night mountain air,
But every breeze, that swept the wold,
Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold. 725
In dread, in danger, and alone,
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. 730

XXX

Beside its embers red and clear,
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?" 735
"Rest and a guide, and food and fire.
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?" 740
"I dare! to him and all the band
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, 745
Ere hound we slip, or bow we bend,
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!" 750
"They do, by heaven!--Come Roderick Dhu,
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, 755
Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight."
"Then by these tokens may'st thou know
Each proud oppressor's mortal foe."
"Enough, enough; sit down and share
A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." 760

XXXI

He gave him of his Highland cheer,
The hardened flesh of mountain deer;
Dry fuel on the fire he laid,
And bade the Saxon share his plaid.
He tended him like welcome guest, 765
Then thus his further speech addressed:
"Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu
A clansman born, a kinsman true;
Each word against his honor spoke,
Demands of me avenging stroke; 770
Yet more--upon thy fate, 'tis said,
A mighty augury is laid.
It rests with me to wind my horn--
Thou art with numbers overborne;
It rests with me, here, brand to brand, 775
Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand;
But, not for clan