Ill may I read their high decree : But no kind influence deign they shower On Teviot's tide, and Branksome's tower, Till pride be quelled, and love be free." XVIII. The unearthly voices ceast, And the heavy sound was still; It died on the river's breast, It died on the side of the hill.But round Lord David's tower The sound still floated near; For it rung in the Ladye's bower, And it rung in the Ladye's ear. She raised her stately head, And her heart throbbed high with pride : "Your mountains shall bend, And your streams ascend, Ere Margaret be our foeman's bride !" XIX. The Ladye sought the lofty hall, The truncheon of a spear bestrode, In mimic foray rode. Even bearded knights, in arms grown old, Share in his frolic gambols bore, Albeit their hearts, of rugged mould, Were stubborn as the steel they wore. For the gray warriors prophesied How the brave boy, in future war, Should tame the Unicorn's pride, Exalt the Crescents and the Star. XX. The Ladye forgot her purpose high, One moment, and no more; Ill may I read their high decree : But no kind influence deign they shower On Teviot's tide, and Branksome's tower, Till pride be quelled, and love be free." XVIII. The unearthly voices ceast, And the heavy sound was still ; It died on the river's breast, It died on the side of the hill. But round Lord David's tower For it rung in the Ladye's bower, And it rung in the Ladye's ear. She raised her stately head, And her heart throbbed high with pride : "Your mountains shall bend, And your streams ascend, Ere Margaret be our foeman's bride!" XIX. The Ladye sought the lofty hall, The truncheon of a spear bestrode, In mimic foray rode. Even bearded knights, in arms grown old, Share in his frolic gambols bore, Albeit their hearts, of rugged mould, Were stubborn as the steel they wore. For the gray warriors prophesied How the brave boy, in future war, Should tame the Unicorn's pride, Exalt the Crescents and the Star. XX. The Ladye forgot her purpose high, One moment, and no more; One moment gazed with a mother's eye, As she paused at the arched door : Then, from amid the armed train, She called to her William of Deloraine. XXI. A stark moss-trooping Scott was he, As e'er couched border lance by knee : Through Solway sands, through Tarras moss, By wily turns, by desperate bounds, Alike to him was time or tide, Moonless midnight, or matin prime : Five times outlawed had he been, By England's king, and Scotland's queen. |