| |
Lady Heron’s Song from “Marmion”
Canto V.
O, YOUNG Lochinvar is come out of the west, | |
| Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; | |
| And, save his good broadsword, he weapon had none, | |
| He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. | |
| So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, | 5 |
| There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. | |
| |
| He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone, | |
| He swam the Eske River where ford there was none; | |
| But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate, | |
| The bride had consented, the gallant came late; | 10 |
| For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, | |
| Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. | |
| |
| So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall, | |
| Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all. | |
| Then spoke the bride’s father, his hand on his sword | 15 |
| (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), | |
| “O, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, | |
| Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?” | |
| |
| “I long wooed your daughter, my suit you denied;— | |
| Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide,— | 20 |
| 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 kissed the goblet; the knight took it up, | 25 |
| He quaffed off the wine, and threw down the cup. | |
| She looked down to blush, and she looked 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. | 30 |
| |
| 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 bridemaidens whispered, “’T were better by far | 35 |
| To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.” | |
| |
| One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, | |
| When they reached 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; | 40 |
| “She is won! we are gone! over bank, bush, and scaur; | |
| They ’ll have fleet steeds that follow,” quoth 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 Lee, | 45 |
| 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? | |
| |
