llpterBeatt,Bart m i nimum lassies Edited hy H* 8&t*bo I Class 1EE53 Book. Al Copyright^ - I COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT; From the Series or\ft Canterbury Classtc&y Cbe Canterbury Classics A Series of Supplementary Readers edited under the general supervision of KATHARINE LEE BATES Professor of English Literature in Welles ley College^ Wellesley, Mass. The text of this edition of The Lady of the Lake agrees, except for a few unim- portant changes, mainly those of punc- tuation, with the 1833 edition of Scoffs works, the first complete collected edition published after Scott's death, 1832. Sir Walter Scott From the Painting by C. R. Leslie in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Mass. Lady of tbc Lake By Sir Salter Scott, Bart Edited by Florus A. Barbour Professor of English Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti Illustrated Rand JMcJ^ally & Company Chicago New York London •A i Copyright, ipio By Rand McNally & Company The Rand-McNally Press §CLA2685 THE series of Canterbury Classics aims to bear its share in acquainting school children with literature suited to their years. The culture of the imagination is no less impor- tant than the culture of memory and the reasoning power. That childhood is poor which has not for friends many of the goodly company represented by Hector, Achilles, Roland, Sigurd, My Cid, Don Quixote, Lancelot, Robin Hood, Percy, the Douglas, Gulliver, Puck, Rip Van Winkle, and Alice in Wonderland. College class-rooms, where Dante and Spenser, Goethe and Coleridge are taught, speedily feel the difference between minds nourished, from babyhood up, on myths of Olympus and myths of Asgard, Hans Christian Andersen, old ballads, the ' ' Pilgrim's Progress," the • ' Arabian Nights," the * ' Alham- bra," and minds which are still strangers to fairyland and hero-land and all the dreamlands of the world's inheritance. Minds of this latter description come almost as barbarians to the study of poetry, deaf to its music and blind to its visions. They are in a foreign clime. In the larger college of life, no less, is felt the lack of an early initiation into literature. A practical people in a practical age, we need the grace of fable to balance our fact, the joy of poetry to leaven our prose. Something of the sort we are bound to have, and if familiarity in childhood with the classic tone has not armed us against the cheap, the flimsy, the corrupt in fiction, we fall easy victims to the trash of the hour. We become the sport of those mock- ing elves who give dry leaves for gold. This series must needs conform somewhat, in its choice of books, to the present demands of the schools. It will furnish all good reading that is desired, but it aims also to help in arousing a desire for the more imaginative and inspiring legends 6 Introduction to the Series of the Aryan race. In the case of every volume issued the text of the authoritative edition will be faithfully reproduced. These texts will be furnished with a modest amount of apparatus hidden away at the end of the book. It is the classic that is of importance. Often it may be best to disregard the notes. The series is addressed to children and aims to stimulate imagination, broaden sympathy, and awaken a love for literature. The editors strive to keep these aims in view and to avoid breaking the charm of the story by irrelevant and burdensome information. What is told is meant to be what a child would naturally like to know about the book that pleases him and the writer of the book. The biographical sketches emphasize, whenever it is appropriate, the childhood of the authors treated, and try throughout to give, by concrete illus- tration, impressions of personality and character. Special sub- jects sometimes call for special sketches, but, in general, the editorial work aims at quality rather than quantity. Knowledge which seems essential to intelligent reading, and which dic- tionary and teacher cannot reasonably be counted on to supply, has its place in notes, yet it is not forgotten that the notes exist for the sake of the literature, not the literature for the sake of the notes. Parents and librarians will appreciate the reading lists of books attractive to children, either by the author of the classic in hand or along the same lines of interest. Certain teachers, crowded and wearied with a variety of tasks, will welcome the section of suggestions. We have ventured to associate this series with the memory of the sweetest and most childlike spirit in English song, hoping that little pilgrims of to-day, journeying by April ways, may find as much cheer in gentle stories as did the poet of the Canterbury Tales. Katharine Lee Bates. V/ellesley College. T7I7\i>Ktf7IsT THETABLEOF CONTENTS dJobldLm* 4 k ^PUBfc PAGE Introduction to the Series 5 A List of Illustrations 8 Canto First The Chase n Canto Second The Island 37 Canto Third The Gathering 67 Canto Fourth The Prophecy 94 Canto Fifth The Combat 122 Canto Sixth The Guard-Room 153 Historical Introduction 184 A Biographical Sketch 191 Notes 209 Suggestions to Teachers 249 [?[ »»■ A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS R g PAGE Sir Walter Scott Frontispiece Map . jo' The Stuart Plaid v The Douglas Plaid , The Mac Alpine Plaid The Graham Plaid . . . . .v A Highland Piper Facing page 1 1 w The Brigg of Turk Facing page 14- Pass of the Trosachs and Benvenue . . Facing page 1 6 v The Silver Strand, Loch Katrine . . . Facing page 22 Ellen's Isle . Facing page 28 Loch Katrine from above the Bier . . . Facing page 37 Upper Falls of Bracklinn . . . . . Facing page 46 Cottage of Glenfinlas Facing page 56 Loch Con Facing page 67 In the Pass of the Trosachs, looking to Beala-nam-bo Facing page 74 Duncraggan Huts, Trosachs .... Facing page 78^ Goblin Cave Facing page 88 '<* Doune Castle and Bridge Facing page 94- Pass of the Trosachs. ' ' Where twines the path. ' 'Facing page 108 Pass of the Trosachs and Ben-an . . . Facing page no v Collander Bridge and Benledi .... Facing page 122 Loch Vennachar, Perthshire .... Facing page 132" Loch Katrine from the B.row of Benvenue . Facing page 153^ Loch Achray and Benvenue .... Facing page 164- C8J ^~T^HE first of the Royal Stuarts was a Norman. j Alan of Oswestry emigrated from England -** to Scotland early in the Twelfth Century and at once became more Scottish than the Scots. The family served Scotland, with great distinction for two hundred years, and took name from the office of High Steward of Scotland, made hereditary in it by Malcolm IV, until in 1371, when the seventh Lord Steward, whose mother was the daughter of King Robert I, ''the Bruce," became Robert II, the first of the Stuart kings. Cardinal York, who died in 18 oj, was the last male in the direct line of the Royal Stuarts. Each Scottish clan long ago adopted and wore one certain pattern only of tartan or plaid, which was called by the common clan name. It became a "clan uniform," born of family pride and powerful to intensify and prolong the pride that gave it birth. The Stuart plaid is probably the most brilliant and striking of the clan patterns, as if intended to reflect the exceptional depth and intensity of the Scottish feeling of the family. The Stuart Plaid FOR the world at large there is probably no Scottish family, barring the Stuart, more generally known than the Douglas. The family history reaches back to about the close of the twelfth century, and for two hundred years thereafter. Scottish history abounds in mention of the Doug- lases. Near the end of the fourteenth century, the direct male line became extinct, and the succession had to go around through an aunt of the last Earl, who had not married with such a contingency in view. There are still plenty of Douglases, but since the failure of the direct succession the name has not been as conspicuous in Scottish history as in the days when the family joined Wallace in his almost hope- less struggle, held high command under Bruce, and even disputed the crown with the first of the Stuart kings. The plaid is among the simpler patterns, made up of but three colors, none displaying any very showy quality. The Douglas Plaid THE Mac Alpine clan has claimed to be the oldest in Scotland, descendants from the same people who furnished the kings of Scotland for a thousand years before the accession of the Stuarts nearly nine hundred years ago. Its history is certainly involved in obscurity, and that usually means antiquity. As described by some it seems more than a clan, and rather a federation of half a dozen or more clans, headed, apparently, by the MacGregors. Some deny to the others of these clans any Alpine kinship. But it is certain that the Mac- Alpine is a very old clan, and that much of its history is deeply tragic. The plaid is curiously characteristic. Its narrow bright lines emphasize it to the near observer, but must soon blend with the more sober colors with increasing distance. v ////v//////fr////yjs////w/////y'v/y////^ 'Ss/////4f////s/f////4y////j/;'//fj 4. 6 6 4 v//y//////JW'"/*A/////JL/////y*/+/////s<, /j4[/////r/f////fy////x/s///s I 7 f | | ■ J ■////y//////&////yjv////W////vx/ss//s/"*/ss/x//-/j////fa////rsf////A/////V///v/ The Mac Alpine Plaid THE first record of the clan Graham in Scot- land was in 1143, not far from the time when the first ancestor of the Stuarts mi- grated from England. From that time the Grahams, — or Graemes, — have been men in conspicuous position and often men of distinction. Two of them, James "The Great Montrose," as he was called, and John Graham of Claverhouse, whom the Covenanters called "the bloody Claverse," were both men of supreme distinction in Scottish history. The family is remarkable not only for mental force but for extraordinary vitality of body. For more than eight hundred years the direct line of descent has never once failed. The clan plaid is a very beautifid one, curiously adapted to escaping a distant eye by blending with the usual background among the Scottish l.ills. '/'/////{/////, Y/////W7//7f/f r /A Y/////////SS//A V/////W///A JKL W//s/% W//////A '////////////A Y/////V//A f V////y///////A////////////j '/*■ .,; ■■.■ [canto i] The Chase ij Who flagged upon Bochastle's heath, Who shunned to stem the flooded Teith, — For twice that day, from shore to shore, The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. Few were the stragglers, following far, no That reached the lake of Vennachar ; And when the Brigg of Turk was won, The headmost horseman rode alone. VII Alone, but with unbated zeal, That horseman plied the scourge and steel; 115 For jaded now, and spent with toil, Embossed with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The laboring stag strained full in view. Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, 120 Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed, Fast on his flying traces came, And all but won that desperate game ; For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, Vindictive toiled the bloodhounds stanch ; 125 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. 130 VIII The Hunter marked that mountain high, The lone lake's western boundary, And deemed the stag must turn to bay, Where that huge rampart barred the way ; 1 6 The Lady of the Lake I canto i] 135 Already glorying in the prize, Measured his antlers with his eyes; For the death-wound and death-halloo Mustered his breath, his whinyard drew: — But thundering as he came prepared, 140 With ready arm and weapon bared, The wily quarry shunned the shock, And turned him from the opposing rock ; Then, dashing down a darksome glen, Soon lost to hound and Hunter's ken, 145 In the deep Trosachs' wildest nook His solitary refuge took. There, while close couched, the thicket shed Cold dews and wild -flowers on his head, He heard the baffled dogs in vain iso Rave through the hollow pass amain, Chiding the rocks that yelled again. IX Close on the hounds the hunter came, To cheer them on the vanished game ; But, stumbling in the rugged dell, 155 The gallant horse exhausted fell. The impatient rider strove in vain To rouse him with the spur and rein, For the good steed, his labors o'er, Stretched his stiff limbs, to rise no more; ieo Then, touched with pity and remorse, He sorrowed o'er the expiring horse. "I little thought, when first thy rein I slacked upon the banks of Seine, That Highland eagle e'er should feed |canto i] The Chase 17 On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed! 1 Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, That cost thy life, my gallant gray!" Then through the dell his horn resounds, From vain pursuit to call the hounds. Back limped, w l 'th slow and crippled pace, 170 The sulky leaders of the chase ; Close to their master's side they pressed, With drooping tail and humbled crest ; But still the dingle's hollow throat Prolonged the swelling bugle-note. 175 The owlets started from their dream, The eagles answered with their scream, Round and around the sounds were cast, Till echo seemed an answering blast ; And on the Hunter hied his way, iso To join some comrades of the day, Yet often paused, so strange the road, So wondrous were the scenes it showed. XI The western waves of ebbing day Rolled o'er the glen their level way; 185 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, 190 Round many a rocky pyramid, Shooting abruptly from the dell Its thunder-splintered pinnacle; t8 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] Round many an insulated mass, 195 The native bulwarks of the pass, Huge as the tower which builders vain Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. The rocky summits, split and rent, Formed turret, dome, or battlement, 200 Or seemed fantastically set With cupola or minaret, Wild crests as pagod ever decked, Or mosque of Eastern architect. Nor were these earth-born castles bare, 205 Nor lacked they many a banner fair; For, from their shivered brows displayed, Far o'er the unfathomable glade, All twinkling with the dewdrop sheen, The brier-rose fell in streamers green, 210 And creeping shrubs of thousand dyes Waved in the west -wind's summer sighs. XII Boon nature scattered, free and wild, Each plant or flower, the mountain's child. Here eglantine embalmed the air, 215 Hawthorn and hazel mingled there; The primrose pale and violet flower Found in each clift a narrow bower ; Foxglove and nightshade, side by side, Emblems of punishment and pride, 220 Grouped their dark hues with every stain The weather-beaten crags retain. With boughs that quaked at every breath, Gray birch and aspen wept beneath ; fcANTo i] The Chase ig Aloft, the ash and warrior oak Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; 225 And, higher yet, the pine tree hung His shattered trunk, and frequent flung, Where seemed the cliffs to meet on high His boughs athwart the narrowed sky. Highest of all, where white peaks glanced, 2.30 Where glistening streamers waved and danced, The wanderer's eye could barely view The slimmer heaven's delicious blue; So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream. 235 XIII Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep A narrow inlet, still and deep, Affording scarce such breadth of brim, As served the wild duck's brood to swim. Lost for a space, through thickets veering, 240 But broader when again appearing, Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face Could on the dark-blue mirror trace * And farther as the Hunter strayed, Still broader sweep its channels made. 245 The shaggy mounds no longer stood, Emerging from entangled wood, But, wave-encircled, seemed to float, Like castle girdled with its moat ; Yet broader floods extending still 250 Divide them from their parent hill, Till each, retiring, claims to be An islet in an inland sea. 20 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] xiv And now, to issue from the glen, 255 No pathway meets the wanderer's ken, Unless he climb with footing nice A far projecting precipice. The broom's tough roots his ladder made, The hazel saplings lent their aid ; 260 And thus an airy point he won, Where, gleaming with the setting sun, One burnished sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled, In all her length far winding lay, 265 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. 270 High on the south, huge Benvenue Down to the lake in masses threw Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurled, The fragments of an earlier world ; A wildering forest feathered o'er 275 His ruined sides and summit hoar, While on the north, through middle air, Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. xv From the steep promontory gazed The Stranger, raptured and amazed, 280 And, "What a scene were here," he cried, "For princely pomp, or churchman's pride! On this bold brow, a lordly tower, [canto i] The Chase 21 In that soft vale, a lady's bower; On yonder meadow far away, The turrets of a cloister gray; 285 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 290 Her forehead in the silver wave, How solemn on the ear would come The holy matins' distant hum, While the deep peal's commanding tone Should wake, in yonder islet lone, 295 A sainted hermit from his cell, To drop a bead with every knell ! And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, Should each bewildered stranger call To friendly feast and lighted hall. 300 XVI "Blithe 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, 305 Some rustling oak my canopy. 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: 310 But hosts may in these wilds abound, Such as are better missed than found; 22 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] To meet with Highland plunderers here, Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — 315 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, 320 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, 325 That round the promontory steep Led its deep line in graceful sweep, Eddying, in almost viewless wave, The weeping willow twig to lave, And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, 330 The beach of pebbles bright as snow. The boat had touched this silver strand Just as the Hunter left his stand, And stood concealed amid the brake, To view this Lady of the Lake. 335 The maiden paused, as if again She thought to catch the distant strain. With head upraised, and look intent, And eye and ear attentive bent, And locks flung back, and lips apart, 340 Like monument of Grecian art, In listening mood, she seemed to stand, The guardian Naiad of the strand. [canto i] The Chase 23 XVIII And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, Of finer form, or lovelier face ! 345 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 350 Short glimpses of a breast of snow : What though no rule of courtly grace To measured mood had trained her pace, — A foot more light, a step more true, Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew; 355 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, — Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear, 300 The listener held his breath to hear! XIX A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid; Her satin snood, her silken plaid, Her golden brooch, such birth betrayed. And seldom was a snood amid 365 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, 370 And never brooch the folds combined 24 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] Above a heart more good and kind. Her kindness and her worth to spy, You need but gaze on Ellen's eye; 5 Not Katrine in her mirror blue Gives back the shaggy banks more true, Than every free-born glance confessed The guileless movements of her breast ; Whether joy danced in her dark eye, o Or woe or pity claimed a sigh, Or filial love was glowing there, Or meek devotion poured a prayer, Or tale of injury called forth The indignant spirit of the North. 5 One only passion unrevealed With maiden pride the maid concealed, Yet not less purely felt the flame; — O need I tell that passion's name? xx Impatient of the silent horn, o 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; — "Malcolm, was thine the blast?" the name 5 Less resolutely uttered 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 o Pushed her light shallop from the shore, And when a space was gained between, [canto i] The Chase 25 Closer she drew her bosom's screen; So forth the startled swan would swing, So turn to prune his ruffled wing. Then safe, though fluttered and amazed, 405 She paused, and on the stranger gazed. Not his the form, nor his the eye, That youthful maidens wont to fly. XXI On his bold visage middle age Had slightly pressed its signet sage, 410 Yet had not quenched 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, 415 Of hasty love or headlong ire. His limbs were cast in manly mould For hardy sports or contest bold ; And though in peaceful garb arrayed, And weaponless except his blade, 420 His stately mien as well implied A high-born heart, a martial pride, As if a baron's crest he wore, And sheathed in armor trode the shore. Slighting the petty need he showed, 425 He told of his benighted road ; His ready speech flowed fair and free, In phrase of gentlest courtesy ; Yet seemed that tone and gesture bland Less used to sue than to command. 430 26 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] xxii A white the maid the stranger eyed, And, reassured, at length replied, That Highland halls were open still To wildered wanderers of the hill. 435 "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 440 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 erred," he said; 445 "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, 450 Have ever drawn your mountain air, Till on this lake's romantic strand I found a fay in fairy land!" — XXIII "I well believe," the maid replied, As her light skiff approached the side, — 455 "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, — A gray-haired sire, whose eye intent 4go Was on the visioned future bent. [canto i] The Chase 27 He saw your steed, a dappled gray, Lie dead beneath the birchen way ; Painted exact your form and mien, Your hunting suit of Lincoln green, That tasselled horn so gaily gilt, 465 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 ; 470 But light I held his prophecy, And deemed 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, 475 Announced by prophet sooth and old, Doomed, 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 4so Your fairy frigate o'er the tide." The maid, with smile suppressed and sly, The toil unwonted saw him try For seldom, sure, if e'er before, His noble hand had grasped an oar : 485 Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, And o'er the lake the shallop flew; With heads erect and whimpering cry, The hounds behind their passage ply. Nor frequent does the bright oar break 490 28 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] The darkening mirror of the lake, Until the rocky isle they reach, And moor their shallop on the beach. xxv The stranger viewed the shore around; 495 'T was all so close with copsewood bound Nor track nor pathway might declare That human foot frequented there, Until the mountain-maiden showed A clambering unsuspected road, 500 That winded through the tangled screen, And opened on a narrow green, Where weeping birch and willow round With their long fibres swept the ground. Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, 505 Some chief had framed a rustic bower. 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. 5ic Lopped 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 sis To fence each crevice from the wind. The lighter pine trees overhead Their slender length for rafters spread, And withered heath and rushes dry Supplied a russet canopy. [canto i] The Chase 29 Due westward, fronting to the green, 520 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 Idaean vine, 525 The clematis, the favored flower Which boasts the name of virgin-bower, And every hardy plant could bear Loch Katrine's keen and searching air. An instant in this porch she staid, 530 And gaily to the stranger said: "On heaven and on thy lady call, And enter the enchanted hall!" XXVII "My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee!" — 535 He crossed the threshold, — and a clang Of angry steel that instant rang. To his bold brow his spirit rushed, But soon for vain alarm he blushed, When on the floor he saw displayed, 540 Cause of the din, a naked blade Dropped 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: 545 A target there, a bugle here, A battle-axe, a hunting-spear, And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, With the tusked trophies of the boar. jo The Lady of the Lake [canto i] 550 Here grins the wolf as when he died, And there the wild-cat's brindled hide The frontlet of the elk adorns, Or mantles o'er the bison's horns; Pennons and flags defaced and stained, 555 That blackening streaks of blood retained, And deer skins, dappled, dun and white, With otter's fur and seal's unite, In rude and uncouth tapestry all, To garnish forth the sylvan hall. XXVIII 560 The wondering 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 swayed, 565 "I never knew but one," he said, "Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield A blade like this in battle-field." She sighed, then smiled and took the word: "You see the guardian champion's sword; 570 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, But in the absent giant's hold 575 Are women now, and menials old.' XXIX The mistress of the mansion came, Mature of age, a graceful dame, Whose easy step and stately port [canto i] The Chase - Ji Had well become a princely court, To whom, though more than kindred knew, 5& Young Ellen gave a mother's due. Meet welcome to her guest she made, And every courteous rite was paid That hospitality could claim, Though all unasked his birth and name. sss Such then the reverence to a guest, That fellest foe might join the feast, And from his deadliest foeman's door Unquestioned turn, the banquet o'er. At length his rank the stranger names, 590 "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 fallen in such turmoil, 595 And he, God wot, was forced to stand Oft for his right with blade in hand. This morning with Lord Moray's train He chased a stalwart stag in vain, Outstripped his comrades, missed the deer, eoo Lost his good steed, and wandered here." XXX Fain would the Knight in turn require The name and state of Ellen's sire. Well showed the elder lady's mien That courts and cities she had seen ; eos Ellen, though more her looks displayed The simple grace of sylvan maid, In speech and gesture, form and face, J2 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] Showed she was come of gentle race. o 'T were 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, 5 Turned 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 ; o While viewless minstrels touch the string, Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing." She sung, and still a harp unseen Filled up the symphony between. XXXI SONG "Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, 5 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, o Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, Dream of fighting fields no more: Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, 5 Morn of toil, nor night of waking. "No rude sound shall reach thine ear Armor's clang, or war-steed champing, [canto i] The Chase 33 Trump nor pibroch summon here Mustering clan or squadron tramping. Yet the lark's shrill fife may come 640 At the daybreak 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, 645 Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, Shouting clans or squadrons stamping." XXXII She paused, — then, blushing, led the lay, To grace the stranger of the day. Her mellow notes awhile prolong ko The cadence of the flowing song, Till to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse spontaneous came. SONG CONTINUED "Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done; While our slumbrous spells assail ye, 055 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 eeo 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." era 34 The Lady of the Lake [canto i] xxxiii The hall was cleared, — the stranger's bed, Was there of mountain heather spread, Where oft a hundred guests had lain, And dreamed their forest sports again. 67o But vainly did the heath-flower shed Its moorland fragrance round his head ; Not Ellen's spell had lulled to rest The fever of his troubled breast. In broken dreams the image rose 675 Of varied perils, pains, and woes: His steed now flounders in the brake, Now sinks his barge upon the lake ; Now leader of a broken host, His standard falls, his honor's lost, eso Then, — from my couch may heavenly might Chase that worst phantom of the night ! — Again returned the scenes of youth, Of confident undoubting truth; Again his soul he interchanged ess With friends whose hearts were long estranged. They come, in dim procession led, The cold, the faithless, and the deaa; As warm each hand, each brow as gay, As if they parted yesterday. 690 And doubt distracts him at the view, — O were his senses false or true? Dreamed he of death or broken vow, Or is it all a vision now, xxxiv At length, with Ellen in a grove 695 He seemed to walk and speak of love; [canto i] The Chase 35 She listened with a blush 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, 7* 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. — i\ He woke, and, panting with affright, Recalled the vision of the night. The hearth's decaying brands were red, And deep and dusky luster shed, Half showing, half concealing, all 7 The uncouth trophies of the hall. Mid those the stranger fixed his eye Where that huge falchion hung on high, And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, Rushed, chasing countless thoughts along, 7 Until, the giddy whirl to cure, He rose and sought the moonshine pure. xxxv The wildrose, eglantine, and broom Wasted around their rich perfume; The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm; 7 The aspens slept beneath the calm ; The silver light, with quivering glance, Played on the water's still expanse, — Wild were the heart whose passion's sway Could rage beneath the sober ray ! 7 He felt its calm, that warrior guest 36 The Lady of the Lake {canto i] While thus he communed with his breast: — "Why is it, at each turn I trace , Some memory of that exiled race? 730 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 fevered dream, 735 But still the Douglas is the theme? Ill dream no more, — by manly mind Not even in sleep is will resigned. My midnight orisons said o'er, 111 turn to rest, and dream no more." 740 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, 745 And morning dawned on Benvenue. CANTO SECOND i At morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, All Nature's children feel the matin spring Of life reviving, with reviving day ; And while yon little bark glides down the bay, 750 Wafting the stranger on his way again, Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel gray, And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, Mixed with the sounding harp, O white-haired Allan-bane ! 11 SONG "Not faster yonder rowers' might 755 Flings from their oars the spray, Not faster yonder rippling bright, That tracks the shallop's course in light. Melts in the lake away, Than men from memory erase 7eo 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, 765 Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport ! Where beauty sees the brave resort, The honored meed be thine 1 [37] j8 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, 77o Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, And lost in love's and friendship's smile Be memory of the lonely isle. in SONG CONTINUED "But if beneath yon southern sky A plaided stranger roam, 775 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; 780 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, 785 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 smile, 790 To greet thee in the lonely isle." IV As died the sounds upon the tide, The shallop reached the mainland side, And ere his onward way he took, The stranger cast a lingering look, 795 Where easily his eye might reach [canto ii] The Island 39 The Harper on the islet beach, Reclined against a blighted tree, As wasted, gray, and worn as he. To minstrel meditation given, His reverend brow was raised to heaven, soo As from the rising sun to claim A sparkle of inspiring flame. His hand, reclined upon the wire, Seemed watching the awakening fire; So still he sat as those who wait 805 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. sio v Upon a rock with lichens wild, Beside him Ellen sat and smiled. — Smiled she to see the stately drake Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, While her vexed spaniel from the beach sis Bayed at the prize beyond his reach? Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows, Why deepened on her cheek the rose? — Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! Perchance the maiden smiled to see 820 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 825 And prize such conquest of her eye! 40 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] VI While yet he loitered on the spot, It seemed as Ellen marked him not ; But when he turned him to the glade, 830 One courteous parting sign she made ; 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, 835 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, 840 Watched 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, — 845 "Not so had Malcolm idly hung On the smooth phrase of Southern tongue ; Not so had Malcolm strained his eye Another step than thine to spy." — "Wake, Allan-bane," aloud she cried, 850 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 Graeme !" ess Scarce from her lip the word had rushed, When deep the conscious maiden blushed ; For of his clan, in hall and bower, Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower. [canto ii] The Island 41 VII The minstrel waked his harp,— three times Arose the well-known martial chimes, sec And thrice their high heroic pride In melancholy murmurs died. "Vainly thou bidst, O noble maid," Clasping his withered hands, he said, 1 'Vainly thou bidst me wake the strain, 865 Though all unwont to bid in vain. Alas! than mine a mightier hand Has tuned my harp, my strings has spanned! I touch the chords of joy, but low And mournful answer notes of woe ; s?o And the proud march which victors tread Sinks in the wailing for the dead. O, well for me, if mine alone That dirge's deep prophetic tone! If, as my tuneful fathers said, 875 This harp, which erst Saint Modan swayed, Can thus its master's fate foretell, Then welcome be the minstrel's knell! VIII "But ah! dear lady, thus it sighed, The eve thy sainted mother died ; sso 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, And, disobedient to my call, sss Wailed loud through Bothwell's bannered hall, Ere Douglases, to ruin driven, 42 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] Were exiled from their native heaven. — ! if yet worse mishap and woe 890 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; 895 One short, one final strain shall flow, Fraught with unutterable woe, Then shivered shall thy fragments lie, Thy master cast him down and die!" IX Soothing she answered him: ' 'Assuage, goo Mine honored 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, 90s 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; 910 Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. My sire, in native virtue great, Resigning lordship, lands, and state, Not then to fortune more resigned Than yonder oak might give the wind ; 915 The graceful foliage storms may reave, The noble stem they cannot grieve. For me" — she stooped, and, looking round. Plucked a blue harebell from the ground,— [canto ii] The Island 43 "For me, whose memory scarce conveys An image of more splendid days, 920 This little flower that loves the lea May well my simple emblem be ; It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose That in the King's own garden grows; And when I place it in my hair, 925 Allan, a bard is bound to swear He ne'er saw coronet so fair." Then playfully the chaplet wild She wreathed in her dark locks, and smiled. Her smile, her speech, with winning sway, 930 Wiled the old Harper's mood away. With such a look as hermits throw, When angels stoop to soothe their woe, He gazed, till fond regret and pride Thrilled to a tear, then thus replied : 935 ''Loveliest and best! thou little know'st The rank, the honors, thou hast lost! 0, might I live to see thee grace, In Scotland's court, thy birthright place, To see my favorite's step advance, 940 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!" 945 XI "Fair dreams are these," the maiden cried, — Light was her accent, yet she sighed, — 44 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] "Yet is this mossy rock to me Worth splendid chair and canopy; 950 Nor would my footstep spring more gay In courtly dance than blithe strathspey, Nor half so pleased mine ear incline To royal minstrel's lay as thine. And then for suitors proud and high, 955 To bend before my conquering eye, — Thou, flattering bard! thyself wilt say, That grim Sir Roderick owns its sway. The Saxon scourge, Clan-Alpine's pride, The terror of Loch Lomond's side, 960 Would, at my suit, thou know'st, delay A Lennox foray — for a day." — XII The ancient bard her glee repressed: "111 hast thou chosen theme for jest ! For who, through all this western wild, 965 Named Black Sir Roderick e'er, and smiled? In Holy-Rood a knight he slew; I saw, when back the dirk he drew, Courtiers give place before the stride Of the undaunted homicide; 97o And since, though outlawed, hath his hand Full sternly kept his mountain land. Who else dared give — ah! woe the day, That I such hated truth should say! — The Douglas, like a stricken deer, 975 Disowned by every noble peer, Even the rude refuge we have here? Alas, this wild marauding Chief [canto n] The Island 45 Alone might hazard our relief, And now thy maiden charms expand, Looks for his guerdon in thy hand ; oso Full soon may dispensation sought, To back his suit, from Rome be brought. Then, though an exile on the hill, Thy father, as the Douglas, still Be held in reverence and fear ; 985 And though to Roderick 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." — 990 XIII "Minstrel," the maid replied, and high Her father's soul glanced from her eye, "My debts to Roderick's house I know: All that a mother could bestow To Lady Margaret's care I owe, 995 Since first an orphan in the wild She sorrowed 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; 1000 And, could I pay it with my blood, Allan! Sir Roderick should command My blood, my life, — but i\ot my hand. Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell A votaress in Maronnan's cell; 1005 Rather through realms beyond the sea, Seeking the world's cold charity, i 4$ The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word, And ne'er the name of Douglas heard, — o An outcast pilgrim will she rove, Than wed the man she cannot love. XIV 'Thou shak'st, good friend, thy tresses gray,- That pleading look, what can it say But what I own? — I grant him brave, 1015 But wild as Bracklinn's thundering wave; 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; 1020 But O ! 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, 1025 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 honor, as his daughter ought ; 1030 But can I clasp it reeking red From peasants slaughtered in their shed? No! wildly while his virtues gleam, They make his passions darker seem, And flash along his spirit high, 1035 Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. While yet a child, — and children know, Instinctive taught, the friend and foe, — [canto ii] The Island 47 I shuddered at his brow of gloom, His shadowy plaid and sable plume; A maiden grown, I ill could bear 1040 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. 1045 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 1050 For Tine-man forged by fairy lore, What time he leagued, no longer foes, His Border spears with Hotspur's bows, Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshow The footstep of a secret foe. 1055 If courtly spy hath harbored here, What may we for the Douglas fear? What for this island, deemed of old Clan -Alpine's last and surest hold? If neither spy nor foe, I pray 1060 What yet may jealous Roderick say? — Nay, wave not thy disdainful head! Bethink thee of the discord dread That kindled when at Beltane game Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme ; loes Still, though thy sire the peace renewed, Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud : Beware! — But hark! what sounds are these? 48 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, o No weeping birch, nor aspens wake, Nor breath is dimpling in the lake ; Still is the canna's hoary beard, Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — And hark again ! some pipe of war 5 Sends the bold pibroch from afar." XVI Far up the lengthened lake were spied Four darkening specks upon the tide, That, slow enlarging on the view, Four manned and masted barges grew, o And, bearing downwards from Glengyle, Steered full upon the lonely isle; The point of Brianchoil they passed, And, to the windward as they cast, Against the sun they gave to shine 5 The bold Sir Roderick's bannered Pine. Nearer and nearer as they bear, Spears, pikes, and axes flash in air. Now might you see the tartans brave, And plaids and plumage dance and wave : d 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, 5 And mark the gaudy streamers flow From their loud chanters down, and sweep The furrowed bosom of the deep, As, rushing through the lake amain, They plied the ancient Highland strain. [canto n] The Island 49 XVII Ever, as on they bore, more loud 1100 And louder rung the pibroch proud. At first the sounds by distance tame, Mellowed along the waters came, And, lingering long by cape and bay, Wailed every harsher note away, 1105 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. Thick beat the rapid notes, as when mo The mustering hundreds shake the glen, And hurrying at the signal dread, The battered earth returns their tread. Then prelude light, of livelier tone, Expressed their merry marching on, 1115 Ere peal of closing battle rose, With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows; And mimic din of stroke and ward, As broadsword upon target jarred; And groaning pause, ere yet again, 1120 Condensed, the battle yelled amain: The rapid charge, the rallying shout, Retreat borne headlong into rout, And bursts of triumph, to declare Clan -Alpine's conquest — all were there. 1125 Nor ended thus the strain, but slow Sunk in a moan prolonged and low, And changed the conquering clarion swell For wild lament o'er those that fell. jo The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] xviii !o 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 is 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. 10 The chorus first could Allan know, " Roderick Vich Alpine, ho! iro!" And near, and nearer as they rowed, Distinct the martial ditty flowed. XIX BOAT SONG Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances! is Honored and blessed be the ever-green Pine! Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line! Heaven send it happy dew, Earth lend it sap anew, >o Gayly to bourgeon, and broadly to grow, While every Highland glen Sends our shout back again, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, 35 Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; [canto n] The Island 51 When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. Moored in the rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow ; neo Menteith and Breadalbane, then, Echo his praise again, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" xx Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin, And Bannochar's groans to our slogan replied; 1105 Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan -Alpine with fear and with woe ; 1170 Lennox and Leven-glen Shake w T hen 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 ! 1175 that the rosebud that graces yon islands, Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine! O that some seedling gem, Worthy such noble stem, Honored and blessed in their shadow might grow ! nso Loud should Clan-Alpine then Ring from her deepmost glen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" $2 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] xxi With all her joyful female band, U85 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; ii9o 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, lias And shun to wreathe a victor's brow?" Reluctantly and slow, the maid The unwelcome summoning obeyed, And, when a distant bugle rung, In the mid-path aside she sprung: — 1200 "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, 1205 She darted to her shallop light, And, eagerly while Roderick scanned, For her dear form, his mother's band, The islet far behind her lay, And she had landed in the bay. XXII mo Some feelings are to mortals given With less of earth in them than heaven ; And if there be a human tear [canto n] The Island 53 From passion's dross refined and clear, A tear so limpid and so meek It would not stain an angel's cheek, 1215 'T is that which pious fathers shed Upon a duteous daughter's head! And as the Douglas to his breast His darling Ellen closely pressed, Such holy drops her tresses steeped, 1220 Though 't was an hero's eye that weeped. Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue Her filial welcomes crowded hung, Marked she, that fear — affection's proof — Still held a graceful youth aloof; 1225 No! not till Douglas named his name, Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. XXIII Allan, with wistful look the while, Marked Roderick landing on the isle ; His master piteously he eyed, 1230 Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride, Then dashed with hasty hand away From his dimmed eye the gathering spray ; And Douglas, as his hand he laid On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said: 1235 "Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy In my poor follower's glistening eye? I'll tell thee: — he recalls the day When in my praise he led the lay O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud, 1240 While many a minstrel answered loud, When Percy's Norman pennon, won 54 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] In bloody field, before me shone, And twice ten knights, the least a name 1245 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 marshalled crowd, Though the waned crescent owned my might, 1250 And in my train trooped lord and knight, Though Blantyre hymned 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, 1255 A welcome give more kind and true Than aught my better fortunes knew. Forgive, my friend, a father's boast — O, it out -beggars all I lost!" XXIV Delightful praise! — like summer rose, 1260 That brighter in the dew drop glows, The bashful maiden's cheek appeared, For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard. The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide; 1265 The loved caresses of the maid The dogs with crouch and whimper paid ; And, at her whistle, on her hand The falcon took his favorite stand, Closed his dark wing, relaxed his eye, 1270 Nor, though unhooded, sought to fly. And, trust, while in such guise she stood, Like fabled Goddess of the wood, [canto n] The Island 55 That if a father's partial thought O'erweighed her worth and beauty aught, Well might the lover's judgment fail 1275 To balance with a juster scale; For with each secret glance he stole, The fond enthusiast sent his soul. xxv Of stature fair, and slender frame, But firmly knit, was Malcolm Graeme. 1280 The belted plaid and tartan hose Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose; His flaxen hair, of sunny hue, Curled closely round his bonnet blue. Trained to the chase, his eagle eye 1285 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, 1290 And scarce that doe, though winged with fear, Outstripped in speed the mountaineer: Right up Ben Lomond could he press, And not a sob his toil confess. His form accorded with a mind 1295 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 played the feather on his crest. 1300 Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth, His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth, fj6 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] And bards, who saw his features bold When kindled by the tales of old, i30o Said, were that youth to manhood grown, Not long should Rhoderick Dhu's renown Be foremost voiced by mountain fame, But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. XXVI Now back they wend their watery way, mo And, "O 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, 1315 'Tis mimicry of noble war; And with that gallant pastime reft Were all of Douglas I have left. I met young Malcolm as I strayed Far eastward, in Glenfinlas' shade; 1320 Nor strayed I safe, for all around Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground. This youth, though still a royal ward, Risked life and land to be my guard, And through the passes of the wood 1325 Guided my steps, not unpursued; And Roderick shall his welcome make, Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. Then must he seek Strath-Endrick glen, Nor peril aught for me again." XXVII 1330 Sir Roderick, who to meet them came, Reddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme, [canto n] The Island 57 Yet, not in action, word, or eye, Failed aught in hospitality. In talk and sport they whiled away The morning of that summer day; 1335 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 seemed toiling in his head ; 1340 Yet was the evening banquet made Ere he assembled round the flame His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, And Ellen,, too; then cast around His eyes, then fixed them on the ground, 1345 As studying phrase that might avail Best to convey unpleasant tale. Long with his dagger's hilt he played, Then raised his haughty brow, and said: — XXVIII "Short be my speech: — nor time affords, 1350 Nor my plain temper, glozing words. Kinsman and father, — if such name Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim; Mine honored mother; — Ellen — why, My cousin, turn away thine eye? — 1355 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 1360 Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, j8 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who came To share their monarch's sylvan game, Themselves in bloody toils were snared, 1365 And when the banquet they prepared, And wide their loyal portals flung, O'er their own gateway struggling hung. Loud cries their blood from Meggatt's mead, From Yarrow braes and banks of Tweed, mo 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, 1375 So faithless and so ruthless known, Now hither comes; his end the same, The same pretext of sylvan game. What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye By fate of Border chivalry. i3so 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 1385 Sought comfort in each other's eye. Then turned their ghastly look, each one, This to her sire, that to her son. The hasty color went and came In the bold cheek of Malcolm Graeme, i39o But from his glance it well appeared 'T was but for Ellen that he feared ; [canto ii] The Island 59 While, sorrowful, but undismayed, The Douglas thus his counsel said: " Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, It may but thunder and pass o'er; 13*5 Nor will I here remain an hour, To draw the lightning on thy bower; For well thou know'st, at this gray head, The royal bolt were fiercest sped. For thee, who, at thy King's command, moo 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 mos The refuge of some forest cell, There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, Till on the mountain and the moor The stern pursuit be passed and o'er." XXX "No, by mine honor," Roderick said, 1410 "So help me Heaven, and my good blade! No, never! Blasted be yon Pine, My father's ancient crest and mine, If from its shade in danger part The lineage of the Bleeding Heart! 1415 Hear my blunt speech : grant me this maid To wife, thy counsel to mine aid ; To Douglas, leagued with Roderick Dhu, Will friends and allies flock enow; Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief, 1420 Will bind us to each Western Chief. 60 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] When the loud pipes my bridal tell, The Links of Forth shall hear the knell, The guards shall start in Stirling's porch; 1425 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; i43o I meant not all my heat 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, 1435 Till the foiled King from pathless glen, Shall bootless turn him home again." XXXI There are who have, at midnight hour, In slumber scaled a dizzy tower, And, on the verge that beetled o'er 1440 The ocean tide's incessant roar, Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream, Till wakened by the morning beam ; When, dazzled by the eastern glow, Such startler cast his glance below, 1445 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, 1450 Did he not desperate impulse feel, Headlong to plunge himself below, [canto n] The Island 61 And meet the worst his fears foreshow? — Thus, Ellen, dizzy and astound, As sudden ruin yawned around, By crossing terrors wildly tossed, 1455 Still for the Douglas fearing most, Could scarce the desperate thought withstand, To buy his safety with her hand. XXXII Such purpose dread could Malcom spy In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, \m And eager rose to speak, — but ere His tongue could hurry forth his fear, Had Douglas marked the hectic strife, Where death seemed combating with life; For to her cheek, in feverish flood, im One instant rushed the throbbing blood, Then ebbing back, with sudden sway, Left its domain as wan as clay. " Roderick, enough! enough!" he cried, "My daughter cannot be thy bride; 1470 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 1475 Will level a rebellious spear. 'T was 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; uso I love him still, despite my wrongs 62 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] By hasty wrath and slanderous tongues. O, seek the grace you well may find, Without a cause to mine combined!" xxxm 1485 Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode; The waving of his tartans broad, And darkened brow, where wounded pride With ire and disappointment vied, Seemed, by the torch's gloomy light, 1490 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 envenomed smart, 1495 And Roderick, with thine anguish stung, At length the hand of Douglas wrung, While eyes that mocked at tears before, With bitter drops were running o'er. The death-pangs of long-cherished hope i5oo Scarce in that ample breast had scope, But, struggling with his spirit proud, Convulsive heaved its checkered shroud, While every sob — so mute were all — Was heard distinctly through the hall. 1505 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 Roderick from the Douglas broke — mo As flashes flame through sable smoke, [canto n] The Island 63 Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low, To one broad blaze of ruddy glow, So the deep anguish of despair Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. With stalwart grasp his hand he laid 1515 On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid : "Back, beardless boy!" he sternly said, "Back, minion! holdst thou thus at naught The lesson I so lately taught? This roof, the Douglas, and that maid, 1520 Thank thou for punishment delayed." Eager as greyhound on his game, Fiercely with Roderick grappled Graeme. "Perish my name, if aught afford Its Chieftain safety save his sword!" 1525 Thus as they strove their desperate hand 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! 1530 I hold the first who strikes my foe. — Madmen, forbear your frantic jar! What! is the Douglas fallen so far, His daughter's hand is deemed the spoil Of such dishonorable broil?" 1535 Sullen and slowly they unclasp, As struck with shame, their desperate grasp, And each upon his rival glared, With foot advanced, and blade half bared. 64 The Lady of the Lake [canto ii] xxxv 1540 Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream, As faltered through terrific dream. Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword, 1545 And veiled his wrath in scornful word : "Rest safe till morning; pity 'twere Such cheek should feel the midnight air! Then mayst thou to James Stuart tell, Roderick will keep the lake and fell, 1550 Nor lackey with his freeborn clan, The pageant pomp of earthly man. More would he of Clan -Alpine know, Thou canst our strength and passes show. — Malise, what ho!" — his henchman came: 1555 "Give our safe-conduct to the Graeme." Young Malcolm answered, calm and bold: "Fear nothing for thy favorite hold; The spot an angel deigned to grace Is blessed, though robbers haunt the place. 1560 Thy churlish courtesy for those Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. As safe to me the mountain way At midnight as in blaze of day, Though with his boldest at his back 1565 Even Roderick Dhu beset the track. — Brave Douglas, — lovely Ellen, — nay, Naught here of parting will I say. Earth does not hold a lonesome glen So secret, but we meet again. — 1570 Chieftain! we too shall find an hour," — He said, and left the sylvan bower. [canto ii] The Island 65 xxxvi Old Allan followed to the strand — Such was the Douglas's command — And anxious told, how, on the morn, The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn, 1575 The Fiery Cross should circle o'er Dale, glen, and valley, down and moor. Much were the peril to the Graeme From those who to the signal came ; Far up the lake 't were safest land, 1580 Himself would row him to the strand. He gave his counsel to the wind, While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind, Round dirk and pouch and broadsword rolled, His ample plaid in tightened fold, isss And stripped his limbs to such array As best might suit the watery way, — XXXVII Then spoke abrupt: "Farewell to thee, Pattern of old fidelity!" The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed, — 1590 "0, 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. 1595 Yet, if there be one faithful Graeme Who loves the chieftain of his name, Not long shall honored Douglas dwell, Like hunted stag in mountain cell ; Nor, ere yon pride-swollen robber dare, — ieoo 66 The Lady of the Lake [canto nj I may not give the rest to air! Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him naught, Not the poor service of a boat, To waft me to yon mountain-side." 1605 Then plunged he in the flashing tide. Bold o'er the flood his head he bore, And stoutly steered him from the shore; And Allan strained his anxious eye, Far mid the lake his form to spy, leio Darkening across each puny wave, To which the moon her silver gave. Fast as the cormorant could skim, The swimmer plied each active limb ; Then landing in the moonlight dell, wis Loud shouted of his weal to tell. The Minstrel heard the far halloo, And joyful from the shore withdrew. CANTO THIRD i Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore, Who danced our infancy upon their knee, And told our marvelling boyhood legends store 1620 Of their strange ventures happed by land or sea, How are they blotted from the things that be ! How few, all weak and withered of their force, Wait on the verge of dark eternity, Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, 1625 To sweep them from our sight ! Time rolls his ceaseless course. Yet live there still who can remember well, How, when a mountain chief his bugle blew, Both field and forest, dingle, cliff, and dell, And solitary heath, the signal knew; 1630 And fast the faithful clan around him drew, What time the warning note was keenly wound, What time aloft their kindred banner flew, While clamorous war-pipes yelled the gathering sound, And while the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, round. 1635 11 The Summer dawn's reflected hue To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; Mildly and soft the western breeze Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, [67] 68 The Lady of the Lake [canto hi] i64o And the pleased lake, like maiden coy, Trembled but dimpled not for joy: The mountain-shadows on her breast Were neither broken nor at rest ; In bright uncertainty they lie, 1645 Like future joys to Fancy's eye. The water lily to the light Her chalice reared of silver bright; The doe awoke, and to the lawn, Begemmed with dewdrops, led her fawn ; i65o The gray mist left the mountain-side, The torrent showed its glistening pride; Invisible in necked sky The lark sent down her revelry; The blackbird and the speckled thrush 1655 Good-morrow gave from brake and bush ; In answer cooed the cushat dove Her notes of peace and rest and love. in No thought of peace, no thought of rest, Assuaged the storm in Roderick's breast. i66o With sheathed broadsword in his hand, Abrupt he paced the islet strand, And eyed the rising sun, and laid His hand on his impatient blade. Beneath a rock, his vassals' care lees Was prompt the ritual to prepare, With deep and deathful meaning fraught; For such Antiquity had taught Was preface meet, ere yet abroad The Cross of Fire should take its road. [canto hi] The Gathering 69 The shrinking band stood oft aghast 1070 At the impatient glance he cast; — Such glance the mountain eagle threw, As, from the cliffs of Ben venue, She spread her dark sails on the wind, And, high in middle heaven reclined, ie?5 With her broad shadow on the lake, Silenced the warblers of the brake. IV A heap of withered boughs was piled, Of juniper and rowan wild, Mingled with shivers from the oak, ieso Rent by the lightning's recent stroke. Brian the Hermit by it stood, Barefooted, in his frock and hood. His grizzled beard and matted hair Obscured a visage of despair; im His naked arms and legs, seamed o'er, The scars of frantic penance bore. That monk, of savage form and face, The impending danger of his race Had drawn from deepest solitude, mo Far in Benharrow's bosom rude. Not his the mien of Christian priest, But Druid's, from the grave released, Whose hardened heart and eye might brook On human sacrifice to look; 16&5 And much, 'twas said, of heathen lore Mixed in the charms he muttered o'er. The hallowed creed gave only worse And deadlier emphasis of curse. 70 The Lady of the Lake [canto hi] 1700 No peasant sought that Hermit's prayer, His cave the pilgrim shunned with care ; The eager huntsman knew. his bound, And in mid chase called off his hound ; Or if, in lonely glen or strath, 1705 The desert-dweller met his path, He prayed, and signed the cross between, While terror took devotion's mien. Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. His mother watched a midnight fold, mo Built deep within a dreary glen, Where scattered lay the bones of men In some forgotten battle slain, And bleached by drifting wind and rain. It might have tamed a warrior's heart ni5 To view such mockery of his art! The knot-grass fettered there the hand Which once could burst an iron band; Beneath the broad and ample bone, That bucklered heart to fear unknown, 1720 A feeble and a timorous guest, The field-fare framed her lowly nest ; There the slow blind-worm left his slime On the fleet limbs that mocked at time ; And there, too, lay the leader's skull, 1725 Still wreathed with chaplet, flushed and full, For heath-bell with her purple bloom Supplied the bonnet and the plume. All night, in this sad glen, the maid Sat, shrouded in her mantle's shade: [canto in] The Gathering 71 She said no shepherd sought her side, 1730 No hunter's hand her snood untied, Yet ne'er again to braid her hair The virgin snood did Alice wear ; Gone was her maiden glee and sport, Her maiden girdle all too short, 1735 Nor sought she, from that fatal night, Or holy church or blessed rite, But locked her secret in her breast, And died in travail, unconfessed. VI Alone, among his young compeers, 1740 Was Brian from his infant years; A moody and heart-broken boy, Estranged from sympathy and joy, Bearing each taunt which careless tongue On his mysterious lineage flung. 1745 Whole nights he spent by moonlight pale, To wood and stream his hap to wail, Till, frantic he as truth received What of his birth the crowd believed, And sought, in mist and meteor fire, 1750 To meet and know his Phantom Sire! In vain, to soothe his wayward fate, The cloister oped her pitying gate; In vain the learning of the age Unclasped the sable-lettered page; 1755 Even in its treasures he could find Food for the fever of his mind. Eager he read whatever tells Of magic, cabala, and spells, J2 The Lady of the Lake [canto hi] «6o And every dark pursuit allied To curious and presumptuous pride; Till with fired brain and nerves o'erstrung, And heart with mystic horrors wrung, Desperate he sought Benharrow's den, 1765 And hid him from the haunts of men. VII The desert gave him visions wild, Such as might suit the spectre's child. Where with black cliffs the torrents toil, He watched the wheeling eddies boil, 1770 Till, from their foam his dazzled eyes Beheld the River Demon rise : The mountain mist took form and limb Of noontide hag or goblin grim; The midnight wind came wild and dread, 1775 Swelled with the voices of the dead ; Far on the future battle-heath His eye beheld the ranks of death : Thus the lone Seer, from mankind hurled, Shaped forth a disembodied world. mo One lingering sympathy of mind Still bound him to the mortal kind ; The only parent he could claim Of ancient Alpine's lineage came. Late had he heard, in prophet's dream, 1785 The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream; Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast Of charging steeds, careering fast Along Benharrow's shingly side, Where mortal horseman ne'er might ride; [canto in] The Gathering 73 The thunderbolt had split the pine, — 179a All augured ill to Alpine's line. He girt his loins, and came to show The signals of impending woe, And now stood prompt to bless or ban, As bade the Chieftain of his clan. 1795 VIII 'Twas all prepared ; — and from the rock A goat, the patriarch of the flock, Before the kindling pile was laid, And pierced by Roderick's ready blade. Patient the sickening victim eyed isoo The life-blood ebb in crimson tide Down his clogged beard and shaggy limb, Till darkness glazed his eyeballs dim. The grisly priest, with murmuring prayer, A slender crosslet formed with care, isos A cubit's length in measure due; The shaft and limbs were rods of yew, Whose parents in Inch-Cailliach wave Their shadows o'er Clan-Alpine's grave, And answering Lomond's breezes deep, mo Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep. The Cross thus formed he held on high, With wasted hand, and haggard eye, And strange and mingled feelings woke, While his anathema he spoke : — 1815 IX "Woe to the clansman, who shall view This symbol of sepulchral yew, * Forgetful that its branches grew 74 The Lady of the Lake [canto hi] Where weep the heavens their holiest dew 1820 On Alpine's dwelling low! Deserter of his Chieftain's trust, He ne'er shall mingle with their dust, But, from his sires and kindred thrust, Each clansman's execration just 1825 Shall doom him wrath and woe." He paused; — the word the vassals took, With forward step and fiery look, On high their naked brands they shook, Their clattering targets wildly strook; i83o And first in murmur low, Then, like the billow in his course? That far to seaward finds his source, And flings to shore his mustered force, Burst with loud roar their answer hoarse, 1835 "Woe to the traitor, woe!" Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew, The joyous wolf from covert drew, The exulting eagle screamed afar, — They knew the voice of Alpine's war. i84o The shout was hushed on lake and fell, The monk resumed his muttered spell : Dismal and low its accents came, The while he scathed the. Cross with flame; And the few words that reached the air, 1845 Although the holiest name was there, Had more of blasphemy than prayer. But when he shook above the crowd Its kindled points, he spoke aloud : — [canto hi] The Gathering 75 "Woe to the wretch who fails to rear At this dread sign the ready spear! isso For, as the flames this symbol sear, His home, the refuge of his fear, A kindred fate shall know ; Far o'er its roof the volumed flame Clan -Alpine's vengeance shall proclaim, 1355 While maids and matrons on his name Shall call down wretchedness and shame, And infamy and woe." Then rose the cry of females, shrill As goshawk's whistle on the hill, i860 Denouncing misery and ill, Mingled with childhood's babbling trill Of curses stammered slow; Answering with imprecation dread, "Sunk be his home in embers red! wes And cursed be the meanest shed That e'er shall hide the houseless head We doom to want and woe!" A sharp and shrieking echo gave, Coir-Uriskin, thy goblin cave! 1870 And the gray pass where birches wave On Beala-nam-bo. XI Then deeper paused the priest anew, And hard his laboring breath he drew, While, with set teeth and clenched hand, 1875 And eyes that glowed like fiery brand, He meditated curse more dread, And deadlier, on the clansman's head 76 The Lady of the Lake [canto hi] Who, summoned to his chieftain's aid, i88o The signal saw and disobeyed. The crosslet's points of sparkling wood He quenched among the bubbling blood, And, as again the sign he reared, Hollow and hoarse his voice was heard : 1885 "When flits this Cross from man to man, Vich-Alpine's summons to his clan, Burst be the ear that fails to heed ! Palsied the foot that shuns to speed! May ravens tear the careless eyes, 18% Wolves make the coward heart their prize ! As sinks that blood-stream in the earth, So may his heart's blood drench his hearth! As dies in hissing gore the spark, Quench thou his light, Destruction dark! 1895 And be the grace to him denied, Bought by this sign to all beside!" He ceased; no echo gave again The murmur of the deep Amen. XII Then Roderick with impatient look 1900 From Brian's hand the symbol took: "Speed, Malise, speed!" he said, and gave The crosslet to his henchman brave. "The muster-place be Lanrick mead — Instant the time — speed, Malise, speed!" 1903 Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue, A barge across Loch Katrine flew : High stood the henchman on the prow ; So rapidly the barge-men row, [canto in] The Gathering 77 The bubbles, where they launched the boat, Were all unbroken and afloat, 1 Dancing in foam and ripple still, When it had neared the mainland hill; And from the silver beach's side Still was the prow three fathom wide, When lightly bounded to the land 1 The messenger of blood and brand. XIII Speed, Malise, speed! the dun deer's hide On fleeter foot was never tied. Speed, Malise, speed! such cause of haste Thine active sinews never braced. 1 Bend 'gainst the steepy hill thy breast, Burst down like torrent from its crest; With short and springing footstep pass The trembling bog and false morass ; Across the brook like roebuck bound, 1 And thread the brake like questing hound ; The crag is high, the scaur is deep, Yet shrink not from the desperate leap : Parched are thy burning lips and brow, Yet by the fountain pause not now ■ u Herald of battle, fate, and fear, Stretch onward in thy fleet career! The wounded hind thou track 'st not now, Pursuest not maid through greenwood bough, Nor pliest thou now thy flying pace u With rivals in the mountain race; But danger, death, and warrior deed Are in thy course — speed, Malise, speed! 7* t m V-—V- \n\\ \ ftth*M vpt=$ Ro-der-igh Vich Al-pine dhu ho! i - e- roe. Si: t t 1 . ft ?s£ ^ p 226 The Lady of the Lake 1 1 55. Beltane. See 1064 above. 1 160. On pronoun him see I, 142 above. 1 161. Menteith and Breadalbane. Breadalbane is a large district north of Loch Lomond and around Loch Tay. For Menteith see I, 89 above. 1 1 64-1 166. Glen Fruin, Bannochar, etc. Valleys bordering upon Loch Lomond. 1 167. And the best of Loch Lomond, etc. The Lennox, as the district is called which encircles the lower extremity of Loch Lomond, was peculiarly exposed to the incursions of the mountaineers, who inhabited the inaccessible fastnesses at the upper end of the lake and the neighboring district of Loch Katrine. These were often marked by circumstances of great ferocity. (Scott.) 1 1 76. The rosebud. Ellen, of course. The song was in keeping with the desire and purpose of the chief. 122 1. Weeped. A poetic license for the sake of the rhyme. 1240. Arched gate of Bothwell. See note on 886 above. 1242. Percy's Norman pennon. Captured in a raid (1388) which was celebrated later in the ballad of Chevy Chase. 1249. Though the waned crescent. Probably a reference to the defeat of Sir Walter Scott of Buc- cleuch by the Douglas, when he attempted to release the king. See p. 191 of the biography of Scott. The shield of "Auld Wat" bore a crescent moon and his defeat is referred to as the waned crescent. 1 25 1. Blantyre. An old priory or abbey opposite Bothwell Castle. 1258. Out-beggars. Greatly excels in value. 1270. Unhooded. The falcon was carried on the wrist, its head being covered. When the covering was removed, it usually took immediate flight in pursuit of prey. Notes 227 1 271. Trust. Believe me, or be assured. 1272. Fabled Goddess. Diana. 1280. Malcolm Graeme. See note on 854 above, and compare this description of a noble youth of the celebrated Graham family with that of Roderick Dhu given by Ellen in xiv above. 1286. Ptarmigan. The winter plumage of the ptarmigan was chiefly pure white. 1293. Ben Lomond. 3,192 feet in height. It was six miles from base to summit, part of the ascent being exceedingly steep and laborious. 13 1 2. And why. The unfinished question sug- gests some anxiety as to the welcome which Roderick would extend to Malcolm. See 1326 below. 1319. Glenfinlas' shade. A wooded valley, the entrance to which is between Lochs Achray and Vennachar. See map. 1322. A royal ward, etc. As ward of the king and under his guardianship, Malcolm's aid to Doug- las would be deemed traitorous. 1328. Strath-Endrick glen. A low valley south- east of Loch Lomond and drained by Endrick water, which flows into Loch Lomond. 1365-1367. And when the banquet they prepared. See Introduction, p. 188, 189. 1368. Meggat. A mountain stream tributary to the Yarrow which empties into the Ettrick, which in turn flows into the Tweed. The Teviot also flows into the Tweed. 1383. Your counsel. That is, give me your counsel in the emergency which I show. 1404. The Bleeding Heart. See note on 945 above. 14 1 9. Allies. Does the dictionary justify the pronunciation which the meter calls for? 1423. The Links of Forth. The windings of the river. 228 The Lady of the Lake 1424. Stirling's porch. Stirling Castle, the royal residence, situated below the junction of the Teith and the Forth. See Introduction, p. 187. 1426-1427. Would such a threat tend to win Ellen's love? Note following line in comparison with lines 1020-102 1. 1430. My heat might say. Though the edition 1834 has "my heart, " the reading of the edition of 1 82 1 has been restored. What Roderick had just said of burning villages to celebrate his marriage was not calculated to win Ellen and his mother had so indicated to him by signs, therefore this clumsy attempt to ' ' take it back. ' ' 1447. Battled fence. A wall provided with battle- ments or openings from which to discharge missiles. 1 5 19. So lately taught. Probably a reference to the discord kindled at the Beltane game. See 1063- 1065 above. 1547. Such cheek should feel the midnight air. Scott adds an interesting note: "Hardihood was in every respect so essential to the character of a Highlander, that the reproach of effeminacy was the most bitter that could be thrown upon him. Yet it was sometimes hazarded on what we might presume 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 hunting or military expedition. He wrapped him in his plaid, and lay contentedly down on the snow, with which the ground happened to be covered. Among his attendants, who were preparing to v take their rest in the same manner, he observed that one of his grandsons, for his better accommodation, had rolled a large snowball, and placed it below his head. The wrath of the ancient chief was awakened by a symp- tom 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?'" Notes 22Q 1554. Henchman. This officer is a sort of secretary and. is to be ready on all occasions to venture his life in defense of his master; and at drinking-bouts he stands behind his seat, at his haunch, from which his title is derived, and watches the conversation to see if any one offends his patron. (Scott.) 1576. Fiery Cross. See Canto III, line 1635. CANTO THIRD 1632. What time. At the time when. 1635. Fiery Cross. When a chieftain designed to summon his clan, upon any sudden or important emergency, he slew a goat, and making a cross of any light wood, seared its extremities in the fire, and extinguished them in the blood of the animal. This was called the Fiery Cross, also Cream Tarigh, or the Cross of Shame, because disobedience to what the symbol implied inferred infamy. It was delivered to a swift and trusty messenger, who ran full speed with it to the next hamlet, where he presented it to the principal person, with a single word, imply- ing the place of rendezvous. He who received the symbol was bound to send it forward, with equal dispatch, to the next village; and thus it passed with incredible celerity through all the district which owed allegiance to the chief, and also among his allies and neighbors, if the danger was common to them. At sight of the Fiery Cross, every man, from sixteen years old to sixty, capable of bearing arms, was obliged instantly to repair, in his best arms and accoutrements, to the place of rendezvous. He who failed to appear, suffered the extremities of fire and sword, which were emblematically denounced to the disobedient by the bloody and burnt marks upon this warlike signal. During the civil war of 1745-6, the Fiery Cross often made its circuit; and upon one occasion it passed through the whole district of Breadalbane, a tract of thirty-two miles, in three hours. (Scott.) 230 The Lady of the Lake 1656. Cushat. Ringdove or wood pigeon. 1679. Rowan wild. The mountain ash. Twigs from the rowan tree were supposed to possess a peculiar charm in warding off evil. 1688. That monk, etc. The state of religion in the middle ages afforded considerable facilities for those whose mode of life excluded them from regular worship, to secure, nevertheless, the ghostly assist- ance of confessors, perfectly willing to adapt the nature of their doctrine to the necessities and peculiar circumstances of their flock. Robin Hood, it is well known, had his celebrated domestic chaplain, Friar Tuck. (Scott.) 1690. Had drawn, etc. That is, by prophetic vision. See 1 784-1 791 below. 1 69 1. Benharrow. A mountain near the head of Loch Lomond. 1693. But Druid's, from the grave released. As if Brian were one of the ancient Druids, priests of the early Celtic inhabitants of Gaul and Britain. In the following description of Brian's birth and his mystic rites, Scott has drawn upon numerous super- stitions and customs of Scottish Highland life. 1698. The hallowed creed, etc. The Christian creed. See 1843-1846 below. Christ's name mingled with the pagan rites only added emphasis to the curse. 1704. Strath. The broad valley of a river, in con- trast with the glen or narrow valley of a stream. 1708. Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. The legend which follows Scott took from geographical collections made by the Laird of MacFarlane. In Greek mythology, Fate and black Destiny and Death, the offsprings of Night, have no father. Merlin, the prophet who figures in English and Scottish mythol- ogy, had also a mysterious origin. 1 7 19. Bucklered. Shielded or protected. The buckler was a small round shield worn on the left arm. Notes 231 1731. Snood. See I, 363. 1750. Meteor fire. That is, by observing the meteors or shooting stars. 1755. Sable-lettered page. Old books in " black- letter, ' ' the heavy-faced type used in early prints. 1759. Cabala. Mysteries. See dictionary for origin. 1 771. River Demon. The River Demon, or River- horse, for it is that form which he commonly assumes, is the Kelpy of the Lowlands, an evil and malicious spirit, delighting to forebode and to witness calamity. He frequents most Highland lakes and rivers; and one of his most memorable exploits was performed upon the banks of Loch Vennachar, in the very district which forms the scene of our action; it con- sisted in the destruction of a funeral procession, with all its attendants. (Scott.) 1785. The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream. Most great families in the Highlands were supposed to have a tutelar, or rather a domestic, spirit attached to them, who took an interest in their prosperity, and intimated, by its wailings, any approaching disaster. . . . The Ben-Shie implies the female fairy whose lamentations were often supposed to precede the death of a chieftain of particular families. When she is visible, it is in the form of an old woman, with a blue mantle and streaming hair. A superstition of the same kind is, I believe, universally received by the inferior ranks of the native Irish. (Scott.) 1786. Sounds , too, had come. A presage of the kind alluded to in the text, is still believed to announce death to the ancient Highland family of MacLean of Lochbuy. The spirit of an ancestor slain in battle is heard to gallop along a stony bank, and then to ride thrice around the family residence, ringing his fairy bridle, and thus intimating the approaching calamity. How easily the eye as well as the ear may be deceived upon such occasions, is evident from 232 The Lady of the Lake the stories of armies in the air, and other spectral phenomena with which history abounds. (Scott.) 1808. Inch-Cailliach. The Isle of Nuns, or of Old Women, is a most beautiful island at the lower ex- tremity of Loch Lomond The burial ground con- tinues to be used, and contains the family places of sepulture of several neighboring clans. The monu- ments of the lairds of MacGregor and of other families, claiming a descent from the old Scottish King Alpine, are most remarkable. (Scott.) 1 816. Woe to the clansman, etc. To realize the effectiveness of the curse in this graphic and vigorous stanza, try to imagine the scene and then read the stanza aloud. 1846. Had more of blasphemy than prayer. See 1696-1699 above. 1862. Mingled with childhood's babbling thrill, etc. "The whole of this stanza is very impressive; the mingling of the children's curses is the climax of horror. Note the meaning of the triple curse: The cross is of ancestral yew — the defaulter is cut off from communion with his clan; it is seared in the fire — the fire shall destroy his dwelling ; it is dipped in blood — his heart's blood is to be shed." (Taylor.) 1870. Coir-Uriskin, or Coir-nan-Uriskin C'corry or den of the wild men"). A steep and romantic hollow in the mountain of Benvenue overhanging the southeastern extremity of Loch Katrine. Accord- ing to tradition the Urisk had a figure between a goat and a man, similar to the Grecian Satyr. For full description of the grotto, see stanza xxvi below. 1872. Beala-nam-bo. Beala-nam-bo, or the pass of the cattle, is a most magnificent glade, overhung with aged birch trees, a little higher up the mountain than the Coir-nan-Uriskin. (Scott.) 1903. Lanrick mead. A meadow at the north- eastern end of Loch Vennachar. Notes 233 1 9 1 7 . The dun deer } s hide. The ancient buskin was . . . made of undressed deer's hide, with the hair out- wards — a circumstance which procured the Highland- ers the well-known epithet of Red-shanks. (Scott.) 1927. Scaur. Cliff or precipice . 1959. Alas, thou lovely lake! Note Scott's fine sympathy with the serenity of Nature. 1961. The rocks . . . .sleep, etc. Is this clause gram- matically dependent or independent? 1971. Duncraggan's huts. A homestead near the Brigg of Turk, between Lochs Achray and Ven- nachar. 1 99 1 . Coronach. The coronach of the Highlanders . . . was a wild expression of lamentation, poured forth by the mourners over the body of a departed friend. When the words of it were articulate, they expressed the praises of the deceased, and the loss the clan would sustain by his death. (Scott.) 2008. Correi. A hollow in the side of a hill, where game usually lies. 2009. Cumber. Trouble, perplexity. 2016. Stumah. Faithful; the name of a dog. (Scott.) 2061. Hest. Poetical for behest; bidding. 2075. Strath-Ire. A valley on the east of Ben- ledi and connecting Lochs Voil and Lubnaig. About a half mile from the southern end of Loch Lubnaig is the Chapel of St. Bride, situated on the river Leny, a branch of the Teith ("Teith's young waters"). Scott says: "The first stage of the Fiery Cross is to Duncraggan, a place near the Brigg of Turk, where a short stream divides Loch Achray from Loch Vennachar. From thence, it passes toward Callander, and then, turning to the left up the pass of Leny, is consigned to Norman at the chapel of St. Bride, which stood on a small and romantic knoll in the middle of the valley, called Strath-Ire. Tombea and Armandave, or Ardmandave, are names 234 The Lady of the Lake of places in the vicinity. The alarm is then supposed to pass along the lake of Lubnaig, and through the various glens in the district of Balquidder, including the neighboring tracts of Glenfinlas and Strath- Gartney.' , 2087. Sympathetic eye. That is, the eye reeled in sympathy with the dizzily dancing waves. 2107. Coif-clad. See on I, 363. 21 17. Kercheif. Same as curch or coif, a covering for the head. 2163. Brae. The brow or slope of a hill. 2168. Bracken. The large fern of temperate regions. 2192. Balquidder. The braes of Balquidder ex- tend along the north side of Lake Voil. The village at the east end of the lake is the burial place of Rob Roy and his wife Helen. Scott says: "The heath on the Scottish moorlands is often set fire to, that the sheep may have the advantage of the young herbage produced, in the room of the tough old heather plants. This custom (execrated by sports- men) produces occasionally the most beautiful nocturnal appearances, similar almost to the discharge of a volcano. ' ' 2199. Coil. Confusion or tumult. 2201. Loch Doine. A small lake forming almost a continuous sheet of water with Loch Voil, and emptying into Loch Lubnaig by the Balvaig River. The scene is noted for its air of solitude. 2204. Strath-Gartney. North side of the basin of Loch Katrine. 2205. Each man might claim. Poetic omission of the relative. 2221 ... No oath but by his chieftain 's hand. The deep and implicit respect paid by the Highland clansmen to their chief, rendered this both a common and a solemn oath. In other respects, they were like most savage nations, capricious in their ideas concerning the obligatory power of oaths. One Notes 235 solemn mode of swearing was by kissing the dirk, imprecating upon themselves death by that or a similar weapon, if they broke their vow. But for oaths in the usual form, they are said to have had little respect. (Scott.) 2229-2231. Rednock, Cardross, Duchray. Castles in the vicinity of Lochs Menteith and Con. See map. 2244. Coir-nan-Uriskin. See 1870 above. 2263. Still. Why not stillness? 2294. A single page. Scott says: "A Highland chief being as absolute in his patriarchical authority as any prince, had a corresponding number of officers attached to his person. ' ' 2335. Ave Maria. Hail Mary! A salutation to the Virgin Mary at the beginning of a prayer for her intercession. 2399. Bochastle's plain. See I, 106 above. CANTO FOURTH 2405. Wilding. Poetic for wild. 2419. Braes of Donne. The undulating country north of the Teith. Doune is a village about half way between Callander and Stirling. 2435. Bonne. Prepared. 2443. The warrior's plaid, etc. That is, the war- rior can endure it; his plaid is sufficient shelter for him, — "But Norman, etc. " 2463. The Taghairm. The Highlanders, like all rude people, had various superstitious modes of in- quiring into futurity. One of the most noted was the Taghairm mentioned in the text. A person was wrapped up in the skin of a newly-slain bullock, and deposited beside a waterfall, or at the bottom of a precipice, or in some other strange, wild, and unusual situation, where the scenery around him suggested nothing but objects of horror. In this situation he revolved in his mind the question pro- posed, and whatever was impressed upon him by 236 The Lady of the Lake his exalted imagination passed for the inspiration of the disembodied spirits who haunt the desolate recesses. (Scott.) 2468. Gallangad. In the vicinity of Loch Lomond. The incident given was a real experience in one of Rob Roy 's raids. 2474. BeaV maha. "The pass of the plain," op- posite Inch-Cailliach, near the southeastern shore of Loch Lomond. 2477. Dennan 's Row. At the foot of Ben Lomond, about six miles from Beal' maha. 2484. Hero's Targe. A rock in the forest of Glenfinlas, by which a tumultuary cataract takes its course. (Scott.) 2498. Broke. Quartered. Everything belonging to the chase was matter of solemnity among our an- cestors; but nothing was more so than the mode of cutting up, or, as it was technically called, breaking the slaughtered stag. The forester had his allotted portion; the hounds had a certain allowance; and, to make the division as general as possible, the very birds had their share also. (Scott.) 2 S3 2 - Which spills, etc. Though this be in the text described as a response of the Taghairm, or Oracle of the Hide, it was of itself an augury frequent- ly attended to. The fate of the battle was often anticipated in the imagination of the combatants by observing which party first shed blood. It is said that the Highlanders under Montrose were so deeply imbued with this notion that, on the morn- ing of the battle of Tippermoor, they murdered a defenseless herdsman, whom they found in the fields, merely to secure an advantage of so much consequence to their party. (Scott.) 2550. At Donne. See 2419 above, and V, 3690 below. 2552-2553. Silver star. . . .sable pale. Emblems of heraldry, the pale being a dark vertical band through Notes 257 the middle of a shield. The Earls of Moray and Mar were supporters of the king. 2560. Clans of Earn. Of the district about Loch Earn. 2574. Stance. Station; foundation. 2598. By the red streamers. That is, by the Northern Lights. 2612. Fixed and high. This is printed "fixed on high" in many editions, but is plainly a misprint. Douglas's purpose was not "on high" at all, but was solely to save his friends at the sacrifice of self, a very high purpose but not at all one fixed "on high" as that phrase is used. 2623. Trowed. Believed; trusted. 2631. C 'ambus -kenneth's fane. A famous abbey about a mile east of Stirling. 2661, etc. The Ballad. Chosen by the Minstrel, doubtless, to cheer Ellen by the narrative of the courage and boldness of Alice Brand and by the happy issue of her troubles. 2677. Pall. A rich material of which palls or mantles were made. 2683. Darkling. In the dark; a poetic word. 2685. Vair. The fur of the squirrel. 2698. Woned. Dwelt. 2704. Elfin Queen. li Fairies," Scott says, "like other proprietors of forests, are peculiarly jealous of their rights to wood and game. ' ' 2706. The fairies fatal green. As the Daoine Shi', or Men of Peace, wore green habits, they were sup- posed to take offense when any mortals ventured to assume their favorite color. Indeed, from some reason, which has been, perhaps, originally a general superstition, green is held in Scotland to be unlucky to particular tribes and counties. (Scott.) 2707. Up, Urgan, up! Urgan is evidently the messenger of the Elfin King. See 2719 below. 2708. Wert christened man. The Elves were sup- posed to envy the privileges acquired by Christian 238 The Lady of the Lake initiation, and they gave to those mortals who fell into their power a certain precedence, founded upon this advantageous distinction. I presume that in the Danish ballad, the obstinacy of the "Weiest Elf, " who would not flee for cross or sign, is to be derived from the circumstance of his having been ' ' christened man." (Scott.) See also note on 2745 below. 2740, etc. Section xv is to be understood as the reply of the * 'demon elf ' (2736) to the question just asked. It was supposed that mortals once enticed into the subterraneous abodes of the Elfin King and there participating in their banquets, were ever after held in captivity. 2745. But all is glistening show. No fact respect- ing Fairyland seems to be better ascertained than the fantastic and illusory nature of their apparent pleasure and splendor. (Scott.) 2757. But wist I. But if I knew. 2771. Dunfermline. About seventeen miles north- west of Edinburgh; long the residence of the Scottish kings. 2787. Bourne. Spelled also bourn. A stream or rivulet. 2792. Augur scathe. Predict harm or mischief. 2800. Unknown to him, etc. See 2544-2545 above. 2810. Feud. See Introduction, p. 184. 281 1. Bochastle. See I, 106 above. 2812. Stirling gate. See II, 1424 above and note. 2833. // yet he is. If yet he lives. 2837. Train. Lure or enticement. 2871. Lordship. Possessions in lands or estates. 2873. Reck of. I, who care for neither estate nor land. 2900. Fared. Went. The original meaning of the word. The Anglo Saxon faran means to go. To fare well is literally to go on well. 2906. Weeds. Garments. 2931-2932. Allan, Devan. Beautiful streams tributary to the Forth. Notes 239 2953. And felt our chief 's unconquered blade. This instance of the cruelty of Roderick quickens our sympathy with the king's efforts to restore law and order. 2967. Batten. To fatten. 2990. The toils are pitched. Toils — nets or snares. There is a touching pathos in the song of Blanche. Her half-crazed mind is restored for the moment at sight of the Lincoln green, and her song of warning carries conviction to Fitz-James's mind. The hunt- ers, of course, are Roderick's men; Fitz-James, the stag of ten; and the wounded doe, Blanche herself. 2994. Stag of ten. With ten branches on his antlers. 3042. Daggled. Wet, or soaked with blood. 3072. Wreak. Avenge. 3086. Favor. A gift or token of love. Such gifts of lady love were frequently worn by knights. 3 100-3 10 1 Of all my rash adventures past, etc. By necessity for rhyme Scott is betrayed into a slight inaccuracy of statement. He means, of course, that this must be the last of his rash adventures, not of his past rash adventures. 3105. At Doune. See 2419 and 2550 above. 31 11. Darkling. See 2683 above. 3122. The summer solstice. The heat of summer. 3146. Slip. Let loose from their slips or nooses, to start upon the chase. 3162. Hardened -flesh. Considered a great delicacy by Scottish Highlanders in former times. Without being cooked it was compressed between two batons of wood so as to press out the blood and render it extremely hard. 3172. A mighty augury is laid. That of the Tag- hairm. See 2532-2533 above. 3185. Stock. See I, 130 above. 3187. As far as Coilantogle's ford. When Fitz- James had reached this ford on the river Teith, just below Lake Vennachar, he would be in a dis- 240 The Lady of the Lake trict loyal to the king, and therefore no longer under the hospitable protection of the Highland Chief. CANTO FIFTH 3206. Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star. The figure in this opening stanza is a fitting introduction to the combat, in which Roderick and Fitz- James, though mortal enemies, win our admira- tion by their knightly courage and courtesy. 3213. Muttered. . . .by. That is, said over hastily. 3220. Wildering. See I, 274 above. 3230. Bursting through. As they burst through; not strictly grammatical. 3244. Shingles. Coarse gravel. 3306. Regent. See 3322 below. 3307. With ruffian dagger, etc. See II, 966 above and note. 3322. Albany. The Duke of Albany, a son of a younger brother of James III, was invited by the Scottish nobles to assume the regency on the death of James IV. His short rule was weak and inefficient. 3324-3325. Mewed in Stirling tower. Was stranger to respect and power. Scott says here : ' ' There is scarcely a more disorderly period in Scottish history than that which succeeded the Battle of Flodden, and occupied the minority of James V. Feuds of ancient standing broke out like old wounds, and every quarrel among the independent nobility, which occurred daily, and almost hourly, gave rise to fresh bloodshed. ' ' For further details concerning this period, see Introduc- tion, pp. 187, 188. The lines in the text seem slightly inaccurate historically. James escaped to Stirling tower, and instead of being * 'mewed" or impris- oned there, soon afterwards succeeded in banishing the hostile Douglases from Scotland. 3341. Were once the birthright of the Gael. See Introduction, p. 186. Notes 241 3351. Belong the target and claymore. See Intro- duction, p. 1S5. 3367. Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu. The Gaels, great traditional historians, never forgot that the Lowlands had, at some remote period, been the property of their Celtic forefathers, which fur- nished an ample vindication of all the ravages that they could make on the unfortunate districts which lay within their reach. (Scott.) 3396. Wild as, etc. Note how the startling effect is made emphatic by change of accent in the first foot of 3396, 3398, 3399, and 3401. 3451. Jack. A coat of leather set with rings of iron. 3471. Without a pass from Roderick Dhu. Scott says : : ' This incident, like some other passages in the poem, illustrative of the character of the ancient Gael, is not imaginary, but borrowed from fact. The High- landers, with the inconsistency of most nations in the same state, were alternately capable of great exertions of generosity and of cruel revenge and per- fidy. The following story I can only quote from tradition, but with such an assurance from those by whom it was communicated as permits me little doubt of its authenticity. Early in the last century, John Gunn, a noted Cateran, or Highland robber, infested Inverness -shire, and levied black-mail up to the walls of the provincial capital. A garrison was then maintained in the castle of that town, and their pay (country banks being unknown) was usually trans- mitted in specie under the guard of a small escort. It chanced that the officer who commanded this little party was unexpectedly obliged to halt, about thirty miles from Inverness, at a miserable inn. About nightfall, a stranger in the Highland dress, and of very prepossessing appearance, entered the same house. Separate accommodation being impos- sible, the Englishman offered the newly-arrived guest a part of his supper, which was accepted with 242 The Lady of the Lake reluctance. By the conversation he found his new acquaintance knew well all the passes of the country, which induced him eagerly to request his company on the ensuing morning. He neither dis- guised his business and charge, nor his apprehen- sions of that celebrated freebooter, John Gunn. The Highlander hesitated a moment, and then frankly con- sented to be his guide. Forth they set in the morn- ing; and in traveling through a solitary and dreary glen, the discourse again turned on John Gunn. 'Would you like to see him?' said the guide; and without waiting an answer to this alarming ques- tion, he whistled, and the English officer, with his small party, were surrounded by a body of High- landers, whose numbers put resistance out of ques- tion, and who were all well-armed. 'Stranger/ resumed the guide, 'I am that very John Gunn by whom you feared to be intercepted, and not without cause; for I came to the inn last night with the express purpose of learning your route, that I and my followers might ease you of your charge by the road. But I am incapable of betraying the trust you reposed in me, and having convinced you that you were in my power, I can only dismiss you unplundered and uninjured. ' He then gave the officer directions for his journey, and disappeared with his party as suddenly as they had presented themselves. ' ' 3486. Plover. How pronounced? 3497. From Vennachar, etc. The "three mighty lakes" are Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar. Scott says: "The torrent which discharges itself from Loch Vennachar, the lowest and eastmost of the three lakes which form the scenery adjoining to the Trosachs, sweeps through a flat and extensive moor called Bochastle. Upon a small eminence called the Dun of Bochastle, and, indeed, on the plain itself, are some intrenchments which have been thought Roman." Notes 243 3548. Homage. Fealty or submission to the king. 35 54- Carpet knight. An effeminate hero of the drawing room rather than a knight who has known the hardships of the field. 3578. His targe he threw. A round target of light wood, covered with strong leather, and studded with brass or iron, was a necessary part of a Highlander's equipment. In charging regular troops, they re- ceived the thrust of the bayonet in this buckler, twisted it aside, „and used the broadsword against the encumbered soldier. . . A person thus armed had a considerable advantage in private fray. (Scott.) 3664. Bonne. See IV, 2436 above. 3683. Carhonie's hill. About a mile from Loch Vennachar. 3688. Torry, Lendrick, etc. Towns on the banks of the Teith between Callander and Stirling. They were familiar and dear to Scott, being the homes of intimate friends. 3690. The bannered towers of Donne. The ruins of Doune Castle, formerly the residence of the Earls of Menteith, now the property of the Earl of Moray, are situated at the confluence of the Ardoch and the Teith. (Scott.) 3723. Saint Serle. An obscure saint; chosen for necessity of rhyme. 3724. The banished Earl. See Introduction, p. 188 3732. Cambns-kenneth's abbey gray. See on IV, 2631 above. 3748. A Donglas, etc. The fate of William, the eighth Earl of Douglas, whom James II stabbed in Stirling Castle with his own hanh, and while under his royal safe-conduct, is familiar to all who read Scottish history. (Scott.) 3749. O sad and fatal mound. An eminence on the northeast of Stirling Castle, where state crimi- nals were executed. Stirling was often polluted with noble blood. (Scott.) 244 The Lady of the Lake 3756. Franciscan steeple. The church of the Grey- friars, built on a hill near the castle by James IV, in 1594. 3760. Morrice-dancers. The Morrice-dance was probably of Spanish origin, the name itself derived from the Moorish dance. In England it was blended with the national May-day pageant of Robin Hood and his band. The dancers were gayly and gro- tesquely dressed and wore bells around their ankles. In addition to the characters mentioned in 381 2-3816 below, there also were the fool piper, and later a hobby-horse and a dragon. 3762. The burghers hold their sports to-day. Every burgh of Scotland of the least note, but more especially the considerable towns, had their solemn play or festival, when feats of archery were exhibited, and prizes distributed to those who excelled in wrestling, hurling the bar, and the other gymnastic exercises of the period. Stirling, a usual place of royal residence, was not likely to be deficient in pomp upon such occasions, especially since James V was very partial to them. His ready participation in these popular amusements was one cause of his acquiring the title of King of the Commons. (Scott.) 3767. Tilter. One who thrusts with the lance on horseback. 3769. Play my prize. That is, contend for the prizes in the contests. 3770. Stark. Strong, vigorous. 381 1. Butts. Targets; marks to be shot at. 3812. Bold Robin Hood and all his band. Masquer- aders representing Robin Hood and his band. Scott says here: "The exhibition of this renowned out- law and his band was a favorite frolic at festivals . . . in which kings did not disdain to be actors. ' ' The names following belong to characters renowned in the Robin Hood ballads. 3825. Fondly he watched with watery eye. See Canto II, 1477-1482 above. Notes 245 3828. Archer wight. An ordinary archer. "The Douglas of the poem," says Scott, "is an imaginary person, a supposed uncle of the Earl of Angus. But the king 's behavior during an unexpected interview with the Laird of Kilspindie, one of the banished Douglases under circumstances similar to those in the text, is imitated from a real story told by Hume of Godscroft. " See Introduction, p. 188. 3858. The Ladies' Rock. A hillock in the "val- ley" from which the ladies of the court witnessed the tourney. (Taylor.) 3967. That knighthood, etc. How was knight- hood conferred? See Webster's Dictionary. 3970-3993. A noble address! Why do you think so? See line 3994 below. 4036. Cognizance. The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight. See IV, 2552-2553 above. 4085. Earl William. See 3748 above and note. CANTO SIXTH 4143. Adventurers they. The Scottish armies con- sisted chiefly of the nobility and barons, with their vassals, who held lands under them, for military services by themselves and their tenants .... James V seems first to have introduced, in addition to the militia furnished from these sources, the service of a small number of mercenaries, who formed a body- guard, called the Foot-Band. (Scott.) 4149. The Fleming. A citizen of Flanders. 417 1. Burden. The chorus of a song. 4186. Soldier's Song. The guard-room scene and the accompanying song have been criticised as the greatest blemish in the whole poem. But as Taylor suggests, it is a true picture of the life of the time, and we may be reconciled to such a piece of realism by the use which Scott has made of it, — "to show the power of beauty and innocence, and the chords of tenderness and goodness which lie ready to vibrate in the wildest natures. ' ' 246 The Lady of the Lake 4186. Poule. An old spelling of Paul. 4188. Black-jack. A large leather vessel for beer. {Obsolete.) 41 91. Upsees. Upsee-Dutch — in Dutch fashion. To drink upsee-Dutch — to drink in the Dutch fashion — that is, to drink deeply so as to be drunk. Scott seems to use this old adverb as a noun quite likely in the sense of upsee-Dutch. Drink upsees out; that is, drink deeply in carousal. 4196. Gillian. Often contracted into Gill. Com- pare the proverb : ' ' Every Jack must have his Gill. ' ' 4199. Placket and pot. Used figuratively for women and wine. 4227. The leader of a juggler band. The jug- glers used to call in the aid of various assistants to render these performances as captivating as possible. The glee-maiden was a necessary attendant. Her duty was tumbling and dancing; and, therefore, the Anglo-Saxon version of Saint Mark's Gospel states Herodias to have vaulted or tumbled before King Herod. (Scott.) 4232. Purvey. Provide. 4263. / shame me. Used reflexively in a transi- tive sense; I am ashamed. 4266. Needwood. Formerly a royal forest in Staffordshire. 4279. Tullibardine (" the bard's knoll''). An old family seat of the Murrays about twenty miles from Stirling. 4330. Barret-cap. A cap formerly worn by soldiers. The vacant purse shall be carried in his cap as a token or favor. See IV, 3084-3086 above. 4344. But. A relative pronoun. 4391. Leech. A physician or surgeon. 4401. The chief he sought. As Allan had come from the scene of the fight, they deemed Roderick Dhu instead of Douglas to be his chief. 4402. Prore. Poetic for prow. Notes 247 4443. O'er Dermid's race. Evidently a rival Scot- tish clan. Scott says : ' ' There are several instances, at least in tradition, of persons so much attached to particular tunes as to require to hear them on their deathbed. ' ' 4465, etc. Battle of Beat 'an Duine. Scott referring to the time of Cromwell remarks: "A skirmish actually took place at a pass thus called in theTrosachs, and closed with the remarkable incident mentioned in the text. It was greatly posterior in date to the date of James V. ' ' For the incident referred to, see xx below Note also the rapidity and liveliness given to the description of the battle by means of the shortened lines. 4492. Bonne. See IV, 2435. 4501. Battalia. Order of battle. 4548. Tinchel. A circle of sportsmen. Scott says: "A circle of sportsmen, who, by surrounding a great space, and gradually narrowing, brought immense quantities of deer together, which usually made desperae efforts to break through the Tinchel." 4571. Rout. The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion; said especially of an army defeated, or put to flight in disorder or panic. 4583. Bracklinn's chasm. See II, 1015 above. 4584. Linn. See I, 71 above. 4635. Bonnet-pieces. Gold coins on which the king's head was represented with a cap or bonnet instead of a crown. 4661. Duncraggan 's widowed dame. See III, 2050- 2063. 4672. Elemental rage. Rage of the elements; in reference to the storm. 4682. Bothwell 's Lord. Douglas. See II, 886 note. 4706. Breadalbane's boast, etc. See note on II, 1 153 and 1 161 above. 4727. Even she. Ellen of course. A beautiful and pathetic suggestion. See III, 2369-2371 above. 248 The Lady of the Lake 4734. Storied pane. The glass of the windows decorated with historical paintings. 4836. And Snowdoun 's Knight is Scotland's King! Scott says that this incident is borrowed from Scottish tradition. 4861. Death-feud stern. See Introduction, p. 184 4880. To speed. To favorable issue. 4885. The name of Snowdoun claims. William of "Worcester, who wrote about the middle of the fifteenth century, calls Stirling Castle Snowdoun. (Scott.) 4887. Thus watch I 'er insulted laws. See Char- acter and Reign of James V, p. 188. 4938. Harp of the North, farewell! Compare with the three opening stanzas of the poem. 4942. Resume thy wizard elm. Compare note on witch-elm, I, 2 above. SUGGESTIONS lb TEACHERS WHEN the poet himself read to a farmer friend the first canto of The Lady of the Lake, the old man, lost in the reality of the scene, sud- denly exclaimed that the hounds would be ruined by taking to the water so soon after a severe chase. To secure a like vividness of impression should be the keynote in teaching this particular piece of literature. It is a romantic poem, and for many years now chil- dren have read it with delighted interest for this very reason. What they like in it is the king's disguise, Ellen's beauty and coquetry and loyalty; the rivalry between Malcolm Graham and Roderick Dhu; the combat between King and Scottish Chief; Douglas's feats of strength in the Scottish games; and finally the happy outcome of the story at the close. Whatever will heighten the vividness of this wholesome romantic interest should be drawn upon by the teacher. With this purpose in mind the introduction gives a bit of Scottish history intimately connected with the meaning and spirit of the poem, and a biography of the author whose own heroic and romantic life is itself an expression of the noblest characteristics of British manhood. The notes have been enriched by the poet's own explanations of Scottish tradition and history, and finally the text has been illustrated by choice pictures of the scenery of the poem. In accordance with the main purpose of this plan of editing, a few specific suggestions to teachers may possibly aid somewhat in realizing the spirit of the poem: [249] 250 The Lady of the Lake i. It should not be forgotten that the effectiveness of poetry must appeal first of all to the ear. Some simple instruction, therefore, should be given as to the meter of the poem, and the adaptation of the four-foot measure to rapid and vigorous narrative. For an interesting account of Scott 's personal prefer- ence for this form of verse, see No. 5 below, under references to Lockhart's Life; also the Introduction (Scott's Biography), p. 200. 2. Let the pupils read the poem aloud, seeking to bring out the movement of the verse, the vivid picturing of scenery, and the vigor of the narrative. Such an appreciative reading on the part of any pupil should be considered in itself an excellent recita- tion. Frequently in such instances a hearty word of approval: "Good, you have caught the poet's spirit," is sufficient comment. Let the teacher herself read with animation some of the more spirited passages with such comment only as will aid in kindling the imagination and feeling of her class. 3. The best fruit of such instruction as is here outlined would be a natural interest to know more of Scottish history or of Scott himself and his works. Bright children who have the time and inclination might be assigned for reading and for oral or written report to the class some chapters from Scott's Tales of a Grandfather — say chapters vii to xii, including the story of Sir William Wallace, and the rise of Robert the Bruce. Quite possibly Jane Porter's Scottish Chiefs or better still Scott's Mar- mion y and if the complete novels be thought too long, abridgments of Quentin Durward or Ivanhoe would be read through by some members of the class, if the library is furnished with the books and their attention called to them. 4. As to the biography of Scott, Hutton's Life in the English Men of Letters Series is the best brief biography. Lockhart's Life is of course the standard work, and should be in the school library. A cheap Suggestions to Teachers 251 and very good edition is published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company (The Riverside Press), nine volumes in three. For the teacher's convenience, the following passages are suggested as of especial interest for reading or report: 1. Poem descriptive of the poet's childhood (Vol. I, chapter ii, p. 107). 2. His favorite horse and dogs (Vol. II, chap, xiv, p. 202). His ex- ploration of the Tweed and crossing the ford (same chapter, pp. 204-208). 3. Scott's personal appear- ance and characteristics (Vol. II, chap, xv, p. 236; chap, xvi, p. 256; Vol. VI, chap, lix, pp. 316-325). 4. His treatment of his children (Vol. II, chap, xvii, pp. 322-326). 5. Scott's own discussion of the versification of The Lady of the Lake Of especial interest to the teacher (Vol. Ill, chap, xx, pp. iio-iii). 6. A most interesting account of Washington Irving 's visit to Abbotsford. The walk with Scott and his dogs, as described by Irving, gives a most graphic and interesting portrait of the poet (Vol. V, pp. 53-57). 7. A delightful sketch of the hospitality at Abbotsford, of a hunting party starting out in the morning, and the pet pig trying to join the party (Vol. VI, pp. 36-41). 8. An excellent bit of comment on The Lady of the Lake (Vol. VI, chap, liii, p. 147). 5 . On the side of formal instruction, an earnest word to the teacher, lest, in her attempt to do exhaustive or critical work, she destroy the flavor of the poem. Let not the romantic interest be lost through gram- matical or rhetorical questions or through the deadly paraphrase. Two suggestions, however, seem to the editor not inconsistent with the general character of the poem: On nearly every page will be found examples of inverted order, the periodic sentence. As a matter of interpretation it is important that children should habituate their minds to a quick recognition of these sentences and of their effect. 2^2 The Lady of the Lake Take for instance the vivid description of the stag, Canto I, lines 116-119. For jaded now, and spent with toil, Embossed with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The laboring stag strained full in view. What groups of ideas must be held in mind that we may see the stag ? ' ' Jaded, ' ' ' - spent with toil, ' ' etc. As we hold these in mind, note how strongly the final line comes out : ' ' The laboring stag strained full in view. ' ' Try putting this vivid line first. Such questioning repeated now and then through the poem, especially upon the longer periodic sentences, will aid not a little in the interpretation of such groups of lines as the first eight of Canto III, lines 1618-1626. The second suggestion has reference to diction. The study of words is likely to become monotonous to children. The editor believes that an interest can be awakened in them by a simple talk upon their great worth. They are our richest possession ; we need a large storehouse of them to express our thoughts. Above all we can never think clearly until we know the exact meaning of the words we are using, and can never understand another completely until his words are understood. Let us get rid of the hazy notion of things while we study together the mean- ings of words. For instance, above we have the phrase: " Embossed with foam." Just what does embossed mean? Here is a group of lines, simple in the ideas suggested, but not to be understood until we know the exact meaning of the italicized words.' The falcon from her cairn on high, Cast on the rout a wondering eye. Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, That cost thy life, my gallant grey! Wild crests as pagod ever decked, Or mosque of Eastern architect. Suggestions to Teachers 253 How would it do for a little while to make an alphabetical list of the new words we learn in The Lady of the Lake? An interesting habit of James Russell Lowell, our poet and man of letters, was to write upon the fly leaf of books he was reading the new words he came upon, or the words happily chosen. In conclusion the editor is constrained to say that the teaching of literature is a difficult thing. We are all familiar with the oft-repeated statement that it can not be taught. But it certainly can be taught in the sense that the teacher, out of her larger culture and enthusiasm for literature, may greatly aid her pupils in their appreciation and enjoyment of the author before them. Indeed, may she not awaken in some minds a love for literature which would never have been begotten, it may be, without her comrade- ship in the class recitation? And to help a child to do for himself what he could not have done alone, is not this the very highest art of teaching ? Space forbids further pedagogical discussion of this very interesting subject, but the editor could wish that every teacher might read and lay to heart Mr. S. S. Laurie's admirable chapter on "Language as Literature" in his little book, Language and Lin- guistic Method (Edinburgh: James Thin, Publisher to the University). A single paragraph in quotation may aptly close these brief suggestions to teachers. Referring to the teaching of literature, Mr. Laurie says: n Asa matter of fact, it is notorious that many schoolmasters cannot shake off their hardness, their pedantry, in this field of instruction any more than in that of religion ; and the result is that literature in the school resolves itself into a list of literary names and dates, and sinks into the examination of words, and grammatical and historical forms and facts. A play of Shakespeare or Milton's "Lycidas" is read with a view to its anatomy, not to what the poems convey to the intellect and emotions — the satisfaction 254 The Lady of the Lake of the ideal in man. In the editions used the product of the artist is lost in a monstrous superfetation of notes. Why do so many teachers make lessons of everything?' ' JUL 27 1910