Clan-Alpine ne'er in battle stood,

But first our broad-swords tasted blood.

A surer victim still I know,

Self-offer'd to the auspicious blow:

A spy has sought my land this morn,-
No eve shall witness his return!

My followers guard each pass's mouth,
To east, to westward, and to south;
Red Murdoch, bribed to be his guide,
Has charge to lead his steps aside,

Till, in deep path or dingle brown,

He light on those shall bring him down.

-But who comes his

see,

news to show !

Malise! what tidings of the foe ?"—

VIII.

"At Doune, o'er many a spear and glaive,

Two Barons proud their banners wave.

I saw the Moray's silver star,

And mark'd the sable pale of Mar.”

"By Alpine's soul, high tidings those!

I love to hear of worthy foes.

When move they on ?"" To-morrow's noon

Will see them here for battle boune.”

"Then shall it see a meeting stern!

But, for the place say, couldst thou learn
Nought of the friendly clans of Earn?
Strengthen'd by them, we well might bide
The battle on Benledi's side.

Thou couldst not ?-well! Clan Alpine's men
Shall man the Trosach's shaggy glen;
Within Loch-Katrine's gorge we'll fight,

All in our maids' and matrons' sight,
Each for his hearth and household fire,
Father for child, and son for sire,-
Lover for maid beloved!—but why-

Is it the breeze affects mine eye?
Or dost thou come, ill-omen'd tear!

A messenger of doubt or fear?

No! sooner may the Saxon lance
Unfix Benledi from his stance,

Than doubt or terror can pierce through

The unyielding heart of Roderick Dhu!
"Tis stubborn as his trusty targe.—

Each to his post!—all know their charge.”-
The pibroch sounds, the bands advance,
The broad-swords gleam, the banners dance,
Obedient to the Chieftain's glance.

-I turn me from the martial roar,

And seek Coir-Uriskin once more.

IX.

Where is the Douglas ?-he is gone;
And Ellen sits on the grey stone

Fast by the cave, and makes her moan;
While vainly Allan's words of cheer

Are pour'd on her unheeding car.-
“He will return-Dear lady, trust !—
With joy return ;—he will-he must.
Well was it time to seek, afar,

Some refuge from impending war,

When e'en Clan-Alpine's rugged swarm

Are cow'd by the approaching storm.

I saw their boats, with many a light,
Floating the live-long yesternight,
Shifting like flashes darted forth
By the red streamers of the north;
I mark'd at morn how close they ride,
Thick moor'd by the lone islet's side,
Like wild ducks couching in the fen,
When stoops the hawk upon the glen.

Since this rude race dare not abide

The peril on the main-land side,

Shall not thy noble father's care

Some safe retreat for thee prepare ?”

X.

ELLEN.

"No, Allan, no! Pretext so kind

My wakeful terrors could not blind.

When in such tender tone, yet grave,

Douglas a parting blessing gave,

The tear that glisten'd in his eye
Drown'd not his purpose fix'd and high.
My soul, though feminine and weak,
Can image his; e'en as the lake,

Itself disturb'd by slightest stroke,

Reflects the invulnerable rock.

He hears report of battle rife,

He deems himself the cause of strife.

I saw him redden, when the theme
Turn'd, Allan, on thine idle dream,

Of Malcolm Græme in fetters bound,
Which I, thou said'st, about him wound.
Think'st thou he trow'd thine omen aught?
Oh no! 'twas apprehensive thought

For the kind youth,-for Roderick too→→→ (Let me be just) that friend so true; In danger both, and in our cause!

Minstrel, the Douglas dare not pause.