Glen. A nimble courier sent from yonder camp, To hasten up the chieftains of the north, Inform'd me as he pass'd, that the fierce Dane Had on the eastern coast of Lothian landed, “Near to that place where the sea rock immense, "Amazing bass, looks o'er a fertile land. "Lady R. Then must this western army march to join "The warlike troops that guard Edena's tow'rs. "Glen. Beyond all question. If impairing time "Has not effac'd the image of a place, “Once perfect in my breast, there is a wild "Which lies to westward of that mighty rock, "And seems by nature formed for the camp "Of water-wafted armies, whose chief strength "Lies in firm foot, unflank'd with warlike horse: "If martial skill directs the Danish lords, "There inaccessible their army lies "To our swift-scow'ring horse, the bloody field 320 "Must man to man, and foot to foot be fought." Lady R. How many mothers shall bewail their sons! How many widows weep their husbands slain ! Ye dames of Denmark, ev'n for you I feel. Who sadly sitting on the sea-beat shore, Long look for lords that never shall return. Glen. Oft has th' unconquer'd Caledonian sword Widow'd the north. The children of the slain Come as I hope, to meet their father's fate. The monster war, with her infernal brood, Loud-yelling fury and life-ending pain, Are objects suited to Glenalvon's soul. Lady R. I scorn thee not but when I ought to scorn; 340 I own thy worth, Glenalvon; none more apt And turn death from him, with a guardian arm, "At the tumultuous uproar of the field." Lady R. A&t thus, Glenalvon, and I am thy friend: But that's thy least reward. Believe me, sir, The truly generous is the truly wise; And he who loves not others lives unblest. 359 [Exit Lady RANDOLPH. Glen. [solus.] Amen! and virtue is its own reward! I think that I have hit the very tone In which she loves to speak. Honey'd assent, How pleasant art thou to the taste of man, And women also! flattery direct Rarely disgusts. They little know mankind "Fate o'er my head suspends disgrace and death, But point him to the truth. He seldom errs, 380 ACT IV. SCENE I. Flourish of trumpets. Enter Lord RANDOLPH attended. SUMMON an hundred horse, by break of day, Enter Lady RANDOLPH. Lady R. Alas, my Lord! I've heard unwelcome news; The Danes are landed. Lord R. Ay, no inroad this Of the Northumbrian bent to take a spoil: Of some young knight resolv'd to break a spear, Lady R. Dreadful times! Lord R. The fenceless villages are all forsaken; The trembling mothers, and their children lodg'd In wall-girt towers and castles; whilst the men Retire indignant. Yet, like broken waves, They but retire more awful to return. Lady R. Immense, as fame reports, the Danish host! 20 Lord R. Were it as numerous as loud fame reports, An army knit like ours would pierce it through: Brothers, that shrink not from each other's side, And the poor peasant mates his daring lord. Lady R. Men's minds are temper'd, like their swords, for war; "Lovers of danger, on destruction's brink "They joy to rear erect their daring forms. "Hence, early graves; hence, the lone widow's life; "And the sad mother's grief-embitter'd age." Where is our gallant guest ? Lord R. Down in the vale I left him, managing a fiery steed, Whose stubbornness had foil'd the strength and skill In earnest conversation with Glenalvon. Enter NORVAL and GLENALVON. Glenalvon! with the lark arise; go forth, 40 Norval, thou goest with me. But say, young man! A language taught amongst the shepherd swains. Nor. Small is the skill my Lord delights to praise |