CANTO SECOND THE ISLAND I. Ar morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, And while yon little bark glides down the bay, 5 Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel gray, And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, Mixed with the sounding harp, O white-haired Allan-bane! 4. reviving . . . reviving. The first reviving is the infinitive, complement of feel; the second reviving is the participle, qualifying day. 7. roused. Past tense; while glides, in the dependent clause of time, is present tense. a minstrel gray. The Highland chieftains retained, to a late period, a bard or minstrel in their service, as a family officer. He had frequently intrusted to him the education of the children of his chief. He celebrated in verse the triumphs of the clan, and sang these effusions for the entertainment of the lord and his guests. Originally these bards held a position of honor, and were much respected; but as their calling was generally exercised over their cups, and often in low company, the office gradually fell into disrepute. II. SONG 'Not faster yonder rowers' might Flings from their oars the spray, Not faster yonder rippling bright, That tracks the shallop's course in light, Than men from memory erase The benefits of former days; Then, stranger, go! good speed the while, Nor think again of the lonely isle. 'High place to thee in royal court, High place in battled line, Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport! Where beauty sees the brave resort, The honored meed be thine! True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, And lost in love's and friendship's smile III. SONG CONTINUED 'But if beneath yon southern sky A plaided stranger roam, Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, And sunken cheek and heavy eye, Pine for his Highland home; 23. meed, reward. 10 15 20 25 30 Then, warrior, then be thine to show The care that soothes a wanderer's woe; A stranger in the lonely isle. 'Or if on life's uncertain main Mishap shall mar thy sail; If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, Beneath the fickle gale; Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, On thankless courts, or friends estranged, But come where kindred worth shall smile, IV. As died the sounds upon the tide, The shallop reached the mainland side, His reverend brow was raised to heaven, As from the rising sun to claim A sparkle of inspiring flame. 35. hap, lot; fortune. 37. main, sea. 35 40 45 50 55 Seemed watching the awakening fire; So still, as life itself were fled 60 In the last sound his harp had sped. 65 V. Upon a rock with lichens wild, While her vexed spaniel from the beach Perchance the maiden smiled to see VI. While yet he loitered on the spot, 66. lichens, a kind of grayish moss. 70 75 80 But when he turned him to the glade, 'Thy Malcolm! vain and selfish maid!' On the smooth phrase of Southern tongue; Pour forth the glory of the Græme!' 85 90 95 100 105 109. Græme. "The ancient and powerful family of Graham (which, for metrical reasons, is here spelt after the Scottish pronunciation) held extensive possessions in the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families can boast of more historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable |