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

242 THE LORD OF THE ISLES. [CANTO VI.
Back to the host the Douglas rode,
And soon glad tidings are abroad,1
That, Dayncourt by stout Randolph slain,
His followers fled with loosen'd rein. -
That skirmish closed the busy day,
And couch'd in battle's prompt array,
Each army on their weapons lay.
XIX.
It was a night of lovely June,
High rode in cloudless blue the moon,
Demayet smiled beneath her ray;
Old Stirling's towers arose in light,
And, twined in links of silver bright,
Her winding river lay.2
Ah, gentle planet! other sight
Shall greet thee, next returning night,
Of broken arms and banners tore,
And marshes dark with human gore,
And piles of slaughter'd men and horse,
And Forth that floats the frequent corse,
And many a wounded wretch to plain
Beneath thy silver light in vain!
But now, from England's host, the cry
Thou hear'st of wassail revelry,
1 [MS. —" Back to his post the Douglas rode,
And soon the tidings are abroad."]
[The MS. here interposes the couplet -'' Glancing by fits from hostile line,
Armour and lance return'd the shine."]