The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

170 THE LAY OF [CANTO V.
For I have seen war's lightning flashing,
Seen the claymore with bayonet clashing,
Seen through red blood the war horse dashing,
And scorn'd, amid the reeling strife,
To yield a step for death or life.XXII.'Tis done,'tis done! that fatal blow 1
Has stretched him on the bloody plain;
He strives to rise-Brave Musgrave, no!
Thence never shalt thou rise again!
He chokes in blood-some friendly hand
Undo the visor's barred band,
Unfix the gorget's iron clasp,
And give him room for life to gasp!O, bootless aid!-haste, holy Friar,2
Haste, ere the sinner shall expire!
Of all his guilt let him be shriven,
And smooth his path from earth to heaven!
XXIII.
In haste the holy Friar sped;His naked foot was dyed with red,
As through the lists he ran;
[1 " The whole scene of the duel, or judicial combat, is
conducted according to the strictest ordinances of chivalry,
and delineated with all the minuteness of an ancient romancer. The modern reader will probably find it rather
tedious; all but the concluding stanzas, which are in a loftier
measure —'Tis done!'tis done,' &C." —-;FREY.]
2 [First Edition, " In vain-In vain! haste, holy Friar."]