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"LIKE A CLOUD OF FIRE, THE BLUE DEEP THOU WINGEST,

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Over the cloudlet dim,

Over the rainbow's rim,

Musical cherub, soar, singing, away!
Then, when the gloaming comes,

Low in the heather blooms,

Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be!
Emblem of happiness,

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.

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AND SINGING STILL DOST SOAR, AND SOARING SINGEST!"-SHELLEY.

"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
Streams on the ruined central tower;
When buttress and buttress, alternately,
Seem framed of ebony and ivory;

When silver edges the imagery,

And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die ;
When distant Tweed is heard to rave,

And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave;
Then go but go alone the while—
Then view St. David's ruined pile;
And home returning, soothly swear,
Was never scene so sad and fair!

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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.

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Then framed a spell, when the work was done,
And changed the willow wreaths to stone.
The silver light, so pale and faint,

Showed many a prophet and many a saint,

Whose image on the glass was dyed;
Full in the midst, his Cross of Red
Triumphant Michael brandishèd,

And trampled the Apostate's pride.
The moonbeam kissed the holy pane,

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
THE DOUGLAS.

JOT far advanced was morning day,
When Marmion did his troop array
To Surrey's camp to ride;

He had safe-conduct for his band,
Beneath the royal seal and hand,
And Douglas gave a guide:
The ancient Earl, with stately grace,
Would Clara on her palfrey place,
And whispered, in an under tone,
"Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown."

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,
"Of cold respect to stranger guest,

Sent hither by your King's behest,
While in Tantallon's towers I stayed;
Part we in friendship from your land,
And, noble Earl, receive my hand."
But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke :-
"My manors, halls, and bowers shall still
Be open, at my sovereign's will,

To each one whom he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my King's alone,
From turret to foundation-stone-
The hand of Douglas is his own ;
And never shall in friendly grasp,
The hand of such as Marmion clasp."

Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
And shook his very frame for ire,
And, "This to me!" he said.
"An 'twere not for thy hoary beard,
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared
To cleave the Douglas' head!
And, first, I tell thee, haughty peer,
He who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate:
And, Douglas, more I tell thee here,
Even in thy pitch of pride,

Here in thy hold, thy vassals near
(Nay, never look upon your lord,
And lay your hands upon your sword),

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
To any lord in Scotland here,
Lowland or Highland, far or near,
Lord Angus, thou hast lied!"

On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage

O'ercame the ashen hue of age :

Fierce he broke forth-" And darest thou then
To beard the lion in his den,

The Douglas in his hall?

And hopest thou hence unscathed to go
No, by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no!

Up drawbridge, grooms! What, warder, ho!
Let the portcullis fall!"

Lord Marmion turned-well was his need-
And dashed the rowels in his steed,
Like arrow through the archway sprung,
The ponderous grate behind him rung :
To pass there was such scanty room,
The bars, descending, razed his plume.
The steed along the drawbridge flies,
Just as it trembled on the rise;
Nor lighter does the swallow skim
Along the smooth lake's level brim :

And when Lord Marmion reached his band,
He halts, and turns with clenched hand,
And shout of loud defiance pours,
And shook his gauntlet at the towers.
"Horse! horse!" the Douglas cried, “and
chase!"

But soon he reined his fury's pace:
"A royal messenger he came,

Though most unworthy of the name.—
A letter forged ! Saint Jude to speed!
Did ever knight so foul a deed!

BE THOU THE TREMBLING SINNER'S STAY."-SCOTT.

"IT IS THE SECRET SYMPATHY, THE SILVER LINK, THE SILKEN TIE."-SIR WALTER SCOTT.

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