"LIKE A CLOUD OF FIRE, THE BLUE DEEP THOU WINGEST, Over the cloudlet dim, Over the rainbow's rim, Musical cherub, soar, singing, away! Low in the heather blooms, Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! Blest is thy dwelling-place Oh, to abide in the desert with thee! [JAMES HOGG, a Scotch poet of considerable genius, better known as "The Ettrick Shepherd," was born at Ettrick, in Selkirkshire, in 1770; died in 1835. His "Kilmeny" is a fairy tale of great beauty; and his prose works possess a distinctive and peculiar merit.] "RANK WEEDS AND GRASSES, CARELESS AND NODDING, GREW, AND ASKED NO LEAVE."-DOBELL. "WE NEVER TREAD UPON THEM, BUT WE REST OUR FOOT UPON SOME REV'REND HISTORY."-WEBSTER. "THE PILLARED ARCHES WERE OVER THEIR HEAD, AND BENEATH THEIR FEET THE BONES OF THE DEAD."-SCOTT. "6 TOMBSTONES GRAY GIRdle Round THE FAIR ABBAYE."-SCOTT. 138 66 MELROSE ABBEY. When the cold light's uncertain shower When silver edges the imagery, And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die ; And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave; THE PILLARS, WITH CLUSTERED SHAFTS SO TRIM."-SCOTT. "THE DARKENED ROOF ROSE HIGH ALOOF, ON PILLARS LOFTY AND LIGHT AND SMALL."-SIR WALTER SCOTT. "HE POURED TO LORD AND LADY GAY THE UNPRemeditated LAY."-SIR WALTER SCOTT. Then framed a spell, when the work was done, Showed many a prophet and many a saint, Whose image on the glass was dyed; And trampled the Apostate's pride. And threw on the pavement a bloody stain. 139 [Sir WALTER SCOTT, born 1771; died 1832. Our extract is from his stirring ballad-poem of "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," and shows how admirable was his mastery over its rapid and spirited rhythm, how keen his observation, and how graphic his description. Scott, however, is better known as the greatest of English novelists than as the successful writer of poetical romances, which, bright and vigorous as they are, nowhere display the higher qualities of his genius.] "LOVE RULES THE COURT, THE CAMP, THE GROVE, AND MEN BELOW, AND SAINTS ABOVE."-SCOTT. THE QUARREL BETWEEN MARMION AND JOT far advanced was morning day, He had safe-conduct for his band, The train from out the castle drew; But Marmion stopped to bid adieu. AND HOPE IS BRIGHTEST WHEN IT DAWNS FROM FEARS.' -SCOTT. "CALL IT NOT VAIN-THEY DO NOT ERR WHO SAY, THAT WHEN THE POET DIES, 140 "TWERE SWEET TO THINK EACH HOUR TO MUSING GIVEN, MARMION AND THE DOUGLAS. 66 'Though something I might plain,” he said, Sent hither by your King's behest, To each one whom he lists, howe'er Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, Here in thy hold, thy vassals near I tell thee, thou 'rt defied! A STEP UPON THE ROAD TO HEAVEN."-SIR WALTER SCOTT. MUTE NATURE MOURNS HER WORSHIPPER, AND CELEBRATES HIS OBSEQUIES."-SIR W. SCOTT. "TRUE LOVE'S THE GIFT WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN TO MAN ALONE BENEATH THE HEAVEN."-SCOTT. WHEN MAN TO JUDGMENT WAKES FROM CLAY, MARMION AND THE DOUGLAS. 141 And if thou said'st I am not peer On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue of age : Fierce he broke forth-" And darest thou then The Douglas in his hall? And hopest thou hence unscathed to go Up drawbridge, grooms! What, warder, ho! Lord Marmion turned-well was his need- And when Lord Marmion reached his band, But soon he reined his fury's pace: Though most unworthy of the name.— BE THOU THE TREMBLING SINNER'S STAY."-SCOTT. "IT IS THE SECRET SYMPATHY, THE SILVER LINK, THE SILKEN TIE."-SIR WALTER SCOTT. |