They tug, they strain!-down, down they go, The Gael above, Fitz-James below! The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed, The stream of life's exhausted tide, For, while the dagger gleamed on high, 240 Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye. 250 Down came the blow! but in the heath The erring blade found bloodless sheath. He faltered thanks to Heaven for life, Whose every gasp appeared his last; In Roderick's gore he dipped the braid,―31 260 "Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly paid: Yet with thy foe must die, or live, The praise that Faith and Valour give.”— Unbonneted, and by the wave Sate down his brow and hands to lave. And bring him on to Stirling straight: 270 280 I will before at better speed, To seek fresh horse and fitting weed.32 As up the flinty path they strained, "Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman grey, Of stature tall and poor array? Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride, With which he scales the mountain-side? Know'st thou from whence he comes, or whom?" 290 300 Like form in Scotland is not seen, Treads not such step on Scottish green. 'Tis James of Douglas, by Saint Serle !34 The uncle of the banished Earl. Away, away, to court, to show 310 The near approach of dreaded foe: The King must stand upon his guard; Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and They won the Castle's postern gate.- 320 How excellent-but that is by, 35 Ye towers! within whose circuit dread Fell the stern headsman's bloody hand,- And play my prize;-King James shall mark,39 If age has tamed these sinews stark,40 Whose force so oft, in happier days, His boyish wonder loved to praise."41 330 340 350 [The Douglas engages as a competitor in the sports. He is the victor in archery, in wrestling, and in "putting" the stone. The prize for the last contest is a purse of broad pieces. He throws the gold amongst the people, and is hailed enthusiastically as a champion. A royal stag is let loose. Douglas's dog Lufra distances the King's greyhounds, and brings down the deer. The King's huntsman, in anger, strikes Lufra with his leash. A blow from Douglas's hand stretches him bleeding and senseless on the sward. Douglas is arrested by the King's orders. A tumult arises, which the Douglas, on whose behalf it is made, with difficulty quells. A messenger arrives to inform the King that the Earl of Mar has marched against Roderick Dhu. The King sends back the messenger to forbid the war, though the latter fears that it is too late.] Ill with King James's mood that day Of rumoured feuds and mountain war; 360 They mourned him pent within the hold "Where stout Earl William was of old"- 42 THERE is great excitement in Stirling Castle on the morning of the next day. News has arrived of a bloody fray fought between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray. Old Bertram of Ghent arrives at the Castle, accompanied by a minstrel and a maid. It is Ellen Douglas and Allan-bane. Ellen has to endure many indignities from the rough soldiery; but her maiden innocence, and the knight's ring, are her safeguard. Young Lewis of Tullibardine conducts her to a room where she may repose securely under female care till the King can receive her. Allan-bane induces the warder to admit him to his master's cell. When he is locked in, he finds himself in the presence, not of Douglas, but of Roderick Dhu. The minstrel narrates to the Chieftain the incidents of the battle. So completely is the latter transported by the narrative that he dreams he is in the field, and dies before it is finished. Fitz-James appears in Ellen's room, and conducts her to the court. In the midst of the gay assemblage, she observes that he alone wears cap and plume, and now discovers that "Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King." She learns, too, that her father has been reconciled to the King. Through her father, she asks a pardon for Malcolm Græme, who kneels before the King. The latter dooms him to " fetters, and, throwing his own golden chain round his neck, lays the clasp in Ellen's hand. I. THE sun, awakening, through the smoky air And yield his drowsy eyes to the kind nurse of men.3 [In the early morning, Bertram of Ghent arrives at the Castle, accompanied by Ellen Douglas and Allan-bane. Ellen suffers many indignities from the rough soldiery; but her native bravery and her maiden innocence disarm them, and win for her the protection of John de Brent, who goes to inform the Captain of the Guard of the strange arrival.] Their captain came, a gallant young- sighed, she paused and 30 "O what have I to do with pride!— Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife, A suppliant for a father's life, I crave an audience of the King. The signet-ring young Lewis took, The rest with thanks their guerdon took;10 40 50 |