To meaner front was ne'er assign'd

Such mastery o'er the common mind-
Bestow'd thy high designs to aid,

How long, O Heaven! how long delay'd!

Haste, Mona, haste, to introduce

My darling brother, royal Bruce !"

XXIII.

They met like friends who part in pain,

And meet in doubtful hope again.
But when subdued that fitful swell,

The Bruce survey'd the humble cell ;

"And this is thine, poor Isabel !-
That pallet-couch, and naked wall,

For room of state, and bed of pall;
For costly robes and jewels rare,
A string of beads and zone of hair;
And for the trumpet's sprightly call
To sport or banquet, grove or hall,

The bell's grim voice divides thy care,

'Twixt hours of penitence and prayer!O ill for thee, my royal claim

From the First David's sainted name!

O woe for thee, that while he sought

His right, thy brother feebly fought !"

XXIV.

"Now lay these vain regrets aside,

And be the unshaken Bruce !" she cried. "For more I glory to have shared

The woes thy venturous spirit dared,
When raising first thy valiant band
In rescue of thy native land,

Than had fair Fortune set me down

The partner of an empire's crown.

And grieve not that on Pleasure's stream

No more I drive in giddy dream,

For Heaven the erring pilot knew,

And from the gulph the vessel drew,

Tried me with judgments stern and great,

My house's ruin, thy defeat,

Poor Nigel's death, till, tamed, I own,

My hopes are fix'd on Heaven alone;

Nor e'er shall earthly prospects win

My heart to this vain world of sin."—

XXV.

"Nay, Isabel, for such stern choice,

First wilt thou wait thy brother's voice; Then ponder if in convent scene

No softer thoughts might intervene— Say they were of that unknown Knight, Victor in Woodstock's tourney-fightNay, if his name such blush you owe, Victorious o'er a fairer foe !"

Truly his penetrating eye

Hath caught that blush's passing dye,Like the last beam of evening thrown

On a white cloud,-just seen and gone.

Soon with calm cheek and steady eye,

The princess made composed reply

"I guess my brother's meaning well; For not so silent is the cell,

But we have heard the islesmen all

Arm in thy cause at Ronald's call,

And mine eye proves that Knight Unknown

And the brave Island Lord are one.

Had then his suit been earlier made,

In his own name, with thee to aid,

(But that his plighted faith forbade)

I know not.....

But thy Page so near?—

This is no tale for menial's ear."

XXVI.

Still stood that Page, as far apart

As the small cell would space afford;

With dizzy eye and bursting heart,

He leant his weight on Bruce's sword,

The monarch's mantle too he bore,

And drew the fold his visage o'er.

"Fear not for him-in murderous strife," Said Bruce, "his warning saved my life; Full seldom parts he from my side;

And in his silence I confide,

Since he can tell no tale again.

He is a boy of gentle strain,

And I have purposed he shall dwell
In Augustin the chaplain's cell,

And wait on thee, my Isabel.

Mind not his tears; I've seen them flow,

As in the thaw dissolves the snow.

'Tis a kind youth, but fanciful,

Unfit against the tide to pull,

And those that with the Bruce would sail,

Must learn to strive with stream and gale.

But forward, gentle Isabel

My answer for Lord Ronald tell.".