THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL CANTO SECOND. I. Ir thou would'st view fair Melrose aright, When the broken arches are black in night, And each shafted oricl glimmers white; When silver edges the imagery, And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die:1 And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave, 1 The buttresses, ranged along the sides of the ruins of Melrose Abbey, are, according to the Gothic style, richly carved and fret ted, containing niches for the statues of saints, and labelled with scrolls, bearing appropriate texts of Scripture. Most of these statues have been demolished. Then go-l II. Short halt did Deloraine make there; And lands and livings, many a rood, Had gifted the shrine for their souls' repose.* III. Bold Deloraine his errand said; 'David I. of Scotland, purchased the reputation of sanctity, by founding, and liberally endowing, not only the monastery of Melrose, but those of Kelso, Jedburgh, and many others; which led to the well-known observation of his successor, that he was a sore saint for the crown. "The Buccleuch family were great benefactors to the Abbey of Melrose. As early as the reign of Robert II., Robert Scott, Baron of Murdieston and Rankleburn, (now Buccleuch,) gave to the monks the lands of Hinkery, in Ettrick Forest, pro salute animæ suæ. — - Chartulary of Melrose, 28th May, 1415. The arched cloister, far and wide, Rang to the warrior's clanking stride, He enter'd the cell of the ancient priest, To hail the monk of St. Mary's aisle. IV. "The Ladye of Branksome greets thee by me; V. And strangely on the Knight looked he, With shirt of hair and scourge of thorn; For knowing what should ne'er be known. Would'st thou thy every future year In ceaseless prayer and penance drie, Yet wait thy latter end with fearThen, daring Warrior, follow me!" |