Stirling Castle. EDINBURGH: ADAM & CHARLES BLACK MDCCCLXIX. THE LADY OF THE LAKE BY Sir WALTEK SCOTT, Bart. WITH ALL HIS INTRODUCTIONS, VARIOUS READINGS, AND THE EDITOR'S NOTES ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD FROM DRAWINGS BY BIRKET FOSTER AND JOHN GILBERT ADAM EDINBURGH AND CHARLES 1869 BLACK Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/ladyoflakeOOscot_0 CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction ........ 7 Argument . . . . . . . . .21 Canto I. The Chase 23 Canto II. The Island . . . . . . 71 Canto III. The Gathering . . . . .121 Canto IV. The Prophecy 173 Canto V. The Combat 221 Canto VI. The Guard-Room 275 Appendix . 325 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY BIRKET FOSTER AND JOHN GILBERT, AND ENGRAVED ON WOOD BY J. W. WHYMPER AND EDMUND EVANS. Canto jftrst — Cfje Cfjase. Vignette Title to the Canto. DESIGNED BY PAGE John Gilbert. 23 The stag at eve had drank his fill, Where danced the moon on Monan's rill. Bieket Foster. 27 Twere long to tell what steeds gave o'er. As swept the hunt through Cambus-more. Birket Foster. 32 And when the Brigg of Turk was won, The headmost horseman rode alone. Birket Foster. 34 Then through the dell his horn resounds, From vain pursuit to call the hounds. Birket Foster. 38 The western waves of ebbing day Roll'd o'er the glen their level way. Birket Foster. 40 One burnish' d sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll'd. Birket Foster. 44 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY PAGE A Chieftain's daughter seem'd the maid ; Her satin snood, her silken plaid. John Gilbert. 49 The stranger view'd the shore around, 'Twas all so close with copsewood bound. Birket Foster. 55 The mistress of the mansion cam 3, Mature of age, a graceful dame. John Gilbert. 60 Until, the giddy whirl to cure, He rose, and sought the moonshine pure. Birket Foster. 68 Canto &eccmti — &Jje Esslanto. Vignette Title to the Canto. John Gilbert. 71 Not faster yonder rippling bright, That tracks the shallop's course in light. Birket Foster. 74 The Harper on the islet beach, Reclined against a blighted tree. John Gilbert. 77 Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances ! Honour'd and bless'd be the evergreen pine ! Birket Foster, 95 The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide. John Gilbert. 103 Madmen, forbear your frantic jar! What! is the Douglas fall'n so far. John Gilbert. 112 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY PAGE Then plunged lie in the flashing tide, Bold o'er his head the flood he bore. Birket Foster. 117 Vignette — Loch Lomond. Birket Foster. 119 Canto (Efjirtj — Eije ffiatijermg. Vignette Title to the Canto. John Gilbert. 121 The summer dawn's reflected hue, To purple changed Loch Katrine blue. Woe to the clansman who shall view This symbol of sepulchral yew. Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue, A barge across Loch Katrine flew. So swept the tumult and affray Along the margin of Achray. Speed, Malise, speed ! the lake is past, Duncraggan's huts appear at last. Alas ! she sobb'd, and yet be gone, And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son. Benledi saw the cross of fire, It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire. And, issuing from the Gothic arch, The bridal now resumed their march. Birket Foster. 125 John Gilbert. 136 Birket Foster. 140 Birket Foster 143 Birket Foster. 144 John Gilbert. 149 Birket Foster. 151 John Gilbert. 153 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Nor backward glanced, till on the heath Where Lubnaig's lake supplies the Teith. DESIGNED BY PAGE Birket Foster. 156 The signal roused to martial coil The sullen margin of Loch Voil. Birket Foster. 158 It was a wild and strange retreat As e'er was trod by outlaw's feet. Birket Foster. 162 Above the Gobi in -cave they go, Through the wild pass of Beal-nam-bo. Birket Foster. 165 A various scene the clansmen made, Some sate, some stood, some slowly stray'd. John Gilbert. 170 Canto JFourtJf— &ty -^xoytytQ, Vignette Title to the Canto. John Gilbert. 173 Thus spoke young Norman, heir of Armandave, What time the sun arose on Vennachar's broad wave. Birket Foster. 176 Midst groan of rock, and roar of stream, The wizard waits prophetic dream. Birket Foster. 180 Well, be it as thou wilt ; 1 hear, But cannot stop the bursting tear. Birket Fostet. 189 Ellen, thy hand— the ring is thine ; Each guard and usher knows the sigu. John Gilbert. 202 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY PAGE When lo ! a wasted female form, Blighted by wrath of sun and storm. John Gilbert. 205 She sate beneath the birchen tree, Her elbow resting on her knee. John Gilbert. 212 And up he sprang with sword in hand, — Thy name and purpose ! Saxon, stand ! Birket Foster. 216 Canto jFtftij — Efje Combat. Vignette Title to the Canto. John Gilbert. 221 Here Vennachar in silver flows, There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose. Birket Foster. 225 Instant, through copse and heath, arose Bonnets and spears and bended bows. John Gilbert. 233 For this is Coilantogle ford, And thou must keep thee with thy sword. Birket Foster. 240 Now, yield thee, or by Him who made The world, thy heart's-blood dyes my blade. John Gilbert. 246 With that he blew a bugle -note, Undid the collar from his throat. John Gilbert. 249 They rise, the banner'd towers of Doune, They sink in distant woodland soon. Birket Foster. 251 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY PAGfc Gray Stirling, with her towers and town, Upon their fleet career look'd down. Birket Foster. 253 And ever James was bending low, To his white jennet's saddle-bow. John Gilbert. 257 Now, in the Castle -park drew out Their chequer'd bands the joyous rout. John Gilbert. 259 and, with his leash unbound, In anger struck the noble hound. Birket Foster. 266 Canto &txtfj — QTfje ffiuarti^oom. Vignette Title to the Canto. John Gilbert. 275 At dawn the towers of Stirling rang With soldier-step and weapon-clang. Birket Foster. 278 Let each the buxom chorus bear, Like brethren of the brand and spear. Birket Foster. 281 There lies my halberd on the floor ; And. he that steps my halberd o'er. John Gilbert. 287 Hark, Minstrel ! I have heard thee play, With measure bold, on festal day. John Gilbert. 294 Now westward rolls the battle's din, That deep and doubling pass within. Birket Foster. 302 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY PAGE I mark'd Duncraggan's widow'd dame. John Gilbert. 306 'Twas from a turret that o'erhung Her latticed bower, the strain was sung. John Gilbert. 311 Poor Ellen glided from her stay, And at the Monarch's feet she lay. John Gilbert. 315 Dishonouring thus thy loyal name- Fetters and warder for the Grseme ! John Gilbert. 320 The deer, half seen, are to the covert wending. Birket Foster. 323 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION FTER the success of " Marmion," I felt inclined to exclaim with Ulysses in the " Odyssey" — Ovrog fjjh dri az&Xog ddarog sTLTersXeffrat. NOV avrs ffxotfbv aXkov. Odys %• 1 5 " One venturous game my hand has won to-day — -v, • y ft-j Another, gallants, yet remains to play." r ' The ancient manners, the habits and customs of the aboriginal race by whom the Highlands of Scotland were inhabited, had always appeared to me peculiarly adapted to poetry. The change in their manners, too, had taken place almost within my own time, or at least I had learned many particulars concerning the ancient state of the Highlands from the old men of the last generation. I had always thought the old Scottish Gael highly adapted for poetical composition. The feuds, and political dissensions, which, 8 INTRODUCTION. half a century earlier, would have rendered the richer and wealthier part of the kingdom indisposed to countenance a poem, the scene of which was laid in the Highlands, were now sunk in the generous compassion which the English, more than any other nation, feel for the misfortunes of an honourable foe. The poems of Ossian had, by their popu- larity, sufficiently shown, that if writings on Highland subjects were qualified to interest the reader, mere national prejudices were, in the present day, very unlikely to interfere with their success. I had also read a great deal, seen much, and heard more, of that romantic country, where I was in the habit of spending some time every autumn ; and the scenery of Loch Katrine was connected with the recollection of many a dear friend and merry expedition of former days. This poem, the action of which lay among scenes so beautiful, and so deeply imprinted on my recollections, was a labour of love ; and it was no less so to recall the manners and incidents introduced. The frequent custom of James IV., and particularly of James V., to walk through their kingdom in disguise, afforded me the hint of an incident, which never fails to be interesting, if managed with the slightest address or dexterity. I may now confess, however, that the employment, though attended with great pleasure, was not without its INTRODUCTION 9 doubts and anxieties. A lady, to whom I was nearly related, and with whom I lived, during her whole life, on the most brotherly terms of affection, was residing with me at the time when the work was in progress, and used to ask me, what I could possibly do to rise so early in the morning (that happening to be the most convenient time to me for composition.) At last I told her the subject of my medi- tations; and I can never forget the anxiety and affection expressed in her reply. " Do not be so rash," she said, " my dearest cousin. 1 You are already popular — more so, perhaps, than you yourself will believe, or than even I, or other partial friends, can fairly allow to your merit. You stand high — do not rashly attempt to climb higher, and incur the risk of a fall ; for, depend upon it, a favourite will not be permitted even to stumble with impunity." I replied to this affectionate expostulation in the words of Montrose — " He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who dares not put it to the touch To gain or lose it all." 1 The lady with whom Sir Walter Scott held this conversation, was, no doubt, his aunt, Miss Christian Kutherford ; there was no other female relation dead when this Introduction was written, whom I can suppose him to have consulted on literary questions. Lady Capulet. on seeing the corpse of Tybalt, exclaims, — " Tybalt, my cousin! oh my brother's child !"— Ei>. B 10 INTRODUCTION. " If I fail," I said, for the dialogue is strong in my recollection, "it is a sign that I ought never to have suc- ceeded, and I will write prose for life : you shall see no change in my temper, nor will I eat a single meal the worse. But if I succeed, Up with the bonnie blue bonnet, The dirk, and the feather, and a' !" Afterwards I showed my affectionate and anxious critic the first canto of the poem, which reconciled her to my imprudence. Nevertheless, although I answered thus con- fidently, with the obstinacy often said to be proper to those who bear my surname, I acknowledge that my confidence was considerably shaken by the warning of her excellent taste and unbiassed friendship. Nor was I much comforted by her retractation of the unfavourable judgment, when I recollected how likely a natural partiality was to effect that change of opinion. In such cases, affection rises like a light on the canvas, improves any favourable tints which it formerly exhibited, and throws its defects into the shade. I remember that about the same time a friend started in to " heeze up my hope," like the " sportsman with his cutty gun," in the old song. He was bred a farmer, but a man of powerful understanding, natural good taste, and warm poetical feeling, perfectly competent to supply the INTRODUCTION. - 11 wants of an imperfect or irregular education. He was a passionate admirer of field-sports, which we often pursued together. As this friend happened to dine with me at Ashestiel one day, I took the opportunity of reading to him the first canto of " The Lady of the Lake," in order to ascertain the effect the poem was likely to produce upon a person who w r as but too favourable a representative of readers at large. It is, of course, to be supposed, that I determined rather to guide my opinion by what my friend might appear to feel, than by what he might think fit to say. His reception of my recitation, or prelection, was rather singular. He placed his hand across his brow, and listened with great attention through the whole account of the stag-hunt, till the dogs threw themselves into the lake to follow their master, who embarks with Ellen Douglas. He then started up with a sudden exclamation, struck his hand on the table, and declared, in a voice of censure calculated for the occasion, that the dogs must have been totally ruined by being permitted to take the water after such a severe chase. I own I was much encouraged by the species of reverie which had possessed so zealous a follower of the sports of the ancient Nimrod, who had been completely surprised out of all doubts of the reality of the tale. Another of his remarks gave me less pleasure. He detected the identity of the 12 INTRODUCTION King with the wandering knight, Fitz-James, when he winds his bugle to summon his attendants. He was pro- bably thinking of the lively, but somewhat licentious, old ballad, in which the denouement of a royal intrigue takes place as follows : " He took a bugle frae his side, He blew both loud and shrill, And four-and-twenty belted knights Came skipping ower the hill ; Then he took out a little knife, Let a' his duddies fa', And he was the brawest gentleman That was amang them a\ And we '11 go no more a-roving," &c. This discovery, as Mr. Pepys says of the rent in his camlet cloak, was but a trifle, yet it troubled me ; and I was at a good deal of pains to efface any marks by which I thought my secret could be traced before the conclusion, when I relied on it with the same hope of producing effect, with which the Irish post-boy is said to reserve a " trot for the avenue." I took uncommon pains to verify the accuracy of the local circumstances of this story. I recollect, in particular, that to ascertain whether I was telling a probable tale, I went into Perthshire, to see whether King James could actually have ridden from the banks of Loch Vennachar INTRODUCTION. 13 to Stirling Castle within the time supposed in the Poem, and had the pleasure to satisfy myself that it was quite practicable. After a considerable delay, "The Lady of the Lake" appeared in May 1810; and its success was certainly so extraordinary, as to induce me for the moment to conclude that I had at last fixed a nail in the proverbially inconstant wheel of Fortune, whose stability in behalf of an individual who had so boldly courted her favours for three successive times had not as yet been shaken. I had attained, perhaps, that degree of public reputation at which prudence, or certainly timidity, would have made a halt, and discontinued efforts by which I was far more likely to diminish my fame than to increase it. But, as the celebrated John Wilkes is said to have explained to his late Majesty, that he himself, amid his full tide of popularity, was never a Wilkite, so I can, with honest truth, exculpate myself from having been at any time a partisan of my own poetry, even when it was in the highest fashion with the million. It must not be supposed that I was either so ungrateful, or so super- abundantly candid, as to despise or scorn the value of those whose voice had elevated me so much higher than my own opinion told me I deserved. I felt, on the contrary, the more grateful to the public, as receiving that from partiality to me, which I could not have claimed from merit ; and I 14 INTRODUCTION endeavoured to deserve the partiality, by continuing such exertions as I was capable of for their amusement. It may be that I did not, in this continued course of scribbling, consult either the interest of the public or my own. But the former had effectual means of defending themselves, and could, by their coldness, sufficiently check any approach to intrusion ; and for myself, I had now for several years dedicated my hours so much to literary labour, that I should have felt difficulty in employing myself other- wise ; and so, like Dogberry, I generously bestowed all my tediousness on the public, comforting myself with the reflection, that if posterity should think me undeserving of the favour with which I was regarded by my contemporaries, " they could not but say I had the crown," and had enjoyed for a time that popularity which is so much coveted. I conceived, however, that I held the distinguished situation I had obtained, however unworthily, rather like the champion of pugilism, 1 on the condition of being always ready to show proofs of my skill, than in the manner of the champion of chivalry, who performs his duties only on rare and solemn occasions. I was in any case conscious that I 1 In twice five years the " greatest living poet, 1 ' Like to the champion in the fisty ring, Is called on to support his claim, or show it, Although 'tis an imaginary thing, &c. Don Juan, canto xi. st. 55. INTRODUCTION. 15 could not long hold a situation which the caprice, rather than the judgment, of the public, had bestowed upon me, and preferred being deprived of my precedence by some more worthy rival, to sinking into contempt for my in- dolence, and losing my reputation by what Scottish lawyers call the negative prescription. Accordingly, those who choose to look at the Introduction to Kokeby will be able to trace the steps by which I declined as a poet to figure as a novelist; as the ballad says, Queen Eleanor sunk at Charing-Cross to rise again at Queenhithe. It only remains for me to say, that, during my short pre-eminence of popularity, I faithfully observed the rules of moderation which I had resolved to follow before I began my course as a man of letters. If a man is determined to make a noise in the world, he is as sure to encounter abuse and ridicule, as he who gallops furiously through a village must reckon on being followed by the curs in full cry. Experienced persons know, that in stretching to flog the latter, the rider is very apt to catch a bad fall ; nor is an attempt to chastise a malignant critic attended with less danger to the author. On this principle, I let parody, burlesque, and squibs, find their own level ; and while the latter hissed most fiercely, I was cautious never to catch them up, as schoolboys do, to throw them back against the naughty boy who fired them off, wisely remembering that 16 INTRODUCTION. they arc, in such cases, apt to explode in the handling. Let me add, that my reign (since Byron has so called it) was marked by some instances of good-nature as well as patience. I never refused a literary person of merit such services in smoothing his way to the public as were in my power; and I had the advantage — rather an uncommon one with our irritable race — to enjoy general favour, without incurring permanent ill-will, so far as is known to me, among any of my contemporaries. w. s. Abbotsford, Apkjl 1830 THE LADY OF THE LAKE A POEM IN SIX CANTOS. THE MOST NOBLE JOHN JAMES MARQUIS OF ABEECORN ETC. ETC. ETC. THIS POEM IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ARGUMENT. H E Scene of the following Poem is laid chiefly in the vicinity of Loch-Katrine, in the Western Highlands of Perthshire. ^ The time of Action includes Six Days, and the transactions of each Day occupy a Canto. 1 ^ 1 Never, we think, has the analogy between poetry and painting A been more strikingly exemplified than in the writings of Mr. Scott. He sees everything with a painter's eye. Whatever he represents x has a character of individuality, and is drawn with an accuracy and minuteness of discrimination, which we are not accustomed to expect from verbal description. Much of this, no doubt, is the result of genius ; for there is a quick and comprehensive power of discernment, an intensity and keenness of observation, an almost intuitive glance, which nature alone can give, and by means of which her favourites are enabled to discover characteristic differences, where the eye of dulness sees nothing but uni- formity; but something also must be referred to discipline and exercise. The liveliest fancy can only call forth those images which are already stored up in the memory; and all that invention can do is to unite these into new combinations, which must appear confused and ill-defined, if the impressions originally received by the senses were deficient in strength and distinctness. It is because Mr. Scott usually delineates those objects with which he is perfectly familiar, that his touch is so easy, correct, and animated. The rocks, the ravines, and the torrents, which be exhibits, are 2 '2 ARGUMENT. not the imperfect sketches of a hurried traveller, but the finished studies of a resident artist, deliberately drawn from different points of view ; each has its true shape and position ; it is a portrait ; it has its name by which the spectator is invited to examine the exactness of the resemblance. The figures which are combined with the landscape are painted with the same fidelity. Like those of Salvator Eosa, they are perfectly appropriate to the spot on which they stand. The boldness of feature, the lightness and com- pactness of form, the wildness of air, and the careless ease of attitude of these mountaineers, are as congenial to their native Highlands, as the birch and the pine which darken their glens, the sedge which fringes their lakes, or the heath which waves over their moors. — Quarterly Review, May 1810. It is honourable to Mr. Scott's genius that he has been able to interest the public so deeply with this third presentment of the same chivalrous scenes ; but we cannot help thinking, that both his glory and our gratification would have been greater, if he had changed his hand more completely, and actually given us a true Celtic story, with all its drapery and accompani ments in a corresponding style of decoration. Such a subject, we are persuaded, has very great capabilities, and only wants to be introduced to public notice by such a hand as Mr. Scott's, to make a still more powerful impression than he has already effected by the resurrection of the tales of romance. There are few persons, we believe, of any degree of poetical susceptibility, who have wandered among the secluded valleys of the High- lands, and contemplated the singular people by whom they are still tenanted — with their love of music and of song — their hardy and irregular life, so unlike the unvarying toils of the Saxon mechanic — their devotion to their chiefs — their wild and lofty traditions — their national enthusiasm — the melancholy grandeur of the scenes they inhabit — and the multiplied super- stitions which still linger among them — without feeling, that there is no existing people so well adapted for the purposes of poetry, or so capable of furnishing the occasions of new and striking inventions. We are persuaded, that if Mr. ScoWs powerful and creative genius were to be turned in good earnest to such a subject, something might be produced still more impressive and original than even this age has yet witnessed. — Jeffrev, Edinburgh Review, No. xvi. for 1810. CANTO FIRST. AEP of the North ! that mouldering long hast hung On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring, And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung, 1 Till envious ivy did around thee cling, w Muffling with verdant ringlet every string, — minstrel Harp, still must thine accents sleep 1 Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmuring, Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep, Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep ] Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon, j, Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, 1 MS. — And on the fitful breeze thy numbers flung, Till envious ivy, with her verdant ring, Mantled and muffled each melodious string, — Wizard Harp, still must thine accents sleep D 26 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I When lay of hopeless love, or glory won, Aroused the fearful, or subdued the proud. At each according pause was heard aloud 1 Thine ardent symphony sublime and high ! Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bow'd ; For still the burden of thy minstrelsy Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty's matchless eye. wake once more ! how rude soe'er the hand That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray ; wake once more ! though scarce my skill command Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay : Though harsh and faint, and soon to die- away, And all unworthy of thy nobler strain, Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway, The wizard note has not been touch'd in vain. Then silent be no more ! Enchantress, wake again ! 1 MS. — At each according pause thou spokesl aloud Thine ardent sympathy. CANTO I. THE CHASE 27 The stag at eve bad drunk his fill, Where danced the moon on Monan's rill, And deep his midnight lair had made In lone Glenartney's hazel shade ; 23 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 1 But, when the sun his beacon red Had kindled on Benvoirlich's head, The deep-mouth'd blood-hound's heavy bay Resounded up the rocky way, 1 And faint, from farther distance borne, Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. II. As Chief, who hears his warder call, " To arms ! the foemen storm the wall," The antler'd monarch of the waste Sprung from his heathery couch in haste. But, ere his fleet career he took, The dew-drops from his flanks he shook ; Like crested leader proud and high, Toss'd his beam'd frontlet to the sky ; A moment gazed adown the dale, A moment snuff 'd the tainted gale, A moment listen'd to the cry, That thicken'd as the chase drew nigh ; Then, as the headmost foes appear'd, With one brave bound the copse he cleared And, stretching forward free and far, Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. 2 1 MS. — The bloodhound's notes of heavy bass Kesounded hoarsely up the pass. 2 Ua-var, as the name is pronounced, or more properly Uaighmor, is a mountain to the north-east of the village of Callander in Menteith, deriving its name, which signifies the great den, or cavern, from a sort of retreat among the rocks on the south side, said, by tradition, to have been the abode CANTO I. THE CHASE. 29 III. Yell'd on the view the opening pack ; Eock, glen, and cavern, paid them back : To many a mingled sound at once The awaken'd mountain gave response, A hundred dogs bay'd deep and strong, Clatter'd a hundred steeds along, Their peal the merry horns rung out, A hundred voices join'd the shout ; With hark and whoop and wild halloo, No rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. 1 Far from the tumult fled the roe, Close in her covert cower'd the doe, The falcon, from her cairn on high, Cast on the rout a wondering eye, Till far beyond her piercing ken The hurricane had swept the glen. Faint, and more faint, its failing din Eeturn'd from cavern, cliff, and linn, And silence settled, wide and still, On the lone wood and mighty hill. of a giant. In latter times, it was the refuge of robbers and banditti, who have been only extirpated within these forty or fifty years. Strictly speak- ing, this stronghold is not a cave, as the name would imply, but a sort of small enclosure, or recess, surrounded with large rocks, and open above head. It may have been originally designed as a toil for deer, who might get in from the outside, but would find it difficult to return. This opinion prevails among the old sportsmen and deer-stalkers in the neighbourhood. 1 Benvoirlich, a mountain comprehended in the cluster of the Grampians, at the head of the valley of the Garry, a river which springs from its base. It rises to an elevation of 3330 feet above the level of the sea. 30 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO L IV. Less loud the sounds of silvan war Disturbed the heights of Uam-Var, And roused the cavern, where, 'tis told, A giant made his den of old ; For ere that steep ascent was won, High in his pathway hung the sun, And many a gallant, stay'cl perforce, Was fain to breathe his faltering horse, And of the trackers of the deer, Scarce half the lessening pack was near ; So shrewdly on the mountain side Had the bold burst their metal tried. V. The noble stag was pausing now, Upon the mountain's southern brow, Where broad extended, far beneath, The varied realms of fair Menteith. With anxious eye he wander'd o'er Mountain and meadow, moss and moor. And ponder'd refuge from his toil, By far Lochard 1 or Aberfoyle. 1 About a mile to the westward of the inn of Aberfoyle, Lochard opens to the view. A few hundred yards to the east of it, the Avendow, which had just issued from the lake, tumbles its waters over a rugged precipice of more than thirty feet in height, forming, in the rainy season, several very magnificent cataracts. The first opening of the lower lake, from the east, is uncommonly picturesque. Directing the eye nearly westward, Benlomond raises its CANTO I. THE CHASE. S3 But nearer was the copsewood grey, That waved and wept on Loch-Achray, And mingled with the pine-trees blue On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. Fresh vigour with the hope return'd, 1 With flying foot the heath he spurn' d, pyramidal mass in the background. In nearer prospect, you have gentle eminences, covered with oak and birch to the very summit ; the bare rock sometimes peeping through amongst the clumps. Immediately under the eye, the lower lake, stretching out from narrow beginnings, to a breadth of about half a mile, is seen in full prospect. On the right, the banks are skirted with extensive oak woods, which cover the mountain more than half way up. Advancing to the westward, the view of the lake is lost for about a mile. The upper lake, which is by far the most extensive, is separated from the lower by a stream of about 200 yards in length. The most advantageous view of the upper lake presents itself from a rising ground near its lower extremity, where a footpath strikes off to the south, in the wood that over- hangs this connecting stream. Looking westward, Benlomond is seen in the background, rising, at the distance of six miles, in the form of a regular cone, its sides presenting a gentle slope to the N.W. and S.E. On the right is the lofty mountain of Benoghrie, running west, towards the deep vale in which Loch con lies concealed from the eye. In the foreground, Lochard stretches out to the west in fairest prospect ; its length three miles, and its breadth a mile and a half. On the right, it is skirted with woods ; the northern and western extremity of the lake is diversified with meadows, and corn-fields, and farm-houses. On the left, few marks of cultivation are to be seen. Farther on, the traveller passes along the verge of the lake under a ledge of rock, from thirty to fifty feet high ; and, standing immediately under this rock, towards its western extremity, he has a double echo, of uncommon distinctness. Upon pronouncing, with a firm voice, a line of ten syllables, it is returned, first from the opposite side of the lake ; and when that is finished, it is repeated with equal distinctness from the wood on the east. The day must be perfectly calm, and the lake as smooth as glass, for other- wise no human voice can be returned from a distance of at least a quarter of a mile. — Graham's Sketches of Perthshire, 2d edit. p. 182, &c. 1 MS. — Fresh vigour with the thought return'd, With flying hoof the heath he spurn'd. 32 THE LAD'S OF THE LAKE. Held westward with unwearied race, And left behind the panting chase. CANTO I. VI. 'Twere long to tell what steeds gave o'er, As swept the hunt through Cambus-more ; 1 1 Cambus-more, within about two miles of Callander, on the wooded banks of the Keltie, a tributary of the Teith, is the seat of a family of the name of Buchanan, whom the poet frequently visited in his younger days. CANTO 1. THE CHASE. 33 What reins were tighten'd in despair, When rose Benledi's ridge in air ; 1 Who flagg'd upon Bochastle's heath, Who shunn'd to stem the flooded Teith — 2 For twice that day, from shore to shore, The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. Few were the stragglers, following far, That reach 'd the lake of Vennachar ; 3 And when the Brigg of Turk was won, 4 The headmost horseman rode alone. VII. Alone, but with unbated zeal, That horseman plied the scourge and steel ; 1 Benledi is a magnificent mountain, 3009 feet in height, which bounds the horizon on the north-west from Callander. The name, according to Celtic etymologists, signifies the Mountain of God. 2 Two mountain streams — the one flowing from Loch Voil, by the pass of Leny ; the other from Loch-Katrine, by Loch Achray and Loch Vennachar, unite at Callander ; and the river thus formed thenceforth takes the name of Teith. Hence the designation of the territory of Menteith. 3 Loch Vennachar, a beautiful expanse of water, of about five miles in length, by a mile and a half in breadth. — Graham. 4 About a mile above Loch Vennachar, the approach (from the east) to the Brigg, or Bridge of Turk (the scene of the death of a wild-boar famous in Celtic tradition), leads to the summit of an eminence, where there bursts upon the traveller's eye a sudden and wide prospect of the windings of the river that issues from Loch Achray, with that sweet lake itself in front; the gently rolling river pursues its serpentine course through an extensive meadow ; at the west end of the lake on the side of Aberfoyle, is situated the delightful farm of Achray, the level field, a denomination justly due to it, when considered in contrast with the rugged rocks and mountains which surround it. From this eminence are to be seen also, on the right hand, the entrance to Glenfinlas, and in the distance Ben venue. — Graham. F 34 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I. For jaded now, and spent with toil, Emboss'd with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The labouring stag strain' d full in view. Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, Unmatch'd for courage, breath, and speed, 1 1 The hounds which we call Saint Hubert's hounds, are commonly all blaeke, yet neuertheless, the race is so mingled at these days, that we find CANTO I. THE CHASE. 35 Fast on his flying traces came, And all but won that desperate game ; For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, Vindictive toil'cl the blood-hounds stanch ; Nor nearer might the dogs attain, Nor farther might the quarry strain, Thus up the margin of the lake, Between the precipice and brake, O'er stock and rock their race they take. VIII. The Hunter mark'd that mountain high, The lone lake's western boundary, them of all colours. These are the hounds which the abbots of St. Hubert haue always kept some of their race or kind in honour or remembrance of the saint, which was a hunter with S. Eustace. Whereupon we may con- ceiue that (by the grace of God) all good huntsmen shall follow them into paradise. To return vnto my former purpose, this kind of dogges hath bene dispersed through the counties of Henault, Loryne, Flanders, and Burgoyne. They are mighty of body, neuertheless their legges are low and short, like- wise they are not swift, although they be very good of sent, hunting chaces which are farre straggled, fearing neither water nor cold, and doe more couet the chaces that smell, as foxes, bore, and such like, than other, because they find themselves neither of swiftness nor courage to hunt and kill the chaces that are lighter and swifter. The bloodhounds of this colour proue good, especially those that are cole blacke, but I made no great account to breed on them, or to keepe the kind, and yet I found a book which a hunter did dedicate to a prince of Lorayne, which seemed to loue hunting much, wherein was a blason which the same hunter gaue to his bloodhound, called Souyllard, which was white : — " My name came first from holy Hubert's race, Souyllard my sire, a hound of singular grace." Whereupon we may presume that some of the kind proue white sometimes, but they are not of the kind of the Greffiers or Bouxes, which we haue at these dayes. — The noble Art of Venerie or Hunting, translated and collected for the Use of all Noblemen and Gentlemen. Lond. 1611, 4to, p. 15. 36 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I. And deem'd the stag must turn to bay, Where that huge rampart barr'd the way ; Already glorying in the prize, Measured his antlers with his eyes ; For the death- wound and death-halloo, Muster'd his breath, his whinyard drew ; — 1 But thundering as he came prepared, With ready arm and weapon bared, The wily quarry shunn'd the shock, And turn'd him from the opposing rock ; Then, dashing down a darksome glen, Soon lost to hound and hunter's ken, 1 When the stag turned to bay, the ancient hunter had the perilous task of going in upon, and killing or disabling the desperate animal. At certain times of the year this was held particularly dangerous, a wound received from a stag's horn being then deemed poisonous, and more dangerous than one from the tusk of a boar, as the old rhyme testifies : — " If thou be hurt with hart, it brings thee to thy bier, But barber's hand will boar's hurt heal, therefore, thou need's not fear." At all times, however, the task was dangerous, and to be adventured upon wisely and warily, either by getting behind the stag while he was gazing on the hounds, or by watching an opportunity to gallop roundly in upon him, and kill him with the sword. See many directions to this purpose in the Booke of Hunting, chap. 41. Wilson the historian has recorded a providen- tial escape which befell him in this hazardous sport, while a youth and follower of the Earl of Essex. " Sir Peter Lee, of Lime, in Cheshire, invited my lord one summer to hunt the stagg. And having a great stagg in chase, and many gentlemen in the pursuit, the stagg took soyle. And divers, whereof I was one, alighted, and stood with swords drawne, to have a cut at him, at his coming out of the water. The staggs there being wonderfully fierce and dangerous, made us youths more eager to be at him. But he escaped us all. And it was my misfortune to be hindered of my coming nere him, the way being sliperie, by a falle ; which gave occasion to some, who did not know mee, to speak as if THE LADY OF THE LAKE. REGISTERED. Boon nature scattered, free and wild, Each plant, or flower, the mountains' child. Canto I., Stanza XII. CANTO I. THE CHASE. 37 In the deep Trosach's 1 wildest nook His solitary refuge took. There, while close couch'd, the thicket shed Cold dews and wild-flowers on his head, He heard the baffled dogs in vain Eave through the hollow pass amain, Chiding the rocks that yell'd again. IX. Close on the hounds the hunter came, To cheer them on the vanished game ; But, stumbling in the rugged dell, The gallant horse exhausted fell. The impatient rider strove in vain To rouse him with the spur and rein, For the good steed, his labours o'er, Stretch'd his stiff limbs, to rise no more ; Then, touch' cl with pity and remorse, He sorrow'd o'er the expiring horse. I had falne for feare. Which being told mee, I left the stagg, and followed the gentleman who [first] spake it. But I found him of that cold temper, that it seems his words made an escape from him ; as by his denial and re- pentance it appeared. But this made mee more violent in the pursuit of the stagg, to recover my reputation. And I happened to be the only horseman in, when the dogs sett him up at bay ; and approaching near him on horse- backe, he broke through the dogs, and run at mee, and tore my horse's side with his homes, close by my thigh. Then I quitted my horse, and grew more cunning (for the dogs had sette him up again), stealing behind him with my sword, and cut his hamstrings ; and then got upon his back, and cut his throate : which, as I was doing, the company came in, and blamed my rashness for running such a hazard." — Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, ii. 464. 1 The term Trosachs signifies the rough or bristled territory. — Graham. 38 THE LADY OF THE LA KB. CANTO [. That Highland eagle e'er should feed On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed ! Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, That costs thy life, my gallant grey !" CANTO I. THE CHASE. 39 X. Then through the dell his horn resounds, From vain pursuit to call the hounds. Back limp'd, with slow and crippled pace The sulky leaders of the chase ; Close to their master's side they press'd. With drooping tail, and humbled crest ; But still the dingle's hollow throat Prolong'd the swelling bugle-note. The owlets started from their dream, The eagles answer'd with their scream, Bound and around the sounds were casf, Till echo seem'd an answering blast ; And on the hunter hied his way, 1 To join some comrades of the clay ; Yet often paused, so strange the road. So wondrous were the scenes it show'd. XI. The western waves of ebbing day Boll'd o'er the glen their level way ; Each purple peak, each flinty spire, Was bathed in floods of living fire. But not a setting beam could glow Within the dark ravines below, Where twined the path in shadow hid, Bound many a rocky pyramid. 1 MS. — And on the hunter hied his pace. To meet some comrades of the clujse. 41) THE LADY OF THE LAKE Shooting abruptly from the dell Its thunder-splinter'd pinnacle ; CANTO I. Kound many an insulated mass, The native bulwarks of the pass/ Huge as the tower which builders vain Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. 2 The rocky summits, split and rent, Form'd turret, dome, or battlement, Or seem'd fantastically set With cupola or minaret, 1 MS. — The mimic castles of the pass. 2 The Tower of Babel.— Genesis xi. 1-9 CANTO L THE CHASE. 41 Wild crests as paged ever deck'd, Or mosque of Eastern architect. Nor were these earth-born castles bare, 1 Nor lack'd they many a banner fair ; For, from their shiver'd brows displayed, Far, o'er the unfathomable glade, All twinkling with the dewdrops sheen, 2 The brier-rose fell in streamers green, And creeping shrubs, of thousand dyes, Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs. XII. Boon nature scatter' d, free and wild, Each plant or flower, the mountain's child. Here eglantine embalm' d the air, Hawthorn and hazel mingled there ; The primrose pale and violet flower, Found in each cliff a narrow bower ; Fox-glove and night -shade, side by side, Emblems of punishment and pride, Group'd their dark hues with every stain The weather-beaten crags retain. With bows that quaked at every breath, Grey birch and aspen wept beneath ; Aloft, the ash and warrior oak Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung His shatter'd trunk, and frequent flung, 1 MS. — Nor were these mighty bulwarks bare. 2 MS. — Bright glistening with the dewdrops sheen. F 42 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 1 Where seem'd the cliffs to meet on high, His boughs athwart the narrow'd sky. Highest of all, where white peaks glanced, Where glist'ning streamers waved and danced, 1 The wanderer's eye could barely view The summer heaven's delicious blue ; So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream. XIII. Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep A narrow inlet, still and deep, Affording scarce such breadth of brim, 2 As served the wild duck's brood to swim. Lost for a space, through thickets veering, But broader when again appearing, Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face Could on the dark-blue mirror trace ; And farther as the hunter stray'd, Still broader sweep its channels made. The shaggy mounds no longer stood, Emerging from entangled wood, 3 1 MS. — His scathed trunk, and frequent flung, Where seem'd the cliffs to meet on high, His rugged arms athwart the sky. Highest of all, where white peaks glanced. Where twinkling streamers waved and danced. a MS. — Affording scarce such hreadth of flood, As served to float the wild-duck's hrood. MS. — Emerging dry-shod from the wood. CANTO I. THE CTIASE. 43 But, wave-encircled, seem'd to float, Like castle girdled with its moat ; Yet broader floods extending still Divide them from their parent hill, Till each, retiring, claims to be An islet in an inland sea. XIV. And now, to issue from the glen, No pathway meets the wanderer's ken, Unless he climb, with footing nice, A far projecting precipice. 1 The broom's tough roots his ladder made, The hazel saplings lent their aid ; And thus an airy point he won, Where, gleaming with the setting sun, One burnish'd sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll'd, 2 In all her length far winding lay, With promontory, creek, and bay, And islands that, empurpled bright, Floated amid the livelier light, And mountains, that like giants stand, To sentinel enchanted land. 1 Until the present road was made through the romantic pass which I have presumptuously attempted to describe in the preceding stanzas, there was no mode of issuing out of the defile called the Trosachs, excepting by a sort of ladder, composed of the branches and roots of trees. 2 Loch-Ketturin is the Celtic pronunciation. In his Notes to The Fair Maid of Perth, the author has signified his belief that the lake was named after the Catterins, or wild robbers, who haunted its shores. 44 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO L High on the south, huge Benvenue 1 Down on the lake in masses threw Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurl'd, The fragments of an earlier world ; A wildering forest feather'd o'er His ruin'd sides and summit hoar, 2 1 Benvenue — is literally the little mountain — i. e. as contrasted with Ben- ledi and Benlomond. 2 MS. — His ruin'd sides ^({fragments hoar, While on the north to middle air. CANTO I. THE CHASE. 43 While on the north, through middle air, Ben-an 1 heaved high his forehead bare. 2 XV. From the steep promontory gazed 3 The stranger, raptured and amazed. And, "What a scene were here," he cried, " For princely pomp, or churchman's pride ! On this bold brow, a lordly tower ; In that soft vale, a lady's bower ; On yonder meadow, far away, The turrets of a cloister grey ; How blithely might the bugle-horn Chide, on the lake, the lingering morn ! How sweet, at eve, the lover's lute Chime, when the groves were still and mute ! And, when the midnight moon should lave Her forehead in the silver wave, How solemn on the ear would come The holy matins' distant hum, 1 According to Graham, Ben-an, or Bennan, is a mere diminutive of Ben — Mountain. 2 Perhaps the art of landscape-painting in poetry, has never been dis- played in higher perfection than in these stanzas, to which rigid criticism might possibly object that the picture is somewhat too minute, and that the contemplation of it detains the traveller somewhat too long from the main purpose of his pilgrimage, but which it would be an act of the greatest injustice to break into fragments, and present by piecemeal. Not so the magnificent scene which bursts upon the bewildered hunter as he emerges at length from the dell, and commands at one view the beautiful expanse of Loch Katrine. — Critical Review, August 1820. 3 MS. — From the high promontory gazed The stranger, awe-struck and amazed. 46 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I While the deep peal's commanding tone Should wake, in yonder islet lone, A sainted hermit from his cell, To drop a bead with every knell — And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, Should each bewilder'd stranger call To friendly feast and lighted hall. 1 XVI. " Blythe were it then to wander here ! But now, — beshrew yon nimble deer, — Like that same hermit's, thin and spare, The copse must give my evening fare ; Some mossy bank my couch must be, Some rustling oak my canopy. 2 Yet pass we that ; the war and chase Give little choice of resting-place ; — A summer night, in greenwood spent, Were but to-morrow's merriment : But hosts may in these wilds abound, Such as are better missed than found ; To meet with Highland plunderers here, Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — :! 1 MS— To hospitable feast and hall. 2 MS. — And holloiu trunk of some old tree, My chamber for the night must be. 3 The clans who inhabited the romantic regions in the neighbourhood of Loch Katrine, were, even until a late period, much addicted to predatory excursions upon their Lowland neighbours. " In former times, those parts of this district, which are situated beyond the Grampian range, were rendered almost inaccessible by strong barriers of rocks, and mountains, and lakes. CANTO 1. THE CHASE, I am alone ; — my bugle-strain May call some straggler of the train ; Or, fall the worst that may betide, Ere now this falchion has been tried." XVII. But scarce again his horn he wound, 1 When lo ! forth starting at the sound, From underneath an aged oak; That slanted from the islet rock, A damsel guider of its way, A little skiff shot to the bay, 2 That round the promontory steep Led its deep line in graceful sweep, It was a border country, and though on the very verge of the low country, it was almost totally sequestered from the world, and, as it were, insulated with respect to society. 'Tis well known that in the Highlands, it was, in former times, accounted not only lawful, hut honourable, among hostile tribes, to commit depredations on one another; and these habits of the age were perhaps strengthened in this district, by the circumstances which have been mentioned. It bordered on a country, the inhabitants of which, while they were richer, were less warlike than they, and widely differenced by language and manners." — Graham's Sketches of Scenery in Perthshire, Edin. 1806, p. 97. The reader will therefore be pleased to remember, that the scene of this poem is laid in a time, " When tooming faulds, or sweeping of a glen, Had still been held the deed of gallant men." 1 MS.— The bugle shrill again he wound, And lo! forth starting at the sound. 2 MS. — A little skiff shot to the bay. The Hunter left his airy stand, And when the boat had touch'd the sand, Conceal'd he stood amid the brake, To view this Lady of the Lake. 48 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I Eddying, in almost viewless wave, The weeping willow twig to lave, And kiss, with whispering sound and slow. The beach of pebbles bright as snow. The boat had touch'd this silver strand, Just as the Hunter left his stand, And stood conceal'd amid the brake, To view this Lady of the Lake. The maiden paused, as if again She thought to catch the distant strain. With head up-raised, and look intent, And eye and ear attentive bent, And locks flung back, and lips apart, Like monument of Grecian art, Tn listening mood, she seem'd to stand. The guardian Naiad of the strand. XVIII. And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace 1 A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, Of finer form, or lovelier face ! What though the sun, with ardent frown, Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown. — The sportive toil, which, short and light, Had dyed her glowing hue so bright, Served too in hastier swell to show Short glimpses of a breast of snow : MS. — A finer form, a fairer face, Had never marble Nymph or Grace, That boasts the Grecian chisel's trace. CANTO T. THE CHASE. 40 What though no rule of courtly grace To measured mood had train'd her pace, — A foot more light, a step more true, Ne'er from the heath-flower dash'd the dew ; g 4 E'en the slight harebell raised its head, Elastic from her airy tread : What though upon her speech there hung The accents of the mountain tongue, — • G 50 THE LAM OF THE LAKE. CANTO l Those silver sounds, so soft, so deaf, The list'ner held his breath to hear ! XIX. A Chieftain's daughter seem'd the maid ; Her satin snood, 1 her silken plaid, Her golden brooch, such birth betray'd. And seldom was a snood amid Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, Whose glossy black to shame might bring The plumage of the raven's wing ; And seldom o'er a breast so fair, Mantled a plaid with modest care, And never brooch the folds combined Above a heart more good and kind. Her kindness and her worth to spy, You need but gaze on Ellen's eye : Not Katrine, in her mirror blue, Gives back the shaggy banks more true, Than every free-born glance confess'd The guileless movements of her breast ; Whether joy danced in her dark eye, Or woe or pity claim'd a sigh, Or filial love was glowing there, Or meek devotion pour'd a prayer, Or tale of injury called forth The indignant spirit of the North. One only passion unreveal'd, With maiden pride the maid conceal'd, 1 See Note post, on Canto III. stanza 5. CAXTO I. THE CHASE. 51 Yet not less purely felt the flame ;— need I tell that passion's name ! XX. Impatient of the silent horn, Now on the gale her voice was borne : — "Father!" she cried ; the rocks around Loved to prolong the gentle sound. A while she paused, no answer came, — 1 " Malcolm, was thine the blast?" the name Less resolutely utter'd fell, The echoes could not catch the swell. " A stranger I," the Huntsman said, Advancing from the hazel shade. The maid, alarmed, with hasty oar, Push'd her light shallop from the shore, And when a space was gained between, Closer she drew her bosom's screen ; (So forth the startled swan would swing, - So turn to prune his ruffled wing,) Then safe, though flutter'd and amazed, She paused, and on the stranger gazed. 1 MS. — A space she paused, no answer came, — "Alpine, was thine the blast?" the name Less resolutely utter'd fell, The echoes could not catch the swell. " Nor foe nor friend," the stranger said, Advancing from the hazel shade. The startled maid, with hasty oar, Push'd her light shallop from the shore. 2 MS. — So o'er the lake the swan would spring, Then turn to prune its ruffled wing. THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 1. Not his the form, nor his the eye, That youthful maidens wont to fly. XXI. On his bold visage middle age Had slightly press'd its signet sage, Yet had not quench'd the open truth And fiery vehemence of youth ; Forward and frolic glee was there, The will to do, the soul to dare, The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, Of hasty love, or headlong ire. His limbs were cast in manly mould, For hardy sports or contest bold ; And though in peaceful garb array'd, And weaponless, except his blade, His stately mien as well implied A high-born heart, a martial pride, As if a Baron's crest he wore, And sheathed in armour trode the shore. Slighting the petty need he show'd, He told of his benighted road ; His ready speech flow'd fair and free, In phrase of gentlest courtesy ; Yet seem'd that tone, and gesture bland, Less used to sue than to command. XXII. A while the maid the stranger eyed, And, reassured, at length replied, CANTO r. THE CHA.SE. 53 That Highland halls were open still 1 To wilder'd wanderers of the hill. "Nor think you unexpected come To yon lone isle, our desert home ; Before the heath had lost the dew, This morn, a couch was pulled for you ; On yonder mountain's purple head Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled, And our broad nets have swept the mere, To furnish forth your evening cheer." — " Now, by the rood, my lovely maid, Your courtesy has err'd," he said ; " No right have I to claim, misplaced, The welcome of expected guest. A wanderer, here by fortune tost, My way, my friends, my courser lost, I ne'er before, believe me, fair, Have ever drawn your mountain air, Till on this lake's romantic strand, 2 I found a fay in fairy land ! " XXIII. " I well believe," the maid replied, As her light skiff approach'd the side, — " I well believe, that ne'er before Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore ; But yet, as far as yesternight, Old Allan-bane foretold your plight, — 1 MS. — Her father's hall was open still, 8 MS. — Till on the lake's enchanting strand. 54 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 1 A grey-hair'd sire, whose eye intent Was on the vision'd future bent. 1 He saw your steed, a dappled grey, Lie dead beneath the birchen way ; Painted exact your form and mien, Your hunting suit of Lincoln green, That tassell'd horn so gaily gilt, That falchion's crooked blade and hilt, That cap with heron plumage trim, And yon two hounds so dark and grim. He bade that all should ready be, To grace a guest of fair degree ; But light I held his prophecy, And deem'd it was my father's horn, Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." — XXIV. The stranger smiled : — " Since to your home A destined errant-knight I come, Announced by prophet sooth and old, Doom'd, doubtless, for achievement bold, I'll lightly front each high emprise, For one kind glance of those bright eyes. Permit me, first, the task to guide Your fairy frigate o'er the tide." The maid, with smile suppress'd and sly, The toil unwonted saw him try ; For seldom sure, if e'er before, His noble hand had grasp'd an oar : 1 MS. — Is often on the future bent. — See Appendix, Note \. CANTO I. THE CHASE. 55 Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, And o'er the lake the shallop new ; With heads erect, and whimpering cry, The hounds behind their passage ply. Nor frequent does the bright oar break The dark'ning mirror of the lake, Until the rocky isle they reach, And moor their shallop on the beach. 1 MS. — This gentle hand had grasp' d an oar : Yet with main strength the oars lie drew. 56 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 1. XXV. The stranger view'd the shore around ; 'Twas all so close with copsewood bound. Nor track nor pathway might declare That human foot frequented there, Until the mountain-maiden show'd A clambering unsuspected road, That winded through the tangled screen, And open'd on a narrow green, Where weeping birch and willow round With their long fibres swept the ground. Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, Some chief had framed a rustic bower. 1 XXVI. It was a lodge of ample size, But strange of structure and device ; Of such materials, as around The workman's hand had readiest found. 1 The Celtic chieftains whose lives were continually exposed to peril, bad usually, in the most retired spot of their domains, some place of retreat for the hour of necessity, which, as circumstances would admit, was a tower, a cavern, or a rustic hut, in a strong and secluded situation. One of these last gave refuge to the unfortunate Charles Edward, in his perilous wander- ings after the battle of Culloden. " It was situated in the face of a very rough, high, and rocky mountain, called Letternilichk, still a part of Benalder, full of great stones and crevices, and some scattered wood interspersed. The habitation called the Cage, in the face of that mountain, was within a small thick bush of wood. There were first some rows of trees laid down, in order to level the floor for a habi- tation ; and as the place was steep, this raised the lower side to an equal height with the other : and these trees, in the way of joists or planks, were CANTO I. THE CHASE. 57 Lopp'd of their boughs, their hoar trunks bared, And by the hatchet rudely squared, To give the walls their destined height, The sturdy oak and ash unite ; While moss and clay and leaves combined To fence each crevice from the wind. The lighter pine-trees, over-head, Their slender length for rafters spread, And wither'd heath and rushes dry Supplied a russet canopy. Due westward, fronting to the green, A rural portico was seen, Aloft on native pillars borne, Of mountain fir with bark unshorn. Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine The ivy and Idsean vine, The clematis, the favour'd flower Which boasts the name of virgin-bower, And every hardy plant could bear Loch Katrine's keen and searching air. levelled with earth and gravel. There were betwixt the trees growing natu- rally on their own roots, some stakes fixed in the earth, which, with the trees, were interwoven with ropes, made of heath and birch twigs, up to the top ot the Cage, it being of a round or rather oval shape ; and the whole thatched and covered over with fog. The whole fabric hung, as it were, by a large tree, which reclined from the one end, all along the roof, to the other, and which gave it the name of the Cage ; and by chance there happened to be two stones at a small distance from one another, in the side next the preci- pice, resembling the pillars of a chimney, where the fire was placed. The smoke had its vent out here, all along the fall of the rock, which was so much of the same colour, that one could discover no difference in the clearest day. — Home's History of the Rebellion, Loud. 1802, 4to, p. 381. n 58 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I. An instant in this porch she staid, And gaily to the stranger said, " On heaven and on thy lady call, And enter the enchanted hall I" — XXVII. " My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee." — He cross'd the threshold — and a clang Of angry steel that instant rang. To his bold brow his spirit rush'cl, But soon for vain alarm he blush'd, When on the floor he saw display'd, Cause of the din, a naked blade Dropp'd from the sheath, that careless flung Upon a stag's huge antlers swung ; For all around the walls to grace, Hung trophies of the fight or chase : A target there, a bugle here, A battle ~axe, a hunting spear, And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, With the tusk'd trophies of the boar. Here grins the wolf as when he died, 1 And there the wild-cat's brindled hide The frontlet of the elk adorns, Or mantles o'er the bison's horns ; 1 MS. — Here grins the wolf as when he died, There hung the wild-cat's brindled hide:, Above the elk's branch' d brow and skull, And frontlet of the forest bull. THE LADY OF THE LAKE. REGISTERED. The beach of pebbles bright as snow. The boat had touched tins silver strand. Just as the hunter left his stand. Canto T., Stanza XVTI. CANTO I. THE CHASE. Pennons and flags defaced and stain'd, That blackening streaks of blood retain'd, And deer-skins, dappled, dun and white, With otter's fur and seals unite, In rude and uncouth tapestry all, To garnish forth the silvan hall. XXVIII. The wandering stranger round him gazed, And next the fallen weapon raised : — Few were the arms whose sinewy strength Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. And as the brand he poised and sway'd, " I never knew but one," he said, " Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield A blade like this in battle-field." She sigh'd, then smiled and took the word ; " You see the guardian champion's sword ; As light it trembles in his hand, As in my grasp a hazel wand ; My sire's tall form might grace the part Of Ferragus, or Ascabart ; 1 But in the absent giant's hold Are women now, and menials old." XXIX. The mistress of the mansion came, Mature of age, a graceful dame ; 1 See Appendix, Note B To whom, though more than kindred knew, Young Ellen gave a mother's due. 1 Meet welcome to her guest she made, And every courteous rite was paid, MS. — To whom, though more remote her claim, Young Ellen gave a mother's name. CANTO I. THE CHASE. 61 That hospitality could claim, Though all unask'd his birth and name. 1 Such then the reverence to a guest, That fellest foe might join the feast, And from his deadliest foeman's door Unquestion'd turn, the banquet o'er. At length his rank the stranger names, " The Knight of Snowdoun, James Fitz-James ; Lord of a barren heritage, Which his brave sires, from age to age, By their good swords had held with toil ; His sire had fall'n in such turmoil, And he, God wot, was forced to stand Oft for his right with blade in hand. This morning with Lord Moray's train He chaced a stalwart stag in vain. Outstripp'd his comrades, miss'd the deer, Lost his good steed, and wander'd here." XXX. Fain would the Knight in turn require The name and state of Ellen's sire, Well show'd the elder lady's mien, 2 That courts and cities she had seen ; 1 The Highlanders, who carried hospitality to a punctilious excess, are said to have considered it as churlish, to ask a stranger his name or lineage, before he had taken refreshment. Feuds were so frequent among them, that a contrary rule would in many cases have produced the discovery of some circumstance, which might have excluded the guest from the benefit of the assistance he stood in need of. 2 MS. — Well show'd the mother's easy mien. 62 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I Ellen, though more her looks display'd 1 The simple grace of silvan maid, In speech and gesture, form and face, Show'd she was come of gentle race. 'Twere strange in ruder rank to find Such looks, such manners, and such mind. Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave, Dame Margaret heard with silence grave ; Or Ellen, innocently gay, Turn'd all enquiry light away : — " Weird women we ! by dale and down We dwell, afar from tower and town. We stem the flood, we ride the blast, On wandering knights our spells we cast ; While viewless minstrels touch the string, 'Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing." She sung, and still a harp unseen Fill'd up the symphony between. 2 1 MS. — Ellen, though more her looks betray' d The simple heart of mountain maid, In speech and gesture, form and grace, Shew'd she was come of gentle race ; 'Twas strange, in birth so rude, to find Such face, such manners, and such mind. Each anxious hint the stranger gave, The mother heard with silence grave. 2 They (meaning the Highlanders) delight much in music, but chiefly in harps and clairschoes of their own fashion. The strings of the clairschoes are made of brass wire, and the strings of the harps of sinews ; which strings they strike either with their nayles, growing long, or else with an instrument appointed for that use. They take great pleasure to decke their harps and clairschoes with silver and precious stones ; the poor ones that cannot attayne hereunto, decke them with christall. They sing verses prettily compound, CANTO I THE CHASE. XXXI. " Soldier, rest ! tliy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking : Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking. In our isle's enchanted hall, Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. contayning (for the most part) prayses of valiant men. There is not almost any other argument, whereof their rhymes intreat. They speak the ancient French language altered a little. 1 — The harp and clairschoes are now only heard of in the Highlands in ancient song. At what period these instru- ments ceased to he used, is not on record ; and tradition is silent on this head. But, as Irish harpers occasionally visited the Highlands and Western Isles till lately, the harp might have been extant so late as the middle of the present century. Thus far we know, that from remote times down to the present, harpers were received as welcome guests, particularly in the High • lands of Scotland ; and so late as the latter end of the sixteenth century, as appears by the above quotation, the harp was in common use among the natives of the AVestern Isles. How it happened that the noisy and unhar- monious bagpipe banished the soft and expressive harp, we cannot say ; but certain it is, that the bagpipe is now the only instrument that obtains uni- versally in the Highland districts. — Campbell's Journey through North Britain. Lond. 1808, 4to, I. 175. Mr. Gunn, of Edinburgh, has lately published a curious Essay upon the Harp and Harp Music of the Highlands of Scotland. That the instrument was once in common use there, is most certain. Cleland numbers an ac- quaintance with it among the few accomplishments which his satire allows to the Highlanders : — "In nothing they're accounted sharp, Except in bagpipe or in harp." l Vide " Certayne Matters concerning the Realme of Scotland, &c, as they were Anno Domini 1597. Lond. 1603." 4to. 64 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO I. Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, Dream of fighting fields no more : Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Morn of toil, nor night of waking. " No rude sound shall reach thine ear, 1 Armour's clang, or war-steed champing, Trump nor pibroch summon here Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. Yet the lark's shrill fife may come At the day-break from the fallow, And the bittern sound his drum, Booming from the sedgy shallow. Ruder sounds shall none be near, Guards nor warders challenge here, Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, Shouting clans, or squadrons stamping." XXXII. She paused — then, blushing, led the lay 2 To grace the stranger of the day. Her mellow notes awhile prolong The cadence of the flowing song, Till to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse spontaneous came. 1 MS. — Noon of hunger, night of waking. No rude sound shall rouse thine ear. 2 MS. — She paused — hut waked again the lay. CANTO i. THE CHASK. 65 $mtg rnntiimrti. " Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done, While our slumbrous spells assail ye, 1 Dream not, with the rising sun, Bugles here shall sound reveille. Sleep ! the deer is in his den ; Sleep ! thy hounds are by thee lying ; Sleep ! nor dream in yonder glen, How thy gallant steed lay dying. Huntsman, rest ; thy chase is done, Think not of the rising sun, For at dawning to assail ye, Here no bugles sound reveille." XXXIII. The hall was clear'd — the stranger's bed Was there of mountain heather spread, Where oft a hundred guests had lain, And dream'cl their forest sports again.'- But vainly did the heath-flower shed Its moorland fragrance round his head ; Not Ellen's spell had lull'd to rest The fever of his troubled breast. In broken dreams the image rose Of varied perils, pains, and woes : ( Slu: \ Let mber sweet our spells shall deal ye. MS.— , , „ f avail ye, our slumbrous spells i , r ( beguile ye. 2 MS. — And dream'd their mountain chase again. i 66 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO L His steed now flounders in the brake, Now sinks his barge upon the lake ; Now leader of a broken host, His standard falls, his honour's lost. Then, — from my couch may heavenly might Chase that worst phantom of the night ! — Again re turn 'd the scenes of youth, Of confident undoubting truth ; Again his soul he interchanged With friends whose hearts were long estranged, They come, in dim procession led, The cold, the faithless, and the dead j As warm each hand, each brow as gay, As if they parted yesterday. And doubt distracts him at the view, were his senses false or true ! Dream'd he of death, or broken vow, Or is it all a vision now ! 1 s "Ye guardian spirits, to whom man is dear, From these foul demons shield the midnight gloom : Angels of fancy and of love, be near, And o'er the blank of sleep diffuse a bloom : Evoke the sacred shades of Greece and Rome, And let them virtue with a look impart ; But chief, awhile, ! lend us from the tomb Those long-lost friends for whom in love we smart, And fill with pious awe and joy-mixt woe the heaTt. " Or are you sportive? — bid the morn of youth Rise to new light, and beam afresh the days Of innocence, simplicity, and truth ; To cares estranged, and manhood's thorny ways. TFIE CHA.SE. XXXIV. At length, with Ellen in a grove He seem'd to walk, and speak of love ; She listen'd with a blnsh and sigh, His suit was warm, his hopes were high. He sought her yielded hand to clasp, And a cold gauntlet met his grasp : The phantom's sex was changed and gone. Upon its head a helmet shone ; Slowly enlarged to giant size, With darkened cheek and threatening eyes, The grisly visage, stern and hoar, To Ellen still a likeness bore. — He woke, and, panting with affright, Recall'd the vision of the night. 1 The hearth's decaying brands were rod. And deep and dusky lustre shed, Half showing, half concealing, all The uncouth trophies of the hall. Mid those the stranger fix'd his eye, Where that huge falchion hung on high, What transport, to retrace our boyish plays, Our easy bliss, when each thing joy supplied ; The woods, the mountains, and the warbling maze Of the wild brooks !" — Castle of Indolence, Canto I. 1 Such a strange and romantic dream as may be naturally expected to flow from the extraordinary events of the past day. It might, perhaps, be quoted as one of Mr. Scott's most successful efforts in descriptive poetry. Some few lines of it are indeed unrivalled for delicacy and melancholy ten- derness. — Critical Rf;view. G8 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO L And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, Rush'd, chasing countless thoughts along, Until, the giddy whirl to cure, He rose, and sought the moonshine pure. XXXV. The wild-rose, eglantine, and broom, Wasted around their rich perfume : v CANTO I. THE CHASE. 69 The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm, The aspens slept beneath the calm ; The silver light, with quivering glance, Play'd on the water's still expanse, — Wild were the heart whose passions' sway Could rage beneath the sober ray ! He felt its calm, that warrior guest, While thus he communed with his breast :— " Why is it, at each turn I trace Some memory of that exiled race ? Can I not mountain-maiden spy, But she must bear the Douglas eye ? Can I not view a Highland brand, But it must match the Douglas hand ? Can I not frame a fever'd dream, But still the Douglas is the theme ? I'll dream no more — by manly mind Not even in sleep is will resign'd. My midnight orisons said o'er, I'll turn to rest, and dream no more." His midnight orisons he told, A prayer with every bead of gold, Consigned to heaven his cares and woes, And sunk in undisturbed repose ; Until the heath-cock shrilly crew, And morning dawn'd on Benvenue, CANTO CANTO SECOND r. Morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, "I 1 is morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, Ml Nature's children feel the matin spring Of life reviving, with reviving day ; And while yon little bark glides down the bay, fting the stranger on his way again, genial influence ronsed a minstrel grey, And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, i\.ix'd with the sounding harp, white-hair'd Allanbane ! 1 1 That Highland chieftains, to a late period, retained in their service the bard, as a family officer, admits of very easy proof. The author of the Let- ters from the North of Scotland, an officer of engineers, quartered at Inver- ness about 1720, av ho certainly cannot be deemed a favourable witness, gives the following account of the office, and of a bard whom he heard exercise his talent of recitation : — " The bard is skilled in the genealogy of all the High- land families, sometimes preceptor to the young laird, celebrates in Irish 74 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. CANTO II. n. Sang, " Not faster yonder rowers' might Flings from their oars the spray, Not faster yonder rippling bright, verse the original of the tribe, the famous warlike actions of the successive heads, and sings his own lyricks as an opiate to the chief, when indisposed for sleep ; but poets are not equally esteemed and honoured in all countries. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 75 That tracks the shallop's course in light, Melts in the lake away, Than men from memory erase The benefits of former days ; Then, stranger, go ! good speed the while, Nor think again of the lonely isle. " High place to thee in royal court, High place in battle line, Good hawk and hound for silvan sport, Where beauty sees the brave resort, 1 The honour'd meed be thine ! True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, And lost in love and friendship's smile Be memory of the lonely isle. I happened to be a witness of the dishonour done to the muse, at the house of one of the chiefs, where two of these hards were set at a good distance, at the lower end of a long table, with a parcel of Highlanders of no extraordi- nary appearance, over a cup of ale. Poor inspiration ! They were not asked to drink a glass of wine at our table, though the whole company consisted only of the great man, one of his near relations, and myself. After some little time, the chief ordered one of them to sing me a Highland song. The bard readily obeyed, and with a hoarse voice, and in a tune of few various notes, began, as I was told, one of his own lyricks : and when he had pro- ceeded to the fourth or fifth stanza, I perceived, by the names of several per- sons, glens, and mountains, which I had known or heard of before, that it was an account of some clan battle. But in his going on, the chief (who piques himself upon his school-learning) at some particular passage, bid him cease, and cried out, "There's nothing like that in Virgil or Homer." I bowed and told him I believed so. This you may believe was very edifying and delightful.— Letters, ii. 167. 1 MS. — At tourneys where the brave resort. THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 111. gong rnntinttrii. But if beneath yon southern sky A plaided stranger roam, Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, And sunken cheek and heavy eye, Pine for his Highland home ; Then, warrior, then be thine to show The care that soothes a wanderer's woe ; Remember then thy hap ere while, A stranger in the lonely isle. ' Or if on life's uncertain main Mishap shall mar thy sail ; If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, Woe, want, and exile thou sustain Beneath the fickle gale ; Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, On thankless courts, or friends estranged, But come where kindred worth shall smil<\ To greet thee in the lonely isle." IV. As died the sounds upon the tide, The shallop reach'd the mainland side, And ere his onward way he took, The stranger cast a lingering look, Where easily his eye might reach The Harper on the islet beach. Cx\NTO II. THE ISLAND. 77 Reclined against a blighted tree, As wasted, gray, and worn as he. To minstrel meditation given, His reverend brow was raised to heaven, As from the rising sun to claim A sparkle of inspiring flame. His hand, reclined upon the wire, Seem'd watching the awakening fire : 78 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II. So still he sate, as those who wait Till judgment speak the doom of fate ; So still, as if no breeze might dare To lift one lock of hoary hair ; So still, as life itself were fled, In the last sound his harp had sped. V. Upon a rock with lichens wild, Beside him Ellen sate and smiled.— Smiled she to see the stately drake Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, While her vex'd spaniel, from the beach, Bay'd at the prize beyond his reach ? Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows, Why deepen' d on her cheek the rose ?— Forgive, forgive, Fidelity ! Perchance the maiden smiled to see Yon parting lingerer wave adieu, And stop and turn to wave anew ; And, lovely ladies, ere your ire Condemn the heroine of my lyre, Show me the fair would scorn to spy, And prize such conquest of her eye I VI. While yet he loiter'd on the spot, It seem'd as Ellen mark'd him not ; But when he turn'd him to the glade, One courteous parting sign she made : OANTO II. THE ISLAND. 70 And after, oft the knight would say, That not when prize of festal day Was dealt him by the brightest fair, Who e'er wore jewel in her hair, So highly did his bosom swell, As at that simple mute farewell. Now with a trusty mountain-guide, And his dark stag- hounds by his side, He parts — the maid, unconscious still, Watch' d him wind slowly round the hill ; But when his stately form was hid, The guardian in her bosom chid — " Thy Malcolm ! vain and selfish maid ! " 'Twas thus upbraiding conscience said, — " Not so had Malcolm idly hung On the smooth phrase of southern tongue ; Not so had Malcolm strain'd his eye, Another step than thine to spy. 1 Wake Allan-Bane," aloud she cried, To the old Minstrel by her side, — " Arouse thee from thy moody dream ! I'll give thy harp heroic theme, And warm thee with a noble name ; Pour forth the glory of the Gramie !" " 2 1 MS. — The loveliest Lowland fair to spy. 2 The ancient and powerful family of Graham (which, for metrical reasons, is here spelt after the Scottish pronunciation) held extensive possessions in the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families can boast of more historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable characters in the Scottish annals. Sir John the Grjeme, the faithful and undaunted 80 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO IX. Scarce from her lips the word had rush'd, When deep the conscious maiden blush'd ; For of his clan, in hall and bower, Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower. VII. The minstrel waked his harp — three times Arose the well-known martial chimes, And thrice their high heroic pride In melancholy murmurs died. " Vainly thou bid'st, noble maid," Clasping his wither 'd hands, he said, " Vainly thou bid'st me wake the strain, Though all unwont to bid in vain. Alas ! than mine a mightier hand Has tuned my harp, my strings has spann'd ! I touch the cords of joy, but low And mournful answer notes of woe ; And the proud march, which victors tread, Sinks in the wailing for the dead. well for me, if mine alone That dirge's deep prophetic tone ! partaker of the labours and patriotic warfare of Wallace, fell in the unfortu- nate field of Falkirk, in 1298. The celebrated Marquis of Montrose, in whom De Retz saw realized his abstract idea of the heroes of antiquity, was the second of these worthies. And, notwithstanding the severity of his temper, and the rigour with which he executed the oppressive mandates of the princes whom he served, I do not hesitate to name as a third, John Graeme, of Cla- verhouse, Viscount of Dundee, whose heroic death, in the arms of victory, may be allowed to cancel the memory of his cruelty to the non-conformists, during the reigns of Charles II. and James IT. CANTO 11 THE ISLAND. M If, as my tuneful fathers said, This harp, which erst Saint Mo-dan sway'd, 1 Can thus its master's fate foretell, Then welcome be the minstrel's knell ! VIII. " But ah ! dear lady, thus it sigh'd, The eve thy sainted mother died ; And such the sounds which, while I strove To wake a lay of war or love, Came marring all the festal mirth, Appalling me who gave them birth, 1 1 am not prepared to show that Saint Modan was a performer on the harp. It was, however, no unsaintly accomplishment ; for Saint Dunstan certainly did play upon that instrument, which retaining, as was natural, a portion of the sanctity attached to its master's character, announced future events by its spontaneous sound. " But labouring once in these mechanic arts for a devout matrone that had sett him on work, his violl, that hung by him on the wall, of its own accord, without anie man's helpe, distinctly sounded this anthime : Gaudent in ccelis animce sanctorum qui Christi ves- tigia sunt secuti; et quia pro eius amore sanguinem suum fuderunt, ideo cum Christo gaudent oztemum. Whereat all the companie being much astonished, turned their eyes from beholding him working, to look on that strange acci- dent." . . . . " Not long after, manie of the court that hitherunto had borne a kind of fayned friendship towards him, began now greatly to envie at his progresse and rising in goodnes, using manie crooked, backbiting meanes to difiame his vertues with the black maskes of hypocrisie. And the better to authorise their calumnie, they brought in this that happened in the violl, affirming it to have been done by art magick. What more? this wicked rumour encreased dayly, till the king and others of the nobilitie taking hould thereof, Dunstan grew odious in their sight. Therefore he resolued to leaue the court, and goe to Elphegus, surnamed the Bauld, then Bishop of Win- chester, who was his cozen. Which, his enemies understanding, they layd wayt for him in the way, and hauing throwne him off his horse, beate him, and dragged him in the durt in the most miserable manner, meaning to have slaine him, had not a companie of mastiue dogges, that came unlookt uppou L 82 THE LADY OE THE LAKE. CANTO 11. And, disobedient to my call, Wail'd loud through Both well's banner'd hall, Ere Douglasses, to ruin driven, 1 Were exiled from their native heaven. — Oh ! if yet worse mishap and woe, My master's house must undergo, Or aught but weal to Ellen fair, Brood in these accents of despair, No future bard, sad Harp ! shall fling Triumph or rapture from thy string ; One short, one final strain shall flow, Fraught with unutterable woe, them, defended and redeemed him from their crueltie. When with sorrow he was ashamed to see dogges more humane than they. And giuing thankes to Almightie God, he sensibly again perceiued that the tunes of his violl had giuen him a warning of future accidents." — Flower of the Lives of the most renowned Saincts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the K. Father Hierome Porter. Doway, 1632, 4to, tome i. p. 438. The same supernatural circumstance is alluded to by the anonymous author of " Grim, the Collier of Croydon." " [Duustan's harp sounds on the wall.'] " Forest. Hark, hark, my lords, the holy abbot's harp Sounds by itself so hanging on the wall ! " Dunstan. Unhallow'd man, that scorn'st the sacred rede, Hark, how the testimony of my truth Sounds heavenly music with an angel's hand, To testify Dunstan's integrity, And prove thy active boast of no effect." 1 The downfall of the Douglasses of the house of Angus, during the reign of James V. is the event alluded to in the text. The Earl of Angus, it will be remembered, had married the queen dowager, and availed himself of the right which he thus acquired, as well as of his extensive power, to retain the king in a sort of tutelage, which approached very near to captivity. Several open attempts were made to rescue James from this thraldom, with which he was well known to be deeply disgusted ; but the valour of the Douglasses, and their allies, gave them the victory in every conflict. At length, the king, while residing at Falkland, contrived to escape by night out of his own court canto n. THE ISLAND. 83 Then shiver'd shall thy fragments lie, Thy master cast him down and die !" IX. Soothing she answer'd him, " Assuage, Mine honour'd friend, the fears of age ; All melodies to thee are known, That harp has rung, or pipe has blown, In Lowland vale or Highland glen, From Tweed to Spey — what marvel, then, and palace, and rode full speed to Stirling Castle, where the governor, who was of the opposite faction, joyfully received him. Being thus at liberty, James speedily summoned around him such peers as he knew to he most inimical to the domination of Angus, and laid his complaint before them, says Pitscottie, " with great lamentations ; showing to them how he was holden in subjection, thir years bygone, by the Earl of Angus, and his kin and friends, who oppressed the whole country, and spoiled it, under the pretence of justice and his authority ; and had slain many of his lieges, kinsmen, and friends, because they would have had it mended at their hands, and put him at liberty, as he ought to have been at the counsel of his whole lords, and not have been subjected and corrected with no parti- cular men, by the rest of his nobles : Therefore, said he, I desire my lords, that I may be satisfied of the said earl, his kin, and friends ; for I avow, that Scotland shall not hold us both, while [i. e. till] I be revenged on him and his. " The Lords hearing the king's complaint and lamentation, and also the great rage, fury, and malice, that he bore toward the Earl of Angus, his kin and friends, they concluded all, and thought it best that he should be sum- moned to underly the law : if he found no caution, nor yet compear himself, that he should be put to the horn, with all his kin and friends, so many as were contained in the letters. And farther, the lords ordained, by advice of his majesty, that his brother and friends should be summoned to find caution to underly the law within a certain day, or else be put to the horn. But the earl appeared not, nor none for him : and so he was put to the horn, with all his kin and friends : so many as were contained in the summons, that com- peared not, were banished, and holden traitors to the king." 84 THE IjA/DY OF THE LAKE. CANTO At times, unbidden notes should rise, Confusedly bound in memory's ties, Entangling, as they rush along, The war-march with the funeral song? — Small ground is now for boding fear ; Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. My sire, in native virtue great, Eesigning lordship, lands, and state, Not then to fortune more resign'd, Than yonder oak might give the wind ; The graceful foliage storms may reave, The noble stem they cannot grieve. For me," — she stoop'd, and, looking round, Pluck'd a blue hare-bell from the ground, — " For me, whose memory scarce conveys An image of more splendid days, This little flower, that loves the lea, May well my simple emblem be ; It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose 1 That in the king's own garden grows ; And when I place it in my hair, Allan, a bard is bound to swear He ne'er saw coronet so fair." Then playfully the chaplet wild She wreath'd in her dark locks, and smiled. X. Her smile, her speech, with winning sway, Wiled the old harper's mood away. 1 MS. — No blither dew-drop cheers the rose. CANTO II THE ISLAND. 85 With such a look as hermits throw, When angels stoop to soothe their woe, He gazed, till fond regret and pride Thrill'd to a tear, then thus replied : " Loveliest and best ! thou little know'st The rank, the honours, thou hast lost ! might I live to see thee grace, In Scotland's court, thy birth-right place, To see my favourite's step advance, 1 The lightest in the courtly dance, The cause of every gallant's sigh, And leading star of every eye, And theme of every minstrel's art, The Lady of the Bleeding Heart !"— 2 XL " Fair dreams are these," the maiden cried, (Light was her accent, yet she sigh'd ;) " Yet is this mossy rock to me Worth splendid chair and canopy ; 3 Nor would my footsteps spring more gay In courtly dance than blythe strathspey, Nor half so pleased mine ear incline To royal minstrel's lay as thine. And then for suitors proud and high. To bend before my conquering eye, — 1 This couplet is not in the MS. 2 The well-known cognizance of the Douglas family. 3 MS. — This mossy rock, my friend, to me Is worth gay chair and canopy. 86 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO n. Thou, flattering bard ! thyself wilt say, That grim Sir Eoderick owns its sway. The Saxon's scourge, Clan-Alpine's pride, The terror of Loch Lomond's side, Would, at my suit, thou know'st delay A Lennox foray — for a day." — XII. The ancient bard his glee repress'd : " 111 hast thou chosen theme for jest ! For who, through all this western wild, Named Black Sir Eoderick e'er, and smiled ! In Holy-Rood a knight he slew ; 1 I saw, when back the dirk he drew, Courtiers give place before the stride Of the undaunted homicide ; 2 And since, though outlaw'd, hath his hand, Full sternly kept his mountain land. Who else clare give — ah ! woe the day, 3 That I such hated truth should say — The Douglas, like a striken deer, Disown'd by every noble peer, 4 1 See Appendix, Note C. 2 MS. — Courtiers give place with heartless stride Of the retiring homicide. 3 MS. — Who else dared own the kindred claim That hound him to thy mother's name ? Who else dared give, &c. 4 The exiled state of this powerful race is not exaggerated in this and subsequent passages. The hatred of James against the race of Douglas was s(i inveterate, that numerous as their allies were, and disregarded as the CANTO II. THE ISLAND. H7 Even the rude refuge we have here ? Alas, this wild marauding Chief Alone might hazard our relief, And now thy maiden charms expand, Looks for his guerdon in thy hand ; Full soon may dispensation sought, To back his suit from Kome be brought. Txien, though an exile on the hill, Thy father, as the Douglas, still Be held in reverence and fear ; And though to Koderick thou'rt so dear, That thou mightst guide with silken thread, Slave of thy will, this chieftain dread ; Yet, loved maid, thy mirth refrain ! Thy hand is on a lion's mane." — XIII. " Minstrel," the maid replied, and high Her father's soul glanced from her eye, regal authority had usually been in similar cases, their nearest friends, even in the most remote parts of Scotland, durst not entertain them, unless under the strictest and closest disguise. James Douglas, son of the banished Earl of Angus, afterwards well known by the title of Earl of Morton, lurked, dur- ing the exile of his family, in the north of Scotland, under the assumed name of James Innes, otherwise James the Grieve, (i. e., Eeve or Bailiff). " And as he bore the name," says Godscroft, " so did he also execute the office of a grieve or overseer of the lands and rents, the corn and cattle of him with whom he lived." From the habits of frugality and observation which he acquired in his humble situation, the historian traces that intimate acquain- tance with popular character, which enabled him to rise so high in the state, and that honourable economy by which he repaired and established the shattered estates of Angus and Morton. — History of the House of Douglas, Edinburgh, 1743, vol. ii. p. 160. 88 THE LADY OF THE LA. EE. CANTO li " My debts to Koderick's house I know : All that a mother could bestow, To Lady Margaret's care I owe, Since first an orphan in the wild She sorrow'd o'er her sister's child ; To her brave chieftain son, from ire Of Scotland's king who shrouds my sire, A deeper, holier debt is owed ; And, could I pay it with my blood, Allan ! Sir Eoderick should command My blood, my life, — but not my hand. Kather will Ellen Douglas dwell A votaress in Maronnan's cell ; 1 Kather through realms beyond the sea, Seeking the world's cold charity, Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word, And ne'er the name of Douglas heard, An outcast pilgrim will she rove, Than wed the man she cannot love.' z XIV. "Thou shakest, good friend, thy tresses grey — That pleading look, what can it say 1 The parish of Kilrnaronock, at the eastern extremity of Loch-Lomond, derives its name from a cell or chapel, dedicated to Saint Maronoch, or Marnoch, or Maronnan, ahout whose sanctity very little is now remembered. There is a fountain devoted to him in the same parish ; hut its virtues, like the merits of its patron, have fallen into ohlivion. 2 Ellen is most exquisitely dra~\¥n, and could not have been improved by contrast. She is beautiful, frank, affectionate, rational, and playful, com- bining the innocence of a child with the elevated sentiments and courage of a heroine. — Quarterly Review. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. But what I own ? — I grant him brave, But wild as Bracklmn's thundering wave ; 1 And generous — save vindictive mood, Or jealous transport, chafe his blood : I grant him true to friendly band, As his claymore is to his hand ; But ! that very blade of steel More mercy for a foe would feel : I grant him liberal, to fling Among his clan the wealth they bring, When back by lake and glen they wind, And in the Lowland leave behind, Where once some pleasant hamlet stood, A mass of ashes slaked with blood. The hand that for my father fought, I honour, as his daughter ought ; But can I clasp it reeking red, From peasants slaughter'd in their shed ? No ! wildly while his virtues gleam, They make his passions darker seem, And flash along his spirit high, Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. While yet a child, — and children know. Instinctive taught, the friend and foe, — 1 This is a beautiful cascade made by a mountain stream called the Keltie, at a place called the Bridge of Bracklinn, about a mile from the village of Callander in Menteith. Above a chasm, where the brook preci- pitates itself from a height of at least fifty feet, there is thrown, for the con- venience of the neighbourhood, a rustic foot-bridge, of about three feet in breadth, and without ledges, which is scarcely to be crossed by a stranger without awe and apprehension. M 00 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO U. I shudder'd at his brow of gloom, His shadowy plaid, and sable plume ! A maiden grown, I ill could bear His haughty mien and lordly air ; But, if thou join'st a suitor's claim, In serious mood, to Roderick's name, I thrill with anguish ! or, if e'er A Douglas knew the word, with fear. To change such odious theme were best, — What think'st thou of our stranger guest?" — XV. " What think I of him ? — woe the while That brought such wanderer to our isle ! Thy father's battle -brand, of yore For Tine-man forged by fairy lore, 1 What time he leagued, no longer foes, His border spears with Hotspur's bows, Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshow The footstep of a secret foe. 2 If court spy hath harbour'd here, What may we for the Douglas fear ? 1 Archibald, the third Earl of Douglas, was so unfortunate in all his enterprises, that he acquired the epithet of Tine-man, because he tined, 01 lost, his followers in every battle which he fought. He was vanquished, as every reader must remember, in the bloody battle of Homildon-hill, near Wooler, where he himself lost an eye, and was made prisoner by Hotspur. He was no less unfortunate when allied with Percy, being wounded and taken at the battle of Shrewsbury. He was so unsuccessful in an attempt to besiege Koxburgh Castle, that it was called the Foul JRaid, or disgraceful expedition. His ill fortune left him indeed at the battle of Beau go, in Franco , 2 See Appendix, Nolo D. THE LADY OF THE LAKE. But what I own ? — I grant him brave, But wild, as Bracklinn's thundering wave. Canto II., Stanza XIV. CAM TO II. THE ISLAND. 91 What for this island, deem'd of old Clan-Alpine's last and surest hold ? If neither spy nor foe, I pray What yet may jealous Eoderick say ? — Nay, wave not thy disdainful head, Bethink thee of the discord dread That kindled, when at Beltaue game Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme ; Still, though thy sire the peace renew'd, Smoulders in Eoderick's breast the feud ; Beware ! — but hark, what sounds are these ? 1 My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, No weeping birch, nor aspens wake, Nor breath is dimpling in the lake, Still is the canna's 2 hoary beard, Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — And hark again ! some pipe of war Sends the bold pibroch from afar." XVI. Far up the lengthen'd lake were spied Four darkening specks upon the tide, That, slow enlarging on the view, Four mann'd and masted barges grew, but it was only to return with double emphasis at the subsequent action of Vernoil, the last and most unlucky of his encounters, in which he fell, with the flower of the Scottish chivalry, then serving as auxiliaries in France, and about two thousand common soldiers, a. d. 1424. 1 The moving picture — the effect of the sounds — and the wild character and strong peculiar nationality of the whole procession, are given with in- imitable spirit and power of expression. — Jeffrey. 2 Cotton-grass. 92 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II. And, bearing downwards from Glengyle, Steer'd full upon the lonely isle ; The point of Brianchoil they pass'd, And, to the windward as they cast, Against the sun they gave to shine The bold Sir Roderick's banner'd Pine. Nearer and nearer as they bear, Spear, pikes, and axes flash in air. Now might you see the tartans brave, And plaids and plumage dance and wave : Now see the bonnets sink and rise, As his tough oar the rower plies ; See, flashing at each sturdy stroke, The wave ascending into smoke ; See the proud pipers on the bow, And mark the gaudy streamers flow From their loud chanters 1 down, and sweep The furrow'd bosom of the deep, As, rushing through the lake amain, They plied the ancient Highland strain. XVII. Ever, as on they bore, more loud And louder' rung the pibroch proud. At first the sound, by distance tame, Mellow'd along the waters came, And, lingering long by cape and bay, Wail'd every harsher note away : 1 The pipe of the bagpipe. CANTO II. THE ISLAND 93 Then bursting bolder on the ear, The clan's shrill Gathering they could hear ; Those thrilling sounds, that call the might Of old Clan- Alpine to the fight. 1 Thick beat the rapid notes, as when The mustering hundreds shake the glen. And hurrying at the signal dread, The batter'd earth returns their tread, Then prelude light, of livelier tone, Express'd their merry marching on, Ere peal of closing battle rose, With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows ; And mimic din of stroke and ward, As broadsword upon target jarr'd ; And groaning pause, ere yet again, Condensed, the battle yell'd amain ; The rapid charge, the rallying shout, Eetreat borne headlong into rout, 1 The connoisseurs in pipe-music affect to discover in a well-composed pibroch, the imitative sounds of march, conflict, fight, pursuit, and all the " current of a heady fight." To this opinion Dr. Beattie has given his suf- frage, in the following elegant passage : — " A pibroch is a species of tune, peculiar, I think, to the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland. It is performed on a bagpipe, and differs totally from all other music. Its rhythm is so irregular, and its notes, especially in the quick movement, so mixed and huddled together, that a stranger finds it impossible to reconcile his ear to it, so as to perceive its modulation. Some of these pibrocbs, being intended to represent a battle, begin with a grave motion resembling a march ; then gradually quicken into the onset ; run off with noisy confusion, and turbulent rapidity, to imitate the conflict and pursuit ; then swell into a few flourishes of triumphant joy ; and perhaps close with the wild and slow wailings of a funeral procession. — Essay on Laughter and Ludicrous Composition, chap. iii. Note. 94 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II And bursts of triumph, to declare CI an- Alpine's conquest — all wero there. Nor ended thus the strain ; but slow Sunk in a moan prolong'd and low, And changed the conquering clarion swell, For wild lament o'er those that fell. XVIII. The war-pipes ceased ; but lake and hill Were busy with their echoes still ; And, when they slept, a vocal strain Bade their hoarse chorus wake again, While loud a hundred clansmen raise Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. Each boatman, bending to his oar, With measured sweep the burden bore, In such wild cadence, as the breeze Makes through December's leafless trees. The chorus first could Allan know, " Koderick Vich Alpine, ho ! iro ! " And near, and nearer as they row'd, Distinct the martial ditty flow'd. XIX. Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances ! Honour'd and bless'd be the ever-green Pine S Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line ! CANTO TT. THE ISLAND. 9S Heaven send it happy dew, Earth lend it sap anew, Gayly to bourgeon, and broadly to grow, While every Highland glen Send our shout back agen, " Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 1 Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade ; When the whirlwind has stripp'd every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. 1 Besides his ordinary name and surname, which were chiefly used in the intercourse with the Lowlands, every Highland chief had an epithet expressive of his patriarchal dignity as head of the clan, and which was 90 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO 11 Moor'd in the' rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow ; Menteith and Breadalbane, then, Echo his praise again, " Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho I ieroe I " XX. Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Grlen Fruin, And Bannachar's groans to our slogan replied ; Glen Luss and Ross-dhn, they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. 1 common to all his predecessors and successors, as Pharaoh to the kings of Egypt, or Arsaces to those of Parthia. This name was usually a patro- nymic, expressive of his descent from the founder of the family. Thus the Duke of Argyle is called Mac-Callum More, or the son of Colin the Great. Sometimes, however, it is derived from armorial distinctions, or the memory of some great feat ; thus Lord Seaforth, as chief of the Mackenzies, or Clan- Kennet, bears the epithet of Caber-fae, or BuclvS Head, as representative of Colin Fitzgerald, founder of the family, who saved the Scottish king when endangered by a stag. But besides this title, which belonged to his office and dignity, the chieftain had usually another peculiar to himself, which dis- tinguished him from the chieftains of the same race. This was sometimes derived from complexion, as dhu or roy ; sometimes from size, as oegwc more; at other times, from some peculiar exploit, or from some peculiarity of habit or appearance. The line of the text therefore signifies, Black Roderick, the descendant of Alpine. The song itself is intended as an imitation of the jorrams, or boat songs of the Highlanders, which were usually composed in honour'of a favourite chief. They are so adapted as to keep time with the sweep of the oars, and it is easy to distinguish between those intended to be sung to the oars of a galley, where the stroke is lengthened and doubled, as it were, and those which were timed to the rowers of an ordinary boat. 1 See Appendix, Note E. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 97 Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan- Alpine with fear and with woe ; Lennox and Leven-glen Shake when they hear again, " Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! '' Row, vassals, row for the pride of the Highlands ! Stretch to your oars, for the ever-green Pine ! ! that the rose-bud that graces yon islands, Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine ! that some seedling gem, Worthy such noble stem, Honour'd and bless'd in their shadow might grow ! Loud should Clan -Alpine then Ring from his deepmost glen, " Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe !" 1 XXL With all her joyful female band, Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, And high their snowy arms they threw, As echoing back with shrill acclaim, And chorus wild, the Chieftain's name ; 2 1 However we may dislike the geographical song and chorus, half English and half Erse, which is sung in praise of the warrior, we must allow that, in other respects, the hero of a poem has seldom, if ever, been introduced with finer effect, or in a manner better calculated to excite the expectations of the reader, than on the present occasion. — Critical Review. 2 MS. — The chorus to the chieftain's fame. N 98 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO It While, prompt to please, with mother's art, The darling passion of his heart, The Dame called Ellen to the strand To greet her kinsman ere he land : " Come, loiterer, come ! a Douglas thou, And shun to wreathe a victor's brow ?" — Beluctantly and slow, the maid The unwelcome summoning obey'd, And, when a distant bugle rung, In the mid-path aside she sprung : — " List, Allan-bane ! From mainland cast, I hear my father's signal blast, Be ours," she cried, the skiff to guide, And waft him from the mountain-side." Then, like a sunbeam, swift and bright, She darted to her shallop light, And, eagerly while Eoderick scann'd, For her dear form, his mother's band, The islet far behind her lay, And she had landed in the bay. XXII. Some feelings are to mortals given, With less of earth in them than heaven : And if there be a human tear From passion's dross refined and clear, A tear so limpid and so meek, It would not stain an angel's cheek, 'Tis that which pious fathers shed Upon a duteous daughter's head ! CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 99 And as the Douglas to his breast His darling Ellen closely press'd Such holy drops her tresses steep'd, Though 'twas an hero's eye that weep'd. Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue 1 Her filial welcomes crowded hung, Mark'd she, that fear (affection's proof) Still held a graceful youth aloof ; No ! not till Douglas named his name, Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. XXIII. Allan, with wistful look the while, Mark'd Roderick landing on the isle ; His master piteously he eyed, Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride, Then dash'd, with hasty hand, away From his dimm'd eye the gathering spray ; And Douglas, as his hand he laid On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said, u Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy In my poor follower's glistening eye ? I '11 tell thee : — he recalls the clay, When in my praise he led the lay ' MS. — Nor while on Ellen's filtering tongue Her filial greetings eager hung, Mark'd not that awe (affection's proof; Still held yon gentle youth aloof ; No ! not till Douglas named his name, Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme, Then with flushed cheek and downcast eye, Their greeting was confused and shy. 100 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. canto a. O'er the arch'd gate of Bothwell proud, While many a minstrel answer* d loud, When Percy's Norman pennon won Tn bloody field, before me shone, And twice ten knights, the least a name As mighty as yon Chief may claim, Gracing my pomp, behind me came. Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud Was I of all that marshall'd crowd, Though the waned crescent own'd my might, And in my train troop'd lord and knight, Though Blantyre hymn'd her holiest lays, And Bothwell's bards flung back my praise, As when this old man's silent tear, And this poor maid's affection dear, A welcome give more kind and true. Than aught my better fortunes knew. Forgive, my friend, a father's boast, ! it out-beggars all I lost!" XXIV. Delightful praise ! — Like summer rose, That brighter in the dew-drop glows, The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd, For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard. The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide ; The loved caresses of the maid The dogs with crouch and whimper paid , ! MS. — The (toys with whimpering notes repaid. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 101 And, at her whistle, on her hand The falcon took his favourite stand, Closed his dark wing, relax'd his eye, Nor, though unhooded, sought to fly. And, trust, while in such guise she stood, Like fabled Goddess of the Wood, 1 1 MS. — Like fabled huntress of the wood. 102 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II. That if a father's partial thought O'erweigh'd her worth and beauty aught, Well might the lover's judgment fail To balance with a juster scale ; For with each secret glance he stole, The fond enthusiast sent his soul. XXV. Of stature tall, and slender frame, But firmly knit, was Malcolm Gramme, The belted plaid and tartan hose Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose ; His flaxen hair of sunny hue, Curl'd closely round his bonnet blue. Train' d to the chase, his eagle eye The ptarmigan in snow could spy : Each pass, by mountain, lake, and heath, He knew, through Lennox and Menteith ; Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe, When Malcolm bent his sounding bow, And scarce that doe, though wing'd with fear, Outstripp'd in speed the mountaineer : Eight up Ben-Lomond could he press, And not a sob his toil confess. His form accorded with a mind Lively and ardent, frank and kind ; A blither heart, till Ellen came, Did never love nor sorrow tame ; It danced as lightsome in his breast, As play'd the feather on his crest. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 103 Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth, His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth, And bards, who saw his features bold When kindled by the tales of old, Said, were that youth to manhood grown, Not long should Roderick Dhu's renown Be foremost voiced by mountain fame, But quail to that of Malcolm Grseme. XXVI. Now back they wend their watery way, And, " my sire !" did Ellen say, " Why urge thy chase so far astray ? And why so late returned? And why" — The rest was in her speaking eye, " My child, the chase I follow far, 'Tis mimicry of noble war ; And with that gallant pastime reft Were all of Douglas I have left. I met young Malcolm as I stray'd, Far eastward, in Glenfmlas' shade. Nor stray'd I safe ; for, all around, Hunters and horsemen scour'd the ground, This youth, though still a royal ward, Risk'd life and land to be my guard, And through the passes of the wood Guided my steps, not unpursued ; And Roderick shall his welcome make, Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. Then must he seek Strath-Enclrick glen, Nor peril aught for me agen." 104 THE LAD* OF THE LAKE. CANTO II XXVII. Sir Koderick, who to meet them came, Redden'd at sight of Malcolm Graeme. Yet, not in action, word, or eye, Fail'd aught in hospitality. In talk and sport they whiled away The morning of that summer day ; But at high noon a courier light Held secret parley with the knight, Whose moody aspect soon declared, That evil were the news he heard. Deep thought seem'd toiling in his head ; Yet was the evening banquet made, Ere he assembled round the flame, His mother, Douglas, and the Grajme, And Ellen, too ; then cast around His eyes, then fixed them on the ground, As studying phrase that might avail Best to convey unpleasant tale. Long with his dagger's hilt he play'd, Then raised his haughty brow, and said : XXVIII. " Short be my speech ; — nor time affords, Nor my plain temper, glozing words. Kinsman and father, — if such name Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim ; Mine honour'd mother ; — Ellen — why, My cousin, turn away thine eye ? — CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 105 And Graeme ; in whom I hope to know Full soon a noble friend or foe, When age shall give thee thy command, And leading in thy native land, — List all ! — The King's vindictive pride Boasts to have tamed the Border-side. 1 Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who came To share their monarch's silvan game, Themselves in bloody toils were snared ; And when the banquet they prepared, And wide their loyal portals flung, O'er their own gateway struggling hung. Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mend, From Yarrow braes, and banks of Tweed, 1 In 1529, James V. made a convention at Edinburgh for the purpose of considering the best mode of quelling the Border robbers, who, during the license of his minority, and the troubles which followed, had committed many exorbitances. Accordingly, he assembled a flying army of ten thousand men, consisting of his principal nobility and their followers, who were directed to bring their hawks and dogs with them, that the monarch might refresh him- self with sport during the intervals of military execution. With this array he swept through Ettrick Forest, where he hanged over the gate of his own castle Piers Cockburn of Henderland, who had prepared, according to tradi- tion, a feast for his reception. He caused Adam Scott of Tushielaw also to be executed, who was distinguished by the title of King of the Border. But the most noted victim of justice, during that expedition was John Armstrong of Gilnockie, 2 famous in Scottish song, who, confiding in his own supposed innocence, met the King, with a retinue of thirty-six persons, all of whom were hanged at Carlenrig, near the source of the Teviot. The effect of this severity was such, that, as the vulgar expressed it, "the rush-bush kept the cow," and, " thereafter was great peace and rest a long time, wherethrough the King had great profit ; for he had ten thousand sheep going in the Ettrick Forest in keeping by Andrew Bell, who made the King as good count of them as they had gone in the bounds of Fife." — Pitscottie's History, p. 153. 2 See Border Minstrelsy, vol. i. p. 392. O 100 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II. Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide, And from the silver Teviot's side ; The dales, where martial clans did ride, Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. This tyrant of the Scottish throne, So faithless, and so ruthless known, Now hither comes ; his end the same, The same pretext of silvan game. What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye By fate of Border chivalry. 1 Yet more ; amid Glenfinlas green, Douglas, thy stately form was seen. This by espial sure I know ; Your counsel in the streight I show." XXIX. Ellen and Margaret fearfully Sought comfort in each other's eye, 1 James was in fact equally attentive to restrain rapine and feudal op- pression in every part of his dominions. " The king past to the Isles, and there held justice courts, and punished hoth thief and traitor according to their demerit. And also he caused great men to show their holdings, where- through he found many of the said lands in non-entry ; the which he con- fiscate and brought home to his own use, and afterward annexed them to the crown, as ye shall hear. Syne brought many of the great men of the Isles captive with him, such as Mudyart, M'Connel, M'Leod of the Lewes, M'Neil, M'Lane, M'Intosh, John Mudyart, M'Kay, M'Kenzie, with many other that I cannot rehearse at this time. Some of them he put in ward and some in court, and some he took pledges for good rule in time coming. So he brought the Isles, both north and south, in good rule and peace ; wherefore he had great profit, service, and obedience of people a long time thereafter - and as long as he had the heads of the country in subjection, they lived in great peace and rest, and there was great riches and policy by the king's justice." — Pitscottie, p. 152. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 101 Then turn'd their ghastly look, each one, This to her sire, that to her son. The hasty colour went and came In the bold cheek of Malcolm Graeme ; But from his glance it well appear'*!, 'Twas but for Ellen that he fear'd ; While, sorrowful, but undismay'd, The Douglas thus his counsel said : " Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, It may but thunder and pass o'er ; Nor will I here remain an hour, To draw the lightning on thy bower ; For well thou know'st, at this grey head The royal bolt were fiercest sped. For thee, who, at thy King's command, Canst aid him with a gallant band, Submission, homage, humbled pride, Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside. Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart, Ellen and I will seek, apart, The refuge of some forest cell, There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, Till on the mountain and the moor, The stern pursuit be pass'd and o'er." — XXX. " No, by mine honour," Roderick said, " So help me, Heaven, and my good blade ! No, never ! Blasted be yon Pine, My fathers' ancient crest and mine, 108 THE LADY OK THE LAKE. CANTO II If from its shade in danger part The lineage of the Bleeding Heart ! Hear my blunt speech ; grant me this maid To wife, thy counsel to mine aid ; To Douglas, leagued with Koderick Dim, Will friends and allies flock enow ; Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief, Will bind to us each Western Chief. When the loud pipes my bridal tell, The Links of Forth shall hear the knell, The guards shall start in Stirling's porch : And, when I light the nuptial torch ; A thousand villages in flames, Shall scare the slumbers of King James ! — Nay, Ellen, blench not thus away, And, mother, cease these signs, I pray ; I meant not all my heart might say. — Small need of inroad, or of fight, When the sage Douglas may unite Each mountain clan in friendly band, To guard the passes of their land, Till the foil'd king, from pathless glen, 1 Shall bootless turn him home agen." XXXI. There are who have, at midnight hour, In slumber scaled a dizzy tower, And on the verge that beetled o'er The ocean-tide's incessant roar, 1 MS.— Till the foil'd king, from hill and glen. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 109 Dream \1 calmly out their dangerous dream, 1 Till waken'd by the morning- beam ; When, dazzled by the eastern glow, Such startler cast his glance below, And saw unmeasured depth around, And heard unintermitted sound, And thought the battled fence so frail. It waved like cobweb in the gale ; — Amid his senses' giddy wheel, Did he not desperate impulse feel, Headlong to plunge himself below, And meet the worst his fears foreshow ? — ■ Thus, Ellen dizzy and astound, As sudden ruin yawn'd around, By crossing terrors wildly toss'd, Still for the Douglas fearing most, Could scarce the desperate thought withstand, To buy his safety with her hand. XXXII. Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, And eager rose to speak — but ere His tongue could hurry forth his fear, Had Douglas mark'd the hectic strife, Where death seem'd combating with life ; For to her cheek, in feverish flood, One instant rush'd the throbbing blood, MS. — Dream'd calmly out their desperate dream. no THE LADY OF THE LAKE. t'AK'J'O Ji Then ebbing back, with sudden sway, Left its domain as wan as clay. "Roderick, enough! enough!" he cried, " My daughter cannot be thy bride ; Not that the blush to wooer dear, Nor paleness that of maiden fear, It may not be — forgive her, Chief, Nor hazard aught for our relief. Against his sovereign, Douglas ne'er Will level a rebellious spear. 'Twas I that taught his youthful hand To rein a steed and wield a brand ; I see him yet, the princely boy ! Not Ellen more my pride and joy ; I love him still, despite my wrongs, By hasty wrath, and slanderous tongues. seek the grace you well may find, Without a cause to mine combined." XXXIII. Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode ; The waving of his tartans broad, And darken'd brow, where wounded pride With ire and disappointment vied, Seem'd, by the torch's gloomy light, Like the ill Demon of the night, Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway Upon the nighted pilgrim's way ; But, unrequited Love ! thy dart Plunged deepest its envenom'd smart, (;,\.\to ii. THE ISLAND. I i ! And Roderick, with thine anguish stung, At length the hand of Douglas wrung, While eyes, that mock'd at tears before, With bitter drops were running o'er. The death-pangs of long-cherish'd hope Scarce in that ample breast had scope. But, struggling with his spirit proud, Convulsive heaved its chequer'd shroud, While every sob — so mute were all — Was heard distinctly through the hall. The son's despair, the mother's look, 111 might the gentle Ellen brook ; She rose, and to her side there came, To aid her parting steps, the Graeme. XXXIV. Then Koderick from the Douglas broke — As flashes flame through sable smoke, Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low, To one broad blaze of ruddy glow, So the deep anguish of despair 1 Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. With stalwart grasp his hand he laid On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid ; " Back, beardless boy !" he sternly said, " Back, minion ! hold'st thou thus at naught The lesson I so lately taught ? ' MS. — The deep-toned anguish of despair Flush'd, in fierce jealousy, to air. n-2 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II. Eager as greyhound on his game, Fiercely with Eoderick grappled Gramie. 1 1 There is something foppish and out of character in Malcolm's rising to lead out Ellen from her own parlour ; and the sort of wrestling match that takes place between the rival chieftains on the occasion is humiliating and indecorous. — Jeffrey. CANTO 11. THE ISLAND. 113 " Perish my name, if aught afford Its Chieftain safety save his sword !" Thus as they strove, their desperate hand 1 Griped to the dagger or the brand, And death had been — but Douglas rose, And thrust between the struggling foes His giant strength : — " Chieftains, forego ! I hold the first who strikes, my foe. — 2 Madmen, forbear your frantie jar ! What ! is the Douglas fall'n so far, His daughter's hand is doom'd the spoil Of sueh dishonourable broil !" Sullen and slowly, they unclasp, 3 As struck with shame, their desperate grasp, And each upon his rival glared, With foot advanced, and blade half bared. XXXV. Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, 1 MS. — Thus, as they strove, each better hand Gras^d for the dagger or the brand. 2 The Author has to apologise for the inadvertent appropriation of a whole line from the tragedy of Douglas, " I hold the first who strikes my foe." — Note to the Second. Edition. 3 MS. — Sullen and slow the rivals bold Loos'd at his best their desperate hold, But either still on other glar'd, &c. lit THE LADY OF THE LAKE. (,'AMO II. And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream, As falter'd through terrific dream. Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword, And veil'd his wrath in scornful word. " Rest safe till morning ; pity 'twere Such cheek should feel the midnight air ! 1 Then mayest thou to James Stewart tell, Roderick will keep the lake and fell, Nor lackey, with his freeborn clan, The pageant pomp of earthly man. 1 Hardihood was in every respect so essential to the character of a High- lander, that the reproach of effeminacy was the most bitter which could bo thrown upon him. Yet it was sometimes hazarded on what we might pre- sume to think slight grounds. It is reported of old Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, when upwards of seventy, that he was surprised by night on a hunt- ing or military expedition. He wrapped him in his plaid, and lay contentedly down upon the snow, with which the ground happened to be covered. Among his attendants, who were preparing to take their rest in the same manner, he observed that one of his grandsons, for his better accommodation, had rolled a large snow-ball, and placed it below his head. The wrath of the ancient chief was awakened by a symptom of what he conceived to be degenerate luxury. " Out upon thee," said he, kicking the frozen bolster from the head which it supported; "art thou so effeminate as to need a pillow?" The officer of engineers, whose curious letters from the Highlands have been more than once quoted, tells a similar story of Macdonald of Keppoch, and subjoins the following remarks : — " This and many other stories are romantick ; but there is one thing, that at first thought might seem very romantick, of which I have been credibly assured, that when the Highlanders are con- strained to lie among the hills, in cold dry windy weather, they sometimes soak the plaid in some river or burn (i. e. brook), and then, holding up a corner of it a little above their heads, they turn themselves round and round, till they are enveloped by the whole mantle. They then lay themselves down on the heath, upon the leeward side of some hill, where the wet and the warmth of their bodies make a steam, like that of a boiling kettle. The wet, CANTO 11. THE ISLAND. 115 More would he of Clan- Alpine know, Thou canst our strength and passes show. — Malise, what ho ! " — his henchman came ; 1 " Give our safe-conduct to the Graeme." Young Malcolm answer'd, calm and bold, " Fear nothing for thy favourite hold ; The spot, an angel deigned to grace, Is bless'd, though robbers haunt the place. Thy churlish courtesy for those Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. they say, keeps them warm by thickening the stuff, and keeping the wind from penetrating. I must confess I should have been apt to question this fact, had I not frequently seen them wet from morning to night, and, even at the beginning of the rain, not so much as stir a few yards to shelter, but continue in it without necessity, till they were, as we say, wet through and through. And that is soon effected by the looseness and spunginess of the plaiding; but the bonnet is frequently taken off and wrung like a dish-clout, and then put on again. They have been accustomed from their infancy to be often wet, and to take the water like spaniels, and this is become a second nature, and can scarcely be called a hardship to them, insomuch that I used to say, they seemed to be of the duck kind, and to love water as well. Though I never saw this preparation for sleep in windy weather, yet, setting out early in a morning from one of the huts, I have seen the marks of their lodging, where the ground has been free from rime or snow, which remained all round the spot where they had lain." — Letters from Scotland, Lund. 1754, 8vo, ii. p. 108. 1 This officer is a sort of secretary, and is to be ready, upon all occa- sions, to venture his life in defence of his master ; and at drinking-bouts he stands behind his seat, at his haunch, from whence his title is derived, and watches the conversation, to see if any one offends his patron. An English officer being in company with a certain chieftain, and several other High- land gentlemen, near Kilichumen, had an argument with the great man; and both being well warmed with usky," at last the dispute grew very hot 2 Whisky. 116 THE LAJ3Y 01' THE LAKE. CA NTO U. As safe to me the mountain way At midnight as in blaze of day, Though with his boldest at his back Even Koderick Dhu beset the track. — Brave Douglas, — lovely Ellen,— nay, Nought here of parting will I say. Earth does not hold a lonesome glen, So secret, but we meet agen. — Chieftain ! we too shall find an hour," — He said, and left the silvan bower. XXXVI. Old Allan follow'd to the strand (Such was the Douglas's command,) And anxious told, how, on the morn, The stern Sir Koderick deep had sworn, The Fiery Cross should circle o'er Dale, glen, and valley, down, and moor. Much were the peril to the Grasme, From those who to the signal came ; A youth who was hcncliuian, not understanding one word of English, ima- gined his chief was insulted, and thereupon drew his pistol from his side, and snapped it at the officer's head; hut the pistol missed fire, otherwise it is more than probable he might have suffered death from the hand of that little vermin. But it is very disagreeable to an Englishman over a bottle, with the Highlanders, to sec every one of them have his gilly, that is, his servant, standing behind him all the while, let what will be the subject of conversation. — Letters from Scotland, ii. 150. CANTO II. THE ISLAND. 117 Far up the lake 'twere safest land, Himself would row him to the strand, He gave his counsel to the wind, While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind, Eound dirk and pouch and broadsword roll'd, His ample plaid in tighten'd fold, And stripp'd his limbs to such array, As best might suit the watery way. 118 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. CANTO II XXXVII. Then spoke abrupt : " Farewell to thee, Pattern of old fidelity ! " The Minstrel's hand he kindly press'd,— - " ! could I point a place of rest ! My sovereign holds in ward my land, My uncle leads my vassal band ; To tame his foes, his friends to aid, Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade. Yet, if there be one faithful Grasme, Who loves the Chieftain of his name, Not long shall honoured Douglas dwell, Like hunted stag in mountain cell ; Nor, ere yon pride -swoll'n robber dare,— I may not give the rest to air ! Tell Roderick Dim I owed him nought, Not the poor service of a boat, To waft me to yon mountain-side." Then plunged he in the flashing tide. 1 Bold o'er the flood his head he bore, And stoutly steer'd him from the shore ; And Allan strain'd his anxious eye, Far 'mid the lake his form to spy. Darkening across each puny wave, To which the moon her silver gave, Fast as the cormorant could skim, The swimmer plied each active limb ; 1 MS. — He spoke, and plunged into the tido. THE ISLAND. Then landing in the moonlight dell, Loud shouted of his weal to tell. The Minstrel heard the far halloo, And joyful from the shore withdrew. CANTO THIED. %\t iatjtering. ; M I ME rolls his ceaseless course. The nice of yore, 1 ^ Who danced our infancy upon their knee, And told our marvelling boyhood legends store, Of their strange ventures happ'd by land or sea, I How are they blotted from the things that be ! How few, all weak and wither'd of their force, s Wait on the verge of dark eternity, Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, To sweep them from our sight ! Time rolls his ceaseless course. 1 There are no separate introductions to the cantn