XXI。
\"’Revenge！revenge！\"theSaxonscried，TheGaels’exultingshoutreplied。
Despitetheelementalrage，Againtheyhurriedtoengage；
But，eretheyclosedindesperatefight，Bloodywithspurringcameaknight，Sprungfromhishorse，andfromacragWaved’twixtthehostsamilk—whiteflag。
ClarionandtrumpetbyhissideRungforthatruce—notehighandwide，While，intheMonarch’sname，afarAherald’svoiceforbadethewar，ForBothwell’slordandRoderickboldWereboth，hesaid，incaptivehold。’——
Butherethelaymadesuddenstand，TheharpescapedtheMinstrel’shand！
Ofthadhestolenaglance，tospyHowRoderickbrookedhisminstrelsy：
Atfirst，theChieftain，tothechime，Withliftedhandkeptfeebletime；
Thatmotionceased，——yetfeelingstrongVariedhislookaschangedthesong；
Atlength，nomorehisdeafenedearTheminstrelmelodycanhear；
Hisfacegrowssharp，——hishandsareclenched’
Asifsomepanghisheart—stringswrenched；
Setarehisteeth，hisfadingeyeIssternlyfixedonvacancy；
Thus，motionlessandmoanless，drewHispartingbreathstoutRoderickDhu！——
OldAllan—banelookedonaghast，Whilegrimandstillhisspiritpassed；
Butwhenhesawthatlifewasfled，Hepouredhiswailingo’erthedead。
XXII。
Lament。
’Andartthoucoldandlowlylaid，Thyfoeman’sdread，thypeople’said，Breadalbane’sboast，Clan—Alpine’sshade！
Fortheeshallnonearequiemsay？——
Forthee，wholovedtheminstrel’slay，Forthee，ofBothwell’shousethestay，Theshelterofherexiledline，E’eninthisprison—houseofshine，I’llwailforAlpine’shonoredPine！
’Whatgroansshallyondervalleysfill！
Whatshrieksofgriefshallrendyonhill！
Whattearsofburningrageshallthrill，Whenmournsthytribethybattlesdone，Thyfallbeforetheracewaswon，Thyswordungirteresetofsun！
Therebreathesnotclansmanofthyline，Butwouldhavegivenhislifeforshine。
O，woeforAlpine’shonouredPine！
’Sadwasthylotonmortalstage！——
Thecaptivethrushmaybrookthecage，Theprisonedeaglediesforrage。
Bravespirit，doDotscornmystrain！
And，whenitsnotesawakeagain，Evenshe，solongbelovedinvain，Shallwithmyharphervoicecombine，Andmixherwoeandtearswithmine，TowailClan—Alpine’shonouredPine。’
XXIII。
Ellenthewhile，withburstingheart，Remainedinlordlybowerapart，Whereplayed，withmany—colouredgleams，Throughstoriedpanetherisingbeams。
Invainongildedrooftheyfall，Andlightenedupatapestriedwall，AndforheruseamenialtrainArichcollationspreadinvain。
Thebanquetproud，thechambergay，Scarcedrewonecuriousglanceastray；
Orifshelooked，’twasbuttosay，WithbetteromendawnedthedayInthatloneisle，wherewavedonhighThedun—deer’shideforcanopy；
WhereofthernoblefathersharedThesimplemealhercareprepared，WhileLufra，crouchingbyherside，Herstationclaimedwithjealouspride，AndDoug]as，bentonwoodlandgame，SpokeofthechasetoMalcolmGraeme，Whoseanswer，oftatrandommade，Thewanderingofhisthoughtsbetrayed。
ThosewhosuchsimplejoyshaveknownAretaughttoprizethemwhenthey’regone。
Butsudden，see，sheliftsherhead；
Thewindowseekswithcautioustread。
WhatdistantmusichasthepowerTowinherinthiswofulhour？
’Twasfromaturretthato’erhungHerlatticedbower，thestrainwassung。
XXIV。
LayoftheImprisonedHuntsman。
’Myhawkistiredofperchandhood，Myidlegreyhoundloatheshisfood，Myhorseiswearyofhisstall，AndIamsickofcaptivethrall。
IwishIwereasIhavebeen，Huntingthehartinforestgreen，Withbendedbowandbloodhoundfree，Forthat’sthelifeismeetforme。
IhatetolearntheebboftimeFromyondullsteeple’sdrowsychime，Ormarkitasthesunbeamscrawl，Inchafterinch，alongthewall。
Thelarkwaswontmymatinsring，Thesablerookmyvesperssing；
Thesetowers，althoughaking’stheybe，Havenotahallofjoyforme。
NomoreatdawningmornIrise，AndsunmyselfinEllen’seyes，Drivethefleetdeertheforestthrough，Andhomewardwendwitheveningdew；
Ablithesomewelcomeblithelymeet，Andlaymytrophiesatherfeet，Whilefledtheeveonwingofglee，——
Thatlifeislosttoloveandme！’
XXV。
Theheart—sicklaywashardlysaid，Thelistenerhadnotturnedherhead，Ittrickledstill，thestartingtear，Whenlightafootstepstruckherear，AndSnowdoun’sgracefulKnightwasnear。
Sheturnedthehastier，lestagainTheprisonershouldrenewhisstrain。
’Owelcome，braveFitz—James！’shesaid；
’HowmayanalmostorphanmaidPaythedeepdebt——’’Osaynotso！
Tomenogratitudeyouowe。
Notmine，alas！theboontogive，Andbidthynoblefatherlive；
Icanbutbethyguide，sweetmaid，WithScotland’sKingthysuittoaid。
Notyranthe，thoughireandprideMaylayhisbettermoodaside。
Come，Ellen，come！’tismorethantime，Heholdshiscourtatmorningprime。’
Withheatingheart，andbosomwrung，Astoabrother’sarmsheclung。
Gentlyhedriedthefallingtear，Andgentlywhisperedhopeandcheer；
Herfalteringstepshalfled，halfstayed，Throughgalleryfairandhigharcade，TillathistouchitswingsofprideAportalarchunfoldedwide。
XXVI。
Within’twasbrilliantallandlight，Athrongingsceneoffiguresbright；
ItglowedonEllen’sdazzledsight，AswhenthesettingsunhasgivenTenthousandhuestosummereven，AndfromtheirtissuefancyframesAerialknightsandfairydames。
StillbyFitz—Jamesherfootingstaid；
Afewfaintstepssheforwardmade，Thenslowherdroopingheadsheraised，Andfearfulroundthepresencegazed；
Forhimshesoughtwhoownedthisstate，ThedreadedPrincewhosewillwasfate！——
ShegazedonmanyaprincelyportMightwellhaveruledaroyalcourt；
Onmanyasplendidgarbshegazed，——
Thenturnedbewilderedandamazed，Forallstoodbare；andintheroomFitz—Jamesaloneworecapandplume。
Tohimeachlady’slookwaslent，Onhimeachcourtier’seyewasbent；
Midstfursandsilksandjewelssheen，Hestood，insimpleLincolngreen，Thecentreoftheglitteringring，——
AndSnowdoun’sKnightisScotland’sKing！
XXVII。
Aswreathofsnowonmountain—breastSlidesfromtherockthatgaveitrest，PoorEllenglidedfromherstay，AndattheMonarch’sfeetshelay；
Nowordherchokingvoicecommands，——
Sheshowedthering，——sheclaspedherhands。
O，notamomentcouldhebrook，ThegenerousPrince，thatsuppliantlook！
Gentlyheraisedher，——and，thewhile，Checkedwithaglancethecircle’ssmile；
Graceful，butgrave，herbrowhekissed，Andbadeherterrorsbedismissed：——
’Yes，fair；thewanderingpoorFitz—JamesThefealtyofScotlandclaims。
Tohimthywoes，thywishes，bring；
Hewillredeemhissignetring。
AsknaughtforDouglas；——yestereven，HisPrinceandhehavemuchforgiven；
Wronghathhehadfromslanderoustongue，I，fromhisrebelkinsmen，wrong。
Wewouldnot，tothevulgarcrowd，Yieldwhattheycravedwithclamorloud；
Calmlyweheardandjudgedhiscause，Ourcouncilaidedandourlaws。
Istanchedthyfather’sdeath—feudsternWithstoutDeVauxandgrayGlencairn；
AndBothwell’sLordhenceforthweownThefriendandbulwarkofourthrone。——
But，lovelyinfidel，hownow？
Whatcloudsthymisbelievingbrow？
LordJamesofDouglas，lendshineaid；
Thoumustconfirmthisdoubtingmaid。’
XXVIII。
ThenforththenobleDouglassprung，Andonhisneckhisdaughterhung。
TheMonarchdrank，thathappyhour，Thesweetest，holiestdraughtofPower，——
Whenitcansaywithgodlikevoice，Arise，sadVirtue，andrejoice！
YetwouldnotJamesthegeneraleyeOnnature’sraptureslongshouldpry；
Hesteppedbetween——’Nay，Douglas，nay，Stealnotmyproselyteaway！
Theriddle’tismyrighttoread，Thatbroughtthishappychancetospeed。
Yes，Ellen，whendisguisedIstrayInlife’smorelowbuthappierway，’TisundernamewhichveilsmypowerNorfalselyveils，——forStirling’stowerOfyorethenameofSnowdounclaims，AndNormanscallmeJamesFitz—James。
ThuswatchIo’erinsultedlaws，Thuslearntorighttheinjuredcause。’
Then，inatoneapartandlow，——
’Ah，littletraitress！nonemustknowWhatidledream，whatlighterthoughtWhatvanityfulldearlybought，Joinedtoshineeye’sdarkwitchcraft，drewMyspell—boundstepstoBenvenueIndangeroushour，andallbutgaveThyMonarch’slifetomountainglaive！’
Aloudhespoke：’ThoustillcostholdThatlittletalismanofgold，Pledgeofmyfaith，Fitz—James’sring，——
WhatseeksfairEllenoftheKing？’
XXIX。
FullwelltheconsciousmaidenguessedHeprobedtheweaknessofherbreast；
ButwiththatconsciousnesstherecameAlighteningofherfearsforGraeme，AndmoreshedeemedtheMonarch’sireKindled’gainsthimwhoforhersireRebelliousbroadswordboldlydrew；
And，tohergenerousfeelingtrue，ShecravedthegraceofRoderickDhu。
’Forbearthysuit；——theKingofkingsAlonecanstaylife’spartingwings。
Iknowhisheart，Iknowhishand，Havesharedhischeer，andprovedhisbrand；
MyfairestearldomwouldIgiveTobidClan—Alpine’sChieftainlive！——
Hastthounootherboontocrave？
Noothercaptivefriendtosave？’
Blushing，sheturnedherfromtheKing，AndtotheDouglasgavethering，AsifshewishedhersiretospeakThesuitthatstainedherglowingcheek。
’Nay，then，mypledgehaslostitsforce，Andstubbornjusticeholdshercourse。
Malcolm，comeforth！’——and，attheword，DownkneeledtheGraemetoScotland’sLord。
’Forthee，rashyouth，nosuppliantsues，FromtheemayVengeanceclaimherdues，Who，nurturedunderneathoursmile，Hastpaidourcarebytreacherouswile，AndsoughtamidthyfaithfulclanArefugeforanoutlawedman，Dishonoringthusthyloyalname。——
FettersandwarderfortheGraeme！’
HischainofgoldtheKingunstrung，Thelinkso’erMalcolm’sneckheflung，Thengentlydrewtheglitteringband，AndlaidtheclasponEllen’shand。
HarpoftheNorth，farewell！Thehillsgrowdark，Onpurplepeaksadeepershadedescending；
Intwilightcopsetheglow—wormlightsherspark，Thedeer，halfseen，aretothecovertwending。
Resumethywizardelm！thefountainlending，Andthewildbreeze，thywilderminstrelsy；
Thynumberssweetwithnature’svespersblending，Withdistantechofromthefoldandlea，Andherd—boy’seveningpipe，andhumofhousingbee。
Yet，onceagain，farewell，thouMinstrelHarp！
Yet，onceagain，forgivemyfeeblesway，AndlittlereckIofthecensuresharpMayidlycavilatanidlelay。
MuchhaveIowedthystrainsonlife’slongway，Throughsecretwoestheworldhasneverknown，Whenonthewearynightdawnedwearierday，Andbittererwasthegriefdevouredalone。——
ThatIo’erlivesuchwoes，Enchantress！isshineown。
Hark！asmylingeringfootstepsslowretire，SomeSpiritoftheAirhaswakedthystring！
’Tisnowaseraphbold，withtouchoffire，’TisnowthebrushofFairy’sfrolicwing。
Recedingnow，thedyingnumbersringFainterandfainterdowntheruggeddell；
AndnowthemountainbreezesscarcelybringAwanderingwitch—noteofthedistantspell——
Andnow，’tissilentall！——Enchantress，faretheewell！
AbbreviationsUsedInTheNotes。
Cf。（confer），compare。
F。Q。，Spenser’sFaerieQueene。
Fol。，following。
Id。（idem），thesame。
Lockhart，J。G。Lockhart’seditionofScott’spoems（variousissues）。
P。L。，Milton’sParadiseLost。
Taylor，R。W。Taylor’seditionofTheLadyoftheLake（London，1875）。
Wb。，Webster’sDictionary（revisedquartoeditionof1879）。
Worc。，Worcester’sDictionary（quartoedition）。
TheabbreviationsofthenamesofShakespeare’splayswillbereadilyunderstood。Theline—numbersarethoseofthe\"Globe\"
edition。
ThereferencestoScott’sLayoftheLastMinstrelaretocantoandline；thosetoMarmionandotherpoemstocantoandstanza。
NOTES。
Introduction。
TheLadyoftheLakewasfirstpublishedin1810，whenScottwasthirty—nine，anditwasdedicatedto\"themostnobleJohnJames，MarquisofAbercorn。\"EightthousandcopiesweresoldbetweenJune2dandSeptember22d，1810，andrepeatededitionsweresubsequentlycalledfor。In1830，thefollowing\"Introduction\"
wasprefixedtothepoembytheauthor：——
AfterthesuccessofMarmion，IfeltinclinedtoexclaimwithUlyssesintheOdyssey：
Odys。X。5。
\"Oneventurousgamemyhandhaswonto—day——
Another，gallants，yetremainstoplay。\"
Theancientmanners，thehabitsandcustomsoftheaboriginalracebywhomtheHighlandsofScotlandwereinhabited，hadalwaysappearedtomepeculiarlyadaptedtopoetry。Thechangeintheirmanners，too，hadtakenplacealmostwithinmyowntime，oratleastIhadlearnedmanyparticularsconcerningtheancientstateoftheHighlandsfromtheoldmenofthelastgeneration。IhadalwaysthoughttheoldScottishGaelhighlyadaptedforpoeticalcomposition。Thefeudsandpoliticaldissensionswhich，halfacenturyearlier，wouldhaverenderedthericherandwealthierpartofthekingdomindisposedtocountenanceapoem，thesceneofwhichwaslaidintheHighlands，werenowsunkinthegenerouscompassionwhichtheEnglish，morethananyothernation，feelforthemisfortunesofanhonourablefoe。ThePoemsofOssianhadbytheirpopularitysufficientlyshownthat，ifwritingsonHighlandsubjectswerequalifiedtointerestthereader，merenationalprejudiceswere，inthepresentday，veryunlikelytointerferewiththeirsuccess。
Ihadalsoreadagreatdeal，seenmuch，andheardmore，ofthatromanticcountrywhereIwasinthehabitofspendingsometimeeveryautumn；andthesceneryofLockKatrinewasconnectedwiththerecollectionofmanyadearfriendandmerryexpeditionofformerdays。Thispoem，theactionofwhichlayamongscenessobeautifulandsodeeplyimprintedonmyrecollections，wasalabouroflove，anditwasnolesssotorecallthemannersandincidentsintroduced。ThefrequentcustomofJamesIV。，andparticularlyofJamesV。，towalkthroughtheirkingdomindisguise，affordedmethehintofanincidentwhichneverfailstobeinterestingifmanagedwiththeslightestaddressordexterity。
Imaynowconfess，however，thattheemployment，thoughattendedwithgreatpleasure，wasnotwithoutitsdoubtsandanxieties。A
lady，towhomIwasnearlyrelated，andwithwhomIlived，duringherwholelife，onthemostbrotherlytermsofaffection，wasresidingwithmeatthetimewhentheworkwasinprogress，andusedtoaskme，whatIcouldpossiblydotorisesoearlyinthemorning（thathappeningtobethemostconvenienttomeforcomposition）。AtlastItoldherthesubjectofmymeditations；
andIcanneverforgettheanxietyandaffectionexpressedinherreply。\"Donotbesorash，\"shesaid，\"mydearestcousin。[FN#2]
Youarealreadypopular，——moreso，perhaps，thanyouyourselfwillbelieve，orthanevenI，orotherpartialfriends，canfairlyallowtoyourmerit。Youstandhigh，——donotrashlyattempttoclimbhigher，andincurtheriskofafall；for，dependuponit，afavouritewillnotbepermittedeventostumblewithimpunity。\"IrepliedtothisaffectionateexpostulationinthewordsofMontrose，——
\"’Heeitherfearshisfatetoomuch，Orhisdesertsaresmall，WhodaresnotputittothetouchTogainorloseitall。’
\"IfIfail，\"Isaid，forthedialogueisstronginmyrecollection，\"itisasignthatIoughtnevertohavesucceeded，andIwillwriteproseforlife：youshallseenochangeinmytemper，norwillIeatasinglemealtheworse。ButifI
succeed，’Upwiththebonniebluebonnet，Thedirk，andthefeather，anda’！’\"
AfterwardsIshowedmyaffectionateandanxiouscriticthefirstcantoofthepoem，whichreconciledhertomyimprudence。
Nevertheless，althoughIansweredthusconfidently，withtheobstinacyoftensaidtobepropertothosewhobearmysurname，I
acknowledgethatmyconfidencewasconsiderablyshakenbythewarningofherexcellenttasteandunbiasedfriendship。NorwasImuchcomfortedbyherretractionoftheunfavourablejudgment，whenIrecollectedhowlikelyanaturalpartialitywastoeffectthatchangeofopinion。Insuchcases，affectionriseslikealightonthecanvas，improvesanyfavourabletintswhichitformerlyexhibited，andthrowsitsdefectsintotheshade。
Irememberthataboutthesametimeafriendstartedinto\"heezeupmyhope，\"likethe\"sportsmanwithhiscuttygun，\"intheoldsong。Hewasbredafarmer，butamanofpowerfulunderstanding，naturalgoodtaste，andwarmpoeticalfeeling，perfectlycompetenttosupplythewantsofanimperfectorirregulareducation。Hewasapassionateadmireroffield—sports，whichweoftenpursuedtogether。
AsthisfriendhappenedtodinewithmeatAshestieloneday，I
tooktheopportunityofreadingtohimthefirstcantoofTheLadyoftheLake，inordertoascertaintheeffectthepoemwaslikelytoproduceuponapersonwhowasbuttoofavourablearepresentativeofreadersatlarge。ItisofcoursetobesupposedthatIdeterminedrathertoguidemyopinionbywhatmyfriendmightappeartofeel，thanbywhathemightthinkfittosay。Hisreceptionofmyrecitation，orprelection，wasrathersingular。Heplacedhishandacrosshisbrow，andlistenedwithgreatattentionthroughthewholeaccountofthestag—hunt，tillthedogsthrewthemselvesintothelaketofollowtheirmaster，whoembarkswithEllenDouglas。Hethenstartedupwithasuddenexclamation，struckhishandonthetable，anddeclared，inavoiceofcensurecalculatedfortheoccasion，thatthedogsmusthavebeentotallyruinedbybeingpermittedtotakethewateraftersuchaseverechase。IownIwasmuchencouragedbythespeciesofreverywhichhadpossessedsozealousafollowerofthesportsoftheancientNimrod，whohadbeencompletelysurprisedoutofalldoubtsoftherealityofthetale。Anotherofhisremarksgavemelesspleasure。HedetectedtheidentityoftheKingwiththewanderingknight，Fitz—James，whenhewindshisbugletosummonhisattendants。Hewasprobablythinkingofthelively，butsomewhatlicentious，oldballad，inwhichthedenouementofaroyalintriguetakesplaceasfollows：
\"Hetookabuglefraehisside，Heblewbothloudandshrill，AndfourandtwentybeltedknightsCameskippingoverthehill；
Thenhetookoutalittleknife，Leta’hisduddiesfa’，AndhewasthebrawestgentlemanThatwasamangthema’。
Andwe’llgonomorearoving，\"etc。
Thisdiscovery，asMr。Pepyssaysoftherentinhiscamletcloak，wasbutatrifle，yetittroubledme；andIwasatagooddealofpainstoeffaceanymarksbywhichIthoughtmysecretcouldbetracedbeforetheconclusion，whenIreliedonitwiththesamehopeofproducingeffect，withwhichtheIrishpost—boyissaidtoreservea\"trotfortheavenue。\"
Itookuncommonpainstoverifytheaccuracyofthelocalcircumstancesofthisstory。Irecollect，inparticular，thattoascertainwhetherIwastellingaprobabletale，IwentintoPerthshire，toseewhetherKingJamescouldactuallyhaveriddenfromthebanksofLochVennachartoStirlingCastlewithinthetimesupposedinthepoem，andhadthepleasuretosatisfymyselfthatitwasquitepracticable。
Afteraconsiderabledelay，TheLadyoftheLakeappearedinJune，1810；anditssuccesswascertainlysoextraordinaryastoinducemeforthemomenttoconcludethatIhadatlastfixedanailintheproverbiallyinconstantwheelofFortune，whosestabilityinbehalfofanindividualwhohadsoboldlycourtedherfavoursforthreesuccessivetimeshadnotasyetbeenshaken。Ihadattained，perhaps，thatdegreeofreputationatwhichprudence，orcertainlytimidity，wouldhavemadeahalt，anddiscontinuedeffortsbywhichIwasfarmorelikelytodiminishmyfamethantoincreaseit。But，asthecelebratedJohnWilkesissaidtohaveexplainedtohislateMajesty，thathehimself，amidhisfulltideofpopularity，wasneveraWilkite，soIcan，withhonesttruth，exculpatemyselffromhavingbeenatanytimeapartisanofmyownpoetry，evenwhenitwasinthehighestfashionwiththemillion。ItmustnotbesupposedthatIwaseithersoungrateful，orsosuperabundantlycandid，astodespiseorscornthevalueofthosewhosevoicehadelevatedmesomuchhigherthanmyownopiniontoldmeI
deserved。Ifelt，onthecontrary，themoregratefultothepublic，asreceivingthatfrompartialitytome，whichIcouldnothaveclaimedfrommerit；andIendeavouredtodeservethepartiality，bycontinuingsuchexertionsasIwascapableoffortheiramusement。
ItmaybethatIdidnot，inthiscontinuedcourseofscribbling，consulteithertheinterestofthepublicormyown。Buttheformerhadeffectualmeansofdefendingthemselves，andcould，bytheircoldness，sufficientlycheckanyapproachtointrusion；andformyself，IhadnowforseveralyearsdedicatedmyhourssomuchtoliterarylabourthatIshouldhavefeltdifficultyinemployingmyselfotherwise；andso，likeDogberry，Igenerouslybestowedallmytediousnessonthepublic，comfortingmyselfwiththereflectionthat，ifposterityshouldthinkmeundeservingofthefavourwithwhichIwasregardedbymycontemporaries，\"theycouldnotbutsayIhadthecrown，\"andhadenjoyedforatimethatpopularitywhichissomuchcoveted。
Iconceived，however，thatIheldthedistinguishedsituationI
hadobtained，howeverunworthily，ratherlikethechampionofpugilism，[FN#3]ontheconditionofbeingalwaysreadytoshowproofsofmyskill，thaninthemannerofthechampionofchivalry，whoperformshisdutiesonlyonrareandsolemnoccasions。IwasinanycaseconsciousthatIcouldnotlongholdasituationwhichthecaprice，ratherthanthejudgment，ofthepublic，hadbestoweduponme，andpreferredbeingdeprivedofmyprecedencebysomemoreworthyrival，tosinkingintocontemptformyindolence，andlosingmyreputationbywhatScottishlawyerscallthenegativeprescription。Accordingly，thosewhochoosetolookattheIntroductiontoRokeby，willbeabletotracethestepsbywhichIdeclinedasapoettofigureasanovelist；astheballadsays，QueenEleanorsunkatCharingCrosstoriseagainatQueenhithe。
Itonlyremainsformetosaythat，duringmyshortpre—eminenceofpopularity，IfaithfullyobservedtherulesofmoderationwhichIhadresolvedtofollowbeforeIbeganmycourseasamanofletters。Ifamanisdeterminedtomakeanoiseintheworld，heisassuretoencounterabuseandridicule，ashewhogallopsfuriouslythroughavillagemustreckononbeingfollowedbythecursinfullcry。Experiencedpersonsknowthatinstretchingtoflogthelatter，theriderisveryapttocatchabadfall；norisanattempttochastiseamalignantcriticattendedwithlessdangertotheauthor。Onthisprinciple，Iletparody，burlesque，andsquibsfindtheirownlevel；andwhilethelatterhissedmostfiercely，Iwascautiousnevertocatchthemup，asschoolboysdo，tothrowthembackagainstthenaughtyboywhofiredthemoff，wiselyrememberingthattheyareinsuchcasesapttoexplodeinthehandling。Letmeadd，thatmyreign[FN#4]（sinceByronhassocalledit）wasmarkedbysomeinstancesofgood—
natureaswellaspatience。Ineverrefusedaliterarypersonofmeritsuchservicesinsmoothinghiswaytothepublicaswereinmypower；andIhadtheadvantage，ratheranuncommononewithourirritablerace，toenjoygeneralfavourwithoutincurringpermanentill—will，sofarasisknowntome，amonganyofmycontemporaries。
W。S。
Abbotsford，April，1830。
Ourlimitsdonotpermitustoaddanyextendedselectionsfromthemanycriticalnoticesofthepoem。TheverdictofJeffrey，intheEdinburghReview，onitsfirstappearance，hasbeengenerallyendorsed：——
\"Uponthewhole，weareinclinedtothinkmorehighlyofTheLadyoftheLakethanofeitherofitsauthor’sformerpublications[theLayandMarmion]。Wearemoresure，however，thatithasfewerfaultsthanthatithasgreaterbeauties；andasitsbeautiesbearastrongresemblancetothosewithwhichthepublichasbeenalreadymadefamiliarinthesecelebratedworks，weshouldnotbesurprisedifitspopularitywerelesssplendidandremarkable。Forourownparts，however，weareofopinionthatitwillbeoftenerreadhereafterthaneitherofthem；andthat，ifithadappearedfirstintheseries，theirreceptionwouldhavebeenlessfavourablethanthatwhichithasexperienced。Itismorepolishedinitsdiction，andmoreregularinitsversification；thestoryisconstructedwithinfinitelymoreskillandaddress；thereisagreaterproportionofpleasingandtenderpassages，withmuchlessantiquariandetail；and，uponthewhole，alargervarietyofcharacters，moreartfullyandjudiciouslycontrasted。Thereisnothingsofine，perhaps，asthebattleinMarmion，orsopicturesqueassomeofthescatteredsketchesintheLay；butthereisarichnessandaspiritinthewholepiecewhichdoesnotpervadeeitherofthosepoems，——aprofusionofincidentandashiftingbrilliancyofcolouringthatremindsusofthewitcheryofAriosto，andaconstantelasticityandoccasionalenergywhichseemtobelongmorepeculiarlytotheauthornowbeforeus。\"