The next, all unreflected, shone

On bracken green, and cold gray stone.

Fitz-James looked round, yet scarce believed
The witness that his sight received;
Such apparition well might seem
Delusion of a dreadful dream.
Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed,
And to his look the chief replied,

"Fear naught―nay, that I need not say—
But-doubt not aught from mine array.
Thou art my guest. I pledged my word2
As far as Coilantogle ford;

Nor would I call a clansman's brand
For aid against one valiant hand,
Though on our strife lay every vale
Rent by the Saxon from the Gael.
So move we on; I only meant
To show the reed on which you leant,
Deeming this path you might pursue
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu."
They moved. I said Fitz-James was brave,
As ever knight that belted glaive; &
Yet dare not say, that now his blood
Kept on its wont and tempered flood,

1 witness, testimony.

2 I pledged my word, etc. 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

3

inconsistency of most nations in the
same state, were alternately capable
of great exertions of generosity, and
of cruel revenge and perfidy.
8 belted glaive, girded on his
sword.

4 wont, accustomed.

As, following Roderick's stride, he drew
That seeming lonesome pathway through,
Which yet, by fearful proof, was rife1
With lances, that, to take his life,
Waited but signal from a guide
So late dishonored and defied.

Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round
The vanished guardians of the ground,
And still, from copse and heather deep,
Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep,
And in the plover's shrilly 2 strain,
The signal whistle heard again.
Nor breathed he free till far behind
The pass was left; for then they wind.
Along 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 mines 5
On Bochastle the moldering lines,
Where Rome, the empress of the world,

1 rife. Give a synonym.

2 shrilly, shrill; the syllable ly being added for the sake of the rhythm.

8 three mighty lakes: Lochs Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar. 4 in silver. Note the metaphor. 5 mines. Part of speech?

Of yore her eagle wings unfurled: 1
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;

1 On Bochastle unfurled. | eminence, called the Dun of BoThe torrent which discharges it- chastle, and indeed on the plain self from Loch Vennachar, sweeps itself, are some intrenchments through a flat and extensive moor, which have been thought to be I called Bochastle. Upon a small | Roman.

For thus spoke Fate, by prophet bred
Between 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,
"Thy riddle is already read.

Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff-
There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff.
Thus Fate has 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 agree
To grant thee grace and favor free,
I plight mine honor, oath, and word,
That, to thy native strengths restored,
With each advantage shalt thou stand,
That aids thee now to guard thy land."

Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye.
"Soars thy presumption, then, so high,
Because a wretched kern2 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 change
My thought, and hold thy valor light

1 presumption. See Glossary.

2 kern. Kernes or ketterans were Highland robbers, especially such

as came down upon the Lowlands, and carried off cattle, etc., from those unable to offer resistance.

As that of some vain carpet-knight,1
Who ill deserved my courteous care,
And whose best boast is but to wear
A 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 stain
In the best blood that warms thy vein.
Now, truce, farewell! and, ruth, begone!
Yet think not that by thee alone,
Proud chief! can courtesy be shown.
Though not from copse or heath or cairn2
Start at my whistle clansmen stern,

Of this small horn one feeble blast

Would 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 threw,
Each looked to sun and stream and plain
As what they ne'er might see again;
Then foot and point and eye opposed,
In dubious strife they darkly closed.

3

Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu,
That on the field his targe he threw,
Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide
Had death so often dashed aside;

1 carpet-knight, a knight who enjoys ease and security, and has not known the hardships of the battle-field.

2 cairn. See Webster.

8 dubious. Give a synonym. 4 Ill fared it then: that is, it then went ill.