XVI.

River Spirit.

"Tears of an imprisoned maiden
Mix with my polluted stream;
Margaret of Branksome, sorrow-laden,
Mourns beneath the moon's pale beam.
Tell me, thou, who viewest the stars,
When shall cease these feudal jars ?
What shall be the maiden's fate?
Who shall be the maiden's mate?"

XVII.

Mountain Spirit.

"Arthur's slow wain his course doth roll,
In utter darkness round the pole;
The Northern Bear lowers black and grim;
Orion's studded belt is dim:

Twinkling faint, and distant far,
Shimmers through mist each planet star;
Ill may I read their high decree!

But no kind influence deign they shower
On Teviot's tide, and Branksome's tower,
Till pride be quelled, and love be free."

XVIII.

The unearthly voices ceast,

And the heavy sound was still; It died on the river's breast,

It died on the side of the hill.But round Lord David's tower The sound still floated near; For it rung in the Ladye's bower, And it rung in the Ladye's ear.

She raised her stately head,

And her heart throbbed high with pride :-

"Your mountains shall bend,

And your streams ascend,

Ere Margaret be our foeman's bride!"

XIX.

The Ladye sought the lofty hall,
Where many a bold retainer lay,
And, with jocund din, among them all,
Her son pursued his infant play.
A fancied moss-trooper, the boy
The truncheon of a spear bestrode,
And round the hall, right merrily,
In. mimic foray* rode.

Even bearded knights, in arms grown old,
Share in his frolic gambols bore,

* Foray, a predatory inroad.

* Foray, a predatory inroad.