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 JJC3C3JJJJThe Island | A |
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I | - |
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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 |
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II | - |
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Song | F |
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'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 |
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'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 |
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III | - |
- | |
Song Continued | N |
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'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 |
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'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 ' | - |
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IV | - |
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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 |
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V | U |
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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 | - |
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VI | - |
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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 |
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VII | - |
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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 ' | - |
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VIII | - |
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'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 ' | - |
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IX | L2 |
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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 |
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X | L2 |
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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 ' | - |
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XI | U |
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'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 ' | - |
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XII | C |
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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 |
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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 ' | - |
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XIII | C |
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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 | - |
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XIV | - |
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'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 ' | - |
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XV | J |
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'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 ' | - |
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XVI | J |
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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 |
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XVII | J |
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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 |
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XVIII | J |
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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 |
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XIX | C |
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Boat Song | F |
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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 |
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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 ' | - |
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XX | C |
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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 ' | - |
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XXI | C |
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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 |
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- | |
XXII | C |
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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 |
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- | |
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)
(1)
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