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That the bright sword of Argentine

Should in a tyrant's quarrel shine;

But, for

your

brave request,

Be sure the honour'd pledge you gave

In every battle-field shall wave

Upon my helmet-crest ;

Believe, that if my hasty tongue

Hath done thine honour causeless

It shall be well redress'd.

Not dearer to my soul was glove,
Bestow'd in youth by lady's love,

wrong,

Than this which thou hast given !

Thus, then, my noble foe I greet;
Health and high fortune till we meet,

And then-what pleases Heaven.”—

VII.

Thus parted they-for now, with sound

Like waves roll'd back from rocky ground,

The friends of Lorn retire;

Each mainland chieftain, with his train,

Draws to his mountain towers again,

Pondering how mortal schemes prove vain, And mortal hopes expire.

But through the castle double guard,

By Ronald's charge, kept wakeful ward,
Wicket and gate were trebly barr'd,

By beam and bolt and chain;

Then of the guests, in courteous sort,

He pray'd excuse for mirth broke short,

And bade them in Artornish fort

In confidence remain.

Now torch and menial tendance led

Chieftain and knight to bower and bed,

And beads were told, and aves said,

And soon they sunk away

Into such sleep, as wont to shed

Oblivion on the weary head,

After a toilsome day.

VIII.

But soon up-roused, the Monarch cried

To Edward slumbering by his side,

"Awake, or sleep for aye!

Even now there jarr'd a secret door-
A taper-light gleams on the floor-

Up, Edward, up, I say!

Some one glides in like midnight ghost

-Nay, strike not ! 'tis our noble Host."-

Advancing then his taper's flame,

Ronald stept forth, and with him came
Dunvegan's chief-each bent the knee

To Bruce in sign of fealty,

And proffer'd him his sword,

And hail'd him, in a monarch's stile,

As king of mainland and of isle,

And Scotland's rightful lord.

"And O," said Ronald, " Own'd of Heaven!

Say, is my erring youth forgiven,

By falsehood's arts from duty driven,

Who rebel falchion drew,

Yet ever to thy deeds of fame,

Even while I strove against thy claim,

Paid homage just and true?"—

"Alas! dear youth, the unhappy time,"

Answer'd the Bruce, " must bear the crime,

Since, guiltier far than you,

Even I"-he paused; for Falkirk's woes

Upon his conscious soul arose.

The Chieftain to his breast he press'd,

And in a sigh conceal'd the rest.

IX.

They proffer'd aid, by arms and might,
To repossess him in his right;

But well their counsels must be weigh'd,
Ere banners raised and musters made,
For English hire and Lorn's intrigues
Bound many chiefs in southern leagues.

In answer, Bruce his purpose bold
To his new vassals frankly told.

"The winter worn in exile o'er,
I long'd for Carrick's kindred shore.

I thought upon my native Ayr,
And long'd to see the burly fare
That Clifford makes, whose lordly call
Now echoes through my father's hall.
But first my course to Arran led,

Where valiant Lennox gathers head,

And on the sea, by tempest toss'd,

Our barks dispersed, our purpose cross'd,
Mine own, a hostile sail to shun,

Far from her destined course had run,
When that wise will, which masters ours,

Compell❜d us to your friendly towers."

X.

Then Torquil spoke: "The time craves speed!

We must not linger in our deed,

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