109.- Douglas and Marmion. This spirited piece is from Sir Walter Scott's poem of "Marmion" (Canto VI.). The train from out the castle drew; But Marmion stopped to bid adieu. "Though something I might plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest, Sent hither by your king's behest, 4 While in Tantallon's towers I stayed, But Douglas round him drew his cloak, Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, 1 something, somewhat. 2 plain, complain. 8 behest, command. 4 Tantallon's towers, Douglas's castle. 5 lists, likes, chooses. And "This to me?" he said; "An 'twere not for thy hoary beard, And first, I tell thee, haughty peer, "And, Douglas, more I tell thee here, On the earl's cheek the flush of rage Fierce he broke forth: "And dar'st thou then To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hop'st thou hence unscathed to go? No, by Saint Bride of Bothwell,2 no! — Up drawbridge, grooms! - what, warder, ho! 1 Angus, or Lord Angus, the | a shrine at their castle of Bothwell title of Douglas, one of the most on the Clyde. celebrated Scottish chieftains. 2 Saint Bride of Bothwell: Saint Bride or Bridget. She was a favorite of the Douglas family, and had 8 portcullis, a sliding-door of cross-timbers pointed with iron, hung over a gateway so as to be let down in a moment. Lord Marmion turned, well was his need, The steed along the drawbridge flies, And when Lord Marmion reached his band, And shook his gauntlet at the towers. 110.- Saint Jonathan. There's many an excellent saint, - St. Vitus, the saint of the dance; 1 razed = grazed. SCOTT. He wears a most serious face, But partly to thinking and guessing. Has rather a secular2 bias, And I never have heard a complaint He's fond of financial improvement, 8 To rank with his calendar neighbors ?3 One day when a flash in the air Split his meeting-house fairly asunder, They're dreadfully careless with thunder!" By running it into the ground. 1 sooth = truth. 2 secular, worldly. 4 rod: the poet's allusion has reference to the lightning-rod invent 3 calendar neighbors; i.e., the ed by Franklin. (See Lesson 69 of list of saints. this Reader.) One morning, while taking a stroll, 1 Like the shriek of a suffering soul, - Saluted St. Jonathan's ear, That his bosom which wasn't of stone Was melted with pity to hear. That night he invented a charm2 Don't suffer, but rather enjoy it,- As good as the best of his brothers; Is patron of cripples and mothers. There's many an excellent saint, — St. Patrick, so jolly and quaint; St. Vitus, the saint of the dance; Is the mightiest saint of the lot. SAXE. 1 lu-gū'bri-ous, mournful. I 2 charm; i.e., chloroform. |