  THE CHASE. And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung, Till envious ivy did around thee cling, Muffling with verdant ringlet every string,— O minstrel Harp! still must thine accents sleep? Mid rustling leaves and fountain’s murmuring, Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep, Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep? Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon, Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, When lay of hopeless love, or glory won, Aroused the fearful, or subdued the proud. At each according pause, was heard aloud Thine ardent symphony sublime and high! Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bow’d; For still the burden of thy minstrelsy Was Knighthood’s dauntless deed, and Beauty’s matchless eye. Oh, wake once more! how rude soe’er the hand That ventures o’er thy magic maze to stray; Oh, wake once more! though scarce my skill command Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay: Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away, And all unworthy of thy nobler strain, Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway, The wizard note has not been touch’d in vain. Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again! I.The stag at eve had drunk his fill, Where danced the moon on Monan’s And deep his midnight lair had made In lone Glenartney’s But, when the sun his beacon red Had kindled on Benvoirlich’s[6] head, The deep-mouth’d bloodhound’s heavy bay Resounded up the rocky way, And faint, from farther distance borne, Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. II.As Chief, who hears his warder “To arms! the foemen storm the wall,” The antler’d monarch of the waste Sprung from his heathery But, ere his fleet career he took, The dewdrops from his flanks he shook; Like crested leader proud and high, Toss’d his beam’d A moment gazed adown the dale, A moment snuff’d the tainted gale, A moment listen’d to the cry, That thicken’d as the chase drew nigh; Then, as the headmost foes appear’d, With one brave bound the copse he clear’d, And, stretching forward free and far, Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. III.Yell’d on the view the opening Rock, glen, and cavern, paid them back; To many a mingled sound at once The awaken’d mountain gave response. A hundred dogs bay’d deep and strong, Clatter’d a hundred steeds along, Their peal the merry horns rung out, A hundred voices join’d the shout; With hark and whoop and wild halloo, No rest Benvoirlich’s echoes knew. Far from the tumult fled the roe, Close in her covert cower’d the doe, The falcon, from her cairn on high, Cast on the rout Till far beyond her piercing ken The hurricane had swept the glen. Faint, and more faint, its failing din Return’d from cavern, cliff, and linn, And silence settled, wide and still, On the lone wood and mighty hill. IV.Less loud the sounds of silvan war Disturb’d the heights of Uam-Var, And roused the cavern, where, ’tis told, A giant made his den of old; For ere that steep ascent was won, High in his pathway hung the sun, And many a gallant, stay’d perforce, Was fain to breathe his faltering horse, And of the trackers of the deer, Scarce half the lessening pack was near; So shrewdly Had the bold burst their mettle tried. V.The noble stag was pausing now Upon the mountain’s southern brow, Where broad extended, far beneath, The varied realms of fair Menteith. With anxious eye he wander’d o’er Mountain and meadow, moss and moor, And ponder’d refuge from his toil, By far Lochard or Aberfoyle. But nearer was the copsewood gray, That waved and wept on Loch Achray, And mingled with the pine trees blue On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. Fresh vigor with the hope return’d, With flying foot the heath he spurn’d, Held westward with unwearied race, And left behind the panting chase. VI.’Twere long to tell what steeds gave o’er, As swept the hunt through Cambus-more; What reins were tighten’d in despair, When rose Benledi’s ridge in air; Who flagg’d upon Bochastle’s heath, Who shunn’d to stem the flooded Teith,— For twice that day, from shore to shore, The gallant stag swam stoutly o’er. Few were the stragglers, following far, That reach’d the lake of Vennachar; And when the Brigg The headmost horseman rode alone. VII.Alone, but with unbated zeal, That horseman plied the scourge and steel; For jaded now, and spent with toil, Emboss’d with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The laboring stag strain’d full in view. Two dogs of black St. Hubert’s breed, Unmatch’d for courage, breath, and speed, Fast on his flying traces came, And all but won that desperate game; For, scarce a spear’s length from his haunch, Vindictive toil’d the bloodhounds stanch, Nor nearer might the dogs attain, Nor farther might the quarry strain. Thus up the margin of the lake, Between the precipice and brake, O’er stock VIII.XVII.But scarce again his horn he wound, When lo! forth starting at the sound, From underneath an aged oak, That slanted from the islet rock, A damsel guider of its way, A little skiff shot to the bay, That round the promontory steep Led its deep line in graceful sweep, Eddying, in almost viewless wave, The weeping willow twig to lave, And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, The beach of pebbles bright as snow. The boat had touch’d this silver strand, Just as the Hunter left his stand, And stood conceal’d amid the brake, To view this Lady of the Lake. The maiden paused, as if again She thought to catch the distant strain. With head upraised, and look intent, And eye and ear attentive bent, And locks flung back, and lips apart, Like monument of Grecian art, In listening mood, she seem’d to stand, The guardian Naiad XVIII.And ne’er did Grecian chisel trace A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, Of finer form, or lovelier face! What though the sun, with ardent frown, Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown,— The sportive toil, which, short and light, Had dyed her glowing hue so bright, Served too in hastier swell to show Short glimpses of a breast of snow: What though no rule of courtly grace To measured mood had train’d her pace,— A foot more light, a step more true, Ne’er from the heath flower dash’d the dew, E’en the slight harebell raised its head, Elastic from her airy tread: What though upon her speech there hung The accents of the mountain tongue,— Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear, The list’ner held his breath to hear! XIX.A chieftain’s daughter seem’d the maid; Her golden brooch such birth betray’d. And seldom was a snood amid Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, Whose glossy black to shame might bring The plumage of the raven’s wing; And seldom o’er a breast so fair Mantled a plaid with modest care, And never brooch the folds combined Above a heart more good and kind. Her kindness and her worth to spy, You need but gaze on Ellen’s eye; Not Katrine, in her mirror blue, Gives back the shaggy banks more true, Than every freeborn glance confess’d The guileless movements of her breast; Whether joy danced in her dark eye, Or woe or pity claim’d a sigh, Or filial love was glowing there, Or meek devotion pour’d a prayer, Or tale of injury call’d forth The indignant spirit of the North. One only passion unreveal’d, With maiden pride the maid conceal’d, Yet not less purely felt the flame;— Oh! need I tell that passion’s name? XX.Impatient of the silent horn, Now on the gale her voice was borne:— “Father!” she cried; the rocks around Loved to prolong the gentle sound. A while she paused, no answer came,— “Malcolm, was thine the blast?” the name Less resolutely utter’d fell, The echoes could not catch the swell. “A stranger I,” the Huntsman said, Advancing from the hazel shade. The maid, alarm’d, with hasty oar, Push’d her light shallop And when a space was gain’d between, Closer she drew her bosom’s screen; (So forth the startled swan would swing, So turn to prune Then safe, though flutter’d and amazed, She paused, and on the stranger gazed. Not his the form, nor his the eye, That youthful maidens wont to fly. XXI.On his bold visage middle age Had slightly press’d its signet sage, Yet had not quench’d the open truth And fiery vehemence of youth; Forward and frolic glee was there, The will to do, the soul to dare, The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, Of hasty love, or headlong ire. His limbs were cast in manly mold, For hardy sports or contest bold; And though in peaceful garb array’d, And weaponless, except his blade, His stately mien as well implied A high-born heart, a martial pride, As if a baron’s crest he wore, And sheathed in armor trode the shore. Slighting the petty need He told of his benighted road; His ready speech flow’d fair and free, In phrase of gentlest courtesy; Yet seem’d that tone, and gesture bland, Less used to sue than to command. XXII.A while the maid the stranger eyed, And, reassured, at length replied, That Highland halls were open still To wilder’d “Nor think you unexpected come To yon lone isle, our desert home; Before the heath had lost the dew, This morn, a couch On yonder mountain’s purple head Have ptarmigan And our broad nets have swept the mere, To furnish forth your evening cheer.”— “Now, by the rood, Your courtesy has err’d,” he said; “No right have I to claim, misplaced, The welcome of expected guest. A wanderer, here by fortune tost, My way, my friends, my courser lost, I ne’er before, believe me, fair, Have ever drawn your mountain air, Till on this lake’s romantic strand I found a fay in fairyland!” XXIII.“I well believe,” the maid replied, As her light skiff approach’d the side,— “I well believe, that ne’er before Your foot has trod Loch Katrine’s shore; But yet, as far as yesternight, Old Allan-Bane foretold your plight,— A gray-hair’d sire, whose eye intent Was on the vision’d future He saw your steed, a dappled gray, Lie dead beneath the birchen way; Painted exact your form and mien, Your hunting suit of Lincoln green, That tassel’d horn so gayly gilt, That falchion’s crooked blade and hilt, That cap with heron plumage trim, And yon two hounds so dark and grim. He bade that all should ready be To grace a guest of fair degree; But light I held his prophecy, And deem’d it was my father’s horn Whose echoes o’er the lake were borne.” XXIV.The stranger smiled:—“Since to your home A destined errant Announced by prophet sooth Doom’d, doubtless, for achievement bold, I’ll lightly front each high emprise For one kind glance of those bright eyes. Permit me, first, the task to guide Your fairy frigate o’er the tide.” The maid, with smile suppress’d and sly, The toil unwonted saw him try; For seldom sure, if e’er before, His noble hand had grasp’d an oar: Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, And o’er the lake the shallop flew; With heads erect, and whimpering cry, The hounds behind their passage ply. Nor frequent does the bright oar break The dark’ning mirror of the lake, Until the rocky isle they reach, And moor their shallop on the beach. XXV.The stranger view’d the shore around; ’Twas all so close with copsewood bound, Nor track nor pathway might declare That human foot frequented there, Until the mountain maiden show’d A clambering unsuspected road That winded through the tangled screen, And open’d on a narrow green, Where weeping birch and willow round With their long fibers swept the ground. Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, Some chief had framed a rustic bower. XXVI.It was a lodge of ample size, But strange of structure and device; Of such materials, as around The workman’s hand had readiest found; Lopp’d off their boughs, their hoar trunks bared, And by the hatchet rudely squared. To give the walls their destined height, The sturdy oak and ash unite; While moss and clay and leaves combined To fence each crevice from the wind. The lighter pine trees, overhead, Their slender length for rafters spread, And wither’d heath and rushes dry Supplied a russet canopy. Due westward, fronting to the green, A rural portico was seen, Aloft on native pillars borne, Of mountain fir, with bark unshorn, Where Ellen’s hand had taught to twine The ivy and IdÆan vine, The clematis, the favor’d flower Which boasts the name of virgin bower, And every hardy plant could Loch Katrine’s keen and searching air. An instant in this porch she staid, And gayly to the stranger said, “On Heaven and on thy Lady call, And enter the enchanted hall!” XXVII.“My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee.” He cross’d the threshold—and a clang Of angry steel that instant rang. To his bold brow his spirit rush’d, But soon for vain alarm he blush’d, When on the floor he saw display’d, Cause of the din, a naked blade Dropp’d from the sheath, that careless flung, Upon a stag’s huge antlers swung; For all around, the walls to grace, Hung trophies of the fight or chase: A target A battle-ax, a hunting spear, And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, With the tusk’d trophies of the boar. Here grins the wolf as when he died, And there the wild cat’s brindled hide The frontlet of the elk adorns, Or mantles o’er the bison’s horns; Pennons and flags defaced and stain’d, That blackening streaks of blood retain’d, And deerskins, dappled, dun, and white, With otter’s fur and seal’s unite, In rude and uncouth tapestry To garnish forth the silvan hall. XXVIII.The wondering stranger round him gazed, And next the fallen weapon raised:— Few were the arms whose sinewy strength Sufficed to stretch it forth at length: And as the brand he poised and sway’d, “I never knew but one,” he said, “Whose stalwart arm might brook A blade like this in battlefield.” She sighed, then smiled and took the word: “You see the guardian champion’s sword; As light it trembles in his hand, As in my grasp a hazel wand; My sire’s tall form might grace the part Of Ferragus, or Ascabart; But in the absent giant’s hold Are women now, and menials old.” XXIX.The mistress of the mansion came, Mature of age, a graceful dame; Whose easy step and stately port Had well become a princely court; To whom, though more than kindred knew, Young Ellen gave a mother’s due. Meet welcome to her guest she made, And every courteous rite was paid That hospitality could claim, Though all unask’d his birth and name. Such then the reverence to a guest, That fellest And from his deadliest foeman’s door Unquestion’d turn, the banquet o’er. At length his rank the stranger names, Lord of a barren heritage, Which his brave sires, from age to age, By their good swords had held with toil; His sire had fall’n in such turmoil, And he, God wot, Oft for his right with blade in hand. This morning with Lord Moray’s He chased a stalwart stag in vain, Outstripp’d his comrades, miss’d the deer, Lost his good steed, and wander’d here.” XXX.Fain would the Knight in turn require The name and state of Ellen’s sire. Well show’d the elder lady’s mien That courts and cities she had seen; Ellen, though more her looks display’d The simple grace of silvan maid, In speech and gesture, form and face, Show’d she was come of gentle race. ’Twere strange in ruder rank to find Such looks, such manners, and such mind. Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave, Dame Margaret heard with silence grave; Or Ellen, innocently gay, Turn’d all inquiry light away:— “Weird women we! by dale and down We dwell, afar from tower and town. We stem the flood, we ride the blast, On wandering knights our spells we cast; While viewless minstrels touch the string, ’Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing.” She sung, and still a harp unseen Fill’d up the symphony between. XXXI.SONG. “Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking: Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking. In our isle’s enchanted hall, Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er, Dream of fighting fields no more: Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Morn of toil, nor night of waking. “No rude sound shall reach thine ear, Armor’s clang, or war steed champing, Trump nor pibroch Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. Yet the lark’s shrill fife may come At the daybreak from the fallow, And the bittern Booming from the sedgy shallow. Ruder sounds shall none be near, Guards nor warders challenge here, Here’s no war steed’s neigh and champing, Shouting clans, or squadrons stamping.” XXXII.She paused—then, blushing, led the lay To grace the stranger of the day. Her mellow notes awhile prolong The cadence of the flowing song, Till to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse spontaneous came. SONG CONTINUED. “Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done; While our slumbrous spells assail ye, Dream not, with the rising sun, Bugles here shall sound reveille. Sleep! the deer is in his den; Sleep! thy hounds are by thee lying; Sleep! nor dream in yonder glen, How thy gallant steed lay dying. Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done, Think not of the rising sun, For at dawning to assail ye, Here no bugles sound reveille.” XXXIII.The hall was clear’d—the stranger’s bed Was there of mountain heather spread, Where oft a hundred guests had lain, And dream’d their forest sports again. But vainly did the heath flower shed Its moorland fragrance round his head; Not Ellen’s spell had lull’d to rest The fever of his troubled breast. In broken dreams the image rose Of varied perils, pains, and woes: His steed now flounders in the brake, Now sinks his barge upon the lake; Now leader of a broken host, His standard falls, his honor’s lost. Then,—from my couch may heavenly might Chase that worse phantom of the night!— Again return’d the scenes of youth, Of confident undoubting truth; Again his soul he interchanged With friends whose hearts were long estranged. They come, in dim procession led, The cold, the faithless, and the dead; As warm each hand, each brow as gay, As if they parted yesterday. And doubt distracts him at the view— Oh, were his senses false or true? Dream’d he of death, or broken vow, Or is it all a vision now? XXXIV.At length, with Ellen in a grove He seem’d to walk, and speak of love; She listen’d with a blush and sigh, His suit was warm, his hopes were high.
He sought her yielded hand to clasp, And a cold gauntlet The phantom’s sex was changed and gone, Upon its head a helmet shone; Slowly enlarged to giant size, With darken’d cheek and threatening eyes, The grisly visage, stern and hoar, To Ellen still a likeness bore.— He woke, and, panting with affright, Recall’d the vision of the night. The hearth’s decaying brands were red, And deep and dusky luster shed, Half showing, half concealing, all The uncouth trophies of the hall. ’Mid those the stranger fix’d his eye Where that huge falchion hung on high, And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, Rush’d, chasing countless thoughts along, Until, the giddy whirl to cure, He rose, and sought the moonshine pure. XXXV. |
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