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

CANTO I.] THE LORD OF THE ISLES. 25
V.
Retired her maiden train among,
Edith of Lorn received the song,'
But tamed the minstrel's pride had been
That had her cold demeanour seen;
For not upon her cheek awoke
The glow of pride when Flattery spoke,
Nor could their tenderest numbers bring
One sigh responsive to the string.
As vainly had her maidens vied
In skill to deck the princely bride.
Her locks, in dark-brown length array'd,
Cathleen of Ulne,'twas thine to braid;
Young Eva with meet reverence drew
On the light foot the silken shoe,
While on the ankle's slender round
Those strings of pearl fair Bertha wound,
That, bleach'd Lochryan's depths within,
Seem'd dusky still on Edith's skin.
But Einion, of experience old,
Had weightiest task-the mantle's fold
In many an artful plait she tied,
To show the form it seem'd to hide,
Till on the floor descending roll'd 1
Its waves of crimson blent with gold.
1 [MS.-" Retired amid her menial train,
Edith of Lorn received the strain."]
2 [MS.-" The train upon the pavement I flow'd."1
Then to the floor descending