GOR. Let it suffice, he was a man this morning.' And that huge mace still seen where war was wildest ! Grim chamberlain, who in my tent at Weardale, K. ED. As belted Knight and crowned King, I will. Sleep at his side, in token that our death Ended the feud of Swinton and of Gordon. K. ED. It is the Gordon !-Is there aught beside Edward can do to honour bravery, Even in an enemy? GOR. Nothing but this: Let not base Baliol, with his touch or look, [still, ! In his narrative of events on the day after the battle of Sheriffmuir, Sir Walter Scott says, "Amongst the gentlemen who fell on this occasion, were several on both sides, alike eminent for birth and character. The body of the gallant young Earl of Strathmore was found on the field watched by a faithful old domestic, who, being asked the name of the person whose body he waited upon with so much care, made this striking reply, 'He was a man yesterday.'”—Tales of a Grandfather. ? MS.-"Stood arm'd beside my couch," &c. | vour. "Halidon Hill, we understand, unlike the earlier poems of its author, has not been received into the ranks of popular faSach rumours, of course, have no effect on our critical judgment; but we cannot forbear saying, that, thinking as we 8 "The character of Swinton is obviously a favourite with do very highly of the spirit and taste with which an interestthe author, to which circumstance we are probably indebted ing tale is here sketched in natural and energetic verse, we for the strong relief in which it is given, and the perfect veri- are yet far from feeling surprised that the approbation, which. similitude which belongs to it. The stately commanding figure it is our pleasing duty to bestow, should not have been anticiof the veteran warrior, whom, by the illusion of his art, the au-pated by the ordinary readers of the work before us. It bears, thor has placed in veritable presentment before us;-his vene in truth, no great resemblance to the narrative poems from rable age, superior prowess, and intuitive decision;-the broils which Sir Walter Scott derived his first and high reputation, in which he had engaged, the misfortunes he had suffered, and and by which, for the present, his genius must be characterised. the intrepid fortitude with which he sustained them,-together It is wholly free from many of their most obvious faults-their with that rigorous control of temper, not to be shaken even by carelessness, their irregularity, and their inequality both of unmerited contumely and insult; these qualities, grouped conception and of execution; but it wants likewise no inconand embodied in one and the same character, render it morally siderable portion of their beauties-it has less 'pomp and cirimpossible that we should not at once sympathize and admire. cumstance,' less picturesque description, romantic association, The inherent force of his character is finely illustrated in the and chivalrous glitter, less sentiment and reflection, less pereffect produced upon Lord Gordon by the first appearance of haps of all their striking charms, with the single exception of the man who had made him fatherless.'"-Edinburgh Ma- that one redeeming and sufficing quality, which forms, in our gazine, July, 1822. view, the highest recommendation of all the author's works of imagination, their unaffected and unflagging VIGOUR. This perhaps, after all, is only saying, that we have before us a dramatic poem, instead of a metrical tale of romance, and that the author has had too much taste and discretion to bo dizen his scenes with inappropriate and encumbering ornament. There is, however, a class of readers of poetry, and a pretty large class, too, who have no relish for a work, however naturally and strongly the characters and incidents may be conceived and sustained-however appropriate and manly may be the imagery and diction-from which they cannot se lect any isolated passages to store in their memories or their commonplace books, to whisper into a lady's ear, or transcribe into a lady's album. With this tea-table and watering-place school of critics, 'Halidon Hill' must expect no favour; it has no rant-no mysticism—and, worst offence of all, no affecta. tion."—British Critic, October 1822. 4 A Venetian General, observing his soldiers testified some unwillingness to fight against those of the Pope, whom they regarded as father of the Church, addressed them in terms of similar encouragement,-"Fight on! we were Venetians before we were Christians." "It is generally the case that much expectation ends in disappointment. The free delineation of character in some of the recent Scottish Novels, and the admirable conversations Interspersed throughout them, raised hopes that, when a regular drama should be attempted by the person who was considered as their author, the success would be eminent. Its announcement, too, in a solemn and formal manner, did not diminish the interest of the public. The drama, however, which was expected, turns out to be in fact, and not only in name, merely a dramatic sketch, which is entirely deficient in plot, and contains but three characters, Swinton, Gordon, and MacDuff's Cross. INTRODUCTION. THESE few scenes had the honour to be included in a Miscellany, published in the year 1823, by Mrs. Joanna Baillie, and are here reprinted, to unite them with the trifles of the same kind which owe their birth to the author. The singular history of the Cross and Law of Clan MacDuff is given, at length enough to satisfy the keenest antiquary, in The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. It is here only necessary to state, that the Cross was a place of refuge to any person related to MacDuff, within the ninth degree, who, having committed homicide in sudden quarrel, should reach this place, prove his descent from the Thane of Fife, and pay a certain penalty. The shaft of the Cross was destroyed at the Reformation. The huge block of stone which served for its pedestal is still in existence near the town of Newburgh, on a kind of pass which commands the county of Fife to the southward, and to the north, the windings of the magnificent Tay and fertile country of Angus-shire. The Cross bore an inscription, which is transmitted to us in an unintelligible form by Sir Robert Sibbald. Some touch of strange enchantment.-Mark that fragment, I mean that rough-hewn block of massive stone, Shall render back their terrors with their woes, And accents which, once heard, the ear forgets not, Yet since thou wilt an idle tale of mine, Take one which scarcely is of worth enough To give or to withhold.-Our time creeps ou, Fancy grows colder as the silvery hair Tells the advancing winter of our life. But if it be of worth enough to please, That worth it owes to her who set the task; If otherwise, the fault rests with the author. They fell at strife, Enough, that from that time De Berkeley bore NIN. Here stands the Cross, good brother, conse- He hath return'd of late; and, therefore, brother, crated By the bold Thane unto his patron saint Scarcely within our sea-girt province here, [some. WAL. I spoke not of the literal path, good father, The Prior hath ordain'd our vigil here, WAL. What rights are these! NIN. Most true you are but newly come from Rome, And do not know our ancient usages. On the Highland hills Know then, when fell Macbeth beneath the arm NIN. 'Tis good morality.-But yet forget not, That though we look on heaven from this high eminence, Yet doth the Prince of all the airy space, Arch foe of man, possess the realms between. WAL. Most true, good brother; and men may be To see the custom of the place observed ? farther From the bright heaven they aim at, even because They deem themselves secure on 't. NIN. NIN. Even so;-such is our convent's holy right, WAL. How now, Sir Priest! (fiercely)-Forgive me (recollecting himself)—I was dreaming How? know you the towers of Edzell? Of wrath and injury. Of an old baron, who did bear about him Long the tale Indeed was Reynold;—and methinks, moreover, Enough to say that the last Lord of Edzell, NIN. Even so; and I am near, should chance require me. At midnight I relieve you on your watch, WAL. It is not with me, and alas! alas! Its humble pleasures and its paltry troubles, In which they live and die. But for myself, Re-enter NINIAN. WAL. I'll not believe that ever the bold Thane Rear'd up his Cross to be a sanctuary To the base coward, who shunn'd an equal combat.— How's this?-that look-that mien-mine eyes grow dizzy! NIN. He comes!-thou art a novice on this watch, Brother, I'll take the word and speak to him. Have honour to maintain, and must not seem [WALDHAVE lets down his cowl, and steps Enter MAURICE BERKELEY. NIN. Who art thou, stranger? speak thy name and purpose. BER. I claim the privilege of Clan MacDuff. My name is Maurice Berkeley, and my lineage Allies me nearly with the Thane of Fifo. NIN. Give us to know the cause of sanctuary? BER. Let him show it, Against whose violence I claim the privilege. Enter LINDESAY, with his sword drawn. He rushes at NIN. Peace, in the name of Saint Magridius! NIN. Look to your watch, my brother; horsemen To lure the craven from the enchanted circle come: I heard their tread when kneeling in the chapel. WAL. (looking to a distance.) My thoughts have rapt me more than thy devotion, Else had I heard the tread of distant horses NIN. See how they gallop down the opposing hill! Yon grey steed bounding down the headlong path, I am ashamed to look on them. NIN. Yet look again; thoy quit their horses now, Unfit for the rough path: the fugitivo Keeps the advantago still.-They strain towards us. Which he hath harbour'd in.-Hear you,Do Berkeley, And change three blows,-even for so short a space BER. Were not my right hand fetter'd by the thought That slaying thee were but a double guilt LIN. Ho quails, and shuns to look upon my weapon, Yet boasts himself a Berkeley! BER. Lindesay, and if thero were no deeper cause For shunning thee than terror of thy weapon, That rock-hown Cross as soon should start and stir, Because a shepherd-boy blew horn beneath it, As I for brag of thine. NIN. I charge you both, and in the name of Heaven, Breathe no defiance on this sacred spot, Where Christian men must bear them peacefully, On pain of the Church thunders. Calınly tell Your cause of difference; and, Lord Lindesay, thou LIN. Ask the blue welkin-ask the silver Tay, Since you refer us thus to general fame That Berkeley slew thy brother, the Lord Louis, LIN. Ay, in his halls In his own halls, good father, that's the word. A destined victim, train'd on to the doom His frantic jealousy prepared for me. WAL. (rushing forward.) Madmen, stand!— And by the memory of that murder'd innocent, LIN. Wretch! thou didst first dishonour to thy (For sure not yet thy guilt is expiated!) victim, And then didst slay him! BER. There is a busy fiend tugs at my heart, Forgive me that I caused your brother's death; Stern ghost of her destroyer! WAL. (throws back his cowl.) He hears! he hears ! WAL. Alive, but yet, my Richard, dead to theo, LIN. Take worse and blacker.-Murderer, adulte Thou hast brought vengeance hither. Art thou not moved yet? BER. BER. Father, forgive, and let me stand excused LIN. To do the act and duty of a brother. I but sought WAL. I ceased to be so when I left the world; But if he can forgive as I forgive, God sends me here a brother in mine enemy, BER. (gives his hand.) Go to his halls, Lord Richard, where a maiden, Heirs his broad lands;-If thou canst love her, Linde say, Woo her, and be successful. |