And this is why I sojourn here, Alone and palely loitering, Though the sedge is wither'd from the lake, And no birds sing. LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER Thomas Campbell A chieftain to the Highlands bound, Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! And I'll give thee a silver pound To row us o'er the ferry."-- "Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, This dark and stormy water?" "O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, And this Lord Ullin's daughter. "And fast before her father's men Three days we've fled together, For should he find us in the glen, My blood would stain the heather. "His horsemen hard behind us ride; Should they our steps discover, Then who will cheer my bonny bride When they have slain her lover?"-- Out spoke the hardy Highland wight, "I'll go, my chief--I'm ready:-- It is not for your silver bright; But for your winsome lady: "And by my word! the bonny bird In danger shall not tarry: So, though the waves are raging white, I'll row you o'er the ferry."-- By this the storm grew loud apace, The water-wraith was shrieking; And in the scowl of heaven each face Grew dark as they were speaking. But still as wilder blew the wind, And as the night grew drearer, Adown the glen rode armed men, Their trampling sounded nearer.-- "O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries, "Though tempests round us gather; I'll meet the raging of the skies, But not an angry father."-- The boat has left a stormy land, A stormy sea before her,-- When, oh! too strong for human hand, The tempest gathered o'er her.-- And still they rowed amidst the roar Of waters fast prevailing: Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore,-- His wrath was changed to wailing.-- For sore dismayed, through storm and shade, His child he did discover:-- One lovely hand she stretched for aid, And one was round her lover. "Come back! come back!" he cried, in grief, "Across this stormy water: And I'll forgive your Highland chief, My daughter! oh, my daughter!"-- 'Twas vain:--the loud waves lashed the shore. Return or aid preventing:-- The waters wild went o'er his child, And he was left lamenting. YOUNG LOCHINVAR Sir Walter Scott Oh young Lochinvar is come out of the west, Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; And save his good broadsword he weapon had none; He rode all unarm'd, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. He staid not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, He swam the Esk river where ford there was none; But ere he alighted at Netherby gate, The bride had consented, the gallant came late: For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.