The Monarch saw the gambols flag, And bade let loose a gallant stag, Whose pride, the holiday to crown, Two favorite greyhounds should pull down, That venison free, and Bordeaux wine, Might serve the archery to dine. But Lufra,--whom from Douglas' side Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide, The fleetest hound in all the North,-- Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth. She left the royal hounds midway, And dashing on the antler'd prey, Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank, And deep the flowing lifeblood drank. The King's stout huntsman saw the sport By strange intruder broken short, Came up, and with his leash unbound, In anger struck the noble hound. --The Douglas had endured, that morn, The King's cold look, the nobles' scorn, And last, and worst to spirit proud, Had borne the pity of the crowd; But Lufra had been fondly bred, To share his board, to watch his bed, And oft would Ellen, Lufra's neck In maiden glee with garlands deck; They were such playmates, that with name Of Lufra, Ellen's image came. His stifled wrath is brimming high, In darken'd brow and flashing eye; As waves before the bark divide, The crowd gave way before his stride; Needs but a buffet and no more, The groom lies senseless in his gore. Such blow no other hand could deal Though gauntleted in glove of steel. XXVI. Then clamor'd loud the royal train, And brandish'd swords and staves amain. But stern the baron's warning--"Back! Back, on[313] your lives, ye menial pack! Beware the Douglas.--Yes! behold, King James! The Douglas, doom'd of old, And vainly sought for near and far, A victim to atone the war, A willing victim, now attends, Nor craves thy grace but for his friends."-- "Thus is my clemency repaid? Presumptuous Lord!" the Monarch said; "Of thy mis-proud[314] ambitious clan, Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man, The only man, in whom a foe My woman mercy would not know: But shall a Monarch's presence brook Injurious blow, and haughty look?-- What ho! the Captain of our Guard! Give the offender fitting ward.-- Break off the sports!"--for tumult rose, And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows,-- "Break off the sports!" he said, and frown'd, "And bid our horsemen clear the ground." [313] As you value. [314] Wrongly, mistakenly proud. XXVII.