The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd Centenary Edition. With a Memoir of the Author, by the Rev. Thomas Thomson ... Poems and Life. With Many Illustrative Engravings [by James Hogg] |
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 | The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd |  |
The champions on the field that stood,
Still gazing on the deadly feud,
Now, without languor or remark,
Flew to the combat stern and stark:
When, strange to tell! the lord of Ross.
The warrior shapeless, gnarl'd, and gross,
So hardly press'd the giant Dane,
That round and round upon the plain
He made him shift and shun the strife,
Then fairly turn and fly for life.
Gaul follow'd; but as well he might
Have chased the red deer on the height,
As his tall enemy, that strode
Slow round the field with taunt and nod;
Gaul waddling after, sword in hand,
Puffing, and cursing him to stand;
Loud rang the shouts around the pale,
And laughter gibber'd on the gale.
Still gazing on the deadly feud,
Now, without languor or remark,
Flew to the combat stern and stark:
When, strange to tell! the lord of Ross.
The warrior shapeless, gnarl'd, and gross,
256
That round and round upon the plain
He made him shift and shun the strife,
Then fairly turn and fly for life.
Gaul follow'd; but as well he might
Have chased the red deer on the height,
As his tall enemy, that strode
Slow round the field with taunt and nod;
Gaul waddling after, sword in hand,
Puffing, and cursing him to stand;
Loud rang the shouts around the pale,
And laughter gibber'd on the gale.
| The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd | |