XVIII。
Fitz—JameskneweverywilytrainAlady’sficklehearttogain，Buthereheknewandfeltthemvain。
ThereshotnoglancefromEllen’seye，Togivehersteadfastspeechthelie；
Inmaidenconfidenceshestood，ThoughmantledinhercheekthebloodAndtoldherlovewithsuchasighOfdeepandhopelessagony，AsdeathhadsealedherMalcolm’sdoomAndshesatsorrowingonhistomb。
HopevanishedfromFitz—James’seye，Butnotwithhopefledsympathy。
Heprofferedtoattendherside，Asbrotherwouldasisterguide。
’Olittleknow’stthouRoderick’sheart！
Saferforbothwegoapart。
Ohastethee，andfromAllanlearnIfthoumaysttrustyonwilykern。’
Withhanduponhisforeheadlaid，Theconflictofhismindtoshade，Apartingsteportwohemade；
Then，assomethoughthadcrossedhisbrainHepaused，andturned。andcameagain。
XIX。
’Hear，lady，yetapartingword！——
ItchancedinfightthatmypoorswordPreservedthelifeofScotland’slord。
ThisringthegratefulMonarchgave，Andbade，whenIhadboontocrave，Tobringitback，andboldlyclaimTherecompensethatIwouldname。
Ellen，Iamnocourtlylord，Butonewholivesbylanceandsword，Whosecastleishishelmandshield，Hislordshiptheembattledfield。
WhatfromaprincecanIdemand，Whoneitherreckofstatenorland？
Ellen，thyhand——theringisshine；
Eachguardandusherknowsthesign。
SeekthoutheKingwithoutdelay；
Thissignetshallsecurethyway：
Andclaimthysuit，whate’eritbe，Asransomofhispledgetome。’
Heplacedthegoldencircleton，Paused——kissedherhand——andthenwasgone。
TheagedMinstrelstoodaghast，SohastilyFitz—Jamesshotpast。
Hejoinedhisguide，andwendingdownTheridgesofthemountainbrown，AcrossthestreamtheytooktheirwayThatjoinsLochKatrinetoAchray。
XX
AllintheTrosachs’glenwasstill，Noontidewassleepingonthehill：
Suddenhisguidewhoopedloudandhigh——
’Murdoch！wasthatasignalcry？’——
Hestammeredforth，’IshouttoscareYonravenfromhisdaintyfare。’
Helooked——heknewtheraven’sprey，Hisownbravesteed：’Ah！gallantgray！
Forthee——forme，perchance——’twerewellWene’erhadseentheTrosachs’dell。——
Murdoch，movefirst———butsilently；
Whistleorwhoop，andthoushaltdie！’
Jealousandsullenontheyfared，Eachsilent，eachuponhisguard。
XXI。
NowwoundthepathitsdizzyledgeAroundaprecipice’sedge，Whenlo！awastedfemaleform，Blightedbywrathofsunandstorm，Intatteredweedsandwildarray，Stoodonacliffbesidetheway，Andglancingroundherrestlesseye，Uponthewood，therock，thesky，Seemednaughttomark，yetalltospy。
Herbrowwaswreathedwithgaudybroom；
WithgesturewildshewavedaplumeOffeathers，whichtheeaglesflingTocragandclifffromduskywing；
Suchspoilsherdesperatestephadsought，Wherescarcewasfootingforthegoat。
Thetartanplaidshefirstdescried，Andshriekedtillalltherocksreplied；
Asloudshelaughedwhenneartheydrew，ForthentheLowlandgarbsheknew；
Andthenherhandsshewildlywrung，Andthenshewept，andthenshesung——
Shesung！——thevoice，inbettertime，Perchancetoharporlutemightchime；
Andnow，thoughstrainedandroughened，stillRungwildlysweettodaleandhill。
XXII。
Song。
Theybidmesleep，theybidmepray，Theysaymybrainiswarpedandwrung——
IcannotsleeponHighlandbrae，IcannotprayinHighlandtongue。
ButwereInowwhereAllanglides，OrheardmynativeDevan’stides，SosweetlywouldIrest，andprayThatHeavenwouldclosemywintryday！
’Twasthusmyhairtheybademebraid，Theymademetothechurchrepair；
Itwasmybridalmorntheysaid，Andmytruelovewouldmeetmethere。
ButwoebetidethecruelguileThatdrownedinbloodthemorningsmile！
Andwoebetidethefairydream！
Ionlywakedtosobandscream。
XXIII。
’Whoisthismaid？whatmeansherlay？
Shehoverso’erthehollowway，Andflutterswidehermantlegray，Astheloneheronspreadshiswing，Bytwilight，o’erahauntedspring。’
"TisBlancheofDevan，’Murdochsaid，’AcrazedandcaptiveLowlandmaid，Ta’enonthemornshewasabride，WhenRoderickforayedDevan—side。
Thegaybridegroomresistancemade，AndfeltourChief’sunconqueredblade。
Imarvelsheisnowatlarge，Butoftshe’scapesfromMaudlin’scharge。——
Hence，brain—sickfool！’——Heraisedhisbow：——
’Now，ifthoustrik’stherbutoneblow，I’llpitchtheefromthecliffasfarAseverpeasantpitchedabar！’
’Thanks，champion，thanks"theManiaccried，AndpressedhertoFitz—James’sside。
’SeethegraypennonsIprepare，Toseekmytruelovethroughtheair！
Iwillnotlendthatsavagegroom，Tobreakhisfall，onedownyplume！
No！——deepamiddisjointedstones，Thewolvesshallbattenonhisbones，Andthenshallhisdetestedplaid，Bybushandbrierinmid—airstayed，Waveforthabannerfailandfree，Meetsignalfortheirrevelry。’
XXIV
’Hushthee，poormaiden，andbestill！’
’O！thoulook’stkindly，andIwill。
Mineeyehasdriedandwastedbeen，ButstillitlovestheLincolngreen；
And，thoughmineearisallunstrung，Still，stillitlovestheLowlandtongue。
’ForOmysweetWilliamwasforestertrue，HestolepoorBlanche’sheartaway！
Hiscoatitwasallofthegreenwoodhue，AndsoblithelyhetrilledtheLowlandlay！
’ItwasnotthatImeanttotell……
Butthouartwiseandguessestwell。’
Then，inalowandbrokentone，Andhurriednote，thesongwenton。
StillontheClansmanfearfullyShefixedherapprehensiveeye，ThenturneditontheKnight，andthenHerlookglancedwildlyo’ertheglen。
XXV。
’Thetoilsarepitched，andthestakesareset，——
Eversingmerrily，merrily；
Thebowstheybend，andtheknivestheywhet，Hunterslivesocheerily。
Itwasastag，astagoften，Bearingitsbranchessturdily；
Hecamestatelydowntheglen，——
Eversinghardily，hardily。
’Itwastherehemetwithawoundeddoe，Shewasbleedingdeathfully；
Shewarnedhimofthetoilsbelow，O。sofaithfully，faithfully！
’Hehadaneye，andhecouldheed，——
Eversingwarily，warily；
Hehadafoot，antihecouldspeed，——
Hunterswatchsonarrowly。’
XXVI。
Fitz—James’smindwaspassion—tossed，WhenEllen’shintsandfearswerelost；
ButMurdoch’sshoutsuspicionwrought，AndBlanche’ssongconvictionbrought。
Notlikeastagthatspiesthesnare，Butlionofthehuntaware，Hewavedatoncehisbladeonhigh，’Disclosethytreachery，ordie！’
ForthathellspeedtheClansmanflew，Butinhisracehisbowhedrew。
TheshaftjustgrazedFitz—James’screst，AndthrilledinBlanche’sfadedbreast。——
MurdochofAlpine！provethyspeed，Forne’erhadAlpine’ssonsuchneed；
Withheartoffire，andfootofwind，Thefierceavengerisbehind！
Fatejudgesoftherapidstrife——
Theforfeitdeath——theprizeislife；
Thykindredambushliesbefore，Closecouchedupontheheatherymoor；
Themcouldstthoureach！——itmaynotbeThineambushedkinthoune’ershaltsee，ThefierySaxongainsonthee！——
Resistlessspeedsthedeadlythrust，Aslightningstrikesthepinetodust；
WithfootandhandFitz—JamesmuststrainErehecanwinhisbladeagain。
Bento’erthefallenwithfalconeye，Hegrimlysmiledtoseehimdie，Thenslowerwendedbackhisway，Wherethepoormaidenbleedinglay。
XXVII。
Shesatbeneaththebirchentree，Herelbowrestingonherknee；
Shehadwithdrawnthefatalshaft，Andgazedonit，andfeeblylaughed；
Herwreathofbroomandfeathersgray，Daggledwithblood，besideherlay。
TheKnighttostanchthelife—streamtried，——
’Stranger，itisinvain！’shecried。
’ThishourofdeathhasgivenmemoreOfreason’spowerthanyearsbefore；
For，astheseebbingveinsdecay，Myfrenziedvisionsfadeaway。
AhelplessinjuredwretchIdie，AndsomethingtellsmeinshineeyeThatthouwertmineavengerborn。
Seestthouthistress？——O。stillI’vewornThislittletressofyellowhair，Throughdanger，frenzy，anddespair！
Itoncewasbrightandclearasshine，Butbloodandtearshavedimmeditsshine。
Iwillnottelltheewhen’twasshred，Norfromwhatguiltlessvictim’shead，——
Mybrainwouldturn！——butitshallwaveLikeplumageonthyhelmetbrave，Tillsunandwindshallbleachthestain，Andthouwiltbringitmeagain。
Iwaverstill。——OGod！morebrightLetreasonbeamherpartinglight！——
O。bythyknighthood’shonoredsign，Andforthylifepreservedbymine，Whenthoushaltseeadarksomeman，WhoboastshimChiefofAlpine’sClan，Withtartarsbroadandshadowyplume，Andhandofblood，andbrowofgloomBethyheartbold，thyweaponstrong，AndwreakpoorBlancheofDevan’swrong！——
Theywatchfortheebypassandfell……
Avoidthepath……OGod！……farewell。’
XXVIII。
AkindlyhearthadbraveFitz—James；
Fastpouredhiseyesatpity’sclaims；
Andnow，withmingledgriefandire，Hesawthemurderedmaidexpire。
’God，inmyneed，bemyrelief，AsIwreakthisonyonderChief！’
AlockfromBlanche’stressesfairHeblendedwithherbridegroom’shair；
Themingledbraidinbloodhedyed，Andplaceditonhisbonnet—side：
’ByHimwhosewordistruth，Iswear，NootherfavourwillIwear，TillthissadtokenIimbrueInthebestbloodofRoderickDhu！——
Buthark！whatmeansyonfainthalloo？
Thechaseisup，——buttheyshallknow，Thestagatbay’sadangerousfoe。’
Barredfromtheknownbutguardedway，ThroughcopseandcliffsFitz—Jamesmuststray，Andoftmustchangehisdesperatetrack，Bystreamandprecipiceturnedback。
Heartless，fatigued，andfaint，atlength，FromlackoffoodandlossofstrengthHecouchedhiminathickethoarAndthoughthistoilsandperilso’er：——
’Ofallmyrashadventurespast，Thisfranticfeatmustprovethelast！
Whoe’ersomadbutmighthaveguessedThatallthisHighlandhornet’snestWouldmusterupinswarmssosoonAse’ertheyheardofbandsatDoune？——
Likebloodhoundsnowtheysearchmeout，——
Hark，tothewhistleandtheshout！——
IffartherthroughthewildsIgo，Ionlyfalluponthefoe：
I’llcouchmeheretilleveninggray，Thendarklingtrymydangerousway。’
XXIX。
Theshadesofevecomeslowlydown，Thewoodsarewraptindeeperbrown，Theowlawakensfromherdell，Thefoxishearduponthefell；
EnoughremainsofglimmeringlightToguidethewanderer’sstepsaright，YetnotenoughfromfartoshowHisfiguretothewatchfulfoe。
Withcautiousstepandearawake，Heclimbsthecragandthreadsthebrake；
AndnotthesummersolsticethereTemperedthemidnightmountainair，ButeverybreezethatsweptthewoldBenumbedhisdrenchedlimbswithcold。
Indread，indanger，andalone，Famishedandchilled，throughwaysunknown，Tangledandsteep，hejourneyedon；
Till，asarock’shugepointheturned，Awatch—fireclosebeforehimburned。
XXX。
BesideitsembersredandclearBaskedinhisplaidamountaineer；
Anduphesprungwithswordinhand，——
’Thynameandpurpose！Saxon，stand！’
’Astranger。’’Whatcostthourequire？’
’Restandaguide，andfoodandfireMylife’sbeset，mypathislost，Thegalehaschilledmylimbswithfrost。’
’ArtthouafriendtoRoderick？’’No。’
’Thoudar’stnotcallthyselfafoe？’
’Idare！tohimandallthebandHebringstoaidhismurderoushand。’
’Boldwords！——but，thoughthebeastofgameTheprivilegeofchasemayclaim，ThoughspaceandlawthestagwelendErehoundwesliporbowwebendWhoeverrecked，where，how，orwhen，Theprowlingfoxwastrappedorslain？
Thustreacherousscouts，——yetsuretheylieWhosaythoucam’stasecretspy！’——
’Theydo，byheaven！——comeRoderickDhuAndofhisclantheboldesttwoAndletmebuttillmorningrest，Iwritethefalsehoodontheircrest。’
IfbytheblazeImarkarightThoubear’stthebeltandspurofKnight。’
’ThenbythesetokensmaystthouknowEachproudoppressor’smortalfoe。’
’Enough，enough；sitdownandshareAsoldier’scouch。asoldier’sfare。’
XXXI……
HegavehimofhisHighlandcheer，Thehardenedfleshofmountaindeer；
Dryfuelonthefirehelaid，AndbadetheSaxonsharehisplaid。
Hetendedhimlikewelcomeguest，Thenthushisfurtherspeechaddressed：——
’Stranger，IamtoRoderickDhuAclansmanborn，akinsmantrue；
EachwordagainsthishonourspokeDemandsofmeavengingstroke；
Yetmore，——uponthyfate，’tissaid，Amightyauguryislaid。
Itrestswithmetowindmyhorn，——
Thouartwithnumbersoverborne；
Itrestswithme，here，brandtobrand，Wornasthouart，tobidtheestand：
But，notforclan，norkindred’scause，WillIdepartfromhonour’slaws；
Toassailaweariedmanwereshame，Andstrangerisaholyname；
Guidanceandrest，andfoodandfire，Invainhenevermustrequire。
Thenresttheeheretilldawnofday；
Myselfwillguidetheeontheway，O’erstockandstone，throughwatchandward，TillpastClan—Alpine’soutmostguard，AsfarasCoilantogle’sford；
Fromthencethywarrantisthysword。’
’Itakethycourtesy，byheaven，Asfreelyas’tisnoblygiven！’
Well，restthee；forthebittern’scrySingsusthelake’swildlullaby。’
Withthatheshookthegatheredheath，Andspreadhisplaiduponthewreath；
Andthebravefoemen，sidebyside，Laypeacefuldownlikebrotherstried，AndsleptuntilthedawningbeamPurpledthemountainandthestream。
CANTOFIFTH。
TheCombat。
I。
Fairastheearliestbeamofeasternlight，Whenfirst，bythebewilderedpilgrimspied，ItsmilesuponthedrearybrowofnightAndsilverso’erthetorrent’sfoamingtideAndlightsthefearfulpathonmountain—side，——
Fairasthatbeam，althoughthefairestfar，Givingtohorrorgrace，todangerpride，ShinemartialFaith，andCourtesy’sbrightstarThroughallthewreckfulstormsthatcloudthebrowofWar。
II。
Thatearlybeam，sofairandsheen，WastwinklingthroughthehazelscreenWhen，rousingatitsglimmerred，Thewarriorslefttheirlowlybed，Lookedoutuponthedappledsky，Mutteredtheirsoldiermatinstry，Andthenawakedtheirfire，tosteal，Asshortandrude，theirsoldiermeal。
Thato’er，theGaelaroundhimthrewHisgracefulplaidofvariedhue，And，truetopromise，ledtheway，Bythicketgreenandmountaingray。
Awilderingpath！——theywindednowAlongtheprecipice’sbrow，Commandingtherichscenesbeneath，ThewindingsoftheForthandTeith，Andallthevalesbetweenthatlie。
TillStirling’sturretsmeltinsky；
Then，sunkincopse，theirfarthestglanceGainednotthelengthofhorseman’slance。
’Twasoftsosteep，thefootwasasfainAssistancefromthehandtogain；
Sotangledoftthat，burstingthrough，Eachhawthornshedhershowersofdew，——
Thatdiamonddew，sopureandclear，ItrivalsallbutBeauty’stear！
III。
Atlengththeycamewhere，sternandsteep，Thehillsinksdownuponthedeep。
HereVennacharinsilverflows，There，ridgeonridge，Benledirose；
Everthehollowpathtwinedon，Beneathsteephankandthreateningstone；
AhundredmenmightholdthepostWithhardihoodagainstahost。
Theruggedmountain’sscantycloakWasdwarfishshrubsofbirchandoakWithshinglesbare，andcliffsbetweenAndpatchesbrightofbrackengreen，Andheatherblack，thatwavedsohigh，Itheldthecopseinrivalry。
ButwherethelakesleptdeepandstillDankosiersfringedtheswampandhill；
AndoftbothpathandhillweretornWherewintrytorrentdownhadborneAndheapeduponthecumberedlandItswreckofgravel，rocks，andsand。
SotoilsomewastheroadtotraceTheguide，abatingofhispace，Ledslowlythroughthepass’sjawsAndaskedFitz—JamesbywhatstrangecauseHesoughtthesewilds，traversedbyfewWithoutapassfromRoderickDhu。
IV。
’BraveGael，mypass，indangertriedHangsinmybeltandbymysideYet，soothtotell，’theSaxonsaid，’Idreamtnotnowtoclaimitsaid。
Whenhere，butthreedayssince，IcameBewilderedinpursuitofgame，AllseemedaspeacefulandasstillAsthemistslumberingonyonhill；
ThydangerousChiefwasthenafar，Norsoonexpectedbackfromwar。
Thussaid，atleast，mymountain—guide，Thoughdeepperchancethevillainlied。’
’Yetwhyasecondventuretry？’
’Awarriorthou，andaskmewhy！——
MovesourfreecoursebysuchfixedcauseAsgivesthepoormechaniclaws？
Enough，IsoughttodriveawayThelazyhoursofpeacefulday；
SlightcausewillthensufficetoguideAKnight’sfreefootstepsfarandwide，——
Afalconflown，agreyhoundstrayed，Themerryglanceofmountainmaid；
Or，ifapathbedangerousknown，Thedanger’sselfislurealone。’
V。
’Thysecretkeep，Iurgetheenot；——
Yet，ereagainyesoughtthisspot，Say，heardyenaughtofLowlandwar，AgainstClan—Alpine，raisedbyMar？’
’No，bymyword；——ofbandspreparedToguardKingJames’ssportsIheard；
NordoubtIaught，but，whentheyhearThismusterofthemountaineer，Theirpennonswillabroadbeflung，WhichelseinDounehadpeacefulhung。’
’Freebetheyflung！forwewereloathTheirsilkenfoldsshouldfeastthemoth。
Freebetheyflung！——asfreeshallwaveClan—Alpine’spineinbannerbrave。
But，stranger，peacefulsinceyoucame，Bewilderedinthemountain—game，WhencetheboldboastbywhichyoushowVich—Alpine’svowedandmortalfoe？’
’Warrior，butyester—mornIknewNaughtofthyChieftain，RoderickDhu，Saveasanoutlaweddesperateman，Thechiefofarebelliousclan，Who，intheRegent’scourtandsight，Withruffiandaggerstabbedaknight；
YetthisalonemightfromhispartSevereachtrueandloyalheart。’
VI。
Wrathfulatsucharraignmentfoul，Darkloweredtheclansman’ssablescowl。
Aspacehepaused，thensternlysaid，’Andheardstthouwhyhedrewhisblade？
HeardstthouthatshamefulwordandblowBroughtRoderick’svengeanceonhisfoe？
WhatreckedtheChieftainifhestoodOnHighlandheathorHoly—Rood？
Herightssuchwrongwhereitisgiven，Ifitwereinthecourtofheaven。’
’Stillwasitoutrage；——yet，’tistrue，Notthenclaimedsovereigntyhisdue；
WhileAlbanywithfeeblehandHeldborrowedtruncheonofcommand，TheyoungKing，mewedinStirlingtower，Wasstrangertorespectandpower。
Butthen，thyChieftain’srobberlife！——
Winningmeanpreybycauselessstrife，WrenchingfromruinedLowlandswainHisherdsandharvestrearedinvain，——
MethinksasoullikeshineshouldscornThespoilsfromsuchfoulforayborne。’
VII。
TheGaelbeheldhimgrimthewhile，Andansweredwithdisdainfulsmile：
’Saxon，fromyondermountainhigh，ImarkedtheesenddelightedeyeFartothesouthandeast，wherelay，Extendedinsuccessiongay，Deepwavingfieldsandpasturesgreen，Withgentleslopesandgrovesbetween：——
Thesefertileplains，thatsoftenedvale，WereoncethebirthrightoftheGael；
Thestrangercamewithironhand，Andfromourfathersrefttheland。
Wheredwellwenow？See，rudelyswellCragovercrag，andfello’erfell。
AskwethissavagehillwetreadForfattenedsteerorhouseholdbread，Askweforflockstheseshinglesdry，Andwellthemountainmightreply，——
"Toyou，astoyoursiresofyore，Belongthetargetandclaymore！
Igiveyoushelterinmybreast，Yourowngoodbladesmustwintherest。"
PentinthisfortressoftheNorth，Think’stthouwewillnotsallyforth，Tospoilthespoileraswemay，Andfromtherobberrendtheprey？
Ay，bymysoul！——WhileonyonplainTheSaxonrearsoneshockofgrain，WhileoftenthousandherdstherestraysButonealongyonriver’smaze，——
TheGael，ofplainandriverheir，Shallwithstronghandredeemhisshare。
WherelivethemountainChiefswhoholdThatplunderingLowlandfieldandfoldIsaughtbutretributiontrue？
Seekothercause’gainstRoderickDhu。’