The Lay Of The Last Minstrel: Canto Iv Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

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I	A
Sweet Teviot on thy silver tide	B
The glaring bale fires blaze no more	C
No longer steel clad warrior ride	B
Along thy wild and willow'd shore	C
Where'er thou wind'st by dale or hill	D
All all is peaceful all is still	D
As if thy waves since Time was born	E
Since first they roll'd upon the Tweed	F
Had only heard the shepherd's reed	F
Nor started at the bugle horn	E
	-
II	A
Unlike the tide of human time	G
Which though it change in ceaseless flow	H
Retains each grief retains each crime	G
Its earliest course was doom'd to know	H
And darker as it downward bears	I
Is stain'd with past and present tears	I
Low as that tide has ebb'd with me	J
It still reflects to Memory's eye	A
The hour my brave my only boy	K
Fell by the side of great Dundee	J
Why when the volleying musket play'd	L
Against the bloody Highland blade	L
Why was not I beside him laid	L
Enough he died the death of fame	M
Enough he died with conquering Graeme	M
	-
III	A
Now over Border dale and fell	N
Full wide and far was terror spread	O
For pathless marsh and mountain cell	N
The peasant left his lowly shed	O
The frighten'd flocks and herds were pent	P
Beneath the peel's rude battlement	Q
And maids and matrons dropp'd the tear	R
While ready warriors seiz'd the spear	S
From Branksome's towers the watchman's eye	A
Dun wreaths of distant smoke can spy	A
Which curling in the rising sun	T
Show'd southern ravage was begun	T
	-
IV	-
Now loud the heedful gate ward cried	B
Prepare ye all for blows and blood	U
Watt Tinlinn from the Liddel side	B
Comes wading through the flood	U
Full oft the Tynedale snatchers knock	V
At his lone gate and prove the lock	V
It was but last St Barnabright	U
They sieg'd him a whole summer night	U
But fled at morning well they knew	W
In vain he never twang'd the yew	W
Right sharp has been the evening shower	X
That drove him from his Liddel tower	X
And by my faith the gate ward said	U
I think 'twill prove a Warden Raid	U
	-
V	-
While thus he spoke the bold yeoman	T
Enter'd the echoing barbican	T
He led a small and shaggy nag	Y
That through a bog from hag to hag	Y
Could bound like any Billhope stag	Y
It bore his wife and children twain	T
A half clothed serf was all their train	T
His wife stout ruddy and dark brow'd	U
Of silver brooch and bracelet proud	U
Laugh'd to her friends among the crowd	U
He was of stature passing tall	Z
But sparely form'd and lean withal	Z
A batter'd morion on his brow	A2
A leather jack as fence enow	T
On his broad shoulders loosely hung	B2
A border axe behind was slung	B2
His spear six Scottish ells in length	C2
Seem'd newly dyed with gore	C
His shafts and bow of wondrous strength	C2
His hardy partner bore	C
	-
VI	-
Thus to the Ladye did Tinlinn show	H
The tidings of the English foe	H
Belted Will Howard is marching here	D2
And hot Lord Dacre with many a spear	S
And all the German hackbut men	T
Who have long lain at Askerten	T
They cross'd the Liddel at curfew hour	X
And burn'd my little lonely tower	X
The fiend receive their souls therefore	C
It had not been burnt this year and more	C
Barn yard and dwelling blazing bright	U
Serv'd to guide me on my flight	U
But I was chas'd the livelong night	U
Black John of Akeshaw and Fergus Graeme	M
Fast upon my traces came	M
Until I turn'd at Priesthaugh Scrogg	B2
And shot their horses in the bog	B2
Slew Fergus with my lance outright	U
I had him long at high despite	U
He drove my cows last Fastern's night	U
	-
VII	H
Now weary scouts from Liddesdale	Z
Fast hurrying in confirm'd the tale	Z
As far as they could judge by ken	T
Three hours would bring to Teviot's strand	U
Three thousand armed Englishmen	T
Meanwhile full many a warlike band	U
From Teviot Aill and Ettrick shade	U
Came in their Chief's defence to aid	U
There was saddling and mounting in haste	U
There was pricking o'er moor and lea	Z
He that was last at the trysting place	E2
Was but lightly held of his gay ladye	W
	-
VIII	H
From fair St Mary's silver wave	H
From dreary Gamescleugh's dusky height	U
His ready lances Thirlestane brave	H
Array'd beneath a banner bright	U
The treasured fleur de luce he claims	F2
To wreathe his shield since royal James	F2
Encamp'd by Fala's mossy wave	H
The proud distinction grateful gave	H
For faith 'mid feudal jars	G2
What time save Thirlestane alone	T
Of Scotland's stubborn barons none	T
Would march to southern wars	H2
And hence in fair remembrance worn	T
Yon sheaf of spears his crest has borne	T
Hence his high motto shines reveal'd	U
Ready aye ready for the field	U
	-
IX	H2
An aged Knight to danger steel'd	U
With manyaa moss trooper came on	T
And azure in a golden field	U
The stars and crescent graced his shield	U
Without the bend of Murdieston	T
Wide lay his lands round Oakwood tower	X
And wide round haunted Castle Ower	X
High over Borthwick's mountain flood	U
His wood embosom'd mansion stood	U
In the dark glen so deep below	Z
The herds of plunder'd England low	Z
His bold retainers' daily food	U
And bought with danger blows and blood	U
Marauding chief his sole delight	U
The moonlight raid the morning fight	U
Not even the Flower of Yarrow's charms	H2
In youth might tame his rage for arms	H2
And still in age he spurn'd at rest	U
And still his brows the helmet press'd	U
Albeit the blanched locks below	Z
Were white as Dinlay's spotless snow	Z
Five stately warriors drew the sword	U
Before their father's band	U
A braver knight than Harden's lord	U
Ne'er belted on a brand	U
	-
X	H2
Scotts of Eskdale a stalwart band	U
Came trooping down the Todshaw hill	Z
By the sword they won their land	U
And by the sword they hold it still	Z
Hearken Ladye to the tale	Z
How thy sires won fair Eskdale	Z
Earl Morton was lord of that valley fair	X
The Beattisons were his vassals there	X
The Earl was gentle and mild of mood	U
The vassals vere warlike and fierce and rude	U
High of heart and haughty of word	U
Little they reck'd of a tame liege lord	U
The Earl into fair Eskdale came	M
Homage and seignory to claim	M
Of Gilbert the Galliard a heriot he sought	U
Saying Give thy best steed as a vassal ought	U
Dear to me is my bonny white steed	U
Oft has he help d me at pinch of need	U
Lord and Earl though thou be I trow	Z
I can rein Bucksfoot better than thou	A2
Word on word gave fuel to fire	X
Till so highly blazed the Beattison's ire	X
But that the Earl the flight had ta'en	T
The vassals there their lord had slain	T
Sore he plied both whip and spur	X
As he urged his steed through Eskdale muir	X
And it fell down a weary weight	U
Just on the threshold of Branksome gate	U
	-
XI	H2
The Earl was a wrathful man to see	H2
Full fain avenged would he be	H2
In haste to Branksome's Lord he spoke	B2
Saying Take these traitors to thy yoke	B2
For a cast of hawks and a purse of gold	U
All Eskdale I'll sell thee to have and hold	U
Beshrew thy heart of the Beattisons' clan	T
If thou leavest on Eske a landed man	T
But spare Woodkerrick's lands alone	T
For he lent me his horse to escape upon	T
A glad man then was Branksome bold	U
Down he flung him the purse of gold	U
To Eskdale soon he spurr'd amain	T
And with him five hundred riders has ta'en	T
He left his merrymen in the mist of the hill	Z
And bade them hold them close and still	Z
And alone he wended to the plain	T
To meet with the Galliard and all his train	T
To Gilbert the Galliard thus he said	U
Know thou me for thy liege lord and head	U
Deal not with me as with Morton tame	M
For Scotts play best at the roughest game	M
Give me in peace my heriot due	U
Thy bonny white steed or thou shalt rue	U
If my horn I three times wind	U
Eskdale shall long have the sound in mind	U
	-
XII	H2
Loudly the Beattison laugh'd in scorn	T
Little care we for thy winded horn	T
Ne'er shall it be the Galliard's lot	U
To yield his steed to a haughty Scott	U
Wend thou to Branksome back on foot	U
With rusty spur and miry boot	U
He blew his bugle so loud and hoarse	H2
That the dun deer started at fair Craikcross	H2
He blew again so loud and clear	X
Through the grey mountain mist there did lances appear	X
And the third blast rang with such a din	T
That the echoes answer'd from Pentoun linn	T
And all his riders came lightly in	T
Then had you seen a gallant shock	B2
When saddles were emptied and lances broke	B2
For each scornful word the Galliard had said	U
A Beattison on the field was laid	U
His own good sword the chieftain drew	U
And he bore the Galliard through and through	U
Where the Beattisons' blood mix'dwith the rill	Z
The Galliard's Haugh men call it still	Z
The Scotts have scatter'd the Beattison clan	T
In Eskdale they left but one landed man	T
The valley of Eske from the mouth to the source	H2
Was lost and won for that bonny white horse	H2
	-
XIII	H2
Whitslade the Hawk and Headshaw came	M
And warriors more than I may name	M
From Yarrow cleugh to Hindhaugh swair	U
From Woodhouselie to Chesterglen	T
Troop'd man and horse and bow and spear	U
Their gathering word was Bellenden	T
And better hearts o'er Border sod	U
To siege or rescue never rode	U
The Ladye mark'd the aids come in	T
And high her heart of pride arose	H2
She bade her youthful son attend	U
That he might know his father's friend	U
And learn to face his foes	H2
The boy is ripe to look on war	U
I saw him draw a cross bow stiff	H
And his true arrow struck afar	U
The raven s nest upon the cliff	H
The red cross on a southern breast	U
Is broader than the raven s nest	U
Thou Whitslade shalt teach him his weapon to wield	U
And o'er him hold his father's shield	U
	-
XIV	H
Well may you think the wily page	I2
Car'd not to face the Ladye sage	I2
He counterfeited childish fear	U
And shriekd and shed full many tear	U
And moan'd and plain'd in manner wild	U
The attendants to the Ladye told	U
Some fairy sure had chang'd the child	U
That wont to be so free and bold	U
Then wrathful was the noble dame	M
She blush'd blood red for very shame	M
Hence ere the clan his faintness view	H
Hence with the weakling to Buccleuch	H
Watt Tinlinn thou shalt be his guide	U
To Rangleburn s lonely side	U
Sure some fell fiend has cursed our line	T
That coward should e'er be son of mine	T
	-
XV	H
A heavy task Watt Tinlinn had	U
To guide the counterfeited lad	U
Soon as the palfrey felt the wight	U
Of that ill omen'd elfish freight	U
He bolted sprung and rear'd amain	T
Nor heeded bit nor curb nor rein	T
It cost Watt Tinlinn mickle toil	Z
To drive him but a Scottish mile	Z
But as a shallow brook they cross'd	U
The elf amid the running stream	J2
His figure chang'd like form in dream	J2
And fled and shouted Lost lost lost	U
Full fast the urchin ran and laugh'd	U
But faster still a cloth yard shaft	U
Whistled from startled Tinlinn's yew	H
And pierc'd his shoulder through and through	H
Although the imp might not be slain	T
And though the wound soon heal'd again	T
Yet as he ran he yell'd for pain	T
And Wat of Tinlinn much aghast	U
Rode back to Branksome fiery fast	U
	-
XVI	H
Soon on the hill's steep verge he stood	U
That looks o'er Branksome's towers and wood	U
And martial murmurs from below	Z
Proclaim'd the approaching southern foe	Z
Through the dark wood in mingled tone	T
Were Border pipes and bugles blown	T
The coursers' neighing he could ken	T
A measured tread of marching men	T
While broke at times the solemn hum	K2
The Almayn's sullen kettle drum	K2
And banners tall of crimson sheen	T
Above the copse appear	U
And glistening through the hawthorns green	T
Shine helm and shield and spear	U
	-
XVII	Z
Light forayers first to view the ground	U
Spurr'd their fleet coursers loosely round	U
Behind in close array and fast	U
The Kendal archers all in green	T
Obedient to the bugle blast	U
Advancing from the wood were seen	T
To back and guard the archer band	U
Lord Dacre's bill men were at hand	U
A hardy race on Irthing bred	U
With kirtles white and crosses red	U
Array'd beneath the banner tall	Z
That stream'd o'er Acre's conquer'd wall	Z
And minstrels as they march'd in order	U
Play'd Noble Lord Dacre he dwells on the Border	U
	-
XVIII	Z
Behind the English bill and bow	A2
The mercenaries firm and slow	Z
Moved on to fight in dark array	U
By Conrad led of Wolfenstein	T
Who brought the band from distant Rhine	T
And sold their blood for foreign pay	U
The camp their home their law the sword	U
They knew no country own'd no lord	U
They were not arm'd like England's sons	H2
But bore the levin darting guns	H2
Buff coats all frounc'd and 'broider'd o'er	U
And morsing horns and scarfs they wore	U
Each better knee was bared to aid	U
The warriors in the escalade	U
All as they march'd in rugged tongue	B2
Songs of Teutonic feuds they sung	B2
	-
XIX	H2
But louder still the clamour grew	H
And louder still the minstrels blew	H
When fom beneath the greenwood tree	U
Rode forth Lord Howard's chivalry	U
His men at arms with glaive and spear	U
Brought up the battle's glittenng rear	U
There many a youthful knight full keen	T
To gain his spurs in arms was seen	T
With favor in his crest or glove	Z
Memorial of his ladye love	Z
So rode they forth in fair array	U
Till full their lengthen'd lines display	U
Then call'd a halt and made a stand	U
And cried St George for merry England	U
	-
XX	H2
Now every English eye intent	U
On Branksome's armed towers was bent	U
So near they were that they might know	T
The straining harsh of each cross bow	A2
On battlement and bartizan	T
Gleam'd axe and spear and partisan	T
Falcon and culver on each tower	U
Stood prompt their deadly hail to shower	U
And flashing armor frequent broke	B2
From eddying whirls of sable smoke	B2
Where upon tower and turret head	U
The seething pitch and molten lead	U
Reek'd like a witch's caldron red	U
While yet they gaze the bridges fall	Z
The wicket opes and from the wall	Z
Rides forth the hoary Seneschal	Z
	-
XXI	H2
Armed he rode all save the head	U
His white beard o'er his breast plate spread	U
Unbroke by age erect his seat	U
He rul'd his eager courser's gait	U
Forc'd him with chasten'd fire to prance	H2
And high curvetting slow advance	H2
In sign of truce his better hand	U
Display'd a peeled willow wand	U
His squire attending in the rear	U
Bore high a gauntlet on a spear	U
When they espied him riding out	U
Lord Howard and Lord Dacre stout	U
Sped to the front of their array	U
To hear what this old knight should say	U
	-
XXII	U
Ye English warden lords of you	H
Demands the Ladye of Buccleuch	H
Why 'gainst the truce of Border tide	U
In hostile guise ye dare to ride	U
With Kendal bow and Gilsland brand	U
And all yon mercenary band	U
Upon the bounds of fair Scotland	U
My Ladye redes you swith return	T
And if but one poor straw you burn	T
Or do our towers so much molest	U
As scare one swallow from her nest	U
St Mary but we'll light a brand	U
Shall warm your hearths in Cumberland	U
	-
XXIII	U
A wrathful man was Dacre's lord	U
But calmer Howard took the word	U
May 't please thy Dame Sir Seneschal	Z
To seek the castle's outward wall	Z
Our pursuivant at arms shall show	H
Both why we came and when we go	H
The message sped the noble Dame	M
To the wall's outward circle came	M
Each chief around lean'd on his spear	U
To see the pursuivant appear	U
All in Lord Howard's livery dress'd	U
The lion argent deck d his breast	U
He led a boy of blooming hue	H
O sight to meet a mother's view	H
It was the heir of great Buccleuch	H
Obeisance meet the herald made	U
And thus his master's will he said	U
	-
XXIV	H
It irks high Dame my noble Lords	U
'Gainst ladye fair to draw their swords	U
But yet they may not tamely see	U
All through the Western Wardenry	U
Your law contemning kinsmen ride	U
And burn and spoil the Border side	U
And ill beseems your rank and birth	L2
To make your towers a flemens firth	L2
We claim from thee William of Deloraine	T
That he may suffer march treason pain	T
It was but last St Cuthbert's even	T
He bunny'd to Stapleton on Leven	T
Harried the lands of Richard Musgrave	H
And slew his brother by dint of glaive	H
Then since a lone and widow'd Dame	M
These restless riders may not tame	M
Either receive within thy towers	U
Two hundred of my master's powers	U
Or straight they sound their warrison	T
And storm and spoil thy garrison	T
And this fair boy to London led	U
Shall good King Edward's page be bred	U
	-
XXV	H
He ceased and loud the boy did cry	U
And stretch'd his little arms on high	U
Implor'd for aid each well known face	U
And strove to seek the Dame's embrace	U
A moment chang'd that Ladye's cheer	U
Gush'd to her eye the unbidden tear	U
She gaz'd upon the leaders round	U
And dark and sad each warrior frown'd	U
Then deep within her sobbing breast	U
She lock'd the struggling sigh to rest	U
Unalter'd and collected stood	U
And thus replied in dauntless mood	U
	-
XXVI	U
Say to your Lords of high emprize	U
Who war on women and on boys	U
That either William of Deloraine	T
Will cleanse him by oath of march treason stain	T
Or else he will the combat take	B2
'Gainst Musgrave for his honor's sake	B2
No knight in Cumberland so good	U
But William may count with him kin and blood	U
Knighthood he took of Douglas' sword	U
When English blood swell'd Ancram's ford	U
And but Lord Dacre's steed was wight	U
And bare him ably in the flight	U
Himself had seen him dubb'd a knight	U
For the young heir of Branksome's line	T
God be his aid and God be mine	T
Through me no friend shall meet his doom	M2
Here while I live no foe finds room	M2
Then if thy Lords their purpose urge	N2
Take our defiance loud and high	U
Our slogan is their lyke wake dirge	N2
Our moat the grave where they shall lie	U
	-
XXVII	U
Proud she look'd round applause to claim	M
Then lighten'd Thirlestane's eye of flame	M
His bugle Wat of Harden blew	H
Pensils and pennons wide were flung	B2
To heaven the Border slogan rung	B2
St Mary for the young Buccleuch	H
The English war cry answer'd wide	U
And forward bent each southern spear	U
Each Kendal archer made a stride	U
And drew the bowstring to his ear	U
Each minstrel's war note loud was blown	T
But ere a grey goose shaft had flown	T
A horseman gallop'd from the rear	U
	-
XXVIII	U
Ah noble Lords he breathless said	U
What treason has your march betray'd	U
What make you here from aid so far	U
Before you walls around you war	U
Your foemen triumph in the thought	U
That in the toils the lion's caught	U
Already on dark Ruberslaw	H
The Douglas holds his weapon schaw	H
The lances waving in his train	T
Clothe the dun heath like autumn grain	T
And on the Liddel's northern strand	U
To bar retreat to Cumberland	U
Lord Maxwell ranks his merry men good	U
Beneath the eagle and the rood	U
And Jedwood Eske and Teviotdale	H
Have to proud Angus come	K2
And all the Merse and Lauderdale	H
Have risen with haughty Home	O2
An exile from Northumberland	U
In Liddesdale I've wander'd long	B2
But still my heart was with merry England	U
And cannot brook my country's wrong	B2
And hard I've spurr'd all night to show	H
The mustering of the coming foe	H
	-
XXIX	U
And let them come fierce Dacre cried	U
For soon yon crest my father's pride	U
That swept the shores of Judah's sea	U
And wav'd in gales of Galilee	U
From Branksome's highest towers display'd	U
Shall mock the rescue's lingering aid	U
Level each harquebuss on row	H
Draw merry archers draw the bow	A2
Up bill men to the walls and cry	U
Dacre for England win or die	U
	-
XXX	U
Yet hear quoth Howard calmly hear	U
Nor deem my words the words of fear	U
For who in field or foray slack	B2
Saw the blanche lion e'er fall back	B2
But thus to risk our Border flower	U
In strife against a kingdom's power	U
Ten thousand Scots 'gainst thousands three	U
Certes were desperate policy	U
Nay take the terms the Ladye made	U
Ere conscious of the advancing aid	U
Let Musgrave meet fierce Deloraine	T
In single fight and if he gain	T
He gains for us but if he's cross'd	U
'Tis but a single warrior lost	U
The rest retreating as they came	M
Avoid defeat and death and shame	M
	-
XXXI	U
Ill could the haughty Dacre brook	B2
His brother Warden's sage rebuke	B2
And yet his forward step he stay'd	U
And slow and sullenly obey'd	U
But ne'er again the Border side	U
Did these two lords in friendship ride	U
And this slight discontent men say	U
Cost blood upon another day	U
	-
XXXII	U
The pursuivant at arms again	T
Before the castle took his stand	U
His trumpet call'd with parleying strain	T
The leaders of the Scottish band	U
And he defied in Musgrave's right	U
Stout Deloraine to single fight	U
A gauntlet at their feet he laid	U
And thus the terms of fight he said	U
If in the lists good Musgrave's sword	U
Vanquish the Knight of Deloraine	T
Your youthful chieftain Branksome's Lord	U
Shall hostage for his clan remain	T
If Deloraine foil good Musgrave	U
The boy his liberty shall have	U
Howe'er it falls the English band	U
Unharming Scots by Scots unharm'd	U
In peaceful march like men unarm'd	U
Shall straight retreat to Cumberland	U
	-
XXXIII	U
Unconscious of the near relief	U
The proffer pleased each Scottish chief	U
Though much the Ladye sage gainsay'd	U
For though their hearts were brave and true	H
From Jedwood's recent sack they knew	H
How tardy was the Regent's aid	U
And you may guess the noble Dame	M
Durst not the secret prescience own	T
Sprung from the art she might not name	M
By which the coming help was known	T
Clos'd was the compact and agreed	U
That lists should be enclos'd with speed	U
Beneath the castle on a lawn	T
They fix'd the morrow for the strife	U
On foot with Scottish axe and knife	U
At the fourth hour from peep of dawn	T
When Deloraine from sickness freed	U
Or else a champion in his stead	U
Should for himself and chieftain stand	U
Against stout Musgrave hand to hand	U
	-
XIV	U
I know right well that in their lay	U
Full many minstrels sing and say	U
Such combat should be made on horse	U
On foaming steed in full career	U
With brand to aid when as the spear	U
Should shiver in the course	U
But he the jovial Harper taught	U
Me yet a youth how it was fought	U
In guise which now I say	U
He knew each ordinance and clause	U
Of Black Lord Archibald s battle laws	U
In the old Douglas' day	U
He brook'd not he that scoffing tongue	B2
Should tax his minstrelsy with wrong	B2
Or call his song untrue	H
For this when they the goblet plied	U
And such rude taunt had chaf'd his pride	U
The Bard of Reull he slew	H
On Teviot's side in fight they stood	U
And tuneful hands were stain'd with blood	U
Where still the thorn's white branches wave	U
Memorial o'er his rival's grave	U
	-
XXXV	U
Why should I tell the rigid doom	M2
That dragg'd my master to his tomb	M2
How Ousenam's maidens tore their hair	U
Wept till their eyes were dead and dim	P2
And wrung their hands for love of him	P2
Who died at Jedwood Air	U
He died his scholars one by one	T
To the cold silent grave are gone	T
And I alas survive alone	T
To muse o'er rivalries of yore	U
And grieve that I shall hear no more	U
The strains with envy heard before	U
For with my minstrel brethren fled	U
My jealousy of song is dead	U
He paused the listening dames again	T
Applaud the hoary Minstrel's strain	T
With many a word of kindly cheer	U
In pity half and half sincere	U
Marvell'd the Duchess how so well	H
His legendary song could tell	H
Of ancient deeds so long forgot	U
Of feuds whose memory was not	U
Of forests now laid waste and bare	U
Of towers which harbor now the hare	U
Of manners long since chang'd and gone	T
Of chiefs who under their grey stone	T
So long had slept that fickle Fame	M
Had blotted from her rolls their name	M
And twin'd round some new minion's head	U
The fading wreath for which they bled	U
In sooth 'twas strange this old man's verse	U
Could call them from their marble hearse	U
	-
The Harper smil'd well pleas'd for ne'er	U
Was flattery lost on poet's ear	U
A simple race they waste their toil	H
For the vain tribute of a smile	H
E'en when in age their flame expires	U
Her dulcet breath can fan its fires	U
Their drooping fancy wakes at praise	U
And strives to trim the short liv'd blaze	U
	-
Smil'd then well pleas'd the aged man	T
And thus his tale continued ran	T

Walter Scott (sir)

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