Such fond conceit, half said, half sung, Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue, All while he stripp'd the wild-rose spray. His ax and bow beside him lay, For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood, A wakeful sentinel he stood. Hark! on the rock a footstep rung, And instant to his arms he sprung. "Stand, or thou diest!--What, Malise?--soon Art thou return'd from Braes of Doune. By thy keen step and glance I know, Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe."-- (For while the Fiery Cross hied on, On distant scout had Malise gone.) "Where sleeps the Chief?" the henchman said.-- "Apart, in yonder misty glade; To his lone couch I'll be your guide."-- Then call'd a slumberer by his side, And stirr'd him with his slacken'd bow-- "Up, up, Glentarkin! rouse thee, ho! We seek the Chieftain; on the track, Keep eagle watch till I come back." III. Together up the pass they sped: "What of the foemen?" Norman said.-- "Varying reports from near and far; This certain,--that a band of war Has for two days been ready boune,[222] At prompt command, to march from Doune; King James, the while, with princely powers, Holds revelry in Stirling towers. Soon will this dark and gathering cloud Speak on our glens in thunder loud. Inured to bide such bitter bout, The warrior's plaid may bear it out;[223] But, Norman, how wilt thou provide A shelter for thy bonny bride?"-- "What! know ye not that Roderick's care To the lone isle hath caused repair Each maid and matron of the clan, And every child and aged man Unfit for arms; and given his charge,[224] Nor skiff nor shallop, boat nor barge, Upon these lakes shall float at large, But all beside the islet moor, That such dear pledge may rest secure?"-- [222] "Boune" itself means "ready" in Scotch: hence its use here is tautology. [223] "Inured to bide," etc., i.e., accustomed to endure privations, the warrior may withstand the coming storm. [224] Command; order. IV. "'Tis well advised--the Chieftain's plan Bespeaks the father of his clan. But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu Apart from all his followers true?"-- "It is, because last evening-tide Brian an augury hath tried, Of that dread kind which must not be Unless in dread extremity; The Taghairm[225] call'd; by which, afar, Our sires foresaw the events of war. Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew." MALISE.