第5章

XXIX。

HymntotheVirgin。

Ave。Maria！maidenmild！

Listentoamaiden’sprayer！

Thoucansthearthoughfromthewild，Thoucanstsaveamiddespair。

Safemaywesleepbeneaththycare，Thoughbanished，outcast，andreviled——

Maiden！hearamaiden’sprayer；

Mother，hearasuppliantchild！

AveMaria！

AveMaria！undefiled！

TheflintycouchwenowmustshareShallseemwithdownofeiderpiled，Ifthyprotectionhoverthere。

Themurkycavern’sheavyairShallbreatheofbalmifthouhastsmiled；

Then，Maiden！hearamaiden’sprayer，Mother，listasuppliantchild！

AveMaria！

Ave。Maria！stainlessstyled！

Fouldemonsoftheearthandair，Fromthistheirwontedhauntexiled，Shallfleebeforethypresencefair。

Webowustoourlotofcare，Beneaththyguidancereconciled：

Hearforamaidamaiden’sprayer，Andforafatherhearachild！

AveMaria！

XXX。

Diedontheharptheclosinghymn，——

Unmovedinattitudeandlimb，Aslisteningstill，Clan—Alpine’slordStoodleaningonhisheavysword，UntilthepagewithhumblesignTwicepointedtothesun’sdecline。

Thenwhilehisplaidheroundhimcast，’Itisthelasttime——’tisthelast，’

Hemutteredthrice，——’thelasttimee’erThatangel—voiceshallRoderickhear’’

Itwasagoadingthought，——hisstrideHiedhastierdownthemountain—side；

SullenheflunghimintheboatAninstant’crossthelakeitshot。

Theylandedinthatsilverybay，AndeastwardheldtheirhastywayTill，withthelatestbeamsoflight，ThebandarrivedonLanrickheight’

WheremusteredinthevalebelowClan—Alpine’smeninmartialshow。

XXXI。

Avariousscenetheclansmenmade：

Somesat，somestood，someslowlystrayer）：

Butmost，withmantlesfoldedround，Werecouchedtorestupontheground，ScarcetobeknownbycuriouseyeFromthedeepheatherwheretheylie，SowellwasmatchedthetartanscreenWithheath—belldarkandbrackensgreen；

Unlesswhere，hereandthere，abladeOrlance’spointaglimmermade，Likeglow—wormtwinklingthroughtheshade。

Butwhen，advancingthroughthegloom，TheysawtheChieftain’seagleplume，Theirshoutofwelcome，shrillandwide，Shookthesteepmountain’ssteadyside。

Thriceitarose，andlakeandfellThreetimesreturnedthemartialyell；

ItdieduponBochastle’splain，AndSilenceclaimedhereveningreign。

CANTOFOURTH。

TheProphecy。

I。

Theroseisfairestwhen’tisbuddingnew，Andhopeisbrightestwhenitdawnsfromfears；

TheroseissweetestwashedwithmorningdewAndloveisloveliestwhenembalmedintears。

Owildingrose，whomfancythusendears，Ibidyourblossomsinmybonnetwave，Emblemofhopeandlovethroughfutureyears！’

ThusspokeyoungNorman，heirofArmandave，WhattimethesunaroseonVennachar’sbroadwave。

II。

Suchfondconceit，halfsaid，halfsung，Lovepromptedtothebridegroom’stongue。

Allwhilehestrippedthewild—rosespray，Hisaxeandbowbesidehimlay，Foronapass’twixtlakeandwoodAwakefulsentinelhestood。

Hark！——ontherockafootsteprung，Andinstanttohisarmshesprung。

’Stand，orthoudiest！——What，Malise？——soonArtthoureturnedfromBraesofDoune。

BythykeenstepandglanceIknow，Thoubring’stustidingsofthefoe。’——

ForwhiletheFieryCrosstriedon，OndistantscouthadMalisegone。——

’WheresleepstheChief？’thehenchmansaid。

’Apart，inyondermistyglade；

TohislonecouchI’llbeyourguide。’——

Thencalledaslumbererbyhisside，Andstirredhimwithhisslackenedbow，——

’Up，up，Glentarkin！rousethee，ho！

WeseektheChieftain；onthetrackKeepeaglewatchtillIcomeback。’

III。

Togetherupthepasstheysped：

’Whatofthefoeman？’Normansaid。——

’Varyingreportsfromnearandfar；

Thiscertain，——thatabandofwarHasfortwodaysbeenreadyboune，AtpromptcommandtomarchfromDoune；

KingJamesthewhile，withprincelypowers，HoldsrevelryinStirlingtowers。

SoonwillthisdarkandgatheringcloudSpeakonourglensinthunderloud。

Inuredtobidesuchbitterbout，Thewarrior’splaidmaybearitout；

But，Norman，howwiltthouprovideAshelterforthybonnybride？’’——

’What！knowyenotthatRoderick’scareTotheloneislehathcausedrepairEachmaidandmatronoftheclan，AndeverychildandagedmanUnfitforarms；andgivenhischarge，Norskiffnorshallop，boatnorbarge，Upontheselakesshallfloatatlarge，Butallbesidetheisletmoor，Thatsuchdearpledgemayrestsecure？’——

IV。

’’Tiswelladvised，——theChieftain’splanBespeaksthefatherofhisclan。

ButwhereforesleepsSirRoderickDhuApartfromallhisfollowerstrue？’

’Itisbecauselastevening—tideBriananauguryhathtried，OfthatdreadkindwhichmustnotbeUnlessindreadextremity，TheTaghairmcalled；bywhich，afar，Oursiresforesawtheeventsofwar。

Duncraggan’smilk—whitebulltheyslew，’——

Malise。

’Ah！wellthegallantbruteIknew！

ThechoicestofthepreywehadWhensweptourmerrymenGallangad。

Hishidewassnow，hishornsweredark，Hisredeyeglowedlikefieryspark；

Sofierce，sotameless，andsofleet，Soredidhecumberourretreat，Andkeptourstoutestkernsinawe，EvenatthepassofBeal’maha。

Butsteepandflintywastheroad，Andsharpthehurryingpikeman’sgoad，AndwhenwecametoDennan’sRowAchildmightscathlessstrokehisbrow。’

V。

Norman。

’Thatbullwasslain；hisreekinghideTheystretchedthecataractbeside，WhosewaterstheirwildtumulttossAdowntheblackandcraggybossOfthathugecliffwhoseamplevergeTraditioncallstheHero’sTarge。

Couchedonashelfbeneathitsbrink，Closewherethethunderingtorrentssink，Rockingbeneaththeirheadlongsway，Anddrizzledbytheceaselessspray，Midstgroanofrockandroarofstream，Thewizardwaitspropheticdream。

NordistantreststheChief；——buthush！

See，glidingslowthroughmistandbush，Thehermitgainsyonrock，andstandsTogazeuponourslumberingbands。

Seemshenot，Malise，dikeaghost，Thathoverso’eraslaughteredhost？

Orravenontheblastedoak，That，watchingwhilethedeerisbroke，Hismorselclaimswithsullencroak？’

Malise。

’Peace！peace！tootherthantomeThywordswereevilaugury；

ButstillIholdSirRoderick’sbladeClan—Alpine’somenandheraid，Notaughtthat，gleanedfromheavenorhell，Yonfiend—begottenMonkcantell。

TheChieftainjoinshim，see——andnowTogethertheydescendthebrow。’

VI。

And，astheycame，withAlpine’sLordTheHermitMonkheldsolemnword：——。

’Roderick！itisafearfulstrife，FormanendowedwithmortallifeWhoseshroudofsentientclaycanstillFeelfeverishpangandfaintingchill，WhoseeyecanstareinstonytranceWhosehaircanrouselikewarrior’slance，’Tishardforsuchtoview，unfurled，Thecurtainofthefutureworld。

Yet，witnesseveryquakinglimb，Mysunkenpulse，mineeyeballsdim，Mysoulwithharrowinganguishtorn，ThisformyChieftainhaveIborne！——

TheshapesthatsoughtmyfearfulcouchAhumantonguemayne’eravouch；

Nomortalman——savehe，who，bredBetweenthelivingandthedead，Isgiftedbeyondnature’slawHade’ersurvivedtosayhesaw。

AtlengththefatefulanswercameIncharactersoflivingflame！

Notspokeinword，norblazedinscroll，Butborneandbrandedonmysoul：——

WHICHSPILLSTHEFOREMOSTFOEMAN’SLIFE，THATPARTYCONQUERSINTHESTRIFE。’

VII。

’Thanks，Brian，forthyzealandcare！

Goodisshineaugury，andfair。

Clan—Alpinene’erinbattlestoodButfirstourbroadswordstastedblood。

AsurervictimstillIknow，Self—offeredtotheauspiciousblow：

Aspyhassoughtmylandthismorn，——

Noeveshallwitnesshisreturn！

Myfollowersguardeachpass’smouth，Toeast，towestward，andtosouth；

RedMurdoch，bribedtobehisguide，Haschargetoleadhisstepsaside，TillindeeppathordinglebrownHelightonthoseshallbringhimclown。

Butsee，whocomeshisnewstoshow！

Malise！whattidingsofthefoe？’

VIII。

’AtDoune，o’ermanyaspearandglaiveTwoBaronsproudtheirbannerswave。

IsawtheMoray’ssilverstar，AndmarkedthesablepaleofMar。’

’ByAlpine’ssoul，hightidingsthose！

Ilovetohearofworthyfoes。

Whenmovetheyon？’’To—morrow’snoonWillseethemhereforbattleboune。’

’Thenshallitseeameetingstern！

But，fortheplace，——say，couldstthoulearnNoughtofthefriendlyclansofEarn？

Strengthenedbythem，wewellmightbideThebattleonBenledi’sside。

Thoucouldstnot？——well！Clan—Alpine’smenShallmantheTrosachs’shaggyglen；

WithinLochKatrine’sgorgewe’llfight，Allinourmaids’andmatrons’sight，Eachforhishearthandhouseholdfire，Fatherforchild，andsonforsireLoverformaidbeloved！——ButwhyIsitthebreezeaffectsmineeye？

Ordostthoucome，ill—omenedtear！

Amessengerofdoubtorfear？

No！soonermaytheSaxonlanceUnfixBenledifromhisstance，ThandoubtorterrorcanpiercethroughTheunyieldingheartofRoderickDhu！

’tisstubbornashistrustytarge。

Eachtohispost！——allknowtheircharge。’

Thepibrochsounds，thebandsadvance，Thebroadswordsgleam，thebannersdance’

ObedienttotheChieftain’sglance。——

IturnmefromthemartialroarAndseekCoir—Uriskinoncemore。

IX。

WhereistheDouglas？——heisgone；

AndEllensitsonthegraystoneFastbythecave，andmakeshermoan，WhilevainlyAllan’swordsofcheerArepouredonherunheedingear。

’Hewillreturn——dearlady，trust！——

Withjoyreturn；——hewill——hemust。

WellwasittimetoseekafarSomerefugefromimpendingwar，Whene’enClan—Alpine’sruggedswarmArecowedbytheapproachingstorm。

Isawtheirboatswithmanyalight，Floatingthelivelongyesternight，ShiftinglikeflashesdartedforthBytheredstreamersofthenorth；

Imarkedatmornhowclosetheyride，Thickmooredbytheloneislet’sside，LikewildduckscouchinginthefenWhenstoopsthehawkupontheglen。

SincethisruderacedarenotabideTheperilonthemainlandside，Shallnotthynoblefather’scareSomesaferetreatfortheeprepare？’

X。

Ellen。

’No，Allan，no’PretextsokindMywakefulterrorscouldnotblind。

Wheninsuchtendertone，yetgrave，Douglasapartingblessinggave，ThetearthatglistenedinhiseyeDrownednothispurposefixedandhigh。

Mysoul，thoughfeminineandweak，Canimagehis；e’enasthelake，Itselfdisturbedbyslighteststroke。

Reflectstheinvulnerablerock。

Hehearsreportofbattlerife，Hedeemshimselfthecauseofstrife。

IsawhimreddenwhenthethemeTurned，Allan，onshineidledreamOfMalcolmGraemeinfettersbound，WhichI，thousaidst，abouthimwound。

Think’stthouhebowedshineomenaught？

Ono’’twasapprehensivethoughtForthekindyouth，——forRodericktoo——

Letmebejust——thatfriendsotrue；

Indangerboth，andinourcause！

Minstrel，theDouglasdarenotpause。

Whyelsethatsolemnwarninggiven，’Ifnotonearth，wemeetinheaven！’

Whyelse，toCambus—kenneth’sfane，Ifevereturnhimnotagain，AmItohieandmakemeknown？

Alas！hegoestoScotland’sthrone，Buyshisfriends’safetywithhisown；

Hegoestodo——whatIhaddone，HadDouglas’daughterbeenhisson！’

XI。

’Nay，lovelyEllen！——dearest，nay！

Ifaughtshouldhisreturndelay，HeonlynamedyonholyfaneAsfittingplacetomeetagain。

Besurehe’ssafe；andfortheGraeme，——

Heaven’sblessingonhisgallantname！——

Myvisionedsightmayyetprovetrue，Norbodeofilltohimoryou。

Whendidmygifteddreambeguile？

Thinkofthestrangerattheisle，AndthinkupontheharpingsslowThatpresagedthisapproachingwoe！

Soothwasmyprophecyoffear；

Believeitwhenitaugurscheer。

Wouldwehadleftthisdismalspot！

Illluckstillhauntsafairyspot！

OfsuchawondroustaleIknow——

Dearlady，changethatlookofwoe，Myharpwaswontthygrieftocheer。’

Ellen。

’Well，beitasthouwilt；

Ihear，Butcannotstoptheburstingtear。’

TheMinstreltriedhissimpleart，RutdistantfarwasEllen’sheart。

XII。

Ballad。

AliceBrand。

Merryitisinthegoodgreenwood，Whenthemavisandmerlearesinging，Whenthedeersweepsby，andthehoundsareincry，Andthehunter’shornisringing。

’OAliceBrand，mynativelandIslostforloveofyou；

Andwemustholdbywoodandword，Asoutlawswonttodo。

’OAlice，’twasallforthylockssobright，And’twasallforshineeyessoblue，ThatonthenightofourlucklessflightThybrotherboldIslew。

’NowmustIteachtohewthebeechThehandthatheldtheglaive，Forleavestospreadourlowlybed，Andstakestofenceourcave。

’Andforvestofpall，thyfingerssmall，Thatwontonharptostray，Acloakmustshearfromtheslaughtereddeer，Tokeepthecoldaway。’

’ORichard！ifmybrotherdied，’Twasbutafatalchance；

Fordarklingwasthebattletried，Andfortunespedthelance。

’IfpallandvairnomoreIwear，NorthouthecrimsonsheenAswarm，we’llsay，istherussetgray，Asgaytheforest—green。

’And，Richard，ifourlotbehard，Andlostthynativeland，StillAlicehasherownRichard，AndhehisAliceBrand。’

XIII。

BalladContinued。

’tismerry，’tismerry，ingoodgreenwood；

SoblitheLadyAliceissinging；

Onthebeech’spride，andoak’sbrownside，LordRichard’saxeisringing。

UpspokethemoodyElfinKing，Whowonedwithinthehill，——

Likewindintheporchofaruinedchurch，Hisvoicewasghostlyshrill。

’Whysoundsyonstrokeonbeechandoak，Ourmoonlightcircle’sscreen？

Orwhocomesheretochasethedeer，BelovedofourElfinQueen？

OrwhomaydareonwoldtowearThefairies’fatalgreen？

’Up，Urgan，up！toyonmortalhie，Forthouwertchristenedman；

Forcrossorsignthouwiltnotfly，Formutteredwordorban。

’Layonhimthecurseofthewitheredheart，Thecurseofthesleeplesseye；

Tillhewishandpraythathislifewouldpart，Noryetfindleavetodie。’

XIV。

BalladContinued。

’Tismerry，’tismerry，ingoodgreenwood，Thoughthebirdshavestilledtheirsinging；

TheeveningblazeclothAliceraise，AndRichardisfagotsbringing。

UpUrganstarts，thathideousdwarf，BeforeLordRichardstands，And，ashecrossedandblessedhimself，’Ifearnotsign，’quoththegrislyelf，’Thatismadewithbloodyhands。’

Butoutthenspokeshe，AliceBrand，Thatwomanvoidoffear，——

’Andifthere’sblooduponhishand，’Tisbutthebloodofdeer。’

’Nowloudthouliest，thouboldofmood！

Itcleavesuntohishand，Thestainofshineownkindlyblood，ThebloodofEthertBrand。’

Thenforwardsteppedshe，AliceBrand，Andmadetheholysign，——

’Andifthere’sbloodonRichard’shand，Aspotlesshandismine。

’AndIconjurethee，demonelf，ByHimwhomdemonsfear，Toshowuswhencethouartthyself，Andwhatshineerrandhere？’

XV。

BalladContinued。

"Tismerry，’tismerry，inFairy—land，Whenfairybirdsaresinging，Whenthecourtclothridebytheirmonarch’sside，Withbitandbridleringing：

’AndgaylyshinestheFairy—land——

Butallisglisteningshow，LiketheidlegleamthatDecember’sbeamCandartoniceandsnow。

’Andfading，likethatvariedgleam，Isourinconstantshape，Whonowlikeknightandladyseem，Andnowlikedwarfandape。

’Itwasbetweenthenightandday，WhentheFairyKinghaspower，ThatIsunkdowninasinfulfray，And’twixtlifeanddeathwassnatchedawayTothejoylessElfinbower。

’ButwistIofawomanbold，Whothricemybrowdurstsign，Imightregainmymortalmould，Asfairaformasthine。’

Shecrossedhimonce——shecrossedhimtwice——

Thatladywassobrave；

Thefoulergrewhisgoblinhue，Thedarkergrewthecave。

Shecrossedhimthrice，thatladybold；

HerosebeneathherhandThefairestknightonScottishmould，Herbrother，EthertBrand！

Merryitisingoodgreenwood，Whenthemavisandmerlearesinging，ButmerrierweretheyinDunfermlinegray，Whenallthebellswereringing。

XVI。

Justastheminstrelsoundswerestayed，Astrangerclimbedthesteepyglade；

Hismartialstep，hisstatelymien，Hishunting—suitofLincolngreen，Hiseagleglance，remembranceclaims——

’TisSnowdoun’sKnight，’tisJamesFitz—James。

Ellenbeheldasinadream，Then，starting，scarcesuppressedascream：

’Ostranger！insuchhouroffearWhatevilhaphasbroughttheehere？’

’AnevilhaphowcanitbeThatbidsmelookagainonthee？

Bypromisebound，myformerguideMetmebetimesthismorning—tide，AndmarshalledoverbankandbourneThehappypathofmyreturn。’

’Thehappypath！——what！saidhenaughtOfwar，ofbattletobefought，Ofguardedpass？’’No，bymyfaith！

NorsawIaughtcouldaugurscathe。’

’Ohastethee，Allan，tothekern：

YonderhistartarsIdiscern；

Learnthouhispurpose，andconjureThathewillguidethestrangersure！——

Whatpromptedthee，unhappyman？

ThemeanestserfinRoderick’sclanHadnotbeenbribed，byloveorfear，Unknowntohimtoguidetheehere。’

XVII。

’SweetEllen，dearmylifemustbe，Sinceitisworthycarefromthee；

etlifeIholdbutidlebreathWhenloveorhonor’sweighedwithdeath。

Thenletmeprofitbymychance，Andspeakmypurposeboldatonce。

IcometobeartheefromawildWherene’erbeforesuchblossomsmiled，BythissofthandtoleadtheefarFromfranticscenesoffeudandwar。

NearBochastlemyhorseswait；

TheybearussoontoStirlinggate。

I’llplacetheeinalovelybower，I’llguardtheelikeatenderflower——’

’Ohush，SirKnight！’twerefemaleart，TosayIdonotreadthyheart；

Toomuch，before，myselfishearWasidlysoothedmypraisetohear。

Thatfatalbaithathluredtheeback，Indeathfulhour，o’erdangeroustrack；

Andhow，Ohow，canIatoneThewreckmyvanitybroughton！——

Onewayremains——I’lltellhimall——

Yes！strugglingbosom，forthitshall！

Thou，whoselightfollybearstheblame，Buyshineownpardonwiththyshame！

Butfirst——myfatherisamanOutlawedandexiled，underban；

Thepriceofbloodisonhishead，Withme’twereinfamytowed。

Stillwouldstthouspeak？——thenhearthetruth！

Fitz—James，thereisanobleyouth——

Ifyetheis！——exposedformeAndminetodreadextremity——

Thouhastthesecretofmybears；

Forgive，begenerous，anddepart！’