Volume Ii Part 72 (2/2)

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone, He swam the Eske river where ford there was none; But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate, The bride had consented, the gallant came late; For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.

So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall, Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all.

Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword, (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), ”O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?”

”I long wooed your daughter, my suit you denied;-- Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide,-- And now am I come, with this lost love of mine, To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.

There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far, That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”

The bride kissed the goblet; the knight took it up, He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup.

She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh, With a smile on her lips, and a tear in her eye.

He took her soft hand, era her mother could bar,-- ”Now tread we a measure!” said young Lochinvar.

So stately his form, and so lovely her face, That never a hall such a galliard did grace; While her mother did fret, and her father did fume.

And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume; And the bride-maidens whispered, ”'Twere better by far, To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.”

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, When they reached the hall-door, and the charger stood near; So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung!

”She is won! we are gone! over bank, bush, and scaur; They'll have fleet steeds that follow,” quoth young Lochinvar.

There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan; Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran: There was racing and chasing on Cann.o.bie Lee, But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see.

So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?

Walter Scott [1771-1832]

JOCK OF HAZELDEAN

”Why weep ye by the tide, ladie?

Why weep ye by the tide?

I'll wed ye to my youngest son, And ye sall be his bride: And ye sall be his bride, ladie, Sae comely to be seen”-- But aye she loot the tears down fa'

For Jock of Hazeldean.

”Now let this wilfu' grief be done, And dry that cheek so pale; Young Frank is chief of Errington And lord of Langley-dale; His step is first in peaceful ha', His sword in battle keen”-- But aye she loot the tears down fa'

For Jock of Hazeldean.

”A chain of gold ye sall not lack, Nor braid to bind your hair, Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk, Nor palfrey fresh and fair; And you the foremost o' them a'

Shall ride our forest-queen”-- But aye she loot the tears down fa'

For Jock of Hazeldean.

The kirk was decked at morning-tide, The tapers glimmered fair; The priest and bridegroom wait the bride, And dame and knight are there: They sought her baith by bower and ha'; The ladie was not seen!

She's o'er the Border, and awa'

Wi' Jock of Hazeldean.

Walter Scott [1771-1832]

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