THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO SECOND. I. If thou would'st view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moon-light; When the broken arches are black in night, When buttress and buttress, alternately, When silver edges the imagery, And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die; When distant Tweed is heard to rave, And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave; -but go alone the while Then go-b Then view St David's ruined pile ; And, home returning, soothly swear, Was never scene so sad and fair! II. Short halt did Deloraine make there; "Who knocks so loud, and knocks so late?" And strait the wicket opened wide: For Branksome's chiefs had in battle stood, To fence the rights of fair Melrose; And lands and livings, many a rood, Had gifted the shrine for their souls repose. III. Bold Deloraine his errand said; The porter bent his humble head; With torch in hand, and foot unshod, He entered the cell of the ancient priest, To hail the Monk of St Mary's aisle. * Aventayle, visor of the helmet. IV. “The Ladye of Branksome greets thee by me; Says, that the fated hour is come, And that to-night I shall watch with thee, From sackcloth couch the Monk arose, V. And strangely on the knight looked he, 66 And his blue eyes gleamed wild and wide; And, darest thou, warrior! seek to see, What heaven and hell alike would hide? My breast, in belt of iron pent, With shirt of hair and scourge of thorn; For threescore years, in penance spent, My knees those flinty stones have worn : Yet all too little to atone For knowing what should ne'er be known. In ceaseless prayer and penance drie, Then, daring warrior, follow me!" Prayer know I hardly one; For mass or prayer can I rarely tarry, Save to patter an Ave Mary, When I ride on a Border foray: Other prayer can I none; So speed me my errand, and let me begone.” VII. Again on the Knight looked the Churchman old, And again he sighed heavily; For he had himself been a warrior bold, And fought in Spain and Italy. |