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

74 THE LORD OF THE ISLES. [CANTO IL
In gloomy opposition set,
Eyes, hands, and brandish'd weapons met;
Blue gleaming o'er the social board,
Flash'd to the torches many a sword;
And soon those bridal lights may shine
On purple blood for rosy wine.
XVIII.
While thus for blows and death prepared,
Each heart was up,1 each weapon bared,
Each foot advanced,-a surly pause
Still reverenced hospitable laws.
All menaced violence, but alike
Reluctant each the first to strike,
(For aye accursed in minstrel line
Is he who brawls'mid song and wine,)
And, match'd in numbers and in might,
Doubtful and desperate seem'd the fight.
Thus threat and murmur died away,
Till on the crowded hall there lay
Such silence, as the deadly still,
Ere bursts the thunder on the hill.
With blade advanced, each Chieftain bold
Show'd like the Sworder's form of old,2
As wanting still the torch of life,
To wake the marble into strife.3
1 [MS.-" While thus for blood and blows prepared
Rais'd was each hand," &c.]
2 [MS. — "each Chieftain rude,
Like that fam'd Swordsman's statue stood."]
3 [MS.-" To waken him to deadly strife."]