FormerlyHeadMasteroftheHighSchool，Cambridge，Mass。
Boston1883
PrefaceWhenIfirstsawMr。Osgood’sbeautifulillustratededitionofTheLadyoftheLake，Iaskedhimtoletmeusesomeofthecutsinacheaperannotatededitionforschoolandhouseholduse；andthepresentvolumeistheresult。
Thetextofthepoemhasgivenmeunexpectedtrouble。WhenI
editedsomeofGray’spoemsseveralyearsago，Ifoundthattheyhadnotbeencorrectlyprintedformorethanhalfacentury；butinthecaseofScottIsupposedthatthetextofBlack’sso—called\"Author’sEdition\"couldbedependeduponasaccurate。
Almostatthestart，however，Idetectedsundryobviousmisprintsinoneofthemanyformsinwhichthiseditionisissued，andanexaminationofothersshowedthattheywereasbadintheirway。
The\"Shilling\"issuewasnoworsethanthecostlyillustratedoneof1853，whichhaditsownassortmentofslipsofthetype。
NotwoeditionsthatIcouldobtainagreedexactlyintheirreadings。Itriedinvaintofindacopyoftheeditioprinceps（1810）inCambridgeandBoston，butsucceededingettingonethroughaLondonbookseller。ThisIcompared，linebyline，withtheEdinburgheditionof1821（fromtheHarvardLibrary），withLockhart’sfirstedition，the\"Globe\"edition，andaboutadozenothersEnglishandAmerican。Ifoundmanymisprintsandcorruptionsinallexcepttheeditionof1821，andafeweveninthat。Forinstanceini。217Scottwrote\"Foundineachcliffanarrowbower，\"anditissoprintedinthefirstedition；butineveryotherthatIhaveseen\"cliff\"appearsinplaceofclift，，tothemanifestinjuryofthepassage。Inii。685，everyeditionthatIhaveseensincethatof1821has\"Imeantnotallmyheartmightsay，\"whichisworsethannonsense，thecorrectreadingbeing\"myheat。\"Invi。396，theScottish\"boune\"
（thoughitoccurstwiceinotherpartsofthepoem）hasbeenchangedto\"bound\"inalleditionssince1821；and，eightlinesbelow，theoldword\"barded\"hasbecome\"barbed。\"ScoresofsimilarcorruptionsarerecordedinmyNotes，andneednotbecitedhere。
Ihaverestoredthereadingofthefirstedition，exceptincaseswhereIhavenodoubtthatthelaterreadingisthepoet’sowncorrectionoralteration。ThereareobviousmisprintsinthefirsteditionwhichScotthimselfoverlooked（seeonii。115，217，，Vi。527，etc。），anditissometimesdifficulttodecidewhetheralaterreading——achangeofapluraltoasingular，orliketrivialvariation——isamisprintortheauthor’scorrectionofanearliermisprint。IhavedonethebestIcould，withthemeansatmycommand，tosettlethesequestions，andamatleastcertainthatthetextasIgiveitisnearerrightthaninanyeditionsince1821AsallthevariaelectionesarerecordedintheNotes，thereaderwhodoesnotapproveoftheoneIadoptcansubstitutethatwhichheprefers。
IhaveretainedallScott’sNotes（afewofthemhavebeensomewhatabridged）andallthoseaddedbyLockhart。[FN#l]MyownIhavemadeasconciseaspossible。Thereare，ofcourse，manyofthemwhichmanyofmyreaderswillnotneed，butIthinktherearenonethatmaynotbeofservice，oratleastofinterest，tosomeofthem；andIhopethatnoonewillturntothemforhelpwithoutfindingit。
ScottismuchgiventotheuseofElizabethanwordsandconstructions，andIhavequotedmany\"parallelisms\"fromShakespeareandhiscontemporaries。IbelieveIhavereferredtomyeditionofShakespeareinonlyasingleinstance（oniii。17），butteachersandotherswhohavethateditionwillfindmanyadditionalillustrationsintheNotesonthepassagescited。
Whilecorrectingtheerrorsofformereditors，Imayhaveoverlookedsomeofmyown。IamalreadyindebtedtothecarefulproofreadersoftheUniversityPressforthedetectionofoccasionalslipsinquotationsorreferences；andIshallbeverygratefultomyreadersforamemorandumofanyothersthattheymaydiscover。
Cambridge，June23，1883……
Argument。
ThesceneofthefollowingPoemislaidchieflyinthevicinityofLochKatrine，intheWesternHighlandsofPerthshire。ThetimeofActionincludesSixDays，andthetransactionsofeachDayoccupyaCanto。
THELADYOFTHELAKE。
CANTOFIRST。
TheChase。
HarpoftheNorth！thatmoulderinglonghasthungOnthewitch—elmthatshadesSaintFillan’sspringAnddownthefitfulbreezethynumbersflung，Tillenviousivydidaroundtheecling，Mufflingwithverdantringleteverystring，——
OMinstrelHarp，stillmustshineaccentssleep？
Midrustlingleavesandfountainsmurmuring，Stillmustthysweetersoundstheirsilencekeep，Norbidawarriorsmile，norteachamaidtoweep？
Notthus，inancientdaysofCaledon，Wasthyvoicemuteamidthefestalcrowd，Whenlayofhopelesslove，orglorywon，Arousedthefearfulorsubduedtheproud。
AteachaccordingpausewasheardaloudThineardentsymphonysublimeandhigh！
Fairdamesandcrestedchiefsattentionbowed；
ForstilltheburdenofthyminstrelsyWasKnighthood’sdauntlessdeed，andBeauty’smatchlesseye。
O，wakeoncemore！howrudesoe’erthehandThatventureso’erthymagicmazetostray；
O，wakeoncemore！thoughscarcemyskillcommandSomefeebleechoingofshineearlierlay：
Thoughharshandfaint，andsoontodieaway，Andallunworthyofthynoblerstrain，Yetifoneheartthrobhigheratitssway，Thewizardnotehasnotbeentouchedinvain。
Thensilentbenomore！Enchantress，wakeagain！
I。
Thestagatevehaddrunkhisfill，WheredancedthemoononMonan’srill，AnddeephismidnightlairhadmadeInloneGlenartney’shazelshade；
ButwhenthesunhisbeaconredHadkindledonBenvoirlich’shead，Thedeep—mouthedbloodhound’sheavybayResoundeduptherockyway，Andfaint，fromfartherdistanceborne，Wereheardtheclanginghoofandhorn。
II。
AsChief，whohearshiswardercall，’Toarms！thefoemenstormthewall，’
TheantleredmonarchofthewasteSprungfromhisheatherycouchinhaste。
Buterehisfleetcareerhetook，Thedew—dropsfromhisflanksheshook；
LikecrestedleaderproudandhighTossedhisbeamedfrontlettothesky；
Amomentgazedadownthedale，Amomentsnuffedthetaintedgale，Amomentlistenedtothecry，Thatthickenedasthechasedrewnigh；
Then，astheheadmostfoesappeared，Withonebraveboundthecopsehecleared，And，stretchingforwardfreeandfar，SoughtthewildheathsofUam—Var。
III。
Yelledontheviewtheopeningpack；
Rock，glen，andcavernpaidthemback；
TomanyamingledsoundatonceTheawakenedmountaingaveresponse。
Ahundreddogsbayeddeepandstrong，Clatteredahundredsteedsalong，Theirpealthemerryhornsrungout，Ahundredvoicesjoinedtheshout；
Withharkandwhoopandwildhalloo，NorestBenvoirlich’sechoesknew。
Farfromthetumultfledtheroe，Closeinhercovertcoweredthedoe，Thefalcon，fromhercairnonhigh，Castontheroutawonderingeye，TillfarbeyondherpiercingkenThehurricanehadswepttheglen。
Faint，andmorefaint，itsfailingdinReturnedfromcavern，cliff，andlinn，Andsilencesettled，wideandstill，Onthelonewoodandmightyhill。
IV。
LessloudthesoundsofsylvanwarDisturbedtheheightsofUam—Var，Androusedthecavernwhere，’tistold，Agiantmadehisdenofold；
Forerethatsteepascentwaswon，Highinhispathwayhungthesun，Andmanyagallant，stayedperforce，Wasfaintobreathehisfalteringhorse，AndofthetrackersofthedeerScarcehalfthelesseningpackwasnear；
Soshrewdlyonthemountain—sideHadtheboldbursttheirmettletried。
V。
ThenoblestagwaspausingnowUponthemountain’ssouthernbrow，Wherebroadextended，farbeneath，ThevariedrealmsoffairMenteith。
Withanxiouseyehewanderedo’erMountainandmeadow，mossandmoor，Andponderedrefugefromhistoil，ByfarLochardorAberfoyle。
ButnearerwasthecopsewoodgrayThatwavedandweptonLochAchray，Andmingledwiththepine—treesblueOntheboldcliffsofBenvenue。
Freshvigorwiththehopereturned，Withflyingfoottheheathhespurned，Heldwestwardwithunweariedrace，Andleftbehindthepantingchase。
VI。
’Twerelongtotellwhatsteedsgaveo’er，AssweptthehuntthroughCambusmore；
Whatreinsweretightenedindespair，WhenroseBenledi’sridgeinair；
WhoflaggeduponBochastle’sheath，WhoshunnedtostemthefloodedTeith，——
Fortwicethatday，fromshoretoshore，Thegallantstagswamstoutlyo’er。
Fewwerethestragglers，followingfar，ThatreachedthelakeofVennachar；
AndwhentheBriggofTurkwaswon，Theheadmosthorsemanrodealone。
VII。
Alone，butwithunbatedzeal，Thathorsemanpliedthescourgeandsteel；
Forjadednow，andspentwithtoil，Embossedwithfoam，anddarkwithsoil，Whileeverygaspwithsobshedrew，Thelaboringstagstrainedfullinview。
TwodogsofblackSaintHubert’sbreed，Unmatchedforcourage，breath，andspeed，Fastonhisflyingtracescame，Andallbutwonthatdesperategame；
For，scarceaspear’slengthfromhishaunch，Vindictivetoiledthebloodhoundsstanch；
Nornearermightthedogsattain，NorfarthermightthequarrystrainThusupthemarginofthelake，Betweentheprecipiceandbrake，O’erstockandrocktheirracetheytake。
VIII。
TheHuntermarkedthatmountainhigh，Thelonelake’swesternboundary，Anddeemedthestagmustturntobay，Wherethathugerampartbarredtheway；
Alreadygloryingintheprize，Measuredhisantlerswithhiseyes；
Forthedeath—woundanddeath—hallooMusteredhisbreath，hiswhinyarddrew：——
Butthunderingashecameprepared，Withreadyarmandweaponbared，Thewilyquarryshunnedtheshock，Andturnedhimfromtheopposingrock；
Then，dashingdownadarksomeglen，SoonlosttohoundandHunter’sken，InthedeepTrosachs’wildestnookHissolitaryrefugetook。
There，whileclosecouchedthethicketshedColddewsandwildflowersonhishead，HeheardthebaffleddogsinvainRavethroughthehollowpassamain，Chidingtherocksthatyelledagain。
IX。
CloseonthehoundstheHuntercame，Tocheerthemonthevanishedgame；
But，stumblingintheruggeddell，Thegallanthorseexhaustedfell。
TheimpatientriderstroveinvainTorousehimwiththespurandrein，Forthegoodsteed，hislaborso’er，Stretchedhisstifflimbs，torisenomore；
Then，touchedwithpityandremorse，Hesorrowedo’ertheexpiringhorse。
’Ilittlethought，whenfirstthyreinIslackeduponthebanksofSeine，ThatHighlandeaglee’ershouldfeedOnthyfleetlimbs，mymatchlesssteed！
Woeworththechase，woeworththeday，Thatcoststhylife，mygallantgray！’
X。
Thenthroughthedellhishornresounds，Fromvainpursuittocallthehounds。
Backlimped，withslowandcrippledpace，Thesulkyleadersofthechase；
Closetotheirmaster’ssidetheypressed，Withdroopingtailandhumbledcrest；
Butstillthedingle’shollowthroatProlongedtheswellingbugle—note。
Theowletsstartedfromtheirdream，Theeaglesansweredwiththeirscream，Roundandaroundthesoundswerecast，Tillechoseemedanansweringblast；
AndontheHuntertriedhisway，Tojoinsomecomradesoftheday，Yetoftenpaused，sostrangetheroad，Sowondrouswerethescenesitshowed。
XI。
ThewesternwavesofebbingdayRolledo’ertheglentheirlevelway；
Eachpurplepeak，eachflintyspire，Wasbathedinfloodsoflivingfire。
ButnotasettingbeamcouldglowWithinthedarkravinesbelow，Wheretwinedthepathinshadowhid，Roundmanyarockypyramid，ShootingabruptlyfromthedellItsthunder—splinteredpinnacle；
Roundmanyaninsulatedmass，Thenativebulwarksofthepass，HugeasthetowerwhichbuildersvainPresumptuouspiledonShinar’splain。
Therockysummits，splitandrent，Formedturret，dome，orbattlement。
OrseemedfantasticallysetWithcupolaorminaret，Wildcrestsaspagodeverdecked，OrmosqueofEasternarchitect。
Norweretheseearth—borncastlesbare，Norlackedtheymanyabannerfair；
For，fromtheirshiveredbrowsdisplayed，Faro’ertheunfathomableglade，Alltwinklingwiththedewdropsheen，Thebriar—rosefellinstreamersgreen，kindcreepingshrubsofthousanddyesWavedinthewest—wind’ssummersighs。
XII。
Boonnaturescattered，freeandwild，Eachplantorflower，themountain’schild。
Hereeglantineembalmedtheair，Hawthornandhazelmingledthere；
TheprimrosepaleandvioletflowerFoundineachcliffanarrowbower；
Foxgloveandnightshade，sidebyside，Emblemsofpunishmentandpride，GroupedtheirdarkhueswitheverystainTheweather—beatencragsretain。
Withboughsthatquakedateverybreath，Graybirchandaspenweptbeneath；
Aloft，theashandwarrioroakCastanchorintheriftedrock；
And，higheryet，thepine—treehungHisshatteredtrunk，andfrequentflung，Whereseemedthecliffstomeetonhigh，Hisboughsathwartthenarrowedsky。
Highestofall，wherewhitepeaksglanced，Whereglisteningstreamerswavedanddanced，Thewanderer’seyecouldbarelyviewThesummerheaven’sdeliciousblue；
Sowondrouswild，thewholemightseemThesceneryofafairydream。
XIII。
Onward，amidthecopse’ganpeepAnarrowinlet，stillanddeep，AffordingscarcesuchbreadthofbrimAsservedthewildduck’sbroodtoswim。
Lostforaspace，throughthicketsveering，Butbroaderwhenagainappearing，TallrocksandtuftedknollstheirfaceCouldonthedark—bluemirrortrace；
AndfartherastheHunterstrayed，Stillbroadersweepitschannelsmade。
Theshaggymoundsnolongerstood，Emergingfromentangledwood，But，wave—encircled，seemedtofloat，Likecastlegirdledwithitsmoat；
YetbroaderfloodsextendingstillDividethemfromtheirparenthill，Tilleach，retiring，claimstobeAnisletinaninlandsea。
XIV。
Andnow，toissuefromtheglen，Nopathwaymeetsthewanderer’sken，UnlessheclimbwithfootingniceAfar—projectingprecipice。
Thebroom’stoughrootshisladdermade，Thehazelsaplingslenttheiraid；
Andthusanairypointhewon，Where，gleamingwiththesettingsun，Oneburnishedsheetoflivinggold，LochKatrinelaybeneathhimrolled，Inallherlengthfarwindinglay，Withpromontory，creek，andbay，Andislandsthat，empurpledbright，Floatedamidthelivelierlight，AndmountainsthatlikegiantsstandTosentinelenchantedland。
Highonthesouth，hugeBenvenueDowntothelakeinmassesthrewCrags，knolls，andmounds，confusedlyhurled，Thefragmentsofanearlierworld；
Awilderingforestfeatheredo’erHisruinedsidesandsummithoar，Whileonthenorth，throughmiddleair，Ben—anheavedhighhisforeheadbare。
XV。
FromthesteeppromontorygazedThestranger，rapturedandamazed，And，’Whatascenewerehere，’hecried，’Forprincelypomporchurchman’spride！
Onthisboldbrow，alordlytower；
Inthatsoftvale，alady’sbower；
Onyondermeadowfaraway，Theturretsofacloistergray；
Howblithelymightthebugle—hornChideonthelakethelingeringmorn！
Howsweetatevethelover’sluteChimewhenthegroveswerestillandmute！
AndwhenthemidnightmoonshouldlaveHerforeheadinthesilverwave，HowsolemnontheearwouldcomeTheholymatins’distanthum，Whilethedeeppeal’scommandingtoneShouldwake，inyonderisletlone，Asaintedhermitfromhiscell，Todropabeadwitheveryknell！
Andbugle，lute，andbell，andall，ShouldeachbewilderedstrangercallTofriendlyfeastandlightedhall。
XVI。
’Blithewereitthentowanderhere！
Butnow——beshrewyonnimbledeer——
Likethatsamehermit’s，thinandspare，Thecopsemustgivemyeveningfare；
Somemossybankmycouchmustbe，Somerustlingoakmycanopy。
Yetpasswethat；thewarandchaseGivelittlechoiceofresting—place；——
AsummernightingreenwoodspentWerebutto—morrow’smerriment：
Buthostsmayinthesewildsabound，Suchasarebettermissedthanfound；
TomeetwithHighlandplunderershereWereworsethanlossofsteedordeer。——
Iamalone；——mybugle—strainMaycallsomestragglerofthetrain；
Or，falltheworstthatmaybetide，Erenowthisfalchionhasbeentried。’
XVII。
Butscarceagainhishornhewound，Whenlo！forthstartingatthesound，FromunderneathanagedoakThatslantedfromtheisletrock，Adamselguiderofitsway，Alittleskiffshottothebay，ThatroundthepromontorysteepLeditsdeeplineingracefulsweep，Eddying，inalmostviewlesswave，Theweepingwillowtwigtorave，Andkiss，withwhisperingsoundandslow，Thebeachofpebblesbrightassnow。
TheboathadtouchedthissilverstrandJustastheHunterlefthisstand，Andstoodconcealedamidthebrake，ToviewthisLadyoftheLake。
Themaidenpaused，asifagainShethoughttocatchthedistantstrain。
Withheadupraised，andlookintent，Andeyeandearattentivebent，Andlocksflungback，andlipsapart，LikemonumentofGrecianart，Inlisteningmood，sheseemedtostand，TheguardianNaiadofthestrand。
XVIII。
Andne’erdidGrecianchiseltraceANymph，aNaiad，oraGrace，Offinerformorlovelierface！
Whatthoughthesun，withardentfrown，Hadslightlytingedhercheekwithbrown，——
Thesportivetoil，which，shortandlightHaddyedherglowinghuesobright，ServedtooinhastierswelltoshowShortglimpsesofabreastofsnow：
WhatthoughnoruleofcourtlygraceTomeasuredmoodhadtrainedherpace，——
Afootmorelight，astepmoretrue，Ne’erfromtheheath—flowerdashedthedew；
E’entheslightharebellraiseditshead，Elasticfromherairytread：
WhatthoughuponherspeechtherehungTheaccentsofthemountaintongue，———
Thosesilversounds，sosoft，sodear，Thelistenerheldhisbreathtohear！
XIX。
Achieftain’sdaughterseemedthemaid；
Hersatinsnood，hersilkenplaid，Hergoldenbrooch，suchbirthbetrayed。
AndseldomwasasnoodamidSuchwildluxuriantringletshid，WhoseglossyblacktoshamemightbringTheplumageoftheraven’swing；
Andseldomo’erabreastsofairMantledaplaidwithmodestcare，AndneverbroochthefoldscombinedAboveaheartmoregoodandkind。
Herkindnessandherworthtospy，YouneedbutgazeonEllen’seye；
NotKatrineinhermirrorblueGivesbacktheshaggybanksmoretrue，Thaneveryfree—bornglanceconfessedTheguilelessmovementsofherbreast；
Whetherjoydancedinherdarkeye，Orwoeorpityclaimedasigh，Orfiliallovewasglowingthere，Ormeekdevotionpouredaprayer，OrtaleofinjurycalledforthTheindignantspiritoftheNorth。
OneonlypassionunrevealedWithmaidenpridethemaidconcealed，Yetnotlesspurelyfelttheflame；——
O，needItellthatpassion’sname？
XX。
Impatientofthesilenthorn，Nowonthegalehervoicewasborne：——
’Father！’shecried；therocksaroundLovedtoprolongthegentlesound。
Awhileshepaused，noanswercame；——
’Malcolm，wasshinetheblast？’thenameLessresolutelyutteredfell，Theechoescouldnotcatchtheswell。
’AstrangerI，’theHuntsmansaid，Advancingfromthehazelshade。
Themaid，alarmed，withhastyoarPushedherlightshallopfromtheshore，Andwhenaspacewasgainedbetween，Closershedrewherbosom’sscreen；——
Soforththestartledswanwouldswing，Soturntoprunehisruffledwing。
Thensafe，thoughflutteredandamazed，Shepaused，andonthestrangergazed。
Nothistheform，norhistheeye，Thatyouthfulmaidenswonttofly。
XXI。
OnhisboldvisagemiddleageHadslightlypresseditssignetsage，YethadnotquenchedtheopentruthAndfieryvehemenceofyouth；
Forwardandfrolicgleewasthere，Thewilltodo，thesoultodare，Thesparklingglance，soonblowntofire，Ofhastyloveorheadlongire。
HislimbswerecastinmanlycouldForhardysportsorcontestbold；
Andthoughinpeacefulgarbarrayed，Andweaponlessexcepthisblade，HisstatelymienaswellimpliedAhigh—bornheart，amartialpride，Asifabaron’scresthewore，Andsheathedinarmorbodetheshore。
Slightingthepettyneedheshowed，Hetoldofhisbenightedroad；
Hisreadyspeechflowedfairandfree，Inphraseofgentlestcourtesy，YetseemedthattoneandgestureblandLessusedtosuethantocommand。
XXII。
Awhilethemaidthestrangereyed，And，reassured，atlengthreplied，ThatHighlandhallswereopenstillTowilderedwanderersofthehill。
’NorthinkyouunexpectedcomeToyonloneisle，ourdeserthome；
Beforetheheathhadlostthedew，Thismorn，acouchwaspulledforyou；
Onyondermountain’spurpleheadHaveptarmiganandheath—cockbled，Andourbroadnetshavesweptthemere，Tofurnishforthyoureveningcheer。’——
’Now，bytherood，mylovelymaid，Yourcourtesyhaserred，’hesaid；
’NorighthaveItoclaim，misplaced，Thewelcomeofexpectedguest。
Awanderer，herebyfortunetoss，Myway，myfriends，mycourserlost，Ine’erbefore，believeme，fair，Haveeverdrawnyourmountainair，Tillonthislake’sromanticstrandIfoundafeyinfairyland！’——
XXIII。
’Iwellbelieve，’themaidreplied，Asherlightskiffapproachedtheside，——
’Iwellbelieve，thatne’erbeforeYourfoothastrodLochKatrine’sshoreButyet，asfarasyesternight，OldAllan—baneforetoldyourplight，——
Agray—hairedsire，whoseeyeintentWasonthevisionedfuturebent。
Hesawyoursteed，adappledgray，Liedeadbeneaththebirchenway；
Paintedexactyourformandmien，Yourhunting—suitofLincolngreen，Thattasselledhornsogaylygilt，Thatfalchion’scrookedbladeandhilt，Thatcapwithheronplumagetrim，Andyontwohoundssodarkandgrim。
HebadethatallshouldreadybeTograceaguestoffairdegree；
ButlightIheldhisprophecy，Anddeemeditwasmyfather’shornWhoseechoeso’erthelakewereborne。’
XXIV。
Thestrangersmiled：——’SincetoyourhomeAdestinederrant—knightIcome，Announcedbyprophetsoothandold，Doomed，doubtless，forachievementbold，I’lllightlyfronteachhighempriseForonekindglanceofthosebrighteyes。
PermitmefirstthetasktoguideYourfairyfrigateo’erthetide。’
Themaid，withsmilesuppressedandsly，Thetoilunwontedsawhimtry；
Forseldom，sure，ife’erbefore，Hisnoblehandhadgraspedanoar：
Yetwithmainstrengthhisstrokeshedrew，Ando’erthelaketheshallopflew；
Withheadserectandwhimperingcry，Thehoundsbehindtheirpassageply。
NorfrequentdoesthebrightoarbreakThedarkeningmirrorofthelake，Untiltherockyisletheyreach，Andmoortheirshalloponthebeach。