As stormy as the swelling surge
That mix'd its roar, the leaders urge
Their followers to the ocean verge,
With many a haughty word.
Through that wild throng the Father passid,
And reach'd the Royal Bruce at last.
He leant against a stranded boat,
That the approaching tide must float,
And counted every rippling wave,
As higher yet her sides they lave,
And oft the distant fire he eyed,
And closer yet his hauberk tied,
And loosen'd in its sheath his brand.
Edward and Lennox were at hand,
Douglas and Ronald had the care
The soldiers to the barks to share.
The Monk approach'd and homage paid ; " And art thou come," King Robert said,
66 So far to bless us ere we part ?”-
-"My Liege, and with a loyal heart !
But other charge I have to tell," -
And spoke the hest of Isabel.
“ Now by Saint Giles,” the monarch cried, “ This moves me much !--this morning tide, I sent the stripling to Saint Bride, With my commandment there to bide."_ Thither he came the portress show'd, But there, my Liege, mąde brief abode.”.
66'Twas I,” said Edward, “ found employ
Of nobler import for the boy.
Deep pondering in my anxious mind,
A fitting messenger to find,
To bear thy written mandate o'er
To Cuthbert on the Carrick shore,
I chanced, at early dawn, to pass
The chapel gate to snatch a mass.
I found the stripling on a tomb
Low-seated, weeping for the doom
That gave his youth to convent-gloom.
I told my purpose, and his eyes
Flash'd joyful at the glad surprise.
He bounded to the skiff, the sail
Was spread before a prosperous gale,
And well my charge he hath obey'd;
For, see! the ruddy signal made,
That Clifford, with his merry-men all,
Guards carelessly our father's hall."-
“wild of thought, and hard of heart !”
Answer'd the Monarch, " on a part
Of such deep danger to employ
A mute, an orphan, and a boy!
Unfit for flight, unfit for strife,
Without a tongue to plead for life !
Now, were my right restored by Heaven,
Edward, my crown I would have given,
Ere, thrust on such adventure wild,
I peril'd thus the helpless child.".
-Offended half, and half submiss,
“ Brother and Liege, of blame like this,"
Edward replied, " I little dream'd.
A stranger messenger, I deem'd,
Might safest seek the beadsman's cell,
Where all thy squires are known so well.
Noteless his presence, sharp his sense,
His imperfection his defence.
If seen, none can his errand guess;
If ta’en, his words no tale express-
Methinks, too, yonder beacon's shine
Might expiate greater fault than mine.”.
“ Rash,” said King Robert, “ was the deed-
But it is done..Embark with speed!
Good Father, say to Isabel
How this unhappy chance befel ;
If well we thrive on yonder shore,
Soon shall
page
restore. Our greeting to our sister bear, And think of us in mass and prayer.”—
“ Aye !"-said the Priest, while this poor
hand Can chalice raise or cross command, While
my
old voice has accents' use,
Can Augustine forget the Bruce !"-
Then to his side Lord Ronald press'd,
And whisper'd, “ Bear thou this request,
That when by Bruce's side I fight,
For Scotland's crown and freedom's right,
The princess grace her knight to bear
Some token of her favouring care;
It shall be shown where England's best
May shrink to see it on my crest.
And for the boy-since weightier care
For royal Bruce the times prepare,
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