首页 >出版文学> The Lady of the Shroud>第3章
  XVII。
  Ever,asontheybore,moreloudAndlouderrungthepibrochproud。
  Atfirstthesounds,bydistancetame,Mellowedalongthewaterscame,And,lingeringlongbycapeandbay,Wailedeveryharshernoteaway,Thenburstingbolderontheear,Theclan’sshrillGatheringtheycouldhear,ThosethrillingsoundsthatcallthemightOfoldClan—Alpinetothefight。
  Thickbeattherapidnotes,aswhenThemusteringhundredsshaketheglen,Andhurryingatthesignaldread,’Finebatteredearthreturnstheirtread。
  Thenpreludelight,ofliveliertone,Expressedtheirmerrymarchingon,Erepealofclosingbattlerose,Withmingledoutcry,shrieks,andblows;
  Andmimicdinofstrokeandward,Asbroadswordupontargetjarred;
  Andgroaningpause,ereyetagain,Condensed,thebattleyelledamain:
  Therapidcharge,therallyingshout,Retreatborneheadlongintorout,Andburstsoftriumph,todeclareClan—Alpine’scongest——allwerethere。
  Norendedthusthestrain,butslowSunkinamoanprolongedandlow,AndchangedtheconqueringclarionswellForwildlamento’erthosethatfell。
  XVIII。
  Thewar—pipesceased,butlakeandhillWerebusywiththeirechoesstill;
  And,whentheyslept,avocalstrainBadetheirhoarsechoruswakeagain,WhileloudahundredclansmenraiseTheirvoicesintheirChieftain’spraise。
  Eachboatman,bendingtohisoar,Withmeasuredsweeptheburdenbore,InsuchwildcadenceasthebreezeMakesthroughDecember’sleaflesstrees。
  ThechorusfirstcouldAllanknow,’RoderickVichAlpine,ho!fro!’
  Andnear,andnearerastheyrowed,Distinctthemartialdittyflowed。
  XIX。
  BoatSongHailtotheChiefwhointriumphadvances!
  Honoredandblessedbetheever—greenPine!
  Longmaythetree,inhisbannerthatglances,Flourish,theshelterandgraceofourline!
  Heavensendithappydew,Earthlenditsapanew,Gaylytobourgeonandbroadlytogrow,WhileeveryHighlandglenSendsourshoutbackagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,,ho!ieroe!’
  Oursisnosapling,chance—sownbythefountain,BloomingatBeltane,inwintertofade;
  Whenthewhirlwindhasstrippedeveryleafonthemountain,ThemoreshallClan—Alpineexultinhershade。
  Mooredintheriftedrock,Prooftothetempest’sshock,Firmerherootshimtheruderitblow;
  MenteithandBreadalbane,then,Echohispraiseagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’
  XX。
  ProudlyourpibrochhasthrilledinGlenFruin,AndBannochar’sgroanstooursloganreplied;
  GlenLussandRoss—dhu,theyaresmokinginruin,AndthebestofLochLomondliedeadonherside。
  WidowandSaxonmaidLongshalllamentourraid,ThinkofClan—Alpinewithfearandwithwoe;
  LennoxandLeven—glenShakewhentheyhearagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’
  Row,vassals,row,fortheprideoftheHighlands!
  Stretchtoyouroarsfortheever—greenPine!
  OthattherosebudthatgracesyonislandsWerewreathedinagarlandaroundhimtotwine!
  Othatsomeseedlinggem,Worthysuchnoblestem,Honoredandblessedintheirshadowmightgrow!
  LoudshouldClan—AlpinethenRingfromherdeepmostglen,RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’
  XXI。
  WithallherjoyfulfemalebandHadLadyMargaretsoughtthestrand。
  Looseonthebreezetheirtressesflew,Andhightheirsnowyarmstheythrew,Asechoingbackwithshrillacclaim,Andchoruswild,theChieftain’sname;
  While,prompttoplease,withmother’sartThedarlingpassionofhisheart,TheDamecalledEllentothestrand,Togreetherkinsmanereheland:
  ’Come,loiterer,come!aDouglasthou,Andshuntowreatheavictor’sbrow?’
  Reluctantlyandslow,themaidTheunwelcomesummoningobeyed,Andwhenadistantbuglerung,Inthemid—pathasideshesprung:——
  ’List,Allan—bane!FrommainlandcastIhearmyfather’ssignalblast。
  Beours,’shecried,’theskifftoguide,Andwafthimfromthemountain—side。’
  Then,likeasunbeam,swiftandbright,Shedartedtohershalloplight,And,eagerlywhileRoderickscanned,Forherdearform,hismother’sband,Theisletfarbehindherlay,Andshehadlandedinthebay。
  XXII。
  SomefeelingsaretomortalsgivenWithlessofearthinthemthanheaven;
  AndiftherebeahumantearFrompassion’sdrossrefinedandclear,AtearsolimpidandsomeekItwouldnotstainanangel’scheek,’TisthatwhichpiousfathersshedUponaduteousdaughter’shead!
  AndastheDouglastohisbreastHisdarlingEllencloselypressed,Suchholydropshertressessteeped,Though’twasanhero’seyethatweeped。
  NorwhileonEllen’sfalteringtongueHerfilialwelcomescrowdedhung,Markedshethatfear——affection’sproof——
  Stillheldagracefulyouthaloof;
  No!nottillDouglasnamedhisname,AlthoughtheyouthwasMalcolmGraeme。
  XXIII。
  Allan,withwistfullookthewhile,MarkedRodericklandingontheisle;
  Hismasterpiteouslyheeyed,ThengazedupontheChieftain’spride,ThendashedwithhastyhandawayFromhisdimmedeyethegatheringspray;
  AndDouglas,ashishandhelaidOnMalcolm’sshoulder,kindlysaid:
  ’Canstthou,youngfriend,nomeaningspyInmypoorfollower’sglisteningeye?
  I’lltellthee:——herecallsthedayWheninmypraiseheledthelayO’erthearchedgateofBothwellproud,Whilemanyaminstrelansweredloud,WhenPercy’sNormanpennon,wonInbloodyfield,beforemeshone,Andtwicetenknights,theleastanameAsmightyasyonChiefmayclaim,Gracingmypomp,behindmecame。
  Yettrustme,Malcolm,notsoproudWasIofallthatmarshalledcrowd,Thoughthewanedcrescentownedmymight,Andinmytraintroopedlordandknight,ThoughBlantyrehymnedherholiestlays,AndBothwell’sbardsflungbackmypraise,Aswhenthisoldman’ssilenttear,Andthispoormaid’saffectiondear,AwelcomegivemorekindandtrueThanaughtmybetterfortunesknew。
  Forgive,myfriend,afather’sboast,——
  O,itout—beggarsallIlost!’
  XXIV。
  Delightfulpraise!——likesummerrose,Thatbrighterinthedew—dropglows,Thebashfulmaiden’scheekappeared,ForDouglasspoke,andMalcolmheard。
  Theflushofshame—facedjoytohide,Thehounds,thehawk,hercaresdivide;
  ThelovedcaressesofthemaidThedogswithcrouchandwhimperpaid;
  And,atherwhistle,onherhandThefalcontookhisfavoritestand,Closedhisdarkwing,relaxedhiseye,Nor,thoughunhooded,soughttofly。
  And,trust,whileinsuchguiseshestood,LikefabledGoddessofthewood,Thatifafather’spartialthoughtO’erweighedherworthandbeautyaught,Wellmightthelover’sjudgmentfailTobalancewithajusterscale;
  Forwitheachsecretglancehestole,Thefondenthusiastsenthissoul。
  XXV。
  Ofstaturefair,andslenderframe,Butfirmlyknit,wasMalcolmGraeme。
  ThebeltedplaidandtartanhoseDidne’ermoregracefullimbsdisclose;
  Hisflaxenhair,ofsunnyhue,Curledcloselyroundhisbonnetblue。
  Trainedtothechase,hiseagleeyeTheptarmiganinsnowcouldspy;
  Eachpass,bymountain,lake,andheath,Heknew,throughLennoxandMenteith;
  Vainwastheboundofdark—browndoeWhenMalcolmbenthissoundingbow,Andscarcethatdoe,thoughwingedwithfear,Outstrippedinspeedthemountaineer:
  RightupBenLomondcouldhepress,Andnotasobhistoilconfess。
  HisformaccordedwithamindLivelyandardent,frankandkind;
  Ablitherheart,tillEllencameDidneverlovenorsorrowtame;
  ItdancedaslightsomeinhisbreastAsplayedthefeatheronhiscrest。
  Yetfriends,whonearestknewtheyouthHisscornofwrong,hiszealfortruthAndbards,whosawhisfeaturesboldWhenkindledbythetalesofoldSaid,werethatyouthtomanhoodgrown,NotlongshouldRoderickDhu’srenownBeforemostvoicedbymountainfame,ButquailtothatofMalcolmGraeme。
  XXVI。
  Nowbacktheywendtheirwateryway,And,’Omysire!’didEllensay,’Whyurgethychasesofarastray?
  Andwhysolatereturned?Andwhy’——
  Therestwasinherspeakingeye。
  ’Mychild,thechaseIfollowfar,’Tismimicryofnoblewar;
  AndwiththatgallantpastimereftWereallofDouglasIhaveleft。
  ImetyoungMalcolmasIstrayedFareastward,inGlenfinlas’shadeNorstrayedIsafe,forallaroundHuntersandhorsemenscouredtheground。
  Thisyouth,thoughstillaroyalward,Riskedlifeandlandtobemyguard,AndthroughthepassesofthewoodGuidedmysteps,notunpursued;
  AndRoderickshallhiswelcomemake,Despiteoldspleen,forDouglas’sake。
  ThenmustheseekStrath—EndrickglenNorperilaughtformeagain。’
  XXVII。
  SirRoderick,whotomeetthemcame,ReddenedatsightofMalcolmGraeme,Yet,notinaction,word,oreye,Failedaughtinhospitality。
  IntalkandsporttheywhiledawayThemorningofthatsummerday;
  ButathighnoonacourierlightHeldsecretparleywiththeknight,WhosemoodyaspectsoondeclaredThatevilwerethenewsheheard。
  Deepthoughtseemedtoilinginhishead;
  YetwastheeveningbanquetmadeEreheassembledroundtheflameHismother,Douglas,andtheGraeme,AndEllentoo;thencastaroundHiseyes,thenfixedthemontheground,AsstudyingphrasethatmightavailBesttoconveyunpleasanttale。
  Longwithhisdagger’shiltheplayed,Thenraisedhishaughtybrow。andsaid:——
  XXVIII。
  ’Shortbemyspeech;——nortimeaffords,Normyplaintemper,glozingwords。
  Kinsmanandfather,——ifsuchnameDouglasvouchsafetoRoderick’sclaim;
  Minehonoredmother;——Ellen,——why,Mycousin,turnawayshineeye?——
  AndGraeme,inwhomIhopetoknowFullsoonanoblefriendorfoe,Whenageshallgivetheethycommand,Andleadinginthynativeland,——
  Listall!——TheKing’svindictiveprideBoaststohavetamedtheBorder—side,Wherechiefs,withhoundandtrawl;whocameTosharetheirmonarch’ssylvangame,Themselvesinbloodytoilsweresnared,Andwhenthebanquettheyprepared,Andwidetheirloyalportalsflung,O’ertheirowngatewaystrugglinghung。
  LoudcriestheirbloodfromMeggat’smead,FromYarrowbraesandbanksofTweed,WherethelonestreamsofEttrickglide,AndfromthesilverTeviot’sside;
  Thedales,wheremartialclansdidride,Arenowonesheep—walk,wasteandwide。
  ThistyrantoftheScottishthrone,Sofaithlessandsoruthlessknown,Nowhithercomes;hisendthesame,Thesamepretextofsylvangame。
  WhatgraceforHighlandChiefs,judgeyeByfateofBorderchivalry。
  Yetmore;amidGlenfinlas’green,Douglas,thystatelyformwasseen。
  ThisbyespialsureIknow:
  YourcounselinthestreightIshow。’
  XXIX。
  EllenandMargaretfearfullySoughtcomfortineachother’seye,Thenturnedtheirghastlylook,eachone,Thistohersire,thattoherson。
  ThehastycolorwentandcameIntheboldcheekofMalcohmGraeme,Butfromhisglanceitwellappeared’TwasbutforEllenthathefeared;
  While,sorrowful,butundismayed,TheDouglasthushiscounselsaid:
  ’BraveRoderick,thoughthetempestroar,Itmaybutthunderandpasso’er;
  NorwillIhereremainanhour,Todrawthelightningonthybower;
  Forwellthouknow’st,atthisgrayheadTheroyalboltwerefiercestsped。
  Forthee,who,atthyKing’scommand,Canstaidhimwithagallantband,Submission,homage,humbledpride,ShallturntheMonarch’swrathaside。
  PoorremnantsoftheBleedingHeart,EllenandIwillseekapartTherefugeofsomeforestcell,There,likethehuntedquarry,dwell,TillonthemountainandthemoorThesternpursuitbepassedando’er,’——
  XXX。
  ’No,byminehonor,’Rodericksaid,’SohelpmeHeaven,andmygoodblade!
  No,never!BlastedbeyonPine,Myfather’sancientcrestandmine,IffromitsshadeindangerpartThelineageoftheBleedingHeart!
  Hearmybluntspeech:grantmethismaidTowife,thycounseltomineaid;
  ToDouglas,leaguedwithRoderickDhu,Willfriendsandalliesflockenow;
  Likecauseofdoubt,distrust,andgrief,WillbindtouseachWesternChiefWhentheloudpipesmybridaltell,TheLinksofForthshallheartheknell,TheguardsshallstartinStirling’sporch;
  AndwhenIlightthenuptialtorch,AthousandvillagesinflamesShallscaretheslumbersofKingJames!——
  Nay,Ellen,blenchnotthusaway,And,mother,ceasethesesigns,Ipray;
  Imeantnotallmyheatmightsay。——
  Smallneedofinroadoroffight,WhenthesageDouglasmayuniteEachmountainclaninfriendlyband,Toguardthepassesoftheirland,TillthefoiledKingfrompathlessglenShallbootlessturnhimhomeagain。’
  XXXI。
  Therearewhohave,atmidnighthour,Inslumberscaledadizzytower,And,onthevergethatbeetledo’erTheoceantide’sincessantroar,Dreamedcalmlyouttheirdangerousdream,Tillwakenedbythemorningbeam;
  When,dazzledbytheeasternglow,Suchstartlercasthisglancebelow,Andsawunmeasureddeptharound,Andheardunintermittedsound,Andthoughtthebattledfencesofrail,Itwavedlikecobwebinthegale;
  Amidhissenses’giddywheel,Didhenotdesperateimpulsefeel,Headlongtoplungehimselfbelow,Andmeettheworsthisfearsforeshow?——
  ThusEllen,dizzyandastound,Assuddenruinyawnedaround,Bycrossingterrorswildlytossed,StillfortheDouglasfearingmost,Couldscarcethedesperatethoughtwithstand,Tobuyhissafetywithherhand。
  XXXII。
  SuchpurposedreadcouldMalcolmspyInEllen’squiveringlipandeye,Andeagerrosetospeak,——butereHistonguecouldhurryforthhisfear,HadDouglasmarkedthehecticstrife,Wheredeathseemedcombatingwithlife;
  Fortohercheek,infeverishflood,Oneinstantrushedthethrobbingblood,Thenebbingback,withsuddensway,Leftitsdomainaswanasclay。
  ’Roderick,enough!enough!’hecried,’Mydaughtercannotbethybride;
  Notthattheblushtowooerdear,Norpalenessthatofmaidenfear。
  Itmaynotbe,——forgiveher,Chief,Norhazardaughtforourrelief。
  Againsthissovereign,Douglasne’erWilllevelarebelliousspear。
  ’TwasIthattaughthisyouthfulhandToreinasteedandwieldabrand;
  Iseehimyet,theprincelyboy!
  NotEllenmoremyprideandjoy;
  Ilovehimstill,despitemywrongsByhastywrathandslanderoustongues。
  O。seekthegraceyouwellmayfind,Withoutacausetominecombined!’
  XXXIII。
  TwicethroughthehalltheChieftainstrode;
  Thewavingofhistartarsbroad,Anddarkenedbrow,wherewoundedprideWithireanddisappointmentviedSeemed,bythetorch’sgloomylight,LiketheillDemonofthenight,Stoopinghispinions’shadowyswayUpontherightedpilgrim’sway:
  But,unrequitedLove!thydartPlungeddeepestitsenvenomedsmart,AndRoderick,withshineanguishstung,AtlengththehandofDouglaswrung,WhileeyesthatmockedattearsbeforeWithbitterdropswererunningo’er。
  Thedeath—pangsoflong—cherishedhopeScarceinthatamplebreasthadscopeBut,strugglingwithhisspiritproud,Convulsiveheaveditscheckeredshroud,Whileeverysob——somutewereallWashearddistinctlythroughtheball。
  Theson’sdespair,themother’slook,IIImightthegentleEllenbrook;
  Sherose,andtohersidetherecame,Toaidherpartingsteps,theGraeme。
  XXXIV。
  ThenRoderickfromtheDouglasbroke——
  Asflashesflamethroughsablesmoke,Kindlingitswreaths,long,dark,andlow,Toonebroadblazeofruddyglow,SothedeepanguishofdespairBurst,infiercejealousy,toair。
  WithstalwartgrasphishandhelaidOnMalcolm’sbreastandbeltedplaid:
  ’Back,beardlessboy!’hesternlysaid,’Back,minion!holdstthouthusatnaughtThelessonIsolatelytaught?
  Thisroof,theDouglas。andthatmaid,Thankthouforpunishmentdelayed。’
  Eagerasgreyhoundonhisgame,FiercelywithRoderickgrappledGraeme。
  ’Perishmyname,ifaughtaffordItsChieftainsafetysavehissword!’
  ThusastheystrovetheirdesperatehandGripedtothedaggerorthebrand,Anddeathhadbeen——butDouglasrose,AndthrustbetweenthestrugglingfoesHisgiantstrength:——’Chieftains,forego!
  Iholdthefirstwhostrikesmyfoe。——
  Madmen,forbearyourfranticjar!
  What!istheDouglasfallensofar,Hisdaughter’shandisdeemedthespoilOfsuchdishonorablebroil?’
  Sullenandslowlytheyunclasp,Asstruckwithshame,theirdesperategrasp,Andeachuponhisrivalglared,Withfootadvancedandbladehalfbared。
  XXXV。
  Ereyetthebrandsaloftwereflung,MargaretonRoderick’smantlehung,AndMalcolmheardhisEllen’sscream,Asfalteredthroughterrificdream。
  ThenRoderickplungedinsheathhissword,Andveiledhiswrathinscornfulword:’
  Restsafetillmorning;pity’twereSuchcheekshouldfeelthemidnightair!
  ThenmaystthoutoJamesStuarttell,Roderickwillkeepthelakeandfell,NorlackeywithhisfreebornclanThepageantpompofearthlyman。
  MorewouldheofClan—Alpineknow,Thoucanstourstrengthandpassesshow。——
  Malise,whatho!’——hishenchmancame:
  ’Giveoursafe—conducttotheGraeme。’
  YoungMalcolmanswered,calmandbold:’
  Fearnothingforthyfavoritehold;
  ThespotanangeldeignedtograceIsblessed,thoughrobbershaunttheplace。
  ThychurlishcourtesyforthoseReserve,whofeartobethyfoes。
  AssafetomethemountainwayAtmidnightasinblazeofday,ThoughwithhisboldestathisbackEvenRoderickDhubesetthetrack。——
  BraveDouglas,——lovelyEllen,——nay,NaughthereofpartingwillIsay。
  EarthdoesnotholdalonesomeglenSosecretbutwemeetagain。——
  Chieftain!wetooshallfindanhour,’——
  Hesaid,andleftthesylvanbower。
  XXXVI。
  OldAllanfollowedtothestrand——
  SuchwastheDouglas’scommand——
  Andanxioustold,how,onthemorn,ThesternSirRoderickdeephadsworn,TheFieryCrossshouldcircleo’erDale,glen,andvalley,downandmoorMuchweretheperiltotheGraemeFromthosewhotothesignalcame;
  Farupthelake’tweresafestland,Himselfwouldrowhimtothestrand。
  Hegavehiscounseltothewind,WhileMalcolmdid,unheeding,bind,Rounddirkandpouchandbroadswordrolled,Hisampleplaidintightenedfold,AndstrippedhislimbstosucharrayAsbestmightsuitthewateryway,——
  XXXVII。
  Thenspokeabrupt:’Farewelltothee,Patternofoldfidelity!’
  TheMinstrel’shandhekindlypressed,——
  ’O,couldIpointaplaceofrest!
  Mysovereignholdsinwardmyland,Myuncleleadsmyvassalband;
  Totamehisfoes,hisfriendstoaid,PoorMalcolmhasbutheartandblade。
  Yet,iftherebeonefaithfulGraemeWholovesthechieftainofhisname,NotlongshallhonoredDouglasdwellLikehuntedstaginmountaincell;
  Nor,ereyonpride—swollenrobberdare,——
  Imaynotgivetheresttoair!
  TellRoderickDhuIowedhimnaught,Nottilepoorserviceofaboat,Towaftmetoyonmountain—side。’
  Thenplungedheintheflashingtide。
  Boldo’erthefloodhisheadhebore,Andstoutlysteeredhimfromtheshore;
  AndAllanstrainedhisanxiouseye,Farmidthelakehisformtospy,Darkeningacrosseachpunywave,Towhichthemoonhersilvergave。
  Fastasthecormorantcouldskim。
  Theswimmerpliedeachactivelimb;
  Thenlandinginthemoonlightdell,Loudshoutedofhiswealtotell。
  TheMinstrelheardthefarhalloo,Andjoyfulfromtheshorewithdrew。
  CANTOTHIRD。
  TheGathering。
  I。
  Timerollshisceaselesscourse。Theraceofyore,Whodancedourinfancyupontheirknee,AndtoldourmarvellingboyhoodlegendsstoreOftheirstrangeventureshappedbylandorsea,Howaretheyblottedfromthethingsthatbe!
  Howfew,allweakandwitheredoftheirforce,Waitonthevergeofdarketernity,Likestrandedwrecks,thetidereturninghoarse,Tosweepthemfromoutsight!Timerollshisceaselesscourse。
  Yetlivetherestillwhocanrememberwell,How,whenamountainchiefhisbugleblew,Bothfieldandforest,dingle,cliff;anddell,Andsolitaryheath,thesignalknew;
  Andfastthefaithfulclanaroundhimdrew。
  Whattimethewarningnotewaskeenlywound,Whattimealofttheirkindredbannerflew,Whileclamorouswar—pipesyelledthegatheringsound,AndwhiletheFieryCrossglancedlikeameteor,round。
  II。
  TheSummerdawn’sreflectedhueTopurplechangedLochKatrineblue;
  MildlyandsoftthewesternbreezeJustkissedthelake,juststirredthetrees,Andthepleasedlake,likemaidencoy,TrembledbutdimplednotforjoyThemountain—shadowsonherbreastWereneitherbrokennoratrest;
  Inbrightuncertaintytheylie,LikefuturejoystoFancy’seye。
  Thewater—lilytothelightHerchalicerearedofsilverbright;
  Thedoeawoke,andtothelawn,Begemmedwithdew—drops,ledherfawn;
  Thegraymistleftthemountain—side,Thetorrentshoweditsglisteningpride;
  InvisibleinfleckedskyThelarksentclownherrevelry:
  TheblackbirdandthespeckledthrushGood—morrowgavefrombrakeandbush;
  InanswercooedthecushatdoveHernotesofpeaceandrestandlove。
  III。
  Nothoughtofpeace,nothoughtofrest,AssuagedthestorminRoderick’sbreast。
  Withsheathedbroadswordinhishand,Abrupthepacedtheisletstrand,Andeyedtherisingsun,andlaidHishandonhisimpatientblade。
  Beneatharock,hisvassals’careWasprompttheritualtoprepare,Withdeepanddeathfulmeaningfraught;
  ForsuchAntiquityhadtaughtWasprefacemeet,ereyetabroadTheCrossofFireshouldtakeitsroad。
  TheshrinkingbandstoodoftaghastAttheimpatientglancehecast;——
  Suchglancethemountaineaglethrew,As,fromthecliffsofBenvenue,Shespreadherdarksailsonthewind,And,highinmiddleheavenreclined,Withherbroadshadowonthelake,Silencedthewarblersofthebrake。
  IV。
  Aheapofwitheredboughswaspiled,Ofjuniperandrowanwild,Mingledwithshiversfromtheoak,Rentbythelightning’srecentstroke。
  BriantheHermitbyitstood,Barefooted,inhisfrockandhood。
  HisgrizzledbeardandmattedhairObscuredavisageofdespair;
  Hisnakedarmsandlegs,seamedo’er,Thescarsoffranticpenancebore。
  Thatmonk,ofsavageformandfaceTheimpendingdangerofhisraceHaddrawnfromdeepestsolitudeFarinBenharrow’sbosomrude。
  NothisthemienofChristianpriest,ButDruid’s,fromthegravereleasedWhosehardenedheartandeyemightbrookOnhumansacrificetolook;
  Andmuch,’twassaid,ofheathenloreMixedinthecharmshemutteredo’er。
  ThehallowedcreedgaveonlyworseAnddeadlieremphasisofcurse。
  NopeasantsoughtthatHermit’sprayerHiscavethepilgrimshunnedwithcare,TheeagerhuntsmanknewhisboundAndinmidchasecalledoffhishound;’
  Orif,inlonelyglenorstrath,Thedesert—dwellermethispathHeprayed,andsignedthecrossbetween,Whileterrortookdevotion’smien。