raphs. (Introduction,
pp. 24 and 25.)

* * * * *

HIGHLAND HOSPITALITY

From "The Lady of the Lake"

The shades of eve come slowly down,
The woods are wrapt in deeper brown,
The owl awakens from her dell,
The fox is heard upon the fell;
Enough remains of glimmering light 5
To guide the wanderer's steps aright,
Yet not enough from far to show
His figure to the watchful foe.
With cautious step, and ear awake,
He climbs the crag and threads the brake; 10
And not the summer solstice there,
Tempered the midnight mountain air,
But every breeze that swept the wold,
Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold.
In dread, in danger, and alone, 15
Famished and chilled, through ways unknown,
Tangled and steep, he journeyed on;
Till, as a rock's huge point he turned,
A watch-fire close before him burned.

Beside its embers red and clear, 20
Basked, in his plaid, a mountaineer;
And up he sprung with sword in hand,--
"Thy name and purpose! Saxon, stand!"--
"A stranger."--"What dost thou require?"--
"Rest and a guide, and food and fire. 25
My life's beset, my path is lost.
The gale has chilled my limbs with frost."--
"Art thou a friend to Roderick?"--"No."--
"Thou darest not call thyself a foe?"--
"I dare! to him and all the band 30
He brings to aid his murderous hand."--
"Bold words!--but, though the beast of game
The privilege of chase may claim,
Though space and law the stag we lend,
Ere hound we slip, or bow we bend, 35
Who ever recked, where, how, or when,
The prowling fox was trapped or slain?
Thus, treacherous scouts,--yet sure they lie,
Who say thou camest a secret spy!"--
"They do, by Heaven!--Come Roderick Dhu, 40
And of his clan the boldest two,
And let me but till morning rest,
I write the falsehood on their crest."--
"If by the blaze I mark aright,
Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight."-- 45
"Then, by these tokens mayest thou know,
Each proud oppressor's mortal foe."--
"Enough, enough; sit down and share
A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare."--

He gave him of his Highland cheer,