And now I am come with this lost love of mine
To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far,
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar !'
The bride kiss'd the goblet, the knight took it up,
He quaff'd off the wine and he threw down the cup;
She look'd down to blush, and she look'd up to sigh,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar;
'Now tread we a measure!' said young Lochinvar.

So stately his form, and so lovely her face,
That never a hall such a galliard did grace :

While her mother did fret and her father did fume, And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;

And the bride-maidens whispered, "Twere better by far

To have match'd our fair cousin with young Lochinvar !'

One touch to her hand and one word in her ear, When they reach'd the hall door; and the charger stood near;

So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,
So light to the saddle before her he sprung!

'She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush and scaur, They'll have fleet steeds that follow!' cried young Lochinvar.

There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Netherby

clan;

Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and

'they ran;

There was racing and chasing on Cannobie lea; But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,

Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar ! Sir W. Scott

CXXXIV

INCIDENT

Characteristic of a Favorite Dog

On his morning rounds the master
Goes to learn how all things fare;
Searches pasture after pasture,
Sheep and cattle eyes with care;
And for silence, or for talk,

He hath comrades in his walk;
Four dogs, each of a different breed,
Distinguished, two for scent, and two for speed.

See a hare before him started!

-

Off they fly in earnest chase;
Every dog is eager-hearted,
All the four are in the race!
And the hare whom they pursue
Knows from instinct what to do;
Her hope is near, no turn she makes;
But like an arrow to the river takes.

Deep the river was and crusted
Thinly by a one night's frost;
But the nimble hare hath trusted
To the ice, and safely crost;

She hath crost, and without heed
All are following at full speed,

When lo! the ice so thinly spread,

Breaks, and the greyhound Dart is overhead!

Better fate have Prince and Swallow

See them cleaving to the sport!

Music has no heart to follow,

Little Music, she stops short.
She hath neither wish nor heart,
Hers is now another part:

A loving creature she, and brave!

And fondly strives her struggling friend to save.

From the brink her paws she stretches,

Very hands as you would say !

And afflicting moans she fetches,
As he breaks the ice away.

For herself she hath no fears,

Him alone she sees and hears,—

Makes efforts with complainings; nor gives o'er,

Until her fellow sinks to re-appear no more.

W. Wordsworth

CXXXV

KING LEAR AND HIS THREE
DAUGHTERS

King Lear once ruled in this land

With princely power and peace;
And had all things with heart's content,
That might his joys increase.

Amongst those things that nature gave,
Three daughters fair had he,
So princely seeming, beautiful,
As fairer could not be.

So on a time it pleased the king
A question thus to move,
Which of his daughters to his grace
Could show the dearest love :
'For to my age you bring content,'
Quoth he, 'then let me hear,
Which of you three in plighted troth
The kindest will appear.'

To whom the eldest thus began:
'Dear father mine,' quoth she,
'Before your face to do you good,
My blood shall render'd be:
And for your sake my bleeding heart
Shall here be cut in twain,
Ere that I see your reverend age
The smallest grief sustain.'

'And so will I,' the second said,
'Dear father, for your sake,
The worst of all extremities
I'll gently undertake :

And serve your highness night and day
With diligence and love;
That sweet content and quietness

Discomforts may remove.'

'In doing so, you glad my soul,'

The aged king replied;

'But what say'st thou, my youngest girl, How is thy love ally'd?'

'My love' quoth young Cordelia then 'Which to your grace I owe,

Shall be the duty of a child,

And that is all I'll show.'

'And wilt thou show no more,' quoth he,
· Than doth thy duty bind ?
I well perceive thy love is small,
When as no more I find.
Henceforth I banish thee my court,
Thou art no child of mine;
Nor any part of this my realm
By favour shall be thine.

'Thy elder sisters' loves are more

Than I can well demand,

To whom I equally bestow

My kingdom and my land,

My pompal state and all my goods,

That lovingly I may

With those thy sisters be maintain'd

Until my dying day.'

Thus flattering speeches won renown
By these two sisters here;

The third had causeless banishment,
Yet was her love more dear:

For poor Cordelia patiently

Went wand'ring up and down, Unhelp'd, unpitied, gentle maid, Through many an English town.