1 That Wizard Priest's, whose bones are thrust, Their bosoms on the surging wave; 1 At one corner of the burial-ground of the demolished chapel, but without its precincts, is a small mound, called Binram's Corse, where tradition deposits the remains of a necromantic priest, the former tenant of the chaplainry. His story much resembles that of Ambrosio in "The Monk," and has been made the theme of a ballad, by my friend Mr. James Hogg, more poetically designed The Ettrick Shepherd. To his volume, entitled "The Mountain Bard," which contains this, and many other legendary stories and ballads of great merit, I refer the curious reader. 2 [MS." Spread through broad mist their snowy sail."] 8 [MS.-" -"Till fancy wild had all her sway."] And bade my busy fancy range, To frame him fitting shape and strange, But chief, 'twere sweet to think such life, And deem each hour, to musing given, Yet him, whose heart is ill at ease, And my black Palmer's choice had been Some ruder and more savage scene, Like that which frowns round dark Loch-skene.2 There eagles scream from isle to shore; 1 [MS." Till from the task my brain I clear'd."] 2 Loch-skene is a mountain lake, of considerable size, at the head of the Moffat-water. The character of the scenery is uncommonly savage; and the earn, or Scottish eagle, has, for many ages, built its nest yearly upon an islet in the lake. Loch-skene discharges itself into a brook, which, after a short and precipitate course, falls from a cataract of immense height, and gloomy grandeur, called, from its appearance, the "Gray Mare's Tail." The "Giant's Grave," afterwards mentioned, is a sort of trench, which bears that name, little way from the foot of the cataract. It has the appearance of a battery, designed to command the pass. a Down all the rocks the torrents roar; Marriott, thy harp, on Isis strung, To many a Border theme has rung: Then list to me, and thou shalt know Of this mysterious Man of Woe. 1 1 [See various ballads by Mr. Marriott, in the 4th vol. of The Border Minstrelsy.] |