VIII。
AnsweredFitz—James：’And，ifIsought，Think’stthounoothercouldbebrought？
Whatdeemyeofmypathwaylaid？
Mylifegiveno’ertoambuscade？’
’Asofameedtorashnessdue：
Hadstthousentwarningfairandtrue，——
Iseekmyhoundorfalconstrayed，Iseek，goodfaith，aHighlandmaid，——
Freehadstthoubeentocomeandgo；
Butsecretpathmarkssecretfoe。
Noryetforthis，evenasaspy，Hadstthou，unheard，beendoomedtodie，Savetofulfilanaugury。’
’Well，letitpass；norwillInowFreshcauseofenmityavowTochafethymoodandcloudthybrow。
Enough，IambypromisetiedTomatchmewiththismanofpride：
TwicehaveIsoughtClan—Alpine’sglenInpeace；butwhenIcomeagain，Icomewithbanner，brand，andbow，Asleaderseekshismortalfoe。
Forlove—loreswaininlady’sbowerNe’erpantedfortheappointedhourAsI，untilbeforemestandThisrebelChieftainandhisband！’
IX。
’Havethenthywish！’——HewhistledshrillAndhewasansweredfromthehill；
Wildasthescreamofthecurlew，Fromcragtocragthesignalflew。
Instant，throughcopseandheath，aroseBonnetsandspearsandbendedbowsOnright，onleft，，above，below，Sprungupatoncethelurkingfoe；
Fromshinglesgraytheirlancesstart，Thebrackenbushsendsforththedart，Therushesandthewillow—wandArebristlingintoaxeandbrand，Andeverytuftofbroomgiveslife’Toplaidedwarriorarmedforstrife。
ThatwhistlegarrisonedtheglenAtoncewithfullfivehundredmen，AsiftheyawninghilltoheavenAsubterraneanhosthadgiven。
Watchingtheirleader’sbeckandwill，Allsilenttheretheystoodandstill。
LiketheloosecragswhosethreateningmassLaytotteringo’erthehollowpass，Asifaninfant’stouchcouldurgeTheirheadlongpassagedowntheverge，Withstepandweaponforwardflung，Uponthemountain—sidetheyhung。
TheMountaineercastglanceofprideAlongBenledi’slivingside，ThenfixedhiseyeandsablebrowFullonFitz—James：’Howsay’stthounow？
TheseareClan—Alpine’swarriorstrue；
And，Saxon，——IamRoderickDhu！’
X。
Fitz—Jameswasbrave：——thoughtohisheartThelife—bloodthrilledwithsuddenstart，Hemannedhimselfwithdauntlessair，ReturnedtheChiefhishaughtystare，Hisbackagainstarockhebore，Andfirmlyplacedhisfootbefore：——
’Comeone，comeall！thisrockshallflyFromitsfirmbaseassoonasI。’
SirRoderickmarked，——andinhiseyesRespectwasmingledwithsurprise，AndthesternjoywhichwarriorsfeelInfoemanworthyoftheirsteel。
Shortspacehestood——thenwavedhishand：
Downsunkthedisappearingband；
Eachwarriorvanishedwherehestood，Inbroomorbracken，heathorwood；
Sunkbrandandspearandbendedbow，Inosierspaleandcopseslow；
ItseemedasiftheirmotherEarthHadswallowedupherwarlikebirth。
Thewind’slastbreathhadtossedinairPennonandplaidandplumagefair，——
Thenextbutsweptalonehill—sideWhereheathandfernwerewavingwide：
Thesun’slastglancewasglintedbackFromspearandglaive，fromtargeandjack，——
Thenext，allunreflected，shoneOnbrackengreenandcoldgraystone。
XI。
Fitz—Jameslookedrolmd，——yetscarcebelievedThewitnessthathissightreceived；
SuchapparitionwellmightseemDelusionofadreadfuldream。
SirRoderickinsuspenseheeyed，AndtohislooktheChiefreplied：
’Fearnaught——nay，thatIneednotsayBut——doubtnotaughtfromminearray。
Thouartmyguest；——IpledgedmywordAsfarasCoilantogleford：
NorwouldIcallaclansman’sbrandForaidagainstonevalianthand，ThoughonourstrifelayeveryvaleRentbytheSaxonfromtheGael。
Somoveweon；——IonlymeantToshowthereedonwhichyouleant，DeemingthispathyoumightpursueWithoutapassfromRoderickDhu。’
Theymoved；——IsaidFitz—JameswasbraveAseverknightthatbeltedglaive，YetdarenotsaythatnowhisbloodKeptonitswontandtemperedflood，As，followingRoderick’sstride，hedrewThatseeminglonesomepathwaythrough，WhichyetbyfearfulproofwasrifeWithlances，that，totakehislife，Waitedbutsignalfromaguide，Solatedishonoredanddefied。
Ever，bystealth，hiseyesoughtroundThevanishedguardiansoftheground，Andstir]fromcopseandheatherdeepFancysawspearandbroadswordpeep，Andintheplover’sshrillystrainThesignalwhistleheardagain。
NorbreathedhefreetillfarbehindThepasswasleft；forthentheywindAlongawideandlevelgreen，Whereneithertreenortuftwasseen，Norrushnorbushofbroomwasnear，Tohideabonnetoraspear。
XII。
TheChiefinsilencestrodebefore，Andreachedthattorrent’ssoundingshore，Which，daughterofthreemightylakes，FromVennacharinsilverbreaks，Sweepsthroughtheplain，andceaselessminesOnBochastlethemoulderinglines，WhereRome，theEmpressoftheworld，Ofyorehereaglewingsunfurled。
AndherehiscoursetheChieftainstayed，Threwdownhistargetandhisplaid，AndtotheLowlandwarriorsaid：
’BoldSaxon！tohispromisejust，Vich—Alpinehasdischargedhistrust。
ThismurderousChief，thisruthlessman，Thisheadofarebelliousclan，Hathledtheesafe，throughwatchandward，FarpastClan—Alpine’soutmostguard。
Now，mantoman，andsteeltosteel，AChieftain’svengeancethoushaltfeel。
See，hereallvantagelessIstand，Armedlikethyselfwithsinglebrand；
ForthisisCoilantogleford，Andthoumustkeeptheewiththysword。’
XIII。
TheSaxonpaused：’Ine’erdelayed，Whenfoemanbademedrawmyblade；
Naymore，braveChief，Ivowedthydeath；
Yetsurethyfairandgenerousfaith，Andmydeepdebtforlifepreserved，Abettermeedhavewelldeserved：
Cannaughtbutbloodourfeudatone？
Aretherenomeans？’——’No，stranger，none！
Andhear，——tofirethyflaggingzeal，——
TheSaxoncauserestsonthysteel；
ForthusspokeFatebyprophetbredBetweenthelivingandthedead："
Whospillstheforemostfoeman’slife，Hispartyconquersinthestrife。"’
’Then，bymyword，’theSaxonsaid，"Theriddleisalreadyread。
Seekyonderbrakebeneaththecliff，——
ThereliesRedMurdoch，starkandstiff。
ThusFatehathsolvedherprophecy；
ThenyieldtoFate，andnottome。
ToJamesatStirlingletusgo，When，ifthouwiltbestillhisfoe，OriftheKingshallnotagreeTogranttheegraceandfavorfree，Iplightminehonor，oath，andwordThat，tothynativestrengthsrestored，WitheachadvantageshaltthoustandThataidstheenowtoguardthyland。’
XIV。
DarklightningflashedfromRoderick’seye：
’Soarsthypresumption，then，sohigh，Becauseawretchedkernyeslew，HomagetonametoRoderickDhu？
Heyieldsnot，he，tomannorFate！
Thouadd’stbutfueltomyhate；——
Myclansman’sblooddemandsrevenge。
Notyetprepared？——Byheaven，IchangeMythought，andholdthyvalorlightAsthatofsomevaincarpetknight，Whoilldeservedmycourteouscare，AndwhosebestboastisbuttowearAbraidofhisfairlady’shair。’’Ithankthee，Roderick，fortheword！
Itnervesmyheart，itsteelsmysword；
ForIhaveswornthisbraidtostainInthebestbloodthatwarmsthyvein。
Now，truce，farewell！and，rush，begone！——
Yetthinknotthatbytheealone，ProudChief！cancourtesybeshown；
Thoughnotfromcopse，orheath，orcairn，Startatmywhistleclansmenstern，OfthissmallhornonefeebleblastWouldfearfuloddsagainsttheecast。
Butfearnot——doubtnot——whichthouwilt——
Wetrythisquarrelhilttohilt。’
Theneachatoncehisfalchiondrew，EachonthegroundhisscabbardthrewEachlookedtosunandstreamandplainAswhattheyne’ermightseeagain；
Thenfootandpointandeyeopposed，Indubiousstrifetheydarklyclosed。
XV。
IllfareditthenwithRoderickDhu，Thatonthefieldhistargehethrew，Whosebrazenstudsandtoughbull—hideHaddeathsooftendashedaside；
For，trainedabroadhisarmstowieldFitz—James’sbladewasswordandshield。
Hepractisedeverypassandward，Tothrust，tostrike，tofeint，toguard；
Whilelessexpert，thoughstrongerfar，TheGaelmaintainedunequalwar。
ThreetimesinclosingstrifetheystoodAndthricetheSaxonbladedrankblood；
Nostinteddraught，noscantytide，Thegushingfloodthetartarsdyed。
FierceRoderickfeltthefataldrain，Andshoweredhisblowslikewintryrain；
And，asfirmrockorcastle—roofAgainstthewintershowerisproof，Thefoe，invulnerablestill，Foiledhiswildragebysteadyskill；
Till，atadvantageta’en，hisbrandForcedRoderick’sweaponfromhishand，Andbackwardborneuponthelea，BroughttheproudChieftaintohisknee。
XVI。
Nowyieldthee，orbyHimwhomadeTheworld，thyheart’sblooddyesmyblade！；
’Thythreats，thymercy，Idefy！
Letrecreantyield，whofearstodie。’
Likeadderdartingfromhiscoil，Likewolfthatdashesthroughthetoil，Likemountain—catwhoguardsheryoung，FullatFitz—James’sthroathesprung；
Received，butreckednotofawound，Andlockedhisarmshisfoemanround。
Now，gallantSaxon，holdshineown！
Nomaiden’shandisroundtheethrown！
ThatdesperategraspthyframemightfeelThroughbarsofbrassandtriplesteel！
Theytug，theystrain！down，downtheygo，TheGaelabove，Fitz—Jamesbelow。
TheChieftain’sgripehisthroatcompressed，Hiskneewasplantedonhisbreast；
Hisclottedlockshebackwardthrew，Acrosshisbrowhishandhedrew，Frombloodandmisttoclearhissight，Thengleamedalofthisdaggerbright！
ButhateandfuryillsuppliedThestreamoflife’sexhaustedtide，Andalltoolatetheadvantagecame，Toturntheoddsofdeadlygame；
For，whilethedaggergleamedonhigh，Reeledsoulandsense，reeledbrainandeye。
Downcametheblow！butintheheathTheerringbladefoundbloodlesssheath。
ThestrugglingfoemaynowunclaspThefaintingChief’srelaxinggrasp；
Unwoundedfromthedreadfulclose，Butbreathlessall，Fitz—Jamesarose。
XVII。
HefalteredthankstoHeavenforlife，Redeemed，unhoped，fromdesperatestrife；
Nextonhisfoehislookhecast，WhoseeverygaspappearedhislastInRoderick’sgorehedippedthebraid，——
’PoorBlanche！thywrongsaredearlypaid；
Yetwiththyfoemustdie，orlive，Thepraisethatfaithandvalorgive。’
Withthatheblewabuglenote，Undidthecollarfromhisthroat，Unbonneted，andbythewaveSatdownhisbrowandhandstorave。
ThenfaintafarareheardthefeetOfrushingsteedsingallopfleet；
Thesoundsincrease，andnowareseenFourmountedsquiresinLincolngreen；
Twowhobearlance，andtwowholeadByloosenedreinasaddledsteed；
Eachonwardheldhisheadlongcourse，AndbyFitz—Jamesreineduphishorse，——
Withwonderviewedthebloodyspot，——
’Exclaimnot，gallants’questionnot。——
You，HerbertandLuffness，alightAndbindthewoundsofyonderknight；
Letthegraypalfreybearhisweight，Wedestinedforafairerfreight，AndbringhimontoStirlingstraight；
Iwillbeforeatbetterspeed，Toseekfreshhorseandfittingweed。
Thesunrideshigh；——ImustbebouneToseethearcher—gameatnoon；
ButlightlyBayardclearsthelea。——
DeVauxandHerries。followme。
XVIII。
’Stand，Bayard，stand！’——thesteedobeyed，Witharchingneckandbendedhead，Andglancingeyeandquiveringear，Asifhelovedhislordtohear。
NofootFitz—Jamesinstirrupstayed，Nograspuponthesaddlelaid，Butwreathedhislefthandinthemane，Andlightlyboundedfromtheplain，Turnedonthehorsehisarmedheel，Andstirredhiscouragewiththesteel。
Boundedthefierysteedinair，Theridersaterectandfair，ThenlikeaboltfromsteelcrossbowForthlaunched，alongtheplaintheygo。
Theydashedthatrapidtorrentthrough，AndupCarhonie’shilltheyflew；
StillatthegallopprickedtheKnight，Hismerrymenfollowedastheymight。
Alongthybanks，swiftTeith！theyride，Andintheracetheymockthytide；
TorryandLendricknowarepast，AndDeanstownliesbehindthemcast；
Theyrise，thebanneredtowersofDoune，Theysinkindistantwoodlandsoon；
Blair—Drummondseesthehoofsstrikefire，TheysweeplikebreezethroughOchtertyre；
TheymarkjustglanceanddisappearTheloftybrowofancientKier；
Theybathetheircoursers’swelteringsidesDarkForth！amidthysluggishtides，AndontheopposingshoretakegroundWithplash，withscramble，andwithbound。
Right—handtheyleavethycliffs，Craig—Forth！
AndsoonthebulwarkoftheNorth，GrayStirling，withhertowersandtown，Upontheirfleetcareerlookedclown。
XIX。
Asuptheflintypaththeystrained，Suddenhissteedtheleaderreined；
Asignaltohissquireheflung，Whoinstanttohisstirrupsprung：——
’Seestthou，DeVaux，yonwoodsmangray，Whotownwardholdstherockyway，Ofstaturetallandpoorarray？
Mark’stthouthefirm，yetactivestride，Withwhichhescalesthemountain—side？
Know’stthoufromwhencehecomes，orwhom？’
’No，bymyword；——aburlygroomHeseems，whointhefieldorchaseAbaron’strainwouldnoblygrace——’
’Out，out，DeVaux！canfearsupply，Andjealousy，nosharpereye？
Afar，eretothehillhedrew，ThatstatelyformandstepIknew；
LikeforminScotlandisnotseen，TreadsnotsuchsteponScottishgreen。
’TisJamesofDouglas，bySaintSerle！
TheuncleofthebanishedEarl。
Away，away，tocourt，toshowThenearapproachofdreadedfoe：
TheKingmuststanduponhisguard；
Douglasandhemustmeetprepared。’
Thenright—handwheeledtheirsteeds，andstraightTheywontheCastle’sposterngate。
XX。
TheDouglas，whohadbenthiswayFromCambus—kenneth’sabbeygray，Now，asheclimbedtherockyshelf，Heldsadcommunionwithhimself：——
’Yes！allistruemyfearscouldframe；
Aprisonerliesthenob]eGraeme，AndfieryRodericksoonwillfeelThevengeanceoftheroyalsteel。
I，onlyI，canwardtheirfate，——
Godgranttheransomcomenotlate！
TheAbbesshathherpromisegiven，MychildshallbethebrideofHeaven；——
Bepardonedonerepiningtear！
ForHewhogaveherknowshowdear，Howexcellent！——butthatisby，Andnowmybusinessis——todie。——
Yetowers！withinwhosecircuitdreadADouglasbyhissovereignbled；
Andthou，Osadandfatalmound！
Thatofthastheardthedeath—axesound。
AsonthenoblestofthelandFellthesternheadsmen’sbloodyhand，——
Thedungeon，block，andnamelesstombPrepare——forDouglasseekshisdoom！
Buthark！whatblitheandjollypealMakestheFranciscansteeplereel？
Andsee！uponthecrowdedstreet，Inmotleygroupswhatmasquersmeet！
Bannerandpageant，pipeanddrum，Andmerrymorrice—dancerscome。
Iguess，byallthisquaintarray，Theburghersholdtheirsportsto—day。
Jameswillbethere；helovessuchshow，Wherethegoodyeomanbendshisbow，Andthetoughwrestlerfoilshisfoe，Aswellaswhere，inproudcareer，Thehigh—bornfiltershiversspear。
I’llfollowtotheCastle—park，Andplaymyprize；——KingJamesshallmarkIfagehastamedthesesinewsstark，WhoseforcesooftinhappierdaysHisboyishwonderlovedtopraise。’
XXI。
TheCastlegateswereopenflung，Thequiveringdrawbridgerockedandrung，AndechoedloudtheflintystreetBeneaththecoursers’clatteringfeet，AsslowlydownthesteepdescentFairScotland’sKingandnobleswent，WhileallalongthecrowdedwayWasjubileeandloudhuzza。
AndeverJameswasbendinglowTohiswhitejennet’ssaddle—bow，Doffinghiscaptocitydame，Whosmiledandblushedforprideandshame。
Andwellthesimperermightbevain，——
Hechosethefairestofthetrain。
Gravelyhegreetseachcitysire，Commendseachpageant’squaintattire，Givestothedancersthanksaloud，Andsmilesandnodsuponthecrowd，Whorendtheheavenswiththeiracclaims，——
’LonglivetheCommons’King，KingJames！’
BehindtheKingthrongedpeerandknight，Andnobledameanddamselbright，WhosefierysteedsillbrookedthestayOfthesteepstreetandcrowdedway。
ButinthetrainyoumightdiscernDarkloweringbrowandvisagestern；
Therenoblesmournedtheirpriderestrained，Andthemeanburgher’sjoysdisdained；
Andchiefs，who，hostageforthe*clan，Wereeachfromhomeabanishedman，Therethoughtupontheirowngraytower，Theirwavingwoods，theirfeudalpower，AnddeemedthemselvesashamefulpartOfpageantwhichtheycursedinheart。
XXII。
Now，intheCastle—park，drewoutTheircheckeredbandsthejoyousrout。
Theremorricers，withbellatheelAndbladeinhand，theirmazeswheel；
Butchief，besidethebutts，therestandBoldRobinHoodandallhisband，——
FriarTuckwithquarterstaffandcowl，OldScathelockewithhissurlyscowl，MaidMarian，fairasivorybone，Scarlet，andMutch，andLittleJohn；
Theirbugleschallengeallthatwill，Inarcherytoprovetheirskill。
TheDouglasbentabowofmight，——
Hisfirstshaftcentredinthewhite，Andwheninturnheshotagain，Hissecondsplitthefirstintwain。
FromtheKing’shandmustDouglastakeAsilverdart，thearchers’stake；
Fondlyhewatched，withwateryeye，Someansweringglanceofsympathy，——
Nokindemotionmadereply！
Indifferentastoarcherwight，Themonarchgavethearrowbright。
XXIII。
Now，clearthering！for，handtohand，Themanlywrestlerstaketheirstand。
Twoo’ertherestsuperiorrose，Andprouddemandedmightierfoes，——
Norcalledinvain，forDouglascame。——
ForlifeisHughofLarbertlame；
ScarcebetterJohnofAlloa’sfare，Whomsenselesshomehiscomradesbare。
Prizeofthewrestlingmatch，theKingToDouglasgaveagoldenring，Whilecoldlyglancedhiseyeofblue，Asfrozendropofwintrydew。
Douglaswouldspeak，butinhisbreastHisstrugglingsoulhiswordssuppressed；
IndignantthenheturnedhimwhereTheirarmsthebrawnyyeomenbare，Tohurlthemassivebarinair。
Wheneachhisutmoststrengthhadshown，TheDouglasrentanearth—faststoneFromitsdeepbed，thenheavedithigh，AndsentthefragmentthroughtheskyAroodbeyondthefarthestmark；
AndstillinStirling’sroyalpark，Thegray—hairedsires，whoknowthepast，TostrangerspointtheDouglascast，AndmoralizeonthedecayOfScottishstrengthinmodernday。
XXIV。
Thevalewithloudapplausesrang，TheLadies’Rocksentbacktheclang。
TheKing，withlookunmoved，bestowedApursewellfilledwithpiecesbroad。
IndignantsmiledtheDouglasproud，Andthrewthegoldamongthecrowd，Whonowwithanxiouswonderscan，Andsharperglance，thedarkgrayman；
Tillwhispersroseamongthethrong，Thatheartsofree，andhandsostrong，MusttotheDouglasbloodbelong。
Theoldmenmarkedandshookthehead，Toseehishairwithsilverspread，Andwinkedaside，andtoldeachsonOffeatsupontheEnglishdone，EreDouglasofthestalwarthandWasexiledfromhisnativeland。
Thewomenpraisedhisstatelyform，Thoughwreckedbymanyawinter’sstorm；
TheyouthwithaweandwondersawHisstrengthsurpassingNature’slaw。
Thusjudged，asistheirwont，thecrowdTillmurmursrosetoclamoursloud。
ButnotaglancefromthatproudringOfpeerswhocircledroundtheKingWithDouglasheldcommunionkind，Orcalledthebanishedmantomind；
No，notfromthosewhoatthechaseOnceheldhissidethehonouredplace，Begirthisboard，andinthefieldFoundsafetyunderneathhisshield；
Forhewhomroyaleyesdisown，Whenwashisformtocourtiersknown！
XXV。
TheMonarchsawthegambolsflagAndbadeletlooseagallantstag，Whosepride，theholidaytocrown，Twofavoritegreyhoundsshouldpulldown，ThatvenisonfreeandBourdeauxwineMightservethearcherytodine。
ButLufra，——whomfromDouglas’sideNorbribenorthreatcoulde’erdivide，ThefleetesthoundinalltheNorth，——
BraveLufrasaw，anddartedforth。
Shelefttheroyalhoundsmidway，Anddashingontheantleredprey，Sunkhersharpmuzzleinhisflank，Anddeeptheflowinglife—blooddrank。
TheKing’sstouthuntsmansawthesportBystrangeintruderbrokenshort，Cameup，andwithhisleashunboundInangerstruckthenoblehound。
TheDouglashadendured，thatmorn，TheKing’scoldlook，thenobles’scorn，Andlast，andworsttospiritproud，Hadbornethepityofthecrowd；
ButLufrahadbeenfondlybred，Tosharehisboard，towatchhisbed，AndoftwouldEllenLufra’sneckInmaidengleewithgarlandsdeck；
TheyweresuchplaymatesthatwithnameOfLufraEllen’simagecame。
Hisstifledwrathisbrimminghigh，Indarkenedbrowandflashingeye；
Aswavesbeforethebarkdivide，Thecrowdgavewaybeforehisstride；
Needsbutabuffetandnomore，Thegroomliessenselessinhisgore。
Suchblownootherhandcoulddeal，Thoughgauntletedingloveofsteel。
XXVI。
Thenclamoredloudtheroyaltrain，Andbrandishedswordsandstavesamain，ButsterntheBaron’swarning：
’Back！Back，onyourlives，yemenialpack！
BewaretheDouglas。——Yes！behold，KingJames！TheDouglas，doomedofold，Andvainlysoughtfornearandfar，Avictimtoatonethewar，Awillingvictim，nowattends，Norcravesthygracebutforhisfriends。——’
’Thusismyclemencyrepaid？
PresumptuousLord！’theMonarchsaid：
’Ofthymisproudambitiousclan，Thou，JamesofBothwell，werttheman，Theonlyman，inwhomafoeMywoman—mercywouldnotknow；
ButshallaMonarch’spresencebrookInjuriousblowandhaughtylook？——
Whatho！theCaptainofourGuard！
Givetheoffenderfittingward。——
Breakoffthesports！’——fortumultrose，Andyeomen’gantobendtheirbows，’Breakoffthesports！’hesaidandfrowned，’Andbidourhorsemencleartheground。’