Yet steaming hot; with Southern gore
From hilt to point 'twas crimson'd o'er.

66

XXXIV.

Bring here," he said, "the mazers four, My noble fathers loved of yore.

Thrice let them circle round the board,
The pledge, fair Scotland's rights restored!
And he whose lip shall touch the wine,
Without a vow as true as mine,

To hold both lands and life at nought,
Until her freedom shall be bought,—
Be brand of a disloyal Scot,

And lasting infamy his lot!

Sit, gentle friends! our hour of glee
Is brief, we'll spend it joyously!

Blithest of all the sun's bright beams,
When betwixt storm and storm he gleams.
Well is our country's work begun,

But more, far more, must yet be done!—

Speed messengers the country through;
Arouse old friends, and gather new ;
Warn Lanark's knights to gird their mail,
Rouse the brave sons of Teviotdale,

Let Ettrick's archers sharp their darts,
The fairest forms, the truest hearts!
Call all, call all! from Reedswair-path,
To the wild confines of Cape-Wrath ;
Wide let the news through Scotland ring,
The Northern Eagle claps his wing!"-

END OF CANTO FIFTH.

3

THE

LORD OF THE ISLES.

VOL. X.

CANTO SIXTH.

THE

LORD OF THE ISLES.

CANTO SIXTH.

O wнo, that shared them, ever shall forget
The emotions of the spirit-rousing time,
When breathless in the mart the couriers met,
Early and late, at evening and at prime;
When the loud cannon and the merry chime

Hail'd news on news, as field on field was won,

When Hope, long doubtful, soar'd at length sublime, And our glad eyes, awake as day begun,

Watch'd Joy's broad banner rise, to meet the rising sun!