"And I conjure thee, demon elf, XV. BALLAD CONTINUED. ""T is merry, 't is merry, in Fairy-land, When fairy birds are singing, When the court doth ride by their monarch's side, With bit and bridle ringing : "And gayly shines the fairy-land But all is glistening show, Like the idle gleam that December's beam Can dart on ice and snow. "And fading, like that varied gleam, Who now like knight and lady seem, "It was between the night and day, That I sunk down in a sinful fray, "But wist I of a woman bold, Who thrice my brow durst sign, I might regain my mortal mould, As fair a form as thine." She crossed him thrice, that lady bold; The fairest knight on Scottish mould, Her brother, Ethert Brand! Merry it is in good greenwood, When the mavis and merle are singing, But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray, When all the bells were ringing. XVI. Just as the minstrel sounds were stayed, His hunting-suit of Lincoln green, His eagle glance, remembrance claims 'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, 't is James Fitz-James. Ellen beheld as in a dream, Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream "O stranger! in such hour of fear What evil hap has brought thee here?" That bids me look again on thee? And marshalled over bank and bourne "The happy path!-what! said he nought Of war, of battle to be fought, Of guarded pass?" "No, by my faith! Learn thou his purpose, and conjure XVII. "Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be, Since it is worthy care from thee; Yet life I hold but idle breath When love or honor's weighed with death. And speak my purpose bold at once. دو Where ne'er before such blossom smiled, Yes! struggling bosom, forth it shall ! The price of blood is on his head, With me 't were infamy to wed. Still wouldst thou speak? — then hear the truth! Fitz-James, there is a noble youth If yet he is!-exposed for me |