The Lord Of The Isles: Canto I Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCCDCDD EFGHHIFII CJCJJIJII KLKLLMLMM NJJJJOJOO LLPPQQRRJJJJJJSSJJJJ TTUU LPPOOLOJJVVJJIIWW LXXOOOOOOJJYYZZJJDD QLA2LA2JQJQ JJJJDQDQ QPB2C2D2E2E2F2F2JJJJ JJJJC2C2JJJJJJ LJJJJJJJJG2G2JJSS JJJJJUUJJH2H2JJOOJJJ JJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJF2F2JJI2I2 JJPPTTJJJJJJPPOOJJJJ JJ OLLJJOOJJI2I2OOJJI2J J OJJJJJJJJTTJ2J2JJOOT TJJQQ QJJJJJJDDI2I2JJ QJJJJJJQQQQRRJJJJJJJ J QVVJ2J2QQI2I2QQJJK2K 2JJ JJJJJJJJJJQJQQJJJJJJ JQQLJJQQQJJJJJJJJQJJ QJJJDDJ JJJLJJLQQJJJJJI2I2LL A2A2JJ LLLJJJJJJJJLJ2LLJ2 LJJWJJJJWJJJJJJJ QL2L2E2JJJE2H2H2M2DD JJJJQQJJJJJJ QLI2QI2J2JI2JJJUJJJU N2N2U QJJJO2O2JJP2LQQLJJLQ QQQL QRRRPQQPJDJJD QJJJJLLQJLQJQ2Q2JP2P 2JI2I2J LQQJJRJJJRJJJI2I2I2J JJJQQJ LJJQQJJJR2JG2G2G2JTT JQQQJ LI2I2QQTJJJTG2G2QJJJ Q LI2I2JJUUJJI2I2QULLQ QJJ LJJJJJM2JJJE2JJJS2S2 J QQQUJJJUJJQT2T2Q QJJJJI2S2S2I2UUJJJJJ JJJQUUQ QLJLJJJJJUUUJJJJJJ QQI2I2

Introduction	A
	-
Autumn departs but still his mantle's fold	B
Rests on the groves of noble Somerville	C
Beneath a shroud of russet dropp'd with gold	B
Tweed and his tributaries mingle still	C
Hoarser the wind and deeper sounds the rill	C
Yet lingering notes of silvan music swell	D
The deep toned cushat and the redbreast shrill	C
And yet some tints of summer splendour tell	D
When the broad sun sinks down on Ettrick's western fell	D
	-
Autumn departs from Gala's fields no more	E
Come rural sounds our kindred banks to cheer	F
Blent with the stream and gale that wafts it o'er	G
No more the distant reaper's mirth we hear	H
The last blithe shout hath died upon our ear	H
And harvest home hath hush'd the changing wain	I
On the waste hill no forms of life appear	F
Save where sad laggard of the autumnal train	I
Some age struck wanderer gleans few ears of scatter'd grain	I
	-
Deem'st thou these sadden'd scenes have pleasure still	C
Lovest thou through Autumn's fading realms to stray	J
To see the heath flower wither'd on the hill	C
To listen to the wood's expiring lay	J
To note the red leaf shivering on the spray	J
To mark the last bright tints the mountain stain	I
On the waste fields to trace the gleaner's way	J
And moralise on mortal joy and pain	I
O if such scenes thou lovest scorn not the minstrel strain	I
	-
No do not scorn although its hoarser note	K
Scarce with the cushat's homely song can vie	L
Though faint its beauties as the tints remote	K
That gleam through mist in autumn's evening sky	L
And few as leaves that tremble sear and dry	L
When wild November hath his bugle wound	M
Nor mock my toil a lonely gleaner I	L
Through fields time wasted on and inquest bound	M
Where happier bards of yore have richer harvest found	M
	-
So shalt thou list and haply not unmoved	N
To a wild tale of Albyn's warrior day	J
In distant lands by the rough West reproved	J
Still live some relics of the ancient lay	J
For when on Coolin's hills the lights decay	J
With such the Seer of Skye the eve beguiles	O
'Tis known amid the pathless wastes of Reay	J
In Harries known and in Iona's piles	O
Where rest from mortal coil the Mighty of the Isles	O
	-
Canto I	L
I	L
Wake Maid of Lorn the Minstrels sung	P
Thy rugged halls Artornish rung	P
And the dark seas thy towers that lave	Q
Heaved on the beach a softer wave	Q
As 'mid the tuneful choir to keep	R
The diapason of the Deep	R
Lull'd were the winds of Inninmore	J
And green Loch Alline's woodland shore	J
As if wild woods and waves had pleasure	J
In listing to the lovely measure	J
And ne'er to symphony more sweet	J
Gave mountain echoes answer meet	J
Since met from mainland and from isle	S
Ross Arran Hay and Argyle	S
Each minstrel's tributary lay	J
Paid homage to the festal day	J
Dull and dishonour'd were the bard	J
Worthless of guerdon and regard	J
Deaf to the hope of minstrel fame	T
Or lady's smiles his noblest aim	T
Who on that morn's resistless call	U
Where silent in Artornish hall	U
	-
II	L
Wake Maid of Lorn 'twas thus they sung	P
And yet more proud the descant rung	P
Wake Maid of Lorn high right is ours	O
To charm dull sleep from Beauty's bowers	O
Earth Ocean Air have nought so shy	L
But owns the power of minstrelsy	O
In Lettermore the timid deer	J
Will pause the harp's wild chime to hear	J
Rude Heiskar's seal through surges dark	V
Will long pursue the minstrel's bark	V
To list his notes the eagle proud	J
Will poise him on Ben Cailliach's cloud	J
Then let not Maiden's ear disdain	I
The summons of the minstrel train	I
But while our harps wild music make	W
Edith of Lorn awake awake	W
	-
III	L
O wake while Dawn with dewy shine	X
Wakes Nature's charms to vie with thine	X
She bids the mottled thrush rejoice	O
To mate thy melody of voice	O
The dew that on the violet lies	O
Mocks the dark lustre of thine eyes	O
But Edith wake and all we see	O
Of sweet and fair shall yield to thee	O
She comes not yet grey Ferrand cried	J
Brethren let softer spell be tried	J
Those notes prolong'd that soothing theme	Y
Which best may mix with Beauty's dream	Y
And whisper with their silvery tone	Z
The hope she loves yet fears to own	Z
He spoke and on the harp strings died	J
The strains of flattery and of pride	J
More soft more low more tender fell	D
The lay of love he bade them tell	D
	-
IV	Q
Wake Maid of Lorn the moments fly	L
Which yet that maiden name allow	A2
Wake Maiden wake the hour is nigh	L
When love shall claim a plighted vow	A2
By Fear thy bosom's fluttering guest	J
By Hope that soon shall fears remove	Q
We bid thee break the bonds of rest	J
And wake thee at the call of Love	Q
	-
Wake Edith wake in yonder bay	J
Lies many a galley gaily mann'd	J
We hear the merry pibrochs play	J
We see the streamer's silken band	J
What Chieftain's praise these pibrochs swell	D
What crest is on these banners wove	Q
The harp the minstrel dare not tell	D
The riddle must be read by Love	Q
	-
V	Q
Retired her maiden train among	P
Edith of Lorn received the song	B2
But tamed the minstrel's pride had been	C2
That had her cold demeanour seen	D2
For not upon her cheek awoke	E2
The glow of pride when Flattery spoke	E2
Nor could their tenderest numbers bring	F2
One sigh responsive to the string	F2
As vainly had her maidens vied	J
In skill to deck the princely bride	J
Her locks in dark brown length array'd	J
Cathleen of Ulne 'twas thine to braid	J
Young Eva with meet reverence drew	J
On the light foot with silken shoe	J
While on the ankle's slender round	J
Those strings of pearl fair Bertha wound	J
That bleach'd Lochryan's depths within	C2
Seem'd dusky still on Edith's skin	C2
But Einion of experience old	J
Had weightiest task the mantle's fold	J
In many an artful plait she tied	J
To show the form it seem'd to hide	J
Till on the floor descending roll'd	J
Its waves of crimson blent with gold	J
	-
VI	L
O lives there now so cold a maid	J
Who thus in beauty's pomp array'd	J
In beauty's proudest pitch of power	J
And conquest won the bridal hour	J
With every charm that wins the heart	J
By Nature given enhanced by Art	J
Could yet the fair reflection view	J
In the bright mirror pictured true	J
And not one dimple on her cheek	G2
A tell tale consciousness bespeak	G2
Lives still such a maid Fair damsels say	J
For further vouches not my lay	J
Save that such lived in Britain's isle	S
When Lorn's bright Edith scorn'd to smile	S
	-
VII	J
But Morag to whose fostering care	J
Proud Lorn had given his daughter fair	J
Morag who saw a mother's aid	J
By all a daughter's love repaid	J
Strict was that bond most kind of all	U
Inviolate in Highland hall	U
Grey Morag sate a space apart	J
In Edith's eyes to read her heart	J
In vain the attendant's fond appeal	H2
To Morag's skill to Morag's zeal	H2
She mark'd her child receive their care	J
Cold as the image sculptured fair	J
Form of some sainted patroness	O
Which cloister'd maids combine to dress	O
She mark'd and knew her nursling's heart	J
In the vain pomp took little part	J
Wistful a while she gazed then press'd	J
The maiden to her anxious breast	J
In finish'd loveliness and led	J
To where a turret's airy head	J
Slender and steep and battled round	J
O'erlook'd dark Mull thy mighty Sound	J
Where thwarting tides with mingled roar	J
Part thy swarth hills from Morven's shore	J
	-
VIII	J
Daughter she said these seas behold	J
Round twice a hundred islands roll'd	J
From Hirt that hears their northern roar	J
Or mainland turn where many a tower	J
Owns thy bold brother's feudal power	J
Each on its own dark cape reclined	J
And listening to its own wild wind	J
From where Mingarry sternly placed	J
O'erawes the woodland and the waste	J
To where Dunstaffnage hears the raging	F2
Of Connal with his rocks engaging	F2
Think'st thou amid this ample round	J
A single brow but thine has frown'd	J
To sadden this auspicious morn	I2
That bids the daughter of high Lorn	I2
Impledge her spousal faith to wed	J
The heir of mighty Somerled	J
Ronald from many a hero sprung	P
The fair the valiant and the young	P
Lord of the Isles whose lofty name	T
A thousand bards have given to fame	T
The mate of monarchs and allied	J
On equal terms with England's pride	J
From Chieftain's tower to bondsman's cot	J
Who hears the tale and triumphs not	J
The damsel dons her best attire	J
The shepherd lights his beltane fire	J
Joy joy each warder's horn hath sung	P
Joy joy each matin bell hath rung	P
The holy priest says grateful mass	O
Loud shouts each hardy galla glass	O
No mountain den holds outcast boor	J
Of heart so dull of soul so poor	J
But he hath flung his task aside	J
And claim'd this morn for holy tide	J
Yet empress of this joyful day	J
Edith is sad while all are gay	J
	-
IX	O
Proud Edith's soul came to her eye	L
Resentment check'd the struggling sigh	L
Her hurrying hand indignant dried	J
The burning tears of injured pride	J
Morag forbear or lend thy praise	O
To swell yon hireling harpers' lays	O
Make to yon maids thy boast of power	J
That they may waste a wondering hour	J
Telling of banners proudly borne	I2
Of pealing bell and bugle horn	I2
Or theme more dear of robes of price	O
Crownlets and gauds of rare device	O
But thou experienced as thou art	J
Think'st thou with these to cheat the heart	J
That bound in strong affection's chain	I2
No sum thine Edith's wretched lot	J
In these brief words He loves her not	J
	-
X	O
Debate it not too long I strove	J
To call his cold observance love	J
All blinded by the league that styled	J
Edith of Lorn while yet a child	J
She tripp'd the heath by Morag's side	J
The brave Lord Ronald's destined bride	J
Ere yet I saw him while afar	J
His broadsword blazed in Scotland's war	J
Train'd to believe our fates the same	T
My bosom throbb'd when Ronald's name	T
Came gracing fame's heroic tale	J2
Like perfume on the summer gale	J2
What pilgrim sought our halls nor told	J
Of Ronald's deeds in battle bold	J
Who touch'd the harp to heroes' praise	O
But his achievements swell'd the lays	O
Even Morag not a tale of fame	T
Was hers but closed with Ronald's name	T
He came and all that had been told	J
Of his high worth seem'd poor and cold	J
Tame lifeless void of energy	Q
Unjust to Ronald and to me	Q
	-
XI	Q
Since then what thought had Edith's heart	J
And gave not plighted love its part	J
And what requital cold delay	J
Excuse that shunn'd the spousal day	J
It dawns and Ronald is not here	J
Hunts he Bentella's nimble deer	J
Or loiters he in secret dell	D
To bid some lighter love farewell	D
And swear that though he may not scorn	I2
A daughter of the House of Lorn	I2
Yet when these formal rites are o'er	J
Again they meet to part no more	J
	-
XII	Q
Hush daughter hush thy doubts remove	J
More nobly think of Ronald's love	J
Look where beneath the castle grey	J
His fleet unmoor from Aros bay	J
See'st not each galley's topmast bend	J
As on the yards the sails ascend	J
Hiding the dark blue land they rise	Q
Like the white clouds on April skies	Q
The shouting vassals man the oars	Q
Behind them sink Mull's mountain shores	Q
Onward their merry course they keep	R
Through whistling breeze and foaming deep	R
And mark the headmost seaward cast	J
Stoop to the freshening gale her mast	J
As if she veil'd its banner'd pride	J
To greet afar her Prince's bride	J
Thy Ronald comes and while in speed	J
His galley mates the flying steed	J
He chides her sloth Fair Edith sigh'd	J
Blush'd sadly smiled and thus replied	J
	-
XIII	Q
Sweet thought but vain No Morag mark	V
Type of his course yon lonely bark	V
That oft hath shifted helm and sail	J2
To win its way against the gale	J2
Since peep of morn my vacant eyes	Q
Have view'd by fits the course she tries	Q
Now though the darkening scud comes on	I2
And dawn's fair promises be gone	I2
And though the weary crew may see	Q
Our sheltering haven on their lea	Q
Still closer to the rising wind	J
They strive her shivering sail to bind	J
Still nearer to the shelves' dread verge	K2
At every tack her course they urge	K2
As if they fear'd Artornish more	J
Than adverse winds and breakers' roar	J
	-
XIV	J
Sooth spoke the Maid Amid the tide	J
The skiff she mark'd lay tossing sore	J
And shifted oft her stooping side	J
In weary tack from shore to shore	J
Yet on her destined course no more	J
She gain'd or forward way	J
Than what a minstrel may compare	J
To the poor meed which peasants share	J
Who toil the livelong day	J
And such the risk her pilot braves	Q
That oft before she wore	J
Her boltsprit kiss'd the broken waves	Q
Where in white foam the ocean raves	Q
Upon the shelving shore	J
Yet to their destined purpose true	J
Undaunted toil'd her hardy crew	J
Nor look'd where shelter lay	J
Nor for Artornish Castle drew	J
Nor steer'd for Aros bay	J
	-
XV	J
Thus while they strove with wind and seas	Q
Borne onward by the willing breeze	Q
Lord Ronald's fleet swept by	L
Stream'd with silk and trick'd with gold	J
Mann'd with the noble and the bold	J
Of island chivalry	Q
Around their prows the ocean roars	Q
And chafes beneath their thousand oars	Q
Yet bears them on their way	J
So chafes the war horse in his might	J
That fieldward bears some valiant knight	J
Champs till both bit and boss are white	J
But foaming must obey	J
On each gay deck they might behold	J
Lances of steel and crests of gold	J
And hauberks with their burnish'd fold	J
That shimmer'd fair and free	Q
And each proud galley as she pass'd	J
To the wild cadence of the blast	J
Gave wilder minstrelsy	Q
Full many a shrill triumphant note	J
Saline and Scallastle bade float	J
Their misty shores around	J
And Morven's echoes answer'd well	D
And Duart heard the distant swell	D
Come down the darksome Sound	J
	-
XVI	J
So bore they on with mirth and pride	J
And if that labouring bark they spied	J
'Twas with such idle eye	L
As nobles cast on lowly boor	J
When toiling in his task obscure	J
They pass him careless by	L
Let them sweep on with heedless eyes	Q
But had they known what mighty prize	Q
In that frail vessel lay	J
The famish'd wolf that prowls the wold	J
Had scatheless pass'd the unguarded fold	J
Ere drifting by these galleyes bold	J
Unchallenged were her way	J
And thou Lord Ronald sweep thou on	I2
With mirth and pride and minstrel tone	I2
But hadst thou known who sail'd so nigh	L
Far other glance were in thine eye	L
Far other flush were on thy brow	A2
That shaded by the bonnet now	A2
Assumes but ill the blithesome cheer	J
Of bridegroom when the bride is near	J
	-
XVII	L
Yes sweep they on We will not leave	L
For them that triumph those who grieve	L
With that armada gay	J
Be laughter loud and jocund shout	J
And bards to cheer the wassail rout	J
With tale and romance and lay	J
And of wild mirth each clamorous art	J
Which if it cannot cheer the heart	J
May stupefy and stun its smart	J
For one loud busy day	J
Yes sweep they on But with that skiff	L
Abides the minstrel tale	J2
Where there was dread of surge and cliff	L
Labour that strain'd each sinew stiff	L
And one sad Maiden's wail	J2
	-
XVIII	L
All day with fruitless strife they toil'd	J
With eve the ebbing currents boil'd	J
More fierce from straight and lake	W
And midway through the channel met	J
Conflicting tides that foam and fret	J
And high their mingled billows jet	J
As spears that in the battle set	J
Spring upward as they break	W
Then too the lights of eve were past	J
And louder sung the western blast	J
On rocks of Inninmore	J
Rent was the sail and strain'd the mast	J
And many a leak was gaping fast	J
And the pale steersman stood aghast	J
And gave the conflict o'er	J
	-
XIX	Q
'Twas then that One whose lofty look	L2
Nor labour dull'd nor terror shook	L2
Thus to the Leader spoke	E2
Brother how hopest thou to abide	J
The fury of this wilder'd tide	J
Or how avoid the rock's rude side	J
Until the day has broke	E2
Didst thou not mark the vessel reel	H2
With quivering planks and groaning keel	H2
At the last billow's shock	M2
Yet how of better counsel tell	D
Though here thou see'st poor Isabel	D
Half dead with want and fear	J
For look on sea or look on land	J
Or yon dark sky on every hand	J
Despair and death are near	J
For her alone I grieve on me	Q
Danger sits light by land and sea	Q
I follow where thou wilt	J
Either to bide the tempest's lour	J
Or went to yon unfriendly tower	J
Or rush amid their naval power	J
With war cry wake their wassail hour	J
And die with hand on hilt	J
	-
XX	Q
That elder Leader's calm reply	L
In steady voice was given	I2
In man's most dark extremity	Q
Oft succour dawns from Heaven	I2
Edward trim thou the shatter'd sail	J2
The helm be mine and down the gate	J
Let our free course be driven	I2
So shall we 'scape the western bay	J
The hostile fleet the unequal fray	J
So safely hold our vessel's way	J
Beneath the Castle wall	U
For if a hope of safety rest	J
'Tis on the sacred name of guest	J
Who seeks for shelter storm distress'd	J
Within a chieftain's hall	U
If not it best beseems our worth	N2
Our name our right our lofty birth	N2
By noble hands to fall	U
	-
XXI	Q
The helm to his strong arm consign'd	J
Gave the reef'd sail to meet the wind	J
And on her alter'd way	J
Fierce bonding forward sprung the ship	O2
Like greyhound starting from the slip	O2
To seize his flying prey	J
Awaked before the rushing prow	J
The mimic fires of ocean glow	P2
Those lightnings of the wave	L
Wild sparkles crest the broken tides	Q
And flashing round the vessel's sides	Q
With elvish lustre lave	L
While far behind their livid light	J
To the dark billows of the night	J
A gloomy splendour gave	L
It seems as if old Ocean shakes	Q
From his dark brow the lucid flakes	Q
In envious pageantry	Q
To match the meteor light that streaks	Q
Grim Hecla's midnight sky	L
	-
XXII	Q
Nor lack'd they steadier light to keep	R
Their course upon the darken'd deep	R
Artornish on her frowning steep	R
'Twixt cloud and ocean hung	P
Glanced with a thousand lights of glee	Q
And landward far and far to sea	Q
Her festal radiance flung	P
By that blithe beacon light they steer'd	J
Whose lustre mingled well	D
With the pale beam that now appear'd	J
As the cold moon her head uprear'd	J
Above the eastern fell	D
	-
XXIII	Q
Thus guided on their course they bore	J
Until they near'd the mainland shore	J
When frequent on the hollow blast	J
Wild shouts of merriment were cast	J
And wind and wave and sea birds' cry	L
With wassail sounds in concert vie	L
Like funeral shrieks with revelry	Q
Or like the battle shout	J
By peasants heard from cliffs on high	L
When Triumph Rage and Agony	Q
Madden the fight and rout	J
Now nearer yet through mist and storm	Q2
Dimly arose the Castle's form	Q2
And deepen'd shadow made	J
Far lengthen'd on the main below	P2
Where dancing in reflected glow	P2
A hundred torches play'd	J
Spangling the wave with lights as vain	I2
As pleasures in this vale of pain	I2
That dazzle as they fade	J
	-
XXIV	L
Beneath the Castle's sheltering lee	Q
They staid their course in quiet sea	Q
Hewn in the rock a passage there	J
Sought the dark fortress by a stair	J
So strait so high so steep	R
With peasant's staff on valiant hand	J
Might well the dizzy path have mann'd	J
'Gainst hundreds arm'd with spear and brand	J
And plunged them in the deep	R
His bugle then the helmsman wound	J
Loud answered every echo round	J
From turret rock and bay	J
The postern's hinges crash and groan	I2
And soon the Warder's cresset shone	I2
On those rude steps of slippery stone	I2
To light the upward way	J
Thrice welcome holy Sire he said	J
Full long the spousal train have staid	J
And vex'd at thy delay	J
Fear'd lest amidst these wildering seas	Q
The darksome night and freshening breeze	Q
Had driven thy bark astray	J
	-
XXV	L
Warder the younger stranger said	J
Thine erring guess some mirth had made	J
In mirthful hour but nights like these	Q
When the rough winds wake western seas	Q
Brook not of glee We crave some aid	J
And needful shelter for this maid	J
Until the break of day	J
For to ourselves the deck's rude plank	R2
That's breath'd upon by May	J
And for our storm toss'd skiff we seek	G2
Short shelter in this leeward creek	G2
Prompt when the dawn the east shall streak	G2
Again to bear away	J
Answered the Warder In what name	T
Assert ye hospitable claim	T
Whence come or whither bound	J
Hath Erin seen your parting sails	Q
Or come ye on Norweyan gales	Q
And seek ye England's fertile vales	Q
Or Scotland's mountain ground	J
	-
XXVI	L
Warriors for other title none	I2
For some brief space we list to own	I2
Bound by a vow warriors are we	Q
In strife by land and storm by sea	Q
We have been known to fame	T
And these brief words have import dear	J
When sounded in a noble ear	J
To harbour safe and friendly cheer	J
That gives us rightful claim	T
Grant us the trivial boon we seek	G2
And we in other realms will speak	G2
Fair of your courtesy	Q
Deny and be your niggard Hold	J
Scorn'd by the noble and the bold	J
Shunn'd by the pilgrim on the wold	J
And wanderer on the lea	Q
	-
XXVII	L
Bold stranger no 'gainst claim like thine	I2
No bolt revolves by hand of mine	I2
Though urged in tone that more express'd	J
A monarch than a suppliant guest	J
Be what ye will Artornish Hall	U
On this glad eve is free to all	U
Though ye had drawn a hostile sword	J
'Gainst our ally great England's Lord	J
Or mail upon your shoulders borne	I2
To battle with the Lord of Lorn	I2
Or outlaw'd dwelt by greenwood tree	Q
With the fierce Knight of Ellerslie	U
Or aided even the murderous strife	L
When Comyn fell beneath the knife	L
Of that fell homicide The Bruce	Q
This night had been a term of truce	Q
Ho vassals give these guests your care	J
And show the narrow postern stair	J
	-
XXVIII	L
To land these two bold brethren leapt	J
The weary crew their vessel kept	J
And lighted by the torches' flare	J
That seaward flung their smoky glare	J
The younger knight that maiden bare	J
Half lifeless up the rock	M2
On his strong shoulder lean'd her head	J
And down her long dark tresses shed	J
As the wild vine in tendrils spread	J
Droops from the mountain oak	E2
Him follow'd close that elder Lord	J
And in his hand a sheathed sword	J
Such as few arms could wield	J
But when he boun'd him to such task	S2
Well could it cleave the strongest casque	S2
And rend the surest shield	J
	-
XXIX	Q
The raised portcullis' arch they pass	Q
The wicket with its bars of brass	Q
The entrance long and low	U
Flank'd at each turn by loop holes strait	J
Where bowmen might in ambush wait	J
If force or fraud should burst the gate	J
To gall an entering foe	U
But every jealous post of ward	J
Was now defenceless and unbarr'd	J
And all the passage free	Q
To one low brow'd and vaulted room	T2
Where squire and yeoman page and groom	T2
Plied their loud revelry	Q
	-
XXX	Q
And Rest ye here the Warder bade	J
Till to our Lord your suit is said	J
And comrades gaze not on the maid	J
And on these men who ask our aid	J
As if ye ne'er had seen	I2
A damsel tired of midnight bark	S2
Or wanderers of a moulding stark	S2
And bearing martial mien	I2
But not for Eachin's reproof	U
Would page or vassal stand aloof	U
But crowded on to stare	J
As men of courtesy untaught	J
Till fiery Edward roughly caught	J
From one the foremost there	J
His chequer'd plaid and in its shroud	J
Involved his sister fair	J
His brother as the clansman bent	J
His sullen brow in discontent	J
Made brief and stern excuse	Q
Vassal were thine the cloak of pall	U
That decks thy lord in bridal hall	U
'Twere honour'd by her use	Q
	-
XXXI	Q
Proud was his tone but calm his eye	L
Had that compelling dignity	J
His mien that bearing haught and high	L
Which common spirits fear	J
Need nor word nor signal more	J
Nod wink and laughter all were o'er	J
Upon each other back they bore	J
And gazed like startled deer	J
But now appear'd the Seneschal	U
Commission'd by his lord to call	U
The strangers to the Baron's hall	U
Where feasted fair and free	J
That Island Prince is nuptial tide	J
With Edith there his lovely bride	J
And her bold brother by her side	J
And many a chief the flower and pride	J
Of Western land and sea	J
	-
Here pause we gentles for a space	Q
And if our tale hath won your grace	Q
Grant us brief patience and again	I2
We will renew the minstrel strain	I2

Walter Scott (sir)

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The Lord Of The Isles: Canto I is a poem by Walter Scott (sir). This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.

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