The Lady of the lake . m frantic scenes of feud and war. Near Bochastle my horses wait; They bear us soon to Stirling gate. I 11 place thee in a lovely bower, I 11 guard thee like a tender flower— Oh hush, Sir Knight! t were female art, To say I do not read thy heart; Too much, before, my selfish ear Was idly soothed my praise to hear. That fatal bait hath lured thee back, In death ful hour, oer dangerous track ; And how, oh how, can I atone The wreck my vanity brought on ! — One way remains — I 11 tell him all — Yes ! struggling bosom, forth it shall! Thou, whose light folly bears the blame,
The Lady of the lake . m frantic scenes of feud and war. Near Bochastle my horses wait; They bear us soon to Stirling gate. I 11 place thee in a lovely bower, I 11 guard thee like a tender flower— Oh hush, Sir Knight! t were female art, To say I do not read thy heart; Too much, before, my selfish ear Was idly soothed my praise to hear. That fatal bait hath lured thee back, In death ful hour, oer dangerous track ; And how, oh how, can I atone The wreck my vanity brought on ! — One way remains — I 11 tell him all — Yes ! struggling bosom, forth it shall! Thou, whose light folly bears the blame, Buy thine own pardon with thy shame 1 But first — my father is a man Outlawed and exiled, under ban ; The price of blood is on his head. With me-t were infamy to wed. Still wouldst thou speak ? — then hear the truth ! Fitz-James, there is a noble youth — If yet he is ! — exposed for me And mine to dread extremity — Thou hast the secret of my heart; Forgive, be generous, and depart! * TEE PROPHECY, 177. XVIII. Fitz-James knew every wily trainA ladys fickle heart to gain,But here he knew and felt them shot no glance from Ellens eye, 178 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. To give her steadfast speech the lie; 111 maiden confidence she stood, Though mantled in her cheek the blood, And told her love with such a sigh Of deep and hopeless agony, As death had sealed her Malcolms doom And she sat sorrowing on his tomb. Hope vanished from Fitz-Jamess eye, But not with hope fled sympathy. He profl:ered to attend her side. As brother would a sister guide. Oh little knowst thou Eodericks heart! Safer for both we go apart. Oh haste thee, and from Allan learn If thou mayst trust yon wily kern. With hand upon his forehead laid. The conflict of his mind to shade, A parting step or two he made; Then, as some thought had crossed his brain. He paused, and turned, and came again. XIX. Here, lady, yet a parting word ! —It chanced in fight that my poor swordPreserved the life of Sco
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublisherbosto, bookyear1896
