Hall (Border Minstrelsy, vol. ii. p. 5), to claim the protection Sae starkly and sae steadilie! of the old feudal usages and institutions, he has shown still greater talent in engrafting upon those descriptions all the tender or magnanimous emotions to which the circumstances of the story naturally give rise. Without impairing the antique air of the whole piece, or violating the simplicity of the ballad style, he has contrived, in this way, to impart a much greater dignity and more powerful interest to his production, than could ever be obtained by the unskilful and unsteady Compare also the Ballad of Kinmont Willie (vol. ii. p. 53). delineations of the old romancers. Nothing, we think, can afford a finer illustration of this remark, than the opening stanzas of the whole poem; they transport us at once into the days of knightly daring and feudal hostility, at the same time that they suggest, in a very interesting way, all those softer sentiments which arise out of some parts of the description." -JEFFREY. 1 See Appendix, Note B. * See Appendix, Note C. See Appendix, Note D, and compare these stanzas with the description of Jamie Telfer's appearance at Branksome. And aye the ower-word o' the thrang "Now word is gane to the bauld keeper, In Branksome ha' where that he lay," &c.-ED. 4 There are not many passages in English poetry more impressive than some parts of Stanzas vii. viii. ix.-JEFFREY. See Appendix, Note E. • Edinburgh. 7 The war-cry, or gathering-word, of a Border clan. 9 Orig. (1st Edition,) "The Ladye dropp'd nor sigh nor tear." XVII. MOUNTAIN SPIRIT. "Arthur's slow wain his course doth roll, The unearthly voices ceast, And the heavy sound was still; It died on the river's breast, It died on the side of the hill. But round Lord David's tower The sound still floated near; For it rung in the Ladye's bower, And it rung in the Ladye's ear. She raised her stately head, And her heart throbb'd high with pride:"Your mountains shall bend, And your streams ascend, Ere Margaret be our foeman's bride!" XIX. The Ladye sought the lofty hall, Where many a bold retainer lay, Even bearded knights, in arms grown old, How the brave boy, in future war, Exalt the Crescent and the Star. XXL A stark moss-trooping Scott was he, moss, Blindfold, he knew the paths to cross; By England's King and Scotland's Queen. XXII. "Sir William of Deloraine, good at need, Seek thou the Monk of St. Mary's aisle. Say that the fated hour is come, For this will be St. Michael's night, Will point to the grave of the mighty dead. XXV. Soon in his saddle sate he fast, A moment now he slack'd his speed, When some sad swain shall teach the grove, XXVIII. Unchallenged, thence pass'd Deloraine, To ancient Riddel's fair domain," Where Aill, from mountains freed, marauding Borderer, and in the naïveté of his last declaration, the reader will recognize some of the most striking features of the ancient ballad."-Critical Review.] 1 Barbican, the defence of the outer gate of a feudal castle. 2 Peel, a Border-tower. See Appendix, Note R. 4 See Appendix, Note S. 5 An ancient Roman road, crossing through part of Roxburghshire. Down from the lakes did raving come; XXIX. At the first plunge the horse sunk low, Was daggled by the dashing spray; Yet through good heart, and Our Ladye's grace, At length he gain'd the landing place. XXX. Now Bowden Moor the march-man won, And sternly shook his plumed head, As glanced his eye o'er Halidon;" For on his soul the slaughter red When first the Scott and Carr were foes; XXXI. In bitter mood he spurred fast, Old Melros' rose, and fair Tweed ran: The sound, upon the fitful gale, In solemn wise did rise and fail, Like that wild harp, whose magic tone Is waken'd by the winds alone. But when Melrose he reach'd, 'twas silence all; He meetly stabled his steed in stall, And sought the convent's lonely wall." HERE paused the harp; and with its swell Each after each, in due degree, His hand was true, his voice was clear, If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright,' When the broken arches are black in night, And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die;2 II. Short halt did Deloraine make there; 1 "In the description of Melrose, which introduces the Secand Canto, the reader will observe how skilfully the Author calls in the aid of sentimental associations to heighten the effect of the picture which he presents to the eye."—JEFFREY. 2 See Appendix, Note W. 3 David I. of Scotland, purchased the reputation of sanctity, by founding, and liberally endowing, not only the monastery of Melrose, but those of Kelso, Jedburgh, and many others; The porter hurried to the gate "Who knocks so loud, and knocks so late?" "From Branksome, I," the warrior cried; And straight the wicket open'd wide: For Branksome's Chiefs had in battle stood, To fence the rights of fair Melrose; And lands and livings, many a rood, Had gifted the shrine for their souls' repose.* III. Bold Deloraine his errand said; IV. "The Ladye of Branksome greets thee by me; V And strangely on the Knight look'd he, And his blue eyes gleam'd wild and wide; "And, darest thou, Warrior! seek to see What heaven and hell alike would hide! My breast, in belt of iron pent, With shirt of hair and scourge of thorn; For threescore years, in penance spent, My knees those flinty stones have worn; Yet all too little to atone For knowing what should ne'er be known. VI. "Penance, father, will I none; Prayer know I hardly one; which led to the well-known observation of his successor, that he was a sore saint for the crown. 4 The Buccleuch family were great benefactors to the Abbey of Melrose. As early as the reign of Robert II., Robert Scott, Baron of Murdieston and Rankleburn (now Buccleuch), gave to the monks the lands of Hinkery, in Ettrick Forest, pro salute animæ suæ.-Chartulary of Melrose, 28th May, 1415. Aventayle, visor of the helmet. |