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

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBCCDCDD AEEFGGFHIFJJJHI AKKLMMMMNOPPQQOOMMOO ORRMMSMMMMMMTTUUVWSA MMXXMMYMMYXXXY SXXOOMMZA2OOOOMMXXB2 B2MMMM AMMOOMOOMC2QMOOOMMO OMMD2OOOD2MMMOMMMOMM MMMMM OMMAE2E2MMMF2F2SSMXX MOOOUF2F2UG2G2UPPMM PMMMMPPMMH2E2I2J2XXM MMMOPP PMMK2K2PPMMJ2J2AAUMM MMML2XX PXXJ2J2MMMJ2J2MMJ2AU J2 PXXJ2J2MMMMMJ2MMM2MM MM2UUUJ2XN2XJ2MMJ2MM OO2O2O PMJ2MJ2MMMMJ2J2M2PPP M2 OP2OP2OMMXPPXXXXXOXO XXOOOMJ2J2M OMMQ2Q2XXXXMMPOOPR2R 2XMMMXXXOPPO OXXXMN2N2MPPMM2M2M2P PPPXXOOMMMMMPP OMMOOXXMMMMMMOOMM OS2S2OOOOPPMMMMOOXXX N2OOMMXX POOOOPPMMPPMMMMXMM POOMMMMXXPPXXOOOOMMM MMMOOMMMM PPPXXMMXXT2T2PPPPOO PMMMOOOMXXXMOOM2M2MM M PMMMMMMMMPMMPMXMXMMM 2M2PPMMOO OXXL2MMMMT2T2MMMMOOX MMXXXXOOOOT2T2 OPPOOOOPPMMOOMMMMOOM M OPPMML2L2MMXXXXXPPXX XMMOOT2T2XXMM XMMMMMMOOPPXXMMXXMM XOOOOMMMMXXXXPPXXOOO XXXXXXXXXXXXPPXXPPOO M2M2XXPP PXXS2S2XXXXXXOOOOOXX XXXXOOPXXP POOXXXXOOS2S2XXXXXXX X PXXU2OXXOXXXXS2S2XXO XXOXXPPXXOOXX PXXXXXXXXXXXXOOPPXXX X

I	A
Hast thou not mark'd when o'er thy startled head	B
Sudden and deep the thunder peal has roll'd	C
How when its echoes fell a silence dead	B
Sunk on the wood the meadow and the wold	C
The rye glass shakes not on the sod built fold	C
The rustling aspen's leaves are mute and still	D
The wall flower waves not on the ruin'd hold	C
Till murmuring distant first then near and shrill	D
The savage whirlwind wakes and sweeps the groaning hill	D
	-
II	A
Artornish such a silence sunk	E
Upon thy halls when that grey Monk	E
His prophet speech had spoke	F
And his obedient brethren's sail	G
Was stretch'd to meet the southern gale	G
Before a whisper woke	F
Then murmuring sounds of doubt and fear	H
Close pour'd in many an anxious ear	I
The solemn stillness broke	F
And still they gazed with eager guess	J
Where in an oriel's deep recess	J
The Island Prince seem'd bent to press	J
What Lorn by his impatient cheer	H
And gesture fierce scarce deign'd to hear	I
	-
III	A
Starting at length with frowning look	K
His hand he clench'd his head he shook	K
And sternly flung apart	L
And deem'st thou me so mean of mood	M
As to forget the mortal feud	M
And clasp the hand with blood inbrued	M
From my dear Kinsman's heart	M
Is this thy rede a due return	N
For ancient league and friendship sworn	O
But well our mountain proverb shows	P
The faith of Islesmen ebbs and flows	P
Be it even so believe ere long	Q
He that now bears shall wreak the wrong	Q
Call Edith call the Maid of Lorn	O
My sister slaves for further scorn	O
Be sure nor she nor I will stay	M
Away De Argentine away	M
We nor ally nor brother know	O
In Bruce's friend or England's foe	O
	-
IV	O
But who the Chieftain's rage can tell	R
When sought from lowest dungeon cell	R
To highest tower the castle round	M
No Lady Edith was there found	M
He shouted Falsehood treachery	S
Revenge and blood a lordly meed	M
To him that will avenge the deed	M
A Baron's lands His frantic mood	M
Was scarcely by the news withstood	M
That Morag shared his sister's flight	M
And that in hurry of the night	M
'Scaped noteless and without remark	T
Two strangers sought the Abott's bark	T
Man every galley fly pursue	U
The priest his treachery shall rue	U
Ay and the time shall quickly come	V
When we shall hear the thanks that Rome	W
Will pay his feigned prophecy	S
Such was fierce Lorn's indignant cry	A
And Cormac Doil in haste obey'd	M
Hoisted his sail his anchor weigh'd	M
For glad of each pretext for spoil	X
A pirate sworn was Cormac Doil	X
But others lingering spoke apart	M
The maid has given her maiden heart	M
To Ronald of the Isles	Y
And fearful lest her brother's word	M
Bestow her on that English Lord	M
She seeks Iona's piles	Y
And wisely deems it best to dwell	X
A votaress in the holy cell	X
Until these feuds so fierce and fell	X
The Abbot reconciles	Y
	-
V	S
As impotent of ire the hall	X
Echoed to Lorn's impatient call	X
My horse my mantle and my train	O
Let none who honours Lorn remain	O
Courteous but stern a bold request	M
To Bruce De Argentine express'd	M
Lord Earl he said I cannot chuse	Z
But yield such title to the Bruce	A2
Though name and earldom both are gone	O
Since he braced rebel's armour on	O
But Earl or Serf rude phrase was thine	O
Of late and launch'd at Argentine	O
Such as compels me to demand	M
Redress of honour at thy hand	M
We need not to each other tell	X
That both can wield their weapons well	X
Then do me but the soldier grace	B2
This glove upon thy helm to place	B2
Where we may meet in fight	M
And I will say as still I've said	M
Though by ambition far misled	M
Thou art a noble knight	M
	-
VI	A
And I the princely Bruce replied	M
Might term it stain on knighthood's pride	M
That the bright sword of Argentine	O
Should in a tyrant's quarrel shine	O
But for your brave request	M
Be sure the honour'd pledge you gave	O
In every battle field shall wave	O
Upon my helmet crest	M
Believe that if my hasty tongue	C2
Hath done thine honour causeless wrong	Q
It shall be well redress'd	M
Not dearer to my soul was glove	O
Bestow'd in youth by lady's love	O
Than this which thou hast given	O
Thus then my noble foe I greet	M
Health and high fortune till we meet	M
And then what pleases Heaven	O
	-
VII	O
Thus parted they for now with sound	M
Like waves roll'd back from rocky ground	M
The friends of Lorn retire	D2
Each mainland chieftain with his train	O
Draws to his mountain towers again	O
Pondering how mortal schemes prove vain	O
And mortal hopes expire	D2
But through the castle double guard	M
By Ronald's charge kept wakeful ward	M
Wicket and gate were trebly barr'd	M
By beam and bolt and chain	O
Then of the guests in courteous sort	M
He pray'd excuse for mirth broke short	M
And bade them in Artornish fort	M
In confidence remain	O
Now torch and menial tendance led	M
Chieftains and knight to bower and bed	M
And beads were told and Aves said	M
And soon they sunk away	M
Into such sleep as wont to shed	M
Oblivion on the weary head	M
After a toilsome day	M
	-
VIII	O
But soon uproused the Monarch cried	M
To Edward slumbering by his side	M
Awake or sleep for aye	A
Even now there jarr'd a secret door	E2
A taper light gleams on the floor	E2
Up Edward up I say	M
Some one glides in like midnight ghost	M
Nay strike not 'tis our noble Host	M
Advancing then his taper's flame	F2
Ronald stept forth and with him came	F2
Dunvegan's chief each bent the knee	S
To Bruce in sign of fealty	S
And proffer'd him his sword	M
And hail'd him in a monarch's style	X
As king of mainland and of isle	X
And Scotland's rightful lord	M
And O said Ronald Own'd of Heaven	O
Say is my erring youth forgiven	O
By falsehood's arts from duty driven	O
Who rebel falchion drew	U
Yet ever to thy deeds of fame	F2
Even while I strove against thy claim	F2
Paid homage just and true	U
Alas dear youth the unhappy time	G2
Answer'd the Bruce must bear the crime	G2
Since guiltier far than you	U
Even I he paused for Falkirk's woes	P
Upon his conscious soul arose	P
The Chieftain to his breast he press'd	M
And in a sigh conceal'd the rest	M
	-
IX	P
They proffer'd aid by arms and might	M
To repossess him in his right	M
But well their counsels must be weigh'd	M
Ere banners raised and musters made	M
For English hire and Lorn's intrigues	P
Bound many chiefs in southern leagues	P
In answer Bruce his purpose bold	M
To his new vassals frankly told	M
The winter worn in exile o'er	H2
I long'd for Carrick's kindred shore	E2
I thought upon my native Ayr	I2
And long'd to see the burly fare	J2
That Clifford makes whose lordly call	X
Now echoes through my father's hall	X
But first my course to Arran led	M
Where valiant Lennox gathers head	M
And on the sea by tempest toss'd	M
Our barks dispersed our purpose cross'd	M
Mine own a hostile sail to shun	O
When that wise will which masters ours	P
Compell'd us to your friendly towers	P
	-
X	P
Then Torquil spoke The time craves speed	M
We must not linger in our deed	M
But instant pray our Sovereign Liege	K2
To shun the perils of a siege	K2
The vengeful Lorn with all his powers	P
Lies but too near Artornish towers	P
And England's light arm'd vessels ride	M
Not distant far the waves of Clyde	M
Prompt at these tidings to unmoor	J2
And sweep each strait and guard each shore	J2
Then till this fresh alarm pass by	A
Secret and safe my Liege must lie	A
In the far bounds of friendly Skye	U
Torquil thy pilot and thy guide	M
Not so brave Chieftain Ronald cried	M
Myself will on my Sovereign wait	M
And raise in arms the men of Sleate	M
Whilst thou renown'd where chiefs debate	M
Shalt sway them by thy locks of age	L2
And if my words in weight shall fail	X
This ponderous sword shall turn the scale	X
	-
XI	P
The scheme said Bruce contents me well	X
Meantime 'twere best that Isabel	X
For safety with my bark and crew	J2
Again to friendly Erin drew	J2
There Edward too shall with her wend	M
In need to cheer her and defend	M
And muster up each scatter'd friend	M
Here seem'd it as Lord Ronald's ear	J2
Would other counsel gladlier hear	J2
But all achieved as soon as plann'd	M
Both barks in secret arm'd and mann'd	M
From out the haven bore	J2
On different voyage forth they ply	A
This for the coast of winged Skye	U
And that for Erin's shore	J2
	-
XII	P
With Bruce and Ronald bides the tale	X
To favouring winds they gave the sail	X
Till Mull's dark headlands scarce they knew	J2
And Ardnamurchan's hills were blue	J2
But then the squalls blew close and hard	M
And fain to strike the galley's yard	M
With these rude seas in weary plight	M
They strove the livelong day and night	M
Nor till the dawning had a sight	M
Of Skye's romantic shore	J2
Where Coolin stoops him to the west	M
They saw upon his shiver'd crest	M
The sun's arising gleam	M2
But such the labour and delay	M
Ere they were moor'd in Scavigh bay	M
For calmer Heaven compell'd to stay	M
He shot a western beam	M2
Then Ronald said If true mine eye	U
These are the savage wilds that lie	U
North of Strathnardill and Dunskye	U
No human foot comes here	J2
And since these adverse breezes blow	X
If my good Liege love hunter's bow	N2
What hinders that on land we go	X
And strike a mountain deer	J2
Allan my page shall with us wend	M
And if we meet a herd may send	M
A shaft shall mend our cheer	J2
Then each took bow and bolts in hand	M
Their row boat launch'd and leapt to land	M
And left their skiff and train	O
Where a wild stream with headlong shock	O2
Came brawling down its bed of rock	O2
To mingle with the main	O
	-
XIII	P
A while their route they silent made	M
As men who stalk for mountain deer	J2
Till the good Bruce to Ronald said	M
Saint Mary what a scene is here	J2
I've traversed many a mountain strand	M
Abroad in my native land	M
And it has been my lot to tread	M
Where safety more than pleasure led	M
Thus many a waste I've wander'd o'er	J2
Clombe many a crag cross'd many a moor	J2
But by my halidome	M2
A scene so rude so wild as this	P
Yet so sublime in barrenness	P
Ne'er did my wandering footsteps press	P
Where'er I happ'd to roam	M2
	-
XIV	O
No marvel thus the Monarch spake	P2
For rarely human eye has known	O
A scene so stern as that dread lake	P2
With its dark ledge of barren stone	O
Seems that primeval earthquake's sway	M
Hath rent a strange and shatter'd way	M
Through the rude bosom of the hill	X
And that each naked precipice	P
Sable ravine and dark abyss	P
Tells of the outrage still	X
The wildest glen but this can show	X
Some touch of Nature's genial glow	X
On high Benmore green mosses grow	X
And heath bells bud in deep Glencroe	X
And copse on Cruchan Ben	O
But here above around below	X
On mountain or in glen	O
Nor tree nor shrub nor plant nor flower	X
Nor aught of vegetative power	X
The weary eye may ken	O
For all is rocks at random thrown	O
Black waves bare crags and banks of stone	O
As if were here denied	M
The summer sun the spring's sweet dew	J2
That clothe with many a varied hue	J2
The bleakest mountain side	M
	-
XV	O
And wilder forward as they wound	M
Were the proud cliffs and lake profound	M
Huge terraces of granite black	Q2
Afforded rude and cumber'd track	Q2
For from the mountain hoar	X
Hurl'd headlong in some night of fear	X
When yell'd the wolf and fled the deer	X
Loose crags had toppled o'er	X
And some chance poised and balanced lay	M
So that a stripling arm might sway	M
A mass no host could raise	P
In Nature's rage at random thrown	O
Yet trembling like the Druid's stone	O
On its precarious base	P
The evening mists with ceaseless change	R2
Now clothed the mountains' lofty range	R2
Now left their foreheads bare	X
And round the skirts their mantle furl'd	M
Or on the sable waters curl'd	M
Or on the eddying breezes whirl'd	M
Dispersed in middle air	X
And oft condensed at once they lower	X
When brief and fierce the mountain shower	X
Pours like a torrent down	O
And when return the sun's glad beams	P
Whiten'd with foam a thousand streams	P
Leap from the mountain's crown	O
	-
XVI	O
This lake said Bruce whose barriers drear	X
Are precipice sharp and sheer	X
Yielding no track for goat or deer	X
Save the black shelves we tread	M
How term you its dark waves and how	N2
Yon northern mountain's pathless brow	N2
And yonder peak of dread	M
That to the evening sun uplifts	P
The griesly gulfs and slaty rifts	P
Which seam its shiver'd head	M
Coriskin call the dark lake's name	M2
Coolin the ridge as bards proclaim	M2
From old Cuchullin chief of flame	M2
But bards familiar in our isles	P
Rather with Nature's frowns than smiles	P
Full oft their careless humours please	P
By sportive names from scenes like these	P
I would old Torquil were to show	X
His maidens with their breasts of snow	X
Or that my noble Liege were nigh	O
To hear his Nurse sing lullaby	O
The Maids tall cliffs with breakers white	M
The Nurse a torrent's roaring might	M
Or that your eye could see the mood	M
Of Corryvrekin's whirlpool rude	M
When dons the Hag her whiten'd hood	M
'Tis thus our Islesmen's fancy frames	P
For scenes so stern fantastic names	P
	-
XVII	O
Answer'd the Bruce And musing mind	M
Might here a graver moral find	M
These mighty cliffs that heave on high	O
Their naked brows to middle sky	O
Indifferent to the sun or snow	X
Where nought can fade and nought can blow	X
May they not mark a Monarch's fate	M
Raised high 'mid storms of strife and state	M
Beyond life's lowlier pleasures placed	M
His soul a rock his heart a waste	M
O'er hope and love and fear aloft	M
High rears his crowned head But soft	M
Look underneath yon jutting crag	O
Are hunters and a slaughter'd stag	O
Who may they be But late you said	M
No steps these desert regions tread	M
	-
XVIII	O
So said I and believed in sooth	S2
Ronald replied I spoke the truth	S2
Yet now I spy by yonder stone	O
Five men they mark us and come on	O
And by their badge on bonnet borne	O
I guess them on the land of Lorn	O
Foes to my Liege So let it be	P
I've faced worse odds than five to three	P
But the poor page can little aid	M
Then be our battle thus array'd	M
If our free passage they contest	M
Cope thou with two I'll match the rest	M
Not so my Liege for by my life	O
This sword shall meet the treble strife	O
My strength my skill in arms more small	X
And less the loss should Ronald fall	X
But islesmen soon to soldiers grow	X
Allan has sword as well as bow	N2
And were my Monarch's order given	O
Two shafts should make our number even	O
No not to save my life he said	M
Enough of blood rests on my head	M
Too rashly spill'd we soon shall know	X
Whether they come as friend or foe	X
	-
XIX	P
Nigh came the strangers and more nigh	O
Still less they pleased the Monarch's eye	O
Men were they all of evil mien	O
Down look'd unwilling to be seen	O
They moved with half resolved pace	P
And bent on earth each gloomy face	P
The foremost two were fair array'd	M
With brogue and bonnet trews and plaid	M
And bore the arms of mountaineers	P
Daggers and broadswords bows and spears	P
The three that lagg'd small space behind	M
Seem'd serfs of more degraded kind	M
Goat skins or deer hides o'er them cast	M
Made a rude fence against the blast	M
Matted their beards unshorn their hair	X
For arms the caitiffs bore in hand	M
A club an axe a rusty brand	M
	-
XX	P
Onward still mute they kept the track	O
Tell who ye be or else stand back	O
Said Bruce In deserts when they meet	M
Men pass not as in peaceful street	M
Still at his stern command they stood	M
And proferr'd greeting brief and rude	M
But acted courtesy so ill	X
As seem'd of fear and not of will	X
Wanderers we are as you may be	P
Men hither driven by wind and sea	P
Who if you list to taste our cheer	X
Will share with you this fallow deer	X
If from the sea where lies your bark	O
Ten fathom deep in ocean dark	O
Wreck'd yesternight but we are men	O
Who little sense of peril ken	O
The shades come down the day is shut	M
Will you go with us to our hut	M
Our vessel waits us in the bay	M
Thanks for your proffer have good day	M
Was that your galley then which rode	M
Not far from shore when evening glow'd	M
It was Then spare your needless pain	O
There will she now be sought in vain	O
We saw her from the mountain head	M
When with St George's blazon red	M
A southern vessel bore in sight	M
And yours raised sail and took to flight	M
	-
XXI	P
Now by the rood unwelcome news	P
Thus with Lord Ronald communed Bruce	P
Nor rests there light enough to show	X
If this their tale be true or no	X
The men seem bred of churlish kind	M
Yet mellow nuts have hardest rind	M
We will go with them food and fire	X
And sheltering roof our wants require	X
Sure guard 'gainst treachery will we keep	T2
And watch by turns our comrades' sleep	T2
Good fellows thanks your guests we'll be	P
And well will pay the courtesy	P
Come lead us where your lodging lies	P
Nay soft we mix not companies	P
Show us the path o'er crag and stone	O
And we will follow you lead on	O
	-
XXII	P
They reach'd the dreary cabin made	M
Of sails against a rock display'd	M
And there on entering found	M
A slender boy whose form and mien	O
Ill suited with such savage scene	O
In cap and cloak of velvet green	O
Low seated on the ground	M
His garb was such as minstrels wear	X
Dark was his hue and dark his hair	X
His youthful cheek was marr'd by care	X
His eyes in sorrow drown'd	M
Whence this poor boy As Ronald spoke	O
The voice his trance of anguish broke	O
As if awaked from ghastly dream	M2
He raised his head with start and scream	M2
And wildly gazed around	M
Then to the wall his face he turn'd	M
And his dark neck with blushes burn'd	M
	-
XXIII	P
Whose is the boy again he said	M
By chance of war our captive made	M
He may be yours if you should hold	M
That music has more charms than gold	M
For though from earliest childhood mute	M
The lad can deftly touch the lute	M
And on the rote and viol play	M
And well can drive the time away	M
For those who love such glee	P
For me the favouring breeze when loud	M
It pipes upon the galley's shroud	M
Makes blither melody	P
Hath he then sense of spoken sound	M
Aye so his mother bade us know	X
A crone in our late shipwreck drown'd	M
And hence the silly stripling's woe	X
More of the youth I cannot say	M
Our captive but since yesterday	M
When wind and weather wax'd so grim	M2
We little listed think of him	M2
But why waste time in idle words	P
Sit to your cheer unbelt your swords	P
Sudden the captive turn'd his head	M
And one quick glance to Ronald sped	M
It was a keen and warning look	O
And well the Chief the signal took	O
	-
XXIV	O
Kind host he said our needs require	X
A separate board and separate fire	X
Wend I my comrade and this page	L2
And sworn to vigil and to fast	M
Long as this hallow'd task shall last	M
We never doff the plaid or sword	M
Or feast us at a stranger's board	M
And never share one common sleep	T2
But one must still his vigil keep	T2
Thus for our separate use good friend	M
We'll hold this hut's remoter end	M
A churlish vow the elder said	M
And hard methinks to be obey'd	M
How say you if to wreak the scorn	O
That pays our kindness harsh return	O
Then say we that our swords are steel	X
And our vow binds us not to fast	M
Where gold or force may buy repast	M
Their host's dark brow grew keen and fell	X
His teeth are clench'd his features swell	X
Yet sunk the felon's moody ire	X
Before Lord Ronald's glance of fire	X
Nor could his craven courage brook	O
The Monarch's calm and dauntless look	O
With laugh constrain'd Let every man	O
Follow the fashion of his clan	O
Each to his separate quarters keep	T2
And feed or fast or wake or sleep	T2
	-
XXV	O
Their fire at separate distance burns	P
By turns they eat keep guard by turns	P
For evil seem'd that old man's eye	O
Dark and designing fierce yet shy	O
Still he avoided forward look	O
But slow and circumspectly took	O
A circling never ceasing glance	P
By doubt and cunning mark'd at once	P
Which shot a mischief boding ray	M
From under eyebrows shagg'd and grey	M
The younger too who seem'd his son	O
Had that dark look to the timid shun	O
The half clad serfs behind them sate	M
And scowl'd a glare 'twixt fear and hate	M
Till all as darkness onward crept	M
Couch'd down and seem'd to sleep or slept	M
Nor he that boy whose powerless tongue	O
Must trust his eyes to wail his wrong	O
A longer watch of sorrow made	M
But stretch'd his limbs to slumber laid	M
	-
XXVI	O
Not in his dangerous host confides	P
The King but wary watch provides	P
Ronald keeps ward till midnight past	M
Then wakes the King young Allan last	M
Thus rank'd to give the youthful page	L2
The rest required by tender age	L2
What is Lord Ronald's wakeful thought	M
To chase the languor toil had brought	M
For deem not that he deign'd to throw	X
Much care upon such coward foe	X
He thinks of lovely Isabel	X
When at her foeman's feet she fell	X
Nor less when placed in princely selle	X
She glanced on him with favouring eyes	P
At Woodstocke when he won the prize	P
Nor fair in joy in sorrow fair	X
In pride of place as 'mid despair	X
Must she alone engross his care	X
His thoughts to his betrothed bride	M
To Edith turn O how decide	M
When here his love and heart are given	O
And there his faith stands plight to Heaven	O
No drowsy ward 'tis his to keep	T2
For seldom lovers long for sleep	T2
Till sung his midnight hymn the owl	X
Answer'd the dog fox with his howl	X
Then waked the King at his request	M
Lord Ronald stretch'd himself to rest	M
	-
XXVII	X
What spell was good King Robert's say	M
To drive the weary night away	M
His was the patriot's burning thought	M
Of Freedom's battle bravely fought	M
Of castles storm'd of cities freed	M
Of deep design and daring deed	M
Of England's roses reft and torn	O
And Scotland's cross in triumph worn	O
Of rout and rally war and truce	P
As heroes think so thought the Bruce	P
No marvel 'mid such musings high	X
Sleep shunn'd the Monarch's thoughtful eye	X
Now over Coolin's eastern head	M
The greyish light begins to spread	M
The otter to his cavern drew	X
And clamour'd shrill the wakening mew	X
Then watch'd the Page to needful rest	M
The King resigned his anxious breast	M
	-
XXVIII	X
To Allan's eyes was harder task	O
The weary watch their safeties ask	O
He trimm'd the fire and gave to shine	O
With bickering light the splinter'd pine	O
Then gazed a while where silent laid	M
Their hosts were shrouded by the plaid	M
But little fear waked in his mind	M
For he was bred of martial kind	M
And if to manhood he arrive	X
May match the boldest knight alive	X
Then thought he of his mother's tower	X
His little sisters' greenwood bower	X
How there the Easter gambols pass	P
And of Dan Joseph's lengthen'd mass	P
But still before his weary eye	X
In rays prolong'd the blazes die	X
Again he roused him on the lake	O
Look'd forth where now the twilight flake	O
Of pale cold dawn began to wake	O
On Coolin's cliffs the mist lay furl'd	X
The morning breeze the lake had curl'd	X
The short dark waves heaved to the land	X
With ceaseless plash kiss'd cliff or sand	X
It was a slumbrous sound he turn'd	X
To tales at which his youth had burn'd	X
Of pilgrim's path by demon cross'd	X
Of sprightly elf or yelling ghost	X
Of the wild witch's baneful cot	X
And mermaid's alabaster grot	X
Who bathes her limbs in sunless well	X
Deep in Strathaird's enchanted cell	X
Thither in fancy rapt he flies	P
And on his sight the vaults arise	P
That hut's dark walls he sees no more	X
His foot is on the marble floor	X
And o'er his head the dazzling spars	P
Gleam like a firmament of stars	P
Hark hears he not the sea nymph speak	O
Her anger in that thrilling shriek	O
No all too late with Allan's dream	M2
Mingled the captive's warning scream	M2
As from the ground he strives to start	X
A ruffian's dagger finds his heart	X
Upwards he cast his dizzy eyes	P
Murmurs his master's name and dies	P
	-
XXIX	P
Not so awoke the King his hand	X
Snatch'd from the flame a knotted brand	X
The nearest weapon on his wrath	S2
With this he cross'd the murderer's path	S2
And venged young Allan well	X
The spatter'd brain and bubbling blood	X
Hiss'd on the half extinguish'd wood	X
The miscreant gasp'd and fell	X
Nor rose in peace the Island Lord	X
One caitiff died upon his sword	X
And one beneath his grasp lies prone	O
And one beneath his grasp lies prone	O
In mortal grapple overthrown	O
But while Lord Ronald's dagger drank	O
The life blood from his panting flank	O
The Father ruffian of the band	X
Behind him rears a coward hand	X
O for a moment's aid	X
Till Bruce who deals no double blow	X
Dash to the earth another foe	X
Above his comrade laid	X
And it is gain'd the captive sprung	O
On the raised arm and closely clung	O
And ere he shook him loose	P
The master'd felon press'd the ground	X
And gasp'd beneath a mortal wound	X
While o'er him stands the Bruce	P
	-
XXX	P
Miscreant while lasts thy flitting spark	O
Give me to know the purpose dark	O
That arm'd thy hand with murderous knife	X
Against offenceless stranger's life	X
No stranger thou with accent fell	X
Murmur'd the wretch I know thee well	X
And know thee for the foeman sworn	O
Of my high Chief the mighty Lorn	O
Speak yet again and speak the truth	S2
For thy soul's sake from whence this youth	S2
His country birth and name declare	X
And thus one evil deed repair	X
Vex me no more my blood runs cold	X
No more I know than I have told	X
We found him in a bark we sought	X
With different purpose and I thought	X
Fate cut him short in blood and broil	X
As he had lived died Cormac Doil	X
	-
XXXI	P
The resting on his bloody blade	X
The valiant Bruce to Ronald said	X
Now shame upon us both that boy	U2
Lifts his mute face to heaven	O
And clasps his hands to testify	X
His gratitude to God on high	X
For strange deliverance given	O
His speechless gesture thanks hath paid	X
Which our free tongues have left unsaid	X
He raised the youth with kindly word	X
But mark'd him shudder at the sword	X
He cleansed it from its hue of death	S2
And plunged the weapon in its sheath	S2
Alas poor child unfitting part	X
Fate doom'd when with so soft a heart	X
And form so slight as thine	O
She made thee first a pirate's slave	X
Then in his stead a patron gave	X
Of wayward lot like mine	O
A landless prince whose wandering life	X
Is but one scene of blood and strife	X
Yet scant of friends the Bruce shall be	P
But he'll find resting place for thee	P
Come noble Ronald o'er the dead	X
Enough thy generous grief is paid	X
And well has Allen's fate been wroke	O
Come wend we hence the day has broke	O
Seek we our bark I trust the tale	X
Was false that she had hoisted sail	X
	-
XXXII	P
Yet ere they left that charnel cell	X
The Island Lord bade sad farewell	X
To Allan Who shall tell this tale	X
He said in halls of Donagaile	X
Oh who his widow'd mother tell	X
That ere his bloom her fairest fell	X
Rest thee poor youth and trust my care	X
For mass and knell and funeral prayer	X
While o'er those caitiffs where they lie	X
The wolf shall snarl the raven cry	X
And now the eastern mountain's head	X
On the dark lake threw lustre red	X
Bright gleams of gold and purple streak	O
Ravine and precipice and peak	O
So earthly power at distance shows	P
Reveals his splendour hides his woes	P
O'er sheets of granite dark and broad	X
Rent and unequal lay the road	X
In sad discourse the warriors wind	X
And the mute captive moves behind	X

Walter Scott (sir)

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