"Hush !"said the Bruce; "we soon shall know, If this be sorcerer's empty show, Or stratagem of southern foe. The moon shines out-upon the sand Let every leader rank his band.". XV. Faintly the moon's pale beams supply On the wet sands and quiet bay. Beneath the rocks King Robert drew Till shield compact and serried spear. And gave a scroll to Robert's hand. N "A torch," the Monarch cried, "What, ho! Now shall we Cuthbert's tidings know." But evil news the letters bare, The Clifford's force was strong and ware, By mountaineers who came with Lorn. Unwitting from what source it came. Doubtful of perilous event, Edward's mute messenger he sent, If Bruce deceived should venture o'er, To warn him from the fatal shore. XVI. As round the torch the leaders crowd, Bruce read these chilling news aloud. "What council, nobles, have we now? To ambush us in green-wood bough, And take the chance which fate may send To bring our enterprise to end, Or shall we turn us to the main As exiles, and embark again ?" Answer'd fierce Edward," Hap what may, Wild-fire or meteor made us quail.". : Answer'd the Douglas, "If my liege Answer'd Lord Ronald, " Not for shame And found, for all our empty boast, I will not credit that this land, So famed for warlike heart and hand, The nurse of Wallace and of Bruce, Will long with tyrants hold a truce." "Prove we our fate-the brunt we'll bide!" So Boyd and Haye and Lennox cried ; So said, so vow'd, the leaders all; So Bruce resolved: "And in my hall Since the bold Southern make their home, The hour of payment soon shall come, When with a rough and rugged host Clifford may reckon to his cost. Meantime, through well-known bosk and dell, I'll lead where we may shelter well.” XVII. Now ask you whence that wond'rous light, That never did a mortal hand Wake its broad glare on Carrick strand; Nay, and that on the self-same night When Bruce cross'd o'er, still gleams the light. And glittering wave and crimson'd shore- By Heaven to aid the King's descent, To lure him to defeat and death, Or were it but some meteor strange, I know not-and it ne'er was known. XVIII. Now up the rocky pass they drew, And Ronald, to his promise true, Still made his arm the stripling's stay, To aid him on the rugged way. "Now cheer thee, simple Amadine! Why throbs that silly heart of thine?" |