第9章

XXI。

"’Revenge！revenge！"theSaxonscried，TheGaels’exultingshoutreplied。

Despitetheelementalrage，Againtheyhurriedtoengage；

But，eretheyclosedindesperatefight，Bloodywithspurringcameaknight，Sprungfromhishorse，andfromacragWaved’twixtthehostsamilk—whiteflag。

ClarionandtrumpetbyhissideRungforthatruce—notehighandwide，While，intheMonarch’sname，afarAherald’svoiceforbadethewar，ForBothwell’slordandRoderickboldWereboth，hesaid，incaptivehold。’——

Butherethelaymadesuddenstand，TheharpescapedtheMinstrel’shand！

Ofthadhestolenaglance，tospyHowRoderickbrookedhisminstrelsy：

Atfirst，theChieftain，tothechime，Withliftedhandkeptfeebletime；

Thatmotionceased，——yetfeelingstrongVariedhislookaschangedthesong；

Atlength，nomorehisdeafenedearTheminstrelmelodycanhear；

Hisfacegrowssharp，——hishandsareclenched’

Asifsomepanghisheart—stringswrenched；

Setarehisteeth，hisfadingeyeIssternlyfixedonvacancy；

Thus，motionlessandmoanless，drewHispartingbreathstoutRoderickDhu！——

OldAllan—banelookedonaghast，Whilegrimandstillhisspiritpassed；

Butwhenhesawthatlifewasfled，Hepouredhiswailingo’erthedead。

XXII。

Lament。

’Andartthoucoldandlowlylaid，Thyfoeman’sdread，thypeople’said，Breadalbane’sboast，Clan—Alpine’sshade！

Fortheeshallnonearequiemsay？——

Forthee，wholovedtheminstrel’slay，Forthee，ofBothwell’shousethestay，Theshelterofherexiledline，E’eninthisprison—houseofshine，I’llwailforAlpine’shonoredPine！

’Whatgroansshallyondervalleysfill！

Whatshrieksofgriefshallrendyonhill！

Whattearsofburningrageshallthrill，Whenmournsthytribethybattlesdone，Thyfallbeforetheracewaswon，Thyswordungirteresetofsun！

Therebreathesnotclansmanofthyline，Butwouldhavegivenhislifeforshine。

O，woeforAlpine’shonouredPine！

’Sadwasthylotonmortalstage！——

Thecaptivethrushmaybrookthecage，Theprisonedeaglediesforrage。

Bravespirit，doDotscornmystrain！

And，whenitsnotesawakeagain，Evenshe，solongbelovedinvain，Shallwithmyharphervoicecombine，Andmixherwoeandtearswithmine，TowailClan—Alpine’shonouredPine。’

XXIII。

Ellenthewhile，withburstingheart，Remainedinlordlybowerapart，Whereplayed，withmany—colouredgleams，Throughstoriedpanetherisingbeams。

Invainongildedrooftheyfall，Andlightenedupatapestriedwall，AndforheruseamenialtrainArichcollationspreadinvain。

Thebanquetproud，thechambergay，Scarcedrewonecuriousglanceastray；

Orifshelooked，’twasbuttosay，WithbetteromendawnedthedayInthatloneisle，wherewavedonhighThedun—deer’shideforcanopy；

WhereofthernoblefathersharedThesimplemealhercareprepared，WhileLufra，crouchingbyherside，Herstationclaimedwithjealouspride，AndDoug]as，bentonwoodlandgame，SpokeofthechasetoMalcolmGraeme，Whoseanswer，oftatrandommade，Thewanderingofhisthoughtsbetrayed。

ThosewhosuchsimplejoyshaveknownAretaughttoprizethemwhenthey’regone。

Butsudden，see，sheliftsherhead；

Thewindowseekswithcautioustread。

WhatdistantmusichasthepowerTowinherinthiswofulhour？

’Twasfromaturretthato’erhungHerlatticedbower，thestrainwassung。

XXIV。

LayoftheImprisonedHuntsman。

’Myhawkistiredofperchandhood，Myidlegreyhoundloatheshisfood，Myhorseiswearyofhisstall，AndIamsickofcaptivethrall。

IwishIwereasIhavebeen，Huntingthehartinforestgreen，Withbendedbowandbloodhoundfree，Forthat’sthelifeismeetforme。

IhatetolearntheebboftimeFromyondullsteeple’sdrowsychime，Ormarkitasthesunbeamscrawl，Inchafterinch，alongthewall。

Thelarkwaswontmymatinsring，Thesablerookmyvesperssing；

Thesetowers，althoughaking’stheybe，Havenotahallofjoyforme。

NomoreatdawningmornIrise，AndsunmyselfinEllen’seyes，Drivethefleetdeertheforestthrough，Andhomewardwendwitheveningdew；

Ablithesomewelcomeblithelymeet，Andlaymytrophiesatherfeet，Whilefledtheeveonwingofglee，——

Thatlifeislosttoloveandme！’

XXV。

Theheart—sicklaywashardlysaid，Thelistenerhadnotturnedherhead，Ittrickledstill，thestartingtear，Whenlightafootstepstruckherear，AndSnowdoun’sgracefulKnightwasnear。

Sheturnedthehastier，lestagainTheprisonershouldrenewhisstrain。

’Owelcome，braveFitz—James！’shesaid；

’HowmayanalmostorphanmaidPaythedeepdebt——’’Osaynotso！

Tomenogratitudeyouowe。

Notmine，alas！theboontogive，Andbidthynoblefatherlive；

Icanbutbethyguide，sweetmaid，WithScotland’sKingthysuittoaid。

Notyranthe，thoughireandprideMaylayhisbettermoodaside。

Come，Ellen，come！’tismorethantime，Heholdshiscourtatmorningprime。’

Withheatingheart，andbosomwrung，Astoabrother’sarmsheclung。

Gentlyhedriedthefallingtear，Andgentlywhisperedhopeandcheer；

Herfalteringstepshalfled，halfstayed，Throughgalleryfairandhigharcade，TillathistouchitswingsofprideAportalarchunfoldedwide。

XXVI。

Within’twasbrilliantallandlight，Athrongingsceneoffiguresbright；

ItglowedonEllen’sdazzledsight，AswhenthesettingsunhasgivenTenthousandhuestosummereven，AndfromtheirtissuefancyframesAerialknightsandfairydames。

StillbyFitz—Jamesherfootingstaid；

Afewfaintstepssheforwardmade，Thenslowherdroopingheadsheraised，Andfearfulroundthepresencegazed；

Forhimshesoughtwhoownedthisstate，ThedreadedPrincewhosewillwasfate！——

ShegazedonmanyaprincelyportMightwellhaveruledaroyalcourt；

Onmanyasplendidgarbshegazed，——

Thenturnedbewilderedandamazed，Forallstoodbare；andintheroomFitz—Jamesaloneworecapandplume。

Tohimeachlady’slookwaslent，Onhimeachcourtier’seyewasbent；

Midstfursandsilksandjewelssheen，Hestood，insimpleLincolngreen，Thecentreoftheglitteringring，——

AndSnowdoun’sKnightisScotland’sKing！

XXVII。

Aswreathofsnowonmountain—breastSlidesfromtherockthatgaveitrest，PoorEllenglidedfromherstay，AndattheMonarch’sfeetshelay；

Nowordherchokingvoicecommands，——

Sheshowedthering，——sheclaspedherhands。

O，notamomentcouldhebrook，ThegenerousPrince，thatsuppliantlook！

Gentlyheraisedher，——and，thewhile，Checkedwithaglancethecircle’ssmile；

Graceful，butgrave，herbrowhekissed，Andbadeherterrorsbedismissed：——

’Yes，fair；thewanderingpoorFitz—JamesThefealtyofScotlandclaims。

Tohimthywoes，thywishes，bring；

Hewillredeemhissignetring。

AsknaughtforDouglas；——yestereven，HisPrinceandhehavemuchforgiven；

Wronghathhehadfromslanderoustongue，I，fromhisrebelkinsmen，wrong。

Wewouldnot，tothevulgarcrowd，Yieldwhattheycravedwithclamorloud；

Calmlyweheardandjudgedhiscause，Ourcouncilaidedandourlaws。

Istanchedthyfather’sdeath—feudsternWithstoutDeVauxandgrayGlencairn；

AndBothwell’sLordhenceforthweownThefriendandbulwarkofourthrone。——

But，lovelyinfidel，hownow？

Whatcloudsthymisbelievingbrow？

LordJamesofDouglas，lendshineaid；

Thoumustconfirmthisdoubtingmaid。’

XXVIII。

ThenforththenobleDouglassprung，Andonhisneckhisdaughterhung。

TheMonarchdrank，thathappyhour，Thesweetest，holiestdraughtofPower，——

Whenitcansaywithgodlikevoice，Arise，sadVirtue，andrejoice！

YetwouldnotJamesthegeneraleyeOnnature’sraptureslongshouldpry；

Hesteppedbetween——’Nay，Douglas，nay，Stealnotmyproselyteaway！

Theriddle’tismyrighttoread，Thatbroughtthishappychancetospeed。

Yes，Ellen，whendisguisedIstrayInlife’smorelowbuthappierway，’TisundernamewhichveilsmypowerNorfalselyveils，——forStirling’stowerOfyorethenameofSnowdounclaims，AndNormanscallmeJamesFitz—James。

ThuswatchIo’erinsultedlaws，Thuslearntorighttheinjuredcause。’

Then，inatoneapartandlow，——

’Ah，littletraitress！nonemustknowWhatidledream，whatlighterthoughtWhatvanityfulldearlybought，Joinedtoshineeye’sdarkwitchcraft，drewMyspell—boundstepstoBenvenueIndangeroushour，andallbutgaveThyMonarch’slifetomountainglaive！’

Aloudhespoke：’ThoustillcostholdThatlittletalismanofgold，Pledgeofmyfaith，Fitz—James’sring，——

WhatseeksfairEllenoftheKing？’

XXIX。

FullwelltheconsciousmaidenguessedHeprobedtheweaknessofherbreast；

ButwiththatconsciousnesstherecameAlighteningofherfearsforGraeme，AndmoreshedeemedtheMonarch’sireKindled’gainsthimwhoforhersireRebelliousbroadswordboldlydrew；

And，tohergenerousfeelingtrue，ShecravedthegraceofRoderickDhu。

’Forbearthysuit；——theKingofkingsAlonecanstaylife’spartingwings。

Iknowhisheart，Iknowhishand，Havesharedhischeer，andprovedhisbrand；

MyfairestearldomwouldIgiveTobidClan—Alpine’sChieftainlive！——

Hastthounootherboontocrave？

Noothercaptivefriendtosave？’

Blushing，sheturnedherfromtheKing，AndtotheDouglasgavethering，AsifshewishedhersiretospeakThesuitthatstainedherglowingcheek。

’Nay，then，mypledgehaslostitsforce，Andstubbornjusticeholdshercourse。

Malcolm，comeforth！’——and，attheword，DownkneeledtheGraemetoScotland’sLord。

’Forthee，rashyouth，nosuppliantsues，FromtheemayVengeanceclaimherdues，Who，nurturedunderneathoursmile，Hastpaidourcarebytreacherouswile，AndsoughtamidthyfaithfulclanArefugeforanoutlawedman，Dishonoringthusthyloyalname。——

FettersandwarderfortheGraeme！’

HischainofgoldtheKingunstrung，Thelinkso’erMalcolm’sneckheflung，Thengentlydrewtheglitteringband，AndlaidtheclasponEllen’shand。

HarpoftheNorth，farewell！Thehillsgrowdark，Onpurplepeaksadeepershadedescending；

Intwilightcopsetheglow—wormlightsherspark，Thedeer，halfseen，aretothecovertwending。

Resumethywizardelm！thefountainlending，Andthewildbreeze，thywilderminstrelsy；

Thynumberssweetwithnature’svespersblending，Withdistantechofromthefoldandlea，Andherd—boy’seveningpipe，andhumofhousingbee。

Yet，onceagain，farewell，thouMinstrelHarp！

Yet，onceagain，forgivemyfeeblesway，AndlittlereckIofthecensuresharpMayidlycavilatanidlelay。

MuchhaveIowedthystrainsonlife’slongway，Throughsecretwoestheworldhasneverknown，Whenonthewearynightdawnedwearierday，Andbittererwasthegriefdevouredalone。——

ThatIo’erlivesuchwoes，Enchantress！isshineown。

Hark！asmylingeringfootstepsslowretire，SomeSpiritoftheAirhaswakedthystring！

’Tisnowaseraphbold，withtouchoffire，’TisnowthebrushofFairy’sfrolicwing。

Recedingnow，thedyingnumbersringFainterandfainterdowntheruggeddell；

AndnowthemountainbreezesscarcelybringAwanderingwitch—noteofthedistantspell——

Andnow，’tissilentall！——Enchantress，faretheewell！

AbbreviationsUsedInTheNotes。

Cf。（confer），compare。

F。Q。，Spenser’sFaerieQueene。

Fol。，following。

Id。（idem），thesame。

Lockhart，J。G。Lockhart’seditionofScott’spoems（variousissues）。

P。L。，Milton’sParadiseLost。

Taylor，R。W。Taylor’seditionofTheLadyoftheLake（London，1875）。

Wb。，Webster’sDictionary（revisedquartoeditionof1879）。

Worc。，Worcester’sDictionary（quartoedition）。

TheabbreviationsofthenamesofShakespeare’splayswillbereadilyunderstood。Theline—numbersarethoseofthe"Globe"

edition。

ThereferencestoScott’sLayoftheLastMinstrelaretocantoandline；thosetoMarmionandotherpoemstocantoandstanza。

NOTES。

Introduction。

TheLadyoftheLakewasfirstpublishedin1810，whenScottwasthirty—nine，anditwasdedicatedto"themostnobleJohnJames，MarquisofAbercorn。"EightthousandcopiesweresoldbetweenJune2dandSeptember22d，1810，andrepeatededitionsweresubsequentlycalledfor。In1830，thefollowing"Introduction"

wasprefixedtothepoembytheauthor：——

AfterthesuccessofMarmion，IfeltinclinedtoexclaimwithUlyssesintheOdyssey：

Odys。X。5。

"Oneventurousgamemyhandhaswonto—day——

Another，gallants，yetremainstoplay。"

Theancientmanners，thehabitsandcustomsoftheaboriginalracebywhomtheHighlandsofScotlandwereinhabited，hadalwaysappearedtomepeculiarlyadaptedtopoetry。Thechangeintheirmanners，too，hadtakenplacealmostwithinmyowntime，oratleastIhadlearnedmanyparticularsconcerningtheancientstateoftheHighlandsfromtheoldmenofthelastgeneration。IhadalwaysthoughttheoldScottishGaelhighlyadaptedforpoeticalcomposition。Thefeudsandpoliticaldissensionswhich，halfacenturyearlier，wouldhaverenderedthericherandwealthierpartofthekingdomindisposedtocountenanceapoem，thesceneofwhichwaslaidintheHighlands，werenowsunkinthegenerouscompassionwhichtheEnglish，morethananyothernation，feelforthemisfortunesofanhonourablefoe。ThePoemsofOssianhadbytheirpopularitysufficientlyshownthat，ifwritingsonHighlandsubjectswerequalifiedtointerestthereader，merenationalprejudiceswere，inthepresentday，veryunlikelytointerferewiththeirsuccess。

Ihadalsoreadagreatdeal，seenmuch，andheardmore，ofthatromanticcountrywhereIwasinthehabitofspendingsometimeeveryautumn；andthesceneryofLockKatrinewasconnectedwiththerecollectionofmanyadearfriendandmerryexpeditionofformerdays。Thispoem，theactionofwhichlayamongscenessobeautifulandsodeeplyimprintedonmyrecollections，wasalabouroflove，anditwasnolesssotorecallthemannersandincidentsintroduced。ThefrequentcustomofJamesIV。，andparticularlyofJamesV。，towalkthroughtheirkingdomindisguise，affordedmethehintofanincidentwhichneverfailstobeinterestingifmanagedwiththeslightestaddressordexterity。

Imaynowconfess，however，thattheemployment，thoughattendedwithgreatpleasure，wasnotwithoutitsdoubtsandanxieties。A

lady，towhomIwasnearlyrelated，andwithwhomIlived，duringherwholelife，onthemostbrotherlytermsofaffection，wasresidingwithmeatthetimewhentheworkwasinprogress，andusedtoaskme，whatIcouldpossiblydotorisesoearlyinthemorning（thathappeningtobethemostconvenienttomeforcomposition）。AtlastItoldherthesubjectofmymeditations；

andIcanneverforgettheanxietyandaffectionexpressedinherreply。"Donotbesorash，"shesaid，"mydearestcousin。[FN#2]

Youarealreadypopular，——moreso，perhaps，thanyouyourselfwillbelieve，orthanevenI，orotherpartialfriends，canfairlyallowtoyourmerit。Youstandhigh，——donotrashlyattempttoclimbhigher，andincurtheriskofafall；for，dependuponit，afavouritewillnotbepermittedeventostumblewithimpunity。"IrepliedtothisaffectionateexpostulationinthewordsofMontrose，——

"’Heeitherfearshisfatetoomuch，Orhisdesertsaresmall，WhodaresnotputittothetouchTogainorloseitall。’

"IfIfail，"Isaid，forthedialogueisstronginmyrecollection，"itisasignthatIoughtnevertohavesucceeded，andIwillwriteproseforlife：youshallseenochangeinmytemper，norwillIeatasinglemealtheworse。ButifI

succeed，’Upwiththebonniebluebonnet，Thedirk，andthefeather，anda’！’"

AfterwardsIshowedmyaffectionateandanxiouscriticthefirstcantoofthepoem，whichreconciledhertomyimprudence。

Nevertheless，althoughIansweredthusconfidently，withtheobstinacyoftensaidtobepropertothosewhobearmysurname，I

acknowledgethatmyconfidencewasconsiderablyshakenbythewarningofherexcellenttasteandunbiasedfriendship。NorwasImuchcomfortedbyherretractionoftheunfavourablejudgment，whenIrecollectedhowlikelyanaturalpartialitywastoeffectthatchangeofopinion。Insuchcases，affectionriseslikealightonthecanvas，improvesanyfavourabletintswhichitformerlyexhibited，andthrowsitsdefectsintotheshade。

Irememberthataboutthesametimeafriendstartedinto"heezeupmyhope，"likethe"sportsmanwithhiscuttygun，"intheoldsong。Hewasbredafarmer，butamanofpowerfulunderstanding，naturalgoodtaste，andwarmpoeticalfeeling，perfectlycompetenttosupplythewantsofanimperfectorirregulareducation。Hewasapassionateadmireroffield—sports，whichweoftenpursuedtogether。

AsthisfriendhappenedtodinewithmeatAshestieloneday，I

tooktheopportunityofreadingtohimthefirstcantoofTheLadyoftheLake，inordertoascertaintheeffectthepoemwaslikelytoproduceuponapersonwhowasbuttoofavourablearepresentativeofreadersatlarge。ItisofcoursetobesupposedthatIdeterminedrathertoguidemyopinionbywhatmyfriendmightappeartofeel，thanbywhathemightthinkfittosay。Hisreceptionofmyrecitation，orprelection，wasrathersingular。Heplacedhishandacrosshisbrow，andlistenedwithgreatattentionthroughthewholeaccountofthestag—hunt，tillthedogsthrewthemselvesintothelaketofollowtheirmaster，whoembarkswithEllenDouglas。Hethenstartedupwithasuddenexclamation，struckhishandonthetable，anddeclared，inavoiceofcensurecalculatedfortheoccasion，thatthedogsmusthavebeentotallyruinedbybeingpermittedtotakethewateraftersuchaseverechase。IownIwasmuchencouragedbythespeciesofreverywhichhadpossessedsozealousafollowerofthesportsoftheancientNimrod，whohadbeencompletelysurprisedoutofalldoubtsoftherealityofthetale。Anotherofhisremarksgavemelesspleasure。HedetectedtheidentityoftheKingwiththewanderingknight，Fitz—James，whenhewindshisbugletosummonhisattendants。Hewasprobablythinkingofthelively，butsomewhatlicentious，oldballad，inwhichthedenouementofaroyalintriguetakesplaceasfollows：

"Hetookabuglefraehisside，Heblewbothloudandshrill，AndfourandtwentybeltedknightsCameskippingoverthehill；

Thenhetookoutalittleknife，Leta’hisduddiesfa’，AndhewasthebrawestgentlemanThatwasamangthema’。

Andwe’llgonomorearoving，"etc。

Thisdiscovery，asMr。Pepyssaysoftherentinhiscamletcloak，wasbutatrifle，yetittroubledme；andIwasatagooddealofpainstoeffaceanymarksbywhichIthoughtmysecretcouldbetracedbeforetheconclusion，whenIreliedonitwiththesamehopeofproducingeffect，withwhichtheIrishpost—boyissaidtoreservea"trotfortheavenue。"

Itookuncommonpainstoverifytheaccuracyofthelocalcircumstancesofthisstory。Irecollect，inparticular，thattoascertainwhetherIwastellingaprobabletale，IwentintoPerthshire，toseewhetherKingJamescouldactuallyhaveriddenfromthebanksofLochVennachartoStirlingCastlewithinthetimesupposedinthepoem，andhadthepleasuretosatisfymyselfthatitwasquitepracticable。

Afteraconsiderabledelay，TheLadyoftheLakeappearedinJune，1810；anditssuccesswascertainlysoextraordinaryastoinducemeforthemomenttoconcludethatIhadatlastfixedanailintheproverbiallyinconstantwheelofFortune，whosestabilityinbehalfofanindividualwhohadsoboldlycourtedherfavoursforthreesuccessivetimeshadnotasyetbeenshaken。Ihadattained，perhaps，thatdegreeofreputationatwhichprudence，orcertainlytimidity，wouldhavemadeahalt，anddiscontinuedeffortsbywhichIwasfarmorelikelytodiminishmyfamethantoincreaseit。But，asthecelebratedJohnWilkesissaidtohaveexplainedtohislateMajesty，thathehimself，amidhisfulltideofpopularity，wasneveraWilkite，soIcan，withhonesttruth，exculpatemyselffromhavingbeenatanytimeapartisanofmyownpoetry，evenwhenitwasinthehighestfashionwiththemillion。ItmustnotbesupposedthatIwaseithersoungrateful，orsosuperabundantlycandid，astodespiseorscornthevalueofthosewhosevoicehadelevatedmesomuchhigherthanmyownopiniontoldmeI

deserved。Ifelt，onthecontrary，themoregratefultothepublic，asreceivingthatfrompartialitytome，whichIcouldnothaveclaimedfrommerit；andIendeavouredtodeservethepartiality，bycontinuingsuchexertionsasIwascapableoffortheiramusement。

ItmaybethatIdidnot，inthiscontinuedcourseofscribbling，consulteithertheinterestofthepublicormyown。Buttheformerhadeffectualmeansofdefendingthemselves，andcould，bytheircoldness，sufficientlycheckanyapproachtointrusion；andformyself，IhadnowforseveralyearsdedicatedmyhourssomuchtoliterarylabourthatIshouldhavefeltdifficultyinemployingmyselfotherwise；andso，likeDogberry，Igenerouslybestowedallmytediousnessonthepublic，comfortingmyselfwiththereflectionthat，ifposterityshouldthinkmeundeservingofthefavourwithwhichIwasregardedbymycontemporaries，"theycouldnotbutsayIhadthecrown，"andhadenjoyedforatimethatpopularitywhichissomuchcoveted。

Iconceived，however，thatIheldthedistinguishedsituationI

hadobtained，howeverunworthily，ratherlikethechampionofpugilism，[FN#3]ontheconditionofbeingalwaysreadytoshowproofsofmyskill，thaninthemannerofthechampionofchivalry，whoperformshisdutiesonlyonrareandsolemnoccasions。IwasinanycaseconsciousthatIcouldnotlongholdasituationwhichthecaprice，ratherthanthejudgment，ofthepublic，hadbestoweduponme，andpreferredbeingdeprivedofmyprecedencebysomemoreworthyrival，tosinkingintocontemptformyindolence，andlosingmyreputationbywhatScottishlawyerscallthenegativeprescription。Accordingly，thosewhochoosetolookattheIntroductiontoRokeby，willbeabletotracethestepsbywhichIdeclinedasapoettofigureasanovelist；astheballadsays，QueenEleanorsunkatCharingCrosstoriseagainatQueenhithe。

Itonlyremainsformetosaythat，duringmyshortpre—eminenceofpopularity，IfaithfullyobservedtherulesofmoderationwhichIhadresolvedtofollowbeforeIbeganmycourseasamanofletters。Ifamanisdeterminedtomakeanoiseintheworld，heisassuretoencounterabuseandridicule，ashewhogallopsfuriouslythroughavillagemustreckononbeingfollowedbythecursinfullcry。Experiencedpersonsknowthatinstretchingtoflogthelatter，theriderisveryapttocatchabadfall；norisanattempttochastiseamalignantcriticattendedwithlessdangertotheauthor。Onthisprinciple，Iletparody，burlesque，andsquibsfindtheirownlevel；andwhilethelatterhissedmostfiercely，Iwascautiousnevertocatchthemup，asschoolboysdo，tothrowthembackagainstthenaughtyboywhofiredthemoff，wiselyrememberingthattheyareinsuchcasesapttoexplodeinthehandling。Letmeadd，thatmyreign[FN#4]（sinceByronhassocalledit）wasmarkedbysomeinstancesofgood—

natureaswellaspatience。Ineverrefusedaliterarypersonofmeritsuchservicesinsmoothinghiswaytothepublicaswereinmypower；andIhadtheadvantage，ratheranuncommononewithourirritablerace，toenjoygeneralfavourwithoutincurringpermanentill—will，sofarasisknowntome，amonganyofmycontemporaries。

W。S。

Abbotsford，April，1830。

Ourlimitsdonotpermitustoaddanyextendedselectionsfromthemanycriticalnoticesofthepoem。TheverdictofJeffrey，intheEdinburghReview，onitsfirstappearance，hasbeengenerallyendorsed：——

"Uponthewhole，weareinclinedtothinkmorehighlyofTheLadyoftheLakethanofeitherofitsauthor’sformerpublications[theLayandMarmion]。Wearemoresure，however，thatithasfewerfaultsthanthatithasgreaterbeauties；andasitsbeautiesbearastrongresemblancetothosewithwhichthepublichasbeenalreadymadefamiliarinthesecelebratedworks，weshouldnotbesurprisedifitspopularitywerelesssplendidandremarkable。Forourownparts，however，weareofopinionthatitwillbeoftenerreadhereafterthaneitherofthem；andthat，ifithadappearedfirstintheseries，theirreceptionwouldhavebeenlessfavourablethanthatwhichithasexperienced。Itismorepolishedinitsdiction，andmoreregularinitsversification；thestoryisconstructedwithinfinitelymoreskillandaddress；thereisagreaterproportionofpleasingandtenderpassages，withmuchlessantiquariandetail；and，uponthewhole，alargervarietyofcharacters，moreartfullyandjudiciouslycontrasted。Thereisnothingsofine，perhaps，asthebattleinMarmion，orsopicturesqueassomeofthescatteredsketchesintheLay；butthereisarichnessandaspiritinthewholepiecewhichdoesnotpervadeeitherofthosepoems，——aprofusionofincidentandashiftingbrilliancyofcolouringthatremindsusofthewitcheryofAriosto，andaconstantelasticityandoccasionalenergywhichseemtobelongmorepeculiarlytotheauthornowbeforeus。"