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

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So move we on; —I only meant
To show the reed on which you leant,
Deeming this path you might pursue
Without a pass from Roderick Dihu.'
They moved:-I said Fitz-James was brave
As ever knight that belted glaive;
Yet dare not say, that now his blood
Kept on its wont and tempered flood,
As, following Roderick's stride, he drew [
That seeming lonesome pathway through
Which yet, by fearful proof, was rife
With lances, that to take his life
Waited but signal from a guide,
So late dishonoured and defied,
Ever, by stealth, his eye sought rounnT
The vanished guardians of the ground,
And still fiom copse and heather deep,
Fancy saw spear and broad-sword peep,
And in the plover's shrilly strain,
The signal whistle heard again.
The pass was left; for then they wind
Along a wide and level green, l
Where neither tree nor tuft was seen,
Nor rush, nor bush of broom was near I
To hide a bonnet or a spear.
The Chief in silence strode before,
And reached that torrent's sounding shlcr-
Which, daughter of three mighty lakes,
From Vennachar in silver breaks,
Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless mine3
On Bochastle the mouldering lines,
Where Rome, the Empress of the world,
Of yore her eagle wings unfurl'd.
And here his course the Chieftainr staid.
Threw down his target and his plail,
And to the lowland warrior said;:"Bold Saxon! to his promise just,
Vich-Alpine has discharged his trust.
This murderous chief, this ruthless man
This head of a rebellious clan,
Rath led thee safe, through watch and war4
Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard.
Now, man to man, and steel to steel,
A chieftain's vengeance thou, shalt feel