXII	C
	-
Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy	-
In Ellen's quivering lip and eye	-
And eager rose to speak but ere	Z
His tongue could hurry forth his fear	M
Had Douglas marked the hectic strife	J
Where death seemed combating with life	J
For to her cheek in feverish flood	I2
One instant rushed the throbbing blood	I2
Then ebbing back with sudden sway	C
Left its domain as wan as clay	C
'Roderick enough enough ' he cried	I2
'My daughter cannot be thy bride	I2
Not that the blush to wooer dear	M
Nor paleness that of maiden fear	M
It may not be forgive her	X
Chief Nor hazard aught for our relief	J
Against his sovereign Douglas ne'er	Z
Will level a rebellious spear	M
'T was I that taught his youthful hand	I2
To rein a steed and wield a brand	I2
I see him yet the princely boy	A3
Not Ellen more my pride and joy	A3
I love him still despite my wrongs	C
By hasty wrath and slanderous tongues	C
O seek the grace you well may find	I2
Without a cause to mine combined '	-
	-
	-
XXXIII	C
	-
Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode	I2
The waving of his tartars broad	I2
And darkened brow where wounded pride	I2
With ire and disappointment vied	I2
Seemed by the torch's gloomy light	I2
Like the ill Demon of the night	I2
Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway	C
Upon the righted pilgrim's way	C
But unrequited Love thy dart	I2
Plunged deepest its envenomed smart	I2
And Roderick with thine anguish stung	J2
At length the hand of Douglas wrung	J2
While eyes that mocked at tears before	R2
With bitter drops were running o'er	X
The death pangs of long cherished hope	U
Scarce in that ample breast had scope	U
But struggling with his spirit proud	I2
Convulsive heaved its checkered shroud	I2
While every sob so mute were all	J
Was heard distinctly through the ball	J
The son's despair the mother's look	S
III might the gentle Ellen brook	S
She rose and to her side there came	W
To aid her parting steps the Graeme	W
	-
	-
XXXIV	J
	-
Then Roderick from the Douglas broke	S2
As flashes flame through sable smoke	S2
Kindling its wreaths long dark and low	J
To one broad blaze of ruddy glow	J
So the deep anguish of despair	Z
Burst in fierce jealousy to air	Z
With stalwart grasp his hand he laid	I2
On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid	I2
'Back beardless boy ' he sternly said	I2
'Back minion holdst thou thus at naught	I2
The lesson I so lately taught	I2
This roof the Douglas and that maid	I2
Thank thou for punishment delayed '	-
Eager as greyhound on his game	W
Fiercely with Roderick grappled Graeme	W
'Perish my name if aught afford	I2
Its Chieftain safety save his sword '	-
Thus as they strove their desperate hand	I2
Griped to the dagger or the brand	I2
And death had been but Douglas rose	C
And thrust between the struggling foes	C
His giant strength ' Chieftains forego	J
I hold the first who strikes my foe	J
Madmen forbear your frantic jar	Y2
What is the Douglas fallen so far	Y2
His daughter's hand is deemed the spoil	J
Of such dishonorable broil '	-
Sullen and slowly they unclasp	U
As struck with shame their desperate grasp	U
And each upon his rival glared	I2
With foot advanced and blade half bared	I2
	-
	-
XXXV	J
	-
Ere yet the brands aloft were flung	J2
Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung	J2
And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream	K2
As faltered through terrific dream	K2
Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword	I2
And veiled his wrath in scornful word '	-
Rest safe till morning pity 't were	X
Such cheek should feel the midnight air	Z
Then mayst thou to James Stuart tell	J
Roderick will keep the lake and fell	J
Nor lackey with his freeborn clan	L
The pageant pomp of earthly man	L
More would he of Clan Alpine know	J
Thou canst our strength and passes show	J
Malise what ho ' his henchman came	W
'Give our safe conduct to the Graeme '	-
Young Malcolm answered calm and bold '	-
Fear nothing for thy favorite hold	I2
The spot an angel deigned to grace	C
Is blessed though robbers haunt the place	C
Thy churlish courtesy for those	C
Reserve who fear to be thy foes	C
As safe to me the mountain way	C
At midnight as in blaze of day	C
Though with his boldest at his back	B3
Even Roderick Dhu beset the track	B3
Brave Douglas lovely Ellen nay	C
Naught here of parting will I say	C
Earth does not hold a lonesome glen	L
So secret but we meet again	L
Chieftain we too shall find an hour '	-
He said and left the sylvan bower	X
	-
	-
XXXVI	J
	-
Old Allan followed to the strand	I2
Such was the Douglas's command	I2
And anxious told how on the morn	L
The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn	L
The Fiery Cross should circle o'er	X
Dale glen and valley down and moor	Z2
Much were the peril to the Graeme	W
From those who to the signal came	W
Far up the lake 't were safest land	I2
Himself would row him to the strand	I2
He gave his counsel to the wind	I2
While Malcolm did unheeding bind	I2
Round dirk and pouch and broadsword rolled	I2
His ample plaid in tightened fold	I2
And stripped his limbs to such array	C
As best might suit the watery way	C
	-
	-
XXXVII	J
	-
Then spoke abrupt 'Farewell to thee	I2
Pattern of old fidelity '	-
The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed	I2
'O could I point a place of rest	I2
My sovereign holds in ward my land	I2
My uncle leads my vassal band	I2
To tame his foes his friends to aid	I2
Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade	I2
Yet if there be one faithful Graeme	W
Who loves the chieftain of his name	W
Not long shall honored Douglas dwell	J
Like hunted stag in mountain cell	J
Nor ere yon pride swollen robber dare	Z
I may not give the rest to air	Z
Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him naught	I2
Not tile poor service of a boat	I2
To waft me to yon mountain side '	-
Then plunged he in the flashing tide	I2
Bold o'er the flood his head he bore	R2
And stoutly steered him from the shore	R2
And Allan strained his anxious eye	-
Far mid the lake his form to spy	-
Darkening across each puny wave	J
To which the moon her silver gave	J
Fast as the cormorant could skim	C3
The swimmer plied each active limb	C3
Then landing in the moonlight dell	J
Loud shouted of his weal to tell	J
The Minstrel heard the far halloo	J
And joyful from the shore withdrew	J

Walter Scott (sir)

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The Lady Of The Lake - Canto Second is a poem by Walter Scott (sir). This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.

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