The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

4~4 XBOKIEBr c ATO T
A shot is heard —Againa the flame
Flash'd thick and fast-a volley came;
Then echo'd wildly, from within,
Of shout and scream the mingled din,
And weapon-clash and madd'ning cry,
Of those who kill, and those who die! —
As fili'd the Hall with sulph'rous smcite,
More red, more dark, the death-flash brokeAnd forms were on the lattice cast,
That struck or struggledi as they past.
XXXIL
What sounds upon the midnight wind
Approach so rapidly behind?
It is, it is the tramp of steeds,
Matilda hears the sound, she speeds,
Seizes upon the leader's rein —
" O, haste to aid,. ere aid be vain'
Fly to the postern-gain the Halll'
From saddle spring the troopers all;
Their gallant steeds, at liberty,
Run wild along the moonlight lea
But, ere they burst upon the scene,
Full stubborn had the conflict been.
When Bertram mark'd Matilda's flig;t,
It gave the signal for the fight;
And Rokeby's vet'rans, sean'!d with scanr
Of Scotland's and of Erin's wars,
Their momentary panic o'er,
Stood to the arms which then they bore
(For they were weapon'd, and prepar'd
Their Mistress on her way to guard.)
Then cheer'd them to the fight O'Ncale,
Then peal'd the shot, and clash'd the stceli
The war-smoke soon with sable breath
Darken'd the scene of blood and death,
While on the few defenders close
The Bandits, with redoubled blows,
And twice driv'n back, yet fierce and fell,
Renew the charge with frantic yell.
XXXa.
Wilfrid has faW'n-but o'er him stood
Young Redmond, soil'd with smoke and blood,
Cheering his mates with heart and hand
Still to make good their desp'rate stand.