XXXVII. Then spoke abrupt: "Farewell to thee, The Minstrel's hand he kindly press'd, - Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him nought, CANTO THIRD. The Gathering. I. TIME rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore,1 Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, To sweep them from our sight! Time rolls his ceaseless course. Yet live there still who can remember well, 1 There are no separate introductions to the cantos of this poem; but each of them begins with one or two stanzas in the measure of Spenser, usually containing some reflections connected with the subject about to be entered on; and written, for the most part, with great tenderness and beauty. The following, we think, is among the most striking. — JEF FREY. A And solitary heath, the signal knew; And fast the faithful clan around him drew, What time the warning note was keenly wound, What time aloft their kindred banner flew, While clamorous war-pipes yell'd the gathering sound, And while the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor round.1 II. The summer dawn's reflected hue To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; Just kiss'd the Lake, just stirr'd the trees, The mountain-shadows on her breast The lark sent down her revelry; The blackbird and the speckled thrush 1 See Appendix, Note F. |