Laurel · Walter Scott · The Lady of the Lake

Canto Fifth: The Combat

Walter Scott (1771–1832) · 1810

iambic tetrameter · octosyllabic couplets · 898 lines · from The Lady of the Lake

Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light,When first, by the bewildered pilgrim spied,It smiles upon the dreary brow of nightAnd silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tideAnd lights the fearful path on mountain-side,--Fair as that beam, although the fairest far,Giving to horror grace, to danger pride,Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright starThrough all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of War.

That early beam, so fair and sheen,Was twinkling through the hazel screenWhen, rousing at its glimmer red,The warriors left their lowly bed,Looked out upon the dappled sky,Muttered their soldier matins try,And then awaked their fire, to steal,As short and rude, their soldier meal.That o'er, the Gael around him threwHis graceful plaid of varied hue,And, true to promise, led the way,By thicket green and mountain gray.A wildering path!--they winded nowAlong the precipice's brow,Commanding the rich scenes beneath,The windings of the Forth and Teith,And all the vales between that lie.Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky;Then, sunk in copse, their farthest glanceGained not the length of horseman's lance.'Twas oft so steep, the foot was as fainAssistance from the hand to gain;So tangled oft that, bursting through,Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew,--That diamond dew, so pure and clear,It rivals all but Beauty's tear!

At length they came where, stern and steep,The hill sinks down upon the deep.Here Vennachar in silver flows,There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose;Ever the hollow path twined on,Beneath steep hank and threatening stone;A hundred men might hold the postWith hardihood against a host.The rugged mountain's scanty cloakWas dwarfish shrubs of birch and oakWith shingles bare, and cliffs betweenAnd patches bright of bracken green,And heather black, that waved so high,It held the copse in rivalry.But where the lake slept deep and stillDank osiers fringed the swamp and hill;And oft both path and hill were tornWhere wintry torrent down had borneAnd heaped upon the cumbered landIts wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand.So toilsome was the road to traceThe guide, abating of his pace,Led slowly through the pass's jawsAnd asked Fitz-James by what strange causeHe sought these wilds, traversed by fewWithout a pass from Roderick Dhu.

'Brave Gael, my pass, in danger triedHangs in my belt and by my sideYet, sooth to tell,' the Saxon said,'I dreamt not now to claim its aid.When here, but three days since,I came Bewildered in pursuit of game,All seemed as peaceful and as stillAs the mist slumbering on yon hill;Thy dangerous Chief was then afar,Nor soon expected back from war.Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide,Though deep perchance the villain lied.''Yet why a second venture try?''A warrior thou, and ask me why!--Moves our free course by such fixed causeAs gives the poor mechanic laws?Enough, I sought to drive awayThe lazy hours of peaceful day;Slight cause will then suffice to guideA Knight's free footsteps far and wide,--A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed,The merry glance of mountain maid;Or, if a path be dangerous known,The danger's self is lure alone.'

'Thy secret keep, I urge thee not;--Yet, ere again ye sought this spot,Say, heard ye naught of Lowland war,Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar?''No, by my word;--of bands preparedTo guard King James's sports I heard;Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hearThis muster of the mountaineer,Their pennons will abroad be flung,Which else in Doune had peaceful hung.''Free be they flung! for we were loathTheir silken folds should feast the moth.Free be they flung!--as free shall waveClan-Alpine's pine in banner brave.But, stranger, peaceful since you came,Bewildered in the mountain-game,Whence the bold boast by which you showVich-Alpine's vowed and mortal foe?''Warrior, but yester-morn I knewNaught of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu,Save as an outlawed desperate man,The chief of a rebellious clan,Who, in the Regent's court and sight,With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight;Yet this alone might from his partSever each true and loyal heart.'

Wrathful at such arraignment foul,Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowl.A space he paused, then sternly said,'And heardst thou why he drew his blade?Heardst thou that shameful word and blowBrought Roderick's vengeance on his foe?What recked the Chieftain if he stoodOn Highland heath or Holy-Rood?He rights such wrong where it is given,If it were in the court of heaven.''Still was it outrage;--yet, 'tis true,Not then claimed sovereignty his due;While Albany with feeble handHeld borrowed truncheon of command,The young King, mewed in Stirling tower,Was stranger to respect and power.But then, thy Chieftain's robber life!--Winning mean prey by causeless strife,Wrenching from ruined Lowland swainHis herds and harvest reared in vain,--Methinks a soul like thine should scornThe spoils from such foul foray borne.'

The Gael beheld him grim the while,And answered with disdainful smile:'Saxon, from yonder mountain high,I marked thee send delighted eyeFar to the south and east, where lay,Extended in succession gay,Deep waving fields and pastures green,With gentle slopes and groves between:--These fertile plains, that softened vale,Were once the birthright of the Gael;The stranger came with iron hand,And from our fathers reft the land.Where dwell we now? See, rudely swellCrag over crag, and fell o'er fell.Ask we this savage hill we treadFor fattened steer or household bread,Ask we for flocks these shingles dry,And well the mountain might reply,--"To you, as to your sires of yore,Belong the target and claymore!I give you shelter in my breast,Your own good blades must win the rest."Pent in this fortress of the North,Think'st thou we will not sally forth,To spoil the spoiler as we may,And from the robber rend the prey?Ay, by my soul!--While on yon plainThe Saxon rears one shock of grain,While of ten thousand herds there straysBut one along yon river's maze,--The Gael, of plain and river heir,Shall with strong hand redeem his share.Where live the mountain Chiefs who holdThat plundering Lowland field and foldIs aught but retribution true?Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu.'

Answered Fitz-James: 'And, if I sought,Think'st thou no other could be brought?What deem ye of my path waylaid?My life given o'er to ambuscade?''As of a meed to rashness due:Hadst thou sent warning fair and true,--I seek my hound or falcon strayed,I seek, good faith, a Highland maid,--Free hadst thou been to come and go;But secret path marks secret foe.Nor yet for this, even as a spy,Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die,Save to fulfil an augury.''Well, let it pass; nor will I nowFresh cause of enmity avowTo chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow.Enough, I am by promise tiedTo match me with this man of pride:Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine's glenIn peace; but when I come again,I come with banner, brand, and bow,As leader seeks his mortal foe.For love-lorn swain in lady's bowerNe'er panted for the appointed hourAs I, until before me standThis rebel Chieftain and his band!'

'Have then thy wish!'--He whistled shrillAnd he was answered from the hill;Wild as the scream of the curlew,From crag to crag the signal flew.Instant, through copse and heath, aroseBonnets and spears and bended bowsOn right, on left, above, below,Sprung up at once the lurking foe;From shingles gray their lances start,The bracken bush sends forth the dart,The rushes and the willow-wandAre bristling into axe and brand,And every tuft of broom gives life'To plaided warrior armed for strife.That whistle garrisoned the glenAt once with full five hundred men,As if the yawning hill to heavenA subterranean host had given.Watching their leader's beck and will,All silent there they stood and still.Like the loose crags whose threatening massLay tottering o'er the hollow pass,As if an infant's touch could urgeTheir headlong passage down the verge,With step and weapon forward flung,Upon the mountain-side they hung.The Mountaineer cast glance of prideAlong Benledi's living side,Then fixed his eye and sable browFull on Fitz-James: 'How say'st thou now?These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true;And, Saxon,--I am Roderick Dhu!'

Fitz-James was brave:--though to his heartThe life-blood thrilled with sudden start,He manned himself with dauntless air,Returned the Chief his haughty stare,His back against a rock he bore,And firmly placed his foot before:--'Come one, come all! this rock shall flyFrom its firm base as soon as I.'Sir Roderick marked,--and in his eyesRespect was mingled with surprise,And the stern joy which warriors feelIn foeman worthy of their steel.Short space he stood--then waved his hand:Down sunk the disappearing band;Each warrior vanished where he stood,In broom or bracken, heath or wood;Sunk brand and spear and bended bow,In osiers pale and copses low;It seemed as if their mother EarthHad swallowed up her warlike birth.The wind's last breath had tossed in airPennon and plaid and plumage fair,--The next but swept a lone hill-sideWhere heath and fern were waving wide:The sun's last glance was glinted backFrom spear and glaive, from targe and jack,--The next, all unreflected, shoneOn bracken green and cold gray stone.

Fitz-James looked round,--yet scarce believedThe witness that his sight received;Such apparition well might seemDelusion of a dreadful dream.Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed,And to his look the Chief replied:'Fear naught--nay, that I need not sayBut--doubt not aught from mine array.Thou art my guest;--I pledged my wordAs far as Coilantogle ford:Nor would I call a clansman's brandFor aid against one valiant hand,Though on our strife lay every valeRent by the Saxon from the Gael.So move we on;--I only meantTo show the reed on which you leant,Deeming this path you might pursueWithout a pass from Roderick Dhu.'They moved;--I said Fitz-James was braveAs ever knight that belted glaive,Yet dare not say that now his bloodKept on its wont and tempered flood,As, following Roderick's stride, he drewThat seeming lonesome pathway through,Which yet by fearful proof was rifeWith lances, that, to take his life,Waited but signal from a guide,So late dishonored and defied.Ever, by stealth, his eye sought roundThe vanished guardians of the ground,And stir'd from copse and heather deepFancy saw spear and broadsword peep,And in the plover's shrilly strainThe signal whistle heard again.Nor breathed he free till far behindThe pass was left; for then they windAlong a wide and level green,Where neither tree nor tuft was seen,Nor rush nor bush of broom was near,To hide a bonnet or a spear.

The Chief in silence strode before,And reached that torrent's sounding shore,Which, daughter of three mighty lakes,From Vennachar in silver breaks,Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless minesOn Bochastle the mouldering lines,Where Rome, the Empress of the world,Of yore her eagle wings unfurled.And here his course the Chieftain stayed,Threw down his target and his plaid,And to the Lowland warrior said:'Bold Saxon! to his promise just,Vich-Alpine has discharged his trust.This murderous Chief, this ruthless man,This head of a rebellious clan,Hath led thee safe, through watch and ward,Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard.Now, man to man, and steel to steel,A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel.See, here all vantageless I stand,Armed like thyself with single brand;For this is Coilantogle ford,And thou must keep thee with thy sword.'

The Saxon paused: 'I ne'er delayed,When foeman bade me draw my blade;Nay more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death;Yet sure thy fair and generous faith,And my deep debt for life preserved,A better meed have well deserved:Can naught but blood our feud atone?Are there no means?'--' No, stranger, none!And hear,--to fire thy flagging zeal,--The Saxon cause rests on thy steel;For thus spoke Fate by prophet bredBetween the living and the dead:"Who spills the foremost foeman's life,His party conquers in the strife."''Then, by my word,' the Saxon said,"The riddle is already read.Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff,--There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff.Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy;Then yield to Fate, and not to me.To James at Stirling let us go,When, if thou wilt be still his foe,Or if the King shall not agreeTo grant thee grace and favor free,I plight mine honor, oath, and wordThat, to thy native strengths restored,With each advantage shalt thou standThat aids thee now to guard thy land.'

Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye:'Soars thy presumption, then, so high,Because a wretched kern ye slew,Homage to name to Roderick Dhu?He yields not, he, to man nor Fate!Thou add'st but fuel to my hate;--My clansman's blood demands revenge.Not yet prepared?--By heaven, I changeMy thought, and hold thy valor lightAs that of some vain carpet knight,Who ill deserved my courteous care,And whose best boast is but to wearA braid of his fair lady's hair.' 'I thank thee,Roderick, for the word!It nerves my heart, it steels my sword;For I have sworn this braid to stainIn the best blood that warms thy vein.Now, truce, farewell! and, rush, begone!--Yet think not that by thee alone,Proud Chief! can courtesy be shown;Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn,Start at my whistle clansmen stern,Of this small horn one feeble blastWould fearful odds against thee cast.But fear not--doubt not--which thou wilt--We try this quarrel hilt to hilt.'Then each at once his falchion drew,Each on the ground his scabbard threwEach looked to sun and stream and plainAs what they ne'er might see again;Then foot and point and eye opposed,In dubious strife they darkly closed.

Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu,That on the field his targe he threw,Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hideHad death so often dashed aside;For, trained abroad his arms to wieldFitz-James's blade was sword and shield.He practised every pass and ward,To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard;While less expert, though stronger far,The Gael maintained unequal war.Three times in closing strife they stoodAnd thrice the Saxon blade drank blood;No stinted draught, no scanty tide,The gushing flood the tartars dyed.Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain,And showered his blows like wintry rain;And, as firm rock or castle-roofAgainst the winter shower is proof,The foe, invulnerable still,Foiled his wild rage by steady skill;Till, at advantage ta'en, his brandForced Roderick's weapon from his hand,And backward borne upon the lea,Brought the proud Chieftain to his knee.

Now yield thee, or by Him who madeThe world, thy heart's blood dyes my blade!;'Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy!Let recreant yield, who fears to die.'Like adder darting from his coil,Like wolf that dashes through the toil,Like mountain-cat who guards her young,Full at Fitz-James's throat he sprung;Received, but recked not of a wound,And locked his arms his foeman round.Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own!No maiden's hand is round thee thrown!That desperate grasp thy frame might feelThrough bars of brass and triple steel!They tug, they strain! down, down they go,The Gael above, Fitz-James below.The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed,His knee was planted on his breast;His clotted locks he backward threw,Across his brow his hand he drew,From blood and mist to clear his sight,Then gleamed aloft his dagger bright!But hate and fury ill suppliedThe stream of life's exhausted tide,And all too late the advantage came,To turn the odds of deadly game;For, while the dagger gleamed on high,Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye.Down came the blow! but in the heathThe erring blade found bloodless sheath.The struggling foe may now unclaspThe fainting Chief's relaxing grasp;Unwounded from the dreadful close,But breathless all, Fitz-James arose.

He faltered thanks to Heaven for life,Redeemed, unhoped, from desperate strife;Next on his foe his look he cast,Whose every gasp appeared his lastIn Roderick's gore he dipped the braid,--'Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly paid;Yet with thy foe must die, or live,The praise that faith and valor give.'With that he blew a bugle note,Undid the collar from his throat,Unbonneted, and by the waveSat down his brow and hands to rave.Then faint afar are heard the feetOf rushing steeds in gallop fleet;The sounds increase, and now are seenFour mounted squires in Lincoln green;Two who bear lance, and two who leadBy loosened rein a saddled steed;Each onward held his headlong course,And by Fitz-James reined up his horse,--With wonder viewed the bloody spot,--'Exclaim not, gallants' question not.--You, Herbert and Luffness, alightAnd bind the wounds of yonder knight;Let the gray palfrey bear his weight,We destined for a fairer freight,And bring him on to Stirling straight;I will before at better speed,To seek fresh horse and fitting weed.The sun rides high;--I must be bouneTo see the archer-game at noon;But lightly Bayard clears the lea.--De Vaux and Herries, follow me.

'Stand, Bayard, stand!'--the steed obeyed,With arching neck and bended head,And glancing eye and quivering ear,As if he loved his lord to hear.No foot Fitz-James in stirrup stayed,No grasp upon the saddle laid,But wreathed his left hand in the mane,And lightly bounded from the plain,Turned on the horse his armed heel,And stirred his courage with the steel.Bounded the fiery steed in air,The rider sat erect and fair,Then like a bolt from steel crossbowForth launched, along the plain they go.They dashed that rapid torrent through,And up Carhonie's hill they flew;Still at the gallop pricked the Knight,His merrymen followed as they might.Along thy banks, swift Teith! they ride,And in the race they mock thy tide;Torry and Lendrick now are past,And Deanstown lies behind them cast;They rise, the bannered towers of Doune,They sink in distant woodland soon;Blair-Drummond sees the hoofs strike fire,They sweep like breeze through Ochtertyre;They mark just glance and disappearThe lofty brow of ancient Kier;They bathe their coursers' sweltering sidesDark Forth! amid thy sluggish tides,And on the opposing shore take groundWith plash, with scramble, and with bound.Right-hand they leave thy cliffs, Craig-Forth!And soon the bulwark of the North,Gray Stirling, with her towers and town,Upon their fleet career looked clown.

As up the flinty path they strained,Sudden his steed the leader reined;A signal to his squire he flung,Who instant to his stirrup sprung:--'Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman gray,Who townward holds the rocky way,Of stature tall and poor array?Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride,With which he scales the mountain-side?Know'st thou from whence he comes, or whom?''No, by my word;--a burly groomHe seems, who in the field or chaseA baron's train would nobly grace--''Out, out, De Vaux! can fear supply,And jealousy, no sharper eye?Afar, ere to the hill he drew,That stately form and step I knew;Like form in Scotland is not seen,Treads not such step on Scottish green.'Tis James of Douglas, by Saint Serle!The uncle of the banished Earl.Away, away, to court, to showThe near approach of dreaded foe:The King must stand upon his guard;Douglas and he must meet prepared.'Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and straightThey won the Castle's postern gate.

The Douglas, who had bent his wayFrom Cambus-kenneth's abbey gray,Now, as he climbed the rocky shelf,Held sad communion with himself:--'Yes! all is true my fears could frame;A prisoner lies the noble Graeme,And fiery Roderick soon will feelThe vengeance of the royal steel.I, only I, can ward their fate,--God grant the ransom come not late!The Abbess hath her promise given,My child shall be the bride of Heaven;--Be pardoned one repining tear!For He who gave her knows how dear,How excellent!--but that is by,And now my business is--to die.--Ye towers! within whose circuit dreadA Douglas by his sovereign bled;And thou, O sad and fatal mound!That oft hast heard the death-axe sound.As on the noblest of the landFell the stern headsmen's bloody hand,--The dungeon, block, and nameless tombPrepare--for Douglas seeks his doom!But hark! what blithe and jolly pealMakes the Franciscan steeple reel?And see! upon the crowded street,In motley groups what masquers meet!Banner and pageant, pipe and drum,And merry morrice-dancers come.I guess, by all this quaint array,The burghers hold their sports to-day.James will be there; he loves such show,Where the good yeoman bends his bow,And the tough wrestler foils his foe,As well as where, in proud career,The high-born filter shivers spear.I'll follow to the Castle-park,And play my prize;--King James shall markIf age has tamed these sinews stark,Whose force so oft in happier daysHis boyish wonder loved to praise.'

The Castle gates were open flung,The quivering drawbridge rocked and rung,And echoed loud the flinty streetBeneath the coursers' clattering feet,As slowly down the steep descentFair Scotland's King and nobles went,While all along the crowded wayWas jubilee and loud huzza.And ever James was bending lowTo his white jennet's saddle-bow,Doffing his cap to city dame,Who smiled and blushed for pride and shame.And well the simperer might be vain,--He chose the fairest of the train.Gravely he greets each city sire,Commends each pageant's quaint attire,Gives to the dancers thanks aloud,And smiles and nods upon the crowd,Who rend the heavens with their acclaims,--'Long live the Commons' King, King James!'Behind the King thronged peer and knight,And noble dame and damsel bright,Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stayOf the steep street and crowded way.But in the train you might discernDark lowering brow and visage stern;There nobles mourned their pride restrained,And the mean burgher's joys disdained;And chiefs, who, hostage for their clan,Were each from home a banished man,There thought upon their own gray tower,Their waving woods, their feudal power,And deemed themselves a shameful partOf pageant which they cursed in heart.

Now, in the Castle-park, drew outTheir checkered bands the joyous rout.There morricers, with bell at heelAnd blade in hand, their mazes wheel;But chief, beside the butts, there standBold Robin Hood and all his band,--Friar Tuck with quarterstaff and cowl,Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl,Maid Marian, fair as ivory bone,Scarlet, and Mutch, and Little John;Their bugles challenge all that will,In archery to prove their skill.The Douglas bent a bow of might,--His first shaft centred in the white,And when in turn he shot again,His second split the first in twain.From the King's hand must Douglas takeA silver dart, the archers' stake;Fondly he watched, with watery eye,Some answering glance of sympathy,--No kind emotion made reply!Indifferent as to archer wight,The monarch gave the arrow bright.

Now, clear the ring! for, hand to hand,The manly wrestlers take their stand.Two o'er the rest superior rose,And proud demanded mightier foes,--Nor called in vain, for Douglas came.--For life is Hugh of Larbert lame;Scarce better John of Alloa's fare,Whom senseless home his comrades bare.Prize of the wrestling match, the KingTo Douglas gave a golden ring,While coldly glanced his eye of blue,As frozen drop of wintry dew.Douglas would speak, but in his breastHis struggling soul his words suppressed;Indignant then he turned him whereTheir arms the brawny yeomen bare,To hurl the massive bar in air.When each his utmost strength had shown,The Douglas rent an earth-fast stoneFrom its deep bed, then heaved it high,And sent the fragment through the skyA rood beyond the farthest mark;And still in Stirling's royal park,The gray-haired sires, who know the past,To strangers point the Douglas cast,And moralize on the decayOf Scottish strength in modern day.

The vale with loud applauses rang,The Ladies' Rock sent back the clang.The King, with look unmoved, bestowedA purse well filled with pieces broad.Indignant smiled the Douglas proud,And threw the gold among the crowd,Who now with anxious wonder scan,And sharper glance, the dark gray man;Till whispers rose among the throng,That heart so free, and hand so strong,Must to the Douglas blood belong.The old men marked and shook the head,To see his hair with silver spread,And winked aside, and told each sonOf feats upon the English done,Ere Douglas of the stalwart handWas exiled from his native land.The women praised his stately form,Though wrecked by many a winter's storm;The youth with awe and wonder sawHis strength surpassing Nature's law.Thus judged, as is their wont, the crowdTill murmurs rose to clamours loud.But not a glance from that proud ringOf peers who circled round the KingWith Douglas held communion kind,Or called the banished man to mind;No, not from those who at the chaseOnce held his side the honoured place,Begirt his board, and in the fieldFound safety underneath his shield;For he whom royal eyes disown,When was his form to courtiers known!

The Monarch saw the gambols flagAnd bade let loose a gallant stag,Whose pride, the holiday to crown,Two favorite greyhounds should pull down,That venison free and Bourdeaux wineMight serve the archery to dine.But Lufra,--whom from Douglas' sideNor bribe nor threat could e'er divide,The fleetest hound in all the North,--Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth.She left the royal hounds midway,And dashing on the antlered prey,Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank,And deep the flowing life-blood drank.The King's stout huntsman saw the sportBy strange intruder broken short,Came up, and with his leash unboundIn anger struck the noble hound.The Douglas had endured, that morn,The King's cold look, the nobles' scorn,And last, and worst to spirit proud,Had borne the pity of the crowd;But Lufra had been fondly bred,To share his board, to watch his bed,And oft would Ellen Lufra's neckIn maiden glee with garlands deck;They were such playmates that with nameOf Lufra Ellen's image came.His stifled wrath is brimming high,In darkened brow and flashing eye;As waves before the bark divide,The crowd gave way before his stride;Needs but a buffet and no more,The groom lies senseless in his gore.Such blow no other hand could deal,Though gauntleted in glove of steel.

Then clamored loud the royal train,And brandished swords and staves amain,But stern the Baron's warning:'Back! Back, on your lives, ye menial pack!Beware the Douglas.--Yes! behold,King James! The Douglas, doomed of old,And vainly sought for near and far,A victim to atone the war,A willing victim, now attends,Nor craves thy grace but for his friends.--''Thus is my clemency repaid?Presumptuous Lord!' the Monarch said:'Of thy misproud ambitious clan,Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man,The only man, in whom a foeMy woman-mercy would not know;But shall a Monarch's presence brookInjurious blow and haughty look?--What ho! the Captain of our Guard!Give the offender fitting ward.--Break off the sports!'--for tumult rose,And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows,'Break off the sports!' he said and frowned,'And bid our horsemen clear the ground.'

Then uproar wild and misarrayMarred the fair form of festal day.The horsemen pricked among the crowd,Repelled by threats and insult loud;To earth are borne the old and weak,The timorous fly, the women shriek;With flint, with shaft, with staff, with bar,The hardier urge tumultuous war.At once round Douglas darkly sweepThe royal spears in circle deep,And slowly scale the pathway steep,While on the rear in thunder pourThe rabble with disordered roarWith grief the noble Douglas sawThe Commons rise against the law,And to the leading soldier said:'Sir John of Hyndford, 'twas my bladeThat knighthood on thy shoulder laid;For that good deed permit me thenA word with these misguided men.--

'Hear, gentle friends, ere yet for meYe break the bands of fealty.My life, my honour, and my cause,I tender free to Scotland's laws.Are these so weak as must require'Fine aid of your misguided ire?Or if I suffer causeless wrong,Is then my selfish rage so strong,My sense of public weal so low,That, for mean vengeance on a foe,Those cords of love I should unbindWhich knit my country and my kind?O no! Believe, in yonder towerIt will not soothe my captive hour,To know those spears our foes should dreadFor me in kindred gore are red:'To know, in fruitless brawl begun,For me that mother wails her son,For me that widow's mate expires,For me that orphans weep their sires,That patriots mourn insulted laws,And curse the Douglas for the cause.O let your patience ward such ill,And keep your right to love me still!'

The crowd's wild fury sunk againIn tears, as tempests melt in rain.With lifted hands and eyes, they prayedFor blessings on his generous headWho for his country felt alone,And prized her blood beyond his own.Old men upon the verge of lifeBlessed him who stayed the civil strife;And mothers held their babes on high,The self-devoted Chief to spy,Triumphant over wrongs and ire,To whom the prattlers owed a sire.Even the rough soldier's heart was moved;As if behind some bier beloved,With trailing arms and drooping head,The Douglas up the hill he led,And at the Castle's battled verge,With sighs resigned his honoured charge.

The offended Monarch rode apart,With bitter thought and swelling heart,And would not now vouchsafe againThrough Stirling streets to lead his train.'O Lennox, who would wish to ruleThis changeling crowd, this common fool?Hear'st thou,' he said, 'the loud acclaimWith which they shout the Douglas name?With like acclaim the vulgar throatStrained for King James their morning note;With like acclaim they hailed the dayWhen first I broke the Douglas sway;And like acclaim would Douglas greetIf he could hurl me from my seat.Who o'er the herd would wish to reign,Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain?Vain as the leaf upon the stream,And fickle as a changeful dream;Fantastic as a woman's mood,And fierce as Frenzy's fevered blood.Thou many-headed monster-thing,O who would wish to be thy king?--

'But soft! what messenger of speedSpurs hitherward his panting steed?I guess his cognizance afar--What from our cousin, John of Mar?''He prays, my liege, your sports keep boundWithin the safe and guarded ground;For some foul purpose yet unknown,--Most sure for evil to the throne,--The outlawed Chieftain, Roderick Dhu,Has summoned his rebellious crew;'Tis said, in James of Bothwell's aidThese loose banditti stand arrayed.The Earl of Mar this morn from DouneTo break their muster marched, and soonYour Grace will hear of battle fought;But earnestly the Earl besought,Till for such danger he provide,With scanty train you will not ride.'

'Thou warn'st me I have done amiss,--I should have earlier looked to this;I lost it in this bustling day.--Retrace with speed thy former way;Spare not for spoiling of thy steed,The best of mine shall be thy meed.Say to our faithful Lord of Mar,We do forbid the intended war;Roderick this morn in single fightWas made our prisoner by a knight,And Douglas hath himself and causeSubmitted to our kingdom's laws.The tidings of their leaders lostWill soon dissolve the mountain host,Nor would we that the vulgar feel,For their Chief's crimes, avenging steel.Bear Mar our message, Braco, fly!'He turned his steed,--'My liege, I hie,Yet ere I cross this lily lawnI fear the broadswords will be drawn.'The turf the flying courser spurned,And to his towers the King returned.

Ill with King James's mood that daySuited gay feast and minstrel lay;Soon were dismissed the courtly throng,And soon cut short the festal song.Nor less upon the saddened townThe evening sunk in sorrow down.The burghers spoke of civil jar,Of rumoured feuds and mountain war,Of Moray, Mar, and Roderick Dhu,All up in arms;--the Douglas too,They mourned him pent within the hold,'Where stout Earl William was of old.'--And there his word the speaker stayed,And finger on his lip he laid,Or pointed to his dagger blade.But jaded horsemen from the westAt evening to the Castle pressed,And busy talkers said they boreTidings of fight on Katrine's shore;At noon the deadly fray begun,And lasted till the set of sun.Thus giddy rumor shook the town,Till closed the Night her pennons brown.

Words in this poem 188

dreary a.: Sorrowful; distressful. [OE. dreori, dreri, AS. dreórig, sad; akin to G. traurig, and prob. to AS. dreósan to fall, Goth. driusan. Cf. Dross, Drear, Drizzle, Drowse.]
wreckful a.: Causing wreck; involving ruin; destructive.
sheen v. i.: To shine; to glisten.
twinkling n.: The act of one who, or of that which, twinkles; a quick movement of the eye; a wink; a twinkle. Holland.
dappled a.: Marked with spots of different shades of color; spotted; variegated; as, a dapple horse.
gael n.: A Celt or the Celts of the Scotch Highlands or of Ireland; now esp., a Scotch Highlander of Celtic origin. [See Gaelic.]
wildering n.: A plant growing in a state of nature; especially, one which has run wild, or escaped from cultivation.
copse n.: A wood of small growth; a thicket of brushwood. See Coppice. [Contr. from coppice.]
fain v. t.: To be glad ; to wish or desire.
hank n.: A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or thread tied together. [Cf. Dan. hank handle, Sw. hank a band or tie, Icel. hanki hasp, clasp, hönk, hangr, hank, coil, skein, G. henkel, henk, handle; ar prob. akin to E. hang. See Ha]
hardihood n.: Boldness, united with firmness and constancy of mind; bravery; intrepidity; also, audaciousness; impudence. [Hardy + -hood.]
dwarfish a.: Like a dwarf; below the common stature or size; very small; petty; as, a dwarfish animal, shrub.
bracken n.: A brake or fern. [OE. braken, AS. bracce. See 2d Brake, n.]
dank n.: Moisture; humidity; water.
wintry a.: Suitable to winter; resembling winter, or what belongs to winter; brumal; hyemal; cold; stormy; wintery. [AS. wintrig.]
sooth a.: True; faithful; trustworthy. [OE. soth, AS. s, for san; akin to OS. s, OHG. sand, Icel. sannr, Sw. sann, Dan. sand, Skr. sat, sant, real, genuine, present, being; properly p. pr. from a root]
afar adv.: At, to, or from a great distance; far away; -- often used with from preceding, or off following; as, he was seen from afar; I saw him afar off. [Pref. a-.(for on or of) + far.]
lied n.: A lay; a German song. It differs from the French chanson, and the Italian canzone, all three being national. [G.]
suffice v. i.: To be enough, or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate. [OE. suffisen, OF. soufire, F. suffire (cf. suffisant, p.pr.), L. sufficere to put under, to substitute, to avail for, to suffice; sub under + facere to make. Se]
flown a.: Flushed, inflated.
lowland n.: Land which is low with respect to the neighboring country; a low or level country; -- opposed to highland. The Lowlands, Belgium and Holland; the Netherlands; also, the southern part of Scotland.
aught n.: Property; possession. [AS. , fr. agan to own, p. p. ahte.]
muster n.: Something shown for imitation; a pattern. [OE. moustre, OF. mostre, moustre, F. montre, LL. monstra. See Muster, v. t.]
mountaineer n.: An inhabitant of a mountain; one who lives among mountains. [OF. montanier, LL. montanarius. See Mountain.]
loath a.: Hateful; odious; disliked. [OE. looth, loth, AS. la hostile, odious; akin to OS. l, G. leid, Icel. lei, Sw. led, G. leiden to suffer, OHG. lidan to suffer, go, cf. AS. li to go, Goth. leip]
shall v. i.: To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
yester a.: Last; last past; next before; of or pertaining to yesterday. [See Yesterday.]
morn n.: The first part of the day; the morning; -- used chiefly in poetry. [OE. morwen, morgen, AS. morgen; akin to D. morgen, OS. morgan, G. morgen, Icel. morginn, morgunn, Sw. morgon, Dan. morgen, Goth. maúrgins. Cf. Morrow, Morning.]
desperate a.: Without hope; given to despair; hopeless. [L. desperatus, p. p. of desperare. See Despair, and cf. Desperado.]
rebellious a.: Engaged in rebellion; disposed to rebel of the nature of rebels or of rebellion; resisting government or lawful authority by force.
wrathful a.: Full of wrath; very angry; greatly incensed; ireful; passionate; as, a wrathful man.
arraignment n.: The act of arraigning, or the state of being arraigned; the act of calling and setting a prisoner before a court to answer to an indictment or complaint. [Cf. OF. arraynement, aresnement.]
sable n.: A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela zibellina) native of the northern latitudes of Europe, Asia, and America, -- noted for its fine, soft, and valuable fur. [OF. sable, F. zibeline sable (in sense 4), LL. sabellum; cf. D. sabel, Dan. sabel, zobel, Sw. sabel, sobel, G. zobel; all fr. Russ. sóbole.]
scowl v. i.: To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry. [Akin to Dan. skule; cf. Icel. skolla to skulk, LG. schulen to hide one's self, D. schuilen, G. schielen to squint, Dan. skele, Sw. skela, AS. sceolh squinting. ]
sternly adv.: In a stern manner.
rood n.: A representation in sculpture or in painting of the cross with Christ hanging on it. [AS. rr, D. roede rod, G. ruthe, rute, OHG. ruota. CF. Rod a measure.]
causeless a.: 1. Self-originating; uncreated.
strife n.: The act of striving; earnest endeavor. [OF. estrif. See Strive.]
methinks v.: It seems to me; I think. See Me. [AS. þyncan to seem, me þynceedh, me þuhte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See Me, and Think.]
yonder adv.: At a distance, but within view. [OE. yonder, ýonder; cf. OD. ginder, Goth. jaindr there. Yond, adv.]
delighted a.: Endowed with delight.
vale n.: A tract of low ground, or of land between hills; a valley. [OE. val, F. val, L. vallis; perhaps akin to Gr. Avalanche, Vail to lower, Valley.]
reft n.: A chink; a rift. See Rift. Rom. of R.
dwell v. i.: To delay; to linger. [OE. dwellen, dwelien, to err, linger, AS. dwellan to deceive, hinder, delay, dwelian to err; akin to Icel. dvelja to delay, tarry, Sw. dväljas to dwell, Dan. dv]
crag n.: The neck or throat [A form of craw: cf. D. kraag neck, collar, G. kragen. See Craw.]
yore adv.: In time long past; in old time; long since. [OE. , yare, , AS. geára;akin to geár a year, E. year. Year.]
claymore n.: A large two-handed sword used formerly by the Scottish Highlanders. [Gael. claidheamhmor a broadsword; Gael. claidheamh sword + mor great, large. Cf. Claymore.]
pent p. p.: Penned or shut up; confined; -- often with up. [From Pen, v. t.]
spoiler n.: One who spoils; a plunderer; a pillager; a robber; a despoiler.
maze n.: A wild fancy; a confused notion. [OE. mase; cf. OE. masen to confuse, puzzle, Norweg. masast to fall into a slumber, masa to be continually busy, prate, chatter, Icel. masa to chatter, dial. Sw.]
deem v. t.: To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn. [OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS. d, fr. d doom; akin to OFries. d, OS. ad, D. doemen, OHG. tuommen, Icel. dæma, Sw. dömma, Dan. dömme, Goth. d. See Doom, n., an]
ambuscade n.: A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare laid for an enemy; an ambush. [F. embuscade, fr. It. imboscata, or Sp. emboscada, fr. emboscar to ambush, fr. LL. imboscare. See Ambush, v. t.]
meed v. t.: To reward; to repay. Waytt.
rashness n.: The quality of state of being rash.
unheard a.: Not heard; not perceived by the ear; as, words unheard by those present.
avow v. t.: To bind, or to devote, by a vow. Wyclif. [OF. avouer, fr. LL. votare to vow, fr. L. votun. See Vote, n.]
rebel a.: Pertaining to rebels or rebellion; acting in revolt; rebellious; as, rebel troops. [F. rebelle, fr. L. rebellis. See Rebel, v. t.]
plaided a.: Of the material of which plaids are made; tartan.
dauntless a.: Incapable of being daunted; undaunted; bold; fearless; intrepid.
haughty a.: High; lofty; bold. [OE. hautein, F. hautain, fr. haut high, OF. also halt, fr. L. altus. See Altitude.]
foeman n.: An enemy in war. [AS. fhman.]
pennon n.: A wing; a pinion. [Cf. Pinion.]
lone n.: A lane. See Loanin.
glaive n.: A weapon formerly used, consisting of a large blade fixed on the end of a pole, whose edge was on the outside curve; also, a light lance with a long sharp-pointed head. Wilhelm. [F. glaive, L. gladius; prob. akin to E. claymore. Cf. Gladiator.]
targe n.: A shield or target. [F. Cf. Target.]
scarce a.: Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. [OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See C]
dreadful a.: Full of dread or terror; fearful.
valiant a.: Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, ]
stride v. t.: To walk with long steps, especially in a measured or pompous manner. [AS. stridan to stride, to strive; akin to LG. striden, OFries. strida to strive, D. strijden to strive, to contend, G. streiten, OHG. stritan; of uncertain orig]
lonesome a.: Secluded from society; not frequented by human beings; solitary.
pathway n.: A footpath; a beaten track; any path or course. Also used figuratively.
rife a.: Prevailing; prevalent; abounding. [AS. rif abundant, or Icel. rifr munificent; akin to OD. riff, rijve, abundant.]
stealth n.: The act of stealing; theft. [OE. staple. See Steal, v. t.]
broadsword n.: A sword with a broad blade and a cutting edge; a claymore.
shrilly a.: Somewhat shrill.
ceaseless a.: Without pause or end; incessant.
stayed a.: Staid; fixed; settled; sober; -- now written staid. See Staid.
ruthless a.: Having no ruth; cruel; pitiless.
outmost a.: Farthest from the middle or interior; farthest outward; outermost. [OE. outemest, utmest, AS. , a superl. fr. out. See Out, Utmost, and cf. Outermost.]
shalt: 2d per. sing. of Shall.
bade: A form of the pat tense of Bid.
generous a.: Of honorable birth or origin; highborn. [F. généreux, fr. L. generous of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus birth, race: cf. It. generoso. See 2d Gender.]
atone v. t.: To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease.
flagging n.: A pavement or sidewalk of flagstones; flagstones, collectively.
spoke n.: The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to support the rim or felly. [OE. spoke, spake, AS, spaca; akin to D. speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. sq. root170. Cf. Spike a nail.]
stark adv.: Wholly; entirely; absolutely; quite; as, stark mind.
plight v. t.: To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait. [OE. pliten; probably through Old French, fr. LL. plectare, L. plectere. See Plait, Ply.]
kern v. i.: To harden, as corn in ripening. Carew. [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn. See Corn, Kernel.]
thank n.: A expression of gratitude; an acknowledgment expressive of a sense of favor or kindness received; obligation, claim, or desert, or gratitude; -- now generally used in the plural. [AS. Þanc, Þonc, thanks, favor, thought; akin to OS. thank favor, pleasure, thanks, D. & G. dank thanks, Icel. Þ\'94kk, Dan. tak, Sw. tack, Goth. Þagks thanks; -]
cairn n.: A rounded or conical heap of stones erected by early inhabitants of the British Isles, apparently as a sepulchral monument. [Gael. carn, gen. cairn, a heap: cf. Ir. & W. carn.]
odds n.: Difference in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. [See Odd, a.]
falchion n.: A broad-bladed sword, slightly curved, shorter and lighter than the ordinary sword; -- used in the Middle Ages. [OE. fauchon, OF. fauchon, LL. fälcio, fr. L. falx, falcis, a sickle, cf. Gr. falcon; cf. It. falcione. Cf. Defalcation.]
dubious a.: Doubtful or not settled in opinion; being in doubt; wavering or fluctuating; undetermined. [L. dubius, dubiosus, fr. duo two. See Two, and cf. Doubt.]
wield v. t.: To govern; to rule; to keep, or have in charge; also, to possess. [OE. welden to govern, to have power over, to possess, AS. geweldan, gewyldan, from wealdan; akin to OS. waldan, OFries. walda, G. walten, OHG. waltan, Icel. val]
feint a.: Feigned; counterfeit. [F. feint, p.p. of feindre to feign. See Feign.]
drank n.: Wild oats, or darnel grass. See Drake a plant. [Cf. 3d Drake.]
invulnerable a.: Incapable of being wounded, or of receiving injury. [L. invulnerabilis: cf. F. invulnérable. See In- not, and Vulnerable.]
defy v. t.: To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [F. défier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to ch]
unclasp v. t.: To loose the clasp of; to open, as something that is fastened, or as with, a clasp; as, to unclasp a book; to unclasp one's heart. [1st pref. un- + clasp.]
breathless a.: Spent with labor or violent action; out of breath.
unhoped a.: Not hoped or expected.
gasp v. i.: To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently. [OE. gaspen, gaispen, to yawn, gasp, Icel. geispa to yawn; akin to Sw. gäspa, Dan. gispe to gasp.]
saddled a.: Having a broad patch of color across the back, like a saddle; saddle-backed.
steed n.: A horse, especially a spirited horse for state of war; -- used chiefly in poetry or stately prose. [OE. stede, AS. steda a stud-horse, war horse, fr. stod a stud of breeding steeds; akin to G. stute a mare, Icel. stedda, sto, a stud. *163. See Stud of horses.]
palfrey n.: A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as distinguished from a war horse. [OE. palefrai, OF. palefrei, F. palefroi, LL. palafredus, parafredus, from L. paraveredus a horse for extraordinary occasions, an extra post horse; Gr. veredus a]
bayard n.: Etym: [OF. bayard, baiart, bay horse; bai bay + -ard. See Bay, a., and -ard.]
glancing a.: Shooting, as light.
bannered a.: Decorated with a banner or banners
kier n.: A large tub or vat in which goods are subjected to the action of hot lye or bleaching liquor; -- also called keeve. [Icel. ker a tub.]
amid prep.: In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among. [OE. amidde, amiddes, on midden, AS. on middan, in the middle, fr. midde the middle. The s is an adverbial ending, originally marking the genitive; the t is a la]
bulwark n.: A rampart; a fortification; a bastion or outwork. [Akin to D. bolwerk, G. bollwerk, Sw. bolwerk, Dan. bolvärk, bulvärk, rampart; akin to G. bohle plank, and werk work, defense. See Bole stem, and Work, n., and c]
career n.: A race course: the ground run over. [F. carrière race course, high road, street, fr. L. carrus wagon. See Car.]
woodsman n.: A woodman; especially, one who lives in the forest.
nobly adv.: Of noble extraction; as, nobly born or descended.
postern n.: Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any small door or gate. [OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr. L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See Posterior.]
abbess n.: A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey. [OF.abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]
hast: , 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
dungeon n.: A close, dark prison, commondonjon or keep of a castle, these being used as prisons. [OE. donjoun highest tower of a castle, tower, prison, F. donjon tower or platform in the midst of a castle, turret, or closet on the top of a house, a keep of a]
nameless a.: Without a name; not having been given a name; as, a nameless star.
blithe a.: Gay; merry; sprightly; joyous; glad; cheerful; as, a blithe spirit. [AS. bli blithe, kind; akin to Goth. blei kind, Icel. bli mild, gentle, Dan. & Sw. blid gentle, D. blijd blithe, OHG. blidi kind, blithe.]
peal v. i.: To appeal. Spencer.
pageant n.: A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle. [OE. pagent, pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage, hence, what was exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to pangere to fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf]
quaint a.: Prudent; wise; hence, crafty; artful; wily. [OE. queint, queynte, coint, prudent, wise, cunning, pretty, odd, OF. cointe cultivated, amiable, agreeable, neat, fr. L. cognitus known, p. p. of cognoscere to ]
wrestler n.: One who wrestles; one who is skillful in wrestling. [AS. wræstlere.]
boyish a.: Resembling a boy in a manners or opinions; belonging to a boy; childish; trifling; puerile.
rung n.: A floor timber in a ship. [OE. ronge, AS. hrung, a staff, rod, pole; akin to G. runge a short, thick piece of iron or wood, OD. ronghe a prop, support, Icel. röng a rib in a ship, Goth. H]
went n.: Course; way; path; journey; direction.
huzza interj.: A word used as a shout of joy, exultation, approbation, or encouragement. [Cf. G. hussa, husa, interj., hurrah, huzza. sq. root43. Cf. Hurrah.]
dame n.: A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority; especially, a lady. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam mother, Dan, Danger]
simperer n.: One who simpers.
gravely adv.: In a grave manner.
sire n.: A lord, master, or other person in authority. See Sir. [F. sire, originally, an older person. See Sir.]
aloud adv.: With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. [Pref. a- + loud.]
damsel n.: A young person, either male or female, of noble or gentle extraction; as, Damsel Pepin; Damsel Richard, Prince of Wales. [OE. damosel, damesel, damisel, damsel, fr. OF. damoisele, damisele, gentlewoman, F. demoiselle young lady; cf. OF. damoisel young nobleman, F. damoiseau; fr. LL]
visage n.: The face, countenance, or look of a person or an animal; -- chiefly applied to the human face. [F. visage, from L. visus a seeing, a look, fr. videre, visum, to see. See Vision.]
hostage n.: A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released. [OE. hostage, OF. hostage, ostage, F. ôtage, LL. hostaticus, ostaticum, for hospitaticum, fr. L. hospes guest, host. The first meaning is, the state of a guest, ]
cursed a.: Deserving a curse; execrable; hateful; detestable; abominable.
quarterstaff n.: A long and stout staff formerly used as a weapon of defense and offense; -- so called because in holding it one hand was placed in the middle, and the other between the middle and the end.
surly a.: Arrogant; haughty. Cotgrave. [Probably from sir, and originally meaning, sirlike, i.e., proud. See Sir, and Like, a.]
marian a.: Pertaining to the Virgin Mary, or sometimes to Mary, Queen of England, daughter of Henry VIII.
mutch n.: The close linen or muslin cap of an old woman. [Cf. D. mutse a cap, G. mütze. Cf. Amice a cape.]
twain a.: Two;- nearly obsolete in common discourse, but used in poetry and burlesque. [OE. twein, tweien, tweyne, AS. twegen, masc. See Two.]
fondly adv.: Foolishly. Verstegan (1673).
wight n.: A whit; a bit; a jot. [OE. wight, wiht, a wight, a whit, AS. wiht, wuht, a creature, a thing; skin to D. wicht a child, OS. & OHG. wiht a creature, thing, G. wicht a creature, Icel. v]
coldly adv.: In a cold manner; without warmth, animation, or feeling; with indifference; calmly.
indignant a.: Affected with indignation; wrathful; passionate; irate; feeling wrath, as when a person is exasperated by unworthy or unjust treatment, by a mean action, or by a degrading accusation. [L. indignans, -antis, p. pr. of indignari to be indignant, disdain. See Indign.]
brawny a.: Having large, strong muscles; muscular; fleshy; strong.
moralize v. t.: To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from. [Cf. F. moraliser.]
clang v. t.: To strike together so as to produce a ringing metallic sound. [L. clangere; akin to Gr. clank.]
unmoved a.: Not moved; fixed; firm; unshaken; calm; apathetic.
scan v. t.: To mount by steps; to go through with step by step. [L. scandere, scansum, to climb, to scan, akin to Skr. skand to spring, leap: cf. F. scander. Cf. Ascend, Descend, Scale a ladder.]
shook v. t.: To pack, as staves, in a shook.
stalwart a.: Brave; bold; strong; redoubted; daring; vehement; violent. [OE. stalworth, AS. stælwyrth serviceable, probably originally, good at stealing, or worth stealing or taking, and afterwards extended to other causes of estimat]
circled a.: Having the form of a circle; round.
begirt v. t.: To encompass; to begird.
venison n.: Beasts of the chase. Fabyan. [OE. veneison, veneson, venison, OF. veneison, F. venaison, L. venatio hunting, the chase, game, fr. venari, p. p. venatus, to hunt; perhaps akin to OHG. weidin,]
dine v. i.: To eat the principal regular meal of the day; to take dinner. [F. dîner, OF. disner, LL. disnare, contr. fr. an assumed disjunare; dis- + an assumed junare (OF. juner) to fast, for L. jejunare, fr. jejunus fasting. See Jeju]
bribe n.: A gift begged; a present. [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonousl]
midway n.: The middle of the way or distance; a middle way or course.
antlered a.: Furnished with antlers.

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913; the first 160 of 188 words.

About this text

Canto Fifth: The Combat is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Lady of the Lake, Project Gutenberg ebook #3011; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Walter Scott, Canto Fifth: The Combat, in The Lady of the Lake (1810), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #3011, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/scott-lady-of-the-lake/canto-fifth-the-combat.html, id L06648.

Form and metre

Canto Fifth: The Combat is 898 lines in 33 verse paragraphs. It is in rhyming couplets, 77% of the lines: octosyllabic couplets. The metre is iambic tetrameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 91%). 97% of its stressed syllables fall where the metre puts the beat. The lines average 8.1 syllables. 27 lines end on an unstressed syllable, a feminine ending. 23% of the lines run on without a stop at the line end.

See other poems in octosyllabic couplets, other poems in iambic tetrameter.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

1 ABABBCBC- light^A · spied^B · night^A · tide^B · side^B · far^C · pride^B · star^C · war
2 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHCCIIJJEEKK sheen^A · screen^A · red^B · bed^B · sky^C · try^C · steal^D · meal^D · threw^E · hue^E · way^F · gray^F · now^G · brow^G · beneath^H · teith^H · lie^C · sky^C · glance^I · lance^I · fain^J · gain^J · through^E · dew^E · clear^K · tear^K
3 AABB--CCDDEE--FFGGHHIIJJ-- steep^A · deep^A · flows^B · rose^B · on · stone · post^C · host^C · cloak^D · oak^D · between^E · green^E · high · rivalry · still^F · hill^F · torn^G · borne^G · land^H · sand^H · trace^I · pace^I · jaws^J · cause^J · few · dhu
4 AA-B--CC--AADDEEFFAABBGG tried^A · side^A · said · aid^B · since · game · still^C · hill^C · afar · war · guide^A · lied^A · try^D · why^D · cause^E · laws^E · away^F · day^F · guide^A · wide^A · strayed^B · maid^B · known^G · alone^G
5 AA----BBCC--DDEEFF--GGHHII not^A · spot^A · war · mar · prepared · heard · hear^B · mountaineer^B · flung^C · hung^C · loath · moth · wave^D · brave^D · came^E · game^E · show^F · foe^F · knew · dhu · man^G · clan^G · sight^H · knight^H · part^I · heart^I
6 AA--BB----CCDDEEFFGGHH foul^A · scowl^A · said · blade · blow^B · foe^B · stood · rood · given · heaven · true^C · due^C · hand^D · command^D · tower^E · power^E · life^F · strife^F · swain^G · vain^G · scorn^H · borne^H
7 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOOPPQQ-- while^A · smile^A · high^B · eye^B · lay^C · gay^C · green^D · between^D · vale^E · gael^E · hand^F · land^F · swell^G · fell^G · tread^H · bread^H · dry^I · reply^I · yore^J · claymore^J · breast^K · rest^K · north^L · forth^L · may^M · prey^M · plain^N · grain^N · strays^O · maze^O · heir^P · share^P · hold^Q · fold^Q · true · dhu
8 AABBCCBBDDEE-FFFGGHHDDIIJJ sought^A · brought^A · waylaid^B · ambuscade^B · due^C · true^C · strayed^B · maid^B · go^D · foe^D · spy^E · die^E · augury · now^F · avow^F · brow^F · tied^G · pride^G · glen^H · again^H · bow^D · foe^D · bower^I · hour^I · stand^J · band^J
9 AA----BBCC--DDEEEEFFGGHHIIJJKK-- shrill^A · hill^A · curlew · flew · arose · bows · below^B · foe^B · start^C · dart^C · wand · brand · life^D · strife^D · glen^E · men^E · heaven^E · given^E · will^F · still^F · mass^G · pass^G · urge^H · verge^H · flung^I · hung^I · pride^J · side^J · brow^K · now^K · true · dhu
10 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJBBKKLLMM heart^A · start^A · air^B · stare^B · bore^C · before^C · fly^D · i^D · eyes^E · surprise^E · feel^F · steel^F · hand^G · band^G · stood^H · wood^H · bow^I · low^I · earth^J · birth^J · air^B · fair^B · side^K · wide^K · back^L · jack^L · shone^M · stone^M
11 AABBCCDD--EEFFGG----HHIIJJKKLLMM--NNOOPP believed^A · received^A · seem^B · dream^B · eyed^C · replied^C · say^D · array^D · word · ford · brand^E · hand^E · vale^F · gael^F · meant^G · leant^G · pursue · dhu · brave · glaive · blood^H · flood^H · drew^I · through^I · rife^J · life^J · guide^K · defied^K · round^L · ground^L · deep^M · peep^M · strain · again · behind^N · wind^N · green^O · seen^O · near^P · spear^P
12 AABBCCDD---EEFFG-HHIIGG before^A · shore^A · lakes^B · breaks^B · mines^C · lines^C · world^D · unfurled^D · stayed · plaid · said · just^E · trust^E · man^F · clan^F · ward^G · guard · steel^H · feel^H · stand^I · brand^I · ford^G · sword^G
13 AA--BB--CCDDEEDDFF-GHHGG--II delayed^A · blade^A · death · faith · preserved^B · deserved^B · atone · none · zeal^C · steel^C · bred^D · dead^D · life^E · strife^E · said^D · read^D · cliff^F · stiff^F · prophecy · me^G · go^H · foe^H · agree^G · free^G · word · restored · stand^I · land^I
14 AA--BB--CCDD---EE-FF--GGHHII--JJ eye^A · high^A · slew · dhu · fate^B · hate^B · revenge · change · light^C · knight^C · care^D · wear^D · thee · word · sword · stain^E · vein^E · begone · alone^F · shown^F · cairn · stern · blast^G · cast^G · wilt^H · hilt^H · drew^I · threw^I · plain · again · opposed^J · closed^J
15 --AABB----CCAADDEEFFGGHH dhu · threw · hide^A · aside^A · wield^B · shield^B · ward · guard · far · war · stood^C · blood^C · tide^A · dyed^A · drain^D · rain^D · roof^E · proof^E · still^F · skill^F · brand^G · hand^G · lea^H · knee^H
16 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOOPP-- made^A · blade^A · defy^B · die^B · coil^C · toil^C · young^D · sprung^D · wound^E · round^E · own^F · thrown^F · feel^G · steel^G · go^H · below^H · compressed^I · breast^I · threw^J · drew^J · sight^K · bright^K · supplied^L · tide^L · came^M · game^M · high^N · eye^N · heath^O · sheath^O · unclasp^P · grasp^P · close · arose
17 AABBCC--DDEEFFGG--HHIIJJKKKLLMMNN life^A · strife^A · cast^B · last^B · braid^C · paid^C · live · give · note^D · throat^D · wave^E · rave^E · feet^F · fleet^F · seen^G · green^G · lead · steed · course^H · horse^H · spot^I · not^I · alight^J · knight^J · weight^K · freight^K · straight^K · speed^L · weed^L · boune^M · noon^M · lea^N · me^N
18 A-BBAACCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK--LLMMNNOOPP obeyed^A · head · ear^B · hear^B · stayed^A · laid^A · mane^C · plain^C · heel^D · steel^D · air^E · fair^E · crossbow^F · go^F · through^G · flew^G · knight^H · might^H · ride^I · tide^I · past^J · cast^J · doune^K · soon^K · fire · ochtertyre · disappear^L · kier^L · sides^M · tides^M · ground^N · bound^N · forth^O · north^O · town^P · clown^P
19 AABBCCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK--LL strained^A · reined^A · flung^B · sprung^B · gray^C · way^C · array^C · stride^D · side^D · whom^E · groom^E · chase^F · grace^F · supply^G · eye^G · drew^H · knew^H · seen^I · green^I · serle^J · earl^J · show^K · foe^K · guard · prepared · straight^L · gate^L
20 AABBCCDDEE--FFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOOP-PQQRRRSS way^A · gray^A · shelf^B · himself^B · frame^C · graeme^C · feel^D · steel^D · fate^E · late^E · given · heaven · tear^F · dear^F · by^G · die^G · dread^H · bled^H · mound^I · sound^I · land^J · hand^J · tomb^K · doom^K · peal^L · reel^L · street^M · meet^M · drum^N · come^N · array^O · day^O · show^P · bow · foe^P · career^Q · spear^Q · park^R · mark^R · stark^R · days^S · praise^S
21 AABBCC----DDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOO flung^A · rung^A · street^B · feet^B · descent^C · went^C · way · huzza · low · bow · dame^D · shame^D · vain^E · train^E · sire^F · attire^F · aloud^G · crowd^G · acclaims^H · james^H · knight^I · bright^I · stay^J · way^J · discern^K · stern^K · restrained^L · disdained^L · clan^M · man^M · tower^N · power^N · part^O · heart^O
22 AABBCCDD--EEFFGGHHI-IFF out^A · rout^A · heel^B · wheel^B · stand^C · band^C · cowl^D · scowl^D · bone · john · will^E · skill^E · might^F · white^F · again^G · twain^G · take^H · stake^H · eye^I · sympathy · reply^I · wight^F · bright^F
23 AABBCCDDEEFFGGDDDHHIIJJKKLL hand^A · stand^A · rose^B · foes^B · came^C · lame^C · fare^D · bare^D · king^E · ring^E · blue^F · dew^F · breast^G · suppressed^G · where^D · bare^D · air^D · shown^H · stone^H · high^I · sky^I · mark^J · park^J · past^K · cast^K · decay^L · day^L
24 AA--BBCCDDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOO rang^A · clang^A · bestowed · broad · proud^B · crowd^B · scan^C · man^C · throng^D · strong^D · belong^D · head^E · spread^E · son^F · done^F · hand^G · land^G · form^H · storm^H · saw^I · law^I · crowd^J · loud^J · ring^K · king^K · kind^L · mind^L · chase^M · place^M · field^N · shield^N · disown^O · known^O
25 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOOPPQQRR flag^A · stag^A · crown^B · down^B · wine^C · dine^C · side^D · divide^D · north^E · forth^E · midway^F · prey^F · flank^G · drank^G · sport^H · short^H · unbound^I · hound^I · morn^J · scorn^J · proud^K · crowd^K · bred^L · bed^L · neck^M · deck^M · name^N · came^N · high^O · eye^O · divide^P · stride^P · more^Q · gore^Q · deal^R · steel^R
26 AA--BB--CC--DDEEFF--GGHH train^A · amain^A · warning · pack · behold^B · old^B · far · war · attends^C · friends^C · repaid · said · clan^D · man^D · foe^E · know^E · brook^F · look^F · guard · ward · rose^G · bows^G · frowned^H · ground^H
27 AABBCC-DEEEDDFF-GGHH misarray^A · day^A · crowd^B · loud^B · weak^C · shriek^C · bar · war^D · sweep^E · deep^E · steep^E · pour^D · roar^D · saw^F · law^F · said · blade^G · laid^G · then^H · men^H
28 --AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHA-AAII me · fealty · cause^A · laws^A · require^B · ire^B · wrong^C · strong^C · low^D · foe^D · unbind^E · kind^E · tower^F · hour^F · dread^G · red^G · begun^H · son^H · expires^A · sires · laws^A · cause^A · ill^I · still^I
29 AA-BCCDDEE----BB-- again^A · rain^A · prayed · head^B · alone^C · own^C · life^D · strife^D · high^E · spy^E · ire · sire · moved · beloved · head^B · led^B · verge · charge
30 AABBCCDDEEFFGGBBHH--II apart^A · heart^A · again^B · train^B · rule^C · fool^C · acclaim^D · name^D · throat^E · note^E · day^F · sway^F · greet^G · seat^G · reign^B · vain^B · stream^H · dream^H · mood · blood · thing^I · king^I
31 AABBCCDD--EEFFGGHH speed^A · steed^A · afar^B · mar^B · bound^C · ground^C · unknown^D · throne^D · dhu · crew · aid^E · arrayed^E · doune^F · soon^F · fought^G · besought^G · provide^H · ride^H
32 AABBCC--DDEE--FF--GGHH amiss^A · this^A · day^B · way^B · steed^C · meed^C · mar · war · fight^D · knight^D · cause^E · laws^E · lost · host · feel^F · steel^F · fly · hie · lawn^G · drawn^G · spurned^H · returned^H
33 AABBCC-D--EEFFFGGDDHHCC day^A · lay^A · throng^B · song^B · town^C · down^C · jar · war^D · dhu · too · hold^E · old^E · stayed^F · laid^F · blade^F · west^G · pressed^G · bore^D · shore^D · begun^H · sun^H · town^C · brown^C

Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against iambic tetrameter. How this is done.

Line	Syl.	Stress
Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light,	10	···/˘··/˘·
When first, by the bewildered pilgrim spied,	10	····˘/˘/˘·
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night	10	·····/˘···
And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide	10	·/˘··/˘/˘·
And lights the fearful path on mountain-side,--	10	···/˘··/˘·
Fair as that beam, although the fairest far,	10	·······/˘·
Giving to horror grace, to danger pride,	10	/˘·/˘··/˘·
Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star	9	·/˘··/˘··
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of War.	12	···/˘·······
That early beam, so fair and sheen,	8	·/˘·····
Was twinkling through the hazel screen	8	·/˘··/˘·
When, rousing at its glimmer red,	8	·/˘··/˘·
The warriors left their lowly bed,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Looked out upon the dappled sky,	8	········
Muttered their soldier matins try,	8	/˘·/˘···
And then awaked their fire, to steal,	8	··˘/·/··
As short and rude, their soldier meal.	8	·····/˘·
That o'er, the Gael around him threw	8	········
His graceful plaid of varied hue,	8	·/˘··/˘·
And, true to promise, led the way,	8	···/˘···
By thicket green and mountain gray.	8	·/˘··/˘·
A wildering path!--they winded now	8	·/˘··/˘·
Along the precipice's brow,	8	˘/·/˘˘˘·
Commanding the rich scenes beneath,	8	˘/˘·····
The windings of the Forth and Teith,	8	·/˘·····
And all the vales between that lie.	8	········
Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky;	8	·/˘/˘···
Then, sunk in copse, their farthest glance	8	·····/˘·
Gained not the length of horseman's lance.	8	·····/˘·
'Twas oft so steep, the foot was as fain	9	·········
Assistance from the hand to gain;	8	˘/˘·····
So tangled oft that, bursting through,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew,--	8	·/···/··
That diamond dew, so pure and clear,	8	·/˘·····
It rivals all but Beauty's tear!	8	·/˘··/˘·
At length they came where, stern and steep,	8	········
The hill sinks down upon the deep.	8	········
Here Vennachar in silver flows,	8	·····/˘·
There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose;	8	········
Ever the hollow path twined on,	8	/˘·/˘···
Beneath steep hank and threatening stone;	8	·····/˘·
A hundred men might hold the post	8	·/˘·····
With hardihood against a host.	8	·/˘˘····
The rugged mountain's scanty cloak	8	·/˘/˘/˘·
Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak	8	·/˘·····
With shingles bare, and cliffs between	8	·/˘·····
And patches bright of bracken green,	8	·/˘··/˘·
And heather black, that waved so high,	8	·/˘·····
It held the copse in rivalry.	8	·····/˘˘
But where the lake slept deep and still	8	········
Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill;	8	········
And oft both path and hill were torn	8	········
Where wintry torrent down had borne	8	·/˘/˘···
And heaped upon the cumbered land	8	·····/˘·
Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand.	8	···/˘···
So toilsome was the road to trace	8	·/˘·····
The guide, abating of his pace,	8	··˘/˘···
Led slowly through the pass's jaws	8	·/˘··/˘·
And asked Fitz-James by what strange cause	8	········
He sought these wilds, traversed by few	8	····/˘··
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu.	8	·····/˘·
'Brave Gael, my pass, in danger tried	8	·····/˘·
Hangs in my belt and by my side	8	········
Yet, sooth to tell,' the Saxon said,	8	·····/˘·
'I dreamt not now to claim its aid.	8	········
When here, but three days since,	6	······
I came Bewildered in pursuit of game,	10	··˘/˘·˘/··
All seemed as peaceful and as still	8	···/˘···
As the mist slumbering on yon hill;	8	···/˘···
Thy dangerous Chief was then afar,	8	·/˘···˘/
Nor soon expected back from war.	8	··˘/˘···
Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide,	8	·····/˘·
Though deep perchance the villain lied.'	8	··˘/·/˘·
'Yet why a second venture try?'	8	···/˘/˘·
'A warrior thou, and ask me why!--	8	·/˘·····
Moves our free course by such fixed cause	8	·/······
As gives the poor mechanic laws?	8	····˘/˘·
Enough, I sought to drive away	8	˘/····˘/
The lazy hours of peaceful day;	8	·/˘/·/˘·
Slight cause will then suffice to guide	8	····˘/··
A Knight's free footsteps far and wide,--	8	···/····
A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed,	8	·/˘··/··
The merry glance of mountain maid;	8	·/˘··/˘·
Or, if a path be dangerous known,	8	·····/˘·
The danger's self is lure alone.'	8	·/˘···˘/
'Thy secret keep, I urge thee not;--	8	·/˘·····
Yet, ere again ye sought this spot,	8	··˘/····
Say, heard ye naught of Lowland war,	8	·····/··
Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar?'	8	···/····
'No, by my word;--of bands prepared	8	······˘/
To guard King James's sports I heard;	8	···/˘···
Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear	8	········
This muster of the mountaineer,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Their pennons will abroad be flung,	8	····˘/··
Which else in Doune had peaceful hung.'	8	·····/˘·
'Free be they flung! for we were loath	8	········
Their silken folds should feast the moth.	8	·/˘·····
Free be they flung!--as free shall wave	8	········
Clan-Alpine's pine in banner brave.	8	·/···/˘·
But, stranger, peaceful since you came,	8	·/˘/˘···
Bewildered in the mountain-game,	8	˘/˘··/˘·
Whence the bold boast by which you show	8	········
Vich-Alpine's vowed and mortal foe?'	8	·/···/˘·
'Warrior, but yester-morn I knew	8	/˘·/˘···
Naught of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu,	8	···/˘/˘·
Save as an outlawed desperate man,	8	···/·/˘·
The chief of a rebellious clan,	8	····˘/˘·
Who, in the Regent's court and sight,	8	···/˘···
With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight;	8	·/˘/˘···
Yet this alone might from his part	8	··˘/····
Sever each true and loyal heart.'	8	/˘···/˘·
Wrathful at such arraignment foul,	8	/˘··˘/˘·
Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowl.	9	·/˘···/˘·
A space he paused, then sternly said,	8	·····/˘·
'And heardst thou why he drew his blade?	8	········
Heardst thou that shameful word and blow	8	···/˘···
Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe?	8	·/˘/˘···
What recked the Chieftain if he stood	8	···/˘···
On Highland heath or Holy-Rood?	8	·/˘··/˘·
He rights such wrong where it is given,	9	·······/˘
If it were in the court of heaven.'	9	·······/˘
'Still was it outrage;--yet, 'tis true,	8	···/····
Not then claimed sovereignty his due;	8	···/˘˘··
While Albany with feeble hand	8	·/˘˘·/˘·
Held borrowed truncheon of command,	8	·/·/˘·˘/
The young King, mewed in Stirling tower,	9	·····/˘/˘
Was stranger to respect and power.	9	·/˘·˘/·/˘
But then, thy Chieftain's robber life!--	8	···/˘/˘·
Winning mean prey by causeless strife,	8	/˘···/˘·
Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain	8	/˘·/˘/··
His herds and harvest reared in vain,--	8	···/˘···
Methinks a soul like thine should scorn	8	˘/······
The spoils from such foul foray borne.'	8	·····/˘·
The Gael beheld him grim the while,	8	··˘/····
And answered with disdainful smile:	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
'Saxon, from yonder mountain high,	8	/˘·/˘/˘·
I marked thee send delighted eye	8	····˘/˘·
Far to the south and east, where lay,	8	········
Extended in succession gay,	8	˘/˘·˘/˘·
Deep waving fields and pastures green,	8	·/˘··/˘·
With gentle slopes and groves between:--	8	·/˘·····
These fertile plains, that softened vale,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Were once the birthright of the Gael;	8	···/····
The stranger came with iron hand,	8	·/˘··/˘·
And from our fathers reft the land.	8	··//˘···
Where dwell we now? See, rudely swell	8	·····/˘·
Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell.	8	········
Ask we this savage hill we tread	8	···/˘···
For fattened steer or household bread,	8	·/˘··/··
Ask we for flocks these shingles dry,	8	·····/˘·
And well the mountain might reply,--	8	···/˘·˘/
"To you, as to your sires of yore,	8	········
Belong the target and claymore!	8	˘/·/˘·/·
I give you shelter in my breast,	8	···/˘···
Your own good blades must win the rest."	8	········
Pent in this fortress of the North,	8	···/˘···
Think'st thou we will not sally forth,	8	·····/˘·
To spoil the spoiler as we may,	8	···/˘···
And from the robber rend the prey?	8	···/˘···
Ay, by my soul!--While on yon plain	8	········
The Saxon rears one shock of grain,	8	·/˘·····
While of ten thousand herds there strays	8	···/˘···
But one along yon river's maze,--	8	··˘/·/˘·
The Gael, of plain and river heir,	8	·····/˘·
Shall with strong hand redeem his share.	8	····˘/··
Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold	8	···/˘···
That plundering Lowland field and fold	8	·/˘/····
Is aught but retribution true?	8	····˘/˘·
Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu.'	8	·/˘··/˘·
Answered Fitz-James: 'And, if I sought,	8	/˘······
Think'st thou no other could be brought?	8	···/˘···
What deem ye of my path waylaid?	8	······/·
My life given o'er to ambuscade?'	8	··/·····
'As of a meed to rashness due:	8	·····/˘·
Hadst thou sent warning fair and true,--	8	···/˘···
I seek my hound or falcon strayed,	8	·····/˘·
I seek, good faith, a Highland maid,--	8	·····/˘·
Free hadst thou been to come and go;	8	········
But secret path marks secret foe.	8	·/˘··/˘·
Nor yet for this, even as a spy,	8	····/···
Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die,	8	··˘/····
Save to fulfil an augury.'	8	·····/˘˘
'Well, let it pass; nor will I now	8	········
Fresh cause of enmity avow	8	···/˘˘˘/
To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow.	8	········
Enough, I am by promise tied	8	˘/···/˘·
To match me with this man of pride:	8	········
Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine's glen	8	·····/··
In peace; but when I come again,	8	······˘/
I come with banner, brand, and bow,	8	···/˘···
As leader seeks his mortal foe.	8	·/˘··/˘·
For love-lorn swain in lady's bower	9	·····/˘/˘
Ne'er panted for the appointed hour	9	·/˘··˘/˘/
As I, until before me stand	8	········
This rebel Chieftain and his band!'	8	·/˘/˘···
'Have then thy wish!'--He whistled shrill	8	·····/˘·
And he was answered from the hill;	8	···/˘···
Wild as the scream of the curlew,	8	······/˘
From crag to crag the signal flew.	8	·····/˘·
Instant, through copse and heath, arose	8	/˘····˘/
Bonnets and spears and bended bows	8	/˘···/˘·
On right, on left, above, below,	8	········
Sprung up at once the lurking foe;	8	·····/˘·
From shingles gray their lances start,	8	·/˘··/˘·
The bracken bush sends forth the dart,	8	·/˘·····
The rushes and the willow-wand	8	·/˘··/··
Are bristling into axe and brand,	8	·/˘·····
And every tuft of broom gives life	8	·/˘·····
'To plaided warrior armed for strife.	8	·/˘/˘···
That whistle garrisoned the glen	8	·/˘/˘˘··
At once with full five hundred men,	8	·····/˘·
As if the yawning hill to heaven	9	···/˘··/˘
A subterranean host had given.	8	·˘˘/˘··/
Watching their leader's beck and will,	8	/˘·/˘···
All silent there they stood and still.	8	·/˘·····
Like the loose crags whose threatening mass	8	·····/˘·
Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass,	8	·/˘··/˘·
As if an infant's touch could urge	8	···/˘···
Their headlong passage down the verge,	8	·/·/˘···
With step and weapon forward flung,	8	···/˘/˘·
Upon the mountain-side they hung.	8	···/˘···
The Mountaineer cast glance of pride	8	·/˘·····
Along Benledi's living side,	8	˘/···/˘·
Then fixed his eye and sable brow	8	·····/˘·
Full on Fitz-James: 'How say'st thou now?	8	········
These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true;	8	···/·/˘·
And, Saxon,--I am Roderick Dhu!'	8	·/˘··/˘·
Fitz-James was brave:--though to his heart	8	········
The life-blood thrilled with sudden start,	8	·····/˘·
He manned himself with dauntless air,	8	··˘/·/˘·
Returned the Chief his haughty stare,	8	˘/···/˘·
His back against a rock he bore,	8	········
And firmly placed his foot before:--	8	·/˘·····
'Come one, come all! this rock shall fly	8	········
From its firm base as soon as I.'	8	········
Sir Roderick marked,--and in his eyes	8	·/˘·····
Respect was mingled with surprise,	8	˘/·/˘·˘/
And the stern joy which warriors feel	8	·····/˘·
In foeman worthy of their steel.	8	·/˘/˘···
Short space he stood--then waved his hand:	8	········
Down sunk the disappearing band;	8	····˘/˘·
Each warrior vanished where he stood,	8	·/˘/˘···
In broom or bracken, heath or wood;	8	···/˘···
Sunk brand and spear and bended bow,	8	·····/˘·
In osiers pale and copses low;	8	·····/˘·
It seemed as if their mother Earth	8	·····/˘·
Had swallowed up her warlike birth.	8	·/˘··/··
The wind's last breath had tossed in air	8	········
Pennon and plaid and plumage fair,--	8	/˘···/˘·
The next but swept a lone hill-side	8	········
Where heath and fern were waving wide:	8	·····/˘·
The sun's last glance was glinted back	8	·····/˘·
From spear and glaive, from targe and jack,--	8	········
The next, all unreflected, shone	8	········
On bracken green and cold gray stone.	8	·/˘·····
Fitz-James looked round,--yet scarce believed	8	······˘/
The witness that his sight received;	8	·/˘···˘/
Such apparition well might seem	8	··˘/˘···
Delusion of a dreadful dream.	8	˘/˘··/˘·
Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed,	8	·/˘·˘/··
And to his look the Chief replied:	8	······˘/
'Fear naught--nay, that I need not say	8	········
But--doubt not aught from mine array.	8	······˘/
Thou art my guest;--I pledged my word	8	········
As far as Coilantogle ford:	8	········
Nor would I call a clansman's brand	8	········
For aid against one valiant hand,	8	·····/˘·
Though on our strife lay every vale	8	··/··/˘·
Rent by the Saxon from the Gael.	8	···/˘···
So move we on;--I only meant	8	·····/˘·
To show the reed on which you leant,	9	·······/˘
Deeming this path you might pursue	8	/˘····˘/
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu.'	8	·····/˘·
They moved;--I said Fitz-James was brave	8	········
As ever knight that belted glaive,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Yet dare not say that now his blood	8	········
Kept on its wont and tempered flood,	8	·····/˘·
As, following Roderick's stride, he drew	8	·/˘/˘···
That seeming lonesome pathway through,	8	·/˘/˘/··
Which yet by fearful proof was rife	8	···/˘···
With lances, that, to take his life,	8	·/˘·····
Waited but signal from a guide,	8	/˘·/˘···
So late dishonored and defied.	8	··˘/˘·˘/
Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round	8	/˘······
The vanished guardians of the ground,	8	·/˘/˘···
And stir'd from copse and heather deep	8	·····/˘·
Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep,	8	/˘···/··
And in the plover's shrilly strain	8	···/˘/˘·
The signal whistle heard again.	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
Nor breathed he free till far behind	8	········
The pass was left; for then they wind	8	········
Along a wide and level green,	8	˘/···/˘·
Where neither tree nor tuft was seen,	8	·/˘·····
Nor rush nor bush of broom was near,	8	········
To hide a bonnet or a spear.	8	···/˘···
The Chief in silence strode before,	8	···/˘···
And reached that torrent's sounding shore,	8	···/˘/˘·
Which, daughter of three mighty lakes,	8	·/˘··/˘·
From Vennachar in silver breaks,	8	·····/˘·
Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless mines	8	·····/˘·
On Bochastle the mouldering lines,	8	·····/˘·
Where Rome, the Empress of the world,	8	···/˘···
Of yore her eagle wings unfurled.	8	···/˘·˘/
And here his course the Chieftain stayed,	8	·····/˘·
Threw down his target and his plaid,	8	···/˘···
And to the Lowland warrior said:	8	···/·/˘·
'Bold Saxon! to his promise just,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Vich-Alpine has discharged his trust.	8	·/··˘/··
This murderous Chief, this ruthless man,	8	·/˘··/˘·
This head of a rebellious clan,	8	····˘/˘·
Hath led thee safe, through watch and ward,	8	········
Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard.	8	···/·/˘·
Now, man to man, and steel to steel,	8	········
A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel.	8	·/˘/˘···
See, here all vantageless I stand,	9	·········
Armed like thyself with single brand;	8	··˘/·/˘·
For this is Coilantogle ford,	8	········
And thou must keep thee with thy sword.'	8	········
The Saxon paused: 'I ne'er delayed,	8	·/˘···˘/
When foeman bade me draw my blade;	8	·/˘·····
Nay more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death;	8	········
Yet sure thy fair and generous faith,	8	·····/˘·
And my deep debt for life preserved,	8	······˘/
A better meed have well deserved:	8	·/˘···˘/
Can naught but blood our feud atone?	8	····/·˘/
Are there no means?'--' No, stranger, none!	8	·····/˘·
And hear,--to fire thy flagging zeal,--	8	···/·/˘·
The Saxon cause rests on thy steel;	8	·/˘·····
For thus spoke Fate by prophet bred	8	·····/˘·
Between the living and the dead:"	8	···/˘···
Who spills the foremost foeman's life,	8	···/····
His party conquers in the strife."'	8	·/˘/˘···
'Then, by my word,' the Saxon said,	8	·····/˘·
"The riddle is already read.	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff,--	8	·/˘·····
There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff.	8	···/˘···
Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy;	8	·····/˘˘
Then yield to Fate, and not to me.	8	········
To James at Stirling let us go,	8	···/˘···
When, if thou wilt be still his foe,	8	········
Or if the King shall not agree	8	······˘/
To grant thee grace and favor free,	8	·····/˘·
I plight mine honor, oath, and word	8	···/˘···
That, to thy native strengths restored,	8	···/˘·˘/
With each advantage shalt thou stand	8	··˘/˘···
That aids thee now to guard thy land.'	8	········
Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye:	8	·/˘··/˘·
'Soars thy presumption, then, so high,	8	··˘/˘···
Because a wretched kern ye slew,	8	···/˘···
Homage to name to Roderick Dhu?	8	/˘···/˘·
He yields not, he, to man nor Fate!	8	········
Thou add'st but fuel to my hate;--	8	···/˘···
My clansman's blood demands revenge.	8	····˘/˘/
Not yet prepared?--By heaven, I change	8	··˘/·/··
My thought, and hold thy valor light	8	·····/˘·
As that of some vain carpet knight,	8	·····/˘·
Who ill deserved my courteous care,	8	··˘/·/˘·
And whose best boast is but to wear	8	········
A braid of his fair lady's hair.' 'I thank thee,	11	·····/˘····
Roderick, for the word!	5	/˘···
It nerves my heart, it steels my sword;	8	········
For I have sworn this braid to stain	8	········
In the best blood that warms thy vein.	8	········
Now, truce, farewell! and, rush, begone!--	8	···/··˘/
Yet think not that by thee alone,	8	······˘/
Proud Chief! can courtesy be shown;	8	···/˘˘··
Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn,	8	········
Start at my whistle clansmen stern,	8	···/˘···
Of this small horn one feeble blast	8	·····/˘·
Would fearful odds against thee cast.	8	·/˘·····
But fear not--doubt not--which thou wilt--	8	········
We try this quarrel hilt to hilt.'	8	···/˘···
Then each at once his falchion drew,	8	·····/˘·
Each on the ground his scabbard threw	8	·····/˘·
Each looked to sun and stream and plain	8	········
As what they ne'er might see again;	8	······˘/
Then foot and point and eye opposed,	8	······˘/
In dubious strife they darkly closed.	8	·/˘··/˘·
Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu,	8	·····/˘·
That on the field his targe he threw,	8	········
Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide	8	·/˘·····
Had death so often dashed aside;	8	···/˘·˘/
For, trained abroad his arms to wield	8	··˘/····
Fitz-James's blade was sword and shield.	8	·/˘·····
He practised every pass and ward,	8	···/˘···
To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard;	8	········
While less expert, though stronger far,	8	··/˘·/˘·
The Gael maintained unequal war.	8	··˘/˘/˘·
Three times in closing strife they stood	8	···/˘···
And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood;	8	···/˘···
No stinted draught, no scanty tide,	8	·/˘··/˘·
The gushing flood the tartars dyed.	8	·/˘··/˘·
Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain,	8	·/˘··/˘·
And showered his blows like wintry rain;	8	·/···/˘·
And, as firm rock or castle-roof	8	·····/˘·
Against the winter shower is proof,	8	···/˘/··
The foe, invulnerable still,	8	··˘/˘˘˘·
Foiled his wild rage by steady skill;	8	·····/˘·
Till, at advantage ta'en, his brand	8	··˘/˘···
Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand,	8	·/˘/˘···

The first 400 of 898 lines; the reader marks them all.

Notes from the edition 125

Notes from The Lady of the Lake (Project Gutenberg #3011).

Stanza 1, line 1 Fair as the earliest beam, etc. "This introductory stanza is well worked in with the story. The morning beam 'lights the fearful path on mountain side' which the two heroes of the poem are to traverse, and the comparison which it suggest enlists our sympathy for Roderick, who is to be the victim of defeat" (Taylor).
Stanza 1, line 1 295, J. C. iii. 1. 30), "rear the higher our opinion" (A. and C. ii. 1. 35), etc.; Milton's "he rear'd me," that is, lifted me up (P. L. viii. 316), "rear'd her lank head" (Comus, 836), etc. Spenser uses it in the sense of take away (like the cant lift = steal); as in F. Q. iii.
Stanza 1, line 5 And lights, etc. The MS. has "And lights the fearful way along its side."
Stanza 1, line 9 26). Just below Lockhart quotes Coriolanus, i. 1. 180: "Who deserves greatness Deserves your hate; and your affections are A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends Upon your favors swims with fins of lead And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind, And call him noble that was now your hate, Him vile that was your garland."
Stanza 2, line 1 Sheen. See on i. 208.
Stanza 2, line 1 12: "She to his closet went, where all his wealth Lay hid; thereof she countlesse summes did reare;" and Id. iii. 10. 53: "like as a Beare, That creeping close among the hives to reare An hony-combe," etc. Wb. does not give this sense, which we believe is found only in Spenser.
Stanza 2, line 5 The dappled sky. Cf. Milton, L'Allegro, 44: "Till the dappled dawn doth rise;" and Shakespeare, Much Ado, v. 3. 25: "and look, the gentle day, Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray."
Stanza 2, line 7 Steal. The word here is expressive of haste.
Stanza 2, line 9 Gael. "The Scottish Highlander calls himself, Gael, or Gaul, and terms the Lowlanders Sassenach, or Saxons" (Scott).
Stanza 2, line 12 By. The word is used for the rhyme, but perhaps gives the idea of a hurry--muttered off the prayers.
Stanza 2, line 13 Wildering. Bewildering. See on i. 274 above. For winded, see on i. 500.
Stanza 2, line 23 Bursting through. That is, as it burst through--"a piece of loose writing" (Taylor).
Stanza 3, line 1 At length, etc. The MS. reads: "At length they paced the mountain's side, And saw beneath the waters wide."
Stanza 3, line 9 The rugged mountain's scanty cloak, etc. The MS. reads: "The rugged mountain's stunted screen Was dwarfish | shrubs | with cliffs between." | copse |
Stanza 3, line 11 Shingles. Gravel or pebbles. See on iii. 171 above. Taylor says: "Note how the details of this description are used in stanza ix.--shingles, bracken, broom."
Stanza 3, line 16 Dank. Damp, moist. Cf. Shakespeare, R. and J. ii. 3. 6: "and night's dank dew;" Milton, Sonnet to Mr. Lawrence: "Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire," etc.
Stanza 4, line 3 Sooth to tell. To tell the truth. See on i. 476 above. Sooth to say, to say sooth, in sooth, in good sooth, etc., are common in old writers. Cf. the Lay, introd. 57: "the sooth to speak."
Stanza 4, line 4 To claim its aid. The MS. has "to draw my blade."
Stanza 4, line 17 Enough. Suffice it that.
Stanza 4, line 20 A knight's free footsteps, etc. The MS. reads: "My errant footsteps | far and wide." A Knight's bold wanderings |
Stanza 5, line 1 I urge thee not. The MS. has "I ask it not," and in 95 "hall" for Doune.
Stanza 5, line 21 Outlawed. The 1st ed. has "exiled."
Stanza 5, line 23 In the Regent's court, etc. Cf. ii. 221 above.
Stanza 6, line 13 Albany. The Regent of 108 above. He was the son of a younger brother of James III., who had been driven into exile by his brother's attempts on his life. He took refuge in France, where his son was made Lord High Admiral. On the death of James IV. he was called home by the Scottish nobles to assume the regency.
Stanza 6, line 15 Mewed. Shut up. The word seems originally to have meant to moult, or shed the feathers; and as a noun, "the place, whether it be abroad or in the house, in which the hawk is put during the time she casts, or doth change her feathers" (R. Holmes's Academy of Armory, etc.). Spenser has both noun and verb; as in F. Q. i. 5. 20: "forth comming from her darksome mew;" and Id. ii. 3. 34: "In which vaine Braggadocchio was mewd." Milton uses the verb in the grand description of Liberty in Of Unlicensed Printing: "Methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam." In England the noun is still used in the plural to denote a stable for horses. Pennant says that the royal stables in London were called mews from the fact that the buildings were formerly used for keeping the king's falcons. Scott says here: "There is scarcely a more disorderly period of 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. 'There arose,' said Pitscottie, 'great trouble and deadly feuds in many parts of Scotland, both in the north and west parts. The Master of Forbes, in the north, slew the Laird of Meldrum, under tryst' (that is, at an agreed and secure meeting). 'Likewise, the Laird of Drummelzier slew the Lord Fleming at the hawking; and, likewise, there was slaughter among many other great lords.' Nor was the matter much mended under the government of the Earl of Angus; for though he caused the King to ride through all Scotland, 'under the pretence and color of justice, to punish thief and traitor, none were found greater than were in their own company. And none at that time durst strive with a Douglas, nor yet a Douglas's man; for if they would, they got the worst. Therefore none durst plainzie of no extortion, theft, reiff, nor slaughter done to them by the Douglases or their men; in that cause they were not heard so long as the Douglas had the court in guiding."
Stanza 7, line 17 Shingles. Cf. 46 above.
Stanza 7, line 19 As to your sires. The target and claymore were the weapons of the Ancient Britons. Taylor quotes Tacitus, Agricola: "ingentibus gladiis et brevibus cetris."
Stanza 7, line 28 Rears. Raises. The word was formerly less restricted in its application than at present. Cf. Shakespeare's "rear my hand" (Temp. ii.
Stanza 7, line 32 Shall with strong hand, etc. Scott has the following note here: "The ancient Highlanders verified in their practice the lines of Gray (Fragment on the Alliance of Education and Government): 'An iron race the mountain cliffs maintain, Foes to the gentler genius of the plain; For where unwearied sinews must be found, With side-long plough to quell the flinty ground, To turn the torrent's swift descending flood, To tame the savage rushing from the wood, What wonder if, to patient valor train'd, They guard with spirit what by strength they gain'd; And while their rocky ramparts round they see The rough abode of want and liberty (As lawless force from confidence will grow), Insult the plenty of the vales below?' "So far, indeed, was a Creagh, or foray, from being held disgraceful, that a young chief was always expected to show his talents for command so soon as he assumed it, by leading his clan on a successful enterprise of this nature, either against a neighboring sept, for which constant feuds usually furnished an apology, or against the Sassencach, Saxons, or Lowlanders, for which no apology was necessary. The Gael, great traditional historians, never forgot that the Lowlands had, at some remote period, been the property of their Celtic forefathers, which furnished an ample vindication of all the ravages that they could make on the unfortunate districts which lay within their reach. Sir James Grant of Grant is in possession of a letter of apology from Cameron of Lochiel, whose men had committed some depredation upon a farm called Moines, occupied by one of the Grants. Lochiel assures Grant that, however the mistake had happened, his instructions were precise, that the party should foray the province of Moray (a Lowland district), where, as he coolly observes, 'all men take their prey.'"
Stanza 8, line 8 Good faith. In good faith, bona fide; as often in old writers.
Stanza 8, line 23 Bower. See on i. 217 above.
Stanza 8, line 26 This rebel Chieftain, etc. The MS. reads: "This dark Sir Roderick | and his band;" This savage Chieftain | and below: "From copse to copse the signal flew. Instant, through copse and crags, arose;" and in 205 "shoots" for sends.
Stanza 9, line 13 And every tuft, etc. The MS. reads: "And each lone tuft of broom gives life To plaided warrior armed for strife. That whistle manned the lonely glen With full five hundred armed men;" and below (214): "All silent, too, they stood, and still, Watching their leader's beck and will, While forward step and weapon show They long to rush upon the foe, Like the loose crag whose tottering mass Hung threatening o'er the hollow pass."
Stanza 9, line 24 Verge. See on iv. 83 above.
Stanza 10, line 3 Manned himself. Cf. Addison's "manned his soul," quoted by Wb.
Stanza 10, line 11 The stern joy, etc. Cf. iv. 155 above.
Stanza 10, line 12 Foeman. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "foeman" in many recent eds.
Stanza 10, line 19 Their mother Earth, etc. Alluding to the old myths of the earth-born Giants and of Cadmus.
Stanza 10, line 25 Glinted. Flashed; a Scottish word. Jamieson defines glint "to glance, gleam, or pass suddenly like a flash of lightning."
Stanza 10, line 26 Glaive. See on iv. 274 above. The jack was "a horseman's defensive upper garment, quilted and covered with strong leather" (Nares). It was sometimes also strengthened with iron rings, plates, or bosses. Cf. Lyly, Euphues: "jackes quilted, and covered over with leather, fustian, or canvas, over thick plates of yron that are sowed to the same." Scott, in the Eve of St. John, speaks of "his plate-jack." For spear the 1st ed. has "lance."
Stanza 11, line 12 One valiant hand. The MS. has "one brave man's hand."
Stanza 11, line 13 Lay. Were staked.
Stanza 11, line 15 I only meant, etc. 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 Highlanders, with the inconsistency of most nations in the same state, were alternately capable of great exertions of generosity and of cruel revenge and perfidy. 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 transmitted 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 accommodations being impossible, the Englishman offered the newly-arrived guest a part of his supper, which was accepted with 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 disguised his business and charge, nor his apprehensions of that celebrated freebooter, John Gunn. The Highlander hesitated a moment, and then frankly consented to be his guide. Forth they set in the morning; and in travelling 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 question, he whistled, and the English officer, with his small party, were surrounded by a body of Highlanders, whose numbers put resistance out of question, 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, …
Stanza 11, line 22 Flood. Flow; used for the sake of the rhyme, like drew just below. Wont = wonted.
Stanza 11, line 31 And still, etc. The MS. reads: "And still, from copse and heather bush, Fancy saw spear and broadsword ruch."
Stanza 12, line 3 Three mighty lakes. 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. There is adjacent to Callander a sweet villa, the residence of Captain Fairfoul, entitled the Roman Camp."
Stanza 12, line 6 Mouldering. The MS. has "martial."
Stanza 12, line 14 This murderous Chief, etc. Cf. 106 above.
Stanza 12, line 20 All vantageless, etc. Scott says: "The duellists of former times did not always stand upon those punctilios respecting equality of arms, which are not judged essential to fair combat. It is true that in formal combats in the lists the parties were, by the judges of the field, put as nearly as possible in the same circumstances. But in private duel it was often otherwise. In that desperate combat which was fought between Quelus, a minion of Henry III. of France, and Antraguet, with two seconds on each side, from which only two persons escaped alive, Quelus complained that his antagonist had over him the advantage of a poniard which he used in parrying, while his left hand, which he was forced to employ for the same purpose, was cruelly mangled. When he charged Antraguet with this odds, 'Thou hast done wrong,' answered he, 'to forget thy dagger at home. We are here to fight, and not to settle punctilios of arms.' In a similar duel, however, a young brother of the house of Aubayne, in Angoulesme, behaved more generously on the like occasion, and at once threw away his dagger when his enemy challenged it as an undue advantage. But at this time hardly anything can be conceived more horridly brutal and savage than the mode in which private quarrels were conducted in France. Those who were most jealous of the point of honor, and acquired the title of Ruffines, did not scruple to take advantage of strength, numbers, surprise, and arms, to accomplish their revenge."
Stanza 13, line 11 By prophet bred, etc. See iii. 91 fol. above; and for the expression cf. iv. 124.
Stanza 14, line 1 Dark lightning, etc. The MS. has "In lightning flashed the Chief's dark eye," which might serve as a comment on Dark lightning.
Stanza 14, line 3 Kern. See on iv. 73 above.
Stanza 14, line 5 He yields not, etc. The MS. has "He stoops not, he, to James nor Fate."
Stanza 14, line 10 Carpet knight. Cf. Shakespeare, T. N. iii. 4. 257: "He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on carpet consideration."
Stanza 14, line 18 Ruth. Pity; obsolete, though we still have ruthless. Cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 1. 50: "to stirre up gentle ruth Both for her noble blood, and for her tender youth;" Milton, Lycidas, 163: "Look homeward, Angel, now, and melt with ruth," etc.
Stanza 15, line 2 His targe. Scott says: "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 received the thrust of the bayonet in this buckler, twisted it aside, and used the broadsword against the encumbered soldier. In the civil war of 1745 most of the front rank of the clans were thus armed; and Captain Grose (Military Antiquities, vol. i. p. 164) informs us that in 1747 the privates of the 42d regiment, then in Flanders, were for the most part permitted to carry targets. A person thus armed had a considerable advantage in private fray. Among verses between Swift and Sheridan, lately published by Dr. Barrett, there is an account of such an encounter, in which the circumstances, and consequently the relative superiority of the combatants, are precisely the reverse of those in the text: 'A Highlander once fought a Frenchman at Margate, The weapons, a rapier, a backsword, and target; Brisk Monsieur advanced as fast as he could, But all his fine pushes were caught in the wood, And Sawny, with backsword, did slash him and nick him, While t'other, enraged that he could not once prick him, Cried, "Sirrah, you rascal, you son of a whore, Me will fight you, be gar! if you'll come from your door."'"
Stanza 15, line 5 Trained abroad. That is, in France. See on i. 163 above. Scott says here: "The use of defensive armor, and particularly of the buckler, or target, was general in Queen Elizabeth's time, although that of the single rapier seems to have been occasionally practised much earlier (see Douce's Illustrations of Shakespeare, vol. ii. p. 61). Rowland Yorke, however, who betrayed the fort of Zutphen to the Spaniards, for which good service he was afterwards poisoned by them, is said to have been the first who brought the rapier-fight into general use. Fuller, speaking of the swash-bucklers, or bullies, of Queen Elizabeth's time, says, 'West Smithfield was formerly called Ruffian's Hall, where such men usually met, casually or otherwise, to try masteries with sword or buckler. More were frightened than hurt, more hurt than killed therewith, it being accounted unmanly to strike beneath the knee. But since that desperate traitor Rowland Yorke first introduced thrusting with rapiers, sword and buckler are disused.' In The Two Angry Women of Abingdon, a comedy, printed in 1599, we have a pathetic complaint: 'Sword and buckler fight begins to grow out of use. I am sorry for it; I shall never see good manhood again. If it be once gone, this poking fight of rapier and dagger will come up; then a tall man and a good sword and buckler man will be spitted like a cat or rabbit.' But the rapier had upon the Continent long superseded, in private duel, the use of sword and shield. The masters of the noble science of defence were chiefly Italians. They made great mystery of their art and mode of instruction, never suffered any person to be present but the scholar who was to be taught, and even examined closets, beds, and other places of possible concealment. Their lessons often gave the most treacherous advantages; for the challenged, having the right to choose his weapons, frequently selected some strange, unusual, and inconvenient kind of arms, the use of which he practised under these instructors, and thus killed at his ease his antagonist, to whom it was presented for the first time on the field of battle. See Brantome's Discourse on Duels, and the work on the same subject, 'si gentement ecrit,' by the venerable Dr. Paris de Puteo. The Highlanders continued to use broadsword and target until disarmed after the affair of 1745-6."
Stanza 15, line 7 Ward. Posture of defence; a technical term in fencing. Cf. Falstaff's "Thou knowest my old ward" (1 Hen. IV. ii. 4. 215), etc.
Stanza 15, line 9 While less expert, etc. The MS. reads: "Not Roderick thus, though stronger far, More tall, and more inured to war." 401, 402. And backward, etc. This couplet is not in the MS.; and the same is true of 405, 406.
Stanza 16, line 4 Let recreant yield, etc. The MS. has "Yield they alone who fear to die." Scott says: "I have not ventured to render this duel so savagely desperate as that of the celebrated Sir Ewan of Lochiel, chief of the clan Cameron, called, from his sable complexion, Ewan Dhu. He was the last man in Scotland who maintained the royal cause during the great Civil War, and his constant incursions rendered him a very unpleasant neighbor to the republican garrison at Inverlochy, now Fort William. The governor of the fort detached a party of three hundred men to lay waste Lochiel's possessions and cut down his trees; by in a sudden and desperate attack made upon them by the chieftain with very inferior numbers, they were almost all cut to pieces. The skirmish is detailed in a curious memoir of Sir Ewan's life, printed in the Appendix of Pennant's Scottish Tour (vol. i. p. 375): 'In this engagement Lochiel himself had several wonderful escapes. In the retreat of the English, one of the strongest and bravest of the officers retired behind a bush, when he observed Lochiel pursuing, and seeing him unaccompanied with any, he leapt out and thought him his prey. They met one another with equal fury. The combat was long and doubtful: the English gentleman had by far the advantage in strength and size; but Lochiel, exceeding him in nimbleness and agility, in the end tript the sword out of his hand; they closed and wrestled, till both fell to the ground in each other's arms. The English officer got above Lochiel, and pressed him hard, but stretching forth his neck, by attempting to disengage himself, Lochiel, who by this time had his hands at liberty, with his left hand seized him by the collar, and jumping at his extended throat, he bit it with his teeth quite through, and kept such a hold of his grasp, that he brought away his mouthful; this, he said, was the sweetest bit he ever had in his lifetime.'"
Stanza 16, line 33 Unwounded, etc. The MS. reads: "Panting and breathless on the sands, But all unwounded, now he stands;" and just below: "Redeemed, unhoped, from deadly strife: Next on his foe his look he | cast, | threw, Whose every breath appeared his last."
Stanza 17, line 11 Unbonneted. Past tense, not participle.
Stanza 17, line 13 Then faint afar. The MS. has "Faint and afar."
Stanza 17, line 16 Lincoln green. See on i. 464 above.
Stanza 17, line 26 We destined, etc. Cf. iv. 411 above.
Stanza 17, line 29 Weed. Dress. See on iv. 506 above.
Stanza 17, line 30 Boune. Ready. See on iv. 36 above.
Stanza 18, line 10 Steel. Spur. Cf. i. 115 above.
Stanza 18, line 16 Carhonie's hill. About a mile from the lower end of Loch Vennachar.
Stanza 18, line 17 Pricked. Spurred. It came to mean ride; as in F. Q. i. 1. 1: "A gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine," etc. Cf. 754 below.
Stanza 18, line 21 Torry and Lendrick. These places, like Deanstown, Doune (see on iv. 19 above), Blair-Drummond, Ochtertyre, and Kier, are all on the banks of the Teith, between Callander and Stirling. Lockhart says: "It may be worth noting that the poet marks the progress of the King by naming in succession places familiar and dear to his own early recollections--Blair-Drummond, the seat of the Homes of Kaimes; Kier, that of the principal family of the name of Stirling; Ochtertyre, that of John Ramsay, the well-known antiquary, and correspondent of Burns; and Craigforth, that of the Callenders of Craigforth, almost under the walls of Stirling Castle;--all hospitable roofs, under which he had spent many of his younger days."
Stanza 18, line 25 Sees the hoofs strike fire. The MS. has "Saw their hoofs of fire."
Stanza 18, line 27 They mark, etc. The to of the infinitive is omitted in glance, as if mark had been see.
Stanza 18, line 29 Sweltering. The 1st ed. has "swelling."
Stanza 19, line 1 Flinty. The MS. has "steepy;" and in 514 "gains" for scales.
Stanza 19, line 20 Saint Serle. "The King himself is in such distress for a rhyme as to be obliged to apply to one of the obscurest saints in the calendar" (Jeffrey). The MS. has "by my word," and "Lord" for Earl in the next line.
Stanza 20, line 2 Cambus-kenneth's abbey gray. See on iv. 231 above.
Stanza 20, line 15 By. Gone by, past.
Stanza 20, line 19 O sad and fatal mound! "An eminence on the northeast of the Castle, where state criminals were executed. Stirling was often polluted with noble blood. It is thus apostrophized by J. Johnston: 'Discordia tristis Heu quotis procerum sanguine tinxit humum! Hoc uno infelix, et felix cetera; nusquam Laetior aut caeli frons geniusve soli.' "The fate of William, eighth Earl of Douglas, whom James II. stabbed in Stirling Castle with his own hand, and while under his royal safe-conduct, is familiar to all who read Scottish history. Murdack Duke of Albany, Duncan Earl of Lennox, his father-in-law, and his two sons, Walter and Alexander Stuart, were executed at Stirling, in 1425. They were beheaded upon an eminence without the Castle walls, but making part of the same hill, from whence they could behold their strong Castle of Doune and their extensive possessions. This 'heading hill,' as it was sometimes termed, bears commonly the less terrible name of Hurly-hacket, from its having been the scene of a courtly amusement alluded to by Sir David Lindsay, who says of the pastimes in which the young King was engaged: 'Some harled him to the Hurly-hacket;' which consisted in sliding--in some sort of chair, it may be supposed--from top to bottom of a smooth bank. The boys of Edinburgh, about twenty years ago, used to play at the hurly-hacket on the Calton Hill, using for their seat a horse's skull" (Scott).
Stanza 20, line 26 The Franciscan steeple. The Greyfriars Church, built by James IV. in 1594 on the hill not far from the Castle, is still standing, and has been recently restored. Here James VI. was crowned on the 29th of July, 1567, and John Knox preached the coronation sermon.
Stanza 20, line 30 Morrice-dancers. The morrice or morris dance was probably of Spanish (or Moorish, as the name implies) origin, but after its introduction into England it became blended with the Mayday games. A full historical account of it is given in Douce's Illustrations of Shakespeare. The characters in it in early times were the following: "Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian (Robin's mistress and the queen or lady of the May), the fool, the piper, and several morris-dancers habited, as it appears, in various modes. Afterwards a hobby-horse and a dragon were added" (Douce). For a description of the game, see Scott's Abbot, ch. xiv., and the author's note. See also on 614 below.
Stanza 20, line 32 The burghers hold their sports to-day. Scott has the following note here: "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 prized 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 the King of the Commons, or Rex Plebeiorum, as Lesley has latinized it. The usual prize to the best shooter was a silver arrow. Such a one is preserved at Selkirk and at Peebles. At Dumfries a silver gun was substituted, and the contention transferred to firearms. The ceremony, as there performed, is the subject of an excellent Scottish poem, by Mr. John Mayne, entitled the Siller Gun 1808, which surpasses the efforts of Fergusson, and comes near those of Burns. "Of James's attachment to archery, Pitscottie, the faithful though rude recorder of the manners of that period, has given us evidence: 'In this year there came an ambassador out of England, named Lord William Howard, with a bishop with him, with many other gentlemen, to the number of threescore horse, which were all able men and waled [picked] men for all kind of games and pastimes, shooting, louping, running, wrestling, and casting of the stone, but they were well sayed [essayed or tried] ere they past out of Scotland, and that by their own provocation; but ever they tint: till at last, the Queen of Scotland, the King's mother, favoured the English-men, because she was the King of England's sister; and therefore she took an enterprise of archery upon the Englishmen's hands, contrary her son the King, and any six in Scotland that he would wale, either gentlemen or yeomen, that the Englishmen should shoot against them either at pricks, revers, or buts, as the Scots pleased. 'The King, hearing this of his mother, was content, and gart her pawn a hundred crowns and a tun of wine upon the English-men's hands; and he incontinent laid down as much for the Scottish-men. The field and ground was chosen in St. Andrews, and three landed men and three yeomen chosen to shoot against the English-men,--to wit, David Wemyss of that ilk, David Arnot of that ilk, and Mr. John Wedderburn, vicar of Dundee; the yeome …
Stanza 20, line 39 Play my prize. The same expression occurs in Shakespeare, T. A. i. 1. 399: "You have play'd your prize." Cf. also M. of V. iii. 2. 142: "Like one of two contending in a prize," etc.
Stanza 21, line 1 The Castle gates. The main entrance to the Castle, not the postern gate of 532 above.
Stanza 21, line 6 Fair Scotland's King, etc. The MS. reads: "King James and all his nobles went... Ever the King was bending low To his white jennet's saddle-bow, Doffing his cap to burgher dame, Who smiling blushed for pride and shame."
Stanza 21, line 27 There nobles, etc. The MS. reads: "Nobles who mourned their power restrained, And the poor burgher's joys disdained; Dark chief, who, hostage for his clan, Was from his home a banished man, Who thought upon his own gray tower, The waving woods, his feudal bower, And deemed himself a shameful part Of pageant that he cursed in heart."
Stanza 22, line 3 With bell at heel. Douce says that "the number of bells round each leg of the morris-dancers amounted from twenty to forty;" but Scott, in a note to The Fair Maid of Perth, speaks of 252 small bells in sets of twelve at regular musical intervals.
Stanza 22, line 4 Their mazes wheel. The MS. adds: "With awkward stride there city groom Would part of fabled knight assume."
Stanza 22, line 6 Robin Hood. Scott says here: "The exhibition of this renowned outlaw and his band was a favorite frolic at such festivals as we are describing. This sporting, in which kings did not disdain to be actors, was prohibited in Scotland upon the Reformation, by a statute of the 6th Parliament of Queen Mary, c. 61, A. D. 1555, which ordered, under heavy penalties that 'na manner of person be chosen Robert Hude, nor Little John, Abbot of Unreason, Queen of May, nor otherwise.' But in 1561, the 'rascal multitude,' says John Knox, 'were stirred up to make a Robin Hude, whilk enormity was of mony years left and damned by statute and act of Paliament; yet would they not be forbidden.' Accordingly they raised a very serious tumult, and at length made prisoners the magistrates who endeavored to suppress it, and would not release them till they extorted a formal promise that no one should be punished for his share of the disturbance. It would seem, from the complaints of the General Assembly of the Kirk, that these profane festivities were continued down to 1592 (Book of the Universal Kirk, p. 414). Bold Robin was, to say the least, equally successful in maintaining his ground against the reformed clergy of England; for the simple and evangelical Latimer complains of coming to a country church where the people refused to hear him because it was Robin Hood's day, and his mitre and rochet were fain to give way to the village pastime. Much curious information on this subject may be found in the Preliminary Dissertation to the late Mr. Ritson's edition of the songs respecting this memorable outlaw. The game of Robin Hood was usually acted in May; and he was associated with the morrice-dancers, on whom so much illustration has been bestowed by the commentators on Shakespeare. A very lively picture of these festivities, containing a great deal of curious information on the subject of the private life and amusements of our ancestors, was thrown, by the late ingenious Mr. Strutt, into his romance entitled Queen-hoo Hall, published after his death, in 1808."
Stanza 22, line 7 Friar Tuck. "Robin Hood's fat friar," as Shakespeare calls him (T. G. of V. iv. 1. 36), who figures in the Robin Hood ballads and in Ivanhoe. Scarlet and Little John are mentioned in one of Master Silence's snatches of song in 2 Hen. IV. v. 3. 107: "And Robin, Scarlet, and John." Scathelocke is a brother of Scarlet in Ben Jonson's Sad Shepherd, which is a "Tale of Robin Hood," and Mutch is a bailiff in the same play.
Stanza 22, line 18 Stake. Prize.
Stanza 22, line 19 Fondly he watched, etc. The MS. reads: "Fondly he watched, with watery eye, For answering glance of sympathy, But no emotion made reply! Indifferent as to unknown | wight, Cold as to unknown yeoman | The King gave forth the arrow bright."
Stanza 22, line 22 To archer wight. That is, to any ordinary archer. Scott has the following note here: "The Douglas of the poem 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. I would have availed myself more fully of the simple and affecting circumstances of the old history, had they not been already woven into a pathetic ballad by my friend Mr. Finlay. [11] 'His [the King's] implacability [towards the family of Douglas] did also appear in his carriage towards Archibald of Kilspinke, whom he, when he was a child, loved singularly well for his ability of body, and was wont to call him his Gray-Steill. [12] Archibald, being banished into England, could not well comport with the humor of that nation, which he thought to be too proud, and that they had too high a conceit of themselves, joined with a contempt and despising of all others. Wherefore, being wearied of that life, and remembering the King's favor of old towards him, he determined to try the King's mercifulness and clemency. So he comes into Scotland, and taking occasion of the King's hunting in the park at Stirling he casts himself to be in his way, as he was coming home to the Castle. So soon as the King saw him afar off, ere he came near, he guessed it was he, and said to one of his courtiers, "Yonder is my Gray-Steill, Archibald of Kilspindie, if he be alive." The other answered that it could not be he, and that he durst not come into the King's presence. The King approaching, he fell upon his knees and craved pardon, and promised from thenceforward to abstain from meddling in public affairs, and to lead a quiet and private life. The King went by without giving him any answer, and trotted a good round pace up the hill. Kilspindie followed, and though he wore on him a secret, or shirt of mail, for his particular enemies, was as soon at the Castle gate as the King. There he sat him down upon a stone without, and entreated some of the King's servants for a cup of drink, being weary and thirsty; but they, fearing the King's displeasure, durst gave him none. When the King was set at his dinner, he asked what he had done, what he had said, and whither he had gone? It was told him that he had desired a cup of drink, and had gotten none. The King reproved them very sharply for their disc …
Stanza 23, line 6 Larbert is a town about ten miles to the south of Stirling, and Alloa another seven miles to the east on the north side of the Forth.
Stanza 23, line 10 To Douglas gave a golden ring. Scott says: "The usual prize of a wrestling was a ram and a ring, but the animal would have embarrassed my story. Thus, in the Cokes Tale of Gamelyn, ascribed to Chaucer: 'There happed to be there beside Tryed a wrestling; And therefore there was y-setten A ram and als a ring." Again, the Litil Geste of Robin Hood: 'By a bridge was a wrestling, And there taryed was he And there was all the best yemen Of all the west countrey. A full fayre game there was set up, A white bull up y-pight, A great courser with saddle and brydle, With gold burnished full bryght; A payre of gloves, a red golde ringe, A pipe of wine, good day; What man bereth him best, I wis, The prise shall bear away.'"
Stanza 23, line 17 To hurl the massive bar. Cf. iv. 559 above.
Stanza 23, line 27 Scottish strength. The MS. has "mortal strength."
Stanza 24, line 2 The Ladies' Rock. A point in the "valley" between the Castle and the Greyfriars Church. It was formerly the chief place for viewing the games, which were held in this "valley," or depression in the hill on which the Castle stands. It must not be confounded with the Ladies' Lookout, a favorite point of view on the Castle walls.
Stanza 24, line 4 Well filled. The MS. has "weighed down;" and in 664, "Scattered the gold among the crowd."
Stanza 24, line 16 Ere Douglas, etc. The MS. has "Ere James of Douglas' stalwart hand;" and in 677, "worn" for wrecked.
Stanza 24, line 23 Murmurs. Some eds. have "murmur."
Stanza 24, line 27 The banished man. The MS. has "his stately form."
Stanza 25, line 33 Needs but a buffet. Only a single blow is needed.
Stanza 26, line 1 Then clamored, etc. The MS. and 1st ed. have "Clamored his comrades of the train;" and in 730 the MS. has "warrior's" for Baron's.
Stanza 26, line 8 Atone. See on iv. 421 above.
Stanza 26, line 17 But shall a Monarch's presence, etc. The MS. reads: "But in my court injurious blow, And bearded thus, and thus out-dared? What, ho!" etc.
Stanza 26, line 20 Ward. Guarding, confinement under guard. Cf. Gen. xl. 3.
Stanza 27, line 1 Misarray. Disorder, confusion. Neither Wb. nor Worc. gives the word.
Stanza 27, line 3 Pricked. Spurred, rode. See on 486 above.
Stanza 27, line 4 Repelled, etc. The MS. has "Their threats repelled by insult loud."
Stanza 27, line 17 Hyndford. A village on the Clyde, a few miles above Lanark.
Stanza 28, line 19 Widow's mate expires. An instance of prolepsis, or "anticipation" in the use of a word. He must expire before she can be a widow. Cf. Macbeth, iii. 4. 76: "Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal;" that is, purged it and made it gentle.
Stanza 28, line 23 Ward. Ward off, avert.
Stanza 29, line 1 The crowd's wild fury, etc. The MS. reads: "The crowd's wild fury ebbed amain In tears, as tempests sink in rain." The 1st ed. reads as in the text, but that of 1821 has "sunk amain." The figure here is a favorite one with Shakespeare. Cf. R. of L. 1788: "This windy tempest, till it blow up rain, Held back his sorrow's tide, to make it more; At last it rains, and busy winds give o'er;" 3 Hen. VI. i. 4. 146: "For raging wind blows up incessant showers, And, when the rage allays, the rain begins;" Id. ii. 5. 85: "see, see, what showers arise, Blown with the windy tempest of my heart;" T. and C. iv. 4. 55: "Where are my tears? rain, to lay this wind, or my heart will be blown up by the root;" and Macbeth, i. 7. 25: "That tears shall down the wind."
Stanza 29, line 13 The rough soldier. Sir John of Hyndford (768 above).
Stanza 29, line 16 He led. The 1st ed. has "they led," and "their" for his in 813.
Stanza 29, line 17 Verge. Note the rhyme with charge, and see on iv. 83 above.
Stanza 30, line 6 This common fool. Cf. Shakespeare's "fool multitude" (M. of V. ii.
Stanza 30, line 8 Douglas. The reading of the 1st ed., as in 825 below; not "Douglas'," as in some recent eds.
Stanza 30, line 17 Vain as the leaf, etc. The MS. has "Vain as the sick man's idle dream."
Stanza 31, line 3 Cognizance. "The sable pale of Mar." See on iv. 153 above.
Stanza 31, line 18 With scanty train, etc. The MS. has "On distant chase you will not ride."
Stanza 32, line 3 Lost it. Forgot it.
Stanza 32, line 5 For spoiling of. For fear of ruining. Cf. Shakespeare, Sonn. 52. 4: "The which he will not every hour survey, For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure; T. G. of V. i. 2. 136: "Yet here they shall not lie for catching cold;" Beaumont and Fletcher, Captain, iii. 5: "We'll have a bib for spoiling of thy doublet," etc.
Stanza 33, line 12 Earl William. The Douglas who was stabbed by James II. See on 551 above.

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