But instant pray our Sovereign Liege The vengeful Lorn, with all his powers, Lies but too near Artornish towers, And England's light arm'd vessels ride, Prompt at these tidings to unmoor, And sweep each strait, and guard each shore. Then, till this fresh alarm pass by, Secret and safe my Liege must lie In the far bounds of friendly Skye, Shalt sway their souls by council sage, This ponderous sword shall turn the scale." XI. "The scheme," said Bruce, "contents me well; Meantime, 'twere best that Isabel, For safety, with my bark and crew, There Edward, too, shall with her wend, In need to cheer her and defend, And muster up each scatter'd friend.”. Would other council gladlier hear; But, all achieved as soon as plann'd, Both barks, in secret arm'd and mann'd, On different voyage forth they ply, This for the coast of winged Skye, And that for Erin's shore. XII. With Bruce and Ronald bides the tale. To favouring winds they gave the sail, Till Mull's dark headlands scarce they knew, And Ardnamurchan's hills were blue. But then the squalls blew close and hard, And, fain to strike the galley's yard, And take them to the oar, With these rude seas, in weary plight, They strove the livelong day and night, Nor till the dawning had a sight Of Skye's romantic shore. Where Coolin stoops him to the west, They saw upon his shiver'd crest The sun's arising gleam; But such the labour and delay, Ere they were moor'd in Scavigh bay (For calmer heaven compell'd to stay He shot a western beam. Then Ronald said, "If true mine eye, No human foot comes here, And, since these adverse breezes blow, And strike a mountain deer? And, if we meet an herd, may send A shaft shall mend our cheer." Then each took bow and bolts in hand, Their row-boat launch'd and leapt to land, And left their skiff and train, Where a wild stream, with headlong shock, Came brawling down its bed of rock, To mingle with the main. XIII. A while their route they silent made, As men who stalk for mountain-deer, Till the good Bruce to Ronald said, "St Mary! what a scene is here! I've traversed many a mountain-strand, Abroad and in my native land, And it has been my lot to tread Where safety more than pleasure led; Thus, many a waste I've wander'd o'er, Clombe many a crag, cross'd many a moor, But, by my halidome, A scene so rude, so wild as this, Yet so sublime in barrenness, Ne'er did my wandering footsteps press, Where'er I happ'd to roam." XIV. No marvel thus the Monarch spake ; With its dark ledge of barren stone. Seems that primeval earthquake's sway |