The Lady Of The Lake: Canto Vi. - The Guardroom Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDCECEE FGFGGHGHH AIIJKLLBBMMNOPPQQMMP PRRSS AQQTTQQUUBBVVTTMMQQQ QQQ WXXYZXXQQQQA2A2QQXXX XXQQB2B2X WC2 B2B2D2D2XX E2E2B2B2XX QQPPXX B2QQQQF2 QQQQXXMMB2B2Q B2B2G2G2Q MMMB2B2QQH2H2QQI2J2M M QQMMMMK2L2QQQQ MQQQQC2 B2B2QQM2N2 XXB2B2XXQQM N2SSQQQQO2O2XXMMP2P2 QQXXX QQMMQ2Q2N2 N2O2O2MMQQN2N2XXXX N2N2QQO2O2QQQQ XXX QQ N2QQN2N2R2R2N2N2MMXX N2N2S2S2N2N2Q QQQQQQXXXN2 N2O2O2QQMMQQT2T2TTPP QQR2R2QQXXQQMMB2 XXQQXU2QQ N2XXQQU2XN2N2QQN2N2M MB2B2X XXMM Q MB2B2QQQ MMMN2N2QQXXMN2QQQQN2 N2MMQ QQQQQC2C2QQGG MM MMQN2QQMV2MV2QB2QQB2 QQQQN2N2N2N2N2N2N2N2 MQMQ MN2QN2QN2QIF2IF2V2QV 2QQ2MQ2MMMMMMN2N2MM MB2B2B2B2MMN2MMMMN2N 2QN2N2QMMMMMQQN2TN2T MN2N2W2F2QQMQ2Q2MPPI IX2X2N2V2V2N2QR2QR2M MMMN2QN2QS2MS2MN2N2M M N2MMQQMMQQQMMMMMY2Z2 QQMMMMMMQXXQN2N2QQMM QQ N2N2N2N2MQQQMN2N2N2M MSSMMMMN2N2N2MMQQMMM MMXTTTQQMMN2N2QQ N2QQA3A3QQSSQQN2N2Q QQMN2B3B3SSN2N2QQMN2 MU2QQQQ N2Q QQQN2N2N2 MMMMMMMMMMMM A3A3A3MMMMM N2QQN2N2MMMMN2N2N2N2 MN2QQQQTTQQMMQQN2N2N 2N2 MM QQMMMMN2N2 B3B3MMN2N2N2N2 N2N2MMQQN2N2 MQQN2N2N2MMQQN2N2MMQ QQQB3 N2N2N2N2QQQQ MQQQMMN2N2QQQQQQQQQQ R2R2QQMMN2N2 MQQN2N2N2N2N2N2MMQQN 2N2N2N2MMN2N2QQN2N2M MMMMMQ MN2N2N2N2N2N2MMMMQQM MN2N2N2N2N2 N2N2QQMN2M QQN2 N2QQTTN2N2MMU2N2N2QQ MMM N2N2N2N2N2N2QQN2N2MM N2N2T N2N2QQ N2N2N2N2N2N2N2N2N2 G2MG2MMN2MN2N2 N2N2N2N2N2MN2MM

I	A
The sun awakening through the smoky air	B
Of the dark city casts a sullen glance	C
Rousing each caitiff to his task of care	B
Of sinful man the sad inheritance	D
Summoning revellers from the lagging dance	C
Scaring the prowling robber to his den	E
Gilding on battled tower the warder's lance	C
And warning student pale to leave his pen	E
And yield his drowsy eyes to the kind nurse of men	E
	-
What various scenes and O what scenes of woe	F
Are witnessed by that red and struggling beam	G
The fevered patient from his pallet low	F
Through crowded hospital beholds it stream	G
The ruined maiden trembles at its gleam	G
The debtor wakes to thought of gyve and jail	H
'The love lore wretch starts from tormenting dream	G
The wakeful mother by the glimmering pale	H
Trims her sick infant's couch and soothes his feeble wail	H
	-
II	A
At dawn the towers of Stirling rang	I
With soldier step and weapon clang	I
While drums with rolling note foretell	J
Relief to weary sentinel	K
Through narrow loop and casement barred	L
The sunbeams sought the Court of Guard	L
And struggling with the smoky air	B
Deadened the torches' yellow glare	B
In comfortless alliance shone	M
The lights through arch of blackened stone	M
And showed wild shapes in garb of war	N
Faces deformed with beard and scar	O
All haggard from the midnight watch	P
And fevered with the stern debauch	P
For the oak table's massive board	Q
Flooded with wine with fragments stored	Q
And beakers drained and cups o'erthrown	M
Showed in what sport the night had flown	M
Some weary snored on floor and bench	P
Some labored still their thirst to quench	P
Some chilled with watching spread their hands	R
O'er the huge chimney's dying brands	R
While round them or beside them flung	S
At every step their harness rung	S
	-
III	A
These drew not for their fields the sword	Q
Like tenants of a feudal lord	Q
Nor owned the patriarchal claim	T
Of Chieftain in their leader's name	T
Adventurers they from far who roved	Q
To live by battle which they loved	Q
There the Italian's clouded face	U
The swarthy Spaniard's there you trace	U
The mountain loving Switzer there	B
More freely breathed in mountain air	B
The Fleming there despised the soil	V
That paid so ill the labourer's toil	V
Their rolls showed French and German name	T
And merry England's exiles came	T
To share with ill concealed disdain	M
Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain	M
All brave in arms well trained to wield	Q
The heavy halberd brand and shield	Q
In camps licentious wild and bold	Q
In pillage fierce and uncontrolled	Q
And now by holytide and feast	Q
From rules of discipline released	Q
	-
IV	W
'They held debate of bloody fray	X
Fought 'twixt Loch Katrine and Achray	X
Fierce was their speech and mid their words	Y
'Their hands oft grappled to their swords	Z
Nor sunk their tone to spare the ear	X
Of wounded comrades groaning near	X
Whose mangled limbs and bodies gored	Q
Bore token of the mountain sword	Q
Though neighbouring to the Court of Guard	Q
Their prayers and feverish wails were heard	Q
Sad burden to the ruffian joke	A2
And savage oath by fury spoke	A2
At length up started John of Brent	Q
A yeoman from the banks of Trent	Q
A stranger to respect or fear	X
In peace a chaser of the deer	X
In host a hardy mutineer	X
But still the boldest of the crew	X
When deed of danger was to do	X
He grieved that day their games cut short	Q
And marred the dicer's brawling sport	Q
And shouted loud 'Renew the bowl	B2
And while a merry catch I troll	B2
Let each the buxom chorus bear	X
Like brethren of the brand and spear '	-
	-
V	W
Soldier's Song	C2
	-
Our vicar still preaches that Peter and Poule	B2
Laid a swinging long curse on the bonny brown bowl	B2
That there 's wrath and despair in the jolly black jack	D2
And the seven deadly sins in a flagon of sack	D2
Yet whoop Barnaby off with thy liquor	X
Drink upsees out and a fig for the vicar	X
	-
Our vicar he calls it damnation to sip	E2
The ripe ruddy dew of a woman's dear lip	E2
Says that Beelzebub lurks in her kerchief so sly	B2
And Apollyon shoots darts from her merry black eye	B2
Yet whoop Jack kiss Gillian the quicker	X
Till she bloom like a rose and a fig for the vicar	X
	-
Our vicar thus preaches and why should he not	Q
For the dues of his cure are the placket and pot	Q
And 'tis right of his office poor laymen to lurch	P
Who infringe the domains of our good Mother Church	P
Yet whoop bully boys off with your liquor	X
Sweet Marjorie 's the word and a fig for the vicar	X
	-
VI	B2
The warder's challenge heard without	Q
Stayed in mid roar the merry shout	Q
A soldier to the portal went	Q
'Here is old Bertram sirs of Ghent	Q
And beat for jubilee the drum	F2
A maid and minstrel with him come '	-
Bertram a Fleming gray and scarred	Q
Was entering now the Court of Guard	Q
A harper with him and in plaid	Q
All muffled close a mountain maid	Q
Who backward shrunk to 'scape the view	X
Of the loose scene and boisterous crew	X
'What news ' they roared 'I only know	M
From noon till eve we fought with foe	M
As wild and as untamable	B2
As the rude mountains where they dwell	B2
On both sides store of blood is lost	Q
Nor much success can either boast '	-
'But whence thy captives friend such spoil	B2
As theirs must needs reward thy toil	B2
Old cost thou wax and wars grow sharp	G2
Thou now hast glee maiden and harp	G2
Get thee an ape and trudge the land	Q
The leader of a juggler band '	-
	-
VII	M
'No comrade no such fortune mine	M
After the fight these sought our line	M
That aged harper and the girl	B2
And having audience of the Earl	B2
Mar bade I should purvey them steed	Q
And bring them hitherward with speed	Q
Forbear your mirth and rude alarm	H2
For none shall do them shame or harm	H2
'Hear ye his boast ' cried John of Brent	Q
Ever to strife and jangling bent	Q
'Shall he strike doe beside our lodge	I2
And yet the jealous niggard grudge	J2
To pay the forester his fee	M
I'll have my share howe'er it be	M
Despite of Moray Mar or thee '	-
Bertram his forward step withstood	Q
And burning in his vengeful mood	Q
Old Allan though unfit for strife	M
Laid hand upon his dagger knife	M
But Ellen boldly stepped between	M
And dropped at once the tartan screen	M
So from his morning cloud appears	K2
The sun of May through summer tears	L2
The savage soldiery amazed	Q
As on descended angel gazed	Q
Even hardy Brent abashed and tamed	Q
Stood half admiring half ashamed	Q
	-
VIII	M
Boldly she spoke 'Soldiers attend	Q
My father was the soldier's friend	Q
Cheered him in camps in marches led	Q
And with him in the battle bled	Q
Not from the valiant or the strong	C2
Should exile's daughter suffer wrong '	-
Answered De Brent most forward still	B2
In every feat or good or ill	B2
'I shame me of the part I played	Q
And thou an outlaw's child poor maid	Q
An outlaw I by forest laws	M2
And merry Needwood knows the cause	N2
Poor Rose if Rose be living now '	-
He wiped his iron eye and brow	X
'Must bear such age I think as thou	X
Hear ye my mates I go to call	B2
The Captain of our watch to hall	B2
There lies my halberd on the floor	X
And he that steps my halberd o'er	X
To do the maid injurious part	Q
My shaft shall quiver in his heart	Q
Beware loose speech or jesting rough	M
Ye all know John de Brent Enough '	-
	-
IX	N2
Their Captain came a gallant young	S
Of Tullibardine's house he sprung	S
Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight	Q
Gay was his mien his humor light	Q
And though by courtesy controlled	Q
Forward his speech his bearing bold	Q
The high born maiden ill could brook	O2
The scanning of his curious look	O2
And dauntless eye and yet in sooth	X
Young Lewis was a generous youth	X
But Ellen's lovely face and mien	M
Ill suited to the garb and scene	M
Might lightly bear construction strange	P2
And give loose fancy scope to range	P2
'Welcome to Stirling towers fair maid	Q
Come ye to seek a champion's aid	Q
On palfrey white with harper hoar	X
Like errant damosel of yore	X
Does thy high quest a knight require	X
Or may the venture suit a squire '	-
Her dark eye lashed she paused and sighed	Q
'O what have I to do with pride	Q
Through scenes of sorrow shame and strife	M
A suppliant for a father's life	M
I crave an audience of the King	Q2
Behold to back my suit a ring	Q2
The royal pledge of grateful claims	N2
Given by the Monarch to Fitz James '	-
	-
X	N2
The signet ring young Lewis took	O2
With deep respect and altered look	O2
And said 'This ring our duties own	M
And pardon if to worth unknown	M
In semblance mean obscurely veiled	Q
Lady in aught my folly failed	Q
Soon as the day flings wide his gates	N2
The King shall know what suitor waits	N2
Please you meanwhile in fitting bower	X
Repose you till his waking hour	X
Female attendance shall obey	X
Your hest for service or array	X
Permit I marshal you the way '	-
But ere she followed with the grace	N2
And open bounty of her race	N2
She bade her slender purse be shared	Q
Among the soldiers of the guard	Q
The rest with thanks their guerdon took	O2
But Brent with shy and awkward look	O2
On the reluctant maiden's hold	Q
Forced bluntly back the proffered gold	Q
'Forgive a haughty English heart	Q
And O forget its ruder part	Q
	-
The vacant purse shall be my share	X
Which in my barrel cap I'll bear	X
Perchance in jeopardy of war	X
Where gayer crests may keep afar '	-
With thanks 'twas all she could the maid	Q
His rugged courtesy repaid	Q
	-
XI	N2
When Ellen forth with Lewis went	Q
Allan made suit to John of Brent	Q
'My lady safe O let your grace	N2
Give me to see my master's face	N2
His minstrel I to share his doom	R2
Bound from the cradle to the tomb	R2
Tenth in descent since first my sires	N2
Waked for his noble house their Iyres	N2
Nor one of all the race was known	M
But prized its weal above their own	M
With the Chief's birth begins our care	X
Our harp must soothe the infant heir	X
Teach the youth tales of fight and grace	N2
His earliest feat of field or chase	N2
In peace in war our rank we keep	S2
We cheer his board we soothe his sleep	S2
Nor leave him till we pour our verse	N2
A doleful tribute o'er his hearse	N2
Then let me share his captive lot	Q
It is my right deny it not '	-
'Little we reck ' said John of Brent	Q
'We Southern men of long descent	Q
Nor wot we how a name a word	Q
Makes clansmen vassals to a lord	Q
Yet kind my noble landlord's part	Q
God bless the house of Beaudesert	Q
And but I loved to drive the deer	X
More than to guide the labouring steer	X
I had not dwelt an outcast here	X
Come good old Minstrel follow me	N2
Thy Lord and Chieftain shalt thou see '	-
	-
XII	N2
Then from a rusted iron hook	O2
A bunch of ponderous keys he took	O2
Lighted a torch and Allan led	Q
Through grated arch and passage dread	Q
Portals they passed where deep within	M
Spoke prisoner's moan and fetters' din	M
Through rugged vaults where loosely stored	Q
Lay wheel and axe and headsmen's sword	Q
And many a hideous engine grim	T2
For wrenching joint and crushing limb	T2
By artists formed who deemed it shame	T
And sin to give their work a name	T
They halted at a Iow browed porch	P
And Brent to Allan gave the torch	P
While bolt and chain he backward rolled	Q
And made the bar unhasp its hold	Q
They entered 'twas a prison room	R2
Of stern security and gloom	R2
Yet not a dungeon for the day	Q
Through lofty gratings found its way	Q
And rude and antique garniture	X
Decked the sad walls and oaken floor	X
Such as the rugged days of old	Q
Deemed fit for captive noble's hold	Q
'Here ' said De Brent 'thou mayst remain	M
Till the Leech visit him again	M
Strict is his charge the warders tell	B2
To tend the noble prisoner well '	-
Retiring then the bolt he drew	X
And the lock's murmurs growled anew	X
Roused at the sound from lowly bed	Q
A captive feebly raised his head	Q
The wondering Minstrel looked and knew	X
Not his dear lord but Roderick Dhu	U2
For come from where Clan Alpine fought	Q
They erring deemed the Chief he sought	Q
	-
XIII	N2
As the tall ship whose lofty prore	X
Shall never stem the billows more	X
Deserted by her gallant band	Q
Amid the breakers lies astrand	Q
So on his couch lay Roderick Dhu	U2
And oft his fevered limbs he threw	X
In toss abrupt as when her sides	N2
Lie rocking in the advancing tides	N2
That shake her frame with ceaseless beat	Q
Yet cannot heave her from her seat	Q
O how unlike her course at sea	N2
Or his free step on hill and lea	N2
Soon as the Minstrel he could scan	M
'What of thy lady of my clan	M
My mother Douglas tell me all	B2
Have they been ruined in my fall	B2
Ah yes or wherefore art thou here	X
Yet speak mash speak boldly do not fear '	-
For Allan who his mood well knew	X
Was choked with grief and terror too	X
'Who fought mdash who fled Old man be brief	M
Some might for they had lost their Chief	M
Who basely live who bravely died '	-
'O calm thee Chief ' the Minstrel cried	Q
'Ellen is safe ' 'For that thank Heaven '	-
'And hopes are for the Douglas given	M
The Lady Margaret too is well	B2
And for thy clan on field or fell	B2
Has never harp of minstrel told	Q
Of combat fought so true and bold	Q
Thy stately Pine is yet unbent	Q
Though many a goodly bough is rent '	-
	-
XIV	M
The Chieftain reared his form on high	M
And fever's fire was in his eye	M
But ghastly pale and livid streaks	N2
Checkered his swarthy brow and cheeks	N2
'Hark Minstrel I have heard thee play	Q
With measure bold on festal day	Q
In yon lone isle again where ne'er	X
Shall harper play or warrior hear	X
That stirring air that peals on high	M
O'er Dermid's race our victory	N2
Strike it mash and then for well thou canst	Q
Free from thy minstrel spirit glanced	Q
Fling me the picture of the fight	Q
When met my clan the Saxon might	Q
I'll listen till my fancy hears	N2
The clang of swords' the crash of spears	N2
These grates these walls shall vanish then	M
For the fair field of fighting men	M
And my free spirit burst away	Q
As if it soared from battle fray '	-
The trembling Bard with awe obeyed	Q
Slow on the harp his hand he laid	Q
But soon remembrance of the sight	Q
He witnessed from the mountain's height	Q
With what old Bertram told at night	Q
Awakened the full power of song	C2
And bore him in career along	C2
As shallop launched on river's tide	Q
'That slow and fearful leaves the side	Q
But when it feels the middle stream	G
Drives downward swift as lightning's beam	G
	-
XV	M
Battle of Beal' An Duine	M
	-
'The Minstrel came once more to view	M
The eastern ridge of Benvenue	M
For ere he parted he would say	Q
Farewell to lovely loch Achray	N2
Where shall he find in foreign land	Q
So lone a lake so sweet a strand	Q
There is no breeze upon the fern	M
No ripple on the lake	V2
Upon her eyry nods the erne	M
The deer has sought the brake	V2
The small birds will not sing aloud	Q
The springing trout lies still	B2
So darkly glooms yon thunder cloud	Q
That swathes as with a purple shroud	Q
Benledi's distant hill	B2
Is it the thunder's solemn sound	Q
That mutters deep and dread	Q
Or echoes from the groaning ground	Q
The warrior's measured tread	Q
Is it the lightning's quivering glance	N2
That on the thicket streams	N2
Or do they flash on spear and lance	N2
The sun's retiring beams	N2
I see the dagger crest of Mar	N2
I see the Moray's silver star	N2
Wave o'er the cloud of Saxon war	N2
That up the lake comes winding far	N2
	-
To hero boune for battle strife	M
Or bard of martial lay	Q
'Twere worth ten years of peaceful life	M
One glance at their array	Q
	-
XVI	M
'Their light armed archers far and near	N2
Surveyed the tangled ground	Q
Their centre ranks with pike and spear	N2
A twilight forest frowned	Q
Their barded horsemen in the rear	N2
The stern battalia crowned	Q
No cymbal clashed no clarion rang	I
Still were the pipe and drum	F2
Save heavy tread and armor's clang	I
The sullen march was dumb	F2
There breathed no wind their crests to shake	V2
Or wave their flags abroad	Q
Scarce the frail aspen seemed to quake	V2
That shadowed o'er their road	Q
Their vaward scouts no tidings bring	Q2
Can rouse no lurking foe	M
Nor spy a trace of living thing	Q2
Save when they stirred the roe	M
The host moves like a deep sea wave	M
Where rise no rocks its pride to brave	M
High swelling dark and slow	M
The lake is passed and now they gain	M
A narrow and a broken plain	M
Before the Trosachs' rugged jaws	N2
And here the horse and spearmen pause	N2
While to explore the dangerous glen	M
Dive through the pass the archer men	M
	-
XVII	M
'At once there rose so wild a yell	B2
Within that dark and narrow dell	B2
As all the fiends from heaven that fell	B2
Had pealed the banner cry of hell	B2
Forth from the pass in tumult driven	M
Like chaff before the wind of heaven	M
The archery appear	N2
For life for life their flight they ply	M
And shriek and shout and battle cry	M
And plaids and bonnets waving high	M
And broadswords flashing to the sky	M
Are maddening in the rear	N2
Onward they drive in dreadful race	N2
Pursuers and pursued	Q
Before that tide of flight and chase	N2
How shall it keep its rooted place	N2
The spearmen's twilight wood	Q
Down down cried Mar your lances down'	M
Bear back both friend and foe	M
Like reeds before the tempest's frown	M
That serried grove of lances brown	M
At once lay levelled low	M
And closely shouldering side to side	Q
The bristling ranks the onset bide	Q
We'll quell the savage mountaineer	N2
As their Tinchel cows the game	T
They come as fleet as forest deer	N2
We'll drive them back as tame	T
	-
XVIII	M
'Bearing before them in their course	N2
The relics of the archer force	N2
Like wave with crest of sparkling foam	W2
Right onward did Clan Alpine come	F2
Above the tide each broadsword bright	Q
Was brandishing like beam of light	Q
Each targe was dark below	M
And with the ocean's mighty swing	Q2
When heaving to the tempest's wing	Q2
They hurled them on the foe	M
I heard the lance's shivering crash	P
As when the whirlwind rends the ash	P
I heard the broadsword's deadly clang	I
As if a hundred anvils rang	I
But Moray wheeled his rearward rank	X2
Of horsemen on Clan Alpine's flank	X2
My banner man advance	N2
I see he cried their column shake	V2
Now gallants for your ladies' sake	V2
Upon them with the lance	N2
The horsemen dashed among the rout	Q
As deer break through the broom	R2
Their steeds are stout their swords are out	Q
They soon make lightsome room	R2
Clan Alpine's best are backward borne	M
Where where was Roderick then	M
One blast upon his bugle horn	M
Were worth a thousand men	M
And refluent through the pass of fear	N2
The battle's tide was poured	Q
Vanished the Saxon's struggling spear	N2
Vanished the mountain sword	Q
As Bracklinn's chasm so black and steep	S2
Receives her roaring linn	M
As the dark caverns of the deep	S2
Suck the wild whirlpool in	M
So did the deep and darksome pass	N2
Devour the battle's mingled mass	N2
None linger now upon the plain	M
Save those who ne'er shall fight again	M
	-
XIX	N2
'Now westward rolls the battle's din	M
That deep and doubling pass within	M
Minstrel away the work of fate	Q
Is bearing on its issue wait	Q
Where the rude Trosachs' dread defile	M
Opens on Katrine's lake and isle	M
Gray Benvenue I soon repassed	Q
Loch Katrine lay beneath me cast	Q
The sun is set the clouds are met	Q
The lowering scowl of heaven	M
An inky hue of livid blue	M
To the deep lake has given	M
Strange gusts of wind from mountain glen	M
Swept o'er the lake then sunk again	M
I heeded not the eddying surge	Y2
Mine eye but saw the Trosachs' gorge	Z2
Mine ear but heard that sullen sound	Q
Which like an earthquake shook the ground	Q
And spoke the stern and desperate strife	M
That parts not but with parting life	M
Seeming to minstrel ear to toll	M
The dirge of many a passing soul	M
Nearer it comes the dim wood glen	M
The martial flood disgorged again	M
But not in mingled tide	Q
The plaided warriors of the North	X
High on the mountain thunder forth	X
And overhang its side	Q
While by the lake below appears	N2
The darkening cloud of Saxon spears	N2
At weary bay each shattered band	Q
Eying their foemen sternly stand	Q
Their banners stream like tattered sail	M
That flings its fragments to the gale	M
And broken arms and disarray	Q
Marked the fell havoc of the day	Q
	-
XX	N2
'Viewing the mountain's ridge askance	N2
The Saxons stood in sullen trance	N2
Till Moray pointed with his lance	N2
And cried Behold yon isle	M
See none are left to guard its strand	Q
But women weak that wring the hand	Q
'Tis there of yore the robber band	Q
Their booty wont to pile	M
My purse with bonnet pieces store	N2
To him will swim a bow shot o'er	N2
And loose a shallop from the shore	N2
Lightly we'll tame the war wolf then	M
Lords of his mate and brood and den	M
Forth from the ranks a spearman sprung	S
On earth his casque and corselet rung	S
He plunged him in the wave	M
All saw the deed the purpose knew	M
And to their clamors Benvenue	M
A mingled echo gave	M
The Saxons shout their mate to cheer	N2
The helpless females scream for fear	N2
And yells for rage the mountaineer	N2
'T was then as by the outcry riven	M
Poured down at once the lowering heaven	M
A whirlwind swept Loch Katrine's breast	Q
Her billows reared their snowy crest	Q
Well for the swimmer swelled they high	M
To mar the Highland marksman's eye	M
For round him showered mid rain and hail	M
The vengeful arrows of the Gael	M
In vain He nears the isle and lo	M
His hand is on a shallop's bow	X
Just then a flash of lightning came	T
It tinged the waves and strand with flame	T
I marked Duncraggan's widowed dame	T
Behind an oak I saw her stand	Q
A naked dirk gleamed in her hand	Q
It darkened but amid the moan	M
Of waves I heard a dying groan	M
Another flash the spearman floats	N2
A weltering corse beside the boats	N2
And the stern matron o'er him stood	Q
Her hand and dagger streaming blood	Q
	-
XXI	N2
'Revenge revenge the Saxons cried	Q
The Gaels' exulting shout replied	Q
Despite the elemental rage	A3
Again they hurried to engage	A3
But ere they closed in desperate fight	Q
Bloody with spurring came a knight	Q
Sprung from his horse and from a crag	S
Waved 'twixt the hosts a milk white flag	S
Clarion and trumpet by his side	Q
Rung forth a truce note high and wide	Q
While in the Monarch's name afar	N2
A herald's voice forbade the war	N2
For Bothwell's lord and Roderick bold	Q
Were both he said in captive hold '	-
But here the lay made sudden stand	Q
The harp escaped the Minstrel's hand	Q
Oft had he stolen a glance to spy	M
How Roderick brooked his minstrelsy	N2
At first the Chieftain to the chime	B3
With lifted hand kept feeble time	B3
That motion ceased yet feeling strong	S
Varied his look as changed the song	S
At length no more his deafened ear	N2
The minstrel melody can hear	N2
His face grows sharp his hands are clenched'	Q
As if some pang his heart strings wrenched	Q
Set are his teeth his fading eye	M
Is sternly fixed on vacancy	N2
Thus motionless and moanless drew	M
His parting breath stout Roderick Dhu	U2
Old Allan bane looked on aghast	Q
While grim and still his spirit passed	Q
But when he saw that life was fled	Q
He poured his wailing o'er the dead	Q
	-
XXII	N2
Lament	Q
	-
'And art thou cold and lowly laid	Q
Thy foeman's dread thy people's aid	Q
Breadalbane's boast Clan Alpine's shade	Q
For thee shall none a requiem say	N2
For thee who loved the minstrel's lay	N2
For thee of Bothwell's house he stay	N2
	-
The shelter of her exiled line	M
E'en in this prison house of thine	M
I'll wail for Alpine's honored Pine	M
'What groans shall yonder valleys fill	M
What shrieks of grief shall rend yon hill	M
What tears of burning rage shall thrill	M
When mourns thy tribe thy battles done	M
Thy fall before the race was won	M
Thy sword ungirt ere set of sun	M
There breathes not clansman of thy line	M
But would have given his life for thine	M
O woe for Alpine's honoured Pine	M
	-
'Sad was thy lot on mortal stage	A3
The captive thrush may brook the cage	A3
The prisoned eagle dies for rage	A3
Brave spirit do Dot scorn my strain	M
And when its notes awake again	M
Even she so long beloved in vain	M
Shall with my harp her voice combine	M
And mix her woe and tears with mine	M
To wail Clan Alpine's honoured Pine '	-
	-
XXIII	N2
Ellen the while with bursting heart	Q
Remained in lordly bower apart	Q
Where played with many coloured gleams	N2
Through storied pane the rising beams	N2
In vain on gilded roof they fall	M
And lightened up a tapestried wall	M
And for her use a menial train	M
A rich collation spread in vain	M
The banquet proud the chamber gay	N2
Scarce drew one curious glance astray	N2
Or if she looked 't was but to say	N2
With better omen dawned the day	N2
In that lone isle where waved on high	M
The dun deer's hide for canopy	N2
Where oft her noble father shared	Q
The simple meal her care prepared	Q
While Lufra crouching by her side	Q
Her station claimed with jealous pride	Q
And Douglas bent on woodland game	T
Spoke of the chase to Malcolm Graeme	T
Whose answer oft at random made	Q
The wandering of his thoughts betrayed	Q
Those who such simple joys have known	M
Are taught to prize them when they're gone	M
But sudden see she lifts her head	Q
The window seeks with cautious tread	Q
What distant music has the power	N2
To win her in this woful hour	N2
'T was from a turret that o'erhung	N2
Her latticed bower the strain was sung	N2
	-
XXIV	M
Lay of the Imprisoned Huntsman	M
	-
'My hawk is tired of perch and hood	Q
My idle greyhound loathes his food	Q
My horse is weary of his stall	M
And I am sick of captive thrall	M
I wish I were as I have been	M
Hunting the hart in forest green	M
With bended bow and bloodhound free	N2
For that's the life is meet for me	N2
	-
I hate to learn the ebb of time	B3
From yon dull steeple's drowsy chime	B3
Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl	M
Inch after inch along the wall	M
The lark was wont my matins ring	N2
The sable rook my vespers sing	N2
These towers although a king's they be	N2
Have not a hall of joy for me	N2
	-
No more at dawning morn I rise	N2
And sun myself in Ellen's eyes	N2
Drive the fleet deer the forest through	M
And homeward wend with evening dew	M
A blithesome welcome blithely meet	Q
And lay my trophies at her feet	Q
While fled the eve on wing of glee	N2
That life is lost to love and me	N2
	-
XXV	M
The heart sick lay was hardly said	Q
The listener had not turned her head	Q
It trickled still the starting tear	N2
When light a footstep struck her ear	N2
And Snowdoun's graceful Knight was near	N2
She turned the hastier lest again	M
The prisoner should renew his strain	M
'O welcome brave Fitz James ' she said	Q
'How may an almost orphan maid	Q
Pay the deep debt' 'O say not so	N2
To me no gratitude you owe	N2
Not mine alas the boon to give	M
And bid thy noble father live	M
I can but be thy guide sweet maid	Q
With Scotland's King thy suit to aid	Q
No tyrant he though ire and pride	Q
May lay his better mood aside	Q
Come Ellen come 'tis more than time	B3
He holds his court at morning prime '	-
With heating heart and bosom wrung	N2
As to a brother's arm she clung	N2
Gently he dried the falling tear	N2
And gently whispered hope and cheer	N2
Her faltering steps half led half stayed	Q
Through gallery fair and high arcade	Q
Till at his touch its wings of pride	Q
A portal arch unfolded wide	Q
	-
XXVI	M
Within 't was brilliant all and light	Q
A thronging scene of figures bright	Q
It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight	Q
As when the setting sun has given	M
Ten thousand hues to summer even	M
And from their tissue fancy frames	N2
Aerial knights and fairy dames	N2
Still by Fitz James her footing staid	Q
A few faint steps she forward made	Q
Then slow her drooping head she raised	Q
And fearful round the presence gazed	Q
For him she sought who owned this state	Q
The dreaded Prince whose will was fate	Q
She gazed on many a princely port	Q
Might well have ruled a royal court	Q
On many a splendid garb she gazed	Q
Then turned bewildered and amazed	Q
For all stood bare and in the room	R2
Fitz James alone wore cap and plume	R2
To him each lady's look was lent	Q
On him each courtier's eye was bent	Q
Midst furs and silks and jewels sheen	M
He stood in simple Lincoln green	M
The centre of the glittering ring	N2
And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King	N2
	-
XXVII	M
As wreath of snow on mountain breast	Q
Slides from the rock that gave it rest	Q
Poor Ellen glided from her stay	N2
And at the Monarch's feet she lay	N2
No word her choking voice commands	N2
She showed the ring she clasped her hands	N2
O not a moment could he brook	N2
The generous Prince that suppliant look	N2
Gently he raised her and the while	M
Checked with a glance the circle's smile	M
Graceful but grave her brow he kissed	Q
And bade her terrors be dismissed	Q
'Yes fair the wandering poor	N2
Fitz James The fealty of Scotland claims	N2
To him thy woes thy wishes bring	N2
He will redeem his signet ring	N2
Ask naught for Douglas yester even	M
His Prince and he have much forgiven	M
Wrong hath he had from slanderous tongue	N2
I from his rebel kinsmen wrong	N2
We would not to the vulgar crowd	Q
Yield what they craved with clamor loud	Q
Calmly we heard and judged his cause	N2
Our council aided and our laws	N2
I stanched thy father's death feud stern	M
With stout De Vaux and gray Glencairn	M
And Bothwell's Lord henceforth we own	M
The friend and bulwark of our throne	M
But lovely infidel how now	M
What clouds thy misbelieving brow	M
Lord James of Douglas lend thine aid	Q
Thou must confirm this doubting maid '	-
	-
XXVIII	M
Then forth the noble Douglas sprung	N2
And on his neck his daughter hung	N2
The Monarch drank that happy hour	N2
The sweetest holiest draught of Power	N2
When it can say with godlike voice	N2
Arise sad Virtue and rejoice	N2
Yet would not James the general eye	M
On nature's raptures long should pry	M
He stepped between ' Nay Douglas nay	M
Steal not my proselyte away	M
The riddle 'tis my right to read	Q
That brought this happy chance to speed	Q
Yes Ellen when disguised I stray	M
In life's more low but happier way	M
'Tis under name which veils my power	N2
Nor falsely veils for Stirling's tower	N2
Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims	N2
And Normans call me James Fitz James	N2
Thus watch I o'er insulted laws	N2
Thus learn to right the injured cause '	-
Then in a tone apart and low	N2
'Ah little traitress none must know	N2
What idle dream what lighter thought	Q
What vanity full dearly bought	Q
Joined to thine eye's dark witchcraft drew	M
My spell bound steps to Benvenue	N2
In dangerous hour and all but gave	M
Thy Monarch's life to mountain glaive '	-
Aloud he spoke 'Thou still cost hold	Q
That little talisman of gold	Q
Pledge of my faith Fitz James's ring	N2
What seeks fair Ellen of the King '	-
	-
XXIX	N2
Full well the conscious maiden guessed	Q
He probed the weakness of her breast	Q
But with that consciousness there came	T
A lightening of her fears for Graeme	T
And more she deemed the Monarch's ire	N2
Kindled 'gainst him who for her sire	N2
Rebellious broadsword boldly drew	M
And to her generous feeling true	M
She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu	U2
'Forbear thy suit the King of kings	N2
Alone can stay life's parting wings	N2
I know his heart I know his hand	Q
Have shared his cheer and proved his brand	Q
My fairest earldom would I give	M
To bid Clan Alpine's Chieftain live	M
Hast thou no other boon to crave	M
No other captive friend to save '	-
Blushing she turned her from the King	N2
And to the Douglas gave the ring	N2
As if she wished her sire to speak	N2
The suit that stained her glowing cheek	N2
'Nay then my pledge has lost its force	N2
And stubborn justice holds her course	N2
Malcolm come forth ' and at the word	Q
Down kneeled the Graeme to Scotland's Lord	Q
'For thee rash youth no suppliant sues	N2
From thee may Vengeance claim her dues	N2
Who nurtured underneath our smile	M
Hast paid our care by treacherous wile	M
And sought amid thy faithful clan	N2
A refuge for an outlawed man	N2
Dishonoring thus thy loyal name	T
Fetters and warder for the Graeme '	-
His chain of gold the King unstrung	N2
The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung	N2
Then gently drew the glittering band	Q
And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand	Q
	-
Harp of the North farewell The hills grow dark	N2
On purple peaks a deeper shade descending	N2
In twilight copse the glow worm lights her spark	N2
The deer half seen are to the covert wending	N2
Resume thy wizard elm the fountain lending	N2
And the wild breeze thy wilder minstrelsy	N2
Thy numbers sweet with nature's vespers blending	N2
With distant echo from the fold and lea	N2
And herd boy's evening pipe and hum of housing bee	N2
	-
Yet once again farewell thou Minstrel Harp	G2
Yet once again forgive my feeble sway	M
And little reck I of the censure sharp	G2
May idly cavil at an idle lay	M
Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way	M
Through secret woes the world has never known	N2
When on the weary night dawned wearier day	M
And bitterer was the grief devoured alone	N2
That I o'erlive such woes Enchantress is thine own	N2
	-
Hark as my lingering footsteps slow retire	N2
Some Spirit of the Air has waked thy string	N2
'Tis now a seraph bold with touch of fire	N2
'Tis now the brush of Fairy's frolic wing	N2
Receding now the dying numbers ring	N2
Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell	M
And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring	N2
A wandering witch note of the distantspell	M
And now 'tis silent all Enchantress fare thee well	M

Walter Scott (sir)

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