V。
OfBrian’sbirthstrangetalesweretold。
Hismotherwatchedamidnightfold,Builtdeepwithinadrearyglen,WherescatteredlaythebonesofmenInsomeforgottenbattleslain,Andbleachedbydriftingwindandrain。
Itmighthavetamedawarrior’sheartToviewsuchmockeryofhisart!
Theknot—grassfetteredtherethehandWhichoncecouldburstanironband;
Beneaththebroadandamplebone,Thatbuckleredhearttofearunknown,Afeebleandatimorousguest,Thefieldfareframedherlowlynest;
TheretheslowblindwormlefthisslimeOnthefleetlimbsthatmockedattime;
Andthere,too,laytheleader’sskullStillwreathedwithchaplet,flushedandfull,Forheath—bellwithherpurplebloomSuppliedthebonnetandtheplume。
Allnight,inthissadglenthemaidSatshroudedinhermantle’sshade:
Shesaidnoshepherdsoughtherside,Nohunter’shandhersnooduntied。
Yetne’eragaintobraidherhairThevirginsnooddidAlivewear;
Gonewashermaidengleeandsport,Hermaidengirdlealltooshort,Norsoughtshe,fromthatfatalnight,OrholychurchorblessedriteButlockedhersecretinherbreast,Anddiedintravail,unconfessed。
VI。
Alone,amonghisyoungcompeers,WasBrianfromhisinfantyears;
Amoodyandheart—brokenboy,EstrangedfromsympathyandjoyBearingeachtauntwhichcarelesstongueOnhismysteriouslineageflung。
WholenightshespentbymoonlightpaleTowoodandstreamhisteal,towail,Till,frantic,heastruthreceivedWhatofhisbirththecrowdbelieved,Andsought,inmistandmeteorfire,TomeetandknowhisPhantomSire!
Invain,tosoothehiswaywardfate,Thecloisteropedherpityinggate;
InvainthelearningoftheageUnclaspedthesable—letteredpage;
EveninitstreasureshecouldfindFoodforthefeverofhismind。
EagerhereadwhatevertellsOfmagic,cabala,andspells,AndeverydarkpursuitalliedTocuriousandpresumptuouspride;
Tillwithfiredbrainandnerveso’erstrung,Andheartwithmystichorrorswrung,DesperatehesoughtBenharrow’sden,Andhidhimfromthehauntsofmen。
VII。
Thedesertgavehimvisionswild,Suchasmightsuitthespectre’schild。
Wherewithblackcliffsthetorrentstoil,Hewatchedthewheelingeddiesboil,JillfromtheirfoamhisdazzledeyesBeheldtheRiverDemonrise:
ThemountainmisttookformandlimbOfnoontidehagorgoblingrim;
Themidnightwindcamewildanddread,Swelledwiththevoicesofthedead;
Faronthefuturebattle—heathHiseyebeheldtheranksofdeath:
ThustheloneSeer,frommankindhurled,Shapedforthadisembodiedworld。
OnelingeringsympathyofmindStillboundhimtothemortalkind;
TheonlyparenthecouldclaimOfancientAlpine’slineagecame。
Latehadheheard,inprophet’sdream,ThefatalBen—Shie’sbodingscream;
Sounds,too,hadcomeinmidnightblastOfchargingsteeds,careeringfastAlongBenharrow’sshinglyside,Wheremortalhorsemanne’ermightride;
Thethunderbolthadsplitthepine,——
AllauguredilltoAlpine’sline。
Hegirthisloins,andcametoshowThesignalsofimpendingwoe,Andnowstoodprompttoblessorban,AsbadetheChieftainofhisclan。
VIII。
’Twasallprepared;——andfromtherockAgoat,thepatriarchoftheflock,Beforethekindlingpilewaslaid,AndpiercedbyRoderick’sreadyblade。
PatientthesickeningvictimeyedThelife—bloodebbincrimsontideDownhiscloggedbeardandshaggylimb,Tilldarknessglazedhiseyeballsdim。
Thegrislypriest,withmurmuringprayer,Aslendercrossletframedwithcare,Acubit’slengthinmeasuredue;
Theshaftandlimbswererodsofyew,WhoseparentsinInch—CailliachwaveTheirshadowso’erClan—Alpine’sgrave,And,answeringLomond’sbreezesdeep,Soothemanyachieftain’sendlesssleep。
TheCrossthusformedheheldonhigh,Withwastedhandandhaggardeye,Andstrangeandmingledfeelingswoke,Whilehisanathemahespoke:——
IX。
’WoetotheclansmanwhoshallviewThissymbolofsepulchralyew,ForgetfulthatitsbranchesgrewWhereweeptheheavenstheirholiestdewOnAlpine’sdwellinglow!
DeserterofhisChieftain’strust,Hene’ershallminglewiththeirdust,But,fromhissiresandkindredthrust,Eachclansman’sexecrationjustShalldoomhimwrathandwoe。’
Hepaused;——thewordthevassalstook,Withforwardstepandfierylook,Onhightheirnakedbrandstheyshook,Theirclatteringtargetswildlystrook;
Andfirstinmurmurlow,Thenlikethebillowinhiscourse,Thatfartoseawardfindshissource,Andflingstoshorehismusteredforce,Burstwithloudroartheiranswerhoarse,’Woetothetraitor,woe!’
Ben—an’sgrayscalptheaccentsknew,Thejoyouswolffromcovertdrew,Theexultingeaglescreamedafar,——
TheyknewthevoiceofAlpine’swar。
X。
Theshoutwashushedonlakeandfell,TheMonkresumedhismutteredspell:
Dismalandlowitsaccentscame,ThewhilehescathedtheCrosswithflame;
Andthefewwordsthatreachedtheair,Althoughtheholiestnamewasthere,Hadmoreofblasphemythanprayer。
ButwhenheshookabovethecrowdItskindledpoints,hespokealoud:——
’WoetothewretchwhofailstorearAtthisdreadsignthereadyspear!
For,astheflamesthissymbolsear,Hishome,therefugeofhisfear,Akindredfateshallknow;
Faro’eritsroofthevolumedflameClan—Alpine’svengeanceshallproclaim,WhilemaidsandmatronsonhisnameShallcalldownwretchednessandshame,Andinfamyandwoe。’
Thenrosethecryoffemales,shrillAsgoshawk’swhistleonthehill,Denouncingmiseryandill,Mingledwithchildhood’sbabblingtrillOfcursesstammeredslow;
Answeringwithimprecationdread,’Sunkbehishomeinembersred!
AndcursedbethemeanestshedThato’ershallhidethehouselessheadWedoomtowantandwoe!’
Asharpandshriekingechogave,Coir—Uriskin,thygoblincave!
AndthegraypasswherebircheswaveOnBeala—nam—bo。
XI。
Thendeeperpausedthepriestanew,Andhardhislaboringbreathhedrew,While,withsetteethandclenchedhand,Andeyesthatglowedlikefierybrand,Hemeditatedcursemoredread,Anddeadlier,ontheclansman’sheadWho,summonedtohischieftain’said,Thesignalsawanddisobeyed。
Thecrosslet’spointsofsparklingwoodHequenchedamongthebubblingblood。
And,asagainthesignhereared,Hollowandhoarsehisvoicewasheard:
’WhenflitsthisCrossfrommantoman,Vich—Alpine’ssummonstohisclan,Burstbetheearthatfailstoheed!
Palsiedthefootthatshunstospeed!
Mayravenstearthecarelesseyes,Wolvesmakethecowardhearttheirprize!
Assinksthatblood—streamintheearth,Somayhisheart’s—blooddrenchhishearth!
Asdiesinhissinggorethespark,Quenchthouhislight,Destructiondark!
Andbethegracetohimdenied,Boughtbythissigntoallbeside!
Heceased;noechogaveagainThemurmurofthedeepAmen。
XII。
ThenRoderickwithimpatientlookFromBrian’shandthesymboltook:
’Speed,Malise,speed’hesaid,andgaveThecrosslettohishenchmanbrave。
’Themuster—placebeLanrickmead——
Instantthetime———speed,Malise,speed!’
Likeheath—bird,whenthehawkspursue,AbargeacrossLochKatrineflew:
Highstoodthehenchmanontheprow;
Sorapidlythebarge—mallrow,Thebubbles,wheretheylaunchedtheboat,Wereallunbrokenandafloat,Dancinginfoamandripplestill,Whenithadnearedthemainlandhill;
Andfromthesilverbeach’ssideStillwastheprowthreefathomwide,WhenlightlyboundedtothelandThemessengerofbloodandbrand。
XIII。
Speed,Malise,speed!thedundeer’shideOnfleeterfootwasnevertied。
Speed,Malise,speed!suchcauseofhasteThineactivesinewsneverbraced。
Bend’gainstthesteepyhillthybreast,Burstdownliketorrentfromitscrest;
WithshortandspringingfootsteppassThetremblingbogandfalsemorass;
Acrossthebrooklikeroebuckbound,Andthreadthebrakelikequestinghound;
Thecragishigh,thescaurisdeep,Yetshrinknotfromthedesperateleap:
Parchedarethyburninglipsandbrow,Yetbythefountainpausenotnow;
Heraldofbattle,fate,andfear,Stretchonwardinthyfleetcareer!
Thewoundedhindthoutrack’stnotnow,Pursuestnotmaidthroughgreenwoodbough,NorpriestthounowthyflyingpaceWithrivalsinthemountainrace;
Butdanger,death,andwarriordeedAreinthycourse——speed,Malise,speed!
XIV。
Fastasthefatalsymbolflies,Inarmsthehutsandhamletsrise;
Fromwindingglen,fromuplandbrown,Theypouredeachhardytenantdown。
Norslackedthemessengerhispace;
Heshowedthesign,henamedtheplace,And,pressingforwardlikethewind,Leftclamorandsurprisebehind。
Thefishermanforsookthestrand,Theswarthysmithtookdirkandbrand;
Withchangedcheer,themowerblitheLeftinthehalf—cutswathhisscythe;
Theherdswithoutakeeperstrayed,Theploughwasinmid—furrowstaved,Thefalconertossedhishawkaway,Thehunterleftthestagathay;
Promptatthesignalofalarms,EachsonofAlpinerushedtoarms;
SosweptthetumultandaffrayAlongthemarginofAchray。
Alas,thoulovelylake!thate’erThybanksshouldechosoundsoffear!
Therocks,theboskythickets,sleepSostillyonthybosomdeep,Thelark’sblithecarolfromthecloudSeemsforthescenetoogaylyloud。
XV。
Speed,Malise,speed!Thelakeispast,Duncraggan’shutsappearatlast,Andpeep,likemoss—grownrocks,halfseenHalfhiddeninthecopsesogreen;
Theremaystthourest,thylabordone,Theirlordshallspeedthesignalon。——
Asstoopsthehawkuponhisprey,Thehenchmanshothimdowntheway。
Whatwofulaccentsloadthegale?
Thefuneralyell,thefemalewail!
Agallanthunter’ssportiso’er,Avaliantwarriorfightsnomore。
Who,inthebattleorthechase,AtRoderick’ssideshallfillhisplace!——
Withinthehall,wheretorch’sraySuppliestheexcludedbeamsofday,LiesDuncanonhislowlybier,Ando’erhimstreamshiswidow’stear。
Hisstriplingsonstandsmournfulby,Hisyoungestweeps,butknowsnotwhy;
ThevillagemaidsandmatronsroundThedismalcoronachresound。
XVI。
Coronach。
Heisgoneonthemountain,Heislosttotheforest,Likeasummer—driedfountain,Whenourneedwasthesorest。
Thefont,reappearing,Fromtherain—dropsshallborrow,Buttouscomesnocheering,ToDuncannomorrow!
ThehandofthereaperTakestheearsthatarehoary,ButthevoiceoftheweeperWailsmanhoodinglory。
TheautumnwindsrushingWafttheleavesthataresearest,Butourflowerwasinflushing,Whenblightingwasnearest。
Fleetfootonthecorrei,Sagecounselincumber,Redhandintheforay,Howsoundisthyslumber!
Likethedewonthemountain,Likethefoamontheriver,Likethebubbleonthefountain,Thouartgone,andforever!
XVII。
SeeStumah,who,thebierbesideHismaster’scorpsewithwondereyed,PoorStumah!whomhisleasthallooCouldsendlikelightningo’erthedew,Bristleshiscrest,andpointshisears,Asifsomestrangerstephehears。
’Tisnotamourner’smuffledtread,Whocomestosorrowo’erthedead,ButheadlonghasteordeadlyfearUrgetheprecipitatecareer。
Allstandaghast:——unheedingall,Thehenchmanburstsintothehall;
Beforethedeadman’sbierhestood,HeldforththeCrossbesmearedwithblood;
’Themuster—placeisLanrickmead;
Speedforththesignal!clansmen。speed!’
XVIII,Angus,theheirofDuncan’sline,Sprungforthandseizedthefatalsign。
InhastethestriplingtohissideHisfather’sdirkandbroadswordtied;
Butwhenhesawhismother’seyeWatchhiminspeechlessagony,BacktoheropenedarmsheflewPressedonherlipsafondadieu,——
’Alas"shesobbed,——’andyetbegone,Andspeedtheeforth,likeDuncan’sson!’
Onelookhecastuponthebier,Dashedfromhiseyethegatheringtear,Breatheddeeptoclearhislaboringbreast,Andtossedalofthisbonnetcrest,Then,likethehigh—bredcoltwhen,freed,Firstheessayshisfireandspeed,Hevanished,ando’ermoorandmossSpedforwardwiththeFieryCross。
Suspendedwasthewidow’stearWhileyethisfootstepsshecouldhear;
Andwhenshemarkedthehenchman’seyeWetwithunwontedsympathy,’Kinsman,’shesaid,’hisraceisrunThatshouldhavespedshineerrandon。
Theoakteasfallen?——thesaplingboughIsallDuncraggan’sshelternowYettrustIwell,hisdutydone,Theorphan’sGodwillguardmyson。——
Andyou,inmanyadangertrueAtDuncan’shestyourbladesthatdrew,Toarms,andguardthatorphan’shead!
Letbabesandwomenwailthedead。’
Thenweapon—clangandmartialcallResoundedthroughthefuneralhall,WhilefromthewallstheattendantbandSnatchedswordandtargewithhurriedhand;
AndshortandflittingenergyGlancedfromthemourner’ssunkeneye,AsifthesoundstowarriordearMightrouseherDuncanfromhisbier。
Butfadedsoonthatborrowedforce;
Griefclaimedhisright,andtearstheircourse。
XIX。
BenledisawtheCrossofFire,ItglanceddikelightningupStrath—Ire。
O’erdaleandhillthesummonsflew,NorrestnorpauseyoungAngusknew;
ThetearthatgatheredinhiseyeHedeftthemountain—breezetodry;
Until,whereTeith’syoungwatersrollBetwixthimandawoodedknollThatgracedthesablestrathwithgreen,ThechapelofSaintBridewasseen。
Swolnwasthestream,remotethebridge,ButAnguspausednotontheedge;
Thoughtheclerkwavesdanceddizzily,Thoughreeledhissympatheticeye,Hedashedamidthetorrent’sroar:
Hisrighthandhighthecrossletbore,Hisleftthepole—axegrasped,toguideAndstayhisfootinginthetide。
Hestumbledtwice,——thefoamsplashedhigh,Withhoarserswellthestreamracedby;
Andhadhefallen,——foreverthere,FarewellDuncraggan’sorphanheir!
Butstill,asifinpartinglife,FirmerhegraspedtheCrossofstrife,Untiltheopposingbankhegained,Andupthechapelpathwaystrained。
Ablithesomeroutthatmorning—tideHadsoughtthechapelofSaintBride。
HertrothTombea’sMarygaveToNorman,heirofArmandave,And,issuingfromtheGothicarch,Thebridalnowresumedtheirmarch。
InrudebutgladprocessioncameBonnetedsireandcoif—claddame;
Andplaidedyouth,withjestandjeerWhichsnoodedmaidenwouldnothear:
Andchildren,that,unwittingwhy,Lentthegayshouttheirshrillycry;
Andminstrels,thatinmeasuresviedBeforetheyoungandbonnybride,WhosedowncasteyeandcheekdiscloseThetearandblushofmorningrose。
WithvirginstepandbashfulhandSheheldthekerchief’ssnowyband。
ThegallantbridegroombyhersideBeheldhisprizewithvictor’spride。
AndthegladmotherinherearWascloselywhisperingwordofcheer。
XXI。
Whomeetsthematthechurchyardgate?
Themessengeroffearandfate!
Hasteinhishurriedaccentlies,Andgriefisswimminginhiseyes。
Alldrippingfromtherecentflood,Pantingandtravel—soiledhestood,ThefatalsignoffireandswordHeldforth,andspoketheappointedword:
’Themuster—placeisLanrickmead;
Speedforththesignal!Norman,speed!’
AndmusthechangesosoonthehandJustlinkedtohisbyholyband,ForthefellCrossofbloodandbrand?
Andmustthedaysoblithethatrose,Andpromisedraptureintheclose,Beforeitssettinghour,divideThebridegroomfromtheplightedbride?
Ofataldoom’——itmust!itmust!
Clan—Alpine’scause,herChieftain’strust,Hersummonsdread,brooknodelay;
Stretchtotherace,——away!away!
XXII。
Yetslowhelaidhisplaidaside,Andlingeringeyedhislovelybride,UntilhesawthestartingtearSpeakwoehemightnotstoptocheer:
Then,trustingnotasecondlook,Inhastehespedhindupthebrook,NorbackwardglancedtillontheheathWhereLubnaig’slakesuppliestheTeith,——
Whatintheracer’sbosomstirred?
Thesickeningpangofhopedeferred,AndmemorywithatorturingtrainOfallhismorningvisionsvain。
Mingledwithlove’simpatience,cameThemanlythirstformartialfame;
ThestormyjoyofmountaineersEreyettheyrushuponthespears;
AndzealforClanandChieftainburning,Andhope,fromwell—foughtfieldreturning,Withwar’sredhonorsonhiscrest,ToclasphisMarytohisbreast。
Stungbysuchthoughts,o’erbankandbrae,Likefirefromflintheglancedaway,WhilehighresolveandfeelingstrongBurstintovoluntarysong。
XXIII。
Song。
Theheaththisnightmustbemybed,Thebrackencurtainformyhead,Mylullabythewarder’stread,Far,far,fromloveandthee,Mary;
To—morroweve,morestillylaid,Mycouchmaybemybloodyplaid,Myvespersongthywail,sweetmaid!
Itwillnotwakenme,Mary!
Imaynot,darenot,fancynowThegriefthatcloudsthylovelybrow,Idarenotthinkuponthyvow,Andallitpromisedme,Mary。
NofondregretmustNormanknow;
WhenburstsClan—Alpineonthefoe,Hisheartmustbelikebendedbow,Hisfootlikearrowfree,Mary。
Atimewillcomewithfeelingfraught,For,ifIfallinbattlefought,Thyhaplesslover’sdyingthoughtShallbeathoughtonthee,Mary。
Andifreturnedfromconqueredfoes,Howblithelywilltheeveningclose,Howsweetthelinnetsingrepose,Tomyyoungbrideandme,Mary!
XXIV。
Notfastero’erthyheatherybraesBalquidder,speedsthemidnightblaze,RushinginconflagrationstrongThydeepravinesanddellsalong,Wrappingthycliffsinpurpleglow,Andreddeningthedarklakesbelow;
Norfasterspeedsit,norsofar,Aso’erthyheathsthevoiceofwar。
ThesignalrousedtomartialcoilThesullenmarginofLochVoil,WakedstillLochDoine,andtothesourceAlarmed,Balvaig,thyswampycourse;
ThencesouthwardturneditsrapidroadAdownStrath—Gartney’svalleybroadTillroseinarmseachmanmightclaimAportioninClan—Alpine’sname,Fromthegraysire,whosetremblinghandCouldhardlybuckleonhisbrand,Totherawboy,whoseshaftandbowWereyetscarceterrortothecrow。
Eachvalley,eachsequesteredglen,MustereditslittlehordeofmenThatmetastorrentsfromtheheightInHighlanddalestheirstreamsuniteStillgathering,astheypouralong,Avoicemoreloud,atidemorestrong,TillattherendezvoustheystoodByhundredspromptforblowsandblood,Eachtrainedtoarmssincelifebegan,Owningnotiebuttohisclan,Nooathbutbyhischieftain’shand,NolawbutRoderickDhu’scommand。
XXV。
ThatsummermornhadRoderickDhuSurveyedtheskirtsofBenvenue,Andsenthisscoutso’erhillandheath,ToviewthefrontiersofMenteith。
Allbackwardcamewithnewsoftruce;
StilllayeachmartialGraemeandBruce,InRednockcourtsnohorsemenwait,NobannerwavedonCardrossgate,OnDuchray’stowersnobeaconshone,NorscaredtheheronsfromLochCon;
Allseemedatpeace。——NowwotyewilyTheChieftainwithsuchanxiouseye,Eretothemusterherepair,Thiswesternfrontierscannedwithcare?——
InBenvenue’smostdarksomecleft,Afairthoughcruelpledgewasleft;
ForDouglas,tohispromisetrue,Thatmorningfromtheislewithdrew,AndinadeepsequestereddellHadsoughtalowandlonelycell。
BymanyabardinCeltictongueHasCoir—nan—UriskinbeensungAsofternametheSaxonsgave,AndcalledthegrottheGoblinCave。
XXVI。
Itwasawildandstrangeretreat,Ase’erwastrodbyoutlaw’sfeet。
Thedell,uponthemountain’screst,Yawnedlikeagashonwarrior’sbreast;
Itstrenchhadstayedfullmanyarock,HurledbyprimevalearthquakeshockFromBenvenue’sgraysummitwild,Andhere,inrandomruinpiled,Theyfrownedincumbento’erthespotAndformedtheruggedsylvan"rot。
TheoakandbirchwithmingledshadeAtnoontidethereatwilightmade,UnlesswhenshortandsuddenshoneSomestragglingbeamonclifforstone,Withsuchaglimpseasprophet’seyeGainsonthydepth,Futurity。
Nomurmurwakedthesolemnstill,Savetinklingofafountainrill;
Butwhenthewindchafedwiththelake,Asullensoundwouldupwardbreak,Withdashinghollowvoice,thatspokeTheincessantwarofwaveandrock。
SuspendedcliffswithhideousswaySeemednoddingo’erthecaverngray。
Fromsuchadenthewolfhadsprung,Insuchthewild—catleavesheryoung;
YetDouglasandhisdaughterfairSoughtforaspacetheirsafetythere。
GraySuperstition’swhisperdreadDebarredthespottovulgartread;
Forthere,shesaid,didfaysresort,Andsatyrsholdtheirsylvancourt,Bymoonlighttreadtheirmysticmaze,Andblasttherashbeholder’sgaze。
XXVII。
Noweve,withwesternshadowslong,FloatedonKatrinebrightandstrong,WhenRoderickwithachosenfewRepassedtheheightsofBenvenue。
AbovetheGoblinCavetheygo,ThroughthewildpassofBeal—nam—bo;
Thepromptretainersspeedbefore,Tolaunchtheshallopfromtheshore,For’crossLochKatrinelieshiswayToviewthepassesofAchray,Andplacehisclansmeninarray。
YetlagstheChiefinmusingmind,Unwontedsight,hismenbehind。
Asinglepage,tobearhissword,Aloneattendedonhislord;
Theresttheirwaythroughthicketsbreak,Andsoonawaithimbythelake。
ItwasafairandgallantsightToviewthemfromtheneighboringheight,Bythelow—levelledsunbeam’slight!
Forstrengthandstature,fromtheclanEachwarriorwasachosenman,Asevenafarmightwellbeseen,Bytheirproudstepandmartialmien。
heirfeathersdance,theirtartarsfloat,Theirtargetsgleam,asbytheboatAwildandwarlikegrouptheystand,Thatwellbecamesuchmountain—strand。
XXVI
TheirChiefwithstepreluctantstillWaslingeringonthecraggyhill,HardbywhereturnedaparttheroadToDouglas’sobscureabode。
ItwasbutwiththatdawningmornThatRoderickDhuhadproudlyswornTodrownhisloveinwar’swildroar,NorthinkofEllenDouglasmore;
Buthewhostemsastreamwithsand,Andfettersflamewithflaxenband,Hasyetahardertasktoprove,——
Byfirmresolvetoconquerlove!
EvefindstheChief,likerestlessghost,Stillhoveringnearhistreasurelost;
ForthoughhishaughtyheartdenyApartingmeetingtohiseyeStillfondlystrainshisanxiousearTheaccentsofhervoicetohear,AndinlydidhecursethebreezeThatwakedtosoundtherustlingtrees。
Buthark!whatminglesinthestrain?
ItistheharpofAllan—bane,Thatwakesitsmeasureslowandhigh,Attunedtosacredminstrelsy。
Whatmeltingvoiceattendsthestrings?
’TisEllen,oranangel,sings。