Part 18 (2/2)
Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp; Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp!
Get thee an ape, and trudge the land, 130 The leader of a juggler band.”
VII
”No, comrade; no such fortune mine.
After the fight these sought our line, That aged harper and the girl, And, having audience of the Earl, 135 Mar bade I should purvey them steed, And bring them hitherward with speed.
Forbear your mirth and rude alarm, For none shall do them shame or harm.”
”Hear ye his boast?” cried John of Brent, 140 Ever to strife and jangling bent; ”Shall he strike doe beside our lodge, And yet the jealous n.i.g.g.ard grudge To pay the forester his fee?
I'll have my share, howe'er it be, 145 Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee.”
Bertram his forward step withstood; And, burning in his vengeful mood, Old Allan, though unfit for strife; Laid hand upon his dagger-knife; 150 But Ellen boldly stepped between, And dropped at once the tartan screen.
So, from his morning cloud, appears The sun of May, through summer tears.
The savage soldiery, amazed, 155 As on descended angel gazed; Even hardy Brent, abashed and tamed, Stood half admiring, half ashamed.
VIII
Boldly she spoke--”Soldiers, attend!
My father was the soldier's friend; 160 Cheered him in camps, in marches led, And with him in the battle bled.
Not from the valiant, or the strong, Should exile's daughter suffer wrong.”
Answered De Brent, most forward still 165 In every feat of good or ill: ”I shame me of the part I played; And thou an outlaw's child, poor maid!
An outlaw I by forest laws, And merry Needwood knows the cause. 170 Poor Rose--if Rose be living now”-- He wiped his iron eye and brow-- ”Must bear such age, I think, as thou.
Hear ye, my mates; I go to call The Captain of our watch to hall. 175 There lies my halberd on the floor; And he that steps my halberd o'er, To do the maid injurious part, My shaft shall quiver in his heart!
Beware loose speech, or jesting rough; 180 Ye all know John de Brent. Enough.”
IX
Their Captain came, a gallant young-- Of Tullibardine's house he sprung-- Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight; Gay was his mien, his humor light, 185 And, though by courtesy controlled, Forward his speech, his bearing bold.
The high-born maiden ill could brook The scanning of his curious look And dauntless eye; and yet, in sooth, 190 Young Lewis was a generous youth; But Ellen's lovely face and mien, Ill suited to the garb and scene, Might lightly bear construction strange, And give loose fancy scope to range. 195 ”Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid!
Come ye to seek a champion's aid, On palfrey white, with harper h.o.a.r, Like errant damosel of yore?
Does thy high quest a knight require, 200 Or may the venture suit a squire?”
Her dark eye flashed--she paused and sighed-- ”O what have I to do with pride!
Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife, A suppliant for a father's life, 205 I crave an audience of the King.
Behold, to back my suit, a ring, The royal pledge of grateful claims, Given by the Monarch to Fitz-James.”
X
The signet ring young Lewis took, 210 With deep respect and altered look; And said--”This ring our duties own; And pardon, if to worth unknown, In semblance mean obscurely veiled, Lady, in aught my folly failed. 215 Soon as the day flings wide his gates, The King shall know what suitor waits.
Please you, meanwhile, in fitting bower Repose you till his waking hour; Female attendance shall obey 220 Your hest, for service or array.
Permit I marshal you the way.”
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