He gave his counsel to the wind, While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind, Round dirk and pouch and broadsword rolled, His ample plaid in tightened fold, And stripped his limbs to such array As best might suit the watery way, XXXVII Then spoke abrupt: 'Farewell to thee, The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed, Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him nought, -- And stoutly steered him from the shore; CANTO THIRD THE GATHERING I TIME rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore, How few, all weak and withered of their force, Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, To sweep them from our sight! Time rolls his ceaseless course. Yet live there still who can remember well, How, when a mountain chief his bugle blew, Both field and forest, dingle, cliff, and dell, And solitary heath, the signal knew; And fast the faithful clan around him drew, What time the warning note was keenly wound, What time aloft their kindred banner flew, While clamorous war-pipes yelled the gathering sound, And while the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, round.1 1 See Note 29. II The Summer dawn's reflected hue To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, Her chalice reared of silver bright; The lark sent down her revelry; The blackbird and the speckled thrush Good-morrow gave from brake and bush; In answer cooed the cushat dove Her notes of peace and rest and love. III No thought of peace, no thought of rest, Assuaged the storm in Roderick's breast. With sheathed broadsword in his hand, And eyed the rising sun, and laid His hand on his impatient blade. Beneath a rock, his vassals' care Was prompt the ritual to prepare, Was preface meet, ere yet abroad The Cross of Fire should take its road. The shrinking band stood oft aghast IV A heap of withered boughs was piled, Mingled with shivers from the oak, Rent by the lightning's recent stroke. Barefooted, in his frock and hood. His grizzled beard and matted hair |