Shakes its loose tresses on the night? Scarce could she draw her tighten'd breath, XXVI. HE Warder view'd it blazing strong, And blew his war-note loud and long, Till, at the high and haughty sound, Rock, wood, and river, rung around. The blast alarm'd the festal hall, And startled forth the warriors all; Far downward, in the castle-yard, Full many a torch and cresset glared; And helms and plumes, confusedly toss'd, Were in the blaze half-seen, half-lost ; And spears in wild disorder shook Like reeds beside a frozen brook. XXVII. HE Seneschal, whose silver hair Was redden'd by the torches' glare, Stood in the midst, with gesture proud, And issued forth his mandates loud :-- F “On Penchryst glows a bale of fire, And three are kindling on Priesthaughswire : + Ride out, ride out, The foe to scout! Mount, mount for Branksome,† every man ! Ye need not send to Liddesdale ; and clan, and friends, to raise." XXVIII. AIR Margaret, from the turret heart, Heard, far below, the coursers' tread, As to their seats, with clamour dread, In hasty route, The horsemen gallop'd forth; Dispersing to the south to scout, And east, and west, and north, To view their coming enemies, And warn their vassals and allies. XXIX. HE ready page, with hurried hand, Awaked the need-fire's+ slumbering brand, And ruddy blush'd the heaven : For a sheet of flame, from the turret high, All flaring and uneven ; And soon a score of fires, I ween, From height, and hill, and cliff, were seen; Each with warlike tidings fraught; Each from each the signal caught; Each after each they glanced to sight, As stars arise upon the night. They gleam'd on many a dusky tarn, On many a cairn's grey pyramid, |