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 | The poetical works of William H. C. Hosmer |  |
193
A SCOTTISH BALLAD.
“We perish, or avenge him!”
The fierce Mc Ians cried,
When, stricken by an arrow,
The brave young Ronald died.
The fierce Mc Ians cried,
When, stricken by an arrow,
The brave young Ronald died.
Noon saw them stem the battle
With targe and broad claymore,
But moonlight fell upon them
Crouched darkly in their gore.
With targe and broad claymore,
But moonlight fell upon them
Crouched darkly in their gore.
Mourn, mourn, ye houseless widows!
Ye orphan children, wail!
Nor son, nor sire, nor brother
Come back to tell the tale!
Ye orphan children, wail!
Nor son, nor sire, nor brother
Come back to tell the tale!
Ho! pale and plaided maiden,
Of light, but hurried tread—
Thy quest is vain; for Ronald,
Thy Highland lad, is dead!
Of light, but hurried tread—
Thy quest is vain; for Ronald,
Thy Highland lad, is dead!
At last she found her lover
Stretched on the dewy turf—
His face, all streaked with crimson,
Colder than wintry surf.
Stretched on the dewy turf—
His face, all streaked with crimson,
Colder than wintry surf.
The brooch on his hushed bosom
Flashed in the wan moonlight,
And low and dirge-like music
Rose on the blast of night.
Flashed in the wan moonlight,
And low and dirge-like music
Rose on the blast of night.
194
She wildly kissed his cold lips,
And over him she spread
Her chequered plaid, believing
Its warmth might wake the dead.
And over him she spread
Her chequered plaid, believing
Its warmth might wake the dead.
Poor, crazed, heart-broken Flora,
Thy time of woe was brief,
For blue-eyed morning found thee
A corse beside thy chief!
Thy time of woe was brief,
For blue-eyed morning found thee
A corse beside thy chief!
Deep grave the herdsmen hollowed
Within the valley lone,
And there ye rest together
Without memorial-stone.
Within the valley lone,
And there ye rest together
Without memorial-stone.
| The poetical works of William H. C. Hosmer | |