As stormy as the swelling surge With many a haughty word. VIII. Through that wild throng the Father pass'd, 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, 1 "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, made brief abode."— IX. "'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 I found the stripling on a tomb Guards carelessly our father's hall.” X. "O 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, Now, were my right restored by Heaven, I peril'd thus the helpless child.". "Brother and Liege, of blame like this," A stranger messenger, I deem'd, Might safest seek the beadsman's cell, His imperfection his defence. If seen, none can his errand guess; 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 my care her page restore. Our greeting to our sister bear, And think of us in mass and prayer." XI. "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, For Scotland's crown and freedom's right, May shrink to see it on my crest. For royal Bruce the times prepare, |