But light I held his prophecy, And deem'd it was my father's horn, Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." XXIV. HE stranger smiled :-"Since to your home A destined errant-knight I come, The maid, with smile suppress'd and sly, For seldom, sure, if e'er before, His noble hand had grasp'd an oar : Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, Until the rocky isle they reach, And moor their shallop on the beach. XXV. HE stranger view'd the shore around; 'Twas all so close with copse-wood Nor track nor path-way might declare XXVI. T was a lodge of ample size, But strange of structure and device; Of such materials, as around The workman's hand had readiest found. Lopp'd of their boughs, their hoar' trunks bared, And by the hatchet rudely squared, To give the walls their destined height While moss and clay and leaves combined Due westward, fronting to the green, Aloft on native pillars borne, Of mountain fir with bark unshorn, The clematis, the favour'd flower m XXVII. Y hope, my heaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee." He cross'd the threshold-and a clang Of angry steel that instant rang. To his bold brow his spirit rush'd, But soon for vain alarm he blush'd, When on the floor he saw display'd, Cause of the din, a naked blade Dropp'd from the sheath, that careless flung Upon a stag's huge antlers swung ; A battle-axe, a hunting spear, And broad-swords, bows, and arrows store, And there the wild-cat's brindled hide That blackening streaks of blood retain'd, XXVIII. HE wondering stranger round him gazed, And next the fallen weapon raised; Few were the arms whose sinewy strength Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. And as the brand he poised and sway'd, "I never knew but one," he said, "Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield A blade like this in battle-field." She sigh'd, then smiled and took the word; "You see the guardian champion's sword: As light it trembles in his hand, As in my grasp a hazel wand; My sire's tall form might grace the part Of Ferragus, or Ascabart;† But in the absent giant's hold Are women now, and menials old." |