第7章

VIII。

AnsweredFitz—James：’And，ifIsought，Think’stthounoothercouldbebrought？

Whatdeemyeofmypathwaylaid？

Mylifegiveno’ertoambuscade？’

’Asofameedtorashnessdue：

Hadstthousentwarningfairandtrue，——

Iseekmyhoundorfalconstrayed，Iseek，goodfaith，aHighlandmaid，——

Freehadstthoubeentocomeandgo；

Butsecretpathmarkssecretfoe。

Noryetforthis，evenasaspy，Hadstthou，unheard，beendoomedtodie，Savetofulfilanaugury。’

’Well，letitpass；norwillInowFreshcauseofenmityavowTochafethymoodandcloudthybrow。

Enough，IambypromisetiedTomatchmewiththismanofpride：

TwicehaveIsoughtClan—Alpine’sglenInpeace；butwhenIcomeagain，Icomewithbanner，brand，andbow，Asleaderseekshismortalfoe。

Forlove—loreswaininlady’sbowerNe’erpantedfortheappointedhourAsI，untilbeforemestandThisrebelChieftainandhisband！’

IX。

’Havethenthywish！’——HewhistledshrillAndhewasansweredfromthehill；

Wildasthescreamofthecurlew，Fromcragtocragthesignalflew。

Instant，throughcopseandheath，aroseBonnetsandspearsandbendedbowsOnright，onleft，，above，below，Sprungupatoncethelurkingfoe；

Fromshinglesgraytheirlancesstart，Thebrackenbushsendsforththedart，Therushesandthewillow—wandArebristlingintoaxeandbrand，Andeverytuftofbroomgiveslife’Toplaidedwarriorarmedforstrife。

ThatwhistlegarrisonedtheglenAtoncewithfullfivehundredmen，AsiftheyawninghilltoheavenAsubterraneanhosthadgiven。

Watchingtheirleader’sbeckandwill，Allsilenttheretheystoodandstill。

LiketheloosecragswhosethreateningmassLaytotteringo’erthehollowpass，Asifaninfant’stouchcouldurgeTheirheadlongpassagedowntheverge，Withstepandweaponforwardflung，Uponthemountain—sidetheyhung。

TheMountaineercastglanceofprideAlongBenledi’slivingside，ThenfixedhiseyeandsablebrowFullonFitz—James：’Howsay’stthounow？

TheseareClan—Alpine’swarriorstrue；

And，Saxon，——IamRoderickDhu！’

X。

Fitz—Jameswasbrave：——thoughtohisheartThelife—bloodthrilledwithsuddenstart，Hemannedhimselfwithdauntlessair，ReturnedtheChiefhishaughtystare，Hisbackagainstarockhebore，Andfirmlyplacedhisfootbefore：——

’Comeone，comeall！thisrockshallflyFromitsfirmbaseassoonasI。’

SirRoderickmarked，——andinhiseyesRespectwasmingledwithsurprise，AndthesternjoywhichwarriorsfeelInfoemanworthyoftheirsteel。

Shortspacehestood——thenwavedhishand：

Downsunkthedisappearingband；

Eachwarriorvanishedwherehestood，Inbroomorbracken，heathorwood；

Sunkbrandandspearandbendedbow，Inosierspaleandcopseslow；

ItseemedasiftheirmotherEarthHadswallowedupherwarlikebirth。

Thewind’slastbreathhadtossedinairPennonandplaidandplumagefair，——

Thenextbutsweptalonehill—sideWhereheathandfernwerewavingwide：

Thesun’slastglancewasglintedbackFromspearandglaive，fromtargeandjack，——

Thenext，allunreflected，shoneOnbrackengreenandcoldgraystone。

XI。

Fitz—Jameslookedrolmd，——yetscarcebelievedThewitnessthathissightreceived；

SuchapparitionwellmightseemDelusionofadreadfuldream。

SirRoderickinsuspenseheeyed，AndtohislooktheChiefreplied：

’Fearnaught——nay，thatIneednotsayBut——doubtnotaughtfromminearray。

Thouartmyguest；——IpledgedmywordAsfarasCoilantogleford：

NorwouldIcallaclansman’sbrandForaidagainstonevalianthand，ThoughonourstrifelayeveryvaleRentbytheSaxonfromtheGael。

Somoveweon；——IonlymeantToshowthereedonwhichyouleant，DeemingthispathyoumightpursueWithoutapassfromRoderickDhu。’

Theymoved；——IsaidFitz—JameswasbraveAseverknightthatbeltedglaive，YetdarenotsaythatnowhisbloodKeptonitswontandtemperedflood，As，followingRoderick’sstride，hedrewThatseeminglonesomepathwaythrough，WhichyetbyfearfulproofwasrifeWithlances，that，totakehislife，Waitedbutsignalfromaguide，Solatedishonoredanddefied。

Ever，bystealth，hiseyesoughtroundThevanishedguardiansoftheground，Andstir]fromcopseandheatherdeepFancysawspearandbroadswordpeep，Andintheplover’sshrillystrainThesignalwhistleheardagain。

NorbreathedhefreetillfarbehindThepasswasleft；forthentheywindAlongawideandlevelgreen，Whereneithertreenortuftwasseen，Norrushnorbushofbroomwasnear，Tohideabonnetoraspear。

XII。

TheChiefinsilencestrodebefore，Andreachedthattorrent’ssoundingshore，Which，daughterofthreemightylakes，FromVennacharinsilverbreaks，Sweepsthroughtheplain，andceaselessminesOnBochastlethemoulderinglines，WhereRome，theEmpressoftheworld，Ofyorehereaglewingsunfurled。

AndherehiscoursetheChieftainstayed，Threwdownhistargetandhisplaid，AndtotheLowlandwarriorsaid：

’BoldSaxon！tohispromisejust，Vich—Alpinehasdischargedhistrust。

ThismurderousChief，thisruthlessman，Thisheadofarebelliousclan，Hathledtheesafe，throughwatchandward，FarpastClan—Alpine’soutmostguard。

Now，mantoman，andsteeltosteel，AChieftain’svengeancethoushaltfeel。

See，hereallvantagelessIstand，Armedlikethyselfwithsinglebrand；

ForthisisCoilantogleford，Andthoumustkeeptheewiththysword。’

XIII。

TheSaxonpaused：’Ine’erdelayed，Whenfoemanbademedrawmyblade；

Naymore，braveChief，Ivowedthydeath；

Yetsurethyfairandgenerousfaith，Andmydeepdebtforlifepreserved，Abettermeedhavewelldeserved：

Cannaughtbutbloodourfeudatone？

Aretherenomeans？’——’No，stranger，none！

Andhear，——tofirethyflaggingzeal，——

TheSaxoncauserestsonthysteel；

ForthusspokeFatebyprophetbredBetweenthelivingandthedead："

Whospillstheforemostfoeman’slife，Hispartyconquersinthestrife。"’

’Then，bymyword，’theSaxonsaid，"Theriddleisalreadyread。

Seekyonderbrakebeneaththecliff，——

ThereliesRedMurdoch，starkandstiff。

ThusFatehathsolvedherprophecy；

ThenyieldtoFate，andnottome。

ToJamesatStirlingletusgo，When，ifthouwiltbestillhisfoe，OriftheKingshallnotagreeTogranttheegraceandfavorfree，Iplightminehonor，oath，andwordThat，tothynativestrengthsrestored，WitheachadvantageshaltthoustandThataidstheenowtoguardthyland。’

XIV。

DarklightningflashedfromRoderick’seye：

’Soarsthypresumption，then，sohigh，Becauseawretchedkernyeslew，HomagetonametoRoderickDhu？

Heyieldsnot，he，tomannorFate！

Thouadd’stbutfueltomyhate；——

Myclansman’sblooddemandsrevenge。

Notyetprepared？——Byheaven，IchangeMythought，andholdthyvalorlightAsthatofsomevaincarpetknight，Whoilldeservedmycourteouscare，AndwhosebestboastisbuttowearAbraidofhisfairlady’shair。’’Ithankthee，Roderick，fortheword！

Itnervesmyheart，itsteelsmysword；

ForIhaveswornthisbraidtostainInthebestbloodthatwarmsthyvein。

Now，truce，farewell！and，rush，begone！——

Yetthinknotthatbytheealone，ProudChief！cancourtesybeshown；

Thoughnotfromcopse，orheath，orcairn，Startatmywhistleclansmenstern，OfthissmallhornonefeebleblastWouldfearfuloddsagainsttheecast。

Butfearnot——doubtnot——whichthouwilt——

Wetrythisquarrelhilttohilt。’

Theneachatoncehisfalchiondrew，EachonthegroundhisscabbardthrewEachlookedtosunandstreamandplainAswhattheyne’ermightseeagain；

Thenfootandpointandeyeopposed，Indubiousstrifetheydarklyclosed。

XV。

IllfareditthenwithRoderickDhu，Thatonthefieldhistargehethrew，Whosebrazenstudsandtoughbull—hideHaddeathsooftendashedaside；

For，trainedabroadhisarmstowieldFitz—James’sbladewasswordandshield。

Hepractisedeverypassandward，Tothrust，tostrike，tofeint，toguard；

Whilelessexpert，thoughstrongerfar，TheGaelmaintainedunequalwar。

ThreetimesinclosingstrifetheystoodAndthricetheSaxonbladedrankblood；

Nostinteddraught，noscantytide，Thegushingfloodthetartarsdyed。

FierceRoderickfeltthefataldrain，Andshoweredhisblowslikewintryrain；

And，asfirmrockorcastle—roofAgainstthewintershowerisproof，Thefoe，invulnerablestill，Foiledhiswildragebysteadyskill；

Till，atadvantageta’en，hisbrandForcedRoderick’sweaponfromhishand，Andbackwardborneuponthelea，BroughttheproudChieftaintohisknee。

XVI。

Nowyieldthee，orbyHimwhomadeTheworld，thyheart’sblooddyesmyblade！；

’Thythreats，thymercy，Idefy！

Letrecreantyield，whofearstodie。’

Likeadderdartingfromhiscoil，Likewolfthatdashesthroughthetoil，Likemountain—catwhoguardsheryoung，FullatFitz—James’sthroathesprung；

Received，butreckednotofawound，Andlockedhisarmshisfoemanround。

Now，gallantSaxon，holdshineown！

Nomaiden’shandisroundtheethrown！

ThatdesperategraspthyframemightfeelThroughbarsofbrassandtriplesteel！

Theytug，theystrain！down，downtheygo，TheGaelabove，Fitz—Jamesbelow。

TheChieftain’sgripehisthroatcompressed，Hiskneewasplantedonhisbreast；

Hisclottedlockshebackwardthrew，Acrosshisbrowhishandhedrew，Frombloodandmisttoclearhissight，Thengleamedalofthisdaggerbright！

ButhateandfuryillsuppliedThestreamoflife’sexhaustedtide，Andalltoolatetheadvantagecame，Toturntheoddsofdeadlygame；

For，whilethedaggergleamedonhigh，Reeledsoulandsense，reeledbrainandeye。

Downcametheblow！butintheheathTheerringbladefoundbloodlesssheath。

ThestrugglingfoemaynowunclaspThefaintingChief’srelaxinggrasp；

Unwoundedfromthedreadfulclose，Butbreathlessall，Fitz—Jamesarose。

XVII。

HefalteredthankstoHeavenforlife，Redeemed，unhoped，fromdesperatestrife；

Nextonhisfoehislookhecast，WhoseeverygaspappearedhislastInRoderick’sgorehedippedthebraid，——

’PoorBlanche！thywrongsaredearlypaid；

Yetwiththyfoemustdie，orlive，Thepraisethatfaithandvalorgive。’

Withthatheblewabuglenote，Undidthecollarfromhisthroat，Unbonneted，andbythewaveSatdownhisbrowandhandstorave。

ThenfaintafarareheardthefeetOfrushingsteedsingallopfleet；

Thesoundsincrease，andnowareseenFourmountedsquiresinLincolngreen；

Twowhobearlance，andtwowholeadByloosenedreinasaddledsteed；

Eachonwardheldhisheadlongcourse，AndbyFitz—Jamesreineduphishorse，——

Withwonderviewedthebloodyspot，——

’Exclaimnot，gallants’questionnot。——

You，HerbertandLuffness，alightAndbindthewoundsofyonderknight；

Letthegraypalfreybearhisweight，Wedestinedforafairerfreight，AndbringhimontoStirlingstraight；

Iwillbeforeatbetterspeed，Toseekfreshhorseandfittingweed。

Thesunrideshigh；——ImustbebouneToseethearcher—gameatnoon；

ButlightlyBayardclearsthelea。——

DeVauxandHerries。followme。

XVIII。

’Stand，Bayard，stand！’——thesteedobeyed，Witharchingneckandbendedhead，Andglancingeyeandquiveringear，Asifhelovedhislordtohear。

NofootFitz—Jamesinstirrupstayed，Nograspuponthesaddlelaid，Butwreathedhislefthandinthemane，Andlightlyboundedfromtheplain，Turnedonthehorsehisarmedheel，Andstirredhiscouragewiththesteel。

Boundedthefierysteedinair，Theridersaterectandfair，ThenlikeaboltfromsteelcrossbowForthlaunched，alongtheplaintheygo。

Theydashedthatrapidtorrentthrough，AndupCarhonie’shilltheyflew；

StillatthegallopprickedtheKnight，Hismerrymenfollowedastheymight。

Alongthybanks，swiftTeith！theyride，Andintheracetheymockthytide；

TorryandLendricknowarepast，AndDeanstownliesbehindthemcast；

Theyrise，thebanneredtowersofDoune，Theysinkindistantwoodlandsoon；

Blair—Drummondseesthehoofsstrikefire，TheysweeplikebreezethroughOchtertyre；

TheymarkjustglanceanddisappearTheloftybrowofancientKier；

Theybathetheircoursers’swelteringsidesDarkForth！amidthysluggishtides，AndontheopposingshoretakegroundWithplash，withscramble，andwithbound。

Right—handtheyleavethycliffs，Craig—Forth！

AndsoonthebulwarkoftheNorth，GrayStirling，withhertowersandtown，Upontheirfleetcareerlookedclown。

XIX。

Asuptheflintypaththeystrained，Suddenhissteedtheleaderreined；

Asignaltohissquireheflung，Whoinstanttohisstirrupsprung：——

’Seestthou，DeVaux，yonwoodsmangray，Whotownwardholdstherockyway，Ofstaturetallandpoorarray？

Mark’stthouthefirm，yetactivestride，Withwhichhescalesthemountain—side？

Know’stthoufromwhencehecomes，orwhom？’

’No，bymyword；——aburlygroomHeseems，whointhefieldorchaseAbaron’strainwouldnoblygrace——’

’Out，out，DeVaux！canfearsupply，Andjealousy，nosharpereye？

Afar，eretothehillhedrew，ThatstatelyformandstepIknew；

LikeforminScotlandisnotseen，TreadsnotsuchsteponScottishgreen。

’TisJamesofDouglas，bySaintSerle！

TheuncleofthebanishedEarl。

Away，away，tocourt，toshowThenearapproachofdreadedfoe：

TheKingmuststanduponhisguard；

Douglasandhemustmeetprepared。’

Thenright—handwheeledtheirsteeds，andstraightTheywontheCastle’sposterngate。

XX。

TheDouglas，whohadbenthiswayFromCambus—kenneth’sabbeygray，Now，asheclimbedtherockyshelf，Heldsadcommunionwithhimself：——

’Yes！allistruemyfearscouldframe；

Aprisonerliesthenob]eGraeme，AndfieryRodericksoonwillfeelThevengeanceoftheroyalsteel。

I，onlyI，canwardtheirfate，——

Godgranttheransomcomenotlate！

TheAbbesshathherpromisegiven，MychildshallbethebrideofHeaven；——

Bepardonedonerepiningtear！

ForHewhogaveherknowshowdear，Howexcellent！——butthatisby，Andnowmybusinessis——todie。——

Yetowers！withinwhosecircuitdreadADouglasbyhissovereignbled；

Andthou，Osadandfatalmound！

Thatofthastheardthedeath—axesound。

AsonthenoblestofthelandFellthesternheadsmen’sbloodyhand，——

Thedungeon，block，andnamelesstombPrepare——forDouglasseekshisdoom！

Buthark！whatblitheandjollypealMakestheFranciscansteeplereel？

Andsee！uponthecrowdedstreet，Inmotleygroupswhatmasquersmeet！

Bannerandpageant，pipeanddrum，Andmerrymorrice—dancerscome。

Iguess，byallthisquaintarray，Theburghersholdtheirsportsto—day。

Jameswillbethere；helovessuchshow，Wherethegoodyeomanbendshisbow，Andthetoughwrestlerfoilshisfoe，Aswellaswhere，inproudcareer，Thehigh—bornfiltershiversspear。

I’llfollowtotheCastle—park，Andplaymyprize；——KingJamesshallmarkIfagehastamedthesesinewsstark，WhoseforcesooftinhappierdaysHisboyishwonderlovedtopraise。’

XXI。

TheCastlegateswereopenflung，Thequiveringdrawbridgerockedandrung，AndechoedloudtheflintystreetBeneaththecoursers’clatteringfeet，AsslowlydownthesteepdescentFairScotland’sKingandnobleswent，WhileallalongthecrowdedwayWasjubileeandloudhuzza。

AndeverJameswasbendinglowTohiswhitejennet’ssaddle—bow，Doffinghiscaptocitydame，Whosmiledandblushedforprideandshame。

Andwellthesimperermightbevain，——

Hechosethefairestofthetrain。

Gravelyhegreetseachcitysire，Commendseachpageant’squaintattire，Givestothedancersthanksaloud，Andsmilesandnodsuponthecrowd，Whorendtheheavenswiththeiracclaims，——

’LonglivetheCommons’King，KingJames！’

BehindtheKingthrongedpeerandknight，Andnobledameanddamselbright，WhosefierysteedsillbrookedthestayOfthesteepstreetandcrowdedway。

ButinthetrainyoumightdiscernDarkloweringbrowandvisagestern；

Therenoblesmournedtheirpriderestrained，Andthemeanburgher’sjoysdisdained；

Andchiefs，who，hostageforthe*clan，Wereeachfromhomeabanishedman，Therethoughtupontheirowngraytower，Theirwavingwoods，theirfeudalpower，AnddeemedthemselvesashamefulpartOfpageantwhichtheycursedinheart。

XXII。

Now，intheCastle—park，drewoutTheircheckeredbandsthejoyousrout。

Theremorricers，withbellatheelAndbladeinhand，theirmazeswheel；

Butchief，besidethebutts，therestandBoldRobinHoodandallhisband，——

FriarTuckwithquarterstaffandcowl，OldScathelockewithhissurlyscowl，MaidMarian，fairasivorybone，Scarlet，andMutch，andLittleJohn；

Theirbugleschallengeallthatwill，Inarcherytoprovetheirskill。

TheDouglasbentabowofmight，——

Hisfirstshaftcentredinthewhite，Andwheninturnheshotagain，Hissecondsplitthefirstintwain。

FromtheKing’shandmustDouglastakeAsilverdart，thearchers’stake；

Fondlyhewatched，withwateryeye，Someansweringglanceofsympathy，——

Nokindemotionmadereply！

Indifferentastoarcherwight，Themonarchgavethearrowbright。

XXIII。

Now，clearthering！for，handtohand，Themanlywrestlerstaketheirstand。

Twoo’ertherestsuperiorrose，Andprouddemandedmightierfoes，——

Norcalledinvain，forDouglascame。——

ForlifeisHughofLarbertlame；

ScarcebetterJohnofAlloa’sfare，Whomsenselesshomehiscomradesbare。

Prizeofthewrestlingmatch，theKingToDouglasgaveagoldenring，Whilecoldlyglancedhiseyeofblue，Asfrozendropofwintrydew。

Douglaswouldspeak，butinhisbreastHisstrugglingsoulhiswordssuppressed；

IndignantthenheturnedhimwhereTheirarmsthebrawnyyeomenbare，Tohurlthemassivebarinair。

Wheneachhisutmoststrengthhadshown，TheDouglasrentanearth—faststoneFromitsdeepbed，thenheavedithigh，AndsentthefragmentthroughtheskyAroodbeyondthefarthestmark；

AndstillinStirling’sroyalpark，Thegray—hairedsires，whoknowthepast，TostrangerspointtheDouglascast，AndmoralizeonthedecayOfScottishstrengthinmodernday。

XXIV。

Thevalewithloudapplausesrang，TheLadies’Rocksentbacktheclang。

TheKing，withlookunmoved，bestowedApursewellfilledwithpiecesbroad。

IndignantsmiledtheDouglasproud，Andthrewthegoldamongthecrowd，Whonowwithanxiouswonderscan，Andsharperglance，thedarkgrayman；

Tillwhispersroseamongthethrong，Thatheartsofree，andhandsostrong，MusttotheDouglasbloodbelong。

Theoldmenmarkedandshookthehead，Toseehishairwithsilverspread，Andwinkedaside，andtoldeachsonOffeatsupontheEnglishdone，EreDouglasofthestalwarthandWasexiledfromhisnativeland。

Thewomenpraisedhisstatelyform，Thoughwreckedbymanyawinter’sstorm；

TheyouthwithaweandwondersawHisstrengthsurpassingNature’slaw。

Thusjudged，asistheirwont，thecrowdTillmurmursrosetoclamoursloud。

ButnotaglancefromthatproudringOfpeerswhocircledroundtheKingWithDouglasheldcommunionkind，Orcalledthebanishedmantomind；

No，notfromthosewhoatthechaseOnceheldhissidethehonouredplace，Begirthisboard，andinthefieldFoundsafetyunderneathhisshield；

Forhewhomroyaleyesdisown，Whenwashisformtocourtiersknown！

XXV。

TheMonarchsawthegambolsflagAndbadeletlooseagallantstag，Whosepride，theholidaytocrown，Twofavoritegreyhoundsshouldpulldown，ThatvenisonfreeandBourdeauxwineMightservethearcherytodine。

ButLufra，——whomfromDouglas’sideNorbribenorthreatcoulde’erdivide，ThefleetesthoundinalltheNorth，——

BraveLufrasaw，anddartedforth。

Shelefttheroyalhoundsmidway，Anddashingontheantleredprey，Sunkhersharpmuzzleinhisflank，Anddeeptheflowinglife—blooddrank。

TheKing’sstouthuntsmansawthesportBystrangeintruderbrokenshort，Cameup，andwithhisleashunboundInangerstruckthenoblehound。

TheDouglashadendured，thatmorn，TheKing’scoldlook，thenobles’scorn，Andlast，andworsttospiritproud，Hadbornethepityofthecrowd；

ButLufrahadbeenfondlybred，Tosharehisboard，towatchhisbed，AndoftwouldEllenLufra’sneckInmaidengleewithgarlandsdeck；

TheyweresuchplaymatesthatwithnameOfLufraEllen’simagecame。

Hisstifledwrathisbrimminghigh，Indarkenedbrowandflashingeye；

Aswavesbeforethebarkdivide，Thecrowdgavewaybeforehisstride；

Needsbutabuffetandnomore，Thegroomliessenselessinhisgore。

Suchblownootherhandcoulddeal，Thoughgauntletedingloveofsteel。

XXVI。

Thenclamoredloudtheroyaltrain，Andbrandishedswordsandstavesamain，ButsterntheBaron’swarning：

’Back！Back，onyourlives，yemenialpack！

BewaretheDouglas。——Yes！behold，KingJames！TheDouglas，doomedofold，Andvainlysoughtfornearandfar，Avictimtoatonethewar，Awillingvictim，nowattends，Norcravesthygracebutforhisfriends。——’

’Thusismyclemencyrepaid？

PresumptuousLord！’theMonarchsaid：

’Ofthymisproudambitiousclan，Thou，JamesofBothwell，werttheman，Theonlyman，inwhomafoeMywoman—mercywouldnotknow；

ButshallaMonarch’spresencebrookInjuriousblowandhaughtylook？——

Whatho！theCaptainofourGuard！

Givetheoffenderfittingward。——

Breakoffthesports！’——fortumultrose，Andyeomen’gantobendtheirbows，’Breakoffthesports！’hesaidandfrowned，’Andbidourhorsemencleartheground。’