which the caprice, rather than the judgment, of the public, had bestowed upon me, and preferred being deprived of my precedence by some more worthy rival, to sinking into contempt for my indolence, and losing my reputation by what Scottish lawyers call the negative prescription. Accordingly, those who choose to look at the Introduction to Rokeby will be able to trace the steps by which I declined as a poet to figure as a novelist; as the ballad says, “Queen Eleanor sunk at Charing Cross to rise again at Queenhithe."

It only remains for me to say, that, during my short preeminence of popularity, I faithfully observed the rules of moderation which I had resolved to follow before I began my course as a man of letters. If a man is determined to make a noise in the world, he is as sure to encounter abuse and ridicule, as he who gallops furiously through a village must reckon on being followed by the curs in full cry. Experienced persons know, that in stretching to flog the latter, the rider is very apt to catch a bad fall; nor is an attempt to chastise a malignant critic attended with less danger to the author. On this principle, I let parody, burlesque, and squibs find their own level; and while the latter hissed most fiercely I was cautious never to catch them up, as schoolboys do to throw them back against the naughty boy who fired them off, wisely remembering that they are, in such cases, apt to explode in the handling. Let me add, that my reign (since Byron has so called it) was marked by some instances of good nature as well as patience. I never refused a literary person of merit such services in smoothing his

1"Sir Walter reigned before me," etc.

- Don Juan, Canto XI. Stanza 57.

1

way to the public as were in my power; and I had the advantage, rather an uncommon one with our irritable race, to enjoy general favor, without incurring permanent ill will, so far as is known to me, among any of my contemporaries.

ABBOTSFORD, April, 1830.

W. S.

SYNOPSIS

The events narrated in The Lady of the Lake are supposed to occupy six days; the poem is composed of six cantos, and each canto describes a day's incidents.

CANTO I. The Chase.-The story opens with a description of the chase, by a knight of Snowdoun, James FitzJames, and his companions, of a stag started in Glenartney, and which is followed across the heaths of Uam-Var, through Cambus-more, over Bochastle Heath, across the Teith, past Loch Vennachar and Achray, into the depths of the Trosachs. Here the stag disappears from view, and, in pursuing it, "the gallant horse," on which the knight is mounted, falls dead from exhaustion. There is a description of the Trosachs, in seeking an outlet from which Fitz-James comes upon Loch Katrine as the sun is setting. Blowing his horn with the view of bringing up some of his companions, he sees Ellen, who supposes it to be her father, row over from an islet opposite. Fitz-James, telling of his "benighted road," is invited to the island.

CANTO II. The Island. The story is continued by a description of the departure of Fitz-James next morning, and of the arrival at the island, first of Sir Roderick Dhu, chief of Clan-Alpine, and next of Lord Douglas and Malcolm Græme, "a noble youth," favored by Ellen. In the evening Sir Roderick, who has heard of the king's intention to invade the Highlands, and who hopes that

by linking his fortunes to the House of Douglas friends and allies will flock to the united standard, asks the hand of Ellen. Douglas refuses. The deep disappointment of Roderick Dhu at length finds vent in a jealous quarrel with Græme. Douglas interposes, and Græme leaves the island.

CANTO III. The Gathering.—Sir Roderick, after solemn ritual, consisting in the preparation of the Fiery Cross, sends that dread symbol by swift messengers through the district over which he is acknowledged chief, summoning his clan to instant muster on "Lanrick mead." Douglas and his daughter have meanwhile withdrawn from Loch Katrine to a hollow called Coir-nan-Uriskin, or the Goblincave, in the side of Benvenue. They are accompanied by their aged minstrel, Allan-bane.

CANTO IV. The Prophecy.—The canto opens with an account of the Taghairm, an augury said to be tried only in time of great extremity. Fitz-James again visits Ellen and proposes to take her to Stirling. She refuses. He gives her a ring, on presenting which to the king of Scotland her suit will be favored. On his return FitzJames is led astray by a treacherous Highland guide, and night finds him a wanderer among the hills. As he journeys on he suddenly comes on a watch fire and a plaided mountaineer, who demands “his name and purpose." Ultimately, the Highlander promises to conduct him "past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard."

CANTO V. The Combat. - The narrative of the fifth day's adventures opens with a dialogue between FitzJames and the mountaineer, who, stung by Saxon accusations, discloses himself as Roderick Dhu. He whistles and the hillside suddenly appears to be alive with men, who, at the signal, instantly spring from the ground.

Having led the knight of Snowdoun beyond the bounds of Clan-Alpine, he challenges him to single combat at Coilantogle Ford.” Roderick Dhu is worsted and wounded. Fitz-James blows his horn; four mounted squires appear with a saddled steed, on which two of them are commanded to place the wounded chief and to take him to Stirling Castle. Fitz-James and the other two ride on. On reaching Stirling, Fitz-James recognizes the form of Douglas, who has come to surrender himself. It is the day of the "burghers' sports," at which the king must be present. Douglas joins in the athletic exercises,

in which he excels.

Ellen and Allan-bane

CANTO VI. The Guard-room. arrive at the castle, the former to ask audience of the king. The minstrel is conducted to the room where Roderick Dhu lies dying. Roderick inquires as to the results of the battle which had meanwhile taken place in the Trosachs, between his clan and the royal troops. As the minstrel describes the battle of Beal-an-Duine, and shows how, although the engagement was nobly fought by Clan-Alpine, the advantage lay with the royal forces, "Stout Roderick Dhu" expires. Fitz-James conducts Ellen to the room where the king is holding court. On looking round she sees every one uncovered except FitzJames, and discovers,

"That Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King."

Douglas is restored to the royal favor, and Ellen is united to Malcolm Græme.