"Brave Gael, my pass in danger tried, Hangs in my belt, and by my side; Yet, sooth to tell," the Saxon said, "I dreamt not now to claim its aid. When here, but three days since, I came, Bewilder'd in pursuit of game, All seem'd as peaceful and as still As the mist slumbering on yon hill; Thy dangerous Chief was then afar, Nor soon expected back from war. Thus said, at least, my mountain guide, Though deep, perchance, the villain lied."-- "Yet why a second venture try?"-- "A warrior thou, and ask me why!-- Moves our free course by such fix'd cause As gives the poor mechanic laws? Enough, I sought to drive away The lazy hours of peaceful day; Slight cause will then suffice to guide A Knight's free footsteps far and wide,-- A falcon flown, a greyhound stray'd, The merry glance of mountain maid: Or, if a path be dangerous known, The danger's self is lure alone."-- V. "Thy secret keep, I urge thee not;-- Yet, ere again ye sought this spot, Say, heard ye naught of Lowland war, Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar?" --"No, by my word;--of bands prepared To guard King James's sports I heard; Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear This muster of the mountaineer, Their pennons will abroad be flung, Which else in Doune had peaceful hung."-- "Free be they flung!--for we were loth Their silken folds should feast the moth. Free be they flung!--as free shall wave Clan-Alpine's pine in banner brave. But, Stranger, peaceful since you came, Bewilder'd in the mountain game, Whence the bold boast by which you show[279] Vich-Alpine's vow'd and mortal foe?"-- "Warrior, but yester-morn, I knew Naught of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, Save as an outlaw'd desperate man, The chief of a rebellious clan, Who, in the Regent's[280] court and sight, With ruffian dagger stabb'd a knight: Yet this alone might from his part Sever each true and loyal heart." [279] Declare yourself to be. [280] Duke of Albany (see Introduction, p. 12, and Stanza VI.). VI.