'There's many that are my friends, mother, And if a thousand more were my foe, Betide my life, betide my death, To Lord Thomas's wedding I'll go.' She clothed herself in gallant attire, But when she came to Lord Thomas's gate, But who was so ready as Lord Thomas 'Is this your bride?' fair Ellinor said; 'Despise her not, fair Ellin,' he said, This brown bride had a little penknife, That was both long and sharp, Prick'd fair Ellinor to the heart. 'Now Heaven save thee,' Lord Thomas he said, 'Methinks thou look'st wondrous wan: Thou used to look with as fresh a colour, 'O, art thou blind, Lord Thomas?' she said, O, dost thou not see my own heart's blood Lord Thomas he had a sword by his side; He cut off his bride's head from her shoulders, He set the hilt against the ground, Old Ballad CXXXII QUEEN MAB THEN, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you. In shape no bigger than an agate stone On the forefinger of an alderman; Her wagon spokes made of long spinner's legs: Her chariot is an empty hazel nut, Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub, And in this state she gallops night by night, Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love; On courtiers' knees that dream on court'sies straight; O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees; O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream. W. Shakespeare CXXXIII YOUNG LOCHINVAR YOUNG Lochinvar is come out of the West! Through all the wide Border his steed is the best ; And save his good broadsword he weapon had none; He rode all unarm'd and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar ! He stay'd not for brake and he stopt 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; For a laggard in love and a dastard in war So bravely he enter'd the Netherby Hall, 'O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?' 'I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied ; The bride kiss'd the goblet, the knight took it up, So stately his form, and so lovely her face, While her mother did fret and her father did fume, plume; And the bride-maidens whispered, "'T were 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; Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar ! CXXXIV INCIDENT Characteristic of a Favourite Dog N his morning rounds the master ON Goes to learn how all things fare; Searches pasture after pasture, He hath comrades in his walk; See a hare before him started! -Off they fly in earnest chase; |