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

238 THE LORD OF THE ISLES. [CANTO VI.
-As motionless as rocks, that bide
The wrath of the advancing tide,
The Bruce stood fast. —Each breast beat high,
And dazzled was each gazing eyeThe heart had hardly time to think,
The eyelid scarce had time to wink,l
While on the King, like flash of flame,
Spurr'd to full speed the war-horse came!
The partridge may the falcon mock,
If that slight palfrey stand the shockBut, swerving from the Knight's career,
Just as they met, Bruce shunn'd the spear.2
Onward the baffled warrior bore
His course-but soon his course was o'er!High in his stirrups stood the King,
And gave his battle-axe the swing.
Right on De Boune, the whiles he pass'd,
Fell that stern dint-the first-the last!Such strength upon the blow was put,
The helmet crash'd like hazel-nut;
The axe-shaft, with its brazen clasp,
Was shiver'd to the gauntlet grasp.
Springs from the blow the startled horse,
Drops to the plain the lifeless corse;
-First of that fatal field, how soon,
How sudden, fell the fierce De Boune!
1 [MS. —" The heart took hardly time to think,
The eyelid scarce had space to wink."]
2 [MS.-" Just as they closed in full career,
Bruce swerved the palfrey from the spear."]