Canto Second. The Island. I. T morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, 'Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, All Nature's children feel the matin spring Of life reviving, with reviving day ; And while yon little bark glides down the bay, Wafting the stranger on his way again, Morn's genial influence roused a Minstrel grey,t And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, Mix'd with the sounding harp, O whitehair'd Allan-bane ! II. Sang. "Not faster yonder rowers' might Melts in the lake away, Than men from memory erase The benefits of former days; Then, Stranger, go! good speed the while, Nor think again of the lonely isle. 44 High place to thee in royal court, Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport, The honour'd meed be thine ! III. Song continued. "But if beneath yon southern sky A plaided stranger roam, Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, Pine for his Highland home; Then, warrior, then be thine to show 44 'Or if on life's uncertain main If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, IV. S died the sounds upon the tide, The shallop reach'd the mainland side, And ere his onward way he took, Reclined against a blighted tree, As wasted, grey, and worn as he. His reverend brow was raised to heaven, V. PON a rock with lichens wild, Beside him Ellen sate and smiled. Smiled she to see the stately drake Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! Perchance the maiden smiled to see VI. HILE yet he loiter'd on the spot, It seem'd as Ellen mark'd him not ; But when he turn'd him to the glade, One courteous parting sign she made; And after, oft the Knight would say, That not when prize of festal day Was dealt him by the brightest fair, Who e'er wore jewel in her hair, So highly did his bosom swell, As at that simple mute farewell. Now with a trusty mountain-guide, And his dark stag-hounds by his side, He parts-the maid, unconscious still, Watch'd him wind slowly round the hill; |