第6章

XVIII。

Fitz—JameskneweverywilytrainAlady’sficklehearttogain，Buthereheknewandfeltthemvain。

ThereshotnoglancefromEllen’seye，Togivehersteadfastspeechthelie；

Inmaidenconfidenceshestood，ThoughmantledinhercheekthebloodAndtoldherlovewithsuchasighOfdeepandhopelessagony，AsdeathhadsealedherMalcolm’sdoomAndshesatsorrowingonhistomb。

HopevanishedfromFitz—James’seye，Butnotwithhopefledsympathy。

Heprofferedtoattendherside，Asbrotherwouldasisterguide。

’Olittleknow’stthouRoderick’sheart！

Saferforbothwegoapart。

Ohastethee，andfromAllanlearnIfthoumaysttrustyonwilykern。’

Withhanduponhisforeheadlaid，Theconflictofhismindtoshade，Apartingsteportwohemade；

Then，assomethoughthadcrossedhisbrainHepaused，andturned。andcameagain。

XIX。

’Hear，lady，yetapartingword！——

ItchancedinfightthatmypoorswordPreservedthelifeofScotland’slord。

ThisringthegratefulMonarchgave，Andbade，whenIhadboontocrave，Tobringitback，andboldlyclaimTherecompensethatIwouldname。

Ellen，Iamnocourtlylord，Butonewholivesbylanceandsword，Whosecastleishishelmandshield，Hislordshiptheembattledfield。

WhatfromaprincecanIdemand，Whoneitherreckofstatenorland？

Ellen，thyhand——theringisshine；

Eachguardandusherknowsthesign。

SeekthoutheKingwithoutdelay；

Thissignetshallsecurethyway：

Andclaimthysuit，whate’eritbe，Asransomofhispledgetome。’

Heplacedthegoldencircleton，Paused——kissedherhand——andthenwasgone。

TheagedMinstrelstoodaghast，SohastilyFitz—Jamesshotpast。

Hejoinedhisguide，andwendingdownTheridgesofthemountainbrown，AcrossthestreamtheytooktheirwayThatjoinsLochKatrinetoAchray。

XX

AllintheTrosachs’glenwasstill，Noontidewassleepingonthehill：

Suddenhisguidewhoopedloudandhigh——

’Murdoch！wasthatasignalcry？’——

Hestammeredforth，’IshouttoscareYonravenfromhisdaintyfare。’

Helooked——heknewtheraven’sprey，Hisownbravesteed：’Ah！gallantgray！

Forthee——forme，perchance——’twerewellWene’erhadseentheTrosachs’dell。——

Murdoch，movefirst———butsilently；

Whistleorwhoop，andthoushaltdie！’

Jealousandsullenontheyfared，Eachsilent，eachuponhisguard。

XXI。

NowwoundthepathitsdizzyledgeAroundaprecipice’sedge，Whenlo！awastedfemaleform，Blightedbywrathofsunandstorm，Intatteredweedsandwildarray，Stoodonacliffbesidetheway，Andglancingroundherrestlesseye，Uponthewood，therock，thesky，Seemednaughttomark，yetalltospy。

Herbrowwaswreathedwithgaudybroom；

WithgesturewildshewavedaplumeOffeathers，whichtheeaglesflingTocragandclifffromduskywing；

Suchspoilsherdesperatestephadsought，Wherescarcewasfootingforthegoat。

Thetartanplaidshefirstdescried，Andshriekedtillalltherocksreplied；

Asloudshelaughedwhenneartheydrew，ForthentheLowlandgarbsheknew；

Andthenherhandsshewildlywrung，Andthenshewept，andthenshesung——

Shesung！——thevoice，inbettertime，Perchancetoharporlutemightchime；

Andnow，thoughstrainedandroughened，stillRungwildlysweettodaleandhill。

XXII。

Song。

Theybidmesleep，theybidmepray，Theysaymybrainiswarpedandwrung——

IcannotsleeponHighlandbrae，IcannotprayinHighlandtongue。

ButwereInowwhereAllanglides，OrheardmynativeDevan’stides，SosweetlywouldIrest，andprayThatHeavenwouldclosemywintryday！

’Twasthusmyhairtheybademebraid，Theymademetothechurchrepair；

Itwasmybridalmorntheysaid，Andmytruelovewouldmeetmethere。

ButwoebetidethecruelguileThatdrownedinbloodthemorningsmile！

Andwoebetidethefairydream！

Ionlywakedtosobandscream。

XXIII。

’Whoisthismaid？whatmeansherlay？

Shehoverso’erthehollowway，Andflutterswidehermantlegray，Astheloneheronspreadshiswing，Bytwilight，o’erahauntedspring。’

"TisBlancheofDevan，’Murdochsaid，’AcrazedandcaptiveLowlandmaid，Ta’enonthemornshewasabride，WhenRoderickforayedDevan—side。

Thegaybridegroomresistancemade，AndfeltourChief’sunconqueredblade。

Imarvelsheisnowatlarge，Butoftshe’scapesfromMaudlin’scharge。——

Hence，brain—sickfool！’——Heraisedhisbow：——

’Now，ifthoustrik’stherbutoneblow，I’llpitchtheefromthecliffasfarAseverpeasantpitchedabar！’

’Thanks，champion，thanks"theManiaccried，AndpressedhertoFitz—James’sside。

’SeethegraypennonsIprepare，Toseekmytruelovethroughtheair！

Iwillnotlendthatsavagegroom，Tobreakhisfall，onedownyplume！

No！——deepamiddisjointedstones，Thewolvesshallbattenonhisbones，Andthenshallhisdetestedplaid，Bybushandbrierinmid—airstayed，Waveforthabannerfailandfree，Meetsignalfortheirrevelry。’

XXIV

’Hushthee，poormaiden，andbestill！’

’O！thoulook’stkindly，andIwill。

Mineeyehasdriedandwastedbeen，ButstillitlovestheLincolngreen；

And，thoughmineearisallunstrung，Still，stillitlovestheLowlandtongue。

’ForOmysweetWilliamwasforestertrue，HestolepoorBlanche’sheartaway！

Hiscoatitwasallofthegreenwoodhue，AndsoblithelyhetrilledtheLowlandlay！

’ItwasnotthatImeanttotell……

Butthouartwiseandguessestwell。’

Then，inalowandbrokentone，Andhurriednote，thesongwenton。

StillontheClansmanfearfullyShefixedherapprehensiveeye，ThenturneditontheKnight，andthenHerlookglancedwildlyo’ertheglen。

XXV。

’Thetoilsarepitched，andthestakesareset，——

Eversingmerrily，merrily；

Thebowstheybend，andtheknivestheywhet，Hunterslivesocheerily。

Itwasastag，astagoften，Bearingitsbranchessturdily；

Hecamestatelydowntheglen，——

Eversinghardily，hardily。

’Itwastherehemetwithawoundeddoe，Shewasbleedingdeathfully；

Shewarnedhimofthetoilsbelow，O。sofaithfully，faithfully！

’Hehadaneye，andhecouldheed，——

Eversingwarily，warily；

Hehadafoot，antihecouldspeed，——

Hunterswatchsonarrowly。’

XXVI。

Fitz—James’smindwaspassion—tossed，WhenEllen’shintsandfearswerelost；

ButMurdoch’sshoutsuspicionwrought，AndBlanche’ssongconvictionbrought。

Notlikeastagthatspiesthesnare，Butlionofthehuntaware，Hewavedatoncehisbladeonhigh，’Disclosethytreachery，ordie！’

ForthathellspeedtheClansmanflew，Butinhisracehisbowhedrew。

TheshaftjustgrazedFitz—James’screst，AndthrilledinBlanche’sfadedbreast。——

MurdochofAlpine！provethyspeed，Forne’erhadAlpine’ssonsuchneed；

Withheartoffire，andfootofwind，Thefierceavengerisbehind！

Fatejudgesoftherapidstrife——

Theforfeitdeath——theprizeislife；

Thykindredambushliesbefore，Closecouchedupontheheatherymoor；

Themcouldstthoureach！——itmaynotbeThineambushedkinthoune’ershaltsee，ThefierySaxongainsonthee！——

Resistlessspeedsthedeadlythrust，Aslightningstrikesthepinetodust；

WithfootandhandFitz—JamesmuststrainErehecanwinhisbladeagain。

Bento’erthefallenwithfalconeye，Hegrimlysmiledtoseehimdie，Thenslowerwendedbackhisway，Wherethepoormaidenbleedinglay。

XXVII。

Shesatbeneaththebirchentree，Herelbowrestingonherknee；

Shehadwithdrawnthefatalshaft，Andgazedonit，andfeeblylaughed；

Herwreathofbroomandfeathersgray，Daggledwithblood，besideherlay。

TheKnighttostanchthelife—streamtried，——

’Stranger，itisinvain！’shecried。

’ThishourofdeathhasgivenmemoreOfreason’spowerthanyearsbefore；

For，astheseebbingveinsdecay，Myfrenziedvisionsfadeaway。

AhelplessinjuredwretchIdie，AndsomethingtellsmeinshineeyeThatthouwertmineavengerborn。

Seestthouthistress？——O。stillI’vewornThislittletressofyellowhair，Throughdanger，frenzy，anddespair！

Itoncewasbrightandclearasshine，Butbloodandtearshavedimmeditsshine。

Iwillnottelltheewhen’twasshred，Norfromwhatguiltlessvictim’shead，——

Mybrainwouldturn！——butitshallwaveLikeplumageonthyhelmetbrave，Tillsunandwindshallbleachthestain，Andthouwiltbringitmeagain。

Iwaverstill。——OGod！morebrightLetreasonbeamherpartinglight！——

O。bythyknighthood’shonoredsign，Andforthylifepreservedbymine，Whenthoushaltseeadarksomeman，WhoboastshimChiefofAlpine’sClan，Withtartarsbroadandshadowyplume，Andhandofblood，andbrowofgloomBethyheartbold，thyweaponstrong，AndwreakpoorBlancheofDevan’swrong！——

Theywatchfortheebypassandfell……

Avoidthepath……OGod！……farewell。’

XXVIII。

AkindlyhearthadbraveFitz—James；

Fastpouredhiseyesatpity’sclaims；

Andnow，withmingledgriefandire，Hesawthemurderedmaidexpire。

’God，inmyneed，bemyrelief，AsIwreakthisonyonderChief！’

AlockfromBlanche’stressesfairHeblendedwithherbridegroom’shair；

Themingledbraidinbloodhedyed，Andplaceditonhisbonnet—side：

’ByHimwhosewordistruth，Iswear，NootherfavourwillIwear，TillthissadtokenIimbrueInthebestbloodofRoderickDhu！——

Buthark！whatmeansyonfainthalloo？

Thechaseisup，——buttheyshallknow，Thestagatbay’sadangerousfoe。’

Barredfromtheknownbutguardedway，ThroughcopseandcliffsFitz—Jamesmuststray，Andoftmustchangehisdesperatetrack，Bystreamandprecipiceturnedback。

Heartless，fatigued，andfaint，atlength，FromlackoffoodandlossofstrengthHecouchedhiminathickethoarAndthoughthistoilsandperilso’er：——

’Ofallmyrashadventurespast，Thisfranticfeatmustprovethelast！

Whoe’ersomadbutmighthaveguessedThatallthisHighlandhornet’snestWouldmusterupinswarmssosoonAse’ertheyheardofbandsatDoune？——

Likebloodhoundsnowtheysearchmeout，——

Hark，tothewhistleandtheshout！——

IffartherthroughthewildsIgo，Ionlyfalluponthefoe：

I’llcouchmeheretilleveninggray，Thendarklingtrymydangerousway。’

XXIX。

Theshadesofevecomeslowlydown，Thewoodsarewraptindeeperbrown，Theowlawakensfromherdell，Thefoxishearduponthefell；

EnoughremainsofglimmeringlightToguidethewanderer’sstepsaright，YetnotenoughfromfartoshowHisfiguretothewatchfulfoe。

Withcautiousstepandearawake，Heclimbsthecragandthreadsthebrake；

AndnotthesummersolsticethereTemperedthemidnightmountainair，ButeverybreezethatsweptthewoldBenumbedhisdrenchedlimbswithcold。

Indread，indanger，andalone，Famishedandchilled，throughwaysunknown，Tangledandsteep，hejourneyedon；

Till，asarock’shugepointheturned，Awatch—fireclosebeforehimburned。

XXX。

BesideitsembersredandclearBaskedinhisplaidamountaineer；

Anduphesprungwithswordinhand，——

’Thynameandpurpose！Saxon，stand！’

’Astranger。’’Whatcostthourequire？’

’Restandaguide，andfoodandfireMylife’sbeset，mypathislost，Thegalehaschilledmylimbswithfrost。’

’ArtthouafriendtoRoderick？’’No。’

’Thoudar’stnotcallthyselfafoe？’

’Idare！tohimandallthebandHebringstoaidhismurderoushand。’

’Boldwords！——but，thoughthebeastofgameTheprivilegeofchasemayclaim，ThoughspaceandlawthestagwelendErehoundwesliporbowwebendWhoeverrecked，where，how，orwhen，Theprowlingfoxwastrappedorslain？

Thustreacherousscouts，——yetsuretheylieWhosaythoucam’stasecretspy！’——

’Theydo，byheaven！——comeRoderickDhuAndofhisclantheboldesttwoAndletmebuttillmorningrest，Iwritethefalsehoodontheircrest。’

IfbytheblazeImarkarightThoubear’stthebeltandspurofKnight。’

’ThenbythesetokensmaystthouknowEachproudoppressor’smortalfoe。’

’Enough，enough；sitdownandshareAsoldier’scouch。asoldier’sfare。’

XXXI……

HegavehimofhisHighlandcheer，Thehardenedfleshofmountaindeer；

Dryfuelonthefirehelaid，AndbadetheSaxonsharehisplaid。

Hetendedhimlikewelcomeguest，Thenthushisfurtherspeechaddressed：——

’Stranger，IamtoRoderickDhuAclansmanborn，akinsmantrue；

EachwordagainsthishonourspokeDemandsofmeavengingstroke；

Yetmore，——uponthyfate，’tissaid，Amightyauguryislaid。

Itrestswithmetowindmyhorn，——

Thouartwithnumbersoverborne；

Itrestswithme，here，brandtobrand，Wornasthouart，tobidtheestand：

But，notforclan，norkindred’scause，WillIdepartfromhonour’slaws；

Toassailaweariedmanwereshame，Andstrangerisaholyname；

Guidanceandrest，andfoodandfire，Invainhenevermustrequire。

Thenresttheeheretilldawnofday；

Myselfwillguidetheeontheway，O’erstockandstone，throughwatchandward，TillpastClan—Alpine’soutmostguard，AsfarasCoilantogle’sford；

Fromthencethywarrantisthysword。’

’Itakethycourtesy，byheaven，Asfreelyas’tisnoblygiven！’

Well，restthee；forthebittern’scrySingsusthelake’swildlullaby。’

Withthatheshookthegatheredheath，Andspreadhisplaiduponthewreath；

Andthebravefoemen，sidebyside，Laypeacefuldownlikebrotherstried，AndsleptuntilthedawningbeamPurpledthemountainandthestream。

CANTOFIFTH。

TheCombat。

I。

Fairastheearliestbeamofeasternlight，Whenfirst，bythebewilderedpilgrimspied，ItsmilesuponthedrearybrowofnightAndsilverso’erthetorrent’sfoamingtideAndlightsthefearfulpathonmountain—side，——

Fairasthatbeam，althoughthefairestfar，Givingtohorrorgrace，todangerpride，ShinemartialFaith，andCourtesy’sbrightstarThroughallthewreckfulstormsthatcloudthebrowofWar。

II。

Thatearlybeam，sofairandsheen，WastwinklingthroughthehazelscreenWhen，rousingatitsglimmerred，Thewarriorslefttheirlowlybed，Lookedoutuponthedappledsky，Mutteredtheirsoldiermatinstry，Andthenawakedtheirfire，tosteal，Asshortandrude，theirsoldiermeal。

Thato’er，theGaelaroundhimthrewHisgracefulplaidofvariedhue，And，truetopromise，ledtheway，Bythicketgreenandmountaingray。

Awilderingpath！——theywindednowAlongtheprecipice’sbrow，Commandingtherichscenesbeneath，ThewindingsoftheForthandTeith，Andallthevalesbetweenthatlie。

TillStirling’sturretsmeltinsky；

Then，sunkincopse，theirfarthestglanceGainednotthelengthofhorseman’slance。

’Twasoftsosteep，thefootwasasfainAssistancefromthehandtogain；

Sotangledoftthat，burstingthrough，Eachhawthornshedhershowersofdew，——

Thatdiamonddew，sopureandclear，ItrivalsallbutBeauty’stear！

III。

Atlengththeycamewhere，sternandsteep，Thehillsinksdownuponthedeep。

HereVennacharinsilverflows，There，ridgeonridge，Benledirose；

Everthehollowpathtwinedon，Beneathsteephankandthreateningstone；

AhundredmenmightholdthepostWithhardihoodagainstahost。

Theruggedmountain’sscantycloakWasdwarfishshrubsofbirchandoakWithshinglesbare，andcliffsbetweenAndpatchesbrightofbrackengreen，Andheatherblack，thatwavedsohigh，Itheldthecopseinrivalry。

ButwherethelakesleptdeepandstillDankosiersfringedtheswampandhill；

AndoftbothpathandhillweretornWherewintrytorrentdownhadborneAndheapeduponthecumberedlandItswreckofgravel，rocks，andsand。

SotoilsomewastheroadtotraceTheguide，abatingofhispace，Ledslowlythroughthepass’sjawsAndaskedFitz—JamesbywhatstrangecauseHesoughtthesewilds，traversedbyfewWithoutapassfromRoderickDhu。

IV。

’BraveGael，mypass，indangertriedHangsinmybeltandbymysideYet，soothtotell，’theSaxonsaid，’Idreamtnotnowtoclaimitsaid。

Whenhere，butthreedayssince，IcameBewilderedinpursuitofgame，AllseemedaspeacefulandasstillAsthemistslumberingonyonhill；

ThydangerousChiefwasthenafar，Norsoonexpectedbackfromwar。

Thussaid，atleast，mymountain—guide，Thoughdeepperchancethevillainlied。’

’Yetwhyasecondventuretry？’

’Awarriorthou，andaskmewhy！——

MovesourfreecoursebysuchfixedcauseAsgivesthepoormechaniclaws？

Enough，IsoughttodriveawayThelazyhoursofpeacefulday；

SlightcausewillthensufficetoguideAKnight’sfreefootstepsfarandwide，——

Afalconflown，agreyhoundstrayed，Themerryglanceofmountainmaid；

Or，ifapathbedangerousknown，Thedanger’sselfislurealone。’

V。

’Thysecretkeep，Iurgetheenot；——

Yet，ereagainyesoughtthisspot，Say，heardyenaughtofLowlandwar，AgainstClan—Alpine，raisedbyMar？’

’No，bymyword；——ofbandspreparedToguardKingJames’ssportsIheard；

NordoubtIaught，but，whentheyhearThismusterofthemountaineer，Theirpennonswillabroadbeflung，WhichelseinDounehadpeacefulhung。’

’Freebetheyflung！forwewereloathTheirsilkenfoldsshouldfeastthemoth。

Freebetheyflung！——asfreeshallwaveClan—Alpine’spineinbannerbrave。

But，stranger，peacefulsinceyoucame，Bewilderedinthemountain—game，WhencetheboldboastbywhichyoushowVich—Alpine’svowedandmortalfoe？’

’Warrior，butyester—mornIknewNaughtofthyChieftain，RoderickDhu，Saveasanoutlaweddesperateman，Thechiefofarebelliousclan，Who，intheRegent’scourtandsight，Withruffiandaggerstabbedaknight；

YetthisalonemightfromhispartSevereachtrueandloyalheart。’

VI。

Wrathfulatsucharraignmentfoul，Darkloweredtheclansman’ssablescowl。

Aspacehepaused，thensternlysaid，’Andheardstthouwhyhedrewhisblade？

HeardstthouthatshamefulwordandblowBroughtRoderick’svengeanceonhisfoe？

WhatreckedtheChieftainifhestoodOnHighlandheathorHoly—Rood？

Herightssuchwrongwhereitisgiven，Ifitwereinthecourtofheaven。’

’Stillwasitoutrage；——yet，’tistrue，Notthenclaimedsovereigntyhisdue；

WhileAlbanywithfeeblehandHeldborrowedtruncheonofcommand，TheyoungKing，mewedinStirlingtower，Wasstrangertorespectandpower。

Butthen，thyChieftain’srobberlife！——

Winningmeanpreybycauselessstrife，WrenchingfromruinedLowlandswainHisherdsandharvestrearedinvain，——

MethinksasoullikeshineshouldscornThespoilsfromsuchfoulforayborne。’

VII。

TheGaelbeheldhimgrimthewhile，Andansweredwithdisdainfulsmile：

’Saxon，fromyondermountainhigh，ImarkedtheesenddelightedeyeFartothesouthandeast，wherelay，Extendedinsuccessiongay，Deepwavingfieldsandpasturesgreen，Withgentleslopesandgrovesbetween：——

Thesefertileplains，thatsoftenedvale，WereoncethebirthrightoftheGael；

Thestrangercamewithironhand，Andfromourfathersrefttheland。

Wheredwellwenow？See，rudelyswellCragovercrag，andfello’erfell。

AskwethissavagehillwetreadForfattenedsteerorhouseholdbread，Askweforflockstheseshinglesdry，Andwellthemountainmightreply，——

"Toyou，astoyoursiresofyore，Belongthetargetandclaymore！

Igiveyoushelterinmybreast，Yourowngoodbladesmustwintherest。"

PentinthisfortressoftheNorth，Think’stthouwewillnotsallyforth，Tospoilthespoileraswemay，Andfromtherobberrendtheprey？

Ay，bymysoul！——WhileonyonplainTheSaxonrearsoneshockofgrain，WhileoftenthousandherdstherestraysButonealongyonriver’smaze，——

TheGael，ofplainandriverheir，Shallwithstronghandredeemhisshare。

WherelivethemountainChiefswhoholdThatplunderingLowlandfieldandfoldIsaughtbutretributiontrue？

Seekothercause’gainstRoderickDhu。’