"Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be, Since it is worthy care from thee; Yet life I hold but idle breath, When love or honor's weigh'd with death. Then let me profit by my chance, And speak my purpose bold at once. I come to bear thee from a wild, Where ne'er before such blossom smiled; By this soft hand to lead thee far From frantic scenes of feud and war. Near Bochastle my horses wait; They bear us soon to Stirling gate. I'll place thee in a lovely bower, I'll guard thee like a tender flower"-- "Oh! hush, Sir Knight! 'twere female art, To say I do not read thy heart; Too much, before, my selfish ear Was idly soothed my praise to hear. That fatal bait hath lured thee back, In deathful hour, o'er dangerous track; And how, oh how, can I atone The wreck my vanity brought on!-- One way remains--I'll tell him all-- Yes! struggling bosom, forth it shall! Thou, whose light folly bears the blame Buy thine own pardon with thy shame! But first--my father is a man Outlaw'd and exiled, under ban; The price of blood is on his head, With me 'twere infamy to wed.-- Still wouldst thou speak?--then hear the truth! Fitz-James, there is a noble youth,-- If yet he is!--exposed for me And mine to dread extremity[256]-- Thou hast the secret of my heart; Forgive, be generous, and depart!" [256] Danger. XVIII. Fitz-James knew every wily train[257] A lady's fickle heart to gain; But here he knew and felt them vain. There shot no glance from Ellen's eye, To give her steadfast speech the lie; In maiden confidence she stood, Though mantled in her cheek the blood, And told her love with such a sigh Of deep and hopeless agony, As[258] death had seal'd her Malcolm's doom, And she sat sorrowing on his tomb. Hope vanish'd from Fitz-James's eye, But not with hope fled sympathy. He proffer'd to attend her side, As brother would a sister guide.-- "Oh! little know'st thou Roderick's heart! Safer for both we go apart. Oh haste thee, and from Allan learn, If thou mayst trust yon wily kern." With hand upon his forehead laid, The conflict of his mind to shade, A parting step or two he made; Then, as some thought had cross'd his brain, He paused, and turn'd, and came again. [257] Artifice. [258] As if. XIX.