XXIX。
HymntotheVirgin。
Ave。Maria！maidenmild！
Listentoamaiden’sprayer！
Thoucansthearthoughfromthewild，Thoucanstsaveamiddespair。
Safemaywesleepbeneaththycare，Thoughbanished，outcast，andreviled——
Maiden！hearamaiden’sprayer；
Mother，hearasuppliantchild！
AveMaria！
AveMaria！undefiled！
TheflintycouchwenowmustshareShallseemwithdownofeiderpiled，Ifthyprotectionhoverthere。
Themurkycavern’sheavyairShallbreatheofbalmifthouhastsmiled；
Then，Maiden！hearamaiden’sprayer，Mother，listasuppliantchild！
AveMaria！
Ave。Maria！stainlessstyled！
Fouldemonsoftheearthandair，Fromthistheirwontedhauntexiled，Shallfleebeforethypresencefair。
Webowustoourlotofcare，Beneaththyguidancereconciled：
Hearforamaidamaiden’sprayer，Andforafatherhearachild！
AveMaria！
XXX。
Diedontheharptheclosinghymn，——
Unmovedinattitudeandlimb，Aslisteningstill，Clan—Alpine’slordStoodleaningonhisheavysword，UntilthepagewithhumblesignTwicepointedtothesun’sdecline。
Thenwhilehisplaidheroundhimcast，’Itisthelasttime——’tisthelast，’
Hemutteredthrice，——’thelasttimee’erThatangel—voiceshallRoderickhear’’
Itwasagoadingthought，——hisstrideHiedhastierdownthemountain—side；
SullenheflunghimintheboatAninstant’crossthelakeitshot。
Theylandedinthatsilverybay，AndeastwardheldtheirhastywayTill，withthelatestbeamsoflight，ThebandarrivedonLanrickheight’
WheremusteredinthevalebelowClan—Alpine’smeninmartialshow。
XXXI。
Avariousscenetheclansmenmade：
Somesat，somestood，someslowlystrayer）：
Butmost，withmantlesfoldedround，Werecouchedtorestupontheground，ScarcetobeknownbycuriouseyeFromthedeepheatherwheretheylie，SowellwasmatchedthetartanscreenWithheath—belldarkandbrackensgreen；
Unlesswhere，hereandthere，abladeOrlance’spointaglimmermade，Likeglow—wormtwinklingthroughtheshade。
Butwhen，advancingthroughthegloom，TheysawtheChieftain’seagleplume，Theirshoutofwelcome，shrillandwide，Shookthesteepmountain’ssteadyside。
Thriceitarose，andlakeandfellThreetimesreturnedthemartialyell；
ItdieduponBochastle’splain，AndSilenceclaimedhereveningreign。
CANTOFOURTH。
TheProphecy。
I。
Theroseisfairestwhen’tisbuddingnew，Andhopeisbrightestwhenitdawnsfromfears；
TheroseissweetestwashedwithmorningdewAndloveisloveliestwhenembalmedintears。
Owildingrose，whomfancythusendears，Ibidyourblossomsinmybonnetwave，Emblemofhopeandlovethroughfutureyears！’
ThusspokeyoungNorman，heirofArmandave，WhattimethesunaroseonVennachar’sbroadwave。
II。
Suchfondconceit，halfsaid，halfsung，Lovepromptedtothebridegroom’stongue。
Allwhilehestrippedthewild—rosespray，Hisaxeandbowbesidehimlay，Foronapass’twixtlakeandwoodAwakefulsentinelhestood。
Hark！——ontherockafootsteprung，Andinstanttohisarmshesprung。
’Stand，orthoudiest！——What，Malise？——soonArtthoureturnedfromBraesofDoune。
BythykeenstepandglanceIknow，Thoubring’stustidingsofthefoe。’——
ForwhiletheFieryCrosstriedon，OndistantscouthadMalisegone。——
’WheresleepstheChief？’thehenchmansaid。
’Apart，inyondermistyglade；
TohislonecouchI’llbeyourguide。’——
Thencalledaslumbererbyhisside，Andstirredhimwithhisslackenedbow，——
’Up，up，Glentarkin！rousethee，ho！
WeseektheChieftain；onthetrackKeepeaglewatchtillIcomeback。’
III。
Togetherupthepasstheysped：
’Whatofthefoeman？’Normansaid。——
’Varyingreportsfromnearandfar；
Thiscertain，——thatabandofwarHasfortwodaysbeenreadyboune，AtpromptcommandtomarchfromDoune；
KingJamesthewhile，withprincelypowers，HoldsrevelryinStirlingtowers。
SoonwillthisdarkandgatheringcloudSpeakonourglensinthunderloud。
Inuredtobidesuchbitterbout，Thewarrior’splaidmaybearitout；
But，Norman，howwiltthouprovideAshelterforthybonnybride？’’——
’What！knowyenotthatRoderick’scareTotheloneislehathcausedrepairEachmaidandmatronoftheclan，AndeverychildandagedmanUnfitforarms；andgivenhischarge，Norskiffnorshallop，boatnorbarge，Upontheselakesshallfloatatlarge，Butallbesidetheisletmoor，Thatsuchdearpledgemayrestsecure？’——
IV。
’’Tiswelladvised，——theChieftain’splanBespeaksthefatherofhisclan。
ButwhereforesleepsSirRoderickDhuApartfromallhisfollowerstrue？’
’Itisbecauselastevening—tideBriananauguryhathtried，OfthatdreadkindwhichmustnotbeUnlessindreadextremity，TheTaghairmcalled；bywhich，afar，Oursiresforesawtheeventsofwar。
Duncraggan’smilk—whitebulltheyslew，’——
Malise。
’Ah！wellthegallantbruteIknew！
ThechoicestofthepreywehadWhensweptourmerrymenGallangad。
Hishidewassnow，hishornsweredark，Hisredeyeglowedlikefieryspark；
Sofierce，sotameless，andsofleet，Soredidhecumberourretreat，Andkeptourstoutestkernsinawe，EvenatthepassofBeal’maha。
Butsteepandflintywastheroad，Andsharpthehurryingpikeman’sgoad，AndwhenwecametoDennan’sRowAchildmightscathlessstrokehisbrow。’
V。
Norman。
’Thatbullwasslain；hisreekinghideTheystretchedthecataractbeside，WhosewaterstheirwildtumulttossAdowntheblackandcraggybossOfthathugecliffwhoseamplevergeTraditioncallstheHero’sTarge。
Couchedonashelfbeneathitsbrink，Closewherethethunderingtorrentssink，Rockingbeneaththeirheadlongsway，Anddrizzledbytheceaselessspray，Midstgroanofrockandroarofstream，Thewizardwaitspropheticdream。
NordistantreststheChief；——buthush！
See，glidingslowthroughmistandbush，Thehermitgainsyonrock，andstandsTogazeuponourslumberingbands。
Seemshenot，Malise，dikeaghost，Thathoverso’eraslaughteredhost？
Orravenontheblastedoak，That，watchingwhilethedeerisbroke，Hismorselclaimswithsullencroak？’
Malise。
’Peace！peace！tootherthantomeThywordswereevilaugury；
ButstillIholdSirRoderick’sbladeClan—Alpine’somenandheraid，Notaughtthat，gleanedfromheavenorhell，Yonfiend—begottenMonkcantell。
TheChieftainjoinshim，see——andnowTogethertheydescendthebrow。’
VI。
And，astheycame，withAlpine’sLordTheHermitMonkheldsolemnword：——。
’Roderick！itisafearfulstrife，FormanendowedwithmortallifeWhoseshroudofsentientclaycanstillFeelfeverishpangandfaintingchill，WhoseeyecanstareinstonytranceWhosehaircanrouselikewarrior’slance，’Tishardforsuchtoview，unfurled，Thecurtainofthefutureworld。
Yet，witnesseveryquakinglimb，Mysunkenpulse，mineeyeballsdim，Mysoulwithharrowinganguishtorn，ThisformyChieftainhaveIborne！——
TheshapesthatsoughtmyfearfulcouchAhumantonguemayne’eravouch；
Nomortalman——savehe，who，bredBetweenthelivingandthedead，Isgiftedbeyondnature’slawHade’ersurvivedtosayhesaw。
AtlengththefatefulanswercameIncharactersoflivingflame！
Notspokeinword，norblazedinscroll，Butborneandbrandedonmysoul：——
WHICHSPILLSTHEFOREMOSTFOEMAN’SLIFE，THATPARTYCONQUERSINTHESTRIFE。’
VII。
’Thanks，Brian，forthyzealandcare！
Goodisshineaugury，andfair。
Clan—Alpinene’erinbattlestoodButfirstourbroadswordstastedblood。
AsurervictimstillIknow，Self—offeredtotheauspiciousblow：
Aspyhassoughtmylandthismorn，——
Noeveshallwitnesshisreturn！
Myfollowersguardeachpass’smouth，Toeast，towestward，andtosouth；
RedMurdoch，bribedtobehisguide，Haschargetoleadhisstepsaside，TillindeeppathordinglebrownHelightonthoseshallbringhimclown。
Butsee，whocomeshisnewstoshow！
Malise！whattidingsofthefoe？’
VIII。
’AtDoune，o’ermanyaspearandglaiveTwoBaronsproudtheirbannerswave。
IsawtheMoray’ssilverstar，AndmarkedthesablepaleofMar。’
’ByAlpine’ssoul，hightidingsthose！
Ilovetohearofworthyfoes。
Whenmovetheyon？’’To—morrow’snoonWillseethemhereforbattleboune。’
’Thenshallitseeameetingstern！
But，fortheplace，——say，couldstthoulearnNoughtofthefriendlyclansofEarn？
Strengthenedbythem，wewellmightbideThebattleonBenledi’sside。
Thoucouldstnot？——well！Clan—Alpine’smenShallmantheTrosachs’shaggyglen；
WithinLochKatrine’sgorgewe’llfight，Allinourmaids’andmatrons’sight，Eachforhishearthandhouseholdfire，Fatherforchild，andsonforsireLoverformaidbeloved！——ButwhyIsitthebreezeaffectsmineeye？
Ordostthoucome，ill—omenedtear！
Amessengerofdoubtorfear？
No！soonermaytheSaxonlanceUnfixBenledifromhisstance，ThandoubtorterrorcanpiercethroughTheunyieldingheartofRoderickDhu！
’tisstubbornashistrustytarge。
Eachtohispost！——allknowtheircharge。’
Thepibrochsounds，thebandsadvance，Thebroadswordsgleam，thebannersdance’
ObedienttotheChieftain’sglance。——
IturnmefromthemartialroarAndseekCoir—Uriskinoncemore。
IX。
WhereistheDouglas？——heisgone；
AndEllensitsonthegraystoneFastbythecave，andmakeshermoan，WhilevainlyAllan’swordsofcheerArepouredonherunheedingear。
’Hewillreturn——dearlady，trust！——
Withjoyreturn；——hewill——hemust。
WellwasittimetoseekafarSomerefugefromimpendingwar，Whene’enClan—Alpine’sruggedswarmArecowedbytheapproachingstorm。
Isawtheirboatswithmanyalight，Floatingthelivelongyesternight，ShiftinglikeflashesdartedforthBytheredstreamersofthenorth；
Imarkedatmornhowclosetheyride，Thickmooredbytheloneislet’sside，LikewildduckscouchinginthefenWhenstoopsthehawkupontheglen。
SincethisruderacedarenotabideTheperilonthemainlandside，Shallnotthynoblefather’scareSomesaferetreatfortheeprepare？’
X。
Ellen。
’No，Allan，no’PretextsokindMywakefulterrorscouldnotblind。
Wheninsuchtendertone，yetgrave，Douglasapartingblessinggave，ThetearthatglistenedinhiseyeDrownednothispurposefixedandhigh。
Mysoul，thoughfeminineandweak，Canimagehis；e’enasthelake，Itselfdisturbedbyslighteststroke。
Reflectstheinvulnerablerock。
Hehearsreportofbattlerife，Hedeemshimselfthecauseofstrife。
IsawhimreddenwhenthethemeTurned，Allan，onshineidledreamOfMalcolmGraemeinfettersbound，WhichI，thousaidst，abouthimwound。
Think’stthouhebowedshineomenaught？
Ono’’twasapprehensivethoughtForthekindyouth，——forRodericktoo——
Letmebejust——thatfriendsotrue；
Indangerboth，andinourcause！
Minstrel，theDouglasdarenotpause。
Whyelsethatsolemnwarninggiven，’Ifnotonearth，wemeetinheaven！’
Whyelse，toCambus—kenneth’sfane，Ifevereturnhimnotagain，AmItohieandmakemeknown？
Alas！hegoestoScotland’sthrone，Buyshisfriends’safetywithhisown；
Hegoestodo——whatIhaddone，HadDouglas’daughterbeenhisson！’
XI。
’Nay，lovelyEllen！——dearest，nay！
Ifaughtshouldhisreturndelay，HeonlynamedyonholyfaneAsfittingplacetomeetagain。
Besurehe’ssafe；andfortheGraeme，——
Heaven’sblessingonhisgallantname！——
Myvisionedsightmayyetprovetrue，Norbodeofilltohimoryou。
Whendidmygifteddreambeguile？
Thinkofthestrangerattheisle，AndthinkupontheharpingsslowThatpresagedthisapproachingwoe！
Soothwasmyprophecyoffear；
Believeitwhenitaugurscheer。
Wouldwehadleftthisdismalspot！
Illluckstillhauntsafairyspot！
OfsuchawondroustaleIknow——
Dearlady，changethatlookofwoe，Myharpwaswontthygrieftocheer。’
Ellen。
’Well，beitasthouwilt；
Ihear，Butcannotstoptheburstingtear。’
TheMinstreltriedhissimpleart，RutdistantfarwasEllen’sheart。
XII。
Ballad。
AliceBrand。
Merryitisinthegoodgreenwood，Whenthemavisandmerlearesinging，Whenthedeersweepsby，andthehoundsareincry，Andthehunter’shornisringing。
’OAliceBrand，mynativelandIslostforloveofyou；
Andwemustholdbywoodandword，Asoutlawswonttodo。
’OAlice，’twasallforthylockssobright，And’twasallforshineeyessoblue，ThatonthenightofourlucklessflightThybrotherboldIslew。
’NowmustIteachtohewthebeechThehandthatheldtheglaive，Forleavestospreadourlowlybed，Andstakestofenceourcave。
’Andforvestofpall，thyfingerssmall，Thatwontonharptostray，Acloakmustshearfromtheslaughtereddeer，Tokeepthecoldaway。’
’ORichard！ifmybrotherdied，’Twasbutafatalchance；
Fordarklingwasthebattletried，Andfortunespedthelance。
’IfpallandvairnomoreIwear，NorthouthecrimsonsheenAswarm，we’llsay，istherussetgray，Asgaytheforest—green。
’And，Richard，ifourlotbehard，Andlostthynativeland，StillAlicehasherownRichard，AndhehisAliceBrand。’
XIII。
BalladContinued。
’tismerry，’tismerry，ingoodgreenwood；
SoblitheLadyAliceissinging；
Onthebeech’spride，andoak’sbrownside，LordRichard’saxeisringing。
UpspokethemoodyElfinKing，Whowonedwithinthehill，——
Likewindintheporchofaruinedchurch，Hisvoicewasghostlyshrill。
’Whysoundsyonstrokeonbeechandoak，Ourmoonlightcircle’sscreen？
Orwhocomesheretochasethedeer，BelovedofourElfinQueen？
OrwhomaydareonwoldtowearThefairies’fatalgreen？
’Up，Urgan，up！toyonmortalhie，Forthouwertchristenedman；
Forcrossorsignthouwiltnotfly，Formutteredwordorban。
’Layonhimthecurseofthewitheredheart，Thecurseofthesleeplesseye；
Tillhewishandpraythathislifewouldpart，Noryetfindleavetodie。’
XIV。
BalladContinued。
’Tismerry，’tismerry，ingoodgreenwood，Thoughthebirdshavestilledtheirsinging；
TheeveningblazeclothAliceraise，AndRichardisfagotsbringing。
UpUrganstarts，thathideousdwarf，BeforeLordRichardstands，And，ashecrossedandblessedhimself，’Ifearnotsign，’quoththegrislyelf，’Thatismadewithbloodyhands。’
Butoutthenspokeshe，AliceBrand，Thatwomanvoidoffear，——
’Andifthere’sblooduponhishand，’Tisbutthebloodofdeer。’
’Nowloudthouliest，thouboldofmood！
Itcleavesuntohishand，Thestainofshineownkindlyblood，ThebloodofEthertBrand。’
Thenforwardsteppedshe，AliceBrand，Andmadetheholysign，——
’Andifthere’sbloodonRichard’shand，Aspotlesshandismine。
’AndIconjurethee，demonelf，ByHimwhomdemonsfear，Toshowuswhencethouartthyself，Andwhatshineerrandhere？’
XV。
BalladContinued。
"Tismerry，’tismerry，inFairy—land，Whenfairybirdsaresinging，Whenthecourtclothridebytheirmonarch’sside，Withbitandbridleringing：
’AndgaylyshinestheFairy—land——
Butallisglisteningshow，LiketheidlegleamthatDecember’sbeamCandartoniceandsnow。
’Andfading，likethatvariedgleam，Isourinconstantshape，Whonowlikeknightandladyseem，Andnowlikedwarfandape。
’Itwasbetweenthenightandday，WhentheFairyKinghaspower，ThatIsunkdowninasinfulfray，And’twixtlifeanddeathwassnatchedawayTothejoylessElfinbower。
’ButwistIofawomanbold，Whothricemybrowdurstsign，Imightregainmymortalmould，Asfairaformasthine。’
Shecrossedhimonce——shecrossedhimtwice——
Thatladywassobrave；
Thefoulergrewhisgoblinhue，Thedarkergrewthecave。
Shecrossedhimthrice，thatladybold；
HerosebeneathherhandThefairestknightonScottishmould，Herbrother，EthertBrand！
Merryitisingoodgreenwood，Whenthemavisandmerlearesinging，ButmerrierweretheyinDunfermlinegray，Whenallthebellswereringing。
XVI。
Justastheminstrelsoundswerestayed，Astrangerclimbedthesteepyglade；
Hismartialstep，hisstatelymien，Hishunting—suitofLincolngreen，Hiseagleglance，remembranceclaims——
’TisSnowdoun’sKnight，’tisJamesFitz—James。
Ellenbeheldasinadream，Then，starting，scarcesuppressedascream：
’Ostranger！insuchhouroffearWhatevilhaphasbroughttheehere？’
’AnevilhaphowcanitbeThatbidsmelookagainonthee？
Bypromisebound，myformerguideMetmebetimesthismorning—tide，AndmarshalledoverbankandbourneThehappypathofmyreturn。’
’Thehappypath！——what！saidhenaughtOfwar，ofbattletobefought，Ofguardedpass？’’No，bymyfaith！
NorsawIaughtcouldaugurscathe。’
’Ohastethee，Allan，tothekern：
YonderhistartarsIdiscern；
Learnthouhispurpose，andconjureThathewillguidethestrangersure！——
Whatpromptedthee，unhappyman？
ThemeanestserfinRoderick’sclanHadnotbeenbribed，byloveorfear，Unknowntohimtoguidetheehere。’
XVII。
’SweetEllen，dearmylifemustbe，Sinceitisworthycarefromthee；
etlifeIholdbutidlebreathWhenloveorhonor’sweighedwithdeath。
Thenletmeprofitbymychance，Andspeakmypurposeboldatonce。
IcometobeartheefromawildWherene’erbeforesuchblossomsmiled，BythissofthandtoleadtheefarFromfranticscenesoffeudandwar。
NearBochastlemyhorseswait；
TheybearussoontoStirlinggate。
I’llplacetheeinalovelybower，I’llguardtheelikeatenderflower——’
’Ohush，SirKnight！’twerefemaleart，TosayIdonotreadthyheart；
Toomuch，before，myselfishearWasidlysoothedmypraisetohear。
Thatfatalbaithathluredtheeback，Indeathfulhour，o’erdangeroustrack；
Andhow，Ohow，canIatoneThewreckmyvanitybroughton！——
Onewayremains——I’lltellhimall——
Yes！strugglingbosom，forthitshall！
Thou，whoselightfollybearstheblame，Buyshineownpardonwiththyshame！
Butfirst——myfatherisamanOutlawedandexiled，underban；
Thepriceofbloodisonhishead，Withme’twereinfamytowed。
Stillwouldstthouspeak？——thenhearthetruth！
Fitz—James，thereisanobleyouth——
Ifyetheis！——exposedformeAndminetodreadextremity——
Thouhastthesecretofmybears；
Forgive，begenerous，anddepart！’