'Twas said, when the Baron a-hunting rode He heard a voice cry, "Lost! lost! lost!" And lighted at Lord Cranstoun's knee. 'Tis said that five good miles he rade, To rid him of his company; But where he rode one mile, the Dwarf ran four, And the Dwarf was first at the castle door. XXXII. Use lessens marvel, it is said: This elfish Dwarf with the Baron staid; Little he ate, and less he spoke, Nor mingled with the menial flock: And oft apart his arms he toss'd, And often mutter'd, "Lost! lost! lost!" He was waspish, arch, and litherlie, But well Lord Cranstoun served he: And he of his service was full fain; For once he had been ta'en or slain, An' it had not been his ministry. All between Home and Hermitage, Talk'd of Lord Cranstoun's Goblin-Page. XXXIII. For the Baron went on pilgrimage, And took with him this elvish Page, To Mary's Chapel of the Lowes: For there, beside Our Lady's lake, An offering he had sworn to make, And he would pay his vows. But the Ladye of Branksome gather'd a band Of the best that would ride at her command; The trysting place was Newark Lee. Wat of Harden came thither amain, And thither came John of Thirlestaine, And thither came William of Deloraine; They were three hundred spears and three. Through Douglas-burn, up Yarrow stream, Their horses prance, their lances gleam. They came to St Mary's lake ere day; But the chapel was void, and the Baron away. They burn'd the chapel for very rage, And cursed Lord Cranstoun's Goblin-Page. And now, XXXIV. in Branksome's good green-wood, As under the aged oak he stood, The Baron's courser pricks his ears, As if a distant noise he hears; The Dwarf waves his long lean arm on high, And signs to the lovers to part and fly; No time was then to vow or sigh. Fair Margaret, through the hazel grove, Flew like the startled cushat-dove: * The Dwarf the stirrup held and rein; WHILE thus he pour'd the lengthen❜d tale, * Wood-pigeon. The attending maidens smiled to see, Look'd gaily back to them, and laugh'd. Swell'd his old veins, and cheer'd his soul; Ere thus his tale again began. |