Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott

Author:Walter Scott [Scott, Walter, Sir]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Lady of the Lake (Legendary character) -- Poetry
Publisher: MOST Publishing

XVIII

410 Angus, the heir of Duncan's line,

Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign.

In haste the stripling to his side

His father's dirk and broadsword tied;

But when he saw his mother's eye

415 Watch him in speechless agony,

Back to her opened arms he flew,

Pressed on her lips a fond adieu—

"Alas!" she sobbed—"and yet be gone,

And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son!"

420 One look he cast upon the bier,

Dashed from his eye the gathering tear,

Breathed deep to clear his laboring breast,

And tossed aloft his bonnet crest,

Then, like the high-bred colt, when, freed,

425 First he essays his fire and speed,

He vanished, and o'er moor and moss

Sped forward with the Fiery Cross.

Suspended was the widow's tear,

While yet his footsteps she could hear;

430 And when she marked the henchman's eye

Wet with unwonted sympathy,

"Kinsman," she said, "his race is run,

That should have sped thine errand on;

The oak has fallen—the sapling bough

435 Is all Duncraggan's shelter now.

Yet trust I well, his duty done,

The orphan's God will guard my son.

And you, in many a danger true,

At Duncan's hest your blades that drew,

440 To arms, and guard that orphan's head!

Let babes and women wail the dead."

Then weapon-clang and martial call

Resounded through the funeral hall,

While from the walls the attendant band

445 Snatched sword and targe, with hurried hand;

And short and flitting energy

Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye,

As if the sounds to warrior dear,

Might rouse her Duncan from his bier.

450 But faded soon that borrowed force;

Grief claimed his right, and tears their course.

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