"I would, Sir Knight, your longer stay "Gave you that cavern to survey. "Of lofty roof, and ample size, "The floor to pave, the arch to round, "It all was wrought by word and charm; "Of those dread artizans of hell, "Sounded as loud as ocean's war, (6 Among the caverns of Dunbar. XX.. "The King Lord Gifford's castle sought, Deep-labouring with uncertain thought: "Even then he muster'd all his host, "To meet upon the western coast: "For Norse and Danish galleys plied "Their oars within the frith of Clyde. "Above Norweyan warriors grim, 66 Bute, Arran, Cunninghame, and Kyle. "Lord Gifford, deep beneath the ground, "Heard Alexander's bugle sound, "And tarried not his garb to change, "But, in his wizard habit strange, "Came forth, a quaint and fearful sight! -- "His mantle lined with fox-skins white; "His high and wrinkled forehead bore "A pointed cap, such as of yore "Clerks say that Pharaoh's Magi wore ; "His shoes were mark'd with cross and spell, "Upon his breast a pentacle; "His zone, of virgin parchment thin, "Or, as some tell, of dead-man's skin, "Bore many a planetary sign, "Combust, and retrograde, and trine; "And in his hand he held prepared, "A naked sword without a guard. XXI. "Dire dealings with the fiendish race "Had mark'd strange lines upon his face; 66 Vigil and fast had worn him grim, "His eye-sight dazzled seem'd, and dim, "As one unused to upper day; "Even his own menials with dismay 66 Beheld, Sir Knight, the griesly Sire, "In his unwonted wild attire ; "Unwonted, for traditions run, "He seldom thus beheld the sun. "I know,' he said, his voice was hoarse, "And broken seem'd its hollow force,"I know the cause, although untold, "Why the King seeks his vassal's hold: 66 Vainly from me my liege would know "His kingdom's future weal or woe; "But yet, if strong his arm and heart, "His courage may do more than art. XXII. "Of middle air the demons proud, "Who ride upon the racking cloud, "Can read, in fix'd or wandering star, "The issue of events afar, "But still their sullen aid withhold, "Save when by mightier force controul'd. "Such late I summon'd to my hall; "And though so potent was the call, "That scarce the deepest nook of hell "I deem'd a refuge from the spell, "Yet, obstinate in silence still, "The haughty demon mocks my skill. "But thou,-who little know'st thy might, "As born upon that blessed night, "When yawning graves, and dying groan, "Proclaim'd hell's empire overthrown, "With untaught valour shalt compel Soothly I swear, that, tide what tide, "The demon shall a buffet bide." His bearing bold the wizard view'd, And thus, well pleased, his speech renew'd :"There spoke the blood of Malcolm !—mark : "Forth pacing hence, at midnight dark, "The rampart seek, whose circling crown "Crests the ascent of yonder down: "A southern entrance shalt thou find; "There halt, and there thy bugle wind, "And trust thine elfin foe to see, "In guise of thy worst enemy |