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  XVII。

  Ever,asontheybore,moreloudAndlouderrungthepibrochproud。

  Atfirstthesounds,bydistancetame,Mellowedalongthewaterscame,And,lingeringlongbycapeandbay,Wailedeveryharshernoteaway,Thenburstingbolderontheear,Theclan’sshrillGatheringtheycouldhear,ThosethrillingsoundsthatcallthemightOfoldClan—Alpinetothefight。

  Thickbeattherapidnotes,aswhenThemusteringhundredsshaketheglen,Andhurryingatthesignaldread,’Finebatteredearthreturnstheirtread。

  Thenpreludelight,ofliveliertone,Expressedtheirmerrymarchingon,Erepealofclosingbattlerose,Withmingledoutcry,shrieks,andblows;

  Andmimicdinofstrokeandward,Asbroadswordupontargetjarred;

  Andgroaningpause,ereyetagain,Condensed,thebattleyelledamain:

  Therapidcharge,therallyingshout,Retreatborneheadlongintorout,Andburstsoftriumph,todeclareClan—Alpine’scongest——allwerethere。

  Norendedthusthestrain,butslowSunkinamoanprolongedandlow,AndchangedtheconqueringclarionswellForwildlamento’erthosethatfell。

  XVIII。

  Thewar—pipesceased,butlakeandhillWerebusywiththeirechoesstill;

  And,whentheyslept,avocalstrainBadetheirhoarsechoruswakeagain,WhileloudahundredclansmenraiseTheirvoicesintheirChieftain’spraise。

  Eachboatman,bendingtohisoar,Withmeasuredsweeptheburdenbore,InsuchwildcadenceasthebreezeMakesthroughDecember’sleaflesstrees。

  ThechorusfirstcouldAllanknow,’RoderickVichAlpine,ho!fro!’

  Andnear,andnearerastheyrowed,Distinctthemartialdittyflowed。

  XIX。

  BoatSongHailtotheChiefwhointriumphadvances!

  Honoredandblessedbetheever—greenPine!

  Longmaythetree,inhisbannerthatglances,Flourish,theshelterandgraceofourline!

  Heavensendithappydew,Earthlenditsapanew,Gaylytobourgeonandbroadlytogrow,WhileeveryHighlandglenSendsourshoutbackagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,,ho!ieroe!’

  Oursisnosapling,chance—sownbythefountain,BloomingatBeltane,inwintertofade;

  Whenthewhirlwindhasstrippedeveryleafonthemountain,ThemoreshallClan—Alpineexultinhershade。

  Mooredintheriftedrock,Prooftothetempest’sshock,Firmerherootshimtheruderitblow;

  MenteithandBreadalbane,then,Echohispraiseagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’

  XX。

  ProudlyourpibrochhasthrilledinGlenFruin,AndBannochar’sgroanstooursloganreplied;

  GlenLussandRoss—dhu,theyaresmokinginruin,AndthebestofLochLomondliedeadonherside。

  WidowandSaxonmaidLongshalllamentourraid,ThinkofClan—Alpinewithfearandwithwoe;

  LennoxandLeven—glenShakewhentheyhearagain,’RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’

  Row,vassals,row,fortheprideoftheHighlands!

  Stretchtoyouroarsfortheever—greenPine!

  OthattherosebudthatgracesyonislandsWerewreathedinagarlandaroundhimtotwine!

  Othatsomeseedlinggem,Worthysuchnoblestem,Honoredandblessedintheirshadowmightgrow!

  LoudshouldClan—AlpinethenRingfromherdeepmostglen,RoderighVichAlpinedhu,ho!ieroe!’

  XXI。

  WithallherjoyfulfemalebandHadLadyMargaretsoughtthestrand。

  Looseonthebreezetheirtressesflew,Andhightheirsnowyarmstheythrew,Asechoingbackwithshrillacclaim,Andchoruswild,theChieftain’sname;

  While,prompttoplease,withmother’sartThedarlingpassionofhisheart,TheDamecalledEllentothestrand,Togreetherkinsmanereheland:

  ’Come,loiterer,come!aDouglasthou,Andshuntowreatheavictor’sbrow?’

  Reluctantlyandslow,themaidTheunwelcomesummoningobeyed,Andwhenadistantbuglerung,Inthemid—pathasideshesprung:——

  ’List,Allan—bane!FrommainlandcastIhearmyfather’ssignalblast。

  Beours,’shecried,’theskifftoguide,Andwafthimfromthemountain—side。’

  Then,likeasunbeam,swiftandbright,Shedartedtohershalloplight,And,eagerlywhileRoderickscanned,Forherdearform,hismother’sband,Theisletfarbehindherlay,Andshehadlandedinthebay。

  XXII。

  SomefeelingsaretomortalsgivenWithlessofearthinthemthanheaven;

  AndiftherebeahumantearFrompassion’sdrossrefinedandclear,AtearsolimpidandsomeekItwouldnotstainanangel’scheek,’TisthatwhichpiousfathersshedUponaduteousdaughter’shead!

  AndastheDouglastohisbreastHisdarlingEllencloselypressed,Suchholydropshertressessteeped,Though’twasanhero’seyethatweeped。

  NorwhileonEllen’sfalteringtongueHerfilialwelcomescrowdedhung,Markedshethatfear——affection’sproof——

  Stillheldagracefulyouthaloof;

  No!nottillDouglasnamedhisname,AlthoughtheyouthwasMalcolmGraeme。

  XXIII。

  Allan,withwistfullookthewhile,MarkedRodericklandingontheisle;

  Hismasterpiteouslyheeyed,ThengazedupontheChieftain’spride,ThendashedwithhastyhandawayFromhisdimmedeyethegatheringspray;

  AndDouglas,ashishandhelaidOnMalcolm’sshoulder,kindlysaid:

  ’Canstthou,youngfriend,nomeaningspyInmypoorfollower’sglisteningeye?

  I’lltellthee:——herecallsthedayWheninmypraiseheledthelayO’erthearchedgateofBothwellproud,Whilemanyaminstrelansweredloud,WhenPercy’sNormanpennon,wonInbloodyfield,beforemeshone,Andtwicetenknights,theleastanameAsmightyasyonChiefmayclaim,Gracingmypomp,behindmecame。

  Yettrustme,Malcolm,notsoproudWasIofallthatmarshalledcrowd,Thoughthewanedcrescentownedmymight,Andinmytraintroopedlordandknight,ThoughBlantyrehymnedherholiestlays,AndBothwell’sbardsflungbackmypraise,Aswhenthisoldman’ssilenttear,Andthispoormaid’saffectiondear,AwelcomegivemorekindandtrueThanaughtmybetterfortunesknew。

  Forgive,myfriend,afather’sboast,——

  O,itout—beggarsallIlost!’

  XXIV。

  Delightfulpraise!——likesummerrose,Thatbrighterinthedew—dropglows,Thebashfulmaiden’scheekappeared,ForDouglasspoke,andMalcolmheard。

  Theflushofshame—facedjoytohide,Thehounds,thehawk,hercaresdivide;

  ThelovedcaressesofthemaidThedogswithcrouchandwhimperpaid;

  And,atherwhistle,onherhandThefalcontookhisfavoritestand,Closedhisdarkwing,relaxedhiseye,Nor,thoughunhooded,soughttofly。

  And,trust,whileinsuchguiseshestood,LikefabledGoddessofthewood,Thatifafather’spartialthoughtO’erweighedherworthandbeautyaught,Wellmightthelover’sjudgmentfailTobalancewithajusterscale;

  Forwitheachsecretglancehestole,Thefondenthusiastsenthissoul。

  XXV。

  Ofstaturefair,andslenderframe,Butfirmlyknit,wasMalcolmGraeme。

  ThebeltedplaidandtartanhoseDidne’ermoregracefullimbsdisclose;

  Hisflaxenhair,ofsunnyhue,Curledcloselyroundhisbonnetblue。

  Trainedtothechase,hiseagleeyeTheptarmiganinsnowcouldspy;

  Eachpass,bymountain,lake,andheath,Heknew,throughLennoxandMenteith;

  Vainwastheboundofdark—browndoeWhenMalcolmbenthissoundingbow,Andscarcethatdoe,thoughwingedwithfear,Outstrippedinspeedthemountaineer:

  RightupBenLomondcouldhepress,Andnotasobhistoilconfess。

  HisformaccordedwithamindLivelyandardent,frankandkind;

  Ablitherheart,tillEllencameDidneverlovenorsorrowtame;

  ItdancedaslightsomeinhisbreastAsplayedthefeatheronhiscrest。

  Yetfriends,whonearestknewtheyouthHisscornofwrong,hiszealfortruthAndbards,whosawhisfeaturesboldWhenkindledbythetalesofoldSaid,werethatyouthtomanhoodgrown,NotlongshouldRoderickDhu’srenownBeforemostvoicedbymountainfame,ButquailtothatofMalcolmGraeme。

  XXVI。

  Nowbacktheywendtheirwateryway,And,’Omysire!’didEllensay,’Whyurgethychasesofarastray?

  Andwhysolatereturned?Andwhy’——

  Therestwasinherspeakingeye。

  ’Mychild,thechaseIfollowfar,’Tismimicryofnoblewar;

  AndwiththatgallantpastimereftWereallofDouglasIhaveleft。

  ImetyoungMalcolmasIstrayedFareastward,inGlenfinlas’shadeNorstrayedIsafe,forallaroundHuntersandhorsemenscouredtheground。

  Thisyouth,thoughstillaroyalward,Riskedlifeandlandtobemyguard,AndthroughthepassesofthewoodGuidedmysteps,notunpursued;

  AndRoderickshallhiswelcomemake,Despiteoldspleen,forDouglas’sake。

  ThenmustheseekStrath—EndrickglenNorperilaughtformeagain。’

  XXVII。

  SirRoderick,whotomeetthemcame,ReddenedatsightofMalcolmGraeme,Yet,notinaction,word,oreye,Failedaughtinhospitality。

  IntalkandsporttheywhiledawayThemorningofthatsummerday;

  ButathighnoonacourierlightHeldsecretparleywiththeknight,WhosemoodyaspectsoondeclaredThatevilwerethenewsheheard。

  Deepthoughtseemedtoilinginhishead;

  YetwastheeveningbanquetmadeEreheassembledroundtheflameHismother,Douglas,andtheGraeme,AndEllentoo;thencastaroundHiseyes,thenfixedthemontheground,AsstudyingphrasethatmightavailBesttoconveyunpleasanttale。

  Longwithhisdagger’shiltheplayed,Thenraisedhishaughtybrow。andsaid:——

  XXVIII。

  ’Shortbemyspeech;——nortimeaffords,Normyplaintemper,glozingwords。

  Kinsmanandfather,——ifsuchnameDouglasvouchsafetoRoderick’sclaim;

  Minehonoredmother;——Ellen,——why,Mycousin,turnawayshineeye?——

  AndGraeme,inwhomIhopetoknowFullsoonanoblefriendorfoe,Whenageshallgivetheethycommand,Andleadinginthynativeland,——

  Listall!——TheKing’svindictiveprideBoaststohavetamedtheBorder—side,Wherechiefs,withhoundandtrawl;whocameTosharetheirmonarch’ssylvangame,Themselvesinbloodytoilsweresnared,Andwhenthebanquettheyprepared,Andwidetheirloyalportalsflung,O’ertheirowngatewaystrugglinghung。

  LoudcriestheirbloodfromMeggat’smead,FromYarrowbraesandbanksofTweed,WherethelonestreamsofEttrickglide,AndfromthesilverTeviot’sside;

  Thedales,wheremartialclansdidride,Arenowonesheep—walk,wasteandwide。

  ThistyrantoftheScottishthrone,Sofaithlessandsoruthlessknown,Nowhithercomes;hisendthesame,Thesamepretextofsylvangame。

  WhatgraceforHighlandChiefs,judgeyeByfateofBorderchivalry。

  Yetmore;amidGlenfinlas’green,Douglas,thystatelyformwasseen。

  ThisbyespialsureIknow:

  YourcounselinthestreightIshow。’

  XXIX。

  EllenandMargaretfearfullySoughtcomfortineachother’seye,Thenturnedtheirghastlylook,eachone,Thistohersire,thattoherson。

  ThehastycolorwentandcameIntheboldcheekofMalcohmGraeme,Butfromhisglanceitwellappeared’TwasbutforEllenthathefeared;

  While,sorrowful,butundismayed,TheDouglasthushiscounselsaid:

  ’BraveRoderick,thoughthetempestroar,Itmaybutthunderandpasso’er;

  NorwillIhereremainanhour,Todrawthelightningonthybower;

  Forwellthouknow’st,atthisgrayheadTheroyalboltwerefiercestsped。

  Forthee,who,atthyKing’scommand,Canstaidhimwithagallantband,Submission,homage,humbledpride,ShallturntheMonarch’swrathaside。

  PoorremnantsoftheBleedingHeart,EllenandIwillseekapartTherefugeofsomeforestcell,There,likethehuntedquarry,dwell,TillonthemountainandthemoorThesternpursuitbepassedando’er,’——

  XXX。

  ’No,byminehonor,’Rodericksaid,’SohelpmeHeaven,andmygoodblade!

  No,never!BlastedbeyonPine,Myfather’sancientcrestandmine,IffromitsshadeindangerpartThelineageoftheBleedingHeart!

  Hearmybluntspeech:grantmethismaidTowife,thycounseltomineaid;

  ToDouglas,leaguedwithRoderickDhu,Willfriendsandalliesflockenow;

  Likecauseofdoubt,distrust,andgrief,WillbindtouseachWesternChiefWhentheloudpipesmybridaltell,TheLinksofForthshallheartheknell,TheguardsshallstartinStirling’sporch;

  AndwhenIlightthenuptialtorch,AthousandvillagesinflamesShallscaretheslumbersofKingJames!——

  Nay,Ellen,blenchnotthusaway,And,mother,ceasethesesigns,Ipray;

  Imeantnotallmyheatmightsay。——

  Smallneedofinroadoroffight,WhenthesageDouglasmayuniteEachmountainclaninfriendlyband,Toguardthepassesoftheirland,TillthefoiledKingfrompathlessglenShallbootlessturnhimhomeagain。’

  XXXI。

  Therearewhohave,atmidnighthour,Inslumberscaledadizzytower,And,onthevergethatbeetledo’erTheoceantide’sincessantroar,Dreamedcalmlyouttheirdangerousdream,Tillwakenedbythemorningbeam;

  When,dazzledbytheeasternglow,Suchstartlercasthisglancebelow,Andsawunmeasureddeptharound,Andheardunintermittedsound,Andthoughtthebattledfencesofrail,Itwavedlikecobwebinthegale;

  Amidhissenses’giddywheel,Didhenotdesperateimpulsefeel,Headlongtoplungehimselfbelow,Andmeettheworsthisfearsforeshow?——

  ThusEllen,dizzyandastound,Assuddenruinyawnedaround,Bycrossingterrorswildlytossed,StillfortheDouglasfearingmost,Couldscarcethedesperatethoughtwithstand,Tobuyhissafetywithherhand。

  XXXII。

  SuchpurposedreadcouldMalcolmspyInEllen’squiveringlipandeye,Andeagerrosetospeak,——butereHistonguecouldhurryforthhisfear,HadDouglasmarkedthehecticstrife,Wheredeathseemedcombatingwithlife;

  Fortohercheek,infeverishflood,Oneinstantrushedthethrobbingblood,Thenebbingback,withsuddensway,Leftitsdomainaswanasclay。

  ’Roderick,enough!enough!’hecried,’Mydaughtercannotbethybride;

  Notthattheblushtowooerdear,Norpalenessthatofmaidenfear。

  Itmaynotbe,——forgiveher,Chief,Norhazardaughtforourrelief。

  Againsthissovereign,Douglasne’erWilllevelarebelliousspear。

  ’TwasIthattaughthisyouthfulhandToreinasteedandwieldabrand;

  Iseehimyet,theprincelyboy!

  NotEllenmoremyprideandjoy;

  Ilovehimstill,despitemywrongsByhastywrathandslanderoustongues。

  O。seekthegraceyouwellmayfind,Withoutacausetominecombined!’

  XXXIII。

  TwicethroughthehalltheChieftainstrode;

  Thewavingofhistartarsbroad,Anddarkenedbrow,wherewoundedprideWithireanddisappointmentviedSeemed,bythetorch’sgloomylight,LiketheillDemonofthenight,Stoopinghispinions’shadowyswayUpontherightedpilgrim’sway:

  But,unrequitedLove!thydartPlungeddeepestitsenvenomedsmart,AndRoderick,withshineanguishstung,AtlengththehandofDouglaswrung,WhileeyesthatmockedattearsbeforeWithbitterdropswererunningo’er。

  Thedeath—pangsoflong—cherishedhopeScarceinthatamplebreasthadscopeBut,strugglingwithhisspiritproud,Convulsiveheaveditscheckeredshroud,Whileeverysob——somutewereallWashearddistinctlythroughtheball。

  Theson’sdespair,themother’slook,IIImightthegentleEllenbrook;

  Sherose,andtohersidetherecame,Toaidherpartingsteps,theGraeme。

  XXXIV。

  ThenRoderickfromtheDouglasbroke——

  Asflashesflamethroughsablesmoke,Kindlingitswreaths,long,dark,andlow,Toonebroadblazeofruddyglow,SothedeepanguishofdespairBurst,infiercejealousy,toair。

  WithstalwartgrasphishandhelaidOnMalcolm’sbreastandbeltedplaid:

  ’Back,beardlessboy!’hesternlysaid,’Back,minion!holdstthouthusatnaughtThelessonIsolatelytaught?

  Thisroof,theDouglas。andthatmaid,Thankthouforpunishmentdelayed。’

  Eagerasgreyhoundonhisgame,FiercelywithRoderickgrappledGraeme。

  ’Perishmyname,ifaughtaffordItsChieftainsafetysavehissword!’

  ThusastheystrovetheirdesperatehandGripedtothedaggerorthebrand,Anddeathhadbeen——butDouglasrose,AndthrustbetweenthestrugglingfoesHisgiantstrength:——’Chieftains,forego!

  Iholdthefirstwhostrikesmyfoe。——

  Madmen,forbearyourfranticjar!

  What!istheDouglasfallensofar,Hisdaughter’shandisdeemedthespoilOfsuchdishonorablebroil?’

  Sullenandslowlytheyunclasp,Asstruckwithshame,theirdesperategrasp,Andeachuponhisrivalglared,Withfootadvancedandbladehalfbared。

  XXXV。

  Ereyetthebrandsaloftwereflung,MargaretonRoderick’smantlehung,AndMalcolmheardhisEllen’sscream,Asfalteredthroughterrificdream。

  ThenRoderickplungedinsheathhissword,Andveiledhiswrathinscornfulword:’

  Restsafetillmorning;pity’twereSuchcheekshouldfeelthemidnightair!

  ThenmaystthoutoJamesStuarttell,Roderickwillkeepthelakeandfell,NorlackeywithhisfreebornclanThepageantpompofearthlyman。

  MorewouldheofClan—Alpineknow,Thoucanstourstrengthandpassesshow。——

  Malise,whatho!’——hishenchmancame:

  ’Giveoursafe—conducttotheGraeme。’

  YoungMalcolmanswered,calmandbold:’

  Fearnothingforthyfavoritehold;

  ThespotanangeldeignedtograceIsblessed,thoughrobbershaunttheplace。

  ThychurlishcourtesyforthoseReserve,whofeartobethyfoes。

  AssafetomethemountainwayAtmidnightasinblazeofday,ThoughwithhisboldestathisbackEvenRoderickDhubesetthetrack。——

  BraveDouglas,——lovelyEllen,——nay,NaughthereofpartingwillIsay。

  EarthdoesnotholdalonesomeglenSosecretbutwemeetagain。——

  Chieftain!wetooshallfindanhour,’——

  Hesaid,andleftthesylvanbower。

  XXXVI。

  OldAllanfollowedtothestrand——

  SuchwastheDouglas’scommand——

  Andanxioustold,how,onthemorn,ThesternSirRoderickdeephadsworn,TheFieryCrossshouldcircleo’erDale,glen,andvalley,downandmoorMuchweretheperiltotheGraemeFromthosewhotothesignalcame;

  Farupthelake’tweresafestland,Himselfwouldrowhimtothestrand。

  Hegavehiscounseltothewind,WhileMalcolmdid,unheeding,bind,Rounddirkandpouchandbroadswordrolled,Hisampleplaidintightenedfold,AndstrippedhislimbstosucharrayAsbestmightsuitthewateryway,——

  XXXVII。

  Thenspokeabrupt:’Farewelltothee,Patternofoldfidelity!’

  TheMinstrel’shandhekindlypressed,——

  ’O,couldIpointaplaceofrest!

  Mysovereignholdsinwardmyland,Myuncleleadsmyvassalband;

  Totamehisfoes,hisfriendstoaid,PoorMalcolmhasbutheartandblade。

  Yet,iftherebeonefaithfulGraemeWholovesthechieftainofhisname,NotlongshallhonoredDouglasdwellLikehuntedstaginmountaincell;

  Nor,ereyonpride—swollenrobberdare,——

  Imaynotgivetheresttoair!

  TellRoderickDhuIowedhimnaught,Nottilepoorserviceofaboat,Towaftmetoyonmountain—side。’

  Thenplungedheintheflashingtide。

  Boldo’erthefloodhisheadhebore,Andstoutlysteeredhimfromtheshore;

  AndAllanstrainedhisanxiouseye,Farmidthelakehisformtospy,Darkeningacrosseachpunywave,Towhichthemoonhersilvergave。

  Fastasthecormorantcouldskim。

  Theswimmerpliedeachactivelimb;

  Thenlandinginthemoonlightdell,Loudshoutedofhiswealtotell。

  TheMinstrelheardthefarhalloo,Andjoyfulfromtheshorewithdrew。

  CANTOTHIRD。

  TheGathering。

  I。

  Timerollshisceaselesscourse。Theraceofyore,Whodancedourinfancyupontheirknee,AndtoldourmarvellingboyhoodlegendsstoreOftheirstrangeventureshappedbylandorsea,Howaretheyblottedfromthethingsthatbe!

  Howfew,allweakandwitheredoftheirforce,Waitonthevergeofdarketernity,Likestrandedwrecks,thetidereturninghoarse,Tosweepthemfromoutsight!Timerollshisceaselesscourse。

  Yetlivetherestillwhocanrememberwell,How,whenamountainchiefhisbugleblew,Bothfieldandforest,dingle,cliff;anddell,Andsolitaryheath,thesignalknew;

  Andfastthefaithfulclanaroundhimdrew。

  Whattimethewarningnotewaskeenlywound,Whattimealofttheirkindredbannerflew,Whileclamorouswar—pipesyelledthegatheringsound,AndwhiletheFieryCrossglancedlikeameteor,round。

  II。

  TheSummerdawn’sreflectedhueTopurplechangedLochKatrineblue;

  MildlyandsoftthewesternbreezeJustkissedthelake,juststirredthetrees,Andthepleasedlake,likemaidencoy,TrembledbutdimplednotforjoyThemountain—shadowsonherbreastWereneitherbrokennoratrest;

  Inbrightuncertaintytheylie,LikefuturejoystoFancy’seye。

  Thewater—lilytothelightHerchalicerearedofsilverbright;

  Thedoeawoke,andtothelawn,Begemmedwithdew—drops,ledherfawn;

  Thegraymistleftthemountain—side,Thetorrentshoweditsglisteningpride;

  InvisibleinfleckedskyThelarksentclownherrevelry:

  TheblackbirdandthespeckledthrushGood—morrowgavefrombrakeandbush;

  InanswercooedthecushatdoveHernotesofpeaceandrestandlove。

  III。

  Nothoughtofpeace,nothoughtofrest,AssuagedthestorminRoderick’sbreast。

  Withsheathedbroadswordinhishand,Abrupthepacedtheisletstrand,Andeyedtherisingsun,andlaidHishandonhisimpatientblade。

  Beneatharock,hisvassals’careWasprompttheritualtoprepare,Withdeepanddeathfulmeaningfraught;

  ForsuchAntiquityhadtaughtWasprefacemeet,ereyetabroadTheCrossofFireshouldtakeitsroad。

  TheshrinkingbandstoodoftaghastAttheimpatientglancehecast;——

  Suchglancethemountaineaglethrew,As,fromthecliffsofBenvenue,Shespreadherdarksailsonthewind,And,highinmiddleheavenreclined,Withherbroadshadowonthelake,Silencedthewarblersofthebrake。

  IV。

  Aheapofwitheredboughswaspiled,Ofjuniperandrowanwild,Mingledwithshiversfromtheoak,Rentbythelightning’srecentstroke。

  BriantheHermitbyitstood,Barefooted,inhisfrockandhood。

  HisgrizzledbeardandmattedhairObscuredavisageofdespair;

  Hisnakedarmsandlegs,seamedo’er,Thescarsoffranticpenancebore。

  Thatmonk,ofsavageformandfaceTheimpendingdangerofhisraceHaddrawnfromdeepestsolitudeFarinBenharrow’sbosomrude。

  NothisthemienofChristianpriest,ButDruid’s,fromthegravereleasedWhosehardenedheartandeyemightbrookOnhumansacrificetolook;

  Andmuch,’twassaid,ofheathenloreMixedinthecharmshemutteredo’er。

  ThehallowedcreedgaveonlyworseAnddeadlieremphasisofcurse。

  NopeasantsoughtthatHermit’sprayerHiscavethepilgrimshunnedwithcare,TheeagerhuntsmanknewhisboundAndinmidchasecalledoffhishound;’

  Orif,inlonelyglenorstrath,Thedesert—dwellermethispathHeprayed,andsignedthecrossbetween,Whileterrortookdevotion’smien。

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