Far other flush were on thy brow, That, shaded by the bonnet, now Assumes but ill the blithesome cheer Of bridegroom when the bride is near! XVII. Yes, sweep they on !-We will not leave, Be laughter loud and jocund shout, With tale, romance, and lay; And of wild mirth each clamorous art, Which, if it cannot cheer the heart, May stupify and stun its smart, For one loud busy day. Yes, sweep they on!-But with that skiff Abides the minstrel tale, Where there was dread of surge and cliff, Labour that strain'd each sinew stiff, And one sad Maiden's wail. XVIII. All day with fruitless strife they toil'd, More fierce from streight and lake; And louder sung the western blast On rocks of Inninmore; Rent was the sail, and strain'd the mast, And many a leak was gaping fast, And the pale steersman stood aghast, And gave the conflict o'er. XIX. 'Twas then that One, whose lofty look Nor labour dull'd nor terror shook, Thus to the Leader spoke; "Brother, how hopest thou to abide The fury of this wilder'd tide, Or how avoid the rock's rude side, Until the day has broke? Didst thou not mark the vessel reel, With quivering planks, and groaning keel, At the last billow's shock? Yet how of better counsel tell, Though here thou see'st poor Isabel Half dead with want and fear; For look on sea, or look on land, Despair and death are near. For her alone I grieve-on me Danger sits light by land and sea, I follow where thou wilt; Either to bide the tempest's lour, Or wend to yon unfriendly tower, And die with hand on hilt.". XX. That elder Leader's calm reply "In man's most dark extremity Oft succour dawns from Heaven. Edward, trim thou the shatter'd sail, So shall we 'scape the western bay, Beneath the Castle wall; For if a hope of safety rest, 'Tis on the sacred name of guest, Who seeks for shelter, storm-distress'd, Within a chieftain's hall. If not-it best beseems our worth, Our name, our right, our lofty birth, By noble hands to fall." XXI. The helm, to his strong arm consign'd, Gave the reef'd sail to meet the wind, And on her alter'd way, Fierce bounding, forward sprung the ship, Like greyhound starting from the slip To seize his flying prey. Awaked before the rushing prow, Those lightnings of the wave; |