The lady of the lake . , 244 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. From noon till eve we fought with foe, As wild and as untamable As the rude mountains where they dwell; On both sides store of blood is lost, Nor much success can either boast. — But whence thy captives, friend ? such spoil As theirs must needs reward thy toil. Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp; Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp ! Get thee an ape, and trudge the land, 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 Ea
The lady of the lake . , 244 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. From noon till eve we fought with foe, As wild and as untamable As the rude mountains where they dwell; On both sides store of blood is lost, Nor much success can either boast. — But whence thy captives, friend ? such spoil As theirs must needs reward thy toil. Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp; Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp ! Get thee an ape, and trudge the land, 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, 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, Ever to strife and jangling bent; Shall he strike doe beside our lodge, And yet the jealous niggard grudge To pay the forester his fee ? I 11 have my share howeer it be, Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee. THE GUARD-BOOM. 245. Bertram his forward step withstood;And, burning in his vengeful mood,Old Allan, though unfit for strife,Laid hand upon his dagger-knife; 246 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. But Ellen boldly stepped between,And dropped at once the tartan screen :So, from his morning clond, appearsThe sun of May through summer savage soldiery, amazed,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 soldiers friend, Cheered him in camps, in marches led, And with him in the battle bled. Not from the valiant or the strong Should exiles daughter suffer wrong. Answered De Brent, most forward still In every feat or good or ill: I shame me of the part I played; And thou an outlaws child, poor maid! An outlaw I by forest laws, And merry Needwood knows the cause. Poor Rose, — if Rose be living now, — He wiped his iron eye and brow, — Must bear such age, I think, as thou.
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