wood,
A wakeful sentinel he stood. 15
Hark! on the rock a footstep rung,
And instant to his arms he sprung.
"Stand, or thou diest!--What, Malise?--soon
Art thou returned from Braes of Doune.
By thy keen step and glance I know, 20
Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe."
For while the Fiery Cross hied on,
On distant scout had Malise gone.--
"Where sleeps the Chief?" the henchman said.
"Apart, in yonder misty glade; 25
To his lone couch I'll be your guide."
Then called a slumberer by his side,
And stirred him with his slackened bow--
"Up, up, Glantarkin! rouse thee, ho!
We seek the Chieftain; on the track, 30
Keep eagle watch till I come back."

III

Together up the pass they sped:
"What of the foeman?" Norman said.
"Varying reports from near and far;
This certain--that a band of war 35
Has for two days been ready boune,
At prompt command, to march from Doune;
King James, the while, with princely powers,
Holds revelry in Stirling towers.
Soon will this dark and gathering cloud 40
Speak on our glens in thunder loud.
Inured to bide such bitter bout,
The warrior's plaid may bear it out;
But, Norman, how wilt thou provide
A shelter for thy bonny bride?" 45
"What! know ye not that Roderick's care
To the lone isle hath caused repair
Each maid and matron of the clan,
And every child and aged man
Unfit for arms; and given his charge, 50
Nor skiff nor shallop, boat nor barge,
Upon these lakes shall float at large,
But all beside the islet moor,
That such dear pledge may rest secure?"--

IV

"'Tis well advised--the Chieftain's plan 55
Bespeaks the father of his clan.
But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu
Apart from all his followers true?"
"It is, because last evening-tide
Brian an augury hath tried, 60
Of that dread kind which must not be
Unless in dread extremity,
The Taghairm called; by which, afar,
Our sires foresaw the events of war.
Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew." 65

MALISE

"Ah! Well the gallant brute I knew,
The choicest of the prey we had,
When swept our merrymen Ga