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

CANTO IV. LAs MINSTE. 41
V.
While thus he spoke, the bold yeoman
Entered the echoing barbican.
He led a small and shaggy nag,
That through a bog, from hag to hag,
Could bound like any Bilhope stag.
It bore his wife and children twain;
A half-clothed serf was all their trains
His wife, stout, ruddy, and dark-browed,
Of silver brooch and bracelet proud,
Laughed to her friends among the crowd.
He was of stature passing tall,
But' sparely formed, and lean withal:
A battered morion on, his brow;
A leathern jack, as fence enow,
On his broad shoulders loosely hung;
A border-axe behind was slung;
His spear, six Scottish ells in length,
Seemed newly dyed with gore;
His shafts and bow,'of wondrous strength,
His hardy partner bore.
VL
Thus to the Ladye did Tinlinn show
The tidings of the English foe:-.
" Belted oWill Howard is marching here,
And hot Lord Dacre, with many a spear,
And all the Germant hagbut-men,
Who have long lain at Askertain:
They crossed the Liddle at curfew hour,
And burned my little lonely tower;
The fiend receive their souls therefor!
It had not been burned this year and more,
Barn-yard and dwelling, blazing bright
Served to guide me on my flight;
But I was chased the live-long night.
Blackr John of Akeshaw, and Fergus Grieme,
]Fast upon my traces came,
Until.I turned at Priesthaugh-Scrogg,
And shot their horses in the bog,
Slew Fergus with.my lance outright.
I had him long at high despite:
Hie drove my cows last Fastern's nightW