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

44 THE BRIDAL OF TRIERMAIN. [CANTO II.
And oft resume the unfinished tale,1
Confessing, by his downcast eye,
The wrong he sought to justify.
He ceased. A moment mute she gazed,
And then her looks to heaven she raised;
One palm her temples veil'd, to hide 2
The tear that sprung in spite of pride;
The other for an instant press'd
The foldings of her silken vest!
VII.
"At her reproachful sign and look,
The hint the Monarch's conscience took.3
Eager he spoke-' No, lady, no!
Deem not of British Arthur so,
Nor think he can deserter prove
To the dear pledge of mutual love.
I swear by sceptre and by sword,
As belted knight and Britain's lord,
That if a boy shall claim my care,
That boy is born a kingdom's heir;
But, if a maiden Fate allows,
To choose that maid a fitting spouse,
1 [MS. —" his broken tale,
With downcast eye and flushing cheeks,
As one who 'gainst his conscience speaks."]
2 [MS.-" One hand her temples press'd to hide.]
3 [" The scene in which Arthur, sated with his lawless
love, and awake at last to a sense of his duties, announces
his immediate departure, is managed, we think, with unconmmon skill and delicacy."- Quarterly Review.]