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

CANTO IV.] THE LORD OF THE ISLES. 163
Saint Bride's poor vot'ress ne'er has seen
A Knight of such a princely mien;
His errand, as he bade me tell,
Is with the Lady Isabel."
The princess rose,-for on her knee
Low bent she told her rosary, —
" Let him by thee his purpose teach;
I may not give a stranger speech."" Saint Bride forefend, thou royal Maid! "
The portress cross'd herself, and said," Not to be prioress might I
Debate his will, his suit deny."4' Has earthly show then, simple fool,
Power o'er a sister of thy rule,
And art thou, like the worldly train,
Subdued by splendours light and vain? "XXII.
"No, Lady! in old eyes like mine,
Gauds have no glitter, gems no shine;
Nor grace his rank attendants vain,
One youthful page is all his train.
1," Mr. Scott, we have said, contradicts himself. How will
he explain the following facts to his reader's satisfaction?
The third canto informs us that Isabel accompanies Edward
to Ireland, there to remain till the termination of the war;
and in the fourth canto, the second day after her departure,
we discover the princess counting her beads and reading
homilies in the Cloister of St. Bride, in the Island of Arran!
We humbly beseech the'Mighty Minstrel' to clear up this
matter."- Critical Review.]