To each one whom he lists, howe'er Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire Here in thy hold, thy vassals near, To any lord of Scotland here, Lowland or Highland, far or near, Lord Angus, thou lied!" On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue of age: Fierce he broke forth, "And dar'st thou then To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hop'st thou hence unscathed to go? No, by St. 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, The steed along the drawbridge flies, And when Lord Marmion reached his band He halts, and turns with clinched hand, And shouts 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. St. Mary mend my fiery mood! Old age ne'er cools the Douglas' blood, I thought to slay him where he stood. 'Tis pity of him, too," he cried : "Bold can he speak, and fairly ride. I warrant him a warrior tried." With this his mandate he recalls, And slowly seeks his castle halls. -Marmion. FITZ-JAMES AND RODERICK DHU. The shades of eve come slowly down, The fox is heard upon the fell; He climbs the craig and threads the brake; Tempered the midnight mountain-air ; Famished, and chilled, through ways unknown, Beside its embers red and clear, Basked, in his plaid, a mountaineer; And up he sprang, with sword in hand : "Thy name and purpose? Saxon, stand! "A stranger." "What dost thou require?" "Rest and a guide, and food and fire; My life's beset, my path is lost, The gale has chilled my limbs with frost." "Art thou a friend to Roderick?" "No." "Thou dar'st not call thyself a foe?" "I dare! To him and all the band He brings to aid his murderous hand." "Bold words! but though the beast of game The privilege of chase may claim, Though space and law the stag we lend Ere hound we slip or bow we bend, Who ever recked where, how, or when The prowling fox was trapped or slain? Thus treacherous scouts: yet sure they lie, "They do! By Heaven! Come Roderick Dhu And of his clan the boldest two, And let me but till morning rest, I write the falsehood on their crest!" "If by the light I mark aright, Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight." He gave him of his Highland cheer And bade the Saxon share his plaid; It rests with me to wind my horn, Then rest thee here till dawn of day, O'er stock and stone, through watch and guards As far as Coilantogle's ford; From thence thy warrant is thy sword." As freely as 'tis nobly given!" -The Lady of the Lake. THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN. Now onward, and in open view, The countless ranks of England drew, Dark rolling like the ocean tide When the rough west hath chafed his pride, In front the gallant archers trode, |