THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO THIRD. AND said I that my limbs were old; And that my kindly fire was fled, And that I might not sing of love?— So foul, so false, a recreant prove! How could I name love's very name, Nor wake my heart to notes of flame! II. In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed; In halls, in gay attire is seen; In hamlets, dances on the green. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above; For love is heaven, and heaven is love. III. So thought Lord Cranstoun, as I ween, While, pondering deep the tender scene, And scarce his helmet could he don, When downward from the shady hill A stately knight came pricking on. 7 That warrior's steed, so dapple-gray, Was dark with sweat, and splashed with clay; His armour red with many a stain: He seemed in such a weary plight, As if he had ridden the live-long night; For it was William of Deloraine. IV. But no whit weary did he seem, When, dancing in the sunny beam, He marked the crane on the Baron's crest; For his ready spear was in his rest. Few were the words, and stern and high, That marked the foemen's feudal hate; For question fierce, and proud reply, Gave signal soon of dire debate. V. In rapid round the Baron bent; He sighed a sigh, and prayed a prayer : The prayer was to his patron saint, The sigh was to his ladye fair. Stout Deloraine nor sighed, nor prayed, Nor saint, nor ladye, called to aid; But he stooped his head, and couched his spear, And spurred his steed to full career. The meeting of these champions proud Seemed like the bursting thunder-cloud. VI. Stern was the dint the Borderer lent! The stately Baron backwards bent; Bent backwards to his horse's tail, And his plumes went scattering on the gale; The tough ash spear, so stout and true, Into a thousand flinders flew. But Cranstoun's lance, of more avail, Pierced through, like silk, the Borderer's mail; |