Cliffs, doubling, on their echoes borne, The terrors of the robber's horn; Cliffs, which, for many a later year, The warbling Doric reed shall hear, When some sad swain shall teach the grove, Ambition is no cure for love! XXVIII. Unchallenged, thence past Deloraine Where Aill, from mountains freed, Like the mane of a chesnut steed. In vain! no torrent, deep or broad, XXIX. At the first plunge the horse sunk low, And the water broke o'er the saddle-bow; Above the foaming tide, I ween, Scarce half the charger's neck was seen; For he was barded from counter to tail, And the rider was armed complete in mail : Stemm'd a midnight torrent's force. The warrior's very plume, I say, Was daggled by the dashing spray; Yet, through good heart, and Our Ladye's grace, At length he gain'd the landing place. Now Bowden Moor the march-man won, And sternly shook his plumed head, As glanced his eye o'er Halidon ;† For on his soul the slaughter red * Barded, or barbed,-applied to a horse accoutered with defensive armour. ↑ Halidon-Hill, on which the battle of Melrose was fought. Of that unhallow'd morn arose, When first the Scott and Car were foes; When royal James beheld the fray, Prize to the victor of the day; When Home and Douglas, in the van, Reek'd on dark Elliot's Border spear. XXXI. In bitter mood he spurred fast, And soon the hated heath was past; Old Melros' rose, and fair Tweed ran : * Lauds, the midnight service of the Catholic church. The sound, upon the fitful gale, In solemn wise did rise and fail, Like that wild harp, whose magic tone Is waken'd by the winds alone. But when Melrose he reach'd, 'twas silence all He meetly stabled his steed in stall, And sought the convent's lonely wall. HERE paused the harp and with its swell : The Master's fire and courage fell: Dejectedly, and low, he bow'd, Had done his hand and harp some wrong. |