Through many a maze the winning song In changeful passion led, Till bent at length the listening throng O'er Tristrem's dying bed. His ancient wounds their scars expand ; And where her soothing tongue? She comes, she comes!-like flash of flame Can lovers' footsteps fly: She comes, she comes !-she only came To see her Tristrem die. She saw him die; her latest sigh Join'd in a kiss his parting breath : The gentlest pair, that Britain bare, United are in death. There paused the harp; its lingering sound Died slowly on the ear; The silent guests still bent around, For still they seem'd to hear. Then woe broke forth in murmurs weak, But, half ashamed, the rugged cheek On Leader's stream, and Learmont's tower, The mists of evening close; Lord Douglas, in his lofty tent, Dream'd o'er the woeful tale; When footsteps light, across the bent, The warrior's ears assail, He starts, he wakes:-"What, Richard, ho! Arise, my page, arise! What venturous wight, at dead of night, Dare step where Douglas lies!"— . Then forth they rush'd: by Leader's tide, A hart and hind pace side by side, Beneath the moon, with gesture proud,. Nor scare they at the gathering crowd,. Who marvel as they go. To Learmont's tower a message sped,.. As fast as page might run ; And Thomas started from his bed, And soon his clothes did on, *SelcouthWondrous. First he woxe pale, and then woxe red; Never a word he spake but three ; My sand is run; my thread is spun ; This sign regardeth me.”— The elfin harp his neck around, And on the wind, in doleful sound, Its dying accents rung. Then forth he went; yet turn'd him oft To view his ancient hall; On the grey tower, in lustre soft, The autumn moon-beams fall. And Leader's waves, like silver sheen, In deepening mass, at distance seen, Farewell, my father's ancient tower! A long farewell," said he : "The scene of pleasure, pomp, or power, Thou never more shalt be. "To Learmont's name no foot of earth Shall here again belong, And on thy hospitable hearth The hare shall leave her young. "Adieu! Adieu!" again he cried, All as he turn'd him roun' "Farewell to Leader's silver tide! Farewell to Ercildoune !" The hart and hind approach'd the place, As lingering yet he stood; And there, before Lord Douglas' face, With them he cross'd the flood. |