"O Heaven! when swords for freedom shine, And monarch's right, the cause is thine! Edge doubly every patriot blow! Beat down the banners of the foe! He turn'd his blessings to renew, XIII. In night the fairy prospects sink, Are gone and on the placid sea The rowers ply their task with glee, While hands that knightly lances bore Impatient aid the labouring oar. The half-faced moon shone dim and pale, And glanced against the whiten'd sail ; Each steersman kept the helm aright, And oft, for such the King's command, In blood-red light her islets swim; Wild scream the dazzled sea-fowl gave, Dropp'd from their crags on plashing wave, The black-cock deem'd it day, and crew. O'er half the land the lustre came. "Now, good my Liege, and brother sage, What think ye of mine elfin page?""Row on!" the noble King replied, "We'll learn the truth whate'er betide; Yet sure the beadsman and the child Could ne'er have waked that beacon wild." XIV. With that the boats approach'd the land, But Edward's grounded on the sand; The eager knight leap'd in the sea Waist-deep, and first on shore was he, Contended which should gain the land, When that strange light, which, seen afar, Seem'd steady as the polar star, Now, like a prophet's fiery chair, Helm, axe, and falchion glitter'd bright, His comrade's face each warrior saw, Or would thy dauntless heart endure Once more to make assurance sure?" "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 That ruddy light's unnatural dye ; On the wet sands and quiet bay. Till shield compact and serried spear N |