Beside its embers red and clear, Bask'd, in his plaid, a mountaineer; And up he sprung with sword in hand,-- "Thy name and purpose? Saxon, stand!"-- "A stranger."--"What dost thou require?"-- "Rest and a guide, and food and fire. My life's beset, my path is lost, The gale has chill'd my limbs with frost."-- "Art thou a friend to Roderick?"--"No."-- "Thou darest not call thyself a foe?"-- "I dare! to him and all the band He brings to aid his murderous hand."-- "Bold words!--but, though the beast of game The privilege of chase may claim, Though space and law the stag we lend, Ere hound we slip,[273] or bow we bend, Who ever reck'd, where, how, or when, The prowling fox was trapp'd or slain? Thus treacherous scouts,--yet sure they lie, Who say them earnest a secret spy!"-- "They do, by Heaven!--Come Roderick Dhu, And of his clan the boldest two, And let me but till morning rest, I write the falsehood on their crest."-- "If by the blaze I mark aright, Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight."-- "Then by these tokens mayest thou know Each proud oppressor's mortal foe."-- "Enough, enough;--sit down, and share A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." [273] Loose from the leash. XXXI. He gave him of his Highland cheer, The harden'd flesh of mountain deer; Dry fuel on the fire he laid, And bade the Saxon share his plaid. He tended him like welcome guest, Then thus his farther speech address'd:-- "Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu A clansman born, a kinsman true; Each word against his honor spoke, Demands of me avenging stroke; Yet more, upon thy fate, 'tis said, A mighty augury[274] is laid. It rests with me to wind my horn,-- Thou art with numbers overborne; It rests with me, here, brand to brand, Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand: But, not for clan, nor kindred's cause, Will I depart from honor's laws; To assail a wearied man were shame, And stranger is a holy name; Guidance and rest, and food and fire, In vain he never must require. Then rest thee here till dawn of day; Myself will guide thee on the way, O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward, Till past Clan-Alpine's utmost guard, As far as Coilantogle's ford; From thence thy warrant[275] is thy sword."-- "I take thy courtesy, by Heaven, As freely as 'tis nobly given!"-- "Well, rest thee; for the bittern's cry Sings us the lake's wild lullaby." With that he shook the gather'd heath, And spread his plaid upon the wreath; And the brave foemen, side by side, Lay peaceful down, like brothers tried, And slept until the dawning beam Purpled the mountain and the stream. [274] See Stanza VI. p. 109. [275] Safeguard. CANTO FIFTH. THE COMBAT. I.