essay, illustrative of that constitution and those tendencies of human nature which make the apparently motiveless actions of bad men intelligible to careful observers. This was partly done with reference to the character of Oswald, and his persevering endeavour to lead the man he disliked into so heinous a crime; but still more to preserve in my distinct remembrance, what I had observed of transitions in character, and the reflections I had been led to make, during the time I was a witness of the changes through which the French Revolution passed.— I. F.]

The Borderers was first published in the 1842 edition of "Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years." In 1845, it was placed in the class of "Poems written in Youth."—ED.

THE Troop will be impatient; let us hie
Back to our post, and strip the Scottish Foray
Of their rich Spoil, ere they recross the Border.
-Pity that our young Chief will have no part
In this good service.

WALLACE

Rather let us grieve

That, in the undertaking which has caused
His absence, he hath sought, whate'er his aim,
Companionship with One of crooked ways,
From whose perverted soul can come no good
To our confiding, open-hearted, Leader.

LACY

True; and, remembering how the Band have proved
That Oswald finds small favour in our sight,
Well may we wonder he has gained such power
Over our much-loved Captain.

WALLACE

I have heard

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Of some dark deed to which in early life
His passion drove him—then a Voyager
Upon the midland Sea. You knew his bearing
In Palestine ?

LACY

Where he despised alike Mohammedan and Christian. But enough; Let us begone-the Band may else be foiled.

Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED

WILFRED

Be cautious, my dear Master!

MARMADUKE

I perceive

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[Exeunt.

That fear is like a cloak which old men huddle

About their love, as if to keep it warm.

WILFRED

Nay, but I grieve that we should part.
For such he is——

This Stranger,

MARMADUKE

Your busy fancies, Wilfred,

Might tempt me to a smile; but what of him?

WILFRED

You know that you have saved his life.

MARMADUKE

WILFRED

I know it.

And that he hates you!—Pardon me, perhaps

That word was hasty.

MARMADUKE

Fy! no more of it.

WILFRED

Dear Master! gratitude's a heavy burden

To a proud Soul.-Nobody loves this Oswald-
Yourself, you do not love him.

MARMADUKE

I do more,

I honour him. Strong feelings to his heart

Are natural; and from no one can be learnt

More of man's thoughts and ways than his experience 35 Has given him power to teach: and then for courage And enterprise-what perils hath he shunned?

What obstacles hath he failed to overcome?

Answer these questions, from our common knowledge, And be at rest.

WILFRED

Oh, Sir!

MARMADUKE

Peace, my good Wilfred; 40

Repair to Liddesdale, and tell the Band

I shall be with them in two days, at farthest.

WILFRED

May He whose eye is over all protect you!

[Exit.

Enter OSWALD (a bunch of plants in his hand)

OSWALD

This wood is rich in plants and curious simples.

MARMADUKE (looking at them)

The wild rose, and the poppy, and the nightshade:
Which is your favorite, Oswald ?

OSWALD

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That which, while it is

Strong to destroy, is also strong to heal—

[Looking forward.

Not yet in sight !—We'll saunter here awhile;
They cannot mount the hill, by us unseen.

MARMADUKE (a letter in his hand)

It is no common thing when one like you
Performs these delicate services, and therefore
I feel myself much bounden to you, Oswald;
'Tis a strange letter this!—You saw her write it?

OSWALD

And saw the tears with which she blotted it.

MARMADUKE

And nothing less would satisfy him?

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For that another in his Child's affection
Should hold a place, as if 'twere robbery,
He seemed to quarrel with the very thought.
Besides, I know not what strange prejudice
Is rooted in his mind; this Band of ours,
Which you've collected for the noblest ends,

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Along the confines of the Esk and Tweed

To guard the Innocent-he calls us "Outlaws";
And, for yourself, in plain terms he asserts
This garb was taken up that indolence

Might want no cover, and rapacity

Be better fed.

MARMADUKE

Ne'er may I own the heart

That cannot feel for one, helpless as he is.

OSWALD

Thou know'st me for a Man not easily moved,
Yet was I grievously provoked to think

MARMADUKE

Would it were possible!

Did not the Soldier tell thee that himself,
And others who survived the wreck, beheld
The Baron Herbert perish in the waves
Upon the coast of Cyprus?

OSWALD

Yes, even so,

And I had heard the like before: in sooth
The tale of this his quondam Barony
Is cunningly devised; and, on the back
Of his forlorn appearance, could not fail
To make the proud and vain his tributaries,
And stir the pulse of lazy charity.
The seignories of Herbert are in Devon;

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