I. NIGHT and morning were at meeting Cocks had sung their earliest greeting; For no paly beam yet shone Where the soldier lay, Chill and stiff, and drench'd with rain, Though death should come with day. 'Tis at such a tide and hour, Wizard, witch, and fiend have power, And then the affrighted prophet's ear . Among the sons of men ;- Where, through battle's rout and reel, 4 Originally published in 1815, in the Edinburgh Annual Register, vol. v. MS.-" Dawn and darkness." 1 Storm of shot and hedge of steel, Led the grandson of Lochiel, Valiant Fassiefern. Through steel and shot he leads no more, And proud Bennevis hear with awe, Brave Cameron heard the wild hurra Of conquest as he fell.' III. 'Lone on the outskirts of the host, And heard, through darkness far aloof, But there are sounds in Allan's ear, Patrol nor sentinel may hear, And sights before his eye aghast When down the destined plain, "Twixt Britain and the bands of France, Such forms were seen, such sounds were heard, When Scotland's James his march prepared, For Flodden's fatal plain;3 Such, when he drew his ruthless sword, As Choosers of the Slain, adored The yet unchristen'd Dane. An indistinct and phantom band, They wheel'd their ring-dance hand in hand, With gestures wild and dread; The Seer, who watch'd them ride the storm, Saw through their faint and shadowy form The lightning's flash more red; And still their ghastly roundelay IV. Song. "Wheel the wild dance While lightnings glance, And thunders rattle loud, And call the brave To sleep without a shroud. 1 See note, ante, p. 509. 2 MS.-" Oft came the clang," &c. "My arm it is my country's right, Even when the battle-roar was deep, With dauntless heart he hew'd his way, 'Mid splintering lance and falchion-sweep, And still was heard his warrior-lay: "My life it is my country's right, My heart is in my lady's bower; For love to die, for fame to fight, Becomes the valiant Troubadour." |