Wrothful at such arraignment foul, Dark lower'd the clansman's sable scowl. A space he paused, then sternly said, "And heardst thou why he drew his blade? Heardst thou, that shameful word and blow Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe? What reck'd the Chieftain if he stood On Highland heath, or Holy-Rood? He rights such wrong where it is given, If it were in the court of heaven."-- "Still was it outrage;--yet, 'tis true, Not then claim'd sovereignty his due; While Albany, with feeble hand, Held borrow'd truncheon of command, The young King, mew'd[281] in Stirling tower, Was stranger to respect and power.[282] But then, thy Chieftain's robber life!-- Winning mean prey by causeless strife, Wrenching from ruin'd Lowland swain His herds and harvest rear'd in vain.-- Methinks a soul, like thine, should scorn The spoils from such foul foray borne." [281] Imprisoned. [282] That period of Scottish history from the battle of Flodden to the majority of James V. was full of disorder and violence. VII. The Gael beheld him grim the while, And answer'd with disdainful smile,-- "Saxon, from yonder mountain high, I mark'd thee send delighted eye, Far to the south and east, where lay, Extended in succession gay, Deep waving fields and pastures green, With gentle slopes and groves between:-- These fertile plains, that soften'd vale, Were once the birthright of the Gael; The stranger came with iron hand, And from our fathers reft[283] the land. Where dwell we now? See, rudely swell Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. Ask we this savage hill we tread, For fatten'd steer or household bread; Ask we for flocks these shingles dry,-- And well the mountain might reply, 'To you, as to your sires of yore, Belong the target and claymore! I give you shelter in my breast, Your own good blades must win the rest.' Pent in this fortress of the north, Thinkst thou we will not sally forth, To spoil the spoiler as we may, And from the robber rend the prey? Ay, by my soul!--While on yon plain The Saxon rears one shock of grain; While, of ten thousand herds, there strays But one along yon river's maze,-- The Gael, of plain and river heir, Shall, with strong hand, redeem his share. Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold, That plundering Lowland field and fold Is aught but retribution true? Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu."-- [283] Robbed. VIII.